Stacey’s Comments (group member since Oct 31, 2019)

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

Jessi wrote: "Sorry I've been silent the last few days. Busy busy weekend.

Also, finished this one last Thurs.

I really enjoyed it.

So last Friday my rommate/best frien..."

Oh, wow. Hope this week is less eventful.

Paulette, the nominations are open for the July BOMs. Any thoughts? I know we tend to like similar books.

Finished. 5 stars, which is something from me for a non-fiction book.

I'm curious about scribd. When comparing I read info on how it has a smaller library and that you can't always get the title you want right away. Is this true? I use Audible and try to save my credits for books I can't get from the library (at all or in time for a challenge) and I love the new Plus feature. But I'm all for saving money.

Finished. It was pretty good but the middle was a bit frustrating. I wasn't sure where to put it. Thinking 221 or 15, but I'll just leave it there.

Celanchia wrote: "Hi team, hope you're all enjoying the challenge so far. I've been seeing some amazing reads across the thread =] Usually I am a far more enthusiastic reader, and I'm feeling very guilty that I have..."

I do hope you feel better soon. Take care of yourself.

Erin wrote: "Does anyone want to buddy read with me?"

I might be interested. When did you want to start? I need to see when I can get it.

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Be afraid, be very afraid.. the Backroom BOM is back!

I'll take one for the team and volunteer for DQ's. It's hedgehog/wolf shifter erotica romance. The opportunity for double entendres and puns i..."

What did I read? I don't even know how to react to this. Have fun with that. On the plus side, that could check off a bunch of the tasks and bingo spaces just based on your quick description.

bookswithpaulette wrote: "Starting another book tonight! Crazy weekend here didn't get a chance to read a book this weekend.

Finally bought a house this weekend, had been looking for a little while and the stars finally al..."

Congrats Paulette! Glad the looking is over. Hope you enjoy the new place!

Tina ❣ wrote: "Hmm. I haven't read any of his books yet. Any recommendation on which one to start with?."

So many to choose from. I might say this one, it is shorter, some are really long. My other favorite is If It Bleeds which is a collection of 4 novellas. The Stand is an all time favorite but probably not a good place to start. I really liked The Outsider too.

I haven't read Joyland. Will have to add it to my TBR list.

Finished. Loved this. Listened to the audiobook and the narrator was amazing. A bit paranormal but not as out there as his others.

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: Yes, even me who enjoys a good HEA thought it all wrapped up conveniently for all. 😁"
..."
lol
I noticed a few people in the BOM appreciated it was not realistic but l..."

I can appreciate a HEA as well and can overlook some unrealistic turns but this was way too wrapped up with a pretty bow on top for me. Oh well, shame, but not everyone writes just for me...

Alysa wrote: "I've been hesitant to try that series, even though almost everyone I know who has read it has loved it. There's just one person whose opinion I tend to agree with most of the time who hated Book 1, but that's really just the one person, while everybody else says LOVE. So maybe you've swayed me, Stacey!"

They are very character driven rather than action but things happen. She is pretty liberal and there are one of the characters is from a species that views family and physical connection differently. If this would bother you, you won't like it. However, there are characters with different view points and things are always given from a cultural standpoint which I think makes it more thought provoking.

They are also standalone. It is a series and there are references to other books, but not knowing them won't hurt your understanding of the story. For example, one of book 1s characters is the ship's AI. In book 3 one MC is a sister of the captain. She thinks they refer to the AI as a pet, while in book1 the AI is much more than that.

Finished. I really love her books. This one was probably my favorite of the series so far. Becky Chambers has a talent for addressing social and gender norms through interactions with other cultures/species. It is subtle (most of the time) and makes you think.

I'll volunteer as backup for Carrot.

Alysa wrote: "Looks like June BOMs have been chosen...

LOL they're both books that I have waffled on for a while but ultimately decided not to add to my TBR. I guess I shall have to reverse that decision!"

I was hoping for a different book for the first June BOM. The Midnight Library was really good, and I highly recommend, but I just read it.

Finished The Lost Orphan and wrote the DQs. The spreadsheets are updated. I may not have included all, I missed the Bingo link! But between all of us who read it there are lots of options.

DQ Day 5: Chapters 19-end

20. Charlotte has a very bad reaction to being returned. Do you think this is normal? Why do you think she reacted so extremely?

21. Do you agree with Alexandra's decision to not pay Ned? Do you think she was right in doing this?

22. Alexandra seems to be very affected by the events that have happened. She seems less afraid, although maybe more reactive. She also manages to go outside for a short time. Do you think it will last? Will she improve? Why?

23. The two women come up with an interesting arrangement for Charlotte and came to understand each other better in the end. Do you think that this could have happened if Bess hadn't lied?

24. The ending had lots of happy events. Did you like it? Do you think it was realistic?

DQ Day 4 - Chapters 14-18

15. Knowing how Alexandra's parents died and seeing her state of mind after being surprised by Dr. Mead, Eliza, and Charlotte in masks, has your perception of Alexandra changed in any way?
A little. It is clear that she was traumatized by the events in a lasting way, but her reaction was intense. She is much worse off than I realized.

16. What do you think of Bess running away with Charlotte? Looking at her reasons do you think she is being selfish or doing what is best for Charlotte?
I am not surprised. I think it is a combination of both. I think she is definitely selfish and probably had this plan for a long time. I do think that after seeing how she lived (never going out) and Alexandra's reaction to the masks definitely put it into the realm of for Clara/Charlotte too. So complicated.

17. What do you think of Lyle and his willingness to help Bess escape with her daughter? Do you think he will remain in Bess's life?
I do. I like Lyle a lot and I think he really likes Bess. I hope he will be around but that may depend on what happens to Bess now.

18. Was anyone surprised by Ned's theft of Eliza's money or subsequent betrayal of Bess? What kind of deal do you think he made for himself in exchange for information about Bess?
Oh, Ned. I wasn't at all surprised by the theft. I was initially surprised when he betrayed Bess, but then realized I was being silly. He was desperate and lashing out at everyone. I hope he got something very good for it. Although, I do have mixed feelings over the whole kidnapping thing.

19. Charlotte certainly went through a lot in a short time during this section. How well do you think she handled the reality of being on the run with Bess? What do you think her reaction will be to being returned to Alexandra?
I think she handled it as best as possible. I don't think she had a choice. I feel for this poor girl. I think she will be happy to be in a home with all its safety and luxury's and probably happy to see Alexandra but also sad to miss out on so much. Can you imagine learning that your mom isn't your mom at that age? Alexandra isn't a very involved or loving mother either, due to her past.

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Okay, now I'm really dating myself. My favourite childhood shows were Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie. And who doesn't love Gilligan's Island."

Great shows. I also loved The Monkeys but I saw them all in reruns. I hadn't even heard of Merlin.

DQ Day 3: Ch. 11-13

11. Do you think the author has been able to give Bess and Alexandra individual voices? Do you like books with multiple points of view?
Books with alternating points of view can work really well but not always. This one is ok so far. I do like getting the two different perspectives but the switch was a bit hard for me.

12. What do you think ‘Eliza’ and Agnes were talking about in the kitchen? Do you think either Agnes or Maria know that Charlotte came from the Foundling home?
Don't know. I wonder if they were just talking about Alexandra's strange habits. Interesting thought. My first instinct would be no, but they have been in her employ and may have noticed that Alexandra never was actually pregnant.

13. I think that Alexandra will get much worse re her fears of the outside after the mask prank. Do you think her thoughts about ‘Eliza’ will suffer because of it?
I'm not sure that she blames her as much as the good doctor. But who knows. She was shaken for sure.

14. Do you believe that Dr Mead was telling the truth about not knowing about what happened to Alexandra’s parents? Why has he lied about who ‘Eliza’ is?
I want to believe it but I'm having a hard time actually doing so. I first thought that he didn't lie but just used her more proper name; however, I am doubting that. Her husband definitely used her for her money and I am wondering what Dr. Mead has in mind.