Melissa’s Comments (group member since May 12, 2019)

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

Wow!! that is amazing Ashley!!!
I'll start looking, now that I'm done with creepy puppets....

10. Pupkin is,,, alive??? Okay, no big surprise there to be honest, but we did finally get some interesting background info from Louise and Mark's childhood, even if that's not how Louise remembers it. Do you think she really doesn't remember, has simply forgotten, due to trauma or it just having happened way too long ago, or does she remember but chooses not to acknowledge it? Or maybe Mark misremembers himself and it didn't even happen (that way at least)? They were both still very young after all, Mark especially. Is it possible to remember something that happened when you were only two years old?

I think Louise doesn't want to admit it happened. She denies all of the shenanigans going on in the house now. This just seems to have a more clear reason - that she denied pupkin's influence in her earlier life, and that she is denying it now.

11. The second perspective adds a new layer, however it only got added halfway through the book. Were you surprised we got Mark's POV at all, and would you have preferred for it to be there from the beginning of the book? Also, has this last section changed your opinion on him in any way? He did save Louise from Pupkin after all....

Mark is still growing on me, but I am wondering how he is going to deal with the puppets. They seem to have him entrapped too.

12. To me, the last chapter feels a bit like a fever dream, definitely like they were on drugs. I personally don't remember which MPGs the book has and don't want to check in case of 'spoilers' now, but do you think there's a possibility the house, our main characters, the puppets, the dolls, Pupkin, everything- isn't actually haunted and none of it is actually happening?? What if it's just a dream (which would be the worst ending ngl), mental problems like Louise wants to believe, or mold in the house that's effecting them like this plus possible drug use from Mark when he was away?

I certainly hope not.
It does remind me of a fever dream - but I am thinking it is just the increase in madness?

13. I can't help but wonder how the book is gonna end... If Pupkin is indeed an evil puppet come to life I only see one way it can be destroyed - fire. Do you think they'll end up burning down the entire house (although Hill House (in the show at least) wouldn't let itself be burned down either, so who knows if that would work), or will the dolls and puppets take over? What do you predict will happen in the rest of the book?

Hmmm.... Interesting. I'm not sure how it will end. She tried to bury Pupkin once upon a time, and that didn't work. They did mention that they were thinking the new owners would raze the house and start again. There must be something that goes with the selling part of it. I think they'll get a medium involved. I am hoping they do - to give it a bit of a twist.

I'll definitely finish my 2 books. I might be able to squeeze in a book that fits both an A or an E.

DQs Set 2: Chapters 8 - 15

6. Were you expecting those wills? Why do you think both parents were so unfair on the kids?

I wasn't expecting the wills. I was expecting something along the lines of "until you get along, this house isn't going to sell, and you won't see any of the money." I'm kinda hoping that's not what's behind this all, but we'll see.

7. Yikes! killer stuffed squirrels! The first violent haunting here, was it effective?
Yes!
Especially because they were in her shirt. Totally yuck!

8. Despite the various creepy things that Louise has experienced, she's refusing to let her aunt exorcise the house. Would you still be hanging onto rational reasons over accepting family help?

No way. Exorcise the house. Bring in the team! I mean, especially after pulling the doll out of the garbage disposal!!

9. We've had more insight into the childhood of Mark and Louise. Does this change your opinion of either of them?

Mark is growing on me. Louise is starting to irritate me, so yes. My opinion is changing.

1.) What are your first impressions of the family and of Louise and Mark? How pivotal do you think their relationship (or lack thereof) will play in the story.
Aside: I plan to steal and use the phrase "Terminal Assholism" in future. Thank you Hendrix!

This is a strange family! I'm not sure why Mark is so rush rush rush about getting his parent's ashes spread in the ocean.

Something is fishy.

2.) The book is organized into sections following the 5 stages of grief. Does this impact your expectations of the book at all?

Interesting... I hadn't noticed....

3.) Okay. Life size dolls named after her children. Weird, creepy? Would you be excited to have them as part of your inheritance?

Yes. Totally creepy. I would get rid of them quickly.


4.) Have you ever experienced a family post-death squabble/fight like the one Louise and Mark had in front of the junk clean out guys?

I haven't recently. There was one about 30 years ago that was a bit scarring, but with my generation, everyone is incredibly civil.

5.) Did anyone else google Fellowship of Christian Puppeteers? If so, were you surprised to find they were a real organization? Has anyone interacted with them before or a similar organization for other religious beliefs? [note: please keep responses respectful to people's beliefs, this is a safe space]

No, I had no idea. I do not know of any organization like this. I can understand how using puppets can help people though.

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Nice!

A couple of questions!
Brittany, I noticed that you have The Weaver and the Witch Queen on your shelf for a different page number than the spreadsheet.
Ariel, could you put the Good Girl Magic on your shelf?
Megan, can you put In the Enemy's House on your shelf?
Thanks :)

Ariel wrote: "That exciting feeling when you get a notification from the library that books you have had on hold come in: YAY! <3

It's the second and third book in the Josie Quinn series by Lisa Regan and oh my..."

I love that feeling!

I just noticed too! Better get reading :)

I downloaded A Bad Day For Sunshine from Libby. I like to listen to books while grocery shopping, so I was listening and I had to stop myself from bursting out laughing a couple times!

I hope you are all having a good weekend :)
I've got to pick up one of those Sunshine Vicram books sometime!

I had a nice Saturday afternoon to finish up some books. I thought Generations: The Real Differences Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents―and What They Mean for America's Future was an interesting nonfiction read. There's a lot in it to talk about with different generations of folks. I finished The Last Kids on Earth and the Zombie Parade for my middle school read which was somewhat entertaining?
I also listened to Cosmic Queries: StarTalk's Guide to Who We Are, How We Got Here, and Where We're Going
which was fun - little blips about questions of the universe. I love Neil deGrasse Tyson - he makes everything sound so simple.

Lauri wrote: "I’m headed home tomorrow & am working on Murder in the Corn Maze by G.A. McKevettand A Hard Day for a Hangover by Darynda Jones. Hope..."

I put them both on the spreadsheet for you :)

Ashley wrote: "Does coffee count?"

Most definitely.

Coffee in the morning, wine at night?

Ashley, when you get a chance, could you please add your books to your wheels shelf?
Thanks!

Good morning everyone!
Bookish question:
Do you have a favorite bookish beverage?

Brittany wrote: "I LOVED but I love Asian Lore/Mythology"

Nice. I'll give this a try.

Oooh what was the 5 star?
I’m reading a Maggie O’Farrell book, and I just think she’s wonderful.

Ashley wrote: "I had a hectic day (terrible timing, of course) so I will be starting once I'm able to get in bed or when I wake up tomorrow! Sunday is my "do nothing but read day", so I plan to catch up then!"

I love do nothing but read days!!

Daniel wrote: "I’ve updated my entries in the spreadsheet. Sometimes GR doesn’t end up using the kindle edition even when I read on kindle, so I will be sure to update accordingly when it logs the book."

:) Thanks
I updated my too - now knowing the BOM rule :)