Rebekah’s Comments (group member since Jun 22, 2013)

Rebekah’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

I will participate.

@Kim - trauma by book, I'm not sure I've experienced that before!

Just finished We Need to Talk About Kevin .

Wow. What a read. I am still pretty speechless. I had to literally put this one down multiple times in order to keep breathing.

Full review here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Viscountess Viridian wrote: "@Rebekah - I am also reading The Birth of Venus but it is taking me awhile since it is so historical. I have been to Italy(Rome and Venice), but I wished I could go to Firenze."

It took me a long time to read as well, as it is so descriptive! If you weren't very interested in the city, history, or the art, you might get bogged down. I had times I was frustrated and wondered if it was going to get going anywhere. I felt that it was worth the patience in the end, and enjoyed it overall. Also, felt that the descriptions of the city were quite akin to my experience of the city in modern times. So colorful, busy, crowded, loud, HOT, thrumming, alive, sensuous. It is an overwhelming place, but in a good way :)

Just finished The Birth of Venus

Gripping and very detailed historical fiction set in one of the most beautiful intriguing cities in the world - Firenze!

My full review (plus some personal photos of when I was in the city) here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Well that's good to know!! I updated all my Java and Flash settings and it seems to be running smoother anyway.

Wow, things just kept getting weirder, to the point that it wouldn't let me search for books anymore! I did a system restore and all appears to be working now. Computers are so weird!

I reset Firefox to original settings. Still having the same error. So weird! Oh well, luckily I don't really want to use a lot of gifs and things, just thought I would try it, and then got really frustrated

So strange!! I wonder what the problems is? I cannot see it on Firefox or Internet Explorer

I don't see an image. I see a broken link. Does that mean it is a problem with my web browser?

Finished reading The Kingdom in a marathon reading session last night. This series is definitely a page-turner! My review

Also, for the LIFE of me, I cannot get images to post. Any ideas of what I am doing wrong? I am following the directions exactly but I cannot ever see what I'm trying to post:

[image error]

Can you guys see it? I can see images that other people post in comments and reviews. Is my internet browser being weird or am I doing something wrong? Any help would be appreciated.

[image error]

Hi everyone, I realized I didn't properly introduce myself. I'm 29. I have been a voracious reader for as long as I can remember. I prefer reading literature and fiction and am also trying to slough through the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. I was a Psychology and English Literature major in college, and just chose the English double major because I knew I would be reading books anyway and figured I should get credit for it. I was a social worker and then went back to school to become a clinical child psychologist. I'm finishing up my internship and will be doing a fellowship next year in autism/developmental disabilities. Trying to get back into the groove of reading for fun, which I have missed greatly. So my reading interests tend to be kids/teens, coming-of-age, literature, women's issues, and social justice issues, as well as cultural. That being said, I like to read a variety to keep myself interested and sometimes like to read lighter stuff as well. I'm loving the team and my reading output has already improved :)

I just finished When She Woke

Wow this is a powerful and timely and frightening book. I think everyone should read it, but especially women! Unfortunately it has some flaws, and does not conclude as strongly as it begins, but I still feel like it has a lot of merit for critiquing current American society.

My full review is here if anyone is interested: 4/5 stars
review

Sheila wrote: "I thought this was really interesting news.

I just ordered this book from the library The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith

because of coming acro..."

I just saw that news as well! I am such a big HP fan, but haven't read her other novel. I find it so interesting that JK wanted to write under a pen name in order to get a fair shake :)

I just finished The Hobbit. Very enjoyable, funny little read. I tried to read it when I was a kid and couldn't get into it. Should I try to tackle the Lord of the Rings series now? Full review here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Am also working on:
When She Woke - Wow this book is freakishly scary to me. For a dystopian novel, it seems eerily plausible

1. Is this the first time you’ve read The Hobbit? Have you seen the movie? Or do you want to read the book first?

I remember vaguely trying to read The Hobbit when I was pretty young (probably 8 or 9ish). At the time I thought it was weird and boring, and stopped after the first chapter or so, I believe. I don't know why I didn't like it. Maybe because there were no female characters? Or it was just too fantastical for me? At that time, I was really into The Baby-Sitter's Club books (hahaha!) so maybe just needed something more grounded in reality, even though I do remember being obsessed with the Phantom Tollbooth. Anyway, I'm giving it another go here at 29 and I am actually kinda surprised I didn't like it as a child. I wish I had tried harder when I was a child to read it, because it is a very engaging and funny story. As I'm reading it now, I just keep thinking, this is the *perfect* "read to your kids at bedtime" story! I did see the most recent movie and I remember seeing a cartoon version of the Hobbit when I was really young. I enjoyed the movie.

2. What is your first impression of Bilbo? His relationship with Gandalf?

Bilbo amuses me greatly. He's so fussy and funny but still brave. Gandalf is kind of a moody jerk but I like him too.

3. Why do you think Gandalf picked Bilbo to go on the quest with the dwarves? What of his lie about Bilbo being a thief? Is it “smoothed over” by his telling the dwarves that hobbits can go unnoticed? Why did he pick a hobbit at all, since they abhor adventure?

I just chalked it up to wizard knowledge. He knows hobbits and Bilbo and his character and knows they will need someone like Bilbo to accomplish their task.

4. What about your first impression Thorin Oakenshield? His interactions with Bilbo? Are any of the other dwarves a favorite?

The dwarves are pretty awesome.

5. Why do you think that Gandalf keeps leaving the party on “other business”?

He's doing wizard things to help them out.

6. Tolkien intended this story to be read by young and old alike. Do you think it is suited for one group more than the other?

I feel like it's well suited for all ages. I have always been a huge fan of "children's literature" (and actually hate that term) because I feel that writing something that can equally appeal to a wide range of developmental levels is the skill of a genius writer and the author has the ability to tap into some deep aspects of humanity that are engrained in all of us. (I've gotten into debates with some high-brow friends over this exact topic).

7. Tolkien's work has often been criticized for its dearth of women characters. In The Hobbit, only Bilbo's mother, Belladonna Took, is mentioned. (The movie added Galadriel to the cast.) Does all this testosterone change the tone of Tolkien's adventure? Would it have changed if he included a few lady hobbits, elves, or dwarves in this journey? Or didn’t you notice the lack? Why do you think he didn't include them?

Yes, I noticed the lack of women in the work and actually commented to my friends after watching the movie initially. ("There are like, NO women in this entire movie!") Maybe it is more noticeable in my generation? I would say this is a viable criticism of the work. Why are the women not allowed to go on any adventures? :) In addition, this is posited as an epic story, with archetypcal characters, so why would there be no female archetypes included?

9. Another complaint about The Hobbit is the amount of songs and poems included, especially by the “younger adult generation.” Why so? Did you read them? Skim them? Enjoy them? Dislike them?

I like them okay, but feel like you can't get a strong feel for them musically just based on reading them. I felt like the film did an excellent job with the dwarf song.

10. Do you like Tolkien's subtle use of humor? What was your favorite so far?

Yes! This book is much funnier than I thought it would be. I always thought Tolkien was such a serious writer, but there's this wry sarcastic humor throughout. I can't think of a specific example, but I have laughed multiple times while reading so far.

54. Could you understand Amelia’s mother not telling her she had cancer? Do you think her mother knows about her father’s ability?

Yes and yes. I like Amelia's mother and aunt. They seem like strong independent Southern women with secrets. :) I hope we learn more about them.

56. Okay, what in the world was going on with Amelia when she went to Devlin’s house? Was she “possessed” by Mariama? I didn’t think this the first time I read this book; however, on this second time, I’m really wondering what Essie’s “Life Everlasting” does to someone! That whole encounter was pretty creepy. Comments.

(view spoiler)[I don't think she was possessed, I think it was just a really screwed up sex scene lol. It was very creepy to be just about to finally ahem, consummate, and be surrounded by angry ghosts watching you. I thought this was probably the most messed-up scene in the book! (hide spoiler)]

57. What in the world?! So the “café au lait complexion” guy (see DQ #7) calling himself Tom Gerrity wasn’t Tom Gerrity?! Do you feel sure that he is really the ghost of Robert Fremont? Why didn’t Amelia know he was a ghost? Does all this change your opinion of how Devlin responded when he asked her if she’d been talking with Gerrity? What did you think of the real Gerrity?

(view spoiler)[I was *certain* someone in this book was a ghost and Amelia just wasn't getting it. I was suspicious of Gerrity, but I couldn't figure out why if he was a ghost, Devlin wasn't responding more freaked out to her using his name. (hide spoiler)]

58. What did you think of Clayton Masterson’s history? And there were two killers! Were you pretty sure of that? When did you realize the other killer was that “quiet, scrawny little thing,” AKA Daniel Meakin? When Tuly Mackey said so, or later?

(view spoiler)[I suspected the quiet scrawny weirdo in the library pretty early, but did not figure out the logistics or the other ghost's role. (hide spoiler)]

63. Do you think you’ll go on with the series?
Man, I must confess I am intrigued.

64. How did you rate the book over all? Did it help to have it as a “buddy read” with others?
Three stars. I liked it, but it wasn't amazing. I would have liked it more if it wasn't so repetitive. Maybe because I was reading it in one consistent setting. But I felt every few chapters she kept rehashing things. Devlin is so dark and haunted and mysterious...I'm all alone because I see ghosts...the Rich and Powerful control the city...over and over and over. I got it.

26. Amelia crossed the veil and back. What? How? When? She started to see ghost with 9 years old? How can she crossed the veil? Was it before the adoption? If so, how did she only start seeing the ghosts at 9? And how can her father saw them? Does that mean that he's the one that took her there? And what about the [Somebody uh-comin’ for dis gal. Somebody with a soul black as midnight. Somebody dat walk with the dead. (hide spoiler)] part?

(view spoiler)[I think Amelia definitely died. Maybe she is one of the orphans that died in the fire. Which would explain why the dad is so obsessed with the angels. Maybe he made some kind of black magic deal to bring her back to life in exchange for something and now they are coming back for her. (hide spoiler)]

10. Is there any significance in Devlin being able to sleep in Amelia’s place? Do you like Amelia so far? Do you like the way she interacts with Devlin? What’s with Devlin’s silver medallion he wears? It knocks the wind out of her?

Oh you know, it's peaceful, the ghosts are outside, she's going to be the one woman that finally "heals/saves" him from his past. All that romance jazz.

I liked Amelia okay. She is better than most of the heroines in these type of books. She is smart and motivated and fairly self-sufficient. I thought it was a little annoying how she was always "I'm so shy, I'm a loner, i keep myself locked up in graveyards" but she just so happened to be bff's with all the beautiful, social, rich people in town, and she seemed pretty freaking aggressive with her detective work.

And, no, I did not like how our intelligent, independent, self-sufficient heroine became dumb, stalkerish, and obsessed with the mysterious hot police detective.

11. Any thoughts on the angles Amelia’s father is restoring: “all fifty-seven with nothing more than patience and a set of vintage masonry tools”?

Beautiful

13. Book Quote: (view spoiler) Eep! What a visual! Or was it too cliché for you? Comments.

Nope, definitely creeped me out!

19. What did you think of Ethan Shaw and Daniel Meakin? Did either of these two stand out to you? One more than the other?

(view spoiler)[I was immediately the most suspicious of Daniel Meakin being the murderer from very early on in meeting him. I think when he was creeping around the library archives. Come on, the smart, quiet, weirdo, loner that nobody expects? Oh and he just happened to be researching all the same things as Amelia? BINGO. As far as the who-dun-it goes I had this one tagged pretty early. I did not figure out the HOW though. (hide spoiler)]

I finished this book over a rapid-fire 4-day reading session. I tend to be more a literature reader, so it was a bit of a departure for me, but definitely enjoyable & a page turner.

1. Eeep! At age nine, Amelia Gray stared seeing ghosts pretty early. Does this make it more ‘conceivable’ to you that she can see them? Icy fingers trailing through her hair? Brrrrrhhh. Do you think she’ll heed her father’s advice? Or that her life will remain “dull”? Do you think her biological mother had any special abilities?

(view spoiler)[I think it's entirely believable she would start seeing ghosts at around age 9. That is probably the age that I most believed in ghosts. :) She's not going to follow his advice, and she shouldn't. This is one philosophical nit-pick I have with the book. It seems highly fatalistic, taking away people's free will. I am a clinical psychologist, so I like the idea that people can and do change and have control over their behaviors. The "ghosts" and "hauntings" pretty much take that away from the characters. Seems like you are "haunted" if you experience any sort of traumatic event. So Devlin is not supposed to ever be able to recover from that event or even meet new people/live his life because of these ghosts that have latched on to him? And we are supposed to avoid people who have been through traumatic events and experienced grief because they will "drain us of our life energy"? Eww. No. In this story, the ghosts go so as far as to control other people's behaviors, and even to remain latched onto them for eternity.

Yup, I think something is going on with her biological mother, all Southern mysterious. I'm pretty sure she knows about the father and Amelia's ghosts, maybe she is a fortune-teller or something... (hide spoiler)]

2. Whether you’ve been to the American South or not, do you get a sense of place? How do you like this author’s “voice”? Do you like the graveyard settings? The “luxuriant landscape of lost dreams”? Or does it creep you out?

I'm from rural Kentucky, so I enjoyed the atmosphere of the graveyard settings. I grew up attending a tiny country church that has a pretty much unattended graveyard in the back. It has, and will, always creep me out, and has been the setting of many many many of my dreams. I thought she did a good job describing the smells and sights of the Deep South, even though I have never been to South Carolina specifically. I think I was picturing New Orleans or Mississippi, mixed in with some of the creepy old graveyards from Kentucky.

3. Ghosts aside, what is the sense of foreboding that Amelia feels around Devlin? That she seems hyper-aware of his presence?
Repressed sexual tension, that is all. ;)