Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion
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The Astral Library
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The Astral Library by Kate Quinn May General BOM (starts 25 May 2026)
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Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief
(last edited May 29, 2026 02:13PM)
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Date Chapters MPDQs
25 May 1-5 Catherine (Aoraki)
26 May 6-10 Lisa (Aussie Girl) (BN)
27 May 11-15 Insiyah (DA)
28 May 16-19 Shaw (PJ)
29 May 20-end Jade (Trango)
Breakdown is based on this versionof the paperback.
Guidance for DQ setters
Aim for a reasonable number of questions: 4 - 5 is typical. Please don't post too many - any more than 7 gets unwieldy!
Use consecutive numbering of the DQs for your days. So, for example, if Day One is posted as questions 1-4, Day Two should start at number 5 etc.
Don't worry too much about your questions: you aren't being tested on how clever your questions are!
Hints and tips:
- Is there a quote that jumped out at you? Use that in a question.
- What about the characters - do they generate strong feelings? No feelings? - either way, we can explore that!
- What about that plot twist?!
- Explore the writing style: is there an unusual structure being used? what's the tone of voice like? or the point of view?
Want more information about how NBRC runs their Book of the Month discussions? Check out the information here
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Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief
(last edited May 21, 2026 04:00PM)
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Catherine (Aoraki) - NOMINATOR
Judith (Denali)
Lisa (Aussie Girl) (BN)
Lisa (Aussie Girl) (BN) extra entry
Jenny (Sinai)
Angie (Sinai)
Insiyah (DA)
Karen (Olympus)
Melissa (Kang)
Brittany (Olympus)
CB (Elbrus)
Marie UK (Pico)
Jade (Trango)
LavendarLane (Acon)
Shaw PJ
Tammie (Denali)
Kate S (Pico)
Randomized List
(view spoiler)
Mod
Mod
obviously, I am in for DQ's
Mod
I really want to read this but I’m away at the moment and there is a long queue at the library to borrow as well. 😞
Should we push out this read for later in the month? It is a new release. So sadly ques at library will not get it to anyone in time. I have started the book and it is so cute, I am loving it.
That would be great if we could push it back till towards the end of May. I’m back on the 16th from holidays and my library hold should be in as I’m 2nd in the queue. I could do DQS then. ( Last week of May)
Ok lets plan that as I do think/hope you can all read this fantastical gem.
Mod
Yay! I wanted to read and was hoping to borrow it as well.
Thanks Mods. I’ll be in for DQ’s.
Good for DQs as well. I mean, the word library is in the title. Catnip.Team Sinai
DQ back-up for Jenny (aka Tower Teams...) Team Sinai
Angie ☯ wrote: "DQ back-up for Jenny (aka Tower Teams...)"Or vice versa since you commented first!
I'd like to sign up for DQs as well! (Team Drakensberg Amphitheatre)
Judith wrote: "We had a quick chat about this in the mod group and we are going to push this back to May 25 and it can count towards TT. Catherine, if you participate in TT, you can still get the bonus points for..."Sounds good with me.
Mod
Mod
Thank you!
Sorry, I’ve just got my phone till next Saturday when I’m home from holidays. So Team Ben Nevis.
Thanks.
I'll be back up for Judith (Denali)
Mod
I am in for DQs for Olympus
Can I use an extra entry please. Team Ben Nevis.,
I'll be in for DQ's (Day 1 or Day 2 if I'm picked if I can please!)Team Kangchenjunga
In for DQ's Team Kangchenjunga
Volunteer for DQs with Olympus
Volunteering for DQs for Team Elbrus - thanks!
I am on team Aoraki
I can volunteer for DQ's Team Pico de orizaba could I be at the end if picked
Volunteer for DQ's with Trango Towers
I'll be backup for Trango Towers :)
?? for Mods as I have already finished this book but will re-read parts for DQ's should I put the original finish date in my team sheet, so I just get credit for the DQ'S?
I will have a copy of this one in plenty of time as well. I can be a backup DQ writer for Team Pico de Orizaba.
I’d like to nominate for DQ’s please (team Aconcagua)
I'm in for DQs - Denali
I will volunteer for DQs for Team Puncak Jaya
Mod
The Captains will only need to enter it on the BOM tab, so the date you read it is fine. Don't put it on the books tab.
I'll message them separately in the captains group too since this is a bit of a weird situation.
Mod
Happy Reading!
Awesome! I'm looking forward to reading this.
Tomorrow is a Holiday for me. So getting this in a day early.DQ 1 Chapter 1-5
1. Have you read from Kate Quinn before? How are you consuming this read (Kindle/Physical/Audio?)
2. In the prologue you are presented with the question have you ever wanted to live inside a book? What book would you choose to escape to?
3. We definitely get how crappy life is currently for Alix Watson. Losing access to her bank account, job, place to stay, and literally her identity. Where would you go first after the worst day of your life?
4. Alix talks about smells reminding her of memories. Do you have a smell that reminds you of a book? What smell and what book?
5. What section in the Astral Library are you going to hang out in first?
Mod
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(last edited May 25, 2026 01:36AM)
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DQ 1 Chapter 1-5
1. Have you read from Kate Quinn before? How are you consuming this read (Kindle/Physical/Audio?)
yes I read the Alice Network which I really enjoyed.
This one I have on paperback, just got lucky to pick it up from the 'read now' section at the library (no reserves and no extensions)
2. In the prologue you are presented with the question have you ever wanted to live inside a book? What book would you choose to escape to?
If we are going with the Astral Library rules I would choose
as I always wanted to live in Patty's Place and Anne and her friends at College always seemed to have great fun together3. We definitely get how crappy life is currently for Alix Watson. Losing access to her bank account, job, place to stay, and literally her identity. Where would you go first after the worst day of your life?
I'm really curious about this and who is Libby....
I'm grateful to have family and friends I could call on.
4. Alix talks about smells reminding her of memories. Do you have a smell that reminds you of a book? What smell and what book?
I read the Anne of Green Gable and Pollyanna books as a child which belonged to my grandmother so they have that really old book musty smell. It still brings back cozy memories.
5. What section in the Astral Library are you going to hang out in first?
I wouldn't mind reading that next GRR Martin either! lol
DQ 1 Chapter 1-51. Have you read from Kate Quinn before? How are you consuming this read (Kindle/Physical/Audio?)no, this is my first book of hers, but I’m thinking I may want to check out her backlist. I’m reading via ebook.
2. In the prologue you are presented with the question have you ever wanted to live inside a book? What book would you choose to escape to? If we are limited to public domain books, then I would definitely want a book like Anne of Green Gables or Middlemarch, but if we could choose any book I would love to go to Rivendell in The Fellowship of the Ring, or I wouldn’t mind spending some time in a sci-fi setting, maybe The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet.
3. We definitely get how crappy life is currently for Alix Watson. Losing access to her bank account, job, place to stay, and literally her identity. Where would you go first after the worst day of your life? I was wondering what I would do if I was in her position, assuming I didn’t have family or friends to support me, maybe I’d go to an airport as it would be warm, dry and safe and people sleeping in an terminal isn’t unusual. That would hopefully give me some time to figure out my next steps.
4. Alix talks about smells reminding her of memories. Do you have a smell that reminds you of a book? What smell and what book? I honestly can’t think of a smell that reminds me of a book?
5. What section in the Astral Library are you going to hang out in first? The fantasy or sci-fi section for sure.
DQ 1 Chapter 1-51. Have you read from Kate Quinn before? How are you consuming this read (Kindle/Physical/Audio?)
I've read quite a few of her historical novels and enjoy her writing.
I gave five stars! I borrowed this from the library so it's the hardcover edition. Brand new. I read in kindle but so much prefer to read in paper. 2. In the prologue you are presented with the question have you ever wanted to live inside a book? What book would you choose to escape to?
I've escaped into books my whole life, and not because fortunately had a difficult life but because I am a bona fide bookworm. Just have always loved it. Which book would I choose? Such a difficult question and usually it would be the latest five star book I had read. I completely get her love of Narnia - I also loved the Dawn Treader!
3. We definitely get how crappy life is currently for Alix Watson. Losing access to her bank account, job, place to stay, and literally her identity. Where would you go first after the worst day of your life?
Home to my family.
4. Alix talks about smells reminding her of memories. Do you have a smell that reminds you of a book? What smell and what book?
Not so much a smell but different books definitely remind me of where I was when I was reading them.
5. What section in the Astral Library are you going to hang out in first?
Ooh, difficult question, that's like choosing your favourite child! Probably a classic read and I really like the idea of reading a much waited for book from a series I've been following. Great idea.
DQS DAY 2 CHAPTERS 6-10 6. Alix is ready to go on her first adventure in The Astral Library. A classic book set in the 1870's. Did you immediately guess what the book was? (If you're like me every time they mention a book by the initials of the title and the date and the year, I'm trying to guess before it is revealed. Anyone else? )
7. Who is the mysterious Libby Bibb? How do you think this person (or is it even a person) is going to impact on the story as we progress through. And how about the sightings of her mother? Anyone else think these two things may be linked?
8. This novel really seems to me like an homage, a love letter to all those classic books readers grew up on. Sherlock Holmes, Tom Sawyer, Dracula, Jane Eyre, Around the World in 80 days have been included - which book from your childhood or teenage years would you love to appear and be available for you to travel to?
9. Characters - what are your feelings about the Main Character, Alix and her relationship to other characters in the book so far, especially Beau and The Librarian?
10. As we head towards the middle of the story, is it how you imagined the plot would develop? What are you enjoying about the novel and is there anything you would change? Any favourite quotes or books mentioned? How do you feel about the inclusion of The Astral Gallery at this point in the storyline?
DQ 1 Chapter 1-51. Have you read from Kate Quinn before? How are you consuming this read (Kindle/Physical/Audio?)
I have read 3 books previously by Kate Quinn: The Diamond Eye, The Briar Club, and The Phoenix Crown. I am reading this as a hardback from the library. And the pages are painted beautifully!
2. In the prologue you are presented with the question have you ever wanted to live inside a book? What book would you choose to escape to?
I am sure there are books I have wanted to live in, but I can't think of what any of them would have been! I had a pretty lonely teenage era, so I created all kinds of fantasy stories to live in, taking characters from books and movies. I just can't remember any specific books I would have escaped into...
3. We definitely get how crappy life is currently for Alix Watson. Losing access to her bank account, job, place to stay, and literally her identity. Where would you go first after the worst day of your life?
This is such an odd series of circumstances for Alix! I'm really curious about who Libby Bibb is... The first place I would go is anywhere my husband is. And hopefully the worst day of my life is not due to his death!
4. Alix talks about smells reminding her of memories. Do you have a smell that reminds you of a book? What smell and what book?
I have smells related to places, which I suspect would be triggered by books that I read when I was in those places.
5. What section in the Astral Library are you going to hang out in first?
Mystery or Historical Fiction
DQ 1 Chapter 1-51. Have you read from Kate Quinn before? How are you consuming this read (Kindle/Physical/Audio?)
I have not. I'm doing E-book borrow from Libby.
2. In the prologue you are presented with the question have you ever wanted to live inside a book? What book would you choose to escape to?
Oooh I don't know, but I doubt I would want a public domain one. It would require thought. I think something with urban fantasy somewhere where things aren't too violent.
3. We definitely get how crappy life is currently for Alix Watson. Losing access to her bank account, job, place to stay, and literally her identity. Where would you go first after the worst day of your life?
I felt bad for her so much it was frustrating me. Ack. I would go and visit my mom most likely!
4. Alix talks about smells reminding her of memories. Do you have a smell that reminds you of a book? What smell and what book?
I loved that part and her nostalgia with books - cookies, scones, teas, leather chairs, beesewax (??? from old candles??), the wood cleaner for shelves. I love the smell of most books.
5. What section in the Astral Library are you going to hang out in first?
If I were her I'd want to keep hanging out in that awesome library reading awhile, sipping tea and snacks, before running off
DQ 1 Chapter 1-51. Have you read from Kate Quinn before? How are you consuming this read (Kindle/Physical/Audio?)
I have not read any Kate Quinn before as her other books are not my type. I purchased the Audio and read kindle from Libby.
2. In the prologue you are presented with the question have you ever wanted to live inside a book? What book would you choose to escape to?
I don't think I have ever wanted to escape into a book physically but I always wish I could freeze time to escape and read all the books.
3. We definitely get how crappy life is currently for Alix Watson. Losing access to her bank account, job, place to stay, and literally her identity. Where would you go first after the worst day of your life?
I think I would want to be alone to decompress but honestly and luckily, I would probably go to my sister's house.
4. Alix talks about smells reminding her of memories. Do you have a smell that reminds you of a book? What smell and what book?
I don't have smells as much as memories of where I have been physically. Like SEA airport reminds me of People we meet on vacation. So, when I pass that gate, I remember reading this book.
5. What section in the Astral Library are you going to hang out in first?
I am with Alix and I am headed to the fantasy section as well.
Nothing But Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
The Rose Code (other topics)The Alice Network (other topics)
The Briar Club (other topics)
The Invisible Library (other topics)
King Arthur and His Knights: Selected Tales (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Thomas Malory (other topics)Kate Quinn (other topics)
Kristin Hannah (other topics)
From New York Times bestselling author Kate Quinn comes a gorgeously written fantastical adventure which poses the question: Have you ever wished you could live inside a book? Welcome to the Astral Library, where books are not just objects, but doors to new worlds, new lives, and new futures.
Alexandria “Alix” Watson has learned one lesson from her barren childhood in the foster-care system: unlike people, books will never let you down. Working three dead-end jobs to make ends meet and knowing college is a pipe dream, Alix takes nightly refuge in the high-vaulted reading room at the Boston Public Library, escaping into her favorite fantasy novels and dreaming of far-off lands. Until the day she stumbles through a hidden door and meets the Librarian: the ageless, acerbic guardian of a hidden library where the desperate and the lost escape to new lives...inside their favorite books.
The Librarian takes a dazzled Alix under her wing, but before she can escape into the pages of her new life, a shadowy enemy emerges to threaten everyone the Astral Library has ever helped protect. Aided by a dashing costume-shop owner, Alix and the Librarian flee through the Regency drawing rooms of Jane Austen to the back alleys of Sherlock Holmes and the champagne-soaked parties of The Great Gatsby as danger draws inexorably closer. But who does their enemy really wish to destroy—Alix, the Librarian, or the Library itself?
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Nominator: Catherine
Official page count for TT: 384 pages