MelanieJoy’s Comments (group member since Apr 26, 2016)

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

Melissa wrote: "MelanieJoy wrote: "I finally finished The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency!"

Congrats!
Do you think you will continue with the series?"

I'm not sure. It's different than my go-tos but it's a fun different style for when I want something else. So I'll keep the series in mind!

My library holds on this are like 10 weeks so I can’t volunteer, lol. Oh well.

Volunteering for DQs for Icono Tower!

MelanieJoy's reading tracking:

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/...
Day 5: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

DQs Day 5
Chapters Fourteen - Seventeen


20. Well, I think we all knew that we were going to end up with Norma turning out to really be the lost girl and her being reunited with her biological family. Do you have any thoughts you'd like to share on that reunion? Or a comparison you'd like to venture between what we know of both of Norma's families?

What stuck out to me was when Norma narrated her past throughout the book, it was like she felt like her real self needed a big family. The other thing that stuck out was when the reunion happened, she felt like she fit in, but also didn't, after 50ish years of separate experiences.

21. Aunt June stays true to her word. She promised to help find Norma's real family and she managed to find the article that would bring this family reunion about. Do you think the conflict between the two women was well handled? From the moment Norma gave in to her anger and yelled at June to the moment where June told her that going to meet her family was not something for her to intrude upon.
Yes I thought the conflict was brilliantly handled. It made sense to me that Aunt June's hands were tied finding out about Norma a MONTH after it was done, and by that time I think the fake papers were already drawn up. But June loved Norma/Ruthie - ALL of who she was, so the protest makes more sense. And the slow but real reconciliation between the two women was believable and sweet.

23. All in all, were you satisfied with the book? The story - did you enjoy following along Norma's and Joe's lives? The writing - did you enjoy the way the words flowed over the page, painting a world and its landscapes without however overusing words? Or maybe that's just my opinion - that it flowed nicely and pulled the reader along like a boat gently rocking on water.

E, I really agree with your assessment. It was just the right amount of push/pacing, the alternating storylines were intriguing and well timed, and I really admired the author's word choices and descriptions. It was slow-ish but I was NOT bored. And again I'm really impressed that she basically gave the ending away from the beginning: Norma is Ruthie, and then QUICKLY hints that Ruthie comes to know the truth, but you're STILL wondering how it happens and you're excited to be along for the ride and for how Peters paints this picture. Even the parts that were heavy, she made them palatable for me. I was very satisfied with the book and very impressed by the author.

24. Would you read another book by this author? Do you maybe have recommendations for Native American literature that you'd like to share with the group?
I don't have native American literature recommendations but I LOVED the voice of this author and would definitely read her again, especially as a BOM! This kind of literary fiction in my opinion is perfect for discussions.

DQ Day 4 Chp. 11-13

16. While Joe has pretty much run away from home life, He gets a job and buys a truck. He runs into a woman who didn't feel necessary to give her name. Do you think this is Norma (Ruthie)? Do you think Joe would recognize her if it was?

I was confident it wasn't Ruthie. She didn't seem Indian from the description; I'll be honest I was skimming that part, but he specifically asked her if she thought Indians were sour, as if she wasn't one - like what was her experience with Indians. And it seemed like she was just in the story as a helper or catalyst for something to come next in Joe's journey.

17. Joe is gone over 8 years when he finds out he has a kid. Did you think he would actually go home to be with his family? Why do you think he can't/won't?

It seems like he thinks he's not worthy of them and he doesn't want to be a bad influence or cause any time of harm. And that's sort of an age old question: which is better: an absentee father or a father who's present but is a negative influence or whose violence or temperament in a threat?

18. When Norma misses that her mother is getting older and forgetful, did you judge her for not moving in and taking care of her mother?

No, I didn't judge her, I knew that she had to maintain her sanity, which meant not living in that house so that she could be her best self and take care of her. But it definitely got me thinking of what's good enough, as I have an aging grandmother who is hard to make time for due to living over an hour from me, and myself having a toddler and a baby on the way.

19. Were you losing faith that Norma would find out the truth before the end of the book? How did you think she would find out? Was hearing the truth from her Aunt a surprise?

Because of the chapter names and all the foreshadowing, I didn't doubt that Ruthie/Norma would find out who she really was and where she came from. But I assumed from previous foreshadowing that her mother's ramblings during dementia would be more , like more of them to give more hints, more conversations, and that she would inadvertently spill the beans. I did not imagine/expect that Norma would use one comment she heard and go to her aunt June for clarity. It sort of makes sense, but I still like the original way it was planned in my head slightly better, haha.

DQs Day 3

12. When Norma tells her mother she's pregnant, Norma notices fear in her other's eyes. What do you think that fear was about? Do you think she was remembering her own past experiences and worrying about Norma, or was she fearing that this would lead to Norma finding out the truth somehow? (Thinking to all of the bloodwork and stuff that comes from this, though admittedly not sure in the time frame if that was as much of a concern.)

The fear probably came from multiple sources, but I think it boils down mostly to when Lenore found out she was pregnant, there was always a fear that her baby wouldn’t survive due to past experiences. So she may now associate pregnancy with fear. But it could be more than that.

13. Ruthie was from Nova Scotia and went missing in Maine, yet Norma and Ben ran into each other in Boston of all places — somewhere his family would not be expecting her. Later, when they need some time away, Norma's husband takes her to Nova Scotia, where she feels some familiarity and connection to the land. Are these crossovers just coincidences, or do you think that in the grand scheme of the story, something more (fate, a higher power, etc.) is leading them to each other?

This is definitely intentional by the author to make those connections to keep you focused on a main theme - reconciliation. I’m not sure what the author will attribute the happenings to - will she say it was fate? A higher power? I don’t know. I know what I believe but the author may choose a different belief, and based on what I’ve read in the book, I think she will.

14. We get the backstory in this section on why Joe didn't know he had a daughter at first. Knowing what we know now do you agree with his family's decision to keep him in the dark? Have your opinions on Joe changed with this piece of backstory revealed?

My heart just hurts for Joe, that he had unexplained anger that he was unwilling to reconcile and release. He even mentions times where he should have but doesn’t. So I think us getting the story as the end of his life when he’s putting all the pieces together is kind of a blessing, instead of reading about a character who is permanently blind to damage they’re causing themselves and their loved one. As far as the family’s decision, it does make sense because you don’t know what he’ll do with the information.

15. "I would learn to love the little one." What a strange thing for Lenore to say when broaching the topic of adoption — especially considering Norma's circumstances. What did you think when you read that — especially seeing how Lenore treated Norma growing up?

That phrase struck me as strange too. Especially since any child born to Norma would not be biologically related to Lenore. But maybe she pushed that fact so deep into the recesses of her mind, it almost wasn’t true to her.

The Berry Pickers is tagged "cultural" 32 times - does this count as culture? If so, I'll be done tomorrow. I'm almost 70% done.

DAY 2 QUESTIONS - CHAPTERS 4-7

7. "But sometimes I think that sadness drilled down deep and some of it might just be there for good"
"now get lost and leave me to my book."
"There was love in that house but none of us really knew what to do with it."
In chapter four we learn more about Norma's parents and life in their house as she grew up. Does learning about Lenore's past make you more sympathetic to her? And how about their parenting style, I can't imagine ever telling my children or grandchildren "to get lost" because I wanted to read a book. (Ok, I'm sure all parents might have thought it at times, but saying it to a child is a definite no no in my book!)

I definitely felt sympathy for her, and I can understand the motivation of why she did what she did, but it's still unjustifiable. I think the phrase 'get lost' did have a little bit of a negative connotation but I understood she was just staying "leave me alone". But in our day and age, a better response is "I'm going to take some time to be alone and then I'll come and play with you as soon as I feel a little better."

8. In juxtaposition to Frank, Lenore and Norma, we have alternating chapters about family life from Joe's POV. Thoughts and why does the author structure the novel this way?
I thought the alternating chapters were good- this was a strategic writing style choice and I think it worked well, but there was definitely sections of Joe's story that I wanted to skip and just go back to Norma's.

9. Chapter 5 - the horrible incident with Frankie and Charlie. How did you feel reading about this injustice? Could anything been done to avert this tragedy? How does Amanda Peters' writing the scene add to the heartbreak?
My heart was broken for Joe. I think he did the right thing in trying to get help as quickly as possible.

10. What you think of Aunty June and her role in the story? Why does she encourage Norma to interact with the Indian protesters only to pull her back when she is recognized as Ruthie?
I love Aunt June for somethings, like encouraging Norma to have a life, but I also don't understand why she condoned or protected Lenore. Maybe I will as I read more in the book.

11. Joe seems to be a tragic figure as the story of his life is revealed. How he has responded to racism and trauma make you feel when reading this book? Are you enjoying the story or does it make for uncomfortable reading?

Cat nailed her answer so I'm echoing it: It's certainly uncomfortable reading (I'll add 'and heavy'), but it's written well and isn't a struggle to get through.

DQs for Day 1

Some of these questions will lead to possible spoilers. Please be sure to hide any spoilers

1. What expectations do you have for the book based on the blurb or other description of the book?
To be completely honest, my mind never really internalized the blurb of the book. I'd read it multiple times but I kept forgetting what I read. I skimmed enough to feel a feeling of intrigue and then I forgot what the blurb said. so I felt like I was going into it blind.

2. How reliable do you the think the 2 narrators are?
So far I think pretty reliable, but I typically assume trustworthiness in narrators until it's proven that they're not.

3. Chapter 1 opens with " The day Ruthie went missing the black flies seemed to be especially hungry...Indians made such good berry pickers...something sour in our blood kept the black flies away". How does this establish Joe's view of the relationship that exists between the whites and the Mi'kmaq?
It's a good descriptor of being described as "less than" but not really having a category for what you're experiencing.

4. How much is Norma dreaming vs remembering? What do you think the dreams foreshadow?
I definitely think it's more memories than dreams. The dreams to me didn't foreshadow much but I struggle to recognize that. It was the writing about the realizations later in life that were more foreshadowing for me.
To note, the writing style of telling the ending (or part of it) before it happens and then having such a compelling story telling voice that the reader wants to follow along with HOW it happens is SO COOL!

5. How do you explain Lenore's paranoia about Norma being out alone? How do you account for the incongruity of her insistence that Norma likes to play with baby dolls when she sees Norma choosing other playthings?
That paranoia stems from (view spoiler)[if she could easily steal a child, how easily could that child be stolen from her (hide spoiler)]. I think Lenore had no context for the child that she desperately wanted growing up to be someone, so she wanted to keep her in the little girl context she recognized for longer than appropriate.

6. Why did Joe act so clingy when he returned from his first "guide" with his dad?
I think discovering harshness and dissonance with his own values was really hard to swallow.

I finally finished The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency!

A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher

A dark retelling of the Brothers Grimm's Goose Girl, rife with secrets, murder, and forbidden magic

Cordelia knows her mother is unusual. Their house doesn’t have any doors between rooms, and her mother doesn't allow Cordelia to have a single friend—unless you count Falada, her mother's beautiful white horse. The only time Cordelia feels truly free is on her daily rides with him. But more than simple eccentricity sets her mother apart. Other mothers don’t force their daughters to be silent and motionless for hours, sometimes days, on end. Other mothers aren’t sorcerers.

After a suspicious death in their small town, Cordelia’s mother insists they leave in the middle of the night, riding away on Falada’s sturdy back, leaving behind all Cordelia has ever known. They arrive at the remote country manor of a wealthy older man, the Squire, and his unwed sister, Hester. Cordelia’s mother intends to lure the Squire into marriage, and Cordelia knows this can only be bad news for the bumbling gentleman and his kind, intelligent sister.

Hester sees the way Cordelia shrinks away from her mother, how the young girl sits eerily still at dinner every night. Hester knows that to save her brother from bewitchment and to rescue the terrified Cordelia, she will have to face down a wicked witch of the worst kind.

The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill

(Author born/residing in Australia, I believe setting is also in Austratalia)

A literary thriller about an aspiring writer who meets and falls in love with her literary idol—only to find him murdered the day after she gave him her manuscript to read.

There's nothing easier to dismiss than a conspiracy theory—until it turns out to be true

When Theodosia Benton abandons her career path as an attorney and shows up on her brother's doorstep with two suitcases and an unfinished novel, she expects to face a few challenges. Will her brother support her ambition or send her back to finish her degree? What will her parents say when they learn of her decision? Does she even have what it takes to be a successful writer?

What Theo never expects is to be drawn into a hidden literary world in which identity is something that can be lost and remade for the sake of an audience. When her mentor, a highly successful author, is brutally murdered, Theo wants the killer to be found and justice to be served. Then the police begin looking at her brother, Gus, as their prime suspect, and Theo does the unthinkable in order to protect him. But the writer has left a trail, a thread out of the labyrinth in the form of a story. Gus finds that thread and follows it, and in his attempt to save his sister he inadvertently threatens the foundations of the labyrinth itself. To protect the carefully constructed narrative, Theo Benton, and everyone looking for her, will have to die.

for the end of the round should I prioritize an itinerary book set in Botswana or one already on the sheet? with 4 days left I can probably get only 1 of those done.

Alaina, what did you think of The Summer Country? It looks REALLY good but I was curious your thoughts on it.

Same for me, Jhmingos!

I won't get close to my cap but I should make the number of books I signed up with (5). Hopefully 1 or 2 above that. Almost done with The Keeper of Lost Things.

Marie Anne - I went back and saw your Morocco and Botswana book recs and I'm going to try them.


any sci-fi people, Karen Lord was born in Barbados (her GR profile says so) and she has some intriguing sci-fi books you guys might want to try out! I'm going to try to get to her Redemption in Indigo book because it's only 198 pages and if I'm trying really random books I prefer them short, even though I know we get points in this challenge for longer books. Barbados is a hard country so we'll get points for that.

If anyone wants book recs for other countries on our "hard" list let me know because I'm having fun looking these up!

Ok Deanna finally done with Unbound Empire!!

I didn’t know that either!!!

If you need a Z more than last in series for this cheese, the Unbound Empire works for that and I WILL be done today, I have 8 short chapters left.

I'm 52% done (it means it can't get used for the last in series but I trust you guys!). I can have it done either today or tomorrow due to my work schedule this week. Is that good enough?

I was actually reading it before I checked this thread!