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

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

Leslie Ann (friend)
5096 books | 243 friends
see comment historyDay 2 July 3
Chapter 12-19 18-37%

#5. Joar mentions that his mom thinks the best invention in the world are pockets. I have seen a Meme that says a woman, when complimented on her dress will reply “It has pockets.” I love a good pocket. How do you feel about pockets?

Pockets are good.. My favourite comic the awesome Sarah Millican did a whole routine about pockets in her dress and what they may or may not contain. 😁

#6. I must admit I am confused and intrigued about the artist. Who do you think the artist is? What is his or her significance in the story?

It is noticeable that the artist's real name is not divulged as yet. Is it ever going to be revealed? Does it matter? It's like he is an observer or narrator as the tale is being told. Interesting.

#7. I am loving the banter between Louisa and Ted. Louise is so precocious. What do you think of their relationship? Any ideas of what is to come between the two?

They are two sad and needy people looking for connection. Hope they find a home in each other.

#8. In Chapter #19 we find more about the mentioned Ali. What is your impression of her?Any guesses on what happens next?

Tragedy. Big time coming..

#9. Fredrick Backman has a way of pulling at your heartstrings. In Chapter 19 I both cried and laughed. The children's stories are both heartbreaking and heartwarming. How are you feeling about the book so far? Are you enjoying it?

This is one of those books where you can appreciate the writing, but is heartwrenching to read. Luckily there is a some wry humour between the sad parts or I would find it unbearable!

Day 1, Chapters 1-11 (1-18%)


1. Warm-up question: have you read any other books by Fredrik Backman before? If yes, what do you like/dislike about his themes/style, etc?

No, this is my first read of Backman's. I think I have seen a bit of the movie A Man Called Ove when my husband's been watching it. So quite happy to reading one of his finally. But it's not my usual read.

2. In the first chapter we are intorduced to quite a memorable auction scene with super-rich people who all want to possess THE PAINTING, though their intentions are questionable. Did this make you think of some similar events happening in the world right now?

The Bezos wedding maybe, LOL.

3. "Artists vs Normal People" - another apsect of these first chapters is the great divide between true artists and normal people. Backman seems to suggest that most people don't/cannot get true art and artists are so much more different (possibly better people?). Do you agree with this? Or is it a generalisation?

Mmm, yet I got this as well from the opening chapters. To be honest I found the beginning quite depressive and cynical. And wasn't sure I was going to like his writing, or the book. But as I read on it has improved.

4. In a sequence of weird events, Louisa ends up in possession of The Painting.
Any guesses what may happen to her and to it?

I'm thinking this is going to be the main narrative of the story. Her relationship with Ted and how the acquisition of the painting changes her life.. for the better maybe. Or differently..

Bonus Q: do you have a favourite artist or a favourite piece of painting/sculpture?

I love Pre- Raphaelites. Rosetti, Waterhouse and Millais. Have seen their works in the Tate, London and when they travelled to the National Gallery, Canberra. Gorgeous works.

The Names by Florence Knapp

The extraordinary novel that asks: Can a name change the course of a life?

In the wake of a catastrophic storm, Cora sets off with her nine-year-old daughter, Maia, to register her son's birth. Her husband, Gordon, a local doctor, respected in the community but a terrifying and controlling presence at home, intends for her to name the infant after him. But when the registrar asks what she'd like to call the child, Cora hesitates...

Spanning thirty-five years, what follows are three alternate and alternating versions of Cora's and her young son's lives, shaped by her choice of name. In richly layered prose, The Names explores the painful ripple effects of domestic abuse, the messy ties of family, and the possibilities of autonomy and healing.

With exceptional sensitivity and depth, Knapp draws us into the story of one family, told through a prism of what-ifs, causing us to consider the "one . . . precious life" we are given. The book’s brilliantly imaginative structure, propulsive storytelling, and emotional, gut-wrenching power are certain to make The Names a modern classic.

The next up BOM was published on 6 May,2025. So this is covered. (Unless someone reads something else quicker.)

Ah, the return of "vinegar". My challenge is complete now, LOL.

And I got picked for DQ's for the early July BOM, that's three from three. 😁

Good for my day

Just finished the time travel one.

Richard wrote: "Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "A very tricky task, anyone got something?"

I've got one. A char goes to Carnival in Rio."
Awesome Richard!

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Quick question Captains.. does Character goes to carnaval have to be in Brazil? Can they go in another country eg Carnaval in Venice? Thanks."

Because this one is spec..."

Okey, dokey.. I've got nothing. A very tricky task, anyone got something?

Quick question Captains.. does Character goes to carnaval have to be in Brazil? Can they go in another country eg Carnaval in Venice? Thanks.

Insiyah wrote: "New task for Mini 2:

82 Read a book tagged "Time Travel" at least 10x"

My current read will cover this tagged 84 times. .

Glad to have you back Chava. Hope you find some answers so it doesn't happen again.

I'm reading for AZTEC, I'll be finished tomorrow.

Done. Such a fascinating family!

Elisabeth wrote: "Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Insiyah wrote: "Elisabeth wrote: "The worst books list isn’t as bad as it sounds😀 I’ve read lots and some were 5 stars from me. Two or three are on my TBR and I own a f..."

Exactly.

Oh dear Chava. That sounds serious. Hope you are feeling better soon.

Insiyah wrote: "Elisabeth wrote: "The worst books list isn’t as bad as it sounds😀 I’ve read lots and some were 5 stars from me. Two or three are on my TBR and I own a few as well. I have a few other books coming f..."

I guess reading is in the eye of the beholder, LOL.

I absolutely hated reading Anna Karenina, and it's a classic. But I totally agree about Little Women. How could anybody hate that book.

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Is that the same Toby Schmitz who was on Black Sails, as Jack Rackham, the pirate? If it was he was great in that."

Yes that’s him.
He did years with Bell Shakespeare
..."

Some people have so much talent! I'm going to put a hold on his book at my library. Thanks for the rec.

I've got one that's been on my TBR for ages to finish off Mexico - Letters of Aztec in title - . My library has it. I'll go get it tomorrow.

Is that the same Toby Schmitz who was on Black Sails, as Jack Rackham, the pirate? If it was he was great in that.

Message 83

LISA'S POSTS FOR BOOK TOKENS.

DAY 1 -https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 2 DQ'S - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 3 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 4 -https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 5 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

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DQs Day 5
Chapters Fourteen - Seventeen


20. Well, I think we all knew that we were going to end up with Norma turning out to really be the lost girl and her being reunited with her biological family. Do you have any thoughts you'd like to share on that reunion? Or a comparison you'd like to venture between what we know of both of Norma's families?

We knew it was coming but not ashamed to say I shed a tear. The last chapters were beautifully written. Such loss and the ramifications of it but fortunately she was reunited. Stories of stolen generations in many countries does not work out as well.

[Personally, I find the fact that Norma had never laughed so much in her life a sad testament to the life she'd been leading under Lenore's thumb and the piled upon guilt. Laughing is so important (and let's face it, if you haven't snorted juice out of your nose, you're missing out) and it's a shame she never had that, not even with friends during all those years. Lenore's shadow seems enormous.]

21. Aunt June stays true to her word. She promised to help find Norma's real family and she managed to find the article that would bring this family reunion about. Do you think the conflict between the two women was well handled? From the moment Norma gave in to her anger and yelled at June to the moment where June told her that going to meet her family was not something for her to intrude upon.

June was really in a sticky situation. Caught between the love for her sister, doing the right thing, and her later love for Norma. Easy to judge, I think her also being in a relationship with Alice which wasn't really confirmed till the end of the book also played a part. She was good at keeping secrets.

23. All in all, were you satisfied with the book? The story - did you enjoy following along Norma's and Joe's lives? The writing - did you enjoy the way the words flowed over the page, painting a world and its landscapes without however overusing words? Or maybe that's just my opinion - that it flowed nicely and pulled the reader along like a boat gently rocking on water.

I love the way you describe the writing. I totally agree, it lulled you along with some really terrible things but didn't scream at the reader. It let the reader think about what was happening and come to their own conclusions.

24. Would you read another book by this author? Do you maybe have recommendations for Native American literature that you'd like to share with the group?

Yes, i quite enjoyed it, not my usual read. I would pick up another book by Amanda Peters, especially if it was a BOM. 😉