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

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

DQs Day 5 - The Game - end

21. Even though Nora loved her life with Ash and Molly she still returned to the library. Were you surprised that she didn’t stay? Did you want her to stay in that life?

I wasn't surprised that she left, even though she seemed to have a perfect life, the gaps in her memory would have inevitable cause her problems

22. When Nora reconnects with her brother Joe she finds out that the reason he had been avoiding her was nothing to do with her decision not to continue with the band. I think that Nora’s experiences in her other lives helped her to accept that this was the truth. Her old self was so wrapped up in thoughts that she was responsible for other people’s happiness I feel she may have thought he was just trying to be kind due to her suicide attempt. What are your thoughts?

This typical of human nature to think that the world revolves around oneself. This highlights the importance of communication, to avoid misunderstandings.

23. Were you happy with the ending? Where would you like Nora’s story to go next?

It was expected in all honesty, after all it was about Nora experiencing all possible lives she could have had, but to enjoy the one she is in she had to consciously want to live.

24. Nora got to experience so many lives and possibilities - different careers, different relationships and the chance to live in places all over the world. If you were able to experience another life what would you want to experience?

I learnt long ago to have regrets over past choices is not healthy. Just changing one small choice in the past would have meant not meeting my late partner.

25. Did you enjoy the book? Was there anything in the story that resonated with your own life? Is there a message you will take away with you?
It was ok, and highlighted the fact that every choice we make no matter how small has far reaching consequences.

Bonus: While reading the story certain parts reminded me of films and TV shows I’ve enjoyed. Films like ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ and ‘Sliding Doors’ or tv shows like ‘Sliders’ and ‘Quantum Leap’. Are there any films, shows or books that you were reminded of?

Sliding Doors and Quantum Leap were the films/shows that came to my mind whilst reading

The Deep by Alma Katsu
Date Read: 6/5
Pages: 432



The Recovery of Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel
Date Read: 6/7
Pages: 402

Tasks
77 - Rose Gold is superstitious

Bingo
E3 - MC character is named after a flower


Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
Date Read: 6/8
Pages: 576

Bingo
D7 - Series is Throne of Glass which requires a crown
H5 - Faerie archer on cover


The House on the Shore by Victoria Howard
Date Read: 6/9
Pages: 360

Bingo
H3 - Set in Scotland home of the highland warrior


The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Date Read: 6/11
Pages: 304
BOM: DQ Day 1 DQ Day 2 Day 5




Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi
Date Read: 6/11
Pages: 404

Task:
164: Young Adult MPG


NYPD Red 6 by James Patterson
Date Read: 6/12
Pages: 384

Bingo
H1 - A photo is the crucial piece of evidence in catching the criminals

Cilla wrote: "Completion Post

Book: Denim And Diamonds by Debbie Macomber
Date Read: June 11, 2021
Pages:
BOM/Writing DQs: NA

Possible uses an..."

Please add to your TT shelf 😃

Cilla wrote: "Completion Post

Book: Wicked Appetite by Janet Evanovich
Date Read: June 11, 2021
Pages: 333
BOM/Writing DQs: NA

R Tasks
1. MC is ..."

Please add a read date to your book 😄

Jammin Jenny wrote: "Of course, I've already read these books earlier in the year :)"

I’ve volunteered for DQs for The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue but I only read The House in the Cerulean Sea in April 😔

For those of you that have read The House in the Cerulean Sea already for this challenge you can still claim BOM points in the usual way.

Such a good book unfortunately I won’t be able to participate as I only read it in April 😔

July BOM have been announced

The House in the Cerulean Sea and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue I’ll update msg8 with all the necessaries later today.

Audrey Jane wrote: "After reading the BOMs I can read for task #206 with Wintersmith which mentions "morris dancer/dancing" a couple of times."

Added it to the sheet :)

DQs Day 2: The Penultimate Update - Peppermint Tea (39%)

6. Were you surprised that Nora's second choice was related to her cat? What did you think of the outcome?

No, the cat was important to her and was a loss that she suffered closest to losing her life. I was happy of the outcome and shows that there are some things that are out of our control.

7. How did the reality of Nora's Australia line up with what you imagined it would be like?

I think it was important that she live this `regret` it basically comes back to the choices we make and this wasn't really her dream but her friends

8. What did you think about the similarities between Nora's life in Australia versus her original life?

She's obviously not happy with her life shown by the continued depression. Until she finds what she's looking for in her original life she won't be completely happy.

9. On the surface, Nora's life with a swimming career seems to be the most successful so far. Do you think the positives will outweigh the negatives this time around?
I already know the answer to this as I kind of forgot to stop

10. Any predictions for how Nora's speech will go in the next chapter?

I already know the answer to this as I kind of forgot to stop

DQs - Day 1

1. Were you planning to read this book before it became a BOM? If so, what drew you to it?

My TBR is massive so unless it’s a book in a series that I’m continuing I wouldn’t specifically single this one out. My reading is very challenge driven.

2. What do you think of Matt Haig’s writing style (and those short chapters!) and how he has set the story up so far?

I like short chapters, it drives a story better in my opinion. I was a bit thrown by the countdown though

3. What are your thoughts on Nora? Are you attached to her yet?
She seems to have a lot of self esteem issues

4. If you were somehow able to, would you want to see all of the different outcomes that could have played out in your own life? Or would you rather just leave things as they are without ever knowing?
No, I’m a believer in things happen for a reason and if you changed just one choice in the past you would miss out on happy memories

5. What did you think about Nora’s first glimpse at a road not taken? Were you surprised by which book she chose to open first or by how quickly it disappointed her?

When we remember people we tend to remember their good qualities, she is obviously lonely and believed that she would have had a better life with Dan, but taken that road proved that she made the right choice.

Volunteering for team Rob

Duplicate books have now been removed from the spreadsheet, thanks Geri for picking up on this.

A reminder to anyone reading the BOM's please use the official page count, this is shown in msg 8 of this thread.
Don't forget that the Backroom BOM Prickly Business begins on 9th June.

:)

Carrie wrote: "Quick question - when we are reading an ARC of a book not yet released, do we use the default edition?"

I'll need to double check this.

The Morville Hours by Katherine Swift
Date Read: 5/28
Pages: 384

Tasks:
227: MPG Memoir
Bingo
D2 - Hours in title a measure of time


Calamity under the Chandelier by Bianca Blythe
Date Read: 5/31
Pages: 197

Tasks:
103: Cora is an actress
210: Set at a manor house at Christmas

Bingo
H1: A private investigator poses as a photographer to get information on Veronica


Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel
Date Read: 5/31
Pages: 320

Tasks:
223: Black Cover

Bingo:
D5 - Title Sleeping Giants resembles the the Great A'Tuin


Love Bomb and the Pink Platoon by Ryan Gielen
Date Read: 5/31
Pages: 290

Tasks:
2: #60 on list


Beard with Me by Penny Reid
Date Read: 6/3
Pages: 352

Jackanory:


Beard Necessities by Penny Reid
Date Read: 6/3
Pages: 334

Jackanory: