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

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

I did not find an instrument reference in Malibu Rising.

I will update my books when I get home from work, but I finished and .

has an instrument reference.
"...the acoustic guitar propped against the windowsill..." (Pg. 45)

Ushashi wrote: "Also, if anyone is still reading it or has the ebook, was there any mention of any musical instrument in Malibu Rising? With Mick Riva being a singer, I expect it to be there but cannot clearly rem..."

I should get through a good chunk of this today. I will pay attention for a reference.

DQs Day 1: Prologue - 11:00AM

1. Both Daisy Jones & The Six and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo have been BOMs in this group before. Have you read these books (or others) by Taylor Jenkins Reid too or is Malibu Rising your first book by the author? What are your expectations going in?
This is my first read by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Having heard such wonderful things about her previous works, I have high expectations for Malibu Rising.

2. We have been introduced to quite a lot of MCs and their different POVs in the first 20% of the book. Do you prefer one character/POV over the others or is it still too early to tell?
I am really enjoying how this book is being written. So far, I am not drawn to one person in particular. It is interesting to hear the different dynamics of this family.

3. The writing has quite a contemporary feel to it, especially the 1983 timeline, which makes it easy to forget the book is actually set in the past. What's your opinion on the writing and the back and forth between the two timelines so far, and how does it compare to other TJR books you've read (if any)?
It is refreshing to read a current novel that is set in the 1983 time period. It takes readers back to a simpler time.

4. "The story of June and Mick Riva seemed like a tragedy to their oldest child, Nina. It felt like a comedy of errors to their first son, Jay. It was an origin story for their second son, Hud. And a mystery to the baby of the family, Kit. To Mick himself it was just a chapter of his memoir."
We don't really know how June and Mick's marriage post kids 1 + 2 went (and ended) yet, but from what we've learned about each of the siblings and their (love) lives so far, how do you think their parents' story has affected them after reading the quote above?
I think Mick and June's story is maybe the glue that holds their children together. It is what has created such a tight bond.

Finished . I think it can be used as a pair with , which I started this morning.
Justification = both books have water on the cover.
I'm also starting this weekend.

Still here and reading, but wow am I in a major rut. I am not enjoying anything that I pick up.

Also, sorry about The Master and Margarita. First book ever to DNF. I just couldn't do it.

Finished Northern Lights and adding to ss now.

I'm reading . It will cover 1,2,3...maybe 4.

Wow, I was away for the weekend with spotty cell service, I certainly missed a lot. I finished the ZEUS/lightning book...adding it to the SS now.

Suzanne wrote: "At first I couldn't see it, but yes, I can see a lightning bolt coming from the cloud down to the "C". Good find Ashlee."

Great! I will start it tonight.

Day 1 DQs
Book 1- Chapters 1 (Never talk to strangers) - 6 (Schizophrenia)

1) Poetry and literature. Religion. Philosophy. Deep topics, deftly handled by a mad, funny writer. What do you think so far? Are you fans of Homeless (Ivan) and Belioz and their pretentious academic discussions? Are you intrigued? Confused?

I do find Ivan entertaining, especially in this last part where he has been taken to the psychiatric hospital. Although I am a bit intrigued to find out what will happen, I am utterly confused by what I have just read.

2) So, you meet a stranger that that knows your name, and says that he just had breakfast with Immanuel Kant (who died over 100 years ago), and was there to see Jesus, then tells you how you are going to die.
Did you know who the Professor (W, foreigner, stranger, consultant, etc.) is from the synopsis, or when did you start to realize who this character really is?

Just as I read this question... :/

3) We move to Judea, in the story that the Professor is telling. Pilate and Yeshua discuss why he has been imprisoned. What did you think of their talk? Did the characters of Jesus and Pilate differ from how you imagined them? What do you think of the different philosophies of authority vs the kingdom of truth and justice, in the book or in life?
What do you think of Yeshua’s belief that all men are good?
(I Personally loved the comment of Yeshua that his disciple keeps recording his words wrong. Teehee)
I have grown up as and continue to follow Catholicism, so the story is familiar. I did pick up parts as I was reading that I began to understand.

4) Well, Ivan’s life just took a turn. A dead friend, levitating men, a giant cat, a dip in a river resulting in missing clothing. Ever had a day like this? Do you think you would have given chase?

What a time he is having! Bravo to him for continuing through in search of a murderer. I don't think I could have done it.

5) I love the psychiatric hospital scene. It is so absurd. “Let him use the phone.” Teehee. I mean, poor Ivan. Do you think he will be there a while, or convince the doctor to let him go?

Oh, I think poor Ivan is going to be there a while. I especially loved when he tried to exit through the window, "So that's the kind of windows you've put in here." haha

Ushashi wrote: "@Renata and Sana, we need reasons for Kulti and Horseman for Typhon prompts.

And we need books with 'lightning in cover' and 'title contains letters of ZEUS'."



This definitely covers ZEUS, but do you think that is a lightening bolt on the left side, under the cloud? On the actual book, it kind of does.

Either way, it covers ZEUS and I could use a chnage of pace from the rut I'm in.

Christina wrote: "Yeah I'll read it too, I just haven't gotten around to it yet as I still have TM&M on the go as well and barely made a dent into it so far...."

Same...

I finished my flip flop book

I did, in fact, read the paperback with the flip flops on the cover, but I can't get that cover to link on the spreadsheet.

Posted my 3 finished books for the mini. I didn't assign them to any of the tasks, but have notes on how they apply when decided where they will fit best.

Suzanne wrote: "This list has flip flops on the cover if anyone is interested in any of these books:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7...

I'll for sure try to fill in needed tasks onc..."

I can take this task with

I am going to wait to finish the end of
The Book of Cold Cases
Reckless Girls so we can use them for the mini.
I'm also hoping to get most of Deadly Dealsdone today so that I can finish it up tomorrow, as well.

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?
Shae noticed that Beth has not changed a thing about the mansion in over 40 years. It appeared, as though, a little girl would show up in the room at any time.

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?

We have seen Lily's very dominant and manipulative personality shine through in Beth's memories of her. It keeps making reference to the bitter one being the one who makes it through. Beth never thought of herself as the dominant one, rather she always wanted to be the sweet one. I'm curious as to how Lily makes Beth take the blame.

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.)

I think Julian hates Lily because he didn't know anything about her until Mariana's mother died. Also, at this time, it wasn't "appropriate" to be an unwed mother. He doesn't want to have to look at this "shame" in his house.

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?

From traveling through foster homes, I'm sure Lily has learned to "harden" herself to love. She knows that she must fight for what she wants.

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?

I think it might turn out that even though Beth seems to be the inferior of the two, she may be more quick-witted.

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?.

Ghosts. I'm not explaining anything. Just get me out of there.

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 curious about who Michael is going to turn out to be. I'm not sure that he is who he says he is.

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 think something is going to come out about Mariana. I don't think she was crazy. There is talk of her being part of an "arranged" marriage. I also think that the secretary had feels for Mr. Greer, so I'm not sure her opinions mean much when it comes to Mariana.


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 do think that animals (and children) can feel or see the supernatural. I would absolutely not return to the house.

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?

The previous owner of my cousin's home died in the house. When her daughter was a toddler, she would speak of "the man who came to her bedroom to talk with her." As a child, she was able to describe exactly the way this man looked in life. Also, she experienced the same episodes of throwing things out in the trash, only for them to again appear in her home.

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?

Yes, I did read The Sun Down Motel, and I really enjoyed it. I guess I do have high expectations for this book. As The Book of Cold Cases began, I felt that it didn't bring enough excitement, but now that I have reached the end of this first part, I am intrigued.

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 think I find this question hard to answer because I don't have thoughts about it one way or the other (young or old). Unfortunately, divorce comes at all ages. I think this is just showing an eclectic job at a young age.

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

Nothing really stuck out to me. I certainly didn't imagine that the "ghost" would show itself so quickly. I kind of feel like Beth was setting Shae up for this "visit" by asking Shae to refill her drink.

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

I think the occurrences definitely add to the story. A plot line that I originally felt was moving too slowly became a bit more exciting.

I'm still here. Just adding a finished book now. I also started The Book of Cold Cases (before bed was probably not the best idea), so then I started Deadly Deals (so I could get a bit of nightmare free sleep). :P

Sorry I have been so quiet. It has been crazy finishing up the end of the school year. Today officially starts Summer Vacation, and I can't tell you how excited I am to just read ALL day!

I will be starting tonight.