Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
2017 Weekly checkins
>
Week 16: 4/14 – 4/20
Hi All!It's been a slow week for me. I managed to finish My Name is Red and I think I'll use it for 'a book from a nonhuman perspective', even though only selected chapters are written from a nonhuman perspective.
I now stand at 19/40 and 1/12.
I am currently reading The Golem and the Jinni for a book with a mythological creature and listening to the audiobook for A Gathering of Shadows.
I predict next week is also going to be a slow week for me, so I doubt I'll be finishing more than one.
QOTW: I usually browse lists which appeal to me on Goodreads, or look up my favourite books and browse similar titles.
Mod
This week I finished five books, three of them very short, and one an audio book that we had started last year on a family trip. Two of the books fulfill challenge categories, and I have no idea how many that is for me now because my spreadsheet is at home.
Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions - extremely short, with no real information for me, but I think this might be very useful and/or powerful for younger people who haven't spent so much time thinking about these things. At least, that seems to be the general consensus in reviews.
Crow Lake - for "on my TBR too long" - this was the oldest book on my TBR, from 2007, it survived all of my winnowing over the years, and I am so grateful to this challenge for getting me to finally read it, because I LOVED this book!
Robot Dreams - for "bought at a used book store" - this is a mostly wordless graphic novel that we bought at a library sale years ago - normally I would not count a wordless book for this challenge, but we have NO used bookstores in my area and this was literally the only book in our house that would qualify for this category. It was also fantastic, and I recommend for all ages! It was charming and poignant, about how life doesn't always turn out the way you want, but you make the best of it anyway. I'd been meaning to "read" it for years now since my kids raved about it, and I'm really glad I finally got to it.
The Time Museum - this is a new graphic novel for kids, that my tween daughter recommended. I wasn't impressed. This is very much for the 8-12 yo age group.
The Golden Compass - this is the audiobook we finally finished on our trip to NJ. We all thought it was pretty dull. I can see why it's beloved, but it's not the book for us.
QOTW Mostly I find my books on Goodreads! The new-this-month newsletter for new releases from favorite authors, and friend reviews or raves on here for other books. If I loooooved a book, I'll browse the related books section on GR and add anything else that looks good. If I'm looking for a certain type of book, I look at the lists people make. To a lesser extent, I use The Millions Most Anticipated to look for new books, and Tor and Book Riot to learn about good authors I may have overlooked. I find far too many books I want to read. It's a struggle to keep my TBR list under 1200.
Hey readers!Last week I finished two books. The first was And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini. The second was Lab Girl by Hope Jahren. I'm currently reading My Friend Leonard by James Frey.
QOTW:
I get most of my book recommendations from booktube or literary podcasts I listen to. Occasionally, a few of my friends and I will give recommendations back and forth, but not often. I have a TBR list the size of an encyclopedia!
I haven't finished a book since last check in. I am close to finishing The Kitchen House, which will be my book on your TBR for too long. I borrowed this book from a coworker three years ago and am just now reading it. Shameful. I have a lot of library books vying for my attention now: Norse Mythology (mythology), A Gentleman in Moscow (takes place in a hotel) and The Sympathizer (spy novel). The last two are for my IRL book clubs. It's a happy coincidence that I can slot them in.
Question of the Week
I get book suggestions from friends including those of you here. I used to read a lot of book reviews but haven't done so much this tear. Plus, now I'm in two book clubs so that's 24 books a year to slot in.
Busy with the holiday and a house full of kids and grandkids, but I did manage to finish three books.1)
I really enjoyed this book. Magical Realism, different time lines and perspectives and lovely writing and insights.2)
A young woman growing up on a farm in the Midwest (Iowa), facing family upheavals, dealing with career choices (sewing and photography) and choices between a life of adventure away in the big city and abroad or filling her life with adventure close to home. Nice, thought the end came sort of suddenly. I don't think this really works for any of the challenges. Although there are issues of travel, and immigrants, and war in the book, none of them are really central to the story.3)
Various possible takes on the Little Red Riding Hood story. I thought it would work for the last prompt in the Advanced challenge, but then I realized that this is based on a fairy tale and the prompt is based on mythology. Do you think this would work anyway?QOW: Hmm. Hard to say. Now that I've discovered that I can get all these free books thru Amazon Prime, I'm constantly reading through the listings and picking books that look interesting. I also enjoy browsing bookstores, where I go by Author names that I'm familiar with and have enjoyed reading, book jackets and blurbs. And I'm open to suggestions from friends, and I'll usually pick up the books behind movies or TV series that I've enjoyed.
It's rainy here in West Michigan too! I would love to curl up and read all day but with a busy 10-month-old it's not always possible. I have managed to get some reading done this week, though. I finished The Known World for "written by a person of color". I think this book is phenomenal! Such a colorful representation of slavery just before the Civil War. Edward P. Jones was able to paint life so amazingly well. This puts me at 15/52.I have started reading Interpreter of Maladies. This is a quick read, not only because there aren't many pages but also because it is a book of short stories. I can't tell if I'm "wowed" by it or not, but it is not bad so far.
I have also just begun Shutter Island which I'm pretty excited to read since I haven't read a good mystery/thriller in a while.
QOTW: I made a goal several years back to read every book that won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction so I haven't really lacked an idea for the next book to read. I have, of course, taken a break from this list to read books that were given to me or books recommended by friends.
I finished two books. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay - definitely glad I watched the movie first because that put in to perspective everything that was going on. Makes me want to re-watch the movie ASAP! I'm not using this for the challenge.
Between the Lines - Using this for a story within a story. I can't say that I particularly cared for this book. It was cute. It was a good idea. It was a fast read. It definitely qualified for story in a story.
I'm now at 14/40. Moving right along and a little bit behind.
QOTW I used to watch a lot of youtube videos for recommendations. But now it seems that they are sponsored by the publishers. But luckily I have a lot on my to-be-read shelf and I have my wish list on my overdrive account.
Bon matin under the rain again,We can't wait to be outside a bit and feel like spring.
I finished two book last week:
The Bourne Identity for the espionnage thriller. It was just okay for me. I then watch the movie again, because I couldn't remember it and it's way different.
Shenzhen: A Travelogue from China for no prompt. Or I can't fin one at the moment. I really liked that one and will read more books by Guy Delisle.
Currently reading:
Death's End for the two (and more) time period. That's the book that I was keeping for later. I loved the first two in the serie and the first 100 pages of this one make me think that I will love that one also. I am taking my time because I don't want it to end.
QOTW: Now I'm taking my suggestion mostly from Goodreads. And my sister. And one of my friend.
I finished a couple of books this week.For the read harder challenge I read My Flower Leaf Flower Leaf: Japanese haiku translated into English, retaining 5-7-5 syllables.
I also read Amberlough for the espionage thriller category. The characters are amoral and not particularly likable at first. However you end up caring for them anyway because even fantasy universe fascists suck. And the cover is great,
QOTW-
I tend to look for book recommendations on different websites like Goodreads, the Barnes and Noble book blog, Reddit etc.
This has been a great week (aside from the Tax Day stuff, of course)! It is the first time since mid-February that I was home all week, which means I finally tackled the huge pile of laundry in my closet, cooked food for myself, cleaned my house, and relaxed on the couch! I was able to get through 4 books this week. There are supposed to be storms in Dallas tomorrow night and I have a somewhat quiet weekend planned, so it looks like more couch-reading is in my near future. I finished the following for the Popsugar challenge:
The Girl Before by J.P. Delaney for a book published in 2017 (16). For those interested, it would also qualify for a book written by an author who uses a pseudonym, an unreliable narrator, and for anyone doing the Around the Year challenge it counts for a book with 2 perspectives or a book with a chilling/unsettling atmosphere. I was able to get through this one in 1.5 days, as once I got into it I didn’t want to put it down! (In fact, it kept me up quite late so I could finish it…)
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld for a steampunk novel (22). This was a fast read and my first exposure to the steampunk genre. It wasn’t my cup of tea, but I can see why others love it.
What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions by Randall Munroe for a book with a subtitle (15). This one is not one to read in one sitting; it reads more like an entertaining science blog/textbook. The author used to work at NASA then quit to become an online cartoonist (!!!). He takes crazy questions from people who read his blog (ex. If everyone on Earth jumped at the same time, what would happen?) then actually goes through the science involved in the answer.
Fool Me Once by Harlan Coben for a bestseller from 2016 (A2). I love Harlan Coben’s books. I breeze through 1-2 of them a year, always thoroughly entertained. He has a way of weaving characters together, giving just enough crumbs of a story to make you think you have it all figured out, all to be surprised at one final twist later in the story.
I am at 15/40 ; 7/12.
QOTW: I get most of my recommendations from friends and Goodreads. On the rare occasion when I allow myself to go into Barnes & Noble, I will browse their "new fiction" table and their "new author" section and read all of the book jackets. My TBR list has grown exponentially since joining the PopSugar and Around the Year challenges, which, ironically, I joined to help me get through my already substantial TBR pile. Ha!
Hi everyone! Rainy day here in southeast Michigan. Can't complain too much since at least it's staying warmer. It spoiled my plans for a morning run, however. I sat under a blanket and read comic books with my cat, instead. So sad =p
I had a frustrating reading week this week. I read The Blind Assassin (story within a story) and it took ALL WEEK. This never happens, even books that are a thousand pages I can usually nip through in a few days. I just found myself browsing facebook with my phone while my kindle just sat beside me. Admittedly i didn't have THAT much reading time due to having houseguests for Easter. I know there was a whole thread about not forcing yourself to finish books you don't like, but...It's a Margaret Atwood book, and it had all positive reviews that I could find. I kept thinking if i just read a little more, I'd find the magic good part that made everyone enthuse so much. Never actually found it. I guessed the "twist" less than halfway through it, so was mostly impatient waiting for confirmation that I was right. Keeps coming back to characters, for me. If I think the characters are boring or unappealing, I just am not going to enjoy the novel much.
As a palate cleanser I tore through Adulthood Is a Myth last night/this morning to make me feel better. I'm counting it for book recommended by a librarian, since one of my librarian friends told me I should read it. It was great, I love Sarah Scribbles.
Currently I am reading Injection, Vol. 2 again as a palate cleanser. I'll probably finish it at lunch. It's a good comic about a reality-altering computer virus and the people who brought it into being.
Once I finish that, I got Welcome to Night Vale which will be my book with multiple authors. I've never gotten into the podcast, so I'm hoping I can still understand what all is going on. It sounded like a stand alone mystery, by the description.
Also just as a side note, I read Heartache a few weeks ago and thought it didn't fit any prompts. I then remembered that it came out this year, so I'm moving it to the book published this year prompt.
this puts me at 32/52
QOTW: I find books all sorts of ways. In general, I do a combination of friend recommendations, mixed with browsing around and seeing what catches my eye. I always skim the bookperk emails I get and grab anything that looks interesting. If it's on bookperk, it's on sale so usually less than $5 and thus impulse-buyable. I also buy humble bundles and read through those when I'm in a slump. I skim the library's new ebook page, and skim amazon's "because you read..." recommendations.
For this challenge specifically, I go through books I own first. Then I go through books I was already interested in and see what fits. Then when I come to prompts I don't know what to do with, i check the threads here, or google books that would fit in the category and see whatever seems most interesting. I try to keep it to whatever my library has digitally, or what i can buy cheaply. I don't like spending over $5 on a book if I'm not fairly certain I will love it, and re-read it.
Good morning, fellow book-lovers! I'm very jealous of all of you on Spring Break, but in good news, I finished 4 books this week, bringing me to 21/40 for Popsugar and 18/52 for Around the Year.The Arm: Inside the Billion-Dollar Mystery of the Most Valuable Commodity in Sports - I listened to this on audiobook for Popsugar's "a book with a subtitle" prompt, and it was FASCINATING. I'm not really a baseball fan, but this kept my attention really well, and the reader was fantastic.
The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit - I read this for Popsugar's "a book set in the wilderness" prompt, and it was a quick, interesting read. I do think it's a bit convenient that the subject of the book supposedly refused to speak to anyone but the book's author, a journalist who has admitted to journalistic misconduct in the past - how can anyone check his story? - but ultimately, I'd be glad I read this even if it was fake.
Ella Minnow Pea: A Progressively Lipogrammatic Epistolary Fable - I read this for Around the Year's "an epistolary novel" prompt. Epistolary novels aren't usually my thing, but this one was pretty interesting.
This Is Where You Belong: The Art and Science of Loving the Place You Live - I read this for Around the Year's "a nonfiction book" prompt. Loved this! Highly recommended for fans of Gretchen Rubin.
QOTW: So many places! GoodReads, Modern Mrs. Darcy, friends & coworkers, browsing the library shelves, the Twitter feeds of favorite authors - you name it, I'll try it :)
I finally remembered to check in on time!Greetings all. I spent this morning learning belly dancing moves from HowCast. This might be my new obsession. I took dance classes in my youth and was pretty good at it, but the degree of difficulty with the isolations in belly dancing is a whole different universe for me - in a good way! Might need to sign up for real classes . . .
Anyway, I'm making good progress. Like Sara, I'm moving things around and working in stuff I already own and stuff I'm in the mood for, and finding that fun.
Finished:
Blood Child, and Other Stories - this was magnificent but also super heavy. She's so, so good at taking issues that seem morally clear and upsetting all you think you know. I will continue to read her work and highly recommend this - but I do need a "palate cleanser" as Sheri says!
A Man Called Ove - lovely, funny, sweet, sad, ultimately uplifting story. I normally avoid books that make me weep, but this is totally worth it, and overall more funny and wry. I've kept an eye out for something similar to Major Pettigrew's Last Stand and this scratched that itch.
I did the audio book and the reader was awesome!
Started:
The Undomestic Goddess - my palate cleanser. So far so good, as long as it doesn't end up with the moral along the lines of "and that's why lady-folk should stay in the kitchen," rather than being about finding balance and being deliberate about what you sacrifice and what you embrace. (Funnily enough my mom is reading this right now as well, and she assures me Sophie Kinsella would not go down the wrong path.)
The Screwtape Letters - this is my current audio book. The reader captures the satirical tone really well. Should be fun!
QOTW: I go through these threads and click any interesting links with "open in new tab," then comb through and add any that I want to read to my TBR shelf. Super fun!
I watch my friends' GR feeds and also sometimes talk to them in person about books. :)
I also LOVE just going to the library or book store and walking around looking for things that catch my eye. I always appreciate the librarians setting up themed tables with their recommendations.
It's been a slow week for reading - lots to do and I was sick yesterday and just napped a lot. Rilke: Poems - I read a copy of selected poems by Rilke and I didn't at all enjoy it, but it fills my Book Riot Read Harder poetry that's translated and not about love.
The War that Saved My Life - so good! I discovered this in the group poll and listened to the audiobook. I think I put this in the disability prompt for now, though it may end up in war. Great book and fantastic narration.
I'm reading Running Like a Girl right now - I used to run and then had an injury followed by two back to back pregnancies that didn't allow for running and I'm trying to very slowly get back into it, so I've been reading lots of running related books to spur me on. I'm not sure I'll be able to shoehorn this in anywhere.
QOTW: I get recommendations all over the place. From friends, from podcasts (especially the Professional Book Nerds), from Goodreads, from emails about ebook sales, just from the covers on Overdrive, from Book Riot.
Hi all,Happy to report, I do not think it's raining right now in Vancouver.....I finally get to write that post.... happy!
But, the guys down the block are doing construction, so it's going to be a noisy morning!
I am at 22/40 for the challenge.
This week, I read a book with a cat on the cover - The Good, the Bad and the Furry: Life with the World's Most Melancholy Cat and Other Whiskery Friends.
It was delightful.... Tom Cox really knows his cats. And another thing, this guy has A BUNCH of cats. The book seems to vary from 3 to 5 cats. Depending on adoptions and who's in the neighborhood!
I also finished the book you loved as a child, Pippi Longstocking. I don't think I liked it as much as a much older adult. But Pippi is still lots of fun; so many funny moments.
I'm just trying to figure out what to read next for the challenge!
QOTW: I have lots of friends who are readers, who make suggestions. My mom is a very fast reader and she makes suggestions too, or just gives me paperbacks! This challenge has also given me plenty of new ideas..... and that's been great. I also read lots from the bestsellers lists. Lately, those display shelves have been catching my eye at the public library too.... very enticing!
Omg you guys I have had the week from hell! Husband works away so I'm flying solo and Saturday I took them both to visit my grandmother in palliative care, Sunday night after Easter dinner at my in laws my 2.5 yo started vomiting. All. Night. Monday he was sick but not vomiting. Tuesday the baby (7mos today!) started with the diarrhea. Tuesday night it hit me. So Wednesday was a total write off. Then this morning my grandmother passed. My parents were away and were supposed to arrive tomorrow afternoon so my poor dad didn't get a chance to see her once more and I hadn't seen her since Saturday. So long story short I didn't finish any books this week! Although You by Caroline Kepnes and We Were Liars both came in from my digital holds and my library book club is doing Letters to my
Daughter by Maya Angelou plus I'm partway through The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith and hubby is home Saturday so I'm hoping to get some done next week!
QOTW: I used to stick to my favourite authors, best sellers, recommendations from friends and family but the past couple years doing this challenge I've used a lot more of Goodreads and these threads to make my choices.
I haven't finished a book in two weeks. Eek! We are in the last month of school and it's just jam-packed with activities and most of my weekends are booked until June. I'm going to try to read a couple of books this weekend though.QOTW: Here, I read through the weekly check-ins and put interesting books in my amazon cart. I listen to a couple of podcasts from Book Riot and always hear about one or two books that seem interesting. I also do Book of the Month and a Quarterly book box (although, I'm considering discontinuing the Quarterly and doing a different book box.) There aren't any bookstores close to me (closest one is about an hour away) but I do love to browse them and pick up whatever catches my eye.
This week I finished my first audio book called The Reader. I read One Perfect Lie by Lisa Scottoline. And I finished The Night The Lights Went Out by Karen White. I am currently listening to Room. I almost forgot that I also finished Roanoke Girls last night. Awesome book. I find my books to read on here a lot, Goodreads, not this challenge. I look at reccomendations that come when I add a book to one of my lists on here and look at upcoming releases. a lot of times I just browse the new releases shelf at the library. I do find some on Pinterest also and sometimes I Google certain books or authors.
Hello!This week I finished The Minotaur Takes a Cigarette Break as my book involving a mythical creature. I've had it sitting on my shelf for a few years, I got it at my old book club's Christmas party where we exchanged copies of a books we loved. I figured this was the perfect prompt for it. I liked it, though I could have gone my whole life without reading a detailed description of how to passionately kiss a creature with the head of a bull. However, I did like it enough to add the sequel to my TBR list.
I finished The Golden Compass this morning as a book that never fails to make me smile. I can't really say it, or any other book, actually makes my physically smile; I adjusted the meaning to a book I've read and really enjoyed. I read early in the year that Philip Pullman is writing more books centered in that world so it inspired me to re-read the books.
I am still working my way through Vanity Fair I think I'm on chapter 26. Not even half way through haha. I'm really liking it though. It's just so, so long.
QOTW: I tend to just pick books that I see other people enjoyed, or books that are being made into movies. I always want to read classics. I also tend to pick up books that have interesting titles or covers.
32/40I finished one book this week for the challenge, Cinder and I think I'm using it for my book from the perspective of a non-human.
I have four books from the library that I intend to read within the next couple of weeks, but I don't think I can use all of them for the challenge. I requested Three Bags Full before I realized I would use Cinder for my non-human perspective book. I also requested A Fatal Grace- I am not crazy about Louise Penny's books, but I do like the characters and want to know what is happening with them. Weird, I know.
I'm going to read the book Carved in Bone and I think I'll use it for my book with multiple authors. I had intended to use a book with more than two authors for that prompt, but it doesn't look like I'll be reading anything like that soon.
The last book I checked out is Dispatches from Pluto: Lost and Found in the Mississippi Delta which I'll use for my book with a subtitle.
QOTW: I usually find books to read by browsing through the library or recommendations from library patrons. Since starting this challenge, however, I've gotten more and more of my books based on suggestions from other challenge participants.
Tara wrote: "Omg you guys I have had the week from hell! Husband works away so I'm flying solo and Saturday I took them both to visit my grandmother in palliative care, Sunday night after Easter dinner at my in..."Tara, I am so sorry to read about your grandmother.
Hello from Cleveland. We have been having some crazy rain, and a few major intersections in the metro area flooded yesterday. The pictures almost look fake, it's so bizarre.I finally got back on the Popsugar train this week. First up was Desert Solitaire for a book mentioned in another book (which was Finding Abbey: The Search for Edward Abbey and His Hidden Desert Grave and I'm using that in the Book Riot challenge). I love the Southwest, and Arches is up there as one of my favorite National Parks, but holy cow, was Edward Abbey sexist, racist, Islamophobic, and just about every other kind of prejudiced. Some of the nature writing was nice, but there was more than one occasion when I had to set the book down in disbelief. (The time he described someone as "drunk as a Navajo" (!!!!!) comes to mind.) He also engaged in very destructive behavior, like throwing an old tire into the Grand Canyon and killed a rabbit while out on patrol for fun. I am baffled that anyone can respect this guy.
Next I read The Guest Cat for a book with a cat on the cover. I think the translator did an excellent job, but I think a lot was lost in the cultural translation. The titular cat dies (not really a spoiler) and I didn't feel a thing, when usually even the mention of a pet dying makes me want to go squeeze my own kitty until he claws my face off in protest. I did the think it had very good descriptions of how cats really behave, and I could imagine my own doing a lot of what's described.
Today I finished The Bonesetter's Daughter for a book with a family member term in the title. I tried The Joy Luck Club in high school and DNF'ed it I hated it so much. I'm glad I gave Amy Tan another try now that I'm older! I was feeling pressured because I was so behind on the challenge, so I ended up getting this on audiobook, and I loved that too! I haven't listened to fiction on audiobook for years, but it really helped the story. There are two perspectives, one narrated by the author herself and the other by another woman. Both did an excellent job, and it was really nice hearing authentic pronunciations of Chinese names and words.
QOTW: I have a few favorites I watch on Booktube that seem to have much less sponsored content, and I also like going through GoodReads recommendations and lists. We don't live near a bookstore, but I do like to browse through when I'm able.
13/40, 15/52I took a long weekend for Easter, so got in some good reading time, though I didn't get a lot checked off my challenge list.
I read The Book Thief a bit early for May's novel set in wartime because my library loan was set to expire. I enjoyed it and appreciated the unique narrator perspective.
Thirteen Reasons Why used suicide as my difficult topic book. I wasn't sure how I felt about the idea of the book going in, but I actually found that I liked how the book was done.
Before I Fall was the final book I finished for the challenge, checking off a book becoming a movie in 2017.
I'm still working on Insomnia for my long read, and I'm *almost* done. I'm also about halfway through The Royal We for my book with two authors.
QOTW: I generally go through the new additions to my library's Overdrive site and flag new items for my wish list there. More recently, these message boards have definitely added a LOT to my to be read site as well.
Tara wrote: "Omg you guys I have had the week from hell! Husband works away so I'm flying solo and Saturday I took them both to visit my grandmother in palliative care, Sunday night after Easter dinner at my in..."I am so sorry about your grandmother and everything else you have had to deal with this week, Tara! Just in case sympathy and good vibes from a stranger far away make a difference, I am sending them to you.
Hello all you beautiful people! I don't get spring break or time off for Easter, but I did go to quite a boozy Easter brunch, so that was festive. :-)I finished two books this week, putting me at 20/52. First up was Silas Marner by George Eliot, which was just delightful. I always enjoy her books. The next was The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins, which I listened to on audiobook. It was kind of stressful to listen to, but in a suspenseful and fun way.
Right now I'm reading The Thin Man (Dashiell Hammett), which I am enjoying just as much as I expected to, given that The Thin Man is my favorite movie of all time. Seriously, watch it! It's great!I'm also listening to Ready Player One on audiobook because I love Wil Wheaton.
Betty wrote: "Tara wrote: "Omg you guys I have had the week from hell! Husband works away so I'm flying solo and Saturday I took them both to visit my grandmother in palliative care, Sunday night after Easter di..."It does, good vibes from anyone are always positive. Thank you :)
Week 16 - Still at 24/40 & 4/12 (28/52)Haven't finished anything this week. I'm still reading A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles for prompt #35, a book set in a hotel. I haven't read much more since I started, but I think it will be okay once I get into it. It hasn't really grabbed me yet, but I'm still very much at the beginning.
I'm also still reading In The Neighborhood: The Search for Community on an American Street, One Sleepover at a Time by Peter Lovenheim for prompt #15, a book with a subtitle. I have read it a couple more times since last week, and I like it. I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but it's good and interesting, and really makes you think about you neighbors and your neighborhood. Do you know any of your neighbors? Would you stop to check in on them if you saw an ambulance or a police car at their house? If you were to move away, would anyone miss you? Would they even realize you were gone?
I did start listening to a new audiobook this week, and I should finish it tomorrow. The book is Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok, and I'm using it for prompt #5 on the advanced list, a book about an immigrant or refugee. I have really enjoyed listening to it, and the narrator is good, which makes such a difference in audiobooks!
Hoping to make more progress this week so I can keep checking books off my list!
QOTW: Before I joined Goodreads, I would just look for books by my favorite authors, or look up "books like..." on Google, but with Goodreads in my life, I no longer need to do that. Between the challenges with so many good ideas for each prompt, and my friends who are reading things that sound interesting, my TBR list is so long that I really need to avoid looking for more books at this point.
No books accomplished for me this week. I am very behind on Les Miserables, so I'm forcing myself to catch up on that before I pick up another fun book. If Hugo had cut out all the essays on philosophy and politics and whatever, this book would be half the size. I probably still wouldn't be enjoying it though as I find the characters and plot to be pretty uninteresting. Hopefully by next week I'll have less complaining and more updating.
It was a good week for reading for me, although I didn't do much reading over Easter. I finished three books this week, bringing me up to 38/52 (37/40 & 1/12).
I finally finished my subtitle book Black Elk Speaks: Being the Life Story of a Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux. I found it really interesting.
I also finished Fingersmith for a book with an unreliable narrator, which I had expected to take awhile due to its size, but I couldn't put it down so I wound up finishing it quickly. It was fantastic. I'm never disappointed with Sarah Waters' writing.
And finally, I finished a book set in a hotel, Creepers, which I didn't love. It was a fast-paced page-turner for sure, and there was a point - I think the middle 150 pages - where I really enjoyed the story, but the rest of it reminded me of an action movie with cheesy dialogue (which isn't really my thing). I guess I expected more of a supernatural thriller or horror. But still, it kept me interested enough to finish it.
Now I'm starting The Circle for the "book that's becoming a movie" prompt.
QOTW: I get a lot of recommendations from family, friends, and former library co-workers who have similar tastes in books. I have a huge list of books just recommended by my spouse that I haven't gotten to yet. I also love to browse through the new or recently added shelves at the library. I've just started using Goodread's "recommended" feature, from which I've added a couple books to my TBR as well. And, though there are many bestselling authors I don't like, and most of the time I don't consider bestseller status in and of itself reason enough to read a book, I do keep an eye on bestseller lists as another way of discovering new titles. For this challenge specifically, I've gotten a lot of inspiration from these message boards (and sometimes just googling as well).
I crossed the halfway mark this week, finishing 3 books including two that were incredibly short. I am now at 28/52. 12. Bestseller from a genre you don’t usually read (poetry): Milk and Honey. I listened to the audiobook version read by the author and followed along with the print version. It was fine but, for me, not groundbreaking. I don’t understand the hype.
21. A book from a nonhuman perspective: A Dog's Purpose. A sweet little read.
30. A book with pictures: March: Book One. I don’t think I’m going to become a big graphic novel reader but I enjoyed this enough to continue with the series.
QOTW: I pick up recommendations mostly here on Goodreads. I like to see what my IRL friends are reading and will shelve some from those who have similar tastes. I’ve added countless to my TBR thanks to these weekly check in posts!
Happy Thursday check-in everybody! This one's going to be quick - I'm swamped at work today.I finished Heartburn by Nora Ephron for "a book about food." I was expecting to like this more, but it really fell flat for me. The story and writing didn't flow like a book, more like a conversation or movie (But I do love her movies...)
I'm currently in the middle of,
Farmer Boy
Gone with the Wind
The Scarlett Letters: My Secret Year of Men in an L.A. Dungeon
11/40, 0/52
QOTW: I find most of my books on Goodreads, and recommendations from family members and friends. I've become somewhat of a ratings snob and ALWAYS check out a book's GR rating and a few reviews before deciding if I want to read it or not. Last week when I was at the library I did some perusing around the "what's new" display and picked up a couple of reads I hadn't heard of. Which I should probably do more often!
Hi everyone! It's a very rainy day here so a good opportunity to get some more reading done.Right now, I'm sitting at 9 / 40 on the challenge. This past week, I finished Yes Please which I used as my audiobook. As written and read by Amy Poehler, I thought this book was good, but not great. Parts were quite funny and some gave interesting insights into her work as a comedian, but other parts didn't hold my attention. Overall, I enjoyed it but I didn't love it.
I've just started Summer House with Swimming Pool and am hoping it is the page turner the reviews claim it is.
As for where I get ideas on books to read, there are several places. I of course get ideas from this site, but I also get ideas from book reviews in magazines, from friends, from Twitter and from simply browsing in bookstores and libraries.
Back to not finishing things and starting more things... Okay, well, I started and finished Everything, Everything in a night, but that wasn't for the challenge. I wasn't that impressed with it since I knew the plot twist with about 80% certainty just by reading the blurb online.I have started and made significant progress on Kushiel's Dart, which I may as well use for the 800+-page book in the advanced challenge, as long as I'm reading it. I'm also starting up I Am a Cat, which I'll use for the cat on the cover prompt because I think I want to read Watership Down this year. I've never read it, but apparently it's perfect for the nonhuman perspective prompt so there ya go.
I'm reworking a bunch of prompts to fit in some of these goodreads wins I've been getting in a reasonably steady stream, lol.
QOTW: I get ideas on books to read all sorts of ways. I've found some in various book-related Facebook groups, some have been recommended the second I say I like fantasy, and a lot I find just browsing book stores.
Hello! Back at work this week and it's been mega busy, so I've been very tired and not managed to get as much reading done as I'd like.
I finished one book The Princess Bride for my book which is a story within a story. A fun read.
I'm about 60% through The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August for a book with a month in the title, it's ok but needs a fair amount of concentration which, as the week has progressed, I've been less and less up for. Hopefully I'll finish it at the weekend.
I'm 19/40 or /52 - not started the advanced list yet.
QOTW - I get ideas for books from this group, other forums I am on, and from friends. Sometimes I'll read book sections of newspapers or magazines and pick up ideas, or hear books mentioned on tv/radio. Most years I go to Cheltenham literary festival and get ideas there. I also use my Amazon recommendations. My favourite is to go to a book shop and just browse and see what jumps out at me, but that can be dangerous!
Edited to add - there was a website called The Toast that I loved, now sadly closed, and I got lots of brilliant book recs from there. Worth a browse back through for ideas.
olá from a very windy city:Faro-Portugal.This week I didn't finished any book, but working on one:Domingo à Tarde, a day of the week in title:sunday. Next one it'll beServidão Humana suggested by an author that I admireCélia Correia Loureiro.
Mercedes wrote: "41/52Finished four this week.
The Epic of Gilgamesh, centered on mythology. Lovely.
Isn't it just wonderful??? Read it years ago, and it still lurks in my personal library somewhere.
Greetings from a very cold, rainy Yorkshire today. Those two days of brilliant sunshine last week must have been a fluke.I've done pretty well book wise this week, finishing three books which brings me to 30/52.
First up was A Gathering of Shadows, which I loved; probably even more than the first book.. Unfortunately I am super far down the waitlist for the third book at the library so I'm going to have to be on tender hooks for a few weeks.
Next up was Poor Unfortunate Soul: A Tale of the Sea Witch. I have mixed feelings about this book. There were some great ideas in the book but all of the interesting bits seemed to be rushed and glossed over. I would have loved more of Ursula's upbringing but that was condensed into a couple of paragraphs. A bit frustrating. I have another Serena Valentino to read before I make my final judgement.
Finally I read Our Man in Havana for the espionage prompt. It was totally not what I was expecting. My idea of a spy was a lot more suave a la James Bond than this blundering idiot. I was in Havana in February and absolutely fell in love with city so I enjoyed learning a little about the city in it's heyday but beyond that I wasn't too keen.
I am currently waiting on about ten books from the library so I'll be moving on to the books I own until they come in.
QOTW: My TBR list grows at a ridiculous rate. I mainly find them through Goodreads through either the lists or more books like these functions.
This week: 12. Bestseller from genre you don't normally read (for juvenile list): The Maze of Bones
28. Set during wartime (for juvenile list): The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg
29. Unreliable narrator: The Girls
Greetings! I was a slacker as far as challenge reads this week - fell off the wagon once again into pure fluff escapist reading. Definitely a sign that I'm over-stressed with work. BUT, I did finish one challenge read: Dog on It as my non-human perspective book. Told entirely from a dog's point of view, it's the first in a funny and clever PI mystery series, often referred to as the Chet & Bernie books. Over-all it was really enjoyable, although I did lose patience a bit at some of the ramblings included to reinforce that it's from a dog's POV. The mystery aspects are thin, but Bernie's (the human character) process of putting clues together and solving the case are clever. I will definitely read more of the series. Dog owners who love mysteries will adore these. I had something else slated for this category, but then stumbled across it in my Kindle App library when trolling for some fluff to read, and decided it was perfect.
That puts me at 20/40. Huh. Guess I'm actually doing pretty good -- and yes I fully intend to read the advanced challenges too. My goal is to have read half the books by June -- so only 6 more to go.
I've got several challenge books started - unusual for me as I read one at a time, not multiples at a time -- but instead have detoured into Super Light Reading Land. Hopefully this weekend I'll shift back.
OH, and I scored a win this week -- temps are warmer here in NYC and sidewalk vendors are springing up all over, including used book sellers. One day this week I came out of building after a meeting and spotted a used book vendor across the street. So I took a minute to peruse the books and found my used book! A Strangeness in My Mind - for $3.00! Cover of the trade paperback is quite beat up but otherwise in pristine condition - feels unread. Another story set in Istanbul, this time during the last 50 years, written by one of Turkey's greatest contemporary authors.
QOTW - I get them everywhere. I love wandering bookstores. I read print reviews. I scan the digital new releases lists. Friends and family make recommendations as we talk books all the time. I read recommended lists posted on social media. I get emails of books deals and suggestions. I have added quite a few from this group. And sometimes I just shop from my personal library, print and digital, because I certainly have a lot of books in both and don't always remember what's there - my finish this week is an example.
Emma wrote: "Hello! Edited to add - there was a website called The Toast that I loved, now sadly closed, and I got lots of brilliant book recs from there. Worth a browse back through for ideas."
OMG I LOVED that website! I too got a lot of superb book recs there.
This week I finished:a book by multiple authors : Portland Noir A collection of short stories that take place around Portland, Oregon. Not my favorite book but not a bad collection. Also has a comic in it, so could b used for a book with pictures.
a book with a cat on the cover: A Man Called Ove
This might be one of my new favorite authors. This is the second book I have red by him and I loved it so much. I love the characters, I love the way the story jumps back and forth from present day to Ove's past. I love how I cried at the end!
And I am starting a book from a non human perspective: A Dog's Purpose My son just read this and greatly recommended it to me.
(For the challenge I am at 12/52)
As for the question of the week. I am always on the lookout for the book I might want to read next. Reviews in magazines, Costco, the library recommended shelf, I actually have a photo file in my phone of pictures of books that I might want to read, so i don't forget the titles. My husband teases me about taking pictures of books! LOL
Jackie wrote: "No books accomplished for me this week. I am very behind on Les Miserables, so I'm forcing myself to catch up on that before I pick up another fun book. If Hugo had cut out all the essays on philos..."It's possible that the quality of the translation you are reading is not good or not appealing to you. Translation is such an art -- and works best if the translator catches the essence of the books language and story in the translation without being a literal word for word translation, and is worst (and most tedious) when it's too literal a translation - sucks the life out of it. It is a long book, and I read it decades ago in French (I was a French major in college), but I've learned a lot about quality of translations over the years. Now I only buy a translation after reading the opening paragraphs/chapter of different ones available - I'll stand in the bookstore for 20 minutes doing it before selecting the one that appeals the most!
Perhaps you can see if a different translation is available from a library and give it a shot?
Three finishes this week! Laura Ingalls Wilder: The Little House Books, Volume 2 is my book that always makes me smile. That was especially true for "These Happy Golden Years". I wish the last novella wasn't a let down, but it was published from her notes after she died, and her life didn't keep getting happier.
The Hate U Give was a book with a narrator of a different ethnicity than me. An excellent, sensitive and emotional YA story about race and police brutality.
The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas which is for the South American prompt in the Read Harder challenge, and an under appreciated classic. I wish more people knew about it! I guess it wasn't translated into English for a long time, and Portuguese language books don't get as much attention in Latin American lit courses, it seems.
QOTW: I use threads on my challenge GR boards, monthly picks at my library, and sometimes suggestions from friends IRL and via GR. My husband has given me a few good recs too, although we have different genre preferences.
No new finishes for me this week, I'm still at 12/40. I started reading The Ides of April and I'm getting on OK with it but not loving it. QOTW: Another person here who loved and misses The Toast, for book recommendations and everything else. I also get book recs from friends, this site, and the Buzzfeed Books newsletter. Not always a fan of Buzzfeed's somewhat breathless click-baity headlines, but the books newsletter is really good and usually has some very interesting links to their longform writing as well.
Hi Everyone - Finished one book this week Be Our Guest: Perfecting the art of customer service
I counted it for the following:
12. A bestseller from a genre you don't normally read
It would also work for:
15. A book with a subtitle
20. A book with career advice
Only finished one book this week with King's Cage. It was ok but not my favourite of the series. I stared reading Leaves of Grass but had to but it down for a bit. Now I'm reading The Orenda and I'm loving it so far. QOTW: I'm always keeping my eyes open for books that interest me. The library, Costco, Chapters, Goodreads, magazine reviews, etc. I also have a couple friends with similar reading styles that bookgram so I sometimes will find books that way. Also watch for new books from favourite authors.
Tara wrote: "Omg you guys I have had the week from hell! Husband works away so I'm flying solo and Saturday I took them both to visit my grandmother in palliative care, Sunday night after Easter dinner at my in..."I'm so sorry about your Grandmother Tara
Hi, everyone!This week I finished Moonglow, which I'm using for a book with an unreliable narrator. I recommend it! The author, Michael Chabon, is doing a reading from this book next week at a bookstore near my home, and I'm excited to go!
QoTW: I find books to read in lots of places -- recommendations by friends, reviews, browsing, suggestions from online groups (like this one!), and just plain old serendipity. :)
Hi everyone! It's been beautiful in Kansas! I started a new job last week...at 34 week pregnant...and have now hit a new level of exhaustion. So my reading hasn't been up to par!I did finish 2 books in the past week!
1. The Lightning Thief - I used this book to fulfill my book that's been on my TBR list for too long. I enjoyed it!
2. We Were Liars - I have to admit, I was not a fan of this book. I didn't relate or care about the characters and the writing style wasn't something that I enjoy reading. It's only saving grace for me was that it was a really quick read and over in just a few days.
I'm now at 10/40 and 3/12!
QOTW: I get the majority of my book recommendations here on Goodreads from all of you! Also, my aunt and mom were librarians and are always reading interesting things. They're a handy resource to have!
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Room (other topics)The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (other topics)
Me Before You (other topics)
The Circle (other topics)
A Tale for the Time Being (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Pablo Hidalgo (other topics)E.K. Johnston (other topics)
Ashley Eckstein (other topics)
Miles Franklin (other topics)
Kathleen Rooney (other topics)
More...
The nomination thread for the June group read has closed, and a poll has been created with the top 7 books (we had a 2-way tie for #6 so I added both). It will open Friday morning and remain open for about a week. This link will take you to the poll:
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/1...
On to the reading check-in!
I moved several things around on my list this week to make room for books I really want to read. It’s like a puzzle as I shift things about to make everything fit. Almost as fun as creating the list in the first place.
Book finished
Mandy by Julie Andrews Edwards – this is my book by someone I admire. I didn’t plan to read a book written by a celebrity, but I’m glad I read this one. It’s a sweet little story.
The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle for my book about a mythological creature. This was a favorite movie of mine as a child (though I find it rather annoying now). The book is just ok. Not as absorbing as I expected. Technically I'm not finished yet, but I have less than 40 pages left and will be finishing it today.
Currently reading
At Home in the World: Reflections on Belonging While Wandering the GlobeAt Home in the World by Tsh Oxenreider for my travel book. Tsh (blogger, podcaster, writer and all-around fascinating person), her husband and their three kids traveled around the world for 9 months. This book is her memoir from that time, and it’s so good! It was just released this week so it would also work for a book published in 2017 (which is where I had it slotted originally). I plan to really dive into this one over the coming rainy weekend.
Brain Storms: The Race to Unlock the Mysteries of Parkinson's Disease– recommended by someone I know facing this disease. I may use this for a book from a genre I don’t normally read (nonfiction, science nonfiction at that!) even though it isn’t the book I had planned to read.
19/40 & 5/12
Question of the week: What’s your favorite way to find books you want to read?
I find most of my titles from this group, a facebook group I’m in, and a few select blogs/podcasts (MMD, primarily). I will sometimes use the “titles you may also like” features on Amazon and Goodreads though not as often now that I have better sources for recommendations. And I have a few bookish friends who give me recommendations when I need them.
How about you?
Happy reading everyone!