Renee’s Comments (group member since Feb 03, 2014)

Renee’s comments from the The Reading Challenge Group group.

Yep. There was all that nostalgia about how she'd call from that phone in her room when they were dating. And Neal's dad would still be alive on his end, because she's calling the past. I think Neal's past self takes her reference to "the girls" a snarky comment about Dawn's breasts. Which is why he gets cranky. And Dawn probably has a thing for cockatiels. The one in the past must have been Falco.

But the cell phone calls are in real time which is why she can talk to her GIRLS, whom the past-Neal doesn't know about yet.

I'm just trying to figure out why. It sounds like they've had similar fights in the past about where their relationship is going. Will she fall back in love with past-Neal? Will she realize he's unhappy and break up with his past self, thereby changing the present. Could you do that if you already had kids????

It turned out to be a good place to stop and chat. Right on the first cliffhanger. :)
But now, of course, I want to read on to figure out what the heck is going on.

I suspect the "landline" at her mom's house somehow connects to the past.
Any other theories?

Ghad! I'm sorry I don't remember anymore. I think I had to go into my profile to verify. Maybe Holly will have time to give a better answer. She's all kinds of savvy when it comes to this stuff

Posted my first Accomplishment Badge!!!

I actually finished The Martian on the last day of January do I'm claiming my Accomplishment Badge! :D

Lol. Just read the blurb! Good one!

Gah! Just finished chapter 7. WTF?

Started today. Just finished chapter 4. Haven't really connected to any of the characters yet. Although I'm in love with the daughter who meows.

Oooh. That's a interesting answer, Roseanne.

How would the story be different in today's world?

I liked it too. There were times when I couldn't wait to see what the other person was thinking so it helped move the story along.

A few more questions. You can answer or just comment on your own.

5) How does your impression of Park and Eleanor change as you see their perspectives?

6) In what ways in the split narration successful? In what ways is it annoying?

7) Are the adults realistically drawn?

Awesome, Alessandra! Thanks for taking this on. I've got a library ebook loan but am struggling to find time to read it so a delay works for me. Looking forward to it though!

Absolutely! Cannibals, Martians, and House Fires! BEST VALENTINES EVER!

Thanks for setting this up, Leslie. :D

Haha! Love it, Colleen! Very Clever!

Lol. I was really trying to keep my first questions centered on the very beginning of the book so we wouldn't spoil for anyone.

Cat. Bag. Gone.

I'll put edit a Spoiler Alert into my first post. ;-)

I'm gonna throw some questions out there for anyone who is reading E&P this time around. I'll probably ask a couple a week through February just to keep the conversation going.

1) Prologue- How does it affect your understanding of the story? Does it draw you in? Why is it necessary to set up the fact that Park and Eleanor will be separated before the romance even begins?

2) What's your first impression of Park? Of Steve? Of Tina? Of Eleanor?

3) Does the opening scene on the bus evoke any memories for you personally? Is this an "Everyman" situation or is it unique to the setting of the book?

4) What does the 80s trivia add to the story?

Don't give up. We all get into reading slumps, even when we aren't fighting the struggle with dyslexia. You're doing so great!

Don't get frustrated, Guys. Remember you only need one bingo to complete this challenge. :)

Lol. Apparently, I'm not the only one who has stacks of unread books. Such good company!