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

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

Tricia wrote: "I'll be finishing Strange the Dreamer tonight or tomorrow morning which is a 500 pager also. :)"

I love this duology! And really Laini Taylor in general. I've pretty read her entire catalog.

Aoife,

I moved your Plus One Pact to eats a cake/something sweet with all the wedding cake eaten in that book.

We spun Chocolate Cupcakes again.

Aoife! you're up again. HEHE

Well, anyone who wants to read about bakers, baking, sugar, etc

Jamie wrote: "I added another book to the tracking spreadsheet but I didn't see any open spots that weren't already claimed for bonus so if it can go somewhere please use as needed."

We'll get it in a spot, don't worry :)

Brittany,

When you get a chance can you add This Shattered World to your TT shelf?

Thanks!

Yes!

You generally have one month from the start of the BOM which would give you to Aug 2. But since the challenge ends this month you have until the end of TT.

Rebecca wrote: "I’ll be reading Fourth Wing at some point and the backroom book. I wish I could read Carrie Soto but I read it within the last six months"

I was actually surprised Carrie Soto won the vote, or nominated for that matter. I figured most people had already read it (except me).

Also Fourth Wing has an X character (in addition to a bunch of other letters including I and Y). So we should have plenty of options for the couple X's we need if we complete all the spellings.

The human monster wheel thanks to you and Lexi will go out the first few days of August

I was holding it until after TT

Jenny wrote: "Perfect! I needed a giggle.

That's what I figured on the banked books. Not really in the spirit of the challenge."

Yeah and since we can spin wheels for years if we wanted, there's no rush on getting tasks done.

And sorry an 800+ pager is back

Sasquatch
800+
feet on cover
Brown cover (>50%)
Double letter in title (like Foot)
Tagged Indigenous at least 5 times

One of Jenny's favorites!

Lamia Lemon Tits
200 to 299
night sky on cover
someone is kidnapped
features a prophecy
child (under age 18) is an important part of the plot

no not really on the banked books.

I just finished off 2 others today and will be spinning for replacements now.

Perfect!

Added Rebecca's direction book, pulled a couple shorter banked books.

We need 1 more direction book and the Grim Reaper/DEATH character task. The rest are filled.

Rebecca wrote: "I have a directional book-Going Down by Jayne Rylon that I can start tonight. I’m at work right now otherwise I would add it to the spreadsheet"

I added it for you. Just check it's the right edition/page number :)

A monster is finished but I’m not on the computer to spin for a new one.

If someone wants to spin, have at the wheel of your choice

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/...

DQs Day 5 - Wimbledon 1995 & The 1995 US Open

18. Nature vs nurture. Carrie has her issues with tennis, but her real struggle is with relationships. How much of that do you think is due to who Carrie is innately as a person and how she was raised?
I think it was how she grew up and the trauma of losing her mother so young. But growing up in a bubble world where relationships are skewed from 'the normal world' certainly played a large part.

19. I don’t know much about tennis, but I found myself really enjoying the matches as they are described. I got so pumped up while Carrie was playing! Did you find all the tennis terms, both during and after matches, to be a hinderance or did you enjoy getting immersed in the sport through Carrie’s eyes?
I think there were enough terms to make it feel like a legit match but enough other descriptions that I wasn't confused with what was going on.

20. Carrie Soto, the star of our novel, has been seen previously in a TJR novel where she was a minor character. TJR seems to enjoy connecting her books which makes me wonder… could her next book be about one of the minor characters we’ve come across in Carrie Soto is Back? And, if so, who do you think it would be?
It would be nice to see Gwen's journey but it wouldn't surprise me if TJR is ready for something completely new.

21. ”But right now, in this moment, I love this drugstore cologne more than I love the smell of Wimbledon grass or California oranges or the rubber of a freshly popped can of tennis balls. This drugstore cologne is my home.”

I really loved this quote and it made me start thinking about some of my favorite smells. What are some scents that you love? What scent would be your home?
Oh yes, the power of smell. Not to be super creepy but the way my son smells after he's been playing outside. I smell the top of his head and if I had to describe it, I would say he smells like sunshine and grass. I'm going to enjoy this until he hit puberty and 1) doesn't let me smell his head any more and 2) just stinks like all preteen/teenage boys.

22. And, finally, how did you like this book? What was your rating? Would you consider reading more from this author if you haven't already?
I gave it 4 stars. I wouldn't rush to go read another of hers but I wouldn't not read it either.

DQs - Day 4 - The 1995 French Open (76%)

14. At the end of The French Open Section, can you feel any character development in Carrie? If yes, in what ways do you think she may have changed? Also has there been a change in your feelings towards her? Still dislike/like her or not any more?
She's matured and sometimes you need your clock cleaned for your own good. And I think that's what happened in France. And she's letting Bowe in some and Nicki. So I think she's growing personally and professionally while not becoming a completely different person. Carrie will never frolic under a rainbow with unicorns and puppies, if TJR did that to this character it would just be silly.

15. There are some hard lessons for Carrie to take away from Paris and some vital discussions between her and her dad as well as between her and Bowe about parental expectations and expectations from one's own self. Do you think Carrie is ready to accept the different POVs and use them to her own advantage?
I do, I think that last game on the clay reinforced she can't just power through because she's not 25 any more. She's got to play smarter, not harder.

16. This is what Carrie Soto is thinking of her opponent Ingrid Cortez while playing against her in Paris: ... she has a burden I have never had. In order to keep getting paid, she has to keep looking beautiful on the court. I wonder, briefly, if it weighs on her. Or, if, conversely, it frees her from the pressure I live with, the pressure to win. Either way, it’s a prison. Both her beauty and my ability—they’ve both got an expiration date."
This reflection struck a chord with me. Building on what has been previously discussed about media pressure and also how men and women athletes were/are still treated differently, what are your thoughts on this issue?
A male athlete could crash land on the roots of the ugly tree, be dumber than a box of rocks, and wear sweatpants to every event he goes to and almost zero people will comment on it in the media. Women will get picked apart for all of it and in a way that always strikes me as bizarre some of the worst will be said by other women. There will always be men who are gross commenting on the looks of women the same age as their daughters and that needs to change as I think it comes from a mindset that they have the right to objectify every woman they lay eyes on. But when women do it, it's usually for no other reason than to get a sound bite by being mean. That is also gross.

17. Do you have any other quotes that "spoke" to you (in any part of the book up to the 75% mark) or you made a note of for further reflection?
The comment Nicki made to Carrie about if she'd been nicer to other on tour she'd have people to play with (re: she'd have friends)