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

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

Completion post!
The Wonder
Emma Donoghue
Finished 6/28/21
Page count: 291
Fits task #212 - Spoon on cover



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

Completion post!
Shadow of Night
Deborah Harkness
Finished 6/27/21
Page count: 584
Fits task #136 - MPG Witches
MC Diana is a witch (as are numerous other characters!)



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

** I literally just finished this 15 minutes ago & now I'm watching the 1st episodes of the new season of A Discovery of Witches on AMC! How cool is that?

Annalisa wrote: "Hi all, You might notice that I've moved some books around on the team SS. I did this because the books didn't fit the task they were currently one.

I am not going to get to it this weekend, but ..."

Okey dokey! I was wondering what I was going to do with myself for all of July!

DQs Day 2

Q6 - Mort walked through the walls a few times but couldn't when he tried to get into the castle. Why do you think this happened?
Maybe when he was with Death, it just happened, but alone he didn't have the power to manage it. Plus he was probably overthinking it.

Q7- What do you think of Ingneous Cutwell's character?
He was rather self-important and dismissive of Mort. He may be a charlatan

Q8 - The Abbot has been reincarnated 53 times. The concept of reincarnation is an interesting one. If you were to be born again what life would you choose?
A pampered housecat, for sure!

Q9 - Death sent Mort to reap three souls. In light of how he performed do you think Mort was ready for the job?
Not at all! The oy is far too kind to make a reaper.

Q10 - Mort found Ysabelle's handkerchief in the library. Why is she reading other people's life?
I would assume that she is dissatisfied with her own life & is checking out others...

Completion post!
Firekeeper's Daughter
Angeline Boulley
Finished 6/24/21
Page count: 496
Book of the month: YES!
Fits BINGO square C5 - butterfly
How it fits: the faces on the cover form a butterfly
Still can't do a link, but see my discussion question answers in msgs: 85, 126, 181, 200, 213, 223 & 224
This was an excellent & thought-provoking book for me. Definitely 5-stars!



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

Laila Jane wrote: "I actually have a book with 2 dogs on cover and already added my book to the spreadsheet"

No problem! Who knew it would be so hard to find!

Day 7 chapters 46 - end

30. Were you surprised by who was behind the meth? How the conversation leading up to the trailer was so casual?
I had never suspected Coach Bobby! Even Mike -- I thought he was just a stupid jock! These people were just so cold and selfish! I guess Stormy had redeeming qualities, but his loyalty was misplaced.

31. How well do you think the author has dealt with the assault by Mike's dad? Did you expect her brother to basically blame Daunis for this? Do you think his reaction is explained when you find out what his mother did to their father?
I believe that it's part of all Native American culture to be stoic in the face of pain and adversity. But I was so hoping that Daunis would report the rape & Grant would be prosecuted! I had no idea about the tribal thing and the letter of the law. It doesn't seem right.

32. The part with the elders on the ferry I think was perfect in this book. Really showed the community Daunis has tried to protect and help. Did you expect a part like this? Did it help in anyway improve what was quite a negative few chapters?
The elders came through admirably! They triumphed over technology and helped to protect Daunis! I totally did not expect that at ALL! I thought maybe Levi would draw the line at attacking an elder. Wrong again!

33. Was Daunis right to send Jamie away? What did you make of their romance? Was it a good addition to the book or did it distract you from the plot?
Yes, Daunis needed to send what's his name away. The parts where she died and where she imagined the little boy kinda blew my mind.

34. Has this book taught you anything? Did you enjoy reading about the different culture and their traditions?
Yes, most definitely. I learned a lot about the culture and loved the traditions and ceremony of it all. The part with the women's circle and the yellow pansies was so touching and meaningful. I would really like to see a sequel someday

Chapters 39 - 45

25. Wow there was a lot went on in these few chapters and we learn a lot about the various players. First off Grant Edwards, we suspected he was sleazy and had secrets but not a sexual predator. Should Daunis have followed him? What would you have done? Will Daunis open up about what he did to her or keep it inside?
I was praying that she would have reported the rape, but when she took that bath, I knew it was all over. I wonder if without her shoulder injury if she could have taken him? I guess he's too big of a guy and also a wrestler. Asshole!

26. The money in the joint account leads Daunis to break into her brothers room in search of clues. The scarf she finds in Levi’s room why do you think Levi kept it hidden after telling Daunis he would do anything for her.
So sad about Levi! I had had a bad feeling about him for quite awhile. Smooth, too smooth. The more you lie, the easier it comes. So sad. I guess maybe it meant something to him, too, so he kept it for himself.

27. Daunis finds the stash of meth in her wardrobe on her return from Levi’s it would seem that he is setting her up to take the fall. Is this something he is doing of his own back or is someone else pulling the strings.
I don't think he has the resources to produce the pucks or distribute them. I'm betting on Call-me-Grant, the rapist.

28. Dana drugs and kidnaps Daunis. What is her involvement in this? Who else is involved?
I guess Dana would do anything for her boy. Hard to believe she's a judge! Did I mention I think it's the rapist?

29. Daunis wakes up to find Jamie has also been kidnapped and is being held with her. She works out that they are on Sugar Island. We are hoping for a rescue - who do you think will come to her aid?
I'm guessing it will be either Ron or TJ. I'm thinking TJ knows more than he's letting on...

DQs Day 1: (end: "'I want' he said firmly 'a very fast horse.'"19% / Page 52)

1. Mort is nothing if not determined. He refuses to give up on being a “prentice” until the last stoke of midnight. Then at the very last second, Death arrives for him. Do you think Mort was quick to take the apprenticeship perhaps from feeling humiliated at the days events or was it something that truly intrigued him? Would you have been willing to work for Death?
I think he had no other real choice left. I'm sure he was humiliated not to have been chosen all day/night! I don't think I would have been thrilled to ride off with Death.

2. Death has a sarcastic tone during this first section. What do you think of his fawning over Mort to ensure he gets new clothes and food and Death eating with him like a regular guy? Is he up to something sinister or does he just want to make Mort comfortable?
I'm thinking he wants to take Mort home for his daughter. He seems like a nice dude, he just has a sucky job!

3. Mort may be a bit gangly and lost in his own head at times, but he seems to have a lot of compassion. Upon realizing that he was talking to Death, he asked him to spare his Dad. Later he tries to intervene and warn the King that he was about to be killed and finally on that same trip he wanted to tell the King’s daughter not to trust the Duke. What did you think of all that? Are these normal reactions to someone who is the apprentice to Death? Do you think it will continue as Mort sees more and more of Death’s duty?
I think Mort will have a very difficult time not being such a nice guy!
He's going to have to stop trying to warn people about their impending doom. I'm surprised Death didn't get really angry with Mort!

4. What is up with the constant utterance of “Mort” every time someone calls our MC anything other than Mort or Mortimer after arriving at Death’s House and meeting Yasbell? Is there some significance to this or is it just rather annoying?! Lol!
He wants to be called by his name. Surely that's not unreasonable. Everybody wants a little respect, right?

5. Mort, surprisingly, asked Death for an afternoon off. I think our dear Mort is growing up! He explains to Death that he wants to meet people for more than a few minutes. When he arrives in his own time and finds out where he is, he asks if he is near Sto Lat. He seems to have a plan when he says he wants a very fast horse. What do you think he intends? Will it work out like he plans?
He wants to pay a visit to the King's daughter, of course! He probably would've been better off at a whorehouse! This will not end well...

Day 5 - Chapters 30 - 38

21. Levi has an answer for why there's more money than expected in the joint account. Do you believe him? Would you join in his business opportunity?
That whole story sounded shady to me. I'm hoping that Levi is not involved, but it's not looking good for him at this point.

22. Daunis calls Levi out on his double standards - protecting her from the other boys sexual appraisal but being willing to objectify other girls himself, but isn't willing to challenge Mrs Hancock on her Bigotry Bingo racist comment. Sure there are different interpersonal dynamics there, but why is she more willing to challenge sexist comments than racist ones? A reflection on her ambivalence about her own racial identity perhaps?
Plus familiarity. She feels safe and justified challenging Levi, but not Mrs. Hancock or Stormy's dad. She is not secure in her own cultural identity at all and I don't blame her.

23. The relationship with Jamie is continuing to develop, with Daunis letting him into the secret about her hockey-ending issue. 22 v 19 isn't as bad as initially thought (and Jamie is BIA rather than FBI, so it might stack up). Would you trust Jamie?
I would WANT to trust Jamie, but people are dying suspiciously here! If something were to happen to her, who would investigate?

24. Daunis has another flashback to Lily's murder, and (possibly) recovers more memory of it, leading to a big realisation, about the bad medicine. She's very much off-piste with the confidential informant role now, and doing her own investigation. Thoughts on the new insight? Predictions for the ending?
I really don't see where this is going to end up! Robin's death freaked me out. I don't want any of the remaining characters to die! (Except maybe Grant -- he is totally expendable!)

Ok...weird question #874: would a book with a lot of dogs on the cover work for 2 dogs on cover? If so, I think I found one today at the library...



Let me know because it's a quick mystery read!

DQs Day 4: Chapters 24-29

16. Daunis talks a lot about keeping her various worlds separate so they don’t overlap. Hockey World/Real World, Fontaine/Firekeeper And now she has to add in being a Sneaky Squirrel. Have you ever felt like you live in different worlds, and do you agree with Daunis that it is easier to keep those separate?
Yes, it seemed especially important in high school. Family stuff, hula stuff, boyfriend stuff. You really didn't want the world's to overlap or for the people to meet or interact. Nothing was as high stakes as Daunis' Secret Squirrel mission, though.

17. I love all of the interactions Daunis has with the Elders and how much she values their wisdom and guidance. What do you think of the role Elders have in the Ojibwe community? How does this compare to the role of senior citizens in your own community?
I love the way Daunis interacts with the elders, especially Grandma Pearl.m
I think that elders are often marginalized and their wisdom is disregarded. We have a lot of Asians in Hawaii & they revere their elders. We have absorbed a lot of these values. We just got back from celebrating our Aunt's 103rd birthday!

18. Also - which elder’s coming of age story would you most want to read?
Grandma Pearl's -- without a doubt!

19. This book has a lot of major themes (identity, community, racism, grief, justice, women standing up for other women, etc). Which theme stands out to you most or resonates with you most?
Identity, for sure. I am German, Irish, Spanish, Portuguese and some sort of Native American ( but we're not sure what tribe.) I married man who is Filipino, Spanish, Chinese. How mixed is that?! So what am I, really? What about my son? I want to learn more about Jamie...

20. Lots of unexpected events and suspicious characters in this section. Who are you most suspicious of at this point in the story? 👀 Mike & Call-Me-Grant. I think Mike's dad is especially "hinky!" And a big ol' perv, too!

Completion post! (IF it works!)
Wicked Appetite
Janet Evanovich
Finished 6/22/21
Page count: 313
I think it works for BINGO square C1 - OOOK!
How it works: it features a monkey named Carl who makes noises like Eek! Eep! And OOOK!



Please let me know if it fits...
If so
Could someone please add it to our spreadsheet for me? Thank you kindly!

DQs Day 3 Chapters 16 - 23

11. Gramma Pearl shared many wonderful legacy stories with Daunis. I loved the reference Daunis makes regarding the storm and the thunderbirds bringing loved ones from the other world to check on them. As a result, Daunis has happy memories about storms versus being afraid and she consistently refers to Gramma Pearl when deciding what to do. Do you have any advice, stories or traditions passed down from family that you often think about? Something that you would share with your legacy...if so, share if you are comfortable.
I loved that reference/story, too! My parents always told me that the Angels were bowling whenever there was thunder! Kinda silly, but I bought it when I was young.

12. "The FBI is interested in learning what caused the group hallucination. I want to know if the kids are okay." Daunis obviously thinks the FBI isn't investigating for the right reasons. I observe all the time that young people have a different view on things than more experienced/older people. Who's right? What do we learn from situations such as this? Other thoughts?
There is really no right or wrong answer. I think that the officials try to maintain a level of impersonality because they have to. The rest of the world takes everything at a personal level. In a perfect world we could strike a happy medium. Unfortunately, there is no perfect world.

13. Heather is clearly not liked amongst the girls at the beach party...why do you think Heather approaches Daunis about buying drugs? Do you think this has something to do with why she turns up dead, washed up at Duck Island?
Not really too sure there. Maybe because of Uncle David? I'm hoping Heather's death wasn't a warning for Daunis and/or Jamie.

14. In chapter 20, Jamie asks Daunis about the meaning of 'Firekeeper's Daughter'. It's her job to lift up the sun every day. What do you think about this explanation? Do you find additional meaning in this as it relates to Daunis and her role in the plot of this story?
The story is beautiful, although not fair. Women are always caretakers. She deserves her own story and her own name -- apart from her father. It also shows the great responsibility of lifting the sun up daily. Daunis surely feels a great responsibility to her family and community.

15. Daunis finds Heather during her mushroom sleuthing on Duck Island. During her thinking she has an 'ah-ha' moment regarding her Uncle's journals. When she goes to look for them, she's quick to assume that they don't exist because of the connection to the FBI and the confidentiality required...do you think she's right...thoughts?
There will be something there for her to find. She's a smart girl. Maybe even some sort of intentional clue left for her.

I can cover task #212 - Spoon on cover. I have The Wonder



Also would a book with a monkey that constantly "says" Ook! Eep! Eek! work for BINGO square C1 OOOK! ?

If so, I'm almost done with Wicked Appetite which has just the monkey...



Could someone please add these to the spreadsheet for claimed tasks for me, please?

I'm baaaack.....
Completion post!
The Upside of Unrequited
Becky Albertalli
Finished 6/21/21
Page count: 336
Task #147 - U in TRUTH spellout



Could someone please add this to our spreadsheet for me? Thanks so much!

DQs Day 2 Chapters 9 to 15

6. I thought that the opening scene with Daunis and the gun would show up again towards the end of the book. That’s usually what happens when authors use this kind of device. Were you surprised that it happens not even a quarter of the way in?
Even after reading it and the synopsis, I was still totally shocked when I read it! And, yes, I cried. I've seen too many people addicted to meth turn on their loved ones. It's a horrible epidemic that affects all social classes and areas.

7. We knew there would be a murder but we’re you surprised that it was Lily who was killed? Did you suspect something bad would happen between her and Travis?
I was very surprised that it was Lily. I was thinking Levi or maybe one of the twins. I had a bad feeling ever since Travis' character was introduced. I was hoping it was alcoholism or opiate addiction that had him & not meth.

8. The synopsis also hinted that Jamie was not all he seemed. I thought he would be something to do with the murder but not that he would be an undercover agent. What did you think it was that Jamie was hiding?
I had NO idea that Jamie would turn out to be undercover. How very 21 Jump Street! I thought maybe he had a criminal record or a secret love child. I had such hopes for him with Daunis! (Still do, actually!)

9. If you were Daunis would you have agreed to be a confidential informant? I’m not sure I would be brave enough.
Yes, I think I would agree. My best friend was killed before my eyes and then finding out Uncle David had been helping the Feds. Yes, definitely, even though it would be scary.

10. Being a confidential informant seems to be very complicated with Daunis being expected to really investigate what is happening rather than just let them know if she comes across anything suspicious. How well do you think Daunis will be able to do this as it’s her own community and perhaps members of her own family that she will be investigating?
She is a very intelligent and resourceful young woman. I think she is above suspicion & will be able to learn things no one else will.

May I claim task #147 - U spellout, please? I'm almost done withThe Upside of Unrequited...



Could someone please mark it on the spreadsheet for me? Thanks so much!

Also I'll be on a weekend trip to the Big Island (Hawaii) so no internet/phone.... I'll be back online on Monday.

Nikk the Sapphired Book Dragon wrote: "Lauri wrote: "Still working on Shadow of Night, Killer Cruise, Mort & Firekeeper's Daughter. I may be able to cover an I & a U for spell..."

I am really enjoying Shadow of Night, but there is so much information packed into it, it's taking me twice as long to finish as I had anticipated. I love historical fiction and am fascinated by witches. I love the TV show! As we know, the book is always better!

Completion post!
Killer Cruise
Laura Levine
Finished 6/18/21
Page count: 256
**Note : My copy actually had 295 pages, but I couldn't find an edition that matched on GR!
Task# 124: set on water-based transport
How it fits: set on a cruise ship



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