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

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

I will definitely finish Iron Flame and that will probably be my last book for Round 1, unless we end up needing something quick for a task.

It's not mine either.

I am very impressed with how quickly we found books to cover the mini tasks! And we only have a handful left until we have completed it! Well done team!

Even though it can all change as captains update their spreadsheets at different times, but we are currently sitting in 3rd place for points!

Sana wrote: "Laura wrote: "Sana wrote: "Finished another book set in Crete. I'm struggling with My Heart Is a Chainsaw I enjoy horror but all the slasher movies references is really getting anno..."

I have moved Minotaur back to the horns on cover task on both the tracking and official spreadsheet, so you are free to add your other books.

That is true, but it is a lot of books to try and keep track of. I also have a feeling that there will be quite a few that I either delete or DNF.

352 pages
419 pages
268 pages
213 pages
503 pages
408 pages
159 pages
208 pages
202 pages
197 pages
335 pages
325 pages
374 pages
384 pages
304 pages
282 pages

Current Total: 878,007

257 pages
276 pages
176 pages
196 pages
329 pages
288 pages
658 pages
322 pages
240 pages
296 pages
258 pages

Current Total: 873,074

I DNF'd The Hunchback of Notre-Dame the other day which is one less on my TBR from 2012. I haven't included it in my total because I didn't get that far into it before giving up.

I am struggling to get my TBR under 1,050. Ideally, I would like to end the year under 1,000 but all these BOMs and books I'm having to find for tasks are getting in the way!

And now I've just realised that even if I read 100 books a year from my TBR, it will take me 10 more years to complete it. And that's not including any that I add in that time. D:

DQs – Day 3 Protective Impulses-Pert Thing

11. What do you think about the revelation in the garden/the haunting? Did you see it coming, and do you think there are others involved with the “curse”?
The hints were there so it wasn't a huge shock.

12. What do you think about Mr. Rochester sending away Jane and the staff? If you have read the original, how does this change Jane’s agency, and do you like the change? Either way, why do you think the author made it Mr. Rochester’s choice?
It didn't really make sense. I guess it was just something exciting to add to the story.

13. Have you ever visited an Apothecary’s Garden? Would you be interested in seeing one? Do you grow any herbs or are you interested in growing any?
I would be interested in visiting an Apothecary's Garden. My mum is a keen gardener and has only recently been able to start growing things. I would like to grow my own herbs at some point.

14. What do you think about the scene with Miss Ingram? What does this tell you about Mr. Rochester’s character and did that seem consistent with his character so far? Did his explanation make sense to you?
It didn't feel very necessary.

DQs Day 2 - Baneful-"My Own Wee Thing”

6. Jane gives Rochester a black-coloured thumb-sized stone to keep with him as a protective talisman. Do you believe in talismans? Please tell us about an object that you keep with you as a talisman?
Personally, I don't really believe in them, but I like the idea of them. I treasure anything people have given to me out of love, but I don't keep anything on my person at all times.

7. Between some of the chapters narrated from Jane’s point of view, we get chapters from Rochester’s point of view. What do you think of these “interludes”? Do they help or distract?
I think they add a bit more to the mystery. And it's nice to see how he's actually feeling about everything.

8. We are introduced to Dr. Poole. What did you think of this character particularly with regards to Jane meeting him in the poison garden? Were there any changes in your opinion after reading Agnes’ conversation with Jane about the late Mrs. Rochester?
I didn't really have a strong opinion of him to begin with, but now I distrust him.

9. We have been told several times about a curse on Thornfield. Then Jane follows Rochester to the graveyard where his family members are buried. At this point Jane says “This was a story of heartache. Everyone in Mr. Rochester’s family had died before their time, especially the females. Then his wife had done the same.” Do you think there is a connection between the curse and the early deaths?
I think there might be.

10. We have been given information about Jane and her origin? What do you think of this twist in the tale?
I didn't see it coming. I didn't think her being an orphan would play much into the story.

Bonus: The author has used several of the same names as those of characters from Jane Eyre. Other than Jane, Rochester, we have Brocklehurst, Maria Temple, Mrs. Fairfax, Poole etc. What do you think about authors using the same names in retellings?
In a retelling, I would expect it or at least very similar names.

Kari wrote: "Will this work for CORNUPIA?

Witching up the Wrong Tree: A Cozy Canine Caper"

It looks like it has all the letters to me.

I decided to DNF The Hunchback of Notre-Dame so I will read Iron Flame instead.

I'm not sure I'm going to finish The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. It's not really holding my interest enough to continue. I might read a little more after I've had some sleep to see if it changes. If not, I have Iron Flame that I want to read, which has been confirmed okay for an orange cover. We would need another book that has "harvest" in though.

I'll post my decision later.

DQs - Day 1 - Prologue-Blackthorn

1. A paranormal retelling?? of Jane Eyre - this prompts the question about the original or let's call it the "source for inspiration". What is your relationship to Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë? Have you read it? Loved/liked/disliked it?
I read Jane Eyre two years ago but I don't really remember much about it. I gave it 3 stars which indicates that I found it decent but not amazing.

2. What about Retellings? Is it a genre you like/avoid?
I quite like Retellings. I haven't read a massive amount, but it is a genre I am getting more into.

3. Jane Aire as a witch in a school for orphan witches? How do you like the setting of this alternative Victorian world where magic is at least tolerated?
I like it so far.

4. What are your first impressions of Jane and Rochester?
I like Jane so far. Rochester is okay at the moment, but I feel like he will become more likable as the story progresses and we see more of him.

5. What do you think about the occurrences in Thornfield? Are they really caused by supernatural elements or is it human action?
It feels like it has something to do with Rochester's late wife. But it is unclear what exactly caused it.

I'll be a backup for The Capitol

Both do appear to have small horns.

Day 3: Chapters 19-27

11. The fantasy genre is known for its world building. How do you feel about the world building in this book? How does it compare to other fantasy novels you’ve read?
There doesn't seem to be much world building. It is more about the characters.

12. In this section we meet Cade’s former teacher Hazidan. What do you think of her character? Did you ever have a favorite teacher and were they similar to Hazidan in any way?
My teachers were more obvious in their support for me.

13. Chapter 25: Friends in Low Places had a pretty big reveal about the Celestials plans and how they’ve been herding Cade this whole time. How did you feel about this twist?
This book is so all over the place that I'm not sure much would surprise me at this point.

14. At this point I think we have the whole team together: Is one of them your favorite?
I don't have a favourite. I'm not sure I really care about any of them.

Bonus for audiobook listeners: How are you liking the audiobook? Would you recommend it?
I wasn't sure at first but the narrator is doing a decent job. I would recommend the narrator, the story not so much.

Laura wrote: "A couple of people have put Salt & Broom down for a word in text task. It also works for the hidden word task salt & bROOM.

The Malevolent Seven works for sEVEN"

I didn't even notice those!

I have now added my current books to the mini. I might finish one before the mini begins in which case I will remove it, but it seems more likely that I will hold off finishing anything until the mini begins now.

I will most likely have time to read a few more books than on the spreadsheet this round, but I also feel like I am behind on my reading so I won't add anymore now and then see what we need for the mini when I am ready to read new books.

Day 2 DQs
Ch 9 to 18

6.) Did Galass turning into a blood mage and Fidick being the cause of Lucian's death (I assume that's what the black cloud that left the tent did) surprise you? Or were you expecting their bit in the story to be over and just a footnote about Cade's character?
I felt like they would play a bigger part in the story, but I didn't expect on of them to die so soon.

7.) We learn about more magic types and there's pretty much any type of magic you can dream up. What type of magic you like to have or what animal would you like an affinity with?
As a cat person, I would love to have an affinity with cats. And being some sort of healer would be nice.

8.) Is anyone else's favorite character Mr. Bones? Just me? mkay.
I am enjoying Mr. Bones' character. I hope he gets more action.

9.) At this point I think it's clear Cade is a fallen Glorian of some sort, likely a Justicar. Do others agree with my guess here or do you have other thoughts?
Yes, I think so too.

10.) Assuming my guess in Q9 is right, why do you think Cade got the heave ho from the Glorians?
Something either very stupid or very serious or maybe for something he didn't even do.

I also just finished my re-read and I don't really know how to comment on it as none of the ending was a surprise to me and happened how I remembered it. Collins definitely knew where to end it because I really want to begin the next one right away, but I have other books to read first.

I also would like to know more about Haymitch.