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

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

Wow - some weeks sure zoom by!

But let me know any edits you might have. Haha I went to post them and realized it's not til tomorrow they are needed. One more day to perfect :)

Here is the mix I came up with. I hope it's ok!

(view spoiler)[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?

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? Do you think it will stick? The stay at the cabin in the lake sounds magical and relaxing. Do you like to canoe? And have you ever played cribbage?

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? 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? Do you think you would be happy living in the past knowing what would happen?

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?

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, how they felt, etc. Like men walking on the moon, Challenger, and of course 9/11. Any others you all can think of? I'd really be interested in hearing about other countries "I remember exactly where I was" events too! (hide spoiler)]

I love those Shannon!! Thanks! My power is out this morning but once it's back on I'll post questions unless someone else wants to choose and post today. The hardest part is selecting!

Tentative Day 4 Questions:
(feel free to comment and/or propose different questions or edits)

(view spoiler)[
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?

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?

The stay at the cabin in the lake sounds magical and relaxing. Do you like to canoe? And have you ever played cribbage?

Do you think Jake will make it back to 2011 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?

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, how they felt, etc. Like men walking on the moon, Challenger, and of course 9/11. Any others you all can think of? I'd really be interested in hearing about other countries "I remember exactly where I was" events too!
(hide spoiler)]

I can switch things around and use other questions if you all want. Thanks Vi and Elinor for such great thought-provoking contributions!

Thanks Nanci! And I hope you have SO much fun on your cruise!!

I love all the teamwork in determining tasks! I got those two checked in, and it may be that we can finish 100 and 101 with already completed books. I'm going to spend a bit of time looking at the rainbow towers.

I think mix and match is the best approach. Too bad we can't ask them all!

Elinor - I love the questions!

Vi wrote: "I've put some questions under the spoiler tag just in case.

"

Vi those are excellent questions!! thanks!

What do you all think about asking something along the lines of our group discussion - life impacting events?

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? I know because of my "fixer" personality, I'd want to change things. I'm sure I'd get in over my head with stuff, and end up living the rest of my life in a 1960s jail.

#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? With knowing the future, it'd be pretty easy to make money. BUT wow in those times as a woman, it might not be possible. Boo!

#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?

#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? I've been listening to the book - and I don't remember one in particular. But I do remember how sexist they were. "Make your man happy..." And the cigarette advertisements - which I totally remember seeing in magazines as a kid.

#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 things that stood out to me were - the series of child killings/disappearances and several references to evil clowns.

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 don't like horror a lot, so I haven't read much of his. I know Firestarter had a particular scene (read as a teen) that haunts me to this day when I am doing dishes. I did read The Green Mile recently and liked it. And I liked The Stand.

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? I would have gone down the stairs because what would it hurt!? And I can totally see wanting to explore the past. And the dramatic "sudden" changes in Al would make me wonder enough to try.

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? I would be freaked out! And wondering about what would happen if.... I usually dislike time travel books for the same reason - there are just so many potential problems.

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 know a little about the history, but not much. I don't know if I would continue Al's mission - I'm not convinced it would help the future because I don't have enough knowledge. So ??? I would definitely want to go live in the past though.

Awesome Cris! I somehow didn't realize that questions started yesterday - I'm going to go do that right now.

Also, we have questions coming up starting tomorrow - so whoever has read far enough - please suggest some here!

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

As Vi said, it's ok to take a break. And then choose to read things you know you'll like :)

I did but sorry I should have asked first. It had "none" for a mini-challenge so I just put it in the "set in America" prompt.

Elinor wrote: "Suzanne, the past harmonises 😌.
x"

Ha - this made me smile!

Jackie wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "@Jackie - can you put About Last Night on your tt shelf? And wow - way to go knocking off that Chipmunk task!"

That's not mine. Vi, I believe, read that one."

Haha no wonder I couldn't find it on your shelf Jackie - and thanks Vi.

I'm still pretty sick, so I'll blame that, although....I don't think much has changed in my morning brain :)

@Jackie - can you put About Last Night on your tt shelf? And wow - way to go knocking off that Chipmunk task!

Thanks for the memories about the Kennedy family! I was born the year after it happened, but my whole life I've thought my Mom looks a lot like Jackie Kennedy. And it makes a lot of sense why there are SO many theories about what happened and why.

Those shared memories also add a lot to this book for me!

And - yay for more spellouts!

Keli wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "Vi- that's good thinking about the 11/23 book, but it'll have to be used as a math thing, so it won't work.

Keli, I'm not exactly sure what book you are asking about? But I'm also ..."

Keli - thanks for the great explanation! I think what you are doing is perfect.