Amy’s Comments (group member since Nov 02, 2015)

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

Three Amazing Things About You by Jill Mansell
378 pages
Finished 12/12/15
Published Jan 15 2015.
Characters: Flo, Rory, Tasha, Hallie, Bea, Luke, Zander.
Set in England.

Will post links to the title and author as soon as I'm on a computer!

12/13-- Day 2 Discussion Questions Chapters 3-4

9. Nathan has decided not to let anyone know about his suspicions about Jack. Has your opinion about Jack or his possible role in Lydia’s disappearance and death changed after Nathan confronted him and/or after he overheard the exchange between Jack and the police?
I still don't think Jack had anything to do with Lydia dying, but I think he probably knows more than anyone else.


10. James begins a new kind of relationship with his research assistant, Louisa Chen. What role, if any, do you think his daughter’s death/ funeral play in his moving toward this change? Do your opinions of James (as a dad, husband, character) change as a result of their relationship?
This whole section of the book made me really dislike James. I think his daughter's funeral put him in a bad spot, but that's no excuse for what he did. I'm not impressed with his character one bit.

11. In the flashback to 1965 in chapter 4, we see some of the various pressures that Marilyn feels on her life and her decisions. Are there any areas in your own life where you feel competing pressures or expectations that influence your decisions?
Maybe sometimes I feel like I need to be somewhere or do something for someone since I don't want to disappoint them, but that happens very rarely. Usually the people in my life are understanding.


12. When James and Nathan are at the pool, Nathan is teased by his peers. James remembers his own experiences with teasing. What did you think of the way that James handled the situation at the pool? How did James’s expectations for Nathan and Nathan's behavior contribute to the situation and how it went? Why doesn’t he tell Marilyn what happened?
I think James should have said something to Nathan. I think he was probably embarrassed himself, but I don't think he should have made Nathan feel bad with telling him he needs to take a joke. When he said that, I wanted to punch him. I don't think he realizes it, but James is kind of a jerk!

13. In the summer of 1965, Marilyn leaves her family for a period of time. What did you think of that decision and how she did it? Did it change your thoughts about her as a mother, a wife, a character?
I felt disappointed that that was the reason she abandoned her family. I completely understand her wanting to go back to school, but there's absolutely no reason she couldn't have told her family first. If James refused, she should have just left him since she obviously didn't care enough to stay anyway.

14. Marilyn finds her mother’s old cookbook with advice about being a good housewife. What do you think they’d each say about being stay-at-home mothers? Do you think one is happier or more satisfied?
Marylyn's mother obviously thought that being a stay-at-home mother was much more satisfying than having a career, while Marilyn felt the exact opposite. I think both of them were sad with their lives, although Marylin's mother may never have admitted it.

15. Already, the novel says a lot about how people are influenced by their parents. How did your parents influence your childhood and teenage years? Do you think they understood their influence (and the limits of their influence) on you?
My parents were both very lenient with me, but I was always a good kid, and I have them to thank for that. I didn't witness drinking, drugs, etc in my life, and I grew up seeing what a loving relationship looks like. It gave me high expectations in my own life, and I'm thankful for that. They never made me feel like I had to do something just because they wished they had.

16. What do you think of the author’s use of flashbacks in this novel? Do you like this strategy? Does it work well here?
I think the use of flashbacks here is okay, although it's not the best laid out.

12/12-- Day 1 Discussion Questions Chapters 1-2

1. Do you like the book so far? Why did you decide to read it? Is this a genre you normally read?
I like the writing style so far. I think the story will get better as we learn more about what happened to Lydia. I found myself pretty bored with Marilyn and James' backstory. I've had this book on my to-read shelf for ages, so I picked it up when I realized it was going to be a BotM

2. Lydia dies May 3rd, 1977 (first lines of the book so this isn't a spoiler) and Lydia's parents met in September 1957. What differences and similarities do you see in regards to race and gender relations between these two time frames in the book (or in history, if you looked it up)? What part does it play in the Lee family dynamics?
I think people are more accepting of their family dynamic in the 70s, and I think we'll find out more on how their looks play a role in their own family.

3. What do you think of Lydia's mother, Marilyn's description of her first born daughter's first steps and the line "...Lydia, still small enough to cradle, had secrets" ? How is Lydia different than her siblings?
I thought it was an odd statement. She obviously looks a little different than her siblings, which I have my suspicions about, but we really need to learn more about their relationships.

4. How does your high school experience compare with Lydia's? Why do you think Lydia doesn't have any "real" friends? What other things do you think Lydia is letting her parents believe are true to meet her parents' expectations?
My experience was much different. Even when I was asked to give someone answers or to do their homework, I would always adamantly refuse, and I think it's sad that some people let themselves get taken advantage of so obviously.

4. Why do you think Lydia's siblings, Nath and Hannah, do not tell their parents about Lydia's friendship with Jack? Do you think Jack is involved in Lydia's disappearance and/or death?
I think he may know what Lydia was like more than anyone in her family, but I don't think he killed her. I guess we'll find out!

5. Who do you think Hannah saw/heard on Wednesday at 2AM?
No idea!

6. What do you think of Lydia's body being found at a lake when Lydia could not swim?
It makes me think that she either committed suicide or someone who knew her well killed her.

7. What do you think of the first lines of Chapter 2, "How did it begin? Like everything: with mothers and fathers... Because more than anything, her mother had wanted to stand out; because more than anything, her father wanted to blend in. Because those things had been impossible" ? Where are you on the personality spectrum of wanting to stand out versus wanting to blend in?
I think this was a great quote and helped understand their parents better. I definitely prefer to be my own person, but that doesn't mean I want to be the center of attention.

8. What do you think of Marilyn and James' courtship and marriage? What do you think happened in 1966 that made Marilyn disappear for a few days and do you think it is related to Lydia's disappearance and death?
I thought their first kiss was weird and not really believable. They're just boring for me right now, but I do want to know why she disappeared. No ideas as of yet..

Congrats, Katie!

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
465 pages
Finished 12/9/15
BOM: Answered DQs

Here is the final set of questions:

30. Who ended up being you favorite character and why?
By the end of the book, Nina was my favorite character. She was witty and made me laugh, and although I was so mad that she had to turn Matthias in, I was so happy that she was the one to save them in the end.

31. On page 392, Matthias tells Nina that Kuwei is "one of us" Who do you think he is referring to as "us"?
I think he's referring to the fact that Kuwei is innocent. He's being used by people just like Matthias and Nina have been.


32. Kaz has the thought that: survive, survive, survive is how he has lived his life. Do you see this as in sync with his character? Do you see him as a character that survives through caluculated plans or luck?
He definitely survives through calculated plans with maybe a bit of luck thrown in. He knows what everyone is going to do before they even know they want to do it. He's a smart thinker, but he does leave some things up to chance to test people. I like that about his character, although I wished his softer side for Inej had shown through earlier!


33. Do you have a favorite quote from this book?
“Many boys will bring you flowers. But someday you'll meet a boy who will learn your favorite flower, your favorite song, your favorite sweet. And even if he is too poor to give you any of them, it won't matter because he will have taken the time to know you as no one else does. Only that boy earns you heart.”

34. What lesson or lessons do you think the author was trying to teach us through this story?
I think one of the biggest things I got out of this was to think for yourself and to look past what people may want you think.

35. Were you satisfied with the ending? Will you read on in this series?
Yes! I loved that there were some twists throughout the book and at the end that I wasn't expecting. I have to read the next to find out what happens with Inej and the rest of the crew!

Discussion Questions for Nov. 28, 2015
Chapters 27-36


26. Wow, this was an exciting section! Kaz shows up after his encounter with Pekka Rollins covered in blood and lies to the group about finding him. Any new thoughts on what you think happened between Kaz and Pekka in that cell?
When I read this seen, I felt like something happened that we probably won't expect. I don't think he killed Pekka, but I really wanted to know what they talked about!


27. When Matthias showed up outside of Nina's cell with Brum, he totally had me thinking that he had betrayed the team! Did he fool you too?
Yes! He fooled me 100%. I was so disappointed until I realized he was playing Brum. I thought his honor to Fjerda would win over, but I'm so glad it didn't.


28. Brum reveals that his people have been experimenting on the Grisha for at least 15 years. So apparently the Grisha are worth keeping alive only if they use their abilities under the control and direction of the Fjerda. Now that Matthias knows the truth about what his people have been doing, do you think he'll still return home after he gets his pardon (if the team is successful)?
I have a feeling he'll go wherever Nina goes. I can see him coming home to try and stop the Fjerda from doing what they're doing to Grisha, though.


29. Wow, those Tidemakers were scary! We've now seen Squallers and Tidemakers fight our team. Will they face Inferni? What would an attack from jarda-parem-taking Inferni look like?
I've finished reading the book, so I won't say anything on this question!


30. The team's plans keep getting thwarted, and now with Inej captured, do you think the whole team will make it out alive?
I finished the book already before answering these questions, but I remember thinking someone was probably going to die in the last scenes.

Nov 27 Chapters 21-26, Pages 255-317

21. We have gotten a report on the audio version, but to those reading the book, how are you finding reading so many POVs? Do you feel the book is flowing well, or do you find it disjointed and hard to follow?
I like the different POVs. The author is good at distinguishing each character, so I never feel confused on who I'm reading about. They all have unique personalities, so it doesn't make it difficult to follow along.

22. I am having an issue with the ages of the characters (I find them inevitably at least 18 in my head). It seems like the author has written a LOT of backstory and responsibility for a group of characters all under the age of 18. Is this a situation where the ages are dictated by the "YA" category, or do you think the author made the characters this young for a purpose?
I think a lot of YA authors do this where the characters are 16/17, or even younger sometimes, and they don't sound that young to me. I think a part of it with these characters is that they live in such a different world that they're just naturally more mature than real 16/17 year olds, but I do think of them as older most of the time when I'm reading.

23. The group has entered the prison. Do you think they will be successful in their mission? Do you think Bo Yul-Bayour is in the prison? Or do you think the whole job is a wild goose chase?
I don't think they'll be 100% successful, with the way things are going, but I do think they'll find something.

24. We find out two interesting tidbits about Jesper in his chapter. Did you find either one of these surprising? Do you think either will play a part in the story, or is it just to help us better understand his character?
Yes! Very surprising information, and I think that will come back later. Jesper is one of my favorite characters, so I hope he gets more of the spotlight later on.

25. We finally find out the rest of Kaz's backstory and why he wears the gloves. At the end of the section, Kaz has completely gone off mission and has Pekka right where he wants him. Do you think he will kill him? And how do you think the rest of the group will react when they find out what he is really doing?
I was so disappointed that Kaz is messing up the mission for his own personal vendetta. I get it, but I want all of the other characters to succeed, too, so I wish he would have left this for after the mission. I don't think he'll end up killing Rollins quite yet.

Discussion Questions November 25
Chapters 18-20, pages 202-254

16. We get a glimpse of Kaz feelings for Inez. Were you surprised? How do you think their story will evolve?
I wasn't really surprised. I had an inkling that they may be interested in each other. I hope that their relationship evolves, and I hope Kaz lets Inej know she's worth more to him that being the Wraith.

17. Kaz shares a bit of his backstory with Inez, and considerably more with us. We are introduced to Jordie, the Hertzoons and an innocent, dependent Kaz. What were your thoughts reading about it?
I felt bad for Kaz and his brother. I'm intrigued to learn more with his backstory.

18. They finally landed on Fjerda. The heist plan is revealed. Matthias has a plan of his own and implies that Nina might have one too. Will they make it? At what cost? Is the gang going to break apart before the end?
I can't wait to find out what they'll do when/if they find Bo Yul-Bar. I hope that they gang doesn't break up, but I can see Nina and Matthias making everyone else mad if they have the opportunity to kill Bo Yul-Bar.

19. We learn more about Nina and Matthias backstory. Now, their characters are better shaped. Did it change your opinion for either of them? Can you see them escape their prejudices? How do you think their story will evolve?
[For those that have read the Grisha trilogy: The hatred between Grisha and the Fjerdans run deep. Grishas are burned to the stake like witches. The Grishas armies burn villages and destroy the land. Is the original Grisha trilogy explaining how all this started?]
I haven't read the original Grisha trilogy, but I can tell from this book that the Fjerdans and Grisha really don't like each other. I feel heartache for them both. I think Matthias will come around and realize that Nina's life isn't worthless because she's a Grisha, and she can do a lot to help people.

20. The company is attacked by a drug-empowered Grisha. The competition is getting tighter. Is their mission as clean as they were led to believe? What role Bo Yul-Bayur will play if he gets his freedom?
It's definitely not going to be an easy mission for them! I think they're probably in for more attacks from others that want that power.

Chapters 10-17


11. With new developments in some of our characters back stories, which one did you find the most interesting and why? Did it change the way you viewed them? And how?
I've read ahead, so I'm hoping this happens during these chapters: I really like Matthias' and Nina's backstory of when they met. Nina was a spitfire and not taking any crap from Matthias, and I really liked them helping each other. It helps to know a little bit more about why Nina turned him over.

12. Kaz comes a little unglued... What's your take on that? Is he truly heartless and self seeking like he likes to be seen? What did you think of what he did to Oomen, and do you think that revealed anything?
I think him being heartless is what he wants others to see. I think he cares about the people who are working for him, but I do think he has no issue hurting someone that would have hurt them or did.

13. We get to see the history between Matthias and Nina! Who's side are you on? And who do you think Matthias will choose in the end?
I get that Matthias isn't so happy with Nina after they saved each other and then feeling like that was just her way of saving herself. I'm on Nina's side though where I want them to be friendly again, and I want Matthias to give up the idea that Grisha should be killed. I'm really hoping Matthias will choose Nina in the end.

14. There are a lot of references that translate to today or modern history: street gangs, slavery & ships, human trafficking (brothels), and underground arenas for entertainment. Do you find their hard circumstances justify their criminal ways, or just make you care for them despite them?
I don't think it can really justify their criminal ways, but I do feel for them with all that they have to go through.

15. Lastly! what's with kaz's gloves?! Hands stained by blood? Too sensitive to touch? Any theories out there?
Ugh, I just don't know! I'm wondering if he has some power that needs skin contact?

Discussion Questions November 23

Chapters 5-9, pages 69-133

6. Putting the plot and characters aside for a moment, what do you think of Leigh Bardugo’s writing? If you regularly read YA how does it compare in quality. If this is your first YA book, is the quality of the writing what you expected?
I really like her writing. I wish now that I had read her other series to have a better understanding of this world, but it's getting easier to remember all of the names of things.

7. In Part Two, we meet Matthias Helvar. Nina said, “Helvar is driven by honor and only honor. You can’t bribe or bully that.” Do you think that statement is accurate based on what we learn about him during his rescue?
I think this is true, but I think he questions it himself sometimes, even when he doesn't want to.

8. I enjoy world building that has enough connections to the real world that I can picture what’s going on because of this relationship, but the scenes are still original and creative. I think Bardugo does a good job with this concept. My favorite scene like this so far has been (the spoiler is my favorite) [ the “bullfight” scene. I thought the lizard was creepy and liked that Matthias didn’t want to kill the wolves (hide spoiler)]. What connections have you thought were particularly well imagined? I think Matthias' rescue scene was my favorite.

9. Since Wylan turns out to be Van Eck’s son, how do you think his role with the gang will play out?
He seems like a good kid, and I'm hoping that the others start to realize his worth and he does more for them than just being collateral. I think they'll want him to stay as part of the team, but we'll see!

10. Now that we have met all six members of the gang, do you have a favorite?
I like Inej and Jesper quite a bit. I think I would say they're my favorites but I can't pick just one.

Discussion Questions November 22

Chapters 1-4

1. Do you like the book so far? Why did you decide to read it? Is this a genre you normally read?
I really started to enjoy this book right from the beginning. It's a genre I *sometimes* read, but I haven't read a book like this lately. I'm happy to say that I'm glad I picked this up.


2. During the parley in chapter two, Kaz tells rival gang member Geels: "A secret's not like coin. It doesn't keep its value in spending." What does Kaz mean by this? Do you agree with him?
I think he just means that when you know someone's secret, it's valuable. Once you tell others that secret, they don't need that information from you anymore, and you become less valuable to them. I do agree with Kaz about this.

3. Inez seems to have led a very interesting life so far. What do you think her relationship with Kaz is? Does she have romantic feelings towards him? Is Inez someone you would trust? Is Kaz trustworthy?
Inej is one of my favorites so far. It seems like they work together well, but I know from reading ahead how they met and their history. I would trust Inej if she were my friend! If she was on an opposing side of me, I'd be worried. Same with Kaz. He seems harsh but I feel like he still loves the people around him. I'm hoping to find out more about him.


4. If you could have a magical talent like the Grisha, what would you want your talent to be? Which category of Grisha types (listed in post 102) do you think would be most helpful to us in the real world? I think I'd personally want to be a Healer, and I also think that could be one of the most important ones for the real world.

5. Have you read any of Leigh Bardugo's other books? If so, would you recommend reading her Grisha trilogy before reading Six of Crows?
I haven't read anything else! After reading Six of Crows, I think I would enjoy them.

Ok, I hope it will work! Let me know if you need more verbiage from the book. I take it back to the library tomorrow.

I'm reading Six of Crows. Can I still answer DQs and have it count for points?

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
835 pages
Finished 12/7/15

If no one gets there first, I'm waiting for a library book to come in that has cookies on the cover.

Also, The Storyteller should work for the undertaker goal. See my comments below.

Here's a quote from The Storyteller. Let me know if this is enough. "I met him on the worst day of my life, the day my mother died. He was the funeral director my sister Pepper contacted."
It's on page 23.

For the goal where a character is an undertaker, I saw that it also works if they were a funeral director. I read The Storyteller which hasn't been used for a goal yet, and there's a man in there who is a funeral director! Would that work? He's a side character but comes up a few times in the book.

An Island Christmas by Nancy Thayer
224 pages
Finished 12/4/15
Goal: Holiday in the title (Part of the 25 Days Of Tower Team Challenges)

I'm not reading any books currently that work with our regular goals, but I am reading a book with Christmas in the title, which will work for Day 3 of the 25 Days of Tower Team Challenges!! I should be able to finish it tomorrow. I can also find a book with a cookie on it if no one else has any they're about to read. :)

Discussion Questions 03 December 2015 Chapters 4-5

6. We meet the three sisters and Czernobog. Is Wednesday collecting the people for this meeting himself or is Czernobog the only one because he is difficult? Shadow is already making himself useful, do you think it was a smart move playing that checkers game?
It seems like Czernobog was the most difficult to convince. I think playing checkers will end up working out for Shadow, but I thought it was a dumb move at the time.

7. I like that the gods and godesses and mythological beings mentioned in this book so far are based on real stories , this is what I’ve found on Czernobog, and the the Zorya’s although there seem to be only two sisters and is the third sister added by the author. What do you think of the group we have met? Are we going to see the sisters again?
I'm not a huge fan of any of the characters yet. I think the last sister was the most interesting, and I'm hoping we see them again later on.

8. In the “Coming to America” part of chapter 4 we learn something about Cornish mythological beings and how they came to be in America. Do you think we will meet some in the chapters to come?
I have a feeling we will! I'm not very familiar with the background on mythology though, so this is kind of over my head.

9. What did you think of Shadow’s Fortune ”Every ending is a new beginning. Your lucky number is none. Your lucky color is dead. Motto: Like father like son.” Does it mean something, is it a prediction of how the story will turn out? The House on Rock is a strange place, what did you think of it’s attractions? I’m curious what is going to happen with the carrousel, what about you?
I'm guessing we'll meet Shadow's father, and that part will make sense later on in the book. Every ending is a new beginning may be because his normal "life" ended and now he's at the start of a new life as he learns about the gods. The House on the Rock is definitely strange! I think the carousel will help lead us into finding out more about all of these people Shadow is meeting.

10. What do you think of the writing style of this book? I feel like I’m constantly distracted and need to focus, but it is the writing style. I like the way that the story is told and you get to know new characters quickly. Is the book what you expected it to be when you started reading?
So far, I'm finding myself getting distracted as well. I feel like I'm probably missing a lot of the meaning behind characters and scenes, but I'm just not really digging the characters or the darkness of it yet. I can't say I was really expecting anything specific, but from all of the good reviews I've heard on this book, I'm hoping it will eventually capture my attention and I won't want to put it down.