Trinia’s Comments (group member since Mar 29, 2015)

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

Cathy M. wrote: "Trinia wrote: "Paula wrote: "Trinia wrote: "Completion Post

His & Hers by Alice Feeney
Date Read: 7/19
Added to SS"

Trinia, it see..."

Sorry sorry! I think it's fixed now. I added the date read. If still not ok. Message me, I'm obviously airheaded today. ;D. lol

Paula wrote: "Trinia wrote: "Completion Post

His & Hers by Alice Feeney
Date Read: 7/19
Added to SS"

Trinia, it seems that the edition you revie..."


I believe it's fixed! Sorry about that, I reviewed it directly from NetGalley and it picked a different audio version than I did. I added the reviewed version to the SS. Do I need to change it anywhere else?

Completion Post

His & Hers by Alice Feeney
Date Read: 7/19
Added to SS

Beth wrote: "Finally finished The Authenticity Project and updated the SS.

Unfortunately I don’t think I’ll be able to read Dear Martin after all. I can’t find my book anywhere and it’s possib..."

That's a shame Beth, it's a good quick read. No electronic version at your library?

Day 3: Chapters 15-18

12. In chapter 16 we see Justyce have dinner with Manny's parents to commemorate Garret Tison's indictment. What do you think of Justyce being invited over and what they talk about? Did you have any thoughts about Manny's parents giving Justyce the watch and his reaction to it?
~~~ I think it was a nice offer of Manny's parents to invite Justyce over. As a parent I'm not sure I could have been sane enough to have him over for dinner, I think I would still be mourning over my own son and a little bitter that Justyce survived. But everyone heals differently. I thought it was nice for them to give him the watch. I think his reaction was pretty normal, a bit surprised and overwhelmed.

13. Justyce sees Quan at the Fulton Regional Youth Detention Centre and a lot is said between them. What do you make of Quan's upbringing and his view on life now? Is there anything that stands out between what is said between them? Quan not saying that he killed the cop or the advice that he gives to Justyce? Do you think that Quan's advice will have a positive or negative effect on Justyce?
~~~I was surprised that Justyce went to see Quan, it seemed like a terrifying experience. I think Quan is a product of his upbringing, it is difficult to get out of the life when your born into it. I think that Quan and his friends had something to do with the murders and if I was Justyce I would run as far away from those boys as possible.


14. We see a few media releases in this part:
"Transcript from evening news... More on this story as it continues to develop"
"Tison Indictment... A trial date has yet to be announced."
The news report in chapter 18 with the photo released of Justyce in his Thug Life costume.

We also see the reporters mobbing the funeral party at Manny's funeral:
"Mr. McAllister, how's it feel to be the Boy Who Survived?
Justyce, do you think there will be justice?
What's it like knowing it could've been YOU in that casket?"

What do you think of the coverage of the event by the media? Are they siding with the police officer more than Justyce? Are they reporting the story correctly or making things worse? Do you think the author's portrayal of the media is similar to real life? Will the media ruin his chance at going to Yale?
I for one do not like the reporters at the funeral and that last question is especially nasty.
~~~ I definitely think that media is twisting this story to the advantage of the officer, which I think is one of the main points of the author in this book. Media doesn't always know the real story, so they present it how they want to. It's all about ratings, they want to viewers to tune into their station or channel. I think this portrayal is pretty similar to real life, unfortunately...

15. Chapter 18 goes through a lot. We see Justyce spending time with Doc to avoid making the call to Trey and the gang and isn't writing to Martin anymore SJ speaking to him again and she apologises. She also calls Jarod about the release of the photo. What are your thoughts on all these and the character development of the teens?
~~~ This part of the book got a bit better in that Justyce had Doc and SJ to lean on, but that photo release was tough! I think the kids in this private school grow up fast. They are products of their parents and they really only know life through what their parents want to show them. It's a bit isolating, not seeing the world as it really can be... harsh and ugly.



** Side note ** is anyone else picturing MJ from Spiderman everytime SJ's character is mentioned in the story??? It's making me crazy that their names are so similar , LOL!

Me too! Did you see #2 is due out in October!!!?

Completion Post

by Nic Stone
Date Read: 7/17
Added to SS and BOTM

DQ Day 2; Chapters 7 - 14

7. Let's start with Sarah-Jane. Justyce and her definitely had feelings for each other, and they didn't shy away from closeness until Jus was about to kiss her after the debate (lbr which was bad timing). Why did SJ suddenly give Justyce the cold shoulder, what are your thoughts? What's going through her head?
~~~I think it was too public of a place for a kiss... I think SJ would have done that to any boy. Then I think the cold shoulder followed because she wasn't sure how to act afterwards. I don't know what she is thinking, it seems like she has a crush on Justyce but she's afraid to act on it.

8. It sucks that it took being drunk for Justyce to call out Manny but it's finally done! "They're my friends" was the dumbest excuse ever, but at least Manny finally woke up shortly after Blake's party and the fight Justyce and the guys had.
It's hard sometimes to stand up for what's right. It might not be safe, depending on where you are or who you're surrounded by. Do you judge Manny for not being able to stand up for himself and everybody else his 'friends' made fun of sooner? Was there ever anything you needed to work on first in order to be able to stand up for it?
~~~I think it's always hard to stand up for what you believe when you're in the minority (of thinking). If the topic was abortion or rape, it would be hard to stand up for what you believe if you were in the minority. As a teen it's even harder, but now as an adult I feel like I can voice my opinions and not care what others think. As a teen , I wouldn't have been able to do it. I'm disappointed in Manny, he should be better about standing up for his friends and himself. But at that age, it's easier said than done.

9. It seems like Manny didn't only call Dr. Dray to check on Justyce after the fight, but also his mama and Mela. It confused me a little since he doesn't like Mel and how she treats Jus. And it hasn't even been mentioned again (so far). What did you make of this? Do you think Mela will end up playing a big part in the rest of the book? And did you ever have a teacher who was as involved in his students lives as Doc is?
I agree, it was a bit confusing. I liked how Dr. Dray found the time to go talk with Justyce. He made a great role model , and was surprised he wasn't used more in the book as one. But the book was so short, I guess there wasn't much time. I don't think Mela will make much difference, other than messing with Justyce's love life.
I can't say I know of a teacher who was so involved in my life. But I know many teachers in our kid's district who are very involved.

10. Manny's dad tried to keep all signs of racism and how he could be mistreated from him for as long as he could whereas Justyce's mama has prepared him ever since he was little. They also grew up in two completely different neighbourhoods and surroundings. What are your thoughts on the parents' different ways of bringing up their sons? Do you think there's a right way to go about this?
I think Manny's parents shielded him way too much. I however do agree that his Dad should be bringing those examples home. But maybe discuss hypothetical experiences, similar to Justyce's mom. unfortunately I think J's mom is a racist as well. It's a struggle to have such a hatred because of color stereotypes.

11. 😳 that's one way to end today's chapters! My heart is still racing. What do you think happened, who got shot? And be honest, did you keep reading or take a peek just to find out what happened?
~~~ I can't believe the guy shot them... over loud music. Does this really happen???? I guessed it was Manny because he was driving and closer to the gun. (I finished this soon after)

DQ Day 1
Chapters 1 - 6


1. We meet Justyce when he's trying to do a good deed by helping is drunk ex-girlfriend. This scene sets quite the mood for the upcoming chapters and (I assume) the rest of the book. Do you like our main character so far? Do you like his inner monologue, portrayed in the letters to Martin?
~~~I do like Martin so far, he seems to be a mature guy with a good head on his shoulders.

2. Let's talk about the girls - Melo and Sarah-Jane. The ex-girlfriend (sort of?) and the debate partner. Let's also factor in the other important female in Justyce's life, namely his mother. What do you make of each of them? And what to you make of their interactions with Justyce? And more importantly, what are we supposed to make of Justyce's interactions with them in light of his mother's statement not to bring a white girl home?
~~~Melo seems like a spoiled brat who Justyce needs to run far away. from, she will bring him nothing but trouble. Sarah-Jane seems like a great and supportive friend, but I worry about a real relationship with them. Momma not approving doesn't start things out well.

3. Jared is our token white boy who thinks all is right with the world when clearly it isn't. The equality discussion was interesting, I found, because Jared's logic is sound. And yet at the same time, it isn't at all. What example would you give Jared, where you speaking in SJ's stead, to show how wrong he is?
~~~honestly, I don't think you can argue with a kid like Jared. I'm not sure he's really the token white boy as much as he is the racist white boy. I don't know that anything you say to this kid would sink in.

4. The Equality Brigade was quite the spectacle! Literally. Disguised as a klansman to portray equality. I can't help but wonder if Blake is an idiot of epic proportions or if there was a message he would have liked to show the world including his friends, especially considering the fact that the "costume" was the genuine thing. What did you think of this brain child of Jared's?
~~ This was insane, who on earth does this and thinks it's ok? really? Especially kids who have friends that are black.. and expect them to be okay with it. This was a terrible cringy scene.

5. Justyce as well as his best friend Manny are black boys stuck in a rich white school. They each have their own issues to deal with in regards to this situation. Manny, the rich black guy, who is considered one of them, and Justyce, the poor black guy, who is more and more often questioning his place in this world, the place he is trying to carve for himself. Do you think Manny should have acted differently in the lounge scene when he was peer pressured into drinking to equality? Knowing full well what happened to his best friend not too long ago?
~~~I definitely think Manny should have acted differently. He didn't seem to sympathetic to his best friend. But as a teen trying to fit in seems the better choice, even when it's clearly not.

6. Short mention of Trey and his friends needs to be made. The Black Jihad gang, one of whose members shot Officer Castillo. Personally, I can't help but wonder if someone shot him to take revenge on the crap he's probably pulled for quite a while - Justyce certainly wasn't the only one - or if it was a shooting gone wrong. That thought aside, Trey makes Justyce (and maybe also Manny) feel like he's turning his back on his own people. Do you think he is right in telling Justyce this? Is Justyce right in questioning the things Trey tells him and wondering whether there may not be a grain of truth in it? Should Justyce have stayed at the party regardless or was it better to leave (with the others) when he did?
~~~ To me it seems like Trey is the complete EXTREME opposite and worst case scenario of stereotypical black teen. I don't think he is right to tell Justyce what he did, but I don't necessarily blame him. He lives a gang life, he was born it and doesn't have a way out. To him, what he says is truth. Justyce definitely should have left, but maybe not in quite such a violent way. I know the alcohol fueled the fire, but he could have just left and made more of a statement. Instead the violence caused more trouble. (easier said than done)

Completion post

The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin
Date read: 7/16/20
Added to SS

I'm in for the read. Just got so lucky, my library had the audiobook available!!!

Completion Post

The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo
Date Read: 7/14
Added to SS

I would say red

I was able to borrow dear Martin from the library just now! so I’ll be participating in the BOTM too 😁

Completion Post

I'll Never Tell by Catherine McKenzie
Read: 7/13/20
Added to SS

So sorry to hear that Tati ☹️ I hope all will get figured out for you, without too much aggravation 🥵

Tina ❣ wrote: "Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Trinia wrote: "Tina ❣ wrote: "Just finished the for BOM points. It was a meh book."

I thought the same Tina. Nothing spectacular, j..."

for sure! Enjoy Sun Down :D

Completion post

Book The Girl from Widow Hills by Megan Miranda
Date Read 7/9/20
Added to SS
(Lots of letters, all except Z and O)

Tina ❣ wrote: "Just finished the for BOM points. It was a meh book."

I thought the same Tina. Nothing spectacular, just a little entertaining... mostly annoying 😆

Beth wrote: "Sharon wrote: "Trinia wrote: "Beth wrote: "Trinia wrote: "Beth wrote: "Completion:


Updated SS"

Did you like it? I was worried all the hype would disappoint..."

Sharon wrote: "Trinia wrote: "Beth wrote: "Trinia wrote: "Beth wrote: "Completion:


Updated SS"

Did you like it? I was worried all the hype would disappoint some people.
P..."

I think i"ve found a new favorite author ;D