Judith’s Comments (group member since Apr 15, 2015)

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

That’s just rude

Violeta by Isabel Allende

The epic story of Violeta del Valle, a woman whose life spans one hundred years and bears witness to the greatest upheavals of the twentieth century.

Violeta comes into the world on a stormy day in 1920, the first girl in a family of five boisterous sons. From the start, her life will be marked by extraordinary events, for the ripples of the Great War are still being felt, even as the Spanish flu arrives on the shores of her South American homeland almost at the moment of her birth.

Through her father's prescience, the family will come through that crisis unscathed, only to face a new one as the Great Depression transforms the genteel city life she has known. Her family loses all and is forced to retreat to a wild and beautiful but remote part of the country. There, she will come of age, and her first suitor will come calling. . . .

She tells her story in the form of a letter to someone she loves above all others, recounting devastating heartbreak and passionate affairs, times of both poverty and wealth, terrible loss and immense joy. Her life will be shaped by some of the most important events of history: the fight for women's rights, the rise and fall of tyrants, and, ultimately, not one but two pandemics.

Told through the eyes of a woman whose unforgettable passion, determination, and sense of humor will carry her through a lifetime of upheaval, Isabel Allende once more brings us an epic that is both fiercely inspiring and deeply emotional.

Reason: author born in Lima, Peru

My new nominate until I read it anyway or it wins :P



The Best Way to Bury Your Husband by Alexia Casale

A dark comedy about four women coming together to heal the damage their husbands have done––and hide their bodies once they’ve killed them

When Sally kills her husband with a cast-iron skillet, she’s more fearful of losing her kids than of disposing of a fresh corpse. That just wouldn’t be fair—not after twenty years of marriage to a truly terrible man. But Sally isn’t the only woman in town reaching the brink. Soon, Sally finds herself leading an extremely unusual self-help group, and among them there are four bodies to hide. Can they all figure out the perfect way to bury their husbands . . . and get away with it?

First to join is former nurse, Ruth, who met her husband as a single mom. Now her son is grown and her husband’s violence builds by the day until an attack on the stairs leads to a fatal accident—for him. A few doors down, Samira’s last straw comes when she discovers her husband is planning a campaign of violence against her eldest daughter, who has just come out. Janey, Sally’s best friend, has just had her first child at forty-two. Sleep-deprived Janey needs a hero to slay the monster in the fairy tales she whispers to her daughter each night . . . and as her husband’s violence escalates, it might just be her.

Together, fueled by righteous anger but tempered by a moral core, the four women must help each other work out a plan to get rid of their husbands for good. Along the way, Sally, Ruth, Samira and Janey rediscover old joys and embark on new passions in work, education, and life. Friendship and laughter really are the best medicine—and so is getting away with murder.

Oh wow, I didn't even notice that. Though I doubt I did much of a dive on the list when I made the tasks.

Yes, but everyone have a nice restful lie down until closer to October.

Keep an eye on the newsletter and on this thread for when signups open

Judith's BOM Tracking

Day 1: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 2: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 3: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 4: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 5: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Day 5 - Chapters 31 - end

18. First off, what did you think of the reveal and resolution? Any thoughts on the late theme of "Kieran is less of a dick than he was back then", and it's impact on the crimes?
It made sense at a certain point I was wondering about Sean. I'm glad Gabby wasn't assaulted before her death at least, I was afraid that was the reason she was killed. I think we all look on our teenage selves and cringe a bit. We don't realize how we can impact others at that age.

19. There's a lot of truth-telling in this section, from the copper, as well as Verity, Mia and others. What do you think about the view presented that keeping secrets is the cause of more pain later? (and that telling the truth can be near-instantly healing, as with Verity and Kieran)
Truth always comes out eventually and secrets really are a type of poison. People can't ever really heal until the poison has been removed, even when they don't know explicitly it's there.

20. The author made a comment "Places like this, they need to be tight-knits to work. Once the trust is broken, they're stuffed" Do you agree with this?
Yes. I do.

21. Linked to that question, the other books by Harper that I've read have been much more distinctly Australian in location, whereas this - to me - felt like it could be any coastal community. What did you think of the setting? If you haven't, will you read more of Harper's work? If this isn't your first - how did it compare?
I agree that this could of been any coastal small town. Her other books gave a more distinct sense of place. I think I've read all of her works. Or most of them anyway. Not my favorite of hers but it holds up.

Answers DQs Day 3

13) No, I don’t but I understand why Liam might feel that way. And having read beyond this section and learning more details from the storm 12 years ago, I am doubling down on Kieran’s lack of fault for what happened.

14) I’d be lurking for sure but probably not posting. I’m too nosy not too. I only love drama when I’m not involved in it.

15) Not really. He didn’t really lie but saying what he said I think made him feel less guilty towards Liam and Sean.

16) I think it felt like a productive experiment for her where she generally felt helpless in most ways. Also, that she may think something hinky was going on with the where and when Gabby’s book bag appeared on the beach.

17) I think it was an anxiety attack of one sort or another. But leaving like that and his reaction after was immature and dangerous. Sean was right to be upset, on a professional tour with paying clients and that behavior could cost him his dive business

No worries Beth, we’ve all been there!!

Answers Day 4 ch 24-30

9) I thought it was raw honesty. A tearful tribute statement would have been moving in the moment but forgotten for the most part by the end of the day. She definitely rocked the boat and hopefully results in finding Bronte’s killer.

10) I’m guessing just small town drama. Gabby’s body I think was lost to the depths of the sea.

11) I don’t really, I don’t have the energy or time for that. Maybe when I’m retired and need the entertainment

12) It is a weird relationship. I do wonder what the dynamic was pre-Finn’s death. There’s definitely silent blame happening. And some sainting of the dead along with Kieran’s own guilt. Very messy and sad, glad he has Mia.

Day 4 ch 24-30

9) What did you think of the speech Bronte’s mom gave at the community meeting? More effective than a tearful statement?

10) There’s been a lot of mentions of George ripping out all of the landscaping Ash did at his grandmother’s house. Do you think this leads to anything (like Gabby’s missing body) or just distracting small town drama?

11) The community forum proactively spilling all the small town tea is a bit “fun” as an outsider. Like watching a bad soap opera or reality TV. But these are people’s lives and it’s a bit sad and destructive. Do you follow or participate in any local community online forums?

12) E brought this up and I agree. What are you thoughts on Kieran’s relationship with his parents?

Not sure what happened to Beth but I’m going to go ahead and post my day 4 questions

Answers DQs Day 2

5) red herring. I don’t think Liam killed anyone. I think the same person that killed Gabby killed Bronte. Which eliminates Liam as he was only 7 when Gabby disappeared.

6) I’m going with murder, probably to cover up a sexual assault? Or attempted sexual assault? And my money is on the author guy. Even though that might be the obvious guess. Ash gives me a weird vibe too. Brian is a red herring I think, or I surely hope so.

7) I think the general populace of the town like Liam and the reasons making the rumor rounds. It’s straightforward, specific, and an easy story to believe as it’s the plot of so many made for tv movies. Which makes the murder less scary for the small town.

8) I think Liam did exactly what he said he did and when he left, Bronte was alive. I’m guessing someone (author) approached her beach side.

Answers Day 1 DQs

1) The timing was definitely left as a gray area. Intriguing for sure and helped set the tone of the book in addition to grabbing my interest.

2) I think misguided? I get the impression Kieran was there and I’m assuming some sort of boating accident with him being the only survivor. Maybe he was at fault? Or gets the blame because he’s the only one alive left to blame?

3) assuming on the way home. Or shortly after getting home before she had time to change. Maybe she went outside because she heard something (why do people do that? If someone scary is there WTF are you going to do aside from die outside instead of inside?)? Or maybe someone she knew showed up so she went outside to talk?

4) I ponder as I read but try not to over analyze. I want to enjoy the book more than I want to solve the puzzle

Lexi wrote: "Hope you all get internet and are doing fine with the storm. I thought we might be over specific geography so spun Discworld.

Queen of the Elves
200-299
Author's initials in MORRIS DANCING
UNICO..."

Thank you! weathered the storm okay and Cam was able to fall asleep even with some bad thunder so it all worked out.

I’ve finished the book but internet just went out because of a bad thunderstorm if someone wants to get a new monster

It’s fine. I’m not sure the author quite knew what type of book they were writing

Nope, but I have like 30 minutes left on my EB author so we can finally kill off that monster we’ve had since December

So that’s something!

I hope everyone enjoyed reading ‘round the world!

This was an amazing team and I hope to see everyone again in the fall for Wheel-a-thon. ☺️

Sounds good Melanie!

Hard to believe there is less than 20 hours to go in TT 2025

It’s been great captaining this team, you all made it easy and it helped that my co-captains are also awesome