Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion

And here we are in NOVEMBER! YIKES!! And the Hoosier state (Indiana in the US) is now COLD!! Frost and freeze have occurred. I even wore my winter coat while running errands on Tuesday since it didn’t even get over 39 degrees Fahrenheit that day!

Ah, so 'tis the season! Interestingly, one of our gym instructors was speaking about the spiritual feelings of “connection” she feels at “this time of year.” She spoke of the weather changing to winter temperatures, snow, etc., and the various holiday/family gatherings expected, etc. (Definitely a northern hemisphere-centered setting!) All I could think with regard to her comments was, Why can’t or don’t we always feel a special spirituality and “connection” to others each and every day? I feel that if our spiritual beliefs don’t accomplish this, then they aren’t nearly as effective as they should be at making us feel grateful, hopeful, and “connected” all year ‘round. I have found that abandoning the observance of all holidays has helped me be much more aware of “life” and others on a daily basis and enabled me to focus more on these daily aspects of life without the need to participate in “special” activities or events with regard to spiritual beliefs. Just my thoughts… It may be the opposite for others. But whatever your foundational beliefs, I always send out positive energy to all!

ADMIN STUFF:
The November Monthly Group Read will be The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern!. The discussion is posted in the Current Monthly Group Read folder HERE. (I and the IRL book club I facilitate LOVED this book so much!) This book could be used to fulfill prompt #41 A book written during NaNoWriMo! No “marvelous manager” volunteered to lead this discussion! Let chaos reign! I will post some generic questions, but, IMO, there is more than enough material for a good discussion to occur organically!

The October Monthly Group Read discussion for The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman is posted in the Current Monthly Group Read folder HERE. This book can be used to fulfill prompt #18 A book that’s been banned or challenged in 2022. Banned Books Week is October 1-7, 2023! Website: https://bannedbooksweek.org/#:~:text=... Jennifer was the "official organizer" who graciously lead this discussion! THANK YOU, JENNIFER! 👏👏👏👏 My copy did not arrive in time for October, but as soon as it does, I will read it! That should happen yet this week!

The December Monthly Group Read will be Bookshops & Bonedust (Legends & Lattes #0) by Travis Baldree. This book could be used to fulfill prompt #32 A book published in the last half of 2023. I’m certain there is a “cool captain” out there amongst you-all who is just dying to facilitate this discussion! Please message either myself or Nadine to volunteer!

Just a reminder that the comprehensive listing of 2023 Monthly Group Reads can be found HERE

Question of the Week:
When was the last time someone surprised you with a book as a gift? Or, if that has never happened, how would you imagine it happening? From whom? And which book?
I just had to pose this question because this just happened to me last month. From such an unexpected source!! My D.O. presented me with a brand-new copy of The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin when I arrived at his office for an appointment. He had been reading it and I stated it was on my TBR and hoped to get to it soon… I was shocked and amazed! Needless to say, this man has won my heart!!

Tell us! 😉

FINISHED:
*The 9th Judgment (Women’s Murder Club #9) by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro ⭐⭐⭐⭐ was okay. It was very melodramatic and a bit on the hysterical side. I did appreciate the diversity as a bisexual character was one of the main characters. I rather liked the fact that the cat burglar ended up returning all she had stolen…
POPSUGAR: #2, #19-2015: prompt #5 A book with a number in the title, #28, #29, #46
ATY: #2, #3-A book set in the workplace of at least one character, #5, #10-Scary, #14, #18, #33, #37, #43, #45, #52
RHC: #23, #24-2015: A book that someone else has recommended to you

*The Secret Adversary(Tommy & Tuppence #1) by Agatha Christie ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was excellent! I did pretty much guess who the villain was, which is unusual for me, but certainly did not in any way diminish by appreciation for and enjoyment of the book! One thing I did learn is that "Tuppence" is pronounced as "two pence," not "tup pence" as I had pronounced it to myself all these years!! LOL 😁 I am awaiting arrival of the second and third installments to continue the series!
POPSUGAR: #1, #2, #19-2019: prompt #30 A book featuring an amateur detective, #28, #36
ATY: #3-A book related to “first contact,” #5, #10-Scary, #14, #19, #24, #27, #37, #43, #45
RHC: #23, #24-2017: prompt #7 A book published between 1900-1950 (1922)

I have now read all the books in the Mrs. Pollifax series but haven’t documented them all. I am in the process of catching up with that! I might have imagined myself volunteering for the CIA at 65 years of age if not for physical limitations, so it is fun to live vicariously through this character! Though admittedly, I would probably never have succeeded, at least not under the same circumstances she encounters! 😊
* The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax(Mrs. Pollifax #1) by Dorothy Gilman ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was a marvelous introduction to this intrepid “elderly” woman with the fancy hats! But beware! Do not underestimate this widow!! She may well surprise you in totally “unexpected” ways! I adore her determination and positive twist to those threatening and intimidating occurrences as may well befall a CIA operative!
POPSUGAR: #4, #16, #19-2015: prompt #41 A book written by an author you’ve never read before, #28, #36, #39
ATY: #1-Albania, #3-A book about “a fish out of water,” #5, #10-Scary, #14, #24, #33, #37, #43, #45, #52
RHC: #23, #24-2017: prompt #11 A book set more than 5,000 miles from your location

*The Amazing Mrs. Pollifax (Mrs. Pollifax #2) by Dorothy Gilman ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was just as ‘amazing’ as the first installment! Lots of action in this one!
POPSUGAR: #2, #16, #19-2016: prompt #8 A book set in Europe, #28, #36, #39
ATY: #1-Turkey, #3-A book featuring the Widow, the Wallflower, or the Woman Scorned (Widow), #5, #10-Scary, #14, #24, #37, #43, #45
RHC: #23, #24-2020: prompt #3 Read a mystery where the victim is not a woman

*The Elusive Mrs. Pollifax (Mrs. Pollifax #3) by Dorothy Gilman ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was absolutely brilliantly plotted and as usual, Emily has the most outrageous imagination to plan the impossible… And she learns of an unknown ‘traitor’ who is one of the good guys, but retains that information as an act of loyalty to the person who saved her life as well as that of others…
POPSUGAR: #16, #19-2016: prompt #14 A book you can finish reading in one day, #28, #31, #36, #39
ATY: #3-A book including a justice-impacted character or person, #5, #10-Scary, #14, #24, #37, #43, #45
RHC: #23, #24-2018: prompt #23 A book with a female protagonist over the age of 60

CONTINUING:
* The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin
I got halfway through this and decided to complete a review of some of the scientific concepts and theories covered before rereading that first half and then finishing the book. The science nerd in me just cannot skim through without remembering accurately and fully understanding…

PLANNED:
The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman
*10th Anniversary (Women’s Murder Club #9) by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
*Strange Sight (Essex Witch Museum Mystery #2) by Syd Moore
Dirty Thirty (Stephanie Plum #30) by Janet Evanovich scheduled to release October 31
Bookshops & Bonedust (Legends & Lattes #0) by Travis Baldree for our December Monthly Group Read scheduled to release November 7. I CANNOT WAIT TO READ THIS ONE!
System Collapse (Murderbot Diaries #7) by Martha Wells scheduled to release November 14. ANOTHER ONE I AM SO ANXIOUS TO READ! I binge-read through the whole series with the release of installment 6, so don’t plan to do that this time around… But who knows! 😋
*Split Tooth by Tanya Tagaqfor an IRL book club
*To Shape a Dragon's Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose for an IRL book club
Last of the Breed by Louis L'Amour for an IRL book club
Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey for an IRL book club

Happy Thursday!  It's finally gotten cold here - it snowed yesterday and I had to bring in my tender houseplants.  I still don't know where my winter coat is - not that I've really spent all that much time looking for it.  In Central NY we have this weird attitude of refusing to give in to the weather, like wearing a winter coat is somehow meaning we lose and the weather wins.

I finished ONE book this week, and I hated it.  

Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah - this book sounded like it would be awesome, a dark satirical look at a near future when prisoners fight like gladiators.  It was ... not awesome.  It was dull and bloated and boring.  TBH I skimmed a lot in the middle, there were just too many characters, and I didn't care about a single one. Two thumbs DOWN.
   
I'm finished with Popsugar & Around the Year challenges, and I've made no progress on my other two challenges.




QotW
I don't even remember.  My mom got me The Jazz of Physics: The Secret Link Between Music and the Structure of the Universe many years ago and I still haven't read it - that's probably the last time I got a surprise book.  I don't listen to jazz and I don't really like reading about music - I understand why she thought I'd like the book, but ... it's probably never going to happen.  

In general, I am not a good person to give books to.  Every time someone has spontaneously said "I love this book, here borrow this from me" (and I guess it's happened maybe three times in my life) I have never read the book.  

I finished The Thirteenth Tale. I liked it. Totally recommend.

I'm reading The The Complete Short Stories of Mark Twain I'm about 1/3 of the way through and have skipped two stories so far. I'm not big on short stories, but I like Mark Twain so I'm conflicted.

In other news, I got laid off and my last day is in 2 weeks. I have no marketable skills. I'm freaking out a bit.

What miserable weather! We're meant to be going to London for my birthday tomorrow, but currently the train tracks are flooded so I'm not super hopeful. Last year my plans got cancelled due to a storm too so I think I need to change my birthday to a better month.

Finished:
Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki for ATY (sun/moon/stars on cover). This was strange and lovely. I don't usually enjoy books about music but I loved this (I guess it helped having demons, aliens and the donut shop).

I'm still listening to Starter Villain but I'm finding Wil Wheaton a bit annoying. Making a mental note to avoid audiobooks read by him in the future.

PS: 40/40 | ATY: 50/52 | GR: 86/100

QOTW:
Not in ages, my partner stopped buying books for me because he quite rightfully says I just buy the books I want to read the most anyway. I don't mind someone buying me something off my wishlist, but I generally don't keep up with the books I already have, so a random book gift isn't always welcome.

Last time I remember a spontaneous book giving not for any occasion was a special edition of The Buried Giant which I still haven't read...which is why no one gives me books any more.

Happy Thursday! I can’t believe how fast October went. Things have been busy this past week. A friend and I got to see Loreena McKennitt in concert over the weekend (Celtic/New Age music) and she was fantastic. I’m seeing the Eras Tour at the movie theater tomorrow night. And yesterday my husband scored tickets to see Iron Maiden when they come through the area on their current tour (a year from now, but we’re still thrilled)!

Coupled with all of this plus work, I’m amazed I got anything finished this week, but I’m feeling ambitious - giving NaNoWriMo a shot after a few years away. I made good progress yesterday, and it feels good to be writing again.

Oh, and we got SNOW for Halloween night :D it's been awhile since the last time I saw Halloween snow, but I fondly (?) remember several trick-or-treat outings in the 90s where I had to wear a coat over my costume lol

Finished this week:
Ghostlore Vol. 1 - 2 stars. I was excited for this and instead wound up disappointed.
Walking Practice - 3.5 stars. Definitely the weirdest story I've read all year.
Discount Armageddon - 4.5 stars. Lots of fun! Looking forward to more of this series.
Why Did You Leave the Horse Alone? - 4 stars. I took my time with this one because each poem deserved its own space. Poignant.

Finishing today:
The Blackbird Girls - on track for a solid 3 stars
A Night in the Lonesome October - running late with this one, but I’ve deeply enjoyed meeting all of these characters and I’m excited to reread it next year!

PS 41/50
ATY 50/52
Mount TBR 44/60

Currently:
The Woman in Me

Upcoming:
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
The Wretched of the Earth
Black Tie Required
The Gilda Stories

QOTW: When was the last time someone surprised you with a book as a gift?
My dad gifted me a copy of Tolkien's translation of Beowulf for my birthday as well as an ebook copy of Isherwood's The Berlin Stories, the basis for Cabaret, one of my favorite musicals. I usually post a list of books for family but I'm steadily coming around to the idea, at least for him, of choosing newer releases and things that are more easily find-able in the bookstore. My sister navigates online shopping easily but Dad is old-school (I'm still stunned at Berlin Stories - that's the second ebook in a year he's sent me).

This may be the earliest I've checked in! I finished one book and made progress on others I'm currently reading. I'm still at 36/40 and 7/10 for this challenge, and have read 96 books overall so far this year.

Finished:
* The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna and narrated by Samara MacLaren

Currently Reading:
* The Buenos Aires Quintet by Manuel Vázquez Montalbán, which continues to gather dust rather than pages read;
* The Final Curtain by Keigo Higashino and translated by Giles Murray, which is a NetGalley copy I received from the publisher;
* When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton, which is one of my book clubs' picks for November; and,
* Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics written and narrated by Dolly Parton, which is my other book clubs' picks for November.

QotW:
When was the last time someone surprised you with a book as a gift? Or, if that has never happened, how would you imagine it happening? From whom? And which book? Hmm. I receive a lot of books as gifts from lots of people in my life. I've sometimes been pleasantly surprised by the titles they've given me, but not necessarily surprised to having received a book. If I had to pick one, I'd go with the signed copy of What Came Before He Shot Her by Elizabeth George I received from my Mom more than 10 years ago. She met the author at a book festival and this was the first one that was jointly signed to both of us. We've used the same personalization for book signings since then and it's often a fun conversation starter or prompts the author to recall having met us before.

Happy Thursday!! I'm in a reading slump and I realized I probably won't finish the PS challenge but I did surpass my GR challenge so I'm happy. I decided not to even stress or worry since I've had so much fun choosing Black authors to cover my prompts.
My attention span has been terrible and I'm working full time as well as working with a postpartum doula client after work.

QOTW: When was the last time someone surprised you with a book as a gift?
My coworker surprised me with a book for Christmas last year. We did a gift exchange and he picked my name. I haven't read it and I'm not sure if I will or not.

READING:
The Davenports and Our History Has Always Been Contraband: In Defense of Black Studies

Nadine in NY wrote: "Happy Thursday! It's finally gotten cold here - it snowed yesterday and I had to bring in my tender houseplants. I still don't know where my winter coat is - not that I've really spent all that much time looking for it. In Central NY we have this weird attitude of refusing to give in to the weather, like wearing a winter coat is somehow meaning we lose and the weather wins."
Ha! Yes, it showed here on Tuesday while I was out running errands in my winter coat!! 😁 It was just flurries...fortunately!! I no longer have that same compulsion about not wearing a winter coat when the temperatures are uncomfortably cold to me. As I get older I find I cannot tolerate the cold air as well! For me, the weather definitely wins! And I am quite satisfied to admit it! LOL

"I finished ONE book this week, and I hated it."
I am so sorry you didn't enjoy that one book! Ugh.

"Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah - this book sounded like it would be awesome, a dark satirical look at a near future when prisoners fight like gladiators. It was ... not awesome. It was dull and bloated and boring. TBH I skimmed a lot in the middle, there were just too many characters, and I didn't care about a single one. Two thumbs DOWN."
Yeah. I'm not even bothering to try this one. Just doesn't interest me at all. But I wish it had proven to be more enjoyable for you!

"I'm finished with Popsugar & Around the Year challenges, and I've made no progress on my other two challenges."
Only one comment to that--👏👏👏👏👏 I'm glad one of us is setting a good example! 😁

"QotW
I don't even remember. My mom got me The Jazz of Physics: The Secret Link Between Music and the Structure of the Universe many years ago and I still haven't read it - that's probably the last time I got a surprise book. I don't listen to jazz and I don't really like reading about music - I understand why she thought I'd like the book, but ... it's probably never going to happen.

In general, I am not a good person to give books to. Every time someone has spontaneously said "I love this book, here borrow this from me" (and I guess it's happened maybe three times in my life) I have never read the book."
I think that's true for many of us. In this case, he knew I was planning to read it, so that was a bit different, perhaps... But this book sounds truly interesting!

Wow, I honestly don't know how I'm going to do this. I've got 3 things to keep up with this month:

- Nonfiction November

-NaNoWriMo

-School Work

*****

I know, I know, school work comes first, but thankfully I'm on track with that so I do not have to worry that much.

*****

I've currently got 4 books going:

Our Migrant Souls: A Meditation on Race and the Meanings and Myths of “Latino”

Hollywood's Native Americans: Stories of Identity and Resistance

Standing with Standing Rock: Voices from the #NoDAPL Movement

You Are What You Watch

Two of them are very long reads so even if I do not finish them I still plan to add them to my numbers.

*****

Also started with my NaNoWriMo project which has been fun. I recently finished my second poetry book so that is in the process of being self-published. Now with this third book though I am certainly planning on turning it into a book and it's going to be a series of short stories. I've seen short story books have between 134-217 pages so considering my first poetry book was 217 pages I'm in good hands that way.

Katy wrote: "I finished The Thirteenth Tale. I liked it. Totally recommend."
Glad you enjoyed it!

"I'm reading The The Complete Short Stories of Mark Twain I'm about 1/3 of the way through and have skipped two stories so far. I'm not big on short stories, but I like Mark Twain so I'm conflicted."
Gosh! I haven't read Twain in forever. Cool!

"In other news, I got laid off and my last day is in 2 weeks. I have no marketable skills. I'm freaking out a bit."
Ack! I am so sorry! I might point out that you MUST have skills or you wouldn't have been employed? Positive energy for amazing employment opportunities to come your way!! 🤗🥰 And meantime a virtual hug of comfort!

Ellie wrote: "What miserable weather! We're meant to be going to London for my birthday tomorrow, but currently the train tracks are flooded so I'm not super hopeful. Last year my plans got cancelled due to a storm too so I think I need to change my birthday to a better month."
Or...I have a good friend who insists on celebrating her birthday for a whole month! 😁

"Finished:
Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki for ATY (sun/moon/stars on cover). This was strange and lovely. I don't usually enjoy books about music but I loved this (I guess it helped having demons, aliens and the donut shop)."
Hmmm...books about music appear to be a recurrent theme for us this week! LOL You and Nadine! What a combination of apparently unrelated things in this book!

"I'm still listening to Starter Villain but I'm finding Wil Wheaton a bit annoying. Making a mental note to avoid audiobooks read by him in the future."
I think that's one reason I rarely 'listen' to a book-it adds yet another layer of interpretation. At least now you know... 😊

"QOTW:
Not in ages, my partner stopped buying books for me because he quite rightfully says I just buy the books I want to read the most anyway. I don't mind someone buying me something off my wishlist, but I generally don't keep up with the books I already have, so a random book gift isn't always welcome.

Last time I remember a spontaneous book giving not for any occasion was a special edition of The Buried Giant which I still haven't read...which is why no one gives me books any more."
Ha! Ha! You definitely made me laugh. I enjoyed The Buried Giant, though it definitely isn't a favorite read for me. I should probably read it again when I can be more in the mood for it...

Hi All
We had SNOW on Halloween! Rude! Still had at least some trick or treaters, Michigan kids are hearty when it comes to candy. I think rain keeps them in more than cold/snow. At least had nicer weather for the halloween concert/party we went to over last weekend. Friday was downright lovely. My husband and I dressed up as Barbie and Ken, very fun.

This week I finished:

A Head Full of Ghosts - I finished this a bit after check in. I had mixed feelings about it. I still don't really love mental illness being wrapped up in horror. he could have done worse with it, but he also didn't really do anything to make a statement about it or to try to combat harmful tropes or anything. So it feels like it was still just a crutch instead of something impactful. I liked some of the ways the story was told, so it wasn't completely without merit, but overall it fell a bit flat.

The Final Girl Support Group - after the last one I'd felt the need to read better horror, so I returned to a favorite author, Grady Hendrix. This wasn't one of my favorites by his, mainly because slasher movies aren't my horror jam in general. But it was still solid, and I liked how it all eventually came together. His stories always take common horror tropes and twist and spin them around in interesting directions.

Where'd You Go, Bernadette - finished audiobook for my genre challenge. I liked it pretty well, although there were bits that were kind of all over the place.

The Widow of Rose House - read this for an online book club, discussing next week. It was interesting, a haunted house romance. Both kind of spooky and a bit spicy. I liked it, good way to wrap up the month.

Currently reading:

Stealing from Wizards: Volume 3: Kidnapping - So exited, this just came out on the 1st! I had it preorderd and i just needed to finish the other book so I could hurry up and get to this. I know the author, really nice guy. It's a good story for people who like a good wizard school story!

All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me - audio book, last book needed for genre challenge. then i'll be done, woo!

QOTW:

I don't know offhand. People have given me books before, occasionally as a surprise. Usually because it was on my wishlist. Most people know not to get me surprise books otherwise, unless they're willing to do a LOT of research because I read and own a lot of books already. I have a friend who's gotten me a few surprise books and I feel bad every time because it's not that she's WRONG in her selections, it's just that i've already had copies of everything she's picked. I of course said thank you politely, but usually gift receipts weren't included so then I'm left with a book I can't return, already have so end up having to just give away.

However at my birthday this year several people gave me surprise book gift cards which is much appreciated! I've not spent them because i've been really busy, but hopefully this month I'll get a lull in a weekend and be able to go to the book store and get some spending in.

Finished: Justice for Animals: Our Collective Responsibility This was a re-read. I don't know what it was about this book, but I didn't love it. Her ideas seemed reasonable and well-thought out. I want to read Korgaard's application of Kantian thought to animals in the future.

Started: The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking
Many Worlds?: Everett, Quantum Theory, & Reality
No Two Persons

QotW: The last book I was pleasantly surprised by receiving was Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice That Shapes What We See, Think, and Do from my father. I hadn't even heard of this book even though it covered some of my core areas of studies. It was very good. Also, it was a surprise since my father hardly ever selects gifts for me.

Ashley Marie wrote: "Happy Thursday! I can’t believe how fast October went. Things have been busy this past week. A friend and I got to see Loreena McKennitt in concert over the weekend (Celtic/New Age music) and she was fantastic."
She is one of my absolute favorites! I am soooooo jealous!!

"I’m seeing the Eras Tour at the movie theater tomorrow night. And yesterday my husband scored tickets to see Iron Maiden when they come through the area on their current tour (a year from now, but we’re still thrilled)!"
Ha! Yet more music in this week's posts!

"Coupled with all of this plus work, I’m amazed I got anything finished this week, but I’m feeling ambitious - giving NaNoWriMo a shot after a few years away. I made good progress yesterday, and it feels good to be writing again."
Wow. You really have been busy! Positive energy to you for NaNoWriMo!! You go, girl! 👍

"Ghostlore Vol. 1 - 2 stars. I was excited for this and instead wound up disappointed."
Ugh. It's no fun when that happens!

"Why Did You Leave the Horse Alone? - 4 stars. I took my time with this one because each poem deserved its own space. Poignant."
I don't read much poetry, but this one is already on my TBR listing.

"The Blackbird Girls - on track for a solid 3 stars"
Ooohh...this looks like one I would like!

"Currently:
The Woman in Me"
Interested to see what you think of this one!

"Upcoming:
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow"
One I hope to get to next year!

"QOTW: When was the last time someone surprised you with a book as a gift?
My dad gifted me a copy of Tolkien's translation of Beowulf for my birthday as well as an ebook copy of Isherwood's The Berlin Stories, the basis for Cabaret, one of my favorite musicals. I usually post a list of books for family but I'm steadily coming around to the idea, at least for him, of choosing newer releases and things that are more easily find-able in the bookstore. My sister navigates online shopping easily but Dad is old-school (I'm still stunned at Berlin Stories - that's the second ebook in a year he's sent me)."
It takes us older (and wiser? LOL) folks a while to catch on to all this newfangled online stuff! 👍😊

Happy Thursday.

Not only did I get all my October books done, but I am half way through one of my November books. November and December get busy for me, so I'm thrilled to get ahead.

Finished:

The Final Girl Support Group
ATY prompt: A book from the NPR “Books We Love” lists
Popsugar prompt: A book based on a popular movie

Series - 14/15
Series Completed: - Lying Games, Bronwyn the Witch, Divergent, Millenium, Heather Wells, Mortal Instruments

Nobel laureates - 6/7
Random books - 7/7 - I finished my goal!

ATY - 43/40
PS - 37/30
Nadine's 23 challenge - 10/10 -Completed!
Summer challenge: 12/12 - Completed!
Around the year in 52 movies - 46/52

44. A movie where the cover design includes text that is not completely horizontal - A nightmare on Elm Street
45. A movie whose writer/director/actor has released more than 7 movies - The Wicker Man (Christopher Lee)

Currently reading:

All's Well - 46% done

Buddy Reads:
The Horse and His Boy - 3/15 chapters

QOTW: I can't remember. For a while I got terrible books as gifts because people would ask book stores for recommendations and I'd get books that were their taste. Or I'd get books in French to help me become more bilingual. Now I just buy myself my own books and I'm happier.

I have been rereading some of John Byrne's Fantastic Four run. So far, I have read #232-251. The storytelling, ideas, and art are overall at a high level, although one can take issue with some of the stances presented.

I also finished The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty. I would give it three stars out of five. The dog does not die, but they make you think it is going to happen until almost the very end.

Currently reading:

Star Wars: Tarkin by James Luceno
A Good Day to Die by Keith R.A. DeCandido

Question of the Week:

The last book I remember being gifted was Go Set a Watchman because I like To Kill a Mockingbird. That book should not have been published without a lot of disclaimers and caveats, and it in no way deserves to sit alongside the book that Harper Lee actually submitted to her publisher in full possession of her faculties that became TKAM.

Now, I pretty much just check out books from the library or get them in ebook form myself.

Happy Thursday!

We had a full on snowstorm for Halloween, which meant almost no trick or treaters. We had a few teens bravely don snowsuits for candy, and one family who was driving their kiddos house to house, but that was about it. The only one who had a fun halloween was my dog, who finds the doorbell upsetting.

Finished:
The Mystery Guest: I came into this with my expectations too high and was disappointed. Also it's a slow mover; the last third hit a good pace but before that the plot was pretty pokey.

Currently reading:
The Woman in White: slow but in the usual way of the time period.

In the Shadow of Agatha Christie: Classic Crime Fiction by Forgotten Female Writers: 1850-1917: you can definitely feel that these were earlier writers than Christie in the way the plots are structured, the character types, the *heavy* handed moral component. But it's interesting! I'm hoping one of these will be an introduction to an author I want to read more from

QOTW: I often get books for Christmas or my birthday, but rarely just out of the blue. Once my aunt sent me a book that she and her book club had just loved. Apparently they thought it was hilarious, but the humor just wasn't for me. I did finish it, but if it hadn't been a gift I probably wouldn't have.

Just recently, my coworker gave me a book that her friend wrote, and she thought I would like. Very surprised! I just read the intro so far and it seems good. She did say that if it wasn’t my thing I don’t have to pretend to like it!

Happy Thursday! And happy NaNoWriMo for those who "celebrate". ;)

I'm going to see Hadestown (again) tomorrow and I am very excited. I will probably ugly-cry in the theater.

Finished:
The Undetectables by Courtney Smyth - 3.5 stars. This was mostly cute, but I felt like it took way too long for the protagonists to figure out whodunnit.

This Winter by Alice Oseman - 4 stars. A cute little short story/novella in the Heartstopper series.

Comics & manga:
Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy
Komi Can’t Communicate, Vol. 27
Noragami: Stray God, Vol. 26
Horimiya, Vol. 3

Currently reading:
Pocket Apocalypse by Seanan McGuire - continuing my catch-up (re)read of this series.

Upcoming/Planned:
The Siren, the Song, and the Spy by Maggie Tokuda-Hall
System Collapse by Martha Wells - going to a book signing for this at a local bookstore and I cannot wait!
Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree

QOTW:
I am very, very picky about books, especially the ones I choose to own/keep, so it sounds really ungrateful but I actually prefer not to get surprise books. I find half the time, it's "surprise, have a book you already own" and the other half, it's "surprise, have a book you'll never read and end up donating."

I think the last time I got surprise books, my partner's mom bought me a bunch of the books she enjoys reading for Christmas, which aren't really my speed. I think I wound up donating them.

Katy wrote: "I finished The Thirteenth Tale. I liked it. Totally recommend.

I'm reading The The Complete Short Stories of Mark Twain I'm about 1/3 of the way through and have skipped t..."


I loved the Thirteenth Tale.

And I'm sorry to hear about your lay off.

Ellie wrote: "I'm still listening to Starter Villain but I'm finding Wil Wheaton a bit annoying. Making a mental note to avoid audiobooks read by him in the future."

Isn't that funny?! I love Wil Wheaton and will listen to anything he narrates. But there are other beloved audiobook narrators I just can't stand. But give John Scalzi another chance. He's a great writer.

Happy Thursday.

I... have managed to get sucked into the One Piece rabbit hole again. All 1000+ episodes of the anime. Thanks, Netflix, it's not like I don't have big school assignments coming due...

Books read this week:

Brighty of the Grand Canyon -- read this many years ago as a child, felt like re-reading it since I’ve been reading several books by this author lately. Just as good as I remembered.

The Twisted Tree -- one of my Halloween reads. Creepy story incorporating Norse mythology… and one of the most awkward descriptive phrases I’ve read in awhile. (I’m pretty sure when the author wrote “cat-shaped eyes” she meant the character had eyes shaped like a cat’s eyes but all I can picture is “eyes shaped like little cats”...)

Maeve Fly -- another Halloween read. WARNING: not for the faint of heart! Pretty gruesome and brutal, but it does raise an interesting question -- why are male characters allowed to be monsters, but female characters always need a tragic backstory? Why can’t a female character be monstrous without some kind of trauma to explain it?

Edgewood -- teens get superpowers and are immediately pursued by a shadowy world-spanning organization who wants their powers. Predictable but entertaining in a forgettable-summer-blockbuster kind of way.

DNF:

Whalefall -- less daddy issues and abused kid getting gaslit by the rest of his family, more whale. I feel like I didn’t get what I was promised here.

Currently Reading:

The Sisters of the Winter Wood
Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life
Leonard and Hungry Paul
Paradise Lost

QOTW:

Last time I was gifted a book was last Christmas, when a family friend randomly gave me The Wildlife of Star Wars. The nerd in me was very happy.

Happy Thursday, everyone!

This has been a really fun week! In addition to Halloween, which is always a good time, I had a chance to go to a couple of fabulous events at my local library over the weekend.

One was a class on character and world building, where I met several ladies who are interested in starting a board game meet-up at the library. The other was a TTRPG meet-up where I had a chance to make some new friends and play D&D. I had sooooo much fun!

I also finished my yearly Halloween Horror Movie-thon by watching the following movies/television episodes/specials: The Wolf Man (1941), Scream, Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire, Agatha Christie’s Poirot: Hallowe’en Party, Scooby-Doo and the Reluctant Werewolf, and It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

I’m always kind of sad when the spooky season ends, but I have to admit that it will be nice to get back to some of the series I was watching before October started. I’m also in the mood for a Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves rewatch, and I’m planning a Barbie movie night sometime this weekend.

As far as my reading week is concerned…

This has been an absolutely insane week for reading! I finished a total of 7 books, 4 of which ended up being five-star reads. I don’t think I’ve ever had that many five-star reviews in a single week before! It’s amazing!

Here are my current challenge and TBR totals…

Goodreads Challenge: 757/400 (Challenge Complete!)
Mount TBR Challenge: 150/150 (Challenge Complete!)

📚Physical TBR: 305/634
📱Ebook TBR: 22/236
🎧Audiobook TBR: 12/13
TBR Checklist Total: 339/883 (38.3% complete)

I did not buy any new books this week!

“New” Books Bought in 2023: 423
“New” Books Read in 2023: 408/423 (96.4% complete)

Here are the books I finished this week…

Finished Reading (Fiction):
~The House Across the Lake — At the time of last week’s update, I was only about a third of the way into this book, and I said that it was my least favorite of Riley Sager’s books. I have since finished it, and boy, did my opinion change! I ended up loving this book! 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~N or M? — This is the third book in the Tommy and Tuppence series. I really enjoyed this mystery! This series just keeps getting better and better. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~The London Séance Society — This was a fantastic book! The story was mysterious and exciting, and the characters were great. I had a really hard time putting this book down, and read most of it in a single day. Highly recommend! 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~The Only One Left — I have now officially read all of Riley Sager’s books, and this one was definitely my favorite! I could not put it down, and ended up reading the entire book in one day. Content Alert: (view spoiler)[ This book does include references to cancer and grieving the loss of a loved one, as well as toxic family relationships. (hide spoiler)] 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Dead Eleven — I wasn’t really sure what to expect from this book, but it turned out to be an interesting read. Content Alert: (view spoiler)[ This book does include multiple characters grieving the loss of loved ones. (hide spoiler)] 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Finished Reading (Nonfiction):
~The Science of Murder: The Forensics of Agatha Christie — This book was absolutely fascinating! I highly recommend this one to anyone who is interested in forensics, as well as fans of Agatha Christie. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void — This book was fascinating! I think it’s my favorite of Mary Roach’s books. Content Alert: (view spoiler)[ This book does include references to animal experimentation. (hide spoiler)] 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Finished Reading (Manga, Comic Books, & Graphic Novels):
None

Finished Reading (Poetry and Drama):
None

DNFed:
None

Currently Reading:
~By the Pricking of My Thumbs — This is the fourth book in the Tommy and Tuppence series. I’m a little over halfway through, and really enjoying it. I will probably finish this book tonight. 📚
~Making It So: A Memoir — This is Sir Patrick Stewart’s memoir, which was released earlier this month. I’m currently only a chapter into this book, but it’s really interesting. 📚
~Starter Villain — While I do like John Scalzi’s writing, I have to confess that I totally bought this book because of the cover. I’m currently just a few chapters in, and I’m enjoying it so far. 📚

QOTW:
My dad occasionally picks up books that he thinks I’ll like when he goes to Half Price Books, and I always end up enjoying them. The last one he surprised me with (at the beginning of September) was an early edition copy of Passenger to Frankfurt, by Agatha Christie.

Happy Thursday! Furnace is working and so is my husband. He finally went back to work today after his health scare in September. He's been ready to go back for awhile, but the paperwork/doctor visits required have been nearly interminable. Unfortunately, he still isn't allowed to drive, so I have to get up super early to take him to a commuter lot to meet a vanpool (and pick him up in the evening).

Challenge Progress: All my challenges are done... including mini-challenges!!! I did Popsugar, the 52 Book Club, ATY, and A to Z (author's last name). Woohoo!

Completed:
Starling House: Much anticipated and much loved! ★★★★★
Becoming Duchess Goldblatt: A Memoir: Weirdly compelling biography of a fictional person. ★★★★
Emma ★★★★★
Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club ★★★★
You Are Here: A slow start, but I really ended up liking this one. ★★★★
Just Another Missing Person ★★★
The Myth of Left and Right: How the Political Spectrum Misleads and Harms America: All semantics and no real solutions. I agree that political labels that people throw around mean very little, but eliminating terms like "right" and "left" would do little to upend the tribalism that has overtaken American politics. This is my book club's pick for November. ★★
Reputation ★★★★
The Death of Us ★★★



Currently Reading:
Starter Villain
How to Sell a Haunted House
Emma (Manga version)
The Block Party
Enough
Homegrown: Timothy McVeigh and the Rise of Right-Wing Extremism
On Earth as It Is on Television
Black River Orchard

QOTW: My daughter-in-law surprised me with a leather-bound Jane Austen collection. It's beautiful... and it was certainly an unexpected but welcome gift.

Hi all! I had my med infusion today, which always turns me into a mush-brain zombie, so if this post is totally incoherent, I will revamp later!
We had a chilly, but snow and rain free Halloween and the kiddo had a lot of fun. Then it snowed a dusting yesterday that promptly melted. I remember the "storm of the century" in the early 90s hit on Halloween night and we were in snowpants trick or treating and after half a block my dad pulled the plug and said he would just buy us candy!
Otherwise, I don't recall what else is going on in my life! Mush brain.....

I finished The Complete Maus for the group read and banned book. I still love this book so much and would encourage everyone to give it a shot. After I finished reading it, I happened to hear a piece of a news report that a college professor asked his students who knew what Auschwitz was? Only a few students raised their hands! College kids don't know about Auschwitz?? I'm so disgusted....

Other than that, I've been working on Floodpath: The Deadliest Man-Made Disaster of 20th-Century America and the Making of Modern Los Angeles I got to the part about the dam breaking at my appointment this morning. Gah! What a place to have to put it down!

Also Homegrown: Timothy McVeigh and the Rise of Right-Wing Extremism (how are you liking it, Laura?). Having read about Waco earlier this year, this is a good follow up. I kinda wish the author would stop explicitly pointing out how McVeigh is like January 6 rioters or whatever, I can see the similarities myself. Maybe in future years that will be more necessary, but at this time, I remember well what the rioters said and did and believed.

QOTW: I don't remember the last time I was surprised by a book gift. I usually ask for exactly what I want and with online lists, it's easy for everyone to see and get the right thing.

Sheri wrote: "All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me - audio book, last book needed for genre challenge...."


How do you like it so far? I'm intrigued by this book, but I'm a little worried that it's just a germ of a good idea padded by chaff in order to sell a book.

Jackie wrote: " The only one who had a fun halloween was my dog, who finds the doorbell upsetting...."



LOL!! My dogs aren't fans of strangers in costumes approaching the house! This year they were more chill than usual, but several little kids seemed scared of them, which I felt bad about. It's good that the kids are cautious. (The kids might have been scared of the fake mummy my daughter set up in a chair next to the door - maybe it wasn't my cute little pups at all haha)

Chrissy wrote: "Just recently, my coworker gave me a book that her friend wrote, and she thought I would like. Very surprised! I just read the intro so far and it seems good. She did say that if it wasn’t my thing..."


LOL she probably bought several copies to support her friend and then was all "but what do I do with these books now? I know! Coworker is always talking about reading!!"

Happy Thursday! I've had a stomach bug most of the week and am finally feeling better and nearly forgot what day it was!

Finished 42/50

I actually might finish the challenge this year! Just one massive SanderTome that might throw me off though.... o.O

My Ex-Wife Said Go to Hell for "book about divorce". Easily the worst book I read all year. Wow the misogyny is strong in this one...strong pass. It was dumb when I'd hoped it'd be funny.

Currently Reading

Legends & Lattes for "book written during NaNoWriMo". It's super cute so far!

QotW

So typically random people at church lend me books to review. I never know when this is going to happen nor what book nor even why they lend them to me (I had someone totally troll me once by lending me a book they hated without telling me just to watch me burn it in my review... NOT NICE. Don't make me suffer just because you did!). I have this reputation for book reviewing, I guess? Anyway, that happened this week when someone randomly put The Last Unicorn and its sequel in my hands. So, I guess that'll be on my list for next year's prompts (everyone knows I take 6 months- 1 year to return their books and they STILL lend them to me. These people are great).

But as far as actually GIFTED a book to me...I think that'd have to be one of my good friends who recently passed away. She used to send me a pretty deep book every year for Christmas that made her think of me. I finally read the last book she ever sent me last year. I never knew what she'd send, and I often had never heard of the books before. It's sad to no longer have that to look forward to...may her memory be eternal.

Jennifer W wrote: " After I finished reading it, I happened to hear a piece of a news report that a college professor asked his students who knew what Auschwitz was? Only a few students raised their hands! College kids don't know about Auschwitz?? I'm so disgusted......."



No that's not true.

I just checked and asked my college kid (via text) and my high school kid. They both knew. And I dont' spend a lot of time teaching them about WWII history or anything.

More likely that professor is boring and none of his students felt like raising their hands.

Nadine in NY wrote: "Chrissy wrote: "Just recently, my coworker gave me a book that her friend wrote, and she thought I would like. Very surprised! I just read the intro so far and it seems good. She did say that if it..."

No, it was because of discussions we’ve had about audiobooks (first one she listened to) and women’s health. Really thoughtful, honestly.

Lol, that's possible! I didn't have boring professors, so that thought didn't cross my mind (eccentric, out there, yes, but never boring!) I missed who the professor was or what school he taught at. It was on PBS Newshour, so I could go look it up, but I don't remember what day it was and it was like 2 lines, so I don't want to watch several shows just to get a couple more details.

Happy November! I finished popsugar this week! 🥳 I finished ATY a few weeks ago so now I don't have any pressure to read things before the end of the year, except maybe finishing a few I've started. Last year I was a bit stressed about finishing so I'm glad I avoided that this time round.

We had a colder Hallooween then the last few years I think and had less kids show up, only 19. The cutest costume definitely was the little, barely walking, girl dressed as a senior complete with walker and curlers in her hair. I have a friend who goes all out at decorating and she had 885 kids show up before she quit.

Finished Reading:

Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 2 Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 3 Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This manga series is great!

Dead But Not Forgotten: Stories from the World of Sookie Stackhouse ⭐⭐⭐ (PS fanfiction)
Charlaine Harris's author friends wrote short stories using her characters. A few favourite authors were involved. This finished my popsugar challenge. 😀

Curse the Dawn ⭐⭐⭐
Continuing an urban fantasy series, that's very up and down for me.

The Long Game ⭐⭐⭐
I'm happy that this author wrote a shorter rom-com this time. I was hooked on the book but there are some frustrating things that made it a three star.

PS 50/50
ATY 52/52
Nadine's 10/10
Goodreads 237/250

Currently Reading:

The Bone Witch

QOTW:
My sister gives me her library books to read if she thinks I'll like/should read them, otherwise people give me gift cards and I get what I want.

It's been a hectic work time and that will continue but Hallelujah! The weather is cooler even if we STILL here in NYC have not had a killing frost. You can still get bitten by a mosquito.

Super cool exciting news too! It was revealed that the Rockefeller Center Tree was found in and is thus coming from Vestal, NY! Why is that so cool and newsworthy you ask? Vestal is only about 10 miles from my family's farm and home town upstate! It will be like a little piece of home coming here for Christmas! According to the news, it will arrive and be set up on November 11th. I may just have to wander down there to welcome it! (No I do not attend in person the tree lighting. I do not do crowds and I actually want to see things).

From the pictures, it looks like a beautifully shaped tree.

I actually made some progress in PS - now at 44/50!

Finished:
Horrorstör - prompt - single day
Hallowe'en Party - prompt - book made into a movie this year - movie is A Haunting in Venice
The Ex Hex - not for a prompt though it fits a holiday not Christmas. I have something else I'm reading for that prompt but can use this if I don't get the other read.

Currently reading:
Miracle on 34th Street - for prompt book written based on a movie (it was written during the year after the original movie screenplay and release).
A Free Man of Color - set during Mardi Gras - guess which prompt?

Coming soon:
A Prayer for the Crown-Shy
Highfire

QOTW: I'm given books all the time as gifts. Mostly though for Christmas and birthdays, often based on the wishlist I keep updated on Amazon. HOWEVER, I have been truly surprised more than once by a gift book from a client! Way preferable to flowers or chocolates in truth. The book choice is such a personal thing. One of the books was Razorblade Tears which I read and loved. The other is a very fat book about modern women artists -- Ninth Street Women: Lee Krasner, Elaine de Kooning, Grace Hartigan, Joan Mitchell, and Helen Frankenthaler: Five Painters and the Movement That Changed Modern Art. Still sitting in the TBR.

Jen wrote: "Happy Thursday! And happy NaNoWriMo for those who "celebrate". ;)

I'm going to see Hadestown (again) tomorrow and I am very excited. I will probably ugly-cry in the theater.

Finished:
[book:The U..."

Agh Hadestown is so friggin good. Definitely top of my list for shows I could watch multiple times!

Nadine- I’m enjoying it alright. But I’m an art major with an appreciation for museums. There’s also a lot about his family, so it’s part memoir. It’s not super long, I’m doing it as an audio

Happy check-in! I'm getting used to my new computer- I bought a cheaper version of the one that broke down earlier this month, but so far I'm liking it. I have to spend this weekend transferring all my files/pics from my external harddrive. It's nice not having to use my work computer since I kept feeling like I had to respond to work emails at night, and no.

This weekend I got to go to the mini comic-con my library was putting on. I got to see the headline speaker Gene Luen Yang who wrote American Born Chinese, which just got turned into a tv show. I also sat in on a panel where he was joined by 3 other graphic artists (Briana Loewinsohn, Jason Shiga, Thien Pham) and it was really fun! Picked up a few books- including one for my niece who's starting to read middle grade graphic novels.

Finished:
From Bad to Cursed- a fun witchy romance. Will definitely keep reading this series
-no prompt

We Have Always Lived in the Castle-I haven't read this since high school. I remember how invested I was the first time I read it- I really didn't want to put it down until I finally finished it. Still loved it this time around.
-38 A book you read more than 10 years ago

Currently reading:
The Angel of the Crows- picking this up for the fanfic prompt- it started as Sherlock fanfic. Not a fandom I'm a part of, but I've been struggling with this prompt. I'm a few chapters in, it seems like it'll be a quick read

QotW:
Last year, my friend and I had seen the book Text Me When You Get Home: The Evolution and Triumph of Modern Female Friendship at our local bookstore, and had talked about how it sounded really interesting. So a month later, I went back to buy it for her for Christmas. It was sold out so I had to special order it, but I was very confident that it was a great gift idea. Turns out she'd had the same thought- so now we both have copies

Jennifer W wrote: "Also Homegrown: Timothy McVeigh and the Rise of Right-Wing Extremism (how are you liking it, Laura?). Having read about Waco earlier this year, this is a good follow up. I kinda wish the author would stop explicitly pointing out how McVeigh is like January 6 rioters or whatever, I can see the similarities myself. Maybe in future years that will be more necessary, but at this time, I remember well what the rioters said and did and believed. "

I just started Homegrown: Timothy McVeigh and the Rise of Right-Wing Extremism today, and so far it's fascinating. I'd never heard the "1776" narrative, and, believe me, I've followed the January 6th events fervently! I'm thinking about recommending it to my book club. We're the "Reasonable Doubt Book Club," and nonfiction/political/climate change/science/etc. is our jam.

Wow, how is it November? this is going to be a hard month too but maybe I'll get some reading done because I still have several to finish for the challenge.

I finished one prompt this week for A book you bought from an independent bookstore Noni & The God Tree: A Shrouded Spark by Breshea Anglen It was an enjoyable urban fantasy with an African America young adult as the lead. I got it at the Ohioana book fest via the fabulous Book Loft in Columbus's German Village area.

I also reread Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 15 by Hiromu Arakawa. My love of this series is unending.

QOTW all my friends know I love books so I get them often from them. Last month the chair of my department gave me the urban fantasy Half Wild

Erin wrote: "Happy check-in! I'm getting used to my new computer- I bought a cheaper version of the one that broke down earlier this month, but so far I'm liking it. I have to spend this weekend transferring al..."

Love the story of how you and your friend bought each other the same book. I very much enjoyed Angel of the Crows. Hope you do too

Sheri wrote: "Nadine- I’m enjoying it alright. But I’m an art major with an appreciation for museums. There’s also a lot about his family, so it’s part memoir. It’s not super long, I’m doing it as an audio"


I am not an art major! But I've been to many art museums, and I've been to the Met more times than I can count. Maybe I would like this?

Erin wrote: "It was sold out so I had to special order it, but I was very confident that it was a great gift idea. Turns out she'd had the same thought- so now we both have copies..."


LOL super cute!!! Did you "buddy read" it?

Happy check-in, y’all!

It has been a bit slower this week, and I have really needed the rest.

Saturday a friend and I drove to a SC family distillery, got a tour, did a tasting, and I came away with 2 whiskies, a moonshine, and some bourbon infused peach jam.

Then I went to the Redcliffe Plantation to the After Dark program of walking the family cemetery and viewing the moon from the rooftop of the plantation house. I do love history! I found two headstones that delighted me. Husband’s: I fought the good fight. Wife’s: She did the best she could!

I also attended several new classes: OneDrive intro (one session, informative), Ghost Stories (one session, storyteller telling SC ghost stories!), A Stroll Around Mr. Irvin’s Map (first of 3 sessions, about historic homes in Aiken) and Winter Sowing (one session – flowers not veggies!).

Seems that my trip to Redcliffe Plantation turned out to be a screw in the tire trip. Discovered early Monday when I went to go to the OneDrive class with a tire with 11 psi of air! Dealer added air and ordered the tire. Got additional air on Tuesday…and had to wait as dealer had picked up the wrong tire. Finally got it done at the end of the day!

Finished
Ghost Talkers – ATY #42. A creative WWI book about a team of volunteer mediums who take reports from those who have just died in battle. And, since I am a Mystery genre reader, there are a couple of deaths by another's hand that are not battle related. I did not see the ending coming!

Bewitched, Bothered, and Biscotti – ATY #43. This is book 2 in a series that I had started. The characters are fun, believable, and people I think I would like to know. Cozy mystery.

Currently Reading:
The Beginner's Photography Guide: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Manual for Getting the Most from Your Digital Camera – PS #2. 27%. Still working on the trying the camera out exercises.

Dreams and Shadows –Kindle. 14%. Restarted this book.

Bone Deep – PS #1. Will start today. It will also finish the only challenge last year that I did not complete.

The Last Illusion – ATY #44. 80%. Continuation of a series. I am really enjoying this series set in Manhattan in early twentieth century days. This book features Houdini.

Death is a Lonely Business – Other challenge. 67%. Ray Bradbury is a favorite author of mine.

The English Breakfast Murder – Other challenge. Another starting today.

Aunt Bessie Considers – No challenge. Audiobook. 83%. Fun cozy mystery featuring an elderly lady much like Miss Marple. Setting is Isle of Man.

On deck:
Home Fire – PS #14
Mister Impossible - Other challenge
The Age of Innocence – Library discussion
A Distant View of Everything – ATY #45

PS 37/50 (72%) and 7/10 (70%) for Nadine’s Challenge
ATY 43/52 (83%) and 6/12 (50%) for Spring Challenge, Fall Challenge 1/10 (10%).
GR 213/200 Exceeded!

QotW: When was the last time someone surprised you with a book as a gift? Or, if that has never happened, how would you imagine it happening? From whom? And which book?

It wasn't exactly a gift but ended up that way. My mom loved biographies and autobiographies. She usually tried to get me to read them, and, although I enjoy them occasionally, they are not in the top 5 or 10 of the genres that I reach for when selecting a book. Many years ago, when Hillary Clinton was running for president, Mom foisted on me Hard Choices, insisting that I take her copy.

It was easier to take it than to put up with the insistence that I read it. Mom died in 2018. I still have the book on my home shelf, unread.

More successful gifts have been a gift card where I can select my own books. I tend to use them for ebooks, Kindle books or audiobooks and delight in finding books I want as cheap as I can get them so the gift card goes further.

Nadine,
Haha, our tastes don’t always line up, so it’s hard to say! You might? A lot of it is how/why he ended up as a guard to the met, what draws different kinds of people to a job like that, his own personal feelings about art and what it’s like being in rooms of art all day etc. I like it, I don’t know if everyone would? There’s lots of personal stuff about his life and family as well.

Happy Friday! Last night I was at the pub quiz of our employee’s association so no time to check-in. It was so much fun! We finished 10th out of 23, so not bad. I now know that 1) I am old (like people gazing at you when you mention you learned stuff at school like what's the capitol of former West Germany) and 2) I can never win a pub quiz unless I start watching tv and reading entertainment news. I knew absolutely nothing. I compensated a bit with 9 out of 10 correct answers in the history section (yes, I'm a history buff).

PS: 38/50 (goal: 40/50)
Total 2023: 57/52

Finished
Nothing

Currently reading
Sira by María Dueñas

QOTW
My mother-in-law ‘surprises’ me every birthday with a book (this year Go as a River by Shelley Read). She has a persistent view of books that she thinks I like and continues to buy them. Even though I say it's not my genre. So every year I smile and say ‘thank you, I love reading!’

Laura wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "Also Homegrown: Timothy McVeigh and the Rise of Right-Wing Extremism (how are you liking it, Laura?). Having read about Waco earlier this year, this is a good follow up. I kinda ..."

That sounds like my kind of book club!
If you haven't already read it, Waco: David Koresh, the Branch Davidians, and A Legacy of Rage was the book I read earlier this year and it went into a lot of depth about the siege that so bothered McVeigh, and many others, about government "overreach". It was fascinating.

Well, my cold really messed up my sense of time kahjkadg I didn't realize it was Thursday until I went to bed last night oops

Sadly this means I can't catch up on all the messages, because I never would check in and I don't think I've missed any check ins this year for the first time ever (a max of one maybe) so yay me!

So yeah. Major cold. Got the flu shot on Friday, my arm was a mess until Tuesday. On Saturday my entire non-shot arm decided to grant me with a major fibro flare so from the tips of my fingers to my neck, I was in pain. Then as soon as my shot-arm settled down, I got a major cold. It's been 4 days. I am done. I have sat in the car with a box of tissues and a baggie for my used tissues. I have sat in a take away place waiting for food with said box. Every time I put vaseline around my nose to keep it from cracking, I end up sneezing a lot and wiping off the vaseline ajsdhfkasg AND I now have confirmation my allergy to mint isn't merely mouth related. I put Vicks Vaporub on my chest to try to bridge the gap between 'my nose is stuffed again' and 'I can't use my nose spray again for another two hours'. yeah. It burned jhaksdkfas

And of course there's the headache and the MAJOR sensitivity to natural light. Being in the car during the day was absolute hell, and if there was sun I wish I could curl up on the backseat.

So yeah. ajhdsfkasg help me

I have started working on my puzzle again, though! Bit by bit I am making progress! Dumbo is almost complete and the water from his tub is coming along nicely!

Read
Umbrella Mouse To The Rescue
Still dark and gritty, still good. Sadly the ending was super rushed and the epilogue had a huge time jump that burst the entire somewhat realistic bubble these books had.

Daughter of the Deep for pet character
Finally got to read this and I loved it so much! I was apprehensive when I read the first chapter, I was scared it would be another book like I've read countless times before (and I suppose in a way it was as most books are, but just not in the way I feared) but I should have trusted in Rick!

The Happiness Project for about divorce
Ngl, this is a stretch but I fear I won't get anything better. Nor do I really want to read a book about a divorce so this'll have to do! This was an eARC I got on December 30, that came out in February 2019, and I finally managed to read. I must have been lured in by the cute cover and the 'One Day in December' mention, but it wasn't for me. Not bad, just not my thing. Ohwell, one more eARC off the list!

Currently Reading
My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece
I gotta be honest: I got this on Audible in a 1+1 sale because David Tennant narrated it and I didn't hate the premise. (ngl, if the other kind of cover had been on there I probably would have dismissed it; the power of covers is real!) I also started this last night because I wanted an audiobook while playing Calm Colors and nothing appealed to me so I figured listening to David would be nice.

I'm hooked. It's already 11pm and I still gotta watch the new Loki so I fear I won't be able to continue tonight as I am exhausted from going to the store (30min drive) to get guirlands and lights (I have carte blanche this year to decorate the house as mom is away for two weeks and I have IdeasTM), but I really can't wait!

QOTW
My best friend is the only one who surprises me with books really, and I rarely read them because my brain just be like that. I will eventually, they just don't take precedence. One I remember from semi-recently is Lemony Snicket, the Unauthorized Biography; I was super excited to read it, but wasn't reading at the time and ... therefore haven't yet. Maybe soon!

Happy Friday!

I completely forgot to check-in yesterday. I was such a day. Today is much better: less stress, many work accomplishments, and two expensive coffees makes a good day.

This morning I thought Ziggy was broken. He was walking funny and slower than normal. I mean he sashays as it is cuz he's a dachshund/chihuahua (looks like a dachy with longer legs). Anyhoo, I bent down to check him out and felt that he had a leg through the neck of his sweater!

It was 5:14 am and dark and I wasn't quite awake yet. Plus, the sweater is dark blue and he is black so it was tough to see even with a light on.

So I yank the sweater up and put his leg back into the proper hole.

Then my mom (73 this year) didn't answer the phone. Every time I hang up, she tells me to let it ring and ring and ring. Okay I did. three calls later, she finally answers.

I was about ready to have a sheriff do a well check when she finally answers and says, she's on the phone with my sister, who is sick.

Okay, she could have just answered after ring 7 instead of 35 rings and three calls later to tell me to F@#k off. I could have handled that. I would have preferred it actually. That would be understandable. But keeping me hanging until i'm worried that she has fallen or passed out or whatever else my brain was coming up with that cranky old ladies can do to hurt themselves. sheesh!

So my sister made it home okay, and I didn't call the sheriff.

Popsugar: 30/50
Finished: None
Reading: None that I’m aware of

Aty:39/52
Finished:

Reading: None that I’m aware of

Goodreads Challenge 601/400
Finished:
Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons
Tamon's B-Side, Vol. 1
Love's in Sight!, Vol. 1
Love's in Sight!, Vol. 2
Love's in Sight!, Vol. 3
Love's in Sight!, Vol. 4
Wolf Girl and Black Prince, Vol. 2
Wolf Girl and Black Prince, Vol. 3
Me and My Beast Boss, Vol. 1
Me and My Beast Boss Vol. 2
A Returner's Magic Should be Special, Vol. 1
A Returner's Magic Should be Special, Vol. 2
Formerly, the Fallen Daughter of the Duke: Volume 4
Bride of the Barrier Master, Vol. 1
Bride of the Barrier Master, Vol. 2

there are various romances that i'm not bothering with.

Reading:
Rising from Ashes: My Dear Emperor, You’re Putty in My Hands! Vol.1
Gabriel's Redemption
Fourth Wing


QOTW:

I'm not sure. The last time I got a book was I Want To Eat Your Pancreas light novel. A friend gave it to me for Christmas. The same person gave me a copy of Vivian Vande Velde's Dragon Bait.

I usually tell people what I want book wise because no one knows exactly what I have or don't besides me. And sometimes even that is iffy.

Jennifer W wrote: "If you haven't already read it, Waco: David Koresh, the Branch Davidians, and A Legacy of Rage was the book I read earlier this year and it went into a lot of depth about the siege that so bothered McVeigh, and many others, about government "overreach". It was fascinating."

I read that one earlier this year. It was really interesting!

Nadine in NY wrote: "LOL super cute!!! Did you "buddy read" it?..."

We didn't but that's a good idea! I haven't read it yet, so maybe in the new year