Laura’s Comments (group member since Nov 04, 2015)

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

DAY 1 CHAPTERS 1-7

1. Ahhh.. The Library! ..My happy place. And what a beautifully intriguing cover! How often do you visit your local library and have you visited any famous libraries around the world. Do share!

I get most of my library books digitally, but I go into the library about once a month. No famous libraries, unfortunately.

2. The first chapters describe a barren wasteland with an equally hopeless type of existence for Livira and her people. But straight away we establish that there is something special about Livira as she rises above her surroundings and the life she seems destined for. But circumstances change... your first impressions of Livira and how she influences her new destiny.

She is certainly different from others around her, but I don't really know what to make of it. I accidentally listened to chapter 9 before coming back here to answer, so the information about her answering questions and writing/mathing above a level she should be able to may be past this point. But that was certainly intriguing.

3. The chapter headings.. how do they fit into the tale? Do you find them interesting as a guide or somewhat cryptic at this stage of the story?

Because I'm listening, I'm not 100% sure, but I'm assuming this refers to the quotes before each new chapter? They are cryptic, for sure!

4. Enter Evar in Chapter 4 and the scene changes from the barren Dust to the mysterious and atmospheric library and its Mechanism. A lot of information to absorb about how it all works and the role of Evar and his "family". Does the author do a good job in getting across what the library is and does? Is it good, evil or omnipotent?

The author does a good job in moving the story forward, but I'm not sure I understand anything yet.

5. "Evar, don't turn the page. I'm in The Exchange. Find me at the Bottom" .
Who wrote this sentence and what is its purpose at this point in the novel? What impact do you think it will have in the story moving forward?

I think it's from Livira. I think their stories are not simultaneous, but one after the other. I think she will go into the same machine that spit him out earlier. I think they spent time together in there, and that is what/who he has forgotten.

MelanieJoy wrote: "Done!"

Thanks!

@MelanieJoy - can you please add The Forbidden Man to your Book Games shelf? Thanks!

Preeti wrote: "Laura wrote: "@Preeti - don't forget to answer the DQs for Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel."

Done. Thank you for reminding me 😊

Now I have to concentrate on The Book That Wouldn't Burn a..."

I'm only on chapter 4 now, but when I get there I'll let you know if I think of anything.

@Preeti - don't forget to answer the DQs for Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel.

I think notifications are messed up again!

MelanieJoy wrote: "@Laura I can read One Day Like This if you want! It looks like my kind of romance and I usually finish those in a day or two if they're not too long. Totally up to you but I've got ..."

It's up to you. We're both already reading one and this would be a second one for either of us. I can leave it to you, but I can also read it if needed.

Let me know if you want it and I'll change it on the spreadsheet and in my post to them because I put down a different One Day Like This.

Or we can wait and see what they send back. And see who wants to read something for that one. :)

I think seeing himself on the television is a huge turning point for Peeta!

I forgot to post here last night. I did send One Day Like This to District 2 last night. They’ll come back at us and then we’ll only have one book left to pick.

I enjoyed it enough to add other books by the author to my TBR.

When she specifies that it will be made clear it happens with the living victors’ approval is what makes me suspicious. At the very least she is evil enough to use it to discredit them in everyone else’s eyes.

Your wish is our command!

The Capitol will be reading One Day Like This for the next shot.

Claire wrote: "Heya, sorry if I haven't been very active the last few days. Work has ben hell lately.
I'm also here to say that I will be leaving on a short trip, visiting some friends in Hamburg, so it'll be di..."

Enjoy your trip and time with friends!

Jenny wrote: "The other comment that is very prevalent is everyone's love for Haymitch. And, there is a Haymitch book on the horizon. I just want all of you to prepare yourself for what is likely to be the most brutal book of the series so far. Not only did he have to win over twice the tributes (if I remember correctly), in the quarter quell, but the book is likely to provide us readers with the details of what the Capitol does to victors once they win and become mentors.
So gird your loins."

He said in Mockingjay that within 2 weeks of his win his entire family was dead and so the Capitol had nothing to hold over him. So I don't think we'll see a lot of what typically would happen. Not like with Finnick.

I would like Joanna's story to be after Haymitch's.

I just finished!

Back in the day when I first joined Goodreads, I was exploring and saw what turned out to be a Harry Potter fanfic that was a book entry on GR. It had a link and I clicked it. At the time I didn't even know what fanfic was (I had 6 children in a 9 year span, so I think we can cut me a little slack on not knowing what the internet was doing during those years!). Anyway, it was James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing. That led me down a rabbit hole, and I ended up finding and reading the only other fanfic I've ever read. I think it was called "Growing Together". Or maybe "Growing Back Together". I know it was based on what Katniss says that glosses over the process of her Peeta both healing and falling (back) in love that is mentioned at the end. I found it to be so sweet, but I think it colors my end impression of this book. Because it really does end abruptly, without a good, solid wrap-up.

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Melindam wrote: "To me this doesn't read like a love triangle, because whatever monologues or thought processes Katniss may have, for me it is clear that she doesn't care about Gale that way and ne..."

After the bombing, I don't think she could ever be with Gale. She would always look at him and see his idea being the possible catalyst for Prim's death. That's why she doesn't even really miss him when she's back in 12.

Something Gale says to Peeta that Katniss overhears when they are hiding with Tigris struck me again this time through. He says that Katniss will choose whichever of them she can't live without. And she thinks that makes her sound selfish, but I think that just makes her sound human. In this exact same situation, wouldn't we all be drawn to the one we can't live without?

Jenny wrote: "Laura wrote: "Wasn’t the rebel commander in 2 a former victor? She isn’t specifically mentioned as dying, but she isn’t at the meeting at the end."

Yup. I just read that part, and Lyme is a victor..."

I was listening to the audio so I very well could have just missed her death.

Wasn’t the rebel commander in 2 a former victor? She isn’t specifically mentioned as dying, but she isn’t at the meeting at the end.

I think I would like to read either a continuation of Ballad of Songbirds or at least a short story showing how Tigris ended up where she is now. I know she didn’t like Snow’s actions, but they were still family at the end of Ballad.