Alysa’s Comments (group member since Jun 27, 2015)

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

[edited for crap spelling]
Yeah I always saw it as that "Audio length verification" is only if there's no listing on AR. So, better safe than sorry: we can't use it.

What other book are you about to finish? :)

[[ Frankie ]] wrote: "Can books with a MPG of Children’s (but also Young Adult) count for the challenge? I was thinking it used to be that children’s books were not allowed, but I didn’t know if that restriction was sti..."

They can only be used if they have a verified word count of 25k or more (check arbookfind.com), or 3 hours for Audio.

DQs Day 1
Chapters 1 to 5

1.) Why are you participating in this BOM? Just for extra Tower Teams points? Because you were interested in/going to read this book anyway? Have you read other words by this author?

I normally don't read YA that isn't fantasy/scifi, except for during Challenges. This book is no exception. That being said, I like being forced out my my reading comfort zones on occasion. It was the same for me for this month's other BOM, The Chestnut Man :)

2.) I'm loving Ellery's true crime obsession. Pre-child I used to have the Discovery ID channel (true crime, all the time) on a lot as background. Though I'm thinking this is foreshadowing of not good things to come. What do you think? Have you read any of the crime books mentioned so far?

I don't read a ton of True Crime books, though there have been exceptions. Actually, I have of late developed a certain ambivalence towards True Crime books and Shows about murder cases, in that it feels weird ostensibly being "entertained" by someone else's terrible tragedy. I totally understand and share interest in these things, especially serial killers! I just, IDK, I have started to feel a little guilty about it. Or something.

3.) Characters, first impressions. What do you think of Ellery & Ezra? Sadie, and the fact they refer to her by her first name and not 'Mom'? Malcom & Katrin? Familial relations seems to be a central theme to this book and specifically sibling relationships. There's been several twin references and references to other sibling relationships (Declan, Daisy, Lacey's siblings, etc). Do you think these types of ties will play into the main story line?

These first few chapters, I have found all the pile-on of characters and their relationships a little confusing. I feel like I need to make a chart. I'm sure there will be thematic reasons, least of all the whole "everyone in small towns knows each other" thing and the "siblings" thing, so hopefully I will have less trouble keeping track of everybody as the book goes on.
I don't feel connected to anybody yet, except maybe a little bit Ellery. I am old enough to be her mother, but I can also relate to her in some quite personal ways.

4.) This book is set in a small town and that type of atmosphere has been highlighted strongly during the set-up of the story. However, it isn't really the bucolic small town setting being highlighted by the author, but the everyone is in everyone else's business and will judge the crap out of your entire family if given the chance. What do you think of small towns? Would you like to live in one (or do you already)?

And so it begins!!! I like that it's not bucolic, but the nosy and insular kind of portrayal. I tend to prefer to read about this in Southern Gothic and in UK-based books than in New England or other American settings for some reason, but that's just me.
I lived in a smallish town growing up, but my experience was unusual in that I didn't go to school in the same town that I lived in, so I had very little social life or community involvment, and also, because my parents were from NYC, we were in NYC a lot on weekends and such. I've been living in NYC my entire adult life, but I would not mind moving to a small town in future, and trying to make more of it than I ever could as a kid.

5.) I loved the epitaph of Mr. Bowman's tombstone.
"Tell me and I forget
Teach me and I may remember
Involve me and I learn"
What did you think about it? Do you agree with the statement? And why do you think there has been such a focus on a seemingly sad, but random hit and run?

It's a nice tribute to a supposedly beloved teacher. I have no idea whether the focus on his death will be part of something bigger, or if it's just been there to add atmosphere so far.

BTW, teammates, I added the finished BOMs to the main official spreadsheet just because I like putting BOMs there, lol!

But we're still not adding any Spell-Outs to the Envy Mini-Challenge tab there yet, as it's too soon to tip our hand on what words we found in the Boggle :D

I'm only on Chapter 4. I like the writing but am finding it a little hard to keep track of who's who so far. There seem to be a LOT of character in play, with convoluted relationships.

So I started Two Can Keep a Secret --
Why did nobody say there are more character names that work for letters this week?!
Rodriguez! Nilsson! and more!

:D

Allison Ann wrote: "just getting a little maxed out on Historical Fiction"

Gee, I wonder why :)

Don’t worry if you aren’t able to add a replacement book for this week. We don’t want anyone to burn out!

I will PM you. I don’t wanna be seen as “advertising” on NBRC (even though nobody is selling anything ;D)

Allison Ann wrote: "I read the paperback. I don't know why a duplicate shows up sometimes for no reason. So annoying.
I'll get it fixed."

Looks good now. Thanks!!

@Allison, which edition of Deadly Appraisal did you read? You have two version on your GR shelves and the one on the TT shelf isn't the one with the page count on the spreadsheet. Thanks!

My partner has a food blog that I edit -- and taste test ;D -- but he makes weird fiddly stuff, not comforting cookies. I love his food but really I JUST WANT ALL THE COOKIES.

*DROOLS*

Ozana wrote: "Me too, I also read Wilder Girls and I hope it goes to right place. Thank you."

It did :D

I am back now too :)
It looks like Ozana's book works for N (character "Nella") so we will probably go with that.

But for those people who aren't online as much or just don't check in on this team thread as much, don't worry -- Jessi and I can usually find a good spot to put your books.

@Allison re your spreadsheet note about that anthology -- I tend to agree with you about character names. I don't mind using author names, but if you aren't comfortable with that, no problem, we'll just use the Title :)

Some thematic Wednesday inspiration...

Joanne wrote: "Have you guys watched Tatiana Maslany's TV show, Orphan Black?"

So good! Well, not every season was equally good, but overall a great show.
I bought the SerialBox continuation (which isn’t over yet) but I have not actually started reading/listening to it yet. It’s also narrated by Maslany or I might not have bothered checkin it out :)

Mmmm... timbits...
Can we also have some poutine?

Plus many of us are around our snotty-nosed children! We love them but they are germ factories!

Alysa wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "I finished !"

Can you check your start date on that? It looks like a previous read from 2017...?"

And actually when did you finish it? The Read date also looks like last week [in which case we would not be able to use it...]?

Suzanne wrote: "I finished !"

Can you check your start date on that? It looks like a previous read from 2017...?