Vicki’s Comments (group member since May 01, 2018)

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

Tammie, I frequently buy a book if I can’t get it the way that I want it but not for $15 unless it’s a book I really want!

I'm bummed because I read The Violin Conspiracy in June 2022, but I'll re-read it for the points. I did really like it though, so that's good. And I am on a 9 week wait list for Starter Villain so I'll probably get it on audio which I don't mind, but I prefer having the hardcopy or ebook too and not just the audiobook. Hopefully it works out. But I am 37th in line of 159 people waiting. lol

Okay thank you 😊

I haven’t seen the other BOM’s yet.

Interesting how many books each team read and their placement. Some of us are very close.

Thank you, Lisa 😊

Tammie, can you please explain more because I don’t understand what you mean by backup information.

@M, that’s truly ambitious! Good luck.

Woo hoo! Going to go some books!

I have a BLACK book (63.7% per TinEye) that I plan to read but it's only 108 pages. Should I use that one? Does the page count matter as long as it fits the page requirements?

I'll also be reading a Nashville, TN, book so that's covered.

DQs Day 3; Chapters 16-22

10. Pumpkin is,,, alive??? Okay, no big surprise there to be honest, but we did finally get some interesting background info from Louise and Mark's childhood, even if that's not how Louise remembers it. Do you think she really doesn't remember, has simply forgotten, due to trauma or it just having happened way too long ago, or does she remember but chooses not to acknowledge it? Or maybe Mark misremembers himself and it didn't even happen (that way at least)? They were both still very young after all, Mark especially. Is it possible to remember something that happened when you were only two years old?

I think it's rare for a two-year-old to remember things but I do think it's possible but highly unlikely. I also think that Louise remembers but chooses not to admit it, only because of her inner thoughts.

11. The second perspective adds a new layer, however it only got added halfway through the book. Were you surprised we got Mark's POV at all, and would you have preferred for it to be there from the beginning of the book? Also, has this last section changed your opinion on him in any way? He did save Louise from Pumpkin after all....

I wasn't surprise we got Mark's POV and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm not sure it would've added anything to have his POV sooner but possibly. It did pick up my interest to see how his POV was compared to his sister's, so I'm glad it was added. It did change my opinion of him or at least helped me understand why he feels how he does.

12. To me, the last chapter feels a bit like a fever dream, definitely like they were on drugs. I personally don't remember which MPGs the book has and don't want to check in case of 'spoilers' now, but do you think there's a possibility the house, our main characters, the puppets, the dolls, Pumpkin, everything- isn't actually haunted and none of it is actually happening?? What if it's just a dream (which would be the worst ending ngl), mental problems like Louise wants to believe, or mold in the house that's effecting them like this plus possible drug use from Mark when he was away?

I don't tend to read horror and I don't believe in haunted houses, live puppets, ghosts, etc. That being said, as far as this genre goes with my non-expertise in the genre, the storyline has still piqued my curiosity and held my attention. I definitely think Mark was high on something, or how did it go from what I thought would be some good historical info on 9-11 to penis missiles? What the hay!

13. I can't help but wonder how the book is gonna end... If Pumpkin is indeed an evil puppet come to life I only see one way it can be destroyed - fire. Do you think they'll end up burning down the entire house (although Hill House (in the show at least) wouldn't let itself be burned down either, so who knows if that would work), or will the dolls and puppets take over? What do you predict will happen in the rest of the book?

I have no idea, but I assume they'll live on since this is a horror story and I think we might also be left with a cliff-hanger and it'll be left up to each reader to decide

DQs Set 2: Chapters 8 - 15

6. Were you expecting those wills? Why do you think both parents were so unfair on the kids?

Absolutely not! I think it was terrible and I can only imagine how it would make Mark and Louise feel to think one of their parents loved the other child more. Terrible.

7. Yikes! killer stuffed squirrels! The first violent haunting here, was it effective?

It was definitely effective and had an impact on me.

8. Despite the various creepy things that Louise has experienced, she's refusing to let her aunt exorcise the house. Would you still be hanging onto rational reasons over accepting family help?

I definitely am a person who'd be looking for logical reasons for all of the off-the-wall things happening since I don't believe in ghosts in that sense of the word.

9. We've had more insight into the childhood of Mark and Louise. Does this change your opinion of either of them?

It gives me more insight into why they behave the way they do, but I feel like now (as adults) that they should find ways to make amends and be the family they are meant to be.

DQs Day 1
Ch 1 to Ch 7

1.) What are your first impressions of the family and of Louise and Mark? How pivotal do you think their relationship (or lack thereof) will play in the story.
Aside: I plan to steal and use the phrase "Terminal Assholism" in future. Thank you Hendrix!

I assume their relationship is very pivotal to the story. I think the family appears to be very dysfunctional and has strained relationships.

2.) The book is organized into sections following the 5 stages of grief. Does this impact your expectations of the book at all?

It does impact my expectations of the book. I assume somehow we'll be taken through the five stages of grief, so I assume someone will most likely die.

3.) Okay. Life size dolls named after her children. Weird, creepy? Would you be excited to have them as part of your inheritance?

I wouldn't be excited to have them as my inheritance, but if they meant a lot to my loved one leaving them to me I might feel differently.

4.) Have you ever experienced a family post-death squabble/fight like the one Louise and Mark had in front of the junk clean out guys?

No, thank goodness! When my mother died we (my 2 sisters and brother) went through Mom's and Dad's things together and decided what all we wanted. We respectfully allowed each other to take those things that meant the most to them.

5.) Did anyone else google Fellowship of Christian Puppeteers? If so, were you surprised to find they were a real organization? Has anyone interacted with them before or a similar organization for other religious beliefs? [note: please keep responses respectful to people's beliefs, this is a safe space]

No, I didn't google them and I've never interacted with them before.

Tammie, is that good or bad or neither?

I fixed all of my books to the edition I read which were mostly all Kindles. Lost some points and gained some points. lol But mine are all okay now. I will make sure my dates read are correct tomorrow because I have to get up at 4:30 to watch my grandkids tomorrow so I need to get to bed. I'm pretty sure my dates are all good but we're only human so I know mistakes are made, so tomorrow I'll post when I've double checked my dates.

Tammie, I get a little confused about shelving when Turf Wars requires the page count of what first comes up when you type in the book and you (Wheels) requires edition I read. I will go back through myself and make sure I have the editions I read page counts. You shouldn’t have to do that!

I think I've been doing one thing wrong. I've added a couple/few translators for the books that had them listed, but as I think about it I can't add them unless I read that translation, right? I've read all my books in English and that's the only language I speak. lol

So if we have more than needed purple books and more that 10 musical instruments in text, we don't need to bother looking for anything now until round 2?

M wrote: "I am so happy that tomorrow I will be taking my final for Pharmacology. This course has been rough but I think I am doing well. Next classes are a lot less intense so I will be adding a few more bo..."

Congratulations! What an accomplishment and a well-deserved break is in order for you!!

Great, Tammie! Enjoy!