Lauri’s Comments (group member since Jan 23, 2016)

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

DQs Day 8 - 23 June
Chapters 19 - 22, 68%

30. Things are happening! The Oswalds are here and Jake is observing their every move. There’s a scene in which a random old lady in the street calls Jake a coward for not interfering with Lee abusing Marina. I think she’s right - and think it’s very interesting that he felt so strongly he had to interfere with the Dunnings, but doesn’t really seem all that affected despite constantly witnessing the abuse. Sure, he needs to stay on mission and not interfere so he doesn’t change the future too much too soon but… do you think he should at least try to do something?
I agree. I really thought he would help when the old lady called him out. But I'm sure it's fear of the Butterfly Effect. You can become immune to abuse even while it's happening to you, a loved one, or neighbor. Don't get involved in family dynamics because you could make it so much worse. i think he cared so much about the Dunnings because Harry was his friend & that essay moved him. Also he wanted to practice for 11/22/63.

31. We also finally reach the Cuban Missile Crisis. I say finally because I was wondering when this would come into play, and was then surprised how it played out. Jake seemed to know so little about it and said it was mostly a throwaway thing in his one American history class in college. We go into detail on Sadie’s panic before anything even really happens, then we skip the actual event. How do you feel about some of the narrative choices King makes regarding the events he chooses to detail and what he skips over?
He's Stephen King, man! He can do no wrong! I don't even try to understand, I'm just along for the ride. I don't really remember much about The Cuban Missile Crisis. We spent years in elementary school doing bomb drills & hiding under our desks. Fat lot of good that would've done!

31.1 Sort of tangentially related, mostly a question for the many Americans here: I’ve always wondered whether that was something specific to my history teacher, but in my history class (in Germany!) we spent way too many lessons discussing the Cuban missile crisis in excruciating detail (and skipped over some events much more relevant to German history…). We also talked about the Cold War and Red Scare soooooo much despite being, you know, not in North America. How big of a topic was that in our respective history classes? Do you feel like you got a decent all-around picture of this time in (American) history? Or was it not discussed at all / skipped over / too recently in the past to be addressed in history classes?
It was just a blip on the radar for us here in Hawaii. (now we're scared of North Korea!) It's all very political still & not everything makes it into history books. Don't even mention Viet Nam or Korea.

32. I keep wanting to call Jake “George” and thought it was funny when Sadie said she doesn’t like the name and he then tells her his real name is Jake. Do you think Jake and George are really the same person? Who is who? Who do you like more?
I wish Jake would just be himself. But I get the feeling he's playacting for a reason as yet unbeknownst to us. I'm glad he finally told Sadie, though. And she seemed to accept him at face value.

33. In this section, Jake and Sadie got back together, and as I think most of us expected, her (ex-)husband finally shows up. This gives us our first dramatic action scene since the first attempt at stopping Frank Dunning (unless I’m mistaken). Once again, this scene mirrors events we have already seen, and this time Jake remarks on it explicitly (when that guy with the unzipped pants shot the prostitute and then himself). Before this, we had Jake being creeped out by Sadie behaving so similarly to his ex-wife. Yes, “history repeats itself”, but some of these things seem so fishy! Any speculation on whether there’s something going on behind the scenes that isn’t “fate” or “destiny”?
Crazy is as crazy does! No rhyme nor reason. I figured Clayton would show eventually, but not that he'd maim Sadie or try to kill her.

Bonus question for those listening to the audiobook: Are you also weirded out by the accents? Specifically de Mohrenschildt? I looked him up and read some of his background and still think it’s a weird choice to give him a German accent… I ended up looking up an interview with him and found that while he barely has an accent at all, if anything he leans more Russian. Marina’s is also very strange to me (but maybe I’ve got the 2.75x speed to blame for that). I remember this also coming up in the City of Brass discussion, so I’m asking again here: How do you feel about the accents the narrator does here? (Feel free to weigh in on the Southern accents we’ve had from time to time, too!)
No audiobooks for me -- ever!

DQs Day 7
Chapters 17 - 18

26. We have met quite a few secondary characters thus far. Is there anyone that stands out for you & you’d like to know what will happen to them as a consequence of the final choices/deeds of Jake as the novel is concluded? (I know there is still loads of ground to cover, but still.)
I really want to know what happens to Mike & Jim (I hope He isn't the Yellow Card Man!) Also Sadie & oddly, Marina & June Oswald. I also keep thinking about Rosette & the Jump Rope girls...

27. We have finally reached the part where the Oswalds moved into the flat opposite Jake's rented place, so he has a chance to observe them and "listening in" on sone of their interactions. Jake knew before, but now has first-hand experience of how brutally Lee Oswald is treating his wife. Have to admit I was a bit surprised at Jake's behaviour. Maybe it was just me, but it seemed that he took all this as part of the parcel and did not show any empathy or sorrow. Do you agree with this or have you had different impression on his behaviour?
I agree. I totally thought he'd step in to help, especially because June is so young & Marina is pregnant. I'm sure it goes against his nature, but he's worried about the Butterfly Effect.

28. In the novel there are several references to the period of 1958-1963 concerning cars, ads, clothes, health issues, etc., but for me the most interesting is music! There are lots of songs and performers listed as we are going ahead (“Sugartime” by the McGuire Sisters, “Bird Dog” by the Everly Brothers, ”In the mood” by Glenn Miller – just to name a few).
If you are reading a book and come across some references to existing music/performer/composer, do you make a note and check them out? Maybe listen to some music related to the period depicted in your book (if applicable)? Or have a playlist that may fit your mood for certain genres/books? Or not that interested to take notice of it?
I am very interested in all of it, especially the music. BUT i was born in 1963 to older parents, so am already familiar with a lot of it!

(As an interesting aside: The movie “Grease” (filmed in 1978) is set in the summer of 1958, while the time setting for Dirty Dancing (from 1987) is the summer of 1963.)
No WONDER I love Dirty Dancing! The Swayz!! He was taken far to young...

29. Movies from that time are also mentioned: “The Long, Hot Summer” (with Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward), “Vertigo” (with Kim Nowak and James Stewart), “The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp”(with Hugh O’Brian). Have you seen any of these films? Or are there any other films from this period you love and would recommend?
ALL of them. My Dad loved Westerns & that was the golden age for them...

Bonus Q: If you had the chance to star in any theatre play/movie, what would be your dream role? (and yes, for the sake of this question let’s play-pretend that we are all promising actors/actresses here brimming with undiscovered talent. 😊 )
My talent was discovered on the high school & community level. I've been in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Stop the World, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cinderella, The Wiz. But sadly, I'm too old for my favorite role -- Annie! LOL!

DQs Day 2 - The Comeback (40%)

5. Welcome back sports fans! If any of you have read other Taylor Jenkins Reid's novels, you know she loves looking back at interesting eras in time. The Golden Age of Hollywood! 70s rock and roll excess! Why do you think TJR chose to focus on 90s sports for this novel? Do you think it was only to bring Carrie back or do you think there was something special about sports during that time?
I dunno really. I don’t pay attention to sports in general.

6. In this section we are introduced to Bowe. What do you think about him? Do you think he is a good match for Carrie (in sports or romantically)?
I like Bowe’s character. He can talk to Carrie as an equal. I don’t know if they should have a romantic relationship at all. They’re both emotionally stunted.

7. In this section, there is a letter from the editor entitled "Why I'm Thankful for Carrie Soto" in which the author, Helene, says that Carrie was inspiring to her as a child. Do you find inspiration in any sports legends past or present? If so, who and why?
I did enjoy that letter very much! It’s just what Carrie needed to hear. I really, really don’t like any sport. I think Bethany Hamilton is inspiring as a person. She never game up her dream despite a horrible obstacle.

8. Up next is the Australian Open! Any predictions on what is going to happen in the next section of the book? Also how are you enjoying the book so far?
I think Carrie will kick some ass, but probably not win. I do like the book thus far. I particularly like Carrie’s relationship with her father.

DQs Day 1 - Chan v Cortez & The First Time Around (26%)

1. The most popular releases by Taylor Jenkins Reid have been BOMs in this group before (Daisy Jones & The Six in 2019, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo in 2021, and Malibu Rising last year). Have you read any of these books (or others) by TJR too or is Carrie Soto is Back your first book by the author? What are your expectations going in?
I’ve read Daisy Jones, Malibu & 7 Husbands & enjoyed them all! I think I enjoyed 7 Husbands most of all! I’ve already decided I will read anything she writes. I had no expectations going in at all, except for the teaser of Carrie’s name in Malibu. I’m a bit disappointed that she’s an athlete. I’m not into sports at all.

2. After the first chapter is set in 1994 and Carrie Soto decides to get back into the sport to get her record title back the next few chapters follow her early years up until she felt like she had to retire because of her knee injury (and because she felt humiliated lbr) somewhat 30 years later. Her dad always wanted her to be the greatest whereas her mother just wanted her to be kind and happy. It doesn't seem like Carrie is either at this point in her life, also not the greatest anymore. How do you feel about her as a character so far? What do you think (sort of) being forced into retirement by her own body has done to her, mentally and physically; do you think she's changed at all in the last 5 years?
I don’t relate to her drive and ambition at ALL. I think her mental health must not be too good. I think if her mom had lived, she would’ve turned out differently. She’s mellowed a bit, but she’s still driven.

3. What we've learned about Carrie's childhood and teenage years has quickly started to remind me of 'King Richard' the movie about the Williams sisters' life and I'm seeing a lot of similarities between Carrie's dad Javier and the Williams' (movie) dad (as I'm sure is often the case when athletes' parents are involved in their kids' sports careers/futures).
Javier seemed to have good intentions and only ever wanted what (he at least thought) was best for his daughter, but they grew apart after going separate ways in 1979. As we know, they've found their way back together (does this sound weird seeing their father and daughter??), but things definitely changed between them. How do you feel about Javier and about his and Carrie's relationship growing up vs now?
Javier taught Carrie all he could. Even though it was hard, she was right to look for a new & different coach. Parents are too close to their children to be truly effective coaches/teachers in the long run. I think they are in a much better headspace now.

4. It seems like Carrie doesn't believe in love (or actually of being worthy of being loved imo). She's been having flings/ONS left and right apparently, and appearing in tabloids with random guys regularly. The one time she let herself finally believe this could be IT for the long run was with Brandon Randall (who some of us already knew from Malibu Rising) who was cheating on his then wife with her. No surprise he left her for (yet) another woman, but were you surprised Carrie took him back after he wanted to go back to his ex-wife and she rejected him? Do you think losing her mother at such a young age and only ever having her dad as a single parent in her life has influenced how she views love, relationships and generally a deeper bond with other people?
I think Carrie doesn’t value herself for anything other than playing tennis. She pushes people away before they can reject her. One night stands aren’t fulfilling. As I said earlier, she would’ve been totally different if her mom was still with her.

Alison wrote: "For BOM's you need to have them finished within a month so for Stephen King one it'll be the 16th"

Cool! So I will continue answering questions & use it for BOM then! I’m about 3/4 done so far & almost halfway done with Carrie Soto Is Back. I’m not liking the characters much in the 2nd one.

DQs Day 6
Ch 14-16 / 50%

22. Up until now, Jake didn’t stay in one place for long, but now he’s settling into a new life in Jodie. How do you think this will affect his original mission to stop Lee Harvey Oswald and prevent the JFK assassination?
Eye on the prize, Jake! I think it’s going to cause a huge problem! He’s losing sight of his real goal. He’s getting too complacent and distracted by his new friends & life.

23. Jake lets his relationship with Sadie end over his refusal to tell her about his life. Do you think he should have told her the truth, or is he better off ending things now? Why do you think so?
It’s a 50/50 shot. She would either believe him or think he was crazy. So either way, he loses. It’s probably best this way.

24. Jake freaks out when he sees that part of Sadie’s name is “Doris Dun” and instantly starts comparing her to Doris Dunning. We have seen several similar name pairings and events throughout the novel so far that Jake finds important. Do you think there is any significance to this, or are these things merely coincidence?
There are no coincidences! Hasn’t Mr. King taught us this by now?

25. We are officially halfway through the novel. How are you liking it so far? What are your thoughts on the pacing? (We are halfway through and haven’t even seen Lee Harvey Oswald yet, which seems odd to me given the premise of the book!)
I am totally enjoying this book. I swear, the man could write a restaurant review & I would read it! I’m not surprised we haven’t “met” Oswald yet. His shadow is on every page. I see the actual showdown as the culmination.

DQs Day 5
Chapters 12 - 13 or 41%

18. We're now leaving Derry behind and moving around the US a bit, from Tampa to a small town near Dallas. If you were in that time, what place or state in the US would you want to travel to? Would you in Jake's shoes also try to settle in one place or would you try and travel around the country first and see other places / live a little?
I would probably keep on the move. Lots less likely to slip up & say the wrong thing. Also wouldn’t want to get too close to anyone! Definitely wouldn’t want to go to the Deep South at all!

19. When Jake got his new degree, this seemed oddly easy to me. As a non-american, I'm only vaguely familiar with the US education system. In my country getting teaching degrees is nowhere as simple as filling in an exam remotely and sending that in (also not 50 years ago), and this degree would not be accepted by possible employers. What are your thoughts on Jake's opportunity here to go back in time to teach again (even just as a substitute)? And do you think he'd have had it just as "easy" if it was less time in the past, let's say if he only traveled back 30 or 10 years?
That story seemed a little weird to me! I thought that was waaayyy too easy. I thought he was definitely getting scammed. So surprised they sent a diploma & even more surprised that schools accepted it at face value. It probably would NOT have been acceptable once the internet happened!

20. Jake has now also started writing a book and a memoir. Did you know that Stephen King was also a teacher before he became a full time writer? Do you think he's characterizing Jake based on himself for any reason or is it just pure plot-relation that this main character shares his professions?
Funny, huh? I always joke that it must’ve been terrifying to be Mr. King’s kid. No bedtime stories, please, Daddy, NO! I think he must’ve been a cool teacher - - must like his portrayal of Jake / George. I can imagine him writing his own character into the storyline.

21. We meet Sadie, and to be honest, I didn't quite like the way Stephen King introduced and described her character, but then again I'm finding myself not liking his writing in multiple occasions. What is your first impression of Sadie and do you think she'll become an important part in Jake's future?
I think the author set Sadie up as a stranger in a strange land. If she was more petite, less pretty, less awkward, she wouldn’t have needed looking after. I definitely think she will be important to Jake as the story plays out.

Bonus: Do you think if you went to the past you would be interested in connecting with people there, maybe finding a (romantic) partner and continue living life or would you just wait it out until you got to the point in time where you wanted to change something?
#1 - I wouldn’t be time-travelling in the 1st place!!
Then I’d only hook up if there were no way to leave…

If we still haven’t found X Marks the spot MPG Action for Chipmunks, I can read Sandstorm for that one…
Also started Carrie Soto Is Back for BOM…
Dunno if I’ll be able to do the other BOM. I’m #58 on the waitlist at my library! Other that that I have my chunksters to finish.

Sophie! I hope your son is feeling better! Don’t forget to take care of yourself, too! When my son was a high school junior, he got a mystery infection & was running high fevers. They couldn’t figure out what was wrong! He had to spend a week in the hospital. He had an allergic reaction to the antibiotics! I stayed the whole time with him — the mom from hell! Then I had to take care of him at home & ended up getting sick myself.
Turns out he had a staph infection & I think I had a psychotic break or something! Please make sure to take good care of you, too!
Still praying for you & your family….

Completion Post!
A Most Peculiar Malaysian Murder
Shamini Flint
Finished 6/30/23
Page count: 295
Chipmunks - RAB set in Malaysia



Could someone please mark this as completed on our spreadsheet for me? Thank you!

I will definitely finish A Most Peculiar Malaysian Murder by tomorrow (Chipmunks - set in Malaysia), BUT it looks like I will not finish 11/22/63 as the BOM in time. I will finish, but must save it for July as a chunkster....

Completion Post!
Tales of Burning Love
Louise Erdrich
Finished 6/29/23
Page Count: 452
Chipmunks - bed on cover



Could someone please mark this as completed for me on our spreadsheet? Thank you!

DQs Day 4 - 18 June
Chapters 9-11, 32%

14) What do you think the cards symbolize for the yellow card man? I'm starting to think it could be like a warning, but I'm also connecting him to Al. They both died at the same time. Now that the yellow/orange/black card man has committed suicide am I alone in worrying that Jake may never make it back - and therefore not be able to reset things if he makes a mistake?
I didn't even see a correlation to Al at all! And they were both suicides, too. Smarticle! I thought Jake might mysteriously disappear into the past. The way back to 2011 may just not be there when he needs it.

15) Jake originally thought Carolyn's accident wasn't his to fix, but ended up fixing it anyways. What do you think the reasoning behind this was? The stay at the cabin in the lake sounds magical and relaxing. Do you like to canoe? And have you ever played cribbage?
Jake is just an all-around good guy. A truly nice person. It's almost like "Hey, I was in the neighborhood, so I just thought I's stop by and fix this." Look how sweet he was to the Cullum family & baby Jenna...
I have never canoed like on a lake. Living in Hawaii, we use outrigger canoes on the actual ocean. It's a rush! I don't go now that I'm old...
I am a killer cribbage player. When I was in my teens, we'd play for hours -- days even!

16) Jake seems to be enjoying his time in the past a lot more than last time. Do you think there is a reason for this? Do you think you would be happy living in the past knowing what would happen? The general feel in this section is that of simpler and more trusting time. But how is it that nobody is even a little suspicious of a new guy, with such an oddly specific bet and other strange behaviors?
I would love to go back to simpler times! I was born in the 60's & it was much less scary than times today. We got my son a cell phone when he was just 10 years old so he would be able to call us to check in after school or in an emergency. I didn't get one till I was in my 40s!! Still don't like to use 'em. I think everyone just trusted in their fellow man & what you saw was exactly what you got. That's how it was so easy to have multiple wives/families & all that cold war espionage... now we's Google someone faster than you can scream criminal background check!
The specific bet was a dumb move. Good thing "George" trusted his hunch!

17) How do you feel about Harry dying in Vietnam? Is Jake right in feeling he wasted his time saving Harry or do we know too little about Harry's life to reach a conclusion? Should we be judging at all, and if so, based on what criteria beyond life and death?
God is the only one who knows what will happen in someone's life and why. You shouldn't mess with fate. I have a baaaad feeling about this...

Bonus: (we had a fantastic team discussion with this one) I suspect that that event was one of those where so many people remember where they were that day/moment, how they felt, etc. Any others you all can think of?
I remember the Space Shuttle blowing up & watching it over and over on TV & crying. I didn't even know what had happened at first! Same thing with 9/11. I was home from work for both events & just watched & cried & cried...
Oddly enough, I had a good friend whose birthday is 11/22/63. She HATED her birthday!! But there are some things you just can't change...

DQs Day 3 - 17 June
Chapters 7 - 8, 26%

10) We find out more about Frank Dunning. He is portrayed as a smooth talker and good looking. Do you find this stereotypical of someone who will go on to murder most of his family? It always seems to be someone no one suspects. Jake's opinion of him obviously isn't very good. Do you think Jake would feel differently if he didn't know what Frank was going to do?
Sociopaths are often thought of as charming - - at first. After awhile a bit of their true nature shows itself. "He seemed like such a NICE young man." HA! I work at a mental hospital. I've heard it all.... Jake may have been taken in if he never knew the backstory thanks to Harry's essay. Eventually, they show their true colors. By then, it's usually too late.

11) Jake plans how he is going to stop Frank. Would your thought process have been the same as Jake's? How would you plan to change the event?
I think I would've tried to convince Mrs. Dunning to run and take the children. That's the woman's way. Run to safety, hide the children.

12) There is something off about Derry. The place itself feels weird and the people act strange. Would you stay somewhere where you don't feel welcome? Would you investigate more into what was going on?
If it wasn't for the job Jake came to do and the experimental nature of 'practicing' for Dallas, I don't think he would've stayed very long himself! I definitely wouldn't have. I think Mr. King is going to wrap all these stories into a giant conspiracy & have Derry leave earth as an alien world or something spectacular like that...

13) Well, stoppping Frank didn't go to plan but he did get stopped. What do you think the consequences of changing the event will be in the present, if any? Do you think he will go back and try again? If so, what do you think he will do differently?
No. Dead is dead & Dunning deserved to be dead. The best thing he did was father those children. Poor things. It was all played out very strangely. Can't wait to hear Al's take on all this!

Completion Post!
Invitation Only Murder
Leslie Meier
Finished 6/25/23
Page count: 240
Blue cover
Fits the following spellout letters:
B - CFN Bill
F - CFN Fred
I - title
L - MC Lucy
M - CFN Mike
P - CFN Parker
S - CFN Sara
T - CFN Taylor
W - William
Z - Zoe



Could someone please add this to our spreadsheet for me, please? Thank you!

Sophie wrote: "Thanks for the update Lauri!

I hope you feel lots better soon.

I've done some shuffling so the Paranormal book is covered, but the Malaysian book will definitely be helpful.

Okey dokey! It may come round again. I lurve the paranormals!


New Tasks
X-Files..."

Steven wrote: "Finished Golden Son for the Chipmunk task!"

You are inspiring, Steven! My copy of Golden Son keeps glaring at me from the stack! I keep thinking, maybe tomorrow… *sigh*

I found a book set in Malaysia! Could you put me down for A Most Peculiar Malaysian Murder, please? Should be a fairly quick read!



Thank you!

I can take paranormal with either Flame in the Dark, The Rise of Magicks or Blue Moon. Whichever one I finish first!

I admit that Tales of Burning Love is coming along rather slowly. I don’t like any of the characters at all. At least I’ve passed the halfway mark now!
I’ve been home sick this week & keep falling asleep. I also left 11/22/63 at work, so haven’t been able to make much progress there either! I will finish both up this week.