Geri’s Comments

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

Note: Geri is not currently a member of this group.

I think my book Every Little Thing has been posted twice.

Completion Post



Shiver by Allie Reynolds
Date Read: 6/4
Pages: 400
BOM/Participation: No
BOM/Writing DQs: No

Possible uses and reasons/justifications:
205. cover has lots of snow on it

Bingo
B5 snowflake - book set on a snowy ski mountain

DQs Day 3: The Tree That Is Our Life - Wild and Free (59%)

11. Regarding the system error, that occurred when Nora tried to return to the library after that speech. Do you think Nora could have trouble returning to the library from one of the next lives that she visits?

Yes. Definitely. The author brought this up for a reason. 🙂

12. But you will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life. (p. 151) Do you think Nora is going to "find the meaning of life", "be happy forever in a parallel life", or "will want to die and leave the library forever"?

I think Nora is learning important things in every life she tries. And by the end, she should have found a new lease on life. Smarter and wiser than she was before.

13. Are you surprised about Nora meeting Hugo, another Slider, as he calls people like them in the in-between?

Not surprised. I did thnk there had to be others. I found Hugo and his story interesting.

14. For Nora it's a library, for Hugo it's a video store. What do you imagine would your variant of the in-between be? (And obviously you are not allowed to say library now, because I'm guessing most of us would go with that answer. Be creative and let me know what else you would feel comfortable with.)

My place would likely be on a ferry boat. Since I love boat rides. The captain would likely be my guide. LOL

15. We finally get to see Nora's life as a rock star. In what direction do you think this will go? Is it going to be the life Nora is happiest with and stays the longest/forever? Or do you think that she's going to leave it rather soon again?

I don’t think Nora has found her perfect life. Too much of the book left for that. LOL But it was a fun life to see for Nora. I’m very curious about the next chapter, Ryan Bailey.

Completion Post



Of Curses and Kisses by Sandhya Menon
Date Read: 6/4
Pages: 384
BOM/Participation: No
BOM/Writing DQs: No

Possible uses and reasons/justifications:
137. MPG Fantasy
164. Young Adult MPG

Bingo
D7 crown - MC is an Indian Princess

Completion Post



Lost and Found Sisters by Jill Shalvis
Date Read: 6/3
Pages: 416
BOM/Participation: No
BOM/Writing DQs: No

Possible uses and reasons/justifications:
126. MC is an artist / engineer - MC was a structural engineer
189. hat on cover - straw summer hats on cover

Bingo
G3 "woof" - MC has a dog named Coop.

Completion Post



Every Little Thing by Marie Force
Date Read: 6/2
Pages: 350
BOM/Participation: No
BOM/Writing DQs: No

Possible uses and reasons/justifications:
70. MPG Holiday
115. set at Christmas

DQs Day 2: The Penultimate Update - Peppermint Tea (39%)

6. Were you surprised that Nora's second choice was related to her cat? What did you think of the outcome?

It was sad. But I think the point was that trying to change yourself doesn’t lead to a different outcome for someone else. At least now she can stop feeling so guilty about her cat.

7. How did the reality of Nora's Australia line up with what you imagined it would be like?

There seems to be a common theme of death in her other timelines. Grief, depression seems to follow her. I wasn’t expecting that.

8. What did you think about the similarities between Nora's life in Australia versus her original life?

In both she seems to be depressed, stuck and unhappy. I feel bad for her that she can’t seem to get away from that.

9. On the surface, Nora's life with a swimming career seems to be the most successful so far. Do you think the positives will outweigh the negatives this time around?

No. I don’t think she is happy in this life either. She did this more to please her father, I think. Having a relationship with her brother will probably not be enough.

10. Any predictions for how Nora's speech will go in the next chapter?

I’m terrible at predicting. But I do think she will realize quickly that she is living a lie.

Completion Post



The Duke Who Didn't by Courtney Milan
Date Read: 6/2
Pages: 311
BOM/Participation: No
BOM/Writing DQs: No

Possible uses and reasons/justifications:
142. One of Sam Vimes' titles in the title (Captain, Commander, Duke, Sir, Ambassador, Butcher, Blackboard Monitor)

Bingo
C2 pile of coins - Duke is wealthy

DQs - Day 1

Were you planning to read this book before it became a BOM? If so, what drew you to it?

I bought this when it was first released. But haven’t been able to get to it. When it became the BOM, it seemed like the perfect time to finally read it. The storyline seemed interesting. And it has won a goodreads award too.

2. What do you think of Matt Haig’s writing style (and those short chapters!) and how he has set the story up so far?

So far the writing is good. I have gotten invested in what will happen next. I don’t mind the short chapters.

3. What are your thoughts on Nora? Are you attached to her yet?

Yes. I do feel like we have gotten to know Nora. She is really a downer. LOL But it should be interesting to see where her story goes.

4. If you were somehow able to, would you want to see all of the different outcomes that could have played out in your own life? Or would you rather just leave things as they are without ever knowing?

I have often wondered what my life would be like if I had done things differently. I probably would take the Librarian’s offer and try out a few roads not taken. Especially if I could change my mind if I didn’t like it.

5. What did you think about Nora’s first glimpse at a road not taken? Were you surprised by which book she chose to open first or by how quickly it disappointed her?

It definitely didn’t take her long to be unhappy! I had an inkling Dan wasn’t such a great guy. With his drinking and not supporting her pursuits. I do think things look rosier with time and distance. That’s what happened to Nora. She forgot some things until she was with Dan again.

You see, doing one thing differently is very often the same as doing everything differently.

Completion Post



Lies, Lies, Lies by Adele Parks
Date Read: 6/1
Pages: 384
BOM/Participation: No
BOM/Writing DQs: No

Possible uses and reasons/justifications:
Jackanory
Describe your protagonists - man with a drinking problem
Describe your antagonists - violent man who rapes women
What's DEATH up to? - spreading lies
What's the motivation of the antagonists? - he wants to clam another man’s wife and child
What obstacles are in the protagonists' way? - he’s sitting in prison for a crime he did not commit
Time for the final twist! - the antagonist is not the father of the child!

Completion Post



Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica
Date Read: 5/31
Pages: 352
BOM/Participation: No
BOM/Writing DQs: No

Possible uses and reasons/justifications:
191. Spell out Sky - K
244. important character dies - MC dies at the end of book.

Jackanory
Describe your protagonists - local woman
What's DEATH up to? - running a woman down in their car.
What's the spur that starts the story? - someone goes missing
What's the motivation of the antagonists? - keep themselves from going to prison

My last few books don’t really work for many tasks. Hopefully, they can be used for bingo or jackanory? Not sure. In July I’ll try to read for a specific task. Whatever is left. Right now, I am enjoying just reading what I want.

For those in the U.S., have a good Memorial Day! My husband and I will be taking it easy and will cook out on the grill. We were busy running around on the weekend.

Completion Post



Fatal Chaos by Marie Force
Date Read: 5/30
Pages: 416
BOM/Participation: No
BOM/Writing DQs: No

Possible uses and reasons/justifications:
21. Romance MPG

Completion Post



Cheat Day by Liv Stratman
Date Read: 5/29
Pages: 320
BOM/Participation: No
BOM/Writing DQs: No

Possible uses and reasons/justifications:
21. Romance MPG

Completion Post


All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace
Date Read: 5/29
Pages: 373
BOM/Participation: No
BOM/Writing DQs: No

Possible uses and reasons/justifications:
21. Romance MPG
64. Skull on cover
75. MPG Mythology
137. MPG Fantasy
164. Young Adult MPG

Cilla wrote: "I just want to let everyone that I may be quiet for the next few days. I am having surgery tomorrow. I went to the library and got some of the necessary reading materials. I will have to take it ea..."

Yes, take care, Cilla! It’s good to look at the bright side of things too. Surgery equals more reading time. 😁

Completion Post



A Cry in the Dark by Denise Grover Swank
Date Read: 5/28
Pages: 376
BOM/Participation: No
BOM/Writing DQs: No

Possible uses and reasons/justifications:
21. Romance MPG
118. title has all the letters in D-E-A-T-H

Yasmine wrote: "Oh I hope you liked The Rosie Project?"

I read this years ago. It was a fun read!

Completion Post



Murder at the Mena House by Erica Ruth Neubauer
Date Read: 5/27
Pages: 288
BOM/Participation: No
BOM/Writing DQs: No

Possible uses and reasons/justifications:
37. book set in Egypt - set in Cairo, Egypt
107. characters dress in costumes - MCs go to a costume party
118. title has all the letters in D-E-A-T-H
189. hat on cover
232. MC goes on a holiday - MC goes to Egypt on holiday

Wow, we did hit the jackpot for DQ points!

And yes, good luck, Yasmine, on your exams! I know you will do well. 🙂