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

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

Another four read. All really enjoyable. Can recommend all of them. I only have one more to reach my target!
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Lexi wrote: "
I got one from 2016 read. I liked it and gave it 4 stars (3.5 rounded up) but not as much as other I know have. I felt it was more of a list of situa..."

Lexi, that is good to know as I am debating buying this book. After comparing our books we seem to have similar tastes and ratings, think I might pass.

Another 5 read this month so far.
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This book was okay. I think if I had been sold on a supernatural element before I startes reading, i may have liked it more. But because it was sold as acontemporary thriller, i found the (view spoiler)[body-snatching (hide spoiler)] aspect quite hard to swallow.
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Beautiful fable-like story. I look forward to reading the next one.
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Really solid start to a series. There were a few contradictions, but they didn't detract from the overall story. Just little niggly things, like if you are a boarding school that is checked up on, which has previously been referenced how can you remain open or unaudited with quite a few kids going missing? That kind of thing
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For some reason this book toom me a while and three attempts to get into it. I found the dad annoying at times. Well, almost all the time. I get that he didn't want to get his kid on meds, but his kid really needed some help. And the fact that he couldn’t even look at it as a short time solution was sad and frustrating. I found that aspect of it truly frustrating. So the ending was no surprise.
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Absolutely fantastic! Aside from Rogue Protocol (not a closet qualifier) probably my favourite book of the month. Demon was an excellent narrator. Wonderful story populated with a colourful cast of characters, even if most of them remain one-dimensional.
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Hands down the worst book I've read this year. Worse than that Yarros schlock! So racist. So stupid. I wrote a slightly more in depth review but, I would advise you to leave this one off of your tbr shelf.

Sammy wrote: "TT usually does the opposite for me. A lot of re-reads and new books to cover tasks, etc.

But I only have 6 left to go out of 125, so I don't mind having had a break from reading old tbr books, lol."

Yeah, I have a fair number of new reads too. This time though, I made myself choose a tbr first. If it fit I had to read it. Or finally admit defeat and take it back to the library. I rarely choose to re-read in group challenges. Not sure why.

Well done, team!!! Y'all have been the best and I've been on some awesome teams. Thanks for the fun and the win!

Jen wrote: "I’m curious what everyone’s favorite 2-3 books were from this challenge. I’m always looking to grow my tbr."

I think a few people listed some faves a few pages back. I had so many good reads that it's hard to narrow down but Artificial Condition, White Teeth, The Goldfinch, A Closed and Common Orbit and All Together Dead were in the tp with 5 star ratings. I can tell you the only 1 star read was Fourth Wing.

Can you post the big book link here, Elinor? Please😊

Also, I think Game Night and AMMP themes overlap, so books will likely work for both. Assuming they aren't crazy specific tasks.

So just followed both Jackie and Janine's links to sign-up. And immediately when this one finished signed up to
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Ive read 7 since my last update. Tower Teams was pretty good for helping me clear my bookshelves. I think 7 tbr books is 2 months is pretty good for me. Especially considering that they've all been sitting around my house for well over a year.
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Jackie wrote: "Suzanne, I think the reason everyone stayed involved was directly connected to the fabulous job you captains did of keeping everything organized and the enthusiasm you all brought to the challenge...."

Totally agree! I often feel a little intimidated by the super fast readers in large team challenges. That's no fault of theirs. I just feel like I'm not really contributing. In this awesome group, however, I felt like I was actually adding something. And a great portion of that was because you super speedy readers and captains were really good at keeping us focused as a team, that ALL our contributions helped us reach the top.
Thanks captains for your hard work.

Actually, I want to be on a team with all of you always. Don't freak out if you see me lurking in the background of team games, trying to figure out where you're going to be.
Thanks so much eveyone.

Janeylou wrote: "Thats my last books team .
I would like to thank you all for making my first go at TT so enjoyable , ive had a blast and will definitely be back round next year ..😘😘😘"

Janine, you excelled. I always want to be on your team. 😍😍😍

I just finished my final book 😭😭😭 Thanks team for being awesome. You're all ace.

My final book was an anthology, there was one story in particular where the character that is believed to be a vamp turns out to be a werewolf was a real twist. Don't know if that would work for the challenge. But it was a surprise. I thought he was going to do his vamp reveal.

I'll finish up Hotter Than Hell tomorrow, and that will be all for me. I was hoping to have gotten another audio in, but I just couldn't squeeze it in. I've been such a busy bee this weekend. So, 28 will be my contribution, which is twice what I said I'd do. I was averaging a book a week before TT.

I have had an excellent TT. I managed to return 7 of the 20 books I've had out of the library since 2020/2021. My average rating was 3.81. My favourite book is hard to pick as I gave 6 books 5 star ratings. Hands down, the worst book was The Fourth Wing. My surprise hit was White Teeth. My surprise I'm not too sure about is the one I'm reading. I thought Hell would be the thing that links all the stories together. Turns out it is the Hotter bit. This book is pure filth.

DQs Day 1 - Chan v Cortez & The First Time Around (26%)

1. The most popular releases by Taylor Jenkins Reid have been BOMs in this group before (Daisy Jones & The Six in 2019, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo in 2021, and Malibu Rising last year). Have you read any of these books (or others) by TJR too or is Carrie Soto is Back your first book by the author? What are your expectations going in?

I've read DJ and EH, and have MR in my book pile. (I will get to it this year!) I loved DJ and enjoyed EH, so I have high hopes for Carrie. Reid's writing is so dynamic and clear that it keeps me engrossed. And her ability to weave a story that spans decades, is populated with interesting, well rounded characters and feels so true, absorbs me into the story. So far, I've not been disappointed.

2. After the first chapter is set in 1994 and Carrie Soto decides to get back into the sport to get her record title back the next few chapters follow her early years up until she felt like she had to retire because of her knee injury (and because she felt humiliated lbr) somewhat 30 years later. Her dad always wanted her to be the greatest whereas her mother just wanted her to be kind and happy. It doesn't seem like Carrie is either at this point in her life, also not the greatest anymore. How do you feel about her as a character so far? What do you think (sort of) being forced into retirement by her own body has done to her, mentally and physically; do you think she's changed at all in the last 5 years?

I like Carrie. she's a brilliant character. But if she was a real person, I'd just feel sorry for her. it's easy to appreciate her brutal honesty. We think that she's being "real," which it is a little, but it's mostly a front. She has crafted a hard carapace around her sensitive insides. She's going to hurt everyone else first. Since no seemed to care about her feelings, she won't care about anyone either. Sadly, this is going to f her up. Tennis was the only area she engaged with other people and where she felt a bit of positivity.

3. What we've learned about Carrie's childhood and teenage years has quickly started to remind me of 'King Richard' the movie about the Williams sisters' life and I'm seeing a lot of similarities between Carrie's dad Javier and the Williams' (movie) dad (as I'm sure is often the case when athletes' parents are involved in their kids' sports careers/futures).Javier seemed to have good intentions and only ever wanted what (he at least thought) was best for his daughter, but they grew apart after going separate ways in 1979. As we know, they've found their way back together (does this sound weird seeing they're father and daughter??), but things definitely changed between them. How do you feel about Javier and about his and Carrie's relationship growing up vs now?

Personally, I think encouraging your kids to be the best they can be and, even, forcing them to stick at something when they want to quit is good. It builds character and a sense of achievement, but it shouldn't come at the price of childhood. Carrie was far too young to understand the subtle aspects of Javier's intent. So he is partly responsible for her emotional retardation. And I'm so not surprised by the breakdown of their relationship. I'm glad they're back working together and healing together.

4. It seems like Carrie doesn't believe in love (or actually of being worthy of being loved imo). She's been having flings/ONS left and right apparently, and appearing in tabloids with random guys regularly. The one time she let herself finally believe this could be IT for the long run was with Brandon Randall (who some of us already knew from Malibu Rising) who was cheating on his then wife with her. No surprise he left her for (yet) another woman, but were you surprised Carrie took him back after he wanted to go back to his ex-wife and she rejected him? Do you think losing her mother at such a young age and only ever having her dad as a single parent in her life has influenced how she views love, relationships and generally a deeper bond with other people

Carrie is so emotionally broken, I just want to give her a big hug. Yes, losing her mom and only having a single parent greatly influenced her, but primarily it was her lack of friends that influenced her. She had no one she could talk to, or from whom she could get that much needed reassurance when thing were hard. Single parents can raise wonderfully well rounded individuals, but in Carrie's case the only person she had was her dad. Literally. And that just was not healthy.

DQs Day 2 - The Comeback (40%)

5. Welcome back sports fans! If any of you have read other Taylor Jenkins Reid's novels, you know she loves looking back at interesting eras in time. The Golden Age of Hollywood! 70s rock and roll excess! Why do you think TJR chose to focus on 90s sports for this novel? Do you think it was only to bring Carrie back or do you think there was something special about sports during that time?

There were some big names in the 90s; Graff, Seles, Navratilova (although she might be 80s) not sure. I the 90s saw the rise of women in sports as national icons. The Billie Jean Kings paved the way by being serious and ferocious, players to be taken seriously but I feel they lacked the endorsements of their male counterparts. I'm no tennis experts, so this is all based on opinion and my childhood memories, which are scant and not to be trusted. I was a child in the 80s and not interested in tennis teen in the 90s.

6. In this section we are introduced to Bowe. What do you think about him? Do you think he is a good match for Carrie (in sports or romantically)?

Yes! My lord is he patient.

7. In this section, there is a letter from the editor entitled "Why I'm Thankful for Carrie Soto" in which the author, Helene, says that Carrie was inspiring to her as a child. Do you find inspiration in any sports legends past or present? If so, who and why?

Not really. I'm not sporty, but even if I were, probably not. Sports stars are just people who excel through hard work and some natural ability, and a good portion of luck. I do appreciate the tenacity and spirit of those who pave the way, by going against convention and demanding recognition when previously they were not taken seriously, women in sport for example. Yet, I find that inspirational in all areas of life.

8. Up next is the Australian Open! Any predictions on what is going to happen in the next section of the book? Also how are you enjoying the book so far?

Without spoiling anything, I think we can do the math. Less than 60% into the book, two more slams to go. I'm really enjoying it.

DQs Day 3 - The Australian Open (58%)

9. Gwen sends Carrie a gift the start day of the Australian Open…a Discman! The first song it plays is ‘The Bitch is Back’…I love this album. I immediately went to play me some Elton John tunes😊 Do you have a song or routine that gets you revved up…sets a tone to put you in the right state of mind?

I have so many and they change according to situation. But nothing beats Free Bird.

10. Reflections--Carrie thinks…I inhabit the silence of this moment with my father, when we are still asking questions and do not yet have to live with the answers. What do you think she means at this moment in time with that comment?

Some words when spoken can't be taken back. Words can change things, alter trajectories.

"Te quiero mucho, pichona," he says.I open up my eyes, "I know. I love you too."Javier and Carrie both have many reflective moments throughout these matches… Is this a premonition of what’s to come with the open or even more in the future?

I'm not sure.

12. We hear from the media in various forms throughout. What are your thoughts about some of their comments so far? Do you believe any of them have affected Carrie or the game? I was thinking about this especially when Gwen indicates Elite Gold was pulling back some of their ads prior to the French Open. Gwen has a role in her job with managing all of this…what are your thoughts about the impact of media and advertising with sport?

Ugh, that sportz commentator with Gloria was so annoying. He was so horrible with his "graciousness' or "lady like" comments. Or whatever he said. I'm sorry but would he have said the same thing about a man? No. A guy has to have a proper hissy fit to be ridiculedon tv. But a woman who is strong, confident in her ability and a ferocious player not only gets a horrible nickname, but also gets chastised.
Also, the audiobook was so cool for these bits.

13. Carrie’s been doing some very smart training thanks to her father. She’s been practicing in recent weeks with Bowe on clay and Bowe has challenged her, calling her a ‘quitter’. And here at the end of this segment, she’s just had a challenge from Nikki Chan. Is she going to win? Is Nikki? What do you anticipate happening in Paris?

(view spoiler)[ So I thought Carrie would win Paris. Setting her and Chan up for a showdown Stateside. (hide spoiler)]

My last two audiobooks will be Hotter Than Hell, which is 512 pages and Behind Her Eyes 376 pgs. I'm doing a combo format for these, so I've chosrn the page count of my non-audio copies, as opposed to the default. I think I'll mostly be listening, but i can't do audqiobooks at home. I swear my family only likes to talk to me when I've got earbuds in. So I'll be switching to my other formats in the evening. Is this ok to use for the page count?

Go Kirsten!

I'm very much still on track to finish my mod tower book on time. It might be down to the wire, like the 30th, but i will finish. I finished Carrie Soto today. Fantastic read!

And I think you are right, Jen, about the dqs. I know that I read all the answers around the original post, but then I just add my own answers when I get to the end. It's hard to keep up though, when soooo many people are posting. I think in non-competition time, it's much more interactive and when competition groups were smaller. There are just way too many posts to read.

I'm going to try to get two more audiobooks in by Sunday, my big ass mod tower read, and a final paperback. That's my plan. If i can get more, but really I think that will be it for me.

Awesome effort, team. I have had a blast. And you all are probably the most interesting, diverse and talkative team I've been on. It's been great.

Thanks, Elinor. 😆 The more I thought about that book, the more I detested it. Like Before answering the dqs, I just disliked it. Now having to think about all that time spent listening to honestly a shamefully written story, kind of pees me off. I'll never get those hours back! But that is what one does in Tower Teams! Got to take one for the team sometimes. 😂😂🤣 Luckily, most of the books I've read in these three months have been fantastic.