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

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

Quick question - there isn't a book cap for the team, is there? I have a few shorter reads that I am looking at that I won't include if there is.

Geez, Jenny, you ask for so much. Finished my first book and put it on my new 2023-wheel shelf. Not a good read to start the challenge, but it worked for 2 challenges so at least there is that.

I want an N, please

DQs Day 5: Chapter 48-end

19. We finally learn how Lily died. Were you surprised? Do you think she would have done it without Leona's prompting?

20. I've never read a book before that gave the perspective of the place. How do you feel about Saoirse Island having her own chapter?

21. The counsel (and probably the islanders) are definitely not shown in a good light. Do you think they knew, or cared, about Leona's motivations? Why do you think Noah broke ranks?

22. The August/Emery tension was finally resolved. Were you happy with the outcome? Did it feel realistic? Do you think that they would really survive as a couple off the island?

23. The orchard ownership was resolved in an unusual way. Were you satisfied with the outcome?

24. The ending. What are your thoughts on Emery and August's daughters comment? Ominous, intriguing, or just there?

Yeah! I love points. What to do with them all?

And welcome Barbara!

I have a guess!

(view spoiler)[ Questioning anything and everything, to me, is punk rock. Henry Rollins. (hide spoiler)]

Thanks for the reminder! For some reason, I thought it started later. I'm sad, I found 2 books I wanted to read with instruments in the title; but not ones on the list. Will keep looking.

DQ's Day 4
Ch 36 to Ch 47

13) This section begins with Emery having another nightmare. She is seeing Lily drowning by her own hand but before she wakes it's herself in the water. What do you think this means? Is it just symbolizing the pain she feels or could it be something more?
It definitely meant something and I do think it is connected to what happened to Lily.

14) I thought the chapter from Albertine's POV was the most interesting. She clearly knows more than anyone about the magic that inhabits the island and the people that live there. I found it extremely interesting that Henry Salt was cursed and was dying. Who do you think cursed him and why? Why do you think Albertine saved him, even knowing the type of person he was?
He was clearly an abusive person, and the women had magic. I assumed it was a woman he abused. Albertine is amazing. She may not like people but doesn't believe in using black magic.

15) August and Emery finally have a conversation about that night and we find out how the fire was started. Were you surprised with the part August played?
No. I was really only surprised that he didn't also kill his grandfather.

16) We see another side of Dutch in this section. Once he realized Emery knew the truth about him he got drunk and went after August. He had some pretty nasty things to say about Emery and Lily. Does this change your perception of him? Why do you think he would stay with Emery all this time if that's how he really felt about her? After finding out he lied about his whereabouts that night not to protect August but to protect himself, do you think he could have something to do with Lily's killing?
He is a weak character. I think he did like her a lot and was really hurt and lashing out. It's possible, but I don't think so.

17) Emery gives August the deed to Salt Orchards and we find out that they forged August's signature to give the Orchard to the town, which most likely means that it was left to him. Do you think the entire town counsel played a part in that? Why do you think they would do that? Do you think it has anything to do with Lily's killing?
Yes, I think they all played some role (or at least knew about it and didn't object). The orchard is what keeps the island going, it is much riskier to let it go to someone who left the island and doesn't respect it the way they did. No, I don't think so but I think her killing helped them get away with it.

18) This section was filled with so much information I had to pick and choose what to ask about LOL. Was there anything else about these chapters that stuck out to you? Anything you were surprised at?
The police file with Emery as a person of interest and her uncle hiding things. Shouldn't have been , but it did surprise.


Cat - yeah, I wonder about the binding as well. It makes the crazy love story make a bit more sense but it does have an ick factor to it.

T, please

DQs Day 3
Ch 22 to Ch 35

9) Why do you think they are so concerned about August being in the hall of records? Shady stuff with his grandfather's estate? Also, does anyone else think the people on the island are basically horrid people?

Well, I know now, so I won't say. Yes, I think that they have been so shut off from the wider world and think too highly of the community to the point of being awful.

10) Someone call Maury Povich! Who's the father? Do you think Lily was actually preggers? Lily honestly doesn't seem like she was a nice person and I 100% believe she's keep secrets from Emery. Any guesses on the father if she was?
I still think it was Dutch. I don't think she really liked Emery and/or was keeping secrets (such as the baby) but I still think she was just using Dutch.

11) Do you think this love triangle is over after that last fight between Dutch and Emery?
No. Well, I suspect he'll give up on Emery, but I still think there are too many feelings going around.

12) Do you think a 'spell for forgetting' was cast over Emery and that's why she's having nightmares, it's her brain trying to remember what happened?
I did start to wonder, especially with her grandmother saying a spell didn't exist (makes you assume the opposite).

Can I get an R?

DQs Day 2 ~ Chapters 11–21

5. We knew that Emery and August were a couple before the fire, but we learn now that Dutch and Lily were a couple as well. Were you expecting that at all, given that Dutch and Emery are a couple now? Does it seem odd to you that they would hook up considering their pasts or do you think it’s just because of lack of available people on the island?

I think it is like Emery says, they were close and both lost people. They were considered to be protecting the killer by most people. The lack of singles definitely doesn't help either.

6. What do you think about the fact that Hannah (Emery’s mother) and Eloise (August’s mother) continued to communicate with each other after they left? Also, that Hannah knew where they were and not only didn’t tell Emery, but told her that they weren’t coming back? (All the while with the knowledge that August had come back to see Em.)

Something happened that made August and his mom leave (I think August killed his grandfather and possibly started the fire). I don't think it was anything that would ruin a friendship. As for the relationship, it is clearly to protect one of them. Maybe they are related?

7. We learn that August and Emery had ferry tickets to leave the island the day after Lily’s death. Emery was sure that it would further prove August’s guilt with most of the town already believing he was guilty. Even Eloise says in one of her letters that “what August did” is unforgivable. Do you think even his mother thought him guilty? Do you have a theory on what “really” happened yet?

I think August did do something - (as above, killed his grandfather or set the fire). I don't see how not using ferry tickets to leave would implicate him (much) but I do see how it would make Emery's life more challenging.

8. Finally, we learn there are more secrets than just those about the fire and Lily’s death. One centers on Emery’s dad, Noah. Any speculation as to what his secret is? How do you think it ties into the fire and Lily or is it random?
Could he be August's father? He admits to not always doing the right thing. Or maybe he is protecting his wife. Not sure. We will see....

I also wonder if Lily messed with magic and hurt herself. So many questions. And Cat, I get the annoyance - for me it is the August/Emery/Dutch triangle. Still interested in the book though.

DQ Day 1 :
Ch1-10

1. This is the first book by Adrienne Young, and I really liking her writing style so far as well as the witchy autumnal vibes of the story so far. (I really like the tea shop!) Have you read any of her other books and how are you finding this one?

This is the first book I've read by her. I am really enjoying it so far.

2. What do you think of the island and life on the island so far? It seems really cut off from the rest of the world because the islanders keep to their own. But I think it also feels quite eerie the descriptions of the island.

It is very much a world unto itself. If they didn't need the money from the tourists, I doubt they would let anyone visit.

3. Are you as curious as me to find out what exactly happened the night of the fire, how Lily died, and why everyone blames August? It seems like there will be lots of secrets on the island.
Yes! I am sure that what folks think happened isn't correct (well at least I think so). But what actually happened, I have no idea.

4. What do you think will happen next? Is August going to start to look into what happened or do you think his presence on the island will result in secrets coming to the surface?
Well, something is definitely going to happen between August and Emery (I really hope they don't end up back together after all of this juvenile craziness). August will end up in the middle of something. I don't think he'll start looking into things without some new information or other impetus.

Jenny wrote: "Happy Tuesday everyone!
We are waiting for one more person to check in and we are complete! Yay!

If you didn't get the notice, the mods set up a pre-wheel spin game, linking currently reading book..."

Loved Holly. It felt like horror to me. Even moreso than others as it wasn't supernatural. Quick note though, this book isn't for everyone. It is very disturbing.

I'm fine with my date.

I am so sad. I wasn't paying attention at all and just finished How to Sell a Haunted House. So no BOM points from me in October. It was a fun read, and I highly recommend it. Definitely the comedy/horror genre.

-What was your first concert? I think it was Bon Jovi, with Guns n' Roses opening. (Actually, I think my first might have been Liberace with a family member when I was younger)

-What was your most recent concert? Not sure. I don't really do crowds, and haven't been in years. i do go to small music venues and listen to local music - usually piano or ensembles not bands.

-What did you listen to growing up? Do you still listen to it? I did more pop and alternative music. Alternative rock is still my favorite.

-Have your musical tastes changed over the years? Yes and no. My likes have broadened but I still love must of the music I did when I was younger. I did learn to appreciate classical and blue grass, things that I would never have admitted to in my teens.

-What kind of music will you absolutely not listen to? Industrial. 'Music' that is yelling. I'm pretty open other than that.

-And, my perennial favorite Angie question-
---When you are entering a room to ovations and applause, what is the theme song playing in the background? Depends on my mood.

-And, and, since we are Team Punk, are you a fan of punk rock? Any favorite punk bands? Yes! The Clash, the Ramones, for sure.

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Hello team! I'm Stacey, from Ohio (US). I'm married, have a 16 year old daughter (just started driving!) and a 50 lb rescue lap dog.

I try to read a bit of everything, but tend to do mystery, sci fi, and horror, with a little romance when I need a break. My favorite books tend to be fantastic books suggested by others that are outside of those.

I'm in for DQs