Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2019 Weekly Checkins
>
Week 20: 5/10 – 5/16
I finished Zorro as my book by an author from South America. Pretty good. Not amazing. Nice, enjoyable read, though.And I have started Between the Actsas my book that takes place in one day. I don't know about this one.
QOTW I like both but I will say that after Game of Thrones I am no longer going to start series until they are finished.
But, I have really liked a lot of series. There's obviously a lot more room to grow than a single book. Some of my favorite series, were The Kent Chronicles by John Jakes, Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, and the North and South trilogy also by John Jakes.
On a completely separate note, my library is closed for the next ten days:( I didn't realize so didn't plan ahead. Oh, well. I'll live.
Mod
My older daughter is off to her first ever AP exam today! (Global History) I told her not to worry, nobody ever gets a high enough score to place out of college courses. I don't know if that took the pressure OFF or put more pressure ON. Wish her luck!
The sun is out today, which is unusual - we have had rain on top of rain on top of rain. I'm really tired of wiping the mud off my dogs' paws. Also, it's been challenging to get the lawn mowed, since I can't do it when it's wet, the mower clogs (or just sinks down into the mud ...)
I got a new phone (some of you may remember me commenting - probably more than once - that my old phone had no memory left, literally 0 - my new phone has 128 GB! hah! to misquote Scarlett: I'll never be out of memory again!) and I just set it up last night, so I'm all discombobulated today. My ex ordered it for me (long story, but we still have the same Verizon account, it was just easier), I told him I wanted the iPhone 6s (the cheapest possible iPhone plan) with 128 G, and ... he got me the 6s Plus. Which is HUGE! (and also costs 2x as much, so grrrr ...) I can't hold it the way I can hold my old phone. help! He helpfully pointed out that the larger screen may be better for the Kindle app that I, uh, use all the time. I will find out today!
This week I finished 3 books, none for the Challenge, so I remain 37/50
The True Queen by Zen Cho - I think I might have liked this better if I'd known that it's not really a sequel to Sorcerer to the Crown, it's more like a book set in the same world that takes place after the events of "Sorcerer" (admittedly, that sounds like a sequel, i know).
An Ocean of Minutes by Thea Lim - this was different and interesting but holy mackerel it was depressing. If you like your (alternate-history time-travel literary-dystopian) fiction moody, you may love this.
Jade City by Fonda Lee - this gets great reviews from people I trust, but I found it to be a complete snooze fest. YMMV. If you like gangster stories and/or Kung Fu movies, you might love this one.
QOTW
Most of my reads are stand-alones, because most books are stand-alones, but I definitely prefer series! They are just easier, because once you get through the first book, you've already done all the heavy-lifting of getting to know the characters and the world, and you can just sit back and relax. It's like watching Law & Order ;-)
This is probably in large part because my preferred genre is SFF (and #2 preferred is mystery), and (a) SFF tends to ask the reader to do a lot of work up front to understand the world, and (b) SFF & mystery often comes in series.
Hello,I haven't report in two weeks but I am in a reading slump also. It's the end of the semester here at my job so it means more work. I would like a beautiful spring to read outside but all we have is rain and cold temperature. Bah, it won't last. :)
Read:
You for a book recommended by a celebrity you admire. Stephen King in that case. Not sure I admire him, but I like his work. It was twisted and I liked it very much.
The Lost World for A book with 'pop', 'sugar', or 'challenge' in the title (subtitle is Professor Challenger, #1). Only two stars. As much as I love Sherlock Holmes, Challenger didn't do it for me.
Reading:
Ru that I may use for book written by an author from Asia, Africa or South America since she's from Vietnam. Not an easy read, but very good.
QOTW:
I love serie, but I need to read something in between sometimes, to change the mood.
Favorite series include:
Harry Potter
LOTR
Les Malaussène (Daniel Pennac)
Foundation (Asimov)
Royal Assassin (Robin Hobb)
37/50Finished:
1984 by George Orwell for a book with at least one million ratings on Goodreads.
Currently reading:
Prince Caspian
The Wife Between Us
QOTW:
Most of my reads are standalone books but I love both. Some of my favourite series are:
Harry Potter
The Hunger Games
Hercule Poirot by Agatha Christie
Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse
Blandings Castle by P.G. Wodehouse
Hey guys! Quick update from me because I am so busy and so tired and I have lots of reading I want to do after all the other things ha!
Read
The Lightning Thief, a reread with a group of friends, using it for 'reread of a favorite'. I had forgotten so much from this book, and I loved revisiting it! Yesterday was the official start of Sea of Monsters, so I'll get on that one soon!
Space Opera, a buddy read with Cendaquenta. Loved it, 4,5/5 stars! Only downside was the ending, which was very rushed imo, especially after the long build up.
All Systems Red on audio. I feel like most went by me, so I'm unsure about what I thought of it. Perhaps it wasn't the right time for me to listen to it, or perhaps it was the narrator. I relate to Murderbot a lot from what I gathered and I will definitely be trying out the second book!
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow Absolutely loved this, and am glad I brought home the sequel from work on Tuesday. Cannot wait for June to roll around so I can start it!
I also read a bunch of picture books while at work (it was a very productive day..)
Wat rijmt er op stoep?
Het plan van Sjors
De wolf komt echt niet
Gebruik je fantasie!
Verboden toegang: Monstertuin!
With 66 books to my name this year you'd think my challenges were going better than they are xD. I've collected a couple badges for the Bookéthon so far though, so at least that's something. Next month is the first round of A Game of Booksathon, and hopefully I'll be able to get some reading for PS and ATY done. Beat the Backlist is going great, however (yay!), and I am on track for Back to the Classics for a change haha!
Currently Reading
Anna Karenina on audio. I'm 35% in so far and really enjoying it. I have less than half a month to go though so fingers crossed I'll be able to finish it!
Wicked Saints it's a miracle, I know, but I managed to read 28 pages last night before bed, and I hope to finish it (finally!) today!
All my other current reads are on hold, but I plan on starting Stalking Jack the Ripper either today or tomorrow for yet another buddy read :D
QOTW
I think I prefer series, but that might just be because I read mostly fantasy and standalone fantasies are hard to come by, because one book is hardly ever enough to fully flesh out everything. I love a good standalone though, like The Binding, and Lily & and the Octopus for example.
This week I finished: Us Against You – I read Beartown earlier in the year, and it was like developing a crush on someone. I grew to adore all the characters. I felt excited and also dread the whole time waiting for something bad to happen. It was like a head rush and a butterfly in my stomach. Well, if Beartown was like getting a crush, Us Against You was like falling in love, fully and completely. I laughed out loud, I smiled, nodded, shook my head, and cried. I did all those things more than once. I want to live there. I want to play hockey and learn martial arts. I want to fight with the pack and spend my summer on the girls' private island. I want to try to save my club. I want to fall in love with a hooligan. I want to run through the forest, coach kids to be winners, and take care of my family quietly and fiercely. I want to stand up for my friends... and also my enemies. I normally finish books in hours. This one took me 10 days. I wanted to live with it and savor it and I'm so glad I did. There are not enough stars for this book!
Currently Reading:
The Night Olivia Fell – I’m just starting this one, so I don’t have an opinion yet. I keep starting this one and setting it aside again. I don’t know why I’m not excited about it.
Question of the week:
Do you prefer standalone books or series?
Both, please. I love a good series, but I hate waiting for the next book to come out, and also I feel like to properly enjoy the newest book I have to revisit the older ones first. So, I guess I like completed series, but I have a few that I sit around and wait for (Tess Gerritsen, Karin Slaughter, Linda Castillo, a few James Patterson). Generally at this point, I try to avoid starting new series, because they are such a time suck and there are sooo many books I want to read.
Hi everyone!Checking in early today. (I´m at work, procrastinating).
This week I read three books for reviews:
Troldens hjerte (The Troll Heart) by Jack Henseleit. Could work for "amateur detectives" if I don´t read anything else that fits. It´s a cute "scary" middle grade about two siblings who get into stories with supernatural beings. In this one they go looking for a missing boy.
Nunu og veninder (Nunu and friends). Sweet rhyming picture book about friendship.
Krigens monstre (Monsters of Men) by Patrick Ness. Oh my effing god. I can´t even. I´m simultaneously emotionally spent and revitalised after reading this book. I LOVE IT! Fits "multiple POVs" perfectly.
Currently reading:
4 3 2 1 by Paul Auster (audio) This is taking forever - it´s just short of 37 hours, but it actually works on audio, even though there are four different story lines. Those who have read will know what I mean.
Next up is Krigen i dagslyset - del 1 (The Daylight War) by Peter V. Brett
QOTW
I like both, and I shift my reading between standalones and series (and genres and length - I´m all about diversity in books :) And life). But I am reluctant to start a series if it´s not finished yet. This is why I haven´t read The Name of the Wind, even though I really want to. (I haven´t read GOT either...)
That said, I still have 16 or so ongoing series, and probably half of them aren´t complete yet.
Good morning! Sorry to hear about so many people in reading slumps. I am in the opposite of a reading slump. I have been loving everything I have been reading lately. The only sad part is that the weather has not been nice enough to sit outside and read in the evenings. I do enjoy gloomy weather, but I also love to sit outside with a nice drink and a book.Finished:
Sweat for a play for Reading Women
Miracle Creek for a book with a plant on the cover. I loved this one, and it's a good choice for AAPI heritage month. I listened to the audiobook.
Kindred for Catching Up with the Classics
Othello for book that inspired a common phrase/idiom. Green-eyed monster at the least, probably more. I listened to the free audiobook I got from Audiosync.
Currently reading:
The Night Tiger
New and Selected Poems, Volume One
Heidi listening to the audiobook
QOTW:
I love both. I guess my love of series goes back to Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High, etc. Like Sara, I love mystery series. Some of my favorites that I am currently reading:
Louise Penny Inspector Gamache - The best part is I started this late so I am only up to book 8. So much to look forward to.
Tana French Dublin Murder Squad series - Have read all these as they came out.
Jane Harper series - There have only been 2 so far, but I read them both as they came out.
Flavia de Luce - Also came to this late, so I am only up to book 4.
There are others I enjoy but don't regularly keep up with. I am going to love hearing everyone's recommendations.
My favorite recent sci-fi series was the Broken Earth trilogy by N.K. Jemisin. So different and thoughtful and incredibly well written.
The message popped up in my inbox and I was like, "wait it isn't Thursday, yet. " And then I was like, "Oh, no, wait it is." It is a good thing I have here or I wouldn't know if I was coming or going... also I need to take out the trash.I made a 4 on both the AP US History and AP Modern European. I don't think they had AP Global History when I was in school. Is it more global? IE Asia and Africa and South America as well? I was one of 2-3 people in my class to pass AP US. My AP Modern teacher was a beast though and only 2-3 people ever got less than a 3. I remember when those tests seemed like they were so important and I can't say aside from freshman level history classes? They really only got brought up when discussing AP exams with moms and dads whose kids are stressing AP exams. :). Still, I totally wish I could take an AP global history class. Sounds fun. (/major history dork. Otherwise I wasn't a very good student)
Finished:
This is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel. Loved this. Haven't gone over to group discussion yet to talk about it but I really enjoyed the lyricism of the writing in particular.
Our Story Begins: Your Favorite Authors and Illustrators Share Fun, Inspiring, and Occasionally Ridiculous Things They Wrote and Drew as Kids Which had early art and stories by some of today's most celebrated writers for children. I loved the idea of this and the entry by Thanhha Lai was particularly interesting to me. It would have been nice if some of the things people included were less polished so kids who were struggling could see that we all start from somewhere. Everything here was, "Man, I really struggled with drawing but eventually I was able to produce this and people really liked it...." And I would have liked to have seen some of those, "man, I was really struggling" efforts. Still, it really was nice.
My Brother's Husband, Volume 2 by Gengoroh Tagame which is the second (of 2) volume of a manga I read earlier this year about a the single father in Japan and his precocious child who have their lives slightly upended when his dead identical twin brother's Canadian husband turns up. This is a really sweet story. It is a little on the nose but I enjoyed both volumes immensely this year. Would recommend. 
The Wedding Date which everybody in the world was talking about last year and has been on my hold list forever. It was fine. It was nice even. For a romance novel I liked how both characters were incredibly career driven and I liked how explicit they were about consent and protection But romance really isn't my jam and I doubt I'll be seeking out the rest of this series. QOTW
I love series, but I hate when series start annoying me and I put them down and I forget where I left off. This happens less now that I have goodreads but there are a whole lot of series I will probably never get back to because I literally have no idea where I'm at.
A friend of mine was squeeing over the In Death series the other day and she was all like you should read it.. and I read the first 2 a couple of years ago for one of these challenges but it is at 50 books. That feels really daunting to me! I doubt I'll pick that one back up.
But when you love the characters especially when they grow... yeah, I like a good series.
Hello to everyone!I only finished one book this week (which for me isn't actually all that bad--this is why I'm only really focusing on the one challenge this year):
Austenland by Shannon Hale. This could have worked for a couple of prompts (unusual chapter titles; read in the same season it's set in--fall; potentially a re-telling of a classic). Unfortunately, I thought it was set in the spring, so I couldn't use it for the only one of those prompts that I still have open...So this ended up just being for fun. Which it was! I really do love Shannon Hale.
Currently Reading:
Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott: I've been meaning to read this for years! I love stories of Robin Hood and post-Norman Invasion England. This will be my book I saw someone reading on TV or in a movie (Matilda cries over Ivanhoe in one scene when the narrator's talking about books being her only friends). Sadly, this will probably take me awhile to get through, as my depression has made it super hard to want to do much reading.
The Crimson Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. This was on here last week, but since I just read a story or two before bed, the fairy books take me longer to get through. This one's not for a challenge.
QOTW
I'm pretty sure I'm in the minority, but I'm usually disappointed when I find out something is a series instead of a stand-alone. It's the same reason I have trouble keeping up with TV shows: you read/watch it and it's great, but then you HAVE to keep reading/watching and it just goes on forever...What can I say, I have commitment issues!
I've certainly read series, but I have to be really conscious about finishing them. Last year I actually made my own reading challenge to finish book series I'd started. It was a nice sense of accomplishment but I still have so many more to do (largely because I keep picking up books only to find out they're the first in a series!). For PS this year, I tried to fit the couple of trilogies I want to read into prompts so that I'll naturally finish them as I do the challenge.
I do agree that mystery series are great, but that's because, as someone else said, they can also be stand-alones. So there's way less pressure to finish them all and they can just be fun reads whenever you feel like reading them!
I didn't finish any books this week. Lately, I haven't felt like reading after work. I've been doing a lot of reading at work, and my brain and eyes are tired by the time I get home. Next week we start summer hours at work, so I'll have to be in my office less. Maybe that will help. Some nice, sunny, warm weather would also be fantastic. I'd love to read outside in the evening.Reading
Storm of Locusts by Rebecca Roanhorse
The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elizabeth Tova Bailey
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
QOTW
I like both equally. Sometimes it's wonderful to dive into a world that fills up 7+ books. Sometimes it's nice to have a story wrapped up in 300 pages.
Interesting that this is the QOTW when I'm thinking about the series I'm reading. I'd really like to finish The Expanse series soon, but I don't think the next 4 books fit any prompts I have open (even with re-arranging). I guess that's the downside to reading series for the challenge.
This week I finally finished War and Peace. I used it as my book you see someone reading in a movie. It took me about four months to read, plus the many times I tried it in the past. I'm pretty excited about having finally finished it, since it's kind of the Everest of books. Did I like it? Yes and no. There were parts that I really enjoyed and there were parts that were so boring I could barely stand it. But hooray for finishing!Right now I am reading The Stockholm Octavo which is my book set in Scandinavia. I read this back in 2014 and gave it 5 stars. I recently saw it for sale for $3 and picked it up because I had remembered really loving it. So, I'm reading it again and enjoying it again.
QOTW: I don't think I have a preference. I like both things. But my favorite series have been Harry Potter (of course), Southern Vampire Mysteries, Wheel of Time, and Hercule Poirot.
Happy Thursday! This was an interesting week. Without a lesson plan to deliver to my faith formation students, I was invited to present to the library boosters on reading. I don’t have a fear of public speaking, so it was fun. Twenty five strangers came to hear me.
29/50
Completed:
6.) The Witch Elm by Tana French. This isn’t your ‘normal’ Tana French novel. I’ve come to expect amazing things from her and don’t think this is her best work. It really lags.
26.) Fiona Barton’s The Suspect – Hoopla worked out for me for a change! I was in queue for the physical book for over a week and 2nd of 31 requests, but, well, that could only apply to copies in my County for the first 3 months. And, then I saw it on Hoopla -- available. Whoop!
Katie Kitamura’s A Separation is a strange read. The book jacket leads you to think you will be reading a mystery, but this is a novel of self-awareness. It’s different, but I can't express how haunting (in terms of words and plot, not spooky) this is. I really liked it!
In Progress:
16.) As a birthday present, I received Where the Crawdads Sing. I’m using that for a question. It could be depending on the tone. So far, I’m pretty impressed and it is measuring up to all the hype.
25.) My debut novel is Ruta Sepetys Between Shades of Gray. It’s pretty well known that I don’t care for a lot of young adult works, but this one seems strong so far.
I’m also reading Mariah Stewart’s The Sugarhouse Blues for a color in the title challenge.
QOTW standalones or series?
What a question! I’m going to say that it depends on the author and the series. I like to read both. The only thing I don’t like is getting invested in a series and either having it never end when it should have (I find I get bored in a romance series that is more than a trilogy or Alex Cross or take a weird turn that I don’t like (Hannah Swenson and Kay Scarpetta ). Patterson, who is the author of Cross, tends to have others work with him and I find his characters morph a bit from the first to the final book. I think Joanna Fluke also brought in co-authors (though hers are not named) as (view spoiler).
I agree that Agatha Christie, Nancy Drew, and the Hardy Boys were amazing! The lesser known Ralph McInerny's series are terrific. I can't get enough Linda Castillo or Karin Slaughter either.
Checking in from Santa Fe instead of St. Louis! Enjoying the weather here after a cold week in STL. Not much progress on the challenge. I'm tackling one huge book, and I've started breaking out some of the prompts (POP, SUGAR, CHALLENGE is now three prompts, etc.)Challenge Progress: 31/50
Completed:
Salty Dog: This book was all over the place. The writing wasn't bad at all, but it really lacked focus. I felt like the authors had way too many ideas for such a short novel. However, it's much better to have too many ideas than none at all. (A book with a title that contains salty, sweet, bitter, or spicy)
Some like It Spicy: Fun, but predictable. The cooking show aspects were terrific. Terman was really able to bring the intense craziness of Masterchef, Top Chef, and Hell's Kitchen to life. Ty was hot, but maybe too much so. Does he have flaws? I liked Ashton, but her insecurities over her father's criticism got to be a bit much. But it was an entertaining read, and I'll probably read more of Terman's work. (A book with a title that contains salty, sweet, bitter, or spicy)
Ten Women: Ten damaged women in Santiago, Chile reveal their lives to one another... It's interesting but not compelling. They do not interact with each other; each chapter is simply each woman's story. The Audible edition would benefit from using different narrators for each chapter. Hearing the same woman's voice over and over took something away from the experience. (A book written by an author from Asia, Africa, or South America)
Currently Reading: The Priory of the Orange Tree (a book featuring an extinct or imaginary creature), Little Pretty Things (read a book during the season it is set in), Empty Planet: The Shock of Global Population Decline.
QOTW: While there are series I really love, I prefer a standalone novel. Sometimes I feel like a series is lazy. As if the author says, "I just don't know how this is going, so I'm just gonna end it here and you'll just have to wait until I figure it out." Mind you, this is not ALL series. I tend to enjoy series that are more loosely related, not just the continuing adventures of one central character.
Nadine wrote: "Jade City by Fonda Lee - this gets great reviews from people I trust, but I found it to be a complete snooze fest. YMMV...."I started this one and I just couldn't seem to absorb it at all. Hearing that it continues to be a snooze-fest I don't think I'll worry about picking it back up. It might have already fallen into my charity shop donations bag!
Sneaking in a post-lunch update as we went to a cider pub to celebrate a colleague being at the company 10 years. That's pretty impressive in this day and age where jobs are so often for a year or two.It feels like summer is coming to the south coast of England. I haven't taken my coat to work all week! (Although it's only 17C/62F, so I know some of you will think that's coat weather) I only finished one book this week, I've just not been in the mood for reading and only managed that one because it was on audio. We did finish watching The Americans last night and Game of Thrones is finishing next week so that'll free up some extra time, until we discover our next TV fix. If anyone has any ideas for a complete series as good as The Americans, let me know!
Listened to Emily Eternal for a book set on a campus (a big chunk is set on the MIT campus so I'm counting it - I don't really have any other university books on my radar).
Still reading Girls of Paper and Fire and Across the Void: A Novel.
I'm currently listening to A Thousand Ships for retelling of a classic. These Iliad retellings are like catnip to me!
PS: 25/52 | ATY: 27/52 | GR: 54/100
QOTW:
I like both but there have been a dearth of standalone SFF books in recent years so I find standalones quite refreshing. I like revisiting beloved characters and sometimes it's just easier to fall into them because I know the world already. But I get annoyed with trilogies where it's one story divided into three books, I need to have some conclusion in each book. A mix of both is a good reading diet.
Hello book buddies,It has been an eventful week in the Top End. Caught up with a friend I hadn't seen for over 10 years at the weekend and have not done much reading but have had a lovely time. Work has kept me busy all week and I got to see my friend again tonight. The errant one is still awol so who knows. Got news today that National office is giving me a long service medal for volunteering for the Duke of Edinburgh's award for 20 years in September. Sweet that they bother.
Read: The Little Prince for prompt 14 because I saw it repeatedly on the latest series of Fear the Walking Dead and there really hasn't been anything elsewhere which has had any appeal.
Currently attempting to get through A Spot of Bother because it is Mark Haddon and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is one of my favourite books ever and Spot of Bother is due back at the library next Wednesday. Just isn't grabbing me the same way though.
QOTW:
I like a combination. Sometimes getting lost in a series is heaven but in term time I prefer single books because I am too easily distracted to get into a series.
Hi everyone, Sneaking in an early check in while I can!
Finally the weather's cooperating with acting like spring. Hoping that it lets my siding get done soon!
This week I finished:
They Both Die at the End - this was my book that takes place in one day. This was so good, if so sad. Normally I avoid books that I KNOW will be tear jerkers, but I needed a book that took place in one day and it at least sounded interesting. It was a great story, even if i was sobbing at the end.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - This was my re-read of an old favorite. I'd gotten the illustrated version a while ago and never got around to sitting down with it. (partially because it's huge and awkward to read!) I'm glad I did, the illustrations were lovely. I appreciated that while it came out post-movies, the artist still came up with their own interpretation of the characters. It wasn't just "oh this is Danial Radcliff in illustrated form".
The Tour - my book read in the season it's set in. This prompt is so frustrating for me, haha. I don't generally pay attention to season of book vs time of year. Plus a lot of books take place over a long period of time where multiple seasons are in account so does that even count? or season doesn't really play a big part so it's hard to figure out. I'm counting this one even though I'm miffed. I have Amazon Prime so I went through the books available and this one was listed as "The Tour, an Irish Spring Read". So I assumed it took place in spring. The weather was listed as in the 60s (F) and that seemed about right for spring. yet a character in it said something like "Here's a blanket, it might be summer but it gets cool at night." So who knows. I'm still counting it. It was ok, but a pretty sappy read so I don't want it to have been for nothing, haha.
Water for Elephants - This is my book with over a million ratings on Goodreads. A lot of the available books for the prompt I either read already, or specifically haven't read because I have zero interest in them. However I remembered this one making a buzz ages ago and kind of wanting to read it but never getting around to it. It was alright. Parts of it were good, others were just ok. Not entirely sure why it received so much attention, I don't really see it as a book that will stick with me forever.
Currently Reading:
Onyx and Ivory - still plugging away at this audio book, i'm glad hoopla has really long check out dates and no waiting lists. I think I should have just ordered the physical copy from the library, then I could skim through the slower parts.
Persuasion - this will be my book published posthumously. Just started it this morning, no opinions yet.
QOTW:
I don't mind series, but I prefer it when each book within it has a distinct ending. I don't mind some stuff to be resolved later, but I want the major events within the book to be wrapped up, not the action stopping in the middle on an extreme cliffhanger. Especially if the series is ongoing and I might have to wait a year or more for the next installation. It might be a little unrealistic that in Harry Potter, everything progressed nicely along the school year and wrapped up just in time for summer vacation, but it never left me feeling like "Wait, no, you can't end THERE!"
I do like having stand alone books where it's just done. Series sometimes feel like there's an obligation if I don't love the first one. Like "man, do I need to read the rest? what if they get better? what if they don't?"
Happy Thursday y’all.So… has anyone ever had the experience of putting an item on hold at the library, only to get the wrong format/version of whatever it is you wanted? Had that happen this week – I reserved an e-book copy of Carry On on our library’s Overdrive site, only to find out it was the Spanish version. Now I feel even worse for patrons who want a book but end up getting the audio, movie, or large-print edition instead…
Books read this week:
Inhuman Contact – prequel for a sci-fi series, though I’m not sure I’m going to be continuing on to the series proper. There were some interesting ideas here that didn’t get developed, and a lot of typos and grammar errors that really should have been caught before this was published.
A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World – I want to say this would work for “cli-fi,” as global warming comes up a few times, but maybe not since the plot doesn’t hinge on it. Decent, but I found it didn’t live up to the hype.
2 Fuzzy, 2 Furious – I think Squirrel Girl is officially my new favorite superhero. Marvel and Disney, when are we getting a Squirrel Girl movie/series?
Unicorn Bowling – graphic novel/comic compilation. I LOVE the “Phoebe and Her Unicorn” comics! And this latest volume proves that they’re still as adorable and funny as ever.
Camp – graphic novel. A cute summer read, especially for middle-schoolers.
DNF:
The Race – The first hundred pages or so were good… but then the author switched to an entirely different POV character and storyline without even bothering to give the first one a resolution. Also the nasty implication that being raped turns you into a lesbian didn’t sit well with me.
Currently Reading:
Mayhem in Myrtle Beach
One Word Kill
QOTW:
I'm split half and half on this one. On the one hand, I have SO many books on my to-be-read list that stand-alones are just easier to get through. On the other hand, I love a series that hooks me into its world and characters. I've found that I don't have the patience anymore to continue with a series if the first or second book disappoints me, though... which makes me leery of starting "The Dresden Files," as I keep hearing that the later books in the series are better than the first ones.
Hi All-I had a great week this week lots of stellar reads. I finished:
The Book Thief This was just excellent! I understand the hype about it (and usually I am disappointed by the hype). For ATY
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. And this would be an example of being disappointed by the hype. There was just way too much teenage angst in this. read it for ATY
Sometimes I Lie So, I enjoyed this. Read for ATY and I didn't see the end coming at all!
My Sister, the Serial Killer This was another disappointing read. I really was looking forward to this book and I didn't like it at all. None of the characters were engaging- except the guy in a coma. I got frustrated with everyone else. Read for ATY
Looking for Alaska I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Another teenage book (like Dante and Aristotle) but the teenage angst was much more believable and non-annoying. Not sure what the difference is. Read for ATY
Long Way Down I absolutely loved this book. I have never read a novel written in verse before but thought this one very much supported the feel of the book. It was a quick read but one of the best books I've read in a while. Read for ATY and Read Harder
The Wise Heart: A Guide to the Universal Teachings of Buddhist Psychology I enjoyed this. I've owned it for a long time but hadn't ever gotten around to reading it. Read for ATY and the Nonfiction Growth challenge.
Question of the week:
(from Cendaquenta) Do you prefer standalone books or series? I like both. One thing I've learned is not to binge read new series that I find. I get tired of it too soon. So, if I find a new series I'm enjoying I space it out with other books until I have finished the currently published books. I learned there is a reason that they come out only 1-2 a year!
Mod
AP Global is new, last year was the first year. It’s diffferent because it’s a two-year long class, which allows them to cover things in more depth instead of the breathless race that broad history classes can become. Yes it’s “global” but still quite euro-centric, a lot about Asia and the Middle East, not much about Southern Africa or the Americas or Australia before colonization.
The last few weeks have been modern history, things that happened in my lifetime. Nothing makes you feel old like seeing your lived experience covered in a history textbook! It was also funny how sometimes I had to explain things.
Ok so this new phone is annoying, it really REALLY does not want me to use the desktop version on my phone, even when I’m in Safari. I had to wrestle it into submission just so I could have the “reply” option. I’m sure as soon as I leave this page it will go back to the app version. Any ideas how I can disable that “feature”?
Hi All!Boy, this week went by fast! Yesterday, I went to get my vaccinations for going to Brazil. I don't think I've mentioned my upcoming trip here. I'm joining my husband when he goes to a conference in Brazil on June 1st. Apparently, it's on a boat. I don't actually know much about the conference itself, it's smaller and my husband has never been to this one but from what I can tell we'll be floating around the Amazon while it happens. I have no idea how big the boat/ship is nor do I know if anyone other than the scientists will be on the ship as well. So overall very exciting but also kind of terrible for my anxieties (of which Fear of the Unknown is a big component). Still, good for me to push my boundaries and I mean, a boat on the Amazon paid for just the cost of my flight (my husband was invited to give a talk so they are paying for our stay)? You don't get that opportunity too often. And then we are flying from Brazil to Ireland for a different conference. It's kind of a random sounding trip considering the two locations but I am very excited.
Anyways, somewhat decent reading week. Started off reading The Frame-Up which I gave 2-stars. The beginning of this book was simply awful. The main character was hard to connect with and made really weird decisions which didn't really make sense. The book did get better after 150 or so pages as the main character ends up doing a total personality change into something much more relatable but it's so hard to look past the first part.
Following that, for a book with 2 female authors I listened to Powers That Be and I can't help wonder if I got some shortened abridged version instead of the full thing. The book should have been 384 pages in print and yet it was only 3.5 hrs in audio. That seems way short to me, and the book felt short to me too. Although I get what happened in the story, some aspects of it were really confusing and it generally related to how quickly things happened. I honestly think there were parts missing. I'm going to try to track down a physical copy and see if i'm right.
And lastly, I read The Great Alone which I have to say, I was only moderately interested in reading based on the plot. It sounded like a decent premise but it also didn't really sound like the type of story I like (more character involved and less specific conflict/goal kind of plot). 4-stars. Great writing, I loved the characters. This author really did a beautiful job on so many aspects - the setting, the characters, the emotions. Unfortunately, there was just so much. There was one point where I was kind of like, how much more of this story can be told? At the end, I concluded that I was pleased to have read everything but would have preferred if it was a little more concise. I think that's just because I usually prefer faster-paced plots where something is happening be it a heist or a mystery to be solved. These kind of 'watch the characters live' books don't hold my attention as well.
I am currently reading A Question of Holmes which is the fourth book in the Charlotte Holmes series, and while I'm not very far into it I'm getting the feeling that this one might end up being my favorite.
QOTW
Well, when I was in college I would have enthusiastically shouted 'Series!' as the answer to this question. I hated getting to the end of a good book and finding out it's a one off. I kind of blindly accepted that I prefer series to a standalone. I would pick up basically any book that was a part of a series and think that just because it was multiple books that I would enjoy it more. That meant that I spent a good period of time consuming series of books I really never enjoyed. This was before I started allowing myself to DNF books. I felt kind of compelled to finish the books and most of the time the series. I'm fairly certain it was this thought that led to my multiple year reading slump. I didn't read more than a handful of books for probably 8+ years.
So now I say standalone if the series can't be done well. I'd prefer one really good book than having the author continue writing with the plot not being great or where they clearly are grasping to keep producing content with the same characters. This is also exactly what fanfiction is for. If I finish a standalone that I just do not want to end, I checkout the fanfiction out there. Sometimes it takes a little searching and wading through cliche-ridden stories but there are so many really talented writers out there pumping out great continuations of things.
But yeah, if there is a really good author who has just nailed a book I will absolutely want them to continue it. Anything JK Rowling does I'm going to give a chance to. That woman knows how to plot a series and write characters that I get obsessed with. Also, in my experience series typically stay decent around the 7-8 book mark. I haven't read any with more than 15 books that kept the overall plot and individual plots going that well. Although I've just started the Inspector Gamache series so I hear that one is still doing well at what 13?
Nadine wrote: "Ok so this new phone is annoying, it really REALLY does not want me to use the desktop version on my phone, even when I’m in Safari. I had to wrestle it into submission just so I could have the “reply” option..."Well I ditched my iPhone last year (also I hate how big they are getting, that's one reason I got a Pixel). Have you done the whole press down on refresh and select desktop version thing? I rarely had a problem with Goodreads reverting but you might be on a newer version of iOS. Otherwise you could try using the Chrome app.
Happy Thursday! It finally stopped raining where I live so now I can go outside and investigate what that bright thing in the sky is... I finished 4 books this week, 1 for the challenge which leaves me at 43/50.
Finished:
Strange Sweet Song (A book with "sweet" in the title)- This was an interesting book but I'm not sure I liked the way it ended. Definitely a unique mythology though!
Inkheart- A reread for me. I loved this as a teenager. Now I found it a bit slower but still this is an enjoyable book for those who wish our favorite characters could come to life in our world...
The Opal Deception- Re-read also. The audiobooks are fantastic! I wish the book description didn't give away a major event, though, because I didn't remember much of this and I would have rather been shocked while listening.
Ignite Me- Eh. I'm sad because book 1 was so good but the last two have been nothing but the characters talking about their feelings until the last 20 pages when they finally remember to attack the evil new government. I love Kenji though. He's the best.
Currently Reading:
The Lost Colony
Becoming Mrs. Lewis
Grey Sister
QOTW:
I like series more so I can see characters grow and spend more time with them! That said, I can't tell you the number of series that fell apart after a few books and left me wishing I hadn't read past book 1...
Hi everyone. I was so confused to see the check in post here already when I woke up but then remembered that I'm currently seven hours behind my usual time zone. This week I finished The Winter Witch. It isn't a book I would normally pick up but I really enjoyed it. The characters were well written and the villain was pretty scary. I was going to use it for a loose interpretation of the two books with the same title prompt but I've since found two books with the actual same title that I want to read so I'll have to find somewhere else to slot it in
I also finished Jurassic Park. I am currently in Costa Rica and it was the only book I could find set there. (Haven't seen any dinos on this trip yet though). It was a fun read and there are a few differences to the film so it felt like a different story in some parts
Currently reading: Meddling Kids. I'm not very far into it but I've wanted to read it for ages so I have high expectations
QOTW: I like both but with a series I feel like the author needs to know when to end it. The Tomorrow When The War Began books had a clear ending in the fifth book but then another two were tacked on the end and didn't really add to the story
I finished 11 books this week and had one DNF bringing me to 206/365 for the year, none fit Popsugar prompts I still needed so I am still at 39/50 for that,Illuminae (reread)
Gemina (reread)
Obsidio (reread)
The Strangers
The Bride Test
The Jamie Drake Equation
Her Royal Highness
Our House
Last Pick
The Unhoneymooners
Little Darlings
I'm thinking I might start trying to rearrange earlier books I placed to see if they can fit better somewhere else and leave an easier category open.
Aha! Managed to stuff in one more : The Infinite Lives of Maisie Day for revolving around a game. Bringing me to 40/50
QOTW: I don't have strong feelings either way, though I suppose if I had to pick it would be series. There've been many times I've wished to see more of certain characters or worlds, but then there is no more,
Brittany wrote: "Hi All!Boy, this week went by fast! Yesterday, I went to get my vaccinations for going to Brazil. I don't think I've mentioned my upcoming trip here. I'm joining my husband when he goes to a conf..."
That's exciting! I recently learned that I will be attending a conference in Brazil in early 2020 for work. What shots are required to go to Brazil?
Hi Everyone! Happy Thursday! This is my first check-in. Late to the party but catching up fast!
Finished:
37.) The Outsider - This was extremely gross and unsettling but in a good way and sometimes not in a good way. I would never normally pick this up but it was available and I felt like it was time to read some Stephen King.
10.) Challenger Deep - This was a pleasant surprise. I gave it 5/5.
11.) The Diviners - This was something I don't normally read either. It has to do with the paranormal and I'm not usually a fan of that.
40.) So Sad Today: Personal Essays - This rocked me to my core.
29.) The Last Letter from Your Lover - I thought this was going to be bad because I've been burned but another surprise this week.
Currently reading :
1.) The Rhythm Section - this is going to be a movie with Blake lively. So far it's okay. Starts with a plane crash...
41.) Solar - I love this author, but this has been a slow read for me. I'm not as invested in this protagonist as I usually am.
I won a book on a giveaway that could fit in one or more of the prompts but I'm not sure where I want to put it just yet.
QOTW:
I haven't really read a lot of series, so I would have to say stand alone. Most of the series that I see are in that fantasy genre that I don't normally dive into. However I will be finishing the diviners series, because it's that good.
Mod
I was totally on it again this past weekend! I read a total of 771 pages for the Bookworm Bitches Readathon for the second weekend of May! Yay!
Current status on challenges: Popsugar—29/50, ATY—45/52, Reading Women—8/26, RHC—6/24
I am so anxious to see how much I can satisfy all these prompts in just one year! I have now read 32 books for 2019 and hope to finish out the year averaging at least one book per week with at least a total of 52 books read. So far, so good!
The Truth According to Us by Annie Barrows. I liked this book and actually loved it in the aftermath of reading it. It is, IMHO, quite thought-provoking and led me to consider and mull over many aspects of it. However, I am not nearly as good a person as Jottie. I cannot ever imagine forgiving Felix. His actions and behaviors led to her isolated lifestyle and total devotion to her nieces. And that may be fine, especially her influence on the two girls, but for him to lie about so much and so many major happenings? Nope. I couldn’t’ do it. I probably should be able to, but I don’t see myself capable of it… I did appreciate the fact that Barrows depicts just how skewed “history” can be, based upon the person ‘remembering’/recording details… *5/5 stars* Popsugar: #4, #6, #30-Willa, #31, #39?
ATY: #4-Willa’s father, #7 or #8-historical fiction, #12-Layla & Jottie, #19-Ivy and Bean series, #23-artifacts, news clippings, jacket, Sol’s obsession, #24-truth of Vause’s death, Jottie’s short-lived independence, #26-Jottie’s depression following Vause’s death, cover, #30-Vause’s father & owner of house where Vause’s jacket hidden, #39, #42-Willa’s father, #50-Layla: physical, interpersonal, social/psychological, Willa: interpersonal, Jottie: interpersonal & social/psychological.
Reading Women: #20, #21
Nose Down, Eyes Up by Merrill Markoe. Ugh. While I did appreciate and rather enjoy the dogs’ perspectives, I just could not find humor in two brothers who appear to have little motivation in their lives (well into their 30’s and 40’s) and especially Gil who loves to brag about his 22-year-old self still alive and well in his 47-year-old body. This guy still thinks of virtually nothing but sex with regard to females and just drifts from relationship to relationship. That said, while I did get some laughs out of it, the overall feeling with which I was left in the aftermath of completing it was “ugh.” But still...such a cute cover image! *3/5 stars*
Popsugar: #2, #9, #18-could communicate via speech with animals, #31, #35.
ATY: #11-dog, #33, #50-physical, trip to parents.
Reading Women: #22
RHC: #4, #12
One Crazy Summer (Gaither Sisters #1) by Rita Williams-Garcia. This book! So very deserving of all the awards and accolades! I am so anxious to read the others in the series and then send to my grandchildren! *5/5 stars* Popsugar: #2, #4, #31, #40: favorite past Popsugar prompt-author of different ethnicity from me, #44: summer.
ATY: #1: Coretta Scott King Award for Author 2011, Scott O’Dell Award 2011, Newberry Medal Nominee 2011, National Book Award Finalist for Young People’s Literature 2010, Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award Nominee 2012, California Young Readers Medal Nominee for Middle School/Junior High 2014, Judy Lopez Memorial Award for Children’s Literature Nominee 2011, Goodreads Choice Award Nominee 2010, Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award Nominee 2013, #7 or #8: historical fiction, political/social oppression, #19, #23: political/social oppression, #24: travel to California, living with their mother, #31: if not yet, it will be!, #39, #48: National Book Award Finalist for Young People’s Literature 2010, #50: physical NY to California, interpersonal.
Reading Women: #5, #20, #21, #23
RHC: #22
Emlyn's Moon by Jenny Nimmo. Uncertain exactly why, but this book just didn’t resonate much for me. The writing felt a bit stilted to me. There were times when dialogue/descriptions felt so abrupt or out of place that it disrupted me and literally pulled me out of the story. But I believe this might read just fine for children. Though I doubt I’ll be sending this along to my grandchildren. It just felt a bit too dark and scary…”icy” children coming to kidnap a child in the night..perhaps it is just me or my mood. *4/5 stars*
Popsugar: #18-Nain, Gwyn, and Nia have magic, #27-“icy” children, #30-Nia, #31-the Llewelyn’s, the Griffiths, and the Lloyd’s, NEW #33, NEW #36-Gwyn must command the ghosts to help keep Emlyn in this world, #37, #39, #44.
ATY: #7 or #8-science fiction/fantasy, #9-science fiction/fantasy, NEW #14, #17-fantasy, #23-magic, #24-Nia’s ability to “do something,” #28-the Valley of the Half Moon, the icy white flowers, the “icy” children, #30-Nain, #34, #39-the Valley of the Half Moon, #40, #50-interpersonal, #52.
Reading Women: #5, #21, #23.
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee. Oh, my! This book! I am so compelled to read this! I was able to get hallway through it this past weekend and would love to be able to finish it yet this week, though I decided to take a break and read something a bit lighter before completing it. Bombing is set to begin in the city and Sunya must convince her family to move to the country for safety. Now I know what other readers have raved about. I have read some other books regarding Japan’s occupation of territories/countries, but none from the perspective of Korean immigrants to Japan during the occupation of Korea.
Question of the week:
(from Cendaquenta) Do you prefer standalone books or series?
Both. Though I have some favorite series, I also adore a good stand-alone! I just LOVE to read! :) I rarely sit down and read a series straight through. In fact, the only one I can remember reading back-to-back in sequence is Harry Potter. Otherwise I just love to be able to read 1-2 installments and then wait until I'm in the mood to continue.
Some series I would recommend:
Edited to include J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series!
I have read the entire series 3 times. I graciously sent my hardback set with my 6 grandchildren when my oldest son moved them and his wife/their mother to Arizona from Indiana. Though I vowed to purchase the hardback set in the trunk for myself at the holidays when they can usually be found for half price I have yet to do so.
Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone series
I love this series. Within the next year or two I would like to reread all of them straight through. Each book was unique and IMHO can be read as stand-alones. Though I always recommend starting with the first one as I feel it is such an absolutely necessary introduction to Kinsey. (I really miss Grafton!)
Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple series
(as Sara mentioned in the initial post above) I also like the books she wrote with Tommy and Tuppence, a couple who work as investigators. Let's face it, Agatha Christie is the queen! :)
Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series
This is not a series to prompt intellectual stimulation, but I love it nonetheless! And I never want Stephanie to choose between Ranger and Joe. And get a load of Grandma Mazur and Lula! Just makes me laugh! Pure enjoyment!
Alexander McCall Smith's The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Isabel Dalhousie, Corduroy Mansions
I also enjoy his 44 Scotland Street series though not as much as these. I did read the first 3 books of the Portuguese Irregular Verbs series but the sense of humor was way too dry for me. I have also greatly enjoyed his stand-alones that I've read.
John Grisham's Theodore Boone series
So. Well. Done. I don't care if these books are aimed toward children...I love them!!
Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs series
This is one of the best series I have ever read. If you love historical fiction and appreciate detailed well-drawn characters, I can't recommend this one highly enough.
Robert Beatty's Serafina series
Set in the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina. A very strong young female protagonist! Just excellently written! Combines historical fiction, fantasy, and mystery. Geared toward middle grade/YA. Though it is a bit creepy, not so much as to deter my enjoyment! And I love the beginning to Serafina's story!
L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gable series
These books are such classics and rightfully so. Every child/adult should read them, IMHO! I am anxious to read her other books/series as well!
David Rosenfelt's Andy Carpenter series
I love this series and am about to continue reading it again soon. Rosenfelt's sense of humor resonates so well for me! Excellent characterization and Tara! Who couldn't adore Tara and Andy's devotion to her?!? I have also read Blackout, the first installment in his Doug Brock series, and I really enjoyed that!
Spencer Quinn's Chet and Bernie series
Oh, my! That Chet! He is hysterical! I adore this series. Always a good mystery and lots of humor from a canine perspective! He has two other fairly new series, Bowser and Birdie, and Queenie and Arthur, but I have yet to read a book from either of these.
Laurie R. King's Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series
Oh, my goodness! When I first read The Beekeeper's Apprentice I was totally blown away! I met her in 2016 and asked about Mary's character. Her reply was that some characters "live in your head for years" and others just "drop down from the sky." Mary Russell dropped down already formed and complete. Wow. Reading these books is such a treat! And my husband loves them, too, which tells me they probably have a fairly wide appeal. Her stand-alones are also wonderful!
Gennifer Choldenko's Al Capone at Alcatraz series
This is such a unique reading experience! I had never considered the fact that civilians who worked at Alcatraz had to literally live on Alcatraz. And the interactions among those families, the children, and the convicts. Historical fiction categorized as YA, but I think children aged 11 and up would appreciate this series. And I, as an adult, love it! She released the 4th book last year but I have yet to purchase it.
Yet more edits!
Rita Willliams-Garcia's Gaither Sisters series.
Just read the first book, One Crazy Summer and adored it!
Gil McNeil's Jo MacKenzie series. I adore these books! Sad that there are none beyond the 3rd installment which was released in 2011. :( Excellent character development!
Terri DuLong's Cedar Key series. One of my absolute favorites! I have yet to read one of the Ormond Beach series installments, but if I live long enough, I will! :) Terri has not been publishing much lately, but I believe she intends to start again very soon! Excellent character development!
Anthony Horowitz' Alex Rider series is not one of my absolute favorites but I think it would appeal to readers who prefer lots of action and less character development. (Thinking adolescent males...)
Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl series. I just read the first installment and was a bit underwhelmed though I am curious enough to read at least another 2 to see what I think of the series overall and whether I will continue.
Mod
My older daughter is off to her first ever AP exam today! (Globa..."
I totally understand what you mean about the iPhone 6S being HUGE! I had one and actually returned to a smaller model when I replaced it. But...I never read ebooks, I'm an old-fashioned-want-the-book-in-my-hands reader! Hope it works out well for you! And I can't even imagine still dealing with my ex...nope! But then he would never be responsible enough to have his own phone account... ;)
Mod
I haven't report in two weeks but I am in a reading slump also. It's the end of the semester here at my job so it means more work. I would like a beautiful spring to read outside but all we..."
Oh, my! How in the world could I have overlooked HP as one of my absolute favorite series??? I don't know. I have read it straight through 3 times, then gave my hardback set to my 6 grandchildren when they moved away to Arizona (from Indiana) about 3 years ago. I vowed to replace it with one of the hardback sets in the trunk as a treat to myself but have yet to do so. It has been at least 6-7 years since I read them and am definitely itching to reread the series. Perhaps I'll purchase them this year and plan to read them next year... Thanks for the reminder! DUH! That's all I can say!
Mod
Ah, Tana French! Jane Harper! And Flavia! Yes to all three!
Happy Thursday everyone! I've got one more week of freedom before my kids are out of school and I'm hoping to get lots of reading in. I just realized that none of my finished books this week were for Popsugar, but I did read some really great ones.Finished
Glitter and Glue I started this one on a whim because it was available on audiobook from my library and I was in the mood for a memoir on audio and because I loved Corrigan's Tell Me More: Stories about the 12 Hardest Things I'm Learning to Say last year. And I loved this one just as much. This one is about motherhood. It's about Corrigan coming to appreciate her mother and just about the role of mothers in general. She is a master storyteller and now I'm going to read her other two memoirs.
Cry, the Beloved Country This one kind of snuck up on me. I wasn't loving it at first because the writing style felt choppy and too formal to me. But then at some point the absolutely beautiful story of redemption just grabbed me. If you missed this one in school, I highly recommend it.
Brown Girl Dreaming This was a seriously good book week you guys. Here's another one I loved. This is a memoir in verse about Woodson's life growing up in the 60's and 70's in South Carolina and Brooklyn. It is beautifully done and a great story. I listened on audiobook, which I strongly recommend. Woodson narrates it and it's fantastic.
The Boston Girl I read this for my IRL book club and loved it too. It's historical fiction and told by an 85 year old woman about her coming of age in Boston beginning in 1915 when she is 15 years old. It was touching and just a really lovely story.
Currently Reading
The Hobbit (book featuring imaginary creatures)
Things My Son Needs to Know about the World
A Town Like Alice
QOTW
I much prefer stand alone books, but I think just because the genres I prefer are typically written as stand alones. The one exception would be the Neapolitan series (starting with My Brilliant Friend) which I absolutely adored and I loved that it kept me busy for so many pages.
Kenya wrote: "Happy Thursday y’all.So… has anyone ever had the experience of putting an item on hold at the library, only to get the wrong format/version of whatever it is you wanted? Had that happen this week..."
Yep! I wanted to read Robert Louis Stevenson's Kidnapped and got a picture book version of it! With my interlibrary loan system, I had picked the wrong one, though. It taught me to check the page numbers listed instead of just available copies.
So sorry about the mix up!
Brittany wrote: "Although I've just started the Inspector Gamache series so I hear that one is still doing well at what 13?"Book 15 is coming out this August :) I know a few people who haven't loved the last couple books as much as the rest, but the vast majority of fans have loved them just as much (this includes me!)
Lynn wrote: "Milena wrote: "Good morning! Sorry to hear about so many people in reading slumps. I am in the opposite of a reading slump. I have been loving everything I have been reading lately. The only sad pa..."We seem to have found our reading twin.
Brittany wrote: "Hi All!Boy, this week went by fast! Yesterday, I went to get my vaccinations for going to Brazil. I don't think I've mentioned my upcoming trip here. I'm joining my husband when he goes to a conf..."
Oooh, my brother lived in Brazil for a couple years! Have fun! Want me to ask him for any tips on traveling there for you?
Hello everyone,Last week was a killer reading week for me. This week, with a wedding, a birthday and Mother's Day I ran out of time. Plus the books I started have not yet proven terribly interesting.
Regular-19/40
Advanced-4/10
Currently Reading
I will finish the poems because I only have a few left despite not loving them. Strong possibility the other two are getting dnf'd by next week.
Finished
So cute!
Question of the week:
(from Cendaquenta) Do you prefer stand alone books or series?
I like both but I will ONLY read series if it is written in it's entirety. or non-linear series where the volumes do not depend upon each other. This is because of the Harry Potter Series. I read the first 3 books when I was 12. The 7th was published and released when I was 21. Can't do that ever again. I am HIGHLY impatient. lol
Hey all! Didn't finish any new books this week. I have vacation coming up at the end of the month, and I keep telling myself I will do ALL the reading then.Currently reading:
The Gutter Prayer - I still can't get into this, and I'm not sure if it's my fault or the book's. The three perspectives all sound fun (a ghoul, a girl who ran away from home to live a life of freedom on the high seas, a Stone Man trying to uphold his father's legacy of loyalty to the Thieves' Guild) but, I dunno, none of it is sticking. It doesn't help that they all get split up at the beginning, and their storylines are (so far) essentially separate, so there's no camaraderie.
The Scorpio Races - I'm not into horses, and I'm not usually into slow character-driven novels where not much happens, but I like Maggie Stiefvater's writing (and it fills the astrology prompt!) so I decided to check it out. It's decent so far. Sean is cool. Puck's relatable, but not in a good way, if that makes sense; I appreciate her but I don't like her.
QotW: I like short series (duologies, trilogies). It gives enough time to really get to know characters, and to explore dynamics in-depth. But it also doesn't drag on. I'm wary of long series because (1) I like the feeling of being done (with character arcs, conflicts, etc.) and (2) with long series I'm always worried that it's going to jump the shark somewhere down the line.
Hey from sunny Northeastern Ohio. I'm so happy it's finally warming up here. I finished up 2 books and DNF'd 1.I finally finished Children of Blood and Bone Heart wrenching twists and turns is the only thing I can say about this book. Sadness, joy and triumphs pack these pages in this Afro futuristic journey.
Faithless #1 It was okay but it ended kind of confusing. I hope it's a series so I can find out what happens.
I DNF'd The Friday Night Knitting Club I feel like i lost 6 hours of my life when I listened to this book. I borrowed it for 3 weeks and barely felt like reading this dry story. After looking at most of the reviews I realized I wasn't alone in how I felt. When I put the book on my tbr pile I was a brand new knitter and the premise to the story sounded exciting but almost 10 years later and I'm mad that I bothered. There were so many problematic things in this story that I could point out right now. I seriously though this book would be about a book club and the people in the book club but barely any scenes were at the book club.
That within itself was problematic but another huge thing for me was that the writer decided to use a racial stereotype and cliche. The main character, Georgia, falls in love with and gets pregnant by a black man by the name of James. James abandons her leaving her to raise a biracial daughter. My problem is as a writer myself I'm not sure the motives behind this. Why does the man who abandoned her needs to be black? This whole badly written story just pissed me off.
Currently reading:
The House Girl for prompt #9 A book you meant to read in 2018. This has been on my shelf for at least 2 years and I just started reading it and I'm so excited.
Queen Sugar for prompt #10 A book with pop, sugar or challenge in the title.
QOTW: I LOVE series!!! I've read so many of them within the last few years. Some of my favorites have been The Women's Murder Club series by James Patterson. The Kinsey Millhone Alphabet Series by Sue Grafton. The babysitter's Club series ( when I was a growing up) The American Vampire graphic novel series and The Fatale graphic novel series.
Hi all! Didn't tick off any more challenge prompts this week, but did read:
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism: I need strategies for dealing with my racist white family members. This was great.
Educated: Oof, the abuse. Horrifying, but I couldn't put this one down. Highly recommend.
Tortilla Flat: Is this the most boring book I've ever read? Maybe. Maybe.
The Actor's Life: A Survival Guide: I'm an actor and this didn't have much I didn't already know, but boy do I need the "don't give up! It takes a really long time" stuff right now. Unfortunately even 2 years later some stuff is a little outdated (a former union loophole no longer exists, casting websites change, etc) but there's lots of useful info here and some funny stories about The Office too!
Currently reading:
Picnic at Hanging Rock
The Power (audio)
Influencer: Building Your Personal Brand in the Age of Social Media
The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson
QOTW: I now prefer standalones, but when I was younger I really really liked series. It's a combination of being picky about quality and also wanting to read too many things that drives me away from series, I think. I've read so many great first books where the rest of the series just goes downhill (looking at you, Red Rising) and I'm just not willing to make that kind of time investment unless all the rest of the books hold up just as well.
Hello, It's rainy and drab here. The good news is I have 4 books on hold at the library. The bad news is I don't know when I'll fit them in.I finished 4 books this week
The Farm by Joanne Ramos for PS #26 a book pub. In 2019. It was also an ARC. I really liked this book. It takes surrogancy to the next level, making it a for profit business and some of the possible outcomes. Sure to be a conversation generator at book clubs.
This is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel for PS prompt #31 - a book about a family. I really enjoyed this story of a famkly and how the family dwals with a chikd who questions their gender. Although I liked the writer father who used fairy tales as metaphors for his chikdren in daily life I found his everything is magical a bit over the top.
Lost in Austen: Create Your Own Jane Austen Adventure by Emma Campbell Webster for PS prompt #42 - acreate your own adventure book. This is the first time I ever rated a book 1 star. I hated it. It had this funky add and lose points in 5 areas and often you added or lost points just for things that happen in the story not choices you made.
Wit by Margaret Edson for RW prompt #8 - a play. I absolutely loved this!
Edit: PS 31/55. RH 13/24. RW 14/26. B2C. 4/12
Currently reading:
The Confessions of Frannie Langton by Sara Collins another ARC that I may use for a book that should become a movie. Really liking this so far. Beautiful writing.
QOTW
I love series I love the way you can watch the characters develop over time. I prefer series where each book is it's own story. For series that are one continuous story, I prefer to wait jntil all the books are out. I hate waiting.
Favorites: Harry Potter Series, In Death series by JD Robb, His Fair Assassin Series, are recent favorites. I've enjoyed numerous cozy mystery and mystery series in the past.
Having said that a good book on it's own is a joy as well. I tend to avoid series at tjis point because once I start I want to finish.
A very hectic week ... I'm not entirely convinced that it's Thursday, but the weekly check-in seems to suggest that it is. :) I finished three books in the past week, so I'm at 22/50 for the challenge.
I pre-planned most of my books and I'm at a point where I think I will switch some things up. I am doing the challenge to push me to read things I wouldn't necessarily pick on my own, but there are a couple that aren't available from my library and I'm not feeling interested enough to buy them, so that's a sign I should probably pick something else.
Finished
Disappearing Earth - A rare chance for me to read an ARC! The book was published this week. I like it OK but it didn't really come together as a novel, more of a series of vignettes about people in the same town with some interconnection. Using for #26, a book that's published in 2019.
Go Set a Watchman - I didn't hate it but it was clearly not really finished or edited properly to be the "sequel" to To Kill a Mockingbird that it is marketed as. Not exactly for the challenge, but the second part of my choice for "reread of a favorite," because I reread To Kill a Mockingbird.
The Ninth Hour - For prompt #50, set in a convent. I really enjoyed this story and I'm glad the challenge led me to pick it up.
Currently Reading
Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women's Anger - Recommended by a friend and I was expecting to be on a long library wait list but I got it within a couple of days. Not using it for a challenge prompt.
Question of the Week
I loved to read series when I was a kid (Nancy Drew, Babysitter's Club, Agatha Christie, Anne of Green Gables, Bunnicula, etc.). I read some now but I don't feel the same compulsion to stick with a series that I did in the past. I tend to like shorter series rather than ones that go on forever and ever.
A couple of series I have enjoyed more recently:
The Southern Reach Trilogy by Jeff VanderMeer
Anything by Octavia Butler. I read the Xenogenesis series a long time ago and more recently read the Earthseed series and the first book in the Patternmaster series (book 2 is on my list for this year!).
Happy Thursday! This week has felt long, so I was thinking it should have been Thursday already... but we're here now! The bright thing in the sky is out here, also, but are we sure it's... good? I haven't seen it in such a long time, I am fearful. ;) My yard is a swampy field, so the darn thing better stick around! Otherwise, life is going fairly well. The little girl has a cough/cold, which apparently makes babies vomit... who knew? This is the second time it's happened, so I'm sensing a trend. Poor girl. The baby, too! ;) I have a vomit phobia, so the fact that I haven't run away screaming from her is actually a lot of progress on my part! Ok, enough of that...As far as reading goes, I haven't finished anything this week.
I've got about 50 pages left in The Closer: My Story. I should finish it by the weekend at the latest. Hobby or Nostalgia, can't decide yet.
I'm about halfway through listening to Burial Rites. I'm glad I'm listening to it, as it is a lot slower paced than I would have expected. Novel based on a true story, probably.
I just picked up The Girls of Atomic City: The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II for a buddy read. Not sure if I'll find a place for it.
QOTW: I don't care for series. I'll read them occasionally, but they need to have an endpoint. I don't tend to "binge" anything, TV shows, movies, books, so if I start a series, it could be years before I get back to it, and then I'll forget all the stuff I'm supposed to remember! Spoiler for The Lightning Thief: (view spoiler) So I've read a few, Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Hunger Games, Narnia, a few of the Flavia mysteries, but generally I avoid series.
Tara wrote: "Happy Thursday everyone! I've got one more week of freedom before my kids are out of school and I'm hoping to get lots of reading in. I just realized that none of my finished books this week were f..."I’ve just added Brown Girl Dreaming and The Boston Girl to my TBR because of your post, so thank you!
Jennifer W wrote: "Happy Thursday! This week has felt long, so I was thinking it should have been Thursday already... but we're here now! The bright thing in the sky is out here, also, but are we sure it's... good? I..."My daughter used to throw up all the time when she had a cough. It surprised me too. Hope she feels better soon.
Hello from sunny Columbus! The school year is winding down and I’m so excited for the freedom summer break brings!This week I finished up a few books I was mostly done with, that I already mentioned last week.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was the one full book I finished this week. Rereading these as an adult has me realizing that I don’t really care for Harry as a character. But he’s also a young teen and I generally find that age group absolutely exhausting so maybe he’ll irritate me less as I keep reading.
I’ve read 58 books this year so far. I am in no mood to count my progress in my challenges right now lol
Qotw: both! I love both. I can’t choose haha
Hello everyone! We are having the coldest day on record for May 16th in Sacramento, CA, and I am LOVING IT. I put on my long-sleeve shirt and Doc Marten boots this morning with a song in my heart, I tell you.I'm currently at 23/50 for the challenge, which is really good for me!
Finished this week:
My Sister, the Serial Killer (about a family): I enjoyed this one, because I wasn't expecting it to have all that much depth, but I'm not sure the ending made a whole lot of sense. I won't say anything more because spoilers. :-)
An Extraordinary Union (based on a true story): did I post about this in the update last week? Anyhoo, I enjoyed it.
Currently reading:
An Unnecessary Woman (no chapters): Still reading this, but almost done. I seriously love it; I haven't identified this hard with a main character in ages. I love Aaliya in all her misanthropic glory.
The Bear and the Nightingale (debut novel): I'm listening to this on audiobook, but because it's Audible I think it's going to have to go on pause while I work through some library audiobooks. Pretty much anything Russian is my fave, so I am quite predictably enjoying it.
Rapture Ready!: Adventures in the Parallel Universe of Christian Pop Culture (pop in the title): This is a fascinating look at the intersection of born-again Christianity and pop culture in the U.S. It's super interesting, but I think the author is a little too preoccupied with not hurting anyone's feelings, so I'm not sure I'm getting his unfiltered impressions. Perhaps his writing will gain confidence and perspective as it goes.
QOTW: I really like series, particularly if I don't care that much if they're well written. I want to just snack along through the books and not worry too much. It's nice, because it means that when everyone was so mad about developments in The Hunger Games or Divergent I was totally unbothered. That doesn't mean I think all series are badly written or that I'm seeking them out; I just don't MIND if there's a dip in quality. If I'm looking for craftsmanship in plot and language, I prefer a standalone.
Fave series: Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen, The Lioness Quartet by Tamora Pierce, Throne of Glass by Sarah Maas
Despite a very hectic week at work with GCSEs starting, I finished 5 books, including 2 for PS.Books finished:
Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race for 43, an Own Voices book. This was a very interesting and powerfully written book. I’d like to read more by this writer.
The Fire Next Time for 47, two books that have the same title. I think this will make a good pairing with The Fire This Time: A New Generation Speaks about Race.
The Alice Network for MMD 2, about a topic that fascinates you. I loved this book about a topic I’ve been interested in for a few years.
Brooklyn for MMD 7, a book by a new to you author. Whilst I enjoyed this book, I felt that I wanted more from the story. I definitely want to try other books by this author in future.
The Man in the High Castle for MMD 9, a book outside your genre comfort zone. This book did push me out of my comfort zone, but it just confirmed that I don’t like reading sci-fi or dystopian fiction.
Currently Reading:
La casa de los espíritus - I didn’t manage to finish this before my loan expired, so I’m back on the waiting list.
Alexander Hamilton - I’m still reading a chapter a day. I’m about half way through now.
Ready Player One - I’m reading this for the LitPRG prompt. I’ve got about 5 more hours to listen to. This was a prompt I was really not looking forward to, although the book is actually better than I thought it would be.
QOTW:
I tend to read stand alone books, but I’ll also read series where each book is it’s own story. Most of the series I read are either thrillers or historical fiction. I’ve got a few first books in a series on my TBR - Maisie Dobbs, Mr. Churchill's Secretary and a couple of others - so I’m hoping that these books are self-contained stories.
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Strong Female Protagonist: Book Two (other topics)My Husband's Wife (other topics)
My Husband's Wife (other topics)
Enduring Love (other topics)
Dicey's Song (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
J.K. Rowling (other topics)Agatha Christie (other topics)
Janet Evanovich (other topics)
Sue Grafton (other topics)
Eoin Colfer (other topics)
More...
Admin note: If you are interested in leading a discussion of The Wife Between Us for our August group read please pm me or Nadine!
I’ve been in a reading slump for weeks! I’ve been reading, but I have either been jumping from book to book or I’ve been reading super long books that just take time. I really hppe this weekend provides some much needed reading time!
Finished reading:
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – continuing my reread of the series with some friends. This is my favorite book in the series, and I loved discussing it with my friends!
Very Good Lives: The Fringe Benefits of Failure and the Importance of Imagination by JK Rowling – Someone recommended this as a good graduation gift for my niece. I decided I wanted to read it as well! It’s the commencement speech JK Rowling gave to the Harvard graduates in 2008.
Currently reading:
A Game of Thrones – bowing to the pressure and diving into this series. I was a little worried as high fantasy is outside my usual range for fantasy reads. I’m really enjoying it though!
A Curse So Dark and Lonely – a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I know the market has been saturated in recent years with all the fairytale retellings, but this one has great reviews and was recommended by a friend with great taste!
Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion - my current audiobook
Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption - my book club book for May. Just getting started on this one.
Question of the week:
(from Cendaquenta) Do you prefer standalone books or series?
I love a good series. Wrapping yourself up in a world with unforgettable characters that you just can’t get enough of? Yes please. Having said that, sometimes I just want to have the whole story wrapped up at the end of one book. In the last 10 or so years there have been quite a number of trilogies or series, in particular in the YA dystopian sub-genre, and I find myself wishing for a story that is complete at the end of one book.
I think some genres lend themselves better to series than others. Mysteries are great as series. You’ve got a few main characters (the detectives usually) who solve a different case in each book. You may have some longer story arcs that go from book to book, but you don’t have to immediately track down the next one just to see what happens.
Great mystery series:
Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple series
Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache series
The Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters
Veronica Speedwell series – Deanna Raybourn (and her Lady Gray series as well!)
Nancy Drew
Hardy Boys
All those cozy mystery series!
I know there are many more!
Another popular tactic for a series is when each book focuses on different characters from the larger series. Each one works fairly well as a standalone. You might miss some references from previous books, but overall the story is complete within one volume. I see this is a lot with romance or feel-good books like Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove series. I read one book last year from RaeAnne Thayne’s Haven Point series. It was #9. It worked pretty well as a standalone. If I ever decided to I could dive in to the others and learn more about the characters and community, but it was a satisfying read all by itself.
I found an interesting article which talks about the differences between standalones and different types of series: https://www.indiesunlimited.com/2015/...