Ongoing reads: Buddy reads of Jem and Scout Finch Showing 1,801-1,850 of 2,054

[Em Lost In Books, EmLo is my Name, PIFM is my Game]

Chapter 1-5

(view spoiler)[a lot has happened in this five chapters...

Dalinar's visions... what were those spren?

Kaladin & Co. elevated to guard Highprince! that guy deserve so much and more. these guys went through a lot to reach where they are, I know it was mostly luck that they ended up on the plateau that Dalinar and Adolin were fighting but still it was their decision. why are not they (mainly Moash) trusting the big guy? Even Kal too is very suspicious of Dalinar...

Jasnah's big revelation about Parshendi was quite shocking... (hide spoiler)]

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

Completed 12 chapters.

(view spoiler)[ Was jasnah really killed? I have high doubts about this one,.. Waiting for her next appearance.. And how is shallan going to the Shattered plains alone..! she is trying to imitate jasnah in her authoritativeness but I wonder how much she will succeed

Dalinar is trying to get the other high princes under his control or under king's control.. Politics is not mostly working out for him and I hope he gets better at that..!!
Why is Eshonai waiting for Dalinar? The sneak-peek into the parshendi territory was good.. ;-) But not familiar..

I didn't expect that Dalinar will tell Elholkar about refounding knights radiant..! I hope He finds about Kaladin..

In the book 1, i didn't like Dalinar's visions during high storm mainly because, neither he nor we had any idea of what's happening, But in this one, I'm mostly expecting the next vision so that we may get some links..

Liking pattern, and is Ivory the name of Jasnah's spren?
(hide spoiler)]

[Em Lost In Books, EmLo is my Name, PIFM is my Game]

(view spoiler)[ that was heartbreaking!! I mean Jasnah's murder. Hope we will see her again. Though not my favorite person but the way she was represented, I thought she would play a big role in the story.

Shallan in Shadesmar was scary. Actually, Shadesmar scares me a lot. I am glad she managed to get out of that place. That place is suicidal.

Dalinar should just leave this farce of being a politician for good and return to being a warlord. The Blackthorn, his dream of uniting high princes will be a reality in days.

Interludes in this book make more sense than WoK. No?

I too liked Eshonai's interlude and there is so much to know about them. And the reason why they killed Gavilar.

Why is this Kal always brooding?

Do you really think that he could expand his Stormlight powers to his crew? (hide spoiler)]

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

(view spoiler)[ Shadesmar is an intellectual world right? It was scary for me initially, but later shallan learnt to use it and leave back when necessary.. Good that pattern is guiding her...

Me too think/hope Jasnah should be somehow alive and will be back like all Indian Film heroes ;-)

Yes, Interludes make more sense than the previous book...

Expanding stormlight to his crew? how?
Kal's powers is not like Szeth right? Szeth lashes himself, but kal is binding one to other.. I still don't have clarity in his power..!
(hide spoiler)]

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

No progress after yesterday...Still in second interlude..

Reached 70% in Tom sawyer, and about to complete Peter pan as well.. Liking it verymuch...

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

Morning buddy....

What all did you read during the weekend?

I am at 30% or so in WoR and Now reading Great hunt.. in 38%. Will resume WoR after making progress in Great hunt.. Am also going to reread Jane Eyre with manu....

[Srividya]

Where is your buddy and my firstborn? :O

He seems to have disappeared from the face of this earth! :O :O

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

Srividya wrote: "Where is your buddy and my firstborn? :O

He seems to have disappeared from the face of this earth! :O :O"

Hey sri... He is race-walking with manu :-P and when has he been present here regularly :-| :-(

[Srividya]

He's neither here nor there... that's the problem! :(

And as for the race, even if she gives him a 10 day headstart, he will find something else to do but win it! :( :(

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

Srividya wrote: "He's neither here nor there... that's the problem! :(

And as for the race, even if she gives him a 10 day headstart, he will find something else to do but win it! :( :("

true.. she is about to complete already..!!

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

Buddy.. Can you please grace your presence here.. :-)?

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

Started Living Reed: A Novel of Korea today...
7% done.. And here are my thoughts on the intiital chapters:
Putting it in spoiler till hp buddy starts reading(view spoiler)[
The chapter on history of Korea was a pleasant surprise for me.. It was interesting to read a country which I have heard so much with relevant to wars and weapons.. and Korean music and drama of course...
The hermit country's history was interesting, and I liked a lot of quotes in the initial chapters.. The couple Il han and Sunia are cute and a nice couple.. They have a lot of supersititons and they are funny ;-)

The way sunia inspected the newborn for any defects and her feeling after finding the small deformity in the ear was shocking..!

I am curious as to what the blind fortuneteller will forsee for this defect of the newborn kid..!

Another thing which caught me was the fact that IL han walks to find his Father.. The Koreans are weird..

Another little tidbit I picked was the fact about koreans and their musical talent.. It was mentioned in the history if I'm not wrong..!

(hide spoiler)]

[Hajarath Prasad]

Good morning, buddy!!!

Reading Update :

85% of Words of Radiance. Will resume today

Will begin Korea book too..


How have you been? All well? No mischief in my absence, I hope :P

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

ha I've been well buddy.. ;-) reading this and that ;-)

see my update here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

And please update something here.!!
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Kavitha]

Iniya wrote: "Started Living Reed: A Novel of Korea today...
7% done.. And here are my thoughts on the intiital chapters:
Putting it in spoiler till hp buddy starts reading
The chapter on history..."

Same thoughts on the history. Love it! I am reading for Armchair travels and another challenge. So reading a book actually explaining Korean history is very satisfying. As I always thought North Korea and South Korea as oppressed country, didn't expect to see such rich history!

(view spoiler)[The superstitions! God! I thought we are worse, but Koreans! *shaking head* Wonder this excess is because of the time of the novel setting. Anyway, that is where I left, Kim walking towards his Father's house. Don't they have joint family system? Will know more soon. (hide spoiler)]

[Kavitha]

How to do spoiler link? Anyway, I didn't give away much in the previous post. But will need it for future.

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

@ kavitha . write everything between (view spoiler)[ and <\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

oops.. will share in PM

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

They don't have a joint family system I think..!! superstitions are yeah, too much...! me too paused at the walk only. will resume now.
I too have never thought that they will have such a background..!! Amd the comparison of korean amd chinese women was 😄

[Kavitha]

Iniya wrote: "They don't have a joint family system I think..!! superstitions are yeah, too much...! me too paused at the walk only. will resume now.
I too have never thought that they will have such a backgrou..."

Isn't always the case? My country, my people, my religion are better than other country, other people, other religion, etc, etc?

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

Regarding women? i guess korean women do speak out.. than the chinese in Good earth novel... (view spoiler)[ the story regarding henpecked husband is a commonly narrated one right? in different versions.. (hide spoiler)]

[Kavitha]

I read only three novels, Peony, Pavilion of Women and Good Earth. the first two...upper class societies like Living Reed whereas Good Earth is set in lower class society becoming middle/upper class. Chinese women are portrayed dominant or deceptively dominant in the first two novels....

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

Kavitha wrote: "I read only three novels, Peony, Pavilion of Women and Good Earth. the first two upper class societies like Living Reed whereas Good Earth is set in lower class society becoming middle/upper class...."

Oh..!! Will add those to my TBR.. Thanks for mentioning.. i was judging wrongly with Good earth alone..!!

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

15%done..

The superstitions still continue to amaze me..!!! girl who plays with mice won't cook rice.properly...!!!

(view spoiler)[ The silk spinning was a surprise custom again.. evem the king has to cultivate paddy and queen must spi frok silkworm, well that's a curious custom..!! these koreans are continuously surprising me .! And that changpo grass sounds similar to arugampull in tamil.. that's also meant to cool one's body, right? Kimchee recipes are also good..😋

I get that Il han is worried about the political situation but I wish he shares it with someone.. escaping from the country on a pilgrimage, how is it going to help?
Even though the facts which his father tells is true and needs to be considered, like thw distrust in americans, and they being traders compared to.british and the Indian history is a valid point..!

So now, china is weak, japan and russia want to conquer korea, and America is tempting them with a treaty.
Il han is advising the queen to accept american's treaties , but he distrusts chiness,
His father advises not to trust americans or any others for that matter. but will the other countries let korea be a Hermit country, really? now that's a question to be considered. (hide spoiler)]

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

And now moving onto Jane eyre before dozing off... will resume reed in the morning..!!

[Kavitha]

I am at 15% and going to stop. (view spoiler)[ Il han is ready to travel. Wise idea to get the pulse of the nation. How naïve of him to think that any nation will come to help Korea for Korea's sake! Even China had hidden agenda to place Korea as barrier from greedy Japan. It is hard now to think that peace loving Japanese that we see were aggressive and greedy at some point. (hide spoiler)]

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

Kavitha wrote: "I am at 15% and going to stop. [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ i am liking his journey around the nation. Initially i misunderstood he is going for pilgrimage. But he is travelling almost as a common man staying wherever possible (hide spoiler)] me at 17%

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

Morning Buddy..

My reading update: 20 more pages in Jane eyre. page 250 and it's on pause till I finish Great Hunt.

75% done in Great hunt.. planning to finish this today or tomorrow..

17% done in Living reed .. Liking the Korean regions and custom so far..!

[Kavitha]

Iniya wrote: "Kavitha wrote: "I am at 15% and going to stop. [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed] me at 17%"

And like you said, I enjoyed the silk spinning tale...even though it mean death of so many worms...didn't know that the butterfly lay 400 eggs!! before leaving the cocoon..

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

Hi buddy and Kavitha...

30%done in living reed.. it's more about the king, queen and the history amd the customs of Korea... inter-country politics will come soon I guess...

Finished Great hunt.. 5 stars... this was pacy and had lot of twists..

280 pages in Jane eyre.. may not read today...

I might resume English August.. Am feeling very guilty of those books lying ignored in my Current read shelf..:-(

[Kavitha]

Am at 35% I like to know the customs of Korea, however, the ritual details to bury death is a bit lengthy to my taste. (view spoiler)[ Il-han went to America at his King's order as part of a convoy. He is thoroughly amazed by the industrial revolution he see there both in transportation and agriculture :) He still wants to have alliance, but the main person Prince Min is going to advise against. (hide spoiler)] Il-han returned from his trip to America....that is where I stopped.

I like the way that the author developed the main characters!

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

Oops Kavitha.. I've read the spoilers ;-)Will make progress and comment..

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

@45% in Living reed (view spoiler)[ Again there is glorifying of USA, and justification of their stance with Korea, being blamed of the ignorance of the USA government, and poor reign and overdependence of the Korean king.. I feel really sad for the korean people who has to suffer through this political fight for power between the other countries..!! Wish they would leave these people alone..!
Is all these based on true facts? Ignorance of Americas, power hunger of Japan amd other things?
And these rebels also doesn't seem be be succeeding now, they have fallen prey to the Japanese as well!
(hide spoiler)]

[Kavitha]

At 67% and unputdownable...(view spoiler)[Blaming another country for not supporting them in their plight when the King and Queen didn't lift a finger to do any reform or listen to the plight of the land tillers....well....it is the upper class society and the rulers that paved way to doom for Korea. There was no unity and there won't be when the upper class society just loot their own people who actually do the work.

Queen actually lived with another poor family for a year! She knew their plight. She did nothing! except be pettish.. Il-han blamed his father for hoarding all the lands, still after his father's death, he also didn't do anything! I was surprised to learn that only the poor was taxed and the rich was NEVER taxed at that time! No reforms done, nothing done to improve the living conditions of the poor. After Il-han's return from America, King received all the reports and tried to do some reform. But the Queen, in her hatred towards all foreigners except China, undermined all the reforms!!

Japan, after occupying Korea, brought more reforms and better tax system than the Korean rulers. Poor Korean people, even though Japan brought reforms, Japanese officials and soldiers in Korea oppress Korean people and indulge in atrocities. (hide spoiler)]

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

@Kavitha True. (view spoiler)[ The doom of the koreans is their nobility... I hated the queen, she had her presumptions and stupidly went against the king and his reforms... The king was sensible enough to understand that there needs to be some change , but he was not strong enough to enforce that. He lacked supporters as well.. For Il han, i think he got used to be an analyst and no action. I thought after the convo with the tutor, Il han may make some action, but his exile was useless as well, except that he didn't visit the king and queen.

There were so many chances for Il han to redeem himself, but he still focused on the king queen and not the people... (hide spoiler)]

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

Morning absent buddy and Kavitha..

50% in Living reed.(view spoiler)[ seems so many years have passed and Il han is not much changed. It's good that he teaches Korean language and history to the young kids, but he is still sticking with old ways and history.

I'm glad of the change in his younger son.
The Japanese seem to be doing good reforms but why do they want to suppress the Korean customs and language. Seems they want to make Korea better for their sake and not for the sake of Korean Citizens.. (hide spoiler)]

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

Started and finished an YA book with manju during last weekend...

@buddy. I'm planning to read Jaya for the Indian fiction category in Bingo... Join me na .. what's your reading update? Are you playing bingo?

[Hajarath Prasad]

Good morning buddy

Reading Update :

40% of English August
Resumed Words of Radiance today..
10% of Korea

Sure buddy.. We can read Jaya.. I read 15% of it long ago.. I'll send ebook

I'm restarting Bingo today.. Will finish Peter Pan and start another book.

English August is darkly humorous, buddy.. But the plot doesn't move much..

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

True about EnglishAugust... So he will still be lying and ranting around 40% as well??

How are u liking Korea? Am at 52%.

Words of radiance is on hold till next week..

[Hajarath Prasad]

Yes, buddy. His afternoons and evenings are spent lying and ranting. But a little progress in the professional space.

Korea is going good so far.. Haven't read much to comment about it.

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

Hajarath Prasad wrote: "Yes, buddy. His afternoons and evenings are spent lying and ranting. But a little progress in the professional space.

Korea is going good so far.. Haven't read much to comment about it."

oh.. Will try to finish and not DNF.!! Though I'm tempted to ;-P

[Kavitha]

Glad to hear that you are also reading Living Reed, HP :)

am at 78% I am holding my thoughts until you read completely, Ini. Il-han doesn't change (-_-), but I am now realizing....even though I still think of him as coward when it come to reforms that he could have personally made....he actually didn't participate in the initial war with Japan for the sake of his family members' safety.

I think I will finish the book by this weekend. The author's style is a bit different in this book than in her other three books...in the sense, more history about Chinese and Korean revolutions!

I am just itching to pick up Dollar Desam to know more about world history.

[Kavitha]

HP, are you going to respond to my question in your journal?

[Hajarath Prasad]

Good morning buddy

Reading Update :

50% of English, August
85% of Words of Radiance (I don't want to finish this 😭😭)
30% of Attagari Kathalu
20% of Asamardhuni Jeevayatra
20% of Secretary (all above 3 are Telugu Novels)
30% of Siddhartha
40% of Peter Pan

I joined a library, buddy 😊 and they lent two books 🤗 Reading those two Telugu novels and these 😊

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

Hajarath Prasad wrote: "Good morning buddy

Reading Update :

50% of English, August
85% of Words of Radiance (I don't want to finish this 😭😭)
30% of Attagari Kathalu
20% of Asamardhuni Jeevayatra
20% of Secretary (all ab..."

Wow..!! i'm going to get Heart attach buddy :-P :-P So much of books read..!! *feeling proud and shedding happy tears*

[Em Lost In Books, EmLo is my Name, PIFM is my Game]

Iniya wrote: "Wow..!! i'm going to get Heart attach buddy :-P :-P So much of books read..!! *feeling proud and shedding happy tears*"

+1

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

hello buddy...

I didn't read anything during the weekend.. :-( Will resume living reed and English august...

We have fixed 12 books for the readathon right? Please update your post with the number..!

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

Kavitha wrote: "Glad to hear that you are also reading Living Reed, HP :)

am at 78% I am holding my thoughts until you read completely, Ini. Il-han doesn't change (-_-), but I am now realizing....even though I s..."

Will resume and comment on this kavitha..!

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

@kavitha - Living Reed

(view spoiler)[ 64% done and again these koreans are rooting for the Americas..! I hope this time atleast they don't get disappointed..! The tears of Il Han proves how much they trusted the Americans initially and how afraid they are before trusting them again..!!
I want to read more about this Woodrow wilson, may be in future..

But one thing is not striking me,. Why are these christian missionaries in Korea glorifying Americans and not other countries? is that because they are from America? It's as if all the other countries are insignificant.. Or is it because, the author is an american and she wants to focus more on that and not the other countries..
(hide spoiler)]

[Hajarath Prasad]

Ini : 😊 I finally started reading after exams in earnest, buddy. Will try to finish these soon.

Manu : 😊 WoR is so good I can't finish it, Manu 😭

Kavitha : I'll try to catch up soon..