Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion

Happy Thursday!!!   Late summer is in full swing here, the goldenrod is gorgeous, Queen Anne's lace is still kicking it, and the apples are ripening.  My second kid has started college this week, she is attending our local community college and I am providing Mom's Chauffeur Service until she gets her drivers license (which won't be any time soon, and that's partly on me - she's willing, I just need to make the time to get her out there practicing).  The school is just over a half hour away, so I'm making excellent progress on my audiobooks LOL!  I am now the mom of TWO college kids, which is very exciting.  

My NetGalley ratio is dropping again, because I was approved for more books. I must stop requesting books until I've read all the books I've been approved for!!!  Goal: get ratio up to 100% before requesting more books.


Admin stuff
August's group read of The Tea Dragon Society is wrapping up - but you can still join the discussion here:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

September's group read will be Treasure Island for a book about pirates, ARRRRHH.  And - surprise! - WE HAVE NO DISCUSSION LEADER FOR SEPTEMBER (or for October or November).  Any takers?  Let me or Lynn know.     C'mon, Mateys, you know you want to volunteer!!!
You can join the discussion here when it starts:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

The final poll to select November's group read is closed and the winner is:  One Last Stop

And the nomination poll for December's group read is now open, for a book by an author who was once incarcerated.  This is our last nomination poll of the year!  Make it count!  Nominate away!  (As always, group reads from the last two years are disqualified, so be sure to check the list if you're not sure.)  

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/3...





This week I finished 6 books, none of them for NetGalley so I need to get on the ball!!!

You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World ed by Ada Limon- this was a phenomenal anthology of nature poetry from US poets, collected by our poet laureate (and my favorite poet) Ada Limon  - Five stars

What You Leave Behind by Wanda M. Morris - I was really excited to finally get to read a book by Morris, I've had her books on my tbr for a long time now.  I was deeply disappointed in this book, however.  It was dull, and slow, and full of filler.  I'll give her another chance, but I hope her other thrillers are actually, y'know, thrilling.

The Rise and Reign of the Mammals: A New History, from the Shadow of the Dinosaurs to Us by Steve Brusatte - This was very good, but I didn't love it as much as his book about dinosaurs - he got a bit too bogged down in details about teeth in this one.  Once he starts moving along on the timeline and I started recognizing some of the animals, it was great again.  I checked off "A book involving a wild animal or endangered species" in AtY with this one.

The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng - wow it took over half the book before the title made any sense!  Eng's books have always had a slow start, but this one was the SLOWEST.  If I had not loved his previous books SO MUCH, and if I had not known that his slow start always pays off in the end I would have DNFed this. I'm glad I didn't!

Dictionary of Fine Distinctions: Nuances, Niceties, and Subtle Shades of Meaning by Eli Burnstein- this was disappointing and not worth my time. I hated the illustrations.  I didn't bother with a close reading, I skimmed and jumped from entry to entry.

Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan - this book was perfect, like it was written just for me.  All the stars. This author just became an auto-read for me.


Popsugar 100% 50 /50
Must Reads 60% 6 /10
AtY 96% 50 /52
2024 pub 82% 41 /50
NetGalley ratio 70%




Question of the Week
If you were to own a bookstore, what would it be like? How would you arrange the books? Would you serve coffee and food? Play music? Where would it be?


I like bookstores that feel kinda crowded with books, but still have enough room in the aisles for two strangers to comfortably walk past each other.  I like a lot of wood, but I know metal shelving is better for books, so I guess I'd compromise and have wood chairs - those big oak arm chairs that you find in university libraries.  And I like bookstores with LOTS of books - lately the new thing seems to be "a carefully curated selection" which I fully understand reduces their upfront costs, but it is very boring to browse and usually doesn't have the book I'm looking for.  Lots of houseplants.  No cats, no cafe, I get nervous when I have coffee around new books.   I'd have a used book section, too, and a healthy section of graphic novels (but not single issue comics, that would be too much of a headache I think ... unless my bookstore was actually a COMIC BOOK store ... hmm, maybe!  We don't have any good comic book stores any more, they are all too focused on selling figurines and crap, too much crap, not enough actual comic books).  I'm not sure about music - our favorite toy store at the NJ shore always has some grunge radio station playing, which is an unusual choice for a children's store, but I love that kind of music so it makes me love the store more.  

The bookstore in the first season of You was nice. That's my goal.

Happy Thursday, y’all.

I decided to just wing Parable of the Sower for the Book Club rather than doing a re-read. And, I did OK. Amazingly (to me) I did remember enough of the book to discuss the questions. And, I enjoyed the experience. As a result, I have already obtained the next book, The Collected Regrets of Clover, which I have not heard of, much less read. So, a new author for me.

At our friends dinner on Saturday, I asked one friend how her condo in Fl was coming. She had inherited it along with other family members and was in process of cleaning it for either living in or selling it. The upshot of that question is that I volunteered to help clean the next time she went. Another friend joined in and plans were made for this coming weekend! And then she sent me the address (I had agreed to be the driver) ~ West Palm Beach FL! An 8 hour drive on a holiday! What have I gotten myself into!

Finished:
Cold Mountain: 20th Anniversary Edition – 4*. This was technically a re-read. I first read it in 2017. I am glad that I re-read it for the discussion group as I remembered none of it, which is not surprising to me, as the first time was a month before my husband died…and I remember little of that time.

Hana Khan Carries On – PS #3 (24y/o). 4*. I was a bit surprised by this book. It started out a bit too fluffy for me, and I was ready to dismiss it. However, I kept going and found that it had more depth than I had expected and ended up liking Hana Khan a lot!

Journey to Munich – ALCM. 4*. Continuation of a series regarding Maisie Dobbs. I like the character of Maisie but am not a fan of the spying direction by the author. Or am I being overly influenced by a review I read for the last book. Anyway, I am committed to 4 more books in this series.

Currently Reading:
The Man Who Played with Fire: Stieg Larsson's Lost Files and the Hunt for an Assassin – Kindle. No challenge. Nonfiction. GOAL: 75% by check-in. 70% reached. I want to finish this book this coming week.

When Gods Die – ALCM, PAS. 21%

Greywaren – PAS. 25%

Black Hills - ALCM, PAS. 12%

Just Starting:
Touching the Fire: Buffalo Dancers, the Sky Bundle, and Other Tales – PAS. I own this one.

On Deck:
Magic Binds - PAS
The Covenant - PAS
A Faint Cold Fear (own) - PAS
Storm of Locusts - ATY
The Gray House (Kindle) – BIG book of over 700 pages. It might take a while.
The Game – PS #16

PS 29/50
ATY 33/52
GR 141/200

QotW: If you were to own a bookstore, what would it be like? How would you arrange the books? Would you serve coffee and food? Play music? Where would it be?

I think my bookstore would have lots of twists and turns, where used books could hide. It would be filled with previously loved books. There would be comfy chairs to sit and peruse a book scattered throughout. Music might be playing in the background but not too noticeable. No food or drink. A place to get lost in.

Happy Thursday!

Finished:
The Stars Too Fondly by Emily Hamilton - 3 stars - no prompt. This was just okay. I liked it, it had some good moments, but didn't blow me away.

The Apothecary Diaries (Light Novel): Volume 6 by Natsu Hyuuga - 4 stars - not for a prompt. This felt like a transition, mopping up loose ends from the previous novel.

Valor's Choice by Tanya Huff - 4 stars - for Popsugar's book that was published 24 years ago (2000) and Robot Librarian's book about/taking place during a war that is not WWI or WWII. Fun military sci-fi.

Comics & manga:
Chihayafuru, Vol. 4

I am currently at 49/50 prompts for Popsugar (44/45 and 5/5).

Currently reading:
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan - for Popsugar's book that was turned into a musical and Robot Librarian's book that has been adapted into a TV show or streaming series. I never read the whole series, so starting with a reread of book 1.

The Apothecary Diaries (Light Novel): Volume 7 by Natsu Hyuuga - no prompt.

Upcoming/Planned:
Haunted Ever After by Jen DeLuca - no prompt. I enjoyed this author's Renn Faire romances, so willing to give her a shot on a ghost story romance.

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross - no prompt. I was going to use this for Robot Librarian's book of letters or written in epistolary format prompt, but now that I got it from the library and took a peek inside, it doesn't actually seem to be written in letters despite people adding it to lists of epistolary novels, so... oh, well. I can always reread Sorcery & Cecelia: or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot.

Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan - no prompt. The library is being generous with me!

QOTW:
I've always loved the idea of having a bookstore with a cat or two, and lots of comfy nooks to sit and read for a little bit. I don't think I'd want to have a cafe in the store (too much worry about spills and kitties). I'd probably play music, but not loudly.

Happy Thursday!

2024 Reading Challenges: I’ve read 322 books so far this year with an average length of 337 pages and an average rating of 3.72. Additionally, I’ve completed 28.1% of my ever-growing TBR. My goal is to read 33.3% of my list, but if I keep buying books (or receiving books as gifts) I’ll never make it!

52 Book Club: 50/52 (Summer Challenge 24/24 – Complete!)
ATY: 44/52 (Summer Challenge 36/36 – Complete!)
Booklist Queen: 47/52
Diverse Baseline: 24/36
Popsugar: 43/50
Robot Librarian: 48/52
ICYMI Backlist: 8/12

Recently Completed:

The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby: Intricate mystery in dual timelines. ★★★★

True Gretch: What I've Learned About Life, Leadership, and Everything in Between: Five stars? Yeah, I like political memoirs. (ATY #51 – published in 2024/Booklist Queen #46 – 2024 new release) ★★★★★

Elon Musk: Interesting, but long… and I’m still not a fan. (Robot Librarian Advanced #8 – a biography of someone you are NOT a fan of) ★★★

The Probability of Everything: Middle grade novel about a girl, her family, and “the end of the world.” NPR 2023 Books We Love. ★★★★

Northanger Abbey: The two parts of the novel are so different it feels like two separate books spliced together. I enjoyed the sly takedowns of 1800s popular gothic fiction. Jane Austen Book Club. ★★★★

One Big Happy Family (ATY #34 – related to one of Snow White’s Seven Dwarfs) ★★★★

The Last Castle: The Epic Story of Love, Loss, and American Royalty in the Nation's Largest Home (Robot Librarian #31 – a building on the cover or the word house, castle, tower, or other building in the title) ★★★

Much Ado about Nada: I had trouble keeping the timelines straight. NPR 2023 Books We Love. (ATY #1 – title ends with A, T, or Y) ★★★

Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster: Jon Krakauer. (52 Books #34 – set in a landlocked country: Nepal/ATY #29 – related to air) ★★★★

The Quiet People (ATY #8 – an author from Canada, Australia, or New Zealand) ★★★



Currently Reading:

Friday Night Lights (52 Books #29 – published in a Year of the Dragon: 1988)
Slow Dance (52 Books #41 – a sticker on the cover)
Same Bed Different Dreams
The Cliffs
Doc: A Memoir (ATY #34 – related to one of Snow White’s Seven Dwarfs)
Chain-Gang All-Stars (Diverse Baseline #25 – fantasy or science fiction by a BIPOC author)
Tess of the D’Urbervilles (Robot Librarian #15 – mentioned in a film, TV show, or streamed series: One Day)
How to Say Babylon (Diverse Baseline #26 – memoir by a BIPOC author)
Never in a Hurry: Essays on People and Places: Reasonable Doubt Book Club.
The House of Last Resort (ATY #30 – set in a country bordering the Mediterranean Sea/Robot Librarian #31 – a building on the cover or the word house, castle, tower, or other building in the title)
When Among Crows



QOTW: My bookstore would be cozy. With lots of comfy chairs and plants (that someone else would take care of), but no food/drink (except for special occasions) and no cats (I'm allergic). I'd also like space for book clubs to meet or local authors to do readings. the music would probably be adult alternative.

Happy Thursday!

It's the last week of summer to me. Summer weather is often found in September, but spending times with my kids, the end of lighter summer traffic, and not having as much on the agenda will come to an end. Fall is cooler weather, but also gridlock, every activity restarting, and less light every day.

I'm in awe that Nadine finished 6 books. Every week I finish ONE book, I count as an accomplishment. Plus, I made great strides on my Ray Bradbury book that I need to finish before the end of August, and the book I'm buddy reading with my kids which needs to be finished before Labour Day.

Finished:

The Odyssey
ATY prompt: A book set in a country bordering the Mediterranean Sea
Popsugar prompt: A book by a blind or visually impaired author
Summer Prompt: A book with at least 4 colors on the cover and A translated book

Series - 7/12
Nobel laureates - 4/5
Mysteries/Thrillers - 9/13

ATY - 35/45
PS - 22/30
Summer - 11/12

Currently reading:
Something Wicked This Way Comes - 85%
A House Like a Lotus - 70%

Buddy Reads:
Hollow City - 80%

QOTW: Is there a bookworm-ish child who didn't dream of owning a bookstore or a library? The bookstore I use has separated sections on mystery, romance, fantasy, horror, and science fiction. I like those ideas, plus separated children's and YA. The problems come when books I think of as mystery are just in general fiction. Or when I found a Tolkien book in Science Fiction. Maybe just alphabetically is better.

Or I'd like to run a library instead of a bookstore and encourage everyone, not just those who have $20-40 to drop on a book, to read.

Dubhease wrote: "I'm in awe that Nadine finished 6 books. Every week I finish ONE book, I count as an accomplishment...."



6 books is a lot for me! Most weeks I finish two or three, some weeks I don't finish any.

There's a chill in the air already. Can't believe summer's nearly over! My partner's got next week off work, so we're gonna try and do touristy stuff locally, since we've failed at actually booking any holiday this year.

I've taken my book off Kindle Unlimited, so that means I am now free to distribute it with abandon! If anyone is stuck on Nanowrimo, cosy fantasy, or self-published prompts and would like a free ebook of Paws and Portals, please DM me a suitable email address and I'll send you a copy. No catch, but if you hate it, just don't tell me. 🤣

Finished:
The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love by India Holton for recommended by a librarian. Silly fun, but I was disappointed that it wasn't more about the fantastical birds.

Buried Deep and Other Stories by Naomi Novik for ATY (not a novel). Such a strong short story collection, I enjoyed every one, which is so rare with these things. Did not matter that I hadn't read the Temeraire books. A lot of these have been published previously, but I rarely read individual stories so they were all new to me.

With Any Luck by Ashley Poston. This was an Audible short I discovered on my phone when I just needed something to listen to. It was cute but I don't think it suited being a short story. I was just getting into it and then it was over very suddenly.

QOTW:
I have thought about this a lot. I semi-seriously looked into it when I was made redundant, but rent is just too high to make it feasible, even though our town is bookshopless!

I would open some evenings, you know when everyone is not at work, and offer relaxed book clubs where you just come and chat about books (perhaps on a theme), not read a specific book like you're at school. There would be squishy chairs to relax with a coffee or tea, but no food. You could bring your own booze for book club evenings. I would divide the shop up into thematic sections, because I think genres put people off reading some things they would actually enjoy. I would do over the top decorated window displays for my favourite books, and I'd have my own line of bookish t-shirts. No background music, and it'd have a dog because my dog loves people and she'd never forgive me for not taking her.

Hi all! Tie dye was SO fun, but my hearts turned out to be triangles! lol But I can see why Nadine is addicted, I want to make more, like now!!
I got a response to a substitute school aide position! I have to go get fingerprinted next week. I'm not sure if I'm excited or terrified... Actually, this might be the first time in my life that I'm totally fine if I fail at something. If I succeed, then maybe I can get back to work, if I fail, then I can go to my insurance companies with a huge I TOLD YOU SO!!
Otherwise, the countdown to school continues!! Less than a week away.
Oh, I would probably be able to lead the discussion on Treasure Island, but I might not get to it until a week or so into September.

I finished Giovanni’s Room for LGBTQ+ romance. It was excellently written, and tragic. It had a lot for discussion. Highly recommended.

Coincidentally, a hold came in for A Place Called Winter while I was reading that. It's got excellent reviews, but it's also about a gay man who is trying to hide his homosexuality. I'm not sure I want that back to back, but I only have until the end of September before I have to return it. I could always get it again some other time.

For some reason, after finishing Giovanni's Room, I've been in the mood for nonfiction and have read about a quarter of The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism. It's surprisingly less infuriating than I expected, so far.

QOTW: I always thought it would be practical to open a bookstore attached to a laundromat (I had a friend who wanted to open a bar attached to a laundromat, she might have had the better business plan!!). I don't want food or drinks, too many chances for spills and also too many regulations. In addition to the usual comfy chairs and quiet corners, I think I'd want a rooftop reading area with umbrellas and lounge chairs. Up there could be some potted plants and flowers.

35 weeks into the year! Hard to believe. I finished my library TBR. Not making a lot of progress in my purchased TBR.

Library TBR: 8/8
Purchased TBR: 9/24

Read: Gender Euphoria This book was all right, but the "editor" included 13 of her own chapters, so that got old.

Sexual Fluidity: Understanding Women's Love and Desire re-read. I had forgotten that it is specifically women who are found to be more fluid than men.

Healing from Family Rifts: Ten Steps to Finding Peace After Being Cut Off from a Family Member This book was also just all right. I didn't identify with any of its profiles and not sure it had information that really helped my situation. But I suppose its a comfort to know that I'm not the only one.

Many Worlds?: Everett, Quantum Theory, & Reality
This book and topic exploration was vastly improved by asking Chat GPT to help me some of the concepts and the math! It was very much written for an insider audience which made it a bit daunting without AI.

Blackouts I didn't really enjoy this book.

Other People's Love Letters: 150 Letters You Were Never Meant to See This was fun and not too embarrassing!

Started: Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning published in 2024 which is necessary because so much changed in 2023. I'm enjoying it!

QotW: OMG, I LOVE this question! I would house it out of my home, so it would be necessarily cozy because I have a small home. We live in a college neighborhood so we get a lot of foot traffic. It would be an evening/late night hangout, maybe 7PM-2AM and it would be called "The Waking Owl" in honor of a bookstore that used to exist near here. It would specialize in children's and philosophy, my two favorite genres. It would have a cafe which my husband would roast the coffee for it, and European hot chocolate, and it would carry vegan pastries. It would have a cat. Board games to play, fireplace, and comfortable chairs.

Ellie wrote: "If anyone is stuck on Nanowrimo, cosy fantasy, or self-published prompts and would like a free ebook of Paws and Portals, please DM me ..."



That is generous!! I already bought your book back when you first released it (gotta support our fellow Pop-readers, right?!!) but I haven't read it yet, it's fallen prey to the "I don't have to read that right now because I own it so I can read it any time" trap.



offer relaxed book clubs where you just come and chat about books

Oh yes! And perhaps one night dedicated to a "silent book club" where everyone just shows up and quietly reads together, introverted socializing.


I would LOVE a bookstore with a dog!! There is a local garden store here where the owners sometimes bring their dog in - we are always disappointed when we stop by and Jack is NOT there - we wanted to pet the dog!

Jennifer W wrote: "Hi all! Tie dye was SO fun, but my hearts turned out to be triangles! lol But I can see why Nadine is addicted, I want to make more, like now!! .."



YES!!! that magical moment when you first rinse and un-tie is addictive!! I need to get back to dyeing, I miss it.


Good luck on your job application. I found a work-from-home engineering job opening two weeks ago and ... I still haven't applied.


I always thought it would be practical to open a bookstore attached to a laundromat (I had a friend who wanted to open a bar attached to a laundromat, she might have had the better business plan!!).

Yes that would be awesome!! (both ideas). My ex went to SUNY Utica and he said there was a combo laundromat/bar in Utica, and they loved it. There really ought to be more!!

Doni wrote: "It would be an evening/late night hangout, maybe 7PM-2AM and it would be called "The Waking Owl" in honor of a bookstore that used to exist near here. It would specialize in children's and philosophy, my two favorite genres. It would have a cafe which my husband would roast the coffee for it, and European hot chocolate, and it would carry vegan pastries. It would have a cat. Board games to play, fireplace, and comfortable chairs...."




OMG I am THERE!! (Except the cat. I'm allergic to cats, so keep the cat out of my lap.)

Dubhease wrote: "The bookstore I use has separated sections on mystery, romance, fantasy, horror, and science fiction. I like those ideas, plus separated children's and YA...."




separate little spaces would be fun, like secret little rooms or little worlds to visit. Of course I read a lot of books that are almost all of those genres in one so where do you put THOSE books LOL

Laura Z wrote: "With lots of comfy chairs and plants (that someone else would take care of), but no food/drink (except for special occasions) and no cats (I'm allergic). I'd also like space for book clubs to meet or local authors to do readings. the music would probably be adult alternative...."



yes to the plants! (I'll take care of them!) yes to the no-cats! cats are nice, when they are not in the same building as I am. They look soooo soft and silky but I cannot cuddle them, I'd be wheezing in minutes.

Jen W. wrote: "I don't think I'd want to have a cafe in the store (too much worry about spills..."


right? B&N makes me so nervous with the Starbucks counter right next to books

Bea wrote: "I think my bookstore would have lots of twists and turns, where used books could hide. It would be filled with previously loved books. ..."




Yes, so much fun! The surprise discovery around the next corner is the best!!

Nadine in NY wrote: "That is generous!! I already bought your book back when you first released it (gotta support our felling Pop-readers, right?!!) but I haven't read it yet, it's fallen prey to the "I don't have to read that right now because I own it so I can read it any time" trap..."

Well thank you Nadine! I know how massive everyone's TBRs are. I would feel weird expecting people to prioritise my book because I know how many amazing other books there are to read. This is why I'll never work in sales.

I was away for a long weekend so yesterday felt like Tuesday since I was out on the real Monday and today feels like Friday - because everyone is already leaving for the long Labor Day weekend. I'm busy listening to CLE (Continuing Legal Education) so I can renew my license by mid-September, but it's so easy to listen while catching up on GR and other social media, go through junk mail, and possibly read. I do have to be aware enough to click on the 'still there' triggers.

For those who are history buffs - especially French Revolution and/or Native American - I was in the Endless Mountains of PA - very rural and mountainous - a town called Wyalusing. My maternal family had a reunion there - it's where my mother and her many siblings (there were 13) grew up on a dairy farm. Of historic interest are French Azilum, Marie Antoinette Overlook, Wyalsuing Rocks and Warriors Way, and the Wyalusing Rocks Overlook. Oh, and Stephen Foster lived in that area, wrote many of his songs there, including Camptown Races - there really is a Camptown, and at some point in recent history, it inaugurated annual Camptown Races that are mini-marathons. Back in Foster's day, I'm sure there was horse racing, probably over the country roads. I grew up 'just over the hill across the border in NYS' from this area -- about 30 to 40 minute drive on back country roads - and certainly when I grew up there was harness racing and other horse racing at county fairs and other times during the year.

Google all this could be very rewarding.

I got little reading done, of course, but did finish books I had partially read since last Thursday.

PS - 47/50 - still have 3 to read.

Finished:
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone - listened to audio with Stephen Frye reading - he was great but I personally prefer the exceptional reading by Jim Dale. This was the perfect listening length for my drive to/from NYC/Wyalusing.
A Family of His Own
The Meriwell Legacy
Murder at the Vicarage

Currently:
Witchmark
She Come By It Natural: Dolly Parton and the Women Who Lived Her Songs

Those are both on ebook - I have several print books I've started... sort of ... but I won't get to them for a bit - Witchmark is my upcoming IRL book club read and it gets priority.

QOTW: Hmmm - this is a great question. Never really thought about it but I know what most appeals to me in a bookstore, and no doubt I would mirror that.
- books books books of all kinds - everywhere, shelves looking on the brink of exploding. All shelves will be reachable by someone 5 feet tall. That's a personal pet peeve - seems every time I'm in a bookstore the book I want is on some shelf I can't reach and there is no step stool in sight or I have to trek to the front of the store to get help. Most of the time I just don't bother and get it online. Upper shelves can be used for inventory - I know mystery book stores that do that.
- wood lots of wood - shelving, tables, checkout area
- have book related art, posters or even needlework samplers hanging on open areas to engage the eye -- there are many sampler designers who have designed cross stitch samplers and stitched maps based on books - mostly classics like Dickens and Austen but even some classic fantasy like C.S. Lewis and JRR Tolkien.
- comfy chairs in nooks for customers to sit and read.
- area for author readings/signings and that doubles for book clubs and writer clubs to meet
- there will be no beverages or cafe. Like Nadine, liquid around books gives me chills - I've seen too many times as an attorney where beverages got spilled and ruined documents. I've had friends return borrowed books that are victims of spilled coffee. If people bring in bottles of water, soda, or even coffee from a local deli, that's fine as they have lids or screw tops. But if they are letting young kids handle drinks --- I might say something, LOL.
- I will also severely limit non-book items sold, and what will be sold has to relate pretty directly to books and reading - bookmarks, tote bags are yes but mugs, calendars are a no. There will be a limited amount of real estate given to all that. I likely will have some journals and diaries but no greeting cards or stationary.
- there will be no store pet. Too many people have allergies, and they can be tripping hazards or even the sweetest tamest cat can scratch if a young child pulls its tail - animals in a store are a liability and could cause insurance to disclaim any claims filed - and yes I've seen kids and even adults trip over a store dog or cat which has suddenly placed itself in the way of someone walking along, who doesn't see it. Sometimes being a lawyer interferes with even fantasy stores, LOL. No bringing in the family dog either -- though of course legally you do have to allow service dogs. Too many people in my rather extensive experience in NYC do not have well trained dogs or have control over them. Too many let them wander at will dragging the leash behind them. Real service dogs are trained. However, I would put a dog water trough outside filled daily with fresh water, and a shady area for the dog to wait outside. There was a grand Fifth Avenue building in midtown that had a marble dog trough to side of its front door. I loved that - it's long gone - I think that was a department store that closed or relocated.
-while I wouldn't carry used books or rare/collectible, OOP books, I'd assist people who want them - either providing lists of local sources or making calls/online searches to source that OOP book, for example.

Warm, welcoming, cozy and filled with books - that's what it will be.

Nadine in NY wrote: "Jen W. wrote: "I don't think I'd want to have a cafe in the store (too much worry about spills..."


right? B&N makes me so nervous with the Starbucks counter right next to books"

What I would do in an ideal, unlimited-money world, is buy two storefronts side by side. One is the bookstore. The other is a cafe (maybe even a board game cafe). Making a purchase at one gets you a discount at the other, so you can buy a book, take it next door, and get a percentage off a coffee and a croissant to enjoy while you read it. :)

Happy Thursday! We had 2 very relax weeks in Switzerland and are fully re-energized to start work again on Monday. I read A LOT, so I had good reading weeks too.

PS: 18/50
FNL: 36/40
Total: 49/52
DNF: 1

Finished
The Shadow Sister by Lucinda Riley⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best one in the series so far.

Kalle: De memoires van Abel Sikkink by Bert Wagendorp⭐⭐⭐⭐
About the American Civil War, a fictional memoir of a New York Herald journalist.

❌ DNF De ongelijkheidsmachine by Paul Goossens
It was so biased I couldn’t bear it anymore.

Currently reading
Rosa und Leo: Die große Liebe der Rosa Luxemburg by Charlotte Roth

QOTW
I definitely will have a section dedicated to nonfiction on actual issues, history and biographies. Just because I love them. And something like a ‘book share bookcase’ where you can leave books you don’t want to keep yourself for someone else (for free or maybe I would ask 'whatever you wish' and donate it to a charity). I would put that bookcase just right at the front so people with low (or no) budget would walk in too.

What I love in bookstores is those little cards on which book sellers or visitors write why you should read the book. And I love being surprised by a title that I haven’t seen in media before, so not only the usual bestseller stuff displayed on tables. I also think it is great to host book clubs, so I would make sure there’s a space for them. Maybe I would even start one myself. No food or drinks, you can bring some yourself for the book club, but I won’t offer it. No cats, no dogs, no music, no seats (if I wanted a cafe I would start one).

Jen W. wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: "Jen W. wrote: "I don't think I'd want to have a cafe in the store (too much worry about spills..."


right? B&N makes me so nervous with the Starbucks counter right next to boo..."

Fantastic idea! I love the board game idea.

I'll second tie-dying being addicting. For the past five or so years, my library has gotten custom shirts for our summer reading program and staff and volunteers have the opportunity to tie-dye them, and I'll admit, that's my favorite part of the program. I'm especially proud of the year our theme was the ocean, and I used the ombre technique in ocean colors.
This is the first full week for my library's new director, and so far so good. Though I have to have a one-on-one meeting with him tomorrow and I am not looking forward to that (I'm sure it'll be fine, but being asked to describe yourself in a work setting is never my favorite thing).
I am looking forward to the long weekend and getting in one last hurrah in the pool before it closes for the season.

Finished:
SubZero Vol. 1 - (Enemies-to-Lovers plot) I won a galley of this, the first volume (so technically the lovers part hasn't happened, but the seeds have been sown, so I'm counting it!), and while I'm definitely interested in checking out the next volume, I did find the page layout to be confusing at times. Maybe that wouldn't have been as big an issue if I were reading the print copy instead a digital copy, but considering this was a webcomic first, I don't think that's really the problem. A pretty standard storyline with just enough extra to keep me intrigued.
The Fox & Little Tanuki, Volume 7 - The final volume finally come out in English, but it had been long enough since I read the previous volume that I was a little lost at the start. Still, it came to a nice conclusion.
The Husbands - Mixed feelings on this one. There were some parts that were really gripping, but so much of it was rinse and repeat. This would have fared better as a novella.
Bibsy Cross and the Bad Apple - A cute story, and not quite a novel in verse.
Anzu and the Realm of Darkness: A Graphic Novel - I really enjoyed this one! It had an interesting setting, and a good message about believing in yourself. Not to mention very good art.

Currently reading:
Artificial: A Love Story
Total Olympics: Every Obscure, Hilarious, Dramatic, and Inspiring Tale Worth Knowing
The Book of Delights: Essays
The Burning Plain
The Spellshop

QOTW: I've never really thought about it, but if I were to open my own bookshop, it would be entirely graphic novels, with lots of seating to preview your selections.

Happy Thursday!

It's a small miracle I'm even aware it's Thursday, haha! I'm in recovery mode from the Disney trip and I lose entire days because I'm not fully aware of them. Like I'm awake, and I do things, but for some reason the time passing doesn't fully register in my head. Like how have I been home for three days already?? Feels fake!

I've been posting on my Disney Instagram account, though, and I'm proud of myself for doing so. I've always wanted to post regularly but my brain sees posting as an insurmountable task. So whenever I manage a few days it feels like an accomplishment! (@disabledisney if anyone's interested) Fingers crossed I can keep it going once I run out of Princess Week posts xD I still have several things I want to post so maybe this will be the time!

I did try something new this trip, and I posted a whole bunch of updates to my stories, to feel like I was using my Instagram without the pressure of constant posts and it worked really well! Who knows, maybe one day I'll manage over 10 likes on a post xD

I've also completed the new Dreamlight Valley update (yes, the one that came out a week ago on Wednesday) so now I can focus on filling up my storages from the DLC until I no longer want to and wait for the in-game event that starts next week!

Read
Nothing finished I'm afraid

Currently Reading
Twelve Kings in Sharakhai
I am at page 354/583 so it's going well! I try to read at least 50 pages a day, but if I can't manage I want to read at least one chapter, so I can keep it going. Only day I didn't read was Sunday, due to a full Disney day! I could have read more today, but I also want to finish the fic I'm currently reading and that's going to be a challenge on its own xD

QOTW
I want my bookstore to feel cozy, but organized. I think I'd divide the store up into ages (middle grade / YA / adult) and fiction / non-fiction and graphic novels, and then order by author. Most stores go by genre and it always bothers me so much. Like I get it, but to see all of Stephen King's books on the horror shelves bothers me; not all are horror, and the store is clearly reluctant to split them up (though for other authors they don't care). Also how often have I had to go through several genres because a book covered so many it's hard to know where they'd shelve it? So yeah, order by author!

Only way I could do genre is if there is a computer system like the library where you can look up a book and it tells you where it is xD

Tables would have recommendations from me and staff, and from other visitors who can submit their picks for them, not just the bestsellers. People will find those anyways!

I also want cozy couches and chairs, and an area where you can get drinks/treats, but in that area there are no books allowed and it's separated. It's also a place where you could host boardgame nights or bookclubs. In a perfect world I also have a cat cafe attached just because I love kitties, but I wouldn't want to impose it on those who don't like it or who are allergic, so that would truly be a separate space entirely. No music, though, if people want music let them use their earbuds and listen to what they prefer!

Happy Thursday! After this week at work, I'm very much looking forward to having a three-day weekend. Planning to see some friends, but for the most part just relaxing.

Finished:
No Place to Bury the Dead- this was really good, but upsetting. It follows refugees from a plague and the men in power that prey on them. Lots of casual violence.
-no prompt

Invisible Kitties: A Feline Study of Fluid Mechanics or The Spurious Incidents of the Cats in the Night-Time- little magical realism vignettes to explain what it's like to live with a cat. Very cute, very sweet. Also I love a ridiculously long title
-no prompt

Things We Never Got Over- a 500+ page romance, but a very quick read. I'll have to check out some more of Lucy Score's books
-no prompt

Up Next:
Might be starting Tell Me You're Mine of The Next Best Fling- nothing is really grabbing me right now

QotW:
I think it would have a good selection of used books along with some new stuff. Lots of nooks and crannies. Probably on the overstuffed side. And with a good selection of sci-fi fantasy and romance- because in my area, those are the two genres that are most neglected.

Nadine in NY wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "Hi all! Tie dye was SO fun, but my hearts turned out to be triangles! lol But I can see why Nadine is addicted, I want to make more, like now!! .."



YES!!! that magical moment ..."

Apply, Procrastinator!! ;)
And while you're un-procrastinating, teach that kiddo to drive!

My problem with doing more tie dye is that I just want to practice to see if I can get the heart shape to turn out, but I'd have to let the kiddo do some, too. I just want it for meeeee! lol

Jennifer W wrote: "Oh, I would probably be able to lead the discussion on Treasure Island, but I might not get to it until a week or so into September."
YES! YES! YES!! That is absolutely no problem!! Is it okay if I list you as the "fascinating facilitator" for September's monthly group read discussion? Please? 🤗😉

Happy Thursday!

Can't believe we're at the end of August. It feels like it just started.

I've had a rough month in terms of school. My teacher said she never got my final assignment and gave me a '0' even though it showed I turned it in. I contacted the tech department and it showed on their end that the assignment went through so I don't know what's up. The tech department emailed her the info, but she only got back to me with one-word response and I emailed her too. I e-mailed her again when I saw that my grade still had not changed so we'll see what she says.

To top it off my advisor wasn't helpful so now I can't start school until October since I missed the registration dates for this time around.

Other than that not much else. That's the major drama in my life at the moment. That and job hunting as usual. It's so annoying that so many jobs around here make it a requirement that you be bilingual.

*****

Book News:

It was a great month for reading! I read 16 books for the month of August.

My best experience, surprisingly, was reading the main books from The Twilight Saga in a single month. It seemed like I was flying through them, but I actually took time to annotate/highlight/and tab. The books look so cool!

I went to the bookstore a few times this month (both the general one and the independent bookstore) and then of course ordered a few online.

So much for my reading goal of 85% or more nonfiction. After this month I tossed that goal out the window. It would have been cool, but that's okay, I've been enjoying the fiction books I've been reading lately.

For this month I read 31% fiction and 69% nonfiction.

August Reading Wrap Up:

Here are the books I read in order of favorite to least (not separated by fiction/nonfiction genres) just in general.

1. Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs

2. Fall of Civilizations: Stories of Greatness and Decline

3. The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story

4. Breaking Dawn

5. Jurassic Park

6. New Moon

7. The Apache Wars: The Hunt for Geronimo, the Apache Kid, and the Captive Boy Who Started the Longest War in American History

8. Teaching Challenged and Challenging Topics in Diverse and Inclusive Literature

9. Why Do I Have to Read This?

10. Building Critical Literacy and Empathy with Graphic Novels

11. Poetry Pauses: Teaching With Poems to Elevate Student Writing in All Genres

12. Twilight

13. Building Literacy in Social Studies: Strategies for Improving Comprehension and Critical Thinking

14. I Read It, but I Don't Get It

15. Eclipse

16. Teaching Social Studies Today 2nd Edition

******

September TBR:

There are times when I stick to TBR's, other times when I don't. It all just depends because at heart I'm a mood reader. Still I like to do them anyway. I've got 12 on my list so far.

I've broken them down by genre.

[Non-fiction:]

A History of Fans and Fandom: A Journey into the Passion and Power of Fan Culture - my most anticipated read

Music and Mind: Harnessing the Arts for Health and Wellness

The Burning Earth: A History - (September release)

By the Fire We Carry: The Generations-Long Fight for Justice on Native Land - (September release)

The State of Fire: Why California Burns - (September release)

Canyon Dreams: A Basketball Season on the Navajo Nation - This is being turned into a movie on Netflix for September so I want to read the book first

The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs: A New History of a Lost World - A reread. I've read the hardback, but I haven't annotated/read the paperback.

[Fiction:]

Counting Miracles - (September release)

Midnight Sun- I've tried reading this like 3 times before, but it's so long and depressing. I don't mind depressing books, but this is overkill. Still though, because I read the main 4 Twilight books in the month of August, I want to read this one and finally finish it.

Contact- Haven't read this in ages. It's been on my TBR all year.

The Lost World- Read Jurassic Park in August, so it makes sense to read the sequel.

The War of the Worlds- Last time I read this was in my mid-high school through college years so back between '05-'10. Been ages, but I've been getting back into a UFO kick again so I figured why not add on a classic.

Question of the Week
If you were to own a bookstore, what would it be like? How would you arrange the books? Would you serve coffee and food? Play music? Where would it be?

I'll have to get back to this question. It sure would be cool to open a bookstore. I would have a lot of local stuff both in terms of books about and from my city authors as well as state related as well. I'd be big on nonfiction (obviously). I'd like to get people interested in nonfiction because so many complain about it being boring and not finding what they're into.

Ron wrote: "Happy Thursday!

Can't believe we're at the end of August. It feels like it just started.

I've had a rough month in terms of school. My teacher said she never got my final assignment and gave me ..."

Ugh, that's terrible! I had a similar thing happen when I was getting my MLS, only the professor claimed she didn't get any of my assignments! This didn't keep me from registering for classes, but it did take almost a year to get the professor to change my grade, mostly because she never responded to my e-mails, and was never in her office so I couldn't talk to her in person. What finally did it, in fact, was registering for another class taught by her (since I'd basically written that off as a loss by then). I don't know if seeing my name suddenly jogged her memory, or if she didn't want me badmouthing her to the other students, or what, but my grade was changed and I dropped her class, and that was that. Hopefully you don't have to go through all that!

L Y N N wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "Oh, I would probably be able to lead the discussion on Treasure Island, but I might not get to it until a week or so into September."
YES! YES! YES!! That is absolutely no proble..."

Lol, whatever makes you happy, Lynn, I'm here to serve! :)

Ron wrote: "I've had a rough month in terms of school. My teacher said she never got my final assignment and gave me a '0' even though it showed I turned it in..."

Oh, Ron!! That's so horrible! Is there a Dean or a Dept Head you could appeal to?

Missed last weeks check in again, whoops! I have a heck of a month with my car. A sensor has gone out I think and it’s been causing my car to shut off randomly, even while I’m driving. I blew a tire last night and also got swindled by a locksmith after my keys got locked in my car on Saturday. It’s been rough lol. But otherwise I’ve just been busy with work like usual. It’s been a slow reading week for me but I’ve been reading some very enjoyable books lately.

Finished:
Gwen & Art Are Not in Love for an lgbt romance. Romances aren’t my fave but I follow this author on tiktok and find her very endearing so I picked one of hers. Mercifully it wasn’t filled with gratuitous sex scenes, I don’t mind when it’s alluded to but the graphic descriptions I’ve come across in some books are a lot for my delicate sensibilities lol. Over all this was a cute book and I can see myself reach for her books again if future challenges call for it.

The Family for the travel destination bucket list prompt. File this one under books written by a man for other men lol. I love Italian history, Catholic anything, and the Borgias in particular and while I usually expect some nonsense from people writing fiction about the Borgias, this was a little much. It kept me engaged the whole time and I got through it very quickly but I was making a yuck face for a good chunk of this reading experience.

The Golem and the Jinni for a book with magical realism. I read this back when it came out a few years ago and loved it, but when I had read the follow up I couldn’t remember the plot well enough to fully appreciate it. This was still a 5/5 novel and I loved every minute of it even though it took me forever to get through lol.

Currently Reading:
The Hostile Hospital
Tom Lake
Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Great Adventure Catholic Bible

QOTW:
One of my loftiest fantasy dreams is to own a rare books store, like something straight out of The Ninth Gate or The Magnus Archives. Very ornate, dark academia vibes. I’d want people to be mildly uneasy, like they now know too much. If people don’t think I’ve made some kind of evil alliance I wouldn’t be doing it right.

Challenges:
Popsugar - 22/45; 1/5
Read Harder - 15/24
Classics - 6/12
European Tour - 7/10
12 Friends - 12/12
Yearly Goal - 108/150

Happy check-in!

Finished Reading:

Omens Visions ⭐⭐⭐
I'm finally getting around to this five book series. The main character finds out she's adopted and her birth parents are convicted serial killers. She starts investigating and learns of her magical heritage.

The Lightning Thief: The Graphic Novel ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (PS musical)
Thanks to the person who used Percy Jackson for this prompt a week or so ago.

Sugar Falls: A Residential School Story ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (PS book seller)
A good writer and artist partnership.

Check & Mate ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The books I was reading were heavy so I needed a light reread.

Fangirl, Vol. 4: The Manga ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The final installment for Fangirl. It's still an enjoyable story.

Wenjack ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A tiny book caught my eye at the library. Inspired by Chanie Wenjack a boy who escaped a residential school and froze to death trying to get home. His death in the 60s caused the first inquiry into residential schools.

PS 45/50
Aty 50/52
Aty Summer 36/36
DBC 28/36
Goodreads 201/250

Jennifer W wrote: "L Y N N wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "Oh, I would probably be able to lead the discussion on Treasure Island, but I might not get to it until a week or so into September."
YES! YES! YES!! That is abso..."
And we are thrilled to have you do so! LOL

Happy Thursday!

Getting back into the groove of school. I have some fun classes this semester (Creative Writing Poetry and Movies Around the World), so hopefully this semester goes well.

Currently at my sister's house for a holiday weekend (it's Labor Day in the US). Plan on having a chill weekend watching movies, playing games, and maybe discussing a family vacation for next summer.

Books read this week:

When Among Crows -- a novella that really deserved to be a longer book. I loved the Polish mythological references, but it felt like too much plot and character development crammed into too little space.

How to Leave the Mormon Church: An Exmormon’s Guide to Rebuilding After Religion -- a personal, self-help read. I’m struggling through a faith crisis right now, and this book has been helpful.

A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying -- cute middle-grade read about a princess turned monster hunter and the creatures she fights and befriends along the way.

Currently reading:

The Circus Infinite
Special Deliverance

QOTW:

If I owned a bookstore, the books would be separated by genre, arranged alphabetically by author. I'd try to keep the atmosphere cozy with relaxing music and a small counter selling snacks, coffee, tea, and cocoa, as well as a reading area. I would also love to do what our local independent bookstore does and offer some non-book entertainment in one area -- puzzles, D&D equipment, etc.

Quick check-in for me! I finished two books. Neither one worked for any of my PS open prompts, but I was able to use one for BookRiot's Read Harder, so I'll take that as a win. I'm at 20/45 and 2/5 for this challenge, and 64/100 for my overall Goodreads Reading Challenge.

Finished:
* Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? by Julie Smith; and,
* I Don't Want to Read This Book Aloud written by Max Greenfield and illustrated by Mike Lowery, which I picked up after catching the end of the author's interview at the 2024 National Book Festival. He was delightful, so I was glad I popped in before the author I wanted to hear speak Sandra Cisneros (who was AMAZING!! What a gift to get to hear her interview, commemorating the 40th anniversary of The House on Mango Street).

Currently Reading:
* The Penguin Book of Murder Mysteries edited by Michael Sims;
* Havoc by Deborah J. Ledford, which is my latest Goodreads Giveaways win; and,
* The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride, which is one of my book clubs' picks for September. I was lucky enough to get a seat for his interview at the National Book Festival -- he was fantastic and so dang funny!

QotW:
If you were to own a bookstore, what would it be like? How would you arrange the books? Would you serve coffee and food? Play music? Where would it be? I may add to this later because I've gotta start wrapping things up and prep for work tomorrow! I'd love to have a multi-story store that still has a cozy feel and makes you want to explore the stacks. I'd definitely have a mix of used and new books, and would keep a freebie library out front. It would be a mix of genres and I'd probably just do "fiction," "non-fiction," and "kids" and shelve them in alphabetic order by author's last name to encourage folks to discover new authors. I'd have an areas for comfy couches and chairs separate from the stacks where people could chill out with their new purchases for awhile (maybe rent out time slots?) and enjoy a tasty beverage (no food...at least to start). I would definitely play music and I'd probably lean into my Gen-X-ness and play a mash-up of my favorite genres and bands (grunge, pop-y Zumba-type jams, INXS/U2/R.E.M., and my 80's faves, like Sheila E. and Prince, and maybe throw in some Beastie Boys for good measure -- huh...this looks an awful lot like my Apple Music favorites list 🤣). I'd probably try to find a beach town to move to and set up shop, so I could hit the beach with new books and leave my awesome and amazing staff in charge ☀️🏖📚

Running late tonight because I wanted to go to the River Circus (a group of performers floating down the Ohio river) but the heat was too much for me and my friend (we both have significant health issues)

I got some reading done and one was for the challenge. Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn ( p.s. 30. A book with a one-word title you had to look up in a dictionary) Yes I'm playing fast and loose with this one. I looked for something else but most of the suggestions were not words I needed to look up. This I had no idea because it's made up for the story and not in the dictionary but I'm keeping it anyhow.

If you're looking for the prompt 21. A book that came out in a year that ends with "24" I just read Six of Sorrow by Amanda Linsmeier which just came out in June. It was a good YA horror.

And for no prompt I also just finished Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell, a middle grade fantasy with gorgeous art. And also for no prompt I finished 怪物事変 3 Kemono Jihen #3 by Sho Aimoto which is a fun urban fantasy manga

QOTW oh what a fun question. Honest I'd like to do a themed used books, either all fantasy/SF or all mysteries.

The former would have a lot of SF/Fantasy art and knick knacks around, some big comfy chairs if I had the space for them, maybe an ice cream bar with riffs off well known SF/F characters.

The mystery one would maybe have that English manor house feel with a coffee/tea bar (with the same silly takes of well known detectives)

Almost forgot it's Thursday, prob because I have a 4 day weekend and it feels like Friday, which is good because I'm thoroughly drained after the school I work for had to lock down for 3.5 hours yesterday because some little punk called in a shooting threat. Everyone is safe and it was undoubtedly a hoax but it is still exhausting to go the process. I hope they find and arrest them and send the message that this is not ok.

I somehow finished 3 books, but 2 were in progress for a while and 1 was a graphic novel.

I am really lagging on this challenge. I have been at 33 complete for a while now. I need to target some of the remaining prompts.

Last week, I used Born To Run for:

PS: N/A
ATY: Going for the gold (records)
52: title/song lyrics
Robot Librarian: 900 dewey decimal

This week
Persepolis:
PS: N/A
ATY: TBR 1 year +
52: N/A
RL:N/A

The Catcher in the Rye:
PS: N/A
ATY: N/A
52: time span > week
RL: N/A

Sociopath: A Memoir
PS: N/A
ATY:N/A
52: N/A
RL: Biography of someone not a fan of

Currently reading:
Pathetic Literature
A Hitch In Time
None of this is True
Women Talking

QOTW:
I just want to buy my favorite indie bookstore because it's almost perfect. It is the bottom floor of a live/work space....imagine living above a bookstore/coffeeshop! Heaven! I would make a few adjustments though:

What would it be like? Cozy chairs. Lots of cat decor...I would love to have a bookstore cat but I understand a lot of people are allergic, so I would go with decor. In fact, my logo would have a cat on it. A separate area for a cafe. Maybe a small consignment shop for local crafters in one corner. I would sell store merch: tshirts, bags, bookmarks ...all with the cat logo of course. In fact you get a free bookmark with purchase. Some kind of rewards program. Maybe a meeting room that can be used for author discussions or book clubs, or I'd just let them reserve the cafe
How would you arrange the books? I would have a lot of sub-genres. A section for popular new releases. Separate children's section. Separate YA section, separate manga section. I might mix fiction and nonfiction if the genres are similar, like essay collections next to short story collections. I would have a used book section and offer to buy books from customers to sell in that section.
Would you serve coffee and food? I would, because owning an indie bookstore is a tough business and if I have to sell coffee, tea and sandwiches to make enough profit to sell books, that's a fair trade off. But the cafe would be a separate area with tables as I am also fearful of drinks and books mixing...carrying drinks would not be forbidden but the arrangement of the cafe/books would make it clear the action is discouraged
Play music? No, because music bugs me when I'm trying to browse for books
Where would it be? Middle class and upper middle class suburbs seem to be able to sustain bookstores.

Joanna wrote: Joanna wrote:

Ugh, that's terrible! I had a similar thing happen when I was getting my MLS, only the professor claimed she didn't get any of my assignments! This didn't keep me from registering for classes, but it did take almost a year to get the professor to change my grade, mostly because she never responded to my e-mails, and was never in her office so I couldn't talk to her in person. What finally did it, in fact, was registering for another class taught by her (since I'd basically written that off as a loss by then). I don't know if seeing my name suddenly jogged her memory, or if she didn't want me badmouthing her to the other students, or what, but my grade was changed and I dropped her class, and that was that. Hopefully you don't have to go through all that

Wow that's bad. Especially since it took a year to get resolved.

I don't want to go over her head and contact the dean, but I just might have to do that in this case. I don't understand why she says she didn't get my assignment. It shows on my end that it went through, and then when the IT department checked it said it did too so it makes no sense at all.

But then this professor wasn't that great anyway. I was always getting bad grades on my assignments and the only feedback she would give was 'write more'. It's like, I'm answering the questions, what more do you want? Write more? Well give me more details as to how you want the assignment done then I'll do it right. It was annoying as heck!

Hi all! I got a new car this week and am totally in love. I had my last car for 15 years, and it was a base model, so this is a major upgrade.

Finished:
The Official Stardew Valley Cookbook: finally finished trying a couple of the recipes so now I feel I can call it read. Very fun cookbook for fans of the game, and the recipes I tried were all pretty good.

Water, Water: Poems: Not his strongest collection

A History of the World in Twelve Shipwrecks: Really interesting way to look through history! I appreciate that he included chapters on wrecks not in the western world, but honestly the chapters on archaeological sites he personally worked on were stronger to me. Possibly just because he could speak to the experience of diving down to the site and seeing the artifacts.

QOTW
What I think would be fun, if completely impractical, would be to have a mystery/thriller/horror bookstore where the books are organized according to trope/theme. All the 'country house murders' together, all the 'trapped by a snowstorms' in a section, etc. And I would have lots of couches and chairs, though be forewarned my dog is not going to get up to make room for you :)

I love the idea of cafes in bookstores, but I would be too nervous about the inventory. Maybe my bookstore can be next door to a cafe and we'll have a combo deal. Buy a book, get a half-priced coffee?

Jackie wrote: "Hi all! I got a new car this week and am totally in love. I had my last car for 15 years, and it was a base model, so this is a major upgrade.

..."

Congrats! what did you get? My VW is a 2015 so I have a few years yet before I buy another, but I'm starting to think about it. I always spend the first six months missing my old car, I get so attached

Denise wrote: "What would it be like? Cozy chairs. Lots of cat decor......"




I love how well thought-out your answer is, right down to a good location!!!

Nadine in NY wrote: "Jackie wrote: "Hi all! I got a new car this week and am totally in love. I had my last car for 15 years, and it was a base model, so this is a major upgrade.

..."

Congrats! what did you get? My ..."

A Ford Maverick - it's a hybrid truck. I've been looking for a hybrid for the gas mileage and I love the cargo space that you get with a truck. We have a Bolt which is all electric, and while we love it, realistically the infrastructure of charging stations isn't good enough yet for us to the kind of cross-country family road trips we want to do. All my family lives far away and I want to be able to load up the kid and the dog in the car and go visit.

Jackie wrote: "Hi all! I got a new car this week and am totally in love. I had my last car for 15 years, and it was a base model, so this is a major upgrade..."

Congrats!

I too got a new car at the beginning of the month. My truck was a 2005 Chevy Colorado so, it was time (my dad was tired of fixing it I think). I loved that truck and still kinda miss it. In some ways I was like um, wouldn't it have been cheaper to just fix the few things wrong on my truck instead of buying me a new car? But oh well, my Dad felt like getting me a new car, and I am very grateful that I have someone who cares enough to help me out since I do not have much income (I could barely even afford to change the oil in my car, LOL!). My new truck is a 2023 Ford Maverick.

HAHAHA... Your post just updated and we got the same truck. Mine's not a hybrid though.

OMG if this is true then I'm hyped. I normally don't like reboots or sequels to shows, but I'm making an exception. They're supposedly going to be doing a sequel for the show One Tree Hill. Hilarie Burton Morgan (Peyton Sawyer) and Sophia Bush (Brooke Davis) are going to be reprising their roles as well as be executive producers.

I am so in for it! Out of everything I watched back in the day, OTH was my IT show. I put it above everything else.

I even have both of Hilarie's books:

The Rural Diaries: Love, Livestock, and Big Life Lessons Down on Mischief Farm

Grimoire Girl: Creating an Inheritance of Magic and Mischief

And I even pre-ordered Bethany Joy's (Haley James Scott) book:

Dinner for Vampires: Life on a Cult TV Show

Happy Friday! Summer is winding down. It's almost time for my favorite season. Fall!!!

Finished:

Just Another Missing Person (PS 24 letters in title) 4 stars. This was a great read. It's the second book I read from this author and I liked this one as well. I will have to read more of her backlog.

Currently reading:

Night Film (PS about a 24 year old)

The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics (ATY going for the gold)

Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures (ATY prompt that didn't make the list - mushrooms)

QOTW: I would love a cozy bookstore with comfy chairs to read in. It would have no music and no food. I would make sure the aisles were big because I hate when other customers are right on top of you while browsing. Or no aisles at all, just shelves all along the walls and various tables in the middle for the books. Although I do love cats, I don't think I would have a store cat. Unfortunately, too many people are allergic. But that reminds a cat cafe just opened downtown that I will have to make the time to go see. And they sell books too!

This is what I think of when I hear about a "Ford Maverick"... I had three close friends who drove this car when we were all in high school.

Happy check-in! It's Friday once again and we've just had a pair of thunderstorms roll through - nice to have the rain, we've had another heat wave here lately. Hubby and I are gearing up to see Green Day in concert on Sunday evening. I'm SO excited, I've never seen them live before and I've loved them for decades.

Finished this week:
A Sorceress Comes to Call - 5 stars. T Kingfisher's newest, and I've been looking forward to it since I found out it was coming :) It's a loose retelling of The Goose Girl, an old Grimm Brothers fairytale, and I love what she did with the story.

The Pillars of the Earth - 2.5 stars. I marathoned this audiobook for a straight week and while I liked some of the characters (Ellen and Aliena, and Jack), others were extremely off-putting (as they were meant to be!) but it just wasn't as satisfying as I needed it to be for the time commitment. At least give me a showdown where Aliena dismembers William piece by piece, as he deserved.

PS 37/50
ATY 45/52
Mount TBR 23/48

Currently:
Tricks for Free
Defy or Defend 24th book of an author

QOTW: If you were to own a bookstore, what would it be like? How would you arrange the books? Would you serve coffee and food? Play music? Where would it be?
Ooooh I'm envisioning an old house-turned-shop. Ideally, books would be sorted by genre, each to its own room. Beyond that, who knows. Part of the fun of (especially used) bookstores is combing through the stacks for treasures! I would absolutely love a bookstore/cafe with a cat hanging around (apologies to shoppers with allergies!), because tea/coffee/books is the perfect combination on a chilly day and you must have munchies if you have tea or coffee. Nice big kitchen downstairs would take care of that, and plenty of comfy spots to sit and read.

Music would probably be some ambient instrumental stuff (this is my excuse to play Concerning Hobbits on a 12hr loop). I would absolutely stay open late for those readers who come dashing in to grab a sequel at 1am after finishing the previous book.

Laura Z wrote: "This is what I think of when I hear about a "Ford Maverick"... I had three close friends who drove this car when we were all in high school.

"



hahaha same! I'm struggling with what a "Maverick" looks like, I have to google. I wonder why Ford decided to reuse the name for a completely different vehicle

I've started 3 of my September reads:

Music and Mind: Harnessing the Arts for Health and Wellness

A History of Fans and Fandom: A Journey into the Passion and Power of Fan Culture

Midnight Sun