https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 14 Apr 2026 05:45:30 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-club-october-visitation-street-week-1-discussion-spoilers/page/2#post-1150668 Tue, 15 Oct 2013 11:04:16 +0000 regberadaisy 1150668@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrskc: @IRunForFun: @erinpye: so sorry ladies!</p> <p>It's up! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-club-october-visitation-street-week-1-discussion-spoilers/page/2#post-1150515 Tue, 15 Oct 2013 10:17:22 +0000 mrskc 1150515@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was wondering too that too @erinpye: </p> <p>Also, I was bad and I finished the book. oops. So I'm not sure how much I can contribute until everyone else finishes it. </p> <p>Anyone else finish it? And want to wall me about it? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-club-october-visitation-street-week-1-discussion-spoilers/page/2#post-1150070 Tue, 15 Oct 2013 06:07:51 +0000 IRunForFun 1150070@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinpye: I was wondering that myself! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-club-october-visitation-street-week-1-discussion-spoilers/page/2#post-1150025 Tue, 15 Oct 2013 02:44:11 +0000 erinpye 1150025@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is the discussion for the next section up yet? I can't seem to find it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-club-october-visitation-street-week-1-discussion-spoilers/page/2#post-1146433 Sat, 12 Oct 2013 00:55:54 +0000 lemondrop 1146433@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: great job setting this up! This book is definitely outside of my usual genre (junk romances since they are an easy escape), but I'm definitely enjoying it! Very excited to get into chapter 6 :)</p> <p>The time period is interesting to me, the cell phones made me feel that it is very current, but it definitely has a much older vibe to me. </p> <p>I've never been to NYC, I'm interested in the city itself, but not really interested in seeing Red Hook besides the brewery, which is what I think of every time I see the name (the brewery is actually out of Washington State). Mmmm, beer! ;)</p> <p>Around the age of Val and June, several of us changed bff friendships since we were going into high school, some were moving, and some people changed- I'm still in touch with each of them just some are closer than others. I can definitely relate more to Val than June being a late bloomer, but it sounds like we were much more innocent than they were! </p> <p>The eternal optimist in me really hopes that June is still alive and I'm very interested to see how things develop with Cree's involvement. I'm definitely excited to get into the next chapters, it was hard to stop so I could catch up on this discussion. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-club-october-visitation-street-week-1-discussion-spoilers/page/2#post-1141714 Thu, 10 Oct 2013 03:03:24 +0000 Ree723 1141714@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrskc: I'm with you! Based on the description of the water, I cannot imagine anything more disgusting than hopping in a raft to float through it. Even as a teenager, you couldn't have paid me enough money to do it. Gross.</p> <p>I have been to NYC and loved it, but have absolutely zero desire to go to Red Hook. I'm not really into edgy places and the description certainly doesn't make it sound like a place I'd want to go.</p> <p>I did have a childhood best friend, we're more acquaintances now, but we weren't really a Val or a June. Despite living in a big city, we were quite sheltered and never really did anything even remotely risky.</p> <p>I think June is dead but there's definitely a story behind it. I think Val knows much more than she's letting on but I haven't figured out if it's because she's scared or she played a role (accidental or not) in what happened. I think Cree witnessed what happened but I don't think he had a role in it.</p> <p>Will be interesting to see how the predictions pan out!</p> <p>@locavore_mama: great job with organising this and getting our first book club started! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-club-october-visitation-street-week-1-discussion-spoilers/page/2#post-1141557 Wed, 09 Oct 2013 21:07:56 +0000 mrsjazz 1141557@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I finally get to add to this thread. Native New Yorker. Native Brooklynite. (Go Brooklyn!) Red Hook has never been a place I've wanted to visit (but I've been there). It's only a couple of stops away from me on the train but it's not easy to get to, the walk from the train is super long and I hate taking buses...so yeah the description sounded realistic to me. It's interesting that people thought this was set way back in the past. I knew it was more recent because of some of the descriptions of the neighborhood.</p> <p>I've never lived in the projects but have had friends who did. I always feel a little weird going to the projects--they are just so huge in NYC. Also, it's interesting to me that I have friends who live in condos/co-ops throughout the city that basically look like a project complex!</p> <p>I did have a childhood BFF. I would have been Val and my friend would have been June. I was more the innocent type, I would've never taken a raft out but I wouldn't flirt with guys or want to hang out like that.</p> <p>I think June is dead. I don't think we've met the culprit yet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-club-october-visitation-street-week-1-discussion-spoilers/page/2#post-1141528 Wed, 09 Oct 2013 20:47:08 +0000 Andrea 1141528@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: I think it is in Williamsburg? My Brooklyn geography is really bad though! My friend sent me birthday cupcakes from Baked one year. I think they are based in Red Hook so the area must be improving. They also have the Ikea right? Lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-club-october-visitation-street-week-1-discussion-spoilers/page/2#post-1140485 Wed, 09 Oct 2013 12:34:22 +0000 lovehoneybee 1140485@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrskc: I once went swimming in the Mississippi River in NOLA in the middle of the night (on a night with a mood much like the one described) so I can definitely buy it, but mostly based on my own experiences. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-club-october-visitation-street-week-1-discussion-spoilers/page/2#post-1140427 Wed, 09 Oct 2013 12:14:17 +0000 IRunForFun 1140427@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrskc: Oh, it was absolutely ridiculous of them to go out in the harbor on a pool raft, but I can see that being something bored, restless teenagers might do. I mean it's not something I personally would have ever done, either, but I don't think it's too unrealistic. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-club-october-visitation-street-week-1-discussion-spoilers/page/2#post-1140410 Wed, 09 Oct 2013 12:08:00 +0000 ShootingStar 1140410@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just finished up the first 5 chapters last night (plus a couple more, whoops). </p> <p>I'm a native NY State-er, but not NYC. But I did grow up with lots of relatives in the NYC area and I spent tons of time in Brooklyn with my grandparents. However, the areas were much more middle class. It seems pretty accurate of my impression of the lower income areas, but I don't have personal experience. </p> <p>I find the relationship between Val and June to get more interesting with more details that they reveal. At first they seemed like shallow characters without depth, but it seems like the author is slowly showing who they are. I guess I identify the most with Val (kind of an outsider-ish, feeling like a side-kick sometimes rather than the main character.)</p> <p>I don't think June's alive, I think something happened and Val will feel responsible, even though I don't think she was directly involved. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-club-october-visitation-street-week-1-discussion-spoilers#post-1140314 Wed, 09 Oct 2013 11:39:40 +0000 mrskc 1140314@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm late in my response but I've been reading the thread. The book isn't doing it for me yet. Maybe because I don't read mysteries. </p> <p>Anyways, I've never been to NYC and would love to visit one of these days. The description of Red Hook doesn't make me want to visit it. </p> <p>I had a childhood BFF and we're still friends. I would say I'm more like Val and she's June but neither of us really fit well with either character. I knew by the description of June that she would b the one who would end up missing. </p> <p>I agree with others in that someone knows more, maybe that Cree guy. I'm not sure whether we've met the perp dor not. I unfortunately think June is dead or worse like one of the characters said. </p> <p>Kind of OT from the questions, but does anyone else think it was absolutely ridiculous that they went on a pool raft at night in the harbor? I just can't get over what a dumb idea that was. Seems unrealistic to me. I would never at their age do something so dumb. Maybe because I was too much of a goody goody and a scardey cat. I just cannot relate with it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-club-october-visitation-street-week-1-discussion-spoilers#post-1139713 Wed, 09 Oct 2013 09:05:16 +0000 808love 1139713@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: what is triple d?<br /> @TemperanceBrennan: I really liked your analysis. I did keep getting the characters mixed up bc of their name associations. I think you are on to something with the culprits and being worse than dead.<br /> @mrbee: Thanks for the links and helping to place time period.<br /> Isn't Red Hook the name of a beer? I keep thinking it is a beer and perhaps it doesn't taste too good. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-club-october-visitation-street-week-1-discussion-spoilers#post-1139047 Tue, 08 Oct 2013 19:22:02 +0000 mrbee 1139047@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: just following the thread! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-club-october-visitation-street-week-1-discussion-spoilers#post-1139025 Tue, 08 Oct 2013 19:07:00 +0000 regberadaisy 1139025@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had already really wanted to visit Red Hook based on what I've read online and other media sources. It's suppose to have tons of great food! So this book just makes me want to make a pit stop more the next time we're back. ;)</p> <p>I would say I'm def more Val. Never really had a June in my life.</p> <p>@TemperanceBrennan: I keep getting June &amp; Val confused as well!</p> <p>@SweetMamaM: LOL I've obviously read the whole book! I actually need to reborrow from the library for next week's discussion. ;)</p> <p>@808love: tons of great food from what I hear. A few places on Triple D! </p> <p>Does anyone know if Smorgasborg takes place near RH?</p> <p>@mrbee: are you reading the book?! ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-club-october-visitation-street-week-1-discussion-spoilers#post-1138469 Tue, 08 Oct 2013 14:46:10 +0000 TemperanceBrennan 1138469@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sorry I’m late to the discussion! Just got home from vacation.<br /> I’m not from New York, and the description of Red Hood, at least at first, seemed very fictitious to me. Maybe because of the generalized areas that were described, but I the thought never crossed my mine that it was real. I probably wouldn’t have visited Red Hook before I read this book (it doesn’t seem like there is much to do or see there) but I might want to go after so I can place all the events I’ve read about.<br /> I had/have a childhood best friend. We took pretty different paths in life and don’t talk often, but she will always be one of my closest friends. She was a little more boy crazy and the boys were definitely more attracted to her than me. We were both pretty silly/immature and would have thought taking a raft out on the water would have been a great idea, but probably too cautious to actually try it.<br /> Does anyone else get confused by their names? I think the character June sounds more like a Val and vice versa.<br /> I kind of think June is alive, but in a bad situation. When Val’s dad tells Jonathon “she’s either dead, or worse” and Jonathan asks “What’s worse than death?” I think something really bad happened to her. (Kidnapped, kept in a basement, starved, rapped, etc.)<br /> I think we have met the culprit, but it’s not one of the characters featured yet. Someone like any of the boys hanging out with Val and June’s friend before they reached the shore or the Greek across the street from the bodega. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-club-october-visitation-street-week-1-discussion-spoilers#post-1137182 Mon, 07 Oct 2013 20:08:25 +0000 Andrea 1137182@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've never been to Red Hook, but I keep hearing about it so I've been meaning to check it out. It doesn't sound appealing at all during the timeframe of the book, though!</p> <p>My BFF and I lean more towards being Vals. </p> <p>I assumed that June was dead, too. Val seems suspicious, but I don't read a lot of mysteries so I wonder if I'll be able to figure this out ahead of time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-club-october-visitation-street-week-1-discussion-spoilers#post-1136880 Mon, 07 Oct 2013 17:10:26 +0000 Running Elley 1136880@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh good questions! I've really been liking this book so far!</p> <p>I have never visited NY. I'd love to but I don't think that I would add Red Hook to the list of places in NY that I need to visit! The author did a fabulous job of describing the location though because I could totally picture it...even without ever having been anywhere like it.</p> <p>I had a childhood BFF and we're still good friends! I would say that we'd both lean more toward being Vals.</p> <p>I think that June is dead and I also think that there are people who know more than they're saying/we know so far. I do think that Val knows more than we have heard so far. I'm feeling suspicious of everyone! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-club-october-visitation-street-week-1-discussion-spoilers#post-1136642 Mon, 07 Oct 2013 15:41:57 +0000 Pirouette 1136642@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: agreed! they are really all over the map in terms of safety, cleanliness, niceness, etc.! then again, NYC is just like that. it's one of the things that makes it different from so many other cities I've been in - everyone is sort of mixed together and while some neighborhoods are safer than others, there is less divisiveness between neighborhoods (so you don't get true "ghetto" neighborhoods as opposed to safe ones). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-club-october-visitation-street-week-1-discussion-spoilers#post-1136569 Mon, 07 Oct 2013 15:20:12 +0000 regberadaisy 1136569@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pirouette: agree. When i think projects I think high rise, brown buildings that are government subsidized housing.<br /> Truth be told I have relatives that live in these and some of them are night and day. My one aunt lives in a building that's past the Williamsburg bridge. It's filthy, the elevators always smell like pee. I would not go there at night if I had a choice.<br /> But her daughter lives in one that's in Chelsea. It's super nice, has a great view of NYC.<br /> And I know of people who have great apartments that are "projects" even in Midtown! Lucky lottery.<br /> So I think the government is definitely trying to revamp the images of 'project housing'. </p> <p>Growing up our second floor apartment was rented to a family that paid with section 8 housing checks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-club-october-visitation-street-week-1-discussion-spoilers#post-1136534 Mon, 07 Oct 2013 15:09:37 +0000 shinymama 1136534@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For the non NYers does her description make you want to visit Red Hook? Truthfully, no. Maybe in the daytime, but not after dark.</p> <p>Did you have a childhood best friend? Were you June or Val? Yes, there were 4 of us that were really great friends. Our group included a couple of Vals and a couple of Junes. I was definitely in the Val camp. </p> <p>What do you think happened to June? Do you think she's alive? Do you think we have met the culprit yet? I don't think that June is alive because I'm guessing that she drowned. If we HAVE met the culprit, I would guess it's the "Maestro" over Cree (but I don't really think it's either one). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-club-october-visitation-street-week-1-discussion-spoilers#post-1136479 Mon, 07 Oct 2013 14:55:28 +0000 SugarplumsMom 1136479@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p><b>For the non NYers does her description make you want to visit Red Hook?</b> No, not at all. By how it's described, it's a place I'd like to avoid. </p> <p><b>Did you have a childhood best friend? Were you June or Val?</b> I'm definitely more of a Val and interestingly enough, a lot of my best friends as a kid were Junes! </p> <p><b>What do you think happened to June? Do you think she's alive?</b> Not sure what happened, but my hunch is it's got something to do with Cree. I think she's alive, but not in state where she can communicate. Perhaps in a state of shock or in a coma. </p> <p>This is the firs time I've read a mystery! It's not usually my genre. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-club-october-visitation-street-week-1-discussion-spoilers#post-1136457 Mon, 07 Oct 2013 14:49:33 +0000 IRunForFun 1136457@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pirouette: Hmmm, well now I know! Learn something new every day! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-club-october-visitation-street-week-1-discussion-spoilers#post-1136247 Mon, 07 Oct 2013 13:58:09 +0000 Pirouette 1136247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@IRunForFun: i've never heard of the projects referring to just any low income neighborhood...in nyc when i hear someone talk about projects i just think of gov't subsidized housing...i could be wrong though! i think this is because in many neighborhoods you are seeing projects across the street from new expensive high rises going up and there's always a bit of a controversy over it, so in many areas there are projects but they are not (or no longer) low income neighborhoods. and then there's the Section 8 housing, as Mr. Bee referenced. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-club-october-visitation-street-week-1-discussion-spoilers#post-1135939 Mon, 07 Oct 2013 12:29:26 +0000 lovehoneybee 1135939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Non-NYer, although I've visited several times. I've lived in similar areas as the Red Hook is described, and don't have an interest in visiting. I loved the descriptions of the atmosphere of the night, though. Hot, sultry, restless...I've definitely experienced nights like this and ended up doing some very out of character things. </p> <p>My best friend at their age was definitely a Val, but I was probably somewhere in between a Val and a June. I met my now best friend around the same time, and she's neither.</p> <p>For now, I think that June is dead. I think she drowned, and I think that Val had something to do with it...accidentally. Like maybe they hit a bad current or something and the float couldn't hold both of them and survival instinct caused Val to push June of or something like that. I'm usually completely wrong about things like this, which is why I love mysteries ;)</p> <p>If June is dead and it was foul play then I don't think we've met the culprit yet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-club-october-visitation-street-week-1-discussion-spoilers#post-1135886 Mon, 07 Oct 2013 12:08:01 +0000 mrbee 1135886@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@IRunForFun: Where I grew up, there were a few well-known projects and when anyone referred to the projects, they meant something really specific. Maybe things have changed over time? A lot of housing projects have been torn down and residents given Section 8 vouchers... it's a controversial topic as to whether or not that's increased or decreased crime overall:</p> <p><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/05/public-housing-demoltion-crime_n_1406952.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/05/public-housing-demoltion-crime_n_1406952.html</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-club-october-visitation-street-week-1-discussion-spoilers#post-1135861 Mon, 07 Oct 2013 11:57:37 +0000 IRunForFun 1135861@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: Yes, that is what I mean. I feel like I've heard people use the term "projects" to describe any generally poor neighborhood. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-club-october-visitation-street-week-1-discussion-spoilers#post-1135842 Mon, 07 Oct 2013 11:52:19 +0000 mrbee 1135842@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>&lt;&lt; The term projects does mean government subsidized low-income housing. Does anyone know if it's become synonymous with all areas that are largely inhabited by low-income families, not necessarily subsidized, though? &gt;&gt;</p> <p>@IRunForFun: Do you mean, if you're in a poor neighborhood, will people refer to it as the projects? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-club-october-visitation-street-week-1-discussion-spoilers#post-1135820 Mon, 07 Oct 2013 11:45:38 +0000 Mrs. Confetti 1135820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I loved the descriptive language used to describe Red Hook, but it certainly didn't paint a pretty picture of a place I would like to visit. Then again, I'm not really a NY-lover at heart, and the Chicago hispter scene isn't really my thing either, so Brooklyn has never been especially appealing. I will say though that I like when an author describes the setting in such detail that you can really visualize it in your mind.</p> <p>I had two childhood BFFs, but none of us really fit the boy-crazy role of June. </p> <p>My first instinct was that June was dead and she drowned. I guess I am not great at mysteries, but I didn't really feel that anyone mentioned in the first 5 chapters seemed like the guilty party. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hb-book-club-october-visitation-street-week-1-discussion-spoilers#post-1135740 Mon, 07 Oct 2013 11:17:55 +0000 IRunForFun 1135740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@illumina: It's a term used to mean the equivalent of "ghetto" I think and is typically lower-income...but not government subsidized low-income housing or anything.</p> <p>ETA: I looked it up and was totally wrong. The term projects does mean government subsidized low-income housing. Does anyone know if it's become synonymous with all areas that are largely inhabited by low-income families, not necessarily subsidized, though? </p>