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

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

Jenny wrote: "That is exactly what I found. I didn't like any of the characters, except Tunde, the one main character who isn't female. I think the author did that deliberately.

I keep thinking about the world..."

I actually didn't care for Tunde, except for a small amount of time towards the end when (view spoiler)[ he was traveling with Roxy (hide spoiler)]. I felt the meh about all of the characters both male and female.

Also, I noticed that our creature didn't get named on the spreadsheet yet.

I've added letters for characters to my most recent completion post. I'm not sure I would remember enough to go back through and do that for the other books I've completed. I guess if we find that there is a letter that is really needed I can search. I'm sure I can find it in A Feast for Crows. That book has so many characters.

The Power by Naomi Alderman
Date: July 25th
Pages: 382
Rating: ★★★

Character Letters
A - Author
B - Bernie Monke (character)
C - Margot Cleary (character)
D - Darrell Monke (character)
E - Olatunde Edo "Tunde" (character)
J - Jocelyn Cleary (character)
M - Margot Cleary (character)
N - Author
O - Olatunde Edo (character)
P - Title
R - Roxy Monke (character)
T - Tatiana Moskalev (character)

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I've finally finished this book. (view spoiler)[ I'm glad I read it but I think I enjoyed the time I wasn't reading it, but was thinking about it more than the time I was reading it. There was not a single character I liked consistently throughout the story and that was hard for me. In the end it was Roxy I connected with most and I was ready to let the rest of the characters go. However, I did not care for Roxy at all at the beginning of the story. I feel strange about the book, but I didn't feel like it did enough for me. The ending coming back to the correspondence between Naomi and Neil was interesting but I didn't feel like the book had a conclusion that satisfied me. I feel like it is missing something but I'm not sure what. (hide spoiler)]

I'm just starting "Here it Comes". I have notice that while I'm reading the book I find it to be slow and at times it doesn't hold my interest. However, when I'm not reading I find myself thinking about the world and the characters. I find it strange. I have noticed that the pace has picked up at the end of the book. What is difficult is that I don't connect with any of the characters fully. Is anyone else finding the world and ideas engage them but the characters are difficult to connect with?

I'm going to see if I can not get distracted by light reads and finish up three fantasy buddy reads by then. Almost done with one so I think it should happen.

The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row by Anthony Ray Hinton
Date: July 24th
Rating: ★★★★
Pages: 272

Character Letters
A - author
H - author
R - author goes by Ray in the book
T - title
S - title

Yes, audiobooks are fine. They need to be at least 3 hours long. I've been listening to lots of audiobooks for the challenge. I think it is you use the default edition for the page number.

I'm looking forward to seeing what the Tri-wizard holds for us.

I saw an announcement that said it will go until August 31st. That is a full month. I guess that means I don't have to worry about not having time to complete tasks. We will have a full month.

Erin wrote: "Through the first part to Nine Years to Go:
[spoilers removed]"

I hadn't thought about it in comparison to superheros. I like that comparison.

I know it has been said before, but I'm really wondering about the tri-wizard. I have a few things coming up in August and I'd like to read any books that are needed before that happens. If their aren't tasks that are crazy difficult, like read a book with a newt on the cover (it can't be a salamander it must be a newt), then I guess it doesn't matter.

Still it would be nice to know.

Michelle wrote: "Annalisa, I completely agree about the ending and it seeming like an overreaction. Maybe it will make more sense in the next book?"

I really hope so, I'm wondering if it might wait until Ewan's story though. The teaser for Whit's book looks like it might not be about the family so much as about the business and who is stealing their cargo.

Wicked and the Wallflower by Sarah MacLean
Date: July 22
Pages: 396
Rating: ★★★

Character Letters
D - Devil (character)
E - Ewan (character)
F - Felicity Faircloth (character)
M - author
S - author
W - title

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Might be more conversation, I started late as my library didn't have a copy a few did come back and talk a little with me.

Michelle wrote: "I’ll be around! I loved Felicity but hadn’t read the other series yet."

I really like Felicity a lot and she has been in a couple of MacLean's other books. Her lock picking skills as well as the fact that isn't scared to state what she thinks was refreshing.

I think my favorite series from Sarah MacLean is The Rules of Scoundrels series. It introduced a lot of the setting and characters that I've seen throughout MacLean's novels. The Fallen Angel is also a great setting.

I finished this last night. I've read The Day of the Duchess and many of MacLean's other books. I don't think I've finished the Love by Numbers yet. What I really like is that the world created in her novels is all connected.

Like most everyone else I did not like the cover of this novel. I get it, but still didn't like it. I'm not sure why Felicity likes pink so much and I don't remember her in pink in the The Day of the Duchess.

Devil (view spoiler)[I liked that we got the background I was missing at the beginning. Devil is not my favorite hero. I didn't like how he treated Felicity. His treatment of her and in some cases her involvement in the stupidity in dealing with their feelings for each other made it difficult for me to read. (hide spoiler)]

Garden Bench (view spoiler)[I love the conversation they have on the bench and how even though they are on opposite sides and can't touch it was very sexy. That may have been my favorite part of the book. (hide spoiler)]

Ending(view spoiler)[ I didn't care for the ending between Ewan and the siblings. It seemed like an over reaction. I get that they were forced to do horrible things to each other when they were kids. However, I felt a little like it was forced. Maybe that will be cleared up a little more in the next books.

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) I'm pretty sure you are right that the last book will be Grace and Ewan and his redemption. I almost don't want him to be redeemed though. I feel like Grace will be an amazing main character so I'm looking forward to her story. (hide spoiler)]

I ended up enjoying the book and I will read the next in the series it just didn't work as well for me. I guess I was also hoping for a little more of the Dove from The Day of the Duchess. I wanted Calhoun's story. I'm still hoping we will get it eventually.

I was finally able to get a copy of this. My library was slow in getting it. Im not sure if any one will come back and for a quick chat or not. This will be a quick read for me.

I started last night and I'm through chapter ten.

(view spoiler)[Felicity Faircloth was a character I felt for in The Day of the Duchess. Here I like her, particularly the opening on the balcony when she meets Devil. Well more hears Devil. I found myself smiling during that scene. There seems to be chemistry and attraction between them. However, I feel like it is instant love on the part of Devil. I don't care for that. I think I'm supposed to think it is lust but so far I'm seeing it as lust with a good helping of love. It seems a little early for love already. The scenes when Felicity and Devil are alone are intense and the kiss was just what I thought it would be. So far I'm enjoying the story lots. I feel like we need more of the backstory for the brothers. I'm also curious about Devil's name. I hope we get answers. (hide spoiler)]

I'd like to know how long the extension is going to be at least.

Would anyone be interested in The Sun Does Shine?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34964905

Sorry for not having the pretty link, the app is limited in ability.