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

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

DQs Day 3
Ch 14 to 21

9) I'm enjoying the variety of people and creatures (for lack of a better word) in the story. Do you have a favorite? Is there one you'd dream up and like to see wandering the island?
I really like Caz & Meep! They’re so smart and funny. I also like Bryn & Eadie.

10) If you could have a helper sentient plant, what type would you choose and why?
I am not good with plants at all. Maybe something with flowers?

11) Do you think it is remotely realistic that Kiela can keep her activities secret? And with the trouble at the center of the empire, would any of those in power notice or care?
I would have to say not a chance! I don’t think anyone left in power would even care a bit!

12) Radane, trouble for Kiela in more ways than one?
I don’t think she’s really trouble. I definitely don’t think Larren would be interested in Radane at all, but I could see where Kiela would be a bit jealous.

13) Previous questions have touched on this but I'm thinking Kiela has avoided sharing what's happening with the revolution as a trauma response. If she doesn't talk about it then she can almost ignore it? It makes me wonder what happened to her parents. Like the library became her home/only place she felt safe after losing them and then it literally burned before her eyes. Anyone have thoughts about why she still isn't sharing to the point of literally running away?
Guilt, maybe? Like if she had spent more time with her parents, they’d still be with her. I believe her self-esteem level is so low, she doesn’t value herself much. Plus all her life-losses. She’s scared to take a chance with anything new.

DQ Day 2 Chapters 8 - 13

6. There's more information released here about magic use and its impact on the world. What do you think about this?
It seems as if they want to control magic use and not let just anyone learn or cast spells. Hmmm….. seems like a power play to me.

7. Lucky that Kiela can exploit the absence of fruit to fill a niche shop, eh?! What do you think about her plan to make a living out of jam and secret magic?
It seems pretty sketchy and not at all well thought out! Jam, really?

8. Kiela and Larran keep having meet cute moments. Do you like this romantic pairing?
I like them at lot! Kiera is so socially awkward, it’s pretty funny!

DQs Day 1, Chapters 1-7

1. The book opens with quite a tough scene: a Great Library is set on fire and Kiela has already packed crates of books to rescue. And she asks herself the question "if she were stranded on a desert island, which books would she most want to have with her?"
Now I'm putting you the same question limiting your possibilities to
- 1 complete works of an author
- 2 book series
- 3 standalone books from different genres, 1 must be non-fiction

I would have to say standalone books from different genres. Plus non-fiction would be most helpful!

2. While it's only explained sketchily, a little politics, history (?)
of the Empire is mentioned, alongside some curious species, flora & fauna (winged kitties, anyone?) What do you think of the world-building so far?
I am totally loving this world! The various mythological creatures / fantastic talking plants + flying cats are awesome. They could also represent the many different types of people in our world and show us how to be more tolerant and accepting of others who may be different than ourselves…

3. It's mentioned several times how Kiela keeps herself to herself in the Library (apart from Caz's company). Do you think such an almost complete isolation described here is possible even in such a vast Library?
I think it IS possible because of the vastness of the library. There are many librarians and patrons, but because of the library’s size, it would seem easy to avoid others.

4. I found it a bit disturbing that Kiela doesn't tell anyone on the island that she came away because a revolution has broken out in the capital (I understand her keeping silent about the books). It IS supposed to be a big deal after all and one would think they will learn about it eventually. A bit later some excuses are offered. Do you think they are sufficient or it's just a usual plot-driving tool?
I think it’s Kiera’s naïveté and aversion to people that she tries to hide at first and then not talk about her past to others. I thought she should have warned the islanders immediately. But, hey, that’s just me…

5. I really liked the idea of Kiela & Caz sectioning the garden and naming them after book genres. Which genres would you name parts of your real or hypothetical garden? :)
I am no gardener, but I would think fantasy, romance, adventure, paranormal - - with no room for horror!

Hi! I’m still here and still reading. We’ve had a few family health problems. Sorry for my absence. I just finished The Road Trip yesterday. I can’t figure out how to list the BOM DQs… still can’t do a link! My DQ responses can be found in the thread #s 240, 241, 242, 243 & 244.
Hope they still qualify!

DQs Day 5- Now - end to the first line "Marcus's nose is bleeding..."

19. What were your thoughts of Addie and Dylan trying again? Was your triangle prediction accurate from the previous days Q's?
I SO would NOT have given him another chance! I probably would have left him on the side of the road - - especially since he was with Marcus!

20. Did you feel Rodney's punishment of being tied up during the wedding was a good alternative to calling the police? What would you have done?
Police all the way! No patience for crashes OR crazy stalkers.

21. While most of you disliked this BOM greatly, hopefully some enjoyed it. How did you Read the book, by Audio, physical book, electronic, or a mix of some?
I read the paperback version and it was a mighty struggle!

22. Was you happy to hear that although this book was addressing depression and spiraling out of control, they also addressed therapy and how it has helped? What was your reaction of hearing that Marcus and Dylan were no longer as close as they used to be after therapy?
Therapy and medication usually do help over time. But the patient needs to be open to it and willing to let it work. It’s a good thing the two guys aren’t joined at the hip anymore. I really thought they were going to come out at gay / bi / pan or something else and Addie would be devastated. She got the really raw end of the deal.

DQs Day 4- Now - Then first line "It's just a sprained ankle..." - last line "Don't contact me again."

15. We’re over halfway through the book. Have your impressions of the characters changed?
Not too much. I still like Addie and Deb! Dylan is pathetic & Marcus is soooo f-ed up. I like Kevin a lot and Cherry & Grace. Rodney is purely bizarre!

16. Rodney’s motives now become clear, how do you see this plot line panning out?
It could go a lot of ways really. I just don’t see Cherry blowing off her bridegroom and running off with any time soon. WHY did she sleep with him? Pity?

17. We learn more of Marcus’ issues and his apparent need to destroy Dylan and Addie’s relationship as well as destroy any chance of them getting back together. How do you predict this relationship triangle will be resolved?
Murdering Marcus? Drugging him, sticking him in a crate and shipping him off somewhere? Purely wishful thinking on my part. I really don’t know where this is going.

18. Etienne is chasing Addie for extra-curricular activities. What are your thoughts on this?
Slimeball! And he works with children! Hope they get rid of him.

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…