Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2022 Weekly Check-Ins
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Week 18: 4/28 - 5/5
Happy Thursday!It's been an exciting week on my Yorkshire livestreams with kestrel chicks hatching and barn owls laying their first eggs of the season. We had a breakthrough Covid case among the cast of my show (thankfully just the one), so tonight's performance is canceled but everyone else in the cast/crew has tested negative which is a relief.
Book-wise, I read a pair of comics this week and am aiming to finish another pair of reads today:
The Far Reaching Tentacles of N'rygoth - 4 stars. There was a major design shift (thanks, new artist), but the story kept me going.
Saga #58 - 4 stars. Delayed Hoopla release, but it's hear now for us to enjoy. I'm worried about several things, as happens with Saga, and I'm looking forward to rereading these issues once the trade is published later this year.
Finishing:
The Diamond Eye - 100 pages left. This has been excellent and I loved the Easter eggs Quinn dropped. Excited to see how it ends.
Foundryside - Pleased I decided to reread this, because now I'm ravenous for the sequel/s.
Currently:
The Silmarillion - the audiobook I found on Youtube only covered so much, so it's back to my paperback now to finish this out.
The City We Became - this has been on hold since I started the Foundryside audio, but I'm excited to come back and finish it as well. I'm loving the concept here.
Upcoming:
Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen - for AAPI month
Shorefall - Foundryside sequel, to prep for the final book in June!
The Magnolia Palace - possibly, it's the BOTM for one of my other GR groups
The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family - I've wanted to read this for a longggg time
The Seven Necessary Sins for Women and Girls - after the SCOTUS leak, it feels like a good time for this book
Have you read anything recently that you thought to be "the perfect book" as far as structure, writing style, ending, etc.?
Ohhhh good question. It's been several years since I read it, but I remember feeling this way about Code Name Verity.
I also may think this about City of Stairs; I love the other two books in the trilogy but this one works brilliantly as a standalone too. The amount of detail in the world-building, the characters, everything comes together incredibly well.
I finished A Prayer for Owen Meany. The ending was great. There were some good parts sprinkled throughout the book. But, mostly I can't really say I loved it.QOTW: I don't know. perfection is pretty elusive.
It's been a few weeks since I did a check-in and only a few books. The school year is winding down and it's hectic. I haven't been reading a lot.a book that features two languages
True Biz by Sara Novic. Character driven about students and the dean of a school for the deaf. Interspersed with a lot of information and diagrams about ASL and BASL. Really enjoyed it.
no prompts-fave to least fave
Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang. Memoir about being an undocumented immigrant in the 90s. Highly recommend.
Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James. Thriller/mystery. A podcaster is researching a decades old murder case. Really readable…kind of falls apart at the end. Would make a great series.
Every Last Fear by Alex Finlay. Thriller/mystery. A family of an inmate who has a Making of a Murderer-esque documentary about them are all killed on vacation in Mexico. This was okay..not great but I'm not mad I read it.
Midnight at the Blackbird Café by Heather Webber. Woman returns home to collect her inheritance from her grandmother. I bought this last year for the magical realism prompt and ended up using a different book. This felt meh to me. I probably wouldn't read another one of this author's. For my money, Sarah Allen Addison does the blend of magic realism/women's fiction the best.
QOTW:
I think the last "perfect" book I read was probably Clap When You Land
Mod
Wow I've never heard of that book! It looks good!!
Happy Thursday! I'm so behind in my reading because I just can't seem to stay well. Flu then cold and then a stomach bug! Our weather keeps seesawing between cold and warm which doesn't help either. Currently Reading
The Great Hunt for "book becoming a tv series in 2022". Oh it's so nice to be back in the world of Rand al'Thor. Like snuggling under a warm blanket on a cold day. I'm enjoying my reread of this series a lot!
QotW
Crime and Punishment. I've read this three times, once last year, and every time I'm struck by just how amazing it is. Deep psychology, tons of drama, fabulous characters, poignant messages about society, and beautiful writing. This book will always be the standard of writing excellence for me!
Good morning, everyone! Happy Belated Star Wars Day to everyone who celebrated yesterday!Despite a hiccup in the form of a leaking water heater, which had to be replaced, I had a lot of fun participating in the Dewey’s 24 Hour Readathon this past weekend.
I ended up reading a total of 7 books from cover-to-cover on Saturday, and I was able to start an 8th before the end of the readathon on Sunday morning.
Since I still had a number of books remaining on my Readathon TBR, I decided to go ahead and continue reading those titles this week. While I did have time to complete all of the books on my list, my Star Wars Day movie marathon put a significant dent in my reading time this week. I currently have only two books remaining on my list, one of which I am currently reading, and I will be getting back to them before the week is over.
Goodreads: 252/200
TBR checklist: 215/1110
Finished Reading (Pre Readathon):
~From Hell
~A Flicker in the Dark
Finished Reading (Dewey’s 24 Hour Readathon):
~Smaug: Unleashing the Dragon
~Kiki's Delivery Service
~Swordheart
~A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel, Volume One
~A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel, Volume Two
~A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel, Volume Three
~A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel, Volume Four
Finished Reading (Post Readathon):
~The Adventures of Tom Bombadil and Other Verses from the Red Book
~Across the Green Grass Fields
~Where the Drowned Girls Go
~The Hedge Knight: The Graphic Novel
~The Sworn Sword
~A Spindle Splintered
~Book of Enchantments
Currently Reading:
~The Art of Film Magic: 20 Years of Weta
QOTW:
I feel like books have the potential to be perfect at certain points of our lives, based on things like our age, what we are going through at the time, and our reading preferences.
Personally, I can only think of a handful of "perfect" books that I read as a young person that I still consider perfect as an adult. The Hobbit, or There and Back Again, by J.R.R. Tolkien, and Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen, are two of them.
Hello! We may finally have spring here as well. There's talk of 70s this weekend! We're all very excited. My husband's bad back flared up earlier in the week so he's been trying to not do anything strenuous, which is hard when we can finally do stuff outside. But I agree, Nadine, how nice it is that everything is green outside.Finished This Week:
The Murmur of Bees by Sofía Segovia. The frame the author used to tell the story, with some of the chapters in first person as a story being told by one of the characters at the end of his life, but other chapters told through a third person almost omniscient POV, made it hard to read. Especially since the character in the first person POV chapters isn't born until at least halfway through the book, and you have no idea who it is doing the telling. But once you figure out who that character is, things make more sense. Using for #50, some of the action is set in Monterrey, Mexico, which is a sister city of San Antonio, Texas.
A Radical Act of Free Magic by H.G. Parry. As slow as the first book was, the second went must faster. There was almost no recapping of the first book, which I appreciated. While I called the first book French Revolution fanfiction ("everyone and everything in the French Revolution, but with magic!"), this one became Napoleonic Wars fanfiction. And when the battle of Trafalgar was fought against a kraken, I gave up and rolled with it. Using for #45, the second book of a duology.
Time's Echo by Rysa Walker. The novella from Kiernan's viewpoint set after Timebound. I read a review that said the novellas set between the main books were worth reading to enhance the main series, so I picked this up and read it while waiting to get books 2 and 3 from the library. Not for prompt.
PS: 17/52 ATY: 20/52 GR: 53/100
Currently Reading:
Appeasement: Chamberlain, Hitler, Churchill, and the Road to War by Tim Bouverie. Almost finished with the Tea With Hitler chapter.
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin. Picked this off my Kindle on a whim over the weekend. Not very far yet, mostly still in introduction of characters.
Burning Roses by S.L. Huang. I found this author on twitter after the Alec Baldwin shooting on set, as she's a former stuntwoman who knew how guns and weapons should be handled on a movie set. Then I discovered she wrote SFF and won a Hugo. This is a novella about Red Riding Hood and Hou Yi teaming up in their middle age to go fight monsters again. Queer fairytelling retelling by an Asian author. Not for prompt. Only in chapter two, but enjoying it.
Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown. Picked up the audiobook when I learned it was read by the author. Listened to the first few chapters when I had to drive across town last weekend. Need to find time to listen when I'm not driving.
QOTW: Have you read anything recently that you thought to be "the perfect book" as far as structure, writing style, ending, etc.?
Like others have said, perfection is pretty hard to achieve. I've come to acknowledge that my absolute favorite books still have flaws.
I'll go with Never Say You Can't Survive: How to Get Through Hard Times by Making Up Stories by Charlie Jane Anders. This was the first writing book I'd read that both gave tips on how to find motivation and what proper story structure should be, but also gave tips about how to identify the underlying problem when you're struggling with a scene.
Happy Cinco de Mayo!It's been a slow reading week but I did read/listen to an unexpectedly good book this week.
Finished:
by Weina Dai Randel (#15). This was a suggestion from Lynn last week and I think it was a good choice. This is a substitution for the group read for May. I just could not find Year of the Reaper anywhere. 
by ARTHUR GRATE Not for the challenge, just educating myself.Still reading:
Parable of the Sower
The Jungle
Rush
Ebony Encounters: A Trilogy of Erotic Tales
All of these except for Rush are ok reads. I am just not in the mood for them right now. However, I am still dredging along with them.
Question of the Week
Have you read anything recently that you thought to be "the perfect book" as far as structure, writing style, ending, etc.?
I don't know if I believe in the concept of the "perfect" book, but I have read a couple of books that will live in my heart forever and will probably reread (and I'm not a rereader).
by Lois Lowry. I reread this every few years.New favorites:
by Mitch Albom
by Yaa Gyasi
Please tell me why it was in the 50s on Tuesday and it's supposed to be in the 100s this weekend. I love spring but Texas is so all over the place this time of year.I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (alongside my already-diagnosed anxiety disorder), so that's exciting. I kept trying to swing it as situational, but I guess it's been going on too long for that. Hopefully the new medication will help!
Life is hard, y'all. But it can be really wonderful, too! So I'm trying to get more into a positive mindset.
Finished:
Health at Every Size: The Surprising Truth About Your Weight - My short review is that the information is good but the writing is pretentious/condescending.
Currently reading:
Daughter of the Forest - I did read a little more of this and I'm still loving it! The chapters are very long, so it's a lot harder to just read a little here and there.
Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People
QOTW:
I know a LOT of people will disagree with me, but Piranesi. I was so blown away by that book.
I'd also throw out Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion.
Apparently I find books that start with "P" to be pretty perfect...
Nadine in NY wrote: "Everything is very GREEN here right now - I love this time of year for its vibrant shade of green. Somewhere baby birds were born, because I see the baby sparrows hopping around after the harried parents, relentlessly demanding food. Daffodils are still blooming here and soon the dandelions are just starting to pop up. My daughter is ready to make flower crowns with them."This whole description is beautiful and made me smile. :)
Mod
LOL!!
I hope your health issues are resolved. Depression can be such a struggle.
This whole description is beautiful and made me smile. :)
thank you :-)
Good Afternoon now. Thursday is my cleaning day but some Thursdays I don't feel it. I woke up energized spending the morning with cleaning products & the swifter. Thankfully I'm over that now. The world is very green here too. I read two books for the week.1. A Master of Djinn. Pop Sugar Advanced Prompt A book featuring a parallel reality. I enjoyed it.
2. The Personal Librarian. Not for Pop Sugar. I liked this book too. I had never heard of J.P. Morgan's Personal Librarian before. Belle da Costa Greene seemed to be a genius.
Currently reading
1. Come Fly the World: The Jet-Age Story of the Women of Pan Am. ebook
2. Slow Horses. Audio Book. This is a slow burn. I feel like I listened for three hours before something happened.
QOTW. I have a few books I thought were well written.
The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration
Call Us What We Carry
My Monticello
The Secret Lives of Church Ladies
Black Leopard, Red Wolf
Peach Blossom Spring
A Little Life
The Trees
Happy Star Wars Month of May! It is Revenge of the Sith today. I have been working on Summer Reading Program this week. Prepping bags and folders so they will be done before June.
This weekend is supposed to be epically windy and cold enough to bring snow. It's not supposed to stick, but it's Nevada. Wait 5 minutes and the weather will change again. I've seen hail in June.
I've picked up on my reading this last week.
Finished:
Under One Roof Cute novella by Ali Hazelwood
A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting NetGalley read. It was okay Regency. I've read better.
Year of the Reaper Excellent book. Fast read. Can't wait to discuss it.
How to Date a Superhero Finally!! Omg! so happy this one is behind me!
I'm currently reading:
Project Hail Mary
Vespertine
QOTW
I don't believe in the "perfect" book. Some of my favorite stories are fan fics. I will reread those in a heartbeat.
I think that if the story, scene, lesson, message, or character sticks with you and you can recall that moment with clarity years later without having to reread the book. That makes it perfect.
I finished up 56 Days this week. It was an interesting domestic-style thriller set in the early days of the COVID lockdown. Why does that seem like it happened so long ago, yet, was not so? Currently reading The Yiddish Policemen's Union for the Hugo Award winner book. So far, I'm liking it. The dry humor and wit keeps me going.
Up next: This Is Where It Ends andThe Hiding Game.
QotW
It's been awhile since I've read a book that could be called close to 'perfection', but The Narrow Road to the Deep North was one that stuck with me for awhile.
Jane Eyre is one of my all time favorites that has a lot of literary elements I think are brilliant, especially given that Bronte was a woman writing a novel in a time period discouraged it.
Mod
I get impatient with books but I really liked that one. I think I especially like characters who sort of hate each other, that's like a favorite trope of mine and I'm just now realizing it! Someday I'll get around to reading the rest of the series.
It went from being sunny in the 60s yesterday to dreary and raining today, so a typical PNW spring. :)Finished this week:
Nettle & Bone, 5 stars, 2022 release. A twisted, dark fairy tale retelling. I loved the fact that the main character was in her thirties and was very much not a typical hero. I saw a review that said this was a fairy tale starring a bunch of side characters on the main quest and, yeah, that's pretty much accurate. And there's a very good dog.
Comics & manga:
Huda F Are You?
The Ancient Magus' Bride: Jack Flash and the Faerie Case Files, Vol. 4
Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 34
Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 35
Currently reading:
Seasonal Fears - Another book I've been looking forward to forever. (The library gave me 4 highly anticipated holds, all at the same time, so I have my reading all set for the next few weeks!)
I don't have it set for a prompt so far. It would work for 2022 release, and probably for favorite season. Now that it's out, it forms a duology with Middlegame.
QOTW: I think of "perfect" as a moving target which changes as we age and have new experiences. I've had lots of books that I loved or that have stuck with me, but I'm not sure I'd call any of them definitively perfect.
Hi everyone. The pollen is horrendous right now. As pretty as the blossom is, I need spring to be over!This week I finished King Solomon's Mines. I feel mislead by the title. I was expecting more of the adventure and, well, diamond mines but that is literally three chapters of the book. The rest is war and fighting and blah.
Currently reading: Granny Dan. My Mum really loves Danielle Steel and has been urging me try one for a long time. It started off okay but it seems to be quickly descending into melodrama. For some reason I love over-dramatic characters but hate over-dramatic storylines.
QOTW: I think timing makes all the difference here. Two that were absolutely perfect for me this year were Gideon the Ninth and A Song for a New Day but I definitely think it is a case of right book at the right time
Happy May the 4th and Revenge of the 5th to all who celebrate! The Obi-Wan trailer and the Book of Boba Fett documentary were both treats to watch yesterday.Question of the Week:
Here are 10 books that I have read or reread not that long ago that have perfectly executed what they set out to do.
Hamilton: The Revolution
Cilla Lee-Jenkins: Future Author Extraordinaire
Skywalker: A Family at War
The Candymakers
Day of the Vipers
Star Wars Year by Year: A Visual History
A Gentleman in Moscow
The Great Greene Heist
Why We Love Star Wars: The Great Moments That Built A Galaxy Far, Far Away
Star Trek: The Ashes of Tomorrow
Mod
Yes that is coming soon for me. When I was younger, spring was my favorite season. I still love looking at it, but I struggle to actually exist in it because my spring allergies have become fierce. When the birch tree gives off its pollen, that's it, I'm toast. I stay inside with windows closed tight until the cottonwood finally blows, then I know it's safe again. Usually by this time of year it's here already, but since spring got a late start, my allergies have not yet been triggered.
Brandon wrote: "Here are 10 books that I have read or reread not that long ago that have perfectly executed what they set out to do."I really like this interpretation of "perfect"!
Nadine in NY wrote: "I hope your health issues are resolved. Depression can be such a struggle."Thanks, Nadine! I'm blessed to have a really incredible support system. :)
28/50I've been focused on my local library's challenge, so I haven't made much progress with Pop Sugar. I also tried to participate in Dewey's 24-Readathon for the first time this year. I got a book read in several hours. I have no idea how people actually do it for the full 24 hours. I need sleep!!!
Read: Just Being at the Piano I didn't get a lot out of this book. Fortunately, I was able to get it at the library, so it didn't really matter. The music library I got it from is so anachronistic. They still used the paper and stamp method of checking out books!
Started: I feel like I started a bajillion books! But it looks like maybe it's just two beyond the books I was already reading.
Peace with Honour and
Fox & I This one is interesting because I'm pretty sure it's written by someone written on the autism spectrum. Her neurodiversity makes the writing hard to follow. Usually, when the writing is hard to follow, I think it's poor writing. (For example, she uses vague referents.) In this case, however, I feel like it's worth the challenge because it's good exposure to someone who thinks very differently from me.
QotW: Oops! I forgot to answer the QotW which is my favorite part. I feel like I do remember fairly recently thinking, this is such a perfect book, but I don't remember what it was! I just re-read The Velveteen Rabbit and that is pretty perfect. The illustrations are so beautiful and complement the story so well. And the development of the Rabbit becoming real is so relatable to anything we really care about. The only thing I take issue with is that it had to be a fairy that turned the Rabbit real instead of a process that he generated himself. His tear summoned the fairy, but I think I might have liked it better if the tear transformed him instead of the fairy.
I'm headed into a three day weekend and I. can. not. wait! Happy Mothers Day to any Mamas out there this Sunday!Finished:
Ring Shout by P. Djeli Clark
This is a fascinating historically based fantasy novella. I almost read it one sitting it was that captivating. The author does an incredible amount of world and character building in a short 180 pages. Definitely worth a read.
Prompt: A book with an onomatopoeia in the title
Currently Reading:
Year of the Reaper by Makiia Lucier
Prompt: A book by a Pacific Islander author
Overall Progress:
14/50
QOTW:
This is a hard one. I'm not sure the perfect book exists and books can be so personal as well. I guess I just don't really have an answer, haha.
Happy Thursday! I always seem to finish books over the weekend...last weekend I finished 2 books! I definitely won't finish the 2 I am reading now this weekend but oh well.
Finished:
The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz. It took me 100+ pages of this 300 page book to really get into it and once I did it was great. I would classify this book as a "whydunit" and not a "whodunit." If you are looking for a mystery this isn't it. It is dramatic, yes but the "twist" is really easy to figure out but you don't know the "why of it all" until the end. Really good.
Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt. This was ok, not great, not bad. Just...whatever.
Currently Reading:
Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson. Can't and don't want to put this one down!
Madam by Phoebe Wynne. I read pretty much all bad reviews of this book on multiple platforms. I don't hate the story. It is a little more descriptive than I generally like but it is definitely not the worst. People really hated this book. So far it is ok.
QOTW:
My all time favorite/"perfect" book for me is definitely Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. I have never wanted to start a book immediately after finishing it. The story was great, the writing was funny, heartwarming, science (without being too smart). Just all around a "perfect" book for me.
I didn't finish a book this week. I am still making progress on my Japanese Nobel laureate's book.I also started two new books. Given that I've only been reading them for 5 days, I'm pretty pleased.
May is a 5 book month and I'm in good shape to get them all finished.
ATY - 18/52
PS- 15/35
Series - 6/13
Clearing my TBR list: 13/40
Currently reading:
Death by Water - About 20% done
The Night Circus - About 30% done
Cross My Heart, Hope to Die - About 60% done
QOTW: In the last two years, my perfect books have been And Then There Were None, The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, and The Thirteenth Tale. They all took me by surprise as to how brilliant they were structured and how I never saw the endings coming.
Mod
And I now have time to devote to helping friends. One of my best friends is encountering many serious health challenges right now and I am able to step in and drive her to long-distance appointments/surgeries that neither of her two children helping her are either able or anxious to do. So that's how I spent my day Monday and it was actually fun to spend time with her. And...my body is so much healthier that 4 hours of driving didn't bother me at all and that was without anti-inflammatory meds! Whoo! Whoo!
The good news: my social security was processed in just over 2 weeks! The not-so-good news: The company administering my pension funds is almost useless and it will most likely require 3 months at minimum for them to process my application, etc. Geeminy! The first four times I spoke with them I was told four distinctly different scenarios regarding my pension funds and access to them. Unbelievable. I do not know how they stay in business…they must be much cheaper than other companies! I don’t have to wait too long to speak with someone and they’re always very nice, but…
We have had a lot of rain here in central Indiana lately. I’m sure farmers are chomping at the bit to get seeds in the ground!
:
May’s Monthly Group Read is Year of the Reaper by Makiia Lucier and Stormie ~ Book Dragon ~ is leading this discussion! This will fulfill prompt #15 A book written by a Pacific Islander author in honor or AAPI Appreciation Month in the US! You can also post any book you have read to complete this prompt here.
Don’t forget to vote for the final selection of an August Monthly Group Read to fulfill prompt #35 A book with a constellation on the cover or in the title! I just realized today that they graphic I had posted with the nomination poll evidently (1) never posted or (2) just disappeared! Yikes! LOL
We will need a “vivacious volunteer” to lead June’s monthly group read discussion of Beloved! Please message either Nadine or myself to volunteer! Thanks so much to Teri who volunteered as the “terrific team leader” to guide July’s monthly group read discussion of Piranesi!!
The comprehensive listing of Monthly Group Reads for 2022 is here.
Question of the Week:
This week's question was suggested a while ago by Lauren:
Have you read anything recently that you thought to be "the perfect book" as far as structure, writing style, ending, etc.?
As someone who finds it virtually impossible to list just one book as a favorite, I also find it impossible to consider any one book to be “perfect.”
As most of you should realize by now, I genuinely LOVE many of the books I read. And for different reasons. Although the one similarity I can cite is that all those books reflect a very skillful use of words to draw me in and keep me there throughout each page… My main focus is on characterization, though I have been to enjoy books without detailed characterization… So it just depends. Here are some of my best-loved…
Two long-standing favorites of mine:
The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister for the ingenious use of descriptors to create mood, depict actions and behaviors, and define characters.
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein for making my heart ache…but in a good way.
Read more recently:
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly
The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Popsugar: 35/50
ATY: 45/52
RHC: 13/24
FINISHED:
Rescuing Sprite: A Dog Lover's Story of Joy and Anguish by Mark R. Levin ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ was rather a shock to my system. I had no idea about this book other than it was about a rescued canine. As I read (and cried) I almost rolled my eyes I don’t know how many times at the author’s repeated, and to my mind extremely melodramatic, mourning for this dog. Don’t get me wrong, I love my furry companions and miss them dreadfully, but this man was truly depressed and should have sought professional help to better cope, IMO. Once I finished and did some research. Levin is a “far-right extremist” author and radio personality. It all kinda fit for me then. I would give it only a 2-3 star rating except that I did appreciate the descriptions of the dogs’ behaviors, etc. Not an especially enjoyable read. Very dramatic, very sad.
POPSUGAR: #20-I had just finished Mozart’s Sister, #40-2015: prompt #14 Nonfiction
ATY: #4-A book related to Shelley's poem Ozymandias (Nadine’s proposal): “despair” is what this book is all about!, #7-Levin was obviously (and he admitted it) DEPRESSED! With a capital D!, #14-3,324 ratings, #15, NEW #22, #31-2007, #36, #40-Strength, Death, #46, #49, #50
RHC: #24-2016: Read a book with a main character suffering from a mental illness-Depression
*Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family by Robert Kolker ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ was mind-blowing (pun intended?). My aunt suffered from paranoid schizophrenia with an initial ‘nervous breakdown’ in her early 30's. I am so hopeful and extremely grateful for the genetic research being done to discover better treatments and even preventative procedures. For example, in 2017 choline was added to prenatal vitamins since it is necessary for a process associated with specific genes, without which schizophrenia can result in some people. So this is an ‘in utero’ preventative treatment. (Amazing!) There are currently over 100 genetic aberrations associated with schizophrenia. It is obviously a very complex disease with no easy answers to be had, but at least progress is being made. My aunt was very fortunate in that she was able to perform ADLs, etc., and she was meticulous in ALWAYS taking her medication and never missing doctor/therapy appointments, which is very rare… I am so grateful she could function at such a high level.
POPSUGAR: #25-many secrets, #40-2015: prompt #14 Read a nonfiction book, #46-Don was undergoing ECT treatment during the last few years of his life
ATY: #3, #4-A book relating to Catch-22, #7, #17, #40-Strength, Death, Temperance, Judgment, The World, NEW #42, #44, #49, #50
RHC: #24-2016: Read a book with a main character who has a mental illness
The Long Call (Two Rivers #1) by Ann Cleeves ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ proved to be a quite enjoyable book. I will definitely continue with the series. I love Cleeve’s writing style. Alongside the plot is much characterization and I felt as if I could relate to these main characters quite well. I particularly appreciated the villains’ identities… (You were right, Nadine! LOL)
POPSUGAR: #25, #36, #40-2020: prompt #46 Read a book written by an author who has published more than 20 books, #46
ATY: #4-A book related to Shelley's poem Ozymandias (Nadine’s proposal): …the low and level sands stretch far away… Simon was killed on the beach and Matthew and Lucy were left to die in the same spot…, #5, #7, #15, NEW #23, #29, #40-The Lovers, Strength, Death, Justice,
Temperance, Judgment, The World, #43, #44, #49, #50
RHC: #24-2020: prompt #3 A mystery where the victim is not a woman
CONTINUING:
*The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro for a May Buddy Read (Yes, I added one more! LOL)
*The Magic in Changing Your Stars by Leah Henderson
*Yes, Chef by Marcus Samuelsson
*Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston.
*Paradise by Toni Morrison
PLANNED:
POPSUGAR monthly group read:
*Year of the Reaper by Makiia Lucier
3 more May Buddy Reads:
*Case Histories (Jackson Brodie #1) by Kate Atkinson
*Where the Wild Ladies Are by Aoko Matsuda
*Cross (Alex Cross #12) by James Patterson
To complete some 2021 year-long challenges:
1) *Marjorie Morningstar by Herman Wouk
2) *The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald
To complete the 2021 Read Harder Challenge:
*Ordinary Girls by Jaquira Díaz
*Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James
*Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff
Mod
Hahaha!! I KNEW it!! I'm glad you enjoyed it, and good to hear you're enjoying retirement.
Mod
..."
I just put in for a vacation day Monday and I am PSYCHED
Busy day! I am at 35/50 in PS! Yippee!Finished:
The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie - I used it for mobility aid prompt as Poirot has a cane. Fits also set on a train...as murder occurs on The Blue Train from London to Nice.
I then went on a binge clearing reissued Barbara Delinsky 1980s era romances from my TBR:
The Crosslyn Rise series - set around development of an old family home which after 5 generations in one family, the last heir can't maintain it. Held up well - 3 books The Dream, The Dream Unfolds, and The Dream Comes True
The Matchmaker series - does not hold up at all- The Real Thing, Crossed Hearts (quite good actually - best of the 3), and The Invitation,.
First Things First - also has aged poorly though great Mexican setting.
Currently reading:
A Desirable Residence
A Clash of Kings
The British Are Coming: The War for America, Lexington to Princeton, 1775-1777
QOTW: I have quite a few actually. Three of them are:
Madame Bovary - both primary text and the Lydia Davis translation.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
Circe
Happy Thursday.I'm ONE book away from finishing the challenge! :D I'm hoping to enter next year, but given that I start college this fall, we'll have to see if that's in the cards...
Books read this week:
Perestroika in Paris -- for the advanced prompt “two books set in twin towns/sister cities (1).” Had some charming moments, but was pretty plotless and the characters weren’t terribly well-defined.
The Golem and the Jinni -- for the advanced prompt “two books set in twin towns/sister cities (2).” Beautiful blend of historical fiction and Yiddish and Arabic mythology. And it’s nice to have a guy and a girl befriending one another without a romance being forced on them.
The Thirteenth Princess -- not for the challenge. A cute and fun retelling of the “Twelve Dancing Princesses” fairy tale.
Osmo Unknown and the Eightpenny Woods -- not for the challenge. Enchanting and whimsical, and somehow manages to make a trip to the underworld seem colorful and vibrant.
Regular Challenge -- 45/46
Advanced Challenge -- 10/10
Not for the challenge -- 22
DNF:
A Thousand Steps into Night -- not for the challenge. The writing style just lost me. And am I the only one who thinks footnotes don’t belong in fiction? It’s distracting, especially in a Kindle book.
Currently Reading:
Indistinguishable from Magic -- not for the challenge
We Sold Our Souls -- for “a book about a band or musical group”
The Kaiju Preservation Society -- not for the challenge
Sea of Tranquility -- not for the challenge
At the End of the Matinee -- not for the challenge
QOTW:
I... can't think of any right of the bat. Even my absolute favorite books, I can find a flaw or two...
It finally turned cold here and it's been raining all week. Perfect reading weather, but I'm currently petsitting and the dog hasn't been settling very well at night. It means my days have mostly been spent napping. I didn't finish anything this week, so I'm still at 24/50.
Currently reading
The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War. I'm really enjoying this, but it's dense. I'm only managing a chapter or two each night.
Coming up
Legacy
The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories
Dreadnought
QOTW
When I think about structure, symbolism, writing style etc. then I think The Underground Railroad was pretty close to perfect. Always the right word choices, settings, characters. Every time I think about it, I want to wax lyrical about the perfection.
Happy check-in! I've spent the last week binging a favourite series because it turned 15 last month. Also I decided to see if I can manage to not add to my tbr this month. This means none of you can talk about interesting books. ;) I'm pretty sure it's not going to happen. :)Finished Reading:
Magic Bites Magic Burns Magic Strikes Magic Bleeds Magic Slays ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
5 down, 7 to go. Anyway set in 2060s Atlanta when magic showed up in 2024. Book four was funny for new reasons due to covid. It has a villain who brings plagues and in the book world 2019 had a major law put in place to deal with pandemics.
Inheritance: A Visual Poem ⭐⭐
I just borrowed this because it was Elizabeth Acevedo. She took one of her popular spoken word poems and paired it with an artist. The art was good, but stretching the lines so they could match artwork took away from the poem and left me confused.
M C Escher ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (2022 starts with the last letter of previous book)
A lovely coffee table book with a bunch of Escher prints. Used it for this prompt because it's annoying and I want it done.
PS 2022 37/50
PS 2015 32/50
Goodreads 110/200
Currently Reading:
Gunmetal Magic
Book of Night
QOTW:
I have a lot of 5 star ratings, but whether I'll reread something or not is how I define top notch. So too many to list.
I read nothing. I picked up a bunch of books from the library, my friend brought me a stack as well, and now I'm overwhelmed. Work is overwhelming, has been all year so far, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future, so it isn't taking much to completely knock me over in my personal life. Whine, whine.QOTW:
I can't remember if I've ever finished a book and thought "that was the perfect book." And that's actually surprising because I'm not that harsh of a critic. Can't wait to see what the rest of you think once I read the comments above.
Alex wrote: "QotWCrime and Punishment. I've read this three times, once last year, and every time I'm struck by just how amazing it is. Deep psychology, tons of drama, fabulous characters, poignant messages about society, and beautiful writing. This book will always be the standard of writing excellence for me!"
That's a great choice!
Happy Thursday! I've started orientation at the Bookstore and I'm pretty excited so far. Woohoo! My normal schedule will let me out earlier soon. I hope everyone is having a good week. I'm still not reading as much because I seem to have traded my gay TV pirates for time-traveling K-pop pirates, and I'm not mad about it.Finished:
Hide and Geek - Middle grade kids solve an old set of clues to save their town
Ten Steps to Nanette - Hannah Gadsby's memoir, read by the author. Yes, this. Recommend.
Sea of Tranquility - Juuuuust about to finish so I'm adding it. Time travel, moon colonies, and pandemics.
Currently Reading:
I just finished Sea, so as yet undetermined
Happy Thursday. It's finally nice enough to sit outside in the sun and read!!🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳 Lovely vitamin D. 😁 I did read a bunch this past week, but I didn't really finish anything. And then 5 book holds came in on the same day, so next week should be a different story.Stats
Popsugar: 25/50
ATY: 44/75
Wheel of Time: 3/15
Books I finished:
Cinder ⭐⭐
Prompt: A book related to each one of the 22 Tarot Major Arcana cards. (The Moon)
This is the first book in the Lunar Chronicles. My sister recommended it but unfortunately this just wasn't my cup of tea. I like fairy tale retellings, and this was quite clever in how it retold the story (Cinderella in case it's not obvious) but it was just a big downer to me.
DNF
Heroic Hearts - I read the 3 stories in this collection by my favorite authors and left the rest. The Patricia Briggs story and the Anne Bishop story were top notch and make the whole thing worth while. The Kelley Armstrong was good too, but a little lacking in plot for my tastes.
Books I made progress on:
The Shadow Rising - I'm finally back reading this. If I actually want to finish this series this year, I can't let myself get distracted with new reads. So I've set myself the goal that I'll read 50 pages a day. I can read whatever else I want the rest of the time, but I have to read a bit everyday. We'll see if I catch up to my group or not...
The View from the Cheap Seats: Selected Nonfiction - I'm really enjoying this, but it's a long book too.
Seasonal Fears - I've been waiting for this for a while. So far, it isn't disappointing.
QOTW
I've had plenty of books I've loved, but very few I would say were 'perfect' - In some ways, a few imperfections can make me love a book even more. That being said, Long Way Down blew my mind. It didn't use one word more than as necessary, and yet it packed such a large punch into so little.
Happy Thursday! I actually remembered to check in on time- amazing! It's been kind of a rough week, but work's been busy so that's kept me distracted. And I actually managed to finish some books! I think I'm at 13/50 for the challenge, so a bit behind, but I'm working on it!Finished:
Less- I loved this book so much. I loved Arthur Less, and I thought the book was so charming. It's exactly what I needed to read
32. A book with a quote from your favorite author on the cover- Ann Patchett
Gender Queer- this is very informative, and I think it'd be helpful for people who want to educate themselves more on what it means to be nonbinary.
37. A book about gender identity
Currently reading:
At the Edge of the Woods- just started this one. Feels a little like a fever dream- the trees are breathing, the woods are whispering. I don't know what's going on, but I'm intrigued.
Dracula- is anyone else doing the Dracula read-along that's happening right now? Where they email you the parts of the novel on the same timeline as it happens in the novel. I can't remember who told me about it- I thought it was here, but I'm not sure. Anyways, started that- will be reading it through November unless I bail on the readalong. Not sure how to mark it on goodreads.
QotW
Transcendent Kingdom- probably the closest thing to perfect I've read recently. At least to me.
Hello! One day past Cinco de Mayo. One more day to the Kentucky Derby! I finished one book this week:
Farm Boy by Michael Morpurgo (finished 5/2) - the sequel to War Horse, I'm using both books for the duology prompts.
QOTW: Hmmm, I don't know off the top of my head, I feel a lot of pressure when using the word perfect :-)
Just coming on for a quick update...I'll come back later to read everyone's posts properly.Had a slow week only managed to finish one book. I've been reading a lot but I have a bunch of long books right now and surprisingly three (3) NonFiction! All at once.
Also wanted to say... the kid seems to really be getting into going to the library he asked again yesterday (it's been about once a week lately). We have like 10 books at home but, he grabbed 10 more! So, I told him I'd have to return the ones we have. It's actually pretty cute 'cause he goes in grabs anything he sees that looks good (totally judging a book by it's cover) and within about a minute or two has 10 books and I have to tell him enough, we can get more next time. He grabs from all over so, he manages to get a variety too.
2022 Challenges:
Popsugar: 36/50
ATY: 33/52
A to Z: 22/26
50 States:
2021.....32/50 (Have until end of June)
2022.....12/50
Read Harder: 12/24
Goodreads: 74/100
Finished:
1 finished this week, 1 for Popsugar
Dakota Home
PS #8, ’22 50 States
Managed to fit this in...Yea!
Currently Reading
At First Light
Burning the Breeze: Three Generations of Women in the American West
Leaves of Grass
A Molecule Away from Madness: Tales of the Hijacked Brain
A Black Women's History of the United States
Didn’t have time to post yesterday: we had a day off because it’s ‘Bevrijdingsdag’, Liberation Day, the day we celebrate the end of WW2 in the Netherlands. So we went on a trip and totally forgot it was Thursday… again.We’ve just come home from a lovely dinner at the river side. The weather is great (sun, dry, lower 70s), nature is exploding, it’s so green here too! But I would love some rain: to wash away the pollen and feed the plants (I’m Dutch, I’ve got to complain about the weather *smile*).
My reading has bumped back into it’s normal speed. And it won’t get much better since the big cycling tours have started today with the Giro d’Italia (Tour of Italy). I love watching it (not riding).
PS: 12/40
Total 2022: 20
Finished
De heks van Limbricht by Susan Smit⭐⭐⭐
PS #16, a book about witches: Entgen, the main character, is accused of being a witch. The book is about her life and trial.
Currently reading
Die Katze und der General by Nino Haratischwili. Love the writing. Also loved The Eighth Life. Guess I like books of Haratischwili.
Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life: The New Acceptance and Commitment Therapy by Steven C. Hayes. My psychologist recommended it to me for getting along with my back pains.
QOTW
I love the book I’m reading so far. But perfect… a perfect book to me is a book I want to go back into when I’ve finished it. The last time I had that experience was 2 or 3 years ago when I read The Labyrinth of the Spirits by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Lynn wrote: "I am enjoying life and wondering exactly why I didn’t feel I could retire earlier…*Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family by Robert Kolker ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ was mind-blowing (pun intended?). My aunt suffered from paranoid schizophrenia with an initial ‘nervous breakdown’ in her early 30's. I am so hopeful and extremely grateful for the genetic research being done to discover better treatments and even preventative procedures. For example, in 2017 choline was added to prenatal vitamins since it is necessary for a process associated with specific genes, without which schizophrenia can result in some people. So this is an ‘in utero’ preventative treatment. (Amazing!) There are currently over 100 genetic aberrations associated with schizophrenia. It is obviously a very complex disease with no easy answers to be had, but at least progress is being made. .."
OMG, I have been waiting for you to finish this. Wasn't it good?!
I'm actually reading another book (much shorter at 240pgs) about other brain issues (things I've never heard of), and probably wouldn't have picked it up had I not read this book first. It's called A Molecule Away from Madness: Tales of the Hijacked Brain...I think you'd like it.
Ok Now to answer the...QOTW:
I think the perfect book is different for everyone and different at certain times in life. And can we really say a book is perfectly written since there usually is something/one we don’t like.
That being said I remember having a few books that are embedded in my memory as having been good reads.
When I was around 16 I remember sitting on the floor of my bedroom reading Blood and Chocolate all day because I was so engrossed in it (The movie that came out years later sucked). Then, the first Oprah book I read, Where the Heart Is is was a favorite of mine as well (love the movie) and one of a handful of books I have actually re-read. P.S. I Love You was also a favorite at the time it came out (love that movie too). I’m sensing a theme here,lol. I remember really liking The Art of Fielding the first time I read it but, not as much the second time around. I think maybe it had more to do with the fact that when I first read this it was when I took a chance and branched out of the romance genre and really liked it. Then, the most recent book I really loved was The Last Rose of Shanghai.
Hi,Been another long week. Been fighting a headache all week, that apparently isn't a migraine because my meds aren't really helping. Weather's been very rainy, so it might just be sinuses due to shifting pressure. Haven't been sleeping well, hard to concentrate. Glad it's finally the weekend.
This week I finished:
Kill the Farm Boy - i know a lot of people said they hated this, I thought it was alright. Nothing amazing, but it was fine. I think it was trying TOO hard to be Discworld, and failed to really grasp what made Discworld funny. But I still thought it was interesting, and I'd probably read the next one eventually.
How Lucky - my next books & brews read. This was a weird one for me. I think it was pretty well written, and I think it did some interesting things...but I don't know. I just...didn't really like it? i just vaguely felt impatient reading it. I think I just don't really like the genre of "not really thriller" type mysteries.
Currently reading:
Fevered Star - this is really good but been slow going due to headache. HOpefully can wrap it up this weekend so I can turn it in when I drop off my other book at book club tuesday.
The Faceless Old Woman Who Secretly Lives In Your Home - audio re-read. Mara wilson's been doing a good job, but i think i'm just not really in the mood for the story right now. Been having trouble concentrating on it.
All Systems Red _ started another audio re-read as an easier to concentrate listen.
QOTW: I dont know, I don't really think any book is perfect. I can usually find flaws even in things I love. But some books I absolutely adore are The Night Circus, Spinning Silver, The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet
Hi all! It's so nice that it's finally acting like spring around here. So much green! I've never seen so much green! (ok well, I probably did last spring, but it's been. so. long.) We have Orioles back! Things are OK here, back to dealing with idiots at my old HR (just found out she never turned in an insurance form for me that I dropped off to her in March! Even though I asked her about it at least 3 times. I'm so irritated....)Been bouncing around with my reading, also watching lots of baseball, so I could probably be getting more read if I could stop watching baseball, but I won't! :) I realized I like starting books, but sometimes lack the focus to keep going! lol
So in that trend... I've made progress in:
They Called Themselves the K.K.K.: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group
Haldol and Hyacinths: A Bipolar Life
The Lost Apothecary (picked it back up from last year)
The Final Revival of Opal & Nev (audiobook hold just came in, I don't usually like lots of narrators, but half an hour in, I'm hooked)
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Mexican Whiteboy (also a book from last year)
QOTW: I haven't read a perfect book lately. Probably the last one was The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. Another is The Gargoyle. But my ultimate perfect book is To Kill a Mockingbird.
poshpenny wrote: "Ten Steps to Nanette - Hannah Gadsby's memoir, read by the author. Yes, this. Recommend."I just got this one from a friend. We are going to see her perform in June. I actually don't know anything about her, so will be happy to read the book before we go.
Nadine in NY wrote: "Everything is very GREEN here right now - I love this time of year for its vibrant shade of green. Somewhere baby birds were born, because I see the baby sparrows hopping around after the harried parents, relentlessly demanding food. Daffodils are still blooming here and soon the dandelions are just starting to pop up. My daughter is ready to make flower crowns with them...."Just read this poem and thought of you. :)
From Walt Whitman in Leaves of Grass
The First Dandelion
Simple and fresh and fair from winter's close emerging,
As if no artifice of fashion, business, politics, had ever been,
Forth from its sunny nook of shelter'd grass--innocent, golden, calm as the dawn,
The Spring's first dandelion shows its trustful face.
Mod
LOL the thrill of the new!!! I have a hard time transitioning to a new book, so I find it's best if I've already started a few before I finish the main read. That way I can easily jump to the next book that I've already started. Sometimes I finish all my current reads on the same day and I don't know what to do!! I'll have to grab about five books and read the first few pages of each.
Mod
From Walt Whitman in Leaves of Grass
The First Dandelion
Simple and fresh and fair from winter's close emerging,
As if no artifice of fashion, business, politics, had ever been,
Forth from its sunny nook of shelter'd grass--innocent, golden, calm as the dawn,
The Spring's first dandelion shows its trustful face.
..."
that is WONDERFUL!! I've read a lot of poetry, but I've never read Whitman, so I did not know about this!!! thank you :-)
Nadine in NY wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "I realized I like starting books, but sometimes lack the focus to keep going! lol ..."LOL the thrill of the new!!! I have a hard time transitioning to a new book, so I find it..."
Lol, exactly. I've always got multiple books going, but I still keep looking at the pile of books I haven't started and want to grab them.... :)
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder (other topics)Greenwich Park (other topics)
The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet (other topics)
Moonlight and the Pearler's Daughter (other topics)
Revolutie met recht (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Katherine Faulkner (other topics)Holly Jackson (other topics)
Makiia Lucier (other topics)
Lisa See (other topics)
Meredith Russo (other topics)
More...
Wow Thursday really snuck up on me this week!! I don't know why.
Everything is very GREEN here right now - I love this time of year for its vibrant shade of green. Somewhere baby birds were born, because I see the baby sparrows hopping around after the harried parents, relentlessly demanding food. Daffodils are still blooming here and soon the dandelions are just starting to pop up. My daughter is ready to make flower crowns with them.
Admin stuff
Our May group read of Year of the Reaper is ongoing here:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I borrowed this book from my library and read the first page and I am HOOKED and I'm a bit annoyed that things keep getting in my way preventing me from reading.
Nomination poll is closed and the final poll is open for August (a constellation on the cover) here:
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...
This week I finished one book, not for this Challenge, so I remain 30/50:
The Unquiet Dead by Ausma Zehanat Khan - this was one of the books on my list of 11 books I must read in 2022. I've been wanting to read this for a few years now, and I was really looking forward to it, but I was REALLY disappointed.
But that's okay, that unpleasantness is behind me and I am LOVING ALL the books I am currently reading!!
paper: The Ex Hex
ebook: Year of the Reaper
audio: Second Sister
year-long series project: The Shadow of the Torturer
Question of the Week
This week's question was suggested a while ago by Lauren:
Have you read anything recently that you thought to be "the perfect book" as far as structure, writing style, ending, etc.?
I have never read a book that I would call a "perfect book"! The book that comes closest is The Shadow of the Torturer.
I'm really curious to see what other people say.