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

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

Hi Tina, we've all just got to keep going, but I agree it's tricky. Glad you can see a positive in all the uncertainty. I've always worked from home and there are lots of benefits, I agree. I'm sure a lot of things will change when the pandemic is under control and most of our population is vaccinated. Boy, I'd hate to be a politician or a health official at this time.

Coming down to the last two weeks of the Challenge. Woo Hoo. Lets see if we can move up a few places. We're a great team. 💖

ANSWERS TO DAY 2.

5. Cat made a good point about the music is of our world eg Bobby Darrin so I guess it's in an alternate universe to our own. I'm thinking somewhere in the UK.

6. The house seems absolutely magical and contrasts to the drab and rainy city. It seems that it unlocks some feelings in Linus, I'm thinking it's going to rock his world.

7. I love the imagination in the kids and their abilities. Chauncy the.. whatever he is, wanting to be a bellhop is a classic. At least he's got lots of arms for the job. Havenot quite put my finger on Arthur's ability just yet.. maybe all encompassing compassion and patience.

8. The moral of the story and the author's feelings come across pretty strongly. Everyone despite their gender, sexuality or difference deserves love and respect. The end.

DAY 2 QUESTIONS. JULY 17. CHAPTERS 5-7

5. The book is set in an unknown city and then onto Marsyas Island. Country Unknown. Do you think it is set in an alternate universe to our own eg UK or USA or a completely fantasy location? Does it matter or make you think differently about the storyline either way?

6. First impressions of the house and Linus' reaction to it? What is your own reaction to it and how it is described?

7. In Chapter 6 we are introduced to a colourful array of children and the enigmatic Mr Arthur Parnassus. Who is your favourite child and ability so far and what special talents do you think will be revealed about Arthur?

8. At the first dinner welcome for Linus the reader is bombarded with a plethora of notable pearls of wisdom from Arthur Parnassus which made me realize the allegorical themes of this story.
"Sometimes our prejudices color our thoughts when we least expect them to. If we can recognize that, learn from it we can become better people."
"Because even the bravest of us can still be afraid sometimes as long as we don't let our fear become all we know."
"There are things in this world that defy the imagination."
"He'd never be a bellhop because what Hotel would hire one such as him, people fear what they don't understand."

What point do you think the author is trying to make through the world and characters he has imagined and what do you think these quotes hint about the story moving forward?

Finished: - Finished for Task 183 - MPG Feminisim.

This was really interesting. 4 stars. The back stories of the women killed by the Ripper. Victorian London - Not a good place for a vulnerable woman!

ANSWERS - DAY 1

1. The Tower Teams Points! I had no idea what this book was about except it was a YA fantasy. Love the very pretty cover. As I've read on a bit I'm surprised at the allegorical content of the book. There are some heavy things to ponder while reading along.

2. I guess the humor is to balance out the serious themes. It's very droll in parts and wistful and thought provoking in others.

3. Linus at the beginning is full of insecurities and doubts but as the book unfolds I'm sure the impact of the house, children and Arthur will see him bloom to be the loving and compassionate man he can be.

4. Given I thought this was a light weight book going in I was surprised at having a child Anti-Christ as a character. I'm thinking he is representation of children who don't "fit in" whether they be LGBT+/neuro atypical/ or for whatever reason in some parts of uninformed/bigoted society. As Arthur points out early on "he is just a child" no matter his label.

Hope it's a wheel... 😘

Alysa wrote: "Big cats are cats. Totally counts, IMO 🙂

@whoever has a book for semaphore signals, please go ahead. I'm still not sure when I might be able to get to mine."

No worries, Alysa. I've already finished mine and posted it yesterday. 😊

Another day.. another week of lockdown. NSW was lucky to dodge covid compared to Victoria and most of the rest of the world really. But there's no dodging the Delta strain. I never thought I'd be looking forward to a vaccination, my first is next Tuesday.

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Finished
I've put notes in for Jackanory :)

Great HF family saga. I think you would enjoy the series, Lisa! --edit-- I just noticed you have read it and I wa..."

I've always enjoyed Kate Mosse since I read her Labyrinth series years ago. Carcassonne has been on my travel bucket list for years. My sister and BIL (he is French) have promised me they'll take me on a tour there... one day.

I'm looking forward to the next instalment.. and find out all the details of the secret baby!

Finished. . On shelf and s/sheet.

Finished for - Characters Eat Pizza.



" I had Luigi's deliver a large pepperoni and pineapple pizza right before you got here. " Pg 117 kindle.

Finished and wrote DQ's for BOM .

Used for Jackonary.

Main theme is M/M in a world of Alpha/Omega. The Omega who is a man can have babies! No idea where this may fit into the story. There is also a secondary haunted house and friendly grandma ghost theme as well.

Yep, I can read anything for points, LOL.

For the Cheeseboard - I had an idea. USA is the biggest cheese producing country and Wisconsin is the biggest cheese producing State in the biggest cheese producing country in the World. So reading a book set in Wisconsin would fit? If nobody finds a cheeseboard I've got a book to fit there.. but I'll leave it to the end.

Also finished for sheep for Bingo.

That's amazing, Tina. Thanks for that. I can help with adding books but I'm not a writer either or all that good with spreadsheets. Happy to proof read though.

Alysa wrote: "FYI I have a couple of books that work for Semophore Signals in BINGO. (Including another Discworld book, though we still have the final BOM upcoming). Now that it's already mid-July I just need to..."

Stacey, I've got one for the semophone signals but the Discworld probably fits better. Let me know if you will be filling that spot so I can switch my reading to another book. Ta.

Finished for Hippo on cover - . 3 stars. On shelf and s/sheet.

Namita wrote: "I found my book where Pizza is eaten. Succubus Blues"

I loved that series, Namita. Hope you really enjoy it as well.

I don't have one. So go for it.

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "I really enjoyed it! Great concept and the ending was not at all what I expected to happen"

I loved the end.. (view spoiler)[ Addie outsmarting Luc was a great ending. (hide spoiler)]

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Finished the BOM

and added to s/sheet :)"

What did you think, Karen?