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

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

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.

I plan on not allotting the books that I read to specific tasks. I will have all the possible tasks a certain book fits mentioned with the book, but I plan on leaving it to the Cappie/Co-Cappie's to place them in whichever task works best. Hope that gives them that flexibility.

I don't mind assigning tasks as well, of course, if that would help.

Update

The "Book Recs" tab on our planning spreadsheet should now be updated with recommendations from all teams (except The Sword of Shannara and The Travelling Cat Chronicles, since I couldn't find their recommendations mentioned anywhere. Might have to dig through their entire thread.).

But, to get us started we have around 575 different books recommended across the board (some by multiple teams), so hopefully it should help sort out books that we would want to read for those tasks.

Talking of sorting, the sheet has information for book title, author, genre, and if it is a Series or a Standalone book to help us go directly to a book we might have in mind.

Let me know if you'd want me to tweak or change anything to ease the process, and I'd be glad to do so. :D

Fun Fact: The Nightingale is by far the most recommended book, by as many as 6 different teams!!

Sorry, I'm half way through creating the Book Recs sheet, have been having some network connectivity problems so far today - will complete it when I get back online.

Sorry Cappie/Co-Cappie's, didn't mean to step on anyone's shoes, just wanted to get a cohesive idea as to what book are being recommended instead of opening multiple tabs.

Quick clarification:

For cover colors, is the limit for the color to be 50% or more per TinyEye?

Plethora wrote: "If anybody wants they are free to copy my "Plethora Task" tab. I expanded on the groupings already presented, thank you for getting it started! Was a huge help. [As you see my buddy Carmen already ..."

Ah, this makes my persnickety self very happy. I wasn't sure if it was okay for me to do it this way and change the way things were laid out - but now I'm going to be having a field day with this. Thanks, Plethora! :D

Sammy wrote: "Aaaaand we're off!

Welcome once again ladies and gentlemen aboard the Hogwarts Express. We will be taking the very scenic route to Hogwarts, so please ensure you are comfortable, and all luggage i..."

Oh, big Ben! I just gagged gasped!
WOW!

Alison (Lady Coffin) wrote: "I think you mentioned what series earlier, but can you and a book link?
Then my lazy a** doesn't have to search back thru the thread..."

Of course! I can shout out this series as many times as needed. :D
This is the main 9-book series.


There are two series-in-between shorts.


... and there is a spin-off called Sidewinder Series which is set in the same universe.

Sammy wrote: "I suspect we're not going to have any trouble filling any Zs that may come up, what with Sonia's fondness for a certain series and all... :)

That series is the bomb!
EVERYONE should read it! :D

Suzy wrote: "So... I also made a spreadsheet, lol.

I'm a big spread sheet fan. Something I did was organize the tasks into 'groups'. I found it hard to scan through all 200 tasks being all jumbled up so here t..."

Thank you, Suzy! I'm stoked to know you're a spreadsheet nut as well.
This is legit! :D

Helps sort things out really well.
Cappie/Co-cappie's would it be possible to group our tasks in the planning spreadsheet similar to this? Might make things easier! :)

Sonia wrote: "Wait.... stop everything... I HAZ FOUND IT. My kind of coffee table *winks*

"

Umh! *_*

Sammy wrote: "Book recommendations guys? Throw 'em this way and I'll add them to the post I just started :)"

FANTASY



HISTORICAL FICTION



HORROR



MEMOIRS



LGBT+ FICTION



MYSTERY/THRILLER



REALISTIC FICTION



SCIENCE FICTION