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

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

Three new tasks:

Read a book with a body of water on the cover
Read a book which has the main location (setting) on the Antarctica continent
Read a book which has the main location (setting) on the Australian continent

Discussion Questions Day 2
Part One, Chapter 6 - Part One, Chapter 12

6. In this part Inez spends some time with Mr. Hayes. What did you think of their afternoon in Cairo? Did you enjoy their banter?
Not entirely, the visions seem a little overly useful and stereotypical. The banter also is kind of YA and expected. So far I am not impressed.

7. After sensing familiar magic from an old trinket, Inez buys it and later has a vision of Cleopatra. What do you think this vision means? Do you believe Cleopatra’s burial site can only be found with Inez’s help?
Yes, because otherwise, there would need to be a lot of boring work and not magic to make everything easy and she is the book MC and plot reasons.


8. Every now and then, the point of view shifts briefly to Mr. Hayes. Do you enjoy these moments from his perspective, or would you prefer the story to stay entirely with Inez?
They are fine. This is not unusual in a romance but I am not sure they add anything.

9. Inez finds a letter from her mother, in which she suspects that Tío Ricardo is involved in illegal activities. Does this letter, along with the boat conversation Inez overhears, make you suspicious of Tío Ricardo? Or do you think he’s not responsible for Inez’s parents’ murder?
This book has been so straightforward so far that I would assume the uncle was the good guy due to very early and obvious virtue signaling at the first dinner. I am also doubtful of any murder since we have no bodies.

Also, what was going on with the picture that I guess was supposed to be her pencil drawing. It looked nothing like pencil or anything that would have been drawn from that era.

Welcome, Steven

Linda C wrote: "How do you see which World Wheel tasks are needed? All I can tell is that completed countries are struck out and 2 are open but full and each waiting for a final book completion. Is that it? Nothin..."

We can only bank for mini 2 but we can always take more medium and hard countries. We also have a bunch of new tasks for India. Hope you find one you want to read for.

Hi all, Argentina is done and we are off to INDIA . No banking books so only books finished from now on can be used. Diane I added your book to the sheet already since I saw you added it to your shelf to prevent confusion.

Author born in India
Orange, White, Green and Blue on cover
character goes to a wedding
cow on cover
MPG Spirituality
character lives in a busy and bustling place
I
N
D
I
A

Hi Ashlee,

I hope vacation goes well. Can you check in with how you are doing on the book when you have time and log it when you finish as the itineraries figure more specific timing. I have added it to the spreadsheet here and if you mark it read and shelve it, we can mark it on the spreadsheet for you if you have spotty reception. If you can't do not worry, it is a medium country so we would get the same points for another task or letter.

Linda C wrote: "book I just finished, , has a 'town'scape on cover. Would you consider this for a cityscape?"

I think it is too clearly a small town but we will find somewhere for it

Day 3 Chapters 14-20

11. Whether the stories are true or not, are you interested in the back stories of Margaret’s family? What did you think of Freddy’s first interaction with Bernie? (The one that contained the only laugh out loud line so far “Because of your wardrobe?”)

Bernie was good fun and feel sorry her life did not work out with societal expectations. I think there is likely going to be a second round of stories that will add another level at some point as the quote was three sides and we are only given two.

12. Who exactly is Jodi? Will she be a part of the BIG REVEAL?

I assume so or that she is related somehow to the entire story.

13. I do not have kids, but Hayden’s list of “what ifs” to worry about was a lot. Do you parents worry about that stuff?

I have nieces and nephews and yes, there seems to be a lot of worry. I know my sister worries on school violence but that is likely common for US parents.

14. Why do you think Alice thinks that Margaret’s tales of her childhood are true, as opposed to the stuff about her family before she was around? Do you find her insightful or naive?

I think there is a difference between true and selective omission of things. As I said I think there will be a second round for the same stories. I don’t find her particularly insightful or naïve.

15. Think the visit to Alice’s family will go well? Think we will meet Hayden's family also?

Mother is going to say something hurtful about being too good for her writing and everything will be awkward. That is my prediction. I assume we will meet his or a part of it at some point.

DQs Day 2
The Story to Chapter 13

5. Margaret is lying – and probably not just about one singular thing. Do you think she’s even telling Alice and Hayden the same story? Personally I’m also really curious where Margaret’s sister Laura is – to me it feels like she might be key to the whole story… anything specific that made you perk up?
I haven’t really thought about Laura but I kind of wonder if she is testing to see if they talk to each other by giving different facts or aspects. I kind of assume they will write it together in the end.

6. Similarly, it was kind of an aside but I thought it was interesting when Margaret mentioned the Ives family’s rivalry with the Pulitzers. Is it just a random coincidence that Hayden is a Pulitzer-prize winning author who now also gets to talk to her? Especially since she requested him? And he has a bunch of family issues too?
I think it is just the general prize given to show someone is a “real” journalist to make Alice feel insecure since she is our POV character.

7. I was a little shocked when they were already kissing 25% in – and then not surprised when Hayden rejects Alice. Do you think he’s telling the truth when he says “I’m not going to hook up with someone whose dream job I’m about to take from them”? Or is there something else going on?
It was a bit fast to me and has happened quite a bit so far. I think the beach scence is the next section but really people.

8. We get quite a bit of detail on Alice’s job and research process as a journalist: what she’s searching for, working with fact-checkers, etc. Do you enjoy these types of details, i.e. minutae of characters’ jobs and hobbies?
Yes, otherwise, it would not seem like the author had any idea about the real job. (I have read books like that such as a vet who drives around town to pick up boxes of kittens as only job description b/c yes, I am sure they do that every day).

9. I’ve been to Hearst Castle, but long before I actually knew anything about him. The Ives family seems to be quite obviously inspired by him (and I guess he was name-dropped for plausible deniability). Is there a specific family dynasty you’re really interested in?
No, not at all.

10. Bonus question: So… anyone else feel like they’re reading Evelyn Hugo 2.0?
it and any of the other books about the time period and based off those kinds of families. I wanted to smack more of the characters in Evelyn so this book has that going for it.

DQs Day 1
Chapters 1 to 7

1.) Emily Henry is a popular contemporary romance author and a fair few of her books have been previous NBRC BOM selections. Any expectations for this book going in?
I tend to like Emily Henry more than most but considering I actively dislike contemporary romance I am more here for the historical backstory. I liked the Book one but wasn’t impressed as much with Funny Story. The 2/3 to ¾ communication break down and break up is always a pain. Just act like adults and communicate. However, he books read quickly and I generally enjoy them.

2.) What are your first impressions of Alice? And sending that drink to Hayden?
Alice is sweet and very bublly clearly carrying some childhood insecurities and I like her early attempts to be polite/social though I would not have since men always seem to get a pass on being rude more than women in these kind of situations.

3.) Would you agree to the month long trial or tell Margaret she's a nutter and move on to something else? Why do you think Margaret is doing things this way?
I would. It gives her a change that she otherwise wouldn’t have. I think Margaret may have been surprised by her meeting on both people and that may have changed some pre-conceived notions. They both can work remote, and it seems a lovely place to stay for a few weeks. No one mentioned pets or children so there isn’t that to worry about.

4.) After learning a few tidbits about Hayden's family and how he grew up, did you opinion change a bit on his character?
I am about half-way so I know more about him and him opening up. I have never known someone who was a mayor’s son but lots of pastor’s kids deal with this.

Discussion Questions Day 1
Prologue – Part 1, Chapter 5

1. The first line is “A letter changed my life.” Would you say this was a good start, a cheesy start, or are you indifferent?
It didn’t particularly register one way or another. It is a fairly expected way to start a book with a letter and starting a trip.

2. Why do you think Tío Roberto wanted to immediately send Inez back to Egypt without even seeing her? Do you think he’s hiding something? Or do you think it’s just typical of men at that time to dismiss young women and insist they be chaperoned and taken care of?
I figure he is not entirely trustworthy but also dismissive likely play a large part as well.

3. The ring scene with Thomas Sterling was definitely outrageous; I felt Inez's outrage and all of her shock. Do you expect to see the ring later in the story? Any guesses about its significance?
I figure it will or the author would not have made it stand out so much in this scene so early in the book.

4. What do you think of the writing style and the pacing so far? Are you enjoying the lyrical, rich descriptions, or do you prefer a more fast-paced story?
Not my favorite but I don’t read a lot of YA these days and this feels very YA so far and repetitive. Lots of saying how you feel and then saying it again.
5. In Chapter 5 we see politics at play, and we can tell this is just the beginning. How do you think this will affect your enjoyment of the book? Will it enhance the story for you, or will you feel bogged down by the details?
I have slightly low expectations even though I had it on my TBR list. I don’t expect it to be too deep and to have insta-romance because YA. I hope it is fun though.

I have a nice U book with tango that I can work on. I should have lots of reading time this weekend but won't claim it yet if someone gets there first as I have 3 to finish before then. (The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam)

Cathy, sorry, you did not enjoy The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet. It is one of my favorites.

I started Great Big Beautiful Life yesterday and it is fun so far. My copy is due back to the library in five days and the wait list is huge now. I was lucky to get in line for a copy right after they bought it.

I just added my planned country books for the next month or so. I am not claiming an entire itinerary but wanted to make sure I wasn't going over double on any country. I will move them down to later itineraries as other people read too and I decide what order I am reading them in. Please let me know if you have any concerns on this.

Also, countries where we already have two books claimed (you can see this in yellow on the planning sheet):
Hard
Tanzania
Uganda
Kuwait
Ethiopia

Medium
Taiwan

I will also keep this updated at the top of the thread.

Maria Jo, I moved your Fiji book and one of mine that I will read later to the next itinerary.

Everyone, there is room in the currant itinerary for more books and we will move books around as they are finished so read whatever countries you want (preferably hard and medium).

Nicely done, everyone and thank you, Judith

Hi all, we are on to itinerary 3 now so books in itinerary 3 can be finished now.

So close but still no

Glad you are home and sorry about the delays

We are done with another cheese, great job everyone