Lauri’s Comments (group member since Jan 23, 2016)

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

Teddie, drinker of the bitter invention of Satan wrote: "

We're getting there!

A WOOD in title
B brown colour cover (50%+) - READ
C #7 in series - Burnt Offerings (Cat)
D brown text on cover - The Thief Taker (Sophie)
E item related to district on the ..."

I’m not sure when I’ll finish Book — it’s quite a chunkster! I will finish before the challenge end. I’m about halfway done now…

Teddie, drinker of the bitter invention of Satan wrote: "

YAY! We turned in our first Arena Hazard (spellout) and got our new spellout:
Poisonous Fog

Let's check our banked books that aren't covering trickier upcoming district tasks and see what we ha..."
Hahaha! You know, I don’t roll out till after noon on Saturdays & Sundays! Then I don’t check GR till after 6p — daylight time is just for reading! Nighttime is catchup online time.

I did finish Paris is Always a Good Idea yesterday. Good for a P in spellout. I’m almost done with Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice. Just started working in The Grave's a Fine and Private Place. You all are so FAST! If someone else wants to grab anything, please go ahead….

Teddie, drinker of the bitter invention of Satan wrote: "Lauri wrote: "I finished The Familiar last night & just marked it off on the spreadsheet. Please find my comments in msgs. 157, 175, 178, 193 & 203. If someone can get us credit fo..."

Thank you!

I finished The Familiar last night & just marked it off on the spreadsheet. Please find my comments in msgs. 157, 175, 178, 193 & 203. If someone can get us credit for DQs, pretty please??

Thank you!

Cecily wrote: "Lauri wrote: "I also have a #9 in series - I can't view the spreadsheet right now. If that one's not taken I can do it with The Grave's a Fine and Private Place (Flavia DeLuce #9).
..."
Thank you Cecily!

Melindam wrote: "Lauri, I added the code for the yellow cover (Column N, Mini ref), so it now shows up as claimed on the mini tab as well. ;)"

Thank you so much!

I also have a #9 in series - I can't view the spreadsheet right now. If that one's not taken I can do it with The Grave's a Fine and Private Place (Flavia DeLuce #9).

Could someone please put me down for it, if it's still open? Thank you!!

DQs Day 5

16.) Were there any surprises about the supporting characters? Did they get the endings you expected? That the characters deserved?
I would’ve liked to have a much more defined ending for some people - - especially de Paredes. I would’ve liked to have Hualit be alive & provide some sense of family for Luzia, though.

17.) Did the ultimate point and outcome of the tournament leave you satisfied? Or did the whole thing seem like a bizarre waste of everyone's time, money, and life (literally in some cases)?
I did NOT like the Torneo at ALL! It was all so vague and phony! A huge waste of money & resources. It was set up to catch heretics!

18.) Luiza and Santangel's ending. Was it what you were hoping for? Satisfying? Remind you of how a different series ended the storyline for lead MCs (view spoiler). Would the ending of worked if the magical system had been more defined?
The ending was a good one, but not truly happy if one lover DIES every single day! Glad the pirate made it! It was deliberately vague.

19.) What did you end up rating the book? Would you recommend it to others?
I rated it four stars. I did enjoy it, but I need a bit more closure to make me happy…

I’m trying to claim the yellow cover task, but I keep getting an error msg! Can someone help me, please? I think I added a comment.
I have Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice

DQs Day 4
6 July Chapter 34 -44

12. Have you read any of Bardugo’s books before? I’m finding this quite different for her dipping into HF. Your thoughts if you have read the others? If not, are you interested in picking up some more of her books?
This is the first of her books that I’ve tried. I think I would like to read more from her.

13. Many of the characters are changing from what they were first presented as. If there anyone you are finding you like more than you did originally?
I like Luzia a lot, she became much more interesting. I also like Santangel.

14. Do you believe there will be a HEA here? Or is Luzia doomed?
I always hope for a HEA, but in this case not dying a horrible flaming death would be optimal.

15. Bardugo’s family were expelled from Spain during the inquisition and she said in a People interview “This was something I was passionate about learning about, because it's my own family's history”. Do you think this adds to the story that she has a personal connection ? Is there anything in your family history you wish you could research more?
I love the fact that she researched that time & place because of her family history!
I wish I could find out anything about my family. I know some came to Hawaii from the Azores to work the sugar plantations, but that’s about it….

DQs Day 2 Chapters 8 - 16

6. How are you enjoying the book so far? How's the pacing for you?
I love the world building, even though it’s a bit strange. I much prefer the scenes with Livira than Evar and company. She’s plucky and fierce & he’s a wimp…

7. What are your favorite characters, situations, quotes so far?
Livira, by far! I also like Yule & Carlotte. Can’t believe Livira jumped into a Dust Bear voluntarily. Epic!

8. What are your fondest memories of a library?
Going to my neighborhood library & getting my very first library card as a child. We also used to hang out at a library near my elementary school. My friend’s mom was the head librarian & we pretty much had free run of the place!

9. Library as prison... does that ring true for you?
I think I could be happy in a library as long as there was a place to sleep, food to eat & lots of books!

10. If you could have one natural ability relating to books (view spoiler), what would it be?
To retain ALL of what I read 100% of the time. Jumping into a book would be funn, too, as long as there’re no reptiles or other scary monsters inside…

My entire household is anti-sport except for martial arts & surfing, so the Olympics never hold any charm for us…

I’m number 45 on my library waitlist to get Funny Story :(

Hope I can get it in time…

Still plugging away at the 2 BOMs… Am totally enjoying both actually! I’m still all over the place, but should finish The Familiar and a couple more books this week. Too much fun…

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?
Definitely more than just odor! Smell is one of the most powerful senses! I think it’s representational. For instance, Luzia smells like orange blossoms. That’s a traditional wedding flower representing purity, fertility, youth and freshness. Perez is more like something decadent and possibly rotting!

10. We are over halfway through the book. What has been your favorite part/scene/person/line so far?
I did like the pomegranate scene because Luzia finally gets something just for herself - - something sweet. I also liked when she was talking with her competitors.

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?
I think she added it for background. The couple gets away from everyday life and start to truly enjoy one another. As Santangel and Luzia become closer, everyone seems to be finding love, one way or another! Bet a lot of babies will result…

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?
The cover shows the richness of the rich, the oppression of the Inquisition and the threat of it all. Don’t know if I’d choose something different. It did intrigue me.

DQs Day 2 Chapters 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?
Whoa, deep! I think it creates much-needed personal power for her. In a time where women were little more than chattel, it gave her the power she needs to survive. There is a loss of identity involved with being a converso in deep hiding for generations, there is bound to be cultural loss.

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?
You gotta do what you gotta do in order to survive. It’s an age-old story & still goes on today. As long as you can sleep at night and live with yourself, it’s all good. Everyone keeps their own moral compass.

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’ve read extensively about this time period. The Inquisition was huge and encompassed much more than Spain! I am also both Spanish and Portuguese, so there’s that…
Historical fiction is totally my jam and I will read anything that’s good! My favorite is feudal Japan, China & Korea. I just find it fascinating!

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?
I’m guessing he made a pact with the devil or a demon & is forced to serve the Paredes family. There must be some kind of loophole or angle he’s working to gain his freedom…

Nosy bonus question. Are you reading this book for historical fiction, for fantasy, for romance, and/or for DQ points for your BG team? 😉
I’m reading it for the DQ points. But I am quite enjoying it…

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 LOVE my public library! I go every Wednesday. Ever since Covid, I don’t really browse much anymore. I tend to stalk GR & then see if my library has the books I want & order them online! Then all I do is go in & pick up my orders. And chat - - love to chat with the librarians. I have 80 books out right now because there’s no limit to the number you can borrow.
I try to visit libraries in different states, but you can’t borrow if you’re not local, so I check to see if they have a Friends of the Library book store. My husband thinks I’m totally nuts! I really like the San Clemente Library in California.

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.
I like her! She reminds me of Nona Grey in Red Sister, another Mark Lawrence book. She’s tough and she’s smart, although uneducated. She will go far!

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 do like them, but they’re quite cryptic!

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?
Evar & his unorthodox family is plenty weird, all right! I’m sure we have much more to learn about it. The Mechanism seems very strange and the Escape was downright terrifying!

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?
I’m guessing it’s his missing “brother” who wrote it, but what is the Exchange?? I love a mystery & all shall be revealed in time…

Day 1 DQ’s
1- Although Valentina feels shame in her actions to confront Luzia and her magic, she still threatens her to use it at her dinner party. What were your thoughts and do you feel bad for Valentina and her desperation?
I think Valentina is a selfish bitch! She just wants to use Luzia to better her own station in life. She doesn't care that Luzia may be taken away, jailed, tortured and burned in the Inquisition! She just wants herself to become more "popular" and be invited to the best places!

2-Valentia did not want Luzia to leave the house and gave her extra chores. Why do you think Valentina did not want Luzia to leave the house?
After the "shows" began, I bet her husband told her that they should be more circumspect, more careful. The Inquisition can touch them, too. Guilt by association, you know. And they are not noble nor rich...

3-How did using music and song to make Luzia's magic work make you feel or think of?
I think putting a melody to the words was originally a mnemonic device to make it easier for a young Luzia to remember the refrades. Also, it's not serious like an incantation. It probably seemed quite harmless at the time.

4- Don Victor(De Paredes) shows up at Casa Ordonos to make sure Luzia has a room with and even hints at having her join him if not. Why do you think having Luzia in her own room benefits either of them?
Certain visitors can come and go when they need to communicate with her. Also she will need more practice in order to enter the Torneo. It's best no other eyes witness the practice sessions.

Go for it, y'all!

I have not changed my opinion about this whole battle thing! It’s especially hard for us library users! Still, I keep trying!

On a lighter note, I finished another book! Yaaaay!