Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

                

This thread is to discuss Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier. Be prepared for spoilers.


Synopsis:
Gwyneth Shepherd's sophisticated, beautiful cousin Charlotte has been prepared her entire life for traveling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth, who in the middle of class takes a sudden spin to a different era!

Gwyneth must now unearth the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with Gideon--the time traveler from a similarly gifted family that passes the gene through its male line, and whose presence becomes, in time, less insufferable and more essential. Together, Gwyneth and Gideon journey through time to discover who, in the 18th century and in contemporary London, they can trust.

Chapter Breakdown

Date Chapters Pages PPDQs
Dec 02 Prologue-2 1-39 Karen
Dec 03 3-5 40-95 Eni
Dec 04 6-8 96-160 Kelly

**Dec 05 Break Day**

Dec 06 9-11 161-225 RachelvlehcaR 
Dec 07 12-13 226-254 Sonia
Dec 08 14-end 255-322 Sadie

Breakdown is based on this version of the book

so use chapter numbers if you have a different version

Discussion Question volunteers:

Sophie (Lightning Hounds)
Eni (Fighting Redcaps)
Karen (river sprites)
Amanda (Poisonous Toadstools)
Sonia (Scions of the Dark)
Sadie (Army Ants)
RachelvlehcaR (Balefire Dragon)
Kelly (Spirit Weavers)


NOTE: We will accept one team member per book per team for writing a days DQs. If, by three days prior to the BOM starting, we don't have enough volunteers to write all DQs, then we will let more than one team member per team write questions. If we have more people than days sign up (prior to 3 days before start date) we will randomise the volunteers to determine those who can write DQs

can I volunteer for some questions on this one?

i'm in! and i volunteer to do questions!

As my nomination I guess that means I'm in, and I'll volunteer for DQs (river sprites)
;)

I'll volunteer to do questions.

I'm in for this BR

Oooh, this sounds good. I'm in!

I'm in! And I'll volunteer for questions too :)

I'm in ! I've watched the movie and I'm curious about the book :)

Oh I didn't even realise there was a movie. I'll have to check it out if I enjoy the book

There is a movie?!

Uhmmmm....

I googled... It seems to be in German (RubinRot) which doesn't help me unless there is a subtitled version! ;)

Yeah, but I'm sure you can find a version with subtitles. I found one with french subtitle so why not one with english subtiles?

I'm in!

I'll volunteer for questions :)

I have had these books on my to read shelf for a while now.

This sounds good, I'm in, do we have to follow the chapter rules though, or can we carry on ( as long as we use spoilers obviously)

If it comes in for me in the library, I'm in.

V Audio Nerd wrote: "This sounds good, I'm in, do we have to follow the chapter rules though, or can we carry on ( as long as we use spoilers obviously)"

You can read as you like, but just be aware that the group will be reading generally as above so if you are able to keep your thoughts for those parts for the relevant days it does make it a bit easier and better for dicussion for everyone

Thanks Karen I will do.
I struggle to stop a book if I'm enjoying it lol

I understand ;)

I'm in. I just got my copy from the library.

I just bought a copy off amazon so I guess I'll be trying to fit this in along with my other BRs in December!

I'm in - I just picked my copy up from the library.

I'm in and can do DQs if any are available. Team Balefire Dragon. :)

I have my book, so I'm in! :)

I've looking for an excuse to read this for close to year so I joining in. Maybe I'll be able to keep up with the reason schedule without life getting in the way this time.

**edited**
Ok, I've randomised the DQ volunteers (as we had 8 volunteers and 6 days), so the first 6 that came out of the randomiser are our volunteers (sorry Amanda and Sophie you've missed out on this one)
(view spoiler)[
(hide spoiler)]

Message 2 has been updated with our volunteers. Please just shout out if you'd prefer a different day

Aww missed me all together. Oh well.

Just got my copy in, so I'd like to try joining y'all for this read! Hopefully life will stay dull, and I'll be able to keep on schedule.

Kelly wrote: "Aww missed me all together. Oh well."

bugger, sorry Kelly. I'll re do it then

Ok, list of volunteers re-randomised because this bad mod missed a volunteer off the list.
New list has been edited into the above post.

Volunteers and assigned days are in Message 2 . If you can't make a day, or need to swap, please yell out!

I'm going to start this tonight so that I can catch up with everyone tomorrow as I can't read much tomorrow.

V Audio Nerd wrote: "I'm going to start this tonight so that I can catch up with everyone tomorrow as I can't read much tomorrow."

Beware - I had planned to read just the first day's chapters last night, but I just zoomed on through. I really didn't want to stop after Chapter2!

Haha I shall be on my guard lol.
I'm on audio though so it is always difficult for me to stop, not sure about this one though, it sounds like it was recorded in a bathroom lol It's really echoey

oh dear, that doesn't sound like a very good audio! :o

It's okay Karen I've listened to worse haha

I'd like to join for this!

Ok I've managed up to chp 3, enjoying it so far.
Will comment on my thoughts when everyone has caught up.

Comments and Questions
December 2
Prologue - Chapter 2

1. Theories on the prologue? Who is Grace? (there seem to be a lot of "G" names in the family!)

2. So Leslie is Gwyneth's friend, Charlotte is her cousin, James is the ghost and Caroline and Nick are her siblings. Thoughts on the characters so far?

3. What do you think is with the man in black outside their house? Why is no-one concerned about him?

4. Do you like the writing style / the humour and the little newspaper clippings or book excerpts before each chapter?

5. How annoying that Gwyneth hasn't worked out her symptoms! I wonder why her family haven't realised she has the gene?

Prologue - Chapter 2

1. Theories on the prologue? Who is Grace? (there seem to be a lot of "G" names in the family!)
It seems like Grace was hidden in the past to protect her, but I'm not clear on who exactly she is. I must have missed something!
*i re-listened, and is Grace Gwyneth's mother? Seems like they are descendants of some bigwigs.

2. So Leslie is Gwyneth's friend, Charlotte is her cousin, James is the ghost and Caroline and Nick are her siblings. Thoughts on the characters so far?
I like Leslie - she seems like a good friend. Charlotte is a snob, so I don't like her or her mother or grandmother. That's kind of weird that Gwyneth can see ghosts -- I wonder what the significance of that is and if she'd be able to see them in the past as well.

3. What do you think is with the man in black outside their house? Why is no-one concerned about him?
He is a puzzle. Bad guy? Good guy? Time travel police? I don't know.

4. Do you like the writing style / the humour and the little newspaper clippings or book excerpts before each chapter?
I like the interesting tidbits before each chapter. The writing style makes it easy to get wrapped up in the story. This section ended right when it was getting good! So I think it will be easy to speed through this story.

5. How annoying that Gwyneth hasn't worked out her symptoms! I wonder why her family haven't realised she has the gene?
I know! After a few dizzy spells, I'd think that would be the first thing she'd suspect!

Comments and Questions
December 2
Prologue - Chapter 2

1. Theories on the prologue? Who is Grace? (there seem to be a lot of "G" names in the family!)
(view spoiler)[I think based on the information in the news clipping prior to Chapter 2 that Grace is actually Gwyneth's mother. (hide spoiler)]

2. So Leslie is Gwyneth's friend, Charlotte is her cousin, James is the ghost and Caroline and Nick are her siblings. Thoughts on the characters so far?
Leslie seems like the type of friend that everyone needs - she's loyal and supportive of Gwen. It's interesting that Gwen has seen ghosts all of her life and even gargoyles came to life for her. I think that will be key later. We haven't seen too much of her siblings. Charlotte, her mother and grandmother aren't like-able. I do like Great-aunt Maddy though!

3. What do you think is with the man in black outside their house? Why is no-one concerned about him?
I'm thinking he may be a watcher of time-travel families. I'm wondering if there is a connection with Mr. Bernard.

4. Do you like the writing style / the humour and the little newspaper clippings or book excerpts before each chapter?
I do like the clippings or excerpts. This gives a little bit of insight into things. It was very difficult to stop at the end of Chapter 2.

5. How annoying that Gwyneth hasn't worked out her symptoms! I wonder why her family haven't realised she has the gene?
I can't believe she is being that oblivious.

1. Theories on the prologue? Who is Grace? (there seem to be a lot of "G" names in the family!)
Grace is a relative I think or someone who time traveled too as references were made during conversations about time travel.
2. So Leslie is Gwyneth's friend, Charlotte is her cousin, James is the ghost and Caroline and Nick are her siblings. Thoughts on the characters so far?
Gwyneth sounds whiney, Leslie a airhead, Charlotte a selfish brat. The others feel flat. I haven't met anyone to my liking yet.
3. What do you think is with the man in black outside their house? Why is no-one concerned about him?
My thoughts exactly! Are they ignoring him or they just don't see him? If they are ignoring him - WHY? If they can't see him, then why can Gyneth?
4. Do you like the writing style / the humour and the little newspaper clippings or book excerpts before each chapter?
It adds something witty to the chapter I admit but am not overtly fond of it.
5. How annoying that Gwyneth hasn't worked out her symptoms! I wonder why her family haven't realised she has the gene?
I really am not liking Gwyneth.

Comments and Questions
December 2
Prologue - Chapter 2

1. Theories on the prologue? Who is Grace? (there seem to be a lot of "G" names in the family!)
Hmm... Well, I just know that Grace is someone very close to the couple in the prologue but unsure if it's a sister, child, or friend. They also mentioned that Grace was Gwyneth's mom.

2. So Leslie is Gwyneth's friend, Charlotte is her cousin, James is the ghost and Caroline and Nick are her siblings. Thoughts on the characters so far?
-> Charlotte seems very spoiled and seems to make a point to treat Gwyneth like she is beneath her and enjoys being center of attention.
-> Leslie is an awesome BFF. The fact that she believes Gwyneth about James being a ghost she can see speaks volumes of her support for her friend.
-> James is questionable - likes Charlotte but not Leslie??
-> I don't have a good feel for Caroline and Nick yet, just that they are younger siblings and seems like they have a good relationship, along with their mother.

3. What do you think is with the man in black outside their house? Why is no-one concerned about him?
I was wondering about him too. I suspect he knows that Gwyneth carries the gene perhaps? Maybe he is someone that helps out with time travel or documents the time travel once it occurs. It just seems like he is hanging out waiting for something so that's all I can come up with.

4. Do you like the writing style / the humour and the little newspaper clippings or book excerpts before each chapter?
So far I do enjoy the writing and how the information is being provided. I enjoy Gwenyth and her humor - she seems quite delightful.

5. How annoying that Gwyneth hasn't worked out her symptoms! I wonder why her family haven't realised she has the gene?
It seems everyone is so sure Charlotte has the gene and therefore Gwyneth has no reason to believe she carries the gene - Therefore, it's like she's convinced herself that "it must be something else!" LOL! Looking forward to the next chapter as I believe the light bulb will be coming on very shortly! Ha!

1. Theories on the prologue? Who is Grace? (there seem to be a lot of "G" names in the family!)
I agree with everyone else in that I think Grace may be Gwyneth's mother.

2. So Leslie is Gwyneth's friend, Charlotte is her cousin, James is the ghost and Caroline and Nick are her siblings. Thoughts on the characters so far?

I really like her best friend she is really concerned about her and wants to help how she can.

3. What do you think is with the man in black outside their house? Why is no-one concerned about him?
I'm wondering if the man in black is a ghost like James and only Gwyneth can see him.

4. Do you like the writing style / the humour and the little newspaper clippings or book excerpts before each chapter?
I like the humour and the fact that it is very British, I can relate to Sherbet Lemons, I love them. Not sure about the excerpts at the beginning yet, they do not make a lot of sense.

5. How annoying that Gwyneth hasn't worked out her symptoms! I wonder why her family haven't realised she has the gene?
I think her mother does know but is scared to say something, I don't know why though, they all seem to be so concerned about Cynthia and that there is NO WAY that the date can be wrong!

Comments and Questions
December 2
Prologue - Chapter 2

1. Theories on the prologue? Who is Grace? (there seem to be a lot of "G" names in the family!)

I'm going with the majority that Grace is Gwyneth's mom. But I don't know who the "she" they left behind is--Gwyneth maybe?


2. So Leslie is Gwyneth's friend, Charlotte is her cousin, James is the ghost and Caroline and Nick are her siblings. Thoughts on the characters so far?

Love Leslie. Charlotte and her mom remind me of every other "chosen" one and their parents--condescending, entitled and not very nice. So we don't like them much. :) Love Aunt Maddy as well.

3. What do you think is with the man in black outside their house? Why is no-one concerned about him?

Can everyone else see him? Or is he like the ghosts that Gwyneth sees? I think he's there to keep an eye on Gwyneth.

4. Do you like the writing style / the humour and the little newspaper clippings or book excerpts before each chapter?

I'm enjoying the tone of the book, and the little excerpts at the beginning of the chapters are offering nice little tidbits towards how the Guardians work.

5. How annoying that Gwyneth hasn't worked out her symptoms! I wonder why her family haven't realised she has the gene?

It seems odd that she wouldn't at least wonder if there was a mistake and she's the traveler. Guess she'll have it figured out now!

I'm so joining in for this!

Comments and Questions
December 2
Prologue - Chapter 2

1. Theories on the prologue? Who is Grace? (there seem to be a lot of "G" names in the family!)

Definitely Gwyneth's mum. I'm not sure who left hr in the past though - either Gwyneth herself or Lucy maybe before she disappeared?

2. So Leslie is Gwyneth's friend, Charlotte is her cousin, James is the ghost and Caroline and Nick are her siblings. Thoughts on the characters so far?

We've not seen much of Caroline and nick yet but I like the characters we've seen so far. Gwyneth and Lesley seem really fun together and I have a feeling the older relatives are going to provide a good contrast to whatever youthful time travelling hijinks Gwyneth (and Charlotte??) get up to.

3. What do you think is with the man in black outside their house? Why is no-one concerned about him?

I almost missed the mention of him because it was so brief. I think he's either a ghost or he's somebody that monitors people with this time travel gene.

4. Do you like the writing style / the humour and the little newspaper clippings or book excerpts before each chapter?

I love the clippings, they really help with the world building and I like how it gives a little break in between each chapter. The prose itself reads a little younger than I'm used to but I like the light humour - it comes across really well considering the book is a translation.

5. How annoying that Gwyneth hasn't worked out her symptoms! I wonder why her family haven't realised she has the gene?

I'm hoping we find out how the family "diagnose" who has the gene and who doesn't. I think Gwyneth isn't quite connecting it because she's been told her whole life that she hasn't got the gene and Charlotte is the one that has undergone all the training. I'm lookinjg forward to the moment that she realises and how her family reacts.