Lexi’s Comments (group member since Jul 27, 2016)

Lexi’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

I will post an update in the next few days with some of the harder unclaimed tasks for people who like to look for harder tasks. I have been listening to Fool on audio for the fool/jester task. Great job everyone

Jenny, usually unless you have permission, it is considered rude to finish words (https://www.say.org/stuttering-101/li...).

Snowtulip wrote: "Lexi, let me know if you need me to post questions...bedtime is in approximately 2.5 hours for me :)"

I just got them up. Thank you

DQs - Day 3

9 . What do you think on the creatures from the dungeon dimensions? Do you find them creepy?

10. I enjoyed the Esk’s thoughts about being both witch and wizard and wanting to defend the one to the other. Do you sympathize with this view (more in general than in specific regards to magic fields)?

11. Why do you think Esk’s magic did not work?

12. Esk is supposed to be precocious but also nine years old. Do you think she acts in a way you could see a nine year old acting?

As a member of Team Ook, the bonus question is: Is not the librarian wonderful and would you want to be turned back in his place?

DQ - Day 2

Starting with a Bonus question...
“They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it is not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance.” (Granny said)
First off, who are “they”? I have always wanted to know. Secondly, do you agree with “them”?
I think TP has a quote on who they are but I could not find it. Anyways, I think Granny likely uses they for Granny says and I agree. Sometimes a little knowledge is all that is needed for you to figure out that you know little versus assuming you already know everything.

5. Esk went ahead and did not follow Granny’s advice, and thought since she had a feeling she could get into the bird’s brain, then why not do it.
When you were a kid, did you jump off the swing, or touch the hot burner? If so, give us examples.
Do you think she learned something from it, or are we looking at shades of her future University life?
I jumped off things and climbed things. I used to try to ride the sheep like they were a pony and otherwise, tried new things but I do not remember them being banned (my mother may have a different memory on this). Also, I doubt Esk will change unless she ends up with a productive direction to channel that energy (also re-read).


6. What do you think of Hilda and her version of Headology? What do you think of Headology in general?
Headology in getting someone to buy in so that they try. I like how it is flexible to the situation.

7. Esk finds herself on a moving barge. Loved loved loved the resume of talents beyond washing and sweeping that Esk rattles off in an attempt to stay on the boat. What skills could you bring to the barge? Unless they have livestock, I am less useful. I bake, make jams and can clean and butcher some livestock/chicken/fish if you are not too picky on looks.

8. Speaking of the barge, what do you think of Esk’s decision to just leave Granny? Did she mean to leave on her own adventure, or was it an accident? Do you think her matter of fact attitude is a product of her magic, or just her personality or upbringing? I think the opportunity presented itself and she went with it. She had a pretty independent upbringing and personality so this is where life has taken her.

Alysa wrote: "@Lexi, what's your other least favorite? You have me curious now :)"

Raising Steam, as I think it is poorly written compared to his others. It is one of his last.

Day 1 DQs
1. If you are new or relatively new to Discworld, what do you think of Pratchett’s world and writing style so far? For more experienced Pratchett readers, what are your favorite things about his writing style or Discworld in general?
I am not new to Discworld and have read every book in the main series. The Guards have always been a favorite and the witches my least favorite. In fact, this book ties for my least favorite in the entire series, so there you go. (Side note: if my team members are reading this, please ignore the last sentence).

2. So we have our plucky heroine Esk and her witchy mentor Granny Weatherwax. What do you think of our two main characters and their relationship with each other?
I think they are both really stubborn and think they know everything. Granny from experience and Esk from inexperience. I think it will be quite a paring.

3. A major theme is witch magic vs. wizard magic (and women vs. men), and I can’t wait to learn more about these different magical theories and world views. What do you think of this dynamic, and which type of magic are you more drawn to?

I always found the male v. female a little too black and white and (view spoiler)[ this book never had any effect on future female wizards (hide spoiler)] so again, not my favorite. I like Ponder’s magic with the ants but that is quite a few books down the road.

4. Oh dear. Esk went a bit too far with the borrowing. What do you think is going to happen next? And what will Granny say or do?

This is a re-read for me, but Esk is always going to push the rules. It is why we have a plot.

Bonus: I am really enjoying Pratchett’s wit so far. What is your favorite quote from this first bit?

I have enjoyed some of the ones others have mentioned including “rake in the grass” and the comment on front doors, as for my childhood, we mostly only used the front door when cleaning the spiders off.

Snowtulip, I will try to keep up with Equal Rites but just flagging that I may need help on questions.

Edit: I just read day 1 and 2 so I should get to my section tomorrow so I am good.

Judith wrote: "Hello Everyone! I hope everyone is enjoying the books you are reading so far. Any favorites so far you'd like share with the team? Any stinkers we should avoid ;)


Also,
If anyone on the team is i..."

Another option is A Deadly Education for Morris Dancers if anyone wants to read it. I enjoyed it.

I wanted to tell everyone good job. Not only are we consistently top three for ranking (depending on when teams update the spreadsheet), but we are also top three for BOM points. You all are awesome, keep it up.

Redshirt wrote: "Thanks Lexi! What were some of the books from your teens that you wouldn't enjoy now?"

So not teen but back in middle school, I read many of the Dragonlance books, and I still have the first trilogy that I got for a second hand bookstore. Mostly, I find that I am much more aware now of gender and racial biases and stereotypes. Some though are just bad writing.

Beth, I’m sorry to hear that and don’t worry about reading if you don’t want to. Take care of yourself first. Thank you for checking in. If just putting books on your TT shelf is easier, I can add them to the spreadsheet for you.

Redshirt wrote: "Just popping in to check in! Wizard's First Rule has death personified. Could someone add that note on the spreadsheet for me? "He was death, brought to life." pg. 288. It's slow going for me. I di..."

Added and I get that. There are books from my teens I probably could not read now

SandyL wrote: "Lexi wrote: "Sandy, what seasonal celebration occured in Beard with Me? Thank you"

Thanksgiving"

Thank you

Great to hear from you Skandia, what kind of book do you think you are the mood for?

More romance? I just read a great fantasy romance and the first one is fun too - Swordheart.

Sandy, what seasonal celebration occured in Beard with Me? Thank you

Cat wrote: "Jenn wrote: "Just finished . It wasn't what I was expecting a little bit slower, but there was a much deeper meaning within the story. Very good read glad I had it..."

I second/third that. Great book and then for comparison, read The Thirty Names of Night.

I gave it three stars. I did like it better than 10,000 leagues. Around the World in Eighty Days is really problematic and more so than 10,000 leagues or Journey as in those, there are much fewer people to be racist about as versus the entire globe. Mostly for Journey, I enjoyed parts and found other parts bogged down with now outdated scientific concepts. Oddly, enough the absolutely absurd like the underground ocean and inhabitants was less of an issue, as at that point, we had crossed into speculative fiction.

Also, thank you everyone for checking in.

Beth and Skandia, we have not heard from either of you in a bit. Hope you are both doing well and can you at minimum come wave hi.

Truitt, not every book is for everyone so do not worry about it. I finished it but read 10 other books between starting and finishing it, which says something. You have up to a month after the start date to read the BOM if that helps with books from the library.

I was hit hard by both doses. I hope you are doing well, Sandy and Judith that tomorrow goes well.