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

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

The Burning Bridge by John Flanagan
Date completed: 24 October 2016
Pages: 262
Published: June 8th, 2006

How it fits: Weapon (Ranger's Apprentice #2)
Card #1 - TRIANGLE spell-it-out: T (The Burning Bridge), R (series name, character called Sir Rodney), A (character called Baron Arald), E (character called Evanlyn and Erak)
Card #4 - Homophones: I'm not sure if we're still trying to match Night/Knight, but there are plenty of knights in this book.
Card #5: Steel (pg 41 "There was a ringing clash of steel and the blade stopped dead in the air."), Copper (pg 10 "He tossed a handful of kindling into the stove and set a copper kettle on the hot plate over the fire chamber..."), Silver (pg 17 "Bronze or silver, it doesn't matter.")

Chapter 1-5

1) Fairfold sounds like an interesting town. I would love to live there! What about you?

Ehhhh, I dunno. Thought it sounds beautiful and certainly interesting, I'm not sure I'd be okay with the ever present danger of being murdered by faeries.

2) The story about Jack and Carter was amazing! There mom sounds very brave. Could you have done what she did?

If I knew how to go about it, I think I would. I'd do a hell of a lot for my kids.

3) So Ben seems to have been blessed (or cursed) with the gift of fey music. Why do you think he has chosen to try and deny it?

I don't know if he's denying it so much as he's lost his confidence after that falter in the woods. I think he always assumed his music would just come naturally, but when it didn't, he got spooked.

4) The horned prince sounds creepy! And I find it interesting that the fey don't seem to mind people hanging around him. Thoughts?

That whole thing seemed... weird. I'm not sure I'd want to hang out at a coffin, now matter how good-looking the entombed person happens to be. I guess if you grow up in that odd little town, though, you probably wouldn't be as freaked out about it. I think Hazel busted him out in her sleep, though, and I'm interested to see where that leads.

5) What on earth do you think Hazel did on the night she can't remember? Any predictions?

See above! I think she somehow broke the horned prince out of his glass coffin. I have no idea how, but I'm intrigued.

6) Hazel and Ben used to fight dark fey when they were kids. I'm sure this will play a role in the story. Do you think they were brave or foolhardy?

I mean, that's pretty freakin' brave for just being little kids. But they also had the power of Ben's music on their side. I'm not sure I would still considered it brave if they had tried it with no advantage on their side. I guess it's a little bit of both.

I just got this book from the library, so I'll be joining in!

The book I just started was published in 2006. It's short, too, so it shouldn't take me long to finish. Of course, if one of our faster readers gets to it, first, I'm sure it'll work elsewhere!

45. Did you wind up with a favorite character?

I think I liked Odelle the most, in the end. She was the only one that wasn't lying left and right, it seems.

46. Were you satisfied with the way the author tied up the loose ends? And did you feel she left any questions unanswered?

I was satisfied. I'm kind of glad my original assumption that Quick was Olive turned out to be false. I think it would have felt too obvious in the end. I think she wrapped it up neatly.

47. Were you surprised about Odelle and Lawrie? I was.

A little, but the way their relationship progressed and eventually ended rang more true than if they had the traditional ending. I guess I couldn't really see them being long-term and certainly not long-distance.

48. Do you think it was right for Odelle to tell the story at the end, or should she have kept the confidence? Was it right for her to keep from telling Lawrie the whole story?

I think Odelle is ultimately doing what Teresa would have wanted. She's finally telling the world about this talented artist and she's continuing to create by writing this story. Teresa always seemed to want talent to shine.

The Muse by Jessie Burton
Date completed: 20 October 2016
Pages: 416

How it fits: Card #1 - first published in 2016 (July 26, 2016)
Other: T or R for spell-it-out (one of the main characters is named Teresa Robles)

I think we can do it! I just finished a book that was published in 2016 if we don't have one already.

September 1936 Discussion Questions

40. Olive tells Isaac that she loves him and he responds that she loves the idea of him. Olive argues that it's the same thing. Would you agree?

41. What did you make of the little scraps of the Schloss' things that Olive found in Teresa's room when she went looking for her? Did it make you re-evaluate how you felt about Teresa?

42. That scene in the town square. All I felt was rage that no one was willing to help Teresa. Then I thought of how scared they all must have been. Do you think they should have done more to help?

43. Well, it looks like we know who Lawrie's *real* dad is now. Were you surprised by this turn of events?

44. Hello, cliffhanger! Perhaps Quick isn't Olive after all. Do you think Jorge managed to shoot Olive? If so, do you think she survived?

34. Odelle said that Lawrie was the type of man to push a rhino down a rabbit hole. And Cynth calls Odell a rhino. I found this an interesting turn of phrase. Have you ever tried to push a rhino down a rabbit hole? And did you succeed? Will Lawrie succeed with Odell do you think?

If that means he's stubborn, than, yes, I have been known to be quite stubborn. I'm not like that with people, though. I'm not going to try and force someone to think how I do or to like me. If Lawrie stops lying by omission, he might get somewhere with Odelle.

35. Will the bottle of champagne be significant to the story? Why was Quick affected by it, and did she break it on purpose?

I think she recognized the vintage and, perhaps, the bottle itself. I think that bottle brought back some pretty awful memories. I'm not 100% she broke it on purpose... she seems to be coming unglued fairly quickly.

36. Lawrie asks Odell if she has a favorite word and Odell has an answer! Do you have a favorite word?

Not really. I'm not a very constant word lover. I cheat all. the. time. There are just so many lovely words in the English language!

37. The red pants were the Aha moment for me! It never even clicked when Lawrie's mother's name was Sarah. Were you surprised by the revelation? Do you think Quick is Olive?

I was surprised that Lawrie's mother was Sarah! I had been leaning towards Teresa, though Sarah does make more sense. I do think that Quick is Olive.

38. Who do you think Olive is talking about when she says, "I never meant to hurt her."

Maybe Teresa? I dunno...

39. This book is heating up now! Are you enjoying it?

I'm enjoying it a lot more now that we're starting to get some answers!

You can throw me in for today's questions. They probably won't be posted until later since I'm at work, if that's okay.

Discussion Questions 17 October 2016: October 1967 / April 1936.

27. What do you think of Quick having Odelle's story published? Did she do Odelle a favor?

It paralleled what happened with Olive (Teresa displaying her art without asking), which I thought was interesting. I think she meant it as a kind gesture.

28. That was quite a revelation, Odelle finding Olive's acceptance letter and the telegram in Quick's address book. Do you think Quick is Olive Schloss? Or do you think Quick may have known Olive and got the letter/telegram from her?

I've been suspecting Quick might be Olive for a little bit. She seemed emotionally invested in Lawrie's painting, which would make no sense if she weren't intimately connected to it.

29. It seems Teresa is regretting switching the painting. Why would she have done it in the first place?

I think she was trying to help Olive but it backfired royally.

30. "'Isaac knew the painting would go,' Olive said. 'He just didn't want to be the one who sent it. Do you think I'm being fair to him?'" Is Olive fair to Isaac? She manipulated him to send her painting under his name.

No. She's being a gigantic brat. If you're not willing to take credit for your obviously fantastic work, then let it rot in the attic. And I don't buy her whiny reasoning of "Oh, they won't like it if they find out a woman painted it!" She might not have gotten as much money or notoriety (which wouldn't have been fair), but their emotional reaction would have been the same. Now she's making Isaac miserable to please herself.

31. Olive said to Teresa that she can be trusted, but can she?

I don't know if there is a trustworthy one in the entire bunch...

32. "'Why is the girl carrying a head?' 'In my mind it stands for duplicity,' Isaac replied. 'Because we are surrounded by lies.' Do you agree with Isaac? Who is the biggest liar of the bunch? Who do you think is most honest to the people around him/her?

I think Isaac was saying that in a moment of annoyance, but I do agree. Everyone is lying to everyone else. I honestly can't decide who is the bigger liar. If it turns out Harold is cheating on his wife, I think that would be the *worst* lie, but none of them are clean. I think, so far, the most honest one is Sarah, since she hasn't overtly *lied* to anyone. Well... as far as we know. I do wonder what all her visits to town are about, besides artichokes.

33. War is coming to the Schloss family from two sides. Can you make any predictions of what is going to happen? Any guesses on how the painting that Olive's just finished ends up with Lawries mother?

I don't have any big predictions. I'm assuming the Schloss' are going to try and get out of Spain before everything goes absolutely nuts. Maybe Olive leaves the painting with Teresa and it turns out Teresa is Lawrie's mother. Who knows.

Day 4. February 1936

21. So Teresa gave Olive her emerald necklace. What do you think her reasoning was for doing this? Do you think Olive knew it was stolen since she never admitted who it was really from?

I'm not entirely sure why Teresa gave her the necklace. I think Teresa feels a connection with Olive that she's never felt with anyone else. Still, it's kind of an expensive gift for just a friend. Perhaps Teresa is developing romantic feelings for Olive. I think Olive either suspects it's stolen or feels bad about accepting (no matter how forced) something so precious from Teresa.

22. What do you think of the party? Is it one you would have liked to go to?

It sounded like a lot of fun, actually. Especially when the live music was added. And I love fireworks! Probably a few too many people for my taste, but I probably would have had a good time.

23. I don't understand Isaac shooting the statue. It doesn't do anything to help the kid who died. It seemed childish to me.

It was pretty childish, but I understand the frustration and rage that led to the act. He was drunk, as well, and we don't always do sensible, adult things when we're drunk.

24. What are your thoughts on Teresa? Isaac says she is just self serving, but her bringing out Olive's painting points to something else.

I think Teresa wants to see Olive, who is a bit of an outcast like herself, succeed because it means she could possible succeed, too. It's like she's acting out against her limited existence through Olive. I think she genuinely thinks Olive deserves the accolades, too.

25. Why on earth didn't Isaac speak up right away that it wasn't his painting?

I have no idea since he seemed to feel pretty badly about it, afterwards. I think he understands that he'll never be that good and part of him really wishes he could be, so he's just going to pretend. And he could use the money.

26. What do you think about Isaac and Olive's relationship? Olive really likes him, but Isaac is just using her.

It's not going to end well.

Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo
Date completed: 16 October 2016
Pages: 427

How it fits: Weapon (The Grisha #3)
Other possibilities:
Card #1 - Stone (pg 99 "Mal's lantern rested on a stone sarcophagus.")
Card #2 - Love (pg 362 "I love you, Alina.") Heart (pg 137 "My heart started to hammer.") Dinner (pg 300 "We'll figure out what to do after dinner.")
Card #3 - Could potentially make a pretty awesome summer movie. Being the last book in the series, there was a lot of drama and action.

@Heather - I hope you feel better soon!

August 1967

16. This book is set mainly in England. Has any one here ever been to or lived in England? I've always wanted to go. Maybe I will some day.

I visited London when I was a little tyke and my family was stationed in Germany. The only thing I honestly remember is running to catch the double decker bus and begging my dad to sit up top. I'd love to go back as an adult.

17. The author used the word splodged to describe a stain on a photograph of what I assume is Olive and Isaac. I thought this was an interesting word. Are you enjoying the writing so far? Has anything stood out to you?

I'm finding my groove with the writing. I honestly found it a little jarring when I first started reading this book, but I think I've grown accustomed to it. I'm enjoying her descriptions, especially from Odelle's point of view.

18. I noticed that Olive is reluctant to show her painting and Odelle is reluctant to show her writing. Odell said if her writing wasn't good she was not any good either. Do you think Olive feels the same way? Quick says that once someone else reads it, it stands apart from you. Maybe this is what they are really afraid of. Comments?

I think that is exactly how Olive feels about her art, though she can't put it into words. She feels like her art is an extension of herself and, therefore, if people don't like it, they won't like her. I agree with Quick, though. What an artist or author creates takes on a whole different life when it's put out for public consumption. Everyone reacts to art and books and music differently.

19. Hmmm "People always have something to hide. Listen to the words Mr. Scott isn't saying." I wonder what Mr. Scott isn't saying. I also wonder what Quick isn't saying. She had that strong reaction to the painting and now seems to want it to just go back where it came from. Is this suspicious to you too?

Quick is definitely acting weird in regards to that painting. I'm really curious as to whether she is who she says she is. Like... is Marjorie Quick her real name? I have a suspicion... As for Mr. Scott, I feel like he's not necessarily hiding anything so much as not wanting to talk about his family/past. After what he revealed to Odelle in Sussex, I'm sure it's not a lot of fun dragging up memories of his mom.

20. I was surprised that Odelle would wander around someone else's house while they were cooking her dinner, and shocked that she would take papers that weren't hers! What did you think of that?

It's not something I would personally do, but I know people who would wander around someone else's house without the person being with them. I wasn't too surprised about that part. I *was* surprised that she took something, though. It's one thing to nose through someone's stuff. It is quite another to actually take it. It doesn't really seem to fit Odelle's character, either.

Day 2 - Discussion Questions - January 1936

8. I had a little trouble getting in to this section. I found the change a little jarring so it took me a while to warm up to it. What did you think of Olive? Especially after reading about Odelle?

I actually liked this section more than I did the first section. I found Olive and her family dynamics interesting. And I'm more curious about what is going to happen with Olive and Isaac and Teresa. They are a strange threesome, but it's intriguing.

9. "...women could pick up a paint brush and paint, but the fact was, they didn't make good artists " What do you think of this statement made by Olive's father. How do you think this attitude has shaped Olive's life and her choices?

Psh! I think it's a load of bull. Anyone with the talent and passion can be an artist, regardless of sex/gender. I'm sure that attitude has lead to Olive's tentativeness to showcase her work and accept her position at art school. She seems to care about her dad more than she does her mom and I'm sure his (idiotic...) opinion has a big impact on her.

10. Olive seems very stuck in her life as a whole and the arrival of Teresa and Isaac could be the catalyst Olive needs or they could be leading her to trouble. Do you think Olive might have told her parents eventually about art school if Teresa and Isaac had not arrived? Do you think part of her is now staying because of her attraction to Isaac?

I'd like to think that Olive would have finally told them about art school, but I feel like she needed some kind of jolt to actually do it. The arrival of Teresa might have been what she needed, but Isaac showed up, too. I think, at least for now, her attraction to Isaac is going to keep her from telling anyone about art school. I'm hoping something happens between them that makes her realize that's a bad idea.

11. Harold Schloss is a Viennese jew in 1936 so things don't really bode well for Harold and his family. He has also been having secret phone conversations with someone in German. Do you think he is seeing another woman or do you think it might have something to do with the unrest in his home country? It mentions he worked for the British goverment after being interred during World War 1. Do you think he might be a spy?

I think he might be having an affair, but it's hard to tell by one intercepted phone call. My first instinct says his cheating, but you bring up some interesting points. I don't think he's a spy, though, and I think they are far enough removed from Germany that the fact that he is Jewish will hopefully not put them in danger.

12. Do you think Teresa and Isaac might have an agenda insinuating themselves into the Schloss' lives?

Teresa seems like she just wants work and possibly something to kill her boredom. Isaac doesn't seem nearly as interested in them, except as a sounding board for his political views (whether they agree or not). Of course, Teresa seems nervous about letting Isaac be around them so maybe he is up to something.

13. Is it just me reading too much into things or do you get the feeling Sarah wants more than just her portrait painted by Isaac? Especially given what we have heard about her previously?

I think Sarah definitely has a thing for Isaac. I don't know if it's genuine or a result of her mental illness, though.

14. We now know the story behind the painting that Lawrie's mother owned and it seems likely that Olive is probably going to be the artist. Do you have any speculations on the painting will makes its way from 1936 Spain to 1967 London? Do you think perhaps Olive could BE Lawrie's mother or do you think it might just get a whole lot more complicated?

Well, in the blurb, the painting that Lawrie has is said to be the work of Isaac Robles. I think Olive is going to be the artist, as well, though. The use of color described in both that painting and the one Olive painted of their house sounds similar. I'm thinking Olive is going to use Isaac's name to be taken seriously as an artist (he is a man, after all). It is possible that she might be Lawrie's mother... or maybe Teresa? Olive doesn't like displaying her art, but Lawrie's mother always had the picture hanging up. It was in her bedroom, though, so who knows.

15. There are a number of different threads and undercurrents running through this section. Where do you think they might lead?

I feel like there's going to be some big clash coming up in the Schloss family. And I feel like it's going to be caused by Isaac.

Questions and Comments: June 1967

1. This is my first book from Jessie Burton. Did you read The Miniaturist? Do you like her writing style?

This is my first Jessie Burton book, as well. I'm getting used to her writing style. I didn't instantly fall in love, but it hasn't put me off, either.

2. What do you think was the point of the lady without toes? It was so quick, and it doesn't seem to add much to the story.

I'm not entirely sure. I think it was just something that stuck in the narrator's memory because it was unusual and it happened on the same day that she got her dream job. I don't think it will have anything else to do with the rest of the story.

3. Odelle sounds a little too self assured or with the air of being better than the others. And her "She probably spent her salary on hair spray and bad novels, but was too stupid to even read them." didn't set well with me. How about you?

She does come across as arrogant, sometimes. I feel like it's a false arrogance, though, because she also seems really self-deprecating and meek when she actually associates with other people. It's like she talks a big talk in her head, but it doesn't actually come through in her actions.

4. Thoughts about the first meeting with Quick and Odelle? I'm torn between "Odelle is her new shinny toy aka charity case" and "Maybe she really is good and Quick thought she was her only chance".

It was uncomfortable, lol. This is the meekness I'm talking about. It's like she just couldn't answer Quick's questions! She eventually loosened up, but it was still an odd exchange.

5. The encounter between Odelle and Lawrie's was a bit strange. It seemed like something straight from a 80's story.

Eh, I found this exchange less uncomfortable than the one with Quick. It seemed plausible to me. The random painting was a bit odd, but, ya know, it is a big part of the plot so they had to get it in there somehow! Who drives around with a painting in their trunk?

6. She really seemed mesmerized by the painting. And Lawrie's pursuit of her was sweet. I'm wondering what would be the importance of the painting for the story? Quick's reaction when she saw it was... eccentric.

I thought it was a bit stalker-y, to be honest. Still, he doesn't seem like a serial killer, so it could work out, in the end. I'm assuming the painting is the one mentioned in the blurb, so I'm sure it will be quite important in the story. I wonder if Quick somehow knew the artist and the painting conjures bad memories.

7. I don't read much HF novels, so I can't compare. Do you think the racial issues are well depicted on this book?

I'm not sure, as I don't really know what racial issues were like in Europe during the 60/70s. I'm kind of new to historical fiction, myself. It seems like a fair depiction from my limited scope.

I'm going to jump in on this one, as I just discovered this book at the library today!

I'm for discarding... I don't know if we can defeat him just yet.

The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan
Date completed: 10 October 2016
Pages: 249

Where it fits: Weapon leveling (Ranger's Apprentice #1)