Lisa - (Aussie Girl)’s Comments (group member since Sep 26, 2012)

Lisa - (Aussie Girl)’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

Sammy wrote: "Lisa, definitely Planet of the Apes like.
Many little references, but most telling the bit where Livira is thinking about the phrase "we're not in Kansas anymore" and how it was forgotten what Kans..."

Doh, How did I miss the raven's name... Probably because my brain hurts trying to work everything out. I think you're probably right about the time! I'm going to just go with the flow and chill as I read the last quarter. 😁

Sammy wrote: "Ok, so I went back and looked at the chapter headers again, and it seems to me they are simply a not-so-subtle way to underline that the book is set on Earth many, many years into the future. Not t..."

So you're thinking like Planet of the Apes many years into the future and not a similar Earth or Earth like planet in a multiverse? And the literature is from people we know of now and has been corrupted because of the time factor? Interesting.

I've started my battle book also. So far, so good..

Angie ☯
7501 books | 542 friends
see comment historyDay 5 ~ Chapters 35 - 41

20. “Everything we see is seen through the lens of our expectations. Our prejudice provides a broad brush, imagination sprinkles detail, some of which may actually be there.” - Illusion by Copper Davidfield
This epigraph at the start of one of the chapters, stopped me for two reasons. One was due to whom it was credited. What do you make of this work/person? Did you have any thoughts or “lightbulbs” when reading this epigraph? How do you think it relates to the story or does it?

I think I've finally twigged to the epigrams - words of wisdom from famous people of our world with their names back to front or changed somehow. What does it mean? Maybe ties into the theme of the multiverse of the library, all worlds and times being part of the same fabric? I laughed at the Axel Rose one.

21. Livira finds a way to get through the portals again and she and Evar have a bit more time together. This time they explore some of the pools/portals and are have different reactions to where they go. Did this give you any more ideas on what the portals are for or why the two of them can use them at times?

The universe is pulling them together as fated souls.. sorry it's the romance reader in me, LOL.

22. Yute took Meelan and Livira before the king, all along to appoint Livira as junior librarian. (She had the complete wrong idea until he made the announcement to the king!) This was met with complete disapproval by the king and others. Yute was able to persuade the king to accept the appointment with prejudice. What do you think Yute’s ultimate goal is by this action or by his recruitment of Livira, even?
He's a subversive hiding in plain slight trying to shake up the status quo according to his beliefs.

23. This section is full of time jumps. That twice we are told that 3 years have passed in Livira’s world and we know that she is “striding toward her twentieth year”. Then boom she is a fully fledged Librarian, when it seems just a few chapters earlier that the king and his followers were going to try to remove her as junior librarian. What are your thoughts on Livira now that she has aged and is developing her opinion of her world?

She's going to be the world changer.. although this has been pretty evident from the start.

24. Since we are a little over half way through the book now, has your opinion of the story changed? Are you liking it more or less than you were before? Any predictions on what will happen in the story?

There is a great story somewhere in this book, but unfortunately for me it seems quite convoluted getting there. The writer in trying to be too clever in making his point and overdoing it in the world building. Trying to keep the different timelines and descriptions of the library straight detract from just enjoying the story. And the secondary characters such as Malar and Yute are more appealing than the main ones. I'll be glad to get to the end I'm sorry to say.

Sea Devils defeated.

New Monster is Edward Rochester and Jane Eyre - Bad Romance.. but is it really. I love Jane Eyre!

BOM POSTS for

DAY 2 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 3 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 4 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Day 4 - Chapters 26 - 34

15. We get to see what happened to Clovis before she went into the Mechanism. We already had a pretty good sense of what happened. Why do you think the author included this scene?

To confirm the first hand account of what Clovis went through. And maybe to solidify in the reader's mind the idea of all the times and places happening at the same time within the library.

16. Speaking of authors, did you notice the quote at the start of Chapter 28 is from one of Lawrence's books? He chose it just as Livira tells Arpix that Yute suggested they read and write fiction. Arpix is shocked and wonders what would be the point. What do you think society would be like without any creative writing?

Horrible. Creative writing enables people to escape from the every day. It's needed for everyone's mental health!

17. What did you make of how the Assistant and Soldier appeared in Clovis' past? They know about the lost children in the Mechanism and can see Evar. Are they controlling this world? And are they friends or foe?

Maybe they are like the Guardians of Time, I'm not sure they are controlling what is happening more like being the security so certain people are protected.

18. Livira once again jumps in to save lives without hesitating. And Malar thinks this is Algar's second attempt to kill Livira. Do you think she is really being targeted? Why is she so dangerous to the status quo?

It certainly looks that way. As an independent thinker she is probably a danger to the status quo. So someone wants to dispose of the threat.

19. Why do you think Evar and Livira have such different experiences of the Exchange and even within the portals?

Different times and places, different people. Truth is often perception, isn't it.

Happy for Keri to pick one of hers for this battle round.

Would this one be easier?

All of You

Day 3 - Chapters 17-25

11. We learn a lot more about the library in this section, for example that new head librarians create new systems to secure their power and make themselves indispensable. I know we have a few librarians in this group… how do you feel about that? 😅 If you’re not a librarian –what would you do if the library you use just changed systems whenever it felt like it?

We learned that. I obviously wasn't paying enough attention. Too busy with the actual characters. Sounds confusing and annoying.. a bit like this story.

12. We also finally had our stories converging, albeit briefly. Livira and Evar were exploring new places in consecutive chapters, both of them marking their origin/path (Livira with books, Evar with a knife) and then their journeys culminate in them meeting in what Livira identifies as an “in-between place”. Were you expecting them to meet so soon? What was your impression of their brief time together – and why did the meeting end so abruptly?

It seems some mysterious power is manipulating them for its own interests. They were only supposed to meet to serve some unknown at this time purpose. It was unusual I thought once they met they would be together to solve the mystery of the library.

13. In her time in the library, Livira acquired a companion in the raven: is he an ally or guide? Or something sinister? Do you think it’s actually “just” a (magical) animal or maybe even a character we know already?

That's an interesting theory. I think an ally maybe the guy who saw the potential in her and let her progress into the library?

14. I can’t help but constantly think of the Book of the Ancestor as I’m reading this – the young girl protagonist who’s an outsider, the school setting, navigating friendships and political machinations while also learning about whatever type of magic there is… Have you read anything else by Mark Lawrence?

No, and if this is indicative of his work I don't think he's my kind of author. I'm finding this a tad laborious unfortunately.

Beth
1741 books | 21 friends
see comment historyDQs Day 2 Chapters 8 - 16

6. How are you enjoying the book so far? How's the pacing for you?

Mmmm.. the jury's still out on this one. I'm enjoying some aspects of it but there is a lot of information on how it all works. I'm fine with working out plots etc but it does seem a bit plodding with the world building. It feels like the author is trying to fit so much in that it overwhelms the reader. But I still have an open mind and hope it comes together as we read on.

7. What are your favorite characters, situations, quotes so far?
I still like the premise despite my reservations. The library sounds like an amazing place although slightly on the evil side. I hope we see the character of Malar again, I enjoyed his interactions with Livira.

8. What are your fondest memories of a library?

My Mum introduced by sister and I to our local library when we were really young. It was a branch library and in the basement with a hall on upper levels with a ballet studio. So often you'd be in this cave like building surrounded by books and the ceiling would literally bounce. I still remember grabbing Interview with the Vampire off the shelves it was one of my first adult reads and thus began my love of all things paranormal.

Going to the British Library and into the public room with all the famous books was pretty special too.

9. Library as prison... does that ring true for you?

No for me, but anything can become a prison I guess. I really feel for people who can't get into reading, it's their great loss!

10. If you could have one natural ability relating to books (view spoiler), what would it be?

Remembering all the important points of previous books when I read the newest book in a series! I guess that's what re-reads are for.

Mercy Snow

Confirming my library book is available to pick up so all good for battle.

One Day with You

Top Secret Target

Eldarwen wrote: "Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "My contribution for consideration for battle book 2

Operation: My Fake Girlfriend"


Can't use that one I'm afraid - needs to be 3 letters :-)

Our tit..."

Oh sorry, I thought the less letters the better. I didn't realise there was a 3 letter minimum.

My contribution for consideration for battle book 2

Operation: My Fake Girlfriend

BOM - WRITE DQS DAY 1 -

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Eldarwen wrote: "Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Hi Captains,

I picked this up from the library today. .

Can it be used for the challenge.. I tried to us..."

Thanks for that. Sorry, I put the wrong edition. Mine is the paperback edition at 388 pages but as you said. It's not really a cookbook more a lifestyle/information book and is all text with only 6 pages of pictures.

DAY 1 CHAPTERS 1-7

1. Ahhh.. The Library! ..My happy place. And what a beautifully intriguing cover! How often do you visit your local library and have you visited any famous libraries around the world. Do share!

2. The first chapters describe a barren wasteland with an equally hopeless type of existence for Livira and her people. But straight away we establish that there is something special about Livira as she rises above her surroundings and the life she seems destined for. But circumstances change... your first impressions of Livira and how she influences her new destiny.

3. The chapter headings.. how do they fit into the tale? Do you find them interesting as a guide or somewhat cryptic at this stage of the story?

4. Enter Evar in Chapter 4 and the scene changes from the barren Dust to the mysterious and atmospheric library and its Mechanism. A lot of information to absorb about how it all works and the role of Evar and his "family". Does the author do a good job in getting across what the library is and does? Is it good, evil or omnipotent?

5. "Evar, don't turn the page. I'm in The Exchange. Find me at the Bottom" .
Who wrote this sentence and what is its purpose at this point in the novel? What impact do you think it will have in the story moving forward?