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

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

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)

Amanda's DQ Day 1

1. What expectations do you have for the book based on the blurb or other description of the book?
A trusted friend loved this one so I expect it to be good!

2. How reliable do you the think the 2 narrators are?
Well, Joe is a child so that always comes with some unreliability but I think overall he's probably reliable. Norma, however, has been lied to for what seems to be a long time so I don't think she's reliable simply because she doesn't know.

3. Chapter 1 opens with " The day Ruthie went missing the black flies seemed to be especially hungry...Indians made such good berry pickers...something sour in our blood kept the black flies away". How does this establish Joe's view of the relationship that exists between the whites and the Mi'kmaq?
I think from even a young age he's seeing himself as "less than" because he's not white.

4. How much is Norma dreaming vs remembering? What do you think the dreams foreshadow?
I mean, it might be a twist, but I think it's fairly obvious that Norma is Ruthie and her dreams are her remembering.

5. How do you explain Lenore's paranoia about Norma being out alone? How do you account for the incongruity of her insistence that Norma likes to play with baby dolls when she sees Norma choosing other playthings?
I think that she's Ruthie so she doesn't want someone to see her and take her. Either A. Her family or B. Someone random because she knows random people snatch children. I think she's trying to mold Norma into the child she wants or maybe a child she lost

6. Why did Joe act so clingy when he returned from his first "guide" with his dad?
I think he doesn't really know who his dad is now, has lost his sister, so is trying to hold onto his family as tight as he can.

Rebecca wrote: "Is there a website to check word count for graphic novels? I finished one and just wanted to check in case it works."

arbookfind.com is the one I know

We've finished another run of countries for mini 1! We've maxed out United States now but all other countries are still fair game.

Haley wrote: "not sure if you're able to use my A Court of Mist and Fury for the country Brazil & task: letters CRISTO in title (any order). I finished yesterday & didn't put for another task :)"

Yes should work, thanks!

Rebecca wrote: "Can someone just verify that works for green, blue, and yellow? (it looks like it on my screen)."

I see green blue and yellow!

We've arrived at a new country for mini 3! Brazil!

Tasks have been uploaded to the planning sheet :)

Trio wrote: "I have a few books from before 1970 I could read - if that task is still avail?
and there's no page min right? but we get more points for longer books?"

Still available!

100 pg minimum. Childrens, Cookbooks, Graphic Novels, Plays, etc have to have a verified 25K wordcount or a 3+ hour audiobook

Lindsay♫SingerOfStories♫ wrote: "Ok help! I just finished Empire of Shadows and its set primarily in British Honduras (Honduras) .... I don't know how to tell what type of country this is for the mini challenge. D..."

It definitely would be great for mini 1 as it's a level 3 country! You can put "I21" as the mini ref code and then "Honduras" as the reason

I used it! There was a published before 1900s task (or something similar)

Trio or Lisa (or anyone else but I know they read MM Romance), if you're interested Lorelei Hart has a moose on the cover: The Merry Moose's Mates. I'm trying not to use 100-200 page books this time since I had such a large amount of banked books last time

We had all the letters for cheese!!

Here's a little what's currently open/ claimed but unfinished on each of the minis:

Mini 1 (books finished after 6/8)
Claimed:
Reed - Crazy Rich Asians (2)
Haley - I Must Betray You (3)
Haley - A Long Way Gone (3)
Lisa - Soul on Fire (3)
Unclaimed:
2 spots, one needs to be a level 2 country.

Mini 2 (any unused books from start of challenge)
Claimed:
Amanda - Read a book which has several locations, none for over 50% of the book
Unclaimed:
Read a book where the first word of the text is "One"
Read a book with an unearthly mode of transportation on the cover (i.e., spaceships allowed)
Read a book with the word highway, road, avenue or street in the title (Plurals are acceptable)
Read a book with the word car, vehicle, bike, bicycle, truck or lorry in the title (Plurals are acceptable)
Read a book that is on the Best Unknown but must be Known books List
Read a banned book
Read a book set in the time period "Middle Ages"
Read a book which has the main location (setting) on the African continent
Read a book which has the main location (setting) as a bus, train, or other road based vehicle

Mini 3
Canada (books on or after 6/13
Claimed:
Author born in Canada-Amanda
character plays ice hockey - Rebecca
Unclaimed:
moose on cover

Turkey (books on or after 5/30
Claimed:
train on cover- Shannon

Absolutely! I believe Captains have until the end of the day to update the main sheet (but the sooner the better because most of my time is in the morning)

A little under 7 hours left in the round!

Reminder here is the countdown: https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown...

I had lice as a child and it was THE WORST. I hope the combs have gotten better because I can remember that pain lol.

It can be! Just has to be after the start of the first cheese (either the 20th or 30th of May I can’t remember)