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

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

Volunteering for DQ's for Team Sky and I'll add a token too.

Elisabeth wrote: "Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Elisabeth wrote: "I just watched Joanna Lumley on the Danube on the ABC (Aussies). She’s following the river from start to finish and went to Vienna in this first episo..."

What a wonderful trip. I'm hoping to get to Prague and Czechia next year. My bestie wants to do the Christmas Markets and I'm tagging along, and I've requested those stops on the itinerary. My current read is set in Cesky Krumlov, one of the Hapsburg castle towns.

Elisabeth wrote: "I just watched Joanna Lumley on the Danube on the ABC (Aussies). She’s following the river from start to finish and went to Vienna in this first episode. To my surprise she went to the Habsburg’s C..."

I love Johanna! I went to her show last October when she was touring Australia. I tuned in eagerly because I just completed the Danube Cruise, from Budapest to Bucharest in May. I did the first half of the cruise Amsterdam to Budapest in 2017. And I went to the Crypt then, it was amazing. Very unique.

Good find, Karen!

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/...

DQ Day 4 Chp. 11-13

16. While Joe has pretty much run away from home life, He gets a job and buys a truck. He runs into a woman who didn't feel necessary to give her name. Do you think this is Norma (Ruthie)? Do you think Joe would recognize her if it was?

No, I didn't think it was Ruthie/Norma. I didn't think her timeline where she was would fit and it wasn't mentioned in the narrative of her life. I think the mystery woman was put into the story to show what sort of life Joe could have had in a parallel universe. If he had worked through his issues.

17. Joe is gone over 8 years when he finds out he has a kid. Did you think he would actually go home to be with his family? Why do you think he can't/won't?

No, his issues were too ingrained and his feelings of guilt and worthlessness too deep.

18. When Norma misses that her mother is getting older and forgetful, did you judge her for not moving in and taking care of her mother?

I never judge anybody's decisions as you don't know what is going on in their head. Especially family matters which can be oh so complex.

19. Was you losing faith that Norma would find out the truth before the end of the book? How did you think she would find out? Was hearing the truth from her Aunt a surprise?

I thought she would find out, and probably Aunty June would be the one, although not forced upon her as what unfolded.

I've got one for WW185 - eats Mexican Food - .

Kaley (friend)
3406 books | 360 friends
see comment historyDQs Day 3

12. When Norma tells her mother she's pregnant, Norma notices fear in her other's eyes. What do you think that fear was about? Do you think she was remembering her own past experiences and worrying about Norma, or was she fearing that this would lead to Norma finding out the truth somehow? (Thinking to all of the bloodwork and stuff that comes from this, though admittedly not sure in the time frame if that was as much of a concern.)

Pretty sure the thinking would be if a new baby would somehow expose her own secret. The colour of the baby's skin or features, if she couldn't explain it away by the Italian ancestor. Or yes if any kinds of tests revealed something. Hopefully after her own experiences there was some thought about Norma's health as well.

13. Ruthie was from Nova Scotia and went missing in Maine, yet Norma and Ben ran into each other in Boston of all places — somewhere his family would not be expecting her. Later, when they need some time away, Norma's husband takes her to Nova Scotia, where she feels some familiarity and connection to the land. Are these crossovers just coincidences, or do you think that in the grand scheme of the story, something more (fate, a higher power, etc.) is leading them to each other?

It does seem serendipity that Norma and Ben should be at the same place at the same time, but maybe the universe was drawing them together. Stranger things have happened and it does make for an important scene in the book. There is definitely something in Norma feeling so comfortable in Nova Scotia. A feeling of she belongs there, her memories must be quite close to the surface there.

14. We get the backstory in this section on why Joe didn't know he had a daughter at first. Knowing what we know now do you agree with his family's decision to keep him in the dark? Have your opinions on Joe changed with this piece of backstory revealed?

It's a tricky one. Are people ever better off when being denied the truth. But I can see why the family felt at that time it was better to keep the secret. It's interesting how different people react to tragic circumstances. Some people can rise to the occasion while others fall apart like Joe. I definitely feel empathy for Joe, but also feel sometimes you have to pick yourself up and move forward. His actions are affecting so many others.

15. "I would learn to love the little one." What a strange thing for Lenore to say when broaching the topic of adoption — especially considering Norma's circumstances. What did you think when you read that — especially seeing how Lenore treated Norma growing up?

I think she was reflecting on her circumstances, as she did learn to love Norma in her very strange way. She wanted a child desperately but didn't have the tools to be a caring and supportive mother because of her own mental health.

I'm wondering if we will find out the exact details of how Ruthie became Norma? Did they go through some sort of channels to "adopt" her legally and get another birth certificate? Or was it all illegal. You wouldn't be able to get away with it today.

Thanks, It seems pesto is the secret ingredient to add flavour!

Am I the only person who loves cheese, but not halloumi. I think it is so bland and tasteless my husband argues it's how it's prepared?

Any tips on how to make it more to my taste?

Finished my last book with - Features cooking competition celebrating Day of the Dead in Santa Fe.

Thanks Karen. I am able to finish one more before the cut off (if the afternoon goes how I've planned.. reading in front of the heater with a cup of tea!)

DAY 2 QUESTIONS - CHAPTERS 4-7

7. "But sometimes I think that sadness drilled down deep and some of it might just be there for good"
"now get lost and leave me to my book."
"There was love in that house but none of us really knew what to do with it."
In chapter four we learn more about Norma's parents and life in their house as she grew up. Does learning about Lenore's past make you more sympathetic to her? And how about their parenting style, I can't imagine ever telling my children or grandchildren "to get lost" because I wanted to read a book. (Ok, I'm sure all parents might have thought it at times, but saying it to a child is a definite no no in my book!)

8. In juxtaposition to Frank, Lenore and Norma, we have alternating chapters about family life from Joe's POV. Thoughts and why does the author structure the novel this way?

9. Chapter 5 - the horrible incident with Frankie and Charlie. How did you feel reading about this injustice? Could anything been done to avert this tragedy? How does Amanda Peters' writing the scene add to the heartbreak?

10. What you think of Aunty June and her role in the story? Why does she encourage Norma to interact with the Indian protesters only to pull her back when she is recognized as Ruthie?

11. Joe seems to be a tragic figure as the story of his life is revealed. How he has responded to racism and trauma make you feel when reading this book? Are you enjoying the story or does it make for uncomfortable reading?

Richard, it’s the 17th at 9 am UTC.

We are 10 hours ahead .. so month 2 doesn’t start for us till 7 pm.

I know you are keen to reset.. but sorry not till 7 pm.

Preeti wrote: "I have completed and updated my 2nd Bhutan book.
Is the last date for round 1 today (16th) or tomorrow (17th)? Thanks!"

There is 22 hours 18 minutes left according to the time clock. Depends where you live when it ends. But it is the 17th.

I've got one for Day of the Dead.

Denise
2029 books | 4 friends
see comment historyDQs for day 1

Some of these questions will lead to possible spoilers. Please be sure to hide any spoilers

1. What expectations do you have for the book based on the blurb or other description of the book?

No expectations at all before picking up the book. I'm only reading it because its a BOM. But now that I've started and realise what it's about, I'm sure its going to be an uncomfortable read.
2. How reliable do you the think the 2 narrators are?

It's based on their memories, so I'm sure although they think it is a truthful representation there will be some inconsistencies and recollection of events from their POV. This is not always "the truth".

3. Chapter 1 opens with " The day Ruthie went missing the black flies seemed to be especially hungry...Indians made such good berry pickers...something sour in our blood kept the black flies away". How does this establish Joe's view of the relationship that exists between the whites and the Mi'kmaq?

He is picking up on the inherent racism of the time sadly from a young age.

4. How much is Norma dreaming vs remembering? What do you think the dreams foreshadow?

I guess the dreams are her sub conscious trying to break through remembering her former life.

5. How do you explain Lenore's paranoia about Norma being out alone? How do you account for the incongruity of her insistence that Norma likes to play with baby dolls when she sees Norma choosing other playthings?

She's paranoid because she knows "Norma" isn't hers by biology and probably had arranged for her to be snatched. So she doesn't want it happening to her. She seems to have mental health issues from her losses, so she is trying to keep "Norma" a little girl.

6. Why did Joe act so clingy when he returned from his first "guide" with his dad?

Not sure, maybe because he was trying to reassure his mother he wouldn't leave her. Or because of the events of the guide. The not so subtle racism .

Great going, ladies.

Hero and the Crown is done. And have now cracked open 151-200!

Commander Waterford from The Hand Maid's Tale is our latest baddie to defeat. Happy reading.

I've also just about finished WW183 - author born in Mexico - Silvia Moreno-Garcia

And just completed one for WW194 - O

Yay, Got picked for DQ's for the next BOM -