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

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

DQs Day 1: Prologue - 11:00AM

1. Both Daisy Jones & The Six and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo have been BOMs in this group before. Have you read these books (or others) by Taylor Jenkins Reid too or is Malibu Rising your first book by the author? What are your expectations going in?
Yes, I've read both of them, and I did not like them either. In fact, my liking may be going down with each book as the characters and setting all seem about the same to me. I was told the place would burn down on page one and really, it needs to start burning soon.

2. We have been introduced to quite a lot of MCs and their different POVs in the first 20% of the book. Do you prefer one character/POV over the others or is it still too early to tell?
I like the modern story better. June’s was really predictable (I am at 40% right now so saying no more). I think the children have a little more chance for nuance.

3. The writing has quite a contemporary feel to it, especially the 1983 timeline, which makes it easy to forget the book is actually set in the past. What's your opinion on the writing and the back and forth between the two timelines so far, and how does it compare to other TJR books you've read (if any)?
I am not a great person to ask since I do not like this author, but they all feel about the same to me and I don’t feel the time periods are that differentiated in her books. (The 50’s here are at least distinctive in an awful way).

4. "The story of June and Mick Riva seemed like a tragedy to their oldest child, Nina. It felt like a comedy of errors to their first son, Jay. It was an origin story for their second son, Hud. And a mystery to the baby of the family, Kit. To Mick himself it was just a chapter of his memoir."
We don't really know how June and Mick's marriage post kids 1 + 2 went (and ended) yet, but from what we've learned about each of the siblings and their (love) lives so far, how do you think their parents' story has affected them after reading the quote above?
I knew where it was going but no spoilers since I am at 40%.


--- Also, for everyone who has read Evelyn Hugo, can we please talk about the (brief) mention of Celia St. James AND THE FACT THAT (view spoiler).
And while we're at it, Mick also had a cameo in Daisy Jones & the Six!

I caught that and it way kind of fun. Also, not planning to read her next book unless it ends up as yet another BOM (which seems likely).

Truitt_T wrote: "For Setting of Ball from Book Covers - I've been thinking interior decoration elements, like cadelabras, dance floor, flowers, etc. But based on the two books listed, I'm wondering if I've got that..."

I think we are starting out wider and getting more narrow so a castle works great with night and Scotland. Then we might even get a room and some flowers.

Gunit Kaur wrote: "Hi everyone!

I think I will finish Ariadne tomorrow and start The Lost Man.
I am liking Ariadne a lot more than I expected. It's truly a pleasant su..."

Please log it as I am still thinking on what to do with the story

I'm back - I'm up to 79% and trying to make it to 80% this month.

Aug NetGalley Challenge
Beginning of month
Books on shelf: 32
Feedback ratio: 79%

Past Publication:
2019:

2020:

2021:

2022:

Aug 2022:
Not yet published:

Kate, I added your books to the SS, as they work for some of the mini and we are doing fine on book numbers right now. Can you add them to your TT shelf?

(Just a FYI for everyone, if you look at our official sheet, you can see we are at 105% with all but 2 books logged).

Finally, if you have not commented in more than one to two weeks. Please come say hi

Also please put any books on the spreadsheet and overflow sheet. It will help Judith and me at the end when we maximize the number of books we can use. I’ve also slowed down reading a bit as I try to catch back up on life after Senegal.

Vaiedhi,
We can't use The Ugly Truth because it only has 19,000 words - https://www.arbookfind.com/bookdetail...

DQ Day 5

19. What did you think about Ariadne's reaction when Phaedra confides in her regarding Hippolytus ? And Hippolytus' answer to Phaedra when she expresses her feelings to him ? Did you suspect it wasn't romantic love?
Yes, of course, it wasn’t romantic. The poor kid had been raised by female relatives all his life and the treatment of chastity as a throw away by everyone since he was male was just rude and I wasn’t entirely happy with how the author delt with it.

20. Ariadne and Theseus finally meet each other again after all these years. Was their reunion scene satisfactorily enough for you ?
I think both had moved on and quickly had bigger issues. I was fine with this part. I think it started feeling too rushed from the end on.

21. We learn more about Dionysus: his worshippers and blood rites, his obsession with his status as an Olympian god, and his interaction with his brother, Perseus. Did your opinion about him change after those scenes ? Were you expecting his relationship with Ariadne to change like that ?
Ariadne is killed by Perseus in some versions of the original myth. We seemed to be getting there since this author retold but did not seem to take liberties with the original. I prefer it used a s jumping off point versus a straight up retelling with a different voice telling the story. I knew about the goats and the tearing people apart so was just waiting for it to show up.

22. What do you think about the way Phaedra's and Ariadne's stories ended ? Does it give enough closure or is there something you wish ended differently ?
It just felt rushed at the end. I wanted to author to take more agency from the original myth and change things around. The whole Perseus thing and villainizing Hera continuously considering how other women were treated just felt like a plot of convenience.

23. Did you enjoy the book ? If you had any expectations, did the book meet them ? Will you be reading more by this author ? She recently published another Greek mythology retelling: Elektra.
It seemed a bit heavy handed at the start and rushed at the end but the middle went well so I gave it 3 stars. I will not read more by this author unless it ends up as another BOM.

Reread for me but I'll join as well (and volunteer)

DQs Day 2

5. Have you heard of Theseus before? What do you think of his backstory, does it compare with other well-known Greek heroes like Hercules and Achilles? Do you think it fits his humble and collected demeanor in the previous chapter?
Yes, I have read all these myths. It was run through a bit fast hear but I always wanted more on Medea. Circe is more in her pattern. He was never that humble even in the previous chapters. Just waiting.

6. I don’t know about you, but “insta-love” stories royally annoy me. Ariadne spends a significant part of these chapters reveling in her undying and world-changing love and devotion to someone she just met. Do you think this is realistic, or just a cheap plot ploy from the author?
I think she thinks she is in love and has been very isolated and naïve in her raising so it is easy for Theseus to take advantage of it.

7. Why do you think Theseus left Ariadne on the island with no heads up whatsoever? How do you feel about her thoughts and actions, as she processes this new reality?
He wanted someone he could control better and to be the only character in his own story. Some versions try to give him an out since he is the hero and have Dionysus talk to him but really he also likely didn’t trust someone who betrayed family already.

8. During the "great escape", Phaedra is left behind - do you think it was by accident, or purposefully (and if so, why)? Do you think it was wise of her to return to the Palace?
On purpose, is pretty clear and she is only 13 and a girl so likely no one is going to think she did anything and just ignored her.

9. A common theme in Greek mythology is the linear progression of Fate - from Hubris (thinking and acting as if one is a God), to Atis (blindness of one’s puny nature, leading the mortal to commit an unforgivable or insulting act), to Nemesis (the anger and revenge of the Gods), and finally Tisis (the mortal’s punishment). Where have you noticed this process so far? Where do you think Nemesis will strike next?

On whom, Theseus or Ariadne? Generally, this arc only fell on the main male character.

For Earth and 70s:
I want to do :

The Books of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
But may be too long so here is the first one (Also, we never have had
Ursula K. Le Guin for a BOM book, which is sad that I can tell)


A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
Ged, the greatest sorcerer in all Earthsea, was called Sparrowhawk in his reckless youth.

Hungry for power and knowledge, Sparrowhawk tampered with long-held secrets and loosed a terrible shadow upon the world. This is the tale of his testing, how he mastered the mighty words of power, tamed an ancient dragon, and crossed death's threshold to restore the balance.

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

From the New York Times bestselling author of Mexican Gothic and Velvet Was the Night comes a dreamy reimagining of The Island of Doctor Moreau set against the backdrop of nineteenth-century Mexico.

Carlota Moreau: a young woman, growing up in a distant and luxuriant estate, safe from the conflict and strife of the Yucatán peninsula. The only daughter of either a genius, or a madman.

Montgomery Laughton: a melancholic overseer with a tragic past and a propensity for alcohol. An outcast who assists Dr. Moreau with his scientific experiments, which are financed by the Lizaldes, owners of magnificent haciendas and plentiful coffers.

The hybrids: the fruits of the Doctor’s labor, destined to blindly obey their creator and remain in the shadows. A motley group of part human, part animal monstrosities.

All of them living in a perfectly balanced and static world, which is jolted by the abrupt arrival of Eduardo Lizalde, the charming and careless son of Doctor Moreau’s patron, who will unwittingly begin a dangerous chain reaction.

For Moreau keeps secrets, Carlota has questions, and in the sweltering heat of the jungle, passions may ignite.

THE DAUGHTER OF DOCTOR MOREAU is both a dazzling historical novel and a daring science fiction journey.

Vaidehi wrote: "Lexi wrote: "Judith wrote: "Lexi I know is a member of a few libraries, she probably has some good advice for you"

All my libraries are places I have lived in the last year or so. (I do have three..."

I actually lived in three states last year for 4 months each but good luck.

I volunteer for Pandora

Judith wrote: "Lexi I know is a member of a few libraries, she probably has some good advice for you"

All my libraries are places I have lived in the last year or so. (I do have three) but require residency. The Boston library is open to all Massachusetts residents and the lines for books take months sometimes so I think that will be true for any with more permissive sign-up rules.

Gunit Kaur wrote: "Judith wrote: "The mini ends on Aug 15th when TT ends"

Great!

Btw, I'd added Reminders of Him to the tracker, but I can't seem to find it... Can we not use it?

Edited- Can the sa..."

I removed it since it can be used for the mini OR battleship and not both.

SKIP: Task: Read a book shelved (listed on the first page on GR) as curious - plurals and spelling acceptable

S: Sistersong - Title
K: We Carry Their Bones: The Search for Justice at the Dozier School for Boys - A: Kimmerle
I: Timeless - C: Ivy
P: Spiderlight - C: Penthos

DQs Day 1

1. Excited about the book, or just here for the points? Were you familiar with the myths behind the story before starting this book?
Mostly here for the book points, I loved Circe but have not had another Greek retelling that I liked as much since then. Others have been too heavy handed or not strong enough characters.

2. "Let me tell you a story..." I don't know about you, but I love opening lines like that. Do you have a favourite opening line? Have you ever bought a book on the strength of the opening line alone? (I have!)
I have not since I tend to read ebooks and only buy books that I already have read.

3. Asterion: The early years. I bet no-one was fooled by the few paragraphs of almost sweet baby and toddler descriptions: This was always going to end with a monster in a maze of course.
But do you think it served well as a way to establish Ariadne's character?
It tried to establish a connection, but I have seen it done better with the Minotaur. I’m trying to remember the book. She says she conflicted but mind the one scene and even that wasn’t very cute. I don’t think it was done very well.

4. What do you think of the writing so far? There's a lot of description and narration and very little dialogue, which tries in with the idea that Ariadne is telling the story to the reader. It allows for a lot more depth and detail than more dialogue-heavy storytelling does. Is that a style you enjoy, or do you prefer the faster pace of a book that is more about character interaction?

I was already a bit annoyed by around 6%. It seems a bit heavy handed with the moralizing already. It gets a little better as there is more action but not sure how this will last the entire book.

Gunit Kaur wrote: "How do you decide what to read for Title for story?"

If there is a book with a fun title or does not fit elsewhere, you can put it in the story, but if it works elsewhere, I would work on the harder ones first.

Thank you