Amanda’s Comments (group member since Mar 13, 2022)

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

Finished How to Sell a Haunted House and posted in the thread, is there anything else I need to do to get the points?

Participation Post:

Day 1-https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 2-https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 3-https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 4-https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 5-https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

DQs Day 5 chapters 32 - end

19. I was excited that Louise and Mark were going to contact Aunt Gail. I liked meeting Barb. I was surprised that they could not really help, and suddenly, we were back where we started, in the creepy house with the puppets. Why do you think Barb and Aunt Gail were in the story? I think at the core this is a story about family, and the secrets a family keeps. Barb and Gail were needed to make it obvious that the family's secret keeping was a problem.

20. I found the horror of Poppy’s plight with Pupkin to be the most concerning. Did you find the horror in this book effective? Which parts creeped you out the most?I found the horror pretty effective overall! I listened to the audio and the narrator absolutely killed Pupkin's voice and it made it so eerie.

21. Gary Hendrix is also known for his humor. I laughed out loud when the puppets got together to form a golem. What parts (if any) did you find humorous? For me it was the hug scene, both of them thinking they were comforting eachother was so great.

22. I was shaking my head when Louise gave her daughter her stuffed animals. I would want no part of that house to be a part of my daughter’s life! How did you feel about that part? I think at that point they could probably "feel" that it was resolved.

23. How do you feel about the ending? I liked it! I thought there was sufficient amounts of "twists" and that it perfectly fit with the final stage of grief, acceptance

DQs Day 4: Ch. 23-31

14. After Mark's story, the siblings kind of bonded. What did you think of that and the hug. At that point of the story, did you feel like they were going to be unified or that it would be short-lived? I thought this was actually a good comedic moment. It broke up a pretty heavy book.

15. So they made a plan to go back in and take care of Pupkin vs. just burning down the house? Why?? Pretend you don't know how that turned out - what would you have decided to do after they both shared their Pupkin experiences? I think they already knew they had to actually see him burn after Mark burning the house down didn’t work. I’d probably just abandon the house, it’s Pupkins now.

16. The battle! I don't even know what to say other than I kept needing to put the book down. Did you expect this level of brutality? Would you have been able to cut off the arm? this was definitely more brutal than expected but probably shouldn’t have been after the whole eye thing. My brother is my best friend so I’m not sure if I could do it (plus I don’t do well with a lot of blood

17. Did you expect Pupkin to show back up like he did? Yup, there was way too much book left for him to be gone lol.

18. What did you think of Gail? If you haven't finished already, what do you think will happen? I have not finished so don’t really have strong opinions of Gail. I’m thinking it’ll look like they’ve solved the issue, but Pupkin will pop back up at the very last moment.

Bonus: Are you systematically removing all puppets from your house now? If so, don't worry - they'll be back =O lol, I would never have puppets in my house.

DQs Day 3; Chapters 16-22

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 acknoledge 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 felt like this was addressed and she remembers it but at some point just decided that she must’ve imagined it when her toys quit talking to her.

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....
I was surprised we got Marks pov, but I think it made sense when it came. The author is building suspense and that includes hiding the complex natures of the characters and revealing it when it will have the most impact. I think Mark has just become more layered like all humans, rather than just how his sister perceives him.

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? that’s definitely all possible, I recently read a book that had a toxin, a haunting, a fake haunting, and a like “alive” house so nothing would surprise me lol but I think the creepiest way is just the puppets are alive.

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? Well Mark tried fire and Pupkin escaped (although that might have been due to Clark) so I’m not sure fire will work. I’m thinking maybe classic horror ending where they think they killed him and then there’s an epilogue that ends with him opening his eyes once more.

DQs Set 2: Chapters 8 - 15

6. Were you expecting those wills? Why do you think both parents were so unfair on the kids?
There was a lot of foreshadowing that the mom favored Mark so I was kinda expecting that, but did not see the father's will coming!

7. Yikes! killer stuffed squirrels! The first violent haunting here, was it effective?
I actually like squirrels, but this did creep me out so I definitely thought it was effective

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?
I'm a pretty rational/science based person, so there's a good chance I would be the same. However, I'd probably end up thinking, "What could it hurt?"

9. We've had more insight into the childhood of Mark and Louise. Does this change your opinion of either of them? My opinion is largely the same, but I am understanding a little more

DQs Day 1
Ch 1 to Ch 7

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.
I actually felt I could understand Louise, even if I didn't necessarily like her. Mark definitely was not likable, but I think every family has one. (Or I also have dysfunction in my family lol)

2.) The book is organized into sections following the 5 stages of grief. Does this impact your expectations of the book at all?
You know, I'm on Ch. 9 and didn't even notice lol. Now that I do know this, I think it'll make motivations make more sense.

3.) Okay. Life size dolls named after her children. Weird, creepy? Would you be excited to have them as part of your inheritance?
Creepy and weird. Luckily I think my mother would be equally frightened so I do not have to worry about them popping up.

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?
Luckily I was away at school the last time one of these happened. It makes sense to me in a way though as tensions are incredibly high and everyone is not themselves. It's also incredibly tacky and I hope to never be a part of one.

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]
I did not google them, but will do so now!

I have all month to read How To Sell a Haunted House and answer questions right? I just got it from my library and have a couple other books first!

I'll do a kindle search for xander, xavier to try to find more x books...any other x names people know of?

Janeylou wrote: "Are we in need of any particular letters Suzanne , i saw your 2 Zs so presume they are ok"

Janine the book I just used is I, Z, and Y and is good if you're looking for something new. The Earl and the Executive

Hey Suzanne/Nanci, I had the wrong info in the wrong spot so for Relative Justice, Custody Battles, and Domestic Animals the qualification should actually be character first name (it is still Emery). I fixed it for the rest of the series. Sorry!

Oh great! I'll add it to the spreadsheet (especially since I put the MCs in author's name so it'll be easier lol) so we can use them if needed.

Wait is it just character or main character? Because there’s a recurring character with the last name Yarmark in the series I’ve been reading this week.

I obviously think they work since I put them down, but will not be offended if we go with other choices to be sure! Always feel free to move my books around as needed for any of the bonuses

I also used a wrong book then, oops! Will remove. Forgot about the first round rule

I have 3 white covers planned for this week, should probably move them to next week! I think I can make that work.

Nanci, I'm currently in 7 (I think) team challenges! But I think Janine is in more

Janeylou wrote: "Questions
Had a look at planning SS and looks like i can do this if we dont have to link book titles, can i just write in title & author
I noticed that you ( suzanne) entered letters that are not ..."

I'll go through and link your books for you Janine!

Hello all!

I was also on Ashara with all of you so far, but was fairly quiet as I was 8/9 months pregnant and just exhausted all the time. I now have, no bias, the most perfect 7 week old ever and surprisingly am getting enough sleep and a good amount of reading time. I love all types of music and am extremely eclectic with what I listen to. I'm actually well known for breaking out Eminem during karaoke lol. I'm currently on maternity leave with an easy sleepy baby so am around a lot but in December I go back to work (I'm a lawyer), so will be an adjustment!

Here's my wheel shelf Wheel 23

I am rap!

Suzanne wrote: "I'm going to go ahead and move 8 books out of the spell it out (can move them back if we need) and into a rainbow. I THINK the way we are reading, we'll be able to fill out the whole spell out. But..."

I think I just filled most of these...90% of mine were also color covers though if we want to move them.