Louise’s Comments (group member since Aug 29, 2015)

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

Team Circe is OPEN

Hi and Welcome to team Circe. I’m Louise your Captain and I along with your Co-Captains (Vicki, Jenn and Stormie) will be guiding you through this Mythological adventure.

This is my 6th TT and am fully subscribed to challenge addicts anonymous.

I live in a currently sunny South Wales with my 5yr old Daschund/Spaniel cross. I work from home 3 days a week and am office based for the other 2. Since the pandemic I’ve discovered audiobooks which has increased my reading stats quite considerably ( I originally signed up with 12 books/month but quickly changed it when I realised I averaged 22/month over the course of UNO). I have some doorstopper audios ready for TT which I’ve been saving.
I will read pretty much anything and generally have 2 or 3 books on the go at once.

Please introduce yourself with as much or little detail as you wish and post a link to your shelf. If you have any questions please do ask and we will get back to you.

Team Circe is nearly ready to welcome members

Mini
May Mini Rules

Meet The Muses May Mini

Our hosts on Mount Olympus (or TBR) would like to introduce themselves in preparation for the forthcoming festivities. To that end, they have inspired a mini-challenge to get your creativity started.

For this challenge, each muse has a selection of tasks to be completed. These are under the spoiler below.

(view spoiler)[

Thalia (“The Cheerful One”) was the Muse of Comedy and was often portrayed holding a comic mask or a shepherd’s crook
• Spell out Thalia - T
• Spell out Thalia - H
• Spell out Thalia - A
• Spell out Thalia - L
• Spell out Thalia - I
• Spell out Thalia - A
• MPG Humour
• Mask on cover


Urania (“The Heavenly One”) was the Muse of Astronomy, and you can often see her holding a globe
• Spell out Urania - U
• Spell out Urania - R
• Spell out Urania - A
• Spell out Urania - N
• Spell out Urania - I
• Spell out Urania - A
• Stars on the cover
• Map at the front of the book


Melpomene (“She Who Sings”) was the Muse of Tragedy, and she is either holding a tragic mask or some other symbol of tragedy (sword, club, buskins)
• Spell out Melpomene - M
• Spell out Melpomene - E
• Spell out Melpomene - L
• Spell out Melpomene - P
• Spell out Melpomene - O
• Spell out Melpomene - M
• Spell out Melpomene - E
• Spell out Melpomene - N
• Spell out Melpomene - E
• Sword on cover
• Tagged Tragedy


Polyhymnia (“She of the Many Hymns”) was the Muse of Hymns and sacred poetry, often depicted with a pensive look hidden behind a veil
• Spell out Polyhymnia - P
• Spell out Polyhymnia - O
• Spell out Polyhymnia - L
• Spell out Polyhymnia - Y
• Spell out Polyhymnia - H
• Spell out Polyhymnia - Y
• Spell out Polyhymnia - M
• Spell out Polyhymnia - N
• Spell out Polyhymnia - I
• Spell out Polyhymnia - A
• Letters of HYMN in title
• Author initials in SACRED


Erato (“The Lovely One”) was the Muse of Lyric Poetry; naturally, she’s usually represented with a lyre;
• Spell out Erato - E
• Spell out Erato - R
• Spell out Erato - A
• Spell out Erato - T
• Spell out Erato - O
• Poetry quote in the text
• MC is a writer


Calliope (“The One with a Beautiful Voice”) was the Muse of Epic Poetry; Hesiod claims that she was the foremost among the nine, since “she attends on worshipful princes”; Calliope can often be seen holding a writing tablet;
• Spell out Calliope - C
• Spell out Calliope - A
• Spell out Calliope - L
• Spell out Calliope - L
• Spell out Calliope - I
• Spell out Calliope - O
• Spell out Calliope - P
• Spell out Calliope - E
• Royal title in book title
• 1st in series


Clio (“The Celebrator,” “The Proclaimer”) was the Muse of History, and, quite fittingly, she usually holds a scroll;
• Spell out Clio - C
• Spell out Clio - L
• Spell out Clio - I
• Spell out Clio - O
• MPG History/Historical Fiction
• A celebration in the book


Euterpe (“She Who Pleases”), was the Muse of Flute-playing, which is why she is time and again portrayed with an aulos;
• Spell out Euterpe - E
• Spell out Euterpe - U
• Spell out Euterpe - T
• Spell out Euterpe - E
• Spell out Euterpe - R
• Spell out Euterpe - P
• Spell out Euterpe - E
• Musical instrument on cover
• Characters attend a musical performance


Terpsichore (“The One Delighting in the Dance”), was the Muse of Choral Lyric and Dancing; as expected, she is usually shown dancing and sometimes holding a lyre.
• Spell out Terpsichore - T
• Spell out Terpsichore - E
• Spell out Terpsichore - R
• Spell out Terpsichore - P
• Spell out Terpsichore - S
• Spell out Terpsichore - I
• Spell out Terpsichore - C
• Spell out Terpsichore - H
• Spell out Terpsichore - O
• Spell out Terpsichore - R
• Spell out Terpsichore - E
• Dancing in the book
• Letters CLD in title of book
(hide spoiler)]

◈ Only books read and finished from the start of the challenge until 9pm GMT+1 on 31st May will count for the Meet the Muses mini challenge.
◈ You will gain 5 points for each task you complete.
◈ For each Muse you complete all the tasks for, you get an additional 10 points.
◈ You may only complete each task once.

How a "spell it out" works
Spell out the word(s) using the first letter in the book's title, the first letter in the author's first or last name, or the first letter of a character's first, last, or nick-name, or the first letter of the series name. As always, if the first letter of a title starts with an indefinite or definite article ('A', 'An', 'The', etc.), you may use the first letter of the second word in the title to spell out your chosen word. If you are listening to an audiobook, the first letter in the narrator's first or last name also can be used. We're also allowing for Translators names, as long as the edition you are reading is a translation version.

Mini Tasks to Claim

• MPG Humour - Jenn
• Mask on cover
• Stars on the cover - Stormie
• Map at the front of the book - Kelsi
• Sword on cover - Kerri
• Tagged Tragedy - Erin
• Letters of HYMN in title - Robin
• Author initials in SACRED - Kelsi
• Poetry quote in the text
• MC is a writer Louise
• Royal title in book title - Erin
• 1st in series - Jax
• MPG History/Historical Fiction - Jax
• A celebration in the book
• Musical instrument on cover - Vian
• Characters attend a musical performance - Stacie
• Dancing in the book - Trinia
• Letters CLD in title of book - Robin

BOM
May 16
(view spoiler)[
Discussion Thread
Page Count: 288 (hide spoiler)]

May 22 (Backroom)

Discussion Thread
Official Page Count: 232

June BOM
June 2

Discussion Thread
Official Page Count: 350

June 8

Discussion Thread
Official Page Count: 448

June 16

Discussion Thread
Official Page Count: 395

July BOM
July 2

Discussion Thread
Official Page Count: 400

July 16

Discussion Thread
Official Page Count: 400

August BOM

Discussion Thread
Official Page Count: 398

Team Mythics

Spreadsheets
Team Spreadsheet
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/... - for Captains/Co-Captains


Tracking Spreadsheet

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/... - Add Books to this sheet

Current Team Status
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

All About Towers
Points
Rules

Useful Resources
Cover colors -You can use tineye, but it is not always reliable
http://labs.tineye.com/color/

Page counts:
http://www.arbookfind.com/UserType.aspx (US)
http://www.arbookfind.co.uk/UserType.... (UK)
http://www.arbookfind.com.au/UserType... (Australia)

Countdowns
Start: https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown...

Team Shelves
• Louise (Captain)
• Stormie Reid (Co-Captain)
• Vicky (Co-Captain)
• Jenn (Co-Captain)
• Jen S (Co-Captain))
• Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*
• Vian
• Kerri
• Stacey
• Kelsi
• Trinia
• Cindy
• Robin
• Jax
• Tati
• Annalisa
• Celia

I need to update my bpm. I have signed up with 12 bpm, but checking my UNO stats I will have read 64 books in 3 months (how did that happen!!)

Can I up my BPM to 18 please, hoping to get a couple of door-stoppers in

I’m in volunteering for DQs for Team Circe.

Just signed up

Hard level please

January 22 Log
(view spoiler)[Lady Louise: Lvl 8/ HP 14/25 (Health Gem)
Sword: Lvl 4/AP 6 + 3 Orb of Earth (AP 9)
Magic Staff: Lvl 6/AP 8 + 3 Orb of Fire (AP 11)
XP: 280
🗿 Rocky the Rock
Monster reduced AP -1 every round
Hero gain +1HP at end of battle

Winter Holidays Color Scheme Complete
Gain: 12XP

Lady Louise: Lvl 8/ HP 14/25 (Health Gem)
Sword: Lvl 4/AP 6 + 3 Orb of Earth (AP 9)
Magic Staff: Lvl 6/AP 8 + 3 Orb of Fire (AP 11)
XP: 292 (hide spoiler)]

Thank you all. I enjoyed playing with you all. Happy holidays.

Finished my last book

I will only just finish The Iron Daughter before cut off

DQ Day 6 - 56 - End

23. What are your thoughts on the immediate aftermath of Harry’s accident? Was Evelyn right in her actions? Who or what was she protecting?

Evelyn definitely wasn’t thinking straight, what she did borne out of a need to protect both their reputations was wrong. But knowing Evelyn as we do I don’t think she would have reacted differently.

24. Robert became husband #7 when Celia, Evelyn and Connor moved to Spain to live out Celia’s days in peace. What were your thoughts on this section? Did Evelyn finally find happiness if only for a little while?
Outside of the family unit she and Celia had created with John, Harry and Connor, she finally was able to give all of herself. Part of this was down to no media watching them, so she didn’t have to hide.
25. “… “They never did care about getting it right. The media are going to tell whatever story they want to tell. They always have. They always will.” How true do you think this is?
Unfortunately this is true, as a society we buy into the sensationalism of scandal and the media know that a juicy story will sell more copies than a HEA

26. We finally find out the reason why Evelyn wanted Monique to write her Biography. Were you surprised by this. Could Evelyn have handled it differently?
I never put this together even though the clues were all there. I don’t think Evelyn could have handled it any differently. She needed to tell her story to Monique so that Monique knew the truth about her father and trusted it

27. The story ends with possibly the most controversial of themes dignity in death and the right to choose. Monique makes a conscious choice to allow Evelyn the dignity of choosing to die. Is this something you could do?
This is hard, I would like to think that I am brave enough to fo it. I do believe that those who are terminally ill have the right to choose how and when to die

DQs: Day 6 - Chapter 56 - End

23. What are your thoughts on the immediate aftermath of Harry’s accident? Was Evelyn right in her actions? Who or what was she protecting?

24. Robert became husband #7 when Celia, Evelyn and Connor moved to Spain to live out Celia’s days in peace. What were your thoughts on this section? Did Evelyn finally find happiness if only for a little while?

25. “… “They never did care about getting it right. The media are going to tell whatever story they want to tell. They always have. They always will.” How true do you think this is?


26. We finally find out the reason why Evelyn wanted Monique to write her Biography. Were you surprised by this. Could Evelyn have handled it differently?

27. The story ends with possibly the most controversial of themes dignity in death and the right to choose. Monique makes a conscious choice to allow Evelyn the dignity of choosing to die. Is this something you could do?

Discussion questions day 2

6. How do you think Evelyn handled her relationship with the abusive Don?

Unfortunately she handled this in the only way she knew how, in an age when everyone knew what went on behind closed doors there was a general consensus that it was a normality

7. How believable do you feel the progression of the friendship to romance between Evelyn and Celia is, especially bearing in mind the time period?

I think it’s very believable, it was well written and tastefully done

8. Do you think the author got the old Hollywood vibe right?
Yes, it certainly feels like you’re there in 1950s Hollywood

9. What do you think of Evelyn’s plan to fake a miscarriage in order to gain sympathy instead of getting bad press? How does it make you feel about her character?
She took a bad situation and turned it round knowing the value it would bring. This is no worse than the constant articles we read today regarding celebs

1. Chapter 1 starts with a news clipping and ends with a blog post and chat. What do you think of this nontraditional style? Were you surprised that it didn't continue through the next 7 chapters?

I like this style and it gives context to the value of the MC to society

2. Monique Grant is a little known writer. Evelyn has chosen her to write her biography for a reason. Any thoughts to why? Is is just her style? Age? Or do you think it is ore personal?

Not sure why she chose Monique but definitely personal

3. Evelyn's quote "The world doesn't give you things, you take things" really struck me. How does this phrase resonate with you?

She knew that if she wouldn’t a different path she would need to make it happen. It seems callous and self-centered but shows that you don’t have to make do with the cards you are dealt, if an opportunity arises you should grab it with both hands

4. Evelyn learned early on about how to use her looks and sex to get what she wanted. She seems to see it as taking what she wanted and doesn't regret her life decisions. Especially in the back drop of the Me too movement, how do you feel about Evelyn and her decisions so far?

In this era she knew how to get where she needed to be using the tools at her disposal. Knowing her power gave her the control,

5. Do you like the back and forth between Monique/now and Evelyn's back story?

I do like this back and forth gives us an insight into both MCd

DQs Day 6
Chapter 22 to end

23) Well, Susan finally meets her father and learns what happened. Was that interaction what you were expecting? Were you hoping for more, that he would fight the evil with her?

Admittedly after all that build up I was very underwhelmed

24) Susan finally got to use that trusty butterknife. Was her binding what you thought it would be or was it a bit of a let down that she wasn't able to control the bear and use it as a weapon?

The whole binding with a butter knife was odd, my thoughts were of course it won’t work the blade is dull

25) And we get the final showdown with Holly, learn who he is, the connection with Susan, etc. What did you think of the final battle with him and his bouncing head?

By this point I just wanted it all to be over, like everything in the book the hype did not stand up to expectations

26) Were you satisfied with the ending? What did you think of Jassmine's comments about Susan's father (it wasn't going to be a relationship that lasted), did that surprise you like it did Susan?

Not really, I found the whole book fell flat but had the potential to be so much more.