L Y N N’s Comments (group member since Nov 10, 2018)

L Y N N’s comments from the Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge group.

6) Would you have the courage to hike all alone for over 2,000 miles with no more equipment than Emma had with her?
Not at 67 years of age! Maybe in my 20s? But I seriously doubt it. I would have been too scared of the unknowns and various dangers...

7) What aspect of Emma's first successful AT trek in 1955 was the most surprising to you?
Boy. So many! I think one of the most surprising was the encounter with the integrated group of rival gang members. I was amazed that someone was farsighted enough to try such an exercise in 'trust' to break through gang rivalries and a cycle of violence!

8) Were you ever holding your breath as you read due to your anxiety about Emma's safety?
Many times. Snake encounters. Losing her glasses. (I could relate so closely to that loss!!)

9) What do you think is the most important factor that accounts for Emma's ability to endure and keep pushing on to the finish despite her pain and injuries?
Perhaps it is simply her desire to finish. Especially to be the first female to do so. But I also feel that she was able to endure the pain and discomfort due to the fact that she had been beaten so much by her husband. I know there are people who virtually feel no pain and I wonder if she was at least able to endure much more pain and discomfort than the average person and just keep on keepin' on...

10) Montgomery feels that Emma's account of her own AT hike is accurate. What is your opinion of Earl Shaffer's account and claims?
Ack. No offense meant to males, but my first thought was, "Typical male!" Ugh.

11) What is your reaction to P.C.'s one dying request for Emma just to come and stand in his doorway for a minute?
I won't state exactly what words entered my mind...for fearing of offending some of you. I'll just say, "Fat chance, asshole!" (Yes, those were the nicer words! LOL)

I finished yesterday and what an amazing story and legacy!!

6) Would you have the courage to hike all alone for over 2,000 miles with no more equipment than Emma had with her?

7) What aspect of Emma's first successful AT trek in 1955 was the most surprising to you?

8) Were you ever holding your breath as you read due to your anxiety about Emma's safety?

9) What do you think is the most important factor that accounts for Emma's ability to endure and keep pushing on to the finish despite her pain and injuries?

10) Montgomery feels that Emma's account of her own AT hike is accurate. What is your opinion of Earl Shaffer's account and claims?

11) What is your reaction to P.C.'s one dying request for Emma just to come and stand in his doorway for a minute?

So many quotes and other comments. I admit to shedding a few quiet tears in celebration of Emma's accomplishments and her daughter Lucy's efforts to make certain her mother was recognized for her accomplishments. What a life!

At that time the AT was the longest continuous walking path in the world!!

"Aloneness more complete than ever."

"Because I wanted to."

Kendra wrote: "L Y N N wrote: "So can you NOT access the upcoming seasonal/monthly/whatever challenges? Only the current ones? I mean, I'm a planner!! I want to see what is coming up in the future!!! LOL"

No. An..."
Yep! I did manage to discover the other parts you mention. But not being able to plan ahead is a bummer! Wonder if they'll continue this into 2026?

So can you NOT access the upcoming seasonal/monthly/whatever challenges? Only the current ones? I mean, I'm a planner!! I want to see what is coming up in the future!!! LOL

Lilith wrote: "It's OK, Lynn, it would have been easy to miss.

This is the link to this year's Goodreads Challenge:

https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/2......"

And somehow I have 9 of 15 achievements! LOL

Sasha wrote: "Lilith wrote: "Thanks, Sasha! Congratulations on finishing the PS challenge! I hope you can stick around for conversation and gathering bookmarks!"

I definitely will! Thank you <3"
Please do stick around!!

Nadine in NY wrote: "L Y N N wrote: "Okay, y'all! I'm going to show my total ignorance here, so get ready to chuckle and shake your head. WTH are "bookmarks"?!?😯😋 ..."



LOL! It's the revamped Goodreads Challenge. (Th..."
Huh. Well, I'll check it out!

Kendra wrote: "L Y N N wrote: "Okay, y'all! I'm going to show my total ignorance here, so get ready to chuckle and shake your head. WTH are "bookmarks"?!?😯😋 I realize I've probably missed something so obvious it'..."

Thanks! I never pay attention to the Goodreads Challenge, so there is that! LOL

Lilith wrote: "Sasha wrote: "Lilith wrote: "Happy Saturday everyone!

Thanks, Sasha! Congratulations on finishing the PS challenge! I hope you can stick around for conversation and gathering bookmarks!"
Okay, y'all! I'm going to show my total ignorance here, so get ready to chuckle and shake your head. WTH are "bookmarks"?!?😯😋 I realize I've probably missed something so obvious it's ridiculous, but I am truly curious! LOL

Lilith wrote: "L Y N N wrote: "Lilith wrote: "I finally have a job, yay! It’s temping, but it’s medical admin at an amazing hospital, and these adventures often turn into temp-to-perm. Sigh, you have to do loads ...

Oh, you are definitely with me in spirit! You would really enjoy meeting and talking with people here. You'll definitely find many like-minded folks, and make lots of friends!"
Thanks!!

"I'm enjoying Sweet Bean Paste. It is slow-paced, and the friendship develops slowly, but it's perfect for a quieter novel between heavier reads."
And that is exactly what I would expect! 🤗

Bea wrote: "1) What are your expectations for this book?
I am always interested in learning more about those who do amazing things. My niece hiked the trail and got close to the end before stopping due to foot issues. When younger, this was a "I want to..." that I never did. So I am hoping to be fascinated about her walk."
Just the idea of her taking off all alone with no more equipment than she had...unbelievable! How brave and courageous!

"2) Do you have any hesitations about reading this?
None."
I'm just hoping she is okay...

"3) Do you have any prior knowledge about and/or experiences with the Appalachian Train itself?
No experience other than vicariously through my niece. I have always been fascinated with this trail, since I have lived close to it."
I can imagine I would have been much more aware of it if I had lived closer to it. I am in Indiana.

"4) This is a nonfiction book. Do you typically read nonfiction?
Yes."
Yay for nonfiction!!

"5) Would you have selected this book to read if it had not been voted in for the September Monthly Group Read?
I did.."
I would have, but I was totally unaware of it until the nominations!

Rose wrote: "One of my favorite books. Grandma Gatewood sounded like an amazing woman and what she was able to do was amazing.

I think you will like the story Lynn - what she was able to do without all the hi..."
I can't imagine that I won't be intrigued by this book and her story! I'm now on page 22 and am fascinated!

1) What are your expectations for this book?
I certainly hope to gain much more knowledge about the Appalachian Train itself, and about Gatewood overall, especially with regard to how she managed to "save" the trail.

2) Do you have any hesitations about reading this?
I admit to a bit of hesitation just because I'm a bit leery as to how an older woman in 1955 might fare hiking so many miles. My best friend's grandson is experiencing difficulties during his hike and he was well-prepared and is a medic to boot! I just can't imagine she won't have suffered at least physical difficulties if not also mental health challenges. Fingers crossed that her experience is not as difficult as I am imagining it to have been...

3) Do you have any prior knowledge about and/or experiences with the Appalachian Train itself?
Virtually none. I have driven a very short distance of it, but that's it... And of course now, at the age of 69 with titanium knee joint implants, I won't be hiking it in this lifetime!! LOL

4) This is a nonfiction book. Do you typically read nonfiction?
I always have great plans to fit in more nonfiction books, but never manage to achieve reading as many as I would like... Fiction books are my distracting shiny objects!!

5) Would you have selected this book to read if it had not been voted in for the September Monthly Group Read?
I don't know. I wasn't even familiar with this book until it was nominated!! And then I became obsessed!! LOL

After reading the first few pages I am fascinated to learn more about her experience!

Some initial questions:

1) What are your expectations for this book?
2) Do you have any hesitations about reading this?
3) Do you have any prior knowledge about and/or experiences with the Appalachian Train itself?
4) This is a nonfiction book. Do you typically read nonfiction?
5) Would you have selected this book to read if it had not been voted in for the September Monthly Group Read?

Lilith wrote: "I finally have a job, yay! It’s temping, but it’s medical admin at an amazing hospital, and these adventures often turn into temp-to-perm. Sigh, you have to do loads of interviews and other procedures to be accepted into this hospital’s temp service, but it’s an income stream. So relieved to have finally snagged something after 7 months. It’s brutal out there. If I ever get laid off again, I’m just taking Social Security and working in a dungeon and/or selling plasma."
You make me laugh! But I can relate... I hope this proves to be worthwhile to you!

"Now we wait for the background checks and the appointment at health services to get immunizations and/or titers. There are so many “childhood illnesses” I’ve had, but my pediatrician passed away a long time ago, so I have no proof. I guess I'll have complimentary immunizations coming up. I always do at hospital jobs."
Here's hoping you do not react to those immunizations! And that they're still available in the U.S.... 😬

"I’ll really miss my volunteer work and activism. We got into “good trouble” in Framingham the last 2 Saturdays (I am seeing sooo much of Massachusetts, and meeting up with other like-minded folks), and planning to get into more with Indivisible/ Bernie on Monday!"
Please know that I am jealous of your experiences and always with you in spirit, if not in body!!

"I have not posted in a looong time, so I apologize for the length ahead."
No apologies necessary! And please know that you can always complete two postings to include everything, if you wish to do it that way... I certainly have done that in the past!! Not that anyone has to have permission! LOL

"The Mistletoe Mystery. For the final Summer GR bookmark. Very endearing story. I’ll have to check out the rest of the series."
I love this series!!

"The Mysterious Affair at Styles. Agatha is the oldest author on my TBR, at her time of death – and older than the living authors. I have loads of other authors whose writing dates back millennia, but they did not live as long as she did. There are dated references and some racism that is rough, but thinking of the times, the plotting was wonderful. Quite a debut mystery!"
I feel as if I need to start rereading her books...and reading the ones I have not yet read for the first time. She was certainly prolific!

"Tilt. I actually really liked this, though I can see so many mixed reviews. Oddly, I liked this essentially unlikable character – I do enjoy flawed people, which is likely most of us on the planet, at times. I was mesmerized by the mix of kind acts and selfish, great people and not-so-great, and I even liked the ending. Usually I’m ok with ambiguity, and this was no different, especially as I did not have to figure out whether it had a happy ending. This could fit the “road trip” prompt … it did remind me a lot of The Road."
Huh. That's a new one for me.

"Currently reading: Sweet Bean Paste. Set in Japan, found family, loving the quiet pace so far."
This one intrigues me... Anxious to see what you think of it!

Nadine in NY wrote: "L Y N N wrote: "... Oooph! Yes! The Wedding People is the most recent and memorable. Although I feel that may partially be due to the fact that I had just finished Tom Lake, a book I could relate t...
Wow we truly are opposites! I really loved The Wedding People, so much more than I thought I would. It was so relatable for me, and so funny, despite some of its dark themes. I'd best not read Tom Lake, I'm sure to not like it!


(And Margo's Got Money Troubles was one of my all time favorite books. LOL I bet you don't like it hahahahah)"
Yep! I'm always thrilled when we agree on a book! LOL

Happy Sunday! Since tomorrow is Labor Day in the U.S. my typical gym schedule for a Monday is completely different. Rather than teaching at 6PM, I am scheduled to teach at 9AM! Ugh. Early bedtime for me tonight!

I have now ended up with three male cats (well, 2 cats and 1 kitten) in my household. This is the first I’ve heard of this working. The typical advice is not to house even two male cats together… But it has worked thus far. This is the result of my newly widowed neighbor obtaining a kitten upon her husband’s death. I didn’t think she had much experience with being a furbaby mom…and I was right. He is adorable!

The Goodreads Guide to Fall’s New Nonfiction Books

The Goodreads list of Readers’ Most Anticipated Fall Books

And a favorite of mine…Goodreads’ Month-by-Month Guide to Fall’s Biggest Mystery Novels

ADMIN STUFF:
THE NOVEMBER MONTHLY GROUP READ FINAL SELECTION POLL IS LIVE HERE!
This book could be used to fulfill Prompt #29 A book about a food truck
National Fast Food Day is November 16, 2025
https://www.calendarr.com/united-stat...
There are three titles still in contention:
The Way You Make Me Feel by Maurene Goo
Geekerella by Ashley Poston
A Psalm for the Wild-Built (Monk & Robot #1) by Becky Chambers
I read and adored one of these and am definitely up for reading both of the others after reading the synopsis for each!

THE OCTOBER MONTHLY GROUP READ IS The Fellowship of the Ring (Lord of the Rings #1) by J.R.R. Tolkien! This book could be used to fulfill prompt #18 A book containing magical creatures that aren't dragons!
National Black Cat Day is October 27, 2025
https://www.calendarr.com/united-stat...
Dubhease is the “magical manager” who has graciously volunteered to lead this discussion! Thank you ever so much! 👏👏👏👏👏👏

THE AUGUST MONTHLY GROUP READ IS Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt!
This book could be used to fulfill Prompt #28 A book with an unlikely friendship!
World UFO Day is July 2, 2025!!
https://www.calendarr.com/united-stat...
Vaish B is the "fun-filled friend" who has graciously volunteered to lead this discussion! Thank you so very much!! 👏👏👏👏👏👏
I absolutely adored this book and wouldn’t mind rereading it, if I can make the time to do so.

THE SEPTEMBER MONTHLY GROUP READ IS Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail by Ben Montgomery!
This book could be used to fulfill prompt #32 A book about an overlooked woman in history
Emma M. Nutt Day is September 1, 2025
A fascinating story of the world’s very first woman/female telephone operator!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emma_Nutt
Who is the “adventurous advocate” willing to lead this discussion? Message either Nadine or myself to volunteer, please!
I plan to read this one this next week and post some questions. I am especially interested in reading this since one of my best friend’s grandsons is currently walking the Appalachian trail!

THE LISTING OF 2025 MONTHLY GROUP READ TOPICS IS HERE!
***

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Has a really popular book ever disappointed you?
Oooph! Yes! The Wedding People is the most recent and memorable. Although I feel that may partially be due to the fact that I had just finished Tom Lake, a book I could relate to in so many ways and that totally resonated with me…whereas I felt Espach’s writing to be a bit choppy at times and some of her metaphors/similes were disruptive to me as I had to try to ‘get’ the connection!

2025 READING CHALLENGES:
Popsugar: 42/50
Around the Year (AtY): 51/52
AtY 2025 Anniversary List: 10/10 FINISHED
Read Harder: 16/24
52 Book Club: 44/52

2024 Popsugar: 47/50

FINISHED:
*The Pawful Truth (Cat in the Stacks #11) by Miranda James ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was a bit scarier than usual for this series. Charlie ends up confronting the killer, believing that with Haskell and Stewart alongside him he was safe… Diesel to the rescue!! Though Charlie suffered in the aftermath. Both Sean and Laura yelled at and lectured him. Helen Louise refused to speak to him for three days. Thank goodness for Diesel and Ramses for company during his exile from family and friends!
POPSUGAR: #1, #2, #4, #6, #40, #43
ATY: #2, #5, #11, #13, #15, #16, #23, #24, #26, #30, #32, #36, #37, #40, #41, #45, #48
RHC: #4, #11, #24
52 Book Club: #1, #2, #10, #22, #28/#29, #36, #41, #43

*Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was a reread for an IRL book club meeting last weekend. It had been 7 years since I had read it the first time and I realized that this time around I paid much more attention to Baldwin’s ingenious writing skill. His descriptions were intimately detailed and amazingly depicted. What an artist! This was an amazing book to prompt discussion!!
POPSUGAR: #6, #11, #14, #20, #35
ATY: #1, #2, #5, #13, #15, #16, #24, #26, #37, #44, #45, #48
RHC: #4, #8, #12, #24
52 Book Club: #2, #8, #22, #33, #37, #43

*His Spanish Bride (Rannoch Fraser #0.5) by Tracy Grant ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ is the first book in a new-to-me mystery series whose author was mentioned in The Pawful Truth! I love it when I enjoy a book or series that is mentioned by an author in another (unrelated) book! This is an amazingly unique premise. Two spies marry—each a spy working for opposing forces during wartime… Wow. Exactly how will this end? And within another 6 months there will be a baby! Uh-huh. Intriguing
POPSUGAR: #2, #6, #8, #11, #20, #25, #28, #31, #40
ATY: #2, #3, #13, #15, #16, #17, #23, #24, #25, #26, #27, #31, #32, #37, #41, #46, #47, #48
RHC: #11, #16, #24
52 Book Club: #9, #10, #22, #41, #43

*London Interlude (Rannoch Fraser #0.6) by Tracy Grant ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was fascinating! To imagine being in Suzanne’s position! Ugh…
POPSUGAR: #6, #8, #25
ATY: #2, #13, #15, #16, #17, #24, #26, #32, #40, #42
RHC: #11, #16, #24
52 Book Club: #7, #10, #22, #28/#29, #39, #43

*Mission for a Queen (Rannoch Fraser #7.5) by Tracy Grant ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was another unique installment in this series. I don’t recall ever having read this type of writing. A book starts out with depictions of the characters and mentions of interactions/events/revelations that have not yet been described to the reader. As you read, these past experiences are slowly revealed. I will say, especially since these first 3 installments were only available via ebook, I had to work at keeping the characters straight, especially given all the varied interrelationships that change throughout. Anxious to finally read an installment that is in true “book” form to see if my retention is helped, as I expect it will be…It has made it a bit more difficult for me to keep characters and their interrelationships in my mind as I read an ebook. However, my reading experience is always a good one. I am accustomed to some information being withheld and slowly revealed throughout an installment, but not this much in each and every book thus far. It proves to be a bit more challenging for me, but I am anxious to continue!
POPSUGAR: #2, #6, #8, #16, #25, #26, #28, #35, #40. #43
ATY: #2, #5, #13, #15, #17, #24, #25, #26, #32, #40, #41, #42, #45, #48
RHC: #4, #5, #11, #19, #24
52 Book Club: #3, #5, #7, #10, #22, #29, #43, #47

CONTINUING:
*The Fire This Time: A New Generation Speaks About Race by Jesmyn Ward
Definitely reading more from Rachel Kaadzi Ghansah in the future! (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel_...)
*East of Eden by John Steinbeck
*Begin Again: James Baldwin's America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own by Eddie S. Glaude Jr. is an excellent way to better understand and/or relate to James Baldwin’s experiences and writing!
*The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré is one I’m anxious to get back to and finish!
*The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley
*The Double Life of Benson Yu by Kevin Chong for an IRL book club meeting
*The Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty
*Hope in the Dark: The Untold History of People Power by RebeccaSolnit

PLANNED:
*Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe for an IRL book club meeting
*Her Hidden Genius by Marie Benedict
*The Invisible Husband of Frick Island by Colleen Oakley
*The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray
*The Mitford Affair by Marie Benedict

Bea wrote: "L Y N N wrote: "THE SEPTEMBER MONTHLY GROUP READ IS *Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail by Ben Montgomery!
This book could be used to fulfill ..."

Very cool! My copy arrived this weekend!

Bea wrote: "L Y N N wrote: "The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin"

Another serendipitous occurrence: I am reading The Paris Novel in which the main character, Stella, meets James Baldwin in Sha..."
Cool!

Kenya wrote: "Kittentits -- okay, I borrowed this one specifically because that title was hilarious. But after repeated uses of the “R” slur and the 10-year-old main character (view spoiler), I bailed."
All I can think is...WTF?