Suzanne’s Comments (group member since Aug 13, 2015)

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

Steven, Erin said pretty much what I wanted to say. I've never understood why some of the hardest things seem to happen all together, which pretty much strips any resilience. Any one of those things is already overwhelmingly hard!!

Be kind to yourself and do whatever you need to help yourself heal.

Yes we are super close to being done with tasks! It'll be fun to knock off some non-task TBRs as well.

I did see one for sausage on cover and can claim that one. I'm resisting looking for others til I get the ones I already claimed done :)

I suspect an alternate language is especially difficult when trying to understand humor.

I finished (finally) a fairytale book (up a ways on the spreadsheet-sorry!) and the rodent book - the finally was for the fairytale book - I never really got into it so it took me quite awhile.

I've been reading physical copies this time round - but I agree that audio is a great way to go - the narrator is really good!

DEATH is one of my favorite world characters too! I tend to like books where he plays a part.

And possibly my favorite scene in the book is where he was cooking with the cats all around him.

Day 3 Questions
Q11. Do you think Mort is physically changing? When it says, "The gargoyle looked up into his face and suddenly felt like a very frightened doorknocker indeed, Mort's eyes glowed like crucibles, his expression was a furnace, his voice held enough enough to melt iron. It didn't know what he could do, but felt that it would prefer not to find out." - it seems these may be actual physical manifestations. With the photo Mort sees soon after with the wizard Cutwell, do you think that was originally Death in the photo before a transformation?

I think he is changing quite a lot and physically growing into his job – (mentally too). I’m not sure about the photo, but I’m curious.

Q12. What do you think about the plot point where Keli is dead, but is not? Do you think this was a clever twist of the author or do you find it a confusing jumble? How will this affect the story and will Death find out what actually happened and react?

I really like what happened, as it shows how Death really is inevitable. I especially like that, although the Duke was a bad person to have her killed, the result was actually very positive for the country.

Q13. There suddenly seems to be sign that Death may be playing matchmaker of sorts with Mort and his 'daughter'. Are you surprised, and what do you think will happen with the relationship between him and Ysabel?

Mort and Ysabel don’t seem romantically interested at all, but I think they will become friends. I think Death always had matchmaking in mind.

Q14. Do you think that before Mort was chosen by Death, that he was a normal boy? Do you think he must have some wizard properties buried or are his "abilities" gathered from being Death's apprentice? What do you think about Mort attracting death's attention - what is so special about him?

I think Mort was chosen on purpose, and since this was the job he was destined for, he definitely wasn’t a normal boy (which was kind of implied when we first saw him). I like the abilities we’ve seen him gain so far.

Q15. Mort seems to be getting a bit homesick after his day off, and Death is changing his tune as well. What do you think about Death's new adventures to experience some human experiences, try to understand fun and how humans behave?

I really love Death trying to figure out what it is to live. It’s sweet and kind of funny. The whole tying lures and going fishing was great.

DQs Day 2 - start: "Five minutes later, Mort was lost"
end: "Sooner or later, everyone remembered the magic word (p98)


Q6 - Mort walked through the walls a few times but couldn't when he tried to get into the castle. Why do you think this happened?

I think it the issue is that he can't think about it or it won't happen. Just like Platform 9 3/4 in Harry Potter.


Q7- What do you think of Ingneous Cutwell's character?

I liked him - and I liked his doorknocker even more.

Q8 - The Abbot has been reincarnated 53 times. The concept of reincarnation is an interesting one. If you were to be born again what life would you choose?

I think I'd like to be a well-cared-for cat.

Q9 - Death sent Mort to reap three souls. In light of how he performed do you think Mort was ready for the job?
I thought he did fine - well except for the third job. But he was compassionate and talked to the people and learned - good job Mort!

Q10 - Mort found Ysabelle's handkerchief in the library. Why is she reading other people's life?

She must be bored all alone every day. And hey - I'd be right in there with her!

Thanks for the list of tasks - that is very helpful!

Ah Marvel. Now I'm needing to watch things. I have some catching up to do!

I finished my Suitcase on cover and sheep on cover books today - they were both really good!

I'm going to listen to for rodent on cover, and read Mort next. I checked the AR words and its over 25,000 so should be ok (for Mrs. Frisby).

I'm still plugging along on my fairytale book, but I can only stand to read a chapter or two a day - but it's more than half done now. It's not bad, but it's not compelling.

Having people able to go and do things some of the time instead of quarantine will help too. At least I hope so.

Lol I am totally seeing what you mean about needing that getaway. That's really hard sharing not only physical space but sound space! Hang in there!!

What a perfect distraction then!

DQs Day 1: (end: "'I want' he said firmly 'a very fast horse.'"19% / Page 52)

1. Mort is nothing if not determined. He refuses to give up on being a “prentice” until the last stoke of midnight. Then at the very last second, Death arrives for him. Do you think Mort was quick to take the apprenticeship perhaps from feeling humiliated at the days events or was it something that truly intrigued him? Would you have been willing to work for Death?
We saw Mort was unusual from the first, which is why he was even there. I thought he took it because he didn't want to go home a failure, plus, maybe because he's odd, it didn't scare him.

2. Death has a sarcastic tone during this first section. What do you think of his fawning over Mort to ensure he gets new clothes and food and Death eating with him like a regular guy? Is he up to something sinister or does he just want to make Mort comfortable?
Death is odd, and KIND of understands being human but also has a way different perspective. I think he was taking care of Mort because as his new master, that's what he needs to do.

3. Mort may be a bit gangly and lost in his own head at times, but he seems to have a lot of compassion. Upon realizing that he was talking to Death, he asked him to spare his Dad. Later he tries to intervene and warn the King that he was about to be killed and finally on that same trip he wanted to tell the King’s daughter not to trust the Duke. What did you think of all that? Are these normal reactions to someone who is the apprentice to Death? Do you think it will continue as Mort sees more and more of Death’s duty?
I think Mort will gain a lot more understanding that dying is inevitable. Right now he's having the normal human reactions.

4. What is up with the constant utterance of “Mort” every time someone calls our MC anything other than Mort or Mortimer after arriving at Death’s House and meeting Yasbell? Is there some significance to this or is it just rather annoying?! Lol! It's just like someone in any job who has a name they strongly preferred. I'm always too scared to correct :)

5. Mort, surprisingly, asked Death for an afternoon off. I think our dear Mort is growing up! He explains to Death that he wants to meet people for more than a few minutes. When he arrives in his own time and finds out where he is, he asks if he is near Sto Lat. He seems to have a plan when he says he wants a very fast horse. What do you think he intends? Will it work out like he plans?
I think he still wants to help the princess. I very much doubt his plan will work.

Thanks for checking on it! I have lots of books with dogs - so I can definitely do one if that task isn't filled before I get to it :)

Note I'm typing this as our three dogs wrestle at my feet. That puppy is sure lucky the mastiff is nice (she's currently hanging from his loose neck skin)...

So question: For the task 2 dogs on the cover does it have to be exactly two? Or can it be more?

Wow nice job - that's a lot of pages!

And yes - such bad luck with the BOM questioners. I'm not buying a lottery ticket anytime soon :)

I am back from my Dad's house - it was nice visiting with family. I got a couple books read that I put in the spreadsheet - mostly just read on the drive there and back so I have lots more I need to get done! But I finished the dress Jackanory and the dragon on cover. I think the suitcase on cover and sheep on cover books will be next (reading/audio).

Hugs. Wow thats a lot of difficult craziness. Given what you had to do to the cat I'd say he was amazingly good

I hope work improves Claire - it's hard enough to have to work when it's not stressful!

I will have my phone only for the next 4 days - and I HOPE to have reading time, but we are doing a big extended family thing so we'll see how that goes.

Firekeeper's Daughter was audio (finished it) so I was looking for another audiobook and decided to do because those are peaceful stories and I noticed it has a several sheep on the cover!

I'm so loving seeing the excitement!

DQs Day 3 Chapters 16 - 23

11. Gramma Pearl shared many wonderful legacy stories with Daunis. I loved the reference Daunis makes regarding the storm and the thunderbirds bringing loved ones from the other world to check on them. As a result, Daunis has happy memories about storms versus being afraid and she consistently refers to Gramma Pearl when deciding what to do. Do you have any advice, stories or traditions passed down from family that you often think about? Something that you would share with your legacy...if so, share if you are comfortable. I think I probably have more legacy than I even realize, and I hope I pass some things along. This is not legacy, but a simple example of grandmothers: When I was young my grandma used to paint my fingernails. The whole time she always told me how beautiful my hands were. Now, I'm objectively positive my hands are nothing special but pretty much my whole life I thought "wow I have nice hands."

12. "The FBI is interested in learning what caused the group hallucination. I want to know if the kids are okay." Daunis obviously thinks the FBI isn't investigating for the right reasons. I observe all the time that young people have a different view on things than more experienced/older people. Who's right? What do we learn from situations such as this? Other thoughts? They both have their priorities but seems like we can just learn from each other.

13. Heather is clearly not liked amongst the girls at the beach party...why do you think Heather approaches Daunis about buying drugs? Do you think this has something to do with why she turns up dead, washed up at Duck Island? I don't know if the approach has anything to do with it, but Heather was clearly living dangerously and being used. Poor girl.

14. In chapter 20, Jamie asks Daunis about the meaning of 'Firekeeper's Daughter'. It's her job to lift up the sun every day. What do you think about this explanation? Do you find additional meaning in this as it relates to Daunis and her role in the plot of this story? I loved that definition because Daunis clearly has a big effect on those around her - kind of like lifting the sun. I also like the consistency - you don't really get a day off - just have to keep on lifting.

15. Daunis finds Heather during her mushroom sleuthing on Duck Island. During her thinking she has an 'ah-ha' moment regarding her Uncle's journals. When she goes to look for them, she's quick to assume that they don't exist because of the connection to the FBI and the confidentiality required...do you think she's right...thoughts? I ended up reading ahead so probably shouldn't answer this one. I have to say though that I love how smart and competent Daunis is.