Lauri’s
Comments
(group member since Jan 23, 2016)
Lauri’s
comments
from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.
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Hi, beloved Captains! I was just wondering how we're going to work this. Are we going to claim our tasks ahead of time? Please enlighten us with the grand plan.It's hard to believe we're only a week out from starting!
Sorry I forgot to mention my shelf! It's nbrc-TT-2021. I can't do a link to save my life, but there it is anyway!
Aloha from Hawaii! I'm Lauri & I'm so excited to play! This will be my 4th TT (I think...) I'm also coming off of UNO, although I'm not a captain. I can't edit a spreadsheet to save my life! I will be asking for help entering my completed books. I read 100% paper & ink books which I borrow from the library. It makes life quite interesting. I will read just about anything, but historical fiction, chick lit, mysteries & paranormal are my favorites. I didn't really get into Discworld, but I will try again with our BOMs for May.I can't really remember what movie I last saw in the theatre! It's been such a long time. The last movies I watched on TV were Karate Kid 1 - 3. Stop laughing! I watch a LOT of movies. And hey, it was a marathon. I was reliving my misspent youth. I speak fluent movie quote / song lyrics. It's both a gift and a curse.
I can't wait to start planning and reading with all of you!
Sonia wrote: "Melanie wrote: "I'm also not big on fantasy. I can do urban fantasy as that is at least set in our world, but high/epic fantasy is out for me."Me too. I feel less alone now.
I actually adore UF,..."
It's so funny you mention this! I read epic fantasy endlessly ever since middle school and well into my 20's.mi loved it and devoured it all. The bigger the epic, the better. But now? No way! I've tried revisiting some childhood favs, but I could do it. I barely finished A Game of Thrones! I've tried to read the next in the series, but have been unsuccessful several times.
Is it because we're too busy to become immersed in an alternate universe? I can read on & on about sexy vampires or young wizards as long as the basic setting is still earth, but the serious epics -- I can't do it anymore!
So.... The burning question must beWHEN
will the team's be announced?
I can't wait!
Lauri's Spot!Cleaning Out the TBR Closet 2021
0 / 30
1) The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
2) Cleopatra: A Life
3) Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman
4) On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
5) Peter the Great: His Life and World
6) Middlesex
7) Oh My Stars
8) The Grass Dancer
9) The Heretic Queen
10) The Lacemakers Of Glenmara
11) Miss Chopsticks
12) Lost
13) Eve
14) And the Mountains Echoed
15) Amy Snow
16) The Restaurant Critic's Wife
17) Double Fudge Brownie Murder
18) The Van Alen Legacy
19) People of the Mist
20) The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers
21) Yes Please
22) An Echo in the Bone
23) Christmas Bells
24) A Clash of Kings
25) Eragon
26) Here Be Dragons
27) The Quest
28) The Alienist
29) It
30) Chain of Gold
Lauri's Spot!October - Creature Feature
Rainbows Level
1-8 books
October 1 - December 1
2 / 8
List of Paranormal Creatures:
Elf
Fae
Blob
Alien
Angel
Demon
Dwarf
Fairy
Genie
Ghost
Ghoul
Harpy
Mummy
Nymph
Pixie
Siren
Troll
Witch
Dragon
Furies
Goblin
Oracle
Wizard - A Darker Shade of Magic 10/25/20
Wraith
Selkie
Banshee
Dhampir
Gremlin
Mermaid
Pegasus
Unicorn
Vampire
Warlock
Zombie
Gargoyle
Succubus
Werewolf
Grim Reaper
Leprechaun
Poltergeist
Skinwalker
Sea Serpent
Witch Doctor
Incubus
Griffin
Gnome
Phantom - Secondhand Spirits 10/10/20
Lauri's Spot!Target: 700 pages
Sunday October 18: 282 pages
Monday October 19: 59 pages
Tuesday October 20: 118 pages
Wednesday October 21: 80 pages
Thursday October 22: 94 pages
Friday October 23: 90 pages
Saturday October 24: 33 pages
Total Pages Read: 756
Books Used:
Books Completed:
Lauri's Spot! September 20 - 26
Target: 600 pages
Sunday 9/20: 151 pages
Monday 9/21: 80 pages
Tuesday 9/22: 109 pages
Wednesday 9/23: 97 pages
Thursday 9/24: 65 pages
Friday 9/25: 84 pages
Saturday 9/26: 153 pages
Total pages read: 738 pages
Books used:
Books Completed:
Thank you to everyone, but especially to our wonderful captains for all your hard work and putting up with us! It was so much fun. I really had a blast!
Mega Whopper Completion Post Last Stand!Spin the Dawn
Elizabeth Lim
Finished 8/20/20
Page count: 392
BOM: yes!
DQs: Msg #46, 79 & 118 (sorry I can't do a link!)
Letters:
S - title
L - author last name
A - location A'landi
O - Orksan
N - Master Norbu
Task: #2 MPG Adventure
Feed
Mira Grant
Finished 8/20/20
Page count: 499
Letters:
S - Shaun Mason
P - Peter Ryman
G - Georgia Mason
Task: #73 MPG Zombies!
Goddess of Love
P.C. Cast
Finished 8/20/20
Page count: 292
Letters:
S - Stacy
D - Griffin DeAngelo
H - Hera
P - Pea
P - author
G - title
Task: #164 MPG Fantasy
Could someone please add this to our spreadsheet?
Thank you!
DQs Day 3 - Chapters 17-2311. The second part of the book is set on a journey to obtain materials for the wedding dresses and is different from the first part, which was set in the palace. To me it seems that the author had to make both characters take this journey, so that she could make the romance between them work better.
Did you like the change of the setting? Or would you prefer if the plot had stayed in the palace and had more palace intrigues?
I really enjoy the idea of a quest, although this one seems impossible. But then again, there's no such thing as an easy quest!
12. Honestly, I don't believe that Lady Sarnai would be able to request such dresses for her wedding - her father and Khanujin had negotiated this marriage to ensure peace, so they wouldn't give her the power to try and delay or even to cancel the wedding. Do you think she would be able to request the dresses? Or would her father or the emperor interfere?
I totally don't believe she would be allowed to ask for such outlandish things! Given the way women in general are treated, I think that would have been completely vetoed by the males!
13. I was surprised to see Norbu again - I thought he had been executed. Do you think it was the last time we saw him? Or will he play a further role in the story?
Nor but is like a cockroach! I think he'll keep crawling out from under rocks till someone (hopefully Maia!) squishes him.
14. I am not sure if I liked the chapters with Orksan and his people - Korin and Orksan immediately realising that Maia was a girl, everyone thinking Maia and Edan were a couple and demanding them to kiss, Vachir recognising Edan - it was all a bit too cliche. Did you like Orksan and Korin? Do you think it was the right choice to travel with them?
I think we needed a sympathetic female character for Maia to interact with at that point. So, yes, it was the right decision to travel with them. Plus they had food!
15. I am sure that Edan will be freed from the emperor somehow. How do you think it will happen? Will Lady Sarnai play some role in this?
I'm hoping that Edan & Maia do ultimately end up together. I can't wrap my head around the thought that Edan is 500 years old! If the emperor releases him, will he crumble to dust? I'm not sure about Sarnai at all. She's a wild card right now...
Completion post!Emory's Gift
W. Bruce Cameron
Finished 8/19/20
Page count: 359
Letters:
S - location Selkirk River, ID
L - Kay Logan
D - Danny Alderton
H - Charlie Hall
N - Sheriff Nunnick
G - George Hall
Task: #102 Mountain on cover
Could someone please add this to our spreadsheet?
Thank you!
DQ 26. Well that is some strange competition. Do you find it reasonable or just silly?
I don't understand why the emperor allows Lady Sarnai the freedom to make such unreasonable demands! Seriously? Glass shoes? Paper jackets? WTH?
7. Well Lady Sarnai is definitely an interesting character. One moment she is strong and resilient and just a victim of court schemes, the next she is quite the arrogant, cold-hearted spoiled brat. It is hard to get a read on her. Do you think she is just acting the part or is she really going to be the villain in this story?
I'm just not sure. I know I don't trust her at all. I think she's trying to get out of marrying the emperor! Maybe some kind of 'rescue' mission?
8. That was a lovely sabotage attempt. Kinda clumsy. Do you find it exaggerated? I mean, it is only clothing, it is possible to make a living even if they don't win, there will even be some fame for being one of the finalists. The victory is mostly just more fame and ego. Do you think it is worth the price? Injury or possible death for fame and status?
I'm finding the whole thing ludicrous! It's difficult to know whom to trust. I think the answer is probably trust no one...
9. Oh boy. The moment of choice. And I feel like she made the wrong one. I would say let the royals rot in their war and petty squabbles. It is better for self-preservation to stay away from them all. Let the evil man get the position and enjoy apprentice status while you are still young enough to fool them you are a boy.Duh, logical. Do you agree with her reasons for staying? Or do you also feel she has made the wrong choice in not leaving?
I would've gotten the hell out of Dodge while I still could! She could've taken the apprenticeship that was offered & still been able to send money home to her family and still have been safe. Now she's just a target...
10. Well... that went well. I am pretty sure I don't like any of them. The dungeon seems like a lovely place to be in. 40 seems an awful lot, but well... This book needed some blood to be even more mainstream YA Fantasy. Did you also have the "Ha, told ya it was a bad idea to stay" moment? One might assume the story would be over now, yet so many more pages left. Do you have any idea what else might possibly happen?
I was aghast at the thought of 40 lashes! 10 or 20 at the most... It almost seems like a crime to be a woman in their world. I thought perhaps Sarnai would be a little more lenient with Maia, but perhaps she's angry at being betrayed again or jealous of Edan. Who knows? The whole quest idea appeals to me, but the need to make mythical clothing based on those stories is kind of crazy. I really want to see where the author will take us from here...
Completion post!The Bookshop on the Shore
Jenny Colgan
Finished 8/16/20
Page count: 410
Letters:
S - Surinder Mehta
L - John Lennox
A - Agnieska
N - Nina Redmond
H - Hari Mehta
O - Zoe O'Connell
P - Patrick Urquart
Task: #108 - Book on cover
Could someone please add this to our spreadsheet?
Thank you!
Day 1 DQs1. In this world, women are not able to become tailors or inherit their father's business. It reminds me of the Victorian era in England (like Jane Austen times). Maia is a very talented tailor but cannot be that as a woman. Would you go to the lengths she did to hide her identity in order to fulfill her destiny? Can you think of any other women in history that had to do that?
I guess I would if it were the only way! Her family & the business is going to fail & she would end up marrying the onerous Calu! It all sounds very "Mulan" to me. I can't think of any other women who have cross dressed offhand, but I know there must've been many. Some went to sea, others to war, some to be doctors...
2. I felt so bad for Maia when someone ruined her shawl, but I loved that the magic scissors brought it back to life. Who do you think ruined her shawl? What else do you think those scissors can do? Did you anticipate that happening?
I figure that Master Yindi was the culprit who destroyed Maia's shawl. He no longer matters...I was very surprised about the scissors! Maybe they can design & cut revolutionary patterns? We shall have to just wait and see...
3. There was a hawk that was following the carriage when Maia is taken to the palace, and that same hawk shows up outside Maia's window later on. Who do you think the hawk is? Is it the Lord Enchanter?
That would be my best guess!
4. Do you think the Lord Enchanter suspects that Maia is a girl and not a boy? I wonder because of his comment about her feet being so small and dainty.
I'm guessing he's figured it out & is just baiting her to see what she'll give away. There must surely be some effeminate men in the dressmaking game! I laughed when Lady Sarnai offered to send him to the Enchanter 'after hours!'
5. I love the world building that has gone on so far. It feels like a real place to me. What is your favorite aspect of the book so far?
The world building is awesome! It all seems very ancient Chinese to me -- and yet different. I love Maia's devotion to her family and also the opulence and decadence of the capital.
Double Completion Post!Terror in Taffeta
Marla Cooper
Finished 8/13/20
Page count: 278
Letters:
S - location San Miguel de Allende
L - Laurel
A - Zoe Abernathy
N - Nicole Abernathy
O - Antonia Ortiz
P - Dana Poole
N - Frank Nolasco
Task #160 - featuring a wedding
How it fits: Kelsey is a wedding planner & the murder takes place at a destination wedding in Mexico
The Sugar Queen
Sarah Addison Allen
Finished 8/14/20
Page count: 276
Letters:
S - title
L - Livia Linley-White
A - author
H - Helena
P - Rawley Pelham
N - Nova Berry
G - George Cramden
Task #156 - MPG chick lit
Could someone please add these to our spreadsheet for me? Thank you!
Completion post!Plantation Shudders
Ellen Byron
Finished 8/10/20
Page count: 282
Letters:
S - Marie Shexnayder
L - Lia Tienne
A - Alice Ryker
N - Ninette Crozat
D - Bo Durant
H - Hal Clabber
P - location: Pelican, LA
P - title
G - Dr. Felicia Gilbert
Task: 89 car on cvr (there's a police car on the cover)
Could someone please add this to our spreadsheet for me?
Thank you!
I can't believe we're on our very last round! I shall try to acquit myself admirably by actually finishing Illuminae and perhaps even Eragon for some extra points! I'll start on Spin the Dawn today for BOM. I will definitely read Plantation Shudders & Terror in Taffeta
Completion post!The Preacher's Daughter
Beverly Lewis
Finished 8/8/20
Page count: 352
Letters:
I -Irwin Ranck
S - Sarah Mae Zook
L - Louisa Stratford
A - Annie Zook
H - Esther Hochstetler
O - Omar Zook
P - location Paradise, PA
Task #137 - takes place in 2 places: Paradise (Amish country) & "modern" Colorado where Louisa runs away from her impending marriage.
Could someone please add this to our spreadsheet for me?
Thank you!
