EPBOT Readers discussion

Hello from the PNW,

I'm in the middle of our vacation to see our adult children who live across the country in the PNW. We were in central and eastern Oregon last week and now in Seattle and heading into the Cascades this coming week. Oregon had So Much Smoke. Where my son and DIL live there were several days we could not do our outdoor planned activities due to very unhealthy air.

I've done intermittent reading. Before we left, I finished Belle Mer. It is one of the Amazon short stories. I then started reading His Happy Place on a short walk I took alone. But my alone time has been rare.

On the airplane I started listening to Malibu Rising. I didn't get far into it and it was hard to really get into. I haven't listened to it since so I don't have much opinion on it yet.

At night on my kindle I'm reading Friends with Secrets. I am enjoying this more than I expected. It is not terribly taxing, probably predictable, but with good people in it. We'll see how the last 25% goes.

QOTW:
Is there a book that is extremely popular but you somehow skipped on reading?

There are probably many for me because I don't really pay attention to popular books. One the immediately comes to mind for me is Educated. I have it from my sister sitting at home, but haven't gotten around to it. Another is Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail.

For this year another one that I will miss is The Women. I don't like Kristin Hannah and have no desire to pick this one up.

Welcome to the neighborhood, Susan! :) Hope you're enjoying the slightly cooler weather we've been having.

Finished:
The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren - 4 stars - for Popsugar's book with an enemies to lovers plot. This was very cute and sweet. I loved the best friend character, Fizzy, and am pleased to see she stars in the second book, which I will probably read soon.

Comics and manga:
Cinderella Closet Vol. 6
Magilumiere Magical Girls Inc., Vol. 2
Tamon's B-Side, Vol. 2

Currently reading:
Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal - for Popsugar's book written during NaNoWriMo. I'm enjoying it so far.

The Apothecary Diaries (Light Novel): Volume 3 - still loving this series.

Upcoming/Planned:
The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love by India Holton - not currently for a prompt.

Dying with Her Cheer Pants On by Seanan McGuire - for Popsugar's book about women's sports.

QOTW:
I tend to avoid super-popular books unless I'm reading them for a group read or challenge.

I haven't read any of those either, Susan. I'm also purposely avoiding the book of the moment right now, Fourth Wing, because from everything people have said about it, I think I would probably hate it.

We are having slightly cooler weather as well, which means it's still pretty hot.

The Natural History of Unicorns - This is an analysis of various depictions of unicorns and what real animals might have influenced them. Some of it was interesting, but some of it got tedious and tangential. It didn't really get into modern depictions, either, just antiquity. Also there was a note at the end that said, "Images not available for electronic edition," which is kind of a bummer, but I'm not going to pay to ILL or purchase the physical version.

Knight Owl - An owl becomes a knight through hard work and recognition of his natural talents. Absolutely adorable, with fantastic illustrations containing some details for the amusement of adults. Recommended for your picture book needs.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - I know this author is popular but I hadn't read her previously. This was fairly compelling and page-turny, but I didn't love the constant allusions to the coming twist, and then once it finally came I was like, "...okay." Also I was having trouble placing the right era of Hollywood and had to look up some actresses who would have been that age.

QOTW: I think the best answer to this question for me is "Harry Potters 3 through 7". I really don't know what else is popular, especially very recently, although like Jen I avoid things in genres I don't expect to like (Fourth Wing, ACoTaR, GoT, etc).