Emily’s Comments (group member since Dec 27, 2013)

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

2/18 || 304 Pages

Current Total: 365,935

02/15 || 288 Pages

Current Total: 325,562

486 Pages

Current Total: 320,161

416 Pages

Current Total: 274,992

326 Pages

Current Total = 229,323

398 Pages 317 Pages 302 Pages
358 Pages 440 Pages 370 Pages

398 + 317 + 302 + 358 + 440 + 370 = 2,185

Current Total: 200,502

Book: The Nightingale
Author: Kristin Hannah
Date Read: 1/17
Pages: 440
Goal: N/A
Answered BOM DQs - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Wrote BOM DQs - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Main Characters: Vianne Mauriac, Isabelle Mauriac
Setting: France
GRs Rating: 4.53
Genre: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance
Cover: Flower & Bird image with Eiffel Tower & rain drops.
Date Published: 02/03/2015
Misc Info: World War II

January 17
Chapters 21 - 25

Q24. So much happened in this small section! First, let’s talk about Isabelle. Many people think she’s going on too many trips to take downed airmen to the British consulate and it was risky considering how badly the Nazis were searching for the Nightingale. Do you agree? Was she being reckless and possibly risking the whole operation by taking too many trips? And do you think she’ll continue on with the trips if she recovers from her injury or will she be forced to take a break?

Q25. What did you think of Beck warning Vianne and Rachel about the foreign-born Jews being deported and then obtaining false papers for Ari? Do you think his feelings for Vianne influenced these choices or are they signs of his being a good person in a bad situation?

Q26. I must admit, I teared up when we lost an innocent life - Sarah. And then my heart broke when we found Sophie losing her innocence when her mother told her the news - “Do you think I’m stupid? She’s Jewish.” What was your reaction to both of these events?

Q27. Vianne surprised me in this section! Not only did she attempt to help Rachel escape and then hide her, she also played a part in the death of Captain Beck! Were you shocked by this side of her and how far she was willing to go to protect her sister? Have your feelings about Vianne changed at all due to recent events?

Q28. With the death of Beck and now knowing her sister has been helping downed airmen in France, do you think Vianne will begin to help as well? Or will she remain more concerned for the safety of Sophie and Ari?

Do you know when/if they'll be doing another team challenge soon?

That's why I didn't see it! My bad, I forgot about those.

Was my book Point of Retreat used? I can't find it listed on either the "Goals" spreadsheet or "Goalless" spreadsheet, so I'm not sure if I'm just missing it or if it was used. The characters ate pizza in that book at one point if we can use it.

January 14
Chapters 12 – 16

Q13. Vianne helped make the list of teachers which took Rachel and other Jewish teachers. She went to Captain Beck about the list, which she thought the names were meant to be “clerical in nature”. She also saw all the food and items the Nazi’s had. What are your thoughts about this scene? Was she naïve? Do you think she is starting to understand there severity of the situation? Is she seeing more of what Isabelle is talking about?

I don't know if she was naive, but she's definitely in denial and letting her fear and concern for her daughter control her. I think she always knew what was going on, but refused to acknowledge it and seeing it in front of her like that was a wake up call for her. I don't think she'll change much in how she acts, though. I think she'll still do whatever it takes to keep her home and daughter safe, even if that means just keeping her head down.

Q14. Isabelle has been distributing tracts for months and she stole the bicycle. Is her behavior being more reckless? Do you think she will be caught for these kinds of behavior? Will she be caught with this new mission in Paris delivering secret messages for the Free French?

I think she is acting a bit recklessly because even though she's ready to go to a concentration camp or be killed if she is caught, I don't think she's thinking about what would happen to her family. Would the Germans believe Vianne if she said that she and Sophie had no idea what Isabelle was doing despite living with her? I worry she will be caught, but not until closer to the end of the book.

Q15. Do you like the timeline changes (In France, then in Oregon)?

I'm not sure. It was short, so that was nice, but I wonder how important the events will be and if it the interruption was worth it.

Q16. Now with Isabelle in Paris, Captain Beck is alone with Vianne and Sophie. What do you think will happen with Vianne and Sophie?

I hope they stay safe and that Vianne follows Isabelle's advice and stays away from Beck. I do not like the idea of a romance blooming between the two one bit. Especially when we don't know really the truth about Antoine - is he really captures or is he dead?

Q17. Should Isabelle reopen the bookshop?

I don't know. It could be a good cover, but if people start coming regularly they might notice her or her absence more.

Q18. Which character do you like more, Isabelle or Vianne? Which of the two sisters do you feel the saddest for?

I'm on the fence about both of them. I'm not emotionally invested in either one too much, though I am more curious to see where Isabelle's story goes.

January 13
Chapters 8-11

8. Have you read much about the occupation of France? Has any of the historical information (such as German officers billeting in houses) surprised you?

I haven't read much about it, fiction or non-fiction. I know about a few things, like the billeting, so that didn't surprise me. But something might surprise me as it gets worse.

9.I was so annoyed with Isabelle in this section for being so naive and immature that I almost stopped reading the book. As a parent, I became so angry on Vianne's behalf about Isabelle continually putting Sophie at risk. What are your thoughts on Isabelle? Is her hurt and resentment towards Vianne justified? Is she doing the right thing helping the resistance?

I'm kind of on the fence about it. On one hand, I can see why Isabelle would feel abandoned and be upset with Vianne even after all these years. At the same time, though, Vianne was still a child herself when their mother died and father left them and she didn't know how to care for her younger sister. I think she's doing the right thing by helping the resistance in the sense that she's fighting against the Germans in the only way she knows how, but at the same time she's endangering her sister and niece and they don't even know about it.

10. Captain Beck has, so far, tried to be very accommodating and polite. Was he just trying to win their trust to be able to use Vianne? Or is he just a decent man dragged into a war with no choices?

At first, I thought perhaps he was a decent man who was forced into the war like many others. But now, after he's asked Vianne for a list of names, it feels like he's just trying to earn her trust to use her for information.

11. Captain Beck does some research and says the men have been captured and are "not coming home". Do you believe him?

I do believe him when he says they've been captured. Whether or not they're still alive, though, is questionable.

12. Some of the women started to turn on Vianne, insinuating that she may be 'in bed' with the Germans. Do you think this was fair?

No, it wasn't fair at all. Vianne is trying to protect her daughter in anyway she can and for her that means putting up with a German soldier in her home for a while. I also wonder if they would accuse her of the same thing if Captain Beck wasn't handsome.

12 Jan 2016 Chapters 1 - 7 Questions

1.Do you like the book so far? Why did you decide to read this book? Have you read any other books by this author?

I think it's too early for me to say if I like it or not. Already some things are not what I expected based on the description, so I'm not really sure how I feel. I'm not going to lie - I actually saw this at my library months ago and wanted to read it because of the cover. I had no idea what it was about when I started it and thought the BOM was the perfect time to bump it up on my list. I haven't read anything by her yet, though I've heard good things.

2.The Nightingale opens with the following statement: “If I have learned anything in this long life of mine, it is this: In love we find out who we want to be; in war we find out who we are.” What do you think the narrator means by this? Is love the ideal and war the reality?

I think that perhaps she means that when you're in love there are many possibilities and you can be hopeful. But in war, when you don't really have a choice, you see what kind of person you are in the things you do.

2.Who do you think is the elderly lady at the beginning? What is the reason for your choice?

I'm not totally sure. Some have said Isabelle, which I think makes sense considering she mentions wanting to be “loved and admired” which is what Isabelle wants at eighteen.

3.The narrator says that: “He [her son] loves a version of me that is incomplete. I always thought it was what I wanted: to be loved and admired. Now I think perhaps I'd like to be known.” what have you always wanted? Has it changed and why or why not?

I think I’m still young and trying to figure out what I want. Things can change in an instant, I could want one thing tomorrow and something completely different a year later.

4.War changes people. “The father who went off to war was not the one who came home.” How did war affect Vianne and Isabelle's family? Do you think that Antoine will be changed like Vianne's father? How about the soldiers that Isabelle comes across? Should she be so angry with them? Would you?

I think it was part of the reason their family fell apart. Her mother's death was part of it too as she called her the glue, but I wonder if he would have been so willing to leave them if the war hadn't changed him. I think it's a huge possibility that Antoine will be changed and while I understand part of where Isabelle comes from, I also think it's hard for anyone, real or fictional, to pass judgement when you're not the one that's in the thick of it.

5.Why do you think Vianne is in absolute denial about the war? How would you react if it was you? Do you think your choice is a product of 50/50 because we can look back on that period and know what happened?

I don’t know how I would react - I would be in a completely different mindset than I am now if I was in her shoes. I think she is scared to lose the life and happiness she has worked so hard to obtain and it’s causing her to deny how bad things are in the war.

6.Isabelle says that "Magic, to be its best, must be unexpected." Do you agree? Why or why not? Do you think she is warning her sister here?

I definitely agree. It wouldn’t be magical if you expected it - magic is surprising and shocking. I don’t see it as a warning, though, just Isabelle entertaining her niece and finding a “reason” to not turn “invisible.”

7.What do you think of the characters so far? Are they believable? Do you have a favorite? Dislike any?

I like them! I think they’re believable for each of their circumstances and there’s so much room for each of them to grow and change. I don’t know if I have a favorite yet, though. I think I need to get to know them all more - though I dislike their father.

Karen wrote: "No, just whatever takes your fancy Emily. Usually people post 4-6"

Thank you!

Quick question - Is there a set number of questions we need to make for a day's worth of DQs?

XIII: The Waiting King - XIV
January 9th DQ

33. Lila asks Beloc"How do you want to die?" and he answers "Quickly". If you were in Lila's position would you be able to kill Beloc in order to get to Astrid?

I think so, but I would be miserable about it since he was clearly an innocent pawn in the Danes' game. I also think Lila killing Beloc was more than just about getting to Astrid. I think she did it to help Beloc and release him from the "spell" they had him under.

34. What did you think of the fight scene and the twin's deaths? Any favorite parts?

I thought Astrid and Lila's fight was great, but the fight between Athos and Kell felt less epic. For me, I feel like we didn't get much and then suddenly he was dead. I did have two favorite parts, though - when Kell wasn't fooled by Astrid and when Kell was smart enough to not just leave Astrid as a statue, but to ensure everything was over and destroy her.

35. Kell and Lila kiss! What did you think of this scene? Where you expecting anything different?

I was surprised by it! I always saw them as platonic, but I don't think the kiss was meant to be romantic. At least, I didn't see it that way. It seemed like it happened because of the adrenaline and the relief of winning and the fact that Kell was going home - since he never planed to be able to do so in the end.

36. Lila was able to travel back to Red London without the rock. How do you think this is possible? Do you think this will be explained in the next book?

I'm still sticking with the theory that she is an Antari. Or if she isn't an Antari, she's something since we know for sure that she has "untended" magic within her.

37. How did you like the book's ending? What rating did you give the book?

I both liked and dislike the ending. I'm left excited for the next one, but A Darker Shade of Magic also had such a feeling of finality that I'm not sure where Scwab will go with the rest of the series. I mean, I almost would have been fine with this ending if this was a standalone and not part of a series.

I did give the book 5 stars, though! And placed it on my favorites shelf because I absolutely loved this.

Title: The Girl Who Lived
Author: Susan Berg
Date Read: 1/9
Pages: 358
Goal: N/A

Characters: Susan Berg, William Berg
Setting: Australia
GRs Rating: 4.51
Genre: Autobiography, Non Fiction, Biography
Cover: Girl in white dress floating in water.
Date Published: 11/06/2014
Misc Info: Boating Accident

Discussion Questions / January 8
XI: Masquerade - XII: Sanctuary & Sacrifice

26. The gleam Lila saw in the guards eye, she also noticed in the Red Queens eye at the masquerade ball. Do you believe Astrid has already corrupted the entire palace and royalty? And once people are corrupted with this black magic, is there a way for them to be free again? Will destroying the stone free them from their corruption?

Corrupted in the sense of being put under a spell, yes. They definitely wouldn't be working with Astrid willingly and I do think there's a way to break the influence of the black magic as long as it hasn't consumed them yet, like we saw in Grey London.

27. We finally find out that it was, after all, Astrid who set up Kell and tricked him into taking the stone. Did this surprise you at all? Or was this something you had already figured out?

I always had an idea that the twins would be involved someway, so it wasn't very surprising, I just didn't know the details and to what extent. I think it would have been difficult for Schwab to have it be anyone else without having to introduce a new character out of the blue.

28. The Dane siblings want the stone to create doors between the Londons that stay open for anyone to pass through. Do you agree with Kell that this would be a horrible idea?

To create doors that stay open and allow for anyone to pass, yes. I think closing each London off completely from the other aside from the Antari wasn't a very good idea to begin with, but creating a door like the twins want is an even worse idea. It would leave everyone vulnerable.

29. Any ideas as to why the stone physically stitched itself to Kell's palm after he used it for a "soul seal" to save Rhy's life? Why didn't the stone do that any of the other times it was used?

I think it's because it required much, much more power and magic from Kell in order to save Rhy's life. Kell had to give up a part of himself and give in to the dark magic in a way that he hasn't before, he's always fought it and tried to push it away, but this time it was able to get inside of Kell. Kell was also really emotional at the time, so if it were at all possible for him to save Rhy's life without the stone attaching to him by fighting back against the magic, he wouldn't have been able to do it anyway. He was too vulnerable.

30. So Lila has a glass eye. When questioned about it by Teirin, she claims to not remember what happened to her eye but that she was told it was an accident. Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Is Lila Antari? Did she have one solid black eye at one point? Maybe someone didn't want people to know she was Antari, so they cut it out. What are your thoughts on this?

This has been my theory for a while!! When it was mentioned that one eye was a slightly different shade than the other, I thought perhaps this was a hint. And then it turned out it was a glass eye? I was sold. Also, it would make sense if each London was meant to be left with their own Antari - Holland was in White London, Kell in Red London, perhaps Lila was supposed to be for Grey London. If this is true, I just haven't decided as to why her eye would be missing - was it done to protect her? Or is it just 'hidden' since Teirin did say she has magic?

I'm also wondering if perhaps the author is trying to distract us with this. The hints she dropped were pretty subtle, up until the glass eye was mentioned, so I'm not sure if this is actually going to be what plays out or if she's purposely trying to throw us off the trail of Lila's true story.

Either way, I'm sticking with the Antari theory because I like it. I like the idea that perhaps Lila is a very, very strong Antari.

31. How do you feel about the relationship between Kell and Lila? Do you think they make a good team? Will they be able to defeat King Athos and retrieve the missing half of the stone?

I think they make a fantastic team. As cute as they might be as a couple, I hope their relationship stays platonic through the rest of the series - not just this book. I like them as friends and as a team.

32. A Darker Shade of Magic is quite a fitting title for this book, in my opinion. Do you agree? Why or why not?

Definitely! The magic is darker both literally and figuratively - it's represented as a black stone throughout the book and it's absolutely darker in an evil sense. I think it also could reference Kell's personal experience with a darker side of magic since he even admits that as a kid he wasn't sure he believed the stories of Black London since he never saw the way magic can consume a person.

has a character named Eddie who is the best friend of the MC if we want to use that one for E. It's one I've already read.