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

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

I finally (!) finished Alice in Zombieland--it doesn't usually take that long for me to work through an audiobook. Not a lot of points, but it is directional.

I can read Wrecked for a skinny book, but it probably won't be until this weekend.

Renee wrote: "I just finished part 2.

Very political. I've never really followed politics, so find it a bit hard to care about the senator and the election stuff. He does sound very perfect, but maybe he just ..."

I just finished Part 2 as well. The politics are starting to bother me a little bit--you can definitely see some of the leanings of the author which is usually a bit of a turn off for me. But (view spoiler)[ now I'm so invested in seeing who is trying to hurt the Senator that I'm excited to keep reading. (hide spoiler)]

Cynthia wrote: "Rachel, I was wondering [spoilers removed]

I like George. It's Shaun that I don't like. I've never been a fan of the people that think they only risk themselves when they do dangerous things. Mayb..."

I'm struggling a bit with both of them. They both seem a weeee bit too proud of their mission and how outside of the normal they are. And for some reason, I keep picturing Shaun as a 15 year old kid when I know he's older. I think its probably just the way he acts.

I started this a bit last night and seems it will be a great read. Unfortunately I'm trying to read too many books at one time, so I may be a little behind, but will add to the discussion as I get caught up.

I will make a note of it. :)

I started this afternoon. Have to say it grabs you pretty quickly. Enjoying it so far. Looking forward to discussing.

I finished a few books over the last 3 days--posted them on the other thread.

I have a question and just want to confirm that I'm doing the right thing. I started Feed today. GR says the Kindle version (which I'm reading) is 609 pages, but the paperback version is 599. We go with the version we are reading, correct?

December 6
DQs Chapter 9 – 11
Pages 161 – 225

21. We’ve learned already that Grace hid the birth of Gywneth’s early arrival. That she hoped that Gywneth might be a carrier of the time traveling gene. If you were in Grace’s situation, would you have hid the birth of your child? Would you have bribed the midwife to change the birthday? Also do you think Grace is behind the midwife leaving so quickly?

I'm with a few of the others who posted, I think that Gwyn is Lucy and Paul's daughter and they left her with Grace to protect her. It wouldn't surprise me if someone was involved in the midwife being gone, but not sure that Grace had time to take care of that.


22. What do you think the mission is?

I guess to get the blood. But I'm as annoyed as Gwyn that no one will tell us what happens then.

24. We’ve learned more of why Lucy stole the chronography and with Paul, Falk de Villiers brother. They went to the past forever, what time period do you think they went to keep safe? Also, why would Grace help them?

I imagine I would jump around a bit to keep the others from finding me. I feel like something happened that made Grace sympathetic to Lucy and Paul, and she agreed to help them to in order to protect them.

25. We learned some of the reasons why Grace is adamant about Gywneth Count Saint-Germain. He is can read thoughts and control their will. Do you think this is true? After Gywneth met the count, do you think he is still able to read minds?

I don't know about the mind reading, but I know he's kind of slimy. I expect he's the big bad in this series.

26. Do you think it’s right for Gideon to travel back in time and tell the Guardians companies to invest in like Apple?

Probably not, but I would probably do the same thing.

27. Gywneth was asked by the count if she had any special abilities. She didn’t think so. Do you think some of the other Circle of the Blood has special abilities? Is it possible Gideon can read thoughts too? Do you think Gywneth hasn’t discovered hers yet?

It does seem Gideon can. I know that Gwyneth can see the ghosts, and will be interested to see if anything else develops.

I'm in need of a next book to listen to while running, so I can do to get another direction done. Will start tomorrow.

I should finish this weekend for red and will be reading later this month if that's enough for black.

I'm finished! It was interesting, and I will definitely continue with the series to see what happens.

(view spoiler)[ While I figured there was some info for June in Metias's journals, I thought the whole "OMG he spelled a word wrong!" to finding the website was a little too easily figured out. In fact, she seemed to figure out a little too much a little TOO easily for my tastes. Fortunately she was also pretty tough, so I'll try to overlook it. ;) (hide spoiler)]

I'm going to give this a go.

Duration: 12/2/14-1/30/15
Level: Valiant Attempt

Coins: 290

FIND THE MISSING ELF
Read 3 books with direction words in the title (above, after, around, before, beginning, behind, below, beside, between, bottom, down, end, far, finish, front, in, inside, left, middle, near, next to, off, on, out, outside, over, right, start, through, top, under, up, upside down)
❄Alice in Zombieland 12/8
❄Eternity in Death 1/10
❄Born in Blood 1/12


FIND MORE PAINT
Read a book that has each of the following colors as the main color (over 50%) of the cover.

❄ Red - 12/19
❄ Orange - 12/27
❄ Yellow - 1/21
❄ Green -
❄ Blue -
❄ Purple -
❄ White - 12/13
❄ Black - 1/4
❄ Pink - 1/11


CHECK THE LIST
Read 4 books where the title contains the words good, bad or similar words or where the main character is a bad boy/girl or a good boy/girl.
❄ Legend 12/5 (Hero is a wanted criminal)
❄ The Darkest Touch 12/6 (bad girl)
❄ Never Fade (bad girl, good boy) 1/2
❄ Full Throttle (good girl, good boy) 1/6


FIX THE CHIMNEY
Read 4 books that make 4 corners each match up with a letter.
❄
❄
❄
❄


FIX SANTA'S SLEIGH
New Harnesses - Read 2 skinny (100-125 pages) books to create beautiful new streamline harnesses.
❄ Wrecked 12/14
❄ A Christmas Carol 12/24

New Stuffing and Fabric - Read a book from GoodReads Choice Awards (winner or nominee is acceptable).
❄ Archer's Voice 12/16

New Rails - Read a 800+ page book to get thick new rails.
❄ New York 1/22

Paint Remover - Participate in a BOM discussion and uncover hidden depths.
❄ Ruby Red 12/7

December 4
Comments and Questions
Chapters 6-8
Pages 96-160

14. Do you think James is starting to come to grips with this ghostness? What role do you see him playing in the book?

I don't know, he still seemed pretty sure he was going to wake up soon. It would be great to have him help her out sometime in the past, but I'm not sure he would recognize her? I have to think about time travel a bit first.

15. Aunt Maddy's vision had a sapphire breaking and a chick popping out and ravens. It seems to be coming very close to the poem of the 12 time travelers. Thoughts?

I have to go read the poem again--is Lucy the sapphire? It's interesting, but I'm wondering why the poem ends with Ruby. Does the time traveling just stop?

16. Aunt Glenda is a rather mean lady. Do you think there's more to her protests than just wanting to be the center of attention?

Right now she just seems selfish and wretched. But maybe there is more to it.

17. Gideon was her secret love in the past. Thoughts? Why do you think she was so set on him not seeing her double?

I still think its because there is some rule about running into yourself.

18. We have confirmation on Mr. Whitman being a member of the group. Do you think it was chance that he was both Gwyneth and Charlottes teacher?

I'm sure they "placed" him there to help if needed.

19. Mr. George sounds remarkably calm about Gywneth's ability to see ghosts. Do you think the group knows of other abilities besides the time travel and visions?

I suppose if you believe in time travel, it becomes easier to believe in anything. I actually like her having extra abilities, I think it might be helpful in her traveling.

20. What a crazy and varied group of people. Was there anyone who stood out as your favorite? Anyone you really disliked?

I know we are supposed to dislike the Doctor, but I'm betting that his attitude and relationship with Gwen changes when he finds out she can see Robert.

Comments and Questions
December 3
Chapter 3 - Chapter 5


6 - So, as expected, Gwyneth travels back in time. What did you think about the little differences in everything (like the doorbell, the cars, etc)? And Gwyneth's first thought was to go back home. Do you think it was the right thing to do? What would you have done?

I thought she actually handled it better than I would have. I most likely would have found a bench to sit on to have a good cry. It makes sense she would go home, as the family has a history with this type of thing and might be able to help her.

7 - That was a shock! This remotes back to Sir Isaac Newton. Do you think there's going to be a conspiracy going on, something like Da Vinci's code, but for teens and time travelling?

I don't know, possibly. They do have a headquarters and all.

8 - What did you think about aunt Maddy's vision?

I think that Gwen's Mom is right, we probably will be able to find something that happens in the story that will go back and make the whole thing make sense.

9 - The second time travel happens. This one was a very close call, with everyone else trying to find her. What did you think about Mr Bernard's showing up out of nowhere? He is a strange fellow. I keep thinking he suspects Gwyneth's time travelling gene, but if he does, he hasn't mentioned anything!

I'm guessing that Mr. Bernard is at least a member of the Guardians, probably in place to watch everyone.

10 - The tidbit before chapter 5, tells us of Gwyneth's adventure, but it also blames her for the disappearence of some items. Do you think this will be significant?

I didn't necessarily think so at the time, but now that I've read everyone else's answers it makes sense that it would. Certainly the kiss episode will show up again.

11 - I love that Leslie was trying so hard to help. All that information and Back to the Future movies xD and Google! Do you think Leslie will be able to find something about this close guarded secret?

Eventually, I think she will be more helpful than the family certainly.

12 - Mr Whiteman wears a signet ring just like Gwyneth's grandfather used to. And then he says that Charlotte won't be back in school "until everything has ...returned to normal". Do you think he is a Guardian? Or maybe a watcher of sorts? He definitely knows something, specially considering the design of his signet ring.

He does seem to know something. Just have to figure out if he's a good guy or not as no obvious enemy has surfaced yet.

13 - And the third jump takes Gwyneth to see herself in a wig and strange clothes. AND kissing this very handsome boy. Do you think the boy could be the famous Gideon de Villiers? And why was Gwyneth 2 trying so hard to hide Gwyneth 1 from him?

I think it was probably Gideon. I would guess maybe its against some rule to travel without some kind of plan? No idea really.

Oops, I haven't updated my planned BRs lately. I checked against the spreadsheet, and here's what I've added:

Feed 12/10
Archer's Voice 12/9
The Rosie Project 12/15
Before Jamaica Lane 12/15
Never Fade 12/23

And I'm doing the BOM Ruby Red right now.

I started this on Saturday since I'll be listening on audiobook and it may take a little longer to finish. I am about halfway through at this point.

I'm enjoying the characters and their conflicting viewpoints, both of which sound reasonable but yet so opposite. I will be interested to see how they--I expect--come to see the other's side.

What I am having trouble with is the world building. I can't get a picture of this place in my head. There are practically no descriptions of the place or the people beyond basic hair color. What is the lake? And what happened that all the buildings are destroyed? Where do the colonies start? I just feel like I need a backdrop for the story I don't have. Maybe its coming and I just need to be more patient. :)

November 30
Chapters 38 - end

45) I loved the scene where Viola read the diary to Todd. His mother talked a lot about hope. Do you think there is still hope, even after everything?

At that point in the book, I did. Not so sure at the end.

46) I get the feeling that people rely too much on Noise to tell them what others are feeling. Do you think Todd's sudden understanding of Viola signifies a new turning point for him?

Hopefully. I think it will also help him maybe read others he comes in contact with throughout the rest of the story.

47) Aaron just won't die! Do you think there is any symbolism behind his ability to keep showing up when they think he is dead?

I truly thought he had changed into some otherworldly being by the end. Seemed very improbable that he was still functioning with half of his face wide open.

48) What did you think of the final fight between Todd and Aaron? Do you think it was good that Viola was the one to kill Aaron?

I was fine with it, but I think that eventually Todd will have to kill someone judging by the tone and direction of the book.

49) So Haven is now New Prentisstown. Any theories about what will happen in the next book?

Only because I read the teaser for the next book when I was trying to decide if I wanted to read it.

50) What was your impression of the book? Will you continue the series?

I thought the book was well written and fascinating. But I can't say I enjoyed it. The level of violence and death, losing Manchee, and the general hopeless feel of the end was too much for me. I won't continue the series--I'll just look for spoilers to find out what happened.

Now that I look at it with the link--do I have to count the whole title of The Boys in the Boat or can I stop it at the colon?

I read the Christmas Quest directions wrong and thought we could all do the quests individually, so I spent some time this morning figuring out which ones I could do on my own. (It was early, and I read before caffiene...) I have plans to read The Darkest Touch, The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, and The Rosie Effect already. I thought I could add The Pillars of the Earth and finish the "chimney corners"--plus get extra points for it being a massive book. I will admit I'm a little intimidated by the Pillars, but I have 2 months and if that will help the group, I'll give it a go. Or if someone has a T/H combo suggestion, I'll take it.

I'm reading Ruby Red for the BOM, for our red. Planning The Boys In the Boat as a BR, but not sure if that's yellow or orange. I'll look through my list and check the spreadsheet after work to see what else I can add.