Audrey Jane’s Comments (group member since May 27, 2014)

Audrey Jane’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

At work I love that during every weekly meeting my more extroverted/social colleagues try to persuade the introverted ones to come to the office. It's quite comical. Now with the cases rising and mandatory telework, that will be delayed again...

Started listening to audiobooks upon Preeti's recommendation. I don't do them a lot but the Discworld books are definitely worth listening :)

DQs - Day 3 - Chapter Nine - Twelve

10. We are about half way through the book now and I've been looking at the cover and trying to see how it fits with the story. The cover feels dark to me and so far I don't really feel that in the story. Do you feel like the cover fits the story?
More or less. There are some elements on the cover that hint at scenes in the story but I agree the story isn't that dark.

11. So the old fashioned booksellers in charge might feel the need to remove Susan if they find out her father is one of the Ancients. It seems like Merrihew and Thurston are not greatly respected in the Booksellers realm. How do you feel about them? Do you think they might be involved in what is happening to Susan?
I think so, I don't find them trustworthy so far. They might be connected to the old world folks.

12. We keep getting all these references to books, musical groups, and other pop culture from the 80's. Take for example this quote: "The ground floor facing the street was all floor-to-ceiling high windows, with a wonderful display of Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose complete with a cardboard castle to the left of the central revolving door, and a selection of new release thrillers an mysteries built up in a series of pyramids in the window to the right, including John Le Carre's The Little Drummer Girl, Jeffery Archer's First Among Equals, and Ken Follett's On Wings of Eagles." That sentence is long and the following one is not much shorter. How do you feel about all of these references?
I enjoy them, I think it's nice when I recognize the references and if not, I'm looking them up.

13. In the last section Vivian gives Susan a steel knife and salt and tells her how to bind something to herself. Do you think she will have to bind something? Any idea who or what she will bind?
I'm thinking of Merlin, but that might be too obvious and I don't really see why she would. So maybe an old world creature.

DQ's - Day 2 - CHAPTER 5 to CHAPTER 8

6. Merlin and Susan get pulled into the May Fair. "The happiness is unsettling, all the smiling and laughing". Was there a part of the fair that stuck out to you? And would YOU have noticed the colorless rose?
Definitely the creepy goblin children. No, too much going on.

7. Susan seems to have some sort of powers of command, which we see with the wolf at the end of the fair, and hear more about at the end of Chapter 8. What are your guesses about her heritage? Do you have any new guesses about her father?
It seems her heritage comes from an 'ancient' old world race through her father. Powerful magicians maybe?

8. My favorite part of these chapters was reading about the New Bookstore and its contents. If you could spend time in there, what would you want to check out?
As I'm interested in art, the paintings on the doors on every level.

9. The grandmothers were interesting. Any thoughts about them? If I were one of the grandmothers, I'd totally be hanging out with my mastiff. What would you have keeping you company?
I liked that episode with all the grandmothers. Without hesitation a donkey. And if I may add one more a Belgian sheperd (Tervuren).

Hope you all don't feel too bad after the booster. I'm not eligible yet either.

Slowly going through the BOMs as it's a bit more busy this week. Considering how much enjoyment I get out of reading/discussing the BR BOM, I'm wondering if I've not been a bit unfair with my rating. Objectively speaking it's a two/one star but subjectively it's definitely a 5 stars, if that makes sense haha :)

Enjoy your thanksgiving/long weekend, Kaley!

DAY 1

1. I nominated this book because titles with libraries or books naturally draw me in and I've wanted to read a Garth Nix book for ages. What are your reasons for reading.. long term Garth Nix affectionado or "It's only about the points, baby"?
I haven't read anything from Garth Nix before. I didn't read the blurb or anything, went into this blindly for the points. If it turns out that I like it, that's just bonus.

2. Wikipedia (The Oracle of quick searches about whatever and sometimes actually factual) defines a prologue as "Opening to a story that establishes the context and gives background details, often some earlier story that ties into the main one and other miscellaneous information." What have you learnt in this particular prologue that seems important to the story moving forward?
That Susan might have a magical background through her father and that she has quite a difficult relationship with her mother.

3. Chapter 1 introduces us to our main protagonists in a scene filled with murder, fashion descriptions and a giant louse! First impressions of Merlin and Susan and any sign if they will be friends or enemies or maybe even frenemies ?
They are likeable so far. I like that Merlin is gender fluid. There will definitely be some amical of even romantic development between those two.

4. Right handed and left handed booksellers policing multi layered worlds and realities. Set in 1983 London but the language and environment heavily leans on the Victorian Age. Are you comfortable with the preliminary world building, do you find it interesting and unique or same old same old in the YA fantasy genre?
No, it's fine, I like the Victorian age and its setting. It gives a mysterious vibe which suits this story.

5. It seems someone is after Susan, probably because of her mysterious missing father. Who do you think he is and what maybe is his significance in this alternate world and to the plot in general?
I think he might be a powerful leader of the bad people (I forgot their name), the ones under the palimpsest Merlin is talking about.

Will need to check out Dogma. Since it's a rainy weekend here I might watch it later this afternoon :) I remember Flemish tv broadcasting Leap Year and Chasing Liberty every year, they seem to love Goode. I also enjoyed the first season of Discovery of Witches.

You seem to enjoy Robert McCammon's works, Sammy. Have you read his Matthew Corbett series? I've been meaning to read The Queen of Bedlam but kept it aside for this challenge for the Q. I might need to bribe the Wheel for our next round...

Let's create secret alliances then !

Also, one Goode for me please. He's definitely my type :) (also better in a suit)

Seems purple to me as well.

Haha, Kaley, first it was your conversation with your colleague about the beach and now this !
I have a soft spot for Matthew Goode since I watched Leap Year.

Wishing you lots of succes with your interview, Melinda.

Finished my last book for round 3, updating the ss.

Thank you, Jenny! You're a star ;)

@Captains: Can Jenny add her books she read during this round interval (from the 6th of November on) in case we have still room for a couple of books ?

Mmm, I shall ask my previous TT team captain if she's up to it. Will PM her.

It was a bit calmer at work this week, I picked up a shorter book yesterday and finished it today. Halfway through my last book for this round. Will update tomorrow.

Treat yourself, Kaley! I used to color my hair with henna (love auburn color) but it's been a while. Enjoy.

Thanks, Sammy, I definitely needed some help illustrating Matt Bomer ;)

Elen wrote: "I can read for pink letters, tag family (9 tags), and letter I

"

You've hit the jackpot, Elen. I've been meaning to read Home Before Dark by the same author.

I can definitely cover some 'family' tagged books as well.

I've updated the spreadsheet.
I was pleasantly surprised by my longer book which was a historical fiction (bit unfortunate that they didn't edit it properly for the ebook version). Definitely not for the faint of the heart because it was quite gruesome sometimes. It's set during the great plague of London (1665), Great Fire of London, and the civil unrest during that time. Really enjoyed these historical events as background for the story. I'm completely puzzled though by the two people who tagged it as 'fantasy'...

Preeti wrote: "I'm having the same problem. Everything I see turns out to be violet. I thought this would be a good excuse to read The Love Hypothesis but Tineye informs..."

It's definitely pink to me. Since team judgement overules Tineye, you still might be able to pick it up ;)

It seems we're pretty much all aligned regarding the GR awards. Won't vote this year either as most of the new releases I read aren't listed. Too much of YA in the fantasy category. And the urban-fantasy genre seems nonexistent.

@Captains: re: Lori replacement, the person I was thinking of has other commitments at the moment so can't join.

I remember you could but it seems they decided to take that option away from us. Maybe they already had some weird suggestions in the past ;)

What's happening with this year's GR choice awards. It's a bit confusing, before it showed me the books that I read and my rating. Now even when I hover over the books it still asks me if I want to add it to my TBR. It's the first time I haven't read any of the nominees.
I'm almost disappointed that I can't vote on the Dino book since it was published in 2021. Imagine it winning the "romance" category! They are indeed quick reads, Alison :)

@Sammy: PM sent.

Agree with Sammy and Melinda. I purposefully signed up with a lower amount of books in order to read longer books & clean my older books on my TBR. I'm already over my signed up books per round, I might squeeze one more book though it won't help us out much.

I have someone in mind and can send her a MP to see if she's interested (unless someone else has already recruited a new member) ?

Updated the spreadsheet. I have two books left and will be able to finish them before the deadline. I started reading my longest book for this round and I'm enjoying it so far. Hope it stays like that.

Regarding the YA BOM, I read a couple of reviews mentioning what Sammy said. Will probably still pick it up next round just for the points though.