SandyL’s Comments (group member since May 11, 2015)

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

Marie (UK) wrote: "Chapters XXX - XXVI
I have really struggled with this section, the chapters are longer and not really advancing the storyline, There are a lot of characters / groups/ games/ cabals whatever you wan..."

I have been somewhat confused with this section as well, Marie. I was trying to figure out what all these people had to do with Dantes, but it seems to be coming together thankfully. I've been listening to the audio, but I was thinking I was going to have to go back and read that section.

~Michelle~ wrote: "Chapters 1 - 5:


I'm liking this one so far!! I almost always do audiobooks and this time is no different.

I thought the prologue was great!

How could Pandora end up in such a fix so early in th..."

I'm listening to the audiobook as well and I like the narrator.

I love how the characters from her other series intermingle with one another. And I'm really liking Pandora and Gabriel.

I'm starting - Team Newt Scamander.

Updated

Hey Newts!!
You all should have received an invitation to the group "The Badgers Burrow" - this is our common room to discuss Quidditch with the other Hufflepuff teams. So make sure you join and go on over and check in.

Has anyone thought about whether they would like to/are willing to be on a team and if so, what position?

Also - for our New Newts - check out the buddy reads folder - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group.... We get 30 extra points if you participate in a buddy read.

Emma (M) wrote: "Here’s the link to my TT shelf

2018-tower-teams"

Thanks Emma!

Thanks Laura and Danielle - we'll pass on using it for this since it's not clear

FYI for Non-fiction books (from the mods):

◈ Q: Do characters in non-fiction books count?
A: Typically no. For example, if it is a historical account of WWII and the story is about Winston Churchill, he is not considered a 'character'.
Exceptions would be something like a memoir, ( e.g. Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness) where someone is recounting events and situations ; then it is possible there would be characters.

Hey Newts
Does this look like dirt in front of the phone booth?

Updated

Completion Post


Beneath the Scars
Author: Cherise Sinclair
Pages: 458
Completed: 5/26/18

BR: Yes

Spells
A: ch - Alexander Holt
B: title - Beneath
C: author - Cherise Sinclair
D: ch - Max Drago
E: Everett
G: ch - Zachary Gregory
H: ch - Holt
J: ch - Josie
K: ch - Kim
L: ch - Linda
M: ch - Max Drago
R: ch - Raoul
S: author - Cherise Sinclair
U: ch - Uzuri
V: ch - Vance
Y: ch - Yukio

Completion Post


Strawberries and Strangers: A Cozy Murder Mystery
Author: Leena Clover
Pages: 187
Completed: 5/26/18

BOM/BR - No

Classes:
Potions - Boom Berry Juice
Cozy mystery with strawberries on cover

Completion Post


Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Author: J.K. Rowling
Pages: 453
Completed: 5/26/18

BR: Yes

Spells
B: ch - Sirius Black
C: ch - Cornelius Fudge
D: ch - Dudley Dursley
F: ch - Professor Flitwick
G: ch - Ginny Weasley
H: ch - Harry Potter
L: ch - Professor Lupin
M: ch - Professor McGonigal
P: ch - Aunt Petunia
R: ch - Ron Weasley
S: ch - Sirius Black
T: ch - Professor Trewlaney
V: ch - Vernon Dursley
W: ch - Ron Weasley

Completion Post


Lilac Girls
Author: Martha Hall Kelly
Pages: 487
Completed: 5/25/18

BOM: Yes
DQ's: Yes

Spells:
A: ch - Adalbert
C: ch - Caroline Ferriday
F: ch - Caroline Ferriday
H: ch - Herta Oberheuser
K: ch - Kasia
L: title - Lilac
M: author - Martha
O: ch - Herta Oberheuser
P: ch - Paul Rodierre
R: ch - Roger

Linda C wrote: "I added the tower shelf to the books I've read from the 12th to now, but it is going to take me some time to figure out how to enter everything.
Couple of questions
Do Anthologies count? Does each..."

Regarding anthologies - if it's a boxed set, like Harry Potter Boxset or The Harry Potter Collection 1-4 then the books are counted separately.
If it's not a boxed set, but a collection of different authors, then the book is counted as one book.

DQ--Part 5
Chapters 38-47

29. What did you think about the relationship between Caroline and Paul? Was it a satisfying ending?
The main genre I read is romance, so for me it wasn't satisfying. Knowing now that it's based on a true story, it makes sense, but things felt unfinished for me.

30. Which story was the most interesting to you, Caroline, Kasia, Herta? Why?
Probably Kasia's, since she went through the most. But at the same time, her story was the most difficult to read.

31. “Lilacs only blossom after a harsh winter.” What did you think about the explanation for the title of the book?
It didn't hit the mark for me. I was wondering through the whole book what it meant, and this wasn't very satisfying because it certainly doesn't apply to Herta.

32. Many years later Herta wore Halina’s ring. Do you think she cared for Halina more than she would admit? Or do you think Herta was too cold hearted to really care about another person?
I think she put it on and then felt she deserved it. I don't think Herta ever cared about anyone but herself.

33. Did you learn anything about WWII and the years after that you did not know before? If so, what?
I did not realize how people like Kasia went from concentration camps into continued oppression through Stalin. It was so heartbreaking to me.

34. Kasia got closure about her mother’s death. And in the end Kasia did positively identify Herta. Did you like the ending to the book? Would you recommend this book to others?
No, I didn't like the ending and overall I didn't really enjoy this book. It was well written and interesting, but was a difficult subject matter. I read more to escape - I know I should read more to learn stuff, and I did learn a lot from this book, but I can't say I liked it. I was so pissed that Herta had a nice life after everything she did. I'm guessing nothing every happened to her, but the story just kinda ended. I also wished that Caroline could have found love. I am glad that Kasia was able to find some peace.

I've finished and, like a few others have said, this has been my favorite book of the series despite (view spoiler)[ how out of control Snape's anger is. (hide spoiler)]

I loved how Harry (view spoiler)[ feels less alone now that he knows he's got Sirius Black and also that he found his Patronus and it's the same as his dad's. (hide spoiler)]

The story behind the Shrieking Shack was also so interesting and (view spoiler)[ I was so sad to see Professor Lupin leave. (hide spoiler)]

Marie (UK) wrote: "I finished yesterdays remaining pages this morning - I was just too tired yesterday. So i Have reached page 202 and chapter 21.

what an interesting section this is, his developing friendship with..."

I really enjoyed the scenes with the Abbe (Faria) - he's such an amazing man!

Updated

Welcome Heli and Linda!!

@Linda - for books to count they have to be started AFTER the challenge started

@Heli and @Emma - can you please post a link to your tt shelves? Thanks!

Here's the link to our planning spreadsheet - once there, please request access and I'll add you. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...