SandyL’s Comments (group member since May 11, 2015)

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

xxx

Awesome writing Cat!

Adventure Log August 2022
(view spoiler)[
8/7/22
Eat egg layed by bunny - +3 HP
Hero: LVL 8 || HP: 24 || Magic Staff: Level 10 (AP: 13*) || Sword: Level 1 (AP: 4*) || XP: 312

8/7/22
Attack Goblin 6 AP 10 HP - Reward 1 XP, 1 Goblin bone
*Hero attacks monster with Magic Staff (13* AP) => Monster 10 - 13 = Goblin dead
Goblin - killed 8/7/22, next available: 8/14/22
Hero: LVL 8 || HP: 24 || Magic Staff: Level 10 (AP: 13*) || Sword: Level 1 (AP: 4*) || XP: 313

8/7/22
Attack Brown Bat - 3 AP 15 HP - Reward: 1 XP, 1 Bat Wing
*Hero attacks monster with Magic Staff (13* AP) => Monster 15 - 13 = Brown Bat 2 HP
Brown Bat attacks Hero => 24-3 = 21 HP
*Hero attacks monster with Magic Staff (13* AP) => Monster 2 - 12 = Dead Brown Bat
Brown Bat killed: 8/7/22 - next available: 8/14/22
Hero: LVL 8 || HP: 21 || Magic Staff: Level 10 (AP: 13*) || Sword: Level 1 (AP: 4*) || XP: 314

8/14/22
Eat egg layed by bunny - +3 HP
Hero: LVL 8 || HP: 24 || Magic Staff: Level 10 (AP: 13*) || Sword: Level 1 (AP: 4*) || XP: 314

8/14/22
Attack Goblin 6 AP 10 HP - Reward 1 XP, 1 Goblin bone
*Hero attacks monster with Magic Staff (13* AP) => Monster 10 - 13 = Goblin dead
Goblin - killed 8/14/22, next available: 8/21/22
Hero: LVL 8 || HP: 24 || Magic Staff: Level 10 (AP: 13*) || Sword: Level 1 (AP: 4*) || XP: 315

8/14/22
Attack Brown Bat - 3 AP 15 HP - Reward: 1 XP, 1 Bat Wing
*Hero attacks monster with Magic Staff (13* AP) => Monster 15 - 13 = Brown Bat 2 HP
Brown Bat attacks Hero => 24-3 = 21 HP
*Hero attacks monster with Magic Staff (13* AP) => Monster 2 - 12 = Dead Brown Bat
Brown Bat killed: 8/14/22 - next available: 8/21/22
Hero: LVL 8 || HP: 21 || Magic Staff: Level 10 (AP: 13*) || Sword: Level 1 (AP: 4*) || XP: 316

8/19/22
Completed Beginner Fetch Quest - Receive 1 Beginner Fetch Certificate for completing all tasks. Your dog will now fetch 1 gold coin every Sunday
Hero: LVL 8 || HP: 21 || Magic Staff: Level 10 (AP: 13*) || Sword: Level 1 (AP: 4*) || XP: 316
(hide spoiler)]

Cat wrote: "Just checking on our Warships status.

we have the following definite volunteers:
Sarah - finished (and I've added to the sheet too, so we don't lose track of it!)
Linda - finished
Danielle
Pat
Rin..."

Which one of my books would work? Let me know if I need to volunteer it for that mini challenge

I'm reading The Promise which is between 500-650 pages

Cat wrote: "Q: When He Was Wicked - set in London for 50%????"

No, mostly in Scotland :-(

I'm reading The Golden Dynasty which is 530 pgs and the MC has a child during the book (he becomes a father)

Adventure Log July 2022
(view spoiler)[
7/3/22
Eat egg layed by bunny - +3 HP
Hero: LVL 8 || HP: 18 || Magic Staff: Level 10 (AP: 13*) || Sword: Level 1 (AP: 4*) || XP: 287

7/3/22
Attack Goblin 6 AP 10 HP - Reward 1 XP, 1 Goblin bone
*Hero attacks monster with Magic Staff (13* AP) => Monster 10 - 13 = Goblin dead
Goblin - killed 7/3/22, next available: 7/10/22
Hero: LVL 8 || HP: 18 || Magic Staff: Level 10 (AP: 13*) || Sword: Level 1 (AP: 4*) || XP: 288

7/10/22
Eat egg layed by bunny - +3 HP
Hero: LVL 8 || HP: 21 || Magic Staff: Level 10 (AP: 13*) || Sword: Level 1 (AP: 4*) || XP: 288

7/10/22
Attack Goblin 6 AP 10 HP - Reward 1 XP, 1 Goblin bone
*Hero attacks monster with Magic Staff (13* AP) => Monster 10 - 13 = Goblin dead
Goblin - killed 7/3/22, next available: 7/17/22
Hero: LVL 8 || HP: 21 || Magic Staff: Level 10 (AP: 13*) || Sword: Level 1 (AP: 4*) || XP: 289

7/17/22
Eat egg layed by bunny - +3 HP
Hero: LVL 8 || HP: 24 || Magic Staff: Level 10 (AP: 13*) || Sword: Level 1 (AP: 4*) || XP: 289

7/17/22
Attack Goblin 6 AP 10 HP - Reward 1 XP, 1 Goblin bone
*Hero attacks monster with Magic Staff (13* AP) => Monster 10 - 13 = Goblin dead
Goblin - killed 7/17/22, next available: 7/24/22
Hero: LVL 8 || HP: 24 || Magic Staff: Level 10 (AP: 13*) || Sword: Level 1 (AP: 4*) || XP: 290

7/17/22
Attack Brown Bat - 3 AP 15 HP - Reward: 1 XP, 1 Bat Wing
*Hero attacks monster with Magic Staff (13* AP) => Monster 15 - 13 = Brown Bat 2 HP
Brown Bat attacks Hero => 24-3 = 21 HP
*Hero attacks monster with Magic Staff (13* AP) => Monster 2 - 12 = Dead Brown Bat
Brown Bat killed: 7/17/22 - next available: 7/24/22
Hero: LVL 8 || HP: 21 || Magic Staff: Level 10 (AP: 13*) || Sword: Level 1 (AP: 4*) || XP: 291

7/24/22
Eat egg layed by bunny - +3 HP
Hero: LVL 8 || HP: 24 || Magic Staff: Level 10 (AP: 13*) || Sword: Level 1 (AP: 4*) || XP: 291

7/24/22
Attack Goblin 6 AP 10 HP - Reward 1 XP, 1 Goblin bone
*Hero attacks monster with Magic Staff (13* AP) => Monster 10 - 13 = Goblin dead
Goblin - killed 7/24/22, next available: 7/31/22
Hero: LVL 8 || HP: 24 || Magic Staff: Level 10 (AP: 13*) || Sword: Level 1 (AP: 4*) || XP: 291

7/24/22
Attack Brown Bat - 3 AP 15 HP - Reward: 1 XP, 1 Bat Wing
*Hero attacks monster with Magic Staff (13* AP) => Monster 15 - 13 = Brown Bat 2 HP
Brown Bat attacks Hero => 24-3 = 21 HP
*Hero attacks monster with Magic Staff (13* AP) => Monster 2 - 12 = Dead Brown Bat
Brown Bat killed: 7/17/22 - next available: 7/24/22
Hero: LVL 8 || HP: 21 || Magic Staff: Level 10 (AP: 13*) || Sword: Level 1 (AP: 4*) || XP: 292

7/24/22
Completed Gather Bones Quest - 5 XP
Hero: LVL 8 || HP: 21 || Magic Staff: Level 10 (AP: 13*) || Sword: Level 1 (AP: 4*) || XP: 297

7/24/22
Completed Questamonics Quest - 8 XP
Hero: LVL 8 || HP: 21 || Magic Staff: Level 10 (AP: 13*) || Sword: Level 1 (AP: 4*) || XP: 305

7/24/22
Completed New Years Resolution - 1. Fresh Start Quest - 5 XP
Hero: LVL 8 || HP: 21 || Magic Staff: Level 10 (AP: 13*) || Sword: Level 1 (AP: 4*) || XP: 310

7/24/22
Completed New Years Resolution - 2. Read Every Day Quest - 1 Minor Heal Potion
Hero: LVL 8 || HP: 21 || Magic Staff: Level 10 (AP: 13*) || Sword: Level 1 (AP: 4*) || XP: 310

7/31/22
Eat egg layed by bunny - +3 HP
Hero: LVL 8 || HP: 24 || Magic Staff: Level 10 (AP: 13*) || Sword: Level 1 (AP: 4*) || XP: 310

7/31/22
Attack Goblin 6 AP 10 HP - Reward 1 XP, 1 Goblin bone
*Hero attacks monster with Magic Staff (13* AP) => Monster 10 - 13 = Goblin dead
Goblin - killed 7/31/22, next available: 8/7/22
Hero: LVL 8 || HP: 24 || Magic Staff: Level 10 (AP: 13*) || Sword: Level 1 (AP: 4*) || XP: 311

7/31/22
Attack Brown Bat - 3 AP 15 HP - Reward: 1 XP, 1 Bat Wing
*Hero attacks monster with Magic Staff (13* AP) => Monster 15 - 13 = Brown Bat 2 HP
Brown Bat attacks Hero => 24-3 = 21 HP
*Hero attacks monster with Magic Staff (13* AP) => Monster 2 - 12 = Dead Brown Bat
Brown Bat killed: 7/31/22 - next available: 8/7/22
Hero: LVL 8 || HP: 21 || Magic Staff: Level 10 (AP: 13*) || Sword: Level 1 (AP: 4*) || XP: 312
(hide spoiler)]

✿~Danielle~✿ wrote: "Sandy, can you add Silver Mayor to your tower shelf please?"

Done - sorry!

Cat wrote: "@Sandy: does Lighthouse Way have "brave" or "courageous" in the text?"

No, but I just finished another book that did have it -- I've marked it on the s/s, but feel free to change it if something else has already been earmarked for that spot.

Adventure Log June 2022
(view spoiler)[
6/26/22
Eat egg layed by bunny - +3 HP
Hero: LVL 8 || HP: 18 || Magic Staff: Level 10 (AP: 13*) || Sword: Level 1 (AP: 4*) || XP: 285

6/26/22
Attack Goblin 6 AP 10 HP - Reward 1 XP, 1 Goblin bone
*Hero attacks monster with Magic Staff (13* AP) => Monster 10 - 13 = Goblin dead
Goblin - killed 6/26/22, next available: 7/3/22
Hero: LVL 8 || HP: 18 || Magic Staff: Level 10 (AP: 13*) || Sword: Level 1 (AP: 4*) || XP: 286

6/26/22
Attack Brown Bat - 3 AP 15 HP - Reward: 1 XP, 1 Bat Wing
*Hero attacks monster with Magic Staff (13* AP) => Monster 15 - 13 = Brown Bat 2 HP
Brown Bat attacks Hero => 18-3 = 15 HP
*Hero attacks monster with Magic Staff (13* AP) => Monster 2 - 12 = Dead Brown Bat
Brown Bat killed: 6/26/22 - next available: 7/3/22
Hero: LVL 8 || HP: 15 || Magic Staff: Level 10 (AP: 13*) || Sword: Level 1 (AP: 4*) || XP: 287
(hide spoiler)]

I've got a book with a musical instrument on the cover, but it's not epic fantasy

DQs Day 3: Chap 20-29

10. Beth's house has seemed important from the beginning of the story and there have been a lot of descriptions of the "Frankenstein ugly" house. During one of Shea's interviews Beth told her to go upstairs and see her childhood bedroom and then she said, "Not all of the answers you want so desperately are going to come from me. Some of them are going to come from this house." What do you think Shea learned from the house when she perused Beth's room?

I think she was surprised at how things didn't seem to have changed in all the years Beth has lived there.

11. We now have a better insight into the note that was left at the murder scene that said, in part, Am I bitter or am I sweet? In this section we got a lot of details about how this "bitter/sweet" was played out in the house with Mariana and the two girls. Lily also told Beth that everything was her fault and she could have stopped it. What do you think the note will reveal about the murderer and how do you think Beth could've stopped it or could she have?

I don't think Beth could have changed anything - she was a little kid who was emotionally abused by both her parents and her sister, Lily.

12. Julian's treatment of Lily is rather atrocious, especially considering how young she is when she first visits them. Why do you think he hates her so much and who do you suspect Lily's father is? (I have only read through chapter 29 for my questions, so I don't even know if that is revealed. Just curious what others are thinking about the situation.)

Obviously he knows Lily is Mariana's child and not his, and he's resentful she's there. I don't know how that came about.....

13. Lily told Beth she wanted a lot of things, including the house. Beth told Lily she hated the house to which Lily said, "That's because you don't understand it...It's an abomination that shouldn't exist...It's exactly like me." What do you think she meant by this?

I think Lily knows she's broken, but at this point is going to take whatever she can.

14. Lily appears to have more power in the relationship between her and Beth, but based on Beth's current day ability to manipulate others, do you think Lily really is the more powerful one in their relationship? Why or why not?

Yes, I think Lily was the more powerful sister, but she definitely taught Beth her tricks of the trade.

DQs Day 2: Chap 12-19

5. Shea is trying to explain the taps being turned on and the cupboards being opened by themselves through telekinesis. If you had experienced what she did, do you think you would have tried to explain things logically or do you think you would have believed it was ghosts and left it at that?.

I would have believed in the ghosts!

6. After getting a cat, Shea calls on Michael to ask for advice on how to care for it, through the conversation she thinks about wanting to meet him. Do you think they will end up together or perhaps just remain as friends? Could Michael be interested as well?

I don't think there is a romantic slant here.

7. Mr. Greer’s former secretary tells Shea Mrs. Greer wasn’t competent and that she was "sent away somewhere when she was eighteen". Do you think she was crazy or do you have any other theories?

I don't have any other theories.

8. While listening to the recording of Beth’s interview Shea hears a voice in the background whispering “I am still here” and poor Winston gets spooked. Did you find this scary? Do you think cats/animals have a feel for the supernatural? If it were you, would you come back to the house after hearing that?

I think animals can sense things that we can see or perceive.

9. Finally, in order to get in the mood for more scary stuff. Have you or someone you know have any scary/ghostly experiences you might like to share?

None.

DQs Day 1: Chap 1-11
1. Have you read the The Sun Down Motel by this author? If so, does it change your expectation for this book? Either way, what are your expectations for this book?

No, I haven't read that book. I don't really have any expectations for this book - just hoping I'll enjoy it since it's not a genre I usually read.

2. The MC writes about cold cases and is in her late 20s and divorced. I have read quite a few horror/thriller/mystery books recently where the MC is a recently divorced, usually a bit older, woman. Have you experienced this as well? Why do you think authors might make this choice? Why do you think the choice was made for this book?

I don't normally read this genre, so I don't really have an opinion yet on this choice by the author.

3. This section includes the start of the interview. Did it go the way you expected? Any one comment really stick out to you?

I was surprised Beth agreed to talk to Shea. I'm listening to the audiobook and it's been a few days since I listened to this part - nothing sticks in my mind.

4. What do you think about the ghostly occurrences in this section? How do they add to the story (or maybe detract)?

This was interesting to me - and spooky! Yes, it adds to the story.

For T35, my book is about a guy who plays soccer, and there is a line in the book that says "We won our first MLS Cup in years this past December." Would that be enough for this task?

Happy Birthday Danielle!!!

Have a wonderful birthday, Cat!

Have a safe trip, Pat!

DQ May 19- How Noriko Learned to Love - End of Book

Do not read these if you haven't finished the book. Contains spoilers.

13. In this chapter we get to know Saturo's Aunt Noriko better. What adjectives would you use to describe Noriko's personality? How did you feel about the way Noriko revealed Saturo's birth story? Were you surprised to learn he was adopted?

I think Noriko may be on the spectrum. I was suprised to learn that Saturo was adopted. I wasn't as interested in the stories from the past with his friends, but I did like this part of the book

14. Did you think Nana running off towards the end and living his former life as a stray was fitting for the story. Was it believable that he would come back and forth visiting Saturo in the hospital?

I liked how Nana knew this was the only way he could see and support Saturo. There are plenty of stories of animals finding ways to stick with their people in real life.

15. Endings...they must be the second hardest thing to write for authors after beginnings. Did you like the ending? You may consider the Epilogue also when answering the question, if you like.

I did like the ending, although it made me cry.

16. The author, Hiro Arikawa, has written other books, with very different genre. She has written books about Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF). (I have to admit I know nothing about that!).
Would you read another book written by her? And lastly, would you recommend this book to others? If so, would you only recommend it to people who you know are cat lovers or would you widely recommend it?

Overall this book was just okay for me. There were parts I really enjoyed, but others that dragged on. I doubt I would read another book by this author unless it was for a challenge. I think any animal lover would enjoy this book, not just cat people.