book discussion

Divergent Book Discussion Schedule

Monday, March 04, 2013


Ready to get this party started?  The Bucket List is having its annual book discussion soon and you are all invited.  We will be celebrating the upcoming fall release of the third book in the Divergent series.  So set your calendars and make sure to join me on March 5.

For the whole month of March, we will be kicking off this party right with Divergent Book Discussion all the time.  Regular scheduling will start back up in May.   

If you have missed any discussion post, then you have come to the right place.  Below are the dates and post links of all the things of the discussion.  Thanks for joining me for this great party!

Enter for a chance to win a copy of one of the books in the Divergent series and some other goodies HERE.  Then participate in the discussion posts for extra entries.

March 3
Divergent Book Discussion Giveaway
March 4
Divergent Book Discussion Schedule 
March 5: Divergent Book Discussion (Week 1)
Chapter 1
March 6
Chapter 2
March 8
Chapter 3
March 11: Divergent Book Discussion (Week 2)
Chapter 4
March 13
Chapter 5
March 15
Chapter 6
March 18: Divergent Book Discussion (Week 3)
Chapter 7
March 20
Chapter 8
March 22
Chapter 9
March 25: Divergent Book Discussion (Week 4)
Chapter 10
March 27
Chapter 11
March 29
Chapter 12
April 1: Divergent Book Discussion (Week 5)
Chapter 13
April 3
Chapter 14
April 5
Chapter 15
April 8: Divergent Book Discussion (Week 6)
Chapter 16
April 10
Chapter 17
April 12
Chapter 18
April 13
Chapter 19
April 15: Divergent Book Discussion (Week 7)
Chapter 20
April 17
Chapter 21
April 19
Chapter 22
April 22: Divergent Book Discussion (Week 8)
Chapter 23
April 24
Chapter 24
April 26
Chapter 25
April 27
Chapter 26
April 29: Divergent Book Discussion (Week 9)
Chapter 27
May 1
Chapter 28
May 3
Chapter 29
May 6: Divergent Book Discussion (Week 10)
Chapter 30
May 8
Chapter 31
May 10
Chapter 32
May 13: Divergent Book Discussion (Week 11)
Chapter 33
May 15
Chapter 34
May 17
Chapter 35
May 20: Divergent Book Discussion (Week 12)
Chapter 36
May 22
Chapter 37
May 24
Chapter 38
May 27: Divergent Book Discussion (Week 13)
Chapter 39
May 28
Final thoughts and giveaway winner

Other Important Dates:
Week of 6/3/12
BEA conference
6/10/12
IMM (BEA edition)

book discussion

5 Essentials to Participate in a Book Discussion (+ An Announcement)

Thursday, January 25, 2018

The Bucket List Hosts Its 4th Annual Book Discussion

I am so excited for this announcement. It's been approximately 4 years since The Bucket List has hosted a site-wide book discussion. And I'm finally ready to bring it back! 

I know you're probably jumping up and down with tons of questions. Let me answer them for you:

How does The Bucket List conduct a book discussion?

I'm so glad you asked! Just like previous years, I had you choose which book you wanted to discuss. Then when the book is announced (stay tuned!), a schedule of the discussion is posted soon after. In book discussions, we read two to three chapters a week. Each week, there will be a small recap of the chapters (with some hilarious commentary) and a few questions to get a comment party started. In addition to that, The Bucket List also hosts an amazing giveaway of the book in question and other goodies! Plus, sometimes, the author of the book even gets involved!  This year, I hope to add some things to the discussion so people on Twitter and Instagram can get involved too. It's going to be one big party and you're invited!

If you want to know more, check out the previous book discussions:






What book will you be discussing this year?

This is the fun part, the announcement. In the past week, on Twitter, you've all had the chance to weigh in to what book you want to read for this year's book discussion. The choices were The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken, Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo, A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab, and The Diviners by Libba Bray.


And the results are in! I am so happy to announce that for this year's book discussion, our book will be:

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

Publisher: Tor Books
Publication Date: 2/24/15
Pages: 400

Kell is one of the last Antari—magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel Londons; Red, Grey, White, and, once upon a time, Black. 

Kell was raised in Arnes—Red London—and officially serves the Maresh Empire as an ambassador, traveling between the frequent bloody regime changes in White London and the court of George III in the dullest of Londons, the one without any magic left to see.

Unofficially, Kell is a smuggler, servicing people willing to pay for even the smallest glimpses of a world they'll never see. It's a defiant hobby with dangerous consequences, which Kell is now seeing firsthand.

After an exchange goes awry, Kell escapes to Grey London and runs into Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She first robs him, then saves him from a deadly enemy, and finally forces Kell to spirit her to another world for a proper adventure.

Now perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, they'll first need to stay alive.

How can I get involved?

The book discussion will begin in March or April. During that time, read along with us and discuss the book in the comments section each week. If you absolutely adore the book and can't fit everything you want to say in the comments, there are several opportunities to write a guest post about your thoughts on the book. If you're interested in guest posting, contact me at bucketlist.gina(at)yahoo(dot)com

5 Essentials to Participate in a Book Discussion

Who's excited for the 2018 Book Discussion? It's definitely going to be lots of fun! To get ready for the discussion, there's just a few things you may need.

Book

What's a book discussion without the book you'll be discussing? Make sure to grab a copy and start reading to join in on each week's discussion.

baby book story reading GIF

Mobile Device

Look at you, you already have this one! If you're reading this right now, I would say you definitely have a mobile device to keep up on each week's book discussion post.

Pen and Paper

Don't you hate it when you have a thought about what you're reading and you can't find your pen anywhere? Keep those things at the ready. With a book discussion, you never know when a new thought about the book may come to you.

Tissues (Just in Case)

Some books just give you way too many feels.

feelings crying so much now GIF

Do Not Disturb Sign

Frankly, these signs rarely work. Most people will just bypass the sign and come right in without permission. But, really, no one should dare interrupting you when you're reading your book. Make sure to give everyone the heads up you're participating in a book discussion so you can have some time to read the book in peace. 

read suicide squad GIF

Are you excited for the book discussion? Have you read A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab?

book discussion

Divergent Book Discussion Giveaway

Sunday, March 03, 2013

Do you know what time it is?  Every year around this time, The Bucket List hosts a book discussion.  This year, you voted and we will all be reading through Divergent by Veronica Roth.

To kick off this awesome discussion, I am giving away a copy of Divergent.  However, if the discussion goes well, I will be adding quite a few other goodies to the giveaway as well (and probably a copy of Insurgent, the sequel, too).  You don't want to miss this!

All you have to do is fill out the form below but, first, here is what Divergent is all about:

Divergent by Veronica Roth
In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.
During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.--Goodreads
Awesome, right?  So here is what you have to do:
  • Comment! That’s basically all the work you have to put into this. Every comment you post on our discussion posts (and no, it can’t be a comment about something off topic- you must stay with the discussion) will add you an extra entry in the giveaway.  For each comment, you receive +1 as an extra entry.
  • You don't have to be a follower, but how else will you keep up with this awesome discussion? 
  • Due to money issues, I cannot make this contest international. However, if you, international folks, have USA friends, we could always send the gift to them who then could pass it on to you or if you are willing to pay for shipping and handling, we would gladly send the gift to you.
Those who are up for this contest—the deadline is 5/28/13.  On 5/29/13 I will email the winner of the book. (You will have 48 hours to claim your prize from that date.) Just fill in the form below, if you qualify, and don’t forget to comment.
Other things to remember: This is how the book discussion will run: Each week we will go over the plot of that week's three chapters.  Tomorrow, I will be posting the schedule to the discussion, so you will never miss a post.  We will reflect and discuss favorite scenes, random thoughts, and other awesome stuff. At the end of each post, there will be discussion questions for anyone who would like to join in on the fun. What are we asking you to do? Read along with us and comment every week! This book discussion is going to be so much fun and it would be even more so if you'd join us!


So stay tuned! (Every discussion post will take place on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.)  So bring on the comment love and don't forget your copy of Divergent.

book discussion

Divergent Book Discussion (32)

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Hey, people from Earth and other people who are not from here, for the next 3 weeks we will be giving you the awesomeness that is DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth.  Be sure to show up, because we are giving away some goodies, check it out HERE. Just a side note, I will be asking a question after each discussion post.  Be sure to follow the discussion and don’t be scared to join in on our discussion/ questions. Those who entered the contest will receive extra entries for answering a question.  Every week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, we will discuss three chapters per week: tell you about the plot, and other random bits of spicy goodness that you should definitely know about (all relating to Divergent).    Just for your curiosity: helping me out with this discussion is Jackie, one of my best friends (please say hello to her).  Basically these posts will be categorized by person.  Jackie hasn't read the book so be sure to read her first impressions while she reads along and if you have read Divergent, be sure to read my input (this will be the my second read through).  If you missed a post and want to check out the schedule, go HERE.  Come and join us in our quest of discussing DIVERGENT.

 CHAPTER 32

 Today's Topics:
Jeanine's Plan and Final Rankings





Wow, to think a little affection can make someone figure a whole plan out, who knew?! But seriously, so this is like the chips like brain control for initiates? Ew, gross…I wouldn’t want that in my brain, and my brain just told me it is fine with out mind control, so I’ll pass on those chips. No wonder the Erudite and Dauntless have been working together. Hehe the Dauntless would be way to implusive and dumb to come up with this whole plan on their own. No offense Dauntless, please don’t pulverize me!

TRIS IS ON TOP! WOOHOO, CAKE!!! NE-NE-NE-NA-BO-BO PETER, MOLLY, AND DREW! KNOW WHAT YOU GUYS ARE?! HUH DO YOU KNOW?!! LLLLOOOOSSSSSEEEEERRRRSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!

But really, congrats Tris, you totally deserved it after all the bullying, friends being lame friends, and just everything you went through. So here is the raking in case you guys forgot:
1) Tris
2) Uriah
3) Lynn
4) Marlene
5) Peter (HAHA TRIS WHOPPED YOUR BUTT!)
6) Will
7) Christina (I still kind of don’t like you too much, but you and Will should have been better ranked than Peter and his brain-drain crew).
And 8-10 are Dauntless member s that Tris doesn’t know. So, Drew and Molly aren’t on the list, so guess what that means? THEY BECAME UNTOUCHABLES—I MEAN FACTIONLESS. No one liked you anyways, well at least not me. Now, go on, go be Factionless (said as if talking to a puppy dog). Sorry, I just am way too emotional to handle this book discussion appropriately anymore, I apologize if I offended and Peter and his…lovely crew or anything else I unconsciously wrote. But I kind of doubt that many people will be offended, so hope you enjoyed the rant. This is the definition of what emotions do to you in a book, take this as a mental note everyone.



What did you think the ranking was going to be like? Similar to the book’s results, or something different, please share! J

book discussion

Divergent Book Discussion (3)

Friday, March 08, 2013

Hey, people from Earth and other people who are not from here, for the next 13 weeks we will be giving you the awesomeness that is DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth.  Be sure to show up, because we are giving away some goodies, check it out HERE. Just a side note, I will be asking a question after each discussion post.  Be sure to follow the discussion and don’t be scared to join in on our discussion/ questions. Those who entered the contest will receive extra entries for answering a question.  Every week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, we will discuss three chapters per week: tell you about the plot, and other random bits of spicy goodness that you should definitely know about (all relating to Divergent).    Just for your curiosity: helping me out with this discussion is Jackie, one of my best friends (please say hello to her).  Basically these posts will be categorized by person.  Jackie hasn't read the book so be sure to read her first impressions while she reads along and if you have read Divergent, be sure to read my input (this will be the my second read through).  If you missed a post and want to check out the schedule, go HERE.  Come and join us in our quest of discussing DIVERGENT.

 CHAPTER 3

The test results for Beatrice are in and we learn that she is divergent, a mix of three factions in one.  Interesting.  Tori tells her to go home early.  On her walk home, Beatrice encounters a strange factionless man who warns her about choices.

 Today's Topics:
Factionless and Divergent


From the way Beatrice describes it, being factionless sounds dreadful. …And kind of remind me of people in our own society who became absolute failures….or hobos (no offense factionless). So I guess to become factionless they failed at becoming whatever faction they were supposed to become in the first place. That would be hard to do, wouldn’t it? Or maybe not…perhaps all it takes to become factionless is one big screw-up. Ugh…that would suck…a lot. Even the weird guy at the end of the chapter (who I thought was going to rape Beatrice) seems to not have any of the dominant qualities of any factions, so being factionless makes sense I guess. But, he also reminded me of criminals; so would our society’s criminals be deemed as factionless? Then again, aren’t criminals brave? How are the faction values (like bravery) evaluated (or measured) and to what extent?

In the end, Beatrice is said to be Abnegation, Erudite, and Dauntless. So she is…what shall not be named (yes that is a Harry Potter reference for all the Pottermores out there). Why is it so dangerous to fit into more than one faction? Is it because these people are more likely to rebel against those in charge? I think it’s funny that the novel plays around with this idea of it being dangerous to have multiple dominant personality traits. In the real world, having diverse characteristics is praised. This book is going to be fun.







The factionless get way more involved in book two and I still don't have a firm grasp on them yet.  They creep me out so much and this first encounter just sealed the deal with how I feel about them.  You can't trust them because you don't know what they'll do.  I understand that probably all factionless are not like this but this guy was and he was creepy.  Jackie thought he was going to rape Beatrice, which is a little extreme because I think if he lunged at her, Beatrice could definitely hold her own.  If I was factionless, I would take to stealing from the Abnegation.  Now that I put it out there like that, it does sound horrible but maybe jail would be better than living on the sewage-smelling streets.

As Jackie points out, everyone is divergent.  If we were only one faction, we would be one dimensional.  Caleb has that 1-D air about him which is about to change.  I think the whole book would be boring if there wasn't any divergent out there.  After having that weird encounter with the factionless guy, I feel that he might have known something was off with Beatrice.  Well, at least, Beatrice and I are both paranoid about this guy.    He seemed to know something that he wasn't tell her.  Or maybe the entire scene was just a reflection of how paranoid Beatrice really is about her divergence and her choice tomorrow.




Why is it so dangerous to fit into more than one faction?

book discussion

Divergent Book Discussion (26)

Wednesday, May 01, 2013

Hey, people from Earth and other people who are not from here, for the next 6 weeks we will be giving you the awesomeness that is DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth.  Be sure to show up, because we are giving away some goodies, check it out HERE. Just a side note, I will be asking a question after each discussion post.  Be sure to follow the discussion and don’t be scared to join in on our discussion/ questions. Those who entered the contest will receive extra entries for answering a question.  Every week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, we will discuss three chapters per week: tell you about the plot, and other random bits of spicy goodness that you should definitely know about (all relating to Divergent).    Just for your curiosity: helping me out with this discussion is Jackie, one of my best friends (please say hello to her).  Basically these posts will be categorized by person.  Jackie hasn't read the book so be sure to read her first impressions while she reads along and if you have read Divergent, be sure to read my input (this will be the my second read through).  If you missed a post and want to check out the schedule, go HERE.  Come and join us in our quest of discussing DIVERGENT.

 CHAPTER 26
Today's Topics:
New Thoughts on Marcus and Tris and Tobias' Faith in Each Other





Marcus=baddy. Before I knew the truth about Marcus, I was trying to be unbiased before, but after Four says that HIS OWN FATHER WAS ABUSING HIM, I can’t help but hate MarcusJ. NO ONE HURTS MY FOUR! (Did I say that out loud? Ooops...at least it’s out in the open now). Who can like a child abuser?! That’s right, NO ONE (at least for people who like children anyway). I feel bad for Four that he went through all of that, but I’m so happy and proud of him for being brave and smart enough to get himself out of that situation as quick as he could. Now I get why he didn’t want to be head of the Dauntless. He didn’t want to see his father again, and who could blame him?

I know this topic has come up a few times in this book discussion, but I think it is important to talk about. Anyways, I find it so fascinating that both Tris and Four want to see each other succeed and overcome the obstacles in their path. I mean in most books (at least the ones I have read), focus more on one character needing support in their life, and the other main character plays the supportive role. I just like how this novel is different in that way and requires both of them to rely on one another for emotional, physical, and mental survival and support. Naturally, there was a corny kiss scene, which I could have done without, but most other people enjoy these trivial things, so I see why it was in there (even though I think it was unnecessary). At least I saw this scene coming and braced myself for the corny impact to come.




How have your thoughts changed (or not changed) about Marcus?

book discussion

Divergent Book Discussion (20)

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Hey, people from Earth and other people who are not from here, for the next 6 weeks we will be giving you the awesomeness that is DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth.  Be sure to show up, because we are giving away some goodies, check it out HERE. Just a side note, I will be asking a question after each discussion post.  Be sure to follow the discussion and don’t be scared to join in on our discussion/ questions. Those who entered the contest will receive extra entries for answering a question.  Every week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, we will discuss three chapters per week: tell you about the plot, and other random bits of spicy goodness that you should definitely know about (all relating to Divergent).    Just for your curiosity: helping me out with this discussion is Jackie, one of my best friends (please say hello to her).  Basically these posts will be categorized by person.  Jackie hasn't read the book so be sure to read her first impressions while she reads along and if you have read Divergent, be sure to read my input (this will be the my second read through).  If you missed a post and want to check out the schedule, go HERE.  Come and join us in our quest of discussing DIVERGENT.

 CHAPTER 20
More simulations, this time it’s different.  Tris is going to drown alive.  However, her divergence allows her to break free.  Four tells her to keep that secret under control.  Tris goes to Tori, seeking questions.

Today's Topics:
Being Divergent and its Dangers


From what I gather, I guess the danger in being Divergent is being able to see the reality in the fear simulations (at least in the Dauntless faction). Or maybe even being able to discern the truth and lies in the simulations is dangerous. I find this rather ironic because in the real world, a lot of people (like advertisers, politicians, newscasters, etc.) do not want citizens to see the world from their own perspective, but instead see it through the media’s eyes. Also, in doing this, the sense of independence and freedom is taken away in both the real world and in Tris’s world. I kind of knew from the start that this world with factions had something wrong with it. I mean what place wouldn’t like or accept people who had more than the Dauntless, Erudite, Amnity, Abnegation, or Candor qualities? But, since being divergent is dangerous, Tris will have to be careful when it comes time for the upper Dauntless leaders to watch her go through the fear simulations, or she may get herself killed.





It is dangerous being Divergent.  Why?  Why is being Divergent so dangerous?  It is still a mystery. 

Four it seems is on her side which is definitely a good thing because I would cry if he was against her.  He is such a cutie-pie.  He said he was going to delete the footage of her simulation, however, I think that would also cause problems because everyone is going to be wondering where Tris’ footage for that day is.  I don’t know how he can do that.  Since he is a computer wiz, I’m sure he will just make something up manually probably. 

All I can say is Divergent people should have nothing to do with Dauntless because Dauntless is just going to be the death of them.




What makes a person Divergent?


book discussion

Divergent Book Discussion (34)

Friday, May 17, 2013

Hey, people from Earth and other people who are not from here, for the next 3 weeks we will be giving you the awesomeness that is DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth.  Be sure to show up, because we are giving away some goodies, check it out HERE. Just a side note, I will be asking a question after each discussion post.  Be sure to follow the discussion and don’t be scared to join in on our discussion/ questions. Those who entered the contest will receive extra entries for answering a question.  Every week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, we will discuss three chapters per week: tell you about the plot, and other random bits of spicy goodness that you should definitely know about (all relating to Divergent).    Just for your curiosity: helping me out with this discussion is Jackie, one of my best friends (please say hello to her).  Basically these posts will be categorized by person.  Jackie hasn't read the book so be sure to read her first impressions while she reads along and if you have read Divergent, be sure to read my input (this will be the my second read through).  If you missed a post and want to check out the schedule, go HERE.  Come and join us in our quest of discussing DIVERGENT.

 CHAPTER 34

 Today's Topics:
The Plan



Before I begin this, let me say ahead of time that I was writing notes while reading this chapter, so if it seems all over the place, that’s because I was. Emotionally. Wah. I’m sorry, I just have a lot of feelings!

Ugh. The only thing I don’t like is the same, cliché talk about what the plan is. I wish every villain known to comic book and novel reading genre didn’t do this, it’s so B-O-R-I-N-G. It just takes time away from the novel and decreases the awesomeness of the book…and WAIT WHAT?!...
GURL, WHAT DID YOU JUST DO TO MY TOBIAS????!!!!!!! NOW TRIS WILL HAVE TO END UP KILLING HIM, AND LADY (her name is Jeannie) I’LL HAVE YOU KNOW THAT LIKE A CHAPTER BEFORE THIS I ACTUALLY DECIDED THAT I FULLY TRUSTED FOUR, BUT NOW, NOPE THAT ROMANCE IS OVER BEFORE IT COULD EVEN REALLY MOVE ALONG!
WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN TO ALL THE CHARACTERS I LOVE AND SHIP?! I NEVER CAN JUST HAVE ONE OF MY SHIPS SAIL BECAUSE THEY ALL END UP DEAD, THANKS TO PEOPLE LIKE YOU JEANNIE!
I ALMOST CAN’T BEAR TO READ THIS ANYMORE, BUT I HAVE TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS! THANKS A LOT BOOK FOR LEAVING A CLIFFHANGER HERE SO I HAVE TO KEEP READING, I HATE YOU, I HATE ALL OF YYYYYYYYYYYYOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!
I’M REALLY ABOUT TO CRY, I JUST WANT MY TOBIAS BACK. But I am mad. I want him back, and for Tris not to be scared and mad at him. Tris will have to kill him, I know it. *tear goes down face*
I’M OKAY, I SWEAR! (My mind laughed at me, and said, yea right, you being okay right now is like when the Darth Vader tries to save his son but ends up dying because of it). Thanks mind, thanks a whole lot.
 



DO YOU THINK TOBIAS WILL COME BACK TO US-TRIS? HE BETTER, OR ELSE.

book discussion

Divergent Book Discussion (11)

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Hey, people from Earth and other people who are not from here, for the next 11 weeks we will be giving you the awesomeness that is DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth.  Be sure to show up, because we are giving away some goodies, check it out HERE. Just a side note, I will be asking a question after each discussion post.  Be sure to follow the discussion and don’t be scared to join in on our discussion/ questions. Those who entered the contest will receive extra entries for answering a question.  Every week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, we will discuss three chapters per week: tell you about the plot, and other random bits of spicy goodness that you should definitely know about (all relating to Divergent).    Just for your curiosity: helping me out with this discussion is Jackie, one of my best friends (please say hello to her).  Basically these posts will be categorized by person.  Jackie hasn't read the book so be sure to read her first impressions while she reads along and if you have read Divergent, be sure to read my input (this will be the my second read through).  If you missed a post and want to check out the schedule, go HERE.  Come and join us in our quest of discussing DIVERGENT.

 CHAPTER 11

Field trip!  Finally we get some fresh air from this underground faction and enjoy some joy riding from train hopping to uncomfortable hugging.  It’s a trip to remember.

Today's Topics:
Faction Jobs and Seeing Robert




So, the initiates chosen get to either choose to work for the government or train new initiates. To me, the government job sounds boring, so I like that Four chose the training job even though he had top ranking in his initiate group. I think the “traditional view” he has going follows through with his decision here. If Tris does get to choose where she goes, I could see her in training with Four, but she really has to get better with fighting first. Because if she can’t fight, then she won’t even make it past initiation.

Robert=wuss. Sorry, but he is (as in anyone in Amity, no offense Amity). I mean it was nice to see that this is where he ended up, and Amity seems to follow his personality quite well. Thank God Tris didn’t choose Amity. This book would’ve been soooooo boring. Again, no offense Amity, but peace=no danger, no war=no fun=BORING!





Faction jobs is a very vague topic and I don’t think we know much about them yet to say.  Four works in the control room, which is not exactly a government job.  However, Tris’ father works for the government.  Dauntless initiates who rank last will be placed as gatekeepers which sound like a sucky job.  Lots of standing, hot weather or rainy.  I would find that boring.  Also, let’s talk about why the lock is on the outside of the door instead of inside.  I know the answer because book two tells all but why hasn’t anyone caught on to this yet.  It makes no sense that they would guard a gate that keeps them inside.  Thoughts, please.

Seeing Robert in Amity was not a surprise and, frankly (as Jackie put it) quite boring.  However, on the other hand Tris and Four.  Yeah, he was totally feeling her cheek.  There is totally something going on there.  Love those two.  He even gave her some fighting advice which was exactly what she needed.  And, once again, I still dislike Peter.




If you were in a made-up faction, what would your greeting be (such as the Amity faction hugs)?




book discussion

Divergent Book Discussion (36)

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Hey, people from Earth and other people who are not from here, for the next 3 weeks we will be giving you the awesomeness that is DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth.  Be sure to show up, because we are giving away some goodies, check it out HERE. Just a side note, I will be asking a question after each discussion post.  Be sure to follow the discussion and don’t be scared to join in on our discussion/ questions. Those who entered the contest will receive extra entries for answering a question.  Every week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, we will discuss three chapters per week: tell you about the plot, and other random bits of spicy goodness that you should definitely know about (all relating to Divergent).    Just for your curiosity: helping me out with this discussion is Jackie, one of my best friends (please say hello to her).  Basically these posts will be categorized by person.  Jackie hasn't read the book so be sure to read her first impressions while she reads along and if you have read Divergent, be sure to read my input (this will be the my second read through).  If you missed a post and want to check out the schedule, go HERE.  Come and join us in our quest of discussing DIVERGENT.

 CHAPTER 36

 Today's Topics:
Definition of Brave and the Plan





Before I comment on the actual book chapter for this, I just wanted to introduce what being brave meant to me. Being brave is when you are willing to sacrifice your life for someone else no matter how scared you really are. This could mean something small like asking a person out on a date, or maybe something more like being a James bond hero figure and saving whoever you can and need to save. Bravery is also dealing with your problems, and not taking the easier way out and giving up on life and deciding to end it. Even if we fail when facing our fears and obstacles but still decide to stand up and try again, that is true bravery. All in all, bravery is so many things, and now let’s get back to the book before I bore us all to death.
Kind of like I said above, Tris’s mom dies for her in order to save her and help her continue on her quest to end the massacre going on (and to save Four, hopefully). Her mom sacrificed herself without any hesitation, and took charge so that Tris could accomplish her goal and end the murder and chaos going on. Even Tris exhibits bravery since she knows she will have to go face Tobias (and may have to kill him), but she still goes on trying to free the Dauntless initiates from the mind control by whatever means necessary. …Maybe Tobias won’t die…I hope he doesn’t.
Yea Jackie, keep telling yourself that, we all know how this story is going to end, sadly enoughL

 Tobias, please don’t die! PLEASE! I mean the plan they have seems really good to me, but it could all go wrong if they make any mistake. I really don’t want Tris to have to kill Tobias. I mean, that would be like me killing my friends or family, I MEAN YOU JUST DON’T DO THAT! IT’S A NO-NO! LIKE BIG TIME!
 


What is your definition of bravery? Does it just encompass a few traits, or I is it long and drawn out like my definition?

book discussion

Divergent Book Discussion (38)

Friday, May 24, 2013

Hey, people from Earth and other people who are not from here, for the next 3 weeks we will be giving you the awesomeness that is DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth.  Be sure to show up, because we are giving away some goodies, check it out HERE. Just a side note, I will be asking a question after each discussion post.  Be sure to follow the discussion and don’t be scared to join in on our discussion/ questions. Those who entered the contest will receive extra entries for answering a question.  Every week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, we will discuss three chapters per week: tell you about the plot, and other random bits of spicy goodness that you should definitely know about (all relating to Divergent).    Just for your curiosity: helping me out with this discussion is Jackie, one of my best friends (please say hello to her).  Basically these posts will be categorized by person.  Jackie hasn't read the book so be sure to read her first impressions while she reads along and if you have read Divergent, be sure to read my input (this will be the my second read through).  If you missed a post and want to check out the schedule, go HERE.  Come and join us in our quest of discussing DIVERGENT.

 CHAPTER 38

 Today's Topics:
Facing Tobias and Killing the one You Love





Aw man, I haven’t even read the chapter yet. Thanks a lot Jeanna, now I know that he must die. Activate crying mode..NOW.
AHHHHHHH this book! I feel like I’m on a roller coaster of emotions, like a pregnant woman! By the way, I’m not actually pregnant if you were wondering. I probably seem like it though, so I can understand why you would think that. Wait….TOBIAS DON’T YOU DARE SHOOT HER, I WILL KILL YOU MYSELF IF YOU DO! Okay good, you didn’t, thank goodness! I really didn’t want to kill you Tobias, I was just kidding. I think you would whoop my butt anyway….AHHHHH THIS BOOK! MUST KEEP READING!





This chapter is just too much for all of us.





What are you feeling after reading this chapter?