Nanci’s Comments (group member since Jan 29, 2016)

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

Discussion questions Day 3
15. We hear now of some of the experimental operations carried out on the "rabbits" How do you think the girls are managing to get through it and still help one another?
This was just so awful. All I could think about was these perfectly healthy girls being turned into cripples. I imagine they are getting through it because there's not any other option other than death. I admired how they helped one another.
16 Caroline, still in New York, but no longer with a job in the French Embassy starts to sell war bonds. How do you feel about her character development?
I really like Caroline and the author is doing a good job of developing her character. At first I wasn't sure of her motivation with her job, but now I think it's obvious she really cares about those less fortunate.
17 I am concerned that we are now over half way through the book, there have been some floral references but as yet we have no idea WHO the Lilac Girls are and WHAT their association is. Do you have any ideas on either the Who or the What?
I remember my first time reading the book, I kept looking at the cover and thinking, "Who are those three women? They can't be the three main characters walking arm in arm. I never figured out who the three women were or the significance of the title until the end part of the book.
18 Herta arrives at your front door - knowing what she has been involved in what would you do?
I would definitely turn her in!
19 this is more of a general question. There are a LOT of Historical Fiction books that focus on WWII What is there in this book so far that will make it stand out for you?
The relationship between the Poles and the Germans and of course the Rabbit experiments. I have read a ton of WWII historical fiction books, but hadn't heard about these particular atrocities as surgical experiments.

Discussion questions set 2 chapters 9-15

8. (Chapter 9 - Herta) - Herta arrives at the re-education camp and realizes that they are killing the prisoners. She also meets Fritz again, someone she knew from medical school. She says she’s going to leave because of what they are doing at the camp. Do you think she will leave?

No, I do not think she will leave. I think she'll struggle with the tasks she has to perform, but she knows there's no medical work at home for her, so she'll stay.

9. (Chapter 10 - Caroline) - Paul returns to Paris, and then Hitler invades Paris. Paul gets a call in to Caroline. Do you think they will ever see each other again? How would you feel if your loved one was in the middle of a war zone?
Disclaimer: All my answers are of course in accordance with how I felt the first time I read the book, since I don't want to give anything away. Yes, I think she will see Paul again, but not in America. I think somehow Caroline will have an opportunity to go to France and see him there.

10 (Chapter 11 - Kasia) - Kasia and her family are caught by the SS and sent on a train to a camp. Kasia feels bad and thinks she brought this on herself. Do you think they are arriving at the camp where Herta works? Should Kasia feel guilty about bringing this arrest on everyone?
I definitely think she's going where Herta works. There has got to be some interaction between the 3 main characters and this is the beginning between Herta and Kasia. Of course Kasia should not feel guilty, but of course she would. I think most young girls would feel the same way.

11. (Chapter 12 - Caroline) - Caroline takes on a top secret mission in locating all the camps - re-education and extermination. Do you think she might find Paul in one of them?
No. I do not think Paul will be in one of those camps.

12. (Chapter 13 - Kasia) Kasia and her family are taken to the same camp where Herta works. Her math teacher is murdered in front of her and she is assigned to pull her to the pile of dead people. She must be facing such desolation and hunger. Have you ever felt this same sense of isolation, hopelessness and anger? How do you think you would handle it?
That was such a horrible scene. Especially afterwards when they made Kasia write the number on her teacher. I can certainly understand why she would be plotting revenge upon the Nazis.
13. (Chapter 14 - Herta). Herta and Kasia’s mother Halina are working together now at the clinic. They seem to forming some kind of friendship. How do you think this will play out with Herta being German and Halina being German/Polish?

I think they are forming more than a friendship. It feels to me like Herta is physically attracted to Kasia's mother. Oh boy. Wouldn't the Nazis have a field day with that one! I'm not sure what's in their future, but I'm guessing Herta will try and work more favors for Kasia's mother and struggle with her feelings.

14. (Chapter 15 - Caroline) Caroline finds out that Paul and Reena are on the list of prisoners in Paris. She continues to support the orphaned children in Paris by selling some of her family silver. She stands up against anti-semitism in the shop. I really like this character’s gumption and willingness to stand up for what’s right. Have you ever been in that situation? If so, what did you have to do?

It was so brave of Caroline to stand up to the shop owner. I'm sure she felt partly guilty in the end doing business with the prejudiced owner, but she rightly justified it that it was going to help those who were suffering under the Nazi ruling. I speak up when people make racially charged statements and sadly that still happens quite a bit here in the southern parts of the US. To me, it is all about education and I believe many people who make such comments are reflecting the values that have been instilled in them from their parents and culture. Racism sadly takes generations to conquer. We can all do our small part by letting people who speak or act racist know that such actions are unacceptable.

☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "Nanci can you please add your completed books in the Books Read Moaning Myrtle Thread

For a quick find I added the link in Post 8. Everyone please remember to add your books in the thread so its ..."

Sorry I forgot to do that, Carmen. It's added now. Thanks for the reminder.

Completion Post

Book: Still Me
Author: Jojo Moyes
Read: May 19, 2018
Pages: 390
Spell it out letters: V

☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "I think when we find a book that works for a complicated letter/s we should use it in the spell but if its an easy letter to find and it works for a class then use it in class. Does that make sense?"

Yes, I think that's a good way to do it. :)

I looked at the spreadsheet and see that someone put my book Still Me in for a spell. I had put it in as Arithmancy class.

I'm fine with it being used as a spell instead, but I just want to make sure it's not still on as Arithmancy.

Captains, do you want me to take it off, or should you?

Yay for you, Maria Helena! Those doorstoppers are hard for me to read!

maria helena wrote: "☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "Hi team.

I didn't see that we can use books in both spells and classes but I could be wrong. I'll double check on it but I don't think I've read it a..."

Glad the BOM can be used for tasks too!

Just an idea. If anyone is interested in reading the book , it's a good book and reads quick and would link with my book, The Alice Network.

Currently reading:
Lilac Girls(reading as BOM-so not sure we can use it for two tasks)
Will be reading:
The Wife Between Us
The Woman in the Window
Beneath a Scarlet Sky
The Good Daughter
The Alice Network (#2 on my library waitlist)

Here are the covers:

I finished Still Me and added it to the unofficial spreadsheet. I put it in the for letters on the "books read" tab, but didn't add it to any of the spells, since I thought Carmen or Plethora should make that decision. I did add it to the Arithomancy since it has 390 pages. Can the same book be used for more than one category? I see Shelby is asking the same thing in post 141 above.

Sorry it took me awhile to get through the book. I've been busier than normal and the book just didn't have that pull.

Ha! Since this is my first time playing, I don't have a clue about half this stuff. I'm just trying to read my book and then I'll let Carmen and Plethora put it where it fits. Learning as I go!

I read this book in January 2017 and loved it! Yes, it's a hard read emotionally, but so good. I'm looking forward to the discussion here.
1. I know the answer to this one, since I've already read it, so don't want to give it away. I will say I was enchanted by the cover and wondered about the significance of the title when I chose it.
2. The introductions are very pertinent to the story and how they will all fit together as the novel progresses.
3. I liked the use of separate chapters. It helps keep things organized.
4. When I initially read it, I also thought that he was hiding Nadia and her mom. Romantic interest? Not really.
5. I felt Herta was in a very difficult position. I kept thinking about how she might act very differently if she could see things from a different perspective. So often, I think we only know what we have been raised to believe and we are victims to our political environment.
6. I agree with Skandia on this one.
7. This was a hard read for me. The second time around it's still hard, but bits and pieces are easier knowing the outcome. Other parts are harder for the same reason. It never gets easy reading about man's inhumanity to man. Sorry to be obtuse. I don't want to give anything away in my responses.

I'm doing the BOM read Lilac Girls. I read it January 2017 and loved it! Guessing that rereads are ok, as long as it's been at least 6 months, correct?

I'm in for this read! I'm from team Moaning Myrtle.

Thank you so much, Judy!

I hate to be a pain, but I still can't find either the official spreadsheet or the unofficial spreadsheet. All I see in message #8 is where we post our completed books. Can someone please tell me the post #? Judy, since you found it maybe you can help?
Thanks all!

Ha! Just like I used to tell my students. The only dumb question is the one you don’t ask. Good to know I’m not alone!

Another question:
How do you find the BOM posts?

Yikes, Carmen. So sorry you had a crazy Mother's Day, but hope your child is doing better now.

I noticed my shelf isn't showing up as a hyperlink like the other players. If there's an issue, please let me know.

This question is for anyone who can help me. I can't find the spreadsheet on the thread. Usually they're posted near the team player names, but I've looked all through and can't find it. Appreciate your help. :)