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

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

Judith's BOM Tracking

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 4: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 5: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 6: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 7: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 8: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Day 8
Ch 30 - end

29. In reconnecting with Robin, Misaki realizes that she is no longer the Misaki from those days, just as he is no longer the same Robin. Do you have a story about yourself you have carried for years that is no longer true about the person you are today? Or perhaps, sense there is a self-narrative you have been carrying that you need to shed in order to grow?
Nothing specific, but I think to a certain extent yes. There's the person the world tells us we should be or things we should want. And then there is figuring out what we actually want for a happy life.

32. “...a person’s tragedy doesn’t define them or cancel all the good in their life.” This quote reminds me of the Japanese art of Kintsugi, where broken pottery is repaired with gold, so the break and subsequent repair is what makes the piece beautiful and unique. What do you think about Misaki and Takeru’s newfound communication and future relationship? What about Misaki’s new self awareness?
I think they will slowly build the type of marriage and family they both deserve after all they have been through. I like that these characters are a bit older than the norm for this genre. We are never too old to do better. Be better and heal.

33. One theme that jumped out at me while reading was the tension between expectations based on dreams and the acceptance/embracing of reality, with all its ugliness and beauty. Do you believe that setting expectations - parent to child, wife to husband, self to self - is a root cause of unhappiness?
No, not completely anyway. A certain level of expectations is important. Not an expectation of you will be president of the US, an Olympic gold medalist and a Rhodes scholar. But that you will be a productive member of society and not a bung-hole. But clinging to an unrealistic Pintrest/social media type expectation that hides a lot of truth is not good and leads to so many problems.

33. I loved how the ending of the book left such hope for the future - not an easy future, but one with stronger relationships, better communication, and new self-acceptance. But now I want more! What will Izumo be like when he gets older? What’s the story with the creature collecting children with talents? What was your overall take on the book? Will you be reading more by this author?

I will be reading more by the author. I think I read the author walked away from doing a series because too problematic to tie it all together and have it make sense. Which I can see and I respect the walking away instead of forcing it. Maybe there will be a revisit in future, I'd be interested.

Day 7
DQs Chapters 27-29
25. It breaks my heart that such a dramatic confrontation was necessary to fix their marriage, but I was also cheering loudly for Misaki! How did you feel during the duel?
That some times to fix something you need to take it completely apart or you'll miss some of the damage that needs to be fix. I think this is pretty much what happened here. It was 15 years or whatever in the making. They both needed this confrontation in the worst way.

26. Throughout the book, I’ve hated Takeru for his cruelty toward his wife and children, and for his sexist, “I’m better than you” attitude. But these chapters made me reconsider. Yeah, he’s an ass—but maybe he’s also a victim of abuse who never got the help he needed to become better. “My brother was my shelter in all things.” That line broke my heart a little. What do you think of Takeru? Does his conversation with his wife during the duel—and his behavior toward his kids afterward—change your opinion of him?
Yes and so many things made a lot more sense. What a sad childhood he had. I'm glad he wants better for his family and now sees a path for that to happen. I also like that he didn't suddenly become a different person. He was still him, but someone who was healing.

27. Do you think the missing child holds any significance in the plot?
I've finished so skipping this question.

28. ‘I will never raise another generation as blind as my own.’ That line made me want to cheer out loud. How did you feel when you read it?
I think this is one of the messages of the book. When you know better, do better, and it's never too late to learn and grow.

DQs day 6: Chapter 22 - Chapter 26

21. Taking the dead from their families is harsh and even worse when Takeru uses his powers to stop Misaki. Do you think this was an emotional outburst from Takeru or just a controlling one? The chapter ends with Misaki almost seeming to want just any sign of emotion even if it’s painful for her.
I think it was a bit of an emotional release for him. But I think he needed her to keep it together and tow the line in order for him not to go nuclear and like kill everyone or something. There is more there I think. They both suck at communicating with each other though.

22. The blood power described by Tsusano is pretty cool (and still Avatar coded), do you think Misaki will be able to wield it one day, or do you think like she does that she will never have the right willpower?
I hope she figures it out, that seems pretty cool.

23. “…but when the bloody truth stared them full in the face, they were more than capable of comprehending it. They were more than capable of anger. Misaki wished she knew how to calm that anger. If she had, she would have saved herself years of pain.” Do you think that sentiment is correct, or do you believe that anger is sometimes needed in order to push action to happen?
Like anything you need the balance. But if you hold onto anger too hard and for too long it can very much turn to bitterness. And no good ever comes from that.

24. Do you think Misaki’s sleeping jiya meant to hurt Takeru, or do you think it was purely coincidental? After all she’s been through, it seems like it could have been intentional, especially since she was dreaming of Mamoru at that time
No, I don't think she did. She needs an outlet for that emotion and it's finding away when she's not on guard. And she is very, very hurt woman.

Keep taking care of yourself Cathy.

But when you get a chance can you add The Way of Kings to your TT shelf?

Thank you :)

Day 5 DQs (Chapters 17 to 21)

17. This section is deeply emotional and heart-wrenching, filled with death and suffering. The only thing that makes it bittersweet rather than purely tragic is that Mamoru finds peace and happiness in his final moments. I thought his death scene was beautifully written. Do you like how the author blends the sadness with these moments of beauty? Or would you have preferred a different approach to his death?
I thought it was well done and didn't go into cornball territory which happens more often than it should in books/movies/tv with scenes like this.

18. Takeru seems almost devoid of emotion. Could this be a result of his upbringing, where emotional restraint was expected of him? Do you believe his character is redeemable at this point or has he reached a point of no return?
I have a feeling still waters run deep with him. Like REALLY deep, extensive, emotional childhood trauma deep. Honestly he's had so little actual page time I don't have a good handle on his character. I have a good handle on how others, especially his wife perceive him. But I don't have any idea on his real motivations and how on point Misaki is about her husband. I'm not sure he every let her in, even a little bit.

19. At one point, Hiroshi realizes that he is now the heir and Misaki sees fear in his eyes. Do you think Misaki will help him cope with the pressure or will she fall back into a passive, dutiful role, becoming a distant mother again?
No, I think that part of her died with her oldest child. Misaki will be a different person moving forward I think and it will be interesting to watch all of that unfold. Or I hope so anyway.

20. What do you think happens after the imperial forces arrive? Do you agree with Tae-min’s prediction that the empire won’t actually help?
I think a hot mess dog & pony show will happen and a huge cover up. My guess is the Empire is bleeding money and has no way to actually be of much help to its citizens in need. Especially on the scale with which that aid is now needed.

Done with Nigeria and off to New Zealand!

Authorn born in New Zealand
Red, Blue and White on cover
kiwi on cover (bird or fruit)
character goes for a hike
"haka" in text
MPG Adventure
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Day 4 DQs (Chapters 13 to 16)

13. There are multiple references to the snow and the mountain turning red. Scenes like this are for me a stark reminder of the brutality and bloodiness of war, rather than the romanticised glory of protection.

Is there a scene or a moment from your life you can pinpoint when the realities of war struck you the way it did Mamoru?
Events like the Oklahoma City bombing and 9/11 come to mind but those are isolated incidents more than war. My family has a long history of military service, including several current active duty. There is nothing romantic about watching someone you love ship out to parts unknown (because usually they can't tell you were they are really going) and wondering if it's the last conversation you'll have.

14. Misaki revealed herself as a fighter, and Mamoru revealed his abilities in blood manipulation to his uncle that he learnt from his mother. As the reader, how did you feel when these moments came about in quick succession in relation to Misaki?
I think the chickens are coming home to roost for her and things are going to be a bit awkward when her husband arrives at the house.

15. Since the beginning, we are repeatedly told that the Matsuda family is powerful, important, etc. We get to see this over the battle as the two brothers join forces and create the Matsuda Dragon.

Powerful families put a lot of pressure on their children to carry on the legacy. We see this in Mamoru and Hiroshi, who at five years old is determined to do better than his peers at any cost. Do you think this is a practice that should be continued in today's day and age?
Pressure to succeed can take many forms and not all are toxic. So my answer here is, it depends. People who have vast privilege should have high expectations on them. Unrealistic expectations? No. But expectations that they will use their privilege to leave this world better than they found it? Yes.

16. Well, this has been quite the bloody section. Takashi's last order to Mamoru, Mamoru having to order his master to leave him and his having to face all the enemy himself, Misaki desperately protecting her home, the killing of all these mighty warriors of the Sword of Kaigen...

What I'm wondering though, is that if such a bloody battle that spans across six chapters and 15% of the novel is in the middle of the story, what happens after? Do you have any predictions for what happens after this battle?
Lots of grief, some rage. Maybe an uncovering of all the lies (Misaki, the Emperor, Tekure coming to terms with the backwardness towards women). And even if the battle is over, that doesn't mean the war is. There could be more to come?

Steven,

The Haunting of Paynes Hollow is still showing on your currently reading shelf and also isn't on your TT shelf.

BOO!

:)

DQ'S Day 3 Chapter 8 - Chapter 12
10. Mamoru is becoming more friends with Kwang Chul-Hee and seems to be rebelling more and finally has a fall out with his father. Do you think his father would have hit Mamoru again if Misaki wouldn't have accidentally interupted?
Probably, he seemed to of lost his head a bit there and gone completely out of father mode (is he ever really in this mode?) and into warrior mode. It's probably better for everyone we didn't have to find out.

11. Are you understanding their powers and magic system more through these last few chapters and the fighting that has occurred. Which power would you want?
I think water is still the most versatile if you can master all the ways you can actually use it. Though I guess that's true of all the powers. The healing aspect of the blood power is pretty cool too.

12. Misaki received a letter from her friend and told her to run and get out of town. With the Emperor keeping it a secret. Do you think anyone else knew war was coming? And why they are attacking such an isolated village?
Maybe not to that specific place, but yes they did. And it makes sense for them to attack there. It's symbolic if nothing else. And I think it was a location of a big loss during the last war? I may not be remembering that correctly though.

If someone has an O they are reading, feel free to swap out my O in Mexico. It a longer book and I am just starting it.

Whelp, able to do a bit of book tetris and the X is now covered :)

I would do Czech over X, we aren’t that close on finishing Mexico

AZTEC in title or letter X?

Or one of your level 2 books, we can always swap it with my Iran, I seem to be running a bit slower with my physical book reads (and that is one)

The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah

Loulie al-Nazari is the Midnight Merchant: a criminal who, with the help of her jinn bodyguard, hunts and sells illegal magic. When she saves the life of a cowardly prince, she draws the attention of his powerful father, the sultan, who blackmails her into finding an ancient lamp that has the power to revive the barren land—at the cost of sacrificing all jinn.

With no choice but to obey or be executed, Loulie journeys with the sultan’s oldest son to find the artifact. Aided by her bodyguard, who has secrets of his own, they must survive ghoul attacks, outwit a vengeful jinn queen, and confront a malicious killer from Loulie’s past. And, in a world where story is reality and illusion is truth, Loulie will discover that everything—her enemy, her magic, even her own past—is not what it seems, and she must decide who she will become in this new reality.

Inspired by stories from One Thousand and One Nights, The Stardust Thief weaves the gripping tale of a legendary smuggler, a cowardly prince, and a dangerous quest across the desert to find a legendary, magical lamp.

My new nominate until I read it anyway or it wins :P



The Best Way to Bury Your Husband by Alexia Casale

A dark comedy about four women coming together to heal the damage their husbands have done––and hide their bodies once they’ve killed them

When Sally kills her husband with a cast-iron skillet, she’s more fearful of losing her kids than of disposing of a fresh corpse. That just wouldn’t be fair—not after twenty years of marriage to a truly terrible man. But Sally isn’t the only woman in town reaching the brink. Soon, Sally finds herself leading an extremely unusual self-help group, and among them there are four bodies to hide. Can they all figure out the perfect way to bury their husbands . . . and get away with it?

First to join is former nurse, Ruth, who met her husband as a single mom. Now her son is grown and her husband’s violence builds by the day until an attack on the stairs leads to a fatal accident—for him. A few doors down, Samira’s last straw comes when she discovers her husband is planning a campaign of violence against her eldest daughter, who has just come out. Janey, Sally’s best friend, has just had her first child at forty-two. Sleep-deprived Janey needs a hero to slay the monster in the fairy tales she whispers to her daughter each night . . . and as her husband’s violence escalates, it might just be her.

Together, fueled by righteous anger but tempered by a moral core, the four women must help each other work out a plan to get rid of their husbands for good. Along the way, Sally, Ruth, Samira and Janey rediscover old joys and embark on new passions in work, education, and life. Friendship and laughter really are the best medicine—and so is getting away with murder.

We appreciate your sacrifice Melanie

Also, if someone has a Mexican author book they are reading/want to read. Mine also works for X as I listened to the audio and one of the narrators was Xe Sands

Lexi wrote: "I found a book that works for X and Day of the Dead. If someone has one that works for either of those, I’ll add it to the other task."

Oooh, nice find!

Did some minor shuffling on Sweden and finished that country off and we are heading to Mexico!

Author born in Mexico
Red, White and Green on cover
character eats mexican food
character visits a (coral) reef
letters AZTEC in title (any order)
"Day of the Dead" mentioned or celebrated
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