Nest Book Club
Shepherdjel
member
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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@sonore32 EL&IC (sp)
I don't know what to say so far besides the fact that i think the writing style is going to be a challenge for me!
So I am very confused, who is the 2nd chapter about, and what is wrong with him? Did I miss it or maybe it will be explained later?
Maybe we can read the next two chapters for Monday?
So I am very confused, who is the 2nd chapter about, and what is wrong with him? Did I miss it or maybe it will be explained later?
Maybe we can read the next two chapters for Monday?
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Re: @sonore32 EL&IC (sp)
Given the fact that we both feel this way I'm going to assume that we haven't missed an important explanation yet.
2 chapters for next week sounds perfect!
Hope you had a great weekend!
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Hope the twins are doing well and that you are getting at least a little sleep!
So what did you think of this week's 2 chapters?
So far I am liking the book although it has yet to grab me to the point that I can't put it down. Obviously we are learning more and more about our mystery man from Chapter 2, although I hadn't originally guessed correctly at all as to who he might be....
The only thing that bothered me about these 2 chapters was there wasn't a clear time frame given from the funeral to the start of chapter 3...I'd like to think some significant time passed before the Mom moved on but it doesn't seem like there was.
The book is interesting, I agree that I am not all, "can't put it down" but not too bad, I am interested and curious to find out what the key is for!!!!
The writing is still annoying, because I never know when the dialogue switches over (especially when he is talking to his mom). I never know if she is really talking or he is thinking things.
My thoughts:
Man does this boy have an imagination...the whole description of having a drain under the pillows and a reservoir of tears and I think there was something else he came up with that intrigued me.
Some things he says kinda makes me feel dumb...it is amazing how someone his age has such a knowledge base, at times it makes him seem older (how old is he exactly?/ do we know?!
Why does he keep bruising himself?
I have to say his hunt for what the key belongs to is intense, he is covering all his basis and is determined to figure it out, no matter what it takes. I am very anxious to see what it is and maybe shed some light on why it was hidden so well in the closet.
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The way his brain seems to work is crazy although from what I can tell a lot of that seems to be traced to how his Dad interacted with him. His Dad seemed super cool and creative.
I don't think we exactly know how old he is...I'm assuming 10/11ish? But I'm really not totally sure at all...
I am interested in this whole key thing as well...looking forward to reading the next chunk!
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Although I'm not sure I'll ever fully understand how his grandfather could leave like he did I'm starting to at least understand him as a person more and more.
One thing I'm wondering is he will continue on his key quest in his current manner (ie interview every person named Black) or if he will give up that path at some point and pursue the key using a different strategy?
For me the most emotional moment this week was when his grandfather realized there was no ribbon in the typewriter. I can sometimes be absent minded as well and this is something I could have seen myself doing. Here he thought he had come up with this therapeutic idea to help them only to discover that it ended up being nothing (fitting into there "something/nothing" division) to him although it was still something to her.
Anyways, your thoughts?
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my read shelf:
I'm not sure if she is fully blind or just mostly....I got the impression of mostly because at one point he said something about "she can't see well anymore" but then that makes me wonder bc isn't this the same grandmother that lives across the street from Oskar? And I never got the impression that she was blind (or near blind).
I agree with you on the confusing writing style. If I don't read a chapter all at once I normally have to go back and remind myself who is speaking at the beginning of the chapter when I pick it up in the middle.
Looks like we have two good plots lines going!
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I remember reading this book and feeling like I had ADD. I thought the writing was awful and I couldn't read large chunks at a time. Half the time I didn't even know who was talking.
Books read in 2010: 153
Books read in 2011: 160
Books read in 2012: 134
Books read in 2013: 110
Books read in 2014: 151
Books read in 2015: 153
Books read in 2016: 31
my read shelf:
Thank you!!! I was afraid I was just stupid!
Anyway, we can talk about this more in depth, but for now here are my random thoughts:
I know Oskar is all about his play and all the Blacks came to his shows. What was up with the whole scene where he was "smashing Jimmy, beating him up". I absolutely thought this was actually happening and I was SOOOO confused (stupid writing)! He was just thinking this right?
I loved the part when Oskar visited the Black upstairs (although at the time I didn't realize he was deaf). He is a sweet fellow and I am excited to see him and Oskar embark on the journey together. I also loved the description of the tree bed...I want a bed that is made out of a distinguishable tree with tree stumps and such! Although I loved the bed I don't know if how I feel about him banging nails into it everyday since his wife has been dead (even though this is kind of sweet)
my read shelf:
I totally thought the smashing part was real too...I actually skipped a paragraph or two to check before I went back and read them in detail, so you weren't the only one the author tricked!
I do love the upstairs Black as well, such a sweet sweet man! The tree bed idea sounds neat, although first I still want my princess type canopy bed
There was a part of me that was relieved to find out his grandmother really could see and so she knew about the typewriter after all. Although I had somehow missed how many animals they kept as pets and that scene was so sad when she released all of them. As a rescue pet owner myself whose animals have separation anxiety because of being abandoned my heart kinda went out to the animals.
I also have to comment that in a way I was proud of the grandmother for getting pregnant. The fact that she was willing to "break the rule" and go for it was good. I am normally all for couples actually communicating and making those decisions together however this relationship is so clearly dysfunctional that I admired her guts in taking a stand!
I think those were all the things that captured my attention this week
I'm glad that Oskar's mom recognizes that he needs some mental help but I'm not totally sure if the psychologist he sees is the best fit. I agree with some of the stuff he says (like checking on any puberty issues) but I don't feel like he is relating very well to Oskar. I mean who would ask the question "Do you see any good coming of your father dying?" To ask that question to an adult I think is borderline inappropriate but to a child?! Especially relatively so soon (as in decades haven't passed or anything...)
Anyways, your thoughts?
About Oskar, I think I am more curious to see how his relationship with Mr. Black continues, I think they will grow to have a special bond and they may be good for each other.
I agree about the psychologist, I mean I never saw one, but i am pretty sure that the way he is going about things with a 9 year old boy is not the right way. Granted Oskar although he has some issues does seem to be a little advanced in his thinking.
I still want to know about the key since I think this may shed some light on a bunch of things but there are so many little stories that I don't know what is more important.
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I feel like once early in the book it mentioned his grandmother's name (in relation to her being Anna's sister) but that was so long ago I can't remember it now.
Yes mine was all circled in red...quite distracting. The only thought I had of that was didn't Oskar's father used to circle words/letters etc... in things as hints for Oskar on some of their hunts? So maybe his father had circled some of that as a clue?
I'm assuming all these small plot lines eventually tie together and maybe we'll have a huge "Ah-ha" moment but I guess we'll just have to wait and see!
I can see him circling for a clue...good thinking!
Want to read 3 chapters for Next week? I think they are pretty short...Let me know :-)
Hope you had a good weekend and that you aren't getting all this ridiculous snow that we keep getting here in CT!!!
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my read shelf:
I am bummed that Mr. Black is no longer going with Oskar on his journey to find the lock. I am very surprised as to how much the search to find what the key goes to has kinda taken a role as a back story. I really thought this was going to be a HUGE part of the story. I was also kinda taken aback when Oskar swore in Mr. Black's ear because he was mad at him for no longer wanting to continue.
Anyway, the biggest shock was definitely about the tenant...
Hope you had a nice weekend!
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I don't think he actually swore in Mr. Black's ear...I had to re-read that passage a few times but I think the first three things were things he wanted to do (pushing him and yelling, swearing etc...) bc after that it said "No...I just shook his hand".
I totally agree with the key plot line. I was under the impression that it was the central storyline but it certainly isn't anymore.
I'm sure this wraps up somehow...I honestly am not sure how though
Oh also did you catch I think we found out that Oskar is 8!
I did have a good week...both mine and my husband's birthdays were last week so we had a party this weekend with a bunch of friends, it was a great time! Hope your little one is over his cold (and didn't pass it onto his sister!)
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