Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion

Greetings from sunny (finally) West Michigan! We are finally getting the sun we've so missed. It snowed here (#truestory) on 5/15 and now it's 86 degrees. (The irony of these little weather updates I provide is that I don't actually pay attention to weather forecasts so not sure why I feel compelled to open with weather, on to books!)

We've closed week 21 (woo hoo!) and I finally have progress to report after a lapse in challenge prompt completions. I finished Detroit Resurrected: To Bankruptcy and Back for "takes place in your home state." It also works for "published in 2016" if anyone is interested in it. This was a hard read for me. I'm a native Detroiter and I found it really depressing to read (even though I knew about the financial mismanagement of that once great city.) In fact when a friend asked what I was reading, he said "that sounds horrible!" It was really well researched and well written and I'm glad to have read it and ... I really hope history doesn't repeat itself and that my city gets itself together again.

Contrary to my usual pattern, I have multiple books in progress now. I'm listening to the audio of America's Bitter Pill: Money, Politics, Backroom Deals, and the Fight to Fix Our Broken Healthcare System for "protagonist who has your occupation." I just received the ebook of And Then There Were None for "murder mystery" and, thanks to Sara, I'm reading Dragonfly in Amber, which is the second in the Outlander series but won't fulfill any of my remaining prompts.

Currently at 28/41.

Question of the week: Are you using audio books in the challenge?

I've never been a big audio book person. I've listened to a few nonfiction books or books by comedians during long road trips but it's never been a part of my usual reading routine. Since January, however, I've been using audible.com and am hooked!

I find it really helps break up the monotony of long drives. Often, I read the book while home and listen to the audio in the car.

Can't wait to hear from everyone!

Good morning from rainy, humid Kansas!

I finished three books this week, all of which worked for challenge prompts, bringing me to 28/41 for the year.

I finished the audiobook of If You Could Be Mine for "a book about a culture you're unfamiliar with." I also finished Ballad of the Whiskey Robber: A True Story of Bank Heists, Ice Hockey, Transylvanian Pelt Smuggling, Moonlighting Detectives, and Broken Hearts for "a book set in Europe" and The Color Purple for "a National Book Award winner." All three of these were very good, though obviously extremely different from each other. I'd recommend all of them!

Question of the Week: I'm definitely using audiobooks for this challenge - so far, 6 of my 28 reads have been on audio. I walk to and from work and am often alone in the office, so I frequently have one in-progress.

I started getting into audiobooks a couple of years ago because a roommate was always listening to them, and since then I've gotten to really like them! I have some general guidelines for myself (nothing over about 11 hours, which is when I start to get really antsy; no essay collections, which feel too repetitive; nothing that's too explicitly about the beauty of the language, which is harder for me to process aurally than on the page), but in many cases, I think the narration makes a book even better than it would be otherwise.

I listened to Patrick Ness's A Monster Calls on audio and can't imagine having taken it in any other way. Other great listens: Goldy Moldavsky's Kill the Boy Band (the performer deserves an Audie Award) and Michel Faber's The Book of Strange New Things, which is much longer than my usual length cut-off but so, so worth it.

It's hot and humid today in Virginia. I'm already dreaming of fall, and we haven't even started summer officially yet!

I finished 3 books in the last week, but only one will fill a prompt.

Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld. This is part of the Jane Austen project where several modern authors create modern retellings of several of Jane Austen's books. Eligible is the retelling of Pride and Prejudice. I gave this book only one star which I rarely do. I think the crudeness of it got to me (if you didn't like Lydia in the original story you will just DESPISE her in this one), and I think the author tried too hard to fit in various "alternative" relationships. It felt forced and pretentious. And the last chapter felt like it was tacked on as an afterthought. It made no sense as the end of the story. Ugh...anyway, as of now this is my book published in 2016, but I have a few more new releases on my reading list. I may replace this later with a better book.

Island of the Blue Dolphins - I know I have read this before, but I don't know when. I felt a pull to reread it. It's just as good as I remember.

The World of Little House - I found this book in the children's section of the library, but I was intrigued with all the good information about Laura Ingalls Wilder's life, layouts of the houses she lived in, summaries of the books and all sorts of other tidbits. Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography is on my reading list too as are all the Little House books (again, I know I've read them but don't know when).

Currently I am reading:

The One-in-a-Million Boy by Monica Wood
Moloka'i by Alan Brennert
Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon (this is a reread, trying to keep pace with the show). Listening to it on audible.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - this is a combination read aloud and audio listen with my daughter.

Question of the week: I love audiobooks, and audible makes it so easy. No lugging around boxes of CDs. I usually have an audiobook going all the time. I listen to them a lot at work, or if I'm driving alone. Sometimes I will even listen in the mornings while getting ready (though I have started listening to podcasts more often. This is cutting into my audiobook time). Audiobooks are really all about the narrator.

Thegirlintheafternoon wrote: "...nothing that's too explicitly about the beauty of the language, which is harder for me to process aurally than on the page)"

I love this recommendation! Wish I had read it before I purchased the audio of One Hundred Years of Solitude yesterday. But I am planning on rotating the audio with the print version when I dive in to this one.

I am at 20/41 after this week. I finished two books this week. I finished Northanger Abbey for "a book at least 100 years older than you." I liked it better than Mansfield Park which I read last year. This could also count as a satire as Austen pokes fun at the gothic genre quite a bit.

I also finished Me Before You. This book absolutely wrecked me. I bawled so much but I cannot recommend this book enough. I thought it would be a sappy love story but it's not. It goes much deeper than I thought it would. It's also rather funny. But between this and Sunday's Game of Thrones episode I'm a complete mess. I used this book to fulfill "book becoming a movie this year."

QOTW: I use audio books rarely. I just started using them last year when we went on vacation and drove from Oklahoma City to San Diego (20 hours one way) and listened to one of the Harry Potter books. I was surprised at how easy it was to listen to and we loved it. We were only sad we only had the one book. This year, I've only used an audio version for one book and that was for when I was on the treadmill. It does have to be the right book for me to pay attention though.

Hello from Paris!

I finished two books this week: The Library at Mount Char and The Red Parts: Autobiography of a Trial, neither of which really qualify for a prompt.

I'm reading I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban for my autobiography, and Jane Steele for my "published in 2016." I'm also listening to Lafayette in the Somewhat United States, which probably doesn't check any boxes -- but I live in France, and I've been listening to the "Hamilton" soundtrack, um, nonstop. Plus I love Sarah Vowell. (I'd use Assassination Vacation for my roadtrip book if I hadn't already read it...)

I'm trying to finish at least one of those by the weekend, when I leave for Italy for two weeks. My first stop is Naples, so I want to start My Brilliant Friend on the plane.

Also a huge fan of audiobooks, and I usually have one going all the time. I like to listen to them when I'm cooking or washing dishes, in particular, but they're nice for the commute, too. I get about half through my audible subscription, and half through the library.

Anna wrote: " Jane Steele for my "published in 2016."..."

I just requested this one from my library! I am hoping to use it to replace my other "published in 2016" book :)

Juanita wrote: "Wish I had read it before I purchased the audio of One Hundred Years of Solitude yesterday. But I am planning on rotating the audio with the print version when I dive in to this one."

Let me know what you think of that on audio! It's on my "I should probably read that" list. And I love the idea of rotating the book with the audiobook.

Week 21. Still at 59% done. I finished 2 books this week, but no progress on this challenge.

Question of the week: Are you using audio books in the challenge?

I love audiobooks. I know some people have trouble with them, but I love them. They are especially good for books with plenty of foreign words and/or dialects. Some narrators/performers are just so good, I don't even read some series in print anymore. For example, Susan Ericksen doing J.D. Robb's In Death series or Katy Kellgren doing Rhys Bowen's Lady Georgie series.

Additionally, I listen to audiobooks when I go outside with my dog.

Also, I suffer from migraine and sinus headaches. When one of these strikes, I can't use my glasses or even want to open my eyes. So, on those days, it's audiobooks all the way.

One good book on audio is The Girl with All the Gifts which is also becoming a movie this year.

Here in central NY, we WERE having beautiful weather, but now it's OH THE HUMIDITY.

This week, again, I finished NO books for the Challenge! Also, I removed a book from my "completed tasks" (because I'm going to read something else) so I am now at 37/41.

I read Americanah, just finished it last night! this was meant to fulfill "set in my home state of NJ" but most of it is set elsewhere, so I'm going to pick something else for this task too. I LOVED this book though, I was planning to read it and would have read it even without the Challenge, so I'm still happy. Just not making any progress!

I won a book from GR (for, like, the first time in forever - I NEVER win those giveaways!) so I feel like I need to read that book next, so I probably still won't have made any progress in this Challenge by next week! but that's okay, I'm reading, and enjoying.

QotW: YES I LOVE audiobooks!! I ALWAYS have an audiobook in progress, I listen to it when I drive, when I wait in my car to pick up my kid from afterschool practice, when I mow the lawn, etc. I'm very visual, I have a hard time really paying attention when there is no visual cue, so I always thought I would hate audiobooks. But a few years ago my car radio broke (stupid problem and I was just too lazy to get it fixed) so I tried an audiobook for a car trip, and wow it was great! There are only certain types of books that I will listen to in audio form, like a lot of you - I guess I'm replicating what I can hear on NPR, so I'll listen to books by celebrities like Tina Fey or Patty Smith, vaguely humorous books like Bill Bryson or David Sedaris, and books that are thrillers/mysteries/fantasy/sci-fi, like Neverwhere (fantastic audiobook, read by Gaiman!). Sometimes I use it for the Challenge, sometimes I don't. I listened to my "book by comedian" for example. One of the tasks in the BookRiot Challenge is "audiobook that won an Audie" and I'm listening to that book right now (The Silkworm - love it!)

I finished Thanks for the Memories for book set in Europe. I enjoyed it - didn't love it, but certainly didn't hate it.

Brings me to 18/41 for the challenge. I'm hoping I can catch up to everyone now that the weather is nicer and I should be by the pool reading on most weekends - at least that's the ultimate goal. I have some really good books picked out so hopefully a reading slump doesn't bring me down.

Question of the week: Are you using audio books in the challenge?
I listened to Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail for my Oprah's book pick. I plan on using a couple other audio books for the challenge as well. I like where the narrator is the author - such as in Yes Please - I really got a good feel for her emotions rather than just reading it on paper. I have a hard time concentrating on audiobooks and so I try to check out the book at the same time to either follow along or just to have as back up.

Standing at 23/41.

I didn't check in last week, but I had finished Fallen Angels for my Recommended by Someone You Just Met.

Currently slogging my way through The Catcher in the Rye for Classic From the 20th Century. Sheesh I can't stand Holden Caulfield so it's slow going.

On deck is Spade & Archer: The Prequel to Dashiell Hammett's The Maltese Falcon for the Prequel half of A Book and it's Prequel.

I don't do audiobooks just because I find myself too distracted by other things when I'm not actively involved in reading, and I have to rewind constantly when I realize I missed the last 10 minutes or so.

I've finished one book this week and about to finish another. My first book is The Only Pirate at The Party by Lindsey Stirling completing the challenge of Read a book with blue on the cover. This is probably one of my favorite biographies I've listen (btw listened to this on audiobook) to before. My second book that I'm close to finishing is The Selection by Kiera Cass. This book covers to read a dystopian challenge. I was surprised at how much I liked this book. Sure there's not a lot of action involved and it does scream The Bachelor (which I hate) but I was still invested into the story and wanted to know what happens next.

Mike wrote: "Currently slogging my way through The Catcher in the Rye for Classic From the 20th Century. Sheesh I can't stand Holden Caulfield so it's slow going."

Mike: You are so not alone. I might start a "The Catcher in the Rye is overrated" group on Goodreads.

The good news is that it is short and once you finish, you NEVER HAVE TO READ IT AGAIN.

I LOVED The Catcher in the Rye when I read it as a teen!! Part of me wants to reread it to see if I hate it now, but I'm afraid to spoil a good thing.

Nadine wrote: "I LOVED The Catcher in the Rye when I read it as a teen!! Part of me wants to reread it to see if I hate it now, but I'm afraid to spoil a good thing."

I did read it first as an adult and one who knew a thing or two about grammar so it's possible I would have different feelings about it had I read it as a teen. Not trying to be phony here. ;-)

Juanita wrote:

Not trying to be phony here. ;-) "


That cracked me up. Really it did!

I'm at 39/40. I finished
6. A book translated to English- A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman 5/22/16. It was excellent and worth the long wait at the library for the digital audio book.

I love audio book! For this challenge 14 of my tasks were completed with audio books.

I'm interested to see what you think of the audio One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcí­a Márquez. It has been on my TRL for a while. Two weeks ago picked up a copy at my local used book store otherwise I would have gotten the audio version.

Audio books are my sole means of reading these days. I listen in the car running kids around, folding laundry, washing dishes and taking walks. I love Audible. They have a daily deal which I have taken advantage of several times. Books offered there are typically less than $5. I have even found some favorite new authors/series that way!

Slow reading week for me, but it's the end of the school year: busy, busy, busy! I'm reading Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil: A Savannah Story which doesn't tic any boxes for this challenge but fits in two others. Looking forward to all the reading time coming up this summer!
Question of the Week: I have listened to a few audio books. Anthem was incredible to listen to (read 1st half, listened to 2nd half). Nonfiction is good for listening, but, generally, I prefer reading (from an old-fashioned book).

Sarah wrote: "Audio books are my sole means of reading these days. I listen in the car running kids around, folding laundry, washing dishes and taking walks. I love Audible. They have a daily deal which I have t..."

Love Audible too!! But also my local library uses Overdrive and I get many audiobooks that way (free!).

I'm 17/41 now. Still slowly but surely making progress.

I finished The Green Glass Sea for my book recommended by someone I just met. I loved it! One of my favorite this year.
I also have gotten about halfway through The Martian for my science fiction novel. It is pure hilarity so far.

I listen to audiobooks, but I decided not to use them for this challenge. I've only been able to listen to about 3 of the Harry Potter books on Audio this year and that's it. I listen when I'm working out and sometimes when getting ready, so about 3-5 hours per week. I am using the audiobooks to help me reach my goal of 50 books read in a year though.

I finished two books this week. The first was Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance by Barack Obama. It was interesting but I'm glad it's done. I'd be fine with never reading a political memoir again.

I also finished Clutterfree with Kids by Joshua Becker for my self improvement prompt. It had some great ideas about adopting a minimalist lifestyle, which I think sounds like a dream. I hope to employ some of his ideas. We are currently building a house while we live in a 27 foot 5th wheel. We have been quite comfortable living without 97% of our belongings, but is that because we know it's all coming back soon? I hope that when we move into our new home next month, that we pare way down.

Up next for me is The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. I voted for this book for the monthly challenge and am eager to read it.

As for audio books... I can't stand them at all. I'm a very visual person. I'd rather read the book than have the book read to me. Even when my children read to me, I need to see the words while they read aloud. But I'm a teacher and I understand different people like/want/need different things. If the purpose is to enjoy literature, then I'm happy there are alternative options for people.

I started Glitches, The Little Android & Cinder to fill based on a fairy tale, ya bestseller, romance set in the future and sci-fi novel and a book and its prequel prompts and Paris Talks: Addresses Given by Abdul-Baha in 1911 to fill book recommended by a family member prompt.

During May I finished Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway (written by celebrity and an autobiography), The Corrections (book from Oprah's Book Club), All the Light We Cannot See (book with a blue cover), Between the World and Me (National Book Award winner) and The Road Not Taken and other Selected Poems (book of poetry).

I tried to listen All the Light We Cannot See audio book for Read Harder challenge but I just gave up since I can't focus anymore and block the world away when I'm listening on a regular computer/ kindle speakers; plus I lost one of my earphone's bud and it's not comfortable to wear them anymore and signing up to audible (or any other audio book service) for a free trial seemed a bit unpleasant(?) :(

Juanita wrote: "Greetings from sunny (finally) West Michigan! We are finally getting the sun we've so missed. It snowed here (#truestory) on 5/15 and now it's 86 degrees. (The irony of these little weather updates..."

Greetings, neighbor! I wanted to read that book for home state prompt but it seemed too depressing. I hope our city and public school system gets it together soon.

This week I read Animal Farm for A satirical book. I had to read this for a Lit class in high school but I can't say if I actually ever finished it. Anyways I enjoyed it much more this time around reading it on my own accord. Really short with an enjoyable story/theme.

I've never listened to an audiobook and I'm not sure if I would be able to pay attention! Anyone have that issue?