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

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

LISA'S ROUND THE WORLD CHALLENGE. 1 COMPLETED

ITINERARY 8 BOOKS COMPLETED 8/8

1. Ushuaia (AR) - Fortaleza (BR) Read a book with a blue, purple, or black dress on the cover. 5 stars 4/22/22
2. Fortaleza (BR) - Malabo (GQ) Read a book shelved (listed on the first page of the "top shelves" of the book) as 2002 - plurals and minor spelling variations are acceptable 9/29/22 4 stars.
3. Malabo (GQ) - Pula (HR) Read a book that has the birthstone Alexandrite in the text or title. 2 stars 2/18/22
4. Pula (HR) - St Petersburg (RU) Read a book that has been shortlisted for a literary prize 1/14/22 2 stars
5. St Petersburg (RU) - Chengdu (CN) Read a book with a teacup on the cover 4 stars 4/27/22
6. Chengdu (CN) - Gunnison (US) Read a book that has a predominately blue and bronze cover. 3/15/22 3 stars
7. Gunnison (US) - Key West (US) Read a book that has a strong police presence. by Robert Dugoni. 1/4/22 4 stars
8. Key West (US) - Ushuaia (AR) Read a book that has the birthstone Aquamarine in the text or title pg 201 aquamarine . 1/25/22 3 stars

Thanks. All good for my day.

I just a note from the library letting me know my book will be in next Tuesday so I'm all good for DQ's. 😊

I'm in for DQ's. Can I request the last day if picked as I'm waiting for it from the library early January. Thanks.

Sophie wrote: "While you all recover, how did you find the book cap? Was there anything you'd like to see us try for the next challenge?

Feel free to either DM or message in this thread."

I loved this Wheelathon and got a chance to read all those Q books I'd been hoarding!

As to the cap, I really thought it was a good idea and made the playing field a lot more even. In our team we didn't feel the pressure at all to read longer books, everyone just read what they wanted and when we read more than the quota the longer books were selected to be added. No one had a problem with this at all and we finished 3rd so competitive.

Thanks for the opportunity for feed back.

Congratulations everyone, third is a great result and we had a heap of tricky letters especially in the last round.

To our wonderful Captains, a big thank you. And a really great team.

Everyone have a lovely Christmas/holiday season and see you all in the New Year in another challenge....Uno is coming up in Perks, just sayin' 🤣

Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings to all.

Thank you Mods for another fantastic Wheel a thon and big shout out to all the Captain and Co- Captains also. Well done all.

I won't be finishing any more books as Christmas cooking is in full swing.

Great job everyone.

Great going everyone. I think we're looking at a top 3 finish. Woo Hoo.

I will be finished the green text on cover today.

Thanks Celia. Yes, it is sad to say goodbye to this challenge (and this team). See you around Goodreads.

Great going gals.

I think this will cover green text on book - a lovely peppermint shade of green for the title and series name...

Well done Jenny. It will be sad to say goodbye to this challenge. 😢

Louise
9437 books | 262 friends
see comment historyDQs: Day 6 - Chapter 56 - End

23. What are your thoughts on the immediate aftermath of Harry’s accident? Was Evelyn right in her actions? Who or what was she protecting?
Wrong, wrong, wrong and typical Evelyn. She was always good at justifying things to herself. She may have reconciled to herself that she was protecting Harry's legacy or their daughter, but she was also doing it for her own reputation and life as well. When I got to the end of the story I understood a little better why she did it and perhaps wasn't as judgemental as when I first read it. When it was divulged at the end the real circumstances I though, great twist!

24. Robert became husband #7 when Celia, Evelyn and Connor moved to Spain to live out Celia’s days in peace. What were your thoughts on this section? Did Evelyn finally find happiness if only for a little while?

I suppose she did, although not good that she still couldn't tell the truth about their relationship.

25. “… “They never did care about getting it right. The media are going to tell whatever story they want to tell. They always have. They always will.” How true do you think this is?

Never let the truth get in the way of a good story is what a lot of tabloid journalism thrives on. Then and now.


26. We finally find out the reason why Evelyn wanted Monique to write her Biography. Were you surprised by this. Could Evelyn have handled it differently?

What a great twist. Of course she could have told the truth and it is easy to be judgemental but the times also were. All her life's work would have been destroyed. I can see why she did but can't really agree with it.

27. The story ends with possibly the most controversial of themes dignity in death and the right to choose. Monique makes a conscious choice to allow Evelyn the dignity of choosing to die. Is this something you could do?

Very personal decision. In this case it was clear these were Evelyn's wishes and I would have respected that.

Wow, that was a surprise. Had so much fun travelling over the years and wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and Holiday Season.

I'm sure we will all be in another group challenge either on the same team or frenemies sometime soon.

Jenn wrote: "Checking in! Hope everyone had a great weekend."

You do, Jenn. Christmas preparations... need I say more. 🤣

I'll have to see how I go with my reading list but I've got a few In Deaths that I could read for I's as well if I have time.

Discussion questions day 2

6. How do you think Evelyn handled her relationship with the abusive Don? I think Evelyn struggled with her self worth so I think she just wanted someone to love her which is why she accepted that abusive behavior.

Unfortunately Evelyn was a product of her time and experience. Many ordinary non famous women of this time would have covered it up as well and Evelyn was very determined to make a go of her career what ever the cost. Thankfully we seem to be moving towards that domestic violence is never acceptable in our time, although we're not there yet. Reading this really makes me angry especially the parts where Don took his inadequacies and frustrations out on Evelyn. What a dick. It is not okay!!


7. How believable do you feel the progression of the friendship to romance between Evelyn and Celia is, especially bearing in mind the time period? I think it was very believable. I am sure during those times it was less accepted to be in love with the same sex.

They totally covered it up in Hollywood, to be outed would be the absolute end of your career. So it makes absolute sense the way Evelyn and Celia played it.

8. Do you think the author got the old Hollywood vibe right?
It seemed very accurate and it was one of the parts of the book I enjoyed. I haven't read any other books set in Hollywood at this time.

9. What do you think of Evelyn’s plan to fake a miscarriage in order to gain sympathy instead of getting bad press? How does it make you feel about her character? I think it was once again Evelyn doing what she need to do for her career rather than for her mental/physical health.

Again, Evelyn did what she felt she had to do to succeed. And at this time, better to fake a miscarriage than be labelled a bad wife. When reading it makes my blood boil the ridiculous standards women were held to when men could get away with nearly anything. Evelyn played the system as much as she could with the cards she had been dealt. You have to admire her for her determination.

DQs: Day 1 Chapter 1-8

1. Chapter 1 starts with a news clipping and ends with a blog post and chat. What do you think of this nontraditional style? Were you surprised that it didn't continue through the next 7 chapters?

I'm thinking it's setting the scene as per the lead character is in the entertainment industry and of the Golden Years of Hollywood. This is how things would have been reported. I found it kind of interesting. Once it's set the scene it moves to more of the story of Evelyn so it's served it's purpose

2. Monique Grant is a little known writer. Evelyn has chosen her to write her biography for a reason. Any thoughts to why? Is is just her style? Age? Or do you think it is ore personal?

This is a re-read for me so can't give too much away. It seemed very personal, I was thinking maybe Monique was Evelyn's long lost daughter at this stage.

3. Evelyn's quote "The world doesn't give you things, you take things" really struck me. How does this phrase resonate with you?
This is really perception. Some people may think it's the only way to get ahead, it feels a bit aggressive to me though.

4. Evelyn learned early on about how to use her looks and sex to get what she wanted. She seems to see it as taking what she wanted and doesn't regret her life decisions. Especially in the back drop of the Me too movement, how do you feel about Evelyn and her decisions so far?
It's of a time and place so it's difficult to put our 21st century way of thinking into someone's decisions made then. Power imbalances though are never positive and it's a shame young women felt that this is the only way to get ahead.

5. Do you like the back and forth between Monique/now and Evelyn's back story?

I really enjoyed it, thought it was one of the best parts of the book.

Thanks Namita. 😊

UPDATE ITINERARY 10

STOPS 1-4 COMPLETE

STOP 5 - COMPLETE

STOP 6 - COMPLETE

STOP 7 - JENNY AND CAT

STOP 8 - CAT

Sally906 wrote: "No I couldn’t. I did look - can see where she said she was going too. On her shelf she finished Saving Francesca about that time - which fits - but never posted a completion."

Great thank you. If she doesn't pop in soon to post I'll fill it in.