Cindy’s Comments (group member since Dec 18, 2019)

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

I finished the BOM and my MPG Spirituality book and added them. I added them from my phone so I can’t link my BOM posts until I can get on my laptop

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 she probably flashed back to all the babies she lost

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 it could be a little fate and a little coincidence

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?
Yeah, I don’t think he was in a place where he could have been a father. Always so angry and trying to destroy any happiness in his life

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?
Yes that was strange but maybe she doesn’t really see what she did as adopting Norma.

DAY 2 QUESTIONS - 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!)
It does make me sad and make me feel for her, but it doesn’t excuse what she did.

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 to show what happened with them also and not just Norma, to show how it affected everyone

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?
It was so sad, I think it probably could have been avoided or maybe not have been so terrible

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?
Maybe she feels a little bad and wants her to experience her culture. She doesn’t want Norma to find out they she was really kidnapped

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 have enjoyed listening to the audiobook. I like hearing both point of views. I can’t imagine having to live and experience those things

Yes I do have one that I’m going to read, I’m just trying to finish my other book before I start it

DQs for day 1

Some of these questions will lead to possible spoilers. Please be sure to hide any spoilers

1. What expectations do you have for the book based on the blurb or other description of the book?
I didn’t really have too much expectations. I just thought it would be a story more on the sadder side

2. How reliable do you the think the 2 narrators are?
I don’t think they are super reliable since this time period is from when they were children and their memories can be a little or a lot different

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 he’s starting to see the racism

4. How much is Norma dreaming vs remembering? What do you think the dreams foreshadow?
I think she’s dreaming of her memories but not knowing they are her real memories

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 she’s afraid that someone will take her. I think she wants her to keep playing with the baby cuz she wants her to stay young,She never had a child live so I think she wants that

6. Why did Joe act so clingy when he returned from his first "guide" with his dad?
I think having to experience the racism with his father

I can read for the mpg spirituality task. It’ll be a couple days before I can start the book though

I finished my diary task

Yes I plan on starting it today. I had to wait for my hold at the library

I can read for the “Diary” task

Day 3 Chapters 14-20

11. Whether the stories are true or not, are you interested in the back stories of Margaret’s family? What did you think of Freddy’s first interaction with Bernie? (The one that contained the only laugh out loud line so far “Because of your wardrobe?”)
Yes because history does make the way things are. Shapes everything. Bernie seemed great!

12. Who exactly is Jodi? Will she be a part of the BIG REVEAL?
Not sure who she is but I feel like she might be someone important later on.

13. I do not have kids, but Hayden’s list of “what ifs” to worry about was a lot. Do you parents worry about that stuff?
Parents worry about everything all the time!

14. Why do you think Alice thinks that Margaret’s tales of her childhood are true, as opposed to the stuff about her family before she was around? Do you find her insightful or naive?
Since it directly is her memories they probably hit her harder than history since that was mostly just told down to her and her memories and feelings were real

15. Think the visit to Alice’s family will go well? Think we will meet Hayden's family also?
I hope it will. I don’t see why it wouldn’t. Maybe we will meet his too

DQs Day 2
The Story to Chapter 13

5. Margaret is lying – and probably not just about one singular thing. Do you think she’s even telling Alice and Hayden the same story? Personally I’m also really curious where Margaret’s sister Laura is – to me it feels like she might be key to the whole story… anything specific that made you perk up?
I feel like she might play a big part in the story too because there isn’t much surrounding her. I think she is probably telling them different things maybe as a test to see if they are talking to each other about what they are learning

6. Similarly, it was kind of an aside but I thought it was interesting when Margaret mentioned the Ives family’s rivalry with the Pulitzers. Is it just a random coincidence that Hayden is a Pulitzer-prize winning author who now also gets to talk to her? Especially since she requested him? And he has a bunch of family issues too?
Hmm not sure it’s a coincidence. I think something will play out about it later

7. I was a little shocked when they were already kissing 25% in – and then not surprised when Hayden rejects Alice. Do you think he’s telling the truth when he says “I’m not going to hook up with someone whose dream job I’m about to take from them”? Or is there something else going on?
I do think he feels like that. He seems to really believe that he’s gonna be the one to get the job. He probably thinks it’s a way for her to get in his head

8. We get quite a bit of detail on Alice’s job and research process as a journalist: what she’s searching for, working with fact-checkers, etc. Do you enjoy these types of details, i.e. minutae of characters’ jobs and hobbies?
I don’t mind it. I like the background and what makes the character the character

9. I’ve been to Hearst Castle, but long before I actually knew anything about him. The Ives family seems to be quite obviously inspired by him (and I guess he was name-dropped for plausible deniability). Is there a specific family dynasty you’re really interested in?
No, never really payed attention to that so I don’t have one

10. Bonus question: So… anyone else feel like they’re reading Evelyn Hugo 2.0?
Have not read the book yet

DQs Day 1
Chapters 1 to 7

1.) Emily Henry is a popular contemporary romance author and a fair few of her books have been previous NBRC BOM selections. Any expectations for this book going in?
Didn’t really have expectations. Thought it would be more love/hate relationship but haven’t noticed a lot of that

2.) What are your first impressions of Alice? And sending that drink to Hayden?
I think she seems fun and nice. Her sending that drink was funny

3.) Would you agree to the month long trial or tell Margaret she's a nutter and move on to something else? Why do you think Margaret is doing things this way? If it was my dream job I would agree to it cuz it could be a once in a lifetime thing. I think she does it that way because she probably doesn’t trust anybody, let alone someone from the journalism world

4.) After learning a few tidbits about Hayden's family and how he grew up, did you opinion change a bit on his character?
I didn’t really have a big opinion of him to begin with but I could see how growing up that way would affect his mentality and how he sees everything around him.

Sorry team, I have had a slow start to my reading. I have been struggling to get through I Had to Survive. Hopefully my reading will pick up once I get through that.

I did get an audiobook finished that I need to add to the spreadsheet that I will do when I can get on my laptop. I also started listening to A Great Big Beautiful Life

To bad bus doesn’t work for that title task cuz my audiobook had it

Do non fiction books work for the first mini? I’m slowly making my way through I Had to Survive and it takes place in the Andes mountains and it’s mostly the part of the mountains on Chile so I was wondering if it would work for that

Judy wrote: "Has anyone read anything where a character takes the train? Specifically out of these books:

Diane: People in Glass Houses
Brittany: Not for the Faint of Heart
Heli: Dreadful, The Murder on the Li..."

Yes for The Boys in the Boat

Judy wrote: "Cindy wrote: "For the tasks that involve tags, does the wording need to be exact? Just trying to figure out if I should list them for my book, it has these tags but it’s not the same wording:
-cult..."

Okay then, The Help works for culture task.
It’s tagged cultural x102

Kelly (Maybedog) wrote: "I don't think they'll count but it it doesn't hurt to ask. I'll ask the other captains."

I didn't think so but thought I would ask just in case. Just trying to fit as many possibilities as I can :)

For the tasks that involve tags, does the wording need to be exact? Just trying to figure out if I should list them for my book, it has these tags but it’s not the same wording:
-cultural
-for fun
-fun reads

I’m reading a book that will work for C

I’m hoping to read both of the June BOTM, I have holds placed at my library. I’m trying to finish a book that I started before the challenge, hoping to finish that today or early tomorrow. I don’t plan my books too much but I will get the next two books I want to read added to the spreadsheet soon