Keely’s Comments (group member since Aug 30, 2013)

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

I've answered 3 days for The Spellshop BOM. I don't think I will be able to finish the book tonight, but definitely tomorrow.

I also began The Count of Monte Cristo today. It's been on my TBR since 2012 and will give us lots of points! I'll be reading it around other books so I most likely won't finish it until closer to the end of the round, but I am determined to finish it in time.

My hold on The Secret History is saying about 2 weeks still, but I have audible credits so I can get it there if needed.

4 Nov
DQs Day 3
Ch 14 to 21

9) I'm enjoying the variety of people and creatures (for lack of a better word) in the story. Do you have a favorite? Is there one you'd dream up and like to see wandering the island?
I like Caz and the cactus plant. But I do like everyone so far.

10) If you could have a helper sentient plant, what type would you choose and why?
I don't know a whole lot about plants so I'm just going to go with the cactus that they have made.

11) Do you think it is remotely realistic that Kiela can keep her activities secret? And with the trouble at the center of the empire, would any of those in power notice or care?
There is no way it will be kept secret. And I'm not sure they will care as much as she thinks they will.

12) Radane, trouble for Kiela in more ways than one?
Most likely.

13) Previous questions have touched on this but I'm thinking Kiela has avoided sharing what's happening with the revolution as a trauma response. If she doesn't talk about it than she can almost ignore it? It makes me wonder what happened to her parents. Like the library became her home/only place she felt safe after losing them and then it literally burned before her eyes. Anyone have thoughts about why she still isn't sharing to the point of literally running away?
I think she has been isolated for so long that she has it set in her head how people will respond and she doesn't think that people will respond well so she just keeps it all to herself.

DQ Day 2 Chapters 8 - 13

6. There's more information released here about magic use and it's impact on the world. What do you think about this?
I'm enjoying learning about the world. It seems like the world has depended on magic and needs magic to keep functioning.

7. Lucky that Kiela can exploit the absence of fruit to fill a niche shop, eh?! What do you think about her plan to make a living out of jam and secret magic?
I think it is a good plan. I'm interested to see how it goes.

8. Kiela and Larran keep having meet cute moments. Do you like this romantic pairing?
Yes, I do. They are cute together.

DQs- Day 1, Chapters 1-7

1. The book opens with quite a tough scene: a Great Library is set on fire and Kiela has already packed crates of books to rescue. And she asks herself the question "if she were stranded on a desert island, which books would she most want to have with her?"
Now I'm putting you the same question limiting your possibilities to
- 1 complete works of an author
- 2 book series
- 3 standalone books from different genres, 1 must be non-fiction
Oh, I hate these sorts of questions because I'm so indecisive. I definitely know my non-fiction book would be something useful to help me survive. Something like basic survival skills. A series to bring might be A Court of Thorns and Roses because I enjoyed the first book and I know there are several more to read. I honestly don't know who's complete works I would bring.

2. While it's only explained sketchily, a little politics, history (?)
of the Empire is mentioned, alongside some curious species, flora & fauna (winged kitties, anyone?) What do you think of the world-building so far?
I would like to know more of the world. It sounds fascinating so far.

3. It's mentioned several times how Kiela keeps herself to herself in the Library (apart from Caz's company). Do you think such an almost complete isolation described here is possible even in such a vast Library?
I think it is. People usually go to the library with intent on finding what they want so anyone she came across would most probably be busy keeping to themselves too. Assuming people visited the library.

4. I found it a bit disturbing that Kiela doesn't tell anyone on the island that she came away because a revolution has broken out in the capital (I understand her keeping silent about the books). It IS supposed to be a big deal after all and one would think they will learn about it eventually. A bit later some excuses are offered. Do you think they are sufficient or it's just a usual plot-driving tool?
I feel like it is more plot related.

5. I really liked the idea of Kiela & Caz sectioning the garden and naming them after book genres. Which genres would you name parts of your real or hypothetical garden? :)
There would have to be a section with roses for romances. Maybe a wildflower section for mysteries. An overgrown jungle like area for adventure.

Cat wrote: "Christmas wreath making sounds lovely! Have a fun afternoon/evening!"

Thank you! I have finally been given a time that we are going (his mum isn't the best with times) so I have a few hours to get some reading in before.

✿~Danielle~✿ wrote: "Finished Good Time Boyfriend which was for letters GREY in title, but if you want to use for double vowel so we can finish Gardening mini again. I can read another book for GREY."

I think using it for the double vowel is better which will complete the Gardening mini and open up another set for more options.

Cat wrote: "a reminder to those who read Spellshop: We are into the last few days to get the bonus BOM points for answering 3 sets of DQs!

If you haven't yet, it'd be great if you'd pop over and do the necess..."

I'm working on it now and I hope to finish it some point tomorrow! I'll be going with my boyfriend's mum to the local cat shelter later today where we will make Christmas wreaths that they will sell at the Christmas market to help raise some money for the shelter. It will mean I won't get much read today, but it's for a worthy cause so I'm not upset about it.

I finished my #4 in series. My next focus will be The Spellshop for the BOM points

Saar, I've added them along with the claims. I've added the page numbers of the ones you linked as I assumed those are the editions you are reading.

I'm working on my #4 in series. Should have it done tomorrow.

I'm just looking through the new mini tasks and The Secret History (BOM) fits for R1 tagged bookclub. Currently it is tagged 1483 times!

I finished Cupcakes for Christmas. It looks like it will be my last book this round.

Marie (UK) wrote: "Keely wrote: "I did not do any reading at all yesterday! I can't seem to shake the extreme tiredness I feel so I keep falling asleep. I will definitely finish the two on the SS (I moved Winter over..."

Haha, yeah I could definitely use a battery or maybe a full on engine!

DQs Day 3
Ch 8 to 10

10.) Any guesses about "find the extra coffee cup and you can rest in peace"? Does that fact Lawrence found it indicate guilt or innocence do you think?
I'm not sure him finding it indicates anything.

11.) With books as old as this, some language/terms just do not age well and can be jarring to randomly come across in the text. Should language like this be censored/edited to match less offensive terms of the times (though not sure there is a correct way to say a lady dressed up in blackface). Or should they be left as is and used as a point of discussion on race/sexuality/class/gender/etc?
I think they should be left as they are. People need to accept that it was how things were, right or wrong. You can't change history so don't change an author's work unless they are still alive to change it themselves or agree to the change.

12.) Lots happening in the section, arrests abound! Do you think John was arrested for his step mother's murder or for some other reason like Dr. B?
It could be anything at this point.

13.) What do you think about our narrator and giver or random marriage proposals, Hastings?
He's reminding me a lot of Wilson from Sherlock.

I did not do any reading at all yesterday! I can't seem to shake the extreme tiredness I feel so I keep falling asleep. I will definitely finish the two on the SS (I moved Winter over to Round 4). Ideally, I would like to get at least one more book in as well, but I'm not sure it will happen. I'll see how things go.

DQs Day 2
Ch 5-7

6. Poirot is concerned because Cynthia does not take sugar in her coffee and calls back to when he tasted all the coffees, but it’s never expanded upon. We later find out that the poison was likely administered in coffee and that it has a bitter taste that coffee could mask. Do you have any theories as to why Poirot put such importance on “Cynthia does not take sugar”?
I think it looked like she was suspicious of being poisoned so would take her coffee without sugar. Or she knew about the poisoning or perhaps did it herself and was afraid to accidentally putting poison in her own coffee.

7. Witnesses have testified to overhearing an argument between Mr & Mrs Ingelthorp the day she was murdered — but Mr Ingelthorp claims they are mistaken. Do you believe he is truly the one who was having the argument, or do you have any other suspicions? Poirot certainly thinks he is innocent and claims to be able disprove the other claim (about him buying the poison) — does that sway you at all?
I suspect it was someone else. There are plenty of other male voices it could have been.

8. Most people seem to believe Mr Inglethorp is guilty (ESPECIALLY Evie), while Lawrence seems to believe the death came by natural causes, and Mr. Inglethorp doesn’t seem to have any theories at all except to believe it was murder but never pointing fingers at a suspect. I have to admit, I expected more finger-pointing from this group! Have any characters’ reactions so far stood out as peculiar to you?
I think they are all so sure they know who did it that they don't really need to point fingers. No reactions have really stood out to me so far.

9. One of my favorite things about mysteries is trying to figure out what happened before it’s revealed. Are you trying to solve the murder, or would you prefer to be surprised by the eventual reveal? Do you feel like you’re usually good at solving the mysteries, or do they evade you?
I try to just stay surprised by the eventual reveal although I usually am not too surprised when it happens.

Marie (UK) wrote: "HI guys I am struggling at the moment - am back to treacle wading feel so worn out. I hope to finish the audio I have on the go and my current read before Saturday. I will try to find some I's for ..."

I'm feeling much the same at the moment, Marie. I seem to take lots of little naps all the time at the moment instead of one big sleep. I am mostly an audio reader so that's how I've managed to mostly keep on top of my reading. Take care Marie, and I hope you start feeling more energised soon!

DQ Day 1
Chapters 1 - 4

1. The first few chapters set the scene for this (first) instalment of Hercule Poirot. What do you make of the various characters we are introduced to? Especially "Alfred dearest" whom everybody seems to dislike. Do you agree with Mrs Howard that they're all only interested in the money? Do you agree with Hastings that they're all somewhat suspicious?
I know enough to suspect everyone. It is unlikely to be the one everyone dislikes because they become the main suspect, but that could also be a trick.

2. A murder has occurred! Anyone want to venture a guess at this stage as to who has done it? And was it really death by poison? Or is Dr. Bauerstein's expertise in the matter and the fact that Mrs. Inglethorp suffered from severe convulsions in front of practically the entire household merely a red herring?
I don't have any guess at who did it yet. I'm also doubting if it was poison.

3. There was an argument the day before the murder between the late Mrs. Inglethorp and an unknown person, potentially Mr. Inglethorp. What might this have been about?
The most obvious guess would be money.

4. What might Mrs. Inglethorp not have wanted to show Mary Cavendish that resulted in the latter feeling somewhat peeved?
Again, the obvious seems to be the Will, but as it was revealed this early, maybe not.

5. Are you enjoying the narrative so far? I assume I don't have to ask if this is your first Christie book? It seems like most everyone has read at least one of her books, or has seen an episode or two of the tv adaptations.
I've only read one of her short stories before. And I don't think I've seen any tv adaptions apart from a scene or two in passing. The narrative is okay so far.

Additionally, I have books I can read for G80 - Deadhead: word in title contains a repeat set of at least two letters (e.g BEGINNING repeats IN) and G75 - Water: word in title contains and H and 2 Os.

The book for G80 is a shorter one so I might be able to squeeze it in this round. The G75 one is longer so will almost certainly be next round.

I finished The Green Mile for a Southern Gothic book. I will finish Mansfield Park today. I plan to get the two shorter books I have on the SS done either today or tomorrow.
I want to get as close to my cap as possible before I focus on Winter (my 800+ page book). I may even run out of time to finish it this round, but if that is looking like the case, I will find another shorter book to read instead and have Winter finished early next round.