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

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

Final Day DQs:

17. Charlie definitely came a long way towards leaning into the supervillain vibe before it was cruelly snatched away again. How about you? How would you decorate your supervillain lair?
I figured this was not Charlie’s end occupation that he had to go back to “normal” life. I didn’t see if being take apart as much as I thought it would go to someone else, probably Mathilda.

18. How did you feel about the ending? Right? Too convoluted? Predictable? Needs more cowbell?
I guessed some but not all and that is the best kind of mix. I loved what the cats did at the end and the pub. That was brilliant.

19. If this was your first Scalzi, will you go back for more? If not your first, where would you rank this one compared to others you read?
I've read a few others and this is one of my favorites, likely for the cats and dolphins.

20. And finally... Cats. Do you have any? Are you under the delusion you own them, rather than the other way around? If you don't have cats, is that because you're wise to the fact they they are indeed evil supervillains intent on taking over the world, or some more mundane reason?
Yes, I have two and they are both spoiled rotten and very cuddly. I just got back from being gone for almost three weeks, so it is good to see them again. One is still sulking, and the other is being very clingy.

Tracking
Day 1 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 3 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Final - here

DQs: Day 3 ~ Chapters 12 – 17

9. It seems like the whole book is a test of Charlie’s character. Hera’s conversation with Charlie is one example. Charlie suddenly asks if Hera and Persephone like him. She says they were sent to watch him, but they like him because Charlie chose to take them in and treated them well. Do you think the book is portraying a series of tests from his uncle? What do you think it means?

I think clearly something is going on in the background and I had some suspicions but I have finished the book, so I won’t say more.

10. “Business is business. It’s different from respect and friendship.” What did you think of this statement? Do you agree with it or do you think these things can’t be separated?

I agree with friends but not respect. It can be hard to go into business with friends as feelings can get hurt but respect is important in all occasions.

11. Charlie was quick to pick up clues on the Lombardy Convocation members. What did you think of his assessment? Did it change your opinion of him?

It showed him in good light and showed that he could figure out people and wasn’t going to be passive. Also agree with others on loving the cats in this scene.

12. There has been a lot of great banter in the book so far. I have to say I think both parts with the dolphins were my favorites. What has been your favorite line/quote, or your favorite part of the book so far?

I enjoyed the labor disputes and the foul mouther dolphins.

Qs: Day 1, Chap 1 - 6

1. I'm so excited to be reading another John Scalzi book with you all. He has quickly become one of my "always read" authors. Is this your first Scalzi book? What are your expectations?
I have read quite a few books by Scalzi and enjoy his comic books the most, so I was greatly looking forward to this one. It also has a cat on the cover, so what is not to love.

2. What are your first impressions of Charlie? Do you think he is using his sad life events as an excuse to coast through life easier as his siblings and attorney seem to imply? Do you relate to him so far?
I think the family dynamic is a bit of a mess, but he also seems to be stuck. That can happen and is often where book characters begin so the reader can cheer for their growth.

3. “When people name cats, they usually do it in one of three categories: food, physical characteristics or mythology,” Morrison explained. What do you think Mathilda imagines Charlie's choice of "the goddess route" says about him? What sort of name would you choose and what do you think that could tell someone about you?
I tend to have very random pet names so cats not falling in those three categories. I have one named after a musical and one after a biome.

4. What would your reaction be if a rich, but estranged family member left you a huge inheritance?
Excited, as clearly I did not know this person so not too sad but I could pay my students loans.

I would aIso add if anyone likes romance, as it has a purple cover, Z author and MC are musicians

I spun us a new one as we were down to 4 from the Dr. Who list:

The Nucleus of the Swarm
350 to 450
9 in page number
MC has a pet
"shrimp" or “prawn" in text
Series or title starts with K

I’ll volunteer for Team Jazz with an extra entry as well. Thank you

I’m done as well

Hi all. I’m in Eastern Africa until November 30th so thank you for all your patience. I Hope everyone is having a good week.

Hi all, We are Tier 2 again for Bonuses - more BLUE and more INSTRUMENTS

ROUND THREE BONUS UPDATE!

As we have a wide spread of points, the Mods have decided to do a remix of the bonus points for round 3, based on three tiers of teams (see bottom).

This is for Round 3 only.

Tier 2: increased from 5 to 10 colour covers, and 10 to 20 instruments on cover

Hi all, any good musical instrument cover books so far?
I am considering this series:


Has anyone read it?

I opened one more spelling, but as a team, we need to be aware that we need more Zs and Is this week as we can have only one partial spelling at the end of the wek.

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "Is this cover blue enough?

"

Works for me as well.

I am also done with my last book for the round.

There are lots of options for instrument on cover and lists:
1. https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...
2. https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
3. https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

Blackwater Falls by Ausma Zehanat Khan

From critically acclaimed author Ausma Zehanat Khan, Blackwater Falls is the first in a timely and powerful crime series, introducing Detective Inaya Rahman.

Girls from immigrant communities have been disappearing for months in the Colorado town of Blackwater Falls, but the local sheriff is slow to act and the fates of the missing girls largely ignored. At last, the calls for justice become too loud to ignore when the body of a star student and refugee--the Syrian teenager Razan Elkader--is positioned deliberately in a mosque.

Detective Inaya Rahman and Lieutenant Waqas Seif of the Denver Police are recruited to solve Razan’s murder, and quickly uncover a link to other missing and murdered girls. But as Inaya gets closer to the truth, Seif finds ways to obstruct the investigation. Inaya may be drawn to him, but she is wary of his motives: he may be covering up the crimes of their boss, whose connections in Blackwater run deep.

Inaya turns to her female colleagues, attorney Areesha Adams and Detective Catalina Hernandez, for help in finding the truth. The three have bonded through their experiences as members of vulnerable groups and now they must work together to expose the conspiracy behind the murders before another girl disappears.

Delving deep into racial tensions, and police corruption and violence, Blackwater Falls examines a series of crimes within the context of contemporary American politics with compassion and searing insight.

The Bone Ships by R.J. Barker

A saga of honor, glory, and warfare, The Bone Ships is the launch of a new fantasy from R.J. Barker.

Two nations at war. A prize beyond compare.

For generations, the Hundred Isles have built their ships from the bones of ancient dragons to fight an endless war.

The dragons disappeared, but the battles for supremacy persisted.

Now the first dragon in centuries has been spotted in far-off waters, and both sides see a chance to shift the balance of power in their favour. Because whoever catches it will win not only glory, but the war.

As Diane mentioned, poll is up for the last BOM in Dec (the non-themed one). Link here: https://www.goodreads.com/poll/list/3...

If you want, Delilah Green Doesn't Care is my nomination and The Malevolent Seven is Judith's nomination.

Jenny wrote: "It was the perfect choice!
Apparently enough of the Doctor's energy has leaked into your brain even if you have never met the man, Men, Woman.

Please watch "Blink". You may end up being an addict..."

That's the first episode I ever saw. It is a good starting episode.

The next BOM Starter Villain by John Scalzi starts on Nov 2. If anyone would like to volunteer for DQs, you should do so today, as the questions are usually assigned a few days in advance.

Link: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I have 5 that I have read but not written a review that I read in the last month and a bit. That is my main goal for starting Nov.

Alisha wrote: "Just finished

Midnight at the Barclay Hotel
It is middle grade so the word count is 39488"

Alisha, can you add a date read to Midnight at the Barclay Hotel on your wheel shelf please?