Annalisa’s Comments (group member since May 04, 2018)

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

The SS has tabs at the bottom. Click the one labeled member and then scroll over and find the information for week one. At the bottom it lists the number of books we have read and the percentage of books.

I should have also said that if you view the member page on our SS you see how many books we have read.

We have read 34% of the books for the week. I’m not worried about going over.

Rachel sorry for your loss. Safe travels.

DQ’s Day Two: October 7, 2019
Chapters 8-13

6. I think we all had a feeling (including Gideon) that Harrow wanted her ring - & of course, she got it. What do you think was her purpose of stealing the ring from Gideon?
I think she knew what the ring was or that it was important and wanted it for that reason.

7. Gideon has never seen modern technologies such as a sink with running water, or a toilet. She didn’t even know the difference between night & day... nor had she ever had a hot beverage before. This, in itself, tells us more about the Ninth than we knew before, but could also leave room for speculation. Would you consider this book to be speculative fiction? If so, what are some of the different things you could speculate from this or other parts of the story?
It seems to have elements of speculative fiction. It is a different world from what I'm used to seeing, and I feel like the world and character building are a bit slow for my taste.

8. Somehow the Third twin knew Gideon was hiding in the stairwell eavesdropping, even though she couldn’t physically see her, & told her that isn’t the way to start things off. Will this encounter affect Gideon & the Twins in the future? Is it a sign of what’s to come?
I really don't know if it is a sign of anything to come but I wasn't surprised one of them caught her hiding.

9. What do you think Dulcinea’s motive is when talking to Gideon? She seems to be the only one really “intrigued” by Gideon, to the point of wanting to be around her a lot. Is this just normal, friendly interest? Or is there something bigger at play here?
At first I went back and forth on thinking Dulcinea is bored and wants company and it might be romantic in nature. Then I started thinking she was distracting Gideon so that she doesn't see something important. I guess I'll find out.

Day 1: Chapters 1-7

1. I love the world building this author does for her universe. I find it helpful in epic fantasies when authors give a little narrative upfront about the main characters in the story and their interrelationships. The world is very grey where Gideon lives - even her porridge is grey. Her arrival in this house as a baby from a woman that fell into the world was very auspicious. Gideon attempted to run away when she was four, and tried 86 times to run away by the time she was 18. What were your initial impressions of this world?
Dark and a bit dirty. Also, dead and lonely.

2. Harrow tricked Gideon when she talked about her offer of freedom. Gideon seemed to have the upper hand, but then Harrow won the fight through her earlier planning and planting that day. What do you think that says about their relationship?
That they have been together for a long time and have been trying to best each other. I have to admit I don't really feel like I completely understand why they hate each other as much as they seem to.

3. So Harrow wants Gideon to be her guardian as she travels to the other houses. Seems like a good opportunity to get off the Ninth, and become a Cohort. Gideon does take the position. Do you think that was a good choice for her?
Gideon really didn't have a choice. Stay and never leave wasn't really an option.

4. I liked when Gideon’s sword instructor said “anyone can learn to fight, not anyone can learn to think”. Do you think that Gideon needs to do more thinking than fighting?
That line didn't catch me. Gideon can think. It seems like she often chooses not to and turns to spite or sarcasm instead.

5. What do you think about the House of the First? The world seems like the exact opposite of the ninth in terms of light and sky, rather than everything grey. All the houses are there - do you think Gideon is going to get into trouble or save Harrow from trouble?
I really have no idea what the House of the First's world is like at this point. We really only see a little of it. I hope the author does a bit more world building here. As for Gideon getting in trouble, would there be a story if she doesn't get in trouble? I do think she will do her best to help/save Harrow.

Most of my reading time is on the weekend so I doubt I’ll finish anything before then.

You can check the SS for the team. You committed to 6 a month so about 1.5 a week.

Your time is an hour off for North Carolina. Maybe because of Daylight Savings time. 7am is actually 4pm for me.

“Each week will start at the same time on Mondays, 7AM Sydney Australia (AEST). It's up to captains to do the conversion for their team time zone(s).”

I’m not sure what your time zone is but you will be able to look it up. I should be midday sometime on the 13th.

Sarah wrote: "Hi all,

I just had to do the empty cat carrier walk. I probably won't be very chatty for the near future. I'll still pop into the thread to check in things. Not sure but my reading will probably i..."

Sarah, I’m sorry to hear that.

The November BOM are not for me.

I will participate in all three for this month but next month I’m out unless there is a backroom book I am interested in.

I took to the captains group and they say pink. That is what I would have said too.

Yes, please list all the sins your book fits.

Paula and I would prefer to have everything in one place.

TT has started. Any books you start now will count towards the challenge.

Happy reading!

I picked up my copy of Gideon the Ninth from the library and the page edges are black. My fear that this is going to be a book I do not like just increased.

I’ll volunteer for DQs. Team Superbia.

Keri to find the top shelves you need to be in the browser version of good reads. You have a list of top “genres/shelves” on the right side. If you click view more you can see a list of the top 100 shelves. That is where you look for the genre guilty pleasure, historical fiction and so on.

My hold for Gideon the Ninth arrived today so I will try and participate in the first BOM. It will either be one I enjoy or one I hate.