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

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

I will pick the first one up as soon as possible (definitely in Dec) and then wrap up the first three and then probably we can start fourth onwards first thing next year.

Oh ! This is so cool.. More books to read !! :D

You know what, I want to start that (especially cozy of all the yummy titles). I had even got the first book from my library but then I got cold feet with all the books around.. Hehe.

Are you starting that or have you already read a few from the series ? If you are starting, I would love to buddy up.

You are way ahead from me on all the others so let's do the In Death series regularly as soon as you finish Book 3. *excited*

I wouldn't mind doing two a month to start with.

I tend to plan it in the way the book occur (although I was totally off this time)

So, it's Kinsey first (since it takes place in 1980s), Lindsay Boxer after than (as its present day) and then Eve Dallas (as that's 2050s).. Just to see how technology has progressed in each of them and how it features in solving the crimes for these ladies.

I add Stephanie somewhere in between for the comic relief.

So, I may get to the 4th of Kinsey after I finish the two BOMs in December.. Followed by the others.

You are all caught up on Stephanie, right ? How far along are you with Lindsay (Women's Murder Club), if you are at all reading it ?!

I can wait for you to finish the three books on the In Death series, assuming you haven't started or as many as you need to complete to get to book 4.

Ducky, I just finished the third in the Kinsey Millhone series.. Now I am all leveled up with Kinsey, Eve, Lindsay and Stephanie.. 3 each !

Next month will be the fourth for all four series.. Since I am doing them in parallel.

Cows are cute ! ;)

Sonia, I am doing both American Gods and Everything I Ever Told You.. Will get to it only after I finish Winter which is a chunkster and work is acting like an itch with a B.

Steveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen.. Happppyyyyyyyy birthdaaaaaaaaaaay ! :D
*pulls the shy cow into a bear hug*

LOL ! Convenient Cow ! :P
Given that logic, I guess it should work. Soniaaaaaaaaa, put you mad mod hat on !

Steven wrote: "Six of Crows, they had to save the scientist who knew the formula for the special stuff!"


I thought of Six of Crows, but it says item.. so I dont know.. :-(

Update
!! New Goal !!

Said bye-bye to three more goals, and came to this.
Does any of the already-books work ?

Read a book where a character needs to save a precious item.

Ashley Marie wrote: "Steven wrote: "That's fine with me, Ashley. I'll have to figure something else out to read if I finish my other before then lol"

I just finished Archivist Wasp, so all I have left ..."


Yay !

If you just have Six of Crows, and I know you are fairly towards the end, to complete.. I think I will finish my current read and wait for you to start Winter.

OMG ! I am so excited !
But I dont want the series to end ! :(

Sonia wrote: "Awwww... you guys are awesome.


Just for that one... let's have some thanksgiving meal. I even have a volunteer to serve us."


Can we eat our meal off of the volunteer ?
Just asking.. you know.. innocent inquiry.. *bats eyelashes*

HAAAAAAAAAAAPPPPPY THANKSGIVIIIIIIIIIIIIING !!!!!

You all are awesome ! I am so thankful for being a part of this team.. I like coming back to this page to just see how all of you are doing. Its puts a smile on my face ! Thank you for including me in the fun. :)

Sonia, you are the best !
Muffin, Tamika, Ducky.. you guys already know how much I adore you.
Steven, Ashley, Mary, Wendy.. you guys are my new favourite people !

LOVE YOU ALL !
THANK YOU ! :D

Update
!! New Goal !!

Read a book that has been on your "to read" shelf for more than 6 months.

Need to check the un-used books.

Discussion Questions - III
Chapters 10-17

11. With new developments in some of our characters back stories, which one did you find the most interesting and why? Did it change the way you viewed them? And how?

The backstories have probably been my most favourite part of the book so-far. Leigh Bardugo has really thought them through and etched her characters' background very craftily given their actions a valid reason based on their past. I obviously liked (because that is what I was seeking for) Kaz's background story purely because there was a big black cloud that was created about why he does what he does and this was the chance to get it cleared.

12. Kaz comes a little unglued... What's your take on that? Is he truly heartless and self seeking like he likes to be seen? What did you think of what he did to Oomen, and do you think that revealed anything?

I believe that no one is born bad, it is the circumstances and how one holds their ground in those circumstances, that make a person. Kaz's scenes with his brother were some of the most touching ones of the book, so whatever happened of Kaz, steamed from there.. his heartlessness happened because he lost what he loved dearly. But, certainly he puts more evil on than what he is. He has his reservations like wanting to be in-control at all times or not liking occurrences of unexpected things but he is not all evil. What he did to Oomen, was his way of making an impression on Wylan. He surely is not heartless.

13. We get to see the history between Matthias and Nina! Who's side are you on? And who do you think Matthias will choose in the end?

At this point of the story (since I have already moved on and read ahead) I was on Nina's side.. but I also felt the emotional contradiction that Matthias was feeling. But I do believe that he will choose her.

14. There are a lot of references that translate to today or modern history: street gangs, slavery & ships, human trafficking (brothels), and underground arenas for entertainment. Do you find their hard circumstances justify their criminal ways, or just make you care for them despite them?

Violence can never be justified, IMO, for whatever cause you are doing it. I get the fact that street fight and all that happens primarily from a survival instinct but it still does not justify violence. Human trafficking, on the other hand, is a strict no-no. I am absolutely not opposed to prostitution as a profession but forcing someone to do something for money is demeaning. What happened to Inej is not okay, no matter what the circumstance.

15. Lastly! what's with kaz's gloves?! Hands stained by blood? Too sensitive to touch? Any theories out there?

I believe its more of an emotional guard that he is putting by doing this. There are many instances which show that he is averse of physical touch or bodily contact for that matter. Kaz wearing gloves is more of a psychological issue than a physical one.

Discussion Questions - II
Chapters 5-9

6. Putting the plot and characters aside for a moment, what do you think of Leigh Bardugo’s writing? If you regularly read YA how does it compare in quality. If this is your first YA book, is the quality of the writing what you expected?

More than her writing prowess, I liked her character development and the interaction between them. Her writing is pretty neat but nothing outstanding or different as yet. It bodes well with the story line and communicates whatever is needed with the reader. But her characters are her true strength and I think she excels in that aspect. (Although they do feel much much older than what their actual age is, so even though, you connect to the characters, thanks to her writing.. they don't connect with their age, IMO)

7. In Part Two, we meet Matthias Helvar. Nina said, “Helvar is driven by honor and only honor. You can’t bribe or bully that.” Do you think that statement is accurate based on what we learn about him during his rescue?

Matthias is probably that one character who is sightly difficult to judge. He can flip onto any side, anytime. So, in one way, this statement is true about him.. but then there are instances when he doesnt abide by it. Lets just say that he has the ability to weigh his options and realistically take decisions and not get unnecessarily weighed-down or bullied by others' opinion. He has a thinking mind and that's his best suite.

8. I enjoy world building that has enough connections to the real world that I can picture what’s going on because of this relationship, but the scenes are still original and creative. I think Bardugo does a good job with this concept. What connections have you thought were particularly well-imagined?

Prison breaks lend a very interesting aspect to a story for the fact that they can be innovated as one likes, so definitely Matthias's prison break was a special scene purely because you got to witness them wield their individual skills, yet it can be connected to a current-world scenario in more ways than one.

9. Since Wylan turns out to be Van Eck’s son, how do you think his role with the gang will play out?

Having Wylan on the team is very interesting, especially for Kaz, since he can use him as a leverage against Van Eck, later on. I do have a feeling that that will happen but before any of that Wylan will have one fleeting flourishing moment that will give him a firm standing as a secondary character.

10. Now that we have met all six members of the gang, do you have a favorite?

I dont have one favourite yet. I can relate to a few qualities in each of them, to be honest. Inej's quiet thinking nature, Kaz's unfazed stoic character, Jesper's friendly supportive nature, Nina's confined troubled nature, Matthias' enigmatic self-reliability and Wylan's shy demureness.. all hit close to home.

Sonia wrote: "Okay, so, I can read for the historical fiction based on real events goal.

The action is set during WW II and The Battle of the Bulge."


Did I just read, The Battle of the Bulge ? :O

I know, I know ! :)
I just like these stupid milestones ! :D
*feel good factor*

Okay. So whichever book the spreadsheet chooses to update first is our 100th book.. its between you two, Steven and Tamika !!

:D