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

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

Discussion Questions : Day 1 (Prologue - Chapter 5)

1. We have been introduced to a few important characters - Lucy, Christopher, and Hugo. Plus the off-page persona of Jack. What do you think of the characters so far?

I love Lucy & Christopher. Hugo seem grumpy. I like his accent on the audiobook. Looking forward to learning more about Jack.

2. We get a riddle right away in the Prologue:

"Two men on an island and both blame the water
for the loss of a wife and the death of a daughter
but neither ever married, and neither's a father.
What is the secret of the girls and the water?"

Then Hugo thinks to himself that "Five years ago, it [the ocean] had brought low the small, strange kingdom of Clock Island." Do you think the riddle is related to what happened five years ago? Any speculations on what it all means, assuming you haven't read ahead?

When I first heard this I didn't pay much attention because it was a prologue. I like that there is a challenge based on a riddle. It must be important though.

3. At the beginning of Chapter Two, Hugo says that he used to dream about living in Greenwich Village, but now that he can actually afford it, it doesn't hold the same appeal. He basically says that success kills motivation. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?

I don't success kills motivation. Maybe he has lost his love for what he does.

4. What do you think of the wishing game Lucy plays with Christopher? Do you think this game and mindset are healthy? Do you agree with Lucy that it gives them hope, or do you agree with the social worker that it just gets their hopes up?

Christopher needs some hope in his life and I like the idea of the wishing game but maybe the wish is too big.

5. Why do you think Jack finally started writing again? And what might be his motive in holding a contest for the only copy of the new book?

No idea, but I'm sure we will learn more.

Lindsay♫SingerOfStories♫ wrote: "Question - If I finish a book primarily for the mini challenge, do I still need to log it on the Round 2 tab? Or only put it on the Mini Challenge tab? (for now I put them on both and if I need to ..."

Lindsay, the captains will need the book info for page points on the Round 2 Tab, so you should enter your books on the Round 2 tab. You then can enter the Ref # of the mini task in Column K and the information will automatically carry to the mini tab.

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Sounds good!

What did you think of the book? I really liked it but everyone's opinions varied"

It's OK; seems like it could be better but I can't say why exactly. It was a very slow start for me and it took me a while to get into it. I loved The Ten Thousand Doors of January.

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Bernadette wrote: "Erin, do I need to finish reading Starling House by July 2nd? I answered 3 questions."

You just need to answer the questions during that time period but can fini..."

Perfect. I probably will finish it today but just wanted to check in case I don't.

Erin, do I need to finish reading Starling House by July 2nd? I answered 3 questions.

DQs Day 3
Chapters 14-19

11. Starling House reminded me up to a point with some vibes of Beauty and the Beast, although lesser now as the story progresses. Is the book reminding you of any other stories you have read before?

Not really, although probably similar things to some other books I have read.

12. Ch 14-19 have answered a lot of questions about Opal, the house, Arthur, the history of the place and what's going on. Has anything revealed in this section been surprising to you? Does the explanation so far of everything that has happened ring true?

I knew there would be a connection for Opal, but I don't understand why "the house" hates Gravelys and why Opal would be drawn to it.

13. Jasper and Opal are clearly close, although he is sometimes moody and surly. He seems resentful at times of Opal going out so far on a limb to take care of him and get him out of Eden. What do you think of the been revealed about him and their relationship?

I don't really feel that much has been fleshed about him. He is resentful though and still doesn't know about her plans for him.

14. Arthur and Opal have heated a few things up. Do you think they fit each other well with these developments?

Seems like an odd match.

15. There is humor in the book that is overshadowed by genuinely creepy horror like tales, What do you think about Underland "beasts" revealed so far?

Not something I would want to run into.

DQs Day 2 - Chapters 8 - 13

6) The narration is using dual POVs: 1st person for Opal, 3rd person for Arthur. Does it work for you? Do you think this suits the story?

I hadn't really noticed so I guess it suits the story fine.

7) Opal goes to the Library to find out more about Starling House and finds her mother's phone number among the Gravely family's documents. What implications can it have? Do you think it could be a hint about Opal's parentage?

I think Opal must have some relationship to the Gravely and/or Starlings.

8) After Bev's story about the relationship between Eleanor Starling and the Gravely brothers, we get a totally different perspective from what Nathaniel Boone went through. What do you think about the Gravely family and their "hold" over the town of Eden? What do you think Nathaniel may have discovered in the dark?

The Gravely "hold" over the town seems like many towns where there is one company that supports the workforce. But obviously there is more going on here. Nathaniel may have been the first to find/see Underworld.

9) Finally we learn some more about about Arthur's role (warden) and his connection to the House. What do you think about their "relationship"? What is your opinion about Starling House as a sentient being? Could it be good or evil?

Arthur doe snot seem to like the house at all, especially since he tried to escape in his youth.

10) On "characters not communicating"
In Chapter 12 we find out that Opal has not told Jasper about the fact that she arranged for him to go to a different school and she actually managed to put together the fee for the 1st year already. Opal doesn't tell his brother about her working in Starling House and she doesn't tell Arthur about her spying on the House for Elizabeth Baine and getting more and more demands.
What do you think of all this?

Jasper should be told about the plans Opal is making for his life.

Erin - I think you meant the finish dates should be July 1st to July 15th. June is over!😂

DQs Day 1
Ch 1 to 7

1.) Have you read other books by Alix E Harrow? Was this on your tbr list before it was a BOM selection? Any expectations going in?

I read The Ten Thousand Doors of January and gave it 5⭐. This book was already on my TBR. My expectations are for it to be good based on the prior book I read.

2.) Did you read the footnotes as you went along? Find them helpful? Annoying?

ANNOYING. I don't see the need for footnotes in fiction. If it's that important, please add it to the text. I tend to ignore them.

3.) The discussion of E.Starling's book being too scary for children reminded me of some interviews with M.Sendalk when the Where the Wild Things movie came out several years ago about books, etc that scare children (when children are the target audience). His response was basically children should be scared sometimes and there's nothing wrong with that. And has further said, it's better to have a book full of fears than one pretending there's nothing to be afraid of. What are your thoughts on this topic?

I agree with Sendak comments. Parents should make sure they have read and can explain what is being read to children.

4.) What are your thoughts so far on Eden and Starling House? Has the author done a good job so far of creating an atmosphere and setting for a good gothic story?

I'm a bit confused at this point about the town and the house.

5.) Any favorites so far in our motley cast of characters? Opal, Arthur, Jasper, Bev, and Starling House.

Jasper

I have a few cozy mystery series that I can use for the mini. Thye don't usually need to be read in order.

I just finished my Battle book. I’ll log it in SS when I am at home.

Erin, I feel your pain. I was rear-ended last month. The driver did not stop to give me his insurance information so in addition to having to get my car repaired, I had to pay the deductible.😡

Thankfully, I was not hurt at all, just the car and my time.

I just finished my first Battle Book - it was bad!

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Bernadette wrote: "Is it a subtitle if it's listed on the GR page? Also, where does it says you can't use the end of the subtitle?
"

Per Mods when someone asked:

"Never! We try to include whether..."

So, in that case, we might use a book with WORLD in the title. Maybe they won't finish their books and we can still win!🤷🏻‍♀️

Ingeborg wrote: "If my calculations are correct, D3 are at 36 points with all their books delivered. We're at 34 and since we need to have at least 3 letters overlap, we won't be able to beat them for points. So th..."

According to our SS, they had 33 points before this book choice and looks like they used 4 letters so now they have 37 points. And I did that without my calculator 😉- good thing since I am an accountant🤣🤣

Char wrote: "I think that's part of the subtitle?
isn't the title The Ends of the World?"

Is it a subtitle if it's listed on the GR page? Also, where does it says you can't use the end of the subtitle?

In order for it to end up in a draw, we need to find a book that starts with RLD, highly unlikely unless someone wants to read RLDS Doctrine and Covenants. Otherwise, someone should just choose a book that starts with WORLD.

Rachel wrote: "Just checking in. I appreciate the strategy work everyone has been doing on the battle planning. Whew!

Completed Day 3 DQs for Salt and Broom. Now, just need to finish up the book this weekend. Th..."

Same here in Philadelphia. I do have tickets for the Phillies on Sunday though - it will be hot! Nothing like watching baseball on a sunny Sunday☀️🥵

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Are you using the quest of fire (first one?)"

Iora and the Realm of Legends

Lisa wrote: "Char wrote: "We can go with Iora and the Quest of Five, ig?
it's small, and I think they may have to go with Five instead of Ive"

There are a bunch of books that start with "I've" so that's why I ..."

I've got an Amazon gift card I won in a raffle that I've been sitting on for a few months. I'll use $4 for this book.😉