Navi’s Comments (group member since Mar 05, 2018)

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

I’m afraid I won’t be able to finish my book in time for the countdown 😣

Cait S wrote: "These mini challenges make me feel like such an idiot lol I always have to read the post like 5 times before I grasp it."

You're not the only one, Cait! I feel like I need to have a pen and highlighter ready LOL!

Awww so adorable. Sloths are the best!!

Beginning of the Month
Total Books on Shelf: 170



FR: 6%

Books Added:



End of the Month

Books Read (reviews linked):
Swell: A Waterbiography
1984 in the 21st Century
Canine Confidential

Shelf Count: 167
FR: 8%

Makes sense to me!

Day 2: Chapters 8-13

6. I think we all had a feeling (including Gideon) that Harrow wanted her ring - & of course, she got it. What do you think was her purpose of stealing the ring from Gideon?

She doesn't trust Gideon.

7. Gideon has never seen modern technologies such as a sink with running water, or a toilet. She didn’t even know the difference between night & day... nor had she ever had a hot beverage before. This, in itself, tells us more about the Ninth than we knew before, but could also leave room for speculation. Would you consider this book to be speculative fiction? If so, what are some of the different things you could speculate from this or other parts of the story?

I don't think this would be considered speculative fiction. To me, spec fic tends to be based in reality with a few fantastical tidbits sprinkled throughout.

8. Somehow the Third twin knew Gideon was hiding in the stairwell eavesdropping, even though she couldn’t physically see her, & told her that isn’t the way to start things off. Will this encounter affect Gideon & the Twins in the future? Is it a sign of what’s to come?

I can't really say as I have read ahead.

9. What do you think Dulcinea’s motive is when talking to Gideon? She seems to be the only one really “intrigued” by Gideon, to the point of wanting to be around her a lot. Is this just normal, friendly interest? Or is there something bigger at play here?

I think it is a mixture of curiosity about the Ninth House and genuine friendliness.

Okay, great. Thanks, Lexi. I'm really enjoying my sci-fi door stopper so I'm hoping I can speed through it and maybe finish a few others as well.

My reading has taken a bit of a dive this week. I've been super busy at work but I'm more free now!

Should I focus on finishing my shorter books to up our numbers or (try to) read another 800 page book? Let me know!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Sorry! A little late to the party...

Day 1: Chapters 1-7

1. I love the world building this author does for her universe. I find it helpful in epic fantasies when authors give a little narrative upfront about the main characters in the story and their interrelationships. The world is very grey where Gideon lives - even her porridge is grey. Her arrival in this house as a baby from a woman that fell into the world was very auspicious. Gideon attempted to run away when she was four, and tried 86 times to run away by the time she was 18. What were your initial impressions of this world?

I love the world building so far! It's so creepy/morbid with all of the corpses running around. That being said, I am finding it a bit difficult to keep track of all the character names. I am definitely making use of the Character List at the front of the book lol! Hopefully it all starts to come together.

2. Harrow tricked Gideon when she talked about her offer of freedom. Gideon seemed to have the upper hand, but then Harrow won the fight through her earlier planning and planting that day. What do you think that says about their relationship?

I thought it was interesting that Harrow pre-planned the fight. I'm thinking it was either because she expected there to be a fight and/or doesn't think she could win fairly again Gideon.

3. So Harrow wants Gideon to be her guardian as she travels to the other houses. Seems like a good opportunity to get off the Ninth, and become a Cohort. Gideon does take the position. Do you think that was a good choice for her?

Yes, I do. If I was her I would think that escaping Harrow would be easier if I wasn't confined to the Ninth House. Also, Gideon's trainer/teacher (sorry forgot her name) made Harrow keep her promise about setting Gideon free when she arrived back so it was a win-win situation for Gideon.

4. I liked when Gideon’s sword instructor said “anyone can learn to fight, not anyone can learn to think”. Do you think that Gideon needs to do more thinking than fighting?

I think Gideon should really take this to heart LOL! She is quick to lash out before thinking things through. That being said, I'm enjoying her acerbic wit and sense of humour!

5. What do you think about the House of the First? The world seems like the exact opposite of the ninth in terms of light and sky, rather than everything grey. All the houses are there - do you think Gideon is going to get into trouble or save Harrow from trouble?

Both!

Just to let you all know that I’ll be finishing my books later in the week. I have a few on the go right now so I’m switching between them.

Way to go, Lexi! Too bad you didn’t enjoy it as much as the first one though

I’m rereading The Name of the Wind from the list and it’s still such a great book! I have missed being in Kvothe’s world ❤️

Mistborn is amazing!!! You will not regret reading it 🙃

Donna wrote: "Nice! I might check out some of the fantasy & science fiction ones. I recently read a series where all the books are well over 500 pages, if anyone is interested.... Ten Realms Series"

Oh I am very interested! *Added to my TBR*
I have Scribd as well so that is awesome. Thanks!

I thought I'd share some of my favourite long books (500+ pages):

Classics
The Count of Monte Cristo
Wives and Daughters
Villette
Tess of the D'Urbervilles
Native Son

Fantasy
Jade City
The Stand
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
The Priory of the Orange Tree
A Game of Thrones
The Final Empire
The Name of the Wind
Elantris

Contemporary
Ducks, Newburyport - this one is pretty experimental so not for everyone
A Book of American Martyrs
A Little Life

Science Fiction
The Swarm
Leviathan Wakes
The Book of Strange New Things
Defy the Stars

Historical Fiction
The Crimson Petal and the White
The Other Boleyn Girl
The Nix
The Blind Assassin

Mystery
In the Woods

I'll have Gideon read by the cutoff

Lexi wrote: "He loves the giant fantasy book and does everything as Audio. He adores the The Way of Kings series and those long ones. He also really likes Jack Reacher. He won't keep track of what he reads but my mom is on GR and is at 116 books for the year, so she and I read books together and discuss them as we live in different states."

You come from a really bookish family, Lexi. I'm so jealous. No one in my family are big readers!

Lexi wrote: "I've been waiting 20 years for my favorite series and the last one comes out next year so I get waiting."

Oh wow 😮 I shouldn’t complain! What series is that?

Sarah wrote: "One of my very favorite books! And I love Pat as a person - he does so much for charity, it's awesome. He says it took 10 years to write the first book, so I for one am happy to wait as long as he needs for another book that good <3”

Oh my gosh I know! He seems like such a lovely human being 😭 I’m just being a brat lol. I know it’ll be worth the wait for sure!