Vikki’s Comments (group member since May 25, 2014)

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

Discussion Questions- Dec. 12
Chapters 19- End

42. How did you like this book? What did you rate it? What were your favorite and/or least favorite aspects (writing, tone, plot, characters, world building, etc.)?

Yes. I rated it 4 stars. My favorites were all the short stories and dreams. I wish it wasn't so hard to read at times.

43. What do you think is the “religion” of America (thinking beyond literal religion; ex. technology, sports, fame, money/success, etc.)? Or to ask it another way, in this book’s world, who/what would be the most powerful god, new or old, in America?

The religion of America is being an individual and unique.

44. What will happen to the gods now? Will the new and old gods be able to coexist?

I think they will coexist.

45. What do you think the Lakeside/ Hinzelmann storyline added to the book?

That not all gods that seem good are and it connects a story from the beginning of the book to the end.

45. If you were Shadow, would you have kept your word and gone to see Czernobog promptly? Or would you have attempted to avoid or escape your pledge?

I would have gotten it over with.

46. Do you agree with Wednesday and Gaiman’s opinions on America? (Such as, just for example, that America is the only country that worries about what it is.) What do you think makes America unique? Did being an Englishman and outsider to America make Gaiman see America more or less clearly?

I agreed with the author and I think being an outsider to America made him see America more clearly. I think America doesn't have the long, written and oral tradition that the rest to the world has so it doesn't know what it is.

47. Do you maintain any beliefs, superstitions, habits, or traditions from your heritage that might fuel any old gods?

Well, I was raised Catholic so yes.

48. What message(s) did you take from the book, regarding sacrifice, loyalty, betrayal, belief, humanity, and modern cultural values? Do you agree with that/those message(s)?

Don't trust the gods, lol.

Discussion Questions Dec 11, 2015
Chapters 17-18

37. Previously, Loki (Mr. World) had said to Mr. Town: “Don’t touch him. Don’t even mess with him. I don’t want you turning him into a martyr. There’s no room for martyrs in the current game-plan.” (442). When Mr. Town stabs at Shadow with the spear when he is on the tree, do you think Loki knew this would happen or is this an inconsistency? He had previously told Mr. Town not to interact with him in any way or make him a martyr, but the spear in the side has to happen as part of the Odin sacrifice and ritual and bring the game plan into action.

He knew it would happen.

38. When Horus shows up to Easter and begs for her help with Shadow, why do you think he is so determined to save Shadow, no matter what the turnout of the battle is?

Because of his friendship with the other Egyptian gods.

39. When Whiskey Jack and Shadow interact, what do you think Whiskey Jack means and do you agree with him when he says: ““What I’m trying to say is that America is like that. It’s not good growing country for gods. They don’t grow well here. They’re like avocados trying to grow in wild rice country.”

That gods don't do well here and I agree.

40. Were you surprised by Wednesday’s plan, big reveal, and his reappearance? What did you think about all that (seeing him again and finding out the truth)? Had you suspected the connection between them previously?

No. I was not surprised but I knew something was up with Shadow.

41. Laura has shown herself to be an important, helpful character for Shadow, in life as well as in death. A big thing happens with her story in chapter 18 – were you happy when Shadow removed the coin and granted peace, or do you wish that author would have had something else in mind for Laura’s storyline and outcome?

I liked Laura's ending.

Discussion Questions Dec 10
Chapters 14-16

31. In Chapter 14, Shadow's old cell mate Low Key Lyesmith has made an appearance. Shadow realizes that he has had Low Key's name completely wrong - Loki Lie-Smith, the Norse God of Chaos. Were you surprised by his re-appearance?

No, I was wondering how he fit in the story.

32. Now that Wednesday is no longer of the physical world, why would you think that Shadow would want Wednesday's body?

Because he made a promise to hold his vigil.

33. What is the significance of the 3 women & the idea of Shadow hanging naked above the dead god's body?

Like I said, I don't know anything about mythology.

34. What do you think of the scene where Shadow hallucinates about Laura & Horus makes his self know are really about in Chapter 15?

No idea.

35. Chapter 16 gave us a couple of things to ponder, If given the choice between the path of lies & the path of truths - which would you choose & why?

The path of truths for the same reason Shadow did.

36. What is the meaning of "I want to rest now...No heaven, no hell, no anything. Just let it end."

He doesn't want any consciousness or being a ghost.

Karrie wrote: "Berit wrote: "Good questions! I can't answer all of them, because this is a re-read for me.
Something that I was very curious about where the racial relations, especially in 1977, where I grew up a..."

I actually grew up in Toledo which is mentioned in the book as being an hour from Middlewood. It is mostly white and Catholic but not racist. My mom said when she was growing up in the 60's and 70's, it was more divided-- there was the Polish part of town, German part, Irish, etc and everyone kept to themselves. The university had most of the "non-white" races living around it.

Questions and Comments
04 December 2015 Chapters 10-11

20. How to save money on food during winter: freeze and bury your family... be careful to protect them from nibbling mice! When Spring arrives, thaw them and continue life. Handy, don't you think? What do you think of all these weird side stories that keep popping up, either as chapter addons or in dialogue as a character telling a tale? Do you have a favorite one so far?

I love the side stories especially the ones with the natives in them.

21. Does anyone have any ideas as to who they were meeting in Las Vegas? He seemed to be tied to money, but also no one can remember him, other than Mr. Wednesday. Guesses? Theories?

I don't know mythology that well so no idea.

22. People gamble to lose money. Do you think that's the equivalent of a modern sacrifice to an old god? It seems to give him a lot of power!

I think in both people are trying to make themselves happy but gambling and sacrificing do not seem like they are equivalent.

23. So Wednesday knows 18 charms and none can bring Laura back... Does it mean that it cannot be done? Will Shadow give up? What do you think will happen with the Laura story thread?

No. No. I think she will give Shadow the coin back so she can die and she and Shadow can be at peace.

24. Hinzelmann seems to be playing a big role for just a side character... I'm suspecting he's either a god or something else not entirely human. I have a theory... but since I just went and confirmed it, I won't share. What do you think?

I think he is probably a god or some type of mythical creature.

25 Do you think Sophie is right? That Alison's disappearance may be part of a pattern? That Sandy didn't ran away to meet his father? Are the gods involved? Or does a human have a hand in things?

I think there is a god or mythical being behind the disappearances, especially since they happen every winter.

Discussion Questions Dec 8
Chapter 12-13

26. Chapter 12 started out with some interesting stuff! What are your thoughts on the "backstage" portion of the story? Do you think that will be showing back up?

I thought it was weird and I am not sure if it will come into play again.

27. We met some new characters/gods in these chapters. Who is your favorite, so far? Do you find yourself relating more to the old gods or the new?

My favorite was the Queen of Shebia. The old gods since we are only getting their POV.

28. Sam is back! I thought she was a transient character, but it looks like she's going to playing a bigger role in the story. What role do you think that will be?

I don't know but I think she is awesome. Definitely one of my favorite characters.

29. We lost one of our main characters. Do you think this person is really gone or will be showing back up later on?

Wednesday said if a god is believed in, that someone exactly like him would return. So maybe?

30. Laura makes another appearance. What do you think she means when she tells Shadow that he's not really alive? Do you think she's right? How do you think Shadow has grown as a character or do you think he's grown at all?

I think Shadow is just going through the motions of life but not really living. She may be right. I think Shadow has grown as a character but still has a ways to go.

Question for the TTIV moderators: So if we started a book and never finished it, can we start reading it from the beginning again and have it count towards this challenge?

Discussion Questions for December 4, 2015
Chapters 6-7

Q11. Once on the carousel ride, Shadow now can see who Wednesday/Odin, Mr. Nancy/Anansi, Mr. Czernobog/Bielebog. Did you see this coming or know these men were gods?

Saw it coming.

Q12. Wednesday gave a speech about the new gods, did you see the kids that bound Shadow up as the new gods of credit card, freeway, internet, etc. Does this give you an idea of what will come between the old gods and new gods?

There will definitely be war.

Q13. Laura came to save the day for Shadow. Did you see this one coming (lol the guard in the cell alone with his magazine)? Do you think Shadow will find a way to make Laura alive again?

I did not think Laura would be the way Shadow got out of that mess. I think Shadow will do what he can to help Laura but I don't think he will succeed.

Q14. Should Shadow take Lucille Ball/Technology/new gods offer and switch sides?

No, that would not be in character with Shadow.

Q15. We are now a little past the quarter of the book. Are you enjoying the book? Is it what you thought it would be? Are you enjoying the humor in the book? Do you like the little side stories between some of the chapters?

I am enjoying the book but it is taking forever to read and I got behind on the discussion questions as you can see. It is not what I thought it would be but it is much better than I thought it would be. I like the side stories a lot.

Discussion Questions December 6 Chapters 8-9

16. Mr Ibis speaks about independent funeral parlours being taken over or replaced by big chains. This seemed to me to be reminiscent of what is happening with the old gods being replaced with newer ones. Ones that are often consumer driven or by items that are soulless or have no real personality. What do you think about Gaiman's idea of what happens to gods like Odin? Do you think he is right that TV, etc have somewhat taken the place of gods?

I agree with the author on both points.

17. Were you surprised at Mad Sweeney's death? Do you think that the alcohol and cold were what killed him?

I was surprised that a god could actually die. I think he committed suicide by not wanting to live/ believe in himself.

18. Do you think Sweeney was telling the truth about the coin and was it Wednesday that he was so afraid of?

Yes

19. We have the old gods and the new gods but where does the buffalo man fit in seeing as he said "this is not a land for gods"?

Is the buffalo man symbolize America?

I just posted my discussion questions for the BOM-- Everything I Never Told You (message 43).

I still need to finish the last BOM American Gods and Night Circus for the "Wheel of Fortune" goal :( So many good books, so little time.

Someone better start reading a second "salad" goal book and an "Alexandrite" book since you know that every weird goal we get, we get it a second time... like "parsley" and "Wheel of Fortune" and "The Emperor"

12/12-- Day 1 Discussion Questions Chapters 1-2

1. Do you like the book so far? Why did you decide to read it? Is this a genre you normally read?

2. Lydia dies May 3rd, 1977 (first lines of the book so this isn't a spoiler) and Lydia's parents met in September 1957. What differences and similarities do you see in regards to race and gender relations between these two time frames in the book (or in history, if you looked it up)? What part does it play in the Lee family dynamics?

3. What do you think of Lydia's mother, Marilyn's description of her first born daughter's first steps and the line "...Lydia, still small enough to cradle, had secrets" ? How is Lydia different than her siblings?

4. How does your high school experience compare with Lydia's? Why do you think Lydia doesn't have any "real" friends? What other things do you think Lydia is letting her parents believe are true to meet her parents' expectations?

5. Why do you think Lydia's siblings, Nath and Hannah, do not tell their parents about Lydia's friendship with Jack? Do you think Jack is involved in Lydia's disappearance and/or death?

6. Who do you think Hannah saw/heard on Wednesday at 2AM?

7. What do you think of Lydia's body being found at a lake when Lydia could not swim?

8. What do you think of the first lines of Chapter 2, "How did it begin? Like everything: with mothers and fathers... Because more than anything, her mother had wanted to stand out; because more than anything, her father wanted to blend in. Because those things had been impossible" ? Where are you on the personality spectrum of wanting to stand out versus wanting to blend in?

9. What do you think of Marilyn and James' courtship and marriage? What do you think happened in 1966 that made Marilyn disappear for a few days and do you think it is related to Lydia's disappearance and death?

Coriolanus is a Roman soldier/hero so if Roman times count as ancient times, this would complete the goal

Completed "book on cover" goal

For iPad versus Kindle Fire, I have and use both. I bring my Kindle everywhere (since it is cheaper if I lose or break it) and I like that there is little to no glare when I am reading outside. I like to use my iPad when I am at home or traveling since the screen is bigger (I have the regular not mini) and I can multi-task better (for researching references in a book or taking pictures or using apps). The Kindle app on the iPad and iPhone gives me actual page numbers for most books where all my books on my Kindle Fire only have location numbers. If reading on my Kindle Fire (with WiFi), my iPhone and iPad sync to the same page within a minute if I switch devices. If reading on my iPad or iPhone, they will sync with each other within a minute but my Kindle Fire takes hours and sometimes I have to turn it off and on to sync.

I got randomly selected to write discussion questions on Dec 12th for the BOM Everything I Never Told You

I am enjoying American Gods too. It is definitely not what I expected but I have only read one other book by this author. There are a lot of mythical creatures as well as Greek, Egyptian, and Roman gods mentioned. It has been on my to-read list for a long time so I am glad that I am finally getting to read it. Anyone else reading the BOM?

Yay! Definitely not in the holiday spirit yet to read a holiday book.

Completed "Read a book with the name of the tarot card "The Hermit" in the text or title" goal.

I'll read Night Circus after I am done with Book of Speculation and Ink and Bone. If anyone can start it sooner, they are welcome to it.

Good luck to everyone in their exams!

Well I was reading for the "book" goal but I can do it for the "hermit" goal and read for the "book" goal

Which books have tarot cards in them besides Night Circus again?