Bobbi ’s Comments (group member since Mar 10, 2016)

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

DQs Day 4 - Chapters 30-38

15. In this section, we see Beth really open up in the interview and describe two different Christmas flashbacks. The first, when Beth was 14, Lily was bruised and had been clearly abused by her foster family. We also (at least according to Beth) see the beginnings of Lily as a serial killer. Do you feel any sympathy for Lily? Do you agree with Beth that Beth could have stopped her?
Certainly I feel a bit of sympathy for Lily. She has it rough due to no fault of her own, but I also don't see it as an excuse. I don't agree with Beth. All she could have done was tell her parents and she had no proof. Mariana would never have believed her and Julian would probably have used it as an excuse to push her further away from the family.


16. What did you think of the interview with the lawyer Ransom Wells? Why do you think he and Beth never told the police about Lily, even after the murders?
I like him. He's clever without being overtly egotistical about the fact. Ransom definitely held the information about Lily close to his vest because of his feelings for Mariana, but Beth could also have been further ruined if it came out that she tried to protect her sister who murdered people in cold blood.

17. Beth gets a wonderful shopping trip with her mom that immediately gets ruined when they return home and Lily is there. Lily is clearly the favorite. Why do you think that is?
In a word, guilt. Mariana felt guilty that she wasn't there for her daughter and in a bid to make things better, she was overly enthusiastic about their relationship and inadvertently hurt Beth.

18. Can Shea trust Michael? He seems almost too good to be true.
I think she can. If there's anything he isn't being straight with her about, he may know that she was Girl A but I don't think that changes how he feels.

DQs Day 3: Chap 20-29

10. Beth's house has seemed important from the beginning of the story and there have been a lot of descriptions of the "Frankenstein ugly" house. During one of Shea's interviews Beth told her to go upstairs and see her childhood bedroom and then she said, "Not all of the answers you want so desperately are going to come from me. Some of them are going to come from this house." What do you think Shea learned from the house when she perused Beth's room?
I think Shea learned that your eyes could be deceiving and possibly that Beth is trapped by her past.

11. We now have a better insight into the note that was left at the murder scene that said, in part, Am I bitter or am I sweet? In this section we got a lot of details about how this "bitter/sweet" was played out in the house with Mariana and the two girls. Lily also told Beth that everything was her fault and she could have stopped it. What do you think the note will reveal about the murderer and how do you think Beth could've stopped it or could she have?
I think we are going to find out that Beth caught Lily murdering her father and covered it up because of sisterly love and maybe guilt that she had so much that Lily didn't by virtue of birth order. If that's the case, she may have stopped the Lady Killer before she got started.

12. Julian's treatment of Lily is rather atrocious, especially considering how young she is when she first visits them. Why do you think he hates her so much and who do you suspect Lily's father is? (I have only read through chapter 29 for my questions, so I don't even know if that is revealed. Just curious what others are thinking about the situation.)
I think Julian hates her because as hard as he tried to make his life perfect, she's a living, breathing reminder that perfection is a myth. I have no idea who her father actually is.

13. Lily told Beth she wanted a lot of things, including the house. Beth told Lily she hated the house to which Lily said, "That's because you don't understand it...It's an abomination that shouldn't exist...It's exactly like me." What do you think she meant by this?
Society was not kind to "bastard" children in the 1950s. She lives in the foster care system because Mariana hid her as a shameful secret. She probably feels that way about herself.

14. Lily appears to have more power in the relationship between her and Beth, but based on Beth's current day ability to manipulate others, do you think Lily really is the more powerful one in their relationship? Why or why not?
I do think Lily is the more powerful one because she is the one that their mother dotes on, and she's also the older one who is teaching younger Beth how to manipulate.

M wrote: "Sorry for the radio silence, this covid stuff really sucks. The only bonus is that I have been reading ALOT.

The Blood Mirror

Date read: 6-3-2..."

Feel better soon! 🌺

Day 2: Chap 12-19

5. Shea is trying to explain the taps being turned on and the cupboards being opened by themselves through telekinesis. If you had experienced what she did, do you think you would have tried to explain things logically or do you think you would have believed it was ghosts and left it at that?.
I'm a fairly rational and logical thinker so I probably would have tried to find a mundane reason for it. When that failed, I may have said ghosts. I believe there's so much in this world that cannot be explained... yet.

6. After getting a cat, Shea calls on Michael to ask for advice on how to care for it, through the conversation she thinks about wanting to meet him. Do you think they will end up together or perhaps just remain as friends? Could Michael be interested as well?
I want them to have a happy ending. Michael is definitely interested. It seems like he answers her calls no matter what he's doing.

7. Mr. Greer’s former secretary tells Shea Mrs. Greer wasn’t competent and that she was "sent away somewhere when she was eighteen". Do you think she was crazy or do you have any other theories?
I do kind of wonder if Sylvia didn't want/have a relationship with her boss, Julian. She was in an abusive marriage and Beth said he was good "in his way". It would make sense that she wouldn't like his wife and might even make it up since Mr. Greer " destroyed the documents".

8. While listening to the recording of Beth’s interview Shea hears a voice in the background whispering “I am still here” and poor Winston gets spooked. Did you find this scary? Do you think cats/animals have a feel for the supernatural? If it were you, would you come back to the house after hearing that?
I find in unsettling, but not scary per se. Animals are sensitive to so many things that people aren't so it's conceivable. That said, heck no I wouldn't go back to that house.

9. Finally, in order to get in the mood for more scary stuff. Have you or someone you know have any scary/ghostly experiences you might like to share?
When I was 19, I totaled a car in a major way because of bad roads and lack of experience. The chassis snapped at the weld, essentially breaking the car in half, and if it had skidded about 4 feet further, I would have fallen into a culvert.

My gram had died the week before. Exactly 7 days before the accident. I heard her say it was going to be okay, and felt something brush my hair. I walked away from that accident without a scratch. To this day, I don't understand how.

DQs Day 1: Chap 1-11

1. Have you read the The Sun Down Motel by this author? If so, does it change your expectation for this book? Either way, what are your expectations for this book?
I have read both The Broken Girls and The Sundown Motel by this author. I expect that there will be a slight supernatural twist to the story.

2. The MC writes about cold cases and is in her late 20s and divorced. I have read quite a few horror/thriller/mystery books recently where the MC is a recently divorced, usually a bit older, woman. Have you experienced this as well? Why do you think authors might make this choice? Why do you think the choice was made for this book?
It does certainly seem to be a trope in mystery novels. I think that authors try to use a history of divorce to give their MCs some life experience and emotional complexity. I'm not sure what Shea being divorced really adds to the plot.

3. This section includes the start of the interview. Did it go the way you expected? Any one comment really stick out to you?
I thought Beth would be a little harder to get talking. It was interesting that she checked Shea out before letting her into her home. It's smart, but I found the parallel between the two women interesting.

4. What do you think about the ghostly occurrences in this section? How do they add to the story (or maybe detract)?
It's too soon for me to really tell if I like the supernatural occurrences. So far, I feel it slightly detracts from the story.

Apoorv wrote: "Bobbi, I just sent you a fresh invite to the group - hopefully that reached you. Let me know if the issue still persists and I can reach out to the other Mods in that case."

I got it, Apoorv. Thanks so much.

I'll keep looking, but it isn't popping up under Trojans either. 😕

I also checked my spam folder.

Judy wrote: "MAZE UPDATE

- You should've all received invitations into the Trojans group

- The first task has been revealed! They will be posted in this thread. The idea is to have teams rotating "duty" for c..."

I did not receive an invite.

Completion Post

Book: The Lost Apothecary
Page count: 320
Date/Rating: 5/29 5⭐

Mini Challenge Letters
Title L
Author S, P

Apoorv wrote: "

What is Book of the Month?

👉 BOOK FOR THE MONTH OF MAY
The Travelling Cat Chronicles | Hiro Arikawa
Starts: 16-May-2022
Discussion ThreadDiscussion Questions Vo..."

Since you're keeping track, Apoorv, I also volunteered for DQs on The Book of Cold Cases.

Book: The Handmaid's Tale
Page count: 314
Date/Rating: 5/26 4⭐
Mini:
Title H


Book: Otherworld
Page count: 355
Date/Rating: 5/26 3⭐
Mini:
Title O

Chapters 15-21

(view spoiler)[Aaaaah! I'm so worried about what's going to happen with Nella! Gaynor said she found two bulletins and one has the picture of the apothecary's etched bear. I hope Lord Clarence's physician brother didn't suspect foul play.

Eliza made the tiniest of mistakes, poor girl.

I wonder why James is suddenly so ill. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 22-28

(view spoiler)[Holy yikes, Caroline can't catch a break! Hopefully Gaynor vouching for her will help her case.

Nella isn't much luckier. It's never a good sign when constables, plural, show up. Run, Nella, run! (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 29-end

(view spoiler)[ Firstly, John. His actions were so manipulative! I'm so glad Caroline decided to live her life for her. So proud of her!

Eliza is such a gift. She was a joy to read. Nella really took her under her wing, and their relationship was so beautiful.

I was worried this book was over-hyped, but I'm so glad to say I was wrong. An absolute ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐! (hide spoiler)]

Cat wrote: "

Gosh, sorry it's been taking me so long, it's been so busy over here so I'm reading as I find time, ugh!!!

Also, thank you so much for the cool graphic, it's awesome :D

Chapters 8-14
Things ind..."

Absolutely no worries! I got super busy myself so I'm currently finishing chapter 21 lol

I*m glad you like the graphic!

May 21st: Chapters 8-14

(view spoiler)[Things definitely heated up in these chapters. I'm glad Nella stood up for principles with Lady Clarence. Do you think she'll give in to her threats and make her more beetle powder?

I feel so bad for Caroline. I'm interested to see how she handles things with her husband. (hide spoiler)]

I'm sorry, M. Hope you all have a fast and easy recovery.

May 20th: Chapters 1-7

8. Make More Reading Friends.
Buddy-read a book with one of your fellow adventurers. Use our local theatre for your buddy-read sessions.
Reward: 1 Major Heal Potion.

I read the first 7 chapters today. (view spoiler)[I'm enjoying it so far, but I completely agree that certain portions felt very much like an info dump. This was a great introduction to our characters and I'm excited to continue.

I learned something new: mudlarking. I had never heard the proper term. I've actually mudlarked in a national park in Canada for little bug fossils. My geology class in university took a field trip and it was so much fun! (hide spoiler)]

*Feel free to use that graphic, Cat. I just figured it would make my posts easier to find if it gets busy in here. (<*img src=https://images.cooltext.com/5602487.p...)

Completion Post


The Travelling Cat Chronicles - Hiro Arikawa ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Date: 5/20/22
Pages: 288

Mini Tasks

- The Travelling Cat Chronicles May 2022
- The Book of Cold Cases June 2022
- The Witch's Heart June 2022

DQ May 19- How Noriko Learned to Love - End of Book


13. In this chapter we get to know Saturo's Aunt Noriko better. What adjectives would you use to describe Noriko's personality? How did you feel about the way Noriko revealed Saturo's birth story? Were you surprised to learn he was adopted?
Aunt Noriko is very... blunt. She says what's on her mind without thinking of how others will take it. That's probably why she told Saturo in such a blunt way about his birth story. It came from a good place but could have been said in a much more gentle way.

14. Did you think Nana running off towards the end and living his former life as a stray was fitting for the story. Was it believable that he would come back and forth visiting Saturo in the hospital?
It was very fitting for the story of a cat as devoted to his owner as Nana was. He didn't want to leave him until he absolutely had to. I found it extremely believable.

15. Endings...they must be the second hardest thing to write for authors after beginnings. Did you like the ending? You may consider the Epilogue also when answering the question, if you like.
It was so sad but definitely a beautiful ending. Nana wanting to make sure Calico would be okay before he reunited with his beloved Saturo was so, so sweet.

16. The author, Hiro Arikawa, has written other books, with very different genre. She has written books about Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF). (I have to admit I know nothing about that!).
Would you read another book written by her? And lastly, would you recommend this book to others? If so, would you only recommend it to people who you know are cat lovers or would you widely recommend it?
I definitely would read another one of her books and would recommend it! I don't think only cat lovers would get it. I think anyone who is an animal lover would enjoy this story.