Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2019 Weekly Checkins
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Week 9: 2/21 - 2/28
I'm checking in during an online training course...bad employee, bad, bad, bad.I decided to take my foot off the reading gas a bit this week, as I realised I was getting a bit anxious about getting through my reading list. Which given I usually only manage between one and two books a week sounds a bit wimpy as I know there are folk here who get through much more than that. But my free time is so minimal, I do what I can. Whilst I was still enjoying my reading I wasn't enjoying the pressure. So, one book this week, taking me to 11/55 (7/45, 4/10).
I read I Loved You All by Paula Sharp for prompt #29 book with "love" in the title. Not a romance! I bought this book a long time ago, and like many others it has sat on my shelves since then - not a reflection of the book, I just get distracted by new and shiny things and my reading hasn't always been as voracious as it now is. When I bought this I was keen to read books with abortion in the plot, as I was fairly new to the debate and keen to have my two passions of reading and reproductive freedom come together. I am still very much of that mind, and I wish I'd read this back then instead of letting it languish on my bookcase.
The characters in this novel are what really sold it to me. Penny, the narrator who recalls the happenings of the summer when she was 8, is perfect. She is wild but observant, and tells the story as she saw it, but with touches of hindsight from her older perspective. Her innocence adds a level of compassion, particularly to the fanatical anti-choice Isobel, that my reading and personal opinion benefitted from. To begin with, I was wanting a more abhorrent character than Isobel, as I wanted someone I could be angry at. I also wanted a more dramatic storyline. I'm glad now that I didn't get that. The mixed feelings towards Isobel that the rest of the well-rounded cast hold mirrored my own and made this book a really rich experience. And the smaller scale of the anti-choice actions meant that this story didn't depend on sensationalism or exploitation to make its point.
Given the subjects of parental alcoholism, religious fanaticism and abortion, this novel is actually quite gentle in many ways. It strives for balance whilst making a powerful statement about self-righteousness and the danger of patriarchal involvement in the reproductive choice debate.
QOTW - How much of your reading is fiction compared to nonfiction?
Mine is probably mainly fiction. I do enjoy non-fiction too, but it just happens that a lot of my reading in recent years has swung more towards fiction. In terms of what I prefer with non-fiction, I definitely lean more to memoir, narrative non-fiction and essays. I love memoirs, and I don't always need to know the author previously to enjoy their story. I have read a few more topic-based non-fiction (Slut!: Growing Up Female with a Bad Reputation, In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto, Everyday Sexism come to mind), but I have to be in the right frame of mind and really interested in the topic!
ETA - of my last 100 books, 24 were non-fic. 12 of them were memoirs!
QOTW - Where are my coffee peeps?
Here! Obsessed. We have a coffee machine collection at home (Tassimo, Nespresso, Nespresso Vertu, filter machine, and cafetieres), flavoured instant coffees, regular instant coffees, flavour syrups and a milk frother! I have loyalty cards for Nero, Costa and Starbucks, and have a keep cup for the cafe in my office building! I try to keep coffees down to three or four a day, and throw in some decaffs, but I couldn't live without it!
Hello everyone!I have risen from my major depression spell (sort of. it's still going but at least I'm out of bed now.) to check in again! As I did not check in last week this will be a two week check in (I am using the words 'check in' too many times, I apologize.). I'll try to answer last week's QOTW later on as I like those :)
I am also loving that this check in (oops sorry) is on the last day of the month. It's the perfect time to look back on February and what I've read! Today is also the day my very first Book Box comes in so I am very excited about that too! Myth and Monsters, bring it on!
So here goes, a rundown of the last two weeks:
Read
Week 8
Legendary for book revolving around a puzzle or a game - I ended up reading this and actually really quite enjoying it! Such a relief after feeling so meh and let down by Caraval. Actually looking forward to the final book now!
Moonrise for book written by 2 female authors. I mean. Erin Hunter consists of SIX women, so I say it counts, even if I think each book is written by one woman. I don't know though so I am going off the name! - Enjoyed this much more than the first book of this second series, and am forcing myself not to get the next one just yet, to catch up on current library books first. I read this in one day to make library deadlines heh.
My Sweet Revenge - for title with 'sweet' in the title. - I was originally gonna use this for the same title prompt, but then found out the other book I was going to use wasn't called Sweet Revenge at all, but Sweet Tears (translated, the English title is completely different ha), so I went back to my original plan for that prompt and used this one for another! Really enjoyed this one! Read this in one day as well, because all three books needed to be back on Tuesday haha!
The Song of Achilles on audio for retelling of a classic - I LOVED THIS SO MUCH AWSGFKSJDLGL. The narrator does an absolute splendid job and I have been in Patrochilles hell ever since. I've been reading fanfiction guys. When I couldn't get out of bed last Monday, I read 28 out of 48 chapters of a fic. I am in love with this book. I need this on my shelves, preferably hardcover (to match Circe, which I bought because of well. reasons.) and the cover of the audiobook as it's the only one I actually like haha! It's just beautiful. Can I just reread this as a favorite? Would that count if I first read it this year? hmmm.
Week 9
Not as successful unfortunately, but, makes sense I suppose.
To All the Boys I've Loved Before on audio, for love in the title - Yeah. No. If you want to know my full thoughts, check out my review. I am not even going to look at the monthly read thread (though this is the first time I actually read one of those IN THE ACTUAL MONTH. doesn't matter it was end of the month ha) because I don't have the energy. I honestly don't get why this book is so loved. Ohwell. Got that prompt done, which I was getting worried about because...
DNF
WHAT? you say? YOU DNF'ED? yes, yes I did. It was probably part in due to my mental health, part due to the narrator, and part because ugh no. (which reminds me. I need to add the pronunciation of ugh to my To All The Boys review.)
Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus: Beginnings on audio. I made it to 42% before giving up. It just wasn't for me, and very different from what I was expecting. Shame, because the cover is gorgeous.
Currently Reading
This is starting to look familiar, but library books and mental health got in the way so..
The Binding - the 'problem' with this book is that it's a slow read. It demands every word to be savored, so even if it's not that long of a book, it's impossible to read in one day like I did with the other two books mentioned before. So yeah, haven't picked this one back up in a while, and it's gonna take a little longer I'm afraid, as there are library books reaching their limits, though I hope to be back at work then so I can extend them again beyond the limit, but if I don't have to that'd be great.
The Gilded Wolves on ebook, ARC - I did make some progress with this one! I'm at 58% so hope to finish it soon, as it reads easily. Really enjoying this, and would love to see a movie of it (perhaps I'll use it for that prompt, who knows!)
I'm gonna try to read my current reads over the weekend and then switch to some library ones. Look at me being all adult about it. I also caught up on Grey's Anatomy, though I am currently a bit behind again, and mostly on Modern Family. And then there is The Umbrella Academy. I have 3 episodes left I think, but Klaus and Five are my babies and I will give my life to protect them. Of course I now want to read the comics it's based on! The Umbrella Academy, Vol. 1: The Apocalypse Suite
This all brings me to 12/50, 6/52, 13/25(30), and 26/75 for GR. I might up it, but I also might just keep it this way to have one stress-less challenge!
In total in February, I read/finished 8 books, with 20 in total this year not counting picture books, giving me an average of 10 per month. I am very much so happy with that! 18 (including picture books) were 4 stars or higher, so I'd say it's going okay so far :)
QOTW
1. I have no percentages and I am too tired to check, but it's most definitely overbearingly fiction.
2. Neither! I find both disgusting, though I love the smell of (ground) coffee beans!
My plans to read all weekend were scuppered because spring arrived on the south coast of England. It's been glorious weather, I even sat on the beach in a t-shirt and didn't freeze to death! I tidied up the garden and got some seeds started. It's been lovely all week but today it seems to have gone back to normal (grey and wet).Finished The River by Peter Heller for review which I'm going to use for a book involving a hobby (canoeing and wild camping). Made me cry!
I finished listening to The Dry which is my first book with the same title (I'm ignoring the The and going with Dry by the Shustermans). I am also using this for ATY (NPR).
I also finished The Salt Path on audio for ATY (journey). I'd like to walk the South West Coastal Path (I've done bits of it) but I didn't find this book inspiring like others have. They had some real bad luck but the narrator made Raynor sound super-moany about everything.
I'm currently reading The Kingdom of Copper slowly for ATY (periodic table). I love this world but the hardback is big so I can only really read it comfortably in bed. Hence the slow progress.
Also been reading Romeo and/or Juliet as a fun lunchtime distraction for choose your own adventure. I have gone down two paths with happy endings, so now I'm trying to follow the original plot. It does have a symbol to show which actions should get you there but I think I've taken a wrong turn already.
Currently listening to The Siren, just because I wanted something light (and free from the library).
PS: 14/52 | ATY: 13/52 | GR: 24/100
QOTW:
1. About 10-15% of my reading is non-fiction and the rest is fiction. I'd actually like to read more non-fiction but the novels always seem to lure me in.
2. COFFEE*
*I don't like the traditional English "builder's tea" with milk at all, I do drink herbal/fruit/green teas, but coffee is my drug of choice.
Mod
Carmen wrote: "Hello everyone!I have risen from my major depression spell (sort of. it's still going but at least I'm out of bed now.) to check in again! As I did not check in last week this will be a two week ..."
Glad to hear you're feeling better. Loved your review of To All the Boys I've Loved Before...confirms my suspicions that I wouldn't like it!
Nadine wrote: "My mother swears by tea with milk, but i can't bring myself to try it, it just seems disgusting haha"Well I think it's revolting but I am in the minority in this country.
Sarah wrote: "Glad to hear you're feeling better. Loved your review of To All the Boys I've Loved Before...confirms my suspicions that I wouldn't like it!"Thanks! Normally I hate leaving negative reviews, but perhaps my new self who DNFs books and doesn't care as much is a good thing. I loved writing it, and venting out my frustrations!
Still at 17/50. I didn't finish any books this week.Currently reading:
Gulliver's Travels
Where'd You Go, Bernadette
QOTW:
1. Mostly fiction.
2. I love both tea and coffee but drink tea mostly.
I finished Little Women (book to movie) on audio. I had half-heartedly started to read this several years prior but stopped thinking it too sweet. And it is indeed sweet, and a bit long, and has a gently moralizing tone that grates sometimes. However, it is also warm, often funny, and reminds me of growing up with sisters. I have been trying to listen to fewer news podcasts because I think they were contributing to higher levels of anxiety and bleaker moods. This was a perfect antidote. 3 stars.I also read Where'd You Go, Bernadette (question) entirely in one go during a pathetic insomnia fueled binge one night. I actually found it more sad than funny and the resolution was odd even for an already quirky book. 2 stars.
And lastly I listened to Romeo and Juliet (idiom) on audio. Even knowing the basics of the story the impulsive decisions made by the titular characters were exhausting! I still liked it in general though. 3 stars.
QOTW-
1. I read fiction almost exclusively. I would really like to read more nonfiction though.
2. Tea. I don’t drink coffee at all.
What is the idiom in Romeo and Juliet? It's just out of grasp for me!
Carmen wrote: "What is the idiom in Romeo and Juliet? It's just out of grasp for me!"First one that came to me was "a rose by any other name..." I'm sure there's a more common one though. It's been a while since I
Sarah wrote: "Carmen wrote: "What is the idiom in Romeo and Juliet? It's just out of grasp for me!"First one that came to me was "a rose by any other name...""
Ohmygod of course! If I didn't hate it as much as I do I might have used a reread for that prompt haha!
I finished 11/22/63 as my book that I think should be made into a movie. I actually no longer think that. It was an amazing book, but too big for a movie I think. But, it still counts because I thought so before I read it:)I read The Invisible Manas my second book of two with the same title. It was just OK, IMO.
And, now I'm reading Hiddensee: A Tale of the Once and Future Nutcracker as a retelling of a classic. I'm about halfway through and finding it pretty boring. It started out with a bang, but seems to be aimless. I saw one review where she said she didn't realize she loved it until the end, so I'm still hanging on to hope.
QOTW: I read about 90%, 10% non-fiction--mostly biographies and geograhies, with the occasional Christian book thrown in. My fiction reading is much more eclectic. I'll read anything but smut or gore.
2. Neither. Hot chocolate is my choice of hot beverage.
3 graphic novels this week. 1) Black Panther: World of Wakanda by Roxane Gay for BR's a comic by an LGBTQIA creator. I liked a lot of this one but it could get a little disjointed. Lots of good options for this category, though. LOTS.
2) The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang which I'd read in theory for a middle grade book that has won a diversity award since 2009 (also book riot) but I'm not convinced it is middle grade (although it is rated grades 7-12) and of all the numerous awards I don't see any that are diversity awards which is a bit odd since this is about a non binary (gender fluid) individual. The art was AWESOME. The story was sweet. It was a little too happily ever after at the end, probably. But really it was nice and sweet and had a couple of through lines. I think I might toss it to something new on ATY since there is a lot new going on here. Plus it totally is all about clothes (and self acceptance and ambition and friendship and...) so it would work for an item of clothing on the cover.
3) In Real Life by Cory Doctorow and Jen Wang which I picked up after reading The Prince and the Dressmaker. This one probably doesn't qualify for LitRPG (as I'm not sure a graphic novel counts) but it is all about a girl gamer who you see sometimes in game with hit points and leveling and about some gaming issues discussed (girl gamers, gamers who sell gold...) and a a whole thing about economics in general. It can get a little, "And here's where we explain how the economy works) but it was nice and I enjoyed it.
Probably time for some text based books next week though.
I'm currently rereading The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton a book I loved as a kid and haven't revisited because I was worried it wouldn't hold up. It is strange reading it as an adult because I have some thoughts now that I wouldn't have then but of the rereads I've done over the last few years this one is holding up the best.
QOTW:
I read 10-20 percent non fiction? I really, really love narrative non-fiction.
Coffee and Tea and Coffee and Tea. I go in fits and starts. Right now I'm drinking a lot more tea but sometimes I drink more coffee.
Carmen wrote: "What is the idiom in Romeo and Juliet? It's just out of grasp for me!"According to the internet so take this with a shaker of salt "wild-goose chase"
Brandy wrote: "3) In Real Life by Cory Doctorow and Jen Wang which I picked up after reading The Prince and the Dressmaker. This one probably doesn't qualify for LitRPG ..."I think In Real life counts for LitRPG unless you are being super strict with your definitions. There's nothing to say it can't be a graphic novel. I would have used it if I hadn't had read it last year!
Allo!*checks shelves*
... Did I really only read 2 books this week?! And they were so short, too. Huh. Not a great week.
One was for a prompt, though, so at least I'm a bit further forward on Popsugar - 16/50.
If Beale Street Could Talk - I keep forgetting this was published in the 70s. Way more modern and graphic and gritty and sweary than I expected. And upsetting. Not that I wasn't expecting "upsetting" from the premise but... IDK. I didn't even leave a rating or review, because it was a good book in terms of writing and social commentary but the plot was so-so, didn't have a resolution and altogether reading it left me feeling stressed and unhappy. Which just further confuses things because that's the point, to get the message across...
Basically, I couldn't handle it, and I feel crappy about that.
Used for Popsugar prompt #1, book becoming a movie in 2019.
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry - Decent kid's book about racism in America. Only problem was that it was a bit too let's-explain-racism-to-children to the point of affecting the believability of the story - wouldn't the protagonist, a black 10-year-old in 1930s Mississippi, already know a lot of this stuff just for the sake of her own safety?
I'm currently reading How Long 'til Black Future Month?. Very much enjoying it.
QOTW:
1. I just did the maths and it seems like last year my reading was about 27% nonfiction, which is a lot more than I thought. This year so far it's about 10%-ish - 4 nonfiction books out of 37.
2. I don't drink hot beverages. Love the smell of coffee though.
Carmen wrote: "Hello everyone!
I have risen from my major depression spell (sort of. it's still going but at least I'm out of bed now.) to check in again!"
*hugs*
Sarah wrote: "Carmen wrote: "What is the idiom in Romeo and Juliet? It's just out of grasp for me!"
First one that came to me was "a rose by any other name...""
I cannot hear that phrase without thinking of this Comic Relief clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHAJ4...
Carmen wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Glad to hear you're feeling better. Loved your review of To All the Boys I've Loved Before...confirms my suspicions that I wouldn't like it!"Thanks! Normally I hate leaving negative..."
I actually quite enjoyed it but I think I found it way more funny than I should have (the stupidity was hilarious rather than cute to me) and I may be slightly sadistic as it was hilarious when it all went wrong.
Shannon wrote: "I finished Little Women (book to movie) on audio. I had half-heartedly started to read this several years prior but stopped thinking it too sweet. And it is indeed sweet, and a bit long, and has a gently moralizing tone that grates sometimes. However, it is also warm, often funny, and reminds me of growing up with sisters."Shannon, this is a good summary of my feelings on the book as well. I must have read a children's version when I was younger because when I reread it a few years ago I was a bit taken aback by the heavy dose of morality sprinkled throughout - especially in the latter half of the book. It's not the sentiment that bothered me so much as the heavy handed presence. I just wanted to shout "enough already!". It's still a warm, cozy read and I will read it again I'm sure. Maybe just skim through some bits :)
I am at 27/50.This week I finished:
The Last Olympian: I was glad to complete the series and even happier that I found a prompt for each book.
Sweet Contradiction: A book with “sweet” in the title. I didn’t like this one. There was nothing special about it.
No Exit: I ended up rearranging several prompts after I read this one. I ended up deciding to use it for a book that takes place in a day. (My interpretation is that a day is within 24, not necessarily the same date.) I can’t say enough good things about this book, and at this point I don’t know what to read next, because this one is hanging on to me.
Observations so far:
I had very little time to read this week and my stress levels noticed for sure. Hopefully I’ll choose my next book wisely and be able to jump back in.
Question of the Week:
1. How much of your reading is fiction compared to nonfiction?
Before the challenge, I read fiction almost exclusively, with the exception of text books and research, but I’ve discovered that when chosen wisely I really enjoy nonfiction. It draws more emotion from me than fiction and I feel like I give nonfiction books more of myself.
2. Because I saw so many people mention tea last week! Where are my coffee peeps? Are you:
A) tea
B) coffee
C ) neither
Neither. Aquafina all day for me.
Carmen wrote: "Hello everyone!I have risen from my major depression spell (sort of. it's still going but at least I'm out of bed now.) to check in again! As I did not check in last week this will be a two week ..."
Hang in there - depression is a vicious beast.
Carmen wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Glad to hear you're feeling better. Loved your review of To All the Boys I've Loved Before...confirms my suspicions that I wouldn't like it!"Thanks! Normally I hate leaving negative..."
Sometimes the negative reviews are the most fun to read - people can get very creative explaining exactly why they hated a book.
Evening all,Still worried and stressing over the same person who has still not touched base and seems to have fallen off the planet (nearly 5 weeks is extreme and whether binge, depression or can't be bothered it is not good).
Work is insane as usual with people quitting already (only week 5 of the year) and others threatening so I suspect my subjects may be about to change again. Everyone is just so overworked the newbies aren't getting the support and are going under and everyone ends up more overworked covering for those who quit or make themselves ill so it is one of those cycles and I don't know how to help.
This week I finished:
Burn for Burn which I hoped would be as funny as To all the boys but just wasn't. I needed some funny and it was nasty teens taking revenge and not thinking about consequences. Nope! At least it covered 2 female authors and was light so wasn't totally pointless.
The Travelling Cat Chronicles which I enjoyed but think would be better if I was more a cat person. I like cats but I love dogs and empathise more with them. Cute idea for a book though. Used it for Zodiac sign as apparently the 4th Chinese sign (Rabbit) is replaced with Cat in Vietnam. Who knew?
Currently reading:
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? for question in the title.
I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban which I am still plodding through a few pages at a time. Just don't like the writing but it is an important book for the current times so I will finish eventually.
Rereading Requiem for a Species: Why We Resist the Truth about Climate Change too as it has been a while.
On Natural Selection because I have not read his original thoughts and think that is a bit of a sin for a biologist..
Both the last 2 will be gradual and a few pages at a time as the mood takes me and not for the challenge.
QOTW1
Totally depends on my mood. Some months 50/50 and some 100% fiction. More fiction than not this year so far though.
QOTW2
Depends where I am, time of day and who I'm with. Coffee in the morning and Tea in the evening if it is just me. Rarely time to drink anything at work... even water.
Howdy from sunny (?! shocker) Cleveland, OH....Oops - slow week for myself. Kind of by accident, I'm trying to read somewhat 'in order' for the ATY challenge and had to wait a few days for a hold to become available. And, my husband headed out to CA for a month for work, so I'm adjusting and holding down the fort.
11/50 - so at least I'm not technically 'behind' or anything...
Finished:
Touch & Go by Lisa Gardner (not for any challenge)
Currently Reading:
The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth
Crash & Burn by Lisa Gardner
Happy Thursday!14/50
Completed:
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 for my wedding. Very loosely based on the life, or should I say existence, of Elisabeth of Austria. It came out of the gate as a strong romance and midway through changed to a drama. Have to say, if this historical fiction is fact based, I think the empress had some personal mental issues.
In process:
22.) The Bitter Seasonby Tami Hoag; I do love a good thriller! This is a current murder of a college professor of Eastern studies and his wife dying at the hand of an intruder wielding the professor’s own samarai sword and nunchuks, as well as a cold case of a police officer.
For fun, The Murder Room: The Heirs of Sherlock Holmes Gather to Solve the World's Most Perplexing Cold Cases by Michael Capuzzo. My parents’ neighbor lent me her copy. It is not what I’ve expected thus far, but I hope it picks up.
QOTW Fiction vs. nonfiction
I love both and probably do 75% fiction to 25% nonfiction. True crime and biographies are my non-fiction jam!
QOTW 2 Coffee, tea, neither, both?
I am all tea, all the time. I don't care for coffee. Probably blasphemy in most of the US, but I just love my black, decaf tea!
It's hard to believe another month has gone by already! I've read 20 books so far this year, but I have increased my rereading this year (I don't usually count these for the challenge unless I'm rereading a book I haven't read in many, many years - like something from childhood) so I'm not as far along in the challenge as I'd like to be.I have also fallen short of my plan to read more classics this year. Gotta get back on task!
Finished:
I've been in a bit of a rut. I'm reading, but I haven't gotten hooked so I haven't finished much of anything.
Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists - I love these little vignettes into Hogwarts history. Backstories of favorite characters, etc. This particular edition had a section on potions. I didn't realize the level of research she did on potion ingredients. She said most of them are real things, and many of them were believed to have magical or healing abilities at some time. Fascinating :)
Currently reading:
Eh...I'm not really hooked into anything enough to warrant listing it as a current read. I am hoping to spend some serious time reading this weekend.
QOTW
1. Fiction is definitely my preference, but I have been increasing my nonfiction reading the last couple of years. So far this year I have read 75% fiction and 25% nonfiction. Last year I read 85% fiction and 15% nonfiction. Gotta work on this!
2. I am 100% a tea drinker. I love the smell of coffee but cannot tolerate the taste! I don't usually put milk in my tea, but every once in a while I try it. I keep hoping to like it more than I do. My favorite tea is jasmine green. I do drink black tea sometimes, and I like trying different flavors when I have the chance. I'm still hunting for the perfect herbal tea for me. Most of those are just ok.
I feel like a did a lot of reading this week, but I only finished two books. I still have too many in progress, but I'm getting closer to finishing some of them. I am currently at 10/40, 5/10, which is pretty good for me, since I usually only read about 60 books a year. This puts me on track to be closer to 80, or more.
This week I finished The City Where We Once Lived which was my cli-fi book. I really enjoyed it and now I'm making my husband read it. The climate change aspect of the story was not the main point, but it was certainly very important to the plot and it was a lovely story.
I also finished The Marriage of Opposites, which was a bit of a slow read, but it was beautiful and it made me cry at various points. Which I always love about a book. This is my novel based on a true story. It was about Rachel Pizzaro and a little about her son Camille Pissarro, who is one of my favorite painters. It definitely made me want to try another of Alice Hoffman's books.
Currently reading: War and Peace (still), Middlemarch (still), The Johnstown Flood (still), Bringing Down the Colonel: A Sex Scandal of the Gilded Age, and the "Powerless" Woman Who Took on Washington (still). Ugh, I need to finish at least the last two this week.
I tend to read a fair amount of nonfiction. I would say maybe 15%-25% of my reading is nonfiction, throughout the course of the year. But I read more fiction than non.
(c) Neither.
Janet wrote: "Carmen wrote: "Hello everyone!I have risen from my major depression spell (sort of. it's still going but at least I'm out of bed now.) to check in again! .....Hang in there - depression is a vicious beast.."
Carmen, so glad you're feeling a bit better :-)
I slept all day yesterday and then felt completely exhausted for the rest of the evening while I was trying to keep up with the girls. Had another appointment with my pain management Dr. who scheduled another injection since my nerve ablation is wearing off , and its too soon for another one, and also suggested Medical Marijuana ( thats my 3rd Dr recommendation for it). I'm seeing a pattern here LOL. I have the OK written up on a prescription from my rheumatologist but Ive been holding onto it for a few months now. I'm not sure how I feel about going down that road. I suppose I could always get my card and then not use it?? At least I would have it if I get desperate. Also saw my GP who offered to send me to Yale, but I'm about done with Drs and testing.... we haven't found anything and I've been scanned radiated, biopsied, MRI'd, EMG'd, injected, and bled of what feels like half of my blood. So I'm left with insomnia, unexplained fevers, and bouts of COMPLETE exhaustion and weigh about 105 pounds still ( 109 on a good day.... bring on the salty food). I got a vague ? fibromyalgia, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ( may or may not be an factual "diagnosis" according to my Dr.) So I was offered a bunch of horrid meds that I took but refuse to take because I don't want to deal with the side effects.
In other news, I have a phone interview tomorrow for a teaching position. Anyone here in the US teaching?? Tell me the brutal truth about the alternate paths to certification. This would be a teaching residency in an inner city Charter School through the Relay program. In theory it sounds like something I would love to do, but also very long days, and researching it, I'm not sure how well this will go over if I try to transition to public schools after my residency. Also some of the methods they use seem very extreme. If anyone has any feedback ( good or bad) let me know. I need to get back to work, I think it will be really helpful in pulling me out of my funk, and I spent a year and a half teaching inner city young adults at a vocational school and LOVED it, so I'm not afraid of the work, just the methods and reputation of the certification route.
WOW! I just verbal vomited all over this update LOL.
I finished The Turner House and am halfway through The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland. Not much done this week.
QOTW: COFFEE!!!!! Obviously can't function without.
I read almost all fiction, maybe 5% non. I don't have stats.
Mod
I always feel free to savage a book! If a writer tricked m into wasting my valuable time then they get what they get. Sometimes the only way I can get through a bad book is knowing that I can gleefully express my disappointment on GR! I try to be specific about what I didn't like and I try to never criticize the author or other readers, just the book itself. My negative reviews have been my most popular reviews! And I love reading negative reviews - often whatever the reviewer hated is something that won't bother me, and I go ahead and add the book to my TBR.
Hi everyone! How is it already the last day of February????I was able to fit in some good reading last weekend so I got through several books. Unusually for me, I only have 1 book in process right now, which I will finish while I am eating lunch, so it looks like I will start March with a clean slate.
13/50 for Popsugar
16/52 for Around the Year
2/26 for The Reading Women Challenge
Books I finished:
The Troop by Nick Cutter (Popsugar #37: A book with a 2-word title) This was just weird. Part creepy camping story and part Lord of the Flies. It will probably end up being in my bottom 5 or 10 for the year.
Rooms by Lauren Oliver (Popsugar #46: A book with unusual chapter headings) This book was divided into sections/parts by a room of a house and then further by POV. It was an interesting look at a very dysfunctional family coming together after a death as well as depression. It would fit as a ghost story because 2 of the POV are ghosts living in the walls of the house. It was marketed as horror, though, which I didn't agree with one bit.
Never Caught: The Washingtons' Relentless Pursuit of Their Runaway Slave, Ona Judge by Erica Armstrong Dunbar (Around the Year: A book that was a finalist or winner of the National Book Award) This is an interesting story about George & Martha Washington, their slaves, and the differing opinions about slavery at the start of this country. It centers on one slave, Ona Judge, who ran away from the Washington estate and lived the remainder of her life in New Hampshire.
There There by Tommy Orange (Around the Year: A book featuring indigenous people of a country) I loved this. Orange wrote this with quite a few POV, and each sounded unique. It was emotional and educational. It also gave a really good look into the indigenous culture in the U.S., how they were treated hundreds of years ago and how the effects of all of that shape them today.
I am currently reading:
Glory in Death by J.D. Robb (Reading Women: Any book from a series) I could have finished this last night but my eyes were done.
QOTW: Last year my reading was around 1/4 to 1/3 nonfiction. This year it is really unbalanced, with only 5% of my books read being nonfiction. I have plenty of nonfiction books I want to read, but I guess I haven't been in the mood lately.
2nd question: COFFEE. During the week I cannot function without 2 (large) cups of coffee. In fact, I'm halfway through with cup #1, which is sitting right next to me right now. I like tea but don't drink much of it. It is my go-to during cold evenings or if dining in a restaurant that is blasting the A/C.
Sara wrote: "Shannon wrote: "I finished Little Women (book to movie) on audio. I had half-heartedly started to read this several years prior but stopped thinking it too sweet. And it is indeed sweet, and a bit ..."I am re-reading Little Women right now for the first time since I was a child, and I agree with both your negative and positive assessments. I like Sara's idea to skim some of those passages, I may just do that.
Tracy wrote: "...and also suggested Medical Marijuana ( thats my 3rd Dr recommendation for it). I'm seeing a pattern here LOL. I have the OK written up on a prescription from my rheumatologist but Ive been holding onto it for a few months now. I'm not sure how I feel about going down that road...."Tracy, I've been seeing a PM doctor for almost 15 years now due to too many spinal issues to list. I've gone through so many different methods of treatment, including nerve ablation, injections and surgery. Out of all the things I've done, the only thing that works consistently and completely is MJ. I can't use it for work reasons (and I am in Texas), but it works!
What a relief, we are through February. I am ready for spring and March means it is just around the corner, right? It seems like we have a major snow fall once a week. Last Saturday everything was cancelled because of the snow. Bring on the blue skies!I read a lot of mysteries again this week. I think it is becoming a pattern. I read:
Murder on Gramercy Park- so far I am enjoying this series and have the next one out from the library already.
Death & The Brewmaster’s Widow- a little bit predictable and the ending was a bit of a stretch, but I'll probably read the next one in the series and see how it goes.
Why Didn't They Ask Evans?- I almost always like Dame Agatha. This was a reread, but it has been so long since I've read it some of the details were hazy. I enjoyed it.
I read a few non-mystery books as well.
What I Didn't Say- and that is two hours I will never get back. What a waste of time. I don't know why I actually sat there and finished this book.
Good Hope Road- which I loved.
The Keeper of Lost Things- I also really enjoyed this book.
QOTW:
1- I read a lot more fiction than non-fiction, but really enjoy the non-fiction I choose. That being said, I have several non-fiction books on my "read me" pile but have only read fiction in 2019. I guess I know what I'm reading next (after the library gets all their books back).
2- Neither coffee nor tea. Diet Coke always.
Since my last check in I've finished Where'd you go Bernadette and Janette Oak's Love's Long Journey, I'm currently reading Love's Abiding Joy. I'm running out of prompts I can use for these, but am committed to finishing out the series. they're a bit too sappy at times, so I'm eagerly awaiting my hold on the sun does shine to come in.QOTW: I've grown to love nonfiction a good deal as an adult, and these are honestly some of my favorite reads, though I still read a majority fiction.
QOTW 2: I am a dedicated tea drinker- black English or Irish breakfast tea with a splash of milk all day for me please. It's nice to be among other tea drinkers, I'm used to being the only one among many coffee drinkers.
PopSugar Challenge-13/40Goodreads Challenge- 18/60
Finished this Week:
I haven't been able to finish any books this week. I have been pushing myself so hard with all of my hobbies that I have decided to slow down a little.
Still Currently Reading:
The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle I am working through this very slowly for the moment, not that it isn't interesting its just that it is my 'home' book and I have been doing a bunch of more things at home other than reading physically more listening to audiobooks and some political podcasts.
I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer I am reading this as an ebook. I am half way through this book and it is captivating. I wish I was able to read more this week. I have been fudging at work to "read just one more chapter."
The Time Traveler's Wife This was read by Rory in Gilmore Girls. I am listening to this as an audiobook. I am listening to this attentively. It is so much better than the movie. There are a lot of holes being filled in.
Question of the Week:
How much of your reading is fiction compared to nonfiction?
I have been making a conscious decision to read more nonfiction these last two years. I say that I have read maybe 15% nonfiction so far in books this year. Though several of the 'fiction' books is based on true stories which is another 11%. But I am planning on reading a a higher percentage of true nonfiction. I want to get to at least 25% this year.
2. Because I saw so many people mention tea last week! Where are my coffee peeps? Are you:
A) tea
B) coffee
C ) neither
D)BOTH
I do both. I typically leave coffee to the morning just because it is part of my diet and I need the heavier dose of caffeine in the morning and afraid that it will keep me up if I drink it too late. Though I seldom get to read in the morning so I typically do not do coffee when reading except on the weekends.
Sarah wrote: "Carmen wrote: "What is the idiom in Romeo and Juliet? It's just out of grasp for me!"First one that came to me was "a rose by any other name..." I'm sure there's a more common one though. It's be..."
Shannon wrote: "I finished Little Women (book to movie) on audio. I had half-heartedly started to read this several years prior but stopped thinking it too sweet. And it is indeed sweet, and a bit long..."
I was actually thinking of "star-crossed lovers" which I'm not sure if Shakespeare actually originated but close enough!
Hi everyone. I too am stressing that I only read 2 books this week. Maybe I need to go on an all mystery break for a few weeks.Finished:
The Silence of the Girls for a myth retelling. For those that have read The Song of Achilles (Carmen), this told from Briseis's POV. It was a good book, I liked it, but the writing was just not as beautiful as Madeline Miller's. And the story was much more brutal.
On the Come Up on audio. This was my first Bahni Turpin narration, and I loved her. The book was slightly disappointing. It ultimately felt more young adult than The Hate U Give. I liked it, but I didn't love it.
Currently reading:
Next Year in Havana which I am enjoying so far. But I can't get that Havana song out of my head now.
Little Women
The Last Place You Look Listening to the audiobook, and I don't love the narrator. But I do really like the book, Nadine.
QOTW:
1. One of the reasons I joined the Popsugar challenge last year is to read more non-fiction. Last year I read 13% non-fiction, which is a lot more than previous years. So far this year is 12% non-fiction. I have Becoming, The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession, and the Natural History Heist of the Century, Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup, and The Library Book all coming up in the next few weeks, so that percentage should go up.
2. Coffee addict here. I have had to keep it down to one cup a day the last few years due to severe reflux. I used to only drink tea when I was sick. This is very unusual for someone from a Russian family, Russians drink a lot of tea. My daughter is a much more traditional Russian, she has been a tea drinker her whole life. My mother taught her well.
Brooke wrote: "Tracy wrote: "...and also suggested Medical Marijuana ( thats my 3rd Dr recommendation for it). I'm seeing a pattern here LOL....""Out of all the things I've done, the only thing that works consistently and completely is MJ. I can't use it for work reasons (and I am in Texas), but it works! ..."
Ugh! It's the work thing right?? How am I supposed to go back to work on that? I already had to have my nursing license put on hold because of all of this.... I can't continue on my career on it. And what kind of work is OK with you being on MJ?? I don't know? And I have 2 young kids. I just don't know. But it seems like we might be getting to that point :-(
It would kill a couple of birds with one stone.... the pain, the insomnia, the depression ( which is all caused by the pain, and the meds I'm taking for all my other issues..so sedating) and the weight issue. I'm stuck on what to do.
And by the way, The Troop was so disgusting LOL!!! I read it last year? And couldn't stop talking about it. It definitely got my attention. I think my review persuaded a few ATY'ers to read it this year 😂
Hello! Wow, you are doing well with the challenge!I'm at 15/50.
This week I read:
Selfish, Shallow, and Self-Absorbed: Sixteen Writers on The Decision Not To Have Kids by Meghan Daum - this was recommended by someone last year, if you are interested in the topic then this is a good read.
The Walking Dead, Vol. 1: Days Gone Bye by Robert Kirkman - I love The Walking Dead in all forms, such a good concept, read for another challenge
The Walking Dead, Vol. 2: Miles Behind Us by Robert Kirkman - read for another challenge
When You Read This by Mary Adkins - a heartbreaking subject, but so well-written; I used this for a debut novel but it can also be used as an epistolary novel if you are doing the BR challenge
Question of the Week:
1. How much of your reading is fiction compared to nonfiction? For me, probably 70/30 - fiction is still the leader but I read a lot more nonfiction than I used to.
2. I am a coffee person, and I drink it black (no sugar or cream). I also enjoy coffee drinks, like lattes, but when I'm drinking regular coffee I don't put anything in it. I do love good coffee, and I love finding local coffee shops while I'm out. At home we only have a Kuerig right now, but I am thinking about getting a French press.
Happy Thursday, y'all!Somehow this week I managed to run into not one, but TWO books (Firefly by Piers Anthony and Radix by A.A. Attanasio) that grossed me out by incorporating one of my hot-button issues -- (spoiler alerted for the squeamish) (view spoiler). And worse, in the former book the characters try to justify it as "love in the truest sense" in the first book and treat it as no big deal in the second book. It was enough to turn me off of BOTH authors permanently, which is a shame because I used to really love Piers Anthony's Xanth books.
Anyhow, moving on...
Books I finished this week:
Snow Crash -- was originally slated for "LitRPG" but I ended up moving it to "multiple POVs," since the LitRPG elements ended up playing a much smaller role in the book than I thought. Probably Neal Stephenson's best book, even if his habit of "I did all this research so now I get to info-dump on you, dear reader" a tad annoying at times.
Who Censored Roger Rabbit? -- for "book with a question in the title." VERY different from the movie it inspired ("Who Framed Roger Rabbit?") but still an amusing send-up of noir detective novels.
Gulliver's Travels -- advanced challenge, for "book that inspired a common phrase or idiom" (in this case both the words "lilliputin" and "yahoo"). Wow... every film and children's adaptation seems to stop at the halfway point of this book, as Gulliver had a LOT more adventures than just to the world of tiny people and the world of giants. And it's not a kid's book by any means but a scathing satire of its times. Got tedious at times, but still worth at least one read. (Also, it turns out the scene in the 2010 Jack Black adaptation where Gulliver puts out a fire by peeing on it was in the original book -- who'd have thought?)
The Tale of Despereaux -- not for the challenge. Poignant but ultimately sweet fairy-tale-like story about an exiled mouse and the lengths he will go to for love.
I Kill Giants -- graphic novel, not for the challenge. A troubled girl claims to be a giant slayer, but the giant she's setting out to destroy may or may not be something far more personal. Heartbreaking yet powerful graphic novel, and bears a LOT of similarities to A Monster Calls (though not enough for me to consider it a ripoff).
Regular challenge -- 25/43
Advanced challenge -- 5/10
Non-challenge reads -- 9
DNFed:
Radix -- See my complaint above. Authors, if you absolutely MUST throw (view spoiler) into your book, can you NOT make it so graphic and/or try to justify it in-universe? ("Firefly" isn't on my DFN list solely because I learned of its awfulness secondhand through a YouTube review.)
The Whispers -- Just wasn't holding my attention.
Currently Reading:
Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore -- for "debut novel"
Geek Love -- for "book with "love" in the title"
Here and Now and Then -- not for the challenge
QOTW:
1. I'd say my reading is about 75% fiction and 25% non-fiction. My non-fiction reads tend to be all over the place -- I read whatever strikes my fancy, not necessarily a single genre.
2. Not a coffee or tea drinker, though I do love a good hot chocolate.
One of my reading goals for this year is to finish all of the series I've started, and I'm making really good progress. I hate loose ends, so it feels nice to be tying up some of those finally.Finished
Abaddon's Gate by James S.A. Corey (a ghost story). This is book #3 of The Expanse series. I think it's interesting that the books switch POV characters (except Holden) for each book. It makes sense because of where the plot moves to, but I miss POV characters from previous books. I really love this series. I've been trying to pace myself, but I think I might start reading the books back-to-back.
Reading
The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. I think I'll finish the book this week. I'm at 85% and ready for it to be over.
QOTW
I went 6 years without reading a nonfiction book (outside of a textbook) so .... I've started reading nonfiction more often in the last couple years, but it's just not my favorite genre.
I love the smell of coffee, but I only drink tea. I have very specific tastes in tea. My favorites are Lady Grey, English Afternoon, and Chai with a dash of sugar. When I brew iced tea, I use one bag of black tea, one of herbal for sweetness. I think milk in tea is revolting.
Hi everyone!Nice to see some sunshine today, but I'm still looking forward to escaping to Florida this weekend for some Disney fun.
This week I finished:
Catseye - This was my second book with the same title (the first being Cat's Eye) I figure they count since they sound the same when spoken out loud. I liked it ok. It felt like it was the beginning of the series, but as far as I could tell it was stand alone.
Proven Guilty - Had to basically shotgun this in two days because I'd taken so long finishing the Art of Asking my hold was almost done. As is it cut out mid sentence about 10 minutes from the end, but I'm counting it good. I've read it before, so it's not like I have no clue how the last few pages went.
The Hole - Counted this as my book with a plant on the cover (It has a tree with a bunch of roots). For ATY i'm also counting it as my far east Asia author, for Read Harder my book that is in translation by a woman or translated by a woman, this being both. I think I also counted it for Reading Woman as a mystery or thriller by a woman of color. Counted for all my challenges, but sadly I was really disappointed by the book. I thought it sounded really intense and interesting from the description, but I really didn't enjoy it at all. All the characters were so unappealing that I had a hard time really feeling sympathy for anyone. So I was just left with a bunch of descriptions of terrible people's terrible lives. It's listed as a psychologically thriller, and I get that kind of, but it was more sad than intense for me.
The Song of Achilles - Luckily I read this one next and I LOVED it. It's my book with an author with the same first and last initials. I really love fairy tale and mythology retellings in general. This was such a great story. Usually I don't like going into books knowing it's going to end with sadness, but I loved Circe so much I risked it. I loved it anyhow, the whole story was so well written.
My Beautiful Enemy - This is my read harder historical romance by an AoC. It also counts as a historical fiction for reading women, and a book with a criminal character for ATY ( the main character is a thief among other things). This was a nice fun read, I breezed through it in a day. I liked that while it was certainly a romance, there was plenty of action in it.
Currently reading:
The Windup Girl - This will be my ATY book about food. Not sure if it fits anywhere else yet.
QOTW:
well, I have over 1200 books on goodreads and only 22 are shelved as nonfiction, haha. I don't really enjoy reading it, and when I do it tends to be memoirs where there's more of a story. Without a plot to carry me through I just find it drags, even if it's something I find nominally interesting.
I'm tea all the way, or occasionally hot cocoa. I think coffee is vile, and can't even do it in desserts. I'm looking at you, "coffee enhances the chocolate flavor" cake. I can taste it, and it's gross.
Cendaquenta wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Carmen wrote: "What is the idiom in Romeo and Juliet? It's just out of grasp for me!"First one that came to me was "a rose by any other name...""
I cannot hear that phrase without thinking of this Comic Relief clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHAJ4..."
SAME THOUGH. ARE YOU BOTHERED?
Janet wrote: "Sometimes the negative reviews are the most fun to read - people can get very creative explaining exactly why they hated a book."So true! I love Emma's reviews!
Janet wrote: "Hang in there - depression is a vicious beast."
Don't I know it! Thank you <3
February felt like a slow reading month for me because I got so busy and it took me almost the entire month to read the books I was working on. Luckily, since I was reading so many at once, I also finished them all at once. So I feel accomplished.Since my last check-in, I've read 8 books and 1 graphic novel. I'm at 17/50
In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin by Erik Larson- audio book- for Novel based on a true story
The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis- aloud with kid, not for the challenge
DC Comics: Zero Year by Scott Snyder- for ATY challenge
Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman- aloud to kid- for Inspired by myth or legend (I may read something else for this too, as this book is so short).
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor- for Multiple POV's
The Cello Suites: J. S. Bach, Pablo Casals, and the Search for a Baroque Masterpiece by Eric Siblin- Written by a Musician
The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements by Sam Kean- Love in the title
Obsidio by Amie Kaufman- Book about Family (I might replace this one too)
QOTW:
Looking back to January of 2018, 10% of my books are nonfiction. I generally like fiction more, but I am making it a point this year to read more nonfiction and memoirs and I'm actually really enjoying it.
QOTW 2:
Coffee in the morning, tea at night.
Mod
I have risen from my major depression spell (sort of. it's still going but at least I'm out of bed now.) to check in again! As I did not check in last week this will be a two week ..."
Firstly, I am sooooo glad you have managed to emerge from depression! That can be so debilitating!
And thank you for confirming for me that I most likely would NOT have enjoyed reading To All the Boys I've Loved Before! I suspect my reaction would have been similar to yours, hence why I read The Atomic Weight of Love for this prompt. (Which I believe will end up being one of my favorite reads for this year, and perhaps forever! :) Glad I did that!
Tracy wrote: "I got a vague ? fibromyalgia, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ( may or may not be an factual "diagnosis" according to my Dr.)"Welcome to the wonderful life of having fibro and CFS! *sighs deeply* Hang in there <3
The weather here is awful, which helped my reading this week. Looks like another week ahead of ice and cold. Sigh.I’m now at 14/50. This week I read:
Soulmates- Multiple POVs. This isn’t a romance novel. A woman’s ex husband is found dead with his new GF in a cave at a yoga retreat where he worked. The first half is an interesting examination of a dissolving marriage. The second half went whackadoodle. Sex cults, family secrets, weird coincidences. And ending is hard to take. Certainly not a boring book, but not sure I’m going to recommend it.
The Bullfighter Checks Her Makeup: My Encounters With Extraordinary People - book about a hobby. A bunch of reprinted essays about people that Susan Orlean interviewed, mainly for the New Yorker. There are lots of hobbies in this book- surfing, dog shows, gospel singers and bull fighting. This is an old book so lots of 90s cultural references. Some have aged better than others.
Next Year in Havana- author whose names begin with the same letter. A good romance historical novel about the Cuban Revolution, Enjoyed it.
Currently reading Kingdom of the Blind- takes place in the same season I’m reading it in. The latest Louis Penny takes place in blizzards. Seems appropriate right now!
Also read The Last Time I Lied, which I don’t think fits any of my prompts. I really didn’t care much for it, another BOTM thriller choice that has been laying around. I moved it to the unnhaul pile this week.
QOTW: i read mostly fiction, but I am in a nonfiction book club, so probably a few non fiction books a month are added to my reading pile.
I’m a coffee person. I like tea, but I need my coffee every morning!
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
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Admin stuff:
Our monthly group read for March is a book with a question in the title: Where'd You Go, Bernadette. Discussion leader will be Jenny.
We still have openings for discussion leaders for April (Witch Elm) and June (Crazy Rich Asians).
This week I read 5 books and a graphic novel, 3 of them count towards this challenge, so I am (I think!) 27/50.
The Black God's Drums P. Djèlí Clark - this was okay.
Girl in a Band by Kim Gordon - this was my book by a musician. (Twice in the book she says she's NOT a musician, but I think we can all agree that this member of Sonic Youth counts as a "musician"!!) This was also just okay.
The Last Days of New Paris by China Miéville - I read this for AtY (the Wedding prompts, something new, since "new" is in the title). Also just okay. LOL I had a very "okay" start to my reading week!
How Long 'til Black Future Month? by N.K. Jemisin - finally a book I loved!!! This was my book with a question in the title.
Descender, Vol. 6: The Machine War written by Jeff Lemire - a disappointing end to this series, but still pretty good.
American Spy by Lauren Wilkinson - omg so good! My heart!! This is billed as a modern espionage book, and it is, but it's mostly about a family, so ... it became my "book about a family." (It could also work for pub in 2019, debut, or loosely based on a true story - the main character is fictional, but Thomas Sankara and the events in Burkina Faso are real.)
Question of the Week:
This week I have TWO questions!
1. This was suggested by Lauren: How much of your reading is fiction compared to nonfiction?
2. Because I saw so many people mention tea last week! Where are my coffee peeps? Are you:
A) tea
B) coffee
C ) neither
Yeah I know many people (including me) drink both, but pick one that you love best!!
1. My reading tends to be about 10% - 15% non-fiction, another 5% - 10% poetry, and the remainder fiction. I was actually a little surprised when I did the math and saw that my non-fiction percentage was as high as it was! I think of myself as a fiction reader.
2. COFFEE
I'm drinking coffee right now.