Judith’s Comments (group member since Apr 15, 2015)

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

DQs Day 5, July 6
Chapter 44 - 52 / 74-88%

20. Not gonna lie, I felt like this part in particular had some unexpected 'plot twists' for us. We ended Day 4 with Joar showing up at Ted's window being all bloody. Did you think he had finally killed his old man?? Also, anybody else sobbing over (believing) the old guy had killed the bird? Did you expect any of this to happen the way it did, or did you end up as surprised as me?
I was surprised and not surprised. Backman is great at sending your brain down a certain path and then taking a sudden turn to the left when you didn't even realize the road went that way. Even after reading so many of his books, he still gets me.

21. We finally find out The Artist's name and it happens in quite an anticlimactic way. I was kind of hoping we would never get his name, like his name wasn't the important part of the book, it's His Friends who matter most. Do you think it's important for him to have a name now? Moreover, why do you think the author chose this moment in particular to finally give him a name?
I think his name is less important than realizing where his artist name came from is. The fact it's randomly revealed I think just shows he is a person but the magic can from their friendship. Like the whole is greater than the sum of it parts type of thing.

22. As we're reading this book as our BOM I assume most of us are reading it in the daily parts. Every time I open the audiobook and hear the narrator's voice I immediately start to feel emotional. I have teared up so many times already, yet only seconds later someone (usually Joar) makes some silly remark and I can't stop myself smiling. As I've never read a Backman before I didn't anticipate such a blend of humor with deeply emotional topics. How does this balance make you feel, and are there any moments that stand out to you in particular?
This book made me teary but Backman is one of the few authors that made me downright ugly cry (dang you Us Against You). So at least I didn't have a complete breakdown reading this one?

23. I thought we all knew (including Louisa!) where the story was headed, but now we find out Joar is still alive, and Ted actually makes him continue on with his story. We are briefly led to believe that something happened to someone in Joar's house, but then we learn about Joar's old man's accident, and that his mother is actually okay. She'll still keep caring for her abusive but injured husband even though she would now have an "easy way out". Do you agree with this decision? And with only 12% to go how do you expect the last few chapters to go? Besides, what happened to Ali??
We get to hear the rest of their story of course. And hopefully some jumps forward to see where things end up for most of them.


BOM Tracking
Day 1: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 2: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 3: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 4: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 5:

I grabbed the train on cover but am at my max cap until the next round starts. So if someone has a train on cover that they can finish this round, feel free to replace my book as we are close to finishing Turkey

We have finished our safari in South Africa and are headed to Iceland to cool off

WW309 Author born in Iceland
WW310 Blue, Red and White on cover
WW311 character rides horses
WW312 "volcano" in text
WW313 letters GLACIER in title (any order)
WW314 nature on cover (no people)
WW315 I
WW316 C
WW317 E
WW318 L
WW319 A
WW320 N
WW321 D

DQ's Day 4; Chapter 31 - 43 55-74%

15. “She wishes he hadn’t said what he did about believing in her. That’s too much responsibility. All she can give him is disappointment.” Belief is a big theme of this book. How important do you think it is to have people that unequivocally believe in you? Have you ever had someone’s belief in you feel more like a burden than support?
I think it is very important, especially for children. It gives you strength and makes it easier to push yourself, because if you fail, you know there is a safety net or someone to help you pick up the pieces and put things back together.
Not really one person in particular but I think sometimes people forget just because you are capable of carrying a burden doesn't mean you want to or that it isn't really heavy.

16. This book is, obviously, a lot about memories and the happy times we look back on when the people we cherish are gone. I thought the shopping/shopping cart scene was particularly vivid and one I could’ve seen me and friends doing something similar. Do you have any particularly memorable times with a group of friends from when you were a child/teen?
Yes, friends and with my cousins at our grandmothers. We were such babies then and now some of our own babies have babies. When did we get so old (though as the youngest cousin, they are all way older than me. hehe)?

17. We’ve come to the first(?) death from that summer, is it one you expected? It’s probably the most obvious one, but I still forgot it was a possibility.
It wasn't the one I expected but Backman is notorious for the bait and switch with who dies first so I should of known.

18. While this is a story of friends, it’s also really a story of parents. From the bad ones, to the indifferent ones, to the kind loving ones. Did you expect for Ted and Louisa’s savior to be the mother? How important do you think parents are versus friends on your formative years?
That was a fun surprise and not something I had given any thought to happening. Both are important I think but for different reasons and in different ways.

19. Ted seems to think that any of the other friends would have been better to care for Louisa, do you agree?
No, I think she's with exactly who she's supposed to be with :)


BOM Tracking
Day 1: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 2: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 3: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 4: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

DAY 3 DQ'S CHAPTERS 20-30

10. "Art is coincidence. Love is Chaos."
"Art is a small break from human despair."

Do you agree? Discuss these quotes in relation to the book and real life in general.
I think with a lot of things I both agree and disagree. For the art being coincidence, I think there is always a bit of magic and unpredictability it what truly becomes a masterpiece in any art form from a painting to a movie to books. You can have all the right components but sometimes it just doesn't come together and others it comes from left field. That's what makes it art I suppose.
Love is chaos and also can be a source of stability. To sides of the same coin.

11. We still don't know the artist's real name and now we find out he isn't even in the picture! What do you think is the author's intention in regards to the Artist's role throughout the novel? And how about the significance of the title of the picture, " The One of the Sea instead of the Artist's thoughts it should have been called, The Boys and Her?
Maybe that he's the connection, the common denominator holding the group together? I think if they'd gone with the artist's original title it would changed the reception of the piece and the focus of the painting completely. It would of forced people to noticed what the painting was really about instead of what everyone wanted to assume it was about.

12. Louise asks Ted, "Were you two a couple?" In light of how the relationship is written were you surprised by his answer?
No, I wasn't. I could understand why she asked that but based on Ted's POV I figured that was a line that they had never crossed in their relationship.

13. This novel is full of big emotions, real life hardships, death and tragedy but connected and possibly redeemed by the beauty in meaningful and fragile human relationships. The Artist and his friends, Christian and the Artist, Ted and the Artist, Ali and Joar, Ted and Louisa, Fish and Louisa... Which relationship has made the most impression on you? Which one do you think is pivotal to the storyline?
Louise and Ted is my favorite relationship but without it there wouldn't be a book so that makes sense. But as far as pivotal to the backstory Ted is telling I'm thinking Joar and Ali's relationship will be very important.

14. Chapter 30 - Louisa leaves the picture then gets off the train when Ted is asleep. Did you see that happening, what do you think will happen next? Ted and Louisa reconnecting or big tragedy? (More tissues needed!)
I figured she'd pull a disappearing act because she would get too overwhelmed by feelings or something. But I thought it would happen after she made it to the pier, not pulling a runner from the train. I'm assuming they'll reconnect, we need the rest of the story and it would be a shame if those two don't have each other in their lives by the end.

Day 2 July 3
Chapter 12-19 18-37%

#5. Joar mentions that his mom thinks the best invention in the world are pockets. I have seen a Meme that says a woman, when complimented on her dress will reply “It has pockets.” I love a good pocket. How do you feel about pockets?
I love pockets, they are the best and I find it annoying in the US the standard number of pockets in mens suits is 9 and in womens suits is 0. WTF is up with that nonsense.

#6. I must admit I am confused and intrigued about the artist. Who do you think the artist is? What is his or her significance in the story?
I'm not sure but I think it's likely important, Backman is a master at playing the long game in his books. So this information is withheld for very specific reasons.

#7. I am loving the banter between Louisa and Ted. Louise is so precocious. What do you think of their relationship? Any ideas of what is to come between the two?
OMG, I laughed so many times during their conversations. Teenagers are truly special creatures. I could almost feel Louise slowly made Ted lose his ever loving mind in the best way. I hope they find a way to stay in each other's lives, but Backman has a way of breaking your heart so I'm afraid to hope for that.

#8. In Chapter #19 we find more about the mentioned Ali. What is your impression of her?Any guesses on what happens next?
Nothing good, I'm assuming her story is tragic and painful. I do like her though and her spirit. I think she's a fun addition to the gang. And that the information about her being in the painting is another way to demonstrate people see what they assume they are supposed to see and rarely look close enough to see the truth.

#9. Fredrick Backman has a way of pulling at your heartstrings. In Chapter 19 I both cried and laughed. The children's stories are both heartbreaking and heartwarming. How are you feeling about the book so far? Are you enjoying it?
I love Backman some of his books more than others, but I am liking this more than Anxious People.


BOM Tracking
Day 1: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 2: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Ann,

Can you add My Friends to your challenge shelf when you get a chance?

Thank you!

Day 1, Chapters 1-11 (1-18%)


1. Warm-up question: have you read any other books by Fredrik Backman before? If yes, what do you like/dislike about his themes/style, etc?
I've pretty much read all of his works at this point I think. He's an immediate pre-order for me. Though he has a distinct style that is not for everyone. I do prefer to do audiobooks for his works, for me his style of writing works better in that format than other options.

2. In the first chapter we are intorduced to quite a memorable auction scene with super-rich people who all want to possess THE PAINTING, though their intentions are questionable. Did this make you think of some similar events happening in the world right now?
Yes, just the overall focus on consumption. Or spending an ungodly amount of money to go to space instead of, I don't know, helping end world hunger. Other mentioned Benzos wedding, which is another just WTF thing to see. But then people are watching, just like they wanted people to do. So who's to blame there?

3. "Artists vs Normal People" - another apsect of these first chapters is the great divide between true artists and normal people. Backman seems to suggest that most people don't/cannot get true art and artists are so much more different (possibly better people?). Do you agree with this? Or is it a generalisation?
Hmm. I think it is so often people focus on the wrong things (like status, consumption, making more money than you could ever need) that they are missing the point. Friends, family, memories, the joy of simply being are overlooked in the race to the top of the social ladder.

4. In a sequence of weird events, Louisa ends up in possession of The Painting.
Any guesses what may happen to her and to it?
Oh, god. If reading Backman has taught me anything is to never be certain where a character ends up. Their endings aren't always good ones. Generally not Red Wedding type devastation, but realistic endings that are messy and complicated. So I'm not going to predict anything here. But I hope she finds happinesses.

Bonus Q: do you have a favourite artist or a favourite piece of painting/sculpture?
Degas has always been a favorite of mine. But I've stopped reading about him as a person because I don't think he was a very nice individual.

Steven, I think our private group for MRR is still up and has the threads with ingredients by book

I should go poke around in there

Steven wrote: "The tasks are my favorite thing so that makes me sad. lol"

You can go look for vinegar and ube in text. LOL

Nine Tailed by Jayci Lee

An enemy on her tails, an innocent at her side, and a dangerous power within her that could destroy them all. Jayci Lee melds Korean folklore with modern Americana in this fiery new series.

Sunny Cho aspires to be the dullest, least interesting person in any given room, which can be challenging for a nine-tailed fox spirit. So she drifts from city to city—staying clear of any and all attachment—and keeps her fox buried deep inside her. It is better this way. She would rather live as half of herself than risk losing control of her terrible powers.

Ethan Lee, a friend she left behind eight years ago, is a brilliant and distractingly hot PI. When he tracks her down and asks her to help him find his brother’s murderer, Sunny knows her uneventful life is about to be turned upside down.

Traversing the mortal realm and the world of gods, Sunny and Ethan discover their quest is much more dire than mere vengeance, and their friendship might be…more. An ancient evil is stirring, and Sunny is faced with an impossible save the worlds from annihilation or claim the love fated by the heavens.


Reason: Korean folklore

My new nominate until I read it anyway or it wins :P



The Best Way to Bury Your Husband by Alexia Casale

A dark comedy about four women coming together to heal the damage their husbands have done––and hide their bodies once they’ve killed them

When Sally kills her husband with a cast-iron skillet, she’s more fearful of losing her kids than of disposing of a fresh corpse. That just wouldn’t be fair—not after twenty years of marriage to a truly terrible man. But Sally isn’t the only woman in town reaching the brink. Soon, Sally finds herself leading an extremely unusual self-help group, and among them there are four bodies to hide. Can they all figure out the perfect way to bury their husbands . . . and get away with it?

First to join is former nurse, Ruth, who met her husband as a single mom. Now her son is grown and her husband’s violence builds by the day until an attack on the stairs leads to a fatal accident—for him. A few doors down, Samira’s last straw comes when she discovers her husband is planning a campaign of violence against her eldest daughter, who has just come out. Janey, Sally’s best friend, has just had her first child at forty-two. Sleep-deprived Janey needs a hero to slay the monster in the fairy tales she whispers to her daughter each night . . . and as her husband’s violence escalates, it might just be her.

Together, fueled by righteous anger but tempered by a moral core, the four women must help each other work out a plan to get rid of their husbands for good. Along the way, Sally, Ruth, Samira and Janey rediscover old joys and embark on new passions in work, education, and life. Friendship and laughter really are the best medicine—and so is getting away with murder.

Oh no! Steven :(

I hope your husband takes good care of you! (duh, I know he will but still)

Go for it Suzanne!

We could use a Y for the last letter in Germany if people are looking for a task

Pho is a delicious Vietnamese soup, ube is a type of purple yam from the Philippines that has become a really popular ingredient lately, pirogies are a central/Eastern European dumping


I’m not sure I’ve had ube flavored anything but I can recommend the other 2!

We have a new mini challenge!

Banked books are allowed for this one, though as a team we don't have all that many books not being used on minis right now.

But we are fairly close to finishing off Mini 2, this will give a home to most other books that don't fit in Mini 1 or 3.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

We'll work on getting something up in the tracking sheet

Suzanne wrote: "Oh I'm going to put in a few medium and hard country books in too - I'll just put them under Mini 1 - but if you want to add them to Column G so that we don't over-read a country?? But that is up t..."

I hope you had a lovely trip!!

I added all of the countries to columns G&H to account for the countries. But we can move them around depending on the order you end up reading them

Finished another monster and spun for another one. Stuck with the world/pirates wheel as many of us are reading international books for TT

John Julian (South America)
100 to 175
Takes place in South America
Tagged indigenous 10 or more times
published in March
author or character named John or Julian

We have finished our last pastry and left France for Russia!

New tasks:

Author born in Russia
Red, White and Blue on cover
"palace" in text
character (dreams of) going to St. Petersburg
character is an artist
letters VODKA in title (any order)
R
U
S
S
I
A