SandyL’s
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(group member since May 11, 2015)
SandyL’s
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from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.
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Redshirt wrote: "I've answered the DQ for The Midnight Library.Folks....
I was super weepy over this book last night. Anyone else reading tear-jerkers?"
I'm hoping I get to read this book for the BOM points - I've got it on hold through Overdrive, but it still says an 8 week wait. Sigh.....
I hope you had a great weekend with your sister and her family, @Lexi! So glad you were able to get together after so long apart!!Thanks for the update on how we're doing, @Judith! We've got awesome leadership for an awesome team!!
I've also got Time of Day in title
Thanks for the list, Lexi. Would you be able to give us an idea of the types of books that would work for the unclaimed Bingo squares? I don't have a clue what most of the them mean. :-)
Here's what I've got/can read so farI finished a book with Yeti earlier today
Almost done with a book with 2 dogs on cover
Book with sausage on cover
Sea on cover
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'm not really sure he's as powerful and great as everyone thinks he is.
14. The meeting between Granny and the Archchancellor and their actions afterwards are a pivotal part of the book. What were your impressions?
I liked how Granny showed him that witches are just as powerful as wizards and much more resourceful.
15. With duality of witchcraft vs. wizardry being one of the main themes, what do you think about the ending? Was it satisfyingly concluded?
I don't know that it was totally satisfying but it did pull many things together and set things up for a future book without leaving a cliff hanger.
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 rated this book 4 stars. It's my first TP book. Although I enjoyed it, I'll probably only read others if needed for BOM or a challenge. It's not a preferred genre for me.
BONUS: Any favourite scenes? :)
DQs - Day 39 . What do you think on the creatures from the dungeon dimensions? Do you find them creepy?
I didn't really understand this part - were they just something that Esk could see? Or were they really there?
10. I enjoyed the Esk’s thoughts about being both witch and wizard and wanting to defend the one to the other. Do you sympathize with this view (more in general than in specific regards to magic fields)?
I liked how Esk challenged the "it the lore" statements that kept being thrown at her. And I liked how she could see the power in both both roles.
11. Why do you think Esk’s magic did not work?
I think it was because she was trying too hard. In the past, her magic would just happen because she was thinking about something, but not in the same way as trying to make something happen.
12. Esk is supposed to be precocious but also nine years old. Do you think she acts in a way you could see a nine year old acting?
She's way more mature than the only person near that age (10 yrs old) that I know.
As a member of Team Ook, the bonus question is: Is not the librarian wonderful and would you want to be turned back in his place?
Yes, he was awesome. I wish there had been more about him.
DQs Day 25. 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?
I don't think Esk knows how to control her feels and therefore doesn't know how to control her magic. She's impulsive and it's probably going to get her into more jams.
6. What do you think of Hilda and her version of Headology? What do you think of Headology in general?
I think both Hilda and Granny know how to use peoples beliefs to influence them. They live in areas with different types of people so they go about doing it in different ways, but with similar results.
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?
Can't compete with Esk!
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?
She's been brought up with brothers and has been doing the same things as them for her whole life. And then she's told that girls can't do the same things as boys. She's got an independent and impulsive personality and she's been protected by the staff so far in her life, and she's got a lot of curiosity. I think her adventure was an accident, but I love how she just goes with the flow figuring everything will be okay.
DQs - 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?
This is my first experience with Discworld. So far, so good.
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 love Granny - she's hilarious. Esk's personality isn't coming out much yet, other than she can be stubborn and headstrong.
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?
Hopefully Esk will find a way to blend the two different types of magic.
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?
Esk is definitely in trouble!! I'm sure Granny will be livid but relieved to have her back.
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.
"Granny scratched her chin. She remembered the little lessons all children get taught: what's the magic word?
Please? she suggested.
Judith wrote: "The South Africa task is one we could really use and off the top of my head Yeti in text is another."I can read a book with Yeti in the text
Judith wrote: "Okay, there are a couple bingo squares we can use Blackboard knitting for. It’s epic it the best way.I love the rabbit’s little mittens"
I have another book I can read for rabbit on the cover, so move it wherever it's most needed
Judith wrote: "Sandy,When you get a chance could you put Blackbird Knitting on your TT shelf. It actually looks like you put in on you uno2021 shelf by accident.
By the way, that cover is just amazing. LOL"
Sorry - fixed!
DQ Day 4Chapters 33 to 43
16. Dolly Parton night was a surprising treat for the girls! Definitely a different experience. It felt to me like it could have been a healing point or turning point for Will in more ways than one. What do you think about the scene, did it add anything special to the book, and do you think it will hold significance in some way later in the story?
I liked this part of the book - it showed the girls that people of all shapes/sizes/backgrounds/likes can find their place somewhere.
17. I’m almost over Callie and Ellen myself at this point. Friends fight, but this has really blown up. When Callie approaches Will in the bathroom with her mini speech and says that she knows Ellen has always “been good to Will”, what do you think her point was with the speech? Was she truly angry on her friend’s behalf when she went into her admonishment on how wrong it was for Will to be upset that Ellen was entering the pageant? Do you think she’s trying to help Will in a twisted way with her rude advice, or do you think she’s just trying to rub salt in wounds? Would you keep trying to speak to Ellen and make up after the rebuff she issued at Harpy’s after two months when Will tried again to make up?
I think Callie saw Ellen as being nice to the fat girl out of pity and childhood friendship, not that the two were actually good friends. I thought Willow was a jerk for how she got mad at Ellen for joining the pagent.
18. Mitch and Bo affect Will in different ways, but it’s pretty clear Will is using Mitch in more ways than one. She has him to hang out with on weekends when Ellen is gone, and she went from having a dance partner where she rested her head on his chest throughout several dances before pulling away from him immediately when they get outside so he doesn’t “get the wrong idea”. Mixed signals overdose! Do you think she doesn’t realize what she is doing, that she is subconsciously using him, or do you think she isn’t considering his feelings enough? What do you think is going to happen between them?
Yes, Will is using Mitch, but she's pretty naïve in the dating department that I'm not sure she understands this. That said, she is showing that it's all about her, and she doesn't seem to have much empathy for others.
19. The Sadie Hawkins dance seems important in Clover City. I had heard of a song about it, but had no idea it was an actual dance at a school. What do you think about the traditions of finding inventive ways to ask people to the dance? Were you surprised that Bo was finally grabbed up for a date? What did you think of Will’s attempt to ask Mitch immediately afterward, and her creativity in doing so?
I see stuff like this (outdoing that last person) always getting out of control and I hate it. I didn't think Willow had much creativity and I wish there had been more made of the fact she used permanent marker on her face.
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?
I think Willowdean isn't as positive about herself as she thinks she is. And yes, she was mean to other people - I don't really like her much.
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 liked that Willowdean stood up for herself. And I think her relationship with her mom isn't that different that many mom/teen girls relationships.
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 don't blame Ellen for what she said, but I did feel bad for Willowdean. I hope the rift is repaired, but you never know how YA books are going to pan out.
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 like that they are taking charge of their lives and doing something they never thought they were entitled to do because of looks or weight.
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 like Mitch, but I think her heart is with Bo.
I survived tax day and my second vaccination. My dog is so happy to have me home (although I still have to work, but just not nearly so much.) And I'm happy to be able to start reading more and get my house clean! I hope everyone is enjoying their current books! I'm finishing up Dumplin' right now.
DQ for Day 2Chapters 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.
It may be painful for Willow's mom to have Lucy's room still there with all Lucy's things in it still.
7. Will and Bo. Thoughts? More particularly, Will's reaction to finding out that Bo will start going to the same school?
I'm guessing she knew they couldn't be seen in public together - they could keep seeing each other and keep their secret when their friends didn't know each other, but with him going to her school all that would change.
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've already read past this, so I know what happens short term. (view spoiler)
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 think Will see's the safety net of her friend being yanked out from under her and is threatened and scared, so she's on the defensive.
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)
Will isn't coming across as a very nice person
DQs Day 1 - Chaps 1 - 101. What do you think of Willowdean? Does she feel like a sufficiently real person?
She seems like a teenager - I don't know too many at this point in my life, so I don't know if she seems real or not
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?
Since they are pretty different, I think they will find their lives going in different directions
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?!
My guess is something happened to him physically that he can't play football anymore and that has changed him.
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 Will is unconsciously more uncomfortable with her weight than she lets on, but tries to own it ahead of any insults from others
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?
Is there a middle ground - throw some stuff away and keep some stuff that is important?
I get to deal with all the procrastinators who haven't filed their tax returns yet! :-) I also have my second covid vaccine on Saturday, so it should be an interesting weekend, unfortunately without much reading.
