Ashley’s Comments (group member since Apr 27, 2022)

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

ARENA BATTLES with District 10

The current books
Starting title: Nettle & Bone
D6: One Shot
D10: Hot and Bothered
D6: Red Sin
D10: Sing Me Back Home
D6: Omega Dog
D10: Dogs of War
D6: War Hour
D10: Our Wives Under the Sea
D6: The Searcher
D10: Her Deadly Game
D6: American Psycho
D10: Chosen Boy
D6: (The) Boy in the Striped Pajamas
D10: (The) Mask
D6: Ask Again, Yes
D10: Yesterday's Gone
D6: One Step Too Far
D10: Far Far Away
D6: Wayward Son
D10:

Now waiting on District 10's response for the LAST BOOK!!

IMPORTANT
Remember that these books can NOT be started early. They have to be read during the second week of Round 2. That means, you can only start books on Saturday 22nd June at 9am UTC, and they need to be finished by 9am UTC on Saturday 29th June.

Hello again from District 6!

Our last book battle choice is

Wayward Son

Happy book hunting!

Cass☀️ wrote: "Good Morning! I was curious if I could count “The Hunger Games” as a book for round two. I started it on the last day of round one though, so I don’t know if I am allowed to count it for round two."

You can count it for page points, of course, just not the extra BOM points!

Ok, so I listened to Chapter 1 on the way to work, and I'm hopeful! I wasn't super confused, although I don't really know what's going on. I may try browsing a chapter summary to make sure I understand who the characters are... lol

I'm going to try to start today!

Eldarwen wrote: "I'm not one to enjoy anything above 27°c but this is starting to annoy even me haha."

It's supposed to be above 95°F here this weekend, which if google serves me is 35°C - It was worse last week. I would LOVE 20°C! Let's switch!

ARENA BATTLES with District 10

The current books
Starting title: Nettle & Bone
D6: One Shot
D10: Hot and Bothered
D6: Red Sin
D10: Sing Me Back Home
D6: Omega Dog
D10: Dogs of War
D6: War Hour
D10: Our Wives Under the Sea
D6: The Searcher
D10: Her Deadly Game
D6: American Psycho
D10: Chosen Boy
D6: (The) Boy in the Striped Pajamas
D10: (The) Mask
D6: Ask Again, Yes
D10: Yesterday's Gone
D6: One Step Too Far
D10:
D6:
D10:

Now waiting on District 10's response!

IMPORTANT
Remember that these books can NOT be started early. They have to be read during the second week of Round 2. That means, you can only start books on Saturday 22nd June at 9am UTC, and they need to be finished by 9am UTC on Saturday 29th June.

Discussion Questions : Day 3 (Chapters 12 - 17)

10. We read something that moves us, touches us, speaks to us and it... it changes us?" Do you agree with that quote? Are there any books that changed you personally?

Yes and YES! The Lord of the Rings books changed me by making me an avid reader as a teen. The Twilight Books (as bad as they are) made me get back into reading as a younger adult. Throne of Glass is a series I think about so often, I feel like my brain chemistry is altered. There are so many books that have had small and large impacts on me.

11. We finally get the first riddle. Did you guess it before Lucy did?

I did not. I am TERRIBLE at riddles. If my life depended on solving a riddle, you might as well just put me out of my misery first.

12. What did you think of The City of Secondhand and of Markham showing up like that? Is he just a sleezy lawyer, or is there something more sinister going on?

My first thought is sleezy lawyer, but I’m getting Wonka vibes from this book, so could be sinister-ish.

13. Do you have to keep reminding yourself that the "contestants" are adults, not children?

Yes, well, at least everyone but Lucy.

Some other thoughts:
- Why would someone being a "famous artist" mean it's odd for them to bring a guest their dinner? I found this rather a lot weird.

I thought this was odd also.

- One for the backroom BOM regulars: Did the whole bizarre scarf thing give anyone else Hot Prof and Daisy vibes? 😆

hahahahaha!

I have One Dark Window still... but I'm happy to let someone else have a chance.

Anyone who hasn't claimed a book, have something?

Coming full circle here! Another ONE book!

Brigia wrote: "So, I have a quick question: I finished The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen yesterday and put it on the spreadsheet - but now I can't find it anymore. It might be my computer acti..."

It's at the bottom, once I add a book to the main sheet, I move it down for ease!

Discussion Questions : Day 2 (Chapter 6 - 11)

6. Jack replied to Lucy's letter and Lucy decided to run away from home. What did you think of his letter and would you have done the same as Lucy?

I think this is wild, but I love the idea of it. A lonely girl who jumps at the first bit of attention. It makes me sad. I can’t say whether I would do the same or not, but I can definitely see why she did.

7. We get more insights on Clock Island. Every 'hour' is its own section like for example a beach. Would you like to visit the island? Do you find the idea of it fascinating or could you not care less?

The island seems very fun and mysterious, so sure, I’d definitely hang out!

8. Every part starts with a quote from Jack's book. Do you think these parts are important for the story? Just showing off Jack's work? Something else?

Perhaps! This book gives me the “nothing is irrelevant” vibe… but who knows!?

9. It seems like there will be a deeper connection between Lucy and Hugo. Do you agree? And would you approve of it given that Hugo had first met her when she was still a child?

I think that seems possible (likely even). I don’t hate it. Nothing at all happened in the past and there weren't any creepy vibes from their interaction, so I’m not weirded out by the idea.

ARENA BATTLES with District 10

The current books
Starting title: Nettle & Bone
D6: One Shot
D10: Hot and Bothered
D6: Red Sin
D10: Sing Me Back Home
D6: Omega Dog
D10: Dogs of War
D6: War Hour
D10: Our Wives Under the Sea
D6: The Searcher
D10: Her Deadly Game
D6: American Psycho
D10: Chosen Boy
D6: (The) Boy in the Striped Pajamas
D10: (The) Mask
D6: Ask Again, Yes
D10:
D6:
D10:
D6:
D10:

Now waiting on District 10's response!

IMPORTANT
Remember that these books can NOT be started early. They have to be read during the second week of Round 2. That means, you can only start books on Saturday 22nd June at 9am UTC, and they need to be finished by 9am UTC on Saturday 29th June.

Hello from District 6!

Our next book battle choice is

Ask Again, Yes

Happy book hunting! Almost there!

I borrowed it from the library already, so we will go with this one! Off to tell District 10

I have

Ask Again, Yes

should be an easy find for district 10

Discussion Questions : Day 1 (Prologue - Chapter 5)

1. We have been introduced to a few important characters - Lucy, Christopher, and Hugo. Plus the off-page persona of Jack. What do you think of the characters so far?

I like Lucy, she seems like a great person.
Christopher seems like the perfect underdog, and he’s precious.
Hugo I’m not sure about yet, I think I need more information.

2. We get a riddle right away in the Prologue:

"Two men on an island and both blame the water
for the loss of a wife and the death of a daughter
but neither ever married, and neither's a father.
What is the secret of the girls and the water?"

Then Hugo thinks to himself that "Five years ago, it [the ocean] had brought low the small, strange kingdom of Clock Island." Do you think the riddle is related to what happened five years ago? Any speculations on what it all means, assuming you haven't read ahead?

I am quite awful at riddles, and I’m not sure I want to embarrass myself with speculation!

3. At the beginning of Chapter Two, Hugo says that he used to dream about living in Greenwich Village, but now that he can actually afford it, it doesn't hold the same appeal. He basically says that success kills motivation. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?

Personally, I think success brings on more motivation, but this might just be me. It’s like a snowball rolling down a hill, it just picks up more speed and gets bigger as it goes. One might say that failure, unfortunately, is the same.

4. What do you think of the wishing game Lucy plays with Christopher? Do you think this game and mindset are healthy? Do you agree with Lucy that it gives them hope, or do you agree with the social worker that it just gets their hopes up?

I think it’s just so sad. I really feel for Lucy and Christopher. It may not be strictly healthy, but sometimes I don’t think it needs to be. Hope can be a powerful (and healing) thing.

5. Why do you think Jack finally started writing again? And what might be his motive in holding a contest for the only copy of the new book?
I’m not sure I understand enough about Jack yet to answer this.

ARENA BATTLES with District 10

The current books
Starting title: Nettle & Bone
D6: One Shot
D10: Hot and Bothered
D6: Red Sin
D10: Sing Me Back Home
D6: Omega Dog
D10: Dogs of War
D6: War Hour
D10: Our Wives Under the Sea
D6: The Searcher
D10: Her Deadly Game
D6: American Psycho

Now waiting on District 10's response!

IMPORTANT
Remember that these books can NOT be started early. They have to be read during the second week of Round 2. That means, you can only start books on Saturday 22nd June at 9am UTC, and they need to be finished by 9am UTC on Saturday 29th June.

Part 3/End Thoughts

I raised my rating of this from 4 stars to 5 stars. Honestly, I'm not sure what compelled me to give it only 4, but I really enjoyed this re-reread.

I was furious for Katniss and I still am. I want to be annoyed with her for being dense, but I also have to remind myself that she is YOUNG. So, so young.

On the other hand, (view spoiler)[so many things that went wrong with this planned rebellion could have been avoided if everyone knew the vague plan! Keeping her and Peeta in the dark was too great a risk, and it did NOT pay off. (hide spoiler)]

This final part really reminds me how much the role of propaganda as ruined Katniss's view of people, and generally speaking how confused it really can make you. Friend and Foe are the same - a giant unknown.

Honestly, this makes me really excited for the new book that's coming out, as Collins has stated that she wanted to explore propaganda as a main theme.

Hello from District 6!

Our next book battle choice is

American Psycho

Happy book hunting!