VNerdbooks’s Comments (group member since Jul 04, 2014)

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

DQs Day 5, July 6
Chapter 44 - 52 / 74-88%

20. Not gonna lie, I felt like this part in particular had some unexpected 'plot twists' for us. We ended Day 4 with Joar showing up at Ted's window being all bloody. Did you think he had finally killed his old man?? Also, anybody else sobbing over (believing) the old guy had killed the bird? Did you expect any of this to happen the way it did, or did you end up as surprised as me?
I definitely thought that he had done it, especially since the details about the knife was just randomly thrown in there like a foreshadowing

21. We finally find out The Artist's name and it happens in quite an anticlimactic way. I was kind of hoping we would never get his name, like his name wasn't the important part of the book, it's His Friends who matter most. Do you think it's important for him to have a name now? Moreover, why do you think the author chose this moment in particular to finally give him a name?
I like the fact that it was just casually dropped in there without any fanfare, like it was kind of like yeah, so what, that's his name, big deal 🤷‍♀️
I think I would have preferred to not have known it and to always wonder lol

22. As we're reading this book as our BOM I assume most of us are reading it in the daily parts. Every time I open the audiobook and hear the narrator's voice I immediately start to feel emotional. I have teared up so many times already, yet only seconds later someone (usually Joar) makes some silly remark and I can't stop myself smiling. As I've never read a Backman before I didn't anticipate such a blend of humor with deeply emotional topics. How does this balance make you feel, and are there any moments that stand out to you in particular?
I actually finished this book in June so I know where this is all going, Backman has a great way of getting you really invested in his characters, if you haven't read Bear town yet I would highly recommend it

23. I thought we all knew (including Louisa!) where the story was headed, but now we find out Joar is still alive, and Ted actually makes him continue on with his story. We are briefly led to believe that something happened to someone in Joar's house, but then we learn about Joar's old man's accident, and that his mother is actually okay. She'll still keep caring for her abusive but injured husband even though she would now have an "easy way out". Do you agree with this decision? And with only 12% to go how do you expect the last few chapters to go? Besides, what happened to Ali??
I read somewhere that women are significantly more likely to stay with their partners when the man is diagnosed with the terminal illness compared to when the woman is the one diagnosed.
Where women are diagnosed with a serious illness, the separation or divorce rate can be around 20% in contrast when a man is diagnosed with a similar illness, the separation or divorce rate is only around 2%, so I'm not surprised at all with her decision

DQ's Day 4; Chapter 31 - 43 55-74%

15. “She wishes he hadn’t said what he did about believing in her. That’s too much responsibility. All she can give him is disappointment.” Belief is a big theme of this book. How important do you think it is to have people that unequivocally believe in you? Have you ever had someone’s belief in you feel more like a burden than support?
I think Louisa needs to be believed, but the only person that really stayed and believed her was Fish, and now they are gone she doesn't trust anyone anymore. Friendship is such a big landmark in your life, you never hurt as much as when you lose a friend.


16. This book is, obviously, a lot about memories and the happy times we look back on when the people we cherish are gone. I thought the shopping/shopping cart scene was particularly vivid and one I could’ve seen me and friends doing something similar. Do you have any particularly memorable times with a group of friends from when you were a child/teen?
We went to a camp for a week when we were about 13/14 with the school, where we did things like rock climbing, and orienteering, it was such fun

17. We’ve come to the first(?) death from that summer, is it one you expected? It’s probably the most obvious one, but I still forgot it was a possibility.
The dad? I guess it was expected as he was ill, but you still hurt for Ted


18. While this is a story of friends, it’s also really a story of parents. From the bad ones, to the indifferent ones, to the kind loving ones. Did you expect for Ted and Louisa’s savior to be the mother? How important do you think parents are versus friends on your formative years?
Friendship is a huge part of your life when you are growing up, parents are always just there, but friends come and go, and sometimes that is the way you learn about love and loss, but there is usually always a "cool mum" in a friendship group that you can turn to


19. Ted seems to think that any of the other friends would have been better to care for Louisa, do you agree?
No I don't, Ted doesn't give himself enough credit, he is the perfect person to care for Louisa

DAY 3 DQ'S CHAPTERS 20-30

10. "Art is coincidence. Love is Chaos."
"Art is a small break from human despair."

Do you agree? Discuss these quotes in relation to the book and real life in general.
The art that takes me away from it all and gives me a break from human despair is music, Whether it's a gentle melody, or a feminist rage song, I can listen to them and it gives me a break from life for a while

11. We still don't know the artist's real name and now we find out he isn't even in the picture! What do you think is the author's intention in regards to the Artist's role throughout the novel? And how about the significance of the title of the picture, " The One of the Sea instead of the Artist's thoughts it should have been called, The Boys and Her?
I think it was a secret that only him and his friends knew, they were there, but only for their eyes, if the title had been The Boys and Her, it would have focused solely on them, and I don't think he wanted to do that

12. Louise asks Ted, "Were you two a couple?" In light of how the relationship is written were you surprised by his answer?
Yes I was, I was also wondering this while reading it

13. This novel is full of big emotions, real life hardships, death and tragedy but connected and possibly redeemed by the beauty in meaningful and fragile human relationships. The Artist and his friends, Christian and the Artist, Ted and the Artist, Ali and Joar, Ted and Louisa, Fish and Louisa... Which relationship has made the most impression on you? Which one do you think is pivotal to the storyline?
Ted and Louisa I think are most pivotal to the story, she is the one that brings the story together, she is the glue that binds the story back together

14. Chapter 30 - Louisa leaves the picture then gets off the train when Ted is asleep. Did you see that happening, what do you think will happen next? Ted and Louisa reconnecting or big tragedy? (More tissues needed!)
I was shocked when she did this, I already know what happened as I finished the book, but that was a shock while reading it, I though that she had maybe found her forever home with Ted

Day 2 July 3
Chapter 12-19 18-37%

#5. Joar mentions that his mom thinks the best invention in the world are pockets. I have seen a Meme that says a woman, when complimented on her dress will reply “It has pockets.” I love a good pocket. How do you feel about pockets?
"Thanks, it has pockets" is a universal call from women around the world that have been denied pockets in our clothes, OR given those weird pockets, but not really pockets in our trousers.

#6. I must admit I am confused and intrigued about the artist. Who do you think the artist is? What is his or her significance in the story?
As I mentioned before I have already finished this book so I already know, but I do love the way that Backman writes people, like this is already a fully fledged person with character, and we don't even know who it is yet

#7. I am loving the banter between Louisa and Ted. Louise is so precocious. What do you think of their relationship? Any ideas of what is to come between the two?
Absolutely loved the scenes between these 2 characters, the banter was hilarious, they have a big brother/sister vibe going on, or father/daughter

#8. In Chapter #19 we find more about the mentioned Ali. What is your impression of her?Any guesses on what happens next?
It's tricky, again because I already know, but Backman has a great way of writing friendships, and I think Ali is the glue that holds the group together

#9. Fredrick Backman has a way of pulling at your heartstrings. In Chapter 19 I both cried and laughed. The children's stories are both heartbreaking and heartwarming. How are you feeling about the book so far? Are you enjoying it
I absolutely loved this book and gave it 5⭐ and yes, I cried and laughed too

Day 1, Chapters 1-11 (1-18%)


1. Warm-up question: have you read any other books by Fredrik Backman before? If yes, what do you like/dislike about his themes/style, etc?
I have read quite a few of his books, I'm on the last of the Bear town series, and also read A Man called Ove, and Anxious People

2. In the first chapter we are introduced to quite a memorable auction scene with super-rich people who all want to possess THE PAINTING, though their intentions are questionable. Did this make you think of some similar events happening in the world right now?
I think it can be linked to nearly anything going on today, especially where political groups are concerned, from Space Karen and his spaceships, to Bezos hiring out Venice for his wedding, money talks, and if you don't have it, you don't count

3. "Artists vs Normal People" - another aspect of these first chapters is the great divide between true artists and normal people. Backman seems to suggest that most people don't/cannot get true art and artists are so much more different (possibly better people?). Do you agree with this? Or is it a generalisation?
I'd love to be able to "get" art, I went to the Tate Modern in London with my son, and although it was a fabulous day, a lot of the things I saw, I just didn't get, like a step ladder in the middle of the room, a massive white room with a step ladder in it, and I was just like 🤷‍♀️

4. In a sequence of weird events, Louisa ends up in possession of The Painting.
Any guesses what may happen to her and to it?
Full disclosure, I've already finished this book (5⭐ btw) so I already know lol

Bonus Q: do you have a favourite artist or a favourite piece of painting/sculpture?
Nothing that springs to mind, but my mum passed a couple of years ago, and her favourite song was Vincent by Don McLean, which is about Vincent Van Gogh, and the first lines are 🎶Stary starry night...🎶 and it makes me cry every time I hear it or see the painting

Will do thanks, I'd forgotten about that 😬

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Completion post

Fever Beach
Carl Hiaasen
Pages 368
Date read 5 July
Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐

How it fits: USA (Florida) setting and author

Mini:
Empanada - "They ordered another round of martinis and a plate of empanadas." 49% (chp 13)

Spell out
F - Fever Beach
C / H Carl Hiaasen
D / F - Dale Figgo
G - Gus Grissom
V / M - Viva Morales
T / S - Twilly Spree
E / M - Eletra Mink
C / B - Clure Boyette
J / O - Jonus Onus

Other stuff:
MPG Humor
Very political

Completion post

Revealed
Evangeline Anderson
Brides of the Kindred series book #5
Pages 376
Date read 5th July
Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐

How it works: Space sex ...... probably doesn't 🤷‍♀️ but could be a banned book in the USA considering it has naked people in it 🫢

Spell out:
R - Revealed
E / A - Evangeline AndersonB - Baird
K - Kat
S - Sophia
L - Liv
O - Olivia
N - Nadiah
A - Adam Rast
X - Xairn
M - Merrick
E - Elise
Y - Y'dex
D - Draven

Other stuff:
Character Adam can fly/has wings....also a private investigator
Character Nadiah has "the sight" so can see the future

it's weird, I think it's a texture thing, it's the thought of having it in my teeth 😬
like, I love chocolate ice cream, but not chocolate cake, I love cheesy pizza but not chunks of cheese, I love tomato soup and things like Bolognese with tomato in it, but I couldn't bite and eat an actual tomato, there's too many textures going on there 🤢

yeahhhhh chocolate is..........meh 🤷🏻 I can maybe eat a square of it, but I have to just stick it to the roof on my mouth and let it melt, I couldn't *chew* it 🤢
I am more of a savoury girl, I'll fight you for a tub of pringles lol

I don't do cheese, any type 🤢

Well, that's a bit of a lie, I can do grated, and melted, and like, cream cheese on crackers, but the thought of *biting* cheese and chewing it makes me feel ill 🤢

Same with chocolate 🤮

Completion post

Hidden Nature
Nora Roberts
Pages 435
Date read 29 June
Rating ****

How it fits:
Bacon - "she'd finished the last of her research, had the bacon fried crispy..." (39% chapter 13)

Spell out:
H - Hidden Nature
N / R - Nora Roberts
S / C- Sloan Cooper
J / W - Joel Warren
T / L - Theo Littlefield
D - Drea

Other stuff:
Author has a pseudonym
FMC is a cop
MMC is a builder
MMC & His brother have a building/Handyman company
Cover has a spiderweb on it
FMC gets shot and "dies" on the operating table (shocked back)

Completion post

Sought
Evangeline Anderson
Series; Brides of the Kindred #3
Pages 484
Date read 26 June
Rating ****

How it fits : Still on the sexy spaceship, it doesn't

Spell out
S - Sought
E / A - Evangeline Anderson
K / O - Kat O'Connor
D - Deep
L - Lock
A - The AllFather
X - Xairn

Other stuff:
Space
Travelling to different planets and dimensions

Completion post

Hunted
Evangeline Anderson
Series: Brides of the Kindred #2
pages 465
Date read 25 June
Rating ****

How it fits: It's a sexy spaceship book....it doesn't!
Ice cream - "Spending the night alone eating ice cream and crying...." (84% Chapter 33)
Chocolate - "...didn't seem to care that she was eating lettuce instead of chocolate..." (82% Chapter 33)
Banana - "They can eat almost anything except banana peels which they are allergic to .." (99.2% chapter 38)



Spell Out
H - Hunted
E / A - Evangeline Anderson
S / W - Sophia Waterhouse
K - Kat
L - Liv
O - Olivia
B - Baird

Other stuff:
Fangs!
Sylvan is an alien medic
Spaceship
MPG PNR, Aliens, Sci-fi

The one I'm reading now has:

Chocolate
Ice-cream
Gravy
Banana

Caribbean is a collection of multiple countries so it would have to say the specific country I'm assuming.
I had one like that and it just said Caribbean and I was like YES BUT WHAT COUNTRY 😭😭

Eldarwen wrote: "
Mini 2 Update


Our next task is:

82. Read a banned book"

I'm assuming that can now be literally *any* book, especially where America is concerned lol

Completion post

Dengue Boy
Michel Nieva
Narrator: Gary Tiedmann
Date read 25 June
Rating ***
Pages 224

Setting - Argentina
Author born - Buenos Aires, Argentina

Spell out
D - Dengue Boy
M / N - Michel Nieva
R / B Translator - Rahul Bery
E - El Dulce - character
N - Noah Nuclopio

Other stuff
MPG Sci-fi
Mosquito on cover
MC *is* a human mosquito.....

Can take - Read a book which has the main location (setting) on the South American continent if nobody else wants it?

Currently reading for Argentina

Completion Post

Claimed
Evangeline Anderson
Pages 321
book #1 of the Brides of Kindred Series
Date read 22 June

How it fits........Welp i'm still in my smexy era, so it's sex in space if that helps any lol

Spell out
C - Claimed
E / A - Evangeline Anderson
O / W - Olivia Waterhouse
B - Baird
S - Sophia
K - Kat

Other stuff:
MPG Sci-fi
Setting on a space ship
Aliens
Sentient furniture
Fangs!
At some point she eats alien worms that taste like chocolate ......umm