Sam's Notes Taken Along the Way
Prologue
Gotta love a catchy one-liner beginning like "People go to hell for what I'm about to do."
Chapter One
"Sometimes I wasn’t sure if a memory was really mine or if it was something I thought I remembered because someone else had talked about it."
Chapter Two
As soon as I realized that the Claire's dad was a judge I am instantly assuming that he was murdered by some released convict or family of a convict. Potentially related in an unfriendly manner with the step-dad.
The texts between Forrest and Claire are sweet and remind me of how Courtney always asks me if I'm doing okay around the end of July/early August. As much as I appreciate it I don't think I've ever asked Autumn or Amanda if they're alright.
How would a teacher not notice you destroying an Allen wrench in shop class?
Chapter Three
I hope this story doesn't digress into a "friend-zone" subplot between Claire and Forrest.
"I have to fit hours of watching TV, playing video games, and napping in one weekend day, all because weekdays are too laborious to let me space these things out."
The pause before saying "they were acquaintances" when trying to explain the relationship between the two men made me think something very scandalous, like they were gay together or something. Certainly more than acquaintances.
Chapter Four
“Claire, you have always been my little elephant. You are courageous and strong, but sometimes you charge into things too quickly. All of you need to make sure you are prepared to hear the answers before you ask the questions.”
Chapter Six
If Claire's mother was so upset that the kids were snooping and finding things out that they shouldn't be, then why was she letting them have all these friends over? Not being allowed company was always the very first thing my parents punished us with.
The part where Claire is reading an article about how loved her dad was and all she can think to say is "They all knew him better than I did" makes me sad.
The letter Claire wrote to her dad when she was 13 makes me think of how I used to feel about my dad even though I didn't loose him when I was really young.
"So I’m sitting here in my room, wondering what Mom really meant when she said I’m like you. I think she meant I’m stubborn, but I don’t remember you enough to know how I’m like you. I’d like to think I have some of your good qualities. You must have been brave because you moved to America even though you didn’t speak English. And you must have been smart because you were a judge. I wish Mom talked about you. She gets all weird whenever I ask too many questions, so I don’t bother anymore. I may not remember much about you, but I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t have grounded me today over something that stupid. She’s going to miss me when I move to London.
Chapter Eleven
"I’m tired of not fitting in because I’m a girl. And I’m tired of not fitting in with girls because I’m always with boys."
Chapter Twelve
"Was it more important to be decent to someone, or declare my independence?"
Is it common practice to be banned from extracurricular activities when you are accused of cheating on a test? Before it's even been proven? I was only ever accused of cheating once, in 8th grade, and it was the other person who had copied off of my test, but I don't remember any punishment besides a stern talking to.
"Sometimes I wonder if I’m in love with Forrest. I know I feel differently about him than anyone else, but I also think that’s how it’s supposed to be with your best friend. Even if I knew for sure that I was in love with him, I can’t see myself doing anything about it. I’d never want to do anything that would put our friendship at risk. It’s just not worth it."
"And honestly, I have no idea what being in love feels like. Someone told me you feel like you can’t breathe when you’re around him. The first time I jumped off the high-dive at the pool, I hit the bottom. But I started to panic on my way up because I couldn’t breathe, and I thought I would run out of air. That was pure torture. I’ve never felt like being around Forrest is pure torture."
"I’ve always wondered if [Mom] would marry you again if she knew you were going to die. Would she marry you if she knew it would end up causing her so much pain?"
Chapter Thirteen
Are prosthetic fingers a real thing?
I can't imagine how jarring it must be to have this physical idea of what your dad looks like that is suddenly destroyed / altered by reading an autopsy report. Not to mention the pictures. My mom has never let me look at my dad's and I wouldn't know where it is to even try and sneak a peek at it.
Chapter Fifteen
I thought it was really clever of Fed to bring up the point that mobs usually want people in power to be in their back pocket, like judges.
I know "it's a book" but I don't understand how all of these teenagers are sitting in the living room of the house talking about mobs, murder, and conspiracy and none of the parents are around or aware.
Chapter Sixteen
"Would it be awkward if we all end up together in heaven but Mom’s married to you and she’s married to another guy (aka Dad) too?"
"It’s not that I don’t want to see you again, but the whole idea of dying is scary. And right now, death just feels mean. I don’t know how God or whatever higher being could take people or animals away when there are people who still love them and need them."
Chapter Seventeen
I guess I just can't be 100% satisfied with books. I felt that "Every Day" didn't know into enough detail about day to day life and I feel like this book skips too much.
Chapter Eighteen
How stupid does Claire have to be to walk home alone after all of the paranoia surrounding the black SUV - as well as everything else?
Chapter Nineteen
I'm not sure how I feel about the story the step-dad tells to explain how he knew Claire's father and therefore felt compelled to take care of the family. And all of the secrets, my family is notorious for secrets, and I've always hated it, so I empathize with Claire for being annoyed about having to find out all of these things on her own.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Very confused about where the fire was when it started and why Parker and Claire didn't notice it until their dad came to investigate. The way the scene was written it seemed very sudden. Was the bomb only triggered after the door was opened?
Chapter Twenty-Four
"I was physically okay, but tonight my world had shifted."
Why in the hell was Claire not more suspicious that the "Koa wood button, probably from one of dad's Hawaiian shirts" was found so near to the MP3 player? I don't know why he would be involved other than trying to scare Claire away from finding the truth, but every little thing can be evidence!
Chapter Twenty-Seven
“Netsuku means to take root, but it’s also a homophone for the verb meaning to be laid up, like with an illness. Some people believe if you bring a potted plant to someone in the hospital, he might take root and stay for a long time.”
“Your father did a lot of things he regretted, but he was one of the best men I have ever known. Please remember that. He spent the rest of his life trying to make up for his mistakes. ... I don’t know the man—the boy—your father was before I met him, but I know the man he became, and it was an honor to spend that part of my life with him.”
“'I’m sure you can imagine how painful and difficult it might have been for your mom to talk about this.'”
"I whipped my head so my eyes could meet his. 'We loved him too. It wasn’t easy for us either. We "lost our father, and for ten years we’ve had no one to talk to.'
"For years my questions had been blown off or deflected, and every time that happened, I took whatever pain or hurt I had and pushed it deep inside. I did what I was taught. Gaman. Endure with dignity and grace. Accept the pain and don’t complain. But maybe I hadn’t done it the right way because those pains never disappeared, and the space where I had shoved everything was so full it was about to burst."
-- I can't imagine how I would feel if my mom hadn't been willing to open up about who my dad was. Even though some of it I might have been better off not knowing.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
I thought it was super sweet that Parker made a pulley system for Claire.
I have a separate journal I write letters to my dad in and while I have slowed down substantially I do feel it really helps with grieving the loss, especially of a parent.
The scene where Forrest is confessing his feelings for Claire is SO cheesy I almost skipped it.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Once they all arrived at the Halloween Dance it started suspecting that something bad was going to happen. Reminds me of an episode of Pretty Little Liars (reminds me of a few different shows where bad things happen at costume parties). Plus, it seems a little silly to dress up as especially Japanese when the attacks seem to have a Japanese them attached to them. At least if she had altered her face she wouldn't have been such an easy target.
"...she’d never seen snow until she was a teen, when her family vacationed in Colorado for Christmas. She said she wondered how she could have missed out on something so beautiful for so many years, and when she first saw my father, it was like seeing snow for the first time. For a moment, I thought about all the pain my father’s death had caused her and wondered if she would have been better off if she’d never seen snow in the first place."
I kind of doubt that Claire would have instantly noticed the missing button on Mr. Tama's shirt, especially since she was all distracted by Forrest. But I'm glad she did because the minute the book talked about his shirt and accent I was like "Oh yeah that makes way more sense than any other theory so far!"
Chapter Thirty-Three
The police's question, "Why do you think he kept these here" was very valid and makes me question everything now. Which is good since there's till 10 chapters left.
Chapter Thirty-Six
I still feel like Claire's dad's story is too clean, too perfect. I still have a bad feeling that he's partly responsible for all of this, and on the bad guys' side.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Claire's hangup with not wanting to tell people she's dating Forrest is super annoying. Not just in this book, but in general, people like that are super annoying to me. If I was Forrest I would definitely take it personally.
Forrest knew that Mumps was at the party and talking to Claire. Why didn't he mention it to Nicholas? Why didn't he tell Claire that Mumps and Chase were friends? Why is the connection only being drawn now?
The message Claire left for her dad when she started putting everything together was funny. Like she realized in the next paragraph, she'd left normal messaged before, so why encode this one? Also, I doubt she could have thought of all of that on her feet in real life.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Claire should have known better, especially with all of her training, to not make much noise until after the car had started to move. Then she wouldn't have been knocked out the 2nd time.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
The story Claire's captor told is awful, and I don't know if I could forgive my father if I had found out he had done something like that. Also, if Claire's mom or step-dad knew the stories, they were idiots for not putting all of the dots together sooner.
Chapter Forty
I hate "an eye for an eye" mentality. Even in this context, Asia being the land of honor, I hate it so much.
"...tears collect in eyes as he walks because sadness lies in shadows of stars and in shadow of moon..."
Chapter Forty-One
"... there’s no honor in retaliation. Please let Nicholas go. You can’t respect the life she led by taking the life of another."
" I screamed and wiggled and kicked until my legs were free, then planted the chair over his face. He raised his head, hands at his throat. My eyes met his."
--How can the chair be over his face AND she have her hands around his neck?
I'm pissed that Claire didn't just shoot Arakaki, Especially since it seems unlikely Nicholas would live after a shot to the chest.
Chapter Forty-Four
Since Fed and Nicholas are brother's, why didn't Nicholas have his own GPS tracker device?
I'm so glad Forrest punched Mumps, even after his long winded story and apology I still don't think I could have gotten over being harassed like that for money.
Chapter Forty-Five
"Ravage" means: cause severe and extensive damage to.
Overall I enjoyed this book. I'm glad things didn't really start coming together until 75% through the book so as to keep things interesting. I hate when the bad guy gets away leaving a cloud of "What if" over a book, especially a book that (as far as I know) has no intended sequel. I did get a little bored of the monotonous high school days but I understand that's what makes a story a novel. I also kind of yawned when "Everyone is going to be okay" because it didn't seem realistic, but on the other hand I am also glad that everyone is okay. (However I don't think I would have been terribly disappointed if Avery hadn't made it out...)
I hope this story doesn't digress into a "friend-zone" subplot between Claire and Forrest.
"I have to fit hours of watching TV, playing video games, and napping in one weekend day, all because weekdays are too laborious to let me space these things out."
The pause before saying "they were acquaintances" when trying to explain the relationship between the two men made me think something very scandalous, like they were gay together or something. Certainly more than acquaintances.
Chapter Four
“Claire, you have always been my little elephant. You are courageous and strong, but sometimes you charge into things too quickly. All of you need to make sure you are prepared to hear the answers before you ask the questions.”
Chapter Six
If Claire's mother was so upset that the kids were snooping and finding things out that they shouldn't be, then why was she letting them have all these friends over? Not being allowed company was always the very first thing my parents punished us with.
The part where Claire is reading an article about how loved her dad was and all she can think to say is "They all knew him better than I did" makes me sad.
The letter Claire wrote to her dad when she was 13 makes me think of how I used to feel about my dad even though I didn't loose him when I was really young.
"So I’m sitting here in my room, wondering what Mom really meant when she said I’m like you. I think she meant I’m stubborn, but I don’t remember you enough to know how I’m like you. I’d like to think I have some of your good qualities. You must have been brave because you moved to America even though you didn’t speak English. And you must have been smart because you were a judge. I wish Mom talked about you. She gets all weird whenever I ask too many questions, so I don’t bother anymore. I may not remember much about you, but I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t have grounded me today over something that stupid. She’s going to miss me when I move to London.
Chapter Eleven
"I’m tired of not fitting in because I’m a girl. And I’m tired of not fitting in with girls because I’m always with boys."
Chapter Twelve
"Was it more important to be decent to someone, or declare my independence?"
Is it common practice to be banned from extracurricular activities when you are accused of cheating on a test? Before it's even been proven? I was only ever accused of cheating once, in 8th grade, and it was the other person who had copied off of my test, but I don't remember any punishment besides a stern talking to.
"Sometimes I wonder if I’m in love with Forrest. I know I feel differently about him than anyone else, but I also think that’s how it’s supposed to be with your best friend. Even if I knew for sure that I was in love with him, I can’t see myself doing anything about it. I’d never want to do anything that would put our friendship at risk. It’s just not worth it."
"And honestly, I have no idea what being in love feels like. Someone told me you feel like you can’t breathe when you’re around him. The first time I jumped off the high-dive at the pool, I hit the bottom. But I started to panic on my way up because I couldn’t breathe, and I thought I would run out of air. That was pure torture. I’ve never felt like being around Forrest is pure torture."
"I’ve always wondered if [Mom] would marry you again if she knew you were going to die. Would she marry you if she knew it would end up causing her so much pain?"
Chapter Thirteen
Are prosthetic fingers a real thing?
I can't imagine how jarring it must be to have this physical idea of what your dad looks like that is suddenly destroyed / altered by reading an autopsy report. Not to mention the pictures. My mom has never let me look at my dad's and I wouldn't know where it is to even try and sneak a peek at it.
Chapter Fifteen
I thought it was really clever of Fed to bring up the point that mobs usually want people in power to be in their back pocket, like judges.
I know "it's a book" but I don't understand how all of these teenagers are sitting in the living room of the house talking about mobs, murder, and conspiracy and none of the parents are around or aware.
Chapter Sixteen
"Would it be awkward if we all end up together in heaven but Mom’s married to you and she’s married to another guy (aka Dad) too?"
"It’s not that I don’t want to see you again, but the whole idea of dying is scary. And right now, death just feels mean. I don’t know how God or whatever higher being could take people or animals away when there are people who still love them and need them."
Chapter Seventeen
I guess I just can't be 100% satisfied with books. I felt that "Every Day" didn't know into enough detail about day to day life and I feel like this book skips too much.
Chapter Eighteen
How stupid does Claire have to be to walk home alone after all of the paranoia surrounding the black SUV - as well as everything else?
Chapter Nineteen
I'm not sure how I feel about the story the step-dad tells to explain how he knew Claire's father and therefore felt compelled to take care of the family. And all of the secrets, my family is notorious for secrets, and I've always hated it, so I empathize with Claire for being annoyed about having to find out all of these things on her own.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Very confused about where the fire was when it started and why Parker and Claire didn't notice it until their dad came to investigate. The way the scene was written it seemed very sudden. Was the bomb only triggered after the door was opened?
Chapter Twenty-Four
"I was physically okay, but tonight my world had shifted."
Why in the hell was Claire not more suspicious that the "Koa wood button, probably from one of dad's Hawaiian shirts" was found so near to the MP3 player? I don't know why he would be involved other than trying to scare Claire away from finding the truth, but every little thing can be evidence!
Chapter Twenty-Seven
“Netsuku means to take root, but it’s also a homophone for the verb meaning to be laid up, like with an illness. Some people believe if you bring a potted plant to someone in the hospital, he might take root and stay for a long time.”
“Your father did a lot of things he regretted, but he was one of the best men I have ever known. Please remember that. He spent the rest of his life trying to make up for his mistakes. ... I don’t know the man—the boy—your father was before I met him, but I know the man he became, and it was an honor to spend that part of my life with him.”
“'I’m sure you can imagine how painful and difficult it might have been for your mom to talk about this.'”
"I whipped my head so my eyes could meet his. 'We loved him too. It wasn’t easy for us either. We "lost our father, and for ten years we’ve had no one to talk to.'
"For years my questions had been blown off or deflected, and every time that happened, I took whatever pain or hurt I had and pushed it deep inside. I did what I was taught. Gaman. Endure with dignity and grace. Accept the pain and don’t complain. But maybe I hadn’t done it the right way because those pains never disappeared, and the space where I had shoved everything was so full it was about to burst."
-- I can't imagine how I would feel if my mom hadn't been willing to open up about who my dad was. Even though some of it I might have been better off not knowing.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
I thought it was super sweet that Parker made a pulley system for Claire.
I have a separate journal I write letters to my dad in and while I have slowed down substantially I do feel it really helps with grieving the loss, especially of a parent.
The scene where Forrest is confessing his feelings for Claire is SO cheesy I almost skipped it.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Once they all arrived at the Halloween Dance it started suspecting that something bad was going to happen. Reminds me of an episode of Pretty Little Liars (reminds me of a few different shows where bad things happen at costume parties). Plus, it seems a little silly to dress up as especially Japanese when the attacks seem to have a Japanese them attached to them. At least if she had altered her face she wouldn't have been such an easy target.
"...she’d never seen snow until she was a teen, when her family vacationed in Colorado for Christmas. She said she wondered how she could have missed out on something so beautiful for so many years, and when she first saw my father, it was like seeing snow for the first time. For a moment, I thought about all the pain my father’s death had caused her and wondered if she would have been better off if she’d never seen snow in the first place."
I kind of doubt that Claire would have instantly noticed the missing button on Mr. Tama's shirt, especially since she was all distracted by Forrest. But I'm glad she did because the minute the book talked about his shirt and accent I was like "Oh yeah that makes way more sense than any other theory so far!"
Chapter Thirty-Three
The police's question, "Why do you think he kept these here" was very valid and makes me question everything now. Which is good since there's till 10 chapters left.
Chapter Thirty-Six
I still feel like Claire's dad's story is too clean, too perfect. I still have a bad feeling that he's partly responsible for all of this, and on the bad guys' side.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Claire's hangup with not wanting to tell people she's dating Forrest is super annoying. Not just in this book, but in general, people like that are super annoying to me. If I was Forrest I would definitely take it personally.
Forrest knew that Mumps was at the party and talking to Claire. Why didn't he mention it to Nicholas? Why didn't he tell Claire that Mumps and Chase were friends? Why is the connection only being drawn now?
The message Claire left for her dad when she started putting everything together was funny. Like she realized in the next paragraph, she'd left normal messaged before, so why encode this one? Also, I doubt she could have thought of all of that on her feet in real life.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Claire should have known better, especially with all of her training, to not make much noise until after the car had started to move. Then she wouldn't have been knocked out the 2nd time.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
The story Claire's captor told is awful, and I don't know if I could forgive my father if I had found out he had done something like that. Also, if Claire's mom or step-dad knew the stories, they were idiots for not putting all of the dots together sooner.
Chapter Forty
I hate "an eye for an eye" mentality. Even in this context, Asia being the land of honor, I hate it so much.
"...tears collect in eyes as he walks because sadness lies in shadows of stars and in shadow of moon..."
Chapter Forty-One
"... there’s no honor in retaliation. Please let Nicholas go. You can’t respect the life she led by taking the life of another."
" I screamed and wiggled and kicked until my legs were free, then planted the chair over his face. He raised his head, hands at his throat. My eyes met his."
--How can the chair be over his face AND she have her hands around his neck?
I'm pissed that Claire didn't just shoot Arakaki, Especially since it seems unlikely Nicholas would live after a shot to the chest.
Chapter Forty-Four
Since Fed and Nicholas are brother's, why didn't Nicholas have his own GPS tracker device?
I'm so glad Forrest punched Mumps, even after his long winded story and apology I still don't think I could have gotten over being harassed like that for money.
Chapter Forty-Five
"Ravage" means: cause severe and extensive damage to.
Overall I enjoyed this book. I'm glad things didn't really start coming together until 75% through the book so as to keep things interesting. I hate when the bad guy gets away leaving a cloud of "What if" over a book, especially a book that (as far as I know) has no intended sequel. I did get a little bored of the monotonous high school days but I understand that's what makes a story a novel. I also kind of yawned when "Everyone is going to be okay" because it didn't seem realistic, but on the other hand I am also glad that everyone is okay. (However I don't think I would have been terribly disappointed if Avery hadn't made it out...)
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