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

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

Jessi wrote: "Nanci wrote: "Question:
I notice in one of the spellouts the "Y" has Midu Hadi as reading for it, but there's no book listed or any other details on the planning sheet.

I am just starting to list..."

Ok! Thanks!

Nikk the Sapphired Book Dragon wrote: "I am about halfway through book number 4 but my time is all over the place at the moment. After going back to work on reduced hours last week, I have had my daughter at home with a cold the last tw..."

So sorry, Nikk! I hope your daughter continues to feel better and that both your tests come back negative. These are rough times.

Vaidehi wrote: "I was so ill in the past week. I am sorry fellas, I was not able to contribute so far! But now I am better and getting back to reading.

The Jetsetters is a weird one for me. Yet, I will finish it..."

Vaidehi,
In these days and times, we're just glad you're feeling better! Baby yourself a bit if you can, as you recover!

Question:
I notice in one of the spellouts the "Y" has Midu Hadi as reading for it, but there's no book listed or any other details on the planning sheet.

I am just starting to listen to You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks. I don't want to take Midu's spot, but if that's an error, we can use my book for that "Y". If Midu is truly reading for the "Y", then I'll find another letter for my book, I just wanted to be sure. Thanks!

Jessi,
I commented on Five Feet Apart.
It was for Day 1 questions. It's message 89 and here's the link:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Discussion Questions - Day 1

1) From what I know, this book is the novelization of the movie. While this doesn’t happen too often, I’ve read a couple books before that were only written after a movie/series (e.g. The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet). Have you ever read a book like this? What did you think? Was it successful? Did this experience influence your expectations of this book?

I've not heard of the movie and I can't think of another movie made into a novel that I have read. I am a stickler for reading the book first before watching the movie. In the case of this book, I'm still reading the novel first, since I'm not familiar with the movie.

2) Stella and Will, wearing face masks & using copious amounts of hand sanitizer before it was cool. All jokes aside, this is an oddly timely reminder that face masks do make a difference to prevent the spreading of diseases. I knew next to nothing about CF before starting this book and I’ve seen very mixed reactions to the representation of CF so I was wondering… do you have any experience with CF and therefore expectations? (If you don’t feel comfortable answering, feel free to just skip this question!)

It is very relatable reading about hospital protocol and wearing masks at this time in our world. I don't personally know anyone with CF and that includes working within an elementary school for 32 years. I am so thankful it's not that common. I like when books bring to light different medical conditions to help us all be more empathic and knowledgeable. Especially when the target audience is YA. With knowledge, comes understanding!

3) "If I’m going to die, I’d like to actually live first.“ This quote from Will’s POV reminded me of the countless bucket list stories and made me wonder whether this will go in that direction. Yet while Will takes more of a Devil-May-care attitude, Stella is very cautious to follow the rules. Do you think Will’s attitude is going to influence Stella as they got closer (literally?!). Will she also take more (dangerous) risks?

The strongly differing views on how each Stella and Will handle their disease affords the author a good storyline for conflict and problem solving. I like that the author took opposing points of view as it's realistic in how people in general react to life challenges. Some people will tackle problems face on, while others will use denial or avoidance. Most people vacillate between the two extremes and I'm thinking in the end both the characters will shift just a bit towards adapting to the other character's viewpoint.

4) Stella is a "tech nerd", even programming her own app. Most MCs in YA books have artsy, "girly" hobbies (sorry for using that terrible gendered stereotype), if they have any prominent hobbies at all. Books about artsy people are among my favorites and I’m always on the hunt for more. While I like traditional hobbies, some of my favorite books (e.g. With the Fire on High) have non-mainstream hobbies and I am actually quite excited to learn more about this aspect of Stella’s story. Have you read any other books where the main character had a prominent hobby that wasn’t drawing/painting/writing/theater/an instrument?

I like that the author has Stella as being talented at technology. It's good for females to see they can have a role in a mostly male dominated industry.

5) Stella’s parents are recently divorced, in what she calls the “most ridiculous divorce of all time”, and she worries a lot about them. It both breaks my heart and confuses me slightly why it is so far being kept from us what happened - we only know that Stella believes both parents are unhappy after the separation. So… what do you think happened?

I'm wondering why Stella refers to it as "the most ridiculous divorce of all time". That statement leads me to believe that previously the parents got along very well and then WHAM, something happened and it was like a light switch was thrown to off. Now, it could also be that she thought everything was wonderful, but all along the parents were having issues and just hid them well. Children don't know the intimacies of their parents marriage, but I'm leaning towards thinking it was something serious that occurred.

17.) Anyone else find Giovanni's thoughts on Cord (his a 36 year old adult) to be a refreshing bit of grow up, you're an adult, figure out a way to handle your crap? Did Regan's revelations to Giovanni change your opinion of her?

I really liked Giovanni. He was the one character who seemed to really have it together. I do think in the end, Cord finally realized what a great thing he had going with him and that they will stay together now that Cord is being honest with himself and others.

18.) What did you like about the revelation Lee (or really Jason via the credit card) paid for the trip, pretending Charlotte won the contest? Why do you think the author did this?

I was wondering from the beginning about how Charlotte just happened to be the one chosen to win the cruise and why a cruise ship would even have such a contest, so I wasn't totally surprised to learn that Lee had paid for it. Yes, it was Jason's credit card, but she was hurt about Jason replacing her with his new, young co-star, so I think that was fitting. Using Jason's card was definitely wrong, but I did think it was sweet that Lee was trying to get the whole family together and give her mom a gift that she would love. I think the author did this to show the soft side of Lee and how much she loved her family.

19.) A lot happened at the final stop. Charlotte had the 'big O' and fixed by the magical penis. Regan got back in touch with her artist self and her kids randomly appeared in a foreign country (how did they get passports? both parents must be present at the time of application in the US for children to be issued passports), Cord and Giovanni worked things out, Lee had her breakdown and started healing. Did anyone else think this was abrupt and when they were all together (including Regan's kids) thinking WTH is going on?

Regan's kids showing up was definitely a part of the book that didn't work at all and I found to be unnecessary, not only for the passport issues, but lots of other issues too. And yes, it was a bit abrupt when everything seemed to come to a satisfying ending. Sometimes I like endings that are "not known", sometimes I think sad, yet realistic endings work better, and sometimes I like all tied up happy endings. For this type of book, I wasn't surprised to have a happy ending. To me it was a summer read type of book...not meant to be taken too seriously.

20.) Final Thoughts on the book? Rating? Any idea what point the author was trying to make with this book?

I am definitely the outlier for those of you who have responded. I actually did not mind the book. I listened to it on audio and the narrator did a good job. I found much of it to be entertaining and I enjoyed the personalities of many of the characters. Most of them were larger than life types (especially Charlotte) and I thought many times they were quite humorous. Overall I remained interested in the characters and the story. I did find my views on the characters shifted throughout the book, as I got to know them more. I don't know if this was the intent of the author, but if it was it worked. The more sad and serious parts of the book were needed to provide some of the drama, so I didn't object to those aspects either. I rated it 3.5 and I think it would be an easy book group read and discussion. Yes, there were a number of imperfect parts within it, but I never did think it was going to be a wonderful literary read. I only had hopes for a fun, summer read and that's what I got!

I'm halfway through In the Distance. The writing is beautiful, but if you're not into poetic writing with tons of details, it would probably make you mad! I'm enjoying it, just a rather slow read.

I'm going to start reading the Five Feet Apart today, as I know that will read fast and then I'll make some comments for the extra points.

I actually liked The Jetsetters and gave it 3 stars.

I listened to it on audio and the narrator was good. It wasn't at all a stellar story or writing, but a quick summer read (listen). I found my attitudes towards the characters constantly changing. Different strokes for different folks!

Hope it works for her! I'm all about easy fixes with computers!

Midu wrote: "Guys, why can't I see anything on the sheets? logged in via laptop :("

Midu,
I just thought of something. Make sure you click on the 'Planning Sheet' link on Page One, Message 6 on this thread.

If you've been clicking on Tracking Sheet, it is blank. I've done that before, so hoping it's what's happening with you too, as that's an easy fix! Fingers crossed!

I posted in the discussion for the BOM The Jetsetters. I put the link on the planning sheet. I wrote responses for Day 1 and Day 2. My posts are 194 and 195.

If I need to do anything else with the Planning sheet, just let me know!

Judith wrote: "Is anyone else wondering this about Charlotte

That Less isn't actually Winston's but the painter's child. Or that Charlotte had an abortion or gave a baby up for adoption. Charlotte kept saying h..."

Yes! When I heard "tarnished goods", my ears immediately perked up and I thought just what you thought. (I'm listening to the audio...it's really good narration!)

Discussion Questions Day 2: Parts 2 - 4

5. We get more flashbacks to Charlotte's early life in Paris, and start to get an understanding of why her family isn't close or communicative - she herself was brought up to repress feelings. Will her current crush on Paros blossom into a full relationship? How will her fascination with Paros help or hinder her main aim of this holiday - to reconnect her children?

Poor Charlotte. She has lived a life of unrequited love! She sees that her time for living possibly is not in the far, far distance after the sobering death of her friend Minnie, and wants to grab the gusto now while she can. I adore that the author has written about a 71 year old woman as still wanting an active sex life and seeking someone who cherishes her. I'm 67 and so many times in novels we are seen as old women, who are on the sidelines or creeping along with canes! I am hoping she has a fun fling with Paros and that she's able to take away really good feelings about her time with him. For me, that would be enough. Paros doesn't strike me as the type to provide insight to Charlotte about her relationship with her children. Perhaps though, if Charlotte feels more secure about herself after an affirming sexual encounter, then she will begin to feel more confident about being honest with her children and accepting them for who they are.

6. Cord: he jettisons a year and a half of sobriety very easily, though I did enjoy how the author then used his drunken ramble through the ship to show off some of the glorious absurdities of massive cruise ships. Will Cord be able to pull himself together over the cruise or is he going to self-sabotage any happiness he might have had? Do you think Charlotte would react badly to his coming out of the closet? Any guesses on how he gets outed?

It was sad to see how easily he succumbed to alcohol again, but also totally understood. Sailing on the "family dysfunctional cruise" might be more of a hardship for him than any of the others. Inherently, he has his dad's drinking addiction coupled with the fact that he hasn't been able to be honest about his sexual identity makes a recipe for tough times for Cord. I really like Cord with his empathy for Regan and her situation with Matt. He was such a loving, big brother. I hope he finds himself and the love he deserves. It's been alluded that the family already knows his orientation, so I'm thinking Charlotte will not be that surprised. She may wish differently for him, but I'm hoping that will be one of her transformations and she will at least in time, love him unconditionally.

7. Lee: We get confirmation that Winston did commit suicide, and chose to do it in her bathroom (what a $*!@$!). Why would Charlotte make her lie to her siblings about how he died? And why does no one call her out about her lies about her career?

It couldn't be a dysfunctional family if there were no lies and no drama, right? What a heavy weight Lee has to carry with this lie! Charlotte is always about image; if Charlotte had been the one to find him instead of Lee, then none of the siblings would know, I'm sure. I would guess for Charlotte, suicide is embarrassing and she feels it could put her in a bad light. It might even cause people to question if she was a "good" wife. Charlotte is self-centered and first-most in her mind is that her life looks successful.

8. Regan: plotting murder! The plot thickens! What do you think the private detective has turned up? I assume it must be worse that infidelity, because you don't hire a PI unless you suspect infidelity, right? ('cos of course we have all thought about having our partners trailed rather than just, y'know, communicating with them!) Do you find the flashbacks to Matt rescuing Regan from the artist teacher (shades of Charlotte again!) make him more likeable?

I'm very curious about the report from the PI. Seems like it's more than just infidelity with Zoe so desperate to reach Regan. The flashbacks to the younger Matt help the reader to understand what drew Regan initially to him, so I found it interesting, but there are too many undertones for me to believe that kinder Matt is truly back. He's going to be our villan!>

Discussion Questions - Day 1

1) This is not a book I would’ve picked up on my own, and from the beginning I felt very strongly that I’m not the target (age) group, so I’m extra curious how I’m going to feel about this. Had you heard about this book before it was chosen as BOM? What were your expectations going in?

I had seen the book, but hadn't paid a lot of attention to it. I liked the cover and thought it would be a fun summer read, so I'm happy it was selected as BOM, as I would have probably read it.

2) I was surprised to see that the POVs rotates. Somehow the blurb made me think the whole book would be from Charlotte’s POV. Whose POV are you enjoying the most so far? Who is your favorite character?

At this point, we've heard the most from Charlotte and she is also the one I like the best. Her personality is larger than life and she makes me chuckle at the way she views life. She means well, but she can be so outlandish and opinionated at the same time.

3)While Charlotte is supposedly the closest to Regan out of all her kids, their POVs show that they actually resent each other the most out of any of our four main characters. I can understand where Regan’s coming from, but Charlotte’s dislike of Regan so far is quite a mystery to me. What do you think is at the core here?

I agree with many of the former posts. Charlotte is envious of Regan's relationship with her own children. Also, when an adult child lives in town with a parent, usually the parent is more attuned to the day in day out happenings compared to an adult child living far away, who can be more selective about what their parent knows.

4) What do you think will happen on the trip? Will they even do the whole thing? Who will be the first to pack their bags and run back home? Which secrets will come out first?

Yes, I definitely think the cruise will take place and they will all go. If not, then there's really no story. There's no easy way to run home in the middle of a cruise from Athens to Barcelona, but I do think some will wish they could. I'm sure they all have secrets and I'm hoping that the author continues with their fun, humorous, somewhat over the top characterizations throughout the story as the secrets emerge!

Welcome Ann and Brittany! We're glad to have you on our team!

The rain has finally let up for a bit here, so I'm off for a walk and to continue listening to The Jetsetters!

Midu,
Sorry you're having so many issues. Technology is great...when it works! I'm far from the most savy tech person, so I can't help you, but I do offer my empathy. It can be very frustrating! Hope it gets solved soon!

Brittany,
I don't believe any books can count if they were started before Wheel officially began, including the BOM books. Bummer that it's too early for a re-read.

Rainy afternoon here, made for good reading time! My second book is done and I've started listening to The Jetsetters. Enjoying it so far!

That's correct, Nancy. We are allowed just 10 tags per round. It's good to have some backups though, in case any of the books don't get read for some reason.

Sorry about your headaches, Nikk and Karen. Hope you feel better soon!

Welcome to the team, Ann and Sarah! We're glad you've joined us!