Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2021 Weekly Check-Ins
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Week 48: 11/25 - 12/2
I didn't check in last week, so here's my two week check in.I finished A Florentine Death, which I don't remember because I basically read it in one day on my long airplane/airport day. But, I'm pretty sure it would count as a sapphic book.
Then I read The Deep End of the Ocean which I think would count as a book with a misleading title as there is no ocean in the book. My sister thought I was reading a beach romance or mystery. It would definitely count as a book with 2 POVs.
Then I read The Riddles of Epsilon. I think this was definitely meant for a younger audience than me, but the last half of the book was really good.
Now I'm reading The Fleet Street Murders, which takes place in the Victorian era.
And this is why I wish the list came out sooner.
QOTW: So many. Sapphic book. Palindrome. The award that I can't remember the name, onomatopeia, A duology--a quick scan showed me mostly fantasy/sci-fi and there are already 2 books for that on the list and it's not my fave category, tiger, cutlery, found family, booktok, nonpatriarchal. It would probably be easier to list the categories I won't need help with, LOL.
On the upside, I've been intimidated by Go Tell it on the Mountain for years. Go is a board game. I'm Go-ing for it.
Nadine, just for an example, besides The Deep End of the Ocean, I think I'm going to read the Quaker for misleading title. I thought that would be about a Quaker in PA and it's a murder mystery in Scotland. No Quakers involved as far as I can tell. Or To Kill a Mockingbird is not an instruction manual for killing mockinbirds. I think that's kind of the idea.
It is so ridiculous how obsessive I am about planning my challenge. I have only chosen books for about half the prompts so far, and I'm not set in stone about some of those. This week I finished:
Jack Daniels Stories
Small Town Monsters: Last week I said that I wished I had the audiobook of this instead of the ebook. In a way, I got my wish. This weekend I was snuggled up with my nephew on the couch while he played on his phone and I read my book, and the next thing I knew, he was reading the book out loud to me. His acting skills were wonderfully over the top.
Problem Child: I don't think this was as good as the first one, and I lost interest for a little bit in the middle, but it all came together for me towards the end.
Currently reading:
My Sister's Grave: I've read this before, but I want to catch up on the series before my Kindle Unlimited series expires in March, so I thought I would start again from the beginning.
QOTW:
What a list! Normally when I see the list, I immediately start plugging books in from my TBR list, but that hasn't been the case this year. I always like to use books from the TBR, but not being able to presents an opportunity to step outside of comfort zones and try new things, which I'm trying to be positive about. For most prompts, I just need to spend time digging in to see which book catches my eye. So far the hardest prompts for me have been:
-nonpatriarchal society (great idea, but I don't like fantasy much, which seems to be most of what's being suggested)
-man-made disaster (I know this one shouldn't be hard, but I want to read something dystopian and most of the suggestions so far seem nonfiction. I just need to spend more time with this one.)
-OwnVoices SFF (again, I don't prefer this genre, so I'm hoping to find a graphic novel for this)
Mod
Edited to add:
I spent time with two of my favorite people over Thanksgiving break. It was so much fun to reconnect and share! I adore people with whom I can talk for hours at a time! And with no effort…conversation just flows!
And now I’m sick! The rapid COVID test and flu test Urgent Care performed yesterday were both negative. Currently awaiting the results of the more involved COVID test which should be done tomorrow or Friday. The fatigue is almost overwhelming and all my other symptoms are there but rather mild. Though I admit this feels different than other illnesses in the past. I’m just very fortunate that so far the congestion in my chest/lungs is mild. I’m taking probiotics like crazy and did finally take some Aleve. And unusual for me, as long as I am sitting down, I can stay awake for extended periods and read/work on the computer. That was what enabled me to complete my half of the 2022 prompt listings yesterday. So I guess there is something positive of this illness so far.
This isn’t even book-related—I, who rarely watches movies or anything else, am thrilled that Matrix Resurrections is due to be released December 22. I love these movies! I’ll have to catch it on the weekend of 12-25�12-26. Yes! 😊 My present to myself!
Okay, back to it! Whoo! Whoo! The 2022 Popsugar prompt listing has been released!! I am soooo pumped!
Admin Stuff:
Well, we are finally here! It is the final monthly group read of 2021! December's Monthly Group Read is Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid and that discussion is now posted in the Current Monthly Group Read folder. Teri is the most gracious volunteer who will lead this discussion. Thank you so much to her and all the other “Adorable Angels� who have led the 2021 book discussions!! As always, there is also a folder for you to post any books you have finished reading to fulfill prompt #1 A book published in 2021 as well.
You can still access the November discussion of The Firekeeper's Daughter by Karola Renard in the 2021 Monthly Group Reads folder. (This was yet another amazing read for me this year!) You can also post any books you have finished reading for prompt #16 A book written by an indigenous author in the November Challenge—I finished! topic in that folder. And that folder will always be there in the archives for reference as of January 1, 2022. Sheesh! Another year gone and another new one to anticipate! Just doesn’t seem possible. I always try to express my gratefulness for every day, but to realize I’ve made it through yet another whole year is remarkable! LOL 😉
Question of the week:
Which 2022 prompt do you think you’ll need a lot of help with to find a good book?
Uhm. Admittedly, my first response is, “So many!� LOL
Before I start my list, I admit to having to lookup the following words to either confirm my memory or educate myself:
sapphic, ace, onomatopoeia, palindromic
These are prompts I definitely feel as if I’ll need help to find books that are interesting to me to fulfill.
7 A book with an onomatopoeia in its title
39 An #OwnVoices SFF (science fiction and fantasy) book
44 & 45 A duology
I have found it difficult to find a duology I want to read in the past. It seems like everything that interests me has at least 3 books…or more!
49 & 50 Two books set in twin towns, aka "sister cities"
And, of course, I am such a wuss that prompt #33 A social-“horror� book had me…well…”horrified�! LOL But in revisiting that posting, I see there are quite a few I would be happy to read. Though I do own a copy of A Brief History of Seven Killings and would really like to see if it’s possible for me to make my way through it or not.
I actually love the fact that we are all here helping each other with suggestions, etc. This is where our group excels, IMO! And thank you to all who participate!
Popsugar: 45/50
ATY: 52/52 DONE!
RHC: 19/24
Reading Women: 15/28
FINISHED:
I managed to read two nonfiction books this month as planned for Nonfiction November! I am stoked about that! Plus I did complete one of the two books I had planned for November whose authors are indigenous people. I still didn’t manage to get to There, There but it is one of the first books I’ll read in December.
I just can’t say enough good things about The Firekeeper's Daughter by Karola Renard! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Yet another absolutely excellent read for me this year!! It was just as good or maybe better than I expected it to be. And my expectations were really high! 😊
POPSUGAR: #1, #16, #18-Justice!, #19, #21- Contemporary Fiction, Debut Novel, Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery, Native American, Young Adult, #27, #33, #34, #37
ATY: #6, #10-Dana!, #15, #20-I would love to know more about these characters� futures!, #21, #23- Contemporary Fiction, Debut Novel, Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery, Native American, Young Adult, #24, #25, #27-Justice, Death, Temperance, #30, #34, #41, #42, #45-Mike, Whiskey, Papa, #50, #51, #52-In the end, justice was not done in many ways.
RHC: #5, #24
Reading Women: #14, #18
The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ was an amazing read, IMO! It didn’t quite make a 10-star rating for me, but it was pretty close. Thankfully, Coates does use quotation marks, however, I did find myself having to reread conversational passages to determine who was speaking when, so perhaps a few more “he said�/”she said”s would have helped. Such a strong feminist message that I didn’t expect! I believe this is one of those books whose details will stay with me for a long time. I am very anxious to read Between the World and Me, a copy of which I now own�
POPSUGAR: #18-Thwarting slavery and feminism!, #20, #21- Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Historical Nonfiction, Magical Realism, #27, #28, #30-Virginia, Pennsylvania, #31, #33, #34-Self-determination—ending slavery!, #37
ATY: #3-When the dog bites…the tracking hounds, #4, #5, #6, #15, #20-The future can be different from the past by actions in the present�#23- Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Historical Nonfiction, Magical Realism, #24, #34-Travel by “conduction�, #41, #43, #45-Papa, #51, #52-In the end, Hi learns true respect for a woman!
RHC: #19
I did manage to sneak in my copy of Game On: Tempting Twenty-Eight (Stephanie Plum #28) by Janet Evanovich ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ over this holiday break! I don’t know if it is me as I age, or Evanovich’s writing that has perhaps changed somewhat, but these are not as hilariously funny as the first 25 or so were for me! They are still entertaining, and I will continue to read them as they are released (for now), but I miss laughing my way through these books.
POPSUGAR: #1, #21-Fiction, Humor, Mystery, #27, #33, #36-709 reviews on ŷ, #47-One of my favorite authors and series!
ATY: #1-In the beginning, Stephanie just thought she was after another FTA, #13-I read Fortune and Glory: Tantalizing Twenty-Seven in 2020!, #20-I hope future installments in this series will be as funny as they have been in the past!, #23-Fiction, Humor, Mystery, #27-Justice, Death, Judgment, The World, #29, #31, #34, #42, #45-Papa, #50
RHC: #24
The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ was such an education for me. I have marked chapters I want to reread in the future just to make sure I remember THIS history, THE history that truly oppressed, subjugated, and abused so many…for so little-just the color of their skin. And it is ongoing in our policies and political systems. I can only hope and trust that we white people who are still in power will FINALLY see the light and change our society and cultures to reflect a true acceptance, respect, and finally appreciation for others/all!
POPSUGAR: #7-A civil rights activist!, #15, #18-Equal rights for all!, #20, #27, #30-Virginia, Mississippi, #34-Equal rights for all!
ATY: #2, #8-Mississippi, #20-Though racism from the past has persisted into the present, let us hope for a future without it, #21, #24, #27-The Hanged Man, Death, Judgment, The World, #31, #33, #41, #47, #51, #52-In the end, endemic racism persists in the US over a Century later!
RHC: #1-Just not sure what to expect!
We Are Everywhere: Protest, Power, and Pride In The History of Queer Liberation by Leighton Brown and Matthew L. Riemer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ was not only informative, but rather poignant for me as so many of the photos were from the 60s and 70s, when I was coming of age and a teen/young adult. However, I rue the fact that I am so ridiculously ignorant regarding so much of this history! At least now I am a bit more informed! I can never completely stop thinking, “Why are we so close-minded about people having the freedom to be who they are?� *shaking my head*
POPSUGAR: #7-LGBTQ+ rights activists!, #15, #18-LGBTQ+ rights!, #27, #31, #34, #36-35 reviews on ŷ, #37, #43, #47-Some of my favorite people are queer!
ATY: #18-A gorgeous photographic history of the past LBGTQ+ fight for rights!, #27-Queen, The Lovers, Death, Justice, Judgment, The World, #32, #36, #47, #49, #51, #52-In the end, though much progress has been made there is still such a long way to go for equality to truly happen.
RHC: NEW#4
Roses Are Red (Alex Cross #6) by James Patterson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ was...predictable and unpredictable. It’s very strange to read this series in sequence. I will give Patterson his due—boy, can he write suspenseful mysteries! However, with this series, he is rather repetitive in the overall theme of each book thus far, though he does provide enough character development through Alex and his family that it keeps me reading them� That, and the fact that these are buddy reads and my buddy and I usually have the same reaction to each book. I find it interesting that this series is so compelling to me� Though I admit they are incredibly fast reads which probably makes a difference.
POPSUGAR: #4, #18-Justice for guilty criminals!, #27, #30-Washington, DC, Virginia, Florida, #33,
ATY: #3-Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens—Roses in the title and Rosie the Cat, #10-Nurse McGuigan and Brianne Parker, #20-The cliffhanger makes me dread the future for Alex Cross!, #24, #27-The Lovers, Justice, Death, Judgment, The World, #31, #34, #42, #52-With this cliffhanger revelation, I don’t know how Cross will be able to defend himself.
RHC: #24
CONTINUING:
For Literary Wives December 6:
The Summer Wives: A Novel by Beatriz Williams
Loved her book, A Certain Age.
There There
Until We Reckon: Violence, Mass Incarceration, and a Road to Repair
PLANNED:
Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family by Robert Kolker
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.
In the future sometime, G.Willow Wilson's books I want to read:
The Bird King
Alif the Unseen
What a week it's been! Husband and I wanted to get a live tree for Christmas this year and weren't planning on picking one out til this week or next, but we ended up calling a local place for pricing last weekend and getting one that same day! We've got it all set up and the cats have (mostly) left it alone, so... accomplishment!I've been having a rough time personally since Thanksgiving; my dad dropped a bombshell that wasn't intended for me to hear, and it's thrown my relationships with my parents all out of whack. We talked things out a bit more yesterday and it seems like we're all back on the same page (and he's very sorry, which I appreciate), so all we can do now is move forward and heal. Perhaps slowly, but it'll happen. I can be an optimist sometimes.
Reading-wise, I've finished two more volumes of Sandman:
Brief Lives
Worlds' End
4.5 stars to both. I can definitely feel it ramping up for the ending; excited to see how that pans out, although I probably won't get to the final volumes until 2022 at this point.
I've also decided to set Where White Men Fear to Tread: The Autobiography of Russell Means aside and come back to it later. It's been waiting so patiently on my nightstand but the early section felt so circular/repetitive that I need a mental break. I do appreciate Means's work as an activist so I fully plan on coming back eventually, but I don't have the time just now.
Currently reading:
The Ice Limit - Bit stuffy for a sci-fi novel, but books about meteorites aren't my usual fare. Tbh I'm only reading this for character introductions across the Pendergast and Crew universes. Excited for more Pendergast in 2022!
You Can't Touch My Hair: And Other Things I Still Have to Explain - I picked this up as a break from Ice Limit yesterday and Phoebe is hilariousssss. This is the first of three (standalone) books she's published and you can bet I'm going to read them all!
Saga: Book One - Started a Saga reread with my best friend last night and uggghhhh I love everything about this series SO MUCHHH
Upcoming:
Saga: Book Two and Saga: Book Three
The Long Way Down
The Bone Shard Emperor
Jade Legacy
A Memory Called Empire
Get a Life, Chloe Brown
Moon of the Crusted Snow
Part of me thinks my Upcoming list is ambitious, and the other part of me says "It's only Dec 2nd! You got this!" Time will tell.
QOTW: Which 2022 prompt do you think you'll need a lot of help with to find a good book?
I'll be keeping an eye on a lot of Listopias for this one, especially
- onomatopoeia
- palindrome
- BookTok (I'm enlisting my sister, cousin, and several friends for help here)
I'm trying to cut back on how many challenges I participate in for 2022, and the PopSugar challenge is one of the ones where I can usually slot books into various categories as I go along, so I'm not feeling stressed about it (yet, bahahahaha)
I finished ATY about an hour before the Popsugar list dropped, so I am now challenge free for the rest of the year. The town's Christmas festival was cancelled due to storm Arwen, so we went and bought a Christmas tree and decorated early instead.Finished:
The Untold Story by Genevieve Cogman for review. This wraps up the series storyline but she has implied she will return to writing about these characters again if she has the chance. Loved this ending.
The Red Monarch by Bella Ellis for ATY (character in a deck of cards). I know some people don't like the idea of authors making up secret lives of real people, but I just love how the characters of the Brontes come across in this series, especially Emily.
The Vaccine Race: How Scientists Used Human Cells to Combat Killer Viruses by Meredith Wadman (non-fiction that's not memoir/biography). Interesting topic but there was a lot of repetition, like I might have forgotten how they were growing the cells between chapters. Also every time she introduced a new person she had some odd comment to say about their appearance, which didn't seem relevant to their scientific abilities.
QOTW:
I feel like the list is a bit overwhelming right now, my mind is a blank on about half of them but I'm sure ideas will come to me. The ones that seem most tricky are palindromic title, nonpatriarchal society, onomatopoeia, Pacific Islander and constellation.
I still have so many prompts to complete, I don't know if I'm going to finish any of the challenges. Even if I DNF, I am still going to try to go back and complete them at a later time. QOTW: I am excited for the new list, but I won't think about the prompts until 12:01am 2022. I found if I plan too much, I end up requesting all of those book from the library at one time, and get overwhelmed. ("what do you mean I can only take out 175 books at one time??") I like to read and then see what category it falls into, and these prompts seem easier to do. But I will most definitely be looking for recommendations.
PS: 36/50
RH: 13/24
RW: 4/28
GR: 427/365
HP: 62/62
ATY: 29/52
Currently Reading:
Out of Character- I hate this cover
Orange Is the New Black
Brown Girl Dreaming
Everything Inside
Tender Is the Flesh
The Cousins
History Smashers: Pearl Harbor
Cold War Correspondent (Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #11): A Korean War Tale
The Getaway
James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing
All the Young Dudes
Finished:
The Blind Side This paints a different picture than the movie
To All the Boys I've Loved Before I thought this was just okay. I'm still going to read the other two though
Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms
Notes from a Young Black Chef fooood
Teen Titans: Beast Boy Loves Raven
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo- okay, now I get it. I'll be on the lookout for more by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Mod
Nadine wrote: "I was hoping I could suggest Hunting by Stars for "constellation" but last night I peered closely at the hardcover and the stars do not seem to actually be a constellation. [bookcov..."It kinda looks like ashes/sparks from a fire to me? I am considering just using something with a starry night sky on the cover in the hope that there would be a constellation in there somewhere!
I'm behind on holiday planning already.Last year I came across an Advent calendar challenge. To either read short stories or a book with 24 chapters, and read a bit each day in December until Christmas. Last year, I read Letters from Father Christmas, which was perfect and lent itself well to the challenge.
This year, I'm doing it again with The Flame, Leonard Cohen's posthumous book of poetry.
Finished:
The Last Closet: The Dark Side of Avalon
ATY prompt: A book that might cause someone to react “You read what?!?
Popsugar prompt: A book about a social justice issue (child abuse - physical, sexual, and psychological)
Currently reading:
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall - 5% done
The Flame - started December 1
Emma - about 40% done
(Buddy read with my daughter)
A Slow Fire Burning - 60% done. Waiting to get another copy - will probably happen in 2022
QOTW:
The list seems super picky to me this year. Last year's seemed broader. I am planning on doing the full ATY in 52 books in 2022. I had hoped that I could do 35-40 PS prompts by using the same books. Now I think I'll be lucky if I can do 30. I figured out 22 of them and I think I can do 8 more with all the subtlety of a toddler trying to smash the wrong shape in one of those shape sorting balls. (In other words I'm going to cheat.)
Dubhease wrote: " I think I can do 8 more with all the subtlety of a toddler trying to smash the wrong shape in one of those shape sorting balls...."You've just described my entire 2021 challenge strategy! 🤣
I need help with the social horror category for sure, as that is not a subgenre I have even heard of before yesterday.
Busy day today! The weather is GORGEOUS, though. Also, my team is up for our university's version of "employee of the year," and today we'll find out who won. Not to sound un-humble, but I think my team deserves it. Which isn't to say the other nominees don't, I just know we went way above and beyond, taking on a lot of the emotional weight from our students. The sheer increase in how many students we saw combined with the fact that we did take on so much emotional burden -- yeah, I think we deserve this.Finished:
The Bird King by G. Willow Wilson - a book by a Muslim American author. I'm so sad--this was really good for the first half but then it sort of fell apart when she tried to force a magical, religious allegory in. I could tell what she was trying to do, and as much as I hate to say it, she just didn't have the skills to pull it off.
Currently Reading:
How to Listen to and Understand Great Music by Robert Greenberg - this is still very interesting! Greenberg is a fantastic lecturer. I have about 9 hours left, so I need to get on that!
I have 4 regular prompts left and 6 advanced. So I highly doubt I'll finish, but I should get close! I'm planning to swap in some of the shorter books I own in the hopes of finishing haha.
QOTW:
I'm not gonna lie, I'm seriously considering not even doing the challenge next year. I usually get really excited when I look over the new prompts, but this time I just felt stressed and drained. Considering how hard it's been for me to get through this year's challenge, I just don't know how I'd do with next year's. I don't want to do a bunch of hate-reading, and I feel like that's what it would end up being.
The only thing making me still want to do it is how much I like these weekly check-ins and the community!
Also, I really like that, for the prompts relying on cover images, they gave options for using the title instead. It makes it a lot easier for someone with vision-impairment to participate!
Mod
That's how I felt about Alif the Unseen: it was really great ... until it wasn't. It's why I never added Bird King to my tbr. Hopefully her books will continue to get better and better!!
Allie wrote: "I still have so many prompts to complete, I don't know if I'm going to finish any of the challenges. Even if I DNF, I am still going to try to go back and complete them at a later time. QOTW: I am..."
Hey, it looks like you're reading some Harry Potter fanfiction right now ☺️ Would you have any recommendations for long or novel-length fics? I read The Debt of Time earlier this year on a rec from a friend, but since I'm not in any HP communities I'm not sure where to start with finding more.
Mod
Finished: The Adventure Is Now Cute book, good message, I'd give it a 3.Rule of Three This one is definitely geared for someone younger than me, with quizzes like out of teen mags, scripts, lists to differentiate between the sisters.
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe Gotta love me some Douglas Adams. I'm thinking about using the next in the series for 2022 prompt another book you've read the same author by in 2021.
Started: Ways to Make Sunshine for book that begins with the last letter of previous read (Adventure is Now). I know it's not 2022 yet, but I'm excited about it, so strike while the iron is hot, and all that.
Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch Oh yeah, I started this one and at first I thought it was kind of funny, but now it's actually making me a little uncomfortable. Don't know that I'll finish it, though it probably could be used for prompt about afterlife.
QotW: I feel like a lot of these prompts require research. I enjoyed last years prompts where at least half of them, I'd be reading a book and happily discover that it fit into a prompt. I feel like it's less likely for that to happen with this year's prompts. I also feel like the prompts lean heavily towards ficitonal selections and I usally prefer to read more non-fiction (and kids books.) I'm still committed though! We'll see how it goes.
Hi, kind of new here. Well, I've never managed to stick with the challenge but I'm so determined for next year :) This year was an all-time low for me reading-wise, but I can feel the book joy and motivation returning (finally!)I was surprised by how hard the list seems this year, but who knows, maybe it'll still be the year I finally complete the challenge!
QOTW:
I'm stressed about the palindrome challenge for sure, and maybe this is an odd one to be stressed by but the one about a band or musical group made me groan. I really don't like the idea of reading about music, fictional or not. No idea why lol
Happy Thursday! I'd no idea the list was out! Wow, let me go check that out real fast!Currently Reading
The Apostolic Fathers for "book on TBR with ugliest cover". STILL working on this. The Thanksgiving holiday really threw off my groove. Hoping to finish it this week!
QotW
The palindrome, for real. Also the #booktok one because I am pretty much absent from all social media. And the book becoming a tv series/movie in 2022 because I live under a rock and have no idea what's coming. XD
Hey all! Someone breathed on me! I have a cold! I am cranky and tired. But I've been geeking out over the new list. I'm also trying to get some work done, but not much to do at the moment, which works for me.Haven't really read anything between Thanksgiving last week and getting sick this week... My plan is to finish The Diary of a Young Girl, The Lost Apothecary and The Song of the Jade Lily before the end of the year and I'll be a happy girl.
QOTW: Unless I cheat (which I already plan to! ha!), the palindrome prompt is nearly impossible. Also, I have no link to TikTok (seriously, if you asked me to describe it, I'd say it's an app that makes people dance?? lol- I have no idea!!), so I'll be needing help with that one.
I feel like next year's tasks are either so wide open that I'll fill them without even thinking about it (found family, board game, mirror image), or so limited that I'll have to do serious research to find an option. I guess I won't know until next year's reading starts!
Mod
11. A #BookTok recommendation
I am not on TikTok nor do I intend to be. I refuse to download another app! 🤨
Mod
Any books you could recommend set during Hanukkah? 2022 prompt #28 A book set during a holiday...
Leak update. We have very bad jointing between the tiles on the wall in our shower. Water is dripping through and finding its way through a hole in our ceiling. Insurance company isn’t paying so now we are trying the contractor who has built our house. After only 4 years (!), this is not acceptable. Sigh. At least we still can take a shower, a short one, but that’s enough.Finished
Nothing
Currently reading
The Story of a New Name by Elena Ferrante
Het internet is stuk by Marleen Stikker
QOTW
A lot! This one seems to be really hard to fill. Well, at least I can worry about the list instead of our shower.
Mod
Any books you could recommend set during Hanukkah? 2022 prompt #28 A book set during a holiday..."
Miracles and Menorahs looks promising :-) mazel tov!
Happy Thursday, y’all.Had a great Thanksgiving. Got to visit my sister and hang out with my nieces and nephews and siblings, dyed my hair blue, bought a new game console (the Switch), and in general enjoy myself. Now to gear up for Christmas.
Also new reading list! Excitement! I'm going to have a hard time filling these prompts, but I'm actually kinda welcoming the challenge, heh...
Books read this week:
The Lies of Locke Lamora -- Game of Thrones meets Six of Crows -- a heist and caper book that’s rather full of blood, death, and torture. Surprisingly a fun fantasy romp provided you have a strong stomach.
Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms -- graphic novel, and a rather sweet and fun tale about queer teens trying to learn to stand up for themselves and figure out their relationship amidst the world of cheerleading.
Currently Reading:
Skeleton Crew
How I Magically Messed Up My Life in Four Freakin' Days
A Fine and Private Place
Beasts and Beauty: Dangerous Tales
QOTW:
Two prompts stand out for being really hard, heh...
Palindrome title -- the one book that would have really fit this prompt (Bob) I've already read. And no others are really jumping out at me...
Romance novel by a BIPOC author -- it's not the BIPOC that's throwing me, it's that I don't read romance novels, haha... suggestions would be very helpful.
Oooff. Y'ALL. I'm so tired. I got up unnecessarily early yesterday because the list dropped at 9am for me. Played all day and only got 3 hours sleep. Got up at midnight for work, where my employee was over an hour late and didn't even respond to my calls or text before showing up. I had to do stuff for my boss for a surprisingly early corporate visit today and thus couldn't do my own stuff. I came home, got comfy, opened the thread and have already fallen asleep. I clearly need a nap before I can play in the new prompts again. Happy Hanukkah, I am now 48/50
Finished: Not much, obvs
The Borrower
Started and stopped:
My library hold came in for Daughter of the Deep - The Verne connection was stronger than I expected. It's been ages since I hung out with Nemo, so I decided to re-read...
Currently Reading:
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea which has a eye-catching cover. Nice colors.
On Deck:
The Mysterious Island which I'm not entirely sure I've read completely before... ? If so it's been decades.
And then back to Daughter of the Deep which I'm sure I'll enjoy much more with a nice fresh dose of Verne in my brain.
QOTW:
Nodding off again, but the one off the top of my head is booktok because I have zero interest in the tok.
Hi Nadine! Happy Thursday:D I am so excited to join the group read today's month. I also have a copy of Malibu Rising:D And I'm excited about 2022 challenge:D Question of the Week
Which 2022 prompt do you think you'll need a lot of help with to find a good book?
- I think a book with a recipe. I like books about cooking and baking:)
Thanks to a 5 day holiday weekend, I was able to have a lot of reading time. I finally finished the longest book on my TBR. I really hope it’s smooth reading for my last 4 books for the challenge! I'm using up some vacation time next week to make a 4 day weekend. I'm using some of that time for friends and Christmas shopping, but I hope to have a lot of reading time too.Finished
Written in My Own Heart's Blood by Diana Gabaldon (the longest book on your TBR). It’s not usually such a chore to read long books, but I struggled with this one a lot. I’m glad to have finished this, and I enjoyed it, but I’m daunted that I have another book in the series to read now. The next book is 928 pages, and I’m not a fast reader.
One by One by Ruth Ware (a book you think your best friend would like). If you love Ruth Ware’s other books, you’ll love this one. As a former skier, I enjoyed the setting a lot and how much skiing featured into the plot. I listened to the audiobook during my holiday driving. As always, Imogen Church did a fantastic job narrating.
Reading
Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse (a book by an Indigenous author)
Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren (a book featuring three generations)
QOTW
Honestly, there are a lot! I went through my TBR yesterday, and there aren’t many books that I thought would obviously fit a prompt. For 2022, I might not plan out my books. I might read whatever I want and see what prompt the book fits.
Stressed about the holidays and life in general, so decided to give apathy a try. I like it so far! I am not going to have the "perfect" appetizer for a party this weekend, just an easy one that I like. I'm not going to get out every decoration I have, just a few favorites. And I'm not going to read very much because I'm burnt out. I will be fine if I don't finish my last book for the challenge (stupid longest TBR book). Remind me of all this tomorrow.Finished
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare - 3 stars
My monthly Shakespeare
This is one of his most famous comedies, but it isn't one of my favorites. It's a little too mean-spirited at times for my tender sensibilities, although some other plot lines are kind of funny.
The Labors of Hercules by Agatha Christie - 4 stars
My monthly Christie
For such a brilliant detective, Hercule Poirot hadn't paid much attention to the closely-named mythical hero. After someone pointed it out, he read up on the 12 Labors of Hercules and decided to take as his final 12 cases those which related to those labors. It was rather cleverly done and a fun read.
ŷ: 101/100 (finished!!)
Popsugar: 54/55
QOTW: Fun day yesterday seeing the new prompts! The ones I might struggle with:
#11 #BookTok - what is that? I'm sure I'll find out
#12 The afterlife - I'm an agnostic atheist, so this should be interesting
#26 Misleading title - guess I'll just luck into one of these
#33 Social-horror - Don't know what this means. I avoid anything to do with horror, so I'm horrified by this one.
#42 Two languages - I'm barely fluent in one
#43 Palindromic title - How many books called Mom are there? EDIT: Just realized I've never read Seveneves from my TBR list. Score!
Happy check-in!I'm feeling stressed about the holidays and finishing this reading challenge. I did start gift shopping but figuring out baking and meals is unclear right now. All I know right now is I have to make a cheesecake. I'm not sure whether I like the 2022 list yet. Playing in the threads and listopia's is not helping me finish books. :)
Finished Reading:
Feel Your Way Through ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Randomly found this in overdrive. Kelsea Ballerini wrote a collection of poems, published in Nov. 2021, about her life and experience as a woman. It definitely felt like she created these originally as a part of therapy. There were some powerful poems and I really enjoyed this. TWs are addressed in the author's note at the beginning.
Crush ⭐⭐�
This is an updated Twilight series. Why am I addicted and why are these books so long?
Well Matched ⭐⭐�
I finished book two in this series and the first chapter of this one was included. I had high hopes but it was just good. I find it difficult to put the books in this series down, even though the sequels haven't been as good as the first.
PS 2021 49/50
PS 2017 49/52
ŷ 257/250
Currently Reading:
Covet so long
Shifting Shadows this will finish PS 2021
To Read In December
Malibu Rising BOTM
Beartown PS 2017 best seller in 2016
The Graveyard Book PS 2017 about a holiday not XMAS
Not sure what to read for PS 2017 month or day of the week in the title. Anyone got a short book recommendation?
QOTW:
First look so many. Group members have definitely pointed out some good options but I still have a lot of tbr to look through.
I will need help with:
social-horror (I still don't understand what this is)
twin cities (really don't like this)
palindrome
onomatopoeia
featuring a man-made disaster
Happy (late) Thursday! These past few weeks have been so busy that I can't believe it is Thursday again. I also forgot to check in on the 2022 list of prompts that came out so I am looking forward to diving into the list this weekend. Finished:
This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger. What a great book this was. His writing was lovely, the story was great, and I loved how it ended.
Currently Reading:
Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour. I am listening to this one on audio and the narrator is fantastic! I think I enjoy this book more because of the narration than I would have just reading it.
Mirrorland by Carole Johnstone. This one is taking me longer to get into. But we will see how it goes.
We are getting closer to the end of the 2021 challenge and I am getting nervous about finishing!
QOTW:
Upon my initial dive into the prompts I think the hardest ones for me will be:
#OwnVoices SFF (not my favorite genre)
Onomatopoeia
Board Game in the title
Probably others...I wasn't thrilled with the prompts for 2021 when they first came out but I ended up having multiple options for the prompts so it will work out.
Happy Thursday, and Happy Hanukkah to those who celebrate. I spent this week decorating for Christmas, both my house and at my church, and now my hands are so scratched up and soap/hand sanitizer stings so so much. Plus I'm looking forward to the game (Canadian Football Semifinals) this Sunday, even though it's weird to have the games so late in the year. I'm just glad we have them this year.Stats
I moved stuff around this week, so I am now done all my challenges!🥳🥳🥳🥳 So now I'm mostly in reread/comfort mode so I can save new books for next years challenges.
Books I finished:
Emerald Blaze ⭐⭐⭐⭐� - I finished the reread of this series and the only downside is that I'm probably going to have to wait until next September for the next book.
The Tangleroot Palace: Stories ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I really loved the Monstress graphic novels and I wanted to try some of Marjorie M. Liu's other books. Like any collection, some of the stories were better then others. Overall, it felt like old school Grimm's fairytales, but modernized.
Written in Red, Murder of Crows, Vision in Silver & Marked in Flesh ⭐⭐⭐⭐� - So another comfort reread. The next book in this series will be out this spring, so I wanted to have a refresh of this series. It's not for everyone, but I love the series.
Books I made progress on:
Etched in Bone - Continuing the reread.
QOTW
So my first impression of the list was NOT positive, but the more I've looked at it, the more it's grown on me. The ones I am unsure about are:
Onomatopoeia - I've had this come up in other challenges and I didn't manage to complete it, but I'm hoping with a whole year to find one I'll be able to succeed this time.
Starts with the last letter of your last read - This just doesn't work with the way I read. I'll probably manage to do it by accident, but the prompt just irritates me.
Social Horror - I like Popsugar for including genres but they always manage to include one I don't like, so I'm either going to have to just force myself to read something I don't really like, or cheat.
Oy, such a day! I have been scrambling with work all week after being away all last week. I'm away again next week, so UGH!I had an epiphany and realized that a book I read a few weeks ago would fit the prompt for book seen on someone's shelf etc. So I'm now at 48/50 in PS and those last 2 are both started -- I likely will finish them or come very close during my vacation next week!
Finished: Several first in series books from my TBR, all read for a monthly challenge in another group:
India Black - Madame of a bordello in Victorian London becomes embroiled in saving the monarchy. Great fun!
Silent in the Grave -- first of the Lady Julia Gray series, an older series by Deanna Raybourne. I loved this.
Never Doubt a Duke a little regency romance with a mysterious lady and her cat who seem to be matchmaking as much as finding good employment for genteel ladies fallen on hard times.
Sworn to Silence - WOW! gruesome serial killings in Ohio Amish country. No wonder this series is acclaimed.
I will be reading more in every one of those series.
Currently reading:
Sleigh Bells Ring - I needed contemporary Christmas romance after that serial killer read. How can one resist this cover?
- one of last 2 for PS
- one of last 2 for PSQOTW:
Palindromic title for sure is going to be a challenge - first even figuring out what exactly it means.
Duology may be tough -- I have unfortunately read the first in several duologies this year.... poor timing on my part
Man-made disaster gives me pause
Misleading title as well
Lynn wrote: "Uhm. Admittedly, my first response is, “So many!� LOLBefore I start my list, I admit to having to lookup the following words to either confirm my memory or educate myself:
sapphic, ace, onomatopoeia, palindromic
These are prompts I definitely feel as if I’ll need help to find books that are interesting to me to fulfill.
7 A book with an onomatopoeia in its title
39 An #OwnVoices SFF (science fiction and fantasy) book
44 & 45 A duology
I have found it difficult to find a duology I want to read in the past. It seems like everything that interests me has at least 3 books…or more!
49 & 50 Two books set in twin towns, aka "sister cities""
I'm excited because I have suggestions I think might help you. I have been doing an absurd amount of research for the challenge, including having to look up all the words you mentioned to make sure I remember the meaning of the words.
For onomatopoeia, you could check out Mary Roach if you haven't before. She's a scientist who writes nonfiction books. She has two books Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex and Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War that both meet the challenge. I haven't read either yet, but I've read several other by her that are great.
For sister cities, I know you're buddy reading the Alex Cross series, which is set in Washington DC, and Washington DC has tons of sister cities, including Paris, Rome, and Athens, all of which have lots of books published there.
Kenya wrote: "The Lies of Locke Lamora -- Game of Thrones meets Six of Crows -- a heist and caper book that’s rather full of blood, death, and torture. Surprisingly a fun fantasy romp provided you have a strong stomach."One of my favorite books! Glad you enjoyed it, Kenya. Unfortunately Lynch is in the same camp as Rothfuss, GRRM, etc... we're waiting on that ever-elusive next book in the series!
Theresa wrote: "Silent in the Grave -- first of the Lady Julia Gray series, an older series by Deanna Raybourne. I loved this."I picked this one up on a whim a year or so ago and devoured it. The rest of the series is great, but this one is still my favorite!
Mary wrote: "For onomatopoeia, you could check out Mary Roach if you haven't before. She's a scientist who writes nonfiction books. She has two books Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex and Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War that both meet the challenge. I haven't read either yet, but I've read several other by her that are great.."I read Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex earlier this year and thought it was really interesting. I also thought Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers was very good, and it could potentially work for the challenge as well.
I haven't read it, but Mary Roach has also written a book called Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife, which would work well for next year's afterlife prompt.
Mod
Yes!! I support you in embracing apathy! It's so freeing!!!
Mod
That's a book I'm considering for "reflection or mirror" in next year's Challenge!!! Maybe you want to hit "pause" on that book until Jan 1st ;-)
Mod
There's your perfect book for "set in Victorian era" - the Lady Julia Gray series is set in the Victorian era! Put the next book in the series on your list for next year :-)
I've never read RaeAnne Thayne - should I pencil in Sleigh Bells Ring for my "holiday" book for next year's challenge? I consider you an expert on all holiday books!!! Recommend something!
Mod
This book gets recommended so often, and I've seen it on lists for "found family" so I'm thinking I might read it for that. Does it fit?
tbh, a while back in 2020 Lynch was accused of grooming and preying on younger women, in a creepy and possibly abusive way, and I've been kind of leery of reading anything by him or his wife since that. They both denied the accusations, and kind of implied that the accuser was a crazy stalker, but isn't that what an abuser would say? it's hard to know - maybe it's baseless. Nothing has come out about it since to confirm or refute.
Has anyone else heard anything more? I WANT to give his books a try! And I used to think his wife was great! But I feel so uncertain now about both of them.
Nadine wrote: "Kenya wrote: "... The Lies of Locke Lamora -- Game of Thrones meets Six of Crows -- a heist and caper book that’s rather full of blood, death, and torture. Surprisingly a fun fantasy romp provided ..."Definitely fits found family.
I haven't heard anything else about the 2020 accusations, but it also made me very leery to pick up anything new from him or anything by Bear. I had already read the three thus-far-released Gentleman Bastards books by that point, and while I still love them I remain iffy about continuing, should anything else be published.
Well I missed last week and was too exhausted from work last night to check in so I'm hoping to squeeze this in before my flight to New Mexico in a few hours (for work). The past two weeks I finished:
A Mind Spread Out on the Ground Wow, this book really made me think about some things in news ways. Fantastic. 5 stars
Undersong: Chosen Poems Old and New This is for one of my book clubs. I only felt like I "understood" about half of the poems, but I enjoyed those! 4.5 stars
All American Boys This is a second read for another book club. It's really a great way to explore this important issue. I noticed one detail I wasn't wild about that I missed in my first read three years ago, but it's still a great book. 4.5 stars
Seven Fallen Feathers: Racism, Death, and Hard Truths in a Northern City Another important issue here. I appreciated the blend of individual stories that are connected to a broader problem. 4.5 stars
I, Rigoberta Menchú: An Indian Woman in Guatemala This was tough to listen to with all of the torture people went through, but it's something I needed to learn more about. 4 stars
Good Neighbors I've already forgotten the details of this so I guess nothing stuck with me. 3 stars
The Woman Warrior This took me a long time to read. Some parts were difficult and/or slow, but I enjoyed most of it. 4 stars
Milk Fed This had tons of potential. Some fantastic lines and and fascinating situations, but too many sex scenes for my taste. Without most of those it would have been a real winner for me. 4 stars
Beautiful Country Now I know why this is getting buzz - it's in my top ten memoirs of all time list! Excellent book and I recommend it. 5 stars
The Echo Wife I was engaged in the story but some of it was too much of a stretch on what's plausible. 3.5 stars
Afterparties This also had a few too many sex scenes for my preferences, but other than that it had some wonderful interconnected stories. The last two were my favorites. 4.5 stars
Currently reading Chouette for a discussion with the author happening next weekend. I'm loving this book - if anyone here wants the link to the book talk I'm hosting with the author next Saturday let me know!
QOTW: There are a few prompts I'll need help with:
-BookTok
-Onomatopoeia
-Misleading title
-Palindrome
-Duology
-Board game in the title
The extra layers to my challenge for 2022 are that I'm reading books by BIPOC authors only, and I want half of them to be books I already own. Wish me luck in finding these books on my shelves. ;)
Nadine wrote: "Theresa wrote: "... Silent in the Grave -- first of the Lady Julia Gray series, an older series by Deanna Raybourne. I loved this. ..."There's your perfect book for "set in Victorian era" - the..."
I can recommend so many! However, RaeAnne has been mostly a miss in recent years, unfortunately. This new one is reading better, but not one I would recommend to someone not familiar with her books, even though it is a standalone, not part of a series.
I will come back over tbe weekend when not so busy with work and post some suggestions. Meanwhile you can peruse my multiple shelves marked Christmas!
Hi all, Missed last week's check in, late this week, whoops! Last week was busy with a four day migraine and too much to do, woo. This week has been full of regular non-migraine headaches, so i'm about to see if I can exchange my brain for a less sucky model.
The last two weeks I finished:
Alien, Vol. 1: Bloodlines - think this takes place after Aliens, good and creepy
Alice in Leatherland - this was a really cute comic, sweet sort of fairytale romance
Mile High with a Vampire - i keep reading these even though they're a bit eye rolling at this point and the author keeps breaking her own lore. It was fine, nothing special.
The Last Graduate - ARGH, this was good but Naomi Novick needs to get back here and give me a real ending. That cliffhanger was NOT acceptable, and I have no idea when the next is out.
Skin of the Sea - retelling of the Little Mermaid based on West African mythology, I really liked this!
Cress - finished up audio re-read
Currently Reading:
White Smoke - not really loving this, so kind of dragging my feet. I keep hoping it'll start getting better as it ramps up.
Over the Woodward Wall - my before bed book so I don't read horror before sleaping.
Winter - audio re-read
QOTW:
I'm not doing the challenge next year, i need a mental break from feeling like everything I read MUST meet a challenge/feeling guilty if it doesn't. Yes I get that it's for fun, my challenge, I always finish early anyhow etc. Doesn't change that it was starting to feel more like work this year. I still followed the drop and have been making suggestions in the fb group and discord.
My opinion of the hardest this year:
Onomonopia - I looked through 196 pages of my kindle library and found TWO books that could work, and i'd read them both. Glad I don't really have to try to dig up something appealing.
Palindrome- Unless you count "books that have a palindrome in the title but the whole title is not a palindrome" this sound like a nightmare to fill. The only things I can really think of are Seveneves and Madaddam.
Booktok - I don't like tiktok, it makes me feel old. I don't really like random video content on social media, i want a curated video experience where I watch on a tv or at least an ipad, not my phone. this would basically be a "just look at what other people claim they found on tiktok" prompt for me, and most the books i've seen mentioned I've already read.
Book that starts with the last letter of the last thing you read : I tend to mood read, this would be difficult unless it happened on accident, trying to line my mood and the books up and the library holds up correctly.
Favorite author quote on another book's cover - This seems again like a hard one to FIND a book for, you'd almost have to stumble on it. I don't even know how you'd google it. it seems like the quotes often change with different cover editions and stuff.
Happy Hanukkah to those who celebrate.Given how big my last two books are I decided to sub out my plans for A magical realism book and put in Fairhaven's Forsaken by Susan Fernandez It was a fun YA read,
QOTW Talking over the new list with close friends who do this challenge and we all had the same thought, this list is NOT fun at all. I don't know if I'm going to even do it in 2022. I like to use these lists to help clear my book shelves at home and I would have to use the library a lot I think with this. I'm fairly sure I don't have a palindrome just lying around. My plan for the list is to do the ones that interest me and that is good enough for me. Reading should be fun not a chore and this list is a chore
Cornerofmadness wrote: "Reading should be fun not a chore and this list is a chore"That was my thought as well!
Shannon wrote: "Cornerofmadness wrote: "Reading should be fun not a chore and this list is a chore"That was my thought as well!"
Mine too. I plan to creatively interpret a few of them.
Mod
I do realize, there are some categories that pretty much force you to read romance or SFF, and I happen to love both romance and SFF.
Nadine wrote: tbh, a while back in 2020 Lynch was accused of grooming and preying on younger women, in a creepy and possibly abusive way, and I've been kind of leery of reading anything by him or his wife since that. They both denied the accusations, and kind of implied that the accuser was a crazy stalker, but isn't that what an abuser would say? it's hard to know - maybe it's baseless. Nothing has come out about it since to confirm or refute."Eeeeeeek... now I'm a little skeeved out. I generally try to separate the art from the artist, but it makes me reluctant to continue the series...
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
March: Book One (other topics)World Without Fish (other topics)
Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History (other topics)
A Bright Shining Lie: John Paul Vann and America in Vietnam (other topics)
American Born Chinese (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Victor Hugo (other topics)Timothy Hallinan (other topics)
RaeAnne Thayne (other topics)
Mary Roach (other topics)
Patricia Briggs (other topics)
More...
Happy Hanukkah! Who's making latkes this week?! Who's making turkey soup from last week's leftovers?
Admin stuff
ALL THE THINGS!!
First, new month = new group read. December's group read is Malibu Rising for "published in 2021." You can join the discussion here:/topic/show/...
Next, **the new list is out!!**
SQUEEEEEEE
We've created 2022 folders for all the 2022 goodness. We'll chat excitedly for the next week or two about ideas for each category, and soon, Lynn will step in and bravely guide us toward categories we can use for next year's group reads. But this week, it's all excited chatting all the time.
We are moving things around right now, but I think this link will work to bounce you over to at least one of the 2022 folders:
/topic/group...
This week I started a bunch of books, and I'm enjoying all of my books, but I've finished only one book, not for this Challenge, so I remain 47/50.
The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs: A New History of a Lost World by Stephen Brusatte - this was one of the books on my list of 21 books I MUST read in 2021, and it was fantastic. I'm not really the biggest dinosaur aficionado, so I wasn't sure how interesting this book would be, but it got good reviews so I wanted to try it. I'm so glad I did!!! A LOT of research has happened during my lifetime, and many theories have changed, so it was really helpful for me to get all caught up.
That longest book (A History of the World in 100 Objects) is a real albatross around my neck, so at this point I suspect I'm going to close out 2021 with a status of 49/50 for this year's challenge. It's been about two weeks since I picked it up to read. I just don't want to read it. Maybe I can pull off an eleventh hour finish. Maybe I'm more of a microhistory gal, I like books that really dig into one subject. I've read other broad overview histories and enjoyed them, but this one is not doing it for me. Maybe I'll count it as done, or maybe I'll keep plugging away in 2022. I don't know. A lot depends on library availability, and my level of interest (which has been low recently).
Question of the Week
Which 2022 prompt do you think you'll need a lot of help with to find a good book?
I chose this QotW before the list came out, and wowza there are a BUNCH of categories I'm worried about!!!
BookTok
Nonpatriarchal society ( I LIKE this category, but I don't know what to read!!)
Onomatopoeia
Misleading title (like, what? what does this mean?)
PALINDROME (seriously I think I'm just going to read a picture book for this)
I'm SO GRATEFUL for this group!! I know we will all help each other find books to read. I'd be lost without you :-)