Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2023 Weekly Check-Ins
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Week 39: 9/21 - 9/28
Happy Thursday, y’all!Well, I can't believe I am posting so early! Wow!
I have really been challenging my body lately. Last week it was the museum tours for 6 hours. This week it was a garden, racing museum and old home tour of 2 hours. What made this week such a challenge was I was fasting for the first time in years…and was about 16h into the fast when I went on the tour. Too much challenge for my body. Totally exhausted and ended up breaking the fast early. Still I did the fast longer than I had in years…and had a nice tour of a local spot.
Getting back on track for reading ATY in order. I put on hold the last three for this month. Hopefully they will come in timely.
So this week I tried another thing that I haven’t done in years…a massage. Very nice. An hour of touch, music, and aromatherapy all combined. I will do this again but probably not for several weeks. A bit pricey for my budget.
Finished:
Washington Square – No prompts. 3*. This was for the library discussion last Tuesday. Turns out that my friend and I did not watch the right movie for the discussion, nor had either of us finished the book. So it was discussion then book for me.
The Chemistry of Death - ATY #35. 4*. I liked this story and was completely blown by the twist! I did not see that coming at all.
Daisy Miller – Another library discussion. It is short so not even a novella (59p) and by same author as Washington Square – Henry James.
Murder in Mykonos – Other challenges. An interesting murder involving mythology and crazy all into one. Although the cops know who the murderer is at the end, the author never names him…but rather in the last sentence or so a statement is made that tells all. Creative.
Currently Reading:
Dreams and Shadows –Kindle. 13%. Weird book.
The Beginner's Photography Guide: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Manual for Getting the Most from Your Digital Camera – PS #2. 16%. Started reading this as part of my photography learning plan.
Against All Enemies – Other Challenges, PS #49. 18%. I think I am going to like this HUGE book.
Pudd'nhead Wilson – ATY #34. Not yet started. Expect to dip my toes into this one today.
The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate: Discoveries from a Secret World – ATY #36. 22%
Foretold - No challenges. 34%. Audiobook.
On deck:
Bone Deep – Old challenge.
PS 33/50 and 7/10 for Nadine’s Challenge
ATY 34/52 and 6/12 for Spring Challenge (Q1), Fall Challenge 1/10 (Q4).
GR 191/200
QotW: Have you ever read a banned book and really understood what has people banning it? Not that you would actually condone banning it but it makes sense?
I don't tend to read banned books knowingly, so often it is a surprise to me to learn that the book has been banned somewhere. Yet often I can see why afterwards.
I heard recently that California no longer allows by law any school system to ban books based on sexuality and race. A step in the right direction, I think.
It's Thursday already?! Wow that was quick.Ugh, temps out here still feel like summer. It's only next week that we're going to get down to the low 80s (F). This past week has been brutal. Close to 100 still. We should have been having cold weather by now, or at least fall weather.
Things have been pretty good. My dad got back from his job so it's been nice to have him home, but it's certainly going to be a huge adjustment.
Other than that things have been pretty basic. Just been doing some readings and getting through assignments for school.
I guess let's get into the book stuff:
Finished:
- #Notyourprincess: Voices of Native American Women
- Killers of the Flower Moon: Adapted for Young Readers: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI
Currently Reading:
- Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask: Young Readers Edition
*****
I already have my October TBR set. Sometimes I'm able to stick to them, other times not really, but I'm confident I'll be able to this coming month.
*****
Question of the Week
Have you ever read a banned book and really understood what has people banning it? Not that you would actually condone banning it but it makes sense?
Yae, I love this question!
I seriously love banned books. On my personal bookcases I have 3 rows full of banned books (81 total).
Every year I always make sure to buy at least 1 banned book. This year I got Fools Crow which is a book that was banned in 2008 in one of the Montana school districts.
I could go on forever, talk for hours, when it comes to this topic. I can't tell you how much it infuriates me. There are more important things to worry about than what's in a book.
I think back to my youth and how every single book I read back then would be banned now and quite frankly it's sickening!
I'll try not to rant on about this because it's certainly not the place. I'll just finish by saying that if a person has a problem with a book then don't read it, simple as that, but people shouldn't stop others from reading it.
Sure things are different when it comes to classrooms, but still. Teachers should be allowed to teach these books and if there is a problem then I think there can be two options: 1.) A teacher creates a separate assignment or 2.) A kid gets dismissed from class.
(P.S. it's because of banned books that I don't agree with trigger warnings either.)
Happy Thursday!It’s almost 5 am here. My wonderful, lovely, amazing dog as woken me up twice in the middle of the night, 1230 and 430 to potty. Not mad at him just frustrated. I don’t know why he gets an upset stomach frequently, but the vet appointment is scheduled to see if it’s Acid reflux, or some thing else.
Other than that work is fine. It’s the normal ‘I am behind, but I can Catch up, but I do not want to’ kind of thing.
So Sony has officially become a$$holes. They've taken over Rightstufanime, which is where I get 90% of my physical manga, light novels, and anime from. Sony is now making them move to the Crunchyroll store. So all the great things about Rightstuf is now down the drain because Sony wants the whole anime market. They've also taken over Funimation and, as you can guess, Crunchyroll. Frankly, you should see the metaphorical rioting and mourning happening on facebook. Rightstuf was one of the last independent companies that sold these things.
Okay rant over.
Popsugar: 30/50
Finished: The Great Cleric: (Light Novel) Volume 1 ps
Reading: None that I’m aware of
Aty:37/52
Finished:None
Reading: None that I’m aware of
Goodreads Challenge 530/400
Finished:
Simon and the Better Bone
Maiden of the Needle, Vol. 1 (manga) (Volume 1) (Maiden of the Needle
Prince of Thorns & Nightmares
The Obsessed Hero and the Villainous Family's Daughter: Volume I
Maiden of the Needle, Vol. 1 (light novel) (Maiden of the Needle
Maiden of the Needle, Vol. 2 (light novel) (Volume 2) (Maiden of the Needle
The Great Cleric: (Light Novel) Volume 6
The Great Cleric: (Light Novel) Volume 7
The Great Cleric: (Light Novel) Volume 8
The Great Cleric: (Light Novel) Volume 9
Tina and the Trucker: An Age Gap Explicit Older Man Younger Woman Romance
Husband Skills
Reading:
The Great Cleric: (Light Novel) Volume 10
Gabriel's Redemption
Fourth Wing
Nadine's Mini Challenge 8/10
Finished:
Reading: None
QOTW:
Not really. I've read why they were banned though. I find it stupid. Usually if a book is banned, I will place in it my collections at the library. So Gender Queer: A Memoir and quite a few others appeared on my shelves quickly. I had a tiny hope that someone would be ignorant and make a fuss so I could mentally laugh in their faces, but nope.
I did have one parent mention that the DK book had boobs in it. Um, it's a book about the history of art. Yeah, they painted nudes back in the day. People still paint nudes today. It was The Birth of Venus, or was it the Venus de Milo. She got the book for her child from the juvenile section.
We do not censor anyone or anything. If someone asks about the content, I'm more than happy to talk shop if I know the content. So I just nodded and put the book back on the shelf.
I've come across content I don't appreciate (I'm looking at You Terry Goodkind), but I'm not going to force my opinions on someone else.
Happy Thursday!What a week. It hasn't been especially ridiculous, but I feel like I've just been *going* without a lot of downtime. This is what I get for picking up a Sunday evening shift that'll last until December. But! I've got tomorrow off, and I'm getting a new tattoo, and then my birthday is on Saturday and husband is making yummy dinner. Excited!
Finished a few things this week:
The Children of Gods and Fighting Men - 4 stars. This was excellent and I'm looking forward to the sequel because I need to know what happens next! Especially knowing that these characters were all real people.
Lumberjanes, Vol. 12: Jackalope Springs Eternal - 4 stars. At this rate I may actually finish the series before the new year :D this was fun!
Currently:
The Once and Future Witches - rereading, and bummed that I haven't had a ton of time for it the past few nights, but enjoying the time to savor it all over again
Six of Crows - a second attempt after DNFing it years ago, and it's going well! The audio is excellent.
PS 40/50
ATY 48/52
Mount TBR 44/60
QOTW: Have you ever read a banned book and really understood what has people banning it? Not that you would actually condone banning it but it makes sense?
I mean, I understand why people want to ban books like Gender Queer: A Memoir and All Boys Aren't Blue and The Complete Maus. I understand people being raised a certain way or having certain preferences and not liking certain topics/word choices/etc in their reading material. I was a sheltered kid. I get it. But just because one person doesn't like something doesn't give them the right to take it completely off the table for everyone else.
And for everyone pearl-clutching because "the children!!" I remember what YA author Mindy McGinnis has said at multiple author talks - that kids will self-censor a vast majority of the time. If they're not comfortable with a book, they put it down and move on to something else.
ETA: Mein Kampf is one that makes more sense to me. I will say, though, that I picked it up just to satisfy my own curiosity and I ended up bored out of my skull by the incoherent rants lol
Happy Thursday, everyone!It has been yet another very busy week. In addition to all of the doctor’s appointments that I had scheduled for the week, last Thursday evening my dishwasher stopped working. It’s a fairly old appliance, so it wasn’t totally unexpected, but considering that I just had the racks replaced last month, I was really hoping it would last a while longer. So I ended up having to go to Lowe’s earlier this week to order a new dishwasher. No word yet on when it will be delivered, but hopefully it will be installed sometime next week.
Despite all of the appointments and errands, I did manage to do a significant amount of reading this week. I was able to finish several titles from both my TBR and “New Books” lists, so I’m feeling really good about my progress on my reading goals.
Here are my current challenge and TBR totals…
Goodreads Challenge: 717/400 (Challenge Complete!)
Mount TBR Challenge: 150/150 (Challenge Complete!)
📚Physical TBR: 294/634
📱Ebook TBR: 18/236
🎧Audiobook TBR: 12/13
TBR Checklist Total: 324/883 (36.6% complete)
I did not buy any new books this week!
“New” Books Bought in 2023: 412
“New” Books Read in 2023: 386/412 (93.6% complete)
Here are the books I finished this week…
Finished Reading (Fiction):
~Flame — I ended up liking this story much better than I thought I would at the time of my previous update, but it did take me about half of the book to really get invested in the plot and stop disliking the main male character. I don’t think I’m going to commit to reading the rest of the series (even though it did end on a bit of a cliffhanger), but I am glad that I didn’t DNF the book. Content Alert: (view spoiler)📱: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Becoming Mrs. Claws — This novella is part of the Tallean Mercenaries series, but since I haven’t read any of the other books in the series, I’m not sure exactly where it falls in the series lineup. I thought this was a fun romance, and liked the main characters. Content Alert: (view spoiler) 📱: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Horrorstör — This is one of the most clever horror novels that I have ever read. The story was really good, and the way in which Hendrix formatted the book (making it look like an IKEA catalogue) was very clever. I’m glad that I took this opportunity to re-read this book (which I originally borrowed as an ebook from my local library), and I would definitely recommend reading a physical copy instead of an ebook if this is something you’re interested in reading. Content Alert: (view spoiler) 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Solan — This is the first book in the My Single Alien series. I thought it was a fun SciFi romance read. While it did take me quite a while to start liking the main male character, he did get much more likable by the end of the book. Content Alert: (view spoiler) 📱: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Loka — This is the second book in the My Single Alien series. I really enjoyed this story! The plot of this book was very exciting, especially since the entire space station was in peril. I also really liked both of the main characters. Content Alert: (view spoiler) 📱: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Finished Reading (Nonfiction):
~Joy at Work: Organizing Your Professional Life — This is Marie Kondo’s third book, which was co-written with Scott Sonenshein. I thought this was a very interesting read, and while the majority of the book wasn’t applicable to me personally, I think the sections on tidying your desk and digital storage (including files and emails) will be very helpful. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~The Home Edit: A Guide to Organizing and Realizing Your House Goals — This was a fun read, loaded with tons of full-color pictures of projects the authors have worked on. It included some great ideas for organizing different parts of your house, but there’s a lot in this book that just wouldn’t work for me. I thought the book was gorgeous, and I love the work the authors do, but I think my upcoming tidying efforts will be more consistent with Marie Kondo’s methods than The Home Edit’s. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~The Art and Making of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves — This was a fantastic behind-the-scenes look at the making of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and loved having a chance to see all of the art. I highly recommend checking this one out if you’re a fan of the D&D movie. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Finished Reading (Manga, Comic Books, & Graphic Novels):
None
Finished Reading (Poetry and Drama):
None
DNFed:
~Soul-Bonded to the Alien — I made it about 10% of the way through this book, but didn’t care for the author’s writing style. I was going to try and finish it anyway, but got tired of the typos. I am not counting this one toward my finished TBR books. 📱
Currently Reading:
~Sherlock Holmes and Philosophy: The Footprints of a Gigantic Mind — This book is from the Pop Culture and Philosophy series. I’m having a hard time with this one, because I’m just not in the philosophy zone right now. I am planning to finish it, but it may take me a while. 📚
~Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide — I honestly wasn’t sure what to think about this book at first, because it started out a little slow, but I’m currently about 20% of the way through and finding it really interesting. 📚
~Karn — This is the third book in the My Single Alien series. I’m currently on chapter 6. It’s been okay so far, but I’m not really a fan of the main characters. 📱
QOTW:
I can’t think of any specific titles, but I think that whatever reasons are given to justify banning books (profanity, sex, violence, etc.), it all comes down to the idea that someone felt uncomfortable while reading the book. While I can understand that a book might make a reader uncomfortable, that doesn’t mean that other people should be denied the opportunity to read it.
I'm glad I caught this update in time, because there's no way I could have gotten here otherwise! Tomorrow morning I'm leaving for Disney at 5am with my dad, we'll be home Saturday around midnight. I'll be home Sunday and Monday (and exhausted), and then Tuesday morning at 3am I'm being picked up for another Disney trip, this one three days including my birthday, haha! It'll be my friend's first time ever so I am very excited (and scared; she's also autistic and I know how overwhelming the place is). So expect me to reply late next week, hah!Not reading still, BUT, I have high hopes for me reading the new Percy Jackson book. Amazon actually sent out my pre order (should arrive Monday so fingers crossed!) and I got it on Audible. Kinda gave up on the challenges for now, as there's no point in stressing about them if I'm not reading, but who knows? Maybe I'll hit another reading spurt this year!
QOTW
I don't think so? I think with certain books I can see why someone would want it banned, but I have personally never seen it myself. 'Don't like don't read' is a big thing in fanfics, and for me it applies to books as well. Kids do that anyways, I know I did! Still do!
Read whatever you want to read, but don't presume to tell anyone else what they shouldn't.
I was watching some YouTuber splay the forthcoming Cities Skylines II game and that made me want to play the original, so that's sucked up a lot of my time this week. The weather's just turned grey and uninteresting, so definitely feels like indoor activities time.I've only got one more prompt to do for my cut-down Popsugar challenge and I'm looking forward to it being over with this year.
Finished:
Feed Them Silence by Lee Mandelo for ATY (novella) and ATY rejects (wolves). This was interesting and had just as much about the ethics of research as it did getting inside the mind of a wolf. Didn't love the audiobook narrator though, so it took me longer than a novella should to get through.
Marple: Twelve New Stories by various authors for text-only cover. The stories seemed to get better as the book went on, which is an interesting editorial choice! I picked this up for a few of the authors rather than a big interest in Miss Marple. I think Elly Griffiths' story was my favourite so I'll have to try one of her novels.
QOTW:
I suppose some issues of Saga are on a banned books list and I can see it might not be appropriate for a school to be lending out. I'm guessing someone assumed that comics are a kids thing. There is a sex world and there are loads of penises and birthing scenes and whatnot...but everyone's free to buy and read it, so it's not really banned.
@Ashley Why do you think Gender Queer and All Boys Aren't Blue should be banned? I've read both books but I'm just not seeing WHY. Now if you don't want to read the books that's fine but like it was said before if YOU don't like the book or choose not to read it that's your choice. I personally think romance books are stupid and a waste of time but I'll never stop anyone from choosing to read them. SN: All Boys Aren't Blue is a memoir and not even meant for children to read so for anyone saying they don't want their kids to read it they really need to start parenting their children.
Ashley Marie wrote: "Happy Thursday!
What a week. It hasn't been especially ridiculous, but I feel like I've just been *going* without a lot of downtime. This is what I get for picking up a Sunday evening shift that'll..."
Hi All, This is a 2 week check in for me. I managed to read 3 books and start on a few more. I'm seriously trying to find books that keep my attention and lately my attention span has been about 30 minutes. FINISHED:
The Mother of Black Hollywood: A Memoirfor Prompt #11 a book about or set in Hollywood. I listened to the audio version and was cracking up literally most of the time. Jennifer Lewis is RAW and real. She's been very outspoken about having Bipolar Disorder and I'm so proud of her because mental illness is so stigmatized in the Black Community.
Dead Dead Girls for Prompt #27 A Booktok recommendation. I listened to this as well. It was a bit meh for me. I don't really like historical mysteries because anyone black or brown didn't enjoy that time in history. Plus by almost the end of the book I figured out who the killer was.
Killadelphia, Vol. 3: Home Is Where the Hatred Is-not for any prompt. I love vampires and anything with black vampires. Just a continuation of the series. I decided to start buying the volumes to add to the collection.
CURRENTLY READING:
Quince
Dead Silence
Our History Has Always Been Contraband: In Defense of Black Studies
Question of the Week
Have you ever read a banned book and really understood what has people banning it? Not that you would actually condone banning it but it makes sense?
I read banned books all the time and NO i don't understand why people ban books. If you don't want children to read certain books I understand but you also can't shield kids from real life. Alot of parents will shield kids from sex scenes in movies but will let them watch the same movie with graphic violence.
Most Banned Books make alot of people uncomfortable because they don't want to have REAL conversations about race, gender or anything else they reuse to think about. Despite the fact the people that it truly affects have no say so over not dealing with it or seeing it.
For example: To Kill a Mockingbird is on the banned list because of how a black man was treated and them using the N-word. In all honestly racist people used it and still use it to treat anyone that's not white like crap every day and we have no other choice but to deal with it.
Happy Thursday! The highlight of my week was a V. E. Schwab event sponsored by our local library and Barnes & Noble... I won two tickets and a signed copy of their new book The Fragile Threads of Power! It was such a fun and interesting discussion of their books and writing process. The library also had its semiannual book sale last weekend. Oof! My TBR is exploding.
Challenge Progress:
52 Book Club: 52/52 (September Mini-Challenge: 2/3)
ATY: 52/52 (Fall Challenge: 3/15)
Popsugar: 50/52 (Nadine's Mini-Challenge: 10/10)
Completed:
Adequate Yearly Progress: Probably only a 5-star read for anyone who was ever a public school teacher who had to cope with all the crazy testing requirements. (52 BC September 3 - a book with a character who is a teacher) ★★★★★
Our Missing Hearts: A re-read. This is my book club's current choice. ★★★★★
A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan's Plot to Take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them ★★★★
Fairy Tale (PS 48 - a book with a pet character) ★★★★
Longbourn (ATY 26 - a book related to pride) ★★★★
The Rachel Incident ★★★★
The Possibilities: A Novel: Alternate reality/multiverse story about motherhood... oddly compelling. ★★★★
Leaving the Witness: Exiting a Religion and Finding a Life (ATY Fall 2 - a book that fits the phrase a falling out) ★★★
Currently Reading:
Rouge
The Museum of Ordinary People
The Weaver and the Witch Queen (ATY Fall 9 - a witchy book)
The St. Ambrose School for Girls
Black Sheep (ATY Fall 13 - a book that has a rural setting)
The Land of Lost Things
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea
QOTW: I understand why people want to ban/restrict books, but like so many others have said, if you don't want to read a book then don't, but let others make their own choices. Additionally, I think we do a disservice to teens by sheltering them from difficult topics. Aren't we supposed to be helping them become functional adults capable of making independent and informed decisions?
I hit 70 books of the year now! My original goal was 25 because I never know how my life will turn out. Last year I reached 76 books for the year, but now I'm aiming for 80 or higher which I think will be doable. I have quite a few books for October so that should put me between 74-76.*****
There are so many books I got away with as a kid. Now they are too sheltered. I get it, protect your kids and all of that, but at what cost? How far is too far?
There's one book in particular, The Mists of Avalon . I read this when I was 12. Talk about inappropriate for a kid at that age and yet despite the content I was still able to read it.
Jai wrote: "@Ashley Why do you think Gender Queer and All Boys Aren't Blue should be banned? I've read both books but I'm just not seeing WHY. Now if you don't want to read the books that's fine but like it wa..."Clarification, I do not want them banned. I said I can see why others do - because they disagree with the content. That is not my view and I disagree with book banning/censorship on a fundamental level.
I decided to change my mind and I'm using Besos for Baby: A Little Book of Kisses for prompt #49 A book featuring two different languages. I bought this book for my granddaughter. She's only 10 months but I want her to know a little bit of Spanish because her other grandmother and great grandmother speak it and I speak it, but not fluently.
Jai wrote: " SN: All Boys Aren't Blue is a memoir and not even meant for children to read so for anyone saying they don't want their kids to read it they really need to start parenting their children."Not trying to split hairs, but All Boys Aren't Blue is marketed as a YA memoir, so yes it is meant for young people to read. And they absolutely should! George talks multiple times about how much he hopes this book helps young people understand themselves & others better and not feel as alone in the world.
Again, kids will self-censor for the most part. If they're handed a book that they think is too far outside their comfort zone, they probably won't read it.
Finished: Timefulness: How Thinking Like a Geologist Can Help Save the WorldDostoyevsky Reads Hegel in Siberia and Bursts into Tears Didn't live up to its potential.
Time And Eternity: Exploring God's Relationship To Time Using philosophical arguments to explore a fascinating topic.
Started: Moral Questions in the Classroom: How to Get Kids to Think Deeply about Real Life and their School Work
The Chalice of the Gods Yay! Percy's back!
QotW: I once attended a banned book reading. The poet read a passage that described incest. I was with a child. So we left. I don't agree with banning books. But that doesn't mean that every child has to be exposed to everything. Just like some movies are "R" rated, some books might benefit from having a rating system, especially graphic novels. I wouldn't want kids reading Watchmen. I also took a child to a banned book protest where we read banned books. They were reading Gender Queer. I thought it was a very good book, but THEY ended up being uncomfortable and stopped reading it. Not forcing a child to read a book they're not ready for is maybe the flip side of banned books.
My take on YA and a book for children is much different. YA for me are older teens from 14-19 and even 20. I don't see his book as something for children. Now if I had a kid that wanted to read his book at a younger age I'll probably have a talk with them about it but it all depends on maturity levels. And I read the book and was so proud of him for speaking up and out for the LGBTQIA youth, especially black boys. As a member I know how hard it is for Queer men to tell their story and be honest and open about it.
Ashley Marie wrote: "Jai wrote: " SN: All Boys Aren't Blue is a memoir and not even meant for children to read so for anyone saying they don't want their kids to read it they really need to start parenting their childr..."
Happy Thursday!Is it just me, or has Goodreads been marking entire discussion threads from last year as unread for anyone else?
Finished:
The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hall - 3.5 stars - I thought this was an enjoyable YA fantasy. Darker than I expected, but I do love pirates so I had a good time with it.
Starter Villain by John Scalzi - 4.5 stars - I loved this. It was short and sweet. I think if you liked Kaiju Preservation Society, you'd like this.
Comics & manga:
The Ancient Magus' Bride Vol. 18
A Man & His Cat Vol. 9
Shortcake Cake, Vol. 9
Shortcake Cake, Vol. 10
Currently reading:
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi - I'm just starting it, but I have heard a lot of good things.
Upcoming/Planned:
Nothing yet. With my challenge reading finished, I'm putting myself at the mercy of the library hold system for the rest of the year. :)
QOTW:
I don't think I have.
Hi Everyone, I read one book for the week. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store. 5 stars. I was going to save it for the 2024 challenges but James McBride is a favorite author so I couldn't wait. QOTW: I don't think so.
Jai wrote: "@Ashley Why do you think Gender Queer and All Boys Aren't Blue should be banned? I've read both books but I'm just not seeing WHY. Now if you don't want to read the books that's fine but like it wa..."gender queer had the same sex oral scene! le gasp! that's why it was so controversial. I haven't heard why the other was banned.
Jen wrote: "Is it just me, or has Goodreads been marking entire discussion threads from last year as unread for anyone else?"It's not just you. I just went to update one of my comments for the Mount TBR Challenge group, and everything I've posted for the past several months is labeled as "New."
Greetings all from wonderfully cool NYC! We did this past weekend have a very long 3 days of rain but it ebbed now and then and I did get out to a couple of events without having to do more than open an umbrella for a light drizzle. That's pretty typical fall weather for NYC, especially as October draws near. I welcome it all - for me it's cozy up with a blanket and read weather -- well when work let's me. I'm holding in PS at 41/50.
Finished: Alas little progress made this week in reading anything except a children's book that caught my eye: Grumpy Monkey
. It worked wonders on *my* grumpy mood and in fact I think I'll reread it after posting this and before I make the mistake of writing a scathing email to clients who are irritating me! If you are not familiar with it - check it out. I can hear children giggling as I read it and giggle myself. Currently reading - feels like forever:
- I am liking it but I just am too busy to read right now. QOTW: LMAO - oh Nadine and I had a huge discussion on this topic when I suggested it! I'm tickled pink that it made the cut!
Why did I suggest it? Because I'd just finished a brilliant classic that was a reread and for the first time in the decades I've been reading, I actually totally understand why it is on banned lists and has been since publication. Not that I would ever bann it or agree that it shoudl be banned but I understand the desire even compulsion to do so. So what was the book?
- Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov. It's a disturbing book, rendered even more disturbing by the beauty of the writing. It's a book meant to be disturbing, written to disturb the reader - much the way The Sellout by Paul Beatty (a satire on contemporary racism and slavery) is intentionally uncomfortable and disturbing. That is part of the messaging, what we are to take away from reading it. But I can understand the desire to ban it. I also completely agree on the Marquis de Sade - Nadine and I bonded over our reactions as college students (a decade or more apart mind you) to reading that piece of filth. For me, it was assigned as reading in a history seminar on the French Revolution and the Reign of Terror. It's also a lesson for any professor to verify that the tract they are assigning to be read is in fact the complete work. That particular 'novel'. which is some of the most obscen, vicious, BDSM porn ever written, had buried in its center a political essay relevant to the Reign of Terror politics and that's what the professor thought she was assigning. She was so embarassed and apologetic at the class following when it was assigned - but we were cool sophisticated 20 year-olds. We took it in stride, if shocked.
But everything Nadine describes about the book is true - and is true of all Sade's books (based on what's in the collection I had to buy for that class). It should be eradicated, not just banned.
To me the biggest single argument for never banning anything or preventing books being taught or read or available is the fact that without books, far too many, both children and adults, would be unaware of what they need to know to protect themselves and get help if they need it or simply to understand what is happening may be normal -- the latter I'm thinking about Judy Blume and the controversy and banning of her book Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. Anyone who believes that young girls today know all about periods and changes to their bodies that happen with puberty are living in a fool's paradise. Certainly far more do today than I did when I was that age - whole different generation and a shocking lack of outside info resources then. Her book still educates many a youngster when parents and others fail to do so.
Happy Thursday from the Swiss mountains! This week we had The. Most. Perfect. Weather for a holiday in the Swiss mountains. Blue skies, excellent far sight, temperatures about 20 degrees Celcius (that’s upper 60’s Fahrenheit) and a sweet breeze. We are here for 1 week and are leaving on Saturday, so 1 day left. I had a perfect rythm so far: 1 day activity (hiking or another trip), 1 day reading. So I read A LOT! I’ve already completed my GR-challenge goal of 52 books!!
PS: 36/50 (goal: 40/50)
Total 2023: 52/52
Finished
- The Lightkeeper's Daughters by Jean E. Pendziwol⭐⭐⭐
Not for PS
Sweet story about Porphyry Island (Lake Superior), the lighthouse daughters and a teenager-almost-down-the-pathway-to-prison.
- De stikstoffuik: politici in de ban van de ecolobby by Arnout Jaspers ⭐⭐⭐
Not for PS
This book is very biased, but it also clearly explains what the problem is with the Dutch standstill because of nitrogen.
- Wij en het water by Lotte Jensen ⭐⭐⭐
Not for PS
How our culture has dealt with floodings. From images (child in a crib in the water) to memory books to charity and everything in between. Nice read, but no learnings.
- The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende⭐⭐⭐
PS #12, a book published in spring 2023
There are flashes of the brilliant story teller Allende is, but the story itself feels like a bunch of threads pulled together. Bit disappointing.
Currently reading
Lichter dan ik by Dido Michielsen
QOTW
I’m not familiar with banned books since we don’t do that in the Netherlands. We’ve got exactly one banned book: Mein Kampf. It’s by law prohibited to print or sell this book. For obvious reasons. Although you can discuss on whether free speech does apply to this piece of hatred too.
Oh I don't remember that part but any type of sex scene in books should be banned then. Straight or homosexual *shrugs*Mandy wrote: "Jai wrote: "@Ashley Why do you think Gender Queer and All Boys Aren't Blue should be banned? I've read both books but I'm just not seeing WHY. Now if you don't want to read the books that's fine bu..."
As a parent and as someone that never really got "the talk" growing up, I think it's a disservice to our kids to not talk to them about their bodies and sexuality throughout their lives in age appropriate language. To be honest you have a bunch of lazy parents or people too embarrassed to talk about real life to their kids then they're shocked when they become grandparents in their 30's or their son or daughter has an STI when they're barely legal to drive. I made sure to communicate and talked to my sons about sex and their bodies and told them to always ask me for condoms. When my oldest son asked me I was shocked but happy that he trusted me enough. I have a 10 month old granddaughter and my son waited until he was 23, out of the house with a good job a car and an apartment.
Theresa wrote: "To me the biggest single argument for never banning anything or preventing books being taught or read or available is the fact that without books, far too many, both children and adults, would be u..."
Jai wrote: "Oh I don't remember that part but any type of sex scene in books should be banned then. Straight or homosexual *shrugs*Mandy wrote: "Jai wrote: "@Ashley Why do you think Gender Queer and All Boys..."
i agree. they are teens. they are going to be curious and sexually active by their own choice.
K.L. wrote: "Jen wrote: "Is it just me, or has Goodreads been marking entire discussion threads from last year as unread for anyone else?"It's not just you. I just went to update one of my comments for the Mo..."
Jen, its driving me nuts as some threads have thousands of posts! Glad to know it is not just me, though.
As a 12 year old who read The Mists of Avalon , this book has incest, three-ways/sex both in general and gay, religion/paganism, among other things. The reason I got away with it in the first place was because my parents knew how much I liked the actress Julianna Margulies from 'ER' so they let me watch the TNT movie adaptation. At the time when I saw the movie I just closed my eyes, when my parents and I watched the movie, no big deal. As I got older it became less of a problem. I'm surprised this book isn't on any banned books and I've looked for it everywhere.I guess my point is because I was that age I don't have a problem with banned books no matter the topic. I think kids need to explore regardless of what's involved.
The Color Purple, Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn, Shakespeare, The Crucible, Their Eyes Were Watching God- yes these books have some heavy themes and words, but they remain classics for a reason. It's how the books were written at the time and I think by ignoring that we are ignoring the history of literature, we're trying to cancel it and that's something I do not agree with.
If other people want to cancel it then fine that's their issue. I'm not going to tell them what to read just like they shouldn't tell me or anyone else what to read. I've always told myself that if I ever had kids, I would let them read what they're interested in no matter how old they were.
*****
One parent at my mom's school questioned if her kid could read the book "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson. The kid was 14 and my mom vouched for it because she saw the impact the book had, not just on me because I will always advocate for that book, but because she's seen the power of it elsewhere. Yes, "Speak" deals with a heavy topic of sexual assault, but if a parent or anyone actually read the book they would come to see that it is so much more than that.
Theresa wrote: "To me the biggest single argument for never banning anything or preventing books being taught or read or available is the fact that without books, far too many, both children and adults, would be u..."Theresa, you comments reminded me of how naive I was as a youngster. I went away to cheerleading camp, which necessitated a train trip. On the way back I got to petting heavily with a young man. No body contact other than lips, but heaving stroking through underwear made me think for weeks that I might get pregnant. The sad part was that I was pre-teen and had never had that discussion with my doctor father or nurse mother. Oh, and I should say that I began my period at age 9.
Happy Thursday! It's been beautifully cool this week. I love it! We better have a nice snowy winter!Currently Reading
A Crown of Swords for "book you should have read in high school." I got widely distracted from reading this week, but I should be finished with this soon!
QotW
In a way. I remember reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in AP English and had to have parent permission to study it since it was technically banned for use of the"n" word and other racial insensitivities. And my teacher was good at explaining the historical context of the book and why these things were hurtful to the Black community, but that if we filter that out, we have a good coming-of-age story we can study. Now, I understand why this book is banned in high schools unless you're a higher level student because the average teen is not going to be able to read that on their own and be mature about it. It definitely takes maturity and a good teacher to sift out the good from the bad. So I appreciated that our school allowed certain classes with both of those things to study it. Generally I do understand why banned books are banned. I may not agree with it, but I understand why the decision was made.
Bea wrote: "Theresa wrote: "To me the biggest single argument for never banning anything or preventing books being taught or read or available is the fact that without books, far too many, both children and ad..."You are the first woman I have met who started their period at a younger age than I did! Mine arrived on my 10th birthday and I was petrified. I had no idea and my mother, who was a wonderful forward thinking woman, had never explained anything and did a bad job when I went to her scared to death. She did get me some pamphlets though and tried. This was 1965 - a very different world. I think I started so early she was in a panic. Even though I grew up on a farm and had the basic knowledge of where babies came from, my parents still sheltered their daughters. My younger sisters got lots of explanations before it all happened though! I made sure of that!
Plus both my younger sisters had the benefit of Judy Blume.
Jen wrote: "Happy Thursday!Is it just me, or has Goodreads been marking entire discussion threads from last year as unread for anyone else?
Finished:
The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea by [..."
Not just you, I too noticed the glitchreads acting up.
Happy check-in! I have basically read nothing this week. Allergies really took me out from the weekend on, and concentrating on literally anything has been a struggle. I think the smokiness of the last week made everything worse. But I have lots of fun halloween books and graphic novels planned for the next few weeks, so hopefully even if my brain's still foggy I can at least focus on thoseFinished- nothing!
Currently reading- I've kind of started Greek Lessons, Chlorine and Look at Me, but I'm maybe 20 pages into each. If I can get these allergies sorted, maybe I'll actually be able to focus on a page for longer than a few minutes at a time.
QotW- Honestly not really. I think if I knew there was something I really hate in a book I'd avoid it if possible. I have read books that I absolutely hate and are really awful, but still wouldn't think it should be banned.
I’m getting around them by using the notification bell. They will actually link to the newest messages.
Happy check-in! Today was another beautiful day here. I'm getting close to being finished PS and ATY.Finished Reading:
A Shadow Crown ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Book two of a fantasy series about the fae.
Tegan and Sara: Junior High ⭐⭐⭐
This was a cute graphic novel that I was expecting to be nonfiction but they set this story as if they were in junior high today as opposed to 1991.
The Dire Days of Willowweep Manor ⭐⭐⭐
This graphic novel is great for gothic romance fans or anyone who read Wuthering Heights or Jane Eyre for a laugh.
Persephone: Hades' Torment ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A Greek Myth graphic novel. I really liked the monochromatic art.
Master of Iron ⭐⭐
This was a dnf last year. The mc of this ya fantasy has a lot of anxiety and could be autistic which was well done. The pacing and the intelligence of the mc changing to make the plot work were where it went wrong for me.
iZombie, Vol. 4: Repossession ⭐⭐
The final volume to finish these comics off. I really like how this was changed for the tv show.
We Are Not Strangers ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (ATY UNESCO)
This graphic novel was a great surprise. The author looked into family history during WWII in Seattle and how is grandfather, a Jewish immigrant, helped Japanese neighbours when the U.S. government imprisoned those with Japanese heritage. It counts as historical fiction though.
PS 49/50
Nadine's 10/10
ATY 51/52
Goodreads 203/250
Currently Reading:
Norse Mythology
QOTW:
I can't think of a banned book that I've read where I agreed with the content being banned.
I understand managing and labeling books with an age range in libraries, particularly in schools but straight out banning is sad.
I will be officially retired as of tomorrow. It seems really strange that I have almost nothing concrete planned for the rest of my life (I've been putting off decisions until next week). It's been a very stressful week with doc appointments and tests, as well as my Mom's medical issues. I plan to do nothing but sleep and read for the weekend, and I hope I feel like starting the rest of my life on Monday.Does anyone else hate having people buy them lunch, or is it just me? I have always hated the feeling of obligation in paying it back. I don't feel like I can order what I really want as I tend to like the more expensive options, and I inevitably am uncomfortable with the situation. While I have told my supervisor that I didn't want a big luncheon because I'm not well enough to handle a lot of people, I thought a couple of small lunches would be fine. But yet again, it gets uncomfortable and weird because people fight to buy my lunch, and then others feel bad that they didn't get to do so because one person refuses to take money from anyone else. Ugh! I really don't like it. I get that people are trying to be nice, and I am grateful on one level but annoyed on another.
Finished
Sanctuary by Paola Mendoza - 4 stars
I read this for Hispanic Heritage Month, and I loved it. I could hardly put it down as I couldn't wait to see what happened to these illegal immigrants when the country started using technology to track them all down (set in the near future).
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy - 4 stars; PS #49 longest book in TBR
I did it! I finished it. And I really liked it a lot. I listened to one translation on audiobook (61 hours!) and followed along with a different translation on kindle, just to see the differences. Personally, other than sentence structure and word choices, both conveyed all of the same things and it wouldn't matter which one was read. I knew little about Napolean Bonaparte's invasion of Russia around 1812, and the war parts were quite informational and well-written. I also enjoyed his political commentary about this period of time (it was written about 50 years later). And I really liked the characters he used to personalize the events of that time period. I've meant to read this book for decades, and I was delighted to check it off my personal Before I Die list.
Goodreads: 61/90
Popsugar: 44/50
QOTW:
I, as well as the rest of you, do not believe books should be banned. That doesn't mean that I think all books should be in all schools, but I think school librarians likely do a decent job of picking age appropriate books for their libraries. However, they would need to be very careful to not let their own beliefs and prejudices influence those decisions, understanding that just because they don't want to read it doesn't mean that no one else should either. By high school age, there is little that I would think would be inappropriate. I agree that children will self-regulate. I did, even though I read a few books that my mom would have disapproved of (as kids are wont to do). Fortunately, I read so much that she never had any idea what I was reading.
K.L. wrote: "~Horrorstör — This is one of the most clever horror novels that I have ever read. The story was really good, and the way in which Hendrix formatted the book (making it look like an IKEA catalogue) was very clever. I’m glad that I took this opportunity to re-read this book (which I originally borrowed as an ebook from my local library), and I would definitely recommend reading a physical copy instead of an ebook if this is something you’re interested in reading."I didn't realize this was a catalogue setup and I recently read it via audiobook, it was still a 4 star read for me. The audiobook did a decent job of selling catalogue satire by having two narrators, one for the furniture and one for the story. Down the road I might track down a physical copy.
Happy Thursday y'all.Posting my Thursday update from Disneyland! It's been an exhausting week so far, but fun. Probably going to take it easy the final couple of days of my vacation...
Books read this week:
Jennie: A Novel -- a scientist attempts to raise a chimpanzee as one of his own children, with heartbreaking consequences. A surprisingly poignant read.
Elf Dog and Owl Head -- a charming fairy tale that also talks about the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic and the days of quarantine.
The Three Christs of Ypsilanti: A Psychological Study -- the story of three patients in a mental institution who believe they’re Jesus Christ could have been interesting… but man, was this a dry read.
Starter Villain -- not one of John Scalzi’s best, but still fun.
Currently Reading:
One White Dolphin
The Day of the Triffids
Time's Mouth
QOTW:
I mean... I can see why people want a book to be banned. Usually, though, it's because "this book has an LGBTQ character or talks about sex, therefore it's evil and must be banned." I don't have a lot of sympathy for book banners.
Seriously what is up with GR? It keeps giving "new" messages in terms of for example (86 new messages, etc.) I hope they fix it.
Erica wrote: "I didn't realize this was a catalogue setup and I recently read it via audiobook, it was still a 4 star read for me. The audiobook did a decent job of selling catalogue satire by having two narrators, one for the furniture and one for the story. Down the road I might track down a physical copy."Having two narrators is such a great idea! That would definitely help to sell you on the book's catalogue design.
I really enjoyed having a chance to read the physical book. When I originally read it as an ebook, I was reading it on my library's app, and the format was somewhat wonky as a result. Reading a physical copy allowed me to have a chance to read the sections where the print is on the smaller side. I was also able to see the pictures of the products more clearly (instead of cut apart and spread out over two ebook pages), which was so helpful.
Now I'm really interested in listening to the audiobook and re-reading my physical copy at the same time. I'll have to do that when I get a chance!
Mandy wrote: "I’m getting around them by using the notification bell. They will actually link to the newest messages."I've also noted that if I check the all read button at the end of the unread list for a particular group it will clear the numbers until the next refresh.
Happy Friday, now!The GR glitch is super annoying, I keep reading the same threads over and over hoping they'll finally mark as read.
This week, I only finished Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, which I didn't get into as much as I was hoping. Used for ATY's NPR Books we Love selection.
Currently reading The Terror, not for any prompt. But saw it at the library when I was last there and I couldn't resist - I lived in Northern Canada for a bit and was occasionally traveling to Gjoa Haven when they found the Terror wreck there in 2016. I've just started but already in some of the passages when they're talking about how the cold feels, and the 22 hours of darkness, I'm like "yep, I remember that!"
Getting close-ish to the end of the challenges (5 to go for ATY, 9 to go for PS, 1 to go for Nadine's), but I have to remember not to get too distracted with other reads so I do in fact finish.
QotW
I have always been strongly against any sort of book banning, but where I'm starting to question it is regarding hate speech. Things like Mein Kampf, or a mass shooter's manifesto. I used to believe free speech was paramount, and those ideas could be debated, but now I think that won't happen, and there will be enclaves of people or corners of the Internet where those things will be celebrated in a way they absolutely shouldn't be.
Back to the question itself, I haven't read any of those things myself, but I'm definitely open to banning texts like that.
Hi all, Got back from the family trip I wasn't looking forward to. It was ok, but went pretty much how I expected. Had some fun hiking, but not a relaxing trip at all, and got food poisoning to boot. So still feeling kinda crummy. And my birthday party is tomorrow and not really in great shape for it. So still kind of upset about the whole overshadowing of my 40th for this trip. Hopefully I wake up tomorrow feeling better.
This week I finished:
Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology Like most short story collections, some I liked, others I didn't. Overall enjoyed, glad I read it.
The Final Gambit - the last book of the first arc of the inheritance games. I liked the series, and I was pretty satisfied how it ended. Addressed at least most my concerns about how they were handling the billionaire status of the family, and the whole annoying love triangle-ness. It was a fun series, and I put a hold on the Brothers Hawthorn which seems to be starting a new arc from one of the brother's perspectives instead of Avery's.
A Simple Favor - this was alright. I think i still kind of liked the movie more, although that might be because I watched it first. I don't think I like the story in general all that much, but I like Anna Kendrick and Blake lively so without them you're just left with the kinda ick factor of everything.
A Closed and Common Orbit - finished my bedtime re-read.
Currently reading:
A Marvellous Light - just started, for an online book club. no real opinions yet
Lessons in Chemistry - audio book, just started for genre genius book to movie adaption. i know it's a tv series, but close enough.
QOTW:
I've read plenty of banned books. I can sometimes understand why someone would not want THEIR particular child not to read a book, even if I might not agree with it. I never understand book banning as a whole. And I think there is a big difference between something like say a school library saying "we think this book is beyond the age appropriate level for our students so we will not carry it in our school library" and banning it. I'm a firm believer that it's a parent's job to parent their kids, and that everyone has a responsibility to control their own reading and viewing. So if you catch your kid reading something you feel is inappropriate, that means YOU did not do a good enough job in either monitoring their reading or explaining your reasoning as to why certain things are off limits for now. I know some kids will rebel for the sake of rebelling, but many will follow rules if they understand why rules are in place.
It's been awhile since I've checked -- lots going on in September for me! This will probably be a longish check-in since I've read a lot since my last one. Three worked for open prompts, so I've finally got some movement again. I'm now at 34/40 and 5/10 for this challenge, and have read 86 books so far this year (my original Goodreads Reading Challenge goal was 75!).Finished:
* The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave, which I used for "a book becoming a tv show or a movie in 2023." It was fine, but I figured out the mystery pretty early on and found myself a little irritated with the main character since she seemed so set on the possible explanations for the disappearance;
* The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik Backman and narrated by Santino Fontana, which I used for "the shortest book (by pages) on your TBR list." It clocked in at just 65 pages;
* Deus X by Stephen Mack Jones, which was a Giveaways win and thoroughly enjoyable;
* All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson, which I used "a book that's been banned or challenged in any state in 2022." Which makes this week's check-in question timely for me;
* The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles, which is one of my book clubs' picks for September. We were supposed to get together tomorrow to discuss, but I think we're rescheduling;
* Ten Women by Marcela Serrano and translated by Beth Fowler, which I used for one of the Kindle Summer Challenge prompts; and,
* Lost Hours by Paige Shelton, which I received as a NetGalley from the publisher. I haven't read this series previously, but have read another book by this author. It was a little dark, but still more of a cozy (at least to me). It was easy to pick this up without having read the previous books in the series.
Currently Reading:
* The Buenos Aires Quintet by Manuel Vázquez Montalbán, which I still haven't actually read. I did, however, open the book at some point this month. So, one step closer to resuming it;
* Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver, which is my other book clubs' pick for September...but...we pushed the discussion to October because several of us were having trouble getting copies. My library STILL has 12-week waits on every possible version, even though it's been out so long (which actually makes me kinda happy because Barbara Kingsolver is one of my favorite authors). I ended up using a bookshop.org gift card I received for my birthday to order a copy. I was happy to add this one to the other Kingsolver books that I have in my collection; and,
* Boundary Boss: The Essential Guide to Talk True, Be Seen, and (Finally) Live Free by Terri Cole. I first came across her on Insight Timer and then started listening to her podcast regularly, so I thought I'd check out her book. I really like the writing style - it reads just like she's talking directly to you in her calm, soothing voice.
QotW:
Have you ever read a banned book and really understood what has people banning it? Not that you would actually condone banning it but it makes sense? Honestly, no, I haven't. I do enjoy reading the book ban/challenge rationales, though. I think my favorite was A Wrinkle in Time, which was banned/challenged for being TOO religious and also for being ANTI-religion (oh, the witches!). To me, it just reinforces the idea that not every book is for every reader. I have signed several book banning petitions and contacted my local, state, and federal representatives about this issue. I also make it a point to read at least one of the top ten challenged books when the list comes out. That's partly how I picked All Boys Aren't Blue this year. The other reason I picked it was because my local library included it in the graphic it used for a fundraiser (you could buy t-shirts, totes, and coffee mugs) and that was the only title I hadn't read previously. Now, when I wear my t-shirt and drink a tasty hot beverage out of that mug, I can be a little smug about the fact I can talk about all those banned books 📚☕️🤓
I'm a day late due to too many things going on yesterday. So, happy belated Thursday.I finished two books - one a 5 star picture book (on the relatable topic of overcoming fear of the dark) and one a 2.5 star boring AF Nobel winner involving Danish and Swedish history. Ironically, I could only find a PS prompt for one and a ATY prompt for the other.
My extra-long last book of a series is limping along. I started the last of my September books (a random book), which is short and keeps you reading. I'll finish tomorrow and then it's onto "spookier" books for October.
Finished:
The Darkest Dark
ATY prompt: none
Popsugar prompt: A book with a pet character
The Fall of the King
ATY prompt: A book by an author from continental Europe
Popsugar prompt: none
Series - 12/15
Series Completed: - Lying Games, Bronwyn the Witch, Divergent, Millenium, Heather Wells
Nobel laureates - 6/7
Random books - 5/7
ATY - 36/40
PS - 32/30
Nadine's 23 challenge - 10/10 -Completed!
Summer challenge: 12/12 - Completed!
Around the year in 52 movies - 40/52
39. A western - Unforgiven
Currently reading:
City of Heavenly Fire - 45% done
How a Woman Becomes a Lake - 80% done
Buddy Reads:
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - 30/37 chapters
A Light in the Window - 20/21 chapters
QOTW: I suppose so. I could see why Russia banned Animal Farm and The Gulag Archipelago 1918–1956. I can't really see why parts of the US are banning Beloved. It was actually more boring than I thought it would be.
Happy Friday! It's currently a deluge here in New York. Apparently, a state of emergency has been declared. I am glad I don't live in an area that's prone to flooding. Hoping Nadine, Jennifer and Theresa are all faring OK.My biggest problem right now is this weather is just not conducive to working from home (although glad I didn't have to commute in this weather). I just want to curl up with tea, a blanket and a book.
Finished:
The Quiet Tenant
Charlotte Illes Is Not a Detective
Fourth Wing
The Swimmer
Now that I am done with all challenges, I am using the random function on my TBR to pick my next book. Last year this led to some pretty bad reads. But this year has been fine so far.
Currently reading:
Happiness Falls
Rabbits
QOTW:
I don't agree with any book banning, so I would say no.
I was just talking to a young family member who is a high school English teacher. She gets complaints from parents all the time about assigned books they feel are inappropriate. She gives the kids an alternate assignment. On the one hand, it's great that parents are on top of what their kids are assigned. On the other hand, their reasoning for not wanting their kids to read the books are ridiculous. These are high schoolers, they are watching way worse things on streaming that their parents have no idea about.
Also, I am so naive that I said I am surprised the parents are reading these entire books ahead of time to screen them. Haha. I guess they just google for problematic content.
Mod
No deluge up here! Just enough rain to keep me from mowing the lawn.
Also, I am so naive that I said I am surprised the parents are reading these entire books ahead of time to screen them.
LOL Teachers always seem surprised when I start talking about the books assigned for class. If I've read it, I have a comment, if I haven't, I ask questions about it and excitedly make plans to read it. I'm going to guess that most parents have no interest in it and have not read the books.
Nadine in NY wrote: "Milena wrote: "Happy Friday! It's currently a deluge here in New York. Apparently, a state of emergency has been declared. I am glad I don't live in an area that's prone to flooding. Hoping Nadine,..."Sunny here in the Finger Lakes! It's been mostly cloudy all day, but no rain. Stay safe downstate!
I'll post a real update when I finish reading a book! I'm determined!!
Changing up my book project. I was originally going to do all 5 books that would be Indigenous YA NF, but then I figured I would challenge myself and do 2 Indigenous YA.
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
If I Ever Get Out of Here (other topics)The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee (Young Readers Adaptation): Life in Native America (other topics)
Hearts Unbroken (other topics)
Frankenstein: The 1818 Text (other topics)
Grimoire Girl: A Memoir of Magic and Mischief (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Karin Slaughter (other topics)Jane Harper (other topics)
Claire Keegan (other topics)
Santino Fontana (other topics)
Stephen Mack Jones (other topics)
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Admin stuff - nothing new, we are in a holding pattern now! All group reads have been chosen, and now we just wait to see if Popsugar publishes a 2024 Challenge. (If they don't, we'll figure something else out. I cannot be without a reading challenge, nor can I be without our weekly chats!!)
September group read of Longbournis finishing up: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
October group read will be: The Complete Maus
Looking ahead, November will be The Night Circus & December will be Bookshops & Bonedust
This week I finished 3 books.
Tomb of the Golden Bird by Elizabeth Peters - I'm slowly working my way through the last of the Amelia Peabody mysteries, I love the audiobooks read by Barbara Rosenblat, her Amelia is exactly the voice I had in my head when I would read the books. I checked off the AtY category "a category that didn't make the list this year" (and no I do not remember what category I was aiming for - it was something to do with Egypt or King Tut).
The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya - this isn't my usual sort of book, I just wanted a short audiobook and thought I could find something to read for Hispanic Heritage Month that also filled one of the last few reading challenge categories I had: a title with a full name (for AtY). Voila, category complete. The book was okay, but I'm not the intended audience. The author read the audiobook and he did a GREAT job.
A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher - this was fantastic!! I had high expectations, and this met and even exceeded them. It's so nice when that happens :-) I used this book for the "Spice Girls" category in AtY (GINGERbread cookies for Ginger Spice) AND I decided my best friend would like this, so I checked off that category (finally) in Popsugar.
Popsugar 96% 48 /50
Must Reads 75% 9 /12
Nay's Winter 70% 7 /10
AtY 94% 49 /52
I am now SO CLOSE to finishing both Popsugar and AtY. I also have a bunch of new 2023 publications borrowed from the library that I want to read, and I did have plans for more Hispanic Heritage reading, but I think I'm setting almost all of that aside (except for what I am currently reading) and I'll focus on the last few books I need for both reading challenges. Once I get THAT out of the way, I can focus on new books and cultural appreciation books and the other two mini challenges (that old "winter" challenge I shared, and my own list of books to read in 2023).
Question of the Week
Have you ever read a banned book and really understood what has people banning it? Not that you would actually condone banning it but it makes sense?
This question was suggested by Theresa, to coincide with banned book week, which starts in a few days (Oct 1-7).
And my answer is: yes, once.
Back when I was an insufferable college student attempting to Read All the Intellectual Things - you know what I mean, Henry Miller and Anais Nin and Rimbaud and Jean Genet and all the rest of them - I ordered myself a copy of a collection of writings by the Marquis de Sade from the old Loompanics Catalog. I don't remember exactly which books were collected, but it included a horrible, truly sadistic scene that would only seem interesting or pleasurable to someone who enjoys the sexual torture of unwilling young women. That was the first time I had encountered something so vile. Prior to that, I didn't realize people like that actually existed. I won't go into the details, it involved venereal disease and an innocent young woman, and if you've read it, you know what I'm talking about. There was no literary or philosophical or even erotic value in that writing. It was just purely vile, misogynistic, and hateful. I guess what I learned from that is that the Marquis really did deserve to be locked up, and it was not just a puritanical society upset over nothing. If his writings disappeared off the planet Earth, we'd all be better off for it.