2026 Reading Challenge discussion

This thread is to discuss Time Off for Good Behavior by Lani Diane Rich.

Pages: 256 pages

Length: 1 month (June)

Participants: LinaVer, Susan

Everyone reads at their own pace during a Buddy Read. Because participants can be at different parts of the book at different times, it is extremely important to mark spoilers so that the book is not ruined for someone who is not as far along as others!!!

Mark spoilers by placing {spoiler} before the text and {/spoiler} after the text but use the < and > instead of the { and }.

Here are some questions to help get the conversation started! Feel free to look up discussion questions specific to this book or come up with your own. Just make sure any questions that contain spoilers are under spoiler tags.
Discussion questions are not required but may be a fun way to talk about the book and get to know each other!

Prior to starting:
What prompted you to join this buddy read?
Have you read this author before? What do you think of their other books?

Mid-read:
What character or ideas do you relate to the most and why?
Do you have any favorite quotes or scenes?

After reading:
What was enjoyable or not-so-enjoyable about this book?
Did this book change your perception about anything, either within the book (character development) or in real life?

LinaVer how did you find this book? My library doesn't have it.

Susan wrote: "LinaVer how did you find this book? My library doesn't have it."

Hi Susan, my library has an ebook available. I'm sorry to hear your library does not have it! I don't know if you ever use it as it is a dubious source, but I've checked now and the internet archive library has a copy you can borrow. The downside is you then have to read it in the browser.
Otherwise, we cancel this buddy read, I don't mind. You'd then just need to choose another book from the RITA/Vivian award to fill out your jewel for the Q2 challenge.

I should've followed up! I did find it on Amazon Unlimited, so I have it! No need to cancel this, I'll get it read.

I started reading this morning... :)

I'm starting today also! :)

I'm 50 pages in. I don't think I like the main character. I get that the premise of the book is that she's angry, but she's really angry lol. And critical of everything. Unlikeable. At least the book reads fast and easy so far.

I actually really like the MC, she obviously has some issues, but the way she tackles situations is a bit funny. (view spoiler)[Why did she put her phone number in the newspaper!?! That was just dumb! Also why doesn't she just get with Walter already! (hide spoiler)] I'm over half way done, it does read fast and I'm really enjoying the book. Wish I could read today instead of work :(

Susan wrote: "I actually really like the MC, she obviously has some issues, but the way she tackles situations is a bit funny."
I can see that, yeah, she is funny. Or rather some situations seem absurd.
I actually relate a lot to her feelings of (view spoiler)[being a failure. I found the part where she was thinking about herself naming her scotch bottle Albert, being unemployed, then imagining herself as a movie heroine and saying they'd get a low rating actress to portray her, and critics would hate the movie, and she'd have to move to Tijuana, quite funny. I'm between jobs right now, getting a rejection after rejection, so I relate to the feeling quite a bit, haha. 🙈 (hide spoiler)]

LinaVer wrote: "Susan wrote: "I actually really like the MC, she obviously has some issues, but the way she tackles situations is a bit funny."
I can see that, yeah, she is funny. Or rather some situations seem ab..."

I'm sorry to hear that! I hope you find a job soon and it's something you love!

I'll be alright, thank you Susan.
Speaking about the book, I am 60% in and I'm really enjoying it, especially all the different characters and the dynamics between them. The priest is funny.

LinaVer wrote: "I'll be alright, thank you Susan.
Speaking about the book, I am 60% in and I'm really enjoying it, especially all the different characters and the dynamics between them. The priest is funny."

I read during my lunch break and I'm now at 69%. I agree, the priest is funny! And Bones! Ha!

Hey Susan, I finished the book last night. I really enjoyed it, unexpectedly haha. I feel like this book redeemed the vivian/rita awards for me. I wrote a review but can't easily link it, as I'm not on my pc right now.
Hope you enjoy the next 31%.Can't wait to read your thoughts.

LinaVer wrote: "Hey Susan, I finished the book last night. I really enjoyed it, unexpectedly haha. I feel like this book redeemed the vivian/rita awards for me. I wrote a review but can't easily link it, as I'm no..."

I also loved it! I saw your review and that you gave it 5 stars! So glad you liked it. Out of the four books we read together for the Rita award, this one was my favorite. I liked it the best because it was more about Wanda getting her head on straight than crazy sex scenes! Thank you for broadening my horizons. I know I wouldn't have read any of these books without you!

I'm glad you liked it, and that you joined reading all 4 of these books with me, thanks! ☺️ I found the rita/vivian award through one of the readathons in this group and wanted to read something from it, as romance is one of my most read genres, so I'm really glad we did it. Do you read a lot of romance, or was this more of an exploration of a new genre?

LinaVer wrote: "I'm glad you liked it, and that you joined reading all 4 of these books with me, thanks! ☺️ I found the rita/vivian award through one of the readathons in this group and wanted to read something fr..."

I've been on vacation, tryingto get all caught up! I don't typically read romance, but I'm not opposed to reading it. My 14 year old daughter really likes romance. She told me it's her favorite because it always has a happy ending.