Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion

Here's the thread where you can post a request for a librarian's recommendation if you enjoy fiction.

Hello librarians,

I think it's brilliant that you offered to help out this way, and I'm looking forward to hearing your recommendation.

I find it difficult to describe my taste in books. My all-time favourites include Harry Potter, yet I generally don't care much for the fantasy genre. Other favourites include:

The Casual Vacancy - J.K. Rowling
The Art of Fielding - Chad Harbach
The Help - Kathryn Stockett
The Imperfectionists - Tom Rachman (his new book is on my list already)
The Night Circus - Erin Morgenstern
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky
Joy Comes in the Morning - Jonathan Rosen
The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffeneger (already read her other book)
Room - Emma Donoghue

Despite having studied English literature, I am generally not a fan of the classics.

Sometimes I struggle with books that have multiple narrators. It took me two tries before I managed to read The Casual Vacancy (which I then loved, thankfully).

I have an above average interest in bestsellers as I am fascinated by the idea that one book can speak to so many people from countless cultures all over the world. I also tend to read books that are about young people, either high school students, university students or recent graduates, probably because I relate to those groups most.

Hopefully you can make any sense of my taste in reading because I honestly can't. Curious to hear your suggestions!

Thanks in advance :-)

Hi Laura!

I like a lot of the same books that you have on your list! I recently read My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman and really enjoyed. It's also been as popular as some of the new bestsellers with our patrons lately. I had to wait a good 3 weeks to my hands on a copy!
Hope this helps!

Jessica, Library Clerk, Public Library in NC

Jessica wrote: "Hi Laura!

I like a lot of the same books that you have on your list! I recently read My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman and really enjoyed. It's al..."

Hi Jessica! Thank you for your recommendation - that certainly sounds like a book I'd enjoy!

Cheers :-)

You mentioned books about young people, have you read Prep (about a midwest girl who goes to an east coast boarding school, Gaudy Night (a mystery at a college featuring a graduate, one of the classic Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries), or The Secret History?

My favorite fiction titles that I read this past year include... The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer. This fits in several categories, book of letters, book with multiple authors, and novel set during wartime. The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman, The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (author who uses a pseudonym), and A Grown Up Kind of Pretty by Joshilyn Jackson.

Hi guys! Have any of you read the whole Wheel of Time series? I read some of them years ago but all the books weren't available then. I restarted now but it's quite the commitment, would you recommend this series?

Jessica wrote: "You mentioned books about young people, have you read Prep (about a midwest girl who goes to an east coast boarding school, Gaudy Night (a mystery at a college featuring a ..."

I haven't read any of them, though now I remember having heard about Prep! I've added all of them to my TBR-list and will try to incorporate them in the challenge. Thanks for suggesting!

Rhoda wrote: "My favorite fiction titles that I read this past year include... The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer. This fits in several categories, book of letters, book with m..."

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society has been on my TBR-list for ages so I've included that one already. Same for The Light Between Oceans :-) I wrote part of my MA thesis about The Cuckoo's Calling, but I'll be reading the sequel for the challenge. The other title I don't know yet, but sounds nice and will be going on my TBR.

I really appreciate all the input!

Christa wrote: "Hi guys! Have any of you read the whole Wheel of Time series? I read some of them years ago but all the books weren't available then. I restarted now but it's quite the commitment, would you recomm..."

Hi Christa,
I haven't read the Wheel of Time series but I have a few friends that have and they highly recommend it! It is definitely a commitment, but I bet you can find a way to fit the books into categories for the 2017 challenge. I read the Game of Thrones books for the first time this year, and in between the next book in the series I took a break to read something completely different, which was how I was able to fit in the other books and not get burned out on the series.

Laura wrote: "Hello librarians,

I think it's brilliant that you offered to help out this way, and I'm looking forward to hearing your recommendation.

I find it difficult to describe my taste in books. My all-t..."

Hi Laura!
It looks like we have a similar interest in books :) Caraval by Stephanie Garber is being released in January and I've heard it compared to the Night Circus, so that may be a good option and could count towards the book published in 2017 or possibly a book with a red spine.

If you haven't read Water for Elephants, I would suggest that as well.

Since you mentioned you like books with young adult/new adult narrators and one of your favorite books is The Perks of Being a Wallflower, I would also suggest reading It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini.

I like reading the New York Times bestsellers as well for the same reason you mentioned! I think my favorite one that I read this past year was A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman, which was unexpectedly funny and emotional.

I hope our combined suggestions help you get started for 2017 :)

Thanks Erin! I'm going to try to fit it in, taking a break in between will be a good idea :)

I love the Wheel of Time series! That said, the first four are great, by the seventh you want to throttle someone because they're moving so slow, and it finally picks up (and the female characters are fleshed out into individuals) when Brandon Sanderson took over for the last three. Not as dark as GoT, but still a good way to read 13,000 pages.

Jessica is there a big difference in style between Jordan and Sanderson? I understand this was reasons beyond anybody's control and I'm grateful someone actually finished the story but it's hard to imagine that someone can take a world existing in someone else's head and just carry on with it.... It's such a personal thing, it feels like even when Jordan wrote anything about the characters it was okay because they lived in his mind. If Sanderson lets the characters do something I don't like I imagine myself thinking "but how do you know...." I haven't read it yet, but I've read other stories that was continued by different authors and it just annoyed me. Or maybe I annoyed myself... I understand in this case though, it had to be done.

Hoping I can get some help for a Christmas gift? My Grandma loves to read, and over the last few years I've given her a stack of books for Christmas. Since I have this outlet - I thought I would come here for recommendations before I make the trip to Half Price tonight :)

I recently gave her The Nightingale and Go Set a Watchman, both of which she liked.

When I was over there last she gave me The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared and The Dinner to read.

For me, the biggest difference between the Jordan books and the Sanderson books is that the pace started to pick up again like it was moving in the first few books-- less multipage descriptions of Tairen nobles' clothing and more plot. They're still beasts of books (I have them in hardcover), but stuff HAPPENS, and it moves towards an endpoint again. And Brandon Sanderson at least makes an attempt to write women as humans. There's so many hints that Nynaeve/Elayne/Egwene/Aviendha are really interesting characters, but Jorden kept simplifying them down to braid-yanking and hair-tossing. These are badass women who can wield immense amounts of power, and Jordan wrote them like stereotypical middle school girls or nagging housewives.

Lindi wrote: "Hoping I can get some help for a Christmas gift? My Grandma loves to read, and over the last few years I've given her a stack of books for Christmas. Since I have this outlet - I thought I would co..."

The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure?

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr?

Benediction by Kent Haruf?

The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald?

Hello! Like the rest of you, I am looking for a librarian's recommendation! My favorite genre is YA, mostly fantasy, but I am looking to branch out to some contemporary or other type of reads! My favorite authors are:

John Green
J.K Rowling
C.C Hunter
Rick Riordan
Richelle Mead

I love Harry Potter, Paper Towns, An Abundance of Katherines, Shadow Falls and any Rick Riordan in particular.

Thanks! =)

Raegan, have you tried Sloppy Firsts? It's about a teenager but there was too much cursing for it to be shelved in YA. Jessica Darling's best friend has moved across the country, her older sister might be dropping out of college, and she's constantly perturbed by the mysterious Marcus Flutie, who may or may not have been involved with her older brother's death by OD. Jessica is funny, smart, and trying to navigate both high school and family life. This is one of my all-time favorites and a comfort reread for me.

Jessica wrote: "Raegan, have you tried Sloppy Firsts? It's about a teenager but there was too much cursing for it to be shelved in YA. Jessica Darling's best friend has moved across the country, her ..."


Thank you for this reccomendation! I hadn't heard of it! I'll check it out. This is my first time doing a challenge completely, and I'm pretty excited!

Hey everyone! So, I could definitely use a suggestion for this prompt. Can any librarian help?

Raegan wrote: "Jessica wrote: "Raegan, have you tried Sloppy Firsts? It's about a teenager but there was too much cursing for it to be shelved in YA. ."

I second the Jessica Darling recommendation completely! One of my all time favorite series!
Also, you might like The Royal We. =)

Elizabeth wrote: "Hey everyone! So, I could definitely use a suggestion for this prompt. Can any librarian help?"

What kind of books do you like to read Elizabeth?

Jessica wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "Hey everyone! So, I could definitely use a suggestion for this prompt. Can any librarian help?"

What kind of books do you like to read Elizabeth?"

Sorry it took me so long to respond, busy with holidays. Anyways, I enjoy all kinds of things really. My favorite authors are Charlaine Harris and Jodi Piccoult. I enjoy a lot of young adult, supernatural, and mystery books.

Elizabeth wrote: "Sorry it took me so long to respond, busy with holidays. Anyways, I enjoy all kinds of things really. My favorite authors are Charlaine Harris and Jodi Piccoult. I enjoy a lot of young adult, supernatural, and mystery books."

Have you tried Laurell K. Hamilton yet? I think she is very similar to Charlaine Harris and she's from St. Louis, like me!

Rebecca wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "Sorry it took me so long to respond, busy with holidays. Anyways, I enjoy all kinds of things really. My favorite authors are Charlaine Harris and Jodi Piccoult. I enjoy a lot of ..."

No haven't! But I can definitely give her a try.

Elizabeth wrote: "Jessica wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "Hey everyone! So, I could definitely use a suggestion for this prompt. Can any librarian help?"

What kind of books do you like to read Elizabeth?"

Sorry it took ..."

You might also like Darynda Jones and Ilona Andrews.

Hi Librarians- I'd like a recommendation for a Historical Fiction Novel. Other books in and out of this category I have enjoyed are Stones From the River, Story of Edgar Sawtelle, Their Eyes Were Watching God. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated.

The Big Wind: A Novel of Great Famine

One of my favorites ever!

Thank you! Looks wonderful!

Dear Librarians :)

Hope you all enjoy the holiday and this festive season.
I need your suggestion for an interesting book with a twisted/unpredictable plot :) My fav setting is a dystopias and I enjoy detective, historical, political and psychological genre in which the protagonists are not super human.

Looking forwards to hearing your reply.

Bests,
Phuong

Hello librarians and everyone else!
I like to read classics, so can anyone suggest a classic that is underestimated, one that you know is captivating but for some reason is not more popular.
I hope I am not asking for too much!
Thanks!

Hi Nina! Have you read Thomas Hardy's The Mayor of Casterbridge? It's a classic but not that widely read. It's definitely not for everyone, but I re-read it this year and enjoyed it a lot.

Hi Phuong! Have you read Persona, by Genevieve Valentine? Super-twisty political dystopia by a very talented writer.

Thegirlintheafternoon wrote: "Hi Nina! Have you read Thomas Hardy's The Mayor of Casterbridge? It's a classic but not that widely read. It's definitely not for everyone, but I re-read it this year and enjoyed it a lot."

I haven't read The Mayor of Casterbridge! So it's on my list now! thank you Thegirlintheafternoon

Phuong wrote: "Dear Librarians :)

Hope you all enjoy the holiday and this festive season.
I need your suggestion for an interesting book with a twisted/unpredictable plot :) My fav setting is a dystopias and I..."

Hi Phuong! Have you tried Gone Girl? It's not dystopian, but it's really twisted.

Nina wrote: "Thegirlintheafternoon wrote: "Hi Nina! Have you read Thomas Hardy's The Mayor of Casterbridge? It's a classic but not that widely read. It's definitely not for everyone, but I re-read it this year ..."

Hi Nina, I recommend The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte. She's the least well known of the Bronte sisters and her perspective is very different from Charlotte and Emily, less melodramatic and gothic.

Liz wrote: "Nina wrote: "Thegirlintheafternoon wrote: "Hi Nina! Have you read Thomas Hardy's The Mayor of Casterbridge? It's a classic but not that widely read. It's definitely not for everyone, but I re-read ..."
Thank you Liz for your recommendation! I will check it out!

Hi librarians!

What a great idea, thanks in advance for your advice! I'd appreciate your help picking a novel for this challenge item.

I’m generally a literary/historical fiction reader, and my goal this year is to read more works in translation, as well as more works by women writers. Some of my favourite authors in English include Barbara Kingsolver, Hannah Kent and Ali Smith, and the translated work I enjoyed most last year was A General Theory of Oblivion by Jose Eduardo Agualusa.

Thanks again for your help!

Sharon

Hello librarians,

I will like to get your suggestions about what books I should read for the challenge.
I'm Indian, and have read very few books by foreign writers. So, can you recommend me a book I should absolutely read. I don't mind what genre it is.

hello librarians! I'm looking for a recommendation. I like classics such as The Great Gatsby, Lolita or Anna Karenina, but I also love other kind of books such as Trainspotting or A Clockwork Orange. I want to discover new books and authors

Hello Librarians,
Please help me too...
This is my To Be Read collection.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

Any suggestions outside the collection too will be welcome.
Thanks in advance :)

Hello Librarians,
I really need your help!
I love science fiction and would be grateful if you could suggest something for me.
Thank you in advance.
XD

Dyan wrote: "Hey librarians!
For this year's challenge I'm actually looking for a good book that is set in college/university!
There are a lot of books about high school, but practically all books that are se..."

I Dyan, I'm not a librarian, but if you're looking for books set in a university I'd recommend The Secret History by Donna Tartt. Happy reading!

Sharon wrote: "Hi librarians!

What a great idea, thanks in advance for your advice! I'd appreciate your help picking a novel for this challenge item.

I’m generally a literary/historical fiction reader, and my..."

Hi Sharon! a book not only translated from its original Korean but also written by a woman (double score!) that you might try is The Vegetarian. I found it gripping, although I haven't been able to bring myself to write a review (yet).

Best,
Minna (librarian, with bun, but no glasses)

Milaarquen wrote: "Hello Librarians,
I really need your help!
I love science fiction and would be grateful if you could suggest something for me.
Thank you in advance.
XD"

The Martian is a personal favorite, but since it's so popular you may have read it already. Also Ready Player One and Across the Universe were pretty good.

Jessica
Public Library Clerk, NC

Em wrote: "Hello Librarians,
Please help me too...
This is my To Be Read collection.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

Any suggestions outside the collection too will be welcom..."

From your list I would recommend A Little Life. It is a beautifully written and wonderful story. However, it is not an easy book to read. It covers some difficult topics like sexual abuse, child prostitution, etc. I broke the reading into chunks so I could take breaks and read something lighter for a while. It really helped me not get overwhelmed by the content or the length of the book. Don't let this scare you away from reading it though, because it is an AMAZING book. =)

Jessica
Public Library Clerk, NC

Elena wrote: "hello librarians! I'm looking for a recommendation. I like classics such as The Great Gatsby, Lolita or Anna Karenina, but I also love other kind of books such as Trainspotting or A Clockwork Orang..."

Have you read any Chuck Palahniuk? Sounds like you might enjoy him!

Jessica
Public Library Clerk, NC

Hello librarians! Thank you so much for helping out in this way.

Hard to describe my tastes really, beyond just listing some of my favourite books of all time:

Cold Comfort Farm
Anything Barbara Kingsolver especially The Poisonwood Bible
The House of the Spirits
Wuthering Heights
The Cider House Rules
Alias Grace - this book stays with me for ages after a reading, it unsettles me but I love it! Like other Atwood stuff too, but some more than others.
Tulip Fever - love this quirky little book!
Behind the Scenes at the Museum and Kate Atkinson in general, love her Jackson Brodie books.

More recently I've loved We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves and Where'd You Go, Bernadette


Enjoyed Harry Potter, Northern Lights etc but generally fantasy stuff isn't really my thing. Love good historical fiction and am in awe of how Hilary Mantel writes, adore her. I like a good story and am probably more interested in an engrossing narrative than a particular writing style, I don't tend to notice the quality of the writing till after I've finished the book and reflect back!

Any ideas?

Minna wrote: "Sharon wrote: "Hi librarians!

What a great idea, thanks in advance for your advice! I'd appreciate your help picking a novel for this challenge item.

I’m generally a literary/historical fiction..."

That sounds perfect, thanks so much Minna!