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

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

Well I thought I would just have a little peak at this book and I ended up reading through chapter ten. This would be an easy book for me to just keep reading. I'm guessing my other books would be as well if I didn't keep switching from one to another. That being said I may actually put off my other Buddy Read and the Book of the Month and finish this one first. This is a nice change from all the fantasy I've been reading.

Thoughts through chapter 2 (view spoiler)[I was also wondering why Michelle was suffering so much. Carly's point of view gives us a little background on their animosity. However, Michelle seems to be in the wrong yet she is the one who seems to have been hurt the most. I agree that it will be interesting to learn more about this. (hide spoiler)]

Through Chapter 10 (view spoiler)[So I'm still not sure why Michelle is so upset with Carly. It seems like there must be some explanation and from a comment that Michelle made to Carly it seems like Carly doesn't remember what it might be. It makes me wonder if maybe Carly's ex-husband some how tricked Michelle.

So this story seems to have three major parts that I can see the inn and the financial trouble there, Michelle and Carly's relationship, and Michelle dealing with having been shot. So far I find this mix to be really interesting. When I started I wasn't sure I was going to like the story, but now I'm invested in the characters and really want to keep reading. This isn't a book that makes me want to read the whole thing in one sitting but it is holding my attention so far. (hide spoiler)]

I'm just getting started on this book. I've got a few other Buddy Reads in progress as well as the BOM so I may be a bit slow reading. So far I've made it through chapter one and I'm interested in the story. I'm wondering if I read the blurb about the book or not because I was surprised that Michelle had been in the army. Sometimes I like a good surprise and don't read the blurb, but normally that is with an author I'm familiar with, and I've haven't read anything by Susan Mallery before. I'm realizing this is also a bit outside of my normal picks, however that can be a good thing.

✿ Claire ✿ ~ Foxgard wrote: "Annalisa wrote: "Part V the ending. This is my favorite of the books.

Chapter 13 [spoilers removed]

Chapter 14 .."

I also thought [spoilers removed]"

It seemed (view spoiler)[like a logical conclusion to visit the moors at the beginning of the book. However, I quickly realized we wouldn't be going there. Like you said Sumi's killer is there. This was a much happier story that it would have been if there had been a visit to the moors. (hide spoiler)]

Beneath the Sugar Sky by Seanan McGuire
Date: June 23rd
Pages: 174
Rating: ★★★★★

Spells
B - Title
C - Cora (character)
E - Eleanor West (character)
K - Kade (character)
L - Layla (character)
M - author
N - Nancy (character)
P - Ponder (character)
R - Rini (chracter)
S - author

Classes
Charms - Levitation door in the sky

Buddy Read
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Part V the ending. This is my favorite of the books.

Chapter 13 (view spoiler)[I liked how we got to see both sides the door that takes Christopher, Sumi, Kade, and Cora back to the school. Rini and the baker are back in their proper timeline where it is the future and Rini can go back home to both her parents. Christopher, Sumi, Kade, and Cora go back to the school, which is the past for Rini. There we see Sumi and Eleanor reunited. Also, I liked that we know that Sumi will be able to go back to her world. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 14 (view spoiler)[I wasn't sure if the book would have closure for Nadya's story but it did. Also, that last little bit added a lot to her story. I didn't realize she was missing a hand or that she had been "saved" from drowning and that was what pulled her out of her world. I'm glad she got to go back and be with the turtles.

I at first thought that Jack might be the one to bring life back to Sumi, however, I'm glad we didn't end up visiting the moors in this novel. (hide spoiler)]

Part IV

(view spoiler)[The Baker was not what I was expecting. I like the idea of baking Sumi a new body though. It seems right for her. There is one chapter left, but I feel like this section is really the conclusion to the book.

I really like Sumi's first comment when she wakes up after coming out of the oven. "I was dead a second ago, and now I'm naked," she announced. "Do I need to be concerned?" Off to finish the last few pages now. (hide spoiler)]

Part III

(view spoiler)[I wondered if the Queen of Cakes had maybe stepped through a door that wasn't meant for her. However, that doesn't seem likely.

Christopher's bone flute being made from his bone was a surprising development. I know he always has it, but I had never thought that it might have been taken from him. Getting to know the backstory for Christopher makes me like him more than I already did.

I have to admit the concept of baking a world seems very strange to me.

I also like how each of the characters that came on the adventure seem to have something they can give. (hide spoiler)]

✿ Claire ✿ ~ Foxgard wrote: "Up to chapter 3

[spoilers removed]"

You are so right (view spoiler)[I hadn't really thought about the diversity in this book. It feels right. I like that we have it and I think more books should have it. Our world is a diverse place. Thank you for pointing that out. (hide spoiler)]

Snowtulip wrote: "I know I'm early, but my book's due in a few days, so I started :)

So far I'm liking this story and being back in this world. I had a hard time with the way book 2 was told, and I realize I like t..."

I agree with your comment about(view spoiler)[ Rini not seeming concerned about Sumi. (hide spoiler)]

Part II
So far this may be my favorite of the books.

(view spoiler)[I wasn't expecting to end up in Nancy's world, but it was nice to see her happy there. I'm a little sad for Kade as he is clearly attracted to her. I didn't feel like I understood the worlds and logic and nonsense after the first two books. Traveling to the worlds in this one I'm getting a better feel for the worlds and how they relate to each other.

I didn't really like Nadya, but her staying in Nancy's world was not what I expected. I hope she is able to find her way home.

I would not want to fall into the strawberry soda sea. And I'm glad Cora was there to save Christopher.

The ending of this section with them being surrounded and arrested seems bad. I hope they can find what Sumi needs and leave. (hide spoiler)]

Part I
I think I like the books set at the school better than in the worlds. This one is drawing me in and I'm already enjoying it.

(view spoiler)[Cora seems like an interesting character. I like the idea of her being a mermaid. I'm wondering if this will be Sumi's daughter Rini's story told through Cora. Every Heart a Doorway was a bit like that; it was Nancy's story and it wasn't Nancy's story. I'll be interested to see where this story goes. I enjoyed Rini's entrance into the turtle pond, where her sugar dress melts.

I'm wondering if we will get to see Jack and Jill in this novel. (hide spoiler)]

I'm getting started on this book now. I really liked the rhyme at the beginning. Also, the introductions in these books read a bit like poetry. I really like that.

Like Snowtulip I had issues with the narrative style of the last book, so I'm hoping to like this one more.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
Date Read: June 22nd
Rating: ★★★★
Pages: 374 pages

Letters:
A - character nickname: Art3mis
C - author
E - author
H - character: Helen
M - character: Ogden Morrow
N - character: Nolan Sorrento
O - character: Ogden Morrow
P - character nickname: Perzeval
R - title
S - character: Samantha
W - character: Wade Watts

Classes:
Arithmancy: 351-500
Yellow cover I think or maybe it is Red.

Buddy Read:
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So I finally finished. I'm way behind everyone else I know. I really liked the prologue for this book but then Level 1 was so slow. I had a hard time getting though it and wondered if it would be worth continuing. However, everyone else seemed to like the book so I continued. Then Level 2 was faster paced. I think if the book hadn't sped up I would have given up. Level 3 was the easiest for me to read. I think this was because there were less pop culture references. Unfortunately, those just slowed the book down for me. I can see how they added to the story and would be great for someone who loves the 80's. However, for me it didn't work quite so well. I've never been into pop culture, doesn't matter what decade.

Thoughts on Level 3 (view spoiler)[I liked that our three main characters get to meet at the end of the novel. It really added something to the story. I also liked that the ending really came down to human connection. The fight at the end wasn't exciting but I didn't really feel invested in the outcome, I pretty much knew the destroy everything artifact was going to be used. I'm glad that the coin came into play at the end of the story as well. It was a nice touch. (hide spoiler)]

What does everyone think about there being a sequel? I'm not really sure I needed a sequel.

I'm going to pretend that what I read said, "yes, only books started after quests start will count." 😜 Thanks.

The inner child at the candy counter is having a hard time not joining two additional BR starting in the next two weeks. I'd like to finish most of the books I've got started (with the exception of A Feast for Crows) by next weekend. This will not happen if keep adding more books.

For Tri-Wizard only books started after it starts will count? If so that may be enough to keep me from over committing spectacularly on the BRs.

It really did pick up in Level 2 and now I'm invested in the story and really enjoying it. I think I just wasn't in the right book mood and now I am.

(view spoiler)[I'm sure others noticed this as well but this section had action mixed with lots of summary. I found a lot of it amusing, Wade and his new routine post Art3mis, his experience with virtually sex, and the pac man play through. I'm still wondering what that quarter does. I feel really bad for Shito loosing his best friend and virtual brother. The Sixers take things a little to far. I'm curious to see how this ends. (hide spoiler)]

I've been making real progress on Ready Player One. I just needed to put aside all my other books and focus.

I have 2 buddy reads starting tomorrow, though. I have been trying really hard not to sign up for more but I can't seem to help myself.

How many rounds of quiddich are there, three?

I was thinking we are very close to finishing.

I'm not sure why but the Tri-Wizard sounds a bit intimidating.

It would have been nice if the app have said it was down for maintenance.