Keely’s Comments (group member since Aug 30, 2013)

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

There seems to be a few books on the Cold Covers list that are on my TBR so I could cover that if no one else is planning to. But I probably won't get around to it until later in the month as I really need to finish some of my other books first.

*Edit: The Woman in White is on the list and I was planning to read that soon anyway so I will read that for it.

DQs Day 2: The Penultimate Update - Peppermint Tea (39%)

6. Were you surprised that Nora's second choice was related to her cat? What did you think of the outcome?
I was not surprised. The cat seemed to be a big factor in her decision to try and end her life. The outcome made me cry.

7. How did the reality of Nora's Australia line up with what you imagined it would be like?
I thought there would be some reason why she wasn't happy. I didn't expect what had happened to Izzie though. I thought they might have just drifted apart as people do.

8. What did you think about the similarities between Nora's life in Australia versus her original life?
It kind of all adds up. Her original life has regret from leaving Dan and dealing with that and her Australian life had guilt of Izzies death.

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?
Probably not. She already feels guilt for not being there for her mum. And she seems to be having anxiety about the speech she is going to have to do.

10. Any predictions for how Nora's speech will go in the next chapter?
I don't think it's going to go well. Either she will go back to the library right at the start or she'll ramble for a bit then go back.

6 Ruby Coins



BOM - May 2021

- 1 Ruby Coin for half DQ participation
- 1 Ruby Coin for completing ALL days DQs within month of BOM start


- 1 Ruby Coin for half DQ participation
- 1 Ruby Coin for completing ALL days DQs within month of BOM start

BOM June 2021

- 1 Ruby Coin for half DQ participation
- 1 Ruby Coin for completing ALL days DQs within month of BOM start

I got back from visiting my friends late last night. I am very tired as I struggled to sleep properly, but I had a nice time. I hope everyone's weekends were good.

@Jen I usually have several books on the go at once. Usually somewhere between 4-8. I usually have a fiction physical book and a non-fiction (history mainly) physical book and then an ebook and one or two audiobooks (usually a shorter one and a longer one). I also read manga so I generally have a couple of those on the go too.
I juggle a lot so it takes me longer to finish things, but it also means that no matter what mood I'm in something I am reading will appeal to me. I've got more on the go right now because I'm actually participating BOMs which I haven't done before.


I didn't get almost any reading done over the weekend, but I plan to finish a few books this week including The Midnight Library, Equal Rites and A Deadly Education.

DQs - Day 1

1. Were you planning to read this book before it became a BOM? If so, what drew you to it?
Yes, I added this to my TBR when I saw lots of peope reading it. The title was enough to get me interested

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 like short chapters. It makes it very easy to keep going "just one more". I like how the story was set up, but I wasn't expecting an immediate emotional rollercoaster.

3. What are your thoughts on Nora? Are you attached to her yet?
I can somewhat relate having dealt with depression myself in the past. But everything really did all fall apart for her at once. Suddenly those little things she had been clinging to were gone. I hope there is some happiness for her after all this.

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?
Of course I would be curious, but maybe it would be better not knowing. Life has made me the person I am today.

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 am not at all surprised. Sometimes the things we want most aren't actually the best things for us.

You see, doing one thing differently is very often the same as doing everything differently.

Thank you Lexi! :)

I just done the 3rd day of Equal Rites DQs so now I just have to finish the book.

I also began A Deadly Education and it definitely had "Morris dancers" in it. It was around the 19 minute mark (audiobook). Do you need an exact time stamp or the quote or anything?

I'm going away tomorrow to stay with some friends for a few days so I don't think I will get much reading done.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

DQs - Day 3

9 . What do you think on the creatures from the dungeon dimensions? Do you find them creepy?
I guess they were creepy. But it takes a lot to creep me out.

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)?
It's probably something I would do... okay, not really, but it's fun to think of being the one to challenge the 'rules'.

11. Why do you think Esk’s magic did not work?
This magic seems to be one that you don't really focus too hard on. If you try too hard to make it work, it won't work but if you go with the flow it will.

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?
I think she thinks a little older than her age, but that could be the magic. Her impatience in wanting things to happen now is typical of her age... or any age really.

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?
Wooo Team Ook! I'm not sure if I'd want to turn back. If I can still read then why not stay? At least people wouldn't bother me so much.

185 pages
658 pages
32 pages
32 pages
32 pages

Current Total: 692,703

I am very behind too. I will work on catching up.. eventually...

Thank you Lexi.

And yes, I have morris dancing covered. I'll be reading A Deadly Education once I finish Bleak House which I am hoping will be in the next few days.

I am also planning to read soon. Would you say that is a yellow enough cover? There was some dispute about it in UNO. If not I will find a different task to use it for.

I have a few other yellow covered books I found that I can read one of instead so I can definitely cover that if no one else wants to claim it.

Do one of you more Discworld savvy people have any ideas of a good task to use my Equal Rites for?

DQs 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 like with any saying that includes "they say", no one really knows who "they" are, but at least one other person as said it so they become the "they".
To an extent I agree but it can depend on the subject.

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've always been pretty responsible. If I was told not to do something, I wouldn't do it. There were instances where friends would tell me something they heard to be true, but if I knew for sure something was safe I would show them. I don't have exact examples though. But overall it was the case with me that I would hurt myself and then be told after that I shouldn't do whatever it was that had hurt me. It was kind of pointless by then becuase the lesson had already be learnt.
Esk learnt her lesson, at least in regards to that lesson. I think she will always try and push the limits, but that will probably be what makes her successful.

6. What do you think of Hilda and her version of Headology? What do you think of Headology in general?
I like the name and they way it is described. It makes sense. I'm upset this term isn't used more in real live.

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?
Erm... I'm pretty creative. I like cleanliness and being organised so I could do that.

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 don't think Esk meant to leave, but obviously wasn't opposed to it. I think all of those things factor into her attitude. She was raised with many brothers who she had to compete with, her personality seems outgoing and she can adapt quickly and maybe the magic just makes her feel more confident.

Great! Thank you Judith, I'll try it myself when I get around to doing Day 2's questions :)

I don't have much planned after I finish my current bunch of books so I'll be able to look to cover something we need.

I haven't read as much as I would have wanted to the last few days due to general tiredness. I have now done the first day of Equal Rites, but I am unsure how to link the exact post so if one of you kind souls wouldn't mind sorting that out for me (or inform me how and I'll do it myself :P)

DQs - Day 1

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 new to Discworld and I love Pratchett's humour! I find the writing style to be easy to read. The world is a little confusing, but I'm sure as I read more, a lot more will become clearer.

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 hope they become a lot closer. Granny still seems hestitant towards Esk, but they bounce off of each other.

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 think it's still too early to say. I'm looking forward to reading more about the different kinds of magic. So far, witch magic doesn't seem too bad, I wouldn't mind learning it.

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? I think Granny sees potential in Esk. I hope she starts teaching her more about the magic she was born to do.

Bonus: I am really enjoying Pratchett’s wit so far. What is your favorite quote from this first bit? Mine is:
“What’s an elephant?”
“A kind of badger,” said Granny. She hadn’t maintained forest-credibility for forty years by ever admitting ignorance.
There were a few quotes that I liked. I don't remember the exact quote now but the one about knowing more than others is a kind of magic resonated with me. And basically the whole first page or two :P

185 pages
185 pages
325 pages

Current Total: 612,278

I found A Deadly Education on my library app so I can read that. It sounds interesting. I've reserved it but won't be able to begin it until the 6th June, but that's fine because I have plenty of other books to finish first.

I just finished The Handmaid's Tale (finally). I must say I was a little disappointed in the book. I did watch the first season of the TV series a few years ago so maybe that influenced my judgement, but if someone read it without any prior knowledge I think they would be confused. It seemed to take a while to explain much about the situation and why things were that way.
I personally preferred the adaption over the book.

Well done everyone!

I now have access to two of the BOM for next month and I'm still hoping to find a copy of The Midnight Library as that was the one I really wanted to read. I'm sure I saw a store that sells things cheaper advertise it so I'm planning to have a look next week.

I think I'm going to put The Color of Magic on hold temporarily and focus on Equal Rites as the BOM starts tomorrow.
I would like to finish the books I have on the spreadsheet by the end of this month with the exception of The Color of Magic. That's my own little personal goal.