Bernadette’s Comments (group member since May 28, 2020)

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

Thanks captains! It's been good travelling with everyone on the team✈

I added my last book the SS this morning

Italy is completed!

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.

I'm not an artsy person. I was in Paris in May and did not visit one museum. Art is just there.

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 regard 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?

It's a painting! Does the title matter?

12. Louise asks Ted, "Were you two a couple?" In light of how the relationship is written were you surprised by his answer?

No, I wasn't surprised by his answer. Could have been but didn't happen.

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?

Christian and the Artist was interesting and meant a lot to him. I think it was pivotal.

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!)

Did not think she would leave. I'm beyond this chapter already so I don't want to answer the rest.

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?

Pockets are the best. My dress for daughter's wedding had pockets and of course I mentioned that to every woman that complimented it!

#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?

Why is "the artist" nameless? I'm starting to find it a little annoying. The artist it VERY significant to the story! The artist seems to be the story. More to be revealed??

#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?

They both seem to need someone in their lives and may have found it.

#8. In Chapter #19 we find more about the mentioned Ali. What is your impression of her?Any guesses on what happens next?

I don't things will end well for her since she was not there for the artist.

#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?

Enjoying it so far. Two sad stories but I do laugh occasionally.

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?

Yes, I have read other books by Backman. I like his characters. I didn't like Beartown as much when I read it years ago but want to give a re-read.

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?

Some, not all, rich people will want things for the wrong reasons - the want to OWN things because they CAN.

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 generalization?

I think artists see life differently in some respects that other people. Artists are "normal people" too, just with a different view on life.

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?

I think she may keep the painting, maybe become an artist herself. We'll have to see, that's just a guess.

Bonus Q: do you have a favorite artist or a favorite piece of painting/sculpture?

No.

Ashley wrote: "Oh yay! My Friends hold just came up at the Library!"

I just got mine yesterday🥳

The last Travel task is done! The Bird Hotel had travel as an MPG.

Ashley wrote: "Bernadette wrote: "@Ashley, I'm still waiting for My Friends. I have the audio & eBook on hold as well as the large print and regular print book at the library. All of my bases are..."

I have audible credits as well, that is always an option if necessary, for certain authors of course.

@Ashley, I'm still waiting for My Friends. I have the audio & eBook on hold as well as the large print and regular print book at the library. All of my bases are covered. 😂

@Captains, what is the correct end date for "My Friends"? The SS says the start & end date are both July 2nd.

I always use the most popular version but this was the first time I ran into it being another language 🤷‍♀️. Lesson learned 🤣

Laura, I saw the page count for the Red-Haired Woman but the most popular with 195 pages is in Turkish so I used the highest English since I don’t speak or read Turkish. Change the page count if you need to, but that was my rationale 😉

Turkey in completed!

Starting my book by an author born in Turkey today.

I finished Summer Sons if someone can mark it on the SS.

@Captains - I'll be leaving for a flight in about 2 hours and will away from computer until Monday night. I'll post book completions here so you can add them to the SS.

Laura wrote: "New task:

Read a book with a character who desires world domination

I just finished A Claim of Fortune. It works for this task but is currently on the E in TURKEY. Does anyone have a book for thi..."

I'll be starting a book tonight that has a character with an "E" name. I'll add it to the SS.

Aiswrya wrote: "Tricia wrote: "I just finished The Marvels, and the MC takes a train. Just an FYI in case you want to use it for that prompt."

Bernadette also finished the book. Any other tasks your book could wo..."

I just finished my other book too.

My standout books were the The Dream Hotel and The Reformatory. Both were 5 ⭐s for me.

Laura wrote: "Yes. It wouldn’t let me do it last night. Aiswrya will do it when she gets a chance. If you have a book for that task you can put the number in as usual and as soon as she adds it it will pull it i..."

I put the info on the SS, I assumed it would populate when it was fixed.