Michelle’s Comments (group member since Sep 19, 2013)

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

DQs Day 1 - Chaps 1 - 10

1. What do you think of Willowdean? Does she feel like a sufficiently real person?

I like how real she feels. She has a distinct character voice. She does seem a little innocent/immature though.

2. What do you think about her relationship with Ellen? They are starting to keep secrets from each other now - do you think that this is the start of a drifting apart or will they stay close?

I think the teenage years are when friends grow apart based on their new experiences. Ellen and Willow may be life-long friends, but it would be surprising if they are.

3. Bo is interesting - the opposite of Will in terms of being reserved in comparison to her chattiness, but with something lurking in his backstory. Do you want to have a guess at what's up with him? Would anyone NOT have done the same as Will and followed him to the abandoned school in the hopes of more making out?!

I like Bo, but I hope he doesn't try to hide his relationship with Will. Don't let me down, Bo. I think he has a secret but not sure it's a bad one.

4. Will claims ownership of "fat" when she introduces herself to Bo. How successful do you think she is in her aim to stop it from being an insult?

I think she is trying really hard to be ok in her own skin. Fat is such a loaded word, and she's trying to own who she is. Not many people her age could do it.

5. Lucy has clearly been a big influence in both Will and Ellen's lives, and yet they haven't been talking about her at all since her death. Do you think this is a normal reaction to a sudden death? Would you be like Will's mother, and get rid of everything, or keep it?

I don't think it's a normal reaction, but that's because I'm a talker. I have to talk to process my feelings. I do think I would take the time to go through everything and keep a few things, but clean out the rest.

What is everyone doing this weekend? I'm getting some good reading in and doing some gardening while listening to an audio book. The weather is perfect here today.

Chales wrote: "Completion Post!

Finished on May 12th. Didn't complete any task/bingo with it. If ya'll like creepy/horror..this is your next read!"
I think it can count for a few spots - horror MPG, author is a person of color, flowers on the cover for bingo.

Melindam wrote: "Hello Team Luggage!

Team Sam Vimes here. Just dropped by to say hello. Hope you are all reading away happily. :)

Also, I was wondering if you have already found a book for the task "MC is an unde..."
Hi Melindam!
Yes, I found one last night that I got. No guarantees that it's good, but it's a cozy. There's a cozy for everything!

Amanda wrote: "Sorry I’ve been MIA! I did finish one book (Numerology: Reveal the Secret Power of Numbers and Discover How Numerological Divination is Connected to Astrology, Tarot, and Ayurveda) that I just adde..."

Don't forget to put the date on the spreadsheet, Amanda!

I found a funeral parlor mystery to knock out that undertaker task.

I got most of the spreadsheet updated. We are kicking butt, team!

Yes, we are verifying shelves and moving things to tasks. Just be sure you have it shelved with a read date so we can go through the lists!

Work has been insane the past few days so I haven't had a ton of time to verify, but know we will be checking. :)

Mary C wrote: "I couldn't tell if that one thing was an eggplant or 2 links of sausage. But the thing next to it also looks like a sausage. I didn't check my library for the book yet. I found others to read and d..."

I see a sausage on it, Mary!

YAY!

Welcome, Aayushi!

Sarah wrote: "From looking through everyone's answer to the last question, it seems as if we all had similar thoughts. The ending seemed rush, not well developed. A lot of us also thought the book overall was no..."

I liked it, but I had the potential to love it. I only need that happily ever after in my historical romance. In historical fiction, I need realistic endings, even if they hurt. Especially if they hurt. I didn't expect everything to work out so quickly and unrealistically, and tied up with a bow. But I will read other books by this author.

Right? I really enjoyed my time with the Hathaways. :)

Amanda wrote: "What would the verdict be on Primal Fat Burner: Live Longer, Slow Aging, Super-Power Your Brain, and Save Your Life with a High-Fat, Low-Carb Paleo Diet? The book does have a few re..."

I think we are good with this one. Way over 100 pages and cookbooks isn't a main page genre. I would say health or fitness, so it works!

Mary C wrote: "Wondering how one goes about finding a book with a sausage on the cover. Food themed cozies? I supposed a Dachshund, aka a sausage dog, doesn't count."

That's a tough one! Maybe some of those food-specific cozies?

Laura..devouring books like crumpets wrote: "Oh no!!!!! Sorry I didn't realize....
My bad sorry for wasting your time checking that x"

It's totally fine! All part of helping co-captain this crazy crew. :)

Laura, I just double-checked the word count for the Haunted Mask and unfortunately we can't use it since it's under 25,000 words. Bummer!

DQ Day 4 - Chapters 14-18

15. Knowing how Alexandra's parents died and seeing her state of mind after being surprised by Dr. Mead, Eliza, and Charlotte in masks, has your perception of Alexandra changed in any way?
It definitely helped me understand her agoraphobia, but I also don't like her any better after hearing about what happened. She's a messed up soul, for sure.

16. What do you think of Bess running away with Charlotte? Looking at her reasons do you think she is being selfish or doing what is best for Charlotte?
I think she was looking for an excuse and took it. She has to know that taking Charlotte without a plan has to not end well for any of them.

17. What do you think of Lyle and his willingness to help Bess escape with her daughter? Do you think he will remain in Bess's life?
I think it's odd that he's helping her without really knowing her, but sounds like there is attraction on both sides. She deserves some happiness, so I hope she finds it with him.

18. Was anyone surprised by Ned's theft of Eliza's money or subsequent betrayal of Bess? What kind of deal do you think he made for himself in exchange for information about Bess?
Ned's a total piece of crap. I hope he gets what's coming to him. A selfish, lazy jerk with no redeeming qualities.

19. Charlotte certainly went through a lot in a short time during this section. How well do you think she handled the reality of being on the run with Bess? What do you think her reaction will be to being returned to Alexandra?
She adapted better than I expected for such a sheltered little girl. Imagine being exposed to so much after never being allowed to leave your house. But I don't think she will be able to settle in back with Alexandra either.

DQ Day 3: Ch. 11-13

11. Do you think the author has been able to give Bess and Alexandra individual voices? Do you like books with multiple points of view?
I do think they have distinct voices. Alexandra is so formal, but Bess is warm and open.

12. What do you think ‘Eliza’ and Agnes were talking about in the kitchen? Do you think either Agnes or Maria know that Charlotte came from the Foundling home?
I think Eliza was askign Agnes about Alexandra and Daniel, about their marriage. I don't think Agnes or Maria know Charlotte came from the Foundling home, but I'm not sure how she kept it hidden.

13. I think that Alexandra will get much worse re her fears of the outside after the mask prank. Do you think her thoughts about ‘Eliza’ will suffer because of it?
I think she will basically keep poor Charlotte on lockdown and will have a hard time forgiving Dr Mead.

14. Do you believe that Dr Mead was telling the truth about not knowing about what happened to Alexandra’s parents? Why has he lied about who ‘Eliza’ is?
I think he didn't know, but that's such a huge coincidence that maybe I'm wrong? A very cruel prank, if he did know.

Sorry to have dropped off the earth. My second covid shot laid me flat for a couple of days, but I'm starting to feel better now.

Updating the sheet with my reads.