Stacey’s Comments (group member since Oct 31, 2019)

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

Drove back from the beach yesterday and starting to get back to normal. I didn't get to read as much as I had hoped due to extended family but still good. I'm behind on the current BOM, but will finish shortly and have 2 audiobooks going since I didn't feel my first was a good choice for everyone to listen to on the car ride. Unfortunately I choose poorly and picked a longer read than I intended to so we will see what I finish. I'm not sure how well they will fit for the monster challenges.

I'll start the monster book tomorrow if we still need it or will choose another soon.

DQs Day Three - 18 Jun
"There came a day in laste summer..." to "Angrboda agreed." 62%

11. I love how the myths surrounding Loki are casually mixed into this book. I'm a fan of Norse mythology, though I don't know a ton about it. Do you know or enjoy Norse mythology? Do you like how the author is incorporating it into her book?
I never spent much time learning about it. I'm mostly familiar with these characters from my daughter and the movies, but I do enjoy the idea. I am curious to learn more about Loki from the old stories.

12. "Was I wrong to not tell them the world may not accept the the way they are?"

This is Angrboda's question after not only Loki's other wife, but Loki himself, refers to their children as monsters. How would you answer her question? Was she right to try and protect and hide them from the Nine Worlds? Should she have gone about it in a different manner?
I don't blame her. This is a question that lots of parents deal with in some way or another. I am not sure that hiding them forever would have worked but they were still very young and clearly would have been at risk.

13. What an ending to Part One! Did you see what was to come? Did you already know the myths before or were you completely surprised? If you already knew the myth, did you like the author's interpretation of events? Were you as angry at the world as I was reading all that happened to Angrboda and her children, cause I was ready to fight!
I almost cried at this and was so upset for her. I really was surprised at how much I cared and could empathize. I sign of a good book.

14. It seems that Angrboda's dreams can now transport her into other's thoughts. Do you think this is a one-off event because of how much stress she was under? If not, how do you think she'll use this skill from now on?
I am sure she will gain some of her skills back (ok maybe not sure, but I hope so)

15. So Angrboda has a new voice in her head. Who do you think the voice belongs to? Do you think it's connected to Angrboda's seeming inability to die? Do you think it's a friend or a foe?
I have not idea and can't wait to find out.

I know I messed up the codes. I’ll do better next time!

DQs Day 2 — "He stayed with her as the days ..." to "... given her daughter a new obsession" - 40%

6. After Angrboda performs seid for the first time again, she starts having dreams where she hears someone calling to and beckoning her. Angrboda doesn't believe it to be Odin at first, but her suspicion changes over time. Who do you think it could be?
No idea, but I can believe that there are others besides Odin who could be involved. I really hope it isn't Loki.

7. Shadi reappears in this section, having left her husband behind. Do you think he'll come back into the story later? Why do you think she chose a husband as recompense in the first place?
No idea. I'm not sure Shadi had a choice, but it does seem clear that she cares for Boda.

8. Hel was born with "dead" legs (or dead flesh on fully functioning legs? I'm honestly a little confused by it) and when she over exerts herself she starts turning blue. Angrboda attributes this to when she tried to save her daughter — but I'm not so sure. Do you have any theories on what the cause could be? Is it as simple as Angrboda believes, or do you think it's something bigger to be revealed later on?
This is so strange, but all of her children are. Her parents aren't normal either. I wonder if Hel has some unusual gift.

9. There have been several mentions of a witch who birthed a race of wolves who chase the sun and moon so far in the story — and now Angrboda has given birth to a wolf. Do you think she is the Old one the stories reference? Or, if not, do you think we will meet that character later on?
I do wonder. It seems as if she might be, or may be related to her.

10. Angrboda decides not to tell Loki about his and his family's involvement in her vision of the beginning of the end. What do you think of her decision? Do you think she made the right choice in not telling him?
Probably. She doesn't really know much and can't really change anything.

I found a book called bullheaded, but it doesn't really call the person that (although the word is used 1 time in the book). I found another called Hard Headed, but I can't get the ebook, just the audio and I don't want to pay for it if it won't work.

Would this work for plains and/or hands on cover? If both, it would work for 4 of the 5 tasks in the newest monster. Not sure about the cat...

DQs Day 1
Beginning to "... a promise she knew that she couldn't keep."

1.) What attracted you to this book? BOM points? That COVER? Because of the Norse Retelling angle to the story? Any expectations you'd like to share?
Points.

2.) What did you think of Angrboda's first meeting with Loki? I mean he brought her heart back in his knapsack basically because he was bored. But he was so charming, I'm not sure I'd care either. Though it didn't hurt I kept picturing him as Tom Hiddleston. LOL
It was definitely a different meeting than most. It was curious. I like them and I got the progression of sorts, but I didn't really feel the sparks between them.

3.) Thoughts on Skadi? Why do you think she helped Angrboda in the first place? And to such an extent? If Skadi was male, how different do you think that interaction would of been?
I like her! I think she did want to help, but she was definitely helping herself as well.

4.) The quote from Skadi, "Time doesn't matter unless you are keeping track of it." Resonated with me. What do you think of this? Do you agree with the statement?
No. Plenty of things matter that we don't keep track of. I do agree that if you aren't you may not care but that doesn't mean it won't become important.

5.) Loki's reaction to the pregnancy was, let's go with interesting. What type of father are you expecting him to be? Do you think he will be a functioning part of the child's life?
He's barely been around and now he's been married to someone else. No, I don't think he will be around much. I do think he will make an appearance or two.

DQ - Day 6 - Covers 28. The Final Adventure of Koroviev and Behemoth -> end

26) Out of all the people in the city, why do you think the Devil decided to help the Master and Margarita? Or did he really even help them?
Well, in the end he was told to. But they both helped him in different ways.


27) What do you think are some of the things the author was trying to convey with this book?
I am not sure. The devil is real?


28) All through the Devil seems to insist to others that Jesus really exists. Why do you think that is?
Evil doesn't exist without good would be my guess.

29) (Thanks Google! - I thought this was interesting) The title to Chapter 30 (It’s Time! It’s Time!) references this poem by Alexander Pushkin:
It's time, my friend, it's time! The peace is craved by hearts...
Days flow after days -- each hour departs
A bit of life -- and both, you and I,
Plan a long life, but could abruptly die.
The world hasn't happiness, but there is freedom, peace.
And long have I daydreamed the life of bliss --
And long have planned, a tired slave, the flight
To the removed abode of labor and delight.
Now the question:
It seemed to me that peace (as described in the poem) was a pretty great reward for the Master. But why do you think/ what did in mean that the Master " earned peace but not light?"
I assume it is peace and not residing in heaven. But it did sound quite nice.


30). What did you rate the book and why?
3 stars. I didn't dislike it but I had a hard time getting into it and I feel like I missed a lot of subtle things. I'm also over books where the women are ignored or treated as objects. This one wasn't as bad as most, but all the women were naked.

DQ Day 5
24. The Master is Released -> 27. The Last of Flat No. 50

21) All's well that ends well for the Master and his Margarita! Or is that just another illusion created by Woland? So far at least, it seems like the two of them got what they want - or rather Margarita got what she wanted and the Master is forced to go along and we're of course hoping that it will all turn out for the best. How do you think their story is going to end?
I hope as it is, but alas, when you work with the devil it doesn't always work out as expected.

22) I would not want to be part of the police force in those days, trying to clear up all those messes that the devil and his posse have created while they were playing in Moscow. Lots of people seem to be returning and they all want a padded cell "for their safety" - or would that be sanity? What are your predictions for all these people? Will Iwan realise that he is not actually mad? Will Rimski regain his composure? Will the signing bank personnel believe it was mass hypnosis and all go back to normal? It seems like there is just too much to cover it all up or make it all go away again, or not?
It has to stop at somepoint, doesn't it? Those who are in the asylum may have a hard time getting out; however, the rest will calm down at some point, I just can't believe that it won't.

23) Why do you think Margarita is the only person we have encountered in this novel (so far) who seems to think that there was nothing particularly amiss with meeting Woland. She even took the supernatural element in stride. For her, there is nothing to worry and everything seems to be as it should be. What makes her special? Why is it that she is the only one not to question her sanity?
Because she figured out who he was, plus Woland needed her and wasn't going to try to drive her insane.

24) The Jesus chapters seem to have come to an end - what do you think their relation is to the story line set in Moscow in light of what has happened in the chapters in Book 2? At first I thought there was more to them, but now I'm beginning to wonder if they aren't merely bits and pieces from the Master's novel thrown into the mix. What do you think their purpose is?
I think we have to get to the end of the Master's novel. I hope we find out how it relates to the devil.

25) Any predictions on the last craziness of the devil gang? What are they going to get up to now that they've set flat No. 50 on fire and have flown out the window
Well, at some point they will have done enough damage to move on to the next place. Do they need to be invited? What else will they destroy? I will find out soon,

DQ Day 4
Book 2: 19. Margarita -> 23. Satan's Rout

16) Margarita dreams of the Master coming to her and she believes he is either dead and coming for her or alive and wants her to remember him. Have you ever had a dream about a loved one or about something that eventually came true?
Not really. Deja vu for sure, but nothing so memorable or vivid.

17) Margarita rubs the cream all over her and turns into a young witch who becomes invisible and flies through the air on a broom. Her first act is to go to the critics house and destroy him but since he is not there she destroys his house instead. Do you think she really would have killed him if he was home?
I hope not, but maybe. She definitely seems to not be herself and under some influence.

18) This ball Woland hosts, what do you think it is meant to symbolize? Why are the women naked and what was the meaning of Margarita taking a few extra seconds with the woman who killed her baby?
Margarita definitely seems to sympathize with her situation. I took the dress and lack of as typical misogamy and thoughts on places/worth of men versus women. Same with the racist descriptions of the 'staff', at least in my translation. Hard to tell what was translator and what was writer.

19) Do you think Margarita will remain with Woland after this night? She seems to be in over her head and this reunion is not at all what she expected.
Not sure whether or not she will be allowed to leave. She is definitely in over her head, but who wouldn't be?

20) After reading Book 1 about the Master and a few chapters in Book 2, which are you enjoying more? Is one easier to read or understand than the other?
Too early to tell. This one feels more fanciful but darker.

I'll try to hold off finishing books, but I may finish 1 before the mini starts. Sorry! Hard to stop and I have lots of reading time this week. I am reading the Margarita book and it won't be finished until after.

I like the idea of just taking the books as they come. We can list tasks once we finish. Slower readers books can be used then. Makes finding books more challenging potentially if we pick something for a task and it changes, but it will all work out in the end.

Day 3 - DQs
14. Saved by Cock-Crow -> 18. Unwelcome visitors

11) “Since antiquity, the rooster has been, and still is, a sacred animal in some cultures and deeply embedded within various religious belief systems and religious worship….
In the sixth century, Pope Gregory declared the rooster the emblem of Christianity and in 9TH century the figure of the rooster was ordered to be placed on every church steeple. Also in Central European folk tales, the devil is believed to flee at the first crowing of a rooster.” (Source : Wikipedia)

Maybe it is just me, but I think there is something deeply symbolic about the fact that in the seemingly atheistic society a man is saved from black magic/the devil by a bird that is strongly connected to Christianity and is part of people’s inherent belief/superstitions. Do you think this was intentional on the author ‘s part and if so what possible message was he trying to pass on?
I'm learning so much just from the questions for this book! I am sure it was symbolic, I just didn't catch it. I wondered but didn't know this.

12) Connected to the question above: were there any superstitions you were brought up with or were told about by your family/friends?
I'm still hesitant to step on a crack (although I know it won't hurt my mother). I usually throw salt over my shoulder. I don't think anything will happen, but it can't hurt, right?

13) While the plot mainly concentrates on the weird happenings in “modern” Moscow and only few chapters are devoted to Jerusalem, do you think any parallels can be drawn between the two cities or their people?
I feel bad for not knowing enough to answer. I think I still hear more about Moscow than Jerusalem. Plus I think we still think about history more with Jerusalem.

14) One of the many memorable scenes was when people broke out in a “song and dance flashmob” despite their not wanting to (the evil workings of Korovyev, the “ex-choirmaster”, translator ad assistant of Woland). Have you ever participated in a flashmob or saw one performed in person? If not: have you ever been involved in a school play/choir/etc?
I've seen one, never participated. Definitely did plays in school, did choir but hated it. I would be a very unwilling particpant in the singing as well.

15) We already agreed that it is quite difficult to make sense of this book. Have you ever read a book that had similar effect on you? (fascination/bewilderment/what-am-I-just-reading? :)
Often. I like weird books. Still debating on this particular one though.

DQs Day 2
7. The Haunted Flat -> 13. Enter the Hero

6.) Berlioz kept having things disappear from his apartment. What would you of thought if stuff was randomly disappearing from your home? Blame it on the kids? Partner? Ghost? Thief? Do you think it's supposed to represent Stalin's infamous purges where people simply disappear?
Interesting ideas. I would probably blame myself for forgetting where I put things. Then the husband and kid.

7.) What do you think of Woland's posse of 3? Would you want to be a part of that group? Of the 3, do you have a favorite character?
Well, of course I like the Tom cat. They are an interesting group and I am enjoying seeing more. I'm curious as to the reasoning behind some of the things they did.

8.) Thoughts on Stavinsky? Would you want him treating a family member? Considering this is the 1930's and it's a mental asylum, was it what you'd expect? Or more modern?
He has a unique way of trying to reason with folks and keep them calm. I'm not sure what I would expect but he definitely treated folks well, although I'm not sure you could convince him that you weren't crazy if it were true.

9.) This section made me think about the housing/apartment situation in Stalin's Soviet Union. Maybe because I recently moved house, it made me grateful for the choices I have available about my living situation. Did this resonate at all with you? How so?
It seems very foreign to me as I've never had to deal with anything like it.

10.) I still have like no idea what's going on really. I feel like I'm just going to keep reading and hope it either starts making sense or the book ends. How are you enjoying the book so far?
I'm enjoying parts of it. I am confused and interested in parts of it. It is a bit more religious than what I tend to enjoy and I fell like I may be missing a bit there as well as not knowing much about the Soviet Union.

Kerri wrote: "Looks like our mod takeover BOM will work for a couple of prompts for the lion, which is awesome! This mini challenge seems like it's gonna be a lot of fun."

Oh good! I'm reading it, but slowly.

I can find books for several of these. I'll look more later and see what others want.

I'll be heading to the beach tomorrow. I expect to get quite a bit of reading done and am adding in some shorter books that I really want to read. I'll have internet and will be around, but maybe not as much. I'll hope to get more in to make up for my real vacation in July where I won't be reading as much.

I'm so glad Kerri got DQs! I may be a little late on that one, but am taking the book to read at the beach.

Volunteering for DQs. Team Circe

Volunteering for DQs. Team Circe

Glad you are better, Cindy. So sorry to hear about your baby getting sick too. I'm about 75% of the way through the Goldfinch, I can't wait to hear what you think. So far I mostly like it but I'm not sure it was what I expected. I do understand how the real painting has become so popular after this book, though.

Day 1 DQs
Book 1- Chapters 1 (Never talk to strangers) - 6 (Schizophrenia)

1) Poetry and literature. Religion. Philosophy. Deep topics, deftly handled by a mad, funny writer. What do you think so far? Are you fans of Homeless (Ivan) and Belioz and their pretentious academic discussions? Are you intrigued? Confused?
I thought that their conversation was interesting, then was confused with how things changed after the Professor(?) arrived.

2) So, you meet a stranger that that knows your name, and says that he just had breakfast with Immanuel Kant (who died over100 years ago), and was there to see Jesus, then tells you how you are going to die.
Did you know who the Professor (W, foreigner, stranger, consultant, etc.) is from the synopsis, or when did you start to realize who this character really is?
I don't know who he is. I have suspicions but I am not positive. Maybe I'll check the synopsis to see if it lines up.

3) We move to Judea, in the story that the Professor is telling. Pilate and Yeshua discuss why he has been imprisoned. What did you think of their talk? Did the characters of Jesus and Pilate differ from how you imagined them? What do you think of the different philosophies of authority vs the kingdom of truth and justice, in the book or in life?
What do you think of Yeshua’s belief that all men are good?
(I Personally loved the comment of Yeshua that his disciple keeps recording his words wrong. Teehee)
I don't know if I ever really thought about this in a way that I could compare to the book. I did enjoy the changes and the person following him getting his words wrong. I am not sure I completely agree. I believe we are all complex and that there is good in most everyone. There are some who make it hard to find or believe it is all.

4) Well, Ivan’s life just took a turn. A dead friend, levitating men, a giant cat, a dip in a river resulting in missing clothing. Ever had a day like this? Do you think you would have given chase?
I hope I wouldn't chase as much as he did. He seemed a bit obsessed and losing it a bit thinking he knew where they would be.

5) I love the psychiatric hospital scene. It is so absurd. “Let him use the phone.” Teehee. I mean, poor Ivan. Do you think he will be there a while, or convince the doctor to let him go?
I suspect Ivan will be there for quite some time.

Bonus question) Anyone familiar with Stalin’s Russia? How does what you know relate to the book so far? Does the fact that this book was written during Stalin’s Russia make a difference to how you are understanding the book?
Not familiar at all. Some of the discussions make me glad not to be familiar. Seems like a rough way to live.

Kelsi, last column. I'm updating now, so I added it for you.