ClaireB’s Comments (group member since Jul 06, 2014)

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

Steven wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ Foxgard wrote: "would Ice Planet Barbarians work for Astrology?"

Yes! Planet is a word that works :D"

great ! I'm going to read that asap :)

would Ice Planet Barbarians work for Astrology?

I hate to bring down points but there's a little mistake on the team spreadsheets; it's giving me 60 points for the BOM of Leah on the Offbeat instead of 20. I'd love for us to keep these points, but fair is fair.

Omega Healed (Northern Lodge Pack #3)
by Susi Hawke

Date Read: 13/06/18
Pages: 112
BOM/BR? no
Characters: Brianne, Seth, Maxx, Cat, Dylan, Kai, Aries, Erin

Omega Shared (Northern Lodge Pack #4)
by Susi Hawke

Date Read: 13/06/18
Pages: 112
BOM/BR? no
Characters: Zane, Owen, Karl, Micah, Daniel, Cat, Trixies

Suzanne wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ Foxgard wrote: "Hey! I haven't been able to make much progress these last couple of days. RL got busy. haha.
I've reached just chapter 6 and I don't have much to say apart from the fa..."

yes, (view spoiler)[ I find the way the "shifters" think very interesting. There's absolutely no difference for them between one for or the other. being naked doesn't mean anything for them. It's all very natural. They are and stay the same. Except sometimes they feel the urge to run in their animal form. In the end they are more animal than human. (hide spoiler)]

Oh and Elen, congratulations for obtaining your bachelor degree !!!!!!

hey, I have a question. Did we get these extra points for having answered the survay about our favorite HP characters? I don't see it anywhere on the spreadsheets.

Hey! I haven't been able to make much progress these last couple of days. RL got busy. haha.
I've reached just chapter 6 and I don't have much to say apart from the fact that I still like it a lot. I'm a bit afraid (view spoiler)[for the crows, These prophecies seem really bloody.
The whole Meg and Simon thing in bed made me laugh. But I didn't think about Meg's traumatic past on that issue. There might be somthing there. you're right. Suddenly it's a lot less funny... (hide spoiler)]

wow, looks like you all worked really hard on these classes ! y'all deserve an outstanding for your reading challenge N.E.W.T. !

I haven't got far in the book yet. Other things got in the way. But today I'm determined to read a good chunk of it !

Thanks Steven !

Steven wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ Foxgard wrote: "I read a U book last week, The United & The Divided. I don't know if you've seen it. It's not on the spell sheet anyway."

Gah! I always forget we can d..."

Haha. It's alright Steven ;) As long as we don't waste it. It was a pain to get through ;) lol

I read a U book last week, The United & The Divided. I don't know if you've seen it. It's not on the spell sheet anyway.

Leah on the Offbeat (Creekwood #2)
by Becky Albertalli

Date read: 12/06/18
Pages: 339
Bom/Br? yes Link to Thread
Characters: Leah, Abby, Simon, Bram, Garrett, Nick, Caitlin, Wells, Taylor, Martin

Discussion Questions // Chapters 29-35 // June 8&9

19. Leah and her mom discuss the idea of the "perfect prom night." Her mom has fond memories of her own prom night, but Leah thinks the perfect prom night is a cliche. Where do you fall in this discussion?
=>I think everybody has his own experience of Prom. For some it can be the cliché prom, but for others it might be comepletely different. It depends.

20. There are several royal references in this section of the book - Leah's mom being into Prince William (I have to admit, I always thought Harry was the cuter prince) and Taylor's dress looking like Kate Middleton's wedding dress. Do you follow the royal family?
=>No, I don't. But I've watched part of the wedding. It was kind unavoidable.

21. Leah finally spends a little time with Wells and they have a little bit of a bonding moment over the fact that he didn't have a lot of money growing up either. I love how this conversation parallels the idea that Leah feels guilty over her mom purchasing the dress and wish we had seen a bit more of Wells - he seems like a good guy. What do you think of him?
=>I'm glad she's finally opening up a bit to Wells. He seems like a good guy. And her mom deserves to be happy.

22. Morgan apologizes to Leah about the Abby comment but Leah isn't sure how to deal with "secondhand forgiveness" and whether she should forgive Morgan because Abby's forgiven her. What are your thoughts on this, I definitely agree that it's messy!
=>I think Morgan finally understands that what she said is wrong and she has suffered enough. Leah should forgive her. But not forget, maybe.

23. This isn't really a question, but I couldn't get through these questions without making a point of the American Girl Bistro they ended up having their pre-prom dinner at. Poor Garrett, he means to well! I'm glad the group made the best of it - did your prom have any strange mix-ups?
=>it was funny and It's nice they played the game. haha.
I didn't really have a prom, so no.

24. When faced with the reality that Abby is into her, Leah turns practical on the whole situation and insists that they need to wait - worried about the effects it would have on Nick, Garrett, and the tenuous threads holding their friend group together. She then realizes that isn't what she wants, and runs back for her cliche prom kiss. Do you think Leah spent so much time worrying about other people's happiness that she didn't give her own any attention?
=>That's part of it, yes.

25. What did you think of the book overall? If you haven't read Simon vs The Homosapien Agenda, do you think you'll be reading it now? Any other final thoughts?
=>It was nice. I didn't like it as much as Simon or The Upside of unrequited, but it had the nice all happy feeling at the end typical of Becky Albertalli which I love.

Discussion Questions Chapter 19-28 4&5 June
13. There are several references to ‘dog-earing’ books. What are your thoughts on this practice?
=>I think you can do whatever you want with your book. Personally, I don't like it and I'd hate for anybody to do that with my book.

14. Abby is reading Harry Potter, one of Leah’s favorite series. She comments on how much she loves her art and says she ‘would pay for it’. Do you think Abby is being truthful or just trying to impress Leah? Have you ever done something like this and how did it turn out for you good or bad?
=>I think she's truthful

15. Leah and Abby attend a college party during their spring break ‘road trip’. Leah has some success with playing the drums for the group gathered there. She really down plays how well she did and she down plays herself quite a bit in when she’s with Abby. Why do you think she’s doing this…to me anyway, she seemed a lot more confident at the start of this book?
=>It's a lack of self-confidence. I think. She gives the impression that she's confident, but it's just a facade.

16. Since Abby ‘stole’ Leah’s first kiss things have taken a significant turn in their relationship. Abby has admitted to somewhat ‘coming out’ with cousins. Leah is offended by this but hasn’t really ‘come out’ with her friends. Do you believe Leah is being fair with Abby? What are your thoughts on her continued reluctance to at least come out with her best friend Simon? What about Nick…what would you do considering Nick’s recent relationship with Abby?
=>No I don't think she's fair to Abby. Especially because she hasn't come out yet. Abby's still unsure about her sexual orientation but she at least discussed it with her family. Abby on the other hand is sure, but it's like she still needs to accept it.
I feel really bad for Nick. He'll be really hurt when he'll learn the truth.

17. What are your thoughts about Leah asking Garrett to prom and the conflicting budding relationship she’s having with Abby? Is she being fair to Garrett and if not, what should she be doing?
=>No, I don't think she's fair with Garrett either. She clearly knows he's got something for her, while she doesn't feel anything for him. In truth she's doing the same thing to Garrett that Abby has done to her.

18. Leah loves ‘the dress’. But she has a tremendous amount of guilt about her mother purchasing it for her. What are your thoughts about this guilt? If you don’t mind sharing, tell us about a personal prom dress experience.
=>We didn't have a prom at my school. so no experience there.
I can understand the guilt. Whenever I needed something a bit expensive I always felt guilty that my parents had to pay it for me, too.

I just finished Chapter 14
My rereads of The Goblet of Fire are always a bit slow. I don't know why because it's one of my favorite books in the series (maybe even my favorite).

(view spoiler)[Every time I read it I'm surprised at how long it takes for the triwizard tournament to start. We're already at 30% of the book and the students from Beaubaton and Durmstrong aren't even there yet.

About the S.P.E.W. : you'd think Hermione would change the name of her little project after realising how stupid it sounds when you pronounce it as a word. haha.
It's something I never really knew what to think about. On the one hand, it's true slavery should be abolished. But on the other hand, it seems Ron is right and elves don't want to be freed. Elves must get something out of it that they can't let go. I think we lack insight into the situation. And because Harry doesn't seem to care that much, we are not getting that insight. (hide spoiler)]

Hi Sarah and NeonHippie !!! Welcome to our team !

Discussion Questions Chapter 10-18 4&5 June

8: So, Abby seems to be an annoying type of girl who will talk your ear off. How do you feel about Abby and how the other girls treat her? How do you feel when Leah invites Abby on the roadtrip?
=> I like Abby. I liked her already in Simon. She's an energetic kind of girl. I thought the roadtrip would be interesting and will definitely help Leah get over her awkwardness aroung Abby

9: In chapter 13, we catch a glimse of her mom. Do you like it when moms are so overportective and want to do everything for their daughter together?
=>I like it. She definitely care a lot about her daughter. It's always nice to read.

10: How do you feel about Abby flirting with Leah? Do you think that they could have a relationship and it last?
=>It's a possibility

11: How do you feel about Morgan being racist. What would you do in this situation?
=>She's bitter and said something racist, but I'm not sure if she's really racist or if it just came out of anger. It happens that people say stupid things they don't mean when angry. I'm glad Leah pointed it out. It's just too bad Morgan didn't try to make amend...

Suzanne wrote: "I thought the reader was fine, and I'm glad you liked her Claire! I think my issue was she just didn't match the voice in my head - lol - aaah those voices in my head.... =)"

I get it. Usually when I start a series reading it (not listening) it's difficult for me to continue in audiobook too. The reverse holds too. When I start a series in audiobook, I like to listen to the whole of it.