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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Jun 06, 2021 01:49AM
DQs Day 3: The Tree That Is Our Life - Wild and Free (59%)11. Regarding the system error, that occurred when Nora tried to return to the library after that speech. Do you think Nora could have trouble returning to the library from one of the next lives that she visits?
Yes, I think that was a definite red flag. We really don't know how this all works,
12. But you will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life. (p. 151) Do you think Nora is going to "find the meaning of life", "be happy forever in a parallel life", or "will want to die and leave the library forever"?
I don't think anyone will ever know the meaning of life. It's meant to be a perpetual mystery. I'm hoping that Nora will find happiness in a parallel life instead of wanting to die!
13. Are you surprised about Nora meeting Hugo, another Slider, as he calls people like them in the in-between?
That was a bit surprising, but if we're to embrace this premise, it only stands to reason that there would be others.
14. For Nora it's a library, for Hugo it's a video store. What do you imagine would your variant of the in-between be? (And obviously you are not allowed to say library now, because I'm guessing most of us would go with that answer. Be creative and let me know what else you would feel comfortable with.)
It would have to be a library or at the very least a book store! My book covers would be blue, though...
15. We finally get to see Nora's life as a rock star. In what direction do you think this will go? Is it going to be the life Nora is happiest with and stays the longest/forever? Or do you think that she's going to leave it rather soon again?
I'm thinking a simple life would be best with not a lot of public scrutiny. Happily married with a cat, primary school teacher, mother, crazy cat lady...
Jun 04, 2021 06:55PM
DQs Day 2: The Penultimate Update - Peppermint Tea (39%)6. Were you surprised that Nora's second choice was related to her cat? What did you think of the outcome?
No, not particularly surprised at all! That was the creature she was most attached to in her "root life." Volts lived, but as all cats, he was pretty indifferent to humans.
7. How did the reality of Nora's Australia line up with what you imagined it would be like?
I was amazed that she was an Olympic Medalist. Everyone can have dreams growing up, it's true. But apparently she was good enough to have made it on an Olympic level! Just competing is a huge honor, but Nora had actually WON! Just because you get what you wish for doesn't necessarily mean you'll be happy.
8. What did you think about the similarities between Nora's life in Australia versus her original life?
She was still alone, still being medicated, no real connections... Fame and fortune don't make you a better person.
9. On the surface, Nora's life with a swimming career seems to be the most successful so far. Do you think the positives will outweigh the negatives this time around?
Nope, not at all. Antidepressants are never good. I've gone down that road till I was so numb! The house could've burned down around me & I wouldn't have cared. Probably wouldn't have even noticed...
10. Any predictions for how Nora's speech will go in the next chapter?
I think she will have a ginormous panic attack & run out of the room!
Could I please claim #96 - Coming of age? I have Bless Me, Ultima 
I also plan to read all 3 of the June BOMs!
Jun 02, 2021 12:35AM
DQs Day 11. Were you planning to read this book before it became a BOM? If so, what drew you to it?
I actually was waiting for this to be available from my public library since early December & just got my copy in May!
2. What do you think of Matt Haig’s writing style (and those short chapters!) and how he has set the story up so far?
I am enjoying it -- makes it go so fast though!
3. What are your thoughts on Nora? Are you attached to her yet?
I kind of feel sorry for her so far. I haven't formed an attachment as of yet & am sensing mental illness here,
4. If you were somehow able to, would you want to see all of the different outcomes that could have played out in your own life? Or would you rather just leave things as they are without ever knowing?
Nope! Definitely not! Way better off not knowing. Que sera, sera!
5. What did you think about Nora’s first glimpse at a road not taken? Were you surprised by which book she chose to open first or by how quickly it disappointed her?
It was sad, but not unexpected. We all want someone to love and for them to love us back. Obviously he was absorbed in his dream & just expected her to roll along with him...
You see, doing one thing differently is very often the same as doing everything differently...
Truth!
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
