Cat’s Comments (group member since Jan 28, 2015)

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

338 pages

Current total: 41,019

thanks - summarily deleted
:)

I found that book a slow start, so a slow start plus non-Hiddleston quality accents would've put me right off!

Sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

Read before 2024: 370

Read in 2024....
Under the Volcano

posts for token:

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

DQ Day 4: Chapters 34 – Epilogue

13. The necromancer has been defeated. How do you think this plot line ended? Did you like the resolution?

The main surprise for me was that they decanted Satchel into the book to make the defeat happen. And honestly, why the monologuing, villains, why?!

14. This and the first book are used as prime examples of the cozy fantasy. Have you read other books in this genre? What are your thoughts on the genre, and would you read more?

There's nothing wrong with a bit of cosy, but it's not something I'd binge on - there's nothing there. I prefer a bit more grist in even my light reading. A comparison would be the "slice of life" stuff that Becky Chambers writes - Monk & Robot, say - there's a nugget of something to chew on there if you want, whilst also being a total hug. This is all marshmallow, so too much gets cloying. (and the main messages were that "moist" is good (esp in context of books), and that not all romances have to be the happy ever after. which are neither of them particularly earth-trembling revelations)

15. If you have read the first one, how does this one compare in terms of worldbuilding and character development? If you have not read it, does the characterization and worldbuilding make you want to read the first book in the series?

To my recollection this has more different peoples, but there really wasn't much world-building beyond necromancers exist, plus portal book. I enjoyed it, but it's not really a book that stands up well to deep scrutiny of the art.

16. Do you like Epilogues on books? Did you enjoy seeing the characters in the future?

I like a round-up where necessary, and it certainly helped cement the "people passing on a hill" time-view of romance Baldree was selling. That said, MASSIVE spoilers for Legends & Latte if people hadn't read that one already...

240 pages
262 pages

Current total: 27,161

the internet is way kinder to you than it is to me!

I did a bad thing, and bumped Mel's Bookshop & Bonedust in favour of mine.


but! the wheel gods were super kind, and gave us

Vashta Nerada
1 500 to 650
2 Skeleton or bones on the cover - Mel B&B
3 Tagged Books-about-Books (at least 10 times) - Mel B&B
4 A group of animals is mentioned in the text eg swarm, herd etc.
5 Word in title starts with the letter V

so Mel's Bookshops & Bonedust now fits TWO tasks. And possibly 3 if the spinebacks are referred to collectively....

368 pages
302 pages

Current total: 17930

DQ Day 3: Chapters 23 - 33

9. Hurrah! Finally the bonedust arrives! What do you think of Satchel as an addition to the characters?

10. Mystery book sale! How are you liking the changes to the bookshop? Have you / would you buy mystery book sets like this? A fun bonus: make up your own mystery book set and post your three word descriptors for us to pick a set!

11. The necromancer is on her way! What do you think of these dreams and of the sword from the book?

12. A hint here that the end of the relationship is not going to be as clean as Maylee and Viv said it would be. But, what do you actually think about this plot strand - necessary, surplus, well-done, meh? discuss!

I'm giving the undead tag one a stern look, wishing it'd go away!

Great Lakes - at some point I can get to a Harry Dresden, but no guarantees when!

So, unclaimed tasks are:

White Walker - Tagged "undead" (5 or more times) - Sophie (might be couple of weeks)
Mondego - "ND" together in author name - Sammy
Shelob - Book from list: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3... (series sub ok) - Sammy (in a couple of weeks) or Sophie


Hodag - set in the Great Lake Region of the US and Canada - Chicago is an easy option
Hodag - HOAX in title

DQs Day 2 ~ Chapters 11 - 21

5. What was your impression of the Man in Gray when he first came into the Bookshop? Of what significance do you think he holds?

Bringing some grist to the cosy mill? The element of thrill or conflict - and given the romance is pretty straightforward - probably needed.

6. The Gatewardens were an interesting group. Immediately taking everyone involved in the fight to the cells! What did you think of their tactics?

Reasonable - let everyone calm down and sort out the whys and wherefores afterwards. The lacksadasical questioning seems a bit off though

7. I feel a little bad for Maylee; she seems to have real feelings for Viv but I feel like Viv is going to leave in a short time. Maylee said she was good with whatever time she could get, but I have to think it will still hurt. What do you think of this? Is any amount of joy gained worth the potential risk/hurt?

Plenty of people enjoy a holiday romance, knowing that it's time limited. Given that they've both been open about that constraint, I'd say go for it! If Viv was being more wavery about getting back to mercenary life I'd be giving the side-eye though.

8. “The shop … will last a little longer. It’s been better lately. A bit. A few more visitors. A few more books.” “But in another way, it’s the best it’s ever been. It’s been better for me. Having you here is connecting me to why I do this. To why I used to love it. I don’t know if I can explain it, but watching you read what I give you, putting a book in your hands and seeing what happens to you once you put it back down … I can’t make you understand how that gives me something I didn’t know I had to have.”

I liked this explanation Fern gave to Viv about why she wanted her in the shop. I think that it would be great if everyone could find the thing that reminds them of why they love things. Have there been any exchanges or quotes that made you stop for a second to think about them or that made you laugh?

Honestly, no. I'm liking it fine, but there's not really been any moments of reflection.

DQS - DAY 1, 3 Jan

1. Thankfully, on GR this book is simply listed as "Bookshops & Bonedust", but my kindle edition adds the subtitle "A Heartwarming Cosy Fantasy and TikTok Sensation".
Recently I noticed this increasing trend (or is it just me?) of publishing books with these types of subtitles. How do you feel about them? Necessary info or off-putting advertisement?

Bah! off-putting. it's very much an Amazon sale thing and unhelpful. Even online browsing I read the blurb and stuff, and "tikTok sensation" is not a hook that would pull me in on a skim.

2. In the first 25% of the book we are getting introduced to Viv, Iridia, Fern, etc. and other characters presumably playing a major part in the plot? How do you feel about them and their characterisation?

I like them fine. None are bowling me over (apart from Potroast, who is the clearest personality!), but that's ok on first introductions.

3. What about world building? Is it enough? Interesting enough or do you need more to get involved in the story? How about the premise of an abandoned/struggling bookshop?

World-building isn't really there - it's generic NPC town, really, with some crazy-headed people to remind us that this is Fantasyland. but the story isn't really fantasy, it's just a niche the author is familiar with.

4.“I gotta ask, is that the same mug you’re always cleaning, or do they all get a chance?” The sea-fey’s gray brows rose. The tattoos on his forearms boiled as he scrubbed. “Didn’t think you’d notice. Old tavernkeeper’s secret. Wash one, everybody assumes the rest are clean, too.” He grinned at her.

One of my first highlights in the book. This really made me smile as it really shows the cliches how barmen/women are depicted in books/films?
Did it make you think of such a (memorable) landlord/lady character in any previous readings?

It was a nice touch, for sure!

Extra Q: This book has actually been written and published after Book 1, Legends & Lattes. Have you read it? If yes, what did you think?

I read the other one, yes, and enjoyed it well enough. very similar in vibe, though with the coffee shop levelling up Very Quickly.

Jenny wrote: "I was looking at the 1001 (ish) list again, and I am shocked that Watership Down isn't on it. Also, no Dune, nor any Asimov or Bradbury, or even Christopher Priest. I mean Bret Easton Ellis made th..."

There was Asimov - Foundation and I, Robot. Also Iain M Banks and 2001. But sci-fi very much not present. Nor horror, beyond Dracula. Genre snobbishness perhaps?

no! that's harsh! we read A Christmas Carol for school at 11, but then only odds and sods sections for comparative purposes. We did have to read Silas Marner at 12? 13?, which put me right off Hardy for a good while.

ETA: on Dickens, I remain a fan of his outlier, A Tale of Two Cities, but did enjoy Kobna Holdbrook-Smith reading Nicholas Nickleby to me. I think, in general, getting someone to read Dickens to you is a winning strategy! got me through several of his the past few years.

I'd say avoid Dombey and Sons

Catsalive wrote: "Just checking that we are to complete each itinerary in order from 1-8. I think that's what is meant above."

That's the idea, yes. but as it's an individual challenge with no reward beyond the fun of it, the only person you'd be "cheating" if you went out of order is yourself :-P

Ashley wrote: "For this task (an those like it that were geared toward the team challenge) what should we do?

Read a book that is on your Captain's "to read" shelf with the highest GR star rating"

You could use the group bookshelf and/or any of the mod shelves

Just been through the list and am at about 360.

A couple I read this year, entirely unknowing of their deemed greatness, including , which I enjoyed a lot

352 pages

more giggling :)

Current pages: 4606