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

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

Day 1 DQs: ch1- 3

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.

1) I have only read a few of Stephen King's books. Is this your first book by the author or are you quite familiar with his storytelling?

I've never read any of his books - this is a first for me and I've heard so many great reviews (incl. from my GR friends) that I'm pretty excited about reading this book at last. I don't like horror so this is my chance I guess.

2) What do you think about the character Jake so far? Would you have gone along with what Al wanted and took the initial step back into the past, or would you have not humoured him and tried to get him help?

It's a flight of fancy, but I like it. Of course, in 'real' life, I would certainly have thought seriously about getting him admitted to a psychiatric ward. On the other hand, he changed so much overnight - there had to be an explanation to that.

3) I am not sure how I would feel if I just stepped back into the past the way Jake and Al have, but I am really curious about how the time travelling works in this story. It seemed that Jake was somewhat calm about it. How do you think you would feel if it was you?

In real life: I'm a scaredy cat, but I guess depending on where it was I might really enjoy it! For instance, I'd love to see my grandparents and parents when they were or be able to go back to specific events and replay them with my adult brain if that makes any sense. I guess I'm a bit nostalgic about the past sometimes :).

4) I think it is clear that Jake is going to pick up Al's mission to try and stop the JFK assassination. Would you choose to continue Al's mission? Also how much do you know of the history surrounding this event?

The 5 year wait would definitely have got me thinking about whether or not it's a good idea. On the other hand, 5 years would have been a small price to pay to save JFK.

All I know about the JFK assassination is that Oswald, a lone shooter, carried it out while JFK and his wife were traveling in an open roof car through crowded streets.

Suzanne, the past harmonises 😌.
x

Wow. Those memories. It must add something special to the read to have that shared memory. What a shock! I do wonder about the conspiracy theories and how probable they are.

Keli wrote: "Elinor, I'd agree with brown."

Thanks Keli, I'll add the mini information :).
I've switched out a brown cover I'd claimed for this one.

This cover:

strikes me as being brown.

What do you think? Sound reasonable?

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 to England to live with my Mum’s father. Mum was at an ice cream parlour when it came up on the radio news, such a shock to everyone in the world!, she went home to tell her mother who wouldn’t/couldn’t believe her, and told her off for being cruel enough to think up such a tall tale! Of course, she later realised…

The Kennedys were very well loved as Nanci said, they were the perfect couple in the people’s minds, and the progressists simply adored them. Of course we know now they had their own troubles behind the scenes, also described in some detail by Ken Follett in Edge of Eternity - though I wouldn’t particularly rec as arguably the worst written in his Century trilogy.

I think 9.11 compares because everyone I know remembers where they were when it happened - that‘s just how shocking it was.

I’d love to hear other people’s accounts of the day and/or other historical moments as Suzanne has suggested.

x

I do have The Thursday Murder Club - I would like to finish 11.22.63 first - so if anyone gets to that task before me, go for it!

We’re doing really well. Well done team!

I would consider that bone, yes.

I thought Lisa had claimed character starting with x? May be wrong.

Cris, so glad you enjoyed Eleanor Oliphant, it’s really good!

Wow, City if Brass sounds like a struggle. I’m glad I chickened out of reading it, as from your comments pretty sure I’d have DNF-ed it.

Thanks for all those China recs. I must check some of those out!

Wow on how fast those chipmunks tasks are going - way to go!

Lisa, congratulations to your daughter and enjoy the fun!

Cris, I really enjoyed Eleanor Olifant - hope you enjoy it too.

Jen Sabo, I forget where you are but I managed to get a copy via Amazon France.

I’m moving quite slowly on the Stephen King. Not finding the groove somehow. But I will get through it.

My village fair is on this week-end and we sold lots of home-grown tomatoes today. Hopefully should have a little more time to read tomorrow.

x

About the Chipmunks, duly noted :).

I am curious about the "China" prompts, anybody have some nice recs? Wondering whether I'm alone in not having read books by chinese authors (or set in China) - I'd feel better if I wasn't as feeling really really "classic" (in the bad sense) *rolls eyes*

MN Lisa wrote: "Elinor wrote: "Thank you Lisa for adding the link in the SS. I can’t find a way to do it from my mobile unfortunately."

It's definitely not easy that way. Just keep doing that and any of the capta..."

Not sure Google Sheets for Mobile phone will give me the menu to add a link - and I'm seldom on my laptop at the moment. So thank you for the help.

Nanci wrote: "I finished my other two reads that I needed to get done before starting the big King book. Wish me luck! I'm diving into it today! Hopefully I won't get carpal tunnel syndrome from holding it! Haha!"

Lol, good luck with that :)

Thank you Lisa for adding the link in the SS. I can’t find a way to do it from my mobile unfortunately.

Just finished The Bluest Eye - gave myself a break from the 11.22.63. So that’s Chipmunk #13 done.

x

@Leslie Ann, I think it could have been shorter, and been more/as effective.

Yay, Shannon have you started reading it? Sounds like the Club might kick off shortly. I’m getting in a bit of a slump with it. I know I shouldn’t (it’s good) but I am just because it’s long… 🙄🙈

Keli, hadn’t heard of it but it does sound good. Looking forward to your thoughts on that one as reviews seem mixed.