Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2021 Weekly Check-Ins
>
Week 12: 3/18 - 3/25
I finished Pompeii as my book with the same title as a song. I really liked most of it. there were some references to vomiting I could have done without. But other than that really good.I'm about halfway through The Edge as a book I meant to read last year.
Qotw: No. I'm supershy. I don't talk to people I don't know. And I grew up without a lot of rules. Don't talk to strangers was one of the few. I've really embraced it.
Good morning! This week has absolutely flown (and tomorrow's payday, so that's fine with me). We've gotten a head start on outdoor projects this week since the weather has been nice, but it's supposed to rain this afternoon so it'll probably be movie night tonight. Husband is having a terrible time with allergies this year. I've managed to fare much better than usual (mine have come on with a vengeance these past five years). My new Kindle is already spoiling me like no other. Finished:
*The Curious Case of the Werewolf That Wasn't - 4 stars, an excellent short story if you're familiar with Gail Carriger's Parasolverse
Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 9 - 5 stars A book you meant to read in 2020
Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 10 - 5 stars. I deeply loved the "original" FMA anime in high school, and I've seen a few early episodes of Brotherhood, but I'm still a bit surprised by how different things are turning out. Excited to fully watch Brotherhood once I finish the manga!
Exit Strategy - 3.5 stars. Taking a break before I tackle the full Murderbot novel, but it will probably happen later in the year
*An Extraordinary Union - 3.5 stars. The writing didn't always gel with me but I liked Elle and Malcolm well enough. Debating whether to continue the series or leave it at this.
*Amberlough - 4 stars. This was a lot of... well, "fun" doesn't feel like the right word when the setting is an alt-world eerily similar to 1930s Germany and the plot revolves around a rising fascist party, but... I still liked it a lot! If you're familiar with Cabaret, you'll probably enjoy it. Main character works at your current or dream job
*Are Prisons Obsolete? - 5 stars. Excellent points, arguments, and rebuttals. Subject you are passionate about
Granuaile: Grace O'Malley, Ireland's Pirate Queen - DNF. This was unfortunately dense AND disorganized, and it didn't hold my attention the way I wanted it to.
PS 24/50
Currently:
*The Wolf of Oren-Yaro - Political intrigue and clan wars (complete with assassins) and dragons and a badass woman MC and did I mention DRAGONS?
The Anatomist's Wife - Feels similar to Deanna Raybourn's Lady Julia Grey series (which I still need to finish) but set in Scotland instead! Huzzah! Set somewhere you'd like to visit in 2021
Backseat:
A Curious Beginning - I'm hoping to get back to this once I've finished my Scottish sojourn with the Anatomist's Wife :)
Upcoming:
*Daughter of Sand and Stone
*The Enigma Game (possibly)
Invisible Man
I'm on a slight historical bent lately, which feels good - SFF, nonfiction, and historical fiction are my big three genres, and it feels like it's been awhile since I fell down the historical rabbit hole with several books back-to-back.
* = Kindle reads, just to mark them for myself. I have zero chill when it comes to this thing, hahaha!
Have you ever ended up suggesting books to strangers in shops/the library?
I'm sure I have, although I can't come up with any concrete examples. When I worked in the local secondhand shop, I used to chat books with all kinds of people. I would case the shop before opening to see if there was anything I might be interested in, and more often than not if I was waffling over something (and left it on the shelf because I just wasn't *sure*), someone would inevitably walk in and buy it that day, ha!
This week I finished: Own the Eights: Dream job (bookstore owner): This was okay, but not great. Nothing very memorable about it.
Currently reading:
One Perfect Lie: A book with something broken on the cover: So far so good. There has already been one big twist that I never saw coming.
QOTW:
I can't remember a specific instance, but I definitely have. I recommend books all the time.
Mod
every time I see that title, I think: WOLF OF OREOS. My brain does that thing where it reads the first few letters and the last few letters and decides what the words are.
This Week's Highlights
Syncopation An enjoyable read! This book took me to unexpected places and I really appreciated that. Where I expected a character to get angsty or to wallow in self-pity, there would be mature conversations. Strong characterizations, amazing chemistry (between lovers AND between friends), action, and all the feels left me immediately downloading book 2 so I can spend more time with the band. 4 Stars
Third Grave Dead Ahead Steaming right ahead with the series which just continues to get better. Relationships are key to these books and oh boy does Darynda Jones delight in complicating the heck out of them! The humor that is perfectly deployed to keep things from getting too heavy, the action which is always perfectly paced...happy sigh. (view spoiler) 4.5 Stars
Iron Kissed Whoa. After reading the last page, I had to close the book and just sit for a while trying to process everything I was thinking and feeling. Patricia Briggs pulled no punches in this entry in the Mercy Thompson series and I appreciated the fact that not everything was wrapped up neatly by the end of the book. While parts of the storyline were rough, that is what makes it so compelling and dare I say realistic? Even with all of the paranormal happenings? Those of you who love this series will know what I mean. I have read the first two books twice but never continued with the series. I could see tensions ramping up and I didn't want an angsty read. I wasn't sure when the love triangle would wrap up (I am not a fan of them at all) and I do NOT like a series where that drags on and on and on. And after the scary vampires in Book 2 I knew that Patricia Briggs would be the type of author that pushed me out of my comfort zone but how far? Just enough or way too much? But when a ŷ group I am a member of decided to read the series this year, I decided that I would go for it. And I am SO GRATEFUL that I did...This book was tense, but not angsty. The pages flew by. The love triangle was resolved in a way that allowed all parties to act like actual adults with complicated feelings INCLUDING dignity and respect. So refreshing. And yes, I was pushed outside of my comfort zone but just as Patricia Briggs didn't leave any of her characters hanging out on a limb, she took care of me as the reader as well. 5+ Stars
Magpie Murders I know Anthony Horowitz from his Alex Rider series and decided to try his adult fare. This book was a fun concept - I enjoyed both storylines but the Atticus Pund book portion ended up being my favorite. After learning in the author's note that he is the screenwriter who created Midsomer Murders, I might push this book onto my mom...4 Stars
Upcoming Reads:
Happy Thursday! It's pretty rainy and dreary here, but I know that when the sun comes back out, everything will be green and spring-like.This week I finished two books. First, Shiver, which was my locked room mystery. It was fine. I don't know that I would read another.
I also finished Circe as the book everyone has read but me. It was really great, which I'm sure is why everyone has read it. I will say that I did not enjoy it as much as Song of Achilles, and I felt like it was a touch too long. But her writing is beautiful.
QOTW: No. I get annoyed when people give me unsolicited advice, so I try not to do it to other people. I know there are people who don't mind, but it's a pet peeve for me.
I'm feeling better this week, but now I don't know where my time has gone as I've only finished one book and not achieved much else.I read The Mermaid of Black Conch by Monique Roffey for magical realism, a prompt I'm glad to get done early. This has a powerful start but I got a bit bored in the middle. I just don't think magical realism is for me. Was good to read a Caribbean story though and I think she did the patois well.
Currently reading Hummingbird Salamander for review and listening to Future Perfect.
PS: 14/50 | ATY: 13/52 | RH: 5/24 | GR: 30/100
QOTW:
What are these other people you speak of?
I have social anxiety so I will worry excessively that I said something wrong, so I don't really speak to strangers unprompted. Like maybe if they spoke to me first, I might comment on what they had in their hands? I dunno. I recommend on bookshop crawls but that's meant to be social, and I'd recommend to the booksellers in Waterstones sometimes, but it's kinda their job to talk to people about books. I generally like to browse in peace, so I let others do the same.
Happy Thursday! It's been about a month since I did my last check-in. I had knee surgery and wasn't on my computer much, but I'm back now. I'm just going to post the books I've finished during the current week otherwise my comment would be really long! Finished:
Too Good to Be True - I read so many good reviews about this book, but I figured out the big twist early on so it kind of ruined it for me. I still enjoyed the writing though. 3 stars
Love & Luck - I read this for a Facebook monthly challenge. It was a cute love story. It's part of a series, but can be read alone. It's set in Ireland which I would love to visit so I used it for prompt #30 - a book set somewhere you'd like to visit in 2021. 4 stars
Legendborn - I go back and forth on if I love YA Fantasy and some I do, but this one was a tough one for me. I loved the King Arthur aspect, but I listened to the audiobook and was confused a lot of the time. 3 stars
Challenge Progress:
Regular Challenge - 20/40
Advanced Challenge - 3/10
Total - 23/50
Currently Reading:
All the Tides of Fate - I'm using this for prompt #43 - the book on your TBR with the prettiest cover
Small Spaces - I'm reading this for Middle Grade March
Ready Player Two - I love Wil Wheaton as a narrator so I'm listening to the audiobook. So far, I prefer the first book.
QOTW - Have you ever ended up suggesting books to strangers in shops/the library?
If I've seen someone eyeing a book I loved I will tell them that it was good, but I won't go out of the way to recommend books to strangers.
Hi everyone. I'm stuck at work for a day or two. We do temperature checks at the start of every shift and my colleague decided to tell us she had a fever after seven hours of work yesterday. *Face palm* So I decided not to go home until we hear about her test results because my parents are classed as vulnerable. Fingers crossed she's okay.This week I finished Elsewhere: One Woman, One Rucksack, One Lifetime of Travel. I had mixed feelings about this one. I loved the evocative travel descriptions but didn't really care about the memoir-y bits about the author's life. I'm not a people person lol
Currently reading: The Three-Body Problem but I think a lot of it is going over my head as physics isn't one of my strong points.
Also reading The Angel of the Crows. I'm still undecided whether I like this book or not. I keep reading it but I find myself grimacing or shaking my head at a lot of it. I've never read fan fiction but I feel like this could be classed as poor fan fiction
QOTW: Oh god no! If any of you ever see me, please don't do this to me. I don't like strangers speaking to me and I would never speak to them unprompted!
I was once looking at the library on a cruise ship when I'd ran out of my own books and some random woman practically forced me to pick a book she loved and I felt too awkward to say it looked like it wouldn't be my cup of tea. I tried to out-wait her to put it back on the shelf but she didn't want to leave so I ended up taking the book. I was right. I hated it and then I was anxious every time I went back to the library in case I saw her again and had to tell her I hated her taste in books lol
I missed check-in last week for the first time ever. That’s how much last week kicked my ass. I’m sure it was the time change. It’s never hit me that hard before, but then I’ve always had a pretty solid work night routine that’s gone entirely out the window for a year. I think I’m back on track now.The weather has been beautiful so I set up my patio furniture this weekend. I’m looking forward to the day when it’s warm enough to read outside for a couple of hours. For now, I’m only outside briefly to soak up the sunshine.
Finished
Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas (a dark academia book). I have mixed feelings. The writing and setting are amazing. But the main character is so disconnected and passive for most of the book that I couldn’t care about her. I’ll read the next book by this author and hope for a character I relate to more.
Reading
Cat Among the Pigeons by Agatha Christie (a book where the main character works at your current or dream job). Sign me up to be an independently wealthy eccentric private detective, please.
Watership Down by Richard Adams (a book set mostly or entirely outdoors)
QOTW
Yes, I’ve done that. If I see they’re considering a book I read and loved, I’ll say something. I try to keep it pretty short, though, unless they start asking me questions about the book. That’s happened once or twice while browsing in the library.
Mod
Oh no! I hope test results come back negative, and quickly. You work at a hotel, right? So how does that work, are there rooms that employees can use for an overnight?
Currently reading: The Three-Body Problem but I think a lot of it is going over my head as physics isn't one of my strong points.
I'm pretty good with physics, and I was amazed at the advanced science & math in this book, I didn't always understand the business about different dimensions beyond 2D & 3D, and don't even get me started on the concept of a wallfacer & wallbreaker. BUT after I finished that series and my brain had time to mull it over, I think the author is making most of that stuff up, and he's just REALLY good at making it sound legit. I mean, sophons are not real!!! (And I thought they were a legit concept while I was reading that!) So, don't worry about it if it seems like the science is going over your head! It's science FICTION after all :-)
Happy check-in day! I missed last week's check-in as well because it was Spring Break and I was doing my best to just not think about anything at all. I was in the midst of a Netflix binge. I did finish Troubled Blood last week though. I'm using this for a book by an author who shares my zodiac sign (Leo). I always enjoy the audio of these books but this one just felt really bloated. It dragged in a lot of places and I felt there was a lot that could but cut out.
I haven't finished any books this week for the challenge. I did read Bowwow Powwow : Bagosenjige-niimi'idim for my librarian reading challenge (a book by an indigenous author). It's written in English and Ojibwe. It was a cute story that wove imagination with tradition, bridging the past with the present.
QOTW: Well, I'm a librarian so I often comment on what students pick to check out. If I enjoyed the book I'll tell them that, or I'll ask them to tell me how they like it when they finish. But I doubt I would do the same in a store, unless they outright asked for my opinion. Like others, I would worry too much that I said the wrong thing or overstepped my bounds. But inside I might be screaming that we should be best friends because I loved that book too!
Happy Feast of Annunciation to those who are celebrating it today!Spring is definitely here. Trees are budding, flowers are sprouting. temps in the 60s-70s. Loving it!
Finished 7.75/50
The Philokalia, Volume 3: The Complete Text for "longest book on your TBR". 3 down. 1 more to go!
Crazy Rich Asians for "book with a family tree". This was hysterical. What a fun, easy read! I'm going to try to watch the movie this weekend.
Currently Reading
Mere Christianity for "book about a subject you're passionate about". Not just religion, but also C. S. Lewis, so this book ticks two passion boxes for me! Goodness I love how Lewis writes. Simple, yet powerful. Truly, he was a master!
QotW
I don't think so? I don't recall ever doing so. I'm rarely in either environment lately, so all my book rec's are virtual.
Mod
We spent 6+ hours each of four days last week (Tuesday-Friday) in the ER. I kid you not! My husband will require surgery and the facilities in the city where we typically seek medical care are not properly equipped for it nor are any of the specialists qualified to perform it. We have been referred to Indianapolis. We have an appointment on Friday morning and I am very hopeful that he can have surgery scheduled next week. Not that I’m anxious or anything� 😉 It is just stressful. He has a catheter for now and I have been trained to irrigate/aspirate it as needed. Fortunately, the PA and Nurse in ER on Friday were excellent and helped him more than anyone had previously. Their treatments helped relax the bladder and prevent it spasming, so I have only had to irrigate once late Friday night and it cleared immediately. But I admit to being rather petrified of this medical responsibility. I am not a trained medical professional! But it was that or hospitalization and I allowed him to choose� I’m just scared I won’t do something right... But so far, so good! 'May the force be with me'! LOL
Today begins the two-week 2021 Reading Challenge 25K Team Readathon celebrating the fact that their total membership is now over 25,000! I mention this because I signed up to participate and stated that I wouldn’t mind helping lead a group as an assistant…so now I am a team leader. *SMH* *But also smiling!* It has been a blast compiling the listings and trying to determine which book(s) will best fit which prompt, etc. A perfect escape from reality for me right now! Our team is the Fellowship of the R(ead)ing! Clever, huh?!? 😊 Wish us luck!
Admin Stuff:
Here is the link to the March monthly group read discussion for The Song of Achilles. Erica has quite a discussion going regarding this myth retelling. Huge hugs to her for leading this month! Thank you!
And here is the link to post the book you read to fulfill prompt #8 A book that won .
Here is the link to the April monthly group read discussion of The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. Brandy B has stepped up and volunteered to lead us through discussion! THANK YOU!! I have yet to obtain a copy and won’t be able to start until the second week of April, and must admit I’m a bit hesitant about it overall� I hope I enjoy it much more than I feel I might�
And here is the link to post the book you read to fulfill prompt #28 A book with magical realism.
Both of these are now open and ready to go!
We are still looking for a discussion leader for May: #24 A book by a Muslim American author (Islamic holiday Eid al-Fitr on May 13, 2021) Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin. This is one I am very excited to read. Please message either Nadine or myself to volunteer to lead! It is a great way to get to know some of the Popsugar members better!
Before next week’s check-in I will open nominations for the 3rd quarter monthly group reads (July, August, September) so we can allow plenty of time to make our selections and plan ahead.
Question of the Week:
This week's question was suggested by Jen, who hasn't been around here in a while and she may never know that we finally used this question!
Have you ever ended up suggesting books to strangers in shops/the library?
Maybe the Universe will alert Jen and she’ll magically reappear! LOL
My answer? All. The. Time. I am so obnoxious about this. (No shock to you-all, I am sure!)
I spotted a fellow gym member reading a book while sitting in the hot tub a couple of weeks ago, so of course, I just had to walk around so I could see what she was reading. (This is typically an automatic conversation starter for me�) She looked up at me and I just smiled and said, “I just had to see what you were reading!� She just kept looking at me, so I smiled again and went on my way to class. I’m guessing she did not want to be disturbed which is cool. I get that. I had to quit reading in my building over lunch hour because everybody would come up and start a conversation, apparently oblivious to the fact that I was READING!! Thank you very much! LOL But typically, the person I address will then reply and sometimes we have a real conversation and end up ŷ friends and other times we say a few things back and forth about that specific book or author and that’s it. I guess it is the former librarian/teacher/bookseller in me, but any time I can lead such conversations to favorite/recommended books, I do! I have learned, however, to ask questions of the other person first. “Have you read other books by this author?� “What appealed to you about this particular book?� “Do you usually read books in this genre?� Etc., etc., etc. Shy I am not. 😊 (Yet another shocking revelation I am sure! LOL)
And heaven help anyone I might encounter in the library or a bookstore... :)
Popsugar: 31/50
ATY: 44/52
RHC: 5/24
Reading Women: 4/28
April will be my month to begin concentrating on specific prompts for Read Harder and Reading Women which typically also fulfill some of the remaining Popsugar and ATY prompts as well! .
FINISHED:
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ was as delightful as I assumed it would be! I love it when a book fulfills my very high expectations! I loved Linus and his eventual willingness to learn the difference between “getting by� and “living;� truly “living� in color! Living without the RULES AND REGULATIONS to guide him! Just doing what pleased him and made his life worthwhile, enjoyable, and full of love! So many wonderful messages in this one without beating the reader over the head, IMO! Positivity can and does win out in the end. Acceptance. Respect. Appreciation. Unconditional Positive Regard! A truly “feel good� book, IMO! And just what I needed! 😊 I would definitely like to read more of Klune’s writing!
POPSUGAR: #7-Linus� job is advocating for children, #18-Advocating for children/, acceptance/appreciation for all, and finding true love, NEW #19, #21-Fantasy, Fiction, LGBTQ+, Romance, Young Adult, #27-Linus is actually “living� life for the first time!, #34-Prejudice/discrimination, #37, #39, #40-From 2019 POPSUGAR Challenge-prompt #27 A book featuring an extinct or imaginary creature, #43, #46
ATY: #3-“when the dog bites-Sal, #6-Awww…Linus and Arthur!, #7-A book with a house on the cover, NEW #11-Arthur is a Phoenix!, #14, #20-Linus will truly be “living� a life of his choice in the future, #21, #23- Fantasy, Fiction, LGBTQ+, Romance, Young Adult, #25, #27-The Devil—Lucy, #34, #36, #38-CELLAR: Arthur’s “cage� for 6 months of his life, #40, #43, #49, #52-In the end, Linus chooses to truly “live� a life of his own choosing!
CONTINUING:
The Secret History by Donna Tartt. About 20% along in this one and am finding it enthralling! Her characterization skills are absolutely awesome, IMO!
These below are still on the back burner for now…but not forgotten!
Eva Luna by Isabel Allende to fulfill the 2020 Reading Women prompt #26 A book written by Isabel Allende.
Paradise by Toni Morrison to fulfill the 2020 Reading Women prompt #25 A book written by Toni Morrison.
Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence (Classsics, Literature) Annotated |56605996]. Still�
Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family by Robert Kolker
The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Excellent writing! It really flows.
How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi.
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi. Excellent so far! I love Reynolds' humor!
Learning Race, Learning Place: Shaping Racial Identities and Ideas in African American Childhoods by Erin N. Winkler
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo
The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois
PLANNED:
Magpie Murders (Susan Ryeland #1) by Anthony Horowitz for the last of my March buddy reads!
And always shining as a bright spot in the background for me--The Third Angel by Alice Hoffman. My very special gift!!
Since I am participating in the 2021 Reading Challenge 25K Readathon I now have a goal of reading/finishing the following books over the next two weeks:
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Magpie Murders (Susan Ryeland #1) by Anthony Horowitz
Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer (Theodore Boone #1) by John Grisham
Beauty by Susan Wilson
Gathering Blue (The Giver #2) by Lois Lowry
A Night to Remember by Walter Lord
Saving Shiloh (Shiloh #3) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
A Shiloh Christmas (Shiloh #4) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Finished 3 books this week, so, yay me. All were from the Women's Prize for Fiction longlist.Exciting Times - Didn't quite know how to feel about this one when I put it down. A few days later, all I can summon up is vague annoyance. It was just all a bit pretentious, and the characters constantly talked about how dissatisfied and unhappy they were and yet deliberately made decisions that would make them *more* unhappy, while spouting off incessantly about their political theory. Honestly I think the characters in this book are the exact personification of the vilified millennial of the headlines, destroying the world one slice of avocado toast at a time.
But... the writing was occasionally witty. I'll give it that.
No One Is Talking About This - The beginning of this one was kind of a headache honestly. It's very much about internet culture, and how being "extremely online" can alienate you from the world outside social media. This results in the first half of the book being, essentially, a pure distillation of Twitter. Well, perhaps a better word would be bombardment. It gets to be too much, migraine-inducing, you almost start drowning. And then both the protagonist and reader are abruptly brought back to earth with a resounding "KERTHUNK".
After the second half, I put down the book... and sobbed.
I don't think I have ever directly cried because of a book before. I've yelled at books, I've had my feelings twisted into pretzels by books then something *else* sets off the floodgates, but I genuinely think this is the first one that's brought me to tears on its own.
Detransition, Baby - Now this is one that will need to percolate a bit in the brainbox. I thought it was pretty brilliant honestly. Just so unapologetic and unashamed. Not that it should be ashamed, but it's very much saying things out loud on a big platform that are usually silenced or at least kept firmly out of the public eye.
Funny thing is, it had a lot of the elements I didn't like in Exciting Times - characters that seem to deliberately make themselves miserable and spout off about - well, queer theory this time, though obviously that overlaps *a lot* with politics. But with this book it was just so much more convincing - the characters felt like actual people who'd been through crap and experienced real pain. And then there were some passages - like a particular long metaphor about elephants and generational trauma - that just hit like a physical blow to the abdomen.
If those two don't make the Women's Prize shortlist I'm going to be a bit upset.
Currently reading Daughter of the Forest - supposed to be a "purely for fun" book to break up the Prize reads. Several of my favourite Booktubers absolutely rave about this one, so I had fairly high expectations, and... I'm really just not feeling it. It's not a bad book but I can't seem to get invested.
I think the next chapter is the start of a new part of the story so I'll give it one last chance to grab me before putting it aside for another time.
There's also House of Leaves but I haven't touched it in nearly a fortnight and it's massive and somewhat mindbendy and I just dooo not have the thinkies for it at the moment. That's getting put by.
If I DNF those I don't know what I'll start next. I have a truly frightening number of books on my TBR and yet spend half my life moping around wailing "I don't know what to reeeeaaaaddd".
QOTW: I am very... shy? socially inept? neurodivergent as all heck? So yeah, talky-talky with strangers is not a thing. But when browsing bookshops I have been known to spot someone picking up a favourite of mine, squeak "oh that's a really good one!" and flee for my life.
(Also you can tell that question is from a while ago by the fact it mentions interacting with strangers. In shops. In the mythical realm of Outside-The-House. *insert Kristen Bell laugh-crying gif here*)
Mod
Yeah I thought that book was bloated, too, and I might be done reading that author entirely if that's what the books are going to be like now. But it's the PERFECT book to read for the "zodiac sign" prompt, since the plot is all about zodiac signs!!!
Mod
I am so sorry for everyone else experiencing challenges right now as well! I probably don't have time to go back and read through the thread, but positive energy to everyone needing a bit of a boost right now!
"Admin stuff
One more week left in our March group read of The Song of Achilles. Next Thursday is April! (Wow, right??) Our April group read will be The Midnight Library.
We still have an opening for a discussion leader for May's group read of Ayesha at Last. Let us know if you're interested!!"
I opened the April threads and am hoping someone feels compelled to lead May's discussion!
"The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon- this was a NOPE for me."
Huh. Too bad... :(
"The Other Americans by Laila Lalami- I needed a new audiobook, this one was available, and it was written by a Muslim-American author! Check! I loved this book and I look forward to reading more by this author."
Glad for your positive feedback on this one. I was a bit hesitant...
"Siri, Who Am I? by Sam Tschida - this book was completely ridiculous but also completely fun, and it may have reignited my reading mojo. There was so much about this book and the character that I should have hated, but I loved it. Tschida maintained just the right balance of loony and serious for me. It's perhaps ironic that I didn't remember putting this on hold and I couldn't remember why I wanted to read it, and when I started reading it, I realized it's about forgetting. The main character has a head injury that causes amnesia. I thought I'd been intending to read Archivist Wasp for this category, but apparently my fingers had other ideas and put this book on hold for me."
Ha! Ha! Isn't it wonderful how that can happen?!? :) This was a book that was not on my radar, but it is now!
Managed to make myself really tired this week by getting stressed about an interview, and then finding out today I didn't get the job (not that I'm all bothered by not getting the job, but the pay rise would have been nice!).Finished:
A Thousand Ships for A book that has won the Women’s Prize for Fiction. I didn't like this as much as I wanted to - it felt like a bit of a box-ticking exercise, and there are definitely other recent books revolving around the Trojan War that are better!
Started:
The Overstory for A book about a social justice issue. I'm over halfway through, and there still doesn't seem to be much of a plot, but I'm quite enjoying it anyway!
QOTW:
Definitely not!
Mod
It's VERY polarizing! I looked through the reviews and there are SO MANY one star reviews and JUST AS MANY five star reviews!
It reminded me a lot of Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series, except it managed to be both more silly and more serious than that series. And the mystery was not "find the skip" but "find out who I am."
I'm sorry to read that your husband has been having such a rough time - I hope they can get him in for surgery next week and it's all fixed. And I hope you have some good books to read while you sit in the waiting room!!
Doing a quick check-in because work is hella busy (I thought today would be a bit more chill, since I didn't have much on my calendar, but it's one of those "everything is happening all at once!" days). But I will say we're having a lovely spring here in North Texas! :)
Finished:
Botanical Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland: A book that takes place in multiple countries. I FINALLY FINISHED A BOOK! And I really enjoyed the stories as well as the little bits of backgrounds on particular plants.
Currently Reading:
Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-first Century: I'd hoped to finish this today, but see above for why I likely won't.
The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity: We just started week 8 of 12 and I'm really enjoying it! I wish I had more spare time to really delve into everything, though.
About to Start:
Akata Witch: I got the audiobook on Overdrive to listen to while I drive to my brother's this weekend.
QOTW:
I definitely have, but now I feel really bad for doing so since so many of you have expressed discomfort with the strangers thing! I never, ever want to make someone uncomfortable like that!
I do try to read the room, though--if someone's just looking at a book, I won't say anything, but if they're talking to someone else about how they aren't sure if they should read a book I've read or not, I'll ask if they mind me talking to them about it since I've read it.
I have also had people just ask me if I've read something, so I feel like it's okay to respond to those lol. I also ALWAYS make a point to emphasize that the opinion is my own. I hate when people are pushy--even if I think I'd like it, I'll deliberately avoid things if people have tried to push them on me haha!
Howdy all. I'm feeling pretty blah today, but in the grand scheme of things, that's not so bad. Later today a new jigsaw puzzle should arrive, so I can listen to books and do that. I also need to watch the new Masked Singer. Did y'all expect that first reveal? I laughed so hard! hahaha Women's History Month reading continues!
Finished:
Firekeeper's Daughter *- I really enjoyed this. I could see some of the mystery elements coming a mile away, but the rest of the book was so interesting I didn't really mind. It's clearly written for a non-native audience and I really appreciated having so many things spelled out. There is so much in there! Enrolled/unenrolled membership, hockey, science, violence to native women, racism, school, fake dating, mystery, drugs, complicated families, investigation, medicine... I'm glad I listened to the audio, I think bilingual books are most enjoyable that way. Oh and I know I've mentioned this, but that cover!
Currently Reading
The Liar's Dictionary - I'm not reading this in paper that often or for very long at a time, but I enjoy it when I do.
A Pho Love Story *- I wanted to pick up an Asian American book and this looked like the lightest one I happened to have. Maybe one day I'll stop being surprised when books about Vietnamese people take place where I grew up. I guess it's because it's just a random spot in the giant mass of barely distinguishable interconnected cities. When I start a book and it's set literally three miles from my old house it's just a bit of a shock I suppose.
How the Penguins Saved Veronica - The weirdness of references to childhood places made it harder to fall asleep to the previous book, so I also started this one with the fun title. I always enjoy a book about an old lady having an adventure.
QOTW:
Not often. I'm usually nowhere near comfortable enough to talk to strangers, but it happens. The one I remember most happened one day at Powell's. That store is HUGE and before... stuff, could get quite crowded. (I always wondered how many people would go through the doors per day.) One day I was looking at an endcap in the mystery room when a couple of ladies a few inches from me in the crowd were talking about one of their son's raving about an Agatha Christie, how they'd never read her and they should look at her books, but didn't know what to get. I told them the best mystery I ever read was hers. They excitedly asked which, I told them And Then There Were None. The woman said that was what her son read and wow it must be good. Another lady a foot or two from us pipped in that it was excellent. The two women got so excited they scurried off to her section to get the book. I hope they liked it.
*denotes author of color
Hi everyone! I am swamped with work, so gotta update quick.Just one book finished this week:
My Year Abroad: Very enjoyable! Somehow it's a parody of the Bildungsroman and also a very earnest description of the beauty of going out into the world. I think I'll read more Lee.
Currently reading:
The Winter of the Witch: I don't like the pacing of this book as much as the previous ones, but I still want to know what happens.
Get a Life, Chloe Brown: At first I thought Chloe was too mean, but she's learning to be more vulnerable and kind, and I'm liking the book more.
Up next:
Wide Sargasso Sea
Hello! Unexplained power outage derailed my morning, but it's back on now after about an hour. I used that time to finish my book since I couldn't get any work done without an internet connection. Work has finally picked up, and I expect the next week to be very full, and I really couldn't lose that hour.Finished This Week:
Lead from the Outside: How to Build Your Future and Make Real Change by Stacey Abrams. I read the updated version that came out during her campaign for governor. A lot of the leadership points didn't fit my circumstances, but I did really like her section on learning about finances, and how so much of that isn't taught. Using for #4, Zodiac Sign, because apparently she's a Sagittarius.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. I quite enjoyed this. I read a book when I was a kid about the Trojan War that starts with the apple and ends with the horse, and I've always blamed The Iliad for not being that, as the Iliad is only a small bit of the war. I learned in college that what I knew was called The Epic Cycle, of which The Iliad and The Odyssey were only parts of the story. The rest of it just wasn't written down by Homer. All of that is my long way of saying I quite enjoyed this book for being about all of the Trojan War, and it even had the cross-dressing parts. I need to join the discussion about it. Using for #8, Women's Prize for Fiction.
You Cannoli Die Once by Shelley Costa. This was on one of the lists of cozy mysteries set in restaurants that was linked in the thread for the Set in Restaurant prompt. I enjoyed it, but probably won't read the sequel. Italian family dynamics just aren't my thing. Using for #14, Set in Restaurant.
The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison. I read this last March as the pandemic took off, and thought it'd be good to read it again as prep for The Witness for the Dead later this year. Upgraded it to five stars after this reread. Not for prompt.
Written in Red by Anne Bishop. This is one of my favorite series, and I seem to reread the first book about once a year. I hadn't read it since New Year's Eve 2018, and felt like reading it again. Not for prompt.
PS: 20/50 RH: 3/24 RW: 6/28 ATY: 24/52 GR: 38/100
Currently Reading: Joe Rochefort's War: The Odyssey of the Codebreaker Who Outwitted Yamamoto at Midway by Elliot Carlson. No progress made this week as I read some easier and comfort books.
Come as You Are: The Surprising New Science that Will Transform Your Sex Life by Emily Nagoski. Picked it back up after a month or so not reading. Still enjoying it.
I have a bunch of books checked out from the library, but not sure where I'm going next. Thinking Promised the Moon: The Untold Story of the First Women in the Space Race by Stephanie Nolen. Or Igniting Darkness by Robin LaFevers. Or The Ables by Jeremy Scott.
QOTW: Have you ever ended up suggesting books to strangers in shops/the library?
I was at a book fair at the library years ago, and noticed someone of similar age holding books I recognized (I think one of the Shopaholic books), and pointed out to her the copy of Sunshine by Robin McKinley that was on the table. I told her how great a book it was and that she would enjoy it. She seemed receptive, and I hope she did end up getting it. Other than that, I don't generally talk to people at bookstores/libraries.
Mod
I definitely have, but now I feel really bad for doing so since so many of you have expressed discomfort with the strangers thing! ..."
Hahah I'm having some misgivings too!! But I'm sort of a "drive by" recommender - if I do say something, I'll say it as I'm walking by, and then I'm gone, and I'll never know if they get the book or not. So ... no pressure that way? I hope?!
Happy Thursday! Works been a lot lately, but our manager agreed to close for Easter, so I'll actually get to see my family for the first time in 6 months, so that's exciting!Finished:
Rogue Protocol- I really liked this one, but I think I would have liked it more if it was just a little longer. I wanted more of Miki and Murderbot interacting.
Siege and Storm- this was fine. Not a whole lot actually happened, but I'm still planning to read book 3
Currently Reading:
The Count of Monte Cristo-still working on it
Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-first Century- almost done with this one. Really great collection of essays
Like Water for Chocolate- just started this, and so far I love it! I haven't loved many books I've read this year, so hopefully I'll still be loving it at the end
QotW:
I used to volunteer at a library bookstore, so I'd recommend books to people all the time there. Not so much anymore- I'm usually pretty distracted when I'm in bookstores, and don't really notice what's going on around me
Nadine wrote: "Hahah I'm having some misgivings too!! But I'm sort of a "drive by" recommender - if I do say something, I'll say it as I'm walking by, and then I'm gone, and I'll never know if they get the book or not. So ... no pressure that way? I hope?!"Drive by recommender! That's me. I love that description.
Mod
Just one book finished this week:
My Year Abroad: Very enjoyable! Somehow it's a parody of the Bildungsroman and also a very earnest description of the beauty of going out into the world. I think I'll read more Lee. ..."
I'm so glad to hear it was good! I've got this book waiting for me at my library.
I'm pretty sure I jumped in and raved about Chang-rae Lee last week when you mentioned this book, but I'm here doing it again, because he is so good, and so under-rated, and I just don't understand why. Everything I've read by him has been SO GOOD and so different from the other books I read by him (in the order that I've read them):
On Such a Full Sea - extremely weird dystopian novel.
A Gesture Life - a rather sad profile of a lonely middle-class Korean immigrant.
Aloft - middle-class Long Island Italian-American guy likes his plane and is confused about life.
I love dystopians, but the other two are absolutely NOT what I would normally read & enjoy.
Mod
I admit your reference to vomiting makes me want to pick this up and give it a try! Ha! Ha!
"Qotw: No. I'm supershy. I don't talk to people I don't know. And I grew up without a lot of rules. Don't talk to strangers was one of the few. I've really embraced it."
When they discover my dismembered body in a dark alley, you'll know why! LOL :)
I always mean to do these, though haven't quite made it until today. Anyway. I finished four books this week. My book about something I'm passionate about was, funnily enough, a complete slog. I read about Genocide (passionate about preventing it - not purpotrating it,, obviously). But, got it done. I also read Monogamy by Susan Miller which is for a book club, so I've been putting it off. I always read them way too soon and then by the time meeting comes along I've got about 10 books between that one and the one we're meant to be discussing. Still, it was due at the library, so it had to go. That started strong and ended in a bit of a bore. I finished You'll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey a book categorizing funny and horrendous anecdotes of microaggressions perpetrated against Comedian Amber Ruffin's big sister in Omaha. And I just finished (my only audiobook of the week) The Guest List about a wedding on a creepy island off the coast of Ireland, which was pretty good, though I would have appreciated more of an epilogue...so, what happens next? Still, a good book leave you wanting more, I suppose.26/50
"A Problem from Hell": America and the Age of Genocide
Monogamy
You'll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey: Crazy Stories about Racism
The Guest List
Nadine wrote: "Christy wrote: "Hi everyone! I am swamped with work, so gotta update quick.Just one book finished this week:
My Year Abroad: Very enjoyable! Somehow it's a parody of the Bildungsr..."
You might like A Children's Bible if you like distopeans. One of the best books I read this year.
Melissa wrote: "Hello! Unexplained power outage derailed my morning, but it's back on now after about an hour. I used that time to finish my book since I couldn't get any work done without an internet connection. ..."If you liked Song Of Achilles and you like The Odyssey, you should read her other one Circe. I preferred it to Achilles, in all honesty, though I read it first, so that may have had something to do with it. The Witch's Heart was also good, about Norse Mythology, but same kind of idea. Circe is my fav of the 3 though.
Natasha wrote: "If you liked Song Of Achilles and you like The Odyssey, you should read her other one Circe. I preferred it to Achilles, in all honesty, though I read it first, so that may have had something to do with it. The Witch's Heart was also good, about Norse Mythology, but same kind of idea. Circe is my fav of the 3 though."I read Circe last year, and quite enjoyed it as well. A roommate had a cat named Circe when we lived together, so that was a natural book to read when I learned it existed. (Past tense is only because I don't live with them anymore. Circe the cat is still going strong, although minus many teeth.)
Happy Thursday! Checking in later than normal since I had a doctor appointment this morning. Nothing serious...just those routine checkups and got poked with needles. Now I am up to date on my DTaP shot and got some blood drawn. I keep having dreams where I am diagnosed with Diabetes and have my foot amputated all in the same day. Hopefully negative on the Diabetes and no other ailments in my blood. Still Reading:
A Little Life I am really close to the end - 100-ish pages left. I really want this book to end. Not because it is bad but it is so emotionally draining. All the trigger warnings in the world could not prepare you for this book. Just when you think something could go right - BAM! - another horrible person. More thoughtful opinions when I actually finish this epic novel.
Queenie I was really excited to start this book. Then it got a little....boring? Sex-and-the-City-ish? I can't relate to Queenie at all. I mean maybe if I read it 10 years ago (when I was 24) I might have liked it a lot. I will keep going but I don't hold out much hope.
On Deck:
No Clue. After A Little Life I will definitely need something light (which is what Queenie was supposed to be) but we will see.
QOTW:
(the following answer is pre-COVID) Oh gosh. I am the annoying person who talks to you when you are buying/checking out a book that I have read and liked. I usually don't say anything when people are browsing but if you are in line to buy/check-out and I see a book that I have read and liked I will usually give it a casual mention (met with a kind smile and then an immediate whole body turn - which I take zero offense to).
*Disclaimer - I won't say anything if it is a book I didn't like. To each their own.
Arizona has opened up COVID-19 vaccinations to all adults now, and I am signed up for my first dose this weekend! Woohoo! I hope anyone else trying to get one is successful soon.Finished:
Destiny's Way by Walter Jon Williams (reread, 4/5)
There are some good bits in the earlier part of the series, but for more casual fans who are daunted by the thought of a 19-book series, I recommend trying this one out. It starts with a basic summary of what has happened before, and the relevant parts are brought up in the pages of the book, letting you skip the first 13 books.
Williams does a nice job of exploring the characters on both sides of the conflict, uses things from past books and movies well, and writes some satisfying action sequences without dragging things out too much.
The Automatic Detective by A. Lee Martinez (3/5, read for a book club)
One of the reviews I read said that you could skim or skip most of the fighting scenes, and you wouldn't really miss anything, and I agree with that. The supporting characters don't have an extreme amount of depth, but I still like them quite a bit, particularly Jung and Lucia. The main character is a robot cab driver who investigates a neighbor's disappearance and finds himself drawn into a story that is one part hardboiled detective tale and one part 1950's sci-fi romp. There are also a few really funny moments and pieces of writing.
The Search for the Red Dragon by James A. Owen (3/5, reread)
The lightning in a bottle that happened for the first book in the series did not reappear here. Individual moments and ideas are still nice, but the whole thing gets too convoluted for its own good.
Currently reading:
Remnant (Force Heretic, #1) by Sean Williams and Shane Dix
Chain of Attack by Gene DeWeese
I am 40% done with this one, and I will probably finish it, but it is much more of a slog than I was expecting from the description.
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
Bit by bit...
How to Forget: A Daughter's Memoir by Kate Mulgrew
The subject matter is on the sad and difficult side, but the quality of the writing so far is extremely impressive.
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
I am reading this for June's book club meeting, and it may take me that long if things don't pick up. Again, there are interesting ideas, but there is not much spurring me on to read more at this point besides "obligation."
X-Men: The Art and Making of The Animated Series by Eric and Julia Lewald (book that starts with Q, X, or Z)
I loved watching this show growing up, and there is some great stuff about its creation so far. The opening sequence is one of the best for any show, and they have full storyboards for the final version and an early concept.
Question of the Week:
I try not to offer unsolicited book advice. I hope people find books they like, but it doesn't matter to me if a stranger reads and enjoys one of the books that I love. I will share my great reading experiences and answer questions from people I know, and they can do with that what they want to do.
Greetings all! Wouldn't you know? After many days in a row with sunshine and lovely weather, I had to go into my office (I'm still mostly WFH) to scan a large set of legal papers, pick up some mail, etc. late yesterday when the downpours started. My bag and such are still damp!PS - 22/50 read - perking along here!
Finished - on a mystery kick:
Died in the Wool - classic by Ngaio Marsh - fun and refreshing as it uses a style and format rarely used by contemporary writers.
Still Life - back in 2004 I read the ARC for this - and panned it. I begrudgingly agreed to a re-read for another challenge, and while it still has the problems that so turned me off in 2004, I did enjoy it more and will now read the rest of Louise Penny's series.
Murder in Old Bombay - debut historical mystery that is an absolute delight! Takes surprising turns, and while it has some problems, I just loved it. Nominated this year for an Edgar in First Novel category. Note: it reminded me in some ways of the Captain Lacey series by Ashley Gardner, just set in India in 1890s rather than in England in the 1810s.
Currently Reading:
The Subtweet - nominee for Dublin Literary award
A Brief History of Seven Killings - I need to finish this!
QOTW:
All. the. time. But pretty much only when in indie bookstores - which tend to be small and intimate, conducive to striking up casual conversation. I don't think that's ever happened in a Barnes & Noble. But then, in NYC we have so many great and varied Indies, no need to go to the Barnes & Noble.
Hello All!It's been a while since I have managed to check in (moved, new commute and new work schedule ah!) but I am back!
This week I got through quite a few books thanks to my new train commute!
The Harpy: From the blurb I was hoping for more of a story and this was ~sparse~ but it was magical and ethereal in a way I appreciated. (Used for a book from your TBR chosen at random)
The Broken Girls: Really enjoyed this one. As an archivist, I loved the focus on the value of records and memory and how that relates to justice. (Used for a book with something broken on the cover)
Island Beneath the Sea: This was probably my favorite book of the week. I have been hearing amazing things about Isabel Allende for years and finally chose one oh her books for this challenge and I am so glad I did. Her writing gives me everything I want as a reader--historical epic complete with great settings, characters, and humor. My historical fiction tends to center around the Civil War, the American West, or WW2 so I was so glad to mix it up and read about the Barbados and Louisiana. Be warned--Allende does not shy away from the brutalities of slavery. (Used for a book with an oxymoron in the title)
Home Fire: I liked this one and then I went and read a brief synopsis/analysis of Antigone and I loved this book even more. I feel like the Antigone lens helped me get so much more out of it and I am in awe of how great a retelling this is. (For a book that a has won the Women's Prize for Fiction)
Dark Horses: Finished this on the train this morning and I am still wrapping my head around it. While not the "main point" of the story, I absolutely loved the "horse" part of this book, and I thought the character development was spectacular. But the main portion of this book was difficult to read (especially in public...does anyone else get weird about reading about certain things in public?). I know that this is all part of the book and the relationship between the protagonist and her father, but it was tough. I also have mixed feelings about the ending. (For a book with the same title as a song).
Currently Reading and Up Next Week:
Hi all! I've been working from home this week because my blood pressure has been fairly high and I've had a pounding headache. I got my first Covid shot last weekend, and I'm deciding to blame both issues on that. But I've actually been pretty productive, except for today. I called 5 clients and spoke to 1. That happens sometimes! The weather here in NY has been gorgeous all week. I take multiple breaks to go out and check on my new daffodils poking out of the ground (have you grown yet? No, now? How about now?) Also been watching a lot of March Madness and Spring Training baseball. I'm usually a news junkie, but I just can't. Too much hate, too much sadness.
I did finish a book this week! Chlorine Sky for a book published this year. I rated it 2 stars. I usually love books in verse, but it didn't work for me in this one. Also, the climax of the book ended up tying things up, but also felt like it came out of left field for me. I think the author had a good idea about an important subject, but didn't quite pull it off.
With headaches, I haven't really read anything else this week. I hope they ease up because I want to get into some of my library books. Due dates don't allow for taking a week off!!
QOTW: LOL, I think I'm a very sporadic drive-by recommender, too. I'm usually pretty shy, introverted and often suffer from "open mouth, insert foot", so I don't say much. I will comment, "oh I really liked that one", but that's about it. And even that's a pretty rare occurrence. I was more likely to let the librarians know I liked a book when I used to be able to return books to the desk (now it's all through drop boxes), and even that was hard for me!
Lynn, I hope your husband has a successful meeting in Indy this week (how far away is that for you?) and they are able to schedule surgery for next week. Sounds like you're handling your nursing duties like a champ!
Mod
Thanks - I have bumped it up higher on my TBR - it looks like a weird one!!
Hello! Wow, check in time already :-)Finished 3 books this week:
In Pain: A Bioethicist's Personal Struggle with Opioids by Travis Rieder - read for another challenge, this book explores the lack of oversight of and responsibility for opioid prescriptions (both the starting and the stopping of taking these powerful drugs). The author is clearly frustrated, with good reason, by his experience, and uses his professional experience to investigate the issue and to be involved in potential solutions.
Red Bang by Brandt Monroe - I expected to like this book a lot more than I did. Even though there was a redemption path for the protagonist, I think he got off too easy and was very rather unlikable for most of the book. I envisioned this being Office-style funny, but the humor often fell flat.
Mercy Road by Ann Howard Creel - used for a book set somewhere I'd like to visit this year (France). Based on the true story of the American Women's Hospital and their involvement in WWI, which I was not familiar with, this is part war-story and part romance, with a strong female lead (and plenty of strong female supporting characters). It makes a great read for Women's History Month.
QOTW: No - I wouldn't walk up to a stranger to suggest a book, and I really wouldn't want them to do that to me either. In general, when shopping, I prefer to seek out a salesperson when I need them and otherwise be left to my own devices.
Nadine wrote: "Ashley Marie wrote: "The Wolf of Oren-Yaro - Political intrigue and clan wars (complete with assassins) and dragons and a badass woman MC and did I mention DRAGONS? ..."every time I see that tit..."
Haha I see oreos too.
Happy Thursday! Spring is trying to jump in, but then decides it’s not yet time. Typically March: one day you think ‘now it’s happening, spring is coming!� and the next day it’s grey with a cold wind again. I am deeply ashamed of our government’s behaviour this week. They made a complete fool of themselves by using every loophole there is to continue physical meetings and going into the office even when one of them was tested positive with covid-19. Sorry, but this makes me so mad. I work from home for over a year now. I really hate it, I got back problems, but I know I have to do my share to fight the pandemic. I guess some people just think they are more equal than others... #SorryToBotherYouWithThis #HadToGetItOut #EndOfRant
10/40
Finished
The Patriots by Sana Krasikov⭐⭐�
Prompt: #33, a book featuring three generations, #29 a book set in multiple countries
Very interesting topic: an American Jew emigrates to Stalin’s Sovietunion. I knew nothing about Jews in the Sovietunion. It’s worse than I expected actually. I did know that after the collapse of the Sovietunion many Jews emigrated to Israel. I thought that was because of antisemitism rising again because of the collapse of communism. But it had been there all the time�
The book itself just couldn't touch me. Changes of perspective and facts interrupted the story too much for my taste.
Currently reading
The Intuitionist
QOTW
I love the silent atmosphere in shops or libraries and I hate to break that magic.
Nadine wrote: "Christy wrote: "Hi everyone! I am swamped with work, so gotta update quick.Just one book finished this week:
My Year Abroad: Very enjoyable! Somehow it's a parody of the Bildungsr..."
Nadine, I'm glad I got sent this book through Powell's Indiespensable subscription box, because based on the synopsis I never would have chosen it. I enjoyed it and then immediately handed it to my partner to read. I'll definitely take a look at his other works!
I have been woefully under-reading lately. We've gone from online teaching, to hybrid teaching, to now back full-time. For who knows how long? Still waiting for any sign of the vaccine here in Switzerland, so I hope we get it moving soon. Spring break is upon us, and though the US is off Switzerland's quarantine list, I'm still staying here. Figured I'd make a grand Swiss tour and try out each distinctive region - down to Ticino and Locarno/Ascona/Bellinzona [Italian-speaking], over to Geneva and Lausanne [French-speaking], and then back to Bern, Fribourg, and Lauterbrunnen [German-speaking]. No need to leave the borders - just take the train around!
The only books I've finished recently [this month] are;
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder - not for any reason other than students were picking it up out of interest. Felt like reading the script to a true crime podcast. Just got the sequel Good Girl, Bad Blood.
The Shipping News for prompt #10 - a bestseller from the 1990s. Turned out to be humorous and heart-warming. Felt like I was in Newfoundland!
The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper for prompt #15 - black & white cover. Amazing book, interesting perspective and research. Learned a lot more about Victorian society across Europe.
Currently reading
The Salt Path for prompt #22 - book set mostly or entirely outdoors
The Dutch House for prompt #46 - I wanted to read it last year, but just got on to it!
QotW
Yes, I have. When I see people browsing or looking undecided, and they're considering a book I've enjoyed, I do make a recommendation. One of the best ones was in New Zealand when I was visiting. A woman had a copy of Kelly Rimmer's The Things We Cannot Say, and I recommended it. In return, she recommended Yanagihara's A Little Life. I picked it up, and it sustained me through a 16 hr flight back to Chicago. Share the reading love!
I like when people give me recommendations. It's personal, and it gives me an attachment to the book before I start it - someone obviously went out of their way to tell me about. Even if I don't end up liking it as much as they did, I can still appreciate what they may have enjoyed about it. Also, I'm a middle grade teacher, and I keep up with YA and MG books. I can offer ideas based on ones a student has liked before. I must look like a reader, because I do get asked a lot before they even know my background!
Happy Thursday!This has been an interesting week. The news has so much hate to share, and the people here have so much covid to share. We are going into a second lock down come Monday. On the bright side my parents get their first shots of Pfizer today. Let's hope that this lockdown I read the books in my house.
Finished Reading:
A Court of Thorns and Roses ⭐⭐�
This was a reread that remains a three star book even though it's only the last 100 pages that are really good. I love this series but this book is slow and bleak until the good part. Reading this sets you up for book two which I really love.
The Story of Ferdinand ⭐⭐�
Just because I had never read it and the movie is so cute.
Namesake ⭐⭐�
This was not as good as the first book but now Fable's story seems finished. I enjoyed this but I'm getting annoyed with ya sequels that have titles that spoil plot points that take a chunk of the book for the mcs to figure out.
Sailor Moon Eternal Edition 3 ⭐⭐�
This was the most confusing collection of Sailor Moon that I've read. Oh well it's comforting.
PS 2021 16/50
PS 2017 15/52
ŷ 64/200
Currently Reading:
Dune
The Forever Girl
big little lies (for some reason all week this link has not worked)
QOTW:
I have a chatty want to be helpful streak so yes I do make comments to strangers but not all the time.
Good afternoon... I've been glutened this week so I didn't read as much as I normally do. Hard to read if you feel exhausted and you are falling asleep from something you ate! I guess I can't eat those sausage anymore. Back to plain old beef and lamb I guess. Have to straighten out my digestive tract again too.. Popsugar challenge: 63/100
Giant panda challenge: 15/20
The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender - this is my second oxymoron title and so I'm done with this topic now. I've really enjoyed this book. I could relate to the main character because she has food issues too plus it was just so interesting. Very different. And the plot had a bit of mystery in it too which I had appreciated.
The Vorrh by Brian Catling - my second black and white cover. Boy, I really don't like this one!! It was just awful. It's fantasy but the plot didn't make sense to me. I had thought it would be a fast paced adventure story about exploring the forest but it wasn't like that at all and the characters didn't even go into the forest until much later in the book. Too much talk! Blah!
Buffalo Trail: A Novel of the American West by Jeff Guinn - I rated this 3 stars. It's based on a true story but some of it I found either too boring or too disturbing. I had liked the parts with the native americans the best. Didn't care for the chapters with the white settlers at all or what they were doing to the buffalo or to the natives. It's not right.
Kabloona by Gontran De Poncins - I really found this one fascinating! This is a memoir of a frenchman who spent the months from October to April in the far northern parts of canada, on King William Land and Pelly Bay. He lived with the Eskimo. This was in the year 1938. So much fascinating stuff in here! To me one of the most interesting things was how the Eskimo are frozen fish and meat...yet somehow that kept them warm! I have also ordered another book by someone who lives up that way, a modern book, so it's going to be interesting to compare the two...to see the changes from 1938 to now caused by global warming. The author of this one gives you snow depths and ice thickness. And by October the sea was already frozen and by April it was still in the 30s F.
Wayside School is Falling Down. Y Louis Sachar a little fun middle grade book I read. It's kind of wild and crazy but entertaining. Truthfully I don't think I'd want to go to this school or have that teacher. I think she would drive me nuts. I'm too left brained for her.
Currently Reading:
Winterwood by Jacey Bedford
I've been reading this for the past few days. Normally I'd have this read already but that Gluten sure is slowly me down! Uggh. It's a great book though. Piracy, magic and fae! Plus a shape shifters too.
If anyone is interested, I now have completed 28 of the challenge prompts while doing a double challenge. And 6 others are half done at a book each.
Question: no I don't think I've ever have recommended a book to a total stranger. I'm not exactly neurotypical anyway. Plus I'm an introvert. And I've found out from being in this one book club that was through the mail (where we each chose a book + a journal to write our thoughts in about the book) that the books many others think are exciting or interesting are ones that trigger my PTSD. Or many like those romance or contemporary books while I more favor sci-fi and fantasy or horror. I do recommend books to people I know.
I haven't finished any books this week, but should finish up one of the ones I have in progress over the weekend. I'm at 9/40 and 1/10 for this challenge and 19/100 for my overall ŷ Reading Challenge.Finished:
* nada
Currently Reading:
* Who Is Maud Dixon? by Alexandra Andrews, which I plan to use for "a book that's published in 2021." I should be able to finish it up over the weekend (if not sooner -- it's a very fast read!). This was a Giveaways win; and,
* Egg Drop Dead by Vivien Chien, which might work for the restaurant prompt since this is part of the Noodle Shop mystery series :) I have really enjoyed this cozy series and am trying to get caught up since the newest one just came out!
QotW:
This week's question was suggested by Jen, who hasn't been around here in a while and she may never know that we finally used this question!
Have you ever ended up suggesting books to strangers in shops/the library? I can't think of an example, but maybe? It would've almost certainly been in response to a question from a stranger.
Got my first Pfizer vaccine today! So far, so good.Finished: Mere Christianity I enjoyed the first half. Second half, not so much.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue Used for book of new beginnings You know how when you read a really good book, it ruins you for a bit trying to find something to replace it? That's how this book was. Definitely one I wouldn't have read except for the prompts.
Courageous Creativity: Advice and Encouragement for the Creative Life This one didn't really inspire me. It is geared for young adult and felt like it was pandering, a bit.
The Power of Meaning: Crafting a Life That Matters I thought she picked some pretty interesting stories to celebrate her points. I doubt the impact will endure, however.
The Elephant in the Room This felt like it had a bunch of disparate elements that too conveniently tied together. But the characters were kind, so at least it had that going for it.
Started: Critical Theory Since 1965 This one is going to take awhile and it would be nice to use it as my longest on my TBR shelf, clocking in at 891 pages. Unfortuately, it's not my longest.
Qotw: No, I don't do this. I have a Little Free Library and every once in awhile, I'll recommend something to someone, but usually, I just leave people alone so they don't feel self-conscious while they're browsing. Which is too bad, because I love talking about random books with random folks!
Sarah wrote: "I tried to out-wait her to put it back on the shelf but she didn't want to leave so I ended up taking the book...."Cendaquenta wrote:"squeak "oh that's a really good one!" and flee for my life."
Ah, you guys are making me laugh! I *want* to be friendly and outgoing and talk about books with everyone I encounter, but I'm usually too reserved.
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
The Dinner (other topics)This Tender Land (other topics)
This Tender Land (other topics)
A Master of Djinn (other topics)
This Tender Land (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
William Kent Krueger (other topics)William Kent Krueger (other topics)
P. Djèlí Clark (other topics)
William Kent Krueger (other topics)
William Kent Krueger (other topics)
More...
Admin stuff
One more week left in our March group read of The Song of Achilles. Next Thursday is April! (Wow, right??) Our April group read will be The Midnight Library.
We still have an opening for a discussion leader for May's group read of Ayesha at Last. Let us know if you're interested!!
I continue to struggle with my focus on e-books and paper-books, but I'm enjoying my audiobooks. This week I finished 4 books, 2 for this Challenge, so I am now 18/50
The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon- this was a NOPE for me. I had such high hopes, it sounded so good, but I disliked everything. This book may have been the reason I've been having a hard time wanting to read lately.
The Other Americans by Laila Lalami- I needed a new audiobook, this one was available, and it was written by a Muslim-American author! Check! I loved this book and I look forward to reading more by this author.
Electric Arches - poetry by Eve L. Ewing - I can see how this would really appeal to people who understand the references Ewing brings into her poetry (in particular: Chicago and basketball), but I was not the right audience.
Siri, Who Am I? by Sam Tschida - this book was completely ridiculous but also completely fun, and it may have reignited my reading mojo. There was so much about this book and the character that I should have hated, but I loved it. Tschida maintained just the right balance of loony and serious for me. It's perhaps ironic that I didn't remember putting this on hold and I couldn't remember why I wanted to read it, and when I started reading it, I realized it's about forgetting. The main character has a head injury that causes amnesia. I thought I'd been intending to read Archivist Wasp for this category, but apparently my fingers had other ideas and put this book on hold for me.
Question of the Week:
This week's question was suggested by Jen, who hasn't been around here in a while and she may never know that we finally used this question!
Have you ever ended up suggesting books to strangers in shops/the library?
I know I have done this. If I walk past someone considering a book I loved, I will often tell them it was great.