Lisa - (Aussie Girl)’s Comments (group member since Sep 26, 2012)

Lisa - (Aussie Girl)’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

Hi Team,

Could one of you spreadsheet gurus have a look at my Book 67. I've used up my 8 words in meals 138,143,146 and 150 but its saying I still have 8 words left? I checked that the title is the same.. but I don't know what's wrong. Thank You.

LISA'S POSTS FOR BOM POINTS.

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 - DQ - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 5 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Day 5: chapters 58 - end

16. We finally find Vince. Was this strand satisfactory to you? If not, why?

I didn't see that coming so I guess a thumbs up for the element of surprise.

17. The big reveal of the dastardly murderer and their motive! Did you enjoy the action packed conclusion?

I think we all had guessed that the killer was Steadman.. but why did the author sacrifice Atticus. I suppose there was no way that a pregnant woman with twins was going to get killed though. The pieces did all come together in a mostly satisfying way although there were a few far fetched explanations and leaps of faith for the reader.

18. The epilogue, one year later, shines some light on the fates of our characters. Did you like this way of wrapping up the story?

It was a nice HEA for the surviving characters, Keller and her husband with their twins with a nod to Atticus and call me sappy but I did like Ella and Chris going off into the sunset together travelling the world. Sigh.

Every Last Fear by Alex Finlay

So begins this twisty and breathtaking novel that traces the fate of the Pine family, a thriller that will both leave you on the edge of your seat and move you to tears.

After a late night of partying, NYU student Matt Pine returns to his dorm room to devastating news: nearly his entire family—his mom, his dad, his little brother and sister—have been found dead from an apparent gas leak while vacationing in Mexico. The local police claim it was an accident, but the FBI and State Department seem far less certain—and they won’t tell Matt why.

The tragedy makes headlines everywhere because this isn’t the first time the Pine family has been thrust into the media spotlight. Matt’s older brother, Danny—currently serving a life sentence for the murder of his teenage girlfriend Charlotte—was the subject of a viral true crime documentary suggesting that Danny was wrongfully convicted. Though the country has rallied behind Danny, Matt holds a secret about his brother that he’s never told anyone: the night Charlotte was killed Matt saw something that makes him believe his brother is guilty of the crime.

When Matt returns to his small hometown to bury his parents and siblings, he’s faced with a hostile community that was villainized by the documentary, a frenzied media, and memories he’d hoped to leave behind forever. Now, as the deaths in Mexico appear increasingly suspicious and connected to Danny’s case, Matt must unearth the truth behind the crime that sent his brother to prison—putting his own life in peril—and forcing him to confront his every last fear.

Told through multiple points-of-view and alternating between past and present, Alex Finlay's Every Last Fear is not only a page-turning thriller, it’s also a poignant story about a family managing heartbreak and tragedy, and living through a fame they never wanted. (less)

DAY 4 Q QUESTIONS - CHAPTERS 43-57

13. This is my first read by author Alex Finlay and I'm enjoying the writing style and story a lot. Got me thinking is "Alex", a male or female writer? I guessed male and via the blurb this was correct. Does the writing style have a more masculine leaning or do you think it's genderless?

14. Clare pulls Chris up about a conflict of interest being on the defense team which really seems like a no brainer! Thinking back on what we know about their relationship do you think they will stay together or are they on a one way ticket to Splitsville?

15. Why do you think the author wrote Special Agent Keller as hugely pregnant with twins? Does it make a difference about how you view her as a character and her actions as a FBI agent?

16. Big revelations by the end of this section.. Jesse is the secret child of Katie one of the victims of the first crime and Joe Arpeggio has covered up evidence. Do these startling facts bring you any closer to guessing Whodunnit?

DQs Day 3
Chapters 26 to 43

9.) Did Ella coming from that level of money surprise you? Does it change your opinion of her so far? I did like that she corrected Jesse about the fact that her mother is rich, not her.

It was out of a left field and did add another layer of complexity to Ella's character. There is more to her than it seems.

10.) Some more 1999 flashbacks and Vince has popped into the story again. Anyone else remember Zima? Tried to make it seem classy to drink but some things are okay never coming back. Was Zima something y'all remember? Was there a drink you remember from your younger days that you thought was super klassy at the time but now makes you cringe?

Oh my.. don't remember Zima.. but I think Blackberry Nip was all the rage back in the 80's and its totally cringe worthy now!

11.) And the plot thickens with the reveals about Jesse both her arrest and the situation with Chad from her previous school. Thoughts on where that plot thread may lead?

Again, a lot more going on with the character once you scratch the surface. But whether her behaviour is a red herring or something involved with the case, I'm reserving judgement for now. Certainly adds another layer.

12.) Well, we've reached the middle of the book. Liking it so far? Predictions on the killer? If Vince will pop back up and give Chris a hug? Will Ella reconnect with her first love that was in the pictures being used as a bookmark?

Awww, I certainly hope Vince reappears for that hug but far more likely will reappear to save Chris from a horrible death. And yes, Vince is probably Ella's lost love. Enjoying the book a lot.

Yes... Mr Steadman!!! But is that too obvious.. But I like the theory about him being Jesse's Dad!

Emma wrote: "Hi all, I will be adding my books and meals either today or tomorrow. I have 11 books finished and possibly more by tomorrow."

Great Emma. That will help the tally a lot.

Day 2 Chapters 13-25

5. Ella runs into a house under siege to protect the son of a person of interest. What do you think of her rise to badass agent? Will this interfere with her ability to do her job?

I really like Keller and this action just cemented it! As the mother of a young man with Autism I just hope if my son was ever in a similar situation, the police Officer would show as much empathy as Keller. But, in a practical sense being labelled Officer Badass would not help her being a stealthy FBI officer.

6. I am really enjoying the Nirvana Travel Vlog. I think the author does a pretty good job of using script formation to explain the action in these scenes. What do you think? Is the mysterious vlogger Vince? Do you have a favorite vlog you follow?

Pretty sure it's the elusive Vince. Yes, enjoying this part of the book. I quite like checking out Nate and Kara's travel blog on Facebook being a travel nerd.

7. The Secret Service having knowledge of Chris and Vince's father because of cigarette smuggling was unexpected. While I am familiar with some of the history of the Secret Service and their anti-counterfeit start, I did not think they would be involved in such matters. Do you like it when authors introduce these tidbits into their narratives?

It adds another angle to the case.

8. The author has used the phrase "tap eyes" a couple of times so far. I think it means a quick glimpse at the other person, not that they are high fiving with their eyeballs or tapping their own eyeballs with their fingers in unison. I find this term odd. Have you seen it in other books or heard it somewhere else? Is this a new phrase for you as well?

I haven't even noticed so I'll have to look out for it now. I usually hate it when author's have their go to word or phrase though. Now its been flagged I'll probably see it everywhere.

DQs Day 1 - Prologue - chapter 12:

1. How are you liking it so far ? The chapters are quite short and written from multiple pov's. Is that something you usually enjoy ?

I am enjoying it.. and the short chapters. I like these stories where you get all the different POV's and have to sort through the information to try and guess whodunnit!

2. The prologue was full of nostalgia. Unfortunately we don't get to revist the 90s since that first chapter. Was New Year's Eve 1999 something special for you ? Did you celebrate the new millennium in a more 'significant' way ?

We actually did.. we went out to a BBQ and had fireworks! Seems so long ago now, LOL.

3. What do you make of Jesse and her online background research on Ella ?
Jesse seems whip smart and a girl whose background as made her streetsmart. So it is totally in character that she would check out Ella.

4. 'Goodnight pretty girl'. Do you think that the Blockbuster case and the Ice cream shop incident are related ? Do you think Chris' brother, Vince, might be involved somehow ?

Definitely related.. but no way did Vince do it. Maybe he knows something and has hidden away for protection for himself and his brother Chris.. we will see reading on..

We have completed the Kid bonus with 20 items. Yay. 😊

Kate S wrote: "Thank you! I can do the 19th but would really love if I could have an earlier date. Anyone willing to switch?"

I can switch with you Kate. I'm on Day 2. But I can do Day 4.

All good for me. I can trade if anyone needs too, as well.

Tracking pretty well team.

Only one more kid bonus to get our 20 items and 80 bonus points.

32 books on the spreadsheet, read or reading... we need 90 books this month so just slightly under target.. but still 19 days to go!

Happy reading.

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Yes that is fine, Lisa"

😊

Update on the entertaining kids bonuses - we have 18 - just two more to go!

Welcome back, Ariel. So glad you're safe.

Mods, are plurals allowed for the special words? eg Anchovies for anchovy?

Ariel wrote: "Just to keep you guys updated: I should have electricity by Saturday at the latest but I am still without power. Thankfully, food and water has been plentiful. I will keep you guys updated in case ..."

Oh my goodness, Ariel. That must be incredibly difficult, hope you're back up and running by the weekend. Thanks so much for checking in and stay safe!

LISA'S POST FOR BOM CREDIT

DAY 1 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 2 - Write DQ's - 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/...