Karen ⊰✿’s Comments (group member since Sep 23, 2012)

Karen ⊰✿’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

Day 1 DQ’s
1- Although Valentia feels shame in her actions to confront Luzia and her magic she still threatens her to use it at her dinner party. What were your thoughts and do you feel bad for Valentia and her desperation?
She may be stuck and unhappy but she could also find more allies and be happier at home if she wasn’t such a nasty piece of work. She likes to wield the small about of power she has. I was actually surprised by Luzia feeling such empathy towards her considering it was dangerous for Luzia to expose her magic.

2-Valentia did not want Luzia to leave the house and gave her extra chores. Why do you think Valentia did not want Luzia to leave the house?
probably because she can’t? A way to wield power? Also the other houses may offer Luzia money to go to them and she can’t afford to lose her

3-How did using music and song to make Luzia magic work make you feel or think of.
I like this. Makes the magic feel like it’s more traditional than fantasy

4- Don Victor(De Paredes) shows up at Casa Ordobos to make sure Luzia has a room with and even hints at having her join him if not. Why do you think having Luzia in her own room benefits either of them?
I think it is a show of power from him. Does make me concerned for his role with Luzia in future

Sawadeeka!
Thailand is lovely. Hot and beautiful!

I finished two books and added to the spreadsheet (on my phone so one I just posted the link). One is a book 1 and one a book 10.

Sorry to be lame and not check the mini but it is a bit difficult on my phone and the internet here is patchy. Hopefully they can be made good use of.

Today we went to a local Buddha temple (here https://maps.app.goo.gl/tgCD1AQ7BohB1...) and climed a few hundred steps for a great view of Krabi. Covered in sweat we then went back to the pool for a while, had a massage and will
Now get ready for dinner soon after a poolside cocktail. I hope everyone is well!

Welcome Steph!

I have lots of unfinished series’ too so can find something as needed. I am finishing a book 1 atm which is a chunkster and I’ll aim to finish it not long after the deadline

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "What, no MPG Space Smut.. those horned (or should that be horny) aliens are handy in a mini challenge.. although I suppose they are in the Romance category, 😁❤️"

Maybe we need to find a home for them in a UNO mini :)

Just don’t read too quickly, E.🤭
Books need to be finished after July 1 , 9am UTC (2 days from now) 😊

https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown...

omg and I just got rid of the power of love and you reinstated it
😂
not going to touch those links. haha

ok, back to this

Just finished chapter 15, and I forgot how we finally find out about how Haymitch won the games!
Also, I notice that Katniss still refers to "President Snow". I find it fascinating that for someone she despises she still uses the Title rather than just calling him "Snow" (or perhaps another word 🤣).

I am enjoying this more 2nd time around. I think I can appreciate how it becomes a part of the larger series

lol oh boy thanks E

*ear worm has begun*

And thanks Lisa

I’m on my way to the airport now. Thailand here I come 🇹🇭

I have failed with this one! I have The Scalet Letter downloaded but I dont know that I feel like it

Start of Month

Total audiobooks to read: 8
Audiobooks in monthly category to read: 1

Books in category:
19hr 54min


FINISHED


End of Month
Total audiobooks read this year: 49 (end of June was 43)
Audiobooks in monthly category read:1

MY MONTHLY RECOMMENDATION (and why):

I finished Starling House for points 🤣 Wouldn't recommend it otherwise.

Tonight I fly to Thailand so spending today getting myself organised and packed. The first week will be a proper holiday with reading by the pool so I expect to finish a few books :)

DQ Points Participation Post
Starling House
June 2024

Day 1 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 2 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 3 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 4 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 5 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

DQs Day 5
Chapters 27 - Epilogue

21. Wow what a ride! What were your initial thoughts and feelings after finishing the book?

Like others have said, I loved the concept but it wasn't executed as well as it could have been. Far too slow in the middle and the romance was unnecessary imo

22. An integral part to the book is the way the story of Starling House is told through many different viewpoints, with truth and lies and rumors and heresay and opinions often woven together. Did you find that you learned more about Starling House through each story? Did this type of story building and layering work for you? Why or why not?
This was my favourite part of the book - I love it when Houses are a 'character' in a book!

23. In the ending battles, the MCs were fighting beasts of nightmares and of their own making, inside dreams. Do think it's hard for good dreams to win out against nightmares? Explain your thoughts.
I think it comes back to your own mindset. If you are generally positive in your mindset then good will win. If you're going through a ad patch than it may be harder

24. A major theme in the book is wants and needs, and how they seemingly twist into each other if you want hard enough. In this theme exploration, what was the message you got from the author, and did it resonate with you?
I think it is a good thing to consider in this age where we are so abundant. Questioning what we actually need versus just want is a good practice for gratitude

25. Would you recommend this book? Explain.
No,. I really loved the start and I enjoyed the end but the 8 hours in the middle aren't enough to make me recommend this

The towel!…
Jamie Bamber

Ok I’ll use a credit from audible as I love the author and can’t get this at the library.
Also a backup for D6

🤭🤣

I can't get from the library either but I really enjoy the author, so I may get it from audible once I'm done with my current audio!

Eldarwen wrote: "Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "I watched the movie and it was disturbing. Can't face the book 😂"

Haha, understandable! Christian Bale was awesome in it, though.
It's been a long time since I saw the film but I ..."

Yes!! - and I agree he was amazing

Sammy wrote: "#132

I know there is still one more in the series, but I really don't think I can be bothered. The first book showed promise, but I'm still waiting for the seri..."

Oh can you stop one book away?! such restraint! lol

I have enjoyed her other series more but that may be because I should have read TOG first. Or maybe just it is YA