Vi’s Comments (group member since Jun 04, 2011)

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

I would say smaller books unless there are people reading some 600+

Volunteering for DQs (Ashara)

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?
Well, serial killers are charismatic. But then, Jake knew the insider scoop so his viewpoint was always going to be skewed. So yes, I think he definitely wouldn't have been as suspicious if he didn't know.

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?
The late 50s early 60s were a weird weird time. And yes, I was thinking something along the same line. But I would have loved to get him caught in something illegal instead of outright killing.

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?
Nope, I wouldn't want to live there. And wouldn't investigate either unless I was invested in it for some reason or the other.

13) Well, stoppping Frank didn't go to plan but he did get stopped. What do you think the cosequences 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?
There will always be consequences to changing the event or any event. Yes, he will go back and try as time resets. He may plan better and maybe stop Frank earlier.

Day 2 DQs
Chapter 4 - 6 or 18%

#5. How did you feel when you read Harry Dunning's essay? What would you have done if you had the power to enact change in the past?
It was very horrifying. Imagining the time and the people going through that whole experience..

#6. Money is a big deal in any timeline. Would you be able to acclimate to the past in terms of financial transactions as well as Jake? Do you think Jake acclimated TOO quickly?
No, not really. I felt he acclimated to everything too quickly. There was practically no slip-ups which i felt was very strange.

#7. Fashion is also an issue in the past. Do you think Jake is having an easier time of it because he is a man? What would be the most challenging fashion change for you to get used to? Is there something you would love to be able to wear?
Yes, at the worst case, it would be a strange fashion but not outwardly bad. But for ladies, it's a whole other ball game. It would be very difficult to walk through with the current fashion.

#8. There are a lot of interesting nods to older Advertising terms and slogans that King uses to help the reader recognize the timeline change of the past. Which one stood out to you the most and why?
The most that stood out to me the whole book was the smoking. And I was amazed that Jake was able to be quiet about it. The advertising terms and things... I'm not so familiar with it.

#9. If you have read any past King novels, some of these chapters have a lot of connections to early books about Derry, Maine, and surrounding locations. Did you find any Easter eggs from previous stories? If you haven't read earlier King novels, what about Derry seemed to stand out as unique to you?
The whole town has an eerie feel to it. Feels like a setting of a horror town which makes me eager to check out his other horror books.

Day 1 DQs: ch1- 3

1) I have only read a few of Stephen King's books. Is this your first book by the author or are you quite familiar with his storytelling?
I have not read any I think. I remember reading The Shining but not completely. I think I need to rectify that.

2) What do you think about the character Jake so far? Would you have gone along with what Al wanted and took the initial step back into the past, or would you have not humoured him and tried to get him help?
Oh, definitely gone along with what Al wanted. I mean, going back to the past as a guest knowing you can come back anytime? A winner for sure.

3) I am not sure how I would feel if I just stepped back into the past the way Jake and Al have, but I am really curious about how the time travelling works in this story. It seemed that Jake was somewhat calm about it. How do you think you would feel if it was you?
Very excited I think. I feel Jake handled it really well.

4) I think it is clear that Jake is going to pick up Al's mission to try and stop the JFK assassination. Would you choose to continue Al's mission? Also how much do you know of the history surrounding this event?
I'm not sure if I would continue but that's also because I have close to zero knowledge on the history surrounding this event.

Suzanne wrote: "Elinor wrote: "I understood we were trying to keep a good pace with the Chipmunks because it’s likely another challenge will start in July - so that would mean MT, RT, TT, Chipmunks, BOMs, and anot..."

OMG, 22 kids. Good Luck! And remember to treat yourself after for surviving that. I got you on the NR book. I was unsure that's why I posted it here.

I have 1 MT book that I'll read in July as we have completed the 300 page criteria for this month. I have 2 400+ and 1 Chipmunk after which I may start a 500+ if I have the time.

MN Lisa wrote: "@Vi - I'm not seeing Song of Achilles on your shelf. Can you add it please?"

Done. Sorry, I missed it.

For X-rated author initials in Romance, I finished Carolina Moon by Nora Roberts. It'll fit but it's also a 500+.

Also finished Sweet Liar earlier this month which would work for X rated New Adult category. It’s used for RT so not sure if I can move it.

Suzanne wrote: "Lisa - I am SUPER glad we have til end of challenge to finish Chipmunks. Although I am sure that it'll be sooner than that.

Vi - yes about Sherry Thomas - she is certainly from China - good find!!"

yeah, at the rate we are doing, we should be finishing it before end of TT.

Thanks Suzanne. This makes our life much easier.

Lisa, I hope your reading slump is better. Oh, I've been there. I too thought the same but then there was a discussion earlier, I think, between Suzanne and Ellinor that cleared up.

A question - For task 105, Read a book set in or by an author from China. Sherry Thomas is from China (Sherry emigrated from China at age 13 and English is her second language.) Can I use a book by her for that category?

MN Lisa wrote: "I updated the Tower Team Sheet with the letters and quantities needed.

Column L is how many we STILL need of that letter and if its green, we do not need anymore of that letter.

It is counting c..."

Thanks for this Lisa, it helps a lot.

Popping in to say that I’ve finally finished the door stopper. Pushed through yesterday and today morning to get it done. I’ll be answering the BOM as I was not able to do so until now. I put the book under team towers so it helps with the page criteria under TT09 for character name Oswald. If that’s not okay, then I’ll change it.

Hey team, checking in after a busy weekend.

@Kirsten: Sorry to hear that your vacation plan has been disrupted. Hope you have a great time at Rome nonetheless.

I agree! We are a fantastic team. Great reading and great teamwork.

Janine, I used one of my earlier books that didn't fit the RT.. I think Elusive Relations was used for another chipmunk task.

Also, just asking. If 11/22/63 can fit the pennywise task, I think one of us has finished it already.. If yes, can we mark that as complete too?

Oh, no no. Honestly, your questions are more thought provoking and will lead to a discussion. No hard feelings at all.. As part of doing a BOM or a group read is the actual discussion and reading different POVs. Esp for a book such as this which has more impact to Americans vs rest of the world, the discussions will actually lead to reading different answers.

Of course, I'm ok with the mix and match and add Suzanne's idea but also very ok with letting go of my questions. Things are definitely not awkward and you shouldn't feel that way at all. I just really love your questions.

Elinor wrote: "Following Vi's lead with some DQs I thought of while reading those chapters - I'm absolutely fine not using mine and I'd love answering the questions about cribbage and the canoe but also why peopl..."

Oh Elinor I love your questions. You put it so much better than me. Esp about the yellow card man. Suzanne, you should use hers. She's great with it.

MN Lisa wrote: "Kirsten wrote: "Lisa, I was so burned out after Potions I just gave myself permission to read whatever the heck I wanted to, and to quit books if I didn't like them. I hope you're able to do the sa..."

That's a great idea Lisa. Just read for pleasure and hopefully that will give a new burst of energy.

I'm about a third into the doorstopper and it's been good so far. I'm also about 15% in The Song of Achilles and I've got to say, I'm enjoying it more than I expected. The prose is very lyrical and the narrator is sooo good. I'm glad I finally got around to reading these two books.

I have a full weekend planned. Hopefully I also get some time to read in between.

I've put some questions under the spoiler tag just in case.

(view spoiler)[ 1. Few twists in this section - Al's overdose, follow-up of Harry Dunning and the yellow-card man. Which surprised you more? Why?

2. Ooh, Jake handled it all different this time around. I cannot imagine pushing through with a migraine too. How did you find his stay in Derry? Was it too neat?

3. The general feel is that of a 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, driving while sick seemingly easy with money?

4. The stay at the cabin in the lake sounds magical and relaxing. Do you like to canoe? And have you ever played cribbage?
(hide spoiler)]

I don't think I'm good at writing DQs :|

MN Lisa wrote: "Having a hard time connecting with any book right now...Grr. Not sure what i'm gonna do...."

Ah, that's too bad. Maybe time to take a break.. that might help.

It's all good Lisa.

I've started with The Song of Achilles in audio and it will likely take me some time, maybe around middle of next week as I have a full weekend planned. If anyone else has another book that has won the Women's Prize for Fiction, please feel free to go ahead and claim the task.