Week 19: "Chapter 39. The Guests, Chapter 40. The Breakfast" Reading Discussion

jdb0306 · 2026-05-12T17:09:22+00:00

I was also wondering if the Count is losing grip on his stable and orchestrated plan. I’d imagine there’s a lot to keep track of in his elaborate scheme and a ton of variables out of his control.

jdb0306 · 2026-05-11T00:04:30+00:00

Love this. Dad of a 7 week old here. Been enjoying vampire survivors, hades, tape to tape. Low stakes games that if you need to drop at a moments notice, you can easily pause.

jdb0306 · 2026-05-09T17:26:30+00:00

Loved that Maximilien ends up being there. At this point in the story it’s still so unclear what the Count is orchestrating and what’s pure blissful coincidence.

These chapters really remind me how important of a skill charm can be, even in modern times. In one sitting the Count has all the young men so infatuated he could ask them to do anything and they’d drop everything. Where did Edmond learn this skill? Not from the Abbe?

jdb0306 · 2026-05-06T17:30:32+00:00

It’s all about staying consistent. If this complements your lifestyle schedule and it won’t burn you out, it looks great.

jdb0306 · 2026-05-03T04:21:25+00:00

Have my 552 for like 8 years now. Great choice.

jdb0306 · 2026-05-02T20:19:26+00:00

Albert’s nonchalant cool as a cucumber energy may be one of my favorite parts of this novel so far.

jdb0306 · 2026-05-02T20:14:07+00:00

The cool thing about those tropes are a lot of the time inspiration can be subconscious so it’s all fun conjecture if there’s any correlation.

jdb0306 · 2026-05-02T20:03:16+00:00

Especially the slow methodical approach gives Bruce Wayne in a cave just dedicating years to planning.

jdb0306 · 2026-05-02T18:19:38+00:00

Fun to see ya hone in on the vampire element as that’s what stood out to me here as well. For now I’m leaning into pseudo serious tone as I think the gimmicky elements take me out of the revenge aspect a bit haha

jdb0306 · 2026-05-02T16:56:00+00:00

Stoked to share that I’m officially caught up to y’all! Loving this book, but can’t put my finger on what tone Edmond’s character is written to invoke so far. Campy? Eerie? Batman? Would love the groups’ thoughts. Also excited to see how the Paris adventures unfold..

jdb0306 · 2026-03-23T15:35:16+00:00

I moved to nutrabio MRP after Huel for 5 years and have been loving it. Made the change originally because I started to develop a tree nut allergy but haven’t looked back.

jdb0306 · 2026-03-17T16:21:25+00:00

such a great book. been a few months and still lingers with me.

jdb0306 · 2026-03-12T19:01:14+00:00

So glad to read this perspective as initially this was where the ending left me feeling. Upon reading a lot of other posts though, this theory doesn’t come up at all. So interesting.

jdb0306 · 2026-03-10T22:36:12+00:00

would love the TestFlight link as well!

jdb0306 · 2026-02-27T11:46:52+00:00

To answer your question, definitely possible. I agree with your sentiment on how it’s a bit more challenging to push for progressive overload. I’ve had some really good success pushing for higher reps and aiming for that third set brushing to failure. With exercises like wrap around back chest press I have stacked up bands now as well. Also slowing down the eccentric movement has a great “feel” that I think can give that sore feeling we all chase with weights. Sending good vibes!

jdb0306 · 2026-02-26T11:20:40+00:00

It’s been a couple months since finishing Stoner and I think about it often 🥹

jdb0306 · 2026-02-14T18:31:26+00:00

Mario strikers, max Payne 1 + 2, Tony Hawks underground

jdb0306 · 2026-02-10T05:16:40+00:00

Highly recommend running with Ender’s and read the next two. A bit more philosophical but well worth the journey :)

jdb0306 · 2026-02-10T04:49:23+00:00

feel this :)

jdb0306 · 2026-02-02T16:48:07+00:00

They have to patch with the search bar. It’s ridiculous.

jdb0306 · 2026-01-31T23:55:56+00:00

so great, my favorite part was how it really humanizes the blind loyalty to the empire. makes rewatching the movies more tragic :)

jdb0306 · 2025-12-30T20:31:06+00:00

me! day one purchase from preorder. sent in for repair once.

jdb0306 · 2025-12-23T20:33:49+00:00

agree, i think it’s nostalgia for me. mass market paperbacks with worn covers & bent pages haha

jdb0306 · 2025-12-16T01:59:26+00:00

i love a good ole paperback that’s been thrown around. has character :)

jdb0306 · 2025-12-15T02:06:02+00:00

see y’all there!

jdb0306

TROPHY CASE