Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2022 Weekly Check-Ins
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Week 17: 4/22 - 4/28
I finished The Lost Gate as the first book in my duology. It was OK, but wish it was better since I have to read the second book. Some weird sex stuff.I'm reading A Prayer for Owen Meany as my book about someone on the Ace spectrum. I'm taking listopia's word on this. I'm about 1/3 of the way through the book and they're still about 12-13 years old. I think weird would be a good way to describe this book. Not really into it.
QOTW: I read Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen last year and enjoyed it, but it's misnamed. More the queen's memoirs than a history of the country/state/islands.
Happy Thursday everyone! And what a fine Thursday it is, at least for me. I finally get my booster, and yesterday I got some delightful news. I got a new job! Only part time for now, so I'll have to supplement, but I'm trying to channel the optimism of youth and hope that will also be something good. BUT... I will soon be reporting each morning to a very famous bookstore!! YAY!!
In other news, I watched Heartstopper. It was very cute, Nick did a great job and the casting surprise was fun. I also accidentally fell down a rabbit hole and watched a k-pop video. I quite liked it, and when I went to look something up I learned that k-pop has this whole world and vocabulary and lore and stuff. Anyway I really liked a couple of their videos, so that's fun.
Since I haven't been reading much in April I haven't checked but I am at least
31/50
Finished:
Portrait of a Thief - This was good but also disappointing. There isn't as much heist action as I thought there would be. It's mostly about the characters and their experience/feelings about their place in the diaspora. As long as you know that going in and aren't expecting Oceans 11, I recommend it. Perfect for AAPI.
The Boy with Flowers in His Hair - Lovely picture book very delicately about supporting a friend going through a bad time.
Currently Reading:
Ten Steps to Nanette - by Hannah Gadsby, read by the author
QOTW: Recommend in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, off the top of my head.
How to Pronounce Knife: Stories
The Best We Could Do
Drawn Together
Look for more in the AAPI thread
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Lynn wrote: "I the only one to be kicked out constantly by Goodreads and forced to login yet again?" They made me reset my password. Again.
Good morning, everyone!Only a couple of days left until the Dewey’s 24 Hour Readathon!
I finally finalized my TBR for Saturday, and I’m really excited about the books I’m going to be reading. I’ve decided to focus on the fantasy genre, but I did manage to include a few graphic novels and some fantasy-adjacent nonfiction on my list as well.
I probably will only read for 18 out of the 24 hours (because I do want to get some sleep), so I don’t know if I’ll be able to make it through all of the titles on my list. I’m certainly going to do my best, however.
Goodreads: 236/200
TBR checklist: 200/1110
Finished Reading:
~That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, Vol. 11
~That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, Vol. 12
~The House on Durrow Street
~That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, Vol. 13
~The Master of Heathcrest Hall
~That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Manga, Vol. 14
~That Time I got Reincarnated as a Slime, Vol. 15
~That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Manga, Vol. 16
~That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Vol. 17
~That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Vol. 18
Currently Reading:
~From Hell
Saturday’s Readathon TBR:
~Across the Green Grass Fields
~Where the Drowned Girls Go
~Smaug: Unleashing the Dragon
~Swordheart
~Kiki's Delivery Service
~The Adventures of Tom Bombadil and Other Verses From the Red Book
~A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel, Volume One
~A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel, Volume Two
~A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel, Volume Three
~A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel, Volume Four
~The Hedge Knight: The Graphic Novel
~The Sworn Sword
~Book of Enchantments
~A Spindle Splintered
~The Art of Film Magic: 20 Years of Weta
~The Glass Sentence
QOTW:
I can’t think of any specific titles that I would recommend.
I can't believe how fast April has flown by! I thought March lasted forever. Finished:
Nothing...
Continuing:
The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz. I have a hard time with her writing style but now that I am getting further into the book I am more used to it. There are inflated paragraphs that I still skim, but I am making progress!
Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt. This book is well written and the topic (AIDS in the 1980's) but I don't fully understand the point. I get why people have issues with (view spoiler). I keep waiting for some big reveal or just...something.
QOTW:
I read a lot of AAPI authors last year and a few this year so far. I think my favorites have been:
A Little Life
Convenience Store Woman
Arsenic and Adobo and the sequel Homicide and Halo-Halo
Miracle Creek
Pachinko
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
The Island of Sea Women
Hi all, Got the rest of my HVAC system replaced this week, so my house is now properly heated and cooled and filtered and humidity regulated. It's much quieter! I don't really notice it being on or off as much, and it's much better and keeping an even temperature.
This week I finished:
Parachutes - This was really good, I had trouble putting it down. YA, but really well written. TW for sexual assault, but i thought it was handled delicately, not gratuitously.
The Only Good Indians - finally go through this. Wasn't really my thing. I can do horror, and supernatural is usually the kind I can do, but this just didn't work for me. It was just kind of grim, pacing didn't work for me, and I had trouble really WANTING to know what was going on. I mostly read it just to call it done. Maybe his writing style just isn't for me, this is the second of his books I've been pretty meh on.
Terminal Uprising - second book in the Janitors of the Post Apocalypse. I really like the more modern sci fi trend of really adding complexity to alien races. Having factions within them, not just having ALL of this type of alien be like this or agree with this thing. Humans are incredibly diverse with a huge range of opinions and factions why would aliens be any different? I also like the blend of humor while still dealing with big galaxy wide struggles. Looking forward to the next book out in August.
The Galaxy, and the Ground Within - audio re-read, just as good the second time around
Currently reading:
Kill the Farm Boy - this is fun and silly so far, i like it
The Faceless Old Woman Who Secretly Lives In Your Home - audio re-read so i can hear Mara Wilson's performance
QOTW:
I'd recommend Parachutes that I just read, it's about the practice of China in particular sending teenagers over by themselves to live either with host families or alone in apartments to get an American education/avoid the incredibly difficult Chinese college education entrance exams. They're not exactly exchange students because they're longer term, they're not really immigrants because they're over in America alone, temporarily, so they tend to form their own little vulnerable community. This is fiction, but it's based on a real practice, there's an afterward by the author about her research into it.
I really liked The Empress of Salt and Fortune for a more mythology based entry, it had a very slow sort of dream-like vibe to it.
Mod
YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE!!! I thought it was just me, something weird about my computer, or I had too many tabs open and it confused the cookies, or who knows what. It's not COMPLETELY annoying, since my user id and password are saved, so it's just a few clicks, but it's disorienting, especially when it happens when I'm in the middle of browsing Goodreads.
Happy Thursday! It's preview night for Earnest, which means our first time with an actual audience and we're so excited to get this show in front of people. If anyone's interested, here's our show trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3wrG...Our costumer outdoes herself with each production. I'm in love with these dresses and hats!
It's been a busy week - got a tree stump in the yard ground down, vet appointments for all three cats (the last one is this afternoon), emergency shopping yesterday, and hubby is out of town tonight. I'm hoping to get a bit of reading done this afternoon but I know there are house chores that need doing.
Finished this week:
White Tears/Brown Scars: How White Feminism Betrays Women of Color - 5 stars. An excellent, concise piece. I listened to the audiobook in two days.
The Far Reaching Tentacles of N'rygoth - 4 stars. A bit inconsistent in the artwork from v1 to v2, but I still enjoy these characters.
PS 27/50
Currently:
The Silmarillion
The City We Became Book featuring a parallel reality
Foundryside reread
The Diamond Eye
QOTW: Are there any books you would specifically recommend reading during the month of May (The first day of which is THIS Sunday!) in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Appreciation Month? Or perhaps there are some books you would like to read that would fit?
I love using May as an excuse to catch up on manga. Beyond that, a few of my favorites from the past few years include:
Last Night at the Telegraph Club
The Complete Persepolis
Jade City
The English Patient
the writings of Nibedita Sen
White Tears/Brown Scars: How White Feminism Betrays Women of Color
^ these are all Asian authors. I'm looking forward to adding several Pacific Islander books to my list this year. Possibilities for my AAPI month reads include:
Dismembering Lahui: A History of the Hawaiian Nation to 1887
Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen
House of Many Gods
The Henna Wars
Portrait of a Thief
Girls of Paper and Fire
The Jasmine Throne
Mod
Well, that definitely sounds like one I can miss! 😁
"I'm reading A Prayer for Owen Meany as my book about someone on the Ace spectrum. I'm taking listopia's word on this. I'm about 1/3 of the way through the book and they're still about 12-13 years old. I think weird would be a good way to describe this book. Not really into it."
One of my former student workers listed this as the best book she had ever read and I didn't get around to reading it until years later... I had read and listened to other of Irving's books and wasn't surprised by the absurdity of some of the plot points. But that doesn't mean I especially appreciated them! I would agree that I also was "not really into it."
"QOTW: I read Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen last year and enjoyed it, but it's misnamed. More the queen's memoirs than a history of the country/state/islands."
I remember you posting about this one. I have added it to my TBR listing.
Sheri wrote: "Hi all, Kill the Farm Boy - this is fun and silly so far, i like it..."
I read that a couple of years ago when it first came out. I thought it started out funny/fun, but I hated it by the time I was done. It was just too ridiculous for me.
Nadine in NY wrote: "Lynn wrote: "And am I the only one to be kicked out constantly by Goodreads and forced to login yet again? ..."YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE!!! I thought it was just me, something weird about my comp..."
This happens to me about once a month.
I've been trying to do Camp NaNoWriMo (a writing challenge) so my reading dropped a bit in April as I've been writing more.On Earth Day, I read The Lorax. I'd never read it as a kid, but I did see two movie versions of it. Since I never read the book, I'm counting it. I know someone will say that it's not technically a "man-made" disaster since I'm not sure the Once-ler is human. In any case, published in 1971, it makes a compelling argument not just against pollution, but the fast fashion that drives industry. Fast fashion is a big concern now.
Finished:
The Lorax
ATY prompt: A book related to Earth Day
Popsugar prompt: A book featuring a man-made disaster
ATY - 18/52
PS- 15/35
Series - 6/13
Clearing my TBR list: 13/40
Currently reading:
Death by Water - About 8% done
QOTW: Actually, I'm reading Death by Water. It might take me most of May to read it. Kenzaburō Ōe won the Nobel Prize in 1994. Nobel Laureates don't tend to write easy reads or books I can finish in a weekend. But since it was one of my May books, I'm a head of the game.
Mod
This week I finished 3 books, 2 for this Challenge, so I am now 30/50.
All's Well by Mona Awad- wow I hated this. This was my last Tournament of Books read for 2022, and I'm not exactly ending on a high note! I did LOVE some of the books on the ToB list, and I probably never would have read several of them, so overall I'm glad I followed along this year. (I didn't read every book on the ToB list - I read 12 and dnf'ed 1 out of the list of 18). I was not able to find a Challenge category that this book fits.
The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi - this was a lot of fun! I checked off "parallel reality" with this book.
These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner - another really fun book! Recommended for fans of sappy YA SF with a survival story & the forced proximity romance trope (one of my favorites). I checked off "constellation on the cover" with this book. Like I said last week, I was a little unsure if this really fit, but several times the main character referred to looking at the unfamiliar constellations he could see from the planet, and he even starts naming them, so these were clearly constellations on the cover, whether or not they are constellations that can be seen from Earth feels immaterial.
And I DNF'ed two books this week (when it rains, it pours, right?!):
Her Hidden Genius by Marie Benedict - not my style! This was the first book I (tried to) read by Benedict, and it will be the last. I'm sure this will be popular with a lot of book clubs, though.
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo - I just could not with this book. It wasn't bad, it was just not my thing. I don't like novels in verse - either give me a novel, or give me poetry, but don't try to combine the two, I don't like it, it comes across as schmaltzy.
QotW
We were in synch without knowing it! Just last night I posted about books I'm planning to read for this year's Asian American & Pacific Islander month.
You can join us in talking about your AAPI reading here:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Last year, or the year before that, I decided to discard the "American" portion of the cultural appreciation months, I disregard nationality, and I read books by authors from the particular group (ethnicity / gender / orientation - depends on which month we're talking about!) from around the world. So for this month, I chose a bunch of Asian authors from around the world. Most of them are Asian American, a few are Asian Canadian, and there might be a Brit in the mix, I can't remember, and several are from Asian countries. (And none are Pacific Islanders, because there just aren't that many PI authors out there! I wish my library had a better selection.)
Books by Asian or Pacific Islander authors that I have read and particularly loved that I would recommend to everyone (these books are so under-rated!!!):
This Is Paradise: Stories by Kristiana Kahakauwila
Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu
White Ivy by Susie Yang
The Borrowed by Chan Ho-Kei
A Gesture Life by Chang-rae Lee
Miracle Creek by Angie Kim
Butterfly Yellow by Thanhha Lai
I Believe in a Thing Called Love by Maurene Goo
The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
Smaller and Smaller Circles by F.H. Batacan
and graphic novels:
The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
It's not just you. Goodreads keeps kicking me out tooI did get some reading done this week. For the prompt A book with a tiger on the cover or "tiger" in the title I read Tiger HonorTiger Honor by Yoon Ha Lee which is a middle grade SF rooted in Korean folklore but I had some issues with it. It could also work for gender identity (the main character is non-binary)
For the prompt A book with a recipe in it I read A Matter of Hive and Death by Nancy CoCo. It wasn't a bad cozy mystery (and seriously if you want a book with a recipe there are dozens of cozy series with that theme) but the motivation for the killing just couldn't possibly happen so that was so disappointing
QOTW
Actually the one listed above Tiger Honor would work along with book one Dragon Pearl. I do have several more off the top of my head (keeping in mind most of mine will not be necessarily about ethnicity. I read mostly SFF and mystery)
Jade City By Fonda Lee
Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles
Monstress, Vol. 1: Awakening by Marjorie M. Liu
Pahua and the Soul Stealer by Lori M Lee
The Tinderbox: Soldier of Indira by Lou Diamond Phillips
Squad by Maggie Tokuda-Hall
Hi,I'm in the midst of my of my "i want to watch tv over reading" portion of my psyche's entertainment needs. But 2 out of the 3 were based of of books.
So I've watched Cyrano with Peter Dinklage. I enjoyed it -- mostly. wasn't expecting it to be a musical. (but i am oblivious and I just wanted to watch Peter Dinklage as Cyrano). It was good and depressing.
Moonfall was epically hilarious funny sci-fi. destruction of Earth, devastation everywhere, but it was just sooooooo silly. The fact that NASA has historical record of the moon 'ringing' . . . just yeah -- 'nuff said.
Around the world in 80 days with David Tennant was pretty good too. PBS stuff usually is. Period time bigotry and hierarchical privilege was present, which made me want to smack the main character.
I did finish The Duke and I last week.
And I finished The Viscount Who Loved Me last night.
I'm still reading How to Date a Superhero. it switches back and forth between the past and the present. so it get's confusing and annoying.
I'm planning to read Year of the Reaper for the may discussion.
QOTW
I have no suggestions.
It's been a pretty nice week here in Switzerland. Some rain, then sunshine again. I got my garden all sorted, so it looks nice! If this coming weekend is as rainy as they are predicting, I may just have to snuggle up with some good books! Finished
The Dictator's Wife ♕ ♕ ♕
Read for prompt #20, a book whose title begins with the same letter as your last book (Three Women and a Boat. I wanted to like it more than I ended up liking it. Got draggy, with strange bits of details that don't seem entirely resolved, even at the ending.
Continuing
56 Days for prompt #48 - a book with two POVs. Technically it has three, but yeah, at least two. So far, it's interesting. It takes place in Dublin just as COVID hits Europe, and a couple who have just met end up moving in together so they aren't apart during the lockdown that ensues. It's a domestic thriller type book, especially when one of them has something to hide and wants to cover it up with the lockdown procedures.
Up Next
The Yiddish Policemen's Union for prompt #27 - a Hugo Award winner. Had it on my shelf, so that fit well!
This Is Where It Ends for prompt #11 - a #BookTok recommendation.
Mod
Oh that sounds really good! I've never read anything by Hines, because every time I see his name, I think it's "Jim Dine" and I think "Jim Dine? the artist? what?" and then I keep scrolling.
Last week, I finished Fevered Star, which was excellent. This was my own voices SFF pick.I'm currently reading Nettle & Bone, which is going to be my 2022 release for the challenge. I've been looking forward to this book forever, and so far it is not disappointing me.
I'm now at 32/50 for the challenge (29/40 and 3/10).
QOTW:
I definitely plan to pick up Year of the Reaper in May, but otherwise I'm not sure how well I can plan my reading. My May is shaping up to be pretty busy. We'll be in California for a convention and a Disneyland visit for the last two weeks of the month. I don't expect to get that much reading done on the trip, aside from maybe the plane ride.
As far as books/authors I've enjoyed:
Sarah Kuhn - I've enjoyed all her books so far, but if you like contemporary YA, I Love You So Mochi and From Little Tokyo, with Love were both fun.
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
Nghi Vo's Singing Hills Cycle
Hi everyone. Our boiler as broken down so it's pretty cold today :( We've had someone come and look at it but they're unable to fix it until tomorrow so I'm snuggled into two blankets right now.This week I finished The Theft of Sunlight. I loved this book set in the same world as Thorn. It was even darker than the first book but it does end on a cliff hanger. Grrrrrr!
Currently reading: King Solomon's Mines but I'm not feeling it. I'll probably finish it because it is only short.
QOTW: I don't pay attention to the theme months. I am planning on buying Empress of Flames soon but if I read it in May, it will only be a coincidence.
Lynn wrote: "a “terrific team leader” to guide July’s monthly group read discussion of Piranesi!! ..."Could you remind me what prompt this group read is for?
K.L. wrote: "Good morning, everyone!Only a couple of days left until the Dewey’s 24 Hour Readathon! ..."
How do you guys interface with these readathons? I've never done one because I don't really get how it's done.
Lynn wrote: And am I the only one to be kicked out constantly by Goodreads and forced to login yet again? It is happening to me all the time even though I keep checking the box to keep me logged in! Quite annoying! ..."Aargh! It's making me sign in again in the middle of my posting!
Katy wrote: "Sheri wrote: "Hi all, Kill the Farm Boy - this is fun and silly so far, i like it..."
I read that a couple of years ago when it first came out. I thought it started out funny/fun, but I hated it..."
Saaaaaaame--I got really tired of it about halfway through and it made me so sad because I loved the idea of it.
28/50Finished: Rules of Civility Read this for a book club. I thought the character development was amazing.
Started: Figuring This is written by a blogster that I love. It's a connected history of female scientists. I feel like I should be enjoying it more than I am, but I'm kind of slogging through it.
Qotw: I'm interested in reading How High We Go in the Dark and No Friend but the Mountains: Writing from Manus Prison has been on my radar ever since the book riot challenge had a prompt for pacific island author. I think I started doing that challenge and then switched over to pop sugar partway through. Maybe.
Nadine, This is the first set of books I've read by him, but I've enjoyed so far! He's also the guy behind the photo series of him attempting to pose like women on fantasy cover art haha. https://www.jimchines.com/2012/01/str...
Goodreads hasn't been kicking me out but it is being weird--it works fine on my work laptop, but every time I go on my personal laptop, it wants me to change my password. I don't get it.This has been a weird week but not a bad one. Monday and Tuesday I left work early because my allergies were destroying me. My mom's been staying with me for a conference this week, too, so it's just been different. But it's also been a much lighter week here in the office, which has been SO nice.
I just got back from an awards lunch--my coworker and I were nominated as "Career Champions" here on campus. We're both confused because we don't really do anything career-like with students, but that was still nice. And tonight I'm going to a banquet because the Graduate Student Association nominated me for an outstanding staff member award. I get super uncomfortable with recognition, so today is a challenge lol. But I'm super honored!
Finished:
Nothing. I wonder if I'll ever finish another book...*being dramatic*
Currently Reading:
Daughter of the Forest - I've done the thing where it's starting to get stressful so I put it down and haven't wanted to pick it back up.
Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People
Health at Every Size: The Surprising Truth About Your Weight - I just realized I meant to bring this to work with me today so I could finish it this evening before the banquet...but I did not...
QOTW:
I...can't think of any off the top of my head. I'm very sleepy right now, so if I think of any later, I'll come back!
Being logged out all the time has been annoying me too. At first I thought it was because I kept switching between by phone and desktop but nope, it's just broken.It's my last week at work before redundancy. It has been a bit of a weird mix of nothing to do and rushing around to do last minute things that have suddenly been remembered. I won't be working a full day tomorrow because my boss has to wipe my laptop so I can keep it.
Finished:
Hide by Kiersten White for my 2022 book. 14 young men and women are invited to take part in a hide and seek competition in an abandoned theme park, which soon turns into something sinister. It's inspired by a Greek myth, which I think will be obvious to anyone who is into their myths but it works even if you don't know that angle. Was a quick, tense read.
Listen to Me by Tess Gerritsen for ATY (female detective). I've missed Rizzoli and Isles, it was nice to get back to the series even though a chunk of this book is about Jane's mother spying on the neighbours!
The No-Show by Beth O'Leary for ATY (light source on cover). I was kinda starting to dislike this, but then something is revealed and it completely changes the story. Even though I was getting annoyed with the characters for not dumping Joseph, I was kept hooked of the mystery of what really happened on Valentine's Day.
QOTW:
Some books I enjoyed this year that would work for AAPI are How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu, Four Aunties and a Wedding by Jesse Sutanto and Homicide and Halo-Halo by Mia P. Manasala. And of course Tess Gerritsen.
Mod
I can't adequately express to you just how thrilled I am for you! I am sending positive energy that this will prove to be a truly enjoyable position for you that will grow into full-time!! YAY!!! 🎆🎇✨👍🤗
"In other news, I watched Heartstopper. It was very cute, Nick did a great job and the casting surprise was fun. I also accidentally fell down a rabbit hole and watched a k-pop video. I quite liked it, and when I went to look something up I learned that k-pop has this whole world and vocabulary and lore and stuff. Anyway I really liked a couple of their videos, so that's fun."
This is all your fault, poshpenny! I started watching Heartstopper...and haven't stopped! LOL Also, one of the characters was reading A Good Girl's Guide to Murder so I paused it long enough to comment on that. Then I'll finish this posting and get back to my (now) binge-watching of Heartstopper! I love it!
"Since I haven't been reading much in April I haven't checked but I am at least
31/50"
Perfectly respectable!
"Finished:
Portrait of a Thief - This was good but also disappointing. There isn't as much heist action as I thought there would be. It's mostly about the characters and their experience/feelings about their place in the diaspora. As long as you know that going in and aren't expecting Oceans 11, I recommend it. Perfect for AAPI."
Looks interesting. I added it to my TBR listing...
"The Boy with Flowers in His Hair - Lovely picture book very delicately about supporting a friend going through a bad time."
Awwww...looks like a good one for the great-grandchild to grow into!
"QOTW: Recommend in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, off the top of my head.
How to Pronounce Knife: Stories
The Best We Could Do
Drawn Together
Look for more in the AAPI thread
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/..."
Shows you how much I know! This is an amazing resource! Thanks to Nadine for initiating the thread! 😀
Now, back to Heartstopper!
Hello! It's still cold and dreary here too. We hit 70 on Saturday, but it was very humid (and windy), and then the temps dropped back to the 40s for the week. Our favorite TV weatherman called Tuesday March 57th, and that feels so accurate. And cold.Finished This Week:
Spindle's End by Robin McKinley. Reread after a disappointing Sleeping Beauty retelling. This one is much better.
The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang. Book club recommendation from January or so. I enjoyed it until the last third, where as the main character broke down, it seemed like the story did too. I'm sure it was a stylistic choice, to reflect what was happening with Anna, but I didn't love it as the others in book club did. Using for #18, Romance by a BIPOC author.
The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison. Finished the audiobook. It was great to hear all the names pronounced as the author intended. Still one of my favorite books. Not for prompt.
Timebound by Rysa Walker. I checked out Now, Then, and Everywhen from the library over the weekend, only to see it's the first of a prequel series. I went to get the first book of the original series, only to realize I already had it as an ebook. So I read that very quick, and actually enjoyed it. Books 2 and 3 of the original series are on their way to me from the library. Hoping I can get everything read before the prequel is due back. Not for PS prompt.
PS: 15/50 ATY: 18/52 GR: 50/100
Currently Reading:
The Murmur of Bees by Sofía Segovia. After I read a book about the Alamo, I checked San Antonio's website to see who their sister cities were. One is Monterrey, Mexico, and a search for books set there suggested this book. This is set in a town near Monterrey, which I'm counting as close enough. Just finished reading about the outbreak of the Spanish Flu in their town, so that was fun. Due back on Sunday, so need to finish this weekend.
Appeasement: Chamberlain, Hitler, Churchill, and the Road to War by Tim Bouverie. Going to finish it, I swear.
The Witness for the Dead by Katherine Addison. Just got it on audio, haven't started yet.
QOTW: Are there any books you would specifically recommend reading in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Appreciation Month? Or perhaps there are some books you would like to read that would fit?
I'll recommend Helen Hoang's trilogy of romances, starting with The Kiss Quotient. The author discovered she was on the autism spectrum while writing the first book, and all three are romances starring someone on the spectrum.
Hello! I had big plans to follow our local book crawl this week in honor of Independent Bookstore Day, but it has been a rat race every day this week. I'm hoping to hit up one of them tomorrow, not the one designated for the day but my favorite one that I missed on Monday.Finished a few books this week, one for the challenge so I'm now 20/50
The Wedding Game by Meghan Quinn - steamy romance, predictable but interesting. Used for another challenge.
The Last Bookshop in London: A Novel of World War II by Madeline Martin - absolutely riveting, and a really different look at World War II (for me at least). Focused on the citizens of London and how they weathered the constant bombing during the war, from the perspective of a woman working in a bookshop. It was on a bestseller list for 2021 and I can see why (used for the Kindle Spring Challenge).
Priela by Jocelyn Bly Karney - used for a book about a parallel reality. Pretty good, it was a Goodreads Giveaway win for me (it's been on my TBR for a few years).
QOTW: I don't have any recommendations or plans for this other than hoping to get to that prompt. I'm still not set on what I will read for it.
Melissa wrote: "Hello! It's still cold and dreary here too. We hit 70 on Saturday, but it was very humid (and windy), and then the temps dropped back to the 40s for the week. Our favorite TV weatherman called Tues..."I am sure I've been pronouncing all the names from The Goblin Emperor wrong in my head!
Lynn wrote: "poshpenny wrote: "I got a new job! Only part time for now, so I'll have to supplement, but I'm trying to channel the optimism of youth and hope that will also be something good. BUT... I will soon be reporting each morning to a very famous bookstore!! YAY!!"I can't adequately express to you just how thrilled I am for you! I am sending positive energy that this will prove to be a truly enjoyable position for you that will grow into full-time!! YAY!!! 🎆🎇✨👍🤗"
Thank you Lynn! I'm very excited!
This is all your fault, poshpenny! I started watching Heartstopper...and haven't stopped! LOL Also, one of the characters was reading A Good Girl's Guide to Murder so I paused it long enough to comment on that. Then I'll finish this posting and get back to my (now) binge-watching of Heartstopper! I love it!
It was fun to try to see what books Isaac is reading. He's got some good ones. Radio Silence was the funniest. Enjoy the wholesomeness. Oh and I must report I am pleased with the casting of Nellie. I didn't think they could capture her cuteness from the comic, but she was pretty dang cute.
Doni wrote: "How do you guys interface with these readathons? I've never done one because I don't really get how it's done."I found out about the Dewey's readathon several years ago via their website, which is https://deweysreadathon.wordpress.com/. The site includes a blog, sign-up info, FAQs, information about start times, and links to all of their social media accounts. They also have a group here on Goodreads that I enjoy.
During the readathon you can participate in things like reading sprints and mini challenges (which are announced on social media), but you can really approach the readathon however you want. Personally, I'm planning to post a few updates on my Instagram account during the day, but I'll spend most of the day just focusing on the books I want to read.
Mod
ohhhh I remember seeing that!! Yeah, I NEED to read this guy.
Mod
Could you remind me what prompt this group read is for?"
I'm re-watching Lost with my daughter and Tuesday night we got to the scene that is your profile picture!!!
Piranesi is for "parallel reality"
Mod
I will soon be reporting each morning to a very famous bookstore!! YAY!! "
Oh wowwww!! You are just living the dream!!! I've always wondered what it would be like to work at a bookstore. When I read books like The Sentence it seems like such an AWESOME job to have.
Mod
It's my last week at work before redundancy ..."
sounds like a super emotional time. Virtual hugs!
Mod
So now I blame both of you for when I start watching Heartstopper.
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They made me reset my password. Again."
OMG! Why?!? At least I'm not getting THAT message... Geeminy!
Mod
Only a couple of days left until the Dewey’s 24 Hour Readathon!
I finally finalized my TBR for Saturday, and I’m really excited about the books I’m going to be reading. I’ve decided to focus on the fantasy genre, but I did manage to include a few graphic novels and some fantasy-adjacent nonfiction on my list as well.
I probably will only read for 18 out of the 24 hours (because I do want to get some sleep), so I don’t know if I’ll be able to make it through all of the titles on my list. I’m certainly going to do my best, however."
Like you, I will definitely sleep during a portion of those 24 hours!
"Goodreads: 236/200
TBR checklist: 200/1110"
Love that Goodreads challenge! LOL
"Finished Reading:
~That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, Vol. 11
~That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, Vol. 12
~The House on Durrow Street
~That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, Vol. 13
~The Master of Heathcrest Hall
~That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Manga, Vol. 14
~That Time I got Reincarnated as a Slime, Vol. 15
~That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Manga, Vol. 16
~That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Vol. 17
~That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Vol. 18"
That's a ton of books! 👍😁
"Saturday’s Readathon TBR:
~Across the Green Grass Fields
~Where the Drowned Girls Go
~Smaug: Unleashing the Dragon
~Swordheart
~Kiki's Delivery Service
~The Adventures of Tom Bombadil and Other Verses From the Red Book
~A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel, Volume One
~A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel, Volume Two
~A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel, Volume Three
~A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel, Volume Four
~The Hedge Knight: The Graphic Novel
~The Sworn Sword
~Book of Enchantments
~A Spindle Splintered
~The Art of Film Magic: 20 Years of Weta
~The Glass Sentence"
You are soooo organized! I have yet to decide what I'm reading. I may just read in longer books I've already begun, but will probably select 2-3 shorter books to work on Saturday.
I miss people. I work from home and have been ill for most of the winter. It is rare I'm out and about except to doctors' appointments and grocery stores. Not much of a social life there. So today I have had enough. I'm feeling a bit optimistic and hopeful, so I'm putting together a dinner at a restaurant for my entire family, planning a brunch on Sunday with friends, etc. It's time to be a real person again. [crossing fingers and toes]One fun thing I've been doing for the past 80 days - learning Spanish 20 minutes a day. Maybe someday I'll be able to read a book in another language than English. That would be awesome!
I actually have been doing some reading this past week, so life is feeling a bit more normal.
Finished
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel - 4 stars; PS #47 [parallel reality]
I really love her novels as they always have interesting plots. She doesn't always tie up all the loose ends, and I kind of like that. Keeps me thinking. This one is probably my second favorite of hers, behind Station Eleven.
When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller - 4 stars; PS #4 [tiger on cover and in title]
Very adorable middle grade book based on a young girl's interpretations of her Korean grandmother's beliefs and superstitions.
My Very Favorite Book in the Whole Wide World by Malcolm Mitchell - 4 stars; picture book
Written by a former NFL player who had reading disabilities and worked hard to overcome them. This story is a boy with similar issues who cannot figure out how to fulfill his homework assignment of finding his very favorite book. Very cute.
Currently reading
The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith
The Comfort Book by Matt Haig
Call Us What We Carry by Amanda Gorman
Goodreads: 32/100
Popsugar: 14/40, 4/10
QOTW: I'm hoping to read a few. It is also Jewish American Heritage Month, so I'm trying to get in a couple there as well. We'll see.
The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen [duology]
Year of the Reaper by Makiia Lucier [Pacific Islander]
Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
Our Favorite Day by Joowon Oh [picture book]
Ohana Means Family by Ilima Loomis [picture book]
Hi all! I'm gonna jinx myself, but goodreads has never asked me to change my password- it's the same one I've had since I joined in 2008! Busy around here. We got a kitten this week! It's a gray tiger, and so frisky. Then the kiddo got like her zillionth cold since fall. She was running a fever, so I took her to the doctor yesterday, just a random virus. Plus I have my own appointments, including new referrals because I'm still short of breath since I had covid in January. And still fighting with insurance and disability and the like. I have a lot greater empathy for my former clients and why this stuff makes some of them shut down. I can't handle it and I don't have a major mental illness as a barrier!
Anyhoo, despite (because of?) all this, I've gotten more reading done, though I haven't finished anything. I'm a little book manic- read ALL the things!!!! I've read more in The Schoolmaster's Daughter, Silent Thunder: In the Presence of Elephants, and The Asylum for Wayward Victorian Girls. I also picked up They Called Themselves the K.K.K.: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group for a banned book to read.
QOTW: Miracle Creek is one I would definitely recommend. The Gift of Rain is great and I've wanted to read more by him. Never Fall Down was intense. Probably some others I'm forgetting.
I aim to read Shark Dialogues for the PI prompt. But... I've said that for several years for AAPI month in general, so don't hold me to it!
Today is the first day for free audiobooks! (at least in the US) Check them out!https://audiofilemagazine.com/sync-se...
Ashley Marie wrote: "HHappy Thursday! It's preview night for Earnest, which means our first time with an actual audience and we're so excited to get this show in front of people. If anyone's interested, here's our show trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3wrG...Our costumer outdoes herself with each production. I'm in love with these dresses and hats!"
This looks amazing! The costumes are great, and the cast looks fun. I wish I could see this as I love the theater, but Utah isn't exactly close. Good luck with the run!
Some of my April reads were1. Blame it on the Brontës by Annie Sereno
2.Fool Me Once by Ashley Winstead
3.Below Zero by Ali Hazelwood
4. Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake by Mazey Eddings
5.Accidentally Engaged by Farah Heron
6. Always Be My Dutchess by Amalie Howard
7.The No-Show by Beth O’Leary
8.Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
9. The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Grey
The No-Show was a bit of a let-down for me but I really enjoyed all the others!
Happy Thursday.So last Thursday I got rear-ended at an intersection on my way home from work. Thankfully I wasn't hurt, but my car is going to need some work. Now I get to deal with the other guy's insurance... yay. /sarcasm
Books read this week:
Interference -- for the advanced prompt “a duology (2).” Not as good as the first book, though still interesting to see how the society of the first book has progressed over the years.
The First Sister -- for “a sapphic book.” I love a space opera that actually takes time to develop its characters, and I enjoyed the worldbuilding. But… can it still be called a sapphic book when (view spoiler)
Mem -- for the advanced prompt “a book with a palindromic title.” The writing takes some getting used to -- it’s quite slow-paced and more dialogue-heavy than I was expecting -- but the idea is a good one and exploring 1920s Montreal was fun.
Mickey7 -- not for the challenge. After The Martian, it feels like most sci-fi is trying to make its main character(s) witty and snarky. This book definitely fills that mold… but hey, at least it’s entertaining.
Lifetime Passes -- graphic novel, not for the challenge. This book takes what could have been a morbid premise (teenagers take senior citizens to a Disney-esque theme park to capitalize on a rumor that if someone in your party dies, everyone else gets free lifetime passes) and actually turns it into a heartwarming look at memory and treasuring the past. Also, good art!
Regular Challenge -- 45/46
Advanced Challenge -- 8/10
Not for the challenge -- 20
DNF:
Lagoon -- originally for the advanced prompt “two books set in twin towns/sister cities.” I have not had good luck with this author’s books… maybe it’s just me, because everyone else seems to love her.
Currently Reading:
Indistinguishable from Magic -- not for the challenge
The Golem and the Djinni -- for the advanced prompt “two books set in twin towns/sister cities (1)”
Osmo Unknown and the Eightpenny Woods -- not for the challenge
The Thirteenth Princess -- not for the challenge
Perestroika in Paris -- for the advanced prompt “two books set in twin towns/sister cities (2)”
QOTW:
They Called Us Enemy and Year of the Reaper would be my picks. Both are very good, and the former is a revealing look at the internment camps of the 1940s where thousands of Japanese-Americans were unfairly incarcerated.
I think yesterday was our last warm day of the season. It feels like we're settling into autumn properly now. End of month is always busy, so not a lot of reading done this week. PopSugar24/50
Finished
Holes by Louis Sachar. I had this on my list for last year and it only just showed up at the library. I really enjoyed it - a good quick read and it fit really well into my week because I could read a chapter or two while taking a short break from working. Prompt: Book about a secret
Currently reading
Borderline This started really well, but I got distracted by work and haven't gone back to it. I'll try again this week.
Coming up
Working Class Boy
The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War
Legacy
QOTW
I don't have anything to recommend, but I picked up Legacy by Maori author Whiti Hereaka from the library today. I was hoping to find something about the experience of blackbirding (the enslavement of Pacific Islanders in Australia) for this prompt, but didn't have much luck.
I also have The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories by Ken Liu coming in to the library in the next week or so. A couple of my possibilities for a book about the afterlife were by Chinese authors, so I might see if I can get one of them for May as well.
Somehow the day got away from me! However, it did give me one more finish as I squeezed in the last 40 pages of a cozy while eating dinner!Oh, and the logging in thing? Driving me nuts for a week or more now.
I am at 34/50 in PS Challenge!
Finished:
The Murder on the Links - Dame Agatha wrote a cozy murder farce! Poirot climbs a tree!
Murder at Half Moon Gate - prompt author read in 2021
The City of Brass - for prompt #ownvoices Fantasy and SciFi - first in trilogy alternate history set in 1789 in a world stretching from Egypt to Persia and India
Currently reading:
Long Term:
The British Are Coming: The War for America, Lexington to Princeton, 1775-1777
A Clash of Kings
Ulysses
For fun:
The Mystery of the Blue Train
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
QOTW: I highly recommend Black Water Sister by Zen Cho
Lynn wrote: "You are soooo organized! I have yet to decide what I'm reading. I may just read in longer books I've already begun, but will probably select 2-3 shorter books to work on Saturday."Thanks! A combination of shorter and longer books sounds like a good plan to me! I normally don't choose my readathon titles in advance, but at this point I have so many books on my physical TBR list that I would really struggle to make decisions about what to read next if I tried to mood read on Saturday.
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
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The Goblin Emperor (other topics)
Listen, Liberal: Or, What Ever Happened to the Party of the People (other topics)
One Step Too Far (other topics)
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Tim Marshall (other topics)Aihan Kuhn (other topics)
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Katherine Addison (other topics)
Lisa Gardner (other topics)
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And am I the only one to be kicked out constantly by Goodreads and forced to login yet again? It is happening to me all the time even though I keep checking the box to keep me logged in! Quite annoying! 😒
Happy Thursday! There is a Dewey’s 24-Hour Read-a-Thon scheduled for THIS Saturday, April 30! There are some Pre-Read-a-Thon challenges as well but I was a bit too late to get those scheduled in prior to April 30! Though I did obtain a whole list of short stories as a result of one of those challenges! I typically have not been a huge fan of short stories, but as I get older I feel as if I appreciate them even more than I have in the past.
This Saturday is also Independent Bookstore Day! Needless to say, I’ll be visiting my favorite used bookstore!
I have been amused when retired folks complained to me about having so much to do… But now I can understand and empathize (or at least sympathize) with that perspective much more so than in the past! I think it will take another 2 weeks or more for me to feel as if I finally have all the necessary paperwork completed and submitted and everything is set. Geeminy! Though I admit I think I feel as if I have so much to do simply because my energy level has been depleted to a point at which I just can’t do as much as I have in the past without feeling exhausted…and sometimes overwhelmed! Though I admit that whenever I start to feel ‘overwhelmed’ I force myself to stop and remember that plenty of other people have been through whatever it is I am about to do, so I, too, will be able to successfully complete this task, whatever it may be! 😊 For example, having my knee joints replaced with titanium sports model implants! I sure never envisioned being “bionic”! LOL
Plus I find that I keep seeing “projects” to be done inside and outside of the house simply because I ignored all but the most necessary things in the past due to lack of time. So, yeah, I feel busy!
I also seem to be caught up enough to finally get back into the habit of fully participating in the weekly check-in discussions. I miss those! You-all never cease to amaze me with your insights, compassionate comments, generosity, and especially humor! I admit that in these past few weeks it has been rather difficult for me to stop reading and get on the computer… I am so enjoying being able to read as much as I desire!
It is nice to be home and be able to cook more during the day. We mainly eat home-cooked meals and I appreciate the flexibility in my schedule that I can cook more during the week without having to stress on the weekends to make big batches for leftovers, etc. And to those of you still working, your time will also come! And it will be WONDERFUL!!
ADMIN STUFF:
Sherri is our “guru guide” for April’s discussion of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson for prompt #26 A book with a misleading title, in honor of April Fools’ Day! Thank you, Sherri! Some interesting issues to consider with this one!
May’s Monthly Group Read is Year of the Reaper by Makiia Lucier and I have moved it to the Current Monthly Group Read folder. Thank you so much to Stormie ~ Book Dragon ~ for leading this discussion! She is the BRAVE “bubbly bibliophile” who volunteered before we’d even selected the book! Kudos to her! This will fulfill prompt #15 A book written by a Pacific Islander author in honor or AAPI Appreciation Month in the US! I plan to make this one of the first books I read in May. Fingers crossed that I will find it enjoyable!
The nomination poll is live for the selection of a monthly group read for August! This will be a book to fulfill prompt #35 A book with a constellation on the cover or in the title. Be sure to check against the listing of past monthly group reads here to make sure it wasn’t selected in the past. (I’m pretty sure I did that… 😊) I know there has been much discussion regarding the interpretation of this prompt. Hopefully the book selected will be a good fit for most of us!
UPDATE: The Map of Salt and Stars was incorrectly nominated. If you voted for that book, please change your vote to one of the other books. This book was the June 2020 Monthly Group Read! Thank you!
We will need a “vivacious volunteer” to lead June’s monthly group read discussion of Beloved. Please message either Nadine or myself to help the group with this discussion!
Teri has graciously volunteered to be the “terrific team leader” for July’s monthly group read discussion of Piranesi!! Thank you, Teri! (The alliteration abounds! LOL)
The comprehensive listing of Monthly Group Reads for 2022 is here.
Question of the Week:
Are there any books you would specifically recommend reading during the month of May (The first day of which is THIS Sunday!) in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Appreciation Month? Or perhaps there are some books you would like to read that would fit?
Please Look After Mom by Shin Kyung-sook and translated by Chi-young Kim is a book I intend to finally read this year! I have it selected to fulfill several challenge prompts. However, I realize that since Kyung-sook Shin still lives in Korea this book wouldn’t specifically qualify as written by an “Asian American” author… But I’m sure you-all know of some! Let the listing begin!! 😊
Popsugar: 34/50
ATY: 42/52
RHC: 13/24
FINISHED:
How Much of These Hills Is Gold by C Pam Zhang ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for IRL book club meeting on Sunday. Absolutely gorgeous writing! This woman’s use of words in so unique, precise, and yet intense! I actually felt the desolation and bleakness as I read…
POPSUGAR: NEW #4-on the cover and integral to the story, #9, #25, #31- Mining strips the land of all vegetation, etc., enabling droughts, mudslides, etc., #37-Samantha/Sam, #40-2020: prompt #37 A western, #42
ATY: #3, #4- A book related to Shelley's poem Ozymandias (Nadine’s proposal): Nothing beside remains. Round the decay/Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare-Mining has stripped the land…, #11, #15, #16-When you strip the land of vegetation and dig tunnels, you get drought, flooding, mudslides, etc., #20, #34, #36, #40-Strength, Justice, Death, Judgment, The World, #41, #46-Nellie, #49
RHC: #24-2018: prompt #7 A western
*Mary, Mary (Alex Cross #11) by James Patterson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ restored my faith in this series! Thank goodness! (Since I now own the next 10-12 books! LOL) Good character development and more easily believed mystery resolution.
POPSUGAR: #9, #25, #29, #40-2016: prompt #14 A book you can finish reading in one day, NEW #41, #46
ATY: #1-Alex, #2, #7, #31-2005, #33, #34-Christine, #40-The Lovers, Strength, Justice, Death, Judgment, The World, #41, #49, #50
RHC: #24-2020: prompt #3 Read a mystery where the victim is not a woman
*Mozart's Sister by Rita Charbonnier ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ was much better than I expected! Humor was sprinkled throughout and I really appreciated the format with letters to represent the older Nannerl and flashbacks to depict her younger self and the family. This was a delightful read, even if Nannerl’s life was rather full of frustration and despair. I would definitely read more of Charbonnier’s writing.
POPSUGAR: #9, #40-2015: prompt #7 A book with nonhuman characters
ATY: #2-A book whose author is younger than you, #7, #11, #14-812 ratings, #31-2006, #34-Nannerl was a piano teacher, #40-The Lovers, Strength, Justice, Death, Judgment, The World, #44, #49, #50
RHC: #24-2021: Read a book you’ve been intimidated to read (I feared it would be “dry” and difficult to get into!)
CONTINUING:
*Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family by Robert Kolker I have made good progress in this one lately. I think I’m just in a mood for it right now!
*The Magic in Changing Your Stars by Leah Henderson
*Yes, Chef by Marcus Samuelsson
*Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston.
*Paradise by Toni Morrison
PLANNED:
The first book for a May Buddy Read:
*The Long Call (Two Rivers #1) by Ann Cleeves
POPSUGAR monthly group read:
*Year of the Reaper by Makiia Lucier
To complete some 2021 year-long challenges:
1) *Marjorie Morningstar by Herman Wouk
2) *The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald
To complete the 2021 Read Harder Challenge:
*Ordinary Girls by Jaquira Díaz
*Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James
*Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff