Ashley’s Comments (group member since Apr 27, 2022)

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

I'm almost finished with The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House and I'm very much enjoying it! So many funny and interesting details!

Good morning US District 6 Members!

Battle book reading is in full effect! Good luck! I'll be starting my War Brides book tonight, and The Residence sometime this afternoon (I have to finish up The Familiar first!).

Feel free to share your thoughts on your books, I am always curious whether or not they are good, since we might not have picked them otherwise. Let us know if you find a gem!

DQ's Day 3 (Chapters 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?

This is probably just for the sake of description and the general vibe of the story, but it could also be to add depth to the characters.

10. We are over halfway through the book. What has been your favorite part/scene/person/line so far?

TBH, nothing is really standing out, and it probably because I don't "love" this book.

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?

Again, to add depth and realism? Relationships are complex and evolve, and showing this character and relationship development add some dynamics to the narrative.

12. 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?

I think the cover is pretty indicative of parts of the narrative, so it seems to fit. I suppose if we were re-designing, we could emphasize more of the magical aspects of the story, but TBH, I think the current is fitting.

Serious Readers Challenge 2024 - Level Two
July and August, Books 126-166

July
126 ‣ Queen of Shadows Sarah J. Maas | 1-Jul-2024
127 ‣ The Count of Monte Cristo Alexandre Dumas | 3-Jul-2024
128 ‣ Leather & Lark Brynne Weaver | 6-Jul-2024
129 ‣ If He Had Been with Me Laura Nowlin | 6-Jul-2024
130 ‣ Piranesi Susanna Clark | 8-Jul-2024
131 ‣ Gideon the Ninth Tamsyn Muir | 11-Jul-2024
132 ‣ Kincaid Marie James | 12-Jul-2024
133 ‣ SINdicate Marie James | 12-Jul-2024
134 ‣ Shadow Princess Caroline Peckham | 14-Jul-2024
135 ‣ First Contact Kim Harrison | 14-Jul-2024
136 ‣ Mockingjay Suzanne Collins | 16-Jul-2024
137 ‣ Forever, Interrupted Taylor Jenkins Reid | 17-Jul-2024
138 ‣ Totality Kim Harrison | 18-Jul-2024
139 ‣ A Fever in the Heartland Timothy Egan | 19-Jul-2024
140 ‣ The Familiar Leigh Bardugo | 22-Jul-2024
141 ‣ The Residence Kate Andersen Brower | 23-Jul-2024
142 ‣ The Age of Miracles Karen Thompson Walker | 23-Jul-2024
143 ‣ All My Rage Sabaa Tahir | 25-Jul-2024
144 ‣ The Kiss Quotient Helen Hoang | 26-Jul-2024
145 ‣ The Color of Law Richard Rothstein | 27-Jul-2024
146 ‣ War Brides Helen Bryan | 28-Jul-2024
147 ‣ The Frozen River Ariel Lawhon | 30-Jul-2024



August
148 ‣ None of This Is True Lisa Jewell | 1-Aug-2024
149 ‣ The Jackal J.R. Ward | 1-Aug-2024
150 ‣ Lobizona Romina Garber | 3-Aug-2024
151 ‣ Winter Lost Patricia Briggs | 4-Aug-2024
152 ‣ Emergence Kim Harrison | 5-Aug-2024
153 ‣ Tattered Devney Perry | 7-Aug-2024
154 ‣ The Girl with All the Gifts M.R. Carey | 8-Aug-2024
155 ‣ A Broken Blade Melissa Blair | 9-Aug-2024
156 ‣ The White Tiger Aravind Adiga | 10-Aug-2024
157 ‣ The Bear Andrew Krivak | 12-Aug-2024
158 ‣ Queen Charlotte Julia Quinn | 13-Aug-2024
159 ‣ One Fell Sweep Ilona Andrews | 13-Aug-2024
160 ‣ Hooked Emily McIntire | 14-Aug-2024
161 ‣ The Summer Melt Emily March | 14-Aug-2024
162 ‣ Unbroken Laura Hillenbrand | 16-Aug-2024
163 ‣ The Bee Sting Paul Murray | 23-Aug-2024
164 ‣ A Shadow Crown Melissa Blair | 27-Aug-2024
165 ‣ Twisted Hate Ana Huang | 28-Aug-2024
166 ‣ The Graham Effect Elle Kennedy | 29-Aug-2024

I could do either of these:

The Rest of the Story
The Residence

I just woke up, let me check the library!

Hi from District 6!

Our book battle choice is

War Brides

Happy book hunting!

Alright, we can run with that one!

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?

I think so, yes! By integrating elements from her Jewish heritage with other cultural influences, Luzia’s magic becomes a unique and potent force.

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?

I think it is important to consider the broader impact of one’s actions and strive to maintain ethical standards. Ultimately, characters who balance ambition with integrity might find more sustainable and fulfilling paths to achieving their goals.

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?

Um, no, at least not that I remember. And honestly, yes, I am having a bit of trouble with this one.

My favorite time period for HF is probably WW2 era.

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?

Freedom from struggle? Political, social, economic, etc?

Nosy bonus question. Are you reading this book for historical fiction, for fantasy, for romance, and/or for DQ points for your BG team?

DQ points! I was interested in the title before that, but I was also nervous it wouldn't be something I enjoyed, and honestly we are walking a fine line...

Keri wrote: "Which dates is that week so I can mark it on my calendar for when I start All the Rage?"

22 to 29th I believe, but there is a countdown on the tracking SS as well!

Day 1 DQs (Chapters 1-12)

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?

While she feels shame for confronting Luzia, she is driven by desperation to use Luzia's magic for her own benefit. This desperation likely stems from a combination of personal insecurity, societal pressure, and a deep-seated fear of failure or inadequacy. Valentia's threat to use Luzia's magic at her dinner party reveals her willingness to compromise her morals for the sake of achieving her goals.

It's possible to feel a degree of sympathy for Valentia because of her apparent desperation since she obviously feels trapped and powerless. However, her willingness to exploit Luzia and manipulate her for personal gain complicates this.

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?

Valentia might fear losing control over Luzia, whose magical abilities could be perceived as a threat or a valuable asset that Valentia wants to keep close. OR, maybe driven by jealousy or insecurity, wanting to ensure that Luzia remains in a subservient position and does not gain independence or recognition for her talents.

3-How did using music and song to make Luzia magic work make you feel or think of.

The use of music and song to channel Luzia's magic adds a rich, evocative layer to the narrative!!It adds some cultural and emotional depth, too!

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?

For Luzia, having her own room represents a degree of autonomy and personal space, which could be crucial for her well-being and the cultivation of her magic. It provides her with a sanctuary where she can practice and hone her abilities without constant oversight or interference.

For Don Victor, ensuring Luzia has her own room might be a strategic move to gain her trust and loyalty. By advocating for her comfort and privacy, he positions himself as an ally and protector, which could be beneficial if he seeks to form an alliance with Luzia or leverage her magical abilities for his own purposes.

Keri wrote: "I have
Warrior of the Wild
Warcross

But how does this work? I know we have to finish them in a certain week, but can they be started before? Or you have to start a..."

They must be started AND finished during battle week!

I have

War Brides (DES)
War Bunny (NNY)

neither are great overlap letters.... DES would be ok Destiny, Descension, Desolate, Desperation?

Alright, what do we think team?

I'll add that I could do:

All My Rage (AGE)

I already have it borrowed from the library and it was on my list anyway

So far we have

The All of It (FIT)
All of You (YOU)

Let's wait on Keri, since she was interested and then make our decision.

Keri! Can you add your book (Honey) to your book games shelf please?

Battle Picks

D10: The Dom Who Came in from the Cold
D6: The Old Man
D10: The Man on the Mountaintop
D6: Top Secret Twenty-One
D10: One by One
D6: One by One
D10: One
D6: The One
D10: The One
D6: One Plus One
D10: One Hot Italian Summer
D6: Merry Ex-Mas
D10: Mason
D6: The Son
D10:
D6:
D10:
D6:
D10:
D6:

Hi from District 6!

Our book battle choice is

Merry Ex-Mas

Happy book hunting!

Let's go with Merry X-Mas!