Jen’s
Comments
(group member since Jul 20, 2014)
Jen’s
comments
from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.
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DQs 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)?
I like Simon. He reminds me of a philosopher. This is my first Discworld book so I’m not sure characters continue in other parts of the series but I am guessing that (view spoiler)
14. The meeting between Granny and the Archchancellor and their actions afterwards are a pivotal part of the book. What were your impressions?
I loved seeing them together. It was a good parallel between Simon and Esk working together. I love the idea that the older generations may change their minds about lore/society but it could take a little more convincing than the kids who haven’t had those ideas as deeply ingrained.
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 thought it was extremely satisfying. I like the acknowledgment that they may be differences between witchcraft and wizardry but that the idea could be thought to students together.
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 it 4/5 stars. I really like the book and how it read but I wasn’t as drawn into it as some of my 5 star reads. I will be checking out more of his books. I think I’ll move through the witch line to start.
I have been having a hard time keeping my attention on my books. I am enjoying what I am reading but after 20-30 pages I just want to switch to something else. Usually I only have 1 or 2 books at a time but I’m working on 4 right now and trying not to let myself add in another. Does anyone else ever do this— but maybe more successfully?
DQs Day 2- 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’m kind of proud of Esk for doing it anyway. I never pushed boundaries but I also never blazed new trials. As the first female wizard, I think she needs to push the boundaries a little. Has she not shown Granny what she is capable of, Granny may have kept her in the cottage rather than pursuing the next steps in her education.
6. What do you think of Hilda and her version of Headology? What do you think of Headology in general?
I like Headology. Sometimes I feel like I have to fake it til I make it and if I’m confident about myself then other people will be too. So in a way, I think that would resonant well with Hilda. It’s all about what people think and perceive.
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?
Other than getting sea sick?! I might be able to help with cooking and pretending to know a little bit about everything.
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 it was an accident and maybe the magic is just leading her places.
I hope everyone had a great weekend! I have enjoyed reading my new books. Before this challenge, I read 3 books a month. Then this month I read 9 books!! Has anyone else been reading more books?
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 book by Pratchett. I hadn’t previous heard of Discworld. His writing is very witty and humorous. I like how it reads like a conservation with a great story teller. I also like the lack of numbered chapters.
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 both of them! I love relationships between young girls and a grandmother like figure. I think the mentorship will be fun to develop. Maybe Granny will learn a few things from Esk also.
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?
Two different types of magic is very interesting. I like it a lot. The witch magic is more similar to the magic that you normally see in witch books. I’m not yet drawn to one more than the other.
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?
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 thought Granny will get mad and potentially tell Esk off.
I’m reading Equal Rites now— the library loan came in way sooner than expected. It’s my first discworld book and I’m loving it!
I've updated the tracking sheet with these too, but here are the tasks I will read for:Science MPG (not Science Fiction) - The Unexpected Truth About Animals
MPG Vampires - The Book of Life
A4 Broom - Equal Rites
I’m hoping to read Equal Rites but may not get it from the library for a while. It would work for “Spec-Fic Passing Bechdel Test list” task if anyone else is reading it.
Jenny wrote: "Dropping in from Moist to second Lexi's recommendation. Those books are wonderful.Also, I saw that Jen is looking for a science book?
Since I don't know what you like science-wise, I am recommend..."
Those are great suggestions!! I'll take a peak at what my library has in the catalogue. Thank you!
DQs Day 6Ch 51 - End
25. Willowdean, oh Willowdean. You are your own worst enemy. First she breaks Mitch's heart because she is finally (somewhat) honest with him, and then she lets her insecurities get in the way of Bo sharing his feelings. Have you ever let your insecurities and other people's opinions stop you from doing something?
First of all, I was annoyed that she broke his heart. I thought he was the better choice. He liked her and was willing to be open about it. He went at her pace and was there for her when she needed someone. Bo was just exciting. Anyway... yes, I have let me insecurities or other peoples opinions or fears of what their opinions may be stop me, or at least keep me up at night.
26. Will sees Ellen crying, but lets the moment pass. Later on the judges ask her about loyalty during her interview and she has some some hard realizations about her friendship with Ellen, and finally gets her moment to apologize. Did you think their make up scene was realistic? Have you ever had a friendship end on bad terms?
I think the make up scene should have been longer. I think they both would have had pent up feelings and thoughts about what they could say to the other. So, I think there should have been more back and forth and more explaining or trying to justify.
27. Will digs deep to find her confidence and walks the stage in her swimsuit. That takes courage, regardless of your body shape or size! No way I could do it. And then she goes completely off script for her talent and does her best Jolene (great song, btw). Do you think her mom did the right thing by disqualifying her? If you had been the pagent director, would you have let her compete?
I think her mom did the right thing. I am a rule follower, and I would have also followed the rules like her mother did. Will was able to walk with her friend and participate. I think she accomplished what she wanted to do.
28. Will and her mother have a nice moment when Will is helping her get dressed. What do you think about their mother-daughter relationship? Do you think they are finally beginning to understand each other?
Yes, they do seem to be understanding each other. I think it was important that her mom was too big for a dress and Will was able to help. Now her mom knows what it would be like to not fit in clothes or feel like your body isn't right.
29. Willowdean leaves the pageant after Millie is named second-runner up. It makes me a little crazy that they leave it unknown. Who do you think is crowned the winner? Did you like the ending?
I think it was a girl that everyone expected. I don't think it was El since she had spilled on herself, and I think Will would have stayed to see it.
DQs - Day 26. 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 think that maybe her mom is dealing with grief in a different way. I try to make myself busy when I’m sad because it’s easier than being in that feeling. So, I could just be projecting, but I wonder if her mother is also trying to keep busy. Pageants are her thing and she is throwing herself into it. Maybe it’s easier to be fully into the thing you love than think about the thing you lost.
7. Will and Bo. Thoughts? More particularly, Will's reaction to finding out that Bo will start going to the same school?
Eh, Bo is only okay for me. I don’t like the whole guy-who-is-hot-and-always-has-a-lolipop(or candy)-in-his-mouth thing. I’m hoping he isn’t end game.
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 really think they are both maturing and don’t want to bring the other along with them. Ellen is jealous of Will’s confidence and Will is jealous of Elles privileges due to her body. I think they both need more friends in general. They stay friends though because they have been forever.
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 is too worried about losing Ellen to get to know new friends. Ellen and Callie both seem okay, but unaware of how Will’s body affects her but still unaware. Will is punishing them for being unaware.
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).
I was too busy being excited about Mitch in general. I like him and I hope things go well with him. Hopefully Patrick doesn’t play a big part.
DQs Day 1 1. What do you think of Willowdean? Does she feel like a sufficiently real person? I like Willowdean. I think she feels deeper than some other YA main characters I’ve read before. It’s a little picky, but I did think it was weird when she said that she didn’t talk just to talk but then later there was a long passage about how much she talks.
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?
I think they will drift apart from each other but I also think that it won’t be a bad thing. I think both of them have things they need in a friend that they can’t get from another. I think Willow is worried that she would be pushed out so that’s why she doesn’t want more friends. I’m also wondering if (view spoiler)
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?!
I would have been too nervous to follow him and came up with some excuse— especially at her age. I don’t have any great guesses with his story but I LOVE reading everyone else’s ideas.
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 wonder if he would have made it an insult or not when she met him. But if that it what she is doing to make herself comfortable then it’s kind of a power move.
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?
I think they are processing the death in different ways because Will wants to take the time to reflect and make sure she is remembered. Maybe she feels like she herself won’t be remembered so she wants to do that for her aunt. On the other hand, maybe her mother thinks that Lucy never lived her life so she is trying to go and follow her on passions?
I’ll find a science book to read for the genre task. I read Lab Girl a couple months ago and loved it. I’m sure I can find another great science book.
Does anyone use spreadsheets to track when library books are due? I often get back into reading, but then have difficulties with juggling when ebooks and audiobooks (via overdrive) are due. Then the books expire, I slow down on reading until I get inspired and the cycle starts again.
I just finished A Court of Wings and Ruin. I don't often read YA fantasy, but man that one sucked me in.
Redshirt wrote: "I looked through our thread (up to page four) and found a bunch of the other teams recommendations. (I particularly like their listopias!)Team Sam Vimes
Team Moist
Team Nanny Ogg
Team Cheery ..."
Thank you for putting those links together!! That was super helpful.
Does anyone have any fun plans for the weekend?
Beth wrote: "I’m having the dilemma where I’m really loving the book I’m currently reading so I’m taking forever to finish it but also super excited for the next book I’m reading so i want to finish my current ..."What are you reading now and what are you reading next?
Snowtulip wrote: "Am I the only one that gets excited when I get library hold books all at once?I just got
[bookcover:You Are Your Best Thing: Vulnerabilit..."All of your books are so interesting!! I would have to say “ I'm Waiting for You and Other Stories” because the premise is neat but also it had so many great reviews. I just put it on hold at my library!
Hey Team! I am back from my road trip-- it was 5 days and I saw a lot of the north east USA (NC to Maine and back, stopping at each state along the way). I was able to listen to 2 and a half audiobooks during my 2,200 mile drive. I'm glad to be back and have a little down time to read a physical book.
Hey everyone. Sorry again. I’m on the vacation I mentioned last week. I’m driving from Charlotte, NC to Portland, ME to visit states I haven’t been to and see the sights. Today I just listened to music and podcasts but I’m excited to start some audiobooks tomorrow.
