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

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

DAY 2 QUESTIONS. JULY 17. CHAPTERS 5-7

5. The book is set in an unknown city and then onto Marsyas Island. Country Unknown. Do you think it is set in an alternate universe to our own eg UK or USA or a completely fantasy location? Does it matter or make you think differently about the storyline either way?
I know the author was influenced by real events in Canada (residential school), which were also in the US, but I think it is a new location but similar enough that readers can see the parallel.

6. First impressions of the house and Linus' reaction to it? What is your own reaction to it and how it is described?
It sounds adorable and I love the gardens. Linus us stepping outside his comfort zone so everything is new but his joy about the sea was lovely.
7. In Chapter 6 we are introduced to a colourful array of children and the enigmatic Mr Arthur Parnassus. Who is your favourite child and ability so far and what special talents do you think will be revealed about Arthur?
The kids are my favorite and how each one takes some time and has their own reactions. I love all of them as they are each very different. This is a reread but I did guess some about Arthur the first time.

8. At the first dinner welcome for Linus the reader is bombarded with a plethora of notable pearls of wisdom from Arthur Parnassus which made me realize the allegorical themes of this story.
"Sometimes our prejudices color our thoughts when we least expect them to. If we can recognize that, learn from it we can become better people."
"Because even the bravest of us can still be afraid sometimes as long as we don't let our fear become all we know."
"There are things in this world that defy the imagination."
"He'd never be a bellhop because what Hotel would hire one such as him, people fear what they don't understand."

What point do you think the author is trying to make through the world and characters he has imagined and what do you think these quotes hint about the story moving forward?

The point is fairly clear about prejudices against those who are different and does draw on parallels with the residential schools.

DQ Day 1 - One to Four (p62)

1. What drew you to this BOM? Was it the fantastic reviews it’s been getting? Or the cute cover? Or something else?
I read it the day it came out. The cover plus the premise seemed lovely. It was the last book I picked up from the library before it closed for the pandemic so it was fun to reread.

2. What do you think of the writing style so far? I didn’t expect it to be so funny. I laughed out loud a few times at the terrible office Linus works in and at the rude neighbour. I love the way she is so rude about Linus but then keeps trying to set him up with her grandson.
This book made me smile the first time and the terrible cubicle land is so relatable/funny. Really, it is not a YA book. I am not sure why that many people tagged it as such. Addie felt a lot more like a YA book.

3. What do you think about Linus as the main character? So far, he seems to be quite frightened of the world. How do you think he will cope in the strange situation he has been put in?
This is a reread for me but this book definitely focuses on his growth and how he learns to live.

4. I was surprised that one of the children on the island is supposed to be the Anti-Christ. Heart warming stories don’t tend to feature someone like that. What powers do you think he will have?
Reread for me.

Last Two Weeks
Good job everyone, we have two weeks left and we are fighting it out with two other teams between second and fourth place. We are down to two books left for tasks/story, and I will be writing and sharing our story this weekend. Let’s finish strong, good job again

Snowtulip or anyone still planning to read Mort, you have until July 22 to answer questions and get BOM points.

Also, tomorrow is the last day for Firekeeper's Daughter.

The rest all end when TT ends on July 31.

Also, a reminder, especially for Guards! Guards!, that you can start the book early if you want more time to read it since that discussion starts July 22.

I'll take a day. The start of Aug should still be quiet.

Joyce wrote: "Lexi wrote: "Joyce wrote: "I started a book for the set in South Africa task. It is not long so it should not take long The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency"

Joyce, I pretty sure that is..."

No worries, enjoy the book

Joyce wrote: "I started a book for the set in South Africa task. It is not long so it should not take long The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency"

Joyce, I pretty sure that is set in Botswana and not South Africa. Over 50% of the book would need to be set in South Africa.

DQ DAY 4 Part 3, II - Part 3, XII (p253)

14. Why do you think Addie puts herself through interactions like she had with Remi? It must be hard to see "lovers" grow old without you and not remember.
I don’t think she purposedly put herself in his way as much as Paris at that time was not the big of a city. She never seems to really focus on the grow old as much as the forgetting. She seems to care more as they relate to her than outside her.

15. Do you like Addie or Henry more so far? Why? Are you finding their stories interesting?
Neither entirely. I never really liked either character that much.

16. So Addie is going to tell Henry the truth! How do you think this will go? Do you think he will still accept her or even believe her?
I finished reading the book but since we were only at half way, I was confused at that time at how we still had half a book to go.

17. We're halfway through the story. Do you have any fun predictions or guesses about what will happen in the second half?
See above and I had no guesses at that time as I had no idea how the book could be as long as it was.

DQ Day 2 - Part 1, XIV - Part 2, III (p129)

5. At about a fourth of the way through the book, how do you like Addie LaRue as a narrator/person?
I find her a little too modern for 300 years ago in her thought pattern even in the flash backs and I never really liked her as a character. She reads very modern YA narrator.

6. Are you more interested in Addie’s past or present life (or both)? Why?
More present for me I keep hoping for growth and moving forwards.


7. How do you think she handled the start of her "curse"?
It was kind of a mess since she didn’t really think about her bargain so she made do with what she had and how little she knew. It was a rough start.

8. Addie seems to have serial one-night stands with the same person. Why do you think she does this, and do you have any concerns with the potential for manipulating the other party? (I am still thinking on this as a power imbalance).
I wrote this question, so my thoughts are fairly clear. I find it creepy and a power imbalance.

9. In this section, we meet Henry. What is your initial reaction to Henry and his ability to remember her?
I won’t answer here for spoilers but I did guess very quickly why he could remember her but not quit the full story.

DQ Day 1 - Part 1, I - Part 1, XIII (p67)

1. Other than BOM points what attracted you to this book? The rave reviews? The cover? The blurb?
I've also enjoyed most of this authors books but this is by far my least favorite of hers. I saw the reviews but similar to the last BOM, this one is not my kind of book. It reads more like YA book than the YA book for this month (which is not YA either to be fair).

2. Have you read any other books by V.E. Schwab/Victoria Schwab? If so, how does this book compare? If not, what do you think of the book so far?
Yes, I've read the first one in Darker Shade of Magic series (really enjoyed) and her Vicious series (really loved). I have also read some of her MG books. This one just isn’t as good.

3. What are your thoughts on Addie and the bargain she made?
A mess and not thought through.

4. Obviously, selling your soul is going too far but if you were able to get a wish granted what would it be?
Health and sufficiency

Judith wrote: "No, sorry. About the only time I take any sort of notes is when I'm writing BOM questions. I just kind of wing it and it's only during the section I need to write the questions on."

I am the same as Judith and only take notes if reading BOM ahead of when the day before me wrote their questions.

I have internet again. I hope everyone in the US had a good holiday weekend. (Which in my case involved avoiding all fireworks).

DQ Day 2 - Part 1, XIV - Part 2, III (p129)

5. At about a fourth of the way through the book, how do you like Addie LaRue as a narrator/person?
6. Are you more interested in Addie’s past or present life (or both)? Why?
7. How do you think she handled the start of her "curse"?
8. Addie seems to have serial one-night stands with the same person. Why do you think she does this, and do you have any concerns with the potential for manipulating the other party? (I am still thinking on this as a power imbalance).
9. In this section, we meet Henry. What is your initial reaction to Henry and his ability to remember her?

Welcome to July Update
(Also, how are we half way done with 2021?)

Update:
Tasks
- 7 left to complete – 6 of which are claimed
- All claimed but “Book Set in South Africa”
Bingo
- 1 left to complete and 1 claimed
- Great job
Jackanory
- 17 left to complete and 4 claimed
- 13 still unclaimed
- 1 for protagonist
- 2 for antagonist,
- 5 for cameo – what is Murderbot doing and the party -- Need a leaves early book here and a watches TV book
- 2 for protagonist reacts
- 1 for secondaries up to (romance and hanging out by pool)
- 2 for protagonist overcome obstacles

DQs Day 3 Chapters 16 - 23

11. Gramma Pearl shared many wonderful legacy stories with Daunis. I loved the reference Daunis makes regarding the storm and the thunderbirds bringing loved ones from the other world to check on them. As a result, Daunis has happy memories about storms versus being afraid and she consistently refers to Gramma Pearl when deciding what to do. Do you have any advice, stories or traditions passed down from family that you often think about? Something that you would share with your legacy...if so, share if you are comfortable.
My family has stories often of the women trying to make thinks work after the men have died. Some about feeding bears marshmallows (Spoiler: not a great ides), but not really traditions.


12. "The FBI is interested in learning what caused the group hallucination. I want to know if the kids are okay." Daunis obviously thinks the FBI isn't investigating for the right reasons. I observe all the time that young people have a different view on things than more experienced/older people. Who's right? What do we learn from situations such as this? Other thoughts?
I think this isn’t as much an age issue as a government versus private citizen issue. I tend to be wary of the government’s big picture in these cases as that can often hurt the person who is supposed to be helping them.


13. Heather is clearly not liked amongst the girls at the beach party...why do you think Heather approaches Daunis about buying drugs? Do you think this has something to do with why she turns up dead, washed up at Duck Island?
She was being friendly in the way she knew and she, clearly.

14. In chapter 20, Jamie asks Daunis about the meaning of 'Firekeeper's Daughter'. It's her job to lift up the sun every day. What do you think about this explanation? Do you find additional meaning in this as it relates to Daunis and her role in the plot of this story?
I think the lack of a name is important and Daunis decision to give her a name. To claim identity to someone who is only defined in her role and use to others. I think there is a reason it is the title.

15. Daunis finds Heather during her mushroom sleuthing on Duck Island. During her thinking she has an 'ah-ha' moment regarding her Uncle's journals. When she goes to look for them, she's quick to assume that they don't exist because of the connection to the FBI and the confidentiality required...do you think she's right...thoughts?
I think they are out there somewhere and will show up later in the book.

Day 2

6. I thought that the opening scene with Daunis and the gun would show up again towards the end of the book. That’s usually what happens when authors use this kind of device. Were you surprised that it happens not even a quarter of the way in?

I was a bit, but I liked it early as I am not always fond of looming foreshadowing and knowing what will happen. I like surprises.

7. We knew there would be a murder but we’re you surprised that it was Lily who was killed? Did you suspect something bad would happen between her and Travis?
Travis was clearly a major issue. I was expecting assault and not murder. I was sad to lose Lilly so early.

8. The synopsis also hinted that Jamie was not all he seemed. I thought he would be something to do with the murder but not that he would be an undercover agent. What did you think it was that Jamie was hiding?
I guessed he was undercover or hiding as he was just too competent and fit too perfectly into the existing dynamics.

9. If you were Daunis would you have agreed to be a confidential informant? I’m not sure I would be brave enough.
I would want to talk to my mum first. I don’t like her being so isolated on this with her age and with her grieving so much for Lilly and her uncle. She is at a huge risk and meth dealers don’t mess around. (I don’t believe the group hallucination story as a side note already).

10. Being a confidential informant seems to be very complicated with Daunis being expected to really investigate what is happening rather than just let them know if she comes across anything suspicious. How well do you think Daunis will be able to do this as it’s her own community and perhaps members of her own family that she will be investigating?
I don’t like it at all. She needs to be able to talk to an adult outside of the investigation but without this, we would not have a plot.

Joyce wrote: "Its always weird to me when the temperatures are higher in the north than in South Florida. As an ex-NYer I don't remember anything closing for hot weather.

Have a great wedding Redshirt."

As Redshirt mentioned, the NW area just do not have the infrastructure for that type of heat. 108 is very real. I have worked in it in Texas and India, and it is rough. I have a friend who works as a vet and the number of heat stroke cases she treated and many she lost was heartbreaking. I lived in Boston with no AC, which is normal in older houses there, and the house would get over 85 degrees. Most of the NW area also has no AC.

Also, thank you, Joyce. I need to start it next so glad you are enjoying it.

Joyce, you never signed up in the BOM thread to volunteer to post questions, so I got it covered (Judith was my backup). No worries, my library copy is here too. I hope you enjoy the book.

Just a reminder if anyone is still planning on reading and answering BOM questions for The Midnight Library, you have until July 2 to answer them.

Redshirt, I hope you have a lovely week with family and congrats on getting married. Do not worry about checking in here at all.

Also, hope you all are staying cool in Washington and glad you have AC.