Shannon’s Comments (group member since May 21, 2018)

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

Day 3 - Chapters 16 - 22

9. Why do you think Boz brought up the story of Elena and her daughter when explaining the Tiny Tim Factor to Stephanie? What was your impression of Holly’s reaction to the story and her subsequent actions?

I think he used Elena's story because he thought Holly was slipping up. Maybe he thought something was going on behind the scenes with Ethan or maybe he just thought she was too distracted and wanted to remind her that this was real life and real life has real consequences. I dont think that Holly realized that there was a real consequence to her actions so maybe it was intended as a wakeup call. Except she seemed to just brush it off with a "I never made her daughter cook and burn down the house." This shows she still has a bit of scrooge in her which I'mm starting to consider whether Stephanie was brought in to fix this about her

10. Marty asks Boz, “Why is Ethan Winters the Scrooge?” What did you think of the question as well as the conversation that followed? What are your thoughts about Ethan being the Scrooge?

I think that it was a fair point that Ethan Winters isn't their normal scrooge. I also think that Holly meeting with him has changed him for the better (at least at first). I think that Stephanie backing Ethan Winters as the scrooge up could've been because she was suspecting that Holly was dating him or maybe it's because Ethan was Holly's test and Stephanie's supposed to be GCP or a ghost for Holly (I just feel like it's suspicious that Stephanie had the manila folder with Holly's traits in it. Like there must be some study or something more than her psychology class with Stephanie having that.

11. We learn that that the positions of Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future have been held by different people over the years? What are your thoughts about this system?

I agree that it is pretty crappy of a system for there to be transition ghosts. I agree with Holly's thinking of "what if they failed me." I mean if there's a transition ghost that means there was no one to train them and they could suck at their job

12. Stephanie tells Holly that she knows (view spoiler) Why do you think she does that?

I think Stephanie thinks of Holly as a friend, but I also think she's trying to get her to trust her.

Bonus: While reading the book I kept picturing the actress Raffey Cassidy (from Tomorrowland) as Stephanie and Bob Newhart as Boz. Did any characters from the book make you think of any people in particular?

I think of Stephanie maybe as a Peyton List (but from Jessie exactly. Like same kind of styled clothes because she was noted not to be very business professional) and and Boz (this might sound crazy) I think of him being Jack Black

Shannon Participation Post

Day 1 Link 1
Day 2 Link 2
Day 3 Link 3
Day 4 Link 4

Day 2 chapters 7-15

5. Do you feel they are choosing too young of Scrooges and perhaps that is why Holly Chase did not succeed or for other reasons?

I think Holly didn't succeed because she chose to not change. Her father gave her the way to live by asking (begging really) her to go to New Zealand with him. But she wanted no part of him (I was really sad during this scene).

I think the average age of the scrooges from this book was said to be mid 50's or above and white males. Probably more like the Scrooge from the Christmas Carol. It was noted that Ethan Winters wasn't the average Scrooge.

6. Does this book help you get into the Holiday spirit, or do you feel you could have read this story at any time?

I think it is. It is reminding me to be grateful for everything I have and to spend time with my family.

7. Do you know of the Christmas Carol story or is this your first experience? What ideas do you have that will be enfolding. If you have finished-no spoilers 😍

I have seen the Christmas Carol movie. (I think its also a movie?) But I am familiar with the story. I'm not sure that this book is going to go along fully with the Christmas Carol book though.

8. The doesn't seem to be many main characters in this book. Who is your favorite so far and why?

My favorite is Stephanie. Her optimism is infectious and I wish I could radiate that in my everyday life.

12/7 432 pages
12/13 432 pages
12/15 476 pages

Current Total: 1,914,979

Day 1 Chapters 1-6

1. In the first chapter, we are introduced to Holly Chase, the most recent failed Scrooge. How do you feel about there being the chance that a Scrooge might not change for the better?

I think it's realistic. Obviously the Scrooge is a made up story, but one can always wonder what would have happened if the Scrooge didn't change. I like that this book is playing on that. I think it's realistic in the way that sometimes people don't change no matter what you do for them.

2. We find out that there is a company dedicated to The Christmas Carol and trying to change people identified as a Scrooge for the better. What are your thoughts on it actually being an entire company and not just a Charles Dickens story in this book?

I was slightly confused by this. I know that Boz has been giving everyone names from the Christmas Carol?, and I think this is kinda cute. I've never read the Christmas Carol though, only watched the movie, so I may be missing some references.

3. Holly seems to be really bilious and hates Christmas, even 5 years after becoming the Ghost of Christmas Past. Do you think that there are any signs of her regretting not changing?

I definitely think she regrets not changing. She was mopey about not having anything to do in her apartment and having no one to be around. I think she misses her family and friends based on her flashbacks. (Maybe not her father's new wife)

4. The new Scrooge, Ethan, is close to Holly’s age and she has deemed him eye candy. Do you believe that she is so affected by him being “hot” simply because she hasn’t really been around anyone her age since joining Project Scrooge?

This is possible. But its also possible that he's attractive to her because of the materialistic parts of his life. He's a "perfect guy." Gets good grades, great at sports, and rich. I think Holly might be seeing her old life in him and missing that.

Thank you guys for being such an amazing team! I really enjoyed doing this challenge with all you guys!

My book worked for I so we finished that word (Neverending laundry)

Yes! Adding that now along with A Language of Dragons which I just finished

Melissa wrote: "The bonus words for the relax mini are "pants" and "chipmunk." !
Yes, we have to have them in our book to count - I'm hoping my cozy mystery has one - but I highly doubt my high fantasy does!"

Do we just note the page number if we find the words and add it to the spreadsheet?

What are the bonus words for the last round? Do we have to find them in our book for them to count?

Finished How to Sell a Haunted House . Not sure what the next book will be yet, but I will be deciding today :)

Im absolutely loving How to Sell a Haunted House not sure why it has so many bad reviews. Its creepy and has possessed puppets! Perfect october read (although its not october anymore, but I got it out in October). Going to be finishing this book tomorrow morning and starting another one.

I'm 59% finished reading How to Sell a Haunted House . Im really liking it so far. It's not what I was expecting! I thought it would just be ghosts and hauntings, but there's a manipulative evil puppet which I was not expecting

Melissa wrote: "@Brittany - I bet GR dropped a tag again. Could you put Mistletoe Mystery and The Bronze Key on your shelf?

@Shannon, could you put Son of a Witch on your shelf?"

Yes. Adding now along with Small Town, Big Magic which I just finished

Just finished Son of a Witch . Enjoyed it a lot! Hoping to finish Small Town, Big Magic before the end of the challenge. I go to Florida for Thanksgiving break on Thursday so I am hoping to have more time to read, and I will also have tomorrow to read.

I'm still reading Son of a Witch . It's interesting but seems very political which I wasn't expecting. I've only seen the show Wicked on Broadway and never read the book. I've recently heard the Wicked book isn't like the show and is very political as well.

Insiyah wrote: "Is Sister a title? In that case, we can use their actual names instead of Sister"

I think so, but the name after it is generic. Like it seems like their job (ex. Doctor, Apothecaire, Candle)

So im reading Son of a Witch and i. The book theres a lot of main characters named things such as Sister Apothecaire, Sister Doctor, and Sister Maunt. Could these be considered nicknames, last names, or be used in any way?

Took a break from reading it and started reading it again. Realized I was past the rough part and he was now utterly insane (which I found to be easier to read). Finished the book. Going to update the spreadsheet and start Son of a Witch tomorrow!

Melissa wrote: "Shannon wrote: "Hey guys! Im struggling with The Shining. Its beautifully written. Super easy to read and underdtand but i feel like that may be part of the issue.

Everything i read from jacks PO..."

I could try that. I'm definitely too invested in it to put it down and DNF it rip