Erica’s Comments (group member since Apr 02, 2012)

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

I added a couple more books for a few more points.

Still Alice is do good! Every book of hers is amazing and smart.

Thanks ladies!

Hey ladies, I remember a couple of you use online book sites (like scribed). If you do which sites have you found to be the best?

Happy Valentine's Day to all my lovely reading buddies! Read something steamy or scary or whatever makes you happy...

Muahaha

Great job team!

A few of those challenges look fun, may have to join in too.

Chapters 28-End

34. Do you think it was fair of Seth to tell Georgie that he loved her knowing that she was having problems with her marriage? Do you think he really was in love with her?

I think he was in love with the idea of being in love with Georgie.

35. The young couple did everything in their power to help Georgie. What did you think of them and their singular objective to help Georgie?

Awesome.

36. What did you think about the ending? Did you like the conclusion of the story?

Actually the end was the best part of the book, she finally got it and it was cute.

37.Before:

“Wasn’t that the point of life? To find someone to share it with?
And if you got that part right, how far wrong could you go? If you were standing next to the person you loved more than everything else, wasn’t everything else just scenery?”
What do you feel about this statement?

Love is a great thing in life, but it is not the only thing that matters in life.

38. After:

Neal remembered Georgie delivering the puppies and that Heather was gay. So all of this must have really happened. Do you think it was too far-fetched or a possibility?

A possibility

39. Did you like the book overall? What did you rate it? What did you think about Georgie, Neal and Seth?

It was alright, 3 stars. I liked Georgie, disliked Neal and thought Seth was alright.

40. Will you be reading more books by Rainbow Rowell in the future? If you have read her YA books, how did you think this compared to those?

There is one other I would still like to read.

Feb 7
Chapters 21-27

26. What did you think about Seth barging into Georgie's bedroom uninvited? Were you surprised when he hinted at the possibility of him and Georgie getting together? Was he crossing the line? Will this conversation damage their friendship or do you think Georgie will just pretend it never happened?

It wasn't surprising, adds to the drama and all. Sure Seth was crossing the line, but he was being honest. The choice they have is act on it or move on. I am sure Georgie will just pretend it didn't happen.

27. I can't help but think that Seth's character is only two-dimensional. Do you agree? Is it intentional or just bad writing?

I am sure it's mostly so no one wants Seth to be too likable and Georgie picks him. Though I do think it has a bit to do with bad writing too, I think Neal is only two-dimensional as well.

28. Chapter 21 starts with Georgie and Heather in the mall. There's a discussion about Georgie not carrying/not needing a purse. I just cannot imagine going around the city or to work without my purse. What about you? Could you survive a day without your purse? ;-)

My cousin is similar, some people don't like much to carry. I however do like a purse so I am always prepared.

29. Do you agree with Georgie that "having kids was the worst thing you could do to a marriage." Why or why not? In the chapter that explains how Neal became a stay-at-home dad it's made obvious that Georgie firmly believes that staying at home with kids is "a big sacrifice" and "throwing away one's career"? Do you agree with her?

I am sure that it adds a different kind of stress to a relationship, but adds a lot of other great things too. For some people it is a sacrifice, but for others it is exactly what they want.

30. What did you think about Georgie helping her mum's dog deliver puppies? Did the scene add anything significant to the story? What do you think was its purpose (apart from making Heather's coming out moment seem more dramatic)?

Oh probably to remind Georgie about her own deliveries and the big moments in life.

31. "Georgie couldn't change the past - she could only talk at it. If Georgie had a proper time machine, maybe she could actually fix her marriage." What does it say about Georgie's character that she never once in the book thinks on her own of what she should do in the present to fix her marriage? She's obsessed with what she should say to past!Neal to fix their pre-marriage proposal crisis. But she never contemplates what compromises she should make, what things she could or should change or what to say to now!Neal to save her marriage and make it work in the future.

Ya, it was an annoying feature of the book.

32. After Georgie's last telephone conversation with past!Neal she left the phone off the hook. Why do you think she did that?

I think she was scared of him calling her back.

33. Georgie's marriage is not a typical one as far as gender roles go (as much as I would like it not to be the case). Would you think and feel differently about Neal and/or Georgie if their roles were reversed, if Neal was a career driven husband, spending most of his free time with his very hot and very single best female friend and Georgie was a stay-at-home mum, unhappy about the neglect but unable to voice her concerns?

Probably would make people hate the characters, however I already don't like most of them so eh.

Feb 6
Chapters 17-20

21. There are so many references in this book to pop culture from the 80s and 90s. Unlike Eleanor & Park where the setting has you expecting it, I have been surprised by all the references. Do you like them? Do you find yourself reminiscing or are they not from your era?

It's fun. I think about what I was doing in high school while they are in college.

22. If you had a phone that called anyone from the past, who would you call? Why?

My cousin Josh because he passed away while we were in college and it would be awesome to hear his voice again.

23. So "young" Neal can be heard on the phone by others as well, so it isn't just a hallucination by Georgie. I keep screaming at her just to get on a plane to see him and her kids. Why do you think she doesn't? she hasn't spoken to her kids or "current" Neal in days now.

Well that would make for as quick book if she did.

24.Do you think the friendship that Georgie and Seth have is healthy? It seems to have caused issues in her relationship with Neal for many years.

I personally think the friendship is fine. I have close friends that some might think add as I also have a boyfriend. But luckily my boyfriend is happy that I have such strong friendships. I think it has only caused a problem for Georgie and Neal because Neal is insecure.

25. Georgie is refusing to go back to her house to even get clothes or a phone charger. Is she trying to pretend she is 1994 Georgie again?

I think she is scared that if she does the phone wont work anymore.

February 4
Chapters 13-16
Pages 102-149

1. This section of the book starts with a discussion between Georgie and Heather regarding the current state of Georgie's marriage. So far in the book this is the most she has opened up to anyone regarding her difficulties. Why do you think she did this with Heather?

Despite the age difference they are sisters, it's easier to talk to people you view as more of an equal than say parents. Plus Heather is easy to talk to and pushes Georgie.

2. In Chapter 14 Georgie has a conversation with Seth in which she asks him if he could go back in time and fix a mistake would he. How about you? If you could go back in time and change anything would you?

Of course.

3. On page 118 Georgie and Neal have a conversation in the past in which Neal says "If I figure out what makes me happy, I'm not going to waste any more time. I'm just going to grab it. I'm just going to do it." Do you think Neal has followed through with this? Why or why not?

I think Neal has with Georgie and asking her to marry him.

4. A couple of times so far in the book Neal has asked Georgie if they could just start over (page 129). Do you think this has any implication to the overall premise of the book and the magic phone? Do you think this was intentional on the author's part or merely coincidental?

Yes. To me the book is all about starting new and remembering what is important.

5. The section in Neal's bedroom at the party was when I really started to understand the character of Neal. Anybody agree? Or was there another time when you felt like you got to know him? How do you feel about his character in the book?

A little, honestly I don't really like Neal. I am a little surprised that Georgie wanted to be with him so bad. He is boring and ungrateful.

6. So far throughout the book Georgie has always been able to confide in Seth, whom she considers to be her best friend, except in regards to her marital difficulties with Neal and the phone calls. Why do you think she hasn't been able to talk to him about what's going on?

She feels a need to keep Seth and Neal separate. Honestly because Neal can't deal with her friendship with Seth.

7. During their first date when Georgie and Neal are sitting on the beach, Georgie has a long list of things she wants while Neal says "I think I just want you". Do you think this says anything about their relationship and marriage to date? Georgie thinks to herself after their first kiss that Neal was what she needed to be happy (page 150). Do you think this has remained the case throughout their marriage so far?

To me it goes back to Neal being boring. I get it, it's supposed to be romantic, but Neal has very few interests of his own and has no direction. He has nothing he wants in life?
No I don't think this has remained the case through out the relationship, which is why it is failing. Loving someone is great, but you still need something that makes you happy in life.

If you like Stephen King novels you'll probably like Joe Hill. He has a similar writing style as his father.

I'm raising my hand too!

Funny I just got Bird Box too.

Chapters 6-12
Pages 44-101

1. How are you liking the writing style? Do you find that this author seems to have a female character the same kind of issue (not confident in themselves)?

It's ok.

2. Does anyone think that Neal is screening his calls from Georgie?

Clearly.

3. Ok is it me or is Georgie losing her mind or having a mental breakdown? Who is the man that called her "Georgie Girl"? Is it really Neal's dad and is Neal's dad dead or alive?

I am not sure...

4. Do you think everyone sees what's going on in her marriage except her?

Possibly. I think deep down she knows it is in trouble, but not to the extent her family thinks.

5. Do you think Neal feels like he is in competition with Seth for Georgie's affection? Or is he jealous of their friendship?

of course.

6. Will their time away from each other will fix the marriage or break them apart and why?

I think it is going to end up fixing their relationship.

7. In your opinion, why do you think Georgie is always reminiscing about the past? Do you think she is trying to get back something she lost?

A little and trying to fix something that changed the course of their lives.

Chapters 1-5
Pages 1-43

1. Is this your first Rainbow Rowell book or have you read others? What made you choose to join this one?

This is my first book by Rainbow Rowell, but I have had another book of hers on my to read shelf for a long time. I decided to join this because it just so happened that I was already going to read this book.

2. What do you imagine when reading this book? For me it was a cross between Modern Family and our previous BOM Yes Please.

I imagine just a normal family.

3. Do you think it was right of Gerogie to choose her job over Christmas with her family? Would you have?

It would be a very hard choice but possible a once in a lifetime opportunity, those don't come around often, so yes. And I would really hope that if in the same situation my partner would understand, be sad yes but understand.

4. Do you think Seth and Georgie will end up getting their show on TV?

I do.

5. Do you think Georgie and Neal will end up saving their marraige?

I do.

6. Are you liking the book so far?

I am, though it's not quite what I was expecting.

Right Emma?!

More importantly why can we get paid to read?

Good one Steven...

Thanks all!

Thanks V