ClaireB’s Comments (group member since Jul 06, 2014)

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

DAY 3 QUESTIONS - AURORA

9. History is full of rock and roll bands with creative differences and disagreements between big personalities. This story is presented with interchanging POV's to highlight and give insight into this. What do you think of the opinions of each of the band mates and do you have any sympathy or empathy for any band mate in particular? Do you think that any of the animosity or disgruntled feelings are justified?

I feel for Graham the most. He obviously love Karen and lot and she's just not ready to commit. poor guy.
I understand most of them. It must not be easy to be part of a band when you have these two talents not only outshine everyone else, but treating everyone like they're expendable. Or using them to get to someone, like Daisy did. It's not cool.
However, I can't stand Eddie. I get where he's coming from, but the jealousy is just too much.

10. The premise of the story is revealing the reasons that Daisy Jones and the Six imploded. At this stage of the novel what do you think happened? Disagreements over creative differences or some spectacular tragedy?

I think it's a mix of differences in creativity, emotional and relational issues within the band, and a lack of inclusiveness with the other members of the band.

11. Juxtaposed between the complicated relationships between Billy, Camila and Daisy, Graham and Karen seemingly are flying under the radar. Opinions on this and where do you think it is heading? Who do you think holds the power in this relationship and is it heading towards a Happily Ever After or acrimonious break up?

I hope they get together. Graham is so deeply in love, and I'm sure Karen is too. She just doesn't want to admit it. Keren definitely holds the power in the relationship. She just needs to realise that what they have could be a great thing. But I'm scared she won't see it in time.

12. Married man, troubled single girl, intense emotional connection between work colleagues = big trouble!! Discuss.

I already said what I think of it in the first question.

13. As I get further into the book I find the rapid fire conversation and the intense interactions draw me deeper into the characters and the story compelling me to keep reading on. Are you enjoying the book in the same way? Do you find the story original or feel that you have read or seen it all before.

I feel the same. At first I was afraid I wouldn't enjoy it because of the format, but now I think it's brilliant.
I would not say the story is original. It sounds like a blend of real life band drama. But it is very well executed.

14. Mod Karen has revealed that the rights to this book have been optioned by Reese Witherspoon to make into a TV drama series. I think it's going to make great television. Who do you see in the starring roles? Established actors or is a star waiting to be born!

I'm really bad at casting, but let me try. I'd say Bradley Cooper would be a great Billy, but he already played a similar role in A Star is Born, so it'd have to be someone else.
Hmmm... No that's all I got at this point. I'm so bad at casting.

Day Two: First -The Numbers Tour

5. During the making of Daisy’s first album, I appreciated her quote, “Being given things versus earning them. I was so used to being given things I didn’t know how important it is for your soul to earn them”. Do you think that Daisy will continue to think this way and work hard for the music she wants considering her increased drug use and drinking?

I think the drug issue will impede her in some way. When you're high all the time I can't see anyone living to that kind of principle.

6. During the studio session for Honeycomb, Karen sums it up best as indicating that Billy wrote it as a song of security, and Daisy changed it to a song of insecurity. What do you think of the continuing duality between Billy and Daisy? Will it be good or bad for them moving forward?

I think it will eventually cause the ultimate separation of the band. That kind of tension is not healthy in such a group. Or it will turn into lust and the ensuing drama will cause the band to end

7. Daisy is changing the dynamic of The Six when she joins the band and states, "You’re only in charge of me as much as I’m in charge of you." Do you think this equality approach is going to work?

No. The band was forced to change their name to Daisy Jones and the Six, which makes Daisy Jones the most important element of the band. That voids any equality.

8. I'm a complete sucker for stories that have lyrics in them, are you enjoying the lyrics in this story? Do you have any favorites so far?

I actually hate books with song lyrics. They pull me out of the stories. I hate that. Plus it's often too cheesy for me to handle.

I powered through The Last of August and I'll now concentrate on Spinning Silver. I'll really try my best to finish it in time. So far it's been hard to get into it. Naomi Novik's writing is quite slow...

Cathy M. wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ Foxgard wrote: "I just finished my X book. I'll try and read another one before the end of the challenge.

Horror... Not exactly my cup of tea. Luckily it seems to be a popular genre ..."

That's what I thought. Too bad!

Cathy M. wrote: "So far we have 6 completed for Retellings with 3 more listed on the Planning sheet:

Claire - Spinning Silver
Claire - The Last of August
Melissa - Indexing

I'll nix the 2nd Dreg City book to read..."

I'm actually not sure if I'll be able to finish both retellings in time. I will definitely try, but we never know. It wouldn't hurt to have an extra retelling just in case.

I just finished my X book. I'll try and read another one before the end of the challenge.

Horror... Not exactly my cup of tea. Luckily it seems to be a popular genre in the team :) I'm glad. And as Sonia said, sometimes books are put under Horror very easily. I have a few on that list you send, Sonia. Maybe I'll read something from that.

Or I can also continue reading the Newsflesh series by Mira Grant, aka Seanan Mcguire.
Question, I see Seanan McGuire is not listed as the author's name for Deadline, as she published it under her other penname. But everyone knows it's her. And it's written on Mira Grant's author page very clearly. Can we use 'Seanan McGuire' for S? (It's kind of a moot question as the main character is Shaun Mason, but I just want to know in case I ever end up with a similar case).

DQ Day 1

1. This is a different type of book than I usually read. The interview formatting is interesting. What do you think of the formatting so far? Is anyone having trouble following it? I am reading it, but it reads like a podcast transcript to me so far.

Same for me. It's very different from what usually read. This format is a bit hard for me to read. Luckily I have the audiobook to help me get through it. It's making it much easier.

2. A main focus of the book seems to be the agency of the women in the music business. The two quotes that stuck out to me were “ I am not a muse. I am the somebody,” and “men often think they deserve a sticker for treating women like people.” What are your thoughts on this theme and quotes?

I like these quotes a lot too. It show how independent Daisy Jones is, or more like, it shows her stong desire for indepence.

3. Daisy’s parents are absent and extremely unobservant. She is very young when introduced to drugs, alcohol, and sex. The interview style presents what is really horrific in Daisy’s description of parental neglect, drug use at a very young age and statutory rape, as far as I can tell, in a fairly detached fashion. Anyone else react this way to this section?

It shows that on the music scene, things that should not be tolerated are accepted as something normal. Drugs and alcohol are normal. The fact that musicians take advantage of impressionable young girls happens all the time. And what gets me really concerned, that even the girls who go with it come to consider it the norm.

4. The end of this section focuses on Billy and Camila. What do you think of their relationship and the choices that Camila makes? Do you think Billy will stay sober?

I hope for them that he'll sober up. But that won't be an easy journey, that's for sure. I feel bad for Camilla. Their relationship evolved too fast for Billy. With his daddy problems, his carreer as a musician taking off, he didn't have enough time to really cope with the idea of marriage and kids. He was not ready. And Camilla pays the price for that.

Cathy M. wrote: "Ok wow, TWIX/Retellings. Let me see what I have.

Was a little worried about the X's but we already have a ton of them planned so great finds everyone! I do know Xe Sands is a narrator for some of ..."

That's a good option, too !
I'll have to see if I can find a book I like narrated by her.



I'm in a weird reading mood today. I keep jumping from one book to the other. I hate it!

Sonia wrote: "It's my favorite NR Walker series :o)"

awesome !

Steven wrote: "Sonia wrote: "Okay, so, snooping around some threads, Tea found out a MM author called Xavier Mayne. His We Are Fallingwater is on KU

For I, we have Ilona Andrews, ..."

That's good to hear, Steven! You've convinced me to give it a try!

I see we need some Ws too... Hmm, might be time for me to read Red Dirt Heart by NR Walker !!!

Do we get extra points for reading the book of our team's name? lol. That'd be fantastic!

Melissa wrote: "Is it okay for more than one person to read the same book? Indexing sounds good but I see Sonia is reading it already. I will keep on looking on KU for other books as well."

YES !!! Of course you can :) And I might well read Indexing, too. I've been meaning to read more stuff by Seanan McGuire since I finished the Wayward Children.

I love retellings ! :D
I'll have to go through my tbr to see what I have yet to read in that category.

Cathy M. wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ Foxgard wrote: "So much progress, Cathy!! you're a reading machine !

On my side, I finished reading Skin Trade and City of Heavenly Fire. I barely slept ..."

Yes, it's kind of a miracle, really. Haha

And I feel the same about the Shadowhunters. They can diss as much as they want, it'll never change my opinion of the series. I'll always love it no matter what. Haters gonna hate, as they say.

So much progress, Cathy!! you're a reading machine !

On my side, I finished reading Skin Trade and City of Heavenly Fire. I barely slept because of the heat here, so instead of turning around in my bed endlessly I just decided to read. I'm shattered, but it was worth it. Rereading City of Heavenly Fire did me some good. I just love that world. I remember starting that series when I was 16. Oh sweet nostalgia !

On another note, my copy of Prodigy is finally dry, mostly. Some page are still damp on the inside. I swear it's never going to be completely dry. And not from a lack of trying. I let it dry in the sun every day since the accident. At least it's readable now, even though it's in a horrendous state. I've never owned a book in such a bad condition before. I will have to replace it at some point, if I can find a cheap copy second hand.

Sonia wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ Foxgard wrote: "Sonia wrote: "So I'm rebelling and instead of focusing on memories only, I'm reading a shifter series, that is also MM.

Worry not, I have Diva Rules on audio, and don'..."

Yeah, I can't say dog-shifters are my favourite, either. They're too tame. I prefer when there's some wildness in them.

Sonia wrote: "So I'm rebelling and instead of focusing on memories only, I'm reading a shifter series, that is also MM.

Worry not, I have Diva Rules on audio, and don't even need to up speed because Michelle Vi..."

I get it. It's difficult to resist the call of a good paranormal MM romance ;)

I see you've read How to Howl at the Moon. How did you like it? I liked the book well enough, but I still find the concept of dogs turning into human (not the other way around) and possibly finding love with humans weird... I don't know how to feel about it.

Melissa wrote: "My 2nd memoir was great at first, now it is just dragging on and in. I thought I would enjoy the medical aspect since I am a pharmacist. I’m about 60% through and taking a break from it and reading..."

Oh bummer!
I hope it'll get better for you.

I'm currently reading the Michelle Obama book and I must say, I find it very interesting. It's a bit long, but I recommend giving it a try. It's very inspiring so far.

I'm so proud of our team. We did so well considering that we started with such a difficult genre/word!