Cat’s Comments (group member since Jan 28, 2015)

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

I can say that the current BOM - The Ministry of Time - is a LOT of fun. I've also got on the rack. Those are prob both before the challenge starts.

Coming up: ; ; ; ; ;

DQs Day 2, III - Chapter Four (subbing for Judith)

5. If you were sent 300 years into the future from your current time, do you think you would be able to cope?
Do you think that having a better grasp of science and science fiction than the expats in our story have would prepare you for dealing with the unimaginable advancements you might encounter?

Almost certainly not! I like the views put forward of acceptance of sexuality from the expats, and the shock that "we" have such an interest in, and judgement of, who other people sleep with.

6. Is anyone else loving the fact that this author has a wonderful vocabulary? (Or at least knows how to navigate a thesaurus?)
I had to break out the dictionary for invigilating.
Are you learning any new words? (Anyone else want to add “angry Marmite” as a category for Restaurant Wars?)

Angry Marmite is a near perfect description of Guinness (don't @me!)
I'm loving the many office similes and such like, which gives a strong vibe of her home life. And made me think - we don't have hanging green files anymore. I'm a connection to that office technology, the way people when I first started work would wax lyrical about running payroll off punch cards, or my Dad talking about the mainframe computer room...

7. It isn’t explicitly explained, but do you get the impression that these 5 expats are not the first to be given asylum? Is the Brigadier from a slightly earlier time frame?

I am SO with you about the Brigadier - totally believe he's out of time too.

8. What exactly is this Ministry? Do you have a grasp on what they are trying to accomplish yet?

No idea. But something vaguely sinister.

9. What happened to Quentin, and what was the projectile weapon that Graham drew?

The drawing: is it someone from the future actually meddling with the past?

DQ-1 (I - Chapter Two)

1. Our main character, whose name has yet to be said (I believe,) is on her 6th round of interviews for this new position that is unclear. Have you ever gone into such an intense interview process or would you go through one with a significant pay raise without knowing what the job entailed?

Not six interviews no! Nor knowing nothing, but the MC seems more driven by money / career ladder (to please her mother?) than I am.

I am interested in why we aren't learning her name - and why she doesn't name herself mentally either. I've no theories, but am definitely intrigued.

2. Commander Graham Gore is the main expat that we are following along with four others. Did you google or already know if these expat characters are real from history? What did you find out?

I've not googled them, though I am aware that the trip he was on happened, so I guess...
I'm also interested in why we are having these flashbacks to the expedition in the romanl numeral chapters....

3. The MC mentioned she was concerned that Ralph was bridge to one of the only woman expats. Do you think we will hear of any issues among them later on in the book?

I imagine that the reality of the present crashing up against the norms of the expats is going to create some mayhem. I don't feel like I know enough about Ralph to have an opinion on him personally, beyond that he's maybe sneakier than MC due to the spy stuff of his original job.

4. What were your thoughts on the MC introducing Gore to cannabis?

Tee hee! I am enjoying their interactions (and the book) a LOT. Managed not to chortle out loud whilst reading on the bus home, but it was tricky!

just reminded myself which book Shadow Sister was - confident that there is a cheater in there - Alice Keppel

I have a GREED and page count. too early to tell if there is a cheater though

I'll volunteer to do some admin here! Team Roof

Well, I finally finished Demon Copperhead!

and, taking a risk, spun. I shall not be spinning during wheel....

John Willoughby and Marianne Dashwood (Sense and Sensibility)
1 500 to 650
2 published under a pseudonym
3 MC has at least 3 siblings
4 character is a cheater (your interpretation)
5 GREED (letters in any order) found in title

ooooo.... I'm so out of the habit of DQs! but I'll volunteer - makes it 5 people

Just to say, the demand for payment arrived

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Oh, I trust you guys are enjoying the wheel words. The u bend is a special treat for you 😉

Melindam wrote: "BTW, Cat, I'm really enjoying The Thief. :)"

Hurrah! and Lexi will be pleased to hear that too :)

Sammy wrote: "And if nobody else beats me to it, I can cover MC is royalty when I re-read the Penelopiad in a few days 😁"

I guess this works for "character has to be diplomatic" - with Pen's need to not hack off the suitors too much?

I felt like a Dr Who. prob shouldn't have been the spinner....

Vashta Nerada
1 500 to 650
2 Skeleton or bones on the cover
3 Tagged Books-about-Books (at least 10 times)
4 A group of animals is mentioned in the text eg swarm, herd etc.
5 Word in title starts with the letter V

I had been hoping that was going to get the tag, but weekly checks had not been going my way


but, I have finished that purple book, so shall go do an update & spin

and an umbrella list :)

how about this one? the purple side of pink I think?

I'm guessing not purple?

back from a long weekend in Barcelona (lovely, until coming home when I spent more than 3 hours sitting in the plane at the departure gate stand. not fun). Will have a proper look for books to fill a task or two now

I haven't a problem with that :)

Awesome! And fingers crossed for a random chelid!

@Mel: are you at risk of innundation? :( keep safe!