Sharon’s Comments (group member since May 01, 2018)

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

Teddie wrote: "Sharon wrote: "Ugh I’ve been trying all day to select the “notify me” box on this thread but goodreads is glitching and won’t let me. I’m going to have to remember to manually check in to this thre..."

Mines fixed now!! Hopefully yours too 🤞🏻

Ugh I’ve been trying all day to select the “notify me” box on this thread but goodreads is glitching and won’t let me. I’m going to have to remember to manually check in to this thread until it’s fixed.

Dhruti wrote: "Hi Everyone,

Myself Dhruti, I am from India, My fav genre Romance, fantasy. My shelf _ challenges-book

If you could take a literary pilgrimage anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
..."

Bridgerton locations is such a good answer!

Hi team! I’m Sharon from Northeast Pennsylvania. I mostly read romance, fiction, and mystery/thriller. I love team challenges because they keep me it of reading slumps and I get to be on a team with some awesome fellow readers 😊

Here is my Wheel Shelf - https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

What’s a book that made you want to pack a bag and travel somewhere new?
I recently read Float Plan and it made me want to travel to an island (maybe not in a sailboat though)

Do you prefer to read about far-off adventures or cozy, close-to-home stories?
Probably a mixture of the two

What’s a country or culture you’ve learned about through a book that really stuck with you?
I learned a lot about the deaf community from True Biz

If you could read in any scenic spot in the world, where would you set up your reading chair?
In a chair or hammock on the beach!

Woohoo way to go team! You all have been awesome to read with. Thanks for a great Tower Teams challenge!

To be honest though, I have a baked Mac and cheese recipe that I got from my grandmother and it uses this cheese. No other kind works, but it's the best Mac and cheese.

I’m definitely cheering!!!!

I’m definitely going to hit my book cap this round!

Carrie wrote: "I posted what I hope to read before the end - that gives me 9 so I have 1 to spare.

I actually have the next 4 days on my own with no commitments so I'm going for a reading staycation!"

Yay for reading staycations!!

The Beatles are mentioned in Atmosphere! I just read that one

DAY 3 Q'S CHAPTERS 20-30
Sharon - Team ESB

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 don't really agree with art is coincidence. I think that takes away and diminishes the talent of artists. Love can be chaos. And art definitely helps with despair.

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 regards 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?

I think the artist always pictured himself an an outcast, even from his friends at times. I'm not sure yet about the title of the picture, but I think it will make sense later.

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. I think Ted loved the artist, but maybe not romantically. Or if he did, he knew it wouldn't be reciprocated in that way.

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?
Backman is so good at friendships and relationships. Beartown is one of the best books (series) to show this. The relationship that has had the biggest impression so far is between the teens growing up. I like how much they look out for each other.

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!)

I didn't see that coming at all! I hope they reunite and continue with their story. I think the tragedy is going to be with the teens in the past and not the current storyline.

I’m working on My Friends too and will try to finish tonight!

Day 2 QS
Chapter 12-19

Sharon - Team ESB

#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?
Love them! I almost picked a wedding gown that had pockets

#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?
I think he’s one of the childhood friends. I don’t think his name is actually C Jay though; I think that’s the kids’ initials. Joar, Ali, and Ted.

#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?
It reminds me of Ove and the neighbors from A Man Called Ove. I’m enjoying the banter.

#8. In Chapter #19 we find more about the mentioned Ali. What is your impression of her?Any guesses on what happens next?
She’s a tomboy and fits in with the boys. I think they all might be outcasts. I’m wondering if hers is one of the funerals mentioned.

#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?
I am! I’m looking forward to learning more about their history and seeing how the friendship between Louisa and Ted progresses.

Day Qs - Chapter 1-11
Sharon - Team ESB

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’ve read a bunch. I really like his writing. He’s so good at creating characters. Especially curmudgeon-types.

2. In the first chapter we are intorduced 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?
I don’t know of any specific events, but I think he captured well how at some level of wealth it’s more about appearances and toons, rather than true appreciation.

3. "Artists vs Normal People" - another apsect 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 generalisation?
I don’t think it’s artists vs “normal” people. It’s more like artists and non-creative types, like left-brained/right-brained people, or type a/type b people.

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 hope she and Ted can stick together and help each other.

Bonus Q: do you have a favourite artist or a favourite piece of painting/sculpture? Not really. I appreciate art, but I’m definitely not a connoisseur.

I just picked up a couple books from the library today. Two of them are 7 day loans so I’ll have to at least finish them before the round is up.

DQs Day 5
Chapters Fourteen - Seventeen

Sharon - Team ESB


20. Well, I think we all knew that we were going to end up with Norma turning out to really be the lost girl and her being reunited with her biological family. Do you have any thoughts you'd like to share on that reunion? Or a comparison you'd like to venture between what we know of both of Norma's

I’m happy for Norma. I think she’s lived a very lonely life until now, and now she is reunited with lots of family to fill her life again.

21. Aunt June stays true to her word. She promised to help find Norma's real family and she managed to find the article that would bring this family reunion about. Do you think the conflict between the two women was well handled? From the moment Norma gave in to her anger and yelled at June to the moment where June told her that going to meet her family was not something for her to intrude upon.
I still think it will take some time for their relationship to be what it used to be. I can’t imagine the betrayal that Norma must feel.

23. All in all, were you satisfied with the book? The story - did you enjoy following along Norma's and Joe's lives? The writing - did you enjoy the way the words flowed over the page, painting a world and its landscapes without however overusing words? Or maybe that's just my opinion - that it flowed nicely and pulled the reader along like a boat gently rocking on water.
I did enjoy it! I really liked that we found out right away who Norma was and then it kind of worked backwards with both Norma and Joe telling their stories.

24. Would you read another book by this author? Do you maybe have recommendations for Native American literature that you'd like to share with the group?
Yes I’d read another book by this author. I don’t have any other recommendations, but I’m looking forward to seeing the ones from everyone else!

DQ Day 4 Chp. 11-13

Sharon
Team ESB

16. While Joe has pretty much run away from home life, He gets a job and buys a truck. He runs into a woman who didn't feel necessary to give her name. Do you think this is Norma (Ruthie)? Do you think Joe would recognize her if it was?
I didn't think it was Norma; I do think he would recognize her. I think she is someone who maybe is part of Joe's story in shaping his decision to eventually go back home.

17. Joe is gone over 8 years when he finds out he has a kid. Did you think he would actually go home to be with his family? Why do you think he can't/won't?
I think he is still struggling with demons and doesn't want to inflict that on his child like he did on his wife.

18. When Norma misses that her mother is getting older and forgetful, did you judge her for not moving in and taking care of her mother?
Not at all. That's such a hard decision and it may not always be the safest option for the person with dementia or the family.

19. Was you losing faith that Norma would find out the truth before the end of the book? How did you think she would find out? Was hearing the truth from her Aunt a surprise?
No, I thought she would eventually find out. I thought maybe she'd find the information in her mother's stuff. It must have felt like such a betrayal to find out from her aunt and to know that she knew all along.

DQs Day 3

Sharon - Team ESB

12. When Norma tells her mother she's pregnant, Norma notices fear in her mother'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 was concern for a possible miscarriage and maybe reliving/recalling her own troubles with pregnancy. I kind of think that Lenore blocked out the fact that she kidnapped Norma and so it wasn’t a concern she thought about.

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?
I think Norma’s forgotten memories drew her to Nova Scotia. She felt a connection there even if she didn’t realize why. And it’s probably coincidence that she crossed paths with Ben in Boston. It’s funny how small the world can be at times.

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?
Keeping his daughter a secret was probably for the best. They saw his struggles with alcohol and how it affected his behavior. This book really shows the different ways trauma can affect someone. Joe’s loss of his siblings definitely led to his troubles and ability to handle circumstances.

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?
I don’t even know if she was thinking of Norma when she said that. I think subconsciously she knew she did it before with Norma and so she could love an adopted grandchild.

Sharon - Team ESB

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? I was pretty sure Jodi was more than just an employee, but I couldn’t figure out how she was connected. I couldn’t remember if her age was ever shared, so part of me wondered if she was Margaret’s girlfriend. I didn’t see the reveal about Hayden coming at all!

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? it did feel realistic, and it really made me feel for Alice’s mom. She lost her partner and also felt like she didn’t have a connection with her daughter anymore.

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?
I’m not really a swiftie, so I can’t speak to those songs and how they relate. I do really like when songs are woven into the story or a playlist is included. Firefly Lane comes to mind as an example of this type of music laden story.

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
I loved this book. It was different from EH’s other books, but it was still so good. I really like how everything wrapped up. This was a 5 star read for me!

I'll definitely finish the one I'm currently reading. I may be able to finish one more, maybe two if we don't have plans for fathers day with my in-laws.