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

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

Doing this from a phone in the field so slightly failing at following instructions but my usual one.

The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton

From the bestselling author of The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle and The Devil and the Dark Water comes an inventive, high-concept murder mystery: an ingenious puzzle, an extraordinary backdrop, and an audacious solution.

Solve the murder to save what's left of the world.

Outside the island there is nothing: the world was destroyed by a fog that swept the planet, killing anyone it touched.

On the island: it is idyllic. One hundred and twenty-two villagers and three scientists, living in peaceful harmony. The villagers are content to fish, farm and feast, to obey their nightly curfew, to do what they're told by the scientists.

Until, to the horror of the islanders, one of their beloved scientists is found brutally stabbed to death. And then they learn that the murder has triggered a lowering of the security system around the island, the only thing that was keeping the fog at bay. If the murder isn't solved within 107 hours, the fog will smother the island—and everyone on it.

But the security system has also wiped everyone's memories of exactly what happened the night before, which means that someone on the island is a murderer—and they don't even know it.

And the clock is ticking.

I should be good. Day after tomorrow is a flight day.

I can read a #7 in a series if someone else wants a fantasy book and can take my spot for that one.

We also still need one more YA and a horror book.

Day 5 — ch 24-end

18. Jack and Lucy have an emotional discussion about dreams — and how giving up on dreams can be a relief as it’s one less thing to worry about. Do you think there’s any truth in this?
I think there is a difference between a dream and being delusional. Not necessarily in the context of adoption but for instance not everyone can grow up a be a professional athlete and there is a point that dream is just delusional. Otherwise there is some joy in being happy where you are especially if you are always looking forward.

19. We finally got to meet Angie and learn her side of the story! Were you surprised by what she had to say? If you were Lucy, do you think you would be able to forgive her after hearing her side?
Poor Angie. Deeply abused and then cancer. She read more like a caricature than a person though.

20. Lucy mentions that she and Jack are planning to start a nonprofit to send books to foster children, but just as she’s about to say the prospective name, she gets cut off. Why do you think the author chose to leave that out? What name do you think the author had in mind, if
I didn’t pay attention and I like sending books but with that much money how about something more structural.

21. In the end, even though the contest ended unlike how any of them predicted, everyone still got their wish. Since this book is all about wishing — is there anything you wish was different about the way the book ended, or are you happy with how it all wrapped up?

It read a bit too much like Charlie and the chocolate factory without all the weird fat and other shaming of children. It was expected in the giving of the island and the foster to adopt across state lines was too easy and fast. Happy ending but very neat and tidy. Except for the sister who wasn’t a real character anyway.

Day 2
6. Jack replied to Lucy's letter and Lucy decided to run away from home. What did you think of his letter and would you have done the same as Lucy?
I’m not sure I remember the letter that clearly. I’ve read further so I know what could go wrong does go wrong. I never tried to run away as a child so probably not.


7. We get more insights on Clock Island. Every 'hour' is its own section like for example a beach. Would you like to visit the island? Do you find the idea of it fascinating or could you not care less?

I liked the description of the island and the natural features but some parts seemed like a mini golf course.

8. Every part starts with a quote from Jack's book. Do you think these parts are important for the story? Just showing off Jack's work? Something else?
Sometimes this method in books is painful as the author isn’t a poet, science writer etc. But this wasn’t too bad. There are a huge number of the books so you expect them to be moralistic and formulaic so the bar wasn’t set very high. The children are compared to the contestants so I assume it was so the reader could feel more connected to that relationship.


9. It seems like there will be a deeper connection between Lucy and Hugo. Do you agree? And would you approve of it given that Hugo had first met her when she was still a child?

I’m ok as they barely met and didn’t have any sort of relationship that could be grooming. Also we have a limited cast and this book was going to shoehorn in a love interest no matter what. This type of book always does.

Welcome Emily

Tricia, you can have my #3 series spot as that was one I was potentially considering over ambitious as I have trouble focusing on really long high fantasy while working in the field. I’m not sure I’ll finish it in the next two weeks.

I just upped my number to 50 so I’ll be behind the line this month, but that would clear out up to 2019.

If someone wants to respin, I finished two of the monsters.

Would prefer to be backup if any else volunteers for D8 but volunteering for DQs.

Angie ☯ wrote: "Just to be sure, what does this task mean?

Book has an editor credited on GRs"

A book like this that has (editor) behind one of the authors on GRs.
African Short Stories: Twenty Short Stories from Across the Continent

Tricia wrote: "Can we start? I'm never clear due to the time changes."

All battle books can be started now.

Cordelia wrote: "Can someone add Annie Bot for me, thanks!"

Added it

Sofie, if you are planning on answering the last set of questions for Salt & Broom then you only have about 4 days left as questions must be answered before June 25th.

Judith is reading the last book and we are done with planning the book battles. Great job everyone. Books can be started tomorrow at 9 AM UTC (5 AM EST).

Tricia wrote: "Oh! I actually have a book for this. I have An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States for Young People on my tbr and I have a copy already. So unless Judith really wants it, I would love ..."

I added it to the spreadsheet and sent it back to the other team. Please feel free to change the page number to the version you are reading.

We are up to the last book for the first round and we hope you have had a PLEasant time. The final book is An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States for Young People. Hope you can also find this post among all the swimsuits.

For the next two, you and Judith get first choice to claim the book as neither of you have a battle book yet

I hope you continue to fell better, Tricia

Krissy, have you a book you plan to read?

Melanie, NES is a good ending but since we are only up to Tuesday and most of the way through the battle planning. I am going to leave this open in case someone, especially Krissy, wants to volunteer a book since not everyone is on the computer as often