Alyana ’s Comments (group member since Feb 14, 2021)

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

Finished Firekeeper's Daughter. On ss.

Firekeeper's Daughter - DQs Day 3

DQs Day 3 Chapters 16 - 23

11. Gramma Pearl shared many wonderful legacy stories with Daunis. I loved the reference Daunis makes regarding the storm and the thunderbirds bringing loved ones from the other world to check on them. As a result, Daunis has happy memories about storms versus being afraid and she consistently refers to Gramma Pearl when deciding what to do. Do you have any advice, stories or traditions passed down from family that you often think about? Something that you would share with your legacy...if so, share if you are comfortable.

I don't have much memory of those stories though. More of ghost stories all I could remember.

12. "The FBI is interested in learning what caused the group hallucination. I want to know if the kids are okay." Daunis obviously thinks the FBI isn't investigating for the right reasons. I observe all the time that young people have a different view on things than more experienced/older people. Who's right? What do we learn from situations such as this? Other thoughts?

I think the FBI and Daunis both have valid reasons regarding their argument but I would go with the FBI since they are the ones with the law and I would want to know the cause of the hallucinations and how to prevent it.

13. Heather is clearly not liked amongst the girls at the beach party...why do you think Heather approaches Daunis about buying drugs? Do you think this has something to do with why she turns up dead, washed up at Duck Island?

I don't think Daunis has something to with Heather's death. There is someone probably watching Heather that might caused that.

14. In chapter 20, Jamie asks Daunis about the meaning of 'Firekeeper's Daughter'. It's her job to lift up the sun every day. What do you think about this explanation? Do you find additional meaning in this as it relates to Daunis and her role in the plot of this story?

I like that story as I think it reflects everything about her.

15. Daunis finds Heather during her mushroom sleuthing on Duck Island. During her thinking she has an 'ah-ha' moment regarding her Uncle's journals. When she goes to look for them, she's quick to assume that they don't exist because of the connection to the FBI and the confidentiality required...do you think she's right...thoughts?

I'm pretty sure her uncle's journals do exist but it is hidden somewhere we don't expect to be.

@Carrie, I only had a few 320 pages on my TBR. Premise seems interesting so I hope it's good!

Firekeeper's Daughter - DQs Day 2

DQs Day 2 Chapters 9 to 15

6. I thought that the opening scene with Daunis and the gun would show up again towards the end of the book. That’s usually what happens when authors use this kind of device. Were you surprised that it happens not even a quarter of the way in?

Yes but also I got really sad. I wasn't expecting that to happen that fast.

7. We knew there would be a murder but we’re you surprised that it was Lily who was killed? Did you suspect something bad would happen between her and Travis?

Yes, I was surprised that it was Lily who will get killed because first, she was one of the main characters and second, the author did a good job on making the readers not think that she could be murdered.

8. The synopsis also hinted that Jamie was not all he seemed. I thought he would be something to do with the murder but not that he would be an undercover agent. What did you think it was that Jamie was hiding?

I thought Jamie was one who got something to do with the murder and it didn't cross my mind that he was a cop all along.

9. If you were Daunis would you have agreed to be a confidential informant? I’m not sure I would be brave enough.

I don't think I can do that. I'm not that brave enough to get myself involved in some serious undercover mission.

10. Being a confidential informant seems to be very complicated with Daunis being expected to really investigate what is happening rather than just let them know if she comes across anything suspicious. How well do you think Daunis will be able to do this as it’s her own community and perhaps members of her own family that she will be investigating?

I'm not so sure about this one. When Daunis was offered to become an undercover, her reaction was far from being able to do the job properly. Being biracial, she feels like she's an outcast from her own family so I guess no one will pay much attention if she does something unexpected.

Firekeeper's Daughter - DQs Day 1

DQs Day 1 Chapters 1 to 8

1) Was this book on your TBR before it was announced as a BOM and were you hypnotized by the beautiful cover art? Were you familiar with Ojibwe culture prior to reading this book?

It wasn't on my TBR. Not usually a fan of these kind of cover art. I read the premise and It got me interested so I added it on my TBR. Not really familiar with the Native Americans and it's one of the reasons why I wanted to read this book.

2) Several social issues have been touched on so far including racism (including within race (skin tone) and within families for biracial children), enrolled v. descendant tribe membership, substance abuse, illegitimacy, and mental health. Does the author seem to be pulling this off so far or does it seem like too much to have it work for the story?

It doesn't seem too much for me. I think this is just one of the things that people with mixed races encounter in their everyday life.

3) Characters. Any favorites so far? Does anyone else want to be adopted by Granny June, or is that just me?

I don't have a favorite yet but I like Granny June, reminds me of my grandma :)

4) The author weaves tribal culture into the story and makes it an important aspect of Daunis's life. Including having her work in the tribal language into her interactions with the kids. Language is such an important part of culture, loosing a language means more than just a loss of vocabulary words. Are you enjoying this aspect of the story?

I think learning about the language and their culture is one of the best parts of this book. I'm sure there will be more to come.

5) The quote "when someone dies everything becomes past tense, except for the grief. Grief stays in the present." really hit home. How did you react to this statement, did is resonate with you as well?

This is true. I think grief changes as time goes by and it becomes good memories that you can keep forever.

Finished The Mothers.

Bernadette🌻 wrote: "@Alyana - you can sort your Want to Read list by Number of Pages and if the numbers in the pages add up t0 five - it's good. 320 pages add up to 5: 3+2+0=5.

Alyana - your team seem to be reading machines"

Yeah, I found some but most of my TBR, I shelved them with the audio version lol. I will keep on looking :)

My teammates are monster readers, I'm just reading at my own pace, I don't know how they manage to read 1-2 books a day!

Finished Every Last Fear. It was really good!!!

Bernadette🌻 wrote: "#3 is good for me. I've got plenty of books on TBR list that fit the bill!"

Do you have any suggestions that will fit? :)

I will go with the most points ☺️

I will try my luck with #2 or #3.

Woohoo! ☺️

Update: One of the mods sent a nudge to the travel agent and she said that we should get a reply later :)

Cat wrote: "I saw your pm this morning and sent a nudge - travel agent should be on it for you later :)"

Thank you very much! :)

Carrie wrote: "I'll post something in my Tower Team Challenge and see if I can make some progress there."

Will try to ask my captain from TT, she's one of the NBRC mods, hope she can help us out.

Hi Cat, I have a question but it's not related to Tower Teams but for a different team challenge here in NBRC too, The "Around the World Team Challenge". My team is Team Literary Ladies and we are almost done with our last itinerary. We tried to reach out with the travel agent a couple of weeks ago and we still haven't received a response yet. Is there any way that you can help us out since you're one of the mods? Thank you.

Finished In A Holidaze too. We can use it too as a rec from another team.