Annalisa’s Comments (group member since May 04, 2018)

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

Also, BOM works for genre. I am reading that currently so will make sure to finish it next week.

I’m good with Cinnamon for our word next week. Gives me an excuse to read the rest of Cut & Run. I can commit to 1-2 books for genre.

Looks like 8 have been claimed.

I’ve got my books posted for the week. BOM DQs for day three answered. I won’t be able to get the link on the ss until I get home this evening.

Day 3 DQs


11. With the introduction of Henry we see a similar situation as the McCracken's, with Henry holding a stockpile of water and his neighbors in desperate need. Why do you think Henry's neighbors didn't attack or steal what they needed from him? He was only a teenager after all and he was alone.
I was really really hoping Henry was a snapshot. I was a little upset that he wasn’t. Part of why they don’t steal from him is how sick they all are. Also, they don’t know what he has exactly. It isn’t like the McCracken’s where his family is known as being prepared.


12. What did you make of Henry? Would you have allowed him to join your group? Do you think they would have made it as far as they have without him?
I really didn’t like Henry. However, potentially I might have let him join the group, because it seems like he has water he can contribute. Clearly he is bad news but I think my feeling on that mostly comes from being in his head. I have a feeling they would have made it as far without him because while Kelton was a bit withdrawn after the mob at his house he knows his stuff.


13. In times of crisis people will do just about anything out of desperation, which we see with Hali in the Target parking lot. How do you think you would handle something like this?
I would probably try and leave rather than waiting in the parking lot. However, Hali seems like she isn’t willing to leave her mom and her mom isn’t willing to leave the parking lot so I guess her choices were limited.


14. I was shocked to learn that Jacqui had left a bottle of the antibiotics for Herb and Daphne. Did this change your opinion of her?
I was a bit surprised to, but I actually felt like Jacqui wasn’t a bad person just someone who was struggling to make the right choices in a difficult situation. I didn’t dislike Jacqui before this so it really didn’t change my opinion of her.


15. We meet Water Angel's group, who are civilized and working together to survive. Henry compares it to communism and doesn't think it will last. Do you agree that it's only a short-term solution and that they will eventually turn on each other?
It does seem like a short-term solution because how much water can they really find that way. Yes, I do think it will last for the time of the crisis or until they get out. I do understand not staying with them though, particularly when they think there is something better waiting for them. However, with Charity in charge maybe it could last longer than expected.


16. Trust is a big issue that comes up again and again. Do you think Jacqui and Henry have proven themselves to be trustworthy? What about Alyssa and Kelton (despite the past drone incident)?
I think Jacqui is trust worthy. Yes, she has a dubious past, but she is trying to help the group. Henry only cares about himself, again I feel this way because of his internal dialogue. Kelton is really my favorite of the characters so yes I think he is trustworthy. Alyssa also seems like she is pretty honest and she isn’t misleading the group on purpose. I’m willing to trust all of the characters except Henry at this point.

You are right hurricanes are named A to Z in the Atlantic. As an example most recent named storm this year was a B name. So having a N in June would be odd. I didn’t notice that but now that you mentioned it I’m annoyed. Maybe the storm was from the previous year?

Has anyone read Unearthed? It is by one of the authors of the Illuminae Files. I picked it up when I was at the library and it has space-opera tag. At first glance I didn’t see a character name for brown though.

Update: found a character last name with R so I will try and read over the weekend. I’ve got a lot of books part way through though and I really need to finish a few before I start this.

Day 2 Questions

6. The power plant vignettes at the beginning of part two are intriguing. We have the activist assuming the water is destined for the wealthy, the water guy just trying to do his job, and the plant manager trying to keep the power on and take care of his workers. With which side did you sympathize?
I feel for all of these people. We have the luxury of knowing every side where as the people in the situation only have limited information.

7. Why do think the author has both of Alyssa and Garrett's parents go to the water desalination center at the beach? Do you think the events on the beach are realistic or over the top?
I thought this was maybe a case of we can carry more and get more as two people than one person. Safety in numbers.

8. Kelton states, "Things are gonna fall apart pretty quickly now... Critical services shutting down, unreliable communication--any minute now it'll all give way to urban Darwinism." Do you think the view is too pessimistic, too optimistic, or on track? Why?
I really don’t know. It seems like it is about right for where the story is headed.

9. Jacqui comes into the story in this section as a new main character. What do you think of the addition of her character? Have you changed your opinion of either Alyssa or Kelton now that we have reached the halfway point?
I still find that I’m forgiving a lot because this is a YA story and I feel like the characters are a bit immature and at times annoying. Alyssa did a few things in this section that bothered me. Kelton doesn’t bother me but he also isn’t my favorite character.

10. I have a few problems with the mob scene and the events as they play out at Kelton's house at the end of the section. Did the sequence of events seems reasonable to you? Why or why not?
I didn’t think that the dad would have shot without knowing who it was coming through the door. He had to be expecting his son. Also, if no one is going in the safe room it seems like they would have closed the door. It didn’t sit quite right with me, but this is YA so I am willing to forgive a lot.

Just got notice that my BOM for mod take over came in so I volunteered for DQs.

I’ll volunteer for DQ team Pink Rabbit.

Cat wrote: "Jenny wrote: "Phoenix is about a month into our monsoon season without a drop of rain yet. So, this book is resonating with me a bit."

oh! Arizonan! can you recommend any books set in Arizona? :)
..."
The Water Knife is set mostly in Phoenix and it was excellent.

Judy wrote: "Is anyone else just like... clutching a glass of water while reading this? They're not even properly thirsty yet and I'm already so uncomfortable."
It hasn’t had that affect on me, but I am starting to see the preper side of things. Last night I was wondering if I should fill some camping water containers. Then I remember the thunderstorms from that afternoon, it was a real downpour, and decided I could easily collect rain water.

Day One: Part One

1. Living in southwest United States, I'm very familiar with droughts and water rights, so this hits close to home! Do you enjoy dystopia novels that have an element of truth to them or do you prefer pure fiction? Why or why not?
I do enjoy dystopia that is close to the truth. One of my favorite novels is The Water Knife, which is a very different story but a similar topic.

2. Kelton discusses three types of people, sheep, wolves, and herders; do you believe humans truly fall into these roles during challenging times?
I agree somewhat, but I also think there is a bit of chaos thrown in that makes his theory unpredictable. It does make me wonder where I would be in a disaster.

3. What do you think of Kelton and Alyssa as the MCs of this story so far?
I like them. I wasn’t sure I would, but they are more mature than I expected. There is still drama but it is toned down some.

4. Near the end of this section, Kelton's dad tells a neighbor, "as if your lack of foresight is my fault", how do you feel about this, do you agree?
I somewhat agree with is father, but at the same time I’m a bit annoyed with his father for not being compassionate. There is a bit of an each for your own mentality and I think the offer to teach him was the right decision.

5. I'm enjoying how the vignettes add a little something different to the story, the reporter and the family at the airport offer a different lense about the events, what are your thoughts?
I like the vignettes, because they are adding some incite we wouldn’t get if we stayed with Alyssa and Kelton the whole time. It makes the story into one that is both personal and broad.

I’ve already read the Illuminae trilogy and really enjoyed it. As mentioned it is easy to read.

I’m good with brown. Between reading BOM and what I already have started I’m not sure if I could get to a space opera book.

I read it as well and also found the story horrifying and wondered how I hadn’t heard about it before.

Day 4 Questions - Aurora World Tour to End of book

15. This section begins at the start of the Aurora World Tour. We have the blue bus (Billy) and the white bus (Daisy). Which bus would you choose to ride on, and why?
I guess I would pick the blue bus because I'm not a party person. I also didn't like Niccolo.


16. The book had four strongly described females: Daisy, Camilla, Karen, and Simone. Which were you the most drawn to?
I don't know that I was really drawn to any of them. I liked Simone but I wasn't drawn to her.

17. What did you think when you found out the name of the author? Do you think that given who the author is, maybe some of the answers in the previous sections of the book were changed or incomplete?
I did wonder about parts of the book being held back, but I don't think they were since the part about Billy being caught on the bus by Camilla was in there.

18. In the Epilogue, we learn what happened to each of the band members. Did any of these "endings" surprise you, or did they each turn out as you expected?
I almost wished those endings hadn't been there. I wasn't surprised by them, but I almost felt like they took something away from the story.

19. I thought the "One Last Thing" at the end (the email from Camilla) was brilliant. What do you think happened with that?
I don't know what Billy and Daisy would do all these years later, but it seems to indicate they might be something, or could be something. I would hope just friends.

20. What did you rate the book and why?
Overall, it was an interesting book and I ended up really liking the interview format so I'm giving it 4 stars, but I would say more like a 3.5 if the let me give half stars.

DAY 3 QUESTIONS - AURORA

9. History is full of rock and roll bands with creative differences and disagreements between big personalities. This story is presented with interchanging POV's to highlight and give insight into this. What do you think of the opinions of each of the band mates and do you have any sympathy or empathy for any band mate in particular? Do you think that any of the animosity or disgruntled feelings are justified?
I want to feel for Eddie, but he comes off as whiny and I keep hoping he stops that. I guess I feel more for the females in the story even though Daisy is a bit over the top. I also feel for Graham being in the middle of Daisy and Billy. I think at times the feelings are justified, but I think rather than being so upset about things say something. I guess that is why I like Daisy more than Billy, she says things. Billy seems more closed off.

10. The premise of the story is revealing the reasons that Daisy Jones and the Six imploded. At this stage of the novel what do you think happened? Disagreements over creative differences or some spectacular tragedy?
I think it is all of the things combined, but I'm also thinking Daisy's husband might have something to do with it.

11. Juxtaposed between the complicated relationships between Billy, Camila and Daisy, Graham and Karen seemingly are flying under the radar. Opinions on this and where do you think it is heading? Who do you think holds the power in this relationship and is it heading towards a Happily Ever After or acrimonious break up?
I think Graham and Karen are headed to a break up. Karen pretty much says as much. However, I know that could be a twist in the plot. I don't see things going well for Daisy.

12. Married man, troubled single girl, intense emotional connection between work colleagues = big trouble!! Discuss.
In this case I feel like Daisy sees more than there is. Billy is clearly attracted to her, but I don't think it went farther than that for him. I felt like Daisy made to many assumptions there and Billy didn't really do a good job putting a stop to it.

13. As I get further into the book I find the rapid fire conversation and the intense interactions draw me deeper into the characters and the story compelling me to keep reading on. Are you enjoying the book in the same way? Do you find the story original or feel that you have read or seen it all before.
At first the interview style was not to my liking, but the further I get into the book the more I like it. I find it fun to see that one character says it happened one way and another a different way. That is life and I like how it is shown in the interview style of the novel.

14. Mod Karen has revealed that the rights to this book have been optioned by Reese Witherspoon to make into a TV drama series. I think it's going to make great television. Who do you see in the starring roles? Established actors or is a star waiting to be born!
I don't really watch a lot of TV, so I'm not really sure who I would want to see playing the characters. I'm not even sure I would watch it. It does seem like it would make a good show though.

Can Elena volunteer and then if you or I get the book we take her place?

I’ve got a hold on it at my library but not sure when I might get it.