Ashlee’s Comments (group member since May 10, 2016)

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

Checking in...

I just finished Never Never, which was for task 43. I also finished another that will go into the list for Jackanory.

I am currently reading The Firekeeper's Daughter and Mort.

I plan to read my book for task 193 next.

After that, I will be working on the BOMs as well as the books that I have to read for the summer tutoring that I am doing. (I am tutoring 3 groups of students along with 5 individual students. Each is reading a different novel. So, I should have at least 8 short YA reads coming in as I begin to lesson plan. LOL)

I switched the "exclamation in title" to Guards! Guards! since it will be a BOM.

I think that is all for now. :) off to read...

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 stroke 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?

He definitely took this job solely because it was the only one offered to him. Even his father was hesitant to have him accept it.
Who wants to work for Death!? Definitely not me...

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 this is Death's way of "getting to know" Mort. Getting to know what he can trust in Mort and what he can get Mort to do.

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?

He is far too compassionate to be Death's apprentice. I predict there will be an occurrence when it all becomes too much for Mort to handle.

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!

I laugh every time he does this. This is his way of making his mark in the world. He wants to be known by his name, certainly not by "boy".

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?

He is off to discover new parts. I do feel that he is going to run into some trouble along the way.

DQs - Day 3

9 . What do you think on the creatures from the dungeon dimensions? Do you find them creepy?

No, I think they relate to the magical world.

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)?

Yes, as a teacher I am forever telling students that they can be whatever they want to be, once they put their minds to it. I sympathize with Esk because this is her "destiny" in her family, but she is experiencing that gender bias.

11. Why do you think Esk’s magic did not work?

Her magic is likely blocked here.

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?

In some ways, she does act her age; going against Granny's advice and experimenting with the "borrowing". In other ways, she is precocious as she goes against the higher wizards to state that she wants to be one of them.

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?

Sophie wrote: "Bernadette🌻 wrote: "Sophie - I think it's a great idea to put all of the books that we haven't used anywhere on one tab. Maybe we'll see a theme develop with them in one place."

I'll get that done..."
Best of luck to you!

DQs Day 2

Starting 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”?

"They" being those who came before. I definitely agree with Granny. Someone can be the smartest person in the world, but still do the most ignorant of things. I feel that being careless with their actions, they are dismissing their level of knowlede.

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 I did things that I was told not to do, that's what children do. "Don't leave the yard without an adult. Don't stay out past eleven PM."

Esk is just testing the waters with Granny. I feel there will come a time where she realizes that she needs to follow Granny's advice.

6. What do you think of Hilda and her version of Headology? What do you think of Headology in general?

This makes me think of the common phrase "it's all in your head." So, in Pratchett's world if we are thinking it, then it must be real.

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?

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?

At 9 years old, does she really fully know the consequences of her actions. She is impulsive, and now that she knows she has "powers" this impulsivity is becoming more prevalent. I think we are seeing the personality of this child shine through in her actions on the barge.

Does Equal Rites need to be completed by today or tomorrow?

DQs - Day 1

1. 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 Pratchett and with Discworld. I absolutely despised book #1, but taking the advice of other readers, I hopped to book #3 and I am enjoying is immensely more.

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?

So far I am enjoying this dynamic. Although they have the magically powers, they have a realistic relationship where Esk is giving Granny a "run for her money."


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?

I am definitely more drawn to the "good" magic of the women. I'm looking forward to reading how Esk will make it in this world where she seems to be torn between the two.

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?

I think once Granny gets to her, Esk is going to have a stern talking to. However, I think Esk is going to come back with grand stories of how she loved her borrowing adventure.

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'm torn with this question...I absolutely felt that this was the best life for her. However, I felt that she needed a chance to go back and actually figure out how to CREATE this life. She needed to be able to have the experience of marrying Ash and giving birth to Molly.

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 her experiences in other lives helped her to understand those around her. She began to realize that if she had continued with the band, Joe would likely not have been in her life. I didn't get the impression that he was just being nice to her for the sake of the current situation.

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

The ending, like the rest of the story was well-suited; leaving the reader thinking about the number of possibilities. I would love to see a sequel that plays out where Nora's life has taken her. On the other hand, I think a sequel would possibly diminish the true meaning of this story.

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?

No, I would not. I am a firm believer in "what is meant to be will be."

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 loved this book! It was one of the first truly 5 star reads for 2021. I was talking to a few co-workers about the book and stated that it would lead to a great discussion. I think the best message that I take away is to "live your life to the fullest, take chances, and don't regret where life leads you."

So if our book does not fit into any of the tasks, do we just add if for possible use in Jackanory?

I am REALLY bad at adding my "read" books, and just realized that I never added 2 that I finished at the beginning of June. :(

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 ultimately, if she decides this is the end, she will not return to the library. After all, total system failure is death, is it not?

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 know that she will find "THE meaning of life", but I do think she is going to find what is her NEED to live.

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

I was definitely surprised by this. However, I found this SUPER interesting and would absolutely like to see more of these along the way.

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.)

Wow, I would DEFINITELY say library (lol) because that is what my life revolves around, but I guess my second choice would be a bakery. That seems to be my go to to relieve stress.

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 is going to quickly realize that all of this fame is not for her. I do not see her in this "life" for very long. I also feel for her in that she continues to want to connect with her brother, but feels that she can't ask.

DQs - Day 1

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

Yes, I had heard many good reviews of this book.

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?

So far, I'm enjoying these small chapters of information. I think this writing style lends itself well to the story that is being told.

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

No, I don't feel connected to her. I am waiting to see if her character becomes a bit more, thus drawing the reader into her journey.


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'm a "what's meant to be will be" kind of person, so I don't think I would like to see those alternate lives come forth.


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?

Being that she had thought about her relationship prior to getting to the library, I was not surprised by the book she chose. I was, however, surprised by the outcome of this.

Hi All,

Finally I am able to take a relaxing breath and begin my summer break away from teaching.

I have finished A Wrinkle in Time and The Color of Magic.

I started Equal Rites and The Midnight.Library

I do, also, plan to read what I have already added to the spreadsheet.

Finished Dumplin'. Completed 4 days of DQs.

Although I enjoyed this book, I did not enjoy the DQs. :(

How long do we have to finish Equal Rites

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 guess everyone copes in his/her own way...

7. Will and Bo. Thoughts? More particularly, Will's reaction to finding out that Bo will start going to the same school?
I was REALLY hoping that they would be a couple. I'm kind of bummed that she is ignoring him.

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 am definitely hoping that this relationship begins to repair itself, and that El dumps Callie.

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.
Is this a question...
I don't think Will is being the "mean girl". I think she gets the sneaky vibe from Callie and she is heading it off before it even starts.

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).
No, I'm sure she can manage to keep her relationship with Tim separate from his with Patrick.

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 that although she tries to be body positive, her mother's attitude towards her certainly doesn't help.

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.
My thoughts..."You go girl!" Forget that Southern Girl bs. She needs to continue sticking up for herself.

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?
Nope...I don't blame Will for being mad at all. Especially after we hear the story about Will's mom telling El to be in the pageant. I think El is just doing it because Callie is telling her to.

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 it's great that these girls have chosen Will as their role model. I am glad that they are taking a chance by joining the pageant.

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?

DQ Day 4
Chapters 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 think Will just learned something new about El's mom and Lucy's relationship. Maybe I'm wrong...
Also, I do think that Will will be able to use this to help her through her grief. She learned that there are people out there who respected Lucy.

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?
Callie is definitely a "mean girl" and is using this battle with Will to make herself look better to El.

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?
I just wish she would pick one of them already.

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?
"Prom-posals" have become a huge thing in recent years. I am guessing that in Clover City this is comparable.

Hi all, my fiance and I just returned from a birthday weekend getaway and I am finding it hard to get back into the swing of things.
Fortunately, I have the day off tomorrow for an appointment, so I am hoping to get some reading time in the sunshine. I'm working on finishing Dumplin' and Equal Rites.

DQs Day 1 - Chaps 1 - 10

1. What do you think of Willowdean? Does she feel like a sufficiently real person?
I do think that she is showing realistic characteristics. She solely lives with her mother, the legend of the town, and the reader can see how she becomes pulled in many directions when it comes to her body image.

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?
Yep, I think they will slowly drift apart. Ellen seems to have moved on.

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?!
She definitely took a risk following him. I'm still not sure he has the best of intentions.

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?
Meh - it didn't seem to faze him.

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?
People grieve in different ways. I think for Will, she needs to hang on to little pieces of Lucy. For her mother, erasing that time seems to be what she needs.

Finished:



and


DQs are posts
216, 339, 341, 342, 351
**I did not assign this to a task because I forgot what you had marked in BINGO for it**

DQ Day 5: Chapters 19-end

20. Charlotte has a very bad reaction to being returned. Do you think this is normal? Why do you think she reacted so extremely?
I do think this is normal. She never felt as though Alexandra loved he, and even though she lived in poverty with Bess, she knew she was loved.

21. Do you agree with Alexandra's decision to not pay Ned? Do you think she was right in doing this?
I'm indifferent on this. Alexandra got what she wanted, but look at what Ned gave up by turning Bess in.

22. Alexandra seems to be very affected by the events that have happened. She seems less afraid, although maybe more reactive. She also manages to go outside for a short time. Do you think it will last? Will she improve? Why?
I think this was the "wake-up call" that she needed. She needed to see that real life happens outside of her home and she is missing out on the best of times.

23. The two women come up with an interesting arrangement for Charlotte and came to understand each other better in the end. Do you think that this could have happened if Bess hadn't lied?
No, it couldn't have happened. Alexandra needed the shock of it all to come to terms with it.

24. The ending had lots of happy events. Did you like it? Do you think it was realistic?
I enjoyed this book, though found it a bit unrealistic. I found it very coincidental that Bess just happened to get the job with Alexandra and the Dr. didn't know that this was her child.

Sophie wrote: "Tricky task update! You have all be fantastic at knocking a good number of these off the list.

1 Trunk/suitcase on cover
43. Repeated 4+ letter word in title - Ashlee
58. Set in India, Nigeria or ..."

I'm reading , so that works for Task #1.

I also finished today, so I will answer the last of the questions and shelve it tonight.

DQ Day 4 - Chapters 14-18

15. Knowing how Alexandra's parents died and seeing her state of mind after being surprised by Dr. Mead, Eliza, and Charlotte in masks, has your perception of Alexandra changed in any way?
It now makes sense about why she won't leave her house. However, if this is the way she feels, she should have never brought a child into her home.

16. What do you think of Bess running away with Charlotte? Looking at her reasons do you think she is being selfish or doing what is best for Charlotte?
I think she is doing what is best for Charlotte. Despite the fact that she doesn't not have the means that Alexandra has, she is able to give the child a life outside of the walls of the home.

17. What do you think of Lyle and his willingness to help Bess escape with her daughter? Do you think he will remain in Bess's life?
I hope he will remain in Bess's life. I think this is very noble of him and that he would be good for Bess and Charlotte.

18. Was anyone surprised by Ned's theft of Eliza's money or subsequent betrayal of Bess? What kind of deal do you think he made for himself in exchange for information about Bess?
I wasn't surprised by his theft, but definitely by the betrayal.
He certainly cut some sort of deal to get himself out of the trouble he was in.

19. Charlotte certainly went through a lot in a short time during this section. How well do you think she handled the reality of being on the run with Bess? What do you think her reaction will be to being returned to Alexandra?
My heart breaks for this child. She has faced so much in just a short amount of time. It has to be a great shock to her. I am curious to see if she ends up happier with Alexandra, or if Alexandra just becomes harder on her.