Melike’s Comments (group member since Aug 09, 2013)

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

1) Fairfold sounds like an interesting town. I would love to live there! What about you?

I wouldn't mind living there!!!

2) The story about Jack and Carter was amazing! There mom sounds very brave. Could you have done what she did?

I wish I were that brave. I loved what she did, what a fearless woman! I am not sure if I could have pulled it off though.

3) So Ben seems to have been blessed (or cursed) with the gift of fey music. Why do you think he has chosen to try and deny it?

I am not sure of this one.

4) The horned prince sounds creepy! And I find it interesting that the fey don't seem to mind people hanging around him. Thoughts?

No thoughts on this yet.

5) What on earth do you think Hazel did on the night she can't remember? Any predictions?

She probably had something to do with waking the prince up.

6) Hazel and Ben used to fight dark fey when they were kids. I'm sure this will play a role in the story. Do you think they were brave or foolhardy?

A bit of both for sure!

Questions and Comments: June 1967

1. This is my first book from Jessie Burton. Did you read The Miniaturist? Do you like her writing style?

I didn't read the Miniaturist and I didn't care for her writing style even though the storyline is interesting.

2. What do you think was the point of the lady without toes? It was so quick, and it doesn't seem to add much to the story.

I was not sure what the point was.

3. Odelle sounds a little too self assured or with the air of being better than the others. And her "She probably spent her salary on hair spray and bad novels, but was too stupid to even read them." didn't set well with me. How about you?

Very judgmental, I didn't care for that at all.

4. Thoughts about the first meeting with Quick and Odelle? I'm torn between "Odelle is her new shinny toy aka charity case" and "Maybe she really is good and Quick thought she was her only chance".

I was not sure which way to lean with this, but I think Quick wants to take her under her wing.

5. The encounter between Odelle and Lawrie's was a bit strange. It seemed like something straight from a 80's story.

6. She really seemed mesmerized by the painting. And Lawrie's pursuit of her was sweet. I'm wondering what would be the importance of the painting for the story? Quick's reaction when she saw it was... eccentric.

I was curious to find out :)

7. I don't read much HF novels, so I can't compare. Do you think the racial issues are well depicted on this book?

I thought they were well depicted.

6. What do you think of the practise of putting criminals in crow cages? Why do you think this might be used as a punishment?

So inhuman and scary. It is probably used to keep people from committing crimes.

7. What did you think of Sir Bennis? Did your opinion of him change from the beginning to the end of the story?

Hideous man, I never liked him.


8. How did you find this story compared to the first? Did you like it as much or more?

I liked it more than the first one.

9. I think this story gives us reasonably good insight as to the type of Knight Dunk is? How do you think the story might have differed had Dunk not investigated the empty stream or not stayed after getting the peasant company to leave?

We wouldn't have met the Red Widow. I loved her character.

10. What did you think of the way the dispute was sorted. With the duel of sorts in the stream and then a wedding? Did you think Dunk would win the duel? what did you think of Lady Rohan and Ser Eustace being wed?

I loved the duel scene and I thought Dunk would win. The wedding came as a big surprise to me though. I didn't see that coming at all since Ser Eustace was so much older and the father of Lady Rohan's only love.

11. Do you think Dunk did the right thing revealing Egg's ring to Lady Rohane? Should he have used it sooner?

He was right to show her the ring in order to protect Egg. I think it was the right time to show her the ring.
12. Ser Eustace seems to live mostly in the past talking about what once was and what should have been? Did it surprise you when you found out what side of the Blackfyre rebellion he had been on?

I was surprised for sure.

13. Do you think we will run across Sir Bennis again in the last story?

I think we are done with Bennis.

1. Is this your first time reading George R.R. Martin? If so, did this story make you want to give the Game of Thrones series a try? If you've already read some of the GOT books, how did this story measure up?

It is not my first time, I read the first book in A song of Ice and Fire and liked it, but I lost interest when I moved to the second book. After reading A Knight of Seven Kingdoms I want to go give Ice and Fire books another try.

2. Dunk is an orphan from Flea Bottom, so his options are limited on how to make a living. Now I understand why some knights turned into robbers. Is there anything else Dunk could have done to support himself in these times, other than taking a chance in the joust?

My guess is not.

3. Egg, a prince in disguise. Did you have any suspicions that Egg wasn't the stable boy that Dunk assumed him to be?

I did have suspicions.

4. Did the excitement of the jousts make you want to read more books (or watch some movies) set in medieval times?

Definitely. It is my favorite time in history and I love reading books and watching movies set in medieval times.

5. I didn't anticipate the trial by combat ending that way! And it was a little gross too. Darn, I really liked Baelor. Between Raymun, Egg, and Prince Baelor, there were several characters that I loved in this story. Did you have a favorite?

Egg for sure. :)

I am on Ch 22, %23 in. Scrael freaked me out too!!!. I am still enjoying the book and finding out more about Kvothe's past.

Level 1: Serious Readers Challenge 2015
Duration: 1/1/15 - 31/12/15
Read: 0/100

1. A Modern WitchA Modern Witch
2.
3.

I love it so far. I am only 10% in. I am intrigued by Kote as well. I can't wait to find out more about him.

I liked the book, it kept me engaged, but I was disappointed with the ending. I thought it should have answered more questions.

What color would you say this cover is? Black or purple?

December 13 - Day 2
DQs Chapter BE SURE YOUR SINS WILL FIND YOU OUT - I CROSS THE MAGPIE, THE MAGPIE CROSSES ME
Pages 55 - 77

7. We are introduced to the character Mathew, whom is revealing to have the same symptoms as Abigail. Do you think an "epidemic" is starting to form?
Definitely!!!
8. Mathew's main occupation was gathering gems and the sort from the beach, and he got sick (or started to behave strangely). Do you think it has anything to do with the gems that Lizzie has? And what is he listening to?
It probably has something to do with the gems that Lizzie has. I have no idea what he is listening to.

9. The Doctor is ashamed of his past behavior, towards Abigail's case. He started to take proper notes about what's happening. Do you think they will be important? I wonder if he will eventually compare notes with Lizzie.
I believe the doctor is important in the story and he will have a big role in the solving of the mystery. He probably will end up comparing notes with Lizzie.
10. I have the feeling the professor is starting to get sick as well. Do you think it's because Emma sent him that specimen and he started to observe it with his bare hands?
I am not sure, but that would be my guess.

Taryn wrote:
I am going to read through a bunch of his books after I read this one. I am into the weird, so it kind of sounds like this will be right up my alley.

I am planning to read another book of his after taking a long break after I finish this. Some parts of the book are enjoyable for me and other parts, not so much. I am convinced that if I was reading the book version I would like it a lot more.

Sarah wrote: "Melike wrote: "I am doing the audible too and i don't really like the narrator. This is my fist Hurakami and I don't really like it so far, it is so different than what I am used to. I read several..."

Sarah, it was long and the part at the end of of it gave me nightmares. It was so awful. (view spoiler)[ the part where he explains how they skinned the prisoners alive!!!! I skipped some parts of it, but I was so traumatized. (hide spoiler)]

I am doing the audible too and i don't really like the narrator. This is my fist Hurakami and I don't really like it so far, it is so different than what I am used to. I read several reviews where they say NOT to read this one as your first Hurakami book. I wonder if I had the book version if I would have struggled as much. I can't seem to warm up to any of the characters...Anyways, I am more than half way through in the book.

Comments and Questions
December 8
Chapter 14 - End

34. At first, Gideon is portrayed as a self-righteous know it all with a cocky attitude. How do you think his character has developed so far? Do you think it's all for show, or do you think that's just who he is?

I can't warm up to him at all...Hopefully, he will become more likable in the second book.

35. Gwyneth's great-great-grandmother will only negotiate with Gwyneth and no one else. Why will she only speak to Gwyneth, and how does she know?

Lucy&Paul must have talked to her first...

36. Oh no! It seems this was a trap as Gideon thought! Were you expecting Paul and Lucy to be there with Lady Tilney? Why do they want Gwyneth and Gideon to stay?

I wasn't that surprised that Paul and Lucy were there. They want Gwyneth and Gideon to know about their side of the story and warn them.

37. Gideon kisses Gwyneth inside of the church confessional. Were you expecting him to develop feelings for Gwyneth so quickly? Do you think he knows they've already kissed in the past?

He probably doesn't know that they kissed in the past. I wasn't surprised it happened so fast.

38. From what I gather it seems that Gwyneth is the daughter of Lucy and Paul! Did you ever suspect that Grace was hiding such a big secret as this? What do you expect will be Gwyneth's reaction when/if she finds out?

I suspected it and Gwyneth probably will be pretty shaken up when she finds out.

39. Now that we know Gwyneth is the daughter of Lucy and Paul, are you surprised that Gwyneth and Gideon have developed feelings for each other? Or do you think it was meant to be?

It is a YA book after all, it was bound to happen. I am not surprised at all.

I will read the second book even though I couldn't warm up to the characters, I still found it entertaining.

Karen wrote: "Any good recommendations on the categories of:



*30 Hours to 34.9 Hours
*over 40 hours (or a trilogy)
*full cast

?
they are the 3 I'm stuck on right now"

Karen, Outlander series is good, Outlander was 33 hours long and some of the other books in the series are even longer.

Daily Questions: Day 5
Chapters 26-31

31. There has been different onions on Ness’ writing style. How do you feel about his grammar and spelling? What do you think the biggest result of his style is: adding to the characterization of Todd, making his writing seem poor, or something else? Also, do you think it takes more or less skill to write this way?

I got used to his grammar and spelling really fast and it really didn't bother me. I have a dyslexic son and it made me think Todd may have dyslexia in addition to not being educated properly. It tore me apart how much Todd hates reading and how he put off reading the journal for the longest time and how it effects his self esteem...The style of writing definitely added to the characterization of Todd for this reason in my opinion. I think it does take more skill to write this way.



35. [Chapter 29] Do you think Todd came to the right decision when he realized he wouldn’t kill Aaron? Does this make him a coward?

I think it actually takes a certain kind of bravery not to kill a person, so I don't believe it makes him a coward. However, I did wish that he killed Aaron...

37. Manchee. How did you feel as you read the scene at the river? What were you hoping would happen? Are you surprised by Manchee’s fate? How do you think this will affect Todd? If he decides to kill Aaron do you think it would be justifiable?

I was so sad, I wish the scene was different. I was rather surprised by his fate. I loved Manchee so much!!! Todd will be so heartbroken, but he will become even stronger through this. Yes, killing Aaron is totally justifiable in my view.

38. I’m wondering what impressions you all have for various characters. So, for each of the follow characters please pick one word to describe their personality. Pick a trait or description that you think is most central to who they are as a person.

Todd-determined
Aaron-CRAZY
Manchee-loyal
Viola-brave
Hildy-compassionate
Ben-sacrificing
Wilf-sweet
Jane-

Blakely wrote: "29. Todd and Voila meet a Spackle. The Spackle is skinning a fish and very scared by Todd and the knife. Todd kills him with the knife. What are your thoughts about this scene?

This scene almost m..."

I agree with you wholeheartedly!! So well said!!!!

DQs for Part 4: Chapters 20 – 25

22. Prentisstown men are marching and kicking down door in Farbranch. Todd goes through the list of men he sees and notices Ben and Cillian aren’t there. He says, “If they ain’t there, then that means once and for all. And there’s yer lesson. There ain’t nothing good that don’t got real bad waiting to follow it.” Why do you think Ben and Cillian are absent from the group?

I think that sadly they are dead.

23. Do you think it is wise of Todd and Viola to choose not to go into any other settlement other than Haven, in case the army follows them and destroys it like they did in Farbranch? Also put into consideration about Cillian’s letter are warning to Farbranch.

It seems to be wise.

24. The book. As Viola reads the letter from Cillian in Todd’s mother’s book, “There are things you don’t know about our history, Todd, and I’m sorry for that but if you knew them you would be in great danger. The only chance you have of a welcome is yer innocence.” What mysteries do you think has happened in their history? Why would his innocence be his only chance? Do you think it has anything to do with no women/girls especially since there are women in other settlements?

I think the mysteries in their history are related to the women. Most of the men in Prentisstown seem to be ignorant, fearful men. Todd's innocence is helpful to him because he doesn't have any noise associated with the town's past and therefore others cannot listen to any noise associated with it from him.

25. Also, in the letter from Cillian it states, “the wider world has to be warned, Todd. Prentisstown is on the move. The plan has been in the works for years, only waiting for the last boy in Prentisstown to become a man.” Do you still think the army is after Todd? Why doesn’t the wider world need to be warned?

The army is still after Todd and I am not sure why...

26. Crickets that chirping “sex sex sex”, dogs that you can hear their thoughts and they can hear yours, giant cows saying “Here”, horses thinking “snake”. Do you think the Noise they hear is a universal language for anyone and everyone to understand?

I think it is a universal language on their planet.

27. We learn a little more about Aaron and his preaching of hellfire, damnanyshun, judgement, and end of the world? Why would he be preaching this is it’s a somewhat newish settlement?

I think Aaaron is a hateful, crazy nut and he uses religion and fear to control people. Prentisstown seems to be cult like.

28. Do you think Viola is right when she says that Todd that he has an army after him who wants to make him a killer? That if they can make him a killer they can make anyone a killer?

She may be right, but I am not sure.

29. Todd and Voila meet a Spackle. The Spackle is skinning a fish and very scared by Todd and the knife. Todd kills him with the knife. What are your thoughts about this scene?

This made me very sad. I had a feeling Spackle were innocent in all this madness and I wish Todd hadn't killed him. Fear got the best of Todd because he was raised hating them. I did wish him to kill Aaron and that mayor many times though...

30. Aaron has re-appeared. He knocks out Voila (I assume with something like chloroform) and knocks out Todd but before knocking out Todd says, “I have no further use for you, boy.” Any thoughts to what happens next?

I don't have any thoughts, but I can't help being scared.

❤Stephanie ღ♥ღMrs Styxx Anaxkolasiღ♥ღ wrote: "I finally finished it.

Congrats!!!!

Yes PleaseI can't resist this challenge since I am a huge cross-stitcher
Date started: November 24, 2014
Until however long it takes
Talented Tailor
A:
A The Archived finished 12/1/16
R Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson 11/13/16
GThe Girl on the Train
YYes Please
L The Lost Witness by Robert Ellis
E Eliza and Her Monsters 5/24/17

B:
B: Blake Crouch Dark Matter finished 11/16/16
IIlona AndrewsBurn for Me 6/23/17
N:The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness 3/6/2017
D:The Darkest Part of the Forest finished 10/27/16
I:Innocent in Death 3/7/17
N:Nora RobertsBlue Dahlia 2/23/17
G: Graceling finished 11/4/16

C:
C The Crystal Cave finished 11/17/16
R Red Rising finished 11/22/16
O:Orphan Train 1/19/17
S The Sisterhood finished12/10/14
S Slaughterhouse-Five finished 12/12/16
S: The Seventh Bride 1/24/17
T: The Things We Wish Were True 3/22/17
I: It Ends with Us 3/12/17
T:
C"Catherine Ryan HydeAllie and Bea 8/3/17
H: Khaled Hosseini A Thousand Splendid Suns finished 11/25/16

D:
D Debbie Macomber Christmas in Cedar Cove: 5-B Poppy Lane\A Cedar Cove Christmas finished 12/10/16
R Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children finished 10/23/16
E:Elin HilderbrandHere's to Us10/18/18
S:The Sisters Chase7/30/17
S:The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo 7/25/17
M: The Muse The Muse finished 10/13/2016
A:Amy Harmon From Sand and Ash 7/7/17
K: Ken Follett World Without End finished 11/29/16
E:Emily Bleeker When I'm Gone
R:Ann B RossMiss Julia Speaks Her Mind3/25/17

E:
E:Ella CareyHouse by the Lake, The 4/6/17
Y Nicola Yoon Everything, Everything 12/29/16
E:The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell 8/29/18
L: Life from Scratch: A Memoir of Food, Family, and Forgiveness 9/7/16
E: Elif Shafak The Forty Rules of Love 5/4/18
T: Two Girls Down 9/13/18

F:
F The Forgotten Garden finished 9/7/2016
E: Everything We Keep 8/18/17
L;Love and Ruin9/11/18
T The Trespasser finished 12/17/16

G:
G Golden Son finished 12/08/16
A
T
H: Frank Herbert Dune
E
R RaeAnne Thayne A Cold Creek Christmas Story finished 12/21/16

H:
H:The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami finished 12/14/14
O: Orhan Pamuk Kafamda Bir Tuhaflık 7/4/17
O
P Pierce Brown Morning Star

I:
I: In Farleigh Field 2/17/18
N:Celeste Ng Little Fires Everywhere 3/14/18
C: Charlie Jane Anders All the Birds in the Sky

J:
J Wildwood Dancing Juliet Marillier finished 11/9/2016
E
R
S: Split Second Split Second finished 10/13/16
E
Y
K: The Knife of Never Letting Go finished 11/27/2014
N
I
T

K:
K:A Knight of Seven Kingdoms A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms finished 9/21/16
N
O
T

L:
L: Love Warrior
A: Amy HarmonThe Bird and the Sword 1/9/17
C A Cold Creek Christmas Story
E

M:
M: Maplecroft finished 12/21/14
I
L
L
I
N
E
R
Y

N:
N
E
E
D:Dot HutchisonThe Butterfly Garden 3/9/17
L
E

O:
O
V: The Violinist of Venice: A Story of Vivaldi finished 11/22/16
E
R
L
A:Alan BradleyThe Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie3/16/17
Y

P:
P Jodi Picoult Small Great Things 12/19/16
I
N

Q:
Q
U Unexpected Gifts finished 12/20/16
I
L
T: The Tea Planter's Daughter (Tyneside Sagas #1)

R:
R
A
I
S
E:Elin HilderbrandThe Perfect Couple12/9/18
D Debbie Johnson Christmas at the Comfort Food Cafe finished 12/11/16

S:
S:The Storyteller's SecretSejal Badani10/31/18
E:Elin HilderbrandHere's to Us10/19/18
A:A Gentleman in MoscowAmor Towles10/15/18
M: My Lady Jane My Lady Jane finished 10/2/16

T:
T:Two Girls DownLouisa Luna9/13/18
A:Angels at the TableDebbie Macomber12/11/18
I:i am through you so iDavid Brother Steindl-Rast 12/7/18
L:Dalai Lama XIVThe Art of Happiness 12/6/18
O:Orhan PamukKafamda Bir Tuhaflık 7/4/18
R: Ruby Red finished Dec6, 2014

UNSTRUCTURED
U:
N:Naughty but NiceDonna Kauffman11/22/18
S:Marie SextonThe Well10/23/18
T:The Trouble with TurkeysKathi Daley11/16/18
R:Roxane GayNot That Bad: Dispatches from Rape Culture1/10/19
U:
C:Diane ChamberlainThe Dream Daughter12/30/18
T:Tyrell JohnsonThe Wolves of Winter 1/9
U:
R:Lucinda RileyThe Seven Sisters1/17/19
E:Ed McDonaldBlackwing1/12/19
D:Daughters of the Lake 10/23/18Wendy Webb

V:
V This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab finished 11/7/2016
E:Elyse DouglasThe Christmas Eve Letter: A Time Travel Novel12/18
N:Naomi NovikSpinning Silver1/8/19
T:Terry PratchettThe Color of Magic1/19/18
S:Starry NightDebbie Macomber11/28/18

W:
W: Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail finished 11/29/14
O:Opal FireBarbra Annino11/27/18
O:Delia OwensWhere the Crawdads Sing10/29/17
L:The Lilac Bouquet 6/23/17

Y:
Y: Linda YellinWhat Nora Knew6/28/17
A: Another Brooklyn finished 12/30/16
RReza AslanGod: A Human History4/4/18
N: The Nest10/16/17