Brie’s Comments (group member since Mar 04, 2015)

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

Moderators of NBRC wrote: "

Attention Captains.

Please check the Spreadsheet FAQ's."

Understood. Thank you!

***PLEASE READ***

I have edited my first message to now include ALL CURRENT GOALS plus a few reminders related to fulfilling goals.

I will be updating that post regularly so please check back often.

Kick off is in 6 hrs!!! YAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!! :D

November 5 DQs: Chapter 13-15, pages 198-271

16. Why do you think Avallach abandoned Avalon?

I have no idea.

17. Do you think Nick and Leroy are at risk of turning?

I think Nick is, but I do not believe he will. I think it will be one of those climactic moments when he's JUST ABOUT TO TURN but miraculously becomes a hero or something. Now Leroy...I think he's just a demon of a person. Nothing to do with being possessed or turning...just a butt.

18. What do you think of the land of Avalon now that we have a more complete picture of it's history and the people and creatures there?

I'm really glad we finally got to learn about Avalon. I'll be honest, it got a little soap-boxy for me, like to the point where I almost googled Brom's views on organized religion. I was kiiiind of like alright already get back to the teenage angst.

19. Why do you think Ulfger refuses to become the Horned One, despite it being his birthright?

He will not leave The Lady.

20. What do you think Leroy will do to Nick now that Nick has beaten him?

Death plot. Leroy will enter total revenge mode...a war within a war!

21. Do you think Nick will actually return home now that he is officially a devil?

Not permanently. I think that somehow he will become a larger/more important figure among the Devils. I am sure that he (and possibly Peter?) will go back and ensure the well-being of his mom and grandma, but I anticipate a bittersweet "If you love them you must let them go" moment.

***VERY IMPORTANT PLEASE READ***

Hi Team!!! Our challenge begins TOMORROW!!! Super Exciting!!!!

The Mods have created a special page for each team member to post their BOOKS READ as we complete them. Our link is:

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

Please keep comments and chatter to THIS PAGE ONLY (as much chatter as you'd like!) and use that link ONLY FOR COMPLETED READS.

THANKS GUYS! You'll hear from me again tomorrow!!!

PLEASE READ

IF it so happens that the Mods are not able to create a new folder for all of the teams' "Books Read," I LOVE Erin's idea for each person here to create one post each which you consistently update as you finish books.

Every time you finish one you can delete the previous so that your post doesn't end up being eons long. Your bookshelf is where I can look up ALL of your previous completed reads.

This will also make it easier for me to keep up to date on your completed reads so that I don't have to scroll through pages of text trying to find each person's books.

ERIN AND NATALIE FOR THE WIN TODAY!

Natalie wrote: "It looks like last round there was a separate section for posting books:

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

Is that not the case this round?"

OH EM GEE that would be amazing and make my world much easier :D Look at Natalie being all on top of things!!!

Megan L wrote: "So before we get started a question when we post our books finished do you want us to start a post and keep all our books there or do you want us to post a new post for every book we finish?"

Let's just keep posting the finished books in this thread. Please be sure to add all completed books to your Tower Teams bookshelf with the finish date and the edition you read.

If the book you finished can be used towards a goal, include that as well. When the games start I will be editing all my "reserved" spots at the beginning of the thread to include current goals etc.

Note: Even if you complete a book this weekend and it is unable to be used towards a current goal, it can be used at a later date.
Example: You finish Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky on 11/10. We are assigned the goal "Read a book by a Russian author" on 12/10. We can go back and use Crime and Punishment towards that goal.

Nov. 4: Chapter 10-12 pages 127-197

***Ginny Greenteeth (or Jenny Greenteeth) from English folklore is a river hag; she would pull children or the elderly into the water and drown them. She was often described as green-skinned, with long hair and sharp teeth. ***


12. Dark adventures of chapter 10 portraying Ginny Greenteeth and her clan, strike me as important in summing up the central theme of the book. Do you agree? Thoughts?

So far, this is one of the key scenes that really drew my attention. Is it awful to say that I hope we're not done with her clan? They were terrifying.

13. Peter’s flashbacks and mind wanderings seem to provide a glimpse to understanding his difficult past and the lack of familial bonding. Do you think “The Lady” will fulfill his need for maternal love, or will it create more problems for him?

I think it will only create more problems. His flashbacks are pretty heartbreaking. I fear that Peter is so desperate for a mother that he will do anything for The Lady in the hopes that she will give him the love he so desperately seeks -- I immediately think of that moment when she screams LOVE ME over and over again...particularly chilling. However, Peter is never going to get that love from her. It isn't real, she is manipulating him.

14. Ulfgar is very threatened by Peter’s new found favor with “The Lady”. What do you think is at the root of his insecurities?

I think Ulfgar is someone who has been killing himself for eons trying to be recognized and loved by The Lady and in walks a boy who seemingly receives that affection within moments. The insecurity is understandable. Avalon does not strike me as the most stable environment.

15. For those of us who don't typically read fantasy, "The Child Thief" seems to be a bit hard to get into. The vivid descriptions and creepy adventures keep us going on.
Would you be tempted to read this book again to discover some missed underlying meanings?

I would be tempted to actually READ this book in the future. I am listening to the audiobook and as I've mentioned in previous posts, I zone out on occasion. I think a lot has been lost on me due to not visually seeing the words on a page and reading it for myself. Though I must say, the narrator, Kirby Heyborne, is FANTASTIC! I will also say that if I DO read this again, I will want to learn more about Arthurian legend first. I feel a little out of the loop due to my ignorance and I don't like that very much.

Nov 3: Chapter 4-9 pages 50-126

6. Why did you join this BOM discussion? Was the book already on your to read list?

I was originally fascinated by the cover art a few weeks ago, and then with the Tower Teams challenge I think that was the push I needed to join. This book was not already on my list, but I'm about to start adding all of the retellings being discussed in this thread!

7. Who/what do you think the illustration on Page 52 depicts?

Unfortunately, I am listening to the audiobook so I have no illustrations. Ps this is a VERY interesting book to listen to when you are surrounded by people on the bus and subway in New York, hoping they don't hear all the screaming obscenities through your headphones...

8. Do you think that we'll meet Queen Modron, the lady of the lakes? If so, what role do you think she'll play in the story?

We will probably meet her at some point...I'll be perfectly honest, I think I spaced out when listening to that section of the book because I don't really remember hearing about her.

9. Leroy is "unproven". What do you think his challenge will be to prove himself?

This story is heavy enough, I'm guessing he will have to kill someone. A fight to the death sort of thing.

10. Why are they referred to as "the Devils"?

I think they find that name to be complimentary and not negative in tone. They reject authority, cause trouble, do what they want, live by their own rules. They fight and don't seem to have any sort of moral code except for don't kill pixies, and that was more to do with ruining the magic than taking a life. They're savages.

11. What time period does this novel feel set in? I think Nick's origin story and those of the "Child Thief's" present victims are set in the present day. Back in Avalon, you've got characters from all of history, as Peter is said to be thousands of years old. Time is irrelevant there.

Ema wrote: "I've just started reading The Thief Child. Can I participate, too?"

Of course Ema! I'll add you to the list right now :)

***PLEASE READ***

I have added a post in one of my reserved spots on page 1 regarding BOMs. It will be a fluid and ever-changing fixture that I think/hope will be helpful during our game :)

Nov 2: Prologue-3 pages vii-49

1. I still haven't read the original Peter Pan story. Most of what I associate with Pan is based on what I remember from the Disney film. Have you read the book? If so, did you like it? Have you watched any of the adaptations?

I am almost positive I read the book when I was very young but I honestly don't remember. I have watched pretty much every adaptation of Peter Pan INCLUDING the NBC live holiday musical thing...ugh. My all-time favorite will always be Hook. Always!

2. Have you read or watched any retellings of fairy stories before? Have any been darker versions of the original? What is your favourite retelling? Is there a fairy tale that you would like to see retold?

Like a previous comment, I used to watch the television show Once Upon a Time, but as soon as they started including all the Frozen characters I was like ok this has gone too far I'm done. I have not read any retellings, only the originals, but after seeing everyone mention The Lunar Chronicles I think I need to broaden my horizons!!! I worry too much when I think of my favorite fairy tales being retold. My life has revolved around fairy tales since I was a baby girl.

3. This story really is dark. Right from the first page. Most books I've read, even the horror ones, ease you into the story but not this one. What do you think of the story so far?

I love how dark it is. From the first page, Brom broke me out of my comfort level and made me hold my breath. I'm really looking forward to seeing where he takes this story.

4. I'm not sure what to make of Peter. From the book description he seemed to be darker than the original but not too bad being described as 'a brave friend'. However, so far to me he doesn't seem to have any redeeming features. What are your impressions of him?

He is giving me Dracula meets Peter Pan meets Robin Hood. I don't know what to think of him. I don't trust him, I know that. However, he has saved the lives of two children so far, regardless of whether or not he is sacrificing them later.

5. Peter calls the island Avalon. Do you think there is any connection with the Avalon from Arthurian legend?

A Barghest is a spirit from the North of England and the Sluagh are spirits of the restless dead in Irish and Scottish folklore. So there does seem to be a bit of a Celtic vibe going on.

I don't know anything about Avalon or Irish/Scottish folklore, but now I want to do research! I certainly wouldn't be surprised if Brom was inspired by fairy tales, legends, myths, folklore etc. from around the world.

I volunteer to write DQs -- Team captain Moirai

I volunteer to write DQs -- Team captain Moirai

Happy November 1 everyone!!! I hope everyone had a fun weekend and a safe Halloween if you celebrate it. I, myself, dressed up with a large group of close friends as characters from Toy Story...I was Hamm :D Today has been spent hovering over my fantasy football stats and knitting -- NO COMPLAINTS!

Like Corey I am having a very difficult time not starting all the books I'm itching to start. I am finally allowing myself to start listening to The Child Thief tonight. And guess what???

I'm writing the DQ's for the final three chapters!

We are so close to starting the games and I truly can't wait :) Please remember, if you are participating in the BOM read the book must be finished AFTER November 7 in order for the book and your BOM participation to count towards our total points.

Megan L wrote: "Hi Team!

I am late in joining but I am glad to be on this team. I live in Albany New York with my husband and 5 month old daughter. I work as an Accountant at a local accounting firm in the Albany..."

Welcome to the fun Megan and fellow New Yorker! We all know that the real world takes up far too much reading time ;)

Thanks for the book rec! I just looked it up and it sounds so moving.

SUPER EXCITED GUYS! Just downloaded The Child Thief on Audible. Getting ready for November 2 (but I promise not to finish before the 7th!!!)

Tima wrote: "Hii, sorry I'm late
I'm fatima, I'm studying in the uk, but I'm actually Nigerian.
I read books from all genres and I'm open to book recs
Also quite shy "

Hello Tima!!! No need to be shy :) We are all quite friendly and are going to be chatting with each other pseudo-daily for the next few weeks! What are you studying in the UK?

I am in and volunteer for DQs (Team Captain Moirai)

Ema wrote: "Hello everyone :)

I'm Ema, from Serbia, a teacher.

My bookshelf is tts15.

I read all genres, depending on the mood, but lately I somehow prefer all kinds of YA (as if I didn't have enough teena..."

Welcome Ema!!! I love that we have an international team!!! Apparently you're a glutton for punishment, surrounding yourself with teenagers all day every day ;) What subjects do you teach?

The Idiot changed my world as well. That is a book that I still hold near and dear to my heart.