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

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

Oh also note, that Montenegro wasn't a country until 2006 so I'm not sure if they REALLY crossed into Albania those 10 pages or stayed in Montenegro. But it SAYS they crossed.

Good morning.
I finished The Black Mountain this morning after your message. (Note: I'm sick, so not 100% sure of my calculations) But I THINK it's about 10 pages short of being 50% in Montenegro (They cross the border briefly into Albania.) Before I chose this book, I used not only Goodreads, but sites like: https://nwhyte.livejournal.com/243673...
which says it's "mostly set in Montenegro" . Anyway, I'm not sure now that it'll work - up to you captains! I'll write down the other things it works for as well.

I will finish Children of the Book and the Lost City of the Monkey Gods fairly quickly. People of the Book will be last, so if you want to move it to the next itenerary, that's fine!

Day 1, Chapters 1-11 (1-18%)


1. Warm-up question: have you read any other books by Fredrik Backman before? If yes, what do you like/dislike about his themes/style, etc?

I have read most of his other books - just missing the last in the Beartown series. So you can probably guess, I love his writing style. I think his thoughts speak to me.

2. In the first chapter we are intorduced to quite a memorable auction scene with super-rich people who all want to possess THE PAINTING, though their intentions are questionable. Did this make you think of some similar events happening in the world right now?

I think it's pretty insightful about possessing something out of love for it vs. for bragging rights, investment, etc. It was neat seeing how Louisa was the only one who really understood the painting.

3. "Artists vs Normal People" - another apsect of these first chapters is the great divide between true artists and normal people. Backman seems to suggest that most people don't/cannot get true art and artists are so much more different (possibly better people?). Do you agree with this? Or is it a generalisation?

I didn't feel like that was what Backman was saying. I think he was more saying how art can really speak to people, whether or not they are an artist. They just need to find their "thing".

4. In a sequence of weird events, Louisa ends up in possession of The Painting.
Any guesses what may happen to her and to it?

I guessing she'll meet the surviving kids on the dock. I'm HOPING she'll become an artist, or at least find people who care about her.


Bonus Q: do you have a favourite artist or a favourite piece of painting/sculpture?
I've loved Michaelangelo's sculptures. Seeing them in person is amazing.

Ok I'll hold off on my Montenegro til next round. :)

I will miss Mini2!

I'm about done with my Montenegro book, but I can certainly hold off on it until we move along to the block it is listed on.

Ouch! It's rough enough mowing the lawn without pain :(

I can finish my The Cellist of Sarajevo today - but I'm ok holding off finishing if that's better. (For mini 1). Just let me know.

Oh yay! I was worried about "running out" of challenge. I should have known

DQs Day 5 Chapters Fourteen - Seventeen

20. Well, I think we all knew that we were going to end up with Norma turning out to really be the lost girl and her being reunited with her biological family. Do you have any thoughts you'd like to share on that reunion? Or a comparison you'd like to venture between what we know of both of Norma's families?

I felt like the whole thing was pretty clear and never wondered about who Norma was or if the family would be reunited. I do wish Norma had been more curious and pushed things as an adult - at least she realized she wasn't her "parents" natural child.

21. Aunt June stays true to her word. She promised to help find Norma's real family and she managed to find the article that would bring this family reunion about. Do you think the conflict between the two women was well handled? From the moment Norma gave in to her anger and yelled at June to the moment where June told her that going to meet her family was not something for her to intrude upon.

I liked Aunt June although I think she should have told Norma a LOT sooner. I love my sisters, but there is no way I would keep that kind of secret for them. I was glad that June helped Norma find her real family - left to Norma, it probably never would have happened.

23. All in all, were you satisfied with the book? The story - did you enjoy following along Norma's and Joe's lives? The writing - did you enjoy the way the words flowed over the page, painting a world and its landscapes without however overusing words? Or maybe that's just my opinion - that it flowed nicely and pulled the reader along like a boat gently rocking on water.

I didn't like it much - probably because I actively disliked most of the characters. I sure felt sorry for Ruthie's mother though - what a hard life. I do think the writing was good, but am glad to have the book done :)

24. Would you read another book by this author? Do you maybe have recommendations for Native American literature that you'd like to share with the group?

I wouldn't unless it was for a challenge :). I'd recommend Moniquill Blackgoose's young adult fantasy book - it was really good. And Rebecca Roanhorse is excellent.

Thanks Judith. The trip was great. I think my children and grandchildren were all SO sad to come home - which probably means it was a grand success. I personally was ready to get back to my dog :) But I'll miss being with them all, I'm sure!

Oh I'm going to put in a few medium and hard country books in too - I'll just put them under Mini 1 - but if you want to add them to Column G so that we don't over-read a country?? But that is up to you captains, of course :) And once again - a million thanks for all you do!

I'm back from my trip and will get the couple books I finished added. I THOUGHT I'd have a lot more time to read, but ah well - I tried :) Anyway, it's SOOOO nice to look at things on my computer instead of my phone screen!

Ok thanks! It's not on my loaded kindle but Ill pick it up when I get home!
I second Starter Villain as a fun read!

So I can finish my Croatia book on the plane tomorrow but I think it's in a future itinerary. so do you want me to hold off and read something else? Either way is fine!

DAY 2 QUESTIONS - CHAPTERS 4-7

7. "But sometimes I think that sadness drilled down deep and some of it might just be there for good"
"now get lost and leave me to my book."
"There was love in that house but none of us really knew what to do with it."
In chapter four we learn more about Norma's parents and life in their house as she grew up. Does learning about Lenore's past make you more sympathetic to her? And how about their parenting style, I can't imagine ever telling my children or grandchildren "to get lost" because I wanted to read a book. (Ok, I'm sure all parents might have thought it at times, but saying it to a child is a definite no no in my book!) I feel bad for Lenore that she lost those babies, but I still hate her, because inflicting that loss on others is so very wrong. In my mind, she told herself she'd give Norma a better life, etc. But she had to totally dehumanize Norma's family in order to steal her.

8. In juxtaposition to Frank, Lenore and Norma, we have alternating chapters about family life from Joe's POV. Thoughts and why does the author structure the novel this way? I think seeing what Joe's family is going through is so sad. Losing Ruthie broke them in so many ways - especially always wondering if she was dead, if she was ok, etc. The structure is good - it is nice to see both viewpoints.

9. Chapter 5 - the horrible incident with Frankie and Charlie. How did you feel reading about this injustice? Could anything been done to avert this tragedy? How does Amanda Peters' writing the scene add to the heartbreak? This was so so awful and I couldn't believe that Charlie didn't get more help and the people who did it weren't held accountable at all. I don't know what could have been done when people just weren't willing to help. But it was so unfair.

10. What you think of Aunty June and her role in the story? Why does she encourage Norma to interact with the Indian protesters only to pull her back when she is recognized as Ruthie? I think Auntie June wanted Norma to maybe see some of her heritage, but she didn't want Norma to find out about her past. She (June) must be very conflicted. I think she loves Norma though.

11. Joe seems to be a tragic figure as the story of his life is revealed. How he has responded to racism and trauma make you feel when reading this book? Are you enjoying the story or does it make for uncomfortable reading? It's interesting but it makes me feel too sad - I don't look forward to listening to it.

My favorite of the Minis is #2 - I love finding books for tasks. But I do like all 3 of them! I just read way too much fantasy to do a great job with #1, but on the other hand - I've learned about more countries - I had no idea some of them even existed!

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.