The Challenge Factory discussion

Beth & Laila Jane



Hello Stranger by Katherine Center

I’m considering not starting until Friday since that’s another task. But only if there isn’t a lot of embarrassing moments because those slow me down a lot.

I have started! So far I find the protagonist a bit of a mess, but we’ve just hit the plot complication so that might make things more interesting. And the synopsis promised me two guys, so I hope the second one hasn’t appeared yet.

Ok. I don’t think I will like the twist. I’m 45% in and the protagonist seems to make most of her own problems and isn’t going to back down about it.

So I’m not sympathetic when she messes up.

Hi! I didn’t start the book until Friday too. I’m at the 40% mark, so I don’t know too much about the plot twist yet.

I’ve never heard of facial blindness before, despite being a nurse for 15 years now. I’m so fascinated by the whole concept, and it has really opened my eyes to the regular everyday things that we just take for granted. I’m really good at recognizing voices, especially those that I’m close to and those that I regularly interact with, so even without seeing someone’s face their voice gives them away, so it’s throwing me off that the main character is really struggling with this. I guess that’s something I took for granted too.

I have the reading version of face blindness. When I read graphic novels I cannot tell anyone apart. It’s ridiculous. I’m decent in person, but not that great with screens.

So I’m a huge advocate for diversity in TV. Don’t give me two white guys in an ensemble unless one of them is bald.

I found the face blindness stuff interesting, which is good because every plot beat was telegraphed way in advance.

Finished! It was fun if a bit over predictable. It felt like the author thought she had to explain stuff a lot to me, which wasn’t really necessary.

But the face blindness stuff was fun, especially when it turns out she was bad at recognizing people even before the accident. I like how she finally managed to move on from copying her mom so much .