SandyL’s Comments (group member since May 11, 2015)

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

Congratulations Dr Sophie!!! That is amazing. Enjoy your time off before starting work, and I hope the kid's b-day parties aren't too crazy.

I hope your walk is relaxing, Lexi - it sounds beautiful.

I'm finally done with tax season so I should be able to read a lot more going forward!!!

What is everyone doing this weekend? I hope you all have fun plans besides reading!

Are you recovered from the birthday party, Sophie?

I hope everyone is having a great weekend!!!

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "The November BOM's are up.

I'm really pleased because the one I chose for YA got chosen. So I nominated for DQ's as well. "

Yay Lisa!!! I've requested it through Overdrive - I'm not much into YA or fantasy, but I'll try it.

Hi everyone! I'm Sandy and I live near Los Angeles CA. I think I've done challenges with many of you in the past, and I'm excited for this latest Wheel!! I read mostly romance, but when I need it for a challenge, I'll read almost any book (but, like Sally and Sophie I'm not a fan of horror.) For the next two weeks I'll be busier with work - I do taxes and in the US the final deadline is 10/15. After that I'm off for the rest of the year.

My wheel shelf is https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

BTW - how does our team name fit with this year's theme?

I don't think I'll get to my last book - I thought I'd get more reading done last night, but I fell asleep. :-( So I'm done.

Thank you so much Judith and Lexi for being our captains! And again to Lexi for your awesome Jackanory story. You ladies rock!!

I just posted two books that I finished, and I should be able to finish two more. I'll update in the morning what my ETA is.

This is awesome, Lexi!!! Thanks for all the work you put into this - your creativity is on full display!!! My favorite is paragraph 3 - too funny!!

Thanks again!!

I hope everyone is doing well - how was your wedding Redshirt? And have you made it safely to OR yet Jen?

I've been reading but haven't had time to log my books for a few days - I'll get everything posted this weekend.

Judith wrote: "Hello Sandy,

When you get a chance, can you add The Knitting Diaries to your TT shelf?

Thank you!"

Sorry - done!

Have a safe drive, Jen!!! It brings back memories - a number of years back I drove from VA to CA with my 3 dogs. It was an adventure!!!

Day 3 Questions end: "Then Cutwell sighted carefully ... [spoiler removed]" (p151 / 58%)

Q11. Do you think Mort is physically changing? When it says, "The gargoyle looked up into his face and suddenly felt like a very frightened doorknocker indeed, Mort's eyes glowed like crucibles, his expression was a furnace, his voice held enough enough to melt iron. It didn't know what he could do, but felt that it would prefer not to find out." - it seems these may be actual physical manifestations. With the photo Mort sees soon after with the wizard Cutwell, do you think that was originally Death in the photo before a transformation?
Yes, he's changing physically. When he's in the pub the book references how his knees aren't so knobby, etc...

Q12. What do you think about the plot point where Keli is dead, but is not? Do you think this was a clever twist of the author or do you find it a confusing jumble? How will this affect the story and will Death find out what actually happened and react?
It seems like the universe is trying to fix the problem. I don't know that Death will care all that much - he seems to be losing interest in his job.

Q13. There suddenly seems to be sign that Death may be playing matchmaker of sorts with Mort and his 'daughter'. Are you surprised, and what do you think will happen with the relationship between him and Ysabel?
I didn't pick up on this.

Q14. Do you think that before Mort was chosen by Death, that he was a normal boy? Do you think he must have some wizard properties buried or are his "abilities" gathered from being Death's apprentice? What do you think about Mort attracting death's attention - what is so special about him?
By today's standards he seemed normal, but by the standards of the time in the book it seems he wasn't what his family expected him to be which is why his dad took him to become and apprentice. I don't know if he attracted Death or if, like was presented in the story, he was the only one left.

Q15. Mort seems to be getting a bit homesick after his day off, and Death is changing his tune as well. What do you think about Death's new adventures to experience some human experiences, try to understand fun and how humans behave?
I think Death is trying to turn stuff over to Mort for some reason.

DQs Day 2 - start: "Five minutes later, Mort was lost"
end: "Sooner or later, everyone remembered the magic word (p98)


Q6 - Mort walked through the walls a few times but couldn't when he tried to get into the castle. Why do you think this happened?
I think he was trying too hard - kinda like in the Harry Potter books - you just have to do it and not think about it.

Q7- What do you think of Ingneous Cutwell's character?
I'm struggling with this book and can't remember the characters soon after I read about them. I had to go back and look him not - just not memorable to me.

Q8 - The Abbot has been reincarnated 53 times. The concept of reincarnation is an interesting one. If you were to be born again what life would you choose?
I've had enough of this life - I don't think I'd like to come back as anyone.

Q9 - Death sent Mort to reap three souls. In light of how he performed do you think Mort was ready for the job?
He's still an apprentice. :-)

Q10 - Mort found Ysabelle's handkerchief in the library. Why is she reading other people's life?
Maybe for the same reason Mort is doing it?

DQs Day 1: (end: "'I want' he said firmly 'a very fast horse.'"19% / Page 52)

1. Mort is nothing if not determined. He refuses to give up on being a “prentice” until the last stoke of midnight. Then at the very last second, Death arrives for him. Do you think Mort was quick to take the apprenticeship perhaps from feeling humiliated at the days events or was it something that truly intrigued him? Would you have been willing to work for Death?
I don't know about being humiliated, but rather feeling left out.

2. Death has a sarcastic tone during this first section. What do you think of his fawning over Mort to ensure he gets new clothes and food and Death eating with him like a regular guy? Is he up to something sinister or does he just want to make Mort comfortable?
I think initially Death was a bit of a snob regarding Mort, but I also think Mort's determination is winning him over.

3. Mort may be a bit gangly and lost in his own head at times, but he seems to have a lot of compassion. Upon realizing that he was talking to Death, he asked him to spare his Dad. Later he tries to intervene and warn the King that he was about to be killed and finally on that same trip he wanted to tell the King’s daughter not to trust the Duke. What did you think of all that? Are these normal reactions to someone who is the apprentice to Death? Do you think it will continue as Mort sees more and more of Death’s duty?
It sounds like with the hourglasses none of this really matters, but it's nice that Mort has compassion.

4. What is up with the constant utterance of “Mort” every time someone calls our MC anything other than Mort or Mortimer after arriving at Death’s House and meeting Yasbell? Is there some significance to this or is it just rather annoying?! Lol!
Who would want to be called "boy" all the time? I'm guessing Mort was treated very respectfully where he grew up, and is just tired of being dismissed or marginalized.

5. Mort, surprisingly, asked Death for an afternoon off. I think our dear Mort is growing up! He explains to Death that he wants to meet people for more than a few minutes. When he arrives in his own time and finds out where he is, he asks if he is near Sto Lat. He seems to have a plan when he says he wants a very fast horse. What do you think he intends? Will it work out like he plans?
I'm confused with all these places and people, so I don't know what Sto Lat even is.

Redshirt wrote: "Hello! Just checking in.

I spent most of last weekend dealing with post-nasal drip. It's sort of funny because I periodically review my health and force myself to feel grateful when I'm not deali..."

Congrats on your upcoming wedding, Redshirt!!! And enjoy your time with your sister.

Judith wrote: "We captains have been chatting a bit and wanted to take a pill of the team.

As most of you are aware, we are close to having all the tasks done with a month to go. The captains could come up with..."

I like having tasks, but only if we're getting points for them, so if they are team only I probably won't do them. I've got other challenges I'm also reading for, so they'll provide direction on finding things to read.

Lexi wrote: "Just a reminder if anyone is still planning on reading and answering BOM questions for The Midnight Library, you have until July 2 to answer them."

I'm bummed my hold on Overdrive still hasn't come in - it stays 4 more weeks, so it doesn't look like I'll get to this one. :-(

Thanks for working on this, Lexi - it sounds like it's going to be a great story!!!

Lexi wrote: "Update on Tasks and I will update BINGO later today
Zombie MPG
Skull on cover
title in format x and y
on Spec-Fic Passing Bechdel Test list (https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1......"

I have books I can read for skull on cover and turtle on cover

What does "title in format x and y" mean?

Unfortunately, both books have over a 4 month waiting period on Overdrive from my library. :-(