Colleen ’s Comments (group member since May 02, 2018)

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

LOL - I got Professor Snape!
You’re sly and cunning, and most people don’t really like you right away. Though you can be mean on the outside, you’re brave and are willing to give your life for something you believe in, which is commendable. And turns out you’re not so evil after all.

Best books:
The Interestings
Lucky Boy
The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer
HP Books 1 & 2

Worst book:
White Houses

Vicki Willis wrote: "I just finished another one.
The Breakdown. This was my kind of book. I don't know why it took me so long to get to it. It was fast paced and I f..."

This one was a fast read for me too - along with her other book Behind Closed Doors.

Moderators of NBRC wrote: "Colleen wrote: "I didn't get on this challenge from the beginning, but if I could get added now that would be great. I always keep an eye on my old TBR books (currently back to 2013) and try to kno..."

Thank you! It's a great sense of accomplishment to read all those "old" books.

JanEyre9 wrote: "Jenny wrote: "And day three of the "use the treadmill while reading HP books" has begun.
About a quarter of the way in, and I remember why this is my least favorite of the seven books. Although Gil..."

Yes - loved the ending and the cleverness with Dobby. I haven't (yet!) read the other books, so can't quite say where this will fall on the favorites scale. It seemed good though, but yes, I was suspecting Lockhart for some reason....the tenseness.

I didn't get on this challenge from the beginning, but if I could get added now that would be great. I always keep an eye on my old TBR books (currently back to 2013) and try to knock off a few. So far this year I have read:

Wolf Hall (liked it)
The Cove (good book)
The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer (good book)
The Invisible Bridge (great book)

More to read this year:
The Happiness Project: Or Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun (great book 5 stars - now trying to live it)

Just added these to 2019 since I won't get to them here:
The Twelve Tribes of Hattie
The Shadow of the Wind
Out of My Mind
Heft
Bring Up the Bodies

Hopefully I'll get to add on to this list! (nope)

The Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson
Read 7/12/18
342 pages

Like everyone, I am not adverse to continuing the challenge.

I'm reading a graphic novel right now (which unfortunately won't count here), almost finished, and it is so good/funny. Definitely check it out if you would find it relevant. I'm keeping in mind not only for me/my husband's parents, but also for ourselves as well.
Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant?

The Lying Game by Ruth Ware
320 pages
Read 7/8/18

The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer
read 7/2/18
468 pages

Spells: M, W = author, J, E, F, A, C, G, D, G, B, S, R = characters Jules Jacobson, Ethan Figman, Ash Wolf, Jonah, Cathy, Goodman, Dennis, Gil, Betsy, Susannah, Robert

Rainbow cover

Haha - I wish I could join in for this, but I have too many books going on right now. Enjoy! I hope to get to this one someday soon.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
6/28/18
341 pages
BR: messages 489, 494 & 495

Title/Author = H, J, R
Characters; Draco Malfoy, Ron Weasley, Petunia Dursley, Vernon Dursley, Dudley Dursley, Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape, Rubeus Hagrid, Lord Voldemort, Minerva McGonagall, Neville Longbottom, Fred Weasley, George Weasley, Percy Weasley, Ginny Weasley, Colin Creevey, Filius Flitwick, Gilderoy Lockhart, Lucius Malfoy, Pomona Sprout, Arthur Weasley, Molly Weasley, Cornelius Fudge, Poppy Pomfrey, Oliver Wood, Dobby, Parvati Patil, Dean Thomas, James Potter, Seamus Finnigan, Rolanda Hooch, Katie Bell, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger

green cover, snake & I think it's a wizard with a wand on the cover but not sure who

Cathy M. wrote: "Finished on Saturday & didnt have a chance to come & comment re final thoughts.

Favorite part: Harry xxxxx

I totally agree Cathy! I loved that about Harry and Dobby. So clever! I did not see that coming. I wasn't sure whether to trust Dobby or not. I think I remember his weird character in the movie and creepy!

And the scenes with Dumbledore - yes, so touching, clever, wise and smart! Like an uncle. It's clear (I hope) how much more Dumbledore knows and just trusts Harry's powers. I think there's a line in some book that says how much D needs H to succeed. When you think it would be the other way around, but yes, the characters depend so much on each other. There is no one hero. Or one bad guy.

This also goes along with what JanEyre9 says.

Thanks all for adding so much more to my reading experience of HP. On to the next. :)

Sarah wrote: "Colleen wrote: "Just started this book three days ago - 75% done already but it is kind of short (read the first one for the TT challenge also, just about a month ago) and can't believe how much I ..."

Yes! (Hangs head in shame.) This book was written in 1998 and I can't believe I've missed out on so much. I didn't get back into reading until ~10 years ago, thus the huge TBR. It's my own fault. I didn't keep up with or interested in the new novels that come out every year and I lost a part of myself in the process. Glad I'm back now though!

I just finished the book today. The last line - hilarious. :)
I can't wait to see how Harry grows and develops.

I’m just on the second HP book and will not be able to finish the whole series - not sure how far I’ll get. Offhand, I don’t know of any U characters in it.

Just started this book three days ago - 75% done already but it is kind of short (read the first one for the TT challenge also, just about a month ago) and can't believe how much I am enjoying this series. Rowling is truly brilliant. Can't wait to go back and read all these spoilers - I just don't want to wreck it right now!

I think it's very interesting about the name behind Mrs. Morris. I so want to watch all of these movies now - but definitely after I read the books.

Sometimes it's frustrating with Harry's innocence, but he's such a good guy, and so young and new to all these experiences that it is believable.

The Dursleys! Dudley! They're still awful (really? a toothpick? hilarious)

Lucky Boy by Shanthi Sekaran
472 pages

Spells: L title, author S, characters S, V, I, K, R = Solimar Valdez, Ignacio Valdez, Kavya Reddy, Rishi Reddy

Classes: Blue cover with silhouette of a boy child on the cover

Back Roads by Tawni O'Dell
Read 6/19/18
338 pages

Spells: Author T & O
Characters Harley Altmyer, Amber Altmyer, Misty Altmyer, Jody Altmyer = H, A, M, J

Cover: Naked woman, woods - black & yellow colors

Michelle - I found it a fascinating fictional account based on a true story. Horrible in our country’s history but totally believable. What Mrs. Tan got away with is the mostly sickening part. I felt so sorry for those defenseless kids and their poor parents. Glad I read this one. Totally worth the hype.

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate
Finished 6/12/18
342 pages

Spells: Author: L & W
Characters: Rill, Fern, Lark, Gabian, Camillia, Queenie & Briney Foss = R, F, L, G, C, Q, B & F
Honeybee, Judy & Avery Stafford = H, J, A & S
Georgia Tann = G & T

Cover: 2 girls, suitcase, teddy bear, river, dock

Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson
292 pages
Read 6/11/18

Spells: J & A for author
T = Tiger Lily, P = Peter Pan, W = Wendy, T = Tik Tok, J = James Hook, T = Tinker Bell, M = Maeryn, S = Smee, N = Nibs, T = Tootles, B = Baby, S = Slightly, C = Curly, P = Pine Sap, M = Moon Eye, G = Giant, A = Aunt Fire, A = Aunt Sticky Feet, P = Phillip,

Cover = I think this is supposed to be a faerie (Tinker Bell) on the cover.