Reached by Ally Condie

When I read, I ask a LOT of questions. Here’s some stuff I searched or wondered about while reading Reached.

Buy the Book  Goodreads

From my Review:

More poetic writing from the lovely Ally.  In the final book of the Matched trilogy, we get a lot of questions answered, like how Cassia became immune to the red tablet.  But Ally doesn’t answer everything which is what makes this book stick with me.  In fact, when she signed my book she wrote “Remember – it’s all right to wonder…” I’m still wondering about the Otherlands… Read More

Places

Through the whole series, I kept wondering where exactly the provinces were.  Well I found this awesome map from aimmyarrowshigh.

Click image for larger version

Be sure to check out the post about how they came up with the map.  It’s pure nerdy awesome.

Plants

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Sego Lily

I had to smile when Sego Lilies were mentioned in Reached because they are very Utahn. In fact, they are the state flower of this lovely state I live in.  The Mormon Pioneers ate the bulbs during hard times and they thrive in the desert.

Paintings

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Chasm of the Colorado by Thomas Moran

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Girl Fishing at San Vigilio by John Singer Sargent

Poetry

Click the links to read the full poems.

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night – Dylan Thomas

Poem in October – Dylan Thomas

Crossing the Bar – Alfred Lord Tennyson

They Dropped Like Flakes – Emily Dickinson

I Did Not Reach Thee – Emily Dickinson

In Time of Pestilence, 1593 – Thomas Nashe

Books Mentioned

In the author’s note at the end of Reached, Ally says Ray Bradbury and Rita Dove are mentioned in Crossed and the other two authors were inspirations as well. I’ve listed their most well-known works here.  The title links go to Goodreads.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Thomas and Beulah by Rita Dove

Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner

Collected Poems by Leslie Norris

Book Trailer

Wondering About

The personalized signature in my Reached book

My biggest question that I kept wondering about:

Where are the Otherlands? Are they over the ocean? Is it Mexico and Canada? South America?

Do you have any theories? Because I kind of think it might be Europe or something.  They would have to be extremely far away to justify no one coming back.  And Ally doesn’t seem the type of person that would be like no one came back because they ALL DIED.

About Ally Condie

Ally Condie is the author of the international bestseller MATCHED, and its sequel, CROSSED. A former English teacher (who still keeps her license current, just in case!), she lives with her husband and four children outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. She loves reading, writing, running, and listening to her husband play guitar.

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A Breath of Eyre by Eve Marie Mont

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When I read, I ask a LOT of questions. Here’s some stuff I searched or wondered about while reading A Breath of Eyre by Eve Marie Mont.

From My Review:

As I was getting about a third of the way through the book, I started to feel like it was all very predictable.  It wasn’t veering much from the Jane Eyre story at all.  There were a lot of lines that came directly from Jane Eyre.  Just as I was about to give up, the author threw a twist in there that I did not see coming.  It was the kind of twist in a story that changes everything and gives you chills.  I was glued to the book after that.  And the story grew into so much more than a retelling…. Read More

Love the Opening Quote

…”and best of all, to open my inward ear to a tale that was never ended – a tale my imagination created, and narrated continuously; quickened with all of incident, life, fire, feeling that I desired and had not in my actual existence.” – Charlotte Brone, Jane Eyre

Characters

The creepy cousins

“My cousins were eyeing him with interest, too.  Ashley and Devin were thirteen-year-old twins who resembled the creepy sisters from the Shining movie…” – pg 8

O.o They are wearing frilly dressy and holding hands and somehow it’s the creepiest thing I’ve ever seen.

Emma’s Dad

“[My dad was] handsome in a Gary Cooper way, meaning he could look rugged or elegant, depending on the context.” – pg 10

This would be the rugged version… Very nice.

Mildly Famous Celebrities Mentioned

Carl Sagan

“And that’s your dad?” I said, pointing to the other photo.

She snorted at me like I was a moron.

“That’s Carl Sagan.”

“Oh.” Long, awkward silence during which I felt like a complete idiot.” – pg 24

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Charles Sagan was an American astronomer, astrophysicist, cosmologist, and author. He wrote the book Contact that was made into a movie.  That movie was killer awesome.  How cool that it was written by a real scientist?

Woody Guthrie

“Or roam the country singing songs like Woody Guthrie.” We both gave him blank stares. “Don’t tell me you don’t know who Woody Guthrie is.” – pg 40

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LOL I don’t know who Woody Guthrie is, either.  He was a famous folk singer who sang a lot about the Great Depression. His most famous song was “This Land is Your Land.”  He traveled a lot and got the nickname “Dust Bowl Troubadour.”

Nick Carraway

“[Owen] was dressed in a black tux, his hair slicked back to look like a 1920s idol, like Nick Carraway or Rudolph Valentino.” – pg 157

Nick Carraway is a character in The Great Gatsby.  This is a poster of Toby McQuire looking mighty fine as Nick in the new Gatsby movie.

Rudolph Valentino

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Rudolph Valentino is a sexy Italian actor from the 20s who died young.

Books Mentioned

Life of Samuel Johnson by James Boswell.  According to Goodreads: “WIDELY REGARDED as the finest literary biography ever published…” I have honestly never heard of this book.  But I should give it a try, eh?  It’s only 1400 pages.

The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe. I definitely want to read this one.  I love Gothic romances.

Music Mentioned

“Gravity” by Embrace. Cute love song, especially in the context of the book!

And there is a fun quiz at the end of the book.  If you got lost in a book, which literary character would you be? It was fun to take. If anyone cares, I was Elizabeth Bennet

Book Trailer

About Eve Marie Mont

In fourth grade, she wrote her first chapter book entitled, The Only Tomboy in My Class, and she was hooked. Now Eve teaches high school English and Creative Writing in the Philadelphia suburbs and sponsors her school’s literary magazine. When not grading papers or writing, Eve can be found watching the Phillies with her husband, playing with her shelter pup, or daydreaming about her next story.

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Everbound by Brodi Ashton

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When I read, I ask a LOT of questions. Here’s some stuff I searched or wondered about while reading Everbound by Brodi Ashton.  

From my Review:

 I positively flew through this book in one sitting.  The journey through the underworld and the task she wanted to complete felt impossible the whole time and kept me just glued to the pages.  The layers of the underworld that she travels through were different in a chilling and alien way.  This is one of those books where the foreshadowing was spot on.  I thought I was all smart and I knew everything that was going to happen.  Then the bombshell of an ending hits and I’m still in awe . . . Read More

Places in Utah

Alpine Slide, Park City, Utah

In Chapter 1, Nikki talks about a picture of her and Jack at the Alpine Slide.

Oh joy oh joy, this is one of the places in Park City that I’ve been to!  But I haven’t been there since 1997 so lucky you, you get to see a picture of me as a teenager!!

I am so misunderstood.  Don’t I look all misunderstood wearing black in this picture?

Clearly, I am having so. much. fun.  Actually, the Alpine Slide IS really fun.  I’d like to ask teenage me what my problem is

Park City

The main character, Nikki, is from Park City and a lot of the book takes place here.

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I’ve been to Park City a few times.  I picked this picture because it’s what I remember Park City to look like.  I went one summer with a friend to stay at her condo.  I’ve never been skiing there, but I have gone window shopping with my aunt.  It’s a charming little town that I don’t get to visit enough.  It’s also the location of the Sundance Film Festival.

Deer Valley

In Chapter 5, there is a scene between Nikki and Cole that takes place near Deer Valley.

Deer Valley is a ski resort in Park City.  I’ve never been skiing there, but I have hiked in the area and seen stunning lodges like these:

Fiery Furnace Hike

In Chapter 6, Nikki talks about a memory she has of her and Jack on the Fiery Furnace Hike.

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I’ve been hiking in Utah’s slot canyons before at Arches National Park.  You have to have a guide or a special permit to go on this hike, so maybe that’s why I’ve never been to this particular canyon.  It looks gorgeous.

Skull Arch

In Chapter 12, Nikki points out an arch that has a post down the middle that makes it look like a skull.

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It totally does look like a skull!!

Millcreek Canyon

In Chapter 23, Millcreek Canyon and the hike to Grandeur Peak is where the “burned marshmellow” scene takes place.  If you’ve read the book, you know what scene I’m talking about

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I’ve been to Millcreek Canyon a few times.  We got up there every year in the fall as the leaves are changing.  Here’s a picture of me and my family from last year.

Grandeur Peak

(Photo by Tony Frates)

The view from Grandeur Peak.  You can see the Salt Lake valley.  And see those mountains way on the other side of the valley? That’s where I live. I’ve never been on this hike and now I want to!

Books

I love getting new books for my TBR from references in other books!

D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths

In Chapter 1, Nikki gets this book as a gift from her dad.

Dante’s Inferno

Dante’s Inferno is mentioned in Chapter 21.

Book Trailer

About Brodi Ashton

Because of two parents who were Greek myth geeks, she grew up thinking the latest fashion trends were inspired by Aphrodite, and a good conversational opener was, “So, which mythological character do you most resemble?” She lives in Utah with her two young boys, who still have no idea why she’s at the computer all the time. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Utah and a Master’s degree in International Relations from the London School of Economics.

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Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

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When I read, I ask a LOT of questions. Here’s some stuff I searched or wondered about while reading Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo.

From My Review: 

Shadow and Bone was like walking through a version of Tolstoy’s Russia that was filled with magic. So many little details reminded me of Tolstoy like the mention of saints, troikas, samovars, peasants, and even the names. The world building was incredible with details being revealed naturally throughout the story and even mentioned more than once so you wouldn’t get confused. Leigh took a culture from our world and tweaked it just enough to turn it into a rich fantasy world.  She’s genius, I tell you!… Read More

This post was so hard to write. I kept putting it off because I wanted to add more and more things.  Now it’s been so long since I’ve read it that it isn’t fresh in my mind anymore.  I was tempted to skip this google diary, but it has so much awesomeness in it that I just couldn’t do it.  So without further ado (and a few months late) read about my wonderings…

Russian Culture

Troika

The Grisha Examiners arrive in a troika.

Kefta

“Three figures emerged in elegant fur hats and heavy wool kefta…” - Leigh Bardugo, Shadow and Bone pg 3 (Hardcover).

The author, Leigh Bardugo, has an awesome inspiration Pinterest board for kefta.  Here’s the one that is closest to my imagination.

Samovar 

“In the corners, Grisha clustered around samovars and lounged on divans…” – Leigh Bardugo, Shadow and Bone pg 121 (Hardcover).

Russian tea maker.

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Kvas

“This time tomorrow, we’ll be sitting in the harbor at Os Kervo, looking out at the ocean and drinking kvas.” – Leigh Bardugo, Shadow and Bone pg 25 (Hardcover).

Kvas is a real russian drink. I kinda thought she made it up.

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The Grand Palace

“It was larger than any building I had ever seen, its terraces crowded with statues, its three stories gleaming with row after row of shining windows, each ornamented extensively in what I suspected was real gold.” – Leigh Bardugo, Shadow and Bone pg 85 (Hardcover).

Source: Uploaded by user via Leigh on Pinterest

The Little Palace

“It rose from the trees surrounding it like something carved from an enchanted forest, a cluster of dark wood walls and golden domes.  As we drew closer, I saw that every inch of it was covered in intricate carvings of birds and flowers, twisting vines, and magical beasts.” – Leigh Bardugo, Shadow and Bone pg 86 (Hardcover).

Source: Uploaded by user via Leigh on Pinterest

See more world building inspiriation on her Tsarpunk Inpsiration Pinterest board.

Also, here’s a great post on why there are two palaces.

Characters

The Darkling

He was so interesting to read about. Mysterious, creepy, sexy, oddly compelling…And is he good or not? I still don’t know.

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Ana Kuya 

“Ana Kuya was already there, birdlike in her black dress, pouring tea from the samovar, her large key ring jangling at her waist.” – Leigh Bardugo, Shadow and Bone pg 3 (Hardcover)

I imagine Ana Kuya, the housekeeper, looking like the housekeeper Mrs. Hughes from Downton Abbey.

Robe Colors and Cuffs

Corporalki

(The Order of the Living and the Dead) – Red Robes

• Heartrenders – Black cuffs
• Healers – Gray cuffs

Etherealki

(The Order of Summoners) – Dark Blue robes

• Squallers – Silver cuffs
• Inferni – Red cuffs
• Tidemakers – Pale blue cuffs

Materialki 

(The Order of Fabrikators) - Purple Robes

• Durasts – Gray cuffs
• Alkemi – Red cuffs (If you know the cuff colors, please tell me! I couldn’t find it) UPDATED: Leigh answered my tumblr post with the colors.  She’s awesome in case you didn’t already know that.

Servants – white or tan robes

Russian Lit

I told Leigh when I met her that her book reminded me of Tolstoy’s Russia (and her draw dropped:).  Then she mentioned a Russian writer that she like better than Tolstoy that I hadn’t heard of.  I think it was Fyodor Dostoyevsky. UPDATED: It was Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov.  I had saved it in Goodreads but it got lost in the mess called my to-read shelf.

Are there any Russian authors that you like?

Book Trailer

About Leigh Bardugo

Leigh Bardugo was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Los Angeles, and graduated from Yale University. These days, she lives in Hollywood, where she indulges her fondness for glamour, ghouls, and costuming in her other life as makeup artist L.B. Benson. Occasionally, she can be heard singing with her band, Captain Automatic.

Her debut novel, Shadow & Bone (Holt Children’s/ Macmillan), is a New York Times Best Seller and the first book in the Grisha Trilogy. Book 2, Siege and Storm, will be published in 2013. She is represented by Joanna Stampfel-Volpe of New Leaf.

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Romeo Redeemed by Stacey Jay

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When I read, I ask a LOT of questions. Here’s some stuff I searched or wondered about while reading Romeo Redeemed by Stacey Jay.

From My Review:

The story is so romantic, so steamy – I think I swooned when Romeo says “The lady laughs.” Romeo is the kind of broken bad boy that every girl wants to fix. The plot seemed pretty simple at first (and I had a feeling that this love thing was going to be harder than Romeo thinks) but the story went to places I wasn’t expecting… Read More

Songs

“…the way he sang ‘Bring In On Home to Me‘ like he knew what it felt like to love someone so much you’d give anything to be with them.” – Stacey Jay, Romeo Redeemed (ARC edition)

At Last – Etta James (song sung at the dance)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1uunRdQ61M

Maria – West Side Story (song sung at the dance)

Shakespeare

Romeo quotes Shakespeare’s Sonnet 138:

“Therefore I lie with her and she with me, and in our faults by lies we flattered be.”

From Wiki: Sonnet 138 is one of the most famous of William Shakespeare’s sonnets. Making use of frequent puns (“lie” and “lie” being the most obvious), it shows an understanding of the nature of truth and flattery in romantic relationships.

I haven’t read a lot of his sonnets, but I kind of want to read this one now.

Favorite Quotes

“It’s a smile of discovery, timid, but with a burgeoning sense of power, the grin of a girl learning the influence she has over a boy.” – Stacey Jay, Romeo Redeemed pg 97 ARC

“Set me as a seal on your heart..For love is as strong as death.” Quoting Song of Solomon 8:6 on pg 343 ARC edition.

Spoilery quote

“Better than eternity or superhuman power.  This is real magic, and I live and breathe it every day.”- Stacey Jay, Romeo Redeemed (ARC pg 363)

Art

“We dart around glass cases displaying some sculpture I wish I could have looked at – I didn’t know Schiele sculpted- …” – Stacey Jay, Romeo Redeemed pg 114 ARC edition

Schiele’s Self Portrait

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That is one good looking dude.

Wiki says that Schiele is known for his self-portrait paintings and expressionism.

Since Ariel was so interested in his sculptures, I found this replica of one online:

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It’s called Red Dress.

Thanks for stopping by! I’d love to hear your thoughts.

About Stacey Jay

Stacey Jay is a recovering workaholic (or at least working hard at recovering) with three pen names, two small children, and a passion for playing pretend. She’s been a full time mom-writer since 2005 and can’t think of anything she’d rather be doing. Her former careers include theater performer, professional dancer, poorly paid C-movie actress, bartender, waiter, math tutor, and yoga instructor.

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