I read pretty much any chance I get. I mostly read YA books but some adult ones as well. To me all books are precious gems and are meant to be treasured.



Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Waterfall Wednesdays: Chaps. 1-6:




Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren:






Disscussion Schedule:

Aug. 31st: Chapters 1-6: Hosted by Tina @ Tinasbookreviews
Sept. 7th : Chapters 7-11: Hosted by Missie @ The Unread Reader
Sept. 14th: Chapters 12-17: Hosted by Jay & Serena
Sept. 21st: Chapters 18-23: Hosted by Jenny
Sept. 28th: Chapters 24-28 & Wrap Up: Hosted by Nic





Disscussion Questions & Answers for Chapters 1-6:


1. Waterfall opens up with the introduction of Gabi, she's depressed, a little angry, and is dealing with feelings of loneliness. Are you connecting with her this soon in the novel? Do you see things you like or dislike?

I could relate to her right of the bat. She is an easy character to fall in love with. I understand why she is feeling a bit lonely. Her mom seems the type to be in her own little world, and forgetting about her daughters a bit.  Also losing someone so close to each of them will make people sad and also turn a bit to themselves to deal with that grief. I think her mom might be a little bit more determinde and into her work to find what her husband dreamed of finding.


I also feel bad for her because she is trapped with her mother on a dig, and can't even help all that much. I mean I would love...love.....LOVE to be stuck in Italy for a summer, but not around a dig site I can't even go into how boring.


I love the way this story is written right from the beginning. It pulled me in from the start and hasn't let me go yet.




2. Gabi gets to time travel back to 14th century Italy--- The Dark Ages in its prime. Is there any time in history that fascinates you and would you travel back if you could?




I would love to go back to medieval times. The times of Kings and Queens and real Knights in shining armor would be awesome to see. Also the castles. I have always wanted to see a castle. It would be awesome to live in one. Well at least for a couple of days.......because I think I would get cold or too hot easily. I would also like to see the world when it was still new.

Also I would like to travel back to ancient Egypt. I am sure it was beautiful to see all of Egypt in its glory days. It is something I love reading about. Pyramids, Palaces, mummies...etc it would be just real interesting to see.

However, I would only go back if I was guaranteed to return when I wanted, because I would miss running water, hot showers, and technology among many other things.
 



3. Most of the men, including Marcello, have a very set opinion about a women's place. Gabi gets manhandled a bit in these first few chapters, and even gets asked if she's a witch. The men are shocked when Gabi rides on a horse like a man, and shimmies down the castle walls. What do you think of men's mentality back then? Gentlemanly, chauvinistic, simple-minded?

I think it's just how things were back then. They are not used to women being anything close to what Gabi is. They see themselves as being the strong ones, the providers and protectors. I think they are trying to be more gentlemanly, but they are also simple-minded as well. They look at Gabi like she can't do things even though she is determined to. Example when she asks for a sword to help defend herself. Most of the time I didn't mind it because that is the way the men are back then. They were raised that way and its drilled into their heads, but then other times I get a little mad because I think the guys need to broaden their minds. If you actually taught the women a little self defense they might be able to help themselves when the men lose or when the enemies get around the men.

That being said the reason I am like this is because I like being independent and doing things for myself. But I do like my husband to help me out a bit. Not because I can't do it, but because I like him to feel like he is needed.....lol     Shhhhh don't tell him :)




4.  When Gabi becomes apart of this era, the people are immediately intrigued, but suspicious of her. Many judge her by her difference. Do you think this is fair? Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like an outsider or that others were misjudging you?


I think that if someone showed up wearing medieval clothes or a full body of armor on a horse talking the old way that they do we would look at them a bit strange, and say they were crazy. We might even put them in a looney bin.

But, I defiantly think you shouldn't judge people by the way they look. For example some people think all Goths are devil worshipers or are weird. I love me some Goth people and people that are different in general.

And yes I have felt misjudged at different parts in my life. I have worn glasses since I was five and I got made fun of because I was a little different. I was called four eyes, and nerd a ton. Then I was a blonde growing up, I am a brunette now but I am a natural blonde and people look at blondes as being stupid and airheads, when in actuality I am smarter then those who used to treat me that way. Even now people think I am a bit weird with my glasses wearing, book and science loving nerdy self. I however love my uniqueness. Though at times it is hard to see how people judge me with their eyes and words. I just remind myself that I am special and have a lot of people who love me for the way I am.



5. What do you think the coolest thing would be about living in the Dark Ages? What would be the worst?


Coolest:
- Riding on horses, and not paying for gas!!! ( I love horses)
- Living in cool castles
- There was less pollution back then
- The yummy handsome real knights in shining armor.
- Also I would love to see how the world was before it became a concrete jungle.

The Worst:- Women not being treated equally and even looked at as being week and only useful for making babies and dealing with the house stuff.
- No electricity which seems like it would be a bad thing for a lot of people. Here in VA people freak out with only a couple of days without it. I admit that it would be really hard.
- No toilets or running clean water.
- No shavers or deodorant.
- No libraries or printed books YIKES!!!!!
- No iced coffee or sodas.
- No ice cream or anything real cold.
- And no glasses or medical advances. I would be walking around blind and people die from the smallest of illnesses.

19 comments:

  1. I bought the book and still forgot to read the chapters!! Lol

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  2. It would be amazing to see ancient Egypt...I of course would be a fly on the wall leaving the minute trouble came along...;)

    Im sorry you got called 4eyes. I got glasses in the third grade, OMGOSH the kids were brutal!! I begged for contacts and finally got them in 9th grade...but guess what I wear glasses now, last year my blood vessels were growing into my cornias and the contacts got banned..:( but I think they make me look smart, See girl we can be in the smart hot glasses chick club...!!!!

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  3. I picked ancient Egypt too! We could go together. And then come right back because I don't want to stay there with the lack of indoor plumbing:) And riding horses everyday would be outstanding, as would not having to pay for gas. Woot!

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  4. I love your list of coolest and worth things about living in the Dark Ages. I agree with so many especially the hygiene stuff and the coffee. Though I would enjoy the wine at every meal.

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  5. four-eyes? I totally forgot about that when I was a kid! I am short so you can imagine the constant teasing that I got for that. Shorty and shrimp and every other variation that kids could come up with were what I was called. Kids are brutal that is for sure. Loved the "The yummy handsome real knights in shining armor." comment!

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  6. I love that you'd want to see the world before pollution and concrete took over!

    My post:Waterfall Wednesdays-Week 1

    ♥ Melissa @ Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf

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  7. Amen sister. The no toilets thing would KILL me. And yes, I would LOVE to live in a castle. I want to visit Europe some day and stay in some castle turned hotel.

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  8. I would LOVE to be stuck in Italy for a summer as well!

    I completely forgot about Egypt when I answered the questions!

    I forgot about no iced coffee!!! AHHH! What would I do!

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  9. hahaha Laura! I'm totally with you on your coolest, worst things! No iced coffee...talk about tragic!

    ancient Egypt would have been hella cool to visit, but only for an hour or so, I doubt I could have survived much longer.

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  10. We are a bunch of coffee loving gals! Everyone has mentioned the iced coffees, or Starbucks and I said mocha lattes!

    I LOVE the riding horses and not paying for gas..lol

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  11. I completely forgot about not having glasses in the dark ages, duh! Yep I would be bumping into things too as I wear lenses. I don't want to time travel now!

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  12. I totally love that Gabi asked for a sword. I hope the dude takes care of the big threat, but if they happen to get cut down in the process I want a weapon.

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  13. Thanks for all the comments. And yes we all seem to love our Coffees, running water, and no BO :) Loving your comments so far. I think I commented on everyones if I missed you let me know :)

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  14. Ancient Egypt... hmm. Too much hot sand with too little ocean for me, but if you find out how those pyramids really got there, let me know!

    And live without my coffee???? Never.

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  15. Ancient Egypt would be so incredible to see...Great answers! :)

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  16. fun to catch your reactions! enjoy the reading '')

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  17. Oh, seeing places when they were still new, that's a great reminder! When we're traveling, especially in a woodsy area where there isn't much traffic or on top of a mountain (Fancy Gap) or down A1A along the beach in Florida I wonder almost every time what it looked like the first time someone ever saw it. That's a good answer!!

    And along the Nile, floating on Cleo's barge! I love Ancient Egypt! I'll come with you. I don't want to go alone. Great answers!!

    I love me some Goth too!

    Heather

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  18. Ice! YES, ICE! That's a great reminder. Been to Italy four times and I miss it there, every time, even in modern times. But back then...

    And I've been in the center of the Great Pyramid at Giza. Super claustrophobic.

    Thanks for the great answers, and for taking part in Waterfall Wednesdays! Can't wait to hear what you think next week...

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  19. Love how you listed your coolest and worst things about the Medieval time period. Agreed with everything on both lists!

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