Leslie Ann’s Comments (group member since Mar 24, 2016)

Leslie Ann’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

DQ Day 2 Chapters 8 - 13

6. There's more information released here about magic use and it's impact on the world. What do you think about this?

I am really enjoying the magic in this story. I love the magic plants…

7. Lucky that Kiela can exploit the absence of fruit to fill a niche shop, eh?! What do you think about her plan to make a living out of jam and secret magic?

What a great plan.. love it

8. Kiela and Larran keep having meet cute moments. Do you like this romantic pairing?

It seem too soon for me and a bit juvenile.

DQs- Day 1, Chapters 1-7


1. The book opens with quite a tough scene: a Great Library is set on fire and Kiela has already packed crates of books to rescue. And she asks herself the question "if she were stranded on a desert island, which books would she most want to have with her?" Now I'm putting you the same question limiting your possibilities to

- 1 complete works of an author - Stephen King
- 2 book series - Mercy Thompson… love that girl
- 3 standalone books from different genres - romance which I don’t read often… Booklovers cute book

2. While it's only explained sketchily, a little politics, history (?)
of the Empire is mentioned, alongside some curious species, flora & fauna (winged kitties, anyone?) What do you think of the world-building so far?

I am enjoying the world so far. Love the plants..

3. It's mentioned several times how Kiela keeps herself to herself in the Library (apart from Caz's company). Do you think such an almost complete isolation described here is possible even in such a vast Library?

Yes, it seems like it was quite large

4. I found it a bit disturbing that Kiela doesn't tell anyone on the island that she came away because a revolution has broken out in the capital (I understand her keeping silent about the books). It IS supposed to be a big deal after all and one would think they will learn about it eventually. A bit later some excuses are offered. Do you think they are sufficient or it's just a usual plot-driving tool?

I think this may be important later on , I wish she had told someone.

5. I really liked the idea of Kiela & Caz sectioning the garden and naming them after book genres. Which genres would you name parts of your real or hypothetical garden?

I do have many plants. I am not that creative my plants are called what they are… spider plant : )

Just added 2 u books that i will finish in time

DQs Day 4
Now - Then first line "It's just a sprained ankle..."
last line "Don't contact me again."

15. Were over halfway through the book have your impressions of the characters change.

No. They are are self involved and bit boring


16. Rodney’s motives now become clear, how do you see this plot line panning out.

I think this is the most interesting part of this book. Rodney will probably make a fool of himself.

17. We learn more of Marcus’ issues and his apparent need to destroy Dylan and Addie’s relationship as well as destroy any chance of them getting back together. How do you predict this relationship triangle will be resolved.

It seams like high school behavior. Therapy would help.

18. Etienne is chasing Addie for extra-curricular activities. What are your thoughts on this.

I really cant answer these questions anymore. I am sorry to be so negative but this book was soooo boring.

I have been under the weather since Friday, so haven’t been reading much… sorry

Rachel wrote: "MelanieJoy wrote: "Shan ~A~ wrote: "Leslie Ann wrote: "I am off to a slow start… sorry. I am watching the grandkids this week while my daughter and SIL are in Milan. We are exhausted all ready and ..."

That sounds lovely. No rest for Nana busy chasing a 2 year old and saying no!!!!!! Lol

DQs - Day 2 - 17 Oct
Then - Now 38%

6. The author goes for the switching POVs and timelines method. How do you like these in general? And do you think it is a good fit for this book?
This seems to be the latest method many writers are using now. I have enjoyed it in the past. Not sure it fits for this book .

7. We get to meet some more characters along the way in the "THEN" section: Dylan's uncle Terry, his brother, the mysterious Grace and other friends whose dynamics to Dylan and Marcus should shed some more light on their characters and motivation. But do they? Do you feel like you are getting to know them better? Or understand them? (Or care?)
I have not learned anything other than they all are a bit shallow with no depth. Quickly frankly I could care less.

8. What do you think about Dylan's and Addie's past relationship in France? Do you like it/find it convincing? What about their sudden meeting in the present and the insta-lust after all the emotional baggage they seem to be dragging with them?
Not really sure.

9. I'm not really sure I'd call this book a "romance" though it certainly offers the trope of second-chance. Do you have any favourite romantic trope(s) or one that you especially dislike?
I really don’t like romance books and I especially hate love triangles most of them are soooooo predictable.

10. Any guesses what part Rodney may play in the plot or do you think he's just some kind of "filler" character?
I honestly don’t care and I am not interested. I will attempt to finish this book for the 20 points….

DQs Day 1
Now - Now last line "...reach out and touch her."

1.) Is this your first book by O'Leary? Only reading for points and that lovely 'O' letter for Wheel-a-thon or was it already on your tbr list?

This is my first book by this author and I am only reading it for points

2.) Road trips. Love them, hate them? If you've gone on a road trip before what are some must have for the journey?

I have done many a road trip when I was younger and as a parent and loved them. Now that I am older it is hard to sit in one place for a long time… on a plane I can get up and stretch.

3.) Deb's comment about never having a baby obviously proved untrue. Do we think the baby daddy is going to make an appearance in the story? Or do you think it's a no name person who isn't relevant to the book?

I am really not interested..

4.) The flagrant unconcern about money by half the characters is a bit gross. Do you think that's at the root of Dylan and Addie's split? Or do you think it's the mysterious Grace? Marcus especially seems to not know the whole breakup story. Any guesses to why Dylan didn't seem to tell him the truth?
I am so not interested….

5.) Initial impressions of the cast of characters?
Boring, one- dimensional, I will try to continue….

I am off to a slow start… sorry. I am watching the grandkids this week while my daughter and SIL are in Milan. We are exhausted all ready and we have only had them for 2 days. I am amazed at how I ever did this… of course I was much younger…. lol!!!

Angie, I can open it but I can’t add anything…

You are entering the arena to great fanfare. What theme song is playing you in?

The werewolves of London

-If you could raise it from infancy, would you prefer a dragon or a unicorn?

A dragon… so I could fly

-What is your favorite book genre? Movie genre?
Recently I have been reading mysteries
I love Science fiction movies

-What is the weirdest book you ever read for a challenge?
I have read a few but nothing jumps out

-Santa is real. Yes or no? Yes

-Mountain vacation, or beach? Beach, since I live in Colorado

-Time travel exists. Where/when would you go? I would go to the future to see flying cars

-If you could “borrow” one piece of art from any museum for 50 years, what would it be?
The Mona Lisa so I can actually see it without trying to see through millions of people

-What game or sport or pastime from your childhood is no longer done today?
LOL - night time hide and seek

-First video game? Hmm , I think Pong lol…

-Do you have pets? (Add pictures if you want.) no

-Dream date? (And I do mean dream. Idris Elba is taken. By me.)
George Clooney

-Uggs or Crocs? Crocs

-Did you ever have a mood ring? Yes of course..

-What books are you most looking forward to reading? Nothing specific , but I am hoping to be able to read a few longer books. This may be hard with juggling Turf wars and other challenges.

Hi Team Tax,
Looking forward to playing. I have played wheel a few times now and have enjoyed it. I live in Colorado and both my girls are here and my two grands ❤️. I love to play Pickleball, all kinds of crafts , play with the grands and of course read. My favorite genre’s are Mystery, Horror and Science Fiction. I will read just about anything for a challenge though. I had to put down my 14 year old Aussie about 2 weeks ago. I miss having a dog. : (

Thanks Melissa for all your hard work. Great reading everyone….

Melissa wrote: "Alrighty I matched everyone's shelves with the main SS and added any book that wasn't on there.

No one needs to add any of those books onto the tracking SS.

We have a ton of banked books so hop..."

Thanks Melissa, I was going to add everything tomorrow. You beat me to it : )

I read Findlay Donovan is killing it —-august 1
I put it in the F spot , but it can also be used for and e

Natasha wrote: "I finished updating my books. I was on vacation and unfortunately had to put my dog to sleep last night. I honestly may not get much reading done in the next few days."

So sorry. I had to do the same thing today with my 14 yr old dog.

Finished my 2 books for the mini

I have for brown cover

Answered the dQ’s for The Familiar…done

DQ 6 July Chapter 34 -44

12. Have you read any of Baduga’s books before? I’m finding this quite different for her dipping into HF. Your thoughts if you have read the others? If not, are you interested in picking up some more of her books?

I have read Ninth House which I gave 4 stars . I did not enjoy this book as much but I would be willing to try this author again.

13. Many of the characters are changing from what they were first presented as. If there anyone you are finding you like more than you did originally?

I like the changes in Valentina. I do enjoy when character evolve and are not one dimensional.

14. Do you believe there will be a HEA here? Or is Luzia doomed?
Not going to say, since I finished the book.

15. Bardugo’s family were expelled from Spain during the inquisition and she said in a People interview “This was something I was passionate about learning about, because it's my own family's history”. Do you think this adds to the story that she has a personal connection ? Is there anything in your family history you wish you could research more?

I do think it added to the story. I wish I have more information about the Polish side of my family.