Chava’s Comments (group member since Dec 19, 2013)

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

Finished
Dumplin'
Julie Murphy
371 pages
4 stars
finished: 12/07/2019

Finished
Ninth House
Leigh Bardugo
480 pages
BOM for Dec - answered questions in message #62, 84, 110

Lindsay♫SingerOfStories♫ wrote: "Hi y'all! I'm still alive! Hubby and I got a Black Friday puppy! So I slowed down and have been away from the computer a little bit. Apologies. I did finish a book though so here are my stats. I ca..."

awww puppies!! We got a Border Collie pup in September. She's adorable but also a little naughty. What did you get?

Ninth House
Day 3 DQs: Chapters 9 - 13

9. Well, these chapters definitely get exciting! Alex is attacked by a gluma, which seems like a Gray on steroids. She later recalls that they are messengers sometime used by the houses. Book & Snake are the ones that can "create" these messengers, but that doesn't necessarily mean they were behind the attack. Who do you think is trying to have Alex killed? Do you think it's because of her investigation or for some other sinister purpose?
I thought she accidentally got one of these loose after reviving Tara. I do think it is tied to her murder.

10. "But one thought returned again and again as he tossed and turned, fell in and out of dreams, morning light beginning its slow bleed through the high tower window: Alex Stern was not what she seemed."

We know that Alex is special because she can see Grays without the assistance of potions, but Darlington knows this, as well. What do you think that thought means? Is there something more to Alex that makes her "not what she seemed"? Why do you think she can see Grays in the first place?
I have absolutely no idea. I thought she was just one of those people who can see dead people. Now I'm wondering if I'm missing something

11. A lot has been happening to the Lethe House Dante and Virgil: Darlington gets purposely drugged at the Manuscript party, he subsequently goes missing, and now someone is trying to off Alex. Do you think that these incidents are connected? Do you think someone has it out for not only Alex, but Lethe House in general? Any other theories about what might be happening?
I think the Lethe house is becoming a liability to Yale and I think there might be other houses at other universities or institutions to which Lethe is a competition.
I also think all of this has to do with dark magic where people are dying and Alex and Darlington are getting too close to the truth

12. After reading the chapter about Darlington's past, my immediate thought was, "Does Sandow do all of his recruiting in the hospital?" Do you think that he preys on vulnerable kids? Why would he do so when there are thousands of freshman at Yale they could recruit to be Dante?
I think they might think these people would be grateful to get such an amazing chance. I also think that these people would otherwise never have the chance to go to such a prestigious university, they'd never have the money for it. I'm a bit torn between the 2.

Day 2 - Chapters 5-8

5. In chapter 5, we meet Professor Marguerite Belbalm who Alex has a meeting with. What do you make of their meeting? Why is she proving help for Alex? Do you think she's just being a helpful teacher or that she has a sinister reason, like wanting to use Alex for something? How do you think this will influence Alex's behaviours and choices in the book?
I think she's trying to keep Alex at the school as she is the only one who can see Greys and she has a specific role in the societies. I also think this is her way of protecting Alex from the type of life she had before she came to Yale.


6. Whilst Alex is looking at the crime scene of Tara 'on the other side of the intersection', she has a sense of familiarity and then remembers Helllie and Len struggling in the apartment. Len asks her to let them out. What do think happened in that situation and why did she remember it? I feel like it is something important to the story. Do you think this memory will lead to a large reveal or is it just a small and not so important memory?
I was surprised about this memory, I don't think it came up in the book before or otherwise I totally missed it. I actually read over it not understanding and it's not until you now ask that I wonder if I've missed something crucial to the story


7. In chapter 7 we get a glimpse into Alex's past and what she had to go through to deal with the ghosts. I honestly wasn't expecting us to find out about her past until past halfway mark. She mentions a lot of issues she had to deal with like no one believeing her, kids making fun of her and ostracising her, her parents, that awful bathroom scene, her illicit drug abuse... Why do you think the Lethe society didn't reach out and help her through all that if they were watching her?
I think they didn't because they wanted her to develop a bit more resilience and maturity. Not sure though and I did think that was a bit cruel.


8. I'm interested in what you guys think of the writing style so far. We have a chapter written in the present tense with Alex and a snippit of passages from books. Then we get Darlington's POV in the past. Are you in favour of this? What do you think of the snippits and are you paying much attention to what they say?
I initially got really confused by the changing of POV and going from present to past. Now I'm used to it and usually get it within a few sentences if we're in the present or past. I don't mind it now, but initially found it annoying

The Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Day 1 Questions

*** To my fellow Audiobook Listeners - I recommend you download the sample ebook version as well. There is a map of Yale and of course the spelling of names and places is helpful.
Nice, but I'm old school and am reading this as an actual book (that I was given for my birthday in October and I was number 165 on the waitlits for at the library)

1. Our book starts out with a Prologue that leaves me understandably a bit lost and confused but wanting more, giving us minimal clues to our forthcoming story.
How do you feel about Prologues? Do you ever go back and Re-read them after you finish the book?
Yeah, they're not making sense to me at all.

2. The setting of our story is the prestigious Ivy League school of Yale. The history runs deep and gives a gothic and dark feel to the book. Why else do you think the author may have chosen Yale as the setting?
She went there to school herself so she'll know what it really looks like

3. In Chapter 1 our Main Character, Alex Stern, is running late for the Prognostication. By definition Prognostication is the action of foretelling or prophesying future events. I'm curious as to what the Bonesmen final goal is by performing these ceremonies. Although it is still early in the book are there any guesses as to what the Bonesmen are seeking? Are they after glory ? Time travel? Immortality?
No, I think it's about money and foretelling the future for monetary gains

4. The Grays ! I love ghost stories and cannot wait to learn more about the Grays. Alex not only has the ability to see the Grays but is also able to see them in color. This is important and seems to be a key feature that got her this opportunity at the school. Darlington appears to be jealous of this ability of Alex because he needs to take an elixir at a great risk to do the same. How do you see the relationship between Alex and Darlington? Will they become friends, enemies or lovers?
I think they'll become good friends (I am further in the book, but this is what I thought at the time of reading)

Completed
Two Can Keep a Secret

Karen M. McManus
329 pages
rating: 3 stars

I've answered 3 days of questions as well: message 285, 286 and 287 (days 1, 2 and 4)

Day 4 - Discussion Questions

16. It seems that one character has so far flown under the radar and yet to me is highly suspicious. The Policeman, Ryan Rodriguez has been in every scene and yet only at the end of this section is he coming under Ellery’s suspicion, I think he may be working alone or in concert with other characters – Why might I be thinking this and who might he be working with?
I've been suspicious of him from when he was mentioned. I can't wait to see what unfolds

17. Why did Sarah go missing? She wasn’t in the homecoming court so why her? Is the reason for this the reason Sadie feels so guilty?
I thought it was a switcheroo by the twins

18. Viv changes her mind about a connection between what happened previously and what is happening now she is quoted as saying “Even if someone was unhinged enough to get away with murder and brag about it five years later, the MOs are completely different” Why do you think she changes her mind and do you think she is right about there being no connection?
I thought anything to sell papers and get ahead in life by the journalist. horrible though

19. Everything started after the death of the teacher on the overpass – do you think there is a connection between that and the developing storyline . Do you think Malcolm, Ellery and Ezra will tell someone what they have found out?
Yes and yes. I think the author didn't just throw that in there for no reason. Nice twist!

DQ Day 2: Chapters 6-11

6. It's taken me a bit to understand what's happening in town currently and in the past. Has anyone else struggled or have you caught on well? Do you think the author has set the scene well, or are there improvements/other ways you think would work better?
Yes I got confused and it took me a while to figure it out. I'm listneing to the audiobook

7. We meet Declan Kelly in this chapter, Malcolm's brother. What are your impressions on him? Do you think he murdered Lacey? Or has anything to do with Sarah's (Sadie's twin) disappearance? The hit and run of Mr Bowman or the threats around town? If not, who do you think is responsible for all of them, or any of them? Do you have any theories so far on the connections of the occurrences? I feel like there's so many suspects and Sadie is definitely hiding something.
I feel for him. What a burden to carry!


8. The Homecoming Court announcements: Did it surprise you that Ellery was nominated for Queen? Why do you think she was 'chosen' as a potential Queen? It's kind of ominous to the Homecoming, isn't it? I feel like Homecoming is where things will go crazy. What do you guys predict will happen?
I was actually not that surprised because I thought the author would want to do something crazy to keep the reader interested. I think she would be crowned.

9. As an Australian, I don't understand the craze around Homecoming. We have Formals which is similar to Homecoming but no one is chosen as a Queen or King. Did you go to a Homecoming in High School, or something similar? What was it like?
Yep, don't understand any of it. I grew up in Holland and we had nothing like this. It feels like an utter waste of time and money and way too much stress to be honest (clearly I am not into parties! lol)

10. It seems like Daisy has been through a lot... Her breakdown in the car and shutting herself in her room. What do you think is going on with her? Do you think she's finally dealing with Lacey's death or do you think something else is going on with her?
I think she's super stressed and pressured to perform.

DQs Day 1
Chapters 1 to 5

1.) Why are you participating in this BOM? Just for extra Tower Teams points? Because you were interested in/going to read this book anyway? Have you read other words by this author?
Extra points, absolutely, but I'd heard about this book and thought the blurb looked interesting

2.) I'm loving Ellery's true crime obsession. Pre-child I used to have the Discovery ID channel (true crime, all the time) on a lot as background. Though I'm thinking this is foreshadowing of not good things to come. What do you think? Have you read any of the crime books mentioned so far?
I read "In cold blood", none of the others though.

3.) Characters, first impressions. What do you think of Ellery & Ezra? Sadie, and the fact they refer to her by her first name and not 'Mom'? Malcom & Katrin? Familial relations seems to be a central theme to this book and specifically sibling relationships. There's been several twin references and references to other sibling relationships (Declan, Daisy, Lacey's siblings, etc). Do you think these types of ties will play into the main story line?
I think they are using first name with grandmother, because she isn't really that to them. They don't really know her from any other person in the street, basically.
Yes, family relationships are playing a really big role.

>b> 4.) This book is set in a small town and that type of atmosphere has been highlighted strongly during the set-up of the story. However, it isn't really the bucolic small town setting being highlighted by the author, but the everyone is in everyone else's business and will judge the crap out of your entire family if given the chance. What do you think of small towns? Would you like to live in one (or do you already)?
I lived in a rural small village through adolescence and hated it so much that I have since only lived in big cities.

5.) I loved the epitaph of Mr. Bowman's tombstone.
"Tell me and I forget
Teach me and I may remember
Involve me and I learn"
What did you think about it? Do you agree with the statement? And why do you think there has been such a focus on a seemingly sad, but random hit and run?
I'd heard that quote before, it's not original. It's a great quote, but the author should have made it clear she didn't come up with it

sorry I've been a bit absent this week. Real life (work in this case) massively interfered with getting reading done this week. I hope to finish 1-2 this week

Suzanne wrote: "Oh that is wonderful Chava! Those are worth a lot of points!"

458 pages - about 150 to go.

I'll be joining in the BOM for . I'm already over half-way through so I'll do some of the questions when they come in for extra points :)

I am so excited for this BOM!!!!

Finished
The Clan of the Cave Bear

Jean M. Auel
516 pages
rating: 2 stars (too long)
finished: 11/26/2019

Finished
The Case of the Missing Servant

Tarquin Hall
311 pages
finished 11/24/2019

Completed

Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?: Big Questions from Tiny Mortals About Death
Caitlin Doughty
237 pages (Kindle edition)
finished: 11/23/2019

completion post
A Court of Thorns and Roses

Sarah J. Maas
419 pages
finished: 11/18/2019

I will finish A court of thorns and roses by Sara J Maas tmw.

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Looks like I got chosen for the last day of the Two Can Keep a Secret BOM questions. Extra points, yay. I'm going to start that one after The Chestnut Man, which has a little over an hour left on a..."

I've just found the audiobook of this book and I'll join in as well in the BOM