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

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

It has been so delightful! She totally cracks me up. And I love that she combines great passion and empathy with a strong desire to succeed.

Sammy - you are the ultimate planner - I bow to you!

Welcome Elen!!

Aw Sonia. That seems like stress upon stress! You poor thing!

DQ - Day 2

Starting 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”?
I always assumed it was one of those sayings like "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." I agree it is dangerous IF the person then thinks he or she is well educated on the topic. Because then they are not willing to change or learn more. However, gaining a little knowledge on the path to more knowledge is great.

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 wasn't super risky - but if there was a rule
I thought was dumb, I'd break it. Like I once wore shorts into the boys dorm because I thought it'd be funny and that it was a dumb rule. But, of course, I got into big trouble. I still think it was a dumb rule though.
I think Esk goes by instincts a lot and is impulsive. I think she'll still have to do that at university.

6. What do you think of Hilda and her version of Headology? What do you think of Headology in general?
Headology in general is like placebos or maybe faith. Convincing someone that something will work. Her version is pretty good - all of the mystery! I liked it.

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? My mind would go blank and they'd kick me off. I'm good at math.... I also liked how much Esk helped with bargaining in the town and stuff.

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? I think her attitude is her upbringing, and the fact the staff has always taken care of here. I think while leaving Granny was accidental, Esk just wasn't too worried.

DQs - Day 1
1. If you are new or relatively new to Discworld, what do you think of Pratchett’s world and writing style so far? For more experienced Pratchett readers, what are your favorite things about his writing style or Discworld in general?
I really like Pratchett's insightful and funny comments about the craziness in the world. He is the author of many of my favorite quotes.

2. So we have our plucky heroine Esk and her witchy mentor Granny Weatherwax. What do you think of our two main characters and their relationship with each other?
I like how Esk isn't afraid of Granny and is brave in general. And I love how smart Esk is. Granny is just funny and I love her personality.

3. A major theme is witch magic vs. wizard magic (and women vs. men), and I can’t wait to learn more about these different magical theories and world views. What do you think of this dynamic, and which type of magic are you more drawn to?
I'm more drawn to witches - maybe because I love the witch characters in Discworld.

4. Oh dear. Esk went a bit too far with the borrowing. What do you think is going to happen next? And what will Granny say or do?
I've read the book before, but I do enjoy this interplay between Granny and the staff. LOVE the staff. And really tradition is a pretty strong thing.

Bonus: I am really enjoying Pratchett’s wit so far. What is your favorite quote from this first bit? Mine is:
“What’s an elephant?”
“A kind of badger,” said Granny. She hadn’t maintained forest-credibility for forty years by ever admitting ignorance.

I love all the above mentioned quotes. My favorite in this section is probably "as you grow older you'll find most people don't set foot outside their own heads much. "

I loved - my favorite book this year so far!

I finished my genetic engineering book and will put it in the spreadsheet soon as I write a review.

My ideas always hit during times I should be sleeping too!

My current book has genetic engineering and a couple of the other prompts. I'll post more after I finish it.

I liked the "young teen so I don't get too mad at her" comment. I need to remember that also. I think it triggers me because I regret similar things :( I should be more understanding about stupid choices!

DQ Day 4
Chapters 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?
I loved this scene - it made me forgive the book a little because I'm SO frustrated by the love triangle. I thought the girls watching the show and people just having confidence and pizzazz was exactly what they needed.

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?
The thing is, Will DIDN'T try to make up - they just were in the same place. I'm pretty frustrated with Will also - just apologize already. They were both in the wrong, but aren't friends worth talking things through!? I'm not really sure about Callie - in some ways she just seems correct and like she's trying to help them reconcile. But Tim doesn't like her, which makes me more suspicious of her.
Oh about her telling Will about "trying" - Will immediately thought it was a weight comment. I didn't - I thought it was more like "smile and be nice" type of comment that Will took wrong.

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?
I think Mitch is a sweetie and although I don't think Will is consciously using him, I think she is totally disregarding his feelings. I don't think she'll end up with him, and I swear, if she hurts him I'm going to be so mad! I love Mitch's views on life and how he watches out for his Mom. Grrr... this part of the book makes me so mad and worried because here is this sweet kid who is going to lose out to the hot guy and get his heart stomped. Well, that's my prediction anyway.

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?
It wasn't creative at all. But I GUESS it was good she asked him. .... I think if not taken to extreme the creative dance invites could be fun.

Oh my goodness - Kadin with rainbows and unicorns - I'm amazed you made 26 pages. Best wishes finding a fantastic book next.

Sammy wrote: "So I've figured out that according to the rules, I can join in with the Mort BOM, if - I answer the questions before reading the book (not a problem, I've read it 5 or 6 times before,..."

That works well! Way to analyze!

Good job team for 100 books! That's impressive.

I picked up a couple long books - one zombie one that is on audio so I can only listen when my husband isn't talking to me, which doesn't happen that often since we are in an RV - but it's my favorite world of zombies and I'm loving it. And I started reading North and South (John Jakes) because it is set in one of the states we were staying in and I wanted some history :)

I'm so glad this challenge fits long books as well as short ones!

Devann, I finished Project Hail Mary a few days ago - and I too loved it. I am now making other family members read it :)

And captains, sorry - I know it's up towards the first of the books list - I hope that isn't too inconvenient to deal with. Let me know if you want me to move it down so it is more with the books currently read.

DQ Day 3
Chapters 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? yes I think her insecurities ARE projected onto others. We may all do that. But I didn't like Willow much this section because she was so critical of everyone around her.

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. Agreed - it's hard to be a parent to teenagers!!!! I thought Mitch should shut Patrick down, and I don't have an issue with Willowdean doing it, but I don't know -Will's mom sure doesn't understand her. (However...understanding teenagers is hard.)_ But really there is some hardcore bullying (like the horse picture) going on at the school. Upsetting!

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? I'm kind of guessing Dolly may be part of the talent show in some way. Maybe an impersonation? I was glad Ellen called out Will and I do think they could mend this, but honestly by this day 3 set of chapters, I'm kind of sick of Will's attitude.

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? II was expecting that attitude from Willowdean too. I'm proud of Millie!! I think she is more of the main character I expected.

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 think Willowdean's is all about Bo - but I do feel like Mitch is sincerely interested in her. Poor Mitch. I HATE love triangles.

Lol! Andy that made my morning! That's indeed the holy grail! I
bow to you.

DQ for Day 2
Chapters 11-20


6. Picking up on the previous grief question to turn it around towards Willowdean and her mother. Will seems to think (I'm paraphrasing here) that her mother is a heartless cow and wants to use Lucy's room all to herself without any consideration whatsoever for anyone else. I can't help but wonder though if the mother isn't somehow trying to be close to Lucy - her own sister - by setting up a craft room in Lucy's space. Everyone deals with grief in their own way, and while yes, I agree with her (unlike Will) that the dusty old things will eventually need to go, I feel like she's trying to find a way to cope at the same time.
I'm so glad you asked this question (and it is very compassionate). I had never thought of it like that, but you're right - I'm sure Will's mother is grieving too. And I think it is totally wrong of anyone to judge someone else's grieving. The few glimpses we saw of Lucy and Will's Mom....they clearly loved each other.

7. Will and Bo. Thoughts? More particularly, Will's reaction to finding out that Bo will start going to the same school?
I kind of think she has overreacted about the whole Bo thing, and maybe should be glad instead of mad. BUT I do like what she said about being tired of being someone's secret. I thought "good for her."

8. The more I read, the more I wonder how Ellen and Will are (still) friends with the way they talk to each other. According to Will, they are drifting apart because Ellen is having sex and because of Callie (she doesn't quite say it but it is definitely there). Their interactions however do make me wonder, a lot. I feel like they're friends more because it's a habit than anything else. They're both dependent on each other - Will because she doesn't seem to have other friends and can't stay in the pool alone? Ellen because she needs a back-up when she goes to pick up her pay check?) What do you make of their friendship now that we know more. Irreparable rift? Habit? Undying friendship? I think there is still hope for their friendship, but they are going to have to work at it.

9. And this inevitably brings me to Will's interactions with Callie. It seems like Callie is at least trying, even though there is the fat-girl-issue, but she isn't completely ignoring Will, unlike Will herself, who barely manages to be civil to the girl. Sure, I completely understand the jealousy of thinking that someone is stealing your (best) friend from you, but it isn't helping Will's case that she is basically being a douche to the girl. This is another good question (and observation)! You're right - Callie is being way nicer than Will is. I kind of predict at the end we will discover Callie is really a nice person. Will is so insecure right now that it seems like she's only nice to people she feels are worse off than her.

10. Did anyone else have that moment of "oh shit, something really terrible is going to happen on the date" when Ellen and Tim tell Will that Patrick Thomas is Mitch's best friend. Or is it just me who thinks that there is a very obvious lack of mobbing and finger-pointing? Not that this is a bad thing, on the contrary! Though I do find it odd since Will has A LOT of issues and basically hates people who are not Ellen (and Bo) The date thing was interesting. I keep hoping that Will discovers that boys like girls with lots of different shapes and sizes. But at this point I sure want to see what happens with everything!

Sonia from the stress you get at work...I think you can hide under as many rocks as you wish!! and those are delightful things to to whilst hiding.

oh those cold packs sound helpful!
I hate the dizziness and nausea too Sammy. Totally incapacitating. I hope you feel better soon!!

DQs Day 1 - Chaps 1 - 10

1. What do you think of Willowdean? Does she feel like a sufficiently real person?
She seems real to me. She does frustrate me a little bit, but that's just because she's young. If I knew then what I know now....well my 10th grade self would have frustrated me too.

2. What you you think about her relationship with Ellen? They are starting to keep secrets from each other now - do you think that this is the start of a drifting apart or will they stay close? I think they really care about each other and that they can stay close if they try. I do think it's normal to now have some private experiences.

3. Bo is interesting - the opposite of Will in terms of being reserved in comparison to her chattiness, but with something lurking in his backstory. Do you want to have a guess at what's up with him? Would anyone NOT have done the same as Will and followed him to the abandoned school in the hopes of more making out?! I totally would have done what Will did - especially at that age. When it's your crush - well I was proud of her to even consider it could be dangerous.

4. Will claims ownership of "fat" when she introduces herself to Bo. How successful do you think she is in her aim to stop it from being an insult? She's still pretty sensitive and clearly doesn't fully accept herself. But wow body issues are hard at any age, and even harder in high school. I liked how she was nice to Amanda

5. Lucy has clearly been a big influence in both Will and Ellen's lives, and yet they haven't been talking about her at all since her death. Do you think this is a normal reaction to a sudden death? Would you be like Will's mother, and get rid of everything, or keep it? I'd want to keep it, but there was clearly a LOT of things that didn't need to be kept.

I had no idea about that. Thanks!