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

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

Welcome, Laura

Also, shiny and gold

The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner

Powerful witchcraft. A hunt for sunken treasure. Forbidden love on the high seas. Beware the Amalfi Curse…

Haven Ambrose, a trailblazing nautical archaeologist, has come to the sun-soaked village of Positano to investigate the mysterious shipwrecks along the Amalfi Coast. But Haven is hoping to find more than old artifacts beneath the azure waters; she is secretly on a quest to locate a trove of priceless gemstones her late father spotted on his final dive. Upon Haven’s arrival, strange maelstroms and misfortunes start plaguing the town. Is it nature or something more sinister at work?

As Haven searches for her father’s sunken treasure, she begins to unearth a centuries-old tale of ancient sorcery and one woman’s quest to save her lover and her village by using the legendary art of stregheria, a magical ability to harness the ocean. Could this magic be behind Positano’s latest calamities? Haven must unravel the Amalfi Curse before the region is destroyed forever…

Against the dazzling backdrop of the Amalfi Coast, this bewitching novel shimmers with mystery, romance and the untamed magic of the sea.

Still haven't read it so still nominating it:


Heartwood by Amity Gaige

Heartwood takes you on a journey as a search and rescue team race against time when an experienced hiker mysteriously disappears on the Appalachian Trail in Maine.

In the heart of the Maine woods, an experienced Appalachian Trail hiker goes missing. She is forty-two-year-old Valerie Gillis, who has vanished 200 miles from her final destination. Alone in the wilderness, Valerie pours her thoughts into fractured, poetic letters to her mother as she battles the elements and struggles to keep hoping.

At the heart of the investigation is Beverly, the determined Maine State Game Warden tasked with finding Valerie, who leads the search on the ground. Meanwhile, Lena, a seventy-six-year-old birdwatcher in a Connecticut retirement community, becomes an unexpected armchair detective. Roving between these compelling narratives, a puzzle emerges, intensifying the frantic search, as Valerie’s disappearance may not be accidental.

I'm good as well

I have The Road of Bones I want to read but don't have room this month for another book unless someone has an Antarctica book they want to read. I was planning on re-reading Our Lady of the Ice but I already have a bunch of re-reads this month.

Thank you, Steven

Melanie wrote: "I never remember the rule about nicknames for characters, but for this book the main character is named Matilda but she pretty much only goes by Tilda. Can I use this one for a T? It's the only let..."

You could also use it for series name: The

I travel a lot for work so fully understand getting everything set up ahead of time.

Please go ahead. Just don't indicate the round or add it to a letter until you know when you will read it. Feel free to claim a mini spot in any mini except for mini 3, which is round 2 only. I have one on there that won't work for DIJBOUTI so I am saving it for a later round.

Please claim a letter if you are using it in round 2 so you know it will work somewhere.

I'm in for DQ's - Team Garden

I'm in for DQ's - Team Garden

Lauri wrote: "Ok. I tried a new book on the spreadsheet. I think I got it right - - except for the 1st letter part. Please check it out…. Sorry to be a pain!"

Hi Lauri, I fixed your book. The numbers on the column far the left on the mini and round sheet are the reference numbers for your book. I added them for both your letter for the round and mini challenge. Let me know if you have any questions.

I removed the duplication and the row for round one for your other book. Please check that there is a letter for it in round 2 as there are no As.

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.