Elen’s Comments (group member since Mar 07, 2018)

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

DQ 5
Chapters 19-25

15. The group decided to have a sleepover, with Will bringing alcohol and later we find out he was puking in the middle of the night, without any of the others noticing. There were quite a few things that bugged me in this particular chapter, but what are your thoughts on the sleepover and the conversations they had?

I think it’s a healthy conversation to have, just don’t brag and you are okay. I know that for some people that would be weird and out of place, but I don’t care.

16. Molly likes Will. Molly likes Reid. Does Will like Molly? Does Reid like Molly? Oh wait, apparently Reid likes Olivia. And Olivia likes Reid. But then they don't, and Will actually likes Mina. WHAT. A. MESS. And we're not even at the end of the book yet.
Why do you think the author did this? Did they want to confuse us? Or were they trying to make the book a bit longer and hopefully more interesting?

I don’t think "the author" was trying to do it, I think Molly was doing it. She doesn’t know what she wants or feels until she starts thinking and committing that her feeling is toward Reid and she is just jealous and need to talk thing out.

17. Abby seems to know Molly better than anyone else does (even better than Cassie, it seems), so why has it taken so long for us to finally witness a proper conversation between them??

Maybe because she is not in the same state and far away. And she has her own life. But I agree, it should be sooner.

18. We haven't learned much about Max yet. He just seems like a random side character even though he's always with the group. He's part of the group. Do you want to find out more about him and do you think we will?

Not really, he is just the guy who is there but not the main character in the story.

19. We have read about Molly being in a daze a few times now which could have to do with her anxiety or maybe even some other mental health disorder(s). Can you relate to that in any way, and do you think her issues lie deeper than previously thought?

Sometimes medicine does that to you. Everyone reacts to it differently.

DQ 4
Chapters 12 - 18

10. In Chapter 12 Molly is given a make over and the girls go hang out with the boys, where she drinks for her first time. Do you remember your first drink? What do you think about drunken Cassie speaking so loudly about Molly crushing on Will? What do you think about Molly drinking even though she's taking pills?

I have only tried alcohol, so I have never got drunk. I just hate it. I think it’s rude, but most times drunk people can’t shut up and hold their tongue in their mouth, life. I don’t think it’s good, but I understood that sheMolly didn’t drink too much, so she must be fine. But medicine and alcohol = no, no.

11. On the fourth of July, Reid and Molly hang out and we "see" sparks fly between them. The author seems to be giving a lot more dialogue between Molly and Reid than between Molly and Will. Do you think she's steering us into rooting for Reid?

Definitely, I love Reid. Will is just guy for one time and that’s it, but Reid is more Molly guy than Will will ever be.

12. Cassie blows up at her mom for grounding her. How do you feel about her clear change in behaviour and her "obsession" with Mina?

First girlfriend, first love – a new thing for Cassie. Also, she is teen and full of hormones.

13. We are introduced to Mina's parents and they seem pretty chill and cool. However it seems like Mina hasn't told them she is dating Cassie. Since she seems to have a good relationship with them, why do you think she hasn't told them?

Maybe she is afraid that her parent won’t be okay with it or accept her. As she is Korean American and still in their culture, it’s not really okay to have a same-sex relationship.

14. Molly finally blows up with Cassie and tells her what she thinks. She also realizes she has a big crush on Reid, however she is reluctant to think about dating him over Mina's comment. What do you think about Molly's actions at the party?

She finally said what she wanted to say for a long time and not just shut up and suffer. Go, Molly!

Here are book recommendations for tricky words. Thank to other teams and also, I am still searching
Also, they work for our word SAND.


TRICKY ONES - 10 points each

We have only 1 words left to claim

Freddie Krueger - ,


Andrea Yates - , , ,
Lucrezia Borgia - , , ,
Michael Myers - ,
Black Dahlia - ,
OJ Simpson - , , , , , ,

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Happy Fourth of July for all those who celebrate!
Dropping by from 'The Color Purple' to spread the holiday cheer.

"

Happy 4th of July to you too :))

Tati wrote: "so, we got SAND again?"

Yes, we do and Horror as genre + mini-challenge for week 4

DQ 2:
Chapters 7 - 11

6. In chapter 7 it dawns on Molly that whilst she's never been kissed she's also never been rejected, and she starts to wonder about that. I was surprised that it was such a revelation to her. Do you think she'll be able to start to act differently now, take chances and be open to rejection?

Yes and no. This thing just doesn’t come so easily, I mean if you are used to be really shy, you won’t be an outgoing person who is flirting with every guy in seconds, She needs time, but I hope she will be open to experimenting, etc. But also, I think she is okay the way she is right now. She has a whole life ahead of her, why to rush only 'cuz everyone is doing that and that. Self-love should come first!

7. Reid takes Molly to the supermarket and plays the supermarket game - guess the songs that will be played. It turns out Molly is pretty good at the game. Do you do anything similar or have secret skills at obscure games? How do you like the developing friendship with Reid?

I and my sister sometimes play a similar game and our guess game is pretty strong. And YES, I really like it.

8. We see a lot more of Molly's family in this section, including her Grandma! What do you think of the family dynamics?

I love her family. They are so humble, "open" and always there for each other. But her grandma is rude and doesn’t have a filter on.

9. Cassie announces her new relationship via Facebook update, and doesn't tell Molly directly. Does this change how you feel about Cassie? Molly?

I mean it would be nice to tell your sister/twin directly ‘cuz they are so close and tell everything to each other. But at the same time, social media is nowadays more important way of communication than tell people directly. So I am not really shocked that Cassie did it like that. Also, I get why Molly got upset about it.

@Eni - FYI - I am reading The Upside of Unrequited and answering DQ for BOM points :))
I will link all my comments to our tracking SS

DQ 1:

Chapters 1-6

1. Have you read anything by this author before? Do you have a favourite? If not, why did you decide to join the read?

I have read all of her book previously except this one. I love Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, also the movie was really good. I was planning someday on reading the current book, but when BOM was announced for this book I know that it’s now or never.

2. Molly has a "generic face" and finds people always think they know her. **I have this exact problem!!** Is it just me? Do strangers often try and work out how they know you?

I wouldn’t say that they do.


3. Reading about Becky Albernatti, she was a child psychologist who decided to start writing after she had her first child and claims Jaclyn Moriarty as her writing inspiration. If you wrote a book, which author would be your inspiration?

Fredrik Backman? Stephen King? But let’s be real, I will never write a book and never had a desire.

4. It always intrigues me when adult authors are able to write well with a teenage voice. I guess Becky's work background helps. Do you think she is accurate in her portrayal of teens?

I think so. I have read all of her books so far and all of them were pretty realistic. I mean I have read books that were total miss, but she knows what she is doing.

5. So we are setting up for the Will v Reid decision. Seems an easy one to me. Who do you prefer?

Reid!!

Tricky words (5) that are unclaimed. I hope someone can find something.

TRICKY ONES - 10 points each

Freddie Krueger
Andrea Yates
Michael Myers
Lucrezia Borgia

Black Dahlia or OJ Simpson - I have a book where both phrases are in. One of them is free to claim :)

@Eni or Lexi - One book per word, right? But can we read one-word multiple times (Dracula twice - 2 different readers)?

I found a Black Widow (10p), Charles Manson (10p), Dracula (5p) to read. Will continue my searching...


ETA:
- Will this count as White Woman? - On the cover is a white woman is white. (There is no phrase - White Woman - in the text)

Annalisa wrote: "Ugh. I kind of wish we had been one of the teams that got a respin for a genre like suspense or horror."

Agree, I love Horror, but sometimes I just don't want to read one genre for the challenge constantly.

Also, Dracula is 5p word and tagged Horror, so it should work :))

Looks like we have Sand & Horror next week again. And unfraternally, no tough letters.

Also, Mods just announced mini-challenge for the next week.
Mini

In total, we can find 25-word. I think we should try to find 10p first if we can and then 5p ones, 'cuz they are much much easier to find in horror books.

My weekend was very relaxing. I have been suffering from 'day slump' - I slept most of the day and only at night I woke up and started my "real day" - the time when I was able to read (12 am - 3/4 am).
Monday, I have to go back to the lab and wait for the new weekend to come. But in a week or two, I should have 2 weeks off from lab. Can't wait!! I need some rest before Uni.

Cecily wrote: "I just finished "Not my Daughter" if someone could update the spreadsheet for me"

Done, Cecily :))

Finished my last book for this week.

We are doing very great :))

Get well soon Cecily!!

First thing first, I am totally okay with our new word and genre for the upcoming week.

I'm (really) competitive, but also I play for fun. So, I am fine that you update SS whenever you can (just do it before countdown *hihi*)

If I remember correctly Eni added that book :))

Last year we could read BOM for the whole month (16.06-16.07) until next YA BOM started, but maybe rules have changed this year.

I will wait for an answer, I would love to read it for week 3, but if it's better to read it sooner I will start asap.