Amanda’s Comments (group member since Mar 13, 2022)

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

MN Lisa wrote: "Amanda wrote: "Lisa, have you started your Japanese author book yet? I have one planned for another challenge that I can move up"

No. My library doesn't have it in yet. I cancelled the request if ..."

Yup almost done with mine too.

Lisa, have you started your Japanese author book yet? I have one planned for another challenge that I can move up

I ran into it in a couple books when I was moving stuff so I agree, lobster shouldn't be too bad. Turmeric I think will be very hard

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?


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?

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.


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?


19. Ted seems to think that any of the other friends would have been better to care for Louisa, do you agree?

Rebecca wrote: "Wait there’s a mini 4?!? (Or is it the cheese)?

I’m here!"

No it's different! Here's the post about it :)

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

I think, and I admit I'm bad at strategy so if anyone else is really good at it please step on up, the order I would do is

Mini 3
Mini 1
Mini 2
Mini 4

I've gotta update our most recent cheese to see what we need too unless one of my fearless co caps have gotten to it :)

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 this can be true and it wont be for some as well. I think art and love are both those nebulous things that mean different things to different people

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?

I think the Artist is the glue for the relationships but definitely doesn't see himself as such. That's why he would title it about everyone else, but they want it to be titled about the sea which is how he saw himself. The everything around his people

12. Louise asks Ted, "Were you two a couple?" In light of how the relationship is written were you surprised by his answer?

I was not surprised. I thought it made it pretty clear that the Artist was in love with Joar while Ted was in love with the Artist. These are people who during their formative years didn't have those familial foundational relationships so their identities are so completely woven with each other. I think that all the lines probably got crossed in their heads.

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?

I think Ted and Louisa has made the biggest impression because we're getting to see them right now. We feel what they feel much larger.

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 did not see it happening! Was very surprised. And I'll keep mum because I finished last night while writing my questions.

Hello all!!

Happy holidays to all in the US!

Couple requests:
- Could I just have everyone sound off really quick? We've been a little lax with check ins and need to make sure everyone is still around.
- Can we reserve the banked tab for only books when we've reached our max? Since we can't bank for 2/4 minis we may be missing out on points if we wait to move them all until the end of the month. Maybe 200 pages + if you really wanna hold off on using those 100 pointers.
- Please fill out any character information you have when filling out planning. A lot of this one is to me lol. But when we go back to do cheese months later it's much much easier if we have all that info.

That's all from me for now!

#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. I had them added to my wedding dress

#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 think he was the glue of the friendship, but honestly until reading every one else's response I thought he was truly just one of "the boys". I'm more intrigued now

#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?
Love it so much! I think Louise desperately needs to be cared for and I think Ted desperately needs someone to care for. I think they're going to stay together unless Backman wants to rip out my heart

#8. In Chapter #19 we find more about the mentioned Ali. What is your impression of her?Any guesses on what happens next?
There's been foreshadowing of many deaths hitting us over the head so I'm assuming nothing good. But I kept thinking that Ted thought Louisa reminded the artist of Joar, but now I'm thinking it's probably Ali.

#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'm loving this so much!! I'm also sobbing a lot lol

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 have not read anything by him before but if this continues how it's going for me so far that will change! I'm fully engrossed and so very much enjoying the writing style and characters

2. In the first chapter we are introduced 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?
I mean, I pretty much always have an "eat the rich" mentality so this definitely brought up those thoughts lol.

3. "Artists vs Normal People" - another aspect 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?
I don't agree with artists being "better people" but I do think there's a pretty big divide just in thought. I'm not an artistic person at all and most art goes completely over my head, but my mom is an artist through and through. We can look at the same thing and see something completely different and I will never understand why she sees something different. I think it's fascinating.

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?
Ooooh okay, wild guess. I think she's going to use it as Fish's gravestone.

Bonus Q: do you have a favourite artist or a favourite piece of painting/sculpture?
As aforementioned, I'm not really an artistic person and most if it just does not make sense to me lol

We can have more than the 3 level 2 so you can still put in the same itinerary that’s open! There’s no minimum for level 1 books

I’ll double check when I get on a computer later ☺️ which book is it just in case?

I'm about 1/2 way moving stuff that we aren't using elsewhere to the new mini and should finish up tomorrow but feel free to claim stuff too :)

Same answer as Christina! But I can do it

New Mini!! And we can use books from the beginning of the challenge so hopefully we've got everything placed soon :)

This mini challenge consists of several parts. For each part, you're going to have to complete a variety of tasks, some of which may be rather challenge - but this is a challenge after all.

Part One
Find the following food and/or drink items in the text, on the cover, or in the title (subtitles allowed). Please provide the text location and sentence, if the word is found in the text. Plurals are allowed, as are slight variations, such as spellings in a single word or two words or alternatives with a hyphen.

- vinegar
- lobster
- turmeric
- ice cream
- strawberry
- chocolate
- gravy
- ube
- watermelon
- paella
- kiwi
- pierogi
- naan
- pho
- kimchi
- banana
- broccoli
- bacon
- mango
- empanada
- quinoa
- pistachio


Part Two
Spell-out the following names of specialties from various countries all over the globe. Diacritics may be ignored.

- Souvlaki (Greece)
- Pastel de Nata (Portugal)
- Zapiekanka (Poland)
- Smørrebrød (Denmark)
- Sarmale (Romania)
- Cevapi (Croatia / Serbia / Bosnia & Herzegovina)
- Momo (Nepal)
- Nasi Goreng (Indonesia)
- Bibimbap (South Korea)
- Okonomiyaki (Japan)
- Bánh Xèo (Vietnam)
- Char Kuay Teow (Malaysia)
- Chipsi Mayai (East Africa)
- Biltong (South Africa)
- Jallaf Rice (West Africa)
- Kabuli Pulao (Afghanistan)
- Ful Medames (Egypt)
- Mole Poblano (Mexico)
- Feijoada (Brazil)
- Ceviche (Peru)
- Turos Csusza (Hungary)
- Mofongo (Puerto Rico)


◈ Each book read can only be used for one mini challenge.
◈ Each book read can only be used for one task.
◈ Banked books are allowed for this mini challenge.
◈ Books can be started at any point since the start of Tower Teams XI (17th May 9am UTC).
◈ The usual book length rules apply.
◈ The usual spell-out rules apply unless stated differently.
◈ You will gain 10 points for each task you complete.

Trio wrote: "Amanda, I'm listening to The Parisian Chapter and it is an audio only book - what should I put for page count on the SS? thanks!"

It would be the minimum for the challenge so 100 pages :)

Volunteering for dqs for Eiffel tower

Volunteering for Eiffel Tower

DQs Day 3

12. When Norma tells her mother she's pregnant, Norma notices fear in her other's eyes. What do you think that fear was about? Do you think she was remembering her own past experiences and worrying about Norma, or was she fearing that this would lead to Norma finding out the truth somehow? (Thinking to all of the bloodwork and stuff that comes from this, though admittedly not sure in the time frame if that was as much of a concern.)
I think fearing she'd learn the truth somehow. Her mother doesn't seem super compassionate so I don't think she was worried about loss.

13. Ruthie was from Nova Scotia and went missing in Maine, yet Norma and Ben ran into each other in Boston of all places — somewhere his family would not be expecting her. Later, when they need some time away, Norma's husband takes her to Nova Scotia, where she feels some familiarity and connection to the land. Are these crossovers just coincidences, or do you think that in the grand scheme of the story, something more (fate, a higher power, etc.) is leading them to each other?
I think coincidences to make the story better lol.

14. We get the backstory in this section on why Joe didn't know he had a daughter at first. Knowing what we know now do you agree with his family's decision to keep him in the dark? Have your opinions on Joe changed with this piece of backstory revealed?
My opinion for Joe keeps changing. I honestly think he needed a ton of therapy for many things as a child but it's too late now.

15. "I would learn to love the little one." What a strange thing for Lenore to say when broaching the topic of adoption — especially considering Norma's circumstances. What did you think when you read that — especially seeing how Lenore treated Norma growing up?
I think she thought of Norma in that moment and knew she grew to love her in her way so assumed she would for any grand child.

Amanda's DQ Day 2

7. "But sometimes I think that sadness drilled down deep and some of it might just be there for good"
"now get lost and leave me to my book."
"There was love in that house but none of us really knew what to do with it."
In chapter four we learn more about Norma's parents and life in their house as she grew up. Does learning about Lenore's past make you more sympathetic to her? And how about their parenting style, I can't imagine ever telling my children or grandchildren "to get lost" because I wanted to read a book. (Ok, I'm sure all parents might have thought it at times, but saying it to a child is a definite no no in my book!)
...No. She stole a child. Sorry, I can't really sympathize.

8. In juxtaposition to Frank, Lenore and Norma, we have alternating chapters about family life from Joe's POV. Thoughts and why does the author structure the novel this way?
I think because this book is largely about race it shows how Norma would have grown up as Ruthie vs. how she grows up now. Also how her disappearance affected the whole family.

9. Chapter 5 - the horrible incident with Frankie and Charlie. How did you feel reading about this injustice? Could anything been done to avert this tragedy? How does Amanda Peters' writing the scene add to the heartbreak?
I don't think there was really anything that could be done. I think foreshadowing with Joe's last words to Charlie added to the suspense and heartbreak.

10. What you think of Aunty June and her role in the story? Why does she encourage Norma to interact with the Indian protesters only to pull her back when she is recognized as Ruthie?
I think she knows everything and believes Norma should be connected to her heritage but also sees her as family so doesn't want her taken back.

11. Joe seems to be a tragic figure as the story of his life is revealed. How he has responded to racism and trauma make you feel when reading this book? Are you enjoying the story or does it make for uncomfortable reading?
Both. I'm enjoying it, but it's uncomfortable (but I think it should be)