Cass☀️’s Comments (group member since May 09, 2014)

Cass☀️’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

Day 2 DQs : Chapters 5-9
5. So many groups! We had a couple of chapters in this part that described some of the tribes in Daevabad and elsewhere - the Daeva/Djinn, Ifrit, Simurgh, Zahhak and I'm sure I haven't listed them all. Where on the confusion scale are you - with 1 being totally confused and 10 being "I've got this". And are you ok with your level at this point in the book?

>>> I am probably in the realm of 3-4 range on the confusion scale, there was just a lot of names and groups to take in. I am just going to roll with it and hope I get more information to be able to discern the groups from each other.

6. Somewhat related to this - we learn that Suleiman curbed magical abilities because the daeva harmed humanity. I learned (thanks Google) that in the non-book world Suleiman the Magnificent was the longest-reigning Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1520 to 1566 - he ruled over at least 25 million people. Did you know anything about Suleiman and what do you think of his inclusion in the book?

>>> I had no prior knowledge of Suleiman before reading this book. I didn’t know that he was a real person until I read this question actually. I think the inclusion of this name in the book was either meant to add meaning to the text through an individual's understanding of the history related to Suleiman.

7. We now know Dara was a slave for many years and was forced to do some things that haunt him. How does this make you feel about his character?

>>> I still find him the most interesting… it might just be my red flag of finding wounded men and trying to figure out how to make them happy though…. #pathologicalpeoplepleaser
In all seriousness it adds a backstory to his character that gives readers the opportunity to sympathize with him. I find myself feeling empathetic towards him now that I have a better understanding of his past.

8. Ali's father was portrayed as brutal when we first met him at the execution, and then later he seemed like a pretty good ruler as he listened to and judged people's problems. What do you think - good king or bad king?

>>> I think that the jury is still out for me. I do really enjoy that he isn’t a typical antagonist that is all evil. The redeeming qualities or moments where he shows humanity create complexity within his character. It also makes the readers question whether or not he really is evil, whether his intentions or pure or not, etc.

I don't understand what books would work for "mpg:classics"

Shelby wrote: "Alright - with Berit's completed book and a few of our older reads I knocked out a few more of the Chipmunk tasks, here's the next one that I haven't gone back through all our June reads for.

New ..."

What does this one mean?

Stacie wrote: "Cass, you have to answer three days to earn full points. Doing more is encouraged but will not get us more points."

Thank you!

I am reading both BOM this month, but I was wondering to get max points do I just have to answer all of the DQs? or is that the bare minimum to earn points?

DQs Day 1, Ch 1-5
1. This book begins in 18th century Cairo, with France and Turkey fighting over Egypt. I have never encountered this conflict in fiction before. Have you? Were you familiar with it before you started reading?

>>I am going to be honest and say that I have never encountered this conflict in fiction before, nor had I learned or read about it before. Therefore, I was not familiar with it before I started reading.

2. Nahri has several mysterious powers, including healing, the ability to sense illness in others, and the ability to understand and speak every language she hears. Which of her powers would you like for yourself?

>>Of all of her powers, I am most curious about the ability to understand and speak every language she hears. I love to travel and learn about different cultures. I also love to learn new languages, so this power would help me connect with others and better understand the cultures I am being immersed in.

3. What do you think of the world building so far? Do you find it confusing, or do you feel like you’re along for the ride?

>>I think the world building has been good so far, it is the first novel of a trilogy/series so a lot of world building is to be expected. I will say that I teach AP Lit and we read a lot of novels from the 1800-1950s that spend more than half of the novel setting up the story, so I might also not be easily deterred by world building.

4. So far we’ve met 3 significant players in this book: Nahri, Ali, and Dara. Do you have a favorite character so far, or one who intrigues you the most?

>>I think it is too early for me to have a favorite character, but I do find Dara intriguing.

Shelby wrote: "Christene Paula✨ wrote: "Shelby wrote: "Got it. :)

New Task:
Character with super powers

I have a couple that would work for this task, but I won't be able to get to them right away if someone el..."

I was also going to read The Power and that has multiple characters with powers.

Shelby wrote: "Christene Paula✨ wrote: "Shelby wrote: "Got it. :)

New Task:
Character with super powers

I have a couple that would work for this task, but I won't be able to get to them right away if someone el..."

I am reading a book about a girl who unintentionally time travels, would that work?

I finished my first two of this month... going to spend most of the weekend reading to make my brain happy.

Is there a chipmunk task that still needs assigned?

I updated the sheet with my books for June... I'm hoping to add more later, but I started with 18. I didn't mean for most of them to be in the 300-399 range, so if I add more I will try to add longer or shorter books.

Vicky wrote: "Cass☀️ wrote: "What would be a good source for a verified word count?"

https://www.arbookfind.com/default.aspx is the site that is usually recommended, but it's really geared towards children's re..."

Counting Descent by Clint Smith, but I don't think it will make the 30,000 required characters by a long shot... lol It's all good!

Vicky wrote: "Books have to be 100+ pages.

Poetry falls under the same rule as children's books where you need a verified word count (or an audiobook over 3 mins).

◈ Books with MPGs Childrens / Kids / Poetry ..."

What would be a good source for a verified word count?

Do poetry collections count? Are books under 100 pages allowed?

Can we add June books to the spreadsheet? Or will there be a new sheet for June?

I am just waiting to see what all my next month's book club picks are to place a book order. I plan to read both of the BOM's next month.

I finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, so that’s a 600+ book for this month!

Stacie wrote: "Cass☀️ wrote: "Shelby wrote: "Ok end of day update - so we had some unexpected big books turned in today so we only need:

3 - 500pgs
3 - 600pgs

And that will complete us for the month as far as b..."

Sounds good, I'll plan to keep reading this and then work on the rainbow books we are missing.

Berit Talks Books wrote: "OK will do I wanted to read this so it's THE COVENANT OF WATER if you want to add that for me. I'm a serious spreadsheet failure, lol"

I have been eyeing this one, I would love to hear if you recommend it!

Also, I know I pledged to read six books a month, but I thought this was originally just for May, lol. During the summer, I finish a book every other day or quicker (sometimes). So, the next couple months I might read a lot more if that is helpful info for planning and strategizing.