Lauri’s Comments (group member since Jan 23, 2016)

Lauri’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

Completion post!
(FINALLY)
The Witch's Heart
Genevieve Gornichec
Finished 7/15/22
Page count: 359
BOM for June
DQ answers can be found in msgs. #244, 287, 293, 294 & 301
(Sorry, still can’t do a link!)

DQs Day 5
"With Skadi gone, ..."

“The ending doesn’t matter. What matters is how we get there. To face what’s ahead with as much dignity as we can muster and make the most of the time we have left.”

21. I was pleasantly surprised by the ending. It had a very hopeful feel to it, even though almost everyone ended up dying. Also I was so happy Boda and Skadi finally got together even if only for a little while. What did you think of the last parts of the book?
I was quite surprised by the ending! It does have a hopeful feel to it overall. I was expecting gloom & doom & a lot more gore. I was glad all Angrboda’s children didn’t detest her after all…

22. I mostly enjoyed the book overall, although it wasn’t quite what I expected. I have now moved Norse Mythology to the top of my TBR because this book made me realize how little I know on the subject and how much I want to learn. What did you think of the book? Glad you read it? Or just happy to get the points and move on?
I admit I struggled with this book. It didn’t keep with what I’d learned about Norse mythology. I love all mythology categorically. I think by having Angrboda not recall much of her past, it gave her the opportunity to not take responsibility for her past actions. We saw her in a more pitiful light. I’d never heard of it before and actually just read it for the BOM points!

23. So many interesting themes in this book. As a new mom, I was most drawn to the theme of mother’s love, but there were so many others: fate vs. free will, forgiveness, death/rebirth, friendship, sacrifice, etc etc. Did any of the themes resonate with you?
Naturally the mother love resonated most with me. I would do anything for my own son.

24. I really enjoyed reading about Boda’s children and their relationships with each other and their parents, for better or worse. Which character or relationship did you enjoy reading about the most?
I enjoyed the sibling relationship most, I think. Being an only child, I never had that. Even though the children were of different species, they still loved each other.

25. My very favorite part of the whole book was when Boda was finally reunited with her sons and got to say goodbye to them. Did you have a favorite quote or scene?
I did like that part, although they had to die violently. I think I loved the part where Skadi got to ‘share Angrboda’s bed truly.’ Take love wherever you may find it!

Wow, you guys! I hibernate for just a little while and come back to 237 unread messages!
RL is a total bitch right now, but I am still reading. We had a funeral for a young cousin & yesterday I had a minor surgery for skin cancer - - in my hairline! I look and feel like total crap. I’ll finish The Witch's Heart up today. I’m working on both July BOMs & a bunch of others. Sorry to be so lame.

DQs Day 4 - 19th June
"Angrboda was redjusting her pack basket..."
"Angrboda couldn't argue with that." 81%

16. So in addition to her past life as Gullveig, Angrboda is also the Old One, Mother Witch, the wise old woman in the woods and a healer. I can understand wanting to forget about her time as Gullveig but why do you think she can't remember anything from the time before? Do you think she'll recover these memories at some point? She's recovered her power, with a little help from Freyja but still seems to be holding back. How powerful do you think she really is? Do you think she'll go all in and if so what do you think will happen?
Madness lies that way - - if she remembered everything she’d be a mad old with living in a cave all alone. Maybe she is all-powerful? Could she be the one to bring down the gods? They are rather full of themselves…

17. "There's no power in the cosmos that can escape what's coming". Angrboda, Odin, Skadi and a few others now know about Ragnorok and, with Loki killing Odin's son, his punishment and the start of the long winter it seems to be the beginning of the end. Do you think it's better to know what's coming like Angrboda and Odin or would you prefer, like Loki, not to know? Do you think knowing or not knowing will make any difference to what happens? Do you think there's anything Angrboda can do to change the outcome?
After the way they’ve acted, why would she want to change the outcome at all? I would much prefer to go out in a blaze of glory to an ignominious death in battle or by long lingering illness/death.

18. "I'm the one who's done the most evil among the Aesir, and if nothing else, at least they'll remember my name. That's more than one can say for you." We know a lot more about Loki now, what do you think of him as a character? Why do you think he acts the way he does? Angrboda thinks Loki may have killed Baldur for his daughter's sake. Do you believe he genuinely cares about Hel? What about Angrboda and his sons, do you think he loves them or are they a means to an end? Will Angrboda forgive him despite all he's done?
Loki is only for Loki. He may have a fleeting attraction to Angrboda (he is lusty, after all) and an affection for hel, but I don’t think he gives a rat’s ass for the boys. Any good Angrboda May sense in him is still purely self-serving. She’s better not forgive him!

19. It seems like Skadi and Angrboda are on the brink of becoming more than friends when Skadi announces that she's joining the giants in the fight against the gods. She wants to go down fighting for her people and to avenge her father. Were you surprised she wants to go out fighting rather than staying with Angrboda? Has this changed your mind about why Skadi accepted marriage in recompense for her father's death?
Nope. Skadi is butch. She’s the Huntress. Anything for revenge, mayhem & the sport of it all. I think she accepted marriage for status, honor price & the possibility of children.

20. We're moving on to the final section now. What do you think Angrboda will do now that she's alone again? Do you think she'll be reunited with her family? Loki? Any predictions for how it will all end?
I think Hel and Angrboda will be reunited, however briefly. Loki will go off on more exploits. Angrboda will probably have a new reincarnation of some sort.

DQs Day Three - 18 Jun
"There came a day in laste summer..."
"Angrboda agreed." 62%

11. I love how the myths surrounding Loki are casually mixed into this book. I'm a fan of Norse mythology, though I don't know a ton about it. Do you know or enjoy Norse mythology? Do you like how the author is incorporating it into her book?
I am a fan of ALL mythology in general. I feel as if westerners don’t know much about the Hindu, Norse, African, Native American or Asian belief/ stories systems. We usually just concentrate on the Greek and Roman pantheons. I am enjoying this telling, but get confused by the name & personality changes in characters. What we need to remember is that what would motivate humans doesn’t necessarily faze the gods!

12. "Was I wrong to not tell them the world may not accept the the way they are?" This is Angrboda's question after not only Loki's other wife, but Loki himself, refers to their children as monsters. How would you answer her question? Was she right to try and protect and hide them from the Nine Worlds? Should she have gone about it in a different manner?
It’s a mother’s nature to always protect her children, but these children weren’t normal. Angrboda did them a grave disservice by not explaining, at least in the most fundamental way, what they are, what could happen to them.

13. What an ending to Part One! Did you see what was to come? Did you already know the myths before or were you completely surprised? If you already knew the myth, did you like the author's interpretation of events? Were you as angry at the world as I was reading all that happened to Angrboda and her children, cause I was ready to fight!
I was really not that surprised. I do know the myths & the author’s interpretation was good. I know the fickle whims of the gods, but was angry anyway — especially at Loki & Gerd!

14. It seems that Angrboda's dreams can now transport her into other's thoughts. Do you think this is a one-off event because of how much stress she was under? If not, how do you think she'll use this skill from now on?
I believe this is a new skill set borne of desperation and anxiety. I think that she will use it to her best advantage from now on. Sometimes it’s good to know what others are plotting!

15. So Angrboda has a new voice in her head. Who do you think the voice belongs to? Do you think it's connected to Angrboda's seeming inability to die? Do you think it's a friend or a foe?
I think it may be one of the Norns. It’s both a curse and a gift. Angrboda doesn’t have any real friends right now. She would do well to be cautious of even Skadi.

DQs Day 2 — "He stayed with her as the days ..." to "... given her daughter a new obsession" - 40%

6. After Angrboda performs seid for the first time again, she starts having dreams where she hears someone calling to and beckoning her. Angrboda doesn't believe it to be Odin at first, but her suspicion changes over time. Who do you think it could be?
I'm thinking it's Odin or maybe his wife, but it could be anybody!

7. Shadi reappears in this section, having left her husband behind. Do you think he'll come back into the story later? Why do you think she chose a husband as recompense in the first place?
I think she chose a husband for appearance's sake & status. I really think she's a lesbian with strong feelings for Angrboda...

8. Hel was born with "dead" legs (or dead flesh on fully functioning legs? I'm honestly a little confused by it) and when she over exerts herself she starts turning blue. Angrboda attributes this to when she tried to save her daughter — but I'm not so sure. Do you have any theories on what the cause could be? Is it as simple as Angrboda believes, or do you think it's something bigger to be revealed later on?
Maybe Hel actually isn't alive at all. Isn't she queen of the underworld in the Norse pantheon?

9. There have been several mentions of a witch who birthed a race of wolves who chase the sun and moon so far in the story — and now Angrboda has given birth to a wolf. Do you think she is the Old one the stories reference? Or, if not, do you think we will meet that character later on?
I think that she is an Old One. Her memory is deliberately sketchy about the past. How else could someone be killed and still come back?

10. Angrboda decides not to tell Loki about his and his family's involvement in her vision of the beginning of the end. What do you think of her decision? Do you think she made the right choice in not telling him?
Yes, she made a good decision. Loki is very selfish & unpredictable. You never know how he'll react to anything. Certainly not in a normal, human way. She's trying to protect the children. The snake totally creeps me out!

Eldarwen wrote: "Lauri wrote: "I have absolutely NO idea what’s going on anymore, but I have been reading constantly. To quote Vinnie Barbarino, “I’m soooo confused!”"

One thing: don't forget to finish up the June..."

I know. I will -- kicking and screaming ALL the way!

Completion Post!
Killer Librarian
Mary Lou Kirwin
Finished 7/10/22
Page count: 308

Completion Post!
Address to Die For
Mary Feliz
Finished 7/10/22
Page count: 252

I have absolutely NO idea what’s going on anymore, but I have been reading constantly. To quote Vinnie Barbarino, “I’m soooo confused!”

Completion post!
A Catered Fourth of July
Isis Crawford
Finished 7/7/22
Page count: 320
It is set in New York, USA… has recipes, picnics AND a cute pig named Hilda… no points for food on the cover, huh?

Eldarwen wrote: "Tone wrote: "I had a feeling the book would be like that which is why I haven’t started it yet… but I better start soon if I’m going to finish it before the 16th (?) 😂"

Yes, 16th :-)
I'm glad I'm ..."
I'm not really feeling it either! I bet we aren't the only ones. BUT I shall persist!!

DQs Day 1
Beginning to "... a promise she knew that she couldn't keep."

1.) What attracted you to this book? BOM points? That COVER? Because of the Norse Retelling angle to the story? Any expectations you'd like to share?
It was really for the BOM points, but I’ll read just about anything with ‘witch’ in the title. I also love any type of mythology & have since elementary school. No expectations to speak of, but I have high hopes!

2.) What did you think of Angrboda's first meeting with Loki? I mean he brought her heart back in his knapsack basically because he was bored. But he was so charming, I'm not sure I'd care either. Though it didn't hurt I kept picturing him as Tom Hiddleston. LOL
Not a big Hiddleston fan, but he was the only one to be nice to her at all. And he did bring her her heart.

3.) Thoughts on Skadi? Why do you think she helped Angrboda in the first place? And to such an extent? If Skadi was male, how different do you think that interaction would of been?
Skadi. I’m assuming she’s very lonely and possibly a lesbian or maybe bisexual. I could see a real relationship form between the two. If she was male, she probably would’ve paid court to her & possibly proposed and/or just had casual sex with Angrboda.

4.) The quote from Skadi, "Time doesn't matter unless you are keeping track of it." Resonated with me. What do you think of this? Do you agree with the statement?
True dat. Time is liquid. I only keep track because I have to for work. ;)

5.) Loki's reaction to the pregnancy was, let's go with interesting. What type of father are you expecting him to be? Do you think he will be a functioning part of the child's life?
I think he’ll be an absentee father. Good luck getting any sort of child support out of him! He only cares about himself. It’s been proven over & over in all his stories. I can’t see him acting any differently this time.

Sammy wrote: "Lauri wrote: "Completion post!
Under the Dome
Stephen King
Finished 7/2/22
Page count: 1072 Whoohoo!
Use this wherever it fits best! One of the MCs, Rusty, is a dad…


..."

The TV was good, I thought, but, as always, the book is SO much better! If it wasn’t Stephen King no way would network television tackle space aliens, necrophilia, meth labs masquerading as Christian radio…. They covered over the more disgusting elements. I alternated between laughing out loud, shaking my head and covering my mouth in abject horror!

Completion post!
Under the Dome
Stephen King
Finished 7/2/22
Page count: 1072 Whoohoo!
Use this wherever it fits best! One of the MCs, Rusty, is a dad…

Hey, when is our monster deadline? I’m still working on our 2nd BOM The Witch's Heart & it has Skadi — an archer character…
Also I’m only about 150 pages away from finishing Under the Dome which has 1000+ pages if that works for anything…

Completion post!
Under a Painted Sky
Stacey Lee
Finished 6/29/22
Page count: 374

Not too sure if it fits anything in our monster mini…

Completion Post!
Leave No Scone Unturned
Denise Swanson
Finished 6/26/22
Page count: 344
Monster mini - T104 Fig in text (pg. 27 “…fig and Parmesan cheesecake…”)

Completion post!
The Book of Cold Cases
Simone St. James
The Book of Cold Cases
Finished 6/26/22
Page count: 352
June BOM
See my DQ answers in messages #247, 250, 260, 267 & 279
(Still can’t do a link to save my life!)

DQs Day 5 Chapters 39-48
9. Beth's relationship with Lily is extremely important to the story, obviously but Shea also has an older sister? What do you think the point of having both main characters have sisters? Do you think it's a purposeful connection the author made?
I do. I think it’s so you could compare the normal relationship Shea has with Esther to the manipulative, twisted relationship between Beth & Lily.

20. Why do you think Lily always kept the house the way it was decades ago? Was it just a way to torment her sister or do you think there's something more to it then that?
I think that spirits are stuck where they were when they died. They don’t do well with change. The author mentioned several times that Beth tried to throw things away, break things and even run away — but things just moved right back to the way they were. I think Beth just gave up. Much easier to just stay sedated.

21. Shea was almost murdered by Lily because she went to Beth's mansion while she was away. Do you think Beth knew her sister would try and kill Shea?
I think she hoped that Lily would just reveal the truth. She kept saying that Lily liked Shea. She needed Shea to be alive in order to leak the truth.

22. How did you like the ending? Did any of the reveals surprise you? Did the conclusion for the characters feel satisfying to you?
I thought the ending was a little abrupt, but all in all I liked it. I thought Beth should have hung on a little bit longer to develop that bizarre relationship. I did appreciate her paying for all Shea’s medical bills and orchestrating her rise to fame. I’m glad she & Michael are together. I would love to hear more about the two of them!