Kerri’s Comments (group member since Sep 29, 2015)

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

Day 1 Questions:
June 22nd - chapter 1

1. I love the first line of this book, “The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed.” What do you think? Did it draw you in right away? Do you think it sets the tone for the book?

It's definitely one of the better opening lines in a book! It caught my attention right away. I do think it helped set the tone for the book, as well. My version has an introduction by Stephen King and he talks about how the movie The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly was a sort of inspiration for the Dark Tower series and I definitely get that vibe.

2. Why do you think the Gunslinger is chasing he man in black? Will he catch him? What will he do if / when he does?

It seems like they have some sort of history. Maybe the man in black killed his family? Or this guy Cort that he mentions? I do think he'll catch him eventually, even if it's not necessarily in this book. This is a long series after all. And I think, when he does catch him, it's not going to be pretty. Someone will probably end up dead.

3. What do you think of the world building or the world the story is set in? I find it interesting that there are so many differences and yet some similarities to our world, like the singing of “Hey Jude.” It feels a bit like our world has seeped into theirs.

I'm really enjoying the world building, but I've always been a fan of Stephen King's style. It seems like this is our world, but after some horrific and cataclysmic event. I'm really curious as to what that event might be. Nuclear war? They do make mention of "mutie" cows with three eyes and six legs. You would think the people would be more affected, though.

4. What or who do you think the man in black is? He certainly seems to have some special powers, but with evil undertones. Any ideas yet?

He seems to have some magic powers or powers of some sort. Perhaps a fallen angel? Or maybe just someone affected by whatever event devastated the world? I have more questions than ideas at this point, lol.

5. Why do you think the townsfolk were so anti-gunslinger? Was it just because of what he represents as a gunslinger, because he’s a stranger, or because of the man in black? Some other reason?

I think it was a combination of the man in black poisoning them against him and that preacher-woman continuing his work. She was a few cans short of a six pack... I think he had gotten to Tull before the man in black, it would have turned out differently.

6. What do you think of what happened in Tull? Was there another way for the gunslinger to leave the town without the destruction that occurred or do you think it was necessary or predestined? When Brown asked him if he felt bad about it, the gunslinger said, “Why would I feel bad?” Do you think that’s just because of his training or maybe he believed there was no other way or maybe he just lacks empathy for the death of others?

That was an intense scene. I can see why he shot the first few folks; Alice pretty much begged him to and then the others attacked. Self-defense, ya know? But did he really have to kill everyone in town?! Shoot enough of them to run, get on your mule, and go. Though, as crazy as they were, I do wonder if they would have followed him until he ended up killing them all anyway. Still, his lack of remorse is a bit disturbing. I guess he views it as a "them or me" kind of situation and I do think his training has something to do with his lack of emotion.

7. What do you think of the story so far? Anything you particularly like or don’t like?

I am really enjoying this book so far! I don't know what I was expecting going into this, but it has managed to be not at all what I expected (in a good way!). I think I was a little nervous to start this series because I have so many friends who love it and some weird part of me was like "Well, what if I end up hating it?!" Thankfully, I don't think that will be the case :) I'm really liking the style and Roland is an interesting protagonist, to be sure.

The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit
Read: 20 June 2017
Pages: 203
Rating: ★★★

@Emily - Sorry you got sick :( But I'm glad you had a good vacation!

I finished The Hate U Give and absolutely loved it. I'll definitely be recommending this book to others! I also finished Since We Fell and was much less impressed =/

I am excited to start The Gunslinger, though. I've been wanting to start the Dark Tower series for ages.

Since We Fell
Read: 19 June 2017
Pages: 419
Rating: ★★★

The Hate U Give
Read: 18 June 2017
Pages: 444
BOM: My input
Rating: ★★★★★

18 June DQ chapters 20-26

22. Racism and stereotypes are difficult subjects to read about. Did you like this book? Why or why not?

I really enjoyed this book! It wasn't even on my radar before it was selected as a BOM, but I'm so glad I decided to join in on this discussion. Racism and racial injustice are very sensitive subjects, but also very important ones. I think this book handled them with grace and a surprising lack of kid gloves, considering it's a YA novel. I'm definitely saving this to have my daughter read when she's a little bit older.

23. I didn't like the grand jury verdict nor agree with it but I did like how the book ended. Hopeful. Did you like the ending?

I really liked the ending. I was upset by the grand jury verdict, but I saw it coming. Still, it made the ending feel true to life and, like you said, I enjoyed the hopeful note that it ended on.

24. I have so many favorite scenes from this book. I particulary like when Starr's momma gives Starr advice about being brave before she goes into the grand jury room. Starr's momma says " Brave doesn' t mean you're not scared it means you go on even though you're scared". What is your favorite scene?

I think my favorite scene was when everyone in the neighborhood ratted on King. That piece of crap needs to be in jail and rot there for awhile. I also liked Starr describing all the people stopping by to help clean up or just shout their encouragement. Also, petty-me super liked when Starr punched Hailey in the face =X

25. My last question isn't a question but two requests.
Please recommend this book to everyone AND ask yourself what you can do to add more love, acceptance, and positive change to this world. Because we need it. ( I saw this on someone's review of this book and had to borrow it)

I will definitely be recommending this book to everyone I know, especially all the teens in my life.

17 June
Chapters 15-19

18. Do you have a favourite character? I love Starr's parents and Uncle. One of my favourite lines from her Momma is:
"Seven's not a mistake, I love him to death, but Maverick made a mistake in his actions.

I really like Starr's Mama. She reminds me of my mom :) My mom's even a nurse, too! But I think my favorite character so far has to be Starr. She's just shown so much strength and integrity during this whole process. This whole situation would be tough for an adult to handle, let alone a 16 year old. She's a complex character and I'm excited to see where her story takes her in the end.

19. Did you think it was a good idea for Starr to be interviewed on TV? Between that and the family hiding DeVante do you think the King will do more than just threaten them?

I don't think it was the best idea. I know they concealed her identity, but some people already know she's "the witness" or at least suspect. If Chris could figure it out just from hearing Starr's voice, I'm sure other people who know her will be able to, as well. And word seems to spread fast in the neighborhood. I think King is a definite problem, though I'm not sure he would do anything more drastic right at this moment. Still, I hope they are careful.

20. So exciting that her Momma got a promotion. Have you ever been successful for a job you REALLY wanted?

Yup, a couple of times! It feels so good to land a job that you really want and you know you'll be great at performing.

21. Here we go. The Grand Jury. What do you think the outcome will be? What should it be?

I would like to say that justice will be the outcome, but I've seen it go the other way too many times. I would like officer 115 to be indited, but I'm honestly not holding my breath.

Another book I want to read already! I'll volunteer for backup for Team Millennium Falcon.

I've been wanting to read this book. I'd like to volunteer for DQs, as well! Team Millennium Falcon :)

Day 4 Questions, Ch. 12 -14

13. How would you react to seeing a tank in your neighborhood? How do you react when you see those scenes on TV? Is your reaction different if the scenes come from another country versus coming from your own country?

I think I would be pretty freaked out if a tank rolled through my apartment complex. It's weird seeing it on TV, let alone in person. I do admit that it doesn't seem *as* weird if it's a scene from a different country as opposed to the United States. I feel like we only get to see other countries on the news when something tragic happens or when tanks are involved, so it's been normalized a bit.

14. What do you think of DeVante now that you know he was hiding the truth from the Carters? What do you think of his reasons for doing so?

I think that was pretty messed up, especially when they were trying to help him. He could have gotten all of them killed by not revealing the truth about stealing money from a freakin' gang leader. Come on, now... I kind of understand his reasoning, though I don't agree with it. He wasn't sure if Mav would have helped him initially if he knew the whole truth. Still... he should have been honest from the beginning.

15. What did you think of Starr’s dad’s and DeVante’s reaction to her revelation that Chris was her boyfriend? Do you think they are justified in their negative response?

Sadly, it's a response that a lot of black men have when they see a black woman dating a white man. They aren't justified at all. Chris has given them no reason to dislike him. From what Starr says, he treats her well, he makes her happy, and that's all that should matter. Who cares if he isn't the same race as Starr? But people tend to cling to their prejudices.

16. There was an explosive argument between Starr and Hailey. Do you think Hailey is truly racist, or just says racist things? What do you think of Starr and Maya’s moment of bonding over minority status?

I mean, if she's comfortable saying racist things, she's a wee bit racist. I don't think she's going to run out and join the KKK, but she really needs to take a look at her behavior. I don't think it helps that Starr and Maya have let it slide for so long, but hopefully, now that they're willing to say that it's not okay, Hailey will adjust her behavior accordingly. It was sad that Maya and Starr were bonding over the fact that their supposed best friend has said some really messed up things to them, but I think it will help both of them feel more at ease with themselves.

17. If you were in Uncle Carlos’s shoes, would you have punched One-Fifteen? It may cost him a job he loves, but he doesn’t seem to regret it.

I honestly can't say. I'm not a violent person so, more than likely, I wouldn't have punched him. But if I knew someone had pointed a gun at my child with no provocation? I don't know... I'd definitely cuss him out to the nth degree, but it might also turn physical depending on how he responded.

I can't tell if I'm more in awe of his deft snake-punching or that mullet.

Day 3 Discussion Questions (Chapters 9-11):

9. As Starr and her family huddle around the TV after hearing gun shots the night of Khalil's funeral, they watch news. The news anchor speaks of "multiple reports that a gun was found in the car" and the fact that "there was also suspicion that the victim was a drug dealer as well as a gang member". This comes after the police chief gave a statement stating that they saw no reason to arrest the officer who shot Khalil.

What do you think they are trying to do with that information? Do you think it's valid? What about the protesters? Do they have a right to be upset about the situation? Does their means of protest get their point across?

I don't know if they're personally trying to tarnish Khalil's reputation, but it's something the news does all the time. Trying to find the worst about the victim to justify what happened to them. I don't think it's valid. Well, he was a drug dealer, but that wasn't a reason to kill him. I think the protesters have a valid reason to protest, but I don't agree with rioting to try and get that point across. It really doesn't help anything.

10. Starr has been giving her boyfriend Chris the silent treatment for a while now and when he confronts her about it, she tells him that he wouldn't understand. Her rationale for that is because he's white. What was your reaction to that statement? Do you agree or disagree with that? Can Chris understand where Starr is coming from?

I agree with her statement. There are some things about the black experience that white people will never understand because they will never live through it. But I don't think that should stop Starr from *trying* to explain it to Chris. It's a good and important conversation to have, especially if he's going to be in her life.

11. The protest at Starr's school "For Khalil" really upset Starr. She mentioned that her "Williamson rules go out the door and the Starr from Garden Heights shows up". Do you think we are going to start seeing more of "Starr from Garden Heights" while she's at school? Do you think the two personas were necessary?

I think she's going to start being more true to herself. She shouldn't have to lie about her background or act like someone she's not. I think she thought they were necessary because no one would accept her as "Garden Heights Starr", but I don't think they are actually necessary. I hope she starts to just ask more like herself around everyone.

12. At the end of chapter 11, Maverick, Starr's father, tells Starr, "if you're ready to talk baby, talk. I got your back." Do you think that Starr is going to talk? Do you think that she should talk? What do you think you would do in that situation?

I think she is going to talk. It seems like she's getting to the point where it hurts more to stay silent. I do think that she should talk, especially now that the cop isn't going to be charged. The truth needs to be out and someone needs to stand up for Khalil. I would hope that I would speak out in that situation.

@Samantha - Honestly, after the first half of You, my interest dropped dramatically. I liked the ending, but the second half didn't grip me nearly as much as the first half. Hopefully you can power through!

@Teddie - I love that gif XD

Congrats, team! That is awesome :D

Day 2 DQs - Chapters 5-8

5. Starr returns to school for the first time since the shooting. We get to see the other side of her personality, the one she puts on for her prep school friends. How does the situation we are in impact the way we relate to others? Do people have several personas or are we for the most part our true selves in whatever circumstance?

I do think that people act differently in different social situations, whether it's conscious or unconsciously. I don't think it goes as deep as having different personas, per se. For example, when I'm with my friends, I tend to curse like a sailor. If I'm with my parents, though, my arm would have to have been blown off to get anything close to a curse word out of me. I think it's a little different for Starr since she's a part of two very different worlds. She feels like she can't let her "blackness" show when she's around her white friends because they would interpret it as her being "ghetto" or "hood". Which I think is unfortunately true. I grew up going to predominately white schools and living in predominately white neighborhoods. I've had people tell me that I "don't sound black" and they said it like a complement. People make assumptions and Starr is trying to avoid that.

6. We are introduced to Starr's prep school friends. Hailey makes a comment related to "fried chicken" and Starr gets offended. Do you think Hailey meant the remark in an offensive way, was it intentional or not? Was Starr being hyper-sensitive? How do you think this will affect the relationship between the two girls in the rest of the book?

Honestly, seeming as they had just had fried chicken for lunch, I don't think Hailey was trying to be offensive. Nevertheless, what she said was really freaking offensive! I just think the thought that what she was saying might be construed as racist didn't even pass through Hailey's mind. She has her privilege where she doesn't really have to think about that stuff. I don't think Starr overreacted, though. I think she let it go a bit too easily. She didn't have to continue to be pissed about what Hailey said after she came to find her, but a conversation needed to be had so that Hailey understood that comments like that are not okay. It already seems like their friendship is on some shaky footing, so who knows. This whole situation might be the end of it. I'm hoping it causes a conversation instead, though.

7. Throughout this section you feel the underlying guilt Starr is experiencing regarding the relationship between her and Khalil, or lack thereof. Do you think this was a conscious decision on her part, because she wanted to distance herself from life in Garden Heights or was it inevitable, a natural progression as they got older?

I don't think it was a conscious decision. I think they saw less of each other with Starr going to a different school and got wrapped up in their own lives. Starr had basketball and her friends and work. Khalil had to worry about his grandma and her bills on top of going to school and working. I'm sure that didn't leave a lot of time for them to get together.

8. Starr is asked to recount the events of that fateful night to the detectives. How do you think she handled interacting with the police officers? What does this say about her character?

I think she handled herself rather well, considering. She had a couple of outbursts, but I wasn't surprised by that. It was a high pressure situation and she had relive something extremely traumatic. And the cops' line of questioning didn't help, either. I was getting mad for her. I think she has a very strong character, though, to get through that like she did.

Day 1 Questions, Chapters 1-4

1. Starr is considering whether to admit she was at the scene or not, due to fear of her own safety. What do you think you would do in that situation.

I would like to think I would come forward immediately, but who knows how they'll honestly act in such a stressful situation? Starr herself mentions how she always said she would have the loudest voice if she witnessed something like that, but now she's scared. It's one thing to say you would do the right thing, quite another to actually do it.

2. Do you think Uncle Carlos is right when he says that the police officer may have felt threatened because he knew Khalil was a drug dealer?

That's hard to say. Up until that point, Khalil had been mouthy, yes, but he hadn't been threatening. I don't see why the cop would feel threatened at all. But Khalil moving towards the door when he was told to stay put could have made the cop think he was going for a gun. Then again, he didn't have to shoot Khalil... I think a firm voice and a threat would have made him move back and stay still. But then again (see... hard to say...), in the heat of the moment, the cop probably freaked and overreacted. Still, there's no possible way he could have known Khalil was a drug dealer. He could *assume* but he couldn't *know* unless there was an outstanding warrant or something that came up when he ran his plates.

3. Starr is reluctant to trust the police with her statement, and I think I would feel the same in her situation. Do you think that Starr should trust the police?

Honestly, I think she's right to be distrustful. It seems like their only interest is clearing their fellow officer's name, even if he was in the wrong. I'm hope I'm proven wrong and that they honestly try to help without twisting everything around.

4. What are your thoughts on Mav's insistence on staying in the neighbourhood despite the fact that Starr has lost two friends in her short life to both a gang shooting and a police shooting? Do you think that life would be safer for Starr if she moved away?

I understand what he's trying to do. He's trying to be a good influence on the neighborhood instead of just abandoning it. He wants to show the young kids that there's another way to live besides gang life and drugs. They probably would be safer if they moved away, though no neighborhood is 100% safe, but I get where he is coming from.

I like reading other people's answers, as well. I totally get where you both are coming from in that regard. I find it easier to talk about books face-to-face. That being said, I kind of like the set questions because sometimes they make me think about the book in a whole different light. And it helps me to remember books more, haha.

First, congrats to Grace! You certainly do bounce back and bounced us up :D

Second, congrats to Teddie! When I first joined, I won a couple GR giveaways, but I haven't won one in yeeeaaars. That is exciting stuff.

Hope everyone has a great week!

Emily wrote: "Hey all, I'm going on holiday for a week so I will be MIA until next Sunday. Chat soon!"

Have a great trip, Emily!

DQs Last Set - chapters 43 - 53

26. Joe hid the things he took from Beck in a hole in the wall. He didn't plaster over that hole and must have known that Beck might find the stuff inside. Do you think he might have wanted her to find the creepy memorabilia? Do you think Beck overreacted when she found his stash and confronted him?

He seemed pretty upset with Beck going through "his" things, so I'm not sure he ever intended for her to actually find the box. I just don't think he ever thought about it since they were together and he didn't really need the box anymore. And Beck absolutely did not overreact! I would freak if I found a pair of my underwear (that I hadn't left there) and one of my used tampons squirreled away in a box in my boyfriend's home!

27. So the book ends with Joe (view spoiler) Did you see this ending coming? Were you surprised by it?

I definitely knew Beck was going to end up dead. And, seeming as there was a woman before Beck (Candace), I figured it was only a matter of time before Joe found a new obsession. I was surprised it was that random Amy Adam person. She used a stolen card in his store, freely admits to getting fired for stealing, writes in books that aren't hers, and he just hires her anyways? I mean Joe is unstable, but come on.

28. Do you think Beck deserved her fate? Did you end up liking her more or less in the end once all of her secrets came out? Do you think it's far fetched Joe (view spoiler)

I don't think she deserved to be killed. She was an awful human being, but that doesn't mean she deserved to die. She just deserved to have everyone dump her and never talk to again because she was AWFUL. She broke up a marriage just because she could! Ugh. I do find it very far-fetched that Joe was able to frame Dr. Nicky for Beck's murder just by burying near where he lives/frequents. Is forensics not a thing in this book's universe? Joe's DNA is all over Beck! I would have believed it more if he just buried her and they never found her.

29. This books reminded me a lot of The Collector and a bit of Gone Girl, with unlikeable, unreliable and obsessed narrators and with plot twists galore. Does this book remind you of any other books?

Hmm, honestly, I can't think of any off the top of my head.

30. Did you like this book? Why or why not?

It was okay. It started of strong for me, but then it got a bit overdone and boring. It picked back up at the end, but I saw the end coming from a mile away. And the characters were all pretty awful. I did enjoy the plot and the unique POV, though.

31. Will you be reading the sequel Hidden Bodies? What do you think might happen to Joe in the future?

At this point, I have no interest in reading the sequel. I feel like it would be more of the same. Maybe if I find it in the library or something *shrug*