Audrey Jane’s Comments (group member since May 27, 2014)

Audrey Jane’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

Wild Sign by Patricia Briggs
Date Read: 10th of May
Pages: 368

Possible uses and reasons/justifications:

144. CW - features a wolf shifter
52. R - MC has to obey someone else's commands (MC has to obey the Marrock/leader of the pack)
81. W - Spell out BEES - B (Briggs, Patricia)
103. W - MC is in the performing arts (Anna Cornick is a musician)
135. W - MPG Paranormal
136. W - MPG Witches
137. W - MPG Fantasy
167. O - title includes an adjective
224. TA - Single person on the cover
21. D - Romance MPG

Louise wrote: "Dumplin BOM DQs selections have been released

Date Chapters Pages MPDQs
16 May chs 1 - 10 21% Cat (Lord V)
17 May chs 11 -20 35% Eldarwen (DEATH)
18 May chs 21 - 33 49% Judith (Oook)
19 M..."

Great, Louise ! Celebratory dancing :)

During the weekend I've been renovating my house. The previous owner had the property for 37 years. The exterior looks like an old farmhouse but the interior looks like it has been stuck in the 60s/70s. It just doesn't match ! However I've managed to finish my book :)

Geri wrote: "Yasmine wrote: "I just ordered both June BOMs (Firekeeper's Daughter and The Midnight Library) and am looking forward to receiving those and getting us some points there :))"

YAY! 😁"

Yay as well :) ! I enjoy participating in BOMs discussions. Sometimes I realize things that I wouldn't if I read it alone. And if it's a bad book I find that I can enjoy commiserating with others :p

Book: The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden
Date Read: 7th of May
Pages: 384

Possible uses and reasons/justifications:

46. CW - flames on cover
50. R - features demons / devils
52. R - MC has to obey someone else's commands (view spoiler)[(Medved has to obey Vasya) (hide spoiler)]
207. TA - title includes a season name (Winter)
241. TA - last book in a completed series (last book in trilogy)
244. TA - Important character dies (view spoiler)[(The MC's (Vasya) brother) (hide spoiler)]
93. D - with a character representing Death (Morozko, Russian grim reaper)
155. D - MC uses horse(s) as a mode of transportation
153. D - Historical Fiction MPG
67. W - focused on siblings (Vasya and Sasha are siblings and both MCs)
71. W - MPG Fairytales
76. O - Features a religious zealot (Priest Konstantin)
163. O - features talking animal(s) (MC talks with horses)

Really enjoyed this wonderful trilogy !

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?

Yes and no. I did think her reaction a bit extreme while reading it but then again my mother is still talking about my 'terrible twos' hahaha, so I can understand in a way but as other readers pointed out, realistically I don't think you can completely discard 6 years of your life with someone you've always considered as your mother.

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

Yes, he would have used it for himself anyway. I would only feel bad if he was planning to invest it in his family.

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?
The personality change was very sudden so I think it will last since the author basically told me so.

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?
We will never know because it hasn't been tried. However after reading Alexandra's conversation with Dr. Mead I'm inclined to say no. But maybe that could have been anger speaking after being betrayed and lied to. Instead everyone jumped to conclusions and already formed an opinion about Alexandra.

24. The ending had lots of happy events. Did you like it? Do you think it was realistic?
No, it wasn't. I don't mind happy endings at all but since this is an Historical fiction and not fantasy, I wished the ending was a bit more realistic. The rest of the book was great, especially the opening chapters which were very realistic for the time. It corresponds with what I've learnt and read in medical & orphanage museums (except the lottery, that was new to me).

For the rest I agree with what Alysa said.

Glad you will be joining, Geri ! Looking forward to read it.

Yasmine wrote: "Woaw, six? How does that work? I thought you only had 4?"

It doesn't haha. It gives you hamster cheeks and after the surgery you finally discover you have cheekbones :) Indeed 4 is the 'norm' but then you also have the odd cases. A fellow patient had 9 wisdom teeth !

I'm in and volunteer to do DQs for team Rob Anybody.

Volunteering for DQs (Team Rob).

I just saw that the June BOMs have been announced.
and won (Jenny's nomination came in second :)). Is anyone interested in reading those ?
I will volunteer for DQs for The Midnight Library and Mort (Discworld).

Feeling for you, Kristel ! Years ago I had to remove six wisdom teeth. I still shudder when thinking about it. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Cat wrote: "I'm not quite sure what his job is though - to walk with people / next to chairs and provide a light? The history has some very strange jobs!"

Isn't it ! I immediately googled it after reading. Lot's of job opportunities back then. Something for everyone it seems.

Book: The Foundling by Stacey Halls
Date Read: 5th of May
Pages: 400 (default)
Writing DQs: Yes - link to DQs
BOM/Participation: Yes - Comment 1 - Comment 2 - Comment 3

Tasks:

20. D - wedding takes place
28. R - Spell out EIGHT - H
49. R - book has two different titles
61. D - read a book where someone changes job
84. W - Spell out BEES - S
87. CW - title has all the letters in G-U-I-L-D
88. CW - set in a large city (London)
95. D - features a grandparent (Doctor Mead's grandfather)
116. D - someone pretends to be someone they're not (Bess pretends to be Eliza Smith)
153. D - Historical Fiction MPG
180. TA - cover has only one woman PLUS something blue (woman + blue cage and flowers)
190. TA - Spell out Sky - S
202. CW - Someone reads a story to a child
229. CW - MPG Mystery

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? Not really, in the sense that I was already sympathic towards her, it was clear she had some mental issues, she wasn't evil. My perception wasn't really negative although she wasn't the most loveable character either.

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? Her plan is not really thought out in my opinion. I thought 'stealing' her kid back would be a last resort but Bess is ignoring all the other options and immediately opts for the most dramatic one. I rather would have liked that she tried to talk about it with Alexandra first.

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 like him. I would definitely read book about him as MC.
And yes, he will remain since the author chose to give him a name and identity instead of just referring to the 'linkboy'.

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?
No, a bit unfortunate because I hoped deep down he would be a good person. Since he seemed indifferent towards Charlotte, he will sell info about her and unfortunately afterwards drink it away.

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? For her age (6 yo) she handled it pretty well. She followed her mom without question. I think she wants to be with her mother above all. She may have lived in a golden cage with all the comforts but ultimately I think she wants to be loved and cared for. Something Alexandra is incapable of doing at the moment.

Carrie wrote: "The House in the Cerulean Sea

Highly recommended to all! I can't tell you how many times I would catch myself smiling as I was rea..."

I will have to read this book after my current reads. I need to find out how come so many people agree on this. Even the average rating is mind-blowing.

Colleen wrote: "I finally finished up an audio I started prior to TT starting! I am reading one and listening to one that will count towards. Does everyone do more than a book at a time? In different formats?"

Never more than 2 at the time. One in paper version during the day and one on kindle for the evenings. I often fall asleep while reading, sometimes waking up with my kindle still in my hand.

Jammin Jenny wrote: "I generally have five or six books going - one on CD, one on kindle, one on nook, one graphic novel, one in physical form, and another usually audible"

I bow to you. Jenny, that's impressive!

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?

Definitely. I'm reading the paper version and both women have distinctive voices. Even if their POV wasn't announced beforehand, I could easily figure out from which point of view we're reading.

I wasn't surprised it was written from different POVs because I always leaf through paperback books and I already saw the chapters.

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?

I finished the book but I had no idea at the time. I presumed they were talking/gossiping about Alexandra.
I depends how long they were in Alexandra's service and if they knew she was 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 think so but she seemed more upset with the Doctor Mead since she views him as a friend. It's always worse to be disappointed by someone you know than a complete stranger (Bess). She wasn't viewing 'Eliza' in a positive light anyway at this point.

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?
By then my opinion changed about him. He's telling the truth.
At this point we don't really know if he's really lying and knows Charlotte is 'Eliza's child.

Vicki wrote: "I also finished with ch. 13 and was hoping for the DQ's because I was hoping to answer them or print them out and take them with me to answer just in case. (we'll be on a short vacay this week) (view spoiler)"

Sure. Dawn and I are referring to (view spoiler)[the incident where the Doctor, Eliza, and Charlotte are sneaking up on Alexandra in her sleep while wearing masks. In the dark no less. (hide spoiler)]

Enjoy your vacation, Vicki :)

Dawn wrote: "I just finished Chapter 13 :o Poor Alexandra! Surely that was not intentional?!"

See ! I don't think so but they should have known better in my opinion.

Alexandra so far is an 'unlikeable' character however I don't dislike her at all. It's unfortunate that her mental health issues are not at least acknowledged/taken seriously. Which is not surprising for the 18th century since, they would admit people in asylums for whatever reason. At this point she's viewed as the 'weird/crazy' lady. I want to know her backstory more and I hope she has a somewhat happy ending. Let's see.