Mirliz’s Comments (group member since Dec 05, 2013)

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

- May 31 - 1,031 pages

Current Total: 1,059,250

- May 22 - 544 pages

Current Total: 1,012,190

Relay Race Reading Challenge - Our SECOND Million Pages for 2016
Duration: 5.19.2016 - 12.31.2016 | Completed: October 31

Link to my latest post

- May 8 - 320 pages

Current Total: 912,913

- Apr 12 - 292 pages

- Apr 24 - 274 pages

Current Total: 884,059

- Apr 3 - 699 pages

Current Total: 679,648

- Mar 23 - 640 pages

- Mar 29 - 1,060 pages

Current Total: 637,019

- Mar 17 - 330 pages

- Mar 18 - 416 pages

Current Total: 543,601

- Mar 13 - 350 pages

Current Total: 513,274

- Mar 3 - 707 pages

Current Total: 432,958

Post updated February 22 out of 100

- Feb 28 - 381 pages

Current Total: 404,419

- Feb 26 - 493 pages

Current Total: 391,553

- Feb 23 - 372 pages

Current Total: 384,096

- Feb 19 - 370 pages

Current Total: 352,214

Questions Day 3

9. Finch makes a list of how to stay awake. It is:
1) Run 2) Write any thoughts 3) Accept any thoughts 4) Surround yourself with water 5) Plan 6) Drive anywhere and everywhere 7) Play guitar 8) Organize - your room, your thoughts 9) Do whatever you need to to remind yourself that you are here and you have a say and 10) Violet (Relationships). Is there something on this list that speaks to you? What would you do to "stay awake"?
In this list, for me, it's "drive anywhere and everywhere" and "organize". I would also add "listen to music" and "take long walks".

10. Violet's Day count changes from graduation to freedom. So you think there is any significance to the change?
Perhaps. There should be, since there is a change.

11. Would you want to be friends with either Finch or Violet? Why or why not?
As much as I like to read about them, I wouldn't want to be friends with them. Finch is too...much, to put it simply. I think I would be overwhelmed by his personality. And Violet is still too depressed, and I need to stay away from people like that because they affect me too much. I think I would have liked Violet Before.

13. What do you think about the quote "growing out of a label is hard"?
It's very true. I "got labelled" when I was a kid - the only way of getting rid of them was moving to another city.

15. What do you think about Decka's mean word project. I thought it was such a sweet thing, and I loved it when he left words on her pillow. I know life isn't perfect, but I found this to be very encouraging.
I liked this part. It felt like something a child her age in real life very well could do. I have realized that children often think in a different way than adults do, and it's so refreshing to get their view on life sometimes.

16. And finally
Before I die I want to.......find the key to true happiness.

13 Feb 2016 Discussion Questions Finch Day 7 of the Awake - Violet 148 days till graduation page 56-115

5. The author alternates between the perspectives of Finch and Violet, each of them is counting the days go by, but in different ways. What does this difference say about the characters?
I like the way the perspective alternates, I usually like books written like that. The difference between counting down and counting up says quite a lot about a person and how they feel.

6. I liked when Finch and Violet were quoting Virginia Woolf to each other. I think the quotes they choose told a lot about them. My favorite was ”My brain is to me the most unaccountable of machinery always buzzing, humming, soaring roaring diving and then buried in mud. And why? What’s this passion for” I thought it describes Finch very well in his “Awake” period. Do you have a favorite of these quotes and why?
I agree that it describes him well. I don't have a favorite quote but enjoyed their quote conversation.

7. ”When we are in the act of wandering, we need to be present, not watching it through a lens.” I like this quote, it’s what I do when I go on vacation, I never take a lot of pictures. I like to take in the scenery or enjoy art and architecture. What do you do, take a lot of pictures or sit and watch?
Many years ago I took a lot of photos everywhere I went. But I take less and less photos now. Just a couple to be able to look at later and help me remember the occasion. The rest of the time I do as he says - I'm present and take it all in through my eyes (and other senses) only, rather than a lens.

8. Why does Violet keep wearing her sisters glasses when they are ugly and she doesn’t need them?
The glasses were a part of her sister and she doesn't want to let go yet. Maybe it's also because she somehow wishes she could see the world through her sister's eyes with the help of her glasses? I don't know... Anyway, it's not logical and I don't expect it to be.

Start - Violet 153 days till graduation
Pages 1-55

1. Jennifer Niven writes "nonfiction and fiction, both historical and contemporary, adult and YA". Have you read any of her books before? At 47 years old do you think she does a credible job with the first person POV for Finch and Violet?
I haven't read anything by her before. So far I think it's credibly written.

2. Do you like our two main characters so far?
I'm not sure yet. I need to read more before I make a decision about that. However, I want to read more about both characters and that's a good sign.

3. Everyone seems to be expecting Violet to just "get on with it". Do you think that is fair or is it ok for her to continue grieving? Is it just me, or do you also think she feels somehow responsible for her sister's death? (or maybe survivor guilt?)
I believe it's survivor guilt. And I agree with someone here who said she's not going through the grieving process, but rather trying to avoid it. I understand that it's a process, but after 9 months I can see why people around her are beginning to feel like she should get on with her life.

4. What do you think of Finch referring to his "asleep" times? I get the feeling he is possibly bi-polar with these large ups/downs.
Maybe he is bi-polar, but maybe it's "just" a depression (a serious depression in his case).

- Feb 12 - 203 pages

Current Total: 304,507

- Feb 11 - 368 pages

Current Total: 296,611