Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion

Happy Thursday!!

Lynn's computer is not co-operating today, hopefully she'll be able to get online later today. She sent me her QotW to post.


It's been a cool week here in NY - last week I had the a/c running and now I'm starting to think I might need to turn the heat on! I had to go outside and warm up in the sun this morning.



This week I finished 2 books

Camp Zero by Michelle Min Sterling - I really enjoyed this grim cli-fi novel, and I was shocked when I looked at other GR reviews after I finished and found that most people hated it! This was my "celebrity book club" book (I think it was Read with Jenna).

The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston - I actually started this book before Camp Zero, and intended it to be my "celebrity book club" book, but the paperback cover felt disgusting - this has never happened to me before, I couldn't stand to touch it and had to stop reading and put the e-book on hold. So, Camp Zero became my challenge book and this one I read just for fun I guess. All the five star reviews had me thinking it would be awesome. It was NOT awesome. The central plot point was ludicrous (view spoiler)[and the ending was clear from the beginning because it was obvious to me that he was NOT DEAD and it really annoyed me that no one in the book considered that. I mean, if someone says to you "Ben got hit by a car!" you don't think "oh well he's dead" you think "wow is he okay?" I also thought it was really stupid that she didn't talk to Ben sooner, but I guess that's to be expected since the character did so many other stupid things. (hide spoiler)].

Popsugar 92% 46 /50
Must Reads 75% 9 /12
Nay's Winter 70% 7 /10
AtY 88% 46 /52





QotW

Have you ever read a retelling that you ended up liking better than the original?

Updated with my answer:

I have a shelf for "retelling a classic" so I just looked there and found four 5-star reads.

Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin - honestly I'm not sure if I ever read the Poe story - probably? maybe? I was never really a Poe fangirl so I feel comfortable saying I liked this book better than the original.

Across a Star-Swept Sea by Diana Peterfreund - I HAVE read The Scarlet Pimpernel, and it was okay. I have read several retellings, and this book was my favorite. I feel like Peterfreund doesn't get enough love in the YA world.

Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie - I read Antigone way back when I was a moody college student and reading the Greeks and Russians. The original was good, but this was more relatable for me.

Album of Dr. Moreau by Daryl Gregory - this is really more of a spin-off than a re-telling, but it counts, right? the only reason I read this was because I needed something for the "takes place in one day" category, and this was short, so I picked it up. I expected nothing. It was so good though! So funny! Definitely better than the original, and imo also better than The Daughter of Doctor Moreau

Finished: Answers in the Pages I feel like I've read so many of these anti-book-banning books that it has to be extraordinary to set itself apart. This was not extraordinary.

Started: The Power of Ethics: How to Make Good Choices in a Complicated World This has some pretty disturbing examples and extracts principles from them that are not straight-forward. I'm liking it so far.

Timefulness: How Thinking Like a Geologist Can Help Save the World Ohmygosh, the prefact was so well-written! It's kind of settled down into ho-hum rocks and protrusions now, but she hooked me in the beginning.

Time And Eternity: Exploring God's Relationship To Time Not far enough into this one yet to have a strong opinion.

Hatchet Did I read this as a child or is this my first read-through? Reading as an example of conflict v. nature.

QotW: Not that comes to mind easily, but I'm not a big fan of retellings in general. The only thing I can think of is Diana Wynne Jone's Fire and Hemlock which is based on Tam Lim, but I've never read Tam Lim, so I can't really compare. Then I guess there's James Joyce's Ulysses based on the Odyssey. I feel like I got a lot out of that, mostly because of Joyce's methodical way of writing.

Happy Thursday!

Nadine, I felt the same way about The Dead Romantics. I actually liked the quirky stuff about the small town and the family more than the terrible romance. (Oh, and did she mention that the mayor is a dog?) I was disappointed because I've enjoyed the author's YA books.

Finished:
Just one manga so far this week:
Witch Hat Atelier, Vol. 11

Currently reading:
The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hall - work got busy, so I didn't get a chance to finish this yet, but I should be done this week. I'm enjoying it so far.

Upcoming/Planned:
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Starter Villain by John Scalzi

QOTW: 
I think I like a lot of fairy tale retellings better than the original, especially when they flesh out and update or modernize the story in some way, or remove some problematic element such as sexism or racism. A lot of original fairy tales and fables don't really have a lot of depth or characterization. Other retellings are more hit and miss for me. For example, I don't think I've read a Pride and Prejudice retelling that I like more than the original.

Nadine in NY wrote: "Happy Thursday!!

Lynn's computer is not co-operating today, hopefully she'll be able to get online later today. She sent me her QotW to post.


It's been a cool week here in NY - last week I had t..."

Am I the only one that was neutral on Camp Zero? I didn't love it, didn't hate it, just liked it. Which is fine sometimes. I still got enjoyment out of the book.
And yes, The Dead Romantics was silly. I still enjoyed aspects of it.

I finished A Minister's Ghost. I almost gave up on it. It started out slow, then got interesting, but then ended weird. It wasn't terrible, but I doubt I'll be seeking out the author again.

I'm almost done with A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail. If I ever post on here that I want to hike the Appalachian Trail, someone please remind me that I most assuredly do NOT.

QOTW: Good question. I read the original Grimm Cinderella after I was already familiar with the story and that's just so much more dark. So, maybe Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister (and also the Disney movie is much better than the original). Kind of a hard question since the retellings I tend to like the best are the ones told from another perspective so it's like comparing apples to oranges.

Wait, it's Thursday?! Oy. Loving NYC cooler temps. I am hoping for a nice lingering color-filled autumn with no major storms. Alas I think one is coming through this weekend.

PS 41/50

Finished: All were read for challenges, just not this one.

Appointment with Death
The Sisters: The Saga of the Mitford Family
A Disappearance in Drury Lane
A Long Time Coming

Currently reading:
The Stationery Shop

QOTW: I don't think so. I certainly have considered retellings as excellent reads on their own - like Circe and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. Or even as terrible like A Study in Brimstone or Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. But never as better or even worse.

Jen wrote: "Happy Thursday!

Nadine, I felt the same way about The Dead Romantics. I actually liked the quirky stuff about the small town and the family more than the terrible romance. (Oh, and did she mention..."




LOL yes she mentions the dog multiple times! just like she mentions EVERYTHING multiple times. I liked the dog, though. Except, in a town quirky enough to elect a dog for mayor TWICE, one would think a girl who talks to herself and claims to see ghosts would FIT RIGHT IN AND NOT BE BULLIED OUT OF TOWN. In fact, this "bullying" was never fully explained or described, so I was never on board with her staying completely away completely for ten full years. I also moved away from home, my parents come visit me, and (here's the key!) I also would go visit them!

(and I don't think any of this is a spoiler, it's all laid out early in the book)

Milena wrote: "Am I the only one that was neutral on Camp Zero? I didn't love it, didn't hate it, just liked it...."


You are definitely not alone!! I think most reviews are like yours, rather neutral.

Happy Thursday and a good one it is.

I got my class assignment for next week and it's got me so stoked. We have to do a literacy summary for 5 books that deal with multicultural content. It can be any book as long as it fits within that criteria and it has to fit within the grade level we plan to teach. We can't use the summaries on the websites or from any place else like Amazon, GR, and such. They have to be our own. Which totally benefits me so I get to read more books!

We were given some websites where we could get ideas off of and it turns out I have like six books already, but I decided to go a slightly different route. Of those six I'll be using three of them and then I purchased two others that I saw on those book lists which I figured I would like.

Since my grade levels are between 4th-8th, I thought these would be good. As a result I had an excuse for purchasing more Indigenous books. LOL!

These are the two that I ordered for my assignment:

#Notyourprincess: Voices of Native American Women

Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask: Young Readers Edition

And then of course I have the other 3 books I'll be using, also Indigenous related. I figured I would go with Indigenous books because they are not taught in schools. Indigenous history, both past and present, get lost in the fold.

I remember growing up Native Americans were viewed as relics of the past and that there was maybe a couple of paragraphs in a textbook which even back then I remember being sad and angry over.

*****

QOTW:

Have you ever read a retelling that you ended up liking better than the original?

It's hard for me to answer this. I do have one retelling and it's a gay retelling of 'Pride & Prejudice,' but I have yet to read it. I'm just not a fan of retellings. I think they'll end up ruining the ideas I have with the original.

Add in the fact that over 85% of my reading is NF and there's not much I can do there with retellings unless it's revisionist history or something of that nature.

Theresa wrote: " I don't think so. I certainly have considered retellings as excellent reads on their own - like Circe and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue...."

Wait, what would you consider Addie LaRue a retelling of? Faust?

Happy Thursday

I got nothing finished this week. But I did do a lot of reading on two long books. And I moved my buddy reads along. And I watched two more movies for ATY in 52 movies. So, it wasn't a bad week.

Series - 12/15
Series Completed: - Lying Games, Bronwyn the Witch, Divergent, Millenium, Heather Wells

Nobel laureates - 5/7
Random books - 5/7

ATY - 36/40
PS - 31/30
Nadine's 23 challenge - 10/10 -Completed!
Summer challenge: 12/12 - Completed!
Around the year in 52 movies - 39/52

37. A movie with the theme of returning home - Grosse Pointe Blank
38. A movie with the sun, moon, or stars on the cover - Kubo and the Two Strings

Currently reading:

The Fall of the King - 75% done
City of Heavenly Fire - 30% done

Buddy Reads:
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - 29/37 chapters
A Light in the Window - 18/21 chapters

QOTW: Have you ever read a retelling that you ended up liking better than the original? Only once. Turn of the Screw was written (according to Wikipedia) because Henry James needed money. He tried to please everyone and his ending didn't please a lot of people.

I felt that Ruth Ware drastically improved upon the lackluster original with The Turn of the Key.

It was a busy and hectic week, but I’ve made it to Thursday! Just one day of work left and then we’re off to Switzerland. The weather forecast is almost perfect (sun, 18 degrees Celcius), so I’m excited! Still, there’s a pile of books going into the car. Just in case, there’s no such thing as too many books on vacation.

PS: 35/50 (goal: 40/50)
Total 2023: 48/52

Finished
The Fountain Overflows by Rebecca West⭐⭐
Not for PS
I liked the Cazalets better. Much better portrait of the elite society.

Currently reading
The Lightkeeper's Daughters by Jean E. Pendziwol

QOTW
I don’t think so. I don’t read that many retellings.

Happy Thursday, everyone!

Even though I had a lot going on this week, it turned out to be a great week for reading! I managed to read a nice blend of titles from my TBR and “New Books” lists, and made a significant amount of progress toward completing my reading goals.

Here are my current challenge and TBR totals…

Goodreads Challenge: 709/400 (Challenge Complete!)
Mount TBR Challenge: 150/150 (Challenge Complete!)

📚Physical TBR: 294/634
📱Ebook TBR: 14/236
🎧Audiobook TBR: 12/13
TBR Checklist Total: 320/883 (36.2% complete)

I did purchase a couple of new releases this week, including Starter Villain, by John Scalzi; and Alice in Borderland, Vol. 7, by Haro Aso.

I also picked up a copy of The Art and Making of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, by Eleni Roussos and John Francis Daley; as well as a copy of Horrorstör, by Grady Hendrix.

“New” Books Bought in 2023: 412
“New” Books Read in 2023: 382/412 (92.7% complete)

Here are the books I finished this week…

Finished Reading (Fiction):
~The It Girl — I thought this was a very good read, and really enjoyed all the twists and turns. Content Alert: (view spoiler)[ This book does include stalking, as well as a physical assault. There are also portrayals of toxic friendships. (hide spoiler)] 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Spyder — This is the third book in the Dark Pharaohs Motorcycle Club series. I thought this was a pretty good continuation of the series, and liked the main characters. Content Alert: (view spoiler)[ This book does include a mother who is dying from cancer, as well as frequent references to grieving the loss of a loved one. The book also includes references to drug dealing, gun running, and human trafficking. There is also a stalking situation involving the main female character. (hide spoiler)] 📱: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Nitro — This is the fourth book in the Dark Pharaohs Motorcycle Club series. I thought this was a good continuation of the series. Content Alert: (view spoiler)[ This book does include references to drug dealing, gun running, and human trafficking. There is also a stalking situation involving the main female character and a law enforcement agent. (hide spoiler)] 📱: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Volt — This is the fifth (and last) book in the Dark Pharaohs Motorcycle Club series. I thought this was a good conclusion to the series. Content Alert: (view spoiler)[ This book does include references to drug dealing, gun running, and human trafficking. The MC members are also dealing with a lot of grief. (hide spoiler)] 📱: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Big Bucks — This is the third book in the A Big Murder Mystery series. I really enjoyed this story! 📱: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~The Man in the Iron Mask — This is the sequel to Louise de la Vallière, and the final book in the D’Artagnan series. While this did end up being my least favorite of the Dumas books that I’ve read this year, I did really enjoy it, and thought that it did a good job of concluding the series. Content Alert: (view spoiler)[ This book includes references to suicide, as well as characters who are grieving the loss of friends and family. There are also a couple of animal deaths, including horses that are overworked or killed on the battlefield. (hide spoiler)] 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Alex — This is the first book in the Cold Fury Hockey series. I really enjoyed this story, and liked the two main characters. I also really liked the pace at which their relationship developed. Content Alert: (view spoiler)[ This book does include past child abuse (both physical and verbal), as well as frequent references to drug addiction. (hide spoiler)] 📱: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Broken Sparrow — This is the first book in the Open Road series. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and actually read it in a single sitting. I really liked the main characters, and thought Morris was a total sweetheart. I will definitely be picking up the other books in this series at some point. Content Alert: (view spoiler)[ The main character and her daughter are on the run from an abusive husband. Because of this, the book does include physical and verbal abuse, as well as gaslighting. (hide spoiler)] 📱: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Finished Reading (Nonfiction):
~The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing — I’m really glad that I took the time to re-read this book. I feel inspired to finish unpacking the rest of my moving boxes, and set about turning my house into a home. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up — This is the second of Marie Kondo’s books on tidying. This book dives deeper into the process of tidying, giving the reader recommendations for how to approach the various categories (and sub-categories) of stuff that you own. It also includes tips on how to store your possessions once you’ve gone through the process of discarding the items that don’t bring you joy. I liked this book even better than the first one. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Finished Reading (Manga, Comic Books, & Graphic Novels):
~Alice in Borderland, Vol. 7 — This was a great continuation of the Alice in Borderland series! It’s been really interesting to see how the manga differs from the live-action series on Netflix. I’m already looking forward to the next volume. Content Alert: (view spoiler)[ This volume does include graphic, bloody violence, including torture. (hide spoiler)] 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Finished Reading (Poetry and Drama):
None

DNFed:
None

Currently Reading:
~Joy at Work: Organizing Your Professional Life — This is Marie Kondo’s third book, which was co-written with Scott Sonenshein. I am finding it very interesting so far. I’m just about to start chapter 6. 📚
~Flame — I have to confess that I’m not overly invested in this book. I don't like the main male character, and I’m just not a fan of (view spoiler)[ one-night stand to lovers stories (hide spoiler)]. I will finish reading this one (probably later today), but I don’t think I will continue this series. 📱
~Sherlock Holmes and Philosophy: The Footprints of a Gigantic Mind — This book is from the Pop Culture and Philosophy series. I’m not very far into it yet, but I think it’s going to be an interesting read. 📚

QOTW:
I do enjoy a good fairy tale retelling. Robin McKinley’s Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast and Rose Daughter are definitely my favorite retellings of Beauty and the Beast.

Happy Thursday! The weather finally seems to be cooling down, so I swapped out my summer and winter clothes over the weekend. 3/4 length sleeves are my favorite and I can’t wait to get back to wearing them and feeling comfy. Husband is busy filling the yard with evergreens, we’re making progress on restoring the garage (added an entry door and repainting), and the cat is thrilled about us spending more time outdoors.

I finished a bunch of good books this week!

Camp Damascus - 3.5 stars. So good!! The analysis of evangelical Christianity really hit home.

The Lies of Locke Lamora - 4.5 stars. Still one of my top 10 books ever, but even I can admit the details and minutiae can be a bit much at times.

Love in the Time of Cholera - DNF. I can see how others love this; it’s so easy to get swept up in the beautiful writing, but it’s definitely not for me.

Lumberjanes, Vol. 11: Time After Crime - 4 stars. It felt good to come back to the girls after a few weeks away, and I’m curious to see how this new storyline pans out.

Self-Made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix - 4 stars. I just finished this one a few hours ago. This is such a fun, fresh retelling! A book about forbidden romance

PS 40/50
ATY 47/52
Mount TBR 43/60

Currently:
The Children of Gods and Fighting Men - Things are coming together as this ends, and it makes me excited to pick up the sequel next week.

Toussaint Louverture: The Story of the Only Successful Slave Revolt in History; A Play in Three Acts - A historical play from the 1930s about the beginning of the Haitian Revolution.

Six of Crows - I tried this several years ago and didn't get far, but I want in on the hype bc heist books are my thing. Hoping the audio fares better!

Upcoming:
Godkiller
The Words of Kings and Prophets

QOTW: Have you ever read a retelling that you ended up liking better than the original?
Love that we got this question as I wrapped up Self-Made Boys, because I love the queer twist on Gatsby. It got a higher star rating that when I read Great Gatsby a few years ago, so... I liked this retelling better, I think? I'm also dying to give The Chosen and the Beautiful another go.

What Moves the Dead may very well be an improvement upon The Fall of the House of Usher, but I need to reread the original in another week or two to find out for sure.

I'm also extremely partial to The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein over Frankenstein, because I find the original incredibly dull (I knowwwww I don't want to dislike it!! It just happened that way)

Dubhease wrote: "37. A movie with the theme of returning home - Grosse Pointe Blank .."


LOL that's a funny choice for that category!!

Happy Thursday! Agree with Nadine and Theresa that the weather in NY is just beautiful. Although we are supposed to be getting a deluge (tropical storm? hurricane?) over the weekend.
Work is insanely busy lately, so this is my first timely check-in in weeks.

Finished:
Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club
Greek Lessons
The Quiet Tenant

Currently reading:
Charlotte Illes Is Not a Detective
Fourth Wing on audio

QOTW:
I am sure there are, but I can't think of any at the moment. Although, The Turn of the Key example is a good one. And I feel like I would like any The Great Gatsby retelling better than the original.

I have that thing after a readathon where I don't pick up a book for days, which kind of undoes all the catching up I do.

So only one book finished this week, My Roommate Is a Vampire by Jenna Levine. The vampire was kind of boring, and he had this whole faux regency vibe which made zero sense because he'd previously been living in early 20th century America so can't have been that clueless.

QOTW:
I tend to enjoy retellings more as I just prefer modern fiction to classics. After reading What Moves the Dead I tried reading the Poe story and it was so wordy and over the top. Once upon a time I started The Odyssey and I will say I prefer all the retellings to classical epic poetry!

QotW:

I would like to highlight Romeo and/or Juliet: A Chooseable-Path Adventure as a high-quality modern retelling of the Shakespeare classic. You can follow along with the original story by choosing the options with a specific symbol next to them, and you will receive some commentary on the absurdity of some of your decision making along the way.

If you want a totally awesome ninja-fighting adventure as part of your story, that is in one of the branches, too! The addition of artwork is also a plus.

Happy Thursday! I'm so glad to be home. Todd is doing much better, but he's been advised to take some time off work, and he's got several doctors to go see for follow-ups.

During a layover in Denver last evening I got a call from my local library. I won two tickets (and a signed copy of The Fragile Threads of Power) to a V.E. Schwab event next week! I'm very excited.

Challenge Progress:
52 Book Club: 52/52 (September Mini-Challenge: 2/3)
ATY: 51/52 (Fall Challenge: 2/15)
Popsugar: 46/50 (Nadine's Mini-Challenge: 10/10)

Completed:
Mister Magic ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Happiness Falls (PS 32 - a book that comes out in the second half of 2023) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Light Pirate (ATY 50 - a second book that fits your favorite prompt (a book that is light)) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death on a Scorched Planet ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Bewitching Hour (A Tara Prequel) (ATY Fall 5 - a book set in autumn) ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Learned by Heart ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Built from the Fire: The Epic Story of Tulsa's Greenwood District, America's Black Wall Street (ATY 1 - a book set in a location that starts with A, T, or Y - Tulsa) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
How Can I Help You ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Exceptions: Nancy Hopkins, MIT, and the Fight for Women in Science ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dreaming Beauty (PS 44 - a book that was self-published) ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Wedding Crasher (ATY Fall 8 - one last summer read) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Daughter of the Dragon: Anna May Wong's Rendezvous with American History ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dark Matter (52 BC September 2 - a book that includes foreshadowing) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Heebie-Jeebie Girl (ATY 1 - a book set in a location that starts with A, T, or Y - Youngstown) ⭐️⭐️⭐️



Currently Reading:
Our Missing Hearts
The Possibilities
Fairy Tale (PS 46 - a book with a pet character)
A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan's Plot to Take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them
Adequate Yearly Progress (52 BC September 3 - a book with a character who is a teacher)
The Rachel Incident
Longbourn (ATY 26 - a book related to pride)

QOTW: Most retellings I read are of book that I really loved, so it's rare that I like the new book more than the original. I really enjoyed Jane Steele, a gothic retelling of Jane Eyre, and Hester is definitely better than The Scarlet Letter!

Nadine in NY wrote: "Dubhease wrote: "37. A movie with the theme of returning home - Grosse Pointe Blank .."


LOL that's a funny choice for that category!!"

I was trying to find something that wasn't The Deer Hunter or a Vietnam vet returns home to an unwelcoming country. I had shockingly missed Grosse Pointe Blank when it came out, but a hitman going to a high school reunion struck me as funny.

I read Go Set a Watchman for the same prompt, So, I didn't want a movie dealing with racism either.

I don't know if other people trade off books and movies? If you are reading serious books, you want lighter movies/TV. If you are reading lighter books, you can handle more serious shows/movies.

Happy Thursday!

this is the first time in a while that I forgot it was Thursday. Well, that it was check-in to be more precise.

I've been busy getting ready for the eclipse on October 14th. We are handing out packets with some crafts and glasses and coloring pages and some space and astronaut stickers. We need to hand them out early because we are closed on weekends. So 35 bags got stuffed with various objects yesterday.

Today it is the first day that's it been cool. Its nice. The sun is warm but the air isn't stifling.

Not much else is going on. Ziggy got an upset stomach and was not happy for a couple of days. I swear he has a super sensitive stomach or something. Other than that, life has thankfully been quiet.

Can't wait for Friday the 13th next month.

Popsugar: 29/50
Finished: None

Reading: None that I’m aware of

Aty:37/52
Finished:

This one is retroactive: My Instant Death Ability is So Overpowered, No One in This Other World Stands a Chance Against Me! Volume 1 aty 47 (circle on cover)⭐⭐⭐
The Great Cleric: Volume 2 aty 30⭐⭐⭐⭐

Reading: None that I’m aware of

Goodreads Challenge 518/400
Finished:
No Bunnies Here!
The Great Cleric: Volume 1
The Great Cleric: Volume 2
The Great Cleric: Volume 3
The Great Cleric: Volume 4
The Great Cleric: Volume 5
7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy! (Light Novel) Vol. 4
Stray Cat & Wolf, Vol. 1 (Volume 1)
Abe-kun's Got Me Now! Vol. 11
Auctioned to the Alien Boss
Auctioned to the Tusk Warrior
Auctioned to the Kodiak Shifter
Stolen by the Mafia King
Love, Daddy
Protecting My Zinnia

Reading:
The Great Cleric: Volume 6
Gabriel's Redemption
Fourth Wing
Prince of Thorns & Nightmares

QOTW:

I can't remember off hand. Maybe once upon a time.

I know there are some fix-it fics out there that I was happy to read for fandoms.

Hi All,

Going to be going on vacation this weekend, which I'm kind of annoyed by because it was unilaterally decided upon by inlaws with no input by us. I turned 40 monday and I had specifically said multiple times i did not want a trip planned for September so I could figure out what I wanted to do for a milestone birthday with my friends, and I wanted wiggle room so I could accomadate schedules. Next thing I know I'm informed the trip was booked for the weekend after my birthday, required 3 days off the week immediately following it making it too awkwardly spaced to even take my actual birthday off. Happy birthday to me, I guess. And they did this way back in like February or March before I had any time to really get anything booked or set or talk to anyone about planning. I found out one of my closest friends had a family wedding planned last weekend so couldn't celebrate before it. So now having to postpone until the 30th. Pretty miffed. And my best friend is moving to California this week, just found out a few weeks ago. And since my birthday got pushed so far back, she's now booking a flight a week after she moves just to celebrate with me because she's amazing.

This week I finished:

The Archive Undying - Finally finished this. I liked it, but it was very dense and confusing. It used second person perspective a lot, but it switched whose second perspective was being used a couple times without being clear when it shifts. And there was so much complexity and maneuvering and complex motivations and stuff that it was just incredibly difficult to keep straight. I also didn't really feel attached to any of the characters. But the premise was fascinating so i kept plugging away at it. I don't know that I feel motivated to read the second when it comes out though.

The Tea Dragon Society - used for read harder comic with disability representation, one of the characters uses a wheelchair. This was so charming and sweet, and i loved the art! i want all the tea dragons as plushies.

Thornhedge - I really like T. Kingfisher, although this didn't seem quite as rich as other two of hers that I read. But I did really like Toadling.

The Tea Dragon Festival - used this for read harder comic that I don't usually read. The prompt is kinda tricky for me becuase I read a lot of different kind of comics, so I wouldn't say there's a kind of comic I haven't read ANY of. but OVERALL I tend to read a lot of action-y or horror-type comics. So I figured a gentle cozy story isn't my overall normal sort.

The Tea Dragon Tapestry - Just wanted to finish up the lovely comics at this point. Such pretty art and lovely story.

The Hawthorne Legacy - still a kinda fun series, good for an audio book. Glad that the love triangle seemed to be kind of resolved by the end, hoping that the next book it stays that way.

Night Warrior - read harder author that is local to me. THis is a book by a friend of a friend, my friend actually did the cover art for it. I got it a while ago vaguely meaning to read it, it seemed like a cool idea, reverse portal fantasy. Unfortunately...dude's writing style does not live up to the premise. I guess his children's books are pretty solid at least, so maybe should just stick to those. Seriously i think "Prepare for the sweet release of death" was said at least 20 times. I was mostly plowing through it because seriously, the dude lives within a 10 minute drive of me, you don't get more local than that, it's the most accurate I've ever been able to get for the prompt. But...it wasn't great. I think it was a self published title, he really should have paid for a professional editor, or found more beta readers or something. Just so much rough plot, rough dialogue.

Carrie Soto Is Back - I'd been on the fence about reading this one because I didn't particularly like Carrie's minor appearance in Malibu Rising, and I don't care about tennis at all. But it was actually really good. I've done all the Jenkins books I've tried on audio book so far, and she always gets phenomenal versions done. Most of it was pretty standard audio book, with "Carrie" narrating for herself. But there were bits that were acted out like actual sports cast bits with little musical bumps and everything, and official news reports with other actresses and such. It really enlivened it. And I appreciated the messaging of "Yeah, I'm cocky. I'm great at tennis. Am I supposed to act like It's surprising or luck or an accident when I win? Are men expected to act like that? " and just the general comparison on how public figure women are treated, whether or not they live up to perfect feminine ideals. I found myself continually wavering between being annoyed at her abrasiveness and then questioning why i was. It really was an interesting counter to Malibu Rising, since Nina fell into the "super sexy model" role and got the whole other side of the industry. Not being allowed to compete because hey, she's already famous for her looks. Why bother putting her actual skills as a surfer to the test? Having sexualized words being added to her ads without her consent leading to people thinking it's ok to touch her in public etc.

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet - finished up my bedtime read, will have to start another.

currently reading:

Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology - Short stories of dark fiction by Indigenous authors. A lot of the big names are in here, like Cherie Dimaline, Rebecca Roanhorse, Darcie Little Badger, Tommy Orange, introduction by Stephen Graham Jones. Plus a lot of writers I haven't heard of or haven't been published before.

A Simple Favor - needed a book to movie adaption for my genre genius challenge. I saw this one a couple months ago. I think this is in the small pool of "the movie is better". I don't know if it's just because I saw the movie first, or if it's just that it's generally a kind of weird, kind of gross story but the movie at least hangs it on Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively to make you feel something for some otherwise unlikeable characters.

QOTW:

It's kind of hard to say better or worse, since a lot of times the retellings are setting out to do something different than the original. (I tend to lump spin offs/continuations etc all into retellings just because i don't like getting overly granular). But one of my favorite retellings that I probably ENJOYED much more than the original is The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein. It tells the story from Elizabeth's perspective, tweaks things around, gives the women in the story far more agency, makes the doctor much less of a bumbling incompetent man.

Hi all! I'll get complaint out of the way first- I've been sleeping for crap and then sleeping during the day and basically being completely useless and feeling like a slug. It's getting old. Fortunately, I see my sleep doctor next week and plan to give her an earful!

Happy news- PUPPY!!! Not ours, but my mother-in-law got a Corgi puppy last week. She's SO cute!! My MIL had a pitbull mix (maybe??) before and that was too much for her, but I think a Corgi will be absolutely perfect! And if she ever needs a dog sitter... :D

Didn't finish anything, barely have the mental or physical energy to read. Did get a little bit read in Unexampled Courage: The Blinding of Sgt. Isaac Woodard and the Awakening of President Harry S. Truman and Judge J. Waties Waring. It's a week late, but for now, I'm "blaming" the library for being closed for the next 2 weeks. Has nothing to do with the fact that I just haven't been reading it!

QOTW: Hmm, probably, but I can't think of any at the moment. I will watch other people's answers and see if something jogs my memory. I do have The Turn of the Key out from the library, but haven't started it yet. I wasn't impressed with The Turn of the Screw, so it won't be hard for this to be better.

Nadine in NY wrote: Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie - I read Antigone way back when I was a moody college student and reading the Greeks and Russians. The original was good, but this was more relatable for me."..."

I'm not sure if I ever read Antigone by Sophocles, but in high school we read the play Antigone by Jean Anouilh and I LOVED it. I guess it was written as an allegory to the Nazis, but I read it as a young woman trying to find her own way and stand up for her beliefs and grow beyond her family and her peers and I related SO HARD. lol I've had a very hard time finding a copy in English (I accidentally bought a copy in French years ago that did me no good!). I think the library might have a copy. I'd like to reread it and see how it resonates now.

Happy Thursday!! It's actually been a somewhat calm week, finally. About time! This whole year has been insane. I'm loving the cooler weather too! Not quite jacket weather, but almost!

Currently Reading

A Crown of Swords for "a book you should have read in high school." It's so nice reading WoT again. Like meeting an old friend. :)

QotW

I really liked Cinder and the whole Lunar Chronicles as a whole as a sci-fi fairytale retelling. It's clever and the reverse damsel-in-distress thing never grows old!

It's been a bad reading month. I DNFed a few things and even some of my challenge picks might end up that way. I did finish an arc I very much enjoyed however, Murder by Degrees by Ritu Mukerji a historical mystery featuring a female doctor (trained in a school that's part of my current research)

The only other thing I managed to finish were Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 3 Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 4 & Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 5 by Hiromu Arakawa which I'm falling in love with all over again (it's a reread)

QOTW Hmm, I don't do many retellings but The Diabolical Miss Hyde by Viola Carr was good (though I still say it's a sequel not a retelling) and I did just DNFed Our Hideous Progeny by C.E. McGill because the first 125 pages was pure set up that could have been done in a chapter. However I am in a minority here because people are loving this retelling.

Dubhease wrote: "I don't know if other people trade off books and movies? If you are reading serious books, you want lighter movies/TV. If you are reading lighter books, you can handle more serious shows/movies...."



I don't think I do. It's like there are two separate entertainment rooms in my brain: one that wants to read a book, and one that wants to watch a movie or TV show. The two rooms don't pay any attention to each other. Plus, my movie/TV viewing is of course heavily influenced by what my kids want to watch, since it's a group activity.

Sheri wrote: "Night Warrior - read harder author that is local to me. THis is a book by a friend of a friend, my friend actually did the cover art for it. I got it a while ago vaguely meaning to read it, it seemed like a cool idea, reverse portal fantasy. Unfortunately...dude's writing style does not live up to the premise. ..."



Oh that's so awkward, because he's a new small writer and you don't want to bash him, but you also want to be honest in your review. Once I read a short story a friend had published, and it was so bad that I just quietly deleted it from all my GR shelves to avoid having to review it!



all the Jenkins books I've tried on audio book so far, and she always gets phenomenal versions done. Most of it was pretty standard audio book, with "Carrie" narrating for herself. But there were bits that were acted out like actual sports cast bits with little musical bumps and everything, and official news reports with other actresses and such. It really enlivened it.

I'm not a big TJR fan (but I did enjoy Malibu) so I had no intentions of reading this one, but you make it sound so appealing. Sometimes I'm just looking for an entertaining audiobook that I don't have to pay too much attention to! This book would work perfectly.


Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology - Short stories of dark fiction by Indigenous authors. A lot of the big names are in here, like Cherie Dimaline, Rebecca Roanhorse, Darcie Little Badger, Tommy Orange, introduction by Stephen Graham Jones. Plus a lot of writers I haven't heard of or haven't been published before.

Ooh that sounds great!! Dimaline is so fantastic I will just read anything by her at this point. I'm going to put a copy on hold at my library (or request that they buy it if they don't have it - but they do have a pretty decent collection of Indigenous fiction so I'm thinking they'll have it ...)

Jennifer W wrote: "Happy news- PUPPY!!! Not ours, but my mother-in-law got a Corgi puppy last week. She's SO cute!!..."




oh puppies bring so much joy!!!! I think my neighbors up the street just got a Bassett hound puppy - he is the cutest thing, all EARS right now. Now I need to make sure I "just happen" to be out front when they walk by so I can pet him!!!

Jennifer W wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie - I read Antigone way back when I was a moody college student and reading the Greeks and Russians. The original was good, but this was more relatable...

I'm not sure if I ever read Antigone by Sophocles, but in high school we read the play Antigone by Jean Anouilh and I LOVED it. I guess it was written as an allegory to the Nazis, but I read it as a young woman trying to find her own way and stand up for her beliefs and grow beyond her family and her peers and I related SO HARD. lol I've had a very hard time finding a copy in English (I accidentally bought a copy in French years ago that did me no good!). I think the library might have a copy. I'd like to reread it and see how it resonates now."



I have never heard of that version!!! It sounds gripping, and just PERFECT for moody high schoolers!!

Cornerofmadness wrote: "It's been a bad reading month. I DNFed a few things and even some of my challenge picks might end up that way...."




Ugh that was me last week. But I'm re-energized this week!! DNFing all that chaff just frees you up to find a reading GEM

Nadine in NY wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie - I read Antigone way back when I was a moody college student and reading the Greeks and Russians. The original was good, but this..."

Hey! What are you saying?? I'm going to my room! *stomp, stomp, Slam!* hehe

Because of the library being closed and them doing who knows what to the collection, they currently show the entire library as having NO books when I search the collection, so I'll have to check again when they reopen. Sigh...

Nadine in NY wrote: "Cornerofmadness wrote: "It's been a bad reading month. I DNFed a few things and even some of my challenge picks might end up that way...."




Ugh that was me last week. But I'm re-energized this w..."

that's the hope!

Happy Thursday!

Sunday I fly off to California to spend a week in Disneyland. I've never been, so this should be fun! May do a checkin next Thursday or may not, depends on if I'm too exhausted when we get back to the hotel, hehe...

Books read this week:

The Ostrich and Other Lost Things -- a heartfelt and surprisingly nuanced look at how having a family member with autism affects the entire family, and how complicated a sibling’s relationship with their neurodivergent sibling can be.

Once Upon a Camel -- a cute book based on the true story of the camels the US Army imported from Turkey to aid in transporting supplies during the Civil War.

Ella, the Slayer -- Cinderella with zombies! I didn’t think that the zombie element and the fairy-tale element quite gelled together, but it was still a fun escapist read.

What You Are Looking For Is in the Library -- a sweet and thoughtful read that will make you appreciate libraries -- and how interconnected our lives are.

DNF:

Earthlings -- oh, what an adorable cover! Too bad the actual book is VERY uncomfortable to read, complete with (view spoiler)[child abuse, incest, and sexual abuse of a minor (hide spoiler)], and those are just the triggers I got to before I DNFed. I liked Convenience Store Woman by this author better.

Satellite -- I don't know why the author chose to write this novel in textspeak, but it's annoying. Bailing.

Currently Reading:

Jennie: A Novel
The Three Christs of Ypsilanti: A Psychological Study
Elf Dog and Owl Head
Starter Villain

QOTW:

I know I have, but heck if I can remember any off the top of my head right now. XD

Doni wrote: "Theresa wrote: " I don't think so. I certainly have considered retellings as excellent reads on their own - like Circe and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue...."

Wait, what would you consider Addi..."

Faust absolutely and is the obvious one but also of the myth of Persephone and Hades.

Kenya wrote: "Happy Thursday!

Sunday I fly off to California to spend a week in Disneyland. I've never been, so this should be fun! May do a checkin next Thursday or may not, depends on if I'm too exhausted whe..."

If you go on the Matterhorn, the left track is better than the right track. Well, I my opinion. If it’s still running that is.

Happy Thursday! It's been really smoky here the last couple of days. I didn't think it was bothering me that much, but today my eyes have been really irritated. I think the smoky is supposed to clear up soon, so fingers crossed! In more exciting news- in a couple of hours I'm off to see Maisie Peters in concert- which should be so fun! I got to see her last year and the crowd was super excited and sung along to every song, so I'm hoping it'll be similar tonight.

Finished:
Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators- one of the best books I've read this year. Really upsetting, really infuriating. I read She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story That Helped Ignite a Movement a few tears back, and this is equally impressive reporting about Weinstein.
-no prompt

Ten Thousand Stitches- a very cozy fantasy romance. The first 100 pages I found pretty dull, but the second half was much better. The characters got much more personality during the second half of the book
-love triangle prompt

Sipping Dom Pérignon Through a Straw: Reimagining Success as a Disabled Achiever- this is a memoir about a disability activist's time earning a masters at Oxford, and the ridiculous levels of ableism he faced at the institute. (Do English universities not have to meet accessibility requirements???) Unfortunately, I really didn't care for the writing in this book. That being said, I do think it's an important topic, and he's obviously done some amazing work. It felt like a documentary where the topic is fascinating, but the film itself isn't amazing. Still worth checking out.
-no prompt

Currently reading:
Look at Me- for the reread prompt

QotW:
I can't really think of any. There are definitely movie adaptations I prefer to the book. But I can't think of retellings that I prefer.

It think it's funny people keep mentioning Turn of the Key, because I really don't like Turn of the Screw and thought I'd like Turn of the Key better, but it turn out I just dislike anything connected to the story. There was a movie that came out a few years ago, and I watched it without really looking too much into it. And about 20 minutes in, I thought "oh no, it's like turn of the screw isn't it??" And it was. And I hated it. Oh well.

Happy check-in! The ATY read-a-thon is over and I managed three PS prompts.

Finished Reading:

The Love Theorem ⭐⭐
I wanted to like this rom com but insta love, a smart mc that didn't know the actor with a tesla might be famous, and one sorry not sorry moment about reading physical copies of books being bad for the environment.

Horrorstör ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I pushed myself and read this on audio and I quite liked the dual narrators. It was quite weird to start but then I clued into the catalogue aspect and it was quite clever. The horror side is there at the same time as the satire.

Queen Charlotte ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I liked this more than the 8 Bridgerton books I've read.

The Umbrella Academy, Vol. 1: Apocalypse Suite The Umbrella Academy, Vol. 2: Dallas ⭐⭐⭐
Clever ideas and humour but the plot and characters are hard to follow.

QOTW:
I can think of many retellings I've loved but I haven't read the original material to compare.

I truly can't believe it's Thursday...I had to doublecheck that it wasn't actually Tuesday! This week has been nutty.

Finished:

The Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales: I finally finished reading them all. They're mostly not very good. You've already read/heard the good ones, I promise.

Weird Things Customers Say in Bookstores: I grabbed this at a library booksale and just read it. Had me chuckling several times. Then I went to GR to rate it...and realized I had already read it 5 years ago and just totally forgot. Ooops!

Bram Stoker's Dracula: the graphic novel version, so that I could check off a book becoming a movie/tv show.

QOTW: I'm sure there are others but I just *loved* What Moves the Dead which is a retelling of The Fall of the House of Usher and Other Tales. I like the original story by Poe but Kingfisher just really adds so much to the tale. Highly recommend for the spooky season!

It's been quite a week. Due to my ongoing ill health, I decided to quit fighting the inevitable and am retiring next week. It's a bit sooner than I had hoped (I'm 63.25), and insurance may be a big messy issue, but it is time. I keep thinking of all these things I want to do, and then I have to remind myself that I'm sick and I need to take it easy for a bit. The future will unfold as it will.

The weather is beautifully cooling down and the leaves are beginning to change colors. I love this time of year!

I'm planning to read The Dead Romantics for my fan fiction book, and I'm a little less excited than I was about it after reading your reviews. But I wasn't expecting too much, as I was with my friend when she finished it, and she gave it to me with a "it's okay" review.

Finished
Longbourn by Jo Baker - 3 stars
Maybe it is because I was feeling quite ill when I read it, but I didn't love this as much as most of you. I did like it, though. It had some entertaining moments, especially when the Bennett family had bit parts.

The Clocks by Agatha Christie - 4 stars
My monthly Christie. I love it when I run across books of hers that I have never heard of before. Good as usual. Didn't see it coming as usual.

Currently Reading
Sanctuary by Paola Mendoza
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (83% done)
Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig
The Caregiver's Guide to Dementia: Practical Advice for Caring for Yourself and Your Loved One by Gail Weatherill

Goodreads: 59/90
Popsugar: 43/50

QOTW:
I don't read a lot of retellings and can't think of anything other than Circe and The Song of Achilles, which I liked better than original mythology. I also really liked the Lunar Chronicles, maybe better than the original fairy tales.

Jennifer W wrote: "Happy news- PUPPY!!! Not ours, but my mother-in-law got a Corgi puppy last week. She's SO cute!!..."

Awwww Corgis are so ridiculous with their giant ears and tiny legs!

Wahoo so stoked for my upcoming assignment for school which isn't due until mid-October which gives me plenty of time to read. I need to read 5 books that are from grade levels K-12 as long as they are multicultural.

This allows me the opportunity to go the route I'm good at. Indigenous history and events!

I've already read one of them, currently reading the second, but I'll easily be able to knock out the other 3.

And I have to read them because my professor doesn't want us to copy online summaries or the summaries on the back of the books so that makes it even more exciting for me.

I got all YA editions so these are the ones I'll be reading:

#Notyourprincess: Voices of Native American Women

The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee (Young Readers Adaptation): Life in Native America

Killers of the Flower Moon: Adapted for Young Readers: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI

An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States for Young People

Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask: Young Readers Edition

Wow, but this week flew by!

My brother and sister-in-law arrived right on time (just after my class of the day finished). It was a good afternoon, and we tried a local seafood restaurant that I had never been in. Food was good.

Tuesday was spent driving a lot! Took my sil to the Foraging Ponds for a walk, then drove to Augusta so she could shop, then I went to the writing class (which had been cancelled) and finally to a discussion at the library. Visiting was done in between all that driving!

My visitors left Wednesday morning, and I went on a local museum tour that lasted 6 hours. I was really beat by the time I got home.

Finished all the library books due by Tues except one. Finally turned it in unread to stop the fine accumulation. Couldn’t see any time in the near future to get it read.

Scheduling my various interests worked last week, but this week I have moved them several times to accommodate other needed activities. Oh, well. I will keep trying.

Finished:
Uncle Tom's Cabin Or Life Among The Lowly - ATY Seasonal. 5*. What a fantastic book and so relevant to today’s LBGTQ+ issues!

Death in the Dark - Audiobook. 4*. No prompts. Enjoyed this novella.

Currently Reading:
Dreams and Shadows –Kindle. 13%. Weird book.

The Beginner's Photography Guide: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Manual for Getting the Most from Your Digital Camera – PS #2. 19%. Started reading this as part of my photography learning plan.

Against All Enemies – Other Challenges, PS #49. 6%

Pudd'nhead Wilson – ATY #34

Washington Square – No prompts. This was for the library discussion. Need to finish to get next book planned for the series of discussions.

The Chemistry of Death - ATY #35

On deck:
Bone Deep – Old challenge.

PS 33/50 and 7/10 for Nadine’s Challenge
ATY 33/52 and 6/12 for Spring Challenge (Q1), 0/10 (Q4).
GR 187/200

QotW: Have you ever read a retelling that you ended up liking better than the original?

I do not track retellings that I read, but I would not have much to compare if I did as my classical reading is lacking.

Kenya wrote: "Earthlings -- oh, what an adorable cover! Too bad the actual book is VERY uncomfortable to read, complete with (view spoiler), and those are just the triggers I got to before I DNFed. ..."



The second chapter in that book was BRUTAL. I cried. (And I NEVER cry from books) I included a content warning in my review. But if you can get past that and keep reading, it develops into such a weird, disturbing, memorable story. It's never cute and happy, it definitely stays dark, but I still think about that book and vividly remember scenes from the end. It was so WEIRD.

Convenience Store Woman was okay, but I barely remember it now, it didn't have much impact on me, not like Earthlings.

Nadine,

Never Whistle At Night just came out this week. A friend of mine clued me in and I put a watch on it for my library. They happened to buy it right away and I must have been the only one with a watch on it so got it first. So might just need to give them time!

Jackie wrote: "The Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales: I finally finished reading them all. They're mostly not very good. You've already read/heard the good ones, I promise...."


sounds like you really took one for the team!!!

Teri wrote: "I'm planning to read The Dead Romantics for my fan fiction book, and I'm a little less excited than I was about it after reading your reviews. But I wasn't expecting too much, as I was with my friend when she finished it, and she gave it to me with a "it's okay" review...."



I think you'll enjoy it, since you know it's not going to be great. I had some GR friends raving about it and giving it all the stars, so I expected A LOT.

I didn't realize it started as fanfic!! What fandom is it based on?

Sheri wrote: "Nadine,

Never Whistle At Night just came out this week. A friend of mine clued me in and I put a watch on it for my library. They happened to buy it right away and I must have been the only one w..."




Oh I never updated! My library does have it, and I've got it on hold!!

Nadine in NY wrote: "I think you'll enjoy it, since you know it's not going to be great. I had some GR friends raving about it and giving it all the stars, so I expected A LOT.

I didn't realize it started as fanfic!! What fandom is it based on?"

I thought it was at least inspired by Reylo, since Ben Andor (two different Star Wars names) was described as looking like Adam Driver, the actor who played Kylo Ren.

Happy Friday! I feel a need for this weekend to get here already.

Finished
How High We Go in the Dark Beautiful and moving. I was a little thrown by all the different characters, all identifying as "I", it got confusing. Used for ATY repeated object on cover.

Nona the Ninth How do I like these books so much when I have no idea what's actually happening in them? (Although oddly, I think I liked this one the least of the three, even though it's probably the most straightforward, until the ending.) Used for alliterative title.

Currently Reading
Six Wakes Struggling a bit with this one, and I don't know why. It's right up my alley in terms of content. Don't know if it's because this is on my phone? I have read other books that way when necessary, but for some reason with this one, I really find myself wishing I had a physical book.

True Grit For ATY Western. I think it's maybe just not my genre. It's enjoyable enough, though I don't find Mattie to be realistic, but I'm not that engaged.

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow For a book club and ATY's NPR Books We Love list. This one I can feel pulling me in and I expect I'll spend some significant time getting through it this weekend.

QotW
I do read a lot of retellings, I really enjoy seeing things interpreted in a new way.

However, of all of them, there's only one that I would say I enjoyed over the original - A Study in Emerald.

There's a lot of others that I would say I like not more, but in a completely different way to the original - Bridget Jones's Diary, Cinder, as mentioned upthread, The Ballad of Black Tom and The Penelopiad are some favorites.