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

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

I finished my Dragon Prince audiobook and will listen to The Poisonwood Bible next. BUT - I'm not sure what country to put. I believe when our team read it earlier, we put it as Congo (Congo-Brazzaville)- and there is still room there. But a couple sources, like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Poi... say it is in the Belgian Congo, which is Zaire, which is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Anyway - I guess there is room for either country, so put it where you'd like.

DQs Day 1
Ch 1 to 4

1.) Had you heard of this book before it was nominated for/was selected to be a BOM this month? Or read other books by the author? Any expectations going in? I had never heard a thing about this book until it was nominated. I HOPED I would like it - I generally enjoy fantasy, so that's a plus :)

2.) How effective is the author at conveying the isolationist nature of Kaigen? And at the glimpses of what the rest of the world is really like? How do you think the Emperor has managed to do this so effectively? I think a lot of how the Emperor has managed is by all the teaching of the children by the adults. They've only learned the "party line", so of course take that as truth.

3.) Misaki is an interesting character with a lot of repressed or hidden depths I think. I like that one of the main characters in an epic fantasy is not a 20 something who just happens to master everything in 5 pages. What are you most curious about her at the moment. Also, shout out to her friends, who seem like real women-friends. Yay! First off, I agree about her friends - I like them a LOT. And I really want to know more about Misaki (and I think we will, given the precis). I'm curious about why in the world she married Tekure :). And I'm also really wondering what she can do as far as magic/fighting.

4.) Tekure (husband/father) has managed to make me hate him without even popping up on page yet. Go him. Do you think we'll get a scene where Misaki does her version of 'down with the patriarchy' before the end of the book? Oh boy I hope so - I don't like him either.

5.) What do you think of the magic system so far? It is interesting but I feel like we've just grazed the surface (makes sense since there is a lot of book left).

Thanks Lexie!

oh no! Cathy I'm so very sorry! That is a hard thing to deal with in every way!!

I finished mine too and checked it in a couple hours ago. Hopefully it all worked with the phone app

My last (audio) book is shorter than my 5 hour drive to my sisters, so I'll check it in after I get there.

Makes total sense! Tyvm for the fast answer, Erin! I swear, I'm so very happy I decided to book challenge again - this has been super fun.

Wow quick work!

Strategy question: I have my two "reading with my eyes" books that I'll finish before the cut-off. I'd also started a longish audio book. I'll still have two available slots for this month. And I have two short audio books (both in the 250ish written pages) I could finish, as I'm driving a lot the next few days. I won't be able to finish the longer one as it still has 20 hours left. SO......would it be good points-wise to reach my book cap with the two shorter books, or continue with the longer one?

I love that! It's so fun when a book really grabs you!

It has been funny reading for this task, when I'm just rooting for them to get to (and stay) in the country I'm reading it for. Glad you found PHO in there!

Lexi go ahead - I'll finish mine up tomorrow - thanks! Yay for teamwork! :)

I see the current itinerary is set except for my Fiji book. I'll push and try to get it finished today - but I'll check before I finish the last chapter just in case someone else finishes something first.

Haha I love the name of that one.

Speaking of Paranormal, it'll probably not be til Friday until I get my Fiji book done, so if someone reads a "hard" country book sooner, it's fine to switch mine to the next one.

It's an excellent book! I probably won't re-read it, but I for sure recommend it (and the next in the series).

DQ's Day 4; Chapter 31 - 43 55-74%

15. “She wishes he hadn’t said what he did about believing in her. That’s too much responsibility. All she can give him is disappointment.” Belief is a big theme of this book. How important do you think it is to have people that unequivocally believe in you? Have you ever had someone’s belief in you feel more like a burden than support?
I think that confidence that people have your back with things is so important, and really, all of us what to feel like we are "enough" for those we love. I think when someone's belief in my has felt like a burden is when it is someone who expects me to do something I don't want to do or behave in a way I don't want to behave.


16. This book is, obviously, a lot about memories and the happy times we look back on when the people we cherish are gone. I thought the shopping/shopping cart scene was particularly vivid and one I could’ve seen me and friends doing something similar. Do you have any particularly memorable times with a group of friends from when you were a child/teen? I liked the shopping cart, and the story of Louisa and Fish in the snow. My first thought about memorable times was a bit more recent - my sisters and I went on the Pirates ride several times at Disney World 6 months ago and for the automatic pictures, first made pirate faces, then all wore an eyepatch, then an eyepatch and a hook, etc. We laughed at ourselves and it brought me back to the sillyness of childhood.

17. We’ve come to the first(?) death from that summer, is it one you expected? It’s probably the most obvious one, but I still forgot it was a possibility. Actually there were two deaths that impacted the children (so far) but I hadn't thought either of them would be one of the two mentioned. So I'm still nervous. Although they were both sad.


18. While this is a story of friends, it’s also really a story of parents. From the bad ones, to the indifferent ones, to the kind loving ones. Did you expect for Ted and Louisa’s savior to be the mother? How important do you think parents are versus friends on your formative years? Friends FEEL more important but parents give (or take away) the ability for you to have a good feeling about self.


19. Ted seems to think that any of the other friends would have been better to care for Louisa, do you agree? I think Ted is the perfect person to take care of Louisa, and I think he needs her too.

Day 2 July 3
Chapter 12-19 18-37%

#5. Joar mentions that his mom thinks the best invention in the world are pockets. I have seen a Meme that says a woman, when complimented on her dress will reply “It has pockets.” I love a good pocket. How do you feel about pockets?
I really like pockets, and REALLY like when dresses have pockets. But they aren't a deal breaker for me, because I tend to leave things in them that I then lose in the wash.

#6. I must admit I am confused and intrigued about the artist. Who do you think the artist is? What is his or her significance in the story?
I haven't worried much about the artist's name, but I feel like we are getting to know him through the stories Ted is telling. I for sure want to know more about him. I love some of the things he's said about life.

#7. I am loving the banter between Louisa and Ted. Louise is so precocious. What do you think of their relationship? Any ideas of what is to come between the two?
I really like their banter too and I like how they are learning each others quirks. Louisa is pretty brave under such tough circumstances. And Ted is so vulnerable and sweet.

#8. In Chapter #19 we find more about the mentioned Ali. What is your impression of her?Any guesses on what happens next?
I like Ali too and how she fits in with the group of boys. And the reason for red in the painting.

#9. Fredrick Backman has a way of pulling at your heartstrings. In Chapter 19 I both cried and laughed. The children's stories are both heartbreaking and heartwarming. How are you feeling about the book so far? Are you enjoying it? I'm enjoying it a lot and am worried about everyone!

I claimed a Romania book by Elie Weisel, who was born in Romania. Other Romania books: His book Night is sad and excellent - I picked a different one just because Night is so short. And Transylvania is in Romania so Dracula, etc. would work. I can read it if nobody else does Romania, once I've finished mine.

Sure!

It SEEMED perfect :( . And it FELT/read like most of the time they were in Montenegro. Ah well. I want to be up front :)