C > Recent Status Updates

Good so far. I'm reading a galley copy, so I'm not sure if this changed, but there was a jarring little "jog" in the narrative where I think it was supposed to be Kate's journal entry (first person) and then the next chapter was Kate in 3rd person. It wasn't entirely clear it was a journal entry & read as though it was just a flashback.
Liking it, overall, though. Sad.

Somehow I don't think that was the confession Nastasya wanted Totsky to make. The pearls from Yepanchin seem terribly inappropriate, which made me wonder if he, as well as Totsky, had abused her.

Harriet - she doesn't strike me as an "evil" person or a villain; she's actually doing a brilliant thing to meet the goal she's trying to reach, but her scars create defensiveness & therefore suspicion/micromanaging behavior - that whole dynamic is sad to me.
This book is great in portraying human character and depth. Really love the characters (elephant included!) and story.

I love this so far. Great characters, great story, beautiful writing.

I've been listening in short segments in the car. It's not enough to really get into what's going on, and alas, my mind wanders frequently. I will stick with it because I *do* want to find out more about the 12, but I'm just not loving this. I do think it's a nifty spin on vamps, but the story doesn't grab me.

oh the meme this would make: "spirit y u haz no pantz?"...

see this page for classic "lost in translation" encounter...

love this part... "aliens as seen by humans"...or "white people fall from the sky, surreal awakening ensues" - we forget that somewhere, to someone, we're sci fi...

"we're not thieves." ...yes we are, you dingbat. we're the thieviest thieves you ever did see. especially if thieving needs done.. for this guy.. right now ...*facepalm*

...really? A revelation from both main characters that should have been obvious from their first "who could be upset by this?" conversation. I keep thinking Officer Barbrady needs a cameo here... rest is fun, though. I like Gall... most likable character in the book!

I own this one, so I'm working my way through more slowly - but once getting past the initial confusion of changing gears from Rowling to Dostoyevsky, it's moving along. Gania...I get that feeling given the book description that he doesn't get a comeuppance. He needs to trip on a train platform. Then Dostoyevsky can spend a page describing all his thoughts on the way down... (HTTG: "what is happening? Who am I?")

Quick pace. Not bad once you get past her rat prejudice (hmph, again).

Well thats a craptastic start..this chick hates rats. Hmph.

This is fantastic.

This book is incredible - and enlightening. It covers such a broad spectrum of emotions. The chapter about the draft notice was profound.

Oh wow... and I whine about carrying a backpack while hiking. Never again.

Ok, starting the second half of the book, we're finally into the better, more creative, interesting stuff. I'm liking this segment of the book much better. I will say that I don't think this is an ideal audiobook. There's a lot of context in the text that is sometimes easy to miss in the book (gets a little disorienting, but keep in mind...my mind wanders and so I miss things)

His tower is off the CD. Hiker friends will enjoy the segment on thru-hikers.

I love it when a book validates a theory! Fire suppression=overgrowth=drought=weakened forest= beetles preying on weakened trees=thousands of acres of dead trees =greater fire risk=higher expense in fire suppression/fighting = everything out of whack.
The imagery and descriptions are fantastic. This is a beautiful book.

Given Dostoyevsky's history with near execution, it's no surprise the thoughts of a man on the way to a guillotine are being thoroughly examined. It's certainly thought provoking, and not in a nice way.

When you tune in suddenly and realize you have no idea what the heck is going on and have to go back 2 chapters to catch yourself up again... ah audiobooks.

Ok, so now we're into new and interesting territory with the outpost and such and characters that I'm only vaugely following. Cool. I imagine Amy will turn up sooner or later.

Love Messner

I feel like "The Stand" is now a formula. Somewhere in an underground facility...tests are being done...and things backfire...and then catastrophe happens.
Now that I'm on to Part II, I'm liking it better. I like Wolgast's parental relationship to Amy. Nothing like a budding vampire for a surrogate child...hope she doesn't get hungry, Dad!

Great perspective on wildfires & letting them burn. We've created an imbalance by development and fire supression.

Haven't had as much time as I'd like to sit down and read this. I must say: thank god for free online study guides. I needed one initially to keep track of all the names & I need to sound those names out to get them to stick in my head. That said, now that we've moved on to the General's headstrong daughters and the brutal Nastasya, I'm starting to enjoy it. Gania seems quite the slimejob..

I think I give up on this. 20% is interesting story, the rest slipped and was left dangling around the main characters' genitals. This is utterly dispassionate and creepy writing with sexuality - probably even worse in audiobook. It makes me feel like someone dumped formaldehyde on my head.

Some interesting (and largely positive) points of view so far on erotica, feminism, fantasy and the disaster of (naively) confusing fantasy for reality. I liked the forward. I also liked an article: The Byronic Hero Archetype and Christian Grey. Though my friend would have a complete heart attack at the idea of comparing Grey to Mr. Darcy!! Healthcliff maybe, but Darcy? Oh dear lord, no....