Audrey Jane’s Comments (group member since May 27, 2014)

Audrey Jane’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

@Sophie: I'm also planning to read Empire of the Vampire during this challenge. I meant to read it during last Wheelathon but nothing went according to plan during that challenge haha.

Steven wrote: "Sorry I've been absent. I've been working hard getting things ready for our London trip! So much to do!"

My favourite place in London is the V&A. Hope you have a blast while you're there! Would be curious to hear of your adventures :)

Unfortunately the karaoke event is outdoors. I live next to the park they are holding it under giant tents. That soundproof karaoke pod sounds fun! Never done that before. Do you have a go to karaoke song ?

BOM participation

Day 1 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 3 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 4 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 6 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

DQs Day 6: 7 May XXIII - XXVII

22. We get a letter from Daniel and Tam explaining their decision to keep the Map and Tam’s survival a secret. What did you think of their reasons? Would you have done the same?
No. I agree with all the answers given by the others. There were so many better ways to have dealt with the Wally situation. Maybe the author thought it was a great way to create drama and premise for her book however I thought it was overly silly. These characters took themselves way too serious.

23. All through the book it was said that “ the purpose of a map was to bring people together” What do you think of this statement. Do you think maps achieve this goal or do you have any item/activity that you think completes this purpose?
If the slogans of telecommunications companies are anything to go by it seems that mobile phones brings people together (not the social media side but the initial purpose of a mobile phone i.e calling/texting and in my case playing Snake). Nokia, connecting people

Agree with Jenny, that the author wanted to give it a deeper meaning.

24. What do you think Nell did to save Agloe? And what did you think of everyone´s reaction to her disappearance?
I'm not really sure how everything works here. Like Cat, I'm thinking she scribbled over it and then Houdinied herself out because plothole.

25.Apparently, everyone got a happy ending except Wally. Did you like the way the book finished? Did it feel rushed or a little underwhelming? Any loose threads you disliked?
I would say all the threads. I liked the first chapters and was immediately hooked but all the rest was underwhelming (esp. the romance/angst/drama part)

26.Finally, Do you think you would read another book by this author?
I can't compare with her other works but I wouldn't recommend to start with this book if anyone wants to try her writings.

Fyi, I'm interested in both June's BOM. I'm planning to participate and might write DQs. Will decide closer to date.

Sophie, that's indeed terrifying, glad he's fine !

Worked double shifts yesterday so took it easy today. However there are some local fesitivities in my town this weekend; at the moment it's karaoke night. As I'm typing this an awful rendition of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' is resonating through the whole town. My ears are bleeding.

Wishing everyone a lovely weekend !

DQs Day 4: 5 May XV-Romi

12.5. This isn’t really a question but how was it so impossible for Nell to believe Francis about the magic map after she had already witnessed people/places disappearing??
Agree with Jenny, I can understand it, I would have a hard time believing it as well. i would rather think there was a secret trap hidden from where he could escape.

13. Ok what did everyone think of Felix’s reaction to Nell deciding not to tell Irene about the map?
I couldn't care less about Felix, I want him to mind his own business.

14. We finally get to see Agloe. What did you think? Was it what you expected?
Not really, a bit underwhelming as the buildings are desribed as being all the same. I thought it would be more like a ghost town where people used to live but suddenly everyone disappeared.

15. A couple of big cliffhangers in the last two chapters. In the present, Felix is about to tell his coworkers (including Haberson who might be Wally unless it’s Cabe) about the map. What do you think is going to happen?
Haberson will benefit from it and show his true identity ? No idea, I'm finding that the book is slow going and a bit too focused on the ridiculous romances.

16. In the past, Romi was about to help Bear with something that is going to end up hurting someone. Any predictions on that?
Someone is being petty. I'm liking these characters less and less.

17. Also do we still think Nell’s mom might still be alive and just stuck somehow? Or any new theories?
Yes. No, still the same theories. I'm planning to finish the book tonight since it's gradually losing steam.

DQs Day 3: 4 May XII - Francis

9.) Theories on what the deal is with Ramona's shop. I'm thinking it's a type of phantom settlement. And that the only reason Nell found it in the first place is there was a map on the back of the business card for her to follow. Do you think that's why Ramona insisted on taking the business card back?
Yes. I'm thinking the same as you.

10.) Are you liking the second chance romance with Felix? Thoughts on Felix in general?
Oh no, not at all, it's annoying me at this point, I'm done with all the blushing and angst. I agree with Cat, Lynne, and Jenny. The book is losing its steam because of it. I want the story to move on.

11.) Do you think Humphreys or Swann are part of the group of 7/The Cartographers? What about Haberson?
I'm pretty sure Haberson is Wally and I'm concerned that all the NYPL data goes to Haberson corporate. Not so sure about Swann. Either he is, like others mentioned, Bear or he's just another character not part of that group. At his point I'm thinking Nell's mother is not dead and is kept in Agloe (as Wally's captive).

12.) Any idea why they keep mentioning the "almost kiss" between Francis and Eve in the flashbacks? I think it's weird.
No idea, I didn't pay much attention. I was more focused on Wally's 'crush' on Tamara.
I must admit I'm sometimes getting lost with all the names (but that's nothing new for me).

Mia wrote: "Hello Everyone!
My name is Mia, and I come from Norway, the country farthest north in europe! Even though it's may..."

Welcome Mia ! Such a beautiful country. Hope to visit someday. The farthest north I've been is Finland (Lapland) and loved it. Hope all goes well with your studies.
Don't worry, the team will help you and we have wonderful captains :)

To answer your questions:

1.Yes, you have to participate in the discussions as well in order to claim the BOM points (by answering the Discussion Questions (DQs) sets).
2. Yes :)
3. All the books you read during this challenge needs to be shelved on your TT shelf (regardless if they were used for the mini challenge or not). You may either post your completion posts here or add them directly into our tracking spreadsheet (if I understood Sophie correctly).

Hope this helps!

Amy the book-bat wrote: "Hello!
I'm Amy from Ohio, USA.
I read a little bit of everything, but tend toward mysteries/thrillers more. Not a huge fantasy reader, so I guess I help balance things out a bit :-) I tend to read..."

Nice to meet you, Amy! I joined AMMP in the same year I joined NBRC (2014). I love both groups and have been enjoying the reading challenges over the years so thank you for moderating. And agree that health comes first. Wish you all the best for the future and hopefully your knee is getting better :)
Will likely check out your reads during the challenge for some mystery/thriller recs ;)

Keri wrote: "Ok, just ignore me, my brain is everywhere lol. I did check in (huge sigh of relief) and I’mnow home so I should get back on track with checking our thread regularly now!!"

Haha Keri, no worries, I can relate :) I have no idea how my bosses do it sometimes travelling the whole world and coming into the office as soon as they landed.
Hope you had a good night sleep and that things are slowing down for you !

@Alison: Thanks for telling me about Storygraph. I really love reading stats. And I'm the same as you regarding spreadsheets, I like playing around with them but keeping them up to date is something else.

I totally agree that the Mercy Thompson ebooks are expensive. I have a max amount I'm willing to spend on an ebook. And MT is way over that. Don't understand why though. I found the paperbacks in secondhand bookshops (much cheaper).

Judith wrote: "Did you make a second attempt?"

Unfortunately no, as I was in too much pain I didn’t make another attempt however I can’t remember if the others did during the interval when I limped back home for some bandages. In any case when I returned my friends already moved on to another game.

Didn't know there would be so many curious minds :D

Jenny wrote: "Were you the one holding the compass on the go-cart, and the others are now irretrievably lost?"

Alas, Jenny, they are !
Oh well, at least I know now that go carts are only meant for 4 people maximum ;)

Glad you enjoyed the Innkeeper Chronicles, Alison. GR used to have a 'most read authors' feature under stats (now it's an Excel export). My most read author was Ilona Andrews followed by Juliet Marillier and Patricia Briggs/C.S. Harris (tie). I'm pretty sure that's still the case.

Will have to check out Black Dagger Brotherhood, see if it's something I might enjoy :)

I haven't been enjoying my last couple of books so thought taking a break from reading for a few days. However I started the BOM, The Cartographers on a whim before going to bed yesterday and I'm really enjoying it so far. Sometimes it reminds me of Raven's Gate (at least the beginning). It gave me goosebumps while reading which is a good sign for me. I tend to gravitate towards mysteries/thrillers/gothic/Victorian suspense lately.

Cat wrote: "@Audrey Jane q3: well, how many was it?! did you get all the way to the bottom without losing a wheel or passenger?!"

Five !!! Only lost one passenger half way down ! Yes, it was me but overall we did great for a first attempt.

Started this last night and well I'm hooked. I'm joining you guys sooner than I expected :)

DQs 1- Chapters I through V

1- We meet Nell, working in a dead end job. She had a dream job, worked with her father, and had a bright future. Then the junk box happened. Then her father dies. There is a lot that happens in the first few pages. What do you think of the intro to the story, and what do you think of Nell so far?
Agree with the others that that incident seems not enough to be on a not talking basis with a family member. I'm surprised none of them tried to reach out to each other for the past 7 years. I'm sure there's more going on and the father deliberately did it to protect Nell.

2- The map. What is with the map? How many of you had to try to read one of those maps as a navigator on a road trip? (And then try to fold it again after?) For those of you who are too young, a map is GPS without the satellites. Or the iPhone.
Any clues or ideas as to why this is so important to anyone? Or, why her father was willing to become estranged from his daughter over it? Agree that something is hidden on the gas station map (like hinted at in the intro)

I love reading maps on hiking/road trips and all the arguments that go with it, yay !! :D Not a fan of the folding back though...I'm sure there's some magic involved because it can't be that my folding skills are lacking. Can we talk about compasses? Because those are the worst.

3- I always have to ask myself whether I would disregard the danger to find the answers, like Nell has chosen to do. How about you guys? Any intrepid leading ladies in the group?
My mother says "when in doubt, don't", however mom I really needed to find out how many people could fit on one go cart while speeding downhill.

4- We are introduced to a new character, Felix, and teased about another, Ramona Wu. Thoughts about either?
I'm really curious about Ramona Wu. I think she might have more answers concerning the map and pretty sure she already dealt some. Felix will probably have some intel via Haberson.

Looking forward to read more !

Steven wrote: "Dogs have owners. Cats have staff!"

Haha, indeed :D