Suzanne’s Comments (group member since Aug 13, 2015)

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

I'll read as a backup. It may end up being terrible, but it's short. It may have a food word in the text too.

If we end up needing backup, I could finish a book before the end of the mini. But, if not, I'll happily keep on reading the backroom bom and listening to Catching Fire.

Oooh - cool - lol I need to go back and read more carefully . Which I shall right now.

Sounds like a cool challenge - and it scratches my "find books to fit" itch.

So can you duplicate a book? So read the exact same book as the opposing team? because that would match ALL the letters. Just wondering.

DQs Day 5
Chapters 27 - Epilogue

21. Wow what a ride! What were your initial thoughts and feelings after finishing the book?
I think my initial thoughts and feelings were generally positive, as far as the book was pretty readable and I didn't ever dread picking it up. And I was glad to be done because I have other books to read that I've been looking forward to. Also - I didn't like Opal - ever.

22. An integral part to the book is the way the story of Starling House is told through many different viewpoints, with truth and lies and rumors and heresay and opinions often woven together. Did you find that you learned more about Starling House through each story? Did this type of story building and layering work for you? Why or why not? I liked the footnotes the most, which is probably not a good thing. I do think it was nice to hear multiple opinions about the house.

23. In the ending battles, the MCs were fighting beasts of nightmares and of their own making, inside dreams. Do think it's hard for good dreams to win out against nightmares? Explain your thoughts. It's probably easier for us to let nightmares win as we dwell on wrongs of the past. But good dreams SHOULD win - I did like the perspective of turning the dreams around.

24. A major theme in the book is wants and needs, and how they seemingly twist into each other if you want hard enough. In this theme exploration, what was the message you got from the author, and did it resonate with you? I don't think I really picked up on a theme, but I haven't been feeling well for the past while, so my brain isn't being good with nuances. I do think (and the book didn't seem to contradict) that single-minded wants can be twisted and totally go against their original purpose.

25. Would you recommend this book? Explain. Maybe - to someone who likes horror and doesn't care too much about having likeable main characters.

Yes! There are times audio form is better (or as good) but lots of times when the printed page works best.

DQs Day 2 - Chapters 8 - 13

6) The narration is using dual POVs: 1st person for Opal, 3rd person for Arthur. Does it work for you? Do you think this suits the story?

It works well for me, as I am listening and it's just easier to mentally switch like that.

7) Opal goes to the Library to find out more about Starling House and finds her mother's phone number among the Gravely family's documents. What implications can it have? Do you think it could be a hint about Opal's parentage?

It certainly looks like she (the mom) is connected to the Gravelys. Going through all the documents seemed daunting though.

8) After Bev's story about the relationship between Eleanor Starling and the Gravely brothers, we get a totally different perspective from what Nathaniel Boone went through. What do you think about the Gravely family and their "hold" over the town of Eden? What do you think Nathaniel may have discovered in the dark?
It must be Underworld that he discovered. I'm pretty sure the Gravelys are evil, and maybe the mother kind of escaped from that.

9) Finally we learn some more about about Arthur's role (warden) and his connection to the House. What do you think about their "relationship"? What is your opinion about Starling House as a sentient being? Could it be good or evil?
I think he resents his connection to the house, but isn't willing to leave it. And with the things coming from the basement??? Is that part of Starling House? In that case, it is evil - and I certainly don't feel like it could be good since it doesn't seem to be trying to help him.

10) On "characters not communicating"
I hate when authors do this....a lot. SO much could be solved by communicating. And Opal and her brother need to have a talk - like yesterday. He's definitely old enough that she doesn't need to be so protective. Really, Opal doesn't seem to communicate well with anyone. And Arthur could stand to speak up and talk a little too.

DQs Day 1
Ch 1 to 7

1.) Have you read other books by Alix E Harrow? Was this on your tbr list before it was a BOM selection? Any expectations going in?

No, I OWN the Doors book but haven't read it yet. I guess this book will help me decide how soon that might happen. However, I'm not expecting to love this book - I don't really enjoy most horror. That's why I love challenges though - they take me out of my comfort reads.

2.) Did you read the footnotes as you went along? Find them helpful? Annoying?
I'm listening and they read the footnotes. I'm kind of liking them in that they seem to be establishing our narrator isn't completely reliable.

3.) The discussion of E.Starling's book being too scary for children reminded me of some interviews with M.Sendalk when the Where the Wild Things movie came out several years ago about books, etc that scare children (when children are the target audience). His response was basically children should be scared sometimes and there's nothing wrong with that. And has further said, it's better to have a book full of fears than one pretending there's nothing to be afraid of. What are your thoughts on this topic?
As a child I loved Where the Wild Things Are - it was pleasantly scary. Starling's book seems a bit more grim, but I'll reserve judgement for now.

4.) What are your thoughts so far on Eden and Starling House? Has the author done a good job so far of creating an atmosphere and setting for a good gothic story?
"Gothic" seems like a great word for it. Brooding house and master, grim town, etc. I think the author has done a good job with the setup

5.) Any favorites so far in our motley cast of characters? Opal, Arthur, Jasper, Bev, and Starling House.
I like Jasper the most - I want to see more of him. I do admire Opal's dedication in caring for him - she has a tough life!

thanks Mel! I'll do that right now.

You've been rocking it Cecily!

Wow that is such a cool idea!

Whether in second place (yay!) or first place or last, I adore this team.

@Sophie - a book clock sounds so very interesting!

Thank a bunch! I'm on round 4 of antibiotics now, with a doctor appointment tomorrow - pretty much all I can do is read and sleep. Hope to read more and sleep less soon!

Ok - thanks! My goal is to finish my western non-fiction today and work on that one.

I just noticed the book I have to read for RL book club A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II also works for cornucopia. I was hoping to move my Throne of Grace book into Idaho, but those trappers keep wandering the whole western area, without settling in the state long enough :) But the other book can act as a backup anyway.

I hope you are all doing well!

Thanks for the backroom BOM update - I didn't vote because I was ok with reading either.

Today I am finally feeling much more human - yay! Not much energy yet, but I didn't spend 90% of my time in bed!

I have started a couple of my books that I won't finish til June 1 or later - I had to pick up that Peru one because it is talking about so many things similar to what we saw. So at least that aspect will be fun. And I am loving listening to The Door - thank you for recommending it Mel :)

Day 4: Chapters 28-39

15. The way the different characters react to the trek through the magic wasteland is interesting. With all the magic that flows through this world, why do they not have transport spells? Did this trek remind you of any other stories? The Lord of the Rings, in that the trek is taking forever. It went on way too long imo.


16. We keep being reminded (by the narrator) that the wanderists are not good guys. Do you agree with this assessment?

Yes, they aren't good, but I think people aren't black and white anyway. They are pretty much normal survivors. I don't think any of them is pure evil either.

17. What is your impression of the seven brothers? The Pandorals are benevolent? Really? Do we believe that?
They were spooky and for sure evil - all the death. And manipulative.

18. So. We get to see the apparatus. What would you have done with that temptation?

I think the idea of freedom from past mistakes would make it very difficult to refuse.

19. Is anyone who they say they are? Did you expect Mr. Bones?

I figured Mr. Bones was one of the 7, but I did not expect the reveal in this section.

DQs Day 4 - "Love Has Come to Mean Death" - end

15. I personally haven't read Jane Eyre and therefore can't compare the two books which makes me feel a bit regretting, but then again so many of y'all don't seem to like this as a retelling. Do you think you'd feel differently about the book depending on whether you've read Jane Eyre or not, and do you want to pick up Jane Eyre now if you haven't yet? What if you hadn't been aware of this being a retelling and the characters had different names?
I don't remember the original much, which probably helped me with this reading. BUT the things I DO remember in the original didn't happen here which kind of bothered me. I'm also probably mixing some of the original book with the Jane Eyre musical, which I saw about 10 years ago. For this book, I think I would have been more irritated if I were more familiar with the original story.

16. I was secretly hoping that Agnes had romantic feelings for Antoinette and that she was more involved in the last part of the book, but alas it was Dr. Poole. No big surprise there. Has your opinion of him changed in any way after he "confessed" and tried to help Jane and Edward? And if you could bring someone back from the dead, would you do it? Theoretically you wouldnt be aware of any consequences, but logically I think we've learned that there's always consequences...
I was hoping that about Agnes too! I wouldn't bring anyone back from the dead, but I might like to talk to their Spirit :) Dr. Poole's switch seemed like a delivery mechanism for Jane and Rochester to see the book. Although I suppose it could make sense that he saw that his "love" had changed.

17. Jane came back for Edward and saved him of course, and now they're living happily ever after. How do you feel about them as a couple, and is there anything you would have changed about these last couple of chapters as the author or simply just a fan of the original work?
It was kind of hard to see any chemistry between them, although I did like Edward more than I remember liking the original Rochester. My favorite part of the ending was Jane opening a school for witches - and she could have done that without Edward :)

18. Was this your first book written by Sharon Lynn Fisher, and do you think you'll be reading more by the author? Were your original expectations met? Anything else you want to add? I don't know that I had tons of expectations, and I'm not angry about the book because of that. I will read the author again if one of her books is chosen as a BOM :)


Bonus for everyone but especially those who have read Jane Eyre before: I challenge you to say at least one good thing about Salt & Broom - other than "it ended!!" lol :b I really liked the Mother / Cat

Awesome! It certainly looks like something I'll enjoy!