Amanda’s Comments (group member since Mar 13, 2022)

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

Shan ~A~ wrote: "Has the rankings been posted?"

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

You guys were all awesome!! Thanks for being such an easy team :)

@ Lisa, you're already actually over your cap (and all but 1 of your books is used somewhere so that's probably you done unless you can replace with a higher page count for ones you've already done :))

I know! Of course I'm reading a littl eless when I really need to grind it out here at the end

We've left Greece and are off to France!

Shan ~A~ wrote: "I have a book for Author Born in Greece
The Dirt: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band by Tommy Lee (the other band members were involved as well)

Tommy ..."

And this is perfect Shan!

Hi team! It seems we've unfortunately lost Lucy. THe mods have graciously said we can go a total of 12 over caps to make up for it so if you're near your cap no need to hold back!

Done! Almost made it the whole time lol

Volunteering for Eiffel Tower

DQs Day 1: Ch 1 to 4
1.) Had you heard of this book before it was nominated for/was selected to be a BOM this month? Or read other books by the author? Any expectations going in?
I had never heard of it! High fantasy is hit or miss for me, but no real expectations

2.) How effective is the author at conveying the isolationist nature of Kaigen? And at the glimpses of what the rest of the world is really like? How do you think the Emperor has managed to do this so effectively?
I thought it was very effective. I think once you're already isolated, it's hard to break past that.

3.) Misaki is an interesting character with a lot of repressed or hidden depths I think. I like that one of the main characters in an epic fantasy is not a 20 something who just happens to master everything in 5 pages. What are you most curious about her at the moment. Also, shout out to her friends, who seem like real women-friends. Yay!
She doesn't really seem happy but seems to be putting on a front. I want to see how that changes

4.) Tekure (husband/father) has managed to make me hate him without even popping up on page yet. Go him. Do you think we'll get a scene where Misaki does her version of 'down with the patriarchy' before the end of the book?
Oh definitely, I think it'll be full of girl power

5.) What do you think of the magic system so far?
Very Avatar the Last Airbender. I like it

Qs Day 2
Chap 5 to 7

6. What do you think about the hierarchy of the villages and the Matsudos and Yukinos being the "rulers" of the mountain?
Definitely was a great amount of worldbuilding. It made sense for the world we're in

7. We get to know the history of the relationship between the Matsudos and the Kotetsus. Do you think this relationship / the Kotetsu family will play an important role later on in the story? If so, how?
I do think it'll play an important role since there is a sword on the cover and a lot of training for fighting.

8. In chapter 6, we find out that Misaki was a real badass in her past. Was there anything that stuck out to you when getting to know her backstory? Something interesting, shocking, odd?
I think it made who she is now shocking. We open up with her really being one of the village mothers, it doesn't fit with her badass persona

9. The conversation between Misaki and Mamoru was heartwarming. Do you think we will see both of them side by side as warriors by the end of the book?
Oh for sure.

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 probably both. I think he doesn't know why he does most things

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?
Oh, absolutely. I think it'll probably be to save her family

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?
Sometimes anger can be the driving force, but you should probably actually do what needs to be done when you're not angry.

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
I think it was intentional. Not by her, buy by her jiya.

Headed to Egypt as well!

7/25 and after for both countries

I still think mini 3 is the priority followed by mini 1! The letters for mini 4 are really just an overflow at this point (is how i'm treating it)

But really, whatever fits best with what you want to read :)

Posting for Aiswrya,

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?

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?

27. Do you think the missing child holds any significance in the plot?

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?

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.

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?

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?

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

Yup so long as it's the primary subject matter of the book

Yes you can still add. I'm not sure there's technically a time when you cant add for the round they just wont be able to be used for some minis so it's best to upload as soon as possible. If there is a deadline it would be around 24 hours from the end of the round so that would be my preference!

Here's the countdown for the end of the round: https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown...

Please have any books you've finished on the sheet within 24 hours of that end!

Haley wrote: "I switched one of my finished books for mini 1. - Amanda I switched yours (a grain of wheat) with (bad tourists). But not sure if it needs to be adjusted :)"

That's fine thanks!

Rebecca wrote: "Also I just finished a book that works for Spell-it-out M for the United States if we want to use it to generate our next country?

Ma'am (yes that's her name) - Solid Gold Murder"

I just finished mine too but I'll do yours so that if mine fits the next country we can use it :)

Rebecca wrote: "Captains - I just finished a level 2 country book. I don't want to mess with the sheet, but can someone swap it into our itinerary for one of the unread 2s?"

Yes I'll get it! Which one? I'm making my rounds through my notifications then was going to come back and see what needs doing.