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

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

That is a very good spot! Thank you team and captains!

Just added my last book to the spreadsheet. Thanks all for a fun challenge!

I should finish my current book tonight. I can fit another one in - what is the most important thing to focus on? Any specific letters needed or tasks? It looks like we are good on the page #s now.

Finished one 400 page book and started another. Will try to finish Birth of the Pill which I forgot was also in this range.

The book I am currently reading is 400 pages; I just added it to the spreadsheet. I should be able to finish it and at least 1 more book. I'll look for one in the 400-600 page range when I've finished this one.

Finished The Spite House. It could work for tragedy (spite house and its ghosts there because of several tragedies, starting with a mass hanging and ending is tragic), or book that starts with S. Or just for letters.

DQ Day 3 Chapters 14-20

10. So we are half way through the book. Thoughts and feelings? Loving it? Hating it? Ambivalent?

Liking it, a bit too YA for me to love it but it is interesting.

11. Jeremiah gets killed pretty quickly as his signet shows. Do you agree that power can't be allowed?

I understand the issues but, no. It also seemed close to other 'ok' signets.

11. What's the deal with Andarna? Why do you think 2 dragons have bonded with Violet?

Well, I know now, so I won't speculate.

12. If you could choose a Signet what would it be? https://www.julesbuono.com/fourth-win...

Summoning would help me so much. Can't tell you how many times I can't find my phone or some other item after I set it down.

13. Were you surprised about Amber's betrayal? How about when Xanden completely believed Violet but Dain didn't?

I'm not surprised about a betrayal and I didn't really have many feelings about Amber. I was a bit disappointed in this. It is making Dain to go from good guy to not a good guy rather than making her choose between to good men. It doesn't have to be this polarized.

DQ Day 2: Chap 7- 13

6. This section starts with two scenes with each of the male love/lust interests. The comparison of them continues very clearly. Do you like Xaden or Dain better or neither?

Neither. But I think she will like Xaden. Dain is sweet but tries to protect her too much. Xaden helps her to improve and find her power; plus her mom will probably hate him. It's like Romeo and Juliet.

7. Violet uses alternative methods to survive the fighting challenges. Do you think that counts as cheating or using the resources available? Do you think she is aware that she only has this information because she comes from a privileged background and her sister count sneak in it? Do you think one of the professors should have noticed after 5 rounds?

She is totally cheating, but I don't know that it is exactly against the rules. Xane figures it out, I bet others notice as well. She doesn't kill anyone, but she also isn't improving.

8. The obstacle course is straight out of American Ninja warrior (and other similar TV shows) including ending with the giant ramp. Did you enjoy this section and how Violet figured out working with her height limitations? Have they told us how tall she is? (Though in real life, the shortest person to make it up the wall has only been 5’1” – I just Googled it).

We know she is smart and resourceful, I was really just surprised that she needed a boy to give her the hint.

9. Finally, we meet the dragons. Was it all you were hoping for? Did anyone guess the black one when it was first introduced in this section? (Also, I am not taking the fall seriously at the end of my section since we still have 2/3 of the book to go).

Not sure what I expected. I think it was interesting.

Bonus: If you could have a dragon from any book or movie, which one would you want? Only one I can think of is Toothless, but I'm ok with that!

DQs Day 1, Chapters 1 - 6

1. As someone who grew up with the Pern books, I love diving back into a world with dragons and dragon riders. And this one has extra bonus Gryphons, apparently!
Do you have any first impressions of the main characters (Violet, Dain, Rhiannon, Xader) and the world building? Do you want to know more?

It's a slow build up. The author is laying out relationships more than the world at this point. I do wish I understood a bit more about why things are the way they are.

2. What do you think of Violet’s mother and sister? Any idea about why her mother chose to order her to the Rider Quadrant instead of the Scribe Quadrant?

The mother is painted a being very hard. I am hoping there is more to her than that. The sister cares for her and is accomplished, but neither seem to appreciate her talents.

3. The brutality of the selection process and the casual acceptance of murder is something else. What do you think the purpose of it is? (If there is one beyond societal norms.)
Would you have given your boot to a stranger?

I think it is for necessity. They seem to like in a world where war is common. I doubt I would be as generous as Violet.

4. So this is a world at war, but at the battle briefings at least, they don’t seem to know why the outer provinces are currently attacking the borders. Any ideas about why this is happening?

Nope.

5. Do you think that Violet will survive and get chosen by a dragon? If so, any predictions on what kind?

Yes, of course. Not sure what, but definitely a unique one. Maybe one with mender powers.

Just finished my 400 page book. Which would be more helpful, fewer longer books, or more short books?

Back from vacation. I added My Murder to the spreadsheet (finished) and the one I'm in the middle of.

I finished The Madness of Crowds yesterday. It had chipmunk in the text. (Sorry no page # as it was audio) "Gracie was almost certainly a ratmunk. A fantastical cross between a chipmunk and a rat."

It is also in the 400 page range. I'll be reading the next in the series which also mentions chipmunks, but I won't be able to update easily for the next week or so.

Finished Devil House. It is rated 3.26; however, it is also a 400 page book, so it may be better there.

I leave Friday for a 1 week vacation. I might get 1 more in before we leave, but I am not sure. I will be reading on vacation but won't be able to update the spreadsheet.

Finished The Flight Attendant for book set in UAE (#109).

Finished my current book with a nice yellow cover. Off to start my book for task 109.

I picked up a book for 109 - UAE.

I love reading books with authors from other countries. I'll find a book for either 109 or 119 after my next read.

Finished Black Water Sister, works for task 106/malaysia

Finished my 500 page book. If for some reason you don't use it for that, everyone uses computers (its about a tech company).

I started a book for 106/Malaysia.

Volunteering for DQs (Quilt)