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

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

Erika wrote: "I have 5 ARCs that have not been published yet so I’m happy to take care of that task in divination.

One of the ARCs is actually a sequel so I’m waiting on its first book and that happens to fall..."

Awesome Erika!!

Jennifer wrote: "Just picked up from the library and its a BOM yay"

Great Jennifer!!!

DAILY QUESTIONS - SET 4
CHAPTERS 27-37 - PART 2

Q20. (CH 27 - CAROLINE) AS THE WAR STARTS TO WIND DOWN, CAROLINE LEARNED THAT PAUL WAS STILL ALIVE. WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT HER RUSHING TO FRANCE TO SEE HIM? HOW DO YOU THINK PAUL FEELS ABOUT CAROLINE?
I was surprised to hear Paul was still alive, but not surprised (though maybe a little disappointed in her) that Caroline raced to see him despite the war not yet over. I'm confused by Paul's attitude and it's hard for me to understand what he really feels for her. I know early in the story he told her that his marriage with Rena wasn't good but still, he called her Rena when he was sick.

Q21. (CH 28 - KASIA) KASIA SEEMS TO BE STRUGGLING MORE THAN ZUZANNA TO BEING BACK IN POLAND. WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS?
I feel so bad for Kasia, although I don't like her very much. I think she has a lot of guilt due to the part she played in her family getting captured. Then, combined with being in cold war Poland and not really getting much freedom after what she already went through, she isn't getting the break she needs to really recover.

Q22 (CH 29-30 - CAROLINE) HOW DID YOU FEEL WHEN CAROLINE CAME BACK TO PAUL'S HOUSE TO MOVE IN? WHAT ABOUT WHAT SHE WAS ASKED TO DO? WOULD YOU DO IT? AND WHY DO YOU THINK SHE ULTIMATELY DECIDED TO HELP?
I was devastated for her! Caroline just wants to be loved and for some reason, love just keeps eluding her. Rena just wanted her baby - as a mother I think that would come above anything else in trying to find her child, even asking it of Caroline. And, as we've seen with all her philanthropic work, Caroline has a good heart and just couldn't do her part to see a child reunited with it's parent.

Q23 (CH 31-32-33 - KASIA) WHERE YOU SURPRISED AT WHAT KASIA FOUND WHEN WORKING AT THE HOSPITAL AND HOW THINGS EVOLVED FOR HER? DO YOU THINK SHE'LL FIND HER HAPPINESS?
I was happy for Kasia that she found Pietrik and that he did love her after all. But her bitterness (or maybe just guilt and PTSD) is making it difficult for her to find any happiness in her life. I hope she does find it!

Q24 (CH 34 - HERTA) WHAT ARE YOUR FEELINGS FOR HERTA? HAVE THEY CHANGED OVER THE COURSE OF THE BOOK?
Herta is still drinking the Kool-aid! I really, really don't like Herta. Early on I thought maybe she just tried to get through her duties, but I realize she only cares about her career and that she is seen as just as good a doctor as the men, and what she did was all for science.

Q25 (CH36 - CAROLINE) - CAROLINE HAS STAYED IN FRANCE AND IS DOING HER VOLUNTEER WORK IN PARIS. WHY DO YOU THINK SHE WON'T READ ANY OF PAUL'S LETTERS? WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT THE TURN OF EVENTS AT THE END OF CHAPTER 36?
I kept wondering why she stayed in France and never really understood, other than maybe her mom wanted to be there? As for Paul's letters, I think she finally realized they weren't meant to be together and she had to do what she could to protect her heart. I liked the way the story starts to tie together a bit more with the scene at the end of chapter 36.

Q27 (CH 37 - KASIA - PART 3) 10 YEARS HAVE PASSED. WHY DO YOU THINK KASIA'S RELATIONSHIPS WITH HER FAMILY ARE WHAT THEY ARE? HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT HER AT THIS POINT IN THE STORY?
I think Kasia's guilt is still eating at her and it breaks my heart. That she can't accept kindness from Marthe and doesn't get along well with her daughter is so sad. I remember when her daughter was born and she was reluctant to name her Halina - I think she knew it would remind her too much of her mother, and now that her daughter likes art, it's an even more painful reminder.

Q28 A LOT OF TIME WAS COVERED IN PART 2 AND THEN INTO PART 3 - DID YOU FORSEE ANY OF THE DEVELOPMENTS? DO YOU THINK WE'LL LEARN WHAT LILACS MEANS TO THE STORY?
I was really surprised at how things panned out in Part 2. I didn't know this book was going to span such a long timeline, but it is interesting to see how the characters change and adapt (or not) over the changes in the world. I'm still hoping Caroline finds love, whether it's with Paul or someone else, and I hope Kasia finds some type of peace.

DAILY QUESTIONS - SET 4
CHAPTERS 27-37 - PART 2

Q20. (CH 27 - CAROLINE) AS THE WAR STARTS TO WIND DOWN, CAROLINE LEARNED THAT PAUL WAS STILL ALIVE. WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT HER RUSHING TO FRANCE TO SEE HIM? HOW DO YOU THINK PAUL FEELS ABOUT CAROLINE?

Q21. (CH 28 - KASIA) KASIA SEEMS TO BE STRUGGLING MORE THAN ZUZANNA TO BEING BACK IN POLAND. WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS?

Q22 (CH 29-30 - CAROLINE) HOW DID YOU FEEL WHEN CAROLINE CAME BACK TO PAUL'S HOUSE TO MOVE IN? WHAT ABOUT WHAT SHE WAS ASKED TO DO? WOULD YOU DO IT? AND WHY DO YOU THINK SHE ULTIMATELY DECIDED TO HELP?

Q23 (CH 31-32-33 - KASIA) WHERE YOU SURPRISED AT WHAT KASIA FOUND WHEN WORKING AT THE HOSPITAL AND HOW THINGS EVOLVED FOR HER? DO YOU THINK SHE'LL FIND HER HAPPINESS?

Q24 (CH 34 - HERTA) WHAT ARE YOUR FEELINGS FOR HERTA? HAVE THEY CHANGED OVER THE COURSE OF THE BOOK?

Q25 (CH36 - CAROLINE) - CAROLINE HAS STAYED IN FRANCE AND IS DOING HER VOLUNTEER WORK IN PARIS. WHY DO YOU THINK SHE WON'T READ ANY OF PAUL'S LETTERS? WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT THE TURN OF EVENTS AT THE END OF CHAPTER 36?

Q27 (CH 37 - KASIA - PART 3) 10 YEARS HAVE PASSED. WHY DO YOU THINK KASIA'S RELATIONSHIPS WITH HER FAMILY ARE WHAT THEY ARE? HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT HER AT THIS POINT IN THE STORY?

Q28 A LOT OF TIME WAS COVERED IN PART 2 AND THEN INTO PART 3 - DID YOU FORSEE ANY OF THE DEVELOPMENTS? DO YOU THINK WE'LL LEARN WHAT LILACS MEANS TO THE STORY?

Oh, and I can't figure out what Caderousse's motivation is in all this - is he just a bored old man?

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Chapters 1-3

I know this is very early in the book, but I thought I'd write down my initial impressions.

It feels a little bit shakespearean to me. With Danglers who is "struggling with the demon..."

I'm enjoying this book so far - I've been listening to the audio which helps me since I don't speak or read French and it helps with the pronunciation😊.

I like the parts where the narrator talks to us - it kind-of breaks up the story a bit and directs you where to pay attention. I can't believe how manipulative Danglars is!!

Updated

Completion Post


The Wild Heir
Author: Karina Halle
Pages: 406
Completed: 5/22/18

BOM/BR; No

Spells
A: ch - King Aksel
E: ch - Einar
H: author- Karina Halle
I: ch - Princess Isabella
J: ch - Jane
K: author - Karina
M: ch - Prince Magnus
O: ch - Ottar
T: title - The
V: ch - Viktor
W: title - Wild

Classes - maybe Banishing charm - either another book with a man without a beard, or with a man with a shirt on

Completion Post


March Wind
Author: Mari Carr
Pages: 246
Completed: 5/21/18

BOM/BR: No

Spells:
A: ch- Ailis
C: ch - Padraig Collins
F: ch - Finn
H: ch - Hunter
L: ch - Lane
M: title - March
P: ch - Padraig
T: ch - Tristan
W: series - Wilder Irish

Classes- title could be used in the essay?

Megan wrote: "Chapters 4 to 12

[spoilers removed] Reading this book/series is making me realise how much I enjoy this world."

I've finished Chapter 13...

The map is awesome!!! And you've got to love Fred and George for passing it on!

This book has a more depressing feel to it - I guess because of the Dementors? Almost everyone is grouchy and Harry is not having a fun year so far.

I'm also wondering what's going on with Hermione and Professor Lupin's illness...can't wait to find out!

Lilac Girls Day 3 Discussion Questions
Chapters 16 - 26

Q15. 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 just shows how strong the will to live is and how people come together in times of struggle and strife. I have so much admiration for these woman to get through what the endured.

Q16 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've been somewhat confused with Caroline's character. At first I thought she was very wealthy, but now I'm not so sure. It's admirable that she is so compassionate and finds ways to volunteer.

Q17 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?
No, but I've been wondering this same thing. I still don't know what the significance of lilacs is

Q18 Herta arrives at your front door - knowing what she has been involved in what would you do?
This is a tough one. Herta is still drinking the kool-aid. There were a couple of times I thought maybe she had some compassion, but I think she is very self-involved and cares only for her career and to prove she can be as recognized as a man for her medical career.

Q19 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?
I don't normally read WWII books, so just reading this at all will make it stand out for me. If I wasn't reading this for the BOM and TT challenge, I probably would have dnf'd it early on - this has been a difficult book to read.

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Found it ;)

The Count of Monte Cristo was originally published in the Journal des Débats in eighteen parts. Serialization ran from August 28, 1844 to January 15, 1846.
The first edition in book f..."

So I guess we can't really get mad at those authors who break their books into little parts with cliffhangers, huh? The precedent was set hundreds of years ago!

Finally...

Quidditch

There was a post a few days about - has anyone been considering volunteering to play on the house quidditch team? There will be three matches and there can be different players for each match. Here are the player roles:

SEEKER (1 player)
The function of the Seeker is to catch the Golden Snitch. Which is kind of important, since that not only means the end of the match, it also gives the team 150 points.

So, how does it work?
We're going to hide the Golden Snitch within a book reading thread on the group. It can be a buddy read, a series read or a BOM read. Then we're going to create a puzzle (or slider, riddle, etc) that allows for the Seeker to know where to start looking.

The seeker has to find where the snitch is hidden and then read the book in question.

CHASER (3 players)
- The Chasers throw the Quaffle to each other and try and get it through one of the hoops to score a goal. Ten points every time the Quaffle goes through one of the hoops.

How it Works on NBRC's Quidditch
1) Spell QUAFFLE (*)
Using the spell-it-out rules, the 3 chasers need to spell QUAFFLE. Only after that they can try to score goals.

2) Score a goal.
Scoring can be done by chains of 1 player, 2 players or 3 players. Each Score is worth 10 points and each player participating (in the chain) is required to read one book.
* 1 player - read a 650+ page book

* 2 players
- Books have to be 300+ pages
- Books read need to have same title (It can be same book or different book)

* 3 players: The 3 books read have to meet one of the following requirements:
- Consecutive series numbers (can be part of different series).
- Titles start with consecutive letters.
- Titles have common word between them.

KEEPER (1 player)
- The Keeper have to fly around the team hoops and stop the other team from scoring

How it Works on NBRC's Quidditch
To defend a score, the Keeper needs to read one of the books from the other team's QUAFFLE, defending the goal.

Consequences:
The book read from the QUAFFLE is considered void, and the letter needs to be spelled again, otherwise the chasers can't try to score.
In order to the score to count, the books can only be started when the QUAFFLE is whole - Chasers Cannot reuse previous books.
If the Keeper "reads" the QUAFFLE, chain is broken.
Book in quaffle needs to be read again and another chain is started - Cannot reuse previous books.

BEATER (2 players)

ATTACK -->
Read book read by one of the chasers.
Chaser has to stay out one score

DEFEND -->
Read same book opposite beater is reading. Chaser is safe and can proceed with the score.

More....

History of Magic

Does anyone want to volunteer to write our essay? We need to take 7 titles and make a little story using them.
Here's a link to the example: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Hi Newts!
Here's the link again to our planning spreadsheet:https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/... - I think Jennifer, Sally and Maya still haven't joined

We've got some tasks that can be claimed if you guys want, and also keep an eye out when you're doing your completion posts (and please include the cover - that will help a lot!)

Astronomy
We need 5 more - I think Danielle has one of these spots she's reading

Care of Magical Creatures
*We need to build our magical creature - we've got wings so far and need 4 more. So keep an eye on your book covers for characteristics we can use (eg eyes, legs, teeth, scales....whatever we want! - we can be creative.)
*We'll need to figure out what they eat and the other thing "Uses" - I'm not sure what this means so I'll check in the captain's group.

Charms
We need 7 pairs of books, a pair for each charm

Defense Against the Dark Arts
We need 7 pairs of books - one with a Dark Art, and the second with a title that contains a way of defense.
We have 1 book so far, a vampire book, so we need a book with something in the title that defends against vampires - eg Silver

Divination
1. 3 books where a character uses fortuneteller/divination tools

2. 2 books where a prophecy/vision is described/felt

3. 3 to be published ARCS (the books cannot be published yet)

Herbology

1. 2 books with dirt, dung or compost on the cover or in the title

2. a book with a brown cover over 500 pages - *I'm reading which works for this

3. 2 fluffy/chick-lit books

Potions

1. Equipment - Books with the following on the cover:
Cauldron
Knife
Scale
Mortar & Pestle (you can use any item that allows to crush and grind - A baseball bat, a heavy rock, etc.)

2. Ingredients -
Read a skinny book (under 125 pages)
Read a cozy mystery book with berries or juice on the cover.

3. Brew - cover colors:
Orange x 2
Yellow x 3
Turquoise x 2
Indigo x 1
Pink x 1
Red x 2
Purple x 1

Transfiguration
7 pairs of books - For this class you'll need to form pairs again. One book represents the initial object, the second the transfigurated one.

I've got a couple I just finished and will get posted shortly. I'm listening to A Game of Thrones, and starting The Count of Monte Cristo as a buddy read. I'm also starting Beneath the Scars for a buddy read and doing the Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban buddy read. Too many going on at once!!! I'm also reading the BOM Lilac Girls and tomorrow is my day for DQ's.

Hi Team
I'm sorry to be MIA yesterday. I've had some family stuff come up, but I'm going to try and get caught up today. Thanks so much to Laura for getting books logged in.

I hope you have a nice visit with your grandparents, Danielle. I miss mine! And glad you had a nice day with your daughter, Laura.

Silje wrote: "Gotten through all the way to chapter 15 today. Is it just me or is it hard to see the characters as 13 year olds? They feel more like 16 at least...

When reading about the train ride [spoilers re..."

Yes, Silje, they seem much older than 13 (and even in the first book, much older than 11!)

I'm really feeling bad for Hagrid. And I want a Hippogriff! I think Professor Trelwaney is a fraud, but I'm really liking Professor Lupin.

Sonia wrote: "*Maniacal laugh*"

Uh oh....

Snowtulip wrote: "This challenge has completely taken over my brain! I'm reading and Griffin just mentioned Harry Potter, and I thought he'd love this challenge...yes, I speak to char..."

I'm reading and the MC's are on their way to visit Harry Potter World! And MC Padraig has a Seamus Finnegan wand.