Jackie’s Comments (group member since Jul 10, 2011)

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

Discussion Questions - Jan 05
Chapters 10-12
Pages 158-214

15. What are your thoughts on the developing relationship between Jamie and Nat? Do you think they would have gotten together regardless of Jamie's precog? Or has the precog been the catalyst for their relationship?
I think the precog was the catalyst. The relationship sure seems to be moving fast. I really think the precog is pushing the relationship and wonder whether that's good or not.

16. What do you think about the ethics raised in the story over the use of mind skills? Do you think Lauren has used her skills unethically - whether intentional or not? What about the ethics around Aunt Jennie's use of her mind skills in her photography?
Lauren has probably unintentionally been using her skills in her work. Therefore, the source of her "great instincts." And, I'm sure that's what has made Jennie a big success in photography. I really think it's unethical for either of them to do this but I'm not sure how they could avoid it entirely. At any rate I feel both of them are trying to be helpful to their "subjects" and do not mean to harm anyone.

17. What are your thoughts and impressions on the interactions between Aervyn and Lauren?
Looks like they have a future together, of some sort.

18. What are your thoughts on the visualtions used in the story to build the mind barriers, i.e. Jennie's camera, Aervyn's matchbox cars, Lauren's couch? Are you surprised to read about these types of visualtions, rather than the traditional walls that Jamie used initially with Lauren?
It makes sense that it would need to fit the individual.

19. We are now at the half-way point in the book. What are you thoughts? Are you enjoying the story? Do you have any comments or thoughts about the characters? What star rating would you give the story at this point?
It's a pleasant story but it seems really flat to me. I'm hoping it gets better. Right now, I'd probably give it 3 stars. If I feel the same way at the end, I'll probably reduce it to 2 stars.

I'm planning to start on the 12th also.

Rebecca NJ wrote: "Jackie wrote: "May I join in?"

Sure!! The more the merrier!"

Great! I'm just starting so I'll be back tomorrow with comments.

Book Read: 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover by Linda Wisdom
Date Read: 1/5/15
Pages: 364

Base Points This Book: 20
BR/BOM Bonus Points: 0
TOTAL POINTS THIS BOOK: 20

I plan to start it tomorrow.

May I join in?

Steven wrote: "I've always felt that the section of the book with Richard and the [spoilers removed] felt a little disjointed from the rest of the book. Oh, well, I'll push on through it and finish up!"

I agree, Steven. (view spoiler)[All the time that Richard is with Denna, we have no idea what's happening with all the other characters. That seemed strange and disjointed, as you said. (hide spoiler)]

Discussion Questions - Jan 04
Chapters 7-9
Pages 108-156

11. What power would you want to have Jamie’s ability that is a little bit of everything but with some precog or Lauren’s ability with the mind and telepath? Of if not one of those what other “witchy” ability would you want?
I think I'd go with Jamie's abilities, a little bit of everything. It would make life interesting but maybe not be so overpowering.

12. Nat and Jaime, the vision in precog of the child. Do you think it will come true?
Probably.

13. Lauren apparently has very strong mind talents that she isn’t aware of using. Do you think she will be able to learn how to control them? What do you see happening to her in the future?
I think she will learn to control them and become a very powerful witch.

14. The POV (Point of View) tends to shift a lot in thought from character to character. Do you like the style of POV?
It took some getting used to especially with trying to keep all the characters straight.

Is anyone planning to read The Great Hunt soon? I've started it but only read eight chapters. Had to put it on hold to finish some other books but plan on getting back to it in a day or so.

I'm going to have to find that TV show! LOL

I would love to read the second book with you guys in late January or February.

Would January 20 work for you, Zee?

Discussion Questions - Jan 03
Chapters 4-6
Pages 52-106


6. So a tall, hot and totally strange man approaches you during lunch, serves himself, and sits at your table. How will you react?
Since there are plenty of people around, I'd probably just see what he said before doing anything.

7.Yeah, right. Put an image of you surrounded by models, that will totally conquer the girl. Am I the only one that keeps expecting something drastic to appear? Maybe is Harry Potter's trip to the zoo with the snake incident that ruined the "discovering I'm a witch" for me.
I'm not looking for anything drastic. If Lauren hadn't realized she had powers before now, I think it's going to be a gradual process of coming to grips with it.

8.What about the testing? Lauren was finally starting to freak out. I'm wondering what other powers besides the mind typed ones she will have.
Don't know but I'm curious.

9. Wow. So Jamie found her soul-mate in Nat. And Lauren caught the backlash. And unusually well according to Jamie. What do you think about this turn of events?
It seems to me that Lauren is being extremely trusting. I mean really, this guy shows up at dinner and then at her home and wants to test her for witchy abilities, and she's perfectly okay with it. And then she's knocked out and she's still okay with it?

10. Following Kelly's question, what do you think about the characters so far?
I don't feel much one way or another for them at this time.

Book Read: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
Date Read: 1/3/15
Pages: 870

Base Points This Book: 90
BR/BOM Bonus Points: 30 link
TOTAL POINTS THIS BOOK: 120

I've finished. This was a reread for me but it had been so long since I read it that I had forgotten most of it.
(view spoiler)[I enjoyed it but not as much as the first time. Harry constantly seemed to be angry (though justified in many instances) and that started to be annoying. I remembered about Sirius but even that didn't seem nearly as sad as I remembered it. (hide spoiler)]

Is anyone still interested in reading The House at Riverton?

Discussion Questions - Jan 02
Chapters 1-3
Pages 1-50

1. What do you think of this way of locating witches?
I really don't see how it could work but it's a fascinating concept.

2. Anyone else go to www.amodernwitch.com?
After I read your question.

3. What would be your thoughts if you got snatched from your website and tossed into a chat room with people telling you that you're a witch? Would you roll with it or call the police about the tall dark stranger coming to scan you?
Hmm, I'd probably back away from the computer.

4. What do you think Lauren's talent is? Something to do with her uncanny real estate broker abilities?
Yes, I'd say some extreme form of empathy, maybe?

5. Any favorite characters so far? How are you liking the book?
No favorites so far. Too soon. They all seem likeable.

Book Read: Cress by Marissa Meyer
Date Read: 1/2/15
Pages: 550

Base Points This Book: 50
BR/BOM Bonus Points: 30 link
TOTAL POINTS THIS BOOK: 80

Just finished.

(view spoiler)[I was sad to see Dr. Erland die just as he had found his daughter. Finally, Kai knows that Cinder is Princess Selene! Been waiting for that for 3 books now. I guess Winter is about Levana's stepdaughter who is going mad because she doesn't use her Lunar gift and who Jacin is in love with. It looks like maybe she has befriended Scarlet. (hide spoiler)]

Looking forward to reading the conclusion of this series whenever it comes out.

I'll join in on this one.

Laura wrote: "Jackie wrote: "Through chapter 21.

[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

True!