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

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

DQ: 18 May - Sugi and Chikako's Hotel for Pets & Between Friends


9) Considering Satoru seems to be quite perceptive overall, do you think he knew about Sugi’s less charitable feelings about him, both in the past and during this visit?

I think maybe he had an inkling about it, but didn't think much of it. I don't think he knew how far the jealousy could go.

10) So far, the chapters have all been combining Satoru and Nana’s journey with Satoru’s past with several other people, as well as their backgrounds. How do you feel about this interlude (chapter 3.5) focused entirely on the man and his cat? What does it add to the story?

I liked this chapter because it shows a bit more the bond between Nana and Satoru, and how much it hurts Satoru to have to separate from his cat.

11) For the first time, we got a hint of what’s going on with Satoru when the dog said “he smells like he isn’t going to make it” in chapter 3, and this came up again in chapter 3.5. So it sounds like Satoru is ill… was that your prediction for question 4?

Yes, that's what I thought.

12) Squabbles between cats and dogs were really present in these sections. So: Are you a cat person or a dog person or both (or neither)?

I'm a cat person 100%, although I like dogs as well. I've never had a dog though, whilst I've always had cats. My parents had cats before I was born, and we never were without one at home. And now I live on my own, I brought my cats with me.

Personally I never got to name my cats. My oldest cat (she's 19 now, and you can see her in my current profile picture) I got her as a kid and my mom chose her name: Praline, after the belgian chocolates. Her reasoning was that she had kind of the colour of a Manon praline. (picture below). And as a kitty she certainly did, but as a Siamese growing up her colour changed quite a bit. haha



My second cat is a rescue of a kind. She was already called Hermyne, shorter version of the Hermione's name in Dutch Hermelien. And it quite fits her so I didn't change it. Plus she was already 7 when I adopted her and it doesn't feel right to change the name of a cat who's been used to being called Hermyne for so long.

But if I ever adopt another cat, and if I get the chance to name it, I think I'll go for book characters' name. Probably from classics.

Amy the book-bat wrote: "I wonder if the popularity of Felix as a cat name has to do with the cartoon character "Felix the Cat"

Our most recent cat was named Meowzibub. We wanted to get a companion cat and call it Mewcife..."

Haha, Amy. I love the names you came up with. Especially Mewcifer ! This is gold. ^^

DQ: 17 May - The Unsentimental Farmer


5) I really like reading the cat's thoughts. It can be quite funny. Do you think these are convincing cat thoughts?

6) In this chapter we are introduced to Yoshimine, another potential owner for our cat. What do you think of him and his backstory?

7) Do you think Yoshimine would have been a good owner for Nana ?

8) Yoshimine has already a kitten called Chatran, and Satoru makes fun of him for naming his cat with such a cliché name. What is for you the most cliché cat name(s)? In french it is quite common to call a cat Chaussette (meaning sock), Mistigri or Felix (actually a cat food brand).

Sonia wrote: "Okay, so, Back Room BOM results are out. The Dino 3 book ended up not winning, so, we have a MM Olympus Related one.

Winner: Wildfire by Sam Burns

Discussion lin..."

Nice. I've been meaning to try out Sam Burns. I like a good paranormal MM. I'll probably join that one.

DQs 16 May: Prologue - The Husband Without a Wife

1. How are you liking the way the story is written with its alternating POVs ? Is there a POV you prefer ?

I like it so far, and I quite love the cat's point of view. I've always liked the kind of outside comment on humans. It can be quite funny at times.

2. Through the flashbacks we get to know Satoru's personality a bit more. What do you make of him so far ? What did you think about his way of helping his friend Kosuke?

Satoru's alright. I like him so far. Obviously we already knew his plan wouldn't work. So I wasn't exactly thrilled for them to go into a fruitless plan. And even had I not knows I would have been sure it wouldn't have worked. The kind of "I've seen that in a book/on tv" never does.

3. Talking about Kosuke, what's up with his parents ? It seemed to me that Kosuke was genuinely convinced that his father would agree to keep the cat (Hachi). What did you think about his backstory ?

I wasn't a fan of the Dad. I mean had it been me I would have taken the cat in without a thought. But the dad didn't even consider it for one second and was even quite aggressive and very rude about it. Not a cool dad to say the least.

4. Why do you think Satoru can't take care of Nana anymore ?

My guess would be some sort of terminal illness. Just a theory.

Yeaaaah ! Time to read !

And welcome to Paulette, too !! :D

Hi Lucy, welcome !!

Sammy wrote: "By the way, Claire... If, from tuesday, you happen to come across 3 English lads around 19 years old, the loudest of which has very long, blonde hair and a beard, and will be wearing a black leathe..."

Hahaha, ok. I'll look for the them ;)
By the way, you might want to tell him that right now it's a bit hot to be wearing a leather jacket. just saying.

Yeaaaah ! I'm so happy for you Sonia :D

Eldarwen wrote: "I think I have the first one of that series somewhere as well but I didn't read it yet because I felt a little scared by the enormity of that series. So many books and all big ones, too!

And no pr..."

You'll have to tell me how you like Malice. It's on my TBR shelf as well.

Sonia wrote: "Claire wrote: "I've decided what I'm going to start the challenge with. I'm finally going to dive into the Wheel of Time, and start
I watched the tv show whe..."

I know, right? It's just perfect for the challenge. I just hope when time comes that I won't chicken out. :p

I've decided what I'm going to start the challenge with. I'm finally going to dive into the Wheel of Time, and start
I watched the tv show when it came out, and it just made me want to read the books more :)

Eldarwen wrote: "Sonia wrote: "Or maybe Caraval. Or perhaps, leave that task for the fantasy readers and focus on the hard letters instead... I mean, is not a door stopper, but at alm..."

I still have the last two books to read in the series. Maybe I should just get on with it...

Eldarwen wrote: "Claire, you got DQs for the Travelling Cat BOM, woohoo! :-)

If you want/need a hand, give a shout :-)"

!!! I haven't done a DQ in such a long time ! 😯
2nd day, that's not too bad. Well I'm glad I can get the points for the team :)

Namita wrote: "I'm not sure why, but I thought the challenge started today ....LOL"

Hopeful wishing? ;)

Eldarwen wrote: "Claire wrote: "Hey Mods,
You forgot to add Eldarwen (Team Hector) in the list of volunteers. Could you add her? I will be her back-up. Thanks !"

Nah, I'm on there. I'm the little E somewhere in t..."

Aaaah, I see ;) Well, nevermind

Hey Mods,
You forgot to add Eldarwen (Team Hector) in the list of volunteers. Could you add her? I will be her back-up. Thanks !

Eldarwen wrote: "She's in Team Hector, so we can be each other's back-up :-)"

Sure, that works as well.