M’s Comments (group member since Jun 23, 2014)

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

I finished the BOM and answered all the question. I need therapy now and will be drinking wine instead of coffee.

Stacey wrote: "Definitely fun. Going to Barcelona with my daughter before heading out on a Mediterranean cruise with my ILs. So some days I won't read much, but others I'll get to relax."

That sounds wonderful. Enjoy and soak up the sun.

DQs Day 4 - "Love Has Come to Mean Death" – end
15. I personally haven't read Jane Eyre and therefore can't compare the two books which makes me feel a bit regretting, but then again so many of y'all don't seem to like this as a retelling. Do you think you'd feel differently about the book depending on whether you've read Jane Eyre or not, and do you want to pick up Jane Eyre now if you haven't yet? What if you hadn't been aware of this being a retelling and the characters had different names?
Reading Jane Eyre for me was an assignment and it was a chore back them. I read a lot of books and sometimes I can get picky. Reading this I had expectations; they weren’t that high. By the time I got to the end of the book I felt like I was being punished.

16. I was secretly hoping that Agnes had romantic feelings for Antoinette and that she was more involved in the last part of the book, but alas it was Dr. Poole. No big surprise there. Has your opinion of him changed in any way after he "confessed" and tried to help Jane and Edward? And if you could bring someone back from the dead, would you do it? Theoretically you wouldn’t be aware of any consequences, but logically I think we've learned that there's always consequences...
No, it didn’t change.

17. Jane came back for Edward and saved him of course, and now they're living happily ever after. How do you feel about them as a couple, and is there anything you would have changed about these last couple of chapters as the author or simply just a fan of the original work?
I knew they would end up together. That has always been obvious

18. Was this your first book written by Sharon Lynn Fisher, and do you think you'll be reading more by the author? Were your original expectations met? Anything else you want to add?
I have not read anything else by the author. I borrowed this from the library, and I don’t plan on reading anything else by them. I expected more, it seems the plot was lost or was just ignored in some places.

Bonus for everyone but especially those who have read Jane Eyre before: I challenge you to say at least one good thing about Salt & Broom - other than "it ended!!" lol :b
I found the font they used aesthetically pleasing. I also like the cat because I am a crazy cat mom.

DQs – Day 3 Protective Impulses-Pert Thing

11. What do you think about the revelation in the garden/the haunting? Did you see it coming, and do you think there are others involved with the “curse”?
There was enough in the story to let me guess that it was coming.

12. What do you think about Mr. Rochester sending away Jane and the staff? If you have read the original, how does this change Jane’s agency, and do you like the change? Either way, why do you think the author made it Mr. Rochester’s choice?
It could have been left out of the book. It did not add anything to the story.

13. Have you ever visited an Apothecary’s Garden? Would you be interested in seeing one? Do you grow any herbs or are you interested in growing any?
Yes, I have. It was a very interesting place. I recommend the Chelsea Physic Garden in London.

14. What do you think about the scene with Miss Ingram? What does this tell you about Mr. Rochester’s character and did that seem consistent with his character so far? Did his explanation make sense to you?
Coming in out of the corner of “where is this plot going”. I have no clue. It did not make sense.

DQs Day 2 - Baneful-"My Own Wee Thing”

6. Jane gives Rochester a black-coloured thumb-sized stone to keep with him as a protective talisman. Do you believe in talismans? Please tell us about an object that you keep with you as a talisman?
I have quite a few talismans that I carry on my person and around my home. But that is how I live. The one I carry most often is a necklace made of sea glass.


7. Between some of the chapters narrated from Jane’s point of view, we get chapters from Rochester’s point of view. What do you think of these “interludes”? Do they help or distract?
It didn’t add anything. I am now in a place where I do not like Rochester and every time his POV comes up I am disappointed.

8. We are introduced to Dr. Poole. What did you think of this character particularly with regards to Jane meeting him in the poison garden? Were there any changes in your opinion after reading Agnes’ conversation with Jane about the late Mrs. Rochester?
It did not add anything to the story but a little background fluff that he was in love with Mrs. Rochester.

9. We have been told several times about a curse on Thornfield. Then Jane follows Rochester to the graveyard where his family members are buried. At this point Jane says “This was a story of heartache. Everyone in Mr. Rochester’s family had died before their time, especially the females. Then his wife had done the same.” Do you think there is a connection between the curse and the early deaths?
Yes. That was obvious for a while.

10. We have been given information about Jane and her origin? What do you think of this twist in the tale?
Honestly at this point I wanted to book to be over and I really didn’t care.

Bonus: The author has used several of the same names as those of characters from Jane Eyre. Other than Jane, Rochester, we have Brocklehurst, Maria Temple, Mrs. Fairfax, Poole etc. What do you think about authors using the same names in retellings?
It helped me identify the character and how they have rewritten them or changed them in the story.

DQs - Day 1 - Prologue-Blackthorn

1. A paranormal retelling?? of Jane Eyre - this prompts the question about the original or let's call it the "source for inspiration". What is your relationship to Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë? Have you read it? Loved/liked/disliked it?
I have read Jane Eyre, it was required reading for a literature class. I am interested to see what the author does with the story given the description.

2. What about Retellings? Is it a genre you like/avoid?
I am a fan of retellings. I love looking at a favorite story another way. Especially when the main point of view changes.

3. Jane Aire as a witch in a school for orphan witches? How do you like the setting of this alternative Victorian world where magic is at least tolerated?
Interesting, lets see where this goes.

4. What are your first impressions of Jane and Rochester?
They are different from the original book, they are also pretty rough and need a polish. Rochester is setting off my red flag alert this early on in the book.

5. What do you think about the occurrences in Thornfield? Are they really caused by supernatural elements or is it human action?
There is a witch in the book and that is the whole premise of the plot, I think it is the real thing

Melissa wrote: "I think I fixed it? There were some rows frozen which made it difficult to see the other rows - I see 5 books for you on the spreadsheet now."

Melissa wrote: "I think I fixed it? There were some rows frozen which made it difficult to see the other rows - I see 5 books for you on the spreadsheet now."

THANK YOU!!! I have finished all but one of them.

No worries. I was just hoping I didn't mess it up. I will add them again.

I don't know if I am doing something wrong but I just tried to update the working spread sheet and none of my incomplete books are there. It is just the finished one by all the team members. I have 3 books to add. Should I just repost them?

Sharon wrote: "I usually Staycation every year for an extra long Memorial Day weekend. I relax, get things done around the house, and then we host a big BBQ on Monday because we live on the parade route.

Not th..."

Take care and speedy healing

I have been sitting on this one for a while. I am going to poke my nose into this one.

Melissa wrote: "M wrote: "I am back, and it looks like I missed some stuff.

I have all moved in and am currently in a box fort. I have my bookshelves unpacked (priorities) and am now working on the kitchen. It ha..."

It went great. I am almost all unpacked. Mr. Kitty is settled into his new domain. I only have a few more boxes to go through.

I am back, and it looks like I missed some stuff.

I have all moved in and am currently in a box fort. I have my bookshelves unpacked (priorities) and am now working on the kitchen. It has been two days and I still need to find my plates.

I have been reading, the SS is updated.

This is just a heads-up for everyone. Tomorrow is moving day, and I will be offline for a couple of days. I will be back online on Sunday or Monday, depending on when my internet gets hooked up.

1) What is everyone's favorite reading format? (ebook/paperback/hardcover/audiobook/other)

I read on all formats. It depends on the book and where I am. If I am home, it is a hardback or a paperback. When I am traveling or commuting, then it is my e-reader.

2) Do you have specific/peculiar reading "rituals" or habits?

My kitty and I curl up into bed every night to read. I lie to myself and say it is 30 minutes but it is usually an hour or more. I also like to go to random coffee shops and sit to read with a good coffee

Melissa wrote: "The games have begun!
I've grabbed from the audio cornucopia. I'm hoping the snow leopard on the front will help with some defense. I've got [bookcover:What's Cooking i..."

Both of those look good, I am going to add them to my TBR for this year.

Here is the first week I have planned.

Weapons


Shelter


Food


Defense

Melissa wrote: "M wrote: "So, I got some bad/good news today.

I have had a recent breast cancer scare, and I have to have another surgery. I hate it, but what can you do. I consider it a win that it is not cancer..."

Good idea! I haven't read any Sanderson in a long time.

Michael wrote: "M wrote: "So, I got some bad/good news today"

Oh wow. Very sorry you have to have a surgery, but yes so thankful it’s non-cancerous!! 🩶🩶 Sending you great energy for a speedy recovery! Hopefully y..."

Thank you.

BTW if anyone has any book recommendations, pass them my way

So, I got some bad/good news today.

I have had a recent breast cancer scare, and I have to have another surgery. I hate it, but what can you do. I consider it a win that it is not cancerous, just an annoying blob of cells.

The good part is that I will be taking a while to recover, during which time I can read all I like. I already have a small mountain set aside for my TBR.