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

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

The Violin Conspiracy - Brendan Slocumb - November 2023

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Sammy wrote: "Yes! So long as you read it during the challenge, you can join with the DQs and volunteer to write some.

I don't blame you for wanting to read it sooner... I keep scrolling past it in my audible l..."

Yay, excellent news!!
Lol, I must say, seeing it dedicated to "Sugar, Spice, and Smudge, my current set of cats" really tickled me! I have this 'feeling' about the book - I'm excited!

That Mort situation was clearly strange - but you met all the requirements. Good to know how far you can actually go with these :)

Starter Villain - John Scalzi - November 2023

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Elinor's participation links:

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5

DQs Day 5: Chapter 48-end

19. We finally learn how Lily died. Were you surprised? Do you think she would have done it without Leona's prompting?

Yes, I was surprised. I think she was a young girl, acting on impulse and Leoda is sooo evil.

20. I've never read a book before that gave the perspective of the place. How do you feel about Saoirse Island having her own chapter?

I enjoyed it - it's a bit like the Rivers of London being characters. I feel some places really do have something about them that can be almost spiritual, so it clicked.

Melissa's right about it bringing out more of the magical side of things, which was a bit lacking in places.
I also like what Cat said about the island wanting good custodianship

21. The counsel (and probably the islanders) are definitely not shown in a good light. Do you think they knew, or cared, about Leona's motivations? Why do you think Noah broke ranks?

Well, I think the others broke ranks with him, and he understood it and gave them what for. High time someone did something about these crazy people.

22. The August/Emery tension was finally resolved. Were you happy with the outcome? Did it feel realistic? Do you think that they would really survive as a couple off the island?

I think it was the inevitable outcome - I like the idea of the outcome, but not sure that's how it would have worked in real life. I can see them surviving as a couple of the island yes, but not after 14 years of being apart (but I'm just projecting!).

I agree with Judith comments about the studies though.

23. The orchard ownership was resolved in an unusual way. Were you satisfied with the outcome?

Oh, dear. I've just realised I really wasn't bothered about the orchard anymore at this point.

24. The ending. What are your thoughts on Emery and August's daughters comment? Ominous, intriguing, or just there?

Without that teeny creepy twist, it would have been a 'same ol', same ol'' ending - so it's warped but I liked it for bringing a little zest to an otherwise predictable ending.

Cat, honesty is soo the best policy :)

Wow, I'm getting the vibe I should totally try reading Tolstoy again! The last I tried was War and Peace as a teenager and I just gave up on it between a couple of dark lines. The Kreutzer Sonata sounds pretty intense too.

Lol, Sophie, gotta admit that fire alarm really got to me - had to climb up the ladder four times before it surrendered. Ugh, tell me about the weather - not that I was enjoying 22°C in October mind you, but that drop caught me right off guard!

I've finally finished my first book!

I have a question about the BOM (this has probably already been asked, and awfully sorry but I can't remember) - if I read Starter Villain before the BOM dates (like imagine I read it during Round1
and/or beginning of Round2), can I still volunteer for DQs?

Ooops my bad Sammy, I thought you *had* read it, rather than planning to. Just seen there’s a fourth one in the series too. Hadn’t realised. Hope you enjoy #3!

I'm still reading Spells For Forgetting - not reading fast at the moment - but it's been enjoyable so far. I did catch up a bit this week-end but didn't manage to finish it.

@Melissa, have been meaning to start on the Cormoran Strike series ever since I discovered who Robert Galbraith is.

@Sammy, yay for that doorstopper. Never got into the Kingsbridge trilogy - but sounds like you really enjoyed it. Have you read the prequel? Just wondering whether it can be read separately.

@Navi, I like the sound of Mask of Mirrors.

And I've added Small Spaces to my wishlist, @Jhmingos - it sounds good!

PS: unrelated, who else hates the flat battery 'warning' on fire alarms? You know when they beep every minute or so... (why can't batteries go flat during the day?! & I bet the cold weather has shot it! We've dropped about 15 degrees over just 2 days here - I'm totally fruzz!)

DQ's Day 4
Ch 36 to Ch 47

13) This section begins with Emery having another nightmare. She is seeing Lily drowning by her own hand but before she wakes it's herself in the water. What do you think this means? Is it just symbolizing the pain she feels or could it be something more?

At first I thought these nightmares were what happened but had somehow been erased from her memory. Now I'm not so sure. Her grandma says there are no spells for forgetting - but that might also be a lie b/c she says there are two types of spells but then there turns out to be a third (the unbinding).

14) I thought the chapter from Albertine's POV was the most interesting. She clearly knows more than anyone about the magic that inhabits the island and the people that live there. I found it extremely interesting that Henry Salt was cursed and was dying. Who do you think cursed him and why? Why do you think Albertine saved him, even knowing the type of person he was?

100% - I would have liked to hear more from Albertine generally - as she acts more like a prop for the story, but I feel the magic of the island is underdeveloped. I think Albertine saved him because she's loyal.

@Melissa, I love your theory about this, much more elaborate than what I've come up with.
@Judith, lol well yes it is a lot of drama - can't wait to see what comes of it!


15) August and Emery finally have a conversation about that night and we find out how the fire was started. Were you surprised with the part August played?

That twist wasn't really a twist for me - there was a huge buildup to it, but I felt we already knew it, and it wasn't much of a reveal.

@Cat, we definitely agree on this one! I was so hoping it would be a shocker!


16) We see another side of Dutch in this section. Once he realized Emery knew the truth about him he got drunk and went after August. He had some pretty nasty things to say about Emery and Lily. Does this change your perception of him? Why do you think he would stay with Emery all this time if that's how he really felt about her? After finding out he lied about his whereabouts that night not to protect August but to protect himself, do you think he could have something to do with Lily's killing?

Yes, it certainly showed a side of him I didn't warm to! Emery and Dutch are obviously together for all the wrong reasons, sadly. I think he could have had something do with Lily's death - like many of the characters including Emery. I understand why the author needs so many characters to come across shady, to keep the doubt in the reader's mind about who might have done what.

@Cat, I agree about the older guy angle, though it feels like it's kind of out of the story now

17) Emery gives August the deed to Salt Orchards and we find out that they forged August's signature to give the Orchard to the town, which most likely means that it was left to him. Do you think the entire town counsel played a part in that? Why do you think they would do that? Do you think it has anything to do with Lily's killing?

Money is power. I'm not sure how far they had to reach to pull this one off - it seems rather strange how little the islanders questioned this decision, given how vocal Henry Salt had been about keeping the orchard in the family!

18) This section was filled with so much information I had to pick and choose what to ask about LOL. Was there anything else about these chapters that stuck out to you? Anything you were surprised at?

There's how little Emery and August communicated back in the day - though I can so believe that because of that's often how it goes: people running from their fears or protecting others. Then there's August's violent altercation with Dutch - I'm worried Dutch may be dead (at least seriously injured). The 'rage' that August felt sounds like his grandfather that he so hates!

@Melissa, can't wait to find out what that missing photo is!

@Cat, lol about the love triangle (well, it does seem more like a square as someone else pointed out) =D

@Stacey, you've made me wonder - Jake could also be framing Emery - but others seemed to know Emery needed protecting in some way.

Honest, I just need to finish this so I know what's been happening - I'm quite enjoying the book.

DQs Day 3
Ch 22 to Ch 35

9) Why do you think they are so concerned about August being in the hall of records? Shady stuff with his grandfather's estate? Also, does anyone else think the people on the island are basically horrid people?


There are quite a few shady characters, yes - and Emery seems surronded by them! The parents' generation are hiding something.
The orchard is obviously the hub of wealth and power, so I can see why it would be central to the story, but not sure exactly what's going on.

@Cat, I like the theory of August not being a Salt - that would explain his mum being kept outside the family circle


10) Someone call Maury Povich! Who's the father? Do you think Lily was actually preggers? Lily honestly doesn't seem like she was a nice person and I 100% believe she's keep secrets from Emery. Any guesses on the father if she was?


Lol. I want to say August, because that would destroy Emery and also would explain why he's never considered coming back to get her. But I'm guessing it may be darker than that - one of the oldies maybe - and Lily would have hidden the affair.

@Melissa, love your take on this - sounds plausible!
@Cat and @Heather - yes, I'm thinking one of the older generation possibly too


11) Do you think this love triangle is over after that last fight between Dutch and Emery?


Nope. I think we're going to hear more about this. It's taking up a lot space and there are so many other angles to explore, bit of a shame imo.

@Judith, love your take on this one - made me laugh "stop making moon eyes at each other over the tree tops or whatever" :-)


12) Do you think a 'spell for forgetting' was cast over Emery and that's why she's having nightmares, it's her brain trying to remember what happened?


There's something really weird going on there. It could be a case of unreliable narrator on Emery's part - but surely the others would be giving us clues if that were the case. I don't really want to picture her murdering her best friend, but there's obviously something weird going on there, perhaps she saw something - I haven't put 2 and 2 together yet.

DQs Day 2 ~ Chapters 11–21

We get several glimpses into the past in this section. We get a few nuggets of information; they seem to give just enough to keep you confused at this point. My questions are mostly about those glimpses into the past.

5. We knew that Emery and August were a couple before the fire, but we learn now that Dutch and Lily were a couple as well. Were you expecting that at all, given that Dutch and Emery are a couple now? Does it seem odd to you that they would hook up considering their pasts or do you think it’s just because of lack of available people on the island?


It's believable to me: they were (it seems) quite a close group of friends. Do they share some part of The Secret? Possibly, I'm not sure, but they also both lost loved ones, and that can bring people together. Rationally, moving on sounds like a good decision but emotionally, it feels like they're both second-best and not really in love.

@Cat, you're right about the flashback and how they don't seem happy


6. What do you think about the fact that Hannah (Emery’s mother) and Eloise (August’s mother) continued to communicate with each other after they left? Also, that Hannah knew where they were and not only didn’t tell Emery, but told her that they weren’t coming back? (All the while with the knowledge that August had come back to see Em.)


It certainly feels cruel to both Emery and August but I'll withhold judgement until we get all the facts straight.


7. We learn that August and Emery had ferry tickets to leave the island the day after Lily’s death. Emery was sure that it would further prove August’s guilt with most of the town already believing he was guilty. Even Eloise says in one of her letters that “what August did” is unforgivable. Do you think even his mother thought him guilty? Do you have a theory on what “really” happened yet?


So far, one thing is obvious: August and Dutch are lying about what they did on the night Lily died. The lighthouse alibi is one they've agreed on and for some reason they're both holding their tongues. I don't have a theory - I think they may have been involved in Lily's death and the fire. Also, the fact that Emery mentions having nightmares where she hears screaming is kind of creepy (I'm guessing it's Lily). I do get where Emery's coming from re those tickets.

@Judith, I like your theory on this.
@Cat, loving the "spells for forgetting theory" too!


8. Finally, we learn there are more secrets than just those about the fire and Lily’s death. One centers on Emery’s dad, Noah. Any speculation as to what his secret is? How do you think it ties into the fire and Lily or is it random?


Oh now. I have no idea to be honest. Of course, the island is rife with secrets - it has to be for this kind of book mind you :).

@Angie, great theory about Noah being both their fathers - that could explain why the mothers were intent on keeping them apart. Hadn't thought of that one.

Re Day 1:

@Cat, I agree about Dutch - same feeling here!

@Alexw, @Angie - I've been a few places that feel that way b/c tourists literally 'take over' during the school hols and the locals just get fed up despite depending on tourism. You're right about moving though and they could definitely get out if they don't want to deal with the tourists.

@Judith - I would definitely want to go there, if only to see those old signs and books! I like the flashback chapters too and hope there will be more of those soon.

@Angie: Emery guilty? I hadn't thought of that, could be and it would be a twist (at least to me =D).

DQ Day 1 :
Ch1-10

1. This is the first book by Adrienne Young, and I really liking her writing style so far as well as the witchy autumnal vibes of the story so far. (I really like the tea shop!) Have you read any of her other books and how are you finding this one?


This is my first Adrienne Young and I LOVE the atmosphere of the place - there's something both comforting and a little unsettling about it. I'm enjoying it so far and do like her writing style (the bird scene springs to mind as one of the most vivid)!


2. What do you think of the island and life on the island so far? It seems really cut off from the rest of the world because the islanders keep to their own. But I think it also feels quite eerie the descriptions of the island.


Eerie is the word. Being isolated definitely contributes to the overall feel of the place, and I'm guessing could turn to creepy, but we'll see because this also has this nice kind of vibe to it so far.


3. Are you as curious as me to find out what exactly happened the night of the fire, how Lily died, and why everyone blames August? It seems like there will be lots of secrets on the island.


Yes, I can't wait for the story to unravel. I think there's more to this story than August being responsible for her death (I wouldn't be surprised to find out he isn't) - and also, the August/Emery thing is going somewhere!


4. What do you think will happen next? Is August going to start to look into what happened or do you think his presence on the island will result in secrets coming to the surface?


Well, he said he wouldn't. But I also got the feeling people on the island know more than they fess up to. August seems intent keeping to himself, and the islanders on staying out of his way - but I get the feeling the past won't let them and that his mum last wish had its reason!

🤦‍♀️

Wow Sonia, if I ever get confused about genres (that is a thing I’m pretty consistent at), I’ll be asking you! 😌

Sammy wrote: "They're closed already, and both of those won 😁

We'll post a link here once the BOM sign-ups are posted."

Yay!! I'll order them already :)

Yay!! Well done everyone - I've just started Spells for forgetting - I'd planned to do the BOM questions (even if they won't count for Wheel). The different perspectives can be really interesting!

Does anybody know when the November BOM polls close? Crossing my fingers for Starter Villain... and I like the sound of The Violin Conspiracy too!

x

Welcome to the team Kat :)

Wow, Sammy, that was close - I thought it was 9am and was about to start reading about an hour ago... ouch, nearly got off to a false start! So I'll be starting tomorrow I expect - getting treated out to dinner :)

Okay, so I've created my post for The Witches (because it's green :-)):
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

and I got weirded out by a book entry a chanced upon:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
(though perhaps we should keep it for the laughs =D)

x

This is it… a few more hours and we’re off! 🥳

I say… I like Sammy’s question b/c I need to add an alternate edition of The Witches by Roald Dahl and I forgot to post to the GR librarians 😱.

Sonia wrote: "Good Morning team!!!

Just wanted to say hi, and quick vanishing, because this week is ridiculous.

So yesterday we had what they call a testing day - basically, everybody in the project that is no..."

Sonia,
I often feel that way too - soooo, enjoy the day off, and don't think about work :).
Signed: a poor baby dev :p
PS: not planning on making you feel claustrophobic - have you ever watched Lovesick, the episode where Evie get stuck with her dubious date on a hospital roof? I can just feel.her.pain - panic attacks can be so draining!