Stacey’s Comments (group member since Oct 31, 2019)

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

I'll be reading this soon:

I know someone else has the rodent on cover covered for us. It's holding a small skull, does that count as fossil/skeleton?

Finished. Collection of short stories. Impressive for a female author in the 1930s to create such a strong independent female warrior as a main character.

Is anyone reading a book taking place in South Africa? I've found a few that look interesting. If not, I'll read it after I finish my current book.

Finished

Finished. Very interesting but quite long and not an easy read. I'm going to have to reread sections later to get the full impact. But now we have our MPG Science finished.

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.

It has been 2000 years and things change. I think some changes would have stuck but many would not have. You can't change that much that quickly. Clearly one of the wizards stole it, did they damage it? I did like the debt.

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?

I thought that it might happen. I don't think that it was a big part and I didn't quite feel it. I can imagine it happening but it felt a bit sudden. I do think that they could be a good fit, better than Mort and the Princess.

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?

I hope he wouldn't have killed him. I am also glad that Mort didn't kill Death and take his place. I didn't really like him as Death, he was a real jerk.

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 was definitely different. I'm still debating on the ending. I liked some parts and others not as much. I thought the people dying because they broke the hourglasses was interesting but also a bit counter to the whole 'fate' thing. I think that Mort learned that being Death and living forever came at a huge cost.

25. Don't you just adore DEATH? *grin* Which was your favourite character or appearance in this book, and why?

I did love Death! He was my favorite. I mean, he tried so hard to learn humans and it was fun to think about how we seem from his perspective. It wasn't right for him though and I think he learned that too. You have to be true to yourself.

26. Did you enjoy this book? If you've read the previous month's BOM, Equal Rites, does it compare? Or not?

I did enjoy it. I haven't read any others so I can't compare. It is more fantasy than I tend to choose and not as complicated. I almost said that the characters didn't have as much depth which isn't true. Some of them really did, just not as many. I'll have to read other comments to decide if I'll read more.

Karen, that sounds crazy! Glad you got to relax a bit though.

Finished Mort. Details on spreadsheet

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 does seem that he is becoming more human as Mort becomes more like him. I am guessing that they could switch places. Albert's comment makes it seem like Death wasn't human before, so if he was the switch happened a long, long time ago.

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 am guessing that the two could switch places (human/Death, not personality). Not sure that would be a good thing though.

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 ?

That was such a strange job. I'm not sure how the broker came up with it. It did suit though. I wonder if he could keep the speed up if he became fully human.

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

Not much. I always felt a bit sorry for her and if she was acting out because of her position. I feel worse knowing that she hasn't aged at all.

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' ?

I think that the way he and Mort are treating each other is terrible. Not sure, but I suspect that he will go back at some point. I don't think I would want to know. Knowing could be good if it motivated you to enjoy it while you had it but it could also be a very terrible thing. No.

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." - 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?

Mort definitely seems to be changing. Not sure about Death or how though. There are multiple references to him seeming 'more real'. Plus, Albert and Ysabel don't age or change in the same way. I don't remember the picture right now, so not sure.

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?

Well, history is trying to fix that. A very interesting way of dealing with it. I had expected that something bad might happen but that it would converge on the new real not the old. I do think it is clever given this world has fated timelines. Death will likely find out.

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?

I thought earlier that this was Death's plan. He is trying so hard to help his humans but doesn't know what it is like. I do think that Mort and Ysabelle are getting to know and like each other more but I would be surprised if it goes beyond 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 that Mort is normal as far as being human but he didn't fit the norm for people in his village. I don't know that Death really thought about it. He was the only boy there, the right age, and not afraid of him. As for his abilities, I'm not sure. I'm leaning toward Death helping him to figure them out. Wizards go to school to learn how to see things others can't, so this could be similar.

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?

Well, nothing is going as either of them expected. Death's experiences trying to understand humans seems to be making him restless and less like 'Death'. I do think it will change how he deals with the Mort/Princess issue once he hears about it. Not sure that he can really change it. Maybe he'll bring the Princess to his home as well?

I've really been enjoying. It's fun to see how things change and how quickly they are adopted/spread. So many interesting things to talk about here, but the one that stuck with me for some reason is his mention of the immune system and self versus non-self. This was the thinking when I was back in graduate school but evolved a few years later. It is much more complicated than that. I'm wondering if he used this since it is easier for people to understand or if it hadn't been accepted as much in other circles.

This book is really making me think about my implicit bias in new and different ways.

DQs Day 2 - start: "Five minutes later, Mort was lost"
end: "Sooner or later, everyone remembered the magic word (p98)


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?

Well clearly he needs to be in the right frame of mind. I think being scared and not thinking about it helped the time he did it by himself. I am sure he will learn, but he is probably thinking too hard.

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

I think he is funny. I mean, he figured out a great way to make money, and he seems way too preoccupied with love (or maybe its just his clients)

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?

That is too hard to say. Does the Abbot even have a choice? If I did get to choose, I would have to think about new experiences and choose something very different.

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

No, I don't think he was ready. I do think that something is wrong with Death. I don't think he would have done that so early if he was feeling himself.

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

There are so many possibilities. I'd be curious and plenty of people read biographies. My guess is that she is checking up on specific people. Maybe her lost family?

Finished.

Tina ❣ wrote: "Lisa, we managed to get DQ for the July BOM!
You’ve got The House on the Cerulean Sea and I got The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
Not bad!"

Lisa also got DQs for the Backroom BOM! (Let me know if you need help, I've volunteered as backup for both of these books)

Fantastsic!

DQs Day 1: (end: "'I want' he said firmly 'a very fast horse.'"19% / Page 52)

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?

I think Mort took it for both of those reasons. He clearly is different than his father but wants to be useful. He was willing to stay to the strike of midnight, just in case. Plus, he wasn't scared by Death. I don't know if I would. I really think I wouldn't have waited that long.

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 like Death! I do think he is trying to make Mort comfortable, and maybe trying to find a partner for he 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 that these are normal reactions for a new human apprentice to Death. Has Death ever had an apprentice before? I do think that Mort will start to understand his role as Death does. Not sure if there will be special cases though.

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!

I think he just wants to be seen as a person. I think it would be annoying for folks to just call you 'hey you' all the time as if you were insignificant.

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?

He definitely wants to talk to the Princess and try to keep her safe from her uncle. No idea how it will work out.

Jenny wrote: "Jumping in here...
I read this when it came out, and I would join in a reread, but I can't find my copy. I think I lent it out. Boo.

But, if you guys have not seen any of his lectures at Stanford..."

Shame, I'd love to hear your thoughts. This is one I may have to reread in order to get everything. Thanks to the link to the Tedtalk!

I've recently started and am about 15% through this very long book. It is written for science minded folks who aren't experts but have some foundation (or are willing to go through the reviews in the appendices).

So far I am liking how the author is making the case for the complexity and interactions of behavior and the biology. Chapter 2 was hard for me and I had to pay a lot of attention, but now that we are getting into real issues it is fascinating.

Thank you

Finished.

Celia wrote: "Stacey wrote: "Ok, I've been looking for books with a sausage on the cover. This is way harder than I expected. Would a hot dog count as a sausage? And if so, would this book work?

[bookcover:Hot ..."

If you have something, great. I can read this but I'd be just as happy to read something for one of the other tasks.

Ok, I've been looking for books with a sausage on the cover. This is way harder than I expected. Would a hot dog count as a sausage? And if so, would this book work?