Lisa’s Comments (group member since Aug 16, 2014)

Lisa’s comments from the Once Upon a Time... group.

I don't know how anyone can like Buttercup at the beginning. She is a complete jerk at first, but remember that she is a young teenager, so not entirely unexpected. She definitely matures as the book goes on and becomes more likable.
The "angelic face" of the Sicilian was a surprise to me too. At first I thought I had misread it and that it said the angelic face of the Spaniard. Probably due to the movie, but definitely never would have thought of him as being angelic appearing in any way.

The wife and son both feature heavily in the first chapter as well. The fact that Goldman totally makes fictional material seem so real is cool and unexpected.

Thank you! I will get it after actually doing it a few times, just had no idea how. I am a moderator of a large Facebook group, but naturally there are different ways of doing things here, so just let me know what you want done and possibly any specific ways things need done.

That is exactly what I have discovered. I just finished reading the first parts of my Hoopla copy, which I am pretty sure is the same 2007 copy Kyle refers to. The first two sections are the 30th anniversary intro and 25th anniversary intro.
I must say that he is an incredible author because even though I knew it was fictional, I totally looked certain things up after reading the introductions just to make sure. Lol

Exactly, Gem!
We all have varying tastes, even in fairy tales, but certainly in different genres and authors. Of those you mentioned, I love Hitchhiker's and Mark Twain, but hated The Great Gatsby and Steinbeck is horrid.
So many that others rave about are just irritating or boring to me. Gone With the Wind, anything by Hemingway, and more modern the entire Twilight series are ones I intensely dislike.

I hope you have a wonderful vacation, Gem!

So I did just reserve the book from the library. The library copy is the 1998 printing and says "the good parts" version, abridged. It is 399 pages.
The Hoopla copy I have is the 2007 edition. It is 512 pages. So now I am wondering if I will have a bunch of boring extra stuff in the Hoopla version. LOL

Well, now I am tempted to get the copy from the library and compare the two. The one I got on Hoopla will be started today on my iPad, since I don't read on my phone (audiobooks, yes, but no reading). But I am totally curious now.

I adore The Hobbit and will gladly read it again as it has been a few years since I have read it. I have a companion book to The Hobbit that I have never read yet, so will add that to my reading if we choose that for March. Aren't you leading the discussion in February, though, Gem? Would you prefer someone else lead in March? I'm not really that tech savvy (for example, I don't know how to hide spoilers) but am willing to keep up with checking on the group. I do that once or twice a day anyway.

Don't be sorry, Cheryl! That is part of the process and reason for book clubs - to compare opinions and likes and dislikes. I totally agree with you. Most of the time I found Dirk either boring or irritating. The story itself was confusing in a lot of details, while others had me pondering if the author was referring to what I thought. Definitely not a really enjoyable read, but at the same time I liked it for its weirdness.

So cool that it's the anniversary year! I admit that I have watched the movie multiple times, but never read the book (huge rarity for me!), so I am looking forward to reading it. I have no idea what version I have really. I could only get an abridged version from the library, so downloaded a copy from Hoopla. I chose the longest version. LOL

Yes, Gem! I just read that (about the man and woman in the woods) and was kind of shocked. What a twist.
I had wondered about the title from the beginning and exactly what it referred to. Could it be all his emotions were hidden from sight, or exactly what. Interesting that it is a place too.

The Grimm Brothers are definitely mentioned in chapter 59.
The mythology aspect is interesting as well.

Hoping you all had a nice Christmas and hopefully will have a nice New Year. Our Christmas was quiet, just myself, my hubby, daughter (Shanna) and grandson. My parents were supposed to come, but my mother ended up in the hospital and even though she went home on the evening of Christmas eve, she was (and is) in no shape to do any traveling and isn't really up for visitors or much. She has three broken vertebrae from a fall and is in a lot of pain.
This has been quite stressful for our family as none of us live closer than an hour away.
Oh well, as they say, this too shall pass.

Hope you enjoy them, Chery! I am one of those weird people that don't like my Oreos being messed with though. I have no idea why they ever started making different flavors, other than the double stuff. Why mess with a good thing? LOL. Hope you had a nice trip too.

I don't consider that cheating at all! In fact, some books are much more enjoyable on audiobook. The key seems to be having a good narrator. I always have an audiobook going that I listen to while doing my puzzles, so I get it. Like you, I always have multiple books going at one time, but rarely have a limited time frame. I understand that yours have to do with your multiple book clubs, so it makes sense. As long as you enjoy the books, I think that is all that matters.

So far Hiddensee is very different than The Nutcracker. I am just now, on chapter 57, beginning to see why Dirk will be referred to as the nutcracker.

Gem, you are speeding right through! I think I am only on page 152, chapter 57. I am reading it somewhat slowly, but think that is OK since I am actually thinking about a lot of the things while reading. This isn't one I can just read quickly and enjoy.
I noticed the reference to the story teller as well, and am positive it is a reference to the Grimm brothers, since the one that visited the hut to get stories from the old woman said he was excited to go back to town to share the story with his brother.
As for the shrieking, I laughed too. I am the same way. In fact, all the children in my life have been taught at a young age that screaming is simply not allowed as it hurts my ears so much. No kid playing in my yard is allowed to scream either. They get one warning and if it continues they must leave. I know I'm mean, but it really is painful to me.

Sorry! I was just kind of making comments on Hiddensee in The Nutcracker discussion.

So cool that two of your groups could read the same thing this month, Gem! Thanks for the link. I agree that in this day and age it is definitely not for young children, at least not without guidance, or depending on the child.
It is my intention to finish Hiddensee this week, and will gladly continue the discussion even into January. Please don't feel obligated to read it. December is such a busy month and honestly, The Nutcracker turned out to be a deeper discussion than expected, but has been very enjoyable!