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

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

Completed: On the Come Up

Tasks not covered:
18 (From the Against Discrimination List)
On tracker

Gem ~Zero Shelf Control~ wrote: "hi everyone. I am still here, i just havent picked up a book in 10 days. urgh. life!!"

Glad you're back :)

Completed:
All Quiet on the Western Front
Tasks:
112 War MPG
19 Horse on cover
158 K - Kit is a major character

On Tracker

If you need a superstitious character, you can switch my book I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade for the horse for this, and that one can be counted for the superstitious character.

Crivens comes up in Wee Free Men, but blue tartars in plaid might be the better bet there!

I am listening to On the Come Up
which will count for 18

Completed:

The Lost City of the Monkey God: A True Story

Unused tasks: 74
On tracker

Jessica wrote: "Melissa and Sixty...I also did audio for Don Quixote and I hated that book with a burning passion lol. I struggled through so I could say I did it. would not do it again"

I think you all saved me a slog!
I'll skip it :)

I'm going to start All Quiet on the Western Front tonight - which would count for war MPG - maybe we can change the Drift: The Unmooring of American Military Power to military mpg? It counts for both, but All Quiet only has war for MPG - unless someone else has one in mind?

Andrea wrote: "I think Mort will be useful for "a character representing death" and
The wee free men will work for Crivens and the blue warriors.

As for the witches, I remember there is Granny and Hilta and I b..."

Sweet, sounds good.

Yeah, I think Wee Free Men are the little Tartan dudes

Andrea wrote: "equal rites could also work for F7 there are witches in the book"

Does it have 3 witches though? I only remember 2.
I was going to read that 3 witch book - I can see if it's available.

My library doesn't have Mort].
But it has The Wee Free Men
Maybe I'll give that a try.

Sweet.
Do you think we should read Mort? Will there be the tartan warriors?

Sixty wrote: "Completed: Don Quixote

Tasks:

2 - from satire list #31
11 - MC being inept is the driving force of the plot
12 - MPG Humor
19 - horse on cover
23 - character's name is the title
53 -..."

Nice!
Was it difficult to get through?

Completed:
Equal Rites

BOM: 312, 342, 344, 345
Tasks:
I think the tasks are all used for this book :)

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)?

I like him - he is a good balance to Esk's practical nature (he being more theoretical)

14. The meeting between Granny and the Archchancellor and their actions afterwards are a pivotal part of the book. What were your impressions?

I thought they were fun together. I liked when they were arguing, but then shared a cigarette.

15. With duality of witchcraft vs. wizardry being one of the main themes, what do you think about the ending? Was it satisfyingly concluded?

Yes, the relationship between Granny and the Archchancellor helped.

16. How did you rate the book? 3.5 - There were parts I really liked, and then some parts that were a little slow.

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?

Yes, I think I'll try out more Terry Pratchett - at least Mort.

BONUS: Any favourite scenes? :)
I really liked the scenes with Granny / when she went in the back door of the castle and talked with the washer women.


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Day 3

9 . What do you think on the creatures from the dungeon dimensions? Do you find them creepy?
I do find them creepy! They are sort of a disconnect from the rest of the mood of the story.

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)?

Sure, although I favor the witch..

11. Why do you think Esk’s magic did not work?

I'm wondering if it has to do with some wizard that is against her, or maybe the creatures from beyond. Or maybe she's just not trained yet in the way of the wizards.

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?

The headstrong part, yes, I do think that might be a way a nine year old would act. I'm not sure a nine year old would leave Granny so much though to forge out on her own.

As a member of Team Ook, the bonus question is: Is not the librarian wonderful and would you want to be turned back in his place?

Yes :) I love the librarian.

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”?

Are "they" the Powers That Be? I think they are referred to later :)
Well, it depends on what you're doing. If you are in polite conversation, a little knowledge might be okay? But if you are re-wiring your house, that's probably a deep knowledge type of task.

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 loved to jump off the swing. It felt like you were flying for just an instant. That was probably the only really "risky" thing I did I think?
I'm not sure she learned anything from it. It seemed more that she really enjoyed it, and that Granny just rescued her, but no real reflection on her part.

6. What do you think of Hilda and her version of Headology? What do you think of Headology in general?
I think "Headology" is hilarious - in that it's all inside your head - what's real and what's not. It's a good word to have.

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?
Well, nothing like Esk! I can cook decent meals using random ingredients, tame most cats, and understand the rules of complicated games :)
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?

She seems to act upon whatever whim comes to her. It doesn't seem that she thinks of leaving, but instead of what's always ahead of her.

My hold on Libby just came through for task 74. The house always needs cleaning, and the garden weeding and the dog walked :) Headphones are on :)
The Lost City of the Monkey God

Completed:
I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade

Pages:304
Tasks:
19 - horse on cover
77 - there is a lot about good luck and bad luck in this book,and there are different amulets and such that people believe in. The Khublai Khan is superstitious
Added to the tracker.