ClaireB’s Comments (group member since Jul 06, 2014)

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

Melindam wrote: "@Claire B,

I found "harp" in the text of The Wren in the Holly Library, (though Google books won't give me the page number), so I have changed it for the Musical Mini, if you don't mind. 😊

@Chris..."

Hey Mel,
Thanks ! That's perfect.

I now finished my last book for the round 😊

I am headed out to the airport right now, for a long weekend in Florence, so I might be a bit unresponsive until Tuesday.

I just started The Uninhabitable Earth by David Wallace-Wells. Could someone kindly add it on the sheet for U. And if it’s not taken yet, it fits the genre nature. Thanks !

I looked it up, doesn’t seem so.
It exists in French, but it’s not very common.

Understood. I will see if I can find a couple of U books

Alysa wrote: "And I just finished my Time Travel book — I think this means we’re done with the Genres Mini!"

Awesome ! 🤩

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 don't like those twins to be honest. They annoy me. And I certainly don't like that Arem bought them as a gift for Ododo...
Maybe they can serve as a link to the outside for Ododo, but further than that I didn't really think about their role in the story.

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?
I mix certainly. I think she likes Ododo, but there's too much at stakes not to be entirely selfless.

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"?
I think her being a witch is non-negligeable. And the blacksmiths definitely have an agenda too. Ododo has the potential to help them.

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?
It's not surprising to me that the system is being shaken. I think the riot is only the start. This could very well end up in a civil war.

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?
I wouldn't know. I like Hunger Games, but I can't remember what all the districts are.

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?
At this point in the story I kind of mistrust everyone to be honest. It's just Ododo is so naive too, so I'm sure as a narrator she's missing clues too.

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?
I kind of love it too. So different from what I'm used to.
Because Ododo's mother is not to be found, I'm thinking maybe the blacksmiths are plotting to save Ododo?

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.)
As I said, I distrust everyone at this point. Including Aremo. He surely had something in mind when he chose Ododo.

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?
Yes, that's highly probably.

1. What do you think of the choice of location for the book? Did the location effect your decision to read the book?
I think it's interesting. I don't think I've ever read anything taking place in Timbuktu. I like the diversity in setting from time to time. My decision to read it now is purely because it's the BOM, but I had my eye on the book previously. I think I would have read it eventually.

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?
Hmm, I'm still a bit confused on some aspects. I don't think the information is necessarily badly integrated, but I'm reserving my judgement for when I get further into the story.

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?
She doesn't seem to have the easiest relationship with her mom. But at the same time I don't think I expected otherwise from this type of book. But I'm not shocked that she would want her mother with her either. But, no I don't think it's a good idea. At all.

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?
Vapid is not the word I would use. But I'm not quite sure what to make of him yet. I certainly don't like that he kidnapped her.
I like stories with forced/political marriage only when they are in a clear romance novel, in which I know they are going to fall in love anyways and be happy ever after. Outside of that, I find it quite disturbing.

I just started Masquerade for some BOM points.
But I couldn't find a prompt for which it could fit, so I put it for the first "story" prompt. I hope it can be used for it. It didn't seem to be a bad word to be used for a story.
I hope that's fine?

I just finished my last book for the round :)

Melindam wrote: "Are we OK with this cover showing part of a clock?



‼️ I claimed the task First published between 1800 and 1899, but realised that the book also works for "epi..."

Agreed !

Elisabeth wrote: "Claire has Mini 6 TT covered so I put mine in 0CE --1500 seeing it's set in 1426 Scotland. Although you'd never guess with some of the anchronisms and language oddities."

Sorry Elizabeth. For the Holiday mini I barely had the time to look for books that would fit before most of the prompts were taken. So this time I claimed a couple before it was too late.
But if you want the time travel tag prompt, no problem at all !
I can switch for another one. Really, as you prefer

Melindam wrote: "🎄 A Long-Expected Tongariro Xmas Party 🌋

What happens when the Fellowship of Tongariro tries to host a quiet Christmas party?
Spoiler: CRASH! BOOM! BANG!

It was a fine winter’s day, clear and bri..."

👏 great text ! well done !

Why are we getting all the U countries??? 😂😭

I went through my shelves quickly and I have some options, but I'll go for Princess of Souls :)

I can check if I have something to cover the Retelling genre

Alysa wrote: "Elisabeth wrote: "Alysa, I'm happy to postpone finishing mine for the genre reboot if yours fits the new word. We should know what that is soon. I have plenty of other books waiting to be read."

E..."

Happy birthday ! 🎂🥳

I will probably finish at least 3 more books before the end of the round. But probably not Alchemised. This book is huge and I haven't even started yet.
I'll mark it for round 3, hoping that we can use it for the Spell-it-out.

Melindam wrote: "

Team, what do you think?

Can this cover be considered teal?"

I would say so :)