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

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

Day 6 Chapters 42 - 49

25. Livira gets tired of searching for the Exchange and books that aren't in the library and realizes they must be held by the head librarian. She breaks in and steals a book, The Forest Between, and in the process she meets the 5th helper, Volente, a large dog. Were you surprised that the dog let her take the book?
yes! Very surprised! I thought Livira was going to be attacked, if not run off! It sounds ominous — sort of like the Grim in Harry Potter lore. I much prefer a dog to a Raven though.

26. Arpix is an ally to Livira in her search for the Raven and the Exchange. He also helps her open the book. Out of all the companions from the initial table who would you have expected to be her confidant and companion?
I think Arpix really likes Livira, but is just too socially awkward to act upon those feelings! We have to remember that they’ve never seen or read a rom-com! I would have expected Carlotte to become her partner in actual crime.

27. Livira learns that opening a portal is done with the White's blood in a circle. This matches with what Evar read and tried to do for years with his blood. Volente helps Arpix and Livira find the Raven and the Raven's name so that they can get back into the chamber that is closed to them and access the fallen Assistants blood to open a portal. It feels like the Library is helping Livira . Do you have a theory for why that is?
To misquote Billy Joel, “Sooner or later it comes down to fate - I might as well be the one - only the good die young.”
Livira is simply fated to take over the entire library and fix the horrible conflicting system. Simple as that!

28. Livira and Evar meet again. Again Evar doesn't recognize her as for him only a few days have passed but years have passed for her. They go into a portal and focus on it being a time of peace. When they arrive there are hundreds of Assistants and they are walking away from two portals. Leaving the portals are two small sets of footprints. Who do you think they belong to?
No clue whatsoever! Baby Livira & Evar?

29. Question contains spoilers: [spoiler]
My mind is officially blown! I never would’ve envisioned this turn of events in a gojillion years!

30. Lavira returns to her world and Arpix has spent his time in the Exchange asking and collecting the books that they have been unable to find in the Library. Lavira is wounded and devastated. Do you think her opinion on the library and history will have her reconsider Yute's offer to try and stop the war now?
Most definitely. She just has to past all the prejudice in her own mind. Something that we all recognize as nearly impossible to do…

Teddie, drinker of the bitter invention of Satan wrote: "Lauri wrote: "Catherine wrote: "@Lauri are you ok if we add Black Hills by Nora Roberts for District tasks author first & last initials in ELECTRONICS?"

Use me wherever and however you need. I am ..."

Actually I’m nowhere near finishing Black Hills! I hope to finish by the 15th… You won’t hurt my feelings if you pass me by…

Catherine wrote: "@Lauri are you ok if we add Black Hills by Nora Roberts for District tasks author first & last initials in ELECTRONICS?"

Use me wherever and however you need. I am yours to command....
:)

Day 5 DQs ~ Chapters 35 - 41

20. “Everything we see is seen through the lens of our expectations. Our prejudice provides a broad brush, imagination sprinkles detail, some of which may actually be there.” - Illusion by Copper Davidfield
This epigraph at the start of one of the chapters, stopped me for two reasons. One was due to whom it was credited. What do you make of this work/person? Did you have any thoughts or “lightbulbs” when reading this epigraph? How do you think it relates to the story or does it?
Copper Davidfield made me laugh (my favorite thus far was by Rose Axel - Appetite for Destruction) He was a master illusionist. Perhaps everything is an illusion?

21. Livira finds a way to get through the portals again and she and Evar have a bit more time together. This time they explore some of the pools/portals and are having different reactions to where they go. Did this give you any more ideas on what the portals are for or why the two of them can use them at times?
I still find the portals very confusing, if somewhat enlightening. I still don't know what they're supposed to represent. String Theory? General Time Travel? Why can't they stay together? They're wasting so much time bouncing around like this!

22. Yute took Meelan and Livira before the king, all along to appoint Livira as junior librarian. (She had the complete wrong idea until he made the announcement to the king!) This was met with complete disapproval by the king and others. Yute was able to persuade the king to accept the appointment with prejudice. What do you think Yute’s ultimate goal is by this action or by his recruitment of Livira, even?
I'm sure Yute has an agenda of which we're not fully aware. Maybe he's on a major peacekeeping kick? Like can't we all just get along. I really don't see why the King feels the way he does about the so-called Dusters. They are quite obviously human. Sabbers? Not so much. The King seems to want to believe everyone who's not a city-dweller is some form of animal.

23. This section is full of time jumps. That twice we are told that 3 years have passed in Livira’s world and we know that she is “striding toward her twentieth year”. Then boom she is a fully fledged Librarian, when it seems just a few chapters earlier that the king and his followers were going to try to remove her as junior librarian. What are your thoughts on Livira now that she has aged and is developing her opinion of her world?
It's about time! Children and women are often powerless. Not that she's coming into her own as part of the library, she may just get some of her questions answered and find Evar!!

24. Since we are a little over half way through the book now, has your opinion of the story changed? Are you liking it more or less than you were before? Any predictions on what will happen in the story?
I appreciate Livira's part of the story far more than Evar's. Maybe it's a girl thing, or Red Sister echoes, but she seems much more real to me than Evar does. No predictions -- but i would like a HEA here!

Day 4 DQs - chapters 26 - 24

5. We get to see what happened to Clovis before she went into the Mechanism. We already had a pretty good sense of what happened. Why do you think the author included this scene?
Probably because he wanted to give a sense of sympathy/empathy/understanding to those characters who have no firsthand knowledge of the Sabbers. It certainly seems to have made an impression on kindhearted Evar....

16. Speaking of authors, did you notice the quote at the start of Chapter 28 is from one of Lawrence's books? He chose it just as Livira tells Arpix that Yute suggested they read and write fiction. Arpix is shocked and wonders what would be the point. What do you think society would be like without any creative writing?
I know that I would be nothing without creative writing!! Memorizing just dry facts would be horrible! Fiction makes us think and actually feel things.

17. What did you make of how the Assistant and Soldier appeared in Clovis' past? They know about the lost children in the Mechanism and can see Evar. Are they controlling this world? And are they friends or foe?
I'm not too sure yet. I think that because they are constructs and belong to the library, that's how they will always be. They are aware of the children & want to help to some extent, but they're not quite human and don't feel as we do.

18. Livira once again jumps in to save lives without hesitating. And Malar thinks this is Algar's second attempt to kill Livira. Do you think she is really being targeted? Why is she so dangerous to the status quo?
I wouldn't have thought anything of it. Lots of things happen to Livira ALL the time. But since Malar voiced that opinion, I am now sure it's true. I think they feel threatened by her courage and intellect. Now that she's being trained, she could pose a real threat to the status quo.

19. Why do you think Evar and Livira have such different experiences of the Exchange and even within the portals?
Not too sure yet. They both have such different backgrounds and life experiences, they're just bound to be very different.

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?
I think that premise is kinda insane! Librarians and libraries are there to educate and help patrons. I can’t imagine anyone wanting to change the system when they come to “power.”

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 really wasn’t expecting them to meet so early on. They weren’t really given too much chance to interact at all. I did sense that that they seemed to like each other though. Evar is socially stunted, obviously, but he’ll come round in time!

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?
I think the Raven is a construct. Most probably mechanical. But after your pointed question, could it be Master Yute???

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’ve read the Book of the Ancestor series & loved it! I keep thinking of Red Sister as I read this one. I have Prince of Thorns waiting in the wings…

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…