Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2024 Weekly Check-Ins
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Week 23: 5/30 - 6/6
Happy Thursday, everyone! And a happy one indeed.The best experience of my life happened: I got to see Sarah McLachlan in concert!
I cannot tell you how much that experience meant to me. I first heard her music when I was 6 years so for the past 29 years I've talked about wanting to hopefully see her in concert someday. Well, that moment finally came. Got tickets as they went on sale back in November 2023 so I've had them for months. 8th row! Words can't describe it. I don't care if I never go to another concert again, this was it for me.
*****
On to my book news.
Since I was out of town I went to a bookstore and found some Native American studies books so that was fun. These are the ones I picked up:
Where the Red-Winged Blackbirds Sing: The Akimel O’odham and Cycles of Agricultural Transformation in the Phoenix Basin
Native American Testimony: A Chronicle of Indian-White Relations from Prophecy to the Present
Lost Worlds of 1863: Relocation and Removal of American Indians in the Central Rockies and the Greater Southwest
*****
Currently Reading:
A Pipe for February- Saw an interview with actress Lily Gladstone and she recommended this one so I've started reading it. Even though I'm not much of a fiction reader, it's actually pretty good.
Women Without Kids: The Revolutionary Rise of an Unsung Sisterhood - Ah, the taboo topic people don't like talking about. Since I don't have kids and don't want them this book is perfect. It really is though, I find myself annotating a lot in it.
*****
QOTW:
How do you feel about spoilers?
It depends on the book, but most times I try to avoid them.
Happy Thursday.I didn't finish anything, but started two more books instead. On the upside, of the 7 books I'm reading, I found a ATY prompt for all of them and PS prompts for 4 of them. I think I can finish two books this weekend.
Legends and Lattes is annoying me, only because it is my daughter's book. So, I'm stuck reading it with her. If I read a chapter or 2, I have to wait until she does so we can discuss. It's the kind of book that should have taken me two weeks to read tops.
Series - 4/12
Nobel laureates - 3/5
Mysteries/Thrillers - 5/13
ATY - 18/45
PS - 12/30
Summer - 0/12
Currently reading:
Brisingr - 65% done
The Murder on the Links - 70% done
Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story - 25% done
Jacob Two-Two's First Spy Case - 80% done
Buddy Reads:
Legends & Lattes - 50% done
This Present Darkness - 60% done
Hollow City - 30% done
QOTW: I normally hate them. It's hard with classic books though. And a pox on the guy who wrote an introduction to the copy of Great Expectations that I read who praised Dickens and said he was clever and how first time readers don't figure out ... and then he spoiled the book. That jerk is the reason I never read introductions until I finish a book.
I've read a lot in my three long books this week. I'll probably finish Time of the Dragons by next Thursday.QotW:
The quality of a book or movie should not depend on surprise, so in that sense, a spoiler should not ruin a story. Still, I would rather experience the story as intended because you only get one first time with it.
Dubhease wrote: "Happy Thursday.I didn't finish anything, but started two more books instead. On the upside, of the 7 books I'm reading, I found a ATY prompt for all of them and PS prompts for 4 of them. I think ..."
I have learned this the hard way with introductions to classics also. This just happened to me recently, and yet I can't remember what book it was or what spoiler I got. So I guess I wasn't that upset about it.
Ron wrote: "Happy Thursday, everyone! And a happy one indeed.The best experience of my life happened: I got to see Sarah McLachlan in concert!
I cannot tell you how much that experience meant to me. I firs..."
The jealousy is real, my dude. I’ve loved Sarah ever since I got Fumbling Toward Ecstasy cd as a teen.
Glad you got to go see her!
Thursday is the only day people in my department regularly go into the office. I have not gone the last few weeks because I just don't sleep well anymore, and I just can't drag myself out of bed at 5:10am after a bad night of sleep. Menopause is no joke. I am so lucky that we are not required to go into the office (only encouraged) even just once a week.Finished:
Eve: How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human Evolution Really enjoyed this one.
Watership Down I think I last read this as a teen. Loved it just as much this time.
A Prayer for the Crown-Shy Delightful.
Apparently, I enjoyed everything I read this week. Which is nice.
Currently reading
North Woods about to start
Kolyma Stories
The Woman on the Ledge on audio
QOTW:
Hate them.
Happy Thursday!This week has been exhausting! I always manage to forget how busy the library gets during the summer! At least it means kids are wanting to read over the summer... even if they have incentive to do so (we have a Summer Reading Program where the kids can earn prizes throughout the summer for meeting reading goals).
It's almost my weekend, at least... so I plan to recuperate by watching YouTube, reading, and writing Jojo's Bizarre Adventure fanfic. Because I am a dork.
Books read this week:
Your Utopia -- a collection of strange but thoughtful science fiction stories.
The Very Best of Fantasy & Science Fiction: Sixtieth Anniversary Anthology -- another story collection, this time some of the best ever published in “The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction.” Includes some big names such as Stephen King, Ray Bradbury, Roger Zelzaney, Ursula K. Le Guin, Peter S. Beagle, and others.
Plain Jane and the Mermaid -- graphic novel about beauty, society’s expectations of women and especially women who aren’t traditionally beautiful, and of course mermaids (view spoiler). I love anything by Vera Brosgol at this point.
Tea with the Black Dragon -- decent novella about an unlikely friendship between a musician and a dragon, that’s unfortunately dated by its somewhat racist language regarding people of Chinese descent.
PopSugar Challenge -- FINISHED
Robot Librarian Challenge -- 32/32
Robot Librarian Advanced Challenge -- 10/10
Robot Librarian Non-Fiction Challenge -- 9/10
Extreme Book Nerd Challenge -- 41/50
Extreme Book Nerd Advanced Challenge -- 10/10
Extreme Book Nerd Non-Fiction Challenge -- 9/10
DNF:
The Book of Doors -- wasn’t holding my interest.
Hounded -- starting to think urban fantasy isn’t my thing. I love the idea of mythological beings living in the modern world, but does EVERY protagonist in an urban fantasy have to lean so heavily into wish-fulfillment territory? And can somebody in this book talk like a normal human being?
Currently reading:
The Story of English in 100 Words
Slenderman: Online Obsession, Mental Illness, and the Violent Crime of Two Midwestern Girls
Dragonfruit
Sherlock Holmes and Mr Hyde: The Classified Dossier
QOTW:
I hate it when other people tell me spoilers... but sometimes I will look up spoilers myself if I'm eager to know how a book ends and am too impatient to actually get to the end, or want to DNF a book but want to know the ending. I'm weird like that.
Happy Thursday! We've been having such gorgeous weather, but now? Boom. 90s. Ashley's still trying to recover from her intestinal issues. She's had some trouble with medications working against each other, but we think we've got it sorted now. She's itching to go back to the gym but knows she's not physically ready. She'd been doing such a great job building strength and losing weight the right way... but now it's been almost a month since she's been able to work out, so she's definitely lost strength. She also lost weight (about 20 pounds), but feels weak and gaunt.2024 Reading Challenges: I’ve read 205 books so far this year (and 20.3% of my ever-growing TBR) with an average length of 334 pages and an average rating of 3.74.
52 Book Club: 44/52 (May Mini-Challenge: 3/3, Summer Challenge 1/8)
ATY: 34/52 (Spring Challenge: 12/12 + Bonus 5/5, Summer Challenge 2/12)
Booklist Queen: 40/52
Diverse Baseline: 15/36
Popsugar: 36/50
Robot Librarian: 39/52
ICYMI Backlist: 5/12
Recently Completed:
Come and Get It: Character-driven story of young women (and relationships, micro- and macro- aggressions, privilege, and ethics) at the University of Arkansas. Not as good as Such a Fun Age but still challenging and engaging. (ATY Spring Challenge – a green cover) ★★★★
American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer: This was the basis for the Oscar-winning movie “Oppenheimer.” It was incredibly long, but very thorough and kept my interest throughout. (52 Books May Mini-Challenge #2 – related to alpha) ★★★★
A Game of Lies: DC Morgan, #2. The mystery part of the book was pretty slow to get started… So was the relationship between Ffion and Leo. (52 Books #52 – published in 2024) ★★★
Murder Road: Crazy romp of a ghost story. Kinda goes off the rails but in a good way. Don’t take it too seriously. (ATY Summer 7a – rural setting) ★★★★
L. Ron Hubbard Presents: Writers of the Future, Vol. 40: Adventures Underground Book Club. Uneven selection of short stories. Admittedly, short stories aren’t really my favorite… They never seem complete to me. Either I’m not drawn in or I just really want to know more. ★★★
Erasure: Oof. The movie is definitely better than the book. “Erasure” is dry, sometimes obscure, and ultimately unsatisfying both in terms of character and plot. But the movie based on the book??? It’s called “American Fiction,” and it’s dark and witty and humorous. You can stream it on Amazon Prime or MGM+. ★★
The Waters: The cover is gorgeous… the story is okay. (ATY #18 – a botanical cover) ★★★
Witchland: The Graphic Novel: I was so disappointed in this one! It’s a suburban horror tale set in Richland, Washington (where I live and where the author grew up). A house was described as an “H” house, but it didn’t look like an “H” house. The depictions of the Hanford site were completely wrong, and nobody calls it “The Area.” They call it “The Site.” And I don’t know how long it’s been since the author lived here, but we DO have a fair number of Black and Latinx residents as well as a loud and proud LGBT+ community. Yes, it’s still the red asshole of Washington State, but it’s not nearly as bad as the author portrayed it. I actually liked the story, but don’t set a book in a real place and then totally ignore the reality of that place. ★★★
Meet the Benedettos: Pride and Prejudice set in the world of a fictional Kardashian-esque family. (52 Books Summer #7c – double letter word in title) ★★★★
The Lonely Hearts Book Club (ATY Summer 1c – about a writer, bookseller, or librarian) ★★★
Currently Reading: I love when the new mini-challenges come out! It gives me direction and helps me keep reading.
Bad Moms: The Novel (Robot Librarian Advanced #9 – novelization of a film)
Africatown: America's Last Slave Ship and the Community It Created (52 Books Summer #3b – a heavy read/Robot Librarian Nonfiction #4 – the 300s)
Good Bad Girl (ATY Summer 3c – published in the last two years)
The Future Is Disabled: Prophecies, Love Notes, and Mourning Songs (Diverse Baseline #17 – BIPOC indie author)
Quietly Hostile: Essays (Diverse Baseline #16 – queer BIPOC author)
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine (ICYMI Backlist #6 – published in 2017)
Dirty Dancing at Devil's Leap (Popsugar #1 - leap in the title)
Once Ghosted, Twice Shy (Diverse Baseline #18 – novella by a BIPOC author)
Middlemarch (Booklist Queen #41 – a pseudonym/Popsugar #13 – a pen name/Robot Librarian #13 – published before you were born)
The Fox Maidens
The Rithmatist (Booklist Queen #35 – three books by the same author/Popsugar #49 – an author’s 24th book)
QOTW: I guess it depends on how spoiler-y the spoiler is. Give me a hint about the return of a favorite character? Sure. Reveal a major plot point? No thanks.
Ron wrote: "Happy Thursday, everyone! And a happy one indeed.The best experience of my life happened: I got to see Sarah McLachlan in concert!
I cannot tell you how much that experience meant to me. I firs..."
That's awesome! I'm glad you finally got to see her in concert. I felt the same way when I finally got to see Weird Al in concert a few years back. (I know Weird Al and Sarah McLachlan are two VERY different musicians, but I still know how it feels to love an artist for so many years and finally get a chance to see them perform live.)
Happy Thursday, everyone!Despite my plans to the contrary, it has been a fairly unproductive week. I somehow managed to aggravate the ankle that I broke at the beginning of last year, and have spent the past few days sitting with my foot elevated. The swelling finally went down yesterday evening, and I’ve been able to get back to working on my household projects, but I’m completely behind on most of the tasks I wanted to complete this week.
Oh well. At least being stuck in a chair for several days gave me plenty of time to read. I’ve managed to make a ton of progress on my TBR and “New” Books lists over the past week, and even finished several library books. I am so pleased with the amount of progress I made!
Here are my current challenge and TBR totals…
Goodreads Challenge: 243/200 (Challenge Complete!)
Mount TBR Challenge: 89/150
📚Physical TBR: 52
📱Ebook TBR: 37
🎧Audiobook TBR: 0
TBR Checklist Total: 89
I did not purchase any new books this week!
“New” Books Bought in 2024: 222
“New” Books Read in 2024: 141
Finished Reading (Fiction):
~Dungeons & Dragons: The Fallbacks: Bound for Ruin — I loved the characters in this book, and found the story fun and exciting. I really hope that we’ll get more books in this series soon! 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Mrs Hudson and the Spirits' Curse — I got a copy of this audiobook on Libby. I thought this was an interesting mystery, and enjoyed seeing Mrs. Hudson portrayed as a competent investigator, rather than just Sherlock Holmes’s housekeeper. Content Alert: (view spoiler) 🎧: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
~The Hanover Square Affair — This is the first book in the Captain Lacey mystery series. This was a pretty good mystery, but I don’t think I’ll be reading any more books in the series. Content Alert: (view spoiler) 📱: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Granny's Got a Gun — This was a fun mystery novel, featuring a grandma who used to work for the CIA. I really enjoyed the characters and humor! 📱: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Lady of Devices — This is the first book in the Magnificent Devices series. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and actually read the majority of it in a single evening! I currently do not have any of the other books in this 17-book series, but I will definitely be continuing it when I have the opportunity. 📱: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect — I picked this book up at the library a couple weeks ago and finally had a chance to read it. This book is the sequel to Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone. While this was an interesting mystery, I just didn’t feel the same urgency to finish this book that I did while reading the previous one, which was somewhat disappointing. Content Alert: (view spoiler) 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Finished Reading (Nonfiction):
~Barbie: The World Tour — This was a neat behind-the-scenes look at the Barbie fashions that were recreated for Margot Robbie to wear during the press tour for Barbie. I thought the photographs were incredible, but there were a few handwritten notes about the outfits that I had difficulty reading. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
~The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession — This was my book club’s pick for the month of June. I thought this was a very interesting true crime book, and actually read it in a single evening. Content Alert: (view spoiler) 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Finished Reading (Manga, Comic Books, & Graphic Novels):
This week I finished reading Princess Jellyfish! I really enjoyed this manga. The characters and story were a lot of fun, and I really liked the art style. I’m already looking forward to watching the anime adaption to see how it compares. The volumes I read this week include…
~Princess Jellyfish 2-in-1 Omnibus, Vol. 4 — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Princess Jellyfish 2-in-1 Omnibus, Vol. 5 — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Princess Jellyfish 2-in-1 Omnibus, Vol. 6 — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Princess Jellyfish 2-in-1 Omnibus, Volume 7 — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Princess Jellyfish 2-in-1 Omnibus, Volume 8 — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Princess Jellyfish 2-in-1 Omnibus, Volume 9 — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I also had a chance to read the entire Godchild manga this week. This manga was a re-read for me, but it’s been over a decade since the first time I read it, so there was a lot that I didn’t remember. I’d definitely forgotten how dark this manga is, but I enjoyed the majority of the stories and liked the main characters. The artwork was amazing! Content Alert: (view spoiler) The volumes I read this week include…
~Godchild, Vol. 1 — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Godchild, Vol. 2 — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Godchild, Vol. 3 — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Godchild, Vol. 4 — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Godchild, Vol. 5 — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Godchild, Vol. 6: Judas Kiss — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Godchild, Vol. 7: Oedipus Blade — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Godchild, Vol. 8 — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I also had a chance to read the entire Miracle Girls manga series. This series was another re-read for me, but since I hadn’t read it since it was originally released, it was like I had a chance to read it again for the first time. This is a super cute manga, with fun characters and great artwork. It is worth noting that when this manga was published in the United States, it was was “flipped.” So it is read like a western-style comic book, rather than from right-to-left. The volumes I read this week include…
~Miracle Girls, Vol. 1 — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Miracle Girls, Vol. 2 — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Miracle Girls, Vol. 3 — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Miracle Girls, Vol. 4 — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Miracle Girls, Vol. 5 — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Miracle Girls, Vol. 6 — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Miracle Girls, Vol. 7 — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Miracle Girls, Vol. 8 — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Miracle Girls, Vol. 9 — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My final Garfield collection (the replacement copy I ordered for book 8) arrived over the weekend, so I was finally able to continue reading Garfield this week. I’m having so much fun reading (and, in most cases, re-reading) these comics! The collections I read this week include…
~The Eighth Garfield Fat Cat 3-Pack — This volume includes books 22-24 (Garfield By The Pound, Garfield Keeps His Chins Up, and Garfield Takes His Licks). 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Garfield Fat-Cat 3-Pack #9 — This volume includes books 25-27 (Garfield Hits the Big Time, Garfield Pulls His Weight, and Garfield Dishes It Out). 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Garfield Fat Cat 3-Pack #10 — This volume includes books 28-30 (Garfield Life in the Fat Lane, Garfield Tons of Fun, and Garfield Bigger and Better). 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Garfield Fat Cat 3-Pack #11 — This volume includes books 31-33 (Garfield Hams It Up, Garfield Thinks Big, and Garfield Throws His Weight Around). 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Garfield Fat Cat 3-Pack #12 — This volume includes books 34-36 (Garfield Life to the Fullest, Garfield Feeds the Kitty, and Garfield Hogs the Spotlight). 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Finished Reading (Poetry and Drama):
None
DNFed:
None
Currently Reading:
~The Last Wish — This is the first book in The Witcher series. While this is a re-read for me, this is the first time I’m getting to listen to my own copy of the audiobook. I’m currently a little over two-thirds of the way through this book, and will most likely finish it this weekend. 🎧
~Sisters of Fortune — I am currently about one-tenth of the way through this book, but I have stalled for the moment. This book started out very heavy on description, so it is kind of a slow read right now. I am planning to get back into this book over the weekend. 📚
~The Easy Life in Kamusari — This is the first book in the Forest duology. This has been an interesting read so far, but I am a little annoyed by the main character. 📱
~The Daughter of Doctor Moreau — I just started this book last night, and I’m really enjoying it so far. 📚
QOTW:
I usually try to avoid spoilers, but I do appreciate content warnings.
Thanks guys, yeah the Sarah McLachlan concert was awesome. So many emotions from it down to my days of watching the show Roswell where she has several songs in the episodes. When she sung the song "Fear" I bawled like crazy. That song means so much to me, especially because it was used in the Pilot episode of Roswell so it really hit to the core.*****
OMG saw the announcement today that Suzanne Collin's is releasing a new Hunger Games book next year! It's called "Sunrise On The Reaping" and will be released March 18th, 2025.
From the looks of it, (view spoiler)
I so can't wait for this next book.
Mod
yessssssssssss!!! Just because it's a classic doesn't mean we all are born knowing the plot - there's a first time for every reader to read a book. I learned the hard way just like you to skip introductions.
Mod
The best experience of my life happened: I got to see Sarah McLachlan in concert!
I cannot tell you how much that experience meant to me. I firs..."
Congrats!!! Neil Young was one of my rock and roll heroes, and back when I was in grad school I got to see him at a Bridge concert in San Francisco, and I was so excited that I drank wayyyy too much and ... I don't remember a single thing except falling and hitting my head in the parking lot on the way home. Lesson learned. I was young and stupid. I've never been that drunk since.
At around the same time in my life I got to see another Rock God, Iggy Pop, at a tiny club in Trenton NJ and I didn't drink anything and I still vividly remember that evening.
That's cool, Nadine. Sounds like some interesting experiences to say the least.Sarah McLachlan has always been that top artist for me in terms of artists that I listen to. No one can compare or even come close. So to have had the experience of seeing her perform live was truly something I'll never forget. I took pics, video, and emersed myself in the moment.
And it was so cool because other people around me were crying just the same. We were all there for that one moment, to feel the same thing. There was nothing else like it.
Mod
North Woods about to start..."
The people over at Tournament of Books RAVED about this book!! But I absolutely hate that cover and therefore I cannot bring myself to even try to read it. But I'm still really interested in your review, because I'm afraid I'm missing out on a gem.
So much for my rule of 1 fiction book to read this month.With the news of the new Hunger Games book that's going to be released next year, it's time I pull out and do a reread of my HG books.
I had planned on it already, but now all the more reason to do so.
Nadine in NY wrote: "Milena wrote: "Currently readingNorth Woods about to start..."
The people over at Tournament of Books RAVED about this book!! But I absolutely hate that cover and therefore I cannot bring myself..."
It's so funny to me that people feel so strongly about covers. I read on Kindle so I barely even notice the cover.
I will be sure to let you know, although I don't think our tastes align very often.
We have the sort of weather that's nice if you're in the sun but the air is on the cool side, so I'm spending a lot of time in jumper and shorts. My partner's decided to buy himself a pizza oven for his birthday, so I'm looking forward to eating a lot of pizza next week as we try and perfect them.Finished:
Leave No Trace by Jo Callaghan for ATY (intelligence). This is the second book about a human police officer asked to trial an AI detective in a contemporary setting. I found the human a bit annoying in the first book but thought she might improve, and I liked the concept so gave book two a chance. Nope, still patronising and makes ridiculous mistakes.
The Cautious Traveller's Guide to the Wastelands by Sarah Brooks for ATY (travel). I was excited to read this because the wastelands hinted at being a bit like Southern Reach, but too much time was spent on characters I didn't really care about and not enough time out in the wastelands.
Currently reading Funny Story.
QOTW:
Hate them. Add me to the list of people who won't read introductions (at least not until after I've read the book). I also dislike it when the cover copy tells you 75% of the story. I want to discover it for myself not be told what's going to happen and how to feel about it. Don't get me started on modern film trailers, just as bad!
It's been a quiet week for me. Having finished the PS challenge in time for the last check-in, I've turned my attention to ATY. Completion on that is 49/52 and I own/will be checking out from the library today the last three books for that one.
Completed
1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus
The Turn of the Screw
Bosnian St. Louis: Between Two Worlds
Irish Poems
Currently Reading
Red Card: How the U.S. Blew the Whistle on the World's Biggest Sports Scandal
Villette
The Paris Apartment
QOTW
I will sometimes spoil something for myself (on purpose), or tell someone else it's okay to give me a spoiler, but in general I avoid them and am careful to try not to accidentally spoil something for someone else and don't appreciate someone spoiling something for me without asking if it's okay.
Happy Thursday!Well, I've had a crappy Monday and stressful week. Ziggy decided to go all pale in the gums and look on death's door after a vomit session. So, I got a ride at 5:30 in the morning and got him to the vet, which is 70 miles away because my town doesn't have one! I was thinking it was a very bad case of IBS. Got blood work, X-rays. Nope. Come to find out he probably has a congenital heart defect or something causing some issues. (my brain was fried after hearing heart and cardiologist. I'm lucky to remember any of that conversation.) So now I have to wait until the 12th to get him in to the cardiologist because they have none this week! ARGH!
I'm watching every little breath, movement, and food and water intake as well as looking at his gums constantly, which must irritate the heck out of him. But he's in little attention ho heaven because even mom is paying way more attention to him!
Other than that craptastic bit of news, everything else is okay. Monday is the first srp day. I'm going to do the archeology one. I have to make excavator sand, which is 6 cups play sand (national geo stuff is the bomb), 1 1/2 cups cornstarch, 2 tb of dish soap, and 3/4 cup water. Plus, I have some geodes we can shatter with a hammer.
It's also going to be in the high 90s this week and most of next week. Yuck! I'm hoping for a bit of cloud cover and some wind to counteract the nastiness of it all.
Goodreads Challenge 373/400
Finished:
XXX Manga:
We Can't Do Just Plain Love: She's Got a Fetish, Her Boss Has Low Self-Esteem, Volume 1
We Can't Do Just Plain Love, Volume 2: She's Got a Fetish, Her Boss Has Low Self-Esteem
Light Novel:
The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick Up Trash (Light Novel) Vol. 5
The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick Up Trash (Light Novel) Vol. 6
I Parry Everything: What Do You Mean I’m the Strongest? I’m Not Even an Adventurer Yet! Volume 5
Third Loop: The Nameless Princess and the Cruel Emperor Volume 1
Third Loop: The Nameless Princess and the Cruel Emperor Volume 2
Romance:
Eager Housewife: a smutty free-use romance
College Girl
My Boyfriend's Billionaire Father
Stranded With His Dad
Filthy Obsession
Baby for Dad's Best Friend
The Girl Who Was Meant to Be Mine
Her Boyfriend's Father
Living With My Professor
Extra Thick
Reading:
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: The High Country
QOTW:
It depends on the spoiler. I want to know if there are any of my hard no content warnings before hand, but I don't want to know major plot points that will spoil the excitement of the read.
K.L.'s post reminded me that I did have a DNF this week: Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect. I read about 40 pages of it and found it to be overly meta for my taste. It felt like the author was trying to both play it straight and subvert genre cliches at every turn, and it got exhausting. This is probably a love-it-or-hate-it book for most readers.
Happy Thursday, y’all. Well, I read more than I expected I would this past week. Now to settle down and actually plan what books I want to finish, what books I need to read to get on track for the various challenges, and what books I want to read.
Since returning from Scotland, I have been busy scheduling appointments with service people to get things fixed: master bathroom toilet and tub plumbing, central air AC, and now in-ground sprinkler heads that are leaking as well as scheduling overdue health checkups. Still awaiting ordering of parts for the toilet and tub and actual coming out to check the sprinkler heads, but all health appointments are on the calendar now.
My yard and garden have suffered from lack of attention. I am thinking that I will not have a garden, although I did have some volunteer lettuces come up and seem to have potatoes growing in my compost pile. Maybe I can do some planter veggies.
Last year I had arranged to have top dressing put on my yard to replenish the soil. Mostly what I have is sand with little soil. It never happened. This year, I am #1 on the list and am expecting it to be done this month. I do hope it leads to a nice yard. So that is the next big expense to pay.
Finished:
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives – ATY #22 (African Writer) and PS #34 (3+ POV). 4*. This book surprised me. Usually I have difficulty getting into books by African writers. I think it is because the cultures are so different from my own, and names are often strange. None of that got in the way of this delightful book about family, acceptance, and personal growth.
Every Witch Way But Wicked – ALCM, PAS, ATY Seasonal. Fun, quirky. A quick read. 4*, book #2.
A Duty to the Dead – ALCM, PAS. 4*. Thought provoking. Twisty. Kept me on the edge of my seat while it dealt with injuries of the spirit of all kinds. Book #1.
Elegy for Eddie – ALCM. 4*. I am still enjoying Maise’s development. This one dealt with her past in poverty and her present in wealth. Book #9.
Currently Reading:
The Yellow Wind – PAS. Another book that I own. 59%
Little Beach Street Bakery – ATY #23. 23%
Just Starting:
Gift of a Letter: Giving the Gift of Ourselves-- Add Richness and Grace to Your Life Through the Art of Letter-writing – ATY Seasonal. 4%
Intangible – PAS, Book #1. 6%
The Three Oak Mystery – PS #21 (published in a year ending in 24 – 1924). 3%.
On Deck:
Suspect – PS #12 (animal POV)
The Friday Night Knitting Club – PAS
Leaving Everything Most Loved – ALCM. Book #10.
PS 13/50 (I really need to get going on this challenge!)
ATY 22/52
GR 80/200
QotW: How do you feel about spoilers?
Since I read mysteries primarily, a spoiler is a big NO NO.
Mod
Well that sounds interesting!! Is it an outdoor wood-fired oven?
Nadine in NY wrote: "Well that sounds interesting!! Is it an outdoor wood-fired oven?..."Yes, it takes wood or charcoal. We just got a box of oak logs delivered so the first batch will be very fancy. Or burned.
Ultimate Reading Challenge: 24/25 96%County Library Super Summer: 14/30 47%
City Library Super Summer: 7/24 29%
Read: Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st-Century Economist Re-read. This book is so good! I had forgotten how visual it is!
Never Never Retelling of Peter Pan from Hook's perspective. Deliciously chilling!
The Space Between Worlds for prompt recommendation from a bookseller. I enjoyed this! Combines class and race considerations with multiple universes.
The Assemblies of God: Godly Love and the Revitalization of American Pentecostalism Boring and somewhat disturbing.
Madame Bovary re-read a high school classic you DID enjoy. (It was really supposed to be a high school classic you didn't enjoy but I couldn't get past two pages of Pride and Prejudice.
Started: At a Journal Workshop
Barclay's Apology in Modern English
QotW: It does annoy me some how the spoilers are visible on the update feed...
I think the classic I just read handled spoilers well. At the beginning of the introduction, it said: "Reader who do not want to know the details or the denoument of the plot should read this introduction only after they have read the novel."
Bea wrote: "Gift of a Letter: Giving the Gift of Ourselves-- Add Richness and Grace to Your Life Through the Art of Letter-writing – ATY Seasonal. 4%..."Curious what made you pick this book, Bea...
Doni wrote: "Ultimate Reading Challenge: 24/25 96%County Library Super Summer: 14/30 47%
City Library Super Summer: 7/24 29%
Read: [book:Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st-Century Economist|2..."
It's so fun seeing our differences in this group. I loved Pride and Prejudice and really disliked Madame Bovary.
I'm actually managing to post on Thursday this week, early in the day! It's been a crazy week. Just finished drafting some litigation papers that have to be filed in court tomorrow, so was up early doing final tweaks and reviews with my legal team on the case. I'm ready for a nap. PS - 37/50 ATY - 50/52
Finished:
The Inugami Curse
Visitation by Jenny Erpenbeck
The Face of a Stranger - for PS incarcerated author - Anne Perry spent time in jail in her youth.
Currently Reading:
The Reading List
Winds of the Steppe: Walking the Great Silk Road from Central Asia to China
QOTW: I echo Nadine. Completely spoils the experience of reading the book for me. There have been rare exceptions - but the spoiler only came after I went looking for it because I was struggling with the read.
How is it Thursday again already?Summer reading preparation is ramping up as we approach the end of the school year. For me that mostly means continuing to go through and make lists for our upcoming Genre-fy JF project, and while I've often thought that my favorite part of my job is coming up with lists of books on a theme, this is truly testing my commitment to that notion!
Finished:
The English Understand Wool - I am not sure what I expected when I started this, but definitely was not what the story ended up being! Despite being so short, there were multiple twists that made me gasp. If the ending had been a bit more conclusive, I would give it a full five stars.
Kira and the (Maybe) Space Princess - I honestly found the main character hard to root for, and mostly kept going to find out what Catacorn's deal was. I might check out the next volume, but I also might forget about this title by the time it comes out.
Witch Hat Atelier, Vol. 6 - I'm continuing to enjoy this series.
DNF
Lei and the Fire Goddess - I wanted to like this, but too many characters are treating the main character badly, and the action is way too slow. I checked out some reviews, and I think I'm safe to say this book is not for me.
Currently reading:
Glitter and Concrete: A Cultural History of Drag in New York City
He Must Go Walk the Woods So Wild
Ribbon Dance
Sing Like Fish: How Sound Rules Life Under Water
James
A Very Punchable Face
QOTW: It depends on how I encounter the spoiler, and what it's for. Obviously, if I'm not interested in something, then I don't care about being spoiled. And I know I'm taking my chances reading reviews or scrolling through my tumblr dash (and yes, I've learned the hard way not to read introductions!). So really, the only time spoilers bother me is when they come completely out of the blue and are for something I care about (like a few years ago when people casually tagged posts for a series I was in the process of watching with spoilers about a character dying).
Okay I've pulled out all of my The Hunger Games Trilogy Boxset so now I'll be ready to start my re-read of these books soon.Can't wait to get back to this world both in terms of the original books and with the new one being released next year.
Given that we're already in June and Sunrise on the Reaping comes out in March, I think the year will go by quick.
Hello hay fever. Swollen eyes, sneezing, runny nose: it's that time of year again. And then this smart girl goes to work by bike. #NotSoSmart.It is D-Day (80 year commemoration) and European election day in the Netherlands. What better way to honor all those men and women than by exercising my right to vote. Because I can.
PS: 12/50
FNL: 23/40
Total: 30/52
Finished
Alles, was das Herz begehrt by Stephanie Schuster⭐⭐⭐
Perfect beach read: no brain effort needed. Which is also why it’s only 3 stars, it doesn’t challenge or surprise you.
QOTW
Don't. Just don't.
Mod
I feel you. I think global warming has made pollen more potent and thus allergy symptoms more severe. (NOTE I am not a doctor and I have no proof of this!!!) Even with my daily allergy medicine, yardwork has been difficult for me.
An update on last check-in, now that I am out of the hospital, I'm starting to feel better. I need the pain meds less and less, which is a very good thing.Finished:
No new finishes, aside from some manga.
Comics and manga:
Cinderella Closet Vol. 2
I am currently at 38/50 prompts for PopSugar (33/45 and 5/5).
Currently reading:
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett - for PopSugar's cozy fantasy prompt.
Upcoming/Planned:
Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language by Amanda Montell - for Robot Librarian's Nonfiction: 400s.
Tidal Creatures by Seanan McGuire - not currently for a prompt
Mirrored Heavens by Rebecca Roanhorse - not currently for a prompt
QOTW:
I don't like getting big spoilers, but I don't necessarily mind minor ones (like, say, X character shows up or something like that)
Mod
A Penguin Random House listing of new Audiobooks:
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/th...
I rarely ever listen to audiobooks, but I know many other readers do!
Father’s Day is June 16! Although I never had a “father” in my life, I always honored my uncle! And now all three of my sons are fathers, so I always send them a message. Here is a listing of Penguin Random House books for Father’s Day:
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/th...
My husband had physical therapy today and the therapist was impressed with his improvement! (What he doesn’t know is that my husband would rarely do his exercises if not prompted (forced? LOL) to do so by me!) But so be it. As long as he does them while I critique and encourage him. At least there is improvement!!
ADMIN STUFF:
THE AUGUST MONTHLY GROUP READ IS The Tea Dragon Society (Tea Dragon #1) by Kay O'Neill!
This book could be used to fulfill Prompt #23 A book that features dragons. National Lizard Day is August 14! And who might be the "official organizer" willing to lead this discussion? Please message either Nadine or myself to volunteer!
THE SEPTEMBER NOMINATION POLL IS LIVE!
This book could be used to fulfill prompt #6 A book about pirates. Talk Like a Pirate Day is September 19! John Baur and Mark Summers created this international day in 1995.
If you do not see the title you would like to nominate, please write it in. But please check that book's eligibility first! Only books that have NOT been discussed within the past two years (2022-present) are eligible. Please remember to consult the listing of these books that are NOT eligible for this month HERE before nominating! :) There is an alphabetized listing by title as well as a chronological listing.
Current nominations:
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi (Amina al-Sirafi)
Cup of Gold: A Life of Sir Henry Morgan, Buccaneer, with Occasional Reference to History
Treasure Island
Running Close to the Wind
Frenchman's Creek
Fable (The World of the Narrows #1)
The Princess Bride
********Jane Eyre was nominated but since it has nothing to do with pirates/piracy/privateers, it has been removed from consideration. The person who nominated it and the people who voted for it may vote again, however!********
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!!
THE JULY MONTHLY GROUP READ IS Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner!! This book could be used to fulfill prompt #44 An autobiography written by a woman in Rock ‘n’ Roll. I’m certain there is a “savvy superstar” among our members to lead an amazing discussion of this one! Please message either Nadine or myself to volunteer!
The comprehensive listing of 2024 Monthly Group Reads resides HERE for your perusal and reference throughout 2024!
***
Question of the Week:
How do you feel about spoilers?
It depends… If, for example, I have not finished reading a book for an IRL book club meeting, but still attend the meeting/discussion, I have no qualms about learning spoilers, since that was on me for not finishing the book and shouldn’t impede the discussion in any way. I still finish the book even if I have learned spoilers from the discussion and it doesn’t bother me to do that. (I think this has only happened twice since I retired from full-time work!)
However, if someone posts a spoiler without hiding it on Goodreads, so I can make a choice whether to read the comment or not, then I get a bit huffy. However, I do not feel as if it truly affects my reading or enjoyment of the book. Though there is one exception, and that would be in the case of a mystery. I greatly prefer NOT knowing the resolution prior to reading the book.
2024 READING CHALLENGES:
Popsugar: 29/50
Around the Year (AtY): 49/52
Read Harder: 16/24
52 Book Club: 40/52
FINISHED:
*By Hook or By Book by D.R. Meredith ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was a solid mystery read! The person I suspected most did turn out to be the perpetrator! A good solid mystery and I do like the main character(s)! Definitely continuing with the series!
POPSUGAR: #4, #25
ATY: #3-A book that features a hobby, #9-171 ratings, #12, #24-Green and Orange, #26, #36, #37, #38/#39, #49
RHC: #23, #24-2020: prompt #3 A mystery where the victim is not a woman
52 Book Club: #4, #29-2000, #30, #32
*Murder with Peacocks (Meg Langslow #1) by Donna Andrews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was just as enjoyable as I expect it to be! I predict I will love this series! (As I expected I would!)
ATY: #3-A book with disembodied hand(s) on the cover, #6, #18, #24-Green, #34-Doc, #37, #40, #52
RHC: #24-2015: prompt #13 A romance novel
52 Book Club: #3, #4, #9, #14, #26-Mystery/Romance, #30, #43, #44, #45
*Murder With Puffins (Meg Langslow #2) by Donna Andrews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was even more enjoyable for me than the first installment in this series!
POPSUGAR: #25
ATY: #3-A book with rock, paper, or scissors on the cover, #6, #16, #17, #23-Beaches, #24-Orange and Green, #27, #28, #33, #34-Doc, #37, #40, #41, #49, #52
RHC: #23, #24-2020: prompt #5 A book about a natural disaster
52 Book Club: #4, #29-2000, #30, #32, #49-Monhegan Island, Maine
CONTINUING:
*...And Ladies of the Club by Helen Hooven Santmyer
*The China Garden by Liz Berry
*High Times in the Low Parliament by Kelly Robson for an IRL book club meeting next week
PLANNED:
*Revenge of the Wrought-Iron Flamingos (Meg Langslow #3) by Donna Andrews
*Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon (Meg Langslow #4) by Donna Andrews
*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
Nadine wrote: I feel you. I think global warming has made pollen more potent and thus allergy symptoms more severe. Weather definitely is a factor. This year it's wetter and colder than last years, so grass is growing faster and blooming heavier than other years. Put that on top of the biodiversity policy over here. The roadsides are no longer mowed since about 4 years ago -> all the grass is blooming (it looks beautiful by the way, all those grasses and flowers waving in the wind) -> hay fever is worse ever since.
Happy Thursday! We finally got a bit of a break from the heat wave, which is so nice! This weekend I went to a little bookfest here in the bay area, which was really fun even though I got super sunburned. I sat in on a climate change in fiction panel- got to meet two favorite writers Rebecca Roanhorse and Charlie Jane Anders. And then sat in on a romance book panel, and added a bunch of books to my tbr. Only bought 4 books though- quite proud of my restraint!I realized the other day that Cat + Gamer, Volume 1 works for the video game prompt, so I'm currently at 33/50!
Finished:
Nothing but romcoms this week!
The Paradise Problem- this was fun. If I'd realized it was about the uber rich, I might not have read it, but it was a fun time.
-no prompt
Next of Kin- I really liked this, a romcom that focuses a lot about family and taking care of each other. Two strangers become roommates in order to be approved to foster their younger siblings. Really liked it
-no prompt
Lavash at First Sight- so fun, daughters of feuding families meet and immediately have chemistry, and have to juggle the family drama and a food competition
-45 An LGBTQ+ romance novel
Currently reading:
Dragonfruit- after a week of romcoms, switching it up! So far, it's great!
QotW:
So if it's a series I'm really invested in, or it's a mystery, I don't want spoilers. But for the most part, I don't really care. Maybe it's more for tv shows, but I see spoilers all the time, and it doesn't really bother me. Usually, if a story is strong, it should still be good even if it's been spoiled.
But I still won't spoil things unless someone specifically asks for it. There are a few terrible books I've read this year that I really want to tell my friend about, but she keeps saying she might want to read them so no spoilers... but if she lets me spoil it, she'll save her time...
Happy Thursday!We've actually had two nice days in a row! It's a miracle and I don't believe in it lasting, haha!
Exercising is going well (and I can tell in more and more ways I am losing weight! Seats I had to squeeze into before and end up with bruises now fit-ish! No more squeezing, no more bruises, just not yet wholly comfortable. That's a huge win! I pulled on a shirt today and it fits better than it did before! Really keeps you motivated, hah!) and my pace in walking has gone up considerably. Fingers crossed for a good result in two weeks that hits my first goal!
Finished the 9k puzzle, missing two pieces but they should be on their way by now. My next project will be 13.2k pieces but I sadly can't put it together in one go. The most that will fit onto our table is 2 bags, so about 4400 pieces. It's a shame, but nothing I can do about it. Maybe one day, if I ever move out into my own place xD
Had to cancel on the Hannibal convention. Can't afford it with Florida/WDW coming up. So the money I am getting back in refunds will help with saving for Florida AND most likely cover my next puzzle project, haha! For now I'm just doing some of my godmother's stack of puzzles.
Speaking of Florida, my 'vakantiegeld' came in today, so it's passport renewal time! Getting my hair cut tomorrow, and then dyed, so my new passport pics will be nice and up to date and I should have my new passport this month still! And then we can get our ESTAs and have one less thing to worry about!
Still no books, but I feel like it's slowly coming back that I want to/can so fingers crossed for that. I've been productive (I hung up my Loungeflies and put up my Stitch magnets and I filled up two pin banners with Disney pins (I still have 35 left ajshkd) and the stacks of books everywhere are bothering me and it's slowly starting to become 'I wanna fix this all up and read all the books'!!
QOTW
Definitely hate them, unless I specifically go looking for them. There are also some things where I don't care enough and then I'm cool with it.
The angriest I've ever gotten over a spoiler was for Animal Farm. Now I know it's not a recent release, so if I'd come across something online, I'd be like 'aw bummer, but fair enough'. But nono. The INTRO to the book, in the physical copy I was reading, spoiled a whole bunch of things. I was like???? Why put this BEFORE the story??? Surely it's not outrageous to assume that anything that comes before the story won't actually spoil it??
Hi all! Nothing much going on here and I'm loving it. Just a few more weeks and the kiddo will be out of school and then I'll be pulling my hair out to keep her occupied! Last year, the school did half days for the month of July and that was an enormous help, but I haven't heard if they are again. I keep meaning to call and ask, but then... I don't. I've decided to finally do a yard sale at the end of the month. I started planning this 2 years ago (!!) but then I got covid and life has been screwy ever since. So I'm spending 2 hours a day out in the garage pricing things. I was halfway through the last box of the day when- downpour! My garage isn't attached, so Jen got wet! On the other hand, I was going through baby clothes younger than 18 months so, awwww!
I stayed up late last night finishing The Woman in the White Kimono. Broke my heart and did not follow the path I thought it was going to. I can't remember where I heard about this book or why I had to place a hold on it immediately, but I'm so glad I did. First 5 star read of the year! I think I'll use it for bildungsroman, though the historical parts are set in 1957 which is my year for 24 years before I was born. I have another book for that, though.
Made some progress in Proxy, enjoying it, and read another chapter in The Brothers Karamazov, still so slow...
QOTW: I hate spoilers! I haven't read an introduction to a book in ages. I don't remember what book it was that ruined it for me, but yeah, knock it off you introduction writing people!! I also hate it when a book spoils another book. Dear Justyce has major spoilers for Native Son, which I still haven't forgotten!!
As for movies, I'm still sore that the trailer for LOTR Two Towers spoiled (view spoiler)
On the other hand, when Psycho came out, Hitchcock was so concerned about spoilers that theaters were directed not to let people in late. The audience was told not to spoil the ending, and apparently they listened. To the point that I didn't know the twist at the end when I saw it for the first time like 8 years ago!
Just a quick update for me this week -- I finished one book, which fit an open prompt (woo-hoo!). I'm at 13/45 and 2/5 for this challenge, and 46/100 for my overall Goodreads Reading Challenge (really, 44...but the DNF and Reading Journal review counted since I marked them as "read" to get them off of my shelves). Finished:
* Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner, which I used for "an autobiography by a woman in rock'n'roll." I found it to be beautifully written, but an overall melancholy read. It also made me super-hungry and made me want to bust out my Korean cookbook, so bibimbap is definitely gonna be on the menu in my house soon!
Currently Reading:
* The Penguin Book of Murder Mysteries edited by Michael Sims, which I'm taking my time with to enjoy each story in the collection;
* One of Us Knows by Alyssa Cole, which is a NetGalley backlist title. This is moving v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y, but so did her previous thriller (When No One Is Watching) until it went completely bonkers and it was so worth the slow burn. I'm at the halfway point;
* The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies written by Alison Goodman and narrated by Kristin Atherton, which is one of my book clubs' picks for June and came highly recommended by a coworker. The audiobook version is SO GOOD!! Really loving it so far and so grateful for the recommendation. Plus, it works for "a book with a main character who is 42 years old"; and,
* Quietly Hostile: Essays by Samantha Irby, which I checked out on a whim because it was a librarian pick (yep, planning on using it for that prompt) for Pride Month in the Libby app. I have snorted out loud more than once and I'm only a few essays in. Just what I needed. Why? Because...I like it!!!!!!!!! (IYKYK) 🤣
QotW:
How do you feel about spoilers? I try to avoid them before or while I'm reading. I must admit that I sometimes seek out reviews with spoiler flags if I didn't like the book and I want to see if others felt the same way. Validate my reading feelings! Please and thank you! Sometimes I'll read reviews with spoilers out of curiosity, regardless of how I felt about the book, or if I know I'm not going to read a book but am still curious about it and what others thought about it.
Happy Thursday! Lots of car expenses this past week, but thankfully nothing serious. I’m pulling day shifts at the office to wrap up this week, and the French Open has me in a chokehold. I generally don’t pay much attention to tennis aside from the four major tournaments, and the drama that has escalated this week is nuts. Djokovic probably missing Wimbledon and possibly the Olympics?! And the underdog teens pushing through in ladies’ singles! Jasmine Paolini might be my new favorite alongside Coco Gauff.Book news! Finished this week:
Code Name Verity - 5 stars. Goodness I love these characters. If there was one book in the world I could read again for the first time, it’s this one.
PS 26/50
ATY 30/52
Mount TBR 12/48
Currently:
If We Were Villains - still going, and now this one has stalled because of everything else 🫠
Menewood - this is all-enveloping and I love it
Neverwhere - I’ve decided to go immersion with this, before bed, and it's fantastic. My paperback is slightly different than the audiobook, but Neil upgrades any reading experience just by virtue of his being, so it's an added bonus :)
Palestine: A Socialist Introduction - dense but easy to follow!
(for those following along with this
QOTW: How do you feel about spoilers?
It varies depending on the book!
If it's something like a SJM book that I know I'll never read but my friends want to gush about, go off.
If it's a classic that's existed for 200 years, fine, I'll probably forget about it by the time I read the book anyway.
If it's something new that I've been eagerly anticipating, chances are I'm probably the first in my friend group to read it and then have to sit on my hands so I don't spoil it for everyone else.
If it's that sweet spot of a popular book that I'm finally getting around to, y'all better lock it down 😂
The worst is when I inadvertently spoil myself. Booooo!!
Happy check-in!Finished Reading:
When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain (ATY indangered animal) Into the Riverlands ⭐⭐⭐
Got through these two quickly as audiobooks. I'd recommend this series as audio because the main character goes around collecting stories told to them.
Dragons Love Tacos ⭐⭐⭐
Funny Story made me read it.
Lore Olympus: Volume Six ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (ATY book in a series)
Every volume becomes my favourite right after I read it.
Gideon the Ninth ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (PS set in space)
I tried the audio and managed to get far enough into the book to be hooked. A cool concept to have necromancy but in space. Gideon is an awesome character that got me to avoid dnfing at the beginning.
Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets, & Advice for Living Your Best Life ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I wanted to read this so I could donate it to an upcoming book sale.
PS 36/50
ATY 40/52
ATY Summer 3/36
Goodreads 141/200
Currently Reading:
The Endless War
QOTW:
Hate spoilers. I often avoid reviews and back covers until after I've read something.
I finally managed to finish a few things. It's been a rough couple of monthsFor A book with at least 3 POVs I read Blood Justice by Terry J. Benton-Walker I loved the first book but this one a LOT less. It's far too much about rage and using it to justify violent behavior.
I read The Graveyard Shift by D.M. Guay for a A book by a self-published author. This was a lot of fun like Buffy meets a not so bright Dean Winchester and they work at the Quickie Mart.
QOTW For the most part I avoid spoilers. I read them usually if there is something I know I won't be reading/watching after getting thru part of it but I'm curious how it ended.
Hello from Columbus! I am just back from a glorious vacation, almost two weeks on the beach at Hilton Head, walking around historic Savannah, and then a day at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. I’m mighty glad to be home and in my own bed, as much fun as I had being out of Ohio. I didn’t read as much as I could have, but being from Ohio I most definitely drove there and back so I busted out several books during those full day drives lol. I didn’t update last week so this is the last two weeks worth of books. Finished:
Anne of Green Gables not for the challenge. A quick reread of an absolute favorite. Does any book make me quite as warm and fuzzy as this one does? No, I don’t think so.
Anne of Avonlea for my classics reading challenge. Funny enough, for as much as I love Anne of Green Gables I think this might be the first time I’ve read this. Still quite lovely, but it just didn’t really hit the same. I most definitely wanna keep reading the series though, I hope I make time for it this year.
It's Not Summer Without You not for the challenge. I think I read the first book last summer. I wanted to revisit the series so I finished the second two consecutively. I love a good YA summer read, but man, these characters are really frustrating. After finishing the series and letting it marinate, I think I realized I just really liked the idea of the house on the beach. It made me want my own beach house in a small town.
We'll Always Have Summer not for a challenge, nothing to add here, see above.
The Miserable Mill not for a challenge, me and my son are still listening through this series at bedtime. We’ve gotten to the point in the series where I’m unfamiliar with the material, so I must not have made it as far into the series as I thought I did years back. The vibes of this story were absolutely rancid. It was enjoyable, though, as much as these stories can be “enjoyed” lol.
A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking for the read harder challenge. I think that this might be my first cozy fantasy. I feel like this is a genre I would quite like. It’s funny to me how completely different Kingfisher’s books are. I’ve liked all of her books so far, and most definitely plan on reading more. But I wouldn’t have been able to tell that all of her books that I’ve read so far are all by the same author. I listened to this on the way home and my son tuned in a little towards the end and got a really big kick out of Bob the sourdough starter lol. It’s a fun read especially if you’re into baking.
The Second Mrs. Astor not for a challenge. I just really love historical fiction. I find Madeline Astor a very compelling figure so when I found out there was a HF novel about her I was all over it.
Currently Reading:
Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Great Adventure Catholic Bible
The Austere Academy
The Watcher in the Shadows
QOTW:
Sometimes I’ll spoil a book if I have no real interest in reading it but still wanna know stuff about it. Or my anxiety will be too high so I’ll spoil it to calm myself down. I know that’s really confusing to a lot of people but spoilers have never really bothered me lol. The journey is most of the fun for me, not the big reveal.
Challenges:
Popsugar - 12/45; 1/5
Read Harder - 12/24
Classics - 5/12
European Tour - 5/10
12 Friends - 12/12
Yearly Goal - 81/150
Happy Friday! I almost made it to post on Thursday lol. Nothing that interesting going on except I went out to see my sister's new kitten. It's some kind of sphynx breed. I had never seen one in real life before. I didn't know how I would feel about a cat with no fur. She felt like a wrinkly peach skin ha. But she she is super active. She's always running around and climbing on things. Kittens are fun. My landlord has also been doing a lot of work around the building. New front door, new mailroom windows, new paint in the hallway. It's slightly concerning because why? Is he selling the building? Raising rent? Inquiring minds want to know.
Finished:
Weyward (ATY related to land) 3 stars. I liked the multiple timelines and the magic involved was pretty cool. There was a lot of bad things happening to the women in this book if that is triggering.
Starter Villain (ATY related to phrase "raining cats and dogs") 4 stars. Very fun book. The main character's uncle dies and he leaves him his villain business (including a island lair). I probably gave a extra star just for the cats.
Our Missing Hearts (ATY second book fitting favorite prompt) 3 stars. A dystopia is never a very happy book. But I loved the authors writing style and I will definitely check out her other books.
Currently reading:
Nettle & Bone (PS self published author)
QOTW: I really try hard not to spoil myself. However, I do like to read the first few reviews on goodreads. It's fine if they label the spoilers and I can skip over them but some people don't do that. That's pretty annoying.
Happy Thursday. I kept meaning to post last week, and then I'd be on Goodreads and I'd forget, so this is a 2 week post. I've been reading longer books as of late, so it feels like I'm not finishing anything, but I'm enjoying them, so it's all good.Stats:
PS: 26/50
ATY: 38/52
ATY Rejects: 14/25
ATY Rewind: 17/25
DBC: 24/36
GR Choice: 16/30
TBR: 6/10
Books I finished:
Nerd: Adventures in Fandom from This Universe to the Multiverse ⭐⭐⭐
ATY Rewind: A nonfiction book by a BIPOC author.
This was fine. The author is way more into anime than me, but as I've been getting into the manga series that the shows were based on lately, it was interesting.
The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
ATY: A book related to night.
I really love this series. This one didn't surprise me like the first, but that's okay.
Spice & Wolf, Vol. 1 ⭐⭐
ATY Rewind: A book that has been translated from another language.
So this was basically just exposition about how feudal economics worked, and to distract from how boring the story was, the artist drew the female character naked as often as possible. My sister warned me to skip this one, but I didn't listen.
Instant Temptation ⭐⭐⭐
ATY Rejects: A book with a character whose first name is considered gender neutral. (Harley & TJ)
This was barely a 3 star read. It got better by the end, but the beginning was rushed and just lacking.
Before We Say Goodbye ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just to finish off my reread of the series.
The Kingdom of Copper ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I started rereading this last December, but I got stalled out on a Dara chapter, plus I had all these books for the challenge I wanted to read, and next thing I knew it was June. So I got back to it, and now I'm going to have to try to fit my reread of book 3 in.
Five Broken Blades ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
ATY Rejects: A book with a character that could be described as one of the classes in Dungeons and Dragons. (Thief & Fighter)
This was very much like Six of Crows in the best ways.
Lore Olympus: Volume Six ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
ATY: A book that is part of a series.
The artwork is top notch as always, and the story is starting to take some interesting turns, but now I'm back waiting for the next issue.
In Progress:
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes - Good to know there's going to be another book. I'll try to get to it a bit quicker than I did this one.
QotW
I generally try to avoid spoilers, but if they happen, they happen. I can usually predict how a story's going to go, so spoilers usually don't ruin things for me. But I still like having the possibility of a surprise.
Joanna wrote: "Lei and the Fire Goddess - I wanted to like this, but too many characters are treating the main character badly, and the action is way too slow. I checked out some reviews, and I think I'm safe to say this book is not for me...."I know you DNF'd this but, it made me look it up and being a person from Hawai'i I actually want to read this.
Bea wrote: "Happy Thursday, y’all. Well, I read more than I expected I would this past week. Now to settle down and actually plan what books I want to finish, what books I need to read to get on track for the various challenges, and what books I want to read..."
I did that last week. I actually printed out a list with due dates, for library books, and what the book was for (a challenge or a book club, etc.). I made sure to list books I own too, with what challenge they are for.
Nadine in NY wrote: "Harmke wrote: "Hello hay fever. Swollen eyes, sneezing, runny nose: it's that time of year again. And then this smart girl goes to work by bike. #NotSoSmart. ..."I feel you. I think global warming has made pollen more potent and thus allergy symptoms more severe. (NOTE I am not a doctor and I have no proof of this!!!) Even with my daily allergy medicine, yardwork has been difficult for me."
I find that if I take the once a day pill every day it doesn't work. So I only take it on days when my allergies are bothering me. And I don't like to take it more than three days in a row.
So this week it was the first week of summer vacation and it has been a busy week. From Monday to Wednesday my sister had to work off island so it was just me and the kid. But what's new, he really only sees his mom for a few hours in the evening and on weekends. Then today he decided he wanted to go shopping. I got my EBT yesterday and we really did need some food so even though it was finally a beautiful sunny (but HOT) day we went shopping. I also took him to a new (to us) park we discovered on Tuesday when I took him there to ride his scooter. Today he rode his bike. I had to teach him that he needs to say excuse me and to ride around the people walking. There was this older man who actually schooled him a little too, it was kind of funny. He told the man excuse me but I guess he veered towards him as he went by and so the old man told him to watch out. My nephew came to me to tell me, then when the man started to walk past me he rode off again and I hear him ask the guy 'why did you say that?' LOL!!! Six year old boldness combined with his sassy-ness. He's so full of energy that I have been trying to keep him busy or at least occupied enough that he's not bored and to burn off some energy. It is HARD. But it is also why we went to the park before the store.Another thing I want to work on with him is ASL. I started following this lady on INSTA who does like daily words or phrases in American Sign Language a few month ago and have been teaching him things. He keeps asking how to say things in ASL too. So, I asked him if we should focus harder on learning more this summer and he said yes. I actually am finding it useful as well. Like at the park I was able to sign a little to him across the park where it was hard to hear me. Just things like are you Okay? and are you ready to go?...I decided to do this with him since he is such a sensory child (always doing things with hands and touching things) I thought he could maybe enjoy it and possibly even have an easier time learning it (compared to like Spanish or something). In Kindergarten his aid used to use sign language with him a bit and so it kind of sparked this idea with me. Now just to implement it more. Oh also, I have no idea if he passed first grade cause his report card does not say! So at some point one of us is gonna have to call the school I guess. He was having a very rough time, which is why it is even a question.
So my library got a new system and it is digital. It uses these check out kiosks or the front desk and they no longer stamp the books with the due date, instead you can print a receipt. UGH! I find it very annoying. I have a calendar document to mark down when my books are due but you don't always have access, or want to turn on the computer, to see it. Plus you can lose a receipt. The new books they aren't even putting in the little paper they used to stamp. But if the book has one still I tend to just write in the due date. Because I don't know about y'all but I like to be able to check the book to see when it is due. I get books from about 3 different libraries and they will have different due dates so it is not easy to keep track. Plus I have the kids books to keep track of too! You can ask them to stamp it but, often times it is easier to use the kiosk...which doesn't have a date stamp at it.
But, enough about me and my woes for now. On to books...
While I have managed to read five books in four days I still feel unaccomplished because of The Great Divide (see below).
2024 Challenges:
Popsugar: 33/50
ATY: 47/52
Robot Librarian: 36/52
A to Z: 25/26
Physical TBR: 0/93
Kindle TBR: 1/118
Goodreads: 87/100
Book Clubs:
PS Monthly: 21/55
Reese: 31/95
Oprah: 12/101
Jenna: 7/65
OSS: 6/39
Finished:
5 finished, 0 Completed Popsugar
None of these worked for prompts anywhere.
The Magic Fish
This One Summer
Four Eyes: A Graphic Novel
As a glasses wearer I could relate to some of this. But I got glasses around age seven so less traumatic for me.
Displacement
I knew about the internment camps but this gave me more info about it.
Passport
-------
Currently Reading
The Quarter Storm
Growing Feelings: A Kids' Guide to Dealing with Emotions about Friends and Other Kids
The Fledgling
The Great Divide It just got renewed AGAIN...I'm on week seven now and still not even half way!
While We Were Dating kinda got put aside to read the others.
XOXO, Cody: An Opinionated Homosexual's Guide to Self-Love, Relationships, and Tactful Pettiness I have about an hour left but haven't had time to finish it.
A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel Might have to start this one over.
Lies My Teacher Told Me: A Graphic Adaptation Whew it's wordy for a graphic novel.
On the Backburner
Libby
Congratulations, the best is over!
Physical Library Rentals
Incredible Doom: Vol. 1
Incredible Doom: Vol. 2
The Complete Persepolis
Invisible
The Eyes and the Impossible
Grace Needs Space!
Smaller Sister
Stargazing
Ghosts
Ride On
Freestyle
Garlic and the Witch
The Witch Boy
The Midwinter Witch
New From Here
Finally Heard
Three Weeks to Say Goodbye
The Highway
Magazines: (11/146)
Read since last check-in: 0
Question of the Week:
I tend to not like them. But sometimes it's fine, it won't keep me from continuing to read the book.
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Fire Weather: A True Story from a Hotter World (other topics)The Parrot and the Igloo: Climate and the Science of Denial (other topics)
The Last Devil to Die (other topics)
Nemesis (other topics)
Three Day Road (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Richard Osman (other topics)Agatha Christie (other topics)
Barbara A. Shapiro (other topics)
Claire Fuller (other topics)
J. Courtney Sullivan (other topics)
More...
Admin stuff
The June group read has started for The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, and we are leaderless. Let chaos reign!! Discussion is here if you want to talk about the book:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
The August group read will be: The Tea Dragon Society
The Nomination poll for September is open now for a book that could fill "a book about pirates." This poll will stay open for two weeks:
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...
Our June group read was a previous group read back in 2019. How is that working out for you? I do not know if we have the same core group of readers that we had back in 2019. Let us know if this is working well, or if you're interested in changing the ineligibility rules for group reads to extend back farther than two years.
This week I continued my scattered approach to reading, yet managed to finish 3 books, 2 for this Challenge.
Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask by Anton Treuer - this was my non-fiction book about Indigenous people. I was disappointed in this one, I found it rather dull and dry and I started speed-reading just to finish it.
Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk by Kathleen Hanna - this was fantastic, it's everything I want in a rock memoir, and I came out of it an even bigger fan of Kathleen Hanna than I started. I used this for "autobiography by a woman in rock and roll."
Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma - What a waste of my time - it was terrible: bad writing, ridiculous plot, worthless ending. I'd stumbled upon this book on some list a few years back, and my library did not have it, and that drove me crazy. Suddenly I NEEDED to read this (but didn't want to buy it). So when one of my libraries finally acquired an e-book copy, I JUMPED at the chance to read it. Ugh. I should have trusted my library and skipped this one.
Popsugar 88% 44 /50
Must Reads 60% 6 /10
AtY 73% 38 /52
2024 pub 24% 12 /50
Question of the Week
How do you feel about spoilers?
Short answer: I hate them, and I am mystified by people who claim that spoilers do not actually spoil the reading experience.