Rowell, Rainbow; Eleanor & Park - Buddy Read (Start Date: June 16th, 2013)

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

"Bono met his wife in high school," Park says.
"So did Jerry Lee Lewis," Eleanor answers.
"I’m not kidding," he says.
"You should be," she says, "we’re sixteen."
"What about Romeo and Juliet?"
"Shallow, confused, then dead."
''I love you," Park says.
"Wherefore art thou," Eleanor answers.
"I’m not kidding," he says.
"You should be."

Set over the course of one school year in 1986, ELEANOR AND PARK is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under.

EXPECT SPOILERS!

Chapter Breakdown
Date		Chapters/Pages			PPDQs*
June 16 - 	Chapters 1-13 (pages 1-61)	Karen
June 17	- 	Chapters 14-20 (pages 62-122)
June 18 - 	Chapters 21-30 (pages 123-183)
June 19 - 	Chapters 31-39 (pages 184-240)
June 20 - 	Chapters 40-end (pages 241-325)

*PPDQs = Person Posting Discussion Questions

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

~ “Buddy Reads” and the 7% Solution Challenge ~

     

With regards to the 7% Solution Challenge taking place within the Tower Teams Reading Challenge, the Mods have decided that you do NOT need to create a day’s worth of DQs to satisfy Category #4 - Books of the Month or any impromptu “buddy reads.”

As far as the current BOMs, the Mods would appreciate any help (and there might be a cupcake or two in it for your Team, if you do a set).

Note: We added start dates to the threads’ titles.

Requirement for 7% Completion
Nevertheless, we stipulate that members participating in that challenge need to give more than a two sentence statement. Something more than, “I loved it. But hated the cliffhanger at the end...” repeatedly, member after member.

One example we liked was a comment or two at the end of every chapter or two where people put these under “view spoiler” (view spoiler)[like this (hide spoiler)]. This is fine with us, though that makes it difficult to access for members reading on their phones.

Therefore, there needs to be some kind of designated stopping points for discussion - by chapters with view spoilers, as mentioned, or defined sections - agreed upon or defined by someone willing to make the suggestion.

If you like, you may reserve a post that refers the Mods to your comments.

Example (For this example, they all go to the same post; hopefully, you get the idea.)
Steven - link to my comments 6/10 on The Hobbit
Steven - link to my comments 6/12 on The Hobbit
Steven - link to my comments 6/14 on The Hobbit

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

lol!
I love the 80s... and Hopefully will love this book ;)

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

Info about the 7% Solution Challenge added above.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Hey mods - can we change the start date to June 16 so other people may have a chance to get the book?
I know Oo will start earlier, but she is a reading machine...lol

I will then put together a rough reading schedule if anyone else chooses to join and have this count for the 7% challenge.

Thanks :)

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

Karen wrote: "Hey mods - can we change the start date to June 16 so other people may have a chance to get the book?"

Sure, Karen. Changed the date in our upcoming newsletter, too.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Thanks :D

[Logan]

I'll join this one. I just put it on hold at the library, so hopefully it comes in soon.

[Aneeqah]

I bought this one when it was on sale a few weeks ago, and was just thinking about wanting to buddy-read it with somebody! So I'm definitely in. =)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Great!

[Sapir]

Hi!! I want to join you (:

[Aneeqah]

Woot, welcome Sapir! <3

Just a quick question: do we have any general idea about how much we plan to read everyday?

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Welcome Sapir!

@Aneeqah - I'm picking up the book from the library later this week and will post a suggested reading schedule. We generally aim for 50-100 pages per day depending on the size of the font! It works out to about 30 minutes reading per day :)

[Sapir]

Thank (:

[Sapir]

Karen wrote: "Welcome Sapir!

@Aneeqah - I'm picking up the book from the library later this week and will post a suggested reading schedule. We generally aim for 50-100 pages per day depending on the size of th..."

Wow! 50-100 pages takes you only 30 minutes? You read very fast.
Can we do it by chapters because I'm going to read it on my Kindle and I don't have page numbers?

[Aneeqah]

Karen, that sounds great for me! Although I do agree with Sapir about doing chapters, as my copy is on my Kindle as well. =)

[Sapir]

Yeah, I think that someone who has a paperback copy should check how long the chapters are, and you will decide on a specific amount of chapters to read every day according to that.
This way, everybody will be in the same part of the story at the same time and it'll be much easier to discuss it!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Hi all - Yes, I always try and break the book by chapters as even different paperback/hardback versions have different page numbers. Some books don't have chapter numbers or names (which is a pain in the neck! It happened for the Delirium trilogy) in which case we put the text that was at the start and end of each chapter so you can search it in your kindle and add a bookmark. Hopefully that won't be the case with this one and the chapters are easily recognisable :)

@Sapir - the amount of pages per day really depends on the book due to differences in font sizes. The Hunger Games for instance I am doing with another group and I broke that up by about 5 chapters a day (around 90 pages) which is not difficult to read in 30 minutes as the font and spacing is large.

In saying all of that, we are doing this as a more relaxed buddy read so the reading schedule is suggested only. People can read beind and ahead, but the idea of the schedule is that everyone is at about the same spot each day and can make comments referring to each section without using spoiler tags (which are a pain in the neck if you use your phone to access the site) :)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Kim wrote: "I planned to read this along with the group, but I loved it so much, I couldn't stop reading. I don't want to give anything away -- just wanted to say thanks for this being a buddy read or I probab..."

Thanks for leting us know Kim! I love being able to recommend a book and have someone love it!
Rainbow Rowell has a few books on my TBR and I'm looing forward to this one :)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Suggested Reading Schedule
Page numbers are based on this version of the book


June 16 - Chapters 1-13 (pages 1-61)
June 17 - Chapters 14-20 (pages 62-122)
June 18 - Chapters 21-30 (pages 123-183)
June 19 - Chapters 31-39 (pages 184-240)
June 20 - Chapters 40-end (pages 241-325)

[Andrea]

Will definitely join in on this one. Got it in the mail when the book first came out and never really got the chance to read it. (:

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Great Andrea. I just finished A Discovery of Witches so I'm keen for a change of pace! :)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

June 16 - Chapters 1-13

1. This book has been on my TBR for a while so I had forgotten what it was about! I am enjoying it so far though. Feels like a misfits coming-of-age type story and I like the alternating points of view and the short chapters as it gives the book good pace. What are your initial thoughts? Do you like the writing style?

2. I loved the first chapter and it had me remembering all those "unwritten rules" about riding on a bus to/from school. I always walked, but occasionally when I did catch the bus there was the dread of not sitting in someone's seat, and not sitting too close to the front... but also not on the back seat as they were all the "bad" kids! Seems ridiculous now. What "rules" did you have on the school bus?

3. The description of Eleanor was great. I liked how she called herself (paraphrasing) her mother but "smudged". We also learn Richie kicked her out of the house a year ago. How do you imagine Eleanor? What do you think she did to be kicked out of home? Seems awful to me that her mother would leave her at a friend's house like that for a year.

4. Gym class is hell. Oh I hated gym too! Also the references to cabbage patch kids, swatch watches, walkmans... oh it is all taking me back. Even making mixed tapes! Is this book giving you flashbacks to the 80s?

5. The scenes with the back and forth of the comics had me laughing. Do you like how their friendship is developing?

[Sapir]

We're starting today!! I'm so excited :D:D

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

:D

[Julie]

Just got notice that my reserved copy came in at the library today! Great timing... and I'm looking forward to joining in.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Awesome Julie. Welcome!

[Turtlecollector Dennis]

June 16 - Chapters 1-13

1. This book has been on my TBR for a while so I had forgotten what it was about! I am enjoying it so far though. Feels like a misfits coming-of-age type story and I like the alternating points of view and the short chapters as it gives the book good pace. What are your initial thoughts? Do you like the writing style?

I do like the writing style with the shorter segments because it keeps up my reading pace. I am not as sure about the switching between characters so often though. Overall, I am enjoying book so far.

2. I loved the first chapter and it had me remembering all those "unwritten rules" about riding on a bus to/from school. I always walked, but occasionally when I did catch the bus there was the dread of not sitting in someone's seat, and not sitting too close to the front... but also not on the back seat as they were all the "bad" kids! Seems ridiculous now. What "rules" did you have on the school bus?

That scene was so familiar to me. My bus stop was the last one before the school in the morning and you always tried not to sit in the front of the bus. There were always so many people that you did not get your own seat and usually did not get to sit next to your friends unless they had an earlier bus stop and could save you the one next to them. Kids would try to get the bus stop early to be first in line in order to get the best seat.

3. The description of Eleanor was great. I liked how she called herself (paraphrasing) her mother but "smudged". We also learn Richie kicked her out of the house a year ago. How do you imagine Eleanor? What do you think she did to be kicked out of home? Seems awful to me that her mother would leave her at a friend's house like that for a year.

I am so curious as to what she did to get kicked out. I am imagining so many bad things since he is an abusive stepfather and I don't want it to be any of those.

4. Gym class is hell. Oh I hated gym too! Also the references to cabbage patch kids, swatch watches, walkmans... oh it is all taking me back. Even making mixed tapes! Is this book giving you flashbacks to the 80s?

Definite flashbacks to my high school life, although mine was in the 90's. I always felt a bit like the odd one out. I could usually get along with everyone, but didn't really fit in with any one group. I was always bringing a novel to read on the bus, though, not comic books.

5. The scenes with the back and forth of the comics had me laughing. Do you like how their friendship is developing?

I like how their friendship is developing despite peer pressures and family situations. It seems sweet to me that he wants to be helpful but doesn't want anyone to know he is. Like a first crush when you try to hide what you are feeling from everyone else and pretend you don't like the other person.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

@Turtlecollector

2. Kids are the same the world over with these bus rules I think! :o

3. same here

4. I have never been a comic-book kind of person either. Most of my schooling was in the 80s. I'm glad we don't get to see the fashion... such a bad time period...lol

5. True, it is very sweet :)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

June 17 - Chapters 14-20

6. E&P like the idea of flying as their superpower. What would you like?

7. So many beautiful quotes in this section like "Holding Eleaor's hand was like holding a butterfly. Or a heartbeat. Like holding something complete, and completely alive". I think what I am enjoying about this romance is that it feels "real". It isn't like typical YA books where they instantly fall in love for no discernible reason other than grey eyes, flowing locks and nice muscles. Do you agree?

8. Her father seems almost as bad as Richie but for different reasons. He has 4 kids he hasn't seen in a year?! What did you think of him calling out of the blue like that?

9. I was a bit confused that Richie took the kids to the movies and eats steak, but they can't afford toothbrushes and soap? Or do you think Richie just doesn't proide them with essentials as a way of control?

[Logan]

I'm playing catch up on my last buddy read, but then will come join this discussion in a couple of days!

[Julie]

June 16 - Chapters 1-13

1. What are your initial thoughts? Do you like the writing style? I am enjoying the book so far. I do like the writing style and how she shows us how both characters are feeling at the time. The difficulty of bullying and dealing with that is portrayed in a very real and believable way.

3. The description of Eleanor was great. I liked how she called herself (paraphrasing) her mother but "smudged". We also learn Richie kicked her out of the house a year ago. How do you imagine Eleanor? What do you think she did to be kicked out of home? Seems awful to me that her mother would leave her at a friend's house like that for a year. I think Eleanor stood up against Richie and got thrown out… which is why she is so determined to lay low and not make waves. Eleanor is doing the best she can with the limited resources that she has available to her. Eleanor’s mother is really at fault here for enabling Richie at the expense of her children and her own self worth. And for choosing Richie over Eleanor.


5. The scenes with the back and forth of the comics had me laughing. Do you like how their friendship is developing? I do love how they gradually started their friendship… with a simple act of kindness letting her sit there (even though he discounted it by making a mean statement). I am not a graphic novel or comic book person, but I did read The Watchman this year… so I am enjoying the references to that. They are connecting through similar interests and Eleanor is so deprived of interaction and interesting music/reading/fun … so she is soaking it up.

[Julie]

6. E&P like the idea of flying as their superpower. What would you like?I think I'd like to stretch out time! And have more hours in every day. :o)

7. So many beautiful quotes in this section like "Holding Eleaor's hand was like holding a butterfly. Or a heartbeat. Like holding something complete, and completely alive". I think what I am enjoying about this romance is that it feels "real". It isn't like typical YA books where they instantly fall in love for no discernible reason other than grey eyes, flowing locks and nice muscles. Do you agree?The holding hand scene is really great. I remember after the first time I held hands, it felt like my hand was buzzing afterward, so I can still remember how amazing something so simple could be.

8. Her father seems almost as bad as Richie but for different reasons. He has 4 kids he hasn't seen in a year?! What did you think of him calling out of the blue like that?I like how Eleanor saw the way to use it to her advantage. She realized it wasn't something special he was doing for her, but she saw how she could use it for herself. She ended up with a toothbrush (Thank God!), some soap, and a chance to talk on the phone with Park. And she sees her Dad for what he is.

9. I was a bit confused that Richie took the kids to the movies and eats steak, but they can't afford toothbrushes and soap? Or do you think Richie just doesn't proide them with essentials as a way of control?I felt like the movie thing was odd as well. They also don't have a phone. It could be a control issue... or just something to be abusive. It seems shocking that Eleanor's mother doesn't try to figure out how to get toothbrushes for her kids.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

lol Logan and Oo - no problems. A good discussion never ends! :)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Julie
1. Agree. Shows how bullying can really start for no discernible reason and it is so hard to stop it

5. I haven't read the Watchmen. It must give you another insight being familiar with it!

6. Haha, I like it!

7. Oh that's so sweet

9. Totally agree. Choosing anyone over your kids is so abhorrent to me and then not being able to provide for their basic needs (not even a door on the bathroom?!). *shiver*

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

June 18 - Chapters 21-30

10. Oh Eleanor. She seems so "beaten" that I'm afraid she is going to stuff things up with Park and push him away without actually wanting to. What did you think of the fight scene? Is it wrong that I was glad Park stood up for her like that?!

11. Weird question - but do they still make waterbeds? I remember when they were so cool. Did you ever have one?

12. The gunshot scene was pretty scary and those cops were useless! I can't believe Richie shot a gun to scare some neighbourhood kids. Do you think the mum was just making that up and something more sinister was happening?

13. Interesting that Park's mother is discriminating against Eleanor based on her "social standing". As an immigrant would you expect her to be more understanding of people who are "different"?

14. I wanted to smack Park for accusing Eleanor of writing those horrible things herself. Ah - adolescents! I don't know where this book is going. I'm concerned about a tragic ending. Any predictions?

[Turtlecollector Dennis]

June 17 - Chapters 14-20

6. E&P like the idea of flying as their superpower. What would you like?

I would like to have supersonic reading speed. That way I don't need 48 hr days to get all my reading done. Or, I would like the ability to stop time while I read and then I can just pickup the day from where I left off.

7. So many beautiful quotes in this section like "Holding Eleaor's hand was like holding a butterfly. Or a heartbeat. Like holding something complete, and completely alive". I think what I am enjoying about this romance is that it feels "real". It isn't like typical YA books where they instantly fall in love for no discernible reason other than grey eyes, flowing locks and nice muscles. Do you agree?

Yes, the language in this book is amazing. There are deeper reasons for falling in love than superficial ones about looks, which is so common with teens, and I am glad this book brings them out. You hear a lot about teen loves hardly ever making it to old age, but I feel as if these two have that possibility. I am having a hard time reading in time with the days so I can answer questions without spoiling anything.

8. Her father seems almost as bad as Richie but for different reasons. He has 4 kids he hasn't seen in a year?! What did you think of him calling out of the blue like that?

I think she shouldn't have agreed to babysit unless all of them could come along. Her father is neglectful and selfish and I can hardly believe his fiancée is letting him around her 3-yr-old when she knows he has 4 other kids he never sees. I am glad that he at least took them out in the car for a ride and didn't just drop her off and leave. I'm not sure which is worse, a physically abusive father or an emotionally abusive father. Since her stepfather is both, I am 'liking' her real father better.

9. I was a bit confused that Richie took the kids to the movies and eats steak, but they can't afford toothbrushes and soap? Or do you think Richie just doesn't proide them with essentials as a way of control?

I think he did it because he wanted to show up their real father by giving them something more expensive than a car ride. Even then, they had to ride in the back of the truck in the snow. I definitely think it is a way of control for him.

[Turtlecollector Dennis]

Tomorrow's questions are already up and it isn't the 18th here for another 6 hours! I don't have to feel so guilty if I read ahead tonight.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Lol sorry - the joy of time differences! I try and post the Qs in my afternoon so that is usually your night before, but I'm out this arvo so I put them up this morning :)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

@Turtlecollector

6. Nice!

7. well said. I agree, they seem to be a couple that could "make it". Hey just seem to have a lovely understanding of eachother

8. It does seem to be that women in abusive relationships continue that cycle. I agree that I don't understand why you would be with someone who abandoned their own 4 kids (and still doesn't see them!), but I agree it would be better to live with her father than her step-father

[Turtlecollector Dennis]

June 18 - Chapters 21-30

10. Oh Eleanor. She seems so "beaten" that I'm afraid she is going to stuff things up with Park and push him away without actually wanting to. What did you think of the fight scene? Is it wrong that I was glad Park stood up for her like that?!

It does seem to be heading that way. There are so many teen misunderstandings and words taken the wrong way when responding to her. I'm not sure what to think about the fight. I am glad that he stood up for her, but Steve had a strange reaction in that he wouldn't have done it if he knew she was Park's girlfriend?

11. Weird question - but do they still make waterbeds? I remember when they were so cool. Did you ever have one?

I don't know if they still make them, but my parents had one until a few years ago when it started getting too hard for them to get out of it. I loved playing on it as kid. I never got to have one though.

12. The gunshot scene was pretty scary and those cops were useless! I can't believe Richie shot a gun to scare some neighbourhood kids. Do you think the mum was just making that up and something more sinister was happening?

I think there was something a lot worse going on and the mother was afraid Ritchie was going to hurt the kids if Eleanor didn't say it was a mistake. The cops were horrible and I don't really think they would be like that in real life, but the book needs to keep the differences in family situations fresh in the readers mind.

13. Interesting that Park's mother is discriminating against Eleanor based on her "social standing". As an immigrant would you expect her to be more understanding of people who are "different"?

I would expect her to be more understanding of people who are different. But, I also get the feeling that she is very protective of Park because of her immigrant status so she wants him to be around 'regular' people and not get put into that 'lesser status' by hanging out with the wrong people. Like most mothers, she is trying to get what she thinks is best for her child.

14. I wanted to smack Park for accusing Eleanor of writing those horrible things herself. Ah - adolescents! I don't know where this book is going. I'm concerned about a tragic ending. Any predictions?

I predict something really bad is going to happen in Eleanor's house so that Eleanor has to move again. After the gun scene I am afraid the mother or one of the kids is going to get badly hurt and the police will finally have to intervene.

[Julie]

10. . What did you think of the fight scene? Is it wrong that I was glad Park stood up for her like that?! I was glad Park stood up for her, but I wonder if Steve would have responded just as well to a conversation. Even though Park seems to worry about being bullied, Steve seems to like Park and even in the beginning was asking his opinion on the bus about music.

11. Weird question - but do they still make waterbeds? I remember when they were so cool. Did you ever have one?I never did have one... and I wonder if they still make them. It was funny to remember about them.

12. The gunshot scene was pretty scary and those cops were useless! I can't believe Richie shot a gun to scare some neighbourhood kids. Do you think the mum was just making that up and something more sinister was happening?I found it a little unbelievable that the police would send her back in like that. That just didn't ring true. I think Richie was probably threatening her Mom.

v14. I wanted to smack Park for accusing Eleanor of writing those horrible things herself. Ah - adolescents! I don't know where this book is going. I'm concerned about a tragic ending. Any predictions?
I couldn't stand it and already read to the end! So, I can't say!

[Aneeqah]

Ah, gah, I totally forgot that this started on Sunday!! I will catch up and answer questions today. =)

[Sapir]

Me too!!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

@Turtlecollector

10. yes interesting isn't it? Park seems to have their respect and that would be enough to stop the bullying

11. They were great as kids!

12. I wondered if the time period has something to do with the cops reaction. We are much more 'wary' these days. Maybe they also had alot of calls out to domestics or for runaway kids and it kind of de-sensitises them

14. :(

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

@Julie

10. True. They have been neighbours and friends for a long time I guess

14. Lol!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

It's a pretty quick read Aneeqah and Sapir so it shouldn't take you long to get into it :)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

June 19 - Chapters 31-39

Such a quick section, only a few questions :)

15. I was so surprised when Richie gave the kids Chirstmas presents, and especially giving Eleanor $50. Did it change your opinion of him? What did you think of her gesture giving the money to her mum?

16. Park's mother seems to have understood her own discrimination and genuinely likes Eleanor. How do you feel about the progression of the relationship betwen Eleanor and Park's family?

17. I loved the makeover scene! And Park wearing eyeliner! Do you think it was romantic that he decided to wear eyeliner, or is he just trying to find a way to express himself?

18.It seems only a matter of time until Richie goes crazy when he discovers Eleanor's "box of treasures", or her boyfriend, or both. Are you optimistic for the ending?

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

P.S
I will put the last section questions up in my morning of the 20th as you may have troubles stopping your reading at the last section! :)

[Logan]

Okay, finally started this one!

1. The tone of this feels like The Perks of Being a Wallflower to me, though maybe it's just the '80s setting. :) It's already gotten me pretty emotional, so I'm loving it so far. I didn't realize it was set in my home state!

2. I don't remember the bus being so regimented in my neighborhood. I sat with friends and don't remember anyone ever bothering me or witnessing the kinds of bullying you see on tape these days. I guess I was just lucky.

3. My heart breaks for Eleanor. I hope we get to find out what happened to her because I'm curious. Who decided to let her back? Why did they have to move to this cramped house? Where did the money go?

4. Mixed tapes! High bangs! Perms! Swatches! I love it all. I'm just glad I was still in elementary school in the '80s so I don't have those prom photos to haunt me. :)

5. I think it feels so natural and honest. I like how even their internal thoughts change so subtly.