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

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

Do we get extra points for the letter I?

I still will be able to finish my books, all except Empire of the Storms because that STILL hasn’t arrived at my library. But my others I’ll get done.

I am on my phone so I can’t tell what letter we need but I just finished an R book that I don’t have on the SS. I’ll update when I’m home.

Congratulations, Ashleigh!

I’m ready to move on! I also agree with Samantha & Diane and think that’s fair.

Main characters only would have been really difficult! Lol

Erin, I put a book in place of Empire of the Storms and moved that one to the bottom letter G because I just don't know when I'll get it...bummed because I am so ready to read that book! LOL But IF I get it today or tomorrow, I'll probably get it done for us.

Let me just say this: I LOVE Rhys and here's why: (view spoiler)[ The sex scene I was waiting for was amazing! I don't always like sex scenes but I thought this one was just right and loving and tender, not just wham, bam, thank you m'am! And I loved him for that chapter where he told her everything about why he never told her that she was his mate. He went through mental torture himself while he made sure she was happy and made her own choices. But once he found out she wasn't really happy at all, he was right there. (hide spoiler)]I LOVE HIM!

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "We have now completed our first spelling of Gravy and the 15 bonus points. Once a Y is finished, we will have two words complete. We have two bonuses complete. Great start."

Then I guess we're in luck because I JUST now posted my Y book! :)

I possibly won't be able to read Empire of Storms because my library messed up, I guess. I went in to ask about it because I've been waiting on it and Marnee (head librarian) said it was sent on the 1st and "should be here already" and that was Saturday. She reordered it for me so I just don't know if I'll get it this week or not.

Hey, Morgan, I wanted to post my thoughts this morning, but I HAD to read a couple books for a couple challenge AND I don't feel well for some reason. Ugh...I'll try posting my final thoughts later today if I feel better. If not, hopefully tomorrow. Not sure how far you are but man this book gets so much better than it even was! I love Sarah J. Maas!

YAY for us! GOOOOOOO TEAM!

I posted my last book for the week on the SS. I had one book I moved to next week, so hopefully that didn't mess any words up or any major points. I actually read the version posted here but it showed the Kindle version for page points. I read 320 but Kindle version showed 303, I think. I doubt it makes a difference but thought I'd let you know because I had duplicate books on it so I had to delete one. I deleted the version I hadn't actually read but that's the one that showed my progress. Don't know if any of that makes sense, but I finished it. LOL

2018 is almost over, so will you be having this challenge again in 2019? I love audiobooks but I don't have much time to do this challenge, only about 7 weeks. I don't know how I've missed it all year!

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Vicki wrote: "I have the same question, Cecily because I have 2 books still to read for this challenge but only have until 1:00 my time tomorrow. I know I'll finish one, but not positive about the ..."

Okay, I'll see what I can do. I just posted a book

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Vicki wrote: "Erin, I have finally finished all of the answers to Crazy Rich Asians and added the links to our SS. I would have had them done on Wednesday, but she didn't post the q..."

Thanks, I'll see if I can do both books.

I have the same question, Cecily because I have 2 books still to read for this challenge but only have until 1:00 my time tomorrow. I know I'll finish one, but not positive about the other because of some morning obligations but I hate not to finish a letter in case it makes a huge difference.

I want to know IF I don't finish one of my books (it would be Homegoing for letter Y, will that mess up how many words we can complete? I can also use it for next week since the author's last name is Y and we have GRAVY.

Finished and I can't wait until you finish and we can chat about it! It is so so so good! I was on the road today, as you know, and when we got home had to take care of some things plus I had another book to finish tonight and one for tomorrow by 1:00 PM my time, so I'll post my final thoughts tomorrow.

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Great news, we finished another word and are at 1025 points right now. Great job, everyone!

I won't be here during the day tomorrow, but Teri will cover the spreadsheet before the deadline.

Plea..."

That is awesome! 1025 ain't too shabby! :)

I guess I was typing while you were. OKAY, I'll have my stuff in by 4:00 PM EST.

Erin, I have finally finished all of the answers to Crazy Rich Asians and added the links to our SS. I would have had them done on Wednesday, but she didn't post the questions until today and we were on the road. No way was I doing them on my cell. LOL

You need everything posted tomorrow by 3:00 or so EST was it?

DQs Part 3

14. Part 3 labels its chapters with locations, rather than the POVs used in the previous parts. Why do you think this is? Did you notice the change? Do you have a preference?

I did notice the change and that Part 3 listed places rather than POV's; however, it didn't bother me. I thought it was just possibly to emphasize the travels from one place to another to another and so on. I think you can tell some differences in communities within those chapters as well. Generally I prefer first person POV.

15. We see the outcome of three different relationships in this section: Alistair and Kitty; Astrid and Michael and of course Nick & Rachel, plus – of course – the flashback to Rachel’s mum’s experience of love and marriage across the money divide. What do you think Kwan is saying about the power and influence of money on relationships? Do you think the parents are reasonable in their view point, that you have to come from money to fit into the lifestyle? Can you see a happy ending in the future for Astrid, Michael, Rachel & Nick?

I think Kwan's main point she's making isn't necessarily about power and influence that money has on relationships as much as it is the abuse of power and influence that money can have. In the case of Nick's family, specifically his mother, it is the power and influence of one's family that is important. Had Nick's mother been welcoming and loving and "judged" Rachel on her own merits and not for how much money she has or not or who her family members are, she'd have probably loved her. I don't think the parents' views are reasonable. We all wear different masks and learn how to "fit" in where we are: a professional, mother, sister, auntie, co-worker, friend, and so on. In order to fit in with someone of great wealth, I think all that one would need to do is to respect them and their home, etc.

I have grave doubts that Astrid and Michael can make it together. I think they've had a deal breaker. IF he truly loved her and they both wanted to make it work, I think they could but at this point I don't see that happening.

I think Nick and Rachel on the other hand do stand a chance if they disassociate themselves from his family unless his family would agree to some very specific terms laid out. They need to respect Nick's and Rachel's boundaries and money should never be an issue. As husband and wife, they need to determine how their families can fit in with their new life together or not.

16. Kwan uses this book to expose the foibles of the Asian super-rich elite, from extravagant weddings and conspicuous consumption to the snobbery within the families. Do you think the book is successful in its social satire?

I do think the book was successful showing how snobbery within such families can be. In fact, I think it might have been overkill if I wanted to pick at it. I believe that the only way the book isn't ruined is to consider it in terms of its satire. Otherwise some parts of the book are totally unbelievable.

17. Obviously this has been made into a movie – have you seen it? What do you think will work well? And less well?

I haven't seen the movie yet but I'd like to. I'm not too sure what will work and what won't but I do hope that the humor is captured and done realistically and not slap-stick comedy. I think the different relationships can be portrayed well and (with the right actress) I think Nick's mother can be done well and portrayed as the stereotypical rich snot.

18. This is the first in a trilogy – will you read the next books in the series?

I will definitely read the rest of the series. I need to know for sure what happens in the different relationships and how the dynamics of the families change as they (hopefully) mix filthy rich with not so wealthy people.