Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2021 Weekly Check-Ins
>
Week 30: 7/22-7/29
I finished A Thousand Splendid Suns as my book by a Muslim American. I thought it was great. I read The Kite Runner a few years back and didn't particularly care for it, but I loved loved loved this book.I'm currently readingArabian Nights: The Marvels and Wonders of The Thousand and One Nights, Volume 1 of 2 as my book published anonymously. It's long:) Some of the stories are interesting.
QOTW: Just once. I didn't even finish the book. It was called Chasing or After someone. The main character was this total loser with absolutely no social skills whatsoever. Yep, that's me. A co-worker loaned it to me unasked, so I'm sure she saw the connection too.
I've been so tired this week, spend all day wanting to go to sleep and then come bed time I just can't get to sleep. Argh! At least the warm weather has meant we now have tomatoes ripening, and the courgettes and cucumbers have started their mass production. It feels like every time I go outside another one has appeared.Oh and we got a new (to us) car. A mouse had nested in the old one during lockdown and my partner had fixed most the things the mouse had nibbled through, but then found the passenger airbag wires were done for. He has been really reluctant to replace it but I feel it was its time as it would have cost more than it's worth to get it to pass its MOT this year.
Finished:
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell for winner of the Winner's Prize. I am relieved to have ticked off this prompt, this is a book I probably would have DNFed if not for me needing to read a winner, and I ended up liking it, but it's not really the kind of book I would enjoy reading a lot of, if that makes sense. It did that annoying thing of telling you what was going to happen at the start and so I didn't really have any pull to get back to it to find out what happens. I gave it four stars because I didn't feel the book deserved my resentment at having been forced to read it but I have really swung back and forth on a rating!
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers. I don't know if she's even capable of writing something I don't wholeheartedly love. This was a lovely little book on the meaning of life and the value of a good cup of tea and someone to listen.
I am close to finishing Pumpkin and House of Hollow but will save them for next week's check in.
PS: 34/50 | ATY: 35/52 | GR: 75/100
QOTW:
To be honest, I read to get out of my own head, so I'd probably be annoyed with a character exactly like me! I do come across characters with elements I can closely relate to, but I can't think of one right now.
Happy Thursday! Tonight kicks off another weekend of shows for me, which again means less reading on my weekend evenings (and less time for the Olympics), but as long as the weather's clear I don't mind :)Two finishes this week:
Preludes & Nocturnes - 4 stars, a good start! I have vols 2/3/4 on the nightstand at home, excited to keep going. I love Gaiman's imagination.
Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 18 - 5 stars, per usual. Love this series, and it's taking a lot of unexpected turns.
DNF: Shōgun - I had wanted to push through on this one as it was for both Popsugar and a separate challenge, but after 7hrs and with 46 still to go I was not feeling it.
Currently:
The Unbroken - Finishing tonight is probably an extremely optimistic thought, but it'll definitely get done over the weekend. I'm in the final 25% now and things are coming along nicely.
The Brothers Cabal - Back for another go with Nicholas Guy Smith on audio, I love his voice. And Horst makes a good foil to Johannes, so this is entertaining.
Terms of Surrender - I have every intention of blasting through the rest of this once The Unbroken is out of the way.
Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent - Need to get back to this as well!
PS 41/50
Have you ever come across a character in a book that reminded you of yourself? What was the book and who was the character?
Ehhhh does Hermione Granger count? I was the know-it-all in school, to the point where the boys would all OOOOOHH if I got a question wrong lol
I feel like I haven’t been nearly as engaged with the challenge or this group as I usually am. I’m really struggling to fall back into my old routines. Every part of my schedule is off. My sleep, exercise, meal times, reading, everything! I think my mind and body haven’t adjusted to the difference in light at different times of the day. Being in a different part of the same timezone is really strange. 8pm “looks” like 6pm. I keep realizing it’s later than I thought, and I’ve run out of time to read books or check-in posts.Finished
The Power Behind the Throne by Steven Savile (a book with less than 1,000 reviews). This book was not good. The concept of the Mujina was interesting, but rather than bring it to Earth and explore what the SGC would do with a creature that can mimic someone’s greatest wish, the author sends it and SG-1 to a planet where there’s a Nazi Raven King. There is a lot wrong with the way the author writes this allegory too. (view spoiler) It’s probably the worst Stargate novel I’ve read. Definitely skip this one.
Reading
After the Funeral by Agatha Christie (a book with a family tree).
I was listening to the audiobook version of Get a Life, Chloe Brown, but I didn’t finish it. I went back to check it out again and my library doesn’t have it anymore! This is the worst!
QOTW
Yes, but answering feels self-incriminating :'D
I also spent the last few days at the beach/pool. I always pack way too many books and plan to get all kinds of reading done. But this is the first time I have had my children with me, so I didn't even get 100 pages completed. I don't know if it was the constant pool time or the fact that the book I am trying to read is a bit tedious, but hopefully I can complete it this week.READING:
Doctor Who: A History: Celebrating Fifty Years
Seabiscuit: An American Legend
Circe
I also was in the middle of a great audiobook Get Well Soon: History's Worst Plagues and the Heroes Who Fought Them, and when asked to renew (three days early) the library no longer has it. Now I have to find a paper copy.
QOTW:
I don't know if I find myself in characters, as I find characters that I know I would be best friends with.
I've had a pretty good reading weekSeen on a bookshelf
Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas. YA. Prequel to The Hate U Give. Super enjoyable read.
on a BLM reading list
Stamped from the Beginning: A Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi. Nonfiction. Excellent read.
a book that reminds you of your favorite thing
I'll Fly Away by Rudy Francisco. He is one of my favorite contemporary poets.
No prompts
A Single Light by Tosca Lee. 2nd book in a series or duology. Pandemic has ravaged America. In the first book, the main character has what can be used to make a vaccine and passes it off and then goes into a bunker for 6 months and when they come out, it's lawless chaos with no vaccine. Didn't like this book as much as the first.
Admission by Julie Buxbaum. YA based on the college admission scandal. Shallow. Read like semi decent fanfic. Wasn't a fan.
Happy Thursday! I have a super long workday ahead of me but I'm squeezing in this check-in first...This week I finished:
Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know I used to read a ton of books like this but have been less interested in them lately. This one had a ton of relevant ideas so I was pleasantly surprised. 5 stars
This Close to Okay I had high expectations for this but it just wasn't a great fit for me. 3 stars
The Woman in the Purple Skirt This was strange, mostly in a good way, but I wasn't sure what to take away from it. 3 stars
Ghost Forest Sad but in a good way? 4 stars
Bolla Wow, this provided a lot to think about. Oof... 5 stars
Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation Good information, even though it was infuriating to listen to. 4 stars
Here for It; Or, How to Save Your Soul in America: Essays So fun, I enjoyed listening to this. 5 stars
At the Edge of the Haight We need a lot more books about homelessness, ideally more written by those with direct experience, but this author did a decent job. 4 stars
Currently listening to Love People Use Things and reading Peaces by Helen Oyeyemi in print.
QOTW: Oh, this question was from me? You'd think I'd have a good answer for it then... Ah! This is awkward since I'm white, but the only one coming to mind is Starr in The Hate U Give since I'm also a justice advocate and have been working on policing policy/issues. I'll keep thinking about this one.
Katy wrote: "I finished A Thousand Splendid Suns as my book by a Muslim American. I thought it was great. I read The Kite Runner a few years back and didn't particularly care for it, but I loved l..."I feel the same way. A Thousand Splendid Suns and And the Mountains Echoed were better, in my opinion, than The Kite Runner.
Back to work this week after last week off, and within 20 minutes of logging on on Monday morning it was like I'd had no relaxation at all, ho hum...I'm homing in on the end of the challenge now though, which pleases me :)
Finished:
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue for A book about forgetting. For the first 25-50% of this book I was in love with it, and was giving it 5 stars. Then it didn't seem to go anywhere for most of the second half, and was wrapped up very quickly at the end,so it dropped to 4 stars. I was kind of disappointed in the end...
Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies for The shortest book (by pages) on your TBR list. This was fun, although nothing particularly special.
Started:
A Beautiful Poison for A book with an oxymoron in the title. This is only 'meh' so far, unfortunately.
QOTW:
I can't think right now if I've ever come across a character who reminded me of myself, but my husband has told me repeatedly tht I'm his Hermione Granger - although that's based on the films rather than the books, as he's never read them!
Happy Thursday! Checking in on time this week. The weather is creeping back up to the 90s and I am not happy. Give me Fall weather, football, and sweaters! Finished:
Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage (A book with something broken on the cover). This was....ok. I kept waiting for some big...thing to happen or a twist - but sadly none of those things happened. It just ends...kinda disappointed.
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (not for the challenge). Apparently I missed the whole part where the killer is revealed because my book was missing some pages? I had to read about the book in order to understand it. Still a great read though! I ordered Death on the Nile from the library so hopefully that comes in soon.
Currently Reading:
Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala. I almost DNF'd this book, but I am glad I didn't. I was about 130 pages in and just not feeling it - I told myself "just get to page 150 and then you can stop if you really don't like it" and I am glad I did! The book is better as everything is unfolding. Can't wait to finish it now!
QOTW:
Hmm.. none that I can think of.
Another week with nothing new. I suppose that's not a bad thing! We're back in the 100+ temps, so just staying inside as much as possible. I finally went swimming last weekend and got my annual sunburn, so that was great! (I try SO HARD not to burn, but when you're as pale as I am, it's almost impossible not to, unless you stay indoors.)Finished:
Not a thing - my reading game's been a little off
Currently Reading:
Heavy Words Lightly Thrown: The Reason Behind the Rhyme - a book with an oxymoron in the title. I'm enjoying this and it's not very long, but I think I'm having trouble because it's a bunch of vignettes (I think that's the right use of that word), so it's easy to put down and then not pick up again for awhile.
Up Next (still):
The Silver Arrow - magical realism (I hope)
QOTW:
I love this question--I've found pieces of myself in a few characters, as well as traits I'd like to aim for. Hermione is one I always related to because of her strong moral sense - I know I was a bit judgmental at her age when I thought people were doing things "against the rules." Okay, a lot judgmental. (I've worked a LOT on this, though, and like to think I'm much better about letting people make their own decisions, as long as they aren't hurting themselves or others). Of course, I also love reading and was VERY focused on doing well in school.
So on the surface, she fit me well back then.
However, the main character from my favorite book, The Goose Girl, is who matches the deep-down parts of me. One of my closest friends read it and was surprised when I said I connect so strongly to Anidori, but it's because I mask most of those parts of me. Ani's fear that she's not good enough, that people won't listen to her, that she's not strong the way she should be...it hits me so hard every time. She has to learn the hard way that people aren't always who they pretend to be--and she eventually learns that it's not her fault. Her tendency to blame herself for everything that goes wrong...I feel that.
She also has a strong sense of right and wrong, but she really, really doesn't want to have to be a hero. She wants life to be simple and has to learn that we can usually only find simplicity in small moments. She also uses stories as a way to relate to the world and to others.
If she were real and someone met us both, they would be highly unlikely to see a resemblance. But if they broke us down to the core, they'd see that our souls are very similar. What's funny is that her best friend is the fiery, outspoken, "let's get stuff done NOW" type, and to outsiders, I probably seem way more like her!
Sadly, I don't have Ani's ability to talk to the wind--that would be so cool!
Hello! I'm not getting as much reading in as normal with the Olympics taking place. I have a love of the Olympics I've just accepted, even though the IOC is terrible and we should not have forced these games to take place. All that said, synchronized diving was a delight (still need to watch men's springboard). In 2004, I was working as data entry in claims for an insurance company and listening to NBC's broadcast of the games on the radio. Not a radio broadcast, mind you, but the TV broadcast on the radio. And I heard men's synchronized diving. You hear the springboard, a splash, cheering, and the commentator's "oh how lovely." PSA: Do not listen to synchronized diving on the radio. But ever since, I have a made a point to watch the diving events to remind myself how far I've come since that low point in August 2004.Finished this Week:
All Systems Red / Artificial Condition / Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells - Murderbot reread! I only read the first four last summer, so rereading them as prep for the rest of the series. Not for challenges.
PS: 34/50 RH: 12/24 RW: 16/28 ATY: 45/52 GR: 100/150
Currently Reading:
Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Pérez If synchronized diving hadn't been this week, I would have finished this. Almost done. Very infuriating.
Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey. Book club is tomorrow and I'm not going to have this done in time. Still very early.
Up Next:
Exit Strategy / Network Effect / Fugitive Telemetry. The rest of Murderbot!
QOTW: Have you ever come across a character in a book that reminded you of yourself? What was the book and who was the character?
I think it was more that, in various series, I found the quiet one who liked reading and decided she was my favorite, with Mary Anne in the Baby-Sitters Club being the earliest. I don't think I've found my adult self in a book.
Happy Thursday! I've been watching the Olympics more than reading so...I'm falling beind. XDCurrently Reading
The Arabian Nights: Tales of 1001 Nights, Volume 1 of 3 for "book by an anonymous author". I'm about 1/3 of the way through this beast. I decided to only do volume one instead of the whole thing because otherwise I won't finish the challenge with how monstrous this series is!
QotW
Oh I suggested this a few weeks back too! Great minds! ^^
I think so far the person who's most resembled me in a book so far is Ali from The City of Brass as far as personality, values, and temperament go. It's actually quite disturbing. He's basically me as a magical Muslim man. o.O
Otherwise I've always related very much to Harry Potter. He's probably closer to my childhood self. Virginia from The 10th Kingdom is close to who I am now.
My sisters tell me I remind them of Katniss from The Hunger Games and my husband tells me I remind him of Syoaran Li from Tsubasa: RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE, Vol. 1. So, between all of those characters, I guess you get me!
Hi everyone. I had my second dose of the vaccine on Sunday (and consequently spent most of Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning with a high fever and pounding headache) but at least I'm done with injections for a while.I didn't read as much as usual because of it but I did manage to finish Rebel Rose which is a sequel of sorts to Beauty and the Beast, my favourite Disney movie. I really liked the story of them trying to keep the fate of France's nobility away from their kingdom but both Belle and the Beast (well, not a beast any more) seemed to act very out of character all the way through. The villain was pretty creepy in a slimy, sleazy way
QOTW: I can't really think of anyone (at least not one to show me in a positive light!).
When I was a kid I really related to both Posy from Ballet Shoes and Amy from Little Women. Like them, I'm the baby of the family. Both are very determined and focused on their passions. I also realise now that they're both pretty self centred. I hope I'm not as bad lol
I did find time to read a little this week. I'm in the middle of the collision of job and physical therapy so I have no time for reading.For the prompt A book that has the same title as a song I read Clockwork Heart by Dru Pagliassotti which shares its title with an Abney Park song find the song here.
I read Death by Dissertation by Kelly Brakenhoff. This was the one I planned to read for has my job but the protagonist was moving to academic administration no thank you. It was a soso myster
QOTW When it comes to books, not so much. It happens more in TV shows like WIllow on Buffy or Edrisa on Prodigal Son
Hi all, Is this week over yet? Been the worst week I've had in a while. Had a horrible storm Saturday night, that downed lines all over my area, along with trees, a tornado, lightning strikes. We didn't get power back until later Monday afternoon. It was in the high 80's, so a hot sweaty few days. Then Monday night we lost internet for over 24 hours, probably patching up storm damage as well. So I didn't work the first two days this week. Instead I had to scrub the entire fridge and freezer since we lost all our food (we've never lost power this long, and hadn't expected the storm to be this bad. Weren't prepared with coolers etc. and don't have a generator), and then spent time on tuesday doing a bunch of chores I couldn't do with no power (vacuuming the whole house, home stuff that needed light). Then tuesday night I don't know what was up but I had whole body convulsing pain down my back/abdomen all night, got no sleep. I think it might have been a bit of a tweaked nerve, i did some stretching, ice pack, heat, and it helped. I wanted to call out yesterday but felt compelled to work since I already had two unexpected days off. (I work from home, not just for pandemic, I have for over a decade. there IS no office to return to). Just tired, I want an actual break that isn't hot, irritating, and making my anxiety spike. Sorry that got ranty, it's just been a rough one.
This week I finished:
Solutions and Other Problems - this was a good read, I didn't follow Allie Bosch a ton but I was familiar. It felt similar to Jenny lawson's books, but illustrated. I like Jenny's books too though so that's fine for me.
Currently reading:
I was all "im going to crack down on the challenge and read NOTHING but books that fit" and then I go pick up a load of library books that don't fit at all. So here i am plugging through Fables: Compendium Two, about 1/4 left.
also reading The Priory of the Orange Tree which at least counts for the challenge, but two very long books going at once means Im still not making progress haha. Using this for the family tree prompt. It's not a traditional tree, but there is a list of relationships at the end. I'm liking it, just under half through.
Record of a Spaceborn Few - audio re-read while I do art and cross stitch.
QOTW:
None that jump out as "yes that's me", but I always did feel somewhere between Luna and Hermione. I had the obsession with grades and following rules of early Hermione and the love of reading (although fiction, not nonfiction), while also having the "weird" interests and fashion choices. Never to the point of being a total loner, but enough that I was never the popular kid with huge piles of friends.
I’m glad I’m not the only one distracted by the Olympics! I’ve had it on every day since Friday night (Opening Ceremony). I turn the volume down for events I may not be much into so I can read during those and commercials. I have finished three books so far this week and am halfway through another. Almost no reading done last night (Wednesday). First there were two hours of a local concert, then two hours watching Olympic events and then we had severe storms come through that included tornadic activity. My county saw mostly downed trees and some power outages, but not in my area. I hope others were equally as lucky!Finished: Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly for a “social justice” book. I also read Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith and listened to Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke, neither of which seem to fit open prompts.
READING: Spellbound by Rebecca York, as one of the oldest books on my TBR shelf.
QOTW: I have seen myself in a few characters/books, but naturally can’t think of the titles now. It’ll come to me weeks from now.
Mod
I'm visiting my mother this week, which means, I'm at the beach! I just got back from my daily early morning walk with the dogs to the bay."
I am both so happy for, and jealous of, YOU!! LOL Enjoy on my behalf as well, please! 😎
"Usually I spend the month of July carefully planning which books I will bring to the beach, and strategically putting books on hold at the library so they will come in right before my trip. But this year, somehow, that didn't happen. Luckily for me, I always have a ludicrous backlog of library books stacked in my room, so I just brought what I had."
Ha! Glad to know I am not the only one with PLENTY of unread books on hand!
"Admin stuff
I don't know! I'm at the beach! We probably need a discussion leader for a group read later in the year."
Ha! Ha! I'll post in a bit and include this since you are currently indisposed at the BEACH!! LOL 😁 (I think you technically are required to allow your co-moderator to tag along with you to the beach, but I'm willing to overlook it this one time!)
"This week I finished 3 books, one for this Challenge, so I am now 35/50.
Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto - this was completely ludicrous, and a lot of fun. This could be used for "diamonds on the cover" (which was not apparent to me until I was holding the physical book in my hands)."
This looks so cute!
"The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris - this was ALSO completely ludicrous, in a different way. It was dark humor, but it wasn't until 2/3 of the way into the book that I understood that. This could be used for "something broken on the cover.""
Hmmm...I put this on my "Do Not Read" shelf because I assumed it would be too scary for me. What do you think?
"Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson - this was fantastic!! I used this for magical realism, a sub-genre I usually dislike, but I loved this book and I’m so glad I saw it suggested for this category."
Ha! My favorite used bookstore has a copy of this cheap! I emailed them to hold it for me!
"Question of the Week
This week's question was suggested by Lauren, a long time ago …
Have you ever come across a character in a book that reminded you of yourself? What was the book and who was the character?
I do not remember this happening to me! But I've seen a few of you mention it now and then, so I thought maybe this could spark an interesting discussion."
I know this has happened to me, but can't remember specific books/characters! Ugh.
Katelyn wrote: "Katy wrote: "I finished A Thousand Splendid Suns as my book by a Muslim American. I thought it was great. I read The Kite Runner a few years back and didn't particularly care for it, ..."Tears tears tears, I shed so many tears on this book.... I think it's Hosseini's best book.
Allie wrote: "I also was in the middle of a great audiobook Get Well Soon: History's Worst Plagues and the Heroes Who Fought Them, and when asked to renew (three days early) the library no longer has it. Now I have to find a paper copy."Nooo! I'm sorry this happened to you too.
Heather wrote: "Allie wrote: "I also was in the middle of a great audiobook Get Well Soon: History's Worst Plagues and the Heroes Who Fought Them, and when asked to renew (three days early) the library no longer h..."I haven't heard of this before. Is it because their contract runs out or something like what happens when shows aren't on Netflix anymore? Is this a new library fear I need to worry about?!! lol
I know I've put books on my TBR that I've seen while browsing at the library that are later not available, I assume because someone lost them or they got pulled from the stacks, but I haven't run into this problem with ebooks.
Finished no books this week, again, but actually read a LOT. My Olympics is limited to a 1 hour daily overview due to time differences and work. I did watch cycling, but I managed to miss the ladies individual time challenge. I didn’t even know it was scheduled yesterday… so I was very surprised to wake up and read that Annemiek van Vleuten had won the time trial. She’s that woman that fell pretty bad in Rio 2016, she laid so still for so many minutes at the side of the road, I feared she wouldn’t survive, but 5 years later she has the gold she was about to win in Rio. That’s what’s so great about the Olympics, there are so many stories behind each medal. 26/40
Finished
Nothing
Currently reading
De Dertigjarige Oorlog: De allereerste wereldoorlog 1618-1648
Tand des tijds
QOTW
Well, one that crosses my mind is that little Michelle Obama reminded me of my little self. The ambition… well, that was me. And being looked at like you can’t by everyone at school. Because of your background. No, not the color of my skin, but the social position of my parents made people think that I couldn’t be that smart. Well, I showed them. Just like Michelle. At the age of 12, Michelle got really ambitious and planning her study and career. I never did such a thing. I’m not that ambitious, but I still like to prove ‘I can’.
Hi all! I'm already getting fall vibes here in NY. The song birds are quieting down, and I dunno, I can just feel it. We're in a cool spell which is probably contributing, too.I haven't really watched any Olympics. I'm not sure why, I usually love them, but I haven't been excited to watch and have been sticking with baseball (though I don't know why, the Yankees can't hardly hold on to a lead).
My family is going to Myrtle Beach at the end of August. I haven't been outside of NY since before I had my kid, and she's 3! We're already planning on having a less active vacation than normal with rising covid numbers all over. But we're also getting together with my step-sister and her daughters (also 3 years old and a 3 month old!) and my step-brother and his daughter (5 years old), so it's going to be a lot of young girls running around! My daughter is already asking if it's beach day each day! So I'm trying to plan and line up my books, too, but realistically, I can't possibly get much reading done down there!!
I haven't finished anything. I hit a reading funk for a couple of days, but it's already passed I think. I debated not posting until I finished In the Forest, but I think I've got at least 2 days of reading left.
I'm really enjoying The Perfect Horse: the Daring U.S. Mission to Rescue the Priceless Stallions Kidnapped by the Nazis, but I've got a long way to go and it's due back next week. I think I'll have to return it and check it back out.
I started Dinner with the Smileys: One Military Family, One Year of Heroes, and Lessons for a Lifetime which I think is a mushier, feel-good book than I usually go for, but feel-good is so hard to come by in the world these days, I'm willing to give it a shot.
QOTW:
I can't think of a character I have seen myself in, but the first time I read a book by Ken Follett (Jackdaws) I noticed that his writing style is almost exactly the same as the way I write! So that was a little weird and cool. Needless to say, I've loved all his books that I've read. But I haven't read one of his books in quite a while.... hmm....
What a week. Things keep happening at work so I can't get anything done. Last check-in I had no idea what I was reading next, and then I read some fun books. And then the cat I've been rooming with for the last 11 years died Tuesday. He loved the daylights out of me and was often the only positive interaction I'd have for days, so... I'm kinda nervous about my mental health going forward. Finished:
The Last Human - Interesting but maybe when on a bit
Mr. Lemoncello's Great Library Race - Always fun. I do love a scavenger hunt.
The Glass Thief - Last (currently?) adventure of Jaya Jones, treasure hunting historian
Uma Wimple Charts Her House - Cute picture book for stats nerds
The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle - I really enjoyed this, except for the complete overkill of fat-phobia for one character. FFS! Luckily it was pretty contained in one chapter, but SHEESH.
Ring Shout - Ding Ding Ding! We have a winner! Five stars
Currently Reading:
Ready Player Two - Not as much fun as the first one, but still keeping my mood up. I do enjoy Wil Wheaton's narration.
QOTW:
I can't think of a character off the top of my head. The closest I can think of is Jenny Lawson, which is why I can never read any of her other books.
poshpenny wrote: "What a week. Things keep happening at work so I can't get anything done. Last check-in I had no idea what I was reading next, and then I read some fun books. And then the cat I've been rooming with..."I'm so sorry to hear that! The loss of furry friends is so, so hard.
Jennifer W wrote: "I haven't heard of this before. Is it because their contract runs out or something like what happens when shows aren't on Netflix anymore? Is this a new library fear I need to worry about?!! lol"My library uses Cloud Library for its ebooks and audiobooks. I don't know if they pull titles or if the library swaps them out periodically. I've had several books saved in Cloud Library that disappear before I've been able to read them, but never in between renewals until now.
I'm so sorry for your loss, poshpenny. He sounds like he was a wonderful and sweet cat.
I feel like I've DNF'd so many books lately, and maybe it's just me, but god I want something that just captivates me. I'm probably taking a break from YA because the last few I've tried have been exposition-heavy or had terrible dialogue, even if I liked them overall (like Internment, I really liked it, but the dialogue was painful sometimes). The Sound of Stars started with a 70-page exposition dump and I didn't care about anything. Sigh.Otherwise, I'm reading Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh (black-and-white cover) which is about a totally unlikable person, but I'm fascinated. Maybe I just like dark, unpleasant books?
I keep meaning to pick back up on The Seven Necessary Sins for Women and Girls...
QotW: I'm sure I have, but none spring immediately to mind. I usually relate to characters who can never sit still and hate the status quo and are very critical of themselves.
Not a lot outside of the ordinary happened for me this week. I finished two books. Once again neither filled a PopSugar Prompt. Hopefully next week I will finish The Queen of Nothing and fill the the prompt for a book Whose title starts with a "Q". In the meantime here is my challenge progress.Challenge Progress:
PopSugar Regular: 28/40
PopSugar Advanced: 6/10
Around the Year in 52 Weeks: 47/52
Salt Lake County Library Monthly Reading Challenge 9/14
Finished Books
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Loved the idea of the book; not so much the execution. The book itself teaches good lessons about life and suicide. I know I am in the minority on this book, but I felt like the characters were underdeveloped and unlikable.
Castle of Refuge by Melanie Dickerson
Another amazing retelling by Melanie Dickerson. An awesome version of "The Ugly Duckling". Loved it!
Books I am currently reading
The Queen of Nothing
All Creatures Great and Small
The Complete Works
Doctrine and Covenants
QOTW:
I sometimes see parts of myself in a lot of different characters. But I don't think there is any one specific character. Maybe Anne Shirley (Anne of Green Gables, Jo March (Little Women), or Beauty/Honour (Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast).
poshpenny wrote: "And then the cat I've been rooming with for the last 11 years died Tuesday. He loved the daylights out of me and was often the only positive interaction I'd have for days, so... I'm kinda nervous about my mental health going forward...."I feel your pain. I lost my kitty of 13 years on July 12. It has definitely been an adjustment. I keep expecting to incorporate her in my daily routines, opening the door so she can jump up on the bed while I blow-dry my hair, only to remember that she's no longer here.
Greetings! Looks like there is about to be another rainstorm here in NYC - we had one earlier. That's fine - I've no plans to leave my apartment!I finished two books this past week, one for PS:
The Lacuna - Kingsolver won the Womens Prize for Fiction in 2009 for this so it was my pick for that prompt. This is a 5 star read and now a lifetime favorite book. I wept through the last 40 pages, this affected me so powerfully - in a good way! When I read the last words, I was essentially a heap on the floor, in a puddle of tears, clutching the scotch bottle as I attempted to calm myself down. We are not discussing how much scotch that took to get me to the place where I just puddle up (still!) just looking at the title! Don't let the tears make you think this is a tragic book - it's not! Lots of humor etc. I did say these are good tears!
Also finished Christmas at Pemberley: A Pride and Prejudice Holiday Vagary, Told Through the Eyes of All Who Knew It as part of my Christmas in July reading It was actully quite enjoyable - until the author became very heavy handed with a religious theme, including having 2 full sermons by one of the story's clergymen included. Yes, there was more than one clergyman present.... I will NOT be reading any more of Ms. Jeffers retellings/sequels to Jane Austen as a result.
Currently reading: This is tricky as this week I need to read
The Three-Body Problem for my Feminerdy Book Club and also She Who Became the Sun for a buddy read. However, I need to recover from The Lacuna before starting either so I'm reading The Secret History of the Pink Carnation instead. Maybe even Death Comes to Pemberley as well first.
QOTW: I can think of one: Miller's Valley by Anna Quindlen There were many moments in the intitial chapters where I swore Anna had lifted my background and life and given it to her protagonist, down to the age difference and name of her older brother! It was downright eerie! Even though I actually know Anna as we are both active alumnae at Barnard College, and graduated only a couple of years apart, I don't know her so well as to have shared minute details of my agrarian background and family. FYI - the larger story there was NOT in any way taken from my life and the family farm was not in a valley flooded by construction of a dam, and in fact is still intact.
Mod
While I found this to be very informative, it was rather depressing to me.
"I'm currently readingArabian Nights: The Marvels and Wonders of The Thousand and One Nights, Volume 1 of 2 as my book published anonymously. It's long:) Some of the stories are interesting."
I've never tackled that one.
"QOTW: Just once. I didn't even finish the book. It was called Chasing or After someone. The main character was this total loser with absolutely no social skills whatsoever. Yep, that's me. A co-worker loaned it to me unasked, so I'm sure she saw the connection too."
Oh, Katy! You made me laugh! I trust it is not as bad as you believe it is... Perhaps I have more faith in you than YOU have in YOU! 🤗
Hello! Been a minute since I've checked in; my cats have been alternating who is sick all month so it's been a lot of vet visits, complicated medication routines, and general frustration. Overall they'll both be fine, just expensive and frustrating, woof.Very Important Dog Update: I have also been walking my friend's dog, Bella, who is a black fluff who looks like a cross between a samoyed and a german shepherd and she is the best! She has the fluffiest booty and it bounces with excitement when she walks and she does a delightful dance any time you ask if she wants to go outside.
Finished:
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo - I really liked Ninth House so I thought I'd give her Grisha books a try, but I just ... I think the worldbuilding is interesting and I'd like to know more about it, but I could not stand the main characters even a little bit? I wanted to shake Alina for about 90% of the book, so I'm not sure if I'll be giving a go to the other books, which is unfortunate.
Late to the Party by Kelly Quindlen - I liked this a lot! A fun take on queer coming of age and learning to be confident in who you are where the characters were occasionally frustrating but mostly just being realistic teenagers. The audiobook narrator was terrible, though; sounded like an inflectionless computer rather than a person, which was weird.
The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee - this was so fun, and not at all what I'd been expecting(in a good way)!
The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee - this one was also fun, but I'm surprised to say I liked it a bit less than the first book. A very big part of the story is the lead learning about and coming to terms with her internalized misogyny, which is great! But also made it pretty hard for me to care about her for a lot of the book. I think I may have enjoyed this more in my teens, though I'm always pleased to see a decently handled ace/aro main character in a story.
Artificial Condition by Martha Wells - oooh I think I liked this one more than the first one! It was cool to see Murderbot starting the awkward journey into learning to be a person, haha. ART is my favorite and I hope to see more of them in the series! Which speaking of, I used this book for the "favorite past pop sugar prompt" prompt, which was "book with an AI/robot/cyborg character" since it had all of the above and I love a good AI.
Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs? And other Questions about Dead Bodies by Caitlin Doughty - this was more lighthearted than her other book and made me laugh a lot more than I was expecting from a book about death written by a funeral director! Very cool educational bits and I really do think the way she tries to normalize talking about death and the dead is important. I'm using this for the "prettiest cover on my TBR list" prompt because, while it is probably not the prettiest objectively speaking, it is the cover that brings me the most joy, and I think that should count:
Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede - I LOVED THIS SO MUCH. I'm so sad I didn't read this as a kid! Possibly the most practical and levelheaded protagonist I've ever read, and I love love love a good fairy tale trope subversion/dissection. I'm excited this is a whole series I get to explore!
Currently Reading:
Orpheus Girl
Searching for Dragons
Storm Front
Winterkeep
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
QotW:
As a very short and pale redhead with a black cat who hates spiders, the cold, and was a huge tomboy as a child constantly mystified by traditional gender roles, it should probably not surprise anyone that Alanna from Tamora Pierce's Tortall books felt extremely relatable to me, haha. The Tortall books were very important to my development as a person!
I also only started reading Anne of Green Gables because several people had told me I reminded them of Anne Shirley and I wanted to know what they were talking about(and having read them I know now what a flattering compliment the comparison is!).
Mod
Ha! Ha! I remember that feeling from when I gardened to feed my kiddos! As if it will NEVER end...they just keep coming and keep coming...like an alien invasion! LOL Though I'm jealous of the tomatoes! Yum...😋
"Oh and we got a new (to us) car. A mouse had nested in the old one during lockdown and my partner had fixed most the things the mouse had nibbled through, but then found the passenger airbag wires were done for. He has been really reluctant to replace it but I feel it was its time as it would have cost more than it's worth to get it to pass its MOT this year."
Critters can cause a lot of damage to a car! A friend of mine was had squirrels tear up her car. They were storing nuts, etc., in it around the engine and radiator and destroyed wiring, etc. in the process!
"Finished:
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell for winner of the Winner's Prize. I am relieved to have ticked off this prompt, this is a book I probably would have DNFed if not for me needing to read a winner, and I ended up liking it, but it's not really the kind of book I would enjoy reading a lot of, if that makes sense."
That makes total sense to me!
"A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers. I don't know if she's even capable of writing something I don't wholeheartedly love. This was a lovely little book on the meaning of life and the value of a good cup of tea and someone to listen."
Though I have yet to read this or The Galaxy, and the Ground Within (Wayfarers #4), I wholeheartedly agree with you! 🤗
"QOTW:
To be honest, I read to get out of my own head, so I'd probably be annoyed with a character exactly like me! I do come across characters with elements I can closely relate to, but I can't think of one right now."
An excellent way of phrasing it!
48/50 I only have two prompts left!!!Finished: Neither Snow nor Rain: A History of the United States Postal Service for prompt dream job Found it kind of boring, actually.
Started: Merchants of Doubt: How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Global Warming for prompt TBR random selection About how a couple of rogue scientists ruin the field's claims for everyone else. More interesting in concept than execution.
The Pull of the Stars for a bookclub read. About a maternity ward nurse in the midst of the flu epidemic. Riveting, but makes me feel guilty about not doing more.
Qotw: I can't really think of a character I strongly identify with. Maybe it used to be L.M. Montgomery's Emily when I wanted to be a writer, but even then, I couldn't relate to her burning all her writing!
Mod
Happy Thursday! I can’t imagine life without the joy of checking in with you-all each week! It would be much less meaningful…so thank you all for that!
I have been busier than usual, at work, and home. And with medical issues, which is actually very good news for me! Two of my friends at the gym recommended the D.O they use. I met with him and felt very comfortable, so used HSA funds to pay for a year’s ‘membership’ with him/his practice. That includes unlimited consultations/appointments and 6 free manipulations, with any additional manipulations costing just half price. That resets with the beginning of my second year. I have now had two appointments with him and my first manipulation was yesterday morning. Please understand, I have experienced many energy/body/’alternative’ treatments: Reiki, myofascial release, deep tissue massage, craniosacral, acupuncture, acupressure, chiropractic adjustments, NAET, etc. But this was totally different. It was immediately very effective and also a bit disorienting—I was a bit lightheaded and walking rather slowly for 1-2 hours. I didn’t realize these treatments adjust the sympathetic nervous system. I did a bit of reading about that last night. Fascinating. Many different sensations went through various parts of my body throughout the day yesterday and today I am still experiencing mild sensations and some soreness both of which tend to move around to different parts of my body. He warned me this could continue another 2-3 weeks.
I also learned this man has done martial arts his whole life (I’m guessing he is about mid-sixties, so about my age…) including Taichi! And he practices the same Taichi form I do. We discussed body energy, etc. I find him fascinating to talk with and rather than discounting my references to NAET therapy, he referred me to a practitioner he knows to continue with that therapy if I wish to do so. (My doctor who treated me with NAET died about 5 years ago.) He also recommended some books (since he and I are both avid readers) regarding diet and nutrition that he feels are more academically oriented. And…he is the only one in his office and he does everything himself—weighing you, measuring your height, taking your blood pressure, etc. He drew blood for testing and I swear it was the smoothest/best stick I’ve ever experienced. I am very very happy with him. And you cannot imagine what that means to me. I am sooooooooooooooo picky about medical professionals since I basically avoid western medicine unless desperate with no other options (e.g. I can’t walk because my knee joints are locked up with osteoarthritis and must be replaced with “titanium sports model” bionic parts! LOL).
He is careful to make ‘suggestions’ for ‘my consideration’. That’s what I want. I will run my own healthcare, thank you very much! 😊 And since he is NOT at all tied to an insurance plan/company, he can make his own recommendations, etc., without regard to following a faceless company’s dictates and/or justifying treatment or testing, etc. For example, he wants to run two blood tests that no private insurance plan (nor Medicare) will pay for, but he will process them and I will reimburse him. He pays a very small percentage ($5-10 per test) compared to the fees charged to insurance. Very interesting what you can discover outside typical western-medicine insurance-provided care!
I’ve not even had time to address anyone’s posting from last week yet! I hope to have time this weekend to follow-up with you-all! 🙁
Question of the Week:
This week's question was suggested by Lauren, a long time ago …
Have you ever come across a character in a book that reminded you of yourself? What was the book and who was the character?
There were times as I read The Trespasser by Tana French that I thought, “Yeah, that’s what I would do!” regarding Antoinette’s actions and reactions. Then there were times I thought, “OMG! I would have blown up and probably been fired!” She behaved much better than I would have some times.
I think maybe I have more times when a character’s reactions are NOT similar to what I believe mine would be. For example, The Bookshop at Water's End by Patti Callahan Henry. Initially I felt Bonny’s decision to return to her childhood vacation home was rather stupid and wouldn’t help anyone, especially her, but as I learned more about her marriage, etc., it made sense to me.
In reading Dorothy Gilman’s Mrs. Pollifax series, I recognize some of my own thoughts. Not that I am a CIA operative traveling the world well into my 50’s/60’s, but in the last installment I read, The Elusive Mrs. Pollifax, she has a gun pointed at her point-blank and thinks about the fact that she is going to die right there and realizes that although she would choose to continue living, at least much of her life is behind her. I rather feel that way sometimes. My children are approaching middle-aged and fairly settled in their own lives. It’s okay. None of us lives forever… Though I admit Mrs. Pollifax is likely MUCH calmer and more logical than I would be in similar deadly situations! And after all, the Night-blooming cereus on her balcony did bloom! 😁
In The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman I would like to think I am now a cross between Elizabeth and Joyce. Whereas in my younger years, I was definitely much more like Elizabeth. However, I do not drink alcoholic beverages, so I wouldn’t fit in with this crowd in that regard! LOL
I so admire Precious Ramotswe in the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency that I wish I was more like her in many ways. Though I feel I am much more like her now than when I was younger. And it is rewarding to witness Grace’s growth and development throughout this series. This was especially apparent in the last installment I read, The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine.
Popsugar: 39/50
ATY: 48/52
RHC: 11/24
Reading Women: 11/26
FINISHED:
I finished Kiss the Girls(Alex Cross #2) by James Patterson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ after having to put it down at least 3-4 times because the content became too grisly for me to just keep reading. There was one terrifying (to me, anyway) scene that created a visual image I cannot yet get out of my head. It even got into my dreams that night and the next. This is why I purposefully avoid reading ANY book I feel might be too scary for me. Once an image is in my head, it stays. Ugh. I am doing another Buddy Read with Jack & Jill, the third installment in this series, and then I’ll decide whether to continue or not. My ‘buddy reader’ admitted to just skipping the grisly parts and feels the same way I do. We’ll read one more and then abandon the series if we must…
POPSUGAR: #4, #18-Preventing abduction, sexual abuse, and murder, especially of females, #27, #30-North Carolina, Washington, D.C., #34-Identification and apprehension of serial killers
ATY: #19-Patterson kept making the statement that serial killers are much more prevalent now than in the past, and it would continue to be so in the future, #24, #27-Justice, Death, The Devil, Judgement, #30, #31, #40, #42, #51, #52-In the end it was one of their own!
RHC: #1-Uncertain how grisly it might be, and it was a bit too much so for me…
The Elusive Mrs. Pollifax (Mrs. Pollifax #3) by Dorothy Gilman ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ was yet another excellently written installment in this series. I consider this series to be brain candy. Pure enjoyment. Sometimes a bit beyond belief, but never enough to throw me off. And this particular installment was rather poignant and more complex in some ways. Loved it!
POPSUGAR: #18-Rescuing innocent victims of oppressive tyrants, #27, #29-US, Bulgaria, Switzerland, #30-Switzerland, #34-Rescuing innocent victims of oppressive tyrants, #36, #47-This is now one of my all-time favorite series!
ATY: #8-New Jersey, Bulgaria, Switzerland, #20-Mrs. Pollifax has assured a safe future for at least innocent victims through her actions, #27-Justice, Death, Judgement, The World, #29, #31, #34, #39, #42, #52-In the end Mrs. Pollifax strategized and rescued many innocent people!
Reading Women: #5
CONTINUING:
August Buddy Reads:
Ever since rereading Little Women last year I have wanted to rest of the series! I joined the Buddy Read for Good Wives (Little Women #1, Part 2) for August! I was immediately reminded why I adore LW so much! Alcott’s writing is so subtle and yet amazing, IMO! Gentle and sweet.
How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi. Absorbing this one a bit at a time and rethinking my own feelings and intentions…
Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence
I hope to finish The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates this weekend. I keep thinking about it and wondering how it all ends…
PLANNED:
For August Buddy Reads:
I have owned a copy of And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini for longer than I can remember, so joined a Buddy Read for it.
Xenocide (Ender’s Saga #3) by Orson Scott Card. Can’t wait! Card’s writing just draws me in…
Force of Nature (Aaron Falk #2) byJane Harper.
The second book in this series grossed me out quite a bit, but I’m giving it one more try with Jack & Jill (Alex Cross #3) by James Patterson. If this one is too grisly for me, I’ll not continue with the series.
For our August Monthly Group Read, Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas which should arrive early next week!
For my face-to-face book club at my favorite used bookstore, The Night Watchman by Louis Erdrich, which is a historical fiction novel based upon her grandfather’s experiences. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction this year.
I still just sigh when thinking of this next one…such a good friend! It seems we are both extremely busy and stressed out, so I have some time to consider ways to honor her birthday much later than the actual date!
The Third Angel by Alice Hoffman
And…
The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois
Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family by Robert Kolker
Eva Luna by Isabel Allende to fulfill the 2020 Reading Women prompt #26 A book written by Isabel Allende.
Paradise by Toni Morrison to fulfill the 2020 Reading Women prompt #25 A book written by Toni Morrison.
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by
Mod
Don’t forget! The July Monthly Group Read discussion of The Guest List by Lucy Foley is ongoing! Thanks so much to Lindsey for leading this one!
Brandy B will be leading August’s discussion of Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas! I have unlocked the two August Monthly Group Read postings and they now appear in the Current Monthly Group Read folder. I’ll move July’s discussions on Sunday morning.
WE STILL NEED DISCUSSION LEADERS FOR THESE TWO MONTHLY GROUP READS:
October: #13 A locked-room mystery
(“Spooktober”/Halloween)
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
Are you the "fascinating facilitator" needed to lead discussion of this book?
December: #1 A book published in 2021
(Because it’s the end of the year!)
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
There is need of a "gifted guide" to lead this discussion!
Message either Nadine or myself to volunteer!
Nothing completed during this check-in period, so no changes to my reading totals for this challenge (19/40 and 2/10) or my overall Goodreads reading challenge (38/100). Not sure that either of the books I'm currently reading fit any of my open prompts, but maybe something creative will hit me when I finish them :) Finished:
* nada
Currently Reading:
* Shell Game by Sara Paretsky; and,
* Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski.
QotW:
This week's question was suggested by Lauren, a long time ago …
Have you ever come across a character in a book that reminded you of yourself? What was the book and who was the character? Hmmm. Maybe Ramona Quimby in Ramona Quimby, Age 8 when I re-read it as an adult and her big sister Beezus when I read it originally in elementary school?
Mod
Happy Thursday, y’all.This week our library's summer reading program came to a close, and we celebrated the "end of summer" with a hot dog BBQ and prizes. Hopefully work gets a little less crazy now, with the end of the program and kids gearing up for school... though it's heartening to see so many kids still read (and in some cases read a LOT).
Books read this week:
The Haunting of Hill House -- I LOVED We Have Always Lived in the Castle, so I was extra disappointed that this one fell so flat to me. It lacked the creepy menace of “Castle,” and I found myself hating every single character. At least it wasn’t as bad as the ‘90s movie adaptation I guess…
Children of God -- as if The Sparrow hadn’t emotionally wrecked me enough, its sequel devastated me. Still just as good, if far more grand in scope and with a LOT more characters, it’s a hard read but a rewarding one.
Berserker -- Old-school sci-fi! (Published in the ‘60s) Less a novel and more a collection of interwoven vignettes, this collection shows its age some (apparently in the future we still use physical photographs and audiotapes), but is still an entertaining read.
Zita the Spacegirl -- graphic novel, and a cute otherworldly romp that should appeal to fans of Doug TenNapel’s work.
Currently Reading:
Long After Midnight
Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void
The Final Girl Support Group
Illegal Alien
QOTW:
When I first read Fangirl I identified so hard with Kath it almost hurt. Super-introverted fanfic writer with confidence issues? Oh hey, it's me...
Mod
Howdy all! It's been two weeks since I checked in. Last week I helped my daughter and husband get ready to move. So I didn't get a lot of reading down. This week I've been working against due dates. So I ended up shifting the books I'd plan to read to the ones I needed to read. I kinda cheated on one as I got the audiobook for it, so I could get through it faster. I still read along. Finished:
Amazing Animal Babies (Eyewitness Juniors #25) By Christopher Maynard. This is book was full of information and pictures. It was fun for me to read. I love animals and every so often I just want to read something about animals.
Gray Wolves (Animals of the Forest: Blastoff! Readers) by Al Albertson. I loved this book. I love wolves almost as much as I love horses. I really enjoyed the children's book about them.
First Aid Safety (Safety For Kids) by Emma Bassier. I liked this book about first aid and how kids can do somethings to help.
Forgotten City by Michael Ford. I loved this book. It is about a world that takes place after "waste" has spread over the world. It's about a boy who didn't have "waste' in his system. He thought he was alone with just his father. We find out after his father disappears that they are not the only people in the world. The boy (Kobi) meets some kids and he helps them only to be caught by the CLAWS wants to find. It had a lot of twists and turns in the story. Some I saw coming and a few I didn't which delighted me. I love this book and I was so glad to find there is a second book.
First-Class Friends (Unicorn School #1) by Linda Chapman. This is book I picked up because of the cover. One it was a pink cover which I need for a different challenge, Two it had to unicorns on the cover. This was a great story of friendship. I enjoyed it and will read the rest of the series in time.
Vicious (Villians #1) by V. E. Schwab, read by Noah Michael Levine. I loved this book. Though I'm really glad I read along with it. The places the CDs ended was annoying as the one would end in the middle of a scene, but the that got to me was when it ended in the middle of a sentence. Also it would back track to the last few sentences or paragraph even if it was part of the last chapter. That said. I loved the book. I really did. It's one of my favorites of the year. It's the story of two college friends/roommates who discover how to make EOs (ExtraOrdinary) people. They test their theory on themselves. Each becoming an EO. Eli becoming a 'hero'. Victor being put in prison for the death of Eli's girlfriend who died as a helping him. Victor escapes from prison to find Eli and does. I'll be reading more of the this series and I think I'll give her other books a try. I finished this book today and it's due tomorrow.
Reading next:
The Hazards of Love Book 1 (Bright World)
Drama
What Lane?
Nimona
QotW:
Hmm... I know I have though of characters that I've thought are like me or at least have some of me in them. Cath from Fangirl Volume 1. She reminded me of my in a lot of ways when I went to college, I was shy and didn't know my roommate. I preferred to stay in the dorm and read or write. I didn't really write fan fiction yet, but I would. Victor in Vicious as he's quiet, curious, and thoughtful. He likes to plan. Those are the two I can think of, but I know there is more.
Mod
Mod
Nadine wrote: "And Lynn of course you can be here at the beach vicariously! But maybe not right now. We’ve got a tornado warning, unbelievably. Who ever heard of tornadoes in NY & NJ???, but we get them now …."That was our weather in Wisconsin overnight. Storms came through between one and two am. Tornadoes at night are a heck of a lot scarier as you can’t see the storms coming. Four confirmed tornadoes east of me so far and they’re still surveying the damages. Be safe!
Poshpenny — So sorry for the loss of your furry companion. (((Hugs)))
poshpenny wrote: "What a week. Things keep happening at work so I can't get anything done. Last check-in I had no idea what I was reading next, and then I read some fun books. And then the cat I've been rooming with..."Ah, poshpenny, so sorry! Sending you hugs!
Kitties have 9 lives. He will reappear. If in doubt, read The Nine Lives of Christmas.
Happy check-in! I too am hooked on Olympics. Canadian women are kicking butt! They account for all of our medals.Finished reading:
Ring Shout ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (2021 bestie would like)
This was great alternate history with strong characters. Next please.
The Tea Dragon Tapestry ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
More cuteness overload.
Polaris Rising ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reread this because I just couldn't be motivated to read anything new that was available.
Hex on the Beach ⭐⭐⭐ (2017 set in a hotel)
Short story collection featuring my favourite author, but not my favourite series. Found a new series to try but the library has no copies. :(
PS 2021 40/50
PS 2017 39/52
Goodreads 160/200
Currently Reading:
She Who Became the Sun half done and it's holding up to the hype
A Touch of Darkness
QOTW:
I can't think of a time where this happened.
Happy Thursday.Books I read:
The Wayward Children Series by Seanan McGuire
Every Heart a Doorway ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Down Among the Sticks and Bones ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Beneath the Sugar Sky⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
In an Absent Dream⭐⭐⭐⭐
Come Tumbling Down⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Across the Green Grass Fields⭐⭐⭐⭐
I've been a bit discouraged with my reading lately and just needed a comfort reread. I read them in chronological order instead of series order though.
Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - This was slow to start, and certain characters stories were so much more interesting than others (Well, all of them were more interesting than the Sun Priests chapters....) And then it didn't really have an ending - so I'm already irritated I have to wait for book 2.
The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic by Leigh Bardugo ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - This is sort of Grishaverse and sort of not - the author created fairy tales for that world -> there's a take on Hansel and Gretel, a origin story for the Little Mermaid's Sea WItch, a take on the nutcracker.... and they feel like they could be in a regular collection of fairy tales and I just loved them. I used them for ATY: A book featuring magic.
Books I made progress on:
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë - The end is in sight!
Mr. Kiss and Tell by Rob Thomas - This is not my genre which is making this a bit of a slog. I'd rather just watch the show.
Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert - Just started this today.
QOTW
When I was a kid, I was happy to see myself in characters, but now when I do, it tends to be because I recognize the negative parts I don't like much about myself......
Alex wrote: "Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo - I really liked Ninth House so I thought I'd give her Grisha books a try, but I just ... I think the worldbuilding is interesting and I'd like to know more about it, but I could not stand the main characters even a little bit? I wanted to shake Alina for about 90% of the book, so I'm not sure if I'll be giving a go to the other books, which is unfortunate...."You might like to just skip over the Grisha trilogy and go to Six of Crows which is so much better. I didn't read her books for ages because I read Shadow and Bone when it was new and wasn't that fussed with it, but I kept seeing so much love for her books over the years I gave her another chance and love the spin off books. Alina was just a rubbish introduction!
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Why Not Me? (other topics)Whisper Network (other topics)
Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things (other topics)
The Hate U Give (other topics)
Les Miserables (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Julie Buxbaum (other topics)Rebecca Roanhorse (other topics)
Rob Thomas (other topics)
Leigh Bardugo (other topics)
Anne Brontë (other topics)
More...
I'm visiting my mother this week, which means, I'm at the beach! I just got back from my daily early morning walk with the dogs to the bay.
Usually I spend the month of July carefully planning which books I will bring to the beach, and strategically putting books on hold at the library so they will come in right before my trip. But this year, somehow, that didn't happen. Luckily for me, I always have a ludicrous backlog of library books stacked in my room, so I just brought what I had.
Admin stuff
I don't know! I'm at the beach! We probably need a discussion leader for a group read later in the year.
This week I finished 3 books, one for this Challenge, so I am now 35/50
Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto - this was completely ludicrous, and a lot of fun. This could be used for "diamonds on the cover" (which was not apparent to me until I was holding the physical book in my hands).
The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris - this was ALSO completely ludicrous, in a different way. It was dark humor, but it wasn't until 2/3 of the way into the book that I understood that. This could be used for "something broken on the cover."
Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson - this was fantastic!! I used this for magical realism, a sub-genre I usually dislike, but I loved this book and I’m so glad I saw it suggested for this category.
Question of the Week
This week's question was suggested by Lauren, a long time ago …
Have you ever come across a character in a book that reminded you of yourself? What was the book and who was the character?
I do not remember this happening to me! But I've seen a few of you mention it now and then, so I thought maybe this could spark an interesting discussion.