Louise’s Comments (group member since Aug 29, 2015)

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

Discussion Questions - Day 1

1) From what I know, this book is the novelization of the movie. While this doesn’t happen too often, I’ve read a couple books before that were only written after a movie/series (e.g. The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet). Have you ever read a book like this? What did you think? Was it successful? Did this experience influence your expectations of this book?

I hadn’t realised that this was based on the film. I love books and movies but generally find the film is disappointing in comparison to the book. So far this seems ok.

2) Stella and Will, wearing face masks & using copious amounts of hand sanitizer before it was cool. All jokes aside, this is an oddly timely reminder that face masks do make a difference to prevent the spreading of diseases. I knew next to nothing about CF before starting this book and I’ve seen very mixed reactions to the representation of CF so I was wondering… do you have any experience with CF and therefore expectations? (If you don’t feel comfortable answering, feel free to just skip this question!)

I have no experience with CF but am aware of the need to maintain a strict infection control regime

3) "If I’m going to die, I’d like to actually live first.“ This quote from Will’s POV reminded me of the countless bucket list stories and made me wonder whether this will go in that direction. Yet while Will takes more of a Devil-May-care attitude, Stella is very cautious to follow the rules. Do you think Will’s attitude is going to influence Stella as they got closer (literally?!). Will she also take more (dangerous) risks?

I think Will’s reaction is understandable, he knows that he is not eligible for transplant has effectively embraced his fate. Stella on the other hand is waiting for a transplant and knows she has to keep herself in prime condition. As they grow “closer” I’d like for them to see them admit to their fears so that they can enjoy the time that they have.

4) Stella is a "tech nerd", even programming her own app. Most MCs in YA books have artsy, "girly" hobbies (sorry for using that terrible gendered stereotype), if they have any prominent hobbies at all. Books about artsy people are among my favorites and I’m always on the hunt for more. While I like traditional hobbies, some of my favorite books (e.g. With the Fire on High) have non-mainstream hobbies and I am actually quite excited to learn more about this aspect of Stella’s story. Have you read any other books where the main character had a prominent hobby that wasn’t drawing/painting/writing/theater/an instrument?

Admittedly I haven’t

5) Stella’s parents are recently divorced, in what she calls the “most ridiculous divorce of all time”, and she worries a lot about them. It both breaks my heart and confuses me slightly why it is so far being kept from us what happened - we only know that Stella believes both parents are unhappy after the separation. So… what do you think happened?

I think the underlying cause is the stress of Stella’s CF.

Updated

@Jeremy can you specify what task you are using The Magicians for please.

@Chris can you update your books on the sheet please, we are currently not showing any completions for you.

Sunny wrote: "Louise wrote: "

Updated

@Sunny can you double check Ignite the Sun your shelf is showing the hardcover edition but the spreadsheet is showing the kindle edition.

Thank you Sunny

I’m at 50% of target although my TBR has increased by Books Added this year. 😊

We have completed our word 5 times and are working on our 6th. Great job team.

We have just over 5 1/2 days to the end of the round.
End of Round 1/Start Of Round 2

So as to give Rina and I a chance of completing final checks can you ensure that all books are updated by no later than an hour before deadline. 😊

Updated

@Sunny can you double check Ignite the Sun your shelf is showing the hardcover edition but the spreadsheet is showing the kindle edition.

@Jeremy can you specify what task you are using The Magicians for please.

Updated

@Sunny can you double check Ignite the Sun your shelf is showing the hardcover edition but the spreadsheet is showing the kindle edition.

@Jeremy can you specify what task you are using The Magicians for please.

Celia wrote: "Louise wrote: "

Updated

@Celia can you add Queen of Cahraman: A Retelling of Aladdin to your shelf please

"
Thanks Celia

Added!"

Updated

@Celia can you add Queen of Cahraman: A Retelling of Aladdin to your shelf please

@Sunny can you double check Ignite the Sun your shelf is showing the hardcover edition but the spreadsheet is showing the kindle edition ,

@Brigia and Christina, than you both.


@Jeremy sorry to hear about your book, I hate it when a book disappoints after so much hype. I found this with The Casual Vacancy I’ve picked it up twice to read and DNF’d it each time I got a little bit further. You never know next time I might actually get all the way through, they do say that third time’s a charm.

@Chris when you get a chance if you can make sure your books are on your wheel shelf and added to the planning sheet that would be great.

@Keeley I’ve found audio has worked great for those type of books. I’ve never been much for audiobooks but since we went into lockdown and I’ve been working from home I’m reading roughly one audiobook every other day "at work”.

Updated

@Brigia - can you provide the links for the BOM discussion please.

@Christina - can you specify a task for The Jetsetters please

Christina wrote: "nice job everyone!

I finished The Jetsetters earlier tonight and the audio of HP4 came through from my elibrary last night so I'll start that one next, not sure if I'll be able to finish it for th..."

No problem Christina.

Shelby wrote: "Ugh - I've been so motivated to read and then today I hit a wall. It's in part because I have my bookclub on Saturday and I just am not in love with the pick for this month. It's a WWII novel and I..."

That does look good but I know what you mean. Sometimes you just need something a bit lighter.

Discussion Questions Day 5 - Part 10 to End

17.) Anyone else find Giovanni's thoughts on Cord (his a 36 year old adult) to be a refreshing bit of grow up, you're an adult, figure out a way to handle your crap? Did Regan's revelations to Giovanni change your opinion of her?

I was glad Giovanni turned up and confronted Cord’s feelings, Regan showed how manipulative she had become in trying to free herself from a situation without taking on the responsibility of the act

18.) What did you like about the revelation Lee (or really Jason via the credit card) paid for the trip, pretending Charlotte won the contest? Why do you think the author did this?
I think Lee wanted to give her family a chance to reconcile and was hoping that they could go back to how things used to be.

19.) A lot happened at the final stop. Charlotte had the 'big O' and fixed by the magical penis. Regan got back in touch with her artist self and her kids randomly appeared in a foreign country (how did they get passports? both parents must be present at the time of application in the US for children to be issued passports), Cord and Giovanni worked things out, Lee had her breakdown and started healing. Did anyone else think this was abrupt and when they were all together (including Regan's kids) thinking WTH is going on?
I think the author seem to run out of steam and tried to wrap up the different threads but it was done rather hurriedly

20.) Final Thoughts on the book? Rating? Any idea what point the author was trying to make with this book?

I thought this was an okay book rating a 3*. This had the potential to be so much better.

We have completed 3 spellouts and most of a fourth and we haven't reached the halfway point of the round yet. Great work team, keep them coming.

Updated

@Brigia - can you provide the links for the BOM discussion please.

;)

Paula wrote: "here are my recommendations:

"

Popping over from Gulliver's Travels finished this morning and I was pleasantly surprised. I was quite amazed of the profound differences between the book and the film. A prime example of the book is better than the film.

Shelby wrote: "For both Sammy and Navi - as strangely this fits both your requests... was an amaz..."

I've heard loads about that book might get that read soon.

[[ Frankie ]] wrote: "I was gonna make a countdown to the end of the round for my team, but I couldn’t find a timer, nor a specific time for the ending of the round. I know the challenge started at 10pm London time, but..."

That is the check-in time for the Captain’s, your team Captaons May want you finished earlier or hold the book over to the next round. Check with your team Captains how they wish to handle the round end, I know your team Captains well and they are very accommodating.

Discussion Questions Day 4 - Part 7 - 9

13: The characters have each made some defining decisions on the vacation. Which decision or resolution stuck out to you the most? Example - Mine was when Charlotte pretended not to see Cord at the end of part 9. It broke my heart to see her have so much difficulty loving her son!)

I agree, I found that really difficult for her to do that was unforgivable. Even when Regan tried to engage her she pushed it away and pretended it wasn’t happening. I really feel sorry for Cord, at the same time she has become set in her ways, and although she wants to change she thinks to much of what others think of her to do so

14: Why do you think Charlotte took on and passed on the traits of her mother that she didn’t appreciate? What might have been different in her interactions with her children if she intentionally shook those off? Example traits are her mother’s inability to communicate, and her disapproval turning into a lack of love)

Charlotte has lived with her mother’s disapproval for so long she doesn’t know how to do things differently. If she made a deliberate effort to change she would be more open with her children and they would be the same with her.

15: The characters each have a flaw in that they hold back a piece of themselves from their family and the ones they love. Which character is the hardest to read about and why?
I don’t particularly find the characters hard to read their flaws are defined by the pivotal point of Winston’s death and how they each have reacted to it. Although I didn’t realise Regan was quite so devious

16: This was my first time reading this author. Do you think you’d read something else by Amanda Eyre Ward? Why or why not?

This is also a new-to-me author, I can’t say that I won’t pick up another novel by this author. The book is ok but there are better family angst books out there, I may read another by this author but it’s not high on my to do list