megan’s Comments (group member since Jun 26, 2015)

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

Chapters 9-17

8. "If I catch killers, then maybe that means I'm not a killer," says Jazz. Howie then goes on to give a great reason why Jazz isn't a killer (love Howie)...are you seeing killer tendencies in Jazz?

9. Jazz has another interaction with Jeff Fulton, do you think that Jazz should share information about Billy Dent's victims with their families? If so, how would that impact his mental health?

10. We see vulnerability in Jazz through the dreams he is having of cutting flesh, that he believes is his mom...and thinking that he killed her. Do you think these are really flashbacks? If so, why?

11. Enter Office Erikson once again, he comes from the town that one of the ladies was killed lived in, and we saw his behavior when he picked up Jazz from the high school. Why do you think G Williams isn't doing anything about this abnormal behavior and potential connections to the victim?

13. I've read this series and love it, it was actually one of my first book about serial killers (was scared to read them before). Are there other series that you recommend in this genre?

I'm in on this one. May be starting a bit late, but excited.

DQ set 1: Chapters 1 - 8

1. What are your first impressions of Jazz? What is his motivation for spying on the crime scene and requesting to help investigate?
Really liking Jazz, which surprises me. Usually I find something about a male teen protagonist that really annoys me by this point. He’s smart and aware and I appreciate those characteristics in general. I think his desire to investigate the crime scene goes back to this constant struggle he has with himself about killing being in his genes. It’s like he’s trying to combat the side of himself who can imagine being a killer, by being the exact opposite. A hero. The murder solver.

2. "Ever since arresting Dear Old Dad four years ago, G. William had kept in touch with Jazz...". How would you characterize the relationship between Jazz and G. William? Why is the sheriff so adament about one body not meaning a serial killer? Is he trying to protect Jazz, himself, or both? I really like this relationship. G William obviously sees something in Jazz. That Jazz needs this involvement in murder investigations to keep himself sane. He also recognizes that there might not be a killer gene within Jazz, but there is knowledge there. I think he understands that Jazz is both wise beyond his years and can think analytically. Even without Jazz’s experience living with his father, those are the kind of things that adults really notice after getting to know them. And GW seems to know that Jazz needs a stable, non-killer adult male figure in his life. GWs is saying this isn’t a serial killer is based on statistics.

3. Howie has been the only friend who stayed with Jaspar after his father's exposure. Jaspar claims that he needs Howie to keep him "close to the line of safety and legality". Do you think Howie realizes what Jazz needs from him? Why doesn't he get angry when Jazz gets him into trouble?
I think Howie is more aware than the author has given him credit for. He is still Jazz’s friend for a reason. He/his loved ones had to have talked in-depth about their friendship. Howie sticks around for a reason. That he didn’t get angry when he gets him in to trouble might just be a character thing. Or he’s just gotten used to it as Jazz’s best friend. I want to give Howie a big, bruise inducing huge.

4. Deputy Erikson has caught Jazz's attention twice now with his behavior at the crime scene and his unexplained appearance at the morgue. Do you agree with Jazz's assessment of the deputy, or do you think there is a reasonable explanation for his actions?
I want to say Erickson is sketchy for a reason. Maybe we are suppose to be looking at him as the killer. Maybe he is just a distraction to keep us from really seeing clues about the real killer. A seri killer worshiper could easily be a cop. Hoping he’s just a weird guy.

5. The Impressionist states he "had been given a rule" not to interact with or harm Jaspar. Who do you think might have given him that rule and why?
Billy. Billy loves his son. Even if he can see other humans as pointless objects, he still cared about his son.

6. Jazz has the mantra, "People matter. People are real.", as a screensaver and pictures of all his father's victims in his room? Do you think this actually helps or hurts him? Is Connie right about letting go of the past?
If Jazz thinks it helps, then I’d say it does. Connie is spot on about letting things go. He’s dwelled and let this idea of having this serial killer inside him eat at him for too long. Mental health wise, he needs a break.

7. "His upbringing... told him that women were simultaneously special and useless." How do the three women in his life (Connie, Melissa, and Gramma) match with what he has been taught? Do they reinforce or challenge the idea? What kind of influence are they on Jazz?
Connie is a soothing influence. A softness he needs, but can’t get from Gramma. But his relationships with all three don’t fit into that mold at all.

And really enjoying it. The way it stared, I didn’t think I would.

With the way Gone Girl turned out, I don’t trust any of my assumptions and am second guessing everything. I’m pretty sure that (view spoiler)[Ben didn’t do it, but is probably linked somehow. Even though he acted like a complete a-hole to his family, there’s no way the boy portrayed so far is capable of just murdering his family. (hide spoiler)] but then again, I don’t trust anything here. Lol.

A Separate Peace
John Knowles
204 pages
13 July


Letters: B, E, F, G, H, J, K, L, P, S
Characters: Gene Forrester, Phineas, Brinker Hadley, Elwin Lepellier

I'm currently reading Dark Places for a BR. I plan on starting I Hunt Killers this afternoon. I'll also be joining in on the BRs for Ten Thousand Skies Above You and Throne of Glass

I know Libby is unlikable, but I totally understand her anger. She didn't get the basic mental health services that kids in her situation would receive today.

Elen wrote: "I would agree with everyone! Libby is not so usual likable character but opposite to that. But I am sure that she will grow throughout the book and will be more "likable" or understood.

"The kill ..."

I was so mad at them. You'd think that they would have gotten together so many times over the years and talked about what they'd say to her if they ever met her and have had it all planned out. It was a total disaster.

Just getting started on this one. It’s been a few years since I read Gone Girl and I’ve forgotten Gillian Flynn’s writing style. Liking Libby’s blunt brashness so far.

Both work for me!

The Hating Game
Sally Thorne
387 pages
8 July

Letters: D, F, H, J, L, P, S, T
Lucy Hutton, Joshua Templeman, Danny Fletcher, Helene Pascal

Everything We Give: A Novel
Kerry Lonsdale
318 pages
6 July

Letters: A, C, E, I, K, L, R, S, T
Characters: Ian Collins, Aimee Collins, Reese Thorne, Lacy Saunders

Imbeciles: The Supreme Court, American Eugenics, and the Sterilization of Carrie Buck
Adam Cohen
416 pages
6 July

Letters: A, B, C, H, I, O, P, S
Main Focus on: Carrie Buck, Dr. Albert Priddy, Aubrey Strode, Oliver Wendell Holmes

This one has been in my kindle for a while.

The Voice Inside
Brian Freeman
2 July
348 pages

Letters: B, C, D, E F, J, R, S ,T
Characters: Frost Easton, Jess Salceda, Eden Shay, Tabby Blane Duane Easton, Rudy Cutter

I didn’t get much reading done this week. Made a bit of headway in Imbeciles: The Supreme Court, American Eugenics, and the Sterilization of Carrie Buck and barley started Strange the Dreamer. It was a bad week for me mentally, and reading didn’t help like it usually does. Hopping the funk breaks before the new week.

Suzanne wrote: "My favorite part of the book is the different worlds - I think you are right the author had some fun with them, and they do seem different. I would have liked to have seen maybe more details of the..."

I agree! My enjoyment of the -verses is the reason I originally read the whole series. I think in the 2nd or 3rd book there is an Americaverse where something in the 20th century went differently, similar to the plot from Man in the High Castle and WW2, that I remember finding really interesting.

Deanna wrote: "Sonia got back to me...

The tournament is divided into parts. For the team part, we can use whatever books we have available. For the house part (third and final) books will have to be started aft..."

Awesome! Thanks Deanna.

So what do we do now that the spells are almost done (2 Us)? Can we just bank books or will we not be allowed to use them for the tournament?