Week 19: 5/7 - 5/14 > Likes and Comments
Happy Thursday all.Turned in my last assignments for college... graduation is the 19th, just a few days away! Definitely feeling bittersweet about this -- on the one hand, it'll be a relief to be done with classes, but on the other hand, I'm actually going to miss it. It'll be an adjustment, that's for sure...
Also our local comic convention, Gem State Comic Con, is this weekend. Going to attend and see if there are any indie authors I can support...
Books read this week:
The Dolocher -- historical horror novel about a monster/serial killer stalking 18th-century Dublin. Could have been interesting, but all the characters are either flat or unlikable.
We Burned So Bright -- god, this was heartbreaking but beautiful. Not sure how you can have a book with a hopeful ending that also includes (view spoiler) but this one managed it.
Sleeping Giants -- not the best I’ve read by this author, but still a harrowing account of a controversial treatment and what happens when children fall through the cracks of the foster system.
Big-Ass Sword -- graphic novel. Cool name, nice art, complete lack of story.
Currently reading:
Pearly Everlasting
Leaving the Beach
The Mystery of the Blue Train
Novelist as a Vocation
QOTW:
I can't really think of any authors I love who've stopped writing... but I am wondering if Catherynne Valente is ever going to finish her Prestor John trilogy. I know that the publisher handling those books went out of business before the third book could be published, and I heard at one point she was talking about crowdfunding the last book, but so far there's been no word on if or when she'll do that...
Happy Thursday! Temps PLUMMETED yesterday. We'd been having highs in the 80s - even one day in the 90s - and then it crashed. If it got to 65 yesterday, I'd be surprised. It's going to be much cooler for most of the next week. We have a winery event scheduled for Sunday. I'm glad it won't be so hot.Reading Challenges:
52 Book Club: 43/52 (May Mini-Challenge: 1/3)
52 Books Read It, Watch It: 5/12
ATY: 47/52 (ATY Spring: 15/15 + Bonus)
Booklist Queen: 43/52
Popsugar: 39/50
Goodreads Spring Bookmarks: 8/12
52 Books Mystery Challenge: 16/50
My Ever-Growing TBR: 50/256 – 19.5% (My goal is 33.3%.)
Recently Completed:
🌺 Gray Dawn, Easy Rawlins, #17 (Booklist Queen #21 – set in a major city: Los Angeles/Mystery #45 – more than 4 stars on GR) ★★★★
🌺 Mansfield Park: Jane Austen Book Club. (52 Books #21 – written in the 1800s) ★★★
🌺 Chain of Ideas: The Origins of Our Authoritarian Age ★★★★
🌺 Anatomy of an Alibi: BOTM Selection. (Mystery #24 – features small town secrets/GR Spring Bookmarks #4 – Community Picks) ★★★
🌺 Ghost Town ★★★
🌺 Monsters in the Archives: My Year of Fear with Stephen King (GR Spring Bookmarks #8 – Books on Books) ★★★★
🌺 Women of a Promiscuous Nature ★★★
🌺 Lloyd McNeil’s Last Ride ★★★★
🌺 Blockade Billy (ATY #32 – a novella of 100-250 pages) ★★★
🌺 Bombshell, Hell’s Belles #1 (ATY #16 – a Clue character: Miss Scarlet) ★★★
🌺 A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty (Mystery #22 – an unreliable narrator) ★★★★
QOTW: I can't think of any right now. I thought I'd thought of one (Judith Merkle Riley), so I looked her up... She died in 2010. I guess that explains it. 🫤
Greetings all! We're back to rain again. I didn't get a lot of reading done, as I spent a couple of days mostly unconscious and feverish after getting my shingles vaccination. Worth it, but that thing packs a wallop.53 books this year.
Popsugar 36/50.
52 Book Club 40/52.
Booklist Queen 37/52.
This Challenge Killed the Bookworm 15/25.
Finished: The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck's classic about the Depression, which feels all too timely today. This is the book that made me understand the concept of the setting being a character in the story. Used for "harvest season" (PS), "uses personification" (52BC), and "reread of a favorite" (BLQ).
Currently reading : When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi, in wich the moon literally turns to cheese. More a series of vignettes than a novel. For "inspired by a real song, band, or singer."
Kenya wrote: "Happy Thursday all.Turned in my last assignments for college... graduation is the 19th, just a few days away! Definitely feeling bittersweet about this -- on the one hand, it'll be a relief to be..."
Congrats! It should only be 6 months or so before you stop feeling like there's a paper you should be writing somewhere.
Road trip! Not much reading this week – I’m in Oklahoma for my twin grandsons’ graduation. That 18 years went even faster than getting their father to 18! PopSugar 40/50
AtY 33/52
Curiosity Killed the Bookworm: 18/25
Finished:
Book Lovers by Emily Henry For a Michigan author.
Currently Reading
Der Tote im Strandkorb by Anna Johannsen; 80% -- because I like a challenge.
1916: A Novel of the Irish Rebellion by Morgan Llewelyn ; for AtY
for
On Hiatus I am just so tired of some of my books ☹ and so out of time.
Gerry Rafferty: Renegade Heart by Bryan Cooney; for #37 a book about a pop star.
Wolves of the Calla by Stephen King Book 5 of the Dark Tower series uhh I like the characters but this book is gross. I need a break.
DNF
On the Beach by Nevil Shute Written in 1957, set in 1963. It hasn’t held up well.
QOTW
George RR Martin!!!! Not that he stopped writing but he stopped writing THAT SERIES and I'm still so unhappy about it all these years later.
Kenya wrote: "Happy Thursday all.Turned in my last assignments for college... graduation is the 19th, just a few days away! Definitely feeling bittersweet about this -- on the one hand, it'll be a relief to be..."
Congratulations!
(I never managed to graduate and am so impressed with those that do!)
Good morning, everyone! Happy Thursday! To be honest, this really hasn’t been much of a week. I’ve spent almost the entire week at home, mostly because of the current gas prices, but also because I just haven’t been feeling all that well. Allergy season is definitely part of the problem, but my sleep schedule is also completely screwed up, which has really impacted both my mood and my ability to stay focused. I'm not liking it.
Since I’ve been staying at home, I have managed to make some progress on several household projects. I’m currently planning to spend the weekend finishing up my office, and will be moving on to cleaning/reorganizing the kitchen once that’s complete.
As far as this week’s reading is concerned…
Apart from one book that I DNFed, this has been a really good reading week. I managed to make some progress on both my TBR and New Books lists, and I’m starting to feel a bit more optimistic about the odds of me actually accomplishing my May reading goals.
I'm also in serious LitRPG mode at the moment, which explains pretty much all of my book purchases in the past couple of weeks.
Here are my current challenge and TBR totals…
Goodreads Challenge: 91/250
Mount TBR Challenge: 50/150 (One-third done!!!)
📚Physical TBR: 47/462
📱Ebook TBR: 3/161
🎧Audiobook TBR: 0/1
TBR Checklist Total: 50/624 (8% complete)
TBR Books DNFed in 2026: 3
TBR Books Soft DNFed in 2026: 1
I picked up several new books this week, including A Parade of Horribles, by Matt Dinniman; Heaven's River, by Dennis E. Taylor; and My Big Goblin Space Program: An Astronaut Reincarnation LitRPG and My Big Goblin Space Program 2: An Astronaut Reincarnation LitRPG, by Scott Warren.
“New” Books Bought in 2026: 48
“New” Books Read in 2026: 40
“New” Books DNFed in 2026: 0
“New” Books Checklist Total: 40/48 (83% complete)
Here are the books I finished this week…
Finished Reading (Fiction):
~He Who Fights With Monsters, Book 1: Outworlder — I had such a fantastic time reading this book! It was a really fun story, with great characters and world-building. I’m really glad that Barnes and Noble decided to release this one a couple months early, even if it means a slightly longer wait for the next book. The only negative comment I have is that the book would have benefited from more strenuous editing, as there were quite a few typos and grammatical errors. Despite that being a pet peeve of mine, it did not wreck my enjoyment of the book, and I will definitely be continuing the series as soon as book 2 is released in hardback. Content Alert: (view spoiler) 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Finished Reading (Nonfiction):
~My Favorite Horror Movie: 48 Essays by Horror Creators on the Film That Shaped Them — Even though I was unfamiliar with the work of probably 95% of the essay contributors, I thought this was an interesting book. It really got me thinking about what I would choose as my favorite horror movie, and I’m still having trouble deciding. I did feel that this was not a particularly well-edited book, but the typos and grammatical errors did not detract too much from my overall reading enjoyment. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Finished Reading (Manga, Comic Books, & Graphic Novels):
For this week’s TBR reading, I ended up focusing most of my attention on reading my unread Deadpool comic books. At the start of the week I had a total of 5 comic book collections to read (4 complete collections by Daniel Way, and the first collection of Deadpool Classic). I was able to read half of the Daniel Way comic books this week, and plan to finish the rest over the weekend. I did enjoy the majority of the stories that I’ve read so far, and thought the art was pretty good. Content Alert: (view spoiler) The books I read this week include:
~Deadpool by Daniel Way: The Complete Collection, Volume 1 — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Deadpool by Daniel Way: The Complete Collection, Volume 2 — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Finished Reading (Poetry and Drama):
None
DNFed:
~Alice — I managed to get 5 chapters into this book before needing to call it quits. While I think the story and characters are interesting, this book was just too dark for me. I actually own the other books in this series, which are all continuations or re-imaginings of different fairy tales, but I have decided not to read any of them. I’ll be taking the whole series to sell at Half Price Books the next time I go. It’s just not the series for me. Content Alert: (view spoiler) 📚
Currently Reading:
~NIV Audio Bible — This audiobook edition of The Bible is read by David Suchet. I currently have just under 12.5 hours remaining. 🎧
~All Creatures Great and Small — This is the first book in James Herriot’s series of memoirs. I did take a break from this book for most of the week, but plan to return to it this weekend. 📚
~A Parade of Horribles — This is the eighth book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series, and one of my most anticipated books of the year. I’m currently a little over 20% of the way through, and I am loving it so far. I’ll definitely be reading more this afternoon. 📚
QOTW:
I really don’t have any authors I loved who have completely stopped writing, but I am wondering if we are ever going to see the next installment in the A Song of Ice and Fire series, by George R.R. Martin.
Laura Ruth wrote: "Greetings all! We're back to rain again. I didn't get a lot of reading done, as I spent a couple of days mostly unconscious and feverish after getting my shingles vaccination. Worth it, but that th..."Wow! Sorry to hear that. Why do vaccines affect some people more than others? When I got that vaccine, I barely noticed it. I was a little bit achey the next day and I took a nap. (I've also never felt sick after any flu shot or Covid shot. Most I felt was a sore armpit.)
Kenya wrote: "Happy Thursday all.Turned in my last assignments for college... graduation is the 19th, just a few days away! Definitely feeling bittersweet about this -- on the one hand, it'll be a relief to be..."
Congratulations on making it through!! Graduation is always a bittersweet time.
Kate wrote: "DNFOn the Beach by Nevil Shute Written in 1957, set in 1963. It hasn’t held up well. ..."
I read that in the 80s, so it was dated, but we were still in the Cold War so I felt appropriate chills.
A few decades later, I read A Town Like Alice (and I had loved the old mini-series I watched on PBS in the 80s) and ... yeah, did not age well. Half of that book was still great.
PS: 32/4052: 41/52
52 Connections: 11/21
Anti-Capitalist: 22/30
Finished: Playing Possum: How Animals Understand Death Interesting, but sobering. Read for 52, a diacritical mark on the cover.
The Red Book: Liber Novus Hard to know how literally to take this. If Jung is literally seeing these characters, he is probably schizophrenic, which is pretty interesting for such a leading figure in psychology. Read for 52, non-fiction about character.
The World Is Made of Glass Super disturbing. Read for 52, biographical fiction. Jung is the main character.
Opting Out This was an event with the author who wrote Gender Queer. I thought it would be sold out, but barely any people came. It was awesome. She co-wrote it with a disabled, South-Asian enby and the dynamic between them was really fun. They talked about panel layouts, what you could depict with images that words alone couldn't muster, and book bannings.
Started: The Edge of Space-Time: Particles, Poetry, and the Cosmic Dream Boogie This was a birthday gift and it's really quite fun. I haven't learned a whole lot of new science, but it's from the perspective of an African-American woman, so she drops a lot of references that seem uncommon for a book about physics.
QotW: Bill Waterson. He wrote so many comic books and then he vanished.
The World Is Made of Glass
I would like to rant for just a minute. Utah now has 34 books that are banned statewide including Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye! She won the Nobel Prize. This is not pornography because it has substantial literary merit. How do these people get away with banning such amazing works of literature?!!
Doni wrote: "...I would like to rant for just a minute. Utah now has 34 books that are banned statewide including Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye! She won the Nobel Prize. This is not pornography because it has substantial literary merit. How do these people get away with banning such amazing works of literature?!! ..."Living in NY, I'm a bit ignorant about this, and I did not realize there were books that were actually banned in an entire state. Does that mean you cannot borrow that book in any library in the state (including university libraries), and you cannot buy that book in any store (including mailorder like Amazon)?
I assume you can still own the book. Would it be illegal to run a private lending library that includes these books?
Nadine in NY wrote: ".Living in NY, I'm a bit ignorant about this, and I did not realize there were books that were actually banned in an entire state. Does that mean you cannot borrow that book in any library in the state (including university libraries), and you cannot buy that book in any store (including mailorder like Amazon)?.."
Good question. It means that the books isn't allowed in any of the public schools. It can't be taught by a teacher and it isn't allowed in any of the school libraries. Fortunately, it doesn't apply to public libraries.
Happy Thursday! We are in the process of getting our house to sell so that we can move closer to our parish, and it is SO STRESSFUL. I just want to be done already. Finished 19/50
Firefight for "book about teen angst". Wasn't as angsty as I was expecting, but it was still there!
Currently Reading
The Pilates Class for "book with a character who does pilates". I haven't started this yet so....we shall see how it goes!
QotW
Frederica Mathewes-Green hasn't written anything new in awhile, though I know she keeps a blog so...otherwise Sanderson can't seem to STOP writing, so no issues there, though my husband is part of the Patrick Rothfuss fandom who is pulling out their hair wondering when the final Kingkiller book will ever come out. Poor guy. First Robert Jordan dies on him, then this....
I just returned home from a 2 week business trip to Santa Fe, and have a lot to catch up on, both household (there's a completely empty fridge for example) and work. It remains cool here in NYC but I see that 90 temps are descending next week. I am not happy about that at all. PS 29/52 ATY 37/52
Finishes: Not a single one. Business trips are not conducive to reading let alone finishing a book. They are conducive to buying books as I always manage a visit to a local bookstore wherever I am and buy some books. I always have them shipped too.
Currently reading - I have several books going as I could only manage a couple pages of reading a day, except on the flights home yesterday. Then I made serious progress on one book and when it got too serious (I literally was crying on the flight as I read), I switched to one of the lighter reads I'd picked at during this trip:
While Still We Live
Murder on Ice
The Gabriel Hounds
Currently started as well:
Garden Spells
The Correspondent
Piranesi
LIT
QOtW: Interesting question but not one I consider much. Since I tend to let newly published books age for some time before reading them, I'm not not always aware that there may be a gap or a cessation of publications for a long time.
Obviously as a reader of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, I know very well that he's just a very slow writer with many projects.
Patrick Rothfuss IMHO only had one book in him, especially given how weak the 2nd in the trilogy was in comparison. I don't ever expect the third will be written and published.
G
Scott Lynch, writer of the Gentlemen Bastards series (first is The Lies of Locke Lamora) is well known to be dealing with mental illness.
Madeline Miller - alas she is still dealing with long term COVID which completely derailed her life and writing. There have been rumors that she's working on another, even suggestion it was to be published at end of last year but so far nothing. Given the quality and nature of her writing, there would always be long gaps between books, and now those gaps will be longer. Word consistently is that she's still writing (and she also teaches).
I have been known to do a little research when I find a series or author that published a lot then stopped. Usually it's due to illness or death, occasionally mention made of publisher dropping the author or indicating they will not continue a series, so author moves onto another or just stops.
Nadine in NY wrote: "Laura Ruth wrote: "Greetings all! We're back to rain again. I didn't get a lot of reading done, as I spent a couple of days mostly unconscious and feverish after getting my shingles vaccination. Wo..."I react not just to vaccines but any shot of any kind. Something about a needle injecting something into me causes my system to immediately go on high invader alert -- sore, red swelling at injection sight, fever, aches and pains. It's been my entire life and I actually was not given a lot of the vax boosters given to babies back in the 1950s because I'd get 107F fevers which are very dangerous. I did get fully vax'd and of course have had to get shots for tetanus and when traveling certain places, plus COVID, but I do have to schedule in time to deal with my reactions.
I too had reaction to the Shingles double shot, but a couple fays serious discomfort is far better than having to endure shingles.
Interestingly, since I get the COVID booster every time they bring a new one out, while I still get a reaction, the level of that reaction is less intense and of shorter duration than it was. My body seems to recognize it, so to speak, and not raise an objection.
Happy Thursday! I downloaded Merlin and I spent my weekend checking which birds are actually making noise in my garden. It turned out it was all ordinary house sparrows. Those little birds make an awful lot of noise. Always presumed I heared a lot of different birds... turned out it's a lot of different house sparrows.Read this year: 22
PS: 12/40
Finished this week:
De onzichtbaren by Frank Nellen ⭐⭐⭐. PS #16
Wisselwachter by Geert Mak ⭐⭐⭐⭐. About the man behind the scenes in the FDR White House, Harry Hopkins. Fascinating stuff. It's like the West Wing in 1938. And the world still needs an Eleanor.
QOTW
None that I can think of.
Laura Z wrote: "QOTW: I can't think of any right now. I thought I'd thought of one (Judith Merkle Riley), so I looked her up... She died in 2010. I guess that explains it. 🫤l..."Another Judith Merkle Riley fan! I recently decided to start re-reading her books - I own them all - because it's been decades and of course there are no more.
Your comment also reminded me of another author I'd wondered about though only because I'd not seen a new one by her in a while (I'm very behind in both of her series): Victoria Thompson: Had no idea she'd died in 2024, finally succumbing to a years long battle with cancer. She never let on about her battle, so it was such a shock.
Kenya wrote: "Happy Thursday all.Turned in my last assignments for college... graduation is the 19th, just a few days away! Definitely feeling bittersweet about this -- on the one hand, it'll be a relief to be..."
Congratulations! Such an accomplishment. Enjoy every second of graduation, you have earned it!
Happy Thursday! Finished:
Platform Decay by Martha Wells - 5 stars - for a Type C character. Should come as no surprise, I loved the new Murderbot.
Summer in the City by Alex Aster - 3 stars - currently using as a book that makes you feel FOMO. It could also work for a character with a hidden past. I never felt super connected with either character, and I'm not a huge fan of billionaire romances, so it was just fine, I guess.
I am currently at 26/50 for the Popsugar reading challenge (22/40 and 4/10).
Currently reading:
Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr - I have this currently for "hidden past" but may pivot to another prompt.
Upcoming/Planned:
Nothing at the moment.
QOTW:
I can't really think of any. I know Carol Berg didn't publish for awhile, but she used a pen name to publish a new series a few years ago.
Happy Thursday! Woke up feeling terrible so took a sick day- 8hrs later, and lots of sleeping and aspirin, I'm finally feeling more normal. I'm thinking it was a stress headache that got out of control. This weekend my family is getting together for my mom's and brother's birthdays, which will be nice. Finished:
Teddy Bears Never Die- I loved this, it's very gruesome, but deals with class disparity and corruption. And a teddy bear possessed by a teen boy. It was great. Will be picking up the other books from the author that have been translated already
-no prompt, netgalley
Bad Indians Book Club: Reading at the Edge of a Thousand Worlds- this was ok, interesting topic, but a little repetitive. Some good book recs though
-no prompt
Currently reading
Slasher Summer- this sounded like a fun time
QotW:
The only one I can think of is historical romance writer Tessa Dare. I think I read there was a health issue, but I'm not sure. Hopefully she's doing alright!
Nadine in NY wrote: "Wow! Sorry to hear that. Why do vaccines affect some people more than others? When I got that vaccine, I barely noticed it. I was a little bit achey the next day and I took a nap. (I've also never felt sick after any flu shot or Covid shot. Most I felt was a sore armpit.)"I always try to get my flu and Covid boosters at the same time. I haven't really been sore, but I usually sleep for the rest of the day.
Harmke wrote: "Happy Thursday! I downloaded Merlin and I spent my weekend checking which birds are actually making noise in my garden. It turned out it was all ordinary house sparrows. Those little birds make an ..."Have fun checking your birdsongs! At this time of year you may get some interesting birds passing through as they migrate.
And Merlin is not always correct. Catbirds, like their cousin the mockingbird, are mimics. I have a pair of catbirds that live in my yard, and they always confuse Merlin. Also, starlings make a variety of weird noises that Merlin just ignores. I have starlings squawking all the time, I can SEE them so I know it's a starling, and Merlin shows nothing.
Happy Thursday, everyone! I watched Remarkably Bright Creatures with my mom this weekend and we both really loved it (I had read the book, she hadn't). I read 4 books this past week, and they were a mixed bag. I was able to complete the ATY challenge, so I'm prioritizing the seasonal and monthly challenges before I even look at the 52 BC. I have 3 more prompts to complete for HRCYED 2.0 by the end of this month and one of those is to read a 700+ paged book. Probably should not have left that prompt for last, but here we are and I haven't even started it!
2025 Reading Challenges
PopSugar- 29/50
52 Book Club- TBA; Monthly Mini-Challenges- 10/12
Buzzword- 10/12; Cover- 10/12
GR Bookmarks-
BOTM- 9/15; Omnivoreader- 6/6; Long Hauler- 3/4; Debut Darling- 3/5
1001 Books- 9/20
TBR- 18/50
Finished
The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times- read this for my library's book club. I'm not really a fan of self-help books, so this one didn't really do anything for me. I did watch the last interview she did that's on Netflix and that one made me tear up. ☆☆☆
The Mercy Step- read this because it was the last book on the Women's Prize for Fiction shortlist that I had left to read. It deals with some heavy subject matter and is told from a child's point-of-view, but I did find it inspiring and liked it overall. ☆☆☆ 1/2
Buzzword #10- parts of a house
Kiss of the Spiderwoman- this has been on my shelves for a few years, and I finally picked it up since I needed to read a book set in a public building and a book adapted into a musical. It's told entirely through dialogue, and I enjoyed reading how the relationship between the two men evolved through the course of the novel. The only negatives were that the recounting of film plots slowed the pacing of the book, and there were footnotes peppered throughout the novel that had nothing to do with what was going on. ☆☆☆☆
ATY #35- a book where all or part of the action takes place in a library, a museum, a school, or another public building
52BC May Mini #2- character has a roommate
TBR #18
1001 Books #9
Parasol Against the Axe- I only picked this up because it fulfilled two challenging prompts I had left, and it seemed short. I think listening to this through audio may have been a mistake. That or maybe I'm just too dumb for this book. While it did have its funny moments, I just found that I did not care about the characters nor the shifting plots of the book within the book. ☆☆
PS #21- a book about a bachelorette trip
ATY Spring #7- a book with an umbrella on the cover (open or furled) or puddles on the ground
Currently Reading
Dead Air
The Natural Way of Things
QOTW
None come to mind. I was thinking of Donna Tartt, but she writes a book every decade or so. I remember last year someone had made a Goodreads entry for her next book, and after a lot of buzz she or her people had to come out and say that was false :(
Theresa wrote: "Madeline Miller - alas she is still dealing with long term COVID which completely derailed her life and writing. ..."I did not know that! It has not been SO long since her last book so I had no started wondering about her yet. She has a short story coming out soon: Mestra: A Short Story
Theresa wrote: "Madeline Miller - alas she is still dealing with long term COVID which completely derailed her life and writing. There have been rumors that she's working on another, even suggestion it was to be published at end of last year but so far nothing. Given the quality and nature of her writing, there would always be long gaps between books, and now those gaps will be longer. Word consistently is that she's still writing (and she also teaches)."I saw an interview she did with Ann Patchett for her bookstore a few years ago, and she mentioned working on a Persephone retelling. I have no idea if she's still working on this or decided to change directions. I did see that she has a novella coming out this fall, though- Mestra: A Short Story.
Hi all! Another long Thursday. My boyfriend's mom needed some pre-surgery testing done today in Rochester (about an hour and a half away), and I took her. I knew it would take most of the day, but the times they told me when we got there were grossly underestimated! They had me believing we'd be out of there around noon, we didn't leave until almost 3. Which was fine, I just wish I'd had a more accurate estimate so I could have grabbed lunch etc. I received results from my "adventure" last week, but it's in medical mumbo jumbo. Dr. Google seems to be telling me that it means that I have UC in remission. I've never had a doctor give me an inkling that I might have UC, sooooo great. Another diagnosis. Probably more meds. But I'm trying not to jump to conclusions until I get a plain English version from a human with an actual medical degree explain it to me.
It's finally supposed to be normal temps this weekend. The radio said that the average temp for this time of year is 70. Anyone wanna guess what it actually is?? Forty freaking five!!! I'm SO over it! Hopefully the weekend will get us back to average and we'll stay there.
I finished Red and the Wolves: A Graphic Novel for a sapphic comic. It wasn't really. And I wasn't super impressed with the book as a whole. It had potential, but there were so many unanswered questions.
I've kinda been aimless since then. I listened to a little more of The Bonfire of the Vanities and today I read a few chapters of Inferno while waiting at the hospital, but I kinda feel like I'm in book hangover mode. Nothing is really calling to me.
QOTW: a couple of years ago, I looked up that Nicholas Evans had passed away. The only other one that I am eagerly awaiting a book from is the guy who wrote The Gargoyle, Andrew Davidson. But I think it took 7-9 years to write The Gargoyle, so I certainly am not holding my breath. I dare say I have enough to keep me occupied... ;)
Happy Thursday!I didn't finish any books, but started my NFLD book (from a challenge I did last year that came in 7 months late) I have been reading because I've been having problems with my left shoulder and it hurts to do a lot of other things. I have finally decided to make an appointment with my GP to see if I can get a referral to something that will help.
I finally saw the Lost Boys. Somehow, even though I love vampires, I'd never seen it before. Jami Gertz did have lots of curls.
Series - 4/12
Number 1s - 3/10
Nobel laureates - 2/5
Rocky Horror challenge: 4/12
PS - 16/30
ATY - 19/45
PS movies - 17/50
Currently reading:
The Mermaid of Brooklyn - 80%
The Future - 45%
One for the Rock - 67%
PopSugar movies
27 A movie with a character who has curly hair - The Lost Boys
QOTW: Unfortunately, the authors who I like who are no longer writing, I know it's a case of age or death.
I finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows as my book that didn't fit in another category. I don't think I enjoyed this book as the rest of the series, but I was mostly satisfied with the ending. Could have lived with fewer dead people.I read Pillow Talk as my sapphic comic.
I'm reading Voices in the Ocean: A Journey into the Wild and Haunting World of Dolphins about an underwater civilization. Nobody said it had to be human civilization.
QOTW: I think in most cases where I liekd an author and they are no longer writing, they died.
It's been convention/last days of the semester time for me so I've been swamped and barely reading. I finished a few things and one for the challenge.The Barn Identity by Diane Kelly an arc I could barely get through (note to self check how far into a series an arc offer is) and it was just so unbelievable.
Dungeons and Danger by Elizabeth Penney, a paranormal mystery arc (will be out soon) that I really enjoyed
and this arc Deathly Fates by Tesia Tsai fit ps 18 A love story that defies social boundaries. It was inspired by Chinese folklore and I really liked this one. Almost gave it 5 stars. She's a priestess who can reanimate the dead. He's a murdered prince whose desire to live actually brought him back to life when she tried to reanimate his corpse.
QOTW
Yes I have. Can't think of any names off the top of my head though. A couple of them died but for the most part it was down to the way publishing works. They didn't make it out of midlist and lost their publishing contracts. Or they were selling but their publisher dropped that line Or the publisher became predatory and it broke them (I fell into this one for the last several years)
It's been pretty cool here for mid-May as well, Nadine! My life is still very frustrating on several different levels with the main aspect being the pools at my gym have been closed for 3 weeks now for repairs and maintenance and although I am leading a dry-land substitute class 3 times per week, my arthritis is getting out of control! I need that therapy pool!! LISTS! Women’s Prize lists I found to be enlightening!
2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction shortlist and longlist: https://womensprize.com/prizes/womens...
2026 Women’s Prize for Nonfiction shortlist and longlist: https://womensprize.com/prizes/womens...
ADMIN STUFF:
THE MAY MONTHLY GROUP READ IS Birding with Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb!
This book could be used to fulfill prompt #45 A book that features birding
World Migratory Bird Day is May 9
https://www.migratorybirdday.org/
Looks as if you are stuck with me again. Questions are posted and I will check every few days for responses!
THE JUNE MONTHLY GROUP READ IS Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang
This book could be used to fulfill prompt #25 A book that explores influencer culture
World Social Media Day is June 30
https://nationaltoday.com/social-medi...
Post to let us know if you are the “influential influencer” willing to lead this discussion!
I won a free copy from a Goodreads Giveaway and it is on my shelf!! Excellent timing!!
THE JULY MONTHLY GROUP READ SELECTION IS A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher
This book could be used to fulfill prompt #7 A book about a granny hobby
National Gorgeous Grandma Day is July 23
https://nationaltoday.com/national-go...
Let us know if you are the "bountiful baker" who will facilitate this discussion!
THE AUGUST MONTHLY GROUP READ IS Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor!
This book could be used to fulfill prompt #50 A book about Afrofuturism
International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is August 23
https://www.unesco.org/en/days/slave-...
Feel free to volunteer as the “future foreteller” to lead this discussion!
THE SEPTEMBER MONTHLY GROUP READ SELECTION IS The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
This book could be used to fulfill prompt #47 A book told entirely through letters
World Letter Writing Day is September 1
https://nationaltoday.com/world-lette...
Are you the “literary luminary” who would graciously guide this discussion?!?
I managed to score a cheap copy of this one!! I've been wanting to read it!
THE OCTOBER MONTHLY GROUP READ IS *The House in the Cerulean Sea (Cerulean Chronicles #1) by T.J. Klune
This book could be used to fulfill prompt #6 A book with an overweight main character whose story isn't about losing weight
National Plus Size Appreciation Day is October 6
https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/na...
Who among you is the “rambunctious rule-minder" to lead this discussion?
I recently reread this and I swear it is a book I believe I would immensely enjoy after reading it 10 times!!
*****
DOUBLE THE POLLS AND DOUBLE THE FUN!!
THE NOVEMBER MONTHLY GROUP READ FINAL SELECTION POLL IS HERE!
This book could be used to fulfill prompt #28 A book about debt
Buy Nothing Day is November 27
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buy_Not...
There are four books from which to select:
*The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
*Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
*The Payback by Kashana Cauley
*Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
***This poll will run from May 14th through May 26th!***
THE DECEMBER MONTHLY GROUP READ NOMINATION POLL IS HERE!
This book could be used to fulfill prompt #10 A book about a horse or with a horse on the cover
National Horse Day is December 13
https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/n...
If you do not see the title you would like to nominate, please write it in. Please check the book's eligibility first! Only books that have NOT been discussed within the past two years (2024-present) are eligible. Remember to consult the listing of these books that are NOT eligible for this month HERE before nominating! :) There is an alphabetized listing by title as well as a chronological listing.
NOTE: This is the NOMINATION round, which is step one. We will select the top results from this round to create a new poll for a Final Vote to select ONE book for the November 2026 group read.
***This poll will run from May 14th through May 26th!***
THE LISTING OF 2026 MONTHLY GROUP READ TOPICS IS HERE!
***
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Are there any authors whose books you absolutely LOVED, and then they just ... stopped writing? Where did they go? Maybe we can help each other explain what happened to these authors.
The first one that comes to mind is Kate Jacobs who wrote The Friday Night Knitting Club series and Comfort Food. The book club I facilitate read The Friday Night Knitting Club and everyone loved it, then several of the members proceeded to read the other two books in the trilogy and adored them as well! I sure wish she would return to writing…I know she had a baby just about the time we spoke with her in 2009 for our book club meeting. I even tried emailing her but the email is no longer active… *sigh*
Then there was A Lost Wife's Tale: A Suspenseful Novel About Secrets, Betrayal, and Impossible Choices by Marion McGilvary, published in 2009 which I read in 2017. I would gladly read any of her writing, but alas, it appears she has also quit writing…at least not for publication.
Those are the only two I can specifically recall… Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, most authors I have truly enjoyed reading are still producing books!! And, of course, I can't keep up with all the new releases or even reading their backlists!! But that won't keep me from trying!! LOL
2026 READING CHALLENGES:
Popsugar: 32/50
52 Book Club: 42/52
FINISHED:
*The Secret of Secrets (Robert Langdon #6) by Dan Brown ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ is now my favorite of Dan Brown’s books. Prior to reading this one, it was The Da Vinci Code! I loved this mystery but especially the subject matter—human consciousness. Highly highly recommended!
POPSUGAR: #9, #13, #15, #31
52 Book Club: #4, #5, #16, #18, #24, #25, #26, #35, #39, #42, #48, #49, #50, #51
*The Sea by John Banville ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for an IRL book club meeeting. This was, IMO, an excellent read for prompting discussion. This was challenging in several different ways, particularly with regard to vocabulary! Two book club members felt it was definitely stream-of-consciousness while I simply felt it is a reflection of how I consider things when I can be alone and allow my mind to meander and wander at will… I am old and they are not! 😊 I find it interesting that a couple of the more intense/dramatic events depicted in this book weren’t even mentioned or discussed. However, Banville’s writing style felt very mellow, matter-of-fact, and mild-mannered so the drama wasn’t overly emphasized.
POPSUGAR: #2, #3, #13, #15, #16, #18, #19, #31
52 Book Club: #10, #12, #25, #26, #48, #49
*Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was just as well-written, enjoyable, and informative as I expected it to be. Murray is definitely an all-time favorite author for me! There was much to appreciate about this book, but one thing that particularly impressed me was the diversity among the ‘Negro’ characters. All too often characters of one specific subgroup are all portrayed the same way—stereotypically. The complexity and depth of characterization was another plus. I just love Murray’s writing!
POPSUGAR: #3, #15, #18, #27
52 Book Club: #4, #8, #12, #13, #18, #24, #26, #32, #37, #45, #49
CONTINUING:
*One & Only by Maurene Goo is starting out to be good! Especially for a “romance”!
*Woman of Light by Kali Fajardo-Anstine for an author event
*A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki
*Salvation City by Sigrid Nunez is rather fascinating. I keep wondering exactly where/how this will end…
*Hope on the Inside by Marie Bostwick is not what I was expecting! Bostwick is so savvy at connecting titles…
*Hope in the Dark: The Untold History of People Power by RebeccaSolnit
*East of Eden by John Steinbeck
*The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley
*The Double Life of Benson Yu by Kevin Chong for an IRL book club meeting
*The Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty
PLANNED:
*Somewhere Beyond the Sea (Cerulean Chronicles #2) by T.J. Klune
*The Last of Her Kind by Sigrid Nunez
*What Are You Going Through by Sigrid Nunez
*For Rouenna by Sigrid Nunez
*Her Hidden Genius by Marie Benedict
*The Invisible Husband of Frick Island by Colleen Oakley
*The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray
*The Mitford Affair by Marie Benedict
Katy wrote: "QOTW: I think in most cases where I liekd an author and they are no longer writing, they died."Sorry, but that comment did make me laugh! Yes, I guess that could be considered a compelling reason to not be published... 😯
Laura Ruth wrote: "Greetings all! We're back to rain again. I didn't get a lot of reading done, as I spent a couple of days mostly unconscious and feverish after getting my shingles vaccination. Worth it, but that th..."I totally BELIEVE in vaccines, but have stopped getting them decades ago due to severe reactions. Then COVID hit. The worst reaction I ever had was when I was forced by my employer at the time to get the COVID vaccine. I was semi-conscious for over 2 hours and literally thought I might die, my heart felt as if it was beating out of my chest. It was awful. I started feeling awful at work and went out to my car to rest/nap if possible, and 'came to' 2 1/2 hours later. My DO asked me about getting the booster when the first one was released and I replied, "Sure! The next time I want to feel as if I might die, I'll be sure to do that!!"
Doni wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: ".Living in NY, I'm a bit ignorant about this, and I did not realize there were books that were actually banned in an entire state. Does that mean you cannot borrow that book in..."Worse, Utah is very rural. So a kid may be many miles from a public library. If they can't get The Bluest Eye or Gender Queer or whatever at their school library, it may not be available to kids out in the boonies. As Doni mentioned, it's statewide, so a district in the very southwest corner of the state bans a book and it applies to every school across the state. As a parent in the very northeast corner of the state, you can't do anything to overturn that for your school. It's a damn shame.
On some of my more energetic ambitious days, I try to think about how I would set up an Underground Railroad for banned books....
Finished:The Shaping of Middle-Earth (2 out of 5 stars)
These First Age stories are intermediate versions, so they are mostly of interest for completionists and scholars.
Storm: Dawn of a Goddess (3 out of 5 stars, a Goodreads recommendation)
It's a good YA rendering of Storm's backstory. It also has a lot of T'Challa in the second half.
Much Ado About Nothing (3 out of 5 stars)
The Warrior's Apprentice (3 out of 5 stars)
The Correspondent (3 out of 5 stars, a book told entirely through letters, spans a decade or more, mentions your Zodiac sign (Cancer))
The story is told and structured well. Some characters felt more like plot devices than people to me; Basam and the suitor in Texas come to mind. There is a little more tragedy in the book than I prefer. The main messages in the book are worth hearing.
Currently reading:
Lord Edgware Dies (for Agatha Christie Challenge)
Robot Visions
The Rest of the Robots
Question of the Week:
Wendy Mass does not seem to have released any books recently. I loved her two Candymakers books.
Life update: It's been a very busy week. I had meetings with my mother's doctor, bank manager, landlady, and the administrator of the home where she's now living. From the latter I got a 45-page contract to read, sign and return, along with a list of clothing they recommend people bring. Then I spent several days (not an exaggeration) sorting through the clothes my mother had been hoarding to identify what is still the right size and in good condition, counting them, and ordering extras where needed. Meanwhile, at the weekend my mother got very restless and tried to leave the home unaccompanied on at least six occasions. She only managed it once and was picked up by an alert ambulance driver outside her bank - at 9pm on a Saturday night! The furthest she got on any of the other occasions was the care home's underground car park, which seems to have spooked her enough that she hasn't tried again. Pausing my typing to touch wood! She will be moved to a secure ward in the same facility as soon as they have a bed free.
Talking to my mother is a bit of a rollercoaster, as she can go from quite lucid to deeply confused in the space of half an hour. Yesterday for a while she was inhabiting the world of Paddington Bear, which was hilarious and, honestly, seemed like quite a nice place to be.
Reading update: I've had plenty of time to listen to audiobooks while sorting clothes, but progress on my e-books is very slow. I just don't have the time or the brainpower. I'm trying to shrug and be kind to myself about it, but it does nag at me sometimes. The only book I finished was Die Lebensentscheidung, which ended up being only a two-star read for me. I am using it for the infertility prompt, though. and it fills the "author is not from Germany" prompt in my German challenge.
Stats:
Popsugar: 1 this week, 26/50 total
Diversity Challenge: 0 this week, 4/14 total
Touch the Rainbow, Read the Rainbow: 0 this week, 10/13 total
Queer Reads Bracket Challenge: 0 this week, 4/7 total
Flowers for Your Shelves: 0 this week, 3/22 total
r/Fantasy Bingo: 0 this week, 5/25 total
German Challenge: 1 this week, 8/10 total
Spanish Titles ABC: 0 this week, 1/26 total
French TBR: 0 this week, 1/20 total
Great Big Jewish Literature Challenge: 0 this week, 6/21 total
Anti-Capitalist Inspiration: 0 this week, 16/30 total
Reading About Writing: 0 this week, 4/40 total
All books finished this year: 1 this week, 58 total
DNF or paused this year: 0 this week, 15 total
Challenges completed this year: 0
Challenges in progress (end date in 2026): 4
Challenges in progress (no end date or end date in 2027): 8
Currently reading:
Der letzte Tag des Fährmanns - audiobook; I think this may work for the Afterlife prompt in r/Fantasy Bingo.
Der Schlaf der Anderen - Diversity Challenge: mental health.
The Complete Mahabharata Volume - 3 Vana Parva & Virat Parva - spiritual reading, no prompt.
QOTW: Coincidentally, in one of her more lucid moments my mum asked me if Alison Fell was still writing. They were at school together. From what I can tell, she last published a book in 2012. Like my mother, though, she's in her 80s, so I assume she's just decided it's time for a well-earned retirement. The conversation did prompt me to add her semi-autobiographical book Every Move You Make to my TBR. The only one I've read of hers previously is The bad box, which also draws on her childhood. It was an odd experience to read some of the same stories my mother has always told, but from a different perspective.
I didn't get a chance to check in yesterday (the first week back from vacation always seems to be busier than it should!), so it's a Friday night check in for me this week. I finished two books, though neither fit an open prompt. I'm at 11/40 and 1/10 for this challenge, and 24/75 for my overall Goodreads Reading Challenge. Finished:
* The Last Mandarin by Louise Penny and Mellisa Fung, which was a NetGalley read (and was just released this week). I didn't click with it as much as I thought I would, so it was a bit of a letdown.
* Kimi the BALLerina written by Korey Watari and illustrated by Mike Wu, which was a Prime FirstReads pick last month. I thought it was cute and learned something, so I'm glad I picked it instead of one of the adult novels 🧑🏻🩰⛹🏻♀️
Currently Reading:
* The Penguin Book of Murder Mysteries edited by Michael Sims;
* All Fours by Miranda July; and,
* The Song Is You by Megan Abbott.
QotW:
Are there any authors whose books you absolutely LOVED, and then they just ... stopped writing? Where did they go? Maybe we can help each other explain what happened to these authors. When I first read this question, I couldn't think of anyone but then I came up with a name! I adored the Anna Curtis series by Allison Leotta and the last one was published 10 years ago (!!). I had a chance to meet her at the Malice Domestic conference in 2013, and then attended a couple of book signings at local indie bookstores after that. I've often wondered if she went back to practicing law and/or got involved with the foundation that was set up in honor of one of her in-laws. The in-law was a young police officer who was killed by a drunk driver. The accident happened shortly before her last book was published (lots of local press coverage at the time). A law was passed in his honor in Maryland in 2016 (Noah's Law) and a bill was passed in 2024 to close a loophole in the law. I totally understand why she decided to take a break from writing but keep hoping that a new book will surface, even if it's not in the Anna Curtis series.
Nadine in NY wrote: "Laura Ruth wrote: "Greetings all! We're back to rain again. I didn't get a lot of reading done, as I spent a couple of days mostly unconscious and feverish after getting my shingles vaccination. Wo..."I know a burly grown up man who climbed telephone poles for a living who was knocked flat by that vaccine: shivering, chills, headache, fever for an entire weekend. Not long after that my doctor said "do you want a shingles vaccine?" Uhmmm...no
Doni wrote: "PS: 32/4052: 41/52
52 Connections: 11/21
Anti-Capitalist: 22/30
Finished: Playing Possum: How Animals Understand Death Interesting, but sobering. Read for 52, a diacritical mark ..."
Many of those people will even say they did not read the book they got banned! They "heard" what was in it and decide based on that it should be banned.
We had a discussion about book banning in my high school classes. Nearly 40% of them felt that books on at least one of the offered topics should be banned in elementary schools AND public libraries and 10% in high schools. A small percent were very much "if I don't like the subject matter, no one can read it"/ And I work in Los Angeles, not Utah. SCARY!
I finished two books last week but didn't use them for PS prompts. They will work for other challenges. They were both excellentPassing Nella Larsen
Eventide Kent Haruf
QOTW:
As many have stated the only ones I can think of have passed away.
On the other hand, I am pleased that favorite authors Elizabeth Berg (78) and Anne Tyler (84) have both WRITTEN books in the last year.
Denise wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: "Laura Ruth wrote: "Greetings all! We're back to rain again. I didn't get a lot of reading done, as I spent a couple of days mostly unconscious and feverish after getting my shi..."Having had shingles, I'll take the vaccine any day.
Really nice weather weekend in Charlotte, the spring weather is just perfect (to me). I love the cooler weather spurts, mixed in with a nice sunny mid afternoon. Next weekend I'm heading to Door County, WI and a few days in my old stomping ground Chicago.30/70 GoodReads Challenge
28/50 PopSugar Challenge
30/52 ATY Challenge
Finished:
1.) Heart the Lover by Lily King (PS #33 College || ATY #7 Same Character) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: 5 Star snot alarm - my favorite book of the year (so far) - just genius writing that completely captured and slowly broke my heart.
Currently Reading:
1.) Good People
2.) June Baby
3.) Yesteryear
QoTW: Are there any authors whose books you absolutely LOVED, and then they just ... stopped writing? Where did they go?
Laura Hillenbrand (but I know she suffers from chronic fatigue)
Laura Ruth wrote: "Denise wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: "Laura Ruth wrote: "Greetings all! We're back to rain again. I didn't get a lot of reading done, as I spent a couple of days mostly unconscious and feverish after..."Shingles is a horrible painful disease that lasts weeks even months with little relief. Reactions to the currently available vaccine, which is a double dose one, can be intense for some but only last 2 or 3 days. I found my adverse reaction minimal compared to the first after the 2nd shot completing the cycle. And I am done. The current vaccine lasts a lifetime, unlike past ones. I enquired and researched. If you are uncertain about getting it, talk to those who have experienced shingles before ruling it out. Frankly, I avoid shots of any kind but watching what 2 different friends recently endured with cases of shingles had me signing up.
I had the shingles jabs last year, and agree that the after effects, particularly of the first jab, were unpleasant - my arm was swollen for about a week, and I felt quite unwell. However, after that I was fine. A friend of mine has just had shingles, which has left her with scarring in the eye, and severe intermittent nerve pain. It's worth putting up with the after effects imo.
Theresa wrote: "Laura Ruth wrote: "Denise wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: "Laura Ruth wrote: "Greetings all! We're back to rain again. I didn't get a lot of reading done, as I spent a couple of days mostly unconscious..."Most of the people I know didn't have such a terrible time with either shingles or the vaccine. But my brother-in-law (unvaccinated) had shingles in his EYE. It took years for him to get back to normal. Anything is worth avoiding the loss of vision, IMO
I really hadn't meant to cause all this controversy! The vaccine left me not feeling great for a couple days, but then it was over and I'm much better protected against a disease that can be serious. Same with my annual covid shot.
I am a bit obsessed with getting vaccine protection when it is affordable. Shingles being the one that was not paid for by Medicare when I was told to get it. Then when Medicare decided to pay for it, I got it...but no one told me that I needed two vaccines! Several years later, it was mentioned to me by the CVS clerk that I had never gotten the second injection. I approached my PCP who encouraged me to get the second dose even though it was several years much later. I did have severe soreness but no other reaction. Glad that is done now.
Given how the current administration's position on vaccines of any kind is troubling at minimum and controversial generally, it's no surprise we are having a discussion. Having endured strong reactions to any shot, whether vaccine or medication or even numbing for dental work, my entire life, I weigh the severity of the potential illness I'm being protected against (or pain being avoided) vs. the short term effects of my known reactions. Getting the shot usually wins.
To bring chatter back to reading .... I'm finally catching up on the reading that was ignored - or really no time for - as I traveled for business. I will finish this weekend the book I'm reading for favorite Winter Olympics Sport (figure skating), so will definitely have a finish for first time in 2 weeks.
Spring has been chilly this week, we've had the heat on each morning. It's running right now. I've finally started mowing my lawn, which is one of my least favorite household tasks, but at least it gives me more time with my audiobook.
I have neither trapped nor seen Kitchen Mouse, but sometimes I hear rustling, and I swear this house smells like mouse now. I'm constantly tense about this! I've tried to stay focused on reading.
***** Admin stuff *****
The May group read (birding) is: Birding with Benefits You can join the discussion here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
The June group read (influencer) will be: Julie Chan Is Dead
The July group read (granny hobby) will be: A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking (Kingfisher has been popular this year in group reads!)
The August group read (Afrofuturism) will be: Death of the Author
The September group read (a book told in letters) will be: The Correspondent
Let us know if you'd like to lead any discussions!
***** UPDATED! I completely missed that we had new polls!! ******
The October group read (overweight character) will be: The House in the Cerulean Sea
The final poll for November (debt) is here:
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/3...
The nomination poll for December (horses) is here:
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/3...
This week I finished 3 books & DNFed 1 book, 2 for this Challenge, so I am now 34/50:
We Dance Upon Demons by Vaishnavi Patel - I read this from NetGalley book, but it was published this week, so now everyone can read it! I really enjoyed this, a lot more than I expected. Her writing just flowed so easily for me, I was immediately invested in the story. I think the author wrote this with a lot of anger at the current situation in the USA for women's reproductive health care, so I finished this book feeling grim. No challenge category.
One Moment: Poems by Luis Muñoz- this book was offered to me on NetGalley and I could not say no. These poems are short, and thoughtful, but they did not feel like complete thoughts. I've already forgotten most of them. No challenge category.
Hello Baby by Kim Eui-kyung - this NetGalley book was TAILOR MADE for our Challenge this year, because it is ALL ABOUT infertility! It could not be more perfect. It does not come out in the USA until August, however.
and I DNFed (but still counted, for now)
The Photonic Effect by Mike Chen - I was reading this for my book with a woman astronaut, but I just couldn't keep going, it was so boring. Right now I've penciled it in for that category, since I read a chunk of the book, but I have never used a DNF for a challenge category, so I'm going to try to go back and read another book in its entirety to fill it instead. (Or maybe I'll go back and give this another try when I have more patience.)
Popsugar 68% 34 /50
Must Reads 0% 0 /1
2026 pub 60% 30 /50
NetGalley ratio 84%
Question of the Week
Are there any authors whose books you absolutely LOVED, and then they just ... stopped writing? Where did they go?
Maybe we can help each other explain what happened to these authors.
I would LOVE to know when these authors might be publishing again? Except for Vida, I've read everything they published, and I am eager for more (and also a little worried about them).
Vendela Vida (We Run the Tides)
Cara Hoffman (Running)
Gillian Flynn - I guess she was side-lined by writing scripts for TV shows? idk
Kristen Lepionka (The Last Place You Look) - a few years back she said she was struggling with depression and unable to write, I guess she's still struggling.
Nayomi Munaweera (What Lies Between Us)
Paz Pardo (The Shamshine Blind) - I might be jumping the gun with Pardo, her debut was recent, perhaps she's still working on another book
Moira Young (Blood Red Road)