Gem ’s Comments (group member since Sep 12, 2022)

Gem ’s comments from the Once Upon a Time... group.

Hello Fellow Fairy Tale readers,


Welcome to our discussion about The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1) by Rick Riordan, your discussion leader is Gem.
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Summary

Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can't seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse - Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. When Percy's mom finds out, she knows it's time that he knew the truth about where he came from, and that he go to the one place he'll be safe. She sends Percy to Camp Half Blood, a summer camp for demigods (on Long Island), where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea. Soon a mystery unfolds and together with his friends—one a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of Athena - Percy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the gates of the Underworld (located in a recording studio in Hollywood) and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods.

Lisa wrote: "I'm fine with almost anything, as you know. This list sounds great. I have read several, and some of my favorites are on it. I am more than happy to read those again."

Awesome!

Below you will find my proposed list of 2024 Group Reads. This is not set in stone, please do give me some feedback. These books are across all the genres and from the lists we made there.

Jan - The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Feb - Heartless by Marissa Meyer
Mar - Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
Apr - Hunted by Meagan Spooner
May - So This is Love by Elizabeth Lim
Jun - The Fire Rose by Mercedes Lackey
Jul - Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
Aug - Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
Sep - Arrows of the Queen by Mercedes Lackey
Oct - Storm Front by Jim Butcher
Nov - Gilded by Marissa Meyer
Dec - The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

Lisa wrote: "I am on page 22. I am reading it to my granddaughter, however, we are taking turn about with her mother with her other read alouds as well as sometimes her just wanting to read to herself before be..."

That is awesome! I love when a child enjoys reading. So many worlds for them to enjoy.

I finished the first part. I adore all the immortals.

Hi all! This is one of my all-time favorite Christmas Stories, I read it every year. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I do.

Surprise, surprise I haven't finished yet, lol.

Lisa wrote: "I got the first two chapter read yesterday evening and like Gem says "something is going on in that tower"! I love it when a book leaves me questioning things from the very beginning."

Same. One of the reasons I love mysteries.

Lisa wrote: "I'm sorry. I haven't started it yet! Should start it tomorrow or Thursday."

No apologies, ever. Life happens, other books get prioritized. We need to always give ourselves grace.

I read a few chapters... there is something going on in that tower...

This story was short about three pages in my edition (including pictures). If this was a tale to teach children about consequences the ending would be different, yes? In the end Rapunzel and the King's son reunite and everything works out.

Lisa wrote: "I finished yesterday and really enjoyed the book.
I found it extremely interesting that the superstitions and beliefs of the residents of Sleepy Hollow were so strong that they actually took a phy..."

I actually caught what you were talking about until...

I also loved the fact that Ben was able to change one of those mythical fears into a form of good simply because she had a strong belief that good can conquer evil.

I don't think I was looking at this in regard to the ending. I am not completely sure why the ending was a bit of a letdown. 🤷‍♀️

I've finished. I enjoyed the story, I loved the twists and turns of this retelling. That said, I wasn't crazy about the ending, I'm not sure what I expected but it wasn't that.

Adriel wrote: "Sorry, actually haven't read it, been trying to catch up with huge pile that is overflowing of to read book. At the bookstore we keep Christina Henry in adult and they are aimed at adults. As far a..."

I can relate to the huge overflowing pile. I have one of those all the time. I regularly overestimate how much I can read each month.

I just finished a book that I did not enjoy at all but was leading the discussion for so this is a nice change of pace for me. I'm enjoying this one and it is a quick read. I hope to read Part 2 tomorrow, I'm planning on getting up early to have some quiet time alone.

Lisa wrote: "My copies of Rapunzel and Grounded just came into the library today, so I will pick them up Weds. or Thurs. Hopefully I will have time to finish Horseman by then and will be ready to start right in..."

Juvenile is where I found Grounded as well. I'm hoping it will be enjoyable.

I just finished Part I, I'm hooked.

Cheryl wrote: "I wonder if the morals are just less obvious to us... they may have made more sense in the context of the times? I think of the paintings of the Madonna and other Biblical events, and how much the ..."

That's very possible. Things change and it's easy to lose perspective when a change takes place.

I'm going to start reading this after I finish Horseman.

I am behind! What else is new? I started it this morning and so far have only gotten through the first chapter before our daily walk. I hope to make some more progress today.

I have to admit being the first chapter was pretty dark and I was surprised to find a child had lost his life in such a gory way. The story is being told by Katrina & Brom's grandchild. I don't know if this book is meant for children/young adults, with that particular scene I'd hope not.