Judith’s Comments (group member since Apr 15, 2015)

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

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Dates and Threads have been created for July BOM's.



My Friends - July 2 - Thread Here - Official Pg Count 448

The Sword ..."

The Sword of Kaigen starts on July 16. I did a double take too, but it's the July 25 (as in 2025) themed BOM that starts on July 16

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Nice. I actually have an X book too for some point that's shorter and to finish a spell it out challenge before June 30th. I thought about that in case neeed for a cheese also, it's cheesy looking ..."

I read that book a while ago. I remember it not being horrible and a bit fun in that it take itself overly serious.

Tomorrow

Boo for you not liking the book but I hope you enjoyed your trip!

Welcome back :)

Sounds great Suzanne!

I went ahead and put your Croatia book on Mini 1. But we’ll move it around as needed. I put it on there to check off the second Croatia so we didn’t accidentally end up with people reading 3.

And in case I forget to do so at the end of the week, have a lovely trip!

We were able to knock out another cheese spelling with banked books!

I read James about a month or so ago Linda, I really enjoyed it and hope you do too. I thought it was an interesting retelling of Huck Finn

We just finished off itinerary 3 for Mini 1! Great job everyone

Tammie & Denise,

That’s perfectly fine as she’s also volunteered to write DQs in a post above.

You can always trade amongst members of your team as long as they volunteered to do so before the DQs are assigned.

Sounds good!

Hope you are enjoying the reads :)

Melanie wrote: "Just want to double check about the book cap for this as I just noticed I'm only 4 books away from mine. I will likely finish 4 books a few days before the end of the round.

That means anything I..."

That's correct.

There is a countdown to the end of the round in the tracking sheet in the top left corner. I know with time zones that can be confusing.

When the countdown disappears, it means it's run down to zero and we are in month 2.

Judith's BOM Tracking

Day 1: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 2: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 3: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 4: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 5: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 6: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

DQs Day 6
Chapter 32–end

24. Lots of big reveals here in the last few chapters! We learn the truth about Jodi's relationship to Margaret, as well as some vital information about Hayden's family history. What did you think of those reveals? Did you have any theories that ended up being right, or did they surprise you?

I was assuming he was related somehow but not quite like that, I assumed he was Laura's grandson or something like that. But once it came out who Jodi wasn't sure.

25. Alice finally has the hard conversation with her mother about how out of place she feels in the family and how she feels like her mother doesn't like her as a person. How did you feel about the conversation? Did it feel realistic to you? Was there anything left unsaid you wish would've been addressed?
It seemed real enough. I think some family members just have a hard time communicating feelings because they approach and process emotions so differently. And then they just assume things (especially with an adult/child dynamic)

26. Emily Henry, the author, said that the song that best encapsulates this book is "the last great american dynasty" by Taylor Swift. I personally think there was a part that specifically felt like "marjorie" by Taylor Swift (when Alice talks about all the things she should have done when her dad was alive). If you had to pick one song that fits this book — either the book as a whole or a specific part — what song would you choose? Do you like when authors provide songs/playlists that go with their books?
I tend to ignore them for the most part. I might look at the list in passing but they don't really register with me.

27. "I welcome her to this great big beautiful life" — the epilogue finally reveals the significance of the title. What did you think of the ending and how the author wrapped up the story? Is there anything you wish had been done differently?

It's the standard-ish ending to most contemporary romances, but there's nothing wrong with that. You don't read this type of book expecting a literary masterpiece that challenges all of the beliefs you've ever had. Well, maybe you do. But that would be both weird and likely disappointing. These books are fun and non-mentally taxing. Which this book was.

Steven wrote: "I recognize quite a few of you from previous challenges and am excited to play again. Hoping it resparks my reading mojo, which has been off-kilter for a bit.

I'm Steven. I live in North Carolina..."

I'm still very jealous of that meet up by the way.

Oh, and be sure to tell Sonia I chose this tower in her honor. It's in Portugal :)

Steven wrote: "I'm working on catching up on all the tasks and goals of this Tower Teams, but I did finish a book so I'll post it here!


384 pages

Judith and/or captains, I believe..."

Yep, from June 7th on. You are a boost player not a replacement for a no show so I did it that way for those additions.

AND HELLLLLLLLLLOOOO My friend!

I saw you on the reserve list and 100% stole you. HEHE

DQs Day 5
Chapters 26 - 31/The Story

21. In the previous story…Margaret regretted the next set of interview questions with Alice…stating it was time to recall all her worst mistakes.
Was it a mistake to go to Cosmo’s concert instead of being at home during Gerald’s final hours? Was it something with Laura/Dr. David? Again, later she indicates she regrets every decision she made. What do you think? Why does she feel this way? What were the bad decisions?

I think when you have a lot of tragedy in your life, hindsight tricks you into thinking "if I'd made a different choice" for this, that, and the other, your life could of been different. I think she blames herself for a lot of what happened to Laura with the cult situation. Because the easiest person to blame (and the hardest person not too) is almost always yourself.

22. Margaret keeps referring to trust. In chapter 27 she makes a reference to trusting people who wear bright colored clothing vs not. Why would someone like Margaret, with so much experience, call out the colors in clothing as a reason to trust someone? What are some of the things that make you trust one person vs another? Why?

Maybe because bright colors make you stand out instead of blending in to hide? Not being afraid to be seen? I don't really know about the color thing. What makes me trust someone is generally them having an overall kindness and proof that they mean what they say/have actual follow through.

23. In one of the last chapters in this section, we find out that Hayden knows details about Cecil, and Alice doesn’t; after deciding together, Alice point blank asks Margaret if she knows anyone else on the island.
Do you think Alice and Hayden have broken their trust/the NDA terms with Margaret by discussing Cecil together? Should they have handled this situation differently?
No, I wouldn't of been able to not discuss that anyway. Holy cow. And Hayden just told her to pursue it after she found out about the picture. He didn't tell her anything she didn't already figure out on her own.

Day 1: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 2: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 3: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 4: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 5: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

DAY 4 - CHAPTERS 21 - STORY 26

16. So the title, Great, Big, Beautiful Life... your thoughts on who this actually refers to? Do you think it has any significance to the plot at all or is it just a catchphrase along with the bright cover art to lure in the reader?
I'm guessing the phrase will pop up at some point being said by Margaret and maybe even the title of her biography. It sounds like something she'd want to call her book. I think that's the point of this book, that people need to remember you have a great, big, beautiful life and to go live it.

17. Half way through the book and I realized that the only interviews the reader is privy to with Margaret is through Alice's eyes. Why has Emily Henry written it this way? What is the deal with Hayden? Is there actually a contest at all? And is there more to him not wanting to take his relationship with Alice to 100% physical? Is there going to be a twist, anyone think they've worked it out?
There's always a twist otherwise this will be a boring story with no plot. I don't really know what it is though and haven't put any time really in trying to figure it out.

18. Wow, nearly makeup, storm sex occurs, another near miss! What do you think about all the extended foreplay without getting to the main event? Do you like how Emily Henry writes an intimate scene? Are they important or interrupting the flow of the storyline?
Makes it less crass maybe? That this relationship already has more of an emotional foundation than her benefits situation with Theo or whatever his name is?

19. One of the themes of the book is family relationships, the good, the bad and the ugly. How does the parts about Alice and Hayden's family and especially the relationship with Alice and her mother contribute to the overall story?
Even if you grew up in a loving family, dynamics are still complicated and nothing is a simple as it may seem looking in through someone's front window. People are people and things are always far from perfect.

20. What are your favourite parts of the book? The Alice and Hayden relationship or the slow reveal of the Ives' story?
I'm enjoying both for different reasons.

Day 1: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 2: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 3: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 4: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Sonali Dev was born in India and wrote some popular books like Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors and Recipe for Persuasion.

New Country: United Kingdom! Lots of letters this time :)

Author born in UK
Red, White, and Blue found on cover
Character drinks tea
features a royal character
umbrella on cover
mentions the Beatles
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New Mini 2 Task

MPG Travel