Tina ❣’s Comments (group member since Mar 09, 2016)

Tina ❣’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

Day 5 Part VII-

18. How did you feel or think about TJ locking up her father. Was it really to keep him safe or more for revenge/punishment reasons?
This one surprised me. I think she had enough and saw no reason to keep it a secret anymore. It was also safer for her to let the secret loose and her father's mind isn't there anymore.

19. What do you think of the Characters and who was your favorite / Least and why?
I wasn't too impressed with the characters. Each had their flaws. I don't have a favourite nor a least favourite. None stood out to me really.

20. There seemed to be many topics covered in the book with the main one being abuse. What did you take away or feel about any of the issues highlighted?
I think it's good that different types of abuse are being discussed in books. People need to know about them and to some who have gone through it, it's part of the healing process. It's not clearly defined as abuse which might help some people who are yet to identify they're in an abusive relationship.

21. How did you like the book and will you read another book by Liz Moore? Would you consider this a book you would re-read and would your rating change?
I would not re-read this book bu tI might read another book by Liz. Not anytime soon as I have a list to get through!

Day 4 - Dec 5th - Parts VI

14. How do you think the police are handling the disappearance of Barbara and how this compares to how Bear’s disappearance was handled?
Very differently. We didn't see the police side of Bear's disappearance as much as Barbara's. I did like the perpesctive of the detectives in this section.

15. What do you think about what is implied about TJ and her relationship with Barbara? How does this relate to the themes of the book so far?
I think an inappropriate relationship was implied, perhaps to mislead the readers. I think it ties in well to the type of relationships the author was trying to expose to us.

16. Do you have a favorite point of view or conversely, any point of views so far that you don’t think are necessary for the book?
Louise's POV was the most interesting and the female detective whose name I've forgotten already

17. What do you think of the survival trips and the squirrel hunting? Do you think this is a good idea with 8- to 14-year-olds? Any experiences from your childhood/schooling as comparison that you want to share?
Gosh I have no idea what these things are like. I guess it depends on who runs them and how it's run.

DQs Day 3 - Parts IV & V

10. When Alice gave birth to her second child, she had a mantra. "I will love this new baby." I found it very odd. What do you think about that? Do you find any deeper meaning in it?
I think she was trying to convince herself to love the new baby as much as she did Bear. I think she knew it wouldn't be easy.

11. What do you think about Bear showing up? Could it be real? Just a vision/hallucination?
I think it's a hallucination, she's traumatised about having lost her son so she's manifesting him to cope and connet with him again

12. Do you think Barbara was "just" a name for Peter? Or could there be something he hides?
I think it was a name. It felt out of place though considering Peter seems out of touch with his children

13. Louise got brutally beaten up. Toxic/abusive relationships seem to be a big factor in this book. Do you think that will have anything to do with the rest of the story and the reveal of the mystery?
I finished the book so won't say anything about this bit. But I agree, a lot of abuse in the story

Ohh, that was me. I was tidying up the tabs on both sheets and all our books and must have gotten a bit confused. I was doing it late at night which never helps. Luckily the mistakes were picked up and it's fixed now. Thanks for catching them team!

Day 1- Part I

1.) Have you read any Liz Moore books before? Or, did you buy it to find out what the big drip of pink paint on the cover means?
- This is my first book. I didn't notice the paint. I look at the greenery which is much nicer.

2.) Have you ever gone to (or been a counselor at) a summer camp or the like as a kid? Did you like it?
Is the setting of this book descriptive (or nostalgic) enough to bring you into the story?
- No I never went to summer camp. Not sure it's a thing in Australia.

3.) So far we have been introduced to just a few characters; a couple of campers, a couple of counselors, a couple of useless parents, and a boogey man. What do you think of them so far?
- It's been confusing to figure out who is who and at what point in time the story is happening. So far, I don't think much of any of them

4.) How did you react to Louise not being very truthful about the night Barbara disappeared? How will it come back to haunt her (if it does)?
I was a bit annoyed but of course, someone always has a secret in a mystery book.

5.) If you have not read ahead, do you have any wild guesses about what happened to Barbara?
If you have read ahead, how do you like the way the story is unfolding?
The story is a bit slow so far. I'm wondering what's relevant to the story so far.

Day 2 - 3 Dec
Parts II & III

6. The story is told through multiple characters and constant time jumps. Do you think it's working for the plot? If not, what would you change? Is it easy for you to keep track of the plot and characters? Is it impacting on your reading?

7. We're introduced to the Van Laar family. What do you think of the mother (or the lack of her appearance so far) and the two Peter's? Do you think the grandfather or the father have a role in Bear's disappearance?

8. We're also introduced to Delphine who says to Alice that "that one is free to do what one wishes in life, expectations be damned”, that Alice can do more and that she is smart. What do you make of Alice's reaction to this? Do you think Alice will end up standing up for herself and speaking up?

9. I've noticed that the author has reduced the voice for a few characters. We see it with Alice from when she's 18 years old and with Tracey. Even with Louise as she's being asked questions by the Senior Investigator. Why do you think the author did this, especially with Alice and Tracey? Do you think Louise is like Alice and Tracey or very different? Have you noticed any other similarities between any of the characters?

I've unlocked Time to Relax mini-challenge tab. Any book read after 26 November can be added there

Final day DQS:

21. Do you think it made sense for the group to fall apart after the climax, or would you have expected the shared experiences to keep them close (who else are they going to be able to talk about it with?).
The tension was building up and it had to come out. They weren't a good group together and for them to heal/get over it/move on, they'd have to separate.

22. So all in all the characters are all quite unlikeable. Is there one that stands out to you as the least likeable of all?
Probably Henry. All the issues came from him directly or indirectly.

23. What are your thoughts on the book as a whole? Will you read more by Tartt?
Can't say I would have picked up this book to read if it wasn't for the wheel challenge and it being a BOM. I'll try read the goldfinch, otherwise I don't think I will read more

24. I'm surprised this book hasn't been turned into a movie yet, especially with the popularity of Dark Academia. Would you watch the movie if they made one? Any preference for any cast members?
I wouldn't watch the movie or TV show of this. I don't care for it. This book hasn't really resonated with me or had a lasting impact on me unlike Boy Swallows Universe, which was a great book and a great TV show

DQs Day 5: Chapter 7 to Chapter 8 "... dark sheets of slate." (pages 377 to 489)

16. "Everyone, suddenly, had known him; everyone was deranged with grief; everyone was just going to have to try and get on as well as they could without him." This is what Richard thinks about the other students at Hampden college after Bunny was found. What are your thoughts on that? Did you ever experience something like that in real life?
I don't think it's surprising this is how people acted. You kind of feed of one another at that time in college/uni

17. Bunny's parents invited all of his friends (close or not so close) to stay at their house before the funeral. If you had been in Richard's place, would you have gone? Why (not)?
I probably would have gone to try appear normal. None of it is normal though

18. How would you describe Henry's behavior at the funeral?
I can't really remember. Normal I guess. He wasn't okay and had to push past his migraine to be part of the processions.

19. Charles kissed Camilla, and it turns out that this might not have been the first time this has happened. Were you shocked to learn about this or did you see it coming?
I wasn't happy to learn about it. It was hinted at previously and I tried to ignore it.

20. "Had Henry intended to make me the patsy if his plan had fallen through?" Richard suspects that Henry has used him and would've gone even further if things had been differently. Do you agree?
It's possible. Henry was pulling all the strings and directing what everyone was to do so I wouldn't be surprised.

Happy with my day!

Day 3: Chapter 5

12. How do you feel about the pace of the novel? Do you prefer a slower character driven like this one or do you prefer something more quick and plot driven?
I think the pace is quite slow. There's a lot of monologues, long story telling and descriptions of things. It paints a scene the plot could have been condense if that was wanted. I think I prefer quicker plots

13. In this chapter we see Richard dealing with his first winter alone. Why do you think the author spends one hundred pages on this? What does it tell you about Richard as a character?
Maybe she did it to show how long he was alone for and what led to his health getting worse. Also to show he's still figuring out what to do with his life

14. If you were in Richard’s situation what would you have done differently?
So many things. I would have not done ancient greek and stuck with Julian as my teacher only. I would find good people to be around. How I am now is different to how I was in uni and I wasn't at uni in the 1990's so I don't know how it would have been

15. Donna Tartt was actually good friends with Bret Easton Ellis. I heard that the Greek students make a cameo in his novels as well as Janet Poovy. Have you read anything by him? Do you know any other author friendships that share characters or settings?
No I haven't. I don't know anyone else. This was news to me

DQs Day 2 - Chapters 3 & 4 (pages 104 to 172)

6. What do you think of Julian’s unique position as a wealthy outsider and its influence on his interactions with both the college and the group?
Julian is an interesting character. We basically hear that he is high and mighty yet I don't see it coming through really. I'm not impressed with people who think they're better than everyone

7. The narrator and the group are greatly fascinated by the classics, in particular Greek tragedy. Do you think this influences their perception of the world and their relationships within the group and with other characters?
I think Julian influences most of the characters to think in a certain way and act a certain way. We see it with Richard.

8. What do you think of the relationship between Richard and the other members of the group? Do you think it has evolved over these chapters? What, if any, are the elements most likely to strengthen or disrupt this bond?
I thought it had evolved slightly over the chapters. They were slowly letting him in.

9. How does the isolated setting of Hampden College contribute to the atmosphere and the characters' actions?
It is an isolating atmosphere that does impact their knowledge of the world. I guess a lot of people in the world are isolated and don't know about global things and they get by.

10. Did your thoughts about Henry’s relationship with Bunny change over the course of these chapters?
Yes it did. I could see tension from the start and expected it with all characters really

11. What do the Bacchic rituals symbolize to the group? Are they seeking a transcendent experience, or are they simply indulging in hedonistic pleasures? How do these rituals contribute to the group's downfall?
I won't answer this as I've finished the book

Bonus: I have always been fascinated by the various secret societies one reads about. If given a chance, would you want to be a member, and if so, which one would you want to belong to? (The secret society does not have to belong to a college/university, it can be one not linked to an educational institution.)
I was never really into secret societies so no

DQs Day 1
Chapters 1 & 2

1.) Is this your first Donna Tartt book or have you read hot book of whatever year that was, The Goldfinch? If you've read The Goldfinch, has this been sitting on your to-be-read list since?
The Goldfinch is on my tbr shelf. This is my first book by her

2.) This has definite secret-college-campus-society vibes. Do you like this setting for a story? Have you read any from this genre you'd recommend to others?
Books with the American university are a struggle for me. I'm from Australia and know our system, I'm only learning through Goodreads groups how the American system works.

3.) Speaking of the setting, does the author provide a good description of the campus and the surrounding landscape to set a believable atmosphere for the novel?
I often skim descriptive details like this as I never remember them. Some bits I've remembered

4.) Initial thoughts on characters. It's early in the book, but any you like, don't like, or want to learn more about?
At this point, I did not care for the,

5.) Do you think the narrator is reliable? Do you like unreliable narrated books or are you not a fan?
No, I don't think he is, and no I don't

DQ Day 4 - Ch 6 (pages 275 to 376)

12. At a party, Richard has an epiphany... "The gesture was, to me, tremendously touching and all of a sudden I realized I had been wrong about these people. These were good people, common people; the salt of the earth; people whom I should count myself fortunate to know."
What are your thoughts on Judy and those people? Do you think Richard would have been better friends with them? Would he have had better grades and a better experience at college? Would he have been better off being with them and different subjects and not studying Greek with the Greek club?

13. In this chapter, the search for Bunny continues. What are your thoughts on everyone's reactions to Bunny's search party? Are they what you expected? Are they accurate? Do you care?

14. In murder mysteries, I always scrutinise how the police are portrayed if any evidence could lead back to the killer/s, and if the author thought of everything. What do you do when you read a murder mystery? Do you just go along with the plot, try to guess what will happen, or skip to the end of the book to find out what happened?

15. As I read this book, I forgot that they didn't have mobile phones back then and wondered why they weren't calling each other instead of using home phones and pay phones to get a hold of one another. Then I remembered the book was written in 1992 and mobile phones weren't a thing. Was it easy for you to slip into the 1990's setting and remember what technology was and wasn't around? What are some good memories or highlights that you have in the 1990's (mine was being born haha)

We have a few more books to read from feeding the family and then we can work on the new mini-challenge.

There are 3 book of the month challenges that you can participate in the last round - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group.... There will be another book starting on 2 December if anyone is interested!

We have another mini challenge...

Time to Relax mini challenge

This is an optional mini challenge for Boring Life Wheel, which will run from 23rd November 9pm UK time until the end of the challenge.

Your team must have finished all 3 of the existing minis at least once each before you can start this mini.

Ways to relax:
Read a book:
- tagged bookclub at least 10 times
- with author initials in CITYBREAK
- with letters NIBLINGS in title / series / author name (across all of them)
- that features dragons
- where the title starts with a letter from BARBEQUE
- with a character who is neurodivergent
- tagged puzzle at least 5 times
- with author initials found in ENVIRONMENT
- with a character who does some sort of art (professional, hobby, with kids)
- with the letters DINOSAUR found in title/series
- from a genre that your library wouldn't stock*
- with a character who drives an electric vehicle
- that features a cocktail
- that features a beach holiday
- with author initials found in MOSAIC
- with a page number including either a 3 and 6 or 4 and 7
- where characters spend some time in a wood
- where the title includes the letters PARK
- with author initials in KNITTING
- with a sky on the bookcover
- where the title starts with a letter from COMFORTABLE
- set in a fictional world
- with author initials found in DECORATING
- that features one or more books
- out of your comfort zone


Notes:
* Get creative. If a book is listed on GR as Romance, but also is known to be furniture erotica that is acceptable as although Romance is in your library, my librarian isn't stocking Unhinged anytime soon.
- 'featured' can be in the story as part of the plot, or on the cover of the book

◈ Each task will earn 5 points.
◈ 5 bonus points if a book used for this mini ALSO contains either of the words PANTS or CHIPMUNK.
◈ Captains are to use their discretion whether a book fits a task or not.
◈ Standard rules apply.
◈ Books used for this mini must also be used for the spell-out.
◈ Books can be started at any point since the beginning of the Boring Life Wheel challenge, but only books finished after 23rd November 9pm UK time will count for this mini. AND your team must have already competed all 3 existing minis at least once.
◈ Spreadsheets will be updated for the Captains to update and track the teams points.
◈ This mini can't be repeated; there are 25 bonus points if you complete it

I'm happy this book won! I nominate to write DQ questions for this
(team broken down car)

Day works for me too, thanks

Our new word for round for is… Power Wash Patio Furniture!!

I went through a period of watching power washing videos. The transformation of peoples’ driveways got me like 🤩
They never showed patio furniture getting cleaned though

DQs Day 4
Now - Then first line "It's just a sprained ankle..."
last line "Don't contact me again."

15. Were over halfway through the book have your impressions of the characters change.
No really. Deb's still the one I like the most

16. Rodney’s motives now become clear, how do you see this plot line panning out.
Absolutely ridiculous. He'll cause a scene at the wedding but the wedding will go on

17. We learn more of Marcus’ issues and his apparent need to destroy Dylan and Addie’s relationship as well as destroy any chance of them getting back together. How do you predict this relationship triangle will be resolved.
Marcus will come clean and Addie and Dylan will still give their romance another go.

18. Etienne is chasing Addie for extra-curricular activities. What are your thoughts on this.
I saw it coming. I thought the attack would have gone further so I was a bit surprised by that

Day 5
Day 5- Now - end to the first line "Marcus's nose is bleeding..."

19. What were your thoughts of Addie and Dylan trying again? Was your triangle prediction accurate from the previuos days Q's?
Not surprised, and yes it was.

20. Did you feel Rodney's punishment of being tied up during the wedding was a good alternative to calling the police? What would you have done?
It was still ridiculour but yes, better than calling the police but I probably would have if my car was stolen

21. While most of you disliked this BOM greatly, hopefully some enjoyed it. How did you Read the book, by Audio, physical book, electronic, or a mix of some?
Via audiobook on x2 speed.

22. Was you happy to hear that although this book was addressing depression and spiraling out of control, they also addressed therapy and how it has helped? What was your reaction of hearing that Marcus and Dylan were no longer as close as they used to be after therapy?
It was good to hear about males attending therapy as there's much stigma around that. It would be nice if it went a bit more into it, but small steps are better than none