Kerri’s Comments (group member since Sep 29, 2015)

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

Good luck and happy reading, Team Circe!! I'm starting out with The Atlas Six and I'm so excited. I've been wanting to read this since it released!

Louise wrote: "Kerri wrote: "Question: how prominent does the musical instrument on the cover have to be to count? Because I was planning on picking up ([book:The Ball..."

Makes sense! I'll keep looking.

Question: how prominent does the musical instrument on the cover have to be to count? Because I was planning on picking up (The Ballad of Black Tom) soon and the character on the front is carrying a guitar (or cello?) case. Just curious if that would work!

I just finished up Amelia Unabridged, which is probably the only book that I'm currently reading that I'll be able to finish before go time tomorrow. I have to work this weekend but then I'm off for two weeks! My parents are visiting, but I know I'll have some great reading time in between being out with them.

I got The Travelling Cat Chronicles from the library, as well, and will be starting that tomorrow! I'm also planning on starting The Atlas Six tomorrow, too. I'll take a peek through the rest of my library books to see if there's anything else I can claim on the mini list.

Oop, that snuck up faster than I was expecting, for some reason! I felt like the 15th was still like a week away, lol. That's good, though, because a lot of my library holds are already in, which means I won't have to wait as long as I though to start them!

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Stacey wrote: "Let me know if you see any good ones on there! So far I either have read them already or don't know a lot about them.
."

Not sure how good they are but these came highly recommended..."

The Road to Jonestown is an excellent read. I’m very hit or miss when it comes to non-fiction but that book was well researched and well written. Harrowing, but good!

Trinia wrote: "Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Trinia wrote: "I would love to get through the Dark Tower series! SO MANY BOOKS!!!!!! ARGGGGGGG
"

I'm going to try and read a lot of Stephen King for TT as it was..."

BOTM club is responsible for quite a few of the hardcovers on my backlist 😂 Y’all have a lot of doorstoppers planned, that’s awesome! I get so intimidated by books that are 500+ pages, but I also have a weak spot for chonky books. I have to psych myself up to read them and I usually love them when I do.

Louise wrote: "Mini Tasks to Claim

• MPG Humour
• Mask on cover
• Stars on the cover
• Map at the front of the book
• Sword on cover
• Tagged Tragedy - Erin
• Letters of HYMN in title
• Author initials in SACRED..."

I'm planning on reading The Atlas Six and my version definitely has a sword on the cover.

Just placed a hold for all the upcoming BOMs! I've heard interesting things about The Travelling Cat Chronicles, so I'm excited to give it a read.

I'm definitely on-board for The Book of Cold Cases! I've been wanting to read a Simone St. James book for a minute. Hopefully my library has it as I'm trying to avoid buying books at the moment. Because I have a ridiculous amount of unread books already, lol.

I'd like to volunteer to DQs as back up for Team Circe

Vicky wrote: "Kerri wrote: "Board game furniture company?? You've piqued my interest! My family and I love to play board games! My husband and I play D&D, as well, but since our group is scattered across the US,..."

Oh, yes! I watch Critical Role and they used to give away Wyrmwood stuff during their live streams all the time! The things I've seen are absolutely beautiful. I'll have to check out the tables, perhaps for an anniversary buy so I can save up. That's so awesome that you work for them!

Vicky wrote: "Hey Team!

I'm Vicky and I'm one of your co-captains. I have participated in and captained many a team challenge here at NBRC in the past but it's been somewhere between two and three years since I..."

Board game furniture company?? You've piqued my interest! My family and I love to play board games! My husband and I play D&D, as well, but since our group is scattered across the US, we play online. Still a ton of fun!

Hello, Team Circe!

My name is Kerri and I live in Massachusetts. We're in the midst of finally getting and maintaining spring weather and I couldn't be happier! I work as a medical laboratory scientist, specifically in microbiology and molecular. I'm married with two kids and three pets (two cats and a dog) running about to keep me busy.

That being said, I don't read a ton of books in a month, but I usually manage to finish around 6 books. Audiobooks are definitely a life saver when I really need to get a book read but don't have the time to sit and pick up a physical book or e-book! I'll read pretty much anything, though fantasy is 100% my go-to genre.

I look forward to meeting you all! And here's a link to my TT shelf: tower-team-9

DQs 1- Chapters I through V

1- We meet Nell, working in a dead end job. She had a dream job, worked with her father, and had a bright future. Then the junk box happened. Then her father dies. There is a lot that happens in the first few pages. What do you think of the intro to the story, and what do you think of Nell so far?

I like a story that kinda drops you into the action, so I enjoyed the beginning of this one! I thought it was a good way to catch readers up just a little bit with the drama so we could move forward. I like Nell, too, though she does have moments where I wonder about her problem solving skills, haha.

2- The map. What is with the map? How many of you had to try to read one of those maps as a navigator on a road trip? (And then try to fold it again after?) For those of you who are too young, a map is GPS without the satellites. Or the iPhone.
Any clues or ideas as to why this is so important to anyone? Or, why her father was willing to become estranged from his daughter over it?

I've already finished this book, so I'll have to say what I felt at this point in the book. It seemed very strange that some old gas station map could cause such a fuss! The only thing I could think was that it had some weird misprint that made it a collector's item or something like that. I still thought it was a silly thing for her dad to overreact like he did.

3- I always have to ask myself whether I would disregard the danger to find the answers, like Nell has chosen to do. How about you guys? Any intrepid leading ladies in the group?

I like to think I would seek the answers whatever the risks. Realistically, though, I've got a family to think about. I'm not gonna risk my life for some map! If I was single and had only myself to worry about... maybe.

4- We are introduced to a new character, Felix, and teased about another, Ramona Wu. Thoughts about either?

I really like Felix. I'm excited to learn more about him and their relationship. He seems like an alright guy. I really want to learn more about Ramona Wu! She's so mysterious... I do love a mysterious character.

Book VI The Secret Diary of Katrina Hawkins
And
Epilogue

21. Both Kat and Zachary are gamers. Do gamers and readers share the same love of story? Are gamers and readers equally able to blur the lines between reality and a fictional world?

Of course! Video games are basically just interactive storytelling, tbh. And I've heard many a gamer rant when the story of a game isn't well though out or executed poorly. Gamers and readers are very similar, imo. And I don't say that just because I am both xD

22. Two questions Zachary asks Dorian are “What do you do for a living?” and “What happened to Mirabel?” to distinguish between fantasy and reality. This seems to relate to some minor themes (?) of occupations (keeper, acolyte, guardian) and the importance of relationships. What other themes did you pick up from reading this book?

There's definitely a theme of finding oneself and finding where you belong. Of taking your fate into your own hands (love when Zachary didn't go through any of the obvious doors after he met Simon), of fighting for what you desire, and definitely of loss. There's a lot going on in this book.

23. What do you think of the bees?

I thought they were adorable if a little creepy! They were just so happy to see Zachary. The fact that they were the Kitchen blew my mind a little. Does that mean everything that the Kitchen sends up is actually made of honey? And how did they clean his clothes? Either way, such helpful little bees.

24. Are you more an acolyte, a guardian or a keeper?

As soon as I was done reading about the three paths, I immediately said, "I want to be a keeper!" I love a good story, I'm organized, and I think I could pass the initiation. I don't think I could never talk again, so acolyte is out and I'm not forceful enough to be a guardian *shrug*

25. What do you think about how Erin Morgenstern wraps up the stories? Would you have ended any of the character's stories differently?

I loved the ending! It felt so satisfying and it made my heart so happy! (view spoiler)[At first I thought that the Starless Sea swallowed the underground library for the last time, but then there was a new Harbor and Kat gets to explore it and Zachary and Dorian finally got their kiss! (hide spoiler)] So. good.

Book IV: Written in the Stars and Book V: The Owl King

16. "'Am I familiar?' Dorian asks and Zachary wants to say Yes, yes you are the most familiar and I don't understand how..."

Why do you think Dorian is so familiar to Zachary? Is this another instance of time-crossed lovers finding one another?

17. The underground library has a lot of cool features: written/spoke words automatically translate, you don't need glasses to read, insta-cat friends roaming the corridors, THE KITCHEN! Which of these aspects is your favorite? Which would you want to bring into the real world, if you could?

18. We find out that Allegra is our painter and she's been destroying doors to prevent something she has foreseen with her weird not-eye. What do you think she saw? Do you think it warrants her trying to close of the underground library forever?

19. Zachary found Simon and Dorian found Eleanor! Eleanor seems to be holding her own, but Simon seems to have completely lost it. Do you think they'll have a continued part to play in this story? Or, having helped our new main characters, are they not to be seen again before the end of the book?

20. Dorian has discovered Fate's heart at the inn, but Zachary has picked up a new owl companion. The owls are the ones that have destroyed Fate in all the stories. If Zachary and Dorian find each other again, do you think Fate's heart will be safe? What do you think they are meant to do with it?

Book III: The Ballad of Simon and Eleanor

I have so many questions!!!! <---- ME TOO!!

11. The Owl King. There will always be another. Do you think a person transforms into the Owl King? Do you think someone we know is currently or will become the next one?

That is a distinct possibility. I think if anyone is the current Owl King, it's probably Allegra. She seems like the type that would rip Fate apart and eat it...

12. I have so many questions about Simon and Eleanor! Do you think they ever found each other again?

I think they may still be looking for each other. I mean, when you're playing with time, it gets kind of tricky. I want to believe that they found each other again, but I don't think their story has a happy ending.

13. Speaking of Simon and Eleanor, their story is kind of sad. Not star crossed but time crossed. What do you think you would do if you met someone in the way that they meet each other?

I would probably lose my mind. I can't imagine not being able to explore the world with the person I love or not have them integrated into my daily life. I think I could manage if we just remained friendly, but if we fell in love, I would probably be devastated. If I knew going in that we could only co-exist in one room, I'd probably guard my heart and try not to get too attached.

14. Why do you think Allegra is obsessed with closing doors? Is it really to protect the stories from "cracking"?

I think that Allegra used to live in the underground library and something terrible happened to her. I'm fairly certain she used to be a guardian in the proper sense and whatever happened to her or to something she cared about made her completely disenchanted, so she's decided to close off the library. Or she just wants it all for herself.

15. I'm curious about Mirabel and the Keeper. Do you think they are also time-crossed?

There's definitely something going on there, but I'm having a hard time figuring those two out. I'm wondering if Mirabel is a lot older than she appears and the two of them together are the last remnants of the old guard.

Book 2: Fortune and Fables

1. How do you think painted doors choose a harbor to connect to? Is it random or are there certain designs and patterns you have to follow?

I think it probably has to do with who paints the door and their intent. Though the underground library does seem like it has a mind of it's own, so maybe it is tied to how the library is feeling. Or it matches a person to a Harbor. It's all weird and I looooove it!

2. I love the tale of the story sculptor. Do you think Mirabel’s candy is made by her or are they made by another phenomenon?

I loved that story, too! Can you imagine weaving a story between raindrops? That sounds so ethereal and lovely <3 I hadn't made that connection between the story sculptor and the candies, but I could see that being the case! Or maybe there's a special chef who's story we haven't read yet.

3. As all the stories seem to have a connection, I noticed one that seemed obvious to me. Is the man from the story sculptor the mouse who stole Fate’s heart? Is the object he wants to keep safe the heart?

Ohhh, I hadn't thought of that at all! That could definitely be the case. Especially since they cut off the story sculptor's hands for hiding it. They really want to destroy Fate completely.

4. The Keeper seemed to play a minor role so far in the book. Will that change and what would his role be?

I'm thinking he's more important than he currently seems. I mean, he is the last Keeper and, from what I gathered from earlier stories, there used to be a lot more. I wonder what would happen to the library if something happens to him? I'm hoping he helps to bring the library back to life.

5. The pirate had been mentioned multiple times. Is he just a metaphor or is he a real character to be mentioned and tied into the story later on?

I think he's a real character that we may have already met. I can't pin down who I think he may be, it changes with each chapter and each new reveal! But I do think he is one of the characters. But also a metaphor. In this book, it works.

Questions and Comments
4&5 Jan
Book I Sweet Sorrow

1. Have you read the Night Circus? Why did you decide to join this read?

I have read the Night Circus and it's one of my favorite books of all time! I love getting lost in a book and I find it very easy to be sucked in by Erin Morgenstern's writing. I was going to read this book whether it was BOM pick or not, lol. I love talking to other people about the books I'm reading, though, and I don't have a lot of folks in my life who love reading as much as me. So here I am!

2. Zachary - never Zach - is also frequently referred to by his full name. Had you noticed? Is there a significance in his three names?

I did notice at the beginning of every chapter set in the "real world" as opposed to the books, we are treated to Zachary Ezra Rawlins full name. I like it, it makes me smile each time. I don't know if there is a significance in the names, though this book reads very much like a fairytale and names tend to have power in fairytales. I suppose we will see!

3. There are so many literary references, but two which have been used more often are Sarah Walter’s The Little Stranger and Raymond Chandler’s Phillip Marlowe books. Have you read any of these? Do you think there is a connection to this story?

I was thinking to myself as I read that I was picking up a lot of suggestions for new books while reading this one, lol. I haven't read either of those authors before, but I have heard of both of them. I don't think there is a connection other than the fact that this entire book is like a love story to reading and stories.

4. So many fantastic quotes, my kindle is full of highlights. What are your thoughts on the writing style?

I'm absolutely loving it! It's beautiful and whimsical and has the perfect touch of humor. It speaks to my sometimes odd sense of humor.

5. This book is bigger than I realised but I find myself quickly sucked into the story. I love the idea of reading a book about something that seems to be your own story. It's kind of creepy and intriguing all at once. How do you think you would react?

I would be stoked! I think I would be excited by any hint that there is actual magic in the world. It's the little kid in me which is always just off to the side. Although, I don't know if I would have been as proactive as Zachary in trying to find answers to why my story was in some ancient book.