Aiswrya’s Comments (group member since Mar 30, 2020)

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

I'm in :)

NBRC August Read-a-Thon
Duration: August 16-August 22

PAGES READ:
8/16- 281 + 384 = 665
8/17- 314
8/18- 150
8/19- 222 + 85 = 457 (BOM)
8/20- 315
8/21- 400 + 102 + 182
8/22- BREAK DAY
TOTAL: 2,436 pages

BOOKS FINISHED:


✿Read a book on another RAT participant's read shelf
- Laura's shelf.

✿Read a book published in August
- Published August 31, 2012

Completion Post
Book: Pachinko
By: Min Jin Lee
Read: 8/6/2020
Pages: 496
Works for: 'P' Title, 'L Author Lee, 'H' c Hoonie, 'S' Sunja, 'I' Isak, 'A' Akiko, 'N' Noa, 'D' Daisuke, 'G' Goro

Tags: None

Tasks:
#3 Read a book set in Japan - "Osaka" under book setting


Completion Post
Book: Protecting What's Mine
By: Lucy Score
Read: 8/6/2020
Pages: 476
Works for: 'P' Title, 'L' MC Lincoln, 'S' Author Score, 'O' MC Mackenzie O'Neil, 'G' c Gloria, 'A' c Aldo, 'H' Harper, 'S' c Sunshine (Sunshine is a dog - does that count?), 'D'/ 'N' c Dottie Nguyen

Tags: None

Tasks:
#179 Read a book with a three word title

Laura wrote: "Thanks M, for the update.

What will everyone else finish before the end of round 4?

(I'm hoping to finish my audio and one more-I'll be picking shorter audios for the last round)"

I finished two books that I have to post completions for, started one more. But it is a 11 hour long audio, so may not get done in time

Lulu wrote: "Aiswrya wrote: "Is anyone else reading Pachinko? What are your thoughts on the book so far?"

I started it. I am listening to the audio and will not be finished this round. I'm not all that hooked ..."

It was an average read. But, I think my expectations were very high. I thought the story had great potential, but the author just skimmed through all of it.

If anyone has read The Kite Runner, it had a similar problem. Everyone raved about how awesome the book was and I went in expecting huge things. But it was sorely disappointing. There were so many things the author could have developed on but he didn't. It was like reading a looooong summary rather than the story itself.

Is anyone else reading Pachinko? What are your thoughts on the book so far?

Day 3 DQs
Is anyone else wondering where this storing is going? It's been quite dull so far! 9 hours of listening already, with 9 more to go!

11. In the beginning of this section, we find out that Noa not only looks like a middle class Japanese boy, he also wants to be one. What are you opinions on this and why do you think he wants this? What do you think would happen if he shared this with his parents?
As a parent, it would break my heart to see my child pretending to be from a different social circle/ culture. I think Sunja would have reacted the same way. Noa pretends to be Japanese to avoid being bullied and being mocked at, he just wants to fit in.

12. Isak is back from jail finally after two years. I found this to be a bit of a surprise because I was expecting him to die in jail. I wasn't expecting him to be let out. What were your thoughts on him being let out of jail to die in his home. He was obviously let out to die at home, but did you find this mercy surprising? Did you expect this?
Was it really an act of mercy or did the authorities just want to avoid paperwork and "clean up" after a prisoner's death in jail?

13. A run in with Hansu. I thought it was super creepy that Hansu has been keeping tabs on Sunja (even though one of the kids is his). What are your opinions on this? And then he drops the whole "we're about to get bombed" curveball. Do you like him more because he warned Sunja or do you still think he's being selfish and trying to keep his only son alive?
Is a parent selfish for wanting to keep his child alive? I don't think so. To be honest, I was warming up to Hansu when he confessed to helping Sunja and her family with jobs and money when they needed them. Of course, his behavior in the later chapters made me change my opinion LOL

14. Wow. Hansu lying to Yoseb about his parents being dead. That is beyond harsh. Why do you think Hansu did this? He obviously wants his child, Noa, but do you think he is also planning on getting Sunja back?
If what he said about the state of affairs in Korea (and Sunja's mum's comments support Hansu's claim), I think it was more about keeping Noa safe and making sure he continues his education after the war. I don't think he has any intentions towards Sunja, that would really be creepy. But, he does make that statement about Sunja not sitting to talk with him, even for a few minutes. So, who knows!

15. Hansu later tells Kim that Yoseb is dying and to scoop up Kyunghee before she gets old. Talk about a jerk. What do you think of Hansu after this? What about Kim? Do you think Kim will eventually try?
That part was revolting! Hansu is a disgusting guy, except when it comes to Noa's well-being. So far, Kim seems like a genuine guy, seems to really love Kyunghee. If Yoseb dies, I think he will give it a go! I am routing for them. Kyunghee deserves better than Yoseb and his oppressive ways!

Laura wrote: "Our last round-round 5 is on the spreadsheet
It's another long word:
Rocky mountains

Our 5 tags: petal,love, Asia, music and art"

Another Y...sigh

Can't believe we are almost at the end of the challenge :(

- 7/23/2020 - 401
- 7/23/2020 - 239
- 7/24/2020 - 290
- 7/26/2020 - 330
- 7/26/2020 - 352
- 7/27/2020 - 368
- 7/27/2020 - 202
- 7/29/2020 - 323
- 7/30/2020 - 489
- 7/31/2020 - 300
- 8/1/2020 - 334

Current Total: 928,228

Laura wrote: "Aiswrya wrote: "Laura wrote: "can't wait to pick up the new book: ) I think I 'm next in queue”

Sounds interesting! I think I’ll try the first book"

It's a great series, Aiswrya. Stick with boo..."

Haha thanks for the heads-up! Definitely helps :)

Laura wrote: "can't wait to pick up the new book: ) I think I 'm next in queue”

Sounds interesting! I think I’ll try the first book

LOL I got too philosophical with my answers :-P

6. I might be too judgmental, but her pining for Hansu is constantly making me frown. She promised to care for and honor her husband, never to betray him. Yet she keeps marveling about her lost "love", how she misses him, how she wants to see him, how she has already been in the city with him in her mind, etc. Are such thought not a kind of betrayal? She is so rational and reasonable about what happened and knows full well how he lured her in and used her, but cannot stop the pining and reminiscing about it. Why do you think she can't let it go and focus on her future?
Maddy, I see where you are coming from. There's physical cheating and there's emotional cheating. Sunja's thoughts towards Hansu definitely qualifies as emotional cheating but I also won't judge her too harshly for it because she genuinely loved him. There also wasn't much time between Hansu's betrayal and her marriage to Isak (which, given her pregnancy, wasn't a bad thing!) But, it also didn't give her a chance to process what happened to her and get over it. I believe she got her closure when she sold the pocket watch and hopefully won't think of Hansu any longer.

7. After all Isak said about his successful brother and all his dreams about the better life in the city, he arrived to some harsh revelations. I am starting to think they might have been better staying on the island. Isak's brother's revelations about his house, his neighbors, the judgement in the city, the discrimination at work and spying everywhere are very disappointing and brutal. Do you think it a natural disillusion of impossible dreams? Or Yoseb's hope that it might be better for his brother here, where he can watch over him?
I'm kinda on the fence here - yeah, Yoseb wanted his brother closer, so he could keep an eye on him. But, I also think Isak didn't completely understand what his life would be in the city. Going back to how Isak hadn't even thought to inquire about his compensation shows he really was living in a little bubble and didn't look beyond getting to the city for a new adventure/ being with his brother. The grass definitely wasn't greener on the other side!

8. That scene in the church with the brother and sister. The pastor discussing what it actually means when a wealthy man wants to be a young girl's "friend". The duplicity of the pastor - being nice and not judgmental to the siblings, yet judging them harshly when they have left was not surprising but annoying still. The sweet talk to their face, but harsh berating behind their back would have been exactly what happened to Sunja and her family. Do you think this scene was included to reveal to Isak more truths about his wife's condition and impossible choices to help him understand her?
Yeah, I think so. There are many times in life when one says he/she understands what someone else is going through, but do they really? I feel we don't capture an event and it's consequences in its entirety unless it happens to us, no matter how empathetic we are! Yoseb also had several malicious thoughts towards Sunja when he first met her. But, he didn't voice them out-loud, only because she was his brother's wife. This scene definitely helped Isak sympathize more with Sunja's situation.

9. The pastor's reason for hiring Isak was revealed as well - to get money from his family and avoid paying him wages - and I must admit it didn't endear the pastor to me at all. And the pawnbroker and his greed, the loan sharks and their scare tactics. We get introduced to many characters that are not really likable and portray humanity at its worst. Do you think it is a decision by the author to reveal the true nature of people in all kinds of positions in general or is it included to especially note how people get in times of oppression and hard times? I am starting to think Isak coming to Japan was a huge mistake with every little revelation. Do you think it will work out? Or do you agree it was a mistake?
Humans are selfish :) It is the sad reality of life. I don't know if it will work out, but I definitely hope it does!

10. The debacle with the watch was very educational. We get to see a merchant's attitude towards women, husband's attitude towards a wife in stark contrast to how men are treated. Yoseb is enraged with his wife and sister-in-law, he can't forgive them or appreciate the help, yet he can forgive and accept when his brother asks him to. Do you think he would have gotten over it in time if his brother hadn't asked him? Or would he be always resentful towards women? The whole "head of the house" part further gets the point home that women will always be under the command of a man, even in regards to baby names. The prison scene also drives home how women are still supposed to be home and stay away from men's troubles, too weak to do something about it. And women who work are still frowned upon, even in their own family. Do you think it will change further in the story? Will oppression and war open their minds towards changing a woman's role in the family and world
I think it will change further in the story, simply because war makes things harder and more expensive. Yoseb's household is already struggling to make ends meet. I think he will give in and let his wife work.

Joy wrote: "Day 1 DQs - Responses

Thanks everyone for such thoughtful answers to my DQs!

1. This novel starts with the sentence: "History has failed us, but no matter." Did you like this opening line? What d..."

Thanks, Joy :) I thought Hansu said he wished to be Sunja’s big brother and best friend, before he referred to himself as oppa. Maybe I misheard it (listening to the audiobook, and I’m too lazy to go back and find the chapter haha). Thanks for writing the DQs :)

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?
In the context of this book, I think sentence refers to the Korean empire's failure to protect it's sovereignty after nearly 1500 years of oppression by China. 15 short years later, it was annexed by Japan. My history is a little murky, so my dates may be slightly off here.

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 century in general -- before beginning to read this book?
My mum's a total history buff, so I know a lot of random things about many countries and cultures. My knowledge of Korean culture comes from a colleague from Korea (can't remember if he's from the South or the North). We started discussing how Korean food differs from Chinese and Japanese food and he went on to talk about the history of the country haha.

3. Hansu seems like a complicated character. What were your thoughts on him? Did you hate him?
He's a pr**k. He approached Sunja on the pretense of being a "big-brother" (puke) and took advantage of her innocence.

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?
In my opinion, there is no right or wrong decision here. Sunja's circumstances were complex - to be (or not to be) an unmarried mother coming from an underprivileged family, with no way to independently support her child or to be a mistress with comfort and wealth? Considering the setting of the story, she would have been scorned by society either way. I think she chose the path that let her sleep at night.

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?
Both weddings were practical marriages to make the most of their situations. Hoonie and Yangjin grew to love each other, I hope Isak and Sunja do as well. I really, really hope Isak doesn't die soon after their wedding!

Completion Post
Book: An Enchantment of Ravens
By: Margaret Rogerson
Read: 7/31/2020
Pages: 300
Works for: 'A' Title, 'I' MC Isobel, 'L' c Lark, 'G' c Galdfry

Tags: None

Tasks:
#19 Read a book with an animal word in the title (e.g. cat / chicken / etc) - "Raven" in the title (It's a bird but then so is chicken!)


Completion Post
Book: Four Ever
By: Sloane Kennedy
Read: 8/1/2020
Pages: 334
Works for: 'L' MC Liam, 'N' MC Noah, 'S' Author

Tags: None

Tasks:
#88 Read a book with a nurse as the main character - Zak is a nurse

I've read it! It has been a while but I remember liking it. Glad you enjoyed it too :)

Navi wrote: "Completion Post
by Jasmine Guillory
Read: July 31
320 pages

Tag:
none

Works for:

A - Alexa, character
N - Drew Nichols, character
D - Drew..."

Oooh what did you think of this book?

Completion Post
Book: The Kiss of Deception
By: Mary E. Pearson
Read: 7/30/2020
Pages: 489
Works for: 'L'/'A' MC Lia/ Arabella, 'P' Author, 'G' c Gwyneth, 'O' c Orrin, 'S' c Sven, 'N' c Natiya, 'D' c Dihara

Tags: None

Tasks:
#128 Read a book with a bird on the cover

Laura wrote: "Yay! A bom reader! I'm not sure, Aiswrya, I'm just guessing that the author divided the book into sections?
I'm still a long wait for the book"

LOL that makes sense! Why didn't I think of that!

I'm all set with my audio and e-book for Pachinko. Will start Aug 1 :)

EDIT: This may be a stupid question but why does the schedule on the discussion page say Book 1, 2 and 3? I only see 1 book on GR.

Completion Post
Book: Hex Hall
By: Rachel Hawkins
Read: 7/29/2020
Pages: 323
Works for: 'H' title, 'S' MC Sophie, 'A' MC Archer, 'I' c Isabelle, 'N' c Nausicca, 'H' c Holly

Tags: None

Tasks:
#121 Read a book with a body of water (e.g. sea / lake / pond / etc) on the cover - pond on the cover