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

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

DQs Day 3 Chapter 10 to Chapter 13

10.) Another glimpse at Oliver's life. What the heck is he doing with those people? I'm exhausted just reading about Garland and her 'friends'. Do you think he'll find his way back to Mallow Island?

OMG! I have to agree with you...I'm also exhausted! lol I do think he has enough strength in him to find his way back to Mallow Island.

11.) Zoey. This girl breaks my heart. Her coming to realize and possibly accept she was a child no one really wanted. I mean he dad didn't even go to her high school graduation. WTF? Do you think you could do what she's doing and with the attitude she has, if you were her?

I have to admire Zoey! I grew up in a very loving yet strict home. My dad was always there for us girls and we always knew we were loved and he was proud of us. Mom too. I have to say I don't know that I would have the strength to have such a positive attitude, but being a woman of faith I would sure hope so.

12.) Pidgeon has been disappearing for longer periods of time. Any thoughts on what's going on there? Are you enjoying the woo-woo ghosty elements?

I thought Pidgeon was maybe just ready to move on and spend time alone/with others? I did like the book much more than the title and cover would've indicated to me because I am a cover freak and not a lover of this one! I definitely will read a book based on a beautiful, intriguing, mysterious cover or any that pique my interest for whatever reason.

13.) We have much more of Mac's story now. Was any part of his story surprising to you?

Absolutely! I didn't think about his mother having left him like that. Maybe rather than saying I was "surprised" I'd say that I figured on that specifically. I was somewhat surprised by his nurturing character.

DQs 2: chapter 5 - Ghost Story Lizbeth

6. A second ghost! Who appears to be tied to being a ghost because of Mac , and seems like she'd rather leave. Do you think that's true, or is she staying because she wants to? How does Camille's experience compare to Lisbeth's?

I think she's ambivalent and staying in large part for Mac's sake but I think a part of her also wants to be there. Camille and Lizbeth seem almost opposites. I think Camille is much more of a "blue person" or is what I'd call a "people person."

7. We meet Oliver. What do you think of him and his situation and decisions?

I have to admire him for having the gumption to take care of his mental health and seek a therapist. I hope he makes an equally good decision and gets away from Garland!

8. Roscoe Avanger - any thoughts about him and his control over the Dellawisp? Lizbeth highlighted some passages from his book (chap 9). What do you think of the selection, and what, if any, relevance do you see with the wider story we are reading ?

I had a feeling that he wanted to help others but honestly wasn't sure at this point in the book whether there'd be any real relevance.

9. There are a lot of difficult parent/child relationships so far, but only one sibling. why do you think we haven't heard from Lucy yet?

I think mainly for the suspense of the reader wondering and questioning what's really going on.

Day 1 DQs: Chapter 1 – Chapter 5

1. Have you ever read any books by this author before? What drew you to read this book?

Yes, I've read 7 of her books (8 including this one) but I've not rated any of them a 5-star book yet. I was drawn to this one because a friend wanted to buddy read it and then it became BOM and I wanted to read it for extra points for a challenge.

2. How does the book’s setting on an island influence the story so far? Would you want to visit?

I don't see how the island is influencing the story so far, but typically the setting does influence the storyline so I assume it will and I'll discover how later. I'd visit just about any island given the chance, so sure.

3. What do you think of the use of ghosts as a narrative strategy, in general and in this book?

I think it can be fun and sometimes more interesting but I don't have enough ghost POV's since there was only 1 up to this point so I can't answer how it will work as a narrative strategy yet.

4. Do you have a favorite character yet? Why?

I'm not sure I have a true favorite as of yet, but I really like Zoey and Charlotte (maybe because that's my BFF's name).

5. Finally do any of the marshmallow food items sound worth eating or do they seem a bit much? Does where you live have any famous food items?

Well, I absolutely love roasted marshmallows! But I only eat them if we go camping and it's been a few years. I'm not really a sweet potato eater, but it brings back sweet memories of when Mom made them with marshmallows for Thanksgiving.

California is known for its sour dough bread, the California roll, Cobb salad, and especially in San Francisco cioppino, which is a spicy fish stew. I have had many people tell me that they have never eaten Mexican food as good as the restaurants in CA makes it but that's based on friends and family who've moved or visited other states and countries.

NetGalley November 2022
Beginning of the month.
Feedback Ratio: 26%
435 Approved | 112 Feedback Sent



To Start:
a: How many books on your NetGalley shelf: 292 (431 approved / 108 feedback sent)
b: What books are on your NG shelf: August Goal: 10 books (plus some reviews for books already read)



c: What your NetGalley feedback ratio is: 26% (but I'm a work in progress!
2. During the month, read the NetGalley books that you can AND update your post with your reviews. (You can do this after each book or wait until the end of the month.)

3. At the end of the month, update your post and with:
c: Your updated shelf count:
e: Your updated ratio:

This should be an interesting take on Wheels! I love this challenge and look forward to it every year. This year we will be in Cabo San Lucas from Nov 16-26 but that will only involve 1 book that will have to be read before we get back, I think so I'll be able to work it out with whichever team I am on.

Melindam wrote: "Hello, hello!! 😊🥳

Scampers off to check possible books about mobile libraries.

And off course the "wheels on the bus" song just started playing in my head. ..."

LOL I wish you hadn't said that because now I can't stop singing it at least in my head! lol

Moderators of NBRC wrote: "Vicki wrote: "if we have the word "coconut" and "milk" in the same book can we combine them for "coconut milk?"

I'd say no. It would be kind of gross to add coconut to milk in a curry :o

To make ..."

Can you tell I am not a good cook? True story! lol Thank you :)

I just now am noticing that our meal numbers on the Kitchen Meals tab do not align with our Shop Front Meals tab. I would assume they have to so that we can see what all ingredients we have to make some accurate descriptions or not?

if we have the word "coconut" and "milk" in the same book can we combine them for "coconut milk?

I read a book with 675 pages per Goodreads; however, I borrowed the ebook from Scribd which shows 925 pages. I might have some foods that are in the over 675 page bracket which is more than the pages GR shows. Is it okay to just put the page number the Scribd ebook shows? It's a lot of pages to try to go back through and figure out the % instead. Is there some way I can indicate the discrepancy or is it necessary?

Angie, that's what I thought but when I read Tammie's message in post 101 scared me. lol I thought maybe it was closer to the end of the round!

Don’t we have until the end of the month? I have a lot to add!

Okay, I thought so. Thanks :)

Dang it, my book above got only 4 words but it had so many good descriptive ones. Then as I was putting them on the SS from my NOTES on my phone, I was probably 3/4 finished and inadvertently deleted the list except the last 4. UGH!!!! Good thing I already had so many listed but it still makes me feel like I wasted my time. lol

FYI team, I used only 2 ingredients for meal #10 so that I can save my other 2 "vinegar" words for bonus points. Please let me know if I should do anything different because I can complete the meal and skip saving vinegar.

I has all except lemon but I was wondering if I should not use it for a meal but use only the 3 vinegars to help complete fish & chips meals. But with how we all read maybe we will have plenty. Vinegar just gives us bonus points.

Whoever has been adding our menu descriptions...excellent job! :) And thank you for doing that!

Question: I'm reading Vinegar Girl and it has "vinegar" 3 times since I can include the title. It has a ton of other words but it's only 237 pages long. Should I go ahead and put all of the words or just vinegar 3x and a few other words? I have a very long list. lol And if I do add the book on the working SS, do I add it

Janeylou wrote: "I asked that vicki..words in title allowed"

Woo hoo! Thank you :)

Would "vinegar" in the title work or must it be in the text only?

Thanks Tammie. I think we all have our planned as well as unexpected interruptions with our reading so it’s always good to be on a supportive and understanding team! :) Good luck to you!

Just finished The Tea Rose and it had vinegar twice plus a lot of unique foods!