Kerri’s Comments (group member since Sep 29, 2015)

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

DQ Day 2: Chapters 6-11

6. It's taken me a bit to understand what's happening in town currently and in the past. Has anyone else struggled or have you caught on well? Do you think the author has set the scene well, or are there improvements/other ways you think would work better?

I'm tracking about as well as possible, I think. Mostly I'm trying to keep everyone's familial relationships straight! But I'm following along pretty well. I think the author has certainly set the tone very well, though I can see how all this could be confusing.

7. We meet Declan Kelly in this chapter, Malcolm's brother. What are your impressions on him? Do you think he murdered Lacey? Or has anything to do with Sarah's (Sadie's twin) disappearance? The hit and run of Mr Bowman or the threats around town? If not, who do you think is responsible for all of them, or any of them? Do you have any theories so far on the connections of the occurrences? I feel like there's so many suspects and Sadie is definitely hiding something.

I don't think Declan is the murderer or, if he *is* involved, I don't think he was the only perpetrator. I'm more inclined to think he's completely innocent. I mean... that would be just too obvious, wouldn't it? I don't have any firm suspects, as of yet. I'm curious about the young cop, Rodriguez. Something seems fishy about him. And something is clearly going on with Brooke, though I can't figure out if it has to do with the disapperances/murders.

8. The Homecoming Court announcements: Did it surprise you that Ellery was nominated for Queen? Why do you think she was 'chosen' as a potential Queen? It's kind of ominous to the Homecoming, isn't it? I feel like Homecoming is where things will go crazy. What do you guys predict will happen?

I knew it was going to be someone we were expecting, so either her or Mia. It kind of makes sense, though. It seems like the person behind the sinister messages is digging into the past, so targeting the niece of the first girl that disappeared makes a weird kind of sense? Seeming as one of the threats mentioned the date of the homecoming, I definitely think that's when something big is going to happen. Honestly, I feel like someone is targeting Ellery, but maybe all three of the girls are going to be harmed? Echo Ridge is a crazy town!

9. As an Australian, I don't understand the craze around Homecoming. We have Formals which is similar to Homecoming but no one is chosen as a Queen or King. Did you go to a Homecoming in High School, or something similar? What was it like? I went without a boy (too cool for boys back then) and went with one of my girl friends. We had a blast! My aunty actually helped me design my dress and made it for me. It was actually my first introduction on how to dress feminine and like it!

I went to a couple of homecomings during high school, though they weren't my favorite thing, lol. I always went with a group of friends because boys were no where near my radar back then. Too focused on grades and college. I did have fun, though! Dancing and hanging out with friends is always a blast.

10. It seems like Daisy has been through a lot... Her breakdown in the car and shutting herself in her room. What do you think is going on with her? Do you think she's finally dealing with Lacey's death or do you think something else is going on with her?

I feel like she knows more about what happened to Lacey than she's letting on. Maybe she knows who killed her or even helped? Something is definitely affecting her mental health and it might possibly be guilt.

Alysa wrote: "@Frankie -- we put your Stalking Jack the Ripper book in for an S! It also works for A and W. Let us know if any other relevant letters popped up.

@Kerri -- do you think you will have at least 1 m..."

Yup! I'll be done with Two Can Keep a Secret by the end of the week. Completely forgot when the BOM discussion started, so I'm spending my day off catching up and I'll def be done by Sunday.

DQs Day 1
Chapters 1 to 5

1.) Why are you participating in this BOM? Just for extra Tower Teams points? Because you were interested in/going to read this book anyway? Have you read other words by this author?

Gonna be honest, it's mostly for the TT points, but I have wanted to read something by Karen M. McManus for awhile. I own One of Us is Lying, but have yet to read it. So far, I'm liking her writing style, so that bodes well for me finally reading her first book.

2.) I'm loving Ellery's true crime obsession. Pre-child I used to have the Discovery ID channel (true crime, all the time) on a lot as background. Though I'm thinking this is foreshadowing of not good things to come. What do you think? Have you read any of the crime books mentioned so far?

I'm loving her true crime obsession, too! I can't tell you how many hours of ID Channel I have watched, lol. I feel like it's going to get her in trouble, though. She seems like the type that might try to solve the crime herself.

I have read In Cold Blood, which I really enjoyed! I haven't read any Ann Rule, yet, but she's on my TBR.

3.) Characters, first impressions. What do you think of Ellery & Ezra? Sadie, and the fact they refer to her by her first name and not 'Mom'? Malcom & Katrin? Familial relations seems to be a central theme to this book and specifically sibling relationships. There's been several twin references and references to other sibling relationships (Declan, Daisy, Lacey's siblings, etc). Do you think these types of ties will play into the main story line?

I really like Ellery and Ezra. Their relationship reminds me of my relationship with my brother, though I'm more the Ezra and he's more the Ellery. And we're not twins! I also like Malcolm. Katrin is okay... she's clearly got that snippy, popular girl thing going on, but she also seems kind (fixing Malcolm's tie, letting him borrow her car) so I'm trying not to judge her too harshly. I am curious if the sibling relationship stuff will play a bigger part in the whole story. It does seem like an important theme, even going back to Sadie and her twin, Sarah.

I'm wondering if Ellery and Ezra calling Sadie by her first name is something that she's asked them to do. As an actress, maybe she feels like being called "Mom" makes her feel too old? She seems like the type.

4.) This book is set in a small town and that type of atmosphere has been highlighted strongly during the set-up of the story. However, it isn't really the bucolic small town setting being highlighted by the author, but the everyone is in everyone else's business and will judge the crap out of your entire family if given the chance. What do you think of small towns? Would you like to live in one (or do you already)?

Small towns are exactly like this, in my experience... Everyone knows everyone else's business. I like small towns and they can feel homey, but I'm more of a suburbs girl. Not too crowded, not to insulated. If I had to big between living in a city and living in a small town, though, I would pick the small town every time.

5.) I loved the epitaph of Mr. Bowman's tombstone.
"Tell me and I forget
Teach me and I may remember
Involve me and I learn"
What did you think about it? Do you agree with the statement? And why do you think there has been such a focus on a seemingly sad, but random hit and run?

I appreciated his epitaph immensely because it speaks to a man who really loved his job. Teaching can be thankless but he seemed to still have a passion for it. I definitely agree with the sentiment, as well. I'm a very hands-on learner!

As for the focus on a hit-and-run, it makes me think that it was more of a murder than an accident. Maybe Mr. Bowman learned something that he shouldn't have known? But then you would think he would call the police, no go wandering about in a hailstorm... Maybe it's a bit of foreshadowing? I dunno, lol.

Alysa wrote: "Kerri wrote: "Gotcha! I’ll get the date added today once I get home :) I plan on finishing at work today. Mondays are pretty slow, so I can usually listen while I work."

If you are using Audio mai..."

Thank you for the reminder! It's all shelved and my complete date is on the spreadsheet :)

Gotcha! I’ll get the date added today once I get home :) I plan on finishing at work today. Mondays are pretty slow, so I can usually listen while I work.

So I'm not sure where we would like to put Warrior of the Altaii now that it's counting towards this week. I gotta get to bed, but let me know if you want to stick it under the Boggle or go for cover color and I'll get it on the sheet. Also, I saved the last bit of Doctor Sleep and will have that done tomorrow!

Alysa wrote: "@Kerri, aw, too bad!
But at least if you are almost done with Doctor Sleep you might be able to finish at least 2 this week...

@M, jealous of your staycation!"

Too true. Ugh, I'm sorry again. I felt like I was forgetting something all day and now I know why >_<

Guys, I'm so sorry! I finished my book last night, but fell asleep before I posted it and I've been at work all day! It completely slipped my mind!

I hang my head in shame...

Alysa wrote: "Kerri wrote: "So, I'm really close to being done with Doctor Sleep, but did I read we were close to our limit? I can wait to finish it until we're into the next week."

Hi Kerri,
I ..."

I am! I'm actually finishing that one up tonight :-)

So, I'm really close to being done with Doctor Sleep, but did I read we were close to our limit? I can wait to finish it until we're into the next week.

The Chestnut Man was fast-paced and kept me guessing, but it definitely left me feeling a bit slimy... Something about the tone or the author's choices just rubbed me the wrong way.

I'd like to volunteer for DQs for Team Ira :)

Also, I'm almost done with my "Man" book. It's a short book but it's kind of boring... which is weird to say about a high fantasy adventure book. I'm pushing through, though!

Would y'all mind if I did the volunteering for Ninth House DQs? I'm hyped for this book and definitely wouldn't mind writing some questions!

I haven't gotten notifications on the app for years. I gave up on it, lol. My notifications on the website seem to be working, though!

Jessi wrote: "I'm fine just a client wanted to be rude and then my co worker was rude and now they're investigating the phone call with said client and I'm just over people today.

Also, GR is not giving me noti..."

That sucks and I get why you're over people for the day. Hopefully your day got better?

Alysa wrote: "I do think it is red enough, actually, but based on your description it would also work for the Man square.
Right now Allison has "The Chestnut Man" in there, but people can duke it out based on wh..."

If it works for cover color, that works for me! This is one of the rare instances where it looks less red in person than it does online, lol.

@Alysa - I think your stories are great! Especially that Touched by the Sun line in the second one XD

Sorry I haven't been around today. I was called into work and just got back home, ugh. This coming up week should be much less busy, so I'll be around more.

As for the Bingo, do you think a manly book with manly man men that is basically dripping in testosterone would work for the Man square? Because I'm almost done with and it certainly fits that category. I don't think the cover color is bold enough to actually use and it doesn't really fit any of the genres, so if we can use it in Bingo for more points, I'd figure I'd try!

I can do that! I'll give it a go tomorrow morning... this girl was out past midnight last night cause I went to see RENT with my best friend, and it is hitting me full force right now, lol.

Once upon a time, there lived two women; Bella, the Marked Sea Witch, and Donna, the Inked Princess Bride. These two met, fell in love, and were set to be married. The traveled to the Wolf Hall, were their wedding feast was to be held. They chose to Feed their guests with delicacies from their native lands and dazzle them by donning their personal favorite treasures. Bella wore a Crown of Coral and Pearl while Donna wore a dress made of Dark Matter. Unfortunately, the Dark Matter in her dress was not as stable as she had hoped and it leaked into the world. "Everything has turned into Fifty Shades of Mr. Darcy," bemoaned Bella as she looked at the horrible, grey world. "Perhaps we should ask the seer, Anna Karenina, for advice," suggested Donna, who felt a tad bit guilty. They approached Anna, who told them they must travel to The Land of Painted Caves and collect all the colors that had been lost from the world. It would take many years and a lot of toil, but only they could fix what had been broken. Bella and Donna agreed and left that very day. Years later, the world was once again filled with color and everyone said that Sense and Sensibility had been restored.

(I moved some stuff around for this - switched the One and Two adjectives/roles and switched what Two wore/what One said - but this was what I came up with.)