Nanci’s
Comments
(group member since Jan 29, 2016)
Nanci’s
comments
from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.
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I have a question about my DQs for Equal Rites.I wrote answers for Days 1, 2 and 4. They are entered on the SS as Day 1&2 in one column and Day 4 in another column. I notice the 20 points is missing in that Points column. I thought we just needed to answer questions for 3 days to get the 20 points. Is it because Day 1 and 2 are listed in the same column?
DQs- Day 413. Simon was kept very much a mystery character throughout the book. What is your opinion of him? How will he be able to support Esk in the future (or will he)?
I feel like Esk will mostly be taking care of Simon, but I do envision him helping her with some of the wizard skills.
14. The meeting between Granny and the Archchancellor and their actions afterwards are a pivotal part of the book. What were your impressions?
I thought they worked well together and appreciated one another's talents.
15. With duality of witchcraft vs. wizardry being one of the main themes, what do you think about the ending? Was it satisfyingly concluded?
It was ok. I was not a big fan of the book, overall, so I was pretty done with it by the time it ended.
16. How did you rate the book?
If you are new to Terry Pratchett, do you consider checking out more of his books (NOT just because of BOM points :)?
If you are familiar with his books/a fan - any changes in your earlier impressions/opinion?
I gave the book 2 stars. The subject matter just doesn't interest me, but I can see why so many love the witty writing and style. Different strokes for different folks!
Although I'm glad I did try another fantasy book, it's just not a genre I enjoy and I do not have any interest in reading any of his other books. Glad so many of you loved it!
BONUS: Any favorurite scenes? :)
I really liked Granny as a character. The broom ride home comes to mind right away.
Completion Post
Book: The Chaperone
Author: Laura Moriarty
Pages: 367
Date read: 5/27/21
Rating: 4 stars
Tasks:
#14-There is a protest by black citizens when they sit down at the lunch counter every day in Wichita, KS for about one month until finally the owner gives up and serves them food
#20-The MC marries her husband
#29-spell out T- Title- "The"
#56-the MC and another major character go to the cinema. It takes place in the 20's, so first they are "talkies". They go again later when the movies have sound. This same major character becomes a real film star. Historical fiction, but the movie starlet is true.
#88-half the book is set in NYC. The other half Wichita, KS
#99- has the letters COHEN in the title: THE CHaperONe
#111-spell out letter C- Title "Chaperone"
#112-spell out letter L- AFN Laura
#153-Historical Fiction
#169 and #171-Spell out letter L- AFN Laura
#224-single woman on cover
#237-epic journey to NYC for MC to find her birth mother and also for the other MC to become a famous dancer and movie star
BINGO- 6I- Theater is a big part in the NYC scenes
#7H-One of the MC ends up being a big film star
I will read The Memory Keeper’s Daughter recommended by team Cherry Littlebottom
I just read The Midnight Library in April. I loved the audio version and gave it 5 stars. 5 star ratings are rare for me. Always interesting how people feel so differs about books! I’ll look at the suggested list to see if anything catches my eye.
DQ- Day 2Starting with a Bonus question...
“They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it is not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance.” (Granny said)
First off, who are “they”? I have always wanted to know. Secondly, do you agree with “them”?
I'm not familiar with these books, but judging by the humor that Pratchett seems to enjoy, I'm guessing it's a bit political. Like when people on the right or left say, "They say..." and state it like it's fact when often it's just a biased opinion and not fact based. This is how a "little bit of knowledge" can be a dangerous thing. A person knows just enough to quote someone who they believe knows something, but they don't know enough to have researched it to see if it's factual.
5. Esk went ahead and did not follow Granny’s advice, and thought since she had a feeling she could get into the bird’s brain, then why not do it.
When you were a kid, did you jump off the swing, or touch the hot burner? If so, give us examples.
Do you think she learned something from it, or are we looking at shades of her future University life?
Of course we all make mistakes when learning. That's how we learn. I do think Esk enjoys risk taking and will make plenty more mistakes along the way.
6. What do you think of Hilda and her version of Headology? What do you think of Headology in general?
The Headology concept is clever. There is much power in knowing that people want to believe what they want to believe in and what benefits them.
7. Esk finds herself on a moving barge. Loved loved loved the resume of talents beyond washing and sweeping that Esk rattles off in an attempt to stay on the boat. What skills could you bring to the barge?
I could read stories to people, bake all sorts of yummy desserts, listen to them with a compassionate heart, rock babies and lead exercise classes for them. If you're depending on me to raise vegetables or grow flowers that would not be a good idea!
8. Speaking of the barge, what do you think of Esk’s decision to just leave Granny? Did she mean to leave on her own adventure, or was it an accident? Do you think her matter of fact attitude is a product of her magic, or just her personality or upbringing
I think Esk was just excited about her adventure. I would say it's a product of her rather impetuous personality.
DQ- Day 11. If you are new or relatively new to Discworld, what do you think of Pratchett’s world and writing style so far? For more experienced Pratchett readers, what are your favorite things about his writing style or Discworld in general?
I am new to Discworld and fantasy is not my typical genre to read except for Neil Gaimon books. I'm always up for trying a new author, in fact I discovered Neil Gaimon during a GR challenge. This one is not catching my attention yet and I'm finding the reading slow. I do appreciate the humor though.
2. So we have our plucky heroine Esk and her witchy mentor Granny Weatherwax. What do you think of our two main characters and their relationship with each other?
I like books with strong female leads. At this point in the story, I wasn't sure if I liked them or not. Going to have to read further to decide.
3. A major theme is witch magic vs. wizard magic (and women vs. men), and I can’t wait to learn more about these different magical theories and world views. What do you think of this dynamic, and which type of magic are you more drawn to?
Since I normally don't read fantasy, I don't really have a preference between the two types of magic. It does seem like this is going to be a major theme in the story, so hopefully there will be other things that are of more interest to me.
4. Oh dear. Esk went a bit too far with the borrowing. What do you think is going to happen next? And what will Granny say or do?
Now this was something I found relatable. People and particularly younger people make mistakes when learning. Esk seems to be a risk taker and wants to try things out on her own. I had no idea what would happen next, this early in the story. My guess when I was reading at that point was that she would find a way to correct her error. My guess at that time of reading was that she'd find a way to get back to herself. I thought Granny would be worried because it was out of her realm to help her.
Bonus: I am really enjoying Pratchett’s wit so far. What is your favorite quote from this first bit? Mine is:
“What’s an elephant?”
“A kind of badger,” said Granny. She hadn’t maintained forest-credibility for forty years by ever admitting ignorance.
I listened to the book and my library copy was due back, so I can't go back and look at the exact quotes that was my favorite at this point. I do like the one that Kate mentioned:
A quote that stood out to me was
'That's one form of magic, of course.'
'What just knowing things?'
'Knowing things that other people don't know"
Completion Post
Book: The Miniaturist
Author: Jessie Burton
Rating: 3 stars
Pages: 400
Date completed: 5/23/21
Tasks:
#81- AFN-Beatrice
#88- Amsterdam
#106- there is a ball in the book
#137- MPG Fantasy
#145 and #148- spellout T "The" in title
#161-ALN "Burton"
#168- Waterstone's Book of the Year
#244- the husband of the MC dies
Bingo- C2- pile of coins. -There are some references to coins needed to buy items.
Happy that Equal Rites worked for cover green, yellow, purple. I wasn't sure if we could use the writing on the book, so I didn't list it. :)
Wish we would have been chosen, but glad I’m off the hook!
Eldarwen and Stacie,I signed up to write DQs for Equal Rites, but this book just didn't resonate with me the way the other BOMs did, so if I'd feel a bit uncomfortable writing the questions. If my name is chosen is it possible to defer to Kari, Lexi or you, E? I will happily still answer the DQs.
Completion Post
Book: Equal Rites BOM
Author: Terry Pratchett
Rating: 2 stars
Pages: 240
Date read: 5/20/21
Tasks:
#12-Humor MPG
#25-spellout E- Title "Equal"
#29-spellout T- AFN "Terry"
#42-author has initials TP- Terry Pratchett
#65
#82 and #83 spellout E- Title "Equal"
#132-a book whose title initials make a well-known acronym (like TLC - Tender Loving Care) Define your acronym, with a reference link. min three letters in your acronym, use all the letters in the title, in unchanged order
Equal Rites=ER (emergency room)
#137-MPG Fantasy
#145 and #148 spellout T - AFN Terry
#157-guessing Granny is over 65
#164-MPG Young Adult
#168- Margaret A. Edwards award
#237-epic journey
BINGO
D4- Terry Pratchett book
Patrycja wrote: "hello everyone!my exam is done so i’m finally able to read for the challenge. how are you enjoying your books?"
So glad your exams are over. Hope you did well!
Mostly my books have been really good!
Completion Post
Book: The Prince and the Pauper
Author: Mark Twain
Pages: 240
Rating: 4 stars
Date read: 5/18/21
Tasks:
#29-T for ALN Twain
#53-MPG Classic
#65
#67
#97-MPG History (Historical)
#116
#118-title has all letters in DEATH
#145
#148
#164 MPG Young Adult
#187, 188, 189-hat on cover
#233-brown cover?? maybe?
BINGO- E7 Crown-The story is about royalty
DQ Day 3Chapters 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?
Girls are the worst at comparing themselves to others. I think she is relieved that in her mind there is someone "worse" than her. You would think she'd be kind to her knowing how it feels, but it seems she wants to point out other's faults to take the negative attention off herself. I do think she's projecting her own insecurities.
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.
I could just say "ditto" to how E answered the same question! In my mind you don't kick a guy in that area unless you are under threat of real harm. Totally not cool that she would react like that because she's angry. Stand up for yourself, definitely yes, but not in that manner.
As for Willow and her mom they need some counseling. I picture Willow's mom in high school as the exact opposite of Willow and everything that now threatens Willow; pretty, thin, popular. Her mom seems to push that in her face, which makes Willow even more defensive. I think Willow really wants to have a good relationship with her mom, but her mom needs to step up and stop judging Will, so Will can open up and share with her. I've raised two daughters and many times it was just not fun trying to work with their emotions! Luckily, now as adults we're best buddies!
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?
Heck yes! I loved when Ellen was just dead out honest! Really good friends, let us know when we're out of line and help us to be better people. I do think they'll be ok and maybe even better than before. I kept thinking they would do a sing-along for sure. I could just envision Will doing what makes her heart sing!
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 really like Millie's gusto! She owns who she is and has good self-esteem. She's actually one of the characters I really like. I'm all for them entering the contest (even though I think it's a silly thing) if they are doing it for pure fun and to feel good and not to prove anything.
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?
Mitch is much more than the sterotypical jock. He actually can see beneath the surface. Bo will be the main love interest, but I think Will and Mitch will work it out to be friends and he will become a good source of support for Will to help her understand guys better.
