Stacey’s Comments (group member since Oct 31, 2019)

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

Popping by from Team Shannara with a recommendation for a book tagged 'Asia'. I don't have many, but this one is special. It is listed as a middle grade book but I've read it and it is wonderful for kids and adults alike. It has won several awards and was a nominee for the Newberry Medal.

Book recommendations: two I've read recently and really loved were The Vanishing Half and The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. Other good ones are The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, The Rosie Project, and The Broken Girls.

I'll have to look for some Xs. I know I've read one or two lately and can find others. I think I'll be reading the BOMs and I've volunteered for DQs. We will see though, they weren't my choices.

Oh, and I will try to do better with Tasks! Can't believe how much I screwed up that one.

"Was LGBT on the main page when you started the book? It's poofed again.."

No, it is shortly after but has the same # of people that shelved (or very similar at 156). I also found it listed as LGBT in several other places. If that doesn't work use task 83, mainland Europe as it is primarily in England. Sorry!

I'm not familiar with Good Omens, will have to check it out. I was wondering if you knew that one. I'm definitely with you - love food in many forms.

How are you coming with the book? What are your current thoughts?

Completion Post
Girl, Woman, Other
Date: 7/20
Pages: 453
4.5 stars

Letters:
Y: (c) Yazz
G: Title
S: (c) Shirley
E: (a) Bernardine Evaristo
A: (c) Amma

Task: 74 MPG LGBT

Jenny, there are studies that show that plants have a response when someone who hurts them walks into the room. Not necessarily feelings, but........

I finished today. So good.

DQ Day 4
Chapters 19 - end

16. What do you think about Justyce going to see Martel. Do you support him going or disapprove. I know he later regretted it, but I can't help feeling he went to fit in. Or maybe to become more like "his kind"
I think he was trying to figure out who he was and if it mattered.

17. During these chapters there was the scene with the police at Justyce's graduation. Do you think it was wrong of the police officers to approach him in front of all his friends and family. Should they have waited until he was done talking to them to approach? It's definitely a difficult situation cause I can see it being argued from either end.
It seemed like a conversation that could have been held at another time. I am sure there was a reason, I am just don't agree with it.

18. During the conversation with the police, Justyce stands up to his mom and asks her to treat him like an adult. He also mentions that if he went along with his mother's idea and refused to talk, he would've appeared guilty. What did you make of these two confrontations? Also, we get the behind the scenes reasoning about why Justyce's mom doesn't approve of him dating white girls. What is your opinion on her reasoning? I personally understand what she's saying, but not all white people are alike just like not all black people are alike.
I think Justyce is really coming into his own there and seeing things from a new perspective. I think it is sad but true, although he probably should have had a lawyer (although I am guessing they can't afford that).

19. While hanging out with S.J., S.J. says, "Jus, I think I hate everything... Why can't we all get along like butterflies." To that quote Justyce thinks to himself that all the butterflies "look exactly alike." What do you make of this quote? Why do you think there is so much hate around people looking different (doesn't only have to be about race, but defects, disabilities, other differences as well)?
I do think that we tend to try to make ourselves feel better about ourselves by comparing ourselves to others. I like SJs thoughts but at this point Justyce is justifiably negative.

20. I thought that Justyce's last letter to Dr. Martin was the most meaningful. He mentions that maybe the issue is that he doesn't know what he was trying to achieve by his "What would Martin do?" project. I found it very resonating when he mentioned Doc asking him "What would Martin be" and he couldn't find an answer. What did you think of the last letter to Martin? How do you think Justyce has changed throughout the book?
I agree. I liked this letter and the ending a lot, it made up for a lot of the lack of subtlety in the rest of the book.

21. I personally think that by the last chapter Jared changed the most thoughout the story (which actually surprised me a lot because in the beginning I thought he was hopeless). He went from a racist to actually caring and being Justyce's friend. Did your opinions change on Jared at the end of the book? What about the other characters?
I do wonder how much of his attitude was due to his parents, especially how he acted regarding Manny. Some of it was surely them but some of the worst at the end was probably him not standing up to his parents. Manny's death and going to college had a huge impact on him.

I finished my other two books so I've been able to spend more time with this. I am about 1/2 way through. I think what I like the most is how the women in the stories are all connected in some way and it is multi-generational. It makes me a bit sad to think how hard of a time each of them have had, although in different ways.

I feel like I may have to go back and draw a diagram for how they all fit together.

Completion Post
The Fifth Season
7/18
Pages: 468


Letters, all characters
I- Innon
Y - Ykka
A- Alabaster
S - Syenite
E- Essun
G - Galena

Task #68, Hugo Award Winner

How are you enjoying the book? How far in are you?

I am about 1/3 of the way. Dominique's story was so interesting and I kept wanting to yell at her. Carole's was sad and I'm a a fair way into Bummi's. Lots of things to think about.

Completion Post
Book: Dear Martin
Finished: 7/18
Pages: 210

Letters, all characters
S: SJ (Sara Jane Friedman
E: Emmanuel "Manny" Rivers
G: Garret Tison


Task: 162: 2 word title

BOM: BOMDQday1 BOMDQday2 BOM DQ day3

Will answer tomorrows as well once posted but finished today

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?

The whole thing must be so hard for all of them. Justyce is definitely feeling strange about getting things for surviving when his friend did not.

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 can see how Quan go there. I hope long term it will help him to understand others but not send him down the wrong path. I can see how it could lead him astray.

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.

The media coverage was hard but probably realistic. I agree that many of us don't want to imagine that this can really happen so we search for reasons to justify why it happened. I know I was raised thinking of cops as the good guys and I want it to be true. There are just too many cases like this to realize that it is not as simple as that.

15. Chapter 18 goes through a lot. We see Justyace 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?

I think that hard times do push people. Sometimes away and sometimes together. Doc is a great black male role model and I can see how Doc would want to help and how good it would be for Justyce. Death definitely makes you reevaluate.

Blonde Roots sound intriguing!

I started listening to this yesterday. It is easier for me as I am reading another and also listening to the BOM. I think I might be missing out though and may have to check out the print version. I will say that I wasn't sure about this in the beginning. I think Amma's story was a bit difficult for me to connect to. The Yazz section was really interesting and now I'm starting Dominique and am enjoying it.

DQ Day 2; Chapters 7 - 14

7. Let's start with Sarah-Jane. Justyce and her definitely had feelings for each other, and they didnt 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'm curious as well. I'm sure that the interaction with Melo didn't help and I'm guessing she is second guessing his intentions. Probably unsure if he likes her or is caught up in the moment.

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 Dr. Dray summed it up really well. Manny himself talks about not having black friends. Fitting in can be hard and feel awful at that age. I'm a female and have worked in male dominated fields. I don't know if I'd call it standing up, but I've definitely behaved certain ways to get people to pay attention to me. I couldn't yell like the men. My guess is that all of us have done this at some time or other.

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?

Doc is great; plus it's a residential private school so I think things are ok. I don't think it is too involved. Mela I think will always be there in spirit but I don't think she will be there after he goes to college (I hope he goes!)

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?

There is never one right way to parent so I won't judge. Teaching kids how to interact with police seems so standard for all of the people of color I have known, so I was surprised about that.

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'll be honest I did take a quick peek :x)

I am listening and missed the end of the chapter, so yes I got a bit ahead. That said, I think just based on how the book has been going it is pretty clear that Justyce survives no matter what happened or the writing up to that point seems wrong.

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 him and I like that he is imperfect. I like the letters to Martin idea a lot.

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?
Justice commented on how he wasn't as attractive or popular as others. I think that this, and his mom, colors his perspective. I hope he grows out of a lot of his doubts.

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?
I don't know that there are examples that really work with someone who isn't ready to hear it. It is easy to figure out reasons why. I really liked Trevor Noah's example from his book: teaching a man to fish is nice but teaching him and giving him a fishing rod is much more helpful. There are always examples of folks who succeed despite the odds but the truth is that it is hard to break from expectations.

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 so awful. No words.

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? Should is a hard word. We all have to figure out how to fit in. Would it have been nice? Maybe. Would it have changed his friends perspectives? Probably not. I am sure all of us can figure out a time when we would have liked to say something but decided it wasn't worth the hassle. He also seems to need support. It was clear he didn't want to go out on Halloween but really wanted Justyce to stand with him, or maybe say something first.

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? I liked Justyce's thinking. A decision on the party wasn't an easy right/wrong. He doesn't like what leaving with the white kids said, but he doesn't really fit in with Trey and company. Honestly, there is often too much pressure on folks of color to be more than just themselves. I had a friend who was in grad school and felt like if she didn't finish, or do really well, she was letting down not just herself but all people of color.

Completion Post
Perfect Little World
Date: 7/16
Pages: 352

Letters:
K: (a) Kevin Wilson
I: (c) Izzy (Isabelle Poole)
G: (c) Preston Grind

Let me know if you need other letters. I listen to the audiobook so spelling and remembering full names isn't always easy.

Task: 13, Dr. as a main character. Dr. Preston Grind


Now I can start Dear Martin. Glad to see you are enjoying it!

I'd be interested in Girl, Woman, Other. I'm not sure about Valentine and it will take a few weeks to get a copy.

Volunteering for DQs (Team Shannara)

Volunteering for DQs (team Shannara)