Nanci’s Comments (group member since Jan 29, 2016)

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

I so apologize for my absence in this round! I have been having complications due to my knee resplacement and we have been back and forth to the doctor's and lab trying to sort it out and draw blood. My BP is super low, which makes me lightheaded, weak, and not able to concentrate. I have hardly been able to do my rehab for my knee, which is essential, so I'm really hoping we can find an answer soon. I think this is the longest I've gone without doing any reading.

I did just answer questions for the Left- Handed Booksellers BOM, so at least we'll get some points for that. Hoping our great team is able to carry on and pick up some of my slack!

DQ'S DAY 1 - PROLOGUE - CHAPTER 4

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'm not a reader of fantasy typically, although I do enjoy some. I feel the same way about YA, so yes this was definitely read for the points

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?
It introduces us to Susan and her mom and it's where I realized this book was going to be about fantasy. I hadn't read the book blurb to start (which I usually do). After the first few chapters I did read it, as I was pretty confused as to what was going on in the story.

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 ?
This is where I got the first vibes of YA. There already is a hint that Susan and Merlin are going to develop further in their relationship than just friends. I think Susan is intrigued by Merlin and he will be captivated by her beauty and want to protect her from the evil beings with his knowledge and magic.

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?

Since I don't read many magical, mystical, fantasy books I can't really say. I'm still a bit confused and having to read slower than normal and reread. I'm trying to adapt the attitude that things will sort themselves out later as I progress and not get too hung up on the minutia. Disclaimer: I have already read the book, so responding to these questions as to how I felt at the time of reading.

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?
My guess is that it's some of the crooks and maybe her Dad was involved with them somehow.

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Judith and team,
My knee surgery went well, but I have been super nauseous from the narcotics and haven't been able to read since Tuesday. So sorry, but if you could remove my name from my promised books, I just don't think they're going to happen. I was trying to listen to The Warsaw Orphan, but I can't concentrate on it. If something changes, I'll let you know.

So sorry about you little guy, Judith. Hope he recovers quickly.

I’ve had a rough time with my knee replacement. The knee itself is doing ok, but I’ve had awful nausea and very ill from the pain meds- can’t keep any food down. Yuck! They tried different ones today and just now tonight I’m feeling a little better. You know you’re sick when you’re too sick to read or even listen to a book!
Tomorrow is another day!

Day Five
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I know I only had to answer 3 days worth of questions, but after struggling through the book, I wanted to answer all to feel the read was worthwhile! LOL

DQ's Day 5: It Came from the Rez - End


17. And then there was one... Were you surprised by who the one was? Why do you think that this person was "the one" who was left? Was there significance there?
Disclaimer again: I finished the book, so I'm responding to the questions in the way I felt at the time of reading.
Initially I was surprised, but then it made sense to me. I thought it was one of the better parts of the story, even though overall I did not like the book.

18. Let's talk about that basketball game. I'm not talking about the technical stuff with the moves and everything because frankly that doesn't mean much to me. But, what do you think that it represented? Why was so much time spent on that at this point in the book?
Maybe it represented the classical good and evil theme? Denorah had to fight her hardest to win against elk-woman? I do like sports, so this part was where I felt the climax building and was probably my favorite part of the book. Truthfully, I just wanted the story to end, and even though I was listening and didn't know for certain, I could sense the end must be just around the corner.
19. What did you think about that ending? Did the story come full circle?
I did think it came full-circle and as stated before, I was just so glad I could move on to another book!
And I know that this is a little off topic, but were you suprised by who Denorah's stepdad was? I didn't remember his name being revealed before, or did I just miss it?
I was not surprised. I can't recall exactly where now, but I'm fairly certain I picked up on it earlier about her stepdad.

20. Finally, let's talk overall impressions. What did you think about the book? Is this your first book by this author? Do you think you'll read anything else by him?
I've been painfully clear that I did not like the book. It is the first book I've read by this author and no, I wouldn't read another by him. Just not my cup of tea and you know, "So many books, so little time."

Day Four
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

DQs Day 4: Three Little Indians - And Then There Was One(80%)

13. What do you think about the Sweat Lodge tradition? Do you have anything similar in your culture?
I think it's really cool when different ethnicities have traditions like this. It was new to me, even though I've read lots of books written by Native writers, so I enjoyed learning about it. No, I sure don't have anything like that in my mutt background!


14. So far the elk-woman's POV parts were my favorite and I oddly enjoyed her thoughts even though I'm finding her actions deplorable. Did you like seeing her thoughts? What do you think of her revenge spree?
Hearing from elk-woman's POV helped to explain her side of things, for sure. I just didn't like the story, but I might have missed some of the meaning if not for this part, even if I didn't like hearing about the revenge spree.

15. Cassidy and Gabe both made horrible mistakes and their rage fueled showdown was unexpected to me. Did you expect their final moments together to be this way?
This was a very dramatic part of the book, for sure. It seemed more real to me in many ways, as versus other parts of the book. I did not expect it.

16. Now that all four of the 'Thanksgiving Classic' are killed, and the elk-woman doesn't seem satisfied yet, how do you expect this story to end for her?
I didn't have a super strong feeling at this point when I was reading, but I did think somehow she might conquer and survive.

Day Three
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

DQs Day 3: Sweat Lodge Massacre - Shirts and Skins (61%)

9. What do you think about what happened to Lewis and people’s reaction to the news?
Disclaimer again: I finished the book before answering any questions, so my answers reflect my feelings at the time of reading. It was really over the top, but considering he hadn't been there for 10 years, I can see people thinking he had changed and was now a bit crazy.

10. The section title is “Sweat Lodge Massacre.” Do you think the two other guys (Gabe and Cass) will live through this section? Do you think other bystanders or even Gabe’s daughter will be killed?
"Massacre" is the give away word. I think a lot of people are going to be killed. I don't think they'll kill Gabe's daughter. Maybe later, but it's too soon in the story.

11. What do you think of this section so far as compared to the first one?
My reaction is probably quite different from those who love horror, but since I don't like horror, I mostly was thinking, "Geez, I really love my team to be listening to this!"

12. Where do you think the dogs went at the end of this section? Do you think there is a relation do between the elk woman and dogs or just used for the imagery?
I was just thinking the elk woman killed them, as dogs are threatening to elk in real life. It was so hard reading about the dogs in this book.

Day Two
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

DQs Day 2: Friday - Still Tuesday 68 - 129 (42%)

5. Wow. I was not expecting this section to end that way, did you? I really thought Lewis was going to be our main protagonist for the rest of the story. Were you surprised like me or were you able to predict the bloody ending?
Disclaimer again: I finished the book and I'm just now answering the questions, so I will respond as I felt at the time of reading. It seemed to me to come out of nowhere, so yes, I was surprised. I tuned in and out a lot through the book, due to the narration, so it did at least catch my attention and make me more focused. Haha!

6. Lewis was often wondering why the “elk woman” was terrorizing him and his friends in this order. What do you think? Any predictions on which friend we’ll follow next?
I don't recall having any strong feelings about who would be next.

7. Do you think the elk woman is real or just in the minds of our protagonists? If she is real: any ideas of who she might be?
I thought the elk woman was supernatural. I just thought she was the elk that they killed.

8. At one point Lewis thinks that Shaney can’t be all bad because she doesn’t fold down the pages on books. What are your feelings on dog-earing books? How do you like to keep your place when you read?
Agree! It's all I can do not to yell, "Stop!" when I see someone dog-ear a book. My mom (who was also a huge reader) reinforced with us all growing up that books are to be treated with the greatest respect. I did the same with our kids and now I'm doing it with our 6 grandkids. All the grands know and will even report to me when they see a book that has been dog-earred.

Starting to answer the questions for The Only Good Indians.
Link to Day One
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Discussion questions day 1

1. Just here for the points, or was this one on your radar already? Is horror a genre you usually read, or is this an opportunity for you to go outside your comfort zone?
Definitely here for the points! I don't think I've read a horror novel probably for at least 10 years!
2. This book starts as I suspect it means to continue: Bleak, dark and with a hefty dollop of misery. Do you like it when a book starts in the middle of the action, or do you prefer a happy slice of life first before everything goes awry?
I'm fine either way. Sometimes starting out in the middle of the action is a bit confusing, but I like how it also gives me a peek into how the story might feel.
3. The elk. Were you intrigued about this straight away? Did you instinctively see this as a psychological or supernatural issue?
Due to the genre, I saw it as more of a supernatural issue. For me personally, I never really could "get into" the whole elk thing. I know it was supposed to be tense and horrific, but mostly my mind kept saying, "It's just a wacko, fake elk." This is probably why I don't read horror. LOL
4. What do you think so far? Anything standing out that you really like or don’t like?
Disclaimer: I couldn't answer the questions until I already finished the book, so I will answer questions such as this as the way I felt at the time of reading. I don't like the book thus far, but I'm hopeful it will improve.


Bonus for audio book listeners: Do you find the narrator as boring as I do? Lol.
OMGosh! The narrator was soooo boring! Here I haven't read horror forever and then I have to listen to his humdrum voice. We listened to the book on our drive from VA to Mississippi and my husband couldn't wait for it to be over! Poor guy. Every time I'd start it up again he was like, "Not this again!". I guess it did provide some type of entertainment at least!

Judith wrote: "A reminder that to get BOM points you need to answer 3 sets of questions.

Even if you read the book during round 1 or 2, as long as you answer 3 sets we can count the points when you complete the ..."

I have been remiss answering the questions for The Only Good Indians, due to all my traveling. I will get to them hopefully by Sunday night or Monday.

Those reminder emails are the best!

Yay!! That’s awesome!

Thanks so much and yes finished today!

Judith,
I finished my books today in the car, but can’t put them on my shelf until later tonight when we stop. Can you enter the info for me on the tracking sheet and then I’ll put them on my shelf later? I only have access to my phone

I should finish mine but it will be close to the wire. Reading simultaneously. We have 3 hour drive tomorrow, so should make good progress.