NNO Book Club: Nettle & Bone

NOTE: This is the 1st Saturday of the month, as I will be hosting an event for 35+ On the Town (https://www.meetup.com/35-on-the-town) at Tampa Bay Downs on the 2nd Saturday for the 45th Running of the South Tampa Bay Derby, one of the points races for the Triple Crown races later in the year.

Most months, our book selections are based on the summaries, reviews, and a gut sense of what sort of books the group enjoys. But every now and then, there is a book I’ve already read that jumps into the queue. I didn’t quite know what to expect this one, but it turned out to be charming and enjoyable take on a typical fantasy story.

Also – I am just going to say it now – the opening chapter does that “jump forward in time/in medias res” thing I find sort of hit or miss. Personally, I found this one a bit of a miss – so I am just warning you all – keep going and get to the more normal tone of chapter two and beyond before you make a judgement on this book.

For March, we are reading Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher.

***Book summary from Goodreads***
After years of seeing her sisters suffer at the hands of an abusive prince, Marra—the shy, convent-raised, third-born daughter—has finally realized that no one is coming to their rescue. No one, except for Marra herself.

Seeking help from a powerful gravewitch, Marra is offered the tools to kill a prince—if she can complete three impossible tasks. But, as is the way in tales of princes, witches, and daughters, the impossible is only the beginning.

On her quest, Marra is joined by the gravewitch, a reluctant fairy godmother, a strapping former knight, and a chicken possessed by a demon. Together, the five of them intend to be the hand that closes around the throat of the prince and frees Marra's family and their kingdom from its tyrannous ruler at last.

***This month's restaurant selection***
We are back to “Central Tampa” in our three-month rotation and a restaurant where I swear we have ordered half the menu on previous visits. The traditional Russian/Eastern European dining style of entrees, apps, and soups all just sort of melding into the meal can be a little confusing – but the food including a wide variety of specialties from former SSRs is amazing. Everyone come hungry and with a ready wallet – we are headed back to Babushka’s Hyde Park! You can view the menu here: https://www.babushkas.us/hyde-park.

Also, a note on parking. Platt Street in front of Babushka’s is one-way so depending on your route, you may need to go past it on S Boulevard and do a loop around the block. While there are limited spots next to the restaurant, there is an unpaved lot behind, snuggled up to the Selmon, that always has space.

***Not sure about book club or never been to one before? ***
Read the book (or some of the book). Come to the Meetup. Eat yummy food and chat with folks about what you thought about the book. REPEAT!

***Not sure where to get the book? ***
All books we select have a decent number of copies (at least 3-4 across all formats) at both the Hillsborough and Pinellas County Library. And, of course, you can always buy a copy.

***Didn’t finish/hated this book?***
Come to the Meetup anyway! If you didn't finish - just be aware, there will be spoilers. If you hated it, come and rant! In my experience, the books that generate the best conversations and the books we really love are rarely the same books.