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

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

GREAT JOB!!!! I started A Single Man today. Ugh this book is so amazing. Christopher Isherwood is truly an incredible author.

Questions: Madame Manec-Museum


14. Why do you think that Jutta questions what they're told, while Werner seems to accept it?

Werner doesn't accept anything, he's just not exactly confident enough to fight the system. He's protecting Jutta...self-preservation. Jutta isn't facing the mines, Werner has much more to fear and lose.

15. Marie-Laure's great-uncle is the one who broadcasts the program that Jutta & Werner heard. How do you think this will play into the story?

I don't knot yet, but I'm positive this is a critical connection.

16. Werner's fascination with technology made the test in the class easy for him and made the instructor take notice of him. Do you think that was a good thing? What do you think the outcome of this will be for him?

I think it will ultimately save him from the mines, but might make him more desirable to the Nazi Party. Which is the lesser of the two evils, only Werner can say.

17. Marie-Laure's neighbor in Saint-Malo sees her father measuring the street and buildings, finds this suspicious and plans on reporting him to the authorities. What do you think will happen to her father because of this and how does this make you feel towards that neighbor?

Unfortunately, I think her father will be imprisoned...even though he was completely pure of heart. It makes me loathe that neighbor, but at the same time he's just acting out of fear. This reminds me of the "If you see something, say something" ads post 9/11. People will say and do things they normally wouldn't when they feel threatened.

18. What thoughts do you have about the story now that we're a third into it? Any speculations about what will happen?

I'm in LOVE with this book, but I've finished it so my lips are sealed!

CATCHING UP ON MY QUESTIONS (at work...shhh don't tell!)

Questions: Bigger Faster Brighter-Brittany

8. Up to this point we've been introduced to Marie-Laure and Werner, and a big part of Doerr's story telling regards sound, Marie-Laure being blind most of her story is told through what she hears and smells, and Werner is capitvated by the radio, do you believe this has some significance?

I think Doerr is just trying to show how influential our other senses (specifically sound) can be, even though we primarily rely on sight. Sound plays an integral part in both of our main characters' lives.

9. What do you believe is the significance in Werner learning to build the radio and his fascination with the technical information in the French science program? Do you believe this will come to play as we learn more of what is happening in 1944? Do you believe the French science program will have significance should our two protagonists meet?

The program already connects the two characters on an intensely deep level.

10. We are beginning to see the start of War World II, Marie-Laure and her Father are on the run, and it seems like he may of the diamond with him. What do you believe this will mean for their family? Do you believe they will be cursed as the stories of the gem propose, is it truly magical will we see miracles with Marie-Laure and her eyesight? Or is it just a gem that can buy 5 Eiffel Towers?

I think the war and its effects will coincide with the gem and its curse. The gem isn't a healing stone so no one is getting "cured." Marie-Laure is stronger without her sight. I think the gem's worth is relative. Different people place different amounts of importance on its legend.

11. Back to 1944 we get a very short glimpse into this period, Werner is trapped and disoriented, Marie-Laurie can tell that her Uncle's house is on fire. All we see if negative things happening to these characters, what do you make of that? Do you believe Doerr is just trying to prepare the reader for the awful fate that awaits our protagonists or is something else? Do you feel more engaged with this break up of the chronology of the story?

I don't think Doerr is preparing us for anything. It is WWII. War is ugly, nothing is being glorified. He is building suspense. The break up of the chronology definitely keeps me on the edge of my seat wanting more.

12. Marie-Laure and her father arrive in Saint-Malo, Marie wishes she was really going back home to Paris but at the same time is intrigued by the new place they are in, what do you think Saint-Malo holds, it seems to be the final resting place for Marie-Laure in this story, is that good or bad? What significance do you think this holds for the diamond now that she is close to the Ocean?

I think Saint Malo holds a mystery and danger that we have yet to find out about. It is on the ocean which we know is Marie's favorite place. What that means for the stone, only time will tell.

OH MY GOSH!!!! I'm so glad you are ok!!!! You poor thing...I have two friends that had to go to the hospital with the same 104 fever :( PLEEEAAASE rest!

You are not Tonya don't you worry! And it's not letting you edit because only the captain/co-captain have editing rights. Don't worry! I've been consistently updating both the official spreadsheet as well as the team one Kimberly made about twice a day, morning and evening.

Nope, we've finished Round One so Round Two is still up for grabs. I need one of the "I's" though because I'm almost done with a memoir but only the title fulfills a letter.

Also I got the go-ahead to write the BOM questions Friday so yaaaaaaay!!!! I ALSO just bought 5 books at the thrift store I volunteer at so the day keeps gettin bettuh!

I was thinking that hahaha I'm already kinda Captaining anyway so I'm fine stepping into the driver seat.

I did not, I used Neumann Two for "N" but thank you for letting us know!

Great!!! A girl dropped out of the questions for the last day of All the Light We Cannot See so I offered to take her spot...fingers crossed!

We have officially completed our FIRST SPELL-IT-OUT!!!!!! So now all letters are up for grabs once again!!!

Fantastic!!!!

I can write the questions!

531

Current Total: 712,996

I futzed around on the spreadsheet and the two "I's" are all we have left to complete our Spell-It-Out for Round 1!!!

I hunted through my bookshelf and found a book that I'm halfway done with that I know will be a super quick read and is already in my currently reading folder so I know that will also complete an "I"

Perfect! That thrills me!

AWESOME JOB!!!

We already have a silver cover. Nobody did any of the BOM questions as far as I know :(

We DESPERATELY need two I's!!!! I'm starting Atonement by Ian McEwan tonight but I don't know if I'll have it finished by Saturday when we have to submit our final results.

Tonya wrote: "Brie wrote: "I feel like I sense a future challenge on our hands. Our own little private King-A-Thon, perhaps???"

I think that would be totally awesome! I'm actually doing a read through of all o..."

Salem's Lot is fantastic! I'm doing the exact same thing, but I'm on The Stand now and just don't have it in me to commit to 1200 pages at the moment hahaha

Princess wrote: "Finished:
The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore
Characters: Sam, Sarah

Why Am I Still Single?: Advice for Christian Single Women by Winnie Mbala"

YAY!!! GREAT JOB!!! But, why does Why Am I Still Single count??? What letters does it complete?