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

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

I've read The Lost Hero but if you continue the series, I'd like to join in with the second book.

DQ for Chapter Three: Imaginary Men - Interlude: The Last Mistake

15. I was a little confused. Wasn't this Don Salvara supposed to be the first noble person scam they've done? I remember reading somewhere that this line was being crossed. Was I wrong? Yet, I find the name Thorn of Camorr particularly clever. Do you?
I thought I remembered reading that they had done other noble scams before. I definitely can see the name of Thorn of Camorr being applied to Locke. A thorn in their sides.

16. So, we get the glimpse into the mysterious Spider. Do you think the black shadowy thing following them is part of Spider's? What do you think it is? ...it beat its wings and rose into the darkness in a spiraling circle, until it was up above the mists of Camorr and..
I have no idea what this is. A spy of some sort?

17. That was quite a move by the Gentlemen Bastards. Poor Conté’. But looks Chains didn't exactly train them in combat? I have to say I'm liking the author just for making me like the Gentlemen Bastards and rooting for them. They are almost anti-heroes.
I've always enjoyed movies about con men and stings, and so far, this book is highly enjoyable. I am rooting for them; you can't help but like them.

18. Capa Barsavi doesn't look like a man that can be crossed. Swearing a fealty with a magicked shark tooth? What about Nazca Barzavi? Do you think we'll see her again with the fealty Locke did?
Yes, I think she will play a part later on.

Book Read: Unmanned by Lois Greiman
Date Read: 11/09/14
Pages: 320

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

Books finished:
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones - 11/8/14 - 212 pages - 20 points
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling - 11/8/14 - 435 pages - 20 points

Chapter Two and Interlude

10.Reading about the floating markets reminded me of the ones I saw in Thailand.
Have you ever seen floating markets?
No, I haven't.

11. Hmmm, Ginger Scald cocktail. Would you drink it? What is your favourite cocktail?
No way.

12. Execution by Devilfish... Very creative. From the description, a devilfish is an octopus or squid. Here's a link to a youtube video of a diver being mauled by a giant squid.
Definitely creative. And I thought the gladiator fighting was bad!

13. The Teeth Show. Female gladiators fighting jumping sharks.
Almost as bad as execution by devilfish but at least they did it willingly. Really didn't care for this chapter that much.

14. The story is still changing timelines between a current big scam and how Locke got to be in the position to do that. Do you think he will be able to pull off the scam?
Yes, I think so. I have a feeling it won't be easy though.

Prologue - Part I Interlude: Locke Explains
(1%-13%) Pages 1-90

1. Are you reading a book or e-book, or listening to the audiobook?
I'm reading a paperback copy.

2. I absolutely love the prologue. As the Thiefmaker told the story of the magic boy to Father Chains, I was reminded of Fagin from Oliver Twist, but I definitely see Locke as more Artful Dodger than Oliver. Do you see any similarities between the characters from Oliver Twist and The Lies of Locke Lamora? Does it remind you of another story?
I haven't read Oliver Twist but from what I know of the book I can see similarities.

3. Until the appearance of the white shark's tooth, I was certain that the Thiefmaker's threat to kill Locke was all bluster. Do you believe he would have gone through with it if Father Chains hadn't taken Locke in?
Definitely. I don't think the Thiefmaker would have had any qualms killing Locke.

4. Why do you think it was so important to the Thiefmaker to get Locke out of his gang? He's a 7 year old boy! Is he really that big a threat?
Locke showed too much resourcefulness and possibly leadership qualities. The Thiefmaker depended on the boys' fear to keep them in line, and Locke definitely could turn into a big problem.

5. I found the jumping timeline in Chapter One less enjoyable than the prologue, perhaps because I was listening to it rather than reading it. Did you like that format? What benefit does this style present to the reader and/or the author?
I liked the format okay. I could see how it might be an issue if using an audiobook though.

6. The staged scene, and its preparations, have the feel of a Shakespearean comedy. That's definitely changed (and exceeded) my expectations of the book, which were more along the lines of Robin Hood in a magical setting. Has it met or exceeded your expectations?
This was unexpected but I liked it. It definitely has the feel of a Shakespearean comedy or of a 'sting' movie such as Ocean's Eleven or the tv show Leverage.

7. The story has alternated between between Locke's boyhood and his present adulthood. Which story do you find more interesting? Are you tempted to read all the Interludes before reading the chapters? (I am so very tempted!)
I'm assuming that the story will unfold giving us a look at present as well as past so that we will understand how Locke arrived at where he is. Early on but I think it will work well. I believe reading all the Interludes would spoil the story for me.

8. We now know how Locke managed to kill two people. Father Chains is ruthless in his examination of him despite Locke's youth. What impact, if any, do you think the knowledge of his culpability in Veslin's and Gregor's deaths will have on Locke's future relationships and leadership style?
I'm not sure. Hopefully he has learned to consider possible consequences from his actions. On the other hand, this is a cruel, 'dog-eat-dog' world and Locke could very likely have been killed by Veslin and Gregor eventually.


9. I'm beginning to develop an emotional picture of Locke, but it isn't fully formed. I do, however, have a fully formed idea of his appearance. I'm thinking of Santiago Cabrera (who absolutely doesn't fit Lynch's given description of Locke, but I love holding his image in my mind while listening to Michael Page's voice in the audiobook). Do you 'cast' the characters when you're reading? If so, who have you chosen to play Locke? Do you feel constrained by particular descriptors such as eye color or hair style?
I normally have a picture of the character based on the description in the book. I don't usually 'cast' the characters however.

I'm using the time today to start The Lies of Locke Lamora.

I'm joining late - just got my book. I'll try to catch up.

I'm doing the same thing, Kelly. I'm close to finishing two books but I'm going to wait until tomorrow to finish.

I'm also waiting on a copy of The Lies of Locke Lamora. I'll be joining the BOM late.

Horses for Courses
Duration 1 - 30 November 2014
Levels: ♘ To win: 5-8 books

T In for a Penny: A Cleopatra Jones Mystery by Maggie Toussaint - 11/25/14
H Ham Bones by Carolyn Haines - 11/1/14
E The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths - 11/18/14

P The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson - 11/15/14
E Dove in the Window by Earlene Fowler - 11/17/14
A Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery - 11/4/14
R Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling - 11/8/14
L Unmanned by Lois Greiman - 11/9/14

Needles N Stitches (Cont)

Unstructured
Vents
Wrong Side
OXford
Yarn
Zipper

Needles N Stitches (Cont)

Offset
Pattern
Quilt
Right Side
Single Crochet
Thread

Needles N Stitches (Cont)

Hook
Increase
Jump Stitch
Knitting
Linen
Mantua-maker
Needle

Needles N Stitches
Duration: 11/1/14 - ??
Level: Talented Tailor

Afghan Stitch
Basket Weave
Cross-stitch
Double Crochet
Embroidery
Frame
Gather

My shelf is ttiii-spirit-weavers

I read mainly mystery (especially cozy), fantasy, and young adult, but enjoy other genres as well. About the only genres I do not like are horror and true crime.

I participated in the second one and really enjoyed it.

Hello everyone! Glad to be part of the team!

I'm going to do another round - Secondary Categories this time.

NBRC: LIFE'S A BOX OF CHOCOLATES
DATE: 10/04/14 - 10/3/15
SOLID CHOCOLATE LEVEL: SPELL-OUT

Secondary Categories:

Sour
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Dried
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Ripe
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Unripe
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Vegetable
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G
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B
L
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Spicy
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P
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Roasted Nut
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O
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N
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Ash
A
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Burnt
B
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Dirty/Musty
D
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M
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Mineral
M
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Wood
W
O
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Fresh
F
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Ripened/Fermented
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F
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