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

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

Judy wrote: "I think I'll need it after Girl Made of Stars, this one really packs a punch..."

I just read the blurb and it seems heavy. I don't know if I'll ever be ready for that D:

His Banana is definitely a much lighter read

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Eldarwen wrote: "Did you see the titles of the rest of the series???

--> https://www.goodreads.com/series/247819"

that is just too much!
Nomination for next back room BOM perhaps? ha!"

Yes! I'd actually buy a book for that!

HAHAHA coinky dink. Weird though
I find it through the Book Bub emails, maybe she got it there to?

Also am reading The Upside of Unrequited BOM and participation. Link --> https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Completion Post

Was not planning on reading this but...

Title: His Banana
Author: Penelope Bloom
Read: 17/06/19
Pages: 177

Letters:
C - Character - Bruce Chamberson
O - Series - Objects of Attraction
F - Character - Natasha Flores

Many lols

16 June - Chapters 1-6

1. Have you read anything by this author before? Do you have a favourite? If not, why did you decide to join the read?

No I haven't so this is my first book of hers. My library had it as an audiobook so I thought why not? Honestly, I was not planning on reading this ever but more point for BOM


2. Molly has a "generic face" and finds people always think they know her. **I have this exact problem!!** Is it just me? Do strangers often try and work out how they know you?

No they don't!


3. Reading about Becky Albernatti, she was a child psychologist who decided to start writing after she had her first child and claims Jaclyn Moriarty as her writing inspiration. If you wrote a book, which author would be your inspiration?

I didn't know she was a child psychologist. It kinda makes sense as to how she knows what's going on inside a teenagers mind these days. Probably Liane Moriarty and Sarah J Maas. J.K. Rowling too.


4. It always intrigues me when adult authors are able to write well with a teenage voice. I guess Becky's work background helps. Do you think she is accurate in her portrayal of teens?

Yes I think she does. I can't relate as I was never boy obsessed in high school. Friends, food and family mattered to me.


5. So we are setting up for the Will v Reid decision. Seems an easy one to me. Who do you prefer?

Reid if I have to choose one.

I find that I struggle to get a copy with the Back room books. But I would if I could

The other Sandy wrote: "❦ Tina ❣ wrote: "What's the audiobook like? Is the narrator's voice nice to your ears? Are they reading it well?"

I thought it worked well for the writing style. My attention didn't wander, even d..."

Oh that's good! I know my mind wanders sometimes due to the narration. So from what you've said I think I'll be okay. Thanks Sandy!

I find the Greeks in stories do have complicated names. I get confused because I speak Greek but don't know know to speak/read/write Ancient Greek. I get them all confused haha

The other Sandy wrote: "I wouldn't have made it this far if I hadn't been listening to the audiobook. The writing is what one of my former coworkers would have described as "lush," but one person's lush is another person'..."

What's the audiobook like? Is the narrator's voice nice to your ears? Are they reading it well?
I find sometimes people's narrations stop me from reading a book.

I might listen to the audiobook version if/when it becomes available at my library.

Kristel wrote: "❦ Tina ❣ wrote: "The challenge starts during my work. I don't think I can read during it. I still haven't made up my mind with what to read for week 1.

I haven't managed to finish The Song of Achi..."

Give me a Greek related book, especially about the Gods and I'll read it and most likely enjoy it.

I'm about 2/5 in and it's going okay so far! I thought the POV would have been Achilles but it's not. I think I might like it more if it was his. It's been on my to read shelf for ages so yay for finally reading it!

I think I like it so far. It's definitely intriguing me. I thought it was going to launch straight into the war with Troy but it hasn't. I must see that come into play and if it doesn't... D:<

Discussion Questions, part 2
5. Since Thetis, Achilles' mom keeps threatening Patroclus with death, do you think she will eventually kill him herself? Will she ever accept their relationship as it is? We see that the relationship between mother and son is rocky, so were you surprised when she helped Achilles hide from the upcoming war?

No I don't. I think she'll manipulate someone else into killing him. For whateve reason, she's against the both of them being together. I think she wants more for Achilles. I actually was surprised that she helped him. Kinda grossed out at what she forced him to do though.


6. After I first read one of Miller's books (Circe), I was almost shocked at how different her writing style felt, especially after comparing it to other YA books I've read lately. Sometimes it feels like years pass in a chapter and suddenly something happens, but also doesn't really. Does this writing style suit you or does it bother you in any way? Do you find it easy to read?

I read Circe first too! It does feel different actually. I think I like the writing better for Circe though. She seems to make the years go by smoothly... like you know it's happening rather than you having to figure it out for yourself and not being able to guess when the period changed. But it's like... 'Oh! Time passed. All righty then'.


7. What do you think Thetis' plans for Achilles are? What are, in your opinion, her motives by not sending him to war?

I think she's doing what she can to prolong Achilles' life and make him have the best one possible. Minus Patroclus. She also might want to win a bet or something against her god/goddess family.


8. When Patroclus arrives at Deidameia's court, he first introduces himself as 'son of Chiron'. Do you think this means he completely abandoned his father, is stating that he found a new family with Achilles and Chiron, or is only a trick to make Achilles recognize who he is?

Yes, he gave up on his father ages ago. I think Chiron is his closet connection to a 'father'. Not Peleas. I also thought that he's still figuring out his identity.


9. Honestly, I did not see the sex scene with Patroclus and Deidameia coming. Did you? Do you think Achilles will find out - and if yes, what do you think will happen next?

Yeah nor did I. Don't get how that comes into play. Like why on earth would she want it from him? I though he would have told Achilles but what an awkward conversation would that be. But I guess in this era that it's normal for gods to uhhh play around with sexes and species, so it wouldn't be that much of a shock for humans to do it. Especially if they have parents who are either open with what they do or is a goddess.

The challenge starts during my work. I don't think I can read during it. I still haven't made up my mind with what to read for week 1.

I haven't managed to finish The Song of Achilles yet which I need to do for the Right Side Up challenge

King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo

Nikolai Lantsov has always had a gift for the impossible. No one knows what he endured in his country’s bloody civil war—and he intends to keep it that way. Now, as enemies gather at his weakened borders, the young king must find a way to refill Ravka’s coffers, forge new alliances, and stop a rising threat to the once-great Grisha Army.

Yet with every day a dark magic within him grows stronger, threatening to destroy all he has built. With the help of a young monk and a legendary Grisha Squaller, Nikolai will journey to the places in Ravka where the deepest magic survives to vanquish the terrible legacy inside him. He will risk everything to save his country and himself. But some secrets aren’t meant to stay buried—and some wounds aren’t meant to heal.

Lol thanks guys! Exam unit it is! xD

National Cheese Day Reading Challenge

COMPLETED

Start: 01/06/19
End: 30/08/19
Level: Mozarella
Read: 29/29

National Apple Pie Day Challenge

FINISHED

Start: May 1
End: June 30
Level: Pastry
Read: 8/8

I'm working as a medical receptionist whilst completing my degree. Message of the year from my doctors to me and everyone... 'Get your flu shot!'

Buuuutttt I hate needles


Or there's this one person in the group who contributes 5-10% and you only see them once. Twice if you're lucky

There There by Tommy Orange

Fierce, angry, funny, heartbreaking—Tommy Orange’s first novel is a wondrous and shattering portrait of an America few of us have ever seen, and it introduces a brilliant new author at the start of a major career.

There There is a relentlessly paced multigenerational story about violence and recovery, memory and identity, and the beauty and despair woven into the history of a nation and its people. It tells the story of twelve characters, each of whom have private reasons for traveling to the Big Oakland Powwow. Jacquie Red Feather is newly sober and trying to make it back to the family she left behind in shame. Dene Oxendene is pulling his life back together after his uncle’s death and has come to work at the powwow to honor his uncle’s memory. Opal Viola Victoria Bear Shield has come to watch her nephew Orvil, who has taught himself traditional Indian dance through YouTube videos and has come to the powwow to dance in public for the very first time. There will be glorious communion, and a spectacle of sacred tradition and pageantry. And there will be sacrifice, and heroism, and unspeakable loss.

Here is a voice we have never heard—a voice full of poetry and rage, exploding onto the page with stunning urgency and force. Tommy Orange writes of the urban Native American, the Native American in the city, in a stunning novel that grapples with a complex and painful history, with an inheritance of beauty and profound spirituality, and with a plague of addiction, abuse, and suicide. An unforgettable debut, destined to become required reading in schools and universities across the country.

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "❦ Tina ❣ wrote: "Oh CSU is a good uni isn't it?

Yay for psych! I'd prefer that over business haha

I think you'll be great though :P"

I study via distance and it is very good for that.
What are ..."

Definitely. I love online studying

Master in Public Health. I have 5 out of 16 units left. I started doing a major project this year (ethics, research, data collection and analysis then the thesis) but it got too much for me. ): Things happened that messed with me doing it.
So instead of the major project plus one unit, I'm going to do the 5 elective units now.

I'm trying to choose my last unit and can't decide on whether I should do a unit with an exam or with a group project! Haha
Any recommendations? xD

I volunteered as back up for this month's YA BOM

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I'll be away for two weeks from 25th June to July 7th! So I'll miss out on July's first BOM