Judith’s Comments (group member since Apr 15, 2015)

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

I added it to a top post, but our Round 1 word is:

CLOGGED SHOWER DRAIN

DQs Day 4, VI - Chapter Eight

15. What do you think was that little moment when Graham saw Adela for the first time?
I don't know for sure, but there was definitely some sort of recognition in there somewhere.

16. There’s been quite a bit of emphasis around food in this story – Graham learns to cook, brings the bridge tea in bed, makes different dishes… What role would food play for you in the context of a different world/timeline?
Food is complicated. It is necessary for survival. It conveys a vast amount of history and culture (Consider the Fork: A History of How We Cook and Eat, I found this an interesting read several years ago about many things I never, ever had thought about from forks to the availability of wood for cooking fuel). But it also allows you to express your creativity and care for another person.

17. Arthur’s observations when he, Maggie and the bridge are sitting in the gallery regarding how traditionally feminine fields are still considered near taboo for men was a bit of a stunner to me; what were your thoughts on them?
Facts. 100%. I think there are 4 male teachers at my son's elementary school, one of which is the physical education teacher. The only other male that works there is the custodian. It's just one example but it holds. Also, at least in the US, part of the reason for low pay for teachers is historic. At one point primary school teachers were almost exclusively young women who only taught for a few years before marriage and started having babies.

18. What do you think of the book so far? Are you eagerly reading on to what happens next, or can you wait until you feel like picking the book back up?
At this point I'm just curious to see where it goes since I'm not really sure what's going to happen next.

Apoorv wrote: "I came here to request the mods to open Team Long Overdue Bill for a hot second, and saw the DIY disasters with their hammers staring me down. Not sure I care about the long overdue bill anymore......"

Are you still around? FYI mods don't watch this as closely as the thread in the captain's group. You might be better off popping in there and remember to include the link to your team thread.

DQs Day 3, V - Chapter Six

10. Why do you think the expats and bridges are of the opposite sex? Do you expect any actual romance between Graham and his bridge?Why hasn’t her name come up yet? Or did it and I missed it?
I'm not sure it's probably part of the experiment in some way or another. I initially thought our MC/narrator was male just because the expat was, which was quickly corrected of course. And I agree with Angie that her name is going to be some sort of twist. Otherwise, why hasn't it been used yet.

11. The theremin scene is interesting. So there is a "hereness" and a "thereness" for the expats, that they can somehow almost control? How did they find this out? Any ideas on why this thing affects electrical devices?
I'm guessing they found out by accident or maybe internally it feels different and they noticed during all of those med screenings they have and started trying to do it on purpose? Some parts of the body act almost like electricity, maybe that has something to do with it?

12. There are horrible historic facts that our expats were unaware of, but are told about. In a twist, what are a few happy or amazing things that you would love to share with someone out of their time if given the chance?
All the types of travel or medical advances. I'm thinking about the cold that went through the expats. Things like a fever were a legit concern for death at one point. I know people still die from flu every year. But most people take meds for a day or so and then go back to work/school.

13. Do you have an idea yet of what the “sides” are in this war? Is the Ministry somehow good? Or is the Brigadier et al the goodies?
I agree with everyone else, not really good v evil. More us v them.

14. So that last chapter before the break had a lot going on. Why did Graham have that reaction to our heroine?
Overwhelmed and didn't quite know what to do with himself. The rules for romantic engagement are so very different compare to what he knew prior.

For those who haven't already gotten stuck in, Team Traffic Jam is open for check in: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

We know all. Yep.

Hehe

Another bit of housekeeping,

to those who have provided your challenge shelf, thank you!

I looked at people's bookshelves and grabbed what I thought was your challenge shelf and are linked here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

please check I linked the proper shelf and if need be can you provide the link in your check in post?

Thank you!

You are on Team Interior Painting.

Sophie, Karen, and Mel are your captains

Welcome to team Traffic Jam, may we always have a great audiobook to listen to when stuck in traffic!

I'm Judith (she/her/hers) and your captain for this spin round the beltway. Personally speaking I live in the US on the East Coast and professionally am an economist for the USEPA in the toxic chemical office. Outside of work and reading, I spend most of my time chasing after an active 6 year old. I read almost any genre of books and am always looking for new recommendations.

But, in short, welcome to the 9th Wheel-a-thon here at NBRC.

I’ve captained many a challenge here and have been a mod for the past few years.

We’ll get our Round 1 spelling in a couple days and for those that like too, the planning can commence. And we’ll get a tracking sheet together then as well.

Books used for this challenge cannot be started until the challenge officially begins. After that, books can be used in the Round where they are finished. So you can start a book in Round 2 but finish in Round 4 to use in the round 4 spelling.

Please post any questions you may have. Lexi and Teddie are excellent captains and are also here to help with whatever people may need.

Again, welcome to the team!!

r

Round 3 Word

INCOME TAX RETURNS

Important Links and Information

Spreadsheets
Tracking Sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
Status Sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

General Links
General Rules
Water Cooler (Pre-Challenge Chat)


Resources
Cover Color: https://labs.tineye.com/color/
Word Count: https://www.arbookfind.com/UserType.a...
https://www.arbookfind.com.au/UserTyp...
https://www.arbookfind.co.uk/UserType...

Team Shelves

🚗 Judith: wheel2024
🚗 Teddie: this both sucks and blows 24
🚗 Lexi: wheel2024
🚗 Susan: wheel 2024
🚗 Melissa: wheel 2024
🚗 LaurLa: nbrc wheel 9
🚗 Melanie: wheel of life
🚗 Michelle's Empty Nest: wheel 9
🚗 Ann: wheel 2024
🚗 Trinia: wheel9
🚗 Keri: wheel a thon 9
🚗 Amy: wheel2024

DQs Day 2, III - Chapter Four (subbing for Judith)

5. If you were sent 300 years into the future from your current time, do you think you would be able to cope?
Do you think that having a better grasp of science and science fiction than the expats in our story have would prepare you for dealing with the unimaginable advancements you might encounter?
I like to think eventually I'd be able to figure it out. But I think it would be terrifying. I think of how much life changed for my grandparents (born in early 1920s, died in 2010s). And that wasn't even 100 years. You'd almost need to learn how to live and survive all over again.

6. Is anyone else loving the fact that this author has a wonderful vocabulary? (Or at least knows how to navigate a thesaurus?)
I had to break out the dictionary for invigilating.
Are you learning any new words? (Anyone else want to add “angry Marmite” as a category for Restaurant Wars?)
Maybe we should have this as recommended reading for those working on the vocab section of the SATs.
Angry Marmite should be a category for every contest from here on out.

7. It isn’t explicitly explained, but do you get the impression that these 5 expats are not the first to be given asylum? Is the Brigadier from a slightly earlier time frame?
I have that impression too. Though did the mention others didn't survive, those might of been from this cohort though. And yes, I agree with the Brigadier being from some-time-else.

8. What exactly is this Ministry? Do you have a grasp on what they are trying to accomplish yet?
I'm going to go with the standard power, control, and world dominance that can be applied to most government shenanigans

9. What happened to Quentin, and what was the projectile weapon that Graham drew?
I'm guessing he learned something he wasn't supposed to know and he realized he was in trouble and pulled a runner. I haven't thought much about the weapon and figured I'd just be surprised when the answer was revealed.

Alright everyone, signups are closed. Any signups after Sunday, Oct 6 will go on the reserve list.

In addition, no more changes are being made to people’s sign up numbers.

Thank you! Teams will be up as soon as we can get them sorted.

Kaley wrote: "....I just realized I totally read that it was per round wrong when signing up. I think I put 3. But I meant 3 per week - 6 per round. *facepalm* I'm so sorry! It says ROUND in caps and everything ..."

it says 6 per round now. I think one of the mods changed it for you since it was like that when I checked it :)

I haven't gotten much further than figuring out how many teams and sorting the captains since signups don't close for non-reserves until tomorrow.

Rachel wrote: "Ok reading through here now I'm questioning if I read "per week" or "per round" for my commitment.... I'd like to commit to 4 per round because I've got my hands full with a new born :)"

your sign-up was updated to 4 per round

Richard wrote: "Sophie wrote: "If you are down for more than 20 books a round then you stop adding books at the hard cap of 30 books regardless of what your additional 50% would come to."

I'm absolutely fine with..."

Anyone who signed up for more than 30, I put down as 30 for team balancing purposes. No one needs to go in an try to change anything on their sign ups in this instance.

Your normal reading would almost make you a team unto yourself! And we certainly want everyone on a full team and to have a fun comradery playing :)

Melanie wrote: "So quick question about the reading cap. How does rounding work for this when it comes to the 50% more cap.

I think I signed up for 9 books per round, so 50% over would be 4.5 books. Would that ro..."

There's going to be a formula on the spreadsheet too so you'll (and importantly the captains) will know when you hit it.

For my team I'm planning to have an overflow tab for books over people's limits. Maybe we need a specific letter and it makes sense to use a different book than original plans. Maybe the team had someone disappear from the challenge and the mods let us use X number of books from the overflow because we are out of reserve players. You never know.

DQ-1 (I - Chapter Two)

1. Our main character, whose name has yet to be said (I believe,) is on her 6th round of interviews for this new position that is unclear. Have you ever gone into such an intense interview process or would you go through one with a significant pay raise without knowing what the job entailed?
No, not really and certainly not that many rounds. Though for a secret government job with high pay I actually can see that as legit. For the right amount of money, sure, I'd do it.

2. Commander Graham Gore is the main expact that we are following along with four others. Did you google or already know if these expat characters are real from history? What did you find out?
I didn't really know of them beforehand and I didn't google them. It was late when I started reading so I didn't. Normally though I probably would of because I'm nosy like that.

3. The MC mentioned she was concerned that Ralph was bridge to one of the only woman expats. Do you think we will hear of any issues among them later on in the book?
I mean, I'm assuming he's a bit of a creepy that should be watched, otherwise, why make such a specific comment.

4. What were your thoughts on the MC introducing Gore to cannabis?
I thought it was funny. And it sounded like he wasn't completely unfamiliar with it either. All the random ways he's being scandalized by changes in the why men and women interact make me chuckle a bit.