Geri’s
Comments
Geri’s
comments
from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.
Note: Geri is not currently a member of this group.
Showing 81-100 of 2,044
Completion Post
That Summer by Jennifer Weiner
Date Read: 5/26
Pages: 432
BOM/Participation: No
BOM/Writing DQs: No
Possible uses and reasons/justifications:
21. Romance MPG
225. 1st person POV - told from Daisy and Diana’s POV
Bingo
A6 Frying pan - MC, Daisy, teaches cooking classes
Great, Yasmine! I’ll be participating in the discussion. 🙂
Completion Post
The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren
Date Read: 5/25
Pages: 368
BOM/Participation: No
BOM/Writing DQs: No
Possible uses and reasons/justifications:
21. Romance MPG
39. geometric shape on cover - circle on cover
41. Yellow cover
225. 1st person POV
Completion Post
This Is Not the Jess Show by Anna Carey
Date Read: 5/25
Pages: 304
BOM/Participation: No
BOM/Writing DQs: No
Possible uses and reasons/justifications:
21. Romance MPG
164. Young Adult MPG
225. 1st person POV
Completion Post
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
Date Read: 5/24
Pages: 529
BOM/Participation: No
BOM/Writing DQs: No
Possible uses and reasons/justifications:
21. Romance MPG
133. MPG Vampires
137. MPG Fantasy
146. spell out TRUTH - R
164. Young Adult MPG
Bingo
A1 Death of Rats - MC, Baz, a vampire, eats rats
B4 vampire fangs - MC, Baz, is a vampire
Jenny- The Hunting Wives was a crazy, wild read! I kept shaking my head at how dumb the MC was behaving. But I kept reading! It was like watching a train wreck. I couldn’t look away. LOL
Completion Post
Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan
Date Read: 5/23
Pages: 544
BOM/Participation: No
BOM/Writing DQs: No
Possible uses and reasons/justifications:
39. geometric shape on cover - straight lines
137. MPG Fantasy
146. spell out TRUTH - R
167. title includes an adjective
224. Single person on the cover
225. 1st person POV
244. important character dies - MC, Laurens Bancroft, hires Kovacs to investigate his death
Completion Post
The Hunting Wives by May Cobb
Date Read: 5/23
Pages: 368
BOM/Participation: No
BOM/Writing DQs: No
Possible uses and reasons/justifications:
148. spell out TRUTH - T
167. title includes an adjective
211. cover has something gold or silver on it - gold bullet
225. 1st person POV
244. important character dies - MC, Margot Banks, dies by end of book
Louise wrote: "We're doing well, don't forget if you are claiming BOM points please post the default pages assigned to each book regardless of which edition you read."Very confusing! LOL I will edit my post and put the correct edition on my TT shelf. Thanks!
Completion Post
Dumplin' by Julie Murphy
Date Read: 5/21
Pages: 400
BOM/Participation: Yes - Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5
BOM/Writing DQs: No
Possible uses and reasons/justifications:
21. Romance MPG
96. MPG "coming of age"
119. someone makes a new friend - Will makes new friends with Millie, Amanda and Hannah
164. Young Adult MPG
224. Single person on the cover
225. 1st person POV
Completion Post
The Vanishing by Jayne Ann Krentz
Date Read: 5/21
Pages: 320
BOM/Participation: No
BOM/Writing DQs: No
Possible uses and reasons/justifications:
21. Romance MPG
137. MPG Fantasy
148. spell out TRUTH - T
191. Spell out Sky - K
DQs Day 5: Chapters 44 - 5120. Willowdean and her mum seem to briefly reach an understanding over the dress fitting but after the alterations are made they come to blows. It’s the first time that her mum tells her she expected her to lose weight and she fights back. Why do you think this is?
I thought this was yet another way that Will and her mom fail to communicate. Her mother shouldn’t have “expected” Will to lose weight. But I do find Will’s mindset frustrating. She says she won’t ever be happy at her current weight. But yet she is trying to send a message by entering the pageant. Not really sure what Will is trying to prove anymore.
21. After the talent show Willowdean seeks help from the entertainers at The Hideaway, where they were shown how to walk in heels by pretending to walk the sobriety line. Why did she go to them and have you ever tried to walk the sobriety line, drunk or sober?
LOL No. I have never had to walk a sobriety line. This was a fun scene, though. She probably feels a connection to the place now because of her Aunt Lucy.
22. Willowdean is invited to Bo’s to study where she meets his stepmum properly and they discuss astrology. Is what she is told accurate from what we know of her? Does your star sign reflect you?
I think Will is still growing into herself. In some ways she is courageous. But she is still so insecure and self centered.
I do have some traits of my astrological sign. But I am not a total believer in astrology. LOL
23. Bo lays his cards on the line with Willowdean and says he doesn’t want their relationship to be a secret, he wants to do it right. She is reluctant to give him an answer but accepts Mitch’s offer to be her escort to the pageant. Is this right? What do you think is going to happen? What would you do?
This is another example of Will be self centered and not thinking about how Mitch is going to feel. I am getting tired of her stringing him along.
Bo finally wanting to take their relationship public is a brave move. But Will isn’t really living up to her astrology sign. She should be happy about this. But instead she continues to worry about what other people will say. All I can do is shake my head.
24. The slumber party brings out a few secrets. Will this change how Willowdean perceives herself and the other girls? Knowing Hannah’s reasons for entering do you think she will go through with trying to ruin it?
With only a few more chapters left, I am so ready for Will to change. I don’t thnk Hannah will ruin the pageant after all. I hope I’m not disappointed in the end.
Completion Post
The Viper's Nest by Tate James
Date Read: 5/20
Pages: 382
BOM/Participation: No
BOM/Writing DQs: No
Possible uses and reasons/justifications:
21. Romance MPG
135. MPG Paranormal
137. MPG Fantasy
148. spell out TRUTH - T
191. Spell out Sky - K - MC Kit
224. Single person on the cover
225. 1st person POV
Completion Post
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
Date Read: 5/19
Pages: 320
BOM/Participation: No
BOM/Writing DQs: No
Possible uses and reasons/justifications:
130 "Last" in title (exact match)
DQ Day 4Chapters 33 to 43
16. Dolly Parton night was a surprising treat for the girls! Definitely a different experience. It felt to me like it could have been a healing point or turning point for Will in more ways than one. What do you think about the scene, did it add anything special to the book, and do you think it will hold significance in some way later in the story?
I enjoyed the scene. It was nice to see Will bonding with the other girls. And yes, it probably was healing as far as celebrating Lucy for Will.
17. I’m almost over Callie and Ellen myself at this point. Friends fight, but this has really blown up. When Callie approaches Will in the bathroom with her mini speech and says that she knows Ellen has always “been good to Will”, what do you think her point was with the speech? Was she truly angry on her friend’s behalf when she went into her admonishment on how wrong it was for Will to be upset that Ellen was entering the pageant? Do you think she’s trying to help Will in a twisted way with her rude advice, or do you think she’s just trying to rub salt in wounds? Would you keep trying to speak to Ellen and make up after the rebuff she issued at Harpy’s after two months when Will tried again to make up?
This argument between Will and Ellen has gone on longer than I expected. I have never really trusted Callie too. If I were in Will’s shoes, I’d probably move on to better friends, like Millie and Hannah. But I do think Will and Ellen will become friends again.
18. Mitch and Bo affect Will in different ways, but it’s pretty clear Will is using Mitch in more ways than one. She has him to hang out with on weekends when Ellen is gone, and she went from having a dance partner where she rested her head on his chest throughout several dances before pulling away from him immediately when they get outside so he doesn’t “get the wrong idea”. Mixed signals overdose! Do you think she doesn’t realize what she is doing, that she is subconsciously using him, or do you think she isn’t considering his feelings enough? What do you think is going to happen between them?
I agree Will is using Mitch. And I do think she knows it. I do hope Mitch finds another girlfriend. Because he really is a nice guy. Will is definitely going to get back with Bo.
19. The Sadie Hawkins dance seems important in Clover City. I had heard of a song about it, but had no idea it was an actual dance at a school. What do you think about the traditions of finding inventive ways to ask people to the dance? Were you surprised that Bo was finally grabbed up for a date? What did you think of Will’s attempt to ask Mitch immediately afterward, and her creativity in doing so?
I did laugh at Will’s attempt to ask Mitch out. So Will! But yes, Will is very impulsive and doesn’t seem to care that Mitch might get the wrong idea. I have to keep reminding myself that she is a young teen. So I don’t get too mad at her. LOL
Completion Post
The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrews
Date Read: 5/18
Pages: 448
BOM/Participation: No
BOM/Writing DQs: No
Possible uses and reasons/justifications:
20. wedding takes place - in the epilogue the hero and heroine get married
21. Romance MPG
148. spell out TRUTH - T
224. Single person on the cover
Jammin Jenny wrote: "Completion PostBook: The Hunting Wives
Date Read: May 18, 2021
Pages: 368
BOM/Writing DQs: n/a
Possible uses and reasons/justifications:
1...."
My library loan came in for this. I’ll be reading this book next week. 🙂
Cat wrote: "also: anyone else want Mitch to hook up with Millie or Amanda? (Hannah would eat him alive!)"That would be great. I vote for Millie. I like her attitude the best.
DQ Day 3Chapters 21 to 33
11. For someone claiming and trying to be body positive about herself, Willowdean sure isn't giving anyone else any slack. Her description of Hannah, like with others, was just mean. Do you think the author is projecting Willowdean's insecurities on how she sees herself onto others?
I’ve started to realize that Will’s attitude really isn’t body positivity at all. She is very insecure and doesn’t like her body. So not surprised she is tough on others too. Whether they are fat or skinny.
12. What did you think about the incident Patrick kneed in the balls incident? He didn't seem like Mitch's best friend saying that (honestly, maybe Patrick and Willowdean should date). What did you think about her mom's reaction and the resulting blow up between mom & daughter?
Side note: to anyone with teenagers, we are here for you.
Patrick is a d*ck! And he deserved what Will did. I like that Will is spunky. But I can understand how this wasn’t acceptable behavior and why Will’s mom grounded her. It’s surprising to me that Mitch still hangs out with Patrick.
13. Did anyone else want to high five Ellen for calling out Willowdean on her crap? What did you think of their argument? Do you think the rift will be repaired? If so, do you think a Dolly Parton sing-along (thanks Cat) will be part of their healing process?
This is another example of Will over reacting because of Will’s insecurities. Ellen wanted to support her. But Will is obviously afraid Ellen will steal her thunder. I do think they will repair their rift.
14. Based on the blurb, Millie's attitude and pep talk while at the restaurant is what I would of expected from Williowdean. What do you think of these girls deciding to enter the pageant? What did you think of Millie's pep talk?
Millie accepts herself and has more body positivity than Will does. I like the way Millie can laugh at herself and focuses more on the good qualities in a person. Will could learn a lesson or two from Millie.
15. Thoughts on Mitch? Where do you think his and Willowdean's relationship will go? Do you think she'll crush his poor soft heart?
Gosh. Mitch isn’t just a dumb jock. LOL I have grown to like him. He is insightful about life. I do think the relationship will remain a friendship. Mitch is another good influence on Will, just like Millie.
Completion Post
Taken by Storm by Elle Middaugh
Date Read: 5/18
Pages: 364
BOM/Participation: No
BOM/Writing DQs: No
Possible uses and reasons/justifications:
21. Romance MPG
22. title has all the letters in M-O-R-T
82. Spell out BEES - E
135. MPG Paranormal
137. MPG Fantasy
148. spell out TRUTH - T
224. Single person on the cover
DQ for Day 2Chapters 11-20
6. Picking up on the previous grief question to turn it around towards Willowdean and her mother. Will seems to think (I'm paraphrasing here) that her mother is a heartless cow and wants to use Lucy's room all to herself without any consideration whatsoever for anyone else. I can't help but wonder though if the mother isn't somehow trying to be close to Lucy - her own sister - by setting up a craft room in Lucy's space. Everyone deals with grief in their own way, and while yes, I agree with her (unlike Will) that the dusty old things will eventually need to go, I feel like she's trying to find a way to cope at the same time.
Oh, I definitely agree we all grieve in different ways. Will and her mother are grieving differently. Hence the fighting. I could see how Will’s mom is saying she needs the room for the pageant. But is also trying to be close to her sister. She and Will just aren’t communicating well. And possibly Will’s mom doesn’t even realize all her motives for using the room.
7. Will and Bo. Thoughts? More particularly, Will's reaction to finding out that Bo will start going to the same school?
That was a bit too much drama from Will. LOL Being mad at Bo for going to her school. But I do think her reaction was all about her insecurity with herself and their relationship.
8. The more I read, the more I wonder how Ellen and Will are (still) friends with the way they talk to each other. According to Will, they are drifting apart because Ellen is having sex and because of Callie (she doesn't quite say it but it is definitely there). Their interactions however do make me wonder, a lot. I feel like they're friends more because it's a habit than anything else. They're both dependent on each other - Will because she doesn't seem to have other friends and can't stay in the pool alone? Ellen because she needs a back-up when she goes to pick up her pay check?) What do you make of their friendship now that we know more. Irreparable rift? Habit? Undying friendship?
They are both getting something from their friendship. Right now,I do see it as evolving because they are changing. Whether they stay friends, I don’t know. But if they do, it will change, I think.
9. And this inevitably brings me to Will's interactions with Callie. It seems like Callie is at least trying, even though there is the fat-girl-issue, but she isn't completely ignoring Will, unlike Will herself, who barely manages to be civil to the girl. Sure, I completely understand the jealousy of thinking that someone is stealing your (best) friend from you, but it isn't helping Will's case that she is basically being a douche to the girl.
Yep. Will is jealous of Callie. One of the changes I mentioned above regarding Will and Ellen’s friendship. But I am a little wary of Callie too. Callie may be wanting to take advantage of Will somehow? Since Callie knows Will’s mom runs the pageant.
10. Did anyone else have that moment of "oh shit, something really terrible is going to happen on the date" when Ellen and Tim tell Will that Patrick Thomas is Mitch's best friend. Or is it just me who thinks that there is a very obvious lack of mobbing and finger-pointing? Not that this is a bad thing, on the contrary! Though I do find it odd since Will has A LOT of issues and basically hates people who are not Ellen (and Bo).
The date went better than I thought it would. Mitch was a nice enough guy. But I’m glad Will realized there were no sparks. Maybe Mitch is friends with Patrick because of their past. The same way Will and Ellen are.
Jammin Jenny wrote: "Yes it was really nice. I think we found a new home. Just waiting on the FHA appraisal and pest inspection... "Wow. That was a great trip! 😎
DQs Day 1 - Chaps 1 - 10What do you think of Willowdean? Does she feel like a sufficiently real person?
I really like Will! I didn’t expect to like her as much as I do actually. I’ve ignored the book for years. LOL But after reading the firs few chapters, I could tell I was gong to enjoy the book. Mostly because I do enjoy Will’s attitude and funny comments. She’s very likeable and I’m invested in her story.
2. What you you think about her relationship with Ellen? They are starting to keep secrets from each other now - do you think that this is the start of a drifting apart or will they stay close?
It does seem like they are drifting apart. But I do hope they can remain close in the end. Because I am hoping Will will accept herself and love herself more by the end.
3. Bo is interesting - the opposite of Will in terms of being reserved in comparison to her chattiness, but with something lurking in his backstory. Do you want to have a guess at what's up with him? Would anyone NOT have done the same as Will and followed him to the abandoned school in the hopes of more making out?!
I definitely find Bo interesting. He has mentioned getting into trouble, I think. And this has changed him somehow. He is distancing himself from his school buddies. And I don’t think he minds Will’s chattiness. Not sure I would have gone to an abandoned building. LOL But Bo is pretty sexy! I did laugh at Will’s comments. I like her spunkyness a lot.
4. Will claims ownership of "fat" when she introduces herself to Bo. How successful do you think she is in her aim to stop it from being an insult?
Will accepts that she is fat. But she is still very insecure when it comes to personal or romantic relationships. So she still has work to do.
5. Lucy has clearly been a big influence in both Will and Ellen's lives, and yet they haven't been talking about her at all since her death. Do you think this is a normal reaction to a sudden death? Would you be like Will's mother, and get rid of everything, or keep it?
I do think it is too soon to get rid of Lucy’s things. Clearly this is Will’s mother’s way of trying to deal with grief. By trying NOT to deal with it. That is why mother and daughter haven’t been talking about Lucy’s death.
