Page’s Comments (group member since Dec 13, 2018)

Page’s comments from the Diverse Divers group.

Kate Ashley wrote: "I finished the entire book in two days haha! And I had to reread chapter 31 because all the events are kinda mush in my brain now.

BUT ANYWAY

Vinny wrote: "When I started the book, I think I have..."

This is what I said too.... :) :) Will can be annoying but her reactions and thoughts are realistic. I understand where she's coming from. :)

Lol, I hate love triangles but having Mitch in the story is nice. I like him too. And I really hope Will gives herself a chance to befriend others too and let Ellen do the same. I mean they're still best friends but it won't hurt if they also hang out with others. Ellen with her workmates and Will with Millie. I think they can be great friends. Millie can give Will some positivity. hehe.

Vinny wrote: "When I started the book, I think I have positive reaction for almost every characters. I found childhood friendship to be super cute and the way Ellen behave on earlier chapters was great. Even tho..."

So weird isn't it? That Lucy is by far the most liked character even though she's already dead. But we can see the good influennce she had on Will. :)

Michael wrote: "Honestly, I like Ellen. I think she knows that Will is kinda faking her strength so she doesn’t appear weak, when in reality she is ready to crack. I think she is the catalyst that is going to spar..."

Jordan ‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ Fairy Tales & Tea☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙ wrote: "Michael wrote: "I think that comes from the fact that her ‘strength’ is really no more than castles built of sand. She sees herself as being confident, strong, and assertive because she doesn’t wan..."

I think by the end of this book we'll see different character developments through all these characters, specifically the 4 MCs: Willow, Ellen, Bo, and her mother.

I think the author is trying to show how each character affect/influence each other. They're really different, everyone is distinctive from the other.

Willow who's fat and bullied but trying to make a statement.
Ellen who's always been thin and never really went through
Willow's experiences.
The Mother who's been fat but worked hard to be thin coz she
thought that's the right thing to do and that's what she
wanted. And she got a crown for it.
Bo who doesn't even know what he wants.

I think they'll learn from each other a thing or two about life by the end of the book. I say this book has an amazing ensemble of characters.,..

Jordan ‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ Fairy Tales & Tea☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙ wrote: "allieereads wrote: "Hi everyone!!!!

Ok so, I am really enjoying reading this book! I am liking the way Murphy writes and Willowdean is pretty fierce haha.

But one character that is pushing my but..."

I'm learning through all the imputs... I'm enjoying our discussions.

I think this book started already with the inciting incident which is Will losing her aunt, one of her strengths, and so we are introduced to Willowdean as somewhat scared that she's being left alone which is why she's being possessive to Ellen.

It would be really awesome if Ellen and Willow ended up in good terms again with Ellen assuring Willow, they will always have each other's back no matter what.

allieereads wrote: "That's true! I do hope Willowdean becomes more willing to accept her role. I do though, think that her inner strength is not completely a superficial assertion. When she realised how Bo made her fe..."

And ugh!!!!!yeah her mother. This was surprising for me coz I thought her mother would be more supportive based on the trailer of the movie.

allieereads wrote: "That's true! I do hope Willowdean becomes more willing to accept her role. I do though, think that her inner strength is not completely a superficial assertion. When she realised how Bo made her fe..."

You stated it so clearly Allie.

It's a good thing we're only halfway through the book so there's still plenty of chance for these characters to change or realize what they really want. :)

For me, one of the worst things that Ellen did was when she talked to Callie about her relationship with Willow. I totally understand Willow's reaction when Ellen said, Callie is right, .... something like that. If she has problems with Willow, they should talk about it, just between the two of them. It felt like a betrayal.

And I found Willow's hypocrisy through her inner monologues when she describes other people. For example:

I’m fat, but Millie’s the type of fat that requires elastic waist pants because they don’t make pants with buttons and zippers in her size. Her eyes are too close together and her nose pinches up at the end. She wears shirts with puppies and kittens and not in an ironic way.

When she says it like that, though she's being honest, it kinda disagree with the message the book is trying to convey. But I don't take this as totally negative for Willow because Ii totally understand her stand or where she's coming from with all her thoughts.

I've been fat in high school and bullied because of it. It's so hard not to be bitter about it. And when you feel like that, it's easy to say or think things without realizing it's wrong. Also it's easy to think that everyone's laughing at you and that all the people, especially new people will judge you coz they only see your 'fat' body. That scene when Willow and Callie first met, at the pool, I was so mad at Ellen and almost cry coz I know how exactly Willow was feeling.

So I think this book managed to be so realistic, not only in outward aspects, but most importantly in showing Willow's inner feelings and thoughts.

Michael wrote: "Yes, Bo does still have opportunity to redeem himself, but he’s gonna have to really bring it. Like really, really bring it.

And I agree on the Lucy thing. She was most likely Will’s hero and los..."

Do you also see something wrong on Will. Sometimes I find her hypocrite... or is it just me? hehe

Michael wrote: "Honestly, I like Ellen. I think she knows that Will is kinda faking her strength so she doesn’t appear weak, when in reality she is ready to crack. I think she is the catalyst that is going to spar..."

As much as I like Bo, I can't deny the fact that he's doing it wrong right now... He needs to step up which I think is possible for his character since it's still early for character development.

Also I love how the romance is just a background in the story. :)

Michael wrote: "Honestly, I like Ellen. I think she knows that Will is kinda faking her strength so she doesn’t appear weak, when in reality she is ready to crack. I think she is the catalyst that is going to spar..."

About Will, I think she's really faking her strength at least maybe after her aunt Lucy died. Based on her internal monologues, it seemed like she treated Lucy as her ultimate ally and losing her took some of her strengths.

allieereads wrote: "Hi everyone!!!!

Ok so, I am really enjoying reading this book! I am liking the way Murphy writes and Willowdean is pretty fierce haha.

But one character that is pushing my buttons, and I think I’..."

Same thoughts about Ellen. There are so many scenes I found her to be insensitive of what Willowdean might feel or even think. AT first, I thought maybe because they're already too comfortable with each other coz they've been friends for so long. But then it keeps happening and by the time they joined the pageant, Im already disliking her.

Vinny wrote: "allieereads wrote: "Hi guys!!! Okay, so I’m really loving the way Murphy writes - which I think I have said before haha but is anyone else finding the character Ellen to be super annoying? Is it ju..."

YES!!!!, now I want the discussions to start. let's make the discussion all day whoever wants to join, anytime they want. hehe.

Michael wrote: "What time will the reading sprints run? I have plans, but with time zone differences it may be possible"

Everyone's busy too.. so maybe it'd be midnight for me...It's 8 p.m. here.

allieereads wrote: "Hi guys!!! Okay, so I’m really loving the way Murphy writes - which I think I have said before haha but is anyone else finding the character Ellen to be super annoying? Is it just me? I don’t know,..."

I kinda get what you say about Ellen Allie and I think I'll point it out clearly as I read more... hehe.

Kate Ashley wrote: "I just started reading Dumplin' yesterday and OHMIGOSH YOU GUYS. Okay. I'm gonna backtrack a bit because there is no context with my excitement :D

So I've been on a reading slump FOR MONTHS. I hav..."

Michael wrote: "Okay - Chapter 29 is PURE GOLD! So much energy, so much emotion! If you haven’t read it yet, just wait. It’s like a perfect plate of nachos where every bite has a little bit of everything and it ju..."

Hi Michael and Kate, we'll have a discussion tomorrow about the first half of the book but tonight we'll have reading sprints on twitter... Will you be free to join us?

Michael wrote: "Made it to Chapter 15 and I have to say, I am really loving this book! The main character is SO real and SO believable I just can’t help but fall in love with who she is. I’m not ashamed to admit t..."

I'm glad you're liking it. I haven't started it though. I got sick but I'm better now and will read much tonight.

Amina wrote: "Thank you for starting up a Diverse reading group. I'm sooo excited rn!
My name is Amna but, I'm used to spell it with an "i" in between. I read everything which piques my interest except for non-f..."

Hi Amina.. I'm gonna call you Amina coz it sounds like my protagonist's name, Anina. hehe. Yep, we're both working on a book and good luck to us. Thank you for joining and for supporting diversity. We really need this group to reach many for obvious reason.

Goodluck to your studies though, I can only imagine how it frustrates you sometimes. But you can do it.

And oh, I didn't read non-fiction too, but I started last year and somehow read few. I'm planning to read more this year. :)

Justine wrote: "Yo! Im Justine and Im from the Philippines. My English is not the best so pardon me in advance lol

I read any genres to be honest, except Poetry. Not that I hate Poetry, its just that most of the ..."

Hi Justine. I'm also from Philippines.

Wow, you're a Biology student? I sincerely respect everyone who can study that area, also medicine. I personally think I can be or can study anything except these courses. hehe..

Anyway, welcome to the group and feel free to message or comment anywhere in our discussion threads if you have any concern. Or just have anything to say, :)

---Lili

Julia971 wrote: "Hi everyone!

My name is Julia, I'm french, so my english may be... shaky or weird sometimes but usually, I have no trouble being understood.

I love classic french literature, but when it comes t..."

Hi Julia....

Even though I'm an aspiring author, I can't say my english is good. I'm from Philippines and also old(er). haha... I'm almost 27. I'm glad you found this group coz we agree with your goal. I'm going to check out the books you mentioned and add them on my TBR. :)

---Welcome to the group.

--Lili

Erica Mae wrote: "Hi! I'm Erica, a 20 year old book dragon from the Philippines! I started blogging a year ago at livingahundredlives.wordpress.com!

2018 was a busy year for me and I admit I haven't read that much ..."

Hi Erica. hehe..

Michael wrote: "Lili - I have not! Perhaps I missed the links for those?"

Just go to the main page of our group and you'll see them all there. You'll find discussions author-friendly :)

Here's our main page link:

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...