Suzanne’s Comments (group member since Aug 13, 2015)

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

I couldn't see the lines either this time. but I'm sure they'll magically appear sometime.

I finished Mockingjay, but the book rows seem hidden - kind of like what Vicki was describing earlier. Anyway, no rush - I'll try to remember to put the "read" indicator and date in tomorrow.

Now for my end part comments: so wow, this was so much more violent and bloody than I remembered. Really, really grim. I loved Boggs - what a great secondary character. But really, how could I not like the whole team!?

But the thing I wanted to focus on with this comment was the memory book that Katniss and Peeta made - memories of all the people, their sacrifices, and of the good things that had happened since. I really loved that idea. Perhaps we should all make one of those that highlight important parts and people of our lives.

I finished - and will put my end thoughts in the next post. But here are my midbook thoughts:

What a contrast between Gale and Peeta. I still hate love triangles, and I wish the author had made Gale her brother just...not a love interest. But the path of violence he chose would never have helped Katniss endure and recover from her ordeals. When they discussed mid-book his plans for weapons, taking advantage of sympathy, etc. - well yikes. I had totally forgotten how those weapons were later used, but even without that use, what he was planning was wrong.

It was shocking to see Peeta so confused and violent. And it was wonderful to see Finnick and Anna - their love for each other and the happiness at being together.

Oh no Sophie! That's got to be so difficult! You have tons to do even when everything is working!

Melindam wrote: "Oh, relieved that we got to the end of the battle books (at least in theory) and with D9 winning this round hopefully there will also be the end of the "we are the meanie team" narrative."

Lol yeah - I was a little baffled by that too, and still am when I look at letters passed. But oh well, perspective is everything!

That's weird - I'm not sure what's going on, but I see lots of books in the Round 3 tab. I wish I were more of a spreadsheet guru, but I bet there is a sync or something that would work

Wild Seedis another one (on my TBR). So looks like a variety of genres are available, which is cool.

Sounds good - I'll plan on it.

I certainly don't mind taking it. But I can also try to find a book in the next two we have! So if you want to take this one, Catherine, feel free! I don't remember if you had a battle turn in the last round, but you should especially take it if you haven't gotten a chance to battle yet :)

I could do Derby Divas if we need. But Catherine, your books look good too!

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 in lots of jobs, people try to make themselves indispensable - maybe by not sharing how to do a process, etc. So it makes sense the librarians would do the same. Although my image of librarians is of an extremely helpful bunch.

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 was surprised the meeting ended so fast, I somehow expected them to be together from then on. But it was interesting seeing them explore.

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 was thinking of the raven as a magical guide. That intrigues me to imagine it might be a character we know already. Hmmm...

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? Did you notice the chapter-start quote from Book of the Ancestor? It does have some similarities as far as overall structure, but it is sure a different setting! I've read all of Mark Lawrence's books. I liked all of the series, except that Prince of Thorns was just WAY too dark for me. Reading it did give a nice payoff in his second series though.

Yes - great find Vicki!! Yay!

I haven't taken a turn yet, but looks like we have lots of options for this one already. And that's fine - I have lots of books to read. I'll keep an eye open.

DQs Day 2 Chapters 8 - 16

6. How are you enjoying the book so far? How's the pacing for you?
The pacing is a bit slow, but I'm enjoying the book so far. I like the hints I am getting about the world, and am very curious about the library.

7. What are your favorite characters, situations, quotes so far?
I like Livira the most - she is tough, smart and practical. And I like learning about the characters around her. I don't hate the other storyline, but I'm glad to get back to Livira. I wish I could underline some quotes, but that's a drawback of doing the audio version.

8. What are your fondest memories of a library? I LOVED going to the library as a child, and had so many favorite books that I read over and over. I still get that feeling of wonder when I enter a library - like a kid in a candy shop.

9. Library as prison... does that ring true for you? Oh, lock me up! Lol although if I had dangerous things in there trying to kill me then I guess I'd want to get somewhere safe. And anywhere that you can't leave could be a prison.

10. If you could have one natural ability relating to books (view spoiler), what would it be? I'd want to be able to read faster, with full emotional involvement. There are just so many great books I will never get to.

I decided to read vs. listen this time and luckily my library has a copy.
I don't remember much about this book except for a few deaths that happen later. I DO remember when I originally read it, some parents saying it was too grim for their children to read, and I didn't get what they were saying. This time, as I started it and Katniss was walking through the corpses on District 12, breathing in the dust of the dead, I was like "oooh....I see what they mean." I think in my first reading, I was so anxious to see what happened, that some of the grim just didn't register with me.

I love the more grown up Prim who can council her sister on strategy and be a helper, not just a dependent.

Sophie wrote: "Lucy, would you be ok picking Derail on that basis?

One of the other teams has ended up trying to work with a title that's NME. Given there are no letters before it they are both struggling now on..."

Yikes - that's rough. I guess if they have a supply drop book they could use it for "N", but that'd stink to have to use a supply drop book for that. I think that one wins the ultimate prize for most awful book to match!

I could do A Void of Magic if we want. I'd never heard of it, but I have access and it doesn't look terrible. But I'm fine not doing it - I suspect "Magic" is easy to match, but the shorter pieces are not.

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 libraries! I was a constant visitor at our local library, but I live in the county, which decided the city library was too expensive and they would do their own. "Their own" is kind of a mess - it's all donations, I'm paying the same in library tax, and the whole thing makes me sad.
I went to the library in the Monastery of San Fransisco in Lima, Peru a couple of months ago. It has 25,000 ancient texts and was absolutely beautiful. It also has a library cat.


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 how Livira is feisty and asks a lot of questions.

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'm doing the audio version, so I find them a bit interesting, but I'd rather have a chance to look at them.

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? I am not 100% sure what is going on yet, but it's interesting so far. There were a LOT of characters as well as a new place introduced, so I'll need time to get to know them. But I'm interested in learning more!

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 have absolutely no idea what this is/who wrote it, but I'm pretty sure it's very important to the plot.

Yes! Sophie to the rescue with Ire - we all owe ya, Sophie!