Jackie’s Comments (group member since Jul 10, 2011)

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

Day 3 DQs

11. In the beginning of this section, we find out that Noa not only looks like a middle class Japanese boy, he also wants to be one. What are you opinions on this and why do you think he wants this? What do you think would happen if he shared this with his parents?
With the abuse that Koreans take, it's understandable that Noa would want to be considered Japanese. I don't think his parents would like it.

12. Isak is back from jail finally after two years. I found this to be a bit of a surprise because I was expecting him to die in jail. I wasn't expecting him to be let out. What were your thoughts on him being let out of jail to die in his home. He was obviously let out to die at home, but did you find this mercy surprising? Did you expect this?
I doubt that it was merciful. They just didn't want their records to show that he died in jail. Merciful would have been if he hadn't been so mistreated and been sent home to his family before he was too far gone.

13. A run in with Hansu. I thought it was super creepy that Hansu has been keeping tabs on Sunja (even though one of the kids is his). What are your opinions on this? And then he drops the whole "we're about to get bombed" curveball. Do you like him more because he warned Sunja or do you still think he's being selfish and trying to keep his only son alive?
I think he wants to protect his son which is understandable. His reasons are most likely selfish but he probably saved their lives.

14. Wow. Hansu lying to Yoseb about his parents being dead. That is beyond harsh. Why do you think Hansu did this? He obviously wants his child, Noa, but do you think he is also planning on getting Sunja back?
Hansu doesn't want Sunja going back to Korea. By bringing Sunja's mother to her and by telling Yoseb that his parents are dead, he thinks they will have no reason to go back.

15. Hansu later tells Kim that Yoseb is dying and to scoop up Kyunghee before she gets old. Talk about a jerk. What do you think of Hansu after this? What about Kim? Do you think Kim will eventually try?
I haven't liked Hansu from the start. I believe that Kim will eventually try to get Kyunghee but not until Yoseb is out of the picture.

DQ - Day 2

6. I might be too judgmental, but her pining for Hansu is constantly making me frown. She promised to care for and honor her husband, never to betray him. Yet she keeps marveling about her lost "love", how she misses him, how she wants to see him, how she has already been in the city with him in her mind, etc. Are such thought not a kind of betrayal? She is so rational and reasonable about what happened and knows full well how he lured her in and used her, but cannot stop the pining and reminiscing about it. Why do you think she can't let it go and focus on her future?
I didn't really think she was terribly focused on Hansu, no more than I would consider normal considering he's the father of her first child. I think she was trying to make the best of a difficult situation and being faithful to her husband.

7. After all Isak said about his successful brother and all his dreams about the better life in the city, he arrived to some harsh revelations. I am starting to think they might have been better staying on the island. Isak's brother's revelations about his house, his neighbors, the judgement in the city, the discrimination at work and spying everywhere are very disappointing and brutal. Do you think it a natural disillusion of impossible dreams? Or Yoseb's hope that it might be better for his brother here, where he can watch over him?
I think they would have been better in Korea but Isak had the calling to the position in the church in Japan. Yoseb really wanted Isak to join him so I think he probably painted a rosier picture to Isak. And honestly, I think Isak would not have listened even if Yoseb had been more realistic about their situation.

8. That scene in the church with the brother and sister. The pastor discussing what it actually means when a wealthy man wants to be a young girl's "friend". The duplicity of the pastor - being nice and not judgmental to the siblings, yet judging them harshly when they have left was not surprising but annoying still. The sweet talk to their face, but harsh berating behind their back would have been exactly what happened to Sunja and her family. Do you think this scene was included to reveal to Isak more truths about his wife's condition and impossible choices to help him understand her?
I think it was just typical and probably not directed overly to Isak.

9. The pastor's reason for hiring Isak was revealed as well - to get money from his family and avoid paying him wages - and I must admit it didn't endear the pastor to me at all. And the pawnbroker and his greed, the loan sharks and their scare tactics. We get introduced to many characters that are not really likable and portray humanity at its worst. Do you think it is a decision by the author to reveal the true nature of people in all kinds of positions in general or is it included to especially note how people get in times of oppression and hard times? I am starting to think Isak coming to Japan was a huge mistake with every little revelation. Do you think it will work out? Or do you agree it was a mistake?
I believe they would have better off in Korea. At least the people seemed to be kinder. It seems that the author is highlighting how oppressed the Koreans were in Japan during this time.

10. The debacle with the watch was very educational. We get to see a merchant's attitude towards women, husband's attitude towards a wife in stark contrast to how men are treated. Yoseb is enraged with his wife and sister-in-law, he can't forgive them or appreciate the help, yet he can forgive and accept when his brother asks him to. Do you think he would have gotten over it in time if his brother hadn't asked him? Or would he be always resentful towards women? The whole "head of the house" part further gets the point home that women will always be under the command of a man, even in regards to baby names. The prison scene also drives home how women are still supposed to be home and stay away from men's troubles, too weak to do something about it. And women who work are still frowned upon, even in their own family. Do you think it will change further in the story? Will oppression and war open their minds towards changing a woman's role in the family and world?
This is a male-dominated society/time in history. Yoseb wants to take care of his family, and the women are not supposed to be doing these things (in his opinion.) I don't see his attitude changing.

Day 1 DQs

1. This novel starts with the sentence: "History has failed us, but no matter." Did you like this opening line? What do you think it means, and why do you think the author chose it?
I like it but am not sure yet how it applies in this book. My guess is that regardless of circumstances, life goes on and we have to do our best.

2. I am half-Korean, and my mom has shared a lot of the history of her own family and how it's interwoven with Korean history in general. What, if anything, did you know of the Japanese colonization of Korea -- or the history of Korea, Japan, and China in the 20th scentury in general -- before beginning to read this book?
I really knew nothing so I find this very interesting.

3. Hansu seems like a complicated character. What were your thoughts on him? Did you hate him?
I didn't hate him but I hated that he took advantage of Sunja's innocence and naivete. I do think he cared about her and was willing to take care of her but he had to know how society would react and how Sunja would be treated by others. Basically just a man taking what he wanted without considering who he hurt.

4. What did you think of Sunja's decision to not accept being Hansu's mistress? Why do you think she chose to reject him? Do you think she made the right decision?
I do think she made the right decision. She was honorable and knew that this was wrong, for her at least.

5. In this first section of the novel, we see two couples wed -- Hoonie and Yangjin, and then Isak and Sunja. What were some of the similarities between these marriages, and what were the differences?
Neither of the couples knew each other well. Isak and Sunja's was different because of the baby and the fact that they would be going to a different country and so would have much greater adjustments to make.

Completion Post

Title:
Author: Diana Xarissa
Pages: 230
Date read: 8/12
Letters: X, W, S
Tag: No
Task: Read a book with a bird and a cat on the cover

Planning sheet updated

Completion Post

Title: It's Hell to Choose
Author: Michael Anderle
Pages: 349
Date read: 8/11
Letters: I, A, S, E, N, T
Tag: No
Task: Read a book featuring aliens - Character TOM is an alien.

Planning sheet updated

Completion Post

Title:
Author: Darynda Jones
Pages: 296
Date read: 8/11
Letters: G, T, H
Tag: No
Task: Read a book with five or more people on the cover

Planning sheet updated

Completion Post

Title: Phoenix Rising
Author: Pip Ballantine
Pages: 402
Date read: 8/11
Letters: E, W, H, T
Tag: No
Task: Read a book with MPG Steam Punk

Planning sheet updated

Completion Post

Title: Janitors
Author: Tyler Whitesides
Pages: 300
Date read: 8/9
Letters: T, W, S, G, H, A
Tag: No
Task: Read a book with MPG Adventure - 60793 words

Planning sheet updated

Completion Post

Title: High Five
Author: Janet Evanovich
Pages: 336
Date read: 8/9
Letters: H, E, S, A
Tag: No
Task: Read a book with MPG Romance

Planning sheet updated

Completion Post

Title: Eric
Author: Terry Pratchett
Pages: 197
Date read: 8/8
Letters: E, T
Tag: No
Task: Read #9 in a series

Planning sheet updated

Completion Post

Title: Four to Score
Author: Janet Evanovich
Pages: 313
Date read: 8/8
Letters: E, S, N
Tag: No
Task: Read a book with MPG Mystery

Planning sheet updated

Completion Post

Title:
Author: P.G. Wodehouse
Pages: 272
Date read: 8/7/20
Letters: W, T, S, A, E, O, H
Tag: No
Task: Read a book with a country scene on the cover

Planning sheet updated

I'm going to try to step it up this round. Hope we can get our lead back.

Woohoo! Great job team!!

I'm finished for this round.

Completion Post

Title: The Amazing Mrs. Pollifax
Author: Dorothy Gilman
Pages: 172
Date read: 8/6
Letters: A, E, R
Tag: No
Task: Read a book set in the Middle East - Turkey

Planning sheet updated

Completion Post

Title: Up from the Grave
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Pages: 372
Date read: 8/6
Letters: U, B, I
Tag: No
Task: Read #7 in a series

Planning sheet updated

Finished Dairy. Doing Chocolate/Candy

Eye candy
E Four to Score by Janet Evanovich - 8/8/20
Y Yellow Brick War by Danielle Paige - 8/26/20
E Eric by Terry Pratchett - 8/8/20

C Winterkill by C.J. Box - 8/6/20
A The Amazing Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman - 8/6/20
N Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty - 8/16/20
D The Secret of the Caves by Franklin W. Dixon - 8/6/20
Y The Silver Stag by Yasmine Galenorn - 1/20/21

Godiva Chocolates
G Swindle by Gordon Korman - 8/8/20
O Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian - 8/24/20
D Death, Doom and Detention by Darynda Jones - 8/11/20
I Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Ian Fleming - 8/4/20
V Elizabeth and Her German Garden by Elizabeth von Arnim - 9/7/20
A White Nights by Ann Cleeves - 8/15/20

C The Code of the Woosters by P.G. Wodehouse - 8/7/20
H The House at Pooh Corner by A.A. Milne - 8/21/20
O Enchantment by Orson Scott Card - 8/28/20
C Poirot's Early Cases by Agatha Christie - 8/18/20
O The Other Wind by Ursula K. Le Guin - 9/19/20
L Pachinko by Min Jin Lee - 8/14/20
A Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews - 8/22/20
T Janitors by Tyler Whitesides - 8/9/20
E High Five by Janet Evanovich - 8/9/20
S Who Could That Be at This Hour? by Lemony Snicket - 8/15/20

Fanny May Chocolates
F First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen - 8/30/20
A Release the Dogs of War by Michael Anderle - 8/26/20
N Tongues of Serpents by Naomi Novik - 8/29/20
N A Noble Radiance by Donna Leon - 9/21/20
Y Harvest Hunting by Yasmine Galenorn - 7/12/21

M Mrs. Smith's Spy School for Girls by Beth McMullen - 8/17/20
A Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey - 9/1/20
Y You’ve Got Murder by Donna Andrews - 8/19/21

C The Buccaneers' Code by Caroline Carlson - 8/19/20
H The Red Garden by Alice Hoffman - 9/4/20
O Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell - 10/14/20
C The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis - 8/19/20
O Omens by Kelley Armstrong - 10/27/20
L Mortal Coil by Derek Landy - 8/21/20
A A is for Apple by Kate Johnson - 9/4/20
T The Girl with the Cat Tattoo by Theresa Weir - 8/21/20
E Tangled Threads by Jennifer Estep - 9/5/20
S Shimmer: The Revelations of Oriceran by S.M. Boyce - 8/23/20

Lindt Chocolate
L Arsène Lupin, Gentleman-Thief by Maurice Leblanc - 9/13/20
I It's Hell to Choose by Michael Anderle - 8/11/20
N The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer - 10/27/20
D Boats and Bad Guys by Diana Xarissa - 8/12/20
T The Thrall and the Dragon's Heart by Elizabeth H. Boyer - 9/1/20

C Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley - 9/14/20
H Absolutely, Positively by Heather Webber - 9/6/20
O On the Edge by Ilona Andrews - 11/25/20
C The Castle of Llyr by Lloyd Alexander - 9/20/20
O Orange Is the New Black by Piper Kerman 1/21/21
L The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander - 9/17/20
A Arsenic in the Azaleas by Dale Mayer - 9/7/20
T Fight Card: Rumble in the Jungle by Jack Tunney - 9/9/20
E The Ersatz Elevator by Lemony Snicket - 9/11/20

Turtles
T Taran Wanderer by Lloyd Alexander - 9/20/20
U Up from the Grave by Jeaniene Frost - 8/6/20
R Portrait in Death by J.D. Robb - 8/20/20
T Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson - 10/21/20
L The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander - 9/19/20
E Dipped, Stripped, and Dead by Elise Hyatt - 9/11/20
S Prime Minister's Secret Agent: A Maggie Hope Mystery by Susan Elia MacNeal - 9/3/20

Truffles
T The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma by Trenton Lee Stewart - 11/8/20
R The Recycled Citizen by Charlotte MacLeod - 9/9/20
U Tales from Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin - 8/23/20
F Fated by Benedict Jacka - 9/28/20
F The Fugitive King by Sarah R. Shaber - 10/25/20
L The High King by Lloyd Alexander - 9/23/20
E Half-Moon Investigations by Eoin Colfer - 9/21/20
S The Black Dove by Steve Hockensmith - 9/7/20

Completion Post

Title: Winterkill
Author: C.J. Box
Pages: 352
Date read: 8/6
Letters: B, A, R
Tag: Winter
Task: Read a book recommended by someone in a different team - Don Quixote

Planning sheet updated

I will at least finish the ones that I have on the spreadsheet. One of them works for E.