Shannon’s Comments (group member since May 21, 2018)

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

Day 1

1. This novel starts with the sentence: "History has failed us, but no matter." Did you like this opening line? What do you think it means, and why do you think the author chose it?

I do like this opening line. I think its gonna foreshadow the rest of the book. I think it is saying that maybe history is gonna change or not help predict the future. Or maybe its stating that the past was mean to Sunja's family so they are now struggling

2. I am half-Korean, and my mom has shared a lot of the history of her own family and how it's interwoven with Korean history in general. What, if anything, did you know of the Japanese colonization of Korea -- or the history of Korea, Japan, and China in the 20th scentury in general -- before beginning to read this book?

I knew very little about the history. All I knew was that there were a lot of arguments between them and they didn't get along great

3. Hansu seems like a complicated character. What were your thoughts on him? Did you hate him?

Im not a big fan of Hansu. From the minute we were introduced to him (in the markets) he just sorta seemed like a stalker to me and that put me off. I think he is selfish in wanting to have Sunja as a mistress because he will possibly get a son out of it, but I do respect that he said he was willing to support her and her child (he is rich of course though so its slightly expected)

4. What did you think of Sunja's decision to not accept being Hansu's mistress? Why do you think she chose to reject him? Do you think she made the right decision?

I think Sunja chose to reject Hansu because she didn't want to bring dishonor to her family. If she hadn't, people wouldn't stay at her mother's boardinghouse and everyone would reject their family which would've been sad. I think she was ultimately protecting her family. I respect her decision because it was a selfless decision.

5. In this first section of the novel, we see two couples wed -- Hoonie and Yangjin, and then Isak and Sunja. What were some of the similarities between these marriages, and what were the differences?

In both of the marriages, the husband was really sick. It isn't mentioned yet, but I am expecting Isak to die like Hoonie did. One difference was that Yangjin wasn't pregnant like Sunja was.

Hi guys! Ambi messaged me saying you guys are looking for a new member. If you guys still need one, I would love to join :)

- 402 pages
- 338

Current Total: 903,719

I agree with rebecca. Officer is more of an occupational word

Woohooo

Faith wrote: "Updated the SS with books I finished over the last couple of days while I was away (Peace Talks, New York to Dallas, Sisters of Sword and Song). I'm ..."

Yes. If its possible to finish that book it would be super helpful. But if its not possible to do in time, no worries :)

Donna wrote: "Those of you reading for the letter N. Will you be able to finish those books?"

I have another book i can finish tomorrow. Its only 180 or so pages and the author's last name will work for the letter N if needed

Bernadette wrote: "I had to remove one of the U’s I was reading because of how boring it was to me. It was on line 71. We are near the end of this round so I am not going to start another book for this word. Sorry, b..."

No worries Bernadette! Thanks for informing us

Hi Cat!

I would recommend the Ghost Bride! Im not sure if it is tagged as Asia but it took place entirely in Asia. I had to read it for one of my classes this summer and i thought it was really good!

Hi guys. I had to remove one of the I’s i was reading because of how boring it was to me. Its near the top so we can use another I up there. Sorry i wouldve read it if it was only 300 or so pages but its 650 some and i cant find any interest in it

DQ Day 4
Chapters 19 - end

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"

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.

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.

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)?

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?

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?

DQ Day 3: Chapters 15-18

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 found this very kind of Justyce to do despite him not really wanting to go. His parents are still getting over the loss of their kid and I can't imagine what that feels like. I think the reason they gave Justyce the watch was because they were so close, they probably felt like he was their second son. And they mentioned that Manny would've wanted it to be that way anyways.

13. 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 the stuff Quan said to Justyce will have a negative effect on him despite me hoping it won't. I understand what he was saying, but I don't think he should've told Justyce to join the gang that many times. On one hand he will have people "like him" (although I think there is still a big difference between them), but on the other hand he will be in a lot more danger. The gang apparently shows up in the headlines a lot which is NOT the kind of paparazzi Justyce needs after what he went through.

14. We see a few media releases in this part:
"Transcript from evening news... More on this story as it continues to develop"
"Tison Indictment... A trial date has yet to be announced."
The news report in chapter 18 with the photo released of Justyce in his Thug Life costume.

We also see the reporters mobbing the funeral party at Manny's funeral:
"Mr. McAllister, how's it feel to be the Boy Who Survived?
Justyce, do you think there will be justice?
What's it like knowing it could've been YOU in that casket?"

What do you think of the coverage of the event by the media? Are they siding with the police officer more than Justyce? Are they reporting the story correctly or making things worse? Do you think the author's portrayal of the media is similar to real life? Will the media ruin his chance at going to Yale?
I for one do not like the reporters at the funeral and that last question is especially nasty.

I think the media is being really aggressive and rude, but I also feel like that's kinda normal nowadays. I think that in these chapters they are definitely siding with the police more and making stuff worse. I hope that the media doesnt affect Justyce's chances of getting into Harvard, but I have seen stuff like that happen before.

15. Chapter 18 goes through a lot. We see Justyace spending time with Doc to avoid making the call to Trey and the gang and isn't writing to Martin anymore SJ speaking to him again and she apologises. She also calls Jarod about the release of the photo. What are your thoughts on all these and the character development of the teens?

I still think that Jared is super mean, but Doc does have a point that he may also be grieving the loss of Manny. I think almost all of the teenage characters are growing well with everything that has happened in the book. They are becoming more mature for sure.

I just grabbed a book that will work for U from a used bookstore. Ill start reading it once i finish the book im currently reading

Thanks Ashlee. Dk why it wasnt showing up on my phone lol

Weird. I cant find it on that website. Ig i just wont use it then

We can use screenplays, correct? I got the fantastic beasts and where to find them out of my library thinking i could use Queenie but id just like to make sure before starting to read it

- 210 pages

Current Total: 827,121

DQ Day 2; Chapters 7 - 14

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?

I think maybe she just freaked out a little. I know that I have liked guys and the moment they start acting like they like me I give them the cold shoulder. In my case it wasn't to be mean. Just to make sure that I actually like them.

8. It sucks that it took being drunk for Justyce to call out Manny but it's finally done! "They're my friends" was the dumbest excuse ever, but at least Manny finally woke up shortly after Blake's party and the fight Justyce and the guys had.
It's hard sometimes to stand up for what's right. It might not be safe, depending on where you are or who you're surrounded by. Do you judge Manny for not being able to stand up for himself and everybody else his 'friends' made fun of sooner? Was there ever anything you needed to work on first in order to be able to stand up for it?

I can't judge Manny for not standing up for himself in that situation. Justice had been through a lot more which opened his eyes up sooner. I think that peer pressure is the main reason he said that and also Manny had been friends with those boys his whole life. Maybe when they were younger they weren't as racist or maybe he hasn't been around many black people so its all he knows.

9. It seems like Manny didn't only call Dr. Dray to check on Justyce after the fight, but also his mama and Mela. It confused me a little since he doesn't like Mel and how she treats Jus. And it hasn't even been mentioned again (so far). What did you make of this? Do you think Mela will end up playing a big part in the rest of the book? And did you ever have a teacher who was as involved in his students lives as Doc is?

I have no clue why Manny would've called Melo after this fight. I hate her just like he does. It wasn't going to help anything because she only wants him when she wants a guy around. Which isn't this situation. I hope Melo isn't a big part in the book after this. is mom, I understand and I respect that. I've had my share of teachers interested in my life and they would ask how I'm doing and everything in high school. But no, I've never had a teacher actually come to my house to check on how I'm doing.

10. Manny's dad tried to keep all signs of racism and how he could be mistreated from him for as long as he could whereas Justyce's mama has prepared him ever since he was little. They also grew up in two completely different neighbourhoods and surroundings. What are your thoughts on the parents' different ways of bringing up their sons? Do you think there's a right way to go about this?

I think that Manny's parents were trying to hide the racism that is so apparent in society today while Justyce's parents were trying to show him the racism and tell him not to let it hold you back. While I think Justyce's parents did a bit of a better job in this case, I think you can raise your child either way as long as you teach them not to let anyone stop you from doing what you're meant to do.

11. 😳 that's one way to end today's chapters! My heart is still racing. What do you think happened, who got shot? And be honest, did you keep reading or take a peek just to find out what happened? (I'll be honest I did take a quick peek :x)

My heart was also definitely racing when I read the last page. I read the back of the book originally so I knew someone was going to get shot at some point during the book. I feel like it would be Justyce getting shot because I think it would've been the angry driver next to them and you're not going to shoot your wife. I did read ahead, just so I could get my questions ready for my DQ day, but honestly even if I wasn't writing DQ questions, I probably wouldn't be able to stop myself lol

But its a tough word for sure

If only this round we needed a lot of M’s and J’s. Every book ive read had loads of them!