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

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

For round 5, I'll continue working on Illuminae, finish up The Preacher's Daughter & The Sugar Queen & read Plantation Shudders. I also picked up Spin the Dawn & hope to do the BOM questions. Let's see how well I do!

Completion post!

Brownies and Broomsticks
Bailey Cates
Finished 8/6/20
Page count: 323
Letters:
T - character Mavis Templeton
R - character Cookie Rios
S - setting Savannah, GA
M - character Margie Coopersmith
Task #51 dessert food on cover



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

Cathy M. wrote: "Lauri wrote: "Completion post!
Too Hot Four Hula
Jill Marie Landis
Finished 8/3/20
Page count: 232
Letters:
T - title
O - character Trish Oakley
R - character Roland..."
I would safely say that more than 90% of the book is set at the Hilton! I'll stick with my original hotel task... I love that hotel.
I had my wedding reception next door at the Halekoa, but since we're not military, we had to stay at the Hilton for the weekend. Such a tragedy! *Memories* 😄

Completion post!
Too Hot Four Hula
Jill Marie Landis
Finished 8/3/20
Page count: 232
Letters:
T - title
O - character Trish Oakley
R - character Roland Sharpe
S - character Suzi Matamoto
M - character Louie Marshall
Task: #11 takes place in a hotel
How it fits: our wacky band of quirky characters comes to Oahu so Uncle Louie can take part in the Shake Off competition which takes place at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in beautiful Waikiki!



Could someone please add this to our spreadsheet for me?
Thank you!>/I>

Trinia wrote: "Completed The Poisonwood Bible, added info to SS.
(Sorry, on my phone app 😜)"
I LOVE that book!

Paula wrote: "Completion

Book: The City of Brass
Date: 1/8/2020
All data on SS"

I read that one! What an imagination the author has. I kept thinking it would make a great movie...

I am working on Too Hot Four Hula and Brownies and Broomsticks this week because I need to read them for another challenge. Nice, fun, quick reads. I'm still plugging away at Illuminae but no guarantee on finishing because I'm still doing it as a buddy read with my friend. I'll try my best!

Completion Post!
Blood Cross
Faith Hunter
Finished 7/30/20
Letters:
T - character Angelina TrueBlood
O - character Aggie One Feather
R - character Rick LeFleur
S - character Sabina
M - character Molly TrueBlood
Task #23 - MPG paranormal

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

Thanks everybody!

Completion Post!
The Atomic City Girls
Janet Beard
Finished 7/27/20
Page count: 353
Letters:
T - character Tom
O - location Oak Ridge, TN
R - character Ralph
S - character Sam Cantor
M - character Moriah
Task: #131 Historical Fiction



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

I'm alive!! Hurricane Douglas ended up being almost a non-event, thank God! See what happens when you watch too much news? It was like watching a slow motion train wreck that veered off at the last minute. Finally caught a break! YAAAYYY!!!

Yeah, Hurricane Douglas is scheduled to pass by tonight about 8pm as a category 1 hurricane. If if moves southward, we're screwed. Right now it's about 45 miles offshore. It's muggy & overcast right now, but still pretty dry & quiet.
If those damned murder hornets show up, I'm done. (They're scheduled to arrive in our Christmas tree shipments from the Pacific Northwest.) I wonder if Amazon sells flamethrowers?

Thanks, Diane! My anxiety has anxiety! We just can't catch a break...
Thank God for books & movie escapism! I watched a Star Wars marathon last night & didn't go to sleep till after 5am...🤓

Hi, all! I'm just about finished with The Atomic City Girls and am totally loving Blood Cross so far!

As if worrying about this damned pandemic isn't anxiety-producing enough, now were bracing for a hurricane! It was a category 4 yesterday, but should become category 1 by the time it hits us. It's due for the Big Island tonite, Maui tomorrow & Oahu by Sunday night. *sigh* at least we have lots of water, toilet paper & books to read!

That'll be it for me this round! I'm still plugging away on The Atomic City Girls, Illuminae & Eragon. I'm starting up Blood Cross & Twisted Twenty-Six.... Those should keep me very busy for now...

Double Completion Post!

Troubled Waters
Sharon Shinn
Finished 7/22/20
Page count: 400
Letters:
C - character Calvin
R - character Romelle
E - series Elemental Waters #1
A - MC Zoe Aredelay
T - title
I - character Ilene
V - character King Vernon
Task: #91 River on cover
How it fits: MC Zoe is pictured controlling the River Marisi



Dear Martin
Nic Stone
Finished 7/22/20
Page count: 210
BOM: Yes
Discussion participation - Msg. #198, 199, 200 & 202
(Sorry! I can't do a link...)
Letters:
C - character Jared Christensen
R - characters Mr. & Mrs. Rivers
E - character Emmanuel Rivers
A - location Atlanta
T - character Melo Taylor
Task #62 MPG young adult
How it fits: tagged MPG YA



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

DQ Day 4
Chapters 19 - end

16. What do you think about Justyce going to see Martel. Do you support him going or disapprove. I know he later regretted it, but I can't help feeling he went to fit in. Or maybe to become more like "his kind"
Yup. He had already tried the intelligent route & that wasn't working for him, so he tried another way. Martel is kind of charismatic & Jus was being sucked in by him. Then he realized the man was a criminal agitator -- the ankle bracelet & the firearms. I never got what the white boy was doing there, though...

17. During these chapters there was the scene with the police at Justyce's graduation. Do you think it was wrong of the police officers to approach him in front of all his friends and family. Should they have waited until he was done talking to them to approach? It's definitely a difficult situation cause I can see it being argued from either end.
That was outrageous! They ruined his graduation! Horrible, horrible, horrible.

18. During the conversation with the police, Justyce stands up to his mom and asks her to treat him like an adult. He also mentions that if he went along with his mother's idea and refused to talk, he would've appeared guilty. What did you make of these two confrontations? Also, we get the behind the scenes reasoning about why Justyce's mom doesn't approve of him dating white girls. What is your opinion on her reasoning? I personally understand what she's saying, but not all white people are alike just like not all black people are alike.
I think Mama will come around in the end. If you remain ignorant about other cultures, you're doomed to repeat & perpetuate the same bad behaviors forever. I said earlier that I never considered even dancing with a black guy because my dad would have literally killed me! It was okay to have black girlfriends, but not to date a black man.

19. While hanging out with S.J., S.J. says, "Jus, I think I hate everything... Why can't we all get along like butterflies." To that quote Justyce thinks to himself that all the butterflies "look exactly alike." What do you make of this quote? Why do you think there is so much hate around people looking different (doesn't only have to be about race, but defects, disabilities, other differences as well)?
Back in the bad old days, white people considered black people as animals -- NOT human beings! That was why they felt it was acceptable to own them as slaves. Later on, they conceded that they were a substandard version of humanity, but not able to care for themselves. All because of skin color! We now have every shade imaginable due to all the different combinations. (You can't stop love, Mama.) But still, if you're not white, you're black. I think we've evolved as a whole species, but people are always threatened by those that are different than themselves.

20. I thought that Justyce's last letter to Dr. Martin was the most meaningful. He mentions that maybe the issue is that he doesn't know what he was trying to achieve by his "What would Martin do?" project. I found it very resonating when he mentioned Doc asking him "What would Martin be" and he couldn't find an answer. What did you think of the last letter to Martin? How do you think Justyce has changed throughout the book?
His eyes have been opened to reality and sadness. The judicial system, which is supposed to protect everyone equally has failed Justyce spectacularly. He's older, wiser & sadder now. I really want to know what Dr. King would think & what he would have accomplished had he not been assassinated. Maybe I'll have to read his writings...

21. I personally think that by the last chapter Jared changed the most thoughout the story (which actually surprised me a lot because in the beginning I thought he was hopeless). He went from a racist to actually caring and being Justyce's friend. Did your opinions change on Jared at the end of the book? What about the other characters?
I was really surprised at the change in Jared! I thought he was a lost cause & had already written him off as an elitist asshole! I was glad that our story ended on a hopeful note, but I still reserve judgment on Jared until he proves himself.
Do I smell a sequel?

Day 3: Chapters 15-18

12. In chapter 16 we see Justyce have dinner with Manny's parents to commemorate Garret Tison's indictment. What do you think of Justyce being invited over and what they talk about? Did you have any thoughts about Manny's parents giving Justyce the watch and his reaction to it?
Honestly, this part made me cry. It was sweet of them to still want him in their lives. I think seeing him may have made them even more sad about the loss of their son. They really cared for him. I think that Mr. Rivers may have even wanted to help Jus by being a male role model because he didn't have a dad.

13. Justyce sees Quan at the Fulton Regional Youth Detention Centre and a lot is said between them. What do you make of Quan's upbringing and his view on life now? Is there anything that stands out between what is said between them? Quan not saying that he killed the cop or the advice that he gives to Justyce? Do you think that Quan's advice will have a positive or negative effect on
Justyce?
Quan's upbringing was unfortunate, but he had no choice in the matter. I think it's pretty common, actually. Justyce was lucky in his intelligence, perseverance & his Mama. Quantico told Justyce what he believes to be truth. He had a message for him & thought he was really helping.

14. We see a few media releases in this part:
"Transcript from evening news... More on this story as it continues to develop"
"Tison Indictment... A trial date has yet to be announced."
The news report in chapter 18 with the photo released of Justyce in his Thug Life costume.

We also see the reporters mobbing the funeral party at Manny's funeral:
"Mr. McAllister, how's it feel to be the Boy Who Survived?
Justyce, do you think there will be justice?
What's it like knowing it could've been YOU in that casket?"

What do you think of the coverage of the event by the media? Are they siding with the police officer more than Justyce? Are they reporting the story correctly or making things worse? Do you think the author's portrayal of the media is similar to real life? Will the media ruin his chance at going to Yale?
I for one do not like the reporters at the funeral and that last question is especially nasty.
I think some reporters oversensationalize lots of stories. This was particularly horrid. At his damn graduation yet! He worked so hard to achieve his diploma & they had to go & ruin the moment with their ugliness! Please note that Mama Bear wanted to eat the reporters alive!

15. Chapter 18 goes through a lot. We see Justyce spending time with Doc to avoid making the call to Trey and the gang and isn't writing to Martin
I think the letters to Martin were a cathartic experience for Jus. Even though Dr. King couldn't answer, just the act of writing his thought & feelings was helpful.

DQ Day 2; Chapters 7 - 14

7. Let's start with Sarah-Jane. Justyce and her definitely had feelings for each other, and they didnt shy away from closeness until Jus was about to kiss her after the debate (lbr which was bad timing). Why did SJ suddenly give Justyce the cold shoulder, what are your thoughts? What's going through her head?
I wasn't quite sure why she turned away from Justyce & didn't go in for the kiss! I think she had second thoughts because she actually saw him (suddenly) as being a black man! She could jeopardize her future by pursuing a relationship with him.

8. It sucks that it took being drunk for Justyce to call out Manny but it's finally done! "They're my friends" was the dumbest excuse ever, but at least Manny finally woke up shortly after Blake's party and the fight Justyce and the guys had.
It's hard sometimes to stand up for what's right. It might not be safe, depending on where you are or who you're surrounded by. Do you judge Manny for not being able to stand up for himself and everybody else his 'friends' made fun of sooner? Was there ever anything you needed to work on first in order to be able to stand up for it?
Manny did the best he could under the circumstances. If he rejected his white friends, he would've been all alone except for Justyce. Also, he was used to a life of privilege, unlike Justyce. I had some less than desirable friends in high school. I did some of the things they did, but never really did hard drugs. I just walked away from them, though. I never made a stand and told them they were headed for trouble. I think it's always much harder for males.

9. It seems like Manny didn't only call Dr. Dray to check on Justyce after the fight, but also his mama and Mela. It confused me a little since he doesn't like Mel and how she treats Jus. And it hasn't even been mentioned again (so far). What did you make of this? Do you think Mela will end up playing a big part in the rest of the book? And did you ever have a teacher who was as involved in his students lives as Doc is?
Melo was a piece of work! Although she's wealthy, I think she's headed down a path of self-destruction! Maybe Manny was so worried about Jus, he was trying to cover all bases. I hope Justyce gets rid of Melo! She's nothing but trouble! Mama is just Mama. No one cares more for Justyce than Mama.
I think Doc is so interested in the students because he cares. It's even more like a mentorship because they're black like him. Also because Jus is a boarder. I've never had a teacher like that!


10. Manny's dad tried to keep all signs of racism and how he could be mistreated from him for as long as he could whereas Justyce's mama has prepared him ever since he was little. They also grew up in two completely different neighbourhoods and surroundings. What are your thoughts on the parents' different ways of bringing up their sons? Do you think there's a right way to go about this?
It's hard to prepare children for the harsh reality of life. My son is Filipino & white. When he went to California for school, he was suddenly "Mexican." I told him it would be like that, but couldn't fully explain it. I just told him if someone started speaking Spanish to him, to tell them he was from Hawaii. It had been my experience that when we were in California, people would think my husband was Chicano. He can't speak Spanish, but I can. They say some very unkind things because you don't answer in Spanish! Like you think you're too good for them. I shocked the hell out of a lot of them by saying my husband was Filipino & we were from Hawaii! The Hawaii card never failed...
I think you should prepare them & discuss how to act in potentially dangerous situations. It's hard to do without scaring them...

11. 😳 that's one way to end today's chapters! My heart is still racing. What do you think happened, who got shot? And be honest, did you keep reading or take a peek just to find out what happened? (I'll be honest I did take a quick peek :x)

I kept reading. I actually read the book in two great leaps on my lunch hours at work. I knew Justyce couldn't have died, because that would have ended the book right there.

DQ Day 1
Chapters 1 - 6


1. We meet Justyce when he's trying to do a good deed by helping his drunk ex-girlfriend. This scene sets quite the mood for the upcoming chapters and (I assume) the rest of the book. Do you like our main character so far? Do you like his inner monologue, portrayed in the letters to Martin?
I really, really love Justyce. He is smart, sensitive and sweet despite the crap world that surrounds him.

2. Let's talk about the girls - Melo and Sarah-Jane. The ex-girlfriend (sort of?) and the debate partner. Let's also factor in the other important female in Justyce's life, namely his mother. What do you make of each of them? And what to you make of their interactions with Justyce? And more importantly, what are we supposed to make of Justyce's interactions with them in light of his mother's statement not to bring a white girl home?
I get this. I really do. Living in Hawaii, we didn't (still don't) have too many black people here. I had a couple black girlfriends when I was younger, but I would never consider dating or even dancing with a black guy. Why? Because my father would have literally killed me! I believe you get your opinions about race and other things from your parents. You have no choice in the matter until you are old enough to form your own opinions. Although Melo was half black, she was rich & privileged. She was hot & appeared white. Still acceptable to Justyce's mama. SJ, on the other hand, was just white. Mama couldn't stand that thought -- ever.

3. Jared is our token white boy who thinks all is right with the world when clearly it isn't. The equality discussion was interesting, I found, because Jared's logic is sound. And yet at the same time, it isn't at all. What example would you give Jared, where you speaking in SJ's stead, to show how wrong he is?
I would have told him exactly what had happened to Justyce when he was trying to help Melo, only substituting Jared in his place. The police officer would not have treated a white boy in the same manner.

4. The Equality Brigade was quite the spectacle! Literally. Disguised as a klansman to portray equality. I can't help but wonder if Blake is an idiot of epic proportions or if there was a message he would have liked to show the world including his friends, especially considering the fact that the "costume" was the genuine thing. What did you think of this brain child of Jared's?
Extremely poor taste! The KKK is very real & the image is terrifying to this day. How he could even imagine appearing like that in public is totally beyond me!

5. Justyce as well as his best friend Manny are black boys stuck in a rich white school. They each have their own issues to deal with in regards to this situation. Manny, the rich black guy, who is considered one of them, and Justyce, the poor black guy, who is more and more often questioning his place in this world, the place he is trying to carve for himself. Do you think Manny should have acted differently in the lounge scene when he was peer pressured into drinking to equality? Knowing full well what happened to his best friend not too long ago?
He could have just walked out. I'm sure he didn't want to call attention to his difference, his blackness. He didn't want to stand out or stand up for himself. Peer pressure is a strong and terrible force.

6. Short mention of Trey and his friends needs to be made. The Black Jihad gang, one of whose members shot Officer Castillo. Personally, I can't help but wonder if someone shot him to take revenge on the crap he's probably pulled for quite a while - Justyce certainly wasn't the only one - or if it was a shooting gone wrong. That thought aside, Trey makes Justyce (and maybe also Manny) feel like he's turning his back on his own people. Do you think he is right in telling Justyce this? Is Justyce right in questioning the things Trey tells him and wondering whether there may not be a grain of truth in it? Should Justyce have stayed at the party regardless or was it better to leave (with the others) when he did?
It was far better for Justyce to have left the party when he did. He could've ended up dying that night for displaying "allegiance" to the white guys. Trey might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but he stands up for what he believes in, as misguided as that may be.


(Disclaimer: there were about a million things I wanted to throw out here but I tried to focus on a few key points. Phrasing me be a little odd at times, sorry about that. I had a hard time trying to condense it or trying to make sense of the feels and thoughts these few pages have created.)
You did a great job! I could go on and on here...

I'm still plodding along with Illuminae & The Atomic City Girls as buddy reads, so not sure if I'll finish either this week. I'm starting Dear Martin tonight & should finish Troubled Waters by Tuesday...
Happy reading, everybody!!