Keely’s Comments (group member since Aug 30, 2013)

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

Completion Post

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters
Pages: 307
Date read: 11 July

I believe there was a food it worked for on the tracking sheet. I'm on my phone right now so can't easily check.

Spell it out:
T/B title
A/P author
N - Norma
J - Joe
E - Mr Ellis
F - Frankie
L - Leah
C - Cora

I haven't even started Dracula yet. We've just been too busy. So it is looking like you will finish it before me, E.

It's a non-fiction book which technically doesn't have characters. So for this challenge, spell outs for non-fiction books can only be title, author and a translators initials if the book has been translated.

Hey all! I am now a married woman!! Just thought I'd drop a quick message while waiting before we head back to the airport. There's been a few ups and downs. Mostly me struggling with engery or patience due to tiredness and being a bit ill. I also got a nice bruise on my neck the day before getting married (I knew going on the bumper cars would be a bad idea, but my now husband enjoyed it) luckily my hair covered it in most of the photos we took. The trip has mostly been good though and more importantly, we did all the things we wanted and planned to do (like get married 😂 ).

We're heading back to the UK today, but I doubt I will have the energy go on my laptop. I've been keeping an eye on this thread, but not the spreadsheet so I'm excited to see how much progress you guys have made!

Great job team! I'm now in Copenhagen. All set to get married tomorrow! I'm still a bit sick and have slept very little the past few days as a result, but I think I'm over the worst of it now! We're just having a short rest before we go to Tivoli amusement park for the rest of the day. As predicted, I've had no time to read, but that's okay. We're making memories and that's important.

DQs Day 3

12. When Norma tells her mother she's pregnant, Norma notices fear in her other's eyes. What do you think that fear was about? Do you think she was remembering her own past experiences and worrying about Norma, or was she fearing that this would lead to Norma finding out the truth somehow? (Thinking to all of the bloodwork and stuff that comes from this, though admittedly not sure in the time frame if that was as much of a concern.)
I think it is a bit of both her own past experiences and worry that Norma will somehow find out the truth.

13. Ruthie was from Nova Scotia and went missing in Maine, yet Norma and Ben ran into each other in Boston of all places — somewhere his family would not be expecting her. Later, when they need some time away, Norma's husband takes her to Nova Scotia, where she feels some familiarity and connection to the land. Are these crossovers just coincidences, or do you think that in the grand scheme of the story, something more (fate, a higher power, etc.) is leading them to each other?
Norma's subconcious seems somewhat at play. Could be fate too.

14. We get the backstory in this section on why Joe didn't know he had a daughter at first. Knowing what we know now do you agree with his family's decision to keep him in the dark? Have your opinions on Joe changed with this piece of backstory revealed?
I still feel for Joe. He didn't make the best choices though.

15. "I would learn to love the little one." What a strange thing for Lenore to say when broaching the topic of adoption — especially considering Norma's circumstances. What did you think when you read that — especially seeing how Lenore treated Norma growing up?
Lenore knows first hand how to try to love a child that isn't her own. Maybe she would be better towards a child that wasn't kidnapped.

I'll be finishing The Berry Pickers BOM today and answering my last DQ set needed. And then I'm off to Denmark tomorrow! With that book, I'll be up to 7 books this round which is one off my BPM so I don't have to worry too much about the lack of reading I'm going to do over the next couple of weeks. I might be able to squeeze a book or two in if I get some alone time.

I seem to have caught a cold which is not ideal days before I'm due to get married. I'm hoping to be over the worst of it today, maybe tomorrow so I am well enough to enjoy the big day on Saturday.

Nice find, Sana!

DAY 2 QUESTIONS - CHAPTERS 4-7

7. "But sometimes I think that sadness drilled down deep and some of it might just be there for good"
"now get lost and leave me to my book."
"There was love in that house but none of us really knew what to do with it."
In chapter four we learn more about Norma's parents and life in their house as she grew up. Does learning about Lenore's past make you more sympathetic to her? And how about their parenting style, I can't imagine ever telling my children or grandchildren "to get lost" because I wanted to read a book. (Ok, I'm sure all parents might have thought it at times, but saying it to a child is a definite no no in my book!)
I don't like Lenore's parenting style. I feel bad that she lost so many children, but that isn't an excuse for her behaviour.

8. In juxtaposition to Frank, Lenore and Norma, we have alternating chapters about family life from Joe's POV. Thoughts and why does the author structure the novel this way?
I like having both POV's. It shows us how Ruthie's kidnapping affects both sides.

9. Chapter 5 - the horrible incident with Frankie and Charlie. How did you feel reading about this injustice? Could anything been done to avert this tragedy? How does Amanda Peters' writing the scene add to the heartbreak?
I don't know what would have avoided it, but other people could have tried to help.

10. What you think of Aunty June and her role in the story? Why does she encourage Norma to interact with the Indian protesters only to pull her back when she is recognized as Ruthie?
She is definitely aware of Norma's true heratige and maybe she knows Norma should have more to do with them, but got frightened when she was recognised.

11. Joe seems to be a tragic figure as the story of his life is revealed. How he has responded to racism and trauma make you feel when reading this book? Are you enjoying the story or does it make for uncomfortable reading?
I think it is intended to be a bit uncomfortable to read. I am a big fan of historical fiction so I am enjoying the story overall.

But yeah, I don't want to try that cheese either. I only know it by name from stocking the cheese section in a supermarket a year or so ago.

I couldn't live without chocolate. But I've been a good girl lately. Not much chocolate at all. I've been trying to eat dark chocolate to satisfy any cravings. It mostly works as I can only eat a little bit of it before I feel like I've had enough

Mini 4 Part 2 Update

All banked books have now been added to part 2 spell it out. I have left them striked out on the tracking sheet in case anyone wants to check for food stuff.

We need at least one X and two Z's. There are lots of vowels as well so keep an eye out for any and all letters.

No, Mini 4 part 2 can be done now. E and I decided that it might be easier if we put books where we feel best as you are already listing all spelling options in your completion posts. We will update you with any particular letters we need.

If it doesn't work well that way, we can add it to the planning sheet later.

DQs for day 1

1. What expectations do you have for the book based on the blurb or other description of the book?
I didn't really read the blurb. Sometimes I like to just go in blind to a book.

2. How reliable do you the think the 2 narrators are?
Both are quite young so might see the world a bit differently, but I can't see any reason why they would be unreliable.

3. Chapter 1 opens with " The day Ruthie went missing the black flies seemed to be especially hungry...Indians made such good berry pickers...something sour in our blood kept the black flies away". How does this establish Joe's view of the relationship that exists between the whites and the Mi'kmaq?
He seems to have picked up at an early age the stereotypes that can be made about certain people.

4. How much is Norma dreaming vs remembering? What do you think the dreams foreshadow?
I think a large part of them are her memories.

5. How do you explain Lenore's paranoia about Norma being out alone? How do you account for the incongruity of her insistence that Norma likes to play with baby dolls when she sees Norma choosing other playthings?
I think she is paranoid that Norma will remember something and try to leave or someone will somehow recognise who she really is. I think she dolls are to try and keep the image of Norma being a very young child alive. She doesn't want her to grow up.

6. Why did Joe act so clingy when he returned from his first "guide" with his dad?
It felt to me he was afraid of his dad's reaction to the camera incident, but he also saw some of the racism.

Heather wrote: "Completion Post

Book: The Narrows
Author: Ronald Malfi
Date: 30/jun/25
Pages: 416

Options:
mini3: R: author: Ronald Malfi (in SS)

mini4
Chocolate: ... Brandy ..."

I put this in Mini 4. Although chocolate is one of the easier foods to find, a R is even easier to find.

I had a look at the books that would work for the Journal task. I found Dracula works and it has been almost 10 years since I read it so I'm happy to give it a re-read. It's unlikely I will get it done until after my wedding and future husband's UK visit so if someone else has something that works before then, feel free to remove my claim. Otherwise I will work on it when I am free after.

Klare wrote: "Just checked my banked book Just Me and it can be used for strawberries or mangoes.
Chapter 19
colorful merchandise were leaping out at him with their bright pink strawberries, their shiny mangoe..."

Mango is a nice find!

Completion Post


Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
Read: 29 June
Pages: 420

Mini 4: Pistachio (and other options on tracking sheet)

Spell it out:
G - title
E / H - author
A / S - character: Alice Scott
M / I - character: Margaret Ives
C / W - character: Cecil Wainwright

I will also be finishing Great Big Beautiful Life book today.

As I said before, my diary one is still a very slow work in progress. I wouldn't be surprised if it was the last one we complete, but it will be completed before this challenge ends!