Ashley’s Comments (group member since Apr 27, 2022)

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

DQ Completion Post

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3

DQ Completion Post

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3

We can, although, I'll need to go through and add completion posts, I never remember to do that to get the DQ tokens

I'll Volunteer for Pisa!

ETA: I'd like to use an extra entry

Woot! I read The Tainted Cup May 17-May 21! I volunteered. I loved this book!

Laura wrote: "ETA: It works for the cover colors task for New Zealand!"

Great!

Finished My Friends and stuck it in the Countries mini, to finish a set, but feel free to move it if you'd rather!

Day 3, Chapters 20-30 (37-55%)

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.

Sure. I think it definitely is and can be all of those things. In relation to the book, it is a mirror.

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?

What an interesting question. It seems as though the artist may have believed that the friend group revolved around Ali, vs it actually revolving around the Artist himself. And because he doesn't see himself, at all, or in this role, it would make sense to call it either of these names. But, I think it should have been titled the same as the book, My Friends.

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

No. Ted version of their relationship is almost, but not quite, one of longing. And of all the things Ted may have longed for, I think that was one of them.

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?

Impression: The Artist and his friends.
Pivotal: Ted and Louisa

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, and I am unhappy about it, especially considering how Chapter 30 ended, but more so because I want a happy ending for Louisa. Honestly, I don't want to speculate.

Day 2, Chapters 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. I am always upset if my dress doesn't have them.

#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 am happy to be surprised, a la Backman, as I often refer to his "endings".

#7. I am loving the banter between Louisa and Ted. Louisa is so precocious. What do you think of their relationship? Any ideas of what is to come between the two?

Gah, I am hopeful for a good FOUND FAMILY ending. They BOTH need it.

#8. In Chapter #19 we find more about the mentioned Ali. What is your impression of her? Any guesses on what happens next?

I am already devastated and I don't even know for sure what's going to happen, only that I can feel it in my bones.

#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 a mess. There is something about this book that is melancholy and heartwrenching. I can't put my finger on it exactly, but I'm surrounded by it.

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 love Fredrik Backman. A Man Called Ove was the first book I read by him, and it was so wonderful, and I cried. A lot. (I can tell this one is going to do the same... bc I've already cried, and nothing terribly awful has happened.) I also loved the Beartown trilogy. He's a wonderful writer of characters. They feel so FULL of life.

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?

Personally, I'm always in the mindset of "eat the rich", so while this didn't bring anything specific to mind, I definitely can't stand people like that.

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 generalization?

Yes and no. I don't know that there are "normal" people, but I understand the division, I just don't think it only falls along artistic lines.

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?

My hope is that nothing happens to the painting, and it stays/goes where it should be, wherever that happens to be. However, my best guess would be the Louisa will find some family with these people.

Bonus Q: do you have a favourite artist or a favourite piece of painting/sculpture?

I don't have a favorite artist, but Picasso's 1902 Blue Nude is always the painting that pops into my head when I am asked this question. I don't know that I consider it a favorite, but I do love it.

Oh yay! My Friends hold just came up at the Library!

I'll finish my last (#17) book, Great Big Beautiful Life, today! Too bad I can't get credit for the BOM, stupid library holds!

Aiswrya wrote: "oh yay! We got picked to write DQs for Sword of Kaigen!"

Woo woo! I guess I can see if I can read it. I'm a little over extended with big books at the moment, and this wouldn't be something I could/would audiobook. It's a maybe.

Laura wrote: "Ashley wrote: "No problem! I mostly stuck them there in case you needed it to complete a set, since I know we need specific numbers of things. I won't finish those 2 until the end of the month, it'..."

I keep forgetting the correct numbers! Thanks!

Laura wrote: "@Ashley - I'm going to move both The Odyssey and Ulysses to the Food spell-out. Both Greece and Ireland are easy countries, so only 5 points. But the spell-out letters get us 10 points each. And Os..."

No problem! I mostly stuck them there in case you needed it to complete a set, since I know we need specific numbers of things. I won't finish those 2 until the end of the month, it's a buddy read that I am spacing out!

Bernadette wrote: "@Ashley, I'm still waiting for My Friends. I have the audio & eBook on hold as well as the large print and regular print book at the library. All of my bases are covered. 😂

@Capta..."

I have it on hold, but I've had it on hold for awhile and it says 4 weeks left, so I might get it in time, although, it's Fredrik Backman, so I might use an audible credit, bc I enjoy his books!

My books have been less than helpful this round... I had a bunch of holds come up at the library and they were just not working for the tasks! Hate when that happens, but I definitely don't want to lose them!

And of course the one I wanted earlier for BOM showed up outside the answer by date, dangit! Great Big Beautiful Life

I will most likely reach my book cap!

I finished The Berry Pickers (and the discussion questions)! :)

DQs for Day 3 | Chapters 8 - 10

12. When Norma tells her mother she's pregnant, Norma notices fear in her mother'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 perhaps it was a simple fear that she was experiencing from her own past, and not necessarily from worrying she would find out. But maybe not? The time period does make that a more dubious question.

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?

Both? I think this is a hard to know question.

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?

I really don't. I don't know that it would have actually made a difference in the long-term, as he was definitely not ready to make any changes to himself then, but he should have known. And my opinion of Joe is still pretty much the same. People who are hurt do harmful things sometimes. I think the problem is more in the motivation behind it. Is it selfish or is it reactive? I think Joe was reacting and then walling himself off in fear.

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?

Projection again? Which is honestly interesting, because you would assume that she did "love" Norma immediately, even if it was outrageously irresponsible.