MelanieJoy’s Comments (group member since Apr 26, 2016)

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

So sorry I've been MIA, but I'm here, just reading SLOWLY!

Gosh, wrangling a toddler, having an almost full time job, and trying to keep up is a lot! I've also been just watching TV instead of reading, maybe I can switch that up soon!

Here are my quiz answers:

Name your absolute favorite bird call. I'm sure everyone has one.
Oh I thought this said bird. Nope, no favorite bird call.
-Pumpkin pie. Brilliant taste fest, or an atrocity?
i grew up thinking atrocity but now i don't mind it so much.
-Coffee or tea? Or green tea, or one of those other things that I haven't tried like bubble tea?
Coffee
-What the hell is bubble tea?
I know what BOBA tea is - it's basically tea with these gummy like balls made out of taro. They're usually sweet and they're just a fun addition to tea. They now come in multiple flavors, as does the tea. I live in California, so it's all the rage here.
-Book you ended up loving even though you only bought it for its pretty cover?
hmmm.... i guess
-What is the skill you really want to have, without actually dedicating any practice time to?
Probably playing piano
-If you are old enough/into retro stuff, favorite Lip Smackers flavor?
I think there was a root beer float one?
-Which household chore would you love to never have to do again?
probably just kitchen clean up, dishes, etc. The rest I feel fine with.
-Jazz or Blues?
Jazz

I stuck my completed book in the overflow on the spreadsheet because I didnt know what letter we should add it to.

I could probably look on the spreadsheet but do we need an I this round? I found an interesting book by Isabel Ibanez

Just saw your post about infertility Lindsay, we’re praying for you!

haha I love that! We're thinking about trying soon for #2. Those newborn snuggles are precious.

Shan ~A~ wrote: "Leslie Ann wrote: "I am off to a slow start… sorry. I am watching the grandkids this week while my daughter and SIL are in Milan. We are exhausted all ready and we have only had them for 2 days. I ..."

I'm raising a one year old and finding it harder and harder to read! I can often take him out on a stroller ride at night and get some audiobook listening in.

I finished a book (picked for another challenge but started on the 12) that I'll post later today. I knew I was going to read slowly so hopefully I get 1-2 more books in before the end of the round.

You are entering the arena to great fanfare. What theme song is playing you in?
Intro Theme from "Merlin" (TV show)

-If you could raise it from infancy, would you prefer a dragon or a unicorn?
Dragon!

-What is your favorite book genre? Movie genre?
moody reader, fantasy or cozy romance for movies

-What is the weirdest book you ever read for a challenge?
In the Heat

-Santa is real. Yes or no? No but the kindness and generosity of the season definitely IS!

-Mountain vacation, or beach?
Depending on who with and what time of year. I love both.

-Time travel exists. Where/when would you go?
30BC to see Jesus miracles and ministry

-If you could “borrow” one piece of art from any museum for 50 years, what would it be?
The One Ring to Rule them All

-What game or sport or pastime from your childhood is no longer done today?
Capture the Flag? Is that still played?

-First video game?
My first Gameboy game was Toy Story

-Do you have pets? (Add pictures if you want.)
2 cats- Dipper and Winter

-Dream date? (And I do mean dream. Idris Elba is taken. By me.)
Aragorn

-Uggs or Crocs?
Neither

-Did you ever have a mood ring?
No, parents were frugal

-What books are you most looking forward to reading?
Not idea, just excited to get more in to reading

Hi everyone!

You guys are mostly new to me as well! Jenny we're already friends so we must have been on a challenge together before but I don't know which one, haha.

And Jax, did you do Comic Relief Team 6 Dark Humor with me?

Anyways I'm MelanieJoy, I also go by Melanie, MJ, or Mel depending on how many Melanie's there are around, haha. I live in California with my husband, 1 yr old son, and 2 cats. I'm also dog sitting this week in my small condo so full house, haha.

My favorite genres are fantasy, literary fiction, romance, and anything else that sounds interesting at the moment. I had an amazing year of reading until August and then I got burned out on challenges and my reading slowed way down. I think I read 2-3 books total in September and that was it. My record month was 11 books.

I fluctuate between SUPER chatty and super ghosty haha! I'll try to be as regular on here as I can!
Looking forward to getting to know you and reading with you all!

My shelf: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

Sammy wrote: "Yeah, book Poppins isn't very nice!"

I remember reading book Poppins when I was 12 after having grown up on the classic film - it was definitely a weird experience!

One thing that has ALWAYS stuck with me is can babies less than 1 year old communicate with each other like that and see otherworldly creatures?! I can't get that question out of my head even though it's probably not possible at all...

The Museum of Failures

An immersive story about family secrets and the power of forgiveness from the bestselling author of Reese’s Book Club pick Honor

When Remy Wadia left India for the United States, he carried his resentment of his cold and inscrutable mother with him and has kept his distance from her. Years later, he returns to Bombay, planning to adopt a baby from a young pregnant girl—and to see his elderly mother again before it is too late. She is in the hospital, has stopped talking, and seems to have given up on life.

Struck with guilt for not realizing just how ill she had become, Remy devotes himself to helping her recover and return home. But one day in her apartment he comes upon an old photograph that demands explanation. As shocking family secrets surface, Remy finds himself reevaluating his entire childhood and his relationship to his parents, just as he is on the cusp of becoming a parent himself. Can Remy learn to forgive others for their human frailties, or is he too wedded to his sorrow and anger over his parents’ long-ago decisions?

Surprising, devastating, and ultimately a story of redemption and healing still possible between a mother and son, The Museum of Failures is a tour de force from one of our most elegant storytellers about the mixed bag of love and regret. It is also, above all, a much-needed reminder that forgiveness comes from empathy for others.

old books = Old School

The Echo of Old Books by Barbara Davis

Rare-book dealer Ashlyn Greer’s affinity for books extends beyond the intoxicating scent of old paper, ink, and leather. She can feel the echoes of the books’ previous owners—an emotional fingerprint only she can read. When Ashlyn discovers a pair of beautifully bound volumes that appear to have never been published, her gift quickly becomes an obsession. Not only is each inscribed with a startling incrimination, but the authors, Hemi and Belle, tell conflicting sides of a tragic romance.

With no trace of how these mysterious books came into the world, Ashlyn is caught up in a decades-old literary mystery, beckoned by two hearts in ruins, whoever they were, wherever they are. Determined to learn the truth behind the doomed lovers’ tale, she reads on, following a trail of broken promises and seemingly unforgivable betrayals. The more Ashlyn learns about Hemi and Belle, the nearer she comes to bringing closure to their love story—and to the unfinished chapters of her own life.

MelanieJoy's BOM participation posts:

Day 1 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 2 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 3 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 4 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 5 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

DQs Day 5

19. Have you ever forgotten an important event? How did you make up for it? Did it involve pastry? Pretty sure I've forgotten something big. Can't remember what it was though or how I tried to make up for it.

20. So, who is the daftest of the two? Miles, for not telling Daphne what he was doing and basically doing all the things he knew Daphne’s dad did to her as a kid. Or Daphne for immediately stomping off in a huff and assuming only bad things and refusing to talk to Miles? (I can’t be the only one who is so sick and tired of this kind of thing happening in every contemporary romance book?) There's always a miscommunication or a big fight, but honestly emotions can be REALLY hard to work through. I think they both needed time to see things the other person's way. But I think it took Daphne longer to realize she could let herself love again without fear of losing herself.

21. The readathon seems like a lot of fun! Anyone even a tiny bit surprised that Miles was there? If you were to set up a dream readathon – budget not a problem, where would you hold it, who would be the participants (kids, adults, women between 33 and 37 only, etc.), and would there be a theme? Any other cool additions, like readings by certain specific authors? The readathon sounds incredible but honestly I don't have the bandwidth to answer this question...

22. What did you think of the book overall?
I liked it. I really liked the ending. I'm very glad I read it, and I think it's my kind of book.

DQs Day 4 – Chapters 22-30

15. We finally meet Daphne’s dad and step-mom, Starfire in this section. What were your first impressions of them? I dunno, I'm torn. I feel like they're oblivious but they're also slightly considerate too.

16. While Daphne’s dad is in town Daphne keeps wondering if people can change. Do you think people can change? From the beginning of this novel do you think Daphne has changed at all?
I do think Daphne has changed. I think she's becoming braver, she's letting people see more of who she is, and she's finding her likes and dislikes and friends all on her own

17. Daphne’s dad leaves without so much as a goodbye. Were you surprised? Do you agree with Miles’ assertion that it is because Daphne’s dad is scared that Daphne sees who he really is?
I was surprised because it seemed as thought Starfire was rubbing off on him and he was changing. I do think Miles' perception is intriguing and could be part of it.

18. Daphne misses Ashleigh’s birthday. Ashleigh accuses Daphne of becoming a “we” and forgetting her because she’s now part of a couple. Have you ever known someone who disappeared as soon as they got a significant other?
I can't think of anyone specifically but I know I would have had a tendency to be the "we" if I had had a romantic relationship that lasted a while in my younger years.

Bonus: Starfire believes in psychics. Do you? Do you have any interesting stories from psychic readings? Nope - not interested.

DQs Day 3, Chapter 14-21

11. Ack! Why do these kinds of stories always have the not-quite-yet couple decide after a steamy session that they need to keep their relationship platonic? You know that both people just go off wistfully lusting after each other and regretting the whole platonic agreement! What other tropes in romance novels drive you nuts? Love triangles. Specifically in YA fantasy.

12. It's a huge step for [Daphne to start selling her wedding stuff. (hide spoiler)] It's so easy to get bogged down by things, and then it can be so hard to let them go. Have you had to deal with similar situations (the general situation of having accumulated too much but having trouble downsizing)? I'm super sentimental and I always have trouble downsizing.

13. Any further thoughts about Miles's family background? We learn a bit more in these chapters about what growing up with his mother was like for him; is there more to his estrangement than that? I LOVED Miles in the beginning but it was hard to really buy into his emotions because the way her saw himself got complicated after his family story was explained. And it's honestly not something I can relate to at all. So it's just getting harder and harder to picture him. But I know people like that exist and I know that emotional abuse similar to what he experienced can really traumatize people.

14. What are your thoughts about Julia? What do you think is her real motivation for her visit to Miles?
I've read ahead so I won't speculate but I will say I KNEW there was something when she kept extending her stay.

DQs Day 2 Chapter 9-13

6. In this section, we learn that the countdown at the start of every chapter is for the Read-a-thon, a reading event Daphne is planning at the library. Did you try to figure out what it was about? What did you think? Or were you just along for the ride, waiting to find to, like I was? I had no idea what it was for, it seemed super arbitrary at first.

7. Speaking of the Read-a-thon, have you heard of or participated in (or even organized!) something like it? Would you like to?
Not something like it but it sounds AMAZING

8. “[Sadie] and Cooper were our best friends” Daphne is not only going through the end of her romantic relationship, but also seems to have lost her best friend. What’s your take on that? Have you ever been on either side of this situation? (No need to answer/go into detail of course!)
I've read ahead so I have a little more context but it honestly can be really traumatizing losing friendships along with a romantic relationship.

9. “I think the beard is sheer chaos, but not inherently bad. It’s your face, Miles. All that matters is how you feel about it.” I think Daphne makes a great point here and think we should all remember that a bit more before we judge people’s looks. Were there any quotes that really stood out to you?
I know they were some really neat ones but honestly I try to read books really fast and I don't keep them in mind. But her writing style as a whole really captured my attention.

10. What do you think is up with Miles’s family so he doesn’t have a relationship with his parents? How do you feel about Daphne neither probing nor really wondering about it?
I've read ahead but I knew there was something and I was pretty sure they disowned him or cut him off from something at this point in the book.

DQs Day 1 Chapter 1-8

1. Is this your first Emily Henry book or have you read others by her? If not your first, what has been your favorite book of hers, so far? If your first, has she been on your radar before or is this a BOM/Games thing you're reading for?
First Emily Henry book! I've been wanting to read some for a while.


2. What do you think so far of the story and the writing?
I'm listening to the audio and I'm completely enthralled! I love going into a rom com blind (by audiobook) if the writing is good and being pulled along into the story and unable to stop!

3. What would you do if you found yourself in the same shoes as Miles and Daphne and were invited to an ex's wedding?!?
I have no idea but I can definitely relate to all their reactions.

4. I love Emily Henry's characters. I always find myself laughing throughout her books. Are you enjoying the characters so far in this one? Anyone in particular an early favorite?
I actually love the way she described the handsomeness of both Peter and Miles. And the descriptions of Petra and Ashleigh too! Miles is awesome.

5. Any early predictions for how this will turn out? Do you think Peter's call to Daphne is an indication of jealousy? Do you agree with Ashleigh when she said "If Peter was going to break your heart now, he would’ve done it eventually." and "He's a lunch swapper, and whether it was the rusty metal Batman lunch box or a Cars 2 zip-up one that's filled with mold, at some point, he was going to trade in the sack lunch." (I love that metaphor!!)
I was wishing I was Daphne's friend so I could tell her if he's willing to do that to her, he'd be willing to do it to anyone and he's NOT worth pining over. Definitely better that he did it now before the wedding rather than after. Because it's a romance, I can't see any other ending rather than Miles and Daphne actually ending up together, but I definitely think it'll be a wild ride before we actually end up with that scenario.

Congrats everyone and nice work, amazing reading! I also read more than usual even with my slow down the last two weeks. Super proud of all of you!

I’m definitely slowing down on my reading. I had an awesome start to the year and now I want to read pressure free lol.