Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2020 Weekly Checkins
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Week 36: 8/28-9/3
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School starts in two weeks here. We have started our back-to-school preparations. My youngest is taking "Studio Art" for 9th grade and I'm so excited! I was one of those nerdy kids who always hung out in the art room, so I'm thrilled for her, and can't wait to see what projects she has. Since A.C. Moore closed (and this was a shock to me - I had no idea they were closing - for years they've been my go-to for basic supplies - did they close in your area too?) we drove downtown to the art supply store (formerly known as Syracuse Art Supply, now it's called The Art Store) and picked up a few things, including a few things NOT on the suggested supplies list. Hooray for new art supplies! They gave us a 25% discount for back-to-school, or that would have been a whopping big bill.
This week I finished 3 books. Each week I think "this is the week I'm going to just blow the doors off and finish a bunch of books!!!" and ... nope. None of these were for this Challenge so I'm wherever I was last week, which I think is 44/50.
Fatale by Jean-Patrick Manchette- this was a very spur-of-the-moment choice! Over at AtY a suggested (and selected) 2021 challenge category was "a book from the "Are You Well Read in World Lit" list - and while browsing the list, I found several interesting books that I added to my TBR, including this one, which was only 96 pages long AND available on Overdrive. So ... I'm glad I read it, because it's a weird little book and I guess the author is a bit of a classic author, so far as international hard-boiled crime fiction goes. But I wouldn't go so far as to say I enjoyed the book, or even that I thought it was good. It was definitely quite different from more current crime fiction.
The Collected Poems of Stanley Kunitz - I've been slowly working my way through past US Poet Laureates, and Kunitz was a two-time Laureate! He's got a large and strong fan group, but his poems weren't really my thing.
Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson - I loved the last two books I read by Swanson, but this one was just so-so. I enjoyed it all the way through to the disappointing ending, which kind of soured me on the entire book.
QoTW
Books set at a school? That's a tough one, I don't really have any favorite books set at a school.
Oh! I know!! The Girl With All the Gifts - it's not really set at a school, but the first few chapters are at the school, before they go on their trip.
Two more books that I really liked:
Hex Hall
I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You - gotta love it just for the title!
Two clever books that I didn't exactly love:
Rampant - I didn't actually love this book, but ... a school to teach people to defend against killer unicorns??? that's GOTTA go on the list!
In the Hall with the Knife - again, I didn't LOVE this, but ... a book series based on Clue? that's GOTTA go on the list!! (Clearly Peterfreund is very clever when it comes to schools.)
and two more books that I didn't actually love, but ... they're set at boarding schools, and they were good books:
A Separate Peace
On the Jellicoe Road
I'm still trying to think of a truly favorite book set at a school ... maybe one I read back when I was in school, lost to the mists of time now, in the back of my brain somewhere ...
I completely missed last week! Time feels like it's going so slowly, but also it's slipping through my fingers somehow!Finished
Why We Can't Sleep: Women's New Midlife Crisis - A book by or about a journalist - This was OK. It talks about what midlife is like for GenX women, which is an interesting topic, but I feel like it relied too much on "look how much harder we had/have it than other generations." Would have liked more focus on why men are "allowed" a midlife crisis, and what women experience that is never acknowledged (whether they're GenX or other).
Currently Reading
Zak George's Dog Training Revolution: The Complete Guide to Raising the Perfect Pet with Love - not for the challenge. Our puppy is coming home Sunday!!!
The Collapsing Empire - really like it so far!
Red, White & Royal Blue - just getting started.
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Looks like he/she is going to be big? Is that a Golden/GSD mix, maybe?
Years ago when I had my first puppy as an adult, I read a book by Monks of New Skete. I think it was How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend: The Classic Manual for Dog Owners or maybe The Art of Raising a Puppy - back then, they had only one book! now they have so many!! The puppy turned out to be incredibly assertive, off the charts assertive, so some of the methods didn't work with him. He was so intelligent, and he loved us, but he also insisted on being respected as his own dog. The two dogs I have now are marshmallows compared to him LOL
Nadine wrote: "The puppy turned out to be incredibly assertive, off the charts assertive, so some of the methods didn't work with him. He was so intelligent, and he loved us, but he also insisted on being respected as his own dog. The two dogs I have now are marshmallows compared to him LOL"Hah, my dog's like that - "he's his very own man", was the verdict when we put him in a boarding kennel once. He's a Lhasa Apso, they're known for being kinda bullheaded.
I finished Pride and Prejudice and Zombies as my book featuring one of the deadly sins. It got old real fast.I'm currently reading Queen Anne: The Politics of Passion as my book about a world leader. Didn't know to omuch about her. Kind of interesting.
QOTW: I can't even really think of school set books. I read Harvard Yard last year for the book that takes place on a college campus. I liked that. I remember when I was a young teen or maybe just before that, I read I've Got a Crush on You. I liked that. Probably a bit young for me now. Last year I also read Lake of Dead Languages. That was actually pretty good.
It's finally September and things are feeling hectic, but I'm sure they'll get super slow again soon enough. This is the week that I would normally be going to NYC with my dad to watch the US Open. This year, we're watching from home. I'm super ready for this pandemic to end. I'm sure we're all feeling that way. I'm just giving myself a little time to mope about it this week.I finished three books this week, which made me happy. First, The Space Between Worlds, which was my BOTM selection for August. I really enjoyed this book and I'm super impressed that it's her debut novel. It's sci-fi that feels progressive, which, in my opinion, good sci-fi shEloisa Jamesould. The main character is a woman of color, there are non-binary characters and LGTBQ relationships, the story feels modern and fresh. I thought the world-building was really spectacular and I can't wait to see what else she writes.
I also finished Say Yes to the Duke, which is the latest in Eloisa James's Wildes of Lindow Castle series. It was okay, but I think the series is getting to that point where it's starting to go downhill and maybe it's time to start a new series. I think the next one is going to be the parents, and that's usually where I stop reading.
Also, I finally finished The Path of Daggers. I love Wheel of Time, but this book is a slog. Nothing much happens. I don't think I'm the only one who feels that way. I am looking forward to the next book, but I probably won't start it until either the end of the year, or possibly even next year.
QOTW: There are two books I really enjoyed that took place at university: The Secret History and The Magicians.
Hi everyone, Sunny and low 80s as a high here, so basically my ideal weather! Will have to get out in it later.
This week I finished:
We're Gonna Die - This was my Read Harder play by a PoS or LGBTQ+ author. I have to say, I don't like reading plays. They're meant to be preformed, and I just feel like something is lost just reading them. This one in particular, I couldn't even rate because it was so short, and half the text was stage direction describing how the on stage band should be dancing, and repetition of the same song lyrics over and over. The hoopla description had said the music was included, but it wasn't, so I couldn't even hear the music that was supposed to be playing. Feels like there should be more plays performed as audio dramas, for those who can't see them live but want to experience it better than reading.
Wow, No Thank You. - saw a lot of people talking about this and the library had it digitally so figured I'd check it out. I enjoyed it, some essays were pretty funny.
Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots - read for Read Harder's memoir from a person from a different religious background than your own. Thought this was a really powerful read, gripping to read.
All Systems Red - Wanted something fun to read while soaking in a tub, so figured re-reading this would work. I'll re read the second later and then eventually can finish the series
The Old Guard, Book One: Opening Fire - watched the netflix movie of this, and loved it. Wanted to read the comic. I think I liked the movie better, it added more depth to the characters, but it was still a solid story and I think a pretty good adaption. Also the movie has Charlize Theron and I adore her.
Currently reading:
Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot - a look at what intersectional feminism really means and how to make sure the most marginalized communities don't get left out in the mainstream push.
Nocturna - this is on hold because it turns out, turning your wifi off doesn't actually stop audio books from returning like it does on kindle, sigh. Have something like 2 hours left on this but now have to wait for two more people before I can get it back, so probably another month. My library has it physically, and it's available. Might just grab it and re-read the whole thing, this wasn't working well as an audio book for me anyhow. too convoluted to follow with me being prone to spacing out.
QOTW:
I don't know if I have any favorites per se. I do read some YA and such, but most the stuff I read doesn't take place in schools. I do like the Dumbing of Age web comic. Giant Days comic was alright too.
We’ve been having some lovely weather, so I’ve spent time outside reading this week. It was wonderful. I don’t know what the next week will bring. I’m having dental surgery this afternoon. I took off tomorrow for recovery, and Monday is a holiday. I’m hoping recovery is quick and I can spend most of the very long holiday weekend reading. We’ll see ....Finished
Brimstone by David Niall Wilson and Patricia Lee Macomber. I DNFed this Stargate tie-in book earlier this year, but decided to give it a second chance. I did finish it this time, but the poor characterization and OC who did nothing but take up space continued to bother me the whole book.
Reading
Beatrice and Benedick by Marina Fiorato
In Times Like These by Nathan Van Coops
The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee: Native America from 1890 to the Present by David Treuer
QOTW
The only book that comes to mind is Harry Potter. I've read other books where the characters are in school, but school isn't really the focus. I guess I'm not a huge fans of book set in schools?
Nadine wrote: "A PUPPY???!!!???!!! Awesome! Enjoy! Hide all your shoes hahaha!Looks like he/she is going to be big? Is that a Golden/GSD mix, maybe?"
They think she's mostly black lab and terrier, maybe some hound mixed in. Prediction is 50-60 pounds.
And oh yes, she already has her own "playpen" area we've gated off, and as she learns she'll get more exploring rights. (Which gives us time to clean up all our detritus and block off electric cords, etc.)
I'm excited to see how her personality develops! Among her sisters, she was definitely the "medium" one - not crazy energetic or lazy, not fearful or rambunctious. We'll see . . .
Verrrrrry boring week. I've been sleeping and waking at odd times so I really couldn't've told you it had been a week. Individual days are abstract concepts.My mother's changing all the decor around in the house, transitioning from spring/summer theme to autumnal - she likes doing seasonal makeovers. I've contributed a wee stack of spooky books on the living-room sideboard, decorated with fake spiders and glass pumpkins.
While digging out the decorations from the garage I finally found my copy of Life after Life, which has been MIA for a long time - I hadn't been able to lay hands on it at least since I bought the sequel, and that was a good 4+ years ago. So that's nice, I'll finally be able to do a reread and actually start the second book.
Books finished this week:
Outlander - ... yeah, yeah, okay, I get the appeal. There were a few moments where I was giving the book some serious side-eye (oh, of course she sees Nessie, and HOW does a full-grown Scotsman not know the world's most basic swearwords?!), but I did like it overall and it certainly kept me engaged enough that I read all 864(!!!) pages within about four days. Aaaand I now own the next two books in the series. They're not masterpieces, but Ms. Gabaldon sure does know how to keep the reader reading.
The Fox Woman - The Kindle edition formatting for this one was dire, but the story was great. The 3 POVs were a wonderful choice - all participants in the central love triangle were fully fleshed out and I rooted for all of them even though that was a self-contradiction.
Currently reading:
The Children's Book - I'm a quarter of the way into this and I still do not know what it's about... seems to be a family saga, a meditation on creativity, and several other things all at once. It's a little confusing, really, I'm not sure if I'll make it all the way through, though it is good.
A Cat, a Hat and a Piece of String - Needed something a bit easier to read to break up "Children's Book", and settled on a short-story collection. Can't really go wrong with Joanne Harris.
QOTW:
I'm not big on school-themed books. When I was a kid, obviously Harry Potter was a big thing, I grew up with it, and Hogwarts has pretty much defined the concept of "magic school" for the modern era. I also liked The Naughtiest Girl in the School.
There's Unseen University in the Discworld books of course, which was around quite a while before Hogwarts, though Pratchett got some nasty letters from HP fans who thought it was the other way round.
Every Heart a Doorway isn't exactly set at a school, it's a group home for troubled teens, but it has the same vibe, and the kids do apparently get education via visiting tutors though it's only mentioned in passing.
Jane Eyre - again, not primarily set at a school, but the Lowood chapters are very memorable. I guess I'd say this is probably my favourite book that involves a school, but only in the sense that it's a favourite book of mine in general, and coincidentally has a school in it.
Hello - looking forward to a long weekend, and the start of fall. Temperatures are still high down here, and its muggy out, but all my favorite fall treats are starting to emerge so I'll ignore the weather.Kids around here are back to school (some in-person and some virtual, but no hybrid in our county that I know of). My mom works at the school so she's back in the building, but most of the kids in our family went the virtual route this semester.
Books read this past 2 weeks since my last check-in:
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander - I read this as a way of better understanding all that has gone on in the last 6 months, and it gave me quite a bit to think about. It's a good presentation of the topic, but it's a heavy subject so I admit it took me a good 6 weeks to get through it.
The Cades Cove Story by A. Randolph Shields - we recently visited Cades Cove so I searched out this book to learn more about the backstory, which is pretty fascinating. This book was written by someone who lived in Cades Cove as a kid, and whose family had lived there for several generations, so it felt like an inside look at this history.
The Last Kids on Earth by Max Brallier - this book series got my 9 year old nephew into reading, and he was super excited to share it with me by loaning me the first 5 books. It was really cute, he handed them to me and told me I could read them and then give them back, lol. I really liked it, and I can completely see why he would too. Also, this works for the prompt "a book with a map"
The Last Kids on Earth and the Zombie Parade by Max Brallier - so I loved the first book and immediately went to the second book, which scared the bejeebers out of me. I literally had nightmares after reading it. I still love the series, but I was left wondering if it was that scary to the younger age group. This is going to be my discussion point when I start talking to my nephew about it. :-)
QOTW:
The Harry Potter series is a great choice for favorite book set in a school, a few others are:
A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz
Evernight by Claudia Gray
Spent most the weekend trying to catch all the stag beetles in Animal Crossing before they disappeared for the year. So not much reading and work has been busy too. We have someone retiring at the end of the month so there's lots to get done/hand over.I finished The City in the Middle of the Night for a book by a trans author. I felt it had some pacing issues but it's full of ideas and I ended up liking where it was going a lot. I think this demonstrates why there are so few standalones when there's a lot of worldbuilding to do. Also using for ATY's most coveted literary prize prompt.
I'm currently reading The Memory Police and listening to The Adventures of Maud West, Lady Detective: Secrets and Lies in the Golden Age of Crime.
PS: 34/50 | ATY: 34/52 | GR: 74/100
QOTW:
I have a soft spot for boarding school stories, I especially liked the Night School series. Also enjoyed Among Others, Follow Me Down, Vita Nostra, Oligarchy and The Name of the Star.
I guess a lot of YA is technically set in school but it doesn't always register as the setting in my mind.
Happy September! It's a new religious year for many people of various faiths (myself included), so happy new year. Can't say goodbye to this one fast enough. XD Trees are starting to show colours! I've had a pumpkin spice donut. Bring on the fall.Finished 32/50
Omg I want to finish this so bad!!!! It's gonna be close.
Love and Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs for "book with a 3 word title". I don't count subtitles. Eh, this was just ok. It was given to us a few years back and I never picked it up. Some of the principles are great but the overall sales-pitchy tone and sheer amount of fluff grated on my nerves.
Royal Monastic: Princess Ileana of Romania for "book with a pink cover". The spine and back cover are pink, so I think it counts! This is a biography of Mother Alexandra which seemed fitting to read since I already read one book on angels written by her plus her autobiography of living in WWII Europe. So this helped tell "the rest of the story". What an amazing woman. Seriously. I can't imagine going through and doing all the things she did. Wow.
Currently Reading
Gratitude in Life's Trenches: How to Experience the Good Life Even When Everything Is Going Wrong for "book with only words on the cover, no graphics". WOW is this good so far. It's not sales-pitchy, it has fabulous research to back it up, plenty of practical, real-world advice, and is so respectful of people's pain and feelings. I'm taking it one chapter at a time because it's so deep. I have to chew on it for a bit before moving on. Seriously, a perfect book for our current world.
Lonesome Dove for "Western". Ok. I'm 70 pages in and nothing has happened, but I'm strangely addicted to it. The characters are really well-built. I've never read a Western before, but so far it sort of has my attention. We shall see!
The Wilderness Journal: 365 Days with the Philokalia for "book whose title caught your attention". I wish it was still catching my attention. It's not bad, but not great.
QotW
Oh, Harry Potter definitely. The Name of the Wind also involves a school, and I love that series a lot too (c'mon Patrick, FINISH IT!!!!). Speak is another favourite. So powerful.
Ever since I got out of school and stopped having summer vacation, September always kind of takes me by surprise. People around me talk about being back in school and I'm like "wow, already?"But I think the effect is accentuated this year because of quarantine. Part of my head is still stuck in mid-March.
Finished reading: (31/50)
The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle (with a map, more than 20 letters in the title) - I liked it! (Even though I never stopped hating the main character, and I couldn't care less about his past or his relationship with Anna.) Loved the intricate plotting and everyone's secrets and agendas, and just the way everything dovetailed in the end.
QotW: This is a tough one. I read a lot of books where the characters go to school, but the school is entirely incidental to the plot (and often drops out completely once the real story picks up).
A few of my favorites with a legit school setting:
- The Library at Mount Char (contemporary fantasy) - Not a traditional school setting, but it features a mysterious archmage who takes in a dozen orphans and sets about teaching them the arcane arts (war, healing, death, languages, etc.)
- Wilder Girls (horror) - Does being quarantined in a school count?
- On a Sunbeam (soft sci-fi, webcomic) - First love at an all-girls boarding school. I don't usually go for high school romance stories but this is too cute.
Happy Thursday!I am very ready for the long weekend - 4 days for me (whoo hoo).
Finished:
The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton. Well everyone, I finally finished this book and I didn't hate it. Sure it was difficult to get into and keep all the characters straight. I did like the ending - still the book could have been 100 pages less than it was. I liked the overall concept explained at the end and the larger moral issue at hand.
Luster by Raven Leilani. This was a book whose cover I fell in love with. It was a short book too so it was a fast read. I enjoyed the story and the writing was beautiful. Definitely a book that stays with you after you have read it.
Currently Reading:
The Power of the Dog by Thomas Savage. This was recommended to me by a friend who read it earlier this year. I also read that it is becoming a film in 2021. I enjoy comparing books to the movies.
QOTW:
I can't remember any school-related books that I have read as of yet. I still have a copy of Wilder Girls sitting on my TBR stack, but that is the only school-set book I can think of.
Drakeryn wrote: "But I think the effect is accentuated this year because of quarantine. Part of my head is still stuck in mid-March...."Yes! I'm all how can it be September when the year hasn't properly started yet?! My boss had a word with us about the importance of taking time off this week, I guess we've all been waiting for things to start up again before taking holiday.
Hi everyone. I'm jealous of the cute puppy! I can't have any pets at the moment but I want a dog as soon as I can.This week I finally finished a book with a bird on the cover. Who would've thought that this would be my biggest stumbling block this year? After 3 DNFs of other potential "bird" books, I read The Silence of the Girls. Is it weird to say I enjoyed such a harrowing book? I felt angry or sad the whole time reading the book. It was great but not one I'll re-read any time soon.
Currently reading: Golden Son and really struggling to remember who all the characters were from the first one.
QOTW: A couple of my favourites have been mentioned (Jane Eyre and A Little Princess). The other which comes to mind is The School for Good and Evil. I looooooved the first book of this series.
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Finished
Why We Can't Sleep: Women's New Midlife Crisis - ..."
Awww...new puppy parents! How exciting!
Not a whole lot of anything interesting going on lately! My husband and I drove down to the Los Angeles area to visit my family, and it was nice hanging out with everyone. We came home with some tamales that my mom made for us, but they didn't survive our appetites for very long! Anywho! I finished Beyond Boggy Creek: In Search of the Southern Sasquatch. It's SUPER interesting if you're into cryptids. I did find a few typos, but nothing that took away from the meaning of the words.
I'm currently rereading The Catcher in the Rye. I know I'm reading it to fill in a Popsugar prompt, but I can't remember which one lol.
I honestly love books that take place at schools, even though I never really liked my own school years. The Harry Potter books are an obvious favorite. I also think anything by Louis Sachar is gold (Sideways Stories from Wayside School, Sixth Grade Secrets). Homeroom Diaries is one that I just don't think gets enough love. The illustrations are great and it's actually a very touching story.
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School starts in two weeks here..."
So an engineer and art nerd? Cool!
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I had this idea in my head that you are a high school English teacher. Clearly not!
How could I forget Matilda? I know the setting is a mix of her house and school but I think enough is at the school to count
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Yes! And I know at first that seems like a real dichotomy, since engineers are seen as rigid and art nerds are, well, not rigid. But it's actually quite common to find engineers who are also very artistic, and if you think about it, it makes sense, because engineers (at least, mechanical engineers like me) communicate through drawings. Sure, we've got all our calculations and designs and failure analysis and computer models and blah blah blah, but once the design is determined, a drawing is created, and that's the official record, that's how the suppliers and factory know what to build. And okay it's a mechanical drawing, not the sort of thing you see in a museum, but a drawing nonetheless!
Ellie wrote: "Drakeryn wrote: "Yes! I'm all how can it be September when the year hasn't properly started yet?!"Same... but also let's get out of 2020 as soon as we can! 😨
Mod
And okay it's a mechanical drawing, not the sort of thing you see in a museum, but a drawing nonetheless!"
True. I hadn't considered that...
I finished two books this week and am using one for one of my open prompts. I'm at 25/40 and 9/10 for this challenge, and am now at 91/100 for my overall Goodreads Reading Challenge. Finished:
* One Year of Ugly by Caroline Mackenzie, which was a Giveaways win. I decided to use this for "a book with a pun in the title" because "ugly" can be read two ways; and,
* The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley, which was charming and checked the box for a feel good read.
Currently Reading:
* Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson, which I plan to use for "a book on a subject you know nothing about;"
* A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza, which is one of my book club's picks for September (it was my recommendation, so hoping it's a good one :)); and,
* Jimmy's Blues and Other Poems by James Baldwin.
QotW:
September is traditionally back to school season in many places, what are some of your favorite books set at a school (grade school or university)? I can't think of any favorites off the top of my head, so I'll mention a book I read this year that was set at a school: Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas.
Happy Thursday, y’all.Exhausted and cranky this week, so will just cut to the chase with the book roundup and not bore everyone with the details...
Books read this week:
The Mother Code -- Goodreads giveaway book. I loved the concept of this, but I feel like I got a different book than was advertised in the Goodreads blurb. More kids and their guardian robots, please, and less government scientists and military types bungling things up!
Four Past Midnight -- Collection of four of Stephen King’s novellas -- “The Langoliers,” “Secret Window, Secret Garden,” “The Library Policeman,” and “The Sun Dog.” A little goofier than his usual fare, but still disturbing.
Will Save the Galaxy for Food -- Humorous science fiction book by a YouTuber I enjoy (Yahtzee Croshaw, who does the Zero Punctuation series). Funny and entertaining, though character development is kind of an afterthought.
Doodleville -- Graphic novel. Cute and with a strong message about teamwork and learning to face your inner demons, though I didn’t think it was quite as good as his previous book, The Cardboard Kingdom.
DNF:
The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise -- Ever read a book where the prose was trying TOO hard to be cutesy and quirky? That’s this book.
Currently Reading:
Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
The Sea Beast Takes a Lover: Stories
Notes from a Small Island
Travel Light
Your Favorite Band Cannot Save You
QOTW:
The only one coming to mind at the moment is Into the Wild Nerd Yonder. Bit of a guilty pleasure of a book.
Finished: Hamilton: The Revolution This definitely gives the lie to the claim that Miranda made the musical himself.Started: Metacognition: Knowing About Knowing
Transfer of Learning: Cognition, Instruction, and Reasoning
Teaching Kids to Spell: A Developmental Approach to Spelling
Missing Measures: Modern Poetry and the Revolt against Meter
QotW: My favorite book that takes place in a school is Fish in a Tree
I got married on Saturday, with only my husband, the pastor and the pastor's kid in attendance. All my family and friends were watching on Zoom, so it doesn't feel real. No dress, flowers, music, dancing. We did have cake, at least. Our honeymoon was an one night camping adventure in a state park a few hours away. Stupid pandemic. Finished this week:
Nevertheless, She Persisted: Flash Fiction Project #11, An Anthology. Very quick read. I saw someone else say they were using it and remembered I had it on my Kindle. Interesting little stories.
Bronze and Sunflower #19, Set in a Country Beginning with C. Also knocked out a middle-grade fiction not set in the US for Read Harder. I was excited about this one, because it was about some children growing up in China during the Cultural Revolution, and that's something I've been interested in since college. Unfortunately, the story has little to do with the Cultural Revolution itself, and is mostly just a tale about living in a small, poor village. It's good for what it is, just not what I wanted.
I Love You So Mochi #26, Pun it Title, also Set in Japan. YA book about going to Japan for spring break to visit grandparents she's never met, and learning about who she is and what she wants for her future. Also a quick, fun read.
Black Wave: Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the Forty-Year Rivalry That Unraveled Culture, Religion, and Collective Memory in the Middle East Not using a prompt for this, but could be Published in 2020, By or About a Journalist, plus a few others. I've had this on hold from the library since the week before it came out (end of January), and it finally came available end of July. It took some effort to read, because it's 40 years of history of the Middle East, plus Egypt and Pakistan. There was a lot I was unfamiliar with, and the names seemed to blur together at times. But I finished it finally last night, and am glad I did. Before, I mostly knew the names of the leaders (Arafat, Assad, Saddam Hussein, Khomeini) and now I know so much more about their countries and what made them.
Butterfly: From Refugee to Olympian - My Story of Rescue, Hope, and Triumph Read Harder, By or About a Refugee. A memoir by the swimmer at the Rio 2016 games on the Refugee team, about her life in Syria, her journey to get out, and just wanting to swim. I remembered her from the coverage of the games. Unlike Malala's book (which Yusra gets as a gift), there isn't any backstory or history of Syria, what's happening or why. It's just Yusra's life. Very good for what it is.
Currently Reading Jane Eyre About a quarter of the way through. She's just left school and gotten a job as a governess.
Blowout: Corrupted Democracy, Rogue State Russia, and the Richest, Most Destructive Industry on Earth Next history book. I've had this one hold at the library since Thanksgiving.
PS: 40/50, RHC: 15/24, RW: 20/26, GR: 106/100
QOTW: As already mentioned, Every Heart a Doorway and the rest of the series are great for a boarding school that isn't what you expect. Magic for Liars also came to mind, but the main character isn't a student.
Mod
Congratulations and may you have years of happiness!! Someday this will be a wonderful story to tell :-)
Mod
I had no ceremony with either of my 2 marriages. IMO, the important thing is to concentrate on making it work.
So now you begin a new partnership! I trust it will prove enjoyable and fulfilling!
Agree with Nadine--a great story! And who knows, maybe you'll choose to throw a big party for friends and family in the future when it is safe/safer! I did that with my first marriage and I thought it worked well, It was at our home and everyone was relaxed and I got to cook for them all. (I love to cook!)
So there are other options to celebrate. Congratulations!!
Finished:-The Thousand Orcs by RA Salvatore
Currently reading:
-The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy
I'm still working on the summer challenge(12 prompts finished) and I've finished 32 prompts of the regular challenge.
Lynn, you're a moderator now? Did I miss an announcement? Of course, it makes total sense.
Melissa wrote: "I got married on Saturday, with only my husband, the pastor and the pastor's kid in attendance. All my family and friends were watching on Zoom, so it doesn't feel real. No dress, flowers, music, d..."Congratulations, Melissa! I really feel for anyone who had weddings planned during this time. Maybe have a big party later?
Melissa wrote: "I got married on Saturday, with only my husband, the pastor and the pastor's kid in attendance. All my family and friends were watching on Zoom, so it doesn't feel real. No dress, flowers, music, d..."It sucks that you weren't able to have the kind of wedding you wanted. Maybe in a year you can have a reception with the big white dress and everybody there to celebrate. The pandemic is stupid. If it makes you feel a little better, my in laws went to a wedding a couple weeks ago and the groom straight up disappeared for a few hours. He drove over to his family's lake house with some buddies and he did come back, but let's just say his bride wasn't thrilled that he left their reception and didn't tell anybody.
My back is crying again… stupid remote working. Since last Sunday, I only slept about 3 of 4 hours a night so I'm pretty tired right now. Finished
The Earth Is Weeping: The Epic Story of the Indian Wars for the American West - Interesting read on the Indian wars in the United States. Never knew there were so many interests on all sides.
Prompt: a western
Currently reading
Pale Rider: The Spanish Flu of 1918 and How it Changed the World - Really strange feeling: reading about a pandemic over 100 years ago and recognize so much: social distancing, face masks, quarantine, closed schools and business... really strange!
Qotw
Pietje Bell - A Dutch classic about the pranks of Pietje, a young boy in the city of Leiden. Of course he has to go school and of course everything goes hilariously wrong. Loved it!
Mod
Blame Nadine for twisting my arm! :) LOL
Mod
It JUST happened! :-) We haven't gotten around to any announcements yet.
Melissa wrote: "I got married on Saturday, with only my husband, the pastor and the pastor's kid in attendance. All my family and friends were watching on Zoom, so it doesn't feel real. No dress, flowers, music, d..."Congratulations on your wedding! We eloped and were married by a JP at City Hall aeons ago, and the intimacy is very cool. I hope it felt something like that for you. Wishing you many years of happiness together!
Hi All, I didn’t realize until I checked my reading journal but I only read one book for the week. I thought I was finishing books quickly. I read A Better Man(Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #15) by Louise Penny. I love that series. QOTW: My favorite book set in a school or university. Harry Potter series.
Christine wrote: "I completely missed last week! Time feels like it's going so slowly, but also it's slipping through my fingers somehow!..."
Congratulations on PUPPY adoption!!! She is adorable, and I hope you, your family and puppy have wonderful years together!!
Awww a puppy! I volunteer in animal rescue and I always tell people looking for a puppy that there's a reason they're so cute. Seriously though, enjoy it and get lots of snuggles. Finished:
Columbine - It's so well written and researched. I went into this book with one narrative and come out with the correct one. The author also does a great job of balancing out talking about the victims, survivors and their families and the killers and their families.
Nick and Charlie - I've really loved the whole Heartstopper's world and ordered this as soon as it came out and finally read it this weekend. It's just as lovely as the rest of the series. And it gave some hints as to where the story is going.
Two Rogues Make a Right - Just like Heartstopper, I've really loved this world too. If you've enjoyed the Seducing the Sedgwicks series so far, you'll enjoy this one too.
A Tale of Two Cities for a book with an upside-down image on the cover. I enjoyed this one way more than I thought I would. It's a classic for a reason. I really need to start digging into more of these classics that I never read in school.
The Glittering Hour for a book set in the 1920s. I really adored this one too. I honestly bought this from Book of the Month because it fit this prompt. But I'm glad I did buy it because it was a really beautiful story. I loved the main characters, I felt really engaged in the story and just wanted to keep reading. I highly recommend this if you like historical fiction.
Currently Reading:
Rodham for a fiction or nonfiction book about a world leader. I'm listening to the audio of this one. I'm enjoying it so far but am really not that far into it yet. The narrator is good though and sometimes that's just half the battle when it comes to audiobooks.
The Space Between Worlds for a book written by an author in their 20s. I am only 20 pages into this and I'm really looking forward to see how she grows this world and where the story is going.
Such a Fun Age - I wasn't planning on picking this one up anytime soon but I saw it at my library and snatched it. I am buzzing through it. I really like it. I just need a couple of good hours this weekend so I can finish it up. I'm interested in seeing where this one goes.
QOTW:
Honestly, the only one I can think of (that hasn't been mentioned) is Heartstopper. I really adore this comic. It's so wonderfully sweet and takes place at a boys' school in England.
Melissa wrote: "I got married on Saturday, with only my husband, the pastor and the pastor's kid in attendance. All my family and friends were watching on Zoom, so it doesn't feel real. No dress, flowers, music, d..."Congratulations!!
North Texas is getting some interesting weather--it's been rainy and they're actually predicting highs in the 70s, which is typically unheard of this time of year! Granted, the rain has it so humid that I still don't want to leave my apartment...but still!I also managed to finish a couple of books!! Listening to audiobooks while I unpack has been really nice.
Finished:
My Calamity Jane: A western; this was fun and silly. I think it's my least favorite of the three, just because it almost felt TOO silly, and also too in-your-face preachy, in a way the other two weren't. I said this last week, but I agree with all the points they're making, but I think it's a little insulting for them to constantly give asides to spell out exactly what the points were, instead of allowing me to pick up on them myself.
My Plain Jane: A character with a vision enhancement; this was great and I loved it! I figured I'd either love it or hate it, depending on how they decided to change the story, and I really liked the route they took. It wasn't as laugh out loud funny as the other two books, but I think that fits.
Currently Reading:
Victorian Fairy Tales
Up Next:
Frankenstein: The 1818 Text: This will be my book written by someone in their 20s. For whatever reason, I decided to do the stitch and read someone else brought up here a couple of weeks ago...we'll see if I actually get any stitching done, though!
QOTW:
I have a lot of books I'd list here--since I adore middle grade lit, I love a lot of books in schools. Louis Sachar's books, Stargirl, Matilda, Princess Academy, Feeling Sorry for Celia (this is more YA, I suppose), and I could keep going, but I won't.
My first week back in the classroom. It is not going well. I doubt I'll have much read by next week but before classes started I finished two. For the prompt A book by an author with flora or fauna in their name I read Umbrella Man by Willow Rose. She has 70 books. Hopefully some of them are better than this Nightmare on Elm Street rip off For the prompt A book set in a city that has hosted the Olympics I read Therapy Jonathan Kellerman because I had it lying around. It's the typical Alex and Milo fare for this series. Los Angeles hosted the Olympics in 32 and 84
QOTW Ooo that's tough, Harry Potter of course but a couple of my faves are Maggie Stiefvater's The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle) and Blue Exorcist, Vol. 1 by Kazue Kato
Good afternoon all,Spent the last week in hospital, and glad to be home!
My feline child is relieved I'm back.
Not exactly doing great yet, and limiting screen time, so I’ll get to the books I was too ill to post last week.
Finished:
Know My Name Powerful and beautifully written. I was captivated by Chanel’s narrative, and while her experience was a little too close to home, it was nearly unputdownable. Do take breaks as the author recommends. We need witnesses to truth like this! Highly recommend this book!
Used for PS prompt: “book written while author was in her 20s”.
Summer in Sorrento Very lovely romantic novel: widow carries out her late husband’s dream and creates a small B & B in Italy. Everyone gets their HEA or HFN, and best of all, I loved the description of flowers and trees. I fell asleep to the scent of lemon groves. Start of a sweet series, possibly.
PSS prompt: Summer in title or summer romance.
Tequila Mockingbird: Cocktails with a Literary Twist
Light, funny read - basically bartending guide with literary references and fun facts.PSS prompt: book with summer drink on cover.
Breakfast at Tiffany's A much darker Holly Golightly than Audrey Hepburn played. Truman Capote’s writing style is perfection, which just hooked me. Don’t miss the three short stories, especially “House of Flowers”. I was begging the MC to run back to be with her friends.
PSS: Sunglasses on cover.
Sh*t My Dad SaysHilarious! I laughed so hard my skull and eyes hurt, and had to take breaks lol.
PSS: Beach read.
In the Spirit of Crazy Horse: The Story of Leonard Peltier and the FBI's War on the American Indian Movement I have spent so many Days of Mourning (aka US Thanksgivings) at protests and at rallies for the freedom of Leonard Peltier. This book will explain why. Not an easy read, but the author did his research, and glad that this info is available to the public. This should be required reading for all Americans. Matthiessen’s writing style is wonderful!
No prompt. Just needed some strength.
QOTW:
University(ies)… my happy place ….. drifting….
Will Lavender is a university professor, and he is my favorite writer in this sub-genre
Obedience
Dominance
Surpassing Certainty: What My Twenties Taught Me
Jane Langton’s work – some Homer Kelly’s mysteries are set at Harvard
Robert Cormier – he simply could not write a bad book, and a few take place in high school
Many others I cannot recall at the moment.
Hello friends and readers! Happy Thursday. I have been trying really hard to balance my responsibilities and my hobbies. The goal is to not push myself too hard but still make time for fun things like movies and reading. Wish me luck.
This week has been good. I have balanced my school work well with relaxing and have already finished a book this month. Go me! I am struggling filling in the blanks for the challenge but hopefully I can figure it out.
58/52 2020 Goal
31/40 Regular
6/10 Advanced
Finished:
22. Woman in STEM (both Jude and Stella)
I wanted to love this. I wanted the hype to be real but I only liked it so that's a bit disappointing.
This is quick and fun ya caper
Currently Reading
QotW:
September is traditionally back to school season in many places, what are some of your favorite books set at a school (grade school or university)?
I loved the Wayside School books growing up. I really love One of Us Is Lying. I grew up on HP. I read a lot of dystopia now so not a lot of schools. lol.
Hi everyone! I hope you all had better weeks than me! My grandma passed away recently, and the funeral was this past Saturday. Many people were wearing masks, but several people who showed up refused to do so even though we had free ones at the door. So I'm mourning my grandma and also terrified I'll get Covid. 2020 is the worst.But I'm still glad I went. My grandma was basically the center of my huge extended family. She had five kids, so tons of grandkids and great-grandkids. She was 97, almost 98. I was given her old journals from the late 30s early 40s and it's incredible to read her words from when she was a teenager. She was a writer and an avid reader, so I imagine she would have enjoyed this challenge!
Finished
Vengeful by V.E. Schwab. I loved this. So much. Schwab is definitely my favorite author right now. I can't wait for her upcoming book, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue! I may or may not have preordered both the US and UK editions ;)
Currently Reading
Babel: Around the World in Twenty Languages by Gaston Dorren. I meant to read this last week, but only read the first chapter. Now that I'm into it, I'm really enjoying it! So far there's been both traditional linguistics topics, and also some language history. I'm using it for my book with twenty in the title, so I'd recommend it to anyone still looking to fill that prompt.
Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey. I. LOVE. This. I'm hooked. So enjoying. I'm using for my book by a trans or nonbinary author.
Cannibalism: A Perfectly Natural History by Bill Schutt. This was on Chirpbooks on a discount, so I bought it, and I actually sort of love it. It's more science-y than gross-out horror, and the narrator is really good at delivering the topic. Not for a prompt, just to make my commute more bearable.
QotW
Magic for Liars! It's set in a magical high school and it's fabulous! I also loved The Austere Academy from A Series of Unfortunate Events (I loved the whole series, but that one especially).
Books set at a school:The “Fallen” Series by Lauren Kate. It is a great series!
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Fahrenheit 451 (other topics)Love, Stargirl (other topics)
Alternate Side (other topics)
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism (other topics)
How to Be an Antiracist (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Neal Shusterman (other topics)Paula Danziger (other topics)
Edmund Crispin (other topics)
Amanda Cross (other topics)
Donna Tartt (other topics)
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It’s week 2 of this new thing we call hybrid school. Things have been a little chaotic trying to remember the ever-changing schedule. School/work today, remote school/work from home tomorrow. My dog sure is happy to have me home again at least a couple days a week. Weather-wise we got remnants of Hurricane Laura this week so lots of rain and some cooler days. Then it turned back into 90 degree days. I am 100% ready for fall!
Admin stuff:
September discussion of Fahrenheit 451 is open! Jump over there if you’d like to join in.
We are still looking for discussion leaders for October and November!
October – Daisy Jones & The Six
November – Where the Crawdads Sing
On to the reading check-in!
Finished:
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. I was seduced by this gorgeous cover, and, despite my misgivings over a “horror” book, I gave it a try. I do enjoy a good gothic novel. I think the author did a nice job setting up the creepy house, strange relatives and overall sinister setting. I never really got attached to the characters, and the end just got weird. Overall, I don’t think it’s a bad book, but it wasn’t for me.
George by Alex Gino – I read this beautiful little story in an afternoon. George wants nothing more than to play Charlotte in the 4th grade’s production of Charlotte’s Web. The only problem is that the part will only be given to a girl. George knows deep down she’s a girl, but everyone else views her as a boy. This a middle grade story of accepting who you are and finding a way to make it known. Highly recommend. I used it for a banned book (not quite banned book week, but I held off until that month at least!)
Currently Reading:
Mary Reilly by Valerie Martin – I found this on a list of gothic novels. I remember when this movie came out (starring Julia Roberts as the title character, I can still here the way they whispered the name in the trailer). Mary is a housemaid in the home of Dr. Jekyll. The story unfolds as Mary records the happenings of the house. It’s a little slow moving, but the perspective is fun.
I Think You're Wrong (But I'm Listening): A Guide to Grace-Filled Political Conversations by Sarah Stuart Holland and Beth Silvers. I’m reading and discussing with a group over the next few weeks.
44/50
Question of the week:
September is traditionally back to school season in many places, what are some of your favorite books set at a school (grade school or university)?
Harry Potter comes to mind immediately, of course. I told my daughter on the 1st that it was time to board the Hogwarts Express (she laughed but also said I was weird)!
George - as mentioned above
One of Us Is Lying