Nistha’s Comments (group member since Apr 16, 2023)

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

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters
Pages 307
Date read: 9 jul (Rating: 3 stars - I felt it was ordinary)

BoM links in SS

N - character: Norma
J - character: Joe
M - character: Mae
B - character: Ben
E - character: Mr. Ellis
F - character: Frankie
L - character: Leah
C - character: Cora

Day 5
14-18

20. Well, I think we all knew that we were going to end up with Norma turning out to really be the lost girl and her being reunited with her biological family. Do you have any thoughts you'd like to share on that reunion? Or a comparison you'd like to venture between what we know of both of Norma's families?

It was a good reunion and the reactions felt genuine. So glad Joe got to meet her. It was a contrast to see what she had with her family which was dull and closed off to more of a bigger family with laughter even if they were financially not that well off

21. Aunt June stays true to her word. She promised to help find Norma's real family and she managed to find the article that would bring this family reunion about. Do you think the conflict between the two women was well handled? From the moment Norma gave in to her anger and yelled at June to the moment where June told her that going to meet her family was not something for her to intrude upon.

It was given adequate time. Aunt June was very close to her so it was natural for Norma to feel betrayed. Eventually the do belong to each other

23. All in all, were you satisfied with the book? The story - did you enjoy following along Norma's and Joe's lives? The writing - did you enjoy the way the words flowed over the page, painting a world and its landscapes without however overusing words? Or maybe that's just my opinion - that it flowed nicely and pulled the reader along like a boat gently rocking on water.

To be honest, I felt the book was ordinary. The writing also was nothing too great. The story was told fine but movies like Lion etc have executed this plot much better

24. Would you read another book by this author? Do you maybe have recommendations for Native American literature that you'd like to share with the group?

I might give it a try. I had read Looking for Smoke which I recall being a different kind of thriller

DQ Day 4 Chp. 11-13

16. While Joe has pretty much run away from home life, He gets a job and buys a truck. He runs into a woman who didn't feel necessary to give her name. Do you think this is Norma (Ruthie)? Do you think Joe would recognize her if it was?

No, it did not feel like Norma or Ruthie as Norma's story is running in parallel. This was a random woman to me who he could find some peace with


17. Joe is gone over 8 years when he finds out he has a kid. Did you think he would actually go home to be with his family? Why do you think he can't/won't?

Eventually yes we can see his mind shifting - but he does like to abandon as well



18. When Norma misses that her mother is getting older and forgetful, did you judge her for not moving in and taking care of her mother?

Not at all - it was getting hard and one cannot always leave their life

19. Was you losing faith that Norma would find out the truth before the end of the book? How did you think she would find out? Was hearing the truth from her Aunt a surprise?

No, I thought the point of the book is for her to findout and a union. I also was expecting she will know once her mother dies and her Aunt can tell the truth. Her Aunt seem to have held back because of her mom

DQ Day 1

1. What expectations do you have for the book based on the blurb or other description of the book?
I haven't heard of the author and the description seems interesting so moderate hopes

2. How reliable do you the think the 2 narrators are?
I think they should be reliable - they shouldn't be lying intentionally

3. Chapter 1 opens with " The day Ruthie went missing the black flies seemed to be especially hungry...Indians made such good berry pickers...something sour in our blood kept the black flies away". How does this establish Joe's view of the relationship that exists between the whites and the Mi'kmaq?
Its something misunderstood


4. How much is Norma dreaming vs remembering? What do you think the dreams foreshadow?
I think its all a part of memory which she is being brainwashed to think that she is dreaming. To me it is more past than foreshadow


5. How do you explain Lenore's paranoia about Norma being out alone? How do you account for the incongruity of her insistence that Norma likes to play with baby dolls when she sees Norma choosing other playthings?
It must be something connected to how they found Norma and that explains her paranoia. She doesnt want to clearly let Norma out of her site - downright a bit hysterical


6. Why did Joe act so clingy when he returned from his first "guide" with his dad?
He saw the real world for the first time

Completion Post


Flawless by Elsie Silver
Pages 424
Date read: 6-July
Rating 4 stars for the giddy romance

Mini 3
WW11 AFN E

Characters
Rhett Eaton
Summer Hamilton
Winter
Theo Silva

Keely wrote: "Hey all! I am now a married woman!! Just thought I'd drop a quick message while waiting before we head back to the airport. There's been a few ups and downs. Mostly me struggling with engery or pat..."

Congrats Keely! New chapter of life <3

Keely wrote: "Great job team! I'm now in Copenhagen. All set to get married tomorrow! I'm still a bit sick and have slept very little the past few days as a result, but I think I'm over the worst of it now! We'r..."

All the best for tomorrow! Hope you feel better soon

I love the current 2 countries haha - one is where I was born and the other is where I am living in! Have claimed some tasks

Completion Post

Book: Don't Let the Forest In by C.G. Drews
Pages:352
Date:3/jul/25
Rating:4 stars, another good horror of this year

Mini 4 gravy
"Lana had drowned her plate in gravy and now set to executing her chicken as if it weren’t dead enough
already"" Ch3"

Characters
Andrew Perrault
Thomas Rye
Dove

Book: She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen
Date completed: 02 Jul 25
Pages: 321 (rating 3 stars - fun one!)

Characters
Scottie Zajac, Irene Abraham, Tally Gibson, Daphne Zajac, Thora Zajac, Danielle Zanders, Honey-Belle, Charlotte Pascal, Gunther Thomas, Kevin Todd

V_Nerdbooks wrote: "I don't do cheese, any type 🤢

Well, that's a bit of a lie, I can do grated, and melted, and like, cream cheese on crackers, but the thought of *biting* cheese and chewing it makes me feel ill 🤢

S..."

I am with you V - I don't like cheese or chocolate. My husband gets so annoyed whenever we go out to eat because we cannot share a cheesy plate or a chocolate dessert haha. I love sweets except chocolate. I can do only very specific type of chocolates but nothing in the chocolate flavour.


I hear a lot from everyone whenever they see me picking out cheese from pizza haha!

Just wanted to add I have added a book for vinegar which is one of the banked books

Eldarwen wrote: "And this is it!!



Mini 2: our remaining tasks



24. Read a book tagged "Diary" at least 10x
--> Keely - The Diary of Samuel Pepys

38. Read a book set in the time period "Post Modern"
(E can r..."

Shivaji: The Great Maratha is a chonker and I am reading it in parts so it might take some time to finish

Eldarwen wrote: "Right? There is just something missing.."

Totally! I mean Margaret's story felt too similar to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and I want more romance when I read Emily Henry - more chemistry - more banter.

Completion Post



Book: Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
Date Read: 29th June
Pages: 427
Rating: 3 stars (for me, a disappointment from EH)

BOM links in the spreadsheet

DAY 4 - CHAPTERS 21 - STORY 26

16. So the title, Great, Big, Beautiful Life... your thoughts on who this actually refers to? Do you think it has any significance to the plot at all or is it just a catchphrase along with the bright cover art to lure in the reader?
I think it was the combo of all their lives and everyone in MArgaret's family that led to this. It does have significance

17. Half way through the book and I realized that the only interviews the reader is privy to with Margaret is through Alice's eyes. Why has Emily Henry written it this way? What is the deal with Hayden? Is there actually a contest at all? And is there more to him not wanting to take his relationship with Alice to 100% physical? Is there going to be a twist, anyone think they've worked it out?
I think it would have got too repetitive if we had Hayden's views as well. Plus, Margaret divulged more to Alice. There will be reveals at the end for sure

18. Wow, nearly makeup, storm sex occurs, another near miss! What do you think about all the extended foreplay without getting to the main event? Do you like how Emily Henry writes an intimate scene? Are they important or interrupting the flow of the storyline?
I think she writes it well but for some reason, the chemistry is a bit off for me in this book. I don't think it is interrupting - I am here for a romance not a historical fiction of Margaret's life


19. One of the themes of the book is family relationships, the good, the bad and the ugly. How does the parts about Alice and Hayden's family and especially the relationship with Alice and her mother contribute to the overall story?
I feel the relationship was strained due to miscommunications which got clarified by the end

20. What are your favourite parts of the book? The Alice and Hayden relationship or the slow reveal of the Ives' story?
Definitely the relationship, wish it had more chemistry

Day 3 Chapters 14-20

11. Whether the stories are true or not, are you interested in the back stories of Margaret’s family? What did you think of Freddy’s first interaction with Bernie? (The one that contained the only laugh out loud line so far “Because of your wardrobe?”)
I was not particularly invested in the background stories. I know it all leads to the end, but I don't know - I wasn't hoping for a historical fiction in a romance. I forgot about that interaction


12. Who exactly is Jodi? Will she be a part of the BIG REVEAL?
I have finished the book and now I know but even yes initially I felt she would be a part of it

13. I do not have kids, but Hayden’s list of “what ifs” to worry about was a lot. Do you parents worry about that stuff?
Haha yes, I think there are more worries than love that comes when you think of having kids - esp with such backgrounds, it can get intense

14. Why do you think Alice thinks that Margaret’s tales of her childhood are true, as opposed to the stuff about her family before she was around? Do you find her insightful or naive?
She alays seems to think the better of people and it was corraborated by Margaret's behaviour


15. Think the visit to Alice’s family will go well? Think we will meet Hayden's family also?
I think it did! Don't think we will

DQs Day 1
Chapters 1 to 7

1.) Emily Henry is a popular contemporary romance author and a fair few of her books have been previous NBRC BOM selections. Any expectations for this book going in?

Yes, she is the Queen of banter for me so I do have expectations from this book to show me a good fun time and a nice romance

2.) What are your first impressions of Alice? And sending that drink to Hayden?

She seems to be a very happy person who always has a positive attitude. She is cute. I feel sending the drink was an extension of her personality who wants to befriend people and wants everyone to like her.

3.) Would you agree to the month long trial or tell Margaret she's a nutter and move on to something else? Why do you think Margaret is doing things this way?

I would agree as it is a great opportunity and its only fair to Margaret that she can consider her options. It is also a paid trial so I dont see what is wrong.

4.) After learning a few tidbits about Hayden's family and how he grew up, did you opinion change a bit on his character?

Yes, he seemed too uptight in the beginning but it makes sense witht he background and the high expectations from him

Book: A Thousand Miles by Bridget Morrissey
Date completed: 25 June 25
Pages: 368

Mini 2
71 - Mostly set in a car drive

Characters
Dee Matthews
Ben Porter


Spell out

For the tight deadline task, I think my book When the wolf comes home works as there is a 72 hour deadline for our MC Jess to go to the hospital after getting pricked by a needle to check for potential infections which keeps getting derailed