Tina ❣’s Comments (group member since Mar 09, 2016)

Tina ❣’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

DQs Day 2 - Oct 17
Chapters 7 through 14

6.) What did you think of the yurt party? Anything or anyone peak your interest?

I have no idea what a yurt party is. I kept thinking it has something to do with Dr Seuss and Yertle the Turtle which confused me for that scene. I do think it's weird but I know that parties like that happen...


7.) What do you think about the overall setup of the school? Would you of wanted to go to a school like this for your last two years of high school? Would you send you kid to a school like this (your real or nonexistent kid)?

I wonder if there are any other houses other than the two mentioned. I wouldn't go. I was happy in my school and I had no intention of excelling in anything as I just wanted to hang with my friends and eat haha. I would send my non-existent kid there though


8.) The historic case seems very similar to the Lindbergh Baby case down to the multiple money drops, marked bills, questionable confessions, foreign suspects with limited English, random FBI agent involvement, and late introduction of the police. The biggest different is Iris being taken as well as Alice (plus Alice being 3). We now know what happened to Iris, do you think Alice has a parallel fate to the Lindbergh baby? Or do you think she's alive (or lived to adulthood anyway)?

I don't know who that is but I think Alice is alive. Either still kidnapped but she doesn't know it or she's the one messing with the school


9.) Do you think the Senator her parents work for is involved somehow, or just a red herring?

I was wondering what on earth the Senator has to do with the book. But I understand now that I finished it.

10.) Any thoughts on David, what his deal is, and why he seems so familiar to Stevie?

David seems like someone I would stay far away from. I don't like feet and when he allowed Elly to have her bare feet on him... just ew. So I don't like either of them because of that. Logical isn't it? I did think there's something significant about him that he was hiding though and that it wouldn't be a good thing

DQS - DAY 1 - CHAPTERS 1-6

1. Upon starting the novel an illustration of Ellingham and a copy of a letter sent on 8 April 1936 are the first things the reader sees before they start the text. Why do you think the author starts with these and how important will the setting of Ellingham be in the novel?

I think it's setting the scene that the book is based around that letter. So very important!


2. We are firstly introduced to an intriguing character called Dottie who it seems unfortunately is not long for this world. It is just a case of wrong place, wrong time or do you think this scene will play a more important part in the resolution of the mystery?

I think it's a case of wrong place and time and too much curiosity.


3. There appears to be a dual timeline in the novel detailing past and present. Why has the author written it this way? Does it add to the present storyline getting a perspective on the events in the past?

So we can see a glimpse in to the past whilst the present try to figure out the past. I think it will add to the present but I don't think it adds much to it.


4. First impressions of the present day characters? How do you think they will interact in solving the crimes both past and possibly present?

The children don't seem as interesting to me. I just don't really think many of them get a substance to them which I'm not a fan of.


5. In the past time line, Flora has secret information about Iris. Any ideas of the significance of the hidden compact in light of Iris and Alice's disappearance?

I'm not sure! Flora is definitely keeping something a secret and won't tell. Hopefully we find out

I don't think I've ever seen yam or ube's in books so that'll be interesting to search for

Oh yay! We did well!

I've copied and pasted the uneaten foods from round 1 to round 2 and put them in rows 189 to 205. I have the frozen meals in fluro pink and drinks in purple. We can move the meals to where we want whether it's for round 2 for frozen meals or 2 or 3 for the drinks.

I don't want to mess the formula up that the mods have done so I hope you guys are okay with it being on the bottom for now

CC wrote: "Ahh, I wasnt able to check for a few days especially as the round is closing out. I think I listed all possible character names - since one of the books was nonfiction (this is why I also wasn't ab..."

I didn’t even think of those issues for non fiction! Hopefully the ones I’m listening to won’t have that issue!

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Thanks Tina! That's great.

I had a quick re-read of the rules. Drinks in the fresh category which would be coffee and tea need to be used within the month. Other drinks can be frozen/used any time."

Ohhh ok. I can have another look tonight after work and fiddle around. If there’s any issue then we can use the three BOM to swap out the customers. I think we covered everything though

Looking good guys!

I asked for a few rows and columns to be fixed as the formula wasn't working.

I've assigned meals to the customers for round 1. There's a few left over meals and a few non-alcoholic drinks. Does anyone know if we can we use the drinks for the next round or do we have to use them in this round?

Could Team Tienuurtj get rows 83 in round 1 shop front fixed please? The points aren't showing.

Also from rows 662 in column E in the Meals created tab. And column L from row 552

Thank you!

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

I also have my answers to the Chain of Gold BOM on the spreadsheet in books read for when we need it

I went through the tabs and highlight a few things that need fixing. There's still an error for meal 83 and 84 that CC and I completed and am not sure if we can fix it.

My last book is up.

I filled in descriptions for the dishes up to meal 166. It's late so apologies for any weird descriptions I've done

DQ Set 5: Ch 20 - End

19. Cordelia and James end up in the Shadow Realm and are under attack by a Mandecore (sp?) on the bidding of Belial (sp?). Cordelia is able to strike once with the sword, but then is caught up in the vines. James calls on his power from his demon heritage to save them both. What do you think his use of this power will do to him in the long run? Will he suffer from it, or want more of it?

He won’t miss it I think.


20. The Harrondales find out they are descendants of a Prince of Hell, Belial. They all have different reactions. What would you do if you found out you were a descendant of someone/something evil?

Probably find a way to protect my self and loved ones. I’d reject it.


21. When they are with the enclave and James is being accused of starting the fire, Cordelia steps up to cover for James. By doing this she is putting herself in harms way in terms of future prospects. James proposes to Cordelia, but says he doesn't love her...but we know she loves him. What do you think about going into a marriage with unrequited love? Or do you think it is unrequited?

I’d hate it. I wouldn’t marry them. But now and then is very different. I think he does love her but he’s just being pulled in multiple directions so hasn’t realised it


22. "Perhaps life was not like books. Perhaps life was never going to be like that." I love this quote. If your life could be like a book, what book would you choose?

Oh nice question! I’d choose something that doesn’t have death in it. A Dr Seuss book would be interesting 😂

23. In the Epilogue, we find that Tatiana seems to be working with the Prince of Hell. What do you think will happen in the next book in the series? Are you interested in continuing on with this series?

I hope he eats her haha. I am interested but only because of Anna, Matthew and Cordelia. Hopefully Magnus stays too which I think he does as he send for his cat

DQ Day 4 (Ch 15-19):

14. How do we feel about what went down between James and Cordelia in the Whispering Room?

I was surprised at how rowdy it got. But I think it was a positive in their relationship.


15a. For those of you that have not read other Cassandra Clare series: What is your impression of Magnus Bane?

I love Magnus. It took me until I watched the Shadow Hunter TV series to really appreciate him. I would read more of Clare’s books just to read more about him.


15b. For those of you that have read the other Cassandra Clare series: What was your reaction to Magnus’s appearance? Were you expecting it? Do you think that he is CC’s favorite character to write?

I wasn’t expecting it! Super glad he is in it though. I agree that he might be her favourite to write!


16. What do you think about Jessie’s revelation that he would give Lucy his last breath?

Cute. But how did a last breath get into a locket? I know it was the mum but still is interesting


17. Alistair’s words “I wanted you to have a childhood” are so very poignant in a world where children are trained to be warriors and their lifespans are expected to be short. How do you feel about the sentiment and Alistair’s attempts to save Cordelia from the shame of her father’s “illness”?

I think he’s done a lot for Cordelia and his family that they don’t know or just take him for granted. I like Alistair.


18. What do you think Grace is up to? Do you think she’s working with Tatiana in doing whatever it is?

Ugh. Not sure. I just don’t trust her. Tatiana a even less so.

DQ Set 3: Chapters 10 - 15

9. What do you think of Grace's request for James to runaway and get married as mundanes? Was James right to say no? What do you think of her then turning around the next day and announcing her marriage to Charles? What do think Grace might be trying to achieve

I just don’t understand her motives. I think she’s cold, manipulative, lonely and untrustworthy. Definitely glad he rejected her considering what she did the next days. She expected him to drop everything for her yet gave him nothing as well. No expression of love.


10. The demons know who James is? More they do what he requests of them. What do you think of that? Do you think it is more than just the fact his grandfather was a demon?

For some reason I like the demons speaking to him. But I know it’s not a good thing. Definitely a connection to the grandfather.


11. Ragnor only tells them the information about Gast because they are children and not yet Clave. He then explains he is scooting off to Capri? Does this seem strange to you ? or that maybe something more dangerous they should probably know?

I finished the book a a few days ago and have already forgotten this bit.


12. "Ariadne does not care what I do. Her interests lie elsewhere" Charles & Alistair. Did this surprise you? And do you think Ariadne's interests ie in the direction of Anna?

No it doesn’t surprise me and I think it does.


13. Matthew appears to have a drinking problem? There also seems to be much more about him than meets the eye. Do you think he might be drinking to hide something? Is it me or he he seem also to be somewhat drawn to Cordelia?

I think he is drinking to hide something. It took me a while to see that he was drawn to her.

DQ Set 2: Chapters 5 - Days Past, Paris 1900

6. Following the daylight attack, and the greenhouse scene, it's clear that there's a tension between the older generation and the younger. Will even makes the point that it's just like what he experienced as a young man, but doesn't seem able to fix the problem. What do you think about the politics of the Shadowhunters that we've seen so far? Does this strand work for you?

Ugh there’s always a tension haha. I think it would suck being in the politics there. It would take a lot of time and people to recognise it is and issue and change it which I think won’t happen.


7. We see development in some of the characters over these chapters (Alistair becomes a bit more interesting in the final flashback; Cordelia comes out of her shell), but there are still a lot of unfleshed characters there (imo). Do you think the author can make all these characters "real"? Which character do you most want to find out more about? or just hang out with ;-P

I want to hear more about Anna and Matthew. They’re the most interesting. Chris and Thomas need more character development.


8. We find out more about Grace and James - have your opinions of this relationship changed during this section? Do you want to venture any predictions? James does his shadow walking thing a couple of times here. Is Jem right - is this a skill he should master or is it a dangerous curse?

No. Still not a fan of them or her really. Considering his grandfather is dangerous. I’d stay away but they won’t do that.


9. The last section sheds some light on Alistair's hidden (or developing) personality - moving him from the simple bully from school to (maybe) someone more interesting. Do you have any thoughts on how Alistair will be important to the story?

He is Cordelias brother so he’ll be important. I think there’s more we can learn about him and I want to.

DQ Set 1: Days 1 &2 - Chapters 1 through 4

1) Have you read other Cassandra Clare novels or are you new to the Shadowhunter world? What made you decide to take the plunge and read this BOM? Was it the beautiful cover, did it entice you? Not for nothing, the woman on the cover might want to adjust that sword grip in case she needs to use it.

Yes I have. The whole Mortal Instruments series. I picked it up because it’s for the My Restaurant Rocks challenge!


2) Quite a long cast of characters and POVs, sometimes I wonder why it was necessary. Though I have only read the Mortal Instruments series, so maybe it would be less overwhelming character roster if I'd read everything published prior to this book. Any current favorite characters? Any you are wary of already? I'm also afraid of multiple love triangles and possibly some sort of awful love polygon (number of sides to be determined). Thoughts on that?

No current favourite characters yet! I think live triangles are inevitable in YA *sigh*


3) Holy literary references! Clare uses quotes often at the beginning of sections or chapters, so that wasn't surprising to me. But there are little literary nuggets dropped randomly in conversations. Are you enjoying them? Are you seeing parallels in this story to Great Expectations (Clare has stated this series is a GE retelling)?

I like the references but haven’t read many classics so I don’t understand the references.


4) Are you liking the flashbacks? Do you think they add to the story and/or characters?

The flash backs are okay. I was getting slightly annoyed at them though at the break in the flow for the present.


5) James seems to act very strange in Grace's presence and for all of their attraction and previous kissing, the kiss by the lake seemed to make James repulsed. Do you think this is tied to the demonic presence somehow? Do you think that silver bracelet causes Grace to have some sort of influence over James?

I was under the impression the bracelet acted as a love charm for James and Grace. Made me dislike her because of it.

Carrie wrote: "Tina ❣ wrote: "Hmm the notifications not working has thrown me a bit.

@CC - Welcome!

@ Carrie - How did you end up liking Chain of Gold? I'm still trying to finish it"


I haven't read anything e..."

It took me a while too. At first the pace she introduced the characters was okay and then I think it was chapter or two where everyone else was introduced. I definitely think love triangles are tiring but I don't think this author will stop with them. I thought it was good in the end. Good for a young adult book. I think I might actually read the next one when it comes out.

I still have some DQ to answer and to add the book to the meals

Do we know when the round finishes? Is it this weekend or next weekend?

Hmm the notifications not working has thrown me a bit.

@CC - Welcome!

@ Carrie - How did you end up liking Chain of Gold? I'm still trying to finish it

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Thanks Carrie.

I did a quick tally up of what we've got so far -

32 completed meals comprising of -

Fish and chips with vinegar - 4
sandwiches - 10
coffee - 4
curry - 3
tea -4
pasta -3
salad ..."

Thanks Lisa! Hopefully we can find one soon

Carrie wrote: "Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Just a quick question -

If the word vinegar appears twice in the same book, can we use it in two different meals?"

Someone asked that specific question in the prep a..."

That's good to know! I was actually wondering that about vinegar. I'll look out for it in future books.

We could also but the author's name in if we want to distinguish between books.