Jessica’s Comments (group member since Apr 07, 2021)

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

I HATEDDDD THAT BOOK lmao!!!

It's taking everything in me not to read ahead in The Lost Orphan. At least until I answer the DQs! It's a very good book. The writing is good and the historical fiction part reminds me a lot of how "Before We Were Yours" was set up. and I LOVE that book

Same Sharon. I'm over here feeling like a turtle and then realizing it's only the 4th! lol

So though not outright confirmed (I'd say that would sort of end the mystery aspect of things) it is HEAVILY implied in my opinion

Alexandra was going through stuff and definitely had "Clara's" 627 tag and both pieces of the whale bone that was engraved. So I'd be pretty shocked if this wasn't Bess and Clara. There would have to be some serious explaining going on...lol

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

DQ Day 2: Ch. 6-10

1. 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?

NOT AT ALL. Seems like something that would happen a lot (and still does smh) back them. It almost sounds like he was poisoned or something odd, but for those times I suppose it could have been anything.

2. How do you think Alexandra Callard knew about Bess and her daughter?

Someone must have been in on it somehow. If Daniel didn't tell her that Bess was pregnant...someone may have seen them together somehow.
3. 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 think she has a mental illness. It's sad because she clearly needs help, but her behaviors are also impacting a child who can't do anything about it. Alexandra just seems to be paranoid overall for whatever reason. There could be past trauma causing this perhaps?

4. "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?

It may have been a little extreme, however it is her house. Eliza really shouldn't have gone snooping into things that weren't hers to go snooping through. It doesn't appear that Alexandra knows Eliza is bio mom....just seems like she really dislikes Eliza.

5. Do you think Bess will find a way to still see her daughter? How?

Yes of course! Now that she's found her daughter she definitely won't leave it here

I've gotten next to no reading done this morning. I've been having a bunch of bank issues and problems with my tax return and direct deposit stuff. I've been back and forth with the bank for over an hour :(

DQ Day 1- Chapters 1-5

1. How are you liking the writing style ? Are you enjoying the story so far?

I'm LOVING the book so far. As I mentioned before, I may have read to Chapter 6....oops!

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) ?

Though horrible, this was probably the fairest way they could do it. Not everyone could be accepted and it feels better than accepting only the white babies or the ones they thought were cutest.

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 think it would be worse. I always feel awful reading stories about families who lose children and never find out what happened to them. I cannot imagine how awful it would be to go YEARS without ever knowing the truth. I feel that even if the truth was the worst case scenario, it would put some part of your mind at rest.

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 ?

Hmm, it sure is hard to tell. Seems like he was a wealthier jerk who used his status for advantage. As for if he's really dead..who knows. I'll say yes

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?

Lol I accidentally read to chapter 6 (I was engrossed), so I'm gonna stay quiet on this one due to my thoughts.

So for BOM were reading. When and where do we document that weve done discussion questions for the book? :)

I haven't done mine yet but I'm going to and I just wanna be prepared

I started The Lost Orphan today. I really like it so far

I'm starting with The Lost Orphan, The Lost Apothecary, and FINALLLLLY (I'm so excited!!!) The House in the Cerulean Sea!!! Those are my 3 audios I'll be working on.

Physical books I'm trying to get through:
Their Eyes Were Watching God (won't count because I started before the challenge), The Seven Husband's of Evelyn Hugo, and Mr. Mercedes

For UNO, I didnt put things on the SS till I was finished (or for mini challenges we claimed a few). A lot of times I end up changing what I'm going to read so I'll likely just stick with this method

Okay perfect. I mostly listen to audio :)

Okay and then narrators and translators CAN be used for this challenge? Not just authors?

Okay so are we also putting our stuff on the tracker SS or no? Just clarifying

I've only got the BOTM planned so far. I had a busy weekend. I had work at my second job and then had a friend in town - had a little too much to drink lol...so I had to spend most of yesterday recovering! This week is finishing my UNO stuff and then looking at what to start with for this challenge

I guess just how would you like us to do completion posts? sorry if that was answered. I may have missed it....

Excited to start this weekend with you all!! I think we're gonna kill it

Yeah I guess we should. it's like 5 or 6 of the tasks