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

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

DQ Day 4: Part Four

13. The relationship between Billie and Nell - do like like this relationship and how it's developed over the course of the book? How does it fit with the other parent-child relationships we see (explicit or implied, like with Frank and The Admiral)
I think it's interesting and glad they had that talk. Oof. Both of them have had a rough go and crap parents. I think Nell is doing her best to be there for Billie and provide stability. It seems one of the healthier ones around. Dom's kids have mainly been mentioned in passing so don't have the best handle on those.

14. Cora and Dom: did anyone expect that twist?! What do you think of this big reveal?
I called it! At least the Cora part, I didn't see Dom having the knowledge or any where near that level of involvement. But it makes a lot of sense in hindsight. If I was Nell, I'd pick Billie up and run.

15. The Bonehunters: what do you think of the different Bonehunters? In day 1 Lisa asked about how digital / social changed the mechanics of the hunt. Have your thoughts been played out in the book? Given at the start we were all thinking about it as a hunt, and it's ended up being a relationship book, who has the move to digital for the Bonehunters affected their interactions, with each other, the world and the hunt?
I think it's made it more insidious and impossible to get away from. Like internet trolls who gather together and crash sites and ruin people's lives without ever revealing themselves or even leaving their house. Ingrid was unnerving and scary but she was a real, physical person Dom was able to fight off of Nell in the moment. You can't really do that digitally.

16. Who's portrait are they actually hung up on, if it's not Bridget (given that Bridget was clear there was a portrait of her in the last part)?
It's got to be Rose. No one else makes sense at this point. GROSS.

Posting for Lexi

DQs Day 5
Part 5 to end

17. What do you think of the ending with Frank? What do you think caused his final response?

18. Were you surprised by the family’s response to Nell especially Rose’s response? Would you have sided with the family or Nell?

19. This book deals with serval major themes. Do you think the author handled them well? Especially each person’s response to what Frank did to Rose?

20. Finally, the epilogue. Did you think it was necessary and were you surprised?

I don't think E decided to get the book right now since there seemed to be others to cover.

If you want I can email or PM you the questions and can post them for you if that would make it easier. Just let me know :)

I lost a bet and read the series. Save yourself

DQs Day 3
Part 3

9. "Home was vomit and broken glass, and under Frank's hands she was a ripe peach splitting open, danger and solace merged in the act." - what compelling language! I had to re-read this line multiple times, and I'm still unsure if I received the author's intent. What was your interpretation? What are your thoughts on Frank and Bridgit's affair as a whole?
That home was dirty pain and abuse and Frank made her feel desired and provided comfort even though she knew it could cost her everything. I think he was being an a**hole to get back a Lal because they aren't actually friends. I think she was really looking for a way out because she thinks if Lal finds, straight to divorce and she can take Rose and run for her life.

10. Let's talk about some of the characters. In this section I grew to truly despise Frank, understand Cora and Dom a little more, but Bridgit is the most interesting to me- I keep mulling over her desire to no longer be tied to Frank, divorce Lal, and get out, but seemingly choosing to stay for Rose; and shocked but intrigued by her actions on the phone at the end. Who stands out to you and why?
I think that phone call was brilliant. Frank might never recover from who bought all those paintings. LOL, dink. He deserved that 100%. What stood out was how unbelievably selfish all of the adults are and they are all crap parents. Bridgit is the best of the lot but being the best out of piles of crap isn't exactly something to brag about. Poor Dom, he needs a hug.

11. This section breathed new life into the book for me. It was refreshing to see one night of the story from multiple viewpoints, and it drew me in, knowing that it will be catalytic for the remainder of the book. Did part 3 increase, decrease, or have no effect on your enjoyment of the book and why?
I think it was an interesting and effective section. That seems to be a pivotal day for the families so I like that we got it all in one go instead of in snippets.

12. Who do you think got into the car with Lal?
I honestly don't know. I'm just riding this bus to crazy town and just waiting to see what's at the next stop.

Christian Grey & Anastasia Steele (Fifty Shades of Grey)
200 to 299
MC had/has a troubled childhood
grey cover
part of a trilogy
number in title

Lexi wrote: "Great, thank you. I finished Hot Prof if someone wants to spin a new one. I’m phone only for the rest of March."

I think I spun and landed on your favorite couple of all time :P

(note intense sarcasm)

Lexi wrote: "Judith, since it’s your task, would you accept for MC cries a lot, MC used to cry a lot as a child if it is plot revalent?"

sure

Tomorrow is a break/catch up day so I don’t think it’ll be an issue for you to post questions then.

I know you have a Stephen King fan or 2 on your team. Joyland is a good read and has the benefit of being a normal length instead of a doorstop.

The Exile by Jane Harper also good but a 3rd in series, you wouldn’t be lost though just reading it and not the first two.

Reapers are reaping no more. New one from Overly specific

The Devourers (Indra Das)
175-225
Tagged "south-asian" (5 or more times)
"""cannibal"" or ""cannibalism"" in text"
Tagged "Trans" or "Transgender" (5 or more times)
Author Initials (all) in KOLKATA

DQs Day 2
Part 2

5.) What do you think of Richard, past & present? Do you believe that he really loved Nell? If you were Nell could you of stayed with Richard or ever forgiven him?
I bizarrely like him as a friend for Nell. What he did was despicable and shattered what little faith Nell had in trust and relationships. But I also think he got into a situation he saw no path out of, not sure where he thought their relationship was going to go though. I think he really did love her though, that's why he's helping her now.
I would of walked to, I'd never trust him with my intimate thoughts again. Some things just can't be put back together.

6.) Do you like the set up of the book, flashing back and the current timeline? What about the Frank/Lal chapters with the Up/Downs, complicated friendship there. Do you find this effective or distracting?
I think this author is pulling it off, a lot don't and the story drags. I think it helps the flashbacks are short, to the point of providing context, and are only a chapter long before returning to the current time. I think the Frank/Lal chapters are very illuminating and I like the set up of the Up/Down. I'm not sure if they are life long friends or life long frenemies.

7.) "He used other people's bodies as weapons." Do you think Frank and Bridgit had the affair? If so do you think Lal knew/knows?
In the right moment I think it could of certainly happened if it was during Lal's drinking and the mental/physical/emotional abuse happening. As for Lal knowing? I honestly don't know, there's not much to go on for his character.

8.) Oisin got quite the reality check about his family. Poor dude, grandparents weren't always old and could of been very different people from who they are at 70. Do you think Frank and Lal did it? A setup, if you any guesses as to who?
Oisin's little head just exploded during that family meeting. Bless his heart. I don't think they did it and if it's a character we've had some page time on, I'm going to go with Cora. But that's just a guess with out much to back it up. I really don't know where this is going.

DQs Day 2
Part 2

5.) What do you think of Richard, past & present? Do you believe that he really loved Nell? If you were Nell could you of stayed with Richard or ever forgiven him?

6.) Do you like the set up of the book, flashing back and the current timeline? What about the Frank/Lal chapters with the Up/Downs, complicated friendship there. Do you find this effective or distracting?

7.) "He used other people's bodies as weapons." Do you think Frank and Bridgit had the affair? If so do you think Lal knew/knows?

8.) Oisin got quite the reality check about his family. Poor dude, grandparents weren't always old and could of been very different people from who they are at 70. Do you think Frank and Lal did it? A setup, if you any guesses as to who?

DQ'S DAY 1 PROLOGUE - PART 1

1. First up let's discuss the artwork on the cover. When this book first popped up on my Goodreads feed I was drawn to the intriguing combination of bones, keys and flowers. Pretty. How important are covers and cover art to you when choosing to pick up (or download) a book? Does the growing popularity of audio and eBooks lessen the importance of what the cover looks like?
I'm a ho for a beautiful cover. It won't necessarily make me buy a book but it will certainly make me stop and look. And that's either in the store or if something pretty pops up in my GR feed. So cover design matters no matter the media type I think.

To me word of mouth is still the best marketing for a book period. My GR peeps generally don't let me down :P

2. The author's note and the prologue set the scene for a riveting tale. Have you ever heard of Kim Williams' Masquerade (I hadn't)? What differences do you think the digital and social media era would bring as compared to the original treasure hunt?
No, but not sure if that's because I'm not in the UK and maybe it was more of a UK thing? Digital allows more accessibility but can also limit in a different way because physical clues would be harder to include. And you can just dig a hole to check. Easier for people to steal your work too. I feel the original treasure hunt would feel more like a quest or adventure than the digital one.

3. "What's mine is his and what's his is his". (Lall)
Frank - generous Patriarch, friend and benefactor or control freak? Discuss.
master manipulating control freak dink. I am not a fan of his.

4. Finishing up Part 1 the story is a little different to what I thought it would be. I was thinking along the lines of an epic Grail quest and for me it's more a story of the family dynamics and egos. Not about the actual text of The Golden Bones but how it has affected the author, family, friends and the Bonehunter community. What's your thoughts on the novel so far and what's your prediction for what's to come?
I think it's an interesting take on how fame of parents can impact kids through multiple generations. I have no idea except based on the blurb, someone dies. Not sure who though. I'm just going to go along for the ride.

Maybe it’s jet pack racing through the country. I hear that’s going to be the next big thing

if MelanieJoy wants day 2, I can take day 3 (or vice versa) and that'll at least get us to the break day.

I'm in for DQs! Sorry I didn't realize I'd never posted saying that until I popped in here to look at the breakdown.

*face palm*

The Survivalists by Kashana Cauley

A single Black lawyer puts her career and personal moral code at risk when she moves in with her coffee entrepreneur boyfriend and his doomsday-prepping roommates in a novel that’s packed with tension, curiosity, humor, and wit from a writer with serious comedy credentials.

In the wake of her parents’ death, Aretha, a habitually single Black lawyer, has had only one obsession in life—success—until she falls for Aaron, a coffee entrepreneur. Moving into his Brooklyn brownstone to live along with his Hurricane Sandy-traumatized, illegal-gun-stockpiling, optimized-soy-protein-eating, bunker-building roommates, Aretha finds that her dreams of making partner are slipping away, replaced by an underground world, one of selling guns and training for a doomsday that’s maybe just around the corner.

For readers of Victor LaValle’s The Changeling, Paul Beatty’s The Sellout, and Zakiya Harris’s The Other Black Girl, The Survivalists is a darkly humorous novel from a smart and relevant new literary voice that’s packed with tension, curiosity and wit, and unafraid to ask the questions most relevant to a new generation of Americans: Does it make sense to climb the corporate ladder? What exactly are the politics of gun ownership? And in a world where it’s nearly impossible for young people to earn enough money to afford stable housing, what does it take in order to survive?

My current 'nominate until I read it or it wins'. If it happens to win, I'll swap it out.

The Malevolent Seven

'Seven powerful mages want to make the world a better place. We're going to kill them first.'

Picture a wizard. Go ahead, close your eyes. There he is, see? Skinny old guy with a long straggly beard. No doubt he's wearing iridescent silk robes that couldn't protect his frail body from a light breeze. The hat's a must, too, right? Big, floppy thing, covered in esoteric symbols that would instantly show every other mage where this one gets his magic? Wouldn't want a simple steel helmet or something that might, you know, protect the part of him most needed for conjuring magical forces from being bashed in with a mace (or pretty much any household object).

Now open your eyes and let me show you what a real war mage looks like . . . but be you're probably not going to like it, because we're violent, angry, dangerously broken people who sell our skills to the highest bidder and be damned to any moral or ethical considerations.

At least, until such irritating concepts as friendship and the end of the world get in the way.

My name is Cade Ombra, and though I currently make my living as a mercenary wonderist, I used to have a far more noble-sounding job title - until I discovered the people I worked for weren't quite as noble as I'd believed. Now I'm on the run and my only friend, a homicidal thunder mage, has invited me to join him on a suicide mission against the seven deadliest mages on the continent.

Time to recruit some very bad people to help us on this job . . .

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/...