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

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

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.

Stacey wrote: "Day 2 Questions

6 . 'I wonder how many strings she had to pull and how much money she had to throw away to get me into this trial'
This quote caught my attention because in the UK we don't have to..."

Thanks for being a healthcare hero!

Suzanne wrote: "Day 2 Questions

6 . 'I wonder how many strings she had to pull and how much money she had to throw away to get me into this trial'
This quote caught my attention because in the UK we don't have to..."

I agree so many contradictions you just don't know what to believe minute to minute. One minute it's wipe everything down when you get home from the store, the next minute it's it can't live on surfaces, then it's it can live on surfaces for x amount of time. You just don't know what to believe.

Day 2 Questions

6 . 'I wonder how many strings she had to pull and how much money she had to throw away to get me into this trial'
This quote caught my attention because in the UK we don't have to pay for treatment, even in a clinical trial in the UK. Did it catch anyone else's notice?
I noticed it and I also wondered if the topic of buying a transplanted organ might come up especially since Will can't be on the transplant list right now.

7. Are you surprised at how quickly Stella has become attached to Will? I wasn't expecting this strength of reaction to him not taking his treatment seriously. Did you think it was in character?
No not surprised at all. It's YA and this genre tends to move quickly and be all in. I did because she seems to be very serious about her own treatment.

8. Wow Will's mum is controlling. I'm not surprised he's ended up rebelling from taking his treatments. Do you think you'd react like Stella (perfectionist, controlling about treatment and planning for the future) or Will (fed up, rebellious and living for the moment) to being in this type of situation?
I'd have to say I'd probably be a combination of the two. I'd like to think that I'd be the ideal patient but I also know I have my limits when it comes to being sick. I want to go out and live not be stuck in a hospital spinning my wheels.

9. Masks, lots of hand washing, staying 6 feet (or roughly 2m) apart, limited places you can go… The recent pandemic is giving me more insight into some of what this must be like than I'd had before. How are you coping with the changes?
I'm a GP trainee so have been at work throughout with a massive shift to remote consultations. That bit is easier compared to entertaining a 2 year old without any of the friends/family/groups as distractions!
I'm doing great! I'm loving this not because I want a pandemic to be going on but because I like being home. I like not having to go anywhere. I spend so much of my life out and about between work, errands and life that it's been nice to be able to stay home.

That has to be really different for you. I would think that remote consultations could be difficult between technical issues and being able to be in the same room with a patient to diagnose their needs. Thanks for being a healthcare hero!

Faith wrote: "Tammie wrote: "Faith wrote: "I finished Year One this morning so I've added it to the round 2 spreadsheet. I haven't put my next books on because I have a few things on the go and a..."

We all need one of those every once in awhile! Mindless tv...Hallmark starts Christmas in July on Monday. I for one cannot wait! I love all the cheesy hokey movies. Happy endings for everyone :)

Bernadette wrote: "I was able to get a copy of The Sun Down Motel from the Library 📚 today. It will nice to read a real book 📖 again. I’ve been reading ebooks for the last few months. Oh...and I got t..."

I know what you mean about holding an actual book. It’s a nice change.
Glad you were able to get your nails done. I’m going to get my hair “did” tomorrow. I seriously cannot wait!

Discussion Questions - Day 1

1) From what I know, this book is the novelization of the movie. While this doesn’t happen too often, I’ve read a couple books before that were only written after a movie/series (e.g. The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet). Have you ever read a book like this? What did you think? Was it successful? Did this experience influence your expectations of this book?
I can't remember if I ever have. If I have it must not have been a very memorable story.


2) Stella and Will, wearing face masks & using copious amounts of hand sanitizer before it was cool. All jokes aside, this is an oddly timely reminder that face masks do make a difference to prevent the spreading of diseases. I knew next to nothing about CF before starting this book and I’ve seen very mixed reactions to the representation of CF so I was wondering… do you have any experience with CF and therefore expectations? (If you don’t feel comfortable answering, feel free to just skip this question!)
I grew up with a girl who had CF unfortunately she passed away while we were in high school. I don't remember much about her disease but I do remember she couldn't participate in a lot of things. She was also in the hospital often. Stacey was such a life of the party person. Everyone wanted to be her friend. I wasn't close to her but I remember her being very happy.
Every year the town would have a bike-a-thon to raise money for CF every year. It was a big thing, you would get sponsors for donations for every lap you rode. My friends and I would always ride together until about halfway through when someone would either fall behind or drop out from being tired. There were snacks and drinks and it was like a big party. Everything is a big party when you're 8 years old!

3) "If I’m going to die, I’d like to actually live first.“ This quote from Will’s POV reminded me of the countless bucket list stories and made me wonder whether this will go in that direction. Yet while Will takes more of a Devil-May-care attitude, Stella is very cautious to follow the rules. Do you think Will’s attitude is going to influence Stella as they got closer (literally?!). Will she also take more (dangerous) risks?
If this book goes the way most YA books of this nature go then yes they'll both take on a little of the characteristics of each other.


4) Stella is a "tech nerd", even programming her own app. Most MCs in YA books have artsy, "girly" hobbies (sorry for using that terrible gendered stereotype), if they have any prominent hobbies at all. Books about artsy people are among my favorites and I’m always on the hunt for more. While I like traditional hobbies, some of my favorite books (e.g. With the Fire on High) have non-mainstream hobbies and I am actually quite excited to learn more about this aspect of Stella’s story. Have you read any other books where the main character had a prominent hobby that wasn’t drawing/painting/writing/theater/an instrument?
This is terrible but I can't think of anything off the top of my head. I'm sure I probably have it's just not coming to me.


5) Stella’s parents are recently divorced, in what she calls the “most ridiculous divorce of all time”, and she worries a lot about them. It both breaks my heart and confuses me slightly why it is so far being kept from us what happened - we only know that Stella believes both parents are unhappy after the separation. So… what do you think happened?
I have no idea what happened so I'll take a guess. Maybe fighting over Stella's treatment or growing apart or maybe just lack of communication. It's really hard to say at this point.

Tammie wrote: "@Rebecca--Re Broken Harbor. I changed the version to reflect the task of 'geological feature' of book. That version is 533 pages. Large print pg version I don't believe is allowed...will have this ..."

Sounds good! Thanks Tammie!

Hello everyone,

I think I have all my books listed and shelved correctly for the check-in today. Please let me know if I need to change anything. I don't think I'm going to get another book in like I planned. I unfortunately have too much going on in my brain right now to concentrate to read. Sorry!

Thank you captains for all your hard work!

I put in a request for page numbers to the librarians group yesterday for Love by Roddy Doyle. Today I bumped the request and still no answer. I’m getting nervous the page numbers won’t be there in time for this round. I’m going to keep stalking it and if I have to I’ll make another new request. Sorry...

Suzanne wrote: "Discussion Questions - Day 1


1) This is not a book I would’ve picked up on my own, and from the beginning I felt very strongly that I’m not the target (age) group, so I’m extra curious how I’m go..."

I have people I only call and people I only text. I'm not a huge texter I would rather say it and be done and I would also like an answer right then. I don't like the waiting around for someone to text back or not knowing if they received the text. I'm usually a pretty patient person and I would have to say that most people I text with are very good about answering in a reasonable amount of time. My question though is what is a reasonable amount of time?

Cat wrote: "oh! also - I wondered why Winston chose Lee's bathroom. Seems very strange - like a punishment for her?"

I wondered that too! I also wondered if maybe there was something about Lee that was different from the other two kids. I don't want to say anything else here to spoil it for anyone though.

Cat wrote: "We none of us like Matt! Is he too much a villain though? Is it better that he's clearly a wrong 'un or do you prefer more complicated characters?"

Matt is just creepy. You know from the get go that there has to be something going on. His part/description is pretty minor though so I wouldn't say he's a major villain. I think if we saw him more that he could potentially be a bigger villain. This is a family drama book there has to be a villain!