Stacey’s Comments (group member since Oct 26, 2014)

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

Natasha and Leslie Ann -- I'm so sorry! I'm dreading that day with mine.

Question for the mini: If we have a book that will work for one of the other districts tasks -- should we prioritize the spell out of the other district? So if I have a purple cover that works for District 1 but also works for several letters in our current spell out -- where should I put it? The spell out?

I've got it Nick. :)

I've found a Forever book if we want to add a letter.

I feel like I'm going to regret this, but it's only $1.19 on kindle, so I can do that one.

I will have my #1 done tonight or tomorrow, but feel free to switch out if needed.

DQs Day 3:

10. We read something that moves us, touches us, speaks to us and it... it changes us?"

Do you agree with that quote? Are there any books that changed you personally?
I think that's probably a fair quote. Although I say that and then can't think of an example of something that moved me to the point that I felt changed. Maybe its more a subtle change.

11. We finally get the first riddle. Did you guess it before Lucy did? Yes, but I feel like I've seen a variation of this riddle somewhere before.

12. What did you think of The City of Secondhand and of Markham showing up like that? Is he just a sleezy lawyer, or is there something more sinister going on? I mean, I think he's a sleazy lawyer and it wouldn't surprise me if something worse was going on. I think it's probably to be expected in situations like this.

13. do you have to keep reminding yourself that the "contestants" are adults, not children? I've seen a lot of people say that, but they seem adultish to me. Maybe they come across as childlike since they are revisiting things from their childhood. Although I still don't get Lucy.

Melissa wrote: "Perfect that’s awesome everyone!

We do need 3 different series options - one for each wall. So we could use your #5 too MH but if you want to finish it that’s fine too. I’m sure we’ll figure anot..."

I can do a 1.

It seems like all I read are series books, so I can probably find one if we need a specific number.

I haven't finished The Wishing Game yet and District 5 read it for shelter, so I can slow walk my finish to Monday. :) (The SS won't let me link --it looks like that option is turned off in that section??)

Good Luck Trisha!

I'll have my battle book done by tomorrow.

DQs Day 2 Chapter 6 - 11

6. Jack replied to Lucy's letter and Lucy decided to run away from home. What did you think of his letter and would you have done the same as Lucy?
I'm cautious by nature, so I would have probably wanted another letter or two. :) But I can understand why Lucy is so eager to get away from home and have someone who will talk to her.

7. We get more insights on Clock Island. Every 'hour' is its own section like for example a beach. Would you like to visit the island? Do you find the idea of it fascinating or could you not care less?It's cute, but it wouldn't necessarily make a special trip to see it. It would be a nice hook if it was trying to be a tourist spot, because there are definitely others that would.

8. Every part starts with a quote from Jack's book. Do you think these parts are important for the story? Just showing off Jack's work? Something else? Probably, but to be honest I haven't really been paying attention to them. I'll go back and read them now.

9. It seems like there will be a deeper connection between Lucy and Hugo. Do you agree? And would you approve of it given that Hugo had first met her when she was still a child? I agree. And I don't have an issue with it as she's not a child now.

Discussion Questions : Day 1 (Prologue - Chapter 5)

1. We have been introduced to a few important characters - Lucy, Christopher, and Hugo. Plus the off-page persona of Jack. What do you think of the characters so far?
So far I find them all very sympathetic and interesting. Hugo obviously seems a bit sour, but I feel like there's a good backstory as to why he is that way (I'm a romance reader and there's always a reason). And Lucy and Christopher are just adorable.

2. We get a riddle right away in the Prologue:

"Two men on an island and both blame the water
for the loss of a wife and the death of a daughter
but neither ever married, and neither's a father.
What is the secret of the girls and the water?"

Then Hugo thinks to himself that "Five years ago, it [the ocean] had brought low the small, strange kingdom of Clock Island." Do you think the riddle is related to what happened five years ago? Any speculations on what it all means, assuming you haven't read ahead?
I do feel like they are related but I don't really know how. And riddles are not my thing at all, but I'd guess it brought an end to some relationships?

3. At the beginning of Chapter Two, Hugo says that he used to dream about living in Greenwich Village, but now that he can actually afford it, it doesn't hold the same appeal. He basically says that success kills motivation. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?
Motivation becomes much more internal after you are successful to a point where you can afford a comfortable lifestyle, so I'd say it would depend on the person.

4. What do you think of the wishing game Lucy plays with Christopher? Do you think this game and mindset are healthy? Do you agree with Lucy that it gives them hope, or do you agree with the social worker that it just gets their hopes up?
I think at that age, in normal circumstances it's not a bad game to play. In Christopher's situation I can see where it would be dangerous.

5. Why do you think Jack finally started writing again? And what might be his motive in holding a contest for the only copy of the new book?
I don't know why he's writing again, but I'm assuming he's trying to get Lucy back to the island for some reason.

Overnight Sensation is actually on my TBR, so I'd be happy to read that.

I have these:

Over the Line (ine)
Overnight Sensation (ion)

DQs Day 3
Chapters 14-19

11. Starling House reminded me up to a point with some vibes of Beauty and the Beast, although lesser now as the story progresses. Is the book reminding you of any other stories you have read before?
I keep getting The Hollow Places vibes. I'm finding I keep waiting for them to go through a portal and finish the story on the other side.

12. Ch 14-19 have answered a lot of questions about Opal, the house, Arthur, the history of the place and what's going on. Has anything revealed in this section been surprising to you? Does the explanation so far of everything that has happened ring true? I didn't really see Arthur's responsibility for Opal's mother's death coming, but it makes sense and we knew it had to be tied into the house and the Gravely family story.

13. Jasper and Opal are clearly close, although he is sometimes moody and surly. He seems resentful at times of Opal going out so far on a limb to take care of him and get him out of Eden. What do you think of the character now that he has more fleshed-out scenes and more has been revealed about him and their relationship? I feel like his moodiness has been at least somewhat because of Opal and how she treats him. I'm excited to see him come out on his own some and maybe be a bigger part of what's happening.

14. Arthur and Opal have heated a few things up. Do you think they fit each other well with these developments? I like them together. I feel like they have both had serious trauma and can understand each other in a way other's might not be able to.

15. There is humor in the book that is overshadowed by genuinely creepy horror like tales, What do you think about Underland "beasts" revealed so far? I feel like they are still so vague that I don't really have a good feel. It's misty, they are big, and cause trouble. That's all I've got. So tbh, I'm not finding them that much of a threat just yet?

Done. I always forget when Kindle automatically tells GR I'm done.

I just posted one last quick one I needed for another challenge. :)

Since I'm still figuring this out....don't we need an E on the end of our 3 letters? I'm not sure Ancillary works?

Okay, sorry, I read that wrong. Nevermind on that book.

So the goal is to keep the overlap letters low?