Stacey’s Comments (group member since May 31, 2023)

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

Hi team, I think I'm done with all books I've put on the spreadsheet for Round 3.

Oops just saw that spot of the mini is already taken.

What about the "L" in Urban Tunnels? I have a book by Amanda Linsmeier I plan to read very soon?

I'd like ot use Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell for the Mini DW1F Authors Intitals but it won't let me edit the cell to add it. Can Someone add that for me? I did add the book to the Round 3 sheet.

Sorry but I am perpetually confused it seems. I finished a book just now. Would it count for Round 3?

Sorry Guys....Bad Graces is now on my correct shelf.

Just doing my check in. I have two more books I should finish tomorrow at the latest

Tammie wrote: "📕📕📕📕BOM Update📕📕📕📕


Backroom BOM Decision-Starts 6/10…this book does work for ‘harvest in text’ for those who could finish prior to concl..."

Ok this book is def backroom but its also got a ton of heart to it and I ended up liking it a lot even though it was steamier than I usually like.

I enjoy the Hunger Games movies and I think they are among the very best book to film adapations ever made. However, I like Katniss so much more in the books even when she is doing the same things in the film. I think its due mostly to those few sweet moments where we get to see her as a real person, underneath that hard survival shell she must wear. The Rue thing is probably what most people remember as her moment that best shows this but I really felt it in the book when Thresh dies (after letting Katniss live for her kindness to Rue), Katness thinks to herself "But no one will understand my sorrow at Thresh's murder. Murder? Thankfully I didn't say it outloud, thats not going to win me in points in the arena." She is sorrowful because she thinks in the real world, they could have been friends. She is able to see him as a person even though the Games promotes him as big and scary. But she can't let any sign of those emotions out because that would mean showing the truth of what the Games really are. She has to literally play the game.

Silje wrote: "I just started reading today. I've read the books before, like 10 years ago if not more. I'm curious to see what I think of them now when I'm older and have watched the movies several times.

The f..."
I felt this way myself with my re-read. I just want to add that I think she had to become this way because her mother was a mess and refused to act like a mother. If Katniss didn't hunt, they wouldn't eat. Every bit of her energy was on survival for herself and her family. Things were that grim.

11. What do you think about the revelation in the garden/the haunting? Did you see it coming, and do you think there are others involved with the “curse”?
I didn’t really see them coming but also, I don’t really remember most of the plot points of the original book since its been 30 years 😊

12. What do you think about Mr. Rochester sending away Jane and the staff? If you have read the original, how does this change Jane’s agency, and do you like the change? Either way, why do you think the author made it Mr. Rochester’s choice?
I think it was done simply to isolate them and add a bit of that chilly air to the story.

13. Have you ever visited an Apothecary’s Garden? Would you be interested in seeing one? Do you grow any herbs or are you interested in growing any?
I’ve been to many a garden but not an Apothecary garden. We have a beautiful sunken garden by our house and we have a backyard garden that is mostly maintained by my husband. We have fruits and veggies but I don’t believe we’ve tried any herbs yet.

14. What do you think about the scene with Miss Ingram? What does this tell you about Mr. Rochester’s character and did that seem consistent with his character so far? Did his explanation make sense to you?
I didn’t care for this much. I was unimpressed that he fell in love with Jane so quickly. Maybe the book was too short to develop this much but it was very noticeably odd to me.

DQs Day 2 - Baneful-"My Own Wee Thing”

6. Jane gives Rochester a black-coloured thumb-sized stone to keep with him as a protective talisman. Do you believe in talismans? Please tell us about an object that you keep with you as a talisman?
I don’t think I believe in talismans but I like the idea of them. Objects can mean a lot to people and there is a connection there in some objects that is close to magical.

7. Between some of the chapters narrated from Jane’s point of view, we get chapters from Rochester’s point of view. What do you think of these “interludes”? Do they help or distract?
I liked them fine. It was good to get in his head to see how he really felt about the events and about Jane.

8. We are introduced to Dr. Poole. What did you think of this character particularly with regards to Jane meeting him in the poison garden? Were there any changes in your opinion after reading Agnes’ conversation with Jane about the late Mrs. Rochester?
I distrusted him immediately. He was talking to someone and acted like he wasn’t. That was all it took for me to know he was shady. The Agnes conversation just solidified my opinion.

9. We have been told several times about a curse on Thornfield. Then Jane follows Rochester to the graveyard where his family members are buried. At this point Jane says “This was a story of heartache. Everyone in Mr. Rochester’s family had died before their time, especially the females. Then his wife had done the same.” Do you think there is a connection between the curse and the early deaths?
There most definitely is a connection between these things. Why bring this up in the book the way it was if it was not connected.

10. We have been given information about Jane and her origin? What do you think of this twist in the tale?
Absolutely shock. I took the father reveal in stride although I can’t say I saw it coming. But the mother reveal was so different than I expected.

Bonus: The author has used several of the same names as those of characters from Jane Eyre. Other than Jane, Rochester, we have Brocklehurst, Maria Temple, Mrs. Fairfax, Poole etc. What do you think about authors using the same names in retellings?
This doesn’t bother me at all one way or another regarding the use of names. It can be helpful for side characters when you know the original source material and the book doesn’t follow the original plot point by plot point.

1. A paranormal retelling?? of Jane Eyre - this prompts the question about the original or let's call it the "source for inspiration". What is your relationship to Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë? Have you read it? Loved/liked/disliked it?
Honestly I read it in 8th grade and not since. Have never seen the movies.

2. What about Retellings? Is it a genre you like/avoid?
I love a good retelling. I especially like when its not a word for word retelling, but one that adds new twists and turns. Give me the vibes of the original but make it fresh.

3. Jane Eyre as a witch in a school for orphan witches? How do you like the setting of this alternative Victorian world where magic is at least tolerated?
I adore Victorian settings in books and I also read a ton of paranormal and magical books so this was a no-brainer for me.

4. What are your first impressions of Jane and Rochester?
Honestly, I would have liked Rochester to be a bit more surly. He warmed up way to quickly to Jane. Jane was likeable and her crush on Rochester was easily understood.

5. What do you think about the occurrences in Thornfield? Are they really caused by supernatural elements or is it human action?
There seems no doubt that there is some sort of magic/supernatural element afoot. Especially after the scene with the tree.

Spoilers for HG and "The Lottery" below:

This is at least my fourth read/listen to Hunger Games but its been quite a few years since my last go round. One thing that I couldn't shake at the beginning of the book this time is the comparisions between this book and "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson. They are very differernt in set up and the reasons behind these events but they are both steeped in tradition to the point where many don't even question the fact that they are sacrificing actual humans anymore. There isn't enough questioning of those traditions or fighting to end them (I guess for HG at least until Katniss's games) I read "The Lottery" the first time in 7th grade English and I legit remember feeling sick over this story when it became very clear what was happening. I was likewise sickened over the Hunger Games when I first read the book. Now in the "Lottery" the reasons behind this event seems to me to be some kind of offering to keep their lives going as they are in the village. "If we stopped doing this, we would all be back to living in cages" or something similar is mentioned. But due to it being a short story, we are left to our imagination to figure out many factors. In Hunger Games, it seems more like a literally sport to entertain the Capital and keep the Districts rundown and beaten into their miserable way of life. I guess the idea of the "luck of the draw for death" seems to be the clearest similarity.

🏹 Hi I am Stacey from Indiana. I work in Finance. I have been married for 26 years later this month and I have three adult kids and two little grandsons. I read a bit of everything but I absolutely love biographical historical fiction. I love the history of people. Meaning I am not into who won what battles in what wars and such but let me learn everything about how people lived during various time periods in various places. I also love Cats. Cats and Books go together like peanut butter and jelly.
🏹I think this is my third challenge. I really like being nosey and seeing what others are reading and enjoying.
🏹 I am always reading for the challenge but I'm not constantly checking in. Let's promise at least weekly.
🏹 No fish tales unless loving The Little Mermaid counts.
🏹 Ok this is ridiculous but true. Years ago when my daughter was in junior high, she kept begging me to read the Hunger Games. I had no idea what it was about and whatever brief summary she gave me, had me thinking it was just a bunch of kids put on an island to starve to death. So I was like no way am I reading that. OOF. Finally read them and was obsessed. The movies were some of the best book to screen adaptions I've seen.
🏹 No questions really but I'd love to see what you guys end up reading and loving or reading and wanting your time back :)

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I've finished my last book

Judith wrote: "Stacey wrote: "I just added a book to the "R" line that was colored yellow but empty. Not sure what that meant, but please let me know if I should move by book to the next open "R" line :)"

Just t..."

Thank you for playing Tetris for us all :)

I just added a book to the "R" line that was colored yellow but empty. Not sure what that meant, but please let me know if I should move by book to the next open "R" line :)

I just finished my last book “The Night Hunt”

Lexi wrote: "I would aIso add if anyone likes romance, as it has a purple cover, Z author and MC are musicians"

I just read this four round 4 and it was soooo much fun!

Judith wrote: "Stacey,

could you add The Salt Grows heavy to your wheel shelf when you get a chance?

Thank you!"

Oops Done Now