Mariana Zapata Read-a-thon: Wait for It starting March 27th

[Aiswrya]

So excited!!! I feel like I've been waiting forever to reread these books!

Everyone's welcome to read these with us :) If you haven't read the books before, do let us know so we can use spoiler tags :)

We'll read:
1. The Wall of Winnipeg and Me
2. From Lukov with Love - starting March 1st
3. Kulti - starting Feb 15th
4. Wait for It - starting March 27th
5. All Rhodes Lead Here

Non-MZ books:
1. Enemies of the State - starting March 21
2. A Kingdom of Dreams
3. Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake - starting March 16
4. Protecting What's Mine
5. The Witness

[Aiswrya]

Niki, what else would you like to add to this list?

[Aiswrya]

Also, what do you want to start with?

[Nikitha]

Hello! I'm excited tooo
But I don't particularly want to read The Best Thing and Luna and the Lie :/
They were average reads for me so I'm not keen on re-reading

[Nikitha]

Everything else I'm super excited about!
Do you want to add Kingdom of dreams and nine rules to break when romancing a rake?
I'm on my phone so I can't add tags

[Nikitha]

We can start with Kulti? That's the one I remember the least about

[Aiswrya]

Nikitha wrote: "Hello! I'm excited tooo
But I don't particularly want to read The Best Thing and Luna and the Lie :/
They were average reads for me so I'm not keen on re-reading"

LOL cool I'll read these alone then. I don't even know why but I liked both those. Think I rated them 4 stars

[Aiswrya]

Nikitha wrote: "Do you want to add Kingdom of dreams and nine rules to break when romancing a rake?"

OOH YESSS!!

And yes, let's start with Kulti! I was hoping you'd pick that lol. I keep reliving that book in my mind! Especially that scene where he tells Sal that he never wastes his time. Do you remember it? And that scene where he gets super jealous that she spends time with that other soccer dude. SO CUTE

[Nikitha]

I remember him getting jealous but not the other scene. Excited to start!!

[Jennifer]

These are on my TO READ list - I've never read anything from MZ. Do we have start/stop dates for each? General goal of end of Feb?

[Aiswrya]

Jennifer wrote: "These are on my TO READ list - I've never read anything from MZ. Do we have start/stop dates for each? General goal of end of Feb?"

Hi Jennifer! No, we don’t have a goal or start dates for each. We were just going to read it as we go. We’ll be starting with Kulti on Feb 15th. You’re welcome to join us :)

[Aiswrya]

Do we want a set number of chapters per day?

[Nikitha]

Hi Jennifer!

I think set number of chapters would be best, especially if Jennifer hasn't read these books before. We can all go at the same pace then with no risk of spoilers!

[Majstor]

I wanted to read something from her for a while but always start with something else...
Number of chapters per day sounds good to me.

[J]

I have read only The Wall of Winnipeg, and I have seen all the raving reviews of Kulti. Great that we are starting with that.

[JoAnne]

I'll try to remember!! I have not read Kulti.

I read The Wall of Winnipeg and Me - 5 stars, Under Locke and Luna and the Lie - both 4 stars.

[Jennifer]

ok. great. ready, set, go Kulti Feb. 15th!

[Courtney]

Ooh, I'm really tempted to join up for Kulti. Wondering if I can fit it in 🤔

I can't do Kingdom of Dreams of again, though (view spoiler)[The part with the horse just makes me a blubbering mess. It hurts just to think about! (hide spoiler)]

[Aiswrya]

Courtney wrote: "Ooh, I'm really tempted to join up for Kulti. Wondering if I can fit it in 🤔

I can't do Kingdom of Dreams of again, though [spoilers removed]"

Ooh you should! It’s just as good, if not better, as the wall of Winnipeg!

[Aiswrya]

There are 29 chapters + epilogue, I was thinking about 6 chapters a day, finishing in 5? It's a long book, so each day would be around 110 pages. Let me know what you guys think!

[J]

Absolutely fine with me. My feb 15 th already began and I am starting my day with kindle already!

[Nikitha]

I'm in for that plan too. My 15th has started too so I'll start reading soon!

[J]

Kulti

I am one of the first time readers, I suppose. Nikita and Aish had already read it. Anyways can't wait to hear from you all.

(view spoiler)[
Chapter 1-6:

I really didn't recognize the impact of Zapata's writing. For the H to utter his first word, "yes", it took around 50 pages. Haha...
Overall, as usual, the book is engaging. The author as usual writes heroines with ambition and determination, and I love when h is actually a person of their own. And Sal definitely caught my attention.

One of the impressive characters was Sal's dad. His enthusiasm, his optimism in life, and the way he engages with Sal remind me of my own mom.

Sal's childhood crush story on Kulti was super cute. It reminded me of the stupid girlhood times. Overall Sal was a POV, I could enjoy. Kulti is a non-existing parameter other than what Sal had dreamed about. So, I can't decide anything about his character. He is brooding and probably dealing with some depression, which is the only thing I gathered. I'll patiently wait for further chapters.

But, Gods, did her book go on like forever? Haha...
(hide spoiler)]

[Aiswrya]

Lol yes! Her books are looooong but they don’t get boring. Sal’s dad is definitely one of my favorite characters in the book.

Speaking of childhood crushes, I used to have a ginormous crush on David Beckham in my early teens, not because of soccer or anything. I haven’t watched a single soccer match in my life 😂 it was that stupid sexy grin of his 😍

[Aiswrya]

Starting the book after work today :)

[Nikitha]

I'm done with 3 chapters! I'll post my thoughts soon after finishing 6

[Nikitha]

Chapters 1-6
(view spoiler)[
Ok so this is technically a re-read for me but its been so long that I barely remember anything but the basic story. I love MZ but not all her books are a hit for me but the ones that are, are really good. Kulti is definitely on the hit list.

6 chapters and not much has really happened story wise but at the same time a lot has happened- that's the magic of these books 😂. I'm enjoying getting to know Sal, her dreams and aspirations and what was once her hero worship of Kulti. Like Jans said, Kulti himself is a side character as of this moment so I can't say much about him.

I really liked how Sal falling in love with Kulti was described- how when he scores the goal in a match everybody thought would be a loss she felt like she had personally achieved something great. There a lot of reasons to fall in love with a celebrity but this one in particular was very sweet.

I'm looking forward to getting know Sal's family more, especially her sister and the relationship the dad has with the sister. I'm also waiting patiently to see what happens next!
(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Nikitha]

Aiswrya wrote: "Lol yes! Her books are looooong but they don’t get boring. Sal’s dad is definitely one of my favorite characters in the book.

Speaking of childhood crushes, I used to have a ginormous crush on Da..."

Yes it definitely doesn't get boring. It's painfully slow but each moment of waiting adds to the excitement. Especially in Wall of Winnipeg and me! That book will definitely be my all time favourite

[Aiswrya]

Chapters 1-6
(view spoiler)[
I'm so excited to finally get started on this book! I've been meaning to reread this for months now! Not too much has happened on the romance front thus far, we don't even know Kulti. But I absolutely adore Sal's dad! He totally reminds me of my dad. My dad totally pulls the you're my favorite but don't tell you sister thing all the time!! LOL

I don't remember what happens at the press conference!! I can't wait to get to it!

My only complaint about Sal's character is that she is a slight pushover. I would have liked her a lot more if she had actually said even one of the things she thought when Kulti threatens to bench her. She really needs to stand up for herself a lot more. Oh, well!

Can't wait to read the next set!
(hide spoiler)]

[Aiswrya]

Nikitha wrote: "Especially in Wall of Winnipeg and me! That book will definitely be my all time favourite."

I think I liked Kulti better! then again, I've read wall of winni at least 5 times and i know I'll read it again. Let's see how Kulti holds up in a reread!

[J]

Aiswrya wrote: "Lol yes! Her books are looooong but they don’t get boring. Sal’s dad is definitely one of my favorite characters in the book.

Speaking of childhood crushes, I used to have a ginormous crush on Da..."

Haha... That's so cute. When I was in school I literally joined a cricket team after having a huge crush on Dhoni's helicopter shot. I remember the P.T. teacher getting irritated because I can't hit one ball straight.

And when he got married, my friend had to call me and we met each other in black dress for mourning together of our loss. It was a real tragedy. Haha...

[J]

Chapter 7 - 12:

(view spoiler)[
This set was literally super engaging. In my head, I cannot get rid of Jennifer Carpenter as Sal. I don't know, it just seems right.

That scene when Sal went to confront Kulti after what happened with her father was so cool. It was the most amazing moment.

I love Sal. Her humor, her unfiltered language, and her hard work, all are really cool. Kulti is still not a main character per se, as we only know him through what Sal could see, but he is starting to grow on me. He definitely is fighting some sort of depression, and at the end of the chapter when they both had a one-on-one, it just shows how much Kulti's relationship is growing on her.

The slow-burn is rightly kicking in, and I am just enjoying and waiting to read tomorrow's chapters soon.
(hide spoiler)]

[J]

Aiswrya wrote: "Chapters 1-6

I'm so excited to finally get started on this book! I've been meaning to reread this for months now! Not too much has happened on the romance front thus far, we don't even know Kulti...."

My dad does that too.

[J]

Nikitha wrote: "Chapters 1-6

Ok so this is technically a re-read for me but its been so long that I barely remember anything but the basic story. I love MZ but not all her books are a hit for me but the ones that..."

I would want to know who you had hero-worshipped. You know my sister is your age and she worships the BTS gang. I know nothing about that, but I would like to know who you did/doing.

[Nikitha]

Jans wrote: "Aiswrya wrote: "Lol yes! Her books are looooong but they don’t get boring. Sal’s dad is definitely one of my favorite characters in the book.

Speaking of childhood crushes, I used to have a ginor..."

Hahaa that's awesome! Dhoni is great, I was so sad that he retired. But looking forward to IPL again! Do you watch?

[Nikitha]

Aiswrya wrote: "Chapters 1-6

I'm so excited to finally get started on this book! I've been meaning to reread this for months now! Not too much has happened on the romance front thus far, we don't even know Kulti...."

(view spoiler)[
I don't think Sal is a pushover actually. She doesn't tell Kulti off because she doesn't want to lose her spot on the team and I don't think that counts as not standing up for yourself- more looking at the big picture. I actually thought she showed lots of character by not saying anything because sometimes that's the harder thing to do.

Dads are adorable! Mine would never come outright and tell me I'm his favourite but its a well established fact. But then again, I'm the youngest so I'm everybody's favourite 😋
(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Nikitha]

Jans wrote: "Nikitha wrote: "Chapters 1-6

Ok so this is technically a re-read for me but its been so long that I barely remember anything but the basic story. I love MZ but not all her books are a hit for me b..."

I know as much about BTS as you do xD I'm not into that at all. I actually don't think that I've ever had one, huge celebrity crush. Just a lot of phases depending on the popular movie/tv show of that time. I love Rajni though! My dad is a huge fan and he brought me up like that too. I wouldn't say I hero worshipped him but

[Aiswrya]

Nikitha wrote: "I wouldn't say I hero worshipped him but..."

Oh my, thank god for small mercies!

[Aiswrya]

Jans wrote: "Aiswrya wrote: "Lol yes! Her books are looooong but they don’t get boring. Sal’s dad is definitely one of my favorite characters in the book.

Speaking of childhood crushes, I used to have a ginor..."

Haha so cute! Mourning in black haha. I had a friend in school who did that too. Saying she was obsessed with that dude doesn’t come close to how crazy she was about him

[Aiswrya]

Nikitha wrote: "Jans wrote: "Nikitha wrote: "Chapters 1-6

Ok so this is technically a re-read for me but its been so long that I barely remember anything but the basic story. I love MZ but not all her books are a..."

Wait no! I just remembered who you were obsessed with! Remember that movie Gemini with Vikram? You were obsessed with him! You used to sing that title track all day long!

[Nikitha]

Hahaa really? I don't remember this at alll
But funny story- I once met Vikram in a hotel elevator when I was very young and he asked me what my name was but I was too shy to tell him so I just hid behind my dad and then he asked if I forgot my own name 😂 I was quite embarrassed

[Aiswrya]

I just finished chapters 7-12 even though it’s not 16th yet. I couldn’t help myself! I’ll post my thoughts tomorrow. I love how far they’ve both come already! So many butterflies in my belly 💕

[J]

Nikitha wrote: "Jans wrote: "Nikitha wrote: "Chapters 1-6

Ok so this is technically a re-read for me but its been so long that I barely remember anything but the basic story. I love MZ but not all her books are a..."

Actually, my husband and I are huge fans of Rajini. We just love his mannerisms and we try to repeat his dialogue in the same style with our friends and book FDFS to watch his movie. We might have watched Kaala and Kabali, Robot, Shivaji like twenty times each, and throw the pen in the air to catch it like a cigarette like his signature style. But that craze is quite different from what I and my school friends had for Dhoni.

Although, that was all when I was stupid and young. Now, I don't even watch IPL.

[J]

Aiswrya wrote: "Jans wrote: "Aiswrya wrote: "Lol yes! Her books are looooong but they don’t get boring. Sal’s dad is definitely one of my favorite characters in the book.

Speaking of childhood crushes, I used to..."

I know that feeling. And I had enablers. I and my friend were both obsessed.
You must remember Aish, when he had this long-haired look, he was super hot. Just like Sal does, we cut all Dhoni's pictures.
This book really makes me connected.

[J]

Aiswrya wrote: "Nikitha wrote: "Jans wrote: "Nikitha wrote: "Chapters 1-6

Ok so this is technically a re-read for me but its been so long that I barely remember anything but the basic story. I love MZ but not all..."

You both are related?

[Aiswrya]

Jans wrote: "Aiswrya wrote: "Nikitha wrote: "Jans wrote: "Nikitha wrote: "Chapters 1-6

Ok so this is technically a re-read for me but its been so long that I barely remember anything but the basic story. I lov..."

Oh my gosh, how did we not tell you before? She’s my cousin!

[Aiswrya]

I’m so surprised that none of us has mentioned the serial racist remarks in the book so far!

[J]

Aiswrya wrote: "Jans wrote: "Aiswrya wrote: "Nikitha wrote: "Jans wrote: "Nikitha wrote: "Chapters 1-6

Ok so this is technically a re-read for me but its been so long that I barely remember anything but the basic..."

Really? No. I kinda thought you both met in a buddy read like me. Haha... So, nice. Two readers in a family. I am jealous of how many books you both could exchange.

[J]

Aiswrya wrote: "I’m so surprised that none of us has mentioned the serial racist remarks in the book so far!"

Yeah, I saw that but because the characters themselves enjoyed it and didn't feel anytime inferior, it lost its impact. I guess Sal uses a lot of flashy terms of German anecdotes(even some nazi reference if I am not wrong) and Kulti once called her Taco, but as both are in a fair relationship and neither do they think that lower their spirit, it doesn't come really offensive.

How did that feel for you?

[Aiswrya]

Jans wrote: "Aiswrya wrote: "I’m so surprised that none of us has mentioned the serial racist remarks in the book so far!"

Yeah, I saw that but because the characters themselves enjoyed it and didn't feel anyt..."

I mean yeah I want to say I want to be okay with it since both the MCs don't seem to mind it. But, every time I read a dialogue with some name calling related to their countries, I still feel offended. I can't remember which chapter this was in, but Sal also makes a dig at Kulti liking men like it's supposed to offend him. I really don't like this aspect of her character.