Keely’s Comments (group member since Aug 30, 2013)

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

Mini 2 Update

New task: 51. Read a book that is on the Have Passport Will Travel list

Nistha wrote: "We are nearing R2.. I think I will try to hit my cap by reading smaller books this weekend so can utilize all of them and finish the chonkers for next month"

That is what I'm thinking of doing for my last two books I haven't started yet. It depends how much time I end up having.

Janeylou wrote: "Keely wrote: "Here is the countdown to the second month of Tower Teams XI:
https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown...

It is linked in..."

Yes, only the finished ones are on there.

Personally, I would love to reach my cap. I have read my BPM so I have 5 left I can read before the next month begins. I will definitely finish 3 more: What the River Knows, A Feast for Crows and probably a book for Mini 1. I will see what time I have after that.

Here is the countdown to the second month of Tower Teams XI:
https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown...

It is linked in E's first post, but as I was checking myself, I thought I would post a reminder for everyone.

Just under 6 full days remaining of our first month! Most of us are near or at our BPM that we signed up with which is great. I'm sure you are all well aware of the cap by now so that is all I will say about it. If you need to check how many books you have read and your cap, you can do so on the Team spreadsheet (official one not the tracking one) under the "Member Info" tab.

Books can be started now (or currently reading) and be used for month 2. The only rule regarding start dates is only books started after the challenge began can be used.

I have also added it to my TBR!

Mini 2 Update

New task: 50. Read a book that is in the Sizzling Summer Sensations List

Mini 3 Update

We are going to Germany!!

Tasks:
Author born in Germany
Red, Yellow and Black on cover
character eats sausage
character plays football
letters BIER in title (any order)
castle on cover

Spell out: GERMANY

I used another book with a J that was finished after we started Japan in Mini 3 so that country is now complete! I have requested a new country!!

Completion Post


After the Quake by Haruki Murakami
Read: 10 June
Pages: 147

Mini 3 - Author born in Japan

Spell it out:
A - Title
H, M - Author

Characters:
K - Komura
S - Sasaki
J - Junko
Y - Yoshiya
T - Takatsuki
F - Frog

Sound pretty world domination-y to me!

Eldarwen wrote: "
Mini 2 Update


We have a new task! :-)


47. Read a book with MPG Historical Fiction
--> used Audrey's This Is All I Ask


48. Read a book set in a completely fictional world"

A Feast for Crows will work for this. I should finish it in the next couple of day.

Charlotte wrote: "Eldarwen wrote: "Charlotte wrote: "I didn't get around to as much reading as I had been hoping, but I finished one book and started another!"

Welcome back :-)

Haha, isn't that always the case? ;-..."

Charlotte - do you have a rough idea about when you will finish your J book for Mini 3? If you think it will be today or tomorrow then I will work on my Japanese author book today. Otherwise, I will keep working on my books I am further through.

Bookworm McClain wrote: "Bookcover Ego Is the Enemy
Book: Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday
Date Read: june 8, 2025
Pages: 226
Rating: 2- had some interesting quotes from famous people but the author's actua..."

Can you add this to your shelf, please?

Mini 2 Update

We have two new tasks!

45. Read a book published in 2024
46. Read a book that covers multiple generations

Discussion Questions Day 3

10. As we reach the halfway point I am seeing more and more similarities to the Amelia Peabody series. Is anyone else finding this. Does this affect your impression of the book?
I haven't read any of those so I can't comment on that.

11. We have been introduced to a number of Characters is there anyone that particularly stands out?
I'm curious about Isadora.

12. We have been introduced to Isadora and her Father. Why do you think he doesn’t let her out of his sight?
She doesn't have a chaperone for one thing. I don't really know why else though.

13. Inez seems to be attuned to Cleopatra and sees some of her memories. If you could choose to see one memory of a historical figure whose memory would it be?
I don't think there is one person in particular I would want to see the memories of. There are lots of snippets of history I would be curious about though.

Discussion Questions Day 2
Part One, Chapter 6 - Part One, Chapter 12

6. In this part Inez spends some time with Mr. Hayes. What did you think of their afternoon in Cairo? Did you enjoy their banter?
I thought their banter was okay. Nothing too special about it though.

7. After sensing familiar magic from an old trinket, Inez buys it and later has a vision of Cleopatra. What do you think this vision means? Do you believe Cleopatra’s burial site can only be found with Inez’s help?
The visions imply the artifact was taken from the burial site. I think she will be a vital part in them finding the burial site.

8. Every now and then, the point of view shifts briefly to Mr. Hayes. Do you enjoy these moments from his perspective, or would you prefer the story to stay entirely with Inez?
The change of narrative is helpful for more details, but I think I would prefer it to be a more even split. I guess that would give too much away too quickly though.

9. Inez finds a letter from her mother, in which she suspects that Tío Ricardo is involved in illegal activities. Does this letter, along with the boat conversation Inez overhears, make you suspicious of Tío Ricardo? Or do you think he’s not responsible for Inez’s parents’ murder?
He's been suspicious from the start. He might know more about her parents' murder than he is letting on, but I don't think he is solely responsible.

I managed to get a hold of a copy of What The River Knows. A bit late, but I should be able to finish it over the next couple of days. I will definitely finish it before the deadline.

Also, I can remove my Sweden book from Mini 1 if needed. I've not even touched it yet. It will be worth good points because of it's length so I might still read it for the challenge, but it can probably be used elsewhere later.

I'm a bit late to the party, but better late than never as they say.

Discussion Questions Day 1
Prologue - Part 1 Ch 5

1. The first line is “A letter changed my life.” Would you say this was a good start, cheesy start, or are you indifferent?
A bit cheesy I guess, but I'm mostly indifferent.

2. Why do you think Tio Roberto wanted to immediately send Inez back to Egypt without even seeing her? Do you think he’s hiding something? Or do you think it’s just typical of men at that time to dismiss young women and enforce them being chaperoned and taken care of?
A bit of both I think.

3. The ring scene with Thomas Sterling was definitely outrageous; I felt Inez's outrage and all of her shock. Do you expect to see the ring later in the story? Any guesses to its significance?
I expect the ring will play a part later. I don't know what it's significance would be though.

4. What do you think of the writing style and the pacing so far? Are you enjoying the lyrical, rich descriptions or do you prefer a more fast paced story?
I thought it felt fast paced already. I don't mind descriptions as long as they are not too over the top.

5. In Ch. 5 we see politics at play, and we can tell this is just the beginning. How do you think this will affect your enjoyment of the book? Will it enhance the story for you or will you feel bogged down by the details?
I'm not generally a fan on politics, but sometimes the historical factor is enough to keep me interested.

Mini 2 Update

New task!! 40. Read a book with MPG Non-Fiction