Suzanne’s Comments (group member since Aug 13, 2015)

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

I too am in for the Entwives (District 7)

Haha spoken like a true book lover. "Unfortunately it's a short commute. "

I love the woods :) Thanks Sonia

Thanks Cecily! Those look really good - and I was hoping for some good change of pace recommendations from my fantasy/scifi stuff!

Oh I adore Murderbot!
And I love those recommendations - what a nice variety. I've thought quite some time that I need to check out Connie Willis! I enjoyed the movie Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris - how did I not know there was a book!? And it is so nice to learn of relatable non-fiction.

Sophie - I agree that Starter Villain was excellent! Such a great book - plus cats!

Yes! Sorry - I just remembered I needed to do this when I went to the Hunger Games thread. I saw the message on my phone and couldn't edit my post, then totally forgot about it when I was at a computer. But I confirm - District 7 :)

For 2024: I read the God King Chronicles series starting with and really enjoyed it. It was a buddy read with another group, and I think everyone in the group liked the series a lot.
such a good series start!
I'm also loving so far (30% done) of . I didn't think I'd like it - the cover looked a bit silly to me - but the audio version is excellent, and I think the snarky asides would work in text as well. Hopefully it can continue to be enjoyable the rest of the way through :)

For 2023, I'd recommend:
11/22/63
Remarkably Bright Creatures
and Orphan X (cheating I know - but I read the most recent up to that time2 books of the series in 2023)

Oh that's cool about the informal buddy read! It has been quite some time since I've read that series.

Off to look at my read books so I can answer that great favorites question.

Sophie wrote: "That's a good variety! Peurto Maldonado in the Amazon was where we ended up. I hope you get to see the giant river otters." I hope so too! Wow that is so cool you spent 6 weeks there! I feel like you had the 9 course meal and we'll be getting the hor d'oeuvres. But they will be delicious :)

@Teddie - I loved Project Hail Mary - I hope you enjoy it! It 100% appealed to my inner math and teacher. For Peru, we spend 2 days in Lima, then 3 days in the Amazon and 4 at Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. I'm getting excited!

Hi! My name is Suzanne and I'm very excited to be in District 7 with all of you!

Like Vicki, I am a retired teacher (math in university). My children are all grown up and currently all out of the house, but that could change any minute :). I'm married and we have an English Mastiff who is pretty convinced that he's another person (he's very spoiled).

Being retired, I'm going to be in Peru the first few days of the challenge - we are leaving May 8th and will be back the evening of the 19th. I'll be sure to keep track of what I read from the 15th on - for sure I'll have reading time on the LONG plane trip - or perhaps sleeping time :) Yay for kindles - I can take hundreds of books and mood-read whatever I want.

I like many genres - although I get impatient with a lot of YA and scared by a lot of horror. I will probably be reading lots of Sci-fi/fantasy the first part of this challenge because I'm intending to vote for the Hugo awards, and I want to vote responsibly :)

My shelf is here: bg24

I saw this and thought of you guys:

I'm in. I can do DQs if it's the 20th or later - if that's too restrictive, I'll just be a reader :)

District 7

I'm in, and can do DQs for this one.

DQ Day 4: Chapters 34 – Epilogue

13. The necromancer has been defeated. How do you think this plot line ended? Did you like the resolution?
I did like the resolution and how they used the book.

14. This and the first book are used as prime examples of the cozy fantasy. Have you read other books in this genre? What are your thoughts on the genre, and would you read more?
I've read tons of fantasy, but not a ton of "Cozy fantasy". I wonder if Gail Carriger would count for that? Kind of like Becky Chambers writes cozy science fiction.


15. If you have read the first one, how does this one compare in terms of worldbuilding and character development? If you have not read it, does the characterization and worldbuilding make you want to read the first book in the series?
I did read the first one. Hmmm...I think I liked it a little more, and it perhaps had better worldbuilding. I mostly loved the book-related stuff in this one.

16. Do you like Epilogues on books? Did you enjoy seeing the characters in the future?
I CAN like epilogues, but this one should have had a big spoiler warning.

DQ Day 3: Chapters 23 - 33

9. Hurrah! Finally the bonedust arrives! What do you think of Satchel as an addition to the characters?

I loved Satchel. In fact, I spent much of the book worrying about him when they ran out of bonedust.


10. Mystery book sale! How are you liking the changes to the bookshop? Have you / would you buy mystery book sets like this? A fun bonus: make up your own mystery book set and post your three word descriptors for us to pick a set!

I loved this idea - it reminds me of our library's "Blind Date with a Book". I'd totally buy some of those packages. For me? "Mysterious, Meaningful Magic"

11. The necromancer is on her way! What do you think of these dreams and of the sword from the book?
I wanted to explore all of the book portals! And the sword is cool.


12. A hint here that the end of the relationship is not going to be as clean as Maylee and Viv said it would be. But, what do you actually think about this plot strand - necessary, surplus, well-done, meh? Discuss!

I don't like goodbyes, but I thought if they were going to have a relationship, it was bound to leave some sadness. Even just friends knowing they would part would be sad!

DQs Day 2 ~ Chapters 11 - 21

5. What was your impression of the Man in Gray when he first came into the Bookshop? Of what significance do you think he holds?
It was pretty clear that he was evil and up to something - what good person would smack Porkchop!? I was pretty sure he was connected with the necromancer, since that is the "big bad" we know about.

6. The Gatewardens were an interesting group. Immediately taking everyone involved in the fight to the cells! What did you think of their tactics? I didn't agree with it - especially KEEPING everyone in the cells. I guess they are waiting for someone to confess or something?

7. I feel a little bad for Maylee; she seems to have real feelings for Viv but I feel like Viv is going to leave in a short time. Maylee said she was good with whatever time she could get, but I have to think it will still hurt. What do you think of this? Is any amount of joy gained worth the potential risk/hurt? I think the willingness to risk is a personal call, but I too worry about Maylee! She needs a long-term relationship and Viv doesn't seem to be the one.

8. “The shop … will last a little longer. It’s been better lately. A bit. A few more visitors. A few more books.” “But in another way, it’s the best it’s ever been. It’s been better for me. Having you here is connecting me to why I do this. To why I used to love it. I don’t know if I can explain it, but watching you read what I give you, putting a book in your hands and seeing what happens to you once you put it back down … I can’t make you understand how that gives me something I didn’t know I had to have.”

I liked this explanation Fern gave to Viv about why she wanted her in the shop. I think that it would be great if everyone could find the thing that reminds them of why they love things. Have there been any exchanges or quotes that made you stop for a second to think about them or that made you laugh?

I loved a lot of the quotes about books - I don't have a print copy, so I can't replicate them. But I think the love of books was my favorite part of THIS book. Oh, and Satchel.

DQS - DAY 1, 3 Jan

1. Thankfully, on GR this book is simply listed as "Bookshops & Bonedust", but my kindle edition adds the subtitle "A Heartwarming Cosy Fantasy and TikTok Sensation".
Recently I noticed this increasing trend (or is it just me?) of publishing books with these types of subtitles. How do you feel about them? Necessary info or off-putting advertisement?
I HATE this trend so much! I don't want the "title" to tell me how I'm supposed to feel about a book. And mentioning TikTok too? Ugh.

2. In the first 25% of the book we are getting introduced to Viv, Iridia, Fern, etc. and other characters presumably playing a major part in the plot? How do you feel about them and their characterisation? I really like all of them. Of course, I knew Viv from the original book, so I had pre-built like there. But I really love Fern especially, and Iridia is growing on me.

3. What about world building? Is it enough? Interesting enough or do you need more to get involved int the story? How about the premise of an abandoned/struggling bookshop?
The world building is fine for me, because the world and the magic aren't a huge part of what the book seems to be about. We know there is something bigger going on, but we are in our own little story. I LOVE the bookshop, and the suggestions, and everything about that.

4.
“I gotta ask, is that the same mug you’re always cleaning, or do they all get a chance?” The sea-fey’s gray brows rose. The tattoos on his forearms boiled as he scrubbed. “Didn’t think you’d notice. Old tavernkeeper’s secret. Wash one, everybody assumes the rest are clean, too.” He grinned at her.

One of my first highlights in the book. This really made me smile as it really shows the cliches how barmen/women are depicted in books/films?
Did it make you think of such a (memorable) landlord/lady character in any previous readings?

I can't think of any, but this quote made me laugh.

Extra Q: This book has actually been written and published after Book 1, Legends & Lattes. Have you read it? If yes, what did you think?
Yes - I read and adored Legends & Lattes.

I was so horrible at tracking here - but I did keep the older books in mind and just entered the rest - I finished 52 out of my goal of 50 so yay!

Things I found:
I read zero from the first four TBR years on GR (2012-2015). I guess I seriously should think of culling those from my TBR

New books sure seem to attract me :) Although I blame Netgalley for a lot of that. I probably should cut down on Netgalley.

My favorite of the ones I read was probably Where'd You Go, Bernadette - very entertaining. I was also happy that I read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, as that is one that I've kept thinking I SHOULD read.

Yes it is a great placement for sure! The challenges in this group are always super competitive - lots of fantastic readers and teams. We did an amazing job with reading and working together - thanks everyone!