Keli’s Comments (group member since Jun 23, 2016)

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

Read another 4. The Book of Joan was an interesting idea, but poorly executed. It does make you think about the political power of all the billionaires, particularly the techocrats.  Still just a ⭐️⭐️ novel for me.
Into the Wild and Keturah and Lord Death were both ⭐️⭐️⭐️ reads. Into the Wild wasn't very long but I felt that this would have been better as a long article. Not that Chris McCandless's life is unworthy of detail, but this is about a very specific and significant part of his life and everything is based on supposition. It's all guesswork, so there's a good deal of repetition and use of anecdotes from others to try and help us understand McCandless. There was a good twenty pages on other climbers, including a story from the author. If this had been a book about the fearless, naïve stupidity of youth with a central focus on McCandless and supported by science as well as anecdote, then brilliant. But it was supposed to be about the young man and the strange tragedy of his death. Though Krakauer was sensitive to his memory and family, I don't feel I got a picture of the man.
Keturah and Lord Death was a European middle ages version of Scheherazade. Well told, but definitely been there done that.
The best book out of this bunch was From Dead to Worse. Excellently entertaining as always.

Sammy wrote: "#142

Had this sitting on the shelf for about 5 years. Definitely not worth the wait or shelf space.
As soon as I'm allowed to walk that fa..."

I had that wolf one by her on my shelf for ages too. And like you said, it definitely wasn't worth the wait or shelf space. I think I will remove any other books by her from my tbr. What you said in your review is how I feel about the chilly werewolf story. Maybe if I was a 13yo girl, I'd enjoy them.

At the moment, the Arena Hazard minis aren't populating from the planning tab. So, I will keep a somewhat updated version on page 1
Link here - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

At the minute, this is where we are on the AH mini. I've only used read books to fill this in

ARENA HAZARD TASK
AH1 E Ex-Heroes
AH2 L Lament
AH3 E Elizabeth
AH4 C
AH5 T
AH6 R Richard Wright (Black Boy)
AH7 I Infinity series (Redemption)
AH8 C
AH9 F
AH10 O
AH11 R
AH12 C
AH13 E Elemental Shadows
AH14 F
AH15 I Into the Uncanny
AH16 E
AH17 L Linde, K.A. (Wright Kind of Trouble)
AH18 D

RachelG. wrote: "Keli wrote: "If someone wants to read for RICH in the title our first district mini could be complete."

I will be finishing Bonfire of the Calamities today which has RICH in the title."

Excellent. Will you pop the mini reference in when complete, please?

If someone wants to read for RICH in the title our first district mini could be complete.

Jenny wrote: "I don't know if linking to t his article gets you past the pay wall, but give it a try.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/01/th...

If it doesn't work, I can email..."

Thanks, Jenny. I was able to read the whole article. So I've bookmarked the two theatre companies. Fingers crossed I remember and can get tickets (who wouldn't want to attend KR's Broadway debut?!).

Hold up, I just realised our final is Angie's JDM and Sammy's Kane. How the hell am I supposed to vote?

Sammy wrote: "Dear Capitaines,

Any particilar tasks and/or letters you want me to concentrate on? I've thrown a few at the SS that seemed trickier, but can read for pretty much anything that's needed."

Personally, I'd say read what you like and give options that fit Howevs, since you're a pretty swift reader and open to most books, maybe pick some of the more obscure tasks or letters, like F, I and E. We need a fair few Es.

Jenny wrote: "Keli, Keli, Keli!!!!!
Start planning your trip to New York City for the fall of 2025. I just read an article in the NYT that Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter (Bill and Ted) are to star in a revival of ..."

OMG, that sounds amazing! In all honesty, this is something I really might have to do. It's a brilliant play and B&T in those roles would be something to see. Thanks for the heads up, Jenny. I'm going to start saving!

JDM vote here

I plan to get stuck into reading, again. I've been making journals and getting my house ready for two separate ventures. Unfortunately, I didn't sell out of journals at the craft fair, so up on Etsy they will be going. Hopefully, they'll find homes that way. My soon to open nail room is on track, but pushed back to the end of Aug instead of the beginning. So i can just focus on books and me for a couple of weeks now. Yay!

I'm voting for Sammy's Keanu!

Jenny wrote: "Keli, it looks like you read A Thousand Splendid Suns, so I am changing the planned book on the battle to your name instead of Sammy's."

Soz, I thought it was all done and i only needed to add my finish date.

Can I just say that i was surprised by this one. I can remember The Kite Runner giving me the feels in a way that I didn't want repeated. I have put this off for thar reason. However, i did not find it nearly as harrowing. Is it my age? Is it because I'd read the Kite Runner? It is just not as good? Is it because it is women? I also read a few reviews this time, maybe they got me into a different mind set. Anyway, this wasn't anywhere near The Kite Runner. Not bad, but not great.

Tom!!

Man, this one is cruel. I like them both.

Omg, i just finished Game of Thrones. It has onlt taken me a bazillion years. Why was Kit Harington not one of our hotties. I vote Kit!!!

I honestly can't do math oe calendars right now.

I have had a whole bottle of wine, so forgive me, but will finishing THOUSAND splendid suns on sat still be okahy for the battle?

Sammy wrote: "


Tomorrow, we will start the WILDCARD ROUND. It could have been an off day. Certain people unable to get online. Everyone too busy to lend support to their favourites. For every one of our 4 rema..."

Please be Keanu!!! PLEASE BE KEANU!!!

Aldis vote here.

And I'll read A Thousand Suns, Sammy. I have avoided it, so this will be the push I need. The Kite Runner was such a beautiful but hard read, which is why I 've not read Suns.