Annalisa’s Comments (group member since May 04, 2018)

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

Maddy wrote: "Oh, well good luck, hope it is not positive and everyone is alright :)"

Thank you, me too.

I will probably get tested. Since I have been staying home except for work not much will change there. I'm waiting right now to see if the co-worker's test comes back positive.

I'm planning on reading a Q this weekend or possibly sooner. One of my co-workers went to Florida and was exposed to COVID and the office got closed, so I have an unexpected long weekend. I'm really angry about it, but not much I can do now it has happened.

Completion Post

Book:
Date: July 25th
Task: Read a book with MPG Espionage.
***it has a MPG Thriller Spy>Espionage does that work?***


Book:
Date: July 26th

book are on planning sheet

Completion Post
Book: Daring and the Duke
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Date: July 24

Updated the planning sheet

Completion Post

Sapiens https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Updated the SS

I've got an hour and a half on Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind and I'm hoping to finish it this evening or tomorrow. I've been listening to it with my boyfriend so it depends on him as well. It will not work for our next word though.

Completion Post
Book

I used the default edition for page count as I listened to the audiobook.

Day 1
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 2
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 3 & 4
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

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 expect it was hard for the parents too. They wanted to fee close to their son and Justyce helped them feel closer. Giving Justyce the watch was interesting and touching. His reaction of being shocked was what I would expect.


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?
It seems like Quan had a very similar upbringing to Justyce and the difference is that Justyce left and Quan stayed. Quan’s view is a bit defeated but when you have a bad reputation even when you do good why keep trying? There was a line that Justyce repeats to himself after he leaves about responsibility? that I thought was really interesting. I can’t remember what it was exactly now. I have a feeling Quan’s advice will be positive but in that he doesn’t follow it completely.


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 seems to be sensationalized which it often is. Going beyond facts and that bothers me. I don’t know that the media is taking a side on purpose but they do seem to be trying to say that the police man must have had a good reason. With the Halloween picture I think they are making it worse. I do think this is how the media works and the author is doing a good job representing it. I don’t think it will ruin his chance to go to Yale but it might cause challenges. The media at the funeral was disposable.


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 Jared about the release of the photo. What are your thoughts on all these and the character development of the teens?
I thought the character development was good. I’m glad that S.J. seems to be talking to Justyce again because he needs someone like her. Doc is a great person for Justyce to have in his corner but he is an adult and won’t have the same relationship as Manny did with Justyce. It seems like Jared is going to be the one who changes the most and I am glad to see that. Maybe he and Justyce can find peace.


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"
He should not have gone and I think after he leaves he knows. He did need a place to feel understood and he wasn’t getting that at school or from his mom.

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 would have been better for them to wait but I think having S.J. and her mom there to say he was at their place was good. It might have gone different if he was singled out alone.

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.
He needed to stand up to his mom. She wasn’t there for him when he needed her after the arrest and when he was feeling down. I agree if he refused it would have made him seem guilty. His mom is racist in a different way and that bothers me too. When you make generalizations it hurts everyone.

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)?
It reminded me of something I read somewhere about fearing what we don’t understand. I think this might be even more true right (pandemic and political leaders who creat divisions) now that it was in the past.

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?
Justyce seems to be realizing that he has to be comfortable with himself and know who he is before he can expect that from others. I also thought the last letter was the most powerful of the letters. It shows that Justyce was growing as a person. It seemed like he was more comfortable with himself at the end 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 wasn’t surprised that Jared changed. He seemed like he was caring but oblivious and once he realized he would be the most open to changing. I liked that he and Justyce were finding a friendship at the end. They both lost a lot.

I should finish Dear Martin today.

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 have no idea what she was thinking. Maybe it was just that it was bad timing and she didn’t want to be kissed. Maybe she wanted to stay friends. Maybe she knows Justyce has some issues and wants him to figure that out first.

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 Manny grew up in a setting that didn’t really let him see how it was disrespectful his “friends” actions were. I can’t really think of a time when I had to work on something before I stood up. There are times when I hold my thoughts because it doesn’t seem safe.

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 had a husband and wife team Professors in college and they were very involved in helping their students succeed. They were amazing. I wondered if Melo was just a random call verses Manny calling her to check in Justyce. I really hope she doesn’t play a big roll in the rest of the story.

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 understand both. It seems like maybe something in the middle might have been good.

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’m annoyed that the news didn’t do a better job portraying what happened. And he was a police officer...

Hi Cat,
From team Murder on the Orient Express. You asked for Asia tag recommendations. If you don’t mind a long book I loved 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami. I think all of his books are tagged Asia as well.
Not by an author from Asia but Shogun is also very good and also rather long.
I’m not sure if it is tagged Asia or not but I read the first in a Chinese serial novel series earlier this year, Doomed to be Cannon Fodder, and quite enjoyed it. The translation could have been better but it was funny. The main character is pricked by a cactus and taken back in time.

Sorry for not having links to the books.

I can read/listen to A God In Ruins which has a character named Ursula Todd. I was saving it for a U.

Completion Post
Book:
Date: July 21

Updated the planning sheet.

Jackie wrote: "Completion Post

Title:
Author: Guy Gavriel Kay
Pages: 383
Date read: 7/21
Letters: S, G, K, R, E
Tag: No
Task: Read a book with a bird on the cov..."

How did you like it? This book has been on my TBR for a while and I keep wondering about it and the author.

And now I remember why I didn’t care for Shadow and Bone. Love triangles make me feel a little crazy if they aren’t very very well done and I didn’t think this one was. I read it in 2013 so it was a long time ago.

I read Shadow and Bone shortly after it was released and I’ve been avoiding the author since. I didn’t dislike the book but I also didn’t like it enough to continue the series. Maybe I should give her another try.

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 didn’t really like or dislike the main character. I do not care for the monologue or the letters. I wonder if it will grow on my as the story progresses? So far I’m thinking it won’t.

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?
I don’t care for Melo she seems pretty selfish. SJ seems like a nice intelligent girl and from my perspective so far they seem to have more in common than Melo and Justyce. Justyce’s mother seems a bit tough and I wonder if that is what he needs. She clearly loves him but it almost seems like she is too tough. I don’t really like that his mother told him not to bring home a white girl. That doesn’t seem to match up with what I expected from her, but we don’t really know her.

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 guess I would have asked him what he thought would happen if Manny was stopped by police for speeding? Then asked if he thought it would be different if it was him? It is a very different topic.

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?
I thought it was a stupid idea and I would have told him. I would have liked someone to ask Blake to what the costume meant to him. I thought he got what was coming.

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?
Yes, Manny should have said something. I could have been as simple as your wrong.

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?
Leaving was the right thing to do. Questioning what Trey said and feeling like it might be true is natural. Trey might feel like Justyce is tiring his back but different people want different things. There are stereotypes and Trey thinking Justyce has to be one way because of his race perpetuates racism from the inside. That isn’t helpful either.

Completion Post

Book:
Date: July 19th

updated the ss with information.

Maddy wrote: " beach?"

I don't know. It's hard to tell. Maybe...