Fiona’s Comments (group member since Sep 25, 2023)

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

Finally got the time to say something as well.

I have read this book for the first time a very long time ago and never read again after that. So this is my second time reading the book. Going in, the only two things I remembered about this book were (major spoilers) (view spoiler)[that the Hunger Games would be with the previous winners and that Katniss shoots the arrow into the point in the arena. I didn't even remember if it was Peeta or Haymitch going in with her lol (hide spoiler)]

I should be through with the book in a few minutes and I will take time to read all other comments after that. Excited to see what others think!

DQs Day 3:

10. We read something that moves us, touches us, speaks to us and it... it changes us?"

Do you agree with that quote? Are there any books that changed you personally?

100% agree with it. There are lots of books that changed me. The Harry Potter series to name an example but there were many many more.

11. We finally get the first riddle. Did you guess it before Lucy did?

Yes, I heard this riddle somewhere before. I really liked it though. I would've not gotten it had I not known about it before.

12. What did you think of The City of Secondhand and of Markham showing up like that? Is he just a sleezy lawyer, or is there something more sinister going on?

He's definitely sleezy but I'm not sure about something more sinister. Maybe something to do with Jack's rough patch?

13. do you have to keep reminding yourself that the "contestants" are adults, not children?

No, not really.

DQs Day 2 Chapter 6 - 11

6. Jack replied to Lucy's letter and Lucy decided to run away from home. What did you think of his letter and would you have done the same as Lucy?

I really liked his letter though I thought that it seemd too childish for a 13 year old. Maybe that's what Lucy needed though. I ran away from home once although only to my best friend and not to an island inhabited by a strange man lol

7. We get more insights on Clock Island. Every 'hour' is its own section like for example a beach. Would you like to visit the island? Do you find the idea of it fascinating or could you not care less?

I would really like to see this island. I find the concept really intriguing.

8. Every part starts with a quote from Jack's book. Do you think these parts are important for the story? Just showing off Jack's work? Something else?

I think that maybe it's supposed to be a clue but so far I find it a bit annoying.

9. It seems like there will be a deeper connection between Lucy and Hugo. Do you agree? And would you approve of it given that Hugo had first met her when she was still a child?

There definitely will be something happening between them in my opinion. I asked this question because I think that there's some people who would disapprove of it. Personally, I think it's fine unless he had any improper thoughts about Lucy when she was 13.

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?

Christopher is a sweet kid. I feel really bad for him. Jack sounds a bit like a weirdo but I'm here for it. Lucy and Hugo, even with having read ahead, I can't quite place. Not sure if I like them really.

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?

I have read ahead (although only to the end of chapter 11 so far) and I'm not sure if it has been revealed yet, I don't think it did?
Something must've happened with Jack but what - I don't know.

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 think it depends on the person and the situation, really. Sure, if you're doing something only to be successful and then you are, the motivation would be gone after that. But if you're doing something you truly enjoy, I think the motivation will stay.

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?

I like the wishing game but I do think that you'd have to be realistic about it as well. It's one thing to wish for a new book because it's great if it happens but it's not the end of the world if it doesn't. But to wish for Lucy to adopt him, I'm not sure how healthy it is since it is not very likely to happen.

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?

I feel like this will be some kind of inheritance thing, where the winner of the contest not only gets the copy of the book but also his house and money or something similar to that.

Arena Battles - District 11

Our fifth book will be A Kut Above The Rest

Sending District 5 our choice

I can take that one as well 😊

Thanks Gwen!

Fixed :)

Michelle, Dark and Desperate Things is missing from your shelf :)

Gwen, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets are currently missing from your shelf :)

156 pages

Current total: 956,969

DQs Day 2 Chapter 6 - 11

6. Jack replied to Lucy's letter and Lucy decided to run away from home. What did you think of his letter and would you have done the same as Lucy?

7. We get more insights on Clock Island. Every 'hour' is its own section like for example a beach. Would you like to visit the island? Do you find the idea of it fascinating or could you not care less?

8. Every part starts with a quote from Jack's book. Do you think these parts are important for the story? Just showing off Jack's work? Something else?

9. It seems like there will be a deeper connection between Lucy and Hugo. Do you agree? And would you approve of it given that Hugo had first met her when she was still a child?

Arena Battles - District 11

Our fourth book will be Nyota

That’s great, Michelle! I will send District 5 our book then 😊

Do you have it available? That would be awesome :)

The books are
A Nyonya in Texas: Insights of a Straits Chinese Woman in the Lone Star State

and

NYOTA: The remarkable tale of my journey to freedom, guided by a modern-day Moses - my Mother, amidst the fiery sands of Civil War

Will do as soon as I get to my laptop!

I found two books starting with NYO as well that I’d be interested in but not sure about the availability

I’m pretty sure the captain’s chat said subtitles don’t count so it would be NYO for them instead of WAR