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

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

DQs for Day 2 | Chapters 4 - 7

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, I am not sympathetic to Lenore. In fact, I think Lenore is one of the most selfish characters in the book, followed closely behind her sister and husband, who enable her. While I am glad they at least gave Norma a semi-reasonable childhood, everything about it is still just so wrong.

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?

The novel works well this way. There's a clear separation, and it's echoed not only in the events of the book but also in its structure. The author seems to not want you to forget that.

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 it's necessary to think about whether or not it could have been averted, though that's clearly what the characters do. Tragedy is just that. Tragic.

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 don't really know what to think of June. I think she's such a wimp for not standing up for what was right in the first place, and maybe this was a momentary way to assuage her own guilt before relapsing back into weakness.

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?

I am not uncomfortable, I think it's relevant and feels important.

DQs for Day 1 | Chapters 1 - 3

1. What expectations do you have for the book based on the blurb or other description of the book?

I'm not sure I have expectations based on the blurb. If I base it on the rating, my expectations are probably not going to be met, BUT, I am feeling better about it after the first couple chapters.

2. How reliable do you the think the 2 narrators are?

Norma seems as unreliable as a young, confused girl can be. Joe, perhaps more so. But neither give the impression of reliability.

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?

This is an interesting question. Perhaps it shows his implicit bias based on the racism that just "exists" around him... If I'm honest, I'm not sure I would have thought that deep about it without this question, as people commonly say things about mosquitoes biting and "sweet" blood where I live... off to google search...

On a side note: I instantly searched the history of Mint Julep's after the Aunt's comment.

4. How much is Norma dreaming vs remembering? What do you think the dreams foreshadow?

Remembering. Of course. My guess is always foreshadowing, and I'm usually correct...

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?

The most likely explanation is that we fear that what we have done to others might be done to us... Everything in that relationship screams projection.

6. Why did Joe act so clingy when he returned from his first "guide" with his dad?

My only thought is disillusionment...

I added a few "should be finished" soon books, but they didn't seem to work for anything at the moment, so I just added spell out letters for possible cheese.

As far as page counts go—I've been so annoyed that the library holds coming through lately have all been under 300 pages! It feels like I'm wasting good Tower reads on short books. But at the same time, I needed them for other challenges, and I hate letting a library hold go to waste.

Fingers crossed that some longer ones hit this next round!

Aiswrya wrote: "I would also love to discuss our highlights from month 1. Any books you particularly enjoyed, and would want to recommend to the rest of the team? Any new to you authors? An underrated book? Overrated book? Feel free to talk about anything!"

I actually really liked Moll Flanders, and while it was a bit of a challenge, I felt like it was a new favorite in the classics department!

The Light Pirate was probably my favorite of the Round.

I moved my reserve book back over, as I didn't manage to finish Time War last night (my husband wanted to read Mockingjay, and I can't say no to that!)

Finished: Read a book published before 1970 Moll Flanders (Daniel Defoe)

I'm still working on my last 2 books for this round. I will finish!

Moved Temptation and will work on Time Travel and Moll Flanders for the rest of this week!

I have 2 books left before I meet my cap. One I'm about to finish and then 1 more. Which would you rather I finish before the next round starts (the others I can hold until Tuesday).

An Unnecessary Woman - Country Book: Lebanon
This Is How You Lose the Time War - Travel Book: Time Travel

I have to finish Moll Flanders before the next round for another challenge, so would you prefer I move Force of Temptation to the overflow? I am going to finish it regardless of if we can use it (I did put it on a spell out task).

hello Sam A!

I finished Catching Fire, but I think that we already filled that task you talked about previously (which is fine, I had no idea when I'd finish this book with hubs). Just giving a heads up!

I'm reading a book with Zander as a character currently, will def finish in the next 2 hours or so!

Spiral of Need

Hello Priya!

Hi Namita!! :)

I lowered my usual reading challenge amount to 12 because I have been reading slower on purpose, but I'm probably over reading for that anyway (because I have no self control).

I signed up for 12, I usually sign up for 15-18, so I'm comfortable to committing to 15 with a 20 book cap if that's helpful. I can read more, but they would probably be short books, so I don't really know how helpful that would be anyway.

I've reached my 12, but I'm still reading books and I will most definitely reach my current cap of 17 this round.

@Laura! I'm reading a paperback copy and there's no dates at the chapter start! Not a single one, lol!

@Laura!
I'll let you know for sure! I just started it, and I am struggling a little with what the heck is going on, but I think I'm just tired today! 😂

I added it to the planning sheet :)

Laura wrote: "Our new task: "Read a book with one or more trees on the cover"

Anyone else see trees at the very bottom background of Ashley's The Light Pirate?
"

There are trees, yes, just the tops of them :)

Nope none of mine work for the new ones!