Friday, July 28, 2023

Sunday Post #515

 
I'm happy to report that the book Kathleen Baldwin sent me was amazing. So good I'm going to post my review below. In other news... not much. I do have a question though. If you could extend your lifespan, or even live forever, by the usage of nanotech or implants- if there was a way to stave off cancers or whatever by delaying aging- would you?  

This week's discussion post throwback is Gods of a Game of Thrones. 

season 2 bll2 GIF by Big Little Lies

Here is this week's lyric. 
You do what you wanna do     
I'll leave it all up to you    

Here is the lyric f/ last week and the answer      

So let's sink another drink    
Cause it'll give me time to think       
      

   Song of the week


PULP COVER OF THE WEEK: 

Image result for the case of the radioactive redhead



Sanctuary for Seers is the fifth book in the School for Unusual Girls series. It's been a few years since the fourth book and I'm so glad the author was able to finish this series. It was definitely worth the wait. 

Sera is the most mysterious girl at the  house- she can see emotions and unseen beings. And she's deathly afraid of anyone knowing. Her parents abandoned her and she is terrified of anyone knowing her secret. Her headmaster suspects but has not revealed her thoughts, waiting for the right time for Sera to come clean. All of the girls have gifts- with animals or a persuasive voice- but Sera's story is definitely the most mysterious and paranormal. And she forges an unlikely bond with their greatest enemy- which will send shockwaves through their group. 

I was so glad that she trusted her mentor, and didn't fall into the trap of getting sucked into more and more lies. So many times in stories like this the protagonist will think she has to lie, or there's a miscommunication that takes ages to resolve, but here she realizes the bond she has and puts her faith in that.   

I personally loved it, and the author sorta explored very briefly what it is to have our faith. And didn't push it so hard that it would alienate people. It's a risky move, at the end of a series, to maybe do that, especially in our climate. I thought it was great. It really worked with the alternate history she's building. And... spoiler... they face Napoleon! 

Buy this book. If you love YA history absolutely buy it. Then talk to me about it! I love how each book explores the individual stories of each of the girls. Impossible to pick a favorite but this one= fabulous. 
Posted by at

48 comments:

  1. Samantha@WLABBJuly 28, 2023 at 12:14 PM

    Glad to hear the book was a hit. It's always such a relief when a series you enjoy keeps growing strong. I don't care, I don't want to live forever. I am too poor for that

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  2. roentareJuly 28, 2023 at 2:43 PM

    You really like that book series. I will try to find the vol 1 some time later. The rain from Osaka video is so soothing.

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  3. ellieJuly 28, 2023 at 4:11 PM

    So great to see your review. Good that the author let the series rest like she did. Sounds like the story ripened perfectly! Yeah, for Billy BTW.

    Oh, the progression of life..that is thought provoking, but as the climate change keeps going I think there are just more factors we have to face in life. I dunno. I have lots of worries. Like last night I just knew someone was in the basement, but it was just a noise from the busy street nearby. We always have something to deal with. If it's not cancer, its bullies or the price of eggs.

    Happy Weekend. Thanks for being here. Thanks for reading and your comments. I hope you have a cool one. VERY HOT here. And a thunderstorm with HAIL on the way.


    Caitlin&Megan
    Ivy&Ellie
    Carefully Listening
    Ellie
    The Book Group
    Holly&Stevie
    Cherry Blossoms
    Better Left Unsaid

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  4. J.P. AlexanderJuly 28, 2023 at 6:26 PM

    Respondiendo a tu pregunta . No lo haría. Gracias por la reseña. Tomó nota te mando un beso y te dese o un buen fin de semana.

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  5. BiblioSanctumJuly 28, 2023 at 10:16 PM

    Great discussion question, I don't know if I'd want to live forever, but if the nanotech was available I think I would like to extend my life, but on my own terms. Yes I am also a control freak :P

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  6. S. J. Pajonas (spajonas)July 29, 2023 at 6:32 AM

    Oh yes, I would like another 100 years please! Glad you enjoyed the book!

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  7. Roberta R.July 29, 2023 at 6:50 AM

    "So many times in stories like this the protagonist will think she has to lie, or there's a miscommunication that takes ages to resolve, but here she realizes the bond she has and puts her faith in that."
    That's great!

    Radioactive redhead???!!!??? 😂

    "If you could extend your lifespan, or even live forever, by the usage of nanotech or implants- if there was a way to stave off cancers or whatever by delaying aging- would you?"
    The truth? If there were a way to relive my life from scratch (or from a certain point on) and make different choices, I'd take it. As it is know, it would only add more years of misery to the whole package...

    I was wondering about The Sands of Time - new chapters have been popping up in my Blogger feed, but when I went to look, the pages didn't exist...

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  8. Lark July 29, 2023 at 8:44 AM

    I loved the first book in Baldwin's series. This last one sounds so good. I definitely have some catching up to do! And the idea of living forever is interesting...would I have to then work forever, too? Because I definitely don't want to have to do that. ;D

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  9. MelodyJuly 29, 2023 at 9:13 AM

    That's an interesting question. I do want to live a bit longer, but provided that the world is getting better, too.
    The series sounds good! I'm glad to hear the latest installment was a great one. I'll have to check it out

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  10. Natalie @ The BiblioholicJuly 29, 2023 at 10:21 AM

    First of all, fab review for Sanctuary For Seers. I love when a series ends on a high note :)

    As for the living longer/nanotech debate... I've had cancer. Got the t-shirt, the mug, the scars... don't want to go there ever again. So if this is something I have to be down with in order to never go through it again, I'm in.

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  11. Mor Düşler KitaplığıJuly 29, 2023 at 11:51 AM

    The book looks interesting. Thanks for your review. Have a good weekend :)

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  12. Tanza ErlambangJuly 29, 2023 at 9:01 PM

    great review of interesting book....
    no, no need to live too long for me...

    Thank you for sharing videos.... love Osaka the most

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  13. Rachel @Waves of FictionJuly 29, 2023 at 9:28 PM

    Glad to hear the book was worth the wait. That's a long time between books! I would definitely want to extend my life! Life it too short and I have so much I still want to do! :)

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  14. MareeJuly 29, 2023 at 10:44 PM

    I wouldn't want to live forever, no. But if I could extend my life AND my quality of life, I think I'd take that chance. Have a great week :)

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  15. La La in the LibraryJuly 29, 2023 at 11:20 PM

    I love Billy Idol! 😊

    Yes, I would use any and all technology to live longer. 😃

    It was nice that the School for Unusual Girls author made sure she wrapped up the series. 🙂

    Have a wonderful new week! ☀

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  16. LolaJuly 30, 2023 at 12:36 AM

    That sounds nice the book you read avoided the miscommunication trope, that always bothers me too especially when it takes a long time to resolve. It sounds like a good series. Have a great week!

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  17. Kit @ Metaphors and MoonlightJuly 30, 2023 at 1:34 AM

    I'm glad the book was so good! Always nice to get an ending. Also great that it avoided some frustrating tropes and even explored some unexpected things.

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  18. Aj @ Read All The Things!July 30, 2023 at 4:40 AM

    Interesting question! Maybe I'd want to live forever if society was different. I have to work a zillion hours just to earn enough money to survive. Doing that forever seems really depressing.

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  19. Juli RahelJuly 30, 2023 at 5:47 AM

    So glad you enjoyed the book! It's always so rewarding when a final installment pays off, but I'm also impressed the author seemingly was happy to push a bit into the more supernatural? And fascinating question! I don't want to live forever and I don't even want to get really old. I'm almost at 30 and I feel like 70 or 80 is probably a good cut off for me xD (I'll potentially feel differently about this once I get there.) While I'm absolutely for medical advances that prevent human suffering where possible, I do think our mortality and aging is a big part of what makes us human? I might be getting too philosophical now... I'm gonna ponder on this a bit more! I hope you have a good week :)
    Juli @ A Universe in Words

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  20. HarveeJuly 30, 2023 at 6:20 AM

    I remember passing through Osaka on the way to Kyoto. Wish I could go back to Japan soon. The music is hauntingly beautiful.

    Harvee at https://bookdilettante.blogspot.com

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  21. Lisa MandinaJuly 30, 2023 at 7:03 AM

    Glad to see you loved the new Baldwin book as much as I did! I can't believe I didn't guess last week's lyrics! I don't think I'd like to live longer. With no children or significant other, I don't really have much reason to stay around for a long time after I normally would. Is that too depressing? Sorry. Anyway, hope you have a good week!
    Lisa Loves Literature

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  22. the bookwormJuly 30, 2023 at 8:01 AM

    Glad you enjoyed the book. I like Billy Idol, he's so 1980's rock. I'd totally extend my lifespan if there were no illness and aging stopped. I want to see what happens like 100 years from now, however only if my loved ones extended their lifespans too. Happy week ahead.

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  23. YvonneJuly 30, 2023 at 9:34 AM

    I'm glad you enjoyed the book. It looks good. Yes, I would extend my life if we could get rid of all illnesses and have a good quality of life. Have a great week!

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  24. CindyJuly 30, 2023 at 10:00 AM

    Fabulous review, Greg! Glad you enjoyed it so much. No, I wouldn't want to extend my life, especially with the way the world is going.

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  25. MeezanJuly 30, 2023 at 11:42 AM

    If I could extend my life and live a good quality life, I definitely would! Have a great week! :)

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  26. Lark @ The Bookwyrm's HoardJuly 30, 2023 at 12:30 PM

    The first book in the School for Unusual Girls series has been on my TBR list since it came out. I'm glad to know the series ends so well.

    Would I extend my life if I could? Yes, probably, but only if I could extend or improve my health at the same time... and only if the same opportunity existed for my loved ones. I'm not sure I would want to live a hugely extended lifespan if my husband, child, and other family members weren't able to. Not only because I would grieve their loss, but also because they might very well resent that I wasn't aging while they were, and come to hate me for it. On a personal level, there is so much I still want to learn and do, so many books I still want to read, so many places I still want to go, that I would appreciate more time in which to do all that. But I wouldn't want to live forever. I have faith in the continuance of the soul/self after death, and the joys and growth of the life to come. I'd like more time here in this life, but not infinite time.

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  27. thathappyreaderJuly 30, 2023 at 1:59 PM

    That is a really interesting question. I guess it would depend for me who was left in my life to grow old with! Have a great week ahead Greg!

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  28. BarbJuly 30, 2023 at 2:25 PM

    That book sounds fun. I wouldn't extend my life unless my family could too. However, could we have something like that for pets please? I had the hugest crush on Billy Idol in high school!

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  29. Tanya @ Girl Plus BooksJuly 30, 2023 at 2:40 PM

    Glad to see the Baldwin book was such a hit. So cool that she sent you a copy. Not sure about extending life/living forever. In theory it sounds great but I wonder about repercussions. Would my family also be there? Are there things that I just wouldn't want to see/live through? Glad I don't have to make that call!

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  30. Jinjer-The Intrepid AngelenoJuly 30, 2023 at 2:58 PM

    I would live forever if I could always be active and able to do (and eat) everything I love and not have illnesses and stuff. Then I could read ALL the books.

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  31. Tammy SparksJuly 30, 2023 at 3:07 PM

    I'm glad you loved Sanctuary for Seers! I haven't read this series but I've seen it around so I'm aware of it. Have a good week, Greg:-)

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  32. Shannon @ It Starts at MidnightJuly 30, 2023 at 3:20 PM

    So glad you loved the book! I really do need to start that series some day! I have the first book waiting for me. And YES I would live forever if I could. The amount of anxiety that would decrease would be just... life changing, frankly. It would be a double win!

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  33. Suzanne @ The Bookish LibraJuly 30, 2023 at 4:40 PM

    Glad to hear you enjoyed the new book! I don't know if I'd want to live forever, but I wouldn't mind living long enough to read all the books I want to read and to travel everywhere I've ever wanted to travel.

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  34. Carole's Random LifeJuly 30, 2023 at 4:49 PM

    It does sound like a great book! I would absolutely extend my life but only if I could guarantee that I wouldn't have any type of dementia. I need a few extra years, or maybe forever, to get through my tbr.

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  35. Kathryn TJuly 30, 2023 at 6:29 PM

    The book sounds really good. I'd like some medical advances and to live a little longer so long as all those around me I know and love do too.

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  36. Cheryl MalandrinosJuly 30, 2023 at 8:31 PM

    Baldwin's book sounds wonderful, and it's not even a genre I read a lot of so that is saying something.

    Interesting question this week. Part of me says, sure, I have a lot I want to accomplish. But everlasting life in heaven with those who have gone before me sounds good, too. I would probably choose that instead. Hope you have a great week.

    https://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2023/07/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-and_30.html

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  37. Breana M.July 30, 2023 at 9:36 PM

    Great review! I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the book, because it seems like an interesting story. Have a great week!

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  38. BlodeueddJuly 31, 2023 at 1:20 AM

    i guess the radioactive redhead is as good as dead

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  39. crackercrumblifeJuly 31, 2023 at 6:49 AM

    I need to get back to the Baldwin series. I read the first one and really liked it!

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  40. Kathy MartinJuly 31, 2023 at 9:55 AM

    I bought it but have no idea when I'll have a chance to read it. I have so many review books right now taking up all my reading time. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

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  41. Katherine PJuly 31, 2023 at 2:35 PM

    I'm so glad you enjoyed the Baldwin book! There's always an extra bit of pressure when it comes from the author. Tough question. I don't know that I would extend my life but I wish I could have extended other peoples' lives like my grandparents and great-aunt and uncles if that makes sense. Have a great week!

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  42. Mary KirklandJuly 31, 2023 at 3:55 PM

    I'm glad the book was so good for you.
    Now about that question, no absolutely not I would not. I've already signed a DNR because if something wants to take me out at this point I'm ready to go, not to be morbid but there it is.

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  43. Deanna @ A Novel GlimpseJuly 31, 2023 at 4:30 PM

    Yay! I'm glad your book was good. I don't know about the life extension thing... It might depend on health at the time. I've known some people over 100 who were shells of themselves. Love that song!

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  44. Nise' July 31, 2023 at 7:19 PM

    Glad you enjoyed the book. Always a plus to end a series satisfied. Loved reading everyone's answer to the question! Have a great week. Coming up for any of the Coast Guard Festival hoopla? Always a fun week.

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  45. Laurie CJuly 31, 2023 at 7:25 PM

    Technology to delay aging is coming a little too late for me! I'd need a time travel machine, as well! Still, I'd probably be too risk-averse to go for implants or nanotech messing around with my brain. The technology would have to be around for a while, and then it would definitely be too late for me!

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  46. paperbackprincessAugust 1, 2023 at 9:55 AM

    Glad you enjoyed the book, Greg! I cannot answer that question, that is too much thinking for me at the moment lol.

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  47. KarenAugust 3, 2023 at 11:08 AM

    This is a weird, contradictory, answer but I would not want to live forever but I also would use it to not get cancer lol

    Karen @For What It's Worth

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  48. Jen at Introverted ReaderAugust 3, 2023 at 8:48 PM

    "Radioactive Redhead." I think we all know one of those :-) Just kidding but it is a fun title!

    I would like to think that if I could extend my life, I would be unselfish enough not to. There's a natural order to these things and we have to move on to make room for the coming generations. Would I use it to keep myself healthy enough and comfortable until I passed peacefully in my sleep? Absolutely!

    Enjoy your week!

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