Judith’s Comments (group member since Apr 15, 2015)

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

DQ Day 4 Chp. 11-13

16. While Joe has pretty much run away from home life, He gets a job and buys a truck. He runs into a woman who didn't feel necessary to give her name. Do you think this is Norma (Ruthie)? Do you think Joe would recognize her if it was?
I do think he would recognize Ruthie, some things I think are just innate. But I never thought that woman was Ruthie. Just another lost soul helping out another lost soul.

17. Joe is gone over 8 years when he finds out he has a kid. Did you think he would actually go home to be with his family? Why do you think he can't/won't?
I had hoped he would of gone home. But I think one of the most powerful influences to overcome is shame. And he was filled to overflowing with it. And self indulgent pity. He couldn't go home to try and get forgiveness he couldn't grant to himself. So he stayed away. It was easier to justify.

18. When Norma misses that her mother is getting older and forgetful, did you judge her for not moving in and taking care of her mother?
Umm, no. Especially not when it had reached the point it did. Norma placed her mother in a safe place where she could get the level of care she needed.

19. Was you losing faith that Norma would find out the truth before the end of the book? How did you think she would find out? Was hearing the truth from her Aunt a surprise?
No, I figured she would with how the booked opened. Also if you saw the chapter headings the last few switch from Norma to Ruthie. And I wasn't surprised Lenore never spilled the beans. Poor June though left holding the bag.

DQs Day 3

12. When Norma tells her mother she's pregnant, Norma notices fear in her other's eyes. What do you think that fear was about? Do you think she was remembering her own past experiences and worrying about Norma, or was she fearing that this would lead to Norma finding out the truth somehow? (Thinking to all of the bloodwork and stuff that comes from this, though admittedly not sure in the time frame if that was as much of a concern.)
I think it was more about remembering the trauma of all those miscarriages. It's hard, especially when there is so many and pregnancy for Lenore never had a positive outcome. As someone who had a long, painful road to parenthood and spent years in fertility treatments, some things stay with you. That's just how life works sometimes.

13. Ruthie was from Nova Scotia and went missing in Maine, yet Norma and Ben ran into each other in Boston of all places — somewhere his family would not be expecting her. Later, when they need some time away, Norma's husband takes her to Nova Scotia, where she feels some familiarity and connection to the land. Are these crossovers just coincidences, or do you think that in the grand scheme of the story, something more (fate, a higher power, etc.) is leading them to each other?
You know. Your hind brain knows. Like recognizes like in some strange way. It's happened to me a few times with both people and places.

14. We get the backstory in this section on why Joe didn't know he had a daughter at first. Knowing what we know now do you agree with his family's decision to keep him in the dark? Have your opinions on Joe changed with this piece of backstory revealed?
Yep, he wasn't in the right place to know. And my priority would of been protecting Cora and the baby over Joe's right to know. And would tell him when I felt it was safe to do so.

15. "I would learn to love the little one." What a strange thing for Lenore to say when broaching the topic of adoption — especially considering Norma's circumstances. What did you think when you read that — especially seeing how Lenore treated Norma growing up?
People have weird thoughts about adoption and whether they are 'real members' of the family. How bizarre. My nephews are adopted but they are very much my nephews, my family, and I would do anything for them. Biology isn't all that people make it out to be.

I would say you can finish it, we can shift things!

DAY 2 QUESTIONS - CHAPTERS 4-7

7. "But sometimes I think that sadness drilled down deep and some of it might just be there for good"
"now get lost and leave me to my book."
"There was love in that house but none of us really knew what to do with it."
In chapter four we learn more about Norma's parents and life in their house as she grew up. Does learning about Lenore's past make you more sympathetic to her? And how about their parenting style, I can't imagine ever telling my children or grandchildren "to get lost" because I wanted to read a book. (Ok, I'm sure all parents might have thought it at times, but saying it to a child is a definite no no in my book!)
I mean maybe a little but I still cannot fathom causing the pain of the loss of a child onto another parent. I just can't, it's unforgivable. As is all of those in her tight inner circle that helped cover up the secret and lie.

8. In juxtaposition to Frank, Lenore and Norma, we have alternating chapters about family life from Joe's POV. Thoughts and why does the author structure the novel this way?
Because there's two sides or two families anyway that were irrevocably changed by Ruthie being taken that day. And the ripple effects impacted both storylines. Just telling one side would leave so much out of what Lenore's (I'm assuming it was her) choice was to take Ruthie.

9. Chapter 5 - the horrible incident with Frankie and Charlie. How did you feel reading about this injustice? Could anything been done to avert this tragedy? How does Amanda Peters' writing the scene add to the heartbreak?
That whole scene was horrible and I don't understand how zero other people tried to help or call the police. I know everyone involved was Indian, but at that point I'm surprised it mattered. I would of thought they would of wanted the police to cart everyone out.

10. What you think of Aunty June and her role in the story? Why does she encourage Norma to interact with the Indian protesters only to pull her back when she is recognized as Ruthie?
She's there for support and to inject what little bit of light into Norma's world she's able to. Make sure Lenore doesn't completely smoother Norma. I can see June wanting Norma to branch out and maybe find some connections but then realizing how badly things almost went pear-shaped when someone recognized her. I mean what were the odds? And I'm guessing June knows enough about whatever Lenore did to know Ruthie was Norma's birth name.

11. Joe seems to be a tragic figure as the story of his life is revealed. How he has responded to racism and trauma make you feel when reading this book? Are you enjoying the story or does it make for uncomfortable reading?
It makes me sad and wonder what could of been for his family. I don't feel uncomfortable per say. But then I just finished a book about child soldiers in Uganda, so this might be hitting a bit different after that book.

DQs for day 1

Some of these questions will lead to possible spoilers. Please be sure to hide any spoilers

1. What expectations do you have for the book based on the blurb or other description of the book?
None really though everyone I know whose read the book had positive things to say about it.

2. How reliable do you the think the 2 narrators are?
As reliable as they can be when things involve memories from early childhood.

3. Chapter 1 opens with " The day Ruthie went missing the black flies seemed to be especially hungry...Indians made such good berry pickers...something sour in our blood kept the black flies away". How does this establish Joe's view of the relationship that exists between the whites and the Mi'kmaq?
That he's well aware of the "us" and "them" lines and that in general they are seen as less.

4. How much is Norma dreaming vs remembering? What do you think the dreams foreshadow?
I do think they are more memories than anything and her brain trying to make sense of a very confusing series of events that I'm sure happened to her. I think it's also to make it clear to the reader Norma is actually Ruthie, even though that hasn't been directly stated yet.

5. How do you explain Lenore's paranoia about Norma being out alone? How do you account for the incongruity of her insistence that Norma likes to play with baby dolls when she sees Norma choosing other playthings?
Well, generally people are most paranoid about things they themselves are guilty of doing. Like cheaters who accuse their partners of cheating for no reason. And that coupled with all of Lenore's miscarriages just makes her overly protective.

6. Why did Joe act so clingy when he returned from his first "guide" with his dad?
He missed his mom and some of the hero shine is gone from his dad. Growing up is scary and realizing adults don't magically have the answers we as children assume they do is a disturbing truth we all have to learn.

Yay! My nomination won, though very surprised it did!

Volunteering for DQs, back up for Belem tower

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Dates and Threads have been created for July BOM's.



My Friends - July 2 - Thread Here - Official Pg Count 448

The Sword ..."

The Sword of Kaigen starts on July 16. I did a double take too, but it's the July 25 (as in 2025) themed BOM that starts on July 16

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Nice. I actually have an X book too for some point that's shorter and to finish a spell it out challenge before June 30th. I thought about that in case neeed for a cheese also, it's cheesy looking ..."

I read that book a while ago. I remember it not being horrible and a bit fun in that it take itself overly serious.

Tomorrow

Boo for you not liking the book but I hope you enjoyed your trip!

Welcome back :)

Sounds great Suzanne!

I went ahead and put your Croatia book on Mini 1. But we’ll move it around as needed. I put it on there to check off the second Croatia so we didn’t accidentally end up with people reading 3.

And in case I forget to do so at the end of the week, have a lovely trip!

We were able to knock out another cheese spelling with banked books!

I read James about a month or so ago Linda, I really enjoyed it and hope you do too. I thought it was an interesting retelling of Huck Finn

We just finished off itinerary 3 for Mini 1! Great job everyone

Tammie & Denise,

That’s perfectly fine as she’s also volunteered to write DQs in a post above.

You can always trade amongst members of your team as long as they volunteered to do so before the DQs are assigned.

Sounds good!

Hope you are enjoying the reads :)

Melanie wrote: "Just want to double check about the book cap for this as I just noticed I'm only 4 books away from mine. I will likely finish 4 books a few days before the end of the round.

That means anything I..."

That's correct.

There is a countdown to the end of the round in the tracking sheet in the top left corner. I know with time zones that can be confusing.

When the countdown disappears, it means it's run down to zero and we are in month 2.

Judith's BOM Tracking

Day 1: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 2: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 3: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 4: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 5: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 6: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

DQs Day 6
Chapter 32–end

24. Lots of big reveals here in the last few chapters! We learn the truth about Jodi's relationship to Margaret, as well as some vital information about Hayden's family history. What did you think of those reveals? Did you have any theories that ended up being right, or did they surprise you?

I was assuming he was related somehow but not quite like that, I assumed he was Laura's grandson or something like that. But once it came out who Jodi wasn't sure.

25. Alice finally has the hard conversation with her mother about how out of place she feels in the family and how she feels like her mother doesn't like her as a person. How did you feel about the conversation? Did it feel realistic to you? Was there anything left unsaid you wish would've been addressed?
It seemed real enough. I think some family members just have a hard time communicating feelings because they approach and process emotions so differently. And then they just assume things (especially with an adult/child dynamic)

26. Emily Henry, the author, said that the song that best encapsulates this book is "the last great american dynasty" by Taylor Swift. I personally think there was a part that specifically felt like "marjorie" by Taylor Swift (when Alice talks about all the things she should have done when her dad was alive). If you had to pick one song that fits this book — either the book as a whole or a specific part — what song would you choose? Do you like when authors provide songs/playlists that go with their books?
I tend to ignore them for the most part. I might look at the list in passing but they don't really register with me.

27. "I welcome her to this great big beautiful life" — the epilogue finally reveals the significance of the title. What did you think of the ending and how the author wrapped up the story? Is there anything you wish had been done differently?

It's the standard-ish ending to most contemporary romances, but there's nothing wrong with that. You don't read this type of book expecting a literary masterpiece that challenges all of the beliefs you've ever had. Well, maybe you do. But that would be both weird and likely disappointing. These books are fun and non-mentally taxing. Which this book was.