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

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

Your vacation sounds very exciting! I'm glad you are able to take the time to enjoy and have fun :)

BOM Participation 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: Cottonmouth Remembers Flowers ---> One Year Later

19. What an action-packed ending! What was your favorite part about how this all resolved? What do you think happened to Paul? Do you think Nina and her Grandma will be safe after everything that occurred?
I liked the team work aspect and how Rosita's story wove into the end. May Paul be found one day in Oz underneath a house. I hope they will be and that the animal people keep coming to the book store.

20. I love how this book casually talks about big issues, like climate change. Did you enjoy how that was woven into the story? Do you think the author should have done more to highlight the issue? Do you generally enjoy fantasy books that weave in real world issues?
I do, I like it when things are taken as a given. I think it helps normalize things so they hopefully become less debatable. I like that the author wove in non-hetro relationships into Rosita's story. Fearless was female and she casually mentions her wife at one point in the story as almost a throwaway comment. Because the fact that she married another female isn't the important part and it's just normal to marry who you love.
And I do enjoy when fantasy books do this as long as they do it well. Mainly for the reason stated above, it helps normalize it without shoving it in people's faces.

21. What do you think happened between the Mockingbird and Thou Own Dave? Do you think he truly turned over a new leaf?
I think that was Mockingbird as TOD and she signed all those contracts in public so there will be jack crap he can do about it later besides watch all his money go *poof*.

22. I really enjoyed the concept of the St0ryte11er app! Does it sound like something you would enjoy or use? What do you think the author's own feelings on social media might be after reading her portrayal of this app?
I like the concept, but I would probably watch more than I would create anything. I think her thoughts may be similar to mine. It can be a fun outlet, connect people, raise awareness, but there is a dark side. A very dark side and people can be taken advantage of. And of course ALWAYS read the fine print.

24. Lastly, the obligatory question... how did you like the book?? What was your favorite and least favorite part? What did you end up rating the book? And would you read from this author again?
I really enjoyed it and gave it 5 stars. It's a really unique story. I think my favorite was how the two worlds wove together and how the humans just went with it. My least favorite was Paul probably, I'm not sure the Nightmare King thing was fully fleshed out.

Kerri wrote: "Jenny wrote: "The sample size is too small for really good science, but I have noted that no one yet has chosen the Dung Beetle as a preferred animal form. Huh."

Curious, indeed 🤔 Though I have to..."

That's intriguing and would likely blow my mind. but it's something I think I'd like as a day trip but not my permanent animal.

Jenny wrote: "The sample size is too small for really good science, but I have noted that no one yet has chosen the Dung Beetle as a preferred animal form. Huh."

Dung beetles are actually pretty cool insects. I however would not like to have my home built of of poo.

DQs Day 4: Cottonmouth Falls to Earth to Nina, 2 Days Before Landfall

15. To get to earth, Oli and friends must go up to then fall to earth. This is further emphasized in the title and the chapter name. Why do you think the author made the choice that the path to Earth is by falling?
Because if the path to Earth is in the sky, no one in the Reflecting World can just wander around and accidently stumble through a portal? I'm not really sure, but I'm wondering if you fall into the Reflecting World as well.
I like Taylor's explanation of the situation.

16. We meet the Mockingbird again in this section. What do you think of her role so far as a character and as a trickster character?
I think she just wants to be included in the group and is going about it in a really awkward way. A shape-shifter is can be a real asset but she's going about it in not the best way.

17. What are thoughts on Own Dave and what was shown about him in the give away scene? Do you think Nina is overly trusting that this will work out?
I think her concept of how long that will take for the toads is way off. Even to just get the program up and running. And with how long it will take to get the money.
Plus the guy is creepy. I don't know if he's just a red herring or if there is something more nefarious going on with him. I feel like that's a way cults start nowadays.

18. If you had the ability to have an animal form, what would you choose? (You may want to consider the potential tradeoffs like wing ears)
A bird of prey I think, the ability to try out flying is intriguing. I have loved the Big Cats my whole life though. Or being something that can explore the ocean depths in ways humans simply can't would be cool too. Sigh. too many choices. LOL

DQs Day 3: Nina, Age 16 to Cottonmouth Meets an Originator

10. We know why Ami is sick. What do you think of how the author has woven extinction and how humans treat the Earth into the story? (Did the revelation make you want to cry like I did?)
It just made me really sad that so many species are dying and people can't seem to change their behavior because it's too hard (really though inconvenient) or because they are trying so hard to just get through the day they simply can't. And then I think about people who pay a premium to be the hunter who kills the last known animal of a species. It's just gross.

11. The threads of the story are coming together. Oli and the twins are going to Earth. The twins and Bright immediately signed up for the journey and the danger. Do you think you would do the same for a dear friend? In our world, what? Donate a kidney, or something similar?
Yes, of course I would.

12. Any ideas on why Grandma cannot leave her home? And, what will happen to her when the hurricane lands?
I'm wondering if she is part animal people? I really don't know and am curious where this thread goes. Hopefully it goes somewhere.

13. Who is this nightmare king in our world, do you think?
Paul is connected to him but I don't know if it's Paul or if Paul is just a minion.

14. What do you think of Nina decoding Rosina’s last story? How important is the story and the warning? Do you think Nina’s mom knows more than she is sharing about the family history?
I think it's amazing and am here for it all. I'm thinking that last story is pivotal in some way that we'll find out about later. I'm not sure if Nina's mom knows more. I guess she could, but her mom isn't the tribal member, Nina's father is so it would make more sense for him to know more. But then the mom is the linguist. I don't know, LOL

Finally catching up! I'm glad I had the first day

Day 2: Nina, Age 14 to Cottonmouth Reaches a Fork in the Road

6. We meet a sinister man at Rosita / Grandma's land. What do you think is going on with him? We also meet an adorable kitten who seems to have used up one life already. Something peculiar going on here or just Nina making wrong assumptions?
He wants the land for something. Whether it is access to animal people or to develop all of it, remains to be seen.
Nina isn't making wrong assumptions, people (especially females) need to listen to the warnings given to them by their hind brains instead of trying to be 'nice'. Fewer women/girls would turn up in ditches.

7. What do you make of Nina's relationships with her father, mother and grandmother? What do you make of the contrast with Oli, who doesn't have blood relatives and rejects the coyote twins' invitation to join their family? What does that say about the different worlds?
I don't know if it's really the different worlds as much as it is different family/cultural structures. My family is all up in each other's business out to second cousins and such. My husband's family has a tight immediate family but almost zero interaction with aunt/uncle/cousin. My best friend's situation is similar to Oli's. I think it shows they are all normal and you find what works for you.

8. Oli has made a network of friends and connections. Do you have a favourite? What's happening/ed to Ami?
Ami I think. I like how his different way of communicating is embraced. As a parent of a seriously speech delayed child, this made me happy.
I'm assuming there are only a few animals left on Earth that are he's species and he's dying.

9. Thinking back to our last Native American / First Nation BOMs (The Only Good Indian and The Firekeeper's Daughter) the way Little Badger is incorporating traditions and cultural information that might be unfamiliar is very different (both TFD and TOGI are more firmly set in the contemporary world; TFD explained a lot, whereas this puts the onus on the reader to find context; TOGI left it unclear how much of the Other World parts was projection versus reality, whereas here it's clear that both worlds are real and parallel). Do you like the approach taken here? If you read TFD or TOGI, do you have a preference?
TOGI was okay, I think my issues with it is horror really isn't my thing so it went in some very dark directions I didn't enjoy reading about. Well written and if that's your thing, I'd recommend it.
TFD I enjoyed and I think learning about the culture as it pertained to the story.
I find the approach here fine, it's just a different type of story and I think it works. And if it makes readers go investigate a new to them culture, the mores the better.

Oh good question to the lake monster!

DQs Day 1: Nina, Age 9 to Cottonmouth Meets the Coyote Sisters

1.) Did you like the opening chapter? What do you think of efforts to preserve disappearing languages/dialects? Do you think these efforts are worth it? Why?
I enjoyed it and it drew me right in to the story. I'm glad it was an issue brought up, there is so much tied up in languages that people tend not to think about. And once it's gone there's no do-overs.

2.) Do you have diaries from your early years? If you did, do you think you'd be surprised by what was in them? What would you tell your younger, pre-teen, self?
I had some but they were tossed in one move or another. Like most here, I was inconsistent. But there are some field journals and other things that have some diary aspects that I've enjoyed coming across. I was older though so it's different.
I would tell my younger self to give myself more grace to make mistakes. And to spend as much time as possible learning from and just being with my grandparents. 3 of them lived until I was in my 30s so I am luckier than most. But still I regret not having them teach me more things.

3.) Opposable thumbs or tentacles, which would you prefer and why.
Permanently, probably still the thumbs. But I'm curious as to the tentacles.

4.) What do you think of the concept of animal people? And how they are tied to animals on Earth? Are you loving that some of them come to Earth to go to the bookstore?
I love how this is being woven in and how connected things are. Cause and effect is a real thing. Clearly animal people are our types of people. Who wouldn't want to come to Earth and immediately go to the bookstore. LOL

5.) At the end of the section the Lake Monster answered Oli's question. Did that surprise you? What question would you ask the Lake Monster?
I didn't expect the monster to come ashore that was a wee bit creepy. I'd probably ask something like is my son going to grow up and be happy with his life. Not sure the Lake Monster can answer that one though.

DQs Day 1: Nina, Age 9 to Cottonmouth Meets the Coyote Sisters

1.) Did you like the opening chapter? What do you think of efforts to preserve disappearing languages/dialects? Do you think these efforts are worth it? Why?

2.) Do you have diaries from your early years? If you did, do you think you'd be surprised by what was in them? What would you tell your younger, pre-teen, self?

3.) Opposable thumbs or tentacles, which would you prefer and why.

4.) What do you think of the concept of animal people? And how they are tied to animals on Earth? Are you loving that some of them come to Earth to go to the bookstore?

5.) At the end of the section the Lake Monster answered Oli's question. Did that surprise you? What question would you ask the Lake Monster?

Yay! My nomination won

I'm in for DQs

I enjoyed The Guest list well enough.

Lory wrote: "I finished my final book! Just in time! I'm relieved to have that completed. :)"

Nice! I was hoping you'd finish that one in time :)

Finished my last book for TT2022!

Now I can go read all those novellas I’ve been putting off the the various series I have going ;)

Just under 9 hours until the end of TT, we are heading for a strong finish!

Go Team!

Nice job Lexi!!

Should that be decide in the last sentence? Instead of decided?

Truitt,

Your books His Reluctant Omega Mate & Mafia Prince don't have read dates. My guess is GR gremlins. Could you add read dates to these when you get a chance?

Thank you!

Works for me! Thank you :)

Sounds good!

Just whatever you’d like. We haven’t maxed out yet, so we can just keep adding at this point.