Rebecca’s Comments (group member since Nov 01, 2011)

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

DQs Day 2Chapters 7 - 12

5.His mother and Aunt Joyce had gone to the store - ostensibly because they needed more collard greens, but in reality because one of the biggest family traditions was to keep Aunt Joyce out of the kitchen
Do you have any unusual family traditions, Thanksgiving if it applies, or Christmas, if it's not too early, or any other significant cultural event that revolves around a convoluted family meal?I don't think we do anything unusual, BUT we do a gift exchange and my family must argue about the rules for a solid hour before so.......maybe a tradition we can get rid of hahaha.

6. When Grandma gifts PopPop's fiddle to Ray, his mother's immediate reaction is that he can't keep it and she even scolds her own mother,
Mama .... what are you thinking?
What do you think motivates Ray's mother's resistance to his pursuit of music?
Is it purely because she wants his focus to be on earning money for the family, or does she anticipate the racism and resistance he could face and is trying to protect him from heartbreak?I don't understand her as a mother, all I want to do is foster whatever my child is interested in. But I do wonder if it has to do with helping him avoid disappointment, racism, and hard times taking care of himself.  Also playing the violin can be expensive (the instrument, upkeep, travel, etc) and I can see her not wanting to explain to him how the family can't afford to do that so she;s trying to snuff out his interest early. And maybe not wanting him to struggle with money in the future she is also looking out for him?

7. Ray's meeting with Dr. Janice Stevens seems a pivotal moment, giving him access to the connections that sustain the close-knit classical music world
Do you feel there is a message here that hard work and talent may not be enough to overcome barriers to success, or is Ray's progress and recognition simply a result of his dedication?I definitely think there is a lot of "right place / right time" and also "how people treat you and if they take you seriously" that comes into play when becoming successful.  Talent of course is huge in any part of success, but so much of it is who you know and connections, which is why so many amazing and talented people never get a chance to shine and areas especially music and even sports, people who are not wealthy do not succeed and not because of lacking talent.

8. So... PopPop's old fiddle might be a Stradivarius, but before the appraisal Rowland offers to buy it for $25,000 dollars. Ray refuses, declaring
I'm not selling it. Ever
What do you think is behind Ray's attachment to the instrument at this point, the rarity of it and the legitimacy it will give him in pursuing his dreams, or the link to his family's history, back to slavery, or something else?I think it's because he treasures it as a gift, something his grandma lovingly gave him and something that will always connect to his family.  Yes absolutely a link to the history, but he did not even know that story until well after he was very attached to it.  For someone who its seems like did not get many gifts, this was such a precious gift even when it was "messed up and worthless" and I think that's truly because of the emotional meaning of being given a gift.

DQs Day 1
Chapters 1 - 6

1. Can you even imagine losing a 10 million dollar anything?! Have you ever lost something and felt as Ray is portrayed in chapter 1...constantly retracing your steps over and over? What are your thoughts on other security precautions, if any, that should have been in place?I feel that way when I lose something as simple as sunglasses haha so I literally cannot imagine losing something that valuable, I think I would go into a complete tailspin.  I feel like there should have been more security, but also if it's HIS violin then I can see him thinking as long as he carried it would be safe. But also how is it not locked up in his hotel room or something?!

  2. At this point in the book, when/where do you think the Stradivarius was taken?I literally have no clue.  I feel like it's going to be a competitor or someone from his past?

  3. Money can be a keen motivator...the ransom note leads us to believe it's all about the money...do you think it's possible it's about something else?I feel like money would be too simple. I bet it something else.

  4. It's eluded to that Ray is about to make history because of his race with the upcoming competition in Russia. His family sure doesn't seem to be proud or supportive. Should Ray be proud of this accomplishment or is putting the focus on race poor form by everyone concerned?Hmmm I really don't love his family so far. I think he should be proud!! Because of his race he's had to work so much harder to garner the respect he deserved because of prejudice and I hope he beats them all as his own payback for people treating him differently.

Tammie wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "I can do these words, unless someone else wants to claim:

Violin Conspiracy
Bluegrass - pg 128

Mocha She Wrote
Polka - "Polka-dot socks"

Bake, Borrow, and Steal
Salsa - "salsa m..."

Ahh ok I didn't realize that it couldn't be polka- (I know it can't be polkas, but wasn't sure if the - was the same as a new word if that makes sense).

If it doesn't work then the book also has salsa, so I can use that and use reggae for the other book.

Tammie wrote: "SS shows these books remaining:

Lisa: Let It Snow
Elli: The Ghost of Frederic Chopin
Kate: A Holly Jolly Ever After...finishing tonight
Rebecca: Chilled to the Cone
Tammie: The Crazyladies of Pear..."

Sorry I thought I had updated it! Hopefully you got it! I was away all day - if you ever need me urgently tho you can send a message on Goodreads and an email will pop up on my phone

**Also if someone else can claim salsa faster (probably the easiest one) that book is the last one I will get to.

I can do these words, unless someone else wants to claim:

Violin Conspiracy
Bluegrass - pg 128

Mocha She Wrote
Polka - "Polka-dot socks"

Bake, Borrow, and Steal
Salsa - "salsa music"

** the last 2 I have on audiobook so I don't have page numbers, and I'm going with the google preview, but it doesn't have the page number for some reason. Is this enough?

Also for anyone reading IRON FLAME tomorrow - it will work for E (i think) because the series is "The Empyrean"

I can read which has a piano on the cover! And I will look out for some U's

Sorry I was away for the weekend and need to get my life together today hehe.

I'm done updating for this round as we're going away for the weekend! Go team!

Yes please move anything!

Woo both of the BOM look amazing! If I can get them from the library I'll definitely jump in.

Just added my final book for this round!

I can definitely do Chicago, USA Ugh nvm I was wrong about the location.

Tammie wrote: "
Now mom Rebecca just needs to ward of those germs!
Being sick is no fun! You take care and congratulations for getting a book done...that's major difficult when caring for sick kiddos!"

Thank youuu! I did it AND I'm back to work today (my husband is with the sick kiddo and she's starting to be on the mend) so I'm about to finish my audiobook yipee!

Hoping to finally finish a book today...my kids have been sick with the flu since Saturday so we are in survival mode haha. One kid is back to school and hoping the other is tomorrow.

HAPPY READING!

I can't wait! It's fall break for my kids so it will be a busy weekend. I am finishing up my first book and can't wait to hopefully sneak some reading in starting Saturday night, but will get to start in earnest Tuesday morning.

I'm going to start the challenge with if we think it's 50% purple. I think I will have no problem finding instruments also...

M wrote: "Well, I should have my TRB for the entire challenge done soon. There is a local bookshop that is having a 50% off anniversary sale. I think I will take my rolling grocery cart and a backpack."

This is the dream!

Also another question about the round1 bonus...

During Round 1 books with one of the musical instruments on the list below (plurals permitted) in the text earn an additional 5 bonus points. Only one bonus word per book and a maximum of 10 bonus words.
You can find the same instrument multiple times. Plurals and possessives OK, but no other variants (bagpiping bagpipers without mention of their bagpipes are of no use to you!)

So we can find any of the instruments to get a bonus? It says anything from the list below and you can find the same instrument, so that makes it sound like everything is fair game, not just mandolin? Just trying to see if this makes sense outside of my *only 4 hours of sleep* brain.