Maritza’s Comments (group member since Jun 08, 2014)

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

Ashleigh wrote: "Maritza do you have another task for Quiet Man? Don't think we can use it for circles on cover.

EDIT: I've used it for two people on cover. Do you want me to change this?"
Okay, thanks.

Beginning of Month

Books on shelf - 66 (140 Approved / 70 Feedback Sent)
NetGalley Feedback - 50%

Approved 2020 -


Approved 2019

Approved 2018

Approved 2017

Approved 2016


End of the Month
Reviews - https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

Added -
Books read in 2020 - 10
Feedback Ratio - 50%

ooh and I just found a Mermaid book but I can't finish today. Hoping to find tagged books for next round.

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?
--- Manny's parents are looking to stay connected to their child and wanting to guide Jus. I thought it was a nice detail that they gave him the watch.

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?
--- Not sure but I hope he is not leading Jus down the wrong path.

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.
--- this is so real life and the inappropriate questions that the media like to ask.

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 
--- They all seem mature as the book goes along

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 think it had something to do with Melo. I thinks she likes him but is not sure what he feeks for her. Hope they end up together.

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 Manny. The way he was raised may not have had him thinking about race. I think I had to be more mature and older before I was able to stand up for myself.

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?
--- I remember my 6th grade teacher was very vested in his students lives. We met his wife and his children and he would hug us and ask us questions all the time. I don't like Melo for Jus and hope they move on individually. I think Manny cares for Jus and reached out tk anyone who cared foe him.

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?
--- Money is very powerful in the way you are raised. Lack of money points out indifferences and money blinds you. There is no right or wrong. Parents do what they think is right.

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)
--- I was thinking it might be Justyce. But was shocked that either one got shot.

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?

I like the premise of his character but think that something happens to him. I love books where I get to read what they are thinking.


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?

He has strong women in his life who help shape who he is. They seem like strong, independent women who won't let him get away with s**t.

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?

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?

Jared is an idiot who has no concept of racism and inequality. He has led a privileged life.

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?

Peer pressure and youth.

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 think this is what goes on on a daily basis. I think that is the conversation young men of color have been having for years.

Hi guys. I've been busy with Olympics team challenge. I am trying to read Dear Martin as it is due in 3 days and not renewable. It really is timely to what is going on in the world this past months. That may be it for this round. I need to stop signing up for team challenges that overlap other challenges. But I feel that I am doing good so far.

Silje wrote: "Maritza, for Below the Belt you've written C: Author for reason on letter A. Does that mean there is a character named Author? (Just checking=))"

Yes. Oops spelled it wrong should be Arthur

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?
--- Nope to seeing this coming.

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 there is much that could have been done. That is advice that I have heard all my life. Be careful where you walk and go.

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?
--- Fir me the opening of doors and whispers in the night. I don't really like horror movies and this is creepy.

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 don't think she was justified and still don't know why she did it.

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?
--- I think Viv is alive and Carly will find her. Marnie and Alma know more than they are sharing.

Day 3 - July 4- 42%-64%- (edited to correct percentages)

13. Thoughts on Viv telling Mrs. White that her husband cheats on her. Do you think this is what gets her into trouble?
--- I think she just wants to help. Which may lead to her getting in trouble.

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 don't know yet. He may cause her harm in the future.

15. Which story line (Carly or Viv's ) are you enjoying more? Why?
--- I am enjoying both but Viv's more as I am wondering what she is doing.

16. The ending of this section just raises more questions for me. If Viv 
--- I think she will use knife to possibly defend herself. It is not mentioned any where else.

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?
--- First off I would not be working my myself late at night. I would be so gone at the first sight of anything out of the ordinary. If Nick was the only person around I might have stuck to him. Definitely not going back.

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 don't think I would listen in as I would be afraid of getting caught. Viv might have stuck her nose in where it didn't belong and it may have to do with what happened to her.

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?
--- I got the feeling early on like Viv that something is connecting all of them together. For such a small town that would be too many coincidences of wrong doing.

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?
--- It reminds me of a modern day Bates Motel.

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

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?
--- Callum has an agenda. Marnie - I don't know about.

Stop me people, I already added 3 books this month and only read 2.

Tara wrote: "Silje wrote: "Thanks for letting us know, Tara. Of course you can post your books here, Ashleigh or I will add the book for you, just remember to give us as many letter-options as possible=)

Where..."

That is so fun. We used to do this alot ahen I was younger. The RV experience is fun. Enjoy

What is deadline in US time?

Silje wrote: "It is great that so many have read the BOM, I wanted to read it too, but couldn't get hold of it=(

Remember: In order to get points for BOM participation you have to answer DQs from three parts of..."

Will go to round three and have copy of next BOM.

Kristie wrote: "I caved and added another September pub book. Don't Look for Me is read now for the next couple of days. I wasn't going to get it, but 7 of my GR friends have already reviewed it an..."

I added it too, sounds good and like another book i'm reading right now.

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?
--- We have stayed at motels during family vacations. All names unknown but nithing like the Sundown. I just remember good times, small pools and family fun.

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."
--- That person is not me. I would have been scared out of my mind.

3. What do you think the significance of the door to number 103 banging open/shut is?
--- No idea except that maybe something bad happened in there.

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 hope Viv is not dead. Too early for me to know what is going on.

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 think they both are unsure what the want in life and hopefully will find each other.

Yeah sorry I was about to do that.

Hi guys. I was able to get a copy of the BOM .

Oops, I added a book.

I don't like audio books so no danger to me.