Preeti’s Comments (group member since Sep 26, 2021)

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

August



My Friends by Fredrik Backman - Aug 1 - 436
Deck the Hounds (Andy Carpenter #18) by David Rosenfelt - Aug 4 - 368
The Tainted Cup (Shadow of the Leviathan #1) by Robert Jackson Bennett - Aug 6 - 410
Stealing Home (The Sweet Magnolias #1) by Sherryl Woods - Aug 8 - 394
Rewriting Monday by Jodi Thomas - Aug 11 - 352
The Seekers of Genesis: Empyreal Roots by C.J. Walters - Aug 12 - 444
The Perfect Son by Freida McFadden - Aug 13 - 373
The Housemaid (The Housemaid #1) by Freida McFadden - Aug 14 - 329
Friday the Rabbi Slept Late (The Rabbi Small Mysteries #1) by Harry Kemelman - Aug 15 - 235
The Fury by Alex Michaelides - Aug 18 - 298



The Chef (Caleb Rooney #1) by James Patterson & Max DiLallo - Aug 19 - 401
The Tasting Menu by Stuart MacBride - Aug 19 - 127
The Little Paris Bookshop (Jean Perdu #1) by Nina George - Aug 22 - 392
The Paris Dressmaker by Kristy Cambron - Aug 23 - 379
The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain - Aug 25 - 240
Agent Josephine: American Beauty, French Hero, British Spy by Damien Lewis - Aug 27 - 496
Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri - Aug 30 - 198
Kanpur Khoofiya Pvt. Ltd by Richa S. Mukherjee - Aug 31 - 291

My Aug Page Count: 6163

Running Total: 1,371,843

New Group Total: 1,378,006

Congratulations, Team Empire State Building!
Thank you to all the Mods, team leaders and my lovely team members at Team Sky Tower for a fun challenge. Looking forward to the next one!

I added my answers to the DQs for The Tainted Cup and updated the spreadsheet.
It was awesome taking part in this challenge with all of you and I look forward to seeing you in the next one.
I am so happy that I get to continue with at least some of you in Turf Wars!

Preeti’s BOM Participation Post:

DQs: Day 5: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Day 1: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 2: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 3: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Day 3

Chapters: 13 - 20

9. We’re on the move now and hearing more of the environment. Are you able to imagine the world and How do you feel about the mix of genres - fantasy, sci-fi, mystery?

I love how this world has been designed by the author and the method in which they introduce the readers to it. I did not realise that I would enjoy this combination of genres so much and I am looking forward to reading more books with this blend. The only other series that I can think of with a similar mixture is The Locked Tomb series that starts with the book Gideon the Ninth.

10. We’re seeing Ana showcasing her skills and abilities more and seeing Ana and Din interact even more. Have your thoughts changed about them and what secrets do you think Ana and Din is hiding from one another if any?

Based on my first read, by this time, I was convinced there was something else going on with Ana’s so-called “exile”. She seems to be very highly placed in the Empire’s pecking order and has a lot of connections to people in very powerful positions. I think that this is the only thing she has hidden from Din but that she will let him into some if not all of it by the end. As for Din’s secret, I had a feeling that he thought he was hiding it well from Ana but that he was going to be shocked to find out it wasn’t as much of a secret as he thought.

11. Knowing this is book one and we probably won’t get much how are you imagining the Leviathans so far? What is your closest comparison to what they may be/look like?

When I read the book the first time, I kept picturing them as extra-large variations of No-Face from Spirited Away. I think it is because of the reference (I can’t remember exactly where it was in the book) to some of the leviathans having face like growths on them. Now, it is a mixture of them and the various creatures featured in the Murderbot TV series.

Day 2

Chapters: 6 - 12

5. In this world, many choose enhancements that facilitate their selected jobs - and it seems like most have some sort of Monkey’s Paw negative effect as well. On one hand, an enhancement like Din’s enables his perfect memory, so he never forgets anything. On the other hand, he CAN never forget anything, even if he wants to.
If you were to be augmented with a skill/ability, what would it be and why? Alternatively, what, for you, would be the worst or most dreaded skill/ability you could get?

While I think perfect memory like Din’s would be marvellous, I do not like the negatives that come along with it. There is not a single skill that I would want unless there was some way to remove or at least reduce the side effects.

6. I thought it interesting that the leviathans are getting bigger every year, and that most of the special grafts and suffusions are from collected titian bits and bones. Do you have any theories about how this will come into play going forward?

(view spoiler)[I have two theories about this. I got the feeling both times I read the book that the leviathans are evolving which is why they are getting bigger. I found it interesting that there was no reaction when it is mentioned that the leviathan seemed like it was speaking. I get the feeling that they are evolving into creatures that can communicate and that the people are going to discover that they have been all wrong about them. Of course, the other theory is that something is being done to force them to become bigger so that there is more raw material available to build the enhancements. (hide spoiler)]

7. “...I no longer formed normal memories. For a memory is just a sketch a mind makes of one’s experiences, imperfect and interpretive; yet what my mind made, from that moment on, was perfect, absolute, and endless.” Do you think this robs Din of the ability to be fully human, from the standpoint that one’s subjective take on the world around her/him is what makes a person "human"?

I don’t think this makes Din any less human, I think his take on life is just different from everybody else’s. There is a condition called “Highly superior autobiographical memory” which is very rare. The few individuals, including actress Marilu Henner, who have this condition remember almost everything that has happened in their lives. And then there are people like me who can read a book one year and promptly forget it by the time they get to it the next year. In my opinion, neither a memory nor a “forgettory” is more important or better than the other. They just are!

8. I’m enjoying the evolving relationship between Ana and Din, especially Ana’s humour. Despite Ana joking that Din had “lost his sense of humour in some tragic accident,” what is your take on the twosome? Do you think Din cheated somehow to pass his tests? Or do you think it's something else?

I loved seeing how their relationship evolves from that of a master and assistant to something closer to friends. The humorous conversations between them is yet another reason why I want to read book 2 ASAP!
Even during my first read of the book, I was convinced that Din had cheated but not in a regular way and that this was going to be a big reveal that would tell us a lot more about both Din and Ana.

Day 1

Chapters: 1 - 5

1) Do you have any expectations going in? This book is one of the 6 novels up for the Hugo award for Best Novel this year: https://www.thehugoawards.org/hugo-hi.... Did you know that and do you try to read the Hugo books or winners or have no interactions with the awards?

This is the second time that I am reading this book. I read it last year and loved it. I have over a period of time discovered that following awards is not for me. There have been a few books that I read only because they had been nominated for awards and I hated them. (The Pisces, I am looking at you…😒) Now I just go with whatever catches my fancy!

2) What do you think of the world building so far? Are then any particular details that stand out and if this is a reread, is anything standing out more on your re-read this early in the story? (please use spoiler tags if applicable)

I love books like this that do not info-dump but rather slowly introduce the readers to the characters and surroundings in a perfectly organic way. This being a reread, I did notice quite a few things that I managed to miss the first time. This is a book that I see myself reading over and over as new sequels are released and I think I will find new things every time.

3) So this runs right up to the edge/ crosses over into body horror between the murder scene and modifications to people? Do you read body horror or books with that theme in it? Do you have any favourites?

I always believed that I would not like horror novels but have discovered that I find them very interesting if done well. The only book that I can think of with a theme of body horror that I have read is Wilder Girls. Sadly, I could only rate it 3 stars.

4) Does your version have a map? If it does, did you look at before reading or at any point when reading this first section? Do you like maps in books? (Map under spoiler if you were audio only)

I listened to the audiobook this time but followed along with an ebook that contained the map. I LOVE maps in books!!! I find it so much easier to find way around the story, literally and figuratively. It makes the storyline so much more immersive.

Hi, all. I hope everybody is doing well. Sorry, I haven't been around much. My bout of allergic bronchitis has been particularly nasty this time. So while I have been able to do a good deal of listening to audiobooks, sitting at my computer or reading have been a lot tougher. I can't believe there are only 5 days left. This challenge has just zipped past!

Alysa wrote: "Preeti wrote: "I checked my copy and discovered my library book was missing a page"

Weird! It seems like this sort of thing has been happening a lot lately. Last week, my daughter was reading [boo..."

I know...it is so irritating. I once borrowed a book at one of the resorts I was staying in and read it all the way to the end only to discover somebody had torn out the last few pages which had the entire denouement. It was so frustrating not being able to find out what happened in the end. Now I check the ends of all physical books before I start.
Luckily, with this one, I managed to get the ebook from my library so at least I have been able to read what I missed out.

Alysa wrote: " DQs Day 5 : Chapters: 26 - 33

17. We learn more about the world and the empire’s rules in these chapters. What part of this world feels the most unusual or fascinating to you? Would you want to l..."

Thanks for the info, Alysa! I checked my copy and discovered my library book was missing a page. I somehow also managed to miss it while listening to the audiobook.

DQs Day 5

Chapters: 26 - 33


17. We learn more about the world and the empire’s rules in these chapters. What part of this world feels the most unusual or fascinating to you? Would you want to live there?

18. Power and control come up again in these chapters—especially with the way information is kept or revealed. Why do you think certain characters hide things, and what does that tell us about them?

19. We are introduced to Fayazi Haza and her Sublimes in this section. What was your opinion of these characters? Did you notice anything interesting about them?

20. “Born into systems beyond our control, into relationships and organisations that obligate us to change…”
How do these lines reflect the pressure felt by characters like Jolgalgan or Din during these chapters? Who seems trapped by expectations, and how do they respond?

21. 17. As Din gathers evidence around the Haza family’s estate, water tanks, and engineer gatherings, he begins seeing clear connections. What moment in these chapters felt most like a turning point in understanding the conspiracy and why did it stand out to you?

Bonus: When Din is talking to Fayazi Haza in Chapter 28, he says, ”Last time they communicated to the staff at your household by throwing a yellow ball over the walls.”
I searched the ENTIRE book and never found any other reference to this “yellow ball”. What do you think of this? Is it a way of getting new information to the readers or do you think this got missed in editing? Or did I miss something? 😊


Edit: Turns out my library book was missing a page and I didn't even notice it ☺️ Thanks to Alysa for the information about the "yellow wooden ball" in Chapter 5. Now it makes sense!

LavenderLane wrote: "I’ve had The Tainted Cup on my e-book tbr for ages now, this might be my impetus to read it!"

Yay!
I managed to get the audiobook this time, and I am listening to it while following the text. It has made such a difference, I already loved the book but listening to it has made it even more immersive. The narrator is really good at giving each character a distinct voice that matches their personality.

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Preeti wrote: "The "Author born in Sweden" book is completed and updated on the spreadsheet.
Also, I got a DQ day for The Tainted Cup. Not bad, we have got a DQ day for all but the first BOTM."

W..."

Thanks, Lisa! I am thrilled as I read it last year and loved it. I wanted to reread it before I start the 2nd book in the series so the timing is fortuitous.

The "Author born in Sweden" book is completed and updated on the spreadsheet.
Also, I got a DQ day for The Tainted Cup. Not bad, we have got a DQ day for all but the first BOTM.

July

📚 🗓 Jul 3 📖 333
📚 🗓 Jul 4 📖 342
📚 🗓 Jul 6 📖 307
📚 🗓 Jul 9 📖 114
📚 🗓 Jul 10 📖 372
📚 🗓 Jul 14 📖 300
📚 🗓 Jul 15 📖 328
📚 🗓 Jul 17 📖 881
📚 🗓 Jul 18 📖 178
📚 🗓 Jul 20 📖 336
📚 🗓 Jul 21 📖 240
📚 🗓 Jul 22 📖 404
📚 🗓 Jul 26 📖 672
📚 🗓 Jul 28 📖 304

My Jul Page Count: 5111

Running Total: 1,206,783

New Group Total: 1,211,894

I will be done with the Sweden book soon. I am aiming for the 2nd (if not earlier) as my next library hold should arrive around then.

That works for me. Thanks!

I have started My Friends by Fredrik Backman for the BOTM. It works for the Sweden task of "Author born in Sweden". If anybody completes a book before me that works for it, please go ahead and add your book as mine also works for "blue and yellow on the cover".

I finally finished reading The Hunchback of Notre Dame! I have no clue why it took me so long to get around to reading it, considering how much I love the Anthony Quinn and Gina Lollobrigida adaptation. I loved the book... well, as much as one can love a story so very tragic.

Happy birthday in advance, Richard!

Yikes, Karen, that sounds awful. I hope everything smoothens out and you have a great weekend with lots of R&R.