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

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

@Jenny: I'm half way through, I will be able to finish it on time. I'm going to update tomorrow evening or Saturday morning depending on my timing since I mostly read during my evenings. Promise I will check in on time ;)

Thank you and Louise for captaining and making it an enjoyable team challenge. Really enjoyed our team and our 3 months (has it been 3 months already! this can't be right :O !!!) together.

Completion Post

Book: Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett
Date Read: 27th of July
Pages: 432 (default pages)
BOM Participation: Yes

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Jammin Jenny wrote: "JACKANORY!!!

Carrie did a great job writing a story for us - you can find it here.

Please post in this thread if you have any thoughts, edits, etc. by Thursday July 29th. We'll post the final ver..."

The devil tricked into matrimony ! Well done, Carrie, I enjoyed it :)

Jammin Jenny wrote: "@Carrie - thanks. I'm still probably going to read my golem book but if I don't finish in time it's good to know you have it covered.

@Audrey Jane - awesome. I was born in Kansas City, MO so not t..."

That sounds great, Jenny! Love learning about US geography this way :) I've noticed that tele-commuting gives new possibilities and in some cases a better work-life balance. I wish you all the best at your new place.

DQs- Day 3

9. If you were confronted with Lord Mountjoy Quickfang Winterforth IV’s ominously rumbling tummy and the prospect of more dragon fire, how would you react?
Not sure I would have stuck around as long as the mob leader did!
I would've hid behind one of the men and than run for cover.

10. If you witnessed a massive dragon being vanquished in one sword hit, would you entirely believe it or do you think you may hold suspicions on the “neatness”? I think I would wonder about the lack of dragon lumps.
No, I wouldn't think it believable and would wonder if the dragon was really vanquished since there's no confirmed kill. I would doubt the actual existence of one in the first place if there's no prove of one afterwards. I would think it would be staged.

11. This section cemented my love for Lady Sybil, with her no-nonsense stern reproach of the dragon. If she had maintained eye contact, do you think her approach would have worked?
She's badass, I liked her. The Watch are lucky to have her and in turn she inspires them.

12. Since the beginning of the book, has your opinion on Captain Vimes changed? If so, why?
No, it didn't change but it's obvious he has regained a sense of duty and a goal to work towards this time around.

Jenny wrote: "Not sure if I would want him ruling my country, but maybe? The State dinners would be really boring though. The mime thing must be later, or I missed it. But, everyone should attack mimes on sight. And clowns. And ventriloquists. Just saying."

Hahahahha :') Will keep it in mind and will refer to this thread if people ask questions.

DQs - Day 2

5. In this section, TP is shedding some light (or dark?) on the Patrician's character. What is your opinion about him? Would you prefer him to rule your country instead of the "real" politicians?(A question to DW Veterans: do you remember any other books where V's aversion to mime artists is mentioned or we are given an explanation why?)
As someone coming from a country with a very complex political structure and nothing gets done because too many parties, politicians, and disagreements, I would definitely appreciate someone like Lord Vetinari to rule my country especially in times of need. Just like in the old days during the Roman Empire when a 'dictator' was appointed during troubled times for a short period of time. Not ideal but seems to me that the Patrician has the city's best interest at heart.

6. What about Lady Sybil as the "heroine" or female MC of the book? She certainly seems to be the complete opposite of how "classical heroines" are represented in fantasy or other books. Have you met her counterpart / someone very like her in non-DW books or films? Would you get a pet dragon if you had the chance?
I might have but forgot in the mean time. Definitely yes to the dragon but would have to make sure that I don't turn into a snack eventually or that my house burns down.

7. If you are familiar with the detective fiction/mystery genre, do you think Guards! Guards! has been following a similar structure in its idiosyncratic way so far?
Kind of but it's taking the genre into the ridiculous. The detectives being quite incompetent and where everything happens by chance and sheer luck just like with inspector Jacques Clouseau.

8. Maybe it's too early to ask this question, but I am not a character to able to resist the temptation of it. Please forgive me.
So, any ideas, who which actors/actress would you choose as Lord Vetinari / Sam Vimes / Carrot / Lady Sybil. ...etc if you were a casting director?
Except for Charles Dance as Lord Vetinari and maybe Mackenzie Crook as Nobby, I don't have a clear picture for the rest of the characters yet. However I do like all the suggestions so far.

DQs Day 1

Mostly my question is: what do you think of it so far?!
I'm enjoying it, love the humor. First City watch book I'm reading.

1. For the newbies: what did you expect before opening a police procedural written by Pterry? For re-readers, how does this sub-series line up in your order of preferences?
I didn't realize it was a police procedural, I'm so focused on the dragon subtrope at the moment. The Brethren seem very interesting.

2. The first person we meet in this story is Vimes, meet collapsing, drunker, into the gutter... What does this mean for the story? For newbies: how do you feel about Vimes?
I want to know more about him and his background and the whole story that led him to drink. It will be interesting though going further.

3. The Brethren (and I loved the elaborate exchange of codes!) have a discussion of the Lost King trope. Do you think the Supreme Grand Master will be able to find Ankh-Morpork's Lost King???
I loved the exchange door codes as well, that was really funny. I think he will but more accidentally then careful planning. It will happen quite unexpectedly.

4. Carrot is our route to discovering Ankh-Morpork. Do you find this an effective way to understanding the city and its issues?
Yes, more so in this book than in the previous books I've read in the Discworld series. It's the first one set predominantly in the city.

Congratulations with the move, Jenny ! Are you initially from Illinois ?

I had a busy weekend but I'm currently reading the BOM Guards! Guards! which I'm enjoying and will pick up my rodent book for task #165 next. If all goes well, I hope to finish another doorstopper as well.

BOM participation points for :

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DQs Day 3 ~ Eight - Ten (p195)

9. Linus completed his first report for the DICOMY; what did you make of it? Did you think he reported anything that he should have left out? How about future reports – how do you think they will compare to this one?
Pretty much expected him to write that kind of report. That being said, at that point he still trusts DICOMY and he does his job thoroughly. This is going to change the more he gets to know the children and Arthur.

10. Ms. Chapelwhite takes Linus on a hike through the forest to show him a raft that she wants reported but doesn’t want the children or Mr. Parnassus to know about. Linus was taken aback by the message sent on the raft. Did your opinion of Linus change when he suggested they send a message back? What did you think of his message?
No, he didn't seem to me as a bad person, just doing what he has been told unfortunately. But glad he realizes that there's an issue there.

11. Linus seems a bit smitten with Arthur. Do you sense there is a mutual attraction between the two? Do you think anything will take root and blossom?
There's definitely a mutual attraction even though it was coming more from Linus so far.

12. That was quite the adventure that Lucy led. Were you surprised that Linus stepped up and began to join in on the story? What all did you learn about the children, about Linus, about Arthur and Zoe?
Yes, a bit at that point. l like Arthur's approach and care towards the children. It's obvious they are dear to him and vice-versa. Enjoyed the life lessons they are teaching each other.

13. As this chapter wraps up, Zoe and Phee are talking with Linus listening. He can relate to Phee’s comment that she likes the trees better than she likes most people. Do you think Linus learned anything from the “lesson” that Zoe gave him through Phee’s growing the flower for Linus and her explanation of the trees and root system?
It gave him some food for thought. His views are changing the more he gets to know about them.

DAY 2 QUESTIONS. JULY 17. CHAPTERS 5-7

5. The book is set in an unknown city and then onto Marsyas Island. Country Unknown. Do you think it is set in an alternate universe to our own eg UK or USA or a completely fantasy location? Does it matter or make you think differently about the storyline either way?
I first thought it took place somewhere near UK's shore, set in Cornwall or something similar. It gave me that vibe. No, it doesn't matter either way.

6. First impressions of the house and Linus' reaction to it? What is your own reaction to it and how it is described?
It seems a house I would like to visit. I imagine it resembling Villa Villekulla from Pippi Longstocking.

7. In Chapter 6 we are introduced to a colourful array of children and the enigmatic Mr Arthur Parnassus. Who is your favourite child and ability so far and what special talents do you think will be revealed about Arthur?
Definitely Lucy. I think he's hilarious and there's so much more to him. Talia's interactions with Linus are funny as well.

8. What point do you think the author is trying to make through the world and characters he has imagined and what do you think these quotes hint about the story moving forward?
It's about prejudices and bigotry. The children are ostracized for being different but they learn to accept themselves and not perceive themselves through the eyes of the others.

DQ Day 1 - One to Four (p62)

1. What drew you to this BOM? Was it the fantastic reviews it’s been getting? Or the cute cover? Or something else?
I saw it popping up everywhere and it was recommended by team members. The awesome quirky cover was a bonus.

2. What do you think of the writing style so far? I didn’t expect it to be so funny. I laughed out loud a few times at the terrible office Linus works in and at the rude neighbour. I love the way she is so rude about Linus but then keeps trying to set him up with her grandson.
I enjoy it and the humor. Working for a corporate, I found Linus' observations about his company and colleagues hilarious.

3. What do you think about Linus as the main character? So far, he seems to be quite frightened of the world. How do you think he will cope in the strange situation he has been put in?
He seems like a good person and will do what's right in his mind. He comes accross as a homebody but he will make the best out of the situation and I'm sure he has good intentions.

4. I was surprised that one of the children on the island is supposed to be the Anti-Christ. Heart warming stories don’t tend to feature someone like that. What powers do you think he will have?
No, indeed, unless, based on the books I've read so far, it is to give them redeeming qualities.

Completion Post

Book: The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward
Date Read: 17th of July
Pages: 352

The Taxidermist's Daughter by Kate Mosse

The clock strikes twelve. Beneath the wind and the remorseless tolling of the bell, no one can hear the scream...

1912. A Sussex churchyard. Villagers gather on the night when the ghosts of those who will not survive the coming year are thought to walk. And in the shadows, a woman lies dead.

As the flood waters rise, Connie Gifford is marooned in a decaying house with her increasingly tormented father. He drinks to escape the past, but an accident has robbed her of her most significant childhood memories. Until the disturbance at the church awakens fragments of those vanished years...

Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa

One thousand years ago, the great Kami Dragon was summoned to grant a single terrible wish—and the land of Iwagoto was plunged into an age of darkness and chaos.

Now, for whoever holds the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers, a new wish will be granted. A new age is about to dawn.

Raised by monks in the isolated Silent Winds temple, Yumeko has trained all her life to hide her yokai nature. Half kitsune, half human, her skill with illusion is matched only by her penchant for mischief. Until the day her home is burned to the ground, her adoptive family is brutally slain and she is forced to flee for her life with the temple’s greatest treasure—one part of the ancient scroll.

There are many who would claim the dragon’s wish for their own. Kage Tatsumi, a mysterious samurai of the Shadow Clan, is one such hunter, under orders to retrieve the scroll…at any cost. Fate brings Kage and Yumeko together. With a promise to lead him to the scroll, an uneasy alliance is formed, offering Yumeko her best hope for survival. But he seeks what she has hidden away, and her deception could ultimately tear them both apart.

With an army of demons at her heels and the unlikeliest of allies at her side, Yumeko’s secrets are more than a matter of life or death. They are the key to the fate of the world itself.

I will be joining this one as well. Looks interesting.

Completion post:


Book: The Corset by Laura Purcell
Date Read: 13th of July
Pages: 392

Book: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
Date Read: 8th of July
Pages: 560 (default)
BOM participation: Yes
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Jackanory (?):
Who's the cameo(s)? (max 2 cameos) - Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Diderot, Beethoven

Day 6 ~ Part 4, XIII - Part 5, VIII (p382)

23. Henry wanted to be loved; he wanted to be whatever they wanted; he wants to be enough. He gave up a lot to get what he wanted. Why do you think he is rejecting the offers of love? Why does he want to know why they love him?
He's thraumatized by Tabitha's rejection but it's obvious Henry has self-esteem issues. Everyone has a fear of rejection but he doesn't cope with it very well. He should have wished to be able to love himself since he's seeking for everyone's validation instead.

24. How does the jumping back and forth between times work for you? Can you easily tell when Addie is telling a story from her past or do you get lost just for a minute in where she is and with whom?
The 2013 and 2014 timeline was a bit difficult to follow at first but got better afterwards.

25. When Addie is with Luc she tries to pretend that she is good with her circumstances. His taunts about how disappointed Estelle would have been with her making a deal, pushes Addie to the brink and she slaps him. Luc retaliates with pain and suffering and still she refuses to give in and tells him to “Go to Hell.” Who will break first? Do you think Luc treats Addie differently than the other people he has made deals with? Why or why not?
I've finished the book but I have no idea. He treats Addie differently but I don't know why precisely since he's an immortal being and probably met other people that might have made the same wish/deal.

26. Henry loathes repeating things; he wants everything to be something new for both himself and Addie. Why do you think this is so important to him?
Don't want to spoil.

27. Luc words to Addie long ago – “Ideas are wilder than memories” – comes back to her and she thinks she should have seen it then as a clue or a key that she could use. She sees that she can leave her mark on the world when Matteo shows her his sketch. Do you think anything will come of this? Do you think she will find a way to use “ideas” to her advantage?
See above.