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

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

Claire wrote: "🌍 Where are you journeying from?
I am from Antwerp, Belgium.

💖 A book, author, or genre that’s always “preciousss” to you?

I love fantasy, thrillers, classics and contemporary literary fiction. ..."

I sometimes do the same with my books-"what are you doing? Are you stupid?" I can't help myself lol

ClaireB wrote: "Hello Everyone,

Nice to see some familiar names, and happy to get to know new wheels players ☺️

🌍 Where are you journeying from?
- I am Claire, from Brussels Belgium. Born and raised here


💖 ..."

Rebecca is such a great book, I hope you get a chance to read it very soon! I read it years ago and would like to do a re-read but there are so many books calling my name to be read a first time

Julia wrote: "Hello Team Tongariro Alpine Crossing 😊

Delighted to be co-captaining this challenge together with Mel and Karen.


🌍 Where are you journeying from?

I'm joining you guys from a small town in Aus..."

Austria is another beautiful country. I've only been to Salzburg though unfortunately. And of course I did all the touristy Sound of Music stuff while I was there lol

Melindam wrote: "Here is my intro. ☺️

🌍 Where are you journeying from?
- I am Melinda, Mel for short, from Hungary. Living in a small lakeside town not too far from the capital, Budapest.


💖 A book, author, or g..."

Hungary is on my list of places to visit one day. I've only heard about and seen pictures of it and it looks/sounds amazing!

The Isle of Skye is special to me as well. Have you been to the Fairy Glen? It's such a magical place....

christene_littlelibrary wrote: "Hi team! Checking in! by the way I'm Christene, 29.

🌍 Where are you journeying from?
-- I'm from Philippines! Somewhere in Southeast Asia

💖 A book, author, or genre that’s always “preciousss” to..."
Kristin Hannah and Emily Henry are both comfort read authors for me. Also, add in Katherine Center-love her!

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Hello! wow here we are... wheel 10. Doesn't feel like that long ago we started the first one :o

🌍 Where are you journeying from?

Sydney, Australia. Currently into Spring and heading into Summer. ..."
I'm with you on the dark chocolate but my drink of course would be Diet Pepsi lol

I want to comment on so many of your posts but I have to go be an adult and go to work unfortunately BUT I will be back later!

🌍 Where are you journeying from?
United States

💖 A book, author, or genre that’s always “preciousss” to you?
The Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward-love anything by her and LOVE The Brothers. I will read most anything except I'm not into a lot of fantasy, high science fiction and space opera although I will take one for the team on any of these. I
do tend to generally read romance-both contemporary and historical, historical fiction, thrillers, mysteries, biographies, and history

🍫 Optional snack check: if you were bringing second breakfast for the road, what’s in your pack?
Pizza, french fries, dark chocolate and Diet Pepsi

(While I was writing the Qs, Sauron overtook the thread, so don't be surprised at what's coming.)

🧿“Who is your favourite villain… and why is it obviously Me, Sauron?”
I don't read a lot of books with villains so not to be redundant but The Lessers from BDB

💍 Which unread book on your shelf whispers to you most like the Ring?
They all do, the other books in The Pillars of the Earth series, War and Peace, finish the Children of the Earth (need to start that from the beginning)
I'm looking at my shelves as I write this and I am overwhelmed with the amount of books to choose from LOL

🌋Which books/characters did you feel like throwing into Mount Doom?
The Grapes of Wrath

🥾What’s your favourite real-life walk… and why is it clearly the Road to Mordor?
I would say anywhere in Scotland especially the Isle of Skye and I would love to go back to Wales and Ireland, I'm sure I would discover some
wonderful walks there. I'm headed to Alaska in May so I am sure there will be some places there as well

🎒 Would you survive the Tongariro Alpine Crossing carrying Sam’s cookware set and Frodo’s the Mighty Lord Sauron's Ring?
I seriously doubt it haha Would love to say that I could though!

⚔️ If you needed rescuing, which literary character(s) would you choose would you choose the Nazgûls, the Balrog or the Orcs?
Since I don't know who any of these are...I know blasphemy! I would have to say The Brothers of the Black Dagger Brotherhood

Thanks for all your hard work captains! You are all amazing! And thanks to everyone on the team, we certainly are an eclectic group of readers lol I had a lot of fun 🤩

Thanks it’s on there

Just finished the audiobook of:



I'm Your Huckleberry by Val Kilmer
Narrators:
Will Forte
George Newbern
Mare Winningham


It has 320 pages so we could replace Legends and Lattes if you'd like. Sorry I haven't been able to get any reading in since I came back work has been nuts!

Just got back in town, I’ll see what I can do. I got zero reading in on the cruise-too many martinis, trivia, eating, beach and silent disco parties lol Had a blast!!!

Thanks Vicki I’ll see what I can do

I’m hoping to finish up reading Sword of Kaigen tonight and My Friends in the morning which will put me at my cap of 13 books I believe. Questions are done for both. Not sure if I can keep reading for our team efforts or not…I’m headed out on a short cruise this weekend and hoping to do some reading whether it counts or not lol

DAY 3 DQ'S CHAPTERS 20-30

10. "Art is coincidence. Love is Chaos."
"Art is a small break from human despair."

Do you agree? Discuss these quotes in relation to the book and real life in general.
I feel that art and love are two different things and to each their own interpretation.

11. We still don't know the artist's real name and now we find out he isn't even in the picture! What do you think is the author's intention in regards to the Artist's role throughout the novel? And how about the significance of the title of the picture, " The One of the Sea instead of the Artist's thoughts it should have been called, The Boys and Her?
The artist has to be the one that ties everything together I'm thinking. I think she was supposed to stand out because she's the only girl. Not really too sure.

12. Louise asks Ted, "Were you two a couple?" In light of how the relationship is written were you surprised by his answer?
No, they could of been a couple but were probably better off as friends.

13. This novel is full of big emotions, real life hardships, death and tragedy but connected and possibly redeemed by the beauty in meaningful and fragile human relationships. The Artist and his friends, Christian and the Artist, Ted and the Artist, Ali and Joar, Ted and Louisa, Fish and Louisa... Which relationship has made the most impression on you? Which one do you think is pivotal to the storyline?
No one relationship has stood out to me they are all integral to the story.

14. Chapter 30 - Louisa leaves the picture then gets off the train when Ted is asleep. Did you see that happening, what do you think will happen next? Ted and Louisa reconnecting or big tragedy? (More tissues needed!)
I didn't see that coming. I think he might try to go after her

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 love pockets! I would be lost without them. I always have a variety of odds and ends in them-my phone, keys, pieces of paper, lip gloss, mints etc

#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'm leaning towards the homeless guy. No idea...

#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?
It's fun how naive and childish she is and he plays into it. They need each other but not in a romantic sense. No idea of what may come.

#8. In Chapter #19 we find more about the mentioned Ali. What is your impression of her?Any guesses on what happens next?
Confident but broken. I like her she is a strong character. I never have any idea of what might happen next in his books because they always seems to take me on a crazy ride in a direction I probably would have never guessed.

#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, it's an easy read and I can't wait to find out what is to come.

Vicky wrote: "@Elizabeth - We don't have to complete anything at this point to get our points per book. So I would say that if you read something that fits a task put it there first, that way we have as many let..."

Done! One less to find lol

My Friends has the word "kiwis" in it could we use that? If so, I'll snag that one and move it from "B"

Day 1, Chapters 1-11 (1-18%)


1. Warm-up question: have you read any other books by Fredrik Backman before? If yes, what do you like/dislike about his themes/style, etc?
They're generally quirky and real to life touching on subjects that are real to people every day. He has a great easy to real style and a great translator because I find myself reading his books very quickly.

2. In the first chapter we are introduced to quite a memorable auction scene with super-rich people who all want to possess THE PAINTING, though their intentions are questionable. Did this make you think of some similar events happening in the world right now?
Hmmm... no. I'm trying to think of what you might be referencing.

3. "Artists vs Normal People" - another aspect of these first chapters is the great divide between true artists and normal people. Backman seems to suggest that most people don't/cannot get true art and artists are so much more different (possibly better people?). Do you agree with this? Or is it a generalisation?
No, just because you do or don't get something doesn't make you better or less. It's like telling a joke it might be funny to one person but not another.

4. In a sequence of weird events, Louisa ends up in possession of The Painting.
Any guesses what may happen to her and to it?
No, real idea yet. She needs to sell it to live but I doubt that is what will happen knowing Backman's writing style lol

Bonus Q: do you have a favourite artist or a favourite piece of painting/sculpture?
I have an appreciation for art, more so for classic or renaissance than modern. No real favorite artist though.

DQ'S Day 3 Chapter 8 - Chapter 12


10. Mamoru is becoming more friends with Kwang Chul-Hee and seems to be rebelling more and finally has a fall out with his father. Do you think his father would have hit Mamoru again if Misaki wouldn't have accidentally interrupted?
100% that is his style.

11. Are you understanding their powers and magic system more through these last few chapters and the fighting that has occurred. Which power would you want?
I'm not sure that I'm completely understanding it, it all still seems kind of vague to me. I don't know which power I would choose because of this.

12. Misaki received a letter from her friend and told her to run and get out of town. With the Emperor keeping it a secret. Do you think anyone else knew war was coming? And why they are attacking such an isolated village?
Possibly, it seems like the friend was able to warn her cryptically about the impending attack and might have warned others. Easy target? Know that they have magic/powers?