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

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

DQ - Day 5
Start: Albert sat on his narrow bed..."


21. Wow, Albert has got quite the temper on him! The way he goes about ordering the wizards around and wanting to change the current ways of the Unseen University. Do you think the changes would have worked the way he intended, had he stayed? What do you think happened to Albert's staff though? Also, one has to commend the owners of the Drum though to have passed down a debt for generations.
I think the staff may join the library or maybe the statue in the basement. I think the University might have gone in a very different direction but I don’t see the Libraian putting up with it so who knows.

22. Mort and Ysabell go on an adventure, and the changes in Mort seem to take root completely though Ysabell manages to snap him out of it. Somewhere down the line, the two of them have fallen in love. Did you expect this to happen? Do you think they are a good fit?
Eh, always felt rushed to me. They are both so young.

23. For someone who doesn't actually feel emotions, DEATH seems a bit put out with Mort, and it culminates in a fight between DEATH and Mort. Would DEATH have killed Mort? Or was he always planning to turn the hourglass around and have the boy start over?
Hard to deal with DEATH and I think DEATH feels emotions more than he says he does. They may be strange and someone out of place at time but still there. I think DEATH may have wanted Mort to win but would not have killed him.

24. What did you make of the ending? Was it a satisfying solution to the problem of a reality slightly out of whack? Mort tells DEATH that he has certainly learnt a lot while working as his apprentice. What do you think the most important lesson might have been?
It always feels a bit rushed with the sudden wedding. They both are 16 even if Mort got to be Death for a bit and Ysabell was 16 for 35 years.

25. Don't you just adore DEATH? *grin* Which was your favourite character or appearance in this book, and why?
DEATH, by far but a good shout out to the Librarian and his role was also fun.


26. Did you enjoy this book? If you've read the previous month's BOM, Equal Rites, does it compare? Or not?
I like this one much better than ER though in both, TP still has better developed female characters. This one has much more continuity with the rest of the series and DEATH is one of my favorite characters.

DQs Day 4
start: "The night shed its early casualties"
end: "'Now - are we going?'" (p200 / 76%)

16. Death trying to get drunk in the Mended Drum ! I felt for him during that scene. Do you think there's a way for Death to be human ? Assuming he wasn't human before like Mort ?
It says that DEATH was never human and he keeps trying to understand and that is part of what I like most about the character. He will never be human but it is a balance.

17. It seems Mort is not realizing he's changing and slowly becoming the 'grim reaper'. Even his behaviour is changing. People are noticing that "he's becoming more real. Nearly as real as Death". Is it possible that anyone can assume to role of 'Death' ? For example, as weird as it sounds, could Mort eventually reap Death's soul ?
I think they replace each other. Again, not sure on anyone but as DEATH moves out of the role, there is a void, which the universe starts to fill.

18. "What is it called when you feel warm and content and wish things would stay that way?" (has to be read in capital letters ;)) Death finally finds a job that suits him and brings him happiness. Did you expect he would be offered that kind of job ?

19. Has your opinion about Ysabell changed in the meantime?
I think TP is trying with her to make her a rounded character and one of my favorite quotes with her is about not helping with the nodes.

20. So it turns out Alberto Malich succeeded in postponing his death for more than 2000 years and knows exactly how long he's going to live: 91 days, 3 hours, and 5 minutes. Do you think he will move on and live what remains of his life in this book? If you had the option, would you want to know how much is left in your 'lifetime' ?
No and No. Also, I have read this book before.

Day 3 Questions end: "Then Cutwell sighted carefully ... [spoiler removed]" (p151 / 58%)

Q11. Do you think Mort is physically changing? When it says, "The gargoyle looked up into his face and suddenly felt like a very frightened doorknocker indeed, Mort's eyes glowed like crucibles, his expression was a furnace, his voice held enough enough to melt iron. It didn't know what he could do, but felt that it would prefer not to find out." – This is a reread for me so I know how it turns out but he is clearly becoming more like DEATH.

Q12. What do you think about the plot point where Keli is dead, but is not? Do you think this was a clever twist of the author or do you find it a confusing jumble? How will this affect the story and will Death find out what actually happened and react?
Again, this is a reread as it is for many people. I think it is really clear what is going on.

Q13. There suddenly seems to be sign that Death may be playing matchmaker of sorts with Mort and his 'daughter'. Are you surprised, and what do you think will happen with the relationship between him and Ysabel?
That always felt a bit rushed to me. Especially compared to later books, TP wasn’t as good at writing young women in this book as compared to Tiffany.

Q14. Do you think that before Mort was chosen by Death, that he was a normal boy? Do you think he must have some wizard properties buried or are his "abilities" gathered from being Death's apprentice? What do you think about Mort attracting death's attention - what is so special about him?
DEATH is very different than wizard. It isn’t magic but the ability to be real. I think it was that he did not fit in and could adapt and DEATH has a soft spot for those that don’t belong.

Q15. Mort seems to be getting a bit homesick after his day off, and Death is changing his tune as well. What do you think about Death's new adventures to experience some human experiences, try to understand fun and how humans behave?
I love DEATH at parties and on break. Reaper Man is my favorite DEATH book. (even though many people prefer Hogfather or Soul Music).

I'm good for both but thank you

Truitt, I moved your books over from your shelf that we could use (not a reread within 6 months).

Also, wonderful job, everyone. We are within 155 of being back in 2nd, good job everyone.

All BINGO spots are claimed if Snowtulip finds a Scottish one.

Qs Day 1 Chapters 1 to 8

1) Was this book on your TBR before it was announced as a BOM and were you hypnotized by the beautiful cover art? Were you familiar with Ojibwe culture prior to reading this book?

I have some familiarity form other authors but not a lot and I had been planning to read it and put it off when Judith recommended it for the BOM so I could read it now.

2) Several social issues have been touched on so far including racism (including within race (skin tone) and within families for biracial children), enrolled v. descendant tribe membership, substance abuse, illegitimacy, and mental health. Does the author seem to be pulling this off so far or does it seem like too much to have it work for the story?

Since it is all lived daily by the MC and her community, it all seems true to life and necessary to include.

3) Characters. Any favorites so far? Does anyone else want to be adopted by Granny June, or is that just me?
I agree on Granny June and Daunis. Jamie raised some questions for me that were legitimized in this section.

4) The author weaves tribal culture into the story and makes it an important aspect of Daunis's life. Including having her work in the tribal language into her interactions with the kids. Language is such an important part of culture, loosing a language means more than just a loss of vocabulary words. Are you enjoying this aspect of the story?

Yes, and I am reading it but I could see how this could be a very good audio. Language shapes how people see the world.

5) The quote "when someone dies everything becomes past tense, except for the grief. Grief stays in the present." really hit home. How did you react to this statement, did is resonate with you as well?

I enjoyed this quote too.

DQs Day 5

21. Even though Nora loved her life with Ash and Molly she still returned to the library. Were you surprised that she didn’t stay? Did you want her to stay in that life?
I am glad that she returned to her root life. This was to learn and go forwards. Kind of like the Christmas Carol. I am glad that this ended up the moral and the whole premise kind of annoyed me for most of the book.

22. When Nora reconnects with her brother Joe she finds out that the reason he had been avoiding her was nothing to do with her decision not to continue with the band. I think that Nora’s experiences in her other lives helped her to accept that this was the truth. Her old self was so wrapped up in thoughts that she was responsible for other people’s happiness I feel she may have thought he was just trying to be kind due to her suicide attempt. What are your thoughts?

I think everyone has their issues and communication is clearly one of them and potentially failure to recognize mental health issues in multiple family members.

23. Were you happy with the ending? Where would you like Nora’s story to go next?
It was bit too tidy and Saturday morning special with a nice lesson attached for the viewers.

24. Nora got to experience so many lives and possibilities - different careers, different relationships and the chance to live in places all over the world. If you were able to experience another life what would you want to experience?
I wouldn’t mind shadowing different careers but the no knowledge thing is a major no-go for me so I’m good.

25. Did you enjoy the book? Was there anything in the story that resonated with your own life? Is there a message you will take away with you?
It was a little heavy handed for me and I did not really connect.

Bonus: While reading the story certain parts reminded me of films and TV shows I’ve enjoyed. Films like ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ and ‘Sliding Doors’ or tv shows like ‘Sliders’ and ‘Quantum Leap’. Are there any films, shows or books that you were reminded of?
Christmas Carol for me.

BOM Day 2 Day 2

6. Were you surprised that Nora's second choice was related to her cat? What did you think of the outcome?
I wasn’t surprised. A recent pet death hits hard. The outcome was not my favorite. The author likely meant HCM and not RCM as RCM is usually a non-congenital middle age issue is cats, say around age 10. HCM cats often die young around 3-4. Also, regardless of the cat’s heart issues, having an outdoor cat in that busy of street is irresponsible in most cases.

7. How did the reality of Nora's Australia line up with what you imagined it would be like?
I thought that was a bit extreme and the tendency to bump everyone off seems a bit much and that fighting or feeling left out seems much more realistic al be it more subtle.

8. What did you think about the similarities between Nora's life in Australia versus her original life?
She only changed location and then removed the one person she was connected to so no surprise that it falls back to her default state.

9. On the surface, Nora's life with a swimming career seems to be the most successful so far. Do you think the positives will outweigh the negatives this time around?
We are too early in the book for her to stay. Also, the moral of this book should be that you cannot live a life she has not prepared for because this whole drop you in with no skills or memories is a mess.

10. Any predictions for how Nora's speech will go in the next chapter?
I have already read the next chapter but it being a mess was completely expected.

BOM Day 1

1. Were you planning to read this book before it became a BOM? If so, what drew you to it?
No, I had a sense it was really not my kind of book and so far that is proving very correct.

2. What do you think of Matt Haig’s writing style (and those short chapters!) and how he has set the story up so far?
I think it is all very superficial. I do not connect with any of the characters at all. I was worried about reading it since everyone said the depression section was rough and I have read books with anxious or depressed and really felt connected to the character enough that I had to take a break but this book is not that.

3. What are your thoughts on Nora? Are you attached to her yet?
Nope, I wish we got more show and less tell.

4. If you were somehow able to, would you want to see all of the different outcomes that could have played out in your own life? Or would you rather just leave things as they are without ever knowing?
I think I am good with where things are now especially considering how unprepared she is for everything.

5. What did you think about Nora’s first glimpse at a road not taken? Were you surprised by which book she chose to open first or by how quickly it disappointed her?
I think it was the most immediate choice and it was really awkward as she had not married him so the gap in years was substantial. The whole idea comes across as rather pointless to me as she never knows what is going on.

ALL tasks are claimed. Good job everyone

The remaining unclaimed BINGO are:

B8 "crivens!" - a surprise, Scottish
E4 Free Space! - Got book for Free
F2 octagon / mirror - mirror on the cover, reflection of some kind on the cover
H6 theatrical masks – MC is an actor/works in the theater, goes to a play

Took a bit but I figured out where I think it would be fun for our story to go. I have worked with what we mostly read and there are a few very specific ideas we might need to go find.

Our MC is an older women (think 70+/Miss. Marple) who is also a detective. She is very competent. Any book where someone is competent or good at detecting can be used here. I also need one with an older women as a detective if anyone wants to read Miss Marple.

First, a lot of us seem to enjoy romance books so all the secondary characters are romance heroes at a house party. I can use both MM and FM romance books here so no worries there.

Our antagonist is not so competent. He is hiding as a guest at the house party. More romance books work great here. Also, power hungry or greedy characters can go here.


I tried to make the story more normal but that failed. Our antagonist’s goal is to summon the Elder Gods (i.e., Cthulhu). He fails though as a storm happens and he gets hit in the head with a tree causing memory loss. I need a book with Elder Gods (I can read one if no one else is planning one) and a book with a tree on the cover.

DEATH is still getting a puppy. We need things like go on a walk, feed an animal. It does not have to be puppy specific.

There is a twist which I will leave as a surprise for now. I do need an unreliable narrator is someone has one. Feel free to ask questions on specifics or suggest changes. I am slightly making it up as I go.

Updated for BINGO. These are not the only choices you could pick but are just to get everyone started.

B1 Rincewind Scream - Horror, book that makes you scream
B2 Eagle - Eagle or MC works for US gov/military
B7 bag of coffee beans - coffee in story
B8 "crivens!" - a surprise, Scottish
C1 "oook!" - 3 'O's, book cover/story with an ape
C4 "anthill inside" - logo Computer, ants important to story
E4 Free Space! - Got book for Free
F1 bee - insect' on cover, 'bees' in story, yellow-black cover
F2 octagon / mirror - mirror on the cover, reflection of some kind on the cover
G1 cabbage - vegetarian in story, 'cabbage' in text, gardening
H2 black rooster - rooster in the story, black bird on cover, Maman Brigitte
H6 theatrical masks – MC is an actor/works in the theater, goes to a play

(some of these ideas were stolen from Team Moist)

Truitt, is there a reason you did not include All Fired Up for TTs? No worries either way but was checking your books.

Redshirt wrote: "On mobile, The Midnight Library shows a read date of the 5th. Let me know if it's showing now or if I need to get to a computer?"

Both are on your shelf with a read date so great job and thank you

Update on Tasks and I will update BINGO later today
Zombie MPG
Skull on cover
title in format x and y
on Spec-Fic Passing Bechdel Test list (https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...)
recommendation from diff team x2 (BOMs count)
mini skirt on cover – Jenn
Turtle on cover

Judith wrote: "Redshirt,

This may of been lost in the thread. But could you put The Midnight Library on your TT shelf?

Thank you!"

It is on your TT shelf now but it does not have a date read. Thank you

Cat wrote: "but what if home smells like sweet chestnuts??
https://www.mylondon.news/news/north-..."

Well, now I learned something new this morning

Joyce wrote: "Lexi wrote: "Does anyone want to sign up for backup for the July BOMs?

YA: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Ad..."

Joyce, that would be great. You can write the questions if your book arrives in time and I will if it does not. It really helps with the randomizer if we have at least two people for each BOM.

Snowtulip wrote: "If anyone is in the mood for fantasy, I just finished and recommend it.

It kept me completely engaged, and I'm promptly moving to the next in series :)"

I've been meaning to read that book. Thank you for the recommendation.

The Backroom BOM - Prickly Business - has started, and the discussion is about as random as expected. (Also, the backroom books tend to be read for fun and not seriously). If you have any interest, anyone over 18 is welcome to join the backroom group. Backroom July BOM