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

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

Some books that fit the China prompts that I enjoyed or at least didn't hate:
- set in China (partly) and written by a Chinese author. I've actually enjoyed most of Amy Tan's books - I've listened to most of them and the narrators have been good.

I've heard good things but haven't read it. It's on my tbr.

a Pulitzer prize winner - not an easy read (I thought) but I was glad I read it.

- I just found this one on the list and it has been on my TBR forever, so after I finish my current book I'll see if we still need one of those prompts.

Oh and note to team: I have a LOT of company coming this weekend - about 13 people - so I will do our weekly update on Monday. Hmm...and I think I already said that - sorry if I'm repeating myself! I did update the man spreadsheet on Tuesday and will do that again on Saturday. It's interesting looking at the totals - I think we're doing so well because you all are checking all the boxes, with # of books read, books of the month, mini-challenges, and some long books read. Well done!

Wow I love how proactive and positive you all are!

@Janeylou - I had missed your comment about reading a treasure book earlier - I put a note in the spreadsheet that you are reading one. I glanced through and didn't see an already completed book with the letters in Treasure.

@Nanci - way to finish those books and move on to King. I'm listening to it, and it's going much faster than I anticipated, probably because it is engrossing. The narrator is quite good. And...I've had a lot of housecleaning to do.

@Vi - I just finished it too. I liked the ending as far as being quite a surprise. I'd say maybe just find summaries online since you don't want to read the other books and you can see what happens that way :) I hope you enjoy our doorstopper!

@Lisa - thanks for the reminder about completed books! So...if anyone has a book with bling on the cover that you completed earlier this month, claim that task :)

DQs Day 5
Chapters 19 - 23

9. In this section there appears to be a love triangle developing. Was this what you expected. Where do you see this going? I for sure saw a love triangle type thing going on but I think Nahri is more interested in Dara as a love interest

10. Dara lets Nahri know about the King’s marriage plans for her. He lets her know that they can’t be together. Are his reasons valid or should Nahri put up more of a fight?
I suppose they are kind of valid because continuing her bloodline seems important. But other than that....So she'd need to decide.

11. Ali and Nahri both have a hidden agenda and are using their “friendship” to achieve that. Do you think they are aware of each other’s objective?
I don't think they are aware of each other's objective, but they seem to be gaining some liking and respect of one another.

12. We learn that Ali has a separate agenda that the King is not aware of? Where do you see this heading? I think that he'd better be careful - it's a serious thing to cross the king. And I don't think his brother will help him as much as Ali imagines.

Thanks for sharing those tribe descriptions!

I too appreciate you continuing on - and that is a good outlook! I'm enjoying the book a lot more than you are - it has been on my shelf forever too so I agree it's good to get it in the "read this" pile.

DQ Day 4
Chapters 15 - 18


14. Nahri meets the king of Daevabad for the first time but doesn't seem to have a lot of further interactions with him. What do you think the king's plan is truly? He offers her everything but doesn't ask for much in return - yes, he revealed to Ali that he wants to marry her to Muntadhir, but is that really all? She has been awaited for so long by the masses that I think he's trying to keep control of her. And by marrying her into the family, I think he's trying to get the bloodline.

15. Prince Ali, fabulous he.. Were you surprised at this further development in Ali's character? The extreme hatred he displays towards Nahri? For some reason, whenever I read the passages from his point of view, I feel he comes across more like a brat rather than a hate-filled person, yet that seems to be what he shows most often when Nahri is around. He now feels he is a murderer, which, granted, he now is. He also realises that his father has been testing and playing him, and will now use him to his own ends. Do you think the poor boy will finally start growing up? I was shocked that he wasn't immediately fascinated by Nahri - I really don't understand the immediate dislike. But some of that may be because I don't completely understand all the factions and politics. And learning that his father knew most of his activities - well I guess that means the father is pretty politically astute.

16. What do you think will be the outcome of Dara's quest in the middle of the desert with a future king and a contingent of warriors, who may or may not be hell-bent on killing the Afshin? Are they going to find the ifrit before their journey comes to an end? I think there will be a big battle with lots of injured. I'm not sure how they will treat Dara

17. Nahri's first patient! And what a patient that was! Did this first true test of her skills - towards someone she does not know or care about - live up to your expectations? I thought she used magic to heal things, but this seemed more like a thing physicians would do, with just a touch of magic. It was weird they expected her to just know how to use those physical tools.

18. Any predictions on who Nahri's father might be? I have to admit, I thought it was the king himself. But would he really want to marry his daughter to his son? Hm. What do you think? I thought maybe it was the king too. But now I'm guessing (because of the marriage plan) that it's not. But I don't have a next guess.

They said we can use pastels (light) for bright blue, so that's fine.

I'm basically enjoying it, but it's taken me awhile to understand all the different factions, and I still am a bit lost.

Great - thanks Andrea.

Keli wrote: "I just read The Fast Diet: Revised and Updated: Lose weight, stay healthy, live longer, can i use this in the challege?"

Kelli that is fine to use, and it can be a rainbow tower white too :)

Apoorv wrote: "Tone wrote: "But if anyone reads another one quicker feel free to grab the task!"

The book I read earlier this month, Upgrade, is entirely based in the STEM field. The MC, which al..."

Yes Apoorv - thanks that's perfect. I'll get it updated (unless someone beat me to it).

DQs Day 3 - Chapters 10-14

9. As he walks through the Daeva Quarters, Ali is shot by a toy arrow, let loose by one of the children playing about. Rashid suggests to Ali that he should punish the boy by taking him to be raised in the Citadel, which Ali refuses. What do you think this says about Ali, and about others in the city’s upper echelon?
I think that it says good things for Ali, as he was a bit hurt and angry about the arrow and the people laughing, but didn't retaliate. But obviously the class strife is boiling.

10. Nahri and Dara have a moment, but are interrupted. Do you like this partnership, romantically or otherwise? Is it doomed, or meant to be?
I'm glad the author is making it rather slow burn. I'm ok with the relationship so far - and I like that Dara is taking Nahri into the city even though it's very dangerous for him.

11. We learn about the terrible conditions in the shafit orphanage and the difficult lives all the shafit are forced into. Even though he immediately refuses to help, how do you think this will influence him in the future?
Boy, I don't know how it will influence him. He lost a lot of trust when the found the weapons. Although the argument made about weapons seemed valid. But I hope Ali continues to want to help.

12. As Dara and Nahri cross the last illusion shielding Daevabad, Nahri has an odd reaction and ends up flat on her back on the deck of the ferry, with Dara rudely refusing anyone’s assistance. Do you think this was caused by something related to what Nahri is, or something else? The palace seems to be changing and preparing for her, so I'm guessing it is something to do with that.

13. Muntadhir takes Ali to a secret room filled with dead Nahids. Do you think this room will be a turning point for Ali? Do you think Dara will discover this and his relic, and what do you think will follow if he does? I'm sure Dara will discover it. I'm not totally clear what the relic does. And I wonder if Nahri will be able to resurrect the dead (because of what Muntadhir said about the Nahid powers).

Oh I sure can - thanks so much for the reminder Tone!

Oh good find - thanks!

(Note: I think a problem with those first two is it's not just pure white - has some grey AND another color.) I asked about something like which is JUST red and white. Lol although they may not be too happy about me asking - it's not easy being a mod and handling hundreds of questions!

@Andrea - I looked at for monochrome and thought - "Oh good - that looks perfect." BUT here is the ruling they came down with for everyone in the captains group:

Monochrome = using only black, white, and grey, or using only one colour

So I don't think we can use Restore Me :( They disallowed which looks similar.

An example I found that would work:

(Note, I have this book and wasn't planning on reading it but I maybe should just do it)

Awesome! I'm so excited to hear it's good.

So Team, for our Stephen King BOM read (the book link isn't working right now) we have Daily Questions on the 4th day, which is 18 June. It can be anyone on our team that asks them, and really everyone that is reading is welcome to think of questions that we can compile.

That sounds like a perfect plan Leslie :)