Ashley’s Comments (group member since Apr 27, 2022)

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

Waking up to this is just lovely! 🤣😂🤣

I'm pretty sure this is the best group... at least the most inspirational!

P.S. If you need to shorten my name on the SS, it's fine with me, it seems a little silly to have the whole thing hanging out!

I'm so excited!

I need to stop looking at the mini options though! It's interfering with picking books to finish UNO, I keep considering if it would be better to use it next month... hah!

I'm intrigued by Dino Island smut. And you say it's not necessary to read 1 and 2??

I have the The Daughter of Doctor Moreau on my TBR, so I'm going to do it, as long as it is still available at the library when the BOM starts.

Hi Tea! :)

I added a few books that I have on hold at the library that should show up after the challenge starts and books from the ACOTAR series I'm trying not to binge. Hopefully, this will make me space it out a bit.

Sonia wrote: "I'm pretty sure the rational, calm and usually the balanced mod known as Karen would kick us out of the group if we said no."

Excellent!
And yay for spreadsheets!

Oh. Ma. Gah! So excited. Our team is a powerhouse! Also, are we allowed a little Ryan Gosling here? Or no?



ANYWAY....

I'm Ashley, I live in Alabama, but I am just not a "southern girl". I own/run a family business for dogs and cats. I have 3 kids, a dog, and a husband.

This is my second TT, and I love UNO, et al. I enjoy most book genres, but my favorites are PNR/UF and historical fiction. I also have become very into Memoirs and Biographies lately. I’m also trying to work my way through the classics, with little enjoyment, if I’m being perfectly honest…

Oh, here's my shelf: TTX

DQs Day 3: Chap 17 - End


1. How do you feel about the manager’s decision for Wallace at the end of the book? Does it change how you see the overall character arc for Wallace?

I think it makes sense and give us a HEA of a sort. It seems like more of a series beginner than a story end though.

2. We seem to mention that overall message of this book more than some others. Do you think a book like this needs to have a message?

No, not really. I think it’s nice to just have a story sometimes.

3. Desdemona is shown more sympathetically in this part. How does this compare to her portrayal earlier? Do you think Wallace made the right choice with how to address Nancy?

I think so. I am not sure that Desdemona’s character really would be that sympathetic, but it moves the story alone, so…

4. We learn more about what the manager does and does not know. How this affect your view of what he does? Why do you think the choice of a deer and stag were made for his form?

I think the manager is kind of a piece of work, and I dislike him and I struggle to think of him as stag-like, which I consider more peaceful.

Bonus: How does the sense of place effect this book? Most seems to be outside time or place but with references to real places (Seattle, London).

I struggled placing the tea shop. It felt unreal, with reality and it bothered me, so I don’t really know how to answer this question.

DQ Set 2: Chapters 10 - 16

5. We are seeing different ways that death can be experienced, the dead and how they deal with that change, Mei and Hugo and also the "outside" players of Nancy and Desdemona. Why do you think Desdemona, and her exploitation of the grieving or credulous was included?

I think the issue of people taking advantage is a complex, but very human problem, and definitely makes sense here, in a book dealing with death and how one lives there life before it.

6. We see Wallace get to grips with "unexpecting" and being able to interact with physical items (reportedly) super quick. Do you think this is intended to give a deeper insight into Wallace? And if so, what?
It give him a role there, and I think that’s an important plot point.

7. Hugo is amazeballs at guessing tea for dead people. What tea flavours do you think you would have? as an aside, Hugo must suffer from being this studly handsome creature that all sorts of weirdos fall into insta-lust with inability to take no for an answer. Does this sex-god bit of Hugo work for you? what is it adding to the story?

I think I’d be something straight-forward, but maybe with slightly whimsical notes. I’m not a tea-connoisseur, so I don’t know what that might be.
Eh, I’m a fan of his character itself, not necessarily that aspect, and I can’t seem to picture him that way regardless.

8. Alan arrives and manages to wreak all sorts of havoc as he deals with his trauma. Do you find his reaction to Harvey understandable or a plot-device stretching credibility?

I struggle understanding this character. I feel like it’s over-the-top, but that may be my personal view and not realistic to other peoples way of dealing with things.

Day 1 Chapters 1-9

1. What an introduction! Wallace Price is quite a piece of work. He is definitely setting up as a redemption arc. What about the other characters? Do you have a favorite?

I like Mei!

2. I have not read a lot of books about the afterlife. But this is certainly a gentle view. A private reaper, a quaint tea shop and time to transition from one state of being to another. Have you read other inventive takes on the afterlife? What is your favorite story (so far)?

Most after-life based books I’ve read are in the vampire/ghosty genre. I recently read one that wasn’t awful where there was another plane that ghost were on.

3. I am a little confused about the humanity of Mei and Hugo. The hook and chain connecting Wallace and Hugo. Mei able to transport herself and Wallace across great distances (and time, I guess). Are you questioning their explanations or accepting this as part of the universe the author has created?

I think this is just part of the world, and their special powers in it.

4. The chemistry between Hugo and Wallace was a little surprising to me. Where do you see the relationship between Hugo and Wallace going?

I’m unsurprised and it’s a nice, mellow chemistry.

I'm just loving these ideas.

Decades Challenge 2023 - Full Version
Start date: 23 Feb 2023 | End date: 23 Feb 2024

2023 ✅


2022 ✅


2021 ✅


2020 ✅


2019
1 ‣ Origins of an Academy Bully, Read: 23-Feb-2023
2 ‣ Beauty In Darkness, Read: 19-Apr-2023
3 ‣ The Ten Thousand Doors of January, Read: 9-Jul-2023
4 ‣ Prisoner of Night, Read: 21-Jul-2023
5 ‣ The Savior, Read: 8-Nov-2023
6 ‣ Orange World and Other Stories, Read: 21-Nov-2023
7 ‣ Such a Fun Age, Read: 12-Jan-2024
8 ‣ Recursion, Read: 6-Feb-2024
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2018
1 ‣ The Great Alone, Read: 9-Mar-2023
2 ‣ Iron and Magic, Read: 3-Apr-2023
3 ‣ The Benefits of Being an Octopus, Read: 14-Apr-2023
4 ‣ A Court of Frost and Starlight, Read: 4-May-2023
5 ‣ Educated, Read: 4-May-2023
6 ‣ Nine Perfect Strangers, Read: 8-May-2023
7 ‣ Where the Crawdads Sing, Read: 7-Jun-2023
8 ‣ The Cruel Prince, Read: 14-Jun-2023
9 ‣ Kingdom of Ash, Read: 20-Aug-2023
10 ‣ I'd Rather Be Reading, Read: 3-Nov-2023
11 ‣ Artificial Condition, Read: 16-Nov-2023
12 ‣ Rogue Protocol, Read: 16-Nov-2023
13 ‣ Exit Strategy, Read: 17-Nov-2023
14 ‣ The Hunting Party, Read: 7-Feb-2024
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16 ‣
17 ‣
18 ‣



2017
1 ‣ Conversations with Friends, Read: 22-Apr-2023
2 ‣ A Court of Wings and Ruin, Read: 25-Apr-2023
3 ‣ The City of Brass, Read: 2-Jun-2023
4 ‣ Viable Threat, Read: 19-Jun-2023
5 ‣ The Red, Read: 27-Jun-2023
6 ‣ Tower of Dawn, Read: 26-Jul-2023
7 ‣ Ghost, Read: 22-Oct-2023
8 ‣ Half-Blood Dragon, Read: 31-Jan-2024
9 ‣ Magic-Born Dragon, Read: 31-Jan-2024
10 ‣ Queen of the Dragons, Read: 31-Jan-2024
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12 ‣
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2016
1 ‣ Vicious, Read: 9-Mar-2023
2 ‣ A Court of Mist and Fury, Read: 17-Apr-2023
3 ‣ The Woman in Cabin 10, Read: 28-May-2023
4 ‣ Certain Dark Things, Read: 23-Jun-2023
5 ‣ Empire of Storms, Read: 26-Jul-2023
6 ‣ Eligible, Read: 9-Oct-2023
7 ‣ Sleeping Giants, Read: 10-Oct-2023
8 ‣ Idol, Read: 15-Nov-2023
9 ‣ Lab Girl, Read: 3-Jan-2024
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16 ‣



2015
1 ‣ Queen of Shadows, Read: 14-Jun-2023
2 ‣ Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania, Read: 28-Jul-2023
3 ‣ Sweep in Peace, Read: 31-Jul-2023
4 ‣ The Nightingale, Read: 2-Aug-2023
5 ‣ The Wrath and the Dawn, Read: 3-Oct-2023
6 ‣ Hunter of Her Heart, Read: 28-Nov-2023
7 ‣ Corrupt, Read: 1-Dec-2023
8 ‣ Ryker, Read: 1-Dec-2023
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2014
1 ‣ Heir of Fire, Read: 9-Jun-2023
2 ‣ Hunt, Read: 30-Mar-2023
3 ‣ The Assassin's Blade, Read: 30-May-2023
4 ‣ Red Rising, Read: 18-Jul-2023
5 ‣ Yes Please, Read: 16-Aug-2023
6 ‣ Station Eleven, Read: 17-Aug-2023
7 ‣ We Were Liars, Read: 30-Aug-2023
8 ‣ The Cairo Affair, Read: 27-Sep-2023
9 ‣ Maybe Someday, Read: 7-Nov-2023
10 ‣ Lone Wolfe, Read: 24-Nov-2023
11 ‣ Burn for Me, Read: 12-Feb-2024
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14 ‣

Wooo TT!!

Ah excellent! The power of suggestion! I approve.

What have I missed? Where are we getting these LOTR ideas?

Oh oh!! I only need one more book to complete the maze and the prompt is Read a book that is on the "The Best Fairytales and Retellings" Listopia List (Title: N-Z)... and lo and behold... #3 on that list is The Princess Bride!!

What a lucky duck I am! This book is on my TBR, and I just have never gotten around to it, but now I HAVE to read it! Woo!

I'm not going to set a specific goal for 2023, just a general one.
Goal: Try to finish at least a few series'

✅Sunshine Vicram - FINISHED!

Started 17-Jun-2022, Finished 15-Mar-2023

✅ACOTAR - FINISHED!

Started 8-Jun-2022, Finished 12-May-2023

✅Throne of Glass - FINISHED!

Started 22-May-2023, Finished 20-Aug-2023

✅Bridgertons - FINISHED!

Started 30-May-2022, Finished 24-Oct-2023

✅The Empyrean - FINISHED! (for now...)

Started 16-Jul-2023, Finished 26-Nov-2023 (waiting on new publication)

✅Bachelor Auction - FINISHED!

Started 2-Nov-2023, Finished 3-Nov-2023

✅Holiday Brothers - FINISHED!

Started 13-Dec-2023, Finished 15-Dec-2023