Apoorv ’s Comments (group member since Mar 26, 2014)

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

Cappies, links to my discussion questions for the BOM, The Sun Down Motel. Will add others, if required, in a wee bit.
DQs - Day 1
DQs - Day 2

Discussion Questions - Day 2
21% to 42%

6.) This section opens with some spooky stuff going on. If you saw literal ghosts in the creepy place you worked, would you split right away? Would you of left with sketchy-past Nick? Would you go back to work or think the overnight creep factor was making you see things that weren't really there?
Having worked the exact same job as both Viv and Carly, I totally expected to see ghosts during the night, more so because I don't really believe in them and wanted my thoughts challenged. So, honestly, if it happens I would love to be around than run away because I have so many questions. But, I understand why Carly decided to split with Nick at that time - when you experience something so out of the blue and there is someone who is there with you, you definitely would want to verify if the experiences match, or was it just your imagination.

7.) Viv listens to guests' phone conversations. There is the saying 'people who eavesdrop are seldom happy with what they hear'. Or something close to that anyway. Do you think she may over hear something that results in her disappearance? Would you listen in if you were Viv?
I wouldn't listen if I were Viv, because I think that saying has some meat to it. And while the phone conversations may not be a direct reason for Viv's disappearance, I definitely think that she will chance upon something really interesting which she finds important, which can set into motion a lot of things.

8.) There really have been several deaths of young women in Fell, especially factoring in the size of the town. Do you think they are all connected? Connected to Viv's disappearance? Do you buy into the police stance of no connection between any of them?
I do not buy into what the police are saying about these murders. I suspect that there is more that either they don't know or don't want to divulge. And there is definitely a chance that all these murders have a connection.

9.) What do you think of the complete laxness of management and staff at The Sun Down Motel? Anyone else wonder how the heck that place is still open? And more importantly, why?
I have actually seen a lot of run down motels across different cities, that just are there occupying spaces that could be used for better things. But, I guess it comes down to the owners not wanting to sell their land, and not having enough money in renovating whatever they have because they don't have enough guests - which is because the place looks creepy - so its sort of a weird business cycle that eats itself. As for the Sun Down Motel, the owner himself doesn't want it, but as he said, no one wants to buy it - so its going on!

10.) Any thoughts on the candy machine? It keeps popping up in both timelines. Maybe nothing, but in this type of story, who knows.
Oo, creepy candy machine! Honestly, I am guessing that is where one of the murders happened, or something related to a murder happened, and thus its life-like responses - but then again, it might be nothing and just a fiction of imagination or coincidence.

11.) Marnie and Callum are interesting additions to the character line-up, thoughts? Did you think it was strange that Marnie won't talk with Carly? Callum local nice boy-helper dude or creeper?
There is a lot that Marnie knows but isn't quite telling Carly, for some genuine reason as well I suppose. And Callum comes across as someone who is very nosy and invested in Carly's story - there is something more to him.

Discussion Questions - Day 1:
0-21% (ends "he opened the door.")

1. The Sundown Motel...what a perfect name for a motel! Have you ever stayed at a motel before...something like the Sundown? What was the name of the motel...Any interesting experiences come of that?
I have actually worked the exact same job that Viv and Carly have worked - the graveyard shift at a motel. So, this is very close to home and I am absolutely thrilled about it. Especially the details that Simone St. James details about how the night is the eeriest at 3am, or how the time just before dawn is very different than the entire night, is something I have been talking about to people I know for years now. I loved my experience and I didn't really have any such "interesting" motel-related experiences, but you sure meet a lot of colorful folks at that time of the day.

2. Viv is young and working alone. I don't think I would tolerate my daughter doing anything of the sort. What were you thinking from the 1st few pages? Viv comments..."Being with people was easy, but being alone was hard. Especially along in the dark. The person who could be truly alone, in the company of no one but oneself and one's own thought--that person was stronger than anyone else. More ready. More prepared."
I couldn't agree more. Having the ability to be absolutely content with your own company is by far the best feeling. You're never bored, you're never in need of someone to keep your spirits up, and you are always prepared for situations that can be alienating (point in case, CoViD-19).

3. What do you think the significance of the door to number 103 banging open/shut is?
My guess is that is the room where something really bad happened in the past, which is the root of all the paranormal manifestation that is happening around.

4. So far Carly's mom's reaction to seeing the newspaper clipping..."Vivian is dead" has really bothered me. What's your take? Have you already solved the case? Is Vivian dead?
I haven't quite solved the case yet, but I have a glint that she probably isn't dead or there is a whole another story towards her disappearance than death and I am ecstatic to see how that unfolds.

5. What did you think about the dual timeline between Viv and Carly? In what ways are Viv and Carly very similar? How are they different?
I love books with dual timelines and how they come together later at a point. If done well, it really shows the adeptness of the author and their command over their craft. As for Viv and Carly, I think Viv is more resourceful and Carly is more daring, but both are extremely keen.

I am just thirsty after this. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Cap Cap Cappies, just wanted to let you know that I have added, Dear Martin for an E on a new spellout #8.

If we move
Sonia's Ignite from I (Spellout #5) to U (Spellout #7), and
Sonia's A Deeper Blue from E (Spellout #6) to I (Spellout #5),
we can squeeze in "Dear Martin" in the vacant E (Spellout #6), thus completing out seventh spellout.

Cappies, links to my discussion questions for the BOM, Dear Martin. Will add others, if required, in a wee bit.
DQs - Day 1
DQs - Day 2

Discussion Questions - Day 2
Chapters 7 - 14

7. Let's start with Sarah-Jane. Justyce and her definitely had feelings for each other, and they didnt shy away from closeness until Jus was about to kiss her after the debate (lbr which was bad timing). Why did SJ suddenly give Justyce the cold shoulder, what are your thoughts? What's going through her head?
I think she was just taken aback at the moment. She clearly has feelings for Justyce, but the actual manifestation of them might have thrown her off. I am going to guess that it would just be a timely thing and they will get back together, as friends if not anything else.

8. It sucks that it took being drunk for Justyce to call out Manny but it's finally done! "They're my friends" was the dumbest excuse ever, but at least Manny finally woke up shortly after Blake's party and the fight Justyce and the guys had.
It's hard sometimes to stand up for what's right. It might not be safe, depending on where you are or who you're surrounded by. Do you judge Manny for not being able to stand up for himself and everybody else his 'friends' made fun of sooner? Was there ever anything you needed to work on first in order to be able to stand up for it?
I actually do not blame Manny. His inactivity does not stem from a lack of awareness, but from having to choose between two things that individually hold importance for him. But, I am glad that he decided to look beyond himself and his preferences to look at things from a big-picture perspective and see how toxic that "friend circle" was. I have a lot of inner dialogue when I find myself in situations like this because I tend to lean towards what is comfortable for others even at the expense of my discomfort, and with age, I am beginning to learn how to work with that.

9. It seems like Manny didn't only call Dr. Dray to check on Justyce after the fight, but also his mama and Mela. It confused me a little since he doesn't like Mel and how she treats Jus. And it hasn't even been mentioned again (so far). What did you make of this? Do you think Mela will end up playing a big part in the rest of the book? And did you ever have a teacher who was as involved in his students lives as Doc is?
I love Dr. Dray. He is a teacher that very earnestly provides a platform for dialogue for everyone, and that is extremely important. He doesn't treat his students as kids, but as people with voices and opinions and I respect that in a person. I haven't had teachers who were so deeply involved in their students' life, but I have been extremely fortunate to have had some of the best teachers in my life, who have definitely helped me shape my personality.

10. Manny's dad tried to keep all signs of racism and how he could be mistreated from him for as long as he could whereas Justyce's mama has prepared him ever since he was little. They also grew up in two completely different neighbourhoods and surroundings. What are your thoughts on the parents' different ways of bringing up their sons? Do you think there's a right way to go about this?
There isn't a rulebook for parenting, and honestly parenting is an on-the-job learning process. No one quite knows how to be a parent beforehand. So, while one method may seem more right in a certain situation, there can't be any generalization.

11. 😳 that's one way to end today's chapters! My heart is still racing. What do you think happened, who got shot? And be honest, did you keep reading or take a peek just to find out what happened? (I'll be honest I did take a quick peek :x)
Oh, I kept reading alright! :P I needed to know, because by golly, that was something.

Discussion Questions - Day 1
Chapters 1 - 6

1. We meet Justyce when he's trying to do a good deed by helping is drunk ex-girlfriend. This scene sets quite the mood for the upcoming chapters and (I assume) the rest of the book. Do you like our main character so far? Do you like his inner monologue, portrayed in the letters to Martin?
So far, definitely rings positives bells for me. Justyce seems like someone who has a head on their shoulders and importantly, knows how to use it. The letters to Martin is a stroke of genius, IMO. Its very well written and beautifully expositioned which gives us a wonderful way to dig deep into what really is going through Justyce's mind.

2. Let's talk about the girls - Melo and Sarah-Jane. The ex-girlfriend (sort of?) and the debate partner. Let's also factor in the other important female in Justyce's life, namely his mother. What do you make of each of them? And what to you make of their interactions with Justyce? And more importantly, what are we supposed to make of Justyce's interactions with them in light of his mother's statement not to bring a white girl home?
Melo, so far, seems anything but mellow - and I am not sure I appreciate people with a certain attitude about themselves. But, I hope we get to see a bit more of her story and her reasons for reacting the way she does. Sarah-Jane seems like a badass and I'm down with that. I would definitely want to see more tactile warmth from Justyce's mother because clearly Justyce needs it, but she seems like a worldly lady who says more than show. The mother's dictum is honestly a very common situation in house of people of color, so I absolutely wasn't surprised with that rule.

3. Jared is our token white boy who thinks all is right with the world when clearly it isn't. The equality discussion was interesting, I found, because Jared's logic is sound. And yet at the same time, it isn't at all. What example would you give Jared, where you speaking in SJ's stead, to show how wrong he is?
Jared, while being a very obvious stereotype, has some salvaging qualities. He clearly lives in his privileged bubble, but he does raise interesting points in that debate. So, I do have hopes for him to actually think when shown. I would love to discuss contemporary situations which in his daily life are absolute non-issues but can be a major point of contention in the life of a PoC. Things that seem obvious to a white, privileged, cis-male - but which are a mountain to climb to anyone who doesn't tick those boxes off.

4. The Equality Brigade was quite the spectacle! Literally. Disguised as a klansman to portray equality. I can't help but wonder if Blake is an idiot of epic proportions or if there was a message he would have liked to show the world including his friends, especially considering the fact that the "costume" was the genuine thing. What did you think of this brain child of Jared's?
Oh boy! It was a disaster in the making from the get-go! What a hare-brained idea! No wonder it stems from the brain of someone who lives with rose-tinted glasses on. It was insensitive, insipid, and idiotic.

5. Justyce as well as his best friend Manny are black boys stuck in a rich white school. They each have their own issues to deal with in regards to this situation. Manny, the rich black guy, who is considered one of them, and Justyce, the poor black guy, who is more and more often questioning his place in this world, the place he is trying to carve for himself. Do you think Manny should have acted differently in the lounge scene when he was peer pressured into drinking to equality? Knowing full well what happened to his best friend not too long ago?
This is a tough situation to be in. We all strain to find a group or people where we can just let go and not care about anything. I think Manny feels that way with these white folks, irrespective of how insensitive the whole group can be when viewed from outside, So, I can probably understand Manny's myopia since he is looking inside-out, but one needs to stand for things outside oneself as well. Things that matter for the greater good.

6. Short mention of Trey and his friends needs to be made. The Black Jihad gang, one of whose members shot Officer Castillo. Personally, I can't help but wonder if someone shot him to take revenge on the crap he's probably pulled for quite a while - Justyce certainly wasn't the only one - or if it was a shooting gone wrong. That thought aside, Trey makes Justyce (and maybe also Manny) feel like he's turning his back on his own people. Do you think he is right in telling Justyce this? Is Justyce right in questioning the things Trey tells him and wondering whether there may not be a grain of truth in it? Should Justyce have stayed at the party regardless or was it better to leave (with the others) when he did?
I understand where Trey is coming from, especially after seeing that bunch and their costumes. Things that are so on-the-nose tend to err to the side of insensitivity in most situations, and when someone who is similar to you in terms of background, culture etc. tends to be okay (or atleast not actively oppose) with the on-goings, one can feel that they are complicit or worse, involved. So, it was a situation where there were many rights amongst the many wrongs.

Question:
Does any of the already read/intended books for this round have a spare U?

The reason I ask is I intend to read the BOTM Dear Martin and can fit that in this round, but AFAIK it doesn't have an U.

So, if we can swap any of those spare U books with this, we can complete the last spell-out on the spreadsheet.

"Dear Martin" works for E, G, T, N, C, R, and S from what I see prima facie.

Cappies, links to my discussion questions for the BOM, Five Feet Apart. Will add others, if required, in a wee bit.
DQs - Day 1
DQs - Day 2

Discussion Questions
Day 2

6 . 'I wonder how many strings she had to pull and how much money she had to throw away to get me into this trial'
This quote caught my attention because in the UK we don't have to pay for treatment, even in a clinical trial in the UK. Did it catch anyone else's notice?
It didn't, probably because I have heard of money being spent on medical treatments/trials before. But given how much Will has traveled around the globe to try out different treatments, it sure seems like a major hole in his mother's pockets.

7. Are you surprised at how quickly Stella has become attached to Will? I wasn't expecting this strength of reaction to him not taking his treatment seriously. Did you think it was in character?
Eh! I absolutely am not a fan of insta-love, but I guess I'm giving this a pass this time, given the circumstances and the time span that the characters have.

8. Wow Will's mum is controlling. I'm not surprised he's ended up rebelling from taking his treatments. Do you think you'd react like Stella (perfectionist, controlling about treatment and planning for the future) or Will (fed up, rebellious and living for the moment) to being in this type of situation?
I am similar to Stella in my approach about anything, especially if the situation is this grave. I wouldn't be happy to have the doctor say that I don't do my part. Honestly, its only fair for me to expect them to do their job, if I follow through on my end.

9. Masks, lots of hand washing, staying 6 feet (or roughly 2m) apart, limited places you can go… The recent pandemic is giving me more insight into some of what this must be like than I'd had before. How are you coping with the changes?
I was on a vacation visiting family before all hell broke loose, so I have just been on an extended vacation now. I have been able to explore and learn a lot of new things, and so far it has been fairly great given the circumstances.

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 have actually not, and this definitely reads more like a screenplay than a novel, primarily for that reason - which for sure is an interesting change of pace from the books that I read. It definitely added a much-required pace to the proceedings (as it would in a movie) and given the subject matter, I think it did help.

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!)
Face masks are absolutely pivotal and they definitely help. So, the whole argument about people wanting the freedom to decide the usage of face masks is a very soloist approach without thinking of the greater good and that's unfortunate. I don't have a first-hand experience with CF, but I have read about it in the past and the way it affects your day-to-day living.

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?
I don't think she will take more dangerous risks, but Will's influence in her life will definitely make her see the enjoyment in spontaneity. Stella has her roadmap etched in her mind, and which is probably a positive thing given how specific her life has become because of CF, but Will probably will add a new dimension in which she will get to explore a more unabashed side of herself.

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 was beyond thrilled to read that and understand that side of Stella, makes me like her some more. She has this undaunted spirit and she just keeps going, which is extremely heart-warming to read. I positively dislike the attitude of not stretching your horizons. The fact that we have just one life and if we dont even explore our hobbies and aspirations in that, it just seems like a waste.

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?
My initial thought was that the parents weren't able to handle Stella's situation with maturity and that somehow caused a rift between them. Its pleasantly surprising to see that Stella being the mature one and dealing with the family situation AND her illness with such gravity.

Sammy wrote: "I did do a module on Bollywood at uni, but the stuff we watched was probably from long before his time, lol."

No way! That's so cool. I would totally love to take that course if watching films is part of the curriculum. :D

Michelle wrote: "Apoorv wrote: "Holy Ganesha!
Someone needs to hold me, I feel a bit faint. *_*
The doctor says its dehydration from all the drooling. ;=)

While we are in India, I might as well introduce you gals ..."

As Sammy said, his name is Hrithik Roshan, and he is an absolute dreamboat. He has so far worked extensively in Bollywood films and is touted as of the biggest stars in India.

Apart from his yummy looks, he is actually a very accomplished actor with a variegated filmography and a phenomenal dancer. (Some people just like to over-achieve, ugh! :P)

In case you'd like, here is one of his recent songs where he danced like a dream.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGneA...
(Also has another male actor with him in this, who is also oh la la!) ;=)

Holy Ganesha!
Someone needs to hold me, I feel a bit faint. *_*
The doctor says its dehydration from all the drooling. ;=)

While we are in India, I might as well introduce you gals to the man after my heart. *shtaaap* -_-







Umm.. I need a cold shower now! Toodles!

☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "Apoorv you need to add your book "Red at the Bone" to your shelf and add a date too, please."

Done! Sorry about that. :)

Steven wrote: "I was going to play, alas, I got sick with what the doctors think was COVID and wasn't sure how long recovery would be, so I dropped out as not to be a team liability. Feeling..."

SO GOOD to hear from you, Steven!

Definitely miss you around. But, it's wonderful to know you're feeling better. Hope you continue to go from strength to strength. Stay safe, my friend! ;=D

Sammy wrote: "You know... the imagery Sonia posted above is definitely appropriate, considering that we're just arriving on the windswept West coast of Scotland, a beauty spot often overlooked by holiday makers...."

Oh boy!
If I go missing for a few days, you know the reason why!
*find me, don't find me* ;=) *=*

Suddenly I'm just verrrrrry thirsty! *_*

Plethora wrote: "Apoorv since the tasks are users specific, each person can use each one of the 200 once it is probably best if you select which one to be used.

I am keeping tabs because i don't want to use up al..."

Hold on! So, multiple people can read for the same task?
I mean, I understand that all of us have those 200 tasks - but I thought that at the end we have to pick only one book per task.

If that's not the case, then I can totally update my task list! No worries at all.