Lisa - (Aussie Girl)’s
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(group member since Sep 26, 2012)
Lisa - (Aussie Girl)’s
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from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.
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Yay.. for picking the Back Room BOM. 😁In case it seems I'm getting a reputation for reading smut (blushes) I do read other serious things, promise! Coming up for next month is this James A Mitchener at over 1000 pages.
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May 29, 2024 01:41PM
I'm loving it.. I'm reading in sections because I don't want it to finish. It's epic. And here's another spoiler for you E that's not really a spoiler.. (view spoiler)
I found another horn, thanks Jean for the idea.. horned alien (space smut) delivers again.. 😁
So after further examination I'm willing to concede that I might have been a bit over eager in the "horn" department so changing to the word Abundance which is definitely featured three times on pg 279,348 and 510! I'll change the spreadsheet accordingly. 
May 28, 2024 10:00PM
Cass☀️ wrote: "With the “book with an orange cover” would it work if orange is the most prominent color? Or would it work if it had any orange at all?"Has to be 50% orange.
May 28, 2024 04:41PM
LISA'S MESSAGES FOR TOKENS. DAY 1 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 2 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 3 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 4 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
May 28, 2024 04:39PM
DQs Day 4 - "Love Has Come to Mean Death" - end15. I personally haven't read Jane Eyre and therefore can't compare the two books which makes me feel a bit regretting, but then again so many of y'all don't seem to like this as a retelling. Do you think you'd feel differently about the book depending on whether you've read Jane Eyre or not, and do you want to pick up Jane Eyre now if you haven't yet? What if you hadn't been aware of this being a retelling and the characters had different names?
I actually didn't hate it, and looked on it as a tribute to Jane Eyre. It wasn't and probably didn't intend to be in the league of that seminal book.
16. I was secretly hoping that Agnes had romantic feelings for Antoinette and that she was more involved in the last part of the book, but alas it was Dr. Poole. No big surprise there. Has your opinion of him changed in any way after he "confessed" and tried to help Jane and Edward? And if you could bring someone back from the dead, would you do it? Theoretically you wouldnt be aware of any consequences, but logically I think we've learned that there's always consequences...
He served his purpose in the story and that would be a big NO about bringing a loved one back. It never ends well.
17. Jane came back for Edward and saved him of course, and now they're living happily ever after. How do you feel about them as a couple, and is there anything you would have changed about these last couple of chapters as the author or simply just a fan of the original work?
I actually thought the ending made sense in this particular book and quite enjoyed it.
18. Was this your first book written by Sharon Lynn Fisher, and do you think you'll be reading more by the author? Were your original expectations met? Anything else you want to add?
I didn't have high expectations and it was an ok read. Sure, if it is a BOM I'd be in..
Bonus for everyone but especially those who have read Jane Eyre before: I challenge you to say at least one good thing about Salt & Broom - other than "it ended!!" lol :b
It wasn't horrible.. I'm looking on it as a tribute to a wonderful book.
Eldarwen wrote: "Ashley wrote: "Ok Team! I've added a Mini Tab to the Tracker! Feel free to add some claims and if you have questions, ask! Thanks!"Uuuuhhh, I'll have to consider which ones I am actually going t..."
Mmm.. I've got the paperback copy, I'm studying it, LOL.
I can see the ear it's behind the horn and looks separate to me.. we may need adjudication. 😁
May 27, 2024 09:34PM
Lexi (friend)3425 books | 172 friends
see comment historyDQs – Day 3 Protective Impulses-Pert Thing
11. What do you think about the revelation in the garden/the haunting? Did you see it coming, and do you think there are others involved with the “curse”?
It was all leading up to a haunting by Mrs Rochester really so not surprising. I'm thinking there must be more to her death for such a bitterness to the haunting, it seems a bit extreme if she was feeling such acrimosity because of an arranged marriage which was par for the course in this time period.
12. What do you think about Mr. Rochester sending away Jane and the staff? If you have read the original, how does this change Jane’s agency, and do you like the change? Either way, why do you think the author made it Mr. Rochester’s choice?
In the original when Jane finds out about Mrs Rochester being still alive and locked in the attic she flees to the cottage of St John Rivers and his sisters. So this is quite different from the original. It's actually quite mild in comparison to all the unleashed feelings in the original. Why did she make it Mr Rochester's choice maybe to highlight the lack of power Jane has in the situation? The opposite to the original really.
13. Have you ever visited an Apothecary’s Garden? Would you be interested in seeing one? Do you grow any herbs or are you interested in growing any?
I love historic homes especially in the UK and visited quite a lot and many have cottage gardens still attached. The one that stands out is the Poison Garden attached to Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, UK - where the first couple of Harry Potter's were filmed. It was amazing.
14. What do you think about the scene with Miss Ingram? What does this tell you about Mr. Rochester’s character and did that seem consistent with his character so far? Did his explanation make sense to you?
It was reasonable again a bit of pale imitation in comparison to the scene in the original when Mr Rochester disguises himself as the fortune teller.
Eldarwen wrote: "Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "There's a tie-breaker poll for the backroom BOM if anyone is interested in one of these:https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...-..."
You're forgiven.. 😁
Depending on what happens.. I'm happy to buddy read with you sometime as I've had that vaguely on my radar for years. It's a door stopper, isn't it?
, historical fiction set in Crete.
Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "There's a tie-breaker poll for the backroom BOM if anyone is interested in one of these:https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2..."
Everyone pop over and vote for
. (I nominated it, so if it wins 40 DQ points) . Thanks.
Eldarwen, If you're reading this edition
- there is a unicorn with a gold horn on the cover. 😊
May 26, 2024 05:21AM
Sammy wrote: "I'm making good progress and would probably have been able to finish it today if my mum hadn't called and spent over an hour on the phone 😆Menfolk have just arrived home, so probably won't get th..."
End of Book 3 - (view spoiler)
May 26, 2024 03:44AM
Preeti6545 books | 134 friends
see comment historyDQs Day 2 - Baneful-"My Own Wee Thing”
6. Jane gives Rochester a black-coloured thumb-sized stone to keep with him as a protective talisman. Do you believe in talismans? Please tell us about an object that you keep with you as a talisman?
I don't really believe in lucky charms, talismans really, although I always wear a heart locket my husband got for me, so there is that I suppose.
7. Between some of the chapters narrated from Jane’s point of view, we get chapters from Rochester’s point of view. What do you think of these “interludes”? Do they help or distract?
I'm neutral about them although they do give insight about what the character is actually thinking.
8. We are introduced to Dr. Poole. What did you think of this character particularly with regards to Jane meeting him in the poison garden? Were there any changes in your opinion after reading Agnes’ conversation with Jane about the late Mrs. Rochester?
If Dr Poole, is anything like the Grace Poole character in the original he would have been absolutely loyal to Mrs Rochester. I'm still not sure where this is going in regards to her death and who was responsible.
9. We have been told several times about a curse on Thornfield. Then Jane follows Rochester to the graveyard where his family members are buried. At this point Jane says “This was a story of heartache. Everyone in Mr. Rochester’s family had died before their time, especially the females. Then his wife had done the same.” Do you think there is a connection between the curse and the early deaths?
Seems to be..
10. We have been given information about Jane and her origin? What do you think of this twist in the tale?
Yes, that was a turn up for the books. And really deviates from the original. I'm not sure what that tidbit of information means for the overall plot moving forward.
Bonus: The author has used several of the same names as those of characters from Jane Eyre. Other than Jane, Rochester, we have Brocklehurst, Maria Temple, Mrs. Fairfax, Poole etc. What do you think about authors using the same names in retellings?
Don't they usually use the same names.. If they have the same part in the novel it's ok, it's when it changes its not strictly a re-telling I guess.
Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "I've got to get to SJM! My sister swears by them."You’ll love them. 😊 Start with A Court of Thorn and Roses"
Sold.. I'll see if I can get it from the library to read during the challenge. I've resisted long enough, LOL
Laura..devouring books like crumpets wrote: "yes everyone is fine thanks, the lorry went down part of a narrow road that has a sign saying no lorries but they decided to ignore it..... as a joke I sing to my kids
catch a smelly fart and pu..."
That's gorgeous. I'll have to remember that one for my four grandsons.. With them anything with pooh makes them laugh hysterically, they're 10,7, 5 and 4.
May 25, 2024 05:46PM
DQs - Day 1 - Prologue-Blackthorn1. A paranormal retelling?? of Jane Eyre - this prompts the question about the original or let's call it the "source for inspiration". What is your relationship to Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë? Have you read it? Loved/liked/disliked it?
I am a HUGE fan of the Bronte Sisters, Wuthering Heights is my favourite novel ever. Some of the most beautiful, passionate words written of all time. And Jane Eyre has some doozies as well.
This probably the most famous one -
Do you think I am an automaton?–a machine without feelings? and can bear to have my morsel of bread snatched from my lips, and my drop of living water dashed from my cup? Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong!–I have as much soul as you,–and full as much heart! And if God had gifted me with some beauty and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you. I am not talking to you now through the medium of custom, conventionalities, nor even of mortal flesh;–it is my spirit that addresses your spirit; just as if both had passed through the grave, and we stood at God’s feet, equal,–as we are!”– Jane Eyre
2. What about Retellings? Is it a genre you like/avoid?
They seem to be in vogue now. I look at them as a homage to tales well loved and well told. Very rarely do they surpass the original but can be enjoyable reads.
3. Jane Aire as a witch in a school for orphan witches? How do you like the setting of this alternative Victorian world where magic is at least tolerated?
Interesting take but it is really Jane Eyre- light - so far.
4. What are your first impressions of Jane and Rochester?
Mmm.. quite pale imitations of the original characters but that's ok. It is a light read.
5. What do you think about the occurrences in Thornfield? Are they really caused by supernatural elements or is it human action?
At first it seemed it was just the wise women angle, eg woman using nature to heal and thus causing suspicion but the events in the Blackwood chapter brought it into the supernatural realm.
I've got to get to SJM! My sister swears by them.
