Again! Again!

Look to the left. I finished another Book Challenge! AND I'm at least halfway done with all the others (that someone else is sponsoring). *Phew!* I think that's good progress and timing, considering tomorrow marks half the year gone.

But my word. It's getting tough. Especially with print books! I never have time. And if I actually find some, I fall asleep within a page or two. I'm just so exhausted, and calming my brain enough to focus on a book is enough for it to think "Time to sleep!"

However, I'm getting there. And really enjoying the challenges. The books, too. I've felt such a sense of accomplishment, especially considering I've picked some that I really didn't care to finish. I can see it helping me with my Readers' Advisory (particularly YA--go figure). I just wish the local library (excluding mine!) would let YA books count for its Summer Reading Program. All these books I'm reading, and I don't think I'll get much reward for any of them.

Oh? And the S'n'H 2010 Book Challenge? It's coming along. Some categories are getting much harder for me to fill. Not that there aren't any books for them, they're just not in audio. (Seriously. I've become that picky that I will turn away a book because it isn't audio. Terrible, Me. Terrible.) The run-down:
Categories completed (with at least one book, and not a re-read): 24
Categories left: 25
Of Catefories left, currently (and progressively) working on: 3

So, I think that puts me at about 1/2 way for completing that challenge, too.

And as for points? 460.9

Goose, Part 4

5. How did you feel about Falada?

I know I've already mentioned some of this in answers. So, I thought the horse-speaking was a little far-fetched at first. But I was still "close" to the horse and had to keep from crying over his fate. When its head ended up on the gate, I thought, "What?!" It seemed too gruesome and far-fetched. So I researched and learned that part was in an older telling of the fairy tale. So I just accepted it and moved on.

6. Did you think the magical/mystical elements worked in the book? Were they believable? Did they flow well in the story?

I think the magical elements worked in the book. It took me a while to accept people-speaking, but I certainly had by the end to make Celia's evilness even more so. And since I felt like I was learning wind-speaking right along with Isi, that seemed believable, too. And I'm thinking it flowed well, too. But I will admit that sometimes when the story is interesting enough, I sometimes ignore if the writing did well in conveying it. (I can think of one example in particular, but I won't even mention it as it very much pales in comparison to Hale and her writing and stories.) However, I enjoy Hale's writing too much and I think I can defend that she made them flow well in the story.

Goose, Part 3

4. Because we love them so--OK, because I love them so--I saved Isi and Geric for their own question. What were your thoughts about Isi as the book progressed? What were your thoughts on Geric? Did you have your suspicions about him?

I've been mentioning in previous answers already that as the book progressed, I loved Isi more. I loved going along with her as she found her confidence and strength, learned lessons, and made friends--especially with Geric. Yes. I am in love with Geric. Very, very much. And from the time he first entered the book, I knew he was the prince. I just...knew it. So I went about the whole time smirking over this prince with faults and weaknesses, who was mesmerized and uplifted by Isi. I still enjoyed the "surprise" of the revelation, though.

I know I could go into more detail. But I'm just going to state it this way:

I love, love, love, love, LOVE Geric and Isi. Separately, and together.

Goose, Part 2

3. In my opinion, there are so many well-written characters in this book. Ones you just love, and ones you just don’t. It’s one of the best things about the book! So let’s hear some of your thoughts on the following:

Enna - I love Enna. She's fun, spunky, strong, and doesn't take anything from anyone. But some times she is just a bit too tough for me. I want to be strong and fun and spunky, but I also want to be tender. And Isi seems to have more of the tenderness that I would wish for myself. Enna on her own, I probably would have thought her great and left it there. But put her next to Isi, and every time I will opt for the gentler of the two. (Which I do in every book in the series.)

Gilsa - Loved her from the start. Knew she would be a gruff country mother figure from the start. Wish she could have played a slightly larger role in the book (and the series!).

Selia - I wanted to slap her at the beginning because I thought she was unfair to Ani. And then her betrayal? Well, I wanted to slap her again! And as the book progressed, I was ready to tear out her hair and mace her eyes and do all sorts of Enna-like things. Another reason why I'd like to be more like Isi, because it's more how I think I should be.

Isi’s mother - She made me so mad. How dare a mother treat her own daughter like that. No matter how awkward our child can be, you should still love them unconditionally. And if Isi's mother did. I certainly didn't get that vibe. Loved her, yes. But approved, trusted, supported, etc? Nope.

Razo - A showy goof-off who reminded me too much of the boys I knew in Junior High. Didn't dislike him. But I'm 15 years past that stage of life and those guys can be a bit too annoying for me now.

Conrad - Though he made me laugh, he still was pretty annoying. Such a whiner. But the hat scene was a great laugh.

other minor character - I can't remember who the good guard's name was, but I LOVE him! He's like a teddy bear, father figure, older brother, and chocolate covered donuts all in one. How can you not love the guy?

Goose, Part 1

Just to warn/prepare you: Answering these might take just a little longer since Summer Reading begins today and I don't know how easy daily will be. We'll see. But wish me luck--I am so nervous!!!!

1. What were your impressions of Ani/Isi in the first few chapters? Did you relate to her in any way?

In the first few chapters, I didn't like Ani very much. Maybe one or two small things, but overall, not really. I had thought at first that it was interesting Hale used her as a main character. She seemed too weak. Too self-doubting with too much room to grow to become a character I would really enjoy and want to emulate. But I should never have doubted Hale, because she did just that. And by the end of the book, Ani/Isi had become one of my favorite literary characters. I love her! It surprises me sometimes how much I love her. But then, I wonder if it wasn't just Ani that needed the self discovery, but that we needed to learn who she was, too. Isn't that how it is with people in general? We should get to know them better before we make judgements?

I think one reason I didn't like her so much would be that I could relate to her in some ways, and they were exactly the ways I didn't want to. So finding her overcome those obstacles, fears, and weaknesses was even more rewarding and uplifting for me.

So, in the first few chapters, no. But as Ani became Isi, yes, I loved her.

2. Did you have suspicions about Selia before the trip began?

Well, I knew something was supposed to happen to cause Isi to become a goose girl. (I mean, it's the title of the book. And it's in the book description!) And I knew I didn't trust Selia. But I had no clue the part Selia would play. Especially as the book progressed. That was one well-written villainess.

Not One Less

Here's another Book Challenge clarification that I need.

I don't count a series as a series unless there are at least 3 books. (So, yes, trilogies are series to me.)

For my 1st in a Series Challenge: Am I allowed to count a book that is intended to be a series, but it is the only one written so far?

I'm thinking that should be a no, if I want to uphold my Finish that Series Challenge agreement that reading the last book published counts, even if you know more will come eventually.

What do you readers think?

Duck, Duck, Goose!

Sorry! Been so busy and then out of town. Nothing fancy with the questions again. Just...the questions. Hopefully I'll be able to start answering them by next week, and then you can join in the discussions!

1. What were your impressions of Ani/Isi in the first few chapters? Did you relate to her in any way?

2. Did you have suspicions about Selia before the trip began?

3. In my opinion, there are so many well-written characters in this book. Ones you just love, and ones you just don’t. It’s one of the best things about the book! So let’s hear some of your thoughts on the following:

Enna

Gilsa

Selia

Isi’s mother

Razo

Conrad

other minor character

4. Because we love them so--OK, because I love them so--I saved Isi and Geric for their own question. What were your thoughts about Isi as the book progressed? What were your thoughts on Geric? Did you have your suspicions about him?

5. How did you feel about Falada?

6. Did you think the magical/mystical elements worked in the book? Were they believable? Did they flow well in the story?

7. What was your favorite “scene” in the book?

8. What was your least favorite “scene?”

9. What was your favorite part of the book?

10. What was you least favorite part?

11. What are your thoughts on Hale’s writing style?

12. Have you read any of Hale’s other works? What are your impressions in comparison?

Cheers All Around!

Look!

Look, look, look!

Over on the sidebar.

Do you see it?

I finished my first Book Challenge for the year!!!

*whew*

YAY!