Ashlee’s Comments (group member since May 10, 2016)

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

LaurLa wrote: "Melindam wrote: "Ashlee, if you could take the X-title, it would be great."

@ashlee - I also have an upcoming X book - it's really short and a planned read for me, so let me know if you'd rather m..."


I started it. I can take this task.

I can pick up next if that will work for an X title.

I need to put aside and read little bits at a time. Just not into it...

I have finished Dr. Moreau, but I'm on the app, so I'm not sure the spreadsheet updated correctly.

DQs: Day 3, Chap 12 - 18

10. I've noticed Carlota's perceptions are often described using non visual cues: she hears a lot, and even smells Montgomery behind her bedroom door but then dismisses the idea. After her attack, she finds herself noticing that "Her fingers, in the mirror, looked very long, the nails almost too sharp and the eyes...". Do you feel Carlota ever questions her own nature as a human/hybrid or is she too ingenuous to do so? Do you also feel the author is using alternate senses and, if so, as clues for the reader or red herrings?

Up to this point, I don't think she ever questioned herself. Although, I do feel that the author was beginning to give the readers those "questionable" traits.

11. For much of this part, I felt Montgomery was conflicted regarding his feelings for Carlota. He "writes" to his wife using what I felt was a brotherly perspective only to realise, a few lines and drinks later, he could not resist kissing her if she were there in that moment. What did you make of this change of heart and do you find his various missteps bring something to the story?

I think he was trying to put it to the back of his mind, but seeing Carlota's love for Eduardo brought those feelings front and center.

12. We're already halfway through the story - Doctor Moreau and Montgomery are both complex characters. Am I alone in thinking Carlota and her hybrid friends deserve to be more thoroughly fleshed out and layered?

I totally agree. We need to hear more from Carlota now that she appears to be leading a possible rebellion against her father.

13. What did you make of the scene where Carlota loses her virginity by the cenote - did her reaction seem natural to you or did you find yourself questioning her fearlessness? In your opinion, if Carlota is herself a hybrid, what effect might that have on their progeny?

I did question her fearlessness. Up to this point, she was described as a naive and innocent character. To just give her virginity up to Eduardo in that moment was a bit odd.

14. There's a storm brewing as the hybrids plan to join Juan Cumux and Carlota attempts to retrieve her father's notes and formulas. Do you think the hybrids will remain subservient once they remove themselves from Doctor Moreau's influence or could the story turn dark?

I think with Carlota leading them, she may be able to keep them tamed to a degree.

DQs: Day 2, Chap 6 – 11

6. As Sonia noted, we jump six years. Do the characters, especially Carlota, feel six years older? Do you like books that have time jumps or would you have preferred to see Montgomery get used to working in his new jobs? (Sonia already asked about the fallout but feel free to add that here).

I do not particularly enjoy large time hops like this; in print or TV. It makes it harder for the audience to understand what may have happened in a character's life thus far. To this point, Montgomery didn't have a large part, so it would have been nice to read how he got started.


7. Do you like the method of telling the same scene from both points of view? Is there one point of view you prefer?

I prefer Carlota's POV. The back and forth, though, does not bother me. In fact, I think it adds to the plot.

8. And we have the start of a love triangle. What do you think of the two young men and Carlota’s reaction to them?

I'm skeptical of these young men. Though obviously well-bred and spoiled, what is their true purpose for coming.

9. So far these feels very much like a historical fiction book with relationships being forwarded over the science and hybrids. Do you agree, and were you expecting that?

From the start, the discussion was about the research and the hybrids, so I was disappointed that this topic dropped off a bit in this section. I was expecting a bit more Science Fiction.

DQs: Day 1, Chap 1 - 5

1. Have you read the original Island of Dr Moreau book? Or watched any of the films? I only saw the 1996 movie, so, in my head, I keep seeing Dr Moreau as Marlon Brando, Val Killer as Montgomery and Fairuza Balk as Carlota.

I have not, however, I think I should have; believing I would have a better understanding to this point.


2. In the movie, Fairuza was one of the hybrids, although here, she only has "treatments" with jaguar genetic code. Do you think it's just a ruse from the doctor and she is actually the first hybrid?

I do think she might be one of the hybrids.

3. Montgomery's past was a sad one. And he looks like just a drunk with some natural instincts to protect the innocent. Were you surprised he was considering not to accept the job, and then when the incident happens and he needs to kill the hybrid he decides to stay?

I'm not sure he truly was thinking about not taking the job. Rather, it felt as though he was playing "hard to get." Even if Dr. Moreau was thinking about not hiring him, he has to now for fear of his research/the incident being made public.

4. I'm a bit disappointed that he didn't explain exactly how his studies came to be. In a scientific point of view, how is it even possible? We're in the 1870s... way before in vitro fertilization or genetic advances... and he manages to separate and mix genomes, or as called in the book gemmules? Not to mention that the original story was written way before cloning was a thing....

I, too, wish this was discussed because it would have given a better understanding of the research.

5. So, hybrids are dangerous. Specially when they're still developing, and their animal instincts are overpowering the human ones (in theory, since we had no idea what the level of brain maturity the developing hybrid was). Back in the movie, there is a rebellion and it doesn't end well for humans. Do you think it will be the case here?

I do think Carlota and the hybrids will have a rebellion against the doctor.

Just checking in...I officially finished my last bit of Professional Development for the school year. I will likely finish the BOM tomorrow. Hopefully after that ill find something I enjoy. It's been a rather crappy year on the reading front.

Just checking in, since I have been silent for a couple of weeks. This month is kicking my butt as I close out another school year. (Only 6 more days with students!!!)

I'm looking forward to summer break where I can sit and read all day. :)

I am going to be starting the BOM as soon as I finish my current read.

Welcome, Alexandria!

Welcome back! Hope you are on the mend and relaxing comfortably.

Reading the novellas today that lead up to and , which I will be starting the challenge with tomorrow.

Hello! I am Ashlee from Western Pennsylvania. I am a Middle School Special Education teacher, specifically teaching Reading and English. I have been in most of the NBRC summer challenges, starting with WOBBLE :P.

I will read pretty much any genre. I love these team challenges because I tend to read more, and the mini challenges get me to take from my extensive physical TBR.

TTX

I don't normally pick up the chunkier books, but I do plan to make my way through The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy, this summer. I am definitely a planner, so I can add to the spreadsheet later today.

Finished my last book. It's been great being on such a wonderful team.

Just finishing up with my last book. Will be done by morning.

DQs Day 5: Ch 29-End

18. Stealing a quote from day 4: ‘Sometimes, even when you start with the last page and you think you know everything, a books finds a way to surprise you.’ Did this book surprise you? If it did, was it in a good or a bad way?

This book did surprise me; pleasantly. I was certain that Nora and Charlie would go their separate ways.

19. Libby’s big secret surprised Nora. Was it what you expected? What are your thoughts on her keeping it secret and using the list to try to win Nora over?

I was very surprised by Libby's secret. As Nora had been thinking, I was sure that she and Brenden had hit a rough patch in their marriage. While I think it was creative for Libby to create the list, she should have just come out and told Nora. By waiting, she took the chance of Nora being more hurt.

20. What about Nadine and the cat? Did you appreciate this side story? How did you feel about how it played out in the novel?

I think this story led to the character development of Nora and Charlie. It also showed Nora herself in another light.

22. I loved Nora’s interaction with Clint, what about you? Do you think she overstepped? Do you think it influenced the ending?

I don't think she overstepped. The reader could tell that Clint and Sally liked Nora and valued her thoughts. I definitely think this conversation influenced the ending.

23. The ending. It is very much a Happily Ever After. Nora gets almost everything. Was it too HEA or just right and did you like it?

I loved it! I was certain that Nora and Charlie would not find out their HEA. I also really enjoyed the way that it actually played out.

Day 2: chapters 6 - 13

6. So, "Frigid", the book within a book being written by Dusty and edited by Charlie. Fan fiction or a brutal hatchet piece?

I'm going with Fan Fiction.

7. We get more of the backstory of Nora's life. Does this history give you hope for her future as well as explain her current attitude towards love?

I think everything that has happened to this point in Nora's life has shown her that she only has time for 'all work, and no play.' She continues to have the 'motherly' commitment to Libby and I think that holds her back from exploring other options, like a love life.

8. Libby is at too much of a loose end - setting up a fake dating profile for Nora & everything!? What do you think this says about the sisters and their relationship?

Although this does seem as though Libby is going over the boundaries, I think she is doing it out of love. Libby sees that Nora works her life away, devoting all time off to her clients; with availability 24/7.

9. So we've seen the failing business to be saved, been on a date to a karaoke night - are you enjoying seeing the Small-Town Romance cliches (and I loved that the song mutilated was the theme for that classic Small-Town, Second Chance Romance, Sweet Home Alabama!) being subverted?

I do love the small town cliches. It is very Hallmark-esque.

DAY 1 QUESTIONS!!! prologue – 5 21%

1. The book opens up with the quote: When books are your life-or in my case, your job- you get pretty good at guessing where a story is going." Where do you think this story is going? Is this your first Emily Henry Book? Do you think it will be like any of the others if you have read them before?

I have also read The People You Meet on Vacation, which I wasn't entirely a fan of. I do think that this book is obviously leaning towards Nora finding love, as evidenced by the cover. :)

2. Nora feels like she is losing Libby. She begins to notice all that they no longer know about each other, from Libby getting her ex's name wrong to the moments she has missed in the children's lives. Have you ever felt this way with a family member or friend? Did you ever do anything crazy to try to force the relationship back to what it used to be? How far do you think she will go to get this back with Libby?

I think we have all had at least that one friendship that we have felt has grown apart. We try at great lengths to make it 'the way it used to be', but that usually doesn't work. However, with Nora and Libby, this is their sisterhood that is falling by the wayside. I think Nora will go to great lengths to make things right with Libby.

3. Have you ever visited a place after reading about it in a book? If so, was it as you expected it to be? If you could visit any real place from a book, where would you go?

I have not, however, having just finished Malibu Rising, I sure would like to lie on that beach.

4. I loved the list so much and the banter between the sister over it. What is your favorite item on the list? What would you do to fulfill it?

I am very much a list-oriented person, so I was a great fan of Libby's list. So far, I have enjoyed their movie night.

5. My favorite scene so far has been when Nora sends the message " What about Bigfoot erotica? .... As soon as I hit send, I snap to my senses. Why of all the words available to me is this what I said?” What’s your favorite scene so far?

This particular scene did get me to LOL.

Just checking in...

I will finish Book Lovers today. Then I will be moving onto the other 2 books I have claimed.

Day 4

59% 11:00 PM
80% 01:00 AM

13. From the four siblings, I was surprised to find out that Kit had been sending the party invitations to his father for the last few years. I would have expected it from Nina and Hud first. Was it a surprise for you too? What do you think the future relationship (if any) will look like between Mick and his children? I feel he is quite an unredeemable character so it could go towards many different directions.
I was actually not surprised. Kit was the only one who had no recollection of her father. I think if he ever would show up, she would see the true Mick and realize that she hasn't missed much.

14. Now that we know the story between Brandon and Nina and her reaction to his mistress' appearance, I can finally see the fire awakening in Nina. She has a chance to not commit the same mistakes as her mom. Do you think that she will finally stand up to herself and what she wants or will she fall into old habits? We haven't seen the last from Brandon, what do you think he will do to try to get Nina back?

I do think that life has taught Nina to be stronger than her mother. I hope she has the courage to stick to her guns and not return to Brandon.

15. Nina has taken very well the situation with Casey. How do you think the others will react to the news?

I'm sure that all of the siblings knew that this could be a possibility. I would think that they will also welcome Casey into their family.

16. I am worried about the fate of some characters. Now that we are getting closer to the end, do you think everyone will have a HEA or the story is leading toward some heartbreak and bittersweet ending?

I think, in a sense, they will all have a HEA because they will come to terms with what they have been dealt in life. The fire, that we know is coming, will be an awakening for them all.

Day 3

41% 5:00 PM
59% 10:00 PM

9. The Riva house on the beach and Nina's husband's place on a cliff are described several times in the book as the most important settings. Do you find the houses and Malibu as appealing places?
What would your own dreamplace be like? And where would it be?

I do find these homes appealing. I think it would be wonderful to live on the water. However, I do feel like it would get old after a while. My dream home would be somewhere open with not many neighbors nearby. Of course with lots of space for a library.

10. As we are moving forward in the story, the siblings characters may be getting fleshed out a bit more. What do you think of Nina? Does it seem like she's following in her mother's footsteps in her choices?

I do think that in a way Nina is following after her mother. Afterall, her mother is the only role model she ever had. I will be sad if we don't hear more of her siblings.

11. Connecting to the previous question about Nina: while TJR is handing out information concerning her husband and their marriage rather sparingly, how do you see Nina's choice and their relationship? Any impressions on what Brandon is like?

I think Nina chose Brandon, because like her mother, she was flattered by the attention Brandon gave her. I believe Nina chose a man that is just like her father.

12. What do you think about the relationship between Jay and Hud? How do you think Jay will react when he learns about Hud's betrayal especially as he seems to have found a real love interest?

Jay and Hud have a special bond that the other siblings don't have. I think Jay is going to be very hurt by what his brother has done.