Bernadette’s Comments (group member since May 28, 2020)

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

DAY 2 QUESTIONS. JULY 17. CHAPTERS 5-7

5. The book is set in an unknown city and then onto Marsyas Island. Country Unknown. Do you think it is set in an alternate universe to our own eg UK or USA or a completely fantasy location? Does it matter or make you think differently about the storyline either way?

I got the feeling it was set somewhere in the UK.

6. First impressions of the house and Linus' reaction to it? What is your own reaction to it and how it is described?

My impression - Magical. Linus - was to follow the rules and try to fit in, being the rule follower that he is.

7. In Chapter 6 we are introduced to a colourful array of children and the enigmatic Mr Arthur Parnassus. Who is your favourite child and ability so far and what special talents do you think will be revealed about Arthur?

I love all of the children but I especially like Chauncy. Arthur seems to know how to get the best out of each child.

8. At the first dinner welcome for Linus the reader is bombarded with a plethora of notable pearls of wisdom from Arthur Parnassus which made me realize the allegorical themes of this story.
"Sometimes our prejudices color our thoughts when we least expect them to. If we can recognize that, learn from it we can become better people."
"Because even the bravest of us can still be afraid sometimes as long as we don't let our fear become all we know."
"There are things in this world that defy the imagination."
"He'd never be a bellhop because what Hotel would hire one such as him, people fear what they don't understand."

What point do you think the author is trying to make through the world and characters he has imagined and what do you think these quotes hint about the story moving forward?

We need to be understanding of everyone's uniqueness.

DQ Day 1 - One to Four (p62)

1. What drew you to this BOM? Was it the fantastic reviews it’s been getting? Or the cute cover? Or something else?

Both cute cover & reviews.

2. What do you think of the writing style so far? I didn’t expect it to be so funny. I laughed out loud a few times at the terrible office Linus works in and at the rude neighbour. I love the way she is so rude about Linus but then keeps trying to set him up with her grandson.

I listened to the book. I read the book during TT8 but before it was a BOTM pick. I don't really remember laughing out loud though.

3. What do you think about Linus as the main character? So far, he seems to be quite frightened of the world. How do you think he will cope in the strange situation he has been put in?

A "by the rules" kind of guy. He will be out of place.

4. I was surprised that one of the children on the island is supposed to be the Anti-Christ. Heart warming stories don’t tend to feature someone like that. What powers do you think he will have?

Anything he wants and dark.

Carrie wrote: "Bernadette🎆 wrote: "@Carrie - do we have a large enough consensus? Looks like 5 are OK with anything and you prefer #2. Pooja & April not heard from yet."

I think we can go ahead with #2. Thanks!"

SS up & ready for visitors😉

@Carrie - do we have a large enough consensus? Looks like 5 are OK with anything and you prefer #2. Pooja & April not heard from yet.

I'm good with any of them. Looks like I have some books on my TBR list that can cover #2😉

Carlie wrote: "I am a tiny bit confused by the Jackanory - are we just pulling out the most interesting plot points/characters from each book and slotting them somewhere on the spreadsheet?"

Carlie, I "cheated" and looked at the Jackanory pages from other teams to get an idea of how this was supposed to work. I was very confused too. I've been taking bits and pieces from books I've read and just put them into some categories. We'll see how it works out.

Hopefully a few others start to soon as well because I'm an accountant not a writer😂🤣

Carrie wrote: "Moving right along for this round. 2 people are finishing reading and we have one open spot for I if anyone wants it!"

There is an "I" in the book📚 I'm listening🎧 to now! I added it to the SS😉

@Carrie - looks like spell-out is the group choice. I updated the SS. Everyone has their books posted for Honolulu and April just needs to finish hers. Can we move forward in the meantime?

DQ Day 3 - Part 2, IV - Part 3, I (p 153)

10. In these parts the darkness comes and checks up on her a few times. What do you make of those conversations - what the darkness says and Adeline's reactions? Who or what do you think Luc is? Do you think something romantic could happen between Luc and Addie?

I've finished the book and already know the answer so I will not disclose...

11. Addie and Henry meet up for coffee which seems to go well. What do you think will come of this relationship? Will it last? Will it be fulfilling for the both of them?

Again, I've finished the book and already know the answer so I will not disclose...but I did find it curious during the book.

12. Will it be significant considering Henry could utter Addie's name? Would it be possible that Henry made a deal with Luc thus enabling Addie's and Henry's relationship? Do you think they have met or will meet in the story?

I've finished the book and already know the answer so I will not disclose...

13. If you had a lifetime to do as you pleased, what would you do? Where would you go and what would you see?

Travel - first all of the US National Parks, then many other countries. In there would be reading, of course.

2 - Part 1, XIV - Part 2, III (p129)

5. At about a fourth of the way through the book, how do you like Addie LaRue as a narrator/person?

I like her, but her life is not easy. She's not always a good person though.

6. Are you more interested in Addie’s past or present life (or both)? Why?

Past is more interesting storyline

7. How do you think she handled the start of her "curse"?

Unsure of what to do..what is happening to her she must be thinking.

8. Addie seems to have serial one-night stands with the same person. Why do you think she does this, and do you have any concerns with the potential for manipulating the other party? (I am still thinking on this as a power imbalance).

Maybe it gives her some sense of "normal"?

9. In this section, we meet Henry. What is your initial reaction to Henry and his ability to remember her?

There's something else going on here....hmmmm

Carrie wrote: "Going to put up the poll for the next leg:

1, Liberia Costa Rica - Spell It Out
2. Read a book by author or with a setting from/in Costa Rica
3. Detour - Read a book set in the Middle Ages (Approx..."

Shy, hope you're feeling better from your second shot. I see you are reading To Kill a Mockingbird. That is one of my all time favorite books.

My preference for the next stop would be spell-out

DQ Day 1 - Part 1, I - Part 1, XIII (p67)

1. Other than BOM points what attracted you to this book? The rave reviews? The cover? The blurb?

One of the members on my Around the World Team Challenge gave it five ⭐s and we have similar likes so I added it to my TBR list after I read the blurb.

2. Have you read any other books by V.E. Schwab/Victoria Schwab? If so, how does this book compare? If not, what do you think of the book so far?

I have not read any of her other books. I completed it in May and gave it 4⭐s

3. What are your thoughts on Addie and the bargain she made?

She's certainly independent and knows how to get what she wants. I'm not sure she really knew what she was getting herself into with

4. Obviously, selling your soul is going too far but if you were able to get a wish granted what would it be?

A happy life

It seemed everyone was OK with all three and there were some votes for #3 only so I went with #3 on the SS. Hopefully that OK with everyone. SS updated. Enjoy Hawaii🏝🌺

Carrie wrote: "Bernadette🌻 wrote: "I haven't been to Honolulu but I was at the Big Island two years ago for my 10th wedding anniversary. It was beautiful!

I vote for #3."

We island hopped to the Big Island as ..."

Carrie, we were on the Big Island after the big eruption of 2018 so there was no active lava when we were there😢

I haven't been to Honolulu but I was at the Big Island two years ago for my 10th wedding anniversary. It was beautiful!

I vote for #3.

I finally finished my book📚

I'm behind as well. Just started my book today. No rush though. Let's just just enjoy visiting this stop😂🤣

Sophie wrote: "Bernadette🌻 wrote: "Sophie - I think it's a great idea to put all of the books that we haven't used anywhere on one tab. Maybe we'll see a theme develop with them in one place."

I'll get that done..."

Good luck!

Sophie - I think it's a great idea to put all of the books that we haven't used anywhere on one tab. Maybe we'll see a theme develop with them in one place.

DQs Day 3 Chapters 16 - 23

11. Gramma Pearl shared many wonderful legacy stories with Daunis. I loved the reference Daunis makes regarding the storm and the thunderbirds bringing loved ones from the other world to check on them. As a result, Daunis has happy memories about storms versus being afraid and she consistently refers to Gramma Pearl when deciding what to do. Do you have any advice, stories or traditions passed down from family that you often think about? Something that you would share with your legacy...if so, share if you are comfortable.

12. "The FBI is interested in learning what caused the group hallucination. I want to know if the kids are okay." Daunis obviously thinks the FBI isn't investigating for the right reasons. I observe all the time that young people have a different view on things than more experienced/older people. Who's right? What do we learn from situations such as this? Other thoughts?

They are both right with different points of view.

13. Heather is clearly not liked amongst the girls at the beach party...why do you think Heather approaches Daunis about buying drugs? Do you think this has something to do with why she turns up dead, washed up at Duck Island?

I think Heather is looking for buyer for her drugs and that probably has a connection to why she is dead.

14. In chapter 20, Jamie asks Daunis about the meaning of 'Firekeeper's Daughter'. It's her job to lift up the sun every day. What do you think about this explanation? Do you find additional meaning in this as it relates to Daunis and her role in the plot of this story?

I think it is a beautiful explanation. Not sure how it connects to Daunis role in the plot..

15. Daunis finds Heather during her mushroom sleuthing on Duck Island. During her thinking she has an 'ah-ha' moment regarding her Uncle's journals. When she goes to look for them, she's quick to assume that they don't exist because of the connection to the FBI and the confidentiality required...do you think she's right...thoughts?

They could be with the FBI or she just hasn't found them yet.