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

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

I'll finish my 500 page book tomorrow at the latest.

Finished my book for #95, Chinese author.

I'm going to read a 500+ page book next then I'll take a Malaysian author, unless someone gets to it first. I found a few I really want to read, so no worries either way.

Ok, sign me up for task 95. Started a book last night from a Chinese author and it will only take me a few days.

Finished 10:04 for 88 (or any task needing 10 in the title).

I'm considering reading a book by a chinese author next, if that helps with the decision.

I was going to read 10:04. This works for ten in the title, correct?

Finished Beloved by Toni Morrison for #63.

I'll probably start a book with Ten in the title. Could work for 88 or for some other similar tasks that are likely to come up.

I'm going to start a book by Toni Morrison today. Should finish tomorrow, or Monday at the latest. If someone finished first (or already has one) feel free to use.

I have a book for the Nobel winner I will read once I'm done with my current book. Happy to let someone else take it if they are faster.

Jhmingos wrote: "The City of Brass has been tagged as Action (23 users). Will that work for 71?"

It probably doesn't. It's tagged but not on the main page. Shame, I've read a few books lately (including that one) that don't fit, but I don't read fast enough to really be able to match tasks.

Dawn wrote: "I can read The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin for chipmunk 64- read a book that won a Hugo"

That is a great book! I hope you enjoy.

DQs Day 3 - Chapters 10-14

9. As he walks through the Daeva Quarters, Ali is shot by a toy arrow, let loose by one of the children playing about. Rashid suggests to Ali that he should punish the boy by taking him to be raised in the Citadel, which Ali refuses. What do you think this says about Ali, and about others in the city’s upper echelon?

I think Ali cares about people in general and less about 'purity' and caste as much as others in power. I do think that he still has a lot of bias due to religion. There are a lot of factions in the city where they seem to see differences more than similarities.

10. Nahri and Dara have a moment, but are interrupted. Do you like this partnership, romantically or otherwise? Is it doomed, or meant to be?

I think that they will end up together, but who knows. It could be doomed. I think more that they 2 groups were tied together.

11. We learn about the terrible conditions in the shafit orphanage and the difficult lives all the shafit are forced into. Even though he immediately refuses to help, how do you think this will influence him in the future?

Ali has definitely been influenced by the harm toward children of the shafit. I think he is torn, but it will continue to shape who he is.

12. As Dara and Nahri cross the last illusion shielding Daevabad, Nahri has an odd reaction and ends up flat on her back on the deck of the ferry, with Dara rudely refusing anyone’s assistance. Do you think this was caused by something related to what Nahri is, or something else?

I don't know what it was, but I definitely think it has something to do with her heritage.

13. Muntadhir takes Ali to a secret room filled with dead Nahids. Do you think this room will be a turning point for Ali? Do you think Dara will discover this and his relic, and what do you think will follow if he does?

No, I don't think it is a turning point. It didn't seem to affect him the way the children did. I do wonder if it will let Nahri bring them back from the dead.

Day 2 DQs : Chapters 5-9

5. So many groups! We had a couple of chapters in this part that described some of the tribes in Daevabad and elsewhere - the Daeva/Djinn, Ifrit, Simurgh, Zahhak and I'm sure I haven't listed them all. Where on the confusion scale are you - with 1 being totally confused and 10 being "I've got this". And are you ok with your level at this point in the book?
5 - it's a lot, but I get the concept and don't think it is too crazy.

6. Somewhat related to this - we learn that Suleiman curbed magical abilities because the daeva harmed humanity. I learned (thanks Google) that in the non-book world Suleiman the Magnificent was the longest-reigning Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1520 to 1566 - he ruled over at least 25 million people. Did you know anything about Suleiman and what do you think of his inclusion in the book?

I wasn't aware of him. I do like that they are tying in our world with the magical one, even if it is a part that I'm not very familiar with.

7. We now know Dara was a slave for many years and was forced to do some things that haunt him. How does this make you feel about his character?

He is a sympathetic character, at least to me. Imperfect, as everyone is, but helps you to relate to him.

8. Ali's father was portrayed as brutal when we first met him at the execution, and then later he seemed like a pretty good ruler as he listened to and judged people's problems. What do you think - good king or bad king?
I think he is a good king to the pure folks, and he tries. I'm not sure that the shafit would agree.

My latest book works for #37.

I just finished How Far the Light Reaches: A Life in Ten Sea Creatures. It can be used for 37, defenestration. It talks about Lorena Bobbit and how "She turned off of Route 28 and threw his penis out the window into a gravely field...."

I can't find the cheating. The miniseries has some, and it might be there but I couldn't find it easily. Sounds like Jenn's book will work.

Jhmingos wrote: "It's been a while since I read it, but I think the book Stacey was reading, Nine Perfect Strangers, had someone cheating. Could work for #33."

I think one of the spouses of the 9 cheated, but they weren't main characters.

DQs Day 1, Ch 1-5

1. This book begins in 18th century Cairo, with France and Turkey fighting over Egypt. I have never encountered this conflict in fiction before. Have you? Were you familiar with it before you started reading?

I'm not really big on history; it is a new area for me. I love the new perspective.

2. Nahri has several mysterious powers, including healing, the ability to sense illness in others, and the ability to understand and speak every language she hears. Which of her powers would you like for yourself?

Languages! I'd love that.

3. What do you think of the world building so far? Do you find it confusing, or do you feel like you’re along for the ride?

The switch from Nahri to Ali was confusing to me. I had a hard time at first.

4. So far we’ve met 3 significant players in this book: Nahri, Ali, and Dara. Do you have a favorite character so far, or one who intrigues you the most?

No, not so far. There are confusing/annoying things about both. I'm definitely struggling over Ari's age. I do like learning about the different souled beings. I am listening with my daughter and we are arguing over who Nahri's love interest will be.

I'm reading a book that works for 25 - ordinal number. Nine Perfect Strangers

Should be done in the next day or two. Feel free to use another if someone finishes earlier.

I just finished The Family Remains

It was a loan that came in. It could work for MATHS in title (although already claimed) or under the skin (Rebecca just claimed). Otherwise it is just letters.

Finished Borne, tagged weird over 100 times for the mini.

Alysa wrote: "Jenn wrote: "Alyssa if you’re already planning on science I’ll let you have it :)"

I'm going to read The Language of Food: A Linguist Reads the Menu which has MPG Science.
But if I..."

You are good. I've started my weird book.