Nanci’s Comments (group member since Jan 29, 2016)

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

9) Considering Satoru seems to be quite perceptive overall, do you think he knew about Sugi’s less charitable feelings about him, both in the past and during this visit?
Satoru is just so lonely. I think he is just grateful to have anyone as a "friend". I doubt that he knew how Sugi felt about him as a friend.

10) So far, the chapters have all been combining Satoru and Nana’s journey with Satoru’s past with several other people, as well as their backgrounds. How do you feel about this interlude (chapter 3.5) focused entirely on the man and his cat? What does it add to the story?
I love the relationship Satoru has with Nana. I thought it was important to give the reader a real understanding and also to see how Saturo was projecting his loneliness on to Nana ("I'm sorry, Nana. You must have been lonely.") when really it's Saturo who is lonely. The descriptions of their journey were wonderful. I had a lump in my throat concerning their final journey, towards the end of the chapter.

11) For the first time, we got a hint of what’s going on with Satoru when the dog said “he smells like he isn’t going to make it” in chapter 3, and this came up again in chapter 3.5. So it sounds like Satoru is ill… was that your prediction for question 4?.
I didn't say anything for question 4 earlier because this is a reread for me but yes, when I read it the first time I figured Satoru might be ill.

12) Squabbles between cats and dogs were really present in these sections. So: Are you a cat person or a dog person or both (or neither)?
I love cats and dogs. I've had more cats than dogs, but that's just because we've had more than one cat at a time and also we had one dog who lived to be 18 and the other lived to be 16. Sadly, we currently do not have any animals because we travel all the time now that we're retired. We do have 2 granddogs, who we love!

Yikes, I just noticed that my name was chosen to write DQ for The Travelling Cat Chronicles. Lucky for me I've been reading along and commenting and that I was chosen for the end of the book chapters. Now I'll get busy writing some questions that I can post on the 19th!

Keely,
I loved all the Ken Follet series books, but Pillars of the Earth was my favorite. I never read such a fat book, so fast!

GR is working for notifications for this group for me now! Yay!

DQ: 17 May - The Unsentimental Farmer


5) I really like reading the cat's thoughts. It can be quite funny. Do you think these are convincing cat thoughts?
The voice that the author gives Nana makes it very evident that the author knows cats. I had a lot of cats growing up and have had a few as an adult over the years. I love their fierce independence and how they can be sweet and loving one minute and then be done with you the next. They keep us on edge! Nana is so funny and relatable. I find myself laughing out loud, even though this is a reread for me.

6) In this chapter we are introduced to Yoshimine, another potential owner for our cat. What do you think of him and his backstory?
Such a sad life. I was glad he at least had his grandmother to help raise him.

7) Do you think Yoshimine would have been a good owner for Nana ?
I think he would be ok as an owner. He's never going to be as loving as Satoru or want to cuddle as much, but I think Nana would adjust.

8) Yoshimine has already a kitten called Chatran, and Satoru makes fun of him for naming his cat with such a cliché name. What is for you the most cliché cat name(s)? In french it is quite common to call a cat Chaussette (meaning sock), Mistigri or Felix (actually a cat food brand).
I've known a few white cats named "Snowy" and some others named "Fluffy". Puff became popular during the early 1960's in the US due to the popular books titled, "Dick and Jane". They had a dog Spot and a cat, Puff.

DQs 16 May: Prologue - The Husband Without a Wife

1. How are you liking the way the story is written with its alternating POVs ? Is there a POV you prefer ?
Note: I read this book a few years back. I recall the main gist of the story although some of the details are fuzzy. I really loved it the first time around and I'm sure I'll see things differently on this second read. It's a different experience knowing the characters and how the story ends.
Now to answer this first question...I do like the alternating POVs. I'm feeling the same as the first read in that I love the cat. His personality is so endearing!

2. Through the flashbacks we get to know Satoru's personality a bit more. What do you make of him so far ? What did you think about his way of helping his friend Kosuke?
Satoru is a kind and caring person. I think his friendship with Kosuke is special and he tries to be helpful.

3. Talking about Kosuke, what's up with his parents ? It seemed to me that Kosuke was genuinely convinced that his father would agree to keep the cat (Hachi). What did you think about his backstory ?
Kosuke's dad is not kind and he is good at intimidating people. He seems to just have his agenda in mind and not what may be best for Kosuke.


4. Why do you think Satoru can't take care of Nana anymore?
I don't want to say, since this is a re-read.

Hello teamies!
It's been so long since I checked in. As I mentioned earlier, even though I have checked and rechecked while "only notifications" is checked as my preferred method, I am not getting notifications for this group. My other groups all work, so I'm at a loss, but I just need to make myself remember to look at our thread.

So much going on with all the artistic people in this group. I'm very impressed! I'm not crafty at all, although I am artistic with my cooking, baking, and decorating and I can still play guitar. I used to play so much more and thought I would pick it back up when I retired, but...too many books to read!

Melissa, I love your description of the book grabbing at your library. We don't have anything like that, but it sounds fun.

I stopped buying books years ago, although I do occasionally buy "air" if I buy an e book. Mostly I get paper books and digital books at our library. I go there at least once a week to pick up books or browse.

I used to also think audiobooks weren't really reading, but now I probably listen to 1-2/month. Listening helps me "read" more books and especially when the narration is good, I can really get into the story. If I don't walk with friends, I always have another good "friend" with me with my audio book.

Our planning sheet is looking really good! We're knocking it out of the park! I just finished The Exiles, so I'll add it to the SS. Very good historical fiction, if you like that genre.

Welcome Joyce, Shan and Tory! It's exciting seeing our team members check in! I look forward to getting to know you all!

Hi team!
I'm Nanci, one of the co-captains, and very excited to get to know new people and reconnect with a few from former challenges. I participate in many challenges and enjoy almost all genres (except horror) as long as the writing is good. My favorites are historical fiction, psychological thrillers, nonfiction and contemporary.

I live in Virginia (EST) with my husband of 42 years. We have 3 married children (two of them live within 15 minutes of us) and 6 grandchildren, so far. My passion is justice for children (I worked as a school counselor for 32 years).

I signed up for discussion questions for the first BOM. I read The Travelling Cat Chronicles in June 2020 and highly recommend it.
Can't wait for this to start!

I read this in 2020, but it was so good, I'm happy to reread. I can write discussion questions for Team Jason.

Cat wrote: "Nanci wrote: "Thank you soooo much, Cat! I was chatting with a friend about it and she told me it takes place in Richmond, VA where I live. That makes it even more tantalizing! It has been sitting ..."

I did! I posted links to my DQs that I answered. Thanks for allowing me the late submission!

Here are the links to my 3 DQs that I answered. Thanks mods for letting me submit late!
Day One; https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day Two: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day Six: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Day 6 DQs: Forty-Two - Forty-Five

23. Did you like the resolutions of the book?
The total blow out at the end was just beyond for me. Beyond realistic, beyond believable, beyond comprehendible! I'm not a fan of big shoot outs, or Hollywood endings. Mostly I kept thinking about how traumatized that poor child would have been and yet at the end she is seen as playing perfectly normal. No way. In real life, she would have horrible PTSD and require serious counseling for years. I was sure from fairly early on that Buddy Lee would die, so that part made sense.

24. Would you recommend this book to others? Do you have any recommendations inspired by this book you'd like to make?
Most people I know don't like that much violence, so no I don't see myself recommending it. However, the writing was good and obviously by the reviews many people loved it. The mystery of it was captivating and it read very fast.

25. Will you read SA Cosby's other title?
If it wasn't violent and filled with profanity, I would. I thought his writing was decent.

Day2 DQs Chapters 11-21


6. Grayson, Gremlin and Dome sound like a bunch of nefarious solicitors to me but their "Club" definitely has very different priorities. Tangerine was obviously aware of something. What do you think she was going to talk to Derek about?
I thought Tangerine was afraid of something or someone. She was looking to Derek to help her. Maybe it was political or had to do with gun running.

7. I think we could have predicted that violence was inevitable as Ike and Buddy Lee look into who was responsible for their son's deaths. Does it change how you feel about their characters? I am sure that none of us would turn to violence, but maybe we would feel like it. How far would you go?
Both men were surrounded by violence in their lives. Ike probably even more so than Buddy Lee. I'm sure he didn't get any help in prison with anger management, so he was basically trying to recreate himself once he got out by following all the rules and building a business. Having his son murdered and not finding any trust in the system caused him to revert to his MO. I don't endorse the violence by any means, but I do understand why it happened. I could feel their complete frustration with everything they were up against and how it felt like the two of them against the world. I would hope I wouldn't react violently, but if someone murdered my child, I can't even fathom the amount of anger I would feel and trying to process that I would need an army of support.

8. We meet Christine, Derek's mother. Buddy lee describes how they met and lived before their divorce but then we meet her in person at the cemetery. What is your opinion of Christine and how do you think she has achieved her peace that she claims she won't let Buddy lee take?
Christine is a "survivor at all costs" sort of woman. She is going to see an advantage in a situation and take it, even at the expense of leaving her only son. My guess is she had a really rough upbringing and no way is she going back down that road again. I don't really think she has true peace. She's just in denial and trying to make herself into someone she's not.

9. I am fascinated by the author's take on grief and it's repercussions. When LaPlata says he understands how Buddy Lee feels what is your reaction to his statement?
People often tell people they understand, but in reality every individual has a different walk with grief than another person. Even Ike and Buddy Lee who suffered the same injustice of having their sons murdered mourned in their own individual way. I think LaPlata said it with best intentions, but it would have been better left unsaid.

I am going to find it very difficult to stay on track with this book and not read ahead - started 2 other books to try and control my need to know
It was a page turner for sure!

DQ1 Chapters 1 through 10

1. We have been introduced to the main characters, and the reason for them being thrown together. Do you like them yet? Do you sympathize or empathize with either or both of them?

Initially I liked Ike better than Buddy Lee. Many men are homophobic, so while I wished that were not the case, I could sympathize with them in that they were probably acting the way other men around them acted and also perhaps were raised with prejudice towards alternative lifestyles.

2. This story touches on some big topics; homophobia, crime, poverty, screwed up family dynamics, race, etc. Do you like the way the author is presenting them to us?
Right away I had an issue with the excessive use of profanity. I know some is needed to be authentic, but after awhile my ears were hurting. I had a hard copy, not audible, which I probably would have DNF. But, other than that I did like the way the author presented it.I learned different phrases that were new to me.

3. We get a chapter on the bad guys, (maybe the killers?). Do you have any feel yet for why the men were killed?
My guess at that point in the story was that they were just mean people out for some kind of sick thrill.

4. Do you think the police are actually trying to solve the crime and running into walls, or do you think they are not trying very hard? Why?
Early in the story I thought they were actually trying. Not really hard, but trying. No one would talk to them, which I'm guessing is often the norm in such situations, but that did make it hard for them.

5. Are you enjoying the book so far?
I don't know if enjoying is quite the right descriptor with all the profanity, but I do think the author is doing a good job getting the setting and characters going and it is a page turner.

Thank you soooo much, Cat! I was chatting with a friend about it and she told me it takes place in Richmond, VA where I live. That makes it even more tantalizing! It has been sitting on my table staring at me for awhile and is from my library, so it may be the first thing I read for UNO starting tomorrow!

Moderators of NBRC wrote: "As Nanci hans't shown up....

Day 6 DQs: Forty-Two - Forty-Five

23. Did you like the resolutions of the book?

24. Would you recommend this book to others? Do you have any recommendations inspired..."

I am so, so very sorry! This totally got lost in the shuffle of my other challenges! This is so NOT like me! I feel horrible that I was assigned and didn't make up any questions. I am reading the book for UNO, which doesn't start until tomorrow (Feb 1). I don't know what I was thinking when I signed up to write questions in January. 1,000 lashes with a wet noodle for me, as my mom used to say!

Would it be allowed to still answer questions here, once I read the book and use it as bonus for UNO? If not, I totally understand and so sorry once again!

This book sounds really good! I will volunteer for DQs, but like Lisa I would need later question as it won't be in to my library until early January.

I thought the caps achieved the goal intended overall. It helped keep people accountable for the books promised instead of having people go way above and beyond their estimation and then the teams could not be as competitive. On a personal note, I have very few books over 400-500 pages on my TBR list. I would rather read three 300 page books, than one book of 900 pages. I lack the patience! LOL. I did feel a bit bad that most of my books were not that long, but on my team we needed books, so I don't feel it was that much of an issue that my books were shorter.
Thanks for asking for feedback and for all the work you marvelous mods do to create and run the challenges!

Lauren,
As a retired elementary teacher and an elementary school counselor, for a total of 32 years, your comments about your teacher really warmed my heart! I loved my students and tried to have personal relationships with each one! Sounds like you really had a winner in the teacher who took extra time to get to know you and support you during times in your life that were stressful. That is why I loved both of my professions dearly. Teachers and counselors have the ability to make a positive change in a young person's life in the way no other professions can. It's true we don't make much money. Our 3 children right out of college all started out in their first jobs making twice the amount of money I ever made after 30 years and a master's degree, but I wouldn't have wanted any other profession. I always love it when former students call, Facebook, or visit me. It's the highest compliment a student can give. Contact that former favorite teacher! I guarantee she will be thrilled! Your last line in message 40 is the reason she was an excellent teacher!