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

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

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!

I will definitely read both July BOMs. I don’t think I like these battles very much!

I concede defeat! Not even Oboe Obituary is an available title here. Go for it, y’all!

So… we need a book that starts with OBO, correct? Any other options?

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

I'm finishing up Big Jack later this evening.

@Lauri - you good to finish Network Effect before the end of the round?

And are you all ready for the next round of
"
Yup! I’ll finish tonite or tomorrow for sure. Love me some Murderbot! Oh, the snark!

Just finished my #19 book The Council of the Cursed today. Will finish up both my #5’s & #6 by deadline for sure!

I’m going strong with all my books — should finish Watchers today (paranormal). I’m all over the place! I’ll finish all of them before deadline for sure. I just started The Familiar a few minutes ago. It’s pretty good so far. I was always fascinated by the Inquisition! (and Conversos) I’m German, Irish, Spanish, Portuguese & Native American. I gotta do my DNA!!
Gotta have a lot of interesting history there somewhere…

Sophie wrote: "My copy of network effect has just come in from the library (not my planned book but a helpful coincidence). If no one else can read anything I'll keep the task and swap the books."
Lemme know about that #5, Sophie.....

I am currently reading Network Effect #5 in the Murderbot series for a wall, but can easily add another. I can read Eaves of Destruction for another #5...

Sophie wrote: "Wall 2
1 Marty
2
3 Marty
4
5 ?Lauri
6 ? Lauri
7 Cecily
8 Cecily
Window 3.5 Cat

Wall 3
12 Suzanne
13 - Gone Tomorrow (Sophie)
14 - Cross Country (Cecily)
15 - Purity in Death (teddie)
16 - Peace T..."

Okey dokey! I can take Paranormal with Watchers - halfway done.

And #5 with Network Effect & #6 with A Midwinter's Tail for sure! Can't add them till I get home though...

&

I finished the BOM The Wishing Game! My DQ comments can be found in messages #132, 169, 187, 201 & 213.

If someone could give us credit for BOM…

Thank you kindly!

DQs Day 5 — ch 24-end

18. Jack and Lucy have an emotional discussion about dreams — and how giving up on dreams can be a relief as it’s one less thing to worry about. Do you think there’s any truth in this? Can giving up on a dream ever bring relief?
I definitely think giving up on a dream CAN be a relief, especially if it’s something you’ve dreamed of in childhood. In all likelihood we’ll never be princesses, astronauts or president. Not ever. But in elementary school they tell us we can be whatever we want. As adults we realize some dreams can never come true, as sad as that may be.

19. We finally got to meet Angie and learn her side of the story! Were you surprised by what she had to say? If you were Lucy, do you think you would be able to forgive her after hearing her side?
I wasn’t surprised at all. Their parents were the screwed up ones, not the sisters. There are three sides to every story: yours, mine and the Truth. I would totally forgive her. I’m an only child, and generally glad of it, BUT there would have been times that I would’ve been glad to have a sister.

20. Lucy mentions that she and Jack are planning to start a nonprofit to send books to foster children, but just as she’s about to say the prospective name, she gets cut off. Why do you think the author chose to leave that out? What name do you think the author had in mind, if any?
Not sure there. Maybe something with Clock Island in the name? It was a grand gesture and a wonderful thought, though.

21. In the end, even though the contest ended unlike how any of them predicted, everyone still got their wish. Since this book is all about wishing — is there anything you wish was different about the way the book ended, or are you happy with how it all wrapped up?
Nope. I loved the ending. Jack the Mastermind came through for all his kids! So wonderful that Hugo & Lucy fell in love, too! Happily ever after all around!!

Teddie, drinker of the bitter invention of Satan wrote: "Go Lauri! :)

Well, I would say definitely #19: The Council of the Cursed - I'll add that to our planning sheet.

Then all we need to finish Wall 2 is a #12 or a #20 - anyone have one of those?"
On it! Thank you!

So… I wasn’t kidding, right? Direct me O Captains and I will read whatever you wish!