Mary’s Comments (group member since Jan 29, 2017)

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

⚚♆ Cynthia ♆⚚ wrote: "I finished my first book the other day, yay! I updated the spreadsheet and added it to my TT shelf. I won't do a lot of reading in the next few days as I am moving to Spain on Sunday.

I have boug..."

I am currently working on the Foundling. I am really enjoying it so far!

I've been enjoying everyone's book recommendations...my to read list just keeps getting longer!

Just from the books I've read so far this year I recommend:

the whole series. They are a little long but I find them to be quick reads.
and all the books that relate to the Maddox family.
the prequel to Practical Magic
the whole series. About the myths of vampires in New Orleans
adaption of the Count of Monte Cristo
Anything by Ilona Andrews
Anything by Pippa Grant

⚚♆ Cynthia ♆⚚ wrote: "I love seeing people's recommendations to check what they like reading and also to increase my never-ending TBR shelf"


I was so excited to see Zodiac Academy on your recommendation list! It's one of my faves!!

I ordered all three BOMs! I am excited about all of them! I am not good with DQs but I will answer them!

Hello I’m Mary Beth. I live in Florida with my husband, 2 kids, 4 dogs, and 3 cats! It’s quite a zoo! I’m excited for TT!!

Also, my shelf is correct!

Hop To It

1st April - 1 Month
25+ Easter bunny
13/25

🐇Option 4 Mix and Match🐇

🐰Spell it out

E - Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell 4/9/21
A - The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe - CS Lewis 4/25/21 (character: Aslan)
S - The Art of Racing in the Rain - Garth Stein 4/12/21
T - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - JK Rowling 4/29/21 (character: Trelawney)
E - Club Dead by Charlaine Harris 4/27/21 (character named Eric)
R - The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman 4/26/21

S - A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith 4/8/21
O - One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost - 4/14/21
N - Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng - 4/27/21

🐰Scavenger Hunt

"House Guest" in text - At Grave's End by Jeaniene Frost - 4/20/21

🐰Tasks

15. Read a book for sale on Amazon for less than $20.11 (in your local currency) - - Halfway to the Grave - Jeaniene Frost - 4/12/21
21. Read a book where a character is hit by a car / hits someone with their car - Me Before You - Jojo Moyes - 4/2/21
23. Read a book with "Easter" in the text or title - Beautiful Disaster - Jamie McGuire - 4/6/21

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?

I think it was sweet of them to give the watch to Justyce. It means that they also see him as son and someone important in Manny's life. I think his reaction is justified.

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 advice is going to have a negative effect on Justyce. He's starting to question all the good things in his life and it is going to lead him into trouble, one way or another.


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.

The author's portrayal is very similar to what media is like today. They reach for headliners and stories that will bring viewers. They do not always hold the truth but they do not always lie either. It is all about how the audience decides to perceive it. Everyone's perception of a single situation is different; no one sees the exact same thing.


15. Chapter 18 goes through a lot. We see Justyace spending time with Doc to avoid making the call to Trey and the gang and isn't writing to Martin anymore SJ speaking to him again and she apologises. She also calls Jarod about the release of the photo. What are your thoughts on all these and the character development of the teens?

The development of these teens is amazing to watch with what they are going through. Losing friends and being dragged through the media mud is not easy. Justyce handles it with grace and does the best he can to be honest and truthful.

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?

Girls are girls. We all have moments of omgosh what is happening. No one can blame her for reacting differently than expected especially since it seems that they have been friends for a long time.

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?

Teenagers don't always have it easy. I do not judge Manny for fading into peer pressure. We all have difficulties with peer pressure from friends and family alike. Standing your ground is not easy when there's a chance you could lose someone you love.

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?

I do not like Melo is going to be around to be honestly. And yes I have had a teacher who was involved in my life as much as Doc is and it truly made me a better person.

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?

I think it is okay to hide difficulties and challenges from your children. But I also feel that you have to prepare them for the real world as well. As a parent I am constantly questioning whether this is something I need to explain to my kids or let them sit in the dark for a while.

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)

To be honest, I read the book in two days...haha I did not wait to see what happened.

1. We meet Justyce when he's trying to do a good deed by helping is 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 enjoy Justyce as a character. My heart hurts for him to be honest. It was difficult to get through what he had to go through with all of that.

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?

The women in Justyce life all seem to love him for different reasons. I truly do not like Melo. My heart is set on SJ. And I am astounded by his mother, but that's how life is sometimes. Racial inequality is a hard topic for a lot of people and it really hurt my heart to read through this book from Justyce's point of view.

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?

Honestly, there is so much that can be said to prove Jared's logic wrong. Many people don't get the same opportunities as others, especially if race in involved. It is wrong to assume that just because you have "equality" in your life that inequality does not exist.

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?

I was floored with the costume choice. I could NEVER imagine seeing that or what I would do had I been in that situation. Men can get in trouble for dressing like a "thug" but it is just fine for others to represent something so astounding in our nation and believe that it is okay. Honestly, there were many times I about threw this book because of the astounding nature of comments and actions that were portrayed.

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?

Honestly, teenage years are hard. Peer pressure is hard. It is difficult for anyone to go up against a friend's opinion especially if there are multiple friends with this opinion. Could Manny have acted differently, yes of course. Do I judge him for going with his friends that he has known most of this life and does not seem to want to rock the boat, no.

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 absolutely better that he left. Justyce has created a life for himself that has meaning and purpose even with all the challenges he is obviously going to face. He just needs to have faith in himself to overcome some of these challenges and they won't all be easy.

COMPLETION POST

Dear Martin by Nic Stone
Read: 7/19/2020
pages: 210

Works for:
E - Character Emmanuel
S - Author Nic Stone

task: 162 Read a book with a single person on the cover

Okay that’s what I thought. Just wanted to be sure. Thank you!

To spell out the word is it just characters, authors and titles? Or do locations of the story work too?

COMPLETION POST

How the Penguins Saved Veronica by Hazel Prior
Pages 368
Read 7/18/20

Works for

E- Character Eileen

Task 19 Read a book with an animal word in the title (e.g. cat / chicken / etc)

Laura wrote: "Mary wrote: "Hi team! I’ve been fighting an illness and it has been winning. Reading has been in short supply. I’m currently working on how the penguins saved Veronica should be done by the end of ..."

Thank you! Finally got in to see my physician and got some medicine. I am feeling a ton better and the medicine keeps me up so I am hoping to get lots of reading done!

Lulu wrote: "Hey everyone BOM for started yesterday and the first set of questions are up.
Has anyone started reading it? Or planning on participating in the discussion?"

I am starting it today! :)

Hi team! I’ve been fighting an illness and it has been winning. Reading has been in short supply. I’m currently working on how the penguins saved Veronica should be done by the end of the weekend. <3

COMPLETION POST

Defending Raven by Susan Stoker
Read 7/8/2020
Pages 311

G- Character Gray
P - Location Peru
A - Character Aero
R - Character Raven
S - Author Name

116 Read #7 in a series

Day 5 Questions - 83% - end

22. At the beginning of this section Viv is kind of freaking out over what she did. She starts to call the police, then changes her mind. Then she hears a car pull up and footsteps coming toward where she is. What would you do in this situation?

I would panic. I would definitely call the police though. It was in sheer self defense. But times were different back then so there's no clue how I would have felt in those times.

23. When Viv and Marnie are taking care of Simon Hess, another car pulls up and it's Alma. Did you anticipate her reaction to what was going on? Why or why not?

I did not anticipate her reaction at all. She's a cop, but like I said in the above question the times were different then and she knew that. She knew that Viv would be a big trouble and that a self defense claim probably would not happen.

24. Carly is being followed by Callum McCray (sp?) and loses him by pulling into Alma's driveway. Why does Alma cringe or flinch when she hears Callum's name?

She knows he's the grandson of Simon Hess whose body she helped hide. She knows that he knows something and that there could be more trouble for Carly.

25. One of my favorite scenes was near the end when a ghost in a suit comes in to the motel lobby to check in. Carly doesn't want to touch the ghost so she snatches a key from the case and passes it over the counter. The ghost says "Oh good 209. My old home." I got the shakes just hearing it. Did you anticipate that ghost making an appearance?

I was honestly waiting for it. I knew he had to be around due to the earlier chapter that one of his fake names was written in the book.

26. Carly figures out what Viv did and gets to meet her aunt. Were you happy with the end of the story? If not, what would you have liked to see?

I was so happy with the end of the book. I wanted Carly to stay in Fell and I wanted her to stay with Nick. It was the ending I was truly hoping for. I just wish Viv hadn't had to go to jail. She really was just defending herself, but I guess hiding the body was what did her in in the end.

COMPLETION POST

The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James
Read Date 7/7/2020
327 Pages

Letters:
C - Character Carly
S - Author first and last name

Task
6 Read a book with MPG Thriller

Hello team! I am hoping to finish The Sun Down Motel today or tomorrow. And I'm working on Defending Raven which should be done by Wednesday. Hopefully I'll be able to add one more before the end of the week! :) Hope everyone is having a great Monday so far!