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

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

Laura wrote: "Keely wrote: "Laura wrote: "New Task

110 - 10 Things the Chipmunks Love - Pennywise! - Read a book you can connect to our favourite red balloon carrying clown"

11/22/63 will work for this as it i..."

Okay, but it will probably take me at least a couple more days to finish.

Laura wrote: "New Task

110 - 10 Things the Chipmunks Love - Pennywise! - Read a book you can connect to our favourite red balloon carrying clown"

11/22/63 will work for this as it is partly set in Derry where It took place. Pennywise is also heavily referenced to.

I posted our DQs for 11/22/63. I know I'm technically a day early, but as I said in the post it was either now or very late tomorrow. And it's the 17th somewhere in the world now, right?

I'm posting these a little early as I work nights so sleep in the day and if I don't do it now, it will be very late tomorrow.

DQs Day 3 - 17 June
Chapters 7 - 8, 26%

10) We find out more about Frank Dunning. He is portrayed as a smooth talker and good looking. Do you find this stereotypical of someone who will go on to murder most of his family? It always seems to be someone no one suspects. Jake's opinion of him obviously isn't very good. Do you think Jake would feel differently if he didn't know what Frank was going to do?

11) Jake plans how he is going to stop Frank. Would your thought process have been the same as Jake's? How would you plan to change the event?

12) There is something off about Derry. The place itself feels weird and the people act strange. Would you stay somewhere where you don't feel welcome? Would you investigate more into what was going on?

13) Well, stoppping Frank didn't go to plan but he did get stopped. What do you think the cosequences of changing the event will be in the present, if any? Do you think he will go back and try again? If so, what do you think he will do differently?

Day 2 DQs
Chapter 4 - 6 or 18%

#5. How did you feel when you read Harry Dunning's essay? What would you have done if you had the power to enact change in the past?
It was a hard thing to read as it was. I'm glad Jake gave him lots of praise.
I don't know how I would change the past. I'd be too worried about the butterfly effect.

#6. Money is a big deal in any timeline. Would you be able to acclimate to the past in terms of financial transactions as well as Jake? Do you think Jake acclimated TOO quickly?
Having grown up in the 90s when cash was used more, I think I could adapt. American money confuses me sometimes as it is and I'd probably end up overspending because of how cheap everything seems.

#7. Fashion is also an issue in the past. Do you think Jake is having an easier time of it because he is a man? What would be the most challenging fashion change for you to get used to? Is there something you would love to be able to wear?
I definitely think he had an easier time of it as a man. As a woman, I think underwear would be particularly difficult to get used to as there wasn't as much comfort and support as there is now. I've always liked dresses and skirts so I would be fascinated to try some late 50's fashion.

#8. There are a lot of interesting nods to older Advertising terms and slogans that King uses to help the reader recognize the timeline change of the past. Which one stood out to you the most and why?
I can't really say any stood out to me, other than the promotion of cigarrettes.

#9. If you have read any past King novels, some of these chapters have a lot of connections to early books about Derry, Maine, and surrounding locations. Did you find any Easter eggs from previous stories? If you haven't read earlier King novels, what about Derry seemed to stand out as unique to you?
I definitely noticed the references to IT. I've not read many King books, but I know of some of the well known ones so I got some of the references.

Day 1 DQs: ch1- 3

1) I have only read a few of Stephen King's books. Is this your first book by the author or are you quite familiar with his storytelling?
I've read a couple now, but I still would like to read more of his books.

2) What do you think about the character Jake so far? Would you have gone along with what Al wanted and took the initial step back into the past, or would you have not humoured him and tried to get him help?
I probably would have humoured him. Not sure I'd be up to the task of staying there all those years though.

3) I am not sure how I would feel if I just stepped back into the past the way Jake and Al have, but I am really curious about how the time travelling works in this story. It seemed that Jake was somewhat calm about it. How do you think you would feel if it was you?
I would be really fascinated at first, but I think my anxiety of getting back to the present would stop me enjoying it.

4) I think it is clear that Jake is going to pick up Al's mission to try and stop the JFK assassination. Would you choose to continue Al's mission? Also how much do you know of the history surrounding this event?
As others have said, as a non-american the JFK assassination is not a big of a deal and wasn't really taught much in school. I only know a bit about it because it came under the area of history I am interested.

I've already got enough notes for 2 questions and like I said, I'm only a part of the way into our section. It seems like Chapter 8 is where it's really going to kick off for our section. It is building up to something where anything can happen. I'm not spoiling anything though.

I will most likely stick to 4 questions. 5 if it feels necessary.

I used an Audible credit for it. It would take me way too long to read it in print form.

I will be working Saturday night, but I'll try and remember to post them before. I may send them to you, Tammie, so that you can post on my behalf if I forget.

I was actually just about to say about this. I had a lot of spare time today so I thought I would get ahead and have already made a start on the book. I actually made it to about halfway through chapter 7 (one of the ones we are covering) and I have made some notes for possible questions.
So, I can do it if needed, but I've never written DQs before so I don't know if they will be any good.

I will be finishing The City of Bass (BOM) very soon and I am actually ahead of schedule with The Red (backroom BOM). I have some days off coming up so I will try and get a 500-599 book done as we seem to struggle a bit more with those.

DQs Day 3 - Chapters 10-14

9. As he walks through the Daeva Quarters, Ali is shot by a toy arrow, let loose by one of the children playing about. Rashid suggests to Ali that he should punish the boy by taking him to be raised in the Citadel, which Ali refuses. What do you think this says about Ali, and about others in the city’s upper echelon?
That sort of punishment for something so small is insane. I'm glad Ali refused.

10. Nahri and Dara have a moment, but are interrupted. Do you like this partnership, romantically or otherwise? Is it doomed, or meant to be?
It was obviously going to happen. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I guess I hope they will stay together.

11. We learn about the terrible conditions in the shafit orphanage and the difficult lives all the shafit are forced into. Even though he immediately refuses to help, how do you think this will influence him in the future?
He's in a difficult position and is limited with what he can do at the moment without reprocusions. He seems like a good person though.

12. As Dara and Nahri cross the last illusion shielding Daevabad, Nahri has an odd reaction and ends up flat on her back on the deck of the ferry, with Dara rudely refusing anyone’s assistance. Do you think this was caused by something related to what Nahri is, or something else?
I don't really know at the point. I hope things become clearer later on.

13. Muntadhir takes Ali to a secret room filled with dead Nahids. Do you think this room will be a turning point for Ali? Do you think Dara will discover this and his relic, and what do you think will follow if he does?
Ali was clearly shocked by what he saw. I feel like Ali and Dara would become good friends if the opportunity allowed.

I'm going to be reading 11/22/63 for the BOM so I will also have a 800+ page book soon in case we need more.

@Christina - that used to be me. I have a several full series on my TBR list that I still haven't gotten around to reading yet. But I am getting better and I will mostly just put the first book and wait until I've read it before adding the rest if I enjoyed it. The exception being if from the start, I know I really want to read the whole series or I buy a set which includes the whole series or at least multiple books of a series.

Day 2 DQs : Chapters 5-9

5. So many groups! We had a couple of chapters in this part that described some of the tribes in Daevabad and elsewhere - the Daeva/Djinn, Ifrit, Simurgh, Zahhak and I'm sure I haven't listed them all. Where on the confusion scale are you - with 1 being totally confused and 10 being "I've got this". And are you ok with your level at this point in the book?
Erm, I guess 4. I keep hoping things will get clearer.

6. Somewhat related to this - we learn that Suleiman curbed magical abilities because the daeva harmed humanity. I learned (thanks Google) that in the non-book world Suleiman the Magnificent was the longest-reigning Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1520 to 1566 - he ruled over at least 25 million people. Did you know anything about Suleiman and what do you think of his inclusion in the book?
I dont really know anything about Suleiman other than the name. I always find it interesting when authors bring historical figures into books.

7. We now know Dara was a slave for many years and was forced to do some things that haunt him. How does this make you feel about his character?
The way he acts is more understandable now.

8. Ali's father was portrayed as brutal when we first met him at the execution, and then later he seemed like a pretty good ruler as he listened to and judged people's problems. What do you think - good king or bad king?
I'm not sure yet. But I have a bad feeling about him.

I just finished my book for chipmunks 8 which has given us a new one

40. 10 Things the Chipmunks Love - Lobsters! - Read a book with a creature with 10 limbs on the cover (e.g. lobster, shrimp, crab).

Apart from being a couple of days behind on the current BOM, I am now all caught up. I need to go out soon, but later I will see what books I have that will help us with something.

I just deleted about 60 books off my TBR. They were books I don't currently have access too and that I have decided I don't want to read anymore. I have not included them in my total so I am still under the line.

This does mean that my TBR is about 50 less than at the start of the year. If I read or delete 24 more (and not add anymore) I will have only 1,000 left.

I have a book that I want to read that would work for Chipmunk 29 Best of 2017, but I don't think I will finish it quickly. Someone else will probably finish a book for that task before I do. But I have an option if needed.

DQs Day 1, Ch 1-5


1. This book begins in 18th century Cairo, with France and Turkey fighting over Egypt. I have never encountered this conflict in fiction before. Have you? Were you familiar with it before you started reading?
I was not familiar with it before this book.


2. Nahri has several mysterious powers, including healing, the ability to sense illness in others, and the ability to understand and speak every language she hears. Which of her powers would you like for yourself?
The language one would be my first choice, but healing would be cool too.


3. What do you think of the world building so far? Do you find it confusing, or do you feel like you’re along for the ride?
I feel like things will become clearer the more I read.


4. So far we’ve met 3 significant players in this book: Nahri, Ali, and Dara. Do you have a favorite character so far, or one who intrigues you the most?
Out of those three, I would have to say Nahri.

I should finish the Doctor Moreau book today. I've only got a little bit left.

DQs: Day 3, Chap 12 - 18

10. I've noticed Carlota's perceptions are often described using non visual cues: she hears a lot, and even smells Montgomery behind her bedroom door but then dismisses the idea. After her attack, she finds herself noticing that "Her fingers, in the mirror, looked very long, the nails almost too sharp and the eyes...". Do you feel Carlota ever questions her own nature as a human/hybrid or is she too ingenuous to do so? Do you also feel the author is using alternate senses and, if so, as clues for the reader or red herrings?
I don't think Carlota questions it. She doesn't know that other people don't feel or notice these things. I feel like the author is using the descriptions as clues.

11. For much of this part, I felt Montgomery was conflicted regarding his feelings for Carlota. He "writes" to his wife using what I felt was a brotherly perspective only to realise, a few lines and drinks later, he could not resist kissing her if she were there in that moment. What did you make of this change of heart and do you find his various missteps bring something to the story?
Maybe he misses being close to someone. He's definitely made mistakes in the past. I think he is lonely, but stops himself getting to close to people.

12. We're already halfway through the story - Doctor Moreau and Montgomery are both complex characters. Am I alone in thinking Carlota and her hybrid friends deserve to be more thoroughly fleshed out and layered?
As I said in my previous answers, I'd love to know more about the science of the hybrids. More about what makes them different other than the physical stuff.

13. What did you make of the scene where Carlota loses her virginity by the cenote - did her reaction seem natural to you or did you find yourself questioning her fearlessness? In your opinion, if Carlota is herself a hybrid, what effect might that have on their progeny?
As someone who grew up very sheltered and not really being taught about the outside world and all that that entails, he reaction was understandable.

14. There's a storm brewing as the hybrids plan to join Juan Cumux and Carlota attempts to retrieve her father's notes and formulas. Do you think the hybrids will remain subservient once they remove themselves from Doctor Moreau's influence or could the story turn dark?
Something big is definitely going to happen. The story might turn dark.