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

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

DQ Day 1: Chapters 1 - 4

1. The first few chapters set the scene for this (first) instalment of Hercule Poirot. What do you make of the various characters we are introduced to? Especially "Alfred dearest" whom everybody seems to dislike. Do you agree with Mrs Howard that they're all only interested in the money? Do you agree with Hastings that they're all somewhat suspicious?

Hmm... I am withholding passing judgment for now, as I assume there will be a twist somewhere. That being said, people often dislike people for simple reasons, so I don't necessarily think it means a lot. And really, everyone is suspicious to me at this point!

2. A murder has occurred! Anyone want to venture a guess at this stage as to who has done it? And was it really death by poison? Or is Dr. Bauerstein's expertise in the matter and the fact that Mrs. Inglethorp suffered from severe convulsions in front of practically the entire household merely a red herring?

Poison seem the obvious choice, but who knows, maybe it is a red herring... Alfred is also the obvious choice... but hmmmm... Maybe one of the MAIDS!?

3. There was an argument the day before the murder between the late Mrs. Inglethorp and an unknown person, potentially Mr. Inglethorp. What might this have been about?

The will, perhaps? So, money? It's the root of all evil, after all....

4. What might Mrs. Inglethorp not have wanted to show Mary Cavendish that resulted in the latter feeling somewhat peeved?

Perhaps just the will?

5. Are you enjoying the narrative so far? I assume I don't have to ask if this is your first Christie book? It seems like most everyone has read at least one of her books, or has seen an episode or two of the tv adaptations.

I'm not hating it. This genre isn't my favorite, but so far it's not bad at all. The short length may work in its favor! I don't believe I have read an Agatha Christie book, at least not that I can recall, perhaps in my YOUTH....

DQ Day 2 Chapters 8 - 13

6. There's more information released here about magic use and it's impact on the world. What do you think about this?

I'm really just getting a lot of doom and gloom. Why can't the world properly function without hoity toity sorcerers mucking with things... If I'm being honest, I'm not disliking this book, but I'm rather annoyed by everyone's fears. I mean Kiela - the Emperor was defenestrated! You're in the clear. Bust out the WANDS!

7. Lucky that Kiela can exploit the absence of fruit to fill a niche shop, eh?! What do you think about her plan to make a living out of jam and secret magic?

I think it's cute, and extremely random, but this island is a bit odd, so it fits.

8. Kiela and Larran keep having meet cute moments. Do you like this romantic pairing?

It's... a bit awkward. Kiela needs to work on her issues... is this book supposed to be a romance? Or just a cozy fantasy with a small side-dish of romance? It's odd.

I think this last word is going to be HARD. I seems simple and non-threatening, but... 3 O's!

megan wrote: "Any idea when Round 4’s word will be chosen? I might save it if there’s a J or K."

Your wish has been granted. Our Round 4 word is: School Forms

I'm about to update everything

Garden Mini Unclaimed Tasks
Look out for books that fit!

Series Book #4
Series Book #5
Word in title contains and H and 2 Os

Erin! With the reading of A Christmas Carol, you have reached your book max (of 15). You have 2 more books on the SS as to read. One is a 600+ page count, so I am going to keep that one on there and replace one of your other books with a low page count and no mini placement. If you decide to read the additional book, (the one by C.S. Lewis), we can see about switching out something else.

I don't, but probably a day or 2

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Yes, some of the repeats and waiting is a bit of an issue, most of my books don't work for minis as all have been taken up but not necessarily finished. Should we restrict how many people reserve u..."

If someone finishes a task that works for a claimed mini spot, and it will make a difference in finishing the mini or NOT finishing the mini, I will switch the books out. So, it's not necessary to restrict claims, just make sure you let me know (here or on the spreadsheet) if your book fits a claimed & unfinished task, if it's not an easily recognized fit (like a color cover).

I will also switch out if a book has a bonus word!

Vicki wrote: "Ashley, I'm a bit confused about the minis. Family mini, for example, still has one country left to be read for. Can we add books finished to the A: Cooking from Scratch list below the countries or does the countries list have to be finished first?

No, we can't bank books. That being said, you can add unread books to the NEW run-through of the Mini, but if you finish before we complete the first run-through, we won't be able to use your book.

Yes, go for it

Cordelia wrote: "I finished up a book for a book club I'm part of, but sadly it doesn't work for any of the letters, as it is nonfiction.

Hopefully I'll be able to finish up some other books today. Hope everyone i..."

I hate it when that happens! There are a couple of books I need to read, that I'm putting off because they don't fit!!

DQs- Day 1, Chapters 1-7

1. The book opens with quite a tough scene: a Great Library is set on fire and Kiela has already packed crates of books to rescue. And she asks herself the question "if she were stranded on a desert island, which books would she most want to have with her?"
Now I'm putting you the same question limiting your possibilities to
- 1 complete works of an author Ilona Andrews
- 2 book series Throne of Glass and Outlander
- 3 standalone books from different genres, 1 must be non-fiction Jane Eyre, Let's Pretend this Never Happened (NF), and The Time Travelers Wife
**This is one of the hardest questions I've ever been asked....**

2. While it's only explained sketchily, a little politics, history (?) of the Empire is mentioned, alongside some curious species, flora & fauna (winged kitties, anyone?) What do you think of the world-building so far?

It's left a lot to be desired, but I'm hoping it's one of those "I'll tell you when it's relevant" stories. I'm will continue to hope.

3. It's mentioned several times how Kiela keeps herself to herself in the Library (apart from Caz's company). Do you think such an almost complete isolation described here is possible even in such a vast Library?

I suppose it's possible (enter needed world building), but likely improbable. I mean... how does one not notice a city being sacked and well... worry more?

4. I found it a bit disturbing that Kiela doesn't tell anyone on the island that she came away because a revolution has broken out in the capital (I understand her keeping silent about the books). It IS supposed to be a big deal after all and one would think they will learn about it eventually. A bit later some excuses are offered. Do you think they are sufficient or it's just a usual plot-driving tool?

I assume it's a plot-driving tool, but I agree that .. GIRL - you should tell the tiny, isolated island there's a dang revolution happening... you know, for their safety!

5. I really liked the idea of Kiela & Caz sectioning the garden and naming them after book genres. Which genres would you name parts of your real or hypothetical garden? :)

I feel like my whole garden would just be horror, because I swear I kill everything. It's not even fair to give the sections names at this point.

Great!!

Excellent! Admin Mini repeat can begin!

Alrighty!

I have ... lost.... my mind. I moved them back! Ignore me

Erin, I moved your BOM book to Round 4, since we aren't starting until that round begins! If you're planning to read before then, and not get the BOM points, feel free to move it back.

no worries Vicki, I've been trying to check as books get read to switch out of necessary

Mini Update!
First, if your book is not being used in a mini challenge (books marked as "NO GARDEN" can't be used in the Garden Mini), and you haven't already looked to see if it fits something, please take a moment to do so. Thanks!

The Administrative Mini Challenge
Last 2 books before it's complete:
By a Thread (Lucy Score) / Cathy M.
Made to Stick (Chip Heath) / Natasha

The Feeding the Family Mini Challenge
Cursed Fates (Caroline Peckham) / Ashley (will finish tonight)
Empress Orchid (Anchee Min) / megan
The Love Match (Priyanka Taslim) / Katie
Ghostroots: Stories ('Pemi Aguda) / Apoorv
The Sun is Also a Star (Nicola Yoon) / Ashley
The Startup Wife (Tahmima Anam) / Apoorv

BOLO for...
F32 Mexico
F36 Greece

The Gardening Mini Challenge
BOLO for...
Series Book #2 (x2)
Series Book #4 (x2)
Series Book #5
Color Covers (x2)
Word in Title contains and H and 2 Os

The Leftover Woman / Vicki
Maame (Jessica George) / Vicki
In the Likely Event (Rebecca Yarros) / Vicki
Hang the Moon (Jeannette Walls) / Vicki
Dark of Night (Colleen Coble) / Vicki
Ice Planet Barbarians (Ruby Dixon) / Katie
Weyward (Emilia Hart) / Ashley
The Book That Wouldn't Burn (Mark Lawrence) / Cathy M.
One by One (Freida McFadden) / Roe
A Court of Wings and Ruin (Sarah J. Maas) / Roe
Meet Me at the Lake (Carley Fortune) / Vicki

Ok Team! I've highlighted some needed letters. I can still do a (TINY) but of moving around, but we are starting to back ourselves into a corner with some letters... C's and B's in particular! Let's try to read a few more I's, E's, and U's!