Sam’s Comments (group member since Feb 06, 2025)

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

Laura wrote: "Here's what I did:

1. Several "banked" books were moved to the itinerary as easy countries. (banked in quotations because we don't have tasks we can use them for anymore.) - Increase of 20 points
..."

The book is not based in France though, we go through London, Turkey & Iraq.

Just filled my books in :)

Just finished mine Laura

I picked up a book for train on the cover task Laura, if you finish yours before me, you can claim it

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 believe it was more of a trauma response, Lenore's own fear from her past experiences.

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?
Seems like fate honestly

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?
Yes, his family were right to put him in the dark, because I can't imagine him changing 180 degrees to care for Leah and maybe he would've ended up hurting more people around him.

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?
It's obvious Lenore is struggling so much of what she says/acts doesn't make sense to me

DAY 2 QUESTIONS - CHAPTERS 4-7
(view spoiler)[
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!)
Yeah that was definitely weird lol, I don't feel any sympathy for Norma's parents because I think they are her kidnappers. <?b>

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?
That type of structure is quite similar to other mystery novels I've read so it keeps you in suspense, I'm enjoying Joe's POV much more than Norma's

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?
Honestly broke my heart, that family can't catch a break. I believe the writing really expressed the shock and helplessness a kid could feel in that moment.

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?
I like Aunty June, well I like her better than Lenore anyway. It feels like she is trying to help Norma connect to her roots or her character but she also loves her sister too much to tell Norma about the truth

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 personally enjoy novels that explore uncomfortable topics so I am invested. I feel like Joe's response to things is a translation of how helpless he's felt being the youngest person in a family that went through such trauma and racism, and I hope the author explores Mae's POV as well. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

DQs for day 1

Some of these questions will lead to possible spoilers. Please be sure to hide any spoilers

(view spoiler)[1. What expectations do you have for the book based on the blurb or other description of the book?
I expected it to be heart-wrenching and it's exactly that!

2. How reliable do you the think the 2 narrators are?
I think Joe is reliable, still trying to understand Norma.

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?
What I understood is that Joe had experienced racism early on in his childhood.

4. How much is Norma dreaming vs remembering? What do you think the dreams foreshadow?
I don't think she's dreaming at all, it feels like a child is trying to make sense of the world.

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?
There's definitely paranoia here, which I'm assuming will explain how they got Norma, and it seems Lenore wants Norma to stay a child.

6. Why did Joe act so clingy when he returned from his first "guide" with his dad?
I think it was a sort of coming-of-age experience and going back home was comforting for him. (hide spoiler)]

Aiswrya wrote: "I would also love to discuss our highlights from month 1. Any books you particularly enjoyed, and would want to recommend to the rest of the team? Any new to you authors? An underrated book? Overra..."

That's lovely, I'll check the Mrs. Pollifax series, I love a little humor in mysteries which is why I liked Nita Prose's The Maid.
I honestly enjoyed most of the books since starting on this group but my mental health definitely took a hit, because they were kinda sad lol. I'll plan to read more fantasy this month

Aiswrya wrote: "Tricia wrote: "I'm curious if we were able to use any of our reserve books?"

We didn’t! We managed to read over 200 books, which put us higher than several other teams. There was no reason to dip ..."

Yay! That's exciting

Aiswrya wrote: "@Sam - the edition you have on your TT shelf for The Maid has 304 pages. You entered 385 pages in the spreadsheet. Please update whichever one needs correction."

Done.

Laura wrote: "Sam wrote: "Omg it must've been autocorrect, I prefer just Sam but thanks very much and I'm working on doing the SS correctly.
Sorry for the ruckus!"

No worries. I have kids who have decided to go..."

lol thank you Laura :)

Omg it must've been autocorrect, I prefer just Sam but thanks very much and I'm working on doing the SS correctly.
Sorry for the ruckus!

DQs Day 6
Chapter 32–end

24. Lots of big reveals here in the last few chapters! We learn the truth about Jodi's relationship to Margaret, as well as some vital information about Hayden's family history. What did you think of those reveals? Did you have any theories that ended up being right, or did they surprise you?
What happened with Laura was such a shock, and I definitely expected a connection with Hayden but that was still surprising and quite tragic.


25. Alice finally has the hard conversation with her mother about how out of place she feels in the family and how she feels like her mother doesn't like her as a person. How did you feel about the conversation? Did it feel realistic to you? Was there anything left unsaid you wish would've been addressed?
Their conversation was realistic, but I feel like there was definitely more to be said, lack of communication is understandable but her mom was kind of aloof as well and that could've been explored more.

26. Emily Henry, the author, said that the song that best encapsulates this book is "the last great american dynasty" by Taylor Swift. I personally think there was a part that specifically felt like "marjorie" by Taylor Swift (when Alice talks about all the things she should have done when her dad was alive). If you had to pick one song that fits this book — either the book as a whole or a specific part — what song would you choose? Do you like when authors provide songs/playlists that go with their books?
Snow on the beach by Taylor Swift& Lana Del Rey is 100% Alice/Hayden coded.

27. "I welcome her to this great big beautiful life" — the epilogue finally reveals the significance of the title. What did you think of the ending and how the author wrapped up the story? Is there anything you wish had been done differently?
The ending was great, made me tear up and giddy however I would've loved more on how Margaret dealt with her daughter.

DQs Day 2
The Story to Chapter 13

5. Margaret is lying – and probably not just about one singular thing. Do you think she’s even telling Alice and Hayden the same story? Personally I’m also really curious where Margaret’s sister Laura is – to me it feels like she might be key to the whole story… anything specific that made you perk up?
I believe she isn't telling them the same story at all, and there's also the fact that Alice & Hayden probably have different processes therefore pulling different sides of the story from her.
I was worried that perhaps Laura died a terrible death.

6. Similarly, it was kind of an aside but I thought it was interesting when Margaret mentioned the Ives family’s rivalry with the Pulitzers. Is it just a random coincidence that Hayden is a Pulitzer-prize winning author who now also gets to talk to her? Especially since she requested him? And he has a bunch of family issues too?
Yesss, so interesting how that's going to be developed.

7. I was a little shocked when they were already kissing 25% in – and then not surprised when Hayden rejects Alice. Do you think he’s telling the truth when he says “I’m not going to hook up with someone whose dream job I’m about to take from them”? Or is there something else going on?
It was definitely surprising and it feels like he's hiding something.

8. We get quite a bit of detail on Alice’s job and research process as a journalist: what she’s searching for, working with fact-checkers, etc. Do you enjoy these types of details, i.e. minutae of characters’ jobs and hobbies?
Absolutely. I enjoy those kinds of details in stories.

9. I’ve been to Hearst Castle, but long before I actually knew anything about him. The Ives family seems to be quite obviously inspired by him (and I guess he was name-dropped for plausible deniability). Is there a specific family dynasty you’re really interested in?
The Rothschild. I bet their stories would fill up 25 volumes
10. Bonus question: So… anyone else feel like they’re reading Evelyn Hugo 2.0?
The similarities are wild.

DQs Day 1
Chapters 1 to 7

1.) Emily Henry is a popular contemporary romance author and a fair few of her books have been previous NBRC BOM selections. Any expectations for this book going in?
After reading Book Lovers and absolutely loving it, I fully expected to enjoy this book, and I definitely did.


2.) What are your first impressions of Alice? And sending that drink to Hayden?
She very much seems like a happy go lucky kind of person so it was sweet that she sent him a drink.

3.) Would you agree to the month long trial or tell Margaret she's a nutter and move on to something else? Why do you think Margaret is doing things this way?
I definitely would've left and moved on, this could've easily turned into a survival situation but maybe I'm just a scaredy cat.
Margaret seems like a person used to controlling outcomes or perhaps has trust issues so yeah

4.) After learning a few tidbits about Hayden's family and how he grew up, did you opinion change a bit on his character?
100%. I thought this was going to be a enemies to lovers trope and after meeting her in Margaret's house the way he did, just opening up and telling her all these things just made me realize he's a RBF kinda guy.

Namita wrote: "Moderators of NBRC wrote: "Team Leaning Tower of Pisa

Please welcome your new team member Sam A!"

Welcome Sam!"

Tysm Namita :)

Aiswrya wrote: "Sam wrote: "https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
I'll be reading Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewel for the letter T.
Is that ok?"

Yes! Go for it!

I noticed that you finish..."

I did not but I'll start on them now!

An exquisitely moving story about grief, love, and family—but especially love—from the global phenomenon Sally Rooney.

Aside from the fact that they are brothers, Peter and Ivan Koubek seem to have little in common.

Peter is a Dublin lawyer in his thirties—successful, competent, and apparently unassailable. But in the wake of their father’s death, he’s medicating himself to sleep and struggling to manage his relationships with two very different women—his enduring first love, Sylvia, and Naomi, a college student for whom life is one long joke.

Ivan is a twenty-two-year-old competitive chess player. He has always seen himself as socially awkward, a loner, the antithesis of his glib elder brother. Now, in the early weeks of his bereavement, Ivan meets Margaret, an older woman emerging from her own turbulent past, and their lives become rapidly and intensely intertwined.

For two grieving brothers and the people they love, this is a new interlude—a period of desire, despair, and possibility; a chance to find out how much one life might hold inside itself without breaking.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
I'll be reading Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewel for the letter T.
Is that ok?

Emily Henry was born in the US, Would Great Big Beautiful Life count?