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

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

June Log
15/6 -
Easter Bunny: +3HP
Pot of Gold: + 1Gold
Puppy Fetch: +1Gold
Lady Louise: Lv/27; XP: 393
Lady Louise: Lvl 9, HP : 13/27; Sword: Level 8 AP 14 (10+3+1), Magic Staff: Level 10 , AP 16 (12+3+1) XP: 419

•Upgraded Sword to Level 9 AP 15 (11+3+1)
• Upgraded Staff to Level 11 AP 17 (13+3+1)

Melindam wrote: "Denise wrote:

Great Big Beautiful Life has watermelon in text! Page 25, she wears watermelon earrings. I won't claim it yet in case anyone else reading it is closer to finished."

Yaay"
I’ve finished it

Pg25 technically a tiny bit too short, big watermelon earrings, and a white knit top. I step

DQs Day 6
Chapter 32–end

24. Lots of big reveals here in the last few chapters! We learn the truth about Jodi's relationship to Margaret, as well as some vital information about Hayden's family history. What did you think of those reveals? Did you have any theories that ended up being right, or did they surprise you?
Other than Jodi, who I was sure was more important to Margaret than we were led to believe. We were given hints early on of Hayden’s importance to her life but I glossed over it. The reveals made sense within the narrative of the story.

25. Alice finally has the hard conversation with her mother about how out of place she feels in the family and how she feels like her mother doesn't like her as a person. How did you feel about the conversation? Did it feel realistic to you? Was there anything left unsaid you wish would've been addressed?
I do feel it was realistic with Alice’s father gone the conversation needed to happen to ensure that they didn’t grow apart through misunderstandings

26. Emily Henry, the author, said that the song that best encapsulates this book is "the last great american dynasty" by Taylor Swift. I personally think there was a part that specifically felt like "marjorie" by Taylor Swift (when Alice talks about all the things she should have done when her dad was alive). If you had to pick one song that fits this book — either the book as a whole or a specific part — what song would you choose? Do you like when authors provide songs/playlists that go with their books?
Don’t really follow Taylor swift and I tend to be a bit indifferent to this promotion of music material. Music is as individual to people as their feelings on the books that they read

27. "I welcome her to this great big beautiful life" — the epilogue finally reveals the significance of the title. What did you think of the ending and how the author wrapped up the story? Is there anything you wish had been done differently?

I think this was done well and in keeping with the main characters of the book. The hea was there but not without a long struggle.

I can cover these with my next 2 reads

Read a book first published in September of any year
Read a book that is in the Books You Wish More People Knew About List

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 don’t think she’s telling the whole truth. She is possibly giving each of them parts of the truth and if they were to compare they would see which parts were true and which parts were a cover for something else



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 don’t think it’s a coincidence

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?
As a prize winning author I think he believes that he is better than her and that he has already won the competition

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?
I do it makes it all that little bit more real

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?
Not particularly


10. Bonus question: So… anyone else feel like they’re reading Evelyn Hugo 2.0?
Only in that the writing style is similar

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 enjoy this author and have read a number of her books. I am fully expecting to enjoy this one to

2.) What are your first impressions of Alice? And sending that drink to Hayden?
I like Alice, although I think her happy go lucky outlook is a front to try and make herself appear as others want her to be. Not quite sure about Hayden

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?

To give them all the opportunity to get to know each other on a deeper level to ensure that the resulting book is more than just a fluff piece

4.) After learning a few tidbits about Hayden's family and how he grew up, did you opinion change a bit on his character?

There would always be some historical background to his manner. Too early to tell whether my opinion has changed

Finished my kebab book.

Cap is working out fine for me. I’ve got some challenges coming to an end which leaves my reading more unrestricted

A Duke, the Lady, and a Baby works for Kebab I need to read for another challenge

Melindam wrote: "‼️New/unclaimed Tasks for Mini 2‼️

✈️ Read a book where the first word of the text is "One"
✈️ Read a book where a character is superstitious or believes in some myth or entity
✈️ Read a book with..."

Unfortunately not

DQs Day 5
Chapters 24 to 29

18.) Now that we know the death of Lourdes was greatly exaggerated, do we think Inez's father is actually dead? Do you think he sent the ring to Inez to hide it from Ricardo or from Lourdes?
No I don’t think he’s dead my thoughts are that he sent it to Inez to hide it from Lourdes

19.) Any guesses as to why Whit doesn't want to go home and why his family might want him home so badly?
Something to do with who he is betrothed to, we may find out in the next book

20.) Anyone actually surprised that Lourdes is the actual family traitor?
Not really

21.) Do you like the additions of Inez's drawings in the text?
I listened on audio so cannot comment

22.) Thoughts on Cleopatra's real death . . . asp bite or poison?
I would like to think it was death by asp

Volunteering for back up Team Three Pagodas

Volunteering for backup Three Pagodas

Discussion Questions Day 3

10. As we reach the halfway point I am seeing more and more similarities to the Amelia Peabody series. Is anyone else finding this. Does this affect your impression of the book?

11. We have been introduced to a number of Characters is there anyone that particularly stands out?

12. We have been introduced to Isadora and her Father. Why do you think he doesn’t let her out of his sight?

13. Inez seems to be attuned to Cleopatra and sees some of her memories. If you could choose to see one memory of a historical figure whose memory would it be?

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?

It was interesting to say the least the descriptions of Cairo were in-depth and you could almost be there with them. Their banter was enjoyable and helped liven the story up a bit.

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?

She seems to have a connection to it, past life maybe.

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?

I don’t mind this type of storytelling and find the moments from Mr. Hayes POV refreshing

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?

He definitely has something to do with it,

Discussion Questions Day 1
Prologue - Part 1 Ch 5

1. The first line is “A letter changed my life.” Would you say this was a good start, cheesy start, or are you indifferent?
It’s a little bit cheesy but definitely a good starting point for the story to come.

2. Why do you think Tio 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 enforce them being chaperoned and taken care of?
Not really sure, but his action is typical of the time, even though Inez is not a typical young woman of the time

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 to its significance?
It must belong to an important family line in Egypt, it will definitely show up again.

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?
I am enjoying the pace of this one it brings the story to life that you feel that you are travelling with Inez

5. In Ch. 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 read a lot of Historical fiction which is steeped in politics to a lesser or greater extent. Done properly it gives added depth and understanding to the story.

11. Read a book with a title that starts with one of the letters found in TRAVEL (Articles may not be used but can be ignored) My current audio works for this

Currently reading a book for Christo

Melindam wrote: "Default book edition, unless it's big print, then the one following.

For the BOMs, the Mods set a page count that everyone has to use, no matter their own editions.

Official page count for [book..."
Thought so Thank you

You’re welcome. Can you remind me with audiobooks, my primary reading format, which page count do I use?

Forgot to tick notifications for this thread 🤦‍♀️ All caught up with this thread. Not much of a planner other than week by week, with so many challenges I aim for a 1 size fits all approach which doesn’t always work. My first book of TT is going to be Last Breath and of course the BOM What the River Knows