Suzanne’s Comments (group member since Aug 13, 2015)

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

DQs for day 1

Some of these questions will lead to possible spoilers. Please be sure to hide any spoilers

1. What expectations do you have for the book based on the blurb or other description of the book? It seems from the blurb to be about such a serious subject that I think parts might upset me.

2. How reliable do you the think the 2 narrators are? As reliable as memories are - so probably mostly truth, and not intentionally misleading.

3. Chapter 1 opens with " The day Ruthie went missing the black flies seemed to be especially hungry...Indians made such good berry pickers...something sour in our blood kept the black flies away". How does this establish Joe's view of the relationship that exists between the whites and the Mi'kmaq? I think it's sad, and I can't help but wonder if similar things happen now with migrant field laborers. I have no idea, but... I wonder. Then I wonder if I SHOULD have some idea.

4. How much is Norma dreaming vs remembering? What do you think the dreams foreshadow? I think her dreams are memories.

5. How do you explain Lenore's paranoia about Norma being out alone? How do you account for the incongruity of her insistence that Norma likes to play with baby dolls when she sees Norma choosing other playthings? I think the first is guilt and worry about getting caught - and the second is that she really doesn't want Norma to grow up.

6. Why did Joe act so clingy when he returned from his first "guide" with his dad? I'm not positive, but I think the reality of racism and fear is getting to him. His family has been broken and help isn't available.

In update #2, I'm going to put a group of books on the spreadsheet that I'm planning to read on my trip (leaving Thursday and will be gone for a week). I'll only have my phone, so getting the links set up will help.

I have two books I'll finish tomorrow - Prayers for Sale and What Moves the Dead (a rather short one - sorry! - that I need to read for Hugo awards). Just an update for what it's worth :)

I've tried everything for notifications and still cannot get them to work. I haven't gotten any notifications for about a year (I stepped out of challenges and still don't participate nearly as much because of that). So glad I tried Tower Teams again though - I have a google spreadsheet with the link and just have to remember to go to it.

I don't even get when people pm me in the mail system here forwarded to my email. Unless I log in and check manually here. It is most frustrating.

End of notifications rant.

I'm going to hold off on finishing The Berry Pickers until I can answer the Book of the Month questions - I have the copy for about 10 more days, but we are leaving the 19th on a trip and I'll only have my phone - I'm hoping the first 3 days of questions are posted in a timely manner so I can copy/paste and stuff. But I'll do my best.

I'm almost done with the diary (journal) book - I'm positive I'll get my 15 estimate done, but not sure if I'll get the extra 5 buffer read. We'll see!

Lol and was that one the challenge where we needed a book with a SINGLE sheep on the cover? That is one of my tower teams nearest and dearest tasks - culling a cover sheep out of the herd :)

Steven wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "Steven, I've for sure seen you in challenges, and it's so fun to learn more about you! I especially love all the pets (and agree boxer's are cute - but I love most dogs)."

Yes! And..."

I'm not 100% sure, but I think it may have been the Discworld-themed tower teams. Fun times :)

Steven, I've for sure seen you in challenges, and it's so fun to learn more about you! I especially love all the pets (and agree boxer's are cute - but I love most dogs).

I finished my BOM read and should have the time travel one done tonight or tomorrow at the latest.

I found one that will work for the journal task if nobody is working on that. And I'll be listening to the next Book of the Month, since my library hold came up a couple days ago.

Day 3 Chapters 14-20

11. Whether the stories are true or not, are you interested in the back stories of Margaret’s family? What did you think of Freddy’s first interaction with Bernie? (The one that contained the only laugh out loud line so far “Because of your wardrobe?”)
I don't mind them, but they are SUCH a different tone from the other part of the book that it feels a little weird to me.

12. Who exactly is Jodi? Will she be a part of the BIG REVEAL?
I'm guessing she is Laura

13. I do not have kids, but Hayden’s list of “what ifs” to worry about was a lot. Do you parents worry about that stuff?
I have for sure heard many parents worry about all of this and more - I thought it was a legit list, especially given Hayden's upbringing.


14. Why do you think Alice thinks that Margaret’s tales of her childhood are true, as opposed to the stuff about her family before she was around? Do you find her insightful or naive? I don't know if I find her either. But it is easy to take personal experience as true and not as easy to take family history as truth, when the person telling it didn't live through it.


15. Think the visit to Alice’s family will go well? Think we will meet Hayden's family also?
I think it might go ok. I kind of don't see meeting Hayden's family in the future of the book, but could certainly be wrong!

Day 2
The Story to Chapter 13

5. Margaret is lying – and probably not just about one singular thing. Do you think she’s even telling Alice and Hayden the same story? Personally I’m also really curious where Margaret’s sister Laura is – to me it feels like she might be key to the whole story… anything specific that made you perk up?
I do think she's telling Alice and Hayden different stories, but I think that's because something in the book description said that. And...I hate when descriptions have any kind of spoilers! I do like the way Alice interacts with Margaret. I've kind of wondered if Laura is Jodi.

6. Similarly, it was kind of an aside but I thought it was interesting when Margaret mentioned the Ives family’s rivalry with the Pulitzers. Is it just a random coincidence that Hayden is a Pulitzer-prize winning author who now also gets to talk to her? Especially since she requested him? And he has a bunch of family issues too?
I didn't catch that at all, so I'm glad you mentioned it!

7. I was a little shocked when they were already kissing 25% in – and then not surprised when Hayden rejects Alice. Do you think he’s telling the truth when he says “I’m not going to hook up with someone whose dream job I’m about to take from them”? Or is there something else going on?
I think the job competition is enough of a reason not to hook up, and I'm glad Hayden stepped away. Although he could have phrased things more nicely.

8. We get quite a bit of detail on Alice’s job and research process as a journalist: what she’s searching for, working with fact-checkers, etc. Do you enjoy these types of details, i.e. minutae of characters’ jobs and hobbies?
I thought the level of detail was fine, and since Alice had mentioned working remotely, it was good to see she actually was putting in some time at her job.

9. I’ve been to Hearst Castle, but long before I actually knew anything about him. The Ives family seems to be quite obviously inspired by him (and I guess he was name-dropped for plausible deniability). Is there a specific family dynasty you’re really interested in? Not really - I only know about family dynasties in literature :)


10. Bonus question: So… anyone else feel like they’re reading Evelyn Hugo 2.0 I got a bit of a vibe of Evelyn Hugo too.

DQs Day 1
Chapters 1 to 7

1.) Emily Henry is a popular contemporary romance author and a fair few of her books have been previous NBRC BOM selections. Any expectations for this book going in?
I've only read Funny Story which I enjoyed. Lol although I don't remember it much, so I guess it wasn't super impactful. But I'm expecting, or at least hoping, to enjoy this one.

2.) What are your first impressions of Alice? And sending that drink to Hayden? Alice is quite...cheerful. I kind of wish she was a little more snarky or something. But I did like the giant blue drink she sent Hayden - that at least showed a little sass and sense of humor. I also like how she was kind to the maid/butler and gave her the flowers.

3.) Would you agree to the month long trial or tell Margaret she's a nutter and move on to something else? Why do you think Margaret is doing things this way? Yes I'd totally agree to it - sounds like the story may be quite a scoop. I think Margaret may genuinely not know how she wants her story told.

4.) After learning a few tidbits about Hayden's family and how he grew up, did you opinion change a bit on his character? I didn't like Hayden much at first, but he's growing on me a little. I was glad we learned a little more about him. Another thing I liked about him was just learning how he structured the first biography he wrote. It sounded insightful and kind, so I suspected there was more to him :)

Oops - I will do that right now!

I finished a (fairly short) book on the drive to/from my dad's house today. The next one I started has a MC who is a professional ballroom dancer, and of course also has tango in the text, so it might help with Argentina if I end up finishing it in time. :) If not, it'll help with something else!

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "We are actually fully cheesed out already - way to go team! Those banked books did the work for us this time.

Suzanne, how was the moose book? I've been curious."

It was just a cheesy, typical romance. Not awful, not great, but at least it wasn't painful to read!

The Louis L'Amour book on the other hand that I read right before it - certainly painful to read. Which made me sad because my Grandpa LOVED him. They had a wall of Louis L'Amour books for him and Barbara Cartland books for her - hundreds of each. Maybe if it had been a western I would have liked it more :).

I finished the Moose book. And wow that is neat that the cheese is almost spelled!

I found a Moose book I can read - put it in the spreadsheet. But if someone else wants that task, no problem - I can always read something else!

Lexi, thanks for the input about the character name for Annihilation! I was going to remove the "P" and will find another task for it soon. But the tasks are under "captain's only" now. Do you want me to remove it or leave it to you guys to remove?

Oh and I wasn't sure if my other book (Louis L'Amour that I'm reading for a local book club) should be put in the travel lists (set in Russia which is an easy country). But I put it in Transportation on cover instead - feel free to change it if you want.

My next Hugo listen is Annihilation - the four characters in it aren't named - just always (100% of the book) called by their professions: The Biologist, The Surveyor, The Psychologist, etc. So I put it down for "P" character, but if that's going to be a hassle or against the rules, I'm sure we can use it for something else eventually. And if we don't, well it's only 195 pages :)