Lexi’s Comments (group member since Jul 27, 2016)

Lexi’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

I have been on a run of bad books, so if anyone has some fun longer suggestions, I need some.

DQs - Day 2 - 17 Oct
Then - Now 38%
first line "Can't the girl find..."
last line "shitshow of a strategy"

6. The author goes for the switching POVs and timelines method. How do you like these in general? And do you think it is a good fit for this book?

This is going to be a 2 star book. I would never have read it without the points, but even for a contemporary MF romance, it is bad. If you made this a drinking game for every time the fact the female MC is small, you would get alcohol poisoning.

7. We get to meet some more characters along the way in the "THEN" section: Dylan's uncle Terry, his brother, the mysterious Grace and other friends whose dynamics to Dylan and Marcus should shed some more light on their characters and motivation. But do they? Do you feel like you are getting to know them better? Or understand them? (Or care?)
I really can't keep track of section so I am a bit past this, but everyone is a walking cliche and flat. Luke never has any lines. Grace is supposed to be "real" but is very pretentious and I still utterly dislike everyone. So no on caring.

8. What do you think about Dylan's and Addie's past relationship in France? Do you like it/find it convincing? What about their sudden meeting in the present and the insta-lust after all the emotional baggage they seem to be dragging with them?
The two year time gap clearly had no effect on everyone's maturity and the past time line is just the author wallowing in writing unhealthy relationships. It is not exactly an employee situation but still seems iffy.

9. I'm not really sure I'd call this book a "romance" though it certainly offers the trope of second-chance. Do you have any favourite romantic trope(s) or one that you especially dislike?
I often like friends or second chance because it gives more time depth and isn't insta-love/lust which I highly dislike but this one manages that even with a second chance.

10. Any guesses what part Rodney may play in the plot or do you think he's just some kind of "filler" character?
So I am a bit further along but he is starting to get a bit creepy.

DQs Day 1
Now - Now last line "...reach out and touch her."

1.) Is this your first book by O'Leary? Only reading for points and that lovely 'O' letter for Wheel-a-thon or was it already on your tbr list?
This is also my first book by Beth O'Leary and it would have been a DNF by the end of the first past section if it was not a BOM. I am only here for points.

2.) Road trips. Love them, hate them? If you've gone on a road trip before what are some must have for the journey?
I have done them with family and as a student to get to conferences and I guess some of my field work counts. The main goal is not to get stuck in the middle seat. Preferably claim some form of car sickness so you get the passenger seat. Snacks are good and a functioning AC if at all in a hot area. Water should be scheduled for how long you might have to go between stops, i.e. parts of Texas and Kansas.


3.) Deb's comment about never having a baby obviously proved untrue. Do we think the baby daddy is going to make an appearance in the story? Or do you think it's a no name person who isn't relevant to the book?
I also hope the father is irrelevant to the plot as that allows the focus to stay on Deb and her child. I feel like Deb is written as way too much of a stereotype but then again, who isn’t in this story so far.

4.) The flagrant unconcern about money by half the characters is a bit gross. Do you think that's at the root of Dylan and Addie's split? Or do you think it's the mysterious Grace? Marcus especially seems to not know the whole breakup story. Any guesses to why Dylan didn't seem to tell him the truth?
I am a bit further along so not guessing but it is always shocking how unconcerned or completely oblivious some people can be about money and that other people might have less.

5.) Initial impressions of the cast of characters?
I dislike them all to slightly varying amounts and most of them need therapy or more therapy for really unhealthy coping mechanism. Marcus is toxic. Deb reads completely flat so far- supportive and likes sex and has a kid off screen that she only mentions to make a point. We have not got any actual kid stories. Dylan is an idiot with bad poetry in the past and might see some growth now but really, two years should have moved on. I feel bad for fictional Rodney being stuck in this car.

LaurLa wrote: "Oops! Sorry about that! I'll sticky it on my shelf list so it'll be at the top and I won't forget to that again (hopefully...)"

Good plan and thank you

LaurLa, when you have a moment, can you add Cold Shadows to your Wheel shelf? Thank you

Hope you and the toddler both get some rest tonight

Have fun reading, everyone

Six hours to go. Just a reminder than any book started before then cannot be used. Hope everyone is having a nice Saturday.

No worries, you will also notice that it is listed on the drop down menu next to every time you claim the bonus

There was a clarification posted in the rules (see below):

Clarification on Bonus Points
For the avoidance of doubt, we are defining publication years by the year only, so 2 years ago means published in 2021. The official team sheet indicates the years that work for the different tiers.

For page count, a book of 400 pages does NOT count as "over 400 pages", ditto the other levels.

Also, we have one each on the other monsters and they are:

MC goes on blind date
Tagged "circus" (5 or more times)
Takes place in the 1960s and/or 1970s
Set in Latin and South America, The Philippines, or Guam

Noticed a monster was done so got us a new Discworld monster. Large page number just in time for Wheel.

Dungeon Dimensions
500 to 650
author initials found in THINGS
a book entirely without magic (your interpretation)
book with an alliterative title
the word 'wastelands' found in the text or title

November Books of the Month

Since the first one especially might be a long library hold, I wanted to share the November books of the month.

Nov. 2 - The Spellshop
Nov 16 - The Mysterious Affair at Styles

I have read both and the first is a charming fantasy with a good plot, lovely characters, a sweet romance and a magically sentient spider plant. I however have read it in July, but I encourage others to read it if that sounds like fun.

The second is Agatha Christie who generally needs no introduction and gets the 100 year bonus points as well.

Book of the Month Info

First things first, if you want to go vote in the polls for Book of the Month (BOM) for November, it closes tonight at midnight Pacific time and the polls are here.

I nominated The Count of Monte Cristo for the Old-School theme BOM and Judith nominated Poor Miss Finch if you don't know what to vote for, as the team would be given the first day of questions if it won (points).

For the other BOM, I nominated Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries and Judith nominated Murder Your Employer.

In both cases, feel free to vote for whatever book you would most like to read. If anyone else nominated a book, feel free to share.

Next, feel free to nominate a book for the December non-theme BOM. Nominations are open until October 27th so lots of time. The thread is here.

Finally, there is one BOMs for the rest of October.
Writing a day's worth of discussion questions = 40 points
Participating in a current BOM (participating in discussion) = 20 points.

Starting October 16th is The Road Trip, and it is Judith's nomination, so we are guaranteed a DQs set (See above for yay on more points). The thread for the discussion is here.

I will post tomorrow when the polls close with the two BOMs for November.

Please ask any questions if anything is unclear.

Back up for Judith and Teddie as needed (Team Traffic Jam)

Hi all, My name is Lexi (she/her/hers). I live in Atlanta, and I work in global health and parasitology. I enjoy reading fantasy and sci-fi generally, but I've been on a big mystery kick recently. I have co-captained before with Judith. I am ready for fall, as it is still hot here, and my poor longhaired cat is already getting her full winter coat in.

I will get the BOM details up this evening since the first one starts October 16th and is The Road Trip.

Please feel free to ask any question now and throughout.

Shelf: Wheel2024

Also this one

Book of the Month Information
Writing a day's worth of discussion questions = 40 points
Participating in a current BOM (participating in discussion) = 20 points.

October:
October 16th -The Road Trip - Discussion is here

November:
Nov. 2 - The Spellshop
Nov 16 - The Mysterious Affair at Styles

December:
Nominations close October 27th - here

Tammie wrote: "Judith wrote: "Tammie wrote: "i want to sign up for the wheel game"

You need to sign up using the form in the Announcements post :)"

i can,t its closed and i asked before all closed"

It is open until Sunday and I just checked the link and it is fine.

Cat, I just finished Saint Death's Daughter and hope you enjoy it. It is a bit of a mess but enjoyable.

I have seven meetings today which seems a bit rough for a Friday.

I am hoping the extra points finally convinces me to read The Brothers Karamazov. Also, I have some other large fantasy books that I hope to have motivation to read, but I haven't been in a high fantasy mood recently.