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This is a discussion topic for the August 2024 Book of the Month, "Deceptive Calm" by Patricia Skipper.

What is your overall opinion of the book? What do you like most about it? What do you like the least? What did you think of the writing style? What genre is the book? What genres are woven into the text? What did you think of the cover and title? What was the greatest lesson you learned from the book? Will you recommend the book to other people? Why or why not?

Please remember to add your actual rating using the book's page on the Bookshelf.

I would rate it a four out five stars because of how it showed the true struggle of a black woman

When I look at the book cover, I see a sense of peacefulness and tranquility, as it beautifully captures the essence of "Deceptive Calm" with its serene image of a bridge.

I enjoyed looking at the book's cover because it gave me a sense of peace and tranquility. I rated this book 5 out of 5 because it was well-written and a joy to read.

I am only halfway through the book, but I now understand the title and the cover. I think both are appropriate, and I appreciate the subtleties of the background graphics.

The book's cover was appealing to me because it exuded calm and tranquility. I'd love to give it a shot after I'm done with my current reading.

David Awunor wrote: ↑08 Aug 2024, 08:05 When I look at the book cover, I see a sense of peacefulness and tranquility, as it beautifully captures the essence of "Deceptive Calm" with its serene image of a bridge.

Your words sound interesting and give me a feeling to try this one.

Diana Lowery wrote: ↑08 Aug 2024, 08:46 I am only halfway through the book, but I now understand the title and the cover. I think both are appropriate, and I appreciate the subtleties of the background graphics.

I feel the same as when I saw the cover, and your words are helpful in deciding whether readers read it or not.

Despite only having read half of the book, I can already understand the cover and title. The intricacies of the backdrop visuals are something I find appealing, and I believe both are appropriate.

I am a little over halfway through reading the book, and I did like the cover and the title. It makes you feel calm, although the period of time in the book is anything but calm.

Well I just started reading the book. The cover is nice and the introduction is what kept me glued to this book. So I think it will exceed my expectations.

Rating: 5/5 stars. The most striking aspect of the book is its unflinching exploration of racial identity. Vanessa's journey is both heartbreaking and inspiring, as she grapples with the challenges of living a lie while searching for her true self. Skipper's ability to delve into the psychological complexities of her characters is exceptional

I must say that I differ from most of the other replies in this topic. While I found the book an easy read, it was less engaging than I thought it would be. Instead of describing events and drawing the reader in, I felt like Patricia was simply telling the reader what was happening, making it less engaging. There were also inconsistencies in her reference of the characters, especially in scenes where there were multiple characters involved. I wonder if anyone else also felt the same way?

The book's cover depicts a bridge, I felt the author was showing the bridge to a better future. I enjoyed the book and rated it 5 out of 5. I felt Skipper did a good job depicting the characters and the place in time. Although Vanessa did indeed lie about who she was to get where she wanted to be, the truth always comes out. I loved that Vanessa was a meek soul, but it did not change how some people treated her. I hated how Tod and his entitled family used everyone and were so cold-hearted.

I found the book's cover to be calming and peaceful, which I really enjoyed. I gave the book a 5 out of 5 rating because it was beautifully written and a pleasure to read.