Maritza’s Comments (group member since Jun 08, 2014)

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

Oh my copy of Dumplin' got returned to library. Only copy available now is in spanish. This will be my first time reading a book in spanish.

I will still be wearing my mask.

Hi guys, have a couple of books I started to see which holds my interest.

I finished my second oldest book and one of the new ones.

Megan wrote: "Okay so the current book I'm reading is down for the "features demons" task buuuut the main character is intersex and non binary so would potentially work for the transgender/non binary task instea..."

Probably the second one.

Hi guys, this was a good reading week for me. Really enjoyed my books.

Yeah, it's a NetGalley book I need to read anyway.

I have a book set in China I could read.

BOM participation has really given us a lot of points.

Taking the rest of the week to finish off some older books that I started and never finished. I started a new book but have not placed on ss yet.

Kristie wrote: "My problem is that I can always justify it somehow. haha

An interesting thing I have realized is that I end up reading most of the books I am declined for. I just don't have the pending pub date t..."

I have done the same with a few books I was declined for. Normally I go back and give them my review anyway.

I participated in BOM but don't know how to link to ss
Day 1 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 2 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 3 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

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?
I don't feel as sorry for her as I think I should. She should have been able to confide in others and maybe not have taken in an infant.

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 thought that was bound to happen, otherwise why did she agree to go work in the house. She is doing what she feels is best for herself and being selfish without knowing it. Charlotte is living a good life and I wonder how she thinks she will be able to care for her and hide her away.

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?
Lyle may be infatuated and would help her as much as possible. I hope he remains in her life, she deserves happiness and a partner.

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?
I'm surprised he never took her money when she was living at home. He probably set up a deal to pay off his creditors.

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?
She handled it realistically - that part was very well thought out and written. I am happy that she did not seem happy right away. She won't be the same when she is returned.

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?
Yes, I think the author has given 2 distinct voices with good arguments for their choices and actions. I definitely like books with different POVs as they fill in what the characters are feeling.

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 think they were talking about what goes on in the house with Alexandra and Charlotte. They must know that she was not pregnant and therefore the child is not hers.

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?
That will prohibit her from wanting to go outside in the future and may lead to her not allowing Eliza not to take Charlotte outside to any further outings.

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 think he did not know or else he would have been comforting her more during the years. He seems to want a relationship with Alexandra but her fears will not allow it. He may be helping her to get closer and know her daughter.

Should be finished with The Lost Orphan today. I have really enjoyed reading it and sad to know that these things can happen.

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 was not surprised. Why would he have had sex with her outside if he was single. He had to die for the story to progress.

7. How do you think Alexandra Callard knew about Bess and her daughter?
I don't think she knew.

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?
She is scared of the outside world and that bad things happen out there. It is not sustainable to live like that at some point Charlotte is going to want to be outside.

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?
She regrets bringing someone else into the house. I don't think Alexandra knows who she is.

10. Do you think Bess will find a way to still see her daughter? How?
Yes, now that she knows where she is, Bess will be seeing more of her daughter by going to the Church.

They tempted me with an interesting widget but I declined. I need to read the ones I have.

Question - how do boxsets work? can we use the whole book or list separately? Never mind, I found the answer. They are counted as separate books.

DQ Day 1 - Chapters 1-5

1. How are you liking the writing style ? Are you enjoying the story so far?
So far I am finding the writing style easy to follow. I am enjoying the story and can't wait to see how it turns out.

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) ?
I think that there is something suspicious about that. Why is that practice in place? what does it mean? So many questions have I.

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 used to think the same thing and thought it would give me peace (not child wise but in general). I have since come to realize that one is not better than the other. I want to know where all my people are all of the time. It gives me peace.

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 ?
For a minute there I thought her dad was the baby's father. He may be alive as she was told information from other people. He may have taken advantage of the fact that she is poor and cannot read.

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 ?
It was probably one of the women that were there as benefactors. Someone who wanted a new born infant.

Sophie wrote: "Lol, I read day 3 yesterday and struggled to stop. The last 2 sections might not be separatable."

Enjoying it so far - up to chapter 7.