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

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

I added it to my shelf. I listened to it so I used the default version for page count.

I just posted a book, and I could not find the cover for the edition I listened to I shelved the right one. Sorry if that is an issue. I went through 100 pages twice and it just wasn't there.

Cover: I went through the list two times and didn't find the cover for the book I listened to. You will have to see my shelf.
Book: Oliver Twist
Author: Charles Dickens
Narrator: Nadia May
Date Read: Nov. 16th
Rating: 4 stars
Pages: 608
Spell-Out Letters:
T - Oliver Twist (character)
A - Artful Dodger (character)
R - Rose Maylie (character)

How are we looking this week? I have an audiobook I'll probably finish this afternoon. Wondered if I should make an effort with another book or not.

I'll be staying home, so I will be reading at least what I committed to read maybe more.

Cover:
Book: Lamp Black, Wolf Grey
Author: Paula Brackston
Finished: Nov. 13
Rating: 3 stars
Pages: 318
Spell Out Letters:
T - Twm (character)
R - Rhys (character)
A - Anwen (character)
L - Title

Is anyone else wondering where the books in the Good Reads awards came from this year? There is only one category where I read more than one of the books. I felt that way about the first round too, but then I could write-in the book I thought was missing.

I though Ora read Time and Again for word as genre.

Whenever I get Middlemarch back that is 850-950 pages. If I don't have it back in the next week I'll see if I can get a print copy of the book to finish. I would much rather listen since it is a bit on the slow side and I can listen while I'm folding laundry and other chores.
I'm going to start Oliver Twist as my next audio book, and that is 600 pages. I've also got two 400-550 page books in the works.

I've got to keep writing for NaNo, but I'll read on my breaks.

I started reading Crazy Rich Asians, it is going to be an interesting one. I lived in Singapore for a year and I'm so glad for the foot notes. I really don't remember the Singelish being quite a mix of all the languages.

Discussion Questions for Day 1
Prologue & Chapters 1-18 (Part 1)

1. In the prologue, Reginald Ormsby wouldn't let Eleanor, Felicity, Alexandra and their families stay at the hotel. What do you think the author was trying to say with this opening? Were you surprised at how the situation was resolved?
The author was trying to show the racism against "poor" Asians that was common at the time. I wasn't surprised by the way the situation was resolved.

2. The second encounter with Eleanor Young in chapter 2 seems completely at odds with the woman introduced in the prologue. What are your first impressions of Eleanor as a person? as a wife and mother?
I don't really care for Eleanor as a person. I don't think she would be a very good mother. As a wife she can't be great if her husband is in Australia.

3. Nicholas seems very down to earth in comparison to his mother and even his cousin Astrid. He doesn't seem to think his money would change his relationship with Rachel. What are your impressions of Nicholas? What do you think of the way he is handling introducing Rachel to his family? Should he have taken Astrid's advice instead?
Nicholas seems like a nice guy. I don't know that I've really gotten a handle on him yet. He is very private and I think that will likely hurt him. I think the way he is handling introducing Rachel to the family is not very good. He should have given her a little warning. At least some hints. I don't know if Astrid is completely right but some warning seems necessary.

4. Rachel has clearly made several incorrect assumptions about Nicholas and his family. Were you surprised that Rachel's friend and her family had never heard of the Young family or knew about his grandmother's house? What do you think is going through Rachel's mind as she pulls up for family dinner?
I wasn't surprised. It seemed like Rachel's friend is new rich and Nicholas is old rich. His family is also very private. No pictures of Astrid are printed.

5. Astrid's return from Paris has not at all gone as expected. What did you think about her way of handling her husband's probable affair? about her internal dialogue of the matter? Did you have any sympathy for him after watching him endure the family lunch?
I didn't really feel sorry for Astrid, but then again understanding some of the Asian culture regarding this I could see where she is coming from. I feel a little detached from most of the characters and Astrid seems to really care for Michael but she has secrets too.

6. Rachel clearly has an amazing relationship with her mother. What did you think about their relationship? Do you think it will make it easier or harder for her to understand Nicholas' family? What about her friendship with Peik Lin? Do you think it will help her interact with Nicholas' family?
I think Rachel is going to have have a hard time understanding Nicholas's family because of her close relationship with her mother. I have a feeling Peik Lin will not help her. The different between new rich and old rich is a big one, even here in the US. New rich tends to flaunt that they have money and lots of it, Peik Lin and her family do so. Old rich is a little more subtle.

I tried to find a quick book for O but all of the ones I could find are already checked out.

Ora wrote: "Stupid autocorrect. I am on my phone and just realized my mistakes in the above post."

I understood. I often have that problem and you can't go back to correct it on the phone app.

Do we need more books for Blood?

I don't think The Scarlet Letter was assigned reading where I went to school. I will see if maybe I can find it. I didn't read it I it was assigned.

I've got a few books in the works. I should be able to finish 1 maybe 2 of them.

Middlemarch-I won't finish 25% into audiobook and it expires tomorrow. I've put a hold but I'm going to have to wait.
Lamp Black, Grey Wolf- I can finish it if needed works for L, D, and B
The Poppy War - this one is a slower read and so far only works for L and that is a minor character. Will be better for travel.
Crazy Rich Asian- starting tonight works for L
Deeply, Desperately- picking up at library today and should work for all letters. It will be a quick read if it is anything like the first book.

I'm trying to find an audiobook to listen to after Middlemarch expires. I'm trying to find something that fits for female narrator over 60 or a book I didn't like it don't finish that I was assigned in school. I'm stretching that second one because I can only think of a few I didn't finish and that's more because of the assignment than my stopping. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Also, what about abridged audiobooks? I can't find Les Miserables in unabridged format.

Crazy Rich Asians has a character named Rachael Chu, so it works for travel.

Thanks, Ora.

All the books I'm currently reading work for the word Travel. That's nice.
I'm planing on starting Crazy Rich Asians on Friday. I'm not sure if I will finish it for this week's books or not.

Travel does have any difficult letters does it?

Cover:
Title: Rogue with a Brogue
Author: Suzanne Enoch
Series: Scandalous Highlanders
Date Read: Nov. 7th
Rating: 4 stars
Page Total: 333
Spell-Out Letters:
B - Bear (character nickname)
O - Owen (character)
L - Lachlan (character)