Jen’s Comments (group member since Jul 20, 2014)

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

Eternity wrote: "Hey team! I'm Eternity, and I'm a Canadian University Student. I'm 22 (soon to be 23), and my absolute favourite genre is fantasy (adult or ya or middle grade as long as it's good I don't care). I'..."

Hi Eternity! Nice to meet you! I'm a student too!

What do you study?

Vicky- I have been reading some new adult lately too. I didn't even know it existed before a few months ago. It's really fun, and feels a little more relatable than a YA book but sometimes slightly lighter themes than an adult book.

Michelle- Oh man, I bet it would be so cute to see your dogs together, especially with their size difference. Haha

Kristel- Good luck with your writing!! What is your thesis topic?

Jennifer - I love that both of your cats have "A" names. Does your son too?

Hi everyone! I'm Jennifer, you can also call me Jen. I'm super excited for this challenge. I'm a student, but I have been really focused on getting my school work done so I can read when this starts.

~Michelle~ wrote: "Team Tom Riddle here! Anyone else here yet??"

Hi Michelle! I'm also on team Tom Riddle! I'm super excited!

Are there any team challenges coming up soon? I haven't been involved in this group in a while and this seemed like a good place to search for a team challenge!

I guys, I have had some personal issues going on lately. I'm sorry I haven't been on. I'm glad I check in today. I have my books from the last couple of weeks to add.

The Two-Family House
Author: Lynda Cohen Loigman
290 pages
Date: July 9th
BOM: no
Rating: 4 stars

Author: Emily Giffin
384 pages
July 7th
BOM: no
Rating; 3 stars

Author: Caroline Kepnes
Pages: 422
Date: 6/17/17
Bom: Yes
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Message 262, 267
Rating: 4 stars

Okay, so I have finished the book. Here are a few of the thoughts that I have (mostly in relations to the ending).

(view spoiler)[
1. Joe and Beck might be alike in ways that I hadn't realized. In thinking about how Joe really seemed to be helped with the idea of the mouse in the house, and Beck was the one who came up with this concept. I wonder, had he been obsessed with someone else, would he have been helped by her more than harmed.

2. Joe and Beck completely, completely would never ever work. Beck wants men who are bad for her, anyone who is wrong. Had she seen Joe when he was in the other, short lived relationship, I think she would have been much more into him (because he was taken). Joe wants to give all of himself to Beck, and the fact that he wants her and loves her that strongly makes her like him even less.

3. The cellphone thing was weird. Would Beck's mom really have been that weird about it. Can't she just call the phone company herself and close down the phone? Also, wouldn't they think something of it and track that first phone when she is found dead?! (She has 2 phones in her name, and her friend knows that one of them was lost).

4. Beck might have blown it for herself in the end, and I wonder if she meant to. Meaning, she could have played along with things until they were back in their previous relationship, and then tried to escape. Especially because she knew how dangerous he was. Yet, she didn't. I wonder if it was just poor judgement in a stressful time, or if she didn't really want to live that badly after-all. (Think back to when she was on the tracks and paused before getting off)

5. Did Joe just like the idea and collection of her more than Beck herself?
He didn't seem to like to see the darker sides of her, the fact that she lied (about her dad), the fact that she was untidy, ect. I would argue that he had an idea of her, and this idea was different than who she really was. And since they were together so much, he knew of the difference. But he liked the idea too much to let go of it (ie. get rid of the stuff hiding in the wall despite the danger). Had he actually loved her (the real her and not his ideas of her) he should have been able to let go of the items and been with her.
(hide spoiler)]

How can I link a specific post?

Finally finished You- my first BOM. I have only answered one day of questions (then I read everything super fast and was so excited to see what would happen next). I'll work on some discussion and then post that I finished it.

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?
I really like the POV. I think it adds a lot to the concept of who Joe is. It seems like he *thinks* he is talking to her, like there is a direct line between them. This adds to the concepts of him thinking there is a connection and things going on between them that aren't there. It also feels a little crazy and I like it.


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?
It's much easier to understand him this way. I like how he is continuously pointing out other people who are doing something that would be creepy, and comparing it to his own actions that he doesn't think are creepy.


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?
I trust that he is doing everything that he reports. He didn't seem to need to edit his own actions because he doesn't seem to really understand that they are weird. I don't trust some of the stuff he thinks he sees in her apartment- how many windows can it really have?!?


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 like thriller type books and I liked the idea of reading from his perspective. Also, there are a lot of mixed reviews, so I'm waiting to see which end I fall into.

Pages: 352
Read: June 15th
Rating: 4 stars
BOM: No

Author: Kiera Cass
267 Pages
Read: June 14th
BoM: No
Rating: 3 Stars

I'm finishing up my current book which will be 40 points. Then, I am going to start You (I'm excited because I found it at one library on my county. I'm not a huge fan of wait lists.

Author: Chelsea Cain
Pages: 325
BoM: No
Rating: 4 stars

Slam starts with 'S' like Star.
Picture Perfect has an E in title and J-O-D-I in author.
The Husband's Secret has a character who forgives another character.


Previously read Graceling (stars with G) - not sure if it works since it is a left over task.


Currently reading The Horse Boy: A Father's Quest to Heal His Son which has a person with a disability.

Author: Liane Moriarty
Pages: 396
Read: June 9th
BoM: No
Rating: 5 stars!!

Cecily wrote: "I also wanted to mention that there is only 3 days left to participate in A Gentleman in Mosow by Amor Towles BOM Ending: June 12, 2017 "


How do you know the expiration date for a book of the month?