bamaace83 ’s Comments (group member since Dec 11, 2018)

bamaace83 ’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

I've got Curtsies & Conspiracies planned for this weekend. Would that one for the task x and y?

I'll get my books updated later today as long as work goes okay. I'm also planning on starting Firekeeper's Daughter today.

DQ Day 3
Chapters 21 to 33

11. For someone claiming and trying to be body positive about herself, Willowdean sure isn't giving anyone else any slack. Her description of Hannah, like with others, was just mean. Do you think the author is projecting Willowdean's insecurities on how she sees herself onto others?

I think it's just her personality. I don't think she's projecting insecurities but rather she's a moody teenager and that's just how she sees things.


12. What did you think about the incident Patrick kneed in the balls incident? He didn't seem like Mitch's best friend saying that (honestly, maybe Patrick and Willowdean should date). What did you think about her mom's reaction and the resulting blow up between mom & daughter?
Side note: to anyone with teenagers, we are here for you.

Patrick is a jerk. I think Will could've handled it better but she was done with him picking on her and decided to take care of business. I saw the fight as a typical teenage/parent fight. Teens always find something to figure bout at some point. It didn't surprise me that there would be a fight at some point.


13. Did anyone else want to high five Ellen for calling out Willowdean on her crap? What did you think of their argument? Do you think the rift will be repaired? If so, do you think a Dolly Parton sing-along (thanks Cat) will be part of their healing process?

I think Will just didn't want El to come in and steal the spotlight. I think Will is just insecure a little in what she wants and doesn't like to share things. It's just another rough patch but they will end up friends in the end. They are teenagers.


14. Based on the blurb, Millie's attitude and pep talk while at the restaurant is what I would of expected from Williowdean. What do you think of these girls deciding to enter the pageant? What did you think of Millie's pep talk?

I think they want to show that you don't have to be tiny, popular girls to enter a pageant. I hope it adds some spunk to the pageant. I liked Millie's pep talk.

15. Thoughts on Mitch? Where do you think his and Willowdean's relationship will go? Do you think she'll crush his poor soft heart?

I want to see where the relationship goes between the two of them. I think they bring out the good in one another.

DQ for Day 2
Chapters 11-20


6. Picking up on the previous grief question to turn it around towards Willowdean and her mother. Will seems to think (I'm paraphrasing here) that her mother is a heartless cow and wants to use Lucy's room all to herself without any consideration whatsoever for anyone else. I can't help but wonder though if the mother isn't somehow trying to be close to Lucy - her own sister - by setting up a craft room in Lucy's space. Everyone deals with grief in their own way, and while yes, I agree with her (unlike Will) that the dusty old things will eventually need to go, I feel like she's trying to find a way to cope at the same time.

I think it is how her mom is handling her grief. She is trying to find to find a way to keep Lucy close to her but her way is not what Will thinks it should be.


7. Will and Bo. Thoughts? More particularly, Will's reaction to finding out that Bo will start going to the same school?

Will likes having him to herself in her own little world. She doesn't fit in at school very much and doesn't want to share him. This is a typical reaction in my book for teenage drama.


8. The more I read, the more I wonder how Ellen and Will are (still) friends with the way they talk to each other. According to Will, they are drifting apart because Ellen is having sex and because of Callie (she doesn't quite say it but it is definitely there). Their interactions however do make me wonder, a lot. I feel like they're friends more because it's a habit than anything else. They're both dependent on each other - Will because she doesn't seem to have other friends and can't stay in the pool alone? Ellen because she needs a back-up when she goes to pick up her pay check?) What do you make of their friendship now that we know more. Irreparable rift? Habit? Undying friendship?


I think they've just gotten into a normal habit of hanging out. I do think they are growing apart and don't really know how to overcome some of the challenges. I think they will end up remaining good friends just needs some time to get through these roadblocks.


9. And this inevitably brings me to Will's interactions with Callie. It seems like Callie is at least trying, even though there is the fat-girl-issue, but she isn't completely ignoring Will, unlike Will herself, who barely manages to be civil to the girl. Sure, I completely understand the jealousy of thinking that someone is stealing your (best) friend from you, but it isn't helping Will's case that she is basically being a douche to the girl.

I don't think Callie is a nice person. I think Will picks up on that and her way of protecting herself from Callie is to act witchy back.


10. Did anyone else have that moment of "oh shit, something really terrible is going to happen on the date" when Ellen and Tim tell Will that Patrick Thomas is Mitch's best friend. Or is it just me who thinks that there is a very obvious lack of mobbing and finger-pointing? Not that this is a bad thing, on the contrary! Though I do find it odd since Will has A LOT of issues and basically hates people who are not Ellen (and Bo).

I figured that Will would try to get out of the date because she really doesn't like the Patrick guy. I think that she's willing to give Mitch a chance on the date but not sure where it will lead in terms of a relationship or a second date.

I read the first two July BOM already this year and both of the books were really good. Y'all should definitely read them if you have a chance to. I still haven't read any of the DiscWorld books but maybe this weekend I can try one. They aren't my usual reading style.

DQs Day 1 - Chaps 1 - 10

1. What do you think of Willowdean? Does she feel like a sufficiently real person?


I think she is a normal teenager dealing with normal teenage stuff. The teenage years are always filled with drama.


2. What you you think about her relationship with Ellen? They are starting to keep secrets from each other now - do you think that this is the start of a drifting apart or will they stay close?

I think her and Ellen have been close friends for years. Sometimes in the teenage years, kids drift apart and make new friends that align more to their current interests but I think she will end up staying close with her.


3. Bo is interesting - the opposite of Will in terms of being reserved in comparison to her chattiness, but with something lurking in his backstory. Do you want to have a guess at what's up with him? Would anyone NOT have done the same as Will and followed him to the abandoned school in the hopes of more making out?!

Bo has some secrets. I'm not sure what yet but there's some things he's not talking about. I don't think I would have had the courage to follow him but I'm rooting for Will.


4. Will claims ownership of "fat" when she introduces herself to Bo. How successful do you think she is in her aim to stop it from being an insult?

I think she uses the word to describe herself so it doesn't make her feel as bad if she hears other people call her that. She does have a hard time internally with her size but she owns it when she can.


5. Lucy has clearly been a big influence in both Will and Ellen's lives, and yet they haven't been talking about her at all since her death. Do you think this is a normal reaction to a sudden death? Would you be like Will's mother, and get rid of everything, or keep it?

Yes, this is just a part of the grief process. I think we will start to see more as we read the impact of Lucy on their lives. I think I would slowly get rid of things but not everything at once.

Midnight Library kept my interested so much more than Dumplin'. I'm picking Dumplin' back up and should have it finished tomorrow and I'll go do my answers to the questions.

DQs Day 5 - The Game - end

21. Even though Nora loved her life with Ash and Molly she still returned to the library. Were you surprised that she didn’t stay? Did you want her to stay in that life?

I don't think it was where she needed to be. I think it helped her understand what she really wanted but it wasn't the right book for her right now.


22. When Nora reconnects with her brother Joe she finds out that the reason he had been avoiding her was nothing to do with her decision not to continue with the band. I think that Nora’s experiences in her other lives helped her to accept that this was the truth. Her old self was so wrapped up in thoughts that she was responsible for other people’s happiness I feel she may have thought he was just trying to be kind due to her suicide attempt. What are your thoughts?

I think she finally realized she doesn't make everyone unhappy. It was so hard for her to see everything around her but being in the library really opened her up to lots of possibilities and helped her see other people's feelings.


23. Were you happy with the ending? Where would you like Nora’s story to go next?

I was happy with the ending. I really want to see her find her person and find a happy life with some negatives but too many that cause her depression to spiral again.


24. Nora got to experience so many lives and possibilities - different careers, different relationships and the chance to live in places all over the world. If you were able to experience another life what would you want to experience?

That's a tough question. I think if I had to experience a different life I would want to like to have the ability to travel more. Maybe a career as a writer or a painter which I can hardly do either of those things well. Just something that would allow me to use creativity more as a career instead of a wishful hobby.


25. Did you enjoy the book? Was there anything in the story that resonated with your own life? Is there a message you will take away with you?

I really liked this book. I think the thing that I took away is try not to focus so much on the negatives but look around you, take it all in, and realize that everything isn't always rainbows but sometimes things are more positive than what you think.


Bonus: While reading the story certain parts reminded me of films and TV shows I’ve enjoyed. Films like ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ and ‘Sliding Doors’ or tv shows like ‘Sliders’ and ‘Quantum Leap’. Are there any films, shows or books that you were reminded of?

Definitely, Quantum Leap. I can see It's A Wonderful Life also. I've never watched Sliding Doors.

Discussion Questions - Day 4: Ryan Bailey - A Pearl in the Shell (79%)

16. What were your thoughts on the interview Nora did? Did she handle it well? What do you make of her thoughts on life in this interview compared to the speech she gave as a champion swimmer?

I think she did the best she could. The audience sure was surprised that the didn't get the talk they wanted but she was trying really hard not to make herself look bad and to get a point across.


17. Nora tries for a simpler life working at animal shelter. Did you see this as a life for Nora at all during the book? Do you think she will incorporate this into her chosen life? If not, what will she take from this life if anything at all?

No, I didn't see her working at an animal shelter. I really didn't see her being around dogs that much. I think it was a good glimpse of how life could go if you just take things slow. I hope she realizes that slow isn't always bad.




18. In 'The Many Lives of Nora Seed', we are given a large summary of all the other lives she tried. Did any stand out to you? Did you think any of these lives would have suited her? Do any relate to what you would want to experience or have thought about experiencing? I was amused by the life where she only ate toasts and like hearing about her lives abroad. Though was a bit concerned with all the lives she chokes on something

I think it was fun to see how she experiences life in so many stages. I was glad to see that Hugo reappeared in one of the lives. I was wondering if he would show back up or if he had finally found his true path. I think the vegan powerlifter was interesting. How she gets enough protein for that I'm not sure. Yeah, it is concerning she chokes on something in all of them.



19. The life with Ash was the one I was waiting for when reading. What do you make of it so far and what do you think will happen? I thought she would stay in this one and was intrigued about the family life she had built.

I really hope she finds a glimpse of happiness. I hope she doesn't find negatives. The little girl is cute and I hope she finds a way to connect with her.


20. What are your thoughts of Mrs Elm as her guide? Do you think she does a good job or could do something better? What advice would you give if you were in her position?

I like Mrs. Elm. She's tough when she needs to be but she's also compassionate and caring. I would tell Nora just see how things go and always look at the whole picture, scan the room, read the little things, soak it all in.

DQs Day 3: The Tree That Is Our Life - Wild and Free (59%)

11. Regarding the system error, that occurred when Nora tried to return to the library after that speech. Do you think Nora could have trouble returning to the library from one of the next lives that she visits?

I think that there is going to be a few more times that she struggles to get back. I think it's a glimpse into how Nora is processing things.


12. But you will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life. (p. 151) Do you think Nora is going to "find the meaning of life", "be happy forever in a parallel life", or "will want to die and leave the library forever"?

I don't think she will be happy forever. There are always times of ups and downs. I do hope she isn't so sad though. She tends to find negatives in everything.


13. Are you surprised about Nora meeting Hugo, another Slider, as he calls people like them in the in-between?

I was wondering if that was going to happen. I figured if Nora was doing it then she would have to meet someone else along the way doing the same thing.


14. For Nora it's a library, for Hugo it's a video store. What do you imagine would your variant of the in-between be? (And obviously you are not allowed to say library now, because I'm guessing most of us would go with that answer. Be creative and let me know what else you would feel comfortable with.)

I would actually probably say a room with lots of baseballs. I love MLB and have a goal of attending all the stadiums with my husband. We've been to about 20 of them now. So I think it would be a baseball themed situation.


15. We finally get to see Nora's life as a rock star. In what direction do you think this will go? Is it going to be the life Nora is happiest with and stays the longest/forever? Or do you think that she's going to leave it rather soon again?

I think she's going to end up finding the negative again. It wasn't her dream as much as her brother's dream so I'm betting she will leave soon and move on to another book.

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 wasn't surprised. The cat was one thing that Nora thought she was going to always have beside her for years to come. I thought the outcome helped Nora understand that she doesn't always bring bad things upon people.


7. How did the reality of Nora's Australia line up with what you imagined it would be like?

I thought she would be more successful in Australia. Wasn't expecting that little storyline at all. I don't think it helped Nora see the brighter sides of things.

8. What did you think about the similarities between Nora's life in Australia versus her original life?

Just shows that sometimes our paths are similar and it's hard to get rid of some of the underlying factors no matter which path we choose. Nora is still struggling with sadness, depression, and more in different storylines.


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?

Nope, I think there will still be some negatives or that she will find the negatives in it. She has a habit of finding the negatives.

10. Any predictions for how Nora's speech will go in the next chapter?

Oh, she's going to mess that up. Not sure how but it's not going to go well. Maybe her brother will step in to help.

DQs - Day 1

1. Were you planning to read this book before it became a BOM? If so, what drew you to it?

I wasn't planning on reading this book but then went I saw that it was BOM and worked for TT, I was like let's see what it's about. After reading the description, I knew that I was going to need to read this book. It sounds so interesting.


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 his writing style. The short chapters are a nice change from some of the things that I've read in the past.

3. What are your thoughts on Nora? Are you attached to her yet?

My heart goes out to her. She just needs someone to be there for her. I'm interested to see how her story plays out.


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?

I would rather not know. I think that I would fret over not choosing the right path and just worry way to much. Some things need to be surprises.


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 think it was where she needed to start to understand why she chose the path that she chose. I think it just reiterated that she made the right choice.

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

It might be good to switch my books around. So The Lost Girls is the one that I had marked for retellings but it also is mpg fairytales. I'm going to start this week The Wife Upstairs and it is tagged retellings. That would get a couple of the ones left out of the way. I like involving the watch. My creative mind isn't working just yet this morning but I'll think about some ideas.

I have a retellings book that I'll finish today. I'm about to head out but I'll take a look later to see if I can find books for any of the bold ones.

Updated my books from the weekend. I should have a few more to add this week. I'm off to see if I can find a book for some of these harder tasks that are still out and about.

I added all of my books that I have read and the ones that I know that I'm for sure reading this upcoming week. I know I'll add a couple to that once I get some new tasks in a couple challenges. I'm also starting Dumplin' today.

I'll get all my books added this afternoon. I'll also see what I can find to take a couple of those complicated tasks above.

Melindam wrote: "I'll check, if I can get "The Midnight Library" from my local library. Unfortunately, I have ni idea, if the Hungarian Library system ever realizes about/gets financed/catches up on digital/audiobo..."

Oh man that's hard. Hopefully, it will show up. It looks to be quite popular.

Stacey wrote: "I wanted to do The Lost Orphan, but my library doesn't have it, and the kindle price is a little high for an author I don't know. I have Dumplin' ready to go this we..."

Are you a scribd member? It's on there if you are. The midnight book that is.

Wow! The Midnight Library has 47 e-copies at my library and currently 167 holds for it. Thank goodness it is on Scribd. It must be a good book.