Alyana ’s Comments (group member since Feb 14, 2021)

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

I will look for it when I get home. :)

Aoife wrote: "I might try get Harrow the Ninth done over the next 2 weeks - only have the physical book so it'll be slower reading when I'm home but the bank holiday might mean I have more time!"

Aoife, would you like the audio? I might be able to get it.

I finished my last book for this round! :)

I just finished my one V and one U book and updated the sheet. I should finish my last V book before this round ends.

DQs Day 3
Ch 16-22

10. Pumpkin is,,, alive??? Okay, no big surprise there to be honest, but we did finally get some interesting background info from Louise and Mark's childhood, even if that's not how Louise remembers it. Do you think she really doesn't remember, has simply forgotten, due to trauma or it just having happened way too long ago, or does she remember but chooses not to acknowledge it? Or maybe Mark misremembers himself and it didn't even happen (that way at least)? They were both still very young after all, Mark especially. Is it possible to remember something that happened when you were only two years old?
➡️ I would say he possibly forgotten about it. Based from my experience, the oldest memory I have was when I was 6 to 7 years old.

11. The second perspective adds a new layer, however it only got added halfway through the book. Were you surprised we got Mark's POV at all, and would you have preferred for it to be there from the beginning of the book? Also, has this last section changed your opinion on him in any way? He did save Louise from Pumpkin after all....
➡️ Not surprised but I think it's important in the story that it has Mark's POV whether in the beginning or middle part of the story.

12. To me, the last chapter feels a bit like a fever dream, definitely like they were on drugs. I personally don't remember which MPGs the book has and don't want to check in case of 'spoilers' now, but do you think there's a possibility the house, our main characters, the puppets, the dolls, Pumpkin, everything- isn't actually haunted and none of it is actually happening?? What if it's just a dream (which would be the worst ending), mental problems like Louise wants to believe, or mold in the house that's effecting them like this plus possible drug use from Mark when he was away?
➡️ It would be a great twist for me, probably another star with my current rating, lol

13. I can't help but wonder how the book is gonna end... If Pumpkin is indeed an evil puppet come to life I only see one way it can be destroyed - fire. Do you think they'll end up burning down the entire house (although Hill House (in the show at least) wouldn't let itself be burned down either, so who knows if that would work), or will the dolls and puppets take over? What do you predict will happen in the rest of the book?
➡️ If the dolls and puppets take over, it feels like they are Chucky's friends lmao.

So far, I found these books that are set in the cities on the list.

Redwood and Ponytail - Austin, TX
Getting His Game Back - Detroit, MI
Killer Chef - New Orleans, LA
The Bromance Book Club - Nashville, TN

Christina wrote: "Random because I need it for another challenge, but can anyone recommend a book about a holiday that's not Christmas?? Preferably set in one of the cities from the list above, but it's ok if not ei..."

This is hard! I mostly found Christmas books. I'll keep looking...

I would say yes since she is always with Alix on her journey to find out the truth.

Christina wrote: "Alyana, is the Z character in None of This is True significant to the plot? Because her name isn't mentioned anywhere on its GR page, but it would be great if we could use the book for a Z instead ..."

The character's name is Zoe. She's a supporting character, she was mentioned a few times in the book. She's the sister of the MC, Alix.

I'm halfway with my V book, I'm not sure if I can finish one more, hopefully yes. I also started another U book, thanks for the book that Judy added on the ss. Thank you Judy! 🤗

DQs Day 2
Ch 8 to Ch 15

6. Were you expecting those wills? Why do you think both parents were so unfair on the kids?
➡️Definitely unfair! I don't like favoritism.

7. Yikes! killer stuffed squirrels! The first violent haunting here, was it effective?
➡️I don't know. This book is really weird!

8. Despite the various creepy things that Louise has experienced, she's refusing to let her aunt exorcise the house. Would you still be hanging onto rational reasons over accepting family help?
➡️Nope. I will try to do everything just to get help than being unreasonable over something.

9. We've had more insight into the childhood of Mark and Louise. Does this change your opinion of either of them?
➡️Nope. I don't know how to further explain my answer.

DQs Day 1
Ch 1 to Ch 7

1.) What are your first impressions of the family and of Louise and Mark? How pivotal do you think their relationship (or lack thereof) will play in the story.
Aside: I plan to steal and use the phrase "Terminal Assholism" in future. Thank you Hendrix!
➡️ I just think Louise and Mark's relationship is just typical siblings in which their relationship just fell apart.

2.) The book is organized into sections following the 5 stages of grief. Does this impact your expectations of the book at all?
➡️ I wasn't aware of these stages. I didn't expect anything to be honest.

3.) Okay. Life size dolls named after her children. Weird, creepy? Would you be excited to have them as part of your inheritance?
➡️ IT IS WEIRD! This is just my opinion only as I never played dolls growing up.

4.) Have you ever experienced a family post-death squabble/fight like the one Louise and Mark had in front of the junk clean out guys?
➡️Probably when I was growing up but my memory is not that clear.

5.) Did anyone else google Fellowship of Christian Puppeteers? If so, were you surprised to find they were a real organization? Has anyone interacted with them before or a similar organization for other religious beliefs? [note: please keep responses respectful to people's beliefs, this is a safe space]
➡️ Nope I did not. I honestly lost interest halfway through the end. I just finished it for the points. Sorry.

Judy wrote: "Alyana wrote: "I'm finishing my U book today, I can probably take one more. I'll look for some Vs as well."

That'd be awesome!

Can you double-check the page count for Under Her Care? Seems like ..."

I fixed the edition on the ss.. :)

I'm finishing my U book today, I can probably take one more. I'll look for some Vs as well.

Take all the rest you need Judy.

For anyone who fancies mystery thrillers, Undone is from the Cora Shields series. All books start with 'U'. I'll try the first book..

And if anyone who needs a book (audio and ebook) that is not available in their libraries or not subscribed to any of the reading services, I can try to look for it, just let me know. :)

I have one on the ss now. Will to continue to hunt for more. The Unhoneymooners series is a quick read. Lisa Unger, the author has quite a few books. Ugly Love by CoHo can be an option too.

Christina wrote: "Judy The Honeymoon Crashers on scribd!!"

Lucky! :)

Judy wrote: "Alyana wrote: "I'll start with my short one, The Honeymoon Crashers to get myself into the challenge :)"

Oh I had no idea this existed! Is it an audiobook-only release?"

Yes! I love the first book so as soon as I heard about this, I got it immediately! :)