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

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

DQs - Day 3

Chapters Then - Then 58%

11. "The sound of teeth against a spoon when someone's eating soup, insects that scuttle, people who don't listen, RATS, and when uncle Terry says 'WOMEN!'" - what a random list of pet peeves (Are they even pet peeves? Rats?? And uncle Terry 'all on his own'???),,, What are some of yours?
Those are weirdly specific & I believe rats would be a phobia and not a ‘peeve.’ Some of my pet peeves are rude people, people who don’t listen, stupidity and fast food orders that are made wrong.

12. Dylan's (and Marcus') trip through Europe has become much more than just that, ending up in Asia, trying to figure out what to do with his life when he's already been handed it all on a silver platter. His dad is a douche and clearly wants to dictate Dylan's life while Dylan just keeps running away from his problems. Lucky he has all this money (his dad's I would assume) to just throw away. Can you relate to him in any way? Do you feel bad for him?
I totally canNOT relate to Dylan except for the mean father part. You can’t learn the value of anything unless you need to work for it. It’s also so wrong for a parent to tell their children they’re worthless! He should never have had children at all!

13. Nowadays we date, we shop around. If we really like someone we spend more time with them. Then we move in with them a few years down the line. Then, maybe, if we've lost the will to live or whatever it is that compells people to settle down we marry them. We don't rearrange our lives because of a good shag."

"Addie, she's not right for you (...) Stop that! Don't you see what you're doing? You're turning her into something she's not. You don't understand her. She's not your beautiful muse, Dylan. She's messy and dark. And raw. She's a disaster waiting to happen. She's got power. And she doesn't even know it yet you know. She's like,,, she's untapped. (...) She's not right for you. Okay?”

Did Marcus already know something we didn't at this point? Did something happen between Marcus and Addie back in France? And then the way Marcus took care of Dylan after getting too high, in the bathroom.... Do you think he (not so?) secretly has feelings for Dylan?
I think Marcus must be in love with Dylan. I don’t understand why Dylan didn’t kick him to the curb if he really loved Addie so much!

14. Rodney thinking Deb has drowned in the river and actually LOOKING FOR A BODY IN THE WATER!!! had me laugh out loud to be honest, but only because of how frickin’ ridiculous this book is. Definitely expected something more cutesie and wholesome for some reason. Being almost two thirds into the book now, how do you feel about it so far? Is it meeting your expectations?
Rodney’s social awkwardness caused me to laugh out loud several times. Very awkward because I read this part in a hospital waiting room! I’m still not loving it all that much though…

DQs Day 2

Chapters Then - Now 38%

6. The author goes for the switching POVs and timelines method. How do you like these in general? And do you think it is a good fit for this book?
Normally I don’t mind the flashback thing too much, but in this book I think it made it choppy and disorienting for me.

7. We get to meet some more characters along the way in the "THEN" section: Dylan's uncle Terry, his brother, the mysterious Grace and other friends whose dynamics to Dylan and Marcus should shed some more light on their characters and motivation. But do they? Do you feel like you are getting to know them better? Or understand them? (Or care?)
I think each character introduced gave us more insight into our basic 4. Except Marcus. There’s just no explaining that hot mess!

8. What do you think about Dylan's and Addie's past relationship in France? Do you like it/find it convincing? What about their sudden meeting in the present and the insta-lust after all the emotional baggage they seem to be dragging with them?
I really liked Dylan & Addie’s meet-up in Provence. I really thought he was just going to use her for sex and leave her high & dry, but there seemed to be some genuine feelings there on both parts. Marcus & Uncle Terry were just basically buzzkills (cock blockers) and they seemed to enjoy it a bit too much!

9. I'm not really sure I'd call this book a "romance" though it certainly offers the trope of second-chance. Do you have any favourite romantic trope(s) or one that you especially dislike?
I like all romances categorically. This one definitely qualified.

10. Any guesses what part Rodney may play in the plot or do you think he's just some kind of "filler" character?
I think ol’ Rodney was just a random ridealong there to defuse some intensity….

DQs Day 1
Now - Now last line "...reach out and touch her."

1.) Is this your first book by O'Leary? Only reading for points and that lovely 'O' letter for Wheel-a-thon or was it already on your tbr list?
I’ve read her before & enjoyed it. I am reading for Wheel BOM points, though. Having a bit of trouble getting into this one…

2.) Road trips. Love them, hate them? If you've gone on a road trip before what are some must have for the journey?
I haven’t done the road trip thing since I was very young. I did have fun, but my family used to yell at me for reading too much & not looking at all the scenery! So, my must haves are books, snacks, Coke & chocolate.

3.) Deb's comment about never having a baby obviously proved untrue. Do we think the baby daddy is going to make an appearance in the story? Or do you think it's a no name person who isn't relevant to the book?
Not too sure about the baby daddy thing. As long as she didn’t get him off the black market, I’m fine with it.

4.) The flagrant unconcern about money by half the characters is a bit gross. Do you think that's at the root of Dylan and Addie's split? Or do you think it's the mysterious Grace? Marcus especially seems to not know the whole breakup story. Any guesses to why Dylan didn't seem to tell him the truth?
I would have to guess, yes. I think it’s important for couples to have the same basic outlook on life. This proves really difficult if one of them was just handed everything & the other one had to work hard to earn their way… Marcus is such a dweeb, I wouldn’t tell him shit either.

5.) Initial impressions of the cast of characters?
I really like Addie & Deb. I’ve always wanted and have never had a sister…. The rest of them, not so much!

OMG! The minis are mind-boggling!!

I’m thinking about reading Robinson Crusoe for length and OLD points…. Just toying with the idea for later. Will definitely read The Road Trip for BOM. Just picked it up from the library!

Yaaayyy! I’m on the board with my first completed book! Please let me know if I filled out the spreadsheet correctly. I’m working on 3 different challenges and trying hard to make every book work for each one… I am really enjoying myself!

I have a bunch - - working on those pesky vowels! I even have 2 U possibilities!

Can’t wait to get started!!

I still can’t do a link to save my life! I’ve been trying forever!

My shelf is nbrc-wheel-2024

Hope that helps!

Aloha from Hawaii! My name is Lauri & this is my umpteenth Wheelathon! My favorite genres are historical fiction, mystery, paranormal, chick-lit, snarky romance, adventure… I will read just about anything! My general rule of thumb is to give a book 100 pages before deciding whether or not to continue.

I was born & raised in Hawaii (island of Oahu) and am a quite happily married old lady with 1 adult son. I still work full-time at the State Psychiatric Hospital in the Medical Records Unit.

Can’t wait to see our categories & start planning - - my favorite part!

One mindless chore to get rid of? Cleaning in general and dusting in particular! If I’m going to do a chore, I want it to STAY done forever!!

I really appreciate Team Endless Meal Prep! I think the Mods DO know! I enjoy the planning part, just not the prepping part! I’ve been known to eat toast or cereal for dinner sometimes….

I just signed up! Can’t believe I almost missed this! I was stalking the site and didn’t see any chatter. Now I see the email! Glad I made it!!
LOVE this!

If I’m not too late, I just added 2 more books. If I’m late, c’est la vie! Had to go in to work today :(

I had so much fun playing with y’all! Thank you everyone for a great game & a fun experience! Thanks to our fabulous captains and all my teammies!!

I’ve finished The Singapore School of Villainy for Author’s initials in fishing & marked it off on the tracking sheet…

Dunno how many more books I will manage to finish before the end. I am off this week, but we celebrated our 35th anniversary yesterday & have a funeral tomorrow. So many relatives are in town, the planned reading has fallen by the wayside! Hope to complete at least 2 more….

I can finish The Singapore School of Villainy by Shamini Flint for author’s initials in fishing…

Day 6 Chapters 42 - 49

25. Livira gets tired of searching for the Exchange and books that aren't in the library and realizes they must be held by the head librarian. She breaks in and steals a book, The Forest Between, and in the process she meets the 5th helper, Volente, a large dog. Were you surprised that the dog let her take the book?
yes! Very surprised! I thought Livira was going to be attacked, if not run off! It sounds ominous — sort of like the Grim in Harry Potter lore. I much prefer a dog to a Raven though.

26. Arpix is an ally to Livira in her search for the Raven and the Exchange. He also helps her open the book. Out of all the companions from the initial table who would you have expected to be her confidant and companion?
I think Arpix really likes Livira, but is just too socially awkward to act upon those feelings! We have to remember that they’ve never seen or read a rom-com! I would have expected Carlotte to become her partner in actual crime.

27. Livira learns that opening a portal is done with the White's blood in a circle. This matches with what Evar read and tried to do for years with his blood. Volente helps Arpix and Livira find the Raven and the Raven's name so that they can get back into the chamber that is closed to them and access the fallen Assistants blood to open a portal. It feels like the Library is helping Livira . Do you have a theory for why that is?
To misquote Billy Joel, “Sooner or later it comes down to fate - I might as well be the one - only the good die young.”
Livira is simply fated to take over the entire library and fix the horrible conflicting system. Simple as that!

28. Livira and Evar meet again. Again Evar doesn't recognize her as for him only a few days have passed but years have passed for her. They go into a portal and focus on it being a time of peace. When they arrive there are hundreds of Assistants and they are walking away from two portals. Leaving the portals are two small sets of footprints. Who do you think they belong to?
No clue whatsoever! Baby Livira & Evar?

29. Question contains spoilers: [spoiler]
My mind is officially blown! I never would’ve envisioned this turn of events in a gojillion years!

30. Lavira returns to her world and Arpix has spent his time in the Exchange asking and collecting the books that they have been unable to find in the Library. Lavira is wounded and devastated. Do you think her opinion on the library and history will have her reconsider Yute's offer to try and stop the war now?
Most definitely. She just has to past all the prejudice in her own mind. Something that we all recognize as nearly impossible to do…

Teddie, drinker of the bitter invention of Satan wrote: "Lauri wrote: "Catherine wrote: "@Lauri are you ok if we add Black Hills by Nora Roberts for District tasks author first & last initials in ELECTRONICS?"

Use me wherever and however you need. I am ..."

Actually I’m nowhere near finishing Black Hills! I hope to finish by the 15th… You won’t hurt my feelings if you pass me by…

Catherine wrote: "@Lauri are you ok if we add Black Hills by Nora Roberts for District tasks author first & last initials in ELECTRONICS?"

Use me wherever and however you need. I am yours to command....
:)

Day 5 DQs ~ Chapters 35 - 41

20. “Everything we see is seen through the lens of our expectations. Our prejudice provides a broad brush, imagination sprinkles detail, some of which may actually be there.” - Illusion by Copper Davidfield
This epigraph at the start of one of the chapters, stopped me for two reasons. One was due to whom it was credited. What do you make of this work/person? Did you have any thoughts or “lightbulbs” when reading this epigraph? How do you think it relates to the story or does it?
Copper Davidfield made me laugh (my favorite thus far was by Rose Axel - Appetite for Destruction) He was a master illusionist. Perhaps everything is an illusion?

21. Livira finds a way to get through the portals again and she and Evar have a bit more time together. This time they explore some of the pools/portals and are having different reactions to where they go. Did this give you any more ideas on what the portals are for or why the two of them can use them at times?
I still find the portals very confusing, if somewhat enlightening. I still don't know what they're supposed to represent. String Theory? General Time Travel? Why can't they stay together? They're wasting so much time bouncing around like this!

22. Yute took Meelan and Livira before the king, all along to appoint Livira as junior librarian. (She had the complete wrong idea until he made the announcement to the king!) This was met with complete disapproval by the king and others. Yute was able to persuade the king to accept the appointment with prejudice. What do you think Yute’s ultimate goal is by this action or by his recruitment of Livira, even?
I'm sure Yute has an agenda of which we're not fully aware. Maybe he's on a major peacekeeping kick? Like can't we all just get along. I really don't see why the King feels the way he does about the so-called Dusters. They are quite obviously human. Sabbers? Not so much. The King seems to want to believe everyone who's not a city-dweller is some form of animal.

23. This section is full of time jumps. That twice we are told that 3 years have passed in Livira’s world and we know that she is “striding toward her twentieth year”. Then boom she is a fully fledged Librarian, when it seems just a few chapters earlier that the king and his followers were going to try to remove her as junior librarian. What are your thoughts on Livira now that she has aged and is developing her opinion of her world?
It's about time! Children and women are often powerless. Not that she's coming into her own as part of the library, she may just get some of her questions answered and find Evar!!

24. Since we are a little over half way through the book now, has your opinion of the story changed? Are you liking it more or less than you were before? Any predictions on what will happen in the story?
I appreciate Livira's part of the story far more than Evar's. Maybe it's a girl thing, or Red Sister echoes, but she seems much more real to me than Evar does. No predictions -- but i would like a HEA here!

Day 4 DQs - chapters 26 - 24

5. We get to see what happened to Clovis before she went into the Mechanism. We already had a pretty good sense of what happened. Why do you think the author included this scene?
Probably because he wanted to give a sense of sympathy/empathy/understanding to those characters who have no firsthand knowledge of the Sabbers. It certainly seems to have made an impression on kindhearted Evar....

16. Speaking of authors, did you notice the quote at the start of Chapter 28 is from one of Lawrence's books? He chose it just as Livira tells Arpix that Yute suggested they read and write fiction. Arpix is shocked and wonders what would be the point. What do you think society would be like without any creative writing?
I know that I would be nothing without creative writing!! Memorizing just dry facts would be horrible! Fiction makes us think and actually feel things.

17. What did you make of how the Assistant and Soldier appeared in Clovis' past? They know about the lost children in the Mechanism and can see Evar. Are they controlling this world? And are they friends or foe?
I'm not too sure yet. I think that because they are constructs and belong to the library, that's how they will always be. They are aware of the children & want to help to some extent, but they're not quite human and don't feel as we do.

18. Livira once again jumps in to save lives without hesitating. And Malar thinks this is Algar's second attempt to kill Livira. Do you think she is really being targeted? Why is she so dangerous to the status quo?
I wouldn't have thought anything of it. Lots of things happen to Livira ALL the time. But since Malar voiced that opinion, I am now sure it's true. I think they feel threatened by her courage and intellect. Now that she's being trained, she could pose a real threat to the status quo.

19. Why do you think Evar and Livira have such different experiences of the Exchange and even within the portals?
Not too sure yet. They both have such different backgrounds and life experiences, they're just bound to be very different.

Day 3 - Chapters 17-25

11. We learn a lot more about the library in this section, for example that new head librarians create new systems to secure their power and make themselves indispensable. I know we have a few librarians in this group… how do you feel about that? 😅 If you’re not a librarian –what would you do if the library you use just changed systems whenever it felt like it?
I think that premise is kinda insane! Librarians and libraries are there to educate and help patrons. I can’t imagine anyone wanting to change the system when they come to “power.”

12. We also finally had our stories converging, albeit briefly. Livira and Evar were exploring new places in consecutive chapters, both of them marking their origin/path (Livira with books, Evar with a knife) and then their journeys culminate in them meeting in what Livira identifies as an “in-between place”. Were you expecting them to meet so soon? What was your impression of their brief time together – and why did the meeting end so abruptly?
I really wasn’t expecting them to meet so early on. They weren’t really given too much chance to interact at all. I did sense that that they seemed to like each other though. Evar is socially stunted, obviously, but he’ll come round in time!

13. In her time in the library, Livira acquired a companion in the raven: is he an ally or guide? Or something sinister? Do you think it’s actually “just” a (magical) animal or maybe even a character we know already?
I think the Raven is a construct. Most probably mechanical. But after your pointed question, could it be Master Yute???

14. I can’t help but constantly think of the Book of the Ancestor as I’m reading this – the young girl protagonist who’s an outsider, the school setting, navigating friendships and political machinations while also learning about whatever type of magic there is… Have you read anything else by Mark Lawrence?
I’ve read the Book of the Ancestor series & loved it! I keep thinking of Red Sister as I read this one. I have Prince of Thorns waiting in the wings…