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

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

DQs - Day 4 - The 1995 French Open (76%)

14. At the end of The French Open Section, can you feel any character development in Carrie? If yes, in what ways do you think she may have changed? Also has there been a change in your feelings towards her? Still dislike/like her or not any more?
I see a bit of change in her -- the way she views herself, her father & Bowe. I will always like her -- or at least admire her. She just needs to be more open & honest. She can be her own worst enemy. It's all in the interpretation.

15. There are some hard lessons for Carrie to take away from Paris and some vital discussions between her and her dad as well as between her and Bowe about parental expectations and expectations from one's own self. Do you think Carrie is ready to accept the different POVs and use them to her own advantage?
She's not ready yet, but she's getting there. She needs to see herself as worthy of love and happiness & not worry so much about winning every time. That way lies madness.

16. This is what Carrie Soto is thinking of her opponent Ingrid Cortez while playing against her in Paris: ... she has a burden I have never had. In order to keep getting paid, she has to keep looking beautiful on the court. I wonder, briefly, if it weighs on her. Or, if, conversely, it frees her from the pressure I live with, the pressure to win. Either way, it’s a prison. Both her beauty and my ability—they’ve both got an expiration date."
This reflection struck a chord with me. Building on what has been previously discussed about media pressure and also how men and women athletes were/are still treated differently, what are your thoughts on this issue?
It's hard to be female. We can do all sorts of things, but are still seen as being pretty or as sexual objects. Men don't have to deal with that. They simply are.

17. Do you have any other quotes that "spoke" to you (in any part of the book up to the 75% mark) or you made a note of for further reflection?
Not that I recall....

Completion Post!!!
Yaaaayyyyy!
11/22/63
Stephen King
Finished 7/11/23
Page count: 849
July BOM
Still can’t do a link to save my own life, but my DQs are in the following messages: 107, 193, 293, 305, 323, 327, 353, 354, 360, 366, 367 & 368.

This was an excellent story! 5 stars all the way!



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

Final DQs - Ch 30 through the End

42. It seems that the past likes to repeat itself over and over, and the people coming in and out of Jake’s life are no exception. This time, Jake ended up in the same motel room, his driver was remarkably similar, and the yellow-card man has been replaced by a green-card man wearing a lookalike outfit. It would appear that King is hinting that some things are inevitable, and that History wants what it wants. What’s your opinion on this theory? Do you think that some things are inevitable, and no matter what, would have similarities to all other timelines in those details (like people, places, etc)?
I have a terrible problem. In the duality of nature, I am half fatalist and half eternal optimist. So I am always hoping for the best while expecting the very worst. I think Jake knows what I mean! Can we really change the past? Can we affect change in the future?

43. The green card man’s card changes colors, and the nonsense he is spewing seems to be indicating that he’s much more aware of everything than any other humans. Almost like a Watchman of sorts, it would seem. And he explains that things aren’t really reset, just restrung into a new thread. Actions → Consequences. Did you expect this little twist? I remember on my first read of this book not trusting or understanding the “everything resets perfectly” bit and wondering what the catch was. Did you trust it or did you expect there to be a catch?
I really couldn’t believe in the ‘everything resets every time you go back’ thing. How the hell would THAT be possible? There is ALWAYS a catch!

44. Jake’s return to 2011 is a shock. Everything is different… and not better. It appears saving Kennedy didn’t bring about the paradise that Al was expecting. What did you find most shocking about the “new world” created by the harmonies Jake’s changes made? For me, I was stunned to find that Maine was part of Canada, how hateful everyone seemed to be, and… the physical changes to people.
I was shocked at the nuclear fallout & disease. No wonder people are so horrible! The earthquakes are pretty scary, too.

45. I was happy to see that King chose to use Harry to be Jake’s connection to learn about the new reality. I really loved him earlier in the book, and it pains me to see him so broken. Was there anyone else you’d have wanted to see?
I liked Harry, too. I would’ve liked Al to have been mysteriously resurrected and Sadie, of course.

46. Another IT reference here near the end: “The past is obdurate for the same reason a turtle’s shell is obdurate” Did you catch that one? The little reference to the magic space turtle? Jeez, King writes some odd stuff, doesn’t he?
I did NOT catch that! Good call. He is a scary MF, that’s for sure!

47. So not a happy ending for the Sadie-Jake romance, but one that ended being good for Sadie and the world in the long run. Were you happy with the ending? As much as I was rooting for them, I had a feeling that King wasn’t going to be able to make it work without tearing the world apart.
I was totally expecting them to be together forever, somehow, someway! See? Eternal optimist. They could have selfishly kept going back to be young & in love forever & screw the world! Silly, I know, but if you’re going to have fantastical happenings, why the hell not? I did like the ending, however. At least Sadie was still alive & they had a last dance together…

June 26th - DQs Day 11 (Chapters 28-29)
38. That was a stressful chapter 28! Did you have any doubts that Jake wouldn't succeed after all?
I thought we was going to be detained, or killed himself. I never dreamed it would be Sadie!

39. Do you think this will be the last time we see Sadie? If not, any predictions on how they'll meet again or maybe even get together? Because this can't be it for them after what they've gone through. (Yes, I'm in denial)
Me too!! I thought he'd go through it all again so they could be together forever!

40. What did you think of the government's reaction to Jake's role in the whole disaster? I thought that he got off more lightly than I expected, but maybe all the American espionage media has made me think worse of them.
I thought they might rough him up a little or at least throw him in jail for more intense interrogation!

41. We all know that changing the past never ends well. I'd say it's practically been foreshadowed since the beginning. Would you agree that a future (or present depending on your perspective) with JFK alive is likely to be worse or do you have a different opinion?
I'm sure it would've been better. Just think how horrible it was after JFK was assassinated! Nothing is ever perfect, but I think a youngblood would've been good for this country.

DQs Day 10
Ch 25-27 / 84%

38. Did anyone else see Jake impersonating a CIA agent coming too close that window of uncertainty? I knew he had to do something but that was a ballsy move. Do you think he sold it well? Better yet do you think the evidence he received from de Mohrenschildt adequately closed the window of uncertainty for him taking action when it comes to saving Kennedy?
I thought he did an excellent job all around! We knew he was a risk-taker, but *damn!* what balls! The information de Mohrenschildt gave him really helped to firm up his deal there.

39. Well as last bets go it wasn't Jake's most profitable but it did help some in terms of expenses. For all of Jake's talk about the past harmonizing with itself and the future did you see the beating coming? Did the way Wanda called for her dad when Jake came to collect tip you off that the past was about to finally make known what Jake escaped when he left Tampa in a hurry because he didn't like the way Gutierrez was talking about him?
I knew something was going to happen. Call it what you like, but there are no real coincidences. I just didn't think it would be related or that brutal.

40. Speaking of the beating Jake took that was intense. I'm more surprised that he lived given how strongly time was resisting Jake's efforts to stop Lee Harvey Oswald this time. Between the damage done to his body, the head trauma, and the obdurate past are you surprised that Jake recovered any memory at all of why he was there in Texas in 1963? What did you make of all the little clues he found while he was searching for them with Sadie?
It was all pretty incredible, but they say that's really the way amnesia works. When you're not trying to force it, your memory comes back. Sometimes just little bits at a time, sometimes all at once! I was very surprised he lived at all. I was thinking that he'd go forward in time again & have a big do-over.

41. Chapter 27 had a slight shift in format. Suddenly each subsection is tied directly to a date leading up to JFK's assissantion as Jake plans how he is first going to stop it and second manage to be there without putting Sadie in danger. What did you think of the almost diary style of the chapter? Was it too much of a divergences from previous chapters or would you have preferred the book was more solidly dated all along?
I actually liked it. I felt it was leading up to the big event, so Mr. King wanted to make it more substantial.

42. Because of the head trauma Jake is plagued by random bouts of sleep. Do you think this is going to play a role at all in his attempt to prevent Oswald from assassinating Kennedy or will it magically disappear and lessen in effect the closer he gets to zero hour like the stomach bug did on his first attempt to save Harry Dunning and his family from Frank Dunning?
The past is obdurate. This was a little more serious than a stomach bug or the runs, though. I never dreamed that Sadie would go with him. I thought he'd just sit it out & let the events happen as they really did. Surprise!

DQs Day 9 Chapters 23&24
1. Something I enjoy about this book is the detail of everyday life in 1963. I was taken aback by the primitive quality of the hospitals at that time. Is there anything about the time period that surprises you?
I was actually born in 1963. My Mom drank coffee, whiskey & smoked during her entire pregnancy! (Which probably explains a lot about me...) Nothing much surprises me here.

2. Do you feel that Sadie is growing as a character, or is she more of a foil for Jake’s character development?
I LIKE Sadie's character. I'm thinking maybe he was destined to meet her & everything else is secondary.

3. Whenever Jake bets, it makes me nervous. Would you have relied on betting in tight circumstances, or would you have tried something else?
I wouldn't have placed such large, noticeable bets with mob ties, perhaps. But I guess those were the only sure things & the way to get the big bucks!

4. What do you think Sadie’s role will be on 11/22/63?
Not sure yet, really. I just hope they're both safe!

DQs Day 3 - The Australian Open (58%)

9. Gwen sends Carrie a gift the start day of the Australian Open…a Discman! The first song it plays is ‘The Bitch is Back’…I love this album. I immediately went to play me some Elton John tunes😊 Do you have a song or routine that gets you revved up…sets a tone to put you in the right state of mind?
When I used to train for tae kwon do, I always loved working out and/or sparring to AC/DC -- particularly Back in Black. for running, Iove Journey or the Eagles.

10. Reflections--
Carrie thinks…I inhabit the silence of this moment with my father, when we are still asking questions and do not yet have to live with the answers. What do you think she means at this moment in time with that comment?
"Te quiero mucho, pichona," he says.
I open up my eyes, "I know. I love you too."
Javier and Carrie both have many reflective moments throughout these matches… Is this a premonition of what’s to come with the open or even more in the future?
I still think it's a bad idea for any parent to coach their own child (even on a non-professional level!) I think that he was a great player back in the day & has many things to share with Carrie. There are many layers and ghosts in their lives & problems to contend with. But there is a lot of love, too.

12. We hear from the media in various forms throughout. What are your thoughts about some of their comments so far? Do you believe any of them have affected Carrie or the game? I was thinking about this especially when Gwen indicates Elite Gold was pulling back some of their ads prior to the French Open. Gwen has a role in her job with managing all of this…what are your thoughts about the impact of media and advertising with sport?
The media can afect a player's psyche in all sorts of ways, mostly terrible. No matter how often or how hard we say it doesn't mean anything, it will always be there. Once the statement is made, you can't unhear/unread it. I think Elite Gold pulling the ads had a profoundly negative on her. Gwen was just trying to protect her, inasmuch as she could.

13. Carrie’s been doing some very smart training thanks to her father. She’s been practicing in recent weeks with Bowe on clay and Bowe has challenged her, calling her a ‘quitter’. And here at the end of this segment, she’s just had a challenge from Nikki Chan. Is she going to win? Is Nikki? What do you anticipate happening in Paris?
I think Nikki will win, but Carrie will prevail in the end. She has to.

Completion Post!
A Nice Cup of Tea
Celia Imrie
Finished 7/8/23
Page count: 381
Blue or green cover
Fits the following letters for spellout:
C - CFN Carol
E - C Nickname Eggy
I - ALN
M - CFN Marcel
N - title
O - CFN Odile
T - CFN Theresa
W - CFN William

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

Completion Post!
Hitting the Books
Jenn McKinlay
Finished 7/8/23
Page count: 277
Blue cover
Fits the following spellout letters:
B - CFN Beth
H - title
I - CFN Ian
J - AFN Jenn
L - CFN Lindsey
M - ALN McKinlay
N - MCs LN Norris
S - CFN Sully
P - CLN Peyton
V - CFN Violet



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

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....