Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

When Louise finds out her parents have died, she dreads going home. She doesn’t want to leave her daughter with her ex and fly to Charleston. She doesn’t want to deal with her family home, stuffed to the rafters with the remnants of her father’s academic career and her mother’s lifelong obsession with puppets and dolls. She doesn’t want to learn how to live without the two people who knew and loved her best in the world.

Most of all, she doesn’t want to deal with her brother, Mark, who never left their hometown, gets fired from one job after another, and resents her success. Unfortunately, she’ll need his help to get the house ready for sale because it’ll take more than some new paint on the walls and clearing out a lifetime of memories to get this place on the market.

But some houses don’t want to be sold, and their home has other plans for both of them…

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Nominator: Judith

Official page count: 433 pages

Chapter Breakdown

Date		Chapters 	%age		MPDQs
16 Oct		1 - 7 		20%		Judith (Jazz)
17 Oct		8 - 15		39%		Cat (Britpop)
18 Oct		16 - 22		61%		Christina (Pop)
19 Oct		23 - 31		82%		Suzanne (Rap)
20 Oct		32 - end	100%		Melissa W (Opera)

Guidance for DQ setters
Aim for a reasonable number of questions: 4 - 5 is typical. Please don't post too many - any more than 7 gets unwieldy!
Use consecutive numbering of the DQs for your days. So, for example, if Day One is posted as questions 1-4, Day Two should start at number 5 etc.
Don't worry too much about your questions: you aren't being tested on how clever your questions are!
Hints and tips:
- Is there a quote that jumped out at you? Use that in a question.
- What about the characters - do they generate strong feelings? No feelings? - either way, we can explore that!
- What about that plot twist?!
- Explore the writing style: is there an unusual structure being used? what's the tone of voice like? or the point of view?

Want more information about how NBRC runs their Book of the Month discussions? Check out the information here

DQ Volunteers

nominator: Judith - guaranteed (Jazz)
Lisa (AG) (Rock)
Cat (Britpop)
Cat (Britpop) (extra entry)
Alisha (Jazz backup)
Angie (Punk)
Sammy (last day) (Country)
Melissa (Country)
Suzanne (Rap)
Teddie (R&B)
Jenny (Punk)
Christina (Pop)
Lexi (Jazz backup)
Nanci (Rap)
Claire (Heavy Metal)
Melissa W (Opera)
Kaley (Punk)
Sammy (last day) (Country) - extra entry
Angie (Punk) - extra entry
Tammie (Classical)
Tammie (Classical) - extra entry
Christina (Pop) - extra entry
Keely (Rock)

Randomised List:

There were 22 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

Cat (Britpop)
Christina (Pop)
Alisha (Jazz backup)
Suzanne (Rap)
Melissa W (Opera)
Melissa (Country)
Tammie (Classical) - extra entry
Angie (Punk)
Christina (Pop) - extra entry
Teddie (R&B)
Keely (Rock)
Tammie (Classical)
Jenny (Punk)
Angie (Punk) - extra entry
Sammy (last day) (Country)
Nanci (Rap)
Sammy (last day) (Country) - extra entry
Lisa (AG) (Rock)
Kaley (Punk)
Cat (Britpop) (extra entry)
Claire (Heavy Metal)
Lexi (Jazz backup)

Timestamp: 2023-10-14 15:04:48 UTC

Participation Verified

Lisa (AG)
Sammy
Cat
Judith
Beth
Lexi
Jenny
Tammie
Alyssa
Michael
Christina
Angie
Amanda
Melissa
Preeti

.

My library has this one.. so I'll volunteer for DQ's. 😊

I'll volunteer! (Britpop)

plus an extra entry

I'll volunteer for DQs! Team Jazz so I can be back up if needed

I'll try to get hold of a copy, so will volunteer for DQs 😊

Volunteering for DQs (Punk)

Dang it! This isn't out in paperback yet! Could you put me down for final day questions if picked then please, as I'll have to get the audio, and audio and middle DQ days are not a fun combination, lol.

And in future remind me to check if there is a paperback before volunteering and/or voting for something please 😂

I’ll volunteer for DQs

ETA: Team Country

I'll volunteer for DQs

I'm in for DQs (team R&B)

Backup for Judith in case real life happens

I'm in for Team POP and I'm so excited to be reading this!!!

Volunteering for Team Punk!

I can be a backup for Suzanne on Team Rap.

I'll volunteer for team heavy metal

I'll volunteer for team Opera

Volunteering for DQs as well for Team Punk!

Ughhh I've already read this one 😭

Can we use extra entries? If so, can I add an extra please, as I have a heap of credits 😁

Sammy wrote: "Can we use extra entries? If so, can I add an extra please, as I have a heap of credits 😁"

You can, but as you haven't historically done summary posts claiming as you go, there's no records for quick fix. Post your historical claims here & I'll get them credits to you and used for entry(s) :)

I thought I had! I'll go back and link what I can find :)

Carrie Soto: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

11/22/63: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

City of brass: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Those should get me an extra entry, no? And I'll grab links for the rest and save them for future entries 😁

Sammy wrote: "Carrie Soto: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

11/22/63: https://www.goodreads.com/topic..."

Ah, I had recorded them, but didn't add your name to the list, having assumed (wrongly) you were already on it! Sorry about that!

Anyway, your name is now on the door, and you have participation in the following recorded:
- May Adult
- June Adult
- June Theme
- July Adult

So, using three tokens for an extra entry: you've one token left :)

Awesome, thanks 😁

I edited my post but in case you didn’t see it - I’m Team Country :)

I'd like to use 3 tokens for an extra entry, please.

Volunteering for DQ - using 3 tokens for an extra entry
Team Classical

since the rest of Team Pop seem to not want to get involved in (selling) a haunted house I'll throw in my last three tokens from 2022 for an extra entry

The Master and Margarita: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Malibu Rising: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Ariadne: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Reminder...I don't see my sign up for DQs on the list...post 32
Sammy's on x2 so maybe that one should be me?
Thanks!

I volunteer as back up for Team Rock.

Tammie wrote: "Reminder...I don't see my sign up for DQs on the list...post 32
Sammy's on x2 so maybe that one should be me?
Thanks!"

Sammy's on twice because she used her tokens for an extra entry - both you and I will show up twice as well once the list gets updated. There's still a whole week left until the discussion starts so no worries just yet :)

Christina wrote: "Tammie wrote: "Reminder...I don't see my sign up for DQs on the list...post 32
Sammy's on x2 so maybe that one should be me?
Thanks!"

Sammy's on twice because she used her tokens for an extra ent..."

ok great...thanks Christina...I was thinking this started in less than a week

I feel like I should probably let you know my name pops up one too many times in the volunteer list 🙃

Thanks for pointing that out! it's been a month here!

It'll be my birthday on Oct 17 though if that gets me an extra entry 😏😂

Since it's already 10/16 in some countries, I'm going to go ahead and post these now!

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.
Aside: I plan to steal and use the phrase "Terminal Assholism" in future. Thank you Hendrix!

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

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

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?

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]

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.
Aside: I plan to steal and use the phrase "Terminal Assholism" in future. Thank you Hendrix!
I had the feeling their relationship was going to be a main driver in the plot and that there were many family secrets and they both understood some things right and some things very wrong. Mark though does come across as a huge dink.

2.) The book is organized into sections following the 5 stages of grief. Does this impact your expectations of the book at all?
I assumed it would mirror the interactions between Louise and Mark as they deal with their familial issues and uncovered the family secrets.

3.) Okay. Life size dolls named after her children. Weird, creepy? Would you be excited to have them as part of your inheritance?
Just creepy. More that they were set up to watch TV, etc like actual family members. I would not be excited to bring them to my own home one day. I'd be a lot happier with some other handmade item of my mother's.

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?
Not really and certainly not to that degree. However, my husband is a funeral director. 100% fights like this and much, much worse happen all the time. It's insane.

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?
I'm not sure why I was surprised but I was. It does make sense because things like puppet shows can be an effective way to communicate complex concepts to children. I've never heard of them before this book and the only puppet show I was remotely familiar with was a part of the local library.

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.
Aside: I plan to steal and use the phrase "Terminal Assholism" in future. Thank you Hendrix!
I also thought the relationship was going to drive the story and got annoyed at them pretty quickly. Mark is going across as a jerk but Louise is not much better. The whole thing is a mess.

2.) The book is organized into sections following the 5 stages of grief. Does this impact your expectations of the book at all?
I kind of ignored that part as I read. I have finished since the library wanted the book back and I think the stages were a little forced.

3.) Okay. Life size dolls named after her children. Weird, creepy? Would you be excited to have them as part of your inheritance?
Creepy. I don’t have anyone in my family who collects dolls and mind the children’s toys, I find them creepy.

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’ve seen them happen to others but not dealt with personally.

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?
I did not google it and since they are real, I’m pretty sure they would not be happy to be in this book. I know there are groups that do Christian puppet shows, but I think I have missed them in life. My church growing up was more of the youths do a skit than puppet show type.

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!

I saw some familiar things in that family (I love mine very much, but the perennial "hand out for cash" mentality is not absent in some members! Drives me around the bend)

Won't speculate as finished the book.

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


I hadn't even realised that, so no, lol.

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

I'm not a doll person. they don't bother me, but I don't have any special fondness of them either. Unlike my mum, who has a doll collection! (not as creepy as this one though, and no puppets at all! 😂)

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?

Not like theirs, although I was very tempted to punch my sister-in-law on the way to my grandfather's funeral, as she thought it was a great time to start laying into my brother that it was his fault she didn't get a job she'd applied for (apparently it was his responsibility to make sure she had her driver's licence on her?!?)
She was lucky that we were packed into the hearse like sardines!

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 hadn't, but I'm not surprised. I've found that when it comes to religion, if you can imagine it, it exists somewhere, so why not puppet congregations? lol.

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.
Aside: I plan to steal and use the phrase "Terminal Assholism" in future. Thank you Hendrix!
At this point words to describe this family…crazy-not all bad crazy, dysfunctional, kinda weird

2.) The book is organized into sections following the 5 stages of grief. Does this impact your expectations of the book at all?
Im thinking this is saying the family will grow and get through their grief…not completely sure though.

3.) Okay. Life size dolls named after her children. Weird, creepy? Would you be excited to have them as part of your inheritance?
It would depend on how much I loved the dolls growing up. If they were apart of what influenced me…I would want them.

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?
In front of family yes…when my grandparents died…it was pretty ugly. When my mom died, I wouldn’t allow it…we drew cards.

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 didn’t but I’m not surprised. When my children were young we participated as a family in a puppet ministry. The children did parades, visited the elderly and performed at other churches. They had a lot of fun. I think our church has about $5k invested in puppets and props.

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.
Aside: I plan to steal and use the phrase "Terminal Assholism" in future. Thank you Hendrix!
I am not keeping the older relatives very straight, but their comments make me laugh. I do suspect Mark and Louise's relationship will be a big part of the story - his having the junk removers come like they did (so soon!) surprised me.

2.) The book is organized into sections following the 5 stages of grief. Does this impact your expectations of the book at all? No, because I totally didn't notice that! So I'm glad you asked the question.

3.) Okay. Life size dolls named after her children. Weird, creepy? Would you be excited to have them as part of your inheritance? Even reading about them creeps me out. I wouldn't keep them.

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 have not, but certainly some post-death drama/hard feelings.

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 was very surprised to find out it was a real organization. The funeral actually gave me a smile - at my grandmother's funeral there were some puppets and I thought it was sweet and so appropriate for her.

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.
Aside: I plan to steal and use the phrase "Terminal Assholism" in future. Thank you Hendrix!
Well, considering I wanted to slap Mark about a dozen times in the first few chapters...
I'm not sure what I think of Louise yet.

2.) The book is organized into sections following the 5 stages of grief. Does this impact your expectations of the book at all?
Not really. I wasn't expecting anything other than the fact that I was warned that there are puppets in it. Puppets are evil. Just saying.

3.) Okay. Life size dolls named after her children. Weird, creepy? Would you be excited to have them as part of your inheritance?
Oh good god no. If my parents had that in their house I would never ever go to their house. Ever.
The fact that Louise's mom kept her old stuffed animals clean made me smile though.

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 have been lucky enough to not experience that crap. In advance of the death of my parents, my sisters and I have agreed to not get into fights over anything.
I have heard nightmare scenarios from friends though. People get very strange about this stuff.

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]
Um, no. I will not be googling that. In an effort to be polite, I will not answer that question, except to say, that I did read the holy book of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, and it was hilarious. All hail his noodly appendages!

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.
Aside: I plan to steal and use the phrase "Terminal Assholism" in future. Thank you Hendrix!

The family seems a bit extra. I thought it was interesting how the confrontational dynamic when Louise &Mark were alone was completely undermined when they were with the matriarchs.nand also how the matriarchs caved from totally having Louise's back before Mark arrived and being more balanced when he was there.

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

Well the anger stage suggests it's going to get real quick, but the stages seem weird for pacing of a book. Interested to see how it works out!

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

Life size dolls, immortalising me when I was peak self absorbed, as a kid? Noooooooo way!

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?

Nope! My family aren't much for estrangement, so squabbles happen when they happen!

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?

I didn't, and haven't. Not sure it's an organisation that's made it's way to the UK. I can see the benefits, but UK puppets tend toward violence (Punch & Judy, Emu)

Jenny wrote: "Um, no. I will not be googling that. In an effort to be polite, I will not answer that question, except to say, that I did read the holy book of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, and it was hilarious. All hail his noodly appendages!"

If I did not worship the Great A'Tuin, I would totally be a pastafarian! 😁