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

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

Imho I would go with task #34 because officer is a job word not a title word

I just finished a book Hardcore Twenty-Four but I also just got to work. I’ll add it to the spreadsheet tomorrow morning

I just updated the ss and my shelf with my last book. Hopefully I've got everything taken care of. I'm leaving for work in 5 min so if you need to get me just send/post a message and I'll try to check.

The Kevin Kwan books-Crazy Rich Asians series is definitely tagged Asia. I thoroughly enjoyed all 3 of them

I have another book lined up for that task so thanks but I’ll pass

I should be all in as well of a few minutes ago.

Day 3: Chapters 15-18

12. In chapter 16 we see Justyce have dinner with Manny's parents to commemorate Garret Tison's indictment. What do you think of Justyce being invited over and what they talk about? Did you have any thoughts about Manny's parents giving Justyce the watch and his reaction to it?
I don't think they talked about much, maybe school, his mother and how he's healing. I thought it was a very nice gesture since they consider him to be like a son to them.

13. Justyce sees Quan at the Fulton Regional Youth Detention Centre and a lot is said between them. What do you make of Quan's upbringing and his view on life now? Is there anything that stands out between what is said between them? Quan not saying that he killed the cop or the advice that he gives to Justyce? Do you think that Quan's advice will have a positive or negative effect on Justyce?
I think Quan hasn't changed. He seems like he has hardened his heart to the world. Quan will never admit to the murder that's just not done in his world. His advice is the advice of a person who has grown up in a tough neighborhood and been racially challenged all their life. I think in the end it will have a postive effect.

14. We see a few media releases in this part:
"Transcript from evening news... More on this story as it continues to develop"
"Tison Indictment... A trial date has yet to be announced."
The news report in chapter 18 with the photo released of Justyce in his Thug Life costume.

We also see the reporters mobbing the funeral party at Manny's funeral:
"Mr. McAllister, how's it feel to be the Boy Who Survived?
Justyce, do you think there will be justice?
What's it like knowing it could've been YOU in that casket?"

What do you think of the coverage of the event by the media? Are they siding with the police officer more than Justyce? Are they reporting the story correctly or making things worse? Do you think the author's portrayal of the media is similar to real life? Will the media ruin his chance at going to Yale?
I for one do not like the reporters at the funeral and that last question is especially nasty.
I always think covering funerals is distasteful. It is a time for family and friends to mourn not be harassed by reporters. I think they poking the bear because of where they are at. I definitely feel it similar to real life. I think only Justyce can ruin his chance at going to Yale.

15. Chapter 18 goes through a lot. We see Justyce spending time with Doc to avoid making the call to Trey and the gang and isn't writing to Martin anymore SJ speaking to him again and she apologises. She also calls Jared about the release of the photo. What are your thoughts on all these and the character development of the teens?
I think Justyce is trying to do the right thing, trying to surround himself with good people who are looking out for his best interests. I think SJ is growing up and opening her eyes to the social injustices in the world. I think they are all growing up. They've been hit with something that is irreversible. It's a tough way to have their eyes opened and have to grow up and pick what they stand for.

DQ Day 2; Chapters 7 - 14

7. Let's start with Sarah-Jane. Justyce and her definitely had feelings for each other, and they didn't shy away from closeness until Jus was about to kiss her after the debate (lbr which was bad timing). Why did SJ suddenly give Justyce the cold shoulder, what are your thoughts? What's going through her head?
I think she is confused. She likes Justyce but is afraid of all the ramifications in "her world" that could come from dating a black boy.

8. It sucks that it took being drunk for Justyce to call out Manny but it's finally done! "They're my friends" was the dumbest excuse ever, but at least Manny finally woke up shortly after Blake's party and the fight Justyce and the guys had.
It's hard sometimes to stand up for what's right. It might not be safe, depending on where you are or who you're surrounded by. Do you judge Manny for not being able to stand up for himself and everybody else his 'friends' made fun of sooner? Was there ever anything you needed to work on first in order to be able to stand up for it?
I don't judge Manny for it. He's caught between two worlds and sometimes it's just easier to go along with your surroundings. I'm sorry it came to a head the way that it did. We all have struggles in our daily lives. I struggle everyday at work to keep my mouth shut and my head down. I live in fear of being sacked every moment of every day but I make good money and I have good benefits which are hard to find these days. I do put in a little dig here or there but mostly I try to just fly below the radar.

9. It seems like Manny didn't only call Dr. Dray to check on Justyce after the fight, but also his mama and Melo. It confused me a little since he doesn't like Mel and how she treats Jus. And it hasn't even been mentioned again (so far). What did you make of this? Do you think Melo will end up playing a big part in the rest of the book? And did you ever have a teacher who was as involved in his students lives as Doc is?
I think he wanted who he felt were the important people in Justyce's life to know what was going on. I think she will fade off but not completely. I never had a teacher like this but I do have a friend who is a school resource officer who is very involved in the students lives. He has a lot of homeless kids in his school that he mentors.

10. Manny's dad tried to keep all signs of racism and how he could be mistreated from him for as long as he could whereas Justyce's mama has prepared him ever since he was little. They also grew up in two completely different neighbourhoods and surroundings. What are your thoughts on the parents' different ways of bringing up their sons? Do you think there's a right way to go about this?
There's no right or wrong way to go about this. I think both sets of parents did what they felt was appropriate for where they live. Justyce's mother had to be more realistic about life and Manny's parents were able to shelter their son a little more.

11. 😳 that's one way to end today's chapters! My heart is still racing. What do you think happened, who got shot? And be honest, did you keep reading or take a peek just to find out what happened? (I'll be honest I did take a quick peek :x)
I did not keep reading because I wanted to be able to be honest on these questions. I'm guessing Manny got shot but I have no idea.

DQ Day 1
Chapters 1 - 6


1. We meet Justyce when he's trying to do a good deed by helping his drunk ex-girlfriend. This scene sets quite the mood for the upcoming chapters and (I assume) the rest of the book. Do you like our main character so far? Do you like his inner monologue, portrayed in the letters to Martin?
I do like him so far he seems like a good kid. Yes, it's a good way for him to think things through and to try to view situations from a different point of view.

2. Let's talk about the girls - Melo and Sarah-Jane. The ex-girlfriend (sort of?) and the debate partner. Let's also factor in the other important female in Justyce's life, namely his mother. What do you make of each of them? And what to you make of their interactions with Justyce? And more importantly, what are we supposed to make of Justyce's interactions with them in light of his mother's statement not to bring a white girl home?
I think he's probably hung up on Melo for the wrong reasons. She seems to be not the best influence for him. I think he's a normal teenager desperate for a girlfriend. Sarah Jane is I think nervous about what her parents would think if she started dating a black boy no matter who he is or what his accomplishments are. I think she is confused. His mother is a strong influence in his life but has been abused in the past and therefore has always warned Justyce to be careful and what to do when placed in certain situations which all good parents should do.

3. Jared is our token white boy who thinks all is right with the world when clearly it isn't. The equality discussion was interesting, I found, because Jared's logic is sound. And yet at the same time, it isn't at all. What example would you give Jared, where you speaking in SJ's stead, to show how wrong he is?
I think discrimination could work going either way. It just generally tends to be easier for a white person. In a perfect world we would all be judged for our merits accomplishments not for the color of our skin.

4. The Equality Brigade was quite the spectacle! Literally. Disguised as a klansman to portray equality. I can't help but wonder if Blake is an idiot of epic proportions or if there was a message he would have liked to show the world including his friends, especially considering the fact that the "costume" was the genuine thing. What did you think of this brain child of Jared's?
I thought it wasn't the best costume he could have come up with but he is a smart aleck teenager. I'd like to think it was just a poor choice.

5. Justyce as well as his best friend Manny are black boys stuck in a rich white school. They each have their own issues to deal with in regards to this situation. Manny, the rich black guy, who is considered one of them, and Justyce, the poor black guy, who is more and more often questioning his place in this world, the place he is trying to carve for himself. Do you think Manny should have acted differently in the lounge scene when he was peer pressured into drinking to equality? Knowing full well what happened to his best friend not too long ago?
I think Manny is trying desperately to fit in. He doesn't kno what to do because he's caught between two worlds.

6. Short mention of Trey and his friends needs to be made. The Black Jihad gang, one of whose members shot Officer Castillo. Personally, I can't help but wonder if someone shot him to take revenge on the crap he's probably pulled for quite a while - Justyce certainly wasn't the only one - or if it was a shooting gone wrong. That thought aside, Trey makes Justyce (and maybe also Manny) feel like he's turning his back on his own people. Do you think he is right in telling Justyce this? Is Justyce right in questioning the things Trey tells him and wondering whether there may not be a grain of truth in it? Should Justyce have stayed at the party regardless or was it better to leave (with the others) when he did?
Trey has grown up completely different from these two. He"s in a gang, he hasn't had the opportunities that they have. I don't feel that Justyce is turning his back on the neighborhood he's trying to better himself. It's good that he questions what Trey says that means he's thinking about what is going on. I think it was better that he left the party. Alcohol had already done it's damage and it was best to get out then before it got any worse.

Do you have KU? I can’t think of the name of the series but the author is Victoria Danaan. Decent vampire series. I’m enjoying it but need to get back to it. The first three were good

Wow I just looked at my earlier post I must have been asleep when I wrote it but I think everyone can get the gist of it or at least I hope they can

I think I’m all in for the this week. I won’t be able to change anything on the spreadsheet because I’ll be at work. I did double my entries yesterday and I think I’m good. 🤞🏻

Day 3 - July 4- 42%-64%- (edited to correct percentages)

13. Thoughts on Viv telling Mrs. White that her husband cheats on her. Do you think this is what gets her into trouble?
It was anonymous so good for her. I think Mrs White needed to know what was going on. No, I don't think that's what gets her in trouble.

14. We have another encounter with the angry man ( this makes at least 3) Who is he? Why is he important to the story?
Not 100% sure who he is but I am thinking he is Henry the night clerk that died of a heart attack. He lends credence to the creepiness/ghosts.

15. Which story line (Carly or Viv's ) are you enjoying more? Why?
Truth be told I'm enjoying them both.

16. The ending of this section just raises more questions for me. If Viv buys a knife, didn't she get a chance to use it?
Where is the knife? Was it mentioned in the police reports? What do you think?
I'm sure at some point she'll get to use it. No idea where it's at or if it was mentioned in the police reports. I don't really know what to think other than she's probably going to use it at some point to defend herself.

DQs Day 2
21% to 42%

6.) This section opens with some spooky stuff going on. If you saw literal ghosts in the creepy place you worked, would you split right away? Would you of left with sketchy-past Nick? Would you go back to work or think the overnight creep factor was making you see things that weren't really there?
I don't know how I would react it would have to depend on if they were nice ghosts or not. I probably would leave with Nick because even though he has a sketchy past he seems like he's on the up and up for the most part now. I would go back to work depending on what had happened as long as it wasn't anything to freakish.

7.) Viv listens to guests' phone conversations. There is the saying 'people who eavesdrop are seldom happy with what they hear'. Or something close to that anyway. Do you think she may over hear something that results in her disappearance? Would you listen in if you were Viv?
I probably would listen in if I were her just for something to do and to get the low down on what's going on at the hotel. Also, to see if there's an explanation for the creepiness going on. I don't think she overhears anything.

8.) There really have been several deaths of young women in Fell, especially factoring in the size of the town. Do you think they are all connected? Connected to Viv's disappearance? Do you buy into the police stance of no connection between any of them?
I do think they are connected and probably connected to Viv's disappearance since they all happened roughly around the same time. No, I think the police are hiding something.

9.) What do you think of the complete laxness of management and staff at The Sun Down Motel? Anyone else wonder how the heck that place is still open? And more importantly, why?
I think it has to go with the fact that they never intended to be serious about the hotel. It was only supposed to make enough money to pay the taxes on the property. Yes, I do wonder how they are still open considering they have almost no guests.

10.) Any thoughts on the candy machine? It keeps popping up in both timelines. Maybe nothing, but in this type of story, who knows.
I think the candy machine might somehow be a connection to the past. Not sure how though yet.

11.) Marnie and Callum are interesting additions to the character line-up, thoughts? Did you think it was strange that Marnie won't talk with Carly? Callum local nice boy-helper dude or creeper?
It's strange that they didn't leave Fell that no one really leaves there. I think Marnie knows something and is afraid to talk about it. Callum is definitely a creeper!

Day 1 DQ's: 0-21% (ends "he opened the door.")

1. The Sundown Motel...what a perfect name for a motel! Have you ever stayed at a motel before...something like the Sundown? What was the name of the motel...Any interesting experiences come of that?
From the description of the hotel it sounds like a place I stayed at in Florida. It was creepy and my friend and I were leary of bugs and other unmentionables. We both slept on top of the bedspreads which we put other blankets on top of. We just needed a place to rest our heads for a few hours. Not an experience I care to repeat haha

2. Viv is young and working alone. I don't think I would tolerate my daughter doing anything of the sort. What were you thinking from the 1st few pages? Viv comments..."Being with people was easy, but being alone was hard. Especially alone in the dark. The person who could be truly alone, in the company of no one but oneself and one's own thought--that person was stronger than anyone else. More ready. More prepared."
I thought Viv was a young impressionable girl looking for a break in life. She seemed like she was looking for a place to fit in it she seemed like assimilated to Fell rather easily. The person who can stay up all night in that situation is unique. I have to give it up people who do that. My mind would wander and I probably end up scared senseless.

3. What do you think the significance of the door to number 103 banging open/shut is?
Maybe a ghost trying to get someone's attention.

4. So far Carly's mom's reaction to seeing the newspaper clipping..."Vivian is dead" has really bothered me. What's your take? Have you already solved the case? Is Vivian dead?
I think she really believes Vivian is dead and doesn't want to relive the disappearance. No, I haven't solved it yet, but I am thinking there might be some type of time warp going on. I don't think Vivian is dead.

5. What did you think about the dual timeline between Viv and Carly? In what ways are Viv and Carly very similar? How are they different?
I think the dual timeline because it gives you bits and pieces of what is going on. Every time you read a Viv chapter you get a couple more clues as to her disappearance and the mystery of the motel. They're both about the same age, both are searching for something, and they both feel alone. Carly seems more honest as to why she is in Fell and is more adventurous. Vivian seemed like so far that she was content in finding a niche where she fit.

Updated the spreadsheet and I started The Sun Down Motel. I'm hoping to have it read and the questions completed by tomorrow at the latest. I'm off today and plan on spending the majority of the day reading and trying to de-stress ;D

I’ll update the spreadsheet in a bit. I started back at work this week and it’s been a challenge. Also, I have 6-P books from the library. I don’t know how that happened but good timing!

Ora wrote: "Day 3 Questions
chapters 10 - 15

10) I can't imagine the stress of trying to balance the knowledge of a fairly terminal prognosis with trying to be hopeful to live. I mean, we all know our days ar..."

I agree with you that Stella has gotten dealt a tough set of cards. She not only has her CF to deal with but unexpectedly she has to deal with the death of sister, her parents divorce and now being the only child. She's got to be struggling to keep her head above water. That's a lot to take on. No wonder she has become so regimented about her treatments and those around her. She's afraid of losing someone/something else.

Kaley wrote: "Jenny wrote: "even when everything else sucks ass, there are good books to read."

This is my new favorite quote! Thanks for this."

So true! We've all experienced that in some form or another.

Day 3 Questions
chapters 10 - 15

10) I can't imagine the stress of trying to balance the knowledge of a fairly terminal prognosis with trying to be hopeful to live. I mean, we all know our days are numbered, but when you have an idea of what the number might be, you can either try to suck the marrow out of every day or curl up and try not to care enough to let anything hurt you more. Who do you think will have a bigger effect on the other, Will or Stella, and what do you hope will be the outcome, from a personal growth aspect?
Stella at this point has already had the bigger on Will because she has convinced him to do his full treatments. I would hope that they both learn from one another. My other hope is Stella realizes that life needs to be lived and not just be a list of things to do each day.

11) Maybe I'm too cynical, but I kept feeling like Abby was used as the personification of the idea that "See, you never know how long you have to live, so..." and not flawed enough to be a real person. Did anyone else feel that way or am I being a meanie?
I don't think you're being a meanie at all. I felt the same way. She also seems a little too perfect. I hope we get the story on what happened to her other than a phone call from Arizona.

12) I loved Barb's parental takedown. Do you think the shift in Stella's parents will last?
I hope so. I don't like for anyone's parents to be divorced. Of course in some situations it's just not possible for two people to be together but I think in this situation they could at least be friends since they have shared the same experiences when it comes to their kids.

13) Reflecting on Barb's story of Amy and Trevor: would you choose a much shorter but immediately fuller life, or a longer lifespan though it may be less vibrant?
Shorter!

14) Poe says "It's my sickness...it's my problem." While it's admirable to strive for self-sufficiency, a main message of the book seems to be about how it's imperative to open up and do the work to nurture healthy, supportive relationships. What is your take on this? When in crisis, do you distance yourself or reach out?
Poe probably feels because he is so reliant on others to keep him alive that he wants full control over the other aspects of his. Depending on what the situation is I generally tend to distance myself, work it out internally and then rejoin the rest of the world. I don't like to burden others with my problems when they already have their own to worry about.