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

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

Yay, I was hoping for a maze since some of us are already running around in one like rats.

The Book of Cold Casesby Simone St. James

In 1977, Claire Lake, Oregon, was shaken by the Lady Killer Murders: Two men, seemingly randomly, were murdered with the same gun, with strange notes left behind. Beth Greer was the perfect suspect--a rich, eccentric twenty-three-year-old woman, seen fleeing one of the crimes. But she was acquitted, and she retreated to the isolation of her mansion.

Oregon, 2017. Shea Collins is a receptionist, but by night, she runs a true crime website, the Book of Cold Cases--a passion fueled by the attempted abduction she escaped as a child. When she meets Beth by chance, Shea asks her for an interview. To Shea's surprise, Beth says yes.

They meet regularly at Beth's mansion, though Shea is never comfortable there. Items move when she's not looking, and she could swear she's seen a girl outside the window. The allure of learning the truth about the case from the smart, charming Beth is too much to resist, but even as they grow closer, Shea senses something isn't right. Is she making friends with a manipulative murderer, or are there other dangers lurking in the darkness of the Greer house?

A true crime blogger gets more than she bargained for while interviewing the woman acquitted of two cold case slayings in this chilling new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Sun Down Motel.

MPG Mythology

Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen

A way to survive.
A way to serve.
A way to save.

Simi prayed to the gods, once. Now she serves them as Mami Wata--a mermaid--collecting the souls of those who die at sea and blessing their journeys back home.

But when a living boy is thrown overboard, Simi goes against an ancient decree and does the unthinkable--she saves his life. And punishment awaits those who dare to defy the gods.

To protect the other Mami Wata, Simi must journey to the Supreme Creator to make amends. But all is not as it seems. There's the boy she rescued, who knows more than he should. And something is shadowing Simi, something that would rather see her fail . . .

Danger lurks at every turn, and as Simi draws closer, she must brave vengeful gods, treacherous lands, and legendary creatures. Because if she fails, she risks not only the fate of all Mami Wata, but also the world as she knows it.

Sammy wrote: "Also Must Love Dogs. Again, not read it, but the movie was cute..."

Thank you, needs to be N-Z

Considering The Big Over Easy or The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

Sammy wrote: "Lexi wrote: "I need a 2005 first page tags. The older years are hard."

The Jane Austen Book Club has 2005. Not read it, so can't tell you if it's any good, lol!"

I saw that one: also The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency since I need to go south.

I need a 2005 first page tags. The older years are hard.

I got two more older ones off my list. I liked The Underground Railroad (rounded up to a 4). Some of the narrative choices weren't my favorite (view spoiler)[ such as putting the Tuskegee experiment 100 years or so earlier and killing almost everyone off along the way (hide spoiler)] but overall, it had impact, though I wished for an ending with less suffering and more hope.

Station Eleven (3 stars) annoyed me. The virus would not work with that level of mortality and incubation period. It would have burned itself out way too fast. Also, the future was really white and Toronto isn’t. Anyway, some parts were neat, like the airport but other parts made no sense. I know people love it but it wasn't for me.

Sonia wrote: "@Lexi: that was made on purpose... I believe the words spoken to woo Kelly in to developing it were "moving walls maze"

*giggles*

Yep, I can't complain about a single thing the mods throw my way...."
I liked the moving walls and the transportation points. Though way too many classics in a row since they were MPG genre tasks only

I remember drawing them out for the previous maze and then having them change

Jessi wrote: "I agree with everyone about Illuminae!! It's fantastic... but yes.. Towers lol

@Sammy... I'm so not in the mood for Harry Potter though I have another challenge where I need to find the word wolfs..."

Paladin's Grace has wolfsbane but no twins. A fun, fast read though.

Melindam wrote: "Which just made me check whether there has been a Muse of medicine.

Apparently not (there has been a goddess of health, Hygieia), though there is a medication called "Muse" ... the next bit of in..."

I think Jenny is likely better than me at this, but I do agree to take the blame for the hedgehog book. I personally am over the dino island books and find new authors/stories more fun. I think there is likely all sort of Greek myth options out there.

Steven wrote: "Illuminae is fantastic! I've heard Raven Boys is great, but haven't gotten to it yet."

I also really like Illuminae and while Raven Boys did not quite work for me, I could see you (Sonia) liking it. Just note that the first book isn't a complete story but just leads to the next one.

I support that plan. I’m going to help my sister with childcare for Holy Week since she and her husband are pastors.

I read by Nicola Griffith a bit early as I needed a one word title for the maze but I really liked it. I recommend it to King Arthur fans. Mostly, I just wanted it to be longer. It reminded me a lot of Squire’s Tale in a few major ways and wonder if the author ever read the series. Not at all in a bad way but may just be both authors drawing from the same myths.

Added three in March but still at 77%

March NetGalley Challenge

Beginning of month
Books on shelf: 35 (+1 from last month)
Feedback ratio: 77%

Past Publication:
2018-2019:

2020:

2021:

March 2022:
April:
2022:

Alisha wrote: "Playing on easy and my next task is: Read a book shelved (listed on the first page on GR) as 2004 - plurals and spelling acceptable.

I cannot find a book that has 2004 as a top shelf listed on the..."

Here is the list: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

You will just have to check if it is first page

Eldarwen wrote: "Finished #8


Book: Eon by Alison Goodman
Date Read: 25th March
Rating: 4.5 stars

I've had this on my TBR since 2014 but never had a copy of the book. I final..."

I love how books can find different homes and different readers who love them. I gave that book 2 stars back in 2018, as I had no patience for the MC.

Mary wrote: "oh my gosh y'all.... please help me...

Task: Read a book with the phrase "to all intents and purposes" in a book"

I often search GR's quotes to start. See here: https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=%2...

"For all intents and purposes" is the more common phrase to me, but there are "to all" as well. I think The Eyre Affair and Soulless works.

Edited: The Left Hand of Darkness

Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy

Inti Flynn arrives in Scotland with a singular purpose: to reintroduce wolves into the Highlands. Her efforts to rewild the dying landscape, however, are met with fierce opposition from the locals, who fear for their safety and way of life.

When a farmer is mauled to death, Inti decides to bury the evidence, unable to believe her wolves could be responsible. But if the wolves didn't make the kill, is something more sinister at play? And will it happen again? Over the course of a cold year, Inti will take desperate action to save the creatures she loves, and, perhaps, save herself along the way--if she isn't consumed by a wild that was once her refuge.

Once There Were Wolves is a story of violence and tenderness, about the healing power of nature and the rewilding of our spirits in a world that has lost so much.

I second Jenny's, and will not nominate one this month