Rebecca’s Comments (group member since Nov 01, 2011)

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

I have a question about what counts as a "character" (sorry if it's been asked before).
If there are "flashbacks" with characters in them, do they count? I am trying to write down all the character names for goals and I'm just not sure. In Career of Evil Cormoran does A LOT of remembering his past and so there are long extended scene that are his "memories".

❀Tea❀ wrote: "TC said she is reading book starting with They so we are now waiting for her weekly update :P

I'm all for briefcase goal. I do have few Grisham's book that have them on cover, but right now I'm no..."

I'd be fine with booning the briefcase.

Eni wrote: "RebeccaS wrote: "Question:

So just by accident in the book I'm reading is the sentence "he and I will be together, and we'll all be able to come out of the closet"....referring to revealing their ..."

Darn! I got so excited...well maybe I'll come up again later. haha

Question:

So just by accident in the book I'm reading is the sentence "he and I will be together, and we'll all be able to come out of the closet"....referring to revealing their secrets. And then it happens.

Even though this is not the traditional meaning of "coming out of the closet" would it still work since she specifically describes it that way?

I also think we should use it on succubus/incubus! It's just so specific.

Finally. The END!
Discussion Questions Pretty Girls Chapter 20-End November 20th.

38. We find out how far the conspiracy went in chapter 21 and finally Claire makes a move to make it public. Were you surprised by the extent of people involved, or did you expect someone to be involved that wasn’t?
I didn't expect Hucklebee and I think that was the most disturbing revelation. Honestly he was the cop who was supposed to investigate and he treats the family like dirt and accuses Julia of running away....and he took A PICTURE WITH HER DEAD BODY. I was beyond disgusted.

39. Chapters 22 and 23 had me on the edge of my seat. What did you think of Claire’s rescue plan? Would you have done the same thing knowing you couldn’t trust local law enforcement and authorities that could come to the rescue are too far away? Keep in mind that all this happened in the space of two days.
I couldn't put the book down for anything at this point. I think I would have gone straight to the FBI. Maybe that makes me a wimp, but there's no way I'd be confident that I could handle it by myself. She knew/assumed at this point that Nolan wasn't involved.

40. What do you think of chapter 24, do you need some sort of happy ever after or would you have been fine with how chapter 23 ended? By the way, what do you think of Claire dating Nolan?
I think this was the happiest-ever-after possible from this book. It was even more cheery than I would have expected given the rest of this book. I think it's fine that she's dating Nolan. Dating isn't forever, and I think she will be more skeptical of all men she encounters. At least he's knows what she's been through so she doesn't have to explain it.

41. I liked that the last word was given to Sam. It had me almost in tears by the last sentence (I have to admit I’m a bit of a daddy’s girl). What did you think of his dream, walking his eldest daughter down the aisle?
I had to skim through that part honestly. Anything about a father walking his daughter down the aisle...nope. can't do it..auto-tears. I was too emotionally exhausted for that kind of thing.

42. Did you watch the video posted on the group page? This is an interview with Karin Slaughter about her book and what inspired her to write this story. Do you think she described the effects of the disappearance of a loved one on the remaining family members well? I wonder what her dreams are like if you can get a story line like that from one of your dreams. What about you?
No I didn't and probably won't now that I've read the book. I really just want to get away from it.

43. This is a standalone novel and written from the victims’ point of view. Most of Karin Slaughter’s other books are part of series (The Grand county series and the Will Trent/Atlanta series) written from an investigators point of view. Do you think you would have experienced this book differently if it was written from the pov of an investigator? I think there would be more distance to the horrible things that happened? Would you read other novels by Karin Slaughter?
Yes. Since there wasn't really any investigating going on, it would be a very short and boring book. Unless it was from Hucklebe's POV. Then I would never read it. He is so messed up it's ridiculous. Also, it would still be disturbing from a cop's POV but not as disturbing becdause of the distance.
I would read others if they are not "thriller" like this one. I'll have to think about it.

Death of a Maid by M.C. Beaton
256 pages
Published: Feb 22 2007

Characters: Elspeth, Luke, Hamish, Jimmy, Peter, Blair (1st name never mentioned), Shona, Angie, Terry, Mary, Tom, Heather, Willie, Pat, Crystal, Gloria, Freddy
Someone dies, blackmail, suspicious death, investigation, character an alcoholic, attempted murder, prostitution,
Takes place in country (Scottland)
Pet: dog "Lugs" and wildcat "Sonsie"
Careers: Police inspector, local cop, cleaning woman, bakeshop owner, news reporter, professor, lawyer, bank employee, fisherman
11 chapters and epilogue

first word: The
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cultural-> Scottlant
22nd in a series
Quotes at the start of chapters
Sheep, Hens mentioned
Idiom: "bits and pieces"
Eats/Drinks: club soda, whiskey, tea, haggis and chips, mutton pie and chips, biscuits, coffee

Gem: Crystal

❀Tea❀ wrote: "I can't remember if there was any mention of crankiness in Pretty Girls?
I remember that mom was solving everything with food and sleep, and I remember that Lydia made coffee for Claire when they w..."

I don't remember anything about that either.

Discussion Questions - ch 17-19 (pages 399-465) 19th Nov

34. A big part of the story has been who can the sisters trust. In these chapters a lot has been revealed about who is involved in the murders and who isn't. However, it's still not clear where Captain Mayhew fits in. Do you think he was in on the crimes or is he more like Nolan?
I think Mayhew was definitely in on the crimes. Since we now KNOW the videos are real....and he so clearly stated they weren't. I was suspicious of him more and more and had a feeling he's not involved. I'm glad Nolan isn't involved and FURIOUS that Claire hasn't asked him for help. Hello, he's FBI he is trained to deal with this stuff!

35. Did you guess that Sam didn't commit suicide and that in fact Paul was responsible for his death?
Yep. Sam was so dedicated to his search that I just thing there is no way that he would have committed suicide and left his daughters and ex-wife. He might have been obsessed, but he still considered himself a loving father.

36. What do you think of Helen's decision not to tell her daughters about the tape found at Sam's apartment or the fact that it was known for certain that Julia was dead?
I am kind of glad she did. I wish she had told them that the body was found and Julia was dead. But I can understand that it might lead to questions and I would never want to explain such a thing to my daughter, no matter the age.

37. Do you think that Claire will be able to rescue Lydia?
I have no idea. I could go either way here. Yes for the happy ending...but no because that would be more realistic.

Villette by Charlotte Brontë
573 pages
Published: 1853

Characters: Polly, Harriet, Lucy, Graham, Ruth, Ginevre, Desire, John, Paul, Rosine, Madame Beck
Someone dies, character moves to another country, takes a boat, is a teacher, kind of love triangle, character is doctor, friends re-united,
Takes place in country and city
Pet: dog, Sylvie

3 volumes
first word: My
Genre: Classics, Fiction, Romance
Author is dead
French words / phrases included

Words: 'Pink or scarlet, yellow or crimson, pea-green or sky-blue..." page 419

Discussion Questions November 18 Chapters 13-16

28.What was your reaction when Claire confirmed the masked man was Paul? Were you surprised?
I was slightly surprised. I think I was trying to hope out hope that it wasn't him and he was truly just the distributor OR using the videos for blackmail or something. But once I knew the videos were in the garage I did think it was Paul.

29. We learn that Claire's dad did not like Paul. What questions do you think Claire's dad wanted to ask him? (end of chapter VI in my version--the mini chapter before chapter 15)
I think Sam wanted to be "sneaky" and ask about Paul's dad and maybe his hobbies? Maybe he would bring up porn and act like it's no big deal to try and see Paul's reaction. It didn't matter what he asked....there's no way Paul would give himself away.

30. Do you think Rick will become involved or take Dee and run?
I was SO worried that Rick would try and find out what was happening. Luckily he loved Dee like a daughter and obviously wanted to keep her safe as a first priority.

31. What is your opinion of Claire at this point?
She's driving me nuts. granted I would have NO idea what to do...her helpless thinking the police are involved can't go to them they're involved...on and on in circles. I wanted her SO badly to just tell the FBI!!

32. Will Lydia and Claire get out of this "nightmare" (for lack of a better word) alive?
I honestly wouldn't be surprised if one of them didn't. I am worried that one will die and the other will have to live with the horror alone for ever.

33. Your thoughts on chapter 16?
Well Paul is obviously a psychopath. He's disgusting and the most terrible type of person. So calm as he sprays urine at Lydia and tortures her and talks about raping and murdering all those people. It's sickening. Especially the part about how he wanted to date/marry another Carroll girl and since Lydia was a drug addict he was so "lucky" that he found Claire.

Emily wrote: "Karen wrote: "he came home and I was on the lounge with the TV on, but reading. I hadn't moved for a few hours and had the tv on just for noise/company. So I was like "thank god your home now I can..."

I agree with you. The "thrillers" I have read are more interesting, twisty-turny mysteries. This is most definitely the most disturbing book I've ever read. Unfortunately I think it will stay with me forever.

❀Tea❀ wrote: "I had one better. I started reading that part during lunch :)"

Ew ew ew. I usually read at lunch, but I refused to open this book and ruin my appetite.

Karen wrote: "Eek. I made the mistake of starting the next section while home alone :o"

Oh no!!! I definitely couldn't read this book until my husband came home...too creepy to be alone!

Stacie is a machine for reading wrote: "RebeccaS wrote: "❀Tea❀ wrote: "RebeccaS wrote: "The Nine Worlds in Norse Mythology Mini-Challenge

Midgard
- Read a book where someone bites
Library of Souls"

Who's biting? :)"

A girl named Clair..."

Haha yeah it's strange. It's a strange series, but not as terrible as it sounds.

Finished (thank goodness) and posted in the thread.

I think it should fill "Goal: - Read a book shelved (listed on the first page of the "top shelves" of the book) as next-up - plurals and minor spelling variations are acceptable "

Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter

Goal: - Read a book shelved (listed on the first page of the "top shelves" of the book) as next-up - plurals and minor spelling variations are acceptable

Pages: override and use paperback 544 pages

Characters: Claire, Lydia, Paul, Ginny, Dee, Mindy, Penelope, Rick, Helen, Fred, Jacob, Sam, Ben, Adam

Just incase here are some more things:
So many dark things and I don't want to spoil...so I'll hide them(view spoiler)[ kidnapping, rape, old cases, dirty cops and politicians, sisters reunited, suicide, letters, fake death, someone dies, videos, computer hacking (kind of),
Character's jobs: architect, politician, dog spa owner, police, FBI
No pets (hide spoiler)]

Okay so I gave in and finished it last night. It got so disturbing for me (this is not my usual genre) that I just had to finish so I could be done reading it and move on to something lighter.

❀Tea❀ wrote: "RebeccaS wrote: "The Nine Worlds in Norse Mythology Mini-Challenge

Midgard
- Read a book where someone bites
Library of Souls"

Who's biting? :)"

A girl named Claire. She has a "back-mouth" which she uses to bite and attack some Hollows (enemies).

Brie wrote: "Oh I DEFINITELY read on. I'm almost finished with the book but I'm keeping meticulous notes so I don't spoil anything."

That's a good idea. I think I'll have to take notes if I do past the day's reading. There are so many twists and turns that it would be easy to spoil something!