Bobbi ’s Comments (group member since Mar 10, 2016)

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

Lexi wrote: "New tasks (repeat):

Read a book you can connect to The Librarian (an orang-utan)"

The Library Book that I finished on 7/15 might work for that.

Completed!

January 01 - December 31, 2023
Devil May Care = 20 or more!
Progress: 22/20

1. Seth Grahame-Smith - How to Survive a Horror Movie: All the Skills to Dodge the Kills 🍇🍇🍇🍇 1/14/23
2. Andrew J. Morgan - Noah's Ark 🍇🍇 1/25/23
3. April Henry - Two Truths and a Lie 🍇🍇🍇 1/27/23
4. Isaac Asimov - I, Robot 🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇 2/3/23
5. Lamar Giles - The Getaway 🍇🍇🍇🍇 2/4/23
6. Alex Finlay - The Night Shift 🍇🍇🍇🍇 2/12/23
7. Darcy Coates - The Whispering Dead 🍇🍇🍇 2/20/23
8. Adrian McKinty - The Island 🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇 2/25/23
9. Erin Bowman - Contagion 🍇🍇🍇 3/5/23
10. Adam Cesare - Clown in a Cornfield 🍇🍇🍇 3/15/23
11. Jennette McCurdy - I'm Glad My Mom Died 🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇 4/2/23
12. Natasha Rhodes - Final Destination #1: Dead Reckoning 🍇🍇🍇 4/13/23
13. Benjamin Stevenson - Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone 🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇 4/16/23
14. Lisa Unger - Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six 🍇🍇🍇 5/5/23
15. Craig DiLouie - Episode Thirteen 🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇 5/15/23
16. William H. Armstrong - Sounder 🍇🍇🍇 6/6/23
17. S.A. Chakraborty - The City of Brass 🍇🍇🍇 6/8/23
18. David Sakmyster - Jurassic Dead 🍇🍇 6/8/23
19. The Library Book - Susan Orlean 🍇🍇🍇 7/15/23
20. Howl’s Moving Castle - Diana Wynne Jones 🍇🍇🍇 7/19/23
21. Chocolate Raspberry Magic - Tena Stetler 🍇🍇🍇 7/20/23
22. On the Line - Fern Michaels 🍇🍇🍇 7/21/23

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?
Either Hey You by Disturbed or Antisocialist by Asking Alexandria.

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 think they're getting to know each other as father and daughter rather than coach and athlete. I do believe this to be foreshadowing.

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?
I'm sure having her sponsors pull back has to affect her mental game. I realize sponsorship and media are necessary evils to sports but they do take away from its unspoiled integrity a bit.

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?
Unless Nikki hurts her ankle further, I don't know that Carrie will win.

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?
Tennis was pretty huge in this period. The Williams sisters, Steffi Graf, Monica Seles, and on and on. Women were killing it in tennis.

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 kind of like Bowe. His age has humbled him a bit and he's stopped drinking. Bowe handles Carrie's banter well so I can see him as a good match in all ways.

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?
Beezie Madden. She was an Olympic level showjumper and my little horse crazy self wanted to be just like her. There was no one better.

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 do well but not as well as she hopes. I really like the book so far.

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 have read Seven Husbands... by TJR and if the writing is similar, I expect to enjoy it

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 feel for her. I had to end a basketball career just after I made varsity in high school due to a congenital defect in the shape of the end of my right fibia. I was told it was quit or an artificial joint by 21. I'm 37 and still all original. She's competitive, fostered by her dad's belief in her ability to be one of the best and her need to make him, as her only parent, proud. I think if anything, she's been humbled.

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 they're 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?
I think you nailed it. He wanted the best for her and for her to achieve her dreams. He did his best to be there for her. Their relationship would have changed regardless. That's what happens as we grow up.

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 wasn't surprised because her self-worth is totally tied up in her ability to play tennis. She doesn't have the example (good or bad) of what a (dys)functional may look like since her mother died so young.

Indeed we will. I'm trying for Fourth Wing, but it's not looking too likely

This is going to sound like an exceedingly silly question, but I *just* got Carrie Soto from my local library. It will count for BOM as long as I finish it before the end of the month, correct?

I added two to my shelf today, and I'm about to add them to the sheet. I don't have internet at home right now, unfortunately and GR was down yesterday (my router up and died).

I have a 400 pg book that I haven't added to the sheet yet that I should have finished in the next day or so

Jamie, my sincerest condolences for your family's loss.

DQs Day 7 - Chapters 17 - 18, 58%


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 Sadie. Jake's freak out over her name and her ex has me super curuous.


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 don't necessarily know that I would agree that it didn't really affect him. I think Jake is being super cautious to change as little as possible with Oswald so he doesn't cause a butterfly effect in which someone else shoots JFK instead.


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 have actually been building a playlist of the music mentioned as I go through the book. I'm already familiar with some 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.)

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?
Vertigo is one of my favorites. I've watched bits and pieces of The Long, Hot Summer. The Birds is one I wholeheartedly recommend.

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. 😊 )
Since I was 10, I've loved Phantom of the Opera. I wanted to play Christine. I have/had the vocal range, but I've been in plays in high school and college and the nerves always get me too much lol

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?
I think since Jake has started putting down roots, he may overthink how to go about stopping LHO since he has to worry about consequences.

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?
He's better off ending things because the truth is too out there for Sadie to believe. She would likely either tell others because she thinks he's a terrible liar or because she thinks he's crazy and that threaten the mission.

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?
As the saying goes: learn from history or be doomed to repeat it. It's probably a coincidence but on the off-chance it isn't, I'm glad he told her.

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 like it okay. It's very... classic SK. If you read enough of his books, you get used to his slow as molasses pacing.

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?
That's tough. My family is from Michigan and North Carolina. I wouldn't deal well with racial segregation. I have a big mouth, so that leaves the south out. Michigan, from what I'm told was mostly pretty good in this era, but there was still tension. I think I'd try California. I would definitely live it up a little in Jake's shoes. He knows when he has to deal with LHO, so I'd want to see the country a bit.

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?
I don't know how easy it was in the 1950s to get a teaching certificate, but part of me hopes it was harder than that. My mom got her teaching certificate roughly 15 years ago. She majored in English and minored in history, and had to go the full four years, take education classes, and do an unpaid internship before she was given her teaching certificate for the high school level. I think Jake truly enjoys teaching and this is his way of living a little.

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?
I did know that. Stephen King has a habit of writing about writers. I think it helps him get into the character's head.

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?
Sadie is a bit flirty it seems, but has a good head on her shoulders. Jake doesn't seem to think so, but I'd bet they end up falling for each other.

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?
I could see myself making friends, but I don't think I would find a romantic partner. I'd want to come back to my loved ones eventually.

Our team is kicking some behind and taking down names!

I have an 11, but it might be a minute before I get to it.

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 could be way off base here, but I think the yellow card man was Al's personal warning system. The more he, and later Jake, went back, the worse his health got, and the color of the card indicated that. There may be something similar going on around Jake and he's just not aware of it.

15) Jake originally though 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?
I think, in part, he did it for Al, but I think more than anything, he was there and had the chance to intervene to make Carolyn's life a little easier and so he did because he's a good guy. I don't canoe, but I love fishing and hunting. I never learned cribbage.

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 think knowing what was bound to happen would be relaxing, at least for a little while. I think the reason no one is suspicious is that there's absolutely no way in the analog world of that time period to cheat the system unless you are connected to the event in a significant way, and even then, it can't be tightly controlled. It would be as close to impossible as one can get.

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?
I don't think it's right to judge if that was a life wasted. Harry could have had some profound effect on someone else's life before he was killed in Vietnam. Perhaps he also saved someone's life. It was Harry's life and he lived it the way he wanted to. I think Jake should take comfort in that.

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?
The OJ Simpson white Bronco chase, Oklahoma City Bombing, Columbine (and the many school shootings since), 9/11, etc.

Sorry, I fell back to sleep after I entered the date on the SS. It's marked correctly now. :)

Oop! I got that one. Allison Hewitt Is Trapped: A Zombie Novel fits and I should be done tonight. I can read something else for the letter I originally had it down for.

Judith wrote: "New task:

X-Men - Read a book with the word Wolverine in the text"

Completed.

11/22/63 Tracking:
Day One: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day Two: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day Three: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...