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

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

The Harry Potter Sorting Hat Challenge https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Level: Hard
Time Frame: 11/7/2015-11/7/2017
6/16 Complete

Gryffindor
➲ Gryffindor's emblematic animal is the lion: Read a book about a lion (or a shape shifter who turns into a lion).
➲ Gryffindor's emblematic colors are scarlet and gold: Read a book that has a predominately scarlet or gold cover.
➲ "Nearly Headless Nick" is the house ghost of Gryffindor: Read a book featuring ghosts or read a book in which someone was decapitated or beheaded. Yikes!

11/7/15-- The Child Thief 4 stars

➲ Members of Gryffindor are described as courageous, chivalrous, and brave to the point of recklessness (sometimes) : Read a book in which the protagonist portrays one of these qualities consistently throughout the book.

Slytherin
➲ Slytherin's emblematic animal is the snake: Read a book which features a snake on the cover or in the story.
➲ Slytherin's emblematic colors are green and silver: Read a book that has a predominately green or silver cover.
➲ The Bloody Baron is the house ghost of Slytherin: Read a book in which a suicide or murder takes place. You can also read a book where the protagonist loves someone who does not love them back.
11/12/15-- King Lear -- 4 stars
➲ Members of Slytherin are described as cunning and shrewd: Read a book in which the protagonist portrays one of these qualities consistently throughout the book. Or read a book in which the protagonist irked you.

11/11/15-- Othello-- 3 stars

Hufflepuff
➲ Helga Hufflepuff, the founder of Hufflepuff, was a witch during medieval times: Read a book that is set in a medieval time period (between 5th to the 15th century)
➲ Hufflepuff's emblematic colors are yellow and black: Read a book that has a predominately yellow or black cover.
11/17/15-- The Good Soldier -- 5 stars
➲ Fat Friar, the house ghost of Hufflepuff, dedicated his life to religion: Read a book about someone who is extremely religious.
➲ Members of Hufflepuff are described as hard working, patient, and loyal: Read a book in which the protagonist portrays one of these qualities consistently throughout the book.
11/21/15-- Black Beauty -- 4 stars
Ravenclaw
➲ Ravenclaw's emblematic animal is the eagle: Read a book which features an eagle on the cover or in the story. You can also read a book about someone who can shape shift into a bird of any type.
➲ Ravenclaw's emblematic colors are blue and bronze: Read a book that has a predominately blue or bronze cover.
➲ Rowena Ravenclaw, the founder of Ravenclaw, was Scottish: Read a book that takes place in Scotland.
➲ Members of Ravenclaw are described as intelligent, witty, and wise: Read a book in which the protagonist is scholarly, bookish, all knowing, etc...

11/8/15-- I Am Legend -- 4 stars

The Harry Potter Sorting Hat Challenge
Level: Hard
Time Frame: 11/7/2015-11/7/2017
5/16 Complete

Gryffindor
➲ Gryffindor's emblematic animal is the lion: Read a book about a lion (or a shape shifter who turns into a lion).
➲ Gryffindor's emblematic colors are scarlet and gold: Read a book that has a predominately scarlet or gold cover.
➲ "Nearly Headless Nick" is the house ghost of Gryffindor: Read a book featuring ghosts or read a book in which someone was decapitated or beheaded. Yikes!

11/7/15-- The Child Thief 4 stars

➲ Members of Gryffindor are described as courageous, chivalrous, and brave to the point of recklessness (sometimes) : Read a book in which the protagonist portrays one of these qualities consistently throughout the book.

Slytherin
➲ Slytherin's emblematic animal is the snake: Read a book which features a snake on the cover or in the story.
➲ Slytherin's emblematic colors are green and silver: Read a book that has a predominately green or silver cover.
➲ The Bloody Baron is the house ghost of Slytherin: Read a book in which a suicide or murder takes place. You can also read a book where the protagonist loves someone who does not love them back.
11/12/15-- King Lear -- 4 stars
➲ Members of Slytherin are described as cunning and shrewd: Read a book in which the protagonist portrays one of these qualities consistently throughout the book. Or read a book in which the protagonist irked you.
11/11/15-- Othello-- 3 stars
Hufflepuff
➲ Helga Hufflepuff, the founder of Hufflepuff, was a witch during medieval times: Read a book that is set in a medieval time period (between 5th to the 15th century)
➲ Hufflepuff's emblematic colors are yellow and black: Read a book that has a predominately yellow or black cover.

11/17/15-- The Good Soldier -- 5 stars

➲ Fat Friar, the house ghost of Hufflepuff, dedicated his life to religion: Read a book about someone who is extremely religious.
➲ Members of Hufflepuff are described as hard working, patient, and loyal: Read a book in which the protagonist portrays one of these qualities consistently throughout the book.

Ravenclaw
➲ Ravenclaw's emblematic animal is the eagle: Read a book which features an eagle on the cover or in the story. You can also read a book about someone who can shape shift into a bird of any type.
➲ Ravenclaw's emblematic colors are blue and bronze: Read a book that has a predominately blue or bronze cover.
➲ Rowena Ravenclaw, the founder of Ravenclaw, was Scottish: Read a book that takes place in Scotland.
➲ Members of Ravenclaw are described as intelligent, witty, and wise: Read a book in which the protagonist is scholarly, bookish, all knowing, etc...

11/8/15-- I Am Legend --4 stars

Happy Friday everyone! I got trapped in a downpour when driving to East Texas which ended up not being too bad since I just parked the car and read for a bit until the rain let up. Excited about tomorrow!

Ok, I caught up on the Child Thief BOM discussion questions. Here is the link, Karsyn (hopefully I am doing this right):

Day 1 Questions are Message 78 on pg 2:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...


Day 2 is Message 110, Day 3 is Message 112, and Day 4 is Massage 114 on pg 3:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...


I am planning on participating in the other two BOMs this month: Pretty Girl and Six of Crows.

November 5 DQs: Chapter 13-15, pages 198-271

16. Why do you think Avallach abandoned Avalon?

Because the Horned One died.

17. Do you think Nick and Leroy are at risk of turning?

Because they are probably hitting puberty.

18. What do you think of the land of Avalon now that we have a more complete picture of it's history and the people and creatures there?

Not sure because it is dying.

19. Why do you think Ulfger refuses to become the Horned One, despite it being his birthright?

I think he is afraid to be in charge of his kingdom since he is unsure how to lead.

20. What do you think Leroy will do to Nick now that Nick has beaten him?

He will try to kill Nick in the battle and make it look like it was part of the battle.

21. Do you think Nick will actually return home now that he is officially a devil?

I think he will try and if he does make it back, will be unable to stay because too much time has past in the real world, he may not be able to find his mom, and there may be too much magic in him now.

Nov. 4: Chapter 10-12 pages 127-197

***Ginny Greenteeth (or Jenny Greenteeth) from English folklore is a river hag; she would pull children or the elderly into the water and drown them. She was often described as green-skinned, with long hair and sharp teeth. ***

12. Dark adventures of chapter 10 portraying Ginny Greenteeth and her clan, strike me as important in summing up the central theme of the book. Do you agree? Thoughts?

There seems to be a theme of tricking or ensnaring children or harming children so yes.

13. Peter’s flashbacks and mind wanderings seem to provide a glimpse to understanding his difficult past and the lack of familial bonding. Do you think “The Lady” will fulfill his need for maternal love, or will it create more problems for him?

I think that the Lady is forming an unhealthy, manipulative relationship with Peter which will warp him even more.

14. Ulfgar is very threatened by Peter’s new found favor with “The Lady”. What do you think is at the root of his insecurities?

I think he is an orphan and the Lady is the regent of his land until he comes of age. I think he is afraid to be in charge of his kingdom since he is unsure how to lead but disagrees with how the Lady is leading and making decisions. And Ulfgar and the Lady openly disagree and berate each other but the people naturally love the Lady but not Ulfgar. They feel more duty-bound and obligated to follow him because of his bloodline. He does not have his parents to love him anymore and is not getting the love he wants from the Lady or his people and is jealous when Peter just walks in and steals the Lady's and his people's affection and love.

15. For those of us who don't typically read fantasy, "The Child Thief" seems to be a bit hard to get into. The vivid descriptions and creepy adventures keep us going on.
Would you be tempted to read this book again to discover some missed underlying meanings?

Yes.

Nov 3: Chapter 4-9 pages 50-126

6. Why did you join this BOM discussion? Was the book already on your to read list? I joined the BOM discussion for the first time because I joined my first group reading challenge, Tower Team IV Challenge.

7. Who/what do you think the illustration on Page 52 depicts?

Goll?

8. Do you think that we'll meet Queen Modron, the lady of the lakes? If so, what role do you think she'll play in the story?

Yes, and I think she will be a driving force or influence in future events.

9. Leroy is "unproven". What do you think his challenge will be to prove himself?

I think he will lose his temper and challenge Nick or one of the Devils and draw first blood.

10. Why are they referred to as "the Devils"?

Because they are not natives to the island and the magical creatures seem to think of them as abominations and since they are sort of wild.

11. What time period does this novel feel set in?

Current times. They refer to an iPad or iPhone, I think.

Nov 2: Prologue-3 pages vii-49

1. I still haven't read the original Peter Pan story. Most of what I associate with Pan is based on what I remember from the Disney film. Have you read the book? If so, did you like it? Have you watched any of the adaptations?

I think I read the children's version of Peter Pan as well as watching the Disney movie and Hook. I liked the story when I was young but as an adult I can see the bad side of never "growing up" as in never developing into a fully aware, emotionally mature human being. As a child you are sort of self centered and everything revolves around you.

2. Have you read or watched any retellings of fairy stories before? Have any been darker versions of the original? What is your favourite retelling? Is there a fairy tale that you would like to see retold?

Well, I saw Snow White and the Huntsman and the Angelina Jolie retelling of Sleeping Beauty. I read the original (Grimm Brothers or Christian Anderson) Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and The Princess and the Frog and they were a lot darker than the Disney and story book versions.

3. This story really is dark. Right from the first page. Most books I've read, even the horror ones, ease you into the story but not this one. What do you think of the story so far?

I had read a few reviews so I was prepared for it to be dark.

4. I'm not sure what to make of Peter. From the book description he seemed to be darker than the original but not too bad being described as 'a brave friend'. However, so far to me he doesn't seem to have any redeeming features. What are your impressions of him?

I think Peter is manipulative and I am scared for Nick and the other children he has taken. I think it is very telling that the narrator calls him the child thief from the beginning, not child rescuer or as a mythical creature.

5. Peter calls the island Avalon. Do you think there is any connection with the Avalon from Arthurian legend?

Yes, but I have not read enough in this book about Avalon to make a comparison yet.

you would suggest? (Looks like the website updated on me)

Yes, Karsyn. Thanks! I am planning on participating in the BOM Child Thief but only got through the prologue last night before I fell asleep. So I am a little behind on the reading and discussion questions already. I have not read much romance/erotica. I read the 50 Shades series and the plot was ok but I wasn't into the writing style so I wasn't sure if it was the genre or the series. Is there a "beginner" book in this genre y

Questions about the challenge:

When does the challenge start? I see the clock but I wanted to double check my math. Is this 1pm Central Time?

When will we know the team goals? I am guessing after the challenge officially starts but do they auto -post when the countdown clock gets to zero?

Do I have to post here if I participate in the BOM discussion or post which group I am in on the BOM discussion board? Do I have to do every day to get 20 points for the team or is it 20 points per day I post?

Anyone else reading Child Thief? I heard it was pretty dark and am about to start reading it.

When does this start?

Can't wait to read this book

I missed this buddy read the first time around-- excited that I get a second chance

I have not read much Stephen King but I am excited to start this book

I would love to join this too. I actually started reading the series again when the Enhanced EBook Edition came out last month so I read Book 1 and Book 2 and am going to start Book 3 shortly.

It has been pouring rain and it is starting to get cold (at least for Texas) today. I have been reading with my 2 cats curled up next to me since I got home from work. Anyone doing anything exciting for Halloween?

It has been pouring rain and it is starting to get cold (at least for Texas) today. I have been reading with my 2 cats curled up next to me since I got home from work. Anyone doing anything exciting for Halloween?

Hi everyone,

Sorry I have not joined into the conversation earlier. My name is Victoria and I am originally from Ohio but moved to Dallas 9 years ago to finished up my degree and ended up staying. I am a lab supervisor in the food industry. I am in my early 30's, married, no kids and obviously enjoy reading as well as yoga, running, biking, hiking, martial arts, etc. I am usually a 1-2 book a week person and try to read a fiction and a non-fiction book a week but I lean toward fiction (historical, classics, and thriller/suspense). I am excited to start the TT4! I just read the discussion thread and am adding books to my to read list already.