Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2019 Weekly Checkins
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Week 3: 1/10 - 1/17
4/50Finished:
Agatha Raisin and the Wellspring of Death by M.C. Beaton (Not for the challenge)
A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas for a book told from multiple POVs.
Currently reading:
The Palace of Illusions
Anne of Green Gables
QOTW:
I've felt that way about some books. I think the recent one was After You.
Another week gone already! Time is flying by! Had a pretty good reading week. Read 1 book for the challenge and 3 that were not for the challenge.Finished Reading
The Belles #6 A plant or flower on the cover
This one had an interesting premise and world, but it was just an okay read for me.
Starcrossed I really enjoyed this! Yes, it was full of eye rolling YA tropes, but the mythological aspects were fun, and there were so many twists and turns.
The Spectacular Sisterhood of Superwomen: Awesome Female Characters from Comic Book History This one was so interesting. I learned about so many cool comics!
Thor, Volume 1: The Goddess of Thunder A good graphic novel. The art was fantastic.
Currently Reading
The Immortalists This one is interesting so far, but sad.
Breakwater
The Boy Most Likely To
QOTW
Have you recently read a book that everyone loves, only to find that you hate the book? What book was it?
This doesn't happen to me a lot, and I can't think of anything recent. But I wasn't a huge fan of Red Rising or Outlander I liked them okay, but I didn't love them like everyone else seems to.
I'm still reading 3 books for the challenge.Have you recently read a book that everyone loves, only to find that you hate the book? What book was it?
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. A classic with over 4.00 average points. Hate it.
This week I finished reading Five Feet Apart for the prompt "a book becoming a movie in 2019". This is the first book in a long time that has made me cry actual tears. Not sure that I'd like to see the movie as it feels too much like The Fault in Our Stars.I'm a few chapters in to The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle and loving it so far.
QOTW
I don't think there is anything I've read recently that I feel I disliked. I mainly enjoyed last years books, and so far this year the books I have read have been great.
I am at 5/50.This week I finished:
We Need to Talk About Kevin – I thought it was horrifying and purposely overwritten, but I also thought it was incredible and will stay with me a long time. I would never read it again though.
Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood – I expected this book to be funny, but not to like it very much. (It’s not one of my usual genres.) Instead I found it very interesting and readable, but not very funny (didn’t mind one bit). I desperately want to meet his mother now.
Currently reading:
Frankenstein: I am still attempting to read the entire book out loud. I've been trying to read one chapter a day, but I’m slacking a little bit.
The Forgotten Hours: My kindle first pick. I had taken a break from it to read other things and started it over again yesterday and read half the book. I very much want to know what happened, but I’m not finding the writing to be that impressive.
The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle: I was so excited to get this book from the library. I read one chapter and decided to wait until the weekend, so I could read it straight through.
Observations so far:
I’m really enjoying logging my reading and I think I will keep doing it even after the challenge ends.
QOTW:
We Were Liars – I keep seeing things about this book all over the internet, and I barely even remember it, because it made so little an impression on me.
Hello everyone! Am I the only one feeling like time is flying by, and yet moving very slowly? It's weird and I'm not sure I like it. I feel like it was a terrible reading week, so let's see what rounding it up looks like!Read
I read 6 picture books (all in Dutch, not all are on GR yet) at work:
Don't Tell! - Loved the art!
Een huis voor Harry (not yet translated into English, it's originally Dutch!) This was my absolute favorite. I love it so much and I want to have it for myself!
Plasman yeah so this is very loved but I hated it. "Pee-man" as a superhero. It was just gross.
If I Had a Dinosaur very cute!
Have You Seen Elephant? Really loved this as well! Would have liked it better if the kid just pretended not to see the elephant, but the art is brilliant and my colleague and I laughed out loud multiple times when reading this.
Le nouveau nid des Petits Marsus Art in a way I'd never seen before, and I really enjoyed it.
Bird Box on audio, for 'debut novel' and 'mostly black cover' for ATY. I didn't love this, but I did like it. I gave it 3,5/5, but it might go down to 3. Not sure yet. It was very strong in places but very weak and dragging in others.
Mary Poppins also on audio, for 'pop in the title' (thanks for that suggestion!) So yeah... The first 75% I really didn't like it, but the final 25% was a whole lot better, and I think that was because Mary herself wasn't featured very much. I kept thinking I couldn't remember Mary being such a stuck up bitch and the kids being such whiny brats, so I watched the movie last night and I was right. Movie is much better in that regard. There are some parts of the book, though, mainly the world traveling and the zoo, that I would love to have seen in the movie! I am not interested in reading the other books, I'll stick with the movies.
Alfie the Doorstep Cat in print, planned for the 'read in the season it's set in' because of the Dutch cover: Kat over de drempel, but turns out winter is barely even mentioned. Only in the epilogue even, to say a cold winter passed. Sigh. I did use it for ATYs 'book you stumbled upon', so it wasn't a total loss challenge wise haha! I loved this. Alfie is melodramatic AF and it's predictable, but man, I was so emotional when I finished. Had tears in my eyes and everything. It got quite heavy at some point, though, so if you can't handle psychological/emotional abuse, and animal abuse at all, skip this one.
This brings me to 4/50 for the Popsugar Challenge, and 12/75 for my GR challenge, though I might add the picturebooks on top so I actually read 75 books this year. For ATY I'm at 3/52 and slow progress is happening on BttB and BTB as well!
Currently Reading
Holiday Gay: Tales of Love, Lust, Romance and Other Seasonal Gifts on ebook. Still, yes. I'm not very good with ebooks so it's hard for me to pick up, but it's my priority now so fingers crossed! I only have 2 more stories to go!
Becoming on audio, because when I had the choice between Michelle reading it to me or reading it in Dutch, the choice was simple. My mom now has 3 weeks to read the Dutch copy from the library before it has to go to the next person haha!
Spellslinger in print, technically not started yet, but most likely will have by tonight.
None of these books are currently for prompts, but I am hoping Spellslinger might work for 'best selling genres' or 'speculative fiction'? Any ideas for these books for me? :D
Audiobooks have been going swimmingly due to me buying a puzzle (a physical one this time!) and listening while I puzzle. I also listen at work, so discovering I could listen to those is really gonna help me this year!
QOTW
Blade Runner is the first one to come to mind. Such a beloved book and I just really didn't like it, though I didn't hate it. Same with The Snowman. Peter Pan. Also didn't love Children of Blood and Bone, just thought it was okay and could have been much better. The Handmaid's Tale. (Can you tell I am going through my read books? I would never have come up with these otherwise.) 1984. The Catcher in the Rye. (so many classics wow) I'm just gonna leave it here because all the low ratings are making me sad. Hopefully this year is gonna be a good year!
I finished The Horse Whisperer as the book that makes you nostalgic. I only felt any nostalgia twice, but that's OK. And, I started From This Moment on as my book written by a musician. So far, it's OK, but nothing great.
QOTW: I feel like I have, but I can't think of anything off the top of my head. I know there are some books that have super high ratings on here that I have hated, but as far as people I personally know gushing about books, well, it actually doesn't happen that much.
Carmen wrote: "Mary Poppins also on audio, for 'pop in the title' (thanks for that suggestion!) So yeah... The first 75% I really didn't like it, but the final 25% was a whole lot better, and I think that was because Mary herself wasn't featured very much. I kept thinking I couldn't remember Mary being such a stuck up bitch and the kids being such whiny brats, so I watched the movie last night and I was right. Movie is much better in that regard. There are some parts of the book, though, mainly the world traveling and the zoo, that I would love to have seen in the movie! I am not interested in reading the other books, I'll stick with the movies.."If you watch the movie Saving Mr. Banks (Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson) you get a better sense of how the book Mary Poppins evolved into the movie one. Personally I much prefer the movie one, but I can appreciate why P.L. Travers wrote the character the way she did. I wonder if people who were exposed to the book version before seeing the movie had a different appreciation?
I feel like it's starting to get a bit lighter in the morning already. I hate leaving for work in the dark, so the sooner spring comes the better!Finished The House of Shattered Wings, which was excellent, and ended up using it for ATY (book on my TBR > a year).
I also read Two Can Keep a Secret for Popsugar and ATY multiple POV. Not as good as One of Us is Lying but it was quick and absorbing.
Currently listening to Red Snow for a book set in Scandinavia (and also for ATY related to something cold).
Just picked up From Twinkle, with Love from Waterstones which I'm using for a book with love in the title.
PS: 3/52 | ATY: 5/52 | GR: 7/100
QOTW:
I quite often find super popular books a bit average (The Night Circus, Children of Blood and Bone). I had to read Girl on the Train for real life book group and was so not impressed. I definitely would have not given that book the time of day if I hadn't had to discuss it. It's rare I really hate a book though.
Hi everyone.Didn´t feel like the best reading week...
I finished:
Herding Cats by Sarah Andersen. I liked it a lot in the beginning, but then it felt repetitious. I think this would have worked better for me as daily strips instead of a collection (or maybe I shouldn´t have read half the book in one sitting). Would work for "odd chapters", but probably going to use something else.
Cocky Best Friend: Samantha Cocker by Faleena Hopkins. I like the characters in this contemporary romance series. Easy brainfluff. This book didn´t engage me as much emotionally as the first in the series, maybe it´s beginning to suffer from series exhaustion. Could work for "clothing on the cover" if I stretched it, but I´ll probably stumble upon something else that fits better. Works perfectly for ATY "moneymaking genre".
Currently reading:
Ravnenes hvisken (Whisper of the Ravens) by Malene Sølvsten that I raved about last week. It´s only getting better, but I can´t give too much away. Just, if you know a publisher of YA or fantasy (or both) please make them translate this (it´s a Danish author, books currently only in Danish).
4 3 2 1 by Paul Auster on audio.
Enjoying what I´m reading, so maybe not so bad a reading week. My mood is just a bit januaryish these days (dark, grey, depressing).
QOTW
I didn´t hate it, but I couldn´t really connect with The Fault in Our Stars, so I didn´t find it sad (don´t throw things at me for saying this). I like to wallow in sad books sometimes, but the characters and plot just felt unbelievable, so I didn´t feel the feels that everyone else seems to love abut this book.
I finished 13 books, 6 of them I used to fill prompts, putting me at 17/50 popsugar prompts, 28/300 for Goodreads
They were:
The Mermaid's Voice Returns in This One
The Book of Etta
A Monster Calls
Recursion Should be turned into a movie
Waves An own voices book
Lies A debut novel (was not impressed)
Princess Princess Ever After Book with a wedding
Lying Beneath the Oaks
Dear Fahrenheit 451: Love and Heartbreak in the StacksBook with love in the title
The Truth Lies Here
Cucumber Quest: The Flower Kingdom
My Favorite Half-Night Stand Book by two female authors
QOTD: You are not alone, lately for me the big ones were
and
and
and anything by Neil Gaiman. Which is disappointing as I keep reading his work expecting I'll like it, but it never clicks for me.
I'm so pleased at how my reading has gone so far this year! I have already read 7 books (8 is my target # of books per month) so I'm reading above average for my usual pace. Finished
Becoming by Michelle Obama - I can't say enough good things about this book! Her story is beautifully told, strong, hopeful and empowering. Her audio narration just pushed it over the top! I adored this book, and it will definitely be a top book for 2019! I used this for a book I meant to read in 2018. I had planned to read it as soon as it released in November, but I put it aside to finish up some other things. Plus I wanted to use it for my reading challenge, and I had already finished up the 2018 one by then.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. We had a snowy day on Sunday this past weekend so I set aside my other books and reread this, my favorite book in the Narnia series BY FAR! It was a perfect winter day read. I adore it :)
I'll Be There for You: The One about Friends by Kelsey Miller. This book was ok. I was expecting more behind the scenes on set, and her focus was more on the writing team, salary negotiations, etc. It did give me all the warm and fuzzies when she would describe some of my favorite episodes and how they came about. As an avid Friends fan it was still a good read, but I'm glad I didn't buy a copy. This is my nostalgic book.
Currently Reading
The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn. This is my book club pick for January. Using this for a book becoming a movie.
The Call of the Wild by Jack London. Buddy reading with some friends. This is my classics nostalgic book.
Bambi: A Life in the Woods by Felix Salten. This is the original story that inspired the Disney film. While the base story is mostly the same, the original sticks a bit closer to nature. This will be my classics book for plant on the cover.
Don Quixote trudging through this very slowly...
QOTW
At the end of last year I read Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow which my friends raved about. I didn't hate it, but it was just an ok book in my opinion.
Also, The Woman in the Window is shaping up to be the same. I don't hate it, but I just don't feel pulled in and engaged in the story. It's kinda meh...
Finished up two books and making progress on a third. Finished Darker. Right now I'm using it for a past goodreads choice. Same thoughts as before.
Finished Illuminae. This was just OK for me. while everyone else enjoys the format, I found maybe I would have liked it better told as a straight story. Using it for set in space. Now I'm reading the second one Gemina and I'm finding that there are things I like more about this one than the first, and things about the first one I like more than the second. I already have the third book loaded so once I finish I'll go right in to that.
I'm at 3/42, 0/10, and no non-challenge reads.
QOTW Everyone loves The Ocean at the End of the Lane and I hated it.
My 2019 reading is off to a fantastic start, somehow I'm already 9/50 for the challenge.Read this week:
My Friend Flicka by Mary O'Hara - used for a reread of a favorite book, and I still love it
Turtles All the Way Down by John Green - used for favorite past prompt (book about mental health), I could not put it down
History's Greatest Military Commanders: The Brilliant Military Strategies Of Hannibal, Alexander The Great, Sun Tzu, Julius Caesar, Napoleon Bonaparte, And 30 Other Historical Commanders by Barry Linton - this is a history book I started last year and finally finished, a good summary of a lot of military leaders over a long time period
We Were Mothers by Katie Sise - used for unusual chapter headings (no numbers, chapter title was the person who's POV was being told, would also work for book you want made into a movie because I think it would be awesome or book from multiple POV's), another one that I could not put down
QOTW: I know this has happened to me. For example, I know how much people love Wuthering Heights but I really don't. The same goes for The Penelopaid by Margaret Atwood, As I Lay Dying, and The Catcher in the Rye.
Finished:Girl at War by Sara Novic for my set on a college campus. Ana, while at Columbia University, reminisces about her girlhood in Zabreb during the Bosnian war. It is brutal – very Eastern European and not for the faint of heart.
Hide by Lisa Gardner – The second in the D D Warren series I loved this novel. We followed a young woman who spent her life on the road, moving from town to town with her parents, always in hiding. After the death of both of her parents, while living in Boston, she sees her ‘real’ name in the paper as named as the victim of a serial killer, her remains being believed to be found in a mass grave at a mental hospital. Fast paced and exciting, but I figured out the bad guy. There was a twist I didn’t see and for that this was a 5 star read.
Currently reading:
8.) Loser Takes All about a gamber in Monte Carlo.
32.) Alexander Chee, an author of Asian heritage who was raised in Korea, penned The Queen of the Night – not my favorite thus far. I had higher hopes for a novel about Opera in Napoleanic France.
Question of the Week:
I have offended people by telling them that I didn’t care for a book! A woman at my gym told we I should read Me Before You, as JoJo Moyes injects such light-heartness into tough subjects. I had read it already. It is a book about suicide, one that I hated. (And that is a book that so many thought was a beautiful love story and a small percentage, like me, found to be a devastating and unnecessary suicide.) After I said I didn’t care for it, she pushed me to read the next one and I finally said no. I’m not going to read books that celebrate suicide or bad life choices that result in death that treat the deceased like an innocent victim (Marlena).
Like a previous poster, I hated We Were Liars.
People here were offended by my intense dislike of Ready Player One, too. Honestly, I barely got through that one.
Hi everyone! You are not alone Carmen, this year is flying by.Finished:
Less used for a different challenge. I have listened to so many audiobooks this year. I have been flying through them. Maybe that's why the year seems to be flying by so far.
A Place for Us for a book that includes a wedding. It was very good. Would also work well for a book about a family.
Lost in a Good Book for a different challenge. I did not like this as much as the first book in the series, still fun though.
A Place Called No Homeland is a book of poetry for another challenge.
Fruits Basket, Vol. 1 is a manga for another challenge.
Love and Other Words for a book by two female authors. Really enjoyable chick lit.
I am at 4/50 for Popsugar.
Currently reading:
Just started The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle a few days ago. I had a hard time getting into it at first, but I am into it now. Haven't joined the discussion yet for fear of spoilers.
Mrs. Dalloway for a book that takes place in a single day.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone listening to the audiobook. This is my first reread of the series since I read them all originally. I figured the audiobooks would give me a different experience. I just started last night, it's been pure pleasure so far.
QOTW:
I just reviewed all of last year's books. I didn't hate any, that's a really strong emotion. But there are some that I did not feel the same love as most other people for:
Children of Blood and Bone I just don't get the love. It was OK. There are so many better books that seem similar to me.
A Wrinkle in Time I probably would have felt differently if I had read this as a kid. Bleh. The main character was just so whiny and unlikeable.
Turtles All the Way Down Once again I just did not get the love for this book. It was OK.
Two books that I did like a lot, but was surprised by my reaction to certain aspects.
Anne of Green Gables Loved the book, but did not like Anne herself very much.
Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch It was fun, and the audiobook was very well done. I just did not get it at all. Maybe I need to reread it.
I think it's wonderful and so impressive that so many of you can read so many books throughout a week! I'm a bit late to this challenge as I just found out about it a day or two ago and decided to hop right on. I really hope to stick to it and get some really interesting stories read!As my first book of the year (and of this challenge) I've begun reading Ready Player One by Ernest Cline , though unfortunately I'm not really enjoying this one so much. It's a bit of a bummer because I've heard such good things, but I'm only at the beginning, so here's hoping it picks up a bit!
QOTW
Not very recently, but I remember how very upset I had been after reading Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews. I absolutely hated that book, and I was so shocked because going into it everyone I knew had said it was wonderful! (and I'm not very hard to impress, lol)
I finished The Little Stranger for my ghost story. I thought it was a tedious telling that did not keep the suspense going. So one book for this week but I made progress on The Disappearing Spoon which I am loving and Loren Eisely’s essays which I am also liking a lot.QOTW: I frequently think bestsellers overhyped and mediocre. I have heard people praise Pillars of The Earth to the skies and so I committed to it for my 800plus pager last challenge. I ended up thinking it was an awful lot of time spent on something that was just so so.
So 4/50 done for me.
I didn't have a lot of time to read this week. I got new carpet in my apartment, so I spent most of the last week stuffing my things into closets and rooms with tile flooring. I badly needed new carpet, though, so I'm glad to have spent my week on it. We have a 3 day weekend and a snowstorm coming up, so hopefully I'll have more time to read very soon.Finished
I've started listening to LeVar Burton Reads again, so I finished a few short stories. Welcome to Your Authentic Indian Experience by Rebecca Roanhorse, The Last Cheng Beng Gift by Jaymee Goh, Sea Girls by Daniel Wallace, and Fires by Rick Bass.
Reading
Caliban's War by James S.A. Corey
The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs: A New History of a Lost World by Steve Brusatte
QOTW
I felt that way about The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Everyone is gushing about the book, but I DNFed it.
8/50 done for meOne of my most dreaded book club books is in so that will take me out of the game for a little bit, but I'm currently working on 3 prompts. Since I have a bunch of library books out (some for prompts) I'll probably have to pause on my own book for a bit to return everything on time.
Good Morning and Happy Thursday!!!!!What have I read so far?
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret for Nostalgia. Love love loved reading this again. It was a favorite when I was younger and so much fun to read again!
The Westing Game for A bok involving a game. This was a fun little book. I'm glad I found it in the threads. ( Definitely still want to get my hands on The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle though)
84, Charing Cross Road for epistolary ( Book Riot). This was also a fun little book. I read it in an hour, and loved how sassy Helene was.
The Marrow Thieves for ATY won an award in a genre you enjoy. Nice dystopian. I didn't really understand what happened in the world, and felt like the idea wasn't developed well, but I loved the characters and that ending 😭
The Perfect Nanny, I'm counting this here but I have the crucial 30 pages left. Will finish this morning. More of a character study than a mystery/thriller, and I kind of hate how bad I feel for the Nanny. Lots of unlikeable characters in this one.
2/50 for PopSugar
2/52 for ATY
1/24 for Book riot
What I'm working on:
If I Could Turn Back Time- about 1/4 in for ATY. Fluff. I kind of have it on hold while Im working on my library books.
Out from the library and sitting on my table:
Behind the Attic Wall
The Knife of Never Letting Go
Swan Song
Scrappy Little Nobody
Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI
Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race
The Woman in the Window
I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer
The Book of M
Some of these are doubles for categories and some are VERY long ( Im looking at you Swan Song) So I'm going to need to renew them in a few days to get the most time out of them. I'm also down to #3 on hold for My Sister, the Serial Killer. So I'll be picking that up soonish hopefully. We'll see what I get through in time and what I DNF.
QOTW:
First thing that comes to mind is His Majesty's Dragon. This was the first book I finished for this year, and I wanted to love it so much, because it seemed like so many people in the groups do, and are continuing on with the series. Maybe I went into it with high hopes? I just didn't care for it. Want be reading further at this point, its a long series. I did love Uprooted by this author and plan on reading Spinning Silver soon.
Heather wrote: "I didn't have a lot of time to read this week. I got new carpet in my apartment, so I spent most of the last week stuffing my things into closets and rooms with tile flooring. I badly needed new ca..."I tried listening to LeVar Burton reads a few times, but it didn't really click until Welcome to Your Authentic Indian Experience for me. I think it's a combination of finding a story I like, and doing a really rote task at work. If I am doing anything that requires any thinking, I can't pay attention any more. That's why I usually listen to silly pop culture podcasts.
I finished The Stonecutter by Camilla Läckberg for my book set in Scandinavia. I love this series. My favorite Nordic noir. The Man who couldn't Miss by Stewart Hoag for my book featuring an amateur detective. I didn't realize it was set in the early 90s when I started reading it so I was a bit confused, but it was OK.I also finished the 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, and didn't like it as much as others seem to.
Currently reading More Happy than Not for an own voices book, The Double by Dostoyevsky for one of two books with the same title, Cutting for Stone for an author from Asia/Africa/South America, and Wait, Blink for a book with a two-word title.
3/50 so far!
It's been a cozy mysteries week for me this week. On the other hand, despite thinking I'd do some non-PS books this week, I've still ticked off two of the "favourite prompt" books (I've decided to do one favourite prompt per year - so four in total): Paws for Murder, by Annie Knox, for 2017-10 (cat on the cover); and The Ghost and the Bogus Bestseller, by Cleo Coyle, for 2018-39 (set in a bookstore or library).
Of the two, I preferred the Bogus Bestseller, which I've been waiting to come out for so long that I'd assumed it never would. Paws for Murder was okay, but somewhat unsatisfying, especially the ending.
I've also read Morning Glory Circle, by Pamela Grandstaff, for 6. - A plant in the title or on the cover. I discovered this series last year, when I was doing a "read around the US" challenged, needed something for West Virginia, and read the first one in the series: Rose Hill. A good mix of small town, family and murder mystery.
In the next week, my vague list is A Fatal Winter, GM Malliet; What a Ghoul Wants, Victoria Laurie; and A Deadly Row, Casey Myers. Plus pressing on with My Brilliant Friend, which I've finally started.
QotW
20% into My Brilliant Friend (finished part 1), while I don't hate it, I'm not quite sure what the hype was about. Maybe it'll become clearer as I get further into it.
I have to say, I seriously disliked The Knife of Never Letting Go, which I know a lot of people liked. For me it was just too bleak, plus the whole thing ended up being one running chase scene.
Other than that, I don't know about books everyone loves but me, but there have definitely been some of my book club books where I was the stand-out who disliked them: Middlemarch being one of them.
Sarah wrote: "I finished The Little Stranger for my ghost story. I thought it was a tedious telling that did not keep the suspense going. So one book for this week but I made progress on The Disappearing Spoon w..."
Funnily enough, The Little Stranger was another one I didn't like but most of my book club felt better about. I know what you mean - it dragged. It was obviously trying to sit in the same niche as Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House, but I thought it failed dismally.
And Jenny, I agree with you about Red Rising, too.
Finished:Duma Key by Stephen King for a book with a two word title
Circe by Madeline Miller for a book inspired by mythology, legend, or folklore.
Currently reading:
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
This book could go under a couple of categories such as a debut novel or a book you meant to read in 2018. I'll decide later which category I want it to fall under.
QOTW:
I'm going to say Pride and Prejudice. I have started that book 5 or 6 times and I just can't seem to get into it. And it isn't because I don't like classics, Les Mis is my all time favorite novel. Maybe one day...
Good morning everyone! We were mostly snowed in this weekend, so I got a lot of reading done.FINISHED
I completed 3 books for the Popsugar Challenge this week, bringing me to 7 prompts completed. I'm also using this challenge to work through books I already owned - and all 3 of these were sitting patiently on my bookshelf!
- The Circular Staircase for the "amateur detective" prompt - This was just okay. The main character's voice was amazing, but the plotting had a few too many twists, and it definitely showed its age in its gross racial attitudes.
- Rebel Cowboy for the "two word title" prompt - A lot emotionally darker than I was anticipating from the cover! But I liked the main couple, and it did make me want to read the rest of the series.
- The Book of Unknown Americans for the "multiple POVs" prompt - Beautiful writing, but one desperately needed perspective was missing, much to the book's detriment.
I also completed The Library Book for my local library's reading challenge (it was excellent!) and two linked romance short stories (Introducing Mr. Winterbourne and Mr. Winterbourne's Christmas) just for fun.
IN PROGRESS
I'm currently reading The Raven Boys, which is pretty good so far, and Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. for a course I'm taking through work.
QOTW
I didn't hate it, but I was decidedly underwhelmed by Everything I Never Told You. I simply couldn't believe that the characters wouldn't understand one another's extremely clear and understandable motivations, and that spoiled a lot of the book for me.
Hey hey! So I've had a slow week in regards to reading, but I know why. Those damn exams... And as much as I love to read, I don't have the energy to do so anymore after studying the entire day. That's why I stopped reading when I started university in the first place. Although I am going to donate blood tonight, so I will probably read a bit when I'm there (or listen to an audiobook).
This week I've finished:
The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic: for prompt 3. I mean, I love fairy tales and I love dark twists (I considered myself an "edgy" teen), so I was meant to read this. I wasn't even familiar with the Grisha Verse when I first saw this in the bookstore and I still wanted to buy it. Also, the art is amazing.
To Be or Not to Be: A Chooseable-Path Adventure: for prompt 16 (because that's the question... sorry, I'll leave now). It was kinda funny (North is trying too hard at times), but also kinda frustrating at times. I do want that pirate ship, so I'm definitely going to attempt this a couple more times. Anyway, I had fun in the end and that's what matters.
And I'm currently reading... nothing. Yeah, it's because I have to focus on my exams right now. Well, technically speaking I'm reading Alice's Adventures in Wonderland but I'm taking a break from it now because I just can't get into it (which might also be caused by the fact that I'm just too focused on my exams).
QOTW:
Well, it might have become already clear that I don't necessarily get the hype around Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. It's not that I hate it, but I just can't get into it. I also really don't care for A Court of Wings and Ruin. I know more people really dislike it here on GR, but this is a controversial opinion within my group of friends because they all love the book. I thought it was boring and genuinely struggled to read it (or even pick it up). Even my best friend was a bit offended by my opinion (and told me I was ruining her favourite series for her... well, then you shouldn't ask me about my opinion. But it's all good, we're not gonna let a book come between us). But other than that I really don't know. I don't hate books that often.
Happy check in everyone! Slowish week for me reading wise. I only finished off Heart's Blood which is a retelling of Beauty & The Beast. It was ok, decent writing, interesting characters and intriguing retake on the story but it just didn't catch me. I also figured out a huge plot point pretty early on so spent most of the book wondering when the main characters were going to catch on (it was alluded to rather frequently).
I'm currently reading Salty which is about an ex-rockstar who is a recovering sex addict who's wife gets kidnapped while they are on vacation in Thailand. I was actually enjoying it for a little but then the kidnapping happened and the main law enforcement guy was introduced and he's kind of an idiot and it's annoying me. I think this is the reason my reading slowed down so much this week. I've set it to the side for now.
Also reading White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism which I realized I could slot in for ATY #2 A book with one of the 5 W's in the title (Who, What, Where, When, Why). This is a book about racism written by a white person with white people in mind. I'm only a few chapters in but already I want to shove this into a certain family member of mine's hands.
Question of the Week
Have you recently read a book that everyone loves, only to find that you hate the book? What book was it?
I really wasn't crazy about A Man Called Ove and I just finished Crazy Rich Asians the other week and to be honest I was kind of expecting better considering how many people I know who read the book and raved about it. I'm still going to watch the movie at some point though because I think the story will probably work better in movie form and I'm usually more forgiving in film.
I am still reading Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer. A hard read for me but a good book with history. I finished some books on genealogy that are non-fiction.QOTW:
The Martian by Andy Weir. I read the first sentence and closed the book. I did finish because it was a group read. I did not care for the language at all in the book. The movie was better.
I hope everyone has had a great week. I have been home with a sick kiddo all week- but I got several books read (the silver lining).I read:
The Land: Founding- I am so glad I am done with the LitRPG prompt. It is not my genre. To be fair, the book wasn't poorly written and had a decent plot- it just wasn't for me.
Squirm- I love Hiassen's YA books and this one took place (at least half of it) in Montana (where I grew up and love to be) so that was a plus.
A Study in Scarlet Women- a Lady Sherlock mystery- first in the series. I liked it but didn't love it. I read it for multiple POVs. Really I read it because it was the first in the series and the second mystery revolved around a cipher.
A Conspiracy in Belgravia- the second Lady Sherlock mystery and my choice for a book set around a game or puzzle. Again, I liked it but didn't love it. I don't foresee more Lady Sherlock mysteries in my future.
Blanca & Roja- a decent little modern day fairy tale
Mount Vernon Love Story: A Novel of George and Martha Washington- a quick read, but kind of clunky.
QOTW: I am almost afraid to say because everyone on this thread loved Circe and I did not like it at all. Like Elizabeth, I am not a big fan of Gaiman. Like Tania, I am not a fan of Wuthering Heights.
Have a great reading week!
Nothing new to report for the challenge, but I'd like to answer the QOTW.Recently I tried again Ray Bradbury and realize I still don't like his books. Now it was with The Martian Chronicles.
I don't get the hype with Neil Gaiman half of the time (but I loved Coraline) and Philip K. Dick.
Other ones were: Let the Right One In, Tess of the D'Urbervilles and The Girl on the Train
Tracy wrote: "Good Morning and Happy Thursday!!!!!What have I read so far?
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret for Nostalgia. Love love loved reading this again. It was a favorite when I was you..."
I loved The Book of M so much 😍😍
QOTW: I thought of a book. My sister kept telling me to read The Time Traveller's Wife. I told her I don't like time travel stories. She said it wasn't really about time travel (huge lie, btw), so I read it. Everybody loves that book. I HATE it. But, to be fair, I hate most time travel books and movies. There are exceptions, but more often than not, I see too many timeline issues.
So I went into this year with my challenge books all picked out already... and I've already gone in and rearranged the list some. Some of the books I took a second look at and decided "eh, I really don't want to read that one, it's just there to fill a prompt," and found others that I might enjoy better to fill said prompts. Not sure I want to invest myself in four hundred pages of The Pale King when the author never even lived to write an ending, for example. (Was for the "book published posthumously" prompt, naturally -- I substituted Dragon Teeth by Michael Crichton instead.)Books I read this week:
The Book Thief -- for "book with over a million ratings on Goodreads." This book emotionally wrecked me -- I loved it.
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing -- for "book you meant to read in 2018." See the QOTW below for my thoughts on this train wreck.
Yellow Eyes -- for "book with a two-word title." A book about a mountain lion struggling to survive during a time period when the US government ruthlessly hunted most predator species to extinction or close to it. Older book but quite good.
Anya's Ghost -- graphic novel, not for the challenge (could qualify for the "ghost story" prompt, but I've self-imposed a "no graphic novels" rule for this year's challenge). A YA ghost story with a surprising twist! The main character starts off somewhat unpleasant, but gets actual character development as the story goes on.
Regular challenge -- 5/43 (I split the last prompt into 4 because I'm an overachiever)
Advanced challenge -- 2/10
Non-challenge books -- 2
Currently Reading:
A Discovery of Witches -- for "book that takes place at a college or university." Dang, this book is LONG...
Scythe -- for "book you think should be made into a movie." About halfway through.
The Only Harmless Great Thing -- for "novel based on a true story." Novellas count, right?
QOTW:
Funny that this question comes up this week, because I just finished Hank Green's much-hyped An Absolutely Remarkable Thing and HATED it! The only reason I didn't DNF this thing is because I paid way too much money for it new, and I seriously regretted it. The main character was completely selfish and idiotic, and I felt the premise was utterly wasted. How so many people (including one of my favorite authors if the dust jacket reviews are anything to go by) could love this book is beyond me.
Also echoing another person here in that I hated Me Before You when I read it for the challenge two years ago. Glorifying suicide and/or insinuating that the best thing a handicapped person can do for their loved ones is die is. Not. Cool.
Fannie wrote: "I don't get the hype with Neil Gaiman half of the time (but I loved Coraline) and Philip K. Dick...."PKD had great ideas for the time but I'm not so sure he was that good at plotting. He apparently used the I Ching to determine what his characters would do in The Man in the High Castle, which explains why it's so odd. I think I like adaptations of his work more than the originals.
Hi allSlow week of reading for me - only managed to finish the book I started last week - The Man in the High Castle, which I've using for the prompt on multiple character POVs. That put me at 4/50 so far.
I'm currently reading The Enumerations.
QOTW:
I very rarely hate a book, but I am often underwhelmed by books that others have raved about. Most recently, I was quite disappointed by Ella Minnow Pea: A Novel in Letters. I was expecting more from the blurb, and while it had a very clever premise, the execution just did not work for me.
Sara wrote: "Carmen wrote: "Mary Poppins also on audio, for 'pop in the title' (thanks for that suggestion!) So yeah... The first 75% I really didn't like it, but the final 25% was a whole lot better, and I thi..."I've actually seen that, and I cried, but it's been too long so I have indeed been planning a rewatch just for that purpose! I couldn't remember the title though so thanks for that :D
Hello! This is a two week check in because of my crazy week last week (and because there are SO many posts at the beginning of the year that it's hard to catch up on the thread once you're behind). Finished Reading:
The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein I decided to use this for 'includes a wedding' since I already have something else slotted for 'retelling of a classic'. I enjoyed this book, though, at one point I did look up the original plot on Wikipedia because I haven't read Frankenstein. After finishing the book though, I'd say that wasn't necessary, and I learned pretty much everything I needed to know from this book.
The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up: A Magical Story A quick fun read that I'd recommend if you're curious about KonMari but don't want to commit to the whole original book. (Disappointed it read right to left like an American comic though.) I went ahead and slotted this for 'author from Asia', though hopefully I'll still read my original choice as well.
The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle I really enjoyed how complex this was. I almost gave up on it early on, just because I felt like it was going nasty places, but other a couple of brief passages, all the icky stuff (that almost inevitable in a good murder mystery) was light enough on detail to be quite tolerable. I'm using it for 'took place in a single day'.
Indiana Jones and the Gold of Genghis Khan My choose your own adventure book. Good thing I didn't pick it for nostalgia, because this was not as much fun as I remember it being in my childhood. :-D I only did one story thread, but since I died, then went back to the last choice and picked the other option and kept going to a happy ending. I would have gone back and done a lot more of them if I'd actually been enjoying it.
Heartborn This was an audio book from Kindle Unlimited, and I wasn't sure how I'd like it going in, but for a bit of YA fluff it was surprisingly fun. One story line felt like a generic contemporary YA romance until the very end, but with characters I really liked (and the girl has a heart problem that causes physical difficulties in getting around, for those of you who are looking to diversify physical types of characters in your reading). The other story line was all fantasy world political intrigue and battles. Not sure this counts for a prompt.
Currently Reading (I'm hoping to finish some of these and my currently reading list down to a manageable number):
Les Misérables Only about thirty pages in, but I started it! I wanted to start it early because I *know* I won't be reading this straight through without breaks for other books. So far I'm just on the life story of the bishop that I'm pretty sure doesn't come into the story after the beginning, but he's a great person, so it's been fun to read. Reading this for an ATY prompt.
Maisie Dobbs I switched from audio to e-book and am making much faster progress now. The narrator was great, it's just for some reason this one I needed to physically read. Not sure if it counts for a prompt, but I'm very much enjoying it.
Good Poems Reading this in bits and pieces--hopefully will finish before it needs to go back to the library.
Better than Before: Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Lives My current non-fiction, for the prompt 'contains pop, sugar or challenge in the title', because the longer version of the subtitle includes 'quit sugar'. I'm appreciating this one because even though a lot of the information is basic stuff we all know, it really focuses on personalizing to how habits work for you.
On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness For 'written by a musician'. A fun middle grade fantasy that plays around with words a lot, but it took me a couple chapter to really get into it.
Moonborn Just started this sequel to Heartborn, also on audio.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire My husband and I are finally picking up the next audio book in this series. I've read them before, he hasn't. Quite fun.
QOTW:
I didn't hate The Book Thief but I really didn't love it. I did hate Wuthering Heights but I'd say that's more of a polarizing book anyway--a lot of people love it, but there's solid minority that hates it like I do. Oh, and Heartless! Loved Lunar Chronicles, but hated the ending on this one (not that it's really the book's fault that it gave the ending it promised, but I still hated it).
I'm also kind of torn on some of the classic dystopians, like 1984. I really appreciate the message, but as a book it's not really what I consider 'good'.
Elizabeth wrote: "QOTD: You are not alone, lately for me the big ones were Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Vol. 1 The Crucible by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern and The Martian by Andy Weir and anything by Neil Gaiman. Which is disappointing as I keep reading his work expecting I'll like it, but it never clicks for me. ."I feel the same way about Neil Gaiman. Everyone seems to love him and his books sound like books I'd like, but (with the exception of his children's books), I've found his books boring. I read American Gods last year, and a coworker was so excited to see me reading it because she loved it and asked what I thought. I told her the parts I did find interesting (the bits with the dead wife) because I didn't have the heart to tell her I wasn't enjoying it!
Anne wrote: "I have offended people by telling them that I didn’t care for a book! A woman at my gym told we I should read Me Before You, as JoJo Moyes injects such light-heartness into tough subjects. I had read it already. It is a book about suicide, one that I hated. (And that is a book that so many thought was a beautiful love story and a small percentage, like me, found to be a devastating and unnecessary suicide.) After I said I didn’t care for it, she pushed me to read the next one and I finally said no. I’m not going to read books that celebrate suicide or bad life choices that result in death that treat the deceased like an innocent victim (Marlena)."While I loved Me Before You I totally agree on you that the suicide was completely unnecessary, and while it broke my heart, it was his choice and all, but I just still feel like it says that if you're disabled there's nothing to live for, even after being shown there is. It's the reason why I haven't picked up the second book yet. I just can't see how it would move on from that point.
I finished two books for the challenge this week, so now I'm 7/50.1. Armada (a book revolving around a puzzle or game): Look, I fully realize it's not "Ready Player One," and that's okay. It's still a mash-up of great 70s and 80s sci fi - "The Last Starfighter," "Ender's Game," "Iron Eagle" - and it readily admits that... In fact, it's a plot point. If you liked RPO, give it a chance.
2. Once Upon a River (two books that share the same title): "Once Upon a River" by Diane Setterfield is a beautiful blend of historical fiction and magical realism, and the writing is lyrical, rife with river imagery. I loved this book so much! I also plan to read Once Upon a River.
I'm currently reading The Truths We Hold: An American Journey (a book published in 2019) and My Sister, the Serial Killer (a book written by an author from Asia, Africa, or South America).
QOTW: My last such book was Crazy Rich Asians. I was 100 pages in, and I just didn't care. DNF.
Evening everyone,Less productive week this week on all fronts because I watched the whole of "You" series 1 on Netflix looking for a book I might want to read and then watched the whole of series 1 "The Rain". Oh well TBSS it is my holiday.
Finished:
Of Blood and Bone which I enjoyed a lot and have used for extinct or imaginary creature since who doesn't want an alicorn?
The Last Song I used for family. I liked this one way more than I thought I would and really enjoyed the father/daughter parts. Though they brought back tough memories I thought they were handled realistically and shed a few tears.
Odd Is on Our Side used for favourite prompt from a previous year #40 2015 Graphic Novel. If you like Odd Thomas you will like this one.
Currently 2/3 of the way through The Rosie Project which will be for celeb you admire. Enjoying it so far but sadly he seems about as competent at dating as me (possibly more so actually). It is actually one of our options for y11 English classes so I borrowed it from school.
QOTW:
There are many I have been disappointed with and given 2 stars but only a few which people I respect suggested that I have given 1 star:
On Chesil Beach
Little Women
The Bookshop
The Secret
and the whole 50 Shades series (yes I should have stopped hoping after the first one but read all the original 3 more fool me).
Ellie wrote: "PKD had great ideas for the time but I'm not so sure he was that good at plotting. He apparently used the I Ching to determine what his characters would do in The Man in the High Castle, which explains why it's so odd. I think I like adaptations of his work more than the originals. "I think that is exactly my issue, but I couldn't put my finger on it. Every time I loved the idea of the story (same with 1984) but then it somehow fell flat. Not written very well in my opinion, it doesn't seem to be going anywhere, in the two books I've read of his.
I quite like the idea of using something like that to make choices for your book, but only if you then properly use it and integrate it into the story, which I feel did not happen. I haven't seen any adaptations yet, or read if there are any, but I have a feeling I'll end up feeling the same way.
Happy week 3, everyone!Because of real life crappy issues, my reading took a severe hit this week. I finished only one book, Star Wars: Choose Your Destiny (Book 1) A Han & Chewie Adventure, for prompt 41, a choose your own adventure book.
I am now 6/53.
5/43 regular prompts.
1/10 advanced prompts.
I am currently reading several books.
We, the Jury I will finish today, barring catastrophe. This is not for a prompt, just for fun.
The Butlerian Jihad Also not for a prompt.
The Hate U Give for prompt 43, an "own voices" book.
I will be starting another once I finish We, the Jury, but I haven't decided on which library book I will choose. I may choose another non-prompt book, because I am still ahead on those according to my schedule (yes, I scheduled them...I'm a huge nerd), but I have a few prompt books from the library as well, and I like the cushion of being ahead of schedule.
QotW: Have you recently read a book that everyone loves, only to find that you hate the book? What book was it?
Yes, several times. Most recently it was The World According to Garp. I noped out of that book after the rape of a soldier with traumatic brain injury, and how it felt like it was being glossed over as ok because the rapist was female and a "feminist." I guess it may not count, since it is a DNF and not something I finished, but it's the most recent example I have, and the disappointment is fresh.
Hope everyone has a great week!
Jen wrote: "Evening everyone,Less productive week this week on all fronts because I watched the whole of "You" series 1 on Netflix looking for a book I might want to read and then watched the whole of series ..."
Same on The Bookshop! I really didn't get it and the ending still pisses me off.
Hi all! Finished 3 books this week, two which count for the challenge, leaving me at 7/50.Finished:
As I Lay Dying- (A book about a family) And boy, what a messed up family that was. I don't like Faulkner's writing style, though, as it makes it harder to figure out what's happening than it should be.
Love Like Sky- (A book with "love" in the title) This was an enjoyable middle grade book about the love between sisters, "blended up" families, and illness of family members, tho at times it did feel like the author was juggling too many plot lines.
The Dead Yard- Not for the challenge. Another highly enjoyable crime fiction novel about a gangster turned FBI informant infiltrating an IRA splinter cell. I would love to see this as a movie too! (I already have that slot filled).
Currently reading:
Mrs. Dalloway
QOTW: Thankfully I haven't read any beloved books I hated instead lately. (Two I would have I quit as soon as I hit the part that rubbed me the wrong way.) I have recently read hyped books that left me super bored, though. Two were Six of Crows and Nyxia, both of which I kept reading because all the reviews loved it. Alas, I did not.
Happy Thursday all! I didn't finish any books this week but I have two going at the moment. One I'm listening to on my commute so it'll be a while before I finish it. QOTW: I can only think of a couple of books that I hate that everyone else seems to love. The Awakening is one that I can't stand because I hate the main character. I also really disliked the Pretty Little Liars series. After enjoying the first two or three books, it just started going down hill. I gave up on the series after 8 books which was quite generous in my opinion. I disliked the show even more. I also wasn't as impressed with To Kill a Mockingbird as everyone else. I didn't hate it but I don't love it.
Katy wrote: "QOTW: I thought of a book. My sister kept telling me to read The Time Traveller's Wife. I told her I don't like time travel stories. She said it wasn't really about time travel (huge lie, btw), so ..."I had forgotten about this one but I totally agree! I thought the characters were insufferable and I couldn't wait to stop reading about them.
Carmen wrote: "While I loved Me Before You I totally agree on you that the suicide was completely unnecessary, and while it broke my heart, it was his choice and all, but I just still feel like it says that if you're disabled there's nothing to live for..."Honestly I feel like people read a different book when they say this is the message they took away. I respect people's right to feel that way but then I think they must think I am a terrible person for liking the book!
I thought it was exploring the issue of "right to die". As assisted suicide is illegal in the UK we always get a few incredibly tragic cases every year where judges go "I understand your suffering but my hands are tied by the law" and some people still go off to Switzerland despite the fact the people that help get them there can face legal action. Terry Pratchett was campaigning for the law to be changed because he wanted that option if things got that bad for him.
These are cases where the people feel they have a terrible quality of life, are in pain, with no chance of things getting better and things will probably get worse. Maybe the book focused too much on him having a good time and not the dreadful recurring infections and sense of helplessness. I cannot even comprehend what choice I'd make in that situation, but I'd like there to be a choice.
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
The Book Thief (other topics)The Library Book (other topics)
We're Going to Need More Wine (other topics)
November 9 (other topics)
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Philippa Pearce (other topics)Jane Austen (other topics)
Ursula Poznanski (other topics)
Ruth Hogan (other topics)
Rachel Hollis (other topics)
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Admin stuff: For those participating in the monthly read, January's discussion of The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle has been lively. Most people love the book. :-)
NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN for APRIL (plant), MAY (family), and JUNE (wedding) monthly reads. These are just nominations, not votes. On Wednesday (1/23) Sara and I will count up all the suggestions and make a poll of the most popularsuggestions, at which point everyone who wishes to may vote for the second quarter's monthly group reads. Each poll will be a unique list of titles, so we won't end up with the same book chosen for more than one month. Voting will start late next week.
This is, as always, optional. You can read any book you wish for these categories, at any time in the year. The monthly reads are opportunities to have a book club type discussion.
This week I finished 4 books, 3 for the Challenge. I am now 8/50.
Circling the Sun by Paula McLain - this reminded me of those biographies I used to read as a kid in the 70s that were storybook versions of people's lives. I think I liked it? I read this for "based on a true story."
The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton - unfortunately I hated this. I checked off "takes place I one day" (since I plan to read The The Westing Game for "puzzle or game.")
Beasts Made of Night by Tochi Onyebuchi - this had potential, but it was kind of clunky. Gorgeous cover!! I checked off "debut novel" with this read.
The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle - I liked LaValle's writing when he wasn't bothering with the paranormal stuff - I'd like to read a fiction crime/mystery book from him. No challenge category.
currently reading
One of the books I'm currently reading is The Fifth Season, which involves people who can create earthquakes. And this morning I woke up to NPR and someone was talking about a massive earthquake in Los Angeles, tens of thousands dead, overpasses collapsed, massive fires.... Turns out this guy was just SPECULATING what MIGHT happen, but in my half-awake state this was really freaky!!!!
Question of the Week
Have you recently read a book that everyone loves, only to find that you hate the book? What book was it?
I feel like this happens to me a lot, and I don't understand why, but I thought I might feel better if I'm not alone in feeling like I just don't get it sometimes! My most recent I-hated-it-but-everyone-else-loved-it read is, of course, The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. I know most people love this book!
I'm not here to bash books - ALL enjoyable reads are worthwhile - but please tell me I'm not alone in sometimes feeling out of step and finding that I do not enjoy a widely beloved book!