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

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

A Wind in the Door
Author: Madeleine L'Engle
Finished 6/7/18
Page count: 224
Word count: 48,484
Series: Time Quintet #2
Cast of characters: Meg Murry, Sandy & Dennys Murry, Charles Wallace Murry, Dr. Colubra, Calvin O'Keefe, Mr. Jenkins, Proginoskes, Blajeny
Cover items: a dragon, a snake

I'm baaaack!

Grave Secret
Author: Charlaine Harris
Finished 6/8/18
Page count: 306
Series: Harper Connelly #4
Cast of characters: Harper Connelly, Tolliver Lang, Mark & Matthew Lang, Manfred Bernardo, Lizzie, Drexel & Katie Joyce, Chip, Hank & Iona, Mariella & Gracie
Cover items: a crow & a human skull

Hi everyone! I'll be traveling to the Big Island of Hawaii for our Aunty's 100th birthday party this weekend. I'll probably be out of touch from Friday through Monday, but I'll keep reading the whole time! Not to worry, I'm staying in Hilo town & not going anywhere near the lava. Hilo is about 20 miles away from all the action.

I hope to knock out at least one more book before I go, but may not be able to post. Still working on the massive Lilac Girls for May's BOM & need to start on June's. Happy happy!

Completion post!

The Keeper of Lost Things
Author: Ruth Hogan
Finished 6/3/18
Page count: 320
5 stars! Magical!
BOM/BR: no
Cast of characters: Anthony Peardew, Laura, Sunshine, Freddy, Felicity, Bomber, Eunice, Portia, Gavin, Eulalia, Grace, Godfrey
Cover items: flowers, a key, blue button, jigsaw puzzle piece, religious medal
I think this cover qualifies as indigo...

Double completion post!

Children of Blood and Bone
Author: Tomi Adeyemi
Finished 6/2/18
Page count: 525
BOM: yes
1st post in the thread: 188
5 stars!! Totally amazing world building!!
Cast of characters: Zelie, Yemi, Mama Agba, Baba, Tzain, Amari, Inan, King Zaran, Binta, Lekan, Nailah, Kaea, Kenyon, Roen, Zu, Kwame, Folake, Rehana, Kato
Black cover with a single female face with big eyes & white hair
Magic galore!



Girl of Nightmares
Author: Kendare Blake
Series: Anna Dressed in Blood #2
Finished: 6/2/18
Page count: 332
BOM / BR: no
4 stars!
Cast of characters: Theseus Cassio Lowood, Thomas Sabin, Carmel Jones, Morfran, Gideon Palmer, Jestine Reardon, Aunt Riika, Anna Korlov
Cover items: young girl with long dark hair, flame/lava because she's in hell!

Steven, hope all will be well for Grandma & your family. Sending hugs & prayers your way. Be safe!

Team Hermione
Chapters 13-32

6. We are halfway through the book. Do you like the characters? They seem to be developing more for me. What do you think about the interaction between the two set of brothers and sisters? What do you think of their relationships?
I do like the characters actually. I like the contrast between the caring, loving relationship Zelie and Tzain share with the dysfunction seen in Amari & Inan's relationship. Although Zelie & Tzain had great loss & abject poverty, they seem much happier and loving than Amari & Inan.

7. There is a strong message in this book. One that I knew before starting it. (Read the author's note at the end.) But also the parallel to the holocaust and people being punished for being different. Do you think the author has a bigger message?
Definitely. I don't like to think about real life while I'm reading. It's pure escapism for me and this book really delivers! I don't even want to go to bed at night! I just want to read on & on.
I know the world often persecutes those who are different. It's a well-documented fact. In this story we see darker skin & the stigma of the white hair, religious oppression, genocide... Nothing new under the sun. Horrible, yes. Real, yes. Ms. Adeyemi has chosen thus forum to highlight the horror.

8. What do you make of Inan's struggle with his magic? Do you think he will eventually embrace it? Will it affect his relationship with his sister? His father? Or his thoughts about Zelie?
It must have been a frightening revelation for Inan to realize he was a Maji. I still don't know how that's possible... Zelie has said that resisting is already making Inan week. I think he'll be forced to embrace it. Amari will still love him no matter what & I believe he feels the same way about her. Their father, however, is another matter entirely!

9. There is a lot of cruelty in this book and it is described in detail. Do you think it could be lessened or is it necessary to get the point across?
I don't think it's overly excessive. If it wasn't that extreme, it wouldn't be so terrifying! The only thing that really bothers me is Inan and Amari being forced to fight each other...

10. I'm going to repeat Cat's question about the magic system in this book because we learned so much about about its origins at Chandomble Temple. What do you think about the magic system? Did the author put enough into it to make it believable? Do you like the overview of the Maji clans at the beginning of the book with the symbols?
I think Ms. Adeyemi did an excellent job the the Clans & magic. I would like to know more about how each skill set works & how they interact with each other. I have lots of questions!

Team Hermoine

I've been wanting to read this for awhile now. I actually picked it up while waiting for Girl of Nightmares to come in at my library. I've read what others have written, but I only trust my own opinions, so here goes!

Chapters 1-4
(view spoiler)[the feathers are gross and disgusting! Plus I hate birds! Why would Athena, of all the gods, be so afflicted? And Hermes so near death in the desert?
Cassandra the prophetess doing parlor tricks in the school cafeteria? Well, I suppose we all have our problems. But still. Torture to be a high school student!
I really didn't like the idea of anyone walking on Demeter like that. I pictured her like a dying elephant. All loose skin stretched out on the ground for all to trample. Very disrespectful. She seemed quite matter of fact about it all. Very accepting. Now a quest to find the Oracle! Goody!

I'm wondering if Cassandra's friends, Aidan & Andie, will play a part in everything? Are they undercover? Are the gods or demigods themselves? I don't know what to think at this point.

The Nereid ambush in the bar was intense! Was not expecting that at all. And why would Poseidon begin eating his own children?

So now it is revealed that Aidan is Apollo. Why are they all manifesting as teenagers? The most powerless creatures of all... <\spoiler>

I think chapters 1-5 poses more questions than answers... Onward! (hide spoiler)]

Elen wrote: "I think Lauri's last book what was posted accidentally to our team thread is not posted.

Link to book"

Thanks so much Elen & Eni! Guess I'm a little confused here!

Thank you, dear Captains for the clarification on BOMs. I have Lilac Girls, too! Although it is very good, Children of Blood & Bones is mesmerizing! No way I could've finished both in time! Good to know I can take my time with Lilac Girls!

Just got this one from the library -- I was wait listed forever!

Day 1 - Chapters 1 -12
1. What made you pick up this book? Do you have any expectations / hopes for it?
Really reading because it's a BR here, too. I hadn't heard of it until it showed up in a reader poll. The cover is intriguing, as is the synopsis. Anything with magic always interests me!

2. We open up with some action and it doesn't let up at all! Do you like this breakneck pace or is it sacrificing characterization?
I LOVE the action! I honestly was sucked in by the 1st sentence & haven't been able to put the book down!

3. There are 3 POVs - do you have a preference at the moment?
Right now I think I like Zelie's POV best. I feel most sympathetic towards her. I don't really trust Amari yet, although I think there is more to her than meets the eye.

4. What do you think of the setting and magic system that we've seen so far?
The setting is great! Nice world building with the villages and the big city. The magic system is well done. Can't wait to find out more about it in depth!

5. We end this section on a reveal -- how do you see it playing out?
Is Inan a Maji? How could this be possible? He only has a streak of white in his hair... In Hawaii, they say people with a white patch of hair are blessed ( or kissed) by Pele, the goddess of fire. Maybe this is true in other cultures as well? I hope that he will embrace his magic, aid Zelie's and the others and never go back to his brutal father again! But somehow I doubt this...

Onward!

Wow, Erin! You're sure going to be busy! I want to finish the 2 BOMs for May. Both are great, but I really love Children of Blood and Bone! It sucked me right in from the first sentence. I'm seeing pursuers behind every tree!

Dear Captains
If we don't finish a BOM in May, but participate in comments, does it still count?

Crazy question: if I'm reading a book of the month, but don't finish by May 31st, does it still count?

Completion post!

Wintersong
Author: S. Jae-Jones
Finished 5/27/18
4 stars!
BR/BOM: no
Cast of characters: Liesl/Elisabeth, Kathe, Josef, Constanze, Hans, the Goblin King, Master Antonius, Francois, Georg, Twig, Thistle,
Cover items: snow globe, white rose

Vicki wrote: "Hey, Lauri, my husband & I live in California & we came to Montana to Yellowstone National Park. Yesterday we saw Old Faithful and tons of beautiful scenery plus wildlife. Today we went the opposit..."

Wow! I'm not much of an outdoor type, but I've always wanted to visit Yellowstone, Four Corners & the Grand Canyon. Kind of a bucket list thing.... Are you camping?

Erin ☕ *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Teddie wrote: "Sounds like a great time!

I’m doing some late spring cleaning and am continually amazed at the crazy amounts of dust bunnies my shedding dogs propagate."

I have two cats and they s..."

I'm not into housecleaning much either, but I swear by Dawn dishwashing liquid! Blot up as much of the mess as possible (do not rub), dowse with Dawn & let it sit for awhile. Then use clean rags & water to rinse. Repeat if necessary then clean as usual. You'll be amazed! It has to be regular Dawn. It also works on clothes. Even if you're still wearing them and kills ants...

Hey everyone! For all of us in the USA it's a nice long weekend for our Memorial Day holiday on Monday! I'm adding on an extra day on Tuesday so I can just cruise & read to my heart's content. Anyone have any fun plans in store?

Double completion post!

Rebel Queen by Michelle Moran
Finished 5/26/18
355 pages
5 stars! Loved this story!!
Buddy read/BOM: No
Red cover for potions
Sword on cover
Cast of characters: Sita Bhosale, Anuja Bhosale, Shivaji, Ishan, Nihal Bhosale, Rani Laskshmi, Kahini, Dadi-ji, Maharaja Gangadhar, Avani, Esha-Masi, Jhalkari, Rajasi, Sundari, Arjun, Moti, Heera, Priyala, Kashi, Mandarin, Shri Bakshi, Shri Laskshman, Gopal, Major Ellis, Adesh, Morophant Tambe

Thyme of Death by Susan Wittig Albert
Finished 5/26/18
320 pages
4 stars
BR or BOM: no
Cast of characters: China Bayles, Gretl Schumaker, Peter Dudley, Constance Letterman, Violett Hall, Jo Gilbert, Meredith Gilbert, Rosalind Kotner, Ruby Wilcox, Bubba Harris, McQuaid, Lila & Arnold Seidensticker, Jane Dorman, Pauline Perkins, RuthAnn Landsdowne
Skull on cover

Team Hermione!

Hermione, of course! I mean a bookworm and muggleborn to boot? Dentists for parents? And STILL the brightest witch of her age?? What is not to love? She will always be my favorite!

Harry himself. He had such a horrible upbringing, but still turned out to be a talented and powerful wizard and just a standup guy who cared genuinely about others.

Ginny Weasley -- although a younger Weasley, she turned out to be fiercely loyal and quite a talented witch. Love was slow to blossom between her and Harry, but once it did, it was strong and true! She fought bravely and stood up for friends and family.

Honorable mention : Molly Weasley! Best mother in literature. She was a fierce mama bear protecting her cubs, including Harry! Love her!!

Double completion post!
The Bookseller
Author: Cynthia Swanson
Finished 5/20/18
Page count: 339
BOM / BR: No
4 stars!
Cast of characters: Katharyn (Kitty) Miller, Frieda Green, Kevin, Lars Andersson, Mitch, Missy & Michael Andersson, Linnea Andersson Hershell, Bradley



Pieces of Happiness: A Novel of Friendship, Hope and Chocolate
Author: Anne Østby
Finished 5/20/18
Page count: 320
4 stars!
Cast of characters: Katrina Vale, Ateca, Mosese, Jone, Litia, Sina Gutormsen, Armand Gutormsen, Lisbeth, Maya, Vilivo, Ingrid, Johnny, Evy, Maraia