Judith’s Comments (group member since Apr 15, 2015)

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

The only thing that matters is the genres, the blurb underneath is just why Karen picked those genres.

We may already have 3 nonfiction, if we do you can take the spot where I have White Trash. I can read it later

DQs Day 2 Chapter 13 - 24

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?
Hmm. I was thinking it should we are all more connected than we pretend to be. And societal divisions are more about control and power, rarely being more than surface deep.

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?
Well for women who rarely own anything, especially once married I think it gets fairly complicated fairly quickly. I'd like to pretend I'd be driven by my morals, but to keep off the streets and food on the table I would probably do a lot of things that would horrify me in my current circumstances. Though I'd still like to believe I wouldn't exploit other people, only myself.

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?
This is a time and location that's fairly new to me for a setting for historical fiction and I really enjoyed that aspect of this book. I don't really have a favorite but I am over WWII historical fiction for the time being. It's such a popular setting (understandably) in recent his fic that I actively look for other settings.

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?
He's an interesting and complicated character. I've finished the book so skipping the second question.

Nosy bonus question. Are you reading this book for historical fiction, for fantasy, for romance, and/or for DQ points for your BG team? 😉
It was already on my tbr list since it was by Bardugo. But I'm not going to say no to DQ points.

Mary,

Killers of a Certain Age is showing as still being on your Currently Reading shelf. Could you make it as read and add it to your challenge shelf?

Thank you!

Cordelia wrote: "Can 1984 be added for me please, thank you!"

Sure thing!

Yes, the book and questions just need to be done by Aug 2nd

Hmm. The letters for HOUSE are in title so how about shelter?

Have a wonderful trip and holiday!

And I moved my #3 in series from part 2 to part 1 Science Fiction if someone wants to grab a #3 in series spot.

Logan, I moved Secret Lives of Country Gentleman to historical fiction. The 1st in series spot seemed easier to fill

Stacie, I flipped your Thieves Gambit to YA instead of Crime. We seem to have a lot more mystery/thriller/crime readers than YA.

Day 1 DQ’s
1- Although Valentia 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 Valentia and her desperation?
I'm not sure I really felt bad for Valentia but I understood her actions even when I didn't agree with them. She's has caviar dreams and a canned tuna budget. No agency whatsoever over her life so she's exerting her power the only way she know how. Her husband is indifferent to her person and see no way out. So I get it but that's still no reason to treat anyone the way she's treating her staff.

2-Valentia did not want Luzia to leave the house and gave her extra chores. Why do you think Valentia did not want Luzia to leave the house?
Part of it power and jealously I think as Valentina cannot leave her house at all unless her husband is with her. She's a prisoner within the walls of her small home and Luzia doesn't have much freedom but at least she can take a stroll to the market or church. Also I think a part of Valentia was afraid Luzia wouldn't come back.

3-How did using music and song to make Luzia magic work make you feel or think of.
I feel like it helps settle and focus the mind so the magic understands what you want it to do. I know that makes magic sound like a sentient being, but I often think of magic as being that or something akin to sentient.

4- Don Victor(De Paredes) shows up at Casa Ordobos 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?
Well for Luzia, I think just having a bed to sleep in is a benefit. But privacy is a factor and Don Victor is starting to exert control over the entire situation.

We can have up to 3 of each genre (tabulated off to the side).

And no worries if they don't fit in the mini, we'll still get page points :)

Yep, just add them to the tracking sheet on the Round 2 tab.

They'll probably fit in the genre portion of the Round 2 mini (shelter tab).

Just add whatever code from the shelter tab (column A) for the line you need in column H on the Round 2 tab. The Shelter tab will auto-populate everything but the dropdown.

Kim I would say mystery or thriller as they have 1 each right now. Crime has 2.

But not sure it matters most books fall into all 3

Emily, you can use any book that you started after May 15th but only if you finished it on July 1st (basically today since you hopped right on board) or later.

Sorry if the message was confusing 🫤

Welcome to District 8 Emily!

I've enjoyed the books from Jewell that I've read and I always mean to pick up more

My new nominate until it wins/I read it anyway :P



Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide by Rupert Holmes

Who hasn't wondered for a split second what the world would be like the object of your affliction ceased to exist? But then you've probably never heard of The McMasters Conservatory, dedicated to the consummate execution of the homicidal arts. To gain admission, a student must have an ethical reason for erasing someone who deeply deserves a fate no worse (nor better) than death.

The campus of this "Poison Ivy League" college-its location unknown to even those who study there-is where you might find yourself the practice target of a classmate...and where one's mandatory graduation thesis is getting away with the perfect murder of someone whose death will make the world a much better place to live.

Prepare for an education you'll never forget. A delightful mix of witty wordplay, breathtaking twists and genuine intrigue, Murder Your Employer will gain you admission into a wholly original world, cocooned within the most entertaining book about well-intentioned would-be murderers you'll ever read.

The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali

A poignant, heartfelt new novel by the award-nominated author of Together Tea—extolled by the Wall Street Journal as a “moving tale of lost love” and by Shelf Awareness as “a powerful, heartbreaking story”—explores loss, reconciliation, and the quirks of fate.

Roya, a dreamy, idealistic teenager living amid the political upheaval of 1953 Tehran, finds a literary oasis in kindly Mr. Fakhri’s neighborhood stationery shop, stocked with books and pens and bottles of jewel-colored ink.

Then Mr. Fakhri, with a keen instinct for a budding romance, introduces Roya to his other favorite customer—handsome Bahman, who has a burning passion for justice and a love for Rumi’s poetry—and she loses her heart at once. Their romance blossoms, and the little stationery shop remains their favorite place in all of Tehran.

A few short months later, on the eve of their marriage, Roya agrees to meet Bahman at the town square when violence erupts—a result of the coup d’etat that forever changes their country’s future. In the chaos, Bahman never shows. For weeks, Roya tries desperately to contact him, but her efforts are fruitless. With a sorrowful heart, she moves on—to college in California, to another man, to a life in New England—until, more than sixty years later, an accident of fate leads her back to Bahman and offers her a chance to ask him the questions that have haunted her for more than half a century: Why did you leave? Where did you go? How is it that you were able to forget me?

Books can be started whenever (as long as it was after the games started). Just not finished before the mini starts.

The only books with firm start times are for Battles.