Melissa’s Comments (group member since May 12, 2019)

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

16. What do you think about Justyce going to see Martel. Do you support him going or disapprove. I know he later regretted it, but I can't help feeling he went to fit in. Or maybe to become more like "his kind"

As a plot point, I thought this was a real turn of events. It is the beginning of Justyce trying to take things into his own hands. It sets off a series of events that would not have happened had he not gone to see Martel.

As a Mom, I would have been so scared that he did that. It would be a point where I would feel out of control of his decisions, and I sympathize with Justyce's mom.

17. During these chapters there was the scene with the police at Justyce's graduation. Do you think it was wrong of the police officers to approach him in front of all his friends and family. Should they have waited until he was done talking to them to approach? It's definitely a difficult situation cause I can see it being argued from either end.

I think they should have waited.

18. During the conversation with the police, Justyce stands up to his mom and asks her to treat him like an adult. He also mentions that if he went along with his mother's idea and refused to talk, he would've appeared guilty. What did you make of these two confrontations? Also, we get the behind the scenes reasoning about why Justyce's mom doesn't approve of him dating white girls. What is your opinion on her reasoning? I personally understand what she's saying, but not all white people are alike just like not all black people are alike.

I think the author is creating a character who moves beyond his parent's generation's fears and bias. I think that is what the new generation should always do. I looked to Justyce to see what he could do to become this person, and this scene was important.

19. While hanging out with S.J., S.J. says, "Jus, I think I hate everything... Why can't we all get along like butterflies." To that quote Justyce thinks to himself that all the butterflies "look exactly alike." What do you make of this quote? Why do you think there is so much hate around people looking different (doesn't only have to be about race, but defects, disabilities, other differences as well)?

I agree with Justyce's observations that it doesn't really work that way. I think that people need to step out of their comfort zone and that's not easy. People need to work on accepting people and seeing things from their perspective, and not their own. Sometimes that can be uncomfortable, and I don't think everyone is willing to get in that uncomfortable place in order to learn about the other person. Maybe that and power structures that have a long and deliberate history have brought about hate and mistrust.

20. I thought that Justyce's last letter to Dr. Martin was the most meaningful. He mentions that maybe the issue is that he doesn't know what he was trying to achieve by his "What would Martin do?" project. I found it very resonating when he mentioned Doc asking him "What would Martin be" and he couldn't find an answer. What did you think of the last letter to Martin? How do you think Justyce has changed throughout the book?
I think Justyce is finding his own voice throughout the book. In the beginning, it seems like a hopeless cycle of events that he is drawn into. By the end, he is pursuing his education, and figuring out how to be an adult in the world, just like we all do. I'm not sure how I feel about SJ / being white. I'll have to say, I wanted "whiteness" out of the equation - but maybe that is the point.

21. I personally think that by the last chapter Jared changed the most thoughout the story (which actually surprised me a lot because in the beginning I thought he was hopeless). He went from a racist to actually caring and being Justyce's friend. Did your opinions change on Jared at the end of the book? What about the other characters? Well, I just didn't like Jared. From the beginning to the end, I could not find sympathy. Even at the graveyard, I just don't think he would have gone. I'd have a hard time trusting him at all. I thought SJ changed quite a bit - to being more comfortable with her decisions.

Completion Post
The Case of the Missing Servant by Tarquin Hall

Read: 8/4
Pages: 311
Works for:
S: Character: Shekhawat (Inspector)
A: Character: Ajay Kasliwal
D: Character: Doorstop
H: Character: Handbrake
P: Character: Puri
G: Character: Ramesh Goel
Tags: None
Task: #26 City scape on the cover

Laura wrote: "Our last round-round 5 is on the spreadsheet
It's another long word:
Rocky mountains

Our 5 tags: petal,love, Asia, music and art"

Does Asian work?

Aiswrya wrote: "Laura wrote: "Our last round-round 5 is on the spreadsheet
It's another long word:
Rocky mountains

Our 5 tags: petal,love, Asia, music and art"

Another Y...sigh

Can't believe we are almost at..."

I agree! I've really liked this challenge, and this team.
I wonder if there is another team challenge coming up?

Completion Post
Song for a Whale
by Lynne Kelly

Read: 8/3
Pages: 303
Words: 57,105
Works for:
I Character: Iris
S: Title: Song for a Whale
L: Author: Lynn Kelly
A: Character: Andi Rivers
N: Character: Nina
G: Character: Mr. Gunnar

Tags: Whale: Shelved 3 times

Task: 19 Read a book with an animal word in the title

M wrote: "Book: Moby-Dick Author: Herman Melville
Date Read: 8-2-20
Pages: 589
Letters:
I Ishmael
S Starbuck
A Captain Ahab
D Dough-boy
H – Author FN
P..."

Nice!
I read In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex which might be an interesting read for you - as it is what Herman Melville based his writing on.

Completion Post
Dear Martin
by Nic Stone
Completed: August 1
Works for:
D - Title;
S - Character (Sarah-Jane Friedman);
N - Author;
S - Author
Task: 162: Read a book with a single person on the cover

Laura wrote: "Melissa wrote: "I'm almost finished with Dear Martin
I participated in the BOM discussion.
July 31
Discussion posts #232, 233, 234
but I am too tired to respond to any more :)"

That's great, Meli..."
It was a great book!
The discussion questions have me thinking more deeply about it too.

I'm almost finished with Dear Martin
I participated in the BOM discussion.
July 31
Discussion posts #232, 233, 234
but I am too tired to respond to any more :)

Day 3 DQs

12. In chapter 16 we see Justyce have dinner with Manny's parents to commemorate Garret Tison's indictment. What do you think of Justyce being invited over and what they talk about? Did you have any thoughts about Manny's parents giving Justyce the watch and his reaction to it?

I thought it was a little strange, as Manny's father never really hung out with them until the day of the conversation about his work place. Maybe after Manny's death, they are more able to reach out, in contrast to how they felt when he was alive. Giving Justyce the watch was a nice touch.

Justyce sees Quan at the Fulton Regional Youth Detention Centre and a lot is said between them. What do you make of Quan's upbringing and his view on life now? Is there anything that stands out between what is said between them? Quan not saying that he killed the cop or the advice that he gives to Justyce? Do you think that Quan's advice will have a positive or negative effect on Justyce?

I think this part is to show us a different angle of what life is like for teenagers in Detention Centers. I think that Justyce will need to develop his own identity - it's not going to be easy with Manny's death and Quan's advice.

DQ Day 2:
7. Let's start with Sarah-Jane. Justyce and her definitely had feelings for each other, and they didnt shy away from closeness until Jus was about to kiss her after the debate (lbr which was bad timing). Why did SJ suddenly give Justyce the cold shoulder, what are your thoughts? What's going through her head?

8. I have no idea. Maybe she likes Justyce as a fantasy, but can't deal with reality?

9. I felt as though Manny was denying himself his identity. When he was able to embrace himself, he wasn't going to deal with the junk that his "friends" were giving him. I think that many of us go through a friend group who are really not friends, but that is how we find out who we really are. Manny is finally dealing with this, but it is much more serious and troubling because of the prejudice and anger surrounding their differences.

10. I did not have a teacher like this, but I am wondering about the difference in a relationship at a boarding school. Doc comes to Justyce's room - something that doesn't happen at school - so this leads to a more personal discussion.

11. There never really seems to be a right way. I think they were both doing their best.

12. I totally peeked.

Day 1 DQ
(My book just came into the library yesterday!!)
1. We meet Justyce when he's trying to do a good deed by helping is drunk ex-girlfriend. This scene sets quite the mood for the upcoming chapters and (I assume) the rest of the book. Do you like our main character so far? Do you like his inner monologue, portrayed in the letters to Martin?
Yes, I like Justyce. I like how he is heartfelt and pours out his thoughts in these letters to MLK. Having the letters in first person and the rest of the narration in third person is a little clunky at times. I like the letters, but I do not like going back into third person.

2. Melo isn't really real to me yet. I know she is supposed to be the one holding him back, but I don't really have a grasp on her character. SJ seems to say all of the right things and is beautiful at the same time, which I suppose happens :) His mother is in the background so far. So I guess I'd like to get to know them all a bit more.

3. If I was SJ, well, I guess I would say that schools need all voices at the table, and that Justyce has the scores, but the scores don't really matter that much. We need to build a system where all voices are heard, and have equal opportunity. People have been forcing the system to break for a long time now.

4. I thought it was a terrible idea.

5. I don't know what Manny should have done. It seems like an uncomfortable situation, and it seems like he is trying to fit in. I always vote for not fitting in over compromising your beliefs, but that is easier said than done, particularly when you are a teenager.

6. It seemed like an uncomfortable party in general, so I say go instead of stay.

Completion Post:
In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex

Author: Nathaniel Philbrick
Narrator: Scott Brick
Read: July 31
Pages: 302
Works for:
I: Title (In the Heart of the Sea)
S: Narrator (Scott Brick)
N: Author (Nathaniel Philbrick)
P: Author (Nathaniel Philbrick)

Tags: Whale (2 times)

Task: #8 Set on a boat or ship

Completion Post
Book: Challenger Deep
By: Neal Shusterman
Read: 7/31/2020
Pages: 308
Works for:
S: Shelby (character)
A: Alexa (character)
N: Neal Shusterman (author)
H: Hal (character)
P: Poirot (character)

Tag: Ocean: 5 people

Tasks:
121: Read a book with a body of water on the cover

My next two have whale and ocean as tags. I should be finishing them by tomorrow.

Completion Post:
My Fate According to the Butterfly by Gail Villanueva

Date read: 7/30
Pages: 240
Words: 41,908
Works for:
S: Sab (Protagonist)
N: Nadine (character)
P: Pepper Lemmington (character)

Tags - none
Task: 49 MGP Contemporary

Completion Post
Book:
Author: Octavia Butler
Read: 7/28
Pages: 345
Works for:
S: Tori Solis (character)
L: Lauren (character)
A: Allie (character)
N: Natividad (character)
D: Doe (character)
H: Harry (character)
O: Octavia (author)
G: Grayson (character)
Tags: none
Tasks: #108 Read a book with a book on the cover (technically, it's her journal. So I'm not sure if that works. If not, #67 for the first in a series)

Laura wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Laura wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Completion Post
Book: by Kevin Wilson
Read: 7/27
Pages: 254
Works for: L (Lillian, main character)
N (title) ..."
I thought it was really fun. It reminded me of Little Fires Everywhere, but with more humor. If you have Audible, I'd recommend the audio - it was on a 2 titles for one credit sale earlier this week. I'd recommend it.

Joy wrote: "I have my copy of The Institute that I haven't read yet and have been itching to get to.

I'm also glad to see people are reading the Cormoran Strike series! I love those books.

An..."

Thanks for doing the DQs! I read this book a while back, and so I'm ready to re-read parts and answer questions!

Laura wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Completion Post
Book: by Kevin Wilson
Read: 7/27
Pages: 254
Works for: L (Lillian, main character)
N (title)
I (Marin Ireland: Narrator) (..."
Fabulous!
The narrator was so good.