Trinia’s Comments (group member since Mar 29, 2015)

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

I can start a Frederick Backman book to fulfill the Swedish author task.

I finally feel like I’m helping , had a slow start but now am trying to pick books that fill tasks rather than just reading.
I always enjoy coming across a book that I would never have picked up and then falling in love with it.

Judy wrote: "Trinia wrote: "Considering do y’all think it would work for the Mini 2 task Read a book which has the main location (setting) as a bus, t..."

Oops, glad you caught that page count. I’ll keep looking, I’ve got plenty of other books to dig through. Weird though because it’s an 8 hour audiobook 🤪

Considering do y’all think it would work for the Mini 2 task Read a book which has the main location (setting) as a bus, train, or other road based vehicle, as the MC is a paramedic working on an ambulance?

I'm starting The Beautiful Ones by Silvia Moreno-Garcia which will cover the Mexican born Author

Also, just finished a book with an X character, not sure if we need that letter but if so , Say You'll Remember Me

I'm still plugging along slowly... I underestimated our chaos here at home and work and my reading has suffered. I'm usually over my cap, so if seems weird for me to be the lowest. Sorry gang, I did just finish a book and will look to see where I can fill a slot on our SS.

DQs Day 5
Chapters 26 - 31/The Story

21. In the previous story…Margaret regretted the next set of interview questions with Alice…stating it was time to recall all her worst mistakes.
Was it a mistake to go to Cosmo’s concert instead of being at home during Gerald’s final hours? Was it something with Laura/Dr. David? Again, later she indicates she regrets every decision she made. What do you think? Why does she feel this way? What were the bad decisions?
Gosh no, not a mistake to go to Cosmo's concert, you never know when someone will die. And Laura was broken before that loss. I'm sure we all have regrets that we had no control over. The decision to go to the concert was for the right reasons.

22. Margaret keeps referring to trust. In chapter 27 she makes a reference to trusting people who wear bright colored clothing vs not. Why would someone like Margaret, with so much experience, call out the colors in clothing as a reason to trust someone? What are some of the things that make you trust one person vs another? Why?
I have no clue.. that is odd for me. I think you have to earn your trust from another person. Consistently doing the right thing and treating each other with respect builds trust.

23. In one of the last chapters in this section, we find out that Hayden knows details about Cecil, and Alice doesn’t; after deciding together, Alice point blank asks Margaret if she knows anyone else on the island.
Do you think Alice and Hayden have broken their trust/the NDA terms with Margaret by discussing Cecil together? Should they have handled this situation differently?
I don't think the NDA terms were broken, they only had each other to confide in and if I remember correctly that wasn't specified in the terms. I don't know any other way this situation could have been handled. I would have reacted the same way and most likely responded the same.

I got Caucasian Eagle... wasn't sure how to check if we got that one already. But here are the tasks for it.

Caucasian Eagle
Moderate 200 to 299
*set in Russia
*bird on cover
*the letters LIVER in title (any order)
*character goes to prison/jail (or is already there)

Hey! Sorry, work was crazzy! getting calmer now and can focus again on reading.

Finished a few tasks, today completed Empusa.

Going to spin now for a new monster :D

DQ DAY 3

Day 3 Chapters 14-20

11. Whether the stories are true or not, are you interested in the back stories of Margaret’s family? What did you think of Freddy’s first interaction with Bernie? (The one that contained the only laugh out loud line so far “Because of your wardrobe?”)
I am not usually a bit fan of “history” , but I feel it is pertinent to this story . Though I will admit that listening to an audiobook I tend to get lost with all of the names and connections.

12. Who exactly is Jodi? Will she be a part of the BIG REVEAL?
Good question! I am sure she will be a big part of the final reveal!

13. I do not have kids, but Hayden’s list of “what ifs” to worry about was a lot. Do you parents worry about that stuff?
YES, all the time. And even as my boys get older , now in their early 20’s , the worries just don’t go away. As a parent, you will worry their/your entire lives .

14. Why do you think Alice thinks that Margaret’s tales of her childhood are true, as opposed to the stuff about her family before she was around? Do you find her insightful or naive?
I think Margaret trusts Alice, and Alice feels that. Therefore I think that Alice trusts the personal childhood stories. Even though there are some other non-truths in the family

15. Think the visit to Alice’s family will go well? Think we will meet Hayden's family also?
I think it will go well enough. Hayden has good manners, and Alice’s mom “likes to entertain”. I’m sure though that there will be a few reveals and personal shares.

Day 1
Chapters 1 to 7

1.) Emily Henry is a popular contemporary romance author and a fair few of her books have been previous NBRC BOM selections. Any expectations for this book going in?
I was excited to start this book, I have read a few of her books and have not been disappointed! And the audio version is narrated by Julia Whelan, so it’s a win, win

2.) What are your first impressions of Alice? And sending that drink to Hayden?
already I love Alice and I want to be her friend, so spunky and positive. Love that she antagonizes Hayden with a drink.. he needs a spark to his backside

3.) Would you agree to the month long trial or tell Margaret she's a nutter and move on to something else? Why do you think Margaret is doing things this way?
um, yes please! Such a fantastic opportunity with a “star”. It’s unique but celebrities are strange , right?

4.) After learning a few tidbits about Hayden's family and how he grew up, did you opinion change a bit on his character?
I did understand him better, but am sure we will leave even more as the story develops

Posted my questions for What the River Knows.
Finished Big Beautiful Life and will go to the questions next :D

****Edit: Completed 2 days , will complete one more before the deadline for BBL

Day 6 - May 23
Part Four, Chapter 30 - Epilogue

23. I’m having a hard time being impartial with questions, as I feel like the last part of the book descended into mayhem and confusion without a solid roadmap, simply to forward action, some random, some meaningful. Is this book magical reality - where did the magic bits go? Is it historical fiction - or did an exotic setting just get used as a backdrop for a romance? What are your thoughts about the last part of the book compared to the first parts?
I agree the ending was pretty chaotic and very confusing. Listening to an audiobook , I found I had to rewind a few times.

24. Do you think the characters stay true to themselves, or grow or change? Which characters do you find multifaceted vs 2-dimensional? Which characters are still too shrouded in mystery and secrets to know who they are?
. Yes, I feel like most of the characters have changed, all except Inez. ( Probably because we are in her head) I can’t trust or believe anyone other than her at this point .

25. Let’s talk about Elvira. Do you find it plausible that she, another naïve girl traveling solo, was able to get to Egypt from Argentina to find Inez at the perfect time? And after just being betrayed by her mother - HER MOTHER - do you think it likely that Inez would let her cousin meet an unknown man alone? How did you react to Elvira’s fate, and do you think it was consistent with the tone of the book?
VERY far fetched part of the story! I feel like all of the Elvira portion was just plain stupid. To be blunt, it didn’t work for me and felt like so many other YA’s that have teenagers acting like they are more mature than realistic. Silly really

26. Any guesses as to where Inez’s father is, or thoughts on whether he’s still alive? Do you think he has the magical sheet Whit is searching for?
I have been suspicious from the start that the story would lead us to find both parents alive. No body found leaves too many loose threads. I’m guessing we will have to read the next book to find out too many cliffhangers, not sure I will check it out .

27. How did you interpret the final cliffhanger dialog in the Epilogue? Has it been Porter or Whit - or both - Inez has been interacting with? Twins? Are you planning to read the next / final book?
THAT is a good question, I was totally stumped! WHAT the HECK!?!?!?! I don’t know , but look forward to other’s answers

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 enjoyed hearing their banter back and forth , I feel the flirting is going to evolve more as the story develops. Of course a bit predicatable.

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?
I think Inez now has a special connection to Cleopatra , and her visions are flashbacks from Cleo’s past. I’m sure it will help to lead them to the burial site, which may be dangerous for Inez.

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?
I do like the back and forth, we get some insight into what Hayes is thinking, not necessarily the truth perhaps

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?
To be honest, I am suspicious of everyone and yet am really unsure who to trust at this time. The red herrings are everywhere!.

Late to the party but here never less ….

Discussion Questions Day 1
Prologue – Part 1, Chapter 5

1. The first line is “A letter changed my life.” Would you say this was a good start, a cheesy start, or are you indifferent?
I felt it was a good start, sparked my interest to read on.

2. Why do you think Tío 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 insist they be chaperoned and taken care of?
I think it was for her safety but also because he probably feels like she will be a burden to him

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 about its significance?
AHHH!!!! That completely (view spoiler)[pi$sed (hide spoiler)] me off. Seemed so typical of that time in history , that women were just pushed off and not felt to be reliable witnesses. I hope we see that ring again, poor Inez to lose her father’s gift to her :(

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?
as much as I feel like so many of these YA books lately could be carbon copies of each other, I appreciated the development of this story. I’m good with being patient to see how the story evolves.


5. In Chapter 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 a fan of politics woven into stories , so I’m hopeful that it doesn’t monopolize the story, but it does seem to be pertinent to the plot at this time.

Judy wrote: "Trinia, will you be answering the DQs for What the River Knows? If yes, that has to be done by the 15th so we can get the points :)"

Yes! I will work on them tomorrow and start The Big Beautiful World too! 😊

Agreed Britt, I loved that book

Judy wrote: "...and even more exciting, we've been able to fill every letter except one pesky N!

If you've got anything that works for N on the go, let us know!"

Just finished Sunrise on the Reaping, has a character from District 8, named Notion ?

I’ve had an issue with it previously , a month or so ago, but then it just started working normally. Maybe try an update?

Judy wrote: "I can't believe I don't have a single book containing the word "haka" on my kindle... I didn't think this would turn out to be this hard!"

Same! Just looked at my library on my kindle… no HAKA! What is HAKA anyway?