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

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

Jammin Jenny wrote: "Is this where we'll find out if we were selected to write DQs for the BOMs?"

The mods will update the chosen ones closer to the date on the BOM thread and they normally message you as well

Book of the Month: November
(The Chestnut Man and Two Can Keep a Secret)

1 Ruby Coin for half DQ participation
1 Ruby Coin for Writing Disscussion Questions
1 Ruby Coin for completing ALL days DQs within month of BOM start

by Søren Sveistrup




by Karen M. McManus

Challenge Theme: A to Z > NBRC 26 Alphabet 28: Hobbies: A-Z ( Spell it Out) - Part 1

Part 2

COMPLETED

Open Ended

Start: 02/03/18 (dd/mm/yy)
End: 11/10/19
Level: Compiler: 26 - 40 letters
Read: 182/182 books || 26/26 hobbies



One Coin upon reaching "The Compiler" level or higher for this challenge.

Finally finished!!

Part 1 = https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Part 2 = https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I thought catfish was ruled out for Save the Date?

I could only find 'dogs' for it so I don't know if you want to use it for animals or not

Book of the Month: October
(Wilder Girls and Save the Date (Albert & Qualls))

1 Ruby Coin for half DQ participation
1 Ruby Coin for Writing Disscussion Questions
1 Ruby Coin for completing ALL days DQs within month of BOM start

by Rory Power




by Annabeth Albert

DQ Day 5 Chapter 20 to the end

20- Early in chapter 29, Hetty thinks to herself, “For a year and a half we’ve been as safe as we could ask for. The fence, regular supplies. Welch and the Headmistress to hold us together. A year and a half, and in a week I’ve torn it apart.” Do you agree? Do you think the events at the end are Hetty’s fault?

No, I don't. She's a teenager in a stressful situation and she's 'had to deal with a lot. This couldn't go on forever either.


21- The chaos of chapter 20 is nuts. A bear, poison, evil people who think they have a better right to life than the others. The thing I found most disturbing in this part was that the extra girls, the remaining girls, the ones we know almost nothing about, seemed truly extra to the story. I felt nothing for them, and that bothered me. How did you all feel about this chaotic part of the book; the taking of Reese, the poison room, etc.?

Yeah I agree with you that it's hard to feel for the extra's - with no names. The music room was awful. Those with names though I felt a bit for.


22- The reveal of the cause of the Tox, (view spoiler)[the primeval poison released by global warming (hide spoiler)] was a good story point, I thought. Would you have liked to get more info on this? Did you have any inkling that this was the cause, or what did you think it was? Do you think that the CDC (or whoever found this stuff) released it on the island, or was it found there in the girls?

Honestly, I don't like how this was explored. Why did they keep it a secret? Why didn't they ask the girls if they were willing to be a volunteer test subject? I know parasites are horrible and can affect the way your body functions (like with your nerves), so I do believe something like the Tox could happen in the future with enough time for evolution. But I just can't see any scientific reasoning or method behind this experiment or event. I found that it wasn't believable and it took out the enjoyment of reading this book. A parasite infecting people like this needs to be plausible.
I think it started in the island though.


23- What happens next? Do they reach the mainland? Does Byatt recover, or is her essence gone? Why? Will there be a sequel, and will you read it if there is?

I don't know and I can't say that I really care. I won't read the sequel unless I really have to. I thought this book would be a good read but it never gripped me and I didn't like quite a few things about this book.
I will say that the concept was good and interesting but it's not something that will stick with me like Dry, Scythe or They Both Die at the End

ZaraS wrote: "I'm currently working through a 1000 plus page book (World Without End). The book I have has a horse like figure on it, so when I've finished it can either be used for the mini challeng..."

Oh wow! That's a huge book! How are you finding it so far Zara?

DQ Day 4 Chapters 14-19

16. I felt so bad for Reese to be able to see her father again and so different. Mr. Harker changed in ways none of the girls have. Why do you think the Tox is more aggressive with men? Is it just hormones or something else? Was Reese’s reaction to Hetty killing her father a normal reaction? Do you think Reese has lost hope now?

It would be horrible to see someone you love, but completely changed with no humanity in them. Reese's reaction is normal I think. I thought she'd explode on Hetty but she handed it better. I think she's taken a huge hit. I thought they all lost hope a while ago. It could be a hormone thing, it makes sense.


17. Byatt’s section was pretty intense. This is the first time that we see the Tox attacking someone and how horrific it is. By the end she seems pretty resigned and ready to die when Paretta tells her that they are evacuating and there will be no more help for Roxton. Do you think Byatt understood that she was condemned everyone to death by breaking quarantine?

I think it was both her and Hetty and Reese who broke quarantine. It seems like she's in a weird state of mind so she wouldn't think about it


18. Welch and the Headmistress are really upset about quarantine being broken. Do you believe they know who did it? What do you think about Welch telling the truth to the Boat Shift girls on the dock before she kills herself? Do they believe her or are just to overwhelm to really process everything?

No I don't think they know. But also, how did they find out? I think she owes it to the girls to explain more of what's happened. Forcing a teen to kill you is horrible. She shouldn't have done that. I think they believe her and are overwhelmed.


19. Hetty was right when she said Welch held everything and everyone together (paraphrasing). The first night she is gone things start to fall apart. Hetty not locking the gate when they got back. Gun Shift girls falling asleep on duty. Both reasons caused Lindsey to die. Do you think Hetty will step up to lead to the girls to make sure things do not dissolve any further into chaos or let her guilt of not locking the gate overwhelm her?

I think she will try to step up with Reese's help and with the Boat Girls help

Day 3 DQs - Hetty (Ch 9) - 13

11. After all the tension in the beginning between Hetty and Reese, and now that they only have each other without Byatt as the middleman, they admit their true feelings toward one another. I felt like we didn't get much of a buildup to it so did you feel the chemistry between them? Did you think this turn in their relationship was believable? Forced? Necessary, or something to give the reader hope?

I saw hints of it from Hetty but not Reese. I think it was a little bit forced and believable. Not sure about necessary.


12. I didn't stop to consider how everyone's symptoms were so varied until Byatt started listing them for Teddy. Why do you think it reacted so differently with everyone it infected?

I did wonder why everyone'swas so different. I think it's hard to know when we don't know much about the Tox.


13. We learned a lot more about Byatt which made me rethink the previous interactions she had with her friends. Did Hetty and Reese really know the real Byatt? And is Byatt reliable as a narrator knowing that she's a compulsive liar?

I think Hetty thought she knew the real Byatt but Byatt didn't reveal everything about herself to her friends for whatever reason


14. Byatt manipulated poor Teddy into removing his mask and kissing him. Why do you think she did this? To infect him, just because she could, or because she really believed it only affected girls (though come on, Mr. Harker!)?

I think she has something planned up her sleeve or she's becoming mentally unstable. Reading her chapters are kinda freaky.


15. When Mona told Byatt that "They'll ruin it," who do you think she was referring to and what do you think she meant by it? Mona then asks if Byatt would keep the disfigurements caused by the Tox even if there was a cure. What did you make of this? Why do you think they would want to keep them?

I'm not sure what "it" is referring too. I think some people would get used to the disfigurement and want to keep it there if it doesn't affect their day to day life.

Tammie wrote: "ღ Tina ❣ wrote: "Tammie wrote: "Week 3 started 2 hours ago. We're off!

We finished 36 books last week...2 off our ideal number.
Mary and Tina...you both had books on week 2 SS that were not recor..."

Yup will do! I'm just glad it's a short read so I won't have to suffer as much

Tammie wrote: "Week 3 started 2 hours ago. We're off!

We finished 36 books last week...2 off our ideal number.
Mary and Tina...you both had books on week 2 SS that were not recorded as finished so I moved those..."

Thanks Tammie!

Which ever animal we end up using for White Gardenia, I'll search for it later on Amazon as I won't know the chapter by memory

For Save the Date, Cat fish is in chapter 4, "... Hunter was one dead catfish if Beau found out he'd fooled around with...", Location 637

Wilder Girls so far has:
Horses (Page 18 "fly into the ocean. There used to be horses, four of them, but early in…")
Dog (Page 18 "Shift girl said it reminded her of her dog back home, and that's…")
Bird (Page 65 "to wait a while. But so—" And then a bird chirps. I whip around, checking…")
Black bear (Page 62 "Too big for a coyote, too dark for a bobcat. A black bear. I know what I'm supposed to do…")

I'm listening to my 4th book with audio so I'll find animals via amazon when I've listened to more of it

Ambi wrote: "Which book did you nominate Tina?"

I nominated

Day 2 - chapters 4 - 8

5. The Boat Shift segment was intense! The description of the changes to the island were very evocative (and reminiscent of Annihilation, as Frankie mentioned). Are you going to be able to walk in the woods the same again? How effective are you finding the fungal horrors?

I'm not a very woodsy type person. I have snakes and spiders to be scared of in Aus. So I'd be cool with not going into woods again especially on my own or with only a few people.


6. Welch. First, during the Boat Shift segment; Did you believe/agree with Welch at the first reading? And by the end of this section, looking back, do you still agree? Would you have done what Hetty did, and complied with the rule of silence? Then we discover Welch is communicating with someone (with a familiar voice....) about receipt, replacement and returns. By the end of this section we can guess at "receipt", but who / what is being returned?? Were you surprised by the reveal of Welch being in on "it"?

I would've kept silent but I would have to talk about it with someone who wouldn't blab about it. I spend a while analysing situations from all POVs then I'd do the right thing, whatever that would be.
Yeah we can guess. I kinda was surprised and then realised that this could end up being a unethical experiment conducted by powerful organisations (Government of scientist). I doubt it's happening globally.


7. Hetty has a big revelation about Reese "I've spent my every day since I met her telling myself the wrong thing. Telling myself over and over that she was cold, when maybe she was burning the whole time" I actually judged Hetty a lot at this point, for being so blinkered and oblivious, but I did like the adjustment she made during the conversation. How do you feel about Hetty, Reese and Byatt? Are they becoming more credible characters yet?

Yeah I think they are. I still can't get over the name Hetty and Byatt (sorry to all the Hetty's and Byatt's out there). I did like that Hetty recognised that she was in the wrong about her perceptions of Reece, admitted it, adjusted herself and apologised.


8. We have a switch in POV to Byatt. What do you think of this choice by the author?

I liked it. Glad to have someone else's POV other than Hetty


9. The Byatt segment shows medical stuff happening. What do you make of that? Are they curing or creating?

I was actually a bit confused. It seems like they were trying to cure but I believe they were trying to do something more unethical to her. I wouldn't trust anyone doing medical things to me unless they told me what they were doing, what could happen etc.


10. "Just before a flare-up, there's a moment. Hard to describe, hard to pin down, but for me it almost makes it worth it. The pain and the loss, all of it a fair price for this. This strength, this power, this eagerness to bare my teeth>" What do you think this quote means? Does it hint at reasons for the Tox? At future developments in the story line?

I'm thinking of the Tox so far as a step to Zombification which is probably not what's going to happen haha. I'm thinking that either they'll come through this with a cure to it, or with a way to stop it from killing them and being less painful, or it will take over.

The December adult BOM nomination is also out and will be included in TT
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I nominated a book but we should try nominate a green covered book that most of us can get and read. I tried but didn't have much luck. The ones I found I think people would have struggled to get from their libraries

I will try and have my book done! I've been struggling with it :/ I've also had a busy weekend

But I think it'll go into week 3 with the backroom BOM

DQ’s Day One: Chapters 1-3

1. It’s interesting to see the dynamic between the main girls (Hetty, Byatt, Reese). They can fist fight over food one minute, but still be best friends the next. Reminds me of my sister & I. LOL. Have you ever had this kind of relationship with someone?

Yes haha. My mum and my sister. It's so weird! But I'm glad we're like that


2. Byatt sneaks out of the room when she thinks Hetty is sleeping, then crawls up in Reese’s bunk when she returns. Where do you think she snuck off to? & what did she mean when she said to Reese, ”If you know something...”? Reese shuts down & kicks her out of her bunk. Wonder what their secret is?

I wasn't sure what it could be. Food, toilet, walk..?


3. Hetty says, “And I’ve wanted boys, and I’ve wanted girls, but I’ve never wanted anyone enough to miss them, enough to pluck them from the slideshow of my old life and bring them here.”
People have different ways of handling emotional stuff like this. Some people (like Hetty) believe thinking or talking about your loved ones or past life would only make the situation harder to deal with emotionally. Put yourself in this situation. How do you think you’d cope with missing your old life/family? Would you be like Hetty & shut down emotionally to prevent more pain? Or would you be like the other girls, laughing & sharing stories of your old life?

I'd want to keep my family's memory alive. I'd be scared to forget my friends, family, pets. I'd do what I'd need to do to be strong and not breakdown... whatever that means


4. Personally, I’m really enjoying the book already! I love the writing style, the world building, & the characters. I know we’re only a few chapters in, but how are you liking it so far? What aspect of the book do you like best at this point (writing, world building, characters, etc.).

It's growing slowly on me. Not sure what I think yet

White Gardenia has these animals so far:
Snake, Kangaroo, Sheep, Spider, Lizard, Bird, Cat, Possum, koala, Rabbit, Chickens, Cat
They're all easy
I don't have locations/pages as it's audio

I think the version that you’ve posted is not green enough but I know there’s other editions that are +50% green on the cover
I was planning on reading it at some point

The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri

In the midst of war, he found love
In the midst of darkness, he found courage
In the midst of tragedy, he found hope

The Beekeeper of Aleppo

What will you find from his story?

Nuri is a beekeeper; his wife, Afra, an artist. They live a simple life, rich in family and friends, in the beautiful Syrian city of Aleppo - until the unthinkable happens. When all they care for is destroyed by war, they are forced to escape. But what Afra has seen is so terrible she has gone blind, and so they must embark on a perilous journey through Turkey and Greece towards an uncertain future in Britain. On the way, Nuri is sustained by the knowledge that waiting for them is Mustafa, his cousin and business partner, who has started an apiary and is teaching fellow refugees in Yorkshire to keep bees.

As Nuri and Afra travel through a broken world, they must confront not only the pain of their own unspeakable loss, but dangers that would overwhelm the bravest of souls. Above all - and perhaps this is the hardest thing they face - they must journey to find each other again.

Moving, powerful, compassionate and beautifully written, The Beekeeper of Aleppo is a testament to the triumph of the human spirit. Told with deceptive simplicity, it is the kind of book that reminds us of the power of storytelling.