Joanne’s Comments

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

Note: Joanne is not currently a member of this group.

I hadn't heard of The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein before it was picked as BOM, but I might try to read it for bonus points. It doesn't look like it will fit in FAMILY anywhere, so I'll maybe start it but hold off finishing until the following week and hopefully it will work for one of the letters.

I've also put a hold on My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories, the BOM starting in December.

Do we have the right edition of Stacie’s book in the spreadsheet? Books have to be 160 pages which is why its showing 0 points.

An Untamed State by Roxane Gay (11/15)
Date: 11/15
Rating 5 stars
Pages: 368

G - author

DQs Part 3

14. Part 3 labels its chapters with locations, rather than the POVs used in the previous parts. Why do you think this is? Did you notice the change? Do you have a preference?

I noticed it a few times. It makes sense when so many characters are coming together in one location. You can get the POV of several people.

15. We see the outcome of three different relationships in this section: Alistair and Kitty; Astrid and Michael and of course Nick & Rachel, plus – of course – the flashback to Rachel’s mum’s experience of love and marriage across the money divide. What do you think Kwan is saying about the power and influence of money on relationships? Do you think the parents are reasonable in their view point, that you have to come from money to fit into the lifestyle? Can you see a happy ending in the future for Astrid, Michael, Rachel & Nick?

I think power and elitism is more powerful than money. When one partner thinks they are better or worse than the other or their family thinks that way, because of money, it causes a power imbalance, which is never good in a relationship. In a good, healthy relationship, both people can find things to bring to the table and make it work. I think Charlie Wu might end up with Astrid in the end. Look at what he is willing to do for her to make her happy.

16. Kwan uses this book to expose the foibles of the Asian super-rich elite, from extravagant weddings and conspicuous consumption to the snobbery within the families. Do you think the book is successful in its social satire?

Not sure. I just found it a good, entertaining read.

17. Obviously this has been made into a movie – have you seen it? What do you think will work well? And less well?

I haven't but I want to. I bet it is visually stunning.

18. This is the first in a trilogy – will you read the next books in the series?

Yes! I really enjoyed this book

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
Date Read: 11/09
Rating: 3 stars
Pages: 375
BOM: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

A - Astrid
N - Nick
K - author

Discussion Questions
Part Two Chapters 1-18

1. How do you feel about Michael's desire, early in his marriage, to live independently from Astrid's family fortune by selecting to live in a place he could afford to buy, even though it was far below Astrid's accustomed lifestyle? How much weight do their different economic backgrounds carry as the reason Michael cheats on Rachel? Were you surprised to learn that Astrid had not told Michael about the other properties she owns?

This feels really telling of the patriarchal society we live in. An average woman who marries a rich man would not feel like they needed to live in a more humble house that she was able to afford.

2. It seems as if Amanda's mother, Jacqueline, is vying to set up Amanda with Nick. At the end of chapter 7, Eleanor is feeling "the stars are beginning to align". How do you think this could impact the story?

She seems to have made up her mind about Rachel before she meets her.

3. Rachel isn't fitting in very well at the bachelorette party. Do you think Araminta is aware of how rude the girls are being to Rachel? Whose side do you think Araminta will take if forced to choose?

The Araminta at the bachelorette party seems very different from the one who met Rachel and Nick at the airport with Colin. I wonder which one is the real her. Even the whole "you can choose 5 outfits from this store, but you only have 20 minutes" seemed like a bit of a mean way to pit the girls against each other for her own amusement.

4. We learn Bernard has a history of bullying Nick and others from the time they were young and hasn't matured or changed over the years. Give your reaction as to the bachelor party and the solution Nick devises for Colin, Alistair, and Mehmet to escape the yacht.

That bachelor party sounded like hell, and I'm glad Nick found a way out of it, so Colin could have an enjoyable time with his actual friends.

5. After her accident, Astrid confronts Michael about his cheating. Astrid is ready to hear the truth, forgive Michael, and work on making their marriage happy, but instead Michael quickly packs his bag and leaves. Do you think this move is final? Will Astrid continue to pursue him? Will Michael change his mind and return to her?

It sounds like he hasn't been happy in a long while, which is unfortunate for Astrid who thought things were fine. She doesn't seem ready to give up on the marriage yet though. The annoying thing is if he knew he wanted out, why not just get a divorce an move on, instead of cheating and forcing her to confront him before he leaves. Seems like a jerk move.

6. What do you think Eleanor means on the last page of the final chapter for Part Two when she states, "We should all just sit back and watch, because things are about to get interesting."

She has let everyone around her convince her that Rachel is a gold-digging peasant not worth the family's time. And she's got that "secret information" that she thinks will be useful if she needs to play that card.

7. Have you enjoyed the book thus far? What is your prediction on how the book might end?

I'm enjoying it a lot. I never try to guess how books will end. I just enjoy the ride.

Discussion Questions for Day 1
Prologue & Chapters 1-18 (Part 1)

1. In the prologue, Reginald Ormsby wouldn't let Eleanor, Felicity, Alexandra and their families stay at the hotel. What do you think the author was trying to say with this opening? Were you surprised at how the situation was resolved?

It can be easy for people to believe that racism has been "solved" and especially that people as rich as these families wouldn't have to deal with any hardships. I expected that the owner would fawn over them, and fire that manager, but I didn't expect they would outright buy the hotel. This made me think they were even richer and more powerful than I thought.

2. The second encounter with Eleanor Young in chapter 2 seems completely at odds with the woman introduced in the prologue. What are your first impressions of Eleanor as a person? as a wife and mother?

I think she is a very interesting character and while I can understand her inclination to protect the family "assets" I hope she will come around to liking Rachel

3. Nicholas seems very down to earth in comparison to his mother and even his cousin Astrid. He doesn't seem to think his money would change his relationship with Rachel. What are your impressions of Nicholas? What do you think of the way he is handling introducing Rachel to his family? Should he have taken Astrid's advice instead?

I am actually really annoyed with Nicholas. As a socially anxious person, I would be nervous meeting my significant other's family regardless of how welcoming they are, but to throw her into the situation with no heads up seems cruel. He also keeps basically lying to her, because when she brings up things that are expensive, he says things like "I have lots of airline miles" and never admits that he's rich. I can understand not wanting to tell everyone, but if they've been together two years, I would be mad at keeping such big secrets.

4. Rachel has clearly made several incorrect assumptions about Nicholas and his family. Were you surprised that Rachel's friend and her family had never heard of the Young family or knew about his grandmother's house? What do you think is going through Rachel's mind as she pulls up for family dinner?

I was very surprised. I was expecting more of the type of reactions that the family gave when Rachel mentioned Colin Khoo's name.

5. Astrid's return from Paris has not at all gone as expected. What did you think about her way of handling her husband's probable affair? about her internal dialogue of the matter? Did you have any sympathy for him after watching him endure the family lunch?

I hate that she doesn't say anything. It's sad to think that she just accepts it as a normal part of a relationship. Doesn't she worry about STDs? It's very unfair that he's the one doing something wrong, but she's the one who has all the worry and stress.

6. Rachel clearly has an amazing relationship with her mother. What did you think about their relationship? Do you think it will make it easier or harder for her to understand Nicholas' family? What about her friendship with Peik Lin? Do you think it will help her interact with Nicholas' family?

I love the relationship that Rachel has with her mom. They seem really close. I think this will make it much harder to understand Nicholas' family because she hasn't experienced anything like that. Peik Lin should be able to help her integrate better into Singaporean customs, although it seems that she's one of the nouveau riche that Nicholas' mother looks down on.

I will be reading the BOM Crazy Rich Asians this week and answering the discussion questions for extra team points.

It works for
K (author)
N (Nicholas)
A (Astrid)

Hello Stranger by Lisa Kleypas
Date Read: 11/09
Rating: 3 stars
Pages: 375

K - author

Just finished Hello Stranger but I’m about to head into a 1-9pm shift so I’ll post when I get home. I also work days tomorrow so this will be my book for this week.

Do we know what our word for next week will be? I want to make sure my next books (after my current one) will work for next week also before I start.

Just posted a finished book.

My next read will be Hello Stranger by Lisa Kleypas which works for K.

Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier
Date Read: 11/06
Rating: 4 stars
Page Total: 554

Spell-Out Letters:
B - (Father) Brien
R - Richard
O - (Lady) Oonagh
M - author
S - Sorcha
C - Conor

LOL! Wow

Yay! Congratulations to them!

90s?!?!?!?!

LOLOLOL

Finished my last book for Week 1.

For next week I will be starting with Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier

Works for M (author), S (character - Sorcha) that I know of so far

I'm Judging You: The Do-Better Manual by Luvvie Ajayi
Date Read: 11/03
Rating: 5 stars
Page Total: 224
Spell-Out Letters: A, L
Bonus Options: Genre "black"

Thanks for taking one for the team there Abbie!

Just working on my last book for this week. Have a couple of hours of reading left on it.

A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole
Date Read: 11/02
Rating: 4 stars
Page Total: 360
Spell-Out Letters: A, C
Bonus Options: N/A