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

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

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

DQs Day 3: Then - Then 58%
first line "Marcus changes completely..."
last line "...serious chat about your future"

11. "The sound of teeth against a spoon when someone's eating soup, insects that scuttle, people who don't listen, RATS, and when uncle Terry says 'WOMEN!'" - what a random list of pet peeves (Are they even pet peeves? Rats?? And uncle Terry 'all on his own'???),,, What are some of yours?

slow walkers, people who don't get to their point quickly are some of them

12. Dylan's (and Marcus') trip through Europe has become much more than just that, ending up in Asia, trying to figure out what to do with his life when he's already been handed it all on a silver platter. His dad is a douche and clearly wants to dictate Dylan's life while Dylan just keeps running away from his problems. Lucky he has all this money (his dad's I would assume) to just throw away. Can you relate to him in any way? Do you feel bad for him?

No I can't relate at all. I don't feel bad at all

13. "Nowadays we date, we shop around. If we really like someone we spend more time with them. Then we move in with them a few years down the line. Then, maybe, if we've lost the will to live or whatever it is that compells people to settle down we marry them. We don't rearrange our lives because of a good shag."

"Addie, she's not right for you (...) Stop that! Don't you see what you're doing? You're turning her into something she's not. You don't understand her. She's not your beautiful muse, Dylan. She's messy and dark. And raw. She's a disaster waiting to happen. She's got power. And she doesn't even know it yet you know. She's like,,, she's untapped. (...) She's not right for you. Okay?"

Did Marcus already know something we didn't at this point? Did something happen between Marcus and Addie back in France? And then the way Marcus took care of Dylan after getting too high, in the bathroom.... Do you think he (not so?) secretely has feelings for Dylan? Or is he just jealous?

At this point, Marcus had something against Addie. I thought that he liked her and was trapped between being a good friend to Dylan but also wanting Addie and went about hating Addie as it was easier than anything else.

14. Rodney thinking Deb has drowned in the river and actually LOOKING FOR A BODY IN THE WATER!!! had me laugh out loud to be honest, but only because of how frickin ridiculous this book is. Definitely expected something more cutesie and wholesome for some reason. Being almost two thirds into the book now, how do you feel about it so far? Is it meeting your expectations?

I that that was ridiculous as well. Sometimes the way to get through life is to have low expectations, and boy did I. So it was alright

DQs - Day 2 - 17 Oct
Then - Now 38%
first line "Can't the girl find..."
last line "shitshow of a strategy"

6. The author goes for the switching POVs and timelines method. How do you like these in general? And do you think it is a good fit for this book?
After having read a few books with the switching POV and timelines, I find that I don't mind it if I don't care for any of the characters that much. If there's a character that I prefer, I tend to get irritated when I don't hear from their POV. It also depends on how well it's written and if the author keeps the plot moving forward. I think it's fine for the book so far.

7. We get to meet some more characters along the way in the "THEN" section: Dylan's uncle Terry, his brother, the mysterious Grace and other friends whose dynamics to Dylan and Marcus should shed some more light on their characters and motivation. But do they? Do you feel like you are getting to know them better? Or understand them? (Or care?)
I'm getting to know them a bit more. I don't care about Grace but I got to see more of Marcus and see where that plot was going


8. What do you think about Dylan's and Addie's past relationship in France? Do you like it/find it convincing? What about their sudden meeting in the present and the insta-lust after all the emotional baggage they seem to be dragging with them?
I don't think I paid much attention to that bit when listening to the audiobook. It didn't seem like mich


9. I'm not really sure I'd call this book a "romance" though it certainly offers the trope of second-chance. Do you have any favourite romantic trope(s) or one that you especially dislike?
Definitely is a second chance book. When you read a lot of books, all the romance tropes blur into one


10. Any guesses what part Rodney may play in the plot or do you think he's just some kind of "filler" character?
Rodney was weird in this. Not much was happening apart from some comic relief

We've completed 9 spell outs for Mowing Lawn!

We've got 5 hours and 45 minutes until round 2 ends and round 3 starts

Volunteering for back up for Broken Down Car

Volunteer for back up for Broken Down Car

DQs Day 1

Now - Now last line "...reach out and touch her."

1.) Is this your first book by O'Leary? Only reading for points and that lovely 'O' letter for Wheel-a-thon or was it already on your tbr list?
- Yes, it's my first time reading O'Leary. The 'O' will be useful for the teams spell out

2.) Road trips. Love them, hate them? If you've gone on a road trip before what are some must have for the journey?
- Road trips are okay. I get car sick so it's not completely enjoyable. I'd say good company, a sense of direction, car snacks and not rushing everywhere are some must haves for the journey

3.) Deb's comment about never having a baby obviously proved untrue. Do we think the baby daddy is going to make an appearance in the story? Or do you think it's a no name person who isn't relevant to the book
- I think the baby daddy will make an appearance to give some drama to the book but we'll see

4.) The flagrant unconcern about money by half the characters is a bit gross. Do you think that's at the root of Dylan and Addie's split? Or do you think it's the mysterious Grace? Marcus especially seems to not know the whole breakup story. Any guesses to why Dylan didn't seem to tell him the truth?
- I think Grace impacts the break up slightly but I think it's something else or a few other things. I think Dylan didn't understand the full reason why they broke up hence the therapy lessons. He was probably trying to get over the break up and didn't see a point in telling the full truth to Marcus

5.) Initial impressions of the cast of characters?
I like Deb the most so far. The other characters are okay... They're a bit empty to me so far

Megan wrote: "Tina ❣ wrote: "lorii (Loriidae) wrote: "I am locked out as well."

Megan wrote: "Tara wrote: "Here is the link for the tracking sheet - we will also put it up in the initial info posts for ease of ..."

that's great.

and no dramas with the edition link. As long as the edition you read is in your Wheel shelf, we can check the edition and add it to your book on the spreadsheet

lorii (Loriidae) wrote: "I am locked out as well."

Megan wrote: "Tara wrote: "Here is the link for the tracking sheet - we will also put it up in the initial info posts for ease of access!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/......"

hmm... can you edit the sheet now?
Columns A and B should be locked for the captains to use only. But column c onwards should be fine now. Let me know if it works

Just under 6 hours to go before we start!
https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown...

I'm having a look at what books I've got that will fit this challenge and other challenges. It can get a bit tricky to handle when you're trying to fit a book in a few challenges