Keli’s Comments (group member since Jun 23, 2016)

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

Participation
Day 1 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 2 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 3 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 4 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Shan ~A~ wrote: "Thanks everyone!!

We finally made it home after driving all day through thunderstorms. I'm so happy I could kiss the ground in my front yard. We just unpacked the vehicles prior to me logging on, ..."

That's awesome Shan. Well done to her. You must be overjoyed.

I have added a book to the spreadsheet but haven't shelved it yet. I only put myself fown for four books a month, so at the end I'll remove the ones with the least value to our team. If that's okay? If i do it the other way around and shelve them i might forget to remove it.

DQ May 19- How Noriko Learned to Love - End of Book

Do not read these if you haven't finished the book. Contains spoilers.

13. In this chapter we get to know Saturo's Aunt Noriko better. What adjectives would you use to describe Noriko's personality? How did you feel about the way Noriko revealed Saturo's birth story? Were you surprised to learn he was adopted?

I wondered whether Noriko might be on the Asperger's spectrum, as she has difficulty in social settings and reading physical cues. The term "socially awkward" feels unkind to say whether or not she has Asperger's or any other condition, but it is the most apt.
I thought it was a very tactless and insensitive way to let him know he was adopted. But that seems to be how Noriko operates. I guess over time one would just get used to it, especially as it's not intended to be unkind. I was surprised he was adopted.

14. Did you think Nana running off towards the end and living his former life as a stray was fitting for the story. Was it believable that he would come back and forth visiting Saturo in the hospital?

I thought it fitting that he become a stray to do what he wanted to do...BUT I don't think it was the least bit believable cos cats are rarely that loyal. They'll drop you in a heartbeat.

15. Endings...they must be the second hardest thing to write for authors after beginnings. Did you like the ending? You may consider the Epilogue also when answering the question, if you like.

I thought it fit the book. This was not a profound and life affirming piece of fiction, but a bittersweet story about love and companionship. It was a touching end.

16. The author, Hiro Arikawa, has written other books, with very different genre. She has written books about Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF). (I have to admit I know nothing about that!).
Would you read another book written by her? And lastly, would you recommend this book to others? If so, would you only recommend it to people who you know are cat lovers or would you widely recommend it?

I'd recommend it widely and not just to cat lovers. It wasn't so brilliant that it would be the first book to come to mind when recommending one, but if someone was cat story this might be at the top. I wouldn't read a non-fiction about the Japanese Defence Forces. But I'd give another fiction by her a go.

Eni wrote: "@Keli - The Travelling Cat Chronicles isn't on your tower shelf. Would you mind putting it there please?

@Teresa - Phoenix Reign isn't on your tower shelf. Would yo..."

Added.

Eni wrote: "Not only did the 3 of us got positive and we were all sick last week (i still have a very stuffed nose and my voice is still messed up and we all still cough a bit, but generally are fine and the l..."

I'm so sorry, Eni. That's terribly sad news. Vent away, imo, if it helps you.

♞ Pat wrote: "So - this might be a bit "out there," but I've been noticing a theme about Satoru being lonely, not having friends, not having any close friends ...

And it got me to thinking. Books aren't writte..."


I thought he was gay until the Chikako story, when he said he had a crush on her. But that also doesn't mean he's not gay. Sexuality can he a very complicated thing. I think his sadness and loneliness is from not having roots, moving every few years and the loss of his parents, plus a guardian who is not outwardly affectionate. I think that kind of upbringing can contribute to an inability to connect to people easily or fear that they'll "go away," like his parents.
I think the cancer is just cancer. He may have AIDS as well. But as one doesn't die from AIDS, but from some other illness complicated by a low immune system. Also, they mentioned a mass which spread. So sounds like cancer.

What is also interesting sociologically about japan right now is the low birth rate, high adult children still living at home figures and high abstinence rate. I wonder if adult children living at home is simply down to economy, availability or choice.

DQ: 18 May - Sugi and Chikako's Hotel for Pets & Between Friends


9) Considering Satoru seems to be quite perceptive overall, do you think he knew about Sugi’s less charitable feelings about him, both in the past and during this visit?
Yeah, I thought that he probably knew how Sugi felt. Or more that he probably knew Sugi had a crush on Chikako, and that might have been why he acted weird.

10) So far, the chapters have all been combining Satoru and Nana’s journey with Satoru’s past with several other people, as well as their backgrounds. How do you feel about this interlude (chapter 3.5) focused entirely on the man and his cat? What does it add to the story?
I thought it was sweet and necessary. It's a love story and we needed more to their relationship. Travelling around meeting people from Satoru's past was a good way for us to get to know what kind of person he is and what kind of cat Nana was. But aside from meeting and early bonding we didn't get them. So it was a lovely interlude.

11) For the first time, we got a hint of what’s going on with Satoru when the dog said “he smells like he isn’t going to make it” in chapter 3, and this came up again in chapter 3.5. So it sounds like Satoru is ill… was that your prediction for question 4?
Yes. I thought at the very first maybe Satoru was going to commit suicide. There was a passage in the first chapter about him being or looking sad. But as we met his first friend, it became clear that it wasn't a choice. That just had to do with tone, no concrete passages.

12) Squabbles between cats and dogs were really present in these sections. So: Are you a cat person or a dog person or both (or neither)? I'm both. I have always had cats and dogs growing up. Cats are soooooooo much easier to maintain, they're fairly self-sufficient and intelligent. But nothing beats the devotion of a dog. We've got a Jack Russell mix and he is my little guy. He is just the best.

DQ: 17 May - The Unsentimental Farmer

5) I really like reading the cat's thoughts. It can be quite funny. Do you think these are convincing cat thoughts?
Yes and no. I think he has the arrogance of cats but he is far too sentimental and astute. My cats were jerks. I loved them but they did EVERYTHING on their terms and would just sometimes randomly attack me. I don't think they ever considered my feelings. But i still loved them 😭😭

6) In this chapter we are introduced to Yoshimine, another potential owner for our cat. What do you think of him and his backstory?
I think he seems sweet. There's not a lot there for me to comment on. I did worry that he was going to be a mean cat owner or maybe less indulgent is a better term.

7) Do you think Yoshimine would have been a good owner for Nana ?
I started to include this in my answer above unwittingly. I think Yoshimine would've been okay, but i fear he might not have been very hands on. I think, like many a farmer, he believes that animals aren't pets but serve a function. Though i understand this mentality, it makes me sad nonetheless.

8) Yoshimine has already a kitten called Chatran, and Satoru makes fun of him for naming his cat with such a cliché name. What is for you the most cliché cat name(s)? In french it is quite common to call a cat Chaussette (meaning sock), Mistigri or Felix (actually a cat food brand).
I honestly don't know. My cats all had not very cat like names; Schmoozer, Wigby, Shasta and Cornelius. Lily was our most "cat" like name. Though we took her in for someone and they had originally called her Pinkie cos of her pink beans and ears. That's pretty cliché

Common cat names: Fluffy, Snowball, Cat. DC

Qs 16 May: Prologue - The Husband Without a Wife

1. How are you liking the way the story is written with its alternating POVs ? Is there a POV you prefer ? I'm enjoying it. I really like the cat's. The author has given him the insouciance and mercurial nature of all cats.

2. Through the flashbacks we get to know Satoru's personality a bit more. What do you make of him so far ? What did you think about his way of helping his friend Kosuke?
He's a sweet guy and was a sweet kid. I worried for Kosuke, his dad sounded like a horrible abusive a-hole. I thought it was cute how slow to realise and impulsive Saturo was. That they went through that whole escapade when all he had to do was wait 2 seconds for his friend to ask him to take the cat. Silly kids.

3. Talking about Kosuke, what's up with his parents ? It seemed to me that Kosuke was genuinely convinced that his father would agree to keep the cat (Hachi). What did you think about his backstory ?
It makes me so sad that children grow up this way. I want Kosuke to tell his dad to f-off. Cut ties. He doesn't owe his dad a thing, let him live his waning years alone and bitter. Never speak to him again. But I'm vindictive, so 🤷🏿‍♀️

4. Why do you think Satoru can't take care of Nana anymore ?

I think he might be dying. He loves cats and he misses Hachi so much, I cannot think of any other reason he'd let Nana go.

I'm currently catching up on The Pillars of the Earth, whilst waiting for 9. I had Rabbit, Run on my currently reading shelf,but as i hadn't even cracked the spine, I've taken it off to re-add it in 7 hours. It will be my first book for the challenge. I'm so excited to get this started.

I hope we can easily watch the Daisy Jones series here in England. And y'all are right about the music. It really will make or break it.

I've only read one Ian McEwan book, The Cement Garden. I gave it three stars but the only thing I remember is the incest, so i might have overrated it. I've never been tempted to read others. And I think I only read it by accident. I vaguely recall that I used to get Iain Banks mixed up with him. It had to do with his regular fiction vs fantasy fiction thing. I like Iain Banks.

Tina wrote: " 4 Stars

Precocious eleven year old Flavia de Luce has a love and chemistry and poisons and hates her older sisters, like any pre-teen gi..."

I adore Flavia. These are my favourite cozy mysteries. You’ve reminded me to carry on.

Judy wrote: "omg Keli congrats!!! getting such an old book off your tbr is such an accomplishment!

And I'm completely with you, Evelyn Hugo is good but I loved Daisy Jones soooo much!"

Thank you it feels good. I'm going to try and get my #1 book read too. It's also from 2013.

Mary C wrote: "More than one person can work on each spell out. You don't have to do a whole one yourself."

Phew, that's good. It makes it so much easier.

Also finished . I enjoyed it but not as much as

Lol Snowblind and City of Brass are on my tbr as well. I sometimes feels like it will never get smaller.

I havr taken one of my oldest off of my tbr. I finally read Mind Games. It's only been 9 years in the making or waiting. At first I thought it was kind of sucky, but about midway through it actually got pretty good. The MC was really naïve, the descriptions of some characters were weird, and when there was dialogue it was unclear who said what, which all annoyed me. Yet, the story was really fun, interesting and a few bits surprised me. I plan to read the next in the series.

Judy wrote: "#9 -

I've had this book on this challenge for I think the past two years (so you know how long it's been on my TBR/I've owned it...) and I finally read it! It's qui..."

It's on my tbr too. Only since 2019, so not too long. 😂 I'm glad to see you enjoyed it.

Does anyone know whether our total book count will include the mini challenge? Since, I only said 4 books for the month, I can't really do a spell it out in the mini challenge. But if they don't count...😁

Keely wrote: "I have access to the BOMs that have currently been announced through my library app, but only The Witch's Heart was available as an audiobook. I've never actually written questions ..."

Writing questions is pretty easy. I've only done it a few times, so am no expert, but there really isn't a right or a wrong question. Open questions are better than yes or no ones because it gets discussion going. If you are first out of the gate, questions about the setting and the intros to characters are always great. Author’s writing style, especially if it's unique or different or lauded, and the tone of the book are also a good basis for questions. If your dqs are futher into the book questions about character development or choices, plot points and specific occurrences, or anything you find interesting are always good questions.