Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2023 Weekly Check-Ins
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Week 10: 3/2 - 3/9
Oh goodness, Nadine, I'm so sorry! Heating troubles are awful, especially in these chillier months. I hope everything goes well with the new part and you're able to get things warmed back up!It's been a week of steadily returning to normal. I'm back at work and glad to be getting things done (amazing how stuff piles up when you're gone, isn't it?). I'm still not allowed to lift more than 20lbs until next week, and I won't wear jeans again until it feels like a good idea, so for now I'm living my best life in comfy clothes around the office - happily, our dress code has always been minimal and fairly lax.
I managed to knock out a fair number of owned books this week!
Finished:
The Cruel Prince - 1.5 stars. This started out so well and I was all in on the aesthetic, and then nothing. happened. until about the 65% mark. I wanted to love it so much! If I hadn't been BRing it with my cousin I absolutely would've DNF'd, but I hit a point probably 1/3 of the way through where I stopped trying to enjoy it and just sat back for the ridiculous ride. A book your friend recommended
Dear God. Dear Bones. Dear Yellow. - 5 stars. An incredible poetry collection from Noor Hindi, a (formerly) local author who should be back in town this weekend for our local BookFest at the library - hopefully I can get a signed bookmark! (This is the problem with ebooks lol) Book with a color in the title
"A Drive in the Country", included in Full Metal Magic - 5 stars. I need more short stories in my life, clearly.
Permafrost - 2.5 stars. A bit too tech-sciencey for me, and the ending really falls apart when an author breaks their own world-building rules. I actually got this one for free at a library BookFest a few years ago, so now it can move along to a new home.
Currently:
The Count of Monte Cristo - Back to this, although I only just started it back up yesterday. Got the lowdown on Luigi Vampa!
The Woman Who Rides Like a Man - Excited to keep going with Alanna's story again (reread)
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - A back burner book? You don't say.
PS 16/50
ATY 14/52
Mount TBR 12/60
QOTW: Are any of your friends or family members concerned about how much reading you do or how much time you spend on Goodreads?
Not... really? My dad is always flabbergasted that I read 100+ books a year and he loves to see the Year in Books graphics, but otherwise no. My sister and one of my close cousins are on GR, so that's fun. I've always been a reader so they're all used to it, although I fear my total book count (I think I'm closing in on 5k books including read/unread/etc) overwhelms some IRL friends, bahahaha.
Oh no, Nadine! I hope they're able to get your furnace fixed soon! Still plugging away at work and school here. I'm kind of looking forward to next semester when I have my English prerequisites out of the way and can take my actual creative writing classes. Of course, I'm also looking forward to summer break... and spring break...
DNFed quite a bit this week... but also read quite a bit this week, so there's that.
Books read this week:
Braver: A Wombat's Tale -- for the PopSugar prompt “favorite prompt from the 2017 challenge (book written from a non-human perspective).” More Redwall than Watership Down, this was a cute fantasy-esque story populated by Australian animals, and has a plucky heroine to boot. Aimed at younger readers but I still enjoyed it.
Weird Little Robots -- for the PopSugar prompt “favorite prompt from the 2020 challenge (book with a robot, cyborg, or AI in it).” Cute, but feels very lacking in substance. And man, kids can be REALLY mean to other kids, even those they regard as friends.
Sisters of the Vast Black -- for the PopSugar prompt “book with a color in the title” and the Extreme Book Nerd prompt “book about religion/spirituality or with a religious/spiritual character.” It’s very difficult for a novella to give us compelling worldbuilding, story, AND character development all in one go. This book at least gave us two out of three -- while the characters were a little bland, the story and the universe it took place in were thrilling.
Pet Sematary -- for the PopSugar prompt “book published the year you were born” and the Extreme Book Nerd prompt “over 500 pages.” Not Stephen King’s best, but definitely his most chilling… and even a “just okay” book by King is, in my opinion, better than some authors’ best. It’s going to take me a bit to look at cats the same way again…
Nala's World: One Man, His Rescue Cat, and a Bike Ride around the Globe -- for the PopSugar prompt “book with a pet character” and the Extreme Book Nerd prompt “a non-fiction book.” If you’ve seen the Dodo video about the guy bicycling the world with his cat… this is the guy’s story, and how he picked up a scruffy kitten in Bosnia and made a lifelong companion of her. Very charming and sweet.
DNF:
The Selection -- was going to be for “book with a love triangle.” I was already iffy about the worldbuilding but willing to give this one a go (mostly because my sister raves about this series). But I noped out of it the minute they started talking about checking to see if the main character’s virginity is intact. WHY was this needed?
13/13/13 -- I don’t know if this counts as a DNF or not -- I only read the free sample on Amazon, mostly because I’d been hassled by the author on another site and wanted to see if his writing was as good as he claimed. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t. On the plus side, if crud like this can be published, there’s hope for me…
Sarah -- was going to be for “book where the main character’s name is in the title.” The drama surrounding this book is more interesting than the book itself… and the fact that it doesn’t fit the prompt like I thought it did just means I don’t feel obligated to finish, haha…
Currently Reading:
The Last Book on the Left: Stories of Murder and Mayhem from History’s Most Notorious Serial Killers -- for “favorite prompt from the 2021 challenge (book by a blogger, vlogger, YouTuber, or other online content creator)”
Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster -- for “book about an athlete or sport”
The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories -- for “book by an author with the same initials as you”
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea -- for “book with a love triangle”
QOTW:
At this point I think they're used to how much I read, haha...
Wish things were better for me, but what can you do. I've put in the effort, which never seems to be enough, but whatever. Just live and move on. That's all I really can do.*****
Anyways, these are my current reads:
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents
Lesbians on Television: New Queer Visibility the Lesbian Normal
*****
It's still early in the month, but I've got a whole row on my book cart filled with women writers for Women's History Month. We'll see how many I actually get through. So far I've read 4.
*****
Question of the Week
Are any of your friends or family members concerned about how much reading you do or how much time you spend on Goodreads?
Sometimes they are. Especially when they see my library which has over 1,000 books. No joke, I keep track of nearly every single one. They wonder if I ever read my books too even though I do. There are just so many that it makes it hard to keep up, yet I still can't seem to stop buying them.
Mod
oh that's disapppointing - I've got this one on my TBR, and I enjoyed the other two books I read by her. I will still read this one, but I've lowered my expectations a lot.
Ashley Marie wrote: "The Cruel Prince - 1.5 stars. This started out so well and I was all in on the aesthetic, and then nothing. happened. until about the 65% mark..."This is every book in that trilogy. I listened to them all back when I just needed something to distract me on my commute, but each one I considered DNFing, and then I'd get to the final chapters and enjoy the last bit loads.
Happy Thursday, everyone!Over the weekend I had the opportunity to attend an author event at one of my local libraries to see Julia Quinn (author of the Bridgerton series). She gave a fantastic talk, and did a book signing afterwards. I probably shouldn’t have stayed for the signing, since standing in a long line for over an hour was not the best thing for my ankle…but I got my copy of The Viscount Who Loved Me signed, so it was totally worth it.
The rest of this week has been pretty busy. I’ve had a couple of doctors appointments, including my follow-up with the orthopedist. My ankle is looking good, and I am allowed to slowly transition from wearing the boot to wearing normal shoes! It will still be a little while before I can really drive myself around and exercise on a regular basis, but I’m pleased with my progress.
In addition to doctors appointments, I also had to have the plumber come out to fix my water heater, which (for the second time since I moved in) quit working over the weekend. I hope I’m wrong, but I have a sneaking suspicion that I’m going to be replacing more than one major household appliance this year.
Despite the busy schedule, I did manage to do a tremendous amount of reading this week. I am still watching a couple episodes of The Great British Baking Show each night, but I spent most of my free time reading mystery novels (since I’m continuing to participate in March Mystery Madness).
Here are my current challenge and TBR totals…
Goodreads Challenge: 134/400
Mount TBR Challenge: 102/150 (Climbing Mount Olympus) — I’m more that two-thirds of the way through this challenge!
📚Physical TBR: 90/634
📱Ebook TBR: 6/236
🎧Audiobook TBR: 6/13
TBR Checklist Total: 102/883
I did add one title to my “New Books” list this week when I picked up a copy of the newest Hamish Macbeth novel, Death of a Traitor. I’m not sure if I will manage to get to it this month (since it is book 35 in the series), but I’m certainly going to try.
“New” Books Bought in 2023: 52
“New” Books Read in 2023: 27/52
Here are the books I finished this week…
Finished Reading (Fiction):
~The Count of Monte Cristo — It took me almost a month, but I have officially finished The Count of Monte Cristo! I’m really glad that I took the time to read it, because as much as I like the movie, the book is so much better. I’m looking forward to reading more books by Dumas later this year. 📚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I also read books 3-15 of the Hamish Macbeth series, by M.C. Beaton. I’m really enjoying this series, and looking forward to continuing it over the next few weeks. All of the books have all been very fast-paced, with interesting mysteries and characters, so I’ve managed to read quite a few in a short amount of time. The books I read this week include…
~Death of an Outsider — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Death of a Perfect Wife — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Death of a Hussy — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Death of a Snob — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Death of a Prankster — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Death of a Greedy Woman — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Death of a Travelling Man — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Death of a Charming Man — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Death of a Nag — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Death of a Macho Man — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Death of a Dentist — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Death of a Scriptwriter — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Death of an Addict — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Finished Reading (Nonfiction):
None
Finished Reading (Manga, Comic Books, & Graphic Novels):
None
DNFed:
None
Currently Reading:
~H.H. Holmes: The True History of the White City Devil — I’ve only read about 20 pages this week, but any progress is good progress. 📚
~Beyond the Kingdoms — I am still taking a break from this book. 📚
~Doctor Who: Winner Takes All — I am continuing to take a break from this book, since I’m still not in the mood to listen to an audiobook. 🎧
~Death of a Dustman — I’m currently about halfway through this Hamish Macbeth mystery, and thoroughly enjoying it.📚
QOTW:
I don’t think any of my friends or family members have been concerned by the amount of reading I do, but my dad was pretty surprised when I told him how many books I’ve already read since January 1st.
I had planned to finish another book while I was with students at a competition in which I just sit around waiting for them and I forgot my bag with my book and my wallet and everything I needed that day. And then I remembered it the next day but we were super busy that day.book with a map
The Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson. YA mystery. I enjoy this series but this one was just okay for me. However, I was pleasantly surprised that it had a map in it so that box is ticked off.
no prompts
Colin by Cora Rose. Contemporary romance and completely enjoyable.
QOTW:
Not at all. I think they are more shocked at the volume than anything but I stay up late and read before bed.
I am cold and sad but the good news is, it's highly likely my thyroid making me feel that way. Spoke to the nurse yesterday and I joked that I couldn't tell if I was cold and sad because of the time of year or if it's a symptom. Since the blood tests showed my thyroid is now underperforming, I'm starting on levothyroxine tomorrow. Finished:
Someone Else's Shoes by Jojo Moyes for a book about divorce and ATY rejects (a woman scorned). The whole shoes plot was a bit unbelievable but I liked the whole story about the importance of healthy friendships and the contrast between the two women's marriages, even though they both have problems. Also super happy to realise this works for the divorce prompt which I had no ideas for.
PS: 17/40 | ATY: 13/52 | GR: 25/100
Nadine's Mini Challenge: 5/10
QOTW:
Shock, awe, disinterest, confusion over what Goodreads even is? Sure, but no concern. I think some people spend just as much time on social media as we do on reading books, and books sure seem the healthier of the two these days.
My partner is a bit concerned that one of my bookcases is warping and that one of us might be buried in the resulting avalanche of books…
Happy Thursday, everyone!Against All Enemies – My plan was to read 30 pages a day and then decide on 3/9 if I will renew or DNF. (BIG BOOKS intimidate me.) However, I decided not to read it at this time. I just could not get myself to move beyond page 1. It is my largest book on my TBR, and I need it for several challenges, but all are annual challenges. I will attempt it at a later time. No point in stressing about it now.
My genealogy class ended. I found it stimulating and informative, and it sparked my interest in pursuing my own research, BUT it was basic. The same teacher will be doing another course in the next session. I will wait to see what her topic will be before deciding. My library is also doing a one-day course on how to use the library’s genealogy software. I attended yesterday, and I found it very basice since the instructor has not used the new software much (too new) and since it is an Ancestry.com library version and I have a personal Ancestry.com account. Oh, well.
The next extension class that I have enrolled in starts next week on forensics. I am looking forward to it a lot!
Finished:
The Bluest Eye – PS #18 ~ banned. The piece that I had not finished last week was the Afterward by the author. Very interesting and gave me a better insight into the writing of this traumatic race story. 4*
Christmas at Little Beach Street Bakery. No prompts or challenges. Audiobook. 3*. Cute story.
Something Wicked This Way Comes – ATY, PS prompt #47 (Halloween), old challenges. I really like Ray Bradbury’s way with language. He is a favorite writer of mine, even though his preferred genres are horror and science fiction. 4*
Betrayal of Trust – ALCM, PAS, PS Seasonal, RwS. Ebook. Restarted so I could count it in March for PAS. Liking it. 4*
The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country – PS #26 (shortest). 5*.
Currently Reading:
An American Princess: The Many Lives of Allene Tew – Old challenge. Kindle. 4% (Currently on backburner while I clear my log of current library books.) This is not a long book...I could finish it easily if I just set my mind to reading it.
Flight Behavior – ATY, old challenges. 17%.
The Kitchen House– ATY, old challenges. 60%.
The Beekeeper of Aleppo – ATY, old challenge. 1%. Just starting.
On deck:
A New Lease of Death - ALCM
The Dogs of Riga – ALCM, PAS, old challenges.
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea - PS Monthly
PS 8/50 and 6/10 for Quarterly Challenge
ATY 7/52 and 8/12 for Q1 Challenge, 1/12 for Q2 Challenge
GR 53/200
RwS 1/30 (new seasonal challenge)
QotW: Are any of your friends or family members concerned about how much reading you do or how much time you spend on Goodreads?
Not really. Since my husband died, I live alone. My nearest family is on the border of TN and VA, so not very near. My time is my own.
O.M.G. I'm SO SORRY for disappearing. I spent all of February absorbed in a writing project and the I got sick, so I only just came up for air. I promise I'm still reading though!Finished 8/50
Lore Olympus: Volume One for "book about a forbidden romance". Good but really triggering. I don't think I can continue the series.
Stargirl for "book with girl in the tit;e". REALLY good. Perfect for high schoolers.
The Well of Ascension for "book with a love triangle." So hard to get trough. Not my favourite Sanderson.
Redshirts for "book with a colour in the title". HYSTERICAL. Perfect Trek nerd humor.
Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard for celebrity memoir". What a sweetheart, omg. And so brave for putting himself out there like that.
Currently Reading
First Fruits of Prayer: A Forty Day Journey Through the Canon of St. Andrew for "book with alliteration in the title". Happy Lent! Here we are!
Gardens of the Moon for "book with a fat lead". Literally just started it!
QotW
Oh no are you kidding? Apparently all my Goodreads reading has given me a reputation! People can't wait to see what book I'll review next. They even help me find books to fill my prompts, and I got my bff to join me in the challenge this year. It's wild!
Oh no. Oh no no no nooooo. My library holds for two new releases just came available 😱😱😱 Looks like I'm picking up My Dear Henry and The Faithless on my way home today.
I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS. The Unbroken TOOK ME A FULL MONTH TO READ.
There go all my reading plans for March 😂😭😂😭
Mod
We're (I say "we" but mostly it's my ex-husband, who is skilled but not a professional repairman) doing the repair ourselves, and the upside of that is labor is free! but the downside is that we don't have a warehouse of parts to make use of and have to wait for parts to arrive.
Sisters of the Vast Black -- for the PopSugar prompt “book with a color in the title” and the Extreme Book Nerd prompt “book about religion/spirituality or with a religious/spiritual character.”
That looks interesting! And I've never heard of it. I see part 2 was published last year, too.
DNF:
The Selection -- was going to be for “book with a love triangle.” I was already iffy about the worldbuilding but willing to give this one a go (mostly because my sister raves about this series).
I enjoyed that series. It's what I call a "cotton candy book" - fun and quick to consume and maybe a little addictive, but no substance. Sorry it didn't work for you.
Finished:Double or Nothing by Peter David (3/5, reread, not for a prompt)
Like a lot of the New Frontier books, this has some sequences with a lot of imagination and memorable writing, but it also has some really gross, weird, and bizarre pieces of the story. On balance, it is a 3 for me.
The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley (3/5, a book you bought secondhand)
I gave this one three stars because I was invested enough to finish it, but someone else will be able to buy it secondhand again because it is not worth a reread. There is some really awful stuff done to other humans in the course of the book. Readers will need to have a high tolerance of reading about human vice to enjoy this story fully. Given the story being told, I thought the places the characters ended up made sense.
There is enough French used to qualify it as a book that features two languages, if that is a prompt you still need to fill.
PS progress: 25/50 (halfway!)
Question of the Week:
No. My family and friends are either readers themselves or have long ago accepted that I really like to read. Gentle teasing is as far as anything like that would go.
Nadine-as a counter point, I love the cruel prince series. I thought they were fun and I loved Jude’s machinations. So you could go either way!
Mod
Who is the love triangle in that one? Vin, and Elend, and ?? I don't remember anyone else! But I have forgotten a lot of it.
Oh no are you kidding? Apparently all my Goodreads reading has given me a reputation! People can't wait to see what book I'll review next. They even help me find books to fill my prompts, and I got my bff to join me in the challenge this year. It's wild!
That's really awesome!!!
Mod
I feel like that's been me all year this year!! I can't get as much Challenge reading done because all these NEW BOOKS keep coming available, and of course I have to read them NOW or the wait will be really long to get them again ...
Mod
good to know!!
I finished Water for Elephants as mynanwrino. I loved it so much.I'm now reading The Black House as my book with a color. So far so good.
Qotw: No. not really. My best friend doesn't understand the concept of reading for pleasure, but not worried about it.
I posted late last week, so don't have a ton of updates. I only finished Mexican Gothic, which was deliciously moody and creepy. I had a bit of a hard time near the end keeping track of who all the players were, especially with a lot of people from the past being referred to, but managed to get carried along just by the tone of it all.
Still reading Wilding. Still a slog, even though their project sounds awesome, and I would totally go spend a few nights in one of their treehouses or tents if I'm in England. It's just that the book is so full of scientific names and data! Getting nervous about this - only 25% in with 5 days to go on my loan.
I also started Act Your Age, Eve Brown, which I planned on using for fat lead. But I'm about a third into it and I don't know if it will qualify for me. She's definitely curvy on the cover, but so far, there haven't been any mentions of her size. If it stays that way, I don't think I'll count it here. There was a little scene in French, so if I have to I'll switch this one to two languages and find something else. Cute so far though!
QotW
Never had anyone concerned about how much I'm reading. My mom used to not like how many books I bought but 1) I pointed out that there are many worse things I could be spending my money on and 2) I saw her point, especially as my unread piles are way out of control and cut back and made more of an effort to use the library and buy less.
Finished: The Church Librarian's Handbook: A Complete Guide for the Library and Resource Center in Christian Education This was exactly on a topic that is relevant to what I'm doing now, but so outdated that it wasn't super helpful.The Golden Compass re-read. I absolutely LOVE this series! Can't wait for the third book of the second trilogy to come out!
Started: Raising Free People: Unschooling as Liberation and Healing Work
Occupy!: Scenes from Occupied America
Taran Wanderer
QotW: Bwahahahah! My family and friends aren't concerned about how much time I read, but *I* am ! Actually, I'm more concerned when I DON'T read very much, because that's usually an indication that there's something wrong with me. I haven't read as much the past couple of weeks and that's been weird. I don't use Goodreads all that much except for answer the weekly question and checking my TBR shelf when I'm at bookstores.
Happy Thursday.Sorry to hear about your furnace woes Nadine. We had to get a new furnace last fall when the house was about 11 degrees. We get a one year break before it becomes another monthly bill to pay.
I finally finished my first Nobel book for the year. Theodor Mommsen was the second Nobel laureate (in 1902). He wrote history and Mark Twain apparently fangirled over him when he came to a reception for Twain. My biggest complaint was that it wasn't a true history of X happened and then Y which caused Z. Instead it was a topical look at life in ancient Rome.
It gets a 7 on the boring AF scale and 2 on the would I recommend it scale.
Finished:
The History of Rome, Vol 1: The Period Anterior to the Abolition of the Monarchy
ATY prompt: Three books, each of which is set in a different century (up to 5th century BC)
Popsugar prompt: A book that features two languages (had a lot of Latin words, some Greek, some Etruscan)
Nadine's 23 challenge: A book about or set in an ancient civilization. (Julius Caesar was stabbed 23 times)
(We didn't get up to the time period where he was stabbed, but it was about Rome.)
Series - 4/15
Series Completed: - Lying Games, Bronwyn the Witch, Divergent
Nobel laureates - 1/7
Random books - 1/7
ATY - 10/40
PS - 10/30
Nadine's 23 challenge - 7/10
Around the year in 52 movies - 10/52
18. A movie related to science - Dolphin Reef
(An out of order movie, but my husband wanted to watch it.)
Currently reading:
A Ballet of Lepers: A Novel and Stories - 75% done
Prentice Alvin - 20% done
When We Were Vikings - 55% done
QOTW: My family doesn't care. They were kind of impressed that I read 53 books last year. Honestly, none of them can judge me for being on Goodreads when they spend their time on snapchat or Youtube.
Wet wet wet. Rain, snow, rain, more rain, it just doesn’t stop. Very timely. My lungs are finally recovered from covid (no more problems with cold air) so I’m able go to work by e-bike again. I didn’t touch my bike this week, because I don’t want to walk into the office looking like I took a swim with my clothes on. My back/ SI joints are still a bit shaky (and looking green/yellow/blue), but it’s much better than last week. Progress!
PS: 12/50
Total 2023: 14
Finished
De uittocht en de intocht by Guus Kuijer ⭐⭐⭐
PS #14, a modern retelling of a classic (a retelling of the Bible books …)
Currently reading
The Last Story of Mina Lee by Nancy Jooyoun Kim
QOTW
Haha, no, my boyfriend is glad I spend my time reading while he is blogging (he has a car review website) or Netflixing or Xboxing. My family would be concerned when I quit reading, they can’t imagine me not reading.
Happy Thursday!The weather doesn't know what to do with itself. We've had mini snow showers in the last three days. It's not sticking -- YAY! -- but seriously! Sunny or stormy. Choose one. Yesterday I was disappointed because the power came back on. If it had stayed off, I could have gone home. sigh.
Other than that, last week as been blessedly drama free and boring! So happy not to deal with the drama.
Popsugar:8/50
Finished:None
Reading:
Jim Henson's Labyrinth: Coronation, Vol. 1 ps 26
Aty:10/52
Finished:None
Reading: None
Goodreads Challenge 166/400
Finished:
Oh My Goddess! Volume 13
Maid-sama! (2-in-1 Edition), Vol. 1: Includes Vols. 1 2
Maid-sama! (2-in-1 Edition), Vol. 2: Includes Vols. 3 4
Daughter of the Emperor, Vol. 3
Otomen, Vol. 2
Otomen, Vol. 3
The Apothecary Diaries: Volume 3 -- Oh my goodness! This one has a revealing scene in it that was amazing. And now the fmc is plotting to cut off some dangly bits because of it! I love this series.
Spring Stinks (A Little Bruce Book): A Little Bruce Book
Mountain Man's Desire: A Small Town Curvy Woman Romance
The Dixon Brothers Box Set: Complete Series: Books One to Four
Feral Shifter Untamed
Just This Once: A Spicy Age Gap Romance
Killing for Her
The Assassin's Heart
Forbidden Obsession: An Age Gap Romance
Secret Obsession: An Age Gap Romance
Her New Bodyguard: Colton: Steamy Age Gap Instalove Romance
Reading:
I'm the Villainess, So I'm Taming the Final Boss, Vol. 3
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea
The Apothecary Diaries: Volume 4
Jim Henson's Labyrinth: Coronation, Vol. 1
Nadine's Mini Challenge 7/10
Finished:None
Reading: None
Mount TBR:
24/150 Ebook
19/150 Physical
QOTW: No one cares how much I read. I sometimes think "oh i should go do that chore." and then i start reading again! My parents dared not let me and my sister loose in a bookstore. Now that was scary. We each got a B&N $25 card for Christmas and ended up buying $120 more.
Oh, Nadine, furnace problems are the worst. Our system is nearly 20 years old, and we're planning to replace it later this year (along with a bunch of other home improvement projects). It didn't kick on a few mornings ago, and I was afraid we were going to have to do an emergency replacement. But I got it going. No problems since then... fingers crossed!Challenge Progress: 17/50
I haven't been working very hard on filling prompts. Just reading whatever I'm reading... At some point I'm going to have to a little pickier about what I read.
Completed:
Heartstopper: Volume Four ★★★★
Siren Queen (PS11: a book about or set in Hollywood) ★★★
The Royal We (Q1.2: the 23rd book on a list - https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture...) ★★★
Lavender House (PS9: a book with a color in the title) ★★★
Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books (Book Club pick) ★★★★
All Hallows ★★★★
Through the Woods ★★★★
Currently Reading:
Mercury Pictures Presents
A River Enchanted (PS23: a book with a map)
The Things We Do to Our Friends
Spare
Within These Wicked Walls (PS14: a modern retelling of a classic - Jane Eyre)
The Faraway World: Stories
Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations
QOTW: I think they're surprised but not concerned. I always remind them that I'm no longer working and that I rarely watch television. I was trying to figure out why my reading had increased so much in the past three years or so and finally reasoned it out. We moved away from St. Louis and don't have baseball season tickets anymore! I miss watching my Cardinals at the ballpark every day.
Hi all! Kind of a busy week. Kitty had to get snipped, and he did not like the trip to vet and peed all over himself just before I picked him up! He STUNK! I spent that evening following him around the house trying to put down a towel anywhere he wanted to lie down. In case you find yourself in a similar situation, the vet said to fluff him with baby powder, and it did make a huge difference. Then I had a doctor's appointment. The kiddo had a half day yesterday, so she and I ran errands together. Supposed to get some snow tomorrow afternoon and then a possible nor'easter on Monday/Tuesday!
I didn't finish anything this week. I am also dealing with too many books out from the library. I'm trying to work on Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story and Our Missing Hearts. Both are very good, I just don't have enough hours in the day! On the plus side, if we get a storm next week, it'll give me a legit excuse to be late returning Surrender (on the negative, it'll probably be a snow day and I won't get any reading done anyway.) :/
QOTW: Nah. I get more grief for my baseball watching than reading. I used to be able to do both at the same time, but I can no longer listen and read at the same time, one or the other gets tuned out.
Mod
BTW, with regards to the above scenario, just in case it may help someone else. A good friend of mine at the gym was telling me about moving into a different house and the first time she tried to use the stovetop it wouldn’t work. It turns out that the stovetop required the use of “induction” cookware or it would not work! Unfortunately, the sellers and/or real estate agent failed to alert these buyers of that requirement. So on the morning that she wanted to cook breakfast she instead was out purchasing a whole new set of “induction” cookware so she could use the stovetop!! Hopefully, nothing like that has happened to anyone here, or…perhaps this will serve as fair warning to always double-check such things before making a purchase!! (BTW, being paranoid, I did call the dealer to check about the gas range we purchased, and as I suspected, a gas range is not so finicky! LOL)
Other than that I have ended up in either the enviable or ridiculous position of having two IRL book club meetings and one IRL author event scheduled on the exact same day! That would be next Tuesday, March 14! My own book club meets that afternoon followed by the author event that evening. I have the two books Dionne Irving has published and am halfway through the first one. I will read the novella for the one book club meeting I will miss that evening, Strange how these things can occur!
ADMIN STUFF
The March Monthly Group Read is The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh! You can find both February discussions in the Current Monthly Group Read folder HERE! This book can be used to fulfill prompt #7 A book with “Girl” in the title in honor of Women’s History Month in Australia, UK, and US. I was lucky enough to be able to purchase a copy of this on Tuesday from one of my favorite used bookstores! Although I’m not into “mythology” per se, I am finding Oh’s writing to be compelling. I plan to finish this one today. Although no one person volunteered to lead the discussion this month, LeahS has posted some questions and I have a few resources and questions to post. I encourage anyone currently reading this or who has read it to stop by and post any comments/questions you may have. Or even if you just want to know more about the book. These discussions should always be organic in that way regardless of any one person being specified as “leader”!
Speaking of which... We are currently searching for two monthly group read discussion leaders:
2) A “reading wrangler” to facilitate April’s Monthly Group Read discussion of Legends & Lattes (Legends & Lattes #1) by Travis Baldree! This book can be used to fulfill prompt #27 A #BookTok recommendation. In honor of April Fools! You might have thought this was still the 2022 Popsugar Challenge, but it is actually a prompt repeated from 2022 for the 2023 Challenge!!
3) A "literary luminar" to lead the discussion of the May Monthly Group Read! Hmmmm...would this happen to be YOU?!? ;) Bunny by Mona Awad that can be used to fulfill prompt #24 A book with a rabbit on the cover, in honor of springtime in the Northern Hemisphere when rabbits are aplenty!
Please message either Nadine or myself to volunteer! :)
Just a reminder that the comprehensive listing of 2023 Monthly Group Reads can be found HERE
Question of the Week
Are any of your friends or family members concerned about how much reading you do or how much time you spend on Goodreads?
Ha! Ha! Ha! My unfiltered first reaction? *Shoulder shrug* Thinking to myself, “So what if they are?” LOL
My husband is one of the very few people who knows just how much time I spend reading/on Goodreads, and I think he pretty much knows better than to say anything to me! ;) (Honestly the man probably values his life more than risking it by critiquing my time spent reading/on Goodreads! :)
Other than that, a couple of friends probably come close to realizing this, though perhaps they don’t believe my claims!
It just doesn’t matter to me what others think regarding how I spend my time. There are many harmful things I could be doing, so reading and Goodreads sound pretty tame to me! Plus it keeps me occupied and out of trouble!! Always a plus! LOL And sometimes a challenge as well! :)
Popsugar: 35/50
Nadine’s Q1 Mini-Challenge: 7/10
AtY: 46/52
RHC: 11/24
FINISHED:
*The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh ✶✶✶✶ for the March Monthly Group Read. I need to revisit our discussion. I have some additional materials to post and hopefully others have helped by posting comments/questions! Unfortunately, I think I just wasn’t in the mood for this book at this time. It definitely picked up for me in the last 100 pages but just didn’t compel me as other such retellings have done. Not sure why… It was definitely an enjoyable read for me, just as much as others have been. Interesting conundrum for Mina who must decide whether to sacrifice life as she has known it for romantic love or to stay in her home world…
POPSUGAR: #2, #4, #5, #6, #7, #19-2022: prompt #1 A book published in 2022, #31
ATY: #3-A book about the environment or nature, #5, #7, #12-the magpie, #13-Lotus blossoms, #14, NEW #23, #37, NEW #41, #42, #43, #52
RHC: #24-2020: prompt #2-Read a retelling of a classic of the canon, fairytale, or myth by an author of color
*The Darkest Evening (Vera Stanhope #9) by Ann Cleeves ✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶ was yet another excellent read in this series! It seemed to me as if this installment included even more of Cleeves’ delightful sense of humor! Only one book to go in this series and I will definitely miss reading one in April!
POPSUGAR: #6, #17, #19-2022: prompt #38 A book featuring a party, #28, #31
ATY: #2, #3-A book involving genetics or DNA, #5, #6, #10-Related to a baby, #12-Those “birds and bees” can be deadly in the end!, #13-tire tracks and fence posts, #14, #18-forensics/genetics, #19-Mark is an actor trying to establish a country theater, #20-cover, #27, #43, #45
RHC: #23, #24-2015: A book written by someone when they were over the age of 65
*Cross My Heart (Alex Cross #21) by James Patterson ✶✶✶✶ was not a favorite in this series, nor did it make me angry I’d read it! The ending did make me angry, however! I dislike it immensely when you MUST pick up the next book immediately to know what happens. This just seemed to obviously a ploy to make a reader do exactly that! It’s obvious this series is not one of my favorites!
POPSUGAR: #2, #16, #19-2021: prompt #33 A book featuring three generations (grandparent, parent, child), #28, #31, #33-Jannie-track, #47-Easter
ATY: #2, #3-A book with a secret passage, #5, #10-scary, #14, #18-forensics/DNA/psychology, #22, #24-Carney had been a soldier, #28, #33-James, #37, #43, #45
RHC: #23, #24-2015: A book by a person whose gender is different from your own
CONTINUING:
*Quint by Dionne Irving for the author event next Tuesday
This is an unbelievable situation, at least to me. Such a miraculous event for its time and there was enough superstition for the majority to believe this poor mother was somehow evil or possessed! Otherwise, she would have never given birth to 5 (initially 6, though one died at birth) babies at the same time! This just boggles my mind. The whole thing. The father is a total idiot followed by the greedy man who legally gained custody of these five identical babies, all in the name of the Canadian government! The only bright spot in reading this is realizing that other countries have also committed atrocities all in the name of making money, not just the US! Sheesh! These poor children were literally a nationwide “side-show” attraction, much as a World’s Fair event at the time. I’m halfway through and would much prefer finishing this rather than cleaning…but priorities indicate otherwise!
*Like Family: Growing Up in Other People's Houses by Paula McLain
*The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story by Nikole Hannah-Jones
*The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family by Annette Gordon-Reed
*Festival Days by Jo Ann Beard
*Mrs. 'Arris Goes to New York (Mrs. ‘Arris #2) by Paul Gallico
*Beloved by Toni Morrison
PLANNED:
For March 14 author event:
*The Islands: Stories by Dionne Irving
For IRL book club, also on March 14 (!!!!):
*Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo-a reread
Main Street Bite-Sized Book Club on March 14: *A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow
This book club meeting is in direct conflict with the Indianapolis author event with Dionne Irving, so I will read this (Because I love Harrow’s writing and really want to read this!) and text my reaction to the facilitator. Though she already knows she can read my Goodreads review!)
For March Buddy Reads:
*The Rising Tide (Vera Stanhope #10) by Ann Cleeves
*Hope to Die (Alex Cross #22) by James Patterson
*Emma by Jane Austen
March-April Buddy Read:
*Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace (March and April)
This will be my first Wallace book. I assume I will either love it or hate it.
IRL book club March 19:
*The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams
*Before the Coffee Gets Cold: Tales from the Café (Before the Coffee Gets Cold #2) by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
This is now the April selection for one of my IRL book club meetings! Huzzah!
*Before Your Memory Fades (Before the Coffee Gets Cold #3) by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Hi, everyone. I just got back from a doctor's appointment. Nothing bad, just had a lot of blood drawn. And I'm still catching up on this morning even though it's noon here when I'm posting this.Finished:
The Wicked Bargain - 4.5 stars - for the prompt of a book that features two languages. This was so much fun. Queer pirates and deals with devils.
I am currently at 12/50 for Popsugar (6/40 and 6/10). I am also at 6/10 for Nadine's Mini-Challenge #1.
Currently reading:
Ariadne - I'm just starting this, but so far I'm enjoying the writing style.
Planned:
The Mimicking of Known Successes
The Unhoneymooners
QOTW:
No, not really. Most of my friends who are readers are also on Goodreads, and I don't really have any family who use Goodreads except for my partner, who only uses it once in a while. I do most of my reading digitally, so the fact that I'm reading is kind of invisible sometimes - it just looks like I'm using my phone or PC when I read at work during lunch, for example.
Mod
What a frustrating disconnect!!! Sounds like both the realtor and the buyer didn't know much about induction and so didn't think to ask/tell. Induction is a type of electric range (so your gas range won't have that problem, for sure), and you need to basically complete the electro- magnetic circuit - any pan that is magnetic will work. Your friend probably had all aluminum or copper-lined cookware. I don't use induction so I don't know any more than that about it. I have heard that enamel-coated steel and cast iron will work, but I don't know. I know my beloved Calphalon Dutch oven would not work, and I would be bereft without my favorite pot!!!
I love my gas stove. I'd want to get another gas stove. It's a bit upsetting reading recent research that shows that ALL gas stoves emit harmful gases, though.
Nadine in NY wrote: "I have heard that enamel-coated steel and cast iron will work, but I don't know"We have induction. There's a simple test: if a magnet sticks at the bottom of your pan (outside), it works. Cast iron always works for that reason. It works best if your pans have a flat bottom. When it's slightly bended, it won't work on the parts that aren't flat on the plate. I love it, it's the best electric alternative for gas ranges. *End of induction class.*
Me all day yesterday: gonna write up my check in before doing anything elseMe: looking up something for my best friend on Goodreads, seeing the notification for new messages on last week's check in and
Me: ...crap
So here I am! I don't think I can catch up this time, given it's already 10pm and we're leaving at 5am for Disney! It's AP Party time *woopwoop* but maybe on Sunday I can sit down at night and just .. go through everything, hahah!
Nadine, I'm so sorry about your furnace. What a mess! Ours is working and I'm still freezing, I can't even imagine!
Weather: Yesterday was lots of snow, today is lots of rain. No fun. Bring back the sun, please! I have prepared everything for tomorrow: plastic bags around my passport and powerbank, ponchos to wear and drape over my legs when in my wheelchair (I tried to order rain pants but they didn't fit and a size bigger only has pants starting at €50 and no thank you), a full set of clothing for the Saturday in case my jeans and bra get soaked. The forecast went down to less rain and I've generally been lucky, but you never know! Better to have prepped for nothing than be caught unawares. I just hope the rain and wind aren't bad enough to cancel outdoor shows *fingers crossed*
Bunnies: Mickey's other cheek started up so we went to the vet and turns out he had a huge hook on his molar. Idiot. Didn't even show us eating hurt! Vet cut off the worst part, filed it down, and on Tuesday he's going under for a bit so she can fix up his teeth. Other than that, we're all set!
Puzzle: I'm 40:23h in, and the center is complete-ish! Starting to get really worried about some pieces that I'm missing so far, but I'm hoping they'll show up in one of the edge parts I've sorted aside. I don't have a lot of pieces left of the center, so whooo!
Read
The Witch's Heart for love triangle; worked better than I thought it would!
Loved this. So. Much. So much in fact that my next book was.
Norse Mythology for started as fanfiction (a stretch but eh)
So glad Scribd got most if not all of Neil Gaiman's audiobooks! Adored this so much. Neil is such a fantastic narrator.
Popsugar: 27/50
Goodreads: 21/50
Nadine's Challenge: 10/10 *parties* (can you guess with which prompt I finished? xD)
DNF
How to Excavate a Heart
I needed a how-to book for a bingo, and figured a title starting with how-to was a lovely stretch but alas. I hated every second of this. I missed it was YA and as soon as the narrator started I knew I was in trouble. Insufferable MC. Ohwell. Back to the drawing board I go!
Currently reading
Moby-Dick
Still going strong! Sadly Saturday's chapter is 7 pages, which is also the day I come home from Disney after a 5am-3am day, short night, and then traveling home xD Over 50% done!
I have not picked up a new book yet after my DNF but I have The Happiness Project open on my phone as a part of my 'fight the eARC backlog' project, haha!
QOTW
Mostly my parents are glad I'm reading again, haha! But yeah when I told them a few years ago I read over 100 books they were like ....what? But in a good way, haha! Most of my friends also read a lot or also hyperfocus on their own hobbies so they get it. Which is great. I was tired of people judging me for it, so I found my own people. I'm mostly glad myself that I am balancing so well these days! I'm reading about 2 books a week since I got my puzzle, I'm watching Game of Thrones with my sister, and of course I'm puzzling. I've never been able to do this so I'm super proud of myself!
I had surgery on Monday, so I'm sitting around feeling sore and sorry for myself. Still, not as bad as the kidney surgeries the last few years. Not a lot of reading recently, but I did finish one book at 1:00 this morning!
PopSugar 9/50
ATY 8/52
Finished
Breaking the Spell by Jane Stork. A memoir about the author's experiences in the Rajneeshee cult. I was going to use it for the book set in my birth decade, but most of the action happened in the 80s and 90s. Prompt: Book about a family
Currently Reading
Making Dogs Happy: The expert guide to being your dog's best friend
A Clockwork Orange
QOTW
My parents have always been big readers and always encouraged me to read. As an only child, I think they figured it was a better choice than watching TV all the time, since I had no one to play with at home.
There days I live alone, so there's not really anyone to notice how much I read. Having said that, Dad absolutely reads more than me because he's retired and doesn't have to stop for work!
Hi all, One of my cats had surgery this week, so glad that's over with and he's doing ok! Had a lump removed that had some suspicious cells in it. Was mostly removed to be extra cautious. He has a lot of stitches but a whole lot of energy. It's hard trying to keep him from being overly rambunctious. Kept him isolated for a few days, but he was getting really bored and throwing tantrums so we let him out to roam today.
This week I finished:
Check, Please! Book 1: #Hockey, Check, Please! Book 2: Sticks & Scones - my book about sports, these were adorable. they also work for read harder's completed web comic. I super recommend!
I Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself - I picked this up randomly from the library thinking that this year had the book you know nothing about, but that was last year. But this was the author's first novel (although they did publish poetry and articles and some other stuff) so I'm counting it as first time author.
The Cloisters - I needed an audio book so I just looked for a list of celebrity book clubs and looked for books until i found one that looked alright that was currently available to check out. this was just ok for me. It was nice and atmospheric, dark academia vibes. But the characters weren't well fleshed out, and the plot was pretty predicable. Kind of Mean Girls meets DaVinci Code.
Currently Reading:
I'm Glad My Mom Died - audio book, just started it for celebrity memoir
The Sentence - books and brew read. Really struggling to finish. It started off so strong, but I feel like there was a bait and switch in the middle. It's like she started off writing one book, and then 2020 happened, and then rather than writing a new book, she just...turned whatever she was writing into expressing everything she felt during that. It just was such an abrupt shift it's like I picked up a new book that just happened to have the same characters. It really bums me out because I was REALLY invested at first and now I'm only really finishing it because it's a book club read. Also reading the back, I don't feel like it was nearly clear enough that it was going to deal with the whole 2020 situation. It was phrased as "starting on All hallows eve of 2019 and ending the same day the following year". Yeah, if you do the math, that's obvious. When skimming a blurb, it didn't say 2020, pandemic, protests, police violence etc. I expected a spooky ghost story, not this. It's not to say the writing is bad, the characters are all fantastic. It's just...two books that somehow got forced together and I don't feel like they belong together. Might count as my book with two languages, since there's a fair amount of Ojibwe sprinkled through it.
Backpacking Through Bedlam - counting for my book published in spring, even though it's technically still winter. It's march, close enough.
QOTW - i dunno if anyone really knows I use goodreads outside of friends. and I don't really "post" on goodreads, just in groups. So i don't think they care? Some of my book club friends cant' believe how much I read. But not really in a malicious way. I was also the kid that my parents would occasionally say "will you stop reading and just GO OUTSIDE? do something active? go for a walk or something".
It's Thursday? How did THAT happen? I know I know, it's been Thursday all day but this week was a month long already on Wednesday....PS - 21/50. ATY - 27/52 - pace has already slowed in filling prompts so don't think for a second I'll be done in a month or two.
Finished:
White Is for Witching - PS prompt color in title, ATY prompt - ghost/spectre - did not like this btw. My reaction was the same as when I read most poetry, read the words, phrases, whole and at the end I have not a clue what it means or is saying. Just a sense as here of beautiful writing.
Darius: Lord of Pleasures - I desperately needed a regency romance after White is for Witching!
Currently reading, all taking me longer than I like due to work demands:
Hamnet
Miss Percy's Pocket Guide to the Care and Feeding of British Dragons
The Honjin Murders
QOTW: First of all, no one has a clue how much time I spend or don't spend on GR or any social media! Probably a function of being single, no kids, and living alone with a private law practice. Who's there to see anything?
Truth is that in general I don't spend a lot of time, though as I manage some groups on GR and FB, I do spend some time in admin functions.
Certainly no one has ever criticized or questioned the amount of time I spend reading. Or how many books I own. That's like a function of being single etc. I do remember my parents making comments about always having my nose in a book but they never limited it. And when I've moved the movers always comment that I have the highest number of boxes of books they've ever seen - in awe but also they get paid to pack and move them so they don't complain.
sorry about the heating issuesI'm staring spring break in the face. Good thing because a couple coworkers want to see the limits of my temper.
Because I'm in those long books for some of my challenges I haven't finished much. I did read Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective by Donald J. Sobol for A book set in the decade you were born. It was written in the 60s and doesn't say it was set at an earlier time so I'm counting it. I could have counted it for shortest too because it's short. It is one of those classic middle grade series but it also really doesn't translate well to older readers in my opinion.
I also read Cells at Work!, Vol. 4 by Akane Shimizu which I love and The Rush: This Hungry Earth Reddens Under Snowclad Hills by Simon Spurrier a horror graphic novel set in Gold Rush era Yukon territory. I liked it very much.
QOTW Ha, good one. No but my parents always tell me my house would be cleaner if I read less. I'm sure you're right but I shall not be testing your hypothesis now
It's great to see Taran Wanderer in the check-ins. The whole Prydain series is at a consistently high quality level and ends very well.
Brandon wrote: "It's great to see Taran Wanderer in the check-ins. The whole Prydain series is at a consistently high quality level and ends very well."It was definitely one of my favorite fantasy series
Mod
The Sentence - books and brew read. Really struggling to finish. It started off so strong, but I feel like there was a bait and switch in the middle. It's like she started off writing one book, and then 2020 happened, and then rather than writing a new book, she just...turned whatever she was writing into expressing everything she felt during that. It just was such an abrupt shift it's like I picked up a new book that just happened to have the same characters. ..."
You're right, this was like three or four books all in one. But that's part of what I loved about it! If I remember right, it takes place in more than one year - when it starts out, Tookie is messing around with drugs, and she goes to prison, and she spends however long in prison, and then gets out, and then more time goes by, and finally she meets whatshisname and gets that job at the bookstore. The only constant in this book is Tookie herself, and the importance of books. That's like real life - you are the constant in your life, but you are also always changing, so a book about your life would be many books.
I was also the kid that my parents would occasionally say "will you stop reading and just GO OUTSIDE? do something active? go for a walk or something".
Yes that was me, too!! My parents never understood why I wanted to read so much. My mom was always telling me to go outside. After many years of that, she finally compromised and set up a nice chaise longue on our patio for me to read outside.
Mod
LOL!!! But some days the only reason I clean is so I have something to do while I listen to my audiobook
Nadine in NY wrote: "Cornerofmadness wrote: "No but my parents always tell me my house would be cleaner if I read less. I'm sure you're right but I shall not be testing your hypothesis now..."LOL!!! But some days ..."
I hear you. Cleaning days are my podcast catch up days
Nadine in NY wrote: "Alex wrote: "The Well of Ascension for "book with a love triangle." So hard to get trough. Not my favourite Sanderson ..."Who is the love triangle in that one? Vin, and Elend, and ?? I don't re..."
Vin, Elend, and Zane. One of the most pointless plots ever.
Hello All and Happy Thursday! Thursdays are my favorite day of the week for so many reasons, one of which is payday and the other is check-ins. I didn't check in last week so this will be for both weeks.READ:
Self-Care for Black Women: 150 Ways to Radically Accept Prioritize Your Mind, Body, Soul I used this for Prompt# 26 The shortest book (by pages) on your TBR list
I initially thought these would just be a few things I normally do to prioritize myself but I learned a few things to use on my self-care journey.
Take My Hand I read this for Prompt #15 A book with a song lyric as its title
I used this month's Audible credit and I was not disappointed. I loved the narrator's voice because she sounded like she could be one of my Aunties or older cousins. Since the actual story is inspired by real events it did make me sad. Medical racism is very much real and I would say this was an event that happened in the 70's but as early as 2016 women have been sterilized against their will.
The Last of Us: American Dreams Not for any prompt. I decided to read this after I watched the first episode of the t.v. series. I honestly liked the graphic novel better than the show but I did only watch one episode.
READING:
Song of Solomon
QOTW:
Noone really cares how much I read or how many books I buy.
Posting on a Thursday… but I missed last week. I’m making progress maybe? I’ve been doing a lot of deep cleaning because we’re getting a kitten next month and I want to make sure there’s nothing he’ll accidentally get into. I’ve also been busy at work and day dreaming about my vacation at the end of May 🏖️ Finished:
Lore Olympus: Volume One
Lore Olympus: Volume Two
Lore Olympus: Volume Three
Lore Olympus: Volume Four
all of these for a book riot prompt. I read the physical copies of the first three and continued on to cover pretty much everything that will be in the fourth when it’s released. Retellings of Greek myths is honestly one of my favorite genres, and I see a lot of my relationship with my SO in Hades and Persephone’s relationship so I get the warm fuzzies a lot when reading this.
The Deceivers not for the challenge just reading the next book in a series I started. This is a really fun middle grade action/mystery kind of book. I’m quite invest in seeing how it resolves in the third book.
What's for Dessert: Simple Recipes for Dessert People: A Baking Book for a book riot prompt. If I could best sum myself up in an online personality, it’d be Claire Saffitz. I was so into the whole bon appetit universe and was truly devastated when it fell apart. I still follow all the originals and get their cookbooks when I can. Reading this cookbook gave me so many ideas and my kids will be very thankful in the upcoming weeks/months. I really love how she focused on easier, accessible desserts that don’t lack in flavor and complexity.
Currently Reading:
Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Great Adventure Catholic Bible
The Fate of the Tearling
Legendary
QOTW:
Idk, my kids get annoyed because I’m constantly listening to books in the car and kitchen and it’s usually not anything they’re very interested in lol
Challenges:
Popsugar - 4/40; 0/10
Read Harder - 5/24
Classics - 2/12
European Tour - 2/10
12 Friends - 2/12
Yearly Goal - 24/175
Happy check-in! Does anyone have a Norse Mythology prompt option that isn't The Witch's Heart or Neil Gaiman?Finished Reading:
Kill Joy ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A prequel novella for the Good Girl's Guide To Murder series. This was nearly as good as the first book. Pip and her friend group have a murder mystery party.
Nightchaser ⭐⭐ (ATY Century 3)
I really enjoyed this author's fantasy ya debut I thought the adult space sci-fi would be good too. Instalove and not enough space adventure!
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (ATY body of water in title)
Great mythology retelling with dragons.
House of Slaughter, Vol. 2: Scarlet ⭐
First one star of the year. This was so disappointing and I had been looking forward to it so much. New characters, depressing drivel to setup a couple of good pages then back to depressing.
Island of the Blue Dolphins ⭐⭐⭐ (PS published before you were born)
It was nice enough. Interesting that this is based on history.
A Psalm for the Wild-Built ⭐⭐ (PS previous prompt: a.i., robot, cyborg)
Robot and human have philosophical conversations while camping. Not my jam.
PS 20/50
ATY 20/52
Nadine's 9/10
Goodreads 55/200
Currently Reading:
Where the Crawdads Sing
Into Every Generation a Slayer Is Born: How Buffy Staked Our Hearts
QOTW: They're always shocked at how many books I read, probably because I didn't read much before joining goodreads.
Erica wrote: "Happy check-in! Does anyone have a Norse Mythology prompt option that isn't The Witch's Heart or Neil Gaiman?Finished Reading:
Kill Joy ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A prequel novella for the Good Girl..."
Rick riordan did The Sword of Summer
Sky in the Deep
Odin's Child
Or here’s a listopia I found.
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
It's almost spring! Not that that means much since its still cold out. And supposed to snow again this weekend. Challenge progress:
ATY 10/52
PS 9/50
Finished:
Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing (PS celebrity memoir) 4 stars. This was a very powerful memoir about Matthew Perry's life. The focus is of course his struggle with addiction. I've always loved the show Friends and knowing about Matthew's problems behind the camera are heartbreaking. He credits the show with helping save his life but it does make me wonder how many people involved with the show knew about his problems and focused more on getting him to work than actually helping him.
The Woman in the Library (ATY involves a murder) 2 stars. Four strangers are at the Boston public library and hear a scream and someone dies. They become friends but the narrator says one of them is the killer. I thought this would be just up my alley but turns out a mystery with so few suspects just takes the mystery out of it. I knew which one was the killer halfway though the book.
Heartstopper: Volume One (PS booktok) 4 stars. Very cute romance graphic novel. I will definitely finish this series.
Currently reading:
When Women Were Dragons (PS mythical creatures)
The Library Book (PS book with just text on cover)
QOTW: I'm single and I live alone so there is no one around to complain about my reading habits. My family know I read but not how much since they are not big readers. My best friend is the only person who knows the amount of books I read and luckily she reads just as much.
Mandy wrote: "Rick riordan did The Sword of SummerSky in the Deep
Odin's Child
Or here’s a listopia I found.
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/ ..."
Thanks this is helpful. I realize that I have been assuming Rick Riordan books are connected to Percy Jackson or I confuse Magnus Chase with Magnus Bane. 🤦♀️
Yikes, I have a lot to catch up around here! You guys are just speeding through. That's cool.*****
Katy wrote: finished Water for Elephants as mynanwrino. I loved it so much.
I completely forget this is a NANoWrMo book. I first read it ages ago back when the movie came out. I remember liking it so much. I can still remember when and where I read it.
*****
Lynn wrote: CONTINUING....
*The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story by Nikole Hannah-Jones
Oh nice. I always try to get around to it, but the hc is so intimidating for me so I always put it by the way side. I'm really hoping it comes out in pb soon. It's definitely worthy of a top shelf placement instead of the bottom where I keep all of my hc's.
*****
Dani wrote: Currently Reading:
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Wow, I have not thought of this book in ages! It was one of my required books for my confirmation class. I completely forgot about it until I saw your post. Even though I'm not into the whole religion thing, it might be fun to get back into.
*****
Erica wrote: Island of the Blue Dolphins ⭐⭐⭐ (PS published before you were born)
It was nice enough. Interesting that this is based on history.
Aw, how sweet! This was my favorite book as a kid. I could never get enough of it.
So for the book I'm currently reading, Lesbians on Television: New Queer Visibility the Lesbian Normal, it fits in PS: Book with a Queer Lead*****
One that I'd still like to find a book on is 'based on a popular movie'. This is such a broad prompt and there's so much out there so I wouldn't even know where to start. Of course it would have to be nonfiction.
I have a book of essays about The Hunger Games, but I want to try something else.
*****
I do now have my book for the PS 'favorite prompt from a past challenge.' I chose: 2018- Feminism. This one seems to be the easiest one of them all especially since I've gotten into a lot of feminist books this past year and several months.
Formidable: American Women and the Fight for Equality: 1920-2020
This book was released in hc Aug. 2022, but I didn't realize the pb came out in Dec. 2022. There are certain books I like to get the pb's of and this was one of them.
*****
Also my book arrived for PS: holiday that's not Christmas.
Trick or Treat: A History of Halloween
@ Carmen: I am new here and so do not know people...but I love these check-ins because they help me in that.I love your bunny reports. They are an animal that I know little about. Thanks for sharing.
And that puzzle! Wow! I can't even imagine tackling that.
Finally, I want to say that I think you are amazing for your life balancing. I have just started reaching out and engaging with others this year. Go, girl!
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Joan (other topics)Joan of Arc: A Life Transfigured (other topics)
Woman: The American History of an Idea (other topics)
Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World (other topics)
From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Ann Mah (other topics)Stacey Abrams (other topics)
Tembi Locke (other topics)
Stephen Mack Jones (other topics)
Balli Kaur Jaswal (other topics)
More...
I've slowed down the tie dye projects because (a) they are less fun when it's cold, and (b) the dye doesn't bond as well with the fabric when it's cold.
Admin stuff
March's group read is on-going:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
And of course we have openings for discussion leaders for all the future months. Let us know if you're interested.
This week I banged out a few short books so my progress leaped forward. I am now 15/50.
Exiles by Jane Harper - this was good, but not her best. It's apparently the final Aaron Falk book. I wasn't reading it for the Challenge, but there is a pet dog named Luna so I checked off "pet character."
Number One Is Walking: My Life in the Movies and Other Diversions by Steve Martin & Harry Bliss - this was so disappointing!! If you are a Steve Martin fan and planning to read this, you should know that most of the book is not about Steve Martin at all. It's just a bunch of single panel cartoons. It turned out that this wasn't really much of a memoir, more like a few recollections, but I read it in good faith expecting a memoir, so I checked off "celebrity memoir."
Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx - At only 55 pages, this is really more of a short story than a book, BUT it's got its own listing on GR, and its own ISBN, and my library has a copy of just this story bound as a book (with Heath Ledger & Jake Gyllenhaal on the cover), so I'm counting it as my "shortest book." It is a very sad book.
Pop: 15/50
Winter: 1/10
AtY: 13/52
2023 must-reads: 2/12
Question of the Week
Are any of your friends or family members concerned about how much reading you do or how much time you spend on Goodreads?
This is an old suggestion from Lauren, who probably won't even see this since she's been very busy with Tournament of Books (ongoing right now!!)
And my answer is: at certain times in my life, yes, but now, no. Everyone around me is used to how much I read and they maybe just roll their eyes a bit, at most.
Now everyone around me complains about all the tie dye LOL!