Alysa’s Comments (group member since Jun 27, 2015)

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

DQs Day 4 (from "The night shed its early casualties" to "'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 ?

I wouldn't have said so before, but now I think maybe the both of them are metamorphosing through some combination of desire and experience!

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 ?

Sure seems like it at this point, though that didn't seem to be what Mort initially wanted, or thought he wanted.

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 ?

I was not expecting that at all, but it's kind of adorable! I'm not sure whether I buy that the short-order cook job would bring him lasting happiness though.

19. Has your opinion about Ysabell changed in the meantime?

My opinion hasn't changed, as I always suspected there were layers there. I loved that bit about the men helping her with the nodes, rather than her helping them.

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' ?

Dunno about Albert(o), but I… dunno about myself either! Part of me would like to know, but the slightly bigger part of me is aware that knowing is a terrible idea because I would be constantly obsessing about it.

DQs Day 3 (from "Keli had been to official functions..." to "Then Cutwell sighted carefully…" 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." - it seems these may be actual physical manifestations. With the photo Mort sees soon after with the wizard Cutwell, do you think that was originally Death in the photo before a transformation?

I think Mort isn't changing in a supernatural way, but just coming into himself, the way that awkward skinny boys often do as they grow up. That description is just due to his being impassioned about something, not due to a manifestation of special powers. For the photo, isn't that just Albert? We knew Albert's been "living" with Death for a very long time, and that people don't age there, so.

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?

I like it! It's not confusing; in fact it demonstrates some of the internal logic (such as it is) of the Discworld universe. I don't remember the details of how the whole thing gets resolved, but I think it'll still more after this reread. So far I'm actually enjoying the book more this second time.

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 attempt at matchmaking has been going on since the very beginning, no? They'll ultimately be friends, but probably not more than that.

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?

I think he had wizard potential. He's definitely the type. Not sure how he attracted Death's attention in the very beginning, but since Death seems to have a line on destiny, I guess it was just… destined, innit?

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?

It makes sense that Death would feel a need to do this, especially if it's true that he can only copy and not create. Somehow it reminds me a little bit of how Death in Neil Gaiman's comics sometimes gets to be moral for a day, to remind her of how it feels to be human. Gaiman's Death and Pratchett's Death are like two very different takes on the same idea.

DQs Day 2 (from "Five minutes later, Mort was lost." to "Sooner or later, everyone remembered the magic word." p98 / 37%):

Q6 - Mort walked through the walls a few times but couldn't when he tried to get into the castle. Why do you think this happened?

He can't do it when he's trying too hard! Not thinking about it at all seems to be the trick!
Hmmm… I guess that explains why I can't walk through walls...

Q7- What do you think of Ingneous Cutwell's character?

Ah, humor at the expense of ridiculous wizards! He seems ridiculous, though we haven't gotten to know much about him.

Q8 - The Abbot has been reincarnated 53 times. The concept of reincarnation is an interesting one. If you were to be born again what life would you choose?

Hah, see, can't predict any baby's future, so choice can't really come into it in that way. Especially assuming we can't remember our past lives while we are alive. So while I would not be opposed to being reincarnated, I wouldn't want to choose the life.

Q9 - Death sent Mort to reap three souls. In light of how he performed do you think Mort was ready for the job?

Nope, not at all. He did not have enough information to do particularly well at the first two, and obviously he completely botched the third. And he did it on purpose due to his crush on the mark!

Q10 - Mort found Ysabelle's handkerchief in the library. Why is she reading other people's life?

I have no idea. Can't remember. Seems like she's jealous of something, perhaps.

DQs Day 1 (from Beginning to "'I want' he said firmly 'a very fast horse.'" p52 / 19%):

1. Mort is nothing if not determined. He refuses to give up on being a “prentice” until the last stoke of midnight. Then at the very last second, Death arrives for him. Do you think Mort was quick to take the apprenticeship perhaps from feeling humiliated at the days events or was it something that truly intrigued him? Would you have been willing to work for Death?

Mort is an interesting combination of lackadaisicalness, subtle ego, and quiet determination, so his reasons for taking the apprenticeship with Death are also a combination of those things. He appears to be going-with-the-flow, but there's a lot more to him on the inside. One of the things I like about the way the beginning of this book is written is that Pratchett is restrained in his depiction of Mort's inner life. We are intentionally left to puzzle it out for a while. It's a weird choice, but it works!
It doesn't matter if I'd be willing to work for Death because he'd NEVER ask me, LOL.

2. Death has a sarcastic tone during this first section. What do you think of his fawning over Mort to ensure he gets new clothes and food and Death eating with him like a regular guy? Is he up to something sinister or does he just want to make Mort comfortable?

I think Death is just a regular guy, ultimately! I didn't see his behavior as fawning over Mort at all, just a kind of casual onboarding into a new job. Death seems to see potential in Mort, and also seems to want to set Mort up with his daughter.

3. Mort may be a bit gangly and lost in his own head at times, but he seems to have a lot of compassion. Upon realizing that he was talking to Death, he asked him to spare his Dad. Later he tries to intervene and warn the King that he was about to be killed and finally on that same trip he wanted to tell the King’s daughter not to trust the Duke. What did you think of all that? Are these normal reactions to someone who is the apprentice to Death? Do you think it will continue as Mort sees more and more of Death’s duty?

I think Mort's reactions are normal (whatever normal can be in such a strange situation). I also think he will try to change fate, but won't necessarily be successful.
Although this is a reread for me, I don't actually remember if I'm right.

4. What is up with the constant utterance of “Mort” every time someone calls our MC anything other than Mort or Mortimer after arriving at Death’s House and meeting Yasbell? Is there some significance to this or is it just rather annoying?! Lol!

He feels -- insofar as Mort is at this time capable of identifying his own feelings -- as if he's being disrespected when people can't be bothered to use his name. TBH, I would probably do the same thing if someone persisted in calling me "girl" after being told my name multiple times.

5. Mort, surprisingly, asked Death for an afternoon off. I think our dear Mort is growing up! He explains to Death that he wants to meet people for more than a few minutes. When he arrives in his own time and finds out where he is, he asks if he is near Sto Lat. He seems to have a plan when he says he wants a very fast horse. What do you think he intends? Will it work out like he plans?

Even if this weren't a reread for me, I would definitely guess that he wants to go meet that princess! And that the afternoon will absolutely not work out like he plans.

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It's been a slow few days for reading, ugh! But I should be finishing a book today, and maybe another tomorrow (or Thurs), and somewhere in there I will also start the Mort BOM.
:D

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Finished and
Details on spreadsheet. Both down for Bingo but can be moved if needed of course!

The Wee Free Men is such a great book. Definitely my favorite Discworld book so far (though I have a great many to go…)

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I kind of want to eat a hot dog now.

Hot dogs are definitely sausages, but Tina & Jessi may need to check whether the girl in the costume counts… 🌭🌭🌭

Have fun, Lisa!

Karen, it is still so weird to hear people say they are going North for beach time. Upside Down World! 🙃

Stacey wrote: "Debating on my next book to start. Do you think MPG of mythology or Race will be needed most (assuming my last one is used for the spell it out)."

Probably Race. If it's not filled (by you or someone else) in the next couple of weeks I have a "Mythology" print book I can read at the beach :D

Tina ❣ wrote: "Oh I'm jealous Alysa! A trip is fantastics let alone a beach trip! Where are you headed to?"

Just the New Jersey shore, so nothing too exotic for a New Yorker. But! It's a really nice part, and we're staying at a hotel we really liked when we stayed there once before. So I am SUPER excited!!!
Also the trip is the week right after I'm officially getting my promotion, finally! I just found out today that it's supposed to be effective 1 July! So, lots of good things happening for me!

I have a 9-day beach trip in early July, and I don't like reading e-books on the beach so I'm trying to plan ahead for some print books that I might not otherwise get to!
So far I've added my paperback copy of The Lost City of Z:, which works for a Listopia task (#239).
If someone else reads for that task in the meantime that's fine -- I imagine that "The Lost City of Z" could be fun to use for the Jackanory instead. :)

Stacey wrote: "
Finished. We initally said we would use it for Race; however, the long title works for 2 ..."

Wow good call, that works for N-O-W-O-R-R-I-E-S!
Good find, Stacey! I had a couple of close calls with that task, but no cigar. :)

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Tina ❣ wrote: "In case anyone hasn't noticed, I've highlighted in pink the tasks that haven't been claimed or that have been claimed but the book hasn't been read yet"

Re claimed but not read yet, several of these are mine (including the remaining Discworld BOMs)! I am definitely reading them, including 3 already in progress. So at least Captains don’t need to worry about them not getting done. 🙂

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Finished

which someone recommended to me. Lisa?
It was a crazy read but I really enjoyed it.
Added to bingo for Cabbage as they use cabbage ..."

LOVE that series. It’s actually a long-running joke through all the books that the time-travel pods always smell of cabbage!

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Alysa wrote: "BTW it looks like July BOMs have been chosen. They both have long holds at my library. I'm putting in requests now and we'll see what happens. They both have audio on Scribd too, but...."

Apparently there is one ebook copy of Addie LaRue available at one of my libraries right NOW, but that is waaaay to soon and of course when I do need it there will probably be a line again. Dammit!

Tina ❣ wrote: "In regards to tasks, Bingo and jackonary, I dedicate my weekend to updating them all. Tasks and Bingo are still a priority at the moment to complete as much as possible. We can start working on Jac..."

I feel like the super hard tasks & bingo remaining are high priority but the easier ones can wait until we do some Jackonaries. We are still less than 1/2 way through TT and there are not that many tasks & bingo left (especially it you don’t count the ones that are claimed but reading is still in progress).
Otherwise we are going to end up spending the entire final month writing Jackonaries, and a lot of them will be repetitive because of BOMs, and the people who read less won’t have had much of a crack at easy tasks & bingo before those of us who read more have taken everything.
Plus the people who read more can rush in to cover any remaining easy tasks near the end if needed, whereas it may be harder to cover if we need more books to complete Jackonaries, depending on what the stories need.

ETA: if it helps, I volunteer to remove a couple of my claims on “easy” tasks such as YA MPG and rec-from-a-different-team. I will still read the same books but they could be more useful in Jackonaries, and those empty “easy” spots can be held open for July!

And maybe for people who have trouble matching their Read books to a task or bingo, from now on those books automatically go in Jackonary?

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