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

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

I think it is pretty clear it is Clara. I'd be surprised if it Bess and Eliza weren't the same; however, it is only implied at this point. Ned showing up and one of her friends (also implied). But still an interesting point.

Sophie wrote: "I find it interesting that we all presume that Bess is Eliza and Charlotte is her daughter, but this hasn't actually been confirmed anywhere in the book so far."

Hmm.... Interesting point.

Jessica wrote: "On an extra note, I don't trust this Dr. Mead fellow. Why is he playing both sides of this field. He's got some motive going on here! I can feel it"

You got that so much faster than me! I finished chapter 13 last night. Up until then I was thinking how nice he was and how much he seemed to like Alexandra. Then the end of chapter 13 and I'm like, he's either a huge lovable fool or evil. I'm still hoping for the first but thinking it is unlikely.

Finished . It fits for lots of things, but nothing that seemed to be unique. Not sure which to count it for, will leave that up to smarter folks.

Nice read.

DQ Day 2: Ch. 6-10

6. Were you surprised to find out Daniel had a wife? I personally was super surprised as I originally believed him when he said he was single. What do you think of the way Daniel died?
No. I think this is a pretty common thing both then and now. Not sure about the way he died. Sounds like bleeding in the brain or maybe a tumor. Very quick and odd but who knows.

7. How do you think Alexandra Callard knew about Bess and her daughter?
Someone on the inside had to know. As previous folks mentioned a friend found out, or maybe the whale bone necklace was distinctive. I think the Sr. Doctor Mead was involved. The families knew each other.

8. What do you think of the way Alexandra and Charlotte live? Do you think Alexandra keeps Charlotte home to stop her from being recognized or because she is truly scared of the real world?
It sounded to me as if her parents were killed in a home invasion. I'm guessing she was there. So, I expect she was traumatized. It sounds awful but maybe understandable. Not sure why she would want to bring a child into it though.

9. "Eliza" has been fired on her first day. What do you think of Alexandra's reasoning for firing her? Do you think part of Alexandra knows that she is Charlotte's real mom?
I don't think Alexandra knows. Both Eliza and Bess are different names, even though I think they both come from Elizabeth. Smith is pretty generic too. I think she is just scared of new people at this point and it is pretty obvious that Eliza overstated her qualifications.

10. Do you think Bess will find a way to still see her daughter? How?
I assume so. My guess is that Charlotte convinces Alexandra to keep her on.

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Started and finished

in a day.
Great writing, but terrible subject matter. I had to get to the end :o
review

Details are in the tracking sheet :)"

Between the book description and your review I am sure I don't want to read this. I'm good with dark, but there is too dark.

DQ Day 1 - Chapters 1-5

1. How are you liking the writing style ? Are you enjoying the story so far?
I am enjoying it overall.

2. After reading that opening scene, what do you think of the practice of the Hospital taking babies based on a lottery (the coloured balls in the bag) ?
My first thought was that is was awful, and I do think it is awful to turn it into a spectacle. That said, they probably couldn't take all of the babies due to space and that method was actually the least biased. I can imagine that babies of color have a much better chance this way.

3. At some point Bess says that "knowing she [Clara] could be anywhere instead of nowhere at all was torture even more exquisite." Implying that not knowing where her child is is worse than knowing she's dead. What's your opinion ? Or would you rather not know ?
I do think that the not knowing would torment you. Makes it hard to move on since there is always a chance for the best, or the worst.

4. What do you make of the child's father, Daniel Callard ? Everyone keeps asking Bess if he's really dead. Do you suspect there's more to Daniel than we've been told so far ?
I do believe that he is dead. I doubt so many people would have lied to her; however, I am sure that plenty of men skipped out on pregnant women and used lots of excuses. Is there more to him? Not sure. She only met him twice. He is a 'rich' man (to her) that preyed on her in my mind. Maybe it was more, but likely that would have been only for her even if he hadn't died.

5. Time for your theories ! Who do you think claimed Clara on the 28th of November 1747, the day after Bess gave up her baby ?
I wonder if one of the aristocratic ladies wanted a baby and chose hers for some reason (similar looks, age of the baby, etc).

I'll start 2. One audio: Things You Save in a Fire and one regular book: The Lost Orphan. Can't believe the start is here!

I'm doing DQs for The Foundling! (Or Lost Orphan, whichever way you want to think about it. I love the fact that my copy has some questions at the end to help me too.

For anyone who wants to read the adult BOM this month, please note that this book has a different name/title in some locations. These are the same book:


I'm set to read and have volunteered for DQs, so no problems there.

Tina ❣ wrote: "Ooh a few of them have been BOMs here. The chestnut man still leaves a weird memory in my head but I liked it. I think I liked it more than the sun down. I think it was more predictable than chestnut man. What do you think?"

It has been awhile since I read Chestnut Man so I don't remember everything, but I do remember it having some great twists. Definitely less predictable than Sun Down Motel. That being said, I really like Simone St. James. I'd say a bit paranormal and more character driven.

Marie (UK) wrote: "Hi from Team Ventinari

I wondered if anyone can give me a couple of recommendations

I enjoy most genres -
Mystery / thriller, historical fiction, JD Robb and some nonfiction"
My favorite historical fiction:
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (but only if you like epistolary novels)
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek
Blonde Roots
The Vanishing Half

Recommended mysteries/thrillers
Anything by Tana French
The Sun Down Motel
The Chestnut Man

Other favorites from the past year:
When All Is Said, amazing as an audiobook if you like a good Irish accent
Migrations

I remember feeling that at the beginning of UNO, but now I'm feeling like I have to finish quite a few books quickly before it ends.

I'll have The Foundling from my library (well actually The Lost Orphan since it must be the US version). So that will likely be one of my first books.

Looks interesting, I'll volunteer for DQs. (team Carrot)

Hello! Stacey from Ohio. This is my first TT and I am still a bit new to team challenges but have been enjoying them, including UNO with Paulette.

I know nothing about Discworld books so I guess I'll have to learn a bit.

I really liked the first part. It was creepy and fun and the twist at the end! Then it went a bit strange. I do like sci fi, but to me there was just too many different ideas going on at once. I kind of understand Wendy, and her ending was a bit odd. I agree that there were lots of questions that I still had. Such as, what about Aaron looking like Wendy's husband. There were so many references about it initially and then nothing. For Brenda's husband I think it was because he got sucked into the thing with the other 'souls'. I do wish that there was either more info on the 'thing' or some hint as to whether it was really gone or could come back. I truly didn't understand all of the snake things at the end. Was it over? Would they just stay that way?

I did enjoy it and am glad to hear about his others. Was this his first book? If so, that also makes me more interested to see how he progresses as an author.

Ok, I finished. I'll wait to say anything more until you are done. I am really interested in what you thought and how it compared to the other book of his that you read.

How are you coming along? I slowed down a bit but I'm finished with Part 2. The beginning of Part 2 really shifts and gets very strange but still enjoying (I think it was there, maybe late part 1).

The last section is pretty short compared to the others I'll likely be done this weekend.

I can't wait to hear what you think by the end of the section. How is it coming? I am debating starting the next section or waiting another day, I don't want to get too far ahead of you as I think it will be harder to discuss if I know too many spoilers (or forget some details which is likely)

Ok, I finished last night. I'm still trying to figure out what I think. I am definitely disappointed. Based on the reviews and such I expected more. I liked her idea of updating the older fables and some of the stories. Many were funny. The fact that they were tied together and had repeating characters though made the lack of depth of characters so much more noticeable.

I appreciated many of them more after reading the 'based on' stories in the back. Many of them did end abruptly. But some of the updates were just strange. The two sales ladies/ghosts? What was up with the 'where the wild ladies are'?

I'm glad I read it. I may go back and reread a few of the stores but I'm disappointed and didn't love it.