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Random Acts of Kindness
Random Acts Of Kindness
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Week One Discussion
I am enjoying reading this book and learning more about its unique characters. I feel like I am traveling right along with them. I haven’t read ahead, so my thoughts are just based on the first section. We’ll see if my impressions change any as I continue reading.
My favorite character is Claire. Any cancer survivor who can wear a shirt that declares “yes, they’re fake“ deserves great admiration. Her unusual qualities make her such a fun character that I want to learn more about.
I guess the personality I can relate to the most is Jenna. Fortunately I’ve never experienced any of her marital problems, but I can relate to the way she slips into the background. Like Jenna, in high school, I was also more of a follower than a leader. Thankfully that is something I have mostly outgrown.
I think each lady is on their own individual quest to find a certain resolution at the end of the journey. Maybe that makes them seem to be running away from their problems, but I think they are mostly running towards answers.
I'll post some favorite quotes later.
My favorite character is Claire. Any cancer survivor who can wear a shirt that declares “yes, they’re fake“ deserves great admiration. Her unusual qualities make her such a fun character that I want to learn more about.
I guess the personality I can relate to the most is Jenna. Fortunately I’ve never experienced any of her marital problems, but I can relate to the way she slips into the background. Like Jenna, in high school, I was also more of a follower than a leader. Thankfully that is something I have mostly outgrown.
I think each lady is on their own individual quest to find a certain resolution at the end of the journey. Maybe that makes them seem to be running away from their problems, but I think they are mostly running towards answers.
I'll post some favorite quotes later.
For the first four chapters or so, I found the open-ended, moved-to-a-new-location chapter structure a bit choppy. I felt I wasn't getting enough insight into the characters, but by chapter 7 I got the rhythm of the daily travel and new revelations; so the structure is working for me. My favorite characters are Nicole--and Maya! (I hope we see Maya again later. Interesting that she is also digging into the past in her own way. Claire is soo sure of Maya's strength, that I'm sure Maya has her own secrets.) I suppose I like Nicole because I identify somewhat with her. She seems caught in the middle--stronger that either of her two companions, but perhaps not as strong as they feel she is and needy of their support, too. Or perhaps that is her need: to feel secure about being strong enough to give support to someone else(?).
I'm so excited to start discussions.I am really enjoying the book so far, it is not something I would have picked to read myself. But I am so glad I am reading it. My favourite character is Claire, I love her outlook on life. I can probably most relate to Jenna, having been through similar relationship problems myself, its actually dredged up a lot of emotional feeling in myself. I think the characters feel that if they get back to Pine Lake, that it will help to solve all their problems in life. I agree with Susan on the quote from Claire! "I need to go back to the beginning of things, To the very first time I quit"
Here are a couple more quotes I like from Claire:
"Nicole, you're a jet streaking across the sky, and I'm a bee seeking flowers."
"You're so busy running here and there that you've forgotten that the goal of life is learning."
"Nicole, you're a jet streaking across the sky, and I'm a bee seeking flowers."
"You're so busy running here and there that you've forgotten that the goal of life is learning."
I was hooked from the first sentence: "Throwing away her past was easier than Jenna expected." Immediately I wanted to know more about this woman. What was she running from and what had caused her to leave everything behind? I liked how mysterious the first chapter was. As the reader we were left with bits and pieces of clues as to what secrets Jenna, Nicole and Claire were keeping from each other. I was correct in guessing the papers sliding across the table spelled divorce for Jenna. But Nicole's secret, the social workers visiting, her son not around has left me still guessing and dying to find the answer.My favorite character is Claire. She seems to be the thread all the girls have in common, the glue that held that group of twelve girls with their hair dyed hot pink at graduation together. She is the driving force on this road trip, reuniting old friends and taking them back to their beginning, Pine Lake.
I think originally the women were all trying to run away from their problems. Jenna away from her husband and the divorce. Claire from her meddling sisters and the label cancer patient. Nicole seemed more forced by her husband to take a break and get away from her situation at home, but was willing to go just the same. The farther we get in the story, the more I've noticed how the women can't wait to get to their destination. How collectively they're focus has seemed to shift and instead of running away from their problems, they seem to be running to Pine Lake to help find the answers their seeking.
I've had quite a few favorite quotes that I've highlighted in the first nine chapters. My absolute favorite one being: "I guess he was thirsty while I was bringing home the bacon," Jenna said. "So he reached for the nearest beer." (pg. 53)Here are a few others I enjoyed:
"She needed to take the advice given on airplanes and put on her own oxygen mask first." (pg. 11)
"Yet she was still reacting like a lab rat conditioned to expect an electric shock at the sound of a bell." (pg. 13)
"Soot streaked up from the broken windows, making them look like eyes dressed with the thick mascara that her old friend Theresa used to favor." (pg. 92)
Edie wrote: "For the first four chapters or so, I found the open-ended, moved-to-a-new-location chapter structure a bit choppy. I felt I wasn't getting enough insight into the characters, but by chapter 7 I go..."I'd love to learn more about Maya too. She seemed so confident and put together. I want to know more of her story.
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I love that you feel you're traveling with them and I look forward to your quotes too :)
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I know exactly what you mean and you know Edie the older I get the more informed RIGHT NOW I want to be, but like you I caught on to Lisa's wicked way of story weaving soon enough
I agree with both Edie and April that I hope we hear more from Maya!
TarHeelGirl00 wrote: "Here are a couple more quotes I like from Claire:"Nicole, you're a jet streaking across the sky, and I'm a bee seeking flowers."
I love this quote!
Mod
Jenna is my favorite character, I find myself being most like her. Quite, and kinda a..."
Ah my friend ;) who I would NEVER say I told you so to :) but this is something I learned waaay back when B&N was having their first look forum. It's just too easy to accidentally spill the spoiler beans. I do think that our in-between reads will be ones that we read and discuss all at once.
Your favorite quote is one of mine too
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I am really enjoying the book so far, it is not something I would have picked to read myself. But I am so glad I am reading it. My favourite character is Cla..."
Ang me too!! And I love that you wouldn't have picked it for yourself I love broadening readers horizons so to speak.
Yeah the rat quote was one of my faves too
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April, it's so nice to have old and new friends here :) and I knew you would absolutely love this novel. Weren't you with us for Lisa's last book we read together at B&N?
Love your thoughts on the novel :)
Debbie wrote: "April wrote: "I was hooked from the first sentence: "Throwing away her past was easier than Jenna expected." Immediately I wanted to know more about this woman. What was she running from and what h..."I read The Proper Care and Maintenance of Friendship with everyone at B&N. That book got me hooked on Lisa's novels. Love her writing!
Hey guys! I'm having so much fun reading your thoughts on RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS. It's such a kick to see the story through other people's eyes. I love that you all have a mix of favorite characters. One of the reasons I love writing braided stories of multiple characters is so that everyone can find a connection. I can't say I have a favorite . . . that'd be like picking a favorite child. ;)
I read the first chapters last week when my mind was waved with painkillers and it seemed like ever cell in my body ached and hurt, so I have no trouble identifying with someone going through physical adversity. I can well understand Claire's readiness to escape from being strangulated by people who know what's better for you than you do. This trip is just what she needed. So far, she rates as my fav.
April, you mentioned this as one of your favorite quotes: "I guess he was thirsty while I was bringing home the bacon," Jenna said. "So he reached for the nearest beer." (pg. 53) ROFL! That one comes from real life: A friend of mine who suffered through a difficult divorce said that one night while we were commiserating over wine . . . she has a dry, ironic sense of humor and she gracefully allowed me to use it.One of the amazing things about writing women's fiction is that life provides so much "material." I think that's why it's so easy to put ourselves in the shoes of the characters, too. Another line that came from real life was spoken by a neighbor whose husband had been struggling with cancer for quite a long time. My neighborhood as well as her church scheduled dinners for *months.* One day while over my house she let her hair down and spoke the line that was just the perfect opening to Claire's scene in Chapter One: "Please," Claire thought as she heard the knock on the door. "Don't let it be another rotisserie chicken." That comment was such an encapsulation of the unwitting burdens we sometimes put on folks with our overenthusiastic need to help.
So watch it, witty ladies, you may find yourself quoted. ;)
Susan, we have all made the mistake, either the whole book or three chapters too many. Relax and enjoy. We are glad you joined us.
I'm also enjoying this book immensely. But I agree with some earlier posts, the story was a little choppy at first. That was partly my fault, of course - I read the first 3 chapters and then set it aside so I could finish another book. And when I got back to this one I was a little bit in a fog. Didn't take too long to get back up to speed! :)Funny, other people here love Nicole - at this point she's my least favorite! Just seems a little pretentious and too 'all-knowing'. I have a feeling I'm going to feel differently after she opens up and shares more of her life with us. These women suddenly feel like flowers to me, slowly unfurling their petals and letting us in. Nicole is a bit of a late bloomer, I guess. I'm anxious to hear her story; I think it's going to be very interesting.
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Karen you have been in my thoughts and I hope you're well on your way to a full recovery. Thank you for contributing, it means a lot
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Lisa, Hi!! welcome!!!
That's an amazing story that the quote is an actual friend's statement and so fitting
Thanks so much for joining in.
When does book two come out?
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Elaine, Hi Welcome!
I actually felt that way about Nicole too and I'll post my thoughts a bit later on.
Thanks!
Elaine, right now Nicole is also my least favorite character. I may change my mind, because I was starting to warm to her more by the time I finished the section.
Mod
and thanks for making this endeavor such a grand success already!!
:)
TarHeelGirl00 wrote: "Elaine, right now Nicole is also my least favorite character. I may change my mind, because I was starting to warm to her more by the time I finished the section."You know, I was too! I'm hopeful that we'll continue to get more insight into her perhaps not-so-perfect life.
Poor Nicole. I understand her big time. I plan my trip. Stop here at this time for gas, here at this time for lunch. This town has a great antique mall to streatch legs miafternoon...... even worse, I micro by knowing which towns are next and what time we should hit them.... years ago, you wouldn't dare ask to diviate from the plan.... Now..... Ooooooookay look, an exit, uh oh the car must have wanted to take that one (40 miles back). Hence we added over 150 miles to the trip..... no bighurry, motelis in the rear. Give Nicole another20 and she will mellow.
Karen wrote: "I read the first chapters last week when my mind was waved with painkillers and it seemed like ever cell in my body ached and hurt, so I have no trouble identifying with someone going through physi..."Karen, I hope you are feeling better soon!!
Susan wrote: "I think that Nicole is trying to be to helpful which comes off as a little pushy or a know-it-all."Yes Susan I agree with your comment on Nicole. I find I get frustrated with her character a little, I just want to tell her to chill out!!
But is she trying to be helpful? Or is she just trying to prove to herself that she can help? It sounds like her life style coaching career is flailing and that she never completed the degree necessary to become a therapist.
Elaine wrote: "But is she trying to be helpful? Or is she just trying to prove to herself that she can help? It sounds like her life style coaching career is flailing and that she never completed the degree neces..."
That's a good point. It seems like by trying to focus on the problems of the others, she can avoid coming to terms with what is amiss in her own life. Maybe even subconsciously she feels by helping them, her own troubles will go away---though she's too smart to really believe that!
That's a good point. It seems like by trying to focus on the problems of the others, she can avoid coming to terms with what is amiss in her own life. Maybe even subconsciously she feels by helping them, her own troubles will go away---though she's too smart to really believe that!
I agree with you TarHeelGirl100, I think you pegged it.
What great insight in this group!! I'm reading all your smart, thoughtful comments while rubbing my hands together in anticipation of what you'll learn (particularly about Nicole) next week.... *cue evil laugh* ;)
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Hmmm Nicole. I'm evil laughing w/ LIsa
my thoughts will come later today
By The Way you all ROCK!!!
Elaine wrote: "But is she trying to be helpful? Or is she just trying to prove to herself that she can help? It sounds like her life style coaching career is flailing and that she never completed the degree neces..."Jenna, at first, seems to be the one reading the superiority into Nicole's character. I felt that Nicole more or less stayed out of prying (thinking about her own failings), but Jenna saw that as being snobbish.
*cue evil laugh* about Nicole?!? Oh no, please don't tell me she is a psycho and really did hurt that kid at school.
And my favorite quote(s)--"Don't answer it" Followed by--"Nice curve" (when Jenna throws the phone out the window).
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Love the fave quote Edie :)
the rest you'll have to find out next week he he he
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Here's my favorite quote
page 81 Jenna says "I was just a gimp who dragged a thousand middle-school gaffes behind me like Marley's clanking chains."
perfect description of Jenna and pretty much how I felt through high-school too!
Jenna is my favorite character because I relate to her misfitness :)
I think they're running too something by running away from their personal life troubles.
Those are my thoughts so far
And I have to say that the second time around is better than the first because now I know the why's and the wherefores.
It's interesting to me that so many of you relate to Jenna the most! I have a theory about that, one that you all can maybe help me prove or disprove. Just the fact that we're all part of this amazing forum suggests that we're all serious readers. Many serious readers are often introverts like Jenna, folks who spent a lot of time in their youth with their noses buried in books! I know I was one of them. Outside my house was a cherry tree that had just the most perfect crook in one of its branches. I can't count the hours I spent in that tree, reading library books.
So how does that theory hold up? Were you all serious readers as children? Did any of you have a favorite nook or tree or chair that you liked to read in . . .?
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I in fact ( I know it's hard to believe) didn't even like reading until I was in my 40s when I picked it as a substitute addiction when I quit smoking, the rest as the say is history :)
Lisa wrote: "It's interesting to me that so many of you relate to Jenna the most! I have a theory about that, one that you all can maybe help me prove or disprove. Just the fact that we're all part of this a..."
Lisa, I loved books as a child and still own just about every book I had back then, even the beautiful picture books. I wouldn't say I was introverted though and was active and outgoing in high school. So I think I have a little of all the characters from the book in me. I think that is why I am enjoying the book so much and finding ways to relate to everybody.
Lisa wrote: "It's interesting to me that so many of you relate to Jenna the most! I have a theory about that, one that you all can maybe help me prove or disprove.
Just the fact that we're all part of this a..."
I was read to a lot when I was a small child. Then when I was in elementary school, the bookmobile came to our house in the summer and parked in the driveway. All of the neighborhood kids came. This was back in the 70's and it was basically a library on wheels! They brought books for us to check out, they read us a story, and then came back the next week so we could return our books and get more!
Then I went through a Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden phase. By high school, I was not the most outgoing student by any means, but because of my love for books, I always enjoyed book reports. Even if it happened to be an oral report, I would usually volunteer to go ahead and get it over with. I still remember in the ninth grade, before I returned to my seat, a girl told me that she liked my report and it made her want to read the book. That was a good day and I have never forgotten it!
Oh well, I think I've probably rambled on enough while walking down memory lane......
Just the fact that we're all part of this a..."
I was read to a lot when I was a small child. Then when I was in elementary school, the bookmobile came to our house in the summer and parked in the driveway. All of the neighborhood kids came. This was back in the 70's and it was basically a library on wheels! They brought books for us to check out, they read us a story, and then came back the next week so we could return our books and get more!
Then I went through a Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden phase. By high school, I was not the most outgoing student by any means, but because of my love for books, I always enjoyed book reports. Even if it happened to be an oral report, I would usually volunteer to go ahead and get it over with. I still remember in the ninth grade, before I returned to my seat, a girl told me that she liked my report and it made her want to read the book. That was a good day and I have never forgotten it!
Oh well, I think I've probably rambled on enough while walking down memory lane......
TarHeelGirl00 wrote: "Lisa wrote: "It's interesting to me that so many of you relate to Jenna the most! I have a theory about that, one that you all can maybe help me prove or disprove. Just the fact that we're all p..."
Tarheelgirl00, don't worry about rambling, I find it very interesting getting an insight into how other people grew up, and how they found their love of reading!! ;)
TarHeelGirl -- the Bookmobile!!! I Loved loved LOVED the bookmobile! OMG that brings back such amazing memories.......and thanks everyone for sharing your stories about how/why/when you became readers. It Just goes to show that a love of reading can grow from many a different place.
Lisa wrote: "It's interesting to me that so many of you relate to Jenna the most! I have a theory about that, one that you all can maybe help me prove or disprove. Just the fact that we're all part of this a..."
I fell in love with reading in the fifth grade. My teacher put extra emphasis on reading. She read aloud to our class and introduced us to different books, some of which are still my favorites today. We were encouraged to read as many books as we could and for each write a book report which she put in a folder and gave us at the end of the year. I still have that folder and it's fun looking back through it remembering the books I read back then and reading my thoughts on them.
In my house I had two younger sisters and a younger brother, so I was always looking for a quiet spot to read. My favorite spot to read was in the hall closet. I'd curl up in the blankets and take my flashlight in there to read. Looking back, that closet is so small I'm not sure how I fit in there!:)
Lisa, you may be right about the introvert and reader part. Although I am very out-going, often the perceived leader in small groups and could talk to a lamp post, I am a true introvert--Being with a large group of people zaps my energy. That's how I see Nicole, too. I hate to think what she may turn out to be!And TarHeelGirl--the Bookmobile!!!! I lived 13 miles from the nearest nowhere town (without indoor plumbing), but we had visits from the Bookmobile!
I know I am chiming in late, but I have been an avid book fan from as far back as I can remember. I informed my mother upon returning home from my first day of school that I would not be going back to that baby school because the teacher hadn't taught me to read that day. I already knew my numbers and alphabet. My mom shared the story with my teacher the next morning, and the rest was history. She couldn't put books in front of me fast enough. Because my dad's job had us moving so much, I found myself sliding more and more into my qworld of books to cope with the constant changes in my other world that I wasn't coping with so well. Each move I found harder to say goodbye to friends and even harder to make new ones, so I found comfort in my friends in my stories, as well as the vast array of fascinating new info in the encyclopedias that my parents bought when I was in the third grade. I started with volume one and worked my way through, reading article by article. it didn't do much for helping to make new friends when we moved to a new city when I was in fourrth grade. it was there that a very kind teacher unlocked the library during recess and lunch and would let me go read to escape the playground. She also taught me the Dewey Decimal system and I spent the next 2 1/2 years putting the books back in order and reading behind those doors. in fact,I talked every school librarian from that school on to letting me hang out and help during free periods. My love affair with books was deep rooted and still continues.
As Deb knows, by the time I hit fifty my hubby (I married a reader) and I had amassed a library and I thought I had found heaven. A room(s) of books and my piano with big easy chairs ... what more could you ask. Then 2009 hit and dreams dissolved, but in the precess,we found a small community high in the mountains that was trying to start a library. They won, and we won. In actuality, there wee three small libraries down that valley that shared the books, as our tiny one couldn't handle all of them.
But even though we now live in a tiny space, old habits are hard to break. So I am learning to read and pass on instead of reading and adding to the shelf. Even so, there are already stacks of books in unlikely places in the RV..... time to find a new tiny library.
please excuse typos. internet is down.....again, so am trying to type on my phone. lol
Mod
Just the fact that we're all p..."
Ang wow I guess it's a good thing that you just had a reading room built to store all those books!!!
And I am so glad that you're finding this enjoyable
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Susan, I'm so glad that your parents made a mistake it's our gain :)
And I find a new thing I missed in every re-read!
Thanks for all the great words of wisdom from you :)
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Just the fact that we're all p..."
TarHeelGirl
Wow what a great feeling to have in ninth grade especially not being really outgoing.
Thanks for sharing this, it made me smile :)
Well the wait is over and week one discussion is starting now!
We’ve met our three travelers, Jenna, Nicole and Claire and some interesting people and places along the way and we end the week’s read with a cliffhanger from Nicole.
1. First Thoughts
2. Do you have a favorite character?
3. Do you relate to any of our stars?
4. Are they running from or to something?
5. Favorite quotes yet?
Later in the week I’ll be back with a mid-week question.
Lets go and have fun!!!
And don't forget that LIsa will be here too so if you have any questions be sure and ask her.