Between Shades of Gray - Feb 1st 2016

[Kristie, Moderator]

Glad you're enjoying them, Savanes. :)

[Lynn, Moderator]

At the end of Chapter 36, I'm thinking a couple of things ......

(view spoiler)[For an intelligent girl, Lina is being very dumb when it comes to her recording (stories and drawings) of what's happening. How many times does it have to be explained to her?
It's going to get her into trouble.

I think that either Andrius or his mother are translating for the Russians and getting preferential treatment.
They don't know where they are living, which means they probably have a nicer place.
Andrius somehow got cigs, how?
They weren't at the meeting to sign the papers, why?
(hide spoiler)]

[Lynn, Moderator]

Middle of Chapter 37:
(view spoiler)[Ugh! Even after seeing someone dead for writing a letter she can only think to hide them, not stop.

We've had confirmation now of how big the holes they are digging, for graves do we think?
(hide spoiler)]

End of 39:
(view spoiler)[Ouch! Harsh words from Andrius "You're just a spoiled kid" but a little bit true
What a horrible situation to be in for him and his mother. I've been waiting for rape to happen, for some reason I thought we'd see it with Lina's mother rather than Andrius. (hide spoiler)]

[Lynn, Moderator]

Tomorrow's reading, to the end of end of Chapter 55

[Kristie, Moderator]

Oh! Good call on Andrius at the end of ch 36. I didn't even think of that, but it all fits. I bet you're right. I was wondering why (view spoiler)[ he wasn't housed with the others, he was vague when Lina asked where he was staying and how his mother was. I think it's his mother translating or doing something else for them.. (hide spoiler)]

Also, I was surprised that Lina (view spoiler)[ was dumb enough to think that she could just wander down to the post office and send a letter to her cousin and no one would read it...really? Think, girl!! Andrius seemed to have that inside info too, which goes along with your thoughts of translating. I hope Lina doesn't get into trouble because of her writing due to them ratting on her. (hide spoiler)]

I'm just starting chapter 37, so I'll be back to chat again.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Oh two more thoughts (view spoiler)[ I think they are being punished for Lina's mom saying no by having to dig the holes, especially with the rusty spades. Everyone else's work seems to have more meaning and they were all back before the women. Plus no one told them how to get their food vouchers at the end.

Also, I think that the group we were following were in the same meetings before getting caught. The boy that went by when they were swimming said he was going to a meeting, Lina's dad had a bunch of men at his house talking & they at least brought up politics, their neighbor that also works at the university wasn't arrested, and Lina's mom kept telling her to stay with their group when they were on the train. My guess is that they were having meetings and got found out. At least some of the people on the train with them were involved, so they knew each other. Maybe a stretch? (hide spoiler)]

[Kristie, Moderator]

chapter 37 - Oh geez! Lina is still (view spoiler)[ trying to go visit the other village and thinks she can talk to others about things. What is wrong with her! I wouldn't want to talk to anyone!

I think you are right. He had them lay in the hole. I think aside from torturing them with terror and ruining all the work they did, he could see how big the holes were. Maybe they will bury people there. (hide spoiler)]

[Kristie, Moderator]

chapter 38/39 - So we find out that (view spoiler)[ Andrius and his mother are working for the Soviets. But...geez. I was worried about rape... So sad. I don't blame him for yelling at her.

I'm shocked at how calm Lina's mother remains. I would be so angry. (hide spoiler)]

chapter 40 - (view spoiler)[ I think Lina's mother is right and Andrius is interested in Lina, but I think he has bigger thinks to worry about right now. I hope he doesn't get himself killed trying to defend his mom. Funny, I thought he would have problems trying to defend Lina before. Like you, Lynn, I didn't think the rape would involve his mother. (hide spoiler)]

[Kristie, Moderator]

chapter 41/42 (view spoiler)[ I can't believe how understanding Lina's mother is!

And I can't believe that Lina is still writing important things down!

I'm glad they yelled at the bald man for calling Andrius's mother a whore. He's such an ass!!

Awww... her little brother is learning Russian and incorporating slang. Smart kid! (hide spoiler)]

[Lynn, Moderator]

Kristie wrote: "chapter 40"

(view spoiler)[I still think he'll run into trouble defending Lina (hide spoiler)]

[Lynn, Moderator]

Kristie wrote: "chapter 41/42 "

I love her brother.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Lynn wrote: "Kristie wrote: "chapter 40" [spoilers removed]"

Most likely.

Lynn wrote: "Kristie wrote: "chapter 41/42 " I love her brother."

Me too. <3 (view spoiler)[ I hope he makes it out ok! :( (hide spoiler)]

[Angela M]

I finished this for another buddy read this morning . Wow '
I will come back here later tonight and read all,of your comments and make a few too .

[Kristie, Moderator]

Chapter 44 (view spoiler)[ she stole a pen!! Omg... (hide spoiler)]

[Lynn, Moderator]

Chapter 42 to 47:

(view spoiler)[I wonder what the drawing of the map and portrait was about? Read a few chapters later and nothing has come of it yet.

Oh the excitement of the letter, followed by that passage from the bible ..... ugh. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 48: NO NO NO NO NO (view spoiler)[Please let Jonas be ok ..... goes back to reading (hide spoiler)]

[Lynn, Moderator]

Kristie wrote: "Chapter 44 [spoilers removed]"

She really can be an idiot

[Lynn, Moderator]

Start of chapter 50:
(view spoiler)[Ok, I can start breathing again now ... however he's going to be a lot weaker now :/ I'm going to be worried about him all the time now! (hide spoiler)]

[Kristie, Moderator]

Chapter 55 - (view spoiler)[ Now she stole a file! Is she trying to get herself killed?! (hide spoiler)]

[Lynn, Moderator]

End of 53:
(view spoiler)[Oh lord, please don't be an idiot and listen to Andrius. Draw the man in a good way. (hide spoiler)]

[Kristie, Moderator]

Lynn wrote: "Start of chapter 50:
[spoilers removed]"

I know! I was so worried for him.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Lynn wrote: "Chapter 42 to 47: [spoilers removed]"

I wonder if the (view spoiler)[ portrait is someone they are searching for? (hide spoiler)]

[Lynn, Moderator]

End of 54:
(view spoiler)[I ...... I'm speechless! She took the bloody file! How can she think anything will come good of that. I don't see how any information in there is worth the risk. Maybe trying to get a sneak peak but actually taking it? (hide spoiler)]

[Kristie, Moderator]

Lynn wrote: "End of 54:
[spoilers removed]"

I thought the same thing!! That was my chapter 55 spoiler. I was shocked and mad at her for doing something so dumb. I think she put a lot of people in danger with that stunt.

[Lynn, Moderator]

Tomorrow's reading, end of Chapter 68

[Kristie, Moderator]

You've got it! I'm finding this really easy to get through even though the subject matter is tough.

[Lynn, Moderator]

Kristie wrote: "You've got it! I'm finding this really easy to get through even though the subject matter is tough."

Yeah, I think the short chapters help.
I'm quite liking the reading structure that we have too, we definitely need to do this again if / when we do another read (to keep me in check! :) )

[Kristie, Moderator]

It is working out well!

[Vicki Willis]

I just got this one on audible so I will be ready to start. Somehow I am in a book logjam with reading this month, but I am ready to start a new audible!
Kristie, How do you like the narrator?
The book is not that long hour wise so hopefully I will catch up soon. :)
All your comments and spoilers are teasing me!

[Kristie, Moderator]

Vicki - I think the narrator fits the part and has been doing well. It is quite short, so I'm sure you'll catch up quickly. :)

[Angela M]

I've read all the comments and I agree with a lot of what everyone has said so far . I have already finished the book since I read it for another buddy read so I won't say much except a few comments . I have posted my review but I won't include the link here until everyone is finished even though I don't think there are any spoilers.

Just a few general thoughts :

1. Even though this is categorized as YA , I don't think that this events are treated any more lightly because of it . It's pretty horrific.
2. It really saddens me and maddens me as well that I knew pretty much nothing about this .
3. I was so taken by these characters - love Lina and her art and it gives a sense of hope . Jonas , so sweet and innocent grows up -what a way - huh? Elena , Lina's mother , a leader and so kind .

Hard to stop thinking about this book .

[Savanes]

Yes I loved the fact that it was another aspect of the second world that almost never mentioned.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Chapter 56 (view spoiler)[ I am getting annoyed at how selfish and stupid Lina is being. I can't believe she would ask Andrius to bring the file back. (hide spoiler)]

[Lynn, Moderator]

Not started reading (well reading this one) yet today. Will be back once I have :)

[Kristie, Moderator]

Just finished chapter 68, what a place to end!

(view spoiler)[ I can't believe they are up in the arctic with no houses to sleep in! Unbelievable. Do you think they were chosen because they were the stronger ones in the village? I'm curious since it doesn't relate to who signed.

The Russian words that Andrius keeps saying to Lina...I think it means I love you. I thought that the first time he said it, but now I think so even more.

I'm so sad that they had to leave some of their group behind, especially Andrius who was giving them food and things. I felt they were a bit safer with more people just because they were working together. I'm worried for them being out in the cold with no support.

What is the deal with Nikoli? Hmmm... (hide spoiler)]

[Kristie, Moderator]

Finish tomorrow?

[Lynn, Moderator]

Kristie wrote: "Finish tomorrow?"

Heh, I haven't started reading yet ...... but yes, I was going to suggest just going to the end tomorrow :)

[Kristie, Moderator]

Sounds good. I had some time earlier in the day today, so it worked out for me.

[Lynn, Moderator]

So I didn't read anything of this yesterday because I was close to the end of the other book I was reading so chose to finish that instead and just read through to the end of this today.

Kristie wrote: "Chapter 56 [spoilers removed]"

Soooooooo annoyed!

(view spoiler)[I'm beginning to assume there's some kind of plot twist to do with her cousin, Joana (otherwise why are we reading so much about her?) which might be connected to her father getting into trouble? (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki Willis]

Ok, I started but didnt get very far though I found myself walking slowly (I listen to my audiobook walking the dog or at the gym).
I will need to pay attention to chapters so I know where I am.
I thought (view spoiler)[ her mom was such a strong women, getting the kids ready quickly, being calm and reassuring to them and trying to help people on the train. It was intense when they were going to take Yonis/Jonas? (Audiobook so I dont know the spelling) but she traded the watch. That was so powerful to me that a human life was valued at a watch. Thank goodness! But what will happened when they are out of valuables? (hide spoiler)]
This book has grabbed me quick. Dogs will get a long walk today!

[Lynn, Moderator]

Vicki - Yup her Mum is amazing

[Lynn, Moderator]

End of Chapter 61:

Further to my last comment (view spoiler)[I'm assuming her father helped Joana and her family escape?

I assumed the word Krasivaya was something romantic, in the end I was impatient and googled it :) (hide spoiler)]

[Lynn, Moderator]

End of 62:

Andrius, the stone, <3

[Kristie, Moderator]

Lynn wrote: "Soooooooo annoyed!

(view spoiler)"


I think (view spoiler)[ she's the one that turned her uncle in for helping others. At one point, Lina said that Joana seemed to know more about the meeting than Lina did and another time she said that her dad made a face when Joana's name was mentioned or something like that. (hide spoiler)]

[Kristie, Moderator]

Vicki wrote: "Ok, I started but didnt get very far though I found myself walking slowly (I listen to my audiobook walking the dog or at the gym).
I will need to pay attention to chapters so I know where I am.
I ..."

I made comments about her mom too. I can't believe (view spoiler)[ how calm she remained through that process. (hide spoiler)]

[Kristie, Moderator]

Lynn wrote: "End of Chapter 61:

Further to my last comment [spoilers removed]"

Oh I hadn't thought of that. That may be it too. Maybe (view spoiler)[ they were caught when they helped her family... (hide spoiler)] I like that explanation better than mine. lol

[Kristie, Moderator]

Lynn wrote: "End of 62:

Andrius, the stone, <3"

Yes!! <3

[Lynn, Moderator]

Kristie wrote: "Just finished chapter 68, what a place to end! "

(view spoiler)[I just don't understand how humans treat other humans :/

Kristie - If you've seen my previous post, I've already looked up what Andrius said to her in Russian, I couldn't wait! lol

Definitely curious about Nikoli now! At the beginning of the book I thought he might have been someone kinder to the family, but that didn't seem to happen ..... need to know! :) (hide spoiler)]

[Kristie, Moderator]

What did he say?!?!

I also thought (view spoiler)[ Nikoli might have been kinder. I thought maybe she knew his name from before and he was involved somehow with the relocation of people or something. But, I don't know... I don't think his meanness is all a fake. Maybe she did know him from before somehow though. (hide spoiler)]

[Lynn, Moderator]

Kristie wrote: "What did he say?!?!"

LOL, it means (view spoiler)[beautiful (hide spoiler)]

I'm now at the end of 71, (view spoiler)[Seriously? The didn't even give the something to stay in? (hide spoiler)]

[Kristie, Moderator]

Aww.... <3