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

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

Does everyone have access to ss?

Hi guys, I think we need two names (team name and restaurant name)

--- Read All Nite ???
--- Read with a View

Deanna, we were on Team Asia together. Nice to be teamed up again so soon.

@Kathryn - I like to read all sorts of books. I am very down to earth and like casual and comfort.

⚚♆ Cynthia ♆⚚ wrote: "Maritza wrote: "Cynthia and Deanna - I need your user ID's to sign us up

Okay never mind I think I signed us up properly."

In case you need it, it is 59946508-cynthia"

No, I got it. Just waiting to hear back from mods.

Cynthia and Deanna - I need your user ID's to sign us up

Okay never mind I think I signed us up properly.

Kathryn wrote: "Deanna wrote: "⚚♆ Cynthia ♆⚚ wrote: "Maritza wrote: "[[ Frankie ]] wrote: "I’d love to join, if anyone still needs a teammate. I can only do about 1-2 books a week."

I can join you."

I can join y..."

I think we have enough for a team. Can someone notify mods. https://www.goodreads.com/spanishwhis...

[[ Frankie ]] wrote: "I’d love to join, if anyone still needs a teammate. I can only do about 1-2 books a week."

I can join you.

Okay here I go signing up for more challenges. I can do at least 2 books per week

Finished and reviewed 1. Hope to do better next month as team challenges have ended except for Turf Wars.

Hoping to do better this month.

Books on shelf - 66 (141 Approved / 71 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...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

Added -
Books read in 2020 - 13
Feedback Ratio - 52 %

This book was a heartbreaker for sure.

Oh my can't wait.

Good job guys.

2 of my team challenges are ending this week - so hope to tackle my pile next week.

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.