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

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

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 :)

Cris (The Biblio Blonde) wrote: "You guys, it's four days into June and I haven't finished a book yet, LOL. I know that's totally fine and normal but I feel like I'm SLACKING!!

My college kid was pretty sick for a couple days (g..."

No worries Cris - those are all important things!

Next weekend we have a lot of company here - so I'll be similarly occupied :)

Tone wrote: "I have a question about BOM. As you have discussed earlier it looks like Fourth Wing will be a July BOM. I am currently reading the book (started reading it a couple of days before ..."

Yes you understand correctly - and I'm so glad to hear it is a good book!

Weekly Status Report

Summary: Welcome to June! We are done with most of the original mini-challenge, but be sure to keep recording color covers for rainbows if that applies. It is FINE to not have a book fit a mini-challenge - we have the primary challenge to excel at :)

Status sheet Link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

June Books:
100-199 0/10
200-299 3/20
300-399 6/30
400-400 2/30
500-599 3/20
600+ 2/10
Free 8/103
That's pretty impressive for 4 days into June!

Shelf fixes



Books of the Month

Last day to answer questions is 16 June


Starts 2 June


Starts 16 June - lots of us will be trying to start early

Mini-Challenges
Rainbow Towers: Feel free to keep asking in group if you have a color cover that you aren't sure what to choose.

Provided by Apoorv and SO useful for Chipmunks:
Links to "Best of" lists:
2013: https://www.goodreads.com/list/best_o...
2014: https://www.goodreads.com/list/best_o...
2015: https://www.goodreads.com/list/best_o...
All the years: https://www.goodreads.com/list/best_b...

Vi wrote: "Does this cover - looks monochrome? I'm reading for another challenge and if yes, may knock off another chipmunk challenge."

Sorry I didn't notice that earlier. It won't work because of the title (and I think there is a little bronze over on the left too). Monochrome is a tough one!

Tone wrote: "Thinking about Legends & Lattes for the Legend of the 10 rings chipmunk task.

Do you think it will be okay with plurals?"

Plurals are fine. And that is a wonderful book!

Day 2 DQs : Chapters 5-9

5. So many groups! We had a couple of chapters in this part that described some of the tribes in Daevabad and elsewhere - the Daeva/Djinn, Ifrit, Simurgh, Zahhak and I'm sure I haven't listed them all. Where on the confusion scale are you - with 1 being totally confused and 10 being "I've got this". And are you ok with your level at this point in the book?
I'm about a 3 at this point - maybe a 4. I'm STARTING to understand the three general groups in Daevabad, but then there are all of the families, and I'm lost. I'm hoping I understand better as the story progresses.

6. Somewhat related to this - we learn that Suleiman curbed magical abilities because the daeva harmed humanity. I learned (thanks Google) that in the non-book world Suleiman the Magnificent was the longest-reigning Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1520 to 1566 - he ruled over at least 25 million people. Did you know anything about Suleiman and what do you think of his inclusion in the book? I had only heard his name before, so I googled and learned a bit, then learned more from Melindam earlier today. I love that he is included, and given his real-life power, I can see how that could be extrapolated to what he did in the book.

7. We now know Dara was a slave for many years and was forced to do some things that haunt him. How does this make you feel about his character? I have a lot of sympathy for him now. I originally thought he hated humans because he felt superior, but it is a lot more understandable now.

8. Ali's father was portrayed as brutal when we first met him at the execution, and then later he seemed like a pretty good ruler as he listened to and judged people's problems. What do you think - good king or bad king? Maybe a good king but a mixed good/bad man. I do like how he gives Ali a chance to express his views (to an extent) and tries to explain his decisions.

Janeylou wrote: "So all i need to look out for are rainbow books & chipmunks ..is that correct ?"

Yes that is correct. We will fill up our page counts and knock off chipmunks as we can. Also, if you see a task that fits a book you completed previously in June that fits a chipmunk - we can use it - but you'll have to let us know :)

I'm thinking I will start on 11.22.63 as soon as I finish listening to my last Star Wars book. So probably in a few days. It'll be nice to have the extra time :)

The City of Brass BOM is also fairly long, but I've found it interesting so far.

I did see Fourth Wing on Scribd (audio version) if anyone has access to that and doesn't mind listening to books.

I agree - it's so much more realistic that people all have their flaws.

@Melindam - that's interesting to hear about another side of Suleiman than what it showed on Google, which seemed mostly about how he led arts and scientific discovery. I'd heard of him as "the Great" but have been woefully lacking any actual knowledge. And it makes sense that someone with that much power could be devastating to a country.

Day 2 DQs : Chapters 5-9

5. So many groups! We had a couple of chapters in this part that described some of the tribes in Daevabad and elsewhere - the Daeva/Djinn, Ifrit, Simurgh, Zahhak and I'm sure I haven't listed them all. Where on the confusion scale are you - with 1 being totally confused and 10 being "I've got this". And are you ok with your level at this point in the book?

6. Somewhat related to this - we learn that Suleiman curbed magical abilities because the daeva harmed humanity. I learned (thanks Google) that in the non-book world Suleiman the Magnificent was the longest-reigning Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1520 to 1566 - he ruled over at least 25 million people. Did you know anything about Suleiman and what do you think of his inclusion in the book?

7. We now know Dara was a slave for many years and was forced to do some things that haunt him. How does this make you feel about his character?

8. Ali's father was portrayed as brutal when we first met him at the execution, and then later he seemed like a pretty good ruler as he listened to and judged people's problems. What do you think - good king or bad king?