Rebecca ’s Comments (group member since Sep 03, 2016)

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

Alysa wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "Alysa, I’ll provide the information tonight when I can get on the computer. It’s much easier to do on there instead of my phone 📱 😃"

I pulled the "murder in the series name" and wi..."

I'm sorry I didn't get to this last night. I just went through and provided information (page numbers and quotes from books) for all the options I selected for both books. Please let me know if you need more information. Thanks for adding the "murder in a series name".

Alysa, I’ll provide the information tonight when I can get on the computer. It’s much easier to do on there instead of my phone 📱 😃

Sorry I had added it but it’s on there now. Oh that’s great about the BOM 😃

Alysa wrote: "@Rebecca and Ozana, haven’t heard from either of you in a while! Will you be finishing any books in time?

ETA
@Rebecca, I just saw All-American Adventure (James Patterson book) on your TT shelf. ..."

Thanks for adding that for me. I also just added Gideon and Wilder Girls and completed the BOM DQ's as well. Hopefully, this boosts us a little.

Day 3 DQs - Hetty (Ch 9) - 13


11. After all the tension in the beginning between Hetty and Reese, and now that they only have each other without Byatt as the middleman, they admit their true feelings toward one another. I felt like we didn't get much of a buildup to it so did you feel the chemistry between them? Did you think this turn in their relationship was believable? Forced? Necessary, or something to give the reader hope?
It seemed weird like they were strangers. No real buildup at all. I'm cautiously optimistic as what is going to happen.

12. I didn't stop to consider how everyone's symptoms were so varied until Byatt started listing them for Teddy. Why do you think it reacted so differently with everyone it infected?
I don't know, different "strains" of the tox maybe depending on the person's fears or something. It did make the book scarier though.


13. We learned a lot more about Byatt which made me rethink the previous interactions she had with her friends. Did Hetty and Reese really know the real Byatt? And is Byatt reliable as a narrator knowing that she's a compulsive liar?
Once a liar, always a liar-I think she was extremely unreliable and you really couldn't believe anything she said or did. They definitely did not know the real Byatt but did anyone? Did Byatt really know herself?


14. Byatt manipulated poor Teddy into removing his mask and kissing him. Why do you think she did this? To infect him, just because she could, or because she really believed it only affected girls (though come on, Mr. Harker!)?
I think she did it be an asshole.


15. When Mona told Byatt that "They'll ruin it," who do you think she was referring to and what do you think she meant by it? Mona then asks if Byatt would keep the disfigurements caused by the Tox even if there was a cure. What did you make of this? Why do you think they would want to keep them?
She had to have been talking about the other girls. Byatt is an attention seeker so I think she would enjoy all the attention she would receive and keep them.

Day 2 - chapters 4 - 8

5. The Boat Shift segment was intense! The description of the changes to the island were very evocative (and reminiscent of Annihilation, as Frankie mentioned). Are you going to be able to walk in the woods the same again? How effective are you finding the fungal horrors?
I think it is horribly creepy. I don't think I could walk through those woods again. I think the Fungal Horrors have something to do with the tox.

6. Welch. First, during the Boat Shift segment; Did you believe/agree with Welch at the first reading? And by the end of this section, looking back, do you still agree? Would you have done what Hetty did, and complied with the rule of silence? Then we discover Welch is communicating with someone (with a familiar voice....) about receipt, replacement and returns. By the end of this section we can guess at "receipt", but who / what is being returned?? Were you surprised by the reveal of Welch being in on "it"?
I was surprised that Welch was in on it. I don't think Hetty had a choice it was either comply or die. Who's going to argue with that?

7. Hetty has a big revelation about Reese "I've spent my every day since I met her telling myself the wrong thing. Telling myself over and over that she was cold, when maybe she was burning the whole time" I actually judged Hetty a lot at this point, for being so blinkered and oblivious, but I did like the adjustment she made during the conversation. How do you feel about Hetty, Reese and Byatt? Are they becoming more credible characters yet?
I think the characters needed to be more developed. I think the book was just too short to do that plus it's YA you can't get too in depth with that genre.

8. We have a switch in POV to Byatt. What do you think of this choice by the author?
I guess if you were going to switch this was the time to do it. Although, it would have been nice to keep wondering about Byatt.

9. The Byatt segment shows medical stuff happening. What do you make of that? Are they curing or creating?
I think maybe it started out as curing but I'm not really sure but it was some crazy stuff.

10. "Just before a flare-up, there's a moment. Hard to describe, hard to pin down, but for me it almost makes it worth it. The pain and the loss, all of it a fair price for this. This strength, this power, this eagerness to bare my teeth>" What do you think this quote means? Does it hint at reasons for the Tox? At future developments in the story line?
The rush of adrenaline. No, I don't think so since it was man made. I do think it is foreshadowing though.

DQ’s Day One: Chapters 1-3

1. It’s interesting to see the dynamic between the main girls (Hetty, Byatt, Reese). They can fist fight over food one minute, but still be best friends the next. Reminds me of my sister & I. LOL. Have you ever had this kind of relationship with someone?
No, I can't say that I have but I do think it would keep things interesting.

2. Byatt sneaks out of the room when she thinks Hetty is sleeping, then crawls up in Reese’s bunk when she returns. Where do you think she snuck off to? & what did she mean when she said to Reese, ”If you know something...”? Reese shuts down & kicks her out of her bunk. Wonder what their secret is?
No idea where she went. I wonder if it's some experiment gone wrong or maybe it's what is going on in the outside world.

3. Hetty says, “And I’ve wanted boys, and I’ve wanted girls, but I’ve never wanted anyone enough to miss them, enough to pluck them from the slideshow of my old life and bring them here.”
People have different ways of handling emotional stuff like this. Some people (like Hetty) believe thinking or talking about your loved ones or past life would only make the situation harder to deal with emotionally. Put yourself in this situation. How do you think you’d cope with missing your old life/family? Would you be like Hetty & shut down emotionally to prevent more pain? Or would you be like the other girls, laughing & sharing stories of your old life?
I find myself more likely to internalize the situation at first and later when I'm able to work through everything I'm able to talk about it more.

4. Personally, I’m really enjoying the book already! I love the writing style, the world building, & the characters. I know we’re only a few chapters in, but how are you liking it so far? What aspect of the book do you like best at this point (writing, world building, characters, etc.)?
It was a quick read so I would have to say the writing style.

Day 3 - Chapter 14- 20

10. Thoughts on the deaths, did you care to lose these two or are you just waiting for the body count to increase?
I thought they seemed like some of the nice characters. Yes, I'm just waiting for the count to increase. I don't think there's any way around it.

11. I like the electric toothbrush detail. What do you think of the room they found? Are there any details from the room that you think are going to be important later?
I don't remember the toothbrush...but I think that the room is going to important later.

12. The letter clearly has Gideon’s name in it (see below) but we get no comment from Gideon as the narrator on her reaction to this. What do you think of this as an author’s choice and what do you think the letter means?
" ut we all know the sad + trying realit
is that this will remain incomplete t
the last. He can’t fix my deficiencies her
ease give Gideon my congratulations, howev"
I'm not really sure what to think or what the letter means. I think it's weird that Gideon didn't react to it.

13. This quote feel like somewhat heavy handed foreshadowing , though I may be wrong.
“You’re all right. Gideon, Gideon … you’re so young. Don’t give yourself away. Do you know, it’s not worth it … none of this is worth it, at all. It’s cruel. It’s so cruel. You are so young—and vital—and alive. Gideon, you’re all right … remember this, and don’t let anyone do it to you ever again. I’m sorry. We take so much. I’m so sorry.”
She would remember each word later, loud and clear. It seems to imply this is Dulcinea’s voice and does this impact your opinion of her?
I don't much care for Dulcinea I think she's devious in her own way. The audio has it as her voice so I'm assuming that it is Dulcinea.

Bonus Question: The skulls on top of the chapters belong to each house but I have been unable to find any pattern or meaning to their order. Anyone think there is a purpose or pattern? Did I miss something obvious?
I listened to the book so I can't really say because I haven't seen them

DQ’s Day Two: October 7, 2019
Chapters 8-13

6. I think we all had a feeling (including Gideon) that Harrow wanted her ring - & of course, she got it. What do you think was her purpose of stealing the ring from Gideon?
I think she wanted to go off on her own and that in order to accomplish this she needed the ring.

7. Gideon has never seen modern technologies such as a sink with running water, or a toilet. She didn’t even know the difference between night & day... nor had she ever had a hot beverage before. This, in itself, tells us more about the Ninth than we knew before, but could also leave room for speculation. Would you consider this book to be speculative fiction? If so, what are some of the different things you could speculate from this or other parts of the story?
I wouldn't say it's speculative fiction. I think it shows the differences that Gideon with in the Ninth. The Ninth is so poor there's no way she would have had any of these luxuries unless she escaped.

8. Somehow the Third twin knew Gideon was hiding in the stairwell eavesdropping, even though she couldn’t physically see her, & told her that isn’t the way to start things off. Will this encounter affect Gideon & the Twins in the future? Is it a sign of what’s to come?
It's a foreshadowing of some type but we'll just have to wait and see. I think it makes the twins seem capable of many things.

9. What do you think Dulcinea’s motive is when talking to Gideon? She seems to be the only one really “intrigued” by Gideon, to the point of wanting to be around her a lot. Is this just normal, friendly interest? Or is there something bigger at play here?
I'm not sure what her motive is but I definitely don't think it's anything pure.

Day 1: Chapters 1-7

1. I love the world building this author does for her universe. I find it helpful in epic fantasies when authors give a little narrative upfront about the main characters in the story and their interrelationships. The world is very grey where Gideon lives - even her porridge is grey. Her arrival in this house as a baby from a woman that fell into the world was very auspicious. Gideon attempted to run away when she was four, and tried 86 times to run away by the time she was 18. What were your initial impressions of this world?
Very different from anything I've read before and somewhat confusing at first. I think the names threw me off a little. I felt sorry for her because it seemed like the world she was in was miserable.

2. Harrow tricked Gideon when she talked about her offer of freedom. Gideon seemed to have the upper hand, but then Harrow won the fight through her earlier planning and planting that day. What do you think that says about their relationship?
It's very complex. They seem dependent upon each other somewhat. Harrow will always play deviously to win.

3. So Harrow wants Gideon to be her guardian as she travels to the other houses. Seems like a good opportunity to get off the Ninth, and become a Cohort. Gideon does take the position. Do you think that was a good choice for her?
I think it was her only chance to better her life.

4. I liked when Gideon’s sword instructor said “anyone can learn to fight, not anyone can learn to think”. Do you think that Gideon needs to do more thinking than fighting?
I think she needs to think things through more carefully and consider more options.

5. What do you think about the House of the First? The world seems like the exact opposite of the ninth in terms of light and sky, rather than everything grey. All the houses are there - do you think Gideon is going to get into trouble or save Harrow from trouble?
(I'm answering these as if I hadn't finished the book) Not sure what is going to happen. The difference is houses is pretty extreme and I think they're both going to end up in some type of trouble.

Alysa wrote: "I'm about to finish my first short Tricky Animal book.

After that... I need some help choosing between some options!

A) Read my shortish "Clownfish" book, and when it is done, try to squeeze in a..."

I'd go for B hahaha

Alysa wrote: "@Rebecca, can you please check your edition/page count for Perfect Couple?
Edition you have shelved has fewer pages than indicated on spreadsheet. Thanks!

ETA: also, don't forget to join the BOM d..."

Page number has been fixed on spreadsheet and first three days of DQ's have been completed.

Allison Ann wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "How are you feeling Allison Ann?"

So much better thanks Rebecca. I only rarely sound like a 3 pack a day smoker now."

Down from 5 packs a day? I hate having a cough. I always end up coughing so hard that I end up with a headache to rival a brain freeze. I’m glad you’re starting to feel better!

Allison Ann wrote: "Alysa wrote: "You are BLIND.
That cover is like fine dark chocolate with some hazelnut on top."

Chocolate is as blandly gray tasting as that cover is, so I agree."

Love me some chocolate 🍫

Sorry 😐 all taken care of

How are you feeling Allison Ann?

Yeah hahahaha

Just posted my last two. I’ll do the BOM question sometime this week for Save the Date. Hopefully this next week will be a better reading week 😉

I’m hoping to have at least two more to add today. I’m sorry I’m dragging this week I don’t know what’s going on.

Since Save the Date “starts” today would it be better to finish and do the questions for next week or go ahead and read it and do the questions for next week?

None of my friends have read it either-sorry...