Joanne’s Comments

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

Note: Joanne is not currently a member of this group.

The Christmas Basket by Debbie Macomber
Finished: 12/06
Rating: 2 stars
Pages: 240

Task: 34.Read a book with an Christmas ornament on the cover of a book ( 20 points)

T - character Thomas
C - Title
K - character Kristen

My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories by Stephanie Perkins, etc
Finished: 12/06
Rating: 3 stars
Pages: 336
BOM: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Task: 8. Read a book where Hanukkah is celebrated (50 points) (In the story "What the Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth", she celebrates the last night of Hanukkah)

F - character Fenny (The Lady and the Fox)
R - character Riley (Your Temporary Santa)
U -
I - character Isodore (Krampuslauf)
T - author Laini Taylor
C - character Candy (Welcome to Christmas, CA)
A - character Alicia (Midnights)
K - character Keillegh (The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer)
E - character Ethan (The Star of Bethlehem)

I am assuming for the BOM My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories we can use any of the authors from the short story collection right?

DQs: December 6th
Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus
27. What do you think of Vaughn's pranks? Do you find them funny throughout the story? Could you relate to the way he thinks - like everything is just a step away from a disaster to happen?

I didn't really find them funny or relate to them. I felt bad for him with the story he told when he tried so hard to be good and be recognized for it when he was ten, and they just skipped over his name.

28. I've noticed that the stories in the book have some kind of continuity regarding fathers and them leaving. Did you get a similar feeling too? What do you think why Vaughn's dad left and what do you think of his mom and how she is handling the whole situation?

I never noticed this theme, but thinking back, I can see it in a few stories.

29. In my opinion, the quick love-to-be between Vaughn and Gracie felt a bit rushed. Do you feel the same way or do you have a different opinion? Do you think they go together well as a couple and why?

I feel like most of the romances have been rushed, which is why I haven't related to them very well, other than Midnights, where it spanned several years and they were good friends first.

30. During the reading, I also wondered how kind was Gracie's dad, the pastor, to Vaughn. What do you think was the course of his actions, do you think it was really just out of kindness as Gracie pointed out? Overall, how did you 'experience' the pastor? Did he seem like an actual pastor?

He seemed like a nice man. I've never met any pastors, so I don't really know if he seemed like an actual one.

Welcome to Christmas, CA
31. Would you like to live in a town like Christmas? If yes/no, why?

No. I've never been a very festive person and working retail when I was younger made me really cynical about the whole thing. It's only recently that I've been able to enjoy the holiday and even listen to carols.

32. What do you think you would be if you were a food?

Umm... Maybe chocolate or a big old plate of pasta? LOL

33. Did you expect Rick acting this way and saving money so Maria could go to college?

I was surprised by this but thought it was very sweet.

34. Personally, I really liked Maria as a character - especially when she helped Candy so much. What did you think of her?

Loved this. I felt so bad for Candy and was hoping she would be able to get away.

35. What part of Christmas is your favorite?

The food!

Writing looks gold to me!

They're all nice cute holiday stories, so while enjoyable, it's not a page turner. Some of them I'm enjoying more than others, and it's nice to get some exposure to some new authors. It'll probably be a 3-star read for me.

Eldarwen wrote: "Joanne wrote: "I’ll take the Christmas decoration on the cover."

Noted!

How are you doing with the BOM and the gloves book?"

Almost done the BOM. I've been reading 2 stories a day to keep even with the questions, so I only have 2 stories left, which I'll read either tonight or tomorrow.

The gloves one, I've only got a couple of hours left in, so I might try to finish that one today.

For the Christmas ornaments one, I'll be reading

I’ll take the Christmas decoration on the cover.

DQs Days 5

Krampuslauf
22. Krampuslauf is an unusual holiday festivity. Does your community and/or country have unusual holiday traditions and/or festivals?

Not that I can think of

23. Penny and Silke were given the opportunity to decide if Roth was going to be punished. Penny showed more compassion with wanting Grieselda to punish him like Krampus would. What did you think about Roth being turned into a donkey?

I thought it was... weird. I wasn't expecting such a supernatural twist to the story

24. Joachim told Hanna that his people are often beseeched for favors, but seldom invited to share feasts. When he offered her a gift, Hanna wanted to never forget that there’s magic in the world. Why do you think she wanted that?

I think if something so strange happened, I wouldn't want to forget it.

What the Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth

25. Sophie is having a hard time adjusting to college life. Having to say “just kidding” and wondering what she has done this time. Do you think she misread situations?

It seemed like she realized that she was misreading people as the story went on. I think she felt so alone and different, that she didn't realize that not everyone was judging her and some people were interested in bonding with her.

26. Russell said the only constant in his life was the Simpsons. I feel when he was talking about his grandmother that she is a constant too, regardless of the amount of time he could spend with her. Is there something or someone that is a constant in your life that helps keep you grounded?

Books I think. They've followed me throughout my life.

3 December

14. We are halfway through. Do you have a favourite of the stories so far? Is there one you are particularly looking forward to reading?

So far my favourite would be Midnights by Rainbow Rowell, followed by It's a Yuletide Miracle by Stephanie Perkins. Funny that out of the first 6 stories, those are the authors whose books I've read before. Of the last 6, I'm looking forward to the stories by Gayle Forman and Laini Taylor, both of whom I've read before.

It's a yuletide miracle

15. Marigold's apartment was a suprise. Have you ever lived somewhere with things piled up around you like that or where you had boxes unpacked for months?

No, I can't stand a mess and I'm much happier when things are neat. I'm usually looking for things to get rid of so my house doesn't feel so cluttered.

16. I thought this story had a nice style. Have you read any books by Stephanie Perkins? What did you think?
I've read her Anna and the French Kiss series and really liked it. I thought this story was good too.

17. I was trying to picture Asheville in my mind and ended up doing some google-ing. Have you ever been there or somewhere like it?

Not sure, is this the town where they live? I don't really remember anything distinctive about it.

Your temporary Santa

18. This story was the most unusual for me. I felt like there was a lot more going on than what I understood (like the nasty sister and the strange interaction with the mum in the hallway). But I find that a lot with Levithan books! How about you?

I've never read the author before but I agree that it felt like some backstory was missing.

19. I like how he is Jewish and his parents gave him the story about Santa and how "you can wave to him as he flies past if you want". Did your parents have any unusual Christmas stories or traditions?

I thought the story his parents told him was so cute. I don't remember anything unusual.

20. Did you ever see Santa? When did you stop believing?

I stopped believing young because my older brother spoiled it for me once he found out. I tried to keep the magic alive for my younger brother though and would pretend that Santa was a friend of mine.

Miracle On 5th Avenue by Sarah Morgan
Finished: 12/03
Pages: 384
Rating: 3 stars

F - series: From Manhattan With Love
A - character: Albert
E - character: Eva

40.Read a book with “carrot” in the text (50 points)

DQs 2

Angels in the Snow

8. Shy puts up a good front that everything is just fine when he is actually starving and lonely. Haley's invitation to dinner seems to be exactly what he needs. Why do you think he is making choices that are clearly making him miserable?

Pride and shame. It's hard to admit you need help.

9. Haley asks Shy about his meals, invites him to dinner, and then brings muffins which she puts straight into the refrigerator without giving Shy a chance to stop her. Do you think she suspects that he doesn't have any food? What did you think of her solution of fixing dinner and then dragging him up to her apartment to eat it?

Maybe she does. It made me tear up a bit when she forced him to come eat with her. So sweet.

10. In the end, it turns out that Haley wasn't completely honest, and she confesses her deception to Shy. What do you think initially motivated her to deceive him? Why is she telling him the truth now?

I think she knew things weren't going to work out with her boyfriend, which is why she delayed going home and she wanted to get to know Shy better, so she used the shower as an excuse. Now that she knows and likes him, she opens up about why she really showed up at his door.

Polaris Is Where You'll Find Me

11. Given that Natalie has lived at the North Pole since she was a baby, did you find it odd that she seemed so completely alone at the party and separate from the elves?

I guess they know she is not one of them and that she will leave one day, but I'm surprised they don't try to include her at all. They seem happy with their lives and when people are happy they are usually more generous toward others.

12. What did you think of Santa as a dad: the dress, the dance, the fact he can't be lied to?

Natalie cannot have had an easy childhood. Her dad seems to love her but doesn't really understand what she needs or what she is going through.

13. The end of the story was really open ended. Do you think Flynn is right that she will go away someday and stop believing or do you think she will stay at the North Pole?

I don't really know why she would want to stay since it doesn't seem like she has any friends there other than Flynn and it will hurt her to see him with someone else. If she kept believing she could come back to visit.

DQ's - Dec 1

Midnights
1. Mags and Noel meet at a New Years Eve party and we read dialogue from 4 consecutive celebrations. To me, it’s pretty obvious Noel is interested in more than a ‘friendship’ relationship with Mags. What are your thoughts about why Mags is so reluctant?

I think it's not obvious to her as she doesn't have the experience to see it. She is doing that thing where she pre-emptively says things like "oh Pony shouldn't use New Years as an excuse to kiss someone" to safeguard her heart and show that SHE doesn't expect him to kiss her or whatever, even though that's what she would like, which makes him think he shouldn't do it. She is so scared of both rejection and ruining their friendship that she shuts things down before they can start.

2. Not sure, but Noel appears to have some experience with other girls…Natalie, Amy, Alicia…while Mags doesn’t interact with other boys. What’s keeping Mags from other boys and if Noel really likes Mags why is he kissing/dating other girls?

She likes him and isn't interested in others. I think he is more easygoing and thinks she doesn't like him. It's clear he likes her but he isn't going to throw himself at her because he thinks he will be rejected. He isn't pursuing the girls, but lets things happen when they come to him.

3. It seems that Noel is really the one open to different things and specifically change vs Mags who appears likes things status quo. One quote ’everything was the same and everything was different’… what does this mean to you?

We all see changes more in others and feel that we are not really changing, because it happens on a day-to-day basis for ourselves, so we don't see our own changes. Then when we go back to a place we spent a lot of time in earlier, everything feels different, because WE are different, which is how the party is for everyone, or how we feel if we go back to visit our old high school.

The Lady and the Fox
4. The man (Fenny) is outside standing still…in the trees always at Christmas, always in the snow… What do you think about this man? He says he’s where he’s supposed to be…he’s only allowed to come when it shows…why do you think he’s supposed to be there?

I don't really know. It seems like he was cursed, only appearing on Christmas when it's snowing.

5. Fenny gives Miranda the Fox Damask from his coat as a present and she fixes it so the fox is no longer chained and returns it to him one year later, again as a present. Is this ‘fox’ magic? Would he have been able to be free of the lady had this not occurred do you think?

I never thought of this but it makes sense I guess.

6. The fact that Miranda’s mother is in jail is one aspect of this story that requires ‘imagination’. What does her mother have in common with Finny (the man in the snow) and/or the lady? Do you think her mother is really in jail in Thailand?

I thought it was weird that the one part of the story I was interested in was never explained: why was her mother sent to jail, and why in Thailand?

7. The book was written in a ‘different’ style. If you were going to put a label on the style, what would you call it and why? Does Link’s style remind you on another author you’ve read…if so, who?

I agree with those who said it was like a fairy-tale or folk-tale. Stories like this are why I generally avoid short-story collections. I don't feel like I know what the "point" of this story was and I much prefer realistic stories like the previous one.

Thanks!

It's frustrating to have to rely on Amazon for these things when I don't use a kindle. Kobo just tells you how far into the chapter words are (20% into Chapter 1 for example). This is why I always hate when challenges want you to find a word in a book.

I don't have a kindle or a hard copy of Miracle on 5th Avenue and there's no searchable preview on amazon, so I searched my ebook copy for the word carrot and did the math to find the % and quote. Is that ok?

"She stabbed the carrot hard into the snowman's face and then felt Lucas's arm brush against hers as he dropped to his haunches next to her" 73% into book

Here's my reading plan:

8. Read a book where Hanukkah is celebrated (50 points)
My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories

40.Read a book with “carrot” in the text (50 points)
Miracle on 5th Avenue

28. Read a book with gloves on the cover ( 50 points)
One Day in December

The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White
Finished: 11/30
Rating: 2 stars
Pages: 304
BOM comments: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

E - Elizabeth
H - Henry

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
Finished: 11/30
Rating: 5 stars
Pages: 831

S - Snape
L - Luna
G - George
H - Harry
B - Bill

DQ Day 3 Ch 17-end

10) Judge Frankenstein did not let Elizabeth know that he was fighting to get her inheritance back. If she would have known, do you think she would have handled things differently with when she found Justine and forced a marriage between her and Victor? Would she have been a different person?

I think so. Many of her actions seemed due to being scared of being thrown into the street with no money, family, or way to look after herself.

11) Victor said, “You made it clear from the start you did not care what I did so long as you did not have know the specifics. It was our agreement.” Did Elizabeth contribute to Victor’s madness? If she would have told him he went was going too far at any time, would he have stopped or just not tell her?

She seemed to go along with anything he wanted, which is part of why he had such strong feelings for her, but if she had shown some disapproval, he might of at least tried to curb some of the behaviour, if not stopped.

12) Victor wound up leaving after the conversation Elizabeth saw with the monster. Later we found out that he was watching and protecting Elizabeth. Was Elizabeth committed to an asylum to keep her safe or to get the monster out of the way so Victor would be able to continue with his work?

I don't think it was to keep her safe, so much as to keep her from interfering with Victor's work.

13) Was it surprising that Victor killed Henry and used part of him for his experiments? Were you surprised that Mary and Elizabeth friended the monster and let him chose a new name?

I suspected that Henry might be dead when he didn't contact Elizabeth at all after going after Victor. I'm glad that they were so welcoming of the monster, who would not be accepted by anyone else.

14) Do you believe that Victor finally succeeded with his experiment to retrieve Elizabeth or that he needed to go forward with the experiment on her to have her back the way she was?

I hope not.

15) How did you like this retelling to the original and/or other retellings?

I didn't really enjoy this book very much. Was bored for much of it and ended up rating it 2 stars.

Im going to finish two books today and then I’ll get started reading books for next week.