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

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

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?

It worries me - I feel like given that error, she may only have a limited number of future chances.

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 HOPE she'll find that life has its ups and downs and is still worthwhile. But I don't know if that'll happen. Plus, it seems like currently if there's a down, she's just sent back to the library instead of working through it. I did feel glad that Nora discovered with the polar bear that she really wants to live.

13. Are you surprised about Nora meeting Hugo, another Slider, as he calls people like them in the in-between?

Yes! That surprised me. I kind of thought this was unique, but I don't know why I thought that. And boy, I'd be SO tempted to be like Hugo and try lots of different lives.

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.)

For me, I think it'd be a video game if it wasn't a library. Or a set of video games.

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 think she'll leave it pretty soon. There are too many parts she seems super uncomfortable with.

For Jackanory, one of my current books is set on an island, so I can take Island location if that one isn't done yet (it looked still open?)

Another book talks a lot about how the house is set by a cliff. She goes to her bedroom and part of the room is right on the cliff overlooking the ocean. But, alas, the picture on the cover doesn't even show water. They opted for a cute dog instead :)

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?

Sometimes it's those "little" things that nag at us the most. I LOVED the outcome because it showed how often people feel guilt or failure that is totally unwarranted.


7. How did the reality of Nora's Australia line up with what you imagined it would be like?

It seemed so great at first and then disintegrated quickly :( I feel like she was feeling guilty about what happened there too, and again, it wasn't her fault.

8. What did you think about the similarities between Nora's life in Australia versus her original life?

It feels like no matter where she is on the globe, she doesn't want to really do anything Thanks, depression.

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?

I don't think they will just because Nora herself hasn't changed yet.

10. Any predictions for how Nora's speech will go in the next chapter?

Badly! Mostly because in this life Nora doesn't even know who she is now and is totally unprepared.

Thanks so much Steven!!

Kaley that sounds like a good decision. I love the diversity of likes and dislikes with books and authors. Life is so much more interesting with diversity!

I read this and thought "oh how great to have a GR librarian in the group." And soon after, I noticed that my book Ines of the Soul (reading for set in South America) - I'm reading the kindle edition.

So on GR: Inés of My Soul is 352 pages. That is pretty similar to the other editions on Goodreads.

On my edition, both in "about this book" and on the Amazon page, it is 435 pages. Here is the Amazon link:
https://smile.amazon.com/In%C3%A9s-My...

The paperback listed on Amazon has 432 pages.

So....is that something that should be corrected? Just asking because of the extra page points :)

I finished my Morris Dancing book. I am reading multiple books, but the next one I'm picking up will be the "set in South America" one. Then I'll look for another difficult prompt.

(1. Audio book, 2. netgalley - trying to catch up on those! 3. difficult prompt book 4. had to find a book with pasta in the title for a different challenge).
Luckily they are all different genres!

Happy birthday Sonia! You deserve all the good things - including moist delicious cake! Have fun seeing Nemo!

DQs Day 1

1. Were you planning to read this book before it became a BOM? If so, what drew you to it?

I was planning on reading this after I saw it on the Goodreads Choice list. What first drew my attention was the word "library" in the title (and I swear book publishers have figured that out!). But I was then interested in the premise.


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?

It has been very readable and feels like it's going fast. I like the set-up because she has a pretty clear list of regrets and there are a lot of things in her life even I thought she should do differently.

3. What are your thoughts on Nora? Are you attached to her yet?

I feel sorry for her more than feeling attached. She's just so alone and clearly struggling.

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?
I think I'd maybe be sad to go through them. But there are definitely some things I 100% wish I'd done differently.

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?

I thought that was a logical one to open first because it seems like she really felt bad about disappointing someone there. But yeah I'm glad she didn't suffer through that life and marriage for very long.

You see, doing one thing differently is very often the same as doing everything differently.

Thats a good idea. I'll go ahead and read it. It's on my first page of thousands of TBR so that will feel good!

Sammy wrote: "Does anyone have any plans to read any books set in South America? If not, I'll spend a credit on getting a Marquez on Audible. I have a couple of his in my wish list :)"

Sammy I do have that is set in South America. I'd be ok reading it - but up to you! Just let me know. I've owned it since 2014 so...

Lol oh dear. The last book I read with it all the Morris dancers were drunk. That seems like a common combination. But a migraine plus morris....not good!

I had never even heard of Morris dancing til a previous tower teams!

I found a book with "morris dancing" in the text, so I'm "claiming" that one. I'll read it as soon as I finish my current book.

I'm glad you reposted them - I swear I looked, but I'd somehow skipped over hospital gown as a plot point.

I finished a Cowboy Kind of Love yesterday and put it down for a couple of tasks. But for JACKANORY - the MC has surgery and has several chapters wearing a hospital gown. I'll grab a quote in a bit and put it in the spreadsheet if you want to use it for that.

Lol it sure is! I still remember, because of Lucifer's Hammer, my husband wanting to get rid of all my books in the basement, saying I could buy them all with ebooks. And me resisting because....what if a comet hit the earth?

Sammy wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "Nice work team!

I finished my two 800ish page books today - phew. They were both pretty good - I especially liked because I'm a sucker for Zombi..."

It's adult for sure. This is her third series set in that world. The first starts with . I've loved them all. They scratch that Lucifer's Hammer itch of "what would you do to survive if..." for me.

Nice work team!

I finished my two 800ish page books today - phew. They were both pretty good - I especially liked because I'm a sucker for Zombie Apocalypse books :)

Cat wrote: "For the fans: who would win in a face-off between Granny W and Lord Vetiniari??"

I'd vote for Granny, but kind of like Sammy said - it is hard for me to see either of them beaten.

DQS - Day 4

13. 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)? To me, Simon is one of those who dreams up powerful things and doesn't think about the consequences - not evil just...doesn't think. I'm not sure about the future - I think they will at least communicate. Esk is at least more about the real world and I think she's more powerful than Simon really

14. The meeting between Granny and the Archchancellor and their actions afterwards are a pivotal part of the book. What were your impressions? The part I remember the most was they had a Wizards Duel like in the Sword and the Stone cartoon. I loved that. And I like that Granny would have won.

15. With duality of witchcraft vs. wizardry being one of the main themes, what do you think about the ending? Was it satisfyingly concluded? I thought the conclusion was the least satisfying part of the story. I'm not sure why - things were resolved. But in general I like the beginnings and the "Hook" of Discworld more than the endings.

16. How did you rate the book?
If you are new to Terry Pratchett, do you consider checking out more of his books (NOT just because of BOM points :)?
If you are familiar with his books/a fan - any changes in your earlier impressions/opinion? I gave it 4 stars. Same as when I read it several years ago. I think I found more funny things this time though.

BONUS: Any favourite scenes? :) I liked all of the scenes involving the staff. And the duel between granny and the wizard. And, I loved granny's impact on the city! ,

Awesome. This is going to be fun! And naughty