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

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

BTW, would be great to add a couple extra rainbows? The mini-tabs are not editable so I can't add one myself though I have - another - dark blue cover.

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Cris (The Biblio Blonde) wrote: "Nanci - Yikes, that's a lot! I only had three (all digital... that's the only way I borrow from the library, so much easier). I whipped through one the last couple of days and need to get through t..."

I agree that's loads Nanci! Well done, go you! :)

I'm always amazed in these challenges how much some people manage to read - you guys are much faster readers than I am!

Suzanne wrote: "Here is what the mods said when I asked:

Page counts, covers etc should all be the version you have read! Not sure we've explicitly stated it in the rules though.

They may add that to the Q&A, bu..."

Let's crush this challenge! :)

I'm afraid I don't have many books in that 500-599 range on my current 'mood' shortlist - and I'm trying to keep that ball rolling :).
I just love hitting that reading sweet spot when you flow from one read to the next!

Suzanne wrote: "I think Apoorv did it for me - I just had a note linking to that spreadsheet. Thanks so much Apoorv!! That was fantastic of you.

My other notes were basically "on my tbr". :)"

♡

I've a couple of children's books that I would like to check work for this challenge.

There's:
Bad Dad by David Walliams which has a word count of 42310 according to arbookfind.com
Holes by Louis Sachar which has a word count of 47079 according to arbookfind.com

I *think* word count is the only criteria but I do want to make sure before proceeding (as I've a sneaky feeling these might just be the UNO rules?). So, if anyone could confirm these books are OK for TTX it would be great :).

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Thank you Suzanne :), thank you Apoorv :)

I have four of those on my TBR pile - I don’t wish to claim the spot as I’m on a mood read rollercoaster here - but if one of those crops up, I’ll know to consider that prompt! Thank you for enlightening me :)

@Suzanne, would love your notes if you come by them.

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Nanci wrote: "My May BOM Daughter of Doctor Moreau just came into the library today, finally. So glad we had you, Elinor, ready and willing to write questions for me! I'm going to start it tonight and heading ov..."

My pleasure :-). These were my first ever DQs - I was a little worried about them but glad I've done them, so thanks for the opportunity. "Do something everyday that scares you", right? =D

I have this book:


I think it's dark blue - what do you think team?

Also, just a question about the MOD Towers - how can I check for MT23? I must have missed/misunderstood the rules about the BOMs before a certain date. So I'm a bit stuck with checking for this one.

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DQs: Day 3, Chap 12 - 18

10. I've noticed Carlota's perceptions are often described using non visual cues: she hears a lot, and even smells Montgomery behind her bedroom door but then dismisses the idea. After her attack, she finds herself noticing that "Her fingers, in the mirror, looked very long, the nails almost too sharp and the eyes...". Do you feel Carlota ever questions her own nature as a human/hybrid or is she too ingenuous to do so? Do you also feel the author is using alternate senses and, if so, as clues for the reader or red herrings?

11. For much of this part, I felt Montgomery was conflicted regarding his feelings for Carlota. He "writes" to his wife using what I felt was a brotherly perspective only to realise, a few lines and drinks later, he could not resist kissing her if she were there in that moment. What did you make of this change of heart and do you find his various missteps bring something to the story?

12. We're already halfway through the story - Doctor Moreau and Montgomery are both complex characters. Am I alone in thinking Carlota and her hybrid friends deserve to be more thoroughly fleshed out and layered?

13. What did you make of the scene where Carlota loses her virginity by the cenote - did her reaction seem natural to you or did you find yourself questioning her fearlessness? In your opinion, if Carlota is herself a hybrid, what effect might that have on their progeny?

14. There's a storm brewing as the hybrids plan to join Juan Cumux and Carlota attempts to retrieve her father's notes and formulas. Do you think the hybrids will remain subservient once they remove themselves from Doctor Moreau's influence or could the story turn dark?

DQs: Day 2, Chap 6 – 11

6. As Sonia noted, we jump six years. Do the characters, especially Carlota, feel six years older? Do you like books that have time jumps or would you have preferred to see Montgomery get used to working in his new jobs? (Sonia already asked about the fallout but feel free to add that here).

I hadn't thought of it, but Carlota does feel slightly frozen in time. I get my head around it thinking she lives a very secluded life - so I think I expect her to be pretty naive. I find jumping in time can be quite effective and give better pace.

7. Do you like the method of telling the same scene from both points of view? Is there one point of view you prefer?

I was going to ask a similar question tomorrow (but I'll have to find something else - giggle). It's funny how it switches from a single timeline with dual points of view to the same timeline (with a 'rewind' and identical dialogue) for some of the scenes - I'm not sure why the author does this. Perhaps to stress specific moments in time? Curious to know what others think of this - what do you think?

8. And we have the start of a love triangle. What do you think of the two young men and Carlota’s reaction to them?

At this stage in the reading, and with the age difference between Montgomery and Carlota (not to mention their differences in perspective) - I cannot be sure whether Montgomery wants to protect her (father/big brother) or has a romantic interest in her. His love for Fanny does seem to be fading though.

9. So far these feels very much like a historical fiction book with relationships being forwarded over the science and hybrids. Do you agree, and were you expecting that?

I honestly wasn't sure what to expect - this is not a genre I usually read. I agree there's a bit of history in there, but I'm not sure I'd call it historical fiction per se - just a feeling though.

Bonus: If you were part critter, and didn’t have the health concerns, what species would you prefer?

If I could be a bird (I'd love to be able to fly), I'd be an albatros. If I had to choose a mammal, I would probably want to be an elephant for its fierce loyalty and its memory :).

DQs: Day 1, Chap 1 - 5

1. Have you read the original Island of Dr Moreau book? Or watched any of the films? I only saw the 1996 movie, so, in my head, I keep seeing Dr Moreau as Marlon Brando, Val Killer as Montgomery and Fairuza Balk as Carlota.

No I've heard of it but not read it or watched the films. So it's all new to me.

2. In the movie, Fairuza was one of the hybrids, although here, she only has "treatments" with jaguar genetic code. Do you think it's just a ruse from the doctor and she is actually the first hybrid?
Yes, I think it's a ruse, meant to keep us doubting on her true "nature". Also, it opens the door to her getting married - with unknown consequences. You can tell she yearns for a life outside her current home.

3. Montgomery's past was a sad one. And he looks like just a drunk with some natural instincts to protect the innocent. Were you surprised he was considering not to accept the job, and then when the incident happens and he needs to kill the hybrid he decides to stay?

I knew he would stay because of the altnerating POVs. I felt his comment about not staying was, more than anything else, backlash for the Doctor doubting his ability.

4. I'm a bit disappointed that he didn't explain exactly how his studies came to be. In a scientific point of view, how is it even possible? We're in the 1870s... way before in vitro fertilization or genetic advances... and he manages to separate and mix genomes, or as called in the book gemmules? Not to mention that the original story was written way before cloning was a thing....

Well, he says it's based on Darwin's theories, but I wasn't expecting a full explanation as it not really sci-fi. So, I'm taking it as "given" that it (magically) does work somehow.

5. So, hybrids are dangerous. Specially when they're still developing, and their animal instincts are overpowering the human ones (in theory, since we had no idea what the level of brain maturity the developing hybrid was). Back in the movie, there is a rebellion and it doesn't end well for humans. Do you think it will be the case here?

I'm not sure. I do think there's lots of potential for things to go very wrong and I'm curious about it - I'm hoping for a chilling finale.

And a bonus, Am I the only one that is sad that we're jumping 6 years? I wanted to see the fall out from the incident.

It can't say it bothers me - I'm curious to know how the relationship between Carlota and Montgomery will have evolved, as well as her perception of the outside world.

I'm not great either - but TinEye seems to say dark blue?

@Nanci, I'm hoping to finish Hellbent today (fingers crossed, it's such a thrill), so I'll plan to start The Daughter of Doctor Moreau tomorrow Tuesday. As you say, with the time difference, I'll check my GR messages tomorrow morning (Tuesday here) just in case, but plan A is: read it regardless so we have a backup if it doesn't make it to you in time - and if it does, that's fine too.

Loving the idea of a King doorstopper club - let's crush that read! :)

@Tone, like Vi - looking forward to an update on your travels

@Vi - positive reviews can really raise expectations...

@Nanci, btw, are you OK with The Daughter of Doctor Moreau or would you like a backup? (for the DQs)

Oops, I've just realised from Nanci's post that I ordered the Stephen King without checking the page count - silly me :-/

@Leslie Ann, I've heard lots of good stuff about this book and others have recommended it - so fingers crossed I manage to read that doorstopper! :S

@Jen, when does summer break start where you are?

@Kerri & @Keli, I'm with you re the physical TBR - but I do still get new ones I'm afraid =D. I gave The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo 5 stars too - but I like Keli's review and agree the final twist is anticlimactic, just not enough for me to knock off a star I guess ^^. Also, Keli, you're quite right about Monique being used for the plot rather than being a fully fleshed out character, she didn't grate on me but I think I do 'get' what you mean.

@Suzanne, great breaking news - way to go team! :)

I’ve put down Evelyn Hugo for Crayola Towers, but as the winners towers are more difficult (to me anyway) I wonder whether we could use the book either for Lust or one of the gods themed ones because she’s an iconic sex-bomb. Please let me know which is best :).

My partner and I are very luck, we have two dogs - we love them to bits. They’re small and very lively (perhaps not quite as much as a Jack Russell mind).

@Cris, have lots of fun!l with your puppy

@Tone, Scotland is on my bucket list -
It is so beautiful - enjoy!

@Keli, book tours are a great idea :)

@Nanci, I think this is the link you’re looking for:

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

But it doesn’t say much.

@Suzanne, safe trip home.

Re TTX, I’ve been reading The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and am thoroughly enjoying it. I know some people didn’t like it at all - curious to know what others have thought and / or if you have recs.

Finally, do we have any idea what next month’s BOMs are?

Back from England - had a lovely stay with my family - wonderful times were had. :)
As I'd suspected, my trip left little time for reading - but I'm so lucky as have come back to an SS that has filled up so much since last time I looked - can't believe all the reading that's been going on, way to go team!! :)

@Shannon, congratulations on your graduation - hope those parties were fun! :)

@Vi, hope those exams worked out (fingers crossed!)

@Kerri, congratulations on the house! :)

@Nanci, belated happy birthday! :)

@Suzanne, oo hadn't realised about the rainbow towers, that is good news! Also, 100% about the team challenges, it's such fun!
AND, that trail looks amazing - enjoy your trip.

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Sonia wrote: "Elinor wrote: "Sonia wrote: "Hey team Ashara!

I'm visiting from team Dez... Since Elinor inspired today's "reading motivation" I thought to give her a prompt :)"

Hey Sonia,

Thanks for stopping b..."

That's why I only posted names, lol. Felt safer =D

Sonia wrote: "So, today's reading inspiration was based on Elinor from team Ashara, and the book that originate the movie. Plus, I don't exact need an excuse to google Daniel Craig.

"

Very NICE 🤩 - and you've covered all the bases :).
Enjoy!

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Suzanne wrote: "Thanks for the visit Sonia! It is fun to see other teams!

Elinor - I had a hard time getting into the Scorch Trials too. And then it ultimately just made me mad. It was years ago, and I still reme..."

I don't think I've reached the maddening bit yet (or I haven't noticed it lol) - this may sound weird, but it's bringing my climate worries to the surface and, (unrelated) I get the feeling it's just "The Maze all over again". I hope they'll be some new elements - I don't think I'll DNF it, even though I'm going at a more leisurely pace than I normally would. Thank you for keeping the pressure of finishing at all costs at bay - it's good to have that kind of support :).