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

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

The more of us who read it, the more points we get! Fingers crossed you are chosen, Sandy!

Way to go, Sarah! It's quite an accomplishment to read a doorstopper and it gave your team some extra points!

Yes, I agree, Sandy. I signed up on the thread to be your backup. I'm #4 on the waitlist at my library, so not sure I'll get it in time. I fly out on the morning of the 16th to help my daughter drive back cross country (CA to VA), so it needs to come in by the 15th.

I'll be back up for Sandy on team Barrel, if the book comes into my library in time.

Completion post
Book: Whatever It Takes: Geoffrey Canada's Quest to Change Harlem and America
Author: Paul Tough
Date read: 11/9/18
Pages: 304
Letters: T (Tough-author's LN)

Vicky,
Here's a link to my comments on the questions to the last part of the book, in case you need it.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Discussion Questions Set 3
Chapter 1-20 Part 3
14. Part 3 labels its chapters with locations, rather than the POVs used in the previous parts. Why do you think this is? Did you notice the change? Do you have a preference?

Yes, I noticed the change, but I'm not sure why Kwan changed it.

15. We see the outcome of three different relationships in this section: Alistair and Kitty; Astrid and Michael and of course Nick & Rachel, plus – of course – the flashback to Rachel’s mum’s experience of love and marriage across the money divide. What do you think Kwan is saying about the power and influence of money on relationships? Do you think the parents are reasonable in their view point, that you have to come from money to fit into the lifestyle? Can you see a happy ending in the future for Astrid, Michael, Rachel & Nick?

I think Kwan is trying to make the point that money has a huge influence on relationships. Differing views on finance is one of the top reasons for divorce. I can see the parent's point that to fit into the lifestyle you need to have grown up with money. Spouses with differing socio-economic backgrounds can be successful, but both spouses need to be alert to the power money has in a relationship. I have had friends where one spouse grew up wealthy and the other was more lower middle class and money has been an issue in those marriages. I do think Nick and Rachel have a shot at being successful if they improve their communication.

16. Kwan uses this book to expose the foibles of the Asian super-rich elite, from extravagant weddings and conspicuous consumption to the snobbery within the families. Do you think the book is successful in its social satire?

Some of it was over the top, to make the book more dramatic I'm guessing. but generally yes, I think Kwan was successful.

17. Obviously this has been made into a movie – have you seen it? What do you think will work well? And less well?

Yes, I have seen the movie. I liked it much better than the book. The glitz and glamour were beautiful on the large screen and the cast was excellent. The humor worked better in the movie.

18. This is the first in a trilogy – will you read the next books in the series?

Unlike most readers on GR, I do not usually read series. I did like the book a little more on the second read, but I'm not interested enough in the characters to read the other books.

What is the latest that we can post for a completed book on the east coast of the US on Saturday?

Hope you and your family feel better soon, Cait!

Here are my books to read so far for FEAST:
Every Note Played - Letter E (title)
Unsheltered- Letter T (character Thatcher)
That's all for now since this book is 663 pages!

Perfect timing on the new word! I’m just heading into the library.

I am now going to start to read Whatever It Takes: Geoffrey Canada's Quest to Change Harlem and America. It's nonfiction, so reads a bit slow. I'm guessing this will be my final book for the week.

Completion post
Book: Clock Dance
Author: Anne Tyler
Pages: 304
Date read: 11/8/18
Letters:
T (author's LN)
P (character Peter)
I (character Ian)

Whitney wrote: "I read the book in two days this past week! lol

Now I am having some friends come over and we are making asian food for dinner and watching the movie! WHO WANTS TO COME??? HAHAH"

So fun! I think you'll like the movie. When a book is made into a movie, I almost always like the book better, but in this case it was the reverse.

I've got a big stack waiting for our next word to see what will fit. Come on Week 3 word!

Vicki wrote: "Nanci, I would be intimidated too. It's always more intimidating when you're doing something of that nature among your peers, but you had great questions.

I definitely want to see the movie but pr..."
Thanks, Vicki! And yes, see that movie if you can.

Cat wrote: "They were ace questions! As were Deanna's. i'm now really worried about mine!

Speaking of: I'm going to finish the book tomorrow and try to get Qs up early UK time on Friday."

Thanks, Cat. Knowing I was writing the questions, made me slow down my reading a lot. Deanna's were helpful as what to write for me. I'm sure you'll do fine!

Tammie wrote: "Nanci wrote: "Team,
I have copied the link for Vicky to my responses for Part 1 for the BOM. Do I need to answer the questions for Part 2, which I wrote, and also Part 3 in order to get credit for ..."

Thanks, Tammie!

Team,
I have copied the link for Vicky to my responses for Part 1 for the BOM. Do I need to answer the questions for Part 2, which I wrote, and also Part 3 in order to get credit for our team, or just Part 3?

This is the first time I've ever written DQs and I was intimidated writing them. I just want to say, I have loved reading all your responses on this thread! You've responded just as I would on some and on others you've opened my eyes to seeing situations in a different way.
If you didn't get a chance to see the movie yet, try to watch it. It's fun to see all the glitz and glamour in the movie setting and I think they did a great job selecting the actors.