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

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

I still have one book to finish 😬

Hello fellow team members - I'm Bernadette and I live in a suburb of Philadelphia, PA with my husband. I have one daughter who got married in December.

During the day I'm CPA/tax accountant at a national accounting firm. I have a flex schedule so this time of year I work 2-3 days a week. I do work some full-time weeks during tax season. Like most accountants, I love a good spreadsheet. I won't ask for a transfer to Team Tax Declarations!🤣💰💸

I am a big library user and am currently on the Board of Directors of my local library. I prefer a physical book to an e-book but about 5 years ago I started listening to audiobooks when my work commute changed, and I love them as well and that has increased my reading. Now I always have a physical book and audiobook going at the same time.

In the summer and Red October, the Phillies are my team/sport of choice. Go Phillies, beat the Mets!⚾ I’m also a big college basketball fan, but my school has been mediocre at best the last few years but seems to be improving.

I'll read almost anything I needed for the team, but my favorites are Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery and Thriller. I'm not a fan of SciFi but I do like Fantasy.

Looking forward to this challenge!

Here is my Wheel shelf https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Joining Turf Wars and September Feeding the kindle addiction is having a team challenge https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group... -- looks fun!

Otherwise I am not sure of ..."

Erin, I've seen Turf Wars mentioned. Which group is that one?

I have no more books to add☹️.

Erin, you have been doing an amazing job!

I have one more book I’ll finish before the end. I’ll add it to the SS tomorrow.

Erin - I have Murder in the Smithsonian set for the Spell-out but it also works for District "set in a national capital" if you want to move it. It's set in Washington DC.

Kate wrote: "I just want to make sure I am adding books correctly. I have tagged my reads since July 15 on my shelf, to I need to add them somewhere else?"

Kate, you need to enter them on the Team SS as well. Here is the link. If you can't access it, I believe you can request it.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

Lisa wrote: "Bernadette wrote: "The Book That Wouldn’t Burn feels like The Book That Wouldn't End. It's taking me forever to get through this one."

Bernadette - if you finish before me, feel fr..."

Finally finished...

The Book That Wouldn’t Burn feels like The Book That Wouldn't End. It's taking me forever to get through this one.

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Char wrote: "Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Just made myself finish the Familiar and about to answer last questions. Didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would."

Oh really?
Any particular rea..."

Erin, I agree with you. Some parts were interesting, some just so-so. Part of the reason could be because I was unfamiliar with the historical time frame. I found myself looking up foreign words and phrases and I do not enjoy doing that while reading a book.

Day 3 - Chapters 17-25

11. We learn a lot more about the library in this section, for example that new head librarians create new systems to secure their power and make themselves indispensable. I know we have a few librarians in this group… how do you feel about that? 😅 If you’re not a librarian –what would you do if the library you use just changed systems whenever it felt like it?

It would make the job much more difficult. I would prefer to improve upon an already existing system.

12. We also finally had our stories converging, albeit briefly. Livira and Evar were exploring new places in consecutive chapters, both of them marking their origin/path (Livira with books, Evar with a knife) and then their journeys culminate in them meeting in what Livira identifies as an “in-between place”. Were you expecting them to meet so soon? What was your impression of their brief time together – and why did the meeting end so abruptly?


I think Livira is his dream woman even though he doesn't think so. There must be some importance to the piece of paper she is carrying.

13. In her time in the library, Livira acquired a companion in the raven: is he an ally or guide? Or something sinister? Do you think it’s actually “just” a (magical) animal or maybe even a character we know already?

A guide who is ally.

14. I can’t help but constantly think of the Book of the Ancestor as I’m reading this – the young girl protagonist who’s an outsider, the school setting, navigating friendships and political machinations while also learning about whatever type of magic there is… Have you read anything else by Mark Lawrence?

I have not read anything else by Mark Lawrence. This has been a slow read for me.

DQs Day 2 Chapters 8 - 16

6. How are you enjoying the book so far? How's the pacing for you?

I'm still a bit confused. Is the library Livina just entered the library where Evar is? I'm sure we will learn more soon.

7. What are your favorite characters, situations, quotes so far?

Livina is a firecracker. Evar seems kind.

8. What are your fondest memories of a library?

As a kid we weren't allowed to upstairs floor of the library, that was the for the grown-up, it was exciting when I was able to. My childhood library was in a building that was built in 1872.

9. Library as prison... does that ring true for you?

NO - library can be freedom!

10. If you could have one natural ability relating to books (view spoiler), what would it be?

Speed reading with better retention of all I read.

DAY 1 CHAPTERS 1-7

1. Ahhh.. The Library! ..My happy place. And what a beautifully intriguing cover! How often do you visit your local library and have you visited any famous libraries around the world. Do share!

I'm at my local library at least once a week. I'm also on the Board of Directors of my local library. When I travel, I try to visit libraries. I have been to the New York Public Library. I live in Philadelphia and have been to their main library often, it's a beautiful building. My childhood library is nation’s oldest public library in continuous service since 1743. I served on the Board of Directors in the past as well.

2. The first chapters describe a barren wasteland with an equally hopeless type of existence for Livira and her people. But straight away we establish that there is something special about Livira as she rises above her surroundings and the life she seems destined for. But circumstances change... your first impressions of Livira and how she influences her new destiny.

First impression - she smart and resourceful.

3. The chapter headings.. how do they fit into the tale? Do you find them interesting as a guide or somewhat cryptic at this stage of the story?

I love the chapter headings! I'm sure they will tie into the story.

4. Enter Evar in Chapter 4 and the scene changes from the barren Dust to the mysterious and atmospheric library and its Mechanism. A lot of information to absorb about how it all works and the role of Evar and his "family". Does the author do a good job in getting across what the library is and does? Is it good, evil or omnipotent?

I'm confused about this library and how it works and how his "family" got their and why they are stuck there. I'm sure more will be revealed.

5. "Evar, don't turn the page. I'm in The Exchange. Find me at the Bottom" .
Who wrote this sentence and what is its purpose at this point in the novel? What impact do you think it will have in the story moving forward?

No idea. What he supposed to accomplish?

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "The Selections is a good, easy read so far.

NME is weird but readable.

How is everyone else doing with battle books?"

I enjoyed Hester, 4⭐. It is a vivid reimagining of the woman who inspired Hester Prynne, the tragic heroine of Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, and a journey into the enduring legacy of New England's witchcraft trials.

I'll be starting Raid Slayer tomorrow. Not sure how that will be🤷🏻‍♀️

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Lindsay♫SingerOfStories♫ wrote: "This has been a pretty good reading weekend for me. I'm happy to be back home and looking forward to the week ahead. Hoping to get at least one if not 2 more BOTM's..."

I'll often request the Large Print version of a popular book, there are usual less people waiting, and I get it quicker. And it's easier on the eyes!👁️👁️ 📔😉

They have not been kind to us☹️ - not that I really want to read this book, but it will fill an empty space in another challenge for me

Raid Slayer



I'll take one for the team, unless someone else has a book.

Day 3 DQ's Chapter 24 - 33

9. We keep hearing how people smell. Luzia of orange blossoms, Perez of plums and amber. Why do you think the author keeps mentioning this? Do the smells mean more than just an odor?

I think the smells are connected to the magic; some kind of sign?

10. We are over halfway through the book. What has been your favorite part/scene/person/line so far?

I have no favorites, the book is just so-so; not worthy of "favorites".

11. Valentina and Marius seem to be rekindling their marriage, finding love where there wasn't before. Why do you think the author is adding that part of the story when she could have left it out?

No idea, she thought it would interesting?

11. Now we are over halfway and know more of Luzia, the competition and this world. Why do you think the publisher and possibly the author chose this cover over any other possibilities? If you could remake the cover, what would you want it to look like?

I don't know why they chose this cover. Scorpion, dress and rosary seem to be tied to the book, who knows.

I can take the next book - I have Hester on my TBR.

DQs Day 2 Chapter 13 - 23

5. Luzia’s refranes combine elements from diverse cultural traditions, creating a powerful form of magic tied to her Jewish heritage. Does the portrayal of Luzia’s magic suggest that blending different cultural traditions enhances personal power and resistance, or does it emphasize the delicate balance and possible loss of identity in such a blend?

Both cultures have been merged and I don't feel she understands any very well.

6. Characters like Valentina and Hualit demonstrate varying levels of ambition and moral compromise on their paths to security and success. Is pursuit of personal safety and financial security a justifiable reason for ethical compromises, or should ambition be tempered with moral integrity?

I think we all compromise our morals in one way or another for our ambitions. Lying to others and even to yourself. Look at the world today! I would like to say that compromising one's ethics and personal morals should never happen, but it does.

7. Have you done other reading set in late-16th-century Spain? If not, are you having any problems following the political intrigues and social mores? What’s your favorite time period to read for historical fiction?

I don't think I have read anything set in 16th-centry Spain. I find myself looking up words and phrases and I do not enjoy doing that while reading a book.

8. What do you make of Santángel? At one point we get the line, “And Santángel would be free.” Free from what, do you think?

Free from some kind of bondage.

Shannon wrote: "Hey guys! Hoping to get some more reading done this week to catch up as I am down the shore"

Fun! Which one?