Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion

Happy Thursday again!

This time of year seems to be the reading challenge doldrums, every year it gets so quiet and slow around here.  Maybe it's everyone going back to school.  Maybe people are on holiday.  Maybe we're just sick of talking about books.   I REALLY appreciate those of you who stick around!!!  I'd be so lonely without all of  you!!  



Admin stuff
September is winding down, but you can still join the September group read of Treasure Island here:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

October's group read will be The Thursday Murder Club and we need a discussion leader!!!  

The final poll is closed and the December group read will be:  The Picture of Dorian Gray

Let us know if you would like to lead the October, November, and/or December discussions. 




This week I finished 4 books.

George Seferis Poems - I remember enjoying his poetry when I read it in college, but this time around it didn't do anything for me.  Maybe it's only enjoyable when you have a professor explaining all the references.

The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes - this was okay.
It had a strong start but then sagged.  There was a lot of chaff, and if it had been cut down toa novella it probably would have been a better book.  (But I say that a lot!!)

Fang Fiction by Kate Stayman-London - this was one of my NetGalley reads and I hated it!!  I recommend this to no one.  I'm sure the publishers are sorry they approved me, because I've got nothing good to say.  I thought this author's first book was decent, and this sounded fun so I expected good things here and I am beyond disappointed by this one.

Only Human by Sylvain Neuvel- I finally got around to reading the final book in this trilogy, and I loved it!!!  These books were MADE to be audiobooks.  I think this is the best audiobook I've ever listened to. Five stars!!


Popsugar 100% 50 /50
Must Reads 70% 7 /10
AtY 100% 52 /52
2024 pub 106% 53 /50
NetGalley ratio 79% (almost there!!)




Question of the Week
How do you feel about "pumpkin spice"?

This question was suggested by my older daughter, who is a fan of squash and pumpkin AND pumpkin spice.

It's that time of year! Pumpkin Spice Everything!  

If you're not familiar with it, "pumpkin spice" is the blend of spices traditionally used in pumpkin pie: cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, and sometimes nutmeg and/or allspice, too.  It does not taste like pumpkin at all!  Some people get confused about that, I think.  

At this time of year, you can find "pumpkin spice" versions of everything: coffee, coffee creamer, ice cream, cookies, cake, doughnuts, bread, milkshakes, breakfast cereal, chocolate, beer, vodka, air fresheners, and probably a bunch of other stuff too (I saw a recipe for pumpkin spice pasta and sausage).  The trend has been (unfairly) associated with "basic white girls."  Starbucks is the cause of all of it.

People say that Pumpkin Spice Season comes earlier every year, but two weeks ago when my younger daughter started college, she tried to get a Pumpkin Spice latte at the Starbucks on campus, and they said they weren't offering that until Fall.  She was upset! I don't think she's gone back there since (to Starbucks I mean - she's still going to college LOL) . Well ... now it's Fall!

I'm not particularly opposed to it, but mostly I like my pumpkin spice to be confined to my pumpkin pie (or pumpkin cookies or pumpkin cakes).   I'm not a fan of flavored coffees, in general.  I like my coffee to be strong, from a blend of single-origin medium-dark roasted beans that I grind before each pot, and I drink it with milk, no sugar.  My coffee tastes like coffee.   If you sprinkled a bit of cinnamon on top of my morning coffee, I would not get angry, I'd still drink it, but I also don't do it myself.

It's definitely the time of year when a lot of people are either finished challenges or bored of them. I usually finish in November, but I won't be finishing Popsugar this year. I'm looking forward to doing a few blogging events rather than slogging through prompts I don't want to do!

Finished:
Over My Dead Body by Maz Evans for ATY (Five Books list). I thought the humour verged on meanness too many times, but this was an OK mystery from the POV of the deceased. I will be so annoyed if we get a local author prompt next year, as at the end I noticed a mention of something that suggested she was local-ish (and she is).

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross. I liked this a lot more than I was expecting. The war part was handled quite seriously even if the reasons for the war are some god thing I didn't understand. Bit of a cliffhanger but at least the second book is out already.

QOTW:
I'd like pumpkin spice lattes more if they weren't quite so sweet. I usually drink my coffee black, no sugar, so I don't really consider them coffees, more like dessert. I usually have one PSL a year and I had mine already (though from an independent that also put Biscoff in).

I like Christmas tea blends more, without milk or sugar.

Happy Thursday!

Still plugging away at school, work, and JoJo. My 8-week class is almost finished, so I'm looking forward to a slightly lighter work load for the second half of the semester.

Our library is currently undergoing construction -- they're expanding the building -- so work has gotten noisy. And there's talk of shutting the library down for a couple of weeks in November to recarpet and repaint the building, so... yay for a break I guess?

Books read this week:

Wild Spaces -- boy howdy, this got sad. Rather melancholy cosmic horror book… and if harm to animals is a trigger for you, you might want to pass on this one

Open Throat -- what a weird little novel! But so good too! Somehow the author takes the story of a mountain lion and turns it into a metaphor for being a queer person in America, with powerful messages about gentrification and climate change as well.

The Gryphon's Lair -- a fun continuation of the Royal Guide to Monster Slaying series.

The Canyon's Edge -- a powerful novel-in-verse about survival, courage, and life after a traumatic event.

DNF:

The Fisherman -- I loved John Langan’s short story collection… but I just could not get into his novel. I think he’s better suited to the short story format.

Currently reading:

3 mph: The Adventures of One Woman's Walk Around the World
Stormsong
Alien Clay
Nineteen Claws and a Black Bird

QOTW:

I love the smell of pumpkin spice. I can't say I've eaten or drank much that tastes like it, unless it's actual pumpkin products. I'm not a coffee drinker, though I love the smell of it and I've found myself developing a liking for chai.

Happy Thursday! My Little Free Library is proving popular. I need to replace a couple of books nearly every day. It probably helps that it’s just a few feet away from our neighborhood mailboxes. I’m glad people are finding books they’re interested in and that no one has abused the box and its contents.

2024 Reading Challenges: I’ve read 362 books and completed 30.7% of my ever-growing TBR.

52 Book Club: 51/52 (September Mini-Challenge: 3/3)
ATY: 48/52 (Fall Challenge 23/45)
Booklist Queen: 48/52
Diverse Baseline: 27/36
Popsugar: 44/50
Robot Librarian: 50/52
ICYMI Backlist: 9/12

Recently Completed:

Coming Home: Brittney Griner’s memoir of her incarceration in Russia. I was really impressed. ★★★★★

Master Slave Husband Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom: NPR 2023 Books We Love. (ATY Fall – PUMPKINSPICELATTE: Ilyon Woo) ★★★★

Stories Are Weapons: Psychological Warfare and the American Mind ★★★

The Secret History: The book was good, but I’m not sure what makes it a “classic” compared to other similar books. Also, in this age of “own voices,” I find it interesting that Donna Tartt writes from a male POV both in this book and The Goldfinch. (52 Books #48 – the word secret in the title/ATY Fall – PUMPKINSPICELATTE: Donna Tart) ★★★★

The Bullet Swallower (52 Books September Mini-Challenge: related to with a revolver/ATY Fall – HOTAPPLECIDER: Elizabeth Gonzalez James) ★★★

The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen: NPR 2023 Books We Love. (Popsugar #45 – LGBTQ+ romance) ★★★

One Nation Under Guns: How Gun Culture Distorts Our History and Threatens Our Democracy (ATY Fall – HOTAPPLECIDER: One Nation) ★★★★

Canyon Dreams: A Basketball Season on the Navajo Nation: Premieres on Netflix tomorrow as a movie (produced by LeBron James) called “Rez Ball.” I’m looking forward to it. (ATY Fall – FAMILYGATHERING: Michael Powell) ★★★★

Tastes Like Shakkar (ATY Fall – FAMILYGATHERING: Tastes) ★★★

Glitter Everywhere!: My grandson Eli (age 7) and I read this one together. It’s an NPR 2023 Books We Love pick, and it’s fascinating! It’s all about glitter – where it comes from, its history and how it’s made. All the (glittery, glittery) stars! ★★★★★



Currently Reading:

All You Have to Do Is Call: NPR 2023 Books We Love.
Again and Again (ATY Fall – FAMILYGATHERING: Again/Booklist Queen #7 – unreliable narrator/Popsugar #33 – unreliable narrator)
Lady Susan / The Watsons / Sanditon: Jane Austen Book Club.
The Silence Factory
Autocracy, Inc.
This Land Is Their Land: The Wampanoag Indians, Plymouth Colony, and the Troubled History of Thanksgiving (52 Books #46 – featuring Indigenous culture/ATY #27 – related to land/Popsugar #42 – nonfiction about Indigenous people)
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius (52 Books #29 – published in a Year of the Dragon/Popsugar #25 – published 24 years ago)
Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter: Reasonable Doubt Book Club. (ATY #40 – involving a wild animal or endangered species)
The Honey-Don't List (ATY Fall – FAMILYGATHERING: Christina Lauren)
Road Home (ATY Fall – FAMILYGATHERING: Road)
Orbital: Short-listed for the 2024 Booker Prize.



QOTW: I like pumpkin spice in that it evokes fall, but I prefer it on my desserts instead of as a scent in candles, cologne, car fresheners, kitchen cleaners, etc. And I don’t drink coffee. The caffeine makes me vibrate. I prefer a spiced chai with a dash of milk.

Hi all! Ugh, I'm sore. I did 2 hours yesterday afternoon with a pre-k class. I don't think it could have been any more low-key, recess, nap time, snack time, get on the bus, and I'm still hurting and exhausted. I had to drop my car off this morning to get a recall repaired, but otherwise, I don't have anything that I have to do today.
However, I heard from my lawyer yesterday, too (cause everything comes at me at once it seems) and my insurance company is finally going to settle with me and pay me some money!! I don't know when it'll come through, but it's a huge weight off my shoulders.

Also, if anyone is interested, I started a thread for Banned Books Week here in the US this week! Over 10,000 books were banned last year in US public schools! https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Finished Treasure Island. It was fun, but not very memorable. For a pirate book.

Finished The Debutante, quite interesting. I hope there's a follow up at some point as more is learned. Not sure if it fits a prompt.

Restarted Hanging Mary for a book about a 42 year old. I started it at the beginning of the year, but I let it flounder for too long and needed to restart it.

Listening to The Fox Wife, about an hour in, it has promise.

QOTW: I like pumpkin spice flavors, but I think it's way too overdone. Other than pumpkin pie, the best one I've had was pumpkin spice bagels. With cream cheese, they end up tasting like a pumpkin roll for breakfast! Worst: Kit Kat.... Bleh!!
I don't drink coffee or tea, so I bypass all of that.

Ellie wrote: "I will be so annoyed if we get a local author prompt next year..."



LOL I'll be annoyed just in general if we get that prompt again!! I have to either put up with a subpar local author that I would never normally read, or choose someone who was once a professor at Syracuse University or Cornell University (or other nearby school), or I have to pick someone from NYC, and those last two choices feel like "cheating" so I don't like them.

Laura Z wrote: "Happy Thursday! My Little Free Library is proving popular. I need to replace a couple of books nearly every day. It probably helps that it’s just a few feet away from our neighborhood mailboxes. I’..."



Very exciting!!! I'm glad it's a success.


The Bullet Swallower (52 Books September Mini-Challenge: related to with a revolver/ATY Fall – HOTAPPLECIDER: Elizabeth Gonzalez James) ★★★

So how was this? just okay?

Jennifer W wrote: "... I heard from my lawyer yesterday, too (cause everything comes at me at once it seems) and my insurance company is finally going to settle with me and pay me some money!!
..."



FINALLY!! It's about time!!

Woo hoo! I finished the challenge. Here are the books I wrapped it up with.

Pirates: Scourge of the Seas by John Reeve Carpenter (PS 6. A book about pirates) I originally got this nonfiction intro to pirates because of a book I was writing with a friend but it got abandoned and I never read this. It's a nice intro into the subject matter.

Native Wisdom: Perceptions of the Natural Way by Ed McGaa (Eagle Man) (PS42. A nonfiction book about Indigenous people) I was spoiled for choice in this as I have a strong interest in Indigenous people. I bought this book nearly 30 years ago when I was a reservation doctor, even found my bookmark still in it from then and remembered why I had DNFed this one. I powered through it so it can leave my shelves. It wasn't bad really but I had qualms about it.

also read this week In Hell We Fight! Volume 1 by John Layman, a graphic novel following some teens in hell. I enjoyed it.

QOTW Love it. I'm all about the warming spices. Yes it gets greatly overdone these days and into things it shouldn't be in but in cakes and coffee I'm there for it.

Nadine in NY wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "... I heard from my lawyer yesterday, too (cause everything comes at me at once it seems) and my insurance company is finally going to settle with me and pay me some money!!

FINALLY!! It's about time!!....."

It sure is!! Thank you!
(I can't wait until we have 2 cars again!!!!!!!!!!)

I'm finally making progress on my TBR! Even though I bought 3 books on Tuesday.

Library TBR: 10/10
Purchased TBR: 17/30

Finished: The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August An AI I've been chatting with recommended this. It's not as good as Addie LaRue, but it definitely has similar themes!

A Court of Thorns and Roses This has been banned statewide, so of course I had to read it. Initially categorized as new adult, it has one sex scene, not particularly offensive (to me). I don't read much YA so I don't know how out of the ordinary this is.
It's a gritty retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It has a happy ending, but boy! does she have to work for it.

White House Ghosts: Presidents and Their Speechwriters This is about Presidential speechwriters from FDR through George W. It is a good narrative of how a lot of the work done at the White House is collaborative, not just one individual as we often think of it as.

The Universe in Verse: 15 Portals to Wonder through Science & Poetry Yay Maria Popova! This was supposed to come out next week, but I saw it on the shelves this week and had to snag it! Short and sweet.

In a Flight of Starlings By a Nobel prize winning physicist ruminating on the metaphor of science. I'll probably have to re-read this to get anything out of it.

The Internet Con: How to Seize the Means of Computation Cory Doctorow is so smart and also a jerk. I didn't enjoy this. I don't know why I bought it.

Started: Transgender Justice in Schools

QotW: I get more excited about eggnog lattes than pumpkin spice.

Happy Thursday!

I am back from vacation and starting to get back into the swing of things.

Finished:
Somewhere Beyond the Sea by T.J. Klune - 4 stars - no prompt. I really liked getting to see these characters again.

Currently reading:
The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi - for Robot Librarian's book set in Africa

Upcoming/Planned:
The Lies We Conjure by Sarah Henning - no prompt.

QOTW:
I love a lot of pumpkin spice flavored things, but I prefer actual pumpkin with the spice. Though I'm currently drinking a pumpkin chai flavored coffee, which is very nice.

Cornerofmadness wrote: "Woo hoo! I finished the challenge. Here are the books I wrapped it up with. ..."



Congrats on the finish!!

Hi all! Exhausting week of work for me, and unfortunately my husband has to work this weekend so it's not going to be very restful.

Finished

The White Mirror: I love this mystery series set in 18th century China; it's so refreshing to get a historical mystery set not in victorian, edwardian, or interwar England. And the plot's are good! What a treat. Sadly, there's only one more in the series so I'll have to hope the author returns to it eventually.

The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder: David Grann is one of my faves and he definitely came through on this one. Did you know that the phrase "under the weather" (meaning you're feeling ill) comes from sick sailors being brought below decks to protect them from the wind/rain/waves? Fascinating. Unfortunately the ending was a little anticlimactic. That's not really Grann's fault, it's just the way that history went, but still kind of a fizzle out.

Currently Reading

Paper Boat: New and Selected Poems, 1961-2023: it's just a lot of poetry; I wish I had more time to read it but the book gets published next week so I've got to push through

The God of the Woods: I feel like this and James are the it books of the year and I'm really excited for this.

QOTW
I like pumpkin spice for desserts and it's fun to lean into fall flavors. Pumpkin spice latte, pumpkin pie obviously, but also pumpkin spice cheesecake, pumpkin spice donuts, pumpkin spice cinnamon rolls. One of the bigger misses for me was pumpkin spice cheerios which just didn't really work for me. ymmv.

Happy Thursday! Quick check-in before I’m dropping in bed early today. I’m exhausted, tonight is the first night I’m actually at home.

FNL: 37/40
Total: 54/52
DNF: 1

Finished
Suikerbastaard by Jaap Scholten⭐⭐⭐

Currently reading
The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes

QOTW
I feel nothing about pumpkin spice because we have our own 'winter spice' in the Netherlands: ‘speculaas spice’. It's a blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, white pepper, aniseed, coriander and cardamom. So it's kind of the same taste and smell. It’s called ‘speculaas’ after the cookie. We put the cookies everywhere: cakes, pies, puddings, custards, icecreams and even create new cookies with it. I love it, it smells like fall and winter and candles and tea and cookies. We do not put this blend in everything, Americans do exaggerate (smile). I don’t know of a coffee blend, but I don’t drink coffee blends anyway (blends are too sweet).

Happy Thursday! Kept up with my reading for the rest of the readathon, and then my numbers completely went downhill. Although last night I did stay up way later than I should have in order to finish a book.

Finished
Genesis A quick read, interesting enough, although it's definitely faded in retrospect. I feel like the 'inner story' was more interesting than the framing device. Used for ATY author from New Zealand.

Collected Poems of Emily Dickinson I don't think I've ever read any poems by her before, and some of them really blew me away. This one suffered for me though as a readathon read - I think I would have liked it even more if I could have read it at a pace of just a couple poems a day rather than having to push through.

Anxious People Another big swing in my reactions while reading - started off thinking it was a bit insufferable in tone, and by the end it was a 5 star read. It just gave me the feels. Despite some reservation about it given the number of flashbacks, I'm using it for set within 24 hours cause that's a hard prompt to meet.

Eclipse the Moon Liked it less than the first in the series, but enough to keep going to number 3. No prompt.

A True Account: Hannah Masury’s Sojourn Amongst the Pyrates, Written by Herself Fun story of a serving girl who disguises herself as a boy and joins a sailing crew that turns to piracy, with a lot of winks and nods to Treasure Island. I really liked her story, but not so much the second storyline of the academic discovering her story. No prompt, since I already filled pirates.

Currently Reading
Only one right now, Her Body and Other Parties: Stories which is for my book club doing a getaway this weekend.

QotW I'm slightly positive on pumpkin spice. I've had a few items flavoured that way, and don't mind them (though it did take me awhile to realize it didn't mean pumpkin flavoured), but it's not something I'm running around looking to stock up on.

Good afternoon from Columbus! I missed last weeks check-in because like so many weeks before it, I simply don’t realize Thursday has passed until it’s like Saturday or Sunday lol. I’m seeing Howl’s Moving Castle with my boyfriend on Sunday, I’m very excited for that. Otherwise it’s just been a busy few weeks with work and life in general.

Finished:
Two weeks worth
Little House in the Big Woods for my classics challenge. I used to love watching this show with my mom when I was a kid but I don’t think I’ve ever read any of the books before.

Galatea not for the challenge but when I saw that Madeline Miller had a short story based on Greek mythology I was 100% there immediately. As always it was lusciously written and heartbreaking but beautiful.

Newt's Emerald for a cozy fantasy. Garth Nix is a beloved author because Sabriel is one of my favorite books, but I hadn’t read anything of his that wasn’t related to the Old Kingdom series. This book was fun, a pretty standard fantasy with some magic, some adventure and some romance. I’ll try to fit more of his work into my challenges next year.

Far From the Madding Crowd for my classics challenge. Tess of the D’Urbervilles was such a devastating book to read that I was really expecting this one to also be soul crushing. But it was actually much lighter of a novel while still having similar themes.

How Far the Light Reaches: A Life in Ten Sea Creatures for the queer memoir. I liked the bits about sea life, and how the author related that back personal experiences. This probably would have been a 4 star read for me if some more explicit details hadn’t been included. I think most normal people wouldn’t find that as off-putting as I did so I’m going to chalk that up as a me issue lol

The Warm Hands of Ghosts for my European tour challenge (it mostly takes place in Belgium). This is another read I picked because I really enjoy the authors previous works. The Bear and the Nightingale and Small Spaces are two series I devoured and with a titled like The Warm Hands of Ghosts I was sold. This takes place in the First World War, there’s some supernatural elements that give this book a little something extra. If you’ve liked her previous works I really think you’ll like this.

Between Shades of Gray for the European challenge (Lithuania). Another book taking place during war, this one focuses on the people deported to Siberia by Stalin. You’d think I’d stop being shocked by the things I read about the terrible things that happen during war, but no it always manages to puzzle and break my heart.

The Hostile Hospital not for the challenge, still working my way through these audiobooks with my son.

Currently Reading:
A WEBTOON manga called When Tangents Meet
House of Leaves
Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Great Adventure Catholic Bible

Challenges:
Popsugar - 28/45; 3/5
Read Harder - 15/24
Classics - 9/12
European Tour - 9/10
12 Friends - 12/12
Yearly Goal - 122/150

QOTW:
I love fall flavors most of all so I don’t mind that it comes early. I’m more a chai, maple, salted caramel, apple cider fall girlie myself but I won’t turn my nose up at pumpkin spice flavored things.

Jackie wrote: "The God of the Woods: I feel like this and James are the it books of the year and I'm really excited for this. ..."


Oh boy! I haven't read either one of these yet and I guess I need to get on it!!!

This is a two week check-in because my parents were up here last week, and I spent most of my time with them, including doing some wine tastings and attending The Big E, always the highlight of my fall. And while fun, it was not too conducive to reading so it's a short one this time.

Finished reading:
Witchlings - I reread this one for a read-along the author is holding to promote the upcoming third book in the series. I listened to the audiobook this time around, and while I still enjoyed the story itself (minus a few worldbuilding quibbles), the narrator does a subpar job. Definitely stick with the print version.
Black History In Its Own Words - (RH A history book by a BIPOC author) A series of illustrated quotes, but I'm counting it.
Present at the Creation: Leaping in the Dark and Going Against the Grain: 1776, Pippin, M. Butterfly, La Bete & Other Broadway Adventures - (A book with the word "leap" in the title) A fun read, though it does end on a down note. This was published in 2005, and so the author has a pretty dour outlook on the future of Broadway. Still, there were lots of behind the scenes info about the various musicals and plays he was involved with, and a few that had special resonance for me. I would have preferred if it was a little longer, but what is here is pretty interesting.

Currently reading:
The Golden Frog Games
The Book of Delights: Essays
How to Survive a Killer Musical: Agony and Ecstasy on the Road to Broadway
The Night Circus
The Man Without Talent

QOTW: I like pumpkin spice stuff, but I don't seek it out. That said, I did make a point of getting a pumpkin spice latte the last time I was at Target.

Happy check-in! I read 18 books for the aty readathon which was crazy. I've slowed down on the reading since it finished. I also finished the ATY challenge.

Finished Reading:

Marriage & Masti ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The final rom com Shakespeare retelling of Twelfth Night. This was my favourite of the three.

Black Beauty ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book actually helped create positive social change for workers and horses.

Long Way Down ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reread. It's still awesome.

Clue: Candlestick ⭐
My second one star read of the year. It was art deco in style but the author couldn't manage Peacock Blue and Plum Purple. I wasn't expecting a great plot but this was so painfully random. It also turned into a kids activity book. Stick with the board game.

The Chemist ⭐⭐⭐ (ATY The blank title)
Well this felt like a cozy fantasy to me but apparently that's not the correct definition for the genre. 🤣 Anyway the idea for this would make a great thriller but then it was written by Stephenie Meyer so insert Bella and Edward but gender reversal. I giggled through the audio book a bunch.

Giant Days, Vol. 1 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Follows three college roomates in England.

Remembrance ⭐⭐⭐
A short story following three generations and their connection to the war. The writing was nice but the connections were a hard sell for me.

I Hope This Doesn't Find You ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ya rom-com following a competitive straight A student who has her venting emails sent to everyone particularly her rival. Great surprise that I finished in one sitting when I really should have slept.

The Most Boring Book Ever ⭐⭐⭐
The title made me read this picture book.

PS 45/50
ATY 52/52
ATY Summer 36/36
DBC 28/36
Goodreads 226/250

QOTW:
Obsessed. I have made pumpkin spice lattes at home with pumpkin puree and they tasted great. They were a lot of work too, so I'm good sticking with Starbucks that have no pumpkin in them. I think Starbucks started selling them Sept. 1 here, I've been a few times already. The cheerios were a let down, but coffee crisp chocolate bars are good. I do think the pumpkin spice turkey roll is wrong though.

I failed at reading this week. My Libby book expired with me half way done. I didn't read any of the poetry book. I read 100 pages in my vampire book, but the darn thing is so thick that it barely shows I did anything.

On the upside, I have a 4 day weekend, so I plan to read a lot.

Is anyone else who also does ATY tired of voting? The group seems more negative this year.

Series - 8/12
Nobel laureates - 4/5
Mysteries/Thrillers - 9/13

ATY - 39/45
PS - 25/30
Summer - 12/12 - Finished!

Currently reading:
Windows and Stones: Selected Poems - 20%
One of Our Thursdays Is Missing - 50%
Midnight Sun - 65%

Buddy Reads:
none at present

QOTW: I thought I hated pumpkin until I went to an Indian restaurant that gave you a plate with six smaller dishes on it. You got no choice in what was served and my favourite thing was curry spiced pumpkin. Then I realized that it's what ever spices are in "pumpkin spice" that I dislike. Pumpkin itself is pretty neutral.

One of favourite cartoons is two zombies. One is eating an arm and says "I hate fall. Everyone tastes like pumpkin spice"

Happy Thursday, y’all.

Well, we are hunkering down for Helene, which is making landfall tonight in Fla and barreling northeast across the states. My section of SC seldom gets the tropical storms but this one is heading right for us. As a result, it has rained all day today. So, in case we lose power here, I will get this posted.

I took a girlfriend with me and went to the movie theater for the first time in YEARS. We saw The Wild Robot. Great! Full of laughter and all the feels. Teary-eyed at the end. Highly recommend it.

I have decided that the chess club is not for me. Five pm on a Friday is just a tough time for me to get there.

I did automate my in-ground sprinkler system, got some trees pruned, and paid off all the major credit card expenses incurred so far this year! That included Scotland travel. All of this felt very good and accomplished.

Finished:

A Graveyard for Lunatics: Another Tale of Two Cities – ALCM, PAS. 4*. It took me a while to get into this story but I persisted since it is written by one of my favorite writers. Thoroughly enjoyed it by the end although it was a bit sad.

Thr3e – PAS. 4*. I kept expecting this story to be more Christian than it turned out to be as it has MPG of Christian and Christian Fiction. Rather it was more a moralistic story of good vs. evil in each of us.

The Collected Regrets of Clover – Library book club. 4*. I identified heavily with Clover, whose story this turned out to be. So much so, that when one of the other club members attributed things to her job that weren’t in the book and then used that to say why she did not like the book as well….well, I took offense! However, I did hold my tongue.

Siege and Storm – PAS. 4*. A continuation of a series that I have started. Enjoyed.

My Summer with Julia – No challenge. 3*. I picked this book up at the library on a shelf of books no longer checked out. It was relatively short. However, it took me a bit to remember which characters were in the present and which belonged to the memory of life with Julia.

Sweep with Me – PAS. 4*. A interim novelette of a series that I have finished.

Just Starting:
The Gray House (Kindle) – BIG book of over 700 pages. Owned. It might take a while. 2%

Lovesong: Becoming a Jew – PAS. 2%

The Vintage Teacup Club – ATY #39. 1%

On Deck:
Heaven Has No Favorites - PAS
Thornhedge – PAS, PS
A-List - PAS
Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions- Library Discussion
West with Giraffes – ATY #40

PS 31/50
ATY 38/52
GR 162/200

QotW: How do you feel about "pumpkin spice"?
I love pumpkin pie with lots of whipped cream, but I prefer the spice to be limited to the pie.

It's rainy here and will be for the next several days. Means temps are finally lower and weather is becoming more typical of what to expect at this time of year. October can be quite rainy here in NYC at least at beginning of the month.

@Nadine - I was just thinking how there seems to be a usual doldrums in challenges I'm doing with various groups, and it is annual. I call it Challenge Fatigue. Those I run, I make an effort to introduce some fun extra challenge - often just imaginative or silly. In one group, where every month you vote on a tag or shelf designation in GR to read for the next month, one of the 3 options for October was SPORTS, and when we all looked at the listopia, we were stunned at how many really smutty or just trashy romances were listed. Don't believe me? Here's a link: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/....

Everyone had something funny to say and suddenly we decided that even if it was not the tag picked, we all need to read one of those smutty trashy sports romances. So I started Fall Into Smut Buddy Read - and any trashy romance or smutty one fits. We'll probably keep it going until end of year because there are all those Christmas romances to be read. It's been hysterical - you have to post the cover of the book - because they mostly have really hunky half naked males on them. Even those who claim they never read these books are reading one. Many say it's just the silliness they needed right now. It's absolutely energized the entire group!

Now back to business.

PS - 49/50 - YES! Only one more left - my volume of poetry, and I've started it but that could linger a while.

Finished:
The Night Tiger - prompt set in 1931, 24 years before I was born.
The Girl Who Played with Fire

Currently reading:
Angel in a Devil's Arms - yes one of my Fall Into Smut reads.
The Daughter of Doctor Moreau
This Cold Heaven: Seven Seasons in Greenland
The Selected Poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay

QOTW: Pumpkin Pie Spice belongs in things with actual pumpkin in them: Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin Bread, Pumpkin Muffins, Pumpkin Cookies, even Pumpkin Soup. That's it, nothing else unless you want that blend of spices - for example would be good in spice cookies or spice cake.

But the concept of pumpkin pie spice is not new. McCormick had it available when I was growing up in the 1960s. We had a cannister of it to use which when I was learning to cook I used for my first efforts at making the Thanksgiving and Christmas pumpkin pies. Once I was past the neophyte baker stage, we threw it out - we just measured out the actual spices needed when we made pumpkin pie.

McCormick had one called Apple Pie Spice too. Never used it.

Dubhease wrote: "Is anyone else who also does ATY tired of voting? The group seems more negative this year. ..."




Nooo I love their voting process and I'm always a little sad when it's over. I love the little thrill of a reveal every few days, and then I can have fun researching books. I don't even do the AtY challenge each year (although I did finish it this year), I just like the voting process!


There is always a vocal minority who get very critical and negative, I don't think it's really changed much. If anything, it's been more civil this year. But, yes, there are more downvoted categories than before.

In 2023, there were 32 downvoted categories.
In 2024, there were 35 downvoted categories.
This year so far there are 42 downvoted categories, and more to come! So, yes, more downvotes. Maybe because the suggestions have been getting more creative too.

Bea wrote: "The Collected Regrets of Clover – Library book club. 4*. I identified heavily with Clover, whose story this turned out to be. So much so, that when one of the other club members attributed things to her job that weren’t in the book and then used that to say why she did not like the book as well….well, I took offense! ..."


I have seen this happen before in book clubs and even here in our group!! Sometimes we connect so fiercely to a character that we forget everyone else is talking about the character, not about us!

Nadine in NY wrote: "Nooo I love their voting process and I'm always a little sad when it's over. I l..."

Your stats are interesting. Maybe it's the comments on every voting post. Maybe it's because I nominated more prompts this year and I get the weirdest criticism. One guy called one of my prompts "random" and I felt like saying that every prompt in every prompt group is random. I mean Kpop and pirates are random.

A quick check-in for me! I finished two books (neither fit an open prompt) and started another one. I'm at 21/45 and 2/5 for this challenge, and 71/100 for my overall Goodreads Reading challenge.

Finished:
* Miss Alridge Regrets written by Louise Hare and narrated by Georgina Campbell, which was one of my book clubs' picks for this month -- we'll discuss it on Saturday, and
* The Vibrant Years by Sonali Dev, which was a Prime FirstReads pick some time last year, I think?

Currently Reading:
* The Penguin Book of Murder Mysteries edited by Michael Sims;
* Guide Me Home by Attica Locke, which is a Giveaways win; and,
* Bitch: On the Female of the Species by Lucy Cooke, which is one of my book clubs' picks for October. The Libby hold came in yesterday, so I figured I'd get started on it.

QotW:
How do you feel about "pumpkin spice"? I like a pumpkin spice latte from time to time but don't go out of my way to order it when it's in season. I haven't bought it in ground spice form and would be more likely to make my own blend with my pantry staple spices if I needed it for a recipe.

Happy Thursday! Ok, I need to complain a little bit. So, I have new neighbors that keep leaving the front door to the apartment building propped open all night- and I keep having to check that it's closed before I go to sleep. And then the other night, they left that door open AND the door to their apartment propped open!! And I fell asleep early so I didn't close it until I woke up at like 5am. We don't live in a really dangerous area, but that's still not safe??? They're going to get robbed- it's just wild.

Finished:
The Dead Cat Tail Assassins- I liked this, but I wish it were longer! There were so many interesting characters and ideas that I wanted fleshed out more
-no prompt

Best Hex Ever- this was cute, but VERY instalovey. I liked the characters and the magic, so I'll probably check out the author's next book
-no prompt


Currently reading:
Toward Eternity- Anton Hur is one of my favorite translators, so I'm excited to check out his original work

Treasure Island-very slowly working my way though this

QotW:
Pumpkin Spice lattes aren't my go-to drink, but I like when they come around. I always try to get at least a couple during the season. And I love pumpkin spice flavored desserts- mainly I just love pumpkin bread, so anything that gets close to that I'm a fan of.

Jennifer W wrote: "Listening to The Fox Wife, about an hour in, it has promise. a..."

I just read her The Night Tiger for the prompt set 24 yrars before birth year and really enjoyed it. I found it a book you needed to give time to, not rush through. I am looking forward to how you like this, ii added it and The Ghost Bride to my TBR Towers

Nadine in NY wrote: "Ellie wrote: "I will be so annoyed if we get a local author prompt next year..."



LOL I'll be annoyed just in general if we get that prompt again!! I have to either put up with a subpar local aut..."

Now I would embrace local author because I coukd wander over to 9ne of my many TBR Towers, and just pull out a book and it likely would be a local author. I do live in NYC! Now I could give myself a tiny bit of a challenge by defining 'local' as same borough - that is Manhattan for me.
Hmmm, nope, no challenge. Amor Towles lives on Gramercy Park and I have his Table for Two in the TBR Tower by the couch with plans to read it in 2025.

Sorry, not sorry!

Jennifer W wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "... I heard from my lawyer yesterday, too (cause everything comes at me at once it seems) and my insurance company is finally going to settle with me and pay..."

Congratulations!

Jackie wrote: "
Finished
The White Mirror: I love this mystery..."

I love that series! I have held off reading the 3rd for 2 years because I don't want it to end.

Have you tried the author's The Cabinets of Barnaby Mayne which is 1st in a series and really good and also interesting. -set in 19th Century. There is not a second one yet. I suspect she is a slow writer who does a lot if research for her books. Which of course makes them so good.

Dani wrote: "Good afternoon from Columbus! I missed last weeks check-in because like so many weeks before it, I simply don’t realize Thursday has passed until it’s like Saturday or Sunday lol. I’m seeing Howl’s..."

I read Galatea a few months ago and was blown away. I still think about it!

Nadine in NY wrote: "Dubhease wrote: "Is anyone else who also does ATY tired of voting? The group seems more negative this year. ..."
Nooo I love their voting process and I'm always a little sad when it's over. I l..."


Oh lordy, I hate that ATY whole voting process! I try to ignore it entirely, but then about now I start getting pleading messages from friends asking me to join with specific up and down voting, seconding a suggestion they are making, and I tune in - usually agreeing with what they want or I wouldn't. I have voted in 3 polls and I am so over it. I have now whined about it all to all my ATY friends and they have stopped asking me to vote.

I barely read any of the discussion either before voting when I do. I dislike listopias and frankly I find so many of the prompts so poorly written I grind my teeth and growl (that's the lawyer in me who spends lots of time parsing language in documents to apply to situations and make judgments or give advice.)

I far prefer someone make up a prompt list and post it. I don't want to make up or add to my own because there is zero challenge in that. I always like PS because it is a mix usually, of hard and easy, all different types, clearly written yet still a lot of room in most to wiggle and stretch it if need be.

BTW this is not meant as a criticism of those like you who contribute and who work hard at it. One of the mods is a good friend of mine though she stays away from the nominations and voting. Another friend who is a member of ATY only wants prompts that let her read her favorite genres, and would be happy to see a lot of the same ones year after year.

But there is no reason for anyone to be critical and negative. Discuss civily and then vote how you want.

Megan wrote: "A quick check-in for me! I finished two books (neither fit an open prompt) and started another one. I'm at 21/45 and 2/5 for this challenge, and 71/100 for my overall Goodreads Reading challenge.

..."

I read and really liked Miss Aldridge Regrets earlier this year. I think it will be a great discussion book. I have the sequel in my TBR.

I hope everyone in Helenes's path is ok. Puts our fires and upcoming Santa Ana winds into perspective.

Because of the ATY read-a-thon I read 4 more books and some of them were good for prompts. I did 2 read-a-thons across I think 4 weeks so no reading slump for me

Finished:

Wide Sargasso Sea:
PS: formerly incarcerated person
52: n/a
ATY: n/a
Robot librarian: Author from Central America

Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century:
PS: Nonbinary author
52: n/a
ATY: n.a
Robot librarian

Eats, Shoots and Leaves:
PS: n/a
52: n/a
ATY: n/a
Robot librarian: 400's

None of This is True:
PS: n/a
52: chapter headings have dates
ATY: n/a
Robot librarian: n/a
Currently reading:
Men Without Women
All the Light We Cannot See
Anne of Avonlea
Consider the Fork

QOTW:
I'm indifferent to the pumpkin spice craze. I prefer the cinnamon tea that will soon be offered at The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (regional chain) and eggnog lattes. Cranberry items I look forward to...cranberry bliss bars are just that...bliss!

Dubhease wrote: "Is anyone else who also does ATY tired of voting? The group seems more negative this year...."

I think it always gets negative, but this year has had less of a fun feel for some reason. I've backed away from discussions a bit. I'm sure the list will be fine once it's done and any meh-for-me prompts will feel less meh as part of a whole.

Happy Friday morning! Husband and I saw the non-Equity tour of the Tina Turner musical this week and he enjoyed it very much (the idiot woman in the row behind us who insisted on answering a phone call DURING the show and not leaving when the door was *right next to us* notwithstanding). Now we don’t have to worry about dealing with excessive amounts of people again until we see Iron Maiden in November. In family news, my sister’s baby decided to ignore her due date, which is making the rest of the family incredibly impatient LOL. We all want to meet her! Now it’s a waiting game <3

Read this week:
Carrie - 3 stars. Nicely narrated by Sissy Spacek, although her southern accent took me out a bit. The story is set in Maine and Sissy is from Texas, although I completely understand the lure of the iconic film actress narrating the book. That aside, this book is so brisk in comparison to many of King’s others that it comes across as a bit of a letdown if you’ve already seen the film; there’s not much else to it. I also wasn’t thrilled by the use of various in-universe texts taking me away from the narrative to fill in various gaps in this instance.

Once & Future, Vol. 3: The Parliament of Magpies - 4 stars. Dan Mora’s artwork continues to light up the pages of this story, and I love the intrigue. What’s Bridgette’s story?? I NEED TO KNOW.

The Dead Cat Tail Assassins - 3 stars. I need to try this one again when I’m not hyperfixated on something else (looking at you, Seanan). I went in expecting more dark and less humor and got the opposite, haha!

The Girl in the Green Silk Gown - 4.5 stars. I adore Rose Marshall. My only quibble was the decision to make a Dullahan (an Irish/Celtic being) English, which is honestly a hell of a nitpick. This was a fantastic story, and a wonderful continuation of the Sparrow Hill Road shorts that put things together in a more linear fashion to tell a cohesive story. Excited for the finale!

Paladin's Grace - 5 stars. A friend has been bugging me to read this series since finding out we both love Kingfisher, and hey, I found some time! This was a wonderfully cozy, wholesome book. Is there anything TK can’t write?

PS 41/50
ATY 48/52
Mount TBR 25/48

Currently:
That Ain’t Witchcraft - another Antimony book! We’re finally out of Florida (!!!) and they’ve all taken refuge in Maine. I’m living for the day she reunites with the family and everyone else can finally meet Sam.

The Kaiju Preservation Society - This has stalled a bit in favor of more Seanan but I do love Scalzi’s humor.

Defy or Defend - Still loitering...

QOTW: How do you feel about pumpkin spice?
I'm a fan, but I've circled back to the reality that apple is the superior fall flavor - likely as a result of too much pumpkin spice, but so be it. /as I sip my pumpkin spice coffee :D

Theresa wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "Listening to The Fox Wife, about an hour in, it has promise. a..."

I just read her The Night Tiger for the prompt set 24 years before birth year and really enjoy..."

I read The Ghost Bride a couple of years ago and it was only OK, BUT that was mostly because the story I got wasn't what I had expected from the blurb.

Bea, are you all right (re: Helene)?

Happy Friday!

I was too early yesterday, and then I wasn't on my laptop anymore so I forgot, and now here I am, haha!

Hope everyone in Helene's path is staying safe <3

Fall has arrived where I am and it's glorious! Except for when I have to go out in the rain xD Which might happen quite a bit, as I've got a bunny who needs meds 2-4 times a day, poor thing. Fingers crossed he starts eating properly again soon so I only have to pick him up for meds once per two days!

This past weekend was the Game Weekender for my readathon and I blacked out my bingo each day (including the advanced prompts), which meant I read 900 pages. Reading is still going strong!

Sadly I've also been sick and am only now recovering, so I didn't get to see Lord of the Rings in the cinema, and I cancelled Up (Pixar) last night as well. Do hope to make it to The Wild Robot tomorrow!

And then Sunday is for changing my bed sheets and getting the last bits, because my best friend is coming for a week on Monday! Already ordered the gluten free bread rolls (coming in tomorrow) and sausage rolls (coming in tonight) she loves so the most important (and hardest to get) stuff is taken care off. I am so excited to see her again! She'll be here for my birthday (turning 30 on the 4th!) and *squeals*. Haven't seen her since Christmas last year!

Read
A Veil of Spears
Good thing I reread this, I remembered NOTHING except for one small random scene in the beginning.

Currently Reading
Beneath the Twisted Trees
First new book (to me) of the series, less than 200 pages to go! Would have finished it already if I hadn't been sick and if Ezra hadn't stopped eating since his vet appointment on Monday. But, 50 pages a day is still happening so I'll have it finished to move on soon enough!

Still loving it. Literally gasped out loud last night and said out loud 'NO WAY'.

QOTW
I want to pre-face this by saying I am not from the USA. Pumpkin spice really isn't that big of a thing here, and I personally have only ever really come across it at Starbucks, where, as someone who doesn't drink coffee, I don't come very often. I cannot stand the taste of pumpkin so have never even considered trying anything pumpkin spice, and I don't think I can be blamed for not knowing, hahah! Now I know I can safely try something if I happen to see something pumpkin spice!

Dubhease wrote: "I failed at reading this week. My Libby book expired with me half way done. I didn't read any of the poetry book. I read 100 pages in my vampire book, but the darn thing is so thick that it barely ..."

I've been voting but I never read the comments. People are so sensitive if you indicate that YOU don't like the prompt as if it's a personal attack.
I don't think anything I upvoted got in but many of my downvotes made it through, but no comments from me. I feel like so many of the winners were selected to allow some people to stay in their genre comfort zone, which is not my preferred genre. I'm going to be very creative next year I think. And I hope I'm being vague enough to not start negativity...it's MY opinion and not an attack on anyone

Theresa wrote: "Have you tried the author's The Cabinets of Barnaby Mayne .."

No, not yet, but it's on my TBR. I think you're right; she's probably a researcher so her books take longer to come out. Hopefully she'll keep going!

Dubhease wrote: "Maybe it's because I nominated more prompts this year and I get the weirdest criticism. One guy called one of my prompts "random" and I felt like saying that every prompt in every prompt group is random...."




I remember that comment! And I thought "yeah, because an author with a common noun in their name is totally not random?" I think a few new members have gotten confused, they saw that some prompts are connected to either the name "ATY" or the year 2025, and got it into their heads that ALL prompts have to have a meaning behind them.

Sure it's fun for some prompts to be linked to the year, but most prompts are going to be random, that's the nature of a reading challenge.

Nadine in NY wrote: "Cornerofmadness wrote: "Woo hoo! I finished the challenge. Here are the books I wrapped it up with. ..."



Congrats on the finish!!"
thank you

Jennifer W wrote: "Theresa wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "Listening to The Fox Wife, about an hour in, it has promise. a..."

I just read her The Night Tiger for the prompt set 24 years before birth year and really enjoy..."

I read The Ghost Bride a couple of years ago and it was only OK, BUT that was mostly because the story I got wasn't what I had expected from the blurb...."



I disliked The Ghost Bride so much that I wrote off that author entirely and never had any interest in any of her other books! It's not that it was a one star book or a DNF or anything, I just really really disliked the writing style, and writing style is something that is usually pretty consistent across books, even as plots and characters and settings change.

Dubhease wrote: "Is anyone else who also does ATY tired of voting? The group seems more negative this year...."

Yeah, I stopped reading the comments almost right away. I just go in and vote (when I remember) then leave.

I started The Night Tiger earlier this week and I’m enjoying it. I’m not far in so I have no idea where things are going yet.


There’s ups and downs with the aty voting and prompt ideas for me. That’s why I participated in the challenges where there was a raffle prize to pick a prompt, unfortunately no luck there. lol

Interesting stats re the downvoted ATY prompts, Nadine!

I don't know that I'd say it's more negative this year - I followed all the discussion closely this year and last, and both years I would say there were periods of time / particular discussions where the mood got a little sour. Can't speak to before that though if it's a longer term trend.

I will say I'm noticing more coordination, I guess this year? Like there are definite groups rallying around certain prompts. And it seems like there's some strategy in trying to speak up earlier about most liked or disliked prompts in the voting thread to try and push votes for or against.

I've never received or sent messages asking for support for certain prompts, but I guess that would be part of it.

But for the years I've done it, I'm always satisfied with the list as a whole (or I wouldn't do it) and often prompts I'm most excited about end up giving me the most difficult time, or vice versa. So it's actually hard to predict. Same as Popsugar - I can be more or less excited when the list gets released, but I always end up enjoying working through it.

Hello, hope everyone is well. I'm gonna keep this short since I should be at work.

It's been a hell of a week with my nephew. He decided that this week he was going to have big trips (issues) and so after having a day off Monday he had to be picked up Tuesday and Wednesday early. So I had to push all my work to yesterday and today. Which is why I should be at work, LOL. He has a Judo tournament tomorrow so that day's out. But he was telling his mom a few days ago that he wanted to only go with her because he said I should get a day off Saturday, we'll see if he is still saying that in the morning.

I managed to keep up the pace for the rest of the ATY challenge but have lagged since. Most of these books were finished by Sunday.

2024 Challenges:
Popsugar: 44/50
ATY: 52/52
Robot Librarian: 47/52
Booklist Queen: 50/52
A to Z: 26/26
Physical TBR: 1/96
Kindle TBR: 3/122

Goodreads: 184/100

Book Clubs:
PS Monthly: 23/56
Reese: 32/100
Oprah: 13/103
Jenna: 9/70
OSS: 7/39

Finished:
7 finished, 0 Completed Popsugar

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts One and Two
RL #21
I love the HP books but because this was written as a play I have put it off for years. Since I needed a play/screenplay to read I figured I’d give this a shot, and it wasn’t horrible. I liked the story of course, but I still was not a fan of the format.

The Worst Ronin
Really liked this.

Amulet 1: The Stonekeeper RL#47
Amulet 2: The Stonekeeper's Curse
Loved this! Immediately went to the library and got the rest of the series. Actually had to hit up two libraries and request the last book.

The Last Romantics
How do I keep getting these family dramas on my list…ugh. This is what happens when you try to follow a national book club list, you find yourself reading books that you don’t like.
I actually fell asleep and missed like two chapters (audio) and was like eh, don’t care. She kind of wraps it up in the final chapter so I still found out what happened.

The Dragonet Prophecy Not going to continue this series.

Nimona Meh, not a fan.

-------
Currently Reading
While We Were Dating
40 Men and 12 Rifles: Indochina 1954
Red, White & Royal Blue
Treasure Island

On the Backburner
Libby
Leslie F*cking Jones

Physical Library Rentals
Modelland
Queen B: The Story of Anne Boleyn, Witch Queen
The Enchanted Hacienda
Wicked As You Wish
An Unreliable Magic
Lo and Behold
Break
This Is Not the Jess Show
Amulet 3
Amulet 4
Amulet 5
Amulet 6
Amulet 7
Amulet 8

Magazines: (13/150)
Read since last check-in: 0

Question of the Week:
Although pumpkin pie is my favorite, I avoid pumpkin spice, and every year I see it on something else and am like... eeww, yuck. I forget what this years one was.