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

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

Completion Post

Title: The Professor Woos The Witch
Author: Kristen Painter
Pages: 370
Date read: 7/3
Letters: C, S, E
Tag: No
Task: Read a book with MPG Paranormal

Planning sheet updated

Maddy wrote: "Do you actually like those Agatha Raisin books? I read one and decided not to continue, because I didn't like it. Do you enjoy them? :)"

Enjoy might be too strong a word. I use them a lot for challenges because they are fast reads. Agatha has to grow on you. :)

Completion Post

Title: Love, Lies and Liquor
Author: M.C. Beaton
Pages: 299
Date read: 7/2
Letters: R, C
Tag: No
Task: Read #11-20 in a series - Agatha Raisin #17

Planning sheet updated

Completion Post

Title: The Preacher
Author: Camilla Läckberg
Pages: 419
Date read: 7/2
Letters: C, E, S, R
Tag: No
Task: Read a book set in Scandinavia (inc Iceland & Greenland) - Set in Sweden

Planning sheet updated

Completion Post

Title: Town in a Blueberry Jam
Author: B.B. Haywood
Pages: 320
Date read: 7/1
Letters: C, S, R
Tag: No
Task: Read a book with a five word title

Planning sheet updated

Completion Post

Title: Aunt Bessie's Holiday
Author: Diana Xarissa
Pages: 251
Date read: 6/30
Letters: X, I, C
Tag: No
Task: Read a book set in the British Isles

Planning sheet updated

Completion Post

Title: Clockwork Princess
Author: Cassandra Clare
Pages: 567
Date read: 6/30
Letters: C, I, S
Tag: No
Task: Read a book with a title word in the title (e.g. queen / mister / president / etc)

Planning sheet updated

Completion Post

Title:
Author: Carol Durand
Pages: 162
Date read: 6/28/20
Letters: C, R, E, I
Tag: No
Task: Read a book with a dessert food on the cover

Planning sheet updated

Completion Post

Title: Ironhand
Author: Charlie Fletcher
Pages: 448
Date read: 6/28/20
Letters: I, C, E, S
Tag: No
Task: Read a book with a one word title

Planning sheet updated

Completion Post

Title:
Author: Diana Xarissa
Pages: 230
Date read: 6/28
Letters: X, I, S, C
Tag: No
Task: Read a book with a plane on the cover

Planning sheet updated

Completion Post

Title: The Simple Truth
Author: David Baldacci
Pages: 544
Date read: 6/27
Letters: R, E, S
Tag: No
Task: Read a book with a three word title

Planning sheet updated

Completion Post

Title:
Author: Eva Gates
Pages: 339
Date read: 6/26
Letters: E, C, R
Tag: Beach
Task: Read a book with a boat / ship on the cover

Planning sheet updated

Completion Post

Title:
Author: Garth Nix
Pages: 464
Date read: 6/26
Letters: L, N, A, S, T, E
Tag: No
Task: Read a book with a black cover - 85.7% according to Tineye

Planning sheet updated

I'll have Lirael finished in a couple of hours. That will be my last for Round 1.

Completion Post

Title: Twelve Drummers Drumming
Author: C.C. Benison
Pages: 374
Date read: 6/25/20
Letters: T, C, N, L, E, A
Tag: No
Task: Read a book with "morris dancing" (variants like dance / dancers OK) in the text - P 34 - The intrusion of a man dressed as a morris dancer just made...

Planning sheet updated

Completion Post

Title: Five Feet Apart
Author: Rachael Lippincott
Pages: 288
Date read: 6/25/20
Letters: L, S, D, T, N
Tag: No
Task: Read a book with multiple points of view

BOM: Yes
DQ 1
DQ 2
DQ 3
DQ 4
DQ 5

Planning sheet updated

Day 5 Questions Chapters 22- End

20. I was 6 miles into my walk when Will said “I’m all for being rebellious, but this seems like a death wish. Two kids with barely functioning lungs walking two miles one-way to go look at light?” and it hit me for a moment how often I take the the little things for granted. Even though this was not meant to be some life changing philosophical book, do you think you’ll look at certain things differently?

With the situations of the world today, I have been thinking about this very thing. So much has changed and things that we took for granted are now not so easily achieved. I didn't know anything about CF so this has been an education.

21.I suppose this question can be answered many different ways. But when Stella got a call about the lung transplant and purposely ignored it, what was your initial reaction? If you put yourself in that situation, what do you think you would do? If you are a parent, what do you think you’d want your child to do in that situation?

I was very frustrated because I couldn't help looking at it like a parent. I didn't want her to throw away the chance for a normal existence even if it was only for five years. With life, there's hope. Hope for a cure or for medical advancements that might give her more time.

22. A part of me really thought they would go the whole book without touching and the ice skating scene actually surprised me. Are you glad that they added that into the book or did it feel unrealistic knowing how Stella was at the beginning of the book?

It certainly was a turnaround for Stella and did feel unrealistic. But I still enjoyed the scene.

23.Them seeing each other at the airport but not talking but knowing they still love each other is not how I expected the book to end. Were you satisfied with the ending? Would you have wanted them to get on the same plane?

I liked the ending. Seeing each other was bittersweet but it showed that they were both living their lives the best way they could under their individual situations.

24.Did you have a favorite character? What was your favorite scene? Be honest here, did you cry at any point in the book? Any final thoughts/rants/praises on this book you didn’t get to share yet? Drop them here!

I really liked Poe. I think the first date was my favorite scene. And yes, I did cry, at Poe's death and when Will left. That's not unusual for me; I tend to cry at anything remotely sad.

I should finish everything that I've put on the spreadsheet. Two will be finished today and the other tomorrow by late afternoon, maybe earlier.

Day 4 Questions Chapters 16-21

15. We get to find out about the title in this section. What did you guys think about the new rule, and the reason behind it?

I think Stella just needs to feel like she has control over something in her life. One foot is not a lot but it makes a big statement about what she's feeling.

16. Did you all like Stella and Will’s first date? Do you think you would have the self control to stay away from the love of your life?
As an aside, are there any YA books of this type that allow the kids to spend more than 6 minutes together before falling in love?

I loved the date. I can't imagine how hard it would be to be alone together and still keep the distance required. But caring about someone means you do what's best for them. And that's what they did.

I enjoy YA books as a rule but this "instant love" is my biggest gripe. That and the teenage angst that accompanies it.

17. They spend a page or two discussing the afterlife. Do you think their takes on it made sense to the characters? Realizing I am wading into murky waters here, did you want to discuss your own views? (Optional, teehee.)

I think it was true to the characters.

18. Abby. We find out why happens to her here. What did you think of this reveal? Was it a satisfying explanation of the missing sister story to you?

I wasn't surprised. It sounded like Abby was a daredevil, maybe partly due to Stella's illness. I still feel like Abby was trying to live and experience everything for both herself and Stella.

19. Chapter 21 is a bit of a rollercoaster. The birthday dinner is pretty cool. Did you like what Stella and all set up? Then, Poe. This hit me more than any of the other "feels" in the book. How did you take this? Discuss.

The birthday party was great. I love that Stella had both her friends and Will's and that Poe was able to cook for them.

Poe's death was so sad and so sudden. He was such a great character and the fact that he had just decided to make up with Michael and go home to see his parents made it especially heartbreaking.

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?

We're already seeing the effect each is having on the other. Will is taking his treatment seriously and Stella is starting to loosen up a little. As their attraction and feelings for each other grow, maybe they can find some kind of middle ground. It's so hard to think that you can never touch someone you care about.

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?

In a way it seems that Abby was trying to live enough for herself and Stella both. Stella has always had to be so careful, missing out on trips and experiences that she was too sick for. Abby, on the other hand, sounds like a daredevil, and that apparently resulted in her death.

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

I think it will last. Maybe they finally realize what they have been doing to Stella and will continue to be there for her rather than letting their relationship problems put a bigger strain on Stella.

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 vibrant?

Boy, that's hard. I really don't know.

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 this? When in crisis, do you distance yourself or reach out?

I can understand how Poe feels. He hates being a burden and is afraid to love too deeply because of it. I think I tend more to reach out in difficult times.