Lexi’s Comments (group member since Jul 27, 2016)

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

We could do an Easter fete. That would allow a variety of picnic foods and drinks. Decorations could be flowers, table clothes, or other outdoor items. It isn’t specifically religious as generally social outdoor activities.

Steven wrote: "Thanks for posting that list, Judith. I should have scanned through everything again."

I think whatever makes you happy is fine. Judith said next week's word will be out today so you can check letters against it but we are likely to keep needing I's.

I am sorry but I don't quite follow your question.

Masquerade is the current BOM and you can answer questions for points. Lisa and I have both already finished it, but we have been hiding finished books on the spreadsheet, which is why you don't see all the finished books.

I defer to Judith but I think the ladder has to be former BOMs so current ones cannot be used.

Masquerade has an I charecter - Igbin. I can switch the existing letters out for I for that one as Ks and Ss are much easier.

Day 3 DQs: Chapters 11-16

9. Let's talk about the twins, because I think they are stealing the show! The Twins, Taiwo and Kehinde, share names rooted in Yoruba tradition, where Taiwo is the "taster of the world" and Kehinde is the true elder soul. How might this cultural symbolism influence how we interpret their role in the palace and their relationship with Òdòdó?

I didn’t really think about them I knew that about twins in Yoruba culture and in many cultures. I find them a bit flat so far but they might get mro depth later.

10. In this section, Kòlò steps in and covers for Odòdó in a critical moment. What does this gesture reveal about her character and the relationship with Odòdó? Is it protective, controlling, self-serving, or some mix? Does this add to or change you option of Kòlò?

Saw that coming. I can’t believe Odòdó is that trusting considering she didn’t grow up spoiled or sheltered. I really feel like she should know better by now.

11. The "General Roundtable" plays a big role in power dynamics in these chapters. What does it reveal about how authority is negotiated in this world: who speaks, who is silenced, who wields influence behind the scenes? What does Òdòdó’s building "influence" tell us, despite her being not only a woman, but also labeled a "witch"?

She is still kind of an idiot. I understand that she wants to be reconized for herself but at that time, women mostly gained power behind the scenes but in modern books, that seems to have gone out of style but feels more accurate for the time to me.

12. There is a riot in the capital during these chapters. How does Sangoyomi portray public anger versus elite maneuvering? What does the riot tell us about the fragility of the system in Ṣàngótè?
The riot seems like it was just being used by Kolo. It will be more interesting if there is actually a slave point of view and understanding of the failure of the system.


13. For FUN: If the palace characters were in The Hunger Games, who would you cast in which district or role? Bonus: what kind of clever (or chaotic) strategies do you think Taiwo and Kehinde would use to survive the arena?

Never paid it that much attention.

Judith, what is your thoughts on series substitutions for the list you put under Karenin (Anna Karenina)? I read Hobbit and Lord of the Rings is on the list.

Day 2: Chapter 6 - 10

5. It’s always interesting to watch a naive MC try to find authentic connections in a sea of people more practiced at hiding motives and personal feelings. Of those Òdòdó has met so far, who do you think will become allies? Or turn out to be enemies? Why?
I think they are all using each other and no one so far seems to be a friend. I think the blacksmith will be but that is it.

6. Having been so steeped in western traditions where blacksmiths are always big, burly men, I’m loving the whole concept of a female sisterhood of blacksmiths, thought to be witches because of their connection to the Earth. Understanding that they were forced to join due to transgressing the female norms of the time, what is your impression of the blacksmiths? What do you suppose is going on with all the disappearing blacksmiths? Do you think Òdòdó’s mother is with the other blacksmiths or looking for Òdòdó?
It is not historical accurate but is an interesting concept for this book. This books’ attempt to be historical and tell a good story at the same time makes it a bit of a mess for me as I think it should have picked one or the other. I think her mum doesn’t seem to be attempting to communicate with her but we do seem to have a strike going on. For such a war like culture, it seems odd that all smiths are older women as like most trades, it would be something learned early and have a family line.

7. “After all what is love but a choice?” This quote from chapter 4 keeps popping into my head, so I’m curious what you all think: Is this true for general love only? Can it really be true for romantic love? Putting aside the retelling aspect for now, what do you think about the growing relationship between Òdòdó and Aremo? Do you think Aremo had an ulterior motive seeking out a blacksmith girl when they first met? (Yes, yes - I’ve gotten a touch cynical and suspicious in my old age.)
I think everyone is up to something but so far, he seems more directly violent than scheming. I am not committed to the relationship but I hope to enjoy the book more if I can get over my annoyance at the set up.

8. I’m finding Kolo to be more and more interesting as the story progresses. In the vein of “History is written by the victors,” what is your take on Kolo’s reaction to Gassire’s version of how Sangot came to be? What do you think about her tribal scars that opened when she saved Òdòdó? Are you hoping (like I am) that she secretly trained with the Ahosi warriors?
I think she is a traitor and using Òdòdó’s “gifts” to fund her family and possibly other treasonous activities.

Day 1 DQs: Chap 1 to 5

1. What do you think of the choice of location for the book? Did the location effect your decision to read the book?

I nominated this book as I was interested in the location but at this point, it has mostly annoyed me. It still makes no sense to me to put Yorubaland in Mali. The history is just wrong, and it just seems a bit odd to me to have an empire that never got to Mali displace the one that was actually there at the time. Yoruba are not one of the major ethic groups in Mali Feels almost like an erasure of Mali’s actual culture and people. I think I am one of a few who know enough to care but it still bothers me.

2. There is a lot of information dropped in this first section. Are you finding it awkward to read or well-integrated? Are there questions you still have on the setting?

I find it a bit info-dumpy, but it is evening out as the book goes on. However, the book would be 20% shorter if everyone’s outfits were not described in every scene.

3. We meet the blacksmiths at the start of the book including Òdòdó’s mother. How do you think her relationship with her mother characterizes her as a character and her request for her mother to join her? If you have not read ahead, do you think asking for her mum to be kidnapped was a good idea?

I think she has strong family ties, but they do not seem to be entirely reciprocated so far since he mother hasn’t seemed to try to get in touch. I think the plot line is a way to drag out them getting married and that may be to make it more YA and not have the more dark aspects/non-consensual of forced marriages being involved.

4. We have met two new important characters Aremo and his first wife. Do you think he is as vapid as he appears? Do you like stories with a forced/political marriage theme?

He still comes across as violent but still not very strategic but potentially that doesn’t matter if all that matters is military success. I think Kolo is using Ododo but that is more in the next section. Finally, forced political marriages aren’t really that interesting to me but were very common. However, this one seems to be trying to be too many thing at once.

Steven wrote: "Lexi wrote: "I have updated the ladder plan in the planning spreadsheet. Since Steven is reading a book that starts with S, we can use any former BOM ending with S as the first book in the ladder i..."

T to S is even better. I just added it for one side of the square. That frees up another book for me to read something that isn't a former BOM. Thank you

I have updated the ladder plan in the planning spreadsheet. Since Steven is reading a book that starts with S, we can use any former BOM ending with S as the first book in the ladder if there are any books people want to read.

Lisa, I am jealous that you have a map in your copy of Masquerade. Mine is entirely map free and it would have been very helpful.

I also have defenestrated if needed in a book I have out from the library. I remembered that the author used it in her earlier book and authors tend to like words like that and reuse them I have found.

The Enchanted Greenhouse

Day 1 DQs: Chap 1 to 5

Just a note for anyone who wants some context: Timbuktu is in Mali and then, we travel south with the main character to the fictional capital, Ṣàngótẹ̀. The historic Yorubaland and Oyo empire is further south, containing western Nigeria, and I believe parts of modern-day Benin, and the Gold Coast is current day Ghana. Taghaza, which is mentioned is in present-day Algeria. Distance are more than a little compressed as these places would take a lot more traveling time if you wanted to walk or camel caravan there.

1. What do you think of the choice of location for the book? Did the location effect your decision to read the book?
2. There is a lot of information dropped in this first section. Are you finding it awkward to read or well-integrated? Are there questions you still have on the setting?
3. We meet the blacksmiths at the start of the book including Òdòdó’s mother. How do you think her relationship with her mother characterizes her as a character and her request for her mother to join her? If you have not read ahead, do you think asking for her mum to be kidnapped was a good idea?
4. We have met two new important characters Aremo and his first wife. Do you think he is as vapid as he appears? Do you like stories with a forced/political marriage theme?

I found hedgehog in the long book I am planning for this weekend so that was a good find.

Are we counting the USSR and Norway as non-Western then? Mostly asking for Russia/USSR, as I would switch mine to Roadside Picnic.

Have not had an Overly Specific Literary Monster in a while so here we go:

Shelob (LOTR)
350-400
Giant creature in book
Book from list: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3... (series sub ok)
Page number is a multiple of 8
All author initials in SHELOB

I can't read all of them but picked something I would read if no one else would, so please you or anyone feel free to claim one or switch out for one that works.

Denise wrote: "So in the ladder that Lexi posted, I could read Killers of a Certain Age for #1 (instead of the Gentleman's Guide... although that one looks like I might like it, too)."

Yes, you could. I picked the book since it was longer and I would be willing to read it if no one else took me up on it.

I am reading a #4 to a #6 in a series so that can work for the ladder as well.

We have started. Happy Reading, everyone.

Just a reminder than books have to be started from now on and any started before now cannot be used.