Elinor’s Comments (group member since Apr 06, 2022)

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

DQs Day 2 - The Comeback (40%)

5. Welcome back sports fans! If any of you have read other Taylor Jenkins Reid's novels, you know she loves looking back at interesting eras in time. The Golden Age of Hollywood! 70s rock and roll excess! Why do you think TJR chose to focus on 90s sports for this novel? Do you think it was only to bring Carrie back or do you think there was something special about sports during that time?

Oo this is a clever question. I'd agree the book fits the timeline of women's tennis really changing and becoming more powerful which we see in the book. Was this really a turning point? I'm not entirely sure, but some big names did leave the courts around that time and tennis has changed significantly - power serves, etc. which were less common in women's tennis at the time.

6. In this section we are introduced to Bowe. What do you think about him? Do you think he is a good match for Carrie (in sports or romantically)?

I think there may be some romance in the air or the beginning of a friendship. This is the first guy she seems to really open up to in a truly authentic way - when they discuss how they're playing. This is a new side to Carrie that we hadn't seen yet imo.

7. In this section, there is a letter from the editor entitled "Why I'm Thankful for Carrie Soto" in which the author, Helene, says that Carrie was inspiring to her as a child. Do you find inspiration in any sports legends past or present? If so, who and why?

Yes, definitely. I find many sportsmen and women inspiring because of how far they go, and how much it has required of them to get to that level - it's never luck, it's always grit and determination to a level I could never reach. It's difficult for me to give names because I feel inspired by so many great players in different ways. Those who master the subtle art of losing with grace really tug at my heartstrings though.

8. Up next is the Australian Open! Any predictions on what is going to happen in the next section of the book? Also how are you enjoying the book so far?

This is a tough one. I can say this: I definitely want her to win at this stage (interesting because I didn't like her so much on the first Day of BOM, but I'm warming to her) - is it likely? Not really, but I'm always rooting for the underdog lol.

Carrie Soto is Back - Taylor Jenkins Reid - July 2023

BOM Tracking Post

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SS: up to date

DQs Day 1 - Chan v Cortez & The First Time Around (26%)

1. The most popular releases by Taylor Jenkins Reid have been BOMs in this group before (Daisy Jones & The Six in 2019, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo in 2021, and Malibu Rising last year). Have you read any of these books (or others) by TJR too or is Carrie Soto is Back your first book by the author? What are your expectations going in?

I've read all three books you mention and didn't enjoy them in equal measure. I am still going in hoping for one of those extra good ones :)! When I twigged about Carrie Soto, Brandon and Nina Riva, I reread the relevant passage in Malibu Rising and Carrie Soto seems to be the same person. I noticed the recollections seem to differ slightly (in particular what was said in the elevator) and it comes off totally authentic as two different people are recalling the same events. It's interesting how it looks like TJR may have a larger plan for her books as a whole? For instance, Mick Riva gets at least one mention in each - so there is a strand there that could be picked up for later use, I wonder whether all this is part of a larger picture.

2. After the first chapter is set in 1994 and Carrie Soto decides to get back into the sport to get her record title back the next few chapters follow her early years up until she felt like she had to retire because of her knee injury (and because she felt humiliated lbr) somewhat 30 years later. Her dad always wanted her to be the greatest whereas her mother just wanted her to be kind and happy. It doesn't seem like Carrie is either at this point in her life, also not the greatest anymore. How do you feel about her as a character so far? What do you think (sort of) being forced into retirement by her own body has done to her, mentally and physically; do you think she's changed at all in the last 5 years?

The first version of herself that we've mostly seen so far, I certainly do not like very much. She'd not be someone I could be friends with. I think as a potential fan, I would certainly admire her playing skills and determination, but as a person... She uses honesty as an excuse for being rude and mean. It's possible to be honest and kind, and I'm not sure she realises this before the end of the first leg of her career (or even at all). I'm looking forward to finding out more about whether she has changed in the intervening years. She certainly seems as competitive - I mean: what has her father done to her by putting so much pressure on her being 'the best' & he admits it himself, what does that even mean? - but she has a softer streak re her father, or maybe she realises Lars' rejection is final, and she won't, at her age and in her physical condition, find another coach. I also wonder to what extent her father's illness may have changed the way she considers him and others.

3. What we've learned about Carrie's childhood and teenage years has quickly started to remind me of 'King Richard' the movie about the Williams sisters' life and I'm seeing a lot of similarities between Carrie's dad Javier and the Williams' (movie) dad (as I'm sure is often the case when athletes' parents are involved in their kids' sports careers/futures).
Javier seemed to have good intentions and only ever wanted what (he at least thought) was best for his daughter, but they grew apart after going separate ways in 1979. As we know, they've found their way back together (does this sound weird seeing they're father and daughter??), but things definitely changed between them. How do you feel about Javier and about his and Carrie's relationship growing up vs now?

Sadly, I didn't get to see the film (I'd love to!) so can't comment on the comparison. I don't think it's weird parents and children drifting apart and coming back together again, especially with Carrie being so strong willed and brushing him off for a different coach.

I think it's really sad how much Javier projected his own dreams onto his daughter - and I'm also shocked at how much she has to play, every.single.day. It's really no wonder her body can't keep up after years of constant use - I couldn't see any rest built into her schedule and Lars' crosstraining is a super idea, but he didn't make sure she was protecting herself sufficiently on court. He was obviously in it for the money/fame.

4. It seems like Carrie doesn't believe in love (or actually of being worthy of being loved imo). She's been having flings/ONS left and right apparently, and appearing in tabloids with random guys regularly. The one time she let herself finally believe this could be IT for the long run was with Brandon Randall (who some of us already knew from Malibu Rising) who was cheating on his then wife with her. No surprise he left her for (yet) another woman, but were you surprised Carrie took him back after he wanted to go back to his ex-wife and she rejected him? Do you think losing her mother at such a young age and only ever having her dad as a single parent in her life has influenced how she views love, relationships and generally a deeper bond with other people?

I agree Carrie seems to feel unworthy of love. She's a perfectionist so always concentrating on her flaws, and the reasons she cannot be loved. Her dad has sort of set her up for this too - he never says he will love her more if she's the greatest, but this destiny thing is such a weight to carry for a child and then an insecure teenager and adult. I'm not sure how losing her Mum influenced her though it must of broken her into a million pieces, but I do believe she spends far too much time on the court, and we all know what all work and no play do to Jack... She doesn't develop friendships and doesn't know how to. As a result she gets used time and again: her teenage fling was absolutely not right for her, Brandon using her a his 'lucky charm', Lars for her money presumably, and the list goes one with her ONS that lead nowhere. This is definitely an area in her life where her vulnerability and desperation are very obvious despite her best efforts to hide them behind her 'I don't care' persona.

Ooops not sure how I missed than Jen - have a lovely time :).

Lol Keli you made my day. Thanks for the laughs - I think I’ll follow Kirsten’s lead on this one: hate read sounds good to me 🤭.

Dang I missed a comment - who’s going to Alaska? Vi? And Switzerland will be great in this lovely summer weather. Enjoy!

Lol. Well, I was already concerned and now I’m wondering whether it will be like Divergent… 🤭

Enjoy your trip Vi! 🙂

Do you know I'm loving the discussion about TJK - very interesting! Some of these books I'd never heard of - I'm realising he's more prolific than I'd imagined - Wolfsong sounds interesting too. I also appreciate that some authors you just can't get into, it's like they're reaching out but not to you?
As I said, there's always been a little something that doesn't quite work for me in each of his books that I've read so far (e.g. unlikely, too sweet, ...) but I still enjoy them - oh, and Under the Whispering Door made me cry too Nicole (quite a lot if I'm honest lol)!

Kirsten, I'd not heard of Thomas Carver but I enjoyed that haiku!

Looking forward to the Fourth Wing chapter breakdown - I'm a bit concerned I'll not enjoy it tbh. If I don't I may just DNF it and get on with other reads as this is our final month.

Nanci, I like the sound of that trip - lots of healthy outdoor activities :). As others have said that sounds like a very neat pick for Slytherin!

I think Orphan X would fit Hufflepuff nicely. He's one of these people who isn't easy to sort because he could also be a Gryffindor but he is hard working, dedicated, patient, loyal and fair play :). So I've put Prodigal Son down for that prompt.

I'm still awed at all the reading that went into getting the Chipmunks done so fast & we're doing really well on claiming the Wheel prompts too!

Suzanne wrote: "@Kerri- yay for daily questions! Thanks for volunteering!
@Elinor- so far Puppets is really good. The robot sidekicks are hilarious. It's funny because I JUST started reading it and then we got tha..."

Excellent Suzanne, so glad you're enjoying it. I'll definitely be considering this one too. x

Apoorv wrote: "Elinor wrote: "@Suzanne, would love your thoughts on In the lives of puppets. Thinking about getting it as have enjoyed TJ Klune books so far but never 100% for some reason!."

Speaking of TJ, woul..."

Thanks Apoorv, duly noted. Actually I think I'd been considering it, but I've moved it up to get a copy soon(ish). It does sound good. Have you read the whole series or just this opening book?

Can’t wait! :)

@Suzanne, would love your thoughts on In the lives of puppets. Thinking about getting it as have enjoyed TJ Klune books so far but never 100% for some reason!

@Kerri, family time is precious - enjoy! :). I found 11/22/63 quite challenging too. Sounds like it’s giving you a bit of a hard time!

On the up side this month anyone reading Fourth Wing will be reading a 500+ book!

Okay thank you. No way it’ll work lol.

Sorry, very active this afternoon, just one last question.

Do you think My Sister's Grave could fit "Love" in the Muse section because it's about (view spoiler)[a sister trying to find out what happened to her sibling (who she loves and misses, unless that's also part of the mystery, who knows?) (hide spoiler)] or does it have to be love as in a couple?

Malibu Rising - Taylor Jenkins Reid - May 22

No BOM tracking post.

Verified here (and added to sheet).

SS: up to date

Chapter breakdown for Carrie Soto has been posted and Kerri got in for the DQs - yay! :)

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Kirsten wrote: "Bright blue"

Thank you Kirsten.

Aaw Keli that is a disappointment then - Regeneration sounds really harsh from the blurb.

Yay Go Jackie :)

Really enjoying this challenge too!

Question for the Team - currently reading:

and just wondering whether that would be bright blue or teal in your opinion?

It'll be for the record on the SS in case the captains decide to move things around toward the end of the challenge but will use for TT as 237 prompts still up for grabs!

Thanks Lisa for confirming :).

Okay, I have one chapter left for Pachinko and have put it on hold -

Lisa, do you mind if I add the column for the Wheel thing? Also, the Regexmatch is behaving weirdly because of the expression with the *. We should use (.)* instead. Hope this makes sense. We’ve hade the problem since forever but to a lesser extent than with starting with the same letter - I think ^W(\d)+(.)*$ should do the trick.

There’s something going on with the Wheel sheet too - think it’s locked so can’t fix it - I think the match should be $H:H, not $H:I (or perhaps it’s something else entirely). In any event the books aren’t filling in automatically like they do in the other sheets.

x

Lisa, just to be sure, each set need to be finished as a whole to be able to spin for the next set (which could be a set of prompts we’ve already had), right?

And all the books have to be finished after July 1, and then, for later prompts, after the set of prompts was revealed (no banking for the top 3 teams).

Just making sure I’ve understood the rules correctly!

Jackie, if you’re finishing your 500+ today, I’ll move along with Pachinko but save the end for July 1. That’s my current plan - give us a shout if you have a change of plans and I’ll switch back to mine as required.

x