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

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

Sabotage: Follow2
Bid: $75
Team : Longclaw

Sabotage: Follow
Bid: $75
Team : Longclaw

Sabotage: NoETitle
Bid: $1301
Team: Longclaw

Sabotage: NoETitle
Bid: $801
Team: Longclaw

Moderators of NBRC wrote: "Please welcome your new team members:

Wendy
Carrie"

Yaaay! Welcome Wendy and Carrie!
Do drop in a post and check-in, so that we can get you added to our secret group and rolling into the fun challenge! :)

Yo peeps,

As we are getting reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally close to the challenge start time, we all need to do one very important thing!

Please read below, the message posted by Kelly, our mod, produced verbatim and SIGN UP! :D

Kelly's original post here!

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Everyone, it's time to join the companion website!

https://cutthroatbookclub.azurewebsit...

Click the login in the upper right corner. Make an account.

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Once you do that the mods can assign you to your team.

This website is where books get logged, where you can see sabotages (and bid if your authorized), you can also view all the other teams. (Wooden Sword is the mod test team, don't worry about that one.)

There are still some new things getting added so don't be surprised if things show up. Please let us know if you have technical issues and we'll get them worked out. We believe login isn't working correctly from iPads right now so if you're having trouble try a computer.
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Also, first order of business!

Please create a separate challenge shelf in your respective profiles, and do check into the secret group that our wonderful captain SandyL has created, as soon as she sends across the access link to the same in the next few days.

Let's get all the required information in, so that we are ready the moment the light turns green on the challenge.

Hey! How is everyone doing?!
I am Apoorv, and I currently live in Greater Boston Area in Massachusetts. I am on vacation in India as I type this, but I do hope to be back with my routine in MA sometime around mid-January. In the meantime, I should still be around, albeit sporadically, so I apologize in advance, if I am day or two behind.

But, either way, I am so excited about a new NBRC challenge! NBRC always has some of the most exciting team challenges, and I have had some of my best fun here, meeting amazing people and playing the most competitive challenges around, with loads of fun! (Did I say I have had fun before? :P)

I have shared challenges previously with Amanda A, Kim, Anita, and I have seen Mandiann, maria helena in other teams in similar challenges. So, I know some of you through my GoodReads travels, and I am excited to get acquanited to SandyL, Raynbow, Cassandra, Alison, Jamie, and Brandy as well.

GoodReads is all heart! I love this place so much, that I spend time on here even at work (shhhh! don't tell anyone! :P)

I hope to have loads of fun with this challenge, which really is very exciting and new, from all the other challenges I've been part of, over the years. So, I am all busy shining and sharpening my knives and scythes :P

So, WELCOME EVERYONE AND IT'S TIME TO HAVE FUN! :D
Yaaaaaay!

Challenge Shelf: Challenge-NBRC-CBC-Longclaw

SandyL wrote: "Thanks - you can close now until Apoorv can get a chance to reserve a few spots"

Howdy hoo, mods!
Can I have the Longclaw group open for a few minutes as well, pretty please? :)

Discussion Questions - I
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 completely understand Starr's mental dichotomy. You are battling grief, shock, righteousness all the same time, and it never is easy to choose the best option in that moment. I would like to think I would do the right thing and speak up (and I do hope Starr does so too), but I would also want to analyze what happened and not be instinctive in what I say, because what I will say will make a lot of difference.

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?
The officer 'might' have felt threatened. But, then he also shot Khalil 3 times, in the back... that does not show that it was for his own safety. He was biased in his approach from the get go, and a slight trigger from Khalil made him act on that.

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?
Oh completely! She is not at all wrong in thinking that the police will save one of their own. Plus, the whole conversation that happened between the officers and her when she went in to give her statement, was clearly directed towards implicating Khalil and find a way to save the officer. As of now, I don't see a reason as to why she should trust the police.

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?
Maverick comes from a very strange and impounding past. He has fought his way out of it, but it still has a lingering impact on him. It somewhere somehow has made him timider (probably rightfully so, given what he must have seen or faced in the prison), so he seems skeptical of moving out and starting life afresh. But then, he probably should think about the future of his kids. He has two sons, who could easily get trapped in the gangbanging as they grow up (Seven is already there), and any of them could be the next Khalil. And Starr? She has seen way too much to think straight in that neighbourhood. She has to live this dual life to fit in and she shouldn't have to.

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Discussion Questions - II
Day 2 Questions, Chapters 5-8

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?
That is a very good question. As much as we try, I do think we have many faces or facades that we don with respect to the situation, in order to fit in and be a part or simply be able to either relate to others or be able to relate to them. But, we need to have some place or person, where we don't have to hide what we are, be free with our existence and be true to ourselves and others. We owe that to ourselves!

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?
Starr is on edge, and rightfully so. She has to put on a face for her prep school friends and it can be hard to maintain that given the circumstances. In this particular situation, I don't think Hailey meant it as a racist potshot. But, I also am not very sure if this friendship is really strong enough. It is mutually inclusive, but it doesn't seem tight enough to stand the test of time.

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?
I don't think it was conscious, but definitely sub-consciously happened when she moved out of Garden Heights for school and started spending her time with people other than her community. It opened a bigger, wider world for her and probably that took her away from friendships she made when she was a child. Khalil's instance just brings back all that she could have been involved in and how she moved away from it.

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?
I definitely felt proud of her in that instance. She stood her ground, analyzed her words, and did not let the officers play her into their game. She was emotionally devastated while recounting that night, but she still had her head firmly on her shoulders.

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Discussion Questions - III
Day 3 Questions, Chapters 9-11

9. As Starr and her family huddle around the TV after hearing gun shots the night of Khalil's funeral, they watch news. The news anchor speaks of "multiple reports that a gun was found in the car" and the fact that "there was also suspicion that the victim was a drug dealer as well as a gang member". This comes after the police chief gave a statement stating that they saw no reason to arrest the officer who shot Khalil.
What do you think they are trying to do with that information? Do you think it's valid? What about the protesters? Do they have right to be upset about the situation? Does their means of protest get their point across?
The whole point of a murder (accidental or intentional) going unnoticed baffles me. Someone got killed. Period. Talk about that first, them come up with reasons as to who was guilty and all. The news information, as it always is, is meant to create sensation. Rile people up without giving them all the information. Two things should happen, the police should start looking at from the point of view that a person was killed, and the news reporters should rather provide the information as it is and not help stoke a fire.

10. Starr has been giving her boyfriend Chris the silent treatment for a while now and when he confronts her about it, she tells him that he wouldn't understand. Her rationale for that is because he's white. What was your reaction to that statement? Do you agree or disagree with that? Can Chris understand where Starr is coming from?
I don't agree with Starr's assessment of Chris's abilities based on his race. I understand that he is not her shoes, or rather never will, so maybe he would not get the intensity of the whole thing. But assuming that he wouldn't even understand or empathize is just wrong.

11. The protest at Starr's school "For Khalil" really upset Starr. She mentioned that her "Williamson rules go out the door and the Starr from Garden Heights shows up". Do you think we are going to start seeing more of "Starr from Garden Heights" while she's at school? Do you think the two personas were necessary?
The two personas are not necessary, but I do see the reason behind why they exist for Starr. She has to try to fit in and it is something we all do in different situations. But, this facade is definitely going to blur for Starr soon. She has too much going on, and keeping up the charade might just be the last thing she would want to do.

12. At the end of chapter 11, Maverick, Starr's father, tells Starr, "if you're ready to talk baby, talk. I got your back." Do you think that Starr is going to talk? Do you think that she should talk? What do you think you would do in that situation?
Starr has had time to process everything. She is seeing what the situation has become. She also has the support of her father. I think she should talk now. Easy to say typing on a computer, but I would given I have the same information, time to process, and family support that she has currently.

Amanda wrote: "Completion

The Gunslinger
'The Gunslinger' by Stephen King"

Amanda, The Gunslinger is one of the BOMs for June, and answering the Discussion Questions, can fetch 20 additional points.

In case you want to check that out, the link is here.

Yaaaay! Welcome Melindam (that is a very new name for me! :)) and Katrina. So good to make new friends! :D

Waiting to hear from Katrina, so that we can welcome her and have her books logged in as well.

Vicky, I would be able to spend some time tomorrow morning as well, incase you need some help. But, I know working with spreadsheets makes you a happy camper! :P

Discussion Questions #1
Chapters 1 - 9, Pages 1 - 70

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?
The PoV definitely drew me in. I enjoyed the directness of Joe's narrative and his exposition about what he feels about Beck, gained more traction because of the way the words were penned. Even though everything that Joe is saying is directed towards Beck, I don't think he is talking to her. It is sort of an aloof, cold perspective that he has towards everything, that honestly aggravates me, but I believe that is part of the reason Joe is Joe. I am even willing to believe, that Joe is just rambling and not really speaking to anyone in particular.

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?
I honestly dont feel sympathy towards Joe, or any characters for that matter. While, there are bits and pieces sprinkled through the narrative that give us a brief idea of where he is coming from, in terms of his family background that probably shaped his way of thinking. But, the way he justifies everything to himself and makes himself feel okay about his deeds, is getting too tiring too soon. I am getting agitated with how makes himself feel good for anything that he does that probably is morally ambiguous, and I dont believe that I can attune to that.

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?
Joe definitely is delusional. And I am beginning to believe that he isnt necessarily reliable either. Purely because, as I mentioned previously, he finds a way to make himself feel better in any and every situation. So, it is just hard to take what he says at face value, because it may be a concocted story that he is telling himself to feel better about himself and the situation he is in.

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 love psychological thrillers. I love unreliable narrators. I love messed up characters. This book has all that, doesn't it? It has started off very well, but as is the case with psychological thrillers, the crisper the narrative, the richer its taste. I dont mind it getting creepy, but if the narrative starts dulling, it may mar my expectations very fast.

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Discussion Questions #2
Chapters 10 - 14, Pages 71 - 143

5. What do you think are Joe's intentions with Benji? Is there any way you can see this ending well for Benji?
I definitely do not see it ending well for Benji, but I dont think Joe want that to happen. Or atleast that is not what he intends to do when he took him captive. Joe's way of thinking, from what I have gathered so far, is go for what you want, if you dont get it the way you want it, then start removing any obstacles that you face, first kindly, then mercilessly, if need be.

6. Joe asks Benji to write down his 5 favourite books, if you had to write a list of your five favourite books, what would they be?
This is an ever-changing list, but there are certain books that have just stayed with me.
- Romance: The Bridges of Madison County & The Fault in Our Stars
- LGBT: Bear, Otter, and the Kid & Violence Begets...
- Mystery/Horror: And Then There Were None & The Shining
- Contemporary: The Art of Racing in the Rain & A Man Called Ove
- Historical Fiction: Burial Rites & Moloka'i
- Realistic Fiction: A Thousand Splendid Suns & The Help
- Non-Fiction: Tuesdays with Morrie

I know I went past 5, but I had to name them, because I have learned something from literally each of these books.

7. What is your impression of Beck through Joe's eyes? Do you sympathize with her situation with Benji? Can you see why Joe is so enthralled with her?
Beck's impression of Joe is very warped. He literally is thinking of her as he wants her to be. Beck is very different in reality, than what Joe makes her out to be, and that makes him all the more delusional. He is living out off of a fantasy picture of hers, and he twists and turns everything she does into making himself believe that she is doing keeping him in mind. It almost infuriating at times because nothing about it is healthy and honest. He seems sexually frustrated and the constant repetitions of how he lusts after her are cringeworthy at times.

I absolutely dislike Beck. I have not found one redeeming quality about her, thus far. I definitely do not sympathize with her and I am almost becomes disconnected and disconcerted with her. I do not see why Joe is so overtly attracted towards her. Honestly, I might always side with Benji because he is the saner of the lot, or atleast seems so.

8. How do you think Beck feels about Joe? Do you think she genuinely likes him and it's only her feelings for Benji that are getting in the way of her progressing a relationship with him?
I donot think Beck and Joe's relationship is at all healthy or honest. She may like Joe, but it can really be just a rebound. Plus, Joe is so incessant, that she might have just given in.

9. I am finding Beck's friendships with Lynne, Chana and Peach to be lacking any real warmth and often interactions amongst the girls seem a bit strained. What are your thoughts on Beck's friends, do you think they are genuine friends who only want the best for her?
Another bunch that I dont like (this is becoming a theme with the book for me). I do like Hannah, because she probably is the only one that might say it as it is, but they really dont seem to care about each other all that much. They may want the best for her, but I dont think any of them would mourn more than a few hours if the other dies.

Moonlight Reader wrote: "Book: The Con Man
Author: Ed McBain
Date read: 6/2/17
Pages: 214

Several years ago Amazon put the 87th Precinct novels that have been released in kindle format on sale & I bought a ton of them. This is the second one I've read. Stylistically, these are very different from modern police procedurals, with very stripped down language and character/narrative arcs that don't extend beyond a single book. I'm interested to read a few more to see how McBain's style changes over the years that he was writing his series."

Oh, this is genius!
I have been on the lookout for the longest continual series there was ever written, and I always thought Terry Pratchett's Discworld and Nora Roberts' In Death series are right up there, but this is amazing. 55 books in almost 50 years is fantastic! :)

Discussion Questions #1
Section: June 5, 1922 - An Assembly
Pages: 1 - 76

1. Do you have much previous knowledge of Russian history and politics in the early 1900s? How does that affect how you feel at the start of the book? (Note: Wikipedia states there was a Russian civil war in 1917 followed immediately by a Revolution from 1917 to October 1922 - which is the year our book starts.)
I do have a little bit of background knowledge about the Russian revolution and the black period that the country faced during the World War I and the Revolution. I absolutely loved how that fact played brilliantly in the book. I did feel that there could have been a little more about the Count and how the poem came into being just to smoothen out the start, but I was fascinated by the subtle gentlemanly attitude of the words on the page from the get go.

2. I got a bit of a "Little Princess" vibe when the count was banished to the attic of the hotel. And there is a great section on saying goodbye to people vs. saying goodbye to possessions. "We carry them from place to place, often at considerable expense and inconvenience;...all the while allowing memories to invest them with greater and greater importance....But, of course, a thing is just a thing." What do you think of the possessions he elected to take with him to the attic? If you were in a similar situation, what is one thing you would for sure take with you?
That piece about biding adieu to people vs possessions was beautifully crafted. And it is so true. We get tangled with things and it becomes extremely difficult to part ways with them, which really is funny, because they are things afterall. But, such is the human nature. The Count came across as very nonchalant or cavalier through the trial and the judgement, but I liked how this gave us a small peak into the sentimental side of him. Yet, his practical side remained intact when he let go of his possessions given the size of his confinement chambers.

If I was ever put under house arrest similar to the Count, I would carry with me blank papers and many pens, and write down everything that comes through my mind during that stay.

3. What do you think about the Count and his reading habits? Specifically - how he is struggling with the Essays and how he likes to tilt back his chair. Can you relate to either or both of those?
I found that very relatable and funny at the same time. Just like how he had to re-read a few pages to understand what he was reading, I have had to do that many a times, simply because the mind drifts at times, or there are many thoughts crowding your head. Reading really needs the right frame of mind and right mood, or one needs to read the right books that can bring their straying mood back on the right track.

4. The Count has to decide how he will handle his confinement. He thinks of favorite literary characters, and finally decides he will commit to practicalities. What do you think that means, and is there anything he does in this early stage that you particularly admire?
I definitely admire how he took his confinement in its stride instead of sulking about it. He re-arranged and re-decorated his small space to suit his needs, and made sure the quarters were livable. I think that is a very positive sign as to how he looks at this unfortunate arrangement.

5. Why do you think it is called "A Gentleman in Moscow" instead of "A Count in Moscow"? Just because it sounds better, or do you think there is a reason? Do you find him an appealing character so far?
The Count is truly a gentleman. (To top that, I find the language and the narrative equally gentlemanly and posh, which accentuates the narrative quality.) I definitely think the Count is a very peculiar personality and he is much more than just his honorifics and title.

6. Nina (the little girl in yellow) seems to be an important distraction. What is your impression of her so far? Do you think she will be an important character?
I started off getting irritated with his attitude, but then she is grew up on me. She definitely seems to have a bigger role to play in the narrative and the Count's life.

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Discussion Questions #2
Section: Archeolgies – 1924: Anonymity,
Pages. 77-145

7. A Gentleman in Moscow references a lot of famous Russian literature (War and Peace, The Brothers Karamazov, Anna Karenina, etc.) and famous Russian authors (Leo Tolstoy, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, etc.). Have you read any Russian literature/any of the books the author cites? How is this novel similar or different to these works?
I had read Fyodor Dostoyevsky's 'The Idiot', many moons ago, but I haven't read a whole lot of the Russian giants, purely because I do think that the literature is very rich and needs a certain amount of patience, time and commitment towards completion. I would want to give these books that, so hopefully I will turn back to these in the near future when I am able to fulfill my commitment towards them.

8. The Count met a large cast of colorful characters in this section. Which encounter, vignette, or flashback was your favorite? Which one struck you the most?
This indeed was interesting. I definitely liked Mishka, and am very curious to see how that relation unfolds, but what I really loved was when the Count got to go to the roof with the handyman and feel the world outside his confined space. I do believe that there is no greater joy than being free and I was glad that the Count got a chance to experience that.

9. What do you think of Anna Urbanova? Do you think she will reappear in the story later?
Anna will definitely return, but I am not her biggest fan purely because she came across as a bit pretentious. Now, I understand that being an actor, that's the job. But she felt snotty and spoilt and it didnt create the greatest impressions on me.

10. The Count believes Anna has cast a sort of spell on him that is turning him more ghost-like. Is there evidence to support this? The Count vividly describes friendship in the last chapter of this section, Anonymity (on page 134). By his description, do you think the Count has any remaining friends?
This is a tricky one. I want to say that the Count does have some friends left, but its hard to say so for sure. Either way, I do think that he will make a lot of friends or acquaintances at the Metropole. Regarding Anna, I think he is just enamored by her. I don't think its quite love yet, but there isnt really any evidence yet to support any of what he thinks about her.

11. The wine cellar seems to be a turning point in the Count’s perspective on his imprisonment. What did you think of his description of the wines? What are your thoughts on the Bishop? Do you think that he really orchestrated this change out of spite, or was it higher officials that brought this to pass?
The Bishop is one cheeky little pain in the butt. He may not necessary have been responsible for the change and I do think this came up from higher up, but he is no Mr. Goody-two-shoes. I don't drink wine or any alcohol for that matter, but it is always fascinating to learn about different things and I absolutely loved the various descriptions of the wines.

12. The narrator has a couple of lively footnotes in these chapters. Do you think the narrative voice is the Count, or someone else? How are the narrator and the Count similar or different? Do you think the Count is as happy or vivacious as the narrator seems to be?
I love footnotes in general. So, I do think that this was a smart play by the author. Having said that though, I am disconnected when I look at this only through the narrators perspective. I dont think or feel that they are in sync together and that sort of throws me off. The narrator is way to happy for what the Count may feel (and given the description of the Count, I am almost certain of his personality) given the situation.

13. The chapters in this section foreshadow the Count attempting suicide. We were left on quite a cliffhanger! What do you think has driven him to this point? As we are getting more of a window into his past, do you have any theories as to why the Count returned to Moscow in the first place? How do you like the Count as a protagonist thus far?
I do like him as a protagonist. He seems to have a level-head on his shoulders and is aware of his surroundings and himself. I have a slight theory about why he would have returned to Moscow, but I am not certain yet. Something major will happen in the future for the Count to even consider suicide, or maybe confinement finally did get the best of him.

There you go. The spreadsheet should now account for all the books read.

Jenn wrote: "Last tower teams there was a spreadsheet and we could have 6 tasks at a time and every time one was completed it autoloaded a new task. I kind of liked that because it gave bonus points and it kind..."

Wasn't that Gladiator Games?
That was one of the best challenges I have played in, and I loved it exactly for that reason. It was a Spreadsheet magic (nightmare?), but the concept was fabulous!

AFAIR, TT3 had some Australia Day challenge and a Scavenger Hunt, and TT4 had a 25-day challenge and a couple of mini challenges. (I will have to wrack my brain or go check my old spreadsheet for the challenges in TT2), but I do think there are always these small little mini challenges spread throughout.

OR
I can be completely on a tangent and have no idea what I am talking about.

Its a 50-50 chance, guys! :P

I am sure (hoping?) there will be tasks added to the challenge in the next month, if not in May. Tower Teams traditionally has had challenges interspersed during its run, so hopefully this time is no exception.

Kait wrote: "... Horror isn't for me. Psychological horror definitely isn't for me. However, I live in Maine so Stephen King is everywhere so I picked it up anyway. I was slightly familiar with the history behind this book but having read it and reading more about it... O.o I bet it was cathartic to write! "

Haww! 1 star! :-(
I LOVED this book. Now given that I absolutely psychological thrillers, but I loved it specifically for how Stephen King created Annie Wilkes and her craziness. She was creeeeeeeeeepy!