Sophie’s Comments (group member since Apr 28, 2013)

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

It is however v epic at over 1000 pages.

I've just finished a The Road Trip which has absinthe in the text (because of course it does...)

Melindam wrote: "Ouch, Sophie, that sounds really tough. Maybe you could ask them about their favourite books to divert their attention from the needle."

It's actually quite a nice shift in a lot of ways. I can disengage my brain and just manage the task in front of me. There were 3 of us all working in the same room so in any gaps we could chat which I don't normally get the opportunity to do much.

Mel is wonderful and have updated our official sheet! Well done on all the wonderful reading everyone!

Any favourites you want to recommend everyone so far?

Lisa glad to hear the trip is going so well.

Happy birthday to Karen's boys. Hope they had a wonderful time


I'm planning to read the BOM for another O. Currently 5% through my first book. Hoping I get some more time to read soon. Not looking likely since I'm doing extra at work tomorrow to give people flu and COVID vaccinations.

I've got epic fantasy and unfinished series covered. Musical instrument nothing immediate. In true epic fantasy style, the page count is too high to be useful for this.

That was entirely my fault and I apologise!

I'm here too.

Audrey Jane wrote: "My book just mentioned "morris dancing" and I had to think about the Discworld team challenge where we had to find that mentioned in the text.
I feel the urge to write this down for future referen..."

The trauma responses to challenges are a real issue. Mine include noting any book with an instrument on the cover or in the text.

We went to a Christmas light trail based on Pinocchio and I hadn't realised how deeply creepy the story is. Being swallowed by a whale is mild compared to some of it. Glad it was enjoyed though!

Audrey Jane wrote: "Melindam wrote: "Lonesome October is also on my TBR... should READ it in October, no? :D"

I think you should too :)
I saw that each chapter is a day in October. Will start it tomorrow on the trai..."

Surely you can do more publicity etc if you release it in October!

I've got the spreadsheet linked in message 4 now so it should be easy to find.

Have failed to read anything so far which isn't like me!

10 minutes! Hope you are all ready!

I'm going to start with Crime and Punishment alternating with something that is still undecided. Tend to find classics go better if I have a brain break as well.

Melindam wrote: "Sophie, of course I'm not unhappy :) How could I be when I'm enjoying the Niccolo books very much! :)

I'm happy that we are introducing a new reader to Dunnett. She was such an awesome writer. :)"

I wouldn't have read them if my mum hadn't enjoyed them and had them on the shelf at home. Have now got her companion's guide which explains the quotes and gives background for the historical figures.

Elisabeth wrote: "I'm the same, Sophie. I'm reading Agatha Christie short stories to fill the gap. Short story antholgies are perfect for this because they're pick up and put downable."

That's a very good option because they can be picked up again when the challenge is done and you haven't forgotten anything.

Hopefully Mel isn't too unhappy with the direction I pushed! Fingers crossed you enjoy it; definitely isn't one to rush.


Yay we're so close to kick off! I finished something this morning and am now in the awkward pre-challenge pause. Think I might read Remote Control before we start rather than as my first book as it is 156 pages long.

So less of a diatribe from me that probably can be summarised as I'd go with Niccolo first as you can get a sense of her style and also it's chronological first even if not written in that order.

So I found Lymond hard to follow when I read it in my early 20s but still v enjoyable. Niccolo is easier to follow as Mel says and goes all over the place round the Europe, Africa and the middle East which I hadn't expected (but should have done give Lymond ends up in Russia).

Sophie wrote: "https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

The tracking/planning sheet for you all! I will be adding an overflow tab later so that we can..."

Mel and Karen have helpfully added some example books to the tracking sheet. If any of you need some help using it, please just say and I'll do my best to help. Or if you notice something isn't behaving quite right, post here and we'll give it a look.


Thursday is one of my clinical work days so I'm going to be working between 8.30am and about 7.30pm. I'll try to pop in to say hi and keep the chatter going, but it depends what comes out of the woodwork to cause mayhem!

I used to sing in the choir at school. I miss the camaraderie of it and still feel nostalgic whenever something we sing comes up - most recent was Moon River while watching Grey's Anatomy. I want to encourage my 2 to play music when they are ready; at the moment keeping Mr 6 active is the biggest challenge - he'd sit and draw or play computer games for every hour of the day if we let him. Miss 3 is a fish however and can already swim 20m independently.


Elisabeth - oddly I originally wanted to play the clarinet but my parents suggested the oboe instead. My mum had played the cello when she was younger and my dad is tone deaf so no idea why they did! Was a great instrument to play but would need to go back to square one with it now. I had a weird problem with my chest when I was 14-15 and it ruled out wind instruments for a while.

Hi again Audrey! There's nothing wrong with paint everywhere when you are painting. Though the hospital staff did wonder what I was doing when I wore my painting clothes in when I was in labour. I was working on the basis the clothes were already a mess so I couldn't make them worse and they had a v elastic waist to go round bump.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

The tracking/planning sheet for you all! I will be adding an overflow tab later so that we can juggle things around if we need to.

Will chat more later, but unfortunately work calls...