Elinor’s Comments (group member since Apr 06, 2022)

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

DQs Day 6
Ch 14-16 / 50%

22. Up until now, Jake didn’t stay in one place for long, but now he’s settling into a new life in Jodie. How do you think this will affect his original mission to stop Lee Harvey Oswald and prevent the JFK assassination?

In my view, settling in is pretty dangerous given his mission. It feels like it's pretty far away and he could still change paths or decide to not go through with his plan.

23. Jake lets his relationship with Sadie end over his refusal to tell her about his life. Do you think he should have told her the truth, or is he better off ending things now? Why do you think so?

I think he can't afford to blow his cover. So... yes, it had to end.

24. Jake freaks out when he sees that part of Sadie’s name is “Doris Dun” and instantly starts comparing her to Doris Dunning. We have seen several similar name pairings and events throughout the novel so far that Jake finds important. Do you think there is any significance to this, or are these things merely coincidence?

The author is trying to get a message across about the past harmonizing, but I haven't quite understood what yet. It feels like pieces of a puzzle that should all fall together somehow.

25. We are officially halfway through the novel. How are you liking it so far? What are your thoughts on the pacing? (We are halfway through and haven’t even seen Lee Harvey Oswald yet, which seems odd to me given the premise of the book!)

Impatient as I am, I have had too many thoughts about the pacing. I wish it would come along already.

DQs Day 5
Chapters 12 - 13 or 41%

18. We're now leaving Derry behind and moving around the US a bit, from Tampa to a small town near Dallas. If you were in that time, what place or state in the US would you want to travel to? Would you in Jake's shoes also try to settle in one place or would you try and travel around the country first and see other places / live a little?

I think I'd try to go somewhere welcoming. Touring didn't really cross my mind while I was reading, though in retrospect, why not?

19. When Jake got his new degree, this seemed oddly easy to me. As a non-american, I'm only vaguely familiar with the US education system. In my country getting teaching degrees is nowhere as simple as filling in an exam remotely and sending that in (also not 50 years ago), and this degree would not be accepted by possible employers. What are your thoughts on Jake's opportunity here to go back in time to teach again (even just as a substitute)? And do you think he'd have had it just as "easy" if it was less time in the past, let's say if he only traveled back 30 or 10 years?

Agreed. That was a bit iffy. But then go back 70 years from now: they had no computer records, everything was paper-based, so I think it would have been pretty easy to forge an identity, a degree etc. And no, I don't think he'd be able to do this in 2001 quite that easily.

20. Jake has now also started writing a book and a memoir. Did you know that Stephen King was also a teacher before he became a full time writer? Do you think he's characterizing Jake based on himself for any reason or is it just pure plot-relation that this main character shares his professions?

I thought the same thing about this - it felt like Jake Epping was based on Stephen King. It'll be interesting to know what this says about the author vs the character (if we ever find out).

21. We meet Sadie, and to be honest, I didn't quite like the way Stephen King introduced and described her character, but then again I'm finding myself not liking his writing in multiple occasions. What is your first impression of Sadie and do you think she'll become an important part in Jake's future?

I'm honestly hoping this will be a turning point because so far I feel we're meandering and this reader is pretty impatient lol.

Just curious: what did you not like about the way she was introduced?

Bonus: Do you think if you went to the past you would be interested in connecting with people there, maybe finding a (romantic) partner and continue living life or would you just wait it out until you got to the point in time where you wanted to change something?

Al was very specific about it being a no no. And given the possible consequences, I wouldn't get involved romantically as it would simply be too dangerous.

DQs Day 4 - 18 June
Chapters 9-11 32%

14) What do you think the cards symbolize for the yellow card man? I'm starting to think it could be like a warning, but I'm also connecting him to Al. They both died at the same time. Now that the yellow/orange/black card man has committed suicide am I alone in worrying that Jake may never make it back - and therefore not be able to reset things if he makes a mistake?

I'm not sure. There's obviously something funny going on with that card and I hope Jake gets back somehow.

15) Jake originally though Carolyn's accident wasn't his to fix, but ended up fixing it anyways. What do you think the reasoning behind this was? The stay at the cabin in the lake sounds magical and relaxing. Do you like to canoe? And have you ever played cribbage?

Not entirely sure. Probably just friendship for Al and wanting to respect his wishes? I have kayaked but never canoed, and would loove to! I have played cribbage :).

16) Jake seems to be enjoying his time in the past a lot more than last time. Do you think there is a reason for this? Do you think you would be happy living in the past knowing what would happen? The general feel in this section is that of simpler and more trusting time. But how is it that nobody is even a little suspicious of a new guy, with such an oddly specific bet and other strange behaviors?

He does seem to be learning what it's like to be in the past. Possibly the familiarity of it is making it easier for him. I wouldn't be happy knowing what's going to happen, I think part of the meaning of life is not knowing. I agree the general feel is for a more trusting time but... some people are careful around Jake, others just seem to warm to him instantly. I think Jake could have been more careful with his bet (especially with everything he knows).

17) How do you feel about Harry dying in Vietnam? Is Jake right in feeling he wasted his time saving Harry or do we know too little about Harry's life to reach a conclusion? Should we be judging at all, and if so, based on what criteria beyond life and death?

I felt it was great he'd been given a life that wasn't shattered by his father even if it meant he died young. To me, meaning is more important than lifespan but also, we all have our own criteria for a successful/meaningful life - and I'm not sure we'll ever know in which life Harry was most fulfilled - possibly either even if the original was longer and the modified one curtailed.

Bonus: (we had a fantastic team discussion with this one) I suspect that that event was one of those where so many people remember where they were that day/moment, how they felt, etc. Any others you all can think of?

Well, we did have a great team discussion about this :). 9/11 cropped up and also the passing of princess Di.

I can't really think of any other events that affected me that way other than on a personal level.

Melindam wrote: "OK, help me interpret the signs please! :)
Ever since I started reading this book (5 days ago or so) GR has been waging a war on me and my "currently reading" status and has changef it to "read" e..."

Lol. That's immersive reading for you :)

I understood we were trying to keep a good pace with the Chipmunks because it’s likely another challenge will start in July - so that would mean MT, RT, TT, Chipmunks, BOMs, and another list of prompts to finish by end of July?

Also, just wondering - saw all the Mod Towers have been claimed, but probably dates back to the beginning of the challenge. Are any prompts re-opening? I say this as a mood reader who has removed two books from
RT already because they were early claims and I don’t feel like reading those anymore at the moment… 😅

Thanks Lisa, we have been putting lots of our energy on the chipmunks. I saw the latest prompts, and I don’t have any that fit on my shelf unfortunately. Hoping other’s do but also prepared to get my hands on a given book if nobody has any (which is unlikely on this wonderful team!).

Lol about Potions. I’m not sure what that challenge entailed but it was obviously pretty tough! Kirsten, I should have been a professor!! I’m off work at the moment so imagine how little time I usually get to read…

Suzanne, thank you for posting the team questions - there are differing opinions and lots of interesting discussions going on :).

I have a question re the BOM tokens: I can’t get my head around the rule for getting that extra token - how many days do we need to answer? All of them? (if so that SK token should be worth double 😅). And then you post a completion post on the thread to claim the token?

Also, I’ve read TJ Klune Under the Whispering Door - that was a BOM before the challenge. If I answer the DQs (however many days are necessary), can I still claim an extra token now?

Cheers for any help out there - seems a shame to miss out on extra tokens if they’re easy to get.

I def agree with Kerri, such a great team! Can’t believe all the reading that’s being done and at such speed! 🙂

@Suzanne, thanks, dark orange it is :)

@Kirsten, … are there any (acceptable) words? Hope you enjoy Rome despite this annoying setback!

DQs Day 3 - 17 June
Chapters 7 - 8, 26%

Disclaimer: I've finished the book but had the chapter divisions when I started reading so am attempting to recapture my mindset as it was at time of reading.

10) We find out more about Frank Dunning. He is portrayed as a smooth talker and good looking. Do you find this stereotypical of someone who will go on to murder most of his family? It always seems to be someone no one suspects. Jake's opinion of him obviously isn't very good. Do you think Jake would feel differently if he didn't know what Frank was going to do?

No, I don't think this kind of event only happens with people nobody suspects. It is all the more shocking when the perpertrator seems to have a normal social life because we all realise there's not much difference between them and us. I think in most cases there are red flags that get ignored. I definitely believe Jake's opinion of him is not good because of what Frank Dunning has done, and not because of his behaviour.

11) Jake plans how he is going to stop Frank. Would your thought process have been the same as Jake's? How would you plan to change the event?

I think I would struggle alot with changing and event, even more so if it involved murdering somebody! So, I'm not sure I'd be brave enough to change the past. Lucky for me that Jake is the one doing the changing :)!

12) There is something off about Derry. The place itself feels weird and the people act strange. Would you stay somewhere where you don't feel welcome? Would you investigate more into what was going on?

No, I'd run for the hills!

13) Well, stoppping Frank didn't go to plan but he did get stopped. What do you think the cosequences of changing the event will be in the present, if any? Do you think he will go back and try again? If so, what do you think he will do differently?

I'm definitely curious to know how much this change has affected the future and it would be nice if he could save Tugga when he goes back next time, but I'm not sure that should be his main focus.

Wow those other challenges sound really quite stressful - I don't think I'd enjoy challenges that dictate my reading too much so v. happy to be here playing TTX just after UNO, which's also great fun!

Thinking of reading:


I would have said it was orange, but TinEye says it's more brown than it is orange (I think partly because a lot of those shades are dark and also Orphan X is brown on the cover). What do you think?

Mix and match sounds good!
Thanks Nanci for helping us out on the mixing :).

Vi, thank you for sharing ♡

I’ve moved 11.22.63 to the chipmunks. This does mean we’ve lost a white cover for RT. Same thing goes for Daisy and the Six, one brown cover down for RT but one Chipmunk task covered. Hope to finish it tomorrow.

x

Vi wrote: "Elinor wrote: "Following Vi's lead with some DQs I thought of while reading those chapters - I'm absolutely fine not using mine and I'd love answering the questions about cribbage and the canoe but..."

Oh no, we can't do that! I love your questions so let's either scrap mine or pick and mix and add Suzanne's idea :) - what do you say?
You did get in first and I didn't mean to make things awkward - I'll just feel really bad about sharing my ideas otherwise :/

Suzanne wrote: "Vi wrote: "I've put some questions under the spoiler tag just in case.

"

Vi those are excellent questions!! thanks!

What do you all think about asking something along the lines of our group dis..."

That's a great idea Suzanne!

Following Vi's lead with some DQs I thought of while reading those chapters - I'm absolutely fine not using mine and I'd love answering the questions about (view spoiler)[cribbage and the canoe but also why people aren't more wary of Jake (hide spoiler)]. I think our other questions sort of overlap?

(view spoiler)[
# What did you feel about Jake's first attempt at changing the past?

# How do you feel about Harry dying in Vietnam? Is Jake right in feeling he wasted his time saving him or do we know too little about Harry's life to reach a conclusion? Should we be judging at all, and if so, based on what criteria beyond life and death?

# What do you think about the book's pace? Are you enjoying a compulsive read or is this more of a meandering story in your view?

# Do you think Jake will make it back to 2011 now that the yellow/orange/black card man has committed suicide? Am I alone in worrying that Jake may never make it back - and therefore not be able to reset things if he makes a mistake?

# The yellow card man and Al die at approximatly the same time. Do you think their deaths are related and if so in what way?
(hide spoiler)]

Nanci wrote: "Elinor wrote: "I finished 11.22.63 yesterday and felt it picked up from part 6 onwards.

My Mum told me about the day it happened - she was 12, and lived with her American mother who’d emigrated t..."

But countries are so much smaller over here so it does make sense imo.

Cheers about the book - I did make it in the end! :)

Janeylou wrote: "X-Rays - Read a book with a chemical element in the title

I can read Hearts of Gold"

Great find! I was wondering how to get that one - Mercury... Gold is much better :)

Shannon wrote: "Went to the mall today and got a tornado warning so unfortunately i wont be able to read this morning. Hopefully later tonight when i get home"

Ouch Shannon, tornado warning. Stay safe!

MN Lisa wrote: "Having a hard time connecting with any book right now...Grr. Not sure what i'm gonna do...."

The dreaded reading slump. Hope you find a book that helps you out of it - but sometimes time off just helps?

Janeylou wrote: "The nearest we come to Kennedys death was Princess Diana ..because it was in the early hours most of us were asleep and found out early on the sunday morning .., i ccan remeber the weather was dark..."

So true Janeylou, that really did shock the nation and the whole of Europe. Total disbelief :(.

Day 2 DQs
Chapter 4 - 6 or 18%

Disclaimer: I've finished the book but had the chapter divisions when I started reading so am attempting to recapture my mindset as it was at time of reading.

#5. How did you feel when you read Harry Dunning's essay? What would you have done if you had the power to enact change in the past?

I'm not sure whether to believe it or not because I don't think I know many people who would have opened up that way in an essay. Of course, if it is true, then it is worth changing because it's a tragic story.

#6. Money is a big deal in any timeline. Would you be able to acclimate to the past in terms of financial transactions as well as Jake? Do you think Jake acclimated TOO quickly?

I did feel it was a bit quick and I would have found it difficult to get used to the past so fast. I also wonder where Al found the very first of his money from the past - it might have been explained but it certainly didn't 'stick' with me.

#7. Fashion is also an issue in the past. Do you think Jake is having an easier time of it because he is a man? What would be the most challenging fashion change for you to get used to? Is there something you would love to be able to wear?

Oo. Excellent question, hadn't thought about that. I don't think I'd ever get used to wearing dresses or having long hair again!

#8. There are a lot of interesting nods to older Advertising terms and slogans that King uses to help the reader recognize the timeline change of the past. Which one stood out to you the most and why?

Tbh, none of them really stuck with me. I realised there were lots of pointers to the past but I'm afraid quite a few just flew right over my head - I'm not sure we have the same references in Europe as in the US, so I think that may have interfered with me not feeling any of them were particularly familiar (also, I wasn't around in the 50s lol).

#9. If you have read any past King novels, some of these chapters have a lot of connections to early books about Derry, Maine, and surrounding locations. Did you find any Easter eggs from previous stories? If you haven't read earlier King novels, what about Derry seemed to stand out as unique to you?

This is my first King novel so I couldn't say. Derry seems pretty unwelcoming to me, I wouldn't want to live there.