Maritza’s Comments (group member since Jun 08, 2014)

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

Discussion Questions - Set 2
Chapters 9-15

8. (Chapter 9 - Herta) - Herta arrives at the re-education camp and realizes that they are killing the prisoners. She also meets Fritz again, someone she knew from medical school. She says she’s going to leave because of what they are doing at the camp. Do you think she will leave? 
No she won't leave. She is too ambitious and longs to do what her male counterparts do.
9. (Chapter 10 - Caroline) - Paul returns to Paris, and then Hitler invades Paris. Paul gets a call in to Caroline. Do you think they will ever see each other again? How would you feel if your loved one was in the middle of a war zone?
No I don't think they will. I would bs devastated and feel as if a part of me were missing.
10 (Chapter 11 - Kasia) - Kasia and her family are caught by the SS and sent on a train to a camp. Kasia feels bad and thinks she brought this on herself. Do you think they are arriving at the camp where Herta works? Should Kasia feel guilty about bringing this arrest on everyone?
Yes i think the camp is where their story comes together anc we will experience it from both views. She should feel guilty as her ignorance of youth led her and her famiky there.
11. (Chapter 12 - Caroline) - Caroline takes on a top secret mission in locating all the camps - re-education and extermination. Do you think she might find Paul in one of them?
No i don't think so and if she does it might be too late.
12. (Chapter 13 - Kasia) Kasia and her family are taken to the same camp where Herta works. Her math teacher is murdered in front of her and she is assigned to pull her to the pile of dead people. She must be facing such desolation and hunger. Have you ever felt this same sense of isolation, hopelessness and anger? How do you think you would handle it?
I have never felt like that thank God. I don't know maybe a little better if i had family with me.
13. (Chapter 14 - Herta). Herta and Kasia’s mother Halina are working together now at the clinic. They seem to forming some kind of friendship. How do you think this will play out with Herta being German and Halina being German/Polish?
At some point Herta will have to turn on her because of their backgrounds.
14. (Chapter 15 - Caroline) Caroline finds out that Paul and Reena are on the list of prisoners in Paris. She continues to support the orphaned children in Paris by selling some of her family silver. She stands up against anti-semitism in the shop. I really like this character’s gumption and willingness to stand up for what’s right. Have you ever been in that situation? If so, what did you have to do? 
No i have never found myself in such a position. I lead an uneventful life.

Awesome I all over the place just wish I could read more. It’s like The Twilight Zone - not enough time.

Geri wrote: "Will these books work for the water spell?

and

If these will fulfill the water spell, I’ll go ahead and read them soon."

Oh I have the second book I started reading. If I can help ill finish reading something in the water

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS SET 1
CHAPTERS 1-8

1. LILAC GIRLS IS MARTHA HALL KELLY'S DEBUT ... WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TITLE?
--- To me Lilacs are calming and very fragrant. Maybe this title speaks to calmness after the storms.
2. IN THE FIRST THREE CHAPTERS, WHAT ARE YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THE GIRLS AND THE PLACES AND TIMES THEY LIVE IN?
--- To me these are ordinary girls going on about their business without knowing what is to come.
3. WHY DO YOU THINK THE AUTHOR HAS BEGUN THE NOVEL IN THREE DIFFERENT ...?
--- Maybe to show tnat as they are going on with their normal activity something will happen to unite them.
4. DO YOU THINK PIETRIK HAS ROMANTIC FEELINGS FOR KASIA AND WHAT DO YOU IMAGINE HAS HAPPENED TO NADIA AND HER MOTHER?
--- I think he thinks of her as a good friend and may have deeper feelings he is unaware of. Are they in hiding, have they been taken..i don't know.
5. DESPITE HERTA'S POLITICAL BELIEFS DO YOU FEEL ANY SYMPATHY FOR HER IN HER SITUATION WITH HEINZ?
--- Not right now.
6. PAUL SEEMS TO BE THE EPITOME OF THE SAUVE, URBANE FRENCHMAN. DO YOU SEE ANY FUTURE FOR HIM AND CAROLINE?
--- No
7 ALREADY I AM FINDING MY EMOTIONS ENGAGED BY THIS NOVEL. SADNESS, ANGER, INDIGNATION AND HORROR FOR WHAT I KNOW IS TO COME. HOW IS THIS BOOK AFFECTING YOU SO FAR? 
--- As with all things Holocaust I feel anger and dispair that humans can do this to each other.

Shannon wrote: "Maritza wrote: "Working on Lilac Girls and have Red Sister. Would volunteer for questions but i cant always get books in time."

Fantastic Maritza!! I’m going to joi..."
No both are new authors to me.

Working on Lilac Girls and have Red Sister. Would volunteer for questions but i cant always get books in time.

Will see what i find

Started first two chapters and liking the writing style and the little sister, she keeps it real.

Team Ginny Weasley joining in. I jumped the gun and read two chapters to see if I might like this book. It seems to have potential so will wait for start date to continue.

Michelle wrote: "Yes! i totally agree, Maritza. I love how wonderful Gabriel turned out to be. He just loved her and accepted her for who she is.

For those of you who have read the Wallflowers series,
[spoilers r..."

Yes Michelle, Gabriel was a hood mix of Sebastian and Evie. The story Evie told of a young Gabriel and the fox really exemplifies the man he turned out to be. Despite Pandora's childhood she still maintained a strong semblence of self. What she was capable of and her Imagined deficiency.

Jammin Jenny wrote: "This will be my first Lisa Kleypas book. Hope I like it! The cover looks cool."

This was also my first time with this author and I must say that it reminded me of Alice Clayton's female characters who just bring a smile to my face. You kind of forget it's a historical romance because the thinking is so modern. I think you will enjoy it.

Shannon wrote: "Maritza wrote: "
By Lisa Kleypas
384 pgs
BR thread - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/......"
Okay

By Lisa Kleypas
384 pgs
BR thread - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Characters - Pandora Ravenel, Gabriel Lord St. Vincent, Kathleen, Devon

Wow I loved it, loved it. What can i say I loved Pandora and her free thinking ways. Gabriel for his ability to learn to love Pandora without trying to change her. Her family for their love of each other and his family for being down to Earth. I also would like to go back and read his parents book. Pandor was way ahead of her time in the way she wanted to live her life and am happy that the found the man who would let her spread her wings. A great pick.

I have about 6 BR books borrowed and two BOM. Just need to read them

Sorry guys can’t be announcer. Too overwhelming for me

So we know that Pandora and Gabrielle will end up together but I love their beginning and the fact that he admires her spunk. Pandora is a woman after my own heart. She knows what she wants and is not afraid to voice her opinion. I am hoping he will encourage her in her goals and damned be societal rules. All this from the first three chapters. Love her support system who do not inhibit her eccentricities.

Okay i can do that

By Lisa Gardner
416 pgs
Read 06/07/18****
BR link https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Character D.D.Warren, Flora and Rosa, Samuel,Jacob, Lindy

Just finished and was not exactly what I thought. I thought maybe Flora was the one abducting the girls. That was what i thought she told Jacob at the end. Would have like to seen more of Samuel. Can't wait to see more of D.D. and Alex.