Rebecca ’s Comments (group member since Sep 03, 2016)

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

I’m about halfway through but hoping to finish it tonight or tomorrow

👍🏻

👍🏻 thanks for the clarification

Ok great, I thought it was strange that we would only have the maze going

We can start reading something as long as we don’t finish it before the start of the next mini right? I just started a 612 pg book that I’m positive I could drag out until the 15th (not sure if that’s when it the new mini starts)

Vaidehi wrote: "Thanks for asking Rebecca! No, it's been still raining and it's going to be raining for next 10 days... That's Taiwan for you! So nothing is going to dry! not me and not my house hahaha
But the spe..."

I'm sorry...I hope you don't have too many problems and can keep yourself and your books dry :-D How long does the rainy season usually last for?

You’re welcome Vaidehi, I’m glad you’re going to be able to finish.
Were you able to get your apartment dried out some? Water damage can be miserable in so many ways

I'm going to finish my last book for the mini tonight. Is there anyone who is not going to be able to finish their book that I can read for their letter or are there letters we still need?

Truitt_T wrote: "This is going to sound crazy, but I can't find Finding Finn on the spreadsheet. I maked it completed this morning, and I cannot find it - I checked the expanded list with the comple..."

That's what happened to me the other day! Now I don't feel so crazy. I think the spreadsheet is playing hide and go seek with us lol I'm glad it all worked out.

I will have at least one other book with an O completed by then. I'm going to add it to the spreadsheet right now. I'll be finishing Wildfire today also.

Truitt_T wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "I just noticed that my Travelling Cat Chronicles is missing off the "books" tab but is still on the "Muse May Mini" should I re-add it to the "books" tab?"

As we keep adding books,..."

Thanks I saw it as you posted this. Duh moment for me haha

I just noticed that my Travelling Cat Chronicles is missing off the "books" tab but is still on the "Muse May Mini" should I re-add it to the "books" tab?

EDIT: Nevermind I'm blind lol

Thanks Judith!

DQ May 19- How Noriko Learned to Love - End of Book

Do not read these if you haven't finished the book. Contains spoilers.

13. In this chapter we get to know Saturo's Aunt Noriko better. What adjectives would you use to describe Noriko's personality? How did you feel about the way Noriko revealed Saturo's birth story? Were you surprised to learn he was adopted?
Noriko is strong, independent, loving and yet socially awkward. I was very surprised to learn he was adopted. I think she could have told in a different manner but it was done in the moment and I don't think she meant to tell him that way.


14. Did you think Nana running off towards the end and living his former life as a stray was fitting for the story. Was it believable that he would come back and forth visiting Saturo in the hospital?
It was because it brought the story back full circle to when Nana was a stray living on the streets. Definitely believable that he would only come to visit Saturo, He loved and cherished him.


15. Endings...they must be the second hardest thing to write for authors after beginnings. Did you like the ending? You may consider the Epilogue also when answering the question, if you like.
The ending was sad but it ended up being a happy ending for Nana and Noriko.


16. The author, Hiro Arikawa, has written other books, with very different genre. She has written books about Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF). (I have to admit I know nothing about that!).
Would you read another book written by her? And lastly, would you recommend this book to others? If so, would you only recommend it to people who you know are cat lovers or would you widely recommend it?
I would probably read another book by her depending on the topic/genre. I would only recommend this book to cat lovers because it really didn't feel like it pertained to dog owners.

Yep sorry duh

DQ: 18 May - Sugi and Chikako's Hotel for Pets & Between Friends


9) Considering Satoru seems to be quite perceptive overall, do you think he knew about Sugi’s less charitable feelings about him, both in the past and during this visit?
No, I don't think so. I feel that if he did he might have been reluctant to have contacted them and to even think about leaving Nana there.

10) So far, the chapters have all been combining Satoru and Nana’s journey with Satoru’s past with several other people, as well as their backgrounds. How do you feel about this interlude (chapter 3.5) focused entirely on the man and his cat? What does it add to the story?
It shows how important and how much Satoru cares for Nana. Nana is his family and his best friend.

11) For the first time, we got a hint of what’s going on with Satoru when the dog said “he smells like he isn’t going to make it” in chapter 3, and this came up again in chapter 3.5. So it sounds like Satoru is ill… was that your prediction for question 4?
Yes, it was my prediction. I just had a feeling because why else would he give up a cat he clearly cares for.

12) Squabbles between cats and dogs were really present in these sections. So: Are you a cat person or a dog person or both (or neither)?
I am 100% a cat person for multiple reasons. First of all I am very allergic to dogs which has gotten somewhat better over the years. Second, dogs are too much work, you have to walk them whereas with a cat as long as you play with it and feed it it's generally happy. I could give more reasons but I think you have of the gist of where I'm coming from. I don't dislike dogs and there some dogs I love but overall not a dog person.

DQ: 17 May - The Unsentimental Farmer


5) I really like reading the cat's thoughts. It can be quite funny. Do you think these are convincing cat thoughts?
I definitely do! I can almost hear what my cats are saying by looking at them lol I think the author did a good job of putting a voice to Nana.

6) In this chapter we are introduced to Yoshimine, another potential owner for our cat. What do you think of him and his backstory?
I felt sorry for him because he was basically abandoned by his parents. Thank goodness for his grandmother taking him in. I think he's a very lonely person and used to feel that he had to lash out in order to be strong. He is almost like a stray cat who lashes out until he feels comfortable with the person and lets them pet him.


7) Do you think Yoshimine would have been a good owner for Nana ?
Hard to say since he already has a kitten. I don't think he would be a bad pet parent just maybe not as indulgent as Sortaru.


8) Yoshimine has already a kitten called Chatran, and Satoru makes fun of him for naming his cat with such a cliché name. What is for you the most cliché cat name(s)? In french it is quite common to call a cat Chaussette (meaning sock), Mistigri or Felix (actually a cat food brand).
Some very common cat names here are: Socks, Kitty, Tiger, Patches, Fluffy, Boots, and Whiskers. I once had a Siamese cat named Felix, actually his full name was Felix Chester Frank Cat. I always give middle names to my babies lol

Truitt_T wrote: "And thank you, Natasha and Rebecca! I've only read one other book by this author, Sam Burns, but I have several friends who are huge fans. I hope you'll be reading, too!
Back Roo..."

Definitely planning on reading it!

DQs 16 May: Prologue - The Husband Without a Wife

1. How are you liking the way the story is written with its alternating POVs ? Is there a POV you prefer ?
I like it. I think I like Nana's point of view the best. The author seems to have captured what a cat might be thinking. I liked on page 41 when he was talking about playing with the fake mouse, it sounded like something one of my cats would say.


2. Through the flashbacks we get to know Satoru's personality a bit more. What do you make of him so far ? What did you think about his way of helping his friend Kosuke?
Satoru seems to have a very kind soul. He's very sympathetic to Nana in his care of him. He seems like a good guy with a kind personality. He tried to help him with their shenanigans of running away but unfortunately it backfired for Kosuke but worked out for Satoru. I almost wonder if he was being underhanded because he wanted to keep Hachi and knew his parents would let him.

3. Talking about Kosuke, what's up with his parents ? It seemed to me that Kosuke was genuinely convinced that his father would agree to keep the cat (Hachi). What did you think about his backstory ? His Mom seems ok but somewhat overprotective and his Dad seems like a jerk. Plus, his Dad hates cats and thinks that they make a man soft. He seems to have a very old school Japanese culture personality. I know Kosuke was sincerely hoping that he would change his mind.


4. Why do you think Satoru can't take care of Nana anymore ?
I'm thinking that maybe he is sick and is getting his affairs in order. He's wanting Kosuke to take Nana to make up for not being able to keep Hachi when they were younger. He knows Kosuke would take good care of him.

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😃 Congratulations Truitt!