Apoorv ’s Comments (group member since Mar 26, 2014)

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

I would love to work with my Mom and/or Dad.. all three of us are workaholics and I am sure we'd hardly give anyone a chance to question the other.. LOL ! That'd be fun.. more competition ! :P

So, I filled in some of our completed books over the last two days in the Draft of the January Mini Challenge, and this is what we have got :

Letters to be Completed - Corresponding Books in Progress

H - NEEDS TO BE FILLED
I - Ducky | I Character OR Mary | I Author
I - Steven | I Character
U - Steven | U Author
U - Apoorv | U Title
X - Apoorv | X Character

The only book that hasnt found a home yet is Tamika's latest read, The Dirt on Ninth Grave.
Tamika, does the book have any character that fulfills any of the above letters ?

Its been a tiring weekend so far.. started school for my second Masters, so had to travel from Detroit, Michigan to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania for the orientation and the class and then fly back.. plus the class seemed more intimidating than I thought it would.

This is the first time I am working full time and taking full-fledged classes at school.. so I am going to be slammed, it seems.
But its fun, nevertheless.

It started snowing here in Ann Arbor (the first time since I moved here in November last year, which is such a surprise for Michigan), so no outside work for me and moreover before things start getting crazy tomorrow onward.. I am going to relax and finish the books that I started.

I forgot to take my Kindle with me (grrrr!), so couldn't continue on Armed & Dangerous (for the Letter X) and Uprooted (for the Letter U) on my trip.. but had the Hardcover of First Frost in my bag, and I am already hooked on it.

Lets see what letters that yields me and we can squeeze that in, if need be. :)

Tamika♥RBF MOOD♥ wrote: "I've been recommended You as well, trying to see if my boo will read it with me.
..."


Boo, Lobster !
You guys are so cute ! <3

What do the others call their boo's ? :P

Ashley Marie wrote: "I also have Lola and the Boy Next Door for the near future, which could work for neighbors if no one gets to it first"

Its sitting on my bed-side desk as well... lets read this together ! :)

Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "That series looks good to me too. It starts with Cinder right?"

Yes, Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, Fairest (optional) and Winter

Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "I'll look for a U book then. I would look for X but I think I saw someone say they had that one."

I am reading an U and X, so one of each is covered for the moment from my side.
We'd need to focus on I's !

Discussion Questions
Chapter 1-4

1. Did you have any thoughts/feelings before starting the book that have changed now that you've started it?
I had no clue about the book, since High Fantasy is not something I have delved much into. So, I literally picked up the book since it was the BOM here and that would mean more points for the TT4 challenge. Unfortunately, I was expecting an obvious sort of story with the meek, weak young girl being chosen by the evil burgly dragon (and BTW, I hate that dragon is actually a man with magic) and then she turns powerful as he makes her realize her powers. It is exactly turning out to be the same thing so far and I am not excited apart from the obvious curiosity of what will happen next.

2. Why do you think the Dragon takes a girl exactly every 10 years?
Seems like some curse that is cast up on him or some sort of repentence which expects him to impart his knowledge over to young girls.

3. How are you liking Agnieszka?
I am very neutral about her. As expected, she is the goofy, messy young girl who is lost and knows nothing but has a certain kindness about her that is charming. I am glad she is run-of-the-mill but nothing exceptional about her has struck me yet.

4. Were you surprised to learn she had magic?
Not at all. Its a Fantasy Young Adult book with a story revolving around her.. she having unexplored magical powers is the obvious crux of it all.

5. Are you looking forward to reading more?
I hate giving up on books and I am desperately hoping for something out-of-the-box to happen.. so purely for that, I will continue on.

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Discussion Questions - II
Chapters 5-8

6. Agnieszka finds herself back home to help when one of the villagers is infected by The Wood. How do you think the town felt that she came to their aid instead of The Dragon? There is barely any mention of a reaction from the town. If you were living there how would you have reacted?
This is like a Catch-22 for the villagers. One, they, I am sure, are super-shocked to see her back so early. Two, she can do magic ! I mean, WTH ?! I hoped to read some reaction from atleast someone and felt that things happened fairly conveniently in the story but then maybe the villagers were in dire straits and would have taken any help that came their way.

7. The Dragon should not have been able to recover from the sickness of The Wood. How do you think Agnieszka was able to save him? How do you think she knows the flow and pace of the spells when she has never seen them before? Why do these spells feel familiar to her?
It definitely is true that she always had magical powers. Its just that they got channelized when she came in touch with The Dragon. His are more knowledge oriented, her more instinctive.

8. The Dragon and Agnieszka seem to be working closer to together. How do you feel about their relationship? Do you enjoy seeing The Dragon struggle to perform the same spells that Agnieszka seems to do easily? What do you think they were both feeling when they performed the rose spell together?
Its one of thoise cases, where the pupil surpasses the teacher and the teacher is amazed herself looking at that. I would have wanted to see a more rivalling or atleast a more colliding relationship, but this is heading towards a romantic allience and I get jittery with that though. So, I wont be surprised if their magics gel well with each other as the story progresses.

9. How do you think Agnieszka is able to free Kasia from The Wood? Do you think Agnieszka was strong enough to defeat the hold The Wood had on Kasia or do you think The Wood let Kasia go on purpose?
It was more of a unexpected attack kind of thing. The Wood didnt let Kasia go on purpose but it wasnt ready to face something like this. OR maybe The Wood was just playing with Agnieszka and letting her feel overconfident about her powers.

10. Do you think The Dragon will be able to help Agnieszka to save Kasia? If so, do you think Kasia will have any lasting effects of being trapped in The Wood?
Sure. They are the MCs, they will do no wrong.. but Kasia will be scarred (or so I dearly hope).

11. There is reference to this book as being a re-telling of Beauty and the Beast. Now that you are 8 chapters in do you feel this is a good reference for this book? Why or why not.
I havent read the story of The Beauty and the Beast or I dont remember all the intricate details for me to compare.. but from what I am understanding it is.

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Discussion Questions - III
Chapter 9-13

12. The Summoning is a truth spell. Were you surprised to find out that both Agnieszka and Kasia had secret hatred and jealousy towards each other? That doesn't seem to be normal feelings between two best friends.

13. Agnieszka and the Dragon work another spell together, but this time things get pretty romantic, even ending in a kiss! Do you think it's their magic alone that's making them attracted to one another? Will they end up together in the end?
Pshaw ! Ofcourse, that is the whole reason why all we are taking all this trouble. .

14. Is it a good idea to go into the Wood to find Queen Hanna? What do you think 20 years of being corrupted in the Wood has done to the Queen (if she's even alive)? Would you be willing to play the hero and go into the Wood to find her?
Its sure not a good idea.. but I believe it has to be done. The Queen will be scarred, anyone will be after 20 years of exile in such a dreadful place. If I have no obligations tying me down and if I have magical powers, I will surely go.

15. I don't know if anyone else has noticed this, but it seems as if every time Agnieszka is thinking, the Dragon always answers her. Do you think he is able to read her mind/thoughts?
I havent noticed it, but I am not surprised reading this.

16. The Dragon doesn't seem to be as cruel and violent as everyone believes him to be... so where do you think the nickname "The Dragon" came from?
You know, unless they have a read good story to back this name up, I am going to be pissed. I came into this assuming to read about actual Dragons, so this better be good. LOL.

Sonia wrote: "Sush,,, we need THREE U's... what do you mean you can't claim anything? there is an U in uprooted.
..."

If only I was talking about claiming letters, Sonia.. if only..
*sigh*

[image error]

EDIT : STUPID STUPID Work computer.. doesnt even let me post a picture of me crying... gaaaaah !

Sonia wrote: "Apoorv wrote: "YAAAAAAAAY !
Ty & Zane time.. I sooooooooooooo needed that, especially after the first quarter of Uprooted dragging me."

hey hey... Uprooted has a precious letter, a..."

But its Ty and Zane.
.. and those can be the only ones I can claim my hold on after greedy Steven here wants to gobble up everyone ! :P

YAAAAAAAAY !
Ty & Zane time.. I sooooooooooooo needed that, especially after the first quarter of Uprooted dragging me.

Steven wrote: "It'll probably get mega-booMed by Sonia... along with a picture of Matt Bomer :D"

*that moment when people's name explains your physical state after you hear their name* (close enough)
^_^

The goal that Steven is talking about above is this:

Read a book that is in the "Books You Wish More People Knew About" Listopia List (https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/8...)

If anything catches anyone's fancy and can gobble one book up before Steven finishes, its up for grabs ! :)

So we have a book for that goal. Yaay ! :)
Let me go cross-check once.

I am guessing 'feeling in my gut' would work in place of 'gut feeling', right ?

Discussion Questions - II
Chapters 3-4

10. Nathan has decided not to let anyone know about his suspicions about Jack. Has your opinion about Jack or his possible role in Lydia’s disappearance and death changed after Nathan confronted him and/or after he overheard the exchange between Jack and the police?
Actually no. I did not suspect him even at this point but somewhere I am just not ready to eliminate him from the picture just yet. He seems to be a key piece in this puzzle, but its just too obvious for him to be the reason behind Lydia's death.

11. James begins a new kind of relationship with his research assistant, Louisa Chen. What role, if any, do you think his daughter’s death/ funeral play in his moving toward this change? Do your opinions of James (as a dad, husband, character) change as a result of their relationship?
He stepped out of this marriage ONLY after his daughter died, had that not been the case, he wouldnt have moved into Louisa's bed. IMO, and it doesnt change, he exhibits extreme weakness each time life confronts him with anything. He constantly lets others run his life purely because he wishes to fit in. He is troubled I understand, but he isnt even showing any self-reliant strength to atleast try to fix what is broken.

12. In the flashback to 1965 in chapter 4, we see some of the various pressures that Marilyn feels on her life and her decisions. Are there any areas in your own life where you feel competing pressures or expectations that influence your decisions?
Fortunately for me, so far, and this is undoubtedly thanks to my parents , I have stuck to what I have chosen in my life without having to explain the decisions or being forced upon anything my them. I make sure, that even though I have an open ear and mind to incorporate anything that comes my way, but the final decision is always mine and I bear the responsibility of it all.

13. When Jack and Nathan are at the pool, Nathan is teased by his peers. Jack remembers his own experiences with teasing. What did you think of the way that Jack handled the situation at the pool? How did Jack’s expectations for Nathan and Nathan's behavior contribute to the situation and how it went? Why doesn’t he tell Marilyn what happened?
This whole sequence infuriated me to no bounds. Its disappointing to see James's reaction to the whole scene and how he, in a display of self-absorbed weakness, never bothered to strengthen his kid's mind by sharing his own experiences and helping him understand how they shaped him, creating some kind of a bond between them. There is no communication between the child and his parent and that can never be good.

14. In the summer of 1965, Marilyn leaves her family for a period of time. What did you think of that decision and how she did it? Did it change your thoughts about her as a mother, a wife, a character?
This family is truly a classic case. Neither the mother nor the father, individually and together are fit enough to be worthy parents to their children. Marilyn hastily married, then regretted everything about it when things didnt turn out the way she wished.. and running away was her way out. I keep saying James is weak, and he is, but Marilyn even through her facade of staunchness leaks weakness.

15. Marilyn finds her mother’s old cookbook with advice about being a good housewife. What do you think they’d each say about being stay-at-home mothers? Do you think one is happier or more satisfied?
One is happy when one learns to accept the repurcussions of his/her decisions. You cannot expect things to go a certain way when you path leads you to the opposite direction. More than happy there is something called as satisfaction which matters.. her mother somewhere felt more satisfied and maybe that was one of the reasons for Marilyn's disgust towards her mothers' lifestyle.

16. Already, the novel says a lot about how people are influenced by their parents. How did your parents influence your childhood and teenage years? Do you think they understood their influence (and the limits of their influence) on you?
Parents are by far the most critical people that can influence a child's character. Fortunately (and I really consider this as my fortune), my parents were extremely liberal not only in their attitude towards me but also in thought. They changed their way of shaping me as I grew, playing along with my needs but never letting me go out-of-hand. More than anything, they made sure I was a human first before anything else.. they kept my head held high but my feet firmly stuck to the ground.

17. What do you think of the author’s use of flashbacks in this novel? Do you like this strategy? Does it work well here?
I do like them. It can go very wrong very fast but the author used to great effect and thats appreciable.

Discussion Questions
Chapters 1-2

1. Do you like the book so far? Why did you decide to read it? Is this a genre you normally read?
I did like the book from the very start, purely because it hit the right note from the first page. I had my eye on this from sometime after seeing friends and different groups reading/discussing it. This time when it was chosen as the BOM and would also work for TT4, I couldnt say no anymore. I also do tend to read books from this or similar genre, so the transition into the world Celeste Ng created was fairly smooth for me.

2. Lydia dies May 3rd, 1977 (first lines of the book so this isn't a spoiler) and Lydia's parents met in September 1957. What differences and similarities do you see in regards to race and gender relations between these two time frames in the book (or in history, if you looked it up)? What part does it play in the Lee family dynamics?
1970s, from what I hear, was the true transition era.. things were on the upswing and a lot was happening. Biracial relations/marriages were strictly frowned upon in the 1950s (were even illegal in many places, if not all), but come 1970s the attitude towards them was changing but they will still on the cusp of that transition, so the struggles for the Lee family, though not as abominable as they would have been in the 1950s were still real in the 70s. The author captures the essence earnestly and presents them beautifully. What is more interesting is that we get to read the story from the 1950s perspective, the 1970s angle and the 2015s perception.. and I cant stop thinking how different would have Lydia's life been had she been born 20 years later.

3. What do you think of Lydia's mother, Marilyn's description of her first born daughter's first steps and the line "...Lydia, still small enough to cradle, had secrets" ? How is Lydia different than her siblings?
Its more of the mother than the baby that is concerned here. Marilyn is stuck with the failures/unadequacies of her own life.. so much so, that she is unable to focus on the progress her little baby is making. Lydia, being an overachiever in many aspects becomes her mother's sole bearer of expectations, differentiating her from her siblings solely in the eyes of the parents.

4. How does your high school experience compare with Lydia's? Why do you think Lydia doesn't have any "real" friends? What other things do you think Lydia is letting her parents believe are true to meet her parents' expectations?
High School days can truly be life-changing for any teenager. Personally for me, I did not go to High School in America and it was late 1990s when that happened, so things were different than what we chance upon here, but I completely understand (and have probably seen) teasing happening based skin color, body type, habits, sexual orientation, introvertness and so many other factors.. and kids can get evil doing this. Add a different race, or background to the mix and things just get ugly. Kids like Lydia get cornered and just end up being extremely lonely which can drive them to extremes. Parents like Lydia's make matters worse by just being too self-involved and thereby emotionally distant from their children.

5. Why do you think Lydia's siblings, Nath and Hannah, do not tell their parents about Lydia's friendship with Jack? Do you think Jack is involved in Lydia's disappearance and/or death?
Nath and Hannah never bother telling their parents about Jack, because they are assuming (and probably rightly so) that their parents would either never believe anything of this kind about Lydia and/or would not care what the siblings have to say because of their extra involvement in Lydia. They have an honest fear that their voice is not valued and nor is would be heard.

6. Who do you think Hannah saw/heard on Wednesday at 2AM?
At this point, I felt it was Jack.

7. What do you think of Lydia's body being found at a lake when Lydia could not swim?
At this point, I was contemplating foul play.

8. What do you think of the first lines of Chapter 2, "How did it begin? Like everything: with mothers and fathers... Because more than anything, her mother had wanted to stand out; because more than anything, her father wanted to blend in. Because those things had been impossible" ? Where are you on the personality spectrum of wanting to stand out versus wanting to blend in?
This line probably was one my favourite lines in the entire book. It deftly elaborates on the eternal struggle most people face in their daily lives. Personally for me, I am an introvert by nature and I can easily adjust to anything but I make it a point that I am never run-of-the-mill.

9. What do you think of Marilyn and James' courtship and marriage? What do you think happened in 1966 that made Marilyn disappear for a few days and do you think it is related to Lydia's disappearance and death?
It didnt do much for me.. I found it bland and just forced. They seemed to fit well but for me they seemed like they were never meant to be.

The Stephanie Plum series has an undertaker.. I think he first appears in the second book.

Back off, lobster-boy !!