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

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

Done with Turkey and off to the USA!

Author born in United States
Red, White, and Blue on cover
"watermelon" in text
stars on the cover
character in (or was) the military
letters EAGLE in title (any order)
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Cathy,

When you get a chance can you add Beyond the Veil to your challenge shelf?

Thank you!

DQs Day 1
Ch 1 to 4

1.) Had you heard of this book before it was nominated for/was selected to be a BOM this month? Or read other books by the author? Any expectations going in?
This book has been all over BookTok. Which is normally a reason for me to avoid a book. But something at this one kept having me peek at it. And then figured what the heck and added it to my tbr. Nominated it on a whim and was very surprised it won the vote, so yay. Never read anything by this author before. As for expectations, I'm hoping for some interesting political drama, cool fighting and an interesting magical system.

2.) How effective is the author at conveying the isolationist nature of Kaigen? And at the glimpses of what the rest of the world is really like? How do you think the Emperor has managed to do this so effectively?
I thought it was an interesting way to go about showing the issues from the beginning without it being too heavy handed. The history lecture was a bit longer than I think it needed to be and still convey what the author was trying to get across. Having the transfer student is honestly interesting that they let that happen at all. I mean what did they expect to happen? Though I guess most of the teachers don't necessarily even know they are teaching propaganda. It gives faint North Korea vibes a bit on this aspect of the story.

3.) Misaki is an interesting character with a lot of repressed or hidden depths I think. I like that one of the main characters in an epic fantasy is not a 20 something who just happens to master everything in 5 pages. What are you most curious about her at the moment. Also, shout out to her friends, who seem like real women-friends. Yay!
Real female friend who love and support one another genuinely, what a novel concept!! I'm most interested in learning how and why she ended up married to Tekure. He sounds like a douche. Maybe arranged marriage? Also a bit curious as to how she managed to train elsewhere and then come back.

4.) Tekure (husband/father) has managed to make me hate him without even popping up on page yet. Go him. Do you think we'll get a scene where Misaki does her version of 'down with the patriarchy' before the end of the book?
Oh I really hope so. And I hope she knocks his teeth in with her sons cheering her on.

5.) What do you think of the magic system so far?
I think it's a pretty fun system and it seems like there are a lot of different levels and types of power. I'm interested to see how it all develops.

DQs Day 1
Ch 1 to 4

1.) Had you heard of this book before it was nominated for/was selected to be a BOM this month? Or read other books by the author? Any expectations going in?

2.) How effective is the author at conveying the isolationist nature of Kaigen? And at the glimpses of what the rest of the world is really like? How do you think the Emperor has managed to do this so effectively?

3.) Misaki is an interesting character with a lot of repressed or hidden depths I think. I like that one of the main characters in an epic fantasy is not a 20 something who just happens to master everything in 5 pages. What are you most curious about her at the moment. Also, shout out to her friends, who seem like real women-friends. Yay!

4.) Tekure (husband/father) has managed to make me hate him without even popping up on page yet. Go him. Do you think we'll get a scene where Misaki does her version of 'down with the patriarchy' before the end of the book?

5.) What do you think of the magic system so far?

Linda, I saw you read The Seed Keeper. How was it? I’ve been meaning to read that one.

I’ve eyed the Zodiac series before but it seems like such a commitment. But then so are all my other series 😂🫠

Newest cheese spelling is complete! Go Team for always making sure we have the letters we need, completely by accident!

Hehe :)

Ann,

When you get a chance can you add Winter in Madrid to your challenge shelf?

Thank you!

Boo on that book Steven

Judith's BOM Tracking

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: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 6: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

DQs Day 6, July 7
Chapter 53 - 59 88-100%

24. For most of the first half of the book, I kept picturing a lot of tragic endings for multiple characters. Did the book end happier than you figured? Are you happy with the way everyone's lives turned out and do you think it matches their upbringing and experiences?
There were more of them alive at the end than I expected so that was a nice surprise. I think their endings matched up well enough. Nothing seemed completely farfetched or cray-cray. Or too perfect either.

25. We now know the final fate of the painting. Do you agree with the choice? Did the result end up fitting the artist mentality and the magic of the friendship or was it illogical?
I liked it and thought it was fun.

26. Louisa starts the book and much of it is her journey, but Ted surprisingly takes over as a big main character as well. With the past history it mainly seems to be Joar's experiences that are told the most. Do you think the book has a main central character that stands out the most? Do you think some of the other characters are not mentioned enough equally?
I think part of it was Ted didn't find himself all that interesting or important so when reflecting on memories of their friendship, it's always in relation to what was going on with one of the others in the friend group.

27. We learn what happens with Ali. Spoilers if you have not gotten to this part, so I'll get it general. It was stated in a way that there is also beauty in a sense of also going out a certain way while they mourn and talk about tragedy. Did you think Ali would walk in alive also, such as when the car with the woman pulled up?
No, I wasn't surprised she was gone. There was always something about the way they talked about her in the present that I knew she was gone. It's a bit hard to describe what exactly it was though.

28. If this is your first book by Fredrik Backman, are you planning to now read more? If you have read another book by this author, was the style of this one with the writing similar to the other(s) you have read?
He's one of the short list of author's I have on a pre-order list.

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