Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2023 Weekly Check-Ins
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Week 40: 9/28 - 10/5
Happy Thursday everyone.We are also having what Nadine called Indian summer. It went up to almost 30 yesterday and we're setting records.
How a Woman Becomes a Lake was disappointing. It wasn't much of a mystery. I figured out who did it ridiculously a shortly into the book. One character disappears with no resolution in a book that only had 7 characters. I feel bad for every PS or STY listopia I added it to.
I am enjoying my October books. Daisy Darker seems deliciously creepy and I'm barely into it. Like a Charm is a prequel in which a supporting character from other books is given a chance to be the main character. She's a librarian who talks to ghosts. How fun is that?
Finished:
How a Woman Becomes a Lake
ATY prompt: A book with a body of water in the title
Popsugar prompt: A book about divorce
Series - 12/15
Series Completed: - Lying Games, Bronwyn the Witch, Divergent, Millenium, Heather Wells
Nobel laureates - 6/7
Random books - 6/7
ATY - 38/40
PS - 33/30
Nadine's 23 challenge - 10/10 -Completed!
Summer challenge: 12/12 - Completed!
Around the year in 52 movies - 41/52
40. A movie with a full name in the title - Ruby Bridges
Currently reading:
City of Heavenly Fire - 70% done
Like a Charm - 40% done
Daisy Darker - 10% done
Buddy Reads:
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - 33/37 chapters
QOTW: I still have 2 more books planned for this month, 4 for November, and 2 for December. October and November are planned. I'm keeping December open for now. I'm disappointed because a book I planned to read this year will not be ready for me to read until 2024 (based on library wait lists.) It is Riley Sager's "The House Across the Lake". I was going to use it for PS's prompt about a book you meant to read in 2022. (So, I'm really behind with that book.)
Happy Thursday, everyone!Apart from my cat’s vet appointment, a badly needed maintenance visit to repair my malfunctioning ice maker, and a subsequent visit to Lowe’s to buy a new refrigerator after hearing the quote to fix the ice maker, the rest of this week’s commitments have actually been fun activities!
On Tuesday evening, I had a chance to attend a Nightmare Before Christmas themed craft night at one of my local libraries. I had a chance to make some super cute coasters, which I will definitely be using throughout the spooky season. If you want to check out what I created, I did post a picture on Instagram. My Instagram handle is @unapologbkworm.
I also started my yearly Halloween Horror Movie-thon on Sunday evening. So far I’ve watched The Addams Family, Haunted Honeymoon, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and The Haunted Mansion (2023).
I did decide to blend my spooky movies with spooky television shows this year, so I also watched the Re:Mind series on Netflix. I thought it was an interesting show, but I wasn’t satisfied with the ending. Now that I’ve finished that show, I have added Are You Afraid of the Dark? and Stranger Things to my nightly movie lineup.
It has been so nice to have fun things on the schedule this week instead of back-to-back doctor’s appointments! I could really get used to this!
In other news, it has been a great week for reading!
Seasons of Reading’s FrightFall Readathon started on Sunday morning, and I just couldn’t resist joining in the fun. I think this is only my second year participating in this particular readathon, and I’m really enjoying myself so far. I’m going to be focusing pretty heavily on reading horror, mysteries, and thrillers throughout the month of October, but I’m also not going to restrict myself from reading other genres if the mood strikes. I’ll also be posting readathon updates on Instagram if you’d like to follow my progress there.
Here are my current challenge and TBR totals…
Goodreads Challenge: 722/400 (Challenge Complete!)
Mount TBR Challenge: 150/150 (Challenge Complete!)
📚Physical TBR: 294/634
📱Ebook TBR: 21/236
🎧Audiobook TBR: 12/13
TBR Checklist Total: 327/883 (37.0% complete)
I did pick up a couple of new releases this week. They were Lore Olympus: Volume Five, by Rachel Smythe; and Making It So: A Memoir, by Sir Patrick Stewart. I’m really looking forward to reading both of these books as soon as possible.
“New” Books Bought in 2023: 414
“New” Books Read in 2023: 388/414 (93.7% complete)
Here are the books I finished this week…
Finished Reading (Fiction):
~Karn — This is the third book in the My Single Alien series. I thought this was a really good story, and a fun continuation of the series. That being said, I didn’t really care for the main characters. Content Alert: (view spoiler) 📱: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Iska — This is the fourth book in the My Single Alien series. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and it actually ended up being my favorite book in the series! I loved the two main characters, and thought the fact that they were both gamers was a lot of fun. Content Alert: (view spoiler) 📱: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Rane — This is the fifth book in the My Single Alien series. I thought this was a good continuation of the series. Content Alert: (view spoiler)📱: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Home Before Dark — This was actually a re-read for me, but since it was my first time reading my own copy, I am counting it toward my “New Books” goal for 2023. I enjoyed this book just as much as I did the first time I read it! It was a great story, and had some very spooky moments. Content Alert: (view spoiler) 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Alfred Hitchcock's Haunted Houseful — My dad picked up a copy of this book for me at Half Price Books earlier this year. It was one that he remembered reading when he was a kid, and he thought that I would enjoy it. The book includes 9 spooky stories by a variety of authors. I really enjoyed all of them! 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Finished Reading (Nonfiction):
None
Finished Reading (Manga, Comic Books, & Graphic Novels):
None
Finished Reading (Poetry and Drama):
None
DNFed:
~Knox — This is the first book in the Dead Souls Motorcycle Club series. I am actually planning to finish this book, so this is not a permanent DNF. Since I was only about 10 pages into it when FrightFall started this week, it just made sense to set it aside for now. I’ll probably pick it back up at the beginning of November. 📱
Currently Reading:
~Sherlock Holmes and Philosophy: The Footprints of a Gigantic Mind — This book is from the Pop Culture and Philosophy series. I’m kind of struggling to enjoy this book at the moment. I think I’m just not in a philosophy mood. I will eventually finish it, but it may take me a while. 📚
~Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide — This book continues to be very interesting. I’m currently about 20% of the way through it. 📚
~The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel: A Story of Sleepy Hollow — This book tells the story of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow from Katrina’s perspective. I love the original story, and have read several other retellings, so I am very excited to finally have a chance to read this one. I’m currently on chapter 16, and really enjoying it so far. 📚
~Survive the Night — This book is a re-read for me, but since it’s the first time I’ve read my own copy, I am counting it toward my “New Books” list total. 📚
~Pressed to Death — This is the second book in the Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum series. I’m really enjoying this book, and will probably finish it later this afternoon. 📚
QOTW:
There are quite a few books that I’m planning to read before the end of 2023, but I think I’m most excited about System Collapse, by Martha Wells.
Happy Thursday!I got the line work done for my new tattoo last Friday, so now it's healing before I get the color added in a few weeks. And I'm seeing The Wiz in Cleveland tomorrow night, and looking forward to it! Book-wise, I've done a fair job of reading one book at a time this year (max 2 bc office audiobook) but it seems I've been sucked back into multiple just now, and I'm afraid of it causing a slump - but we'll see!
Finished:
Just one this week, Six of Crows - 3.5 stars. I'm glad I gave it a second try, even if the story didn't do much for me. I can see why others love it, and I enjoyed the audiobook considerably. I'll probably pick up Crooked Kingdom eventually, and I want to try her upcoming release as well before I fully say Bardugo isn't for me.
DNF My Dear Henry: A Jekyll & Hyde Remix - half done with the audio and I was enjoying it, but I think Hyde was severely mischaracterized. Either way, it's got me hankering for a Jekyll/Frankenstein crossover, or even a Jekyll/Dracula crossover (I'd call it R/Enfield), and definitely in the mood to get back to my stage adaptation I had started working on several years ago.
PS 40/50
ATY 48/52
Mount TBR 44/60
I'll likely not finish the PS challenge this year, but I'm hoping to wrap up my ATY and Mount TBR goals by the end of December!
Currently:
The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper - started this afternoon after DNFing My Dear Henry
The Complete Peter Rabbit - planning on giving this to my sister as a baby shower gift, and decided I should definitely read all the stories first. Potter's illustrations are delightful.
A Night in the Lonesome October - a monthlong readalong with friends, as each chapter covers a day in October. Early, but liking it so far!
The Once and Future Witches - still rereading!
QOTW: Is there any particular book that you still intend to read before the end of 2023?
Oh yes!
Starling House as soon as it arrives
The Words of Kings and Prophets as soon as I make time
and hopefully Bookshops & Bonedust
I finished A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail. I can't decide which I want to do less. Climb Mt. Everest or hike the Appalachian Trail. But, it's fun to read about.I read The Shell Seekers. I only liked two of the characters. Awful, selfish bunch.
I'm reading Black Girl / White Girl. Not liking it so far, but willing to see where it's going.
QOTW: Winds of Winter. Ha ha, just kidding. I always read a Christmas book in December, but I don't have a particular one picked out as yet, so I guess not.
Hi all, Got the latest covid booster yesterday, so far just have a bit of a sore arm. Hopefully it stays that way!
Been doing my drawlloween club paintings this week, so keeping busy.
This week I finished:
A Marvellous Light - This was fun, read it for an online book club. Immediately went out to get the second. Fair warning, it has a LOT of not-closed-door spice, for those who don't go for that. But the romance part was very sweet and charming. And while I'm sometimes hit or miss on historical fantasy, I liked that aspect of this one.
Mika in Real Life- my next Books & Brews irl book club pick. This is our library community read so the author will be coming in and doing a talk. I had mixed feelings about this one. It was a really easy read, went fast. However deliberate lying/fake identity/false life stuff just gives me secondhand anxiety so bad. The back of the book even says it comes crashing down, and i just kept putting it down and pacing going "this is a bad idea, that's not going to work, this is going to explode." I know that's the point of the book, but it just is a difficult trope for me to read. And then it goes and happens AGAIN later in the book, after specifically saying "hey we really shouldn't hide this thing". There were some other bits that kind of bothered me to. However I did like Mika and Penny and their relationship, and her and THomas' and the friendships she had etc. And the writing in general was pretty solid.
Lessons in Chemistry - I did the audio for this, I needed a book being made into a movie for my genre genius, I'm counting a tv series because whatever, close enough. I liked this, I didn't really know what to expect going in. With the cartoony cover, I kinda thought it was just a typical beach read/rom com type thing. I didn't really expect the more serious full of depth story instead. I enjoyed listening to it quite a bit. However I do feel like it was more of a wish-fullfillment type book than a real historical fiction book.
Currently reading:
A Restless Truth - second book in the restless binding trilogy, liking it quite a bit.
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics - current audio book, needed another sports book for my genre genius challenge.
QOTW:
I don't have set in stone plans, but some tentative plans are to read Bookshops & Bonedust, Stealing from Wizards: Volume 3: Kidnapping, System Collapse. Plus I've been meaning to do a re-read of the October Daye series and then finally get caught up with it.
Happy Thursday! We’ve had our first cold weather! Yay! I had to turn on the heater because it got down to 30 something degrees. There’s nothing that says winter like the smell of burning hair when you first turn on the heater.
Only I had to turn on the air conditioner again yesterday because it’s going to be in the 80s over the weekend. Boo!
So, who is going to be in the path of the annular eclipse? I live in the 90% coverage area. We made packets full of crafts and are giving out glasses at the library. We got a ton of them to give away. Sadly, we will not be on the path for the next one in April. That one is going to go down the East Coast next year.
Popsugar: 30/50
Finished: None
Reading: None that I’m aware of
Aty:37/52
Finished:None
Reading: None that I’m aware of
Goodreads Challenge 544/400
Finished:
Penguin and Pinecone A friendship story
The Great Cleric: (Light Novel) Volume 10
The Drab Princess, the Black Cat, and the Satisfying Break-up Vol. 3
The Obsessed Hero and the Villainous Family's Daughter: Volume II
Since I Was Abandoned After Reincarnating, I Will Cook With My Fluffy Friends Volume 1
Since I Was Abandoned After Reincarnating, I Will Cook With My Fluffy Friends Volume 2
Since I Was Abandoned After Reincarnating, I Will Cook With My Fluffy Friends Volume 3
Since I Was Abandoned After Reincarnating, I Will Cook With My Fluffy Friends Volume 4
Wrong Number Text
Billionaire's Baby of Redemption
I Can't Refuse S Vol. 1
Reading:
Since I Was Abandoned After Reincarnating, I Will Cook With My Fluffy Friends: The Figurehead Queen Is Strongest At Her Own Pace, Vol. 5
Gabriel's Redemption
Fourth Wing
Nadine's Mini Challenge 8/10
Finished:
Reading: None
QOTW:
Plans? What are plans?
I plan my Popsugar and Aty and lo and behold I read anything but what I've planned to read. I'm figuring that I'm not going to plan anymore I will make suggestions to myself with a list of of books, but I won't hold myself to it because I know I'm going to wander down the path of fancy and read whatever.
My tentative plans are for my four NetGalley books that I have. They don't come out until next year, but I want to get my reviews in before their street date. (well, now it's 6 because i just checked my NetGalley shelf)
Tales of the Celestial Kingdom
Rebel Skies
Dragon Rider
To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods
Third Shift Society Volume One: A WEBTOON Unscrolled Graphic Novel
Kindling
Happy Thursday, y’all!This has been a slower week for me with few classes scheduled and lots of time for doing my own scheduled interests…and some of those have been skipped, too.
I did start catching up on reading and beginning to kick the slump that I have been in. Yesterday, I sat outside in the sunshine and light breeze, watching the birds at the feeder and birdbath and reading mostly for fun. Delightful.
Finished:
The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate: Discoveries from a Secret World – ATY #36. Learned a lot and really enjoyed the writing. 4*
Foretold – Audiobook. No challenges. Audiobook. This was a continuation of a series (#2) that I had not read in a while. I was able to pick it up fairly easily, though, and remember enough for the continuation. Major surprise twist that I didn’t see coming. Enjoyed this book. 4*
The Last Devil to Die – No challenges. Another continuation of a series (#4). Cozy mystery. Fun read. 4*
Fortune Like the Moon – RwS challenge. A new series. I liked this mystery set in the time of Richard Plantagenet. The Abbess and the knight I hope have an ongoing relationship as the books advance. Each was instrumental in solving one of the murders. Enjoyed the character development. 4*
Currently Reading:
The Beginner's Photography Guide: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Manual for Getting the Most from Your Digital Camera – PS #2. 27%. Started reading this as part of my photography learning plan.
Against All Enemies – Other Challenges, PS #49. 40%. I think I am going to like this HUGE book.
Lavender Lies - Old challenges. 67%
The Confession of Brother Haluin – Other challenges.
How to Fly in Ten Thousand Easy Lessons – RwS challenge. Poetry.
On deck:
Bone Deep – Old challenge.
Dreams and Shadows –Kindle. 13%. Weird book. On hold
Pudd'nhead Wilson – ATY #34. Not yet started.
PS 33/50 and 7/10 for Nadine’s Challenge
ATY 35/52 and 6/12 for Spring Challenge (Q1), Fall Challenge 1/10 (Q4).
GR 195/200
QotW: Is there any particular book that you still intend to read before the end of 2023?
I am sure there are several, but the one that pops into my mind quickest is The Firekeeper’s Daughter.
Happy Thursday!Finished:
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi - 3.5 stars. I enjoyed the stories overall. I don't know if it's the translation, but the stories are told in a very sparse style that was a little hard to connect to.
Comics & manga:
Shortcake Cake, Vol. 11
Shortcake Cake, Vol. 12
Currently reading:
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford - I've already cried once during this.
Upcoming/Planned:
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
QOTW:
Definitely Starling House, since I have it from the library.
Also looking forward to Bookshops & Bonedust and System Collapse in November.
Aside from those and some new manga volumes, I'm just going with my mood and what the library-hold gods give me for the rest of the year. :)
Mod
I finally got to update the monthly group reads listings! I cannot believe we are in the final quarter of 2023!
We have a new monthly group read discussion and I’m awaiting delivery of the book so I can read it… I enjoyed Longbourn so very much and I am hopeful to enjoy this one as well!
ADMIN STUFF:
This is the October Monthly Group Read discussion for The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman is posted in the Current Monthly Group Read folder HERE. This book can be used to fulfill prompt #18 A book that’s been banned or challenged in 2022. Banned Books Week is October 1-7, 2023! Website: https://bannedbooksweek.org/#:~:text=...
Jennifer is the "official organizer" who graciously volunteered to lead this discussion! THANK YOU, JENNIFER!
The November Monthly Group Read will be The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern! (I and the IRL book club I facilitate LOVED this book so much!) This book could be used to fulfill prompt #41 A book written during NaNoWriMo! We are now searching for a “marvelous manager” to lead this discussion! Please message either myself or Nadine to volunteer!
The December Monthly Group Read will be Bookshops & Bonedust (Legends & Lattes #0) by Travis Baldree. This book could be used to fulfill prompt #32 A book published in the last half of 2023. We are seeking a “cool captain” to facilitate this discussion! Please message either myself or Nadine to volunteer!
Just a reminder that the comprehensive listing of 2023 Monthly Group Reads can be found HERE
Question of the Week:
Is there any particular book that you still intend to read before the end of 2023?
For October—Strange Sight (Essex Witch Museum Mystery #2) by Syd Moore. I really enjoyed the first in this series and am hopeful I’ll enjoy the further installments. This is my one read for Halloween/October. Then I’ll need to select a book representative of Hispanic Heritage also for October!
FINISHED:Ali Cross: Like Father, Like Son (Ali Cross #2) by James Patterson ✶✶✶✶✶ was even more enjoyable than the initial book in this series, IMO! Much more realistic portrayal of an adolescent and I admit I relished Ali finally showing himself to be more of a typical kid. I had begun reading The Three-Body Problem and decided I wasn’t really in the mood for it, so read this instead! :))
POPSUGAR:
ATY:
RHC:
CONTINUING:
The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin
PLANNED:
The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth
Happy Thursday! I will admit yesterday was a little too hot for me. It may even have kicked off a hot flash, which I haven't had in over 6 months. Today is better. I just want it to feel like fall for real.Finished:
Fourth Wing
The Swimmer
Happiness Falls I had really been looking forward to Angie Kim's new book. And I did like it. Just not as much as I liked Miracle Creek.
Currently reading:
Rabbits I was dumb enough to turn on the Wifi on my Kindle to download a book, not realizing this one was overdue. Oh well, hope to get it back before I forget everything.
The Cartographers
Western Lane
QOTW:
Not really. Done with all my challenges, so just happy to read whatever. I have my TBR set on random and have been picking my next book that way.
Nadine in NY wrote: "Happy Thursday!! Lynn is still wrestling her computer into submission, so you get me again :-)
We are having an Indian Summer this week. And I always wonder if that term is offensive to Native..."
Actually, Nadine, 'Indian Summer' only applies if the higher temps occur AFTER the first killing frost. Now maybe Syracuse had one of those already but downstate sure hasn't. So this is just a warm autumn or continuation of summer.
Also the concept was one the colonists learned from the local tribes and thus evolved into being called Indian Summer reflective of that concept. It's acknowledging the origins.
It's been in the 80s. Awful.
Happy Thursday!In Dutch, Indian Summer is called an ‘oudewijvenzomer’, which means something as ‘old bitches' summer’. Yes, Dutchies are very blunt.
Back to work this week, and I started with a relatively quiet week. One day left, that’s going to be busy. Software update, so checking all webforms and trying to get a new release out. Also got a new laptop. Completely off the path because of a new keyboard which types completely different and there are keys on different places. Got to find out how I get my favorites back… sigh… will take a while until I’m used to this one. At least it’s smaller, so easier to walk around with.
PS: 37/50 (goal: 40/50)
Total 2023: 53/52
Finished
Lichter dan ik by Dido Michielsen⭐⭐⭐⭐
PS #48, a book that features two languages
Nice read about the life and treatment of a ‘njai’: a mistress to a Dutchman in former Dutch Indies (now: Indonesia).
Currently reading
The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff
QOTW
I’d love to read the latest Nino Haratischwili, Das mangelnde Licht. And I want to read De asielloterij about the Dutch/ European asylum system as preparation for our national elections in November.
On Tuesday I was already thinking that the next day was Friday - it's been a tough work week herding cats - er I mean my clients. I announced to my boss today (me!) that I'm closing early as a partial mental health day because I'm behind on social media, want to finish a jigsaw puzzle in daylight (old eyes/very dark puzzle), and start a new fiction read. She glared and said 'fine!'PS 42/50
Finished: The Stationery Shop - excellent!
Nettle & Bone - loved!
Euphoria - also enjoyed and a bit unexpected
Size Matters - for romance with a fat lead. Bad dialogue that was borderline offensive to all especially when this is supposedly humorous and funny. Had good characters and the sex was smokin'! I think the author should switch to erotica.
Currently reading:
Out of Istanbul: A Journey of Discovery along the Silk Road
Les Miserables - desperately needs my attention.
Starting:
A Free Man of Color - print fiction read
The Time in Between - late night ebook fiction read
Up Next:
Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books
QOTW:
I'm mostly intent on finishing challenges. I do however, dedicate a part of December to reading cozy mysteries and romances set at Christmas.
Happy Thursday!We came home a day early from Disney, as my friend could not take another day. Still had my birthday there yesterday so that was lovely! I queued from 8:30am to the start (10:45am) but it was so worth it to meet Jack & Sally and get their autographs! Jack's is a true work of art.
The day before we met the Cheshire Cat and he was lovely as always! My friend met these three as well and I'm so proud of her.
I am currently utterly exhausted (2 trips in one week is A Lot) but am trying to stay awake until my dad gets home so I can share photos! Will be watching the new OFMD episode after this check in hehe.
Literally have had no time for reading since last week, haha! Friday: Disney. Saturday: Disney. Sunday: home and exhausted. Monday: home and packing and showering. Tuesday: Disney. Wednesday: Disney. Today: travelling home xD
At least now I'm home until October 16 jkasdfa
As for the weather ... let's just say I'm not used to being able to walk around in a tshirt and jeans in October while in Disney, and needing after sun after getting back to the hotel room!
QOTW
The new Percy Jackson book! Since I haven't read a book in months I don't feel comfortable putting more on this list, even though the Scott Lang book came in today and I really want to, but PJO is my main priority!
Happy Thursday!Whoo... Disneyland was fantastic. I came home exhausted, broke, sick from a cold, and with a rash that I'm pretty sure was from the hotel hot tub. But it was still a fantastic week!
Books read this week:
One White Dolphin -- I have a soft spot for dolphins, so I picked this up from a thrift store. It’s a cute read, though I get the feeling it tries to hit too many spots on the middle-grade fiction bingo card (conservation issues, financial struggles, missing/dead parent, main character with learning disability, disabled best friend, etc.)
The Day of the Triffids -- eerie classic sci-fi novel. Not quite as good as The Chrysalids by the same author, but still good.
Time's Mouth -- a magical-realism read about a family fractured by a woman’s ability to time-travel… and the cult she builds up around herself with said ability. A bit slow but rewarding.
Washington's Gay General: The Legends and Loves of Baron von Steuben -- a graphic biography of Baron von Steuben, the first Inspector General of the United States, as well as a look at how queer historical figures are often suppressed by history.
DNF:
Hooky -- the art style is cute, but the characters are obnoxious and the story just doesn’t hold still long enough to explain what is going on.
Currently Reading:
The Man Who Fell to Earth
Elatsoe
Chaos Awakens
The Wild Robot Protects
QOTW:
I intend to read Fourth Wing by the end of the year, if only to see if it lives up to the massive hype.
One Word: Caffeine!I was up all night last night, so I got a bunch of reading done!
Finished: The Chalice of the Gods
The Complete Maus
The Power of Ethics: How to Make Good Choices in a Complicated World
Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life
Hatchet
Read For Your Life: Literature as a Life Support System
QotW: I've got a bunch of books I'd like to read before the end of the year! Some of them are:
The Long Game: How to Be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short-Term World for a challenge involving time with the Dewey Readathon.
Lying for Robot Librarian Challenge
Into the Light This is supposed to be a really disturbing read so I'm not sure I'll make it all the way through, but I've become a fan of Mark Oshiro in general.
The Fragile Threads of Power
Happy Thursday! This old bitch is tired of oudewijvenzomer. Ha! I'm ready for fall: pumpkins, cider, cocoa, Halloween, fall foliage, cuddling in an afghan while I read.Challenge Progress:
52 Book Club: 52/52 (September Mini-Challenge 3/3, October Mini-Challenge 0/3)
ATY: 52/52 (Fall Challenge 6/15)
Popsugar: 48/50 (Nadine's Mini-Challenge 10/10)
Completed:
Rouge: Just as weird as you'd expect a book by Mona Awad to be, and it sucked me right in. ★★★★
The Museum of Ordinary People ★★★
The Weaver and the Witch Queen: The ending was a bit rushed, but otherwise a good read. ★★★★
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea ★★★★
Black Sheep: Loved it! ★★★★★
In the Dream House: Really interesting memoir written as a series of vignettes. ★★★★
The Land of Lost Things ★★★★
The St. Ambrose School for Girls: Full of twists and turns. I'm not always a big fan of thrillers (they're so implausible), but this one hit the sweet spot for me. ★★★★★
Currently Reading:
A Twisted Love Story
Prom Mom
Wolfish: Wolf, Self, and the Stories We Tell About Fear
Everything is F*cked: A Book About Hope
The Old Place
Sisters of the Lost Nation
Penelope in Retrograde
QOTW: I plan to read... whatever the library sends me from my long, long list of holds. Wreck the Halls is waiting for right now. And I'm waiting for The Children on the Hill, The Block Party, Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club, and The Fall: The End of Fox News and the Murdoch Dynasty. I have a shot at getting all of those before the end of the month.
Mod
We’ve had our first cold weather! Yay! I had to turn on the heater because it got down to 30 something degrees. There’s nothing that says winter like the smell of burning hair when you first turn on the heater. ..."
LOL so true!!!
Mod
That seems to be the general consensus on this one. I wasn't expecting much from Miracle Creek and it just blew me away!!. I have now downgraded my expectations dramatically for Happiness Falls. I'll still read it, but maybe I won't get to it until next year.
Mod
I did see that definition in some places, but it doesn't seem to be hard and fast. No we have not had a frost yet. I'm still calling this week "Second Summer" because over 80s all week is HOT for October, esp after the more seasonable cool weather we had. Definitions be damned!!
Mod
In Dutch, Indian Summer is called an ‘oudewijvenzomer’, which means something as ‘old bitches' summer’. Yes, Dutchies are very blunt. ..."
OMG I LOVE that!!!! :-) Maybe that will be my new term for this weather!!!
Mod
Ahhhhhhh I really want to read that book too!! But can it possibly be as charming as Paul Rudd?? I should put it on hold at my library, the wait time is probably long...
Almost forgot about this, but then I didn't! Yes, we're having a Second Summer (I like that term) this week too, but I think tomorrow it's set to end and we finally start the downhill temperature trend. I'm ready for it!Finished 38/50
A Crown of Swords for "book you should have read in high school". Still one of my favourites from the WoT series, which, speaking of, season 2 ends tomorrow. Very excited for the finale!
Peppermints in the Parlor for "book you wish you could read again for the first time". My 4th grade teacher read us this book, one chapter at a time, every day. And it was so good and so exciting that I remembered the name of it decades later. It was the first book I remember really capturing my imagination, and it was nice to go back and revisit it now that I'm a seasoned adult with my own elementary school kid!
Currently Reading
The Redemption of Althalus for "book you read more than 10 years ago". I *think* It's been 10 years since my last reread. I'm fairly certain it is. Close enough anyway!
The Struggle for Virtue: Asceticism in a Modern Secular Society for "book by an author with the same initials as you". STRANGELY hard to find one that isn't my own books! But a friend dug this up out of nowhere, so I'm going to give it a try!
QotW
Oh, I'm finishing the Sanderson Secret Projects this year FOR SURE. And hopefully I'll actually be finishing this challenge too! I just might make it!!
Hi all! Zzzzz.... Utterly exhausted. So. Many. Appointments. I'm free tomorrow and seriously, I don't care if I sleep all day. Even though there's housework to catch up on that I haven't had time/energy thanks to So. Many. Appointments. (ignore my punchiness!) Our youngest cat had been missing for 2 1/2 days, he just showed back up half an hour ago! He's left before, but not for this long. I think he either gets taken in by a neighbor, or gets himself accidentally stuck in a garage or something. This time, we really thought something had happened to him, so we're all shocked he's back! Fool thing...
As expected, I didn't do hardly any reading this week. I think I read a few pages in Homegrown: Timothy McVeigh and the Rise of Right-Wing Extremism, listened to maybe half an hour of The Bonfire of the Vanities and this morning I got a bit of reading done in The Likeness while I was at an appointment.
QOTW: Why yes, I *plan* to "read ALL the things!!" before the end of the year. Realistically... no darn idea! lol The library is open again, but I've been so busy/tired, I haven't had a chance to go and restock.
Nadine in NY wrote: "Theresa wrote: "Actually, Nadine, 'Indian Summer' only applies if the higher temps occur AFTER the first killing frost. ..."I did see that definition in some places, but it doesn't seem to be ha..."
I've heard it is after a snowfall, but I just call it all "New York State weather"!
Happy Thursday! It is so hot today!! I was not prepared, I was getting ready for sweater weather. But! My new allergy medicine actually worked and I can actually breathe again! And sleep! Very exciting stuff. This weekend I got to see one of my favorite singers Rina Sawayama. She put on an amazing show, but it ended so late BART had stopped running so I had to take a pricey Lyft home. But the driver was really funny and had a lot of stories from his time with Uber and Lyft. So it was worth it!
Finished:
Bluets- I know this is very popular, but I am not a fan. At all. But I can pass my copy on to someone who might like it more.
-no prompt
Greek Lessons- a book about language and connection. I liked this, but whenever I read Han King I feel like I don't always get everything that's being said. But I like the writing.
-no prompt
Garlic and the Vampire- a cute middle grade graphic novel about a garlic person and a vampire. Something cute to get the spooky season started.
-no prompt
In Defense of Witches: The Legacy of the Witch Hunts and Why Women Are Still on Trial- a book about feminism and witch hunts. The author is French, so there were a lot of examples and perspectives I hadn't heard before. This is quasi-spooky season related. But most of the feminist books I read have a very US pov, so this was really interesting to read. Also infuriating.
-no prompt
Currently Reading:
Silver Nitrate- this author is super popular and I've never read anything by her. I just started this, but I'm hoping I like it.
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop- finally got a copy back from the library. I have 20 pages left in this, so I'll get to i this weekend
QotW:
So many books I want to read! I think I have still 10 prompts to get to for the challenge, plus a bunch of books I'd wanted to read this year that I still haven't. And then I just made a list of books I want to read for the Halloween season. I think I just want to read everything. Main one though is The Count of Monte Cristo. I"m a fifth of the way through. I just need to actually pick it up...
Happy Thursday! It's been too hot this week but it looks like next week it will cool down. Fall is my favorite season and its always too short. Summer always seems to linger and then winter comes on too fast. Finished:
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (PS fanfiction) 2 stars. Wow. So boring. I normally love books about the villain but they made the wicked witch very dull. I did enjoy the deeper look at the people/culture of Oz.
Rabbits (PS rabbit on cover) 2 stars. Interesting concept but confusing execution. By the end I was still not quite sure what happened or how it all fit together.
Currently reading:
The Hate U Give (PS banned book)
Watchmen (PS published year you were born)
Upcoming:
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches (ATY cover with route of travel)
QOTW: Well I hope I can complete all the books for my challenges. Maybe I will squeeze in a read of Practical Magic for Halloween.
I am getting back into the groove this week after having COVID (first and hopefully only time) all of last week. I did finish one book for the challenge Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. I can’t believe I waited so long to read this. Using it for “a book your best friend would like” as I actually read my BFF’s copy.This week I have been reading The Night Circus. I forgot it was the November group read. C’est la vie. Using that for a book you bought secondhand.
Question of the Week
I am planning to read Crook Manifesto, the latest from Colson Whitehead yet this year. I actually didn’t know it had already been released.
Happy check-in! Strange day. We had to cancel Thanksgiving plans for this weekend because my grandmother got covid yesterday and today is her 94th birthday. She's doing fine and sounds quite chipper. We were going to bring her to our house for birthday and Thanksgiving celebrations but that will be pushed to next weekend.Just had to go outside because the wind was knocking things over and I discovered it was snowing. Yesterday we had a thunderstorm with hail, and Saturday is supposed to be 20 degrees C. October is weird.
Finished Reading:
Norse Mythology ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (ATY School Subject)
This finished my ATY challenge!!! 🥳 I don't know much about Norse Mythology other than the Marvel Movies. Thor with red hair is weird.
The Umbrella Academy, Vol. 3: Hotel Oblivion ⭐⭐⭐
This ended with such a great idea, but I still don't like the artwork.
Thornhedge ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Great novella inspired by the Sleeping Beauty story. Almost 5 stars, I think I wanted more.
The Paris Apartment ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was really good but I was so annoyed with the one character always being referred to as Sophie Muenere. I didn't figure out the twists. Better than the The Hunting Party.
Tales From The Umbrella Academy: You Look Like Death ⭐⭐
This finished off the Umbrella Academy and I did not like it. I'm questioning why I gave it two stars now. Bad art, and it just follows the one character and has a vampire ape. Why?
House of Slaughter, Vol. 3: The Butcher's Return ⭐⭐⭐
So much better than volume 2. This had me gasping out loud over the plot so it is good horror.
Fantastic Mr. Fox ⭐⭐
Never read this as a child so it was just boring.
PS 49/50
ATY 52/52
Nadine's 10/10
Goodreads 210/250
Currently Reading:
Murder at Haven's Rock
Dead But Not Forgotten: Stories from the World of Sookie Stackhouse
QOTW:
Dead But Not Forgotten: Stories from the World of Sookie Stackhouse because this is my fanfiction prompt book that will finish Popsugar.
I really want to read Saga, Volume 11 and Iron Flame but I have to wait for them to be published.
I also want to finish a few more books published before I was born and books that I own.
Theresa wrote: "Also the concept was one the colonists learned from the local tribes and thus evolved into being called Indian Summer reflective of that concept. It's acknowledging the origins...."My entire life I thought the phrase was referring to India. It made sense to me, because it's mostly warmer in India than the UK 🤣
Harmke wrote: "In Dutch, Indian Summer is called an ‘oudewijvenzomer’, which means something as ‘old bitches' summer’. Yes, Dutchies are very blunt...."
I think I will adopt the Dutch version!
Well I seem to be averaging a check in every two weeks...This week I have been stressing over some life altering decisions. Trying not to ostrich my life away too much but, still managing to busy my mind with TV and books as a distraction. Even though I did do some online job hunting this week and managed to work, and clean for my dad.
A few weeks back I had this cold/cough that lingered for almost three weeks and I just had no energy to clean my dad's house (I'm supposed to every two weeks) and I guess he complained to my sister the other day and so naturally she texted me about it. It just annoyed me that they act like I didn't know it had been that long since I cleaned his bathroom (managed to clean his kitchen a couple times but, the bathroom was too much). I knew and was planning on doing it but, sometimes you get distracted and so yet another day goes by before you decide to change your entire days plans just so you can go clean instead. OK rant over...
As for book news, I decided that since I have soooo many library books I decided that I would make myself a little mini challenge to focus on the books I have from the library (I went a little nutz lately and have soo many…too many to read) I'm giving myself from Oct. 1-11 to read as many of them as I can. I chose those dates b/c the 1st was the day I realized I had like 6 books to read by the 12th, and the 11th b/c that's when my nephew comes back from his dad's house. (Next week is Fall break for his school. This gives me Fri night to Wed).
My guy actually asked me why do I get so many books...and I said because they all look so good! Because, as many of you can relate, I just want to read ALL the books!
In addition, I want to try to do mostly books that actually fulfill a prompt from at least one of the challenges I am doing, since the year’s end is fast approaching.
2023 Challenges:
Popsugar: 24/50
ATY: 28/52 Was so happy to pass the halfway point this week.
A to Z: 17/26
50 States: 13/54
Goodreads: 41/50
Finished:
5 finished, 3 Completed Popsugar
Love, Theoretically
PS#32, ATY#2, AtoZ
The Skull
The Villa
PS#3, ATY#43, AtoZ
Wonder Woman: The Official Movie Novelization
PS#42, ATY#1
This was a lot better than I thought it would be. Still haven't seen the movies.
Thirst
(read this because I am trying to read books from around the world more)
This was a decent read about a girl growing up in the slums of Mumbai. In the description it makes like the girl is fighting for the water rights of her area but, this actually deals more with the struggles of growing up in such a place and the heavy struggle that girls/women have to deal with when you add having to haul water every day, then boil it and still work and go to school, etc. So still, a good book, just not so much about water as you think.
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Currently Reading
The Secret History
The Quarter Storm (’22 AtoZ)
How to Not Die Alone – Logan Ury
Firekeeper's Daughter
In Her Boots
On the Backburner
Libby
Next Year in Havana
Physical Library Rentals
Warrior Girl Unearthed
Turtles of the Midnight Moon
Maizy Chen's Last Chance
Finally Seen
Loathe at First Sight
Saving Shiloh
Top Story
Birth: Three Mothers, Nine Months, and Pregnancy in America
Is This Normal?: Judgment-Free Straight Talk about Your Body
Library Holds
The Longmire Defense
Magazines: (51/195)
Read since last check-in: 0
Question of the Week:
I have too many to read and not enough time to read them all. I actually think this will be the year I do not finish the challenge(s).
The weather's a bit odd here, if I'm not moving around it feels cold but as soon as I put my coat on and walk the dog, I'm sweating. I guess it's humid rather than hot?At the weekend we went to be tourists in Portsmouth for the day and went up the Spinnaker Tower. We got distracted by a place that did theatrical cocktails (using dry ice and served in chemistry flasks), so we didn't get round to going to see Dicken's birthplace museum, but we'll probably go back as there was more to do than I had thought.
And I have been mostly playing games meaning I only finished one book:
The Crane Husband by Kelly Barnhill for ATY (unusually large animal). I think pretty much every retelling of the crane wife is about domestic abuse, and this was no different, but it was a well done novella.
QOTW:
Other than my last book for Popsugar (Abroad in Japan for "celebrity" memoir) I haven't really got a plan. I still have five books left for ATY and I'd like to read The Fragile Threads of Power if my special edition ever arrives, but other than finishing challenges, I'm just reading whatever takes my fancy.
I totally forgot yesterday was Thursday! The days are getting away from me. Things for me are going okay. It's just getting weird to adjust to certain things. Then there's the heat. At least we're getting away from the 90s, but still. I wish it were colder, especially now that we're in October. I'm ready for sweater and hot chocolate weather.*****
I follow @bookolive both on her YT channel and her IG. In this week's video she made the announcement that next week she's going to start giving hints as to Nonfiction November. I so can't wait. I love Nonfiction November! She provides at least 4 prompts which can be interpreted in anyway as long as they are nonfiction books. 81% of my books this year have been nonfiction so I'm proud of that, but I'm especially excited that there's an actual month for it. I can't wait to figure out which books I'll end up reading.
*****
My reading this past week has been one I am proud of. I've finished one book, have 2 I'm currently reading, and 1 other on deck, then after that I've got plans to read anything else with no limit. These ones have just been the priority books because I've had to read 3 for class.
That said, here's my reading list.
Finished:
Hearts Unbroken -This one was amazing. It had racism in schools, but it focused on racism towards Native Americans which was different because I've never read something like that. The racism aside, the story in general was fun.
Currently Reading:
Grimoire Girl: A Memoir of Magic and Mischief
The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee (Young Readers Adaptation): Life in Native America
Upcoming:
If I Ever Get Out of Here
*****
I'm honestly surprised I have a couple YA fiction novels. I decided to use them for class, but they've been worth it. The stories are so good.
*****
It's been ages since I read any good ghost stories, but I figure with it being spooky season I might as well add one in.
*****
Question of the Week
Is there any particular book that you still intend to read before the end of 2023?
I haven't really given it much thought. I'm a mood reader so I don't usually plan out my reading. I'll do my tbr jar and sometimes stick to that, but not always. I've managed to keep on track though with the books I had set up for this month, but that's about it.
My only plan, again, is that I'll be participating in Nonfiction November so that's all I will be reading that month.
Hey all, happy Friday! And happy long weekend / Thanksgiving to all the Canadians!Finished
The Terror Really liked this, and stuck with it despite length and gore. A bunch of the reviews complain that it got too into the weeds on things like ship life and scurvy symptoms, but I could have used more detail on everything! And a list of characters and their respective positions, even if I would have been tempted to cross them off as they died. There just were a lot of names, and except for the key figures, I was never sure if the person had been mentioned before or how.
Witchmark Cute magical alternate history. I liked the main character but didn't have a real sense of the love interest. Amusing enough that I've now picked up the second in the series from the library.
Currently Reading
Neither of those books were for the challenge, so I thought I should get back to it and picked Fates and Furies, as my banned book. Just started. The writing is interesting, but I don't feel particularly sympathetic towards the characters. We'll see how that progresses.
Dreamsongs, Volume II So, I usually keep a book on my phone for something to read in downtime when I'm out of my house. And I mentioned a few weeks back that I had Six Wakes, but was struggling with reading it in that format. So I finally decided to DNF it for now, a rarity for me (and not a true DNF, I will try again in hard copy when I can). I thought maybe a book of stories would be easier because I wouldn't have to stay engaged as long, and sure enough, I'm pretty much ripping through this. I read Vol I a few years ago, but don't remember much about it, which is too bad, as I'm really liking Martin's introductions to each section, and would like to be able to have the complete picture of them. Not so big an issue to make me go reread Vol 1 though!
Wrong Place Wrong Time Finally got this from the library - meant to do it with the monthly read! Because it has other requests, I only get it for 7 days, so will probably be my priority reading this weekend.
QotW
I have books planned for all my remaining challenge prompts, but I'm never strict about sticking to them if something else comes along, so nothing that's for sure this year.
I'm actually struggling with my reading rules right now - this year, I said everything I read has to be a book I already own or had on a TBR as of the end of 2022 (with exceptions for challenge fills and my book clubs). And right now I just want to run to the library or bookstore and pick something completely random. I don't know why - it's not like those lists are restrictive. I own so many books I haven't read yet, my Goodreads TBR was 1400 long on the closing date, and yet...
So right now my big question for the rest of my years reading is whether I cave on that resolution or not!
Nadine in NY wrote: "Ahhhhhhh I really want to read that book too!! But can it possibly be as charming as Paul Rudd?? I should put it on hold at my library, the wait time is probably long."Hopefully we will both find out soon!! Fingers crossed for a short wait!
Ellie wrote: "Theresa wrote: "Also the concept was one the colonists learned from the local tribes and thus evolved into being called Indian Summer reflective of that concept. It's acknowledging the origins...."..."🤣🤣🤣🤣 Love your understanding, Ellie!
I grew up on a dairy farm in Upstate NY - south of where Nadine lives actually, not far. Indian Summers did not come every year but they were noted because it gave us all a brief window of better temps and weather during a season that is cold and rainy, with frost in the mornings, before full winter descends. The first killing frost was also a day of note because basically it meant that if you had anything still on the orchard trees, grape vines, or in the garden, it was now dead and lost - though some salvage would happen.
But we did not get 80+F temps during Indian Summer!
I actually believe that over the last 50+ years since my childhood on the farm, we have grown farther and farther away from agrarian definitions and meanings just as agriguculture itself has evolved into corporate operations not small family run farms. But the terms persist - with new or confused or truncated meanings.
I finished a book and a short story (neither fit an open prompt) and started two new books since my last check-in. I'm at 34/40 and 5/10 for this challenge, and have read 88 books so far overall. Finished:
* A Night at the Tropicana by Chanel Cleeton, which was one of the Amazon FirstReads picks for September; and,
* Boundary Boss: The Essential Guide to Talk True, Be Seen, and (Finally) Live Free by Terri Cole.
Currently Reading:
* The Buenos Aires Quintet by Manuel Vázquez Montalbán, which I didn't touch this past week;
* Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver, which I really need to focus on this week, since my book club is discussing it next weekend. I'm over the halfway point but still have about 170 pages to go. I'm planning to use it for the modern retelling prompt;
* Blood Betrayal by Ausma Zehanat Khan, which is the second book in the Blackwater Falls series (it's a NetGalley copy) and will be released next month;
* Hallowe'en Party by Agatha Christie and narrated by Hugh Fraser. Libby offered it as a Lucky Day option, so I decided to snag it since it was one of the options I was considering for the "holiday that is not Christmas" advanced prompt.
QotW:
Is there any particular book that you still intend to read before the end of 2023? Aside from my book clubs' reads for the rest of the year and the books that I have tentatively planned to read for the rest of my open prompts (most of them have multiple options listed, so it'll depend on my mood/book availability more than anything), I don't have a specific title that is a must read before the end of the year. I'm a mood reader by nature, so I don't typically plot out my reading year.
It's been very warm in southern England too - we're meant to get up 27F today, which is not normal October weather. I've finished challenges and am enjoying slow reading for a change. This week I only read one book, The Things They Carried, which deserved time taken over it.
I've been planning 2024 ATY so I have nothing planned at all, and I intend just to read what I'm lent or borrow on impulse from the library. I assume the ATY winter challenge will kick off in December, so I will have to plan that. Until then, it's a gentle reading time.
What a weird weather week. Started off hot and sunny in the 80s and turned so fast yesterday and now it's 45 degrees today and that first dip of the year just feels so frigid. I know early next year 45 will feel warm!! but the acclimation always hits a bit different. So much for weeks in the 60s - perfect fall weather days.62/75 GoodReads Challenge
42/50 PopSugar Challenge
Finished:
1.) Look Closer by David Ellis (#47 - Halloween) ⭐⭐⭐⭐: I had high expectations and this was a twisty thriller treat. Didn't even realize it was set during Halloween, but that made it that much better of a read for me. A few things that took away from a full 5 star rating and that is the writing was a little stilted at times and too many characters first and last named that were unnecessary.
2.) The Winners by Fredrik Backman (No Prompt) ⭐⭐⭐1/2: The third and final installment in the Beartown trilogy- this was way too long and bloated for me to enjoy it as much as the others.
Currently Reading:
1.) The Count of Monte Cristo
2.) Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family
QoTW: Is there any particular book that you still intend to read before the end of 2023?
So many, except I know I probably won't get to them all. I have this internal challenge to read all my physical BoTM books but I haven't and won't be able to get to them all. I also want to finish this challenge and I have 8 prompts left, but mostly all the books have been selected for the prompts and a few ARCs left for this year that I need to read and review.
Harmke wrote: "In Dutch, Indian Summer is called an ‘oudewijvenzomer’, which means something as ‘old bitches' summer’. Yes, Dutchies are very blunt."BAHHAHA I love this Harmke!
Wahoo, abookolive over at YT posted her video announcement for Nonfiction November. Even though usually my amount is 80% NF a year, I always look forward to this initiative. I like when Olive posts the word prompts for them. It's basically an initiative to read at least 1 nonfiction book in the month of November. Of course you could always do more.Even though November is still a long time away, I always like preparing early so I have an idea. This time I am going all out. Gathering the prompts, looking over book choices.
The prompts, one in particular, are a bit tricky. Looking over my 700+ books and I see that I don't really have books that fit those topics which means new books!
This year I'm planning on 3 books for each prompt since I am a mood reader and I'll be able to have a variety to choose from (12 books total).
Can October go fast like the rest of the months? I need November ASAP.
(Oh and there's a group for Nonfiction November here on GR incase anyone is interested. She's also got an IG and a TikTok.)
Ron wrote: "Wahoo, abookolive over at YT posted her video announcement for Nonfiction November. Even though usually my amount is 80% NF a year, I always look forward to this initiative. I like when Olive posts..."Ron, can you post a link to the Nonfiction November GR group?
Nonfiction November GR group: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...Excited to see how I can fit this year's prompts to the books I want to read!
Ashley Marie wrote: "Nonfiction November GR group: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...Excited to see how I can fit this year's prompts to the books I want to read!"
Thank you!
Ashley Marie wrote: "Nonfiction November GR group: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...Excited to see how I can fit this year's prompts to the books I want to read!"
Thanks for sharing it Ashley. I'm barely getting on to my computer.
I'm excited to see as well. I did have to buy a few new books for the prompts, but that's okay. I can never go wrong there. The one prompt I'm struggling with is "fraud" so that should be interesting in terms of what I find.
Ron wrote: "The one prompt I'm struggling with is "fraud" so that should be interesting in terms of what I find."That's the easiest one for me! Some of the picks on my list are Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty, Dreamland: The True Tale of America's Opiate Epidemic, Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong, Fraud of the Century: Rutherford B. Hayes, Samuel Tilden, and the Stolen Election of 1876, Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee, All the President's Men, and A Bright Shining Lie: John Paul Vann and America in Vietnam
I wasn't sure what to read for fraud. Thank you for the Empire of Pain idea.
Mod
Mod
Excited to see how I can fit this year's prompts to the books I want to read!"
Is there a list of the prompts somewhere? I don't see it in that group page
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
The Night Circus (other topics)Crook Manifesto (other topics)
Water for Elephants (other topics)
Oscar Wars: A History of Hollywood in Gold, Sweat, and Tears (other topics)
Voodoo Histories: The Role of the Conspiracy Theory in Shaping Modern History (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Sara Gruen (other topics)Colson Whitehead (other topics)
Fredrik Backman (other topics)
David Ellis (other topics)
Terri Cole (other topics)
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Lynn is still wrestling her computer into submission, so you get me again :-)
We are having an Indian Summer this week. And I always wonder if that term is offensive to Native people? "Indian Summer" is a nice thing and a pretty time of year, so it didn't seem offensive, but I looked it up, and maybe it is offensive, and I should instead call it "St Luke's Summer" which is a term I've never heard before. If I go around saying "we're having a real St Luke's Summer this week!" no one will know what I'm talking about and I'll just get strange looks (not that I don't get strange looks normally!) Other suggested terms are: Second Summer, St Martins Summer, or All Hallown Summer. Apparently St Martins Day is Nov 11, and by then we are usually getting some snow here, so that term doesn't make sense for my area.
Admin stuff
It's October! Our October group read is The Complete Maus, and you can join the discussion here:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
All of the books that I finished this week were finished last Thursday or Friday, so now it feels like I haven't finished anything! But, surprise! I found three books on my "read" list:
Woman Without Shame: Poems by Sandra Cisneros- I'd never read a collection of Cisneros's poetry, so I'm glad I read this, but it didn't really do much for me.
Pinball: A Graphic History of the Silver Ball by Jon Chad- I was really looking forward to this nonfiction graphic novel, it sounded like so much fun! And the author is definitely enthusiastic about Pinball! But all he's got is a fan's enthusiasm, he didn't seem to know much about (or want to discuss) the pinball machine's inner workings and details about how the designs have evolved over the decades, which is what I was hoping to reaad about. And he never once mentions the Brooke Shields movie, "Tilt"! A travesty! I ended up feeling disappointed. I used this for "repeating object on the cover" in AtY.
Happy Place by Emily Henry - lots of fun to read, and very forgettable, so now, a mere few days after finishing, I can barely remember it. But I know it was fun! No challenge category for this one.
And I DNF'ed one book:
A Proposal They Can't Refuse by Natalie Caña- the writing was just really clunky in this one, with dialogue that was clearly there to convey information to the reader and never read like a real dialogue between people.
Popsugar 96% 48 /50 (so close!!! maybe next week ...)
Must Reads 75% 9 /12
Nay's Winter 70% 7 /10
AtY 96% 50 /52
Question of the Week
Is there any particular book that you still intend to read before the end of 2023?
An easy one for me to answer, because each year I put together a short list of books I tell myself I must read that year, and this year I still have three left:
Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy
The Cloud Roads by Martha Wells
Vladimir by Vladimir
Right now I'm reading the last two books I need for Popsugar and AtY, and then I'll tackle my three last "must reads."
There are also a few 2023 publications that I'm still hoping/planning to read before the end of the year. And if I don't' get to them this year, then I guess I know what I want to read at the start of 2024!