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Raphael Kim
Raphael Kim is finished with The Mothers
Last part of the book, Brit Bennett shows that our life choices whether it's small or big never leave us. I think that her purpose is to show how deep secrets and what if stay near people for long time. As Nadia and Luke deal with their past author tell us that the Mothers of the church represent the past of the town. She wants us to see that while we get older and move away, the past me keep find way to stay close.
Apr 18, 2026 04:17PM Add a comment
The Mothers

Raphael Kim
Raphael Kim is on page 273 of 293 of The Mothers
As the characters get older, their friendship feels more complicated and mixed up. Brit Bennett is trying to show us that people can't fix a mistake from years ago. Nadia and Aubrey are very different now and the struggles and efforts of both tries to connect to each other makes this book exciting. Author wants us to see how keeping secrets can isolate person even when they are plenty of people are surrounding.
Apr 16, 2026 05:48PM Add a comment
The Mothers

Raphael Kim
Raphael Kim is on page 225 of 293 of The Mothers
On page 210 to 225, Nadia reflects more on her past choices and how they still affect her in present. I can see her emotional growth but also I can see her deep regret. I think that Brit Bennett includes this to show how decisions stay near with people and shape the relationship. Also I think Bennett is showing that sometimes forgetting about things could be better than regretting and not moving forward.
Apr 14, 2026 06:29PM Add a comment
The Mothers

Raphael Kim
Raphael Kim is on page 183 of 293 of The Mothers
While keep reading this book I notice that the relationships become more tense because the past is bring and pushes into the present. Bennett builds this pressure constantly instead of through a dramatic moment. She does this to make the story feel realistic. Showing how regret grows in normal life. It helped me to understand that emotional regrets often arrive little by little not all at once.
Apr 11, 2026 07:58AM Add a comment
The Mothers

Raphael Kim
Raphael Kim is on page 155 of 293 of The Mothers
During page 130 to 155. Bennett gives Aubrey a bigger emotional role in this section to show the difference with Nadia. Aubrey is softer and more open, while Nadia hides her feelings oftenly behind distance and pride. The author does this to show there is lot different ways people survive pain. By placing them side by side. Author leads me to think about loneliness and what real strength look like.
Apr 09, 2026 03:49PM Add a comment
The Mothers

Raphael Kim
Raphael Kim is on page 132 of 293 of The Mothers
Between page 115 to 123 I got authors point. In this part of the book, Brit Bennett shows how secret do not disappear even when people try to make them go away. Nadia, Luke, and Aubrey all carry private and secret pain that shapes their choices and personality. The author does this to show that silence can be just as powerful as telling the truth and that hidden things slowly effects friendships, and identity.
Apr 07, 2026 05:22PM Add a comment
The Mothers

Raphael Kim
Raphael Kim is on page 113 of 293 of The Mothers
Around page 90 to 110, the relation between Nadia and Luke are getting deep. I can feel the weight of her choices are growing and the situations are more serious. Also the expectations of the church community becomes clearer. The "Mothers" feel like more of a judgment. Bennett wrote this to show how pressure from others can influence personal decisions and make people's problem hard to solve it privately.
Apr 04, 2026 01:14PM Add a comment
The Mothers

Raphael Kim
Raphael Kim is on page 82 of 293 of The Mothers
Page 40 to 60. Nadia and Luke’s relationship starts from very quiet and low, but I can already feel secret and risky on their relationship because of their situation. Their connection look like based on the feeling loneliness than true love. Bennett includes this part to show how emotional pain could lead people to make complicated choices easier that may seem small at first but can have serious consequences later.
Apr 03, 2026 04:04PM Add a comment
The Mothers

Raphael Kim
Raphael Kim is on page 30 of 293 of The Mothers
On page 12 to 25, Nadia begins to keep a distance away from church after her mom’s death and her sadness is noticeable in her actions and thought. She seems lost and disconnected from everyone and everythings around her. Brit Bennett likely wrote this to show how pain from losing someone can isolate a person and slowly effects their behavior and decisions before any problems that she will face during the book.
Mar 31, 2026 05:53PM Add a comment
The Mothers

Raphael Kim
Raphael Kim is finished with A Psalm for the Wild-Built (Monk & Robot, #1)
On page 141, the respect for nature really stands out for me. Humans don't try to control or expand into the wild. They accept limits. and they keeping the promise with robots. That feels very different from our world, where expand and profit often come first. Author suggest coexistence requires humility. It gives hope because change is shown as a choice people can make, not something impossible.
Feb 28, 2026 04:23PM Add a comment
A Psalm for the Wild-Built (Monk & Robot, #1)

Raphael Kim
Raphael Kim is on page 130 of 151 of A Psalm for the Wild-Built (Monk & Robot, #1)
On page 112, I was wondering about how people can feel empty when they are in stable situation. I think Bechey Chambers reflecting our world. In ourworld comfort and technology don't guarantee a happiness. The author asking a question that is technology level equals happiness. It connects to today's metal health issues and the pressure to always do better than others.
Feb 28, 2026 01:14PM Add a comment
A Psalm for the Wild-Built (Monk & Robot, #1)

Raphael Kim
Raphael Kim is on page 96 of 151 of A Psalm for the Wild-Built (Monk & Robot, #1)
Psalm for the wild Built shows morden they problem, the people feels peace but shaped by past environment. It mirrors Earth's climate changes. Becky Chambers tries to tell changes only happens after damage is done. That feels like a warning to me. I think she is also asking us that will people choose to be different from the past before it is too late to fix it. Book also shows us that we can live with nature.
Feb 27, 2026 05:47PM Add a comment
A Psalm for the Wild-Built (Monk & Robot, #1)

Raphael Kim
Raphael Kim is on page 79 of 151 of A Psalm for the Wild-Built (Monk & Robot, #1)
Becky Chambers named the robot,who meets with Dex, Mosscap. Mosscap is a type of mushroom. The author gave that name because people see mushrooms as a boring thing because of how it is shaped. But it is unique, it is a fungus. The more and more you study about fungus you get more interested. The author tells us that robots might seem a boring thing but the more you see it through you will get interested.
Feb 22, 2026 04:39PM Add a comment
A Psalm for the Wild-Built (Monk & Robot, #1)

Raphael Kim
Raphael Kim is on page 72 of 151 of A Psalm for the Wild-Built (Monk & Robot, #1)
One of my favorite things about this book is how the author builds up and shows the connection between Dex and Robots. Such as both are unsatisfied with what they are doing.Dex was a gardener in The City but he felt empty so he chose to be a best tea monk. Same as robots, after they gain consciousness they choose to follow nature. The author tries to show us that robots and humans are not far away from each other.
Feb 22, 2026 06:14AM Add a comment
A Psalm for the Wild-Built (Monk & Robot, #1)

Raphael Kim
Raphael Kim is on page 20 of 151 of A Psalm for the Wild-Built (Monk & Robot, #1)
Page 6 of the book shows that in Planet Panga there is no cricket. Cricket is a symbol of good luck but it also could be seen as a wealth. Becky Chambers purposely removed cricket from the book. Dex said it would be better if there was some cricket. I think that shows Dex misses past wealth when all the robots are doing the work for people. And from this the author tries to show we can’t take anything for granted.
Feb 19, 2026 04:47PM Add a comment
A Psalm for the Wild-Built (Monk & Robot, #1)

Raphael Kim
Raphael Kim is finished with The Reluctant Fundamentalist
Changez lost a part of him when he heard about Erica’s death. Erica was one of the most important characters in this book. She looked at Changez differently than others just assuming that Changez doesn’t belong in the USA but at the same time Erica liked Changez because he is just like her old boyfriend Chris. Changez really leaned on Erica after 9/11 happened because she was the only person who looked inside of him.
Jan 30, 2026 03:03PM Add a comment
The Reluctant Fundamentalist

Raphael Kim
Raphael Kim is on page 182 of 228 of The Reluctant Fundamentalist
Throughout the reading I was wondering about Changez acting to fit in with Prinston and Underwood Sampson. Earlier in the story Changez talked about why he is on the trip with the eating club. On the trip his presence was an exotic acquaintance. I think that situation made him try to fit more into the American community. Because he didn’t want to be seen as a man who is from different society and have culture.
Jan 29, 2026 05:28PM Add a comment
The Reluctant Fundamentalist

Raphael Kim
Raphael Kim is on page 141 of 228 of The Reluctant Fundamentalist
After 9/11 happened Changez decided to not shave his beard when people felt uncomfortable to be near him. I think that he didn’t shave his beard because he felt betrayed by people near him, like Jim told him to shave his beard. I think that let Changez to accept who he really is. Because before he was like a bat, stuck in middle American or Pakistan. So I think that he will return to his real home, Pakistan soon.
Jan 28, 2026 05:11PM Add a comment
The Reluctant Fundamentalist

Raphael Kim
Raphael Kim is on page 122 of 228 of The Reluctant Fundamentalist
I was impressed by the author because he shows two extremely different situations based on money. He made me imagine how good Changez's treatment was in the airport when he was riding first class with a good suit on. But on the other hand when he landed in Pakistan, he was in a taxi but many people that were watching him were pretty upset about him. So it made me wonder what makes people behave in similar situations.
Jan 25, 2026 05:33PM Add a comment
The Reluctant Fundamentalist

Raphael Kim
Raphael Kim is on page 103 of 228 of The Reluctant Fundamentalist
When Changez couldn’t pay for the food when he was in the Pakistan restaurant I was surprised because I didn’t know American Express couldn't pay for a lot of restaurants. Changez thinks American Express is equal to power and he thinks power is the most important thing in life. But I think that the author tries to show us that power is not everything in life, and that using the American Express can’t even buy food.
Jan 25, 2026 04:37PM Add a comment
The Reluctant Fundamentalist

Raphael Kim
Raphael Kim is on page 78 of 228 of The Reluctant Fundamentalist
I had two thoughts about why Changez was smiling after 9/11 happened. He was not happy that people were dead or injured he was happy because America got attacked. My first thought about why Changez was smiling was he was happy because deep inside of him he had jealousy. Because his country Pakistan was a great old day but not now. My second thought was he might think that this could be the turning point of the power.
Jan 24, 2026 06:54PM Add a comment
The Reluctant Fundamentalist

Raphael Kim
Raphael Kim is on page 61 of 228 of The Reluctant Fundamentalist
I think the author named the main character Changez because I think throughout the story he will change. At the beginning of the story he talks about how he chose inside rather than outside, quality over the first look. But when he talked about his college story even though he was working at 3 different jobs, he wore fancy clothes which referred to more care outside than inside. So he can fit into their community.
Jan 16, 2026 06:23PM Add a comment
The Reluctant Fundamentalist

Raphael Kim
Raphael Kim is on page 45 of 228 of The Reluctant Fundamentalist
The Changez’s interview with Jim was pretty impressive for me and can compare with my experience. Beginning of the interview Changez highlighted his grades, but Jim said that people interviewed here had same grade as him. Jim himself had that great grade. But Jim wants to know who can make the most money for his company. This shows me that in the real world I need skills that only I can do best, not just good grades.
Jan 15, 2026 05:40PM Add a comment
The Reluctant Fundamentalist

Raphael Kim
Raphael Kim is on page 19 of 228 of The Reluctant Fundamentalist
I was curious about who is Changez when I was reading the book. Because he was in Pakistan and decided to talk to an American who he never met. Also Changez was sure he was American by just looking at his bearing. He went to Princeton and he told the American he never had B when he went there. So I was wondering that why he came to Pakistan even though he was exceeding the expectation.
Jan 14, 2026 06:35PM Add a comment
The Reluctant Fundamentalist

Raphael Kim
Raphael Kim is finished with Montana 1948
The book taught me that avoiding the problem I create could help in the short run but it won’t help me in the long run. But it will make the situation worse. For example, when Frank killed himself he couldn’t take the pressure any more. And Frank’s decisions made Frank end up like that. I learned from that first I have to right things but if I made bad decisions I should take responsibility not avoiding.
Nov 16, 2025 04:26PM Add a comment
Montana 1948

Raphael Kim
Raphael Kim is on page 152 of 186 of Montana 1948
I didn’t expect that Wesley would arrest Frank. Because earlier in the book Wesley told his wife that Frank told him he won’t do it again. I thought that Wesley didn't want to arrest Frank. But at the same time I had a feeling that wasn't right because he is a lawyer and sheriff. The jobs that law should come first. But still I didn’t expect that Wesley would arrest Frank since Frank is his brother.
Nov 15, 2025 07:24PM Add a comment
Montana 1948

Raphael Kim
Raphael Kim is on page 121 of 186 of Montana 1948
On page 72, David’s innocence ends when he kills the magpie with his grandfather’s pistol. I think the magpie symbolizes David’s innocence. Magpies have two colors black and white like David’s old belief in life, just right and wrong. When the bird falls slowly, it shows a slow loss of David himself. The moment reveals that there are no more David who thinks there are only two answers. He knows the gray zone in life.
Nov 14, 2025 06:14PM Add a comment
Montana 1948

Raphael Kim
Raphael Kim is on page 97 of 186 of Montana 1948
I was shocked when Marie died on page 77. Because the book tells me that she was getting better. And I felt sad and angry at the same time when I read “Those words were the last words Marie spoke to me.” On page 77, I was sad because Marie died and how David described his thoughts and I was angry because I feel like Uncle Frank killed her. Also I think soon Wesley is going to find out that Frank killed Marie.
Nov 09, 2025 05:34PM Add a comment
Montana 1948

Raphael Kim
Raphael Kim is on page 61 of 186 of Montana 1948
I agreed with David’s thought on page 61. When David’s dad tried to talk with his grandfather about Uncle Frank. He thought if Wesley told grandfather that Uncle Frank touched Indian girls in an inappropriate way. Grandfather will figure everything and Uncle Frank will not do that again because grandfather told him to do it. I predict that Wesley won’t speak about Uncle Frank’s bad behavior.
Nov 08, 2025 07:17PM Add a comment
Montana 1948

Raphael Kim
Raphael Kim is on page 49 of 186 of Montana 1948
I was sure that the author was using the same strategy for Ollie Young Bear. Because the author wrote about how Ollie Young Bear is a war hero, he gets the most respect, and he graduated from Montana State University. Also he was the star pitcher on the Elks’ fast pitch softball team. And he is an Indian but he married a white wife. I predict that he will have some bad habits or some weakness about him.
Nov 07, 2025 04:48PM Add a comment
Montana 1948

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