Ashlee’s Comments (group member since May 10, 2016)

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

Sorry that I haven't been reading much lately, team. I have been battling my migraines again, as well as, reading a pretty iffy book, The Summer that Melted Everything. I am going to try to push through it in the next few days.

COMPLETION POST

The Hate U Give
444 pages
5 stars
Comments on discussion 106 and 107

5. Starr returns to school for the first time since the shooting. We get to see the other side of her personality, the one she puts on for her prep school friends. How does the situation we are in impact the way we relate to others? Do people have several personas or are we for the most part our true selves in whatever circumstance?

I haven't ever encountered a person who doesn't have multiple personalities around different crowds. I think we change what and how we say things depending on who we are around. Starr's situation has to be difficult because, for the most part, the circles we hang around fit our lifestyles....Starr's friends have zero knowledge of what her life is like.

6. We are introduced to Starr's prep school friends. Hailey makes a comment related to "fried chicken" and Starr gets offended. Do you think Hailey meant the remark in an offensive way, was it intentional or not? Was Starr being hyper-sensitive? How do you think this will affect the relationship between the two girls in the rest of the book?

I don't think Hailey was being racist. Starr was just being sensitive because at this time she has the white/black conflict on her mind. I think she and Hailey will get past this.

7. Throughout this section you feel the underlying guilt Starr is experiencing regarding the relationship between her and Khalil, or lack thereof. Do you think this was a conscious decision on her part, because she wanted to distance herself from life in Garden Heights or was it inevitable, a natural progression as they got older?

Since Starr goes to a different school, I think it was only natural that her friendships in Garden Heights wouldn't stay as strong.

8. Starr is asked to recount the events of that fateful night to the detectives. How do you think she handled interacting with the police officers? What does this say about her character?

Again I think back to the fact that she is a 16 year old child who has now seen two of her friends shot and killed. I think she handled the detectives with great maturity. I'm not sure that I would have been able to contain my anger as well as she did.

Day 1 Questions, Chapters 1-4

1. Starr is considering whether to admit she was at the scene or not, due to fear of her own safety. What do you think you would do in that situation.

I would like to say that I would do the right thing and admit to being at the scene. However, at 16 years old, I can see where the difficult decision comes into play.

2. Do you think Uncle Carlos is right when he says that the police officer may have felt threatened because he knew Khalil was a drug dealer?

No, I do not agree. The police officer should have been trained enough to know the difference between a threatening and nonthreatening situation.

3. Starr is reluctant to trust the police with her statement, and I think I would feel the same in her situation. Do you think that Starr should trust the police?

I certainly would not trust them at this point. I'm also not sure, as a parent, that I would have allowed the questioning to go as it did.

4. What are your thoughts on Mav's insistence on staying in the neighbourhood despite the fact that Starr has lost two friends in her short life to both a gang shooting and a police shooting? Do you think that life would be safer for Starr if she moved away?

I do think her life would be safer if she were to move. However, I do see her father's insistence on not running from the situation.

COMPLETION POST


310 pages
4 stars
6/13/17

Welcome, Sophie and Lucy!

COMPLETION POST
Velvet Kisses
212 pages
4 stars
6/10/17

COMPLETION POST

You
424 pages
3 stars
Discussion questions on posts 129, 156, 177, 207, and 218

As much as I disliked this book, I have requested the sequel from the library, just so I can see what happens to Joe.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - DAY 6

26. She definitely reacted like I would have. Totally creepy to find such private things stashed in a wall. With that said, I think deep down, he knew she would eventually learn of it.

27. The whole time I thought it may end this way. I was surprised that Amy came back into Joe's life. As much as I disliked this book, I think I will have to read the next one just to see where the story goes.

28. I didn't like Beck's character. She changed back and forth so much throughout the book that I lost interest. However, no one deserves that fate.

29.

30. I did not enjoy this book. It was a bit to creepy for me.

31. I have already requested the sequel from a local library. As much as I disliked this book, I'm curious to see if Joe gets what's coming to him. I'm hoping that Beck and Benji's bodies are found. I'm sure Amy will end up dead along with the rest.

DAY 5 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

19. I'm not really sure what Joe saw in Beck. In another question, I mentioned that I thought he became attached to her because she gave him attention. It's the same thing he did with Karen, until he couldn't stand her obsession with him.

20. Haha. This is an exact thought that I have had while reading. I'm not really enjoying this book, but I find myself continuing to flip page after page to see what happens next.

21. I like the idea of writing notes to oneself as a form of therapy. However, I think Beck was just writing what she thinks Dr. Nicky would want her to write. As for Dr. Nicky's notes, I think his are spot on. He was falling in love with a client.

22. Aside from her own obsession with Beck, Peach saw through Joe. I'm not sure that she knew exactly what he was capable of, until she saw him right before her death, but she knew there was something "not right" with him.

23. Joe stayed with Karen because he thought of her as his "cat" that would keep his mind off of Beck. I think Karen has a good effect on him. She shows him what married life could be like, as she seems to be an open book.

24. Joe doesn't want to be helped because he doesn't think there is anything wrong with him. He only went to Dr. Nicky to see what it was like for Beck. As for Dr. Nicky, he is a manipulator, telling people how to overcome their obstacles while he has a basketful of his own.

25. Curiosity has gotten to be me, but just like everything else in Beck's life, I think this re-attraction won't last.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS DAY 4

15. He had to let her in. If he didn't she would have become suspicious, and he would have become even more anxious and self-doubting.

16. It is definitely not a good idea for them to work together. She is using him for the comfort of his friendship, and she knew if she complained enoughh he would offer her a job.

17. 100% believer of Karma being a nasty bitch. Although, this leaves me curious as to how he plans to get home.

18. I am not a fan of this book. It's a bit too screwed up for me. However, I find that the pace is pretty good. I am, however, finding myself getting interested in the outcome.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS DAY 3

11. It was surprising that peanut oil was used to kill Benji. I really thought Joe would use a violent means of ending Benji's life. I don't know that his remains will be found, but I do think the computer search will be found on Benji's computer.

12. I do think Peach is in love with Beck. She is obsessed with keeping Beck away from Joe and from her other friends. She gets mad anytime she can't reach Beck.

13. Joe is not one to give up easily, so I do think that he will try again to kill Peach. Unless...he finds a way to out her love for Beck. Yes, the balloon ordeal was a horrible overreaction. I get that this would be a scary time, but we all know people send gifts to the hospital to cheer you up.

14. I think that it is Beck at the door. However, I don't think that she recognized him. I think she is now just thinking that she needs someone to comfort her, and Joe is her fallback man. I think he will accept her and do exactly what she wants.

DAY 2 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

5. I think Joe plans to keep Benji until Beck decides she is done with Benji. Then, Joe will kill him. After all, who will miss him if his friends think he is on a bender and Beck is done with him.

6. Too many to choose, but I would go by the series or author rather than the book.
1. Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich
2. Eagle Elite series by Rachel Van Dyken
3. Mary Higgins Clark
4. Nora Roberts
5. Danielle Steel

7. I don't see why Joe is enthralled with Beck. To me, he comes off as someone who will obsess over anyone who gives him attention. I don't feel bad for her, though, because she continues to lead him on.

8. I think Beck is leading Joe on. She needs a man to give her attention until she hears from Benji again.

9. Beck's friendships are solely based on status. All of these women come from wealthy families who are intertwined. They will continue to be friends no matter what happens.

8.

1. What do you think about the POV? Does it draw you in or push you away? It's not quite in 2nd person, but it's much more direct than most 1st persons, even ones that break the reader wall. Do you feel Joe is talking to Beck, to you the reader, or both -- are you supposed to identify as Beck?

So far, I'm not a fan. I don't like the POV. However, I don't feel as if the reader should be identifying with Beck. At this point it seems as if the reader is just to be understanding the characters.

2. Many times books are set in first person to make it easier to emphasize with the narrator. Do you have sympathy for him? Do you feel you understand why he feels the way he does? Would it be easier or harder if you saw him from outside?

No, I do not sympathize with him. His psychotic ways have apparently been learned behavior; something that should have been taken care of long ago.

3. Is Joe an unreliable narrator? He's clearly delusional in some ways; how deep do you think that goes? Do you trust him that he's really doing everything he reports?

He is definitely not trustworthy, due to his delusional behavior. He has "cooked up" this whole life with Beck in his head, and from his behavior as a stalker.

4. What do you expect from this book? What made you decide to read it? Do you expect it to have the beats of a thriller, or does the adventurous point of view change your expectations?

I sure hope that it gets better. This is not a genre that I would normally pick up, but am reading because it is a BOM.

COMPLETION POST


279 pages
5 stars
June 3, 2017

I am also starting it today. Glad I got it from the library from the comments I am seeing. :/

COMPLETION POST


208 pages
3 stars
5/28/17

I really enjoy this series, but this one was a bit annoying.

I'm excited for our school year to be done at the end of the week, so that I will have more time to read. :)

COMPLETION POST

The Circle
497 pages
3 stars
5/27/17

I did participate in 4 of the discussions, do you need the numbers of each post.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - SET 4

1. Mae is now fully transparent. I found it hard to believe that anyone would care what one ordinary person was doing 24/7, even if she works at arguably the most important company in the world. What do you think is the appeal? Do you believe that full transparency would help bring an end to crime as we know it?

I agree that I find it hard to believe that so many people would be in awe of Mae's daily activities. I do not think it would bring an end to crime. One reason being, we can do this now with Facebook Live. A few months ago, in a nearby town, we had what was deemed a "selfie killer." Someone who "went live" to committ a murder.

2. "THINK COMPLETION". "COMPLETE THE CIRCLE". "THE CIRCLE MUST BE WHOLE". All thoroughly creepy slogans, yet most everyone seems to be pushing for that goal. What do you think will happen when the circle is complete? With as pervasive as this company is, do you think it's too late to even try and stop that from happening?
At this point, I don't think the circle will be closed. I haven't read any spoilers, but I have a feeling that Mae is going to do something that will keep this from happening.

3. Kalden calls Mae and sounds very concerned. He starts to warn her about Completion and telling her that it would be a very bad thing if it were to happen... and she hangs up on him. Do you think that Mae is fully within the Circle's grasp? Or do you think she hung up before the audio kicked back in and Kalden could be exposed, even if it was just his voice? Do you think he can convince her to help him?
I think she hung up on him in order to keep him safe. She still is unsure of his role in The Circle, and she likes this mystery. At this point, she is starting to realize that he may be involved outside and she is curious. I think eventually he will bring her on his side and they will keep the Circle from closing.

4. So not everyone is drinking the Kool-aid. Mae's parents and Mercer are both, in varying degrees, resisting having their whole lives wrapped in the Circle. Mercer has gone completely off grid. Do you think they'll be able to hold out against all this advancement? Or do you think, as Mae does, that they'll cave in eventually?
I would hope that they will be able to hold off and keep their lives private.

5. In this section, they introduce the concept of YouthRank, a system to academically rank every student in America and, eventually, the world. Of course, this information would be available to anyone. It's touted as a way to get an idea about your child's chances at going to a good college and is even incorporated with TruYouth, the child tracking system developed by Francis. Do you think this would be a good idea or a bad idea?

As a teacher, I think this is an awful program. We all know that there are students who rank lower, but are completely successful adults. Systems such as this are just another way for bias to occur.

6. Annie and Mae seem to be on equal footing, now, and Annie does not seem pleased. Do you think Mae's new position within the company will further affect their friendship? Mae says that they are peers now but Annie can't accept that. What do you think Mae is going to do to make Annie accept her?

I think Mae's status has already put a wrench in her friendship with Annie. I also think that Annie has an idea of who Kalden is and what he is trying to do, and this is why Annie has distanced herself. She doesn't want to be involved with the "bad seed."

DISCUSSION SET 3

1. What are your thoughts about Mae, Francis and the video? Do you think The Circle will see the video? Is Mae through with Francis now that he has hit the strike two mark?

What a sneaky little man. I hate the video, and I do think that The Circle will eventually see it. Everything like that always surfaces. If she isn't done with him, she would be stupid!

2. Congresswoman Santos goes transparent. Nothing is private or secret. every conversation, every meeting, every part of your day will be broadcast . What are your thoughts on our elected leaders going transparent. Yay or nay?
'
I say, "yay." After all, they are making decisions each day that affect all of us...why shouldn't we see what is going as it is happening.

3. Mae and Mercer are involved in another arguement. There are always two sides to an arguement. Whose arguement bears more weight? Are you more partial to Mercer or Mae's side?

At this point, I am more partial to Mercer. I'm starting to realize that it is a scary world that we live in; knowing that this could all come to the forefront in the future. Why does everything have to be on social media?! Mae has zero time to even think about anything else.

4. Anyone else find it extremely ironic that Mae gets caught stealing a kayak by one of Marion's cameras, which we find out is a SeeChange camera from Mae's workplace? As a result of Mae's actions she is reprimanded at work and forced to be transparent. What do you think about what just happened?

I really don't like how there is no separation of work and personal life. I don't agree with her being reprimanded at work.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - Set 2
1. What are your first impressions of Gina? How do you feel about her session with Mae?
Gina, like many of the other characters, is arrogant. I don't like how Mae is being singled out for the company's lack of training.

2. Mae gets pulled into Dan's office for failing to RSVP to Alister's event. What do you think about this conflict between Mae, Alistar and how Dan mediated? Do you think The Circlers are forcing new employees to participate in events by singling them out when they don't attend?
I also think that these characters, like Alistar, are childish. Not everyone can make it to your parties. Suck it up, Buttercup. I do feel like The Circlers give their employees the guilt trip to get them involved in things.

3. Mae and Mercer get into an argument regarding their communication. Mae cannot even sit and listen to what Mercer is saying because he "talks so slow". Mercer is frustrated with Mae because she gets all her information from social media instead of speaking directly to him. "Every time I see or hear from you, it's through this filter. You send me inks, you quote someone talking about me, you say you saw a picture of me on someone's wall...It's always a third-party assault. Even when I'm talking to you face to face you're telling me what some stranger thinks of me. It becomes like we're never along. Every time I see you, there's a hundred other people in the room. You're always looking at me through a hundred other people's eyes." How do you think social media has affected the way we communicate with others? How has technology changed our relationships (the quality of our relationships) with other human beings?
I'm pretty sure I have this discussion at least twice a week at home and at work (as a teacher). My students have lost all sense of their writing because of the ability to text and such. It seems that all discussion leads to "well, I saw this on Facebook." When going to a restaurant, I look around and almost everyone is on his/her phone. There is no longer discussion with those around you.

4. Mae enjoys kayaking and stops at Marion's kayak rental business on her way home from her parents. She seems very at peace when she's paddling in the bay. When and where do you find solitude? What types of technology are you comfortable invading that space? Josiah and Denise find out May kayaks but doesn't document anything and are appalled. They are even further disgusted when they find out Mae uses a paper pamphlet. They even go as far as questioning her self-esteem.Are we now expected to document everything we do instead of being in the moment? Is our self worth now dependent on what we "share" with the rest of the world?
I think that when you are spending time focusing on yourself, you are continuing to your own mental health. For one to be expected to "document" this time, seems to be ironic since The Circlers are so focused on health and well-being. I find solitude, alone, reading.

5. How do you feel about the medical bracelet the circlers are required to wear? "To Heal We Must Know. To Know We Must Share" is posted in the clinic, do you agree with this How much privacy would you be willing to give up for those amazing health care benefits?
I find the technology within this device to be amazing. However, I don't know that I would appreciate my health being monitored for someone else to see 24/7. I don't agree with the motto because I feel that your health is your business.

6. Mae spots Kalden at the circus event. What do you think of their relationship? I find it odd that Mae cannot find any information on Kalden, given all the resources she has access to. Why do you think Mae is not more zealous on her pursuit of Kalden? Kalden seems to be very secretive. He avoids personal questions, Mae cannot get in touch with him, what do you think he is hiding?
I'm not sure what to think of Kalden at this point. I am leaning toward him being some sort of spy for the company, and Mae has fallen victim because she is the naïve newbie.