Jackie’s Comments (group member since Jul 10, 2011)

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

DQs Day 5: Chapters 17-21

18. There is certainly a lot of action in this book and lots of chances for Susan to be killed or taken over. One that stuck out to me was the road to Silvermere. Viven, Merlin, and Susan each chose different ways to ignore the siren song. What are your thoughts? Interesting? Funny? Distracting? or too much?
I liked this scene and found it funny. Each one used whatever worked for them.

19. Merrihew is out to kill Susan. It appears to be for more reasons than just the fact of her father. Were you surprised? How involved do you think she was and do you think that there are others in the booksellers group involved as well?
I wasn't surprised about Merrihew but I don't necessarily think the other booksellers were involved.

20. We finally learn more about Holly. If he really an ancient, why do you think that no one seemed to realize? Or do you think that there was a bigger cover up?
I think he is powerful enough to fool others.

21. Susan learns who her father was, but learns that he is essentially 'gone'. Do you believe this? Do you think that Susan will get to meet him?
I do think she will meet him eventually.

22. I love the poem in the beginning of Chapter 21. 'Roses can be yellow, violets may be white; Hate might turn to liking, love could change to spite; Nothing is fixed forever, even stars will die; All that we can ever do, is ask the reason why.' What do you think? Is there a poem that speaks to you? Do you think that this is foreshadowing events, and if so, for whom?
I didn't pay too much attention to the poems.

DQ4: Chapters Thirteen - Sixteen

14. Each of the chapters has been headed with a poem or snippet of a poem, in varying styles. Do you scour these for meaning, and if so, what meaning have you wrung from them? Do you like them - as poems or as elements of the book structure? And critically: who is going to take on the challenge of writing one for review of the book? (Jenny's position as NBRC poet laureate is under strong challenge after Kaley's backroom haiku)
I haven't been paying much attention to them honestly.

15. Okay... theories on Reg Holly and what is up with him?!
Not sure but I feel like he's on the side of the bad guys.

16. The Fenris wolf and the well-spirit - what do you think of these additions to the Old World creatures we've met? Do you think Susan did the right thing by removing the sword?
I really liked this part and feel that Susan definitely did the right thing by removing the sword. So many of the characters are being controlled by the villain apparently, and the wolf was another one. He didn't hurt Susan but was compelled to take her.

17. We have another gender-swap in pop culture, with the characters from The Professionals being switched to female from male. Together with the political figures that have been gender-switched, and a comment earlier about how Britain took early steps to achieve equality, this is clearly an important part of Nix's world. Does the subtly of this work for you? Is there a deeper point to it than simply wanting gender equality? Why hasn't he gender-swapped any authors?
I don't remember The Professionals so I missed that one. This issue does seem to be a constant one with Nix. Maybe he's trying to say that gender isn't that important in as far as what one can accomplish. I'm curious if this continues throughout the rest of the book.

DQs - Day 3 - Chapter Nine - Twelve

10. We are about half way through the book now and I've been looking at the cover and trying to see how it fits with the story. The cover feels dark to me and so far I don't really feel that in the story. Do you feel like the cover fits the story?
Not so much so far, but we're only halfway through the story. I wonder if it might get darker in the second half.

11. So the old fashioned booksellers in charge might feel the need to remove Susan if they find out her father is one of the Ancients. It seems like Merrihew and Thurston are not greatly respected in the Booksellers realm. How do you feel about them? Do you think they might be involved in what is happening to Susan?
I feel suspicious of Merrihew and Thurston and that they might be a threat to Susan.

12. We keep getting all these references to books, musical groups, and other pop culture from the 80's. Take for example this quote: "The ground floor facing the street was all floor-to-ceiling high windows, with a wonderful display of Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose complete with a cardboard castle to the left of the central revolving door, and a selection of new release thrillers an mysteries built up in a series of pyramids in the window to the right, including John Le Carre's The Little Drummer Girl, Jeffery Archer's First Among Equals, and Ken Follett's On Wings of Eagles." That sentence is long and the following one is not much shorter. How do you feel about all of these references?
I enjoyed these references to people, sites, and books throughout the story especially the book ones.

13. In the last section Vivian gives Susan a steel knife and salt and tells her how to bind something to herself. Do you think she will have to bind something? Any idea who or what she will bind?
It appears that she might have to bind someone probably in order to protect herself or her friends. No idea at this time as to who.

DQ's - Day 2 - CHAPTER 5 to CHAPTER 8

6. Merlin and Susan get pulled into the May Fair. "The happiness is unsettling, all the smiling and laughing". Was there a part of the fair that stuck out to you? And would YOU have noticed the colorless rose?
The whole thing seemed rather creepy to me. I doubt that I would have noticed the colorless rose among all the colors.

7. Susan seems to have some sort of powers of command, which we see with the wolf at the end of the fair, and hear more about at the end of Chapter 8. What are your guesses about her heritage? Do you have any new guesses about her father?
Coming from old blood makes me think of fairies but I really have no idea.

8. My favorite part of these chapters was reading about the New Bookstore and its contents. If you could spend time in there, what would you want to check out?
Everything! I love bookstores and can get lost in one for hours. Just ask my daughter.

9. The grandmothers were interesting. Any thoughts about them? If I were one of the grandmothers, I'd totally be hanging out with my mastiff. What would you have keeping you company?
I liked the part with the grandmothers and the way they went progressively further back in time. My companion would be a little white cat.

DQ'S DAY 1 - PROLOGUE - CHAPTER 4

1. I nominated this book because titles with libraries or books naturally draw me in and I've wanted to read a Garth Nix book for ages. What are your reasons for reading.. long term Garth Nix aficionado or "It's only about the points, baby"?
I've read several books by Garth Nix so was interested in reading this new title by him. And anything about libraries and/or books always attract me.

2. Wikipedia (The Oracle of quick searches about whatever and sometimes actually factual) defines a prologue as "Opening to a story that establishes the context and gives background details, often some earlier story that ties into the main one and other miscellaneous information." What have you learnt in this particular prologue that seems important to the story moving forward?
I found this prologue pulled me in and made me curious to learn more about Susan's father. Definitely a mystery there and Susan's mother isn't forthcoming with any information.

3. Chapter 1 introduces us to our main protagonists in a scene filled with murder, fashion descriptions and a giant louse! First impressions of Merlin and Susan and any sign if they will be friends or enemies or maybe even frenemies ?
Entertaining scene. I like both of them even if Merlin is a bit full of himself. They do seem to be attracted to each other so they may become more than friends but I do believe they will at least be friends.

4. Right handed and left handed booksellers policing multi layered worlds and realities. Set in 1983 London but the language and environment heavily leans on the Victorian Age. Are you comfortable with the preliminary world building, do you find it interesting and unique or same old same old in the YA fantasy genre?
I'm comfortable with the world building and enjoy alternate history/fantasy genre books. I'm interested to learn more about the right- and left-handed booksellers.

5. It seems someone is after Susan, probably because of her mysterious missing father. Who do you think he is and what maybe is his significance in this alternate world and to the plot in general?
No idea at this time but I do think it has to do with her father.

I added a book that works for Red task: Red in title.

I'm finished for this round too.

Judy wrote: "@Jackie I may have accidentally written over a book you added for round 5 in the planning spreadsheet - the spreadsheet only refreshed after I was halfway through adding my own book and there doesn..."

No problem! I'll fix it.

Two U's and 3 E's as well. I have a Z coming up.

Doing good. I've been working a temporary job so reading is a little down. Hoping to meet my estimated total.

I'm planning to read the BOM The Left-Handed Booksellers of London but probably for Round 5.

One more,

I think this one works for brown text also but would like verification.

Judging from Tin Eye, it looks like this one should work.



What do you all think?

Finished my last book.

I'll finish my last one on the spreadsheet.

Do we need any particular letters for this round?

I have a space opera book that I was planning to read next but I'll hold off until the new round. I like space opera so can probably read one or two more. Brown covers shouldn't be too hard, I hope.

Finished my last book for Round 2.

I'll finish an R book this morning. Also am reading another that I think I can finish in time.

I have one more book on the spreadsheet that I will finish. I may be able to get another one in before the deadline.