Karen D’s Comments (group member since Aug 25, 2015)

Karen D’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

Nanci wrote: "Karen, our youngest daughter lived in Arlington for 4 years. We could walk to the cute shopping/eating area in Shirlington, so I'm pretty familiar with your area."

Shirlington is awesome! Such a cute area. I live pretty close, on Columbia Pike, about 2 miles away so I go there for brunch a lot.

: What is your favorite book so far of 2016?
So far (read in 2016, not necessarily published in 2016): The Serpent King, Hounded, The Song of Achilles, In the Woods

2: What was your favorite book in 2015?
Hands down A Little Life. Also liked The Nightingale, The Good Girl, In a Dark, Dark Wood

3: How many challenges have you participated in and which was your favorite? ( Have you been a part of a winning team?)
I've only done the Tower Teams so far (as far as group challenges, I do a lot of individual challenges). We came pretty close, I forget where we finished ultimately but I want to say top 5? And we ended up winning "most improved"

Do you have any pets? care to post a pic?
I have two Siamese cats named Cameron and Teagan. They're littermates and best friends. I don't have any pictures on this computer but trust me they're beautiful :)

5. Your most favorite spot in the world?
The beach, specifically the Jersey shore. Wish I lived closer so i could go more often!

Hi all! Team Harpy Eagle here!

I'm also working on Outlander (as a rogue though, I didn't get it from the library in time for the first few days of BOM questions, and never ended up jumping in the discussion). I'm enjoying it overall, but feel like there's a bit too much discussion of beating people. I get it, that it was a different time and that was acceptable/expected....but they just keep coming back to it over and over again!

Otherwise, really interesting, can't help but wonder if I'd be willing to choose to live in the 1700s!

Morning all! Ended up with a busy night last night, so it was fun to come back and see two full pages of comments waiting for me!

@Nanci - glad to see another Virginian! I technically live in Arlington, but usually just say DC because it's easier :)

@Marguerite - never actually been to the National Library (assuming you mean Library of Congress or National Archives?) but the great thing about this area is that I can join Arlington, Alexandria and DC library systems, so I can usually find a book I want fairly easily, as long as I can get to the location

@Rachel - Outlander is crazy long! I'm reading the Kindle version, which is 500ish pages long, so not quite as mentally overwhelming as the version that's nearly 900 pages. It took me a bit to get into it, but it definitely got really interesting once I did!

@Charlie - SOooooo glad you figured out that reference from GoT, that was really bothering me why this sounded so familiar

Right now I've got three books going at a time - one audiobook for the car, one Kindle book for the treadmill, and one physical book when things slow down at the office. Just started my new physical book yesterday - The Aeronaut's Windlass, another big one! I'm only two chapters in, but pretty easy to read, so hoping this will fly by.

I'd definitely be in for a mini-challenge. And I hope they put up the rules for the first Wobble challenge soon, so we can at least start thinking about how to approach it!

Hi Laura and team! So excited to get started with this! I'm in the DC area and in addition to reading, I'm just about always running (training for a marathon this fall). Favorite genres are historical fiction and thrillers. Currently trying to catch up on Outlander for the NBRC BOTM. I'm also trying to get into audiobooks to make my commute a bit more manageable, but I'm worried about not liking a book I would have otherwise loved, just because the narrator was annoying. (Right now on audiobook - Forever

My Wobble shelf is: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list... (I got really creative with the name)

May 14&15
Chapters 8-15

6. (from Caly) I was wondering how people felt about the fact that Rachael is obviously a Lesbian?
Well, sort of saw that coming based off the main page genres. :) There were also enough hints pretty early on, the cryptic references to lying about her "roommate", that sort of thing. It's certainly very sad that she has to keep it such a secret.

7. (from Caly) Where you surprised about what Rachel did to Naomi?
yes and no. When Naomi got the money, I certainly didn't expect that outcome. But Rachel is desperate for her family, her brother. I suppose if she was going to steal from anyone, Naomi is the most likely to understand?

8. Rachel has started to withhold Morphine and intends to make Dr Solomon apologise. How do you feel about this?
Well, Dr Solomon also asked her to withhold it, so it's not completely out of line. But certainly of questionable ethics.

9. I like that in this book we get to see medical practices across two different time periods, not that long ago, that are quite different from today (I hope!). For example, the examination with Dr Feldman in Rachel's present is so different to similar examinations that I have had, and surgery these days is a last resort. I was quite shocked about the invasive and excessive surgery he decided to book her in for without any discussion about it, or agreement. Thoughts?
I completely agree, we have to remember in reading this that it was a different time period, and things that seem barbaric now were...maybe not normal...but at least more of a gray area. It must have been very scary for Rachel, especially since she didn't have any legal family that could be with her for the process.

10. I found it interesting that Rachel was happy to be "egg" for a few years, but suddenly becomes aware of how she looks and wants to wear the hat. Do you think this is a natural consequence of going through puberty / growing up?
Absolutely!

11. Did you expect Sam to encourage her to stay with their uncle? I was shocked that they would even consider a marriage between a blood relative.
Ugh yeah that was terrible. But poor Sam is also stuck in a hard place too. Whereas Rachel's goal is family above all, Sam's goal is survival. So it's sad that in this case, those are not mutually compatible.

12. Where to from here? Thankfully we know that Rachel ends up in New York at some point as a nurse. How does she get there?
I'll admit I ended up reading ahead, so i'll skip this question. :)

1. This is the first novel that the Author Kim van Alkemade has published. Is there a reason you chose to read this book other than the fact that it is the BoM?
Nope, I try to read to the BoMs when I can.


2. I was shocked to find that the book was based on true events! There is a section in the back of my book with pictures and historic facts. Did you know about The Orphaned Hebrew's Home before reading this book?
Not at all, and that's really sad to hear, although I guess not completely surprising given that medical rules and ethics were treated very differently then.

3. In the back of my book there were also discussion questions, so I stole a few: Was Harry (the dad) wrong to run away? What might have changed if he would have stayed?
It's hard to answer that, knowing what happened to Rachel. It's very sad that a father would just abandon his kids, but who knows what could have happened if he had stayed. THeir life could have been just as bad or worse.

4. And another one:Was Dr. Solomon wrong to use Rachel in her experimental study of the X-ray tonsillectomy?
It's easy to that now, that she was wrong. But at the time, she was trying to prevent unnecessary surgeries, so it's not like she was experimenting on children just for fun...she did have an admirable goal (although I guess her goal really was mostly to get recognition). It's hard to look at this from a modern perspective, people just approached those sorts of things differently. I found Dr Hess so much worse than Dr Solomon, how he was saying that very normal reactions from children are signs of scurvy, or withholding known treatments from sick children.

5. Are you enjoying the book so far?
Yes, I'm enjoying the alternating time approach, it's very interesting.

May 6 - Remember the Rain

20. Dante is back for the summer and the boys have changed quite a bit. At one point Ari makes a note of the fact that they were now too old to throw shoes in the street. What do you think this says about how quickly teens mature? Is it societal pressure or is it an internal maturity?
Probably a little of both. although Ari's parents are making it clear that they don't want him to be growing up too fast, telling him he has the rest of his life to work. Maybe not necessarily internal maturity but an internal desire to be mature?

21. Dante is clearly in love with Ari, and has admitted it himself. Ari, while frustrated at times will always be loyal to Dante. Is this going to a tale or unrequited love, a tale of of a long friendship between two totally different boys, or something more?
I think it will evolve into something more, and I think this boy Dante mentioned he's hanging out with will be the catalyst to force Ari to realize his own feelings.

22. One of my favorite chapters is when Ari and Dante hang out in the desert, and really all the desert scenes. I really enjoy the open space and freedom these scenes create. How did you interpret these scenes? Have you ever done something and been somewhere or with someone where you felt you could just do anything, be anything without any outside pressures making you be one way or another?
That was an interesting scene, especially how Ari seemed a bit more conflicted in his feelings about Dante at the end, saying he wasn't sure what he'd do if Dante touched him, instead of just saying he doenst kiss boys. Maybe he's just been in his head for so long he needs pot to be more open to possibilities.

23. Aristotle is surprised by a death in the family. How do you think this impacted him? How do you think learning about her and the reason he stayed with her so long?
He didn't seem all that impacted. Like he knew he should be sad, but didn't seem to really feel it. But the other parts of the trip were certainly impactful. I thought it was interesting that he always thought of his father as the closed-off one and yet his mother was the one with the big secret.

24. His parents are somewhat opening up about his brother, what impact do you think this will have on Ari?
It'll help him grow up. Keeping this secret seems to be a way of babying him, implying that he's not mature enough to handle the truth about his family. If they open up to him then they're treating him as more of an adult and an equal.

May 4&5
Letters on a Page
Pgs 155-232

15. Do you like Ari's friends ; Gina and Susie? Do you think either are likely to replace Dante as a "best friend"? Will Ilena return to the story?
Eh, I'm not sure. I think they seem like pretty typical teenage girls, who also want friends but at the same time need to seem "cool". It's good that Ari has other people in his life though. Ones that he trust enough to drive his car! I don't think Ileana will return, at least not in a major way.

16. Dante has been experimenting and admits to Ari he likes boys. Did that surprise you? What did you think of his letter asking about masturbation? Completely out of line or a normal question for a teenage boy to ask his only friend?
Not in a macro sense, given the book's genre. But it did surprise how easily he came to that decision though, and how easy it was for him to talk about. But Dante was always more true to himself so I guess it shouldn't be that surprising. I wouldn't know how normal it is for teenage boys to talk about masturbation, but I think it makes sense for Dante given him trying to discover and understand his sexuality.

17. How are you finding the style of the book? I found this section particularly there were lots of short bursts of prose. Does that help or hinder the story?
I like it a lot. It moves quickly and is easy to read. I almost read ahead, since I was able to finish this section easily in the first day!

18. Are you as frustrated as I am that Ari's parents won't talk about his brother? Would you have opened the envelope?
Oh yeah I absolutely would have opened the envelope! That's impressive will power. It is frustrating but I'm sure they have their reasons and we'll learn more eventually.

19. So much happened in this section in Ari's "coming of age" stage of life. Would you like to see he and Dante becoming friends again? Or is Ari better to not have him in his life?
I'm sure they'll be friends again but I think it'll take some readjusting.

6. When Ari is sick he dreams a lot. He dreams about his brother, his father and Dante. It seems as if he dreams about his father and brother because he feels disconnected to them and wants to know them better. Why do you think he is dreaming about Dante? Do you think it is for the same reason or for another one?
Probably. He has doubts about why Dante would be friends with him, and even though they are connected he doesn't feel confident in that connection.

7. Dante refers to himself as not being a true Mexican. From what I can gather it seems as if both Dante and Ari live a similar home life as far as their heritage. Why do you think Dante feels as if he is not a true Mexican but Ari doesn't seem to care?
It could be something as small as not being able to speak Spanish as well. Or the fact that this parents have cut off ties to all of their Mexican relatives?

8. Dante is leaving for the next school year. How do you think this will affect their friendship? Do you think they will be able to stay friends or will it just fizzle out?
We're pretty early in the book, so it seems unlikely it would just fizzle out! I'm guessing they drift apart for the year but reconnect on a new level when Dante returns.

The End of Summer

9. When Ari saves Dante's life there are a lot of people who are calling him a hero and Ari is extremely uncomfortable. Do you think there is a reason he feels so negatively about himself or do you think he is just depressed?
He's probably a little depressed, he also has really low self-esteem, so being made out to be a hero is too much for him. He wants to be Dante's friend and fit in and being put on a pedestal isn't the best way to fit in.

10. Between Ari being sick and his almost dying we are seeing more interaction with him and his father in a positive way. Do you think this will help Ari's father to come out of his shell?
No, I don't think that's the issue. I think the father is who he is, and if his wife can't bring out his feelings about the war, then connecting with Ari probably won't. But I think it helps Ari see that his father really loves him, even if he can be closed off, and that will help Ari make more of an effort which will overall help the relationship.

11. I really like how Ari told his mother that he would only go to therapy if she and his dad went for their issues. Do you think they will end up going? I hope so. I think they are all damaged in ways they cannot see.
No, probably not. Everyone is damaged in ways they can't see and could probably benefit from therapy, but this family doesn't seem to buy into that.

12. Ari has a lot of anger towards everyone especially Dante, do you have any ideas as to why?
He's a teenager. And probably scared of his feelings for Dante, especially since Dante is leaving. It's easier to be angry than hurt.

13. I found the scene where Dante asks to bathe Ari a little strange but telling. Did this scene foreshadow something to anyone else?
Based on the genres for this book, seems like that's definitely foreshadowing.

14. It seems as if Dante has more of an attachment to Ari then the other way around. Do you think if Dante stopped coming around then Ari would try and reach out to him?
No, Ari is too scared of being hurt. He doesn't seem like the type to go out of his way to keep the friendship going if Dante stops trying.

Moderators of NBRC wrote: "Yes, the Emerald Coins from Leprechaun are part of this. So sorry, didn't think about anyone thinking they couldn't be used because of the April 1st date, since you got them on April 5th. :)

The d..."

Great, thanks!

Do the emerald coins earned from the Leprechaun challenge count? They look the same as the ones here but that challenge was started before April 1st.

Sounds like fun, I haven't tried this type of challenge before, will give it a shot!

✔Step One: Choose a disaster/catastrophic event from the list below and read a book that features that event.
Event: Impact event
Book: This World We Live In - a meteor struck the moon and knocked it close to the earth, causing volcanoes to go off, floods, famine, etc.

✔Step Two: Choose where you were when disaster struck. This can be a town, state, or country. Read a book that is set in this location. - Life After Life - set in England

Step Three: Choose a hero, heroine, or yourself by reading a book featuring your favorite hero, heroine, or a character who shares your name or that was written by an author who shares your name. You can also do this one as a Spell-It-Out of their or your name.
K - A Burnable Book - for Katherine Swynford
A - Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
R - Imperium: A Novel of Ancient Rome by Robert Harris
E - The Narrow Road to the Deep North - Dorrigo Evans
N - The People in the Trees, MC is Norton

Step Four: You may choose somewhere safe that you wish to now live (think space travel or perhaps move to a magical realm) or choose a book which depicts how the world has changed (think dystopian/post apocolyptic stories). Read a book set in your new world.

Step Five: You have now developed some special abilities. Read a book that showcases your special abilities.

Step six: You have now found other people with unique abilities and formed a team of five. You can name your team and read a book that spells out the name of that team or you can choose four books that feature each of your fellow team members (you have already read one about yourself).

Daily Questions for Day One
May 2, 2016: The Different Rules of Summer, pp.1-56

1. Have you ever read any of Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s works, or is this your first? If you’ve read others, do you have any recommendations? Why did you choose this book to read?
No, I haven't read any of his other books before. I think I first saw this book mentioned in a Buzzfeed list? So it's been on my radar. But I also try to read the NBRC group reads when I can.

2. What do you think of Ari and Dante so far? Do you like them? Have a favorite?
I do like them, I don't have a favorite right now, they seem to complement each other very well.

3. Ari’s father is a Vietnam Veteran. He returned home a changed man. My own father was changed by his experiences in Vietnam. And though my own Dad would never talk about his wartime experiences, he was otherwise warm, caring, and talkative. Does Ari’s father bring up any memories for you? Do you find him as “inscrutable” as Ari does?
It seems to me that Ari doesn't understand his father but maybe hasn't really made an effort to? Just based on the fact that Dante immediately knew exactly what to bring over for him, and it made Ari reconsider some of what he knew about his father.

4. Ari mentioned that his older brother is in prison. Do you have any suspicions as to what he did to earn a conviction? Do you think Ari’s older siblings will have a place in this story?
I think they will have an indirect place. Basically how we've seen it already, Ari's parents will expect certain things of Ari and try to keep him from making similar mistakes because of his brother and sisters, but they won't necessarily be significant characters. Maybe Ari will visit him in jail, but I don't think anything more than that.

5. Dante and Ari are very different from each other, but similar, too, in a way. Why do you think these two boys are friends? Do you think they’ll “last”?
they're both different from others, and it seems that they both crave friendship and connection. I do think they'll last, but I expect some of their differences will cause them problems at some point.

I'm in! Aiming for Heavy Gusts, but we'll see how the month goes

Tasks completed:14/13

Completed:
• “May I take your order?” - Read a book where the protagonist is a waitress, or short-order cook, or takes orders of some kind. - Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz, finished 5/6. Aristotle is a short-order cook
• Mae West. - Read a book with a black & white cover. Or is set in Hollywood. Or where the protagonist is a vamp. - by Aldous Huxley, finished 5/2
• “Mayday! Mayday!” - Read a book where the protagonist works as some type of emergency personnel: fireman, policeman, paramedic. Or someone makes or receives a distress call. Or where someone uses a radio. Life After Life by Kate Atkinson, finished 5/4 - In one of her lives, Ursula works as sort of an emergency support person, helping out during raids in a sector of London. They also listen to the radio regularly.
• “It may account for...” - Read a book with an accountant protagonist, or someone who deals with numbers. Or is an account based on a true historical event. -Imperium: A Novel of Ancient Rome by Robert Harris, finished 5/8. Based on true events from the life of Cicero
• “May he rest in peace.” - Read a book with ghosts. Or where someone dies. Or has a graveyard or tombstone on the cover. - A Burnable Book by Bruce Holsinger, finished 5/10. (view spoiler)[Agnes, Seguina, Stephen (hide spoiler)]die.
• “Maybe, maybe not.” - Read a book that you’ve been pondering for awhile. - The People in the Trees by Hanya Yanagihara, finished 5/12. I had this on my list for awhile but was nervous about starting it because I was afraid it wouldn't live up to A Little Life
• “The merry month of May.” - Read a book that is humorous. I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella, finished 5/14
• “Objects in the rear view mirror may appear closer than they are.” - Read a book with a mirror or car on the cover. Or one where the protagonist is an illusionist, magician, or interacts with mirrors in some way. - by Laura Lippman, finished 5/15
• “May I count on you?” - Read a book with a number in the title. (Examples found on listopia’s Nothing But Numbers.) - Orphan Number 8 by Kim van Alkemade, finished 5/15
• “He who fights and runs away may live to fight another day.” - Read a book where someone gets bullied. Or where the protagonist is a professional fighter or gets in a fight. Or a story about survival. - The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan, finished 5/17. Story about POWs surviving a Japanese internment camp
• “Warning: May be hazardous to your health.” - Read a book where someone finds themselves in a precarious situation. Or where a character gets an illness. Or is a cigarette smoker. - A Manual for Cleaning Women: Selected Stories by Lucia Berlin, finished 5/19. There are several precarious situations (view spoiler)[probably the most was the back-alley abortion (hide spoiler)]
• “May the force be with you.” - Read a book with stars on the cover. Or is set in outer space. - by Emily Henry, finished 5/21
• “Try as I may.” - Read a book that was published any day in May, of any year. The Secret Life of Violet Grant by Beatriz Williams, finished 5/23. Published May 27th, 2014
• “Cinco de Mayo.” - Read a book that is fifth in a series, or has five words or letters in the title. - The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, finished 5/27

Remaining:
• “April showers bring May flowers.” - Read a book with flowers or rain on the cover.
• “Be that as it may.” - Read a book with a title that starts with the letter “B”. Or has an author whose name (first or last) that begins with “B”. Or with a series names that begins with “B”. Or a character’s name (first or last) begins with “B”.
• “Come what may!” - Read a book with a futuristic setting.
• “Devil-may-care attitude.” - Read a book where the protagonist has this attitude. (i.e. Heedless of caution; reckless. Jovial and rakish in manner.)
• “How may I help you?” - Read a book where the protagonist helps someone out.
• “If I may be so bold...” - Reader’s Choice.
• “I may be crazy, but...” - Read a book where the protagonist gets “Gaslighted”... or a little crazy, paranoid, spooked, or rattled.
• “Let the chips fall where they may.” - Read a book that has the words from this expression found in the title, series name, or author’s, or character’s name [i.e. “let,” “chip(s),” “fall,” “where,” “they,” or “may”].
• “May the better man win!” - Read a book where a competition takes place.
• “May Day!” - Read a book that is first in a series. Or where the protagonist attends a fair.
• “May-December Relationship.” - Read a book with quite a gap in years between protagonists’ ages. This does NOT have to be a Romance book.
• “May I be excused?” - Read a book that is written in the first person POV. (Point of View.)
• “May I take a message?” - Read an inspirational book.
• “May Pole” (AKA May Poll) - Read a book on a listopia list. Or is set in Poland. Or written by a Polish writer. Or won one of our BOM polls (past or current). (Examples found on listopia’s Best Polish Books.)
• “May the road rise to meet you...” - Read a book with a road on the cover. Or someone takes a road trip.
• “May you live in interesting times...” - Read a book where someone is cursed. Or one with lots of danger, uncertainty, and chaos.
• “Seven Days in May.” - Read a book that is seventh in a series. Or has the word “day(s)” in the title, series, author, or character name. We will take the alternate spelling of “Daye,” as in the series October Daye.
• “Sticks and stones may break my bones.” - Read a book with a word in the title that rhymes with “may” -- or where the title rhymes alone. (Examples: Double Play (“play” rhymes with “may” -- or Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake, where title is a rhyme itself.)
• “Terms & conditions may apply.” - Read a book that fits another challenge.
• “Things may look good on the surface...” - Read a book with an attractive cover.
• “To whom it may concern.” - Read a book with a stand-alone “letter” in the title. Or by an author with a stand-alone “letter” in their name. Or read a book of memoirs. Or one that has a letter or envelope on the cover. (Examples: C, by Tom McCarthy; author J.R. Ward; All Creatures Great and Small; or maybe something like these found on this listopia .)
• “You may well ask!” - Read a book with a question mark -- or an exclamation mark -- in the title.

April 23rd
61-120 I busied myself on the walk-I held my revenge against Hitler

6. Now that we are learning more about each of the characters, their motivations, flaws and secrets are coming out. Can you relate to or feel sympathy for each one of these four main characters?
The dynamics between Emilia and the others in the group is interesting. On one level, it's sad that they don't all want to help each other out, but it's also understandable that their primary goal is their own safety and bringing on a Polish girl could risk all of their lives

7. The book is divided up in to very short chapters, almost like scenes. Does this style of writing, in your opinion, help or hurt the story?
I'm finding it hard to connect to anyone, the story feels too choppy.

8. There are never only two sides to a conflict, and World War Ii is one of the greatest wars in our history. Does the author do a good job at expressing all of the shades of gray seen in such a largescale war?
Not yet, all we're really seeing so far is that Germans and Russians are "evil", and nothing from Alfred's perspective is helping fix that.

9. How did you feel when you found out some of the revelations hidden by the characters? Did any of them surprise you? Did they change your views on each character?
Emilia's pregnancy certainly surprised me.

10. They have almost made it to the ship. Do you think dynamics will change once they are on board?
It will be interesting to see how Alfred plays into the story with the others, so far he's been the only one who's story isn't intertwined.

April 22
Pages 1-60
Section ends: "I wasn't sure I wanted to accept the wager"

1. I only know of Ruta Sepetys as her book Out of the Easy was a Goodreads Choice nominee in 2013. Have you read that book or any of her others?
No, I haven't read any of her other books, but if I like this one, I'll probably read Between Shades of Gray next. It's always a good sign when the book says something like "by the author of [whatever book]"

2. With so many books available on WWII, why do you think they continue to be written and published? What attracts you to these stories?
It's not actually a genre I seek out for myself. I had heard good things about this book, but didn't want to read it solely because of the subject. But I imagine so many authors write about WWII because there are so many different angles to the war, there's always a new way to approach it.

3. Do you like the style with the alternating points of view?
I do, but these chapters/sections seem excessively short. I'm not sure if I like this, it's hard to get invested in anyone.

4. Four teenagers from different countries and backgrounds - Joana is from Lithuania and a kind of nurse, Emilia is Polish, Alfred is a German soldier, and Florian is Prussian. Is there a character you are more interested in yet?
Alfred is the most different, so I'm curious to see how his story interacts with the others.

5. Any guesses as to what Florian stole from Elimia?
No idea yet.

DQ's IX - Collision Course

47. What do you think of Lila so far during the Essen Tasch? Do you think luck has played just as much a part as her skill and do you think she could actually win?
Ugh Lila just annoys me so much. I think skill is a big part of it, but she doesn't know what she's doing. She's so stubborn and refuses to listen to anyone else, she's going to get herself or someone else in trouble.

48. Rhy has told Kell he has to lose now that he has made the nines because if he makes the final 3, he will need to be unmasked. I am guessing Lila has no idea about this rule. What do you think will happen if she makes it that far and needs to unmask?
I thought about that too at first, but then remembered that she showed up to the first ball as Stasion without being masked and it went fine. Jinnar (I think?) was the only one that really talked to Stasion at the pre-tournament happy hour, and Lila herself isn't recognizable, as opposed to Kell, so I think it won't be a big deal. At least immediately. It would probably cause problems soon enough because Stasion will ultimately reveal what happened, and that will put her face more on the map, as someone wanted.


49. Finally Kell and Lila meet each other in the games but this is the match Kell has to lose. Do you think Lila could have beaten him had he been fighting full strength?
He not only had to lose, he also had to limit the elements he used at any given time, so he was doubly strapped. If this was an out-and-out battle between them, not a chance that Lila would have won. But to follow the "rules" of the tournament, maybe, since Lila is more likely to see those as flexible.

50. I find Master Tieren to be an interesting character. He knows of Both Kell and Lila's charades but though he does not approve, he has also not betrayed their secrets. Do you think this is because, Like Alucard he believes they will be caught anyway or because he thinks they won't ? Do you think there could be something else going on?
Maybe he thinks of this as a teaching moment? Kell is much less likely to get caught, and if Lila gets caught it's really her own problem, doesn't really harm anyone else.

51. In the match with Ver-as-Is, Lila somehow manages to slow time and win the match. As the match finishes, Lila realises he nose is bleeding. Do you think Lila used Antari or blood magic in this moment, albeit unconsciously?
Yeah, seems like it. She definitely did something crazy and unexpected, and clearly pissed off Ver-as Is.

52. Lila kills Ver-as Is after his attempt on her life. Do you think there will be repercussions from this even his attempt on her life came first?
No, I dont think so. No one would suspect her because what motive could she possibly have for killing him, particularly if no one else knows about the kidnap attempt.

53. What do think about the Kings directive that Kell is confined to the palace? Is it really for Rhy's safety or is the king afraid he is losing control of his son Antari and attempting to re-exert it through force?
I think he is trying to re-assert control, but no necessarily thinking about as control over a son. the King doesnt seem to think of Kell that way anymore.

54. Now that Kell FINALLY knows about Lila and Lila is planning to attend the ball, do you think there might be some chance for romance between the two or do think all hell is about to break lose with the two of them at the centre AGAIN just as they come together?
Lila just seems to cause problems wherever she goes. So that's what I'm expecting.

55. Holland has sent Ojka through to Red London, we are pretty sure to find Kell and put the collar on him. Why do you think he can't leave ? Is it him or Osaroc really sending Ojka through? Does it matter?

Depositing coins: 14 coins

Leprechaun Role-Player Game: 12 coins
The Almost Color of Gold
Acquire the following ingredients and mix, then serve to the masses.
✔•Malt - Read a book with a dark cover.
✔•Yeast - Read a book with little creatures (small pets). The Goldfinch - the small dog Poppers plays a large part throughout the book
✔•Hops - Read a book where someone cooks. You Deserve a Drink: Boozy Misadventures and Tales of Debauchery - she hosts a Chinese food cooking class
✔•Gold Flecks - Read a book where someone only has a little money. - Every Secret Thing - both Alice's and Ronnie's family are relatively poor

Read-a-thon: 2 coins
Day 5: Read a book with a blue cover set in your home state/country: , set in MD

DQ's VIII - The Essen Tasch

41. Its sad to see how Kell's relationship with the King and Queen has changed. Do you believe they ever truly loved him as a son or was it all about Kell' being an Antari as he always feared?
I'm sure they cared for him, but it does always seem to come down Rhy over Kell, so maybe not as much "as a son" as they claimed. But the fear aspect probably didn't come into play until that ball.

42. Kell and Lila continue to just miss each other. Kell has a feeling that Stasion is Lila but dismisses it. How do you think (or hope) it will go when they finally realize who the other is?
I think Kell will be more eager to see Lila and Lila will get defensive or combative (probably the latter)

43. Lila is amazing with her powers especially with the fact that she has only been practicing magic for a few months. She seems to be able to do things that most people cannot do. Any predictions on who she really is or where she came from? ( I don't believe she is from Gray London)
Well...each London would have to have an Antari originally to be able to get back and forth? Based on the fact that to get to another London, the mark needs to be identical in both places, it means there must have been magic in Gray London and Antaris there originally. So maybe Antaris don't truly die out, but the world knows when another one is needed, and so Lila represents magic returning to Gray London.

44. What do you think of the games? Do you think the author portrayed them with enough drama and fun? Do you have any predictions of the winner?
it certainly seems more violent than it needs to be! But yes, it's been fun to read about.

45. Do you think Lila and Kell will have to fight each other in the games at some point? If so, how do you think it will go?
No, I think lila will have to fight Alucard, and I think Alucard will beat her and she'll be really bitter and angry about it, even though he's been training her so he should be better.

46. White London is gaining back its life, there is color and animals now. Holland has a collar which apparently strips magic from the person who wears it. I'm assuming the 'old friend' he speaks of is Kell. Do you have any ideas on how Holland is going to capture Kell? Do you think this is really Holland who is doing this or is it the Black Magic inside of him?
I think this is really Holland, he wants to rid himself of the black magic, and that's the only way he knows how. Maybe he's not entirely good, but he's not entirely evil either, he wants to see White london be a good place again.