Laura’s Comments (group member since Nov 04, 2015)

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

Tricia wrote: "Good idea using Art Thief. I had briefly considered it but didn't see the tiny patch of blue. The Marvels doesn't seem work for any of the other travel tasks so i could add it to the countries itin..."

We've been placing Easy country books into the itineraries as they get near completion. We have a few tasks left to come for Mini #2, so we can hold The Marvels until we see if it will fit anywhere. That would be our second/last UK book.

I just finished my Z, so you can grab a second new spin as well.

I have 3 hours left in my Brazil book.

Aiswrya wrote: "New task: Read a book with a door or gate on the cover"

Would Rachel's Cold Eternity technically have a door covering this "bed"?

I should be done with Zapata tomorrow.

DQs Day 3

12. When Norma tells her mother she's pregnant, Norma notices fear in her other's eyes. What do you think that fear was about? Do you think she was remembering her own past experiences and worrying about Norma, or was she fearing that this would lead to Norma finding out the truth somehow? (Thinking to all of the bloodwork and stuff that comes from this, though admittedly not sure in the time frame if that was as much of a concern.)

I think it was initially because of her own past, but then there was also an element of fear of discovery.

13. Ruthie was from Nova Scotia and went missing in Maine, yet Norma and Ben ran into each other in Boston of all places — somewhere his family would not be expecting her. Later, when they need some time away, Norma's husband takes her to Nova Scotia, where she feels some familiarity and connection to the land. Are these crossovers just coincidences, or do you think that in the grand scheme of the story, something more (fate, a higher power, etc.) is leading them to each other?

I just think of it as a storytelling device. The author picked those places to further the story. But Boston is only a few hours from Maine, so I don't think it's that surprising him seeing her.

14. We get the backstory in this section on why Joe didn't know he had a daughter at first. Knowing what we know now do you agree with his family's decision to keep him in the dark? Have your opinions on Joe changed with this piece of backstory revealed?

I liked Joe as a child. And his tragic backstory made me feel for him. But he needs AA, or some program to help him with alcohol. And he needs it yesterday.

15. "I would learn to love the little one." What a strange thing for Lenore to say when broaching the topic of adoption — especially considering Norma's circumstances. What did you think when you read that — especially seeing how Lenore treated Norma growing up?

I assume Lenore was speaking from her own experiences. But I do wonder about the circumstances that lead to them having Norma. I'm not so sure it was a kidnapping. I think someone in or close to the family sold her.

DAY 2 QUESTIONS - CHAPTERS 4-7

7. "But sometimes I think that sadness drilled down deep and some of it might just be there for good"
"now get lost and leave me to my book."
"There was love in that house but none of us really knew what to do with it."
In chapter four we learn more about Norma's parents and life in their house as she grew up. Does learning about Lenore's past make you more sympathetic to her? And how about their parenting style, I can't imagine ever telling my children or grandchildren "to get lost" because I wanted to read a book. (Ok, I'm sure all parents might have thought it at times, but saying it to a child is a definite no no in my book!)

I'm listening to the audio and really struggling to engage with this book. When I saw this I thought who in the world is Lenore? :)

8. In juxtaposition to Frank, Lenore and Norma, we have alternating chapters about family life from Joe's POV. Thoughts and why does the author structure the novel this way?

Since I'm 99.9999% certain that without some totally unexpected plot twist it will turn out that Norma is Ruthie, I believe we are being given a chance to determine if we feel that her life is better as is or if would have been better if she had never been taken.

9. Chapter 5 - the horrible incident with Frankie and Charlie. How did you feel reading about this injustice? Could anything been done to avert this tragedy? How does Amanda Peters' writing the scene add to the heartbreak?

It's just so matter-of-fact that you have to rewind to figure out what just happened. However, as I said before I'm struggling to engage with the book and care about the characters at all. So I don't feel that her writing of the scene adds to the heartbreak

10. What you think of Aunty June and her role in the story? Why does she encourage Norma to interact with the Indian protesters only to pull her back when she is recognized as Ruthie?

I think June is constantly feeling guilty and pulled to try to correct past mistakes/misdeeds.

11. Joe seems to be a tragic figure as the story of his life is revealed. How he has responded to racism and trauma make you feel when reading this book? Are you enjoying the story or does it make for uncomfortable reading?

I'm not really enjoying the story or the characters, but that's not due to the racism/trauma or anyone's reaction to it. This is just not my usual genre of book, and as a mood reader I think it would have been better to wait to read this book. But as a library reader, I needed to read it now or never.

DQs for day 1

Some of these questions will lead to possible spoilers. Please be sure to hide any spoilers

I've only just finished chapter 3, so any spoilers are not spoilers but rather than what I think will happen/is going on.

1. What expectations do you have for the book based on the blurb or other description of the book?
I've only skimmed the blurb, so I don't really have any expecations.

2. How reliable do you the think the 2 narrators are?
I don't think Norma is a reliable narrator because she has repressed memories. It seems obvious that she is actually Ruthie and was stolen.

3. Chapter 1 opens with " The day Ruthie went missing the black flies seemed to be especially hungry...Indians made such good berry pickers...something sour in our blood kept the black flies away". How does this establish Joe's view of the relationship that exists between the whites and the Mi'kmaq?
I think his view is pretty realistic.

4. How much is Norma dreaming vs remembering? What do you think the dreams foreshadow?
I believe it is repressed memories and she is Ruthie.

5. How do you explain Lenore's paranoia about Norma being out alone? How do you account for the incongruity of her insistence that Norma likes to play with baby dolls when she sees Norma choosing other playthings?
Again, I think Norma is Ruthie. So Lenore is paranoid because she doesn't want anyone who knows Ruthie to see her. The baby dolls are from when Norma is Ruthie.

6. Why did Joe act so clingy when he returned from his first "guide" with his dad?
No idea.

Aiswrya wrote: "My favorite read was the Mrs Pollifox series. The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax. I love the humor, and wide array of supporting characters!"

I really enjoy Mrs. Pollifax. I will say that during a challenge about a year ago I read 3 of them really close together and I found that I need to space them out a bit more. But otherwise I like them and have a few I plan to read during this challenge.

I did a few re-reads that I always enjoy. And found some non-fiction that I really learned from. But fantasy always has my heart, so Dire Bound, Feathers So Vicious, and Shadows So Cruel were probably my favorites of the month.

Aiswrya wrote: "Priya wrote: "I put in a book for Sudan in the first sheet for the Mini 1 itinerary and it didn't get copied over into that sheet. Not sure when it does but just mentioning in case something needs ..."

Can we verify that it is set in Sudan? The book data says Egypt. I've read it, but I don't remember if they leave Egypt in that one. For the setting, it has to be at least 50% set in that country.

Google does say it's also set in Sudan. When you read it, just pay attention to how long they spend in Sudan.

The cheese is done! We do still have another Q, at least one U, at least one V, at least one Y, and at least one Z. I see a couple of Os in the Other tasks column, but we will probably need Is for the next cheese. I don't think we have any more currently.

Ashley wrote: "I moved my reserve book back over, as I didn't manage to finish Time War last night (my husband wanted to read Mockingjay, and I can't say no to that!)"

That's great that you guys read together!

Yes. It wouldn’t let me do it last night. Aiswrya will do it when she gets a chance. If you have a book for that task you can put the number in as usual and as soon as she adds it it will pull it in. The formula is there. The number was the only protected column.

Jacqueline wrote: "@Laura it is 50/50 about her life before surgery in Rwanda, then surgery in Texas and her return to Rwanda."

Sounds good. I'll put it in there.

Jacqueline wrote: "Her Two Feet ...is finished. I will continue to listen to Battle of Labrinyth may not make deadline though...."

Aiswrya mentioned using this one for set in Africa. But the description mentions her going to Texas for the surgery. Is at least half of it set in Rawanda?

Priya wrote: "I just saw that Body at Buccaneer's Bay has been marked for a prompt with reason Dec 1988. The deeds of the Disturber by Elizabeth Peters is the one that was published in Dec 88. This book is conte..."

That is probably a typo or a space out. Aiswyra was probably looking at both books, and entered 1988 while meaning to enter 2021. It's not a big deal, just needs to be corrected. The prompt was for a book published in December of any year, so it still fits.

Jacqueline wrote: "Her Two Feet ...is finished. I will continue to listen to Battle of Labrinyth may not make deadline though...."

Don't stress about it. These tasks don't have to be completed before the month ends/new month starts. They run for the entire length of Tower Teams.

If you’re still reading Battle of the Labyrinth you didn’t drop the ball. Grover’s last name starts with U.

Two new tasks.

Read a book which has several locations, none for over 50% of the book
Read a book that is a debut novel

Tasks that are still open/unclaimed:
Read a book which has the main location (setting) on the African continent
Read a book with a map (usually found in the front of the book)
Read a book which has the main location (setting) on the Australian continent


Countries

United States:
letters EAGLE in title (any order) - Tara
U (spell-out) - Jacqueline

Brazil:
Author born in Brazil - Sam
Green, Yellow and Blue on cover - Tricia
character celebrates Carnaval - Laura
statue on cover - Silje
forest on cover - Open
Z (our CRISTO book has a Z title, so we could switch those if you find an CRISTO book.)