Vi’s Comments (group member since Jun 04, 2011)

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

MN Lisa wrote: "Vi wrote: "Thanks for the summary Suzanne!

A question - which should we prioritize? Rainbow tower or Team tower? With team towers do we get 10 points regardless whether the word is completed? Or d..."

Thanks Lisa, that makes sense. I was wondering if we would lose out the individual book point for incomplete word. But we would only miss 20 points which is better than rainbow tower as we get 100 point only if a tower is finished.

MN Lisa wrote: "We have to be done by the 16th? I have it on hold at two librarys and an audio version, so I'm not sure I'll get it in order to finish by the 16th."

No, the BOM read starts at 16th.. They post a breakdown of chapters per day and post questions accordingly. You can start anytime and finish anytime.. just need to answer 3 days of questions to get the bonus 20 points. Since TT ends Aug 1(?) we need to have the questions posted by then to get the points.

Thanks for the summary Suzanne!

A question - which should we prioritize? Rainbow tower or Team tower? With team towers do we get 10 points regardless whether the word is completed? Or do we only know at the end as we are only allowed only 1 incomplete word?

I have 2 Chipmunk tasks as I finally got my hands on the Sherry Thomas. After I finish these two, I'll check and either start a 500 pager or try for another chipmunk task.

Great job team on the finishing up the chipmunk tasks so well!

Jen wrote: "I think Love Hypothesis was her best but this one the second best. It has some of the same tropes and feels like an AO3 fic. I liked it more than I was expecting to."

Resetting my expectation then cos I felt her books were reading similar. Even her novellas. I'm on the queue so we'll see.

Suzanne wrote: "My trip with the 22 was good! One of the older (11 year old) girls was pretty naughty and disobedient, but not awful, more annoying. The rest of them were pretty much perfect - except the whole kee..."

Aww, Suzanne! Lots of rest and hope you feel better soon.

Jen wrote: "Completion post for Love, Theoretically which works for professors.

I’m doing so much reading now that I’m on summer break. It’s so relaxing!"

Oh, how was it Jen? Compared to her other works especially?

Nanci wrote: "Off the cruise ship and back to having wifi. Hoping to be home by tomorrow and then I’ll catch up with everyone. I did finish the King book. Phew! I liked it, and now I know I can read a 800+ page ..."

Welcome back Nanci. Hope you had a great time.

@Suzanne how was your trip with 22 kids?

@Ellinor I have a feeling it'll be good. Let's hope that comes true.

I found a book X Marks the Spot. Seems to be an ok read and it will work for both pirates and title beginning with X. It seems short and available on KU so I can do it over the weekend I think. Is anybody else reading for either?

Elinor wrote: "I've volunteerd for DQs for Carrie Soto is back beginning July 2.

Would love to be backup for Fourth Wing but daren't be the sole candidate as afraid I may not like the book if that makes any sen..."

I feel the other way. I volunteered for Fourth Wing but not Carrie Soto as I'm not sure I'll like the latter. But with all the hype around Fourth Wing, I'm really looking forward to reading it.

I would say smaller books unless there are people reading some 600+

Volunteering for DQs (Ashara)

DQs Day 3 - 17 June
Chapters 7 - 8, 26%

10) We find out more about Frank Dunning. He is portrayed as a smooth talker and good looking. Do you find this stereotypical of someone who will go on to murder most of his family? It always seems to be someone no one suspects. Jake's opinion of him obviously isn't very good. Do you think Jake would feel differently if he didn't know what Frank was going to do?
Well, serial killers are charismatic. But then, Jake knew the insider scoop so his viewpoint was always going to be skewed. So yes, I think he definitely wouldn't have been as suspicious if he didn't know.

11) Jake plans how he is going to stop Frank. Would your thought process have been the same as Jake's? How would you plan to change the event?
The late 50s early 60s were a weird weird time. And yes, I was thinking something along the same line. But I would have loved to get him caught in something illegal instead of outright killing.

12) There is something off about Derry. The place itself feels weird and the people act strange. Would you stay somewhere where you don't feel welcome? Would you investigate more into what was going on?
Nope, I wouldn't want to live there. And wouldn't investigate either unless I was invested in it for some reason or the other.

13) Well, stoppping Frank didn't go to plan but he did get stopped. What do you think the cosequences of changing the event will be in the present, if any? Do you think he will go back and try again? If so, what do you think he will do differently?
There will always be consequences to changing the event or any event. Yes, he will go back and try as time resets. He may plan better and maybe stop Frank earlier.

Day 2 DQs
Chapter 4 - 6 or 18%

#5. How did you feel when you read Harry Dunning's essay? What would you have done if you had the power to enact change in the past?
It was very horrifying. Imagining the time and the people going through that whole experience..

#6. Money is a big deal in any timeline. Would you be able to acclimate to the past in terms of financial transactions as well as Jake? Do you think Jake acclimated TOO quickly?
No, not really. I felt he acclimated to everything too quickly. There was practically no slip-ups which i felt was very strange.

#7. Fashion is also an issue in the past. Do you think Jake is having an easier time of it because he is a man? What would be the most challenging fashion change for you to get used to? Is there something you would love to be able to wear?
Yes, at the worst case, it would be a strange fashion but not outwardly bad. But for ladies, it's a whole other ball game. It would be very difficult to walk through with the current fashion.

#8. There are a lot of interesting nods to older Advertising terms and slogans that King uses to help the reader recognize the timeline change of the past. Which one stood out to you the most and why?
The most that stood out to me the whole book was the smoking. And I was amazed that Jake was able to be quiet about it. The advertising terms and things... I'm not so familiar with it.

#9. If you have read any past King novels, some of these chapters have a lot of connections to early books about Derry, Maine, and surrounding locations. Did you find any Easter eggs from previous stories? If you haven't read earlier King novels, what about Derry seemed to stand out as unique to you?
The whole town has an eerie feel to it. Feels like a setting of a horror town which makes me eager to check out his other horror books.

Day 1 DQs: ch1- 3

1) I have only read a few of Stephen King's books. Is this your first book by the author or are you quite familiar with his storytelling?
I have not read any I think. I remember reading The Shining but not completely. I think I need to rectify that.

2) What do you think about the character Jake so far? Would you have gone along with what Al wanted and took the initial step back into the past, or would you have not humoured him and tried to get him help?
Oh, definitely gone along with what Al wanted. I mean, going back to the past as a guest knowing you can come back anytime? A winner for sure.

3) I am not sure how I would feel if I just stepped back into the past the way Jake and Al have, but I am really curious about how the time travelling works in this story. It seemed that Jake was somewhat calm about it. How do you think you would feel if it was you?
Very excited I think. I feel Jake handled it really well.

4) I think it is clear that Jake is going to pick up Al's mission to try and stop the JFK assassination. Would you choose to continue Al's mission? Also how much do you know of the history surrounding this event?
I'm not sure if I would continue but that's also because I have close to zero knowledge on the history surrounding this event.

Suzanne wrote: "Elinor wrote: "I understood we were trying to keep a good pace with the Chipmunks because it’s likely another challenge will start in July - so that would mean MT, RT, TT, Chipmunks, BOMs, and anot..."

OMG, 22 kids. Good Luck! And remember to treat yourself after for surviving that. I got you on the NR book. I was unsure that's why I posted it here.

I have 1 MT book that I'll read in July as we have completed the 300 page criteria for this month. I have 2 400+ and 1 Chipmunk after which I may start a 500+ if I have the time.

MN Lisa wrote: "@Vi - I'm not seeing Song of Achilles on your shelf. Can you add it please?"

Done. Sorry, I missed it.

For X-rated author initials in Romance, I finished Carolina Moon by Nora Roberts. It'll fit but it's also a 500+.

Also finished Sweet Liar earlier this month which would work for X rated New Adult category. It’s used for RT so not sure if I can move it.

Suzanne wrote: "Lisa - I am SUPER glad we have til end of challenge to finish Chipmunks. Although I am sure that it'll be sooner than that.

Vi - yes about Sherry Thomas - she is certainly from China - good find!!"

yeah, at the rate we are doing, we should be finishing it before end of TT.

Thanks Suzanne. This makes our life much easier.

Lisa, I hope your reading slump is better. Oh, I've been there. I too thought the same but then there was a discussion earlier, I think, between Suzanne and Ellinor that cleared up.

A question - For task 105, Read a book set in or by an author from China. Sherry Thomas is from China (Sherry emigrated from China at age 13 and English is her second language.) Can I use a book by her for that category?

MN Lisa wrote: "I updated the Tower Team Sheet with the letters and quantities needed.

Column L is how many we STILL need of that letter and if its green, we do not need anymore of that letter.

It is counting c..."

Thanks for this Lisa, it helps a lot.