Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2019 Weekly Checkins
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Week 17: 4/18 - 4/25
Hello,Montréal is in the same mood as NY apparently. Coat today, only a vest last week end.
Today is my youngest son's birthday and yesterday was my husband's birthday so we are in cake mode. I can't complain.
I finished two books:
Circe for the book inspired by mythology. I loved it as I love The Song of Achilles. The way the author wrote those stories seems to make them core accessible. At least for me.
Annabelle, Où Es Tu? for the question in the title. It was my favorite book when I was 8-9 and since my son is reading it I decided to re-read it too. And I made the exception to count it toward the challenge. It was still good but more in a nostalgic way.
Currently reading:
Thorgal - tome 36 - Aniel because my husband received it as a gift and want to discuss it with me.
The Lost World to read something not about Sherlock Holmes by Conan Doyle.
QOTW: The plot is everything for me too. There are some exception of course and mostly french books for me.
Nadine, I can't explain the cover for Death's End also. Did you like the fairy tales? I thought it was one of the great thing in that book. A little bit like the game in the first book. The author is good for story within a story.
We are in full-blown spring here! Still some occasional cool mornings (which I love), but we've hit the 80's a couple of times in the last week (I do NOT love). I wish the 60's & 70's weather would just last longer! Not ready for summer heat.I was on vacation in Florida last week, and I always go on vacation with visions of reading ALL.THE.BOOKS. That never happens. I managed to finish a few books, but mostly that was audio on the very long drive back and forth. Only one of those fits into this week's dates, and I haven't finished anything since I got back!
Book finished:
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas - reread of a favorite.
Currently reading:
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier - reread for book club. I like this book, but I think I'm just not in the mindset to read it right now. I haven't been wanting to pick it up. It feels more like a fall/winter read for me.
I have picked up a few other books, but I haven't committed to anything else yet.
QOTW
Plot definitely. I can appreciate beautiful writing, but something needs to be happening too. I love that bit during the credits of the movie version of Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Amelia is reading part of a Virginia Woolf novel and Isola is giving her a hard time "is it too much to ask for something to happen?"
Good morning from St. Louis! It's damp and misty, but it still feels like spring and the Cardinals (as well as the Blues) have been playing beautifully. I thought fall was my favorite season... maybe I need to re-evaluate.Challenge Progress: 28/50
Completed:
The Orchid Thief: A True Story of Beauty and Obsession: There's a lot of weird going on here. I mean, it's about Florida and orchids... And then it's all these people with their obsessions. It sounds like it should be really, really interesting, but it's not. At least not as interesting as it could be. I think it it ended up becoming sort of bloated. Like maybe it should have stayed a magazine article and not expanded into a full-length book. (A book with a plant in the title or on the cover)
Vicious: Complex characters and an intriguing look at what makes a villain... You haven't read this one before. But I didn't give it 5 stars. I would have preferred the story-telling to be a bit more linear. Jumping back and forth in the timeline was sometimes a bit confusing, but overall this was an original and entertaining read. (A book about someone with a superpower)
Currently Reading: How Long 'til Black Future Month? ( book with a question in its title), Sounds Like Titanic (a book written by a musician), and The Guineveres (a book set in an abbey, cloister, monastery, vicarage, or convent).
QOTW: It's plot. Always. I can forgive some shoddy writing if the plot is compelling, but even if it's beautifully written, a directionless or ill-conceived plot is a killer... a possible DNF and a scathing review.
The south coast of England had summer temperatures for the whole bank holiday weekend. It's either a miracle or climate change. I even managed to avoid sunburn despite being outside all the time. It's gone back to spring weather now and is very windy.This week I read A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World for my Care of Magical Creatures O.W.L. and ATY (Chinese Zodiac). I liked this low-conflict post-apocalyptic tale, where the end was brought in by a lack of reproduction and most of humanity slowly died off.
I listened to The Water Cure for a book about a family. I've seen a lot of people annoyed that this was compared to Handmaid's Tale, but it's more a story about how children raised in isolation can be made to believe whatever their parents tell them, justifying abuse. The attitudes the how women should be and the "cures" were all quite Victorian.
Currently listening to The Happy Brain: The Science of Where Happiness Comes From, and Why for ATY (STEM) which is a neuroscientist's attempt to find out what causes happiness. It's fascinating! It's also improving my mood by not being a bleak vision of the future, haha. I need to find more happy books to listen to.
The House of Binding Thorns for my Potions O.W.L. which will be my last one for the magizoologist career. I don't think I'll get to O grade as I was starting to feel a bit restricted by the prompts and desperate to read other things.
PS: 24/52 | ATY: 23/52 | GR: 47/100
QOTW:
I can deal with average writing if the plot grabs me but not the other way round. I don't mind a slow story as long as there's a point to it all. I can't stand those books where it's just regular people doing not much, even if the writing is beautiful. Also just because the language isn't beautiful, it doesn't mean it's not good writing.
If I'm going to read something very poetic, I prefer it in short stories or novellas.
Hi all, from a crispy South Africa. Autumn is fully here now, and although the days are still warmish, nights are getting colder. So much so that the blankets finally came out over Easter.I just love short work weeks! And we have 4 in a row here. And with me not working Fridays anymore, that means a few 3-day weeks, yay!
Since last check-in, I managed to read 4 books:
Foundation – for the book recommended by a celebrity (Elon Musk) prompt (and History of Magic O.W.L.). I thought that it started off slowly, and while it never really built up to full speed, I kept wanting to find out what happened next. Overall I quite enjoyed it. I thought that parts of it were quite cleverly done, but I did find that the stories tended to have an element of similarity to them as they progressed, so while I’m really keen to continue reading the series, I think I’m going to wait a while before tackling the next one.
Where Angels Fear to Tread – for the debut novel prompt (and Charms O.W.L.). I struggled a bit with the writing style, the fickle characters and the archaic nature of the time period it is set in, which is strange as I haven’t had issues with other books set in a similar time. The main twist was a bit jarring, but I liked the end twist.
Vinegar Girl – for the retelling of a classic prompt (and Ancient Runes O.W.L). This is part of the Hogarth series of reimagining Shakespeare’s works and is based on the Taming of the Shrew. Unfortunately, while the book was easy enough to read, I was disappointed and thought that it fell flat…
Shadow and Bone – not for this challenge but does count toward the Care of Magical Creatures O.W.L. I’m really enjoying the series and looking forward to finishing the trilogy over the weekend (for the Potions and Defence Against the Dark Arts O.W.L.s).
That takes me to 29/50 for PS, and 6 O.W.L.s so far.
QOTW:
Both are important, but of the two, I’d definitely agree with plot. And if there’s a great twist that I couldn’t see coming, even better! I think that a badly written book with a strong plot can still be salvaged, but a well written book with no plot can leave me wanting…
Happy Thursday!25/50 -- halfway!
Spring has sprung! I came to work coatless and will be sweating at lunch! My roses look amazing and I’m itching to put tomatoes in the ground.
The Witch Elm arrived yesterday after a long hold and a 7 day interlibrary loan transit!
Completed:
Tear Me Apart by J T Ellison is billed as a thriller, while the jacket reads like a drama. A family is ripped apart when their daughter, a skier with a chance for the Olympics, breaks her leg. It is revealed that Mindy, the daughter, has bone cancer and needs familial stem cells to have a chance at beating it. DNA testing shows that Mindy is not Lauren and Jasper’s daughter. Lauren’s sister, Juliette, knows Jasper isn’t the father, believing Lauren’s first husband is. Juliette works for the Colorado Bureau of Investigations and starts finding a lot of oddities. The first husband is dead. The doctor is dead. Lauren now claims she was involved in a closed adoption, but the numbers aren’t adding up. Loved it!
The Banker’s Wife by Christina Aiger, also for enjoyment. This was a great read, too – Swiss banker Matthew Parker dies in a plane crash, leaving his young widow Annabelle to mourn. His secretary and the attorney with whom he worked frequently were both leaking information of impropriety to the US Government and the media. Lots of suspicious deaths.
In Progress:
Sister Eve and the Blue Nun from the e Library, but that’s only because the library closed early for the Easter holiday due to tornado warnings! It will work for my cloister, abbey, monastery read, though!
A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner is also a Hoopla loan since the library was slow delivering The Witch Elm
QOTW Plot or writing?
I guess I’ll have to say plot, since I still read plenty of James Patterson. If the writing is absolutely atrocious, I will send a book back.
The last few weeks I was so busy for work with trials and hearings, and then I was incredibly sick. I'm finally getting back to normal and can enjoy the beautiful spring weather, which, of course, means it's going to rain. I kind of like spring rain and how everything looks so green and fresh. But I wouldn't mind some nice sunny 80 degree days, either.This week I finished 4 books. Most of that happened on a train to NYC, which is one of my favorite places to read. I finished Dolores Claiborne (no chapters) which was really great. I like Stephen King, but I tend to stick to his fantasy books and the Richard Bachman stuff. I guess I should branch out more with his books. When I finished this book, I hit halfway on the Popsugar challenge!
I then finished Montague Island Mysteries and Other Logic Puzzles (book that is a puzzle). It's really more of a straight puzzle book, but it does have a plot and I enjoyed the book.
After that, I finished Prince: The Last Interview and Other Conversations (not for this challenge), which I kind of regret reading because now I think that Prince was maybe kind of an awful person. That makes me sad and I'm trying to just forget I read this and go back to loving Prince and his music.
Finally, I read Where'd You Go, Bernadette (book made into a movie), which was enjoyable but I feel like it was missing a point.
I am currently reading War and Peace (book someone is reading in a movie), Tokyo Cancelled (book that takes place in one day), and Captive: A Mother's Crusade to Save Her Daughter from the Terrifying Cult Nxivm (two books with the same title along with another book titled Captive which I haven't started yet). I have been fascinated by the Nxivm story for some time, particularly after I listened to the CBC Uncover podcast about it, which was one of the best podcasts I've heard.
QOTW: Writing. I could read a book about nothing if it's written well.
Good morning fellow readers!This was a complete children's book week for me. I read six books for kiddos that are in third to fifth-ish grade and seventeen picture books. I am still going strong on the books for my youth reading committees, but think I might need a little palate cleanser next week and will read a few books for adults (or even YA).
I read:
The Language of Spells- about a girl and her dragon in modern day Vienna. It was fine, not great but not awful.
Rosetown- which had no plot and was really boring.
Secret Sisters of the Salty Sea- again, no plot and really boring.
Because of the Rabbit- I usually like Cynthia Lord, but this was not her best effort.
Knights vs. Dinosaurs- there is half an hour I will never get back. Although there is probably a second or third grade market for this.
Caterpillar Summer- I thought this one was fantastic. I am trying to be objective. Was it fantastic because it really was well done, or was it fantastic because everything else I read this week was not well done? I think the plot was good, and it was well written. I'm going with the benefit of the doubt and saying it was just a good book that I would recommend to young readers.
In picture books you might want to check out: Felipe and Claudette, Pies from Nowhere: How Georgia Gilmore Sustained the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Drawn Together, and Gondra's Treasure. My favorite picture book of the week was Because by Mo Willems.
QOTW:
I think it is clear from my reviews this week that plot is important to me.
Happy Reading!
Happy Thursday everyone! It's a very good Thursday for me as it's my Friday! Tomorrow my husband and I fly back to California to go to a coworkers wedding and then I'm spending all of next week visiting family. This past week was a really good reading week. I feel like I'm completely out of my slump (which had been going on the past 2 months). I finished 5 books this week, 3 of which were over 600 pages each, and most importantly I really enjoyed almost all of them!
I just updated my challenge list and I'm at PS 25/50, ATY 18/52, non-challenge 6/50, total: 49/152
So this week 3 of the books I read were the A Court of Thorns and Roses Series by Sarah Maas. Maybe not perfect books but really enjoyable. Especially the second and third books (A Court of Mist and Fury and A Court of Wings and Ruin). It's been a while since I've had a book/series where I did not want to stop reading. I felt satisfied with how the third book tied up so I'm a bit nervous to seek out the 4th book which is based in that world. I'd love to read her other series Throne of Glass but the two copies of the first book that my library has are both listed as lost.
Then I started What If It's Us on audio which was sweet but I think I am too old to really enjoy the book the way that most of the reviewers have. I ended up liking the book more towards the end. I was good with the ending and I'm glad I stuck it out. It could have been the audio narrators delivery in parts but some of the dialog had me rolling my eyes and just not caring about the story towards the beginning. I nearly DNF'ed because it just felt like nothing was really happening. It ended up somewhat redeeming itself about 75% of the way through. Still I'd probably give this one 2.5 stars.
Last night I finished Illuminae which I grabbed from the library purely on instinct and was completely shocked by how engrossed I got in the story. I really enjoyed the more artistic typographic layouts toward the end (even if they were at time harder to read). I fully recommend this book if you were someone who enjoyed the epistolary format of Sleeping Giants.
Currently Reading
How Long 'til Black Future Month? - I don't usually go for books of short stories and it's showing with how frequently I'm reaching over this book for one of the other library books I have at home. I do want to finish it (I'm only like 3 stories in) but it's nearing the return date for the library so I may bring it back and check it out again when I am in a different mood.
QOTW:
100% the plot. I get very bored easily when nothing happens. It also helps that I have a very high tolerance for poor writing. If the bones are good but say the grammar isn't perfect I can still get through it. Probably from my many years of sifting through fanfiction and also the fact that my own grammar/writing skills aren't amazing. I think this is why I have a hard time with poetry. I appreciate the writing and beauty of a lot of poems but I haven't really ever been drawn to read a whole book of it.
Hello everyone! I feel like life is (maybe?) calming down to some kind of normal. However, I’m trying to break the habit of reading in bed when I get insomnia, and that is a challenge! I hate getting up out of my cozy bed to go to a dark empty living room. But evidently I may have been training my brain to think, “Bed - the place we lie awake at 3am and read!” So hopefully this habit change will help me sleep better.Finished
Rising Strong - A book by an author whose first and last names start with the same letter - Ugh, this was hard to get through. I had seen Brown praised up and down in self-improvement circles, and I’m not immune to self-help books, whimsical swearing, and inspirational quotes. But this did NOT come together for me at all. The self-help was waaaay too self-involved on Brown’s part, the swearing seemed like a forced “tee-hee, we’re being bad!” affectation, and the inspirational quotes were so thick on the ground, it was hard to find any real content. The good thing is, I did get some enjoyment out of hate-reading the last few chapters and composing a scathing review.
Pride and Prejudice - A book that has inspired a common phrase or idiom It has the most famous opening sentence in English literature for a damn good reason! This was my third or fourth read and it still delivers. Even the plot hinging on revolting, outdated sexual mores can’t detract from it in my mind. I love every character, and how applicable Austen’s observations are about human nature, even to this day.
Currently Reading
Ghost Stories: Classic Tales of Horror and Suspense - Two books that share the same title - Oy, this second story is giving me a headache. It's made up of a bunch of nested stories, there are way too many layers of storytellers, some of whom wind up to be lying about hearing the story from a friend, so the story is really about them, and the stories all have stuff like, “this lady cheated on her husband so naturally as a result she had to curse herself (?) so her ghost would try to kill children in her bloodline,” as though these are well-understood cultural tropes, which in my case, they definitely are not! Hopefully the rest of the short stories in the book are easier to read.
Tales from the Gas Station: Volume One - A book with a plant in the title or on the cover - So far this seems like a spiritual cousin to Gil's All Fright Diner and Welcome to Nightvale, so I’m on board. It’s narrated by a guy styled “Mr. Creepy Pasta” which I take to mean he has a YouTube channel. This makes me feel like I’m gaining street cred with my teen and tween. (I feel the young people enjoy it when I “get down” verbally.)
QOTW
What's more important to you: beautiful writing or a strong plot?
Plot, plot, plot! The writing must be competent, and I can appreciate beautiful language, but if the plot is a mess I don’t care.
(I should note that I class character development as plot in this analysis. Pride & Prejudice has very little “action” but the personal interactions and character growth is entrancing.)
Hello, everyone! I don't have anything to report because this was such a slooow reading week. My mom was visiting for the last week and a half. If we weren't out doing things, we were working on jigsaw puzzles at home. I had some time in the evenings I could have read, but my mom can't sit quietly for more than a few minutes and interrupted reading makes me angry, so for the sake of keeping the peace, I didn't open a book. I'll have some time to read tomorrow while I'm traveling for work and over the weekend so hopefully I'll have something to report next week.
Currently Reading
Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth
A Voyage Long and Strange: Rediscovering the New World by Tony Horwitz
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
QOTW
It's definitely about plot for me. I usually won't notice poor writing if the plot is engaging. On occasion, I will find a book where the opposite is true. In those cases, there is usually an amazing cast of characters that I want to know more about. I can enjoy a thin plot if the characters who aren't doing a whole lot are loveable (or love-to-hateable ;) ).
Another week gone. How is time passing so fast? 8 weeks and it is mid-year break (well 9 but I'm taking a week of long-service leave). Still nothing from the errant one. Seriously worried. I have a practicum teacher on her final placement with me, for the term, from South Australia so I hope the kids are nice to her. They are rough as guts but mostly honest and loyal once there is trust.
Not a particularly good reading week as I found a series on Netflix which I binged.
Completed:
I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban which has been on the heap for 6 months. One of the few books which has really disappointed me. I HATED the writing. It made Malala seem really self-centred and boastful and really should have been edited better. I can understand that since English is not her first language she would struggle to be emotive rather than just stating facts but the co-writer and editors should have done a better job with such an important story. Used for ATY person's name.
The Breakfast Club for 40-Somethings: A Novel Approach to Unlearning Money and Reinventing Your Life I actually quite liked this one. A gentle reminder of the need to check your finances at each stage of life. ATY number in the title.
My favourite of the week: The Rabbits fantastically clever illustration of the harm the arrival of Europeans has done to both Aboriginal people and the environment. It may be meant for kids but is really clever and I am really glad I read it. Not for a challenge.
Currently reading: lots of assignments on Photosynthesis and Routes of Persuasion and not getting far on the fun stuff.
PS 33/53, GR 45/75, ATY 35/52
QOTW
Plot 99% of the time but occasionally the writing really is so bad it detracts from the story e.g. I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban.
Happy Thursday! I feel like I had a better week this week and was able to focus on my reading a bit more. Finished:
Lilac Girls It's always a little weird for me to say I loved a book about the Holocaust, but I honestly loved this book. It was written beautifully, and I liked how it was told from three totally different perspectives. I used this for prompt #38 - a novel based on a true story. Two of the characters are real people and the third was based on a prisoner at Ravensbruck.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them I listened to this in one day on my commute. I loved hearing the different sounds of the beasts, but I'm sad that I didn't get to see Harry and Ron's margin notes that are in the actual book. I might have to take it out from my library. I used this for prompt #27 - a book featuring an extinct or imaginary creature.
Miracle Creek I read this for prompt #37 - a book with a two-worded title. I don't want to say much since this book just released, but it was very good.
Challenge Progress:
Regular Challenge - 22/40
Advanced Challenge - 4/10
Currently Reading
Sweet Little Lies for prompt #22 - a book with a title that contains "salty", "sweet", "bitter", or "spicy"
The Sugar Queen for prompt #10 - a book with "pop", "sugar", or "challenge" in the title
The East End so far this isn't for a prompt. I have an ARC so I'm reading it before it releases on May 7th.
QOTW - What's more important to you: beautiful writing or a strong plot?
Definitely a strong plot. I think both are important, but I need a book to keep my interest!
31/50Finished:
Lady Susan by Jane Austen for a book published posthumously.
Currently reading:
Whose Body?
QOTW:
The plot. I don't want to read a book with a bad plot even if the writing is amazing.
Christine wrote: "Hello everyone! I feel like life is (maybe?) calming down to some kind of normal. However, I’m trying to break the habit of reading in bed when I get insomnia, and that is a challenge! I hate getti..."Mr. Creepy Pasta? That's actually pretty clever... "Creepypasta" is the term for a spooky story shared around the Internet, sometimes as a blog post but sometimes as a video series or even an interactive video game. "Slenderman" is probably the most popular thing to have risen out of the "creepypasta" fad on the Internet.
I finished the challenge this week! Whoo… now to finish the various series I’ve started, and then chip away at my massive to-read list until next year’s challenge is announced.Books read this week:
Redwall – for “book set in an abbey, cloister, monastery, vicarage, or convent.” My brother read and loved these books while we were growing up, so it’s about time I got around to reading the first one myself. This is one of those books I would have loved had I read it as a child or teen – now I just find myself questioning the logic behind the world (just what size are these talking animals anyhow?) and finding it a rather bog-standard fantasy, just with animals instead of the usual humans/elves/dwarves/orcs mix.
Click Here to Start – for “book revolving around a puzzle or game.” Fun YA read revolving around a genre of computer games called “escape games,” with some unexpected ties to World War II and the Japanese internment camps.
Casual Rex – not for the challenge (though could fill the slot for “book about an extinct creature”). Sequel to Anonymous Rex, which I loved… but I didn’t find the second book quite as good as the first, personally. Still fun, especially if you’re a dinosaur lover.
Hostage – graphic novel, not for the challenge. A harrowing yet ultimately hopeful account of the abduction of Doctors-Without-Borders worker Christophe Andre and his months spent in captivity. It’s long for a graphic novel, but worth the read.
Regular Challenge – 43/43
Advanced Challenge – 10/10
Non-challenge books – 19
DNFed The Eyes in the Dark. A combination of overwrought writing and VERY unlikable characters turned me off from this one. Why do so many writers trying to write teenage protagonists assume that sex is all they think/talk about?
Currently Reading:
The Princess and the Fangirl (could work for “retelling of a classic,” as it’s a retelling of The Prince and the Pauper)
Between Mountain and Sea: Paradisi Chronicles
QOTW:
It's hard for me to choose, because in my mind both are important. I AM a sucker for gorgeous writing, however, and will often stick with a bland or weak plot if the writing is wonderful. Still, a strong plot can often save bad writing, and vice versa.
We had had one hot, summer day last week, so I'm actually really glad to have gone back to cool, misty spring days. My least favorite thing about spring is how fast the hot summer days come!I only finished one book this week, but I'm poised to finish off two or three next week, I'm just working on too many at once right now.
Finished Reading:
Golden Son Really enjoying this series (though sometimes enjoy isn't quite the right word, because parts of it get harsh). I'm using this one for set in space--parts of it are set on the Moon or Mars, but there are several important space battles and such.
Currently Reading (still so many I'm in the middle of, but only listing the ones I made progress on this week):
Tomorrow Will Be Better: A True Story of Love and One Family's Triumph over the Horrors of World War II Finally found my stride with this one and am racing through it. Recommended for those who enjoy reading history.
Morning Star Third book in the Red Rising trilogy, and the revolution has gotten... messy.
Spy School Finally started a new audio book. This one has a fun premise, but isn't grabbing my attention that well.
QOTW:
The question is really hard for me to answer as it's worded. I think I have to say it's actually C, interesting and relatable characters.
I need a certain level of good writing to enjoy it, but 'beautiful' writing does NOT interest me unless I already care about the story. And I do need the story to have a good, basic structure, but as long as it has that, it doesn't bother me if it's a slow meandering story about people doing every day things.
My least favorite thing in a book is long descriptions of the setting, whether beautifully worded or not.
PopSugar Challenge-28/40Goodreads Challenge- 35/60
Finished This Week:
The Library Book A book recommended by a celebrity you admire I read this as an ebook and I loved it. It is very interesting I like the backdoor experience of a library and how LA came together after the fire. I really do encourage others to read this.
The Right Side of History: How Reason and Moral Purpose Made the West Great A book that's published in 2019 I am reading this as an ebook. It was sometimes a hard read just to get all the points together in my mind but it was well researched and seemed to have a lot of thought put into it.
Non Challenge Books:
Linger I read this as an audiobook and thought I would give this series another try. I am not in love with it. I think that after this book I might quit the series or at least read a bunch of other things before I come back to the rest of the series. Its such a shame it is so cheesy. I really did enjoy this author's book about the water horses that I thought I found a new YA author I could read, but I do not think that is the case anymore.
Wired I needed a lighter read this week. It was an interesting premise and wasn't terribly cheesy. Not a huge romance person but every once in a while its a good easy cleanse. I decided to read a few more from this author to see if I will continue with her.
Currently Reading:
I am only reading one book for the popsugar challenge but have 3 books going at the moment.
Oathbringer Book with a superpower This is the third book in the trilogy and it has been a couple of years since I read the other two installments. But it is a large book over 1200 pages so I foresee listening to this audiobook for around 2 to 3 months.
Hotshot the other romance book I thought I would read through. Its cheesier than the last one but not so much that I cannot keep reading it.
The Wolf in the Whale I have had this on hold at the library forever and though I got it a few days ago I have not gotten around to reading it just yet. But I do hope I really like it.
QOTW
What's more important to you: beautiful writing or a strong plot?
I definitely need a strong plot the writing is important but all the beautiful writing in the world cannot make a dull story with a horrible plot manageable.
We've got another overcast day here in Northern Indiana. But I'm only working a half day and seeing Avengers: Endgame tonight, no I'm not going to complain...too much.I'm pretty proud of myself, I finished three books this week.
Finished Reading:
Redshirts - for a book set in space. I really loved this. I'm a Start Trek fan and loved getting the inside scoop on the redshirts perspective.
Magpie Murders - for a book revolving around a puzzle or game. I liked this book, didn't love it. There were some parts that dragged but I did really like the two time lines and the actual mysteries.
No Exit - for book that takes place in a single day. It's a bit of a stretch for this category but it does take place in the span of less than 24 hours, so I'm using it. I really loved this. It kept throwing curve-balls at you when you think the mystery part is solved. This is a must read for mystery thriller fans.
Currently Reading:
I'm planning on reading Where'd You Go, Bernadette this week for a book with a question in the title.
QOTW:
Like most everyone else, I need a strong plot. Of course I want great writing but the plot is key.
Good morning everyone! Foggy spring day today, but the tulips are up and it is finally warm here! Also means the allergies are starting, so I have my antihistamines ready.
I’m at 27/50. Only read one book for the challenge this week.
The Guineveres- A book in a convent. Teenage girls live in a convent. Well, this was not my favorite. I thought the author writes beautifully, but I didn’t like the structure of the novel and the ending.
While traveling I read a couple of non-challenge books on the kindle. (The Wedding Date- would obviously work for the wedding prompt, but I filled that all ready. Fun book, good plane read. Force of Nature - ok, but I liked the The Dry better. Jane Harper can really make you feel locations, This one is set in wet, cold woods, compared to her last book’s drought.
QOTW: is it cheating to say it depends on my mood? Sometimes fast moving vacation reads are great, but on cold rainy days I don’t mind a well written novel where nothing much happens.
Mod
Finished reading: (23/50)The Last One (revolving around a game, meant to read in 2018, multi-POV) - Really cool premise here: The main character is a contestant in a hardcore wilderness survival reality TV show. While she's in the woods doing a Solo Challenge, a pandemic hits, and she doesn't know - so she thinks everything that follows is scripted as part of an increasingly elaborate game.
I loved both the pre-pandemic reality TV segments (which focus on how the production crew crafts the narrative for the viewer) and the survival segments afterward (which are basically a study in suspension of disbelief and how far it can stretch). A clever and surprisingly emotional read.
Clockwork Angel & Clockwork Prince & Clockwork Princess (accessory on the cover, author's first/last names start with the same letter, two-word title, superpowers, imaginary creatures, multi-POV, author from Asia) - Apparently it's fun trash fantasy month! First the Grisha trilogy, now this. (But this was better than the Grisha trilogy.) It's got a decent plot carried by a great cast; even the side characters get a lot of development. There's a lot of focus on the ~*~love triangle~*~ which was melodramatic and ludicrous in a good way. I ate buckets of popcorn.
QotW:
Gotta be plot. If nothing is happening, I'm going to be bored no matter how pretty the writing is.
Hello from Columbus! We’ve had such a lovely last few weeks that I tossed books aside in favor of being outside, going to the park and just generally soaking up the sunshine in cool weather. A nice break!Echo this was for a bookriot prompt. It’s a really sweet story about music, family, friendships, and a harmonica. It’s in four different parts, each telling a story set in WWII and they’re all intertwined. It’s sweet and sad but ultimately heartwarming. It’s a middle school aged book so I’ll most definitely be passing this on to my 7th grader.
I’m at 21/40 and 1/10 for popsugar, 5/24 for book riot, 1/12 for back to the classics, and 7/37 for the marisha pessl challenge. 52 books read this year.
Qotw: I’m so bad at assessing plot, but I love love love beautiful writing.
Good Morning from Santa Fe, NM...where it was warm and we turned off the heat, then cold and we missed the heat and now warm again (70 and everything is blooming)!I had a productive week reading (especially with the 3 cold, rainy, dreary days we had :) I am almost finished with my O.W.L.s exams and then I will be an Alchemist!
First I want to clarify that I picked A Discovery of Witches as my own interpretation of a book becoming a movie in 2019 because of its release on Netflix. I had originally had The Nightingale in that category and if I get to reading that book, I may switch!
Finished:
A Game of Thrones for a book with 1,000,000 ratings on GR and also my History of Magic O.W.L.s exam. This was a reread for me...I had read the first 2 GOT books when they were originally published, then life got in the way and I never finished the series. We love the HBO series and with the finale in progress, both my husband and I decided to reread the first book! Now my goal is to read the series by early 2020! In rereading, I noticed many more details in the story and kept the characters separated and straight (they didn't all run together)!
My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton for a book by 2 female authors and my Arithmancy O.W.L.s exam. I am a history buff and had read Ron Chernow's book years ago. I had forgotten the details of Alexander Hamilton's life and also didn't know a lot about Eliza Schuyler and her family so this was an interesting read for me. I loved the female perspective of historical events!
The Kiss Quotient for a book whose author's first and last name begins with the same letter...a light, enjoyable read
The Song of Achilles for a retelling of a classic and my Ancient Ruins O.W.L.s exam. Well, I am in the minority with this one...it didn't really catch all of my interest although I am going to give it another chance and reread it in the future! Maybe I just wasn't in the mood to read this book at this time :( Generally, I love Greek Mythology and retellings so I have to give it another chance! 31/2 stars for me....
My One and Only Duke...not read for the popsugar challenge but fulfills my "Mayfair" space (read a historical romance where class is a disparity) in my Romanceopoly reading challenge. I haven't read an historical romance in a while and like Grace Burrowes writing so this was an enjoyable read for me!
Currently Reading:
Crooked Kingdom for a book written by a musician (for those of you who don't know, I read on her biography that she plays in a band:) and my Potions O.W.L.s exam. Six of Crows got me hooked (it was the first book of hers that I have read) and now Crooked Kingdom is pulling me in deeper!
The Binding for a book about a hobby and my Herbology O.W.L.s exam. I have just started but really enjoy the first few chapters!
Cinder not for the popsugar reading challenge but will complete my Divination O.W.L.s exam and the "Alien Ave" (read a sci fi romance or sci fi novel) space in Romanceopoly. I have read good things about this series on GR and the my hold at the library was finally fulfilled!
QOTW: I definitely need a strong plot to pull me into a book! I do so enjoy beautiful writing but without a plot, it is an empty book!
Mod
YES!!!! When Yun Tianming said he was going to tell Chang Xin their old fairy tales, I just knew we would get to hear each tale in its entirety, and we did! and they were absolutely the best part of the book for me!! I didn't care so much about their hidden meanings (although that was very very clever), I just enjoyed the story! If Liu ever writes a book of his own fairy tales, I'm reading it!
Mod
The Last One (revolving around a game, meant to read in 2018, multi-POV) - Really cool premise here: The main character is a contestant in a hardcore wild..."
That book was great! Such a clever idea, and I still think about it now (about a year? after reading it).
Nadine wrote: "Happy Thursday!!! It's SPRING but it's also 32 deg this morning so I turned the heat back on, I couldn't take it any more. Up here in NY we are in the "two steps forward, one step back" portion of ..."Nadine, I have added The Three-Body Problem to my TBR because of your mention of Death's End and according to the holds on the book at the library, it looks like it will be a good one to read! One my husband will enjoy too...
Mod
the scope of it was immense. So that was fun to read, partly because my day-to-day problems with Congress seem fairly petty.
After big storms yesterday it's a beautiful spring day here in Austin, TX. This week I finished two audiobooks, and I have eight prompts left for the challenge.
A Spark of Light - This was well done but tough to get through because of the subject matter. It rekindled all of the rage one can have about the subject as it's a policy area that has fallen a bit behind others for me lately. And it seems to be one of those things that the two sides can never come to a compromise about, so I wish we could separate it from partisan politics so we could work on other issues. I was hoping for a little more background on George, but I think the other characters were developed pretty well and the author made a good effort to tell the story backwards. 4 stars
Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery I enjoyed this one slightly more than expected since I'm not super interested in space exploration. The writing was simple, but he shared just enough about his personal background and the details of living in space for a year. I'm doing this one and Shackleton's "Endurance" for the 'two books with the same title' prompt. 3 stars
I'm currently reading Dreaming in Cuban on kindle, and just started listening to Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do? (question in the title) and The Shape of Water (imaginary creature).
QOTW: Good question! Obviously a book that has a strong plot and beautiful writing will stand out as a memorable book, but I probably also put a little more priority into the plot (with a caveat that they don't try to do too much with the plot - too many side stories getting in the way of the main one). The book I'm reading now is a slight counterexample though, as I'm finding the writing to be wonderful (I've highlighted a ton of passages that caught my attention, and I don't normally have a lot of highlights in novels). "Dreaming in Cuban" includes the stories of various characters and things are happening, but I'm enjoying it more for the writing, and not as concerned about where it's going or how it will end.
-Examples of strong plot/beautiful writing (for my taste at least): The Shadow of the Wind, Kindred, Washington Black, The Heart's Invisible Furies, A Man Called Ove
-Examples of beautiful writing, not a strong enough plot: Warlight, The Night Circus, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek
Hi everyone! I have nothing cool to say about SoCal weather. It'll be the same from now until December, pretty much. This week I didn't finish any challenge books (whoops) because I only have 12 open categories or something and it's getting hard to slot my upcoming reading in, so I'll have to start being more deliberate about it. Read:The Mermaid's Voice Returns in This One: liked it! Quick poetry read.
Dreyer’s English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style: Omg. So good. I'm a copyeditor, so the whole book I was just nodding along going, "Yes! Yup, completely right." I disagreed with him on one or two points, but this is a fantastic style guide and absolutely worth reading if you want to improve your writing!
A Red Herring Without Mustard: listened on audio. I adore Flavia de Luce! These books have such an addictive quality.
Currently reading:
I Capture the Castle
Tortilla Flat
How Long 'til Black Future Month?
I Am Half-Sick of Shadows (audio)
The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson
QOTW: I guess I'm in the minority here! I can tolerate a plot where not much happens (many of my favorite books have terrible plots), but I can't sit through bad writing at all. I become complainy and bored and quickly DNF books like that, even if the plot is grabby.
Hello everyone! I think this is my first update for this year; I've gotten out of the habit somehow. I'm at 18/50 right now, so things are ticking along.This week I finished:
Crowned and Dangerous (one of the Her Royal Spyness series, makes me nostalgic) This series put the cozy in cozy mystery for me; I generally don't love mysteries but I really enjoy Georgie and her adventures.
King Leopold's Ghost (set in a fascinating country from one of the previous challenges) I'm trying to learn more about the history of Africa right now, and this was a great book for that. It's history that is as spellbinding as a thriller, and written with deep humanity and empathy. I particularly liked the attention the author called to the voices that were missing from recorded history, i.e., the perspectives of the Congolese themselves. Highly, highly recommended.
I'm currently working on:
Warcross (LitRPG): Let's all be honest, the tech makes NO sense, but I am interested to hear what happens next.
The Old Drift (author from Africa): I had really high expectations for this book, and it's not quite meeting them. I think the fault is my expectations, because it is quite good, but it's hard to avoid my disappointment. Maybe I'll get really into the last 200 pages.
An Unnecessary Woman (no chapters; maybe hobby because she translates books just for herself): I'm finding this book extremely charming, possibly because I really enjoy cantankerous literature nerds who are interested in translation and name-drop obscure authors in real life. Let's move right past how much that would describe me, shall we?
QOTW: My reading tastes are pretty broad, and I can't say I prefer plot or writing all the time. For me, it's more that the book should be hitting the mark at which it's aiming. I'll breeze right by a lot of clunky constructions in a cozy mystery, but I'm profoundly annoyed if the motive for the murderer doesn't make sense. By the same token, if you're writing a book about a supposedly good writer, don't write your book in sloppy sentence fragments because it makes you look like you don't fully understand what you're writing about (looking--no, glaring--at you, The Thirteenth Tale). Words have power to transport us to another world, but they also have power when we step back and examine them; I like to see authors choose one of the two, and use them to their maximum capacity.
Just one more work day and then I am on vacation for a week, which will hopefully involve lots of reading!I finished three books this week, which puts me at 17/50 for the challenge and 32 total books for the year.
Finished
The Parking Lot Attendant - I thought this started off well and then just completely fell apart at the end. I finished to finish but I completely lost interest because it stopped making any sense to me. Not for the challenge.
So Lucky - A fictionalized memoir that suddenly becomes a horror/thriller plot. It wasn't awful but it didn't really work for me. For a book with a two-word title.
The One Hundred Nights of Hero - I don't read a lot of graphic novels but I loved this! I read it straight through in one sitting. The writing is charming and the art is fantastic. Using this one to check off "book you meant to read in 2018."
Currently Reading
The Italian Teacher - This is OK but I feel like I have read too many books this year with emotionally stunted men as the main character and I am just annoyed with Pinch the whole time. Not for the PS challenge but it is the last of the Tournament of Books titles, so time for me to go back and re-read the tournament posts.
Question of the Week
I don't necessarily need an action-packed plot but if there isn't one the writing had better be great and the characters should be well developed. My tolerance for bad writing is pretty low but "average" writing with a good plot is fine by me. So I guess that puts me somewhere in between?
Alison wrote: "First I want to clarify that I picked A Discovery of Witches as my own interpretation of a book becoming a movie in 2019 because of its release on Netflix. I had originally had The Nightingale in that category and if I get to reading that book, I may switch!"oooh, I didn't know they were releasing it on Netflix! Thanks for the clarification!
Hi - I’m a new-ish member and appreciate this group for helping me find books for the prompts! I’m at 16/50. Plot for me to the QOTW!I finished the audio of The Murder House by James Patterson and David Ellis - used for reading in the same season the book takes place (spring). My first novel on audio - usually I do comedy or self-help but this was different and I liked!
Also finished Plea for Justice for my Book Club and meeting the author next week, local author. Using for first and last names with same letter. Just started Big Little Lies which I meant to read last year before the series but I still watched. So far liking the book because it’s delving deep into what they’re really thinking!
Have a nice weekend! 🧐📚❤️
Happy Thursday aka Friday Junior :) Ohio is supposed to be in "spring" but it's just been rainy and crazy with warm and cold days in between. I finished 3 books this week. They were Fatale, Vol. 4: Pray for Rain and Fatale, Vol. 5: Curse the Demon This was a sad ending to a really good series. Even after the ending I'm left with more questions. I really think the author could have put out a few more volumes to explain more of this complex story but, then again maybe not. Maybe he meant for the mystery to remain.
I also finished Book Love
This book could have been used for the prompt about a hobby but I've started another book about another one of my hobbies before I found this a few days ago. This graphic novel was so cute and I enjoyed the comic like structure.
I'm currently reading:
The Friday Night Knitting Club for prompt #8 A book about a hobby. I'm a knitter and this has been on my tbr pile for probably ten years sadly. I'm listening to it and so far so good.
Little Women for prompt #5 A book with at least one million rating on Goodreads. I wanted to read another book but I've seriously been wanting to read more classics so I choose this. I'm not sure how I feel about the book. It's okay but I'm just not into it as much as I thought I would be.
Children of Blood and Bone for my IRL sci-fi book club. I'm enjoying the story so far but it's slow going. I feel invested in the characters and story but I'm not hurrying up to read it either.
QOTW
I think beautiful writing is subjective and as a writer as well as a reader I can attest to this. Plot makes the story and if the plot is horrible and has tons of holes in it the book is not worth reading.
Happy Thursday! I didn't get as much reading done this week because my family was in town for the holidays, so I was focusing on other things. The weather is classic Spring, getting warm and cold, sunny and rainy, all within the span of a day!I finished The Queen of Attolia by Meghan Whalen Turner, which was my OWLs for History of Magic. This was a reread for me, but what a great one! I read it for the first time two (?) years ago, and it instantly became a new favorite. Glad to know I still love it upon a reread!!
Currently I'm making my way through Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup and My Sister, the Serial Killer, two very different books but I'm liking both of them so far.
QOTW: I guess I'm in the minority, but writing is probably more important. Especially since I just finished Illuminae which had a really engaging plot, but just very bad writing (to me!). Christine mentioned she views character development as part of the plot, but for me I'd classify it as part of the writing. I've been getting more irritated when characters are one dimensional. I mean obviously having an interesting plot is important, but unlike a lot of people, I really struggle getting through mediocre writing.
Really interesting question this week!
Well, it's kinda (?) nice here in NY... I have to come to work with multiple layers of clothes on and then remember to take them all home with me so I can repeat the experience the next day! After the hectic past couple of weekends, I'm looking forward to doing very little this weekend and socializing even less!! Maybe I'll get some reading done!I haven't finished anything since last week, but I'm getting close on Bless Me, Ultima I started disc 8 of 10 this morning, I will finish it before next week's check in!
But that leads nicely into the QOTW. I love good, interesting, tight plots! I will read a cliche-filled book if it keeps me guessing (I mean, really, is a murder mystery really a murder mystery if I don't feel compelled to say "dun dun duuuun" at some point in the story??) However, over the years, I have found I have much more patience for character-driven stories if I'm listening to them on audio book. So it's a good thing I'm listening to Bless Me, Ultima, cause not much has happened in 8 discs....
Ali wrote: "Alison wrote: "First I want to clarify that I picked A Discovery of Witches as my own interpretation of a book becoming a movie in 2019 because of its release on Netflix. I had originally had The N..."Oh Ali, I am so sorry...I probably further confused you...I meant to type that Discovery of Witches is on AMC, not Netflix!! I have Netflix on the brain because we just finished watching "Jack Ryan" on Netflix! :0
Mod
I so agree about writing!
Hi everyone! This has been such a great week. I spent a 4-day weekend in Denver visiting my sister and her kids, and it is my last week at my old job! My last day is officially tomorrow, but I’ve already had my update calls with everyone in the office and my final call with my boss, so there is nothing left to do but mail my computer and phone back to the office. Yay!!!!! I didn’t get as much reading done this past week because by the time the kids went to bed in Denver I was exhausted myself, and I’ve taken advantage of the lack of work to do this week by running a million errands and cleaning out closets, cupboards, etc, that I’ve been meaning to clean & organize for months.
25/50 for Popsugar
28/52 for Around the Year
6/26 for The Reading Women Challenge
Books I finished:
Conspiracy in Death by J.D. Robb (Mannegren: Book by an author who uses initials) This is #8 in the “In Death” series and might just be my favorite so far. In this one there is a good medical mystery, but Eve is also suspended and has to clear her name.
The Rule of One by Leslie Saunders & Ashley Saunders (Mannegren: A book with a teenager as a MC) I flew through this one. It could have been better, though, in my opinion. It is set in near future USA, with the governor of Texas having more power than the President. Texas has become a military state and law allows for only 1 child per family, which means that having twins is illegal. Canada is where everyone escapes to so they can live freely and build a resistance movement. When the identical twin sisters flee Texas en route to a safehouse, the story skips a lot of details.
I am currently reading:
While You Sleep by Stephanie Merritt (Around the Year: A book included on the NY Public Library staff picks list)
The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton (Popsugar #39: A book revolving around a puzzle or game)
QOTW: I would say 95% of the time I am all about the plot, including character development. The writing must also be good, but when it gets too flowery with no story direction, I get really turned off.
I am at 48/50.This week I finished:
Aesop's Fables – A book with an idiom. Loved it, naturally.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland – A past prompt (a childhood classic you haven’t read). Love it, naturally.
The Night Before – A book published in 2019. I got this as an ARC from Goodreads. I enjoyed it a lot. There were some interesting character things and twists that I didn’t expect.
A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail – A book about a hobby. I really wanted to like this one, and we started out on good terms, but I was left feeling like the author was trying too hard to be funny and was really being more of a dick.
Warcross – A LitRPG book. Probably 15 people recommended this for me. This genre is not my cup of tea, but I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would, but I was ready for it to be over after the first 2/3.
Currently reading:
The Martian – This was a book I was dreading, because I hate this prompt, so I’m trying really hard to push through.
The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row – I work in the criminal justice field, so these kinds of books are always hard for me, because I want to believe in the system, but so far, so good.
Question of the Week:
What's more important to you: beautiful writing or a strong plot?
PLOT! All day long. I can’t handle too many silly typos, but as long as the basic fundamentals are there, it doesn’t have to read like classic literature for me to enjoy it. Sometimes I feel like I get bogged down in most people’s definitions of “beautiful writing.” For me, beautiful writing hits me in my soul, has me nodding my head, or has me wanting to write down phrases.
I felt like I didn’t read much last week, but looking back, I finished 9 books! I think it felt like I didn’t have a good reading week because I had started 5 of them quite a while ago and I was reading little bits of lots of different books at different times depending on which loans I could extend. Only 1 book was for Popsugar.Books finished:
Saturday - book taking place in one day.
Last Term at Taverton High - for ATY, set in a school
The Fear Index - for ATY, related to STEM
Motherland - for ATY, two related books on a theme (love triangle taking place in war time)
The Reader - for ATY, book about reading
Remarkable Creatures - for Reading Women, woman in science
David Golder - for Reading Women, translated book published before 1945
The Pearl Thief - not for a challenge
Winter of the World - not for a challenge
Currently Reading:
The Story of a New Name
Emily's Quest
La casa de los espíritus
Alexander Hamilton - this seems to be on a long-term pause so I can read and return all of my library books
QOTW:
Plot is definitely more important than beautiful writing to me. But I would love to have both.
When I walked out of my apartment this AM and saw the Japanese dogwood in full bloom in Central Park just across the street, flanked by two purple flowering trees, I was so happy! Last night it was the tulips in front of the main NYPL building. Spring in all its beauty is here - and the temps are perfect! Someone asked me yesterday what season I prefer. My answer: Any where the temp never goes above 65F. I might push to 70F...Just want to remind all that here in the US, Saturday 25 April, is Independent Bookstore Day. It's a great day to go out and help keep an independent book store in business. They are making a comeback! In case any of you are NYC locals and might like to join us - one of my friends here who is also doing Pop Sugar has organized for us an outing to visit new independent bookstores in Queens - first up between 11.30 AM and Noon or so will be Kew & Willow Books in Kew Gardens. Then we will grab lunch in Forest Hills (nearby) before catching the subway to Long Island City where Book Culture has opened a shop. Book Culture is my favorite NYC independent -- and it has 3 of its 4 branches convenient to my home. As I said, if any locals want to join us - easiest will be to join us between 11.30 and Noon at Kew & Willow!
My reading pace has slowed, mostly due to press of work. Fortunately I'm well ahead on most of my challenges:
PS - 32/52
ATY - 39/52
GR - 55/173 - which is actually pretty much dead on target.
I'm thinking I might even finish PS and ATY by end of June!!!!
Finished:
What Would Jane Austen Do? - title with question - if anyone is still looking for something for this - I highly recommend. Eleanor is an historic costume designer (Regency era) in the 21st century. Exhausted and newly jilted, she arrives at an inn near Jane Austen's House Museum in Chawton. The inn was once a country manor house and has 2 ghosts who contrive to persuade Eleanor to travel back in time to a house party at the manor during the height of the Regency to prevent something tragic from happening so they can finally 'rest'. Eleanor is persuaded when promised that she will actually meet Jane Austen herself. Back Eleanor travels, where she meets and falls for the mysterious Lord Shermont who has his own mission to accomplish - unveiling a spy for Napoleon. You can see the plot twists and turns from practically the first page, and some of the connections and introductions made by the author a tad rough, but there was something incredibly engaging about this book and its characters. I also thought it was very clever of the author to make the heroine a regency era costumier and a Janeite, thus easing her time travel to that era. Also would fit ghost story and probably a couple other prompts. [Aside -I've had this on my bookshelf, forgotten, for nearly 10 years (it has a Borders price sticker on it). Suddenly in the middle of the night over the weekend I remembered having some book involving Jane Austen and time travel that had a question in the title...out of bed I climbed and found it in 2 minutes. Clearly what I was meant to read for this prompt!]
The Likeness - not for PS - 2nd in Tana French's Dublin Murder Squad series, and this one is centered on Cassie, who we met in In the Woods. Excellent as always from this author. Loved it but did find it a tad creepy at times. Enough so that I took a short break from it to read my next finish.
The Sobbin' Women - short story actually and slotted as my book with a wedding (7 of them actually...) OK in truth I went looking for a copy to read after re-watching 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' a couple of weeks ago. I found a free copy available in Gutenberg! the movie musical is so familiar, I'd forgotten that the story itself is from Milly's perspective and her clever efforts to improve her own life as well as find wives for the brothers.
The Velveteen Rabbit - not for PS - this is one of the many childhood classics I never read and it was charming! I can see why it has withstood the test of time. William Nicholson's illustrations are lovely, and I particularly enjoyed the 'oh so adult' descriptions of the other toys - my fave is the wooden lion, carved by disabled soldiers, which styles itself as with Government! *snicker*
Currently reading:
The Leopard - not sure what prompt yet, if any. Set in Sicily in 1860, a time of great turmoil, it tells the story the sensuous, complex Prince Salinas during the time of revolution, when Sicily and Naples were breaking with France and Italy was being created. Considered one of the greatest works of historical fiction. I'm enjoying it but not enamored of it. I'm finding the writing maybe a bit too florid and lush. I'm only about 1/3rd in though. Stay tuned.
The Library at the Edge of the World - languishing but will pick up again soon.
April Lady
Sense and Sensibility - my book read in a movie - in Harvey
The Lost Love Letters of Henri Fournier - really need to get back to this one too.
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk
I'm now at the point with the challenge that I just need to focus and read the books I've picked for the remaining prompts -- I'm not going to fit whatever I happen to read into prompts any longer. My reading needs to be more disciplined. That said, with my outing on Saturday for Independent Bookstore Day, I'm probably going to be seduced by many shiny new books!
QOTW: I had to think a little about this - both in some way are important to me. In the end, I think I have to say plot matters most for the majority of the books I read because after all my favorite genres are mysteries of all kinds, with a close second regency historical romances. Those genres are heavily plot driven and it is the plots that draw me in. @Nadine - I'm a huge Dickens fan because of his insane plotting!
But... the books that vividly live on in me, the ones I find myself most often recommending, are the ones with beautiful writing - and it is the beautiful writing I remember first: Bel Canto, The Night Circus, Circe, The Prince of Tides, A Gentleman in Moscow just to name a tiny few.
However, I'm not so enamored of the strictly internal static books - those just don't generally appeal to me although I have read and loved a few.
Finished: Where'd You Go, Bernadette [A book becoming a movie in 2019]
Awesome book. Highly recommend.
The Candle and the Flame [A debut novel]
As a first book it is okay. Problems seem to be solved too quickly and neatly. Characters' motivations seem to change for plot convenience rather than flowing naturally to their logical conclusion.
Currently Reading
A Place for Us [A book recommended by a celebrity you admire]
Her Smoke Rose Up Forever [A book published posthumously]
Northanger Abbey[A book you see someone reading on TV or in a movie]
Jupiter Plague[A book by an author whose first and last names start with the same letter]
The Star Wars Trilogy [A book that makes you nostalgic]
Weather where I am
81°F/27°C
0% Percipitation
41% Humidity
10 mph/16kph winds
QOTW
I think good writing can make any story interesting. Even the most intense, exciting plot can be rendered a drudgery to read if poorly written.
Hi everyone. We very briefly had some sunshine this week but now it's drizzling as usual. I need more sun!!! I have a few busy days coming up so I can't go see Avengers End Game until Tuesday so I'm trying to avoid spoilers like crazyThis week I finished The True Queen. This was a mixed bag for me. I never really cared about the main character, Muna or her sister, all of the twists were very predictable (view spoiler) and the "romance" felt like it was slipped in as an afterthought, but overall it was fun. I liked the little snippets of Prunella and Zacharias but I wanted more of them (and more of the dragons).
I am just about finished The House of the Spirits (only about forty pages to go so I'll finish it up before bed). This has been a roller-coaster of a book. The beginning was horrendous. I almost DNF'd a few chapters in because of the disgusting main character but it was the only book I had with me at the time so I powered through. The middle picked up and I was actually interested in Clara's life but now it has just been page upon page of politics for a while which is not interesting to me. Plus things just turned vile again so I'm hoping it turns around in the last few pages.
Currently reading: The Winter Witch. I decided this was close enough to The Winter of the Witch to count as the same title (yes, I'm cheating a little. I'm fine with it).
QOTW: My knee jerk reaction was plot but I think it is more a bit of both. I am more likely to DNF if the writing is terrible. I've never found a badly written book where the writing improves as it goes along, but with plot there's hope that it'll get better further in
From the other hemisphere of our planet, we are in the "fall" (I can not look like its north fall, because no change in the colors of the leaves, no leaf fall, only a little cold when it gets dark, because the days are still warm ), and I can not take any more heat, I want cold please! (that it is not really cold, a lot people would say)For this week I finished Divergent (a book with at least 1 million ratings). I watched the movie, I wanted to read it at some point, then I found it in the public library, so I thought it was a sign to read it now. I liked it, but it seems that something was missing for me to love it, like something in the execution.
QOTW: The Divergent book really made me think about it, it seems a coincidence that I read this book this week and received that question the same week.
I'd say it's the plot, although some books have great, even incredible plots, but execution being poor makes the book less interesting. Obviously, the beautiful writing with a poor plot is the worst, a lame and well written story does not hold my attention anyway. So a combination of both (plot and beautiful writing) is preferred, but if I have to choose, it always plot.
Sarah wrote: "Currently reading: The Winter Witch. I decided this was close enough to The Winter of the Witch to count as the same title (yes, I'm cheating a little. I'm fine with it)."These are the exact two books I read for those prompts! All the important words are the same. And I liked the idea of having longer, unique titles that matched. Reading two books with the same one word or bland title didn't excite me like this pair did.
Hi all!Long time no update. I have been reading posts, but I haven´t updated...
I read a handful of children´s books for reviews this past week:
Mørkemusen
Hulder til Balder
Tordenhuset
Mur og mågeklatter
Små dyr med store vinger
and one book that works for the challenge:
Hybenhjerter (Rose Hip Hearts. I had no idea rose hips were the name of those in English) for book with a plant in title or cover - this has both
It´s a well-written, interesting book for teens/preteens about a girl who feels lonely and makes up fake profiles that get lots of likes. Nothing crazy happens but she starts to lose track of herself...
And then it´s about time I made a status of my challenges - I have no idea how I am doing, but I think alright. Maybe.
QOTW:
This is a hard one, but I will have to say writing. I don´t know if it needs to be beautiful, but it has to be engaging. I am also allergic to bad grammar (I know I am not perfect myself), clumsy sentences, bad translations etc.
But plot is also important. I need the stories to make sense within
the framework and boundaries the story has set up. So if a character does things out of character and there is no reason within the story, or the magic is explained one way and works another, or there are plots that don´t make sense (if they are supposed to make sense, I like Murakami for example) it bothers me.
But really anything can be a great plot, if it is written well. I would say Hans Christian Andersen is a good example: He has written beautiful, engaging stories that doesn´t seem much plotwise. If he had to make a pitch: "I have this idea, there is this swan´s offspring, who´s mistaken for a duckling. It´s picked upon, is cold in winter, and grows up". Oookay, you´d say - but there is a great plot in that story and it´s there because of the writing.
(Yeah I never could simply answer a question).
Monkiecat wrote: "...And I hate poorly edited books..."
THIS!
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Netzkarte (other topics)The Woman in the Window (other topics)
Chocolat (other topics)
Chocolat (other topics)
Pet Sematary (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Marilynne Robinson (other topics)Laura Lippman (other topics)
Raymond Chandler (other topics)
Ann Cleeves (other topics)
Lisa Scottoline (other topics)
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Admin stuff:
We are getting to the end of the month (wow where did April go???) and finishing up our monthly read of The Witch Elm. The May monthly read will be This is How It Always Is.
We still need discussion leaders for July (The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet) & August (The Wife Between Us), just send a message if you're interested.
This week I finished a bunch of books that I had been poking along on. Two books count towards this Challenge, so I am now 36/50.
Mr. Kiss and Tell by Rob Thomas - I started off listening to this audiobook, assuming it was read by Kristin Bell, like the first book in the series. It is not read by Kristin Bell. Once I switched to the bookbook, I enjoyed it okay. I think I'm using this for the "nostalgic" prompt.
Romeo and/or Juliet: A Chooseable-Path Adventure by Ryan North - this was disappointing, all of my choices lead to boring paths and boring endings!
What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions by Randall Munroe - a lot of fun.
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas - incredibly disappointing! I love love loved THUG, expected the same level of brilliance in her second book, and got ... something else. This would have benefited from a strong editing hand, it was just too long.
Death's End by Liu Cixin- holy crap this book is baNAnas!!! A real mind bender! (This book is also very long.) Portions of this book take place in space, but more than half of it is on Earth so I'm not going to use it for "set in space." If any of you have read it ... can anyone explain the cover art? what the heck is going on there??
HERmione by H.D. - I read and loved this when I was a young woman. I did not enjoy my re-read. I guess I was a very different person in my 20s, because wow. I have tentatively penciled this one in for "reread of a favorite," but it would also work for "posthumous" and I may switch things around, depending on which of those categories I read something else for.
Question of the Week:
What's more important to you: beautiful writing or a strong plot?
I am all about the plot.
Good writing and good plot are both important, of course, but the plot is more important to me. Which is why I got so impatient with my HERmione re-read this week, it's got very little plot. And this is why I stuck with Death's End, the writing could be a little "eh" but the plot was amazing. (I still don't like Charles Dickens though - he does have great plots, but I can't get on board with that Victorian writing. I don't want the writing to get in the WAY of the plot!!)