Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2022 Weekly Check-Ins
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Week 11: 3/11 - 3/17
Doni wrote: "Happy Thursday! Thursday is my favorite day of the week. I look forward to answering the Qotw. Thanks, Nadine and Lynn for moderating.Finished:Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom touche..."
My first exposure to "The Phantom Toolbooth" was as a kid, via a VHS library copy of the animated movie (done by Chuck Jones of Looney Tunes fame). Definitely weird but I loved it, and enjoyed the book later as an adult.
So... I completely forgot today was Saint Patrick's Day and went to work in jeans and a sparkly red shirt. Not a stitch of green. I ended up stealing a plastic leprechaun hat off of a library display and wearing that all day. Ended up with horrendous hat hair but worth it.This evening planning on doing nothing to celebrate except watching some videos by my favorite YouTuber, who happens to be Irish. (Any Jacksepticeye fans here?)
Books read this week:
The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm: Eragon -- for “a book with cutlery on the cover or in the title.� Reading this book made me super-nostalgic, hehe� The Eragon books were a guilty pleasure for me back when they first came out, and it was nice returning to the world again. I think the “fork� and “worm� sections were better than the middle section, though (might be explained by the “witch� section being written by the author’s sister rather than the author�).
From the Dust Returned -- for “a book about a found family.� Not one of Ray Bradbury’s better novels, but even a lackluster Ray Bradbury novel is still pretty good. The author’s note at the end states that he’d planned it to be a collaboration with the creator of “Addam’s Family,� which sadly never happened.
The Vegetarian -- for “favorite prompt from 2015 (a book originally published in another language).� I was expecting a horror novel, but it’s more about mental illness and societal expectations. Interesting but the ending felt rather� empty.
Bloodlust & Bonnets -- graphic novel, not for the challenge. I picked this up because it was done by the artist who makes the “My Life as a Background Slytherin� webcomic, and while it was a bit weird at first it grew on me. It’s a funny send-up of Victorian literature and vampire stories, and the quirky art style is rather fun.
Regular Challenge -- 33/46
Advanced Challenge -- 2/10
Not for the challenge -- 13
DNF:
Eon: Dragoneye Reborn -- for “a duology.� Just wasn’t able to get into it. And as other people on ŷ have said, it’s hard NOT to read this and draw comparisons to “Mulan.�
Currently Reading:
The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise -- for “a book that takes place during your favorite season�
The Humans -- for “a book about someone living a double life�
Indistinguishable from Magic -- not for the challenge
Summerlost -- for “favorite prompt from 2017 (a book with one of the four seasons in the title)�
Semiosis -- for “a duology�
QOTW:
I don't normally keep track of the nationality of writers I read. Though I did love Room by Emma Donoghue and Oscar Wilde's writing is wickedly brilliant.
Hi all! Been beautiful weather the last 2 days here in NY, soaked up some vitamin D yesterday and it was lovely! Today I should have gotten outside more, but spent most of the day watching March Madness. Still waiting on movement on the long term disability... sigh. Otherwise, things are going well. I actually finished a book! The Overnight Guest for a book published in 2022. If you like murder mysteries with sick bad guys, this is for you.
Finished that one and picked up A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II for Women's History Month and a character who uses a mobility aid.
Still slowly picking at Bucking the Tiger for a book with tiger in the title. I forgot that the author writes... kinda weird, stilted? I dunno, but it doesn't flow. I love it, but it takes time to read. Fortunately, this is a book I own, so I can take my time with it.
QOTW: I remember reading one of Morgan Llywelyn's books and enjoying it a long time ago. And Ulysses stares at me from the bookshelf all the time.... Kinda gives me the evil eye to finish it. Someday. Someday.
Otherwise, I can't think of any, though I'm sure I've read some.
I wish I liked cabbage! But I have yet to find any way I can stand it.
Speaking of Disney characters, tonight we watched Turning Red. It was cute, but probably a lot more relatable if you have ever been a teenage girl. My boyfriend wasn't as impressed. lol
Happy St. Patrick's Day! I'm Irish Canadian so naturally I had potatoes for supper. Usually I can't stand potatoes because we have eaten them so much over my life that I just want rice. :) Although I can go for champed potatoes (mashed with green onions) anytime. Really enjoyed pie day this past week too.Finished Reading:
Kingdom of the Wicked Kingdom of the Cursed ⭐⭐⭐⭐�
Comfort rereads. Waiting for the final book to be released in September is too long away. :(
The Tangleroot Palace ⭐⭐ (2015 short stories)
This was a disappointment. I love the author's graphic novel series Monstress, Vol. 1: Awakening. This would have been three stars but the one short story was so bad. I could rant about it for a while but mostly it's not for the people in this group who love bunnies. Mostly not gorey horror just depressing horror.
Marvel's Voices: Legacy ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (2022 SFF own voices)
This isn't a comic book. It's a collection of snippet comics, interviews and articles mentioned on the Marvel's Voices podcast. This collection was released to celebrate Black History Month. It definitely introduced me to some comics that I need to read.
Locke & Key, Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft ⭐⭐
Well I thought I'd give this series a shot cause the first issue was there in the library. I didn't like the artwork, the characters, or magic/world building. Three strikes you're out. It's also depressing.
PS 2022 27/50
PS 2015 20/50
ŷ 67/200
Currently Reading:
The Witch of Blackbird Pond
I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban
Sweep of the Heart
QOTW:
I can't think of anything I've read. All that comes to mind is my dad's favourite series by Patrick Taylor. They're all 'An Irish Country...' and the series is at about 16 books. They follow a doctor in the Irish country and at least one in the series has recipes at the end. I think the author is Irish but moved to Canada.
I read In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire for the prompt A book with a misleading title. It was on a list for ACE spectrum characters and maybe somewhere else in the series Lundy is but in this she's mostly 8-12 years old and her sexuality isn't part of the story. Neither is dreaming so I slotted it in there. This was not my favorite of the Wayward Children novellas. It's good but sort of forgettable.From the prompt A book set in Victorian times I read The Mystery of Albert E. Finch by Callie Hutton. This was my third attempt to read a Victorian mystery. Usually I have great luck and love for that subgenre. All three have been pretty bad. This one was set in Bath England which should have been a fantastic setting. It could have been set anywhere for how poorly the author used it. The characters were obnoxious. This is a series I won't be continuing
I believe this takes me to the half way point for the challenge.
QOTW Stoker and Wilde spring to mind. I'm sure there are other, more modern Irish writers I like but I don't pay much attention to that sort of thing.
I disappeared after week 3 and have really missed you all. Life has interfered with the things I enjoy, and I'm trying to get it back together now. So this is my 8 week catchup. Not sure where I left off, but I haven't read that much so it won't matter.I work from home, so I wore a green nightgown all day. haha
I don't care for the color green much so don't have any clothes that color. The only way I eat cabbage is in cole slaw, so won't be having any today. I am going to have a baked potato for dinner, though. I really want shepherd's pie, but too late to do anything about it.
Finished
There is a Tide by Agatha Christie - 4 stars; not for challenge
My monthly Christie (for January but read in February). Interesting storyline as usual. Didn't quite figure out the mystery as usual.
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert - 3 stars; PS #18 (romance novel by BIPOC author)
I missed the monthly read discussion and will have to check it out soon, but did get the book read. It started out great, and I was intrigued to find a the MC had some similar issues to my own with similar limitations. Not a romance genre fan, but I did enjoy the fun banter between the two at the beginning. There were some issues later for me that took it down to 3 stars, and by the end I was a bit annoyed. But that's just me - the love cynic. Happy to get this prompt filled.
The 1619 Project: Born on the Water by Nikole Hannah-Jones - 5 stars; not for challenge
This is a picture book about a black girl who cannot trace her family tree very far for a school assignment. Her grandmother tells her about the history of the first slaves that were brought to the USA and their lives in Africa before then. It was the first time I remember hearing the name of the ship (White Lion) that brought them. I know the names of ships that brought white people, but we never discussed this one. Great little book.
The Rivals by Daniel Hurst - 3 stars [up from 2.5]; PS #48 (two POVs)
My least favorite book of his. It was boring and repetitive for much of it, and the rivalry between the two women was ridiculous.
The Witness for the Prosecution and Other Stories by Agatha Christie - 4 stars; not for challenge
My monthly Christie for February (read in March - I will catch up)
I had read many of these stories in another collection, but since I'm old and forgetful I didn't always remember the ending. So it was fun re-reading them, and finding the ones that were new to me just as enjoyable.
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson - 5 stars; PS #40 [previous list - 2021 Black Lives Matter list]
Wow, this was a wonderful, terrible, amazing, disturbing read. Life-changing, really. Comparing the caste system in India to our caste system in the USA, its similarities and differences, was so well done. I listened to it on audiobook and it was very powerful. I cannot recommend it enough.
ŷ: 24/100
Popsugar: 11/40, 3/10
QOTW:
I can't think of any Irish authors that I have read. That ought to be remedied.
Happy check in! And Happy St. Patrick's Day- even though I really never do anything to celebrate. I used to work part-time as a bartender, and St. Patrick's day was always a messy night. I enjoy not going out for it now!Didn't get a lot of reading done this week. It was my niece's bday, so the family got together for that this weekend, and then a group of old work friends had a crafting get together. Unlike the rest of them, I have no crafting skills, but they did manage to teach me the basics of knitting. It was a fun weekend, but not a lot of reading.
Finished
Winter in Sokcho- I liked this, but I feel like there was a lot going on that maybe I wasn't fully getting. This is one where I'm going to have to read reviews to get more perspective. But I thought it was really good.
Currently reading
When You Trap a Tiger- this is a middle grade book that I hear gets emotional. We'll see how it goes.
QotW
I love Tana French's books, but other than that I really can't think of any Irish books off the top of my head. I'm going to have to check out the books everyone else is recommending
IT'S MARCH MADNESS YEAAAHHH LET'S GOOOO~ 🏀 🏀 🏀Oh I mean, happy St. Patty's. *cough*
I've been sick the past week (not the 'rona) so I've mostly been just laying around rewatching Friends instead of reading. But, I did finish my re-read of Black Leopard, Red Wolf. You know, I read this when it came out back in 2019, but I have no recollection of the last 100 or so pages. I'm wondering if I returned it to the library before I was finished with it? Though I was reading it on vacation in New Orleans and visiting the French Quarter every night sooo.... 🍸🍹🥃 Maybe there's another reason I don't remember! Haha!
When I was wrapping up the book this time I got my Libby notification that Moon Witch, Spider King was available for my Kindle, so I guess I'm reading that next. Probably not until Monday or Tuesday though, since we'll be in Chicago all weekend for my husband's birthday. Hope the river is still green when we get there!
QOTW:
Like many others have said, I love Tana French's books. She usually releases something every other year so hopefully something new is coming out in the next few months! I also remember enjoying At Swim, Two Boys, and Dubliners.
Dubhease wrote: "Theresa wrote: "Just want to suggest that if you are in the Seamus Heaney Beowulf, see if there is an audio with him reading it. Years ago I saw him do a solo performance reading of sections as par..."Well, clearly I understand because that was what I chose over a concert or dance performance!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!I’ve had a rather slow week this week. I only managed to finish 2 books and yet again, none for Popsugar.
We decided to celebrate Pi day this year and have pizza and chocolate cream pie.
I only started reading The Island of Sea Women yesterday and it is due today!! I did not end up finishing it since I went out to visit with a friend for St. Pats, I only had 2 hours left too. Now to wait for it to be renewed.
2022 Challenges:
Popsugar: 25/50
ATY: 22/52
A to Z: 19/26
50 States:
2021.....30/50 (Have until end of June)
2022.....9/50
Read Harder: 8/24
ŷ: 51/100
Finished:
2 finished this week, 0 for Popsugar
People We Meet on Vacation
You ever have a long list of TBR’s and a huge pile of books staring at you only to pick up a totally different book and read that instead? Yeah, that was this book for me and I am not sorry about it one bit.
Not for any Challenge
Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Been wanting to read this for quite a while…decided now was as good a time as any.
Women’s History Month
Currently Reading
Magic Lessons
American Spy
At First Light
On the Backburner
Overdrive
Burning the Breeze: Three Generations of Women in the American West
Why Not Me?
Diary of a Drag Queen
Under the Wave at Waimea
This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate
Picked up from the Library Wed.
The Rules of Magic
There There
The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race
The Last Rose of Shanghai
Waiting for the Library to Renew
The House of the Spirits
The Eighth Life
One Hundred Years of Solitude
The Island of Sea Women
QOTW:
Not really but, I used to read Cecelia Ahern. I only read a few of hers and I really only liked P.S. I Love You. Because of that I do have Postscript on my TBR (the sequel).
poshpenny wrote: "For some years growing up we lived three miles down the street from Disneyland, so in my late teens/early twenties I had a pass and went all the time. My character hug of choice is Eeyore. For some..."I never got to go to Disney as a kid, so my first trip was in my 20s. I went with people who had been a lot before, so they weren't really interested in the characters. Luckily, I went back with a friend a couple of years ago who was very patient when I wanted to get photos with them. Eeyore was also the one I was VERY excited to meet--part of me felt silly but the kid in me was THRILLED!
Probably the best moment, though, was when Groot saw my earrings (they were giant, colorful puff-balls) and bent down to look at them. I don't have a huge connection to Marvel or anything, it was just really funny!
Kenya wrote: "Yaaay, another Pokemon player! I'm playing my way through Pokemon Sword for the first time. Do you enjoy the camping portions at all?."To be honest, I have mixed feelings about the camping. There are times when it can be a fun break from battling, and it's definitely beneficial for your team, but I really prefer to spend my time fully exploring each area instead of staying in one spot.
Cornerofmadness wrote: "I read In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire for the prompt A book with a misleading title. It was on a list for ACE spectrum characters and maybe somewhere else in the series Lundy is but in this she's mostly 8-12 years old and her sexuality isn't part of the story. Neither is dreaming so I slotted it in there. This was not my favorite of the Wayward Children novellas. It's good but sort of forgettable."Lundy's story is my least favorite of the Wayward Children series. And yeah, I wouldn't say Lundy is on the ace spectrum. Nancy in the first book is asexual, mentioned specifically. Lundy's sexuality is never mentioned.
Hello! Things are melting and my husband wore shorts on Wednesday because it was almost 50. We ended up buying a new TV because the OLED TV he's been monitoring went on sale for March basketball time. We bought it Wednesday and watched basketball on it yesterday.I've finished nothing this week because of work and basketball and Netflix and writing. Work is very busy and the urgency I wasn't feeling two weeks ago has now kicked me in the head. (The thing that should have been done 3/2 is still not done, and the person who I'm supposed to give it to keeps saying it's fine. It is not fine.) Netflix got canceled as of Tuesday, so I had to watch the rest of my Turkish show while I still could. (It was delightfully cheesy.) It is basketball time, so I spent large portions of this week watching basketball instead of reading. And finally, I got inspired about a week ago to resume working on my 2015 NaNo novel, and I've been writing and thinking about that, usually while also watching basketball. This is the first time in many years that I've felt like writing in a month that isn't November, so while it's the worst possible time (because I want to write, not finish the overdue work project), I'm rolling with it.
Currently Reading:
Appeasement: Chamberlain, Hitler, Churchill, and the Road to War by Tim Bouverie. Got put by the side with my writing kick, but do want to keep going.
The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik. Listening to the audiobook while working. About halfway (they've just started on the gym runs).
QOTW: Since this is St. Patrick’s Day, do you have any favorite books about Ireland or written by authors from Ireland?
Only two books from Ireland come to mind right now.
The Accident Season by Moïra Fowley-Doyle is about a teenager whose family always seem to suffer misfortune in the fall. She begins to suspect there's something supernatural about it and starts to look into it. Very odd book, but if you like spooky, go for it.
Murder in an Irish Village by Carlene O'Connor. This is the first book in a cozy mystery series about a group of siblings running their parents' cafe after the parents died last year. I've only read the first one, but my book club kept going and enjoyed them all.
Melissa wrote: "Hello! Things are melting and my husband wore shorts on Wednesday because it was almost 50. We ended up buying a new TV because the OLED TV he's been monitoring went on sale for March basketball ti..."Thank you for the cozy mysteries set in Ireland recommendation. And my library has them all on audio, which should be delightful.
Mod
my daughters are wanting to watch that - I guess it will be our pick for movie night tonight
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LOL I can't imagine getting tired of potatoes!! :-) Although, most of my meals are with rice or pasta, so I guess we don't have potatoes all that often.
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Welcome back :-)
Mod
When your name is Erin, it's pretty funny that you don't really celebrate St Patrick's Day!! But I can see how working as a bartender would turn you off - I only did the bar scene a few times for St Patrick's Day.
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You ever have a long list of TBR’s and a huge pile of books staring at you only to pick up a totally different book and read that instead? Yeah, that was this book for me and I am not sorry about it one bit. ..."
YES!! And quite often, it's the BEST decision. All those other books will still be there (even if they are library loans and you have to wait your turn again).
Mod
Oh I mean, happy St. Patty's. *cough*
I've been sick the past week (not the 'rona) so I've mostly been just laying around rewatching Friends instead o..."
I don't follow basketball, but I filled out brackets this year on a lark. I should dig out my bracket so I can follow along and see how I do.
ETA: OOF! I had Connecticut going into the Sweet 16. My score is in the middle of all my coworkers, so I'm not doing too badly, but a bunch of my picks to go into the second and third rounds are OUT. I know there are always upsets, but I picked the WRONG upsets hahaha!
(I'm 5 out of 9 so far for the Tournament of Books brackets, and I'm still a contender for 3 out of the next 4 in the second round - not great, not bad.)
Mod
since Overdrive is getting phased out eventually, I've started using Libby to get used to it. In some ways, it's nicer than Overdrive, but in many ways it is clunkier, and figuring things out is not intuitive.
I have three different library accounts that I use with Overdrive/Libby. Each account has different borrow limits. How can I quickly see how many items I have borrowed from one account?
On Overdrive, this is easy: you select the library, tap on the "bookshelf" icon, and you can quickly see your loans, holds, and wishlist for that library.
But Libby merges them all into one list for loans, holds, and wishlist. That's fine ... until I run into a limit and I want to figure out quickly which title I need to clear to make space. To make things more confusing, LIbby does not display the library name, it uses a little colored symbol, so I have to figure out which color is for which library. So I have to keep track of the color I'm looking for, then add in my head as I scroll - annoying! Is there a better way??
When we go to Disney my daughter gets photos with every character she can. Every time. She was 19 when we went the first time. She’s just turned 28 and I’m pretty sure next time won’t be any different except she’ll have her daughter in the photo too. It’s just as magical when your first time is when you’re nearly 50 believe me. We’d grown up watching Wonderful World of Disney and to see it in person was overwhelming. Yeah it’s a theme park but it has also been part of us from a very early age.
Nadine in NY wrote: "Kelly wrote: "IT'S MARCH MADNESS YEAAAHHH LET'S GOOOO~ 🏀 🏀 🏀Oh I mean, happy St. Patty's. *cough*
I've been sick the past week (not the 'rona) so I've mostly been just laying around rewatching Fri..."
I'm not doing too bad in my bracket. It's cracked in a couple of places for the next round or two, but not busted!
As for Libby, I only have 1 library linked to it, so I can't help you there. Good luck!
Welp- the time has come and traveling for work seems to be coming at me hard and fast and I am not ready. I'm DREADING it. I'm so out of practice- probably need to get a new carryon suitcase and not even sure I have headphones that work anymore, I need all the things. Let's not even talk about the thing giving me the most anxiety which is leaving my dog. I haven't left him one night alone since I made the move from FL to Chicago. Really wish my parents were still only an hour away... 15/80 GoodReads Challenge
14/50 PopSugar Challenge
Finished:
1.) Falling by T.J. Newman (#2- Plane) ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2: Wow- this was a page turner. If I hadn't started it so late at night I easily could have finished it in one sitting. A tiny bit unbelievable, but setting all that aside, a tightly wound thriller. I was a tiny bit disappointing in the choice of where the bad guys were from, but it was still a worthwhile read.
Currently Reading:
1.) Pachinko
2.) His & Hers
3.) The Younger Wife
QotW: Since this is St. Patrick’s Day, do you have any favorite books about Ireland or written by authors from Ireland?
- Sally Rooney
- Emma Donoghue
Nadine in NY wrote: "When your name is Erin, it's pretty funny that you don't really celebrate St Patrick's Day!! But I can see how working as a bartender would turn you off - I only did the bar scene a few times for St Patrick's Day..."I know, I'm letting down my peoples! I'm sure once I have more distance from my old job I'll be more excited to celebrate. My mom still does the whole corned beef/cabbage/soda bread thing.
poshpenny wrote: "For some years growing up we lived three miles down the street from Disneyland, so in my late teens/early twenties I had a pass and went all the time. My character hug of choice is Eeyore. For some..."NOOOO EEYOREEEE *sobs* poor Eeyore, I'm glad you gave him a hug after all! Lesson learned that day, hahah!
(Also yes, hugging Eeyore is cathartic in a way, but to be fair I have that with most of the Winnie the Pooh characters, given what they represent. Hugging them feels like acceptance in a way, and it always leaves me emotional.)
Jennifer W wrote: "Speaking of Disney characters, tonight we watched Turning Red. It was cute, but probably a lot more relatable if you have ever been a teenage girl. My boyfriend wasn't as impressed. lol"I... didn't like it.
Not for any of the reasons the a-holes online are hating on it, I just didn't like the art choices and the fact that save for the main character every other characters was basically cardboard.
The panda is absolutely adorable though!!!
Jacqueline wrote: "When we go to Disney my daughter gets photos with every character she can. Every time. She was 19 when we went the first time. She’s just turned 28 and I’m pretty sure next time won’t be any differ..."There's just something about Disney. When I went back at 27 after 13 years, I cried as I stepped out from underneath the train station. My sister ended up sobbing a month later as well. Even my dad had to wipe a tear away!
There are loads of people out there who insist it's a kids holiday, which absolutely pisses me off. It is true, though, that when there weren't queues for characters yet, you were screwed as an adult. You either pushed kids aside (which is of course not done) or didn't get to meet the character. So I am very happy for the queues, haha!
And luckily the characters and Cast Members never ever judge you as an adult. You get just as amazing interactions with the characters, and if you want to ride the Dumbo ride on your own as an adult, who cares??
So yes! Meet all those characters! And I'm sure those first photos with her daughter will be absolutely magical!
All this Disney talk makes me excited for my planned trip with my sister and her family next year! I've never been to Disneyland, but I attended a convention at Disneyworld in 2010 and got to visit the Wild Animal Kingdom park. We also confused a LOT of families in the convention hotel (the Dolphin, which is on Disney grounds) by wandering around in our robot costumes. People flat-out asked us if the people goofing off in the lobby in Transformer costumes were promoting a new ride. Fun times... and proof why costumes aren't allowed in the parks unless you're a kid, even if Disney doesn't own that particular property (yet)...
Carmen wrote: "There's just something about Disney. When I went back at 27 after 13 years, I cried as I stepped out from underneath the train station. My sister ended up sobbing a month later as well. Even my dad had to wipe a tear away!" I said before I was at Disneyland a lot. I'm not kidding. One year I kept track and went, I think it was 237 days. Often just for a little while, but still. I met people there who changed my life. If we were there and someone asked where we were from, we would say "here." Oh Anaheim? "No, here. We're from Disneyland." One of my best friends in high school and I had determined we would be there on the 50th birthday, which was in 15 years.
Then life happened, time passed, I moved across the country for 5 years, and came back to live much farther away. My life had changed A LOT, I wasn't loving it, and the big day was coming. It wasn't easy, took ages and a lot of effort, physically and mentally. I had to go alone, but I made it.
I got my golden ears, walked through the tunnel to Town Square, and paused to look around. It had been some time since I'd been and there were so many memories hitting me. Then a cast member heading to a backstage area, probably to her break, saw me. She paused just long enough to look me in the eye and say, "Welcome home."
I burst into tears.
We went for my Daughters 21st (as well as a few other times lol). We paid for her two cousins and her friend came and we took her 87 year old grandfather with us. We had to get him a mobility scooter but he did love it. Didn’t think he would. We had her 21st lunch in Ariel’s Grotto. Basically a princess party. Ariel and her discussed dinglehoppers and thingamabobs and Ariel was happy that someone actually knew what she was talking about as most of the others having photos with her were too young to actually understand. Granpa had to have his photo taken with Tiana when she came out and was trying to cuddle her and my daughter was blubbering when Belle (her favourite princess) came out. It was a fun day. Hubby is having his 60th in Blue Bayou hopefully.
We went for my Daughters 21st (as well as a few other times lol). We paid for her two cousins and her friend came and we took her 87 year old grandfather with us. We had to get him a mobility scooter but he did love it. Didn’t think he would. We had her 21st lunch in Ariel’s Grotto. Basically a princess party. Ariel and her discussed dinglehoppers and thingamabobs and Ariel was happy that someone actually knew what she was talking about as most of the others having photos with her were too young to actually understand. Granpa had to have his photo taken with Tiana when she came out and was trying to cuddle her and my daughter was blubbering when Belle (her favourite princess) came out. It was a fun day. Hubby is having his 60th in Blue Bayou hopefully.
Jennifer W wrote: "Speaking of Disney characters, tonight we watched Turning Red. It was cute, but probably a lot more relatable if you have ever been a teenage girl. My boyfriend wasn't as impressed. lol"My four year old nephew loves this so much I think I watched it like 6 times last week! So, naturally I have that song stuck in my head and find myself humming it randomly at least once a day!
I know I already did my check in BUT I am so proud to have FINALLY finished Magic Lessons yesterday after having it for over two months (!!!) from the library. I literally borrowed it four times! (3 renewals...oh yeah, I figured out how to cheat the system, LOL)After begging the librarian to renew it once more on Wednesday, I forced myself to sit down with it yesterday and just read it already. I was only on page 140 when I sat down but I finished it last night just before midnight (it's 396pgs long). It is a good book I just was having a hard time getting myself to focus on it and was reading other things instead.
It was actually funny because I went in and asked to renew it then I went and browsed the shelves and I ended up picking four more books. I left there thinking this librarian must be like... she hasn't finished that book in two months and she just grabbed four more!.
Jessica wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "Speaking of Disney characters, tonight we watched Turning Red. It was cute, but probably a lot more relatable if you have ever been a teenage girl. My boyfriend wasn't as impress..."My daughter's watched it 3 more times since I posted the other day! She switches seamlessly between that song and Encanto songs. Her Birthday is next month and I already ordered Encanto party stuff, so she better not be disappointed that it's not red panda themed!! lol
poshpenny wrote: "Carmen wrote: "There's just something about Disney. When I went back at 27 after 13 years, I cried as I stepped out from underneath the train station. My sister ended up sobbing a month later as we..."That's so sweet!
Mod
WOW talk about staying in character!!!
Mod
And yeah that was a catchy song!! Billie Eilish & her brother Finneas wrote the songs.
poshpenny wrote: "I got my golden ears, walked through the tunnel to Town Square, and paused to look around. It had been some time since I'd been and there were so many memories hitting me. Then a cast member heading to a backstage area, probably to her break, saw me. She paused just long enough to look me in the eye and say, "Welcome home."Ohgod I just got chills! I am so glad you got to go back after everything! (Also I definitely would have said the same thing in terms of 'here, I'm from Disneyland' not gonna lie. If I lived close enough to DLP I'd be there just as often!)
Kenya wrote: "Fun times... and proof why costumes aren't allowed in the parks unless you're a kid, even if Disney doesn't own that particular property (yet)..."I'm so excited you get to goooo! Have funn!!
And yes, definite proof indeed, hahah!
Jacqueline wrote: "We went for my Daughters 21st (as well as a few other times lol). We paid for her two cousins and her friend came and we took her 87 year old grandfather with us. We had to get him a mobility scoot..."That sounds absolutely magical! For my sister's sake, I hope we can a) snag a princess lunch as soon as they're back (should be soon!) but also b) the food is something we can eat, or it would be a very expensive lunch, haha! Keeping an eye out for that menu!
I am now 15/40 for the 2022 PS and 17/50 for my personal yearly goal.This week I finished:
Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger for 2022 PS - A book with a character on the ace spectrum - I really liked listening to this book. I liked how Native American influences were woven into the story line, as the main character is also NA. It made for such a fun book.
The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See for the March book read - A book about or set in a nonpatriarchal society - I enjoyed this book just fine, but I wasn't drawn to read it every day. The horrors the people of Jeju suffered throughout WW2 and for many decades after is just atrocious. Reading this book made me do some extra research about the women divers. I didn't realize this was a historical fiction book when I started.
Currently reading:
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan for 2015 PS- recommended by a friend, which is my co teacher so we are listening to the audio version of this book in class
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia for 2022 PS - Social horror - This is my first time with this type of book so I'm a little nervous. Not much of a fan of horror books, but I have heard such great things about this book that I am cautiously optimistic.
The Haunting of Sunshine Girl by Paige McKenzie - a book about the afterlife - Highly recommended by my daughter, takes place in my home state of Washington, and it fit the prompt. It's good so far.
Call Us What We Carry by Amanda Gorman - book of poetry for prompt #40 PS 2022 - When I don't feel like reading a lot or I don't have a lot of time, I read a poem or two. Makes me feel smart. Even though I don't get the underlying meaning very often.
Just a short check-in for me this week. I finished two books and they both worked for open prompts, so I finally have some movement to report! I'm now at 4/40 and 1/10 for this challenge, and 13/75 for my overall ŷ Reading Challenge. Finished:
* Something to Hide by Elizabeth George, which I used for "a book you know nothing about" since all I knew was it was the latest Inspector Lynley mystery -- I just entered the GR Giveaway and then dove in blindly when the ebook copy I won appeared in my Kindle; and,
* Bonbon with the Wind by Dorothy St. James, which I used for "a book with a recipe in it." The author kindly gave away free e-copies of this one at the start of the pandemic lockdown, so I have had this one for awhile. It was a new-to-me cozy mystery series, but I found it easy enough to dive in even though it was the fourth in the series.
Currently Reading:
* The Labyrinth of the Spirits by Carlos Ruiz Zafón;
* My Broken Language: A Memoir by Quiara Alegría Hudes; and,
* The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid, which two of my three book clubs chose. First group will discuss in April; the second in May.
QotW:
Since this is St. Patrick’s Day, do you have any favorite books about Ireland or written by authors from Ireland? Like so many others, Tana French is one of my favorite authors. I've read everything she's written except for The Searcher. I own an ebook copy of it though, so I'll be crossing that off of my TBR list soon.
Yikes! In all the excitement of St Paddy's and then another weekend of shows, I missed check-in!Finished:
Unmanned - 4 stars. Not a fan of the cover art style, but I like the characters and the story is compelling. Nonpatriarchal society
March: Book Three - 5 stars. John's work in the civil rights movement is utterly engrossing in this volume.
Me the People - 5 stars. Drawn by Pia Guerra, who drew Y the Last Man. Phenomenal, skewering stuff.
Parable of the Sower - 3.5 stars. I think I'll enjoy a print reread better than the audio, which came off as rather repetitive.
Catwoman, Volume 6: Final Jeopardy - 4 stars. A solid run by Pfeifer and Hughes's covers are something else.
Perfect World, Vol. 1 - 5 stars. A lovely story, and I'm excited for more! Protag uses a mobility aid
Under a Painted Sky - 3.5 stars. A very good Western, although I got bored somewhere around the middle.
The Importance of Being Earnest - 5 stars, reread. Love love love this play, and I'm sure it will be even more hilarious performed.
PS 21/50
Currently:
The Fountains of Silence - enjoying the print read much better than my audio attempt last year, although I think there are too many POV characters and I feel like we're skating over some impressively difficult material. Twin towns
The Dream of the Celt - Feels like it should be a nonfiction piece, except that there's dialogue. Plenty of information and the amount of research is clear, but it doesn't flow. Latinx author
The Silmarillion
The Story of the Irish Race: A Popular History of Ireland
Upcoming:
Infidel Anisfield-Wolf Book Award winner
The Last Laugh duology #2
Travelers Along the Way: A Robin Hood Remix - another of Feiwel & Friends "remixed classics" set.
QOTW: Since this is St. Patrick’s Day, do you have any favorite books about Ireland or written by authors from Ireland?
Seamus Heaney is on top of my list for Authors I Need to Read More Of, ASAP! I've only barely delved into his work recently and I need moreeee. "Digging" in particular is a favorite. It's short, but man, does it hit. Also interested in his Beowulf translation.
I do love Oscar Wilde - I just reread The Importance of Being Earnest this morning in preparation for our upcoming local production, and it's even funnier than when I read it several years ago. Dorian Gray is one of my favorites among the classics.
I continue to read Seumas MacManus's The Story of the Irish Race: A Popular History of Ireland and enjoy myself, even in small increments.
Some personal disappointments include Granuaile: Grace O'Malley, Ireland's Pirate Queen and The Dream of the Celt, which both came highly recommended.
Late check-in this week because I had surgery on check-in day. It went very well, and I'm feeling better. I've taken a week off to recover, so I should get through a lot of reading this week.PopSugar: 17/50
Finished:
Seveneves I enjoyed this more than I expected, because I'm not normally into hard sci-fi. I skimmed quite a bit where Stephenson got lost in details about physics. But the story was really good.
Currently Reading
I've finished a couple of other books since Thursday, which I'll post next check-in. I'm deciding between Brave New World and The Tattooist of Auschwitz for today, but I'll probably get through both this week, assuming I can stay awake.
QOTW
Oscar Wilde is my favorite Irish writer.
Jessica wrote: "Happy St. Patrick's Day!I’ve had a rather slow week this week. I only managed to finish 2 books and yet again, none for Popsugar.
People We Meet on Vacation
You ever have a long list of TBR’s and a huge pile of books staring at you only to pick up a totally different book and read that instead? Yeah, that was this book for me and I am not sorry about it one bit.
Not for any Challenge..."
I recently read that and loved it! I only read it because the group was using it for the #BookTok recommendation prompt (11) and that prompt was stressing me out, but am very glad I did.
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
The Island of Sea Women (other topics)A Little Closer to Home: How I Found the Calm After the Storm (other topics)
Brooklyn (other topics)
Seveneves (other topics)
Brave New World (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Tana French (other topics)Quiara Alegría Hudes (other topics)
Elizabeth George (other topics)
Carlos Ruiz Zafón (other topics)
Dorothy St. James (other topics)
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Usually I do something to celebrate St. Pat's, but I don't have anything pl..."
Eeek! Hope your allergies clear up soon!