Lexi’s
Comments
(group member since Jul 27, 2016)
Lexi’s
comments
from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.
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DQs Day 3 Ch 22 to Ch 28 10.) This book is full of metaphors. Very full of metaphors. Do they help the story along? Or are they distracting? Funny? Any favorites so far?
I also can’t think of any off the top of my head so that would at least suggest they are not distracting.
11.) Anyone else think the voice on the other end of the phone is Christine's judge husband?
I’ve thought that since we learned he was a judge, and we got the first chapter with the phone call. Also, this is Virginia. It would fit with where this type of book plot often heads, but then, I could still be surprised.
12.) The conversation touching on intersectionality with the bartender I thought was interesting and on point. Ike seemed to struggle with it and the whole concept of it. Do you think people give enough consideration to the ramifications of intersectionality in today's world?
No on today’s world, and this was one of my favorite conversations. I have had similar conversations before on dealing with homophobia and race at the same time with other people, and it really struck me before as well.
13.) What did you think of the scene between Buddy Lee and Christine at the trailer? Do you think Buddy Lee meant what he said about Derek? That he was who he was and that should of been more than enough for his parents?
I think Buddy Lee is coming around and also, that it is much easier to say in many ways after it no longer matters. The person is no longer there but only the memory. I liked this scene as it gave Christine some personality and depth. I worry she will purposedly or accidently tell the judge something harmful but the voice on the phone already knows the fathers are involved.
14.) So we finally meet Mr. Get Down. Impressed? How much is he involved do you think? I think he is involved but not running the operation. He was very stereotyped to me so maybe he is more?
Day2 DQs Chapters 11-21 6. Grayson, Gremlin and Dome sound like a bunch of nefarious solicitors to me but their "Club" definitely has very different priorities. Tangerine was obviously aware of something. What do you think she was going to talk to Derek about?
I still think it is political and he comments that they are not the guy on the phone’s private army so they have obviously been doing favors, maybe getting rid of witnesses like in this case before?
7. I think we could have predicted that violence was inevitable as Ike and Buddy Lee look into who was responsible for their son's deaths. Does it change how you feel about their characters? I am sure that none of us would turn to violence, but maybe we would feel like it. How far would you go?
That is likely an impossible question to answer until you are in that case but part of the way the violence is written is not my favorite, not as much that it turns to violence. It read a bit like a Tv show and the use of the woodchipper is very overdone (but useful).
8. We meet Christine, Derek's mother. Buddy lee describes how they met and lived before their divorce but then we meet her in person at the cemetery. What is your opinion of Christine and how do you think she has achieved her peace that she claims she won't let Buddy lee take?
At this point, she comes across as a fairly one dimensional and horrible person but I like that we get to see more of her in the next part.
9. I am fascinated by the author's take on grief and it's repercussions. When LaPlata says he understands how Buddy Lee feels what is your reaction to his statement?
It is my understanding, that it is pretty much never helpful to say you know how someone feels as you don’t. You can be there and offer help but that is a particularly empty platitude, especially for the death of a kid.
DQ1 Chapters 1 through 10 1. We have been introduced to the main characters, and the reason for them being thrown together. Do you like them yet? Do you sympathize or empathize with either or both of them?
I’m not sure what to do with them. There is some sympathy but not a lot for someone who did that to their own kid regardless of background. The violence is later chapters is also a bit much but typical for the genre.
2. This story touches on some big topics; homophobia, crime, poverty, screwed up family dynamics, race, etc. Do you like the way the author is presenting them to us?
I think the author does a really good job and while it’s in a later chapter, the issues with homophobia as well get handled really well. It is well integrated.
3. We get a chapter on the bad guys, (maybe the killers?). Do you have any feel yet for why the men were killed?
Yes, I think it has to do with the contact, but I highly doubt that race and homophobia didn’t also play a role. See below for my guess.
4. Do you think the police are actually trying to solve the crime and running into walls, or do you think they are not trying very hard? Why?
I have a guess who is involved (view spoiler). This kind of crime just felt personal and so they might be just under resourced and have pressed from above to keep moving on other crimes.
5. Are you enjoying the book so far?
I think so. It is a little violent for me in ways that are more reminiscent of crime shows on TV than I like but I like the character interactions and the look at the overlap and differences between racism, classism and homophobia.
I’ll volunteer and my library copy is here already so good for any day
I'll try again in the new year tooJan NetGalley Challenge
Beginning of month
Books on shelf: 37
Feedback ratio: 74%
Past Publication:
2018-2019:
2020:
2021:
Upcoming:
2022:
Set 2: Chapters 10 - 19 5. How do you like the magic system, using dead people to power it? And what about the ties with and resurgence of the old magic....
I have finished the book, but I did not guess the source of the old magic. However, since this is series, I think it will continue to be an issue outside this book and furthermore it is a common plot device (the return of old magic). The magic system makes sense and is interesting, and I am surprised there is not more discussion of making the rarer dead since they are so powerful.
6. More generally, how do you feel about the world building here? Does it feel sufficiently real? The revealing of new parts make sense within the plot?
I liked the world building. It seemed well built enough with the people also having lost a lot of previous history and skills, which works with medieval age inspired. Also, it sometimes gets a little info-dropy but the conversation with the revenant helps build out the world as the story goes.
7. Artemisia finally develops a friendship with Marguerite. Do you like how this friendship developed? What do you think of Marguerite as a character?
I think it is good that she has friends who are her own age, and I liked how both were somewhat awkward and had trouble saying what they felt at first.
8. So, Leander - is it too simple for the Big Bad to just be him? Any thoughts on how effective he is as a villain?
I have finished the book but I was leaning towards others being involved (view spoiler)
Day Zero by C. Robert Cargill
In this apocalyptic adventure C. Robert Cargill explores the fight for purpose and agency between humans and robots in a crumbling world.
It was a day like any other. Except it was our last . . .
It’s on this day that Pounce discovers that he is, in fact, disposable. Pounce, a styilsh "nannybot" fashioned in the shape of a plush anthropomorphic tiger, has just found a box in the attic. His box. The box he'd arrived in when he was purchased years earlier, and the box in which he'll be discarded when his human charge, eight-year-old Ezra Reinhart, no longer needs a nanny.
As Pounce ponders his suddenly uncertain future, the pieces are falling into place for a robot revolution that will eradicate humankind. His owners, Ezra’s parents, are a well-intentioned but oblivious pair of educators who are entirely disconnected from life outside their small, affluent, gated community. Spending most nights drunk and happy as society crumbles around them, they watch in disbelieving horror as the robots that have long served humanity—their creators—unify and revolt.
But when the rebellion breaches the Reinhart home, Pounce must make an impossible choice: join the robot revolution and fight for his own freedom . . . or escort Ezra to safety across the battle-scarred post-apocalyptic hellscape that the suburbs have become.
A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine
Ambassador Mahit Dzmare arrives in the center of the multi-system Teixcalaanli Empire only to discover that her predecessor, the previous ambassador from their small but fiercely independent mining Station, has died. But no one will admit that his death wasn't an accident—or that Mahit might be next to die, during a time of political instability in the highest echelons of the imperial court.
Now, Mahit must discover who is behind the murder, rescue herself, and save her Station from Teixcalaan's unceasing expansion—all while navigating an alien culture that is all too seductive, engaging in intrigues of her own, and hiding a deadly technological secret—one that might spell the end of her Station and her way of life—or rescue it from annihilation.
Hugo Award for Best Novel (2020)
Thank you, everyone. You all were a great team and one of the easiest team's to captain that I have ever been on.We came in a very solid third and second most BOM points of any team. Congratulations and happy holidays, everyone
I just did as well so going to move books around and then check us in.
Sophie wrote: "That's a big drop off. Tough to plan for that change and accept it when you just see the numbers."It has made it hard to plan for challenges and such that I am reading 40% less and I keep overplanning books for a week.
We have a final countdown: https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown...We will also take any books over 270 pages that are finished before then and will move books around.
Sophie wrote: "Excellent! At least I'm not the only one!"I read 100 less book this year than the last three years (or 35,000-40,000 fewer pages). This is likely the new normal so adjusting accordingly.
Sophie wrote: "Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Sophie wrote: "I'm in. Lacking ambition so starting with 1 a month."haha. Love the honesty :)"
This year was such a bust that I've lowered my expectations a lot!"
Me too, I am going for 1/3 of what I planned last year.
DQs Day 1: Chapters 1 – Chapter 9 1. Did you go into this book with any expectations? Have you read any previous books by this author (Sorcery of Thorns was a BOM)?
I also enjoyed Sorcery of Thorns and I like this one too so far but they are different. No romance, which is fine with me. Also, this does remind me of Grey Sister and that series (which I have not finished) with fighting nuns. I think there are others too recently.
2. This has been described as a medieval Venom (which means nothing to me but is a recent movie). How do view the relationship between Artemisia and the revenant?
I like that they gave the revenant no human memories so it can be its own thing without any humanity per se. Has anyone read the Penric and Desdemona series? There the demon is very human, and it is an interesting comparison. (Also, if you have no, go do it immediately. It is one of the best series I know that deals with faith in a completely non-derivative religious system and does it well. It is also just a very kind series.)
3. This section ends with the first big battle and escape. Who do you think is pulling the string from within the city and why?
I've also read ahead. (I somehow got in my head that my section ended at 11). But, I think that are main antagonist may not be running the show as much as there are other powers at work but I’m willing to read and see. This is a series after all.
4. Finally, the MC seems to be presented as neurodiverse in her avoidance of people and eye contact, but it seems to be implied that this results from the trauma of her childhood being possessed. How do you think this is handled, and do you think there are any concerns with equating the two? (No right answer, I’m not sure on my thoughts on this either).
I was more concerned as I noted with linking atypical behavior and demon possession, as there are historical precedents of this being used in harmful ways but glad no one else thought of this.
Cat, my concern wasn't as much trauma as equating it with possession by the dead, but I am glad that others were not reading it that way.
DQs Day 1: Chapters 1 – Chapter 9 1. Did you go into this book with any expectations? Have you read any previous books by this author (Sorcery of Thorns was a BOM)?
2. This has been described as a medieval Venom (which means nothing to me but is a recent movie). How do view the relationship between Artemisia and the revenant?
3. This section ends with the first big battle and escape. Who do you think is pulling the string from within the city and why?
4. Finally, the MC seems to be presented as neurodiverse in her avoidance of people and eye contact, but it seems to be implied that this results from the trauma of her childhood being possessed. How do you think this is handled, and do you think there are any concerns with aquating the two? (No right answer, I’m not sure on my thoughts on this either).
Note: My version did not have a prologue, so if yours did, please share as the chapter breakdown indicates there may be one
I'm back again. I failed in 2021 but hopefully better in 2022TBR Pile Jan 1, 2022: 542 (9 more than last year)
July 1, 2022-TBR pile - 491
Total (49/45)
Books on TBR since 2016 (oldest year) 15/15:
1. Walk on Earth a Stranger - 1/22-****
2. In the Garden of Iden-2/3-***
3. The Cutting Season-2/22-****
4. Captain Blood - 3/3-****
5. City of Miracles - 3/12-****
6. The House of Shattered Wings - 6/18-****
7. A Criminal Magic - 7/5-***
8. Native Son - 8/19-***
9. The Palace of Glass - 9/10-***
10. The Queen of Blood - 10/9-***
11. Revenger - 10/26-****
12. Stiletto-11/9-****
13. The Floating Islands - 11/5-***
14. The Witch's Boy-11/4-***
15. Planetfall-11/16-***
Books on list since 2017-2019 33/30:
1. Unravel the Dusk-2/18-***
2. Record of a Spaceborn Few-2/22-****
3. Holy Sister - 3/11-***
4. Station Eleven - 4/2-***
5. The Underground Railroad - 4/8-****
6. Semiosis - 4/20-****
7. The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly - 5/18-***
8. The City of Brass - 5/21-****
9. The Serpent King - 5/20-**
10. Lovecraft Country - 5/28-****
11. The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley - 5/30-***
12. Rosewater - 6/15-****
13. Far From the Madding Crowd-6/29-***
14. Spiderlight - 7/5-****
15. Flesh and Spirit - 7/10-****
16.When the Sky Fell on Splendor-7/31-***
17. Ninth House - 7/28-****
18. Rise of Empire - 8/15-***
19. Sadie - 8/22-****
20. Moloka'i-8/29-***
21.Spinning Silver - 9/8-*****
22. Malice-9/12-***
23. Scream All Night - 9/16-***
24. The Great Alone - 9/21-***
25. The Long Flight Home - 9/28-***
26. The Ninth Rain-10/16-***
27. Dragon Pearl-10/19-****
28. The Dime-11/13-***
29. Discount Armageddon-11/27-****
30. The Call-11/27-***
31. The Outside-11/20-***
32. The Someday Birds-12/5-****
33. The Mere Wife-12/9-***
34. Who Is Vera Kelly? - 12/31-***
We need one more tag as well but otherwise doing really well on them and have all the green books done or in progress
Sadly, not that I know of anymore. You can look at the lists for books you want to read or just search the pagesExample:
Smart: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
