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Happy Valentines Day!

This week I finished a bunch of books, and I realized I've been handing out a lot of five star ratings this year! So, I guess that's good. I found categories for some of this week's books, and I am now 21/50.

When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir by Patrisse Khan-Cullors & asha bandele - this was written by two women, so I checked that category off. I wasn't crazy about this one; it's an "important book" so I'm glad I read it, but I did not like the writing style.

Broken Monsters by Lauren Beukes - this was really messed up and I loved it - five stars! Beukes is officially one of my favorite authors.

Bad Boy Brawly Brown by Walter Mosley - to my delight, this was set in February, and I read it in February, so I checked off "read a book during the season it's set." I liked this book a lot, more than some of the other Easy books. Five stars!

There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyoncé by Morgan Parker - this book of poetry was ok - not my style.

Why I Hate Saturn by Kyle Baker - this was bizarre in a very mundane way and I loved it. I don't know anything about astrology, but it seems like planets are mentioned sometimes, so I decided "Saturn" counts as an astrology term. Category checked off! Five stars!


Question of the Week:
What is your "comfort reading"?

For me, it's historical romance - I didn't plan this, but how appropriate for today! Maybe my subconscious planned it. It's funny, because I'm not really a romantic, I'm very realistic and pragmatic and I have no time for all that mushy nonsense, but I love to read romance novels. I think I like stories that take a given set of boundary conditions and then play with the story inside those rules (the same reason that I love zombie books too!). If life just sucks or I'm stressed, there's nothing better for me than to sink into a good romance!! Some of my favorite authors of (mostly Regency) romances: Lauren Willig, Julie Anne Long, Joanna Bourne, Mary Balogh, Loretta Chase.

Hello there!

Quick check in from me while on my IMAlive shift. I am dealing with a massive cold, including coughing fits that lead to me gagging, so that's sapping all my energy, but I am also coupling two of my bunnies so I'm awake way more and longer than usual, so I am exhausted. The overseeing of the coupling did result in progress when it comes to reading and watching!

I watched 4 episodes of Grey's Anatomy (and am now caught up. until the new episode) and one of Modern Family, and planning to catch up to the rest today and tomorrow.

As for reading, I haven't actually finished anything I started but with four current reads going strong, I expect a great check in next week!

Finished
Spellslinger- FINALLY. I ended up tearing through this book when I had the time for it, and really enjoyed it. I was going to use it for the imaginary creature prompt, but then the author profile thingy in the book mentioned him being a musician at a time (I don't care what kind or how long, it mentioned it so it counts) so I decided to use that prompt instead, as I'll encounter plenty of imaginary and extinct creatures before the year is out! Have not gotten the sequel from the library yet, as I am staying strong. Plenty of unread ones left to read first!

Het sleutelkruid (translated into English! The King of the Copper Mountains) on audio for the nostalgia prompt. When I was a kid our teacher read this book to us, and I remember reading it myself as well, and I had just been talking to my sister about this book when the list came out and I knew I had to fit it in. I got it from the library in physical form, but then saw Storytel had it so I decided to listen to the audio and save me reading an unread library book! Unfortunately both versions had the wrong cover- as in, different than the one back then, but the story remained the same. I didn't remember much more than 'animals come by sick king to tell stories while guy goes to fetch plant', not even the ending, so it was a joy to experience it all again! It's a perfect book to read to your children before bedtime, as each chapter contains an animal arriving and their story.

Currently Reading
The Song of Achilles on audio, for retelling of a classic. Absolutely dying over this and not ready for the end. Sometimes knowing too much about the original is not the best thing..

The Gilded Wolves ebook, ARC, not quite yet for a prompt, as the criminal prompt (from ATY I think) has a different book slotted. Can always use it for published in 2019 but we'll see. Really quite enjoying it so far, it's easy to read, and even as an ebook I'm making solid progress!

The Binding physical, for book about books or reading. I thought this could be my 2019 book when I bought it last week, but it's about books and I figured I might not come across one of those by accident very easily, so decided to use it for the books prompt instead. With the ARCs the 2019 one has become easy! Loving this so far! It's a slow read, and it feels old, and man I cannot wait to rave about it in my review. (watch the rest be horrible.. *knocks on wood*) Read the first part, and taking a break to read my final current read as someone has put it on hold at the library and it has to be returned on Tuesday.

Legendary physical, non prompt. I didn't like Caraval very much, even though I still love the idea of it. Part of me hopes I'll hate it so I can move on from this trilogy and cross off another library book, but the other part of me hopes I'll love it and restore my faith in this fictional world. So far I'm enjoying Tella's POV more than I did Scarlett's, so fingers crossed. It's an easy read so far, so at least that's something.

QOTW
Comfort reading.. I can't remember the last time I did that. I think true comfort reading for me is fanfiction to be honest. It's easy to read (mostly- Hannibal fics are usually the exception ha) and it's about characters I already love. It's safe (even if the story is full of angst and pain) and I love it. As for real books, nothing comes to mind. Something simple to read, middle grade perhaps? I think I could read or listen to Ross Welford's work anytime!

15/50

Finished:
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling for a book that makes you nostalgic. Reread.

Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies by J.K. Rowling. Not for the challenge.

Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists by J.K. Rowling. Not for the challenge.

Love Among the Bookshelves by Ruskin Bond for a book about a hobby.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis for a book read during the season it is set in.

Thor, Volume 1: The Goddess of Thunder for a book about someone with a superpower.

Currently reading:
Beneath a Scarlet Sky
No Exit

QOTW:
I love rereading Harry Potter! For me, they're the perfect books for comfort reading. I also love P.G. Wodehouse. I've yet to reread my favourites of his books. But reading Wodehouse books always leaves me in stitches.

I read a five star book this week too! The Migration by Helen Marshall ticked so many boxes for me, cli-fi and disease but also hopeful! I loved the Oxford setting and the writing. I highly recommend this for anyone still looking for a cli-fi.

I accidentally filled the wedding prompt with The Wicked King. Just like the first book, I felt meh about it till after half way, then suddenly I was pulled in and want to know more. I hope the pacing is better in the final book, because no doubt I will be drawn to reading it.

I'm listening to Black Leopard, Red Wolf, and I'm not sure it's my cup of tea. I'm about halfway through the audiobook now though, and I am enjoying the listening experience, I think I would have put it down ages ago if I were reading it. If you like meandering connected stories within a novel, it might be more your thing.

I'm currently reading The River for review. I requested this because I loved The Dog Stars and I generally like wilderness stories.

PS: 12/52 | ATY: 10/52 | GR: 20/100

QOTW:
Urban fantasy used to always be a comfort read for me, but I don't really have many series on the go these days, so I'm more likely to reach for a cute YA. I actually quite like an end of the world scenario for a comfort read too, maybe it's a reminder that things aren't that bad yet!

I finished Invisible Man by ralph Ellison as my first book of two with the same name. It was a difficult read and I almost wanted to give up halfeway through, but since two books depended on this challenge, I continued, and I did enjoy the second half more than the first.


I started Ready Player One for my LitRPG book. Talk about a big contrast between two books:) I actually expected to hate this, but I'm about halfway through and so far I'm loving it.

QOTW: Historical fiction. Especially anything in the Tudor area.

Hello,

We had a major snowstorm yesterday and every schools were closed, even the college when I am working so I had time to read in between shovelling.

Nothing finish for last week, but I am currently reading:

Big Little Lies it will take some time because I am listening to it only when I drive and it's not everyday. Still liking it so far.

Fingersmith because of the recommendations here on this group. I didn't know what to expect and I am LOVING it. Really entertaining and I can't wait to see what happens next. I should finish it today or tomorrow.

QOTW: Usually old science fiction for me. Or Jane Austen. Or Harry Potter.

Happy day-before-the-chocolate-goes-on-sale! I'm not bah-humbug about V-day, but I do hate how commercial it is. I enjoy giving small gifts or ways to show I love the people I love. My daughter got a stack of coupons from me and a ring she'd been eyeballing at the store over the weekend.

Books finished:

Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living by Shauna Niequist. This was a reread.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - another reread!

99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne. I almost DNF'd this because it just wasn't connecting with me. I adored her first book, The Hating Game, and maybe that's part of why this fell flat. It seemed disorganized and scattered? I'm not sure if that's the right description for what's in my head. I pushed through because I had already read half of it, and it was due at the library. I didn't want to have to check it out again so I just finished it last night.

Currently Reading:

The Gown: A Novel of the Royal Wedding I am loving this new release! It was an impulse buy at the store. Ann and Miriam become friends when they end up working together in a high end designer's embroidery workshop in London just after WWII ends. The designer is chosen to create the newly engaged Princess Elizabeth's wedding gown, and Ann and Miriam are tasked with creating the intricate and detailed embroidery pattern. Fast forward to 2016, Heather's Nan dies and leaves her a mysterious box containing several small embroidery patterns. Heather doesn't know much about Nan's life in England before she emigrated to Canada and goes on a quest to discover the connection between Nan and the embroidery.

Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare. I picked this up on an audible sale a few weeks ago. It's my first book by this author, and it's been a long time since I really read straight up historical romance. Maybe audio wasn't the way to go. I'm enjoying the characters, but I think next time I will stick with a print copy!

QOTW

Harry Potter is my ultimate comfort read. I read most or all of the series every year. I love the ease of the familiar story, but I also pick up on small details or connections each time that I may have missed previously.

Other comfort reads include children's classics and British small-town light romancy reads from authors like Jenny Colgan and Veronica Henry

A mediocre reading week this week.

Finished:
Macbeth And Son which I'm using for accessory on the cover (crown). Fun little book pointing out how history can change the facts and Macbeth is actually a great King.

They Both Die at the End used for a book that takes place in a single day. It was OK. Not sure I'd want to know when I was going to die or when my loved ones were. At least you could say goodbye but...�..

21/53

Currently reading:
Two Can Keep a Secret. OK so far.

QOTW:
If I am struggling I don't read much because I can't focus and my mind drifts off. I can't sit still so I clean or do yard work. Hence less reading the last 3 weeks.

Hi everyone,

Life has been so busy and topsy-turvy lately, I feel like this is my first check-in in ages. Here's hoping things calm down a bit and my reading life gets back to its normal pattern!

Fannie wrote: "Fingersmith because of the recommendations here on this group. I didn't know what to expect and I am LOVING it. "

Yay!

Finished
The Complete Fiction of H.P. Lovecraft ~ A book with LOVE in the title ~ 55 HOURS of content, covering everything he ever wrote independently, read by the talented and devoted team at the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society. They do such a good job reading, it was worth every moment, even listening to stories I've already read many times.

(I started this in late 2017 and listened to the corresponding episode of hppodcraft.com after each story. It was slow but delightful.)

All Systems Red ~ A book set in space ~
Artificial Condition ~ A book featuring an extinct or imaginary creature ~
Rogue Protocol ~ A book featuring an amateur detective ~
Exit Strategy ~ A book with a two-word title ~

Murderbot is so much fun! Much thanks to Nadine and others who got me on the bandwagon!

In Progress

Jingo - this is rough - not really grabbing me at all. Too often, Pratchett is way more amused with himself than I am as his reader.

The Supernatural Enhancements - Having a lot of fun with this re-read!

DNF - Jane Eyre. I just . . . can't. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall was so much better.

Instead, I'm doing The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy for my 1M+ reviews book. It's a huge relief!

QOTW
Ghost stories, weird fiction, and horror, of course! It must be the combination of catharsis of bad feelings in a setting that divorces the emotion from real life enough that I can cope. Either that, or I go to the other end of the spectrum and re-read some Jane Austen for manners, wit, and romance.

I am at 20/50.

This week I finished:
The Outsiders � A reread of a favorite novel. I think that speaks for itself.
Love Like This � A book with love in the title. I didn’t care for this one, but it was a fast read.
Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis � A book with a two word title. I really liked this one. It was recommended to me by a work colleague who always chooses the very best books for me, and I found it strange that a book about someone else’s story could feel so personal to me.
Murder at the Vicarage � A book set in a vicarage, convent, or monastery. I really wanted to love this one, because I had never read an Agatha Christie and her reputation proceeds her, but I found it just okay. There were too many characters and I found that it was purposely over-misdirecting.
Someone Is Watching � A book recommended by a celebrity that I admire (Tess Gerritsen). I really liked this one. I got bogged down for a little bit, but I pushed through and was glad I did. A fast read with good twists.

I am currently reading:
The Lightning Thief � I started this one yesterday and am only about 75 pages in, but I think its super endearing. I like the way it’s written (obviously for kids) but so that adults can appreciate it too. I’m worried I’m going to get side-tracked down a Percy Jackson rabbit hole, but maybe that’s exactly what I need.

Observations so far:
Last week the question was about giveaways and I didn’t know about any such thing, but I figured it out and entered some and I’ve already won one book.

Question of the Week:
What is your "comfort reading"?
Comfort reading for me is a reread of any of my favorites, usually series. I love that feeling of looking forward to your favorite parts of a book.

Happy St. Valentine’s Thursday!
10/50

Completed:
8. Drawing and 3D sculptures as a hobby. I received an ARC for The Lady from the Black Lagoon: Hollywood Monsters and the Lost Legacy of Milicent Patrick by Mallory O’Meara. O’Meara clearly loves the subject matter and does a decent job of researching. It’s a shame she couldn’t keep her opinions in check at times (as well as her cussing) as she was inserting #MeToo moments into history where she could not substantiate them (with her research).

Mary Higgins Clark As Time Goes Byas my commuting book for no reason whatsoever. It was a fun palate cleanser.

In process:
11.) For my clothing read, I’m double dipping with my European reads. Teresa Carpenter’s The Miss Stone Affair: America's First Modern Hostage Crisis features a bonnet on the cover. It’s the story of an American missionary in Macedonia who is taken hostage. The kidnapping occurs at roughly the same time as the assassination of President McKinley and Teddy Roosevelt, the Hero of San Juan Hill, is thrust into the presidency.

13.) Posthumous read � The Janson Directive by Robert Ludlum. The creator of Jason Bourne novels wrote 27 thrillers and this one is no different! He passed away in 2001, recovering from burns after a mysterious fire. (Could he honestly have gone peacefully into the night?) Authors are continuing to pen his works, much like Tom Clancy, after his passing. This novel has had the movie rights purchased and is being considered as a role for John Cena.

QOTW Comfort reading
My comfort reading is cozy mysteries and suspense-filled thrillers. When I know the library is going to be closed for a long weekend (like Thanksgiving) I grab a couple extra books, like mysteries featuring shop owners or caterers, their faithful pets, and the murder of someone heinous -- basically Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple and beyond! I normally try to have a commuting thriller, like something from Karin Slaughter, Lisa Scottline, Tana French, Linda Castillo, or Robert Dugoni, going as well � I just can’t read those before bed! I enjoy a lot of non-fiction, too, but the book either fits or doesn’t. Miss Stone is closer than Black Lagoon was. I love 40s and 50s Hollywood, too, but again, Black Lagoon just missed the ‘can’t put it down� mark. The author tried to make it more 'today'.

Hi everyone! I love your outlook on Valentine's Day, Sara. My husband and I stopped paying attention to VD years ago, but I do love chocolate.

Finished:
The Iliad on audio. (view spoiler)[It was very violent (shocking, I know), and the grieving for Patroclus went on for like 2 hours of the 8 hour audiobook. (hide spoiler)] I wish I had read it before The Song of Achilles though. Oh well, I will be reading The Silence of the Girls in a few weeks, so at least I read it before that.

I'll Never Change My Name: An Immigrant's American Dream from Ukraine to the USA to Dancing with the Stars for Book Riot Read Harder.

The Obelisk Gate for ATY. Loved this, 5 stars for me. It was even better than The Fifth Season, which I loved but it confused the crap out of me.

Currently Reading:
Unaccustomed Earth for Reading Women challenge.

Little Women which can fit many categories and challenges, but I haven't decided where I will use it yet.

The Clockmaker's Daughter which is a monthly read for ATY.

QOTW:
Interesting question. I used to use Netflix a lot more for comfort. But since the Popsugar challenge last year, I have been watching much less Netflix. I am behind on everything.
Any reading is a comfort to me. But mysteries specifically are my favorite, so I find them the most comfortable.

Mary wrote: "I am currently reading:
The Lightning Thief � I started this one yesterday and am only about 75 pages in, but I think its super endearing. I like the way it’s written (obviously for kids) but so that adults can appreciate it too. I’m worried I’m going to get side-tracked down a Percy Jackson rabbit hole, but maybe that’s exactly what I need.

Ohh the Percy Jackson rabbit hole is a wonderful rabbit hole! I hope to continue the Heroes of Olympus series this year for the challenge, as it's been way too long since I started the 4th (or 3rd even??) book. And there is a new series after that already so I gotta hurry up!

PopSugar Challenge-12/40
Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Challenge- 16/60

Finished this Week:
Book With A Plant On the Cover: An American Marriage I read this as a physical book and there was a ton of white on the pages. I don't feel that you can really call this a 300 page book. I was hoping that this story would catch me more but to be honest. I did not like the writing style at all. It was super simplistic. I felt as though the author was just adding in details and interactions that were not really necessary in the story trying to make it longer. I really don't feel as though this book lived up to the hype.

Non-prompt Book: The Tattooist of Auschwitz. I read this on my kindle. It was a bit choppy of a story but considering it was based off a true story I can see why. It is a heartbreaking story and one that should be read so that we do not forget the horrors humans can do to others and that we must prevent it. I feel like this one did live up to its hype.

Currently Reading:
Book You Think Should Be Turned Into A Movie: All the Light We Cannot See close to finishing this audiobook. This book is so good and so descriptive I do not think they would even need a screenplay to adapt this to a screen. It is a very good book one of the better ones I have read this year.

Happens In A Single Day: The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle I have just now started this book in hardback so have no opinion on it other than I know I am late reading this considering it was to be the January Book.

I think I am going to have to give the World War II historical fiction/based on a true story genre a rest for a bit. All the stories are starting to run together and I feel a bit more anxious after all the horrors on the page.

Question of the Week:
What is your "comfort read"?

That is hard. Mostly it is a reread of the 30th time of one of my favorite urban fantasy series books by Patricia Briggs.

Milena wrote: "Finished:
The Iliad on audio. It was very violent (shocking, I know). I wish I had read it before The Song of Achilles though. Oh well, I will be reading The Silence of the Girls in a few weeks, so at least I read it before that.."

(view spoiler)[Ohman why would you bring up Patroclus' death! I am currently listening to The Song of Achilles and I have been trying to forget about it, but it's been hanging over me like a heavy blanket and now you're writing it down, making it REAL. How dare you hahah! I am so not ready for the end of this book dammit.

Knowing there is so much grief for him in the audiobook immediately made me put it on my bookshelf on Storytel, though those versions are 20hours. (hide spoiler)]

Also SAME on the being behind on series. I've been catching up a bit but there is so much left to watch!

I read The Lightning Thief years ago. I was looking for something to fill that Harry Potter hole in my life, and I love mythology, and my co-worker recommended this to me. I just found it too immature for me. Should I keep going with the series? Does the series mature in the later books?

Hi everyone and Happy Valentine’s Day! I don't have a huge sweet tooth (but give me some chips any day!) and hate that florists double the price of flowers this week, so I am just meh on the holiday. The commercialization and pressure it puts on people is kind of crazy, at least here in the U.S.

My February has been super busy as far as work is concerned, so my reading has been unusual lately. I started a number of books in the last few weeks that I could only read a little bit at a time, but I finally finished most of them this week. I will also get in some good reading time this weekend because the weather here won’t be great, and for the first time in my professional life I get President’s Day as a holiday. Hooray for 3-day weekends!

9/50 for Popsugar
11/52 for Around the Year
2/26 for The Reading Women Challenge

Books I finished:
The Kiss Thief by L.J. Shen (Popsugar #19: Book told from multiple perspectives) I don’t understand all of the high ratings for this one. The relationship at the core of this book is toxic and dangerous, but it is portrayed as sexy. Just no.

Everything You Want Me to Be by Mindy Mejia (Popsugar #35: Book by an author whose first & last names start with the same letter)

The Switch by Sandra Brown (Around the Year: A book from one of the polarizing or close call votes � a book about a cult) Brown's books are always fun. This one involves identical twins who switch places one night. One is murdered, so the other races to figure out who did it because she might be in danger also. It was set in the city I currently live in (Dallas), and I always enjoy reading books set in familiar places.

Naked in Death by J.D. Robb (Around the Year: A speculative fiction) I have owned this forever and finally made myself read it. I'm glad I did! Fun crime/mystery set in the near future. The main character is smart and strong. I'll definitely read more of this series.

Now That You Mention It by Kristin Higgins (Reading Women: A romance or love story) This reminded me a lot of Kristin Hannah, which is a compliment. Just a lighter version.

I am currently reading:
Death Benefit by Robin Cook (Popsugar #17: A book set on a college/university campus)
The Lake of Dreams by Kim Edwards (Around the Year: A book you stumbled upon)

QOTW: I tend to gravitate toward mystery/thrillers for comfort. Not because the stories themselves make me feel better, but because it is usually easy to get sucked into them. I can curl up under a blanket on my couch for an afternoon reading and trying to solve the crime/puzzle, and before I know it, hours have passed and I've forgotten any problems I may have.

Ohnono don’t worry about it, at least not for me! I am a huge Greek mythology nerd so I knew about it but I’ve been trying to forget it while listening to The Song of Achilles (so good indeed!) because it’s just too painful. I never said it out loud or wrote it out because that would make it real and then you went ahead and did it haha!

Guess who’s gonna listen to the last 3,5 hours and sob her heart out 😂

@Carmen - fanfiction definitely counts!! It's real! About 15 years ago I went through a period where I devoured every Buffy fanfic I could find.

Mary wrote: "I am at 20/50.

This week I finished:
The Outsiders � A reread of a favorite novel. I think that speaks for itself.
Love Like This � A book with love in the title. I ..."
Percy Jackson is a lovely rabbit hole to get dragged into. A student suggested them to me about 6 years ago and I binged the lot. Cute fun.

Carmen wrote: "Ohnono don’t worry about it, at least not for me! I am a huge Greek mythology nerd so I knew about it but I’ve been trying to forget it while listening to The Song of Achilles (so good indeed!) bec..."

At least you will be sobbing while listening to such a beautiful, soothing voice.

Good morning and happy St Valentine’s Day from a (relatively) warm but wet Columbus! I’m currently laying in bed, hacking up a lung thinking about how the last time I had a lingering cough that was this forceful, I actually had pneumonia. So I’m hoping I’ll actually get myself to urgent care for that today.

Lirael Book 2 in the Sabriel/Abhorsen series, I had put book 5 as my “someone with a superpower� prompt but I’m rereading up to that point so I guess this kind of counts. Does magic and necromancy count as a superpower? I’m counting it regardless but I wasn’t sure if I’m cheating here lol.
Anywho. This series is great, it’s probably my favorite in the fantasy category and one of my favorite series period. Strong female characters, talking magical animals, necromancy, saving humanity, fighting the dead, mystery and magic... I love it so much. I actually have a tattoo appointment in the spring for a Sabriel tattoo, I’ll be sure to post it when I get it for any fans here 😊

Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew'd for a book featuring an amateur detective. This is what, book 8? 9? in the Flavia de Luce series. I adore this series. Flavia is now 12, a talented chemist, and amateur detective. Set in 1950’s English countryside, she lives in a old estate fallen into disrepair thanks to some frustrating inheretence laws, which is outside of a small town. In this book, she’s looking into the death of a woodcarver and connecting the dots between a rumored witch, a deceased children’s author, and an eccentric singer from a town over. I can’t believe a series has kept me this engaged for so long but I’m very excited to keep going.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone for the book that inspired a common phrase prompt. I can think of so many phrases people use from this book and you know... it’s massive impact on an entire generation of kids. I’m doing the audiobook this time. It’s weird, I associate the voices with the movies so much that it’s jarring to not hear their voices in dialogue. I also wish I had easy access to the Stephen Fry version, I’d listen to him narrate literally anything. This was a very nostalgic read. I used to read these books constantly, but I got older and outgrew it a bit (or did I just tire of my peers acting like HP is a personality trait lol). I love that I get to experience my daughter loving the series. Every January, the Columbus Symphony does Harry Potter in concert. This year was movie 3, so we have several more years to come to enjoy the experience.

The Hazel Wood for a debut novel. Not gonna lie, I wanted this solely for the cover and title. I had no idea what I was getting into, and I wasn’t expecting what I got. Alice and her mother, Ella, have spent her 17 years on the run. Every time they settle down, bad luck chases them off. Ella’s mom is a reclusive author who wrote a book of fairy tales with a cult following. The two worlds combine for a pretty intense adventure.
At first I was annoyed with Alice and her “I’m sooo AnGrY� personality, I wanted the story to be about Ella’s childhood and her mom’s life because that was infinitely more interesting than the first few chapters. But things really picked up and I throughly enjoyed where it went. I now wait for the sequel, and it seems the grandmother’s book of fairy tales is set to be published too so that’s also very exciting. This is a great read if you’re into fantasy and darker plots.

The Virgin Suicides for a reread of a favorite book. Needless to say, I freaking love this book. In fact, friends will tell me without knowing about my fondness for the book/movie will frequently tell me that this brand of aesthetic melancholy is something that reminds them of me. And I’m absolutely flattered by that lol. Sofia Coppola is always goals.
I feel like pretty much everyone knows the general plot to this by now, but if you haven’t read/watched it I HIGHLY recommend it if you’re fine with read about suicide.

This week brings me to 12/40; 1/10 with 24 books read this year.




QOTW: YA or historical fiction

Happy Thursday! I forgot it was Valentine's Day until I started wondering about all the love song dedications on the radio during my morning commute. Maybe I'll celebrate by starting a romance I've had sitting in my TBR pile for a couple months.

Finished
Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse (a cli-fi book). This is a five star book. I enjoyed the setting and basis in Navajo myth. After reading so much fantasy that's all similar, I've started avoiding most of the genre. This was a unique world, but with the character archetypes like the Chosen One and Trickster that I love so much.

Murder in Mesopotamia by Agatha Christie (a book featuring an amateur detective). It was okay. I think this mystery requires a greater suspension of belief than other Agatha Christie's I've read, and I didn't like the narrator. As for the prompt, I'm counting Nurse Leatheran for it. Poirot doesn't show up until the middle of the book, and Amy gives him almost all of the clues he needs to solve the case.

Currently Reading
Abaddon's Gate by James S.A. Corey

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

QOTW
I haven't done much comfort reading lately. I've been so focused on finishing series and checking off prompts. Sarah Addison Allen's books always make me feel calm, and I like reading old favorites like Harry Potter and The Hobbit.

Slow reading week for me - partly because I have been reading dog training books (which I won't bother to post here) for our reactive rescue dog, and feeling overwhelmed, and partly because I had to put some down partly read to try to get through some of the books that need to go back to the library asap. And partly because it's February and I am just feeling lethargic and done with winter (and the 30 cm of snow we just got) and my brain will not focus. But I didn't realize until now that I only finished ONE book this week. Hmmm.

Finished:

Everything Under by Daisy Johnson - another one I picked up because I'm reading through the Booker 2018 shortlist and I liked this one way more than I thought I would. It started off a bit slow but then I really got into it. It's a retelling of the Oedipus myth in modern times with a transgender angle and it was very well done, when it wouldn't necessarily be my thing. Using it for a myth retelling prompt for Reading Women and haven't decided if I'll double dip and also use it for the myth prompt for Pop Sugar. There are so many of these retellings out there these days that I'm pretty sure I'll end up reading another one to use for the prompt by the end of the year.

Currently Reading:

Popular Music from Vittula by Mikael Niemi - this is for my book club meeting next week and I am seriously considering DNFing it. I am not enjoying it and while I usually persevere for book club picks, there are just so many other books I want to get through right now.

The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King - doing this for the "love" prompt and about halfway through and enjoying it, but had to put it aside to get some other library books read before their due date

The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton - just barely started this one for the ATY monthly read but again, had to wait. And I had it out on an eBook express site so it will self destruct tonight and will have to track it down again, since I'm about 500 on the list for the physical copy

Home Fire by by Kamila Shamsie - just started this last night and it's due back tomorrow so need to hunker down and read it. Quite liking it so far. Haven't figure out which prompt it fits yet but I know it will fit something.

QOTW:

Some historical fiction - primarily Phillipa Gregory's books - always read them as soon as they come out. Don't tend to like other historical fiction much though and not romance. And twisty dark psychological thrillers used to be my go to escapism, but I find that I don't tend to read them much in the past year or so, so not quite sure what my comfort reading is at the moment? I do NOT like rereading books at all - feel like it's a waste of precious reading time when there are so many books out there - although I did enjoy listening to Harry Potter books again on audio during a long car ride. I need to find me some new comfort reading though ... otherwise I end up gravitating to tv and not sure that's a good thing.

Hi everyone. Slow reading this week. I think I picked up and put down like 10 books, I just couldn't decide what to read.

Finished:
Pet Sematary: I liked it. For prompt 3- written by a musician

Currently reading:
The Mummy, or Ramses the Damned
Human Errors: A Panorama of Our Glitches, from Pointless Bones to Broken Genes

QOTW:
I don't know if I have a comfort reading genre. It use to be romance, but I haven't read them in a while. I think currently it would be anything that is easy and just lets my mind turn off.

Hello, and Happy Valentine's Day.

I'm at 12/50 for the challenge.

This week I finished:
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer - I was totally not supposed to be rereading this book, I only picked it up to read a paragraph because I (again by mistake) sat down and rewatched the movie. 500 pages later, reread. LOL. I already had my reread prompt checked off, but I used this for a few other challenges including the A-Z stage/screen edition.

The Rum Diary by Hunter S Thompson - I started this last week on our way to Puerto Rico, where this book is set, on vacation. But our vacation was super busy and this book was a really slow read for me, so I just finished it. I used it for the BR challenge, and a few others including the A-Z stage/screen edition.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney - I regret this pick, I really disliked this book. But it was on the list of best of the 20th century and I have a list fetish, so now it's done and was a 3rd book for the A-Z stage/screen edition this week.

The Third Wife by Lisa Jewell - this was the best book I read this week. It could be used for the prompt about a family, or possibly an amateur detective since the mc was trying to solve a mystery, but I've already filled both of those.

QOTW: My comfort reading is rereading a favorite book. It's wonderful because you know you like it already, and you don't have to feel rushed to finish it to find out what happened, but rather just enjoy the journey.

I finished one and started one.

Finished Dress Codes for Small Towns for clothing or accessory on the cover. It was ok...

Currently reading Allegedly. Picked it up on a whim because it was available as an ebook.. Really enjoying it but I've been busy (a.k.a. tired) that I can only read a little bit each day. I think I can use it for Debut Novel but I'll have to do more digging to confirm that.

5/42 regular, 0/10 advanced, and 2 non-challenge.

I left one book off my "books finished" list. I finished an ARC of Recursion by Blake Crouch.

Happy Valentine's Day/Single Awareness Day, everyone. Spending today getting a dental procedure done, then being lazy while I recuperate, heh... Might get some reading done, might watch a movie. I'll decide when I get home and see how much brainpower I have left...

Books I finished this week (a LOT, though to be fair some of them were pretty short):

King of Scars -- "book published in 2019." I was SO excited when I heard Leigh Bardugo was revisiting her Grisha universe, and writing a book about my favorite character from the Grisha trilogy to boot! I thought there was a bit TOO much going on in this book at times, but it was still a lot of fun revisiting favorite characters.

A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet: Southern Stories of Faith, Family, and Fifteen Pounds of Bacon -- "book with sweet, salty, bitter, or spicy in the title." A collection of memories and stories about the author's family in the South. A cute "light and fluffy" read.

The Pros of Cons -- "book about a hobby." Not only is this focused on conventions (I count those as a hobby), but it gives insight into the three different hobbies each convention is centered on -- fan fiction, taxidermy, and drums/percussion -- so it definitely counts. I LOVED this one!

Death on Taurus -- "book with a zodiac sign or astrology term in the title." Intriguing premise (a planet populated by sentient, genetically modified bulls that regularly put on bullfights for paying audiences), but the book was just horrific.

Dragon Pearl -- "book set in space." Part of the "Rick Riordan Presents" series, where he features books by other authors that cover other world mythologies. A fun YA read that blends space opera action with creatures and concepts from Korean mythology and culture.

Dragon's Milk -- "reread of a favorite book." I read this years ago as a teenager and remember loving it... it's not quite as good revisiting it as an adult, though it did bring back a lot of memories...

The Road -- advanced challenge, "a cli-fi book." I still count it, since whatever nameless disaster caused this book's apocalypse has also wrecked the environment beyond repair. An overrated and miserable slog that I regret reading.

Sheets -- graphic novel, not for the challenge (though could count for "ghost story"). A teen girl struggling to run the family's laundromat has an encounter with the ghost of a young boy that could save the family's home. The dialogue felt weird in spots, but overall this was a bittersweet but cute read.

Regular challenge -- 21/43
Advanced challenge -- 3/10
Non-challenge books -- 6

DNFed Patch 17, my choice for "LitRPG book." I understand that this was translated from the original Russian into English and I should be forgiving of some grammar issues, but there are limits to what I can put up with. Also, the main character was so obnoxious I couldn't continue.

Currently Reading:

Attachments -- for "book with multiple POVs"
Frankenstein -- for "book you saw someone reading on TV or in a movie" (yay, finally found one!)
Snow Crash -- for "LitRPG" (hopefully this one's better...)

QOTW:

I'm with Carmen -- fan fiction tends to be my comfort read. It's characters I already love, and it just feels "safe" to me. Also, any book I've read before that I love -- The Last Unicorn, The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making, any of the "Dragonriders of Pern" books, etc.

I just went through the 1001 list again and noticed I could cross off three more books, and that I have multiple on my TBR for this year (some, again. oops.)! *happy dance*

Fingersmith is also on there, which I loved because I had never heard of it before reading the check ins today!

Kenya wrote: "Happy Valentine's Day/Single Awareness Day, everyone. Spending today getting a dental procedure done, then being lazy while I recuperate, heh... Might get some reading done, might watch a movie. I'..."

Oh yay, another fanfic lover! And the book about the cons sounds awesome! I was at a Hannibal con just two weeks ago and to know there is a book about it (though not like the cons I go to) that does not make fun of it makes me so happy!

Carmen wrote: Oh yay, another fanfic lover! And the book about the cons sounds awesome! I was at a Hannibal con just two weeks ago and to know there is a book about it (though not like the cons I go to) that does not make fun of it makes me so happy!

"Pros of Cons" really is a fun book! :) It's about three girls going to three different cons at the same hotel who end up becoming friends and helping each other through various personal dramas. There's a bit of playful joking about some of the cons (mostly the taxidermy con) but all in all it's written from a place of love for these gatherings.

I can't believe it's week 7 already. This year is flying by!

Finished:
Two Can Keep a Secret - I'm using this for prompt #4 - a book you think should be turned into a movie. This is the second book of Karen M. McManus that I have read for the challenge, and I gave both of them 5 stars. I'm looking forward to when she releases a new book.

The Promise - I got this from NetGalley and as of now I'm not using it for the challenge. I thought the book started off great, but was slow at some points and the ending felt rushed.

Sorry Not Sorry - this is another book I got from NetGalley that I'm not using for the challenge. I don't read a lot of romance novels, but I really liked this. It was predictable, but it was funny and cute.

Challenge Progress:
Regular challenge - 11/40
Advanced challenge - 0/10

Currently Reading:
I'm still reading The Travelling Cat Chronicles for my monthly book club. I haven't progressed much since I realized I also have a library book due back that I have to read prior to when my book club meets so that is taking precedence.

You is the library book that I mentioned above. I wanted to read this before getting into the Netflix show and so far it's good. I'm only about 25% done though.

Where'd You Go, Bernadette - I'm listening to this on my commute for prompt #16 - a book with a question in the title. I just started it yesterday and so far I'm not loving it, but I do love that it's set in Seattle and mentions places I used to go when I lived there.

Finding Grace - this is another ARC I got from NetGalley. I requested too many one day and now I'm behind on reading them. It's releasing today, but I won't finish today! I don't think I'm using it for the challenge.

QOTW - What is your "comfort reading"?
I don't think I actually comfort read because most reading for me is comforting. If I had to pick a genre I would say cozy mysteries since they are usually series so you can get lost in them, quick reads, and fun.

Happy Valentine's all.

Only three books read this week, but one was 766pg, and one was a really harrowing read, though excellent.

The biggie was Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, as I continue to do my slow-moving reread of the series. I remembered that this was the one where she started to really need her editor to cut it back a bit! Still, I enjoyed it again, and I may assign it to 5. Book with one million ratings.

The harrowing one was Kindred , by Octavia Butler, which was for 43. Own voices, and also the ATY duel-timeline prompt. Its an excellent book, but it's not a comfortable read.

Finally, I read the book of the month. To All the Boys I've Loved Before, which wasn't bad, but I'm not the target demographic for it.

Running totals:
Basic: 14/42
Advanced: 3/10

I'm currently reading Twelve Angry Librarians for ATY Feb week three, although some of it takes place on a college campus, so I may use it for 17. if I don't come up with something better. I'm also hoping to get to The Black Dahlia and Reading Up a Storm this week, although from Monday I'm holding the fort on my own for work, so I may not get as much reading time.

Question of the Week:
What is your "comfort reading"?

There are certain series which I think of as comfort reads: Anne McCaffery's Dragonriders books; Nancy Atherton's Aunt Dimity books, Donna Andrew's Meg Langslow series; and procedurals with a sense of humour, like the Longmire books, comedy capers like the Dortmunder and Bernie Rhodenbarr books, and Andrea Camilleri's Montalbano (because...the food :-) ).

Outside of those, probably cozy mysteries or humour.

This week I finished There There for #25 - a debut novel. It's certainly a force to be reckoned with.

Currently working on The Light Over London for #26 - a book published in 2019. I'm half-half on it right now, as it's more telling than showing about the characters' motives and personalities. I like to discover what they're like and how they change, not necessarily be told almost everything about them from the start. It's perfectly my kind of book - WWII historical fiction - but I'm hoping it's not too similar to other stories.

Hoping to get to That Churchill Woman for #38 - a novel based on a true story and We Are Not Refugees: True Stories of the Displaced (an ARC copy from NetGalley) this week that I am reviewing. I'm reading that for #40 and using the prompt from last year's challenge 'a book about a problem facing society today'. I will probably include Illegal, a great YA graphic book, in that prompt as well.

After last week's QotW, I started a NetGalley account as a teacher and started requesting ARCs of books I might enjoy. I was approved for 3 requests and then given Auto-Approval for one publisher. I have two books to review by mid-March and another for later. It's an interesting thing, NetGalley, and I'm looking forward to reading the ARCs and getting my new book blog up and running sometime soon. It'd be great to have a way to share recommendations with friends, family & colleagues who live all over!

QotW
My 'comfort reading' is historical fiction, probably centered in the mid-1900s, WWI to WWII. Such a specific span, I know, but this tim period fascinates me. I like to dive into a good historical fiction book and see where the story takes me. There's always something new to learn. If I'm not up to that, a good middle grade/YA book does the trick, especially since my students are 6-8th grade, and I like to keep up on what they're reading!

This week's been tough for reading for me. Finished two books (one was a picture book so it almost feels like cheating.

for Book with a Question in the Title: Where's My Cow? great fun if you like the Discworld books

and for A book featuring an extinct or imaginary creature: Bloody Acquisitions I'm having a blast with this series and the most unlikely hero ever.

I'm working my way through an e-book that I'm loving so hopefully I can post that as done soon.

Hey yall. I am really getting tired of the central Texas bipolar weather...we are supposed to get to 80 tomorrow and then back down to the 40s by Tuesday. Ok, rant over and on to the reading.

Progress:
8/40 regular
0/10 advanced

Finished:
The Wife Between Us - a book written by 2 female authors
I finished this one about 4 hours after writing last weeks update (like I figured I would). I really kind of enjoyed this one. I really loved how the authors gradually (and without my realizing it) changed my perceptions of the characters. It wasn't my favorite thriller, but I did end up giving it about 3.5 stars

Renegades - a book about someone with superpowers
This one was actually a reread for me, but since I read it early last year during a readathon, I sped through it and didn't remember a thing about it. So it's kind of like a first readthrough, right??? Anyway, it is a bit of a slow book but I enjoyed it and gave it 4 stars.

Currently reading:
Archenemies - a book with an author whose first and last name start with the same letter
This is the sequel to Renegades and as such it is still a slow book but I really want to know how things go. It was supposed to only be a duopoly, but the author decided to make it a trilogy and now I have to wait until the end of the year to see how everything ends.

Drums of Autumn - a book about a family
I am still slowly working my way through this one as my night time kindle read

Up Next:
The Name of the Wind - a book with a plant in the title or on the cover
The Hate U Give - an "own voices" novel
Saga, Vol. 1 - haven't decided yet

QotW
My comfort reading used to be romantic suspense. I must have read every Lisa Jackson, Nora Roberts and Sandra Brown novel ever written. But now I have moved more in the direction of Fantasy novels, especially YA fantasy.

I'm usually a sporadic reader but these weekly check-ins are great for my reading. I'm like "gotta finish this book by Thursday" and then "gotta start a new book by Thursday."

Finished: (7/50)

Archivist Wasp (ghost story, two-word title) - This was a wild ride from start to finish and 100% amazing. It's both a post-apocalyptic dark fantasy about a religious order devoted to studying/pacifying ghosts, and a sci-fi story about child supersoldiers engineered to fight a civil war. Brutal and harrowing, but ultimately uplifting (and the ending completely floored me, so good).

Currently reading:

Annex (ownvoices (immigrant from Africa to North America), imaginary creatures, superpowers, debut novel, multiple POVs) - More science fiction! Alien invaders have taken over. Everyone is either fitted with a cranial clamp that renders them mindless, or rounded up and imprisoned in warehouses. So, of course, a ragtag group of escapees (including an immigrant and a trans girl, the POV characters) set out to ~fight back~ against the invaders. Fun read so far!

Also recommended for anyone who wants to fill a lot of slots at once, haha. I'm probably going to put it as ownvoices, but as you can see, I've got options.

QotW:
Fantasy, speculative fiction, weird fiction - stuff that takes me out of everyday life. Also fast-paced and fun with effortlessly likable characters (even if cliched).

Happy whatever you're celebrating today! :-) My husband and I don't really do Valentine's Day (there doesn't seem like much point when we already go on regular date nights, plus I grew up with Valentine's Day only being of interest for the half price chocolate the next day, so... old habits die hard?). Tonight we happen to be having my 12 year old niece over for a game night we promised her for her birthday a few months ago, so that should be fun.

I've finished a few light books this week. My nonfiction and heavier reads are mostly waiting for me to get over this 'kind of having the flu' that's been sapping my energy and brain power.

Finished Reading:
Of Beast and Beauty By the author of Princess of Thorns, both of which were 5 star reads for me, so now I'm going to read everything by her that I can get my hands on. (These are pretty much the definition of the YA fantasy part of my comfort reads.) I used this for multiple POVs.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before Three stars. It was fine, but despite a few differences, I didn't feel like I got anything out of reading the book that I didn't already get from the movie. Used for book with love in the title.

The Happiness Project: Or Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun Gretchen Rubin's books aren't the 'five stars--changed my life' kind of books, but they are consistently 'four stars--enjoyable and gave me something to think about', so I'm rather a fan at this point. I used this for book about a hobby--I didn't plan it that way, but in addition to her spending more time on hobbies in the course of the book, her main 'hobby' is really researching things and figuring out how to make her life better, so it felt wrong NOT to use this book for that prompt.

Cinderella Is Evil Meh. It was a short kindle freebie with an interesting premise, but not very interesting execution.

Currently Reading:
The Golem and the Jinni Needed a break from my Les Miserable audio book, and this was available to download immediately from the library. Enjoying it so far!

Through a Tangled Wood I'm really close to DNFing this one, I just feel like since it's an anthology I should give a couple more of the stories a try first.

The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax Almost done with this one, and it's been a lot of fun! I *think* I read this one in my teens, but I don't remember most of it, except for flashes from the made for TV movie. Plus, I get to check Albania off the list for my 'read a book set in every country' challenge.

I also read a little bit in both A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World and The Holy War for my Sunday afternoon reading.

QOTW:
As mentioned above, YA fantasy, and especially fairy tale retellings are comfort reads for me. I love the romance element, but for some reason contemporary romance rarely interests me as a genre. It's just not as much fun unless they fall in love while breaking a curse or slaying a dragon or something. :-)

Probably the the top of my comfort read list is re-reads though, which I'm finally starting to get back in the habit of doing a little bit--sometimes it's hard to read just because I enjoy it and not to check something off my TBR list. The very best comfort reads are the ones that were my favorites as a teen: ones like Jane Eyre, any Agatha Christie, specific Robert Heinlein and Star Trek books, or even some like the Animorphs series and Jeri Massi books.

Happy Thursday:-)

I am currently at 15/50

Finished:
Escaping From Houdini
Poltergeist

Currently reading:
Harry Potter and the Goblet of fire (audio read by Stephen Fry - and he is brilliant)
Ravnenes hvisken (@ Johanne it is really good)

On my phone as I am at work and the internet doesn’t work.

Qotw:
Mine is romance depending on my mood; paranormal, contemporary or historical mainly.

For the prompt A book that has inspired a common phrase or idiom I read The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum and was shocked that literally none of the common phrases we know from the movie are IN the book. Just 'no place like home' so it still works but wow.

And I read Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse. One, I can't recommend this urban fantasy enough. It's fantastic. I meant to read it for the Own Voices prompt but it is straight up Cli-Fi. I have another book for that but if it sucks I'll put this in for Cli-Fi as I have a crap ton of Own Voices books. Also this works for People with Powers so seriously it's worth picking up for the challenge.

QoTW It's a three way tie between mysteries, urban fantasies and graphic novels/manga. Any of those will do me just fine.

Hello All,

We are still trapped in the icy fingers of winter this week and according to the weather report we not going above 0 C (30 F for all you US-ites) until at least the end of the month. But I am excited as hubby does his annual guys trip to Vegas this weekend so just me and the kids get to hang out. Hot dogs and KD for supper.

No finishes for me this week. I am still reading The Bullet Journal Method: Track the Past, Order the Present, Design the Future and really enjoying it. I have started the process and I feel that quite a few people would find great value in just reading the book, even if they never started a bullet journal, as the authour gives a really good perspective on analyzing your life and really digging in to help you find your true passions and giving you the tools to bring them to life. As I am looking forward to a major life change in 3-5 years (semi retirement) I am interested in putting some of his processes into practice.

QOTW
I really like a good paranormal romance with a strong female lead or leads. I really enjoy the Otherworld series by Yasmin Galnorn

Happy Valentine's Day all!!

Finished this week:

Watching You I'm usually hesitant to read mystery thrillers because so many are frustratingly obvious or the characters constantly make stupid decisions just to move the plot along. I really enjoyed this one and it kept me guessing. The twist towards the end was well done and really had me questioning my preconceived notions not just about this book but IRL. 4 stars.

The Golden State - This was for ToB but I'm also using it for the prompt 2 books with same title. This one started off very slow for me as it is written as a stream of conscious with very little punctuation. Once I became used to the style and additional characters entered the story, I started enjoying it more. 3.5 stars

Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood - I am so glad I followed everyone's advice to listen to this as an audiobook. Between his delivery and the various languages and accents he incorporates, I can't imagine this being as satisfying any other way. This book has convinced me to join Audible after my free trial ends. 4.5 stars

Currently reading:

Back to ToB with Washington Black.

QOTW:

I see I'm not alone with historical fiction being my main comfort reads. I particularly enjoy dual timelines (love Susannah Kearsley) and also most anything set in France as well as anything to do with the Tudors. Agatha Christie sometimes scratches the comfort itch as well.

Hi everyone from an unusually gray Arizona. I agree with Sara today - happy "day before candy goes on sale" day.

I started and finished two books this week, putting me at 12/50. Only problem is, I can usually only handle about 50-100 pages a day before I trigger a streak of nasty migraines (due to past neck/shoulder injuries and issues with eye strain) and I finished each book in one day. I unfortunately triggered a 3-day headache, which means I'm going to have to slow down my reading for a couple weeks :( Maybe I'll switch to audio for a bit. This is par for the course for me though - happens at least once every challenge, sometimes multiple times. You'd think I'd learn, but when a book is really good, well, I have issues putting it down!

Anyway, I finished:

The Gap of Time for a re-telling of a classic (Winter's Tale). I wasn't expecting much, as the reviews were pretty mixed. However, I absolutely loved this book, and I think it's a favorite of the year, so far. If you're used to reading Jeanette Winterson, it's not her usual heavily word-smithed prose - much of the book uses a more straightforward, modern style - but it's woven in there in parts. And I just loved her integration of Winter's Tale into a modern world.

The Secret Life of Bees for a book with over a million ratings on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ. It had been on my TBR for awhile, so I figured it was a good excuse to finally read it. I liked it just fine; I think the reason I felt the need to finish it in a day had more to do with needing to return it to the library rather than engrossment in the story, but it was good. Very Oprah Book Club-y, if that makes sense.

Currently reading:

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet I'm about 1/4 of the way in. I like it, but there's a lot of description in the initial world building that I think could be more concise while still being richly detailed. I am enjoying it, though.

City of Dark Magic this should be a good week to finally finish this on audio!

QOTW: My go-to comfort reads used to be the Harry Potter series, but now mostly consist of lesfic (lesbian fiction). Coming out stories, cute romances (even though I'm not generally a fan of the romance genre). Books like The Miseducation of Cameron Post, Jericho, Giraffe People, and When Katie Met Cassidy definitely fit that bill for me.

Also, for some reason, Clive Barker's The Thief of Always is a fantastic comfort read for me. Don't know why. Perhaps because it's just one of my favorite books.

Happy Valentine's Day! I don't have any plans, except maybe picking up some wine? My mom bought me a couple treats so I am at least feeling the love! Also, reading through this posts and seeing others say their reading week was slow, reassures me. I didn't finish any books this past week! Whenever I had downtime, I tended to watch Netflix or YouTube instead. It just required less mental energy from me.

I'm a little over halfway through The Fifth Season by NK Jemisin, which will be my cli-fi book when I finish. I'm listening to this on audio, and it took a little bit to get into because one of the perspectives is in second person. But I'm really invested now, and really liking it!

Also, I think I'm gonna knock out the Beverly Jenkins books I have checked out from the library. That'll be good for some Valentines weekend reads!

QOTW: Historical and contemporary romance novels are definitely comfort reads for me! They're normally quick to get through, but they make me happy! (I mean unless I can't stand the characters) The Hating Game and Do You Want to Start a Scandal are two books I own and kindle and will just pick up at certain scenes to make me feel better!

Also some of my favorites from being a tween/teen like Harry Potter or Sarah Dessen just instantly help me feel comforted.

Katy wrote: "I finished Invisible Man by ralph Ellison as my first book of two with the same name. It was a difficult read and I almost wanted to give up halfeway through, but since two books depen..."

Loved Ready Player One!

Happy valentines day, no matter if you're celebrating love with another, or just spoiling yourself! It's my husband and I's wedding anniversary today, so we're chilling with prosecco and chocolates before heading to a pop up restaurant at our local wine bar!

I'm now sitting at 9/55 (6/45, 3/10).

I finished one book this week, form prompt #38 based on a true story. I read Before We Were Yours, a fictionalised account of the adoption scandal in Tennessee in the 1930's - where children were removed from their parents under often dubious circumstances and kept in poor conditions until they could be sold to the highest bidder - this book really surprised me. I was worried it was going to be another poorly written misery-lit, but it is sensitive, with moments of real insight. This is a book that winds its gentle Southern tendrils round you, and before you know it you're dragged into something much darker. I loved the dual timeline, and felt the story was really balanced between Rill and Avery's stories. At first I wasn't that crazy about the modern storyline, but I warmed to it when it became more about uncovering the family secret. I had never heard of the scandal on which this story is based, but I feel those who were real life victims are honoured rather than exploited in this book. The characters are well formed and the story is paced just right to keep you turning the pages without relying on sensationalism. Considering the topic, this is a warming story of strength and family love that exceeded my expectations.

QOTW - What is your "comfort reading"?
One thing I've noticed since doing this challenge and speaking to other hardcore readers, is that I don't really read like a lot of other people. I've come across so many people here that reread regularly, read seasonally, have holiday/beach reading, and who have different genres for different times. I don't really do any of that, and I don't think I have a comfort read either. I just go from one book to the next on my list, and don't really link my mood or things going on in life to what I'm going to read. Maybe when life slows down, that's the sort of reading I'll branch out to!

Raquel wrote: "I love the romance element, but for some reason contemporary romance rarely interests me as a genre. It's just not as much fun unless they fall in love while breaking a curse or slaying a dragon or something. :-)"

Same! Character dynamics are my jam (friendship, rivalry, romance) but I need some kind of adventure/supernatural element to add tension to the mix. I have trouble getting into stuff that's just contemporary slice-of-life.

Sara wrote: "Happy day-before-the-chocolate-goes-on-sale! I'm not bah-humbug about V-day, but I do hate how commercial it is. I enjoy giving small gifts or ways to show I love the people I love. My daughter got..."

I am with you on 99 Percent Mine... something was missing about it. I have not read The Hating Game but I had heard such good things that I was excited to read 99 Percent Mine and it was meh for me.

Tania wrote: "Hello, and Happy Valentine's Day.

I'm at 12/50 for the challenge.

This week I finished:
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer - I was totally not supposed to be rereading this book, I only pi..."

Twilight will always suck me in as well.