Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2024 Weekly Check-Ins
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Week 18: 4/26 - 5/2
Happy Thursday, everyone!If it’s possible for a week to be one long Monday, then it's been this week. It hasn’t been a bad week…just an annoying one.
At least it’s been a good week for reading! I’ve had a chance to read quite a few books, and enjoyed all of them.
Here are my current challenge and TBR totals…
Goodreads Challenge: 187/200
Mount TBR Challenge: 82/150
📚Physical TBR: 49
📱Ebook TBR: 33
🎧Audiobook TBR: 0
TBR Checklist Total: 82
After ending my book buying ban this past weekend, I picked up some new titles that I am really excited about. I bought copies of Ghost Station, by S.A. Barnes; Sisters of Fortune, by Anna Lee Huber; Pokémon: Sword & Shield, Vol. 9, by Hidenori Kusaka and Satoshi Yamamoto; and Big Dweeb Energy: A FoxTrot Collection, by Bill Amend.
Then, my dad suggested a trip to the bookstore, where I got a copy of The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, by Becky Chambers. A couple days later, I returned to the bookstore and bought the rest of the series. While I was there I also got a copy of Paradise-1, by David Wellington.
Finally, I ordered a considerable number of Garfield books, by Jim Davis. I do have one volume that is not supposed to arrive in the mail until May 7th, but I decided to go ahead and start reading the series instead of waiting for all of the books to arrive. I can always take a break when I get to that volume.
I’m really excited to read all of the books I purchased this week! That being said, if this is the end result of going on a book buying ban, then I probably need to avoid doing that in the future.
“New” Books Bought in 2024: 128
“New” Books Read in 2024: 99
Finished Reading (Fiction):
This week I finished my remaining Agatha Raisin books! I thoroughly enjoyed this series, and I’m already looking forward to picking up the next book when it is released in paperback this June. The books I finished this week include…
~Down the Hatch — This is the thirty-second book in the Agatha Raisin series. Content Alert: (view spoiler) 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Devil’s Delight — This is the thirty-third book in the Agatha Raisin series. Content Alert: (view spoiler) 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I also read the following books…
~Ghost Station — This book was a great combination of science fiction and horror, written by the same author who wrote Dead Silence. Content Alert: (view spoiler) 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet — This is the first book in the Wayfarer’s series. I absolutely loved the story and characters, and I’m really looking forward to reading the rest of the series. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Finished Reading (Nonfiction):
None
Finished Reading (Manga, Comic Books, & Graphic Novels):
~Pokémon: Sword & Shield, Vol. 9 — This was a good continuation of the Pokémon manga series. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Big Dweeb Energy: A FoxTrot Collection — This was a fun collection of FoxTrot comics! 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This week I also started reading the Garfield comic series from the very beginning. I have loved Garfield ever since I was a kid, so I’ve been having a lot of fun reading (and in many cases re-reading) the series. The books I finished this week include…
~The First Garfield Fat Cat 3-Pack — This collection includes volumes 1-3 (Garfield at Large, Garfield Gains Weight, and Garfield Bigger Than Life). 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Garfield Fat Cat 3-Pack: Vol 2 — This collection includes volumes 4-6 (Garfield Weighs In, Garfield Takes the Cake, and Garfield Eats His Heart Out). 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Garfield Fat Cat 3-Pack: Vol 3 — This collection includes volumes 7-9 (Garfield Sits Around the House, Garfield Tips the Scales, and Garfield Loses His Feet). 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Finished Reading (Poetry and Drama):
None
DNFed:
None
Currently On A Break:
~The Complete Works of William Shakespeare — I am currently a few acts into King Richard II. I will be resuming my reading of this book in the next week or so. 📚
Currently Reading:
~The Arabian Nights: Tales of 1001 Nights, Volume 1 — I am currently 90% of the way through this book, and have less than 100 pages remaining. I hope to finish it over the weekend. 📚
~A Closed and Common Orbit — This is the second book in the Wayfarers series. I’m only a few chapters into it, but I’m enjoying the story so far. 📚
QOTW:
I used to be a teacher, so I’ve definitely had those experiences. I was an English teacher, so I was always delighted when a recommendation that I made helped a student transition from being a reluctant reader to a book lover.
Mod
Forgive me if this is something everyone knows - but the refrigerant inside your a/c unit does not wear out, and during proper operation it does not get used up or leaked out or need to be flushed or anything else. So if you need more refrigerant, then you've got a leak, and if you don't fix the leak, you'll always be calling the HVAC guy out to repair.
Leaks happen in car a/c units because gravel or whatever can get kicked up from the road and hit the condenser which is usually right behind the radiator. But leaks are VERY uncommon in home units - there are very few moving parts and nothing is hitting it, why would it form a leak, right?
I'm mostly ranting about this because I suspect HVAC guys and car dealers of scamming customers and charging them $$$ for work that really isn't needed.
(I think it was Altered Carbon that had a sentence indicating that all the liquid that you routinely see leaking out of window a/c units is the refrigerant, and I became incensed. That liquid is just water, condensed from humid air.)
Happy Thursday! I got a lot of non-challenge reading done last week!
Finished:
Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier - 4.25 stars - not for the challenge. I really enjoyed this. Makiia Lucier really is a hidden gem. I liked the characters and their journey. There was only one thing I thought was unnecessary: (view spoiler)
I thought about using this as my pirate book, but while there is a crew of sailors who act like pirates, they aren't considered pirates within the world of the story, so it didn't feel like they counted. I might be being too picky there, though.
Funny Story by Emily Henry - 4 stars - not for the challenge. There are prompts this could fill, but I mostly filled them all with other books. Emily Henry did it again. I loved the characters and their love story. As usual, everything could have been solved sooner had people just talked to each other, but hey, romance.
Saint-Seducing Gold by Brittany N. Williams - 4 stars - not for the challenge. I like this YA series. Shakespeare is a character. The main character is bi with two love interests, which is normally a turn-off for me, but... (view spoiler) This one was a little stronger than the first, but I'd still say start with the first if interested.
Misunderstood Vegetables: How to Fall in Love with Sunchokes, Rutabaga, Eggplant and More by Becky Selengut - 3.5 stars - not for the challenge. I picked this up because I subscribe to a farm CSA box, and I wanted some ideas of what to do with less familiar veggies. I enjoyed the history and descriptions of each vegetable, and the basic storage and cooking tips. As a cookbook, though, I didn't find many of the recipes appealing. They mostly seemed way too complicated and fussy for a weeknight meal.
Comics/manga:
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War, Vol. 28
Magilumiere Magical Girls Inc., Vol. 1
I am currently at 33/50 prompts for PopSugar (29/45 and 4/5).
Currently reading:
Blood Justice by Terry J. Benton-Walker - not for the challenge (yet)
Upcoming/Planned:
When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller - for a book recommended by a librarian
Tales from the Café by Toshikazu Kawaguchi - for a book set in a travel destination on your bucket list
All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson - not currently for a prompt
QOTW:
I honestly can't think of anything right now.
Mod
Today is an absolutely beautiful day - sunny, low humidity, nice breeze. Today's task is: pick up dog poop in the backyard! LOL I know you all envy me.
This week I read 4 books, 1 of them for the Popsugar Challenge.
Murder Road by Simone St. James- I enjoyed this A LOT! I started this on a night when my daughter was going out to a sleepover party, and I was a little worried about reading it in the house all alone all night, since it sounded so scary. LOL it was fine. It's not nearly as scary as the blurb implies - in fact, I think that's why some people are giving it a low rating, they picked it up expecting to be terrified, and it's not that kind of book at all.
The Sisters: New and Selected Poems by Josephine Jacobsen - I'd never heard of this poet, but I saw she was the US poet laureate in 1971 (they were called "Consultants" back then), so I decided to give her a try. Not for me. I've never felt LESS connected to a collection of poetry.
Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent - this was a real page turner! But it was also strangely unsatisfying - it was really depressing, and had no closure. I chose this for "character who is 42" and she IS 42 at the start of the book, but she soon turns 43, and a few more years go by as the book continues. So she's not really 42 for much of the book (PLUS she had her birthdate wrong, so at the start of the book she was probably already 43!). But I chose it from the list in good faith, and this is a ridiculously difficult category, so I'm counting it.
The Death and Life of the Great Lakes by Dan Egan - meh. This wasn't what I hoped it would be. I live in the Great Lakes area, and hoped to learn more about the geology of where I live, but Egan spent more time talking about Atlanta than he spent on New York state. What does Atlanta have to do with the Great Lakes? good question. I used this for "about the sea" in AtY.
Popsugar 74% 37 /50
Must Reads 60% 6 /10
AtY 62% 32 /52
QotW
No? Not that I can think of, other than all the stuff I do for my kids, of course.
Lynn, funny that you mention Gudenkauf, she's my choice to read for "deaf or hearing impaired author" - I bet that category is giving her books another boost!!
This week got off to a rough start. Monday seemed like it was a week long - nothing major, but all the little things seemed to go wrong. Aside from some sinus/throat issues that are lingering from yesterday, things have improved. (And the sinus issues seem to have been largely related to the weather and allergen levels in my area rather than illness, which I'm so happy about!) Anyway, on to the books!
Completed
Ender’s Game
End of Story
Let it Snow
Currently Reading
The Bluest Eye
Thread and Gone
Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination - I might DNF this one and check out a shorter biography from my library. (I checked it out as an online audiobook and didn't realize how loooooong it was. Lesson learned: check the total running time before borrowing!)
Happy Thursday! All is calm so far today. Eli’s (age 6) been sick all week. Yesterday was the first vomit-free day for him since Sunday. So… as soon as he’s feeling better, I notice that Seth (age 31 – autism) is burping LOUDLY and frequently and there he goes! I’m glad he made it to the bathroom, but he’s mostly been lying down quietly since then. He obviously doesn’t feel good. And then Ewan (age 1.5) wakes up from his nap and promptly pukes all over himself. Everybody made it through the night without incident, but I’m exhausted. So much laundry!2024 Reading Challenges: I’ve read 165 books so far this year with an average length of 330 pages and an average rating of 3.76.
52 Book Club: 38/52 (April Mini-Challenge: 3/3)
ATY: 33/52 (Spring Challenge: 8/12 + Bonus 5/5)
Booklist Queen: 36/52
Diverse Baseline: 12/36
Popsugar: 32/50
Robot Librarian: 38/52
ICYMI Backlist: 4/12
Recently Completed: Look at all the 3-star ratings! I must be in some kind of slump. Hopefully, Why We Love Baseball: A History in 50 Moments broke the curse.
Expiration Dates: Fabulous premise, uneven execution. This one fell far short of my expectations. ★★★
What We've Become: Living and Dying in a Country of Arms: Not particularly enlightening, but it hit hard given recent events. ★★★
The Princess of Thornwood Drive: Adventures Underground Book Club. (52 Books #19 – a buddy read) ★★★
Defending Jacob: Much of this book was great, but I really disliked the way the author talked about middle-aged women. They were always described as tired and worn, lacking beauty and vitality. This just sounds like a man who really doesn’t like women. (Booklist Queen #42 – a legal thriller) ★★★
The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things: Stories: The only thing more distasteful than the actual contents of this book is that the author tried to pass off the experiences of an abused boy as her own. From the blurb: “Laura Victoria Albert is the author of writings that include works credited to the fictional teenage persona of JT LeRoy, a long-running literary hoax in which LeRoy was presented to the public and publishers as a gender-variant, sexually questioning, abused, former homeless drug addict and male prostitute. Albert described LeRoy as an “avatar” rather than a “hoax,” and claimed that she was able to write things as LeRoy that she could not have said as Laura Albert.” Maybe she shouldn’t have said anything at all. (Robot Librarian Advanced #1 – a literary hoax) ★
Africaville ★★★
A Better World: “The Lottery” set in the near future. Sometimes funny, sometimes horrifying. ★★★★
Why We Love Baseball: A History in 50 Moments: I love baseball and thoroughly enjoyed all of these stories. Of course, I’d have loved MORE stories about the St. Louis Cardinals, but I guess that’s a different book. ★★★★★
Currently Reading: I’m getting to the point where many of my choices don’t count for a prompt in any of my challenges.
The Husbands (ATY Spring Challenge – 5+ colors on the cover)
The Clementine Complex (ATY #24 – secondary color on cover/Robot Librarian #29 - a car, plane, train, motorcycle, or bicycle on the cover or in the title)
Come and Get It
Shubeik Lubeik: NPR 2023 Books We Love (ATY Spring Challenge – purple cover)
Raw Dog: The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs NPR 2023 Books We Love
Small Mercies NPR 2023 Books We Love
Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir NPR 2023 Books We Love (52 Books #50 – musical instrument on the cover)
Little Fires Everywhere Reasonable Doubt Book Club
How to End a Love Story
The Refrigerator Monologues
QOTW: I taught high school math for 25 years, and I’m thinking about some of my former students that I’m still in touch with… a boy who struggled with gender identity who’s now married and raising a family, a trans punk rocker looking forward to gender-affirming surgery, a boy and a girl who both pursued Special Education because of my son and my stories about him, my cheerleaders, and others. Teaching can be hard, but I’m grateful for the relationships I’ve made with students and colleagues.
Mod
I must assert that our HVAC guy is local and very trustworthy! He is actually headed out for a week's vacation in Florida tomorrow morning, but still managed to get here this morning. He said the coolant is level was low and we most likely have a slow leak somewhere, but he did remove a piece of bark that had gotten "inside" the system. And...that is all I know or can speak about! 😁
At least we now have chilled air to get us through today. Temps are to be in the 70s over the next week or so, so we can survive even if it doesn't keep working well!
I can appreciate your frustration. I can only imagine that you have much more detailed knowledge about such matters than the majority of the general population! However, even I know that the fluid emitted by window A/C units is just water/condensation! Sheesh! 😋
Happy Thursday! Life's back to normal. We just had some severe weather over here. It got dark like it was night, the weirdest light, never seen anything like it. About 5 km south the streets were flooding and hailstones like golf balls, but over here it was okay. Just a lot of water and hail (size peas). We're expecting a 'train' of thunder storms, so it's not over yet. It keeps lightning and thundering. PS: 12/50
FNL: 18/40
Total: 23/52
Finished
What You Did Not Tell: A Russian Past and the Journey Home by Mark Mazower ⭐⭐
Attempt to share the complicated history of Jewish people from nowadays Lithuania during the 20th century. The author jumped from one family member to another which made it pretty difficult to follow.
Currently reading
The Road to Unfreedom: Russia, Europe, America by Timothy Snyder
The Lost History of Stars by Dave Boling
QOTW
I tend to answer: you should ask others. I'm not in the position to mark my acts as impactful in someone else's life.
Hey, I actually read something that fit a prompt this week!Minor Mage (3/5, cozy fantasy)
It's probably better for a younger reader (10-20, perhaps). It serves its purpose and imparts a couple of lessons, but it is nothing too deep to me.
DNF:
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (a book that was turned into a musical)
The prologue was fine and served to get me into a Baum-like head space. After the next three chapters, though, I was done. It seemed like it was trying to cram a bunch of crude and gross material in for the sake of it. I am not a huge fan of the musical, but I liked that much, much, much more than what I read of this book.
Currently reading:
Orion's Hounds (reread)
Face the Music: A Life Exposed
Robot Librarian Challenge: 51/52Ultimate Reading Challenge: 11/25
Finished: Elatsoe read for RL prompt alternate history and UR prompt read a book that features an indigenous person. I was surprised that I didn't really like this book. It seemed like a non-traditional murder in that it wasn't about figuring out who did the murder, but rather what the motive was. The magic and monsters didn't really sit well with me.
Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business This was a re-read from 20 years ago for an IRL book club. Even though the book was published in 1985 and woefully outdated IMO, we had an excellent discussion including talking about how the boundaries between entertainment and education are no longer informative.
Between Shades of Grey for RL prompt about war other than WWI or WWII. Well, I was wrong. It IS actually about WWII, but it's about Russians getting sent to Siberia, so at least it is an aspect of WWII that I'm not as familiar with. I didn't become emotionally involved with the characters, however.
Letters, 1925-1975 for RL prompt published posthumously. This was much more interesting than Rachel Carson's collection of letters, but it demonstrates just how much is missing when only half the exchange is kept. There were a few back-and-forths, but it was mostly Heidegger writing (and I found Arendt more interesting.)
Apollo's Arrow: The Profound and Enduring Impact of Coronavirus on the Way We Live for RL prompt title doesn't have an E in it. This was about the pandemic and rather ballsy because it was published in October of 2020, before we even had a vaccine!
Quichotte for RL prompt satire. I just finished Knife, which was amazing! This one wasn't as good, but I still appreciated becoming more familiar with Rushdie's work. Very postmodern with a "fictional" character and an "author" character.
What to Do When I'm Gone: A Mother's Wisdom to Her Daughter for UR prompt read a graphic novel.
Started: Imagination and Meaning in Calvin and Hobbes for RL prompt 700's. I am LOVING this book! It is my last prompt for Robot Librarian. The hardest prompt was novelization of a film, so I totally cheated and read a 700's book about Mr. Roger's ethics instead. So I had to find another 700's book because I don't double-dip for the same challenge. This is a very academic analysis of Calvin and Hobbes while still holding an open reading of the comic book, recognizing its magic at the same time.
QotW: I imagine I've impacted people in several areas of my life, but I never really get confirmation of it. One way is that I used to do book reviews on a blog, and I would intentionally read ARC's of little-known authors. One time I wrote a favorable review of one of my favorite authors and her publicist shared it with the author. So that was fun!
Brandon wrote: "DNF:Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (a book that was turned into a musical)
The prologue was fine and served to get me into a Baum-like head space. After the next three chapters, though, I was done. It seemed like it was trying to cram a bunch of crude and gross material in for the sake of it. I am not a huge fan of the musical, but I liked that much, much, much more than what I read of this book.
..."
I LOVED the musical and hated the book. I also DNF... This is one of those rare cases where the adaptation is better than the original.
The library passport program has come to a close, and my final count is 36 libraries visited. I think, if I'm still here the next time they do it, I'll try to take a couple of days off so I can get to more (over 100 libraries participated!). I love seeing all the different ways libraries can be, if that makes sense.Despite all my traveling, it was a pretty good reading week, mostly helped by a bunch of graphic novels.
Finished:
Tales from Moominvalley - (a book that features dragons) I was in a Moomin mood a bit ago, and this seemed like a good way to scratch that itch, especially since it's one of the books I'd never read (though I know a few of the stories were adapted to the animated series). I liked the stories that had nothing to do with the main characters the best, especially The Hemulen Who Loved Silence.
Mel the Chosen - (RH a book in translation from a country you've never visited) I liked this more for the art style than the story, which had an interesting premise, but was way too light on the worldbuilding.
Crabapple Trouble - This one was super cute! A little more episodic than I thought it was going to be, but not in a way that kept me from enjoying it.
Sing Me Forgotten - I was vibing with this POTO retelling at first, even though the main couple was kind of annoying, but then everything just got so dumb. I was compelled to keep going with it to the end, and unlike some I didn't hate the ending, but so much happened in the last third that was so utterly unnecessary.
Stories of the Islands - I picked this up because I thought it was by the same author as Other Ever Afters: New Queer Fairy Tales. It isn't, but I enjoyed it just as much. I like that the author included the original versions of the stories, since I hadn't heard of any of them.
The Moon Within - Not sure how I feel about this one, since the main storyline is about the MC not wanting a moon ceremony and her mom forcing her to do it, and then she realizes it was a good thing after all without too much reflection on either the MC or mom's part. But there was other stuff in the story that was pretty good, so overall I enjoyed it.
In Buddha's Kitchen : Cooking, Being Cooked, and Other Adventures at a Meditation Center - I will be honest, I found the cooking parts more interesting than the spiritual parts. But the chapters were all short enough to make it a good book to pick up and put down as needed.
Currently Reading:
Ribbon Dance
Glitter and Concrete: A Cultural History of Drag in New York City
He Must Go Walk the Woods So Wild
Always Human
In a Not So Perfect World
QOTW:
As a librarian, I often help people to do things online, from filling out forms to applying for jobs, and sometimes they'll come in and let me know how things went. The older folks will usually add that they couldn't have done it without me 😊
Happy Thursday everyone!PS: 16/50
Finished:
The Mysterious Benedict Society ⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I know, I know, everyone loves this book. And, to be honest the end of the book saved it for me. But this one was a bit of a slow starter. I know its juvenile fiction and its not like an adult mystery, but I have read plenty of YA and juvenile fiction and this one just didn't do it for me for some reason. It was cute and entertaining through, just nothing special.
The Last Time I Lied ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Read this book so fast, pretty sure it was done in a day and a half. I stayed up late to finish it, read it at my desk at work (shh). I didn't see the end coming AT ALL. If you like thrillers, read this one. Not too long, good summer camp thriller but had some interesting twists throughout the book.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 - I can't believe I had never actually read this book as a teenager, given that I was 12 when the movie came out and I remember the huge hype around it. This one was another quick, light, and entertaining read, which I needed since some of my other ones have been long or dragging.
Currently Reading:
The Unmaking of June Farrow
Anxious People
Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard
DNF:
How Far the Light Reaches: A Life in Ten Sea Creatures - I was really excited for this book. I am trying to branch out and read more nonfiction, and I love marine science (huge biology nerd). For some reason, I just couldn't get into this book. I know that it is relating sea creatures to her life story, which is such an interesting premise. But there was just so little happiness to it, even with the sea creatures. It was all just depressing.
QOTW
I recently stopped coaching the high school team that I have been with for 10+ years, and when I go back to their games, the girls and their parents always come up and say hi and give me hugs and tell me they miss me. Just little things, but it makes me realize that I actually did impact them.
Happy Thursday!I finished counting thumbtacks for Summer Reading. I finally got that done Monday. Today, I've been making black glue to prep my Egyptian Cartouches for my Archeology week. I also have a bit of excavation sand to play with too.
I figured out my last day. Horror. I'm going with Cryptids, but I have to find a craft that a 2nd to 5th grader can do. I haven't found one that takes my fancy yet, but i will continue to look.
Goodreads Challenge 291/400
Finished:
Story Hour:
Piranhas Don't Eat Bananas
YA:
Sound the Gong⭐⭐⭐⭐
Manga:
Re:Monster Vol. 1
Re:Monster Manga Vol. 2
Re:Monster Vol. 3
Re:Monster Vol. 4
Re:Monster Vol. 5
Re:Monster Vol. 6
Re:Monster Vol. 7
Re:Monster Vol. 8
A Gatherer’s Adventure in Isekai：Sozaisaishuka No Isekairyokouki Vol.１
A Gatherer’s Adventure in Isekai：Sozaisaishuka No Isekairyokouki Vol.２
A Gatherer’s Adventure in Isekai：Sozaisaishuka No Isekairyokouki Vol.３
A Gatherer’s Adventure in Isekai：Sozaisaishuka No Isekairyokouki Vol.４
A Gatherer’s Adventure in Isekai：Sozaisaishuka No Isekairyokouki Vol.５
A Gatherer’s Adventure in Isekai：Sozaisaishuka No Isekairyokouki Vol.６
The Reformation of the World as Overseen by a Realist Demon King (Manga) Vol. 2
Fantasy:
To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods⭐⭐⭐⭐ Oh My Goodness! This one is soooo good! It's Xianxia and Portal Fantasy with an Alternate History Roman Empire in modern day. For those who have watched the anime Gate it's similar to that premise. My only complaint was that the main mfc took a bit too long to realize something.
Romance:
My First and Only Crush: an age gap baseball romance
Dirty Revenge: An Ex's Dad Romance
Stepbrother’s Taboo Best-Friend
Reading:
nothing
QOTW:
Only when kids from my story hour recognize me in the grocery store or any place, and they are shocked that I exist outside the library. It's so funny and cute.
Happy Thursday! It's starting to get warmer- and there are so many spiders around! I hate it! One just ran across the sofa at me- why?? I don;t remember what I originally was going to write here anymore, now I"m just too jumpy lolFinished:
On a Sunbeam- a graphic novel with pretty artwork and interesting world building. The story itself I wanted a little more from, but I liked it
-18 A book set in space
Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel) Vol. 1-I thought this was cute. Felt like a cozy fantasy, even though it's not marketed like that I don't think. I'll probably continue the series at some point
-13 A book originally published under a pen name
Currently Reading:
A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety- very slowly listening to this
The Emperor and the Endless Palace- just started this fantasy, it has three very different timelines, so I'm curious how it'll play out
QotW:
I think working in customer service, especially when you're younger, having older coworkers who would stick up for you or let you know when a manager is being out of line, is super helpful. I definitely had a couple people who really helped me when I was young, and I'd like to think I helped some people later on. Especially when I was working for some managers who were basically just bullies. Sometimes it's just telling a coworker "hey, they can't make you do that. You can say no"
Doni wrote: "Brandon wrote: "DNF:Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (a book that was turned into a musical)
The prologue was fine and served to get me into a Baum-like head space. Aft..."
I have heard this so many times and its making me nervous to start it! I love the musical so much, and I have definitely heard that the book is darker, which I think is why I have been avoiding it. I put it on my planned list to read for the year in hopes it would force me to get to it, but I might rethink that now....
Greetings! NYC hit 80 today ... and I'm looking at my 2 window a/c's that died at the end of summer last year and need to be replaced asap. Fortunately fans were sufficient to make my apartment quite comfortable today, and temps drop again tonight. But it's now on the top of my to-do list. Since NYC has a law requiring proper and secure exterior support installation complying with code for all window A/C, I'm just calling a company my clients use to replace them, no need to go shopping and haul one home. Does it cost more? Yes but cheaper than being fined by NYC.
31/50 - PS
44/52 - ATY
Finished:
The Silence of the Girls - ATY prompt - wings on cover of my copy
. PS prompt recommended by a librarian as it was nominated by 2 libraries for the Dublin Literary Prize. It was probably the best true retelling (rather than an inspired by or adaptation as so many books considered 'retellings' are) I've ever read. The Winter of the Witch - wonderful ending of The Winternight Trilogy - no aty or ps prompt.
Currently Reading - nothing serious, all crime fiction for a while
Murder at Queen's Landing - 4th in series
Murder by Degrees - first in new series, debut, and an Edgar nominee.
Edgar Award Dinner is tonight! Eager to see the winners though I have not read that many of the nominees yet.
QOTW: As a lawyer and also someone who is involved in different groups and was my alumnae college class president for decades, I definitely have influenced in many ways, even when it is something I don't remember doing or seeing. However there was one thing that happened in the late 1980s, when I was a young lawyer with big debt and little income and too many friends and clients were dying of AIDS, that I only learned years later had a huge impact on a young couple who were my neighbors. I assisted with the clearing out of the apartment of a friend who had died of AIDS, including needing to dispose of a huge number of books of all kinds and types, and having a very limited time to do so. My downstairs neighbors were operating a used book sale business out of their apartment and mostly set up on tables on Broadway (tables of used books and records for sale was a very common sight here in those days). I contacted them and said they could have all the books but they had to take everything, no picking and choosing what they wanted, including all the gay porn we found hidden on windowsills behind curtains and under the bed. It also had all to be picked up withing a very few days. They took it all. I moved out of the building not long after that but saw the couple had actually bought out a used bookstore in the Columbia University area and were now selling from it and online. They did quite well for some years but eventually they divorced and sold the business. A couple decades later, I ran into the wife of the couple and we had tea to catch up. I learned at that tea that my contacting them donating all those books to them provided them with sufficient income to buy that storefront used book store business, and it had been life changing for them. I'd had no idea. To me they had done me a favor, but to them I had given them a life boost.
Hi all! I have had a case of the gremlins around here!! Since last Wednesday, my dryer has broken down, my lawnmower got serviced and then the blade fell off (the guy came back and reattached it no charge), I swapped out my snow tires for all seasons and one of them had a hole in it and went flat (they charged me $10...), AND my vacuum cleaner died!!! I'm seriously considering joining the Amish, the heck with all these modern "conveniences"! Anyway, I got sucked into 2 new books (nevermind all the other ones I've started reading that are lying around here...). The Woman in the White Kimono not sure if it'll fit a prompt and The Drop which is Michael Connelly's 24th book.
QOTW: Working in mental health, I had lots of clients tell me that I've impacted their lives, but there's one that really stands out. The whole office was at the end of our rope dealing with a difficult client one day. One of my other clients came in with some of his old artwork he had dug up. It was beautiful landscapes he had drawn with pen. The whole office oohed and aahed over it. Later, he called me and was a little mad thinking we had been patronizing him. I assured him we weren't- we really weren't, they were amazing drawings! He finally said that he believed me and said that he really listens to and values the things I tell him. He said even little things that I probably don't give a second thought to often mean something to him. He said he considered me his older (yet younger in age!) wiser sister. After dealing with the difficult client all day (probably all week!) and feeling like I couldn't do anything right, hearing that made me break down and sob- after I got off the phone with him!
I don't miss the paperwork, the bureaucracy, the office politics, but I do miss my clients...
Happy Thursday all!Had a birthday yesterday, and we celebrated by going out for dinner and then coming home to watch Bumblebee and Firefly. Hehe, two pieces of media named after bugs and neither one is actually about insects...
Books read this week:
Beneath the Surface: Killer Whales, SeaWorld, and the Truth Beyond Blackfish -- a former SeaWorld trainer discusses his time with the orcas, how SeaWorld really treats the creatures under its care, and his involvement with the Blackfish documentary. Fascinating and heartbreaking.
Hollow -- graphic novel, and a surprisingly fun modern take on The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. How do you make the Headless Horseman a good guy (and adorable to boot)? Apparently this is how.
2001: A Space Odyssey -- might not have aged as well as the author hoped, but still a fascinating read. I should watch the movie someday.
Godshot -- boy this is a ROUGH read. Not for the faint of heart, especially if cults, sexual assault, and religious abuse are triggers for you.
PopSugar Challenge -- FINISHED
Robot Librarian Challenge -- 31/32
Robot Librarian Advanced Challenge -- 10/10
Robot Librarian Non-Fiction Challenge -- 3/10
Extreme Book Nerd Challenge -- 37/50
Extreme Book Nerd Advanced Challenge -- 9/10
Extreme Book Nerd Non-Fiction Challenge -- 4/10
Currently reading:
Road of Bones
The Truth About Martians
The Library Book
Monsters: A Fan's Dilemma
QOTW:
This may be a little heavy... but a couple years ago I finally cut off an abusive family member. And as I've been talking to other members of my family, they've told me that my actions gave them the courage to also deal with years of trauma from this abusive family member, and reevaluate their relationship with them. So I guess I've had an impact, heh...
I finished a PS prompt by reading a children's book. This worked so well, I might do this for other prompts.I finished Camp NaNo, so now I can spend more time reading in May. This is great because I am carrying 3 April books into May, plus I need to start May books, so I'm going to be juggling a lot.
Finished:
Dr. Seuss's Sleep Book
ATY prompt: Can't find one
Popsugar prompt: The 24th book of an author
Series - 3/12
Nobel laureates - 1/5
Mysteries/Thrillers - 5/13
ATY - 14/45
PS - 10/30
Currently reading:
The Inheritors - 40% done
Henderson the Rain King - 50% done
The Darkest Road- 15% done
Buddy Reads:
This Present Darkness - 50% done
Hollow City - 15% done
QOTW: I really have no idea.
I finished two books since my last check-in, one of which I used for an open prompt (though, they both would have fit for that same prompt!). I'm at 13/45 and 2/5 for this challenge, and 29/100 for my overall Goodreads Reading Challenge (though, it does include a DNR and a reading journal that I didn't read-read). Finished:
* Grown Woman Talk: Your Guide to Getting and Staying Healthy by Sharon Malone, which I used for "a book from a genre you typically avoid;" and,
* Cryptid Club written and illustrated by Sarah Andersen, which probably also fits the aforementioned prompt...though I don't know that I avoid the genre so much as don't actively seek it out.
Currently Reading:
* Careless Love by Peter Robinson, which is my oldest NetGalley title (and I will finish it...hopefully before I start my vacation...but if not...I know what book I'm reading first on the drive!); and,
* Africa Is Not a Country: Notes on a Bright Continent by Dipo Faloyin, which is one of my book clubs' picks for May.
QotW:
Nonreading question this week...
Have you ever had an experience that confirmed your actions were impactful to someone else? I am fortunate to say that I can think of several instances in my personal life and in my professional life where I know this was the case because the person told me so. Some are from years ago, some as recently as this year. I am humbled and grateful every time someone takes the time to give me that sort of feedback. I'd like to think there are probably more that I'll never know about, which means just as much to me.
Happy check-in! It's been a rainy week which has been badly needed. It's been cold so we've had almost snow and we might yet get snow. This is okay with me because it's very weird to watch hockey playoffs when it's warm outside. ;)Finished Reading:
Against the Darkness ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (PS dies first chapter)
Series ender to this Buffy story. It ended well but I would be happy for more. The humour was great and there were so many nods to the show throughout the series.
Never Wager with a Wallflower ⭐⭐⭐ (24+ letters in title)
Another series ender. Cute historical romance.
Comics for Choice: Illustrated Abortion Stories, History and Politics ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (PS 3+ POVs)
A collections of various story tellers, writers, and artists telling abortion stories. Some of the artwork was not great, especially text heavy things written in messy handwriting. I also didn't like that two stories included weren't non-fiction, it felt out of place to me.
Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 22 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 23 ⭐⭐⭐
Only four more volumes until the end and I don't know what's going to happen.
Love, Theoretically ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
So this called to me to reread. I now need to play go, eat cheese and get a pet hedgehog. ;)
PS 32/50
ATY 31/52
Goodreads 112/150
Happy Thursday! I completely forgot to check in last week so it’s a 2-week recap here. The warmer weather means lots of yard work and outdoor house projects. I’m running a staged reading of Pygmalion this weekend, so I’ve been working on that too. And I joined a new IRL book club! We’re meeting on Sunday and I’m excited; of the two books chosen for this month, I enjoyed one and dropped the other.Finished in the past fortnight:
Anna Karenina - 4.5 stars. This sort of tanked my mental health with its existential questions but I’m glad I made it through another chunky classic, and Wanda McCaddon narrates very nicely.
Rebel Rising - 4.5 stars. Picked this up on a whim because I needed something a bit lighter after Anna K, and Rebel delivered. Memoir that explores queerness
The Crow: Special Edition - 4 stars. Now I get why all the goth kids in high school were so into this movie. The artwork is a bit scratchier than I like, but the flashbacks are done beautifully and the story truly is all heart.
Dig Two Graves - 5 stars. Great googly moogly, this series keeps getting better. And I need to dive into another side series now that I’m through this newest one, so expect more Schaefer on my list presently. Self-published author
Stateless - 3.75 stars. Not Wein’s best, but idk if anything will top Code Name Verity. I thought the trio’s bond was stronger than the pairing, but it’s historical YA so I’m not surprised. Enemies to lovers plot
PS 22/50
ATY 21/52
Mount TBR 9/48
Currently:
Shades of Grey reread
The Berlin Stories still going
Any Minor World oh look more Schaefer
Native Son this is INTENSE
QOTW: Have you ever had an experience that confirmed your actions were impactful to someone else?
Aside from setting up friends (who have now been a couple for 7-8yrs), I can't think of much... any time I try to advocate for myself and coworkers it seems to get ignored or brushed aside or outright shot down.
L Y N N wrote: "Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley are set to star in ‘The Thursday Murder Club’ with Chris Columbus to direct. I love all three of them, but especially Pierce! (Yes, I consider us on a ‘first name’ basis! LOL) I loved this book and although I’m usually not overly-thrilled about adaptations, this is one that truly interests me!"Thanks for letting us know. I love this book series and can't wait to see this. Great casting so far.
I finished only one book, couldn’t find a PS prompt for it: A Truth Universally Acknowledged: 33 Great Writers On Why We Read Jane Austen. The essays were a mixed bag. The most fun was when an author advocated for a particular novel as their favorite. After “my” AP test next week I get to read more books fewer essays QOTW: I teach high and like to think I influence people every day…though I have patience and can wait a few years before it hits them.
A couple of months ago a student who graduated in 2001 tracked me down…ended up finding me on Linked-In…just to chat and let me know how much she appreciated my classes (I had her 3 years in a row). It’s a great feeling. I’ve had others track me down and visit also. I had 4 former students become co-workers and they also talked about how much influence I (we really) had on them
Brandon wrote: "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (a book that was turned into a musical)The prologue was fine and served to get me into a Baum-like head space. After the next three chapters, though, I was done. It seemed like it was trying to cram a bunch of crude and gross material in for the sake of it. I am not a huge fan of the musical, but I liked that much, much, much more than what I read of this book."
I agree completely. Unfortunately, I read the whole thing because my aunt recommended it to me as her favorite book, and I kept expecting it to get better. It was disturbing. I didn't want to see the musical, but then heard enough of the music that I fortunately changed my mind.
It has been a lovely week of warm spring weather with a couple of days of much-needed rain. Surprisingly, my spring allergies have not been too bad, so that's pleasant. My mother's dementia is getting worse, and she is angry with me most of the time. I can't say anything right. I know it isn't her fault, but I have felt defensive for my entire life against her criticism, so it is difficult not to default in trying to defend myself. Patience is a virtue I am trying to learn.
Finished
The Golden Ball And Other Stories by Agatha Christie - 4 stars
My monthly Christie. I had read some of the stories before, but most were new and good as always.
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang - 4 stars; PS #27 (death in first chapter)
This was my IRL book club read. Family then visited and I was unable to attend. I'm sure it was a lively conversation as there is much to unpack in this book. I really enjoyed it, although it made me rather glad I am not an author (something I always have wished I could be if I carried stories in my head, which I don't).
Goodreads: 17/80
Popsugar: 12/50
QOTW:
Interesting question. The only real way to know is if the person tells you that you influenced them, but unfortunately most of us aren't good at doing this. In my professional life, I can think of two instances where people actually took the time to send a letter to my various bosses to tell them how helpful I can been in a particularly stressful situation.
In my personal life, there was a time many years ago when in a church group activity a page was sent around to everyone in the room with the name of a person at the top. Everyone had a page that circulated and people were to write something about that person. The things that people anonymously wrote on mine were so kind and more personal than I expected. I carried this around for many years, but after a few moves I no longer know where it is. The entry that has stuck with me for years is that I am a peacemaker. I've always assumed that I must have done something fairly impactful for that entry to be written.
It's been a couple bad reading weeks but I did finish oneFun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel (ps 41. A memoir that explores queerness) I was rather bored. I'm NOT a memoir reader (was not happy to see two this year) this would also work for the musical prompt too. I found this a bit pretentious.
QOTW Yes, often but I was a doctor first and a professor second so I know I have made an impact but this year I had two trans students (in a red state) tell me how I was the only one to make them feel seen and safe and that meant a lot.
I held off posting so I'd have something to report on. I feel like I've been reading the same book for weeks!Finished: The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo for ATY (Mediterranean country). Very slow and I found the main character a bit bland. She clearly wanted to write about a period important to her family's history, and it might appeal more to historical fiction readers.
QOTW:
As a socially anxious, introvert hermit, probably not.
Happy Friday! Today is my husband's birthday. We're going to a sushi restaurant even though he's not allowed to have raw fish, because that's where his mother wants to go. Oh well, there are plenty of not raw things he can get. I am excited because I so rarely get to have sushi now. Finished:
The Whale Rider
The Kamogawa Food Detectives
Murder Road for book published in a year ending in 24. I liked it, but not as much as her other books that I have read.
Currently reading:
The Night Circus
The Berlin Stories
Bright Young Women on audio
QOTW:
Not that I know of. I really relate to Ellie's answer.
Happy Friday! I'm looking forward to this weekend simply because we don't have any plans. May is going to be very busy with people visiting pretty much every weekend so it's nice to have a chance to get some things off the to-do list. No books finished this week but I continue to make progress.
Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery: such an interesting look into life on the ISS! ~75% done
Premeditated Myrtle: it's cute but suffering a little from 'not like other girls' syndrome. 18%
Vanishing Fleece: Adventures in American Wool: I feel like somebody in this group read this and recommended? I'm so into it; who knew so much went into making yarn? 55%
Muppets in Moscow: The Unexpected Crazy True Story of Making Sesame Street in Russia: <10% of the way into it so we'll see
QOTW
I'm sure my work has an impact on people but I don't have any good stories.
Happy Friday!Finished Reading
The Abominable 2/3 more detail than you were ever want about mountain climbing equipment and tactics of the 1920s, 1/3 crazy action, but it worked for me. Used for my book set in snow, and made me add some other mountain climbing stories to my TBR.
ASAP Yeah, cute enough. Still not the target audience, but a breezy read to check off the K-Pop prompt. I believe it's accurate, but I'm still baffled by the thought that a photo of an idol in the same vicinity as a female is enough to cause a scandal.
Who Fears Death I was a little disappointed by this one - it felt like things happened just because they had to, and not like they developed organically. For a book club which was supposed to be tonight, but the day I finished, it got postponed a month. So, we'll see how much I remember by the time the discussion rolls around!
Pulling the Chariot of the Sun: A Memoir of a Kidnapping I was really fascinated by the outline for this book - a young black man's memoir of being kidnapped from his father by his white supremacist grandparents. And the central story was engaging, but it's really more a book about (the failure of) memory. So, every page is 'here's what I think I remember. But maybe it was this other way. And here's why what I think I remember can't be right.' So it was really hard to get into when I couldn't even rely on what I was being told. Used for ATY 6+ words.
Currently Reading
Le Morte d'Arthur: King Arthur and the Legends of the Round Table Slogging away.
Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor You guys, this book could fulfil a bunch of prompts if anyone double dips - a couple characters pass out for over 24 hours, the author is non-binary, it involves dragons, and it has a big video game component (all the main characters play a game called Mythrealm, and wear a device that shows them things through that game's interface). Every new thing I find that counts, I'm like 'ooh, maybe I'll use it for this'.
Rubicon
Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon
QotW
As a lawyer who has both practiced and now educates, there have definitely been clients and students who've expressed gratitude, although none in particular come to mind right now.
I do remember being in practice and thinking it was the clients who I did the best work for who were least likely to expressed gratitude, and some of the ones I felt like it didn't go the way I wanted (lost the trial) who actually did thank me profusely for my efforts. Which is fine, I didn't expect anything from anyone. It's just that sometimes the ones thanking me were people about whom I thought 'but I actually didn't really help you that much!'
Mod
I finished counting thumbtacks for Summer Reading. I finally got that done Monday. Today, I've been making black glue to prep my Egyptian Cartouches for my Archeology week. I also ..."
I just finished Emily Henry's newest book, Funny Story, and the protagonist is a children's librarian who spends most of the book getting reading for a big end-of-year event for the kids, and every time I read about it I thought of you getting stuff ready for summer reading. If you read it, I'm curious to hear how realistic Henry's portrayal of a librarian is.
Mod
LOL I am a friend to the spiders and centipedes, but I despise silverfish (why don't my spiders & centipedes eat them faster??? ). The other night I saw a silverfish running across my bath towel - YUCK!!
And I just ended an ant infestation in the kitchen, thanks to Terro. I like ants, I just don't like ants IN MY KITCHEN (or anywhere else inside my house). These were the giant black ants. I'm waiting to see if we get an infestation of the tiny black ants next. I don't know enough about ants to identify them beyond "giant" and "tiny" ...
Mod
omg 80??!! I am not ready!! My max/min says it got up to 75 here today, but I didn't feel it, I would have guessed it never went above 70.
Edgar Award Dinner is tonight! Eager to see the winners though I have not read that many of the nominees yet.
Very exciting! did you get to attend?
I missed check in last week because I was on vacation and decided not to take my computer. We stayed with an uncle I hadn’t seen in several years. Our plans included seeing some historical sites in southern Illinois, which is probably as exciting as things get in southern Illinois, and some quirky roadside attractions. I would have loved to listen to an audiobook on the drive, but my mom hates audiobooks and wouldn’t agree. We have a history of vacations turning terrible so to keep the peace, I made a Spotify playlist/olive branch with songs we both like instead.Finished
Behind Enemy Lines (a book set in space). This was a really great Stargate novella that probably should have been the subject of an episode. The clone-O’Neill episode was hilarious, but there would have been consequences never explored. The writer did a good job of making clone-O’Neill his own person without being too different from the Jack we know and love.
Let's Go Let's Go Let's Go (a book about kpop). This is one of the best short story collections I’ve read. I felt like I was living inside the character’s heads for however many pages they existed. I would love to read more from this author.
Reading
P is for Peril (a book published 24 years ago)
Happy Friday. I also DNFd Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West and I hated it so much, I've pretty much avoided the musical. But if it's not as bad, maybe I'll check out the movie adaptation after all.Stats:
PS: 22/50
ATY: 32/52
ATY Rejects: 10/25
ATY Rewind: 13/25
DBC: 23/36
GR Choice: 12/30
TBR: 6/10
Books I finished:
The Grief of Stones ⭐⭐⭐⭐
PS: 13. A book originally published under a pen name.
This is the second book in the spin off series from The Goblin Emperor. I loved this, and felt it didn't end as abruptly as the last book. But now I have to wait till next spring for the final book.....
Spinning Silver ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I woke up one morning and just felt like rereading this.
Cruel Seduction ⭐⭐
PS: 32. A book with an enemies to lovers plot.
I hate read this. I still want to know what happens in the story, but I really struggled to finish this. I'm going to wait for a bit before I read the next book, but if it doesn't improve significantly, I'll probably let the series go.
Dance with Me ⭐⭐⭐⭐
ATY: 7. A book with a pronoun in the title.
Another fun little DWTS inspired romance.
Once & Future, Vol. 5: The Wasteland ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The series ended well, but left it open enough that it could be returned to, which was great. I'm still not completely in love with the artwork, but the story and humour were both 5 star worthy.
Spy x Family: Family Portrait ⭐⭐⭐
This is a collection of written short stories set in the Spy Family verse - and I almost wish they'd been done as mangas instead.
The Secret World of Og ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was one of my favourite books as a kid and I'm glad to say it mostly holds up.
In Progress:
Funny Story
Why Am I Taller? What Happens to an Astronaut's Body in Space
The Last Olympian
Nadine in NY wrote: "Theresa wrote: "Greetings! NYC hit 80 today ... and I'm looking at my 2 window a/c's that died at the end of summer last year and need to be replaced asap. Fortunately fans were sufficient to make ..."No, I did not. Used to be more involved but not in a long time.
Nadine in NY wrote: "Erin wrote: "Happy Thursday! It's starting to get warmer- and there are so many spiders around! I hate it! One just ran across the sofa at me- why?? I don;t remember what I originally was going to ..."Oh yea, silverfish are disgusting. But they just gross me out- spiders scare me so much, it's a problem. Also, I was being a little over dramatic about "spiders everywhere!"- and then this morning I grabbed a towel to dry my hair, and a huge spider fell out of it! Luckily I always shake out my towels 'just in case', I would have crumbled into a ball if it got in my hair.
Nadine in NY wrote: "Mandy wrote: "Happy Thursday!I finished counting thumbtacks for Summer Reading. I finally got that done Monday. Today, I've been making black glue to prep my Egyptian Cartouches for my Archeology..."
I’ll have to skim the librarian parts and let you know.
Erin wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: "Erin wrote: "Happy Thursday! It's starting to get warmer- and there are so many spiders around! I hate it! One just ran across the sofa at me- why?? I don;t remember what I ori..."I had that happen to me Wednesday evening. I was changing into a T-shirt for my walk home from work and one crawled out of my t shirt as I was picking it up off the bathroom counter. With raised voice I said, oh sh$t and shook it off. Gack!
Mandy wrote: "Erin wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: "Erin wrote: "Happy Thursday! It's starting to get warmer- and there are so many spiders around! I hate it! One just ran across the sofa at me- why?? I don;t rememb..."Horrible!!!
Happy Check-in.It has been a very long week. My nephew came home Sunday evening from his fathers house, sick! He had a Waiver day (no school) on Monday but I kept him home Tue & Wed as well. He was well enough to go to school Thursday but only made it about an hour before I got a call saying he didn't feel well (headache) and I had to go get him. Then because of that my sister decided to make a doctor's appointment and all they had was 10am today (Fri) so he had to miss another whole day of school.
I love my nephew like he's my own but, watching him for a whole week is exhausting and I am surprised I can get anything done. Plus it started raining Thursday so having to entertain him indoors is much harder. He is very much an outside kid and gets pent-up and crazy when he's inside too long. So much so that when I noticed the weather had cleared up for a bit at 430pm today I took him outside to ride his bike and play for almost an hour, even though it was late and he eats dinner around 5-530.
I got a lot of reading done this week thanks to the graphic novels I have been into lately. I was actually really bad today and stopped at a different library (it's at a middle school and has more YA) to stock-pile a bunch more graphic novels. I think I read most of the ones at my usual library, which is at an elementary and has more children's books. Each library is different. My usual one puts the graphic novels inline with all the books but this other library puts them in their own section. They both have the little stickers that say graphic novel on the spine but having them all in one place can make it easier.
2024 Challenges:
Popsugar: 29/50
ATY: 42/52
Robot Librarian: 34/52
A to Z: 22/26
Physical TBR: 0/93
Kindle TBR: 1/112
Goodreads: 54/75
I hit my original goal of 50 but, since it is only May I’m gonna up it.
Book Clubs:
PS Monthly: 21/54
Reese: 30/94
Oprah: 11/101
Jenna: 7/65
OSS: 6/39
Finished:
7 finished, 3 Completed Popsugar
Let's Eat: Recipes for Kids Who Cook
No Challenge
This had some good, basic recipes with a lot of easy, broken down instructions. Best thing was that in every recipe there was a line at the appropriate point that said… Turn off the oven.
The True Love Experiment
PS#13, RL#31 (book with true in the title)
I really liked this one from Christina Lauren. Sometimes I am a little disappointed by their books but not this time. I didn’t really remember the people from The Soulmate Equation but it didn’t matter. This had a really fun topic and even though you of course know the ending it was still fun getting there.
The Infinity Particle
PS#18, ATY#35, AtoZ
This was an alright YA graphic novel. It takes place on Mars and deals a lot with AI. It has nice illustration.
Back of Beyond
ATY#26
One of the early CJ Box books. This took me forever but, not because the book is bad but because I have been having a hard time getting through novels lately.
This Was Our Pact
PS#15
This was super cute. Loved this children’s graphic novel about some kids who set out to follow these lanterns down a river and get a little lost along the way.
The Secret of the Ravens
ATY#8
Loved this! Really liked the use of Filipino, which you don’t see much. Also, pretty sure she set us up for a sequel, yea!
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.
RL#45 (Epistolary format)
-------
Currently Reading
The Quarter Storm
Zazen
Growing Feelings: A Kids' Guide to Dealing with Emotions about Friends and Other Kids…
Family Lore
Song of the Sea: The Graphic Novel
On the Backburner
Libby
Love Warrior
Physical Library Rentals
The Luminous Dead
The Fox Maidens
The Great Divide
Misfit Mansion
Magazines: (10/143)
Read since last check-in: 0
Question of the Week:
I don't think I've had that much of an impact.
Finally the nice spring weather seems to have arrived to Chicago this weekend. I need to walk over to the library to pick up my May selection for a memoir that explores queerness. I also did my first restorative yoga class on Friday - it flew by!! I appreciated it so much, not so much the traffic I had to wade through to get there for a 5:30 class.Challenges:
29/75 GoodReads Challenge
22/50 PopSugar Challenge
Finished:
1.) The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager (#13-Pen Name) ⭐⭐⭐💫: I liked this, felt a little familiar to other books or movies I've seen, but couldn't stop listening. A little belief suspension involved for maximum enjoyment.
2.) When We Were Bright And Beautiful by Jillian Medoff (No PS Prompt) ⭐⭐⭐💫: Major trigger warnings in this one - I didn't initially understand how icky this was going to be until about halfway through. A rich family who's son is accused of rape and we follow the trial and aftermath.
3.) Mrs. Nash's Ashes by Sarah Adler (#15 Librarian Rec) ⭐⭐⭐⭐: This was a debut novel and adorable. I loved the banter between the two MCs - Millie & Hollis. I appreciated the past timeline too but it wasn't fleshed out enough for me to really sink into it.
Currently Reading:
1.) The Berry Pickers
QoTW: Have you ever had an experience that confirmed your actions were impactful to someone else?
Sure, with work helping advisors transition their book of business to a new company. Sometimes it's conversations with friends, neighbors and strangers. I also can say the same thing on the other side for me. Some people's words or actions have impacted my life in the tiniest ways and who knows if they even realize it. Sometimes things reach you and hit you right when you need them to.
L Y N N wrote: "Otherwise, we may be running around the house naked this afternoon and evening!! LOL Well, perhaps not… I’m not sure either of us could withstand looking at each other all day long! LOL Older bodies are not necessarily 'enjoyable scenery' after all!."Oh Lynn- this made me chuckle. I hope you got your AC up and running, that sounds miserable to be without it as we head into these hot summer months.
Happy Saturday! 2 week check in for me since I missed last week.Finished:
I Know You Know (no prompt) 2 stars. The final story didn't really make the most sense but I did like the true crime podcast parts. Also, I feel that one character's POV felt unnecessary since she didn't talk to any of the other characters that were important to the story till her very last chapter.
The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder (ATY history or historical fiction) 4 stars. I really recommend listening to the audiobook because it makes it feel like an adventure radio play.
Gender Queer (PS queer memoir) 3 stars. Graphic novel. It was good but I was expecting a little more depth.
The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession, and the Natural History Heist of the Century (ATY crime other than murder) 4 stars. A very bizarre crime of a guy who stole stuffed birds from a museum. It's weirdly engrossing.
Good Bad Girl (PS unreliable narrator) 3 stars. This was good however relied a little too heavy on coincidences at times.
Currently reading:
The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together
QOTW: Recently, I had a regular customer mention that they still remembered a day that I had stayed after closing time so they could pick up their stuff when they were running late. This had happened a year ago but he said he still thinks of it when he comes in. It was very cool to hear. It's nice to be appreciated.
Brandon wrote: "Hey, I actually read something that fit a prompt this w..."Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West was such a disappointment to me. I finished it but I think the thing I hated the most was that it was boring. I love reading pov's of the "bad guys" but this was not fun. How can you make the wicked witch boring?
Hi all, sorry I haven't gotten around to posting. Been busy with family stuff lately. I'm finally back into reading so I'm thrilled. I hit a slight reading slump in April. Only read 2 books which was a disappointment. Though I guess if it evens out I focused on my comics and graphic novels so that was fun.
Still I want to focus on reading my general books again and I'm in the right head space for it.
*****
Finished:
The Midnight Kiss
*****
Currently Reading:
Under the Bridge - I've been watching the Hulu series for this and it's incredible. Lily Gladstone and Riley Keough have some amazing chemistry. The kid actors are downright terrifying.
Reading the book really adds more depth. The author is so poetic with her word choices. It's like you want to hate those kids, but at the same time they've all been dealt bad hands that you feel sorry for them too. It's weird.
Made in Asian America: A History for Young People - About to start this one as my first read for AAPI Heritage Month.
Mod
whoa! WHILE it was running? that must have been LOUD!
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
The English Roses (other topics)Gertie's Leap to Greatness (other topics)
Sun! One in a Billion (other topics)
Winners Never Quit! (other topics)
Just Right: Searching for the Goldilocks Planet (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Stacy McAnulty (other topics)Madonna (other topics)
Jillian Medoff (other topics)
Riley Sager (other topics)
Sarah Adler (other topics)
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Our A/C is not working correctly and it is supposed to get into the mid-80s today! Our HVAC guy is supposed to be here to check it out some time this morning. Fingers crossed that all that is needed is coolant! 😊 Otherwise, we may be running around the house naked this afternoon and evening!! LOL Well, perhaps not… I’m not sure either of us could withstand looking at each other all day long! LOL Older bodies are not necessarily 'enjoyable scenery' after all!
SOME LISTS!
Women’s Prize for Fiction--https://mailchi.mp/womensprizeforfict...
Patti Callahan Henry’s book recommendations for transporting the reader to another land…
https://shepherd.com/best-books/trans...
Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley are set to star in ‘The Thursday Murder Club’ with Chris Columbus to direct. I love all three of them, but especially Pierce! (Yes, I consider us on a ‘first name’ basis! LOL) I loved this book and although I’m usually not overly-thrilled about adaptations, this is one that truly interests me!
https://twitter.com/Screendaily/statu...
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ADMIN STUFF:
JULY MONTHLY READ FINAL SELECTION POLL IS HERE!
The Woman in Me
Crying in H Mart
Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics
My Love Story by Tina Turner
This poll will be open through Tuesday, May 7!! Help us make this final selection! (I admit I would like to read them all! LOL)
THE JUNE MONTHLY GROUP READ IS The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet (Wayfarers #1) by Becky Chambers!!This book could be used to fulfill Prompt #18 A book set in space. This is one of my all-time favorite books and series!! And who is the "cool Captain" who will volunteer to lead this discussion? Please message either Nadine or myself to volunteer!
The MAY MONTHLY GROUP READ IS All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson
This book could be used to fulfill prompt #41 A memoir that explores queerness. I have wanted to read this one so badly!! Glad it was selected! I now have a copy of this! I am grateful to Jai for volunteering as the "guru guide" who will lead this discussion! Thank you!! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
The comprehensive listing of 2024 Monthly Group Reads resides HERE for your perusal and reference throughout 2024!
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Question of the Week:
Nonreading question this week...
Have you ever had an experience that confirmed your actions were impactful to someone else?
I imagine that can happen often with teachers, engineers, medical professionals, lawyers, etc. And I was always able to convince myself that whatever “job” I was working at was important to more than just myself and my coworkers. I worked mostly in higher education administration during my full-time working years, so I did feel as if any time I could help a student, staff, or faculty member, someone’s educational experience was the better for my efforts. And that was great! However…my experience last Friday proved that even my little ol’ part-time job as a bookseller at Borders had important ramifications for others. Mainly authors!
Now, I realize that makes sense, but in this particular instance, it was much more pertinent than I had ever imagined! And this realization and recognition occurred in a most unexpected place! At the Indy Book and Author Luncheon (https://indybookandauthor.org/) last Friday! I had failed to register for this event in time to obtain a ticket, so asked to be placed on a “waitlist” for one. Lo and behold, I received an email last Tuesday that a ticket had become available, and I snapped it up!
One of the authors was Heather Gudenkauf. I remembered her fondly as one of the first authors whose book, The Weight of Silence, Borders selected as a ‘featured’ read. Please understand--I was usually the ONLY staff member who read each of these books as they were selected and then posted a review in the store, as well as informing each of my coworkers of more details about the book so they could better speak with customers about it. (I think that boosts my ranking as a bibliophile nerd, don’t you?!? LOL) Anyway, as Ms. Gudenkauf and I are talking, I mention having worked at Borders, and she looks at me and said, “You know, Borders really made my career as a writer…” I’m like, “Really?” She replied that her publisher called her as soon as Borders had chosen to feature this debut novel of hers and informed her that this would “make” her career as a writer… Now, no doubt, if her writing was not well liked and appreciated by readers overall, this selection wouldn’t have mattered much. However, since her writing continued to interest and please readers, it did help launch her career.
I told her that I was one of the few employees entrusted to make hourly announcements in the store, mainly because I wasn’t scared to pronounce her name, and it thrilled me to think that my efforts had somehow truly enabled an author to succeed! So you just never know what impact your efforts will have upon someone else’s life!
I’m curious to know of others’ experiences which may have confirmed that your actions impacted someone else’s life who may or may not be connected to you personally.
2024 READING CHALLENGES:
Popsugar: 24/50
Around the Year (AtY): 49/52
Read Harder: 15/24
52 Book Club: 39/52
FINISHED:
*Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library (Mr. Lemoncello’s Library #1) by Chris Grabenstein ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was amazing! I am 68 years old, but still loved these puzzles, codes, etc! Will continue with this series! Highly recommended! I can’t imagine a child who enjoys reading NOT enjoying this book, and perhaps it would encourage others who may not enjoy reading!
POPSUGAR: #2, #31
ATY: #1, #3-A book with at least 247 pages, #14, #17, #24-Orange, Green, #37
RHC: #3, #16, #20, #24-2015: prompt #6 Read a book written by a person whose gender is different from your own
52 Book Club: #3, #18, #29-2013, #30, #32
*The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was awesome! I had no idea what to expect, but this exceeded any of my expectations admirably! Definitely up to read more of her writing! There were twists and turns in the plot, and much deeper, more intense, themes than I had anticipated!
POPSUGAR: #2, #17-Venice, Italy, NEW #25
ATY: #3-A book about or featuring a landmark, #6, #12, #17, #23, #25, #28, #30-Italy, #33, #41, #44, #46
RHC: #3-Mystery, #23, #24-2016: prompt #5 Read a middle grade novel
52 Book Club: #4, #26-Fantasy/Mystery, #29-2000, #30, #43, #51
*The Friend by Sigrid Nunez ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was just as poignant as I expected it to be, though not overly so. I definitely enjoy Nunez’ writing style!
POPSUGAR: #4
ATY: #3-A book where a dream plays a role, #5-NYC, NY, #12, #15, #17, #23, #24-Orange, Green, #36, #47
RHC: #24-2019: prompt #3 A book written by a woman and/or author of color that won a literary award in 2018--2018 National Book Award for Fiction
52 Book Club: #9, #10, #14, #24, #30
CONTINUING:
*1984 by George Orwell (pen name)
*I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai looks as if it may be dark academia
*...And Ladies of the Club by Helen Hooven Santmyer
PLANNED:
*Fear No Evil (Alex Cross #29) by James Patterson
*11th Hour (Women’s Murder Club #11) by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
*Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey
*The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin