Fiona’s Comments (group member since Sep 25, 2023)

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

400 pages

Current total: 895,578

432 pages

Current total: 890,183

Possible. Let's see what Mel & Sophie say.

Denise wrote: "I'm guessing this won't work, but I finished The Three Lives of Cate Kay tonight. It's a debut novel."

I had already checked that, Kate Fagan has 11 books listed, some as old as 2012, so I don't think this book qualifies as debut novel.

✈️ New Tasks for Mini 2 ✈️

Read a book that is a debut novel
Read a book first published in December of any year

✈️ New Task for Mini 2 ✈️

Read a book published before 1970

of the 100 books on the first page, 28 are on my tbr and I've read 16. Of those 16 I rated 10 books 5 stars and the one I gave the lowest rating (2 stars), I probably only rated this low because I had to dissect it in uni and that wasn't fun

Claire wrote: "Fiona wrote: "Claire, please set Hoop in een balletschoen to read, then I can add it. Thanks a lot :)"

Sorry, trying to do a lot of things at the same time."

no need to apologize for such things, we're just making sure that everything's in order :)

Claire, please set Hoop in een balletschoen to read, then I can add it. Thanks a lot :)

Melindam wrote: "Just to make things more complicated (though I keep telling myself that it is practical), I have 2 TBR lists on GR.

On the "classic" one I have the books (I think) I want to read, on the other I ..."

In terms of "want to read TBR" mine is currently at 2,024 books, and that is not counting all books in series, as I only add the first/next one of a series
Physical TBR.. No idea. I think I have about 150-200 at home, but I still have a lot more at my parents' house

Denise wrote: "I'm experiencing some technical difficulties today. Not sure if it's GR or local Internet being super spotty. I'm reading this book that was published in 2024. Dog Day Afternoon (H..."

I linked the book for you. Let us know if we can help you with your finished books :)

KayLynn wrote: "Sophie wrote: "Andy wrote: "Sophie wrote: "

I'm pretty sure this works for red, white and blue on cover (blue in the berries at the top right). Coul..."

that's the spirit!

BOM PARTICIPATION FIONA
Day 1: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 2: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 3: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 4: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 5: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 6: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

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?
The very end was quite confusing for me. Overall, I really liked the book, especially how all of the above-mentioned elements worked together. I did want a heavier focus on the magic though.

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?
For mysterious: Hayes and Isadora in my opinion. I need to find out more about them. I find Abdullah a bit too two-dimensional, I'd like to get to know him better as well.

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?
I think young naive girls can make a lot of things possible, with a bit of luck. So I don't find it implausible for her to have traveled to Egypt. I found her end cruel but I do think it fit the overall tone.

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 think that unlike her mother, her father is actually dead. Maybe? I don't know.
I got very confused in the end.

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?
Again, the end completely confused me, so I don't know what to believe. I think I will read the other book as well.

Good job, team! 🥰

432 pages

Current total: 885,899

432 pages

880,770

Sophie, I hope there will be cheese pagodas for you!

DQs Day 5
Chapters 24 to 29

18.) Now that we know the death of Lourdes was greatly exaggerated, do we think Inez's father is actually dead? Do you think he sent the ring to Inez to hide it from Ricardo or from Lourdes?
I'm not sure if he's dead or not. But I'd say probably yes. And I'm sure he wanted to hide it from Lourdes.

19.) Any guesses as to why Whit doesn't want to go home and why his family might want him home so badly?
Well, I'm already done reading the book, so I know. But at the time, I had no clue at all. I thought maybe some childhood trauma.

20.) Anyone actually surprised that Lourdes is the actual family traitor?
I really was. I'm probably too gullible for my own good.

21.) Do you like the additions of Inez's drawings in the text?
I listened to the audiobook so no drawings for me :(

22.) Thoughts on Cleopatra's real death . . . asp bite or poison?
For sure want it to be the bite. Also no clue though, I'm not too familiar with her whole story.

416 pages

Current total: 876,565