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

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

❀Tea❀ wrote: "Would this be indigo?
"

I think it is a little dark for indigo. I generally think of indigo as a brighter blue that is a little purple. Tineye calls it Regal Blue (Blue).

I think indigo is half way between violet and blue, by definition.

Karishma wrote: "I'm in! Team Tonks.

Is anyone reading the other books in the series first?"

There is a Thread for Devil in Spring. I think everyone has read all the other books already.

Would anyone be interesting and doing a buddy read of ? It is a collection of short stories.

Joining from Team Severus Snape. It took a while for my library hold to come in and I ended up with the CD audio book. For participating in the discussion I wish I had the physical book instead of the audio. However, the narrators are doing a really good job.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS SET 1
CHAPTERS 1-8

1. LILAC GIRLS IS MARTHA HALL KELLY'S DEBUT NOVEL TELLING THE TALE OF THREE WOMEN CAUGHT UP IN THE HORROR THAT WAS WWII. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TITLE?
I really have no idea what the significance of the title is at this point in the story.

2. IN THE FIRST THREE CHAPTERS, WE ARE SEPARATELY INTRODUCED TO OUR THREE HEROINES, CAROLINE, KASIA AND HERTA. WHAT ARE YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THE GIRLS AND THE PLACES AND TIMES THEY LIVE IN?
I found Caroline and her story in New York to be kind of boring. I thought if the book is going to be like this I’m not sure I’m going to want to continue listening. Kasia’s narration immediately grabbed me and I was very interested in her story. Herta, I wasn’t sure of from the first chapter in her perspective. I don’t like her but I also don’t dislike her.

3. WHY DO YOU THINK THE AUTHOR HAS BEGUN THE NOVEL IN THREE DIFFERENT PLACES INSTEAD OF ALTERNATE POINTS OF VIEW WITHIN THE SAME CHAPTER?
In some ways having one character narrate each chapter is easier to follow. Also, it lets us see different areas of the war and what it is like for three very different women.

4. DO YOU THINK PIETRIK HAS ROMANTIC FEELINGS FOR KASIA AND WHAT DO YOU IMAGINE HAS HAPPENED TO NADIA AND HER MOTHER?
I don’t think Pietrik has romantic feelings for Kasia. It seems like he is taking advantage of her in some ways. I imagine that Nadia and her mother have been hidden somewhere or been sent into the country. I’m curious about what happened with Nadia’s dog or cat. Was Kasia able to safe her?

5. DESPITE HERTA'S POLITICAL BELIEFS DO YOU FEEL ANY SYMPATHY FOR HER IN HER SITUATION WITH HEINZ?
The narration from Herta’s point of view in regards to Heinz is rather medial. It seems like she has removed herself from the situation while it is happening. I didn’t feel sympathy for her, but that is mostly because I really don’t feel anything about her. She doesn’t feel and as a result I don’t seem to care about her.

6. PAUL SEEMS TO BE THE EPITOME OF THE SAUVE, URBANE FRENCHMAN. DO YOU SEE ANY FUTURE FOR HIM AND CAROLINE?
It seems like they both want to have a future. However, I don’t think they will end up together. It seems like customs will get in the way.

7 ALREADY I AM FINDING MY EMOTIONS ENGAGED BY THIS NOVEL. SADNESS, ANGER, INDIGNATION AND HORROR FOR WHAT I KNOW IS TO COME. HOW IS THIS BOOK AFFECTING YOU SO FAR?
So far the book is not drawing me in completely. I connect with Kasia, and I feel her story. Caroline and Herta’s story are interesting but emotionally I feel more removed from their part of the story. I have a feeling it will end up being an emotional read, but right now I’m still getting to know the characters.

I just finished Every Heart a Doorway and I'm really looking forward to reading the second book. I'm heading to the library to pick up a copy of the now. I'm from Team Snape.

Kathleen wrote: "Oh I think the mods 'activate' them when someone asks for them.

I'm bad at BRs too! I have a hard time sticking to planned reads as I'm a very moody reader. Hence, multiple books being read almos..."
I'm the same way. I'm currently reading 5 books. One of those I haven't been in the mood to read in over a year. I know I'll pick it back up when I'm feeling like it. I also tend to pick up books and read them in one sitting if they hold my attention. I'm much better at discussing after I'm done reading than during. I'll have to see how the buddy reads go.

Eldarwen wrote: "Annalisa wrote: "When I post a completion for a buddy read do you need me to post links my comments or is a link to the thread enough?"

A link to your first or second comment would be great, thank..."

I've updated my completion post with a link to my first comment after I started reading the book.

✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Annalisa wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Christina wrote: "before I look through any more posts, I have to finish this off:

Wow, I didn't even make the connection with the title. but now that you said it, it's so obvious ! "

I didn't make the connection for a long long time. (view spoiler)[It is only when Nancy is reading the note from Sumi that I realized. Wow, the title tells us how the doors work. I liked that it came at the very end. For me it added a little bit more completion than I would have had if Nancy had just gone home. (hide spoiler)]

When I post a completion for a buddy read do you need me to post links my comments or is a link to the thread enough?

Book:Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
Date: May 19, 2018
Pages: 173
Rating: ★★★★

Spell-Out Letters:
C - Christopher character
E - Title
J - Jack and Jill characters
K - Kade character
M - Author
N - Nancy MC
S - Author
W - Wayward Children series

Other Tasks:
Arithmacy - 160-350
Herbology - Hardcover book
History of Magic - Book 1 in series

Buddy Read:
Link to Thread
First Comment

Devann wrote: "to anyone who is reading this for the first time, did you figure out who the murderer was before it was revealed? i don't think i had any idea who it was the first time but now when i reread it it ..."

No and yes. (view spoiler)[I figured out who it was about the time Jill disappears when they are looking for her after taking care of Loriel's body. That being said it was more like I suspected it was her and was willing to think it might be Lundy, or Kade. I didn't suspect Jack, but I think that is because everyone else did. I also looked for who the murder might be because of your question. I don't think I would have examined that aspect of the story without prompting. (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[I also wanted a little romance in the story. Kade was the author's choice but I never really trusted him completely. I'm not sure why I felt that way. He was clearly liked by all the other characters. I also didn't care for Sumi. She rubbed me the wrong way. I would have been more interested in a romance between Christopher and Nancy. However, when I say that I know that they wouldn't have worked. Jack and Christopher maybe. Kade and Nancy did seem to have an understanding. However, Nancy returning to her home was the best ending. (hide spoiler)]

This novella was surprising to me in many ways. It was not what I expected at all and it was very different from my typical read. I'm kind of surprised I enjoyed it as much as I did.

✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Christina wrote: "before I look through any more posts, I have to finish this off:

Chapter 6 to end"

I agree about the ending. [spoilers removed]"

I completely agree with this. (view spoiler)[I expected Nancy to be stuck in our world. Then again we do have the answer to the doors and how the work in the title. I didn't realize it until I finished the book, but right from the start you know it is the heart that is the doorway. (hide spoiler)]

Christina wrote: "before I look through any more posts, I have to finish this off:


Chapter 6 to end


(view spoiler)[I loved how Christopher got more involved in the story, opened up to our MCs and shared his experience. it wa... (hide spoiler)]"

(view spoiler)[I assumed that part of Eleanor getting weaker so quickly was shook and putting people through her door. She seems so strong at the beginning of the book that the change does seem sudden. (hide spoiler)]

I saw a post for The Way of Kings and I've already read that one. I'd be interested in reading the second book, Words of Radiance, would anyone be interested in joining me?

Just finished part one and I agree with most comments here. I really like the open door that is at the start of every chapter. I think it is a really nice touch.

(view spoiler)[I really liked the opening with Eleanor and wondered how that was going to fit in the the story, as it didn't seem like it was her story. It transitioned to Nancy's perspective smoothly and I liked that.

I do not care for Sumi. I guess she is a little to hyper for me. I have to admit even after seeing a comment before about this being an adult story I was a little surprised by the discussion of masturbation. Sumi brings it up as though it is no big deal. It fits her character but I wasn't expecting it.

At this point, like the others reading the opening I'm wondering about the different worlds. Nonsense, logic, wickedness, and virtue. At this point I'm just as confused by the talk as Nancy. I guess that is the point. (hide spoiler)]

After finishing part I, I expect the reading to go quickly. This isn't the world I was expecting at all but I am looking forward to finding out more.

I'm definitely going to go out and find the audiobook.

I haven't read Let's Pretend This Never Happened. I'll have to. Furiously Happy was real, and hard at times but I think that is why I enjoyed it so much. I really connected with her thought process and writing and that is often not true with memories and personal non-fiction.

Did you like Furiously Happy? I listened to it during UNO and really enjoyed it. I found myself thinking boy I've had that conversation before: pockets in women's clothing. Actually, it's a rant I have about once a year.

I read the opening this morning before work. The set up with the headmistress lying to parents is intriguing.

I'm not reading a lot of the shorted length novellas but I think it is nice to have something a little shorter for times when sitting down with a full length novel isn't possible. It least the ones I've read have felt complete and I didn't feel rushed. I often do feel rushed in when I read short stories, but I think it all comes down to the author and their ability. It can be to short but it can also be too long. There are a few full length novels that I felt needed to be paired down a bit.

It's a short book. Less than 200 pages which is why I thought I would join. The opening was very interesting.

Talking of openings I'm not sure about Lilac Girls. The opening didn't grab me. I'll give it a bit more time. Maybe it will pick up once I get to know the characters a bit more.