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

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

Book VI The Secret Diary of Katrina Hawkins
And
Epilogue

I am trying to write these questions without revealing the conclusion of the book :)

Both Kat and Zachary are gamers. Do gamers and readers share the same love of story? Are gamers and readers equally able to blur the lines between reality and a fictional world?


Two questions Zachary asks Dorian are “What do you do for a living?” and “What happened to Mirabel?” to distinguish between fantasy and reality. This seems to relate to some minor themes (?) of occupations (keeper, acolyte, guardian) and the importance of relationships. What other themes did you pick up from reading this book?

What do you think of the bees?

Are you more an acolyte, a guardian or a keeper?

What do you think about how Erin Morgenstern wraps up the stories? Would you have ended any of the character's stories differently?

16. "'Am I familiar?' Dorian asks and Zachary wants to say Yes, yes you are the most familiar and I don't understand how..."

Why do you think Dorian is so familiar to Zachary? Is this another instance of time-crossed lovers finding one another?

I think they have found true love. Maybe they have met in the past, as they fit together so easily, but it could be that their love crosses normal boundaries.

17. The underground library has a lot of cool features: written/spoke words automatically translate, you don't need glasses to read, insta-cat friends roaming the corridors, THE KITCHEN! Which of these aspects is your favorite? Which would you want to bring into the real world, if you could?

The kitchen really is fabulous. And that it knows when to send cupcakes!! That is just the best. My favorite aspect is the ability for Zachary to know any language and to be able to translate any text. I would bring that into the world.

18. We find out that Allegra is our painter and she's been destroying doors to prevent something she has foreseen with her weird not-eye. What do you think she saw? Do you think it warrants her trying to close of the underground library forever?

I'm not sure. I still think she has some sort of possessive quality that makes her not want to share the underground library.

19. Zachary found Simon and Dorian found Eleanor! Eleanor seems to be holding her own, but Simon seems to have completely lost it. Do you think they'll have a continued part to play in this story? Or, having helped our new main characters, are they not to be seen again before the end of the book?

It seems like that thread will need to be tied up somehow. I like the idea of Eleanor on the sea of honey - she reminds me of Arya in Game of Thrones. If she is still seeking Simon, it would be okay for them to get back together.

20. Dorian has discovered Fate's heart at the inn, but Zachary has picked up a new owl companion. The owls are the ones that have destroyed Fate in all the stories. If Zachary and Dorian find each other again, do you think Fate's heart will be safe? What do you think they are meant to do with it?

I've read ahead, so I can't remember what I thought about this at the time!

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I have so many questions!!!! Me three!

11. The Owl King. There will always be another. Do you think a person transforms into the Owl King? Do you think someone we know is currently or will become the next one?

I'm not sure there is a definitive answer to the Owl King. He seems like a mythical creature without a lot of logic. I think it is interesting that a person might transform into the Owl King, but I think he is a creature all of his own. I wonder if she will write other books with these creatures in them. I hope so.

12. I have so many questions about Simon and Eleanor! Do you think they ever found each other again?

Oh, I hope so. To think of them both wandering infinite time without each other is sad. Still, I think Eleanor is stronger than Simon. She had Mirabel on her own, and having a child on your own makes you stronger, I believe. The author, being a woman, seems to know this too.

13. Speaking of Simon and Eleanor, their story is kind of sad. Not star crossed but time crossed. What do you think you would do if you met someone in the way that they meet each other?
It would be very hard. I think I would spend the first years frantically searching, and then, as time went on, maybe I'd try to move on. But I'd never forget.

14. Why do you think Allegra is obsessed with closing doors? Is it really to protect the stories from "cracking"?
She seems rather self centered, so I think she just wants the library to herself. I also like the idea Kerri brought up - about something happening in the library that made her disenchanted. I am going to look for clues for that as I continue to read.

15. I'm curious about Mirabel and the keeper. Do you think they are also time-crossed? I think so! What an interesting couple.

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1. How do you think painted doors choose a harbor to connect to? Is it random or are there certain designs and patterns you have to follow?
Hmmm. That is a good question. I wonder if they connect near a person who is destined to go to the Starless Sea? Or if they are evenly placed. They seem to have a connection with readers who find books which lead them to the underground library.

2. I love the tale of the story sculptor. Do you think Mirabel’s candy is made by her or are they made by another phenomenon?
I am not sure. It would seem likely. Maybe they are made by the kitchen - although I don't know if they produce magical food. I do love the magical kitchen.

3. As all the stories seem to have a connection, I noticed one that seemed obvious to me. Is the man from the story sculptor the mouse who stole Fate’s heart? Is the object he wants to keep safe the heart?
I don't know! What's with all the cutting off of hands and tongues and such!

4. The Keeper seemed to play a minor role so far in the book. Will that change and what would his role be? I think his role will be more important, as he is continually mentioned. Also, I really like his role, so I hope I hear more about him. He seems to keep all of the underground world running.

5. The pirate had been mentioned multiple times. Is he just a metaphor or is he a real character to be mentioned and tied into the story later on?
He must be tied to the story somehow. I have hope that he will have been a pirate on the Starless Sea, but I am not sure.

1. Have you read the Night Circus? Why did you decide to join this read? I have read the Night Circus! Good grief, I don't remember a lot about, except that I enjoyed it, but that there were dark undertones. I really like magical realism. That is why I decided to join this read.

2. Zachary - never Zach - is also frequently referred to by his full name. Had you noticed? Is there a significance in his three names? Hmmmm. I never noticed! I wonder if there is a significance, or if it's like the Russian novels where you just have to remember them all, and hope they don't refer to just one.

3. There are so many literary references, but two which have been used more often are Sarah Walter’s The Little Stranger and Raymond Chandler’s Phillip Marlowe books. Have you read any of these? Do you think there is a connection to this story? I have not read either book, but I think I have one on my bookshelf...... I think a Phillip Marlow mystery. The Big Sleep. Maybe I should read it sooner than later! Would you recommend one of Sarah Walter's books?

4. So many fantastic quotes, my kindle is full of highlights. What are your thoughts on the writing style? I love the descriptions. It is more lyrical than what I usually read. My favorite parts are the stories within the story. Sometimes I get lulled into the lyricism and then she hits us with a disturbing scene. I don't like that too much.

5. This book is bigger than I realised but I find myself quickly sucked into the story. I love the idea of reading a book about something that seems to be your own story. It's kind of creepy and intriguing all at once. How do you think you would react? What an interesting question! I think I would both be interested and freaked out. I'd probably read it and then throw it away, and then take it out of the garbage and re-read it!

Same! I am excited for this!

I am excited to do some of the challenges in this group for 2020!
Birthday: March 24
Favorite Book(s): The Seventh Gate Sing, Unburied, Sing Peace Like a River
Favorite Book Genre: Mystical Realism
Favorite Author: I don't think I have one.
Favorite Color: blue and orange
Favorite Food: dumplings
Any Pets: 2 cats and a dog - they all know when I'm reading, and they all sit in their self designated spots :)
If I could live anywhere in the world it would be: where I am.
Finish the line: I know I'm a book addict because.... one of my New Year's Resolutions is to make "book dates" in my calendar!

Let's start on February 1st, please! May we please have a thread?

My day works too!

Oh! I am very excited that people are in for Priory! I also need a group to keep me focused on that one. I guess we'll be doing weight training every time we pick it up. I joined the BOM for Starless Sea (Thanks Eldarwen!) I've never done one before, so I'd like to start this after that. I could start any time after January 24, maybe even January 20, but I am open to start later too - February 1, whenever! What are you both up for?

I could do the last DQs. I'll get the hang of it by looking at others :) Plus, I'm a middle school Language Arts teacher, so I can figure something out!

I've never participated in a BOM, and like Norabear, I got this for a Christmas present! I will join, and I am excited for it!

I've never read 100 books in a year. I'd like to try this challenge.
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I just got The Priory of the Orange Tree and The Starless Sea for the holidays. Would anyone like to buddy read either of these sometime in 2020? I could start in January?

I'm on Bookworm status now :) Will go for Catch Me if You Can

✔ The Starless Sea Finished 1/11
✔Red, White & Royal Blue Finished 1/18
✔ Daisy Jones & The Six
✔. They Called Us Enemy
✔. Pet
6. Sea Level Rise: A Slow Tsunami on America's Shores
7. Double Awesome Chinese Food: Irresistible and Totally Achievable Recipes from Our Chinese-American Kitchen
✔. Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao's Revolution

I will go for warming up!

Read 1/11
Read 6/6 The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee: Native America from 1890 to the Present
Next up,

Hooray team! Thanks for letting me in on your team for my first team book challenge. It was a lot of fun, and you guys are great!

Finished Bigger than a Bread Box and updated the spreadsheet!
Thanks, Trina for marching on and reading another book!!

I finished One Came Home and updated the spreadsheet. Group 1 is complete! Onto Group 2.

AK!
I better head to bed and read. I'll have mine done by tomorrow! I am falling off the reading train!