Lauri’s Comments (group member since Jan 23, 2016)

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

Mod
DQs Set 2: Chapters 8 - 15

6. Were you expecting those wills? Why do you think both parents were so unfair on the kids?
Not even a little bit! I’m hoping the why will be made known to us. The only other reasoning would be mental illness!

7. Yikes! killer stuffed squirrels! The first violent haunting here, was it effective?
Very effective for me. I’m from Hawaii & we don’t have squirrels at all. I’ve always thought that they were just so cute! Now? Not so much…

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! Excorcise away! It may not help, but it can’t hurt!

9. We've had more insight into the childhood of Mark and Louise. Does this change your opinion of either of them?
Is Louise evil, or perhaps possessed by Pupkin? Crazy? I can’t imagine trying to purposely kill a toddler and then conveniently forgetting the incident as an adult! (Did I mention I work at a psychiatric hospital??)

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!

The dynamic is weird! It’s like Mark is the golden child even though he seems like a total fuck-up with no follow-through. It’s almost that Louise becomes childlike just by returning there.

2.) The book is organized into sections following the 5 stages of grief. Does this impact your expectations of the book at all?

I’m wondering how many others will actually die now…

3.) Okay. Life size dolls named after her children. Weird, creepy? Would you be excited to have them as part of your inheritance?

Both weird AND creepy! Totally NOT a doll fan, not even as a little girl… I think I would’ve run screaming from the house when I saw them! Why would their mom give Louise the damn “art” and Mark the house anyway? So unfair!

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?

Totally! Both my family and my husband’s are totally evil and greedy! There’s nothing like a death in the family to bring that to the forefront. My motto is, “I had nothing yesterday, I have nothing today and will have nothing tomorrow.” It’s really up to the deceased to leave their worldly goods to whomsoever they choose. People shouldn’t expect to automatically inherit anything. I tell my only son that I promise to leave him all my nothing!

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?

Sorry! No puppeteers for me! I won’t be googling them anytime soon!

I should be good to finish all my books by deadline…

Ashley wrote: "Lauri wrote: "Completion Post!
Murder in the Corn Maze
G.A. McKevett
Finished 10/14/23
Page count: 280
Can be used for the following letters:
A - CFN Alma
E - CFN Els..."

Sorry about that! I definitely read the hardcover edition with 280 pages.

Melissa wrote: "I hope you are all having a good weekend :)
I've got to pick up one of those Sunshine Vicram books sometime!"
You really should, Melissa! The writing is hilarious and snarky - - two of my most favorite things!

Completion Post!
Murder in the Corn Maze
G.A. McKevett
Finished 10/14/23
Page count: 280
Can be used for the following letters:
A - CFN Alma
E - CFN Elsie
R - CLN Reid

I’m headed home tomorrow & am working on Murder in the Corn Maze by G.A. McKevettand A Hard Day for a Hangover by Darynda Jones. Hopefully I’ll have updates to report when I get home tomorrow. I do some of my best reading in airports!

Hi there, Team! Just wanted to let y’all know I’m leaving for Vegas tomorrow & will be there till the 13th. I may be quieter than usual, but I will be reading, especially while on the plane/at the airport. I will bring my iPad with me & will try to check in daily. I haven’t traveled anywhere since before the pandemic & I’m soooo excited!

For round 1 I will claim A Morbid Taste for Bones by Ellis Peters with a blue cover. I will also read the BOM How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix for participation points…
Could someone please add these to the spreadsheet for me? Thank you ever so much…

LOVE opera! Some of my faves are Turandot, Norma, Aida, Carmen… I used to go to a bunch every year during the season for FREE because my cousin was a make up volunteer for the cast. Sadly, he is no longer with us and it’s so expensive! Also, no one to go with anymore! My husband absolutely refuses. We do love musical theatre, though, and try to go whenever a national road company comes to Hawaii…it’s been awhile now.

Ashley wrote: "It's me! Hi! I'm the problem... oh wait.. that should probably be Team Pop...

I'm Ashley, your extremely hilarious and eloquent Captain, as it is immediately obvious from my intro.... ..anyway... ..."

So sorry about the shelf mix-up! Glad you were able to find me after all...

I would like to be a housecat in my next life. Don't care what kind, just a fat lazy, beloved housecat.

If I could be any kind of dog, I'd pick Golden Retriever or German Shepherd. I think they're so beautiful! I would like to have a Frenchie as a pet...

Sadly, our apartment building does not allow pets! I grew up surrounded by animals & really miss not having even one now...

Aloha from Hawaii! I'm Lauri & am very excited to play Wheel again. I skipped last year because it was too close to Christmas. But now I'm baaaaack...
I work full-time at the State Hospital (yes, read mental hospital) in medical records. I'm an old married lady with 1 adult son. I have a bit of reading OCD & I love planning for these big challenges!

Captains & teammies, I will be asking for help because I can't use Excel to save my own life! Is it okay if I claim /post completion posts in this thread & ask for someone to add it on the spreadsheet for me?

Looking forward to getting to know everyone!

So…. When will teams be announced? The suspense is killing me!

Yaaayyyy! BRING it!

So sign ups on Saturday? That’s sooner, isn’t it????

And, soooooo? What is it? Where is it? And how can we sign up? Pleeeeezeee end the torture!

Thanks everyone, particularly our mah-velous Captains, for putting up with ME! Maybe one day I'll step into the 21st century, but not quite sure when THAT will be... I had a great time.

Steven, I still think you are super-fun. Can't imagine a world where you wouldn't be...

Hope everyone had as much of a blast as I had! I'll see you in the groups....

Completion Post!
Flame in the Dark
Faith Hunter
Finished 7/31/23
Page Count: 382
Fits the following spellout letters:
B - CFN Ben
F - title
H - ALN
I - MCLN Ingram
O - CFN Occam



My last one! Use it as you will! Yaaayyyy! Peace out!

Completion Post!
The Hundred-Foot Journey
Richard C. Morais
Finished 7/30/23
Page count: 280
Fits the following letters for spellout:
H - title
I - CLN Iten



Could someone please add this to our spreadsheet for me? Thank you!

I still have one chunkster up my sleeve along with 2 short ones…
Go team Kumi!