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

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

DQs Day 1
Chapters 1 - 6

1. Can you even imagine losing a 10 million dollar anything?! Have you ever lost something and felt as Ray is portrayed in chapter 1...constantly retracing your steps over and over? What are your thoughts on other security precautions, if any, that should have been in place?

I can't imagine owning a $10 million anything let alone losing it. I can definitely imagine his panic, but maybe not his connection.

2. At this point in the book, when/where do you think the Stradivarius was taken?

I'm still thinking the housekeeper did (or knows who did)

3. Money can be a keen motivator...the ransom note leads us to believe it's all about the money...do you think it's possible it's about something else?

In the end, I still think money, but possibly also to keep him from winning the competition, or to put him in his place.

4. It's eluded to that Ray is about to make history because of his race with the upcoming competition in Russia. His family sure doesn't seem to be proud or supportive. Should Ray be proud of this accomplishment or is putting the focus on race poor form by everyone concerned?

I think Ray should be proud either way. It is extra impressive to overcome his circumstances though. It would be so much harder for him.

Question about color. I chose to read this book as the cover looked very yellow to me on my library website (It's an audiobook). Online it looks yellow/orange and it does. Thoughts? If you think its orange I may wait to read it.

Which do we need more, Us or yellow covers? I was trying to find something that worked for both but haven't had any success outside of a book or two I've already read.

It's been a long few weeks for me. I have a long weekend (today is off), and I'll have the house to myself soon (just me and the dog). I'm getting some much needed rest, doing some clean up and a girls night tonight.

- Firefly or Leverage? Leverage
-Gray's Anatomy or Law & Order? Law & Order
-Favorite tv show growing up? Now? My So Called Life, Not sure for now
-Favorite comic book growing up? Now? None.
-Do you read graphic novels? Any favorites? Yes, not sure about favorites.
-Do you prefer the Marvel movie universe or DC? Neither.
-Which Doctor was your first? (I shouldn't have to explain, but I mean Doctor Who.) I haven't watched it.
-Which Doctor is your favorite? ?
-Are you planning to take off work to make sure you can see the Doctor Who holiday specials? No.
-Do I have Doctor Who on the brain? Apparently.

Tati, that doesn't sound fun at all! Hope recovery isn't too terrible.

DQs: Day 3 ~ Chapters 12 – 17

9. It seems like the whole book is a test of Charlie’s character. Hera’s conversation with Charlie is one example. Charlie suddenly asks if Hera and Persephone like him. She says they were sent to watch him, but they like him because Charlie chose to take them in and treated them well. Do you think the book is portraying a series of tests from his uncle? What do you think it means?
I think the uncle was watching and testing to see if Charlie was up to taking over. The others are testing him to try to best him and get him, well his uncles business, out of the way, IMO.

10. “Business is business. It’s different from respect and friendship.” What did you think of this statement? Do you agree with it or do you think these things can’t be separated?
Well, I think you can be at odds with someone in business or politics or the like and still respect them. I do think that this response is often used to justify being a jerk to someone and not considering impacts to others. While businesses have to make money and can't be charities, they don't always have to act in the #### ways that they often do. (I think trying to kill folks counts here).

11. Charlie was quick to pick up clues on the Lombardy Convocation members. What did you think of his assessment? Did it change your opinion of him?
I am glad to see the intelligent side of him. It wasn't surprising given his background, but he came off as a lovable goof. This really showed how he's just floundering from losing the big things in his life - job he was good at and relationship.

12. There has been a lot of great banter in the book so far. I have to say I think both parts with the dolphins were my favorites. What has been your favorite line/quote, or your favorite part of the book so far?
Still love the dolphins. Must say that I also liked the pitch and pitch and the banter with Tobias and Dobrev.

Sophie wrote: "Scalzi's descriptions of someone looking great after dying of pancreatic cancer have made me cross. My mum died of it and I've looked after several other people with it, and they categorically don'..."

I missed what he died from. I get the why for the descriptions, but I think that he could have easily died from something else where it wouldn't have to be so made up. Cancer is awful and not really something to treat that way.

I started a short book with plans to finish for round 2, which I can. It looks like we don't need the letters it fits and I don't easily see a way to swap. I'll plan on finishing for round 3 unless you need it. I think its S and R for Round 2. If for some reason it would help, let me now and I'll finish it.

DQs: Day 2, Chap 7 - 11


5. We learn Hera and Persephone are both sentient cats. My cats love lying next to me and staring at my computer screen (when they’re not stomping all over my keyboard), so I can picture a cat using a computer vividly. What mischief would your pets come up with if they were sentient? Even if you don’t have pets, what mayhem do you think could happen?
My dog would be all about the food, or maybe outdoor activities. My cat would have probably tried to take over the world from the humans.

6. Charlie seems to be surprisingly chill about going along with everything happening, from sentient animals to attempts on his life to being whisked away to the Caribbean. Does that make sense to you, with how his life was before the book started? How would you react if you found out your uncle was a supervillain?
My guess is that he is so overwhelmed by the changes that it is all he can do to go along with it. I'm not sure it would be so challenging to imagine sentient cats, but the rest... It is fiction.

7. Although travelling there was a bit of a hassle, St. Genevieve sounds like a pretty sweet place to be. Where would your ideal villain (sorry, process disruptor) lair be set?
No, its villain. Have to claim it to take away the stigma. I'd be in the middle of the woods, up on a mountain somewhere.

8. We got a list of more or less exciting options including sharks, so: what is Charlie going to decide? How is Jacobs going to “die”? Or might his death end up being a real one after all?
I am curious. I don't think it will be real, but I'm obviously not creative enough given the discussions they were having.

Bonus question: The (soon to be striking) dolphins have, uhm, quite the vocabulary. Any favorite insults? Do you want to give coming up with some creative insults a shot yourself?
I love the dolphins!

DQs: Day 1, Chap 1 - 6

1. I'm so excited to be reading another John Scalzi book with you all. He has quickly become one of my "always read" authors. Is this your first Scalzi book? What are your expectations?
He's a new author for me, so I'm not sure what to expect. The premise is definitely interesting.

2. What are your first impressions of Charlie? Do you think he is using his sad life events as an excuse to coast through life easier as his siblings and attorney seem to imply? Do you relate to him so far?
I think Charlie is depressed due to life events and isn't sure how to proceed. I think he isn't so much coasting, and stuck and unsure.

3. “When people name cats, they usually do it in one of three categories: food, physical characteristics or mythology,” Morrison explained. What do you think Mathilda imagines Charlie's choice of "the goddess route" says about him? What sort of name would you choose and what do you think that could tell someone about you?
Well, I didn't name my cat any of those. But I think it is interesting. My cat was Sammi.

4. What would your reaction be if a rich, but estranged family member left you a huge inheritance?
Well, I'd be surprised to find out that I had one and would assume it was a scam.

I finished my Z book and picked up Starter Villain. I also started to look for a fun/silly read after my last few. I swear I was trying to find books that fit the bonus, but I found this and couldn't resist. (I know Jenny should appreciate at least). All I Wanted Was To Become A Scientist But Now I've Got An Alien Boyfriend

-Do you play an instrument or sing? Piano and I sing, but not well. Used to play oboe and hope to pick it up again some day.
-Ever been on stage? Yes, lots in high school, a bit after for fun.
-Ever been in a band? No
-Favorite museum you have been to? Too many to choose!
-Favorite work of art? Again, too many to choose from.
-What work of art have you not seen yet but really want to? Not sure.
-Do you prefer old masters or modern art? I like surreal or abstract mostly.
-Ever used a ceramics wheel? Yes
-Ever recreated the scene from Ghost with your partner? Teehee: No. Has anyone?

Carrie, so sorry to hear about your dad.

Sorry I've been so quiet. Super busy right now. I'll try to catch up on the convo, but I had to say that I found a great book for Shanghai if only we had another word to spell. Qs and Xs.

Volunteering, another from Team Punk

I'll volunteer for team Punk!

I can take one. Don't know which yet.

-Sparkling water or flat? Flat
-Flavored water or plain? Plain, usually
-Bunny slippers or socks around the house when it is cold? Thick socks
-Mounds or Almond Joy? Either
-Do you buy Halloween candy that you like in case there are leftovers? Or, do you buy stuff that will not tempt you? A little of both.
-Horror movies or RomComs? Both depending on my mood. Horror is usually my first choice.

Sonia, that is a very interesting drink. Not sure I would have been adventurous enough to try.

Sorry I've been so quiet. Work trip has made things extra busy. Bonus was I got lots of reading done on the flight.