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

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

Updated goals:

10 Point goals:
- Read a book with hot chocolate on the cover for 10 points! (Dec 20)
- Read a book with Coal on the cover or in title for 10 points! (Dec 19)
- Read a book where the title has a Song Title from one of the lists below for 10 points! (Dec 18 )
*Wikipedia's List Of Christmas Carols
The Top 20 Christmas Songs You Never Get Sick Of
The 50 Best Christmas songs: Bells continue to ring for the Pogues' 'Fairytale of New York' *
-Read a book where Christmas is spent on the beach or under real warm weather for 10 points! (Dec 17)
- Read a book that has snowflakes or snow falling on the cover or in title for 10 points! (Dec 14)
- Read a book that has elves, reindeer or a sleigh on the cover or in title for 10 points! (Dec 12)
- Read a book with a fireplace on the cover for 10 points! (Dec 9)




Other goals
*New* Read a book where a character can see or feel ghosts
- Read a book with a month name in the title (January-December)
- Read a book shelved (listed on the first page of the "top shelves" of the book) as north-america - plurals and minor spelling variations are acceptable
- Read a book with a cemetery on the cover
-Read a book where the page numbers add to 22 (i.e. 345 pages = 3+4+5 = 12)

has "aggregate" on p. 373

Updated goals:

10 Point goals:
- Read a book with hot chocolate on the cover for 10 points! (Dec 20)
- Read a book with Coal on the cover or in title for 10 points! (Dec 19)
- Read a book where the title has a Song Title from one of the lists below for 10 points! (Dec 18 )
*Wikipedia's List Of Christmas Carols
The Top 20 Christmas Songs You Never Get Sick Of
The 50 Best Christmas songs: Bells continue to ring for the Pogues' 'Fairytale of New York' *
-Read a book where Christmas is spent on the beach or under real warm weather for 10 points! (Dec 17)
- Read a book that has snowflakes or snow falling on the cover or in title for 10 points! (Dec 14)
- Read a book that has elves, reindeer or a sleigh on the cover or in title for 10 points! (Dec 12)
- Read a book with a fireplace on the cover for 10 points! (Dec 9)




Other goals
*New* Read a book with the word aggregate in the text
- Read a book with a month name in the title (January-December)
- Read a book shelved (listed on the first page of the "top shelves" of the book) as north-america - plurals and minor spelling variations are acceptable
- Read a book with a cemetery on the cover
-Read a book where the page numbers add to 22 (i.e. 345 pages = 3+4+5 = 12)

- has christmas lights in the trees, that can count for the Dec 16th goal. Kim did you start this after then?

Finished 12/19
Goal: None yet

Characters: Lace, Cluck (Lucien), Dax, Nicole
Takes place in California
Features circus-type performers, rival families, interconnected families

Dec 19 / Discussion Questions
Chapters 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...
I think that is pretty normal. They weren't overwhelming feelings, and didn't take away from their friendship, but every relationship has problems, even between best friends, has problems. And the way those feelings were described sounded perfectly reasonable.

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?
I think a lot also probably has to do with the relief of succeeding in such an intense challenge. And since this is a YA book, I'm sure they'll end up together.

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?
It makes absolutely no sense. She's probably some semblance of alive, but not human anymore. And Agnieszka barely found Kasia after she'd been in the Wood for just a day or so, how on earth would they find the queen after 20 years?

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 had noticed that! I wasn't sure if it was just the writing style, that they didn't always identify actual quotes, but that would be an interesting twist if the Dragon could hear her thoughts.

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?
Well all the wizards have some sort of animal name...the Dragon, the Raven, the Falcon. But yeah, I do wonder what gave them these nicknames. If it's related to reputation or anything like that.

17) If you could put a face to the Dragon, what would he look like? This is what I imagine...
I'm picturing someone tall, dark, and handsome :)

Becca, the will work for the December 8th goal, did you start that after then?

*Updated for the religious theme goal*
Updated goals:

10 Point goals:
- Read a book with Coal on the cover or in title for 10 points! (Dec 19)
- Read a book where the title has a Song Title from one of the lists below for 10 points! (Dec 18 )
*Wikipedia's List Of Christmas Carols
The Top 20 Christmas Songs You Never Get Sick Of
The 50 Best Christmas songs: Bells continue to ring for the Pogues' 'Fairytale of New York' *
-Read a book where Christmas is spent on the beach or under real warm weather for 10 points! (Dec 17)
- Read a book with Christmas Decorations/Lights on the cover for 10 points! (Dec 16)
- Read a book that has snowflakes or snow falling on the cover or in title for 10 points! (Dec 14)
- Read a book that has elves, reindeer or a sleigh on the cover or in title for 10 points! (Dec 12)
- Read a book with a fireplace on the cover for 10 points! (Dec 9)
-Read a book with the word kids or children in the title for 10 points! (Dec 8)



Other goals
*New* Read a book with a month name in the title (January-December)
*New* Read a book with an alternate history
- Read a book shelved (listed on the first page of the "top shelves" of the book) as north-america - plurals and minor spelling variations are acceptable
- Read a book with a cemetery on the cover
-Read a book where the page numbers add to 22 (i.e. 345 pages = 3+4+5 = 12)

Kme_17 wrote: "whoo! good job on the "wheel of fortune" one. was published on Mar 31, 2015"

Nice! It feels good to finally be able to tear through goals again :)

Updated goals:

10 Point goals:
- Read a book with Coal on the cover or in title for 10 points! (Dec 19)
- Read a book where the title has a Song Title from one of the lists below for 10 points! (Dec 18 )
*Wikipedia's List Of Christmas Carols
The Top 20 Christmas Songs You Never Get Sick Of
The 50 Best Christmas songs: Bells continue to ring for the Pogues' 'Fairytale of New York' *
-Read a book where Christmas is spent on the beach
or under real warm weather for 10 points! (Dec 17)
- Read a book with Christmas Decorations/Lights on the cover for 10 points! (Dec 16)
- Read a book that has a religious theme for 10 points! (Dec 15)
- Read a book that has snowflakes or snow falling on the cover or in title for 10 points! (Dec 14)
- Read a book that has elves, reindeer or a sleigh on the cover or in title for 10 points! (Dec 12)
- Read a book with a fireplace on the cover for 10 points! (Dec 9)
-Read a book with the word kids or children in the title for 10 points! (Dec 8)



Other goals
*New* Read a book where the edition you are reading was published on the 31st of a month
*New* Read a book with an alternate history
- Read a book shelved (listed on the first page of the "top shelves" of the book) as north-america - plurals and minor spelling variations are acceptable
- Read a book with a cemetery on the cover
-Read a book where the page numbers add to 22 (i.e. 345 pages = 3+4+5 = 12)

Quaker Summer has "wheel of fortune" in it! It feels like we've had that goal forever.

Updated goals:

10 Point goals:
- Read a book with Coal on the cover or in title for 10 points! (Dec 19)
- Read a book where the title has a Song Title from one of the lists below for 10 points! (Dec 18 )
*Wikipedia's List Of Christmas Carols
The Top 20 Christmas Songs You Never Get Sick Of
The 50 Best Christmas songs: Bells continue to ring for the Pogues' 'Fairytale of New York' *
-Read a book where Christmas is spent on the beach
or under real warm weather for 10 points! (Dec 17)
- Read a book with Christmas Decorations/Lights on the cover for 10 points! (Dec 16)
- Read a book that has a religious theme for 10 points! (Dec 15)
- Read a book that has snowflakes or snow falling on the cover or in title for 10 points! (Dec 14)
- Read a book that has elves, reindeer or a sleigh on the cover or in title for 10 points! (Dec 12)
- Read a book with a fireplace on the cover for 10 points! (Dec 9)
-Read a book with the word kids or children in the title for 10 points! (Dec 8)



Other goals
*New* Read a book with an alternate history
- Read a book shelved (listed on the first page of the "top shelves" of the book) as north-america - plurals and minor spelling variations are acceptable
- Read a book with a cemetery on the cover
-Read a book where the page numbers add to 22 (i.e. 345 pages = 3+4+5 = 12)
-Read a book with the name of the tarot card "Wheel of Fortune" in the text or title

Sherri wrote: "Wasn't the snake goal completed a couple of days ago? I think one of Kim's books did."

Oh yeah, completely forgot about that! Glad someone remembered! Ill put that in now

Sherri wrote: "Becca - are the mods going to make an announcement? This is 2 days and we haven't been able to "play" the game. Very frustrating since when I look around the other threads it seems like other teams..."

I also feel like this is putting us at a distinct disadvantage to other teams...if we can't update our goals as new books are finished, then it's harder to plan what to read next, for those who are trying to strategize their book choices.

December 17 - Chapters 1-4


1. Did you have any thoughts/feelings before starting the book that have changed now that you've started it?
The description reminded me of 1,001 Nights, so I was interested to see the take on it here.

2. Why do you think the Dragon takes a girl exactly every 10 years?
I assumed it was to keep them young. But if all they do is cook for him, doesn't seem to matter.

3. How are you liking Agnieszka?
She annoys me so far. Her actions all seem very short-sighted, but she is young. If it were me, I think that'd be exciting to get to learn magic!

4. Were you surprised to learn she had magic?
Probably about as much as she was.

5. Are you looking forward to reading more?
Well, the way it left off at the end of chapter 4, I'm expecting she's going to mess things up in her town pretty badly... and the Dragon will have to come and fix things. So not looking forward to that. But the book overalll, yes, interested to see how it develops.

Finished 12/17

No goals yet
Characters: Nastenka
Takes place in St. Petersburg, Russia
Short stories

Finished 12/16

Characters: Jerry, Sharon, Eva, Hans
Takes place in New Zealand
Tags: Alzheimer's, murder, Jerry is a writer

Just to update with the new holiday goal:

10 Point goals:
- Read a book that has snowflakes or snow falling on the cover or in title for 10 points! (Dec 14)
- Read a book that has elves, reindeer or a sleigh on the cover or in title for 10 points! (Dec 12)
- Read a book with a fireplace on the cover for 10 points! (Dec 9)
-Read a book with the word kids or children in the title for 10 points! (Dec 8)
- Read a book with a turkey or pig on the cover for 10 points! (6 Dec)


Other goals
*New*Read a book shelved (listed on the first page of the "top shelves" of the book) as shapeshifters - plurals and minor spelling variations are acceptable
*New*Read a book that is in the "Best Unknown but must be Known books " Listopia List (https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...)
- Read a book which features a snake on the cover or in the story.
-Read a book where the page numbers add to 22 (i.e. 345 pages = 3+4+5 = 12)
-Read a book with the name of the tarot card "Wheel of Fortune" in the text or title

Kme_17 wrote: "Ashley wrote: "Do you guys like the new Goodreads font and stuff?"

definitely different still trying to get use to it."

Haha I thought it was my computer not loading correctly. Still getting used to it.

Sherri wrote: "In Want of a Wife has snake in the story but it is in regards to a "snake oil salesman" not sure if the intent is what the mods are wanting or not.

OK - Off to read for a bit. Nigh..."

Yeah, I wouldn't think that's what they're looking for. I think the snake needs to show up, not just a phrase that using snake to describe someone else.

That's all for me too, good night!