Melissa’s Comments (group member since May 12, 2019)

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

I just went over all of the tasks! This is amazing!! My inner challenge self is so excited!!

Hello all! I used Listopia for the first time... We'll see how it works!
Here is our list.

CheeryBottomRecommendations

I can't share it round right this minute, but if anyone has some time, maybe they can post it on other team's threads?

I could probably get to it tomorrow!

Ashleigh wrote: "My recommendations from this year are:

- horror/thriller

- gothic horror/fantasy/hr



I did not know about historical fantasy, and I am intrigued.
I read Dread Nation which I loved. I wonder if it falls in that category?

Should we compile a list of favorites and send it around? I can do that if needed?

I am starting to plan my May reading :) I volunteered for DQs for The Foundling and ordered a used copy. I Interlibrary loaned Equal Rites and now I'll check on the Bingo board. I just checked out The Murmur of Bees so that will work for the bee category.
I know we don't start until May, but how shall we record what we've read / how it applies to different categories? I'll put it on my shelf, of course :)
The Jackanory looks like a hoot. How do we do that as a team?
And I think the Hedgehog book is a must :)

I volunteer for Team Cheery Littlebottom. I can write DQs too.

Brittany wrote: "My 2021 reads worth 5 stars: (I read a lot of classics from lists for challenges this year)

Psych Thriller
YA/Space Opera/SciF..."

I might try Loki in anticipation of the Disney + series coming up :)

My favorites of 2021 are:

Brittany wrote: "My 2021 reads worth 5 stars: (I read a lot of classics from lists for challenges this year)

Psych Thriller
YA/Space Opera/SciF..."

Wow! That is an impressive list!!

I can write some questions for the BOMs. Where do we sign up for those?

Hello! I am Melissa W. I can go by Mel to distinguish the two Melissa's if you'd like :) I am a middle school teacher in Vermont. This year, I teach science, but I usually teach Language Arts (reading, writing, spelling) and science, and that's what I'll teach again next year.
I am very excited to be reading with people from so many different occupations and nationalities.
I read a little bit of just about everything. I've been pairing fiction and non-fiction lately, but I have a slog of fiction I'm behind on. I like mysteries, non-fiction, historical fiction, generational stories, romance, zombies, YA, happy pet books, really just about anything. The only type of fiction I have come across that I don't usually care for is dark academia, or books without a strong female character in there somewhere.
I have not done a TT challenge before. I have done a few challenges - one was called a Wheel-a-Thon. I've heard so much about the TT challenge! I'm really looking forward to it.
I'm going to finish up my books for April, and check out the rules in more depth. I have spring break this week, but tomorrow it's supposed to snow (!) so I'm going to hide inside and pretend it's not.

I'd like to read The Foundling and Equal Rites. I've never read a Discworld book, but my cousin likes them, I think, and it would be good conversation material.

I just read Tom Fitzmorris's New Orleans Food: More Than 225 of the City's Best Recipes to Cook at Home
it is a 336 p. cookbook (It was a little tough reading a cookbook!!)
I know that it counts only for fresh food, but it goes for 8 words because of the page count. Is that okay?

This challenge has me pretty fixated on different types of food :) The dessert my character receives in A Gentleman in Moscow is a mille-feuille. I looked it up and it looks delicious.
Has anyone tried one of these before?

(I'm still on the fence about bananas in curry, but I will use them in the challenge if I have a bunch of other Malayan items to use :)

Lexi wrote: "Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Cat wrote: "anyone else been tempted to curry various fruit or dessert items? So. Many. Cakes in books where I can't use them for desserts! X("

I'd give in to the temp..."

bananas in curry?
Never heard of such a thing.

Lexi wrote: "Mine seems to live off tea and cakes."

So many cakes.
So much coffee.
No coffee cakes though, curiously.

Something learned from this challenge: Even in a 550 + page book, there's not much food or water in a zombie apocalypse.

Good to know :)

Nikitha wrote: "Day 1 DQs - my answers might contain spoilers if you have not read chapters 1-8.

1. Our setting for this book is the world of Greek mythology. What is your background with Greek mythology? How do ..."

Aaetes also affected me the most. He was the only one who showed loyalty, until he didn't. I guess the gods really don't get along - and now I can see why!

Your explanation of Glaucos was really interesting. I did not think about Circe being so close to mortals - with her voice and all. Maybe this is why he rejects her once he becomes immortal.

Aiswrya wrote: "Day 1 DQs - my answers might contain spoilers if you have not read chapters 4-8.

1. Our setting for this book is the world of Greek mythology. What is your background with Greek mythology? How do ..."

Percy Jackson books are great! Yes, Circe does seem to have eternal cruelty placed upon her. I didn't think of her that way when I read about her in the Odyssey. I wonder if this abuse will further help us to understand Circe's actions later?

Yes, I think Glaucos is just a terrible person / god / fish thing. He should have had some thankfulness for Circe!!

Lexi wrote: " Day 1 DQs Chapters 1 - 4 (for October 2nd)
1. Our setting for this book is the world of Greek mythology. What is your background with Greek mythology? How do you think your knowledge and opinions..."

I read many Greek myths as a teacher of fifth and sixth graders. I also love the retellings, and really enjoyed The Song of Achilles. These two retellings seem a bit different to me - I wonder what you think about their similarities and differences?

I agree that the gods and goddesses should be as conceited as they are in this book. It's almost like a Rohl Dahl book, except not so funny!

Day 2 DQs Chapters 4 - 8
5. Circe's first love does not end so well. What did you think of the creation of Scylla?

6. Pharmakeia is introduced in these chapters. What are you thoughts on how magic is defined in a world of gods and godesses?

7.Madeline Miller pieces together Greek mythology to tell this story. For example, Glaucus was said to have found the herbs, rather than been given them from Circe. What do you think about how Madeline Miller uses characters in Greek Mythology to tell her story?

8. What is your opinion of the relationship between Hermes and Circe?