Louise’s Comments (group member since Aug 29, 2015)

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

Hi all, got to our accommodation late yesterday, it’s now 3am. I’ve sorted internet out. Stacie if you could add in our “tasty” meal descriptions that would be great. I also need to add in the links for the BOM’s

That's fine :)

We have 6 spaces, removed anything below 150pgs and spellout only options

We have nearly reached our 80 book limit for round 1.

Can I get a volunteer to help with inputting meals into the s/sheet. Going on vacation next week and am conscious that I may not have the time that I need over the next few weeks to collate the information.

Laura wrote: "I just added Other Birds to the spreadsheet. A couple of the dishes, from a restaurant, the description of them sounded so yummy that I included that in there. We're suppose to desc..."

We do.

Day 5 - Twenty-Nine - Epilogue

21. A lot of themes in this book resonated with me especially as the UK is undergoing strike action in a lot of industries and Uk history is full of strike action and it’s effects. Have you been involved in strike action? Are strikes an effective demonstration tool?

22. Migration is a big theme in the book with the thought of migrants instilling fear in the general populace. How would you show these people how to overcome that fear.

23. Elsa finally allows herself to become the woman in the red dress and seduces Jack. How has Elsa changed through the book?

24. The final scenes brought a tear to my eye especially as Loreda reflects on what she didn’t do. Is there a book that left you feeling this way?

DQs - Day 2 | Eight - Fifteen (38%)

6. Early in this segment, Elsa sees Rafe crying and they experience the ground visibly cracking. Rafe asks Elsa “How can you not break?” Elsa replied incorrectly saying “Because the kids need us not to.” What do you think Rafe expected her to say? Do you have an opinion on what she should have said? ...and would it have made a difference?

I don’t think there would have been a right answer for Rafe.


7. After trying to convince Elsa to leave behind the farm, and then he agrees with her they can’t leave…Rafe still abandons his family. Justified or cowardice? Was Elsa right in not supporting her husband to leave the farm? Do you think they’ll ever see Rafe again?

I think it was cowardice, they should have discussed how to go about moving together

8. In chapter 11, Elsa and Rose commiserate about Loreda blaming Elsa for Rafe leaving.
“I want her to go to college, Rose. To be brave and have adventures.” “A Girl?” Rose laughed. “Ant will be the one. Loreda will settle down. You’ll see.” “I don’t want her to settle down, Rose. I’m in awe of her fire…”
Should Elsa be sharing her dream for Loreda with her? What is your prediction for Loreda 10 years from this point in the story?
It’s right that she shares her dream for Loreda with Rose. I think Loreda will achieve her dreams but it will be a struggle.

9. The government expert shows a movie and delivers some startling facts about the state of things. This reminded me a bit of what we all just went through with Covid…warnings not believed, fear of misinformation and lack of trust in the government. What did you think of the approach of the government rep and the denial that seemed to radiate from many of the residents attending the meeting? Any mirrors to our recent experience with Covid come to mind?

A different approach would have been better. No one likes being told that what they have known all their life is actually the reason why they are failing.

10. Ant experienced extreme sickness from the impacts of the dust storms, and Elsa has indicated they must leave Texas. What do you think of Elsa’s decision and what do you think will happen next in the story?
Elsa has made the right decision for her family. Hopefully they will be able to return one day but I fear a long and difficult struggle is ahead of the family.

Stacie wrote: "I have a few books I read that aren't on the sheet because they don't have any food words. I can put them there if we end up needing to do a spell it out."

Put them on the tracker, I’ve been working through them today to come up with dishes.

Mod
DQs Day 1: Chapters Prologue - Seven (18%)

1.) Did you like the opening to the story? Did it draw you in and help set the stage? Are you familiar with this part of US History (Dust Bowl)?

I do like the opening gives insight into how Elsa sees herself, being from the Uk I am not familiar with this part of Us history

2.) What are your thoughts on Elsa's family and early home life? What do you think the long term impacts of this environment are? How do you think that affected her initial choices involving Rafe?
Elsa was made to feel inferior due to a misdiagnosed medical condition. There was definitely no love shown towards her which impacted greatly on her initial meeting with Rafe.

3.) The Martinelli family seems a different type of family compared to the Wolcott's. Do you agree? What do you think of the relationship that develops between Rose and Elsa especially?
The strength of both women shows through and garners mutual respect allowing Elsa to become the mother she never had.

4.) Loreda. Oh the wisdom of 12 year olds. What do you think of her POV, does it add to the story? Do you think at some point she'll clue in and appreciate her mother?
Loreda dotes on her father and sees her mother as the cause of his unhappiness. I think events will clue her in to the situation and help to build a bridge between mother and daughter.

5.) Does the author do a good job describing the transition of the land and life from the post WWI boon to Dust Bowl bust for both Elsa's family and the town as a whole?
It’s very vivid and you can almost imagine that you were there.

Works for me

Laura wrote: "Before I search Silver Borne for all the words, quick question. Do the page numbers/locations matter? Amazon's Look Inside only has the Kindle edition, so I can't search, and Google Books does not ..."

Just note the words, I can access a copy of this for locations 🙂

Laura wrote: "Any tips for noting the foods in audiobooks? Right now I'm just going to Amazon's look inside and searching for the suggested words, plus any that I can remember. But I'm sure there were probably m..."

Not really, I have this same problem with audios, when working from home I have a post-it note that I pop words on as I hear them then use Amazon for a location, more difficult to do when I’m in the office and need to rely on memory.

We can use ingredients as often as they are found in a book.
We can use chicken curry as an ingredient, curry itself needs a minimum of 10 ingredients so to use as a curry we’d need to bulk it out

Volunteering for DQs Team Lettuce Read

Laura wrote: "So, if I'm reading The People of Sparks, which has Childrens MPG, and it mentions specific fruits, those can't be used for desserts because it is (a) Children's and (b) less than 500 pa..."

Looks good Laura

Children’s books need to have a verified word count; if there is no verified word count available we can only use it for Fresh dishes.
Desserts can only be made with items from books of >500 pages. Still list sweet items though as they can go in other dishes.

I’m going to spend time on the weekend to pull some meals together. 🤞

Stacie wrote: "I think I just found a record for the number of times vinegar is in a book."

👍

Day 5 - Jess - epilogue

17. The wrapping up of this was very hectic, with bonus tear-gas fueled bathroom sex! Was the ending satisfactory to you?

It was a bit rushed, I did wonder how the riots would tie into this.

18. Jess blackmails Sophie into helping out the sex-trafficked girls. What did you think of this plot line?
This suited Jess’ nature in trying to get the better option for the girls

19. Any changes in your view of the characters over the course of the book?
Not really.

20. Finally, do you think the inversion of the normal view of Paris as the city of love was effective here?
Every city has its darker side despite what the marketing teams want us to see. This was effective here

DQ Day 5- Nick - Mimi

13. There is a lot going on in this section with many twists. First we head to Amsterdam and the Ben/Nick encounter was this expected. What are your thoughts on how Ben treated Nick when he moved into the apartment?

14. Ben and Sophie embark on illicit rendezvous courting danger, while Mimi is on an obsessive mission to seduce Ben. Where do you see this ending?

15. Jess and Theo succeed in gaining entry to the exclusive club owned by Jacques but are thrown out when they attempt to access the locked room, with one of the dancers being fearful when she spots them down there. Ideas on what is behind the door?

16. We learn a lot about Mimi’s heritage and her connection to the Concierge. Do you think she’s aware of the connection?

DQs Day 3 - Mimi - Sophie
9. Now, we know they are one big (not so) happy family. What do you think of the family dynamics? Do you think it is odd to live in an apartment in someone else’s house? This also means that anyone could have a key.
They are one messed up family and anyone that gets involved is likely to get burned.

10. We have learned about the father and his view on sex/chastity with two of his children (“becoming a man” and his daughter’s outfit). How do these two scenes reflect on the family and character development?
He’s very controlling and expects a certain image to be upheld

11. Ben seems to have been investigating the family business. What do you think is really going on and is represented by the “wine” transactions? I think there is one obvious choice, but I will wait for others to comment.
It all points to sex trafficking

12. Finally, do you have a favorite character so far? Do you think the characters have developed much or are they still mostly defined relationally?
I prefer Jess she is persistent despite the language barriers. She’s one tough cookie