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

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

Don't these look awesome!?

Here is the link to the mini-challenge:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

It's going to be so much fun!
Read the rules and come back here with any questions. I LOVE that we can end up fighting tons of monsters or just a few - whatever our team decides. And I love that a book can be used for multiple tasks (on the same monster) if it works.

Happy reading!

Wow all those books everyone is reading are sure paying off! Well done! That's awesome.

That is so interesting- thanks for sharing

Day 3 - DQs

14. Saved by Cock-Crow -> 18. Unwelcome visitors

11)
“Since antiquity, the rooster has been, and still is, a sacred animal in some cultures and deeply embedded within various religious belief systems and religious worship….
In the sixth century, Pope Gregory declared the rooster the emblem of Christianity and in 9TH century the figure of the rooster was ordered to be placed on every church steeple. Also in Central European folk tales, the devil is believed to flee at the first crowing of a rooster.” (Source : Wikipedia)

Maybe it is just me, but I think there is something deeply symbolic about the fact that in the seemingly atheistic society a man is saved from black magic/the devil by a bird that is strongly connected to Christianity and is part of people’s inherent belief/superstitions. Do you think this was intentional on the author ‘s part and if so what possible message was he trying to pass on?
I did not know that roosters were a symbol, so this question made that whole chapter much more understandable for me. Thank you!
I think that having the rooster crow - especially given how that stopped the madness - was totally intentional. I'm not sure about the message, but it for sure it supports the whole "devil" and goes against atheist ideas.

12) Connected to the question above: were there any superstitions you were brought up with or were told about by your family/friends?
Hmm..I'm sure there were lots but of course now I can't think of any. I know when studying for/taking exams if I had a successful outcome once I'd try to do things the same the next time - same music, clothing, etc.
This topic always makes me think of The Office.



13) While the plot mainly concentrates on the weird happenings in “modern” Moscow and only few chapters are devoted to Jerusalem, do you think any parallels can be drawn between the two cities or their people? For sure - in both there was a lot of political unrest and oppression. Also censorship.

14) One of the many memorable scenes was when people broke out in a “song and dance flashmob” despite their not wanting to (the evil workings of Korovyev, the “ex-choirmaster”, translator ad assistant of Woland). Have you ever participated in a flashmob or saw one performed in person? If not: have you ever been involved in a school play/choir/etc? I have been in school plays and choir - super fun! I have never participated in a flashmob. But there are some I've watched over and over on YouTube. One of my favorites:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXh7J...

There's also a Bohemian Rhapsody one I love but couldn't find.


15) We already agreed that it is quite difficult to make sense of this book. Have you ever read a book that had similar effect on you? (fascination/bewilderment/what-am-I-just-reading? :)
If it weren't for the points I honestly probably wouldn't have pursued this book. However the daily questions have helped me focus, and also inspired me to look online and get a little more context about what in the world I'm reading. But I feel like I'm missing a huge percentage of what the author was trying to do.

Megan, how did your cousin Mark do?

Volunteering for DQs (Electra)

Oh shoot - I'm sorry - I'm sure it was me that accidently did that. Sorry Vikki - I'm so glad you noticed that.

I'm on my laptop for this trip - it seems to randomly skip around when I type things, I struggle with copy/paste, etc. But that is something I definitely should have noticed :/

DQs Day 2
7. The Haunted Flat -> 13. Enter the Hero

6.) Berlioz kept having things disappear from his apartment. What would you of thought if stuff was randomly disappearing from your home? Blame it on the kids? Partner? Ghost? Thief? Do you think it's supposed to represent Stalin's infamous purges where people simply disappear?
I would (and do) blame the missing things on myself - I have a great talent for losing things! I think that is a good insight about the purges - that hadn't crossed my mind.

7.) What do you think of Woland's posse of 3? Would you want to be a part of that group? Of the 3, do you have a favorite character? I would NOT want to be in the group, but of the three my favorite might be the cat.

8.) Thoughts on Stavinsky? Would you want him treating a family member? Considering this is the 1930's and it's a mental asylum, was it what you'd expect? Or more modern? I did like he wasn't jumping to extreme measures. I thought the asylum was less scary/weird than I expected.

9.) This section made me think about the housing/apartment situation in Stalin's Soviet Union. Maybe because I recently moved house, it made me grateful for the choices I have available about my living situation. Did this resonate at all with you? How so? Being stressed for housing would be absolutely awful. I too am glad to have a choice - I feel SO sorry for those who do not. I do know some people who are homeless and/or in terrible situations - I wish that still didn't exist in the world.

10.) I still have like no idea what's going on really. I feel like I'm just going to keep reading and hope it either starts making sense or the book ends. How are you enjoying the book so far? I'm not enjoying it at all (sorry!) It is just so outside of my frame of reference and I'm so confused that I'm getting almost nothing out of it so far. But I'll keep persevering.

Welcome back Megan! The BOM books certainly will work for mini-challenge (or maze) tasks. That is great you are reading them.

Day 1 DQs
Book 1- Chapters 1 (Never talk to strangers) - 6 (Schizophrenia)

1) Poetry and literature. Religion. Philosophy. Deep topics, deftly handled by a mad, funny writer. What do you think so far? Are you fans of Homeless (Ivan) and Belioz and their pretentious academic discussions? Are you intrigued? Confused?

I feel so inadequate and out of my depth. I know I'm not dumb, but I sure don't know much about philosophy. And it's not a subject I'm drawn to at all. But I'm going to give it a go!

2) So, you meet a stranger that that knows your name, and says that he just had breakfast with Immanuel Kant (who died over100 years ago), and was there to see Jesus, then tells you how you are going to die.
Did you know who the Professor (W, foreigner, stranger, consultant, etc.) is from the synopsis, or when did you start to realize who this character really is?
I think I at least suspected who it was because of the synopsis and introduction. If I were the people he was talking to though, I'd think he was a pretentious crazy man

3) We move to Judea, in the story .that the Professor is telling. Pilate and Yeshua discuss why he has been imprisoned. What did you think of their talk? Did the characters of Jesus and Pilate differ from how you imagined them? What do you think of the different philosophies of authority vs the kingdom of truth and justice, in the book or in life?
What do you think of Yeshua’s belief that all men are good?
(I Personally loved the comment of Yeshua that his disciple keeps recording his words wrong. Teehee)

It was an interesting take on that story. I did like the idea that all men are good, and seeing reasons behind actions. And I agree - "he keeps following me around and writing down my words wrong" was pretty funny.

4) Well, Ivan’s life just took a turn. A dead friend, levitating men, a giant cat, a dip in a river resulting in missing clothing. Ever had a day like this? Do you think you would have given chase?
I wouldn't have chased - especially after I lost all my clothes in the river! And the whole chase, especially the river was just so bizarre.

5) I love the psychiatric hospital scene. It is so absurd. “Let him use the phone.” Teehee. I mean, poor Ivan. Do you think he will be there a while, or convince the doctor to let him go?
I predict he'll be there awhile and maybe get a certain visitor. But we shall see!


Bonus question) Anyone familiar with Stalin’s Russia? How does what you know relate to the book so far? Does the fact that this book was written during Stalin’s Russia make a difference to how you are understanding the book?

I know a little, but nothing that seems to help with this book. It's probably like understanding jokes in another language - you need a pretty good depth to "get it".

The next maze prompt is Read a book first published in August. Even page numbers. If anyone has anything almost finished, hop on over to the maze thread and let us know.

Current prompt for maze is read a book mostly set in Europe.
odd number of pages.

I believe someone is starting a short book. but if anyone has one almost done please go speak up.

Our next prompt is:
Task: Read a book written by an author who was born in Canada

Direction: South (Title starts with N-Z)

So if anyone has anything that works - feel free to go on over to the Maze

Next maze task is:
Read a book with a title starting with "Un"

East (Even Number of Pages)
South (Title starts with N-Z)
West (Odd Number of pages)

The current prompt (not sure for how long) is:
Read a book with a brunette on the cover
Directions: South (title starts with N-Z)
West (odd # of pages)

It's rough - the prompts are so hard to predict! I'm looking forward to the mini-challenge in about a week. Then we KNOW the prompts.

DQs Day 4 - Chapters 30-38

15. In this section, we see Beth really open up in the interview and describe two different Christmas flashbacks. The first, when Beth was 14, Lily was bruised and had been clearly abused by her foster family. We also (at least according to Beth) see the beginnings of Lily as a serial killer. Do you feel any sympathy for Lily? Do you agree with Beth that Beth could have stopped her?


16. What did you think of the interview with the lawyer Ransom Wells? Why do you think he and Beth never told the police about Lily, even after the murders?

17. Beth gets a wonderful shopping trip with her mom that immediately gets ruined when they return home and Lily is there. Lily is clearly the favorite. Why do you think that is?

18. Can Shea trust Michael? He seems almost too good to be true.

Oh I'm so sorry Queenie. That's so difficult and heartbreaking!

It's about 5:45 a.m. here. I actually finished the book last night. I have the audio, so let me do a little listening/thinking to come up with questions for the earlier set without spoiling the end. I'll get them up in an hour or so if that works. Then Queenie (or Vicky) can take the last set.

Yes it is! I too was shocked at the page length vs. audio time. I have it both forms - I'm not sure which to do yet.

We currently need for the Maze:

Task: Read a book with a adjective in the title

Direction: South (Title starts N - Z)

If any of you has a book that is close to being done and fits that. Here is the planning thread link:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...