ŷ������

HAPPY HAPPY THURSDAY!

My past week has provided a range of emotions.

Frustration due to the fact my car was acting very strangely last Saturday while in town and had to have it towed to the mechanic’s. Then more frustration when I finally learned the shop was closed ALL THIS WEEK since they are on vacation. (Would have been very helpful if they had posted something on their website or updated their voice mail greeting to reflect that information.) And finally, financial stress due to the need to rent a vehicle for at least a week, probably two. (The good news is there are vehicles available to rent for $50-$100 more per week than in pre-COVID times. Not $500-$1,000 per week as during COVID.)

Gratitude and Joy: A new-to-me good friend living in our small town was very kind to take me into town to pickup the rental, so that was fun!

More Gratitude and Joy: my good friend who has been through all these recent medical challenges was released from rehab and appears to be well on her way to making a full recovery! YAY!! I am so relieved!

EXTREME Joy and Relief: I checked my bank balance this morning and it was WAY WAY WAY higher than I knew it could be and then I realized that my retirement has evidently started paying out (finally, after almost 3 months) and unbeknownst to me, since they never communicated anything, they paid all 3 months at once. I only expected an initial one-month payout, so that was such a relief!! Especially with unexpected car repairs and rental fees��

Gratitude, Relief, and Joy: I am finally in sync financially and can now expect monthly payments on specific dates and budget accordingly. YAY!! :)

Much to do today, so let’s get this discussion going!

ADMIN STUFF:
BIG DRUMROLL PLEASE��
The two polls Nadine posted last week have closed and…the winner is��
The Ex Hex (The Ex Hex #1) by Erin Sterling to fulfill prompt #16 A Book About Witches for our October Monthly Group Read! I plan to read this one and hope it proves to be as enjoyable and entertaining as I expect it to be! We will need a “knowledgeable navigator�� to lead that discussion!

In addition, 15 of 26 voters decided that when selecting Monthly Group Reads those books previously read within the last two years are disqualified. That means those books selected in 2019 and before would once again be eligible for 2022 Monthly Group Reads. Whew! I’m glad that has been decided! I will try my very best to remember to check the list in the future when preparing nomination polls! I do have my right hand raised when making that pledge! LOL Updated to add: I will create a separate listing of those books NOT to be considered that will be in alphabetical order by title for a quicker and easier reference for all of us to use... To be posted next week! (I have a good idea every once in awhile!) Of course, this is mainly self-serving as it will (hopefully) help me remember! LOL

The July Monthly Group Read discussion of Piranesi by Susanna Clarke is under way! You can find that discussion in the Current Monthly Group Read folder along with the posting for July’s “I Finished�� discussion thread. Those are HERE. Thank you so much to Teri for leading this month’s discussion! Piranesi will fulfill prompt #47 A book featuring a parallel reality I am leaving June’s discussion there as well for now and am trying to finalize that this week. I have made progress but found it difficult lately to concentrate on such intense reading. That has now changed for the better! (Financial stress is so draining for me!)

Monthly Group Reads still needing discussion leaders:
1) August: a "marvelous manager" to lead the discussion of The Dog Stars by Peter Heller
2) September: a “savvy superstar�� to lead the discussion of Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
3) October: a “knowledgeable navigator�� to lead the discussion of The Ex Hex (The Ex Hex #1) by Erin Sterling
Please message either Nadine or myself to volunteer!

The comprehensive listing of Monthly Group Reads for 2022 is here.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Since it is now July and Pride Month was in June, did you read any book(s) that you especially enjoyed and could recommend as a “Pride Read�� to others? It doesn’t have to be only ones you may have read in June 2022, but could be among those read prior to last month as well.
I usually try to include a question during a monthly recognition about books relating to the specific group being recognized and honored. But we didn’t do that in June…so…now we have!

I was very impressed by Leah Johnson’s newest release, Rise to the Sun. While it definitely qualifies as a sapphic book, it included other sexualities to a lesser degree such as bisexuality. I would like to add more books to my TBR that are more inclusive, if possible. I’m trusting you-all to help with that!

And I admit that one of my favorites is Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo. I doubt I will ever forget that book!

One of the most satisfying aspects of my newly discovered series, Two Rivers, by Ann Cleeves is the relationship between Matthew and Jonathan. Cleeves does an excellent job of depicting their genuine affection for each other as well as each of their attempts to adjust and flex for the other person.

How about your recommendations?

Though I am not caught up with documenting books, my challenge totals are:
Popsugar: 40/50
ATY: 48/52
RHC: 13/24

FINISHED:
Homicide in Hardcover (Bibliophile Mystery #1) by Kate Carlisle (5 STARS) was certainly enjoyable. I did appreciate the mystery and it did make me laugh occasionally. I would consider continuing the series if there weren’t so many other mystery series in which I am more intrigued.
POPSUGAR: #9, #14, #25, #36, #38, #40-2015: prompt #9 A book written by a female author, #46-Sylvia & Enrico
ATY: #4-A book written by an author you might like to meet, #6-window, #15, #31-2009, #34-Abraham, #40-Strength, Death, Justice, Judgment, The World, #41, #44, #49, #50
RHC: #24-2020: prompt #3 Read a mystery where the victim is not a woman

Bob by Wendy Mass & Rebecca Stead (5 STARS) was an absolutely positively delightful read! I recommend this for all ages! Very interesting information at the end about the two writers�� process for this project! (I really wanted to get that palindromic title prompt done and knew this was going to be a very quick read.)
POPSUGAR: #24, #25, #28-A “holiday��/vacation to Grandma’s in Australia from the US, #36, #40-2015:prompt #7 A book with nonhuman characters, NEW #43, #47, #48-Bob and Livy
ATY: #4-A book related to Shelley's poem Ozymandias (Nadine’s proposal): Australia seemed much like a desert after 5 years with no rain, #6, #8/9/10-Australia, #19, NEW #24, #25-201 pages, #35-All dead, #36-No food for livestock, #40-Strength, The World, #41, #43, #46, #50
RHC: #24-2020: prompt #10 A book that takes place in a rural setting

CONTINUING:
Beloved by Toni Morrison is an amazing word of classical fiction, IMO.
For June Buddy Reads:
*When the Elephants Dance by Tess Uriza Holthe
I am over halfway done but this is a very intense read...
*Double Cross (Alex Cross #13) by James Patterson
Still behind, but catching up slowly and surely! LOL

PLANNED:
July Buddy/Group Reads:
*The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro
*Cross Country (Alex Cross #14) by James Patterson
*One Good Turn (Jackson Brodie #2) by Kate Atkinson
*Raven Black (Shetland Island #1) by Ann Cleeves
STILL PLANNING THESE BELOW AS WELL!
*Marjorie Morningstar by Herman Wouk
*The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald
*Ordinary Girls by Jaquira Díaz
*Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James
*Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff

Happy Thursday, everyone!

Now that I am no longer participating in a genre-specific readathon, I’ve decided to divide my reading time between fiction, nonfiction, and manga/comic books for the remainder of the summer.

I’ve got quite a few nonfiction books that I’m really looking forward to diving into during the next few months, including a few history books about the Tudors, several books from the Pop Culture and Philosophy series, and a gigantic stack of true crime titles.

I’m also excited to finally read the rest of the Fairy Tail manga. I started this series right before SciFi Summer began, and then had to force myself to set it aside for the duration of the readathon.

In other news, my most recent book buying ban ended this past Friday, but I’ve decided that I am going to continue to avoid buying books for a little while longer. After taking five boxes of books to the used bookstore this week (the first of what will be at least two trips), I really don’t want to bring any new ones into the house. I’m sure that attitude won’t last, but I’m going to take advantage of it while I can and keep chipping away at my TBR.

ŷ������: 318/200
TBR Checklist: 273/1055

Finished Reading:
~Generations
~The Counselors
~Arsenic for Tea
~Fairy Tail, Vol. 02
~Farmer Giles Of Ham
~Fairy Tail, Vol. 03
~Midlife Bites: Anyone Else Falling Apart, Or Is It Just Me?
~Fairy Tail, Vol. 04
~Fairy Tail, Vol. 05
~Fairy Tail, Vol. 06
~Fairy Tail, Vol. 07

Currently Reading:
~After the Funeral
~Clanlands Almanac: Seasonal Stories from Scotland
~Fairy Tail, Vol. 08
~K-ON!, Vol. 1

QOTW:
I spent the month of June reading science fiction for the SciFi Summer Readathon, so I really don’t have any Pride Month recommendations this time around.

Hi everyone. I've come down with a nasty cold this week. I don't know if it's because I feel so run down from the new job or just a coincidence but I've been exhausted all week so I've been trying to take it easy in my limited downtime.

This week I finished Long Way Down. I've never ridden a motorcycle but this made me want to head off on an adventure. I think the lack of travel for the past few years has made my feet extra itchy.

Currently reading: The Woman in White. I loved The Moonstone when I read that last year so I'm hoping this is as good.

QOTW: I didn't intentionally read anything for pride month but I did read Payback's a Witch and The Love Hypothesis last month.

Not read last month, but I'd recommend The Song of Achilles, The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue, Tipping the Velvet, Gideon the Ninth, A Song for a New Day, Dreadnought, Wonderland, Down Among the Sticks and Bones and The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet

Good gravy, it's Thursday again already?! SO happy for all of your happinesses, Lynn! Here's hoping your car repairs are able to go fairly smoothly. I got mine looked at during an oil change yesterday and I'm about to have to tackle several issues (nothing major yet) so I feel you.

A whirlwind of emotions for me as well this week; on top of the recent SCOTUS rulings, yet another unarmed Black man was murdered by our local police force. If you've seen Akron Ohio in the news lately, let me just say that we here in town are outraged by the continued brutality and utter lack of transparency in our cops. Outraged, but I can't say surprised. I spent the weekend donating to local bail funds.

I had breakfast with my younger cousin last weekend and she's got me into learning Italian, so that's been fun and kept my mind busy. I started learning it ages ago and set it aside in favor of Irish, and now when I read basic sentences my brain is automatically translating into Irish as a default 🤣 Funny how quickly things come back, though!

Reading-wise, I'm moving fairly slowly with several books but enjoying most of them.
Persuasion - 4 stars. Not as good as P&P (yet; I'll give it a reread or two and see how it holds up) but all the angst was highly amusing. I liked Anne very much.
The Living End - 4 stars. Compared to the first two books, not quite as memorable, but there was a TON going on in this book. Looking forward to the next!
Saga #60 - 4 stars. No new issues until January 2023 (!!!) and for as short as this one was it still packed a punch, as BKV is known to do. Fiona's artwork continues to be stunning.

PS 33/50

Currently:
Wrath Goddess Sing - Need to knock this one out soon, I feel like I've been reading it forever. I love the character of Achilles but maybe it's the general Iliad story that's dragging me down.
Fever Dream - Taking a break from Pendergast audio after this. I like Rene Auberjonois but he is not Scott Brick.
The Accidental Empress - Started this yesterday and I like the audio narration so far but the writing is surprisingly clunky in spots.
Spear - Also started yesterday. It took me a minute to get into the cadence of the writing, but this is beautiful. I appreciate the inclusion of Irish mythology and use of Welsh names for the Knights of the Round Table.

QOTW: Since it is now July and Pride Month was in June, did you read any book(s) that you especially enjoyed and could recommend as a “Pride Read�� to others? It doesn’t have to be only ones you may have read in June 2022, but could be among those read prior to last month as well.
I HIGHLY recommend Last Night at the Telegraph Club, I read it last year and haven't stopped thinking about it since! There's a companion book due out this autumn, A Scatter of Light, which I'm eagerly anticipating.
It's early but I'll also recommend Nicola Griffith's Spear.
Anything and everything I've read by Angela Y Davis is fantastic.
And if you like fantasy, Heather (Craig) Schaefer is your girl! For something Game of Thrones-esque, check out the 4-book Revanche Cycle (Winter's Reach). For urban fantasy a la the Dresden Files, look up the Daniel Faust series (book 3 of which I just finished this past week!), starts with The Long Way Down.

Lynn: Nice to hear that you've had a mostly great week.

Finished:

The House in the Cerulean Sea
ATY prompt: A book that features loving LGBTQIA+ relationship
Popsugar prompt: A book about a "found family"
(summer prompt: The cover has water on it)

ATY - 28/52
PS- 24/35
Series -10/13
Clearing my TBR list: 22/40

Currently reading:

Witch Princess -50% done

We Were Liars -20% done

Reading with my kids:

At Home in Mitford - 7/24 chapters

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - 6/37 chapters

QOTW: Unless, The House in the Cerulean Sea counts, I don't have any recommendations. And everyone other than me has probably read it anyways.

I finished Little Fires Everywhere as my booktok rec. It's funny but I really liked it while I was reading it and I was fine with the end, but a couple of days later I felt like maybe I didn't like it. And I don't even know why. Never really experienced that before. I've had an ending ruin a perfectly good book, but not a post-reading contemplation

I read The Ghost as my book with a misleading title. It was an enjoyable read, however it was not a thriller as it was marketed as. If it was, it was the world's slowest thriller.

I'm now reading The Amazons: Lives and Legends of Warrior Women Across the Ancient World as my book about a non-patriarchal society. I actually thought this was a book of myths and legends and it's more about archaeology, but it's still quite interesting.

QOTW: Nope.

Lynn wrote: "HAPPY HAPPY THURSDAY!

Gratitude and Joy: A new-to-me good friend living in our small town was very kind to take me into town to pickup the rental, so that was fun!."

Love it when we can be kind to each other. Hope that friendship grows and blossoms.

I have started so many books and (as a result) finished so few!  Why do I keep picking up more books??  I just started two more books last night!!  I want to read ALL the books, but I can't seem to manage to sit still and actually read.


I only finished one book this week, not for this Challenge, so I remain 37/50

Homie poems by Danez Smith - this was vibrant but I was not the intended audience.



QotW

I didn't have very good luck with my Pride month reading this year, I was disappointed in most of my choices.  I am reading The Guncle right now, however, and enjoying it very much!  And I have Last Night at the Telegraph Club borrowed from the library, hopefully I can read it before my loan expires.

Some good books I've read in the recent past:
Pink
The Miseducation of Cameron Post
Tipping the Velvet

Finished: Philosophy Goes To School had a few helpful ideas such a different options for selecting a discussion question.

Qotw: This is actually the same answer for finished and Qotw. I finished Both Can Be True about a non-binary kid trying to figure out their gender and it was really good. They also have synesthesia, want to be in a punk band, and help rescue a dog, so it was a well-rounded character.

I'm also re-reading Life Isn't Binary: On Being Both, Beyond, and In-Between which is all about moving beyond binary-thinking, not only for gender and sexuality, but also for relationships, bodies, emotions, and thinking. We're doing it as a book club and it has promoted some thoughtful discussion.

Started: So many!

Reading the Room: Group Dynamics for Coaches and Leaders

A Duet for Home Switching between two POV, a boy who has lived in homeless shelter for 3 years, and a girl who has just moved in. Set amidst policies that are trying to reduce homeless numbers by finding quick and not necessarily good solutions to the homeless problem.

How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing Maybe a little too gentle, but it did get me to do some cleaning, so a win I guess.

Steal This Country: A Handbook for Resistance, Persistence, and Fixing Almost Everything

An Introduction to Supreme Court Decision Making

Hi all,

Can't believe it's july already. I love summer, and it always feels like it goes by in an absolute blink, while fall and winter just drag on and last centuries.

This week I finished:

A Memory Called Empire - i really liked this, i don't know what i had expected going in. The description had sounded confusing so I kept sitting on it, even though I had heard it was really good. Once I got into it and settled into the world, it was much more approachable than I had feared. I have the next one on hold, hopefully it comes in before I forget too much.

Rich People Problems - audio re-read

Felix Ever After - this was good, although it took a while for me to really get into it. I have trouble when characters make really obviously bad decisions, even though I'm sure i do that often enough myself. But it eventually settled down and didn't go the way I was afraid it was going to, and I ended up getting into it and liking it overall.

Currently reading:

City of Bones - audio book, decided to give some older Martha Wells a try since I like Murder Bot so much. I see some obvious similarities. Khat is a krisman, another created race that is misunderstood and mistrusted by most people who gathers a group of staunch friends that manage to see beyond his race to appreciate him for himself. Also sarcastic, a fighter. This is a fantasy setting instead of space, obviously. I like it, although not quite with the immediate love of murderbot. Still quite enjoyable though.

Hollow Kingdom - This is a weird one. It's the zombie apocalypse, but through the eyes of domestic animals. On one hand, it's kind of emotionally devastating, to think of beloved pets seeing their people become zombies and not really understand what is going on or why they are abandoned and trapped and such. On the other hand the primary narrator is ST, a fowl-mouthed crow who calls humans MoFos and loves them dearly, and is so irreverently enthusiastic it keeps it from being TOO grim.

QOTW:

I don't do a lot of purposeful reading for the various months, mostly due to library holds and the like. But my irl book club read Light from Uncommon Stars for June, and i LOVED it. It's a weird one, so not for everyone. Predictably my book club was pretty mixed on it. It's a mash of science fiction and fantasy, and a lot of people thought there was just,...too much in it. But that's kind of what i loved about it. There's a trans woman violinist who just wants to play video game music and be accepted for who she is, there's a violin teacher with a Faustian bargain, space doughnuts, galactic threats, queer love, it's just so much fun for me.

Ashley Marie wrote: "... Saga #60 - 4 stars. No new issues until January 2023 (!!!) and for as short as this one was it still packed a punch, as BKV is known to do. Fiona's artwork continues to be stunning.

I haven't read Saga since they went on hiatus. I'm waiting for enough new issues to come out as a new volume, then I'll go back and start a re-read from the beginning before picking up the new stuff.



Fever Dream - Taking a break from Pendergast audio after this. I like Rene Auberjonois but he is not Scott Brick.

Oooh I can't imagine being disappointed in Rene Auberjonois!! But I've also never listened to an audiobook read by him.




Spear - Also started yesterday. It took me a minute to get into the cadence of the writing, but this is beautiful. I appreciate the inclusion of Irish mythology and use of Welsh names for the Knights of the Round Table...."

I think you're the reason this book showed up in my newsfeed today. I'm always down for a new Arthur retelling, and it's SHORT too, AND my library has a copy! I'm definitely reading this one. Glad to hear it's good so far.

I finally got round the watching the Heartstopper adaptation this week and I forgot how adorable Nick and Charlie were. They did such a good job adapting it and the casting is perfect. So then of course I went and re-read all the comics...and since I read it online I caught up on all the cute alternate universe mini comics she's done that I missed by reading the books. Sad to hear she's on hiatus due to stress though.

Finished:
Nick and Charlie by Alice Oseman, continuing my Heartstopper binge, I'd never read this novella set after the comics. Bit more angsty than the comics, but still adorable.

My Heart Is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones for social horror and ATY (NPR concierge). This took me so long to get into, possible due to health issues, but I liked it once things got going. I think this would be a struggle if you weren't familiar with the slasher films the main character is obsessed with.

The Ends by James Smythe for ATY (next book in a series). Excellent end to the Anomaly Quartet, this one set on Earth after it has all happened. A hopeful post-apocalypse. Really recommend this underappreciated series!

DNF:
The King is Dead by Benjamin Dean. I liked the idea, a black teenager becoming king and dealing with the backlash, but I just couldn't get into it. It was like everything had happened already and was being explained rather than jumping into the action.

QOTW:
Heartstopper: Volume One obviously!

I didn't do any specific Pride reading but LGBT+ books I've enjoyed this year include Our Wives Under the Sea, When Women Were Dragons, A Lesson in Vengeance and Wild and Wicked Things.

Nadine in NY wrote: "I haven't read Saga since they went on hiatus. I'm waiting for enough new issues to come out as a new volume, then I'll go back and start a re-read from the beginning before picking up the new stuff...."

October! I am the same, though I was tempted to sneak a peak at the individual issues since it's been so long, but I do prefer reading them in a big chunk.

Good morning!

I finally in my break week of SRP. Next Monday begins the second half. Three weeks to go then VACATION!!

Technically a staycation, but I'll be very happy. It starts the 5th of August. I don't have to report into work until the 15th.

Heart of the Sun Warrior finally appeared on NetGalley! I requested it this morning. I hope I get it because I really want to read it.

Our library bought a whole bunch of manga on Overdrive through a grant, and I've been having fun with it.

It was a good week for non-PS reads.

Finished:

Naruto, Vol. 03: Dreams
Golden Kamuy, Vol. 2
Toilet-bound Hanako-kun, Vol. 1
Naruto (3-in-1 Edition), Vol. 2: Includes Vols. 4, 5 & 6
Naruto (3-in-1 Edition), Vol. 3: Includes Vols. 7, 8 & 9
Berserk Volume 1
Arata: The Legend, Vol. 01
I'm Standing on a Million Lives Vol. 9
I'm Standing on a Million Lives Vol. 10
I'm Standing on a Million Lives, Vol. 11
Wish, Vol. 01
Wish, Vol. 02
Wish, Vol. 03
Ceres: Celestial Legend, Vol. 1: Aya
Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 1

Currently Reading:

Steins;gate: The Complete Manga

Planning:

Steins; Gate 0 Omnibus Volume 1
Steins;Gate 0 Volume 2
Steins;Gate 0 Volume 3

QOTW:

Not really. I've just been reading random stuff.

Katy wrote: "I finished Little Fires Everywhere as my booktok rec. It's funny but I really liked it while I was reading it and I was fine with the end, but a couple of days later I felt like may..."




LOL that happens to me A LOT!!! Yesterday, someone "liked" my review of The Kaiju Preservation Society, and I was surprised to see I gave that book 4 stars, because I don't remember liking it that much!!!

Nadine in NY wrote: "I have started so many books and (as a result) finished so few!  Why do I keep picking up more books??  I just started two more books last night!!  I want to read ALL the books, but I can't seem to..."

SAME. So same....

Nadine in NY wrote: "I have started so many books and (as a result) finished so few!  Why do I keep picking up more books??  I just started two more books last night!!  I want to read ALL the books, but I can't seem to..."

I know that feeling well. Commitment issues plague me constantly when it comes to reading and watching shows. Unless they hook me and don't let go.

Doni wrote: "How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing Maybe a little too gentle, but it did get me to do some cleaning, so a win I guess. ..."


Oh this sounds like a book for me!! I need very gentle housecleaning advice. My house is a disaster and it's overwhelming. And my library has this! I can't put anything on hold right now because I'm maxed out on holds, but as soon as I free up space, I'm borrowing this.

Sheri wrote: "Can't believe it's july already. I love summer, and it always feels like it goes by in an absolute blink, while fall and winter just drag on and last centuries.


Yes! July RACES by, and before I know it, the leaves will be turning. I hate that. I love April and May, they are full of anticipation for warmer weather and longer days.




A Memory Called Empire - i really liked this, i don't know what i had expected going in. The description had sounded confusing so I kept sitting on it, even though I had heard it was really good. Once I got into it and settled into the world, it was much more approachable than I had feared. ..."


good to know!! I've had this one on my TBR for a while now, and most people praise it, but it just looks like one of those deeply THINKY books and I've put it off because of that.

Ellie wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: "I haven't read Saga since they went on hiatus. I'm waiting for enough new issues to come out as a new volume, then I'll go back and start a re-read from the beginning before pi..."

Yup, so not too much longer for the full volume. I'll definitely reread it that way when it's released too.

Ellie wrote: "My Heart Is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones for social horror and ATY (NPR concierge). This took me so long to get into, possible due to health issues, but I liked it once things got going. I think this would be a struggle if you weren't familiar with the slasher films the main character is obsessed with. ..."



I asked for, and received, this book for Christmas. It sits there waiting for me to open it. I am NOT familiar with slasher movies at all!!! (But my ex loved them, so perhaps I learned enough by osmosis to keep up.) I love SGJ so this book was sort of an auto-buy (well, auto-receive). He's really in love with this Jade character of his and tweets about her a lot and the more he tweets the less I want to read this book LOL

Nadine in NY wrote: "Oh this sounds like a book for me!! I need very gentle housecleaning advice. My house is a disaster and it's overwhelming. ..."

My "problem" is that I prioritize reading over cleaning. The cleaning always needs to be done. But so does the reading. And the reading is more rewarding. Once you read a book, it stays read.

Hi All, I read 2 books for the week.
1. The Secret History. PS # 20 A book whose title begins with the last letter of your previous read. 5 stars. Honestly I don't see the purpose of this prompt. I have wanted to read this book for years. I did enjoy the book.
2. And Only to Deceive. PS #34 A book set in Victorian times. 4 stars. A new series for me. I will read others in the series later.
QOTW: I read the following for Pride Month.
The Love Hypothesis
The Great Believers
Kaikeyi
Wow, No Thank You.: Essays
A Carnival of Snackery: Diaries 2003-2020

Hello! I don't know how it's July already either. Things are both too much and yet not right now and it's very confusing. All I want to do is go back to sleep, but I have obligations and can't. Plus I miss my cat, who's been gone a month as of tomorrow.

Finished This Week:
Eyewitness to Infamy by Paul Joseph Travers. A disappointing Pearl Harbor read. It had a lot of new and interesting perspectives from sailors, soldiers and civilians in a variety of spots around the island the morning of December 7th, but the framing of each oral history was poor. There was no bibliography or footnotes, despite each chapter presenting facts about that particular ship/perspective/event that the author had to have gotten from elsewhere. And he got the time of the Arizona explosion wrong. I could see one of the survivors not knowing what time a particular thing took place (many of them did mention the same thing happening at vastly different times), but this wasn't in a survivor account and presented as fact. Using for #31, Man-Made Disaster.

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers. Hugo nominee for Best Novella. I'd only read her Wayfarers series, and knew nothing about this one. Quite enjoyed it, although it took a long time for me to realize Dex was human. The world described sounded so nice, even if I don't like hot drinks. Using for #29, Different Book by Author Read in 2021, as I read some of Wayfarers last year. Looking forward to the next in the series.

Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki. Hugo nominee for Best Novel. The only thing I knew going in was that Charlie Jane Anders had mentioned it for trans representation. I was pleasantly surprised by it. I enjoyed the how the various parts that shouldn't have fit together did, and in a way that really worked. Hugo voting is going to be difficult. Using for #37, About Gender Identity (since I couldn't use it for #21, as the prompt is for a band, not just a violinist).

Pale Horse at Plum Run: The First Minnesota at Gettysburg by Brian Leehan. I found someone on twitter live-tweeting the Battle of Gettysburg, which made me want to read about it. With the library closed for the Fourth, I grabbed an ebook about the First Minnesota's experience during the battle. I'd read it two years ago (also in early July), and it's still a very quick read. With the epilogue, three appendices, a bibliography and 78 pages of footnotes(!), the book claimed I was only 50% complete when the narrative ended. And now I want to visit Gettysburg again. Reread, not for prompt.

Mossflower by Brian Jacques. Finished the audiobook yesterday afternoon. The "rancid doesn't mean wet" scene voiced with British accents was worth all the voices I disliked (and having the Salamandastron song stuck in my head for two week). I'll probably read Martin the Warrior next, although debating audio vs my battered paperback.

A Dead Djinn in Cairo / The Angel of Khan el-Khalili / The Haunting of Tram Car 015 by P. Djèlí Clark. Read the short stories on Monday, but didn't finish the novella until today. (It's only 130 pages. Why did it take 3 days!?) I very much enjoyed the stories and introduction to the universe, and am looking forward to starting the novel soon. Not for prompt.

PS: 35/50 RH: 8/24 ATY: 38/52 GR: 93/100

Currently Reading:
In Public Houses: Drink and the Revolution of Authority in Colonial Massachusetts by David W. Conroy. I was supposed to read this for an independent study about Revolutionary era Boston I had in college, but didn't. I found a copy for $4 (including shipping!) online, and have decided it's time I finally read it. I'm on page 3, where the author basically says it's hard to research taverns because people don't take notes about what was said in them, like they did with churches and meeting houses and political gatherings.

Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder by Caroline Fraser. No progress. Got distracted by all the Hugo reading.

Up Next:
I have a ton of Hugo nominees to go through, but haven't picked one yet.
The Galaxy, and the Ground Within
A Master of Djinn
A Desolation Called Peace
The Past Is Red
Iron Widow
Winter's Orbit
Far Sector

QOTW: Did you read any book(s) that you especially enjoyed and could recommend as a “Pride Read�� to others?
Looks like I read a few, all science-fiction/fantasy though.
Victories Greater Than Death by Charlie Jane Anders
A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske
Catfishing on CatNet / Chaos on CatNet by Naomi Kritzer
A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow

WOW! It's been a month of Sundays since I have checked in.
Just been enjoying summer break with the family and resting before the school year starts. I have read some really good things in the past 2 weeks.

Finished:

Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow. I haven't found a place to put this on the list but really liked it. It started off slow but got going pretty quickly.

Iyanla Vanzant Wisdom: 101 Devotions & Insights To Inspire You To Own Your Truth Stephen W Gardner. Got this on Kindle Unlimited, complete waste of time.

Nothing Burns as Bright as You Ashley Woodfolk (#1 published in 2022). This was a sapphic romance told in verse. It was really intense but I enjoyed it. The relationship gave all the emotions.

Her Name Is Knight by Yasmin Angoe (#9 Found family; #46 Double Life). This was an unexpected find on Kindle Unlimited. I really enjoyed it.

You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi. This was a recommendation from some Booktubers I watch. This was the perfect mix of steam, romance, and self-actualization. I loved this book. I was also published in 2022.

Currently reading:

The Fallen Star by Jessica Sorensen. Just trying to read through my Kindle Library. This has been in my library since 2012 and I have not read it. So far it is cute.

Dead Ice by Laurell K. Hamilton (#49 Twin City). As I started this I felt like I had read it before but I'm not sure. Laurell K. Hamilton has so many books in this series and at some point, I think I have lost track. My GoodReads has it unread so I am going to keep going. I think I probably read the first chapter at the end of another book.

Still reading:

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson (# 11 BookTok recommendation). It's not that I don't like the book, just struggling to get through it.

Planned for July:

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke; waiting for pickup from the library.

The Word for World Is Forest by Ursula K. Le Guin (#27 Hugo Award)

Content Warning: Everything by Akwaeke Emezi

Nothing Like I Imagined by Mindy Kaling, reading as a part of the Kindle summer challenge.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Since it is now July and Pride Month was in June, did you read any book(s) that you especially enjoyed and could recommend as a “Pride Read�� to others? It doesn’t have to be only ones you may have read in June 2022, but could be among those read prior to last month as well.

Honey Girl Nothing Burns as Bright as You You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty

Nadine in NY wrote: "Sheri wrote: A Memory Called Empire - i really liked this, i don't know what i had expected going in. The description had sounded confusing so I kept sitting on it, even though I had heard it was really good. Once I got into it and settled into the world, it was much more approachable than I had feared. ..."

good to know!! I've had this one on my TBR for a while now, and most people praise it, but it just looks like one of those deeply THINKY books and I've put it off because of that.

Have you read The Goblin Emperor? I thought the two were similar where they throw a LOT of new terms at you quickly that you completely do not understand, but then the story picks up and you roll with it because the story's so good. Plus there's a glossary at the back.

Nadine - Yeah it does come across as very thinky! But once you get over the speculative fiction new world, new words, new concepts aspect, it's actually a pretty fast paced...i guess you's call it maybe political thriller? Mahit is trying to figure out what happened to her predecessor, the previous ambassador who had an allergic reaction to some food that was....suspicious...that called for an extremely abrupt replacement. So lots of dodging political traps, riots, intrigues, etc, but all set in space. Normally I wouldn't say that was my thing, but I liked the characters, it was fast paced, the setting was interesting.

Melissa, The Goblin Emperor is vaguely on my list of books to read that i keep forgetting about, I should see if my library has it. Thanks for reminding me!

I finally managed to check in on a Thursday! It is has been a while since that has happened.

The network is down at my office so everyone is working from home. I hate working from home - I am not set up to do so and I love the system I have at the office (2 monitors is a necessity!).

Finished:

The House in the Cerulean Sea I loved loved loved this book. I heard his others are not as good as this one but I am willing to risk it. Also the audiobook is highly recommended, the narrator does a great job!

Run Rose Run this book was...ok. The last quarter of the book got a lot more interesting and flew by. I kept hearing Dolly Parton in my head, which is not a bad thing.

Currently Reading:

Deathless Divide I read Dread Nation earlier this year and since it can fulfill so many prompts I decided to read the sequel to fill in another. So far it is not as good as Dread Nation but still good.

This Is How You Lose the Time War I was really hoping to finish this book before today to add it to my "completed" list but I haven't been reading much this week.

QOTW:

I only read The House in the Cerulean Sea that would count for Pride Month. Highly recommend.

Katelyn wrote: "IDeathless Divide I read Dread Nation earlier this year and since it can fulfill so many prompts I decided to read the sequel to fill in another. So far it is not as good as Dread Nation but still good.."

I agree. Dread Nation is the better of the two books. Deathless Divide does wrap up the story nicely. You might also read Three for the Road: Stories from Dread Nation. These are some short stories about some of the other characters that you might like.

I've been reading less and trying to plan my vacation before my mental health gets any worse. That said I did manage to get 2 things read

For the prompt An #OwnVoices SFF (science fiction and fantasy) book I read Lander: Liminal Sky: Oberon Cycle Book 2by J. Scott Coatsworth, an enjoyable second book in the SF series

I also read The Night Women by Sara Blaedel for the Alphabet challenge. I liked this Danish police procedural.

QOTW

The above mentioned Lander is very good but as it’s book two you’ll want to start with Skythane: Liminal Sky

Also I read Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki which is a mash up of SF and urban fantasy.

Both could easily be used for the #Own Voices SFF challenge.

And there was the graphic novel by Blackwater Jeannette Arroyo & Ren Graham

I turned 62 on Sunday, which is blowing my mind. Bring on the senior citizen discounts! I had a great time in the days prior to my birthday as I got to spend time with lots of family and friends. I'm paying for it this week as my health took a nosedive, but it was worth it.

My favorite NBA player, Rudy Gobert, was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves last week, and I still am heartbroken. If any of you support this team, know that you are getting a good one. Hope you have a wonderful season.

I'm leading the discussion for this month's read - Piranesi by Susanna Clarke. I've read Part 1 (out of 7), and it is a very bizarre start to a book, and I mean that in a good way. Can't wait to see what in the world this all means, and to discuss it with those who join in.

Finished
They Do It With Mirrors by Agatha Christie - 5 stars; PS #41 (mirror in title)
My monthly Christie. This is a Miss Marple story, and I really enjoyed the plot, and the characters, the setting. Fun read.

ŷ������: 45/100
Popsugar: 20/40, 6/10

QOTW:
I read two books last month that helped me understand some of the "lesser discussed" parts of LGBTQIA+. Loveless by Alice Oseman gave me a much better understanding of what it means to be asexual and aromantic in a cute YA story (a little angsty, but understandable). And Golden Boy by Abigail Tarttelin did the same for intersexuality. I often think about these books and am glad I gained some useful information as well as being entertained.

Happy check-in! This past week was owned by covid. :( Anyway on the good days I did manage some reading.

Finished Reading:

A Mirror Mended ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A little disappointed mostly because it seems like this series is done. So I probably could use this for the duology prompt.

Jameela Green Ruins Everything ⭐⭐⭐⭐�� (2015 hometown)
This was hilarious and insane. It's satire so it was supposed to be. Interesting political info thrown in for context.

The Spanish Love Deception ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is popular on booktok and I've seen lots of mixed reviews. I enjoyed this rom-com although the main character was a little annoying to start. I'm more annoyed that it was 487 pages and I still have a 500 page prompt left.

Below Zero ⭐⭐⭐⭐��
The best of Hazelwood's steminist novellas. Although I don't know much about science concerning space so things that were mentioned went over my head a lot.

Spy x Family, Vol. 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐��
The family got a dog.

PS 2022 45/50
PS 2015 42/50
ŷ������ 163/250

Currently Reading:

Starfish

QOTW:

The only thing I really specifically read in June was Gender Queer and it is worth recommending.

Happy Thursday! It's been a WEEK. Everyone around us is grieving someone, it seems. It's hard to see so many people we love in such pain. However, we've also enjoyed a lot of good company (including my teenage cousin who is spending the night tonight!).

Finished 23/50

Finally starting to make some progress!

You Remind Me of Me for "book whose title begins with the last letter of your previous read". It wasn't great, wasn't bad. Just a kind of ho-hum book.

The Supper of the Lamb: A Culinary Reflection for "book with a recipe in it". WOW this was amazing!! A fantastic book that argues that the preparing and eating of food should be full of joy. His outlook on life is just beautiful. Hugely recommend this to any foodie.

Currently Reading

Songs of Time and Season for "book you can read in one sitting". I guess we'll find out this weekend! It's a short book of poetry, so I should be able to make quick work of it.

QotW

Nope. That was easy. XD I've only read a handful of Pride books, and they were all dreadful (because they were romances, which I hate). So. I'm absolutely the wrong person to ask.

Katrina wrote: "Katelyn wrote: "IDeathless Divide I read Dread Nation earlier this year and since it can fulfill so many prompts I decided to read the sequel to fill in another. So far it is not as good as Dread N..."

Oh interesting! I didn't even know this existed. Thanks for the recommendation.

Hey everyone, I'm still alive! I haven't had a chance to read through everyone's posts but it's been so long since I've been here, I wanted to get my post in!

I went on my trip to Ireland (which was amazing and wonderful) and then came back and immediately got COVID. I kept testing positive and ended up isolating for two weeks. Life is finally getting back to normal, but work is SO busy! Between my regular job and my writing job (where they're, thankfully, pleased with my work and therefore wanting me to write as often as possible), it's all go, go, go.

Finished:
Daughter of the Forest - I did finish this and then got to meet Juliet Marillier and talk to her about it! It was so, so cool and she's really wonderful.
A Quiet Life in the Country - a delightful beginning to a cozy mystery series. I definitely want to continue!

I haven't been reading much, so even though it's been a month, I don't have much finished! I started a challenge in The Sims and that eaten up what free time I've had.

Currently Reading:
The Adventures of Geraldine Woolkins
The Year of Secret Assignments
Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People

My 2022 Reading Slump didn't stop me from buying books in Ireland, though!

QOTW:
Ten Women is the first one that came to mind. When I think of others, I'll add them!

Checking today not from my home state of Idaho, but from Toronto, Canada! Attending a Transformers convention this weekend! Hoping it'll be fun -- I haven't been to a convention since 2018, and many cons were shut down or scaled back the past couple years due to the pandemic. Here's hoping this one will be fun.

Books read this week:

The Night Listener -- I was curious about this one because it’s based on a true story -- the story of Anthony Godby Johnson, a boy who probably didn’t exist despite penning a heartbreaking memoir (which is now assumed to have been written by the woman who made him up and pretended to be his foster mother). A little too focused on the main character’s sex life and hangups, but still interesting.

Indistinguishable from Magic -- FINALLY finished this one. It was a book of essays, so I ended up just reading one essay at a time instead of bingeing it in one go. I love Catherynne Valente’s fiction, but I love her analysis of fiction, tropes, pop culture, and our modern society as well.

Al Capone Does My Shirts -- fascinating and heartfelt story about a family living on Alcatraz Island during the 1930s. I didn’t realize it dealt with autism before I picked it up, but as someone with autism in the family, it was nice to see it dealt with sensitively in a kid’s book.

DNF:

Before the Coffee Gets Cold -- the premise seemed lovely, but the delivery is just clunky. I guess it was originally supposed to be a stage play, and it really shows.

Currently Reading:

Half Brother
Nightbitch
Nightmares and Dreamscapes
The House Across the Lake
Confessions of a Turtle Wife

QOTW:

I know I've read several books containing LGBTQ characters this year, but the only one that stands out for the month of June is The Disasters, a sci-fi heist novel with at least three characters on the queer spectrum. Light from Uncommon Stars is also fantastic.

Sheri wrote: "Melissa, The Goblin Emperor is vaguely on my list of books to read that i keep forgetting about, I should see if my library has it. Thanks for reminding me!"

You're welcome! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did (which is a lot). It's not as fast-paced as A Memory Called Empire, but it has political intrigue and new-person-come-to-court situations in the same vein. No spaceships though.

Sheri wrote: "Melissa, The Goblin Emperor is vaguely on my list of books to read that i keep forgetting about, I should see if my library has it. Thanks for reminding me!"

I loved that book! If your library has it, I highly recommend it :)

Doni wrote: "... Once you read a book, it stays read ..."



Honestly. If things would just STAY CLEAN, I wouldn't mind cleaning!! It reminds me of that line from The Incredibles (a movie that is endlessly quotable):

No matter how many times you save the world, it always manages to get back in jeopardy again. Sometimes I just want it to stay saved! You know, for a little bit? I feel like the maid; I just cleaned up this mess! Can we keep it clean for... for ten minutes!

It's been awhile since I checked in, but the school year has been done now for two weeks, and I've been able to get my 'read' on with long summer days. I can start the day reading and then read in the evenings when the temps cool off - if they do! It was close to 110 last week in Chicago, and dang, it was like going outside into an oven. Since I live in air-condition-free Switzerland, and we had some nasty hot days before I left, I appreciate air-con.

Recently Read
- Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI (P#17) ★★★★
- I Must Betray You (P#1) - I always love a Ruta Sepetys book! This one didn't disappoint! ★★★★��
- How Much of These Hills Is Gold (P#4) ★★
- The Pull of the Stars (P#5) ★★★★
- Whisper Network (P#7) ★★��
- Royal Holiday (P#18) ★★��
- How to Be Ace: A Memoir of Growing Up Asexual (P#22) ★★★★
- Unmasked: My Life Solving America's Cold Cases (P#40 - a book about true crime from the PS2018 Challenge) ★★★★
- This Is Where It Ends (P#11) ★★��

Reading Now
Black Water Sister - reading for prompt #12 - a book about the afterlife. It's an interesting YA book about a grandmother who 'possesses' her granddaughter in order for a powerful goddess to get revenge on a businessman trying to destroy her temple. Chinese/Malaysian culture and lore is woven in throughout.

The Broken Girls - for prompt #19 - a book set during my favourite season (fall).

Coming up
The End of Men for prompt #3 - a book about a nonpatriarchial society
A Long Petal of the Sea for prompt #6 - a book by a Latinx author
Horse - might put it under 'a book I know nothing about' as I heard it's good, it had a long waitlist at the library, but I don't know a good deal about it, but I do like horses and historical fiction, so.

I completely missed it was Thursday! Partly due to having taken an extra extra long weekend to recover from a really intense work month, but still....

Lots of finishes though nothing for PS. In fact, several were all related to my penchant for reading Christmas books in hot weather!

Murder at Melrose Court
Death by Eggnog
Murder in the First Edition
Yuletide Wishes
A Nantucket Christmas
A Fright to the Death
At Risk
The Heart Goes Last

Yes, all I did besides sleep and avoid the world all my weekend is read.

Currently reading:

Christmas on Mistletoe Lane
On Gold Mountain: The One-Hundred-Year Odyssey of My Chinese-American Family
These Precious Days: Essays
The Red Garden

QOTW: I have one recommendation which I read early in June: Razorblade Tears - not for the faint of heart -- brutal at times, but so good -- and brave as the author takes on the idea of 2 fathers mourning their murdered sons, one white, one black, and having to face all their deepest racist and homophobic beliefs.

This has been a pretty quiet week for me.

Finished:
All the Stars and Teeth - a decent YA fantasy. It didn't blow me away, but I liked it well enough. For the duology prompt.

The Law - the new Dresden Files novella. It was enjoyable but pretty average for Dresden, honestly. At least one new character appears who I liked and I suspect will continue to appear in future novels. Not for a prompt.

Comics & manga:
Snow White with the Red Hair, Vol. 19
Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku, Vol. 6
I Am a Cat Barista, Vol. 1
I Am a Cat Barista, Vol. 2
Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai, Vol. 2: Disciples of Avan

I am currently at 41/50 overall for Popsugar (33/40 and 8/10).

Currently reading:
All the Tides of Fate - Book 2 for the duology prompt. I'm not far enough in to have an opinion yet.

The Dead Romantics - Not for a prompt. I want to like this one more because I've enjoyed Poston's YA series starting with Geekerella. However, the male lead is named Ben Andor (both Star Wars names) and the way he's described sounds suspiciously like Adam Driver. The more I read, the more I think this is a Reylo thing. That said, it's very readable and I'll probably finish it, I'm just kind of tired of this recent trend.

QOTW:
Some LGBTQ+ reads I enjoyed from this year:
Legends & Lattes
Under the Whispering Door
Heartstopper: Volume One
The Queer Principles of Kit Webb
Felix Ever After

Hi all! Dropped off my daughter's paperwork to start full time Pre-K in September today! She says she's super excited to go, but we'll see what happens when it really rolls around! (And Nadine, I love the line from the 2nd Incredibles movie- "How can they change math?!? Math is Math!!" I swear, I will homeschool her if I can't help her with math- I was a math nerd all through school).
I finally got an answer to my continued breathing problems- effing covid scarred my lungs. The doctor gave me some new meds to try and we'll see what it does. But at least it's a medical answer, I was starting to worry this was all in my head.

I finished nothing because I'm trying to read everything!!

This week, I made progress on:
Full Count: The Education of a Pitcher
Voyages in the Underworld of Orpheus Black which was due 2 days ago...
Burnt Shadows which I'm enjoying so much, and a little mad at myself that I've owned it for years and never read it
The Final Revival of Opal & Nev
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, which I picked up after a month off and am not as lost as I feared (but I don't recommend an extended break while reading it)

QOTW: The only Pride book I read last month was Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress, a cute picture book.

I tried to read Both Can Be True, but I wasn't feeling it and returned it, I plan to try again some other time.

From the past, I would recommend Fingersmith and Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe

Melissa wrote: "Have you read The Goblin Emperor? I thought the two were similar where they throw a LOT of new terms at you quickly that you completely do not understand, but then the story picks up and you roll with it because the story's so good...."


I have not! that's another one that I keep putting off! Everyone says it's good, but I look at it, and ... I read something else.

Sheri wrote: "So lots of dodging political traps, riots, intrigues, etc, but all set in space. Normally I wouldn't say that was my thing, but I liked the characters, it was fast paced, the setting was interesting. ..."



Ooooh that sounds right up my alley! I need to prioritize this book!!

Teri wrote: "I turned 62 on Sunday, which is blowing my mind. Bring on the senior citizen discounts! I had a great time in the days prior to my birthday as I got to spend time with lots of family and friends. I..."



Happy birthday! Hope you're feeling better now.

Kenya wrote: "Checking today not from my home state of Idaho, but from Toronto, Canada! Attending a Transformers convention this weekend! Hoping it'll be fun -- I haven't been to a convention since 2018, and man..."


Have fun in Toronto!!

My library did have goblin emperor so I put it on hold! :)

Happy Thursday! Finally remembering to check in on the actually day- who would have thought. The last couple weeks have been a lot, but I'm starting to realize that maybe that's just the way it is going to be for now. I keep thinking "when things calm down..." but like? Will they?

On the reading side of things- haven't done a whole lot. The last few books I've finished have been pretty bleak, which doesn't help with a reading slump. So I'm going to try on reading romcoms, mysteries, ghost stories- fun stuff that won't make me dwell on the state of the world. Let's see if I can stick to that plan!

Finished:
The Book of Words- so, so bleak. Last 15 pages were a lot. Very bleak.

Currently reading:
Book Lovers- this is due back at the library in a day. I have no idea if I can finish it in time. So far I like it though.


QotW:
I didn't read anything specific for this Pride Month- because I didn't read much of anything. But some recent faves that would have fit:

Less- I loved this book so much, which I wasn't expecting. I love the character Arthur Less. It's so funny, and really sweet

You Should See Me in a Crown- very sweet YA romance. This made me so happy when I read it- I was not having a fun time last year (was anyone in 2021?), and this distracted me and was a very good time.

Several People Are Typing- it's not the main focus of the story, but there's a romance in this that would qualify. And I just think this book is so weird and funny and I more excuses to recommend it to people.