Mary’s
Comments
(group member since Jan 29, 2017)
Mary’s
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from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.
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completion post Book: Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. by Judy Blume
Date: 6/2/2022
Pages: 153
Book: Divergent by Veronica Roth
Date: 6/10/22
Pages: 487
Book: Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
Date: 6/17/22
Pages: 433
Book: Nightbooks by J.A. White
Date: 6/20/22
Pages: 320
Sorry I've been MIA for a bit. It's been a difficult month.
Completion PostBook: The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton
Page count: 324
Date Read: 5/20
Book: Shadow Princess by Caroline Peckham
Page Count: 724
Date Read: 5/28
Hello all! I'm Mary and I'm from Pensacola, Florida (USA). I've participated in a couple TT before but sadly not consistently. However I love challenges and recognize a few of you from other challenges. :)
I don't have a favorite genre really. To be honest I don't pick favorites unless they are absolute. I'm weird. So far this year I've read a lot of fantasy and a lot of romance.
My shelf can be found here
My top 3 books so far would be:
Mary wrote: "Sonia wrote: "Wait what?!Task: Read a book where a pet name starts with the letter J
*dies*"
oh my gosh...that's terrible...how would you even begin to start looking for that?! *hits head on ta..."
OOO, there's a dog named Jip in David Copperfield
Sonia wrote: "Wait what?!Task: Read a book where a pet name starts with the letter J
*dies*"
oh my gosh...that's terrible...how would you even begin to start looking for that?! *hits head on table for you*
You guys are amazing! Thank you so much! I figured out that
had it in there with the kindle search!
oh my gosh y'all.... please help me...Task: Read a book with the phrase "to all intents and purposes" in a book
Eldarwen wrote: "There's also The Switch where neighbours are involved. Romance, yes, but it isn't quite the main focus of the story for those who may not be fond of romance."Ooo, I'll have to remember this one!
Well if you happen to like mysteries and get this task 
- this book works perfectly :)
I had to start going through my books one by one until I found one that would fulfill my task hahaMCs who are neighbors - Title N to Z
Apparently I don't like books where people are neighbors.
So, I've looked a lot of places for rules about magna and poetry books...can any tell me if they count or if there's a special rule for them?
I'm in! I'm gonna do it...hard level!
Thanks for all the thoughts! It’s been a little rough but it’ll get better. Reading and escaping to another world helps.
Just checking in. Sorry I’ve been absent the last two weeks. I have been swamped with my jobs and my mother-in-law passed away this week. I have finished Dumplin’ I just need to sit down and answer the questions and I’m half way through Equal Rites. I have next week off from both jobs so that means LOTS of time to read!
May 20, 2021 10:17AM
DQ Day 1 - Chapters 1-51. How are you liking the writing style ? Are you enjoying the story so far?
To be honest I enjoyed the writing style, but I was not enjoying the story at that point. Having kids myself I couldn’t imagine giving up my babies. I completely understand the need and sacrifice it takes, so it breaks my heart when I have to hear/read about mother’s having to make that decision. It was just hard for me to read.
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 the practice of taking babies based on a lottery is a little ridiculous. I mean I understand they couldn’t take them all and it’s a far way to decide who to take, but still…I couldn’t imagine being those mom’s who couldn’t leave their precious babies.
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 could not imagine one or the other. I’ve had the experience of not knowing where my child is when my back door has been open before without me knowing, but I don’t want to ever think of my child being dead. So I can really not determine which one would be better.
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 think Daniel was a coward and did not know the situation that he put both of them in with the decisions that were made. Having read the book before answering any of these questions, I did not expect more of Daniel and was surprised to find out who he truly was.
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 ?
When this occurred I was not sure who had claimed the child. I had thought Bess’s father had something to do with it since he was in the room and knew the information.
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?
I was extremely surprised to find out that Daniel had a wife. I was a little stunned of the way Daniel died, but based on the times it made sense to me.
7. How do you think Alexandra Callard knew about Bess and her daughter?
My first assumption was that Bess’s father told her about them. I never would have figured out who had told her.
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?
I could not imagine not going out into the world other than one day a week. I truly thought that she was truly scared of the real world, or had some type of depression or mental illness.
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 do not really remember the exact reason that she was fired, but I remember finding it ridiculous. I did not believe that Alexandra knew that Eliza was Charlotte’s real mom. I think she was just scared of new people and changes.
10. Do you think Bess will find a way to still see her daughter? How?
At the time I was unsure if she would find a way. I figured she would start going to the same church to see her, but other than that I was unsure.
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?
I think the author did a good job at separating the voices of Bess and Alexandra. I tend to enjoy books with multiple points of view, because you tend to get more of the story than assuming what another character is thinking/going through.
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?
Initially I figured that they were talking about the craziness of how Alexandra lives and the reason as to why. I figured that Agnes and Maria had their suspicions since there was no way Alexandra had been pregnant and then all of a sudden had a little one in the house.
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 figured that Alexandra would get much worse during the mask prank, because trauma is a big deal. And having to “relive” said trauma is very taxing on an individual. I was sure that her thoughts about Eliza would suffer because of it, because Alexandra is so cautious of people already how could she have known whether this was planned as a prank or an accident.
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 believe Dr. Mead to be a very truthful individual in the book. I do not believe that he knew what happened. He seemed at this point to really care about Alexandra and I do not believe if he had truly known that he would have attempted the mask plan. I do not believe that he knew the Eliza had anything to do with Charlotte. I believe he was just trying to help her after having been through the tragedy of losing her child yet again.
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?
My perception changed quite a bit. I could have imagine living through such a trauma and having to continue to see it in your mind for the rest of your life. I could imagine her fear of the outside world and why other people could be dangerous.
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?
This honestly upset me more than I thought it would. I wanted Bess to have her daughter, but at the same time she was in a lifestyle that she could never provide to Charlotte. Charlotte may not have been in the best situation of always having to be inside and such, but she had so many more opportunities ahead of her to live a better lifestyle than Bess could provide. I found it very selfish of Bess to just take her away in the dead of night.
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 figured that he would remain in Bess’s life. I was surprised to see that someone would help her steal a child, but sometimes when you got to do something you’ve got to do something. I thought it was nice of him to help, but it was kind of obvious to me that he had feelings for her which may be the main reason that he helped her.
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 was not surprised by Ned’s theft or betrayal. When you are in the mindset that Ned all that matters is taking care of yourself. He was a very selfish individual and it was no surprise that he traded information about his own sister and niece for money.
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 had troubles adjusting based on the life she had led before. She had luxuries that can no longer be provided to her. I did not think she would be upset to return to Alexandra, but I figured she would be a little happy to return home to comfort.
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?
I was honestly surprised at the extreme reaction that she had. I know a mother’s love is strong, but Alexandra raised her as well. It may not have been the best life, but she was provided with a lot of luxuries and a lifestyle to help her succeed in life.
21. Do you agree with Alexandra's decision to not pay Ned? Do you think she was right in doing this?
I only have a one word answer for this questions: ABSOLUTELY.
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?
I think some tragedies help a person heal from past tragedies. It’s about learning the challenges in life and what means something to you. I figured she would start to heal and be able to love better with letting go of her past and focusing on the present and finding her daughter.
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?
I am not sure if this would have happened if Bess hadn’t lied. Would Alexandra have ever truly trusted her or even listened to her.
24. The ending had lots of happy events. Did you like it? Do you think it was realistic?
To be honest the ending was one of the main reasons that I ended up enjoying the book. I am always happy with happy endings. But to be honest I am not sure if this would realistically happen. I think there would be a fight before a happy conclusion.
So...I was looking at the books I've read already this month to add them to my book journal. And Forget Me Not is a book of poetry. I listened to the audiobook so I did not catch it until just now. My apologies!
Megan wrote: "Mary wrote: "Okay, so I read Midnight Library at the end of December (the 30th). It’ll be the June BOM which would make it 6 months since read. I would like verification that it would be okay to re..."Got it! Thank you!
Okay, so I read Midnight Library at the end of December (the 30th). It’ll be the June BOM which would make it 6 months since read. I would like verification that it would be okay to reread for BOM points or would I need to wait until the end of June? I usually wait around a year to reread books so I don’t have to worry about this but my mind/anxiety is flipping out a bit haha
Just checking in! Hoping to finish Summer Knight and possibly Legendborn today! Also I read Midnight Library at the end of December, will it be too soon to read it again?
