Meg’s Comments (group member since Dec 29, 2016)

Meg’s comments from the Pop Sugar's Annual Ultimate Reading Challenge group.

Yes. It's been up for a month...at least.

https://www.popsugar.com/entertainmen...

You can also find it by just googling "Popsugar Reading Challenge 2020"

For another idea--- I googled Orange is the New Black books--- and found lists from each season.
Below is JUST season 6:
https://bookriot.com/2018/08/08/books...

I get book ideas from a mix of places--- interviews on NPR, recommendations from magazines (O, New York Magazine), walking around a used bookstore (if you are in the Baltimore area, I HIGHLY recommend The Book Thing (google it). I also check out what my friends are reading on Good Reads--- and if am looking for inspiration for a challenge topic, I check out the spreadsheet for ideas. Good luck!

Yes, you go to the first empty column and add your name.

Does a link help you?
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

It shows entries up to AI.

I hope this helps.

Molly wrote: "Random Question, I just added myself to the spreadsheet and put the title of a book I've finished into the column it corresponded to. Am I supposed to color it or change anything else? Or is just f..."

You can choose a color for yourself so you can find you in the columns--- the spreadsheet is so you can fill in the books (and I use it to get ideas from other members when I am stuck) and see what others are reading.
Good luck!

....also, what about looking for a stranger reading a book in the media....or a movie? A magazine, an article, tv show....I admit, it is stretching it, but part of the fun is finding a book that fits the challenge.

Have you tried going to a local library....a Starbucks or a bookstore (or even better its cafe)?

Breakfast at Tiffany's...

I highly second the recommendation for The Hate U Give.

This is why I love discussing stuff!
I read A Gentleman in Moscow for the challenge (a book that takes place in a hotel) and enjoyed it. I really liked the "gentleman" and found it interesting how he spent his days. It is interesting to see someone who did not like it--- you are the second to say they found nothing happened. I guess this serves as a reminder that there is reader out there for every book.
The books you enjoyed sound interesting, I'll have to look them up.

I have a hard time throwing a book aside...I am always an optimist and want to find something worth reading, so I force myself through books, but like you this year I have tried to stop doing it because in the end reading should be for enjoyment.
Thanks for sharing!

I agree with you two. I think I'll use the 2018 list as suggestions/guidance, but my real goal is going to be to finally attack books that are already in my life. I do like list, so I will use it when I need inspiration. Any books that you loved?

Now that the 2017 Reading Challenge is done, what did you get out of it? Any lessons learned? Will you do it again this upcoming year?

Best book?
Book you didn't enjoy?

I really loved doing the challenge, because it had me reading stuff I would never have picked up (and I read a wide range of stuff), but I probably won't do it this year as strictly because I have so many books on my shelf that I ignored and my TRB list just keeps growing.
Lesson: the reading challenge is what you make of it. If the book doesn't fit the topic to a t, it is your decision if you will include it. I know this is silly, but I went into this trying to fit each topic perfectly. I changed my rules a bit and became more flexible as the year passed. For example--- I read a book that was 751 pages for the 800 page book challenge and decided it counted because the book was in French--- and some editions had it longer/shorter.

Best Book: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Book I Didn't Enjoy: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (to the point that I gave up after 100 pages) and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Vol. 1. I am glad to have read/tried each....
In the end I was quite impressed I actually finished....and with only 2 days to spare.

What did you think? None of my friends did this challenge and I would love to discuss with someone and hear about some fun books you discovered while completing the challenge.

Sam, what category do you need to fill in? I a, sure we can help if you need.

Another option....Gone Girl. Most likely you've read it, but if you haven't....enjoy.

Valerie wrote: "The prompt just says set during wartime. So, as long as it is set during a war...whether it be planetary, or within fantasy realms, I think it would fit the wording of the prompt.

In addition, wa..."

Amen! I'm using the prompts to push me to read the books in my pile I keep passing over for other stuff.

Katie wrote: "I compiled a list of popular books over 800 pages. You can find it here if you need some ideas. https://bookmouseblog.wordpress.com/2..."

Thank you! I shook my head looking at your list bc I've read most of the ones that interest me, but You gave me some great ideas!

I thought of a book this morning as I was rearranging my "To Read Shelf"---- The Romantics by Leah Konen. I have not read the book, but it is a YA novel told by Love. It shall be my choice as I am trying to clear off my insane bookshelf and not add to it. (It was also written in 2016 for those reading a book for more than one category.)

Of course! I think this is your challenge....you make it what you want it, but I would think comic book, graphic novel...children's book.
Two ideas on my "to read shelf" that have pictures:

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Hold Still: A Memoir with Photographs by Sally Mann

Niyati wrote: "Not sure if this has been suggested yet, but The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - narrated by Death. Read it if you haven't read it already. :D

Also, [book:Grief Is the Thing with Feathe..."

I second The Book Thief recommendation--- definitely worth a read.