Lauri’s
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(group member since Jan 23, 2016)
Lauri’s
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from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.
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Completion post!Tricked
Kevin Hearne
Finished 5/31/21
Page count: 341
Fits task #135 - MPG Paranormal
Could someone please add this to our spreadsheet for me? Thank you!
Could I please claim tasks #136 MPG Witches with Shadow of Night & #204 7th in series As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust ?
Completion post!Last Scene Alive
Charlaine Harris
Finished 5/30/21
Page count: 229
Works for task #5 camera on cover
Could someone please add this to our spreadsheet for me? Thank you!
Annalisa wrote: "Lauri wrote: "Completion post!Dumplin'
Julie Murphy
Finished 5/27/21
Page count: 371
BOM
I can't do a link, but I answered all the discussion questions. Please see..."
I didn't think BOMs could be used for other tasks. I don't see anything else it fits anyway, so that's fine as is.
I called #41 yellow cover on May 22 in msg #160. I then saw that it was already taken, so I quit reading it as I didn't see anywhere else it could go.
This is a bit of a free-for-all when anyone can fill in the spreadsheet without looking back at what other tasks people are reading for, isn't it? Just saying....
Completion Post!Equal Rites
Terry Pratchett
Finished 5/29/21
Page count: 240
May BOM!
Still can't do a link, but please see my discussion answers on pages 47, 81, 243 & 262
Could someone please add this to our spreadsheet for me? Thank you!
DQS - Day 413. Simon was kept very much a mystery character throughout the book. What is your opinion of him? How will he be able to support Esk in the future (or will he)?
I think it's too early to even begin thinking of that. Simon could be really great, or he could get lost in the woodwork (literally.) I don't think Ms. Esk will need to be supported at all. She will be able to take good care of herself!
14. The meeting between Granny and the Archchancellor and their actions afterwards are a pivotal part of the book. What were your impressions?
Granny is a force to be reckoned with. She could surely do better than that fat, pompous dude -- wizard or no wizard!
15. With duality of witchcraft vs. wizardry being one of the main themes, what do you think about the ending? Was it satisfyingly concluded?
Nope, not for me. I want definite endings (preferably happy ones), not just vague suggestions!
16. How did you rate the book?
I gave it 3 stars -- mainly because it made me laugh out loud several times. I am still not too impressed with Discworld as a whole. This is about the 4th book I've tried & only the 2nd one I've finished. I am going to go ahead & read Mort next month, but on the whole? Not a fan.
BONUS: Any favourite scenes? :)
I did like when Esk first encountered the Zoons. the child is fearless.
DQs - Day 3 9 . What do you think on the creatures from the dungeon dimensions? Do you find them creepy?
Definitely creepy! I don't discount the existence of other dimensions and unidentifiable creatures. I just wonder why our imaginations insist on making them as hideous as possible!?
10. I enjoyed the Esk’s thoughts about being both witch and wizard and wanting to defend the one to the other. Do you sympathize with this view (more in general than in specific regards to magic fields)?
Definitely once again. Back in the bad old days, mankind (or person kind, if you will) must have put restrictions on everything that males or females could or could not do. I assume that's the premise here where females could not be wizards! It seems that witches were doing a fabulous job all on their own, staffs bot withstanding!
11. Why do you think Esk’s magic did not work?
Maybe she just freaked out because of all the eyes on her & the pressure to perform well.
12. Esk is supposed to be precocious but also nine years old. Do you think she acts in a way you could see a nine year old acting?
Oh, you wouldn't believe all the things 9-year-olds can do! Her thought processes are astounding, though.
Completion post! City of Heavenly Fire
Cassandra Clare
Finished 5/28/21
Page count: a whopping 735 pages!
Fits #50 - features Devils or demons
How it fits: lots & lots of demons!!
Could someone please add this to our spreadsheet for me? Thank you!
Completion post!Dumplin'
Julie Murphy
Finished 5/27/21
Page count: 371
BOM
I can't do a link, but I answered all the discussion questions. Please see messages 264, 272, 278, 284, 301 & 306.
Could someone please add this to our spreadsheet for me? Thank you!
DQs Day 6Ch 51 - End
25. Willowdean, oh Willowdean. You are your own worst enemy. First she breaks Mitch's heart because she is finally (somewhat) honest with him, and then she lets her insecurities get in the way of Bo sharing his feelings. Have you ever let your insecurities and other people's opinions stop you from doing something?
I'm sure I probably have! That's why I ended up with a clerical job instead of becoming a rock star!
26. Will sees Ellen crying, but lets the moment pass. Later on the judges ask her about loyalty during her interview and she has some some hard realizations about her friendship with Ellen, and finally gets her moment to apologize. Did you think their make up scene was realistic? Have you ever had a friendship end on bad terms?
I didn't think it was realistic. It was too public and not in a very good place. They would've both been to worried/preoccupied with pageant stuff to have done it properly.
27. Will digs deep to find her confidence and walks the stage in her swimsuit. That takes courage, regardless of your body shape or size! No way I could do it. And then she goes completely off script for her talent and does her best Jolene (great song, btw). Do you think her mom did the right thing by disqualifying her? If you had been the pagent director, would you have let her compete?
She totally rocked the swimsuit competition AND the talent! I secretly love Dolly! I think Rosie had no choice but to disqualify her. It would not have looked good it she had let her slide.
28. Will and her mother have a nice moment when Will is helping her get dressed. What do you think about their mother-daughter relationship? Do you think they are finally beginning to understand each other?
May-be. They love each other, but the teenage years are always difficult. I know I was a total bitch to my mom from about age 14 - 17... I think her Mom is a bit self-absorbed.
29. Willowdean leaves the pageant after Millie is named second-runner up. It makes me a little crazy that they leave it unknown. Who do you think is crowned the winner? Did you like the ending?
I'm sure one of the perfect princesses is crowned the winner. I would have loved to have known who it was, though. How could Will just have walked out like that? I did NOT like the abrupt ending. I want to know more. I'd really like a college days sequel...
DQs Day 5: Chapters 44 - 5120. Willowdean and her mum seem to briefly reach an understanding over the dress fitting but after the alterations are made they come to blows. It’s the first time that her mum tells her she expected her to lose weight and she fights back. Why do you think this is?
Because it has always happened! My heart just broke when Will mentioned all the fad diets she'd tried with her mom every pageant season ever since she was a little girl. Enough was finally enough!
21. After the talent show Willowdean seeks help from the entertainers at The Hideaway, where they were shown how to walk in heels by pretending to walk the sobriety line. Why did she go to them and have you ever tried to walk the sobriety line, drunk or sober?
Who else could she ask for pointers? Mom? No way! The cool girls would laugh at them. Drag queens it is! And no, I have never walked the sobriety line -- I don't drive! When I was younger, I could rock the hell out of a pair of high heels, though! Now I have plantar fasciitis, so it's strictly Crocs for me...
22. Willowdean is invited to Bo’s to study where she meets his stepmum properly and they discuss astrology. Is what she is told accurate from what we know of her? Does your star sign reflect you?
I think Bo's stepmom is spot on! If Will wasn't a chubette, she'd own the world! She may still end up owning it, but has more to overcome... I think I'm a classic Libra. I like the finer things in life, have a highly developed sense of justice & fairness, and gosh darn it, people love me! LOL
23. Bo lays his cards on the line with Willowdean and says he doesn’t want their relationship to be a secret, he wants to do it right. She is reluctant to give him an answer but accepts Mitch’s offer to be her escort to the pageant. Is this right? What do you think is going to happen? What would you do?
I would be SO all over Bo! Come on, girl! She needs to come clean to Mitch & just ask Bo to be her escort. Duh!
24. The slumber party brings out a few secrets. Will this change how Willowdean perceives herself and the other girls? Knowing Hannah’s reasons for entering do you think she will go through with trying to ruin it?
Wow! It was really interesting. I think that everybody's perception of each other has changed. I don't think Hannah will try to ruin the pageant anymore. Wouldn't it be a trip if Hannah won? Of course, we're all rooting for Will, but it would be amazing if any of the 4 oddballs even places.
Onwards to the end!!
DQs Day 4Chapters 33 to 43
16. Dolly Parton night was a surprising treat for the girls! Definitely a different experience. It felt to me like it could have been a healing point or turning point for Will in more ways than one. What do you think about the scene, did it add anything special to the book, and do you think it will hold significance in some way later in the story?
Drag shows are always fun! The girls are a little bit young for the experience, but it seemed like a family bar, right! I loved how Lucy's name unlocked the door for them. I think Will will find that Lucy had a bit of a secret life...
17. I’m almost over Callie and Ellen myself at this point. Friends fight, but this has really blown up. When Callie approaches Will in the bathroom with her mini speech and says that she knows Ellen has always “been good to Will”, what do you think her point was with the speech? Was she truly angry on her friend’s behalf when she went into her admonishment on how wrong it was for Will to be upset that Ellen was entering the pageant? Do you think she’s trying to help Will in a twisted way with her rude advice, or do you think she’s just trying to rub salt in wounds? Would you keep trying to speak to Ellen and make up after the rebuff she issued at Harpy’s after two months when Will tried again to make up?
If Will and Ellen really do love each other, they'll make up. I would keep trying. Callie is just jealous of their relationship and is threatened by Will. She's very mean & is trying to take Will's spot in Ellen's affections,
18. Mitch and Bo affect Will in different ways, but it’s pretty clear Will is using Mitch in more ways than one. She has him to hang out with on weekends when Ellen is gone, and she went from having a dance partner where she rested her head on his chest throughout several dances before pulling away from him immediately when they get outside so he doesn’t “get the wrong idea”. Mixed signals overdose! Do you think she doesn’t realize what she is doing, that she is subconsciously using him, or do you think she isn’t considering his feelings enough? What do you think is going to happen between them?
Mitch is such a sweet guy! Will knows she's using him. Her only excuse is that she's new to dating. But it's a pretty lame excuse. I hope that Mitch gets a football scholarship and gets the hell out of Dodge!
19. The Sadie Hawkins dance seems important in Clover City. I had heard of a song about it, but had no idea it was an actual dance at a school. What do you think about the traditions of finding inventive ways to ask people to the dance? Were you surprised that Bo was finally grabbed up for a date? What did you think of Will’s attempt to ask Mitch immediately afterward, and her creativity in doing so?
we never had Sadie Hawkins day, but we did have school dances. Boys could buy roses or carnations & send them to a particular girl. We used to buy a bunch of flowers and send them to ourselves!
Of course Bo was immediately snapped up for a date! I think Will went temporarily insane when she wrote on her face to invite Mitch to the dance! I wonder how long it took to get the ink off?
Welcome Navi!
Completion post!Half of a Yellow Sun
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Finished 5/24/21
Page count: 433
Task #58 - set in Nigeria
DQs Day 3Chapters 21 to 33
11. For someone claiming and trying to be body positive about herself, Willowdean sure isn't giving anyone else any slack. Her description of Hannah, like with others, was just mean. Do you think the author is projecting Willowdean's insecurities on how she sees herself onto others?
Definitely mean! You'd think she'd be kinder to others, considering.
12. What did you think about the incident Patrick kneed in the balls incident? He didn't seem like Mitch's best friend saying that (honestly, maybe Patrick and Willowdean should date). What did you think about her mom's reaction and the resulting blow up between mom & daughter?
Side note: to anyone with teenagers, we are here for you.
I'm totally onboard with standing up to bullies wherever you may find them, even if it gets physical. It worked for me in middle school, it worked for my son in high school (on my advice!) it just takes one time & nobody will ever bother you again! I think Mama Rosie totally overreacted there! She didn't even listen to Will's side of the story! I would've been all like 'way to go, baby girl!'
13. Did anyone else want to high five Ellen for calling out Willowdean on her crap? What did you think of their argument? Do you think the rift will be repaired? If so, do you think a Dolly Parton sing-along (thanks Cat) will be part of their healing process?
Good for El! Will is so wrapped up in herself and the grieving process, she's not even paying attention to anyone else.
14. Based on the blurb, Millie's attitude and pep talk while at the restaurant is what I would of expected from Williowdean. What do you think of these girls deciding to enter the pageant? What did you think of Millie's pep talk?
Millie is awesomesauce! I hope Will does realize they could become her friends. They are thoughtful and kind. Even Hannah is coming around! Will just needs an attitude adjustment.
15. Thoughts on Mitch? Where do you think his and Willowdean's relationship will go? Do you think she'll crush his poor soft heart?
I see Will with Bo after some big apology/revelation sequence. So hopefully Mitch can be a good friend in the long run.
May I please claim #50 - features demons or devils I have City of Heavenly Fire which is also a doorstopper!
Completion post!Crocodile on the Sandbank
Elizabeth Peters
Finished 5/23/21
Page count: 273
Fits task #46 - Mummy in text pg. 105
Also fits #37 - set in Egypt
Could someone please add this to our spreadsheet for me? Thank you!
DQs Day 2Starting with a Bonus question...
“They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it is not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance.” (Granny said)
First off, who are “they”? I have always wanted to know. Secondly, do you agree with “them”?
They are always out there, aren't they? I do agree. Everyone is initially ignorant at some point. We can all learn. Those who refuse or don't bother to try and educate themselves are dangerous. Ignorance is one thing, but you just can't fix stupid!
5. Esk went ahead and did not follow Granny’s advice, and thought since she had a feeling she could get into the bird’s brain, then why not do it.
When you were a kid, did you jump off the swing, or touch the hot burner? If so, give us examples.
Do you think she learned something from it, or are we looking at shades of her future University life?
I was more of a question authority type of kid. Tell me NOT to do something was insurance that I would try to do something! I still test out wet paint as general practice.
I do think Miss Esk learned her lesson about borrowing the eagle's brain. That must've be terror-inducing! I'm not too sure about that staff, though. It's going to get her into more & more trouble I think.
6. What do you think of Hilda and her version of Headology? What do you think of Headology in general?
It's pretty much a thing. People believe what they want to believe. Don't know that I'd call it headology though. Power of suggestion, definitely.
7. Esk finds herself on a moving barge. Loved loved loved the resume of talents beyond washing and sweeping that Esk rattles off in an attempt to stay on the boat. What skills could you bring to the barge?
Cooking, cleaning, child-minding, animal husbandry, stand-up comedy, karaoke. You know, just the usual.
8. Speaking of the barge, what do you think of Esk’s decision to just leave Granny? Did she mean to leave on her own adventure, or was it an accident? Do you think her matter of fact attitude is a product of her magic, or just her personality or upbringing?
She does have quite a strong personality for one so young. She has no idea how to find Granny, so it's naturally better to keep moving forward & trusting Granny to find her.
