Dune Read Along: Book 2 Discussion

Suey is hosting today's discussion! Linky up over there!

She also has a great recap on this section!

Announcements:

Tweet Chat tomorrow May 7 @ 9:00 PM MST

#DuneRAL

We are starting Book 3 tomorrow!

Discussion post here on my blog on May 16!

 

If you are reading the same edition as me (and Lee Pace), that is about 12 pages a day!

Questions:

1. What do you think about all the rituals the Freman have surrounding water? Especially the funeral.

I think it is amazing what people will do to survive. I can't even imagine having a need for water so badly. The funeral was interesting. I'm not sure it is something I could watch. The Fremen customs seem so strange to me. Paul and Jessica seem like they are walking on eggshells so they can be integrated into their "tribe" or whatever. It would be stressful. 

2. Any other thoughts you have about the Freman now that we've been introduced a little better?

I think the Fremen are the key to taking back Arrakis and taking down the Baron and Emporer. I'm waiting for the epic war!

3. How do you feel about the way Paul is progressing to his destiny?

I think he is SUPER paranoid! Every decision he makes is premeditated. He has to think about how his choices will change the future. I think he is a bit over dramatic about it, especially his feelings towards his mom.  

4. We had more deaths in this section, two that stand out. Compare and contrast them.

NO! WHY!? I didn't want Kynes to die. Grrrr! I think Jamis was an ass, and I'm glad Paul took him down. 

It think it is weird how Kynes is being mourned, but Jamis really isn't. His death is accepted, and everyone has moved on. 

5. What political maneuverings are happening during this section? I'd love a nice uncomplicated explanation!

Hawat is an idiot! I don't get his deal.

The whole Count, Feyd-Rautha, Baron dynamic is confusing. These people are insane!

6. What religious events are happening?

I feel like we've covered some of this in the previous questions. 

I think what the Fremen call weirding ways are awfully similar to the Bene Gesserit ways. The tests that Paul and Jessica are being put through are scary. 

I feel like everything is so radical! I guess that is what lack of water does to people. 

7. What do you think of the Baron?

EWWWW!! 

Crazy psycho evil dude!

8. Any foreshadowing moments that stand out to you? What's going to happen?

Paul better lead an epic war against the Emporer and Baron!!!

I think Jessica's baby is going to be crazy but important.

Obviously Chani and Paul are getting together.

9. How do you like (or dislike) this section compared to the first? Any new favorite characters?

I thought this section was alright. It is still slow in parts. I like Chani and Stilgar. They interest me. They count bugs me. I hate the way he talks!

10. Do you plan to finish and stick with us through part three?

North and South Read Along: Chapters 19-35 Discussion Post Answers

1.    Have your feelings changed towards Mr. Thornton during this section of the book?

Nope! Still swooning hard!

2.    Have your feelings towards Margaret changed? Not really, I think my perspective of all the characters comes from the BBC mini series, and I like them all. 

3.    What do you think about the riot and how Margaret and Mr. Thornton reacted?  I thought Margaret was very bold to ridicule Thornton and tell him to go out there. I thought she was brave for going out there herself to try to calm the people. I LOVED Mr. Thornton's reaction to Margaret getting hit. It was one of the best moments in the book.

4.    Do you think Boucher's anger and actions were justified?  I can't blame the guy for being concerned and scared. I think his overwhelming emotions came out in anger. I don't think joining the riot was the right thing to do, but I feel bad for him and his starving children.

5.    Did Bess's or Mrs. Hale's deaths effect you in any way?  I felt really bad for Mr. Higgins and Mary. They obviously loved Bess very much. I think Bess's death effected me more than Mrs. Hale's. I think the book prepares the reader for Mrs. Hale's death.

6.    Were you surprised to learn that it wasn't common for women to attend funerals? What are your feelings on that tidbit? I thought it was pretty weird. I didn't even know it was an issue. They didn't go because they didn't want to show emotion? That is strange to me. It is okay to mourn.

7.    Now that we've met Frederick, do you like him? Are you sympathetic to his predicament?  I like Frederick. His story intrigues me for some reason. He needs his own book. I want to know more about him, the mutiny, Dolores, and his life in Cadiz. He seems like a nice fellow.

8.    What are your feelings on Mr. Thornton's proposal?

If Margaret won't marry him, then I will! 

I thought it was a hasty proposal. He didn't even take time to court the girl. He didn't really know how she felt. He speculated about her feelings a lot, especially after the riot incident.

I also think Margaret is SO BLIND! How can she not notice his watchful gaze and kind acts of service?

9.    If you were in Mr. Thornton's place, having seen the person you love with a stranger late at night, then finding out that person was questioned by the police and lied, would you do the same thing Mr. Thornton did? Would you protect that person even though you think they have done questionable things? I would be angry. I don't know if I would help that person. I'd have to love them an awful lot, but then I'd feel a bit betrayed. I don't know.

10.  Do you think Margaret's feelings towards Mr. Thornton have changed? Why? I think she is warming up. I like how last night someone mentioned losing Bess and her mother humbled Margaret and bit, and she is more open or sensitive to Mr. Thornton's actions. I like seeing her opinions change. I think she noticing him a lot more. 

North and South Read Along: Chapters 19-35 Discussion Post

We are 2/3 of the way through! I don't want it to end! I also can't wait to watch the mini series with everyone!

Announcements:

Twitter Chat has changed!!!!

It will be tonight!

Tuesday, Jan 20 @ 6:00 PM (MST)

Sorry for any inconvenience. We'll try to announce it throughout the day on twitter.

We'll be using #NorthSouthRAL

Discussion post for chapters 36 - the end will be hosted by Suey on January 31.

We'll be watching the BBC mini series on February 6.

Let us know if you'd like to come.

If you live far away, you can still watch along and tweet with us.

Questions:

1.    Have your feelings changed towards Mr. Thornton during this section of the book?

2.    Have your feelings towards Margaret changed?

3.    What do you think about the riot and how Margaret and Mr. Thornton reacted?

4.    Do you think Boucher's anger and actions were justified?

5.    Did Bess's or Mrs. Hale's deaths effect you in any way?

6.    Were you surprised to learn that it wasn't common for women to attend funerals? What are your feelings on that tidbit?

7.    Now that we've met Frederick, do you like him? Are you sympathetic to his predicament?

8.    What are your feelings on Mr. Thornton's proposal?

9.    If you were in Mr. Thornton's place, having seen the person you love with a stranger late at night, then finding out that person was questioned by the police and lied, would you do the same thing Mr. Thornton did? Would you protect that person even though you think they have done questionable things?

10.  Do you think Margaret's feelings towards Mr. Thornton have changed? Why?

Make sure to link your answer post below! I look forward to reading them!

I'll be posting my answers tomorrow.

North and South Read Along: Chapter 1-18 Discussion Post

Jenni is hosting today's discussion post! Make sure to hop over there for news, questions, and linky!

Questions:

1.    Is this your first time reading this? If so, what do you think so far? If not, are you like this reread so far?

This is my first time reading, and I'm loving it!

2.    Have you seen the BBC mini-series? Is the book anything like you expected it to be?

Ha! I've watched it a lot since I discovered this. . . I think it was last year. LOVE IT!!! It is where I first fell in love with Richard Armitage. The book is everything I expected and more!

3.    Why do you think Margaret refused Henry? He seems like such a nice chap.

Girls refuse nice guys all the time. Margaret wasn't interested in Henry! Plus she has to meet Mr. Armitage, I mean Mr. Thornton. 

4.    What are your first impressions of Mr. Thornton?

5.    Why is Margaret so indifferent to Mr. Thornton, but she can make friends with the Higgins? They are both Northern people and have different customs.

I think her expectations of Mr. Thornton are really high. She expects him to be like the gentlemen from the South and to behave accordingly. I feel like Bess is kind of like a charity case for Margaret. She feels like she should help them and befriend them. 

6.    Compare the two moms we've seen in the story.

I think Mrs. Thornton is full of herself and her son. She is very proud, and judges the Hale family very harshly. I think because her family has had to work so hard to get where they are makes her think the Hales are lazy and uppity. I also think she is scared Margaret will steal her son away.

I feel bad for Mrs. Hale. She was taken from everything she has ever known, and she is deathly ill. It would be hard. We don't know much about her character, but I think she is very supportive of her husband, even though things seem strained right now. 

I think both women want what is best for their children, and have an immense love for their children. 

I think Mrs. Thornton is made of tougher stuff than Mrs. Hale. If it came down to working for a living. Mrs. Thornton would do better. 

It is hard to compare because they have very different backgrounds and family dynamics.

7.    What differences are you seeing so far between the North and the South?

Life styles are very different. The South have large properties with a lot of greenery. The North live in closer quarters and in a more industrial town.

The South enjoy a more leisurely life and the North thrive on working.

The North has hotter men!

They have different customs. For instance, Margaret doesn't want to shake Mr. Thornton's hand because it just isn't done. 

8.    Do you think Mr. Hale was justified in leaving the church and his position?                                                                                               I think Mr. Hale did what he thought was right. He moved his family and left his position knowing how hard it would be, but he did it anyway. I admire him a little bit for that.

9.    What are your feelings on Frederick's situation?

We don't have much information about his mutiny, but his family thinks he was standing up for someone else, and that his captain needed to be taken down. If this is the case, I feel bad for Frederick. He can't come home. He can't see his family. It would be hard. I feel bad for Mrs. Hale. She can never see her son again. It would be hard. 

10.    What are your thoughts on the master and worker relationship?

I liked when the book talked about the masters and workers needing each other. One could not exist without the other. I think the relationship is far from perfect. I think the workers deserve better pay, but I understand that the masters can't always pay them well. I think the workers could have better situations though. 

Basically I think it comes down to money and station. In England, the master and worker/servant relation will always  be a delicate one. I've learned a lot about this relationship from Downton Abbey.

Announcements:

-    Jenni will be hosting a Twitter chat today at 6:00 PM MST. Follow and tweet using #NorthSouthRAL. I'm excited to chat with everyone about the story and Richard Armitage!

-    Chapters 19-35 will be discussed on January 20 here on my blog. 

-    Don't forget! We'll be watching the BBC mini-series Friday, February 6 at Suey's house! Let us know if you'd like to come. If you live far away, watch along with us and tweet! It's on Netflix!

Return of the King: Book 6 Discussion Post

It's over :'(

This is our last discussion post!

This has been a fun 3 months!

Thank you to everyone who participated!

Jenni's Discussion Questions:

1.    Has your favorite character changed in The Return of the King? If yes, why?

A little, I really liked Eowyn's role a lot. I also loved Aragorn and Theoden. Gimli wasn't as prominent in this one. If I had to choose one, I'd go with Theoden.

2.    Which is your favorite book of the series? Why?

Probably The Two Towers, It had more action and a lot going on. I really liked the content and what happened during that book, but my favorite part is in The Return of the King.

3.    Do you like how the series ended? Why?

Yes, It was a good ending. Everything wrapped up nice. I love that Sam inherits Bag-End. I like how the Fellowship had one last meeting and parting. I like how Bilbo and Frodo get to sail away with the elves. It was good. I'm content.

4.    If you could change one thing about the ending what would it be and why?

I wish Sam had the opportunity to go with Frodo. Obviously he had a family to take care of and everything, but they could have at least extended the invitation. 

5.    Were there any changes in The Return of the King movie that you liked or disliked?

Ugh! Faramir!!! WHY!? 

I wanted them to show Aragorn healing people in the movie.

I liked Theoden's death better in the movie. I liked that his last words were to Eowyn instead of Pippin.

6.    What was your favorite moment in Book 6?

The ending, when Frodo passes along the book to Sam. It is one of those tingly moments when you know something special is ending, but life is going to continue. 

7.    Which death affected you the most?

This might be getting repetitive, and I'm sure you can all guess, but I LOVE Theoden's last words! They are so awesome! His death is so amazing.

8.    Why do you think Frodo didn't want to kill Saruman and Wormtongue, even after all the destruction and heartache they caused in the Shire?

I DON'T KNOW! Frodo didn't want to kill anyone! Saruman needed to die! Thank goodness Wormtongue stabbed him in the back, and thank goodness the other hobbits shot Wormtonge. Geez!

9.    If you were in Frodo's place, would you have done the same thing? (See previous question.)

No! I would have encouraged Saruman's death. 

10.    If J.R.R. Tolkien were still alive and wrote a sequel to The Lord of the Rings, which character would you want to see the most and why?

That is a hard one. I'd like to read about Gimli and Legolas traveling together. I liked to read about Aragorn as king. I'd want to know about Sam and the Shire. I'd want to know how Eowyn and Faramir are doing. I would want an epic story with everyone again.

You won't want to miss:

Twitter Chat

Monday, August 4 @ 7:00 PM Mountain Time

We'll be discussing the books and stuff.

#LotRreadalong

Movie Night

Saturday, August 9 @ 6:00 PM

We'll be watching The Return of the King!

If interested, ask for more details!