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

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

Sammy wrote: "Keli wrote: "I finally read the oldest book on my tbr. Rabbit, Run was added in 2013 (i still have two 2013 books left) and was definitely not worth the wait. It wasn't drivel but m..."

So overblown. I don't know why these male centred, misogynistic and weirdly written novels are still considered modern classics. Am I being too contemporary in my approach? I tend to believe that a classic is one that can transcend the time and place it was written in and still deliver a great story. If we have to consider what society or literature or some other extenuating circumstance were like at the time of publication to justify the apparent brilliance of the novel, then how can it be any good? I felt this about One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest too. It was an okay book. It may have helped changed the way institutionalised people were treated for the better. Thats an awesome legacy, but it doesn’t mean it's a great book.

I finally read the oldest book on my tbr. Rabbit, Run was added in 2013 (i still have two 2013 books left) and was definitely not worth the wait. It wasn't drivel but man did it suck. I reserve one star ratings for books that truly deserve less than one like Witch & Wizard or Paper Princess ( my most hated boom of all time), so Rabbit gets two, two terrible stars. My review is here just in case you have this on your tbr. I've pulled some choice quotes, so you can get a feel for it.

Congrats, Beth. That is a fantastic achievement. 50 books in the first half of the year, especially when they're over a year on your tbr, is no mean feat. It's so easy to get distracted by shiny new books.

Mary C wrote: "One of the cozies I read has a P character and could be swapped for Paris Library. I marked it on the spreadsheet. The other one works for E and could be swapped for David Copperfield.

Books are: ..."

Thanks Mary, i think you saved my bacon. I was 13 minutes late.

Oh, I'm late?!! I thought it was earlier than it is. 😞 Sorry team.

Eni, I don’t know what info you need exactly for tragedy tags but it's on the second page, 74 users. For Things Fall Apart btw.

Congrats to your daughter, Melissa.

I will have the paris library finished by tomorrow but it will be down to the wire.

It says it's #1 in the Good Daughter series anyway. Though there doesn't seem to be a number two. 😕

Maddy wrote: "bummer... At least it had good page count, right? :D

Okay, this time approve before I start - https://www.goodreads.com/work/shelve...

tragedy, 19 tags, page 4"

Maddy, we could swap books. I read things fall apart, which is tagged as tragedy 74 times, but is down for first in series on the may challenge. We could use the good daughter as the first in the series and put mine under tragedy. Then you can read something else if you want, as opposed to reading for tragedy again.

For the one keeping up on our Mini May challenge, I changed my book from Purity to the Paris Library. I need to read that before the end of May for another challenge. I have changed it on the main planning tab.

Eni, thanks for the over-reading clarification. I've added Turn of the Screw to my shelf. I'll just include all books I read then and at the end of the challenge remove the ones you captains don't want to use.

I love Luther.

Keely wrote: "Just a quick update as I know I haven't finished any books yet. I'm just over halfway through Pillars which is the longest book I am currently reading. I should have it done in the next couple of d..."

Well done on Pillars! I'm taking the whole year to read it!

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.