Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2021 Weekly Check-Ins
>
Week 13: 3/26 - 4/1
Mod
ATY: 45/52
RHC: 7/24
Reading Women: 4/28
Some movement, but those last two definitely need to be my focus now for a few months!
FINISHED:
Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer (Theodore Boone #1) by John Grisham ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ to fulfill a 2021 Reading Challenge 25K Team Readathon prompt: Reread of a book from 2012. I absolutely adore this series and loved revisiting the first installment!
POPSUGAR: #18-Justice served, #21-Juvenile, Mystery, Young Adult, NEW #26, #34-Seeing justice served, #37, #47-One of my favorite all-time series!
ATY: #1-First book in a series, #7-A book set primarily in a workplace or office, #14, #23-Juvenile, Mystery, Young Adult, #27-Justice, #29, #31, NEW #39, #42
RHC: NEW #9
Beauty by Susan Wilson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ to fulfill the 2021 Reading Challenge 25K Team Readathon prompt: Read the book that is 12th on your TBR listing. It was when I listed this for the 25K Challenge at the end of February! I have read and loved several of Wilson’s later books. This was a retelling of Beauty and the Beast and while I’ve never been particularly attracted to that story, I heard such an enthralling rendition at the National Storytellers Festival several years ago that now I am enamored with it! This was very well done, IMO! Excellently drawn characters and a modern-day twist with a lesson—don’t remain in a relationship when you’re unhappy and unfulfilled by the other person! 😊
POPSUGAR: #7-Painter, #18-Accepting how a person looks and choosing to get to know them to determine whether you enjoy their personality, #19, #21-Fantasy, Retelling, Romance, #27, #33, #38-Alix was a painter, #40-From 2015 POPSUGAR Challenge-prompt #11 A book with a one-word title, #47-One of my all-time favorite authors!
ATY: #3-"Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes"-Lee and Alix trudge all night through the snow to rescue the two boys and Bad-Dog, #6, #7-A book related to Don McLean’s “American Pie”—“This’ll be the day that I die”, #8-New Hampshire, #20-The future of Alix’s life with or without Lee, #21, #23-Fantasy, Retelling, Romance, #27-Death, The World, #31, #34, #38-EMBRYO-That little unexpected embryo brought unexpected consequences, #40, #51, #52-The end (and beginning) of life
RHC: #24
Reading Women: #18
As I recall someone here recommended A Night to Remember by Walter Lord ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and it was a phenomenal read! This fulfilled the 2021 Reading Challenge’s 25K Readathon prompt-A book you shelved in the month you joined this group. A very simple concept—to reconstruct the sinking of the Titanic strictly using survivors’ memories. What was particularly impressive to me was the tension created as the quotations and paraphrased memories led up to and beyond the actual sinking. It always strikes me how easy it is to imagine how such catastrophic events can occur and people simply ‘do not know’ and/or are ‘unaware’ of their own circumstances until it is too late. This book depicts that so well. I did not realize that this also impacted society greatly by emphasizing the automatic discrimination determined by peoples’ wealth and ability to pay, creating an atmosphere for change. For me, at least, that appeared to be the silver lining, or at least part of it. Additionally, it was a good catalyst for men (men—read—WHITE men) to realize they were not all-knowing and were indeed unable to override nature at its most dangerous and unpredictable. There were also immediate changes in the regulations for lifeboats and total capacity for rescue of passengers and crew… Very informative, poignant and yet readable!
POPSUGAR: #17, #18-Safety and equal treatment for all, #21-Classic, History, Nonfiction, #22, #27, NEW #29, #34-Discrimination based upon wealth/ability to pay, #40-From 2017 POPSUGAR Challenge-prompt #14 A book involving travel
ATY: #7-A book published before you were born, #8-Started out in the UK, #9-A winter cold night in spring, #18, #23-Classic, History, Nonfiction, #26, #27-Jack, Death, #28, #31, #34, #38- DISAPPOINT: Much disappointment to be had--for those who died and the ones they left behind, for the overly-confident engineers and builders, and for the world, #39-more than one, #49, #52
I read the first book in Phyllis Reynolds Naylor’s Shiloh series many years ago and then gave it to my grandchildren. They had a house fire with smoke and water damage and lost all their books. I have yet to replace Shiloh for them but have since obtained the 3rd and 4th books in the series. I read Saving Shiloh (Shiloh #3) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ to fulfill the 2021 Reading Challenge 25K Readathon prompt-A book in a 4-book series. Another excellent book by Naylor. She is simply one of my favorite authors! Marty works to befriend and help Judd yet again…and succeeds! He tries to fight back against others’ prejudice regarding Judd’s past actions and behaviors, contending that people can change! I love a character who sticks up for others!
POPSUGAR: #18-Caring for animals and helping others, #21-Classic, fiction, juvenile, mystery, #27, #33, #36-153 on Goodreads, #40-From 2018 POPSUGAR Challenge-prompt #22 A book with alliteration in the title, #46, #47
ATY: #3-Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes/Silver white winters that melt into springs/When the dog bites/whiskers on kittens-Big snowstorms and then spring melts that create overflowing rivers, #7-A book with a theme of sibling rivalry, #19-Judd is trying to overcome his past, #23-Classic, Fiction, Juvenile, Mystery, #27-Death, Judgement, #29, #31, #34, #38-MISTREAT: Judd is learning not to mistreat his dogs, #42, #49
RHC: #24
Reading Women: #18
There are many issues tackled in A Shiloh Christmas (Shiloh #4) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and it ends up being heartwarming and hopeful without being ‘sappy’! I think one of the things I most appreciate about Naylor’s writing is that the characters are just as complex as in real life, none are purely mean and none are perfectly wonderful, but a mixture… I do appreciate her emphasis on the idea that as adults we tend to be a product of our upbringing/homelife with our parents/caregivers, though that doesn’t mean we can’t improve upon ourselves if we wish to do so!
POPSUGAR: #18-Compassion for all, #21-Fiction, Holiday, Juvenile, #27, #30, #36-62 reviews on Goodreads, #40-From 2015 POPSUGAR Challenge-prompt #45 Set during Christmas, #43, #46, #47-One of my all-time favorite authors!
ATY: #7-A book where the protagonist adheres to a religion that is not your own, #9, #20-The future looks brighter already!, #23-Fiction, Holiday, Juvenile, #27-Death, Judgement, #29, #31, #38-MISLEAD: Dara Lynn and Ruthie mislead Mrs. Preston, Mrs. Preston misleads Mrs. Dawes, #40, #47-HOTEL, #49, #52-In the end everyone connects in unexpected ways.
RHC: #24
Reading Women: #18
The Islander by Cynthia Rylant ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ was simply written and yet hauntingly poignant. There are some magical elements as well as depiction of loneliness and making of a family for oneself. A story that I’m certain will stay with me.
POPSUGAR: #22-Fantasy, Fiction, Juvenile, Mystery, Young Adult, #22, #27, #30-British Columbia, Canada, #33, #36-96 reviews on Goodreads, #38-Daniel and his grandfather are both carvers, #48
ATY: #7-A book written from the point of view of a child, #8-British Columbia, Canada, #23-Fantasy, Fiction, Juvenile, Mystery, Young Adult, #25, #27-Death, #31, #38-WATER: the island is surrounded by water, #42, #43, #51, #52-In the end Daniel creates his own belonging and family
RHC: #13, #24
Reading Women: #18
Memories of Summer by Ruth White ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ was quite accurate, IMO. The writing was quite adequate, nothing that thrilled me nor repulsed me, but provided a good story. Having had an aunt who suffered from paranoid schizophrenia most of her adult life, I felt White depicted the symptomatic actions and behaviors quite accurately. Though it varies greatly with each individual there are often underlying basic symptoms recurrent with most schizophrenic patients.
POPSUGAR: #4, #18-Compassion for those suffering mental health challenges, #21-Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Health & Wellness, Prejudice/Discrimination, Young Adult, #27, #34-Compassionate treatment for mental health patients, #36-100 reviews on Goodreads, #38-Summer had a beautiful singing voice, #40-From 2016 POPSUGAR Challenge-prompt #9 A book with less than 150 pages,
ATY: #3-Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes, Weather in Flint Michigan, was quite different from that in the Virginia hills!, #7-A book related to dreams, #8-Flint, Michigan, #9, #15, #21, #23- Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Health & Wellness, Prejudice/Discrimination, Young Adult, #26, #31, #34, #38-ANTICIPATION: Anticipation of Summer’s eventual institutionalization, #40, #52-The end of Summer’s ability to live outside an institutional setting.
RHC: #22, NEW #23
CONTINUING:
The Secret History by Donna Tartt for a March Buddy Read. I have no idea where this is going. Tartt just keeps me guessing! Anxious to finish it this week. Hopefully tonight…
Two more for the 2021 Reading Challenge 25K Readathon:
Magpie Murders (Susan Ryeland #1) by Anthony Horowitz
Gathering Blue (The Giver #2) by Lois Lowry
Once those are complete I may just pickup my very special gift and read it! That would be The Third Angel by Alice Hoffman. It makes me smile every time I see it or think about it! 😊
These below are still on the back burner for now…but not forgotten!
Eva Luna by Isabel Allende to fulfill the 2020 Reading Women prompt #26 A book written by Isabel Allende.
Paradise by Toni Morrison to fulfill the 2020 Reading Women prompt #25 A book written by Toni Morrison.
Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence (Classsics, Literature) Annotated |56605996]. Still…
Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family by Robert Kolker
The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Excellent writing! It really flows.
How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi.
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi. Excellent so far! I love Reynolds' humor!
Learning Race, Learning Place: Shaping Racial Identities and Ideas in African American Childhoods by Erin N. Winkler
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo
The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois
I finished The Edge as my book that I meant to read last year. i am almost finished with How Long 'til Black Future Month? as my afrofuture book. I don't this is my genre. Plus, I didn't realize they were short stories. Not really into short stories. I've enjoyed some of them. Valedictorian was my favorite thus far and since I only have two to go, probably will remain that way.
qotw: No.
Mod
Mod
Yesterday was my birthday. Mid-60's is feeling pretty stressed right now! :)
Health Update: We me..."
Happy Birthday!!
Mod
OMG! I am laughing so hard and trying to keep quiet since my husband is still sleeping! That is absolutely hysterical!! BTW, we do have several containers of cranberry juice and I am forcing him to drink at least two glasses every day! (Well, I pepare them and hand them to him with the admonition to "Drink this!" LOL) So it is appropro, but still hysterical!
Mod
Yesterday was my birthday. Mid-60's is feeling pretty stressed right now! :)
Happy Birthday!!"
Thanks, Nadine! And thanks for "keepin' the faith"! :)
Happy Thursday, y’all.Lynn -- it sounds like you have a good surgeon. Best of luck to you and your husband right now! We're all here for you.
Books read this week:
Differently Morphous -- for “book written by a blogger, vlogger, YouTube content creator, or other online personality.” This book was rather ambitious, trying to be an urban fantasy, a cosmic horror story, and a cutting satire all at once. I think it tried to bite off more than it could chew… but it was still entertaining and funny, and DID have some things to say about the hypocrisy that some of the more misguided social justice issues can exhibit (such as people wanting to champion the rights of the otherworldly beings… but only if they’re cute or conventionally attractive for the cameras).
Howl’s Moving Castle -- for “favorite prompt from 2015 (book made into a movie).” One of the few books where I think I liked the movie better, though the book was still a lot of fun and had a great deal of charm to it.
Ponies -- Tor short, not for the challenge. Oof… despite being so short and somewhat heavy-handed, this was almost a more effective supernatural take on “Mean Girls” than Bunny ever hoped to be.
Beetle & the Hollowbones -- graphic novel, not for the challenge. Loved the art, loved the story, and really want to see more of Beetle and Kat down the road!
DNF:
Ancillary Justice -- was going to be for “your favorite prompt from 2020 (book with a robot, AI, or cyborg in the title).” Boy, this is boring. And the treatment of gender (using “she/her” as the default pronouns) felt more like a gimmick than anything else. It’s possible to write a book from the POV of an AI or robot that isn’t boring, I swear...
Challenge stats:
Regular challenge books -- 26/45
Advanced challenge books -- 7/10
Not for the challenge -- 22
Currently Reading:
Bradbury Stories: 100 of His Most Celebrated Tales -- for “longest book on your TBR list”
The Last Unicorn: A Search for One of Earth's Rarest Creatures -- for “book with the same title as a song”
The Red Tent -- for “book with a family tree”
Rule of Wolves -- not for the challenge
QOTW:
On Google Docs I keep a to-read list and a list of the books I've read along with what star rating I gave them on Goodreads. Does that count?
Happy birthday Lynn! It's our cat's birthday today... did you also get some catnip mice as a gift? ;) I'm at 42/50 for the challenge. Should be done at the end of this month, maybe?
This week I finished:
War: How Conflict Shaped Us It was ok... I guess it was about what it said it was about, but I wasn't as interested in the topic as I expected. 3 stars
What's Mine and Yours This was sadder than expected, but still pretty good. 4 stars
The Roxy Letters I read this because I'm working on my first novel, which is set in Austin, and I heard this was also set in Austin. It very much is. There were tons of local details in the story which was fun, but I thought over-the-top at times. The story was very silly and kind of annoying at times, but I guess it was nice to read something light for once. 3 stars
How Beautiful We Were This was a little up and down (as far as my interest), but I really appreciate the topic/theme. 4 stars
The Mixquiahuala Letters This was a really slow read for me but there were some powerful moments. 3.5 stars
Memorial Drive: A Daughter's Memoir was more depressing and shorter than expected, but it drew me in and I really feel for the pain experienced by the author. 4 stars
I'm currently listening to We Run the Tides and switching between a few books in print: Dept. of Speculation, Useful Phrases for Immigrants: Stories, and Craft in the Real World: Rethinking Fiction Writing and Workshopping.
QOTW: I keep running wishlists/carts in my accounts for Better World Book, Thrift Books, Libro.fm, and Audible.
Happy birthday Lynn! Sending continued love and strength to you and your husband.cw: death of a loved one
(view spoiler)
We woke up to an inch or so of snow this morning -- Happy April Fool's Day, indeed! The sun's out now and we expect temps to be in the upper 60s and low 70s in the next few days. And baseball season is here! That always brightens my mood.
I finished three books this week:
The Anatomist's Wife - 3 stars. Middle-of-the-road historical mystery. Not sure about the chemistry between the leads. If I continue this series it'll be in print. Set somewhere you'd like to visit in 2021
A Jury Of Her Peers - 4 stars. I prefer the sparseness of the play over the wordiness here, but it's still a brilliant story regardless.
Chainbreaker - 4 stars. Can't wait to grab the sequel.
PS 26/50
Set aside:
The Wolf of Oren-Yaro - I made it to 40% but the slow burn isn't doing anything for me right now. Hopefully coming back sooner rather than later.
Currently reading:
Invisible Man - Started this morning. Joe Morton's narration is second to none and well on its way to hitting my top 3 audiobooks, and I'm only 10% in!
The Conductors - The writing feels jerky. I'm trying to stick with it because it serves another reading challenge, but it's a debut that feels like a debut. I love the concept but the writing is jarring.
Daughter of Sand and Stone - Loving this right now. The time period and setting are lushly described, and the main character is wonderfully ambitious.
Backseat:
A Curious Beginning - Still waiting patiently for me to get back to it; if not after Conductors, definitely after Daughter is finished. For sure this time!
Upcoming:
Winter's Reach - Supposed to start this as part of a group read today, but I want to knock out one of my other reads first; five at once feels like an overload.
Question of the Week: Do you keep electronic lists of books online at a site other than Goodreads?
Edit: I do keep Hoopla and Libby/Overdrive wishlists, along with the Google spreadsheets I use to track everything.
This week I finished:One Perfect Lie: Something broken on the cover; I gave this three stars. It did have a twist that I definitely wasn't expecting, but overall it felt hurried and unrealistic.
A Heart in a Body in the World: A book with a heart on the cover (You could also use it for 3 generations, a social justice issue, or a book set mostly outside). This was my 40th book of the challenge, and I think it was the best book I've read so far this year. I can't think of a book more genuine in its character development or raw in its emotions. I cried more than once to the point of sobs. It made me feel like Speak did when I read it for the first time about 20 years ago, and it has been one of my all time favorites ever since. There is so much to say about this book, but so little that can be said without spoiling it, so I'll just leave it at HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! I finished it on Sunday and I'm still thinking about it.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Not for this year's challenge, but I filled in a 2016 prompt with it; Basically I was in a bad mood one night and wanted to hear a bed time story, so I got the free audiobook version of this and let Eddie Redmayne read me to sleep.
Currently reading:
Anxious People: Anyone who knows me knows that I'm obsessed with everything Backman does. I actually started this one last year, and got about 25% through it and decided that I wasn't in the mindset to appreciate it, so I returned it to the library, bought my own copy, and have been waiting until the right time. I am 20 chapters in and it is everything, as all of his books are.
Heart Berries: It has felt really important to me to choose my books carefully for the prompts that promote diversity. I chose poorly for a book by a Muslim American author and I may revisit that prompt. I started several books and changed my mind for the BLM prompt and I was glad that I did. I have now done the same for an indigenous author, but I think I found a winner in this one. I downloaded the audiobook and it reads like spoken word poetry, which is a bit outside my comfort zone, but I think will have a bigger impact than some of my earlier choices.
QOTW:
Not really. I have wish lists on Amazon, Hoopla and Overdrive, but they aren't nearly as complete as my Goodreads list.
Lynn wrote: "As I recall someone here recommended A Night to Remember by Walter Lord ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and it was a phenomenal read! "So glad you enjoyed A Night to Remember! I love Walter Lord and I'm fairly sure I was the one talking about his Pearl Harbor and Midway books and said he was best known for his book about the Titanic. (There's a sequel too, The Night Lives On.)
This was an absolute nightmare of a week that triggered my anxiety in terrible ways. All I wanted to do after work was curl up on the couch and watch comfort movies. I didn’t read a single word this week. I’m scheduled to get my first dose of the COVID vaccine today. I’ll take a book to read during my 20 minute wait after the shot. We have a long holiday weekend off, so I hope I feel like reading some. But if not, I’m going to stick with comfort distractions and not feel guilty about it.Reading
Cat Among the Pigeons by Agatha Christie (a book where the main character works at your current or dream job). Sign me up to be an independently wealthy eccentric private detective, please.
Watership Down by Richard Adams (a book set mostly or entirely outdoors)
Breath The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor (a book about a subject you are passionate about)
QOTW
My library has a Wishlist feature in our online accounts. I use it to keep a list of books I want to check out in the future.
Heather wrote: "This was an absolute nightmare of a week that triggered my anxiety in terrible ways. All I wanted to do after work was curl up on the couch and watch comfort movies. I didn’t read a single word thi..."Sending love and snuggles, Heather! I vividly remember the last handful of panic attacks I dealt with a few months ago and they always suck the life out of me.
Mod
Nominating polls should be open now through next Wednesday, April 7th for the July, August, and September monthly group reads HERE!
Happy nominating! 👏⏳📝✔
Mod
So glad you enjoyed A Night to Remember! I love Walter Lord and I'm fairly sure I was the one talking about his Pearl Harbor and Midway books and said he was best known for his book about the Titanic. (There's a sequel too, The Night Lives On.)"
I will definitely add that my TBR! Thanks again! It was an excellent experience!
Mod
We are such different readers, because that series became one of my all-time favorite SFF series, and Breq is one of my favorite characters!! I was a bit confused in the first book, but not bored.
Mod
I made spelt bread yesterday, and it's fantastic! So tasty!! Why isn't spelt flour easier to find???
Saturday is my daughter's 18th birthday! She's having all the feels about that. So tomorrow I'll be dying Easter eggs AND making birthday cake.
This week I started a whole bunch of books, but I finished only two! One filled a Challenge category, so I am now 19/50.
Dune by Frank Herbert - this book was so long, it felt like an accomplishment to finish!! I'm glad I re-read it, because now I can look forward to the movie; I'm hoping the movie is better than the book, because I don't exactly love the book. It had potential, but Herbert can't conceive of women as actual human beings with complex feelings and motivations. His book is all about the men. I've read that Herbert based Lady Jessica (Paul's mother) on his own wife, which makes me wonder what their relationship was like. Did she let her son push her around, the way Lady Jessica does? I checked off "book your best friend would like" which is a bit of a cheat, since I don't really think that, but the only reason I read it was because my daughter wanted to read it, so we did a "buddy read." And it is such a long book, I HAD to find a category to check off!
The Awful Rowing Toward God poems by Anne Sexton - this was the last book Sexton published before her untimely death, and it feels like she knew this was the end. In the last poem, she finally reaches the shore.
QotW
I do keep "Wishlists" on my Overdrive accounts, it helps when I just need an audiobook real quick, I scroll through until I find one available; usually - but not always - the books on my "Wishlist" are also on my GR TBR.
Morning,I've really been struggling to not get into a reading slump. February and March are usually my lowest reading months and I've been pushing through and stayed consistent.
Finished:
The Chestnut Man - This was a reread for me for my book club. I didn't love it as much the second time around but still a really strong mystery thriller and I'm interested to see how they adapt it for TV.
Women and Gender in Islam: Historical Roots of a Modern Debate - I actually had the ARC of this rerelease through NetGalley and really enjoyed it. It's very informative, a little more academic than I'm used to reading but so interesting. I highly recommend.
Mary Ventura and the Ninth Kingdom for a book in a different format than what you normally read (audiobooks, ebooks, graphic novels). This is just a straight up short story and I just don't read those. So, perfect fit! I really liked this. It's my first Plath and I can't wait to read more in the future.
The Remains of the Day - This is my first Ishiguro. This one took me awhile to get through (no fault of the book just pushing through a slump) and I really enjoyed it. It's so quiet and reflective. I have Never Let Me Go checked out from the library and I plan on starting that soon.
Currently Reading:
Anna Karenina for the book that’s been on your TBR list for the longest amount of time. Still doing the year of Anna Karenina on Reddit. I'm really enjoy this one. I have a feeling something big is going to happen to one of the characters in the next few chapters. I can't wait to read on.
A Discovery of Witches for a book with a family tree. I'm listening to the audiobook of this one and really loving it. I tried using it for the challenge last year and wasn't feeling it but I'm glad I re-picked it up. I'll probably end up picked up the rest of the series to physically read if I keep enjoying this one.
Astrid Sees All - I have the eARC of this one through NetGalley and am only a couple of chapters in. I like it fine so far, we'll see how it goes.
Leviathan Wakes - I also plan on starting this one this week as my actual physical book. I'm reading it for booksandlala's Buzzwordathon April prompt which is space.
QOTW:
I have a few books on my Amazon wishlist, I also have a Waterstones wishlist (they have some great exclusive covers), I have a bookdepository wishlist, I have a bookshop.org wish list...yeah I buy from a bunch of places. I also have a Storygraph account but that TBR list matches my GR one. I also have started keeping a spreadsheet for the year to track everything. I'm using the Bookriot one (it's so nice!).
Happy Thursday and Happy Birthday! Very glad it's the long Easter weekend from the moment - I've spent the whole week feeling really tired!Finished:
The Overstory for A book about a social justice issue. I wasn't sure whether I would like this or not, but it turned out I did - although I really can't explain exactly why, as it didn't have a plot, as such, and didn't really go anywhere!
Still Me for A book that has the same title as a song. It was debateable whether the first sequel to Me Before You was needed, but at least that one was a decent read. This one was totally unnecessary, and riddled with plot holes, characters behaving weirdly and loose ends!
Haven't started anything new yet, but next is going to be A Comedy of Terrors: Flavia Albia 9, which I'm hoping might fill A book with a family tree, but if not will definitely fill A book that's published in 2021. I enjoy getting my Lindsey Davis fix like clockwork every April!
QOTW:
The only other electronic list I have is my Kindle wishlist. I did stop adding books to that when I first joined Goodreads a couple of years back, but I've recently started adding things again, as my Kindle seems to like getting to the store page for the book through the wishlist, as opposed to through the Goodreads function, so it just makes life easier!
I hope your husband recovers well. I'm reading slower this week between all the therapy and teaching online. Never thought I'd spend 2 months in a hospital bed and another 6 months relearning how to walk.
For the prompt A book that has a heart, diamond, club, or spade on the cover I read Curse of the Specter Queen by Jenny Elder Moke. It wasn't the one I planned for this but I got an ARC to review and there was the little heart (since I'm cut off from my book shelves) It's a YA set in the 20s with some magic realism and I enjoyed it
For the prompt An Afrofuturist book I read Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet Vol. 1 by Ta-Nehisi Coates Okay it's actually African Futurist which is slightly different. Either way this was a dull rendition of poor T'Challa.
For the prompt A book that was published anonymously I read The Poetic Edda: The Mythological Poems I've heard snippets over the years so I decided it was time to read it. It was rather dull. the more memorable part was one woman whose King father was killed and his line shamed. She decided to make an uber king to challenge him by sleeping with her brother so the kid would be related to her father on both sides....
QOTW I keep lists on my book blog and a wishlist on Amazon
Hi all, Michigan is another area going "APRIL FOOLS" with snow today. It was 70 on tuesday, it'll be 70 Sunday. but no, today, it's 25 and snow on the ground.
Happy birthday Lynn! Hope everything goes well with your husband
This week I finished:
The Island of Sea Women - book with three generations. I liked this pretty well, interesting story, sad, well researched. My only real qualm is something about the writing just never really fully clicked. I abstractly felt bad for a lot of characters, but it didn't really hit with an emotional punch. Also used for Read Harder historical fiction with a POC or LGBTQ protagonist, ATY past present and future, as the past since it was about historical events, book nerds related to water.
Nothing to See Here - next books & brew pick for April. I liked this, short and weird. Looking forward to talking about it in a couple weeks. Used for Popsugar magical realism, ATY title contains a negative, book nerds book with an odd couple or pairing.
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet - audio re-read just for fun.
Interior Chinatown - this was good, really made me think about how Asian Americans are treated within the country, but set in a fairly humorous way. Don't think it works for popsugar, used for ATY book with a monochromatic cover, book nerds BIPOC author.
Currently reading:
The Gilded Ones - this will be my book seen on a shelf, I'm counting goodread shelves, I've seen a couple people shelve it as want to read so i feel that counts. I'm liking it quite a bit.
1Q84 - no real progress this week.
QOTW:
Do my spreadsheets in google docs count? I have a master list of everything I read just to have an easier time checking out some of the stats I'm interested in that goodreads doesn't have, along with the various challenge sheets to mark off what I read for each prompt.
Otherwise not really, unless price tracking for sales count.
Hello all! Work is super busy. I "only" worked until 8:30 last night, after almost going to midnight on Monday, but will have to stop tonight in time for church. Maundy Thursday is my favorite church service of the year (I know, I'm weird) and I'll be watching my church's livestream this evening for the second year in a row. Fingers crossed I'll be comfortable attending church in person next year for Holy Week!Finished This Week:
Promised the Moon: The Untold Story of the First Women in the Space Race by Stephanie Nolen. I was inspired by everyone's Women's History Month posts to pick this up for March reading. I'm not sure my actual reaction to it. It's part history of women in flight (also covered in The Women with Silver Wings: The Inspiring True Story of the Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War II, with a ton of overlap. This one at least talked about Amelia Earhart), part history of NASA and the US space program (I've read a ton of books on that), part biographies of the 13 women who took the Mercury tests, and part history of their fight for to take more tests/be officially part of NASA. Only that last part is what the story purports to be. The story of the fight was interesting, but it didn't seem like there was much to it beyond a doctor acting on his own, and not through his official position with NASA, but the women being tested thinking he did have official sanction, and they would get to be astronauts. I think it would have been better with a tighter focus. There are other books about these women, and I intend to seek those out. Not using for prompt.
Tools of Engagement by Tessa Bailey. Final book in the Hot & Hammered series. I didn't especially like book 1, and actively hated book 2, but I figured I should read Bethany's story to finish the arc. And I'm so glad I did. Bethany struggles with perfectionism, and cannot let others realize she doesn't have it together like the image she projects. And then she commits to a project she probably isn't qualified for, and Wes, the guy she's been flirting with this whole time, sees beneath the mask. It wasn't the romance, but the journey Bethany went on, that made the book for me. Not for prompt.
PS: 20/50 RH: 3/24 RW: 6/28 ATY: 24/52 GR: 41/100
Currently Reading:
Come as You Are: The Surprising New Science that Will Transform Your Sex Life Still reading this. Just started over, since it'd been a month since I'd last picked it up, and I was only in chapter three.
Joe Rochefort's War: The Odyssey of the Codebreaker Who Outwitted Yamamoto at Midway by Elliot Carlson. Haven't picked this one back up since I put it down a few weeks ago.
I have Igniting Darkness and The Ables checked out, and Rebel Sisters in transit at the library, so I imagine I'll read one of those next.
Question of the Week: Do you keep electronic lists of books online at a site other than Goodreads?
I have a list at Amazon of the ones I think I'll want to actually purchase, and a list at my library to see if they're available for check out, but I mostly consolidated both of those with Goodreads in December. So everything on both of those lists should also be in the GR list now.
Happy Easter/Passover for those who celebrate! For those who don't, Happy End of the Week!Happy birthday, Lynn! And good luck to you and your husband!
Ashley Marie, I'm so, so sorry for your loss.
And Heather, panic attacks are so rough--I really hope they subside for you.
I know this doesn't mean the same thing for everyone, but even though we're all sort of strangers, I do try to keep you all in my prayers!
I got my second dose of the Pfizer vaccine yesterday, so I'm really happy! I have a very sore arm, but my other symptoms (I think) are more related to allergies.
Finished: I finally finished some books!!
Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-first Century edited by Alice Wong - a book about a social justice issue. This book gets heavy, but it's so important. And since it's all short essays, it's easy to put down to step away and process. I also really appreciate that there are trigger warnings before the essays that talk about really rough things.
Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor: Afrofuturism. Oh man, this was SO GOOD. I did find it jarring that it mostly read like a middle grade book, but then the violence was on the YA side. But I'm really eager for the rest of the trilogy! I'm not going to read the second one until the third one is out, though--I don't want to read that cliffhanger that's likely there and then have the frustrating wait for the next book.
Currently Reading:
The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron
Five Children and It by E. Nesbit: This will be my "book set somewhere you'd like to visit" (in this case, England). I'm only a chapter in and I'm already completely enchanted!
QOTW:
The only other list I keep is on amazon for books I actually want to own. I can then easily reference it if I'm at a bookstore or shopping elsewhere online (and it allows my family members to see what books I want for gifts).
Happy Thursday! I'm looking forward to some April Fools' jokes, but I haven't had any yet. I'm starting to wonder if everyone forgot, which wouldn't be surprising during these COVID times. I have been a little slow on the reading lately because we were doing a whole lot of paperwork and phone calls and video calls with our social workers because we are trying to adopt a baby. It sounds like we're done with everything for now, and we just wait until some wonderful young women chooses us as parents for her child. I've always felt pretty strongly about adoption as my choice for how to have children. I identify as non-binary and have never been super comfortable with the idea of pregnancy, and with my "advanced maternal age" (post-35), adoption was just the right choice for us. We're pretty excited about it. This week I did finish 2 books. First, I finished The Final Revival of Opal & Nev, which was my March BOTM selection. This book was amazing. Definitely the best book I've read so far this year. A lot of people are comparing it to Daisy Jones and the Six, and it is similar in format, but the story is very different. But, I can't wait for the eventual movie of this thing. Opal Jewel is my new hero.
I also finished Wilde Child, which is the new Eloisa James addition to the Wildes of Lindow Castle series. It was fun. I love this family, but I feel like they're running out of people to marry off. LOL.
QOTW: No, just goodreads. Too many lists is confusing.
Happy Thursday Goodreads friends! What a week this has been...my live-in boyfriend tested positive for COVID exactly one week after receiving the first shot. I tested negative and he is in isolation (he is seriously not allowed to touch anything LOL). He is feeling "ok" but has a tightening in his chest and gets exhausted easily. I hope I can stay negative and will probably test again in a week or so just to be sure it isn't hiding inside somewhere.
Anyway, on to books:
Reading:
Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams. I go back and forth with this book. I am about half way through and it is definitely an easy read - which I needed after A Little Life. It is ok enough for now.
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart. I started this one on Audio and they may have been a mistake for a few reasons. 1) the narrator's Scottish accent is a little thick for me. I might need to switch to the physical book. 2) From the reviews I have read the book deals with a lot of triggers and the overall book is heavy - which again I just finished with A Little Life. A lot of people compared the content warnings as being similar. So I may have to pause and come back to this.
QOTW:
I just use Goodreads - I have looked into alternatives but keep coming back to Goodreads. I do put some books in my Amazon cart for gift cards or when I feel I want to buy myself something.
Mod
I have borrowed Igniting Darkness from my library TWICE now, and I haven't been able to get to it! Too many books!!!
You'll probably read it before me - I look forward to your review. And then I'll borrow it a third time.
Mod
cw: death of a loved one ..."
I am so sorry for your loss. I hope your husband is able to find closure and peace.
Mod
I'm reading slower this week between all the therapy and teaching online. Never thought I'd spend 2 months in a hospital bed and another 6 months relearning how ..."
Wow, that's a long time to be stuck in the hospital. Did you have a bad bone break? I'm glad you've got books to keep you company, and I hope you're walking again soon.
Mod
Wow! so much going on in our group right now!! Best wishes :-)
Happy Thursday. I finished 2 books for the week. One ebook & one audio.The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis. Used for a book with a gem,mineral,or rock in the title. This may be a stretch but it worked for me. This may be the closest I come to filling this prompt so I went for it. The Lions being referred to in the title are Patience and Fortitude. They guard the entrance to the Beaux-Arts building at Fifth Avenue & 42nd Street. They are marble which is metamorphic rock. I gave the book 2 stars.
An American Sunrise by Joy Harjo. This is a book of poetry I listened to for book club. I used it for a book of nature poems. Joy Harjo is the current poet laureate. She is a member of the Myskoke Nation. Nature is a large part of her culture. Her poetry reflects a lot of nature.
QOTW: The only electronic tracking I use for my books is good reads.
Hi everyone and happy birthday to all the humans and cats celebrating :D This morning my brother pranked my nephew with a letter "from the prime minister" saying he had to go to school on Saturdays and YouTube was banned. It only lasted about three seconds because the poor lad was almost in tears!
This week I didn't finish anything but I did read a lot. Still working on The Three-Body Problem and The Angel of the Crows. I'm going to need a fluffy, quick read after these.
QOTW: No. I used to use another website but it shut down about a few years ago so just Goodreads
I'm so looking forward to the long holiday weekend. The switch to British Summer Time has been a struggle this week, I'm so tired. The heatwave everyone was so excited about didn't really happen either, we had one warm day and then it's been cloudy.Finished:
Hummingbird Salamander by Jeff VanderMeer for a book published in 2021. Was a bit disappointed in this, I was expecting weird, but it was just, I dunno, disjointed? It's a review copy so I have to think about it more, but I didn't feel like I was progressing in solving the mystery at all or that it hand anything interesting to say about the environment. I liked the character's relationship with her handbag though.
Rescue Me by Sarra Manning for ATY (love story) and Read Harder (fat positive romance). I was a bit irritated by Margot at the start, but loved the story of dog ownership and did end up warming to the characters. Just what I needed after a few slow books.
Future Perfect by Felicia Yap for ATY (future). I enjoyed this near-future thriller about predictive algorithms set in the fashion world, I didn't even guess the identity of the person from the past (though I guess the audiobook narrator purposefully led me astray).
Currently reading Last Night at the Telegraph Club.
PS: 15/50 | ATY: 14/52 | RH: 6/24 | GR: 33/100
QOTW:
I do keep wishlists on Amazon, even though they are not the main place I buy books, I just like using them for their wishlist functionality. I like to keep my wishlist separate from Goodreads so I know what books I have.
Then I have my online spreadsheets, blog and my Twitter thread of books read this year. I've tried StoryGraph but I got a bit bored since it's not social and it was just another thing to have to remember to update.
Mod
That looks really interesting!
Finished:X-Men: The Art and Making of The Animated Series by Eric and Julia Lewald (book that starts with Q, X, or Z)(3/5)
There's some good and fascinating information here, but it is much more "art" than "making of" within its pages.
The Thinking Fan's Guide to Walt Disney World: Epcot by Aaron Wallace (a book about a subject that you are passionate about)(4/5)
His Magic Kingdom book is also quite good. I learned a bit about someplace I already know a lot about, and the perspectives were interesting. If you have ever asked yourself what the purpose of Epcot should be, then you will probably like this book.
DNF:
Chain of Attack by Gene DeWeese
I read almost half the book before abandoning it. There's so many good Star Trek books that it is not worth slogging through mediocre ones.
Currently Reading:
Remnant (Force Heretic, #1) by Sean Williams and Shane Dix
The Entropy Effect by Vonda N. McIntyre
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
How to Forget: A Daughter's Memoir by Kate Mulgrew
She is a great writer, but I am on the verge of DNF'ing How to Forget. The subject matter is dark, depressing, and disturbing.
Question of the Week:
I have an offline spreadsheet and Goodreads for tracking. I add the books I want to read to an Amazon wishlist in case they have a major ebook sale before I find them at the library.
Gosh, so many life events going on in the group right now! I'll be thinking good thoughts for everyone. My entire news for this week is we met some friends at a farmer's market and sat outside and chatted and ate fresh foods and it was lovely. People, you know? They're pretty great to hang out with.Finished this week:
Get a Life, Chloe Brown: The drama seemed a little manufactured, but overall I liked it.
The Winter of the Witch: The pacing of the book was a little odd because like many last books in a series, it had a lot of plot. However, I did think it was a satisfying conclusion.
Wide Sargasso Sea: I love Jane Eyre (which I think is secretly subversive and feminist) and I've been meaning to read Bertha's story for a solid two decades. I finally did and I just loved it. It's dreamy, unsettling, frustrating, and beautiful. Also Mr. Rochester is THE WORST.
Currently reading:
Passing: This is my first book by Nella Larsen, but it won't be my last. It's great.
The House in the Cerulean Sea: My library hold finally came through! I am ready to be charmed.
QOTW: I have a wish list on Audible because I have a low tolerance for bad narration, and I peruse the reviews pretty heavily for mentions of mispronounced words, etc. Mostly, though, I use goodreads.
I have to look up what all of the acronyms mean. PS (Pop Sugar!!) I'm 31/50. I've actually never completed a challenge, I always get a little bored with the prompts and go on my own way. I'm way ahead this year though, (normally in a year I only finish around 50 books so everyone would have to be PS, and that just doesn't work for me.). But, I'm getting a lot more read this year, and I still have some topics that are (could be interesting), so this may be the year!
I finished four books this week.
(Same zodiac sign). I love pride and prejudice and read that once a year...haven't read this one since high school, and I just don't like it. I just don't like the characters and the classism over how little they cared for the girl who was abandoned while pregnant really irked me. 
. (Body Positivity) I found this boring and unoriginal. The author really thought she was "opening our eyes" to new ways of seeing the world! But, I've read it all before. 
Previous Prompt: 2017: Unreliable Narrator. I enjoyed this book. It was compared to Madeline Miller, which seems inaccurate. It's more akin to 10,000 Doors of January or The Starless Sea. Travelling/trapped between worlds of the real and magical. This also would work for Magical Realism or A Book About Forgetting.
Book sent in a restaurant. This was cute. Also predictable. It's told back and forth between the female and the male perspective. The author did not have a strong handle on the male. It didn't seem particularly authentic. The author also made the male character British, but for no good reason, and it didn't seem very believable. But, I read it in an afternoon and it fulfilled the prompt.Currently reading
(BLM Prompt)I pulled out of the library Susanna Clarke's Other book
, which I could read for a book everyone has read but me. I also grabbed Madeline Albright's memoir which could work for Dream Job. And they had Mothers by Brit Bennett, which won't fit a category, but I loved her other book. QOTW: I do not keep lists of books I want to read. (Other than the library hold list, I guess). THe challenge prompts for this year i had to put books in based on what's on my physical shelf that I haven't read, and I added them to my GR account. I don't have a list of book that I have read anywhere else either. I do have a physical copy of the PS challenge printed out, that is helpful for working out what I'm going to read.
Hey all! My work opened up a vaccine clinic so I got my first covid shot yesterday. Can't wait for things to go back to normal-ish.Currently reading:
Phoenix Extravagant (prettiest book on my TBR, about art or an artist) - Amazing cover, neat premise, but it's not really grabbing me so far despite being a short-ish book. It's a Chinese-inspired fantasy about a painter who gets recruited into the Ministry of Armor to work on a secret weapon of war (a dragon. This isn't really a spoiler since there's a dragon on the cover). I just don't care much for the main character. He's realistic and down-to-earth and honestly kinda boring.
QotW: Not online. But I have a Word file listing all the books I've read + their ratings (I started this before I joined goodreads) and I also keep a yearly Popsugar spreadsheet.
Before that, I used to keep a pen-and-paper list of all the books I read. I think it's still hanging on the filing cabinet in my old room at my parents' house.
24/40 completed Finished: Girl Giant and the Monkey King for the magical realism prompt. This is a fun take on the Chinese/Viatnamese monkey king mythos. I doubt I would have enjoyed it as much without some familiarity with the monkey king. Throughout the book, the protagonist is in deep discomfort about her own identity which was hard to read. And it ends in a cliff hanger, so don't expect any resolution until the next book comes out!
StartedDisconnected: Youth, New Media, and the Ethics Gap for something broken on the cover prompt. This one is an ethical survey of tween digital use. Pretty interesting.
Qotw: No. I rely on different shelves within goodreads for my digital record keeping. I do have a list on book authority and tried out some other beta version, but I don't even remember what it is called!
Happy April! Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about your husband! May this month be easy for you and may the procedure be a success!!We just enrolled our 3 year old into preschool for the fall. T.T I'm not ready!!!! Goodness they grow up so fast.
Happy Easter weekend to my Western friends who celebrate it. We celebrate Pascha in May this year, but since my extended family does Easter, I'm sure we'll be together with them for something this weekend.
Got my first dose of the COVID vaccine, and my grandparents are fully immunized! I'm starting to smell freedom, slowly but surely....
Finished 8.75/50
Mere Christianity for "book on a subject you're passionate about". I love Lewis so much. Phenomenal book. If you've ever wondered what on earth is up with those Christians but don't have time/patience to do a ton of research or read something scholarly, this is your book. It's basically "an idiot's guide to Christianity" written by the sweetest British man in a very casual and respectful way. C. S. Lewis just has the best gift for writing. Seriously. He takes so many deep things and expresses them in the simplest, most easy-to-understand way. I adore him. Definitely one of my top 5 favourite authors of all time.
Currently Reading
The Philokalia, Volume 4: The Complete Text for "longest book on your TBR". LAST ONE. Oh my goodness has this been a journey.
Darkness Is As Light for "DNF on your TBR". I can't gush about this book enough! So many hard things touched on by all these different women. It's beautiful.
QotW
Nope. Ha, that's easy! I like simplicity. One place for everything.
Mod
I envy you your old list. I never kept a list because I could always remember all the titles.
At some point in the intervening decades I seem to have undergone a mindwipe.
EDIT: I FOUND IT!! The Serpent by Jane Gaskell.
Phew! After all these years!!! Now I have to find a copy so I can re-read it :-)
So ... just in case today is my day ... it was a fantasy novel set in a land similar to Mayan lands. I'm pretty sure it was the first book in a trilogy. The cover was black, with jewel tone art similar to this style:
(It's possible I'm completely wrong about the cover art and I just got it confused w/ a Zelazny book I read at the same time ... but I don't think so.) I feel like the author was a woman. Protagonist was a young teen girl captured as a slave by a rival group, they were bringing her through the jungle to be their king's concubine or something. She braided flowers into her pubic hair to be appealing to him - tween me thought that was a crazy detail, and it has stuck with me!! The caravan had some pack animals like camels but most of them walked through the jungle, they camped on the ground at night; one night she woke up to find a creature like a python had swallowed her leg. Since this was a fantasy, it wasn't exactly a python, it had teeth down its throat. Somehow they got the snake off of her, I think they killed it. That's all I remember. The title may have had an animal name in it like leopard or eagle or something, or maybe not. It's most definitely NOT The House of the Scorpion because it's much older than that, but the title might have been like that ... or maybe the author's name was Nancy. I'm pretty sure this was an adult book (I mean, the pubic hair detail kind of rules out a kid's book, right? and the "YA" category didn't really exist yet), published sometime in late 1970s or early 1980s. Definitely published before 1984. What book was this???
Happy Thursday! And happy Easter for those who celebrate. Let’s pray and hope next Easter we can go to church in person and sing together (I really miss that!).We had some summer days this week. What a joy it was to walk outside, a bright shining sun on my face, blue skies and happy people everywhere. It was quite easy to do my walks during work 😎
And to all Americans: I am starting to get what you guys have been through the last 4 years. Our prime-minister again has ‘a failed memory’, ‘a wrong memory’, ‘not an active memory’ of something he has said or done. He’s just lying. He has been lying to us for almost 10 years now. And the curtains are falling down now…
@Lynn: happy birthday! And best of luck for the weeks to come. Hang in there! And: just remember that all hope to round that post of ‘60-and-more’ and have to deal with all the same stuff you guys have to now.
@Ashley Marie: so sorry for your loss.
@Heather: best of luck to you and I wish you a lot of comfort this weekend!
@Kateleyn: I hope your boyfriend gets well soon. It’s strange to literally ‘live apart together’, isn’t it? We had to do it a couple of weeks ago. My boyfriend was tested positive (no symptoms) and I stayed negative. He stayed 5 days in isolation. It felt so weird, talking through doors and video calling for coffee...
11/40
Finished
The Intuitionist by Colson Whitehead ⭐
Prompt: #2, an afrofuturist book
So glad I made it! This must be my worst book this year, can’t imagine there can BE a book worse than this one. It was hard to follow and a really hard job for me to finish this one. I couldn’t find an alternative for this prompt, so I struggled on.
Currently reading
The English Patient
QOTW
Like many of you I also track my books on my Google spreadsheet (Bookriot’s reading log). And I am tracking books I’ve read on Hebban, a Dutch website. I started it this year to get some recommendations on what to read next. Like I don’t have enough on my TBR already...
Mod
Prompt: #2, an afrofuturist book
So glad I made it! This must be my worst book this year, can’t imagine there can BE a book worse than this one. It was hard to follow and a really hard job for me to finish this one. I couldn’t find an alternative for this prompt, so I struggled on.. ..."
uh-oh. I've been planning to read this book (someday). Have you read anything else by Whitehead? Some people seem to not like his style. I've read three other books by him so I think I'm okay there.
Good afternoon everybody!I have been just lurking for a few while because I just haven't been reading very much.
Currently reading:
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents: my work audiobook. I do about a chapter or two at a time because it's exactly light reading.
The Final Revival of Opal & Nev: on kindle. I was so excited for this and I got an arc and then just kept putting off starting it. so now I've started it and I'm sort of so-so on it right now.
Truly Devious: this seems like its going to be very fun but it's kind of chunky so I don't take it anywhere.
QOTW:
I have 4 places I track my books. Goodreads, obviously. I keep a spread in my planner that tracks every book I've read that year. I use OneNote on my computer to keep a list of books read and tables of book challenges in progress. The only non-gr online place I also have a book list is my library account, where I keep a 'wishlist' of books I want to read. The only thing I use that last one for is so I can easily filter to see which of my tbr books are available now on kindle or audio.
Heather wrote: "This was an absolute nightmare of a week that triggered my anxiety in terrible ways. All I wanted to do after work was curl up on the couch and watch comfort movies. I didn’t read a single word thi..."I'm so sorry that you've had such a rough week. I can definitely sympathize with the anxiety issues. I hope that enjoying comfort movies helps!
Happy Easter weekend and Paschal holidays for all who celebrate, and happy April to everybody!Oh my, so much happening to everyone!
@ Lynn - Happy birthday! I messed up and conflated your birthday with that of my cat, Venus. LOL, but that’s a mighty good spirit to be conflated with 😊
You are handling so much, my friend. Wishing you and your husband comfort and strength, and may April be a kinder month.
@Ashley Marie – I am so sorry for your loss.
@cornerofmadness – wishing you strength and healing!
@Sara – Best wishes to you and your family!
Finished:
The Silent Patient. I did not hate it. And that shocked me. I usually don’t enjoy hyped books, and I’ve not really liked the books that a lot of people chose for the “medical thriller” prompt last year. But I was happily surprised by this kind of quiet book. I did enjoy the day-to-day occupational bits, and much of the moments were spot on. I read this for current-job-if-only-I-hadn’t-been-injured. I do miss my former profession tw (view spoiler), and I worked with many colleagues who were much better people and professionals than in the book. Nice walk down memory lane.
QOTW:
Just on Hoopla and Libby. Oh, and in my book journal, but that’s pen and paper.
I've officially shut down my office for the Easter weekend! Got some movie streaming and book reading I want to do. Chocolate bunnies and eggs will be devoured. PS - 23/50 - so pleased with my progress which is pretty much without effort, just slotting in what I happen to be reading wherever it fits, if it does.
Finished:
A Brief History of Seven Killings - PS book on a BLM reading list (NYPL Schomburg Center list). 5 stars. This book is so graphic, so ugly, it is beautiful. A masterpiece that took me 2 months to read because I just had to take breaks from its intensity, patois, violence and darkness. A history of post-colonial Jamaica and its gangs from 1960s to 1991 disguised as a crime thriller. It won the 2015 Booker by a unanimous vote after less than 2 hours discussion.
The Missing American - first in Emma Djan detective series set in Accra, Ghana and the world of sakawa boys (internet scammers). Another 5 star read that is up for best novel Edgar in 2021.
Circling the Sun - Paula McLain's fictional retelling of the life of Beryl Markham in Kenya. Enjoyable historical fiction but not quite as good as her ones on the Hemingway wives.
Currently Reading:
The Calculating Stars
Plus several more Edgar nominees.
QOTW: I do keep a couple different lists. Good Reads of course for read, reading, and to read although the to read is by no means comprehensive.
On Amazon, I have various private lists - including one I use for vacation reading ideas (I like reading fiction set in places I visit) which is totally empty right now. One of the lists on Amazon is public and it is used by friends for Christmas and Birthday gift ideas. I always make sure to have some books on it that I would love to own but not likely to buy myself. I update that list frequently because sometimes I buy one of the books on impulse or decide I don't want it after all. My private lists on Amazon are Kindle, Wish List, Challenge Reads, Must Buy,
Since I also read on a Nook App, I have a private wishlist with Barnes&Noble.
I also have an app on my phone where I have 2 lists:
Book Search List - for OOP books I look for in used bookstores
Books Recommended List - suggestions from friends or that I see someplace but not sure I want to buy.
Lastly, on Libby/One Drive with NYPL I have a wishlist and a hold list -- though these are severely limited as to number. Generally these are books I'd borrow in ebook at some point to read.
Now I feel like going into all my lists to update them!
How on earth could I forget my list on The Library Thing?? That's where I track all the books I own--like with Goodreads, I have them tagged based on genre, age group, whether they're autographed, if they're currently being borrowed, etc. I love it so much and it's free!
Hi everyone! I'm down with a migraine so I'll keep this short.Finished
Spare and Found Parts by Sarah Maria Griffin. This turned out quite good.
The Hot Zone: The Terrifying True Story of the Origins of the Ebola Virus by Richard Preston (90's bestseller). Horrifying, but fascinating. Very 90's. I felt like I was watching a Bill Pullman movie.
Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America by Ijeoma Oluo (social justice issue). Everyone must read this! I think I almost dislocated my neck form nodding along so hard.
Currently Reading
Bridge of Souls by Victoria Schwab. Love.
How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi (BLM reading list). Amazing. Important.
How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy by Jenny Odell. Eh.
QotW
I keep Amazon around just to super-organize my wish lists, even though I don't shop with them unless I'm absolutely broke for the month. I should just organize my Goodreads lists better but I've got a system going on Amazon. I try to shop indie, or at least B&N, but, money. Sometimes I'll hand-write and color-code a physical wish list if I'm in the mood.
I feel like an old curmudgeon, and I wanna yell at some kids to get off my lawn or something. Just home from work and, *shakes fist*. Luckily I have cat cuddles and books and Ooo! New jigsaw puzzles! Now if I only had a cocktail... Last time I checked I was at 17/50. Wrapping up Women's History Month!
Finished:
How the Penguins Saved Veronica - I love an elder protagonist having an adventure. This one went to Antarctica!
A Pho Love Story - Vietnamese high school Romeo and Juliet near my old house in Southern California, with competing Pho restaurants. It was fine. Romances aren't really my jam.
The Secrets We Kept - I guess now I should read Doctor Zhivago, huh?
Currently Reading:
Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow - Cute but wow she really ramped up the Potter vibes. When she described something as "violently purple" I was all, OK did you just go through HP with a highlighter or what?
Women Warriors: An Unexpected History - I was really enjoying the opening of this but felt I wanted to make notes, so I ordered a paperback. I'm not sure if I want to mark it or just sticky tab it. I've never annotated a book before (ACK!) but with some non-fiction it seems appropriate? If I can find my tabs I'll start with that and see how it goes. I probably just want to note things more than add thoughts anyway.
The Liar's Dictionary - I didn't pick this up at all this week, but I have a day off tomorrow so maybe I will then.
QOTW:
Sure. I have small wishlists at Amazon and Book Depository, mostly for reference. I have a large wishlist at Audible. I have my Google doc spreadsheet for acquired and read books mostly. Then of course my unread books at Audible and Libro.
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
The Great Alone (other topics)Love & Luck (other topics)
Cogheart (other topics)
The Windsor Knot (other topics)
Jada Sly, Artist & Spy (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
William Shakespeare (other topics)Betty Friedan (other topics)
Jennifer Mathieu (other topics)
Jill Biden (other topics)
Jhumpa Lahiri (other topics)
More...
Yesterday was my birthday. Mid-60's is feeling pretty stressed right now! :)
Health Update: We met with my husband’s surgeon who is young and seems very communicative. His nurse is great at communication and putting us at ease. This is NOT an easy procedure. It takes 2 ½ hours and full recovery can require 3 months. But, supposedly within 6 weeks 90% of patients regain full control of bladder functions/ability to urinate normally. That percentage increases to 99 after 3 months. But the earliest opening for surgery was April 28th, so until then we are dealing with a catheter and the many implications that go with that. So I am working from home again and cannot leave the house unless I have him with me. This is not exactly how I had planned my life, but I’m trying to adjust and do everything I can to keep him healthy and well. This is why us old folks are always talking about all our ailments. They tend to rule our lives and determine what we can and cannot do on a daily basis. But it could always be worse, so onward and upward I say!
EDITED TO ADD: May I just say that people such as yourselves in the Goodreads online community provide a life-saving social outlet for me. And thank you for that!!
My bright spot (and a major distraction to my real life as described above) is the 2021 Reading Challenge 25K Readathon! This has been so much fun. I have been able to just pickup shorter books and read them! I read 7 books this week and am almost finished with The Secret History. (I will post that information in a separate posting since, as you might imagine, it is lengthy! LOL) One more week for this challenge and then I’m back to “normal” with my reading plans…whatever “normal” is! 😊 And I will have you know that the Fellowship of the R(ead)ing team is kickin’ butt! As of late last night we had completed 22 of 50 prompts and earned 9 “wild cards” to use, so we only have 19 more prompts to go for this second week! 😊 It has been fun!
Though it will be amazing to have more time to devote to you-all in the aftermath! I miss that!
Admin Stuff:
First and foremost, we are still looking for a discussion leader for May: #24 A book by a Muslim American author (Islamic holiday Eid al-Fitr on May 13, 2021) Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin. This is one I am very excited to read. Please message either Nadine or myself to volunteer to lead! It is a great way to get to know some of the Popsugar members better!
Thanks to Erica for leading discussion of The Song of Achilles for March! I hope to get time to revisit and see what others thought of this book. Just a reminder: these monthly group read discussions (once opened for that month) and the postings for other books you may have read to complete that same prompt remain open all year for your use and perusal!
Here is the link to the April monthly group read discussion of The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. Brandy B has volunteered to lead us through discussion! YAY BRANDY B! I have yet to obtain a copy and won’t be able to start until the second week of April, and must admit I’m a bit hesitant about it overall… I have my fingers crossed that any hesitancy I have is unfounded.
And here is the link to post the book you read to fulfill prompt #28 A book with magical realism.
Today is the day to begin!!
I apologize, but I am completing these postings listed below this morning and will post here and update this posting to reflect those links. I need more time in my days right now!
“Before next week’s check-in I will open nominations for the 3rd quarter monthly group reads (July, August, September) so we can allow plenty of time to make our selections and plan ahead.”
EDITED TO ADD:
Nominating polls should be open now through next Wednesday, April 7th for the July, August, and September monthly group reads HERE!
Happy nominating! 👏⏳📝✔
By the way, did I mention we are still needing a discussion leader for May? ‘Cause we are! 😊
Question of the Week: Do you keep electronic lists of books online at a site other than Goodreads?
I do. I have a wishlist at my favorite local used bookstore, Second Flight Books. And I have a wishlist at Better World Books. That’s it for now. But when I was using the library more I had five different lists. I can’t even remember how I had them titled and separated out, but it was a bit ridiculous now that I consider it in hindsight! But that’s what happens when someone is obsessed I guess! 😊
Although I use Goodreads as my absolute recordkeeper, I do like to have the wishlists to refer to when I decide to purchase a book…or two…or three… 😉
Popsugar: 33/50
ATY: 45/52
RHC: 7/24
Reading Women: 4/28
Some movement, but those last two definitely need to be my focus now for a few months!
My book listing will follow in a separate posting!