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

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

Alysa wrote: "I just got out of a meeting. When I went in I was fine, but when I came out I was SOOOOOO TIRED....................
I hate these days.

On the bright side, my office is so cold that I am waking up..."

That's me most days after lunch. Although it was boiling hot in our lab which made it even worse! It's weird to have snow on the ground outside but want to strip down to your skivvies inside, lol.

The Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Day 1 Questions

1. Our book starts out with a Prologue that leaves me understandably a bit lost and confused but wanting more, giving us minimal clues to our forthcoming story.
How do you feel about Prologues? Do you ever go back and Re-read them after you finish the book?

I tend to like prologues because they give me a hint as to what I might be in for. This prologue definitely got my interest! Clearly something terrible has happened and I really want to know what it was. I do like to reference back to the prologue after finishing the book to see the little hints the author may have dropped at the very beginning.

2. The setting of our story is the prestigious Ivy League school of Yale. The history runs deep and gives a gothic and dark feel to the book. Why else do you think the author may have chosen Yale as the setting?

I'm fairly cerain Leigh Bardugo went to Yale and knows a ton about it's history. It sounds like the kind of place that lends itself to spooky tales of the occult and ghosts. Though I didn't attend an Ivy League school, I've been on quite a few of their campuses and I love the gothic feel to them! Also, the description of them wandering about campus and Alex getting settled in her dorm are making me nostalgic for my own college days.

3. In Chapter 1 our Main Character, Alex Stern, is running late for the Prognostication. By definition Prognostication is the action of foretelling or prophesying future events. I'm curious as to what the Bonesmen final goal is by performing these ceremonies. Although it is still early in the book are there any guesses as to what the Bonesmen are seeking? Are they after glory ? Time travel? Immortality?

From what I've gathered, each of the eight Ancient Houses has their own special occult magic that they handle. It seemed like the Bonesmen were using the prognostication to get stock numbers that they could then sell to rich and powerful men. I'm sure they probably forsee other things that help the rich stay rich and the powerful stay in power. The fact that involves cutting sick people up doesn't really seem to matter to them...

4. The Grays ! I love ghost stories and cannot wait to learn more about the Grays. Alex not only has the ability to see the Grays but is also able to see them in color. This is important and seems to be a key feature that got her this opportunity at the school. Darlington appears to be jealous of this ability of Alex because he needs to take an elixir at a great risk to do the same. How do you see the relationship between Alex and Darlington? Will they become friends, enemies or lovers?

It seems to very much be a student/teacher relationship, at this point. Even in the Winter timeframe, where Darlington is missing and Alex is trying to handle all the occult BS on her own, I feel like she still thinks of him as a teacher only. I'm gonna be honest, this would be a story where I would be a little annoyed in a romance is thrown in. I want to focus on the creepiness and the occult weirdos, not be forced to watch these two make out. I could see them becoming reluctant friends, though.

Well, I just picked up Leviathan Wakes from the library, so I could tackle that along with Ninth House this week. It's definitely a space opera!

Done and done 😁

My day works for me!

Sorry I've been MIA! The holidays have had me offline pretty much all day these last few days. Working in healthcare, this has been my first full Thanksgiving off and we wanted to take advantage of the family time.

I'm almost done with and will throw it up on the spreadsheet.

Alysa wrote: "Woohoo!
@Kerri, you got Day 3 DQs for Ninth House!"

Woo! Man, we were certainly very lucky with the BOM DQs! Go Team Ira :D

Man, this team really *is* awesome! You guys are such fast readers!

Alysa wrote: "Kerri wrote: "I don't have any series books that I was planning on starting that isn't the first book, lol. We all know I'm a slower reader, so that won't work. Instead, I'll try and pick up a bigg..."

Lol, right? At least it's nice and red for those cover points.

I don't have any series books that I was planning on starting that isn't the first book, lol. We all know I'm a slower reader, so that won't work. Instead, I'll try and pick up a bigger book or a nice cover book. I have been meaning to start Fireborne ...

Day 5 - Discussion Questions, 11/21/19
Chapters 32 - End

24. Ellery keeps coming up with somewhat plausible theories, but is getting shut down in chapter 32 since another theory was proven false. Still, her mind is always working. Do you think she's showing intelligence with some of her theories or do you think she's reaching too far and just making a fool of herself playing detective?

I think she's watched too many true crime shows and read too many true crime books. She's expecting this to work out just like one of those, like her being stuck on Declan as a good suspect because it's always the boyfriend. She's definitely smart, but she's trying to solve a crime without all the information.

25. Do you think Declan is being fair to Malcolm in the apartment getting so upset? What do you think about them making up later; was this all realistic?

I mean, if my brother thought I was capable of murder, I think I'd be pretty upset, as well. But they aren't very close and a lot of that is Declan's fault, so what did he expect? Which is basically what he says to Malcolm later, so I did think that was realistic. Their relationship isn't magically fixed, but he's making an effort.

26. Were you surprised about who the killer turned out to be? Was this a good twist and well done for a mystery, or were you not satisfied?

I was! I did NOT suspect (view spoiler)[ Peter (hide spoiler)] at all! I basically figured it out at the same time that Malcolm and Ellery did, lol. Looking back, it makes a lot of sense. It did make sense but I felt like everything was wrapped up too quickly.

27. Do you think the mother had something going on with the killer in her past, based on the last line that he whispered in Ellery's ear?

Well, Sadie did say that they went on a few dates or something like that, but she moved on. Knowing what we know about the killer, it makes sense that he would be angry about that. That last line was creepy as hell *shudder*

28. Overall, what do you think of the book? Would you read more of the author?

I enjoyed it! It was definitely a fast read for me. I'm more interested in finally picking up her first novel, now.

It does have a lot of good names for the spell out, I didn't even think about that! I'm bad at remember that character names can be used for those, too, lol.

I really liked Two Can Keep a Secret though I agree that it can be confusing keeping everyone straight at first. The ending felt a bit rushed, too, but it was an enjoyable thriller.

I just started Two Can Keep a Secret yesterday and I'm already caught up with DQs and will probably finish it tonight. And I'm not a fast reader. So... definitely an interesting thriller, so far!

DQ Day 5 - Chapters 26-31

20. We now know who the father of the twins is. Have you suspected him? Do you think that the way they have discovered it was too accidental/not very realistic?

I would never have suspected that Ryan Rodriguez's DAD was the twins' father! Possibly Ryan himself or maybe Vance, but that came out of left field! I thought the discovery was a bit random, but I guess it had to happen somehow? It didn't seem all that realistic, though.

21. How do you think why did Sadie lie about who the father of the twins was? Was it only because he was a married man and she didn't want to ruin his family?

I feel like Sadie lies about a lot of stuff if it makes her look good. But, honestly, if the father of my kid had no interest in being a part of their life, I probably wouldn't tell them too much about him, either. Probably more than Sadie did, but still.

22. Ellery now has Kyle and Liz as her suspects. Do you agree with her? Or do you have somebody else in mind?

Honestly, Ellery latches onto new suspects faster than is strictly reasonable. She is obsessed with solving this mystery and I feel like it's going to land her in trouble. Kyle and Liz do seem plausible, however... They aren't my first suspects, but I honestly don't have a firm one anymore now that Ryan's previous weirdness has been explained away.

23. Malcolm invites Ellery to a clown museum, which sounds very interesting to me. Would you like to visit such a museum? Or have you visited a similiar or other non-traditional museum?

Hell no! I freaking hate clowns... they creep me out *shudder* I did visit a Route 66 museum in the little town where my mom grew up. It was cute and far less creepy!

Alysa wrote: "My partner has a food blog that I edit -- and taste test ;D -- but he makes weird fiddly stuff, not comforting cookies. I love his food but really I JUST WANT ALL THE COOKIES."

Ohhh, food blog? Could I get a link?? I love looking at food blogs!

Allison Ann wrote: "So, bake sale season is almost upon me. :) And I'm always looking for new ideas for Christmas baking. Anyone have any favourites they can suggest."

My go-tos are always pumpkin bread, snickerdoodles, and buckeyes. I'm thinking of trying my hand at pies this year!

Day 4 - Discussion Questions

16. It seems that one character has so far flown under the radar and yet to me is highly suspicious. The Policeman, Ryan Rodriguez has been in every scene and yet only at the end of this section is he coming under Ellery’s suspicion, I think he may be working alone or in concert with other characters – Why might I be thinking this and who might he be working with?

I'm pretty suspicious of Rodriguez, myself. It seems like he had a thing for Lacey, though I'm not sure if he's the possible secret boyfriend she had before she died. And he does seem to be involved in everything, which kinda makes sense since he's a police officer. Still... I just don't trust him.

17. Why did Sarah go missing? She wasn’t in the homecoming court so why her? Is the reason for this the reason Sadie feels so guilty?

Perhaps it was a case of mistaken identity. Someone mentioned that they could pretend to be each other if they wanted to, so perhaps someone thought Sarah was Sadie and took her. And maybe that's why Sadie feels guilty about it.

18. Viv changes her mind about a connection between what happened previously and what is happening now she is quoted as saying “Even if someone was unhinged enough to get away with murder and brag about it five years later, the MOs are completely different” Why do you think she changes her mind and do you think she is right about there being no connection?

Viv lifted that from Ellery. I don't think she has any clue what she's talking about beyond what she's heard other people say. I think Viv is just out to make a name for herself, tbh. I'm also a little suspicious that she might be feeding news stories to the other papers... like the only talking about Declan and Malcolm. But that could just be my suspicious mind taking it too far, lol.

19. Everything started after the death of the teacher on the overpass – do you think there is a connection between that and the developing storyline . Do you think Malcolm, Ellery and Ezra will tell someone what they have found out?

They better tell someone! Though maybe not Malcolm... people will probably just think he's trying to deflect attention away from him. But it seems pretty obvious that Katrin hit Mr. Bowman and left him to die, then recruited Brooke to help her cover it up. Or Brooke was in the car with her when it happened. I'm beginning to wonder if this whole thing is revenge for Mr. Bowman and someone is just using the past disappearance/murder as a cover?

Day 3: Chapters 12-19

11. So we've heard from Sadie again! (every time I hear her name she reminds me of Sadie by Courtney Summers and I have to keep reminding myself: wrong book sis)
I wonder if substance abuse is the only thing she struggles with, or if there's more to her. She feels a bit off to me... Is she hiding something, or is that just who she is? Do you think she knows or at least has an idea of what happened to her sister? Why does she not want to talk about Sarah at all, and why did she leave Echo Ridge? Would you have left?... Is she even still at the institute?

There is definitely something that Sadie knows and isn't saying. It might be about Sarah's disappearance, it might be about Lacey's death, but there is something she's hiding. I think she is still at the institute, though. I'm curious to know what she knows... Maybe she figured out who took her sister and skipped town because of it? But then why wouldn't she just call the police? I have so many questions!

12. Even though Sadie has hardly ever been back to Echo Ridge, I have a feeling Ellery and Ezra's dad might be from there. Do you think we have met the twins' father by now? Could it be Vance, or Peter, or somebody else completely? (I actually have a theory, and it's neither of the guys I just mentioned lol)

Well, Ellery mentioned her mom said their dad's name was Jose or Jorge, but that's more than likely a lie. I honestly have no earthly clue, lol. If he does still live in Echo Ridge, I'm about to throw his unknown name in the hat for "Murder Suspects" because I don't trust anyone in this town!

13. Viv has been acting very strangely towards Ellery. What is her problem? Do you think she's jealous of Ellery for getting nominated for Prom Queen, or that she has kind of gotten into their friend group without even trying?

Viv is just trying to advance her non-existent journalism career by being on top of the next big scope. She is definitely giving off some weird vibes, though. I don't think she's jealous of Ellery... probably just doesn't like outsiders on her turf.

14. I can't stop thinking about what happened in the past. First Sarah went missing, then years later Lacey vanished and had been found dead shortly after. Do you think Sarah shared the same fate, or is she still out there somewhere? Are their cases related? And then Mr. Bowman has been killed in a hit and run - what a nice introduction to town our twins had here. Do you think this is connected to everything else that's been going on in town, with Daisy and Declan being back, etc.?

I have no clue how all of this ties together yet, but I'm pretty positive that the cases are related. Perhaps there is more than one person behind the disappearance and murder. I want to say Sarah is probably dead, but, with these type of books, who really knows? She could be murderer! (I'm so bad at guessing these things, lol)

15. Just like Viv, Brooke has been acting weirdly as well, but I don't think it has anything to do with Ellery. She seemed worn down when El sat with the girls at lunch, and Mr. Bowman's death seemed to get to her way more than to her peers. Do you think she had anything to do with the hit and run, or maybe was involved with the late teacher? Is this why she was so agitated at the party? Where do you think she vanished to when she slept over at Katrin's the week before but was gone for at least 20 minutes?

There was definitely something going on with Brooke before she disappeared. I didn't think about the fact that she might have been involved with Mr. Bowman! It would kind of make sense... maybe someone hit him seeking vigilante justice. Or maybe Brooke was the one that hit him (on accident) and left because she was freaked out. Maybe that's what she was talking about when she was talking to Malcolm about doing something bad.

Suzanne wrote: "I finished ! Hoping to get some more read this week, I've been dealing with sick kids and a sick hubby all weekend...."

I hope everyone starts to feel better soon!

Allison Ann wrote: "Are you liking the book Kerri? I don't know if I'll have time for it this week, but if it's really good I might make the time. Otherwise, next week for sure."

I'm really enjoying it, so far! It's keeping me guessing and the tone is nicely creepy.