Emma (M)’s Comments (group member since Dec 02, 2014)

Emma (M)’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

How are you finding Laura? I have by tg3 same author on my bookshelves but have yet to tackle it. I have no idea if I’ll like it or not but I’ve heard good things about the author.

Laura wrote: "Hey Emma;
We added your buddy reads points for The Power"

Great, thanks :D

Jurassic Park
Author: Michael Crichton
Pages: 466
Read: 18 Jul

Characters

J/H - John Hammond
I/M - Ian Malcolm
A/G - Alan Grant
E/S- Ellie Sattler
T/M - Tim Murphy

Laura wrote: "Yah team! ( thanks Erika and Danielle)
If we read more of those buddy reads ( extra 30 points) and longer books ( more points) we may be able to move ourselves up in the rankings before the end o..."

I’m reading the BOM at the moment and it is surprisingly good for a YA. I’m quite enjoying it.

8. "If I catch killers, then maybe that means I'm not a killer," says Jazz. Howie then goes on to give a great reason why Jazz isn't a killer (love Howie)...are you seeing killer tendencies in Jazz?
Not at all, he seems to genuinely care about people in his life and I think it’s more his fear that he could become his Dad prompting the intrusive thoughts he’s having.

9. Jazz has another interaction with Jeff Fulton, do you think that Jazz should share information about Billy Dent's victims with their families? If so, how would that impact his mental health?
I do wish he would say I can’t help you because I don’t know the answer. Just saying I can’t help you insinuates he may know the answer but doesn’t want say. Of course, he may have said that he doesn’t actually know on previous occasions. I think it would be pretty traumatising having to speak with the families.

10. We see vulnerability in Jazz through the dreams he is having of cutting flesh, that he believes is his mom...and thinking that he killed her. Do you think these are really flashbacks? If so, why?
I think it may have happened but the flashes of memory are out of context and if he had the full memory the situation may actually have been innocuous.

11. Enter Office Erikson once again, he comes from the town that one of the ladies was killed lived in, and we saw his behavior when he picked up Jazz from the high school. Why do you think G Williams isn't doing anything about this abnormal behavior and potential connections to the victim?
I think G. William knows more about Erickson’s background than we or Jazz are privy to that makes him confident in Erickson’s character. I think the author is using him as a red herring.

12. EDIT: Question removed

13. I've read this series and love it, it was actually one of my first book about serial killers (was scared to read them before). Are there other series that you recommend in this genre?
Anything by Karin Slaughter :)

Geri wrote: "I stopped at section “Can’t be more than 7 months left.” Things are getting pretty crazy! [spoilers removed]

And Roxy. Her story was ..."

Yes, Roxie’s story was surprising (view spoiler)[ but I loved the fact that she didn’t kill her Dad after what he did. Not because I liked him but because I think it really spoke to the fact that sons and daughters will put up with a lot of terrible behaviour from their parents and still forgive them if there is a glimmer of love and affection shown back. I’ve seen it in a close friend’s relationship with her mother (obviously not as extreme as Roxie’s situation of course). It’s hardwired in human beings to crave a parent’s love and I’d like to believe that’s what the author was trying to convey. I’d be interested to see what other people’s assessment is of that storyline. (hide spoiler)]

Ooh, I didn’t associate (view spoiler)[kalidan’s spheres depleting with Syl, but that’s a great point (hide spoiler)]

I think my favourite character has to be Kaladin, I love his bridge team storyline and look forward to his chapters. What’s everyone else’s favourite characters?

1. What are your first impressions of Jazz? What is his motivation for spying on the crime scene and requesting to help investigate?

I think he feels that he is a bit of a subject matter expert on murder after his childhood experiences and wants to help out. He probably feels that helping will atone somewhat for his father’s sins.

2. "Ever since arresting Dear Old Dad four years ago, G. William had kept in touch with Jazz...". How would you characterize the relationship between Jazz and G. William? Why is the sheriff so adament about one body not meaning a serial killer? Is he trying to protect Jazz, himself, or both?
I think G. William feels somewhat respobsible for the welfare of a Jazz and there is a bit of a father/son relationship there. I think he is also in denial about that body but also wants to distance Jazz from any murder within that community in order to protect him.

3. Howie has been the only friend who stayed with Jaspar after his father's exposure. Jaspar claims that he needs Howie to keep him "close to the line of safety and legality". Do you think Howie realizes what Jazz needs from him? Why doesn't he get angry when Jazz gets him into trouble?
I think Howie is in awe of Jaxz after he stood up for him and Jazz can do no wrong in his eyes.

4. Deputy Erikson has caught Jazz's attention twice now with his behavior at the crime scene and his unexplained appearance at the morgue. Do you agree with Jazz's assessment of the deputy, or do you think there is a reasonable explanation for his actions?
I think he might be a red herring, well I hope so anyway.

5. The Impressionist states he "had been given a rule" not to interact with or harm Jaspar. Who do you think might have given him that rule and why?
It certainly sounds like the rule came fro Jazz’s dad

6. Jazz has the mantra, "People matter. People are real.", as a screensaver and pictures of all his father's victims in his room? Do you think this actually helps or hurts him? Is Connie right about letting go of the past?
he would be better off to let go but I imagine in reality it would be near impossible without intensive therapy

7. "His upbringing... told him that women were simultaneously special and useless." How do the three women in his life (Connie, Melissa, and Gramma) match with what he has been taught? Do they reinforce or challenge the idea? What kind of influence are they on Jazz?

Elen wrote: "I am up to chapter/section "Six years to go"

First, I didn't know anything about this book when I started it, only that it's about women and their power. I really like that book is told in some MC..."

I felt the same Elen, some POVs and places were more interesting to me than others. I loved Roxie’s POV the most and was interested in Tunde’s, however I think the perspective of one of the men that was struggling with the change in power dynamics would have been a great POV to add.

Laura wrote: "Hey Emma;
The Power is a buddy read if you wanted to go to the thread and talk about the book we would get an extra 20 points when others are ready to read and interact with you.
h..."

Hi Laura, I’ve taken part in the buddy read for this book and have added the extra 20 points to my original Books Read Post as I’ve already finished the book in June. I’ve linked to two of my comments but will continue to take part as the discussion progresses.

I loved Roxie, her storyline was my favourite and I found her and Tunde were the most nuanced characters.

No fun plans here, just a laid back weekend but it’s been enjoyable nonetheless.

My two 5 Star reads so far have been and the . But the book I’m currently reading will probably top the list as it’s a surprise 5 Star read for me. I never expected to love it as much as I have and will definitely want to read more by this author.

I’m not a huge lover of books told from multiple POV, but I really enjoyed all the different character voices in this book. It worked well for this story as well, seeing the affects of women gaining these powers from multiple perspectives.

Judy wrote: "I just started this and I already love the way the story is framed! I always enjoy the story-within-a-story thing."

Yes, it sorta reminded me a bit of the ending of The Handmaid’s Tale, but throughout the book instead.

I am just under half-way and Shallan hasn’t played a huge part so far so I haven’t really been able to gauge her character. From the little bit I’ve seen of her, she seems very driven by desperation, but I don’t know how much I’m going to like her when I get to her storyline again, given she’s out to steal something.

I think I’ll take part in I Hunt Killers, it sounds right up my alley!

SandyL wrote: "@Emma - I listened to the audiobook - there are several different narrators and the one by John Lee was really good!"

Thanks for the recommend, I might try that one. I have the audio version but with a different narrator and he wasn’t particularly good, so maybe a change in narrator is all I need :)

SandyL wrote: "..It's so rewarding when you get done with these biggies, Emma! I read The Count of Monte Cristo and, although it took me a month because I read other things in between, it felt so good when I was done. It was even better that it was a great book! Read on, girl!"

Wow, good work on getting through The Count of Monte Christo! I’ve tried a couple of times but get unstuck after the point he escapes. I’ve yet to make it much farther than that. One day I’ll try again :)

Love the idea for TT to go longer.

Happy to go longer :)