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

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

Discussion Questions : Day 1 (Prologue - Chapter 5)

1. We have been introduced to a few important characters - Lucy, Christopher, and Hugo. Plus the off-page persona of Jack. What do you think of the characters so far?

First of all this is a reread for me and it is just as good 2nd time around
Lucy - she has had a difficult life but this doesn’t dispel her kindheartedness
Chris - is smart as a cookie and trusts Lucy completely
Hugo - he is very protective
Jack - I love his eccentricity

2. We get a riddle right away in the Prologue:

"Two men on an island and both blame the water
for the loss of a wife and the death of a daughter
but neither ever married, and neither's a father.
What is the secret of the girls and the water?"

Then Hugo thinks to himself that "Five years ago, it [the ocean] had brought low the small, strange kingdom of Clock Island." Do you think the riddle is related to what happened five years ago? Any speculations on what it all means, assuming you haven't read ahead?
I can’t remember

3. At the beginning of Chapter Two, Hugo says that he used to dream about living in Greenwich Village, but now that he can actually afford it, it doesn't hold the same appeal. He basically says that success kills motivation. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?
No I don’t, if you succeed at something other things motivate you. Motivation is individual to the person

4. What do you think of the wishing game Lucy plays with Christopher? Do you think this game and mindset are healthy? Do you agree with Lucy that it gives them hope, or do you agree with the social worker that it just gets their hopes up?

This is about building hopes and dreams. Games that inspire hopes and dreams are healthy and motivate a person to succeed in whatever they choose to do

5. Why do you think Jack finally started writing again? And what might be his motive in holding a contest for the only copy of the new book?
I can’t remember

Trinia wrote: "Melis - I still have day 3
Of The Familiar and I commented once on the Catching Fire (how many do I need?)
I’ll finish up tomorrow after my work meeting 😉👍🏼"

As with all BOMs you need 3 discussion posts 😄

For Door District 1 used Starling house for shelter if we can make it fit for a door

I’ve found a 2.5 book to read it’s only 135 pages though

@melissa please add The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen to the BOM dropdown from the Back room

Day 5
Chapters 27 - Epilogue

21. Wow what a ride! What were your initial thoughts and feelings after finishing the book?

I absolutely loved it, Everything tied together and when you thought there was an end the author has left it open for a potential sequel

<<22. An integral part to the book is the way the story of Starling House is told through many different viewpoints, with truth and lies and rumors and heresay and opinions often woven together. Did you find that you learned more about Starling House through each story? Did this type of story building and layering work for you? Why or why not?

I enjoy this type of storytelling as it mirrors real life where a story can be interpreted differently depending on the storyteller.

23. In the ending battles, the MCs were fighting beasts of nightmares and of their own making, inside dreams. Do think it's hard for good dreams to win out against nightmares? Explain your thoughts.

This is more about facing your fears and depends on your outlook on life and how you tackle and overcome those fears

24. A major theme in the book is wants and needs, and how they seemingly twist into each other if you want hard enough. In this theme exploration, what was the message you got from the author, and did it resonate with you?
This touches on addictions, whereby the need isn’t there the want for it soon becomes interlinked with a need if left untreated

25. Would you recommend this book? Explain.

Definitely

DQs Day 3
Chapters 14-19

11. Starling House reminded me up to a point with some vibes of Beauty and the Beast, although lesser now as the story progresses. Is the book reminding you of any other stories you have read before?

I can’t think of anything

12. Ch 14-19 have answered a lot of questions about Opal, the house, Arthur, the history of the place and what's going on. Has anything revealed in this section been surprising to you? Does the explanation so far of everything that has happened ring true?
The house being an entity was the only surprising thing.

13. Jasper and Opal are clearly close, although he is sometimes moody and surly. He seems resentful at times of Opal going out so far on a limb to take care of him and get him out of Eden. What do you think of the character now that he has more fleshed-out scenes and more has been revealed about him and their relationship?

I think Opal needs to be open with Jasper and let him know what she is up to and why

14. Arthur and Opal have heated a few things up. Do you think they fit each other well with these developments?

I do believe they are drawn to each other

15. There is humor in the book that is overshadowed by genuinely creepy horror like tales, What do you think about Underland "beasts" revealed so far?

I am intrigued by the “beasts” revealed so far and am keen to learn more

DQs Day 1
Ch 1 to 7

1.) Have you read other books by Alix E Harrow? Was this on your tbr list before it was a BOM selection? Any expectations going in?

I have not read any other books by this other, and had no expectations going in.

2.) Did you read the footnotes as you went along? Find them helpful? Annoying?
I listened to the audio and although the footnotes were distracting at first they soon became a seamless part of the book

3.) The discussion of E.Starling's book being too scary for children reminded me of some interviews with M.Sendalk when the Where the Wild Things movie came out several years ago about books, etc that scare children (when children are the target audience). His response was basically children should be scared sometimes and there's nothing wrong with that. And has further said, it's better to have a book full of fears than one pretending there's nothing to be afraid of. What are your thoughts on this topic?

I do think that children need to be scared in their reading to enable them to face their fears

4.) What are your thoughts so far on Eden and Starling House? Has the author done a good job so far of creating an atmosphere and setting for a good gothic story?

I have nearly finished and am finding the setting and atmosphere reminiscent of gothic novels I have read

5.) Any favorites so far in our motley cast of characters? Opal, Arthur, Jasper, Bev, and Starling House.

I have a #3

NBRC Back Room BOM
Don’t forget the Backroom BOM for points
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by K.J. Charles

Finished my battle book. It was a drag to be honest.

Again this didn’t disappoint. When Katniss is taken from the games and realises who is involved in the Rebellion tied up the loose ends. The clues were always there for Katniss to see. When the arena is destroyed the retaliation from the Capitol is to be expected. However the destruction of District 12 may only serve to fuel the Rebellion, can’t wait to start re-reading Mockingjay

Good luck Trisha

I’m 3/4 of the way through and am finding it just as good as the first time round. When the attacks happen in each section I forgot how long it takes Katniss to realise what is happening. It is also very apparent that there is something else going on here that will be revealed by the end of the book.

Finally starting my reread of this and am really enjoying it. It is even more poignant with the loss of President snow recently.I do feel sorry for Katniss doesn’t matter what she does to try and appease the masses so as to keep her family and loved ones safe it is doomed to fail. Not letting peeta in on her and Haymitch’s plans was foolish and short-sighted

Back from my weekend away and catching up on everything GR.

If anyone wants to read this itsWorth

I have Eadan's Vow

I have
Over My Shoulder
Over the Wine-Dark Sea
Over the Moon with You
Over the Fence
Over Our Dead Bodies: Undertakers Lift the Lid

Melissa wrote: "Ok, Louise you're good to read that one then? I'll let them know."

Yep