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

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

Krissy,

when you get a chance can you add We Used to Live Here and Villain and the Geek to your challenge shelf?

Thank you!

DQs Day 4 – Chapters 22-30

15. We finally meet Daphne’s dad and step-mom, Starfire in this section. What were your first impressions of them?
Daphne's dad is about what I was expecting and highlights why she has the issues we people that she does. Starfire is kooky but I think her heart in generally in the right place.

16. While Daphne’s dad is in town Daphne keeps wondering if people can change. Do you think people can change? From the beginning of this novel do you think Daphne has changed at all?
People can change but they have to want to change which can be hard to do. I think Daphne has changed but I also like she still screws things up and isn't perfect.

17. Daphne’s dad leaves without so much as a goodbye. Were you surprised? Do you agree with Miles’ assertion that it is because Daphne’s dad is scared that Daphne sees who he really is?
No, I wasn't really surprised as it's his general MO. And if he just poofs out of her life he doesn't have to hear or see her disappointment. And Miles is probably fairly close to the truth. I think it can be hard to see the disappointment on your child's face, much easier just to bounce until the hurt fades.

18. Daphne misses Ashleigh’s birthday. Ashleigh accuses Daphne of becoming a “we” and forgetting her because she’s now part of a couple. Have you ever known someone who disappeared as soon as they got a significant other?
Oh yes, for sure. It's not a great feeling.

Bonus: Starfire believes in psychics. Do you? Do you have any interesting stories from psychic readings?
Not really but there are some weird woo-woo things that have happened from time to time.

DQs Day 3, Chapter 14-21

11. Ack! Why do these kinds of stories always have the not-quite-yet couple decide after a steamy session that they need to keep their relationship platonic? You know that both people just go off wistfully lusting after each other and regretting the whole platonic agreement! What other tropes in romance novels drive you nuts?

When it goes on too long, I find it a bit annoying. Their situation hasn't quite gotten there yet for me. Both of them are in difficult situations with very confusing feelings.

Like others have mentioned I hate silly miscommunication being a huge thing or purposeful secret pregnancies. Those I just can't stand and don't have the patience to read any more.

12. It's a huge step for (view spoiler) It's so easy to get bogged down by things, and then it can be so hard to let them go. Have you had to deal with similar situations (the general situation of having accumulated too much but having trouble downsizing)?
My bff from childhood had 2 broken engagements where she almost made it down the aisle. It's really hard to watch (and worse to watch it happen twice). I've watched my parents (now just my father) struggle with downsizing family pieces. It's the memories and reminding your self that selling off your grandfather's beloved record collection (or whatever) isn't selling your grandfather. Keep your favorite for the memory and let the rest go.

13. Any further thoughts about Miles's family background? We learn a bit more in these chapters about what growing up with his mother was like for him; is there more to his estrangement than that?
I'm guessing that's the bulk of it and the reason is in the ballpark of what I was expecting except way more extreme and is outright abuse. I'm guessing that's about it aside from some specific details. But I'm assuming we know the highlights.

14. What are your thoughts about Julia? What do you think is her real motivation for her visit to Miles?
She wants to start her life and be near the only person she sees as family, Miles. I'm guessing there was an incident with her mother the made the decision to move go from "some time in the future" to "now".

Yeah, I’m not sure Collins wrote the political intrigue the best. That may of been due to everything from Katniss’s POV.

I love of a good political intrigue but this was not that. Honestly those are next to impossible to pull off with a single POV. You don’t get enough information to understand all the moving pieces

I finished the book and my original rating didn't hold up upon a reread.

I don't know this one just wasn't as good as the others and all the battle planning and whatnot with Coin and in District 13 just seemed not as believable and a bit silly. I get what Collins was trying to do but the flow was there and the writing not as tight as the first book.

I did like what happened with Coin, having more Hunger Games was just horrifying but THAT was something believable for a person in Coin's position to do. And bizarrely I think Snow and Katniss understood each other perfectly at the end.

Gale still a douche. And poor Peeta, but at least he got his sort of happy ending. He of all people deserved one.

I shifted some books in spell outs and was able to finish our first spelling.

New spelling: carnivorous squirrel

I've made it to about the halfway point of the book. I'm remembering that even on my first read through by this point I was not a Gale fan. He really is a bit of a self-centered douche. I'm glad Katniss had Finnick there for support because Gale really wasn't all that interested in what type of support she actually needed.

Katniss is not winning any people-ing awards either but I don't think she's supposed to. She's like 16 with grown people purposefully messing with her mind and manipulating her. It's a bit amazing she can even function at all.

Honestly I love the random tidbits of story with Buttercup, it's actually a nice foil to what's going on with Katniss.

DQs Day 2 Chapter 9-13

6. In this section, we learn that the countdown at the start of every chapter is for the Read-a-thon, a reading event Daphne is planning at the library. Did you try to figure out what it was about? What did you think? Or were you just along for the ride, waiting to find to, like I was?
I figured we'd find out and that it was a way to force some action in the story by placing a deadline to something happening between the MCs . . . or not happening as the case may be.

7. Speaking of the Read-a-thon, have you heard of or participated in (or even organized!) something like it? Would you like to?
Not a Read-a-thon like that where it all happens in one go. It sounds fun though, I'd do it.

8. “[Sadie] and Cooper were our best friends” Daphne is not only going through the end of her romantic relationship, but also seems to have lost her best friend. What’s your take on that? Have you ever been on either side of this situation? (No need to answer/go into detail of course!)
Yes, sort of. I'm passed the age of our friends getting married and having kids, and are starting to enter the divorce phase for those who aren't going to go the distance. But it's not to the degree that Daphne is facing since Sadie was her bff. Usually in a divorce or a similar type of split, friends end up picking a side even if it's not intentional. It just happens.

9. “I think the beard is sheer chaos, but not inherently bad. It’s your face, Miles. All that matters is how you feel about it.” I think Daphne makes a great point here and think we should all remember that a bit more before we judge people’s looks. Were there any quotes that really stood out to you?
I thought Daphne's thoughts not definitely not taking Peter back were good, I'm hoping she sticks to that because I have a feeling his stupid face will be back.
I really liked this conversation too and wish more people thought they way Daphne does.

10. What do you think is up with Miles’s family so he doesn’t have a relationship with his parents? How do you feel about Daphne neither probing nor really wondering about it?
Daphne is excellent at minding her own business and not pressuring to talk about deeply personal things before a person is ready. I mean, how long and well do they really know each other at this point. I didn't think anything about her not poking her nose into what could be deeply private business, like what if his parents were abusive? Do I think that, no not really. I'm guessing it's more along the lines of they wanted Miles to be a doctor or lawyer or whatever and aren't impressed with his life choices so wrote him off.

Yes, we can bank books for the spell outs as well.

I will say though if we are close to finishing a spell out I will likely swap out books with read ones so we can get a new spelling. But if I won't do that until I can complete the spelling.

It might happen that we spin for a new word and I fill it will banked books and we immediately spin for another new word. Or repeat the spelling if we so choose.

DQs Day 1 Chapter 1-8

1. Is this your first Emily Henry book or have you read others by her? If not your first, what has been your favorite book of hers, so far? If your first, has she been on your radar before or is this a BOM/Games thing you're reading for?
I've read Book Lovers for a previous BOM and enjoyed it. Some of her others are on my tbr but I'm never in a hurry to read her books. Not because she's not a good author but it's just I tend to want to read something else more.

2. What do you think so far of the story and the writing?
Light and breezy and so far setting up nicely. About what I was expecting.

3. What would you do if you found yourself in the same shoes as Miles and Daphne and were invited to an ex's wedding?!?
Hmm, I'd be tempted to RSVP, especially when intoxicated. But not sure I'd actually show.

4. I love Emily Henry's characters. I always find myself laughing throughout her books. Are you enjoying the characters so far in this one? Anyone in particular an early favorite?
I am actually. Nothing particularly earth shattering but then that's not the type of books Henry writes. Honestly so far Ashleigh is my favorite.

5. Any early predictions for how this will turn out? Do you think Peter's call to Daphne is an indication of jealousy? Do you agree with Ashleigh when she said "If Peter was going to break your heart now, he wouldn't done it eventually." and "He's a lunch swapper, and whether it was the rusty metal Batman lunch box or a Cars 2 zip-up one that's filled with mold, at some point, he was going to trade in the sake lunch." (I love that metaphor!!)
Oh for sure. The fact Daphne packed her stuff and left without a bunch of dramatics probably bummed him out. I completely agree with Ashleigh's statement. As the saying goes, when people SHOW you who they are, believe them.

Cordelia wrote: "Work got unexpectedly canceled today so I got a bonus free day. I finished Funny Story. Now to decide which of my too many current reads to continue or whether to start yet another book.... I feel ..."

book added :)

Finally getting around to this re-read.

I forgot about how insidious and creepy Snow is even at this point in the trilogy. That white rose on the dresser. Heebie jeebies

I will say that all of the early chapters with descriptions of District 13 made it a little hard to believe the Capitol didn't know they were there and left them be. I have a hard time believing they were able to source all of the necessary raw ingredients to make all the clothes, food, technology, etc.

But I guess if they weren't able to do those things it would of been a really short book 3.

FYI - the bright green highlight on the tracking sheet are for read books we are holding for future district wheel tasks.

the tag is more for me so I don't accidently log them on the main sheet and/or lose track of them.

just sharing so y'all aren't wondering what it means :)

No, normally characters are allowed but for this mini they aren't :(

We'll likely get it on a mini eventually since we can bank books for future district wheel spins.

The Road Trip by Beth O'Leary

Addie and her sister are about to embark on an epic road trip to a friend's wedding in the north of Scotland. The playlist is all planned and the snacks are packed.

But, not long after setting off, a car slams into the back of theirs. The driver is none other than Addie's ex, Dylan, who she's avoided since their traumatic break-up two years earlier.

Dylan and his best mate are heading to the wedding too, and they've totalled their car, so Addie has no choice but to offer them a ride. The car is soon jam-packed full of luggage and secrets, and with three hundred miles ahead of them, Dylan and Addie can't avoid confronting the very messy history of their relationship...

Will they make it to the wedding on time? And, more importantly... is this really the end of the road for Addie and Dylan?

Reason: car on cover/road trip

My new nominate until it wins/I read it anyway :P



Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide by Rupert Holmes

Who hasn't wondered for a split second what the world would be like the object of your affliction ceased to exist? But then you've probably never heard of The McMasters Conservatory, dedicated to the consummate execution of the homicidal arts. To gain admission, a student must have an ethical reason for erasing someone who deeply deserves a fate no worse (nor better) than death.

The campus of this "Poison Ivy League" college-its location unknown to even those who study there-is where you might find yourself the practice target of a classmate...and where one's mandatory graduation thesis is getting away with the perfect murder of someone whose death will make the world a much better place to live.

Prepare for an education you'll never forget. A delightful mix of witty wordplay, breathtaking twists and genuine intrigue, Murder Your Employer will gain you admission into a wholly original world, cocooned within the most entertaining book about well-intentioned would-be murderers you'll ever read.

I also second those mentioned above. I'm currently relistening to The Saint of Steel series by Kingfisher since a new one recently came out.

Enjoying them just as much the second time around.

First one is Paladin’s Grace

Lexi wrote: "I thought Pachinko took place in Korea under the rule of the Japanese empire but I haven’t read it so I may be wrong."

the MC is Korean but ends up in Japan. It takes place in both countries but more in Japan than Korea.

It is during the occupation of Korea though so it can be confusing.

Stacie wrote: "I just want to say this challenge has been a lot of fun as has this team."

Oh yay! This makes me happy to hear

Congratulations Team!

We won the Battle for Round 3. Like the Battle for Round 2, we tied for letters overlapping but this go round we won the coin toss for the tie breaker. So woo-hoo for the 5 extra points :)

Thank you for keeping the selections fun and helping find books that sent decent letters to D1 for their next selection. Not all teams did that and there were certainly some struggles in other battles.