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

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

The Arabian Nights: Their Best-Known Tales by One Thousand and One Nights

Medieval feats of courage, bravery, and heroism from Persia, India, Egypt, and Mesopotamia fill these magical tales of "The Arabian Their Best-Known Tales." From the windswept sands of Baghdad's deserts, through the tempestuous sea voyages of Sinbad, to the gold-packed wondrous cave of Ali Baba, these amazing stories come to live for children and reluctant readers.This compilation The Talking Bird, the Singing Tree, and the Golden Water- The Story of the Fisherman and the Genie- The History of the Young King of the Black Isles- The Story of the Gulnare of the Sea- The Story of Aladdin; or the Wonderful Lamp- The Story of Prince Agib- The Story of the City of Brass- The Story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves- The History of Codadad and His Bothers- The Story of Sinbad the Voyager-

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



The Best Way to Bury Your Husband by Alexia Casale

A dark comedy about four women coming together to heal the damage their husbands have done––and hide their bodies once they’ve killed them

When Sally kills her husband with a cast-iron skillet, she’s more fearful of losing her kids than of disposing of a fresh corpse. That just wouldn’t be fair—not after twenty years of marriage to a truly terrible man. But Sally isn’t the only woman in town reaching the brink. Soon, Sally finds herself leading an extremely unusual self-help group, and among them there are four bodies to hide. Can they all figure out the perfect way to bury their husbands . . . and get away with it?

First to join is former nurse, Ruth, who met her husband as a single mom. Now her son is grown and her husband’s violence builds by the day until an attack on the stairs leads to a fatal accident—for him. A few doors down, Samira’s last straw comes when she discovers her husband is planning a campaign of violence against her eldest daughter, who has just come out. Janey, Sally’s best friend, has just had her first child at forty-two. Sleep-deprived Janey needs a hero to slay the monster in the fairy tales she whispers to her daughter each night . . . and as her husband’s violence escalates, it might just be her.

Together, fueled by righteous anger but tempered by a moral core, the four women must help each other work out a plan to get rid of their husbands for good. Along the way, Sally, Ruth, Samira and Janey rediscover old joys and embark on new passions in work, education, and life. Friendship and laughter really are the best medicine—and so is getting away with murder.

I'm in for DQs!

I'm in for DQs!

Preeti wrote: "Is there anywhere we can check if our sign up went through correctly? My internet connection has been acting up recently and I couldn't make out if my entry went through."

You are on the sign up list!

Well, if you ever want to do a BOM take over, Jan to April are good months since we generally aren’t running team challenges then.

And Alysa your BOM understanding in regards to tokens and using them is correct.

Sammy, I think everyone is saying they miss you.

So at least pop in from time to time and say what’s up ☺️

Sammy wrote: "Sorry, I read through but must have missed it.

I'm afraid I'll have to pass again in that case. I signed up for turf wars with a LOT of books, and as such will mostly be 100-200 pagers. I would fe..."

It was in the second post. I split the rules because it was a bit long and were close to the max character count when it was all together.

Boo! We'll miss you but important to know your limits

Keep an eye out around October newsletter time 🙂

That’s just rude

Violeta by Isabel Allende

The epic story of Violeta del Valle, a woman whose life spans one hundred years and bears witness to the greatest upheavals of the twentieth century.

Violeta comes into the world on a stormy day in 1920, the first girl in a family of five boisterous sons. From the start, her life will be marked by extraordinary events, for the ripples of the Great War are still being felt, even as the Spanish flu arrives on the shores of her South American homeland almost at the moment of her birth.

Through her father's prescience, the family will come through that crisis unscathed, only to face a new one as the Great Depression transforms the genteel city life she has known. Her family loses all and is forced to retreat to a wild and beautiful but remote part of the country. There, she will come of age, and her first suitor will come calling. . . .

She tells her story in the form of a letter to someone she loves above all others, recounting devastating heartbreak and passionate affairs, times of both poverty and wealth, terrible loss and immense joy. Her life will be shaped by some of the most important events of history: the fight for women's rights, the rise and fall of tyrants, and, ultimately, not one but two pandemics.

Told through the eyes of a woman whose unforgettable passion, determination, and sense of humor will carry her through a lifetime of upheaval, Isabel Allende once more brings us an epic that is both fiercely inspiring and deeply emotional.

Reason: author born in Lima, Peru

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



The Best Way to Bury Your Husband by Alexia Casale

A dark comedy about four women coming together to heal the damage their husbands have done––and hide their bodies once they’ve killed them

When Sally kills her husband with a cast-iron skillet, she’s more fearful of losing her kids than of disposing of a fresh corpse. That just wouldn’t be fair—not after twenty years of marriage to a truly terrible man. But Sally isn’t the only woman in town reaching the brink. Soon, Sally finds herself leading an extremely unusual self-help group, and among them there are four bodies to hide. Can they all figure out the perfect way to bury their husbands . . . and get away with it?

First to join is former nurse, Ruth, who met her husband as a single mom. Now her son is grown and her husband’s violence builds by the day until an attack on the stairs leads to a fatal accident—for him. A few doors down, Samira’s last straw comes when she discovers her husband is planning a campaign of violence against her eldest daughter, who has just come out. Janey, Sally’s best friend, has just had her first child at forty-two. Sleep-deprived Janey needs a hero to slay the monster in the fairy tales she whispers to her daughter each night . . . and as her husband’s violence escalates, it might just be her.

Together, fueled by righteous anger but tempered by a moral core, the four women must help each other work out a plan to get rid of their husbands for good. Along the way, Sally, Ruth, Samira and Janey rediscover old joys and embark on new passions in work, education, and life. Friendship and laughter really are the best medicine—and so is getting away with murder.

Oh wow, I didn't even notice that. Though I doubt I did much of a dive on the list when I made the tasks.

Yes, but everyone have a nice restful lie down until closer to October.

Keep an eye on the newsletter and on this thread for when signups open

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 5 - Chapters 31 - end

18. First off, what did you think of the reveal and resolution? Any thoughts on the late theme of "Kieran is less of a dick than he was back then", and it's impact on the crimes?
It made sense at a certain point I was wondering about Sean. I'm glad Gabby wasn't assaulted before her death at least, I was afraid that was the reason she was killed. I think we all look on our teenage selves and cringe a bit. We don't realize how we can impact others at that age.

19. There's a lot of truth-telling in this section, from the copper, as well as Verity, Mia and others. What do you think about the view presented that keeping secrets is the cause of more pain later? (and that telling the truth can be near-instantly healing, as with Verity and Kieran)
Truth always comes out eventually and secrets really are a type of poison. People can't ever really heal until the poison has been removed, even when they don't know explicitly it's there.

20. The author made a comment "Places like this, they need to be tight-knits to work. Once the trust is broken, they're stuffed" Do you agree with this?
Yes. I do.

21. Linked to that question, the other books by Harper that I've read have been much more distinctly Australian in location, whereas this - to me - felt like it could be any coastal community. What did you think of the setting? If you haven't, will you read more of Harper's work? If this isn't your first - how did it compare?
I agree that this could of been any coastal small town. Her other books gave a more distinct sense of place. I think I've read all of her works. Or most of them anyway. Not my favorite of hers but it holds up.

Answers DQs Day 3

13) No, I don’t but I understand why Liam might feel that way. And having read beyond this section and learning more details from the storm 12 years ago, I am doubling down on Kieran’s lack of fault for what happened.

14) I’d be lurking for sure but probably not posting. I’m too nosy not too. I only love drama when I’m not involved in it.

15) Not really. He didn’t really lie but saying what he said I think made him feel less guilty towards Liam and Sean.

16) I think it felt like a productive experiment for her where she generally felt helpless in most ways. Also, that she may think something hinky was going on with the where and when Gabby’s book bag appeared on the beach.

17) I think it was an anxiety attack of one sort or another. But leaving like that and his reaction after was immature and dangerous. Sean was right to be upset, on a professional tour with paying clients and that behavior could cost him his dive business

No worries Beth, we’ve all been there!!

Answers Day 4 ch 24-30

9) I thought it was raw honesty. A tearful tribute statement would have been moving in the moment but forgotten for the most part by the end of the day. She definitely rocked the boat and hopefully results in finding Bronte’s killer.

10) I’m guessing just small town drama. Gabby’s body I think was lost to the depths of the sea.

11) I don’t really, I don’t have the energy or time for that. Maybe when I’m retired and need the entertainment

12) It is a weird relationship. I do wonder what the dynamic was pre-Finn’s death. There’s definitely silent blame happening. And some sainting of the dead along with Kieran’s own guilt. Very messy and sad, glad he has Mia.