Vicki’s Comments (group member since May 01, 2018)

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

Teddie, drinker of the bitter invention of Satan wrote: "Vicki wrote: "Teddie, when I put in a few books for the mini on the Round 2 tab, the last book I entered didn't show the alternative categories. Not sure why, but it was for [book:North Woods|71872..."

OK, thanks. :)

Teddie, when I put in a few books for the mini on the Round 2 tab, the last book I entered didn't show the alternative categories. Not sure why, but it was for North Woods

And when I put in Don't Fear the Reaper for 2 in series it didn't transfer over. Maybe because I had one book there but moved it to another spot and added this one? I added the info on the Shelter tab since it didn't transfer over, so I hope that didn't mess with anything!

Sophie wrote: "Thanks Mel and Teddie for fielding questions! Friday night is swimming night for the munchkins.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list... this is on..."

Now why didn't I think of that? As we teachers always said, "I'm going to steal that idea from you." Not sure why we never said "borrow." lol

Teddie, drinker of the bitter invention of Satan wrote: "

The Round 2 MINI is here, and we'll be building a SHELTER!


All the MINI details are here,
but here are the 3 basic elements:

Part 1: How to build the Shelter
In this part, we'll be reading ..."

Not sure what I am missing here, but you said not to enter books on the shelter tab, but quite a few people already have. So if I plan to read, for example, a historical fiction book, I don't put it there? I'm confused...once again! lol

*NOTE:Oh jeez, lol never mind. I figured it out!

Lauri wrote: "Teddie, drinker of the bitter invention of Satan wrote: "Vicki wrote: "I'm curious if anyone knows what Lauri meant when she said, "I'm out...sorry" Did she leave the team or was she saying she was..."

I'm so glad to know that, Lauri! I was hoping that was the case. :)

Teddie, drinker of the bitter invention of Satan wrote: "Vicki wrote: "I'm curious if anyone knows what Lauri meant when she said, "I'm out...sorry" Did she leave the team or was she saying she was out for reading battle books? "

I took as Lauri is just..."

Oh, OK, good to know. :)

I'm curious if anyone knows what Lauri meant when she said, "I'm out...sorry" Did she leave the team or was she saying she was out for reading battle books?

I think we should protect what we have absolutely!

Sophie wrote: "Well my battle book is nearly done which is just as well...

"his erect reproductive muscle moved in and out of her tunnel of commitment." I don't need to read more prose like this ever."

OMG! lol I'm curious what you rated it. It sounds too much for me too. Taklng one for the team!

DQs Day 3:

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?

I do believe it is possible and I had that experience when I read Still Alice. The MC resonated with me in many ways and my dad was in a rehab after having a stroke and from that time on he never could read again. I hated the idea of that happening to me (being diabetic I could possibly lose my eyesight one day...praying not!). I'm not a good auditory learner but because of Alice's story of early onset Alzheimer's Disease, I decided to force myself to listen to audiobooks to train myself to be a good/better auditory learner in the even I ever am in my dad's situation. I would be able to listen to audiobooks and still enjoy them.

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

Heck no! I could lie and say I'm good with riddles, but if it had been a class in high school or college, I would've gotten my one and only F ever! lol

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?

I definitely felt there was more to it, so something sinister for sure.

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

No, I'm assuming maybe the one who wrote the questions did but I didn't ever.

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.

The battle just began in my time zone 20 minutes ago, but I just got home from watching my grandchildren today so I am starting my book now.

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 liked his letter to her and I believe his intentions were true and honest and he only wanted to help her. I personally would never have run away, but as they say: Until you've walked a mile in 'their' shoes, you can't say what you would've done. I know that I was raised in a strict but loving home and always knew I was loved, taken care of, and supported. I never had to ask to be told I was loved nor did I want for anything but certainly didn't get everything I ever wanted either. I had a very balanced upbringing so I wouldn't have run away.

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?

I would definitely like to visit it because I find it intriguing and (as a reader) unique. I've seen others write about Willie Wonka but I don't recall that one. If I did read it, it would've been about 65 years ago, so I don't know about that and can't say it compares/contrasts. Not that you asked, just saying. lol

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?

I'm pretty sure they're important to the story. I sure don't think it's just showing off his work.

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 there probably will be since they both have in common their connection with Jack and the Clock Island series. But since nothing inappropriate happened when Lucy was a teenager and Hugo was an adult, I think it would be just fine now. But I don't see them romantically involved to be honest. Not saying they won't be, just saying I don't see them as a "match." I think I'm odd man out though.

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?

Obviously, I love little Christopher. He's smart, quick-thinker, curious learner, but so sad in his life situation. Lucy I really like too. She's a woman after my own heart in many ways. I hope she finds a way to adopt Christopher. Hugo I'm not so sure about as of now. I' m neutral on him and the same with Jack since I know so little about him. However, I think he might be what helps Lucy to adopt Christopher...I hope.

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 have not read ahead and am just starting the book, so all I have read is the Prologue. I think I need more to truly speculate on this as the prologue is only three-and-a-half page long. I would guess, though, that it does have to do with what happened. My first thought was that one man lost his wife and another one lost his daughter, but we shall see.

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?

I basically disagree with Hugo. I also think it depends on what one considers success. For me it's not money. It's happiness in life, fulfillment, being at peace and satisfied with where you are in life. If you want more in any way and you go for it and obtain it, to me that's success also. I think that for most people, success in any area of their life makes them want more of the same so I don't think it kills it at all.

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'm actually conflicted on this one because when I first read that Lucy was telling Christopher he'd be living with her and describing that situation, I thought, "He's only 7...you shouldn't be telling him all of that UNLESS you know you are going to be able to adopt him." So in this case I think it got his hopes up. I think she needed to be more careful in exactly what she told him because at his age I think if it doesn't work out it will just be one more huge loss for him.

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?

Jeez, on this one I really have no idea. I need more information on him. I will say that his way with riddles would be very annoying for me in real life because I am terrible with them!

FYI team, since I hot back from vacation in Utah (Sunday night) I have barely read. I will be picking up the pace today and getting back to my normal speed of books per day. I have my book ready for the battle and in my hands, so to speak! I am so ready!

Thanks, Teddie 😊

I will be reading Verse and Vengeance but I can't start until 9;00 AM UTC time, which is 2:00 AM my time (PDT or PST). Will that matter since I'm 7 hours behind UTC time? I probably wouldn't start my book until around 7:00 AM or so.

Catherine wrote: "Im in the US-Utah and luckily it has cooled down the first of this week but back to 90*-99* by weekend I would prefer cooler temps. Maybe I should move to Canada :)"

It cooled down AFTER we left! lol But we came home to it being about 20 degrees cooler since we only reached 84 degrees yesterday. So I'm enjoying the cooler weather and no AC!

Melindam wrote: "Vicki,

I have claimed the Night book, so you don't need to read that. :)"

OHHHHHHHHH, Okay, I'm still figuring this one out. lol So only ONE person reads a night book? Only one an ACY book (if that's what we end up with)?

If we end up with ACY books, I'd be happy to read A Cyclist's Guide to Crime & Croissants

I don't know if I will need to read or be able to read for the night books, but if I am needed to read one, I can read Night Embrace. I am already reading Verse and Vengeance so I'm not even sure if I can read 2 books, but we need 10 night books, right?

Sophie wrote: "Vicki wrote: "So in this case the four letter overlap is IGHT, so that means it would have to start with those four letters only...a word that would begin with IGHT which doesn't exist? Therefore w..."

Thanks ;)