Joanne’s Comments

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

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

I think it works.

I've always understood Mexico to be in North America. Aren't they in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)?

Sorry to hear this Louise.

Christina wrote: "I'm sad to see that not more of us read Dear Martin since it's such an important book. Are any more of you planning to read it?"

I also thought it was one the best of all the BOMs so far.

I'm working on finishing the last two books I have on the spreadsheet. One of them - Inside the Outbreaks: The Elite Medical Detectives of the Epidemic Intelligence Service only works for I.

I just read Pachinko not even a year ago so I won't be reading that one. it's a really good book though

Day 3: Chapters 15-18

12. In chapter 16 we see Justyce have dinner with Manny's parents to commemorate Garret Tison's indictment. What do you think of Justyce being invited over and what they talk about? Did you have any thoughts about Manny's parents giving Justyce the watch and his reaction to it?

This dinner seemed extremely sad and a bit uncomfortable for both sides. I was suprised at the gift of the watch and that Justyce accepted it.

13. Justyce sees Quan at the Fulton Regional Youth Detention Centre and a lot is said between them. What do you make of Quan's upbringing and his view on life now? Is there anything that stands out between what is said between them? Quan not saying that he killed the cop or the advice that he gives to Justyce? Do you think that Quan's advice will have a positive or negative effect on Justyce?

It's easy to understand why Quan feels that belonging to a gang is one of the only options for him to earn respect, when he sees how he is treated by police and some in society. I hope that Justyce can use what Quan is telling him to think about why some people make the decisions that make but ultimately make the choice to continue on the path he's been on.

14. We see a few media releases in this part:
"Transcript from evening news... More on this story as it continues to develop"
"Tison Indictment... A trial date has yet to be announced."
The news report in chapter 18 with the photo released of Justyce in his Thug Life costume.

We also see the reporters mobbing the funeral party at Manny's funeral:
"Mr. McAllister, how's it feel to be the Boy Who Survived?
Justyce, do you think there will be justice?
What's it like knowing it could've been YOU in that casket?"

What do you think of the coverage of the event by the media? Are they siding with the police officer more than Justyce? Are they reporting the story correctly or making things worse? Do you think the author's portrayal of the media is similar to real life? Will the media ruin his chance at going to Yale?
I for one do not like the reporters at the funeral and that last question is especially nasty.

Ugh, sometimes the media is just horrible trying to crank out the most controversy possible to make the most money. I think a lot of stories involving police officers killing black men have portrayed the officers sympathetically so this seems true to life unfortunately. I never thought about Yale, but he is not being charged with any crime so I would hope that his spot wouldn't be affected.

15. Chapter 18 goes through a lot. We see Justyace spending time with Doc to avoid making the call to Trey and the gang and isn't writing to Martin anymore SJ speaking to him again and she apologises. She also calls Jarod about the release of the photo. What are your thoughts on all these and the character development of the teens?

I wasn't really happy with SJ's explanation about why she's been so distant. The further I read into the story, the less I feel like the characters are well developed. I'm glad that Jarod seems to be waking up to the existence of racism, even if he hasn't personally witnessed it before.

DQ Day 2; Chapters 7 - 14

7. Let's start with Sarah-Jane. Justyce and her definitely had feelings for each other, and they didnt shy away from closeness until Jus was about to kiss her after the debate (lbr which was bad timing). Why did SJ suddenly give Justyce the cold shoulder, what are your thoughts? What's going through her head?

I was confused by this. At first I thought that now that she could see his romantic interest, she was pulling back to play "hard to get" but it seems like more than that since it's still going on. Not sure.

8. It sucks that it took being drunk for Justyce to call out Manny but it's finally done! "They're my friends" was the dumbest excuse ever, but at least Manny finally woke up shortly after Blake's party and the fight Justyce and the guys had.
It's hard sometimes to stand up for what's right. It might not be safe, depending on where you are or who you're surrounded by. Do you judge Manny for not being able to stand up for himself and everybody else his 'friends' made fun of sooner? Was there ever anything you needed to work on first in order to be able to stand up for it?

I don't blame him, it's hard standing up to your friends, especially if you've let the remarks go on for a long time without calling them out. I tend to avoid conflict and don't speak up for myself or others enough. Definitely work to be done.

9. It seems like Manny didn't only call Dr. Dray to check on Justyce after the fight, but also his mama and Mela. It confused me a little since he doesn't like Mel and how she treats Jus. And it hasn't even been mentioned again (so far). What did you make of this? Do you think Mela will end up playing a big part in the rest of the book? And did you ever have a teacher who was as involved in his students lives as Doc is?
He was worried about Justyce being alone and was trying to reach out to anyone close to him so he would have some support. I hope Mela will not have a role because I don't think her being around does Justyce any good. I avoided having any more than basic interactions with teachers if I could help it.

10. Manny's dad tried to keep all signs of racism and how he could be mistreated from him for as long as he could whereas Justyce's mama has prepared him ever since he was little. They also grew up in two completely different neighbourhoods and surroundings. What are your thoughts on the parents' different ways of bringing up their sons? Do you think there's a right way to go about this?

I'm not a POC nor a parent, so I don't have any opinions of the best way to raise children, especially when it comes to racism. I've seen a lot of talk in media though about parents preparing their Black children regarding interactions with police.

11. 😳 that's one way to end today's chapters! My heart is still racing. What do you think happened, who got shot? And be honest, did you keep reading or take a peek just to find out what happened? (I'll be honest I did take a quick peek :x)

This was heartbreaking. The idea that anyone could just have a gun on them is one of the most terrifying parts of the United States and part of why I could not imagine living there. I had to read ahead, just to the beginning of the next chapter.

DQ Day 1
Chapters 1 - 6

1. We meet Justyce when he's trying to do a good deed by helping is drunk ex-girlfriend. This scene sets quite the mood for the upcoming chapters and (I assume) the rest of the book. Do you like our main character so far? Do you like his inner monologue, portrayed in the letters to Martin?

The author is showing him as a great person so it would be hard not to like him so far. I like the letters as a twist on a classic diary entry.

2. Let's talk about the girls - Melo and Sarah-Jane. The ex-girlfriend (sort of?) and the debate partner. Let's also factor in the other important female in Justyce's life, namely his mother. What do you make of each of them? And what to you make of their interactions with Justyce? And more importantly, what are we supposed to make of Justyce's interactions with them in light of his mother's statement not to bring a white girl home?

Nothing about Melo seems positive so far. Her treatment when Justyce came to get her, her reaction when the police were mistreating Justyce, and her jealousy when it looks like he is moving on. Sarah-Jane seems nice and at least a little bit clued in to Justyce's life. As for his mother, I think she realizes that growing up Black in the US is not an easy thing and she knows Justyce will have to fight for everything in his life. I think she would come around to accepting SJ but she knows that him dating a white girl will make his life harder.

3. Jared is our token white boy who thinks all is right with the world when clearly it isn't. The equality discussion was interesting, I found, because Jared's logic is sound. And yet at the same time, it isn't at all. What example would you give Jared, where you speaking in SJ's stead, to show how wrong he is?

I'm not good with coming up with examples on the spot and wouldn't presume to speak for others other than to support what they have to say. I also don't know that any argument would change Jared's mind or make him see another side. It's impossible to reason with some people who are so adamantly set in their ways.

4. The Equality Brigade was quite the spectacle! Literally. Disguised as a klansman to portray equality. I can't help but wonder if Blake is an idiot of epic proportions or if there was a message he would have liked to show the world including his friends, especially considering the fact that the "costume" was the genuine thing. What did you think of this brain child of Jared's?

The whole idea was sickening and I was afraid for Justyce going out with this group. I'm glad no harm came to him. And the idea of the KKK uniform being genuine is horrifying. But also, I would hope that kind of thing isn't sold in stores and so, where else would he have gotten it, other than a family member?

5. Justyce as well as his best friend Manny are black boys stuck in a rich white school. They each have their own issues to deal with in regards to this situation. Manny, the rich black guy, who is considered one of them, and Justyce, the poor black guy, who is more and more often questioning his place in this world, the place he is trying to carve for himself. Do you think Manny should have acted differently in the lounge scene when he was peer pressured into drinking to equality? Knowing full well what happened to his best friend not too long ago?

I feel for Manny because he's been in this environment his whole life and has been friends with these boys for a long time. It would be extremely hard to speak up and disagree when you're outnumbered and not sure if people will attack you or exclude you for what you say. It's even harder as a teenager when friends are everything.

6. Short mention of Trey and his friends needs to be made. The Black Jihad gang, one of whose members shot Officer Castillo. Personally, I can't help but wonder if someone shot him to take revenge on the crap he's probably pulled for quite a while - Justyce certainly wasn't the only one - or if it was a shooting gone wrong. That thought aside, Trey makes Justyce (and maybe also Manny) feel like he's turning his back on his own people. Do you think he is right in telling Justyce this? Is Justyce right in questioning the things Trey tells him and wondering whether there may not be a grain of truth in it? Should Justyce have stayed at the party regardless or was it better to leave (with the others) when he did?

I don't know. This is complicated and I don't know the answers. It really reminds me of Starr in The Hate U Give with regards to her feelings about living in two worlds: the world she grew up in, and the predominantly white rich people school.

I started the BOM Dear Martin tonight and read the first day's section. I could easily have devoured the entire book in one big gulp. It's really pulling me in.

Day 4: 64% - 82%

17. Some of the major and minor questions developed throughout the story have been answered in this section: why young, pretty Helen was meeting with average Robert (Helen and her husband had planned to blackmail Robert); the connection of the girls' murders and their murderer (Simon Hess targetted women who were lonely); and why the murders had stopped after Viv had vanished (Simon was stabbed by Viv so he couldn't hurt any more girls). Did you see any of this coming? What clues gave it away?

I didn't suspect the blackmail, but as soon as Heather said that Simon Hess disappeared in November of 1982, I was sure that Viv killed Simon and not the other way around. It made sense with how cagey Marnie and Alma were being the whole time with Carly.

18. Both Viv in 1982 and Carly in 2017 mentioned that Tracey might have been alive had her parents kept her in the house. This echoes the warnings that Fell parents have been giving their daughters: don't go jogging or don't work nights. What do you think of such advice? What else could Tracey, her parents, and her school have done to keep her safe from a predator?

I don't think it's up to the potential victim to put their entire life on hold and try to anticipate any circumstances that could lead to their attack or murder. The police dropped the ball on this one by not even looking into the potential of multiple women being murdered in a small area being the work of a serial killer. This is on them.

19. "The Sun Down Motel" has been tagged by 336 users as "Horror." What has been the most horrific scene for you so far? Is it a supernatural one or one connected to the murders?

The non-supernatural ones are the most creepy to me. All the scenes with Simon.

20. At the end of the last chapter set in 2017 in this section, Carly claims her aunt may have done something wrong (alluding to the stabbing of Simon). What do you think of Viv's actions? Do you think she was right or wrong, justified or unjustified in her actions?

I'm not unhappy that Simon cannot kill any more women. As to whether Viv is "justified" that's a pretty grey area. The actual stabbing seems like self-defense though.

21. With only 18% of the book left to go, what do you think will happen? Do you have an idea of what happened to Viv after she stabbed Simon? Do you think Marnie and Alma know what truly happened to Viv? Do you think Carly will find out what happened to Viv?

At minimum Marnie must be involved as she has those picture of the barn where the car containing Simon is stored. I'm sure Alma also lets Viv get away/helps. Carly will definitely find out what happens because it's a book and she needs closure.

Day 3 - July 4- 42%-64%

13. Thoughts on Viv telling Mrs. White that her husband cheats on her. Do you think this is what gets her into trouble?

I hadn't considered this. I don't think so.

14. We have another encounter with the angry man ( this makes at least 3) Who is he? Why is he important to the story?

I got the impression that he is Henry, the man who died in the office of a heart attack six months after the little boy drowned, although I'm not sure if the book ever says this for sure. It seems that everyone who died there is sticking around and I'm not sure if they will all tie into the story somehow.

15. Which story line (Carly or Viv's ) are you enjoying more? Why?

At first I was more interested in Carly's since it seemed more relateable to me being set in modern times, but now that Viv is on the hunt for the killer, her story seems to be more fast-paced and I'm enjoying hers more.

16. The ending of this section just raises more questions for me. If Viv buys a knife, didn't she get a chance to use it? Where is the knife? Was it mentioned in the police reports? What do you think?

When she bought the knife, the boy in the store mentioned it was small enough to fit in a purse, and it was mentioned that she left her purse in the office the night she disappeared. Not sure if it was mentioned what was in her purse, but maybe it was in there.

Sorry to hear that Jeremy. I hope things look up for you soon

So I see that we need a U to complete our partial word. I don't have long left in my U book that I was going to save for next round. Should I finish it this round instead?

ETA: Nevermind I see it's looking good now.

DQs Day 2
21% to 42%

6.) This section opens with some spooky stuff going on. If you saw literal ghosts in the creepy place you worked, would you split right away? Would you of left with sketchy-past Nick? Would you go back to work or think the overnight creep factor was making you see things that weren't really there?

I would probably doubt what I was seeing because I don't really believe in ghosts. But what they are seeing seems pretty hard to explain away. I can't see myself keeping the job unless I was desperate if I felt unsafe.

7.) Viv listens to guests' phone conversations. There is the saying 'people who eavesdrop are seldom happy with what they hear'. Or something close to that anyway. Do you think she may over hear something that results in her disappearance? Would you listen in if you were Viv?

I think it would be hard not to eavesdrop. I'm surprised they don't spend all night just reading, especially with no internet. That's what I would be doing.

8.) There really have been several deaths of young women in Fell, especially factoring in the size of the town. Do you think they are all connected? Connected to Viv's disappearance? Do you buy into the police stance of no connection between any of them?

It seems like they must be connected and I would expect the police to be investigating to try to rule that out. Not sure why they aren't. I would think the public would be very concerned about multiple killers running around.

9.) What do you think of the complete laxness of management and staff at The Sun Down Motel? Anyone else wonder how the heck that place is still open? And more importantly, why?

Yeah it doesn't seem like they really do any business and nobody in the family seems to like that place. The son Chris has another job so I don't know why he still keeps it open.

10.) Any thoughts on the candy machine? It keeps popping up in both timelines. Maybe nothing, but in this type of story, who knows.

Hmmm interesting. No theories but I'm interested to find out if there is something with that.

11.) Marnie and Callum are interesting additions to the character line-up, thoughts? Did you think it was strange that Marnie won't talk with Carly? Callum local nice boy-helper dude or creeper?

I got the creeper vibe from Callum, because Carly mentioned that he was just a little too much in her personal space, and guys who do that are pretty creepy and usually don't have the best intentions. As for Marnie, I was surprised when she said she didn't remember Viv when she clearly spent significant time with her. I think after Viv disappeared she felt responsible for having helped her get involved in investigating the cases. Either that, or she helped Viv disappear and is keeping her whereabouts a secret.

✿ Claire ✿ wrote: "Joanne wrote: "I will 100%finish Tricked in time. I'll probably even finish tonight. I've got about 25% left."

That’s great!
How do you like this series so far? I’ve always been curious about thi..."

I like it quite a bit. For some reason though when I'm between books, I rarely feel like picking up the next one, but once I start reading them, I get really into it.

I will 100%finish Tricked in time. I'll probably even finish tonight. I've got about 25% left.

I'm going to move my current "U" book to next round.

I'll start looking through the tags.

Day 1 DQ's: 0-21% (ends "he opened the door.")

1. The Sundown Motel...what a perfect name for a motel! Have you ever stayed at a motel before...something like the Sundown? What was the name of the motel...Any interesting experiences come of that?

I haven't. We didn't really travel when I was a kid, and now that I'm paying for travel myself, I prefer to pay a little more and stay somewhere nicer.

2. Viv is young and working alone. I don't think I would tolerate my daughter doing anything of the sort. What were you thinking from the 1st few pages? Viv comments..."Being with people was easy, but being alone was hard. Especially along in the dark. The person who could be truly alone, in the company of no one but oneself and one's own thought--that person was stronger than anyone else. More ready. More prepared."

I worked night shift for several years, although with one other person and in a well secured building so it was not the same. I never felt unsafe and I enjoyed the extra reading time when it was a quiet night.

3. What do you think the significance of the door to number 103 banging open/shut is?

It sounds like the book is really pointing toward the motel being haunted and there being malevolent ghosts, although I'm not sure if that's what actually ends up hurting Viv.

4. So far Carly's mom's reaction to seeing the newspaper clipping..."Vivian is dead" has really bothered me. What's your take? Have you already solved the case? Is Vivian dead?

I just had the impression that she has repressed her feelings about her sister and it upset her too much to think or talk about. The case never being solved would be very hard to live with.

5. What did you think about the dual timeline between Viv and Carly? In what ways are Viv and Carly very similar? How are they different?

I don't mind it although I find myself more interested in and easier to relate to Carly for some reason. I don't have any real sense of Viv's personality and character.

✿ Claire ✿ wrote: "I hope we get a good word next round :)"

No "U"s hopefully. I used up what I had easily on hand for this round, although I could obviously find more if I have to.