KayLynn’s Comments (group member since May 01, 2025)

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

Melindam wrote: "Denise wrote: "😂Gandalf😂
🤭 He was great as Gandalf, but also as a narrator for The Odyssey.
I also loved him as Magneto. 🤭"

I love him as Sir Patrick Stewart's BFF. *sigh* Those two are so adorable together. Best friend relationship goals for sure.

@ Denise and @Vi regarding First Time Caller

I haven't read that but I have read other books by BK Borrison. Always a delight although not always without the drama.
I get what you're saying, Denise. The drama can be so frustrating. I've certainly wanted to throw books across the room. Like...JUST FREAKING TALK TO EACH OTHER. But isn't that what humans do all the time in real life? It's frustrating but it's also accurate.

Melindam wrote: "KayLynn, Fiona

I have swapped your books Skin Game / Caught Up in the USA & Italy spell-outs.

This way USA is finished and we can ask for a new spin."

Rock on! Thanks for keeping us moving along!

Moderators of NBRC wrote: "The Chipmunks have had enough of the smell and want Mel's cheese out! These even come on a stick, so helpful in launching into the towers.

Queijo Coalho

Queijo (de) coalho is a traditional Brazil..."

Cheese on a stick? What's not to love??

I'm maxed out for the month, with 10-ish hours to go!

If any of the banked books can fit for the 'Middle Ages' task in Mini 2, feel free to steal it from me. I'm sure I can fit Gwen and Art elsewhere.

Melindam wrote: "KayLynn,
Update: I checked this in the Captains Group as one of our Mods, Judith read this already and it works just fine. :))

Yay! I did some research before I signed up for the task but I didn't think about the fantasy aspect. (I was gonna read it either way though!)

Melindam wrote: "Teamies, there are some books that you've completed earlier. It would be great if you could double-check those and list spell-out options in case you haven't done so yet.
PLEASE don't just list letters, as that is not very helpful when it comes to characters, which we may not be able to trace and it would save a bit of time for us."

Would you like us to go through all our previously read books (if possible)? If so...how do we unlock them from the filter so we can see them?

Vi wrote: "Thanks, Mel! Fiji turned out to be the easiest 'hard' country for me. Who would have guessed?!!"

For me it was Ethiopia. I have like 3 other books for Ethiopia I could read if I wanted to. Random.
I do also have a book for Fiji, but I'm sure it will fit in other places as well.

Andy wrote: "new (to me) today
sharing for the Friday feeling
and for anyone trying to stay awake on swaying train

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JUjF..."

I was not trying to not fall asleep on a train, but I sincerely enjoyed that. Thanks Andy.

As far as our tasks we've signed up for...everything just continues on for the full time of the challenge, right? The only thing that matters for the month turn over is a our monthly cap?

Do you think a magician using his hands for magic would count as "character uses his hands a lot"?

DQ Day 6

23. I’m having a hard time being impartial with questions, as I feel like the last part of the book descended into mayhem and confusion without a solid roadmap, simply to forward action, some random, some meaningful. Is this book magical reality - where did the magic bits go? Is it historical fiction - or did an exotic setting just get used as a backdrop for a romance? What are your thoughts about the last part of the book compared to the first parts?
I still think of it as magical realism. I don't get the impression the magic bits went away, they just weren't as relevant to the thriller part of the story. It would have been kind of cool if Cleopatra's magic had somehow kicked butt and saved Elvira though.

24. Do you think the characters stay true to themselves, or grow or change? Which characters do you find multifaceted vs 2-dimensional? Which characters are still too shrouded in mystery and secrets to know who they are?
I think Whit is kind of one dimensional. Maybe one and a half dimensional. I'm getting a hard time getting a read on him, and that cliffhanger just left me even more confused about him.

25. Let’s talk about Elvira. Do you find it plausible that she, another naïve girl traveling solo, was able to get to Egypt from Argentina to find Inez at the perfect time? And after just being betrayed by her mother - HER MOTHER - do you think it likely that Inez would let her cousin meet an unknown man alone? How did you react to Elvira’s fate, and do you think it was consistent with the tone of the book?
I wasn't surprised Elvira followed Inez. I was definitely more surprised no on thought she was going to do that. It was my first assumption when I found out she was 'missing'. I also don't think it's fair to say Inez "let" Elvira meet an unknown man alone. She made it quite clear she had intended to go and Elvira snuck out anyways. Elvira's fate blew my mind. (Macabre pun intended.)

26. Any guesses as to where Inez’s father is, or thoughts on whether he’s still alive? Do you think he has the magical sheet Whit is searching for?
Where he is..no idea. But he's absolutely still alive. Whatever

27. How did you interpret the final cliffhanger dialog in the Epilogue? Has it been Porter or Whit - or both - Inez has been interacting with? Twins? Are you planning to read the next / final book?
Holy crap I never thought of that. It would explain the extreme back and forth he has with Inez. But no, I actually think it's related to his family and why he is betrothed. Specifically, I think his family is in financial ruin and he has to marry to save their name. Inez is an heiress. Marrying her would certainly meet that objective. I already got book two, so I'm curious to see where that goes.

Discussion Questions Day 3

10. As we reach the halfway point I am seeing more and more similarities to the Amelia Peabody series. Is anyone else finding this. Does this affect your impression of the book?
I can somewhat see the similarities. I would relate Inez's parents more to Amelia though. They have their love of Egypt and less than desirable ability to parent that are very much the same. For Inez, I see more similarities to the Enola Holmes series. Inez is wily, intelligent, and quick thinking and is typically one step ahead of the men in her life. Despite how often the men think it's just an accident than an empty headed girl like her could possibly get one up on them.

11. We have been introduced to a number of Characters is there anyone that particularly stands out?
I love Inez. She's spunky and strong willed. Love that in a female lead.

12. We have been introduced to Isadora and her Father. Why do you think he doesn’t let her out of his sight?
You mean aside from being a man in the 1800s? Probably he knows she's bored and far more intelligent than she's given credit for and will get into shenanigans if he dares to turn his eyeballs from her.

13. Inez seems to be attuned to Cleopatra and sees some of her memories. If you could choose to see one memory of a historical figure whose memory would it be?
Oooh! I would want to see the memories of Anastasia Romanov. I am so intrigued by what happened to her and her family.

Discussion Questions Day 1
Prologue - Part 1 Ch 5

1. The first line is “A letter changed my life.” Would you say this was a good start, cheesy start, or are you indifferent?
Personally, I liked it. It drew me in. I can think of many letters that could change a person's life, but it made me want to know what this particular letter said. And somehow, I was still slightly surprised by the contents. (I admit, I did not read the book description prior to reading. I am reading it for Book of the Month and that was enough.)

2. Why do you think Tio Roberto wanted to immediately send Inez back to Egypt without even seeing her? Do you think he’s hiding something? Or do you think it’s just typical of men at that time to dismiss young women and enforce them being chaperoned and taken care of?
I believe it's a combination of things. First, it was inappropriate for a woman to be unchaperoned at her time, for sure. He probably sees her as a unintelligent chit who will be in the way. I also think he suspects something nefarious in the disappearance of Inez's parents and thinks she will be safer far, far away.

3. The ring scene with Thomas Sterling was definitely outrageous; I felt Inez's outrage and all of her shock. Do you expect to see the ring later in the story? Any guesses to its significance?
It's definitely significant. Possibly related to the reason her parents were so beholden to Egypt to begin with. The scene made me absolutely furious. Stupid men with their stupid entitlement. No surprise for the time, but a part of me wonders if she would be treated much different in today's world.

4. What do you think of the writing style and the pacing so far? Are you enjoying the lyrical, rich descriptions or do you prefer a more fast paced story?
I'm enjoying it. I love poetic prose. Give me all the words! (Unless it's chapters about the sewers of Paris. Then keep those to yourself. #ifyouknowyouknow)

5. In Ch. 5 we see politics at play, and we can tell this is just the beginning. How do you think this will affect your enjoyment of the book? Will it enhance the story for you or will you feel bogged down by the details?
I read alot of time period fiction. It's aggravating, but also eye opening. That was how it was back then, so pretending otherwise does no one any favors. And it tends to make me appreciate how different things are now.

Thank you for the recommendation, Andy!

@Vi - You're starting the Dresden Files??? I'm so excited for you! It starts just ok but gets so so good.

Melindam wrote: "Thanks, Denise. KayLynn offered to cover that one if necessary. 😊"

On it!!

Andy wrote: "Andy wrote: "had a wander around town yesterday, checked for Pont l'Eveque cheese, but no joy
I did stumble across something else interesting
but it's mature with an interesting bite..."
"

I didn't think serial killers sold their collections.. 😉

Can we use BOM books as mini task items or does it only count as BOM points?

Melindam wrote: "The task "Read a book where the first word of the text is "One" " is very tricky.
I asked in the Captains group in case some other team already had this task and got recommendations:


I did find another book that starts with 'One'.
Tahira in Bloom
I have it and can read it if Denise doesn't want to read Julie Chan.