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

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

Got my copy.

July Goal - Read & Review 4 Books.

Books on shelf - 137 Approved / 68 Feedback Sent
NetGalley Feedback - 50%

New Titles (9)

Older than 3 months (56)
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...

Added -
Books read in 2020 - 9
Feedback Ratio - 50%

Met my goal to read and review 4 books this month. I am now at 50%. Next month I would like to be at 60% or higher.

Good round guys.

Have a quick read for today for Olympics.

Ashleigh wrote: "Maritza have you deleted your Wheel shelf? Can't find it in your shelves"

No let me check.
Sorry, I fixed it. You should see it again.

Day 3 Questions
chapters 10 - 15

10) I can't imagine the stress of trying to balance the knowledge of a fairly terminal prognosis with trying to be hopeful to live. I mean, we all know our days are numbered, but when you have an idea of what the number might be, you can either try to suck the marrow out of every day or curl up and try not to care enough to let anything hurt you more. Who do you think will have a bigger effect on the other, Will or Stella, and what do you hope will be the outcome, from a personal growth aspect?

They will both benefit each other but Stella will have the biggest influence on Will.

11) Maybe I'm too cynical, but I kept feeling like Abby was used as the personification of the idea that "See, you never know how long you have to live, so..." and not flawed enough to be a real person. Did anyone else feel that way or am I being a meanie?

I don't feel we know enough about her to decide one way or another.

12) I loved Barb's parental takedown. Do you think the shift in Stella's parents will last?

I think they will come back together and mend their relationship.

13) Reflecting on Barb's story of Amy and Trevor: would you choose a much shorter but immediately fuller life, or a longer lifespan though it may be less

Wow, I think I would choose longer life.

14) Poe says "It's my sickness...it's my problem." While it's admirable to strive for self-sufficiency, a main message of the book seems to be about how it's imperative to open up and do the work to nurture healthy, supportive relationships. What is your take on

These kids have lived through so much that they have matured faster that your average child. They have lost so much that they havs to take charge of whatever they can. 

Kristie wrote: "Maritza wrote: "Okay guys my goal was to read and review 4 books this month and am 1 behind."

You can do it, Maritza! The month is not over yet. I have one left to read and review before the end o..."

Thank you Kristie. I think I can as I committed it to a team challenge I'm in. May have another one done too and have not added any more books.

Day 2 Questions

6 . 'I wonder how many strings she had to pull and how much money she had to throw away to get me into this trial'
This quote caught my attention because in the UK we don't have to pay for treatment, even in a clinical trial in the UK. Did it catch anyone else's notice?

It did stand out to me and I thought - this is a mother who would do anything to keep her child alive.

7. Are you surprised at how quickly Stella has become attached to Will? I wasn't expecting this strength of reaction to him not taking his treatment seriously. Did you think it was in character?

I thought this had to do with her own treatment and her wanting to live.

8. Wow Will's mum is controlling. I'm not surprised he's ended up rebelling from taking his treatments. Do you think you'd react like Stella (perfectionist, controlling about treatment and planning for the future) or Will (fed up, rebellious and living for the moment) to being in this type of situation?

I would probably be like Stella.

9. Masks, lots of hand washing, staying 6 feet (or roughly 2m) apart, limited places you can go… The recent pandemic is giving me more insight into some of what this must be like than I'd had before. How are you coping with the changes?

For the past 3 1/2 months my anxiety level has been so high with the hand washing, social distance and long lines at the store.

Okay guys my goal was to read and review 4 books this month and am 1 behind.

Hi. Everything good. Nice and quiet.

Discussion Questions - Day 1

1) From what I know, this book is the novelization of the movie. While this doesn’t happen too often, I’ve read a couple books before that were only written after a movie/series (e.g. The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet). Have you ever read a book like this? What did you think? Was it successful? Did this experience influence your expectations of this book?

Oh I did not know that. I have wanted to see the movie for so long but it seemed so young adult like. I will definitely be seeing movie after finishing book (maybe this weekend). I don't know that I have read another book like that. No expectations prior to reading book. But am enjoying it very much so far.

2) Stella and Will, wearing face masks & using copious amounts of hand sanitizer before it was cool. All jokes aside, this is an oddly timely reminder that face masks do make a difference to prevent the spreading of diseases. I knew next to nothing about CF before starting this book and I’ve seen very mixed reactions to the representation of CF so I was wondering… do you have any experience with CF and therefore expectations? (If you don’t feel comfortable answering, feel free to just skip this question!)

This book has enlighten me to many things I did not know about CF as I am not too familiar and have not met any one with it that I know of.

3) "If I’m going to die, I’d like to actually live first.“ This quote from Will’s POV reminded me of the countless bucket list stories and made me wonder whether this will go in that direction. Yet while Will takes more of a Devil-May-care attitude, Stella is very cautious to follow the rules. Do you think Will’s attitude is going to influence Stella as they got closer (literally?!). Will she also take more (dangerous) risks?

I think he will encourage her to do things she has not done before. She may explore more outside her routine.

4) Stella is a "tech nerd", even programming her own app. Most MCs in YA books have artsy, "girly" hobbies (sorry for using that terrible gendered stereotype), if they have any prominent hobbies at all. Books about artsy people are among my favorites and I’m always on the hunt for more. While I like traditional hobbies, some of my favorite books (e.g. With the Fire on High) have non-mainstream hobbies and I am actually quite excited to learn more about this aspect of Stella’s story. Have you read any other books where the main character had a prominent hobby that wasn’t drawing/painting/writing/theater/an instrument?

None comes to mind off hand. Although dancing and singing are very popular.

5) Stella’s parents are recently divorced, in what she calls the “most ridiculous divorce of all time”, and she worries a lot about them. It both breaks my heart and confuses me slightly why it is so far being kept from us what happened - we only know that Stella believes both parents are unhappy after the separation. So… what do you think happened?

Parents of sick children are either drawn together or separated by one parent wanting more for the child than the other.

It's happened to me when I didn't download a book that I got approved for.

Hi guys. I think I got a free trial of Scribd once but did not end up using it. I don't really like audio books as I like to read and go back and forth in books. Have been reading a lot on kindle and Libby but have always preferred a book to feel, touch and ear tag.

Vicki wrote: "Megan wrote: "That planning sheet is beautiful! Well done Silje <3

I think I am going to start with It's a reread but it has taken me so long to get around to read..."

I do the same thing Vicki. Sometimes it feels like I never read the book.

I have no clue what I am going to read. My library is closed but I need to catch up on my NetGalley reviews anyway. I also have a lot of free kindle books and author freebies I need to read and review.

Vicki wrote: "Halli wrote: "@Silje - I am a total type A so would love a planning spreadsheet!

I've checked out 2 books from Overdrive that just came off my holds list so those will be my first 2. Both happen ..."

I need to read this book, sounds so good.

Guys are we adding any book recommendations? I see other teams are doing it. I recommend.
What Unbreakable Looks Like
Black: Rylee's Protector
Little Secrets

Hi guys, Happy Monday. Well Vicki, that was nice. In answers to your questions - I was borned and raised in Brooklyn, NY. I have lived 2 places 1 block apart. Am nit married or have any kids. Have 3 nieces who live in other states right now. I am home taking care of my elderly parents. I work i a hospital so never stopped working but we are doing patient care through the phone, no in office visits except emergencies. We are in Phase 1 of reopening starting today. These sure have been an anxious 3 months. I have always wanted to see Phantom of the Opera but with the original phantom. I love broadway plays but they are closed for the rest of the year. It has been eerie in NYC with everything closed and people not wanting anyone near them. The thing I havw missed tge most is going to Church, it is not the same on tv and zoom. Can't wait to see what the resy of the year brings. So far 2020 has been full of so much tension and loss. Things will get better slowly.

My other hobby besides reading is watching tv. I lead a quiet life and like to stay home.

Good questions Vicki. Brag all you want.