Rebecca ’s Comments (group member since Sep 03, 2016)

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

My chunkster has both an E and a U in it but sadly no Z. I’m on the last third of it and am hoping to have it finished in the next couple of days

My notifications are definitely whackadoo because I thought no one had posted in a few days but there are posts. GR is so fickle sometimes

Finished my last book in this round and capped myself out, I didn't think that would happen but thanks to audiobooks and not being able to sleep well lately I did it. Catching a flight to Venezuela tonight (figuratively)!

Melindam wrote: "Elisabeth wrote: "I can’t finish anything else in time this round. I usually read faster but my books seemed to be slower reads or I was busier. Any way should we now focus on mini 3 for our tasks?..."

That will be my main focus! Love Christmas and am reading for books on it

Alysa wrote: "I finished my last book for Round 1.
I noticed that we still have more than one incomplete spell-out. IDK if anyone is still reading for T but my newly-finished book has a T character name (noted i..."

That would be wonderful if that could happen! My last book-Full Speed-has a T character but she is only in it for a second or two. I feel much more comfortable using J which the author's first name starts with. I will leave it on the spreadsheet as is for now and let the captain's decide what to do. Thanks Alysa!!!

Cool, thanks for catching that!

Sophie wrote: "Alysa, it sounds like the wedding went well and I hope the 50th was good too.

Julia - thanks for noticing that apparently I can't fill in a spreadsheet properly.

I'm in France until Friday on hol..."

Hope you're having fun in France! Have a croissant and a glass of wine for me lol

Melindam wrote: "Rebecca,

your has such a lovely pink colour, would you mind if we used it for that task? :)

Also, if you ..."

I don't mind in the slightest! Please use my books wherever they are needed. Good to know about the tagging, I thought you might need it for proof....

I’m all for Christmas 🤶🏻🎅🏻🎄 Love it!!!

Cool, chances are that will happen but you never know! 😂🤣 Thanks for letting me know what we should be concentrating on

Anything we should be concentrating on since we’re closing in on the end of the round? I’m hoping to get in some more audiobooks this week and I just started a chonk at 913 pages 🙄

I just switched the edition to match that plus, it was the kindle edition I actually read. I don't know why I didn't change that earlier? I'm usually pretty good about picking the right one. Oh well nbd

Perfect! Thank you!

Finished the BOM not my cup of tea, once I got past the 3rd day questions I upped the speed on the audiobook and finished it. II was determined to finish for the points lol

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Youngest child seems to be back to normal, still a few more days of antibiotics to go so hopefully he will stay well.
Still watching the eldest. He is very congested but no fever. Will keep him hom..."

Glad to hear they are doing better, hopefully the oldest doesn't get any worse. Also hope you don't end up with it!

Day 3 DQs: Chapters 11-16

9. Let's talk about the twins, because I think they are stealing the show! The Twins, Taiwo and Kehinde, share names rooted in Yoruba tradition, where Taiwo is the "taster of the world" and Kehinde is the true elder soul. How might this cultural symbolism influence how we interpret their role in the palace and their relationship with Òdòdó?
I didn't even think about cultural symbolism with them, I figured they were for a distraction.

10. In this section, Kòlò steps in and covers for Odòdó in a critical moment. What does this gesture reveal about her character and the relationship with Odòdó? Is it protective, controlling, self-serving, or some mix? Does this add to or change you option of Kòlò?
Kolo is only interested in two things which are herself and her people. I understand where is coming from you have to look out for your own. Ododo seems to be a good person and will be very upset if she finds out she accidentally helped a traitor.

11. The "General Roundtable" plays a big role in power dynamics in these chapters. What does it reveal about how authority is negotiated in this world: who speaks, who is silenced, who wields influence behind the scenes? What does Òdòdó’s building "influence" tell us, despite her being not only a woman, but also labeled a "witch"?
Someone has got to step up be it Kolo or Ododo. I think I Ododo will be the one. I think the witch part will either go away or big a huge asset hard to say.

12. There is a riot in the capital during these chapters. How does Sangoyomi portray public anger versus elite maneuvering? What does the riot tell us about the fragility of the system in Ṣàngótè?
Sangoyomi is starting to seem not very loyal to Aremo or at least to me he seems shaky. The system is very fragile and they need a strong ruler who is looking out for the best interests of the people. Things need to be reined in because it doesn't seem like it would take much to turn it into complete chaos.

13. For FUN: If the palace characters were in The Hunger Games, who would you cast in which district or role? Bonus: what kind of clever (or chaotic) strategies do you think Taiwo and Kehinde would use to survive the arena?
I'll be honest I read the Hunger Games a LONG time ago and was not a fan of it. I know shock and horror, how could I spew such blasphemy!

Thank you! 👏🏻

Day 2: Chapter 6 - 10

5. It’s always interesting to watch a naive MC try to find authentic connections in a sea of people more practiced at hiding motives and personal feelings. Of those Òdòdó has met so far, who do you think will become allies? Or turn out to be enemies? Why?
I wouldn't trust anyone at this point especially the men lol I'm hoping maybe the sister wife will become an ally but hard to say at this point.

6. Having been so steeped in western traditions where blacksmiths are always big, burly men, I’m loving the whole concept of a female sisterhood of blacksmiths, thought to be witches because of their connection to the Earth. Understanding that they were forced to join due to transgressing the female norms of the time, what is your impression of the blacksmiths? What do you suppose is going on with all the disappearing blacksmiths? Do you think Òdòdó’s mother is with the other blacksmiths or looking for Òdòdó?
They are kind of like a coven in a way, supposedly witches but not really. They are more like a sisterhood. No idea, just have to wait and see.

7. “After all what is love but a choice?” This quote from chapter 4 keeps popping into my head, so I’m curious what you all think: Is this true for general love only? Can it really be true for romantic love? Putting aside the retelling aspect for now, what do you think about the growing relationship between Òdòdó and Aremo? Do you think Aremo had an ulterior motive seeking out a blacksmith girl when they first met? (Yes, yes - I’ve gotten a touch cynical and suspicious in my old age.)
I think it is true for all types of love. We have to work at loving or not loving someone it is something we choose to do and cannot be forced to do. I think it could be a loving relationship in time. Of course he did!

8. I’m finding Kolo to be more and more interesting as the story progresses. In the vein of “History is written by the victors,” what is your take on Kolo’s reaction to Gassire’s version of how Sangot came to be? What do you think about her tribal scars that opened when she saved Òdòdó? Are you hoping (like I am) that she secretly trained with the Ahosi warriors?
I think it's pretty cool. History told by either side is always interesting. Not sure about the tribal scars...Yes, I am hoping that she trained with them,

Melindam wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "Just tried to add my name from the drop down menu on the BOM page but I got an error message. Help please! lol"

We made a note on this and will fix the issue. :))"

Thank you!

Day 1 DQs: Chap 1 to 5

1. What do you think of the choice of location for the book? Did the location effect your decision to read the book?
It's unique, you don't see many books that take place in Timbuktu. Yes and no, the location piqued my interest but I also wanted the BOM points for my team

2. There is a lot of information dropped in this first section. Are you finding it awkward to read or well-integrated? Are there questions you still have on the setting?
I'm listening to the book and I must be doing ok with it as far as being well-integrated. I am having a hard time with the names. No questions yet on the setting.

3. We meet the blacksmiths at the start of the book including Òdòdó’s mother. How do you think her relationship with her mother characterizes her as a character and her request for her mother to join her? If you have not read ahead, do you think asking for her mum to be kidnapped was a good idea?
Her relationship with her mother is a difficult one but all children hope for their parents to be proud of them and love them. I think she is hoping by having her mother brought there that their relationship may change for the better. Well, Ododo was kidnapped and maybe she wants her mother to get a little taste of what she went through so it technically is her mother's fault she was kidnapped.

4. We have met two new important characters Aremo and his first wife. Do you think he is as vapid as he appears? Do you like stories with a forced/political marriage theme?
I think he is playing a game and making it seem as if he is vapid but he really is not. I don't really care for these types of books.