Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion

Brrrr it's getting pretty cold up here now. It hit 32 F this morning! I've got the big puffy winter comforter on my bed. The dogs are cuddling closer at night. Soon I'll have to stop sleeping with the window open!

Really, though, the cold weather is late this year. Usually we have a killing frost and some snow in October - but my cosmos are still going. (Although last night's low may have finally done them in.)



Admin stuff

New month means new group read!!
Join the group read of Firekeeper's Daughter, and talk about the book here: November Group Read
I've got the audiobook borrowed from my library! I'll get to it as soon as I finish my current audiobook.






This week I read one book, not for this Challenge, so I remain 45/50.

The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis- this was my book club's selection, and I voted for it myself, I was excited to read it, and ... wow, no. Another disappointing book club read for me!! I'm starting to feel like the Book Club Curmudgeon! It wasn't AWFUL, but it wasn't great, either. The writing was so-so, the characters were dull, and the mystery was pallid, at best. Davis shoehorned in a lot of extraneous info about the women's rights movement in the early 20th Century, plus a surprise Sapphic romance and a M/F romance, and some extra info about infant mortality and poverty, and it didn't feel like that really FIT in a book about the mystery behind some some stolen books. One or more of those plot points needed to take a back seat, but instead they were all trying to drive the car. In my old book club, I would have been open about not liking it, but the leader of this new book club is one of those Very Positive People, and it's pretty clear that she doesn't like too much complaining. Just like with the last book, most of the members seem to have loved it, so I'm keeping most of my negativity out of the discussions. There are plenty of things I can still say about it without coming right out and saying "I hated it!"




Question of the Week
Do your tastes generally match up with the winners of the Goodreads Choice Awards, or are you usually disappointed in the winners chosen for each category?
This week's question is from Lauren. We talked about write-ins for the Choice Awards a few weeks back, so in a way this is a continuation of that conversation. USUALLY the first round of the Choice Awards is already underway by now, so I THOUGHT this would be a good week to ask. But they haven't started ... yet!


I always vote in the Choice Awards. In fact, I make a concerted effort each year to read as many new publications as I can, in the hopes that I will be able to make an educated vote in the genres that I read. But, of course, I usually have read only one, at most, in any given category. The Choice Awards are based on books that have been shelved by many Goodreads members, so based on this, I assume that I just don't read the same books that most Goodreads members read. And, in fact, I often do not like the winners.

So, no, my tastes do not usually line up with the winners!

I have less than 100 pages to go on The Great Dissenter: The Story of John Marshall Harlan, America's Judicial Hero. It's very interesting.

QOTW: I don't read that many new releases, maybe 2 or 3 a year, tops, so I don't pay much attention to the GR awards unless I need it for a prompt.

Happy Thursday! I'm looking forward to a 4 day weekend. I'm taking a bus trip to see a show on Saturday and have been looking forward to it for months. With regards to reading, I have recently become incredibly impatient for the 2022 prompts to be released and it makes me not want to start new books. Also, I have tried several books over the last few weeks that I DNF, so I decided to do a reread of an old series to keep my attention, and that worked perfectly. I've been averaging a book a day since I started that on Sunday.

I finished:

This Might Hurt: I got an ARC of this about a month ago and finally got around to it. I enjoyed it more than I expected to, but I found myself getting confused a few times. It was an unedited copy, so I'm not sure if I just wasn't paying close enough attention, or if there are a few issues that need to be worked out still. I thought the book had more potential than the ending as well, but overall it was good.

Rereading the Jack Daniels series, so I read Whiskey Sour, Bloody Mary, and Rusty Nail.

Currently reading:

Dirty Martini to continue the series.

The Mother Next Door: I wish I had read this during Halloween week, but so far so good.

QOTW:

I have found that I often haven't read that many of the books that are nominated for the GR awards, so I never feel right about voting, but I usually get good ideas to add to my TBR list. I don't think my taste is generally very conventional though.

It is November! Native American Heritage month in the U.S. and NONFICTION NOVEMBER! I will be reading Firekeeper's Daughter and There There this month. I’m hoping to finish at least two nonfiction books as well—probably The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois and We Are Everywhere: Protest, Power, and Pride In The History of Queer Liberation.

I was busier than I like to be this past weekend, but it was all good stuff! I helped one of my very best friends celebrate her 79th birthday! Although we are 15 years apart in age, we are kindred spirits, and I pledged to myself to spend more time with her. Although she is in a communal living facility, she still misses me, which is nice to know. I just need more stamina to spend time away from home during the weekends while maintaining my workweek schedule. Gettin’ old…and my stamina appears to be ever decreasing!

Then we had book club at my favorite used bookstore Sunday. We met outside which was nice, though eventually got a bit chilly once the clouds overran the sun! I mentioned the book 3 times and another member mentioned it once and that was it. *sigh* I will attend in November since we are reading Speak No Evil by Uzodinma Iweala which I’m guessing should be a good one to stimulate discussion, but if that doesn’t happen I’ll not plan to participate in any more meetings of this club. I can spend my time reading books to discuss with other Goodreads members and get just as much and usually more out of it. I also realized that my interests are not a good match to the majority of the other members. I have had no TV in my house for more than 20 years now and most of their discussions center around TV shows and stars. I guess that explains much of my dissatisfaction…

I realized the other day (Thanks to the electronic calendar on my phone and a reminder message…) that G. Willow Wilson will be at Butler next Tuesday! That snuck up on me! I have three of her books (Alif the Unseen, The Butterfly Mosque: A Young American Woman's Journey to Love and Islam, The Bird King) and will plan to read one of them this weekend, and then I can take them to be signed on Tuesday. I’m excited about an author event after so long with NO events!! And I am particularly intrigued by her conversion to Islam. I want to know more about that! She is very well known for her graphic novels, which I'm sure would thrill some of you, but I don't have much interest in that myself...

Admin Stuff:
In addition to the discussion for Firekeeper's Daughter, as usual, we have a discussion thread where you can post any other books you’ve read that would fulfill prompt #16 A book written by an indigenous author.

Question of the Week:
(from Lauren) Do your tastes generally match up with the winners of the Goodreads Choice Awards, or are you usually disappointed in the winners chosen for each category?

Honestly, I don’t read enough new releases to have read more than 3-4 of the books nominated in any given year. Though I admit I do typically review the nomination lists for possible additions to my ‘meager’ TBR listing! 😉

Popsugar: 45/50
ATY: 48/52
RHC: 17/24
Reading Women: 14/28

FINISHED:
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ was a much deeper and more poignant read for me than for the other book club members. I actually cried as Nina read her letter as I remembered reading a letter my own biological father had written about me. Fortunately, Nina’s letter had much more positive connotations than mine. I can’t remember the last time a book had me laughing out loud this much! I love the humor! Several of us would definitely appreciate a follow-up regarding the other letters and how Nina’s life progressed. As I finished reading this I wondered if Waxman has any plans for at least a sequel if not a series. And…she actually replied to my email! She stated she is not planning on a Bookish Life of Nina Hill series, but Nina will be a character in her new novel, Adult Assembly Required, due to be released in May 2022. And she sent me a Nina Hill short story! So cool!
POPSUGAR: #7-Bookshop clerk!, #9, #21-Books About Books, Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Humor, Romance, #27, #30-California, #37, #43, #48-One of my favorite reads of this year!
ATY: #3-…whiskers on kittens… Phil!, #6, #20-Thrilled to see this is the beginning of a series, ‘cause I want to know what the future holds for Nina, et al!, #23-Books About Books, Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Humor, Romance, #27-The Lovers, Death, Temperance, Judgment, #34-K.I.T.T.!, #36, #45-Papa, #52-In the end, Nina learned to appreciate other people in her personal life!
RHC: #23, #24

I specifically obtained a copy of Urban Tumbleweed: Notes from a Tanka Diary by Harryette Mullen ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ to fulfill prompt #20 for Read Harder—Read a book of nature poems and prompt #13 for Reading Women—Read a poetry collection by a black woman. Mullen includes 366 poems written over the course of one year and one day, in a “tanka-like” format. Each poem is short, consisting of only 3 lines and typically 31 syllables. She uses the nature and natural aspects of her surroundings on daily walks/hikes throughout California for the most part, as well as Texas and Sweden while visiting each. Easily read and enjoyable overall. Perfect for me, as I am not a huge poetry fan!
POPSUGAR: #18-Enjoying the “here and now”!, #22, #30-California, #36-40 reviews on Goodreads
ATY: #1-In the beginning, writing one poem per day seemed an impossible task to me!, #21, #26, #29, #31, #33, #41
RHC: NEW #20
Reading Women: NEW #13

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ was yet another 5-star read for me for 2021! This was a faster read for me than I expected it to be and I found it to enthralling. Loved the twists and turns and especially the ‘happy’ ending! I trust Penner is working hard on another novel! I sure hope so!
POPSUGAR: #1, #7-Tracking down information and solving historical mysteries, #21-Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery, #27, #37, #43, #47-One of my favorite reads this year!
ATY: #8-the UK, #10-Nella, Eliza, and many others, #18-The past can be reflected in the present and the future, #23-Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery, #27-Death, Judgment, The World, #40, #42, #50, #51, #52-In the end, magic worked!

CONTINUING:
The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates
The Laws by Connie Palmen
I have read the first 20 pages and am interested to see where this goes...

PLANNED:
G.Willow Wilson books for next Tuesday’s author event:
Alif the Unseen
The Butterfly Mosque: A Young American Woman's Journey to Love and Islam
The Bird King
For the POSUGAR Monthly Group read in November:
Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley
For my favorite used bookstore book club in November:
Speak No Evil by Uzodinma Iweala
For Literary Wives December 6:
The Summer Wives: A Novel by Beatriz Williams
And the others that are waiting patiently...
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.

Good chilly morning, all! I've woken up to frost on the car these past two mornings, but I'll take it over snow any day. The outdoorsy cat has been staying inside in the mornings, eschewing her usual routine of slipping outside after breakfast. She knows it's cold and the house is toasty :)

I've finagled my PS challenge around so I only need one more to complete all 50 :D Hoping to read Get a Life, Chloe Brown in December.

Meanwhile, books I finished this week:
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow - 5 stars, reread. I love this story, especially on audiobook. It's 95% atmosphere and descriptions and not as much action as most people tend to assume, based on the various adaptations. Perfect Halloween story.
The Arctic Fury - 2 stars. The dual timelines didn't help matters. I was expecting a harrowing story of women surviving in the ferocious Arctic, and I got a legal drama with bits of Arctic suspense thrown in. Very disappointed, but I know a lot of people who enjoyed this one. I have one other Macallister book on my shelf and I'll give it a go before giving up on her.

PS 49/50

Currently:
Where White Men Fear to Tread: The Autobiography of Russell Means
Fatherland
The Fall of the House of Cabal
Split Tooth

Upcoming:
The Night Watchman
Elatsoe

QOTW: Do your tastes generally match up with the winners of the Goodreads Choice Awards, or are you usually disappointed in the winners chosen for each category?
Ish? It depends. I've been making more of an effort this past year or two to read more new releases, so I'm more in the know about the books that are nominated/winning. I used to not vote for a book unless I'd read it, but that rule got tossed aside awhile ago.

Happy Thursday, y’all.

Our weather has been weirdly warm for November... but I'm expecting that to change real soon. Also feels like I got less reading done this week, but the books I read were over 500 pages apiece, so perspective I guess... XD

Books read this week:

Children of Time -- I never thought I’d love a book where half the main characters are spiders, but… I LOVED this one! Fantastic sci-fi novel -- a little chunky, but if you don’t mind a long read give this one a shot.

The Ruin of Kings -- I’m starting to think that long epic fantasies aren’t for me. This was overly long, overly convoluted, and kind of boring. And what is it with fantasy authors thinking they have to throw (view spoiler)[rape and sexual depravity (hide spoiler)] into their work to make it “adult?” (Spoilered for possible triggering content)

DNF:

The Prey of Gods -- just not feeling it right now. Maybe I’ll pick it up again later...

Currently Reading:

The Eyre Affair
Styrofoam Throne
Stinger
Princess Princess Ever After

QOTW:

I... don't really pay attention to the Goodread's Choice Awards winners. Bad me. XD

Well, Napa didn't happen. Our flight was canceled about 2 hours before our flight (we didn't see it until after we'd already gone through security) and the next available flight wasn't until the next day (and I imagine that one ended up being canceled too). The airport had suffered damage from wind a few days before and I guess that combined with the flight attendant shortage meant they canceled a ton of flights.

So we did a staycation instead! We went to the zoo and the JMW Turner exhibit at a local museum (he's one of my faves), and yesterday I worked on some projects I'd planned to do. It ended up being really nice. I just hope American Airlines will refund us easily...

It's cold here, which is semi-unusual. But I think it's supposed to go back up to the 70s, which is more normal for this time of year in Texas.

Finished:
None

Currently Reading:
Eldest by Christopher Paolini - Still loving it! It's just long...I don't know how I'm going to finish the challenge with the other two books...I may have to swap out and finish the series next year.

Up Next:
The Bird King by G. Willow Wilson

QOTW:
I don't know--I'm rarely on top of new books. I know sometimes I see books I want to read but more often than not, I don't have much interest in the nominees.

Happy Thursday! This is going to be a 2-week check-in since I missed last week. I traveled to Milwaukee for work during the week and was exhausted by the time I returned home. I loved the city though.

Finished:

The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones. I read the bulk of this book on the plane to and from Milwaukee. It was spooky and sad. TW: lots of graphic animal deaths.

ALMOST Finished:

*UPDATE! FINISHED!! SO GOOD!

The Sun Down Motel by Simone St James. I LOVE this book. I have 50-ish pages left and was going to finish it before posting but I wanted to do my check-in early. This was another book that was sitting on my TBR shelf for a long time and I am so glad I finally read it. I can't wait to see how it ends!

On deck:
Now that I finished Jones' book, my next pick will be Mirrorland by Carole Johnstone.

I still have 6 books to finish before the end of the year (including Sun Down) so I am stressing a little bit. But I am sure I will finish.

POP Regular: 34/40
POP Advanced: 10/10
ATY: 45/52

QOTW:
I am notorious for reading the GR Award Winners sometime during the next year. I read a lot of the nominees/winners for 2020 this year. I usually end up loving the books and kick myself for not reading them when they actually came out. But oh well.

As long as I read them eventually that is what is important. I don't really vote unless I have read a good chunk of the nominees which hasn't ever happened LOL.

Finished:

The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin (reread for book club, 4/5)

The Goodreads synopsis gives away a lot of the story of the book, so first-time readers may want to just jump in without it. There are a lot of cool science and science fiction ideas in here, and the author explains them all in ways that are clear and mostly plausible. It's also cool to learn a bit about Chinese history and culture during the course of the story, as we don't get taught very much about that in American schools.

Millennium Falcon by James Luceno (reread, 3/5)

This is the Legends story about previous owners of the Millennium Falcon. The treasure hunt aspect of the book provides the structure for the story, but the ending to it is pretty unsatisfying.

Romeo and/or Juliet: A Chooseable-Path Adventure by Ryan North (3/5)

There is a lot to love in this book, and fans of the play Romeo and Juliet should definitely give it a look. However, it did not quite reach the high bar set by its predecessor about Hamlet.

Star Trek: The Ashes of Tomorrow by James Swallow (5/5)

This is a fine example of both a middle chapter and an epic, high-stakes crossover done well. There are lots of battles and deaths, but there are also the character moments that those who have been long-time fans and readers want to see. Heroism and fun references to other books and stories abound.

DNF:

The Demolished Man by Alfred Bester

Currently reading:

Serpents Among the Ruins by David R. George III (reread)

This is one of my favorite Trek books, and it is always fun to revisit it.

The Chronicles of Harris Burdick: Fourteen Amazing Authors Tell the Tales by various

I was curious to see how professional authors would use the titles, illustrations, and captions to create stories. We did this with the Burdick book in fifth or sixth grade. So far, I like what our class came up with far more than what is in this book, but maybe one of the other authors will impress me. Anthologies are a real crap shoot.

Question of the Week:

I look at the Goodreads Choice Awards the same way that I look at the books picked for the grocery store shelves. Most of the time, my tastes will not be represented there. I do try to write in or vote for what I can, but I am usually not reading new releases.

I've been playing Animal Crossing again (the big update has just arrived and I'm itching to go check it out but I have to wait for pesky work to finish), so sorting out my island and trying to repay my massive debt to Tom Nook has taken up most my reading time...

It was my birthday yesterday, and we went out for both breakfast AND dinner, which was nice, considering all the time we spend at home these days. Breakfast was a full English at a local cafe, and dinner was at a fancy Japanese restaurant, where I drank cocktails with ingredients I'd never heard of before.

I did finish listening to The Dark by Emma Haughton for ATY (set below the Tropic of Cancer). I enjoyed the Antarctic setting (one of the characters is reading Dark Matter which was a nice touch) and the practicalities of life in the dark and cold, but from a thriller aspect it was so slow.

I'm still reading The Winter Garden and listening to Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs? Big Questions from Tiny Mortals About Death.

QOTW:
Sometimes in the fantasy and YA categories I like the winner but rarely is it the book I voted for. In science fiction I usually have more obscure taste than the books that get through to the final, and the other categories I don't really read enough of. It's rare that my absolute favourite new books of the year will win, but sometimes I do align with the masses (eg. Ninth House).

Hello! It is November, which means NaNoWriMo has started. It is also two weeks to the Endwalker release and the Hugo voting deadline. Novembers are normally very busy for me, but this one is worse than usual. I told my husband I wasn't going to be a Hugo voter next year, and he said it seemed like I genuinely enjoyed it, so I just need to get the reading started earlier.

Finished This Week:
The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik. After I finished my library copy of A Deadly Education last week, I went to Barnes & Noble with a gift card and immediately bought both the first and second book. I reread the first book and then read the second one. I didn't love the second one as much as the first, but still very much enjoyed it. And what a cliffhanger ending. Not for prompt.

Wired for Story: The Writer's Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers from the Very First Sentence by Lisa Cron. A writing book in prep for NaNo. It was about how the brain works and how that can be leveraged to write better novels. Very interesting, giving reasons for why certain writing rules exist. At least the fourth book I've read this year about brain science too. Not for prompt.

Ghost-Spider, Vol. 2: Party People by Seanan McGuire. Another comic book. This was the second part of the arc after the first one I read the week before for Hugo voting. Comics aren't really my thing, but I like Seanan's writing, so it was nice to see how she'd do a comic book. I hope she gets to write more Ghost-Spider. Not for prompt.

A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher. Another Hugo nominee. This was a delight. A wizard with magic that only works with bread finds herself as a reluctant hero. A bit dark - there's two deaths, one on page - but it's a quick and easy read. Mona's very clear that she only has power over bread, and the weird contrivances to turn that into something tangible are great. Not for prompt.

Hero of Two Worlds: The Marquis de Lafayette in the Age of Revolution by Mike Duncan. A biography of Lafayette written by the podcaster behind The History of Rome and Revolutions. I only knew a little about Lafayette, mostly his involvement in the American Revolution, and this was very indepth about his whole life. I had studied the French Revolution in high school, which was enough background to mostly understand the events Lafayette played a part in (or didn't). Very good book. Not for PS prompt.

PS: 45/50 RH: 19/24 RW: 22/28 ATY: 50/52 GR: 162/150

Currently Reading:
At Dawn We Slept: The Untold Story of Pearl Harbor by Gordon W. Prange. No progress made this week.

Up Next - Hugo nominees: (Optimistic list)
Black Sun
The City We Became
Gideon the Ninth
The Empress of Salt and Fortune
Elatsoe
Legendborn
Raybearer
The Ruin of Kings

QOTW: Do your tastes generally match up with the winners of the Goodreads Choice Awards, or are you usually disappointed in the winners chosen for each category?
I'm usually disappointed with the winners. I've rarely read many of the books nominated, especially since I'm getting most of my books from the library these days. I'll vote for my favorite authors, but they rarely make the final round, much less win.

Shannon wrote: "Well, Napa didn't happen. Our flight was canceled about 2 hours before our flight (we didn't see it until after we'd already gone through security) and the next available flight wasn't until the ne..."


oh how frustrating, especially since you haven't been refunded already!!! If THEY cancelled the flight, they'd BETTER refund it quickly! I'm glad you made the best of it.

Nadine wrote: "Shannon wrote: "Well, Napa didn't happen. Our flight was canceled about 2 hours before our flight (we didn't see it until after we'd already gone through security) and the next available flight was..."

Supposedly they will, but I'm betting they'll just give me a flight credit (which is okay since I do plan on flying to Ireland next summer). So far, though, I just get an error message when I try to submit the refund request. :(

Shannon wrote: "Well, Napa didn't happen. Our flight was canceled about 2 hours before our flight (we didn't see it until after we'd already gone through security) and the next available flight wasn't until the ne..."

Oh no, which airport was having issues? I'm flying into SFO to take care of my mom after surgeries in 12 days. Really hope that doesn't get disrupted. :/

Nadine wrote: "Brrrr it's getting pretty cold up here now. It hit 32 F this morning! I've got the big puffy winter comforter on my bed. The dogs are cuddling closer at night. Soon I'll have to stop sleeping with the window open!"
Oh, my! I used to sleep with a window open year-round! I had kinda forgotten! We have been hitting 30 for a few nights now. And our trees have turned and leaves litter the ground wherever they are!

"Really, though, the cold weather is late this year. Usually we have a killing frost and some snow in October - but my cosmos are still going. (Although last night's low may have finally done them in.)"
Somebody said yesterday this is a bit early for us...

"Admin stuff
New month means new group read!!
Join the group read of Firekeeper's Daughter, and talk about the book here: November Group Read
I've got the audiobook borrowed from my library! I'll get to it as soon as I finish my current audiobook."
Picking up my copy this weekend!

"The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis- this was my book club's selection, and I voted for it myself, I was excited to read it, and ... wow, no. Another disappointing book club read for me!! I'm starting to feel like the Book Club Curmudgeon!...In my old book club, I would have been open about not liking it, but the leader of this new book club is one of those Very Positive People, and it's pretty clear that she doesn't like too much complaining. Just like with the last book, most of the members seem to have loved it, so I'm keeping most of my negativity out of the discussions. There are plenty of things I can still say about it without coming right out and saying "I hated it!""
You made me laugh! In my opinion, it is okay to state your reaction to a book overall, as long as you are prepared to state your reasons for that reaction. We often begin book club meetings by giving our overall reactions and then beginning to discuss. Many times we ask those who didn't enjoy the book at all or as much for their reasons and that gets discussion going. What one person dislikes, could be what another person likes, etc. As long as it is respectful, it can be eye-opening, informative, and fun!

"Question of the Week
Do your tastes generally match up with the winners of the Goodreads Choice Awards, or are you usually disappointed in the winners chosen for each category?
This week's question is from Lauren. We talked about write-ins for the Choice Awards a few weeks back, so in a way this is a continuation of that conversation. USUALLY the first round of the Choice Awards is already underway by now, so I THOUGHT this would be a good week to ask. But they haven't started ... yet!"
I thought it seemed a bit later than usual?

"I always vote in the Choice Awards. In fact, I make a concerted effort each year to read as many new publications as I can, in the hopes that I will be able to make an educated vote in the genres that I read. But, of course, I usually have read only one, at most, in any given category. The Choice Awards are based on books that have been shelved by many Goodreads members, so based on this, I assume that I just don't read the same books that most Goodreads members read. And, in fact, I often do not like the winners.

So, no, my tastes do not usually line up with the winners!"
I guess I simply don't track this at all given that I don't read many new releases... I assume that most readers have some with which they agree and others with which they do not agree...

Melissa wrote: "A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher. Another Hugo nominee. This was a delight. A wizard with magic that only works with bread finds herself as a reluctant hero. A bit dark - there's two deaths, one on page - but it's a quick and easy read. Mona's very clear that she only has power over bread, and the weird contrivances to turn that into something tangible are great. Not for prompt. ..."




I bake a lot of bread (in my bread machine) and I love this author already, so ... I must read this!!

Katy wrote: "I have less than 100 pages to go on The Great Dissenter: The Story of John Marshall Harlan, America's Judicial Hero. It's very interesting."
Wow. You have read this rather quickly, haven't you? Glad you're enjoying it!

"QOTW: I don't read that many new releases, maybe 2 or 3 a year, tops, so I don't pay much attention to the GR awards unless I need it for a prompt."
Yes, there is that! When a prompt refers to the Goodreads awards...

Lynn wrote: "Many times we ask those who didn't enjoy the book at all or as much for their reasons and that gets discussion going. What one person dislikes, could be what another person likes, etc. As long as it is respectful, it can be eye-opening, informative, and fun! ..."




Yes! I find those types of discussions to be great fun! But some people take it very personally when you don't like a book they loved, and maybe some of the women in this group are like that. There are all types of people in this world, and it's not really a problem for me to restrain myself so that others are not upset. I mean, I get to rant about the book HERE after all :-)

Nadine wrote: "The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis- this was my book club's selection, and I voted for it myself, I was excited to read it, and ... wow, no. Another disappointing book club read for me!! I'm starting to feel like the Book Club Curmudgeon! It wasn't AWFUL, but it wasn't great, either. The writing was so-so, the characters were dull, and the mystery was pallid, at best. Davis shoehorned in a lot of extraneous info about the women's rights movement in the early 20th Century, plus a surprise Sapphic romance and a M/F romance, and some extra info about infant mortality and poverty, and it didn't feel like that really FIT in a book about the mystery behind some some stolen books. One or more of those plot points needed to take a back seat, but instead they were all trying to drive the car. In my old book club, I would have been open about not liking it, but the leader of this new book club is one of those Very Positive People, and it's pretty clear that she doesn't like too much complaining. Just like with the last book, most of the members seem to have loved it, so I'm keeping most of my negativity out of the discussions. There are plenty of things I can still say about it without coming right out and saying "I hated it!""

This sounds like me with The Arctic Fury! I nominated it and voted for it, and it won, and... disappointment.

Happy Thursday! It's cold here in Texas... I had to wear a hood and gloves for my run, which is kind of exciting? I'm ok with cold as long as it doesn't last too long. ;)

This week I finished:

Islands of Decolonial Love: Stories & Songs This was so lovely. Highly recommend this short beautiful book. 5 stars

The War of Art: Winning the Inner Creative Battle LOL this was ridiculous. My first 1 star review in a long time. The only good thing about it was that it wasn't too long.

Concepcion: An Immigrant Family's Fortunes This was fantastic. So much important history and I was fascinated by his family's journey and his relationship with his mother. 5 stars

Allegedly Not a perfect book, but the story gripped me. 4 stars

Currently reading What Storm, What Thunder in print and listening to Unworthy Republic: The Dispossession of Native Americans and the Road to Indian Territory

QOTW: Great question! I love book awards of all types since they can help new writers, but I'm often disappointed by the winners.

Looking at last year's winners, I'm happy with 6 of the wins (out of 20, not too bad). I'm usually excited about a handful of nominees for each category, so it's still a positive experience overall.

Finished: The Other Side of Language: A Philosophy of Listening I was intent on this one and finished it in two days. But I don't feel like it contributed much of anything other than the idea that we need to incorporate listening into our concept of language, that even questioning distorts the meaning. We just need to listen. Fine, but I don't need to read 200 pages to get that idea.

Started: I may have been a little undisciplined here.

Daughter of the Deep Rick Riordan's take on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. So far lacking his signature sarcasam and including lots of guns, so not nearly as good as his Lightning Thief world.

Ethics in Light of Childhood Seems like a pretty good, fair treatment of the topic so far.

Philosophy in the Classroom

Beginners: The Joy and Transformative Power of Lifelong Learning

Little Big Minds: Sharing Philosophy with Kids

Ok, so I've mostly stayed on topic of my project to teach philosophy to kids. But still, I probably should have finished some of the ones I started. BUT one of them became available at the library! You know how that goes.

QotW: I don't feel like my tastes are totally in line with the Goodreads Choice, but I also have usually only read one in a few categories. So it's not like I'm really making an informed choice because I have nothing to compare it to. What surprises me is that a lot of times, I don't like the more serious awards, like the Booker award winners. So I appreciate that there's a more popularly-cast vote like Goodreads.

It's finally cold here too! Autumn is totally late. Our trees are only JUST NOW getting colourful. First frost was only yesterday. It's wild! I hope this doesn't mean less snow. Pile it on, baby. Gimme a head-on Nor'easter. I'm ready.

Finished 46/50

Dimitri's Cross: The Life & Letters of St. Dimitri Klepinin, Martyred During the Holocaust for "favourite past prompt/1st book you see in a bookstore". Wow, this dude. Gave out fake baptismal certificates to Jews in France to help them escape the Nazis, then got thrown into a concentration camp himself and died. Literal hero and saint. This memoir written by his daughter is absolutely precious.

The Illumined Heart: Capture the Vibrant Faith of Ancient Christians" for "shortest book on your TBR". Small but mighty! I read it in one siting but it was AMAZINGLY done. Succinct, easy to read, and practical. Loved it.

Currently Reading

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry for "book set mostly outdoors". This was recommended to me, so I hope it's good!

QotW

Wow, that time of year already? To be honest, I never pay attention to those awards or really any awards. So, I've no idea. I'm typically behind the times anyway so I've almost never even read the books on their list to even know what to vote for!

Lynn wrote: "I have had no TV in my house for more than 20 years now and most of their discussions center around TV shows and stars. I guess that explains much of my dissatisfaction…..."

I was a recent newcomer to an IRL book club which everyone else had attended for decades. They started talking about TV shows. My friend just looks at it is a different medium that they prefer their narrative, so I tried to look at the conversation from that angle. But I know nothing about what shows are on, so there's nothing to hook the new information to. I cannot tell you now which shows they promoted. *sigh* Oh well.

Mary wrote: "Happy Thursday! I'm looking forward to a 4 day weekend. I'm taking a bus trip to see a show on Saturday and have been looking forward to it for months. With regards to reading, I have recently become incredibly impatient for the 2022 prompts to be released and it makes me not want to start new books. Also, I have tried several books over the last few weeks that I DNF, so I decided to do a reread of an old series to keep my attention, and that worked perfectly. I've been averaging a book a day since I started that on Sunday."
Oohhh...your bus trip sounds like so much fun! And I like your strategy of rereading a favorite series! Sounds like that was a good plan!

"I finished:
This Might Hurt: I got an ARC of this about a month ago and finally got around to it. I enjoyed it more than I expected to, but I found myself getting confused a few times. It was an unedited copy, so I'm not sure if I just wasn't paying close enough attention, or if there are a few issues that need to be worked out still. I thought the book had more potential than the ending as well, but overall it was good.

Currently reading:
The Mother Next Door: I wish I had read this during Halloween week, but so far so good."
Yep! You definitely read creepier things than I do! 😉

"QOTW:
I have found that I often haven't read that many of the books that are nominated for the GR awards, so I never feel right about voting, but I usually get good ideas to add to my TBR list. I don't think my taste is generally very conventional though."
You and I use the nominations in the same way! Though I admit I have been voting these past couple of years and may well do so again this year...

Ashley Marie wrote: "This sounds like me with The Arctic Fury! I nominated it and voted for it, and it won, and... disappointment. ..."


Yes! I know I voted for it, so I can't be too upset with the choice. Actually, I probably wouldn't be so unhappy if I hadn't been hoping to really enjoy the book. It's my high expectations that were the problem.

Lauren wrote: "Shannon wrote: "Well, Napa didn't happen. Our flight was canceled about 2 hours before our flight (we didn't see it until after we'd already gone through security) and the next available flight was..."

DFW! I'm hoping they have things sorted out now, but I don't know for sure.

It's finally cold here in NYC! I'm hoping this tips the trees from green to color. I love cold weather and winter. I feel my energy resurging.

This week I got my Moderna booster, which gave me a few quiet days as I cleared the calendar in case I had a strong reaction. For the record, it was a mild reaction and I treated those days like vacation. Arm still sore but that's to be expected.

I'm at 46/50 for challenge -- still need to make progress on the biggie - longest in pages - but I expect by this weekend I'll have other reading demands for November done (challenges in other groups) and my Feminerdy Book Club is one I read this past week. That means no excuse - can forge ahead on my hefty read. The only other reading for PS that could pose a challenge is my 'seen on a bookshelf' -- it's a non-fiction I've meant to read for a while and the plan is to discuss after with friend whose shelf it was on. I think I'll tackle it later this month.

FINISHED:

Frankenstein: The 1818 Text - this was my published anonymously - and it is excellent! I read this once about 40 years ago but I'm really glad to revisit it. I'd forgotten so much. Coincidentally, as a classic example of writing from the Romantic Era, it fit in well with Becoming George Sand, a book I finished for last week's check-in!

Bespelling Jane Austen - 4 romance authors take Jane Austen's books for inspiration to create paranormal retellings. I loved the one based on Emma, and the one based on Northanger Abbey - they were fun and hilarious. The Persuasion retelling was fine, but the Pride & Prejudice one tried too hard.

The Dry - excellent crime fiction! not for challenge... Location and climate (a drought in Australian small town) were so well depicted that I was drinking water constantly while reading.

Confessions of a Red Herring - first in a newish cozy series - HILARIOUS! Loved this and cannot wait to read more. P.S. - the rescue puppy named Lucy, and the main character's russian grandmother Baba, steal every scene they are in. Plot may not be so intricate but it's just such an enjoyable funny read. There are 2 more out in the series so far...

CURRENTLY READING:

The Shadow of the Torturer - not far into it - I'm finding it a little ambiguous and confusing but it's starting to pick-up.

Grand Hotel - my DNF prompt - I think it's now been long enough since I saw any movie or stage adaptation that I can finish reading this. All adaptations have been so true to original that it has in past made book hard to read when I just saw one.

This Cold Heaven: Seven Seasons in GreenlandA Suitable Boy
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

QOTW: Never. Or more correctly I can count on one hand how many times I've agreed with the choice in any of the categories. In fact, 99% of the time the selection is all books I'd never in a million years read. The remaining 1% are the ones I have already read. I LOATHE it when Popsugar or any other challenge makes one of the prompts reading a GR Choice winner/nominee.

It really is irritating because I have very eclectic reading habits and book tastes. Clearly though I'm out of sync with the majority of those voting on GR.

It's all dark and rainy today! Woohoo! That's my favorite. Today I shall have tea and chili with tons of melted cheese and later, maybe some cocoa! Heck yeah!

I feel like my reading is kinda all over the place this week, although it clearly skews kid lit.


Finished:
The Dead Man in the Garden - The third and current Addie Morton, Mystery Queen book. Book two is my favorite so far but did enjoy this one. I guessed whodunnit pretty early but it was still fun and I loved the wheelchair rep! On a trip to a spa Aggie and Hector meet George, and he was awesome. If you are looking for a middle grade with an Edwardian kid in a wheelchair who isn't kept locked away, sad and alone, get this book.

How to Marry Keanu Reeves in 90 Days - Honestly read it just because of the title. I'm still not a romance lover but this had some fun moments.

Conan Doyle for the Defense: The True Story of a Sensational British Murder, a Quest for Justice, and the World's Most Famous Detective Writer - The tale of one of the real cases Arthur Conan Doyle was involved with. Pretty good.

Floors - I thought I would love this but it's kind of a mess.

That's Not My Giraffe... - I finally got to meet my friend's kid, on her first birthday. Stupid virus. We did read this board book. She liked touching the different surfaces.

Tyrannosaurus Wrecks! - Cute

The Tell-Tale Start - Ya know, this was weird in a kinda silly way, but was pretty fun. I'll see what Edgar and Allan Poe are up to in their next book one of these days.

We Are Water Protectors - Welcome to November! The illustrations are gorgeous. I need a copy for myself.


Currently Reading:
State of Terror by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Louise Penny - I don't read many political thrillers but I thought I'd see how it was. 62% in and it's pretty good so far.

Will Destroy the Galaxy for Cash - I don't want to fall asleep listening to a thriller and wake up just in time for a spoiler, so I started this last night.

And Then You're Dead: What Really Happens If You Get Swallowed by a Whale, Are Shot from a Cannon, or Go Barreling Over Niagara - My dip in between books book, but I need to dip more.


QOTW:
Sometimes I agree, usually I don't, but mostly I haven't even read most of the winners. The one that got me most last year was Horror. I had actually read most of them and had a clear favorite, The Only Good Indians, but Mexican Gothic won? That book isn't even scary? Like, at all? I don't get how it won, except that clearly that's the one the most people had read. The awards are pointless but still somehow fun.

Hi all,

Been a roller coaster week this week. Migraines, bad family stuff, but today's been going ok. Really cold though, and I'm dreading the time change. I want my daylight AFTER work. Hate it being dark the second I finally am free.

This week I finished:

Beauty and the Werewolf -comfort re-read

I've clearly been having a slow reading week.

Currently reading:

The Women of the Copper Country - still slogging through this. It's my Books & brew pick for next week or I'd just table it for later. It's well written, but it's just....too timely right now. Dealing with big companies exploiting their workers, cruelty of strike breakers, etc. Just seeing all the strikes going on right now, and the whole "Lets pass a law saying it's ok for minors to work until 10 on week nights instead of raising the minimum wage" and everything. I just...don't WANT to read this right now, i want something escapist.

The Sea of Monsters - now that drawlloween is over, haven't been drawing every day, less audio time. Been busy doing game night, workouts, dealing with a migraine. Have less than 2 hours left.

QOTW:

I try to read some new releases every year, but often it's new releases by authors I like. Also a lot of times the library hold times are so long that i don't even get them before voting starts. So most the time it's not that I don't agree with what wins, it's just something I hadn't heard about yet/didn't get to so have no opinions. It's somewhat rare for a book I actually read and liked actually wins in the category. I don't really believe in voting for something that i THINK i might like but haven't read. I also don't super like voting if I only read one of the options, but i do that anyhow.

@Ellie: happy be-lated birthday!

I had a pretty normal week this week. Work, mostly at the office, to the gym, a zoom meeting with my “dinner-and-talkgroup” from church and a bit of reading every night. Normal sometimes is good.

Finished
Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I just needed to read something cosy, sweet and fun and I learned that Anne of Green Gables is what I need.

Currently reading
Queen by Alex Haley

QOTW
I actually had to check past year’s winners to answer this question. I usually don’t read that much new books. I wait for translation in Dutch. Or I read Dutch new releases and they won’t make it to the nominees for obvious reasons (for some reason we sold New York City in the 17th century to the English and the rest is history - *smile*).
On topic. Last year’s winners were some of my favourite reads this year, so that’s a match. For earlier years there also were matches, especially for historical fiction.

Theresa wrote: "I LOATHE it when Popsugar or any other challenge makes one of the prompts reading a GR Choice winner/nominee. ..."



Yeah, I really dislike it as a challenge category, for the same reason. If they include all the nominees, it's not too TOO bad ...

poshpenny wrote: "That's Not My Giraffe... - I finally got to meet my friend's kid, on her first birthday. Stupid virus. We did read this board book. She liked touching the different surfaces. ..."



Oh, we loved this series when my kids were little!! We had so many! The one I remember best is That's Not My Puppy...

Harmke wrote: "I actually had to check past year’s winners to answer this question. I usually don’t read that much new books. I wait for translation in Dutch. Or I read Dutch new releases and they won’t make it to the nominees for obvious reasons (for some reason we sold New York City in the 17th century to the English and the rest is history - *smile*). ..."


If only you all had held onto that island!! :-)

I guess the Choice Awards are a nice guide for you to know what books might be "hot" in the following year, in translation.

Happy check-in! It's sunny and warm here, you can go outside without gloves and a hat for a bit which is crazy for November. I finally went back to a restaurant to dine-in since the delta variant hit here. It was weird, but so nice.

Finished Reading:

Monstress, Vol. 6: The Vow ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This series is standing strong. A great cliff-hanger ending that sucks because this was so newly published that there won't be the next one for a while.

Lost and Found Sisters⭐⭐⭐ (2021 fresh start)
The mc finding a lost sister and building a relationship was great. The mc finding a fiancé was boring. This author does write some funny lines though.

Flower Crowns and Fearsome Things ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A new collection of poems from Amanda Lovelace inspired by Persphone of Greek mythology. As always there are lots of tws for her work.

One to Watch ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was a good rom-com. It makes fun of The Bachelor/The Bachelorette tv shows while believing that they can work. Lots of good points about accepting yourself as you are.

Fatty Legs ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I read the 10th anniversary edition of this children's/middle grade recollection about attending a residential school in Northern Canada. Despite the heavy and upsetting topic, Olemaun's spirit is strong and sweet. Olemaun told her daughter-in-law about her experiences and she wrote them constantly going back to make sure Olemaun was okay with the end result. This edition has some updates in language as well as Olemaun reclaimed her name in the years between publications.

Terciel and Elinor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A new book in one of my all time favourite series. Yes please! I loved it. This follows Sabriel's father and mother. Garth Nix went back to some of my favourite things about the world he created. This definitely has spoilers for Sabriel and Lirael so read them first.

In Real Life ⭐⭐⭐
This has the same artist from The Prince and the Dressmaker so I thought I'd give it a shot. This looks at the economics of online multiplayer games. It's young adult so it keeps things very simple and easily solved.

PS 2021 46/50
PS 2017 47/52
Goodreads 240/250

DNFed

Ironskin
A fantasy retelling of Jane Eyre that I didn't like the mc or world building so it wasn't worth my time to finish.

Chew: The Omnivore Edition, Vol. 1
@Nadine you recommended this to me ages ago but it didn't work for me. Thanks anyways. The concept was definitely creative but the subject and artwork turned my stomach so I had to quit.

Currently Reading:

An American Sunrise
Japenese fairy tales
A Twist of Fate

QOTW:
I'm impatiently waiting for the nomination period for a reason. I like voting and I have read 40 or so 2021 publications. In my favourite genres I tend to pick the winners, but there are popular authors I don't like that win sometimes. This book club can at least vote for a murderbot book in the sci-fi genre.

Just checked the goodreads choice awards page and the twitter comments say Nov. 16 for a start date.

Lynn wrote: "I realized the other day (Thanks to the electronic calendar on my phone and a reminder message…) that G. Willow Wilson will be at Butler next Tuesday!

That's awesome. I'm not usually that interested in graphic novels, but I read Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal by her for the challenge this year and thought it was really good. I didn't actually know that she wrote anything other than graphic novels, so now I can check that out. Hope you have a great time!

Erica wrote: "Just checked the goodreads choice awards page and the twitter comments say Nov. 16 for a start date."


Wow they made it a lot later this year!!! Thanks for letting us know, it's always nice to have a target date so we don't have to keep checking. Now we just need Popsugar to let us know when the challenge will be posted :-)

Erica wrote: "Chew: The Omnivore Edition, Vol. 1
@Nadine you recommended this to me ages ago but it didn't work for me. Thanks anyways. The concept was definitely creative but the subject and artwork turned my stomach so I had to quit. ..."


It is definitely more than a little gross LOL - I can't read graphic novels when I don't like the art, either, so I get it!!

Well it was a first that a graphic novel did that to me. Haha :)

Finished:

Dracula
ATY prompt: A book involving an immigrant
Popsugar prompt: The book that’s been on your TBR list for the longest amount of time

Currently reading:

A Slow Fire Burning - 60% done. Sadly, my e-book expired unfinished. I'm 6 months on one waiting list and I'm 5th on another. I hope I remember the plot when I get it back and don't have to restart from the beginning.

We Were Never Here. My new 2021 book. I'm only 10% into this one, but dammit, I'm finishing this one.


QOTW:
I'm often disappointed by what wins in recent years. I only follow less than half of the categories though. The biggest value to me is that in genres that I care about, I can get some potential things to add to my TBR list.

Ashley Marie wrote: "Good chilly morning, all! I've woken up to frost on the car these past two mornings, but I'll take it over snow any day. The outdoorsy cat has been staying inside in the mornings, eschewing her usual routine of slipping outside after breakfast. She knows it's cold and the house is toasty :)"
That cat is no dummy! LOL I agree. No snow! LOL 🤨

"I've finagled my PS challenge around so I only need one more to complete all 50 :D Hoping to read Get a Life, Chloe Brown in December."
Ooohhh...I plan to read this in November or December as well!

"Meanwhile, books I finished this week:
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow - 5 stars, reread. I love this story, especially on audiobook. It's 95% atmosphere and descriptions and not as much action as most people tend to assume, based on the various adaptations. Perfect Halloween story."
I guess I've never read this!

"The Arctic Fury - 2 stars. The dual timelines didn't help matters. I was expecting a harrowing story of women surviving in the ferocious Arctic, and I got a legal drama with bits of Arctic suspense thrown in. Very disappointed, but I know a lot of people who enjoyed this one. I have one other Macallister book on my shelf and I'll give it a go before giving up on her."
But...it looks as if it would be so good!!! LOL

"PS 49/50"
Just one more!

"Upcoming:
The Night Watchman"
I thought this was good.

"QOTW: Do your tastes generally match up with the winners of the Goodreads Choice Awards, or are you usually disappointed in the winners chosen for each category?
Ish? It depends. I've been making more of an effort this past year or two to read more new releases, so I'm more in the know about the books that are nominated/winning. I used to not vote for a book unless I'd read it, but that rule got tossed aside awhile ago."
I feel the same way. I do not like voting for books without having read them, but I started doing it anyway! LOL 😊

Nadine wrote: "This week I read one book, not for this Challenge, so I remain 45/50.

The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis- this was my book club's selection, and I voted for it myself, I was excited to read it, and ... wow, no. Another disappointing book club read for me ..."

I met the author at a small publishing event in an indie bookstore when her The Masterpiece was published. [*sigh* remember those days?]. She was vivacious and interesting and full of energy. She told us she researches and writes a new book every year, all based on a NYC Landmark and its history and lore. My thought is that pace needs to be slowed down with more time on writing and plot development.

She also said that she started writing after her divorce, which divorce did wonders for her creativity, etc., and that she can write a book a year because she no longer has the burdensome ex, but also and lives alone, has no social life, kids, partners, or pets. That last part was said a bit tongue in cheek. But there is probably some truth to it.

Lynn wrote: "Then we had book club at my favorite used bookstore Sunday. We met outside which was nice, though eventually got a bit chilly once the clouds overran the sun! I mentioned the book 3 times and another member mentioned it once and that was it. *sigh* I will attend in November since we are reading Speak No Evil by Uzodinma Iweala which I’m guessing should be a good one to stimulate discussion, but if that doesn’t happen I’ll not plan to participate in any more meetings of this club. I can spend my time reading books to discuss with other Goodreads members and get just as much and usually more out of it. I also realized that..."

That book should absolutely trigger major discussion! If it doesn't, dump these people because tbey are not there to discuss books.

I loved it ...found it quite powerful and thought-provoking...and would happily engage with you in a discussion.

Lynn wrote: " realized the other day (Thanks to the electronic calendar on my phone and a reminder message…) that G. Willow Wilson will be at Butler next Tuesday! That snuck up on me! I have three of her books (Alif the Unseen, The Butterfly Mosque: A Young American Woman's Journey to Love and Islam, The Bird King) and will plan to read one of them this weekend, and then I can take them to be signed on Tuesday. I’m excited about an author event after so long with NO events!! ..."

She is a smart, well-spoken, interesting woman. I had the pleasure of attending an in person interview she gave to N.K. Jemisen - yes the stars were lighting up the NYPL that night! - when her book The Bird King was published. It was wonderful, she was wonderful.

I don't know her work as a graphic artist though I understand it is ground-breaking, creative, and really good. I did read and enjoy The Bird King though it was a bit disappointing...it needed more, especially in the beginning scenes in the harem. A lot of missed opportunities - my Feminerdy Book Club all agreed that it reads like a graphic novel, and since no images to tell story, it needs more exposition. It is a full fantasy with world building.

Many in that book club read Alif the Unseen - which has a contemporary setting - liked it a lot and thought it was better written.

Her books do explore muslim themes to some extent.

Brandon wrote: "Finished:

The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin (reread for book club, 4/5)

The Goodreads synopsis gives away a lot of the story of the book, so first-time readers ..."

I read this recently and was particularly intrigued with the historical context presented. I was also so angry about the incredible spoiler the GR and publisher blurbs and summaries are! Really ruined the read for me. The entire set up by the author for the reader was ruined and it in fact weakened the plot.

I liked Alif the Unseen a lot. In my review I said "this book is a monster" and what I meant was that it kept taking surprising turns, I never knew what to expect from it, and it really was not at all what I was prepared for. I hate the cover. The cover doesn't fit that book at all. Honestly, it could use a better title, too. I feel like her publication team didn't know how to market this book and they let her down - but she's succeeded despite them.

It would be an interesting companion read with other jinni books like A Master of Djinn.

Nadine wrote: "Lynn wrote: "Many times we ask those who didn't enjoy the book at all or as much for their reasons and that gets discussion going. What one person dislikes, could be what another person likes, etc...."

Oh man! The BEST discussions often come when someone in my Feminerdy Book Club disliked the book. No one is shy about stating why, nor does anyone take offense. I have also been the loan lover of a book...and that has been fun too.

I think though that it might just take some time for everyone to get comfortable enough to be that open in the book club.

Alex wrote: "It's finally cold here too! Autumn is totally late. Our trees are only JUST NOW getting colourful. First frost was only yesterday. It's wild! I hope this doesn't mean less snow. Pile it on, baby. G..."

I am totally with you!

Nadine wrote: "Erica wrote: "Just checked the goodreads choice awards page and the twitter comments say Nov. 16 for a start date."

Wow they made it a lot later this year!!! Thanks for letting us know, it's always nice to have a target date so we don't have to keep checking. Now we just need Popsugar to let us know when the challenge will be posted."


It sucks that the one year I'm actually waiting for it to drop, they push it back so far. I guess they got tired of people complaining that they had to decide on votes for books that haven't even come out yet, since I think the publication window ends on the 17th.

Nadine wrote: "Ashley Marie wrote: "This sounds like me with The Arctic Fury! I nominated it and voted for it, and it won, and... disappointment. ..."


Yes! I know I voted for it, so I can't be too upset with th..."

The point of a book club is to discuss books, not just promote books we all like. N ot all books are going to be loved or should be. A book I promoted for Feminerdy Book Club to read ended up being disliked by all of us and nearly a rare DNF by me, its promoter! It was fine and a great entertaining discussion.

But Feminerdy is a book club with a focus: exploring fantasy and scifi from a feminist perspective. It rather encourages having some negative debate. We also make a point of drawing from genre classics from time to time, as well as popular and current authors. BTW, the book I suggested that we all hated: The Left Hand of Darkness, Ursula K. Le Guin glass ceiling breaking Hugo win. Next up is Frankenstein: The 1818 Text - it should be lively.