Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2019 Weekly Checkins
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Week 8: 2/15-2/21
I've felt pretty stressed and anxious this week, leading to lots of relatively minor problems piling up into a massive bad mood. So that and me playing Cities Skyline at the weekend means it's a poor week for reading.I did finish listening to Black Leopard, Red Wolf though! I have mixed feeling towards it, there were parts I really liked but overall I felt there was just too much in it. I might have enjoyed it a bit more if I hadn't tried to get through it in one go, but I honestly don't think I'd have had the patience to read it in print. I'm using it for ATY book over 500 pages.
I'm still reading The River which I might use for a book about a hobby. I am enjoying it, but I think if you have zero interest in people canoeing and camping in the wilderness, you might find all the descriptions too much. It's reminding me of a YouTube channel my boyfriend watches.
I'm currently listening to The Dry which I'm still deciding if I want to pair with Dry for two books with the same title. Otherwise it will work for ATY NPR book. It's OK, it's nice to have something simple after Marlon James' book at least.
My boyfriend is going away this weekend, so I'm hoping to have some uninterrupted time with The Kingdom of Copper...
PS 12/52 | ATY 11/52 | GR 21/100
QOTW:
Well no snacks right now, as I'm trying to get back to a my recommended BMI after a few years of liberal snacking. I only really eat snacks whilst reading during readathons, and I love anything with cheese. I usually have to have some cheese balls for a 'thon. I'm more likely to drink black coffee or fruit or herbal tea (occasionally a glass of wine if I'm treating myself).
This week I read several cozy mysteries. I found a new series (the Gaslight Mysteries) and found a book of classic whodunit short stories. I also read for my youth reading committee. I read:Ruby in the Sky- this book was a decent read. I didn't love it but didn't hate it either.
Max and the Midknights- it was a graphic novel sort of (there were prose between the strips on every page). It was about four kiddos trying to save the kingdom in the middle ages- so if your child likes that kind of book I would recommend it. I am not sure I would recommend it for this group though. It is pretty predictable.
QOTW: I drink Diet Coke when I read (and when I don't read, unfortunately- gotta kick that habit).
Hello! Sorry for everyone caught up in yet another winter storm!I'm 14/50 for the challenge.
This week I read:
The Happy Hollisters and the Ice Carnival Mystery by Jerry West - used for the prompt read a book in the season it is set in (the book is set in Winter, February, and during Mardi Gras season - all of which it is right now)
The Happy Hollisters and the Ghost Horse Mystery by Jerry West - I used this as a book that should be turned into a movie, because I always wanted a Happy Hollisters movie
QOTW: I don't think I eat or drink very much while I'm reading, I guess either water or coffee are my go-to drinks but that's what I drink all the time.
A lot of DNFs this week!However, I did read The Night Tiger (author from Asia) which was my January BOTM pick. Atmospheric 1930’s colonial Malaysia setting, clearly drawn characters and undertones of the supernatural. My enjoyment was a bit lessened by the angsty romance and the hasty unresolved ending. 3 stars.
DNF- The Nest (family). Didn’t interest me enough to carry on.
DNF- Illuminae (no chapters). Not feeling it right now. Found the protagonists irritating.
DNF-Early Riser (cli fi) Barely started and seemed interesting but the talk of weight gain or loss and binge eating (in the context of hibernation) was triggering.
Also I finished a couple of books not for the challenge- Souls in the Sand: Stories of Setbacks, Surviving, Stepping and Soaring and reread Hamlet in print form.
QOTW- No, not really. I don’t really eat or drink anything while reading except water I suppose.
I had such a fun week off last week - celebrating my anniversary and my step-daughter's engagement, a walk in a country park, a trip to Loch Ness and Urquhart castle, and finishing up with a ball on an old Victorian tall ship to celebrate my submariner friend and his crew being home after the record-holding duty they just completed. It's been back down to work with a bump this week... So glad it's Thursday! I read two books this week, though only one was for PS. I'm now at 10/55 (6/45, 4/10).
My PS book was for advanced prompt #7 two books with the same title. I read a book that has been fossilising on my shelves for a loooooong time - Motherland: Interviews with Mothers and Daughters, by Ann McFerran. I wont labour this review, as I'm pretty sure this book is no longer in print. But this was an interesting read which featured a range of women from different backgrounds, cultures and family units. I enjoyed how honest a lot of the participants were, even those with high profile. It was poignant to note how different motherhood is perceived and experience by almost every woman interviewed for this book, proving that there really is no "perfect mother" or right way to do it. As a mother of sons I did find that a majority of observations the interviewees made about raising daughters were not unique according to gender. I don't know if that is telling of the passage of time since this book was published, or just that most of the mothers had only daughters. As a mother who doesn't always feel like she's doing the right thing, this was a comforting read.
My second book only fit a prompt for Reading Women, but it was a goodie. Jezebel by Irène Némirovsky. Meet the female Dorian Gray. Gladys is beautiful and revels in her seemingly endless youth, drawing her power from her one true happiness - making men fall in love with her. But her vanity catches her in a web of lies and betrayal. This is a dark tale with a character that I loved to hate. But Nemirovsky manages to show glimpses of the human within this monstrous character. I found myself on tenterhooks wondering whether those glimpses would develop into something more. Considering it was written before the second world war, this novel still feels fresh. It is a clever story, which throws into question the damage our society's obsession with appearance can cause.
QOTW - Do you have a favorite drink or snack during your reading time?
It's got to be a hot drink. Any sort of coffee (instant, pod, white, cappuccino, flavoured...bring it), or sometimes tea (Yorkshire Tea's new biscuit blend is lush). I like a hot chocolate if it's in the evening. I'm trying to cut out snacking, and actually I find eating usually distracts from my reading, so that's been a bonus!
I finished Ready Player One as my LitRPG book. I went in expecting to hate it and I absolutely loved it. Except for 2 things. I am now about half way through 11/22/63 as my book that should be made into a movie. I used the reasoning that it won a Goodreads award, so it was presumably good, and they make movies of a bunch of Stephen King books. I'm loving it so far, even though I hate time travel. I'll have to see how it ends to know if I actually like it.
QOTW: I don't usually eat while I'm reading, and I'll just drink whatever I was drinking before I started reading. I don't have a special reading drink.
I am checking in early for me. I usually check in on Friday or later. I finished 2 books this week. I am a double,triple dipper, stretch out a book for as many prompts as I can person. The first book was,Where’d You Go Bernadette? By Maria Semple. For the Pop Sugar challenge I used it for the following prompts. A book becoming a movie in 2019. A book with an item of clothing or accessory on the cover. A book about a family. A book with a question in the title. A book told from multiple character POVs.
For the BR read harder challenge I used it for the following prompts. A epistolary novel or collection of letters. A humor book.
The second book was, The Hollow of Fear (Lady Sherlock #3) by Sherry Thomas. For the pop sugar challenge I used it for the following prompts. A book with an item of clothing or accessory on the cover. A retelling of a classic.
For the BR read harder challenge I used it for, A book by or about someone that identifies as neurodiverse. An historical romance by an AOC. A cozy mystery.
No snacks. In the morning it’s coffee while I read. Afternoon is hot tea. Evening wine.
It's a two-week check-in for me and only two booksBook with “love” in the title:
Love, Hate and Other Filters by Samira Ahmed. YA book about a Muslim-Indian-American teen and everything that goes with that. I was liking the book until about halfway through when I began to really like the book.
Ghost Story
The Ghost and the Bogus Bestseller Cleo Coyle. This is the only cozy mystery series I ever really got into and then there wasn’t another one for a long time and I kind of lost track. But I looked it up for this prompt and there was a new one after nine or ten years. Enjoyable cozy mystery.
17/50Finished:
Treasures of the Forgotten City by Danny McAleese and David Kristoph for a choose your own adventure book.
No Exit by Taylor Adams for a book with unusual chapter headings.
Draupadi by Saiswaroopa Iyer. Not for the challenge.
Dark Planet by Davey Moore. Not for the challenge.
MAROONED: Will YOU Endure Treachery and Survival on the High Seas? by James Schannep. Not for the challenge.
SUPERPOWERED: Are YOU a Superhero or Supervillain? by James Schannep. Not for the challenge.
Infected by James Schannep. Not for the challenge.
DNF'd Beneath a Scarlet Sky.
QOTW:
No, I don't.
PS: 6/40 GR: 13/70For prompt #21 A book by two female authors I read The Wife Between Us. I like the first part and the twist (sorry spoilers) but after that i was irritated by the authors. Not to give it away but somethings talked about in the book are already stigmatized and they just made them even worse while giving excuses for one of the character's bad behaviors. Once I saw that I was just done! I gave the book 2 stars and it really didn't deserve that despite the writing being decent.
I also read The Cunnilinguist: How To Give And Receive Great Oral Sex: Top tips from both ends of the tongue
No offense to anyone but I loved this book! I like how the author touched on so many key points as far as sexuality and how to be an overall good lover. This wasn't for any challenge I just wanted to read it lol.
I'm currently listening to Woolly: The True Story of the Quest to Revive One of History's Most Iconic Extinct Creatures for prompt #27 A book about an extinct or imaginary creature. I'm already disappointed by the fact that ten chapters in and I finally start hearing research and info about Woolly Mammoths. As a writer, I generally judge other authors and wondering why they write their books certain ways knowing that the audience/reader will be confused or irritated by extra parts of a story that has absolutely nothing to do with the subject matter. One word for this author and it's EDITING!!!
QOTW - Do you have a favorite drink or snack during your reading time?
Yes I do!!! Generally, I'll read in bed in the morning in bed or at night before I go to sleep so I'll have coffee or tea. They both feel necessary to make me feel cozy and relaxed.
Evening all.Another busy week at work and another week worrying about my friend who seems to have fallen off the planet. Really worried but too far away to do anything.
Finished 2 this week:
Below Zero which would make a great teen movie for nerds. The nerd gets to be the hero.
Two Can Keep a Secret which I may use for multiple POV.
Currently reading:
The Travelling Cat Chronicles which will be my Zodiac one as apparently the Vietnamese Zodiac uses a cat instead of a rabbit for the 4th sign. Was going to use Dog but that can fit elsewhere.
QOTW:
Anything with heaps of carbs and fat. Stress makes me shrink and I recently hit the smallest I have been since pre teen so am trying to gain weight and get back to almost healthy even guzzling sustagen which is gross but full of calories. It was starting to work (2kg in 6 weeks) till my friend fell of the planet then in a week it was back to the start. Ideally I need at least 7kg to be healthy but 10 would be better with a safety margin.
Happy Thursday!@Sara I hope you get power back soon!
10/50
Completed:
11.) For my clothing read, I’m double dipping with my European reads. Teresa Carpenter’s The Miss Stone Affair: America's First Modern Hostage Crisis features a bonnet on the cover. It’s the story of an American missionary in Macedonia who is taken hostage. The kidnapping occurs at roughly the same time as the assassination of President McKinley and Teddy Roosevelt, the Hero of San Juan Hill, is thrust into the presidency.
47.) First book with the same title – The Ice Princess by Camilla Lackberg. It’s been a while since I had a thriller, so I’m happy! It’s Nordic Noir, kind of, but it isn’t as hard-boiled as most, which eases the read.
Skinny Dipping with Murder is what happens when you arrive to get your car’s oil changed without your reading! It was utter fluff, but not great. Thank goodness for the web app from the library!
A kids book on dolphins
In process:
13.) Posthumous read – The Janson Directive by Robert Ludlum. The creator of Jason Bourne novels wrote 27 thrillers and this one is no different! He passed away in 2001, recovering from burns after a mysterious fire. (Could he honestly have gone peacefully into the night?) Authors are continuing to pen his works, much like Tom Clancy, after his passing. This novel has had the movie rights purchased and is being considered as a role for John Cena.
34.) The Accidental Empress by Allison Pataki, but I'm on page 4....
QOTW Reading snack
If I have a whole day to read, which is a rare treat, I love to curl up with an afghan and have a hot cup of Earl Grey. In the summer, I pour my tea over ice or if it is evening, a glass of white wine.
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This week I read 6 books, 3 for the Challenge, so I am now 24/50.
A Duke by Default by Alyssa Cole - I really enjoyed this but I also had a lot of issues with the bonkers plot points. Three stars.
Six Easy Pieces by Walter Mosley- I wasn't crazy about this book of short stories, but it's essential if you are following Easy's overall story arc. Two stars.
Teaching My Mother How to Give Birth poems by Warsan Shire- phenomenal. Five stars. (The title is a Somali proverb.)
Life of Pi by Yann Martel- yes I finally finished this!! Getting an audiobook copy and just letting it play while I did chores was the key. This was my "over one million ratings" book. One star.
Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson - I feel like I didn't read the same book as everyone else, because this gets rave reviews and I did NOT like it. I read this for "own voices." One star.
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare- there weren't really that many idioms in here, but I found two so I checked the box for "idiom or phrase."
One of the books I'm currently reading is soooo good that I have to rave about it in advance: American Spy, this is my first book published in 2019 and it is definitely going to be one of my best books of the year. It's an espionage book, but it's also about the protagonist's family and childhood, so I'm thinking I can check off "about a family" with this.
QOTW
Nope! I snack when I'm bored. So yeah I snack wayyyyy too much at work! But I'm not bored when I'm reading.
Katy wrote: "I finished Ready Player One as my LitRPG book. I went in expecting to hate it and I absolutely loved it. Except for 2 things. "Hi Katy! I'm really curious what the 2 things you hated were?
Anyway - my first update post - I've read 10/50 in PS, and 5/52 in ATY (I'm prioritising PS first).
This week I finished one, and at present, am most of the way through a second.
A Blade So Black which I didn't realise was the first in a series. I liked it enough while I was reading it, but not enough to get the next. I'm still arguing with myself if it is a inspired by myth/legend/folklore, so I think it'll have to be a retelling of a classic.
Which is handy, as the other one I'm reading at present fulfils the prompts also, namely The Song of Achilles. I hear I'll be crying at the end of this one - am enjoying it so far!
QOTW - there's no specific drink or snack - generally I get too engrossed to care what I'm eating/drinking
Hello,One book finished this week:
Fingersmith for the item of clothing on the cover. Could work for wedding or A book told from multiple character POVs. It was a 5-stars read almost until the ending part who was too long. But it was fantastic with twists and turns I didn't expect. I will read other books by Sarah Waters.
Currently reading:
Big Little Lies still on audio only in my car. Fortunatly (on that account) with the freezing rain this morning, I had more time to listen to it.
Bird Box for the written by a musician prompt. It scares me and I can't remember when I was last scared reading a book.
QOTW: When I'm at work, during my lunch break I usually drink a tea while reading my book. At home, I like reading while eating cheese and bread. An habit I took while reading fantasy when I was younger. The characters always seems to eat cheese and bread. :)
Sara, I hope your power comes on soon - glad to know you have a warm place to stay in the meantime!It's been an intense couple weeks, but things are looking up. Reading fun books has been therapeutic in the meantime.
Finished
The Supernatural Enhancements ~ A reread of a favorite book ~
Liked this a lot the second time around. Knowing a lot of the answers took away some of the urgency, but added a layer of understanding, so still super fun.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy ~ A book with 1M+ reviews ~
An old favorite - cosmic nihilism channeled through absurd humor, which weirdly comes out as friendly and comforting.
Started
The Wide, Carnivorous Sky and Other Monstrous Geographies
I had heard the short story "Technicolor" in a Poe anthology, and found it really entertaining and well-written. So I bought this and then failed to read it somehow. So this will by my ~ A book you meant to read in 2018 ~
The Carrow Haunt
This is shaping up to be just what I expected - cheesy haunted house story, no aspirations to be Literature, and that's just fine. Fun ride so far!
QOTW
Darjeeling from Upton Tea, or wine!
I am at 24/50.This week I finished:
Percy Jackson 1-4: I have really enjoyed this series. I’m not usually into fantasy, but I think mythology is really interesting, and honestly I love books designed for kids. I find them so much more charming and funny than books designed for adults. I’m using for a book with at least one million ratings on Goodreads, a book inspired by myth/legend/folklore, a book featuring an extinct or imaginary creature, and a book you think should be turned into a movie.
I am currently reading:
Percy Jackson #5: I’m over halfway through and I’m enjoying it, but I’m also ready for it to be over.
Observations so far:
I have my sister’s kids for the week, so I haven’t had much time to read. Thankfully I had a 4 day weekend, which is how I finished the first 4. Also, again thanks for the info about giveaways, because I have already won 3 books.
Question of the Week:
Revisiting an old question since we have so many new members. Do you have a favorite drink or snack during your reading time?
I have never thought about this. I don’t think I do. I take complete breaks when I eat while reading, so I don’t have to worry about making a mess and I only drink water ever pretty much.
I'm finally back with the rest of my update! Admin note: We are still looking for discussion leaders for April (The Witch Elm) and June (Crazy Rich Asians). Please let us know if you would like to volunteer. We are so thankful for all of our discussion leaders and the time and effort they put into their discussions!
Also, remember we are always open to suggestions for “question of the week”. It can be tough to come up with interesting questions every week so if you think you have one we want to hear it!
Books finished:
Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare – this was an ok read. Maybe it’s been too long since I read a straight up historical romance, or maybe this just wasn’t the right one. I don’t think it was poorly written, just not for me. It may have also been that I listened to it on audio. That is often a stumbling block for me when reading a new to me book. I have heard good things about Tessa Dare so I will try another of hers soon. Not for the challenge
The Gown by Jennifer Robson – I loved this book! Yes, its set just after WWII which I’m kinda over, but the focus was on the story of the women who created (then) Princess Elizabeth’s wedding gown, specifically the embroiderers. AND I read an interview with the author at the end of the book where she said she wanted to find an event that helped lift the spirits of the British people after the harrowing years of war. This wedding was THE event of 1947, and it truly gave the people something happy to focus on after many years of pain and sadness. She chose to focus her story on the mostly unknown women who created the gown rather than on the Royals side of the wedding which I appreciated. I’m using this for a book with an item of clothing on the cover.
Where the Crawdads Sing – I can honestly say I did not expect to like this. It’s one of those books that has been so hyped up, that so many people have been raving about, the only reason I read it was because my book club picked it for February. BUT I was very pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed this book. Kya’s story is beautiful. I couldn’t care less about the murder storyline (and don’t get me started on the ending in relation to that), but the rest was just perfection. Using for a celebrity recommendation. I don’t really admire very many celebrities, but I do love that Reese is using her platform to encourage people to read.
Currently reading:
Enchantee – I picked this book up on a whim while I was at Barnes and Noble. The cover caught my eye, the premise sounded intriguing. Camille is scraping by, trying to keep herself and her sister fed with a roof over their heads in 1789 Paris. Camille has a gift – la magie. She can turn small bits of metal into coins though the magic only lasts for a short while. Out of desperation, Camille delves further into the magical skills left to her by her mother. She transforms herself into a Baroness and infiltrates Versailles in order to win money at the gaming tables. I’m not quite sure where this story is going to lead, but there’s definitely a hint of revolution in the air so I’m assuming she gets involved in that movement. There’s also a balloonist she meets. Not sure where that story will go – probably a little romance, but it’s too soon to tell.
14/50
Nadine wrote: "Good morning! I took vacation days today & tomorrow (since our schools are closed this week for break) so I forgot it's Thursday! Feels like Saturday to me! ;-) This winter has had SO MUCH ice, it'..."I'm with you on Allegedly. I feel like I read a completely different book, because it was very meh for me and I like those kinds of books normally and was really excited about it.
Happy Thursday everyone!3 books finished this week. All 3 for challenge prompts which is making me feel rather productive.
First, I finished up The Song of Achilles which was one of those books where (view spoiler) This one I'm using for 12. A book inspired by myth/legend/folklore.
I followed that up with My Lady's Choosing: An Interactive Romance Novel which was surprisingly entertaining. I have gone through just one of the storylines so far but I imagine that this is the book I'm going to pick up over the year when I have some free time. This is filling 42. A "choose-your-own-adventure" book
And the last book that I completed was Warm Bodies which I'm using for ATY number 5. A book by Shakespeare or inspired by Shakespeare. This book is loosely inspired by Romeo and Juliet, if Romeo (R) was a zombie and Juliet (Julie) was one of the humans left trying to survive in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. One of the things that didn't occur to me was that I don't actually care for zombie based stories/movies. I really am not sure why I chose to pick this book for this prompt given my dislike of zombie stuff. Well I'm glad I gave it a go anyways as I really enjoyed it.
Currently reading:
Lady Chatterley's Lover Again, I'm not entirely sure why I chose this book other than the fact that it was available for free on my Kindle. I'm planning on using it for ATY 29. A book published before 1950.
Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis for PS 31. A book about a family
A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe This actually is supposed to return to the library in the next few days and I've read exactly zero pages. I originally planned to use it for a book set in space but I filled that prompt a couple weeks ago. I do intend to read this one just perhaps not right now.
QOTW
In the words of Jean-Luc Picard, Earl Gray Tea - Hot. I don't really buy any snacks. I guess maybe toast? That's not really specific to reading though. So yeah, I guess my answer is tea!
Denise wrote: "Katy wrote: "I finished Ready Player One as my LitRPG book. I went in expecting to hate it and I absolutely loved it. Except for 2 things. "Hi Katy! I'm really curious what the 2 t..."
I didn't hate either thing. I just didn't love them. One was that at times it got a little heavy with the exposition when I wanted to get on with the action. But, at some points, I did actually like that, because it was a very nostalgic book for me, having grown up in the '80s and owned an Atari.
The other thing, which was more of a distraction to me, was that this book supposedly took place in a world of overcrowding where half the people were starving to death. We saw no evidence of anyone starving. Not even our poor protagonist at the beginning of the book. Also, they were supposed to be almost out of resources, such as gas, coal, etc, but nobody seem to have any problem on the electricity front. Yes, Wade was generating his electricity from riding a stationary bike, but that was only at the beginning and nobody else seemed at any loss, despite the apparently crazy high population of the planet, all of them logged on to their computers every waking hour.
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I really need to stop reading these updates. Just added The City of Brass to my already overcrowded TBR listing! :) I read and loved The Dry and now own and am anxious to read Force of Nature.
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[book:Ruby in the Sky looks amazing!
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This reminded me ... sometimes when I've been reading for a few hours, I do get hungry and if the characters are eating something in particular I will sometimes start to crave that food, and will go find the closest facsimile available in my own kitchen. And yes, cheese is a go-to! :-)
I remember one weekend I was reading Raven Black and the one character kept offering ginger cake and I couldn't stand it any more, I found a recipe and made myself ginger cake and ohhhhh it was good. (Bonus: my kids didn't like it hahahaha more for mommy!!)
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I'm 14/50 for the challenge.
This week I read:
The Happy Hollisters and the Ice Carnival Mystery by Jerry West - u..."
How did I never know about The Happy Hollisters? Cool!
Sara wrote: "I'm finally back with the rest of my update! Admin note: We are still looking for discussion leaders for April (The Witch Elm) and June (Crazy Rich Asians). Please let us know if you would like t..."
I'm so with you on the ending of Where the Crawdads Sing, Sara. I loved the book, but that part really bugged me.
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I love historical romance, and Tessa Dare is very popular, but I've read two books by her and I hated both of them! Also, I tried a historical romance on audiobook ONCE (I can't remember which one), once was enough - the sexy bits were really awkward to listen to, especially with the girly british narrator's voice.
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Jezebel looks grand! I have yet to read Suite Française though I've owned it for years!
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Finished:
Treasures of the Forgotten City by Danny McAleese and David Kristoph for a choose your own adventure book.
No Exit! This is the first recommendation for this prompt that truly interests me!
Hello from Cleveland. Yesterday went from snow to sleet to rain, and it’ll be in the 50s this weekend. I’m looking forward to some time in the sun!This week I read The Orchid Thief: A True Story of Beauty and Obsession by Susan Orlean for a book with a plant on the cover/in the title. This reminded me a lot of The Dinosaur Artist: Obsession, Betrayal, and the Quest for Earth's Ultimate Trophy in that a true crime incident is used as a hook to info dump about a topic in general. I gave it 3* because I did learn a lot about the orchid world and the Florida swamps. I didn’t hate the author like so many other critical reviewers seemed to, but it did really run me the wrong when she described the Chief Wahoo as “goofy” (not the word I would pick for something so blatantly racist) and was perplexed the Seminoles would not let her attend their tribal members only dinner....
QOTW: I love a good cup of hot cocoa when I’m reading in the evening!
Rough week at work this week -- won't bore people with particulars, though. Just hoping things get less crazy is all.Also, my corner of Idaho's finally getting some snow! Better late than never, Mother Nature...
Books finished this week:
Frankenstein -- for "book you saw a character read on TV or in a movie" (the show "Da Vinci's Inquest"). WAY different from any film adaptations of Frankenstein, let me tell you! It was... okay. Not great and rather tedious in parts, but still an interesting read.
Apocalypse Weird: The Red King -- for one of my "two books with the same title." Entertaining but a rather generic apocalyptic/zombie novel, with a few interesting ideas that don't get developed at all.
Attachments -- I originally picked this for "book with multiple POVs," but it turns out there's only one POV in the book, so I'm bumping this one to "book that includes a wedding" instead. I'm not a big fan of romance novels, but this one was actually really cute and fun!
Rosalie Lightning: A Graphic Memoir -- graphic novel, not for the challenge. Absolutely heartbreaking story of how the author/artist lost his daughter at an extremely young age.
Regular challenge -- 23/43
Advanced challenge -- 4/10
Non-challenge books -- 7
Currently Reading:
Who Censored Roger Rabbit? -- for "book with a question in the title
Snow Crash -- for "LitRPG book"
Gulliver's Travels -- for "book that inspired a common phrase or idiom"
QOTW:
I don't often snack while I read, though I WILL read during breakfast, so I suppose that counts. If I have a munchie of some kind on hand while I read, it's usually something sweet like M&Ms.
Good Morning everyone! This week I finished two books, which exceeded my goal of one book per week!1. The Language of Flowers- I used this for the prompt “book with plant on the cover”. This book had a really slow beginning and took me a while to get into it. I almost DNF.
2. The Tattooist of Auschwitz- I used this book for “based on true story”. I really enjoyed the story but the writing was very basic which made it boring at times. It was a very quick read!
Currently Reading: To All the Boys I've Loved Before. I should definitely have this finished for the February book of the month.
QOTW:
I don’t usually eat snacks when I’m reading but I do like to have a nice hot cup of tea.
Okay, so I am a teacher and have had my first full week out of the year, so I've been trying to catch up on a lot of my reading.So far this week, I have finished 3 books and started #4.
The first book I finished this week was Dumplin', which I did not read for the challenge but to be able to return it to a friend.
I also started and finished To All the Boys I've Loved Before for the "Book with Love in the title" as part of the monthly challenge group read.
Last, I finished Pride and Prejudice for half of the Advanced category pair "Two books that share the same title," which I plan to pair with Pride.
Right now, I am currently reading Beartown for my IRL book club February pick.
Out of these I probably liked To All the Boys most and Dumplin' least.
QOTW: Revisiting an old question since we have so many new members. Do you have a favorite drink or snack during your reading time?
I don't do a lot of snacking while I read, but when I do I prefer for it to be finger snacks so I can have one hand on the book at all times.
Brittany wrote: "Happy Thursday everyone!3 books finished this week. All 3 for challenge prompts which is making me feel rather productive.
First, I finished up The Song of Achilles which was on..."
Coincidentally the last 2 reads for my IRL book club were Lady Chatterly's Lover and Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis. Found Hillbilly Elegy interesting, although parts of it annoyed me, but very much disliked Lady Chatterly - would for sure have DNFed it if it wasn't for book club. I disliked so much about it ... hope you fare better!
Making slow but steady progress on my various challenges although I feel like I have kind of stalled since the weekend, which was a holiday weekend here (Family Day) AND my birthday so I let myself spend a lot of it finishing up some books. Finished:
Home Fire by by Kamila Shamsie - although this could fit a few PopSugar prompts (myth (Antigone), multiple POV, family and I'm sure there's more), for now I am slotting it into the South Asian writer for Reading Women. I really liked this book - loved the characters, the writing, and the topic is SO timely with all that's going on with ISIS and issues surrounding repatriation right now. I highly recommend it.
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King for the "love" prompt. This was a lot less "horrory" then some of King's books but creepy and a good read. Had never heard of it until I saw some recommendations here, so thanks.
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata - this is a short novella that I have been hearing about for awhile and was way down on the hold list at my library. I'm not sure how to rate it - it was an odd book with a very odd character, but I flew through it (it is short) and liked parts of it so all in all worth reading. I like reading translated books from different parts of the world (this one is Japan) - so far using it for Book Riot, translated by a woman author prompt.
Currently Reading:
The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton - I have been dabbling in this one on and off, for the monthly read for ATY (dual timeline) but feel like it's one of those books that you need to sit down and take in in bigger chunks to get into it so that's my plan tonight. I like what I've read so far though.
Also on my need to read list before it has to go back to the library since I waited for it for months, and it will be many more months before I get it again: The Water Cure by Sophie Mackintosh - one of the Booker 2018 short listed books. It looks interesting so I'm keen to start it.
QOTW - I'm too afraid of eating much when I read since I invariably spill something on the book. And like most I switch from tea in the afternoon, to a glass of wine in the evening, and then sometimes some herbal tea while reading in bed (which I have to do every single night even if it's only for 5 minutes), if I'm energetic enough to make it. Oh and again a glass of wine if I'm reading in the bath!
I'll do a two week update, as I didn't update last week. I've finished 4 books in the last two weeks; 3 for the challengeTo All the Boys I've Loved Before - Read for the monthly group read; I actually really enjoyed this book. It was a good break and jump started my reading again. I was in a bit of a slump, and couldn't decide what to read. This was a lot of fun. I enjoyed it, so I jumped into book 2...
P.S. I Still Love You Also was a fun, quick read. I have the 3rd book on hold.
The Wedding Date I really loved this book. Another quick, fun read and I loved the characters! Read for the "book with a wedding" prompt.
In Pieces Sally Field's memoir. A really great read. Will use for a book with a two word title.
Regular Challenge -- 5/40
Advanced Challenge -- 0/10
Goodreads Challenge -- 8/52
I didn't finish any books this week, but I made good progress on the books I'm reading.Reading
Abaddon's Gate by James S.A. Corey. The book is just different enough from season 3 of The Expanse to keep me hooked. I think I'll finish this weekend. I have about 200 pages left.
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. I've finished about two-thirds of the book. This book is making me as miserable as the characters. Thank God for Maggie Gyllenhaal's narration. It's the only thing keeping me going.
QOTW
I try not to eat when I read so I don't make a mess of my books (or library books!) If I do, cheese and crackers are a favorite snack. I usually have a glass of water close by or tea in the mornings and evenings.
long time no check in! it's been a busy few weeks - i ended up staying at my volunteering project for almost four weeks longer than anticipated & was too busy/exhausted to get much reading done. but ...i finally finished 2666!!! wow. I want to reread it (although I left my copy in France so ... not yet) & I definitely feel like it's the kind of book you need to go back to in order to find the links and underlying meanings throughout - but I'm so glad I read it - and it's the first book I finished specifically for a prompt (a book published posthumously) I really struggled with the first section of the book - it felt like a terrible navel-gazing debut novel about academia, and I thought I was missing a joke. Once I got further into the novel, I started to understand the reason for that opening part.
I can't remember what I last mentioned ... But I also finished America Is Not the Heart (loved it! would recommend) Convenience Store Woman (okay, not as good as I'd hoped but a nice read), The Truth About Leaving (ugh), Sing, Unburied, Sing (underwhelming, style over substance) & My Year of Rest and Relaxation (not exactly Bret Easton Ellis for "instagram girls", but, almost.)
currently reading Petit pays on the metro & Good Morning, Midnight for a class (might use this for my two books with the same title prompt too?).
Somehow being sick and spending my time reading for the last two days hasn't translated into that many books finished for the week. Though, yesterday all my time went into a long-ish audio book that I'll probably finish today. Finished Reading:
The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax I talked about how much I enjoyed this one last week when I'd almost finished it, so I'll just say 'five stars' and leave it at that. After finishing I realized my edition had two hats on the cover, so I used it for 'clothing or accessory on the cover'.
Death in Winter Meh. The Picard and Dr Crusher story lines were okay, but I really had no interest in the parts that were all about Romulan politics. I decided to use this for book set in the season you're reading in, since all the planet side parts were very wintery.
Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love I only picked this up because Gretchen Rubin chose it for her first 'book club' read, so I thought I'd give it a try. Highly recommend for anyone with an interest in the line between ancestry and heritage, or the ethics and history of IVF and sperm donorship. (I debated whether to count this for 'recommended by a celebrity', but decided Gretchin Rubin doesn't quite count. It is in the running for 'two books with the same title' and could also work for item of clothing on the cover.)
RWBY Official Manga Anthology Vol. 1: Red Like Roses This read like fan fiction to me. (Which is not an insult to be clear, just not what I expected from an 'official manga anthology'.) Just like fan fiction there were a couple of amazing stories and moments, some that didn't make any sense, and, of course, obligatory hints of slash. Using for the superpower prompt.
Currently Reading:
(Most of my heavier/nonfiction books are on hiatus since I haven't been feeling well, but I actually made some progress on these.)
A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World My Sunday afternoon book.
The Golem and the Jinni My current audio book. I enjoyed the first half, but the second half is starting to get really messy, and I'm concerned there's no way to wrap it all up in a way I won't hate. We'll see...
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones My library hold on this one finally came through after I'd already started the other one, so I'm only a couple chapters in. Interesting brain science stuff, but so far I feel like it really needs to be combined with Better Than Before: Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Lives to make the ultimate book on habits.
Reamde My husband recommended this book to me, and when I asked him if it would work for 'book that should be turned into a movie' he enthusiastically described all of the elements that would make great action movie scenes, so I'm going with that.
QOTW:
I always think life must be simpler for people who have one go-to favorite.... I do love to curl up with a book and a warm drink, but that ranges from homemade decaf caramel latte to tea (Rose City Chocolate is my current favorite, but rooibos chai is also one of the standards) or hot chocolate. It might not even be a warm drink, as sometimes I go on a kick of homemade copycat ChikFilA frosted lemonade.
I do also snack sometimes when I'm reading, mostly because if I get hungry I'm not going to *stop* reading just to eat. So that really could be anything I feel like fixing.
Hi all!Challenge books (9/50):
Annex (ownvoices (immigrant), author from Africa, would make a good movie, superpowers, debut novel, multiple POVs, imaginary creatures) - Aliens have taken over the city! Maybe the world, who knows! (Not us because we can't get out.) So it's up to a ragtag group of escapees to save everyone from the invaders.
Last week we were talking about comfort reads. This is basically right in my comfort zone: fun, fast-paced, imaginative, very cool. Also the author, Rich Larson, has some (really good) free short fiction on tor.com if you want to sample his writing.
Treasures of the Forgotten City (CYOA, takes place in a day) - This was okay, but I expected it to be more complex and puzzle-y.
Other reads:
Middlegame (Seanan McGuire) (unconventional chapters, superpowers, multiple POVs, published in 2019) - This book isn't out until May, but I read a five-chapter preview. It's about reality-warping twins, alchemists trying to control the fabric of time, and...a series of children's novels where a rambunctious girl befriends a rich boy? I'm not sure what's going on but I think I love it.
The Need for Air - Short story about a mother who is more interested in her social media feed than her disabled son.
Currently reading:
Black Leopard, Red Wolf - Book is a chunky boi but I'm enjoying it so far.
We went down a path that I did not recognize, with rock and sand and stone covered in wet moss.
“This used to be a river,” he said.
“What happened to it?”
“It hates the smell of man and flows under the earth whenever we approach.”
“Truly?”
“No. It’s the end of rainy season.”
Muse of Nightmares - I, uh, haven't actually started this but it's a library book due Sunday so I'd better get going >_>
QotW: Nothing in particular, though right now I have a half-finished box of Valentine's chocolate on my desk that I've been trying not to eat all at once.
Such a bad week so I got lost in the reading and finished a few for the challenge.For a book about a hobby I read How to Hunt Ghosts: A Practical Guide by Joshua P. Warren (what can I say? My hobbies aren't like everyone else's)
For a book that includes a wedding The Golden Tresses of the Dead by Alan Bradley which was NOT the book I planned on. I wanted to get one off my shelf but when the library had the latest Flavia de Luce book, I had to read it and ironically it fit here.
and lastly for a book set in space I read J. Scott Coatsworth's The Stark Divide which is a generational story (which fits the book about a family prompt too and if I don't find anything for that one, I'll bump this one there and pull something else from my vast SF library), part one entirely in space, part two on the planetoid with a mind they're terraforming and part three is in space, on the planetoid and on a dying earth. It's also LGBT and an own voice's book.
QOTW I tend not to eat these days while eating but potato chips (and a napkin at hand so I don't get grease everywhere) but I very often have tea or coffee when I read.
Hello everyone! Well - after taking care of my kids with the flu all last week, it was my turn. Luckily, I've still been able to get some reading done in between naps and nose-blowing.15/50 challenge books completed
Finished
The Forgotten Garden (4. book you think should be turned into a movie) This was my first time reading Kate Morton and I absolutely loved it. She does multiple timelines so seamlessly.
The Wondering Years: How Pop Culture Helped Me Answer Life’s Biggest Questions (10. book with "pop" in the title) I love the Popcast with Knox and Jamie. It's one of two podcasts that I always listen to the day it comes out (the other is What Should I Read Next). This book was a light, easy read, and it was funny throughout. It's an exploration of the author's faith through the lens of pop culture, and I've never really read anything like it.
Currently Reading
Warcross (45. LitRPG) I just started this on audio. So far it's not as bad as Ready Player One, but I just don't think this genre, or the first person present tense POV, is for me. But I'm trying to keep an open mind.
Native Son (1. book becoming a movie in 2019) This book is so brilliantly written, but so violent in spots that I'm having a hard time. I'm planning to push through though.
Behold the Dreamers (25. debut novel) This is for an IRL book club and I'm loving it.
Excellent Women (37. two word title) Really witty, I'm enjoying this one too.
QOTW
All the tea. I love hot tea when it's cold out (my fave is English breakfast or the Rev Up tea at Starbucks) and iced tea when it's hot out (my fave is Starbucks black tea sweetened with Classic).
Hello from Columbus! Yesterday was an unexpected snow day but today seems to be business as usual. I’m very much looking forward to the weekend this week!The Woman in White on top of popsugar, I’m doing bookriot’s challenge and the back to classics that’s been posted here. This was for the classic’s challenge 19th century classic prompt. I don’t know why I was under the impression this was a ghost story The Woman in Black, perhaps?) but it most definitely wasn’t. This was like a Victorian thriller if you will. It took me damn near all week to get through this book, even though I mostly enjoyed it. I’m glad it all ended in a way that left a smile on my face because this book set the protagonists up to fail miserably and it caused some mild anxiety. Not a ghost story, but also not an unexpected tragedy that would have bummed me out.
The Last Place You Look for book riot’s a book by a woman or AOC that won an award in 2018 which I’m so glad this book was recommended for this prompt! It seems like all my life, all I’ve wanted was a book set in Columbus. You see a lot of small town Ohio, lots of Cleveland/northern Ohio but I n e v e r see Columbus in books until now (unless I’m rereading Thurber). Kristen Lepionka is not only local who sets her book locally, but she’s friends with my amazing hair stylist AND her dad is friends with my MIL. Small world! I was practically vibrating with a frequency that could shatter glass I was so excited to read about places I know lol
Anywho, this book is about a private investigator who is looking into an old case involving a missing girl, her dead parents, and the girl’s boyfriend on death row for the crimes. It was a great detective novel and I was so interested in the story that I finished the book in a day. I would highly recommend this book.
This week brings me to 12/40; 1/10 for popsugar, 1/24 for book riot, and 1/12 for back to the classics with 26 books read this week.
QOTW: I’d say tea is my go to evening reading accompaniment. But I do a lot of audiobooks specifically so that I can cook/clean/eat and read at the same time.
I finished 2 books this week (one just minutes ago)For a book you saw someone on TV or a movie reading:
The Maltese Falcon (in episode 9 of season 2 of Night Court, Harry is reading it while in the hospital). Just finished
Dread Nation for a book with a two word title. I listened to this and I cannot rave enough about how Bahni Turpin reads books. I will happily listen to anything she reads.
Dani wrote: "Hello from Columbus! Yesterday was an unexpected snow day but today seems to be business as usual. I’m very much looking forward to the weekend this week!The Woman in White on top of ..."
I didn't know The Last Place You Look won an award in 2018. The audiobook just came in off my holds from the library today. I got it based on Nadine's recommendation.
Kristina wrote: "I finished 2 books this week (one just minutes ago)For a book you saw someone on TV or a movie reading:
The Maltese Falcon (in episode 9 of seaso..."I am just about to start On the Come Up narrated by Bahni Turpin, so that's good to hear.
Milena wrote: "Kristina wrote: "I finished 2 books this week (one just minutes ago)For a book you saw someone on TV or a movie reading:
The Maltese Falcon (in e..."she also read Children of Blood and Bone and I LOVED that one. I was very happy to see that she narrated Dread Nation. She has been added to my list of narrators I will happily listen to.
Hi everyone!Having a much better week than last week, so that's good for me.
Helps that it's sunny and a bit of a warm up at the moment. I'm in the midwest, but I seemed to be in a pocket that the big ice storm missed, in spite of dire warnings.
This week I finished:
Ball Lightning - I liked this alright, although it was a little flat. I didn't terribly relate to the characters, but it was a really interesting concept. The author noted that it's technically a prequel to the Three Body Trilogy, which is interesting, too. I only read the first of that one, I'm planning on finishing it eventually. This is my two-word title. Also counted it for my STEM book for ATY since there was a ton of math and physics talk in it.
The Art of Asking; or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Let People Help Finally finished the audio for this. I like Amanda Palmer, and I liked it overall, but it was rather rambling. It also seemed like she couldn't quite decide if it was a book about the experience of crowdfunding or an overall memoir of her life. I didn't mind it so much, but it did lend itself to a lot of meandering. I liked that her music finished up each chapter, and learning more about her. This is my book by a musician.
The Wife Between Us - I am in the crowd that did NOT like this. It felt like it was trying really hard to be the next Gone Girl, but in my mind failed really hard. Sure there were twists, but they weren't "OMG, MIND BLOWN" twists they were "wait, what? uh..ok..." twists. This is my book with two female authors, as well as psychological thriller for ATY.
Alice Isn't Dead - Picked this up on a deal because I like Joseph Fink, hadn't realized it was a podcast as well. I might check it out eventually, I really enjoyed the book. This is my multiple POV for both popsugar and ATY, and my book written by or about a neurodiverse person for Read Harder. (the author and main character both have anxiety).
Currently reading:
Catseye - My other book with the same title. The other's was Cat's Eye, but I figure they sound the same when you say them out loud so it's close enough. It's interesting enough so far.
Proven Guilty re-read listen to this, the other audio book took so long to get through, I only had 2 days to do this one. Have a few hours left, so been listening all day as I work, hoping I can finish. There's 4 people waiting, so it'd probably be a month or more before I'd get it out again.
QOTW:
I don't really specifically snack while reading, I read while doing everything I can haha. So if I'm hungry, i'm snacking but I might also read. I generally snack on Graze packets, or some sort of chip/cracker. And hot tea is always nice.
Sara wrote: "I'm finally back with the rest of my update! Admin note: We are still looking for discussion leaders for April (The Witch Elm) and June (Crazy Rich Asians). Please let us know if you would like t..."
Ooh! Adding The Gown to my TBR, thanks for the review.
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
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I had a whole post all written, but I saved it on my computer at work, and I'm not sure when I'll be in the office this morning. We lost power at my house yesterday afternoon due to a downed tree during this ice storm. I took my daughter and dog to my parents house so we wouldn't be stuck in a cold house. Last night, they too lost power but at least they have a gas fireplace and a generator.
Anyway, I will try to come back later and add in my own reading update. For now, here's the
Question of the week:
Revisiting an old question since we have so many new members. Do you have a favorite drink or snack during your reading time?