Bernadette’s Comments (group member since May 28, 2020)

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

Laura wrote: "Bernadette wrote: "Are you waiting for a response from me? If yes, it's OK with me if you move it."

I just didn't want you to be upset if you picked it up just for that task. :)"

I had already borrowed it to listen to, I just moved it ahead of another book, so it was coming up soon; thanks for checking though😊

Laura wrote: "Laura wrote: "If we want to move Bernadette's The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt to letters of OLIVE in task for Greece, I'm reading Dire Bound for book club tomorrow night and it's 682 pages. I wasn't..."

Are you waiting for a response from me? If yes, it's OK with me if you move it.

Tender is the Flesh is on my TBR. I can read that.

I just started an 816 page book. The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt.

I completed 2 of the Travelling Tasks

Jacqueline wrote: "Laura wrote: "Bernadette wrote: "I haven't started my Morocco book, yet. I will be after I finish The Reformatory so feel free to move it around."

I just moved it to the second iti..."

@Jacqueline, it's my first book by this author but it will not be last.

I haven't started my Morocco book, yet. I will be after I finish The Reformatory so feel free to move it around.

Ashley wrote: "Can someone remind me of the rules around BOM read date timing. Like, if my hold pops up for The Berry Pickers before the BR begins, and I read it, before the BR begins, then answer the questions a..."

I think you can - this is one I can never remember either - from the rules:

you must finish the book after the start of Tower Teams, and within one month of the BOM starting

It's a good book!

Discussion Questions Day 3

10. As we reach the halfway point I am seeing more and more similarities to the Amelia Peabody series. Is anyone else finding this. Does this affect your impression of the book?

I have no idea what the Amelia Peabody series is.

11. We have been introduced to a number of Characters is there anyone that particularly stands out?

Whit seems to have some secrets. I'm still curious about the uncle.

12. We have been introduced to Isadora and her Father. Why do you think he doesn’t let her out of his sight?

She said if he left her alone, she might get herself into trouble, so I don't think he trusts her. He is controlling.

13. Inez seems to be attuned to Cleopatra and sees some of her memories. If you could choose to see one memory of a historical figure whose memory would it be?

I've read a lot of historical fiction and am a fan of history. I think there are too many for me to narrow it down,

Discussion Questions Day 2
Part One, Chapter 6 - Part One, Chapter 12

6. In this part Inez spends some time with Mr. Hayes. What did you think of their afternoon in Cairo? Did you enjoy their banter?

It will be interesting to see their relationship develops.

7. After sensing familiar magic from an old trinket, Inez buys it and later has a vision of Cleopatra. What do you think this vision means? Do you believe Cleopatra’s burial site can only be found with Inez’s help?

I think Inez thinks she can find it. There seems to be a connection between them.

8. Every now and then, the point of view shifts briefly to Mr. Hayes. Do you enjoy these moments from his perspective, or would you prefer the story to stay entirely with Inez?

It's fine. I don't like Inez much so whatever....

9. Inez finds a letter from her mother, in which she suspects that Tío Ricardo is involved in illegal activities. Does this letter, along with the boat conversation Inez overhears, make you suspicious of Tío Ricardo? Or do you think he’s not responsible for Inez’s parents’ murder?

I've been suspicious of him from the beginning when h wanted her to go home as soon as she arrived!

Discussion Questions Day 1
Prologue - Part 1 Ch 5

1. The first line is “A letter changed my life.” Would you say this was a good start, cheesy start, or are you indifferent?

I thought it was good opening, and I thought the letter probably had bad news.

2. Why do you think Tio Roberto wanted to immediately send Inez back to Egypt without even seeing her? Do you think he’s hiding something? Or do you think it’s just typical of men at that time to dismiss young women and enforce them being chaperoned and taken care of?

My first reaction was that he was hiding something, but I think Inez's parents were hiding something. However, I don't think he wants woman around though.

3. The ring scene with Thomas Sterling was definitely outrageous; I felt Inez's outrage and all of her shock. Do you expect to see the ring later in the story? Any guesses to its significance?

If Inez has her way we will see it again. I think it has something to do with whatever her parents were hiding from her.

4. What do you think of the writing style and the pacing so far? Are you enjoying the lyrical, rich descriptions or do you prefer a more fast paced story?

I don't like the narrator; I find her to be too sappy & saccharine. The pace is OK. The narrative seems repetitive at times.

5. In Ch. 5 we see politics at play, and we can tell this is just the beginning. How do you think this will affect your enjoyment of the book? Will it enhance the story for you or will you feel bogged down by the details?

I don't much about the history of the geographic area so it hopefully proves interesting.

Laura wrote: "I almost forgot to post. Bernadette, we moved your I back to the O in Korea because we realized the banked book, The Guest has a MC I name."

👍🏻

Books used for the cheese spell-outs can be used for one of the other Tower Teams mini challenges. Yes, you read that correctly. Books can be used for the cheese spell-out in addition to another mini challenge task.

I will be finishing Siege and Storm today - CLN: Oretsev

Jacqueline wrote: "@ Laura, thanks for the word count! I did fid Timothy of the Cay.It look like it had not been checked out for 50 years... lol!"

That's crazy!

Silje wrote: "Bernadette wrote: "@Captains, before I commit to my German author book, can you confirm this will work?

All Quiet on the Western Front - Erich Maria Remarque was born in Osnabrück, K..."

I think we are safe since the city is in Germany today. It will be my next book, I will probably start it tomorrow.

Laura wrote: "@Tara - you put the 17th on the spreadsheet as a read date for Don't Sleep With the Dead, but your shelf shows a read date of the 19th. Should we change the date on the spreadsheet, or is the date ..."

Date added for House Rules.

@Captains, before I commit to my German author book, can you confirm this will work?

All Quiet on the Western Front - Erich Maria Remarque was born in Osnabrück, Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire

I finished my first book yesterday😊. I can take the German author book.

It was a great trip, but I am glad to be home. Now I need to catch on GR!