Geri’s Comments

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

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

Morgan wrote: "Great job, Geri!

How did you like ? I've been wanting to read this book!!! Was it good?"

It was well written but difficult to read because of the subject matter. But I learned some things about WWII and the years after. Story was told from 3 perspectives so that made it different. I rated it 4 stars. I would recommend!

Laura wrote: " I haven't started Parting Shot yet and I'm in chapter one of The Invasion of the Tearling
. There 's not enough time!!! Shh, I crashed last night and actually went to bed at a reasonable time. 9 1/2 hours sleep and I feel on top of the world today!!
"

Great! A good night sleep does help my attitude too. I haven’t been sleeping great lately. But finally slept last night. Hopefully, you are enjoying the book. Very interesting story.

Suzanne wrote: "About that alternate point of view:
Spoilers through chapter 5 with vague spoilers through chapter 7.
[spoilers removed]"

I agree. Not a good book for teens. I don’t want to spoil anything but things get worse later in the book!

Hey Everyone...It will be a busy weekend for me with Memorial Day here in the U.S. So I marathoned my way through the book yesterday. It was a fast read. Really got exciting halfway through. I’ll be back to discuss it!

Chapter 10

(view spoiler)[ I appreciate the little bits of humor. And find the information about Australian and Aboriginal culture interesting. Colorful cast f characters. I only wish I knew more about Harry Hole. This is more of a straight forward investigation. Being the first book, I want to know who Harry is. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 10-20

(view spoiler)[Margaret Dawson has very blonde hair like victims. Does her son have something to do with it?

Stories Andrew tells are funny. Love is a greater mystery than death. And watch out for snakes. LOL (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 26

(view spoiler)[ Andrew knows something. Is it about Otto? I do enjoy Andrew’s character. His humor, stories, knowledge. (hide spoiler)]


Chapter 27-28

(view spoiler)[ Crazy guillotine scene at the theater! And now Otto is dead! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 31

(view spoiler)[ Darn! Andrew hanged himself? I am so confused.And sad. I liked Andrew. (hide spoiler)]


Chapter 37

(view spoiler)[ Harry has turned into a real mess! Hooker may have encountered the killer. Hopefully, Harry’s bender will lead to some answers. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 51-57

(view spoiler)[ chilling confession by Tawomba. So sad about Birgitta.

In the end, I did feel like Harry Hole’s character was fleshed out with the flashbacks and his alcoholism. (hide spoiler)]

Thanks for starting the thread! Looking forward to Kjell’s story.

Laura wrote: "Yes, I return way too many before finishing. I think I am on my 5th attempt trying to read this Parting Shot (Promise Falls, #4) by Linwood Barclay before its due back yet again.

Planning to get back to this one tonight or tomorrow night. “


It’s time to finish the book, Laura! I hope you are enjoying it!

Suzanne - Your spoiler is filling in some of the story I am missing. I really like the direction the series is going! (view spoiler)[ The situation between Lily and Greg is horrible! I couldn’t believe how graphic and violent it got! (hide spoiler)]

I will read a cozy mystery with berries on the cover next week. I don’t hate cozy mysteries, but I don’t love them either. LOL But I will read one for the team!

Lilac Girls: Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

Finished May 22, 487 pages

Characters - Caroline Faraday, Roger , Paul , Rena, Pia, Kasia, Nadia, Pietrik, Louisa, Susanna, Hetta, Heinz, Ilsa, Betty Stockwell Merchant, Binz, Fritz, Viola, , Halina, David Stockwell, Gunta, Martha

I participated in the discussion and wrote DQs for last day.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Rebecca - Thank goodness you found a worm book. I tried to find one but did not like my options! LOL

I am like a few others here. My library hold hasn’t come in yet. It should be any day now. If it takes more than a few days, I’ll read it myself. :(

DQs Day 5 Chapter 38-47

29. What did you think about the relationship between Caroline and Paul? Was it a satisfying ending?

30. Which story was the most interesting to you, Caroline, Kasia, Herta? Why?

31. “Lilacs only blossom after a harsh winter.” What did you think about the explanation for the title of the book?

32. Many years later Herta wore Halina’s ring. Do you think she cared for Halina more than she would admit? Or do you think Herta was too cold hearted to really care about another person?

33. Did you learn anything about WWII and the years after that you did not know before? If so, what?

34. Kasia got closure about her mother’s death. And in the end Kasia did positively identify Herta. Did you like the ending to the book? Would you recommend this book to others?

Morgan, Donna

I forgot to add to my last book read that it was a mystery/thriller where someone (actually 2 someones) are murdered. Can be used in the potion class for blood. I will edit my post now.

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

Finished May 24, 426 pages

Characters - Ellie Mack, Theo Goodman, Laurel, Hannah, Noelle Donnelly, Floyd Dunn, Jake, Poppy

Can be used in potion class. 2 people were murdered in this mystery/thriller.

I can get this book for free so I’m in! Book 1 was good.

Laura wrote: "This will be my first read by Nesbo. I also have a borrowed copy from a friend of this one. The Snowman."

This will be my first Harry Hole novel too. Hopefully, it will be the start of a new book obsession.

The book wasn’t available on overdrive a few days ago. I was worried I might not be able to do this buddy read. But today I was able to borrow it! YAY!

Real life got in the way from my finishing yesterday. But I managed to finish today. How is the reading going for everyone?

Chapter 6-10

(view spoiler)[ This was an exciting section. I got too into this part and I didn’t write much. LOL I am finding Lily invading Kelsea’s life interesting. And curious Kelsea is starting to look like Lily. I’m sure I am missing the importance of this. The end of this part was exciting. The Mort army has finally arrived and Hall is in charge! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 11-15

(view spoiler)[ Lily’s story is difficult to read! Horrible!

I finally realized the significance of Lily and her trip to a better world with William Tear. I hope we get to see how this group survives in their new world.

I do feel like I went on a real journey with Lily and Kelsea. So sad Jonathan died! I wonder if the next book will continue Lily’s story? It was interesting how Lily and Kelsea’s lives were intertwined! (hide spoiler)]

Laura wrote: "Geri wrote: "After starting the book, I realized I never finished book 1. So this will be interesting! LOL I read the first 5 chapters of book 2 and have a sort of grasp of what is going on. The st..."

I think the book was returned to the library before I finished. And I forgot to borrow it again. That happens to me too often. :)

Q20. (CH 27 - CAROLINE) AS THE WAR STARTS TO WIND DOWN, CAROLINE LEARNED THAT PAUL WAS STILL ALIVE. WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT HER RUSHING TO FRANCE TO SEE HIM? HOW DO YOU THINK PAUL FEELS ABOUT CAROLINE?

I was not surprised Caroline ran to him. They do love each other and with Paul’s wife considered dead, there is nothing standing between them.

Q21. (CH 28 - KASIA) KASIA SEEMS TO BE STRUGGLING MORE THAN ZUZANNA TO BEING BACK IN POLAND. WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS?

Her mother’s death weighs heavily on her. She feels guilty.

Q22 (CH 29-30 - CAROLINE) HOW DID YOU FEEL WHEN CAROLINE CAME BACK TO PAUL'S HOUSE TO MOVE IN? WHAT ABOUT WHAT SHE WAS ASKED TO DO? WOULD YOU DO IT? AND WHY DO YOU THINK SHE ULTIMATELY DECIDED TO HELP?

Caroline’s need to help others is strong. I admire her tireless energy to do all this.

Q23 (CH 31-32-33 - KASIA) WHERE YOU SURPRISED AT WHAT KASIA FOUND WHEN WORKING AT THE HOSPITAL AND HOW THINGS EVOLVED FOR HER? DO YOU THINK SHE'LL FIND HER HAPPINESS?

I do hope she can find happiness. She has survived so much, she deserves happiness!

Q24 (CH 34 - HERTA) WHAT ARE YOUR FEELINGS FOR HERTA? HAVE THEY CHANGED OVER THE COURSE OF THE BOOK?

My feelings are conflicted about Herta. While there were things that happened to force her into this situation, she still is pretty cold and doesn’t feel much regret.

Q25 (CH36 - CAROLINE) - CAROLINE HAS STAYED IN FRANCE AND IS DOING HER VOLUNTEER WORK IN PARIS. WHY DO YOU THINK SHE WON'T READ ANY OF PAUL'S LETTERS? WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT THE TURN OF EVENTS AT THE END OF CHAPTER 36?

I found this part of the story a bit childish. I admire Caroline but not opening Paul’s letters did seem a bit childish and sort of like putting one’s head in the sand. Paul won’t disappear if she does not read his letters.

Q27 (CH 37 - KASIA - PART 3) 10 YEARS HAVE PASSED. WHY DO YOU THINK KASIA'S RELATIONSHIPS WITH HER FAMILY ARE WHAT THEY ARE? HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT HER AT THIS POINT IN THE STORY?

I was surprised how poor her family relationships were. She is definitely struggling emotionally over her past traumas.

Q28 A LOT OF TIME WAS COVERED IN PART 2 AND THEN INTO PART 3 - DID YOU FORSEE ANY OF THE DEVELOPMENTS? DO YOU THINK WE'LL LEARN WHAT LILACS MEANS TO THE STORY?

I am surprised how many years past the end of the war that the book covers. I still find it interesting and learning more about WWII than I expected.