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

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

We got to live our dream and travel to New Zealand last January. It was amazing!! We planned it when we met at 24 and finally got to go at 64. It was worth the 40 year wait!

Jess, I don't think there's any worry with that. Maybe it will give Anna time to find a book she likes. I think Wheel-a-thon is keeping many of us very busy. Good luck on finishing War and Peace!

Nanci wrote: "Ok, Vicky.
Here's the link to my responses for the discussion questions for the first part of the book.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...-..."

Here's the link to the DQ that I just posted on the thread.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Discussion Questions
Part Two Chapters 1-18

1. How do you feel about Michael's desire, early in his marriage, to live independently from Astrid's family fortune by selecting to live in a place he could afford to buy, even though it was far below Astrid's accustomed lifestyle? How much weight do their different economic backgrounds carry as the reason Michael cheats on Rachel? Were you surprised to learn that Astrid had not told Michael about the other properties she owns?

2. It seems as if Amanda's mother, Jacqueline, is vying to set up Amanda with Nick. At the end of chapter 7, Eleanor is feeling "the stars are beginning to align". How do you think this could impact the story?

3. Rachel isn't fitting in very well at the bachelorette party. Do you think Araminta is aware of how rude the girls are being to Rachel? Whose side do you think Araminta will take if forced to choose?

4. We learn Bernard has a history of bullying Nick and others from the time they were young and hasn't matured or changed over the years. Give your reaction as to the bachelor party and the solution Nick devises for Colin, Alistair, and Mehmet to escape the yacht.

5. After her accident, Astrid confronts Michael about his cheating. Astrid is ready to hear the truth, forgive Michael, and work on making their marriage happy, but instead Michael quickly packs his bag and leaves. Do you think this move is final? Will Astrid continue to pursue him? Will Michael change his mind and return to her?

6. What do you think Eleanor means on the last page of the final chapter for Part Two when she states, "We should all just sit back and watch, because things are about to get interesting."

7. Have you enjoyed the book thus far? What is your prediction on how the book might end?

Vicky,
Please add Clock Dance to the SS. It's due back at the library, so I need to read it this week.
The only letter it works for right now that I see is T (author's LN).

Completion post
Book: Pride and Prejudice
Author: Jane Austen
Pages: 334
Date read: 11/5/2018
P: title
No other letters found

Completion post
Book: Sunburn
Author: Laura Lippman
Pages: 292
Date read: 11/5/2018
Characters:
P-Polly Hansen
I- Irving Lowenstein

Vicki,
The President is Missing will need to be removed from the SS for the 2nd week, since I read it during the 1st week.

Completion post
Book: Where the Heart Is
Author: Billie Letts
Pages: 376
Date read: 11/5/2018
Characters:
Novalee (N)
Turtle (T)
Mr. Ortiz (O)

Ok, Vicky.
Here's the link to my responses for the discussion questions for the first part of the book.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I will post the link to my DQs that I write in a few days.

Discussion Questions for Day 1
Prologue & Chapters 1-18 (Part 1)

1. In the prologue, Reginald Ormsby wouldn't let Eleanor, Felicity, Alexandra and their families stay at the hotel. What do you think the author was trying to say with this opening? Were you surprised at how the situation was resolved?
First, a disclosure that I first read this book about a year ago and finished rereading it today. I also saw the movie in between the two readings. I liked the book both times (although I liked the movie the best) and will try to give the reactions I had after reading it the first time.

I think the author was trying to set the scene with just how wealthy Eleanor's family really was. Anyone who can buy a beautiful 5 star hotel is quite wealthy, obviously. I think the author was also showing how smart and spunky Eleanor was. I loved how the issue was resolved and it gave us a peek into the humor that would be forthcoming in the book.

2. The second encounter with Eleanor Young in chapter 2 seems completely at odds with the woman introduced in the prologue. What are your first impressions of Eleanor as a person? as a wife and mother?
It was at odds with how we first saw Eleanor, as she showed her own racism towards either an ABC or a Taiwanese girlfriend for her son. I saw her as being a concerned mother, who wants what she thinks is best for her son. There is some foreshadowing that Rachel might have a hard time when meeting Nick's mom.

3. Nicholas seems very down to earth in comparison to his mother and even his cousin Astrid. He doesn't seem to think his money would change his relationship with Rachel. What are your impressions of Nicholas? What do you think of the way he is handling introducing Rachel to his family? Should he have taken Astrid's advice instead?
I really like Nick at this point. I love how he's so carefree and really seems to adore Rachel. I do think he should have prepared Rachel some by giving her some background information on his family. Rachel is a bit of a worrier and it may have relieved some of her anxiety to have time to prepare.

4. Rachel has clearly made several incorrect assumptions about Nicholas and his family. Were you surprised that Rachel's friend and her family had never heard of the Young family or knew about his grandmother's house? What do you think is going through Rachel's mind as she pulls up for family dinner?
Yes, I was very surprised that Peik Lin had no knowledge of the Young family when they were both wealthy and from the same area. As Rachel pulls up to Nick's house she's probably thinking, "What in the world???"


5. Astrid's return from Paris has not at all gone as expected. What did you think about her way of handling her husband's probable affair? about her internal dialogue of the matter? Did you have any sympathy for him after watching him endure the family lunch?
Poor Astrid. She just is in denial when she sees the text. Later I think she's just trying to rationalize everything and using the history of what other men in her family have done to try to alleviate her fears of him possibly not loving her anymore.
6. Rachel clearly has an amazing relationship with her mother. What did you think about their relationship? Do you think it will make it easier or harder for her to understand Nicholas' family? What about her friendship with Peik Lin? Do you think it will help her interact with Nicholas' family?
Rachel's relationship with her mom is so real and loving. It may cause her to have a harder time relating to Nick's family, but at the same time, I think Rachel knows not all families are as close as she is with her mom. I'm glad she has Peik Lin with her and I do think that will help her with her interactions with Nick's family, as Peik Lin can help her understand the cultural differences.

Completion Post

Week 2 POTION
Book: Crazy Rich Asians
Author: Kevin Kwan
Pages: 527
Date read: 11/4/2018
Characters:
Nick (Letter N)
Nancy T'sien (Letter T)
Oliver (Letter O)

Bonus: BOM and I wrote DQ for it.

Tammie wrote: "I need to make a change for ‘potion’
Instead of reading Crazy Rich Asians this week...I’m going to be reading Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, Magic Rises and one other...I’ll r..."

Eleanor is a cute book. Hope you enjoy it!

Oh wow. I didn't know you couldn't finish a book until it's the current week you want to use the book. Good to know and glad my President is Missing book was able to count towards this week. I'm going to start reading the BOM book now, but will be sure not to finish it until at least Saturday night or Sunday morning. Taking a 3 hour car trip today for the weekend, so should be able to get some reading in as my husband drives.
Great first week, team!

That would be good, Tammie. We just need that last O and we'll be good to go!

Also, Tammie, if you can find that link that would be great.

megan wrote: "So the gif with the Bill Clinton starting with B totally made my day"

Haha! It is a good one!

I just got a message that my name was selected to write DQ for the BOM Crazy, Rich Asians. Yay! That will get us some extra points!
I've never written them before. I'm doing Day 2. The book starts Nov 4th. Do I just go to the thread and post them on the morning of Nov 5th? I want to make sure I don't mess it up or miss the deadline.

So happy my name was drawn to write DQ for the second part of the book!

Laura wrote: "Apoorv wrote: "Spreadsheet updated till Post 224, except Post 217 since Week 2s post will not be added till the end of Week 1.

We can use it for Week 1, so Nanci if there are more character letter..."

There is a character with the name Erica Beatty, so we could use if for an E also. Sadly, no O names. Please use how it fits best. :)

Completion Post
Book: Where the Heart Is
Author: Billie Letts
Pages: 376
Date read: 11-2-2018
Letters: W (title) or B (author's FN)