Matthew’s Comments (group member since Mar 08, 2015)

Matthew’s comments from the Reading List Completists group.

Learning more about Mario and his disability.

Pretty large footnote in the section I read tonight. I have to admit that when I am tired and I sit down to read 10 pages, and those 10 pages have a 15 page footnote, I am probably not going to read the footnote. (And the footnote print is so small - probably equal to 20 to 25 book pages)

Oh, I don't think I have seen the Worst List. I imagine a lot of famous biggies would be on there to the surprise of many. (I don't care for The Catcher in the Rye, myself)

I try not to count any books out just to be fair to the interest of all, but I doubt that Twilight will make it on a whole lot of the completist lists we use on here (perhaps we would automatically be skeptical of lists that gave Twilight, anyway!)

Will do - both check out the stories and call you Rachel. I just had to be sure in case it is what you prefer! I always tell people I go by Matthew, but they call me Matt anyway!

If I end up not liking I Am Legend, you can call me Matt!

As I mentioned previously, I did not like this book the first time around, but I thought it was pretty good the second time, not 100% sure why, but I guess as an adult I was just more ready for it.

Concerning content - unless it is truly unnecessary I don't usually let extreme concepts and behavior in stories bother me. Some story's are fought to tell and some concepts are hard to swallow, but if it makes sense in the story, I don't think it is bad to include. In the case of this story, it is an extreme environment with extreme characters - that is tough to tackle without some offensive and controversial behavior.

RachelvlehcaR - :) Yeah, I probably wouldn't have stopped being silly, anyway.

It is really good and I do think with the way it is going it will end up being one of my favorites, too!

I am a sucker for a good post-apocolyptic story and this is one of the grand-daddies of them all!

Ha! Ahhh - I was attempting a bit of humor, but I appear to have struck a nerve! :)

I like the vampire/virus twist. I am not to a point where it is explained, but it is interesting that all the classic vampire weapons seem to work. I am interested in seeing where his experiment goes.

I should have been clearer in my silly bullet points. I do think that the psychological torment of Robert Nevell is interesting to explorer. I imagine any of us would have done sorry of issue going from normal life to this.

I do think he focuses on the female vampires a lot, but it makes sense since he lost his wife and daughter.

So, I do think it is pretty good so far (and I will try to not be too silly with my notes in the future! :))

Pretty good so far! Here are a few bullet points for your book discussion enjoyment! (Maybe some spoilers, proceed with caution - I am never sure what to mark)

- Vampires from a virus . . . wait, isn't it supposed to be zombies from a virus? I am so confused!?!?!
- Robert Neville is worried his libido will cause him to give into sexy vampires? Should I start calling him Bella?
- Also, Robert thinks he might be a weirdo because he only likes to perform his vampire killing experiments on female vampires. I thin this guy might have some other deep seated psychological issues.
- I like the back and forth between now and then. It explains some things but leaves some things a mystery. A pretty good balance of that so far.

I had planned to start this today, but I missed my reading time at lunch. Hopefully tomorrow . . . I don't think I can stay awake to start a new book right now.

Just read about Orin and why he quit tennis and started punting (view spoiler)[ because of P.G.O.A.T. = Joelle (hide spoiler)]. It seems like the end of the section (p. 299) may be an important point to the story???? (or maybe not) (view spoiler)[Description of the video of Orin getting sacked during a failed punt attempt and the video breaking down/freezing on his face . . . and his eyes. (hide spoiler)]

So, I really do think what is making this book hard to push through is the large, run on paragraphs. I know I mentioned that before, but it is still bugging me! As I read this, I realize I am not following/keeping my thoughts organized because all I get is disorganized 4 to 6 page paragraphs (and with the size of print in this book, 4 pages would probably be 10 pages in a normal book!)

I do think that the story in interesting, but I find myself losing whole sections of it because my interest starts to trail off. This most recent section I went back through and spot-reviewed it and caught a lot that I missed . . .

As I sit here reading Infinite Jest . . . I look over longingly at the Dean Koontz I am currently reading (Velocity) with its nice short chapters, well organized and concise paragraphs, easy to follow story lines, no tennis . . . *sigh*

How is everyone enjoying this? I read it last year so I am not reading along right now, but I wanted to see what everyone thinks.

Just finished the first non-graphic part of the book. I have read graphic novels before that go back and forth from comics to prose, and sometimes it doesn't work. In this case, I found it to be some particularly interesting back story.

Chapter 1 notes so far . . .

A good start - went much faster than I expected. I was through the graphic part of Chapter One in no time. I really like the characters and the old fashioned comic book feel.

It has been a long time since I have seen the movie, so I am not sure how closely the story line followed the book. I think I remember being somewhat confused by the movie - I am sure reading this will clear things up a bit for me. I will probably need to watch the movie again when I am done!

TheLongWait wrote: "Pay attention Matthew. There are things happening at this point that are crucial"

I am trying . . . . but it is all drugs and tennis! Blends in with all I have been reading so far!

But, as mentioned, as I get used to the writing and the story, I think that I am absorbing things better.

Also, I am glad you are saying that there are things crucial to the story . . . I was beginning to wonder if there was an actual story or just a series of anecdotes and ramblings!

Tennis tournament and a Narcotics Anonymous meeting start off "Part III". Not too exciting of a start. Unfortunately, not much to discuss at this point.

Lots of little anecdotes as we learn more about the tennis players and the NA meeting attendees.

If any of those joining us are non-deluxe, this may be an interesting point of discussion.

Jessica wrote: "I am almost through with part I. Does it pick up a little after this hump?

Is pledge a real thing tennis players use? During all tennis scenes now portrayed in the book...I smell furniture polish ..."

I can't say "pick up" are the right words. It continues to have its highs and lows, but I think the fact that I am getting used the writing and story is helping. I made it through the "Part II" section much faster than the "Part I" section.

Concerning the Pledge - and I guess this could be a spoiler, but it is more of just a side oddity than anything - there is a part coming up for you (at least I don't think you have gotten to it yet) where one of the characters collects sheaths of skin that have peeled off (including faces) after the Pledge basically petrified the outer layer of the skin.

I hope you were not getting ready to eat!

I have begun . . . and the first chapter starts of with a bang (or a drop, I suppose . . .)

Quick question for everyone . . .

The copy of the book that I got from the library says that it is the deluxe edition - I am not sure what this would mean or would make it different than a regular edition? Anyone know?

At the end of the graphic novel section of chapter 1 (and each chapter, I believe), there are some regular, non-graphic pages of back story. Does everyone have this?

At the end of the designated part II section. It has gotten somewhat weirder, but I am starting to understand it more (I think?!).

From the few pages before the end of this section, I started to wonder if one of the points of this book is that Hal and Orin Dad's death appeared to be a suicide, but could be something more.

Also - something smells delicious . . . that will stick with me for some time!

Greetings,

The polls for our May reads are now available on the main group page (in case you didn't see them yet!).

Click for the Time Poll

Click for the NPR Sci-fi/Fantasy Poll

So, Justin is letting me help out around here and I just realized I have been calling this group "Completionist" instead of "Completist" the whole time.

I guess I am going to have to get my act together if I am going to be a useful helper!