Elen’s Comments (group member since Mar 07, 2018)

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

Hey all!

Happy reading to everyone!
I will start my book tonight or tomorrow, a really busy day today :)


Sonia, me and my friend were discussing when next week "new week - the new word" starts, bc we turned clock -1h.
Will we have a countdown?

I am more than ready.

I am going to finish all my current exams by next week and I am really excited to start reading again.

Here in Estonia, it's a little bit warmer than usual in October, but weather forecast "promises" that someday until the end of the month, it will be snowing. I want my warm summer back :P

Thanks, Camilla!

I thought that I read it somewhere, but couldn't remember where *ups*

@Jenny - you can definitely rec something to us :)

Have anyone found a book with MPG bones?

I am still searching, but no luck for now.

Don't forget :)

◈ Books must be more than 160 pages in length. Children's books, Graphic Novels, Scriptplays (movie and theater), Cookbooks and Poetry books cannot be used unless by word count they can be verified (by arbookfinder.com) as more than 40,000 words

Hey team!

Sonia, I am glad that you snacked us and so many other Gryffindors (TTVI). Also, nice to meet new people and be friends with you all :D

A quick introduction:
I'm very excited to play the Wheel-a-thon. It's my first time participating in this challenge, but I have loved all NBRC challenges so I saw it coming and signed-up immediately.

My name is Elen and I'm from Tartu, Estonia. I started my master degree this September in Biomedicine and I am loving it so far.
I love reading and always have since I was a little kid. I read mostly fantasy, YA, thriller, crime, mystery, high fantasy. But I can read anything if it will help our team.
PS! Okay not everything *looks at Jenny*

Omg... I am in the best team EVER!! So excited to be again on the same team with Sonia, Claire and of course with Jenny! It would be lots of fun :D

#Cantwait

Jenny wrote: "Hi Elen!!!

Missed you!"


Me too.
And your book recommendations/choices *hihi*

Yes, I am back!
I am ready for another challenge after TTVI and uni should not mess with me while I am playing with my people!!

Excited!!

- 320 pages (06.08.2018)

- 128 pages (08.08.2018

- 100 pages (08.08.2018)

- 368 pages (09.08.2018)

- 107 pages (12.08.2018)

- 144 pages (12.08.2018)

- 498 pages (15.08.2018)

- 128 pages (15.08.2018)

- 280 pages (18.08.2018)

- 901 pages (21.08.2018)

- 185 pages (22.08.2018)

- 200 pages (24.08.2018)

- 304 pages (25.08.2018)

- 152 pages (27.08.2018)

- 352 pages (29.08.2018)

- 320 pages (30.08.2018)

- 352 pages (31.08.2018)

- 144 pages (01.09.2018)

- 152 pages (02.09.2018)


Current total: 1,215,037

We are doing really great! I am done reading for today and heading to bed.

I am really happy that I was able to play with you all. I am sad that the challenge is over, but it will give me some time to adjust to new Uni and schedule.

I hope we will play one day again :D

COMPLETION POST:

Book Title: Station Eleven
Author: Emily St. John Mandel
Pages: 352
Date read: 31 August 2018
BOM: NO
Character names: Miranda Carroll, Clark Thompson, Kirsten Raymonde, Jeevan Chaudhary, Arthur Leander, Sayid, Elizabeth Colton, Dieter, August, Gil Harris, Tyler Leander, Frank Chaudhary, Walter Jacobi, Goneril, Tanya, Hua, Laura, Leon Prevant, Olivia, Maria, Eleanor, Viola, Finn, Gary Heller, Dolores, Garrett

We used my book Tehanu (By Ursula - Letter U) for task - Read a book with your favorite romance hero(es)/heroine(s) or your favorite pair (Pair has to be a romantic couple in the book, not just a love interest)

If there is any book that has a true romantic couple so we can switch and my book would be used for letter U

COMPLETION POST:

Book Title: Everland
Author: Wendy Spinale
Pages: 320
Date read: 30 August 2018
BOM: YES First BOM comment + msg: 104, 109, 110
Character names: Gwen Darling, Joanna, Mikey, Hanz Otto Oswald Kretschmer = Hook, Pete, Bartholomew Smeeth, Bella, Scout, Jack, Pyro, Justice, Gabs, Mole, Lily, Dozer
Letters: B D E G H J K L M P S W

Discussion Questions, Day Four - Parts 7 & 8 || Pages 227-312 (end)

19. This book is based around biochemical warfare. I haven't heard of any cases of this in our world. What do you think would happen if someone released a deadly virus on purpose to your country, your neighbouring countries and the world? Do you think we would response similarly or differently? Taking into consideration the time periods.
If we don’t have any cure or vaccine or anything at all then everything can end like that. This virus was carried by air and very quickly and most of the people died almost immediately. So I really hope as our environment and science are further than in this book – we could survive this.

20. What do you think about Gwen's act against Hook with the Katana? And the scene afterwards? I was surprised by Gwen's actions as I haven't come across Wendy/Gwen fighting like that before
Gwen was really brave and did what she needed to do. The scene afterward was so heartwarming and real. I know from the beginning that Hook is misunderstood and most of his actions were done to please his mother, he never thinks about himself (He did, but not in that way)

21. Hook's and Jack's actions at the end of the book surprised me a bit. Hook with his gloves and Jack staying behind -
"With a last glance at the ship, he places a hand behind his ear, touching the mark of the Marauders branded on his skin. Finally, he dashes inside the burning building." What do you think this tells us about the way they behaved throughout the book?
Jack betrayed them but he did it in a good what he thinks it can be done and he stayed behind bc he thought that he doesn’t deserve to be saved and be with them anymore. Hook was a reason this virus escaped the lab (ofc. Bc of his mum), but he felt that he is responsible for everything.

22. What do you think will happen in the next book? What will happen with the Queen of England and Germany?
I don’t read a synopsis, so I hope the next book will be about the restoring England and “making” the cure and of course some adventures.

23. What do you think of Spinale's interpretation of the Lost Boys, Pete, Gwen and Belle compared to the original (or the Disney version)? The extra characters (The Professor, the Queens? Is it better, the same, worse? Why?
I like how she did everything.

24. What are you final thoughts on this books - plot, characters, setting, genre, etc? Will you read the next book? If no, then why not?
I will be reading the next book, bc I am now intrigued and want to know everything that will happen to England and cure and also, what adventures Lost Boys and Girls will have.

Discussion Questions - Day 3 19 Aug 5&6 pgs152-226

13. So Jack is Hook's step brother. Were you expecting that? Guess it makes sense as to why he knows all about the palace etc How do you think he ended up with the lost boys? How much of his story do you think Pete knows?

No, I wasn’t, but that makes sense. He hated his step-mum who tortured him and he wanted to pay back by going against her. I think he knows or suspects something.

14. When Hook picks up Gwen's dad's dog tags and reads the name, do you think he has made the connection between Gwen and the Professor (assuming our guess that the professor is Gwen's mother is correct)?
Yes, but I hope not.

15. It's sounds like Jack is like a male version of Cinderella and perhaps the true ruler of Germany. Did you expect him to betray the lost boys. Why do you think he wants to go back to Germany with Hook?
I didn’t, I hoped he has a plan, but... Oh, well. I don’t think they will be going to Germany.

16.The Horologia virus was sent to England from Germany. When Queen Bloodred chose to bomb the weapons factory. Do you think she did it on purpose in order to release the virus or was she trying to stop England finding a cure?
Both. By releasing the virus, all people will die and there will be a little chance to find the cure.

17. We now know for certain that the professor IS Gwen's mother. Given Jack's apparent betrayal and the fact that Gwen is the immune, do you think Pete will believe Gwen didn't know all along? Do you think Hook might try to convince Pete she did in order to get him to had her over?
No, I don’t think so. Pete is not so naïve.

18. How do you think this is going to end? Do you think Pete can save the lost boys? What do you think will happen to Hook? Given this is book 1 of a series, do you think this will end with a cliff hanger?
It will end well for Lost Boys and Girls and Gwen’s mum. Hook will be defeated, but not killed. I don’t think this book will end with a cliffhanger as it’s a retelling, it will end somehow.

Sonia wrote: "Oh I have a few ideas for future mazes (or some obstacle track of sorts)

This summer was really... hard but I least I got my creative chipmunks back. I thought I lost them with wobble. But nope. T..."

I would definitely play again and more :D

I'm sorry for your loss, Steven, but I am glad to hear that she passed peacefully.

Vicki wrote: "Question: would Uncle Roger work for the letter U?"

Titles like Uncle, Aunt, Professor, Detective won't work as it's not a character name but his position etc.

Discussion Questions--Day 2 (pg. 77-151, audio pts. 3 & 4)

7. The novel is told from two POVs, Gwen's and Hooks. Should Pete's POV have been included? Why or why not?

It could, but I am fine to have 2 POV’s. Hook as bad guy and Gwen as the cure.

8. In many ways, both Hook and Smeeth are "lost boys" as well. What are your thoughts about how you become a Pete, Hook, or Smeeth because of, in spite of, your life's experiences?

I don't think it's more about life experiences than life choices what you make. Pete is surviver and saved his sister and other Lost Boys, Hook want power and doing everything his mum wants and Smeeth is just a guy who follows to save himself.

9. Almost all of the Lost Boys have given up their birth names and taken on nicknames. Is there a significance to this?

New name = new life. It’s new life for them without parents or anyone who they loved before. I think taking a new name is for the sign of new life. Also, most of the new names describe them as a person in this new world – job, skill etc.

10. When Justice is made the temporary leader, Pete says to him, "Try to go with your gut, kid. Not by the rules." Where is the balance between following the rules and going with your gut?

When it’s right and you know it.

11. Who is your favorite character and why?
I really like Pete – he is Lost Kids a role model and he really cares for them and will do everything to help or save them. Yes, he has flaws, but all of us have.

12. What moment in the book, so far, has made you decide you like or dislike it?
I like the book. It’s really easy and quick read. Also, I think the story is well written and interesting (so far).