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

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

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Rebecca F. (Nightengale) wrote: "Yes, I went there at Christmas one time. I remember the Biltmore Estate being decorated beautifully. We went to a special tour where you were able to go through roo..."

I don't have any children but I do have a cat that I do the Santa thing for. I know crazy cat lady! I also, keep up the spirit of Santa for all of my friends kids. It's fun to see the looks on their faces.

3 December

14. We are halfway through. Do you have a favourite of the stories so far? Is there one you are particularly looking forward to reading?
I would have to say It's a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown

It's a yuletide miracle

15. Marigold's apartment was a surprise. Have you ever lived somewhere with things piled up around you like that or where you had boxes unpacked for months?
No, I have never lived like that. I can't imagine how claustrophobic it must seem.

16. I thought this story had a nice style. Have you read any books by Stephanie Perkins? What did you think?
I have not read anything else by her but I will probably in the future.

17. I was trying to picture Asheville in my mind and ended up doing some google-ing. Have you ever been there or somewhere like it?
Yes, I went there at Christmas one time. I remember the Biltmore Estate being decorated beautifully. We went to a special tour where you were able to go through rooms that are not normally open. They had carolers and/or music in these rooms. They also had luminarias lining the driveway. It was very nice and really put you in the Christmas mood.

Your temporary Santa

18. This story was the most unusual for me. I felt like there was a lot more going on than what I understood (like the nasty sister and the strange interaction with the mum in the hallway). But I find that a lot with Levithan books! How about you?
I haven't read anything else by him so I don't have anything to compare it to. I feel that there was a lot going on and that the story was much too short.

19. I like how he is Jewish and his parents gave him the story about Santa and how "you can wave to him as he flies past if you want". Did your parents have any unusual Christmas stories or traditions?
We used to bake a birthday cake for Jesus but other than that not that I recall.

20. Did you ever see Santa? When did you stop believing?
My Mom never allowed us to believe in Santa because she believed until she was in sixth grade and was bullied because of it.

DQs 2

Angels in the Snow

8. Shy puts up a good front that everything is just fine when he is actually starving and lonely. Haley's invitation to dinner seems to be exactly what he needs. Why do you think he is making choices that are clearly making him miserable?
His pride is getting the better of him. He has a problem asking for help.

9. Haley asks Shy about his meals, invites him to dinner, and then brings muffins which she puts straight into the refrigerator without giving Shy a chance to stop her. Do you think she suspects that he doesn't have any food? What did you think of her solution of fixing dinner and then dragging him up to her apartment to eat it?
I don't know that she suspected that he didn't have any food. I think she just thought he couldn't cook. I think it was a nice solution to the problem even though she was upset that he had lied to her. BTW who has someone pet sit/house sit and leaves them without any food?

10. In the end, it turns out that Haley wasn't completely honest, and she confesses her deception to Shy. What do you think initially motivated her to deceive him? Why is she telling him the truth now?
I think she was in denial that her relationship and ended and that she might have felt attracted to Shy. She told him the truth because at that point she was feeling the attraction and wanted to come clean with him in hopes of taking it further.

Polaris Is Where You'll Find Me

11. Given that Natalie has lived at the North Pole since she was a baby, did you find it odd that she seemed so completely alone at the party and separate from the elves?
She's Santa's daughter so maybe the elves felt a little intimidated by her. She is a teenage girl with teenage feelings and teenagers can be moody and broody.

12. What did you think of Santa as a dad: the dress, the dance, the fact he can't be lied to?
He seemed like a cool dude.

13. The end of the story was really open ended. Do you think Flynn is right that she will go away someday and stop believing or do you think she will stay at the North Pole?
I don't think she'll stop believing she's been a part of the magic her whole life. I do feel that she will need to leave in order to live her life.

DQ's - Dec 1

Midnights
1. Mags and Noel meet at a New Years Eve party and we read dialogue from 4 consecutive celebrations. To me, it’s pretty obvious Noel is interested in more than a ‘friendship’ relationship with Mags. What are your thoughts about why Mags is so reluctant?
Mags seems shy and unsure of herself. She has low self esteem which is shown when Noel tells her that she is his best friend but then she lists off others that are his best friend therefore discounting their friendship.

2. Not sure, but Noel appears to have some experience with other girls…Natalie, Amy, Alicia…while Mags doesn’t interact with other boys. What’s keeping Mags from other boys and if Noel really likes Mags why is he kissing/dating other girls?
Mags seems shy and uninterested in other boys whereas Noel tends to be the life of the party attracting girls to him.

3. It seems that Noel is really the one open to different things and specifically change vs Mags who appears likes things status quo. One quote ’everything was the same and everything was different’… what does this mean to you?
She stayed and continued on going to school while everyone else went on to college somewhere else. She didn't change her routine. Her feelings for Noel had changed though.

The Lady and the Fox
4. The man (Fenny) is outside standing still…in the trees always at Christmas, always in the snow… What do you think about this man? He says he’s where he’s supposed to be…he’s only allowed to come when it snows…why do you think he’s supposed to be there?
Fenny is held under a spell and is only allowed to appear when it is snowing.

5. Fenny gives Miranda the Fox Damask from his coat as a present and she fixes it so the fox is no longer chained and returns it to him one year later, again as a present. Is this ‘fox’ magic? Would he have been able to be free of the lady had this not occurred do you think?
I don't know but many times symbols help with releasing a spell.

6. The fact that Miranda’s mother is in jail is one aspect of this story that requires ‘imagination’. What does her mother have in common with Fenny (the man in the snow) and/or the lady? Do you think her mother is really in jail in Thailand?
I'm not sure. This story was short and very abstract so it left a lot out for interpretation.

7. The book was written in a ‘different’ style. If you were going to put a label on the style, what would you call it and why? Does Link’s style remind you on another author you’ve read…if so, who?
I'd have to guess to say a fairy tale but I don't really know. I did not like this one. It didn't remind me of anything I've read before that I can think of.

It was good, not what I expected. It was very rite of passage with “boys” going against the school dean and the cool teacher. You should read it if you get a chance.

COMPLETION POST



Book: Dead Poet's Society by N.H. Kleinbaum
Completed: 2 Dec
Pages:166
Fits: Characters: O-Know Overstreet, G-Ginny Danburry, also fits for #30 on the extra challenge

COMPLETION POST


Book: Nuts by Alice Clayton
Completed: 1 Dec
Pages:320
Fits: Character: L-Leo Maxwell


Book: The Love Season by Elin Hilderbrand
Completed: 1 Dec
Pages:304
Fits:

Rebecca F. (Nightengale) wrote: "Deanna wrote: "Rebecca F. (Nightengale) wrote: "COMPLETION POST

The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein
Book: The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White
Comple..."

TCO sorry...

Deanna wrote: "Rebecca F. (Nightengale) wrote: "COMPLETION POST

The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein
Book: The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White
Completed: 30-Nov
Pag..."

Absolutely sorry about that!

Deanna wrote: "Rebecca F. (Nightengale) wrote: "What is our strategy for next week? Are we doing the extra twist to the challenge or not worrying about it? Are we focusing on the vowels more than completing the w..."

ok sounds good ;-D

I’m in! The cover and the title hauled me in. The summary actually sounds decent

What is our strategy for next week? Are we doing the extra twist to the challenge or not worrying about it? Are we focusing on the vowels more than completing the word? Just wondering because I'd like to plan and I don't want to find books to fulfill "goodwill" if we aren't worrying about the consonants.

Also, I have the new BOM of the month so that's one I will be reading for next week.

COMPLETION POST

The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein
Book: The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White
Completed: 30-Nov
Pages:304
Fits: Title: T
I also completed the questions for BOM.

Irish Thoroughbred

Book: Irish Thoroughbred by Nora Roberts
Completed: 28 Nov
Pages:189
Fits: Title: I

Shelter in Place
Book: Shelter in Place by Nora Roberts
Completed: 27 Nov
Pages:438
Fits: Author: N

Craving
Book: Craving by Helen Hardt
Completed: 27 Nov
Pages:288
Fits: Series: S (Steel Brothers Saga)

E & L are in progress will have them completed by deadline tomorrow.

Irish Rose
Book: Irish Rose by Nora Roberts
Completed: 29 Nov
Pages: 250
Fits: Title: I

Irish Rebel
Book: Irish Rebel by Nora Roberts
Completed: 30 Nov
Pages:256
Fits: Title: I

Alysa wrote: "Researching has shown:

I apparently cannot get a copy in time to read next week, but just in case anyone can, Dead Poets Society works well. It isn't long, and in addition to the D ti..."

I got a copy of it. What were you thinking of putting it down as?

DQ Day 3 Ch 17-end

10) Judge Frankenstein did not let Elizabeth know that he was fighting to get her inheritance back. If she would have known, do you think she would have handled things differently with when she found Justine and forced a marriage between her and Victor? Would she have been a different person?
I definitely think she would have been a different person, a less conniving person who didn't feel she had to fight tooth and nail for her security. I do think that she would have still felt that she needed to control Victor.

11) Victor said, “You made it clear from the start you did not care what I did so long as you did not have know the specifics. It was our agreement.” Did Elizabeth contribute to Victor’s madness? If she would have told him he went was going too far at any time, would he have stopped or just not tell her?
I think Victor was beyond help already by the time Elizabeth was brought. I don't think anyone knew the true level of his madness. I think she enabled him by covering things up and making sure that no one knew about his madness.

12) Victor wound up leaving after the conversation Elizabeth saw with the monster. Later we found out that he was watching and protecting Elizabeth. Was Elizabeth committed to an asylum to keep her safe or to get the monster out of the way so Victor would be able to continue with his work?
I think Victor had her institutionalized so that he could run wild and work freely without being hindered.

13) Was it surprising that Victor killed Henry and used part of him for his experiments? Were you surprised that Mary and Elizabeth friended the monster and let him chose a new name?
No, it wasn't surprising that he killed Henry. I think he was very jealous of Henry. I also was not surprised that the ladies befriended the monster. They were trying to gain his trust by allowing him to change his name.

14) Do you believe that Victor finally succeeded with his experiment to retrieve Elizabeth or that he needed to go forward with the experiment on her to have her back the way she was?
Victor wanted Elizabeth to be the scared little girl she was when she came to the Frankensteins. I don't think he was successful with his experiment.

15) How did you like this retelling to the original and/or other retellings?
I enjoyed this book but it has been so long since I read the original that I can't fairly compare the two. I haven't read any other retellings of Frankenstein.

Discussion Questions Part 2 (Ch 12 to 16)

6)Sometimes we are strangers even to ourselves
Another great quote in this book! Do you think Elizabeth was just referring to Henry here or about all 3 of them? She seems quite restless and unsettled since finding Victor. Why do you think this is?
Do we ever truly know ourselves or others completely? Everyone is constantly evolving to suit the environment they are in. People also always tend to hold back a little of themselves that no on else knows about them. I'm constantly finding myself commenting to people "I didn't know that about you." I think she knows Victor is a huge wildcard. She never knows what he is going to do next. Elizabeth has to keep on her toes when it comes to him.

7) It's fairly well established a this point that everyone is frightened of Victor to the point where most seem to want to avoid him as much as possible. Elizabeth comments that at night when she was scared and having horrible nightmares she went to Victor. And sleeping by his side, she had no nightmares. Why do you think that is?
Elizabeth was "given" to Victor at a tender age thus instilling that sense of security when she is around him, if she didn't have Victor she would not be in the position of privilege she is in. Victor is her security blanket.

8) Why do you think everyone was so willing to believe Justine killed William? To believe her going mad so suddenly and randomly? Do you think she actually did it? If not, who do you think it was?
Someone needed to be the scapegoat and Justine fit the bill. I don't think she killed him. I don't think she had it in her to harm anyone. I think Victor's creation killed William.

9) Elizabeth sees her actions towards saving Justine from her previous life as the only selfless thing she has done in her life. Do you think her actions were truly selfless though?
Absolutely not! She needed someone to boost her ego and Justine fit the bill. Plus, Justine helped with the younger children giving Elizabeth more time for Victor.

10) Upon seeing the monster having a conversation with Victor, that Victor appears to lose, Elizabeth's reaction is to find out what it is holding over Victor, remove the hold, then kill the monster. Do you think this is a normal reaction? What would you have done?
Elizabeth has/needs to have control over Victor in order to do this she needs to know what secrets he might have. I think she feels she needs to kill the monster to eliminate anything that would cause her to lose control over Victor. I think most people including myself would feel this way if put in this situation. He endangers her lifestyle.

Discussion Questions Part 1 (pg 1-124)

1. I love this quote in the story. “Justine did not have to pretend, as she always seemed genuinely unaware of the effect we had on men. I, however, was perfectly aware of my beauty. I considered it a skill, alongside speaking French, English, Italian, and German. It was a language of its own, in a way; on that translated well in different circumstances.” What does this tell you about the different characters of Justine and Elizabeth?
Elizabeth seems to be a take charge type of person whereas Justine seems more like a follower. Elizabeth knows what she wants out of life and Justine seems like she is happy to have been rescued from the life she came from.

2. Elizabeth truly seems able to control Victor’s dark character. She helps him clean up after the incident with his younger brother, and comes up with a story to help save Victor. Why do you think she is able to do that when no-one else seems able to control him?
Elizabeth was "given" to Victor so she feels she needs to do whatever it takes to control him. She knows what her job is and feels that if she does not protect and keep Victor under control she will be turned out by the Frankensteins.

3. When Henry proposes to Elizabeth, she immediately begins to worry whether she can be the wife he needs. But she decides to send him to Victor to ask for his blessing. She figures there can be two outcomes - one Victor will return to her and ask her to marry him, or two Victor will give his blessing and she can marry Henry. This “plot” comes from feeling desperate to belong and the fear of not being needed by the Frankenstein’s anymore. What would you do if you felt that way?
I think given the time period I would probably have done the same thing she did. The fear of being turned out in the street would be greater than the fear of marrying either Henry or Victor.

4. When Elizabeth burns down the house that Victor was using for his experiments, she hears a large splash in the river. Who do you think it was fleeing the burning building? Do you think it’s the same man Elizabeth saw out her window at the boarding house and out of her carriage? Or do you think her mind is playing tricks on her?
I'm not sure who it could be. My guess is Victor's first result from his experiment. I definitely don't think her mind is playing tricks on her. Her mind seems very sharp and in that moment she would have been hyper alert for any sounds or movement.

5. Re-tellings are now one of my favorite new genres. Do you like this retelling of the Frankenstein story so far? What other re-tellings have you read that you really liked?
I have read some other retellings of books but they are more contemporary than this version of Frankenstein. It's been quite awhile since I read Frankenstein but this version is definitely easier to read. I'm enjoying it but I think I need to re-read Frankenstein.

COMPLETION POST

Next Song I Sing
Book: Next Song I Sing by Donna McDonald
Completed: 19 Nov
Pages: 203
Fits: Character-C-Chloe Sanders

Room Service
Book: Room Service by Jill Shalvis
Completed: 17 Nov
Pages: 250
Fits: Title-R

The Wedding Date
Book: The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
Completed: 24 Nov
Pages: 310
Fits: Character-A-Alexa Monroe

Morrigan's Cross
Book: Morrigan's Cross by Nora Roberts
Completed: 22 Nov
Pages: 321
Fits: Author-N

Dance of the Gods
Book: Dance of the Gods by Nora Roberts
Completed: 23 Nov
Pages: 321
Fits: Character-B-Blair Murphy

Summer People
Book: Summer People by Elin Hilderbrand
Completed: 21 Nov
Pages: 352
Fits: Author-E

The Noel Stranger
Book: The Noel Stranger by Richard Paul Evans
Completed: 22 Nov
Pages: 352
Fits: Author-R

Valley Of Silence
Book: Valley of Silence by Nora Roberts
Completed: 23 Nov
Pages: 318
Fits: Author-R

Yours Until Dawn
Book: Yours Until Dawn by Teresa Medeiros
Completed: 24 Nov
Pages: 384
Fits: Title-Y

Sorry but is all my stuff good? I did it so fast I hope I didn’t miss anything else

COMPLETION POST

Lethal White

Book: Lethal White by Robert Galbraith
Completed: 18-Nov
Pages:992 (large print)
Fits: S-character: Cormoran Strike

The Blue Bistro
Book: Blue Bistro by Elin Hilderbrand
Completed: 18-Nov
Pages:321
Fits: D-character:Adrienne Dealey