Stacey’s Comments (group member since Oct 31, 2019)

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

I just finished putting grades in and am so happy to be done! I will definitely get the book I'm reading done and will try to fit a 2nd one in. I got most of my holiday shopping in so I should be able to do it but no promises. Every time I think I'm done before break something new pops up.

And I don't have any specific books, but I am looking forward to working on my TBR shelf and maybe a few lighter books.

Cordelia wrote: "I don't know where to put it because all of those spots are taken but I finished Hands Down by Mariana Zapata. 550 pages, good for M, Z, and B (main character named Bianca)."

I moved one of mine and added this as an M. Thanks!

I've got at least 1 more book in me, probably 2 since I'll be taking a break from work after Wednesday afternoon. I'll pick books based on what we need at the time.

You all are too good! I just requested a book from the library that fit the tag 'brain' and was an O but you all beat me to the tags. I may still read it as an O, but it is a bit short.

Anna, have fun! Cordelia, enjoy your company.

I've just given the final exam in my class and now just need to grade and do a few small things. I hope to get lots of reading done and will try to hit the harder letters that we don't have, and maybe some longer books.

DQs: Day 6 - Chapter 56 - End

23. What are your thoughts on the immediate aftermath of Harry’s accident? Was Evelyn right in her actions? Who or what was she protecting?
I don't think she was right, but honestly it really doesn't change much. Both men died. I think she was protecting her daughter more than anyone else.

24. Robert became husband #7 when Celia, Evelyn and Connor moved to Spain to live out Celia’s days in peace. What were your thoughts on this section? Did Evelyn finally find happiness if only for a little while?
I hope so. While non-traditional it did seem to benefit them all.

25. “… “They never did care about getting it right. The media are going to tell whatever story they want to tell. They always have. They always will.” How true do you think this is?
I think that this is spot on. We do try to find a narrative. That doesn't mean that they won't spin the story if news comes out but I do think we don't like our celebrities to be complex. They are either pure good or pure evil in most cases. I can easily believe that they didn't notice what was really happening in front of them.


26. We finally find out the reason why Evelyn wanted Monique to write her Biography. Were you surprised by this. Could Evelyn have handled it differently?
I finally guessed it, but way after I expected to. I do think she could have handled it differently but there was no good way to do so after she chose to do what she did. This way Monique got to understand her as a person before learning the truth.

27. The story ends with possibly the most controversial of themes dignity in death and the right to choose. Monique makes a conscious choice to allow Evelyn the dignity of choosing to die. Is this something you could do? I hope that I could.

Day 5 Chapters 45-55

19. "It was clear, in no uncertain terms, that by divorcing him, she was divorcing me".
This was a hard hitting chapter, do you think Celia made the right choice after what Evelyn did? If Evelyn had well communicated the sex scene in advance, do you think Celia would still not be able to cope?
This is a hard one and may be colored by the current times. Evelyn wasn't actually having sex with her ex and sex scenes aren't uncommon (although that one was a bit more than normal). I think Celia was a bit over the top for this, but maybe not so much for all the rest.

20. When Evelyn tells Monique she is not a good person and will soon reveal all, what theories came to mind?
I'm so not sure. She has done so many things that she isn't upset about. I keep thinking it has to have something to do with Monique's dad but it has to be more than just sex, I think. Of course there is Jenny's idea about end of life that was brought up in the beginning. Maybe it is about Celia and not Evelyn, though I'm not sure how that would cause such strong emotions for Monique.

21. Before the chapters progress, did Evelyn leaving Harry for Max seem like a good idea? It seemed a little rushed, considering Harry would have been OK with Evelyn secretly getting to know Max. To know he is was the right person for not just her, but also Connor.
It seemed rushed, but that had known each other for some time. I thought Evelyn's reasons were ok but I'm sad to see how it worked out.

22. What do you think of Evelyn and Celia's plans to live the rest of Celia's days together? Will Max allow it?
I think it is interesting that now Celia is the one to keep things quiet. Max won't have a say. Harry would be the one I'd be more concerned with because of their daughter. Evelyn's last husband is Celia's brother (I'm pretty sure that was what was listed) so I assume that she goes through with it to some extent.

Chapter 31-44

15. Once again, Evelyn is manipulating everyone around her to further her fame and fortune. This time, however, she has a willing participant who wants the same thing she does and knowingly agrees to the “pretend marriage”. How do you feel about this marriage? Evelyn is still lying to everyone, but her husband is in on the lie. Does that make it different?
I do think it is different. The two in the marriage are being honest with each other. The people they are manipulating are folks who don't really want to know the 'real them' anyway but are in it for the show.

16. Eveyln and Rex play out their fake marriage until it no longer works. Mostly because Rex is “doing what he does” and decides he is in love with someone. The plan Eveyln comes up with to keep both of them in the spotlight may be the most elaborate yet. BUT the plan that Harry comes up with while they are laying the framework for Evelyn and Rex’s divorce seems like the most likely to succeed of everything we’re seen so far. Did you see this coming? Were you surprised that it was Harry’s idea?
Well, I thought in the beginning that they said Harry was one of her husbands and might have been father to her child. I wasn't surprised except for the biological child part. It actually feels like a nice situation.

17. When Harry and Evelyn decide it is time to become a real family and have a baby, it is a community discussion between all four parties to see if everyone is agreeable. Celia agrees and says if it is what Eveyln wants she will find a way to be okay with it. Do you think Celia really was being honest? Do you think she will really accept Harry and Evelyn having a baby?
I think Celia isn't happy but doesn't know how to disagree. I think that they are all a bit naive in how it will work but it is an interesting arrangement.

18. The party the foursome had for Harry’s birthday seems like the most real thing that has happened in the book. What was your impression of this family picnic in the park?
I loved it. I'm not sure I want to know what happens to ruin it.

Thanks for being such a great team! We have all 5 color bonuses covered, 4 of the 10 tags already claimed, and so many hard letters claimed.

I'll definitely help out on a tag or two once I start planning out my reading.

Thanks everyone! We have a full spreadsheet and its all turned in. Now of to read for the last round.

DQs: Day 3 Chapter 21-30

10. Don is the one who ask for a divorce. What do you think of the requirements he put on the settlement?
I think that is was designed for him to have all the power.

11. Do you think Monique’s negotiation with her boss and Evelyn were realistic? Do you think she is growing as a person from the interview process?
I liked it. She turned a hard situation into something that was a win for all (mostly), and I do think she learned from Evelyn.

12. What is your first impression of Max? Does that change throughout the session?
I didn't really think of him. He seemed like just another man of the time in film. I think that impression was just solidified as it went on.

13. What do you think of the Evelyn and Mick plan and her reasons’ for carrying it out?
It was a bad idea but I understood why, sort of. I agree that Evelyn could have come up with something better but she panicked and let the panic get in the way.

14. What do you think of Celia reaction? Does it seem realistic to you that she didn’t think they would sleep together?
I am not sure how Celia wouldn't have realized the extent of things but maybe she did and just pretended otherwise until she couldn't.

bamaace83 wrote: "I just updated all my books from this week. It was a crazy work week and I only worked half a day today so I'm spending this afternoon fixing all the things. I can totally take some of those harder..."

Anna, Can you make sure that Playing with Fire is on your wheel shelf? The others are and I can see that you read it so we are probably ok, but just to be safe. Also, if you get DQs done great, but if not you can still do them for Round 5 even if you finished the book this round.

maria helena wrote: "I finished my book for the current round and added the first for round 5.

Would this be enough for yellow text on cover?
"

I'd say yes, Tammie what do you think?

Discussion questions day 2

6. How do you think Evelyn handled her relationship with the abusive Don?
Given the time and her career, about as expected. It was sad, but not unexpected.

7. How believable do you feel the progression of the friendship to romance between Evelyn and Celia is, especially bearing in mind the time period?
Sure, I can believe it. I think things were complicated and I liked how it clicked for Evelyn.

8. Do you think the author got the old Hollywood vibe right? I'm not sure I'm familiar enough with old Hollywood but it works for me. Much like I'd expect.

9. What do you think of Evelyn’s plan to fake a miscarriage in order to gain sympathy instead of getting bad press? How does it make you feel about her character?
I liked it. I mean, a lot of it was about their careers but she also had her abusive husband to appease. I think this helped her stave off some significant abuse. It really helped in a lot of ways. Evelyn is very much about self promotion but she is also very smart.

Wow, it is really coming together!

If you haven't completed your book, please look to the bottom of the sheet. I have moved books around (keeping the same letters) in order to be able to move things to our official team sheet.

Jenny, what an interesting thought for motivation! It would totally fit I was thinking more that it might be (view spoiler)[that Monique's father was the love of Evelyn's life (hide spoiler)] but I agree that I think it is personal somehow.

DQs: Day 1 Chapter 1-8

1. Chapter 1 starts with a news clipping and ends with a blog post and chat. What do you think of this nontraditional style? Were you surprised that it didn't continue through the next 7 chapters?

2. Monique Grant is a little known writer. Evelyn has chosen her to write her biography for a reason. Any thoughts to why? Is is just her style? Age? Or do you think it is ore personal?

3. Evelyn's quote "The world doesn't give you things, you take things" really struck me. How does this phrase resonate with you?

4. Evelyn learned early on about how to use her looks and sex to get what she wanted. She seems to see it as taking what she wanted and doesn't regret her life decisions. Especially in the back drop of the Me too movement, how do you feel about Evelyn and her decisions so far?

5. Do you like the back and forth between Monique/now and Evelyn's back story?

One more round, and it is going to be special! Think long word(s) with lots of hard letters and some crazy tags! Details to come very soon.

Hi team! Round 4 is almost over. A bit over 3 days left. Please check the tracking sheet and remove any books you won't be able to finish. Holidays can be challenging for reading! We have room, so also feel free to add any shorter books that fit (>160 pages).

The End of Round 4 countdown timer: https://tinyurl.com/2fhfhsnu

Start of chapter 9: "Father and Daughter was a huge it. And as a show of just how excited Sunset was....."

End of Chapter 20:"And with that, I went upstairs and packed my bags."

Daisy Jones & The Six is also a fantastic audiobook. Music involved to.

When All Is Said is also wonderful. It is written from the perspective of a retired Irish farmer talking about his life. I love the accent and it feels like you are listening to the main character talk. It's also a fantastic book.