Sharon’s Comments (group member since May 01, 2018)

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

Sharon - Team ESB
DQs Day 2
The Story to Chapter 13

5. Margaret is lying – and probably not just about one singular thing. Do you think she’s even telling Alice and Hayden the same story? Personally I’m also really curious where Margaret’s sister Laura is – to me it feels like she might be key to the whole story… anything specific that made you perk up?
I don’t think she’s telling them the same story at all. I wish we had a family tree picture to keep track of Margaret’s relatives and see how they are connected. I feel like that’s going to be key.

6. Similarly, it was kind of an aside but I thought it was interesting when Margaret mentioned the Ives family’s rivalry with the Pulitzers. Is it just a random coincidence that Hayden is a Pulitzer-prize winning author who now also gets to talk to her? Especially since she requested him? And he has a bunch of family issues too?
I think that’s coincidence. But I am curious why she requested him specifically. Unless it really was just because he had that book come out and has way more experience than Alice.

7. I was a little shocked when they were already kissing 25% in – and then not surprised when Hayden rejects Alice. Do you think he’s telling the truth when he says “I’m not going to hook up with someone whose dream job I’m about to take from them”? Or is there something else going on?
I he’s gruff but deep down I think he’s a good guy. He probably felt some guilt about not being transparent with Alice about how he found Margaret.

8. We get quite a bit of detail on Alice’s job and research process as a journalist: what she’s searching for, working with fact-checkers, etc. Do you enjoy these types of details, i.e. minutae of characters’ jobs and hobbies?
I do! Especially as someone who enjoys writing, I like these kind of insights.

9. I’ve been to Hearst Castle, but long before I actually knew anything about him. The Ives family seems to be quite obviously inspired by him (and I guess he was name-dropped for plausible deniability). Is there a specific family dynasty you’re really interested in? Hmm none really come to mind

10. Bonus question: So… anyone else feel like they’re reading Evelyn Hugo 2.0? oh interesting!! I can definitely see that. Wee for sure going to get a big reveal in Margaret’s story.

Sharon - Team Empire State Building

DQs 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've loved all of the other books of hers I've read, so I'm looking forward to another fun romance.

2.) What are your first impressions of Alice? And sending that drink to Hayden?
She seems uber-positive and tries to get along with everyone. I like that she sent the drink to Hayden. It's interesting that we've only gotten her POV so far; I would have loved to have read his POV in receiving the drink.


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?
A month getting to know this icon and spending it at the beach? I would totally agree to it, especially since a housing stipend is included. I think Margaret really wants to make sure she trusts the writer she'll be working with.

4.) After learning a few tidbits about Hayden's family and how he grew up, did you opinion change a bit on his character?
This feels very much like a grumpy meets sunshine trope, so I kind of expected there to be layers to his character. I'm looking forward to learning more about both of them. Like what happened to Alice's sister that the fire alarm freaked her out so much?

I'll defer to whatever our captains decide! 😊

Question - I just noticed that The Berry Pickers is the BOM starting today. I read that last week (kinda wishing now I had waited a few days). Can I still participate in the discussion and earn us points?

Angie ☯ wrote: "Sharon wrote: "I finished The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits yesterday and part of it takes place in Philadelphia. I'm in Pennsylvania - can we use that? I didn't use it for any ot..."

Hmm I would say like 30%. BUT the book Story of My Life that I finished on 5/24 (banked book) is mostly set in PA!

I finished The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits yesterday and part of it takes place in Philadelphia. I'm in Pennsylvania - can we use that? I didn't use it for any other tasks.

I’m ok with the captains playing spreadsheet Tetris!

I don’t usually claim tasks ahead of time; I just see how books fit into the open tasks as I finish reading.

FYI to the team, you probably won't see any completed books from me until Wednesday or Thursday. I just have to get through a board meeting tonight for work and a full day tomorrow and then I'm on vacation (stay-cation) for a week!!

Thanks for the reminder to make my shelf! Here it is.

-- You have just won the international prize for best the GR review. The auditorium is packed and on their feet. What theme song is playing you in? Dynamite by Taio Cruz
-- Which spoken accent makes your knees the weakest? I think a southern, cowboy accent
-- Have you ever sat in a pub in Scotland, and not been able to understand the people speaking English at the next table? No, but I'd love to have that experience!
-- If you could speak and read one language without having to actually work at it, which would it be? Spanish
-- Favorite foreign food to have delivered? We don't have a ton of options where I live, so I'd say sushi
-- Favorite foreign food that you either can make at home or wish you could make at home? Chinese dishes
-- Favorite ancient mythology from a country other than your own? Hmm I'm not sure
-- Do you have a favorite Eurovision act? No, I don't know what that is
-- Do you have a favorite football (not soccer) team? Rugby? Cricket? NY Giants for football. And I actually played rugby in college (intramural) so we love to watch when it's in the olympics
-- Have you travelled somewhere for more than a week, and only packed a carry on? No, I could never. I'm such an overpacker
-- Did you have to mail your purchases home, or buy a suitcase? I've bought a suitcase on a trip before
-- Have you ever flown first class? Worth it? No, but I'd love to
-- Wandering around a new place on your own, or with a tour group. Which do you prefer? Wandering on my own. I love not having an agenda on vacation
-- If you could travel to any country in the past, for observational purposes only, of course, where and when would it be? Maybe regency era England, but only because in my head it's like Bridgerton with the parties and social activities
--Finally, what international book are you looking forward the most to reading when the game starts? I don't have any on my list, but I'm open to recommendations!

Hi team!!

I have been in such a reading slump so I’m looking forward to this challenge getting me out of it and back into my reading!

I live in northeast Pennsylvania with my husband and our two 6-month old puppies, Penny and Roald. So far I’ve only been in the US and Canada. I would love to visit Ireland one day and New Zealand (although the 24 plane ride would be a tough trip).

I rely a lot on libraries for my books, so I’ll usually fill things in as I finish instead of planning too far ahead. Looking forward to getting into this challenge with you all!!

Denise wrote: "Here's a question not related to wine or dairy (but feel free to continue this discussion as well. Mr. Chonks is my favorite)...

I tend to read my comfort genres almost exclusively, but I always s..."

I'm not really a fantasy reader, but my husband is. He recommended I read the Dresden series. I didn't get through all of them, but I enjoyed the ones I did read.

I’m done for this round. Too many errands to run today, so I’ll have to save my current reads for the next round.

Amanda wrote: "Lisa, can you add Serving Mr Chamberlain, Ice, Snow & Mistletoe, and Icing the Omega to your shelf

Sharon can you add Sanatorium to your shelf"

Done!

I read If You Would Have Told Me but realized after the fact that it doesn’t actually work for any of our letters 🤦🏻‍♀️

Should I add it to the spreadsheet or skip it?

Also, I feel like I was meant to be on this team, judging by the number of alarms I have to set every day 😂

Hi Team! I'm Sharon and I live in northeast Pennsylvania with my husband. I am the director of a local community foundation. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, cooking, and puzzles as well. Our dog, Millie, passed away earlier this year so I'm also on an active campaign to convince my husband that it's time to adopt a puppy :)

I have participated in Wheel before and have really grown to love these team challenges. They help me hit my reading goals each year and knock out my TBRs.

My fave genres are fiction, romance, and mystery/thriller. I'm a sucker for a good celebrity memoir. I alternate between e-books, audiobooks, and physical books.

Here is my shelf: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

Great reading with you all! Thanks to the Captains for keeping us all on track!

Tammie wrote: "Sharon wrote: "Quick question - I finished a book at the tail end of round 2 (like an hour left). We can still use it for round 3 right? So I can add it to the spreadsheet?"

Books read and finishe..."

That's ok, it's my fault! I wasn't paying attention to the timer and finished it too quickly. I knew I wasn't going to have it done for the six hour cutoff.

Quick question - I finished a book at the tail end of round 2 (like an hour left). We can still use it for round 3 right? So I can add it to the spreadsheet?