Beth’s Comments (group member since Aug 12, 2014)

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

Day 4

13. 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)?

He didn't seem mysterious to me? He's a nice guy, bit too focused on his thoughts. He should just do what she tells him.

14. The meeting between Granny and the Archchancellor and their actions afterwards are a pivotal part of the book. What were your impressions?

It worked because it was funny but it's now how I think real people would behave.

15. With duality of witchcraft vs. wizardry being one of the main themes, what do you think about the ending? Was it satisfyingly concluded?

Since I think the duality is silly, I liked that people were able to work together. I was happy with the ending.

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?

This is not one of my favorite ones, but I like Granny Weatherwax. It is one of the early ones, which in general are not the best, but as a reread I was happy!

DQs - Day 3

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

Hmm, the Discworld books don't encourage me to worry much, so they were creepy but not frightening, if that makes sense?

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, because I don't think people ever split evenly along the ways "they" say people split. So having male and female magic probably works about as well as having blue-eyed and brown-eyed magic -- some people feel right at home with it and figure it makes sense, and other people don't fit, and some people can do both and find choosing silly.

11. Why do you think Esk’s magic did not work? I thought she maybe picked a poor demonstration that the university was set up to prevent, like the magic-proof doors. Didn't she try to magic them?

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?

I think she acts the way a child should act, but that the author wasn't really thinking of a specific age, so she moves around a bit in how she handles things.

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?

Almost all librarians are wonderful. In his place, probably not, but if I were turned into an ape but kept my own life I'd want to turn back.

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 are the people outside Bad Ass. They say a lot of foolish things. And it sounds like a wise saying, especially when you add in the back half.

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?

I think my parents mostly told me things in ways I could trust, although to me it sounded like Weatherwax also knew what she was talking about. So I never thought I had to burn myself after looking at someone else's scars. And I think this is baked pretty far into Esk, that if she hears an answer she doesn't like she'll assume she knows better.

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

Advertising is important! Understanding people is a great way to Win Friends and Influence People, which is a powerful skill and can be used for good or evil.

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 got nothing. I'm pretty useless. Maybe I could teach them to read?

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 thought it was her personality, and part of the self-centeredness of children, which Esk has to a large degree. Maybe because she was the youngest for a long time, and then an only child during her time with Granny? So she has no sense of the effect of her actions on other people, or why that might matter, and she has complete faith that somehow people will keep her safe.

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?

I read many of the Discworld books back before kids (my kids are in college now, so I guess I'm behind?), and sometimes since then. What I like is how he balances between goofiness and profundity, so that they enhance rather than detract from each other. You can read along and be laughing, and suddenly you get hit in the gut with an emotional punch.


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?

Esk is not completely believable as a child; I'm also reading some Beverly Cleary books ( Ramona the Pest) and the difference is stark. But I like the way Granny Weatherwax is committed to keeping the kid safe, but also to being treated well by the kid. And I like the conflict that Weatherwax has opinions on how some things should go, and Esk is going to barrel right through those opinions.

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'm not a huge fan of these kind of distinctions; I know too many women who would lean towards men's magic and vice versa. I know a lot of people and places like to think of things this way, and I think it makes for some happy (and maybe a bit smug) people and also for a pile of unhappy people who feel like they are the problem. I think the different types of magic are good for different things, but they don't feel particularly masculine of feminine 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?

Granny will fix it. Maybe she will have to ride another eagle to find Esk?

Finished . Is it too late to go back and answer the questions?

It's a Discworld book.

I guess I'll try to read the sun book soon. And I know someone on another team recommended which I've been meaning to read.

There's a sweet m/m romance called that I read a while back (probably for another challenge) that has a rabbit on the cover, if anyone is in the mood for that.

Finished:


and

The Duke was a little novella I read for a Romance Series where we discuss books with older protagonists, but it hit some good tasks: Set on a boat, MPG Spy Thriller-> Espionage, and Duke in Title, which is one of Sam Vimes's titles.

The Nine Tailors has a good acronym title: TNT (Til Next Time), a new year's celebration, and the cover has bell ropes on it, which are a part of a musical instrument? But not the bells themselves. But it's the part that people use to play the bells.

Michelle wrote: "Beth wrote: "I started reading Equal Rites and Death as a character shows up on page 8."

Oh, that's true! I had already slotted it before I read it so I forgot to go back and change the task. But ..."

Death is not a major character, though. So far it's only been on the page for a page.

I started reading Equal Rites and Death as a character shows up on page 8.

Does it have to be our sun?



I could read this. But it's not set on Earth.

Finished Apple Cider Slaying and added to spreadsheet.

I'm pretty sure Rival Magic was more complex in plot and words! Humph.

I read Rival Magic and it's a middle grade book but definitely in our word count -- it's 320 pages. But it's not in arbooks. The author's other books for this audience are, and they are all in the 55000 word count range.

Can I use this book?

The Son of Sam Killings

Finished another short biography for teens.

Heather, how was the Boyfriend Project? I see that at the library, and soon they will let me go back in to pick books.

Finished Chaos on CatNet and put it on the spreadsheet.

Finished The Hidden Land and added it to spreadsheet.

It has the word "moist." And my current read has "economics". We are finishing off some categories!

Michelle wrote: "Sophie, let me think of some books you might enjoy.."

Should we combine lists? I would suggest Clockwork Boys by T. Kingfisher. Maybe Grave Sight by Charlaine Harris.

Lorna wrote: "COMPLETION POST

The Vanishing Half



I loved this!

Completion

Finished and put on spreadsheet:




Are there any tasks in particular you hope someone picks up? I'm still mostly reading at random and assuming it will fit something.

Finished another short one:

Completion Post:

Fake Dating the Prince

In spreadsheet.

Hmm. Maybe I will try to find an epistolary novel.

Completion Post:

Styx and Stones

Another long drive! I picked it because it is #7 in a series, but I listed the other things it might fix.

Do we have any ideas on how to make a story?