Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2025 Weekly Check-Ins
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Week 30: 7/18 - 7/24
Happy Thursday, everyone! Also, Happy Shark Week!I am fascinated by sharks, so watching Shark Week on the Discovery Channel is a massive part of my life right now. I’ve really been enjoying this year’s programming. My favorite shows so far have been “Air Jaws: The Hunt for Colossus” and “How to Survive a Shark Attack.” I was also really impressed with “In the Eye of the Storm: Shark Storm.”
Even though my free time has been pretty heavily focused on watching television, I still managed to do a considerable amount of reading this week. Quite a bit of my reading was done during commercial breaks though.
Here are my current challenge and TBR totals…
Goodreads Challenge: 254/250 (100% — Challenge Complete!)
Mount TBR Challenge: 126/150 (84% complete)
📚Physical TBR: 103/731
📱Ebook TBR: 12/218
🎧Audiobook TBR: 11/12
TBR Checklist Total: 126/961 (13% complete)
TBR Books DNFed in 2025: 3
My D23 membership gifts arrived this week, so I did add one title to my “New Books” list, which was The Happiest Place on Earth: The Incredible Story of Walt Disney's Disneyland, by Don Hahn and Christopher Merritt.
“New” Books Bought in 2025: 125
“New” Books Read in 2025: 121
“New” Books DNFed in 2025: 0
”New” Books Checklist Total: 96% complete
Here are the books I finished this week…
Finished Reading (Fiction):
~Elusive — This is the second book in the Scarlet Revolution series. I thought this was a really good continuation of the story, and actually read about 90% of the book in a single day because I did not want to put it down. I’m already looking forward to reading the next book after it’s released in paperback. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry — This is the first book in the Sunderworld series. I thought this was an interesting story, but despite the book’s abrupt ending, I don’t have any interest in continuing the series. Content Alert: (view spoiler) 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
~The Enchanted Greenhouse — This book is the sequel to The Spellshop. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and loved the characters! It’s a sweet, cozy fantasy with a lot of heart. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Three Shattered Souls — This is the third book in the Broken Blades trilogy. It took me a few chapters to get back into this world, because it had been a while since I read book two, but I really enjoyed this final installment. Content Alert: (view spoiler) 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~The Unworthy — I thought this was a strange and disturbing book, but I could not put it down. I just had to find out what would ultimately happen to the narrator. Content Alert: (view spoiler) 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Finished Reading (Nonfiction):
~Bring the Magic Home: An Exploration of Design Inspired by Disney Parks — I got a copy of this book because I am interested in adding some Disney magic to my own household decor, and I was searching for inspiration. This book not only showcases how fans have incorporated design elements from the Disney theme parks into their homes, but also includes insights into the design of the parks themselves. It would definitely make a good coffee table book, but it’s not just a collection of photography. In fact, it’s a really nice blend of photographs and text, and includes several behind-the-scenes Imagineering stories about the parks’ development. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman — This was a fascinating biography! I learned a lot, not only about Catherine’s life, but the political situation in Europe during her lifetime and reign. I really enjoyed the readability of this book, which is written as a narrative biography. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~The Story of Disney: 100 Years of Wonder — This book was created by the staff of the Walt Disney Archives. I found it very interesting, and loved the photographs and behind-the-scenes stories. However, I do have to confess that I did not care for some of the formatting decisions that were made when this book was created. The main text was occasionally interrupted (sometimes mid-sentence) by blocks of text that sent you off on a tangent, similar to what you’d see in a textbook, but covering 1-2 full pages. I found these interesting, but wish that they had been placed at the ends of chapters, rather than scattered throughout. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Finished Reading (Manga, Comic Books, & Graphic Novels):
None
Finished Reading (Poetry and Drama):
None
DNFed:
None
Currently Reading:
~The Last Wish — This is the first book in The Witcher series, which I’ve read a couple times already. I have about an hour remaining in the audiobook, and will probably finish it when I go to bed here in a few minutes. 🎧
~The Eye of the Bedlam Bride — This is the sixth book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series. I’m currently about one-quarter of the way through this book, and hope to finish it in the next day or so. It is one massive book though, so we'll see if I manage it. I’m really enjoying it so far! 📚
~The Happiest Place on Earth: The Incredible Story of Walt Disney's Disneyland — I was gifted a copy of this book when I signed up for my D23 membership. I’ve read about a quarter of it so far, and I’m really enjoying it! The photographs are amazing, and I love learning more about the creation of the park. 📚
QOTW:
It’s very rare that I get book recommendations from publishers or podcasters, but I also don’t really seek them out. I do occasionally learn about upcoming books from publishing companies, but I rarely run out to purchase those titles unless they’re associated with an author I really like. Most of the celebrity book club picks that I’ve read in the past (usually for an in-person book club) have not been my cup of tea, so I’ve gotten to the point where I steer clear of their recommendations altogether.
Happy Thursday!It's getting warm here again.
Finished:
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley - 3.75 stars - for a prompt that might be a spoiler (view spoiler). This was really interesting, and not at all what I was expecting.
The Apothecary Diaries (Light Novel): Volume 14 by Natsu Hyuuga - 4 stars - not for a prompt. More adventures of Maomao. Still having fun with this series.
I am currently at 38/50 for Popsugar (31/40 and 7/10).
Currently reading:
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins - not currently for a prompt. I just started this, so only one chapter in.
Upcoming/Planned:
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg - for a book that features a character going through menopause
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston - not currently for a prompt.
QOTW:
I can't really think of any. I tend to trust Tor as a publisher, but I wouldn't read everything they put out because it's not all to my tastes. I do subscribe to a few publisher newsletters so I can see what's coming out, though.
Happy Thursday all.Not much to report, so moving straight to what I read this week...
Books read this week:
The Smuggler's Gambit -- not the greatest but an okay historical adventure novel, set in the American colonies right before the American Revolutionary war.
Things Aren't Right: The Disappearance of the Yuba County Five -- the writing style isn’t the greatest, but this is still a chilling and heartbreaking read about the Yuba County Five, five young men with disabilities and/or mental illness who went missing in California in 1978.
Eden Undone: A True Story of Sex, Murder, and Utopia at the Dawn of World War II -- a wild true story about clashing egos, greed, jealousy, and possible murder on an island in the Galapagos. What a freaking roller coaster!
The Second Chance Convenience Store -- Korean novel about a homeless man who finds a job at a convenience store. Oddly heartwarming, and might fall into the “healing fiction” prompt.
Currently reading:
The Best of Catherynne M. Valente, Volume One
City
Cold Clay
No Humans Allowed!
Oasis
QOTW:
I don't really follow any celeb book clubs or podcasts. I get most of my book recs by working in a library.
Happy Thursday, y’all.Weatherwise, we have had more moderate temps during part of most days. Highs have reached 97, though. And, there have been some surprising thunderstorms roll through that weren’t predicted. One was wonderful…a full pouring of rain with bright sunlight shining. I did look for a rainbow, but couldn’t find one.
I am still determined to continue with my exercise classes…and, even thinking of how I can add some other exercise on that 4 day stretch (Thursday through Sunday) when I have no regular planned classes. BUT, I leave the classes totally exhausted and sore some days, which makes me wonder if I am doing the right thing. I do love the body changes that I am achieving, though. And, this is the most active that I have been in a long time.
Reading. I have had to push through on some of my finished books only to find that I was satisfied with the ending. I think the need for the push was an anticipated “bad thing” going to happen that I did not want to read.
Finished:
A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World – PS #49 (dystopia with happy ending). 4* I truly did not think this book was going to have a happy ending…and yet it did…for a dystopian world. Setting is Scotland islands and England, which was a dystopian setting I had not read before.
Cry Wolf – PAS. 4* The werewolf paranormal read that I absorbed to escape from the world news that surrounds us all. I love this world. It is fun.
In the Clearing – PS #7(cult). 4* This was the book that I had trouble pushing through the most. It had such an atmosphere of “something terrible is going to happen”. All seems to end well at the end, until you read the Watcher afterward thingy. And, then I was left with horror. It was well done, but not an inducement for me to continue another book, if there is one.
The Little French Bistro – PAS. 4* I really liked this book for its beauty of soul.
Currently Reading:
Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All - ATY #30 (monster), PAS, PS #44 (book I have avoided). 59%.
Navigating the Bible: The 5-Minute Guide to Understanding God's Word – I am using this book as a brief overview of whatever Bible book I am reading. So far, I have read Isaiah, Matthew, Romans, Hebrews, Colossians and Hosea. Currently it is Joel.
Smith Wigglesworth on Prayer, Power, and Miracles – No prompt. I am reading one essay a day. 92%.
A 5th Portion of Chicken Soup for the Soul: 101 More Stories to Open the Heart and Rekindle the Spirit – no prompt. Devotional reading. 65%
The Woman in Cabin 10 – ATY #25 (waves on cover), PAS. 23%
Just Starting:
Shaman – PS #38/#39 (same title). 6%. I own this book, so it takes the back seat to library due dates.
Happiness Falls – PS #43 (nonverbal character), PAS. 1%
This Must Be the Place – PAS. 2%
On Deck: (library)
In the Night of Memory – (due 8/3 w/renewal)
Project Hail Mary – PAS, PS #28 (unlikely friendship). (due 8/1 w/renewal)
Yellowface – PAS. (due 8/1 w/renewal)
The Accidental Book Club – PAS. (due 8/1 w/renewal)
Nicked – PAS. (due 8/3 w/renewal)
PS 28/50
ATY 33/52, Anniversary 9/10, Summer 4800/5000 points
GR 117/200
QotW: Is there a publisher/celebrity book club/podcaster you trust enough to read whatever they have published or recommend? Even if you are unaware of the author and/or title?
No. I get most of my recommendations from readers on this group.
Happy Thursday! We had a couple of cooler days, but temps are expected to rise to 100 degrees early next week. I'm tired of summer. The only time we enjoy the outdoors is after dinner when the light is less direct and our trees cool the backyard.2025 Reading Challenges:
52 Book Club: 44/52 (Connections Challenge: 9/21)
ATY: 38/52 (ATY Anniversary Challenge: 8/10, ATY Summer Challenge: 23/25)
The Book Girls’ Guide: 43/74
Booklist Queen: 46/52
Popsugar: 42/50
My Ever-Growing TBR: 89/296 – 30.1% (My goal is 33.3%.)
Recently Completed:
✅ What Happens in Amsterdam ★★★★
✅ The Melancholy of Untold History: Goodreads Giveaway. ★★★
✅ Yours Truly Part of Your World, #2 ★★★★
✅ Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend (Popsugar #27 – set at a luxury resort) ★★★
✅ Booster Shots: The Urgent Lessons of Measles and the Uncertain Future of Children's Health ★★★★
✅ El Dorado Drive (Booklist Queen, #33 – set in the suburbs) ★★★
✅ Coven: A Graphic Novel ★★★★
✅ Notes on Infinity ★★★★
✅ Practical Magic: AU Book & Film Club. (Popsugar #15 – recommended by an AI chatbot) ★★★★
✅ A Forty Year Kiss ★★★
✅ Swimming Pretty: The Untold Story of Women in Water ★★★★
✅ First-Date Fire: Erotic short story written by a friend. ★★★★
Currently Reading:
A Most Perilous World: The True Story of the Young Abolitionists and Their Crusade Against Slavery
Lights Out Into Darkness, #1: (52 Books Connections #9 – a book a previous character would read at the beach)
The Gate to Women's Country: Reasonable Doubt Book Club.
Atmosphere (Popsugar #26 – an adult character changes careers)
The Sirens' Call: How Attention Became the World's Most Endangered Resource
The Three-Body Problem Remembrance of Earth’s Past, #1: Adventures Underground Book Club. (ATY Summer #3c – a military character)
The Young of Other Animals
An Indiscreet Princess
This Summer Will Be Different
The Romance Recipe (ATY Summer #4d - set in a café, bakery, or restaurant)
A Most Puzzling Murder (52 Books #48 - related to the word puzzle)
Heavy
QOTW: I regularly read selections from Read with Jenna and Reese's Book Club, and I have subscriptions with BOTM and their new romantasy venture Allurial. I don't always love their selections, but it's better than randomly picking things up.
Can't believe there's only one Thursday left of July. Time flies as it always seems to do these days.School starts up in August so that's something I'm kind of looking forward to. Re-taking one class because I failed it the first time, not so much. But I'm taking some literature classes that will be fun.
*****
Still volunteering at a bookstore so that's been enjoyable at times. Can't stand the noise or the smells though. LOL, but I deal.
*****
Enjoying the weather. Finally we haven't had a season where temps went above 110°F so that's been nice. And we've had a great rain season.
*****
Other than that not doing much so I'll jump into my book stuff:
*****
Book News:
- I've got my books chosen for the Sealey Challenge which is a month long challenge in August to read poetry.
- My general TBR is also set for August.
- Now just waiting to see what books from my school lists that I'll be reading.
*****
Finished:
Bibliotherapy: The Healing Power of Reading
- 5 star read and my second book on this particular subject.
*****
Currently Reading:
Impossible Monsters: Dinosaurs, Darwin, and the Battle Between Science and Religion
- Halfway done with this one, but I'm on the final section of the book so I should finish it by next week. There's so much information in it.
I will warn though that it can be tricky depending on your religious take or how you view the Bible.
I've been questioning God/religion/the Bible and asking existential questions since age 7 so that's what makes this an enjoyable read for me. It asks questions that I've been asking nearly my entire life. And it has me asking new ones. I love this book.
How to ADHD: An Insider's Guide to Working with Your Brain
- This is my second book on this particular subject and it's awesome! It's way better than the first ADHD book I read this year.
This one I know I won't finish by next week so it will be my first official August read.
*****
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Is there a publisher/celebrity book club/podcaster you trust enough to read whatever they have published or recommend? Even if you are unaware of the author and/or title?
Not really. A lot of celebrity book clubs read mostly fiction and on the off chance they do read nonfiction it's either memoir or self-help so it doesn't hold an interest for me. I stopped listening to podcasts because I got bored and couldn't focus on them.
Now I just find unaware authors or titles by random searches or random finds at the bookstore.
Last week was super busy (in a fun way!) so I lost track of time and missed checking in. I got to spend a day with a friend, saw a musical with my aunt, and went shopping for the first time in a while. I actually felt pretty refreshed on Monday.It seems like Audible analyzed my listening habits and predicted I would cancel at the end of this week when my 99 cent per month promotion was up. They proactively offered me 50% off for another 3 months so I accepted that. It has been nice not worrying about hold lists or due dates for audiobooks on Libby, but not nice enough to pay full price for Audible.
Finished
The Arctic Fury (a book with silver in the title or on the cover). I loved this book. It’s one that I wanted to read slower so I could keep reading it longer, and I was sad when it ended (even though the ending was perfect).
Reading
One Dark Window (a book with magical creatures that aren't dragons)
Crime and Punishment
QOTW
No, it always depends on whether I think I’ll connect with the book.
Hi,Still hot and humid in St. Pete FL. We're in the rainy season so there are heavy showers everyday (great reading weather!).
I usually get my book choices from my goodreads/meetup groups. I have a lot of books on to read list. I'm currently listening to
by Daniel Goleman and I'm reading
by Evan Osnos. This week I finished reading;
by Bridget Read,
by Gilbert King,
by H.G. Parry,
by Robert W. Fieseler, and
by Hwang Bo-Reum. I have completed 15 of the PopSugar prompts. The PopSugar google sheet that was created by a member is a great way to keep tract of your progress.
Finally, I have read 87 books this year. My goal is 150; so I am at 58% of my goal (4 books ahead of schedule!)
Mod
We had some GORGEOUS weather last weekend, when the humidity actually dropped to a reasonable 50%, but now it's back to hot and sweltering. It's been such a hot and rainy summer! The bugs are impossible.
We've been shopping for a car for my older daughter, and we have finally settled on a Hyundai Elantra. We are just waiting for the dealership to get the car from another site. It's a really cute little car, and I'm excited for her, and a little afraid that I'll never see her again now that she's free to drive wherever and whenever. Are weekends spent with both of my children a thing of my past??
This week I finished 1 book:
Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan - this has been a real albatross around my neck, and I'm so glad to be done with it. I started it back in December, and I was kind of enjoying it, but then the new list came out and I realized it would fit "neurodivergent author" perfectly, so I set it aside for a few weeks. When I picked it up again I realized I did not like it at all. Oops! I set it aside again, for MONTHS. Finally got back to it, still ugh. Then I tried the audiobook version, and that allowed me to power through til the end. The main character was just so difficult for me to care about. She just kept making bad choices. But now I'm DONE, and I checked off "neurodivergent author," and I'll probably never read this author again. This was also one of my books on my "must read in 2025" list.
I went back through the list of books I've read (but did not use for an AtY category) and found books that fill all ten of the bonus anniversary categories (2 I'm currently reading now, so I'm 8/10 on that right now).
Popsugar 82% 41 /50
Must Reads 30% 3 /10
AtY 83% 43 /52
AtY bonus 80% 8 /10
2025 pub 68% 34 /50
NetGalley ratio 84%
QotW
No.
If First Second or Barefoot Books or Tor or Timber Press published something, I view that favorably, but not so much that I'll just buy any book they publish.
I don't follow any podcasts.
I usually (but do not always) enjoy Reese Witherspoon and Jenna Bush picks, so, again, I'll view that book favorably if it was selected by one of them, but not so much that I'll read anything they select for their book clubs.
Happy Thursday!I'm on vacation this week. I've been reading in bed every morning and finished 3 books this week!
Sunrise on the Reaping was depressing at the end. I won't ruin it for anyone, but we were told the ending in one of the trilogy books. However, it was worse than we were previously told. It reminded me of Revenge of the Sith - we knew we had to go from the first two prequels to get to the timeline of New Hope.
To You Shall All Flesh Come was an interesting take on vampires - they can live without their organs, so doctors are capturing them, stealing their organs (to transplant into humans) and releasing them.
Hey Dad! was a short book about a 13 year old girl who doesn't want to be on a car trip with her family. As a child, I was dragged on road trips with my parents when I would have preferred to stay home with my friends. So, I related to the protagonist.
Finished:
Sunrise on the Reaping
Popsugar prompt: A book with a snake on the cover or in the title
ATY prompt: A book with a serpentine element on the cover
Anniversary prompt:
Summer prompt: A book with challenging subject matter - 500 points
To You Shall All Flesh Come
Popsugar prompt: A book containing magical creatures that aren't dragons
ATY prompt: A monster book
Anniversary prompt:
Summer prompt: A book with red on the cover - 300 points
Hey Dad!
Popsugar prompt: A book about a road trip
ATY prompt: A book by an author whose publishing career spans at least ten years
Anniversary prompt:
Summer prompt: Author's initials in ROOT BEER SODA - 200 points
Series - 5/10
Reading Across Canada - 6/10
Nobel laureates - 2/5
PS - 29/40
Regular ATY - 26/40
Anniversary ATY - 7/10
Summer Challenge - 2900/5000 - 58%
Currently reading:
Interior Castle - 25%
Wicked Woods - 35%
Plays by Jacinto Benavente : Second series -12%
The Ugly Truth - 80%
QOTW: I don't folow any of these people. I get my recommendations either from friends or people on GR.
Well, the readathon was a success. I read 7 books like I had hoped! None of them were favorite reads, however.Mar.-July Purchased TBR: 21/34 62%
May-July Library TBR: 17/26 65%
Finished: Make Your Creative Dreams Real: A Plan for Procrastinators, Perfectionists, Busy People, and People Who Would Really Rather Sleep All Day
The Fantasy and Necessity of Solidarity]
Writing to Change the World
The Trans Generation: How Trans Kids (and Their Parents) Are Creating a Gender Revolution
Arguing for a Better World: How Philosophy Can Help Us Fight for Social Justice
Beyond Personhood: An Essay in Trans Philosophy
Parable of the Sower
Meeting the Universe Halfway: Quantum Physics and the Entanglement of Matter and Meaning
In Search of Time: The Science of a Curious Dimension
Started: Democracy: Volume 17, Part 1
QotW: The closest I come to this is that I sometimes get books based on Maria Popova's recommendations. But not all of them because she discusses a lot of books!
My husband and I took in a local con this weekend, which is always a fun, but hectic, time. My favorite thing is attending panels, but my husband is all about the shopping, to the point that he stayed in the dealer's room the whole time. I like the dealer's room just fine, but a couple times around was enough for me @_@Finished:
A Work in Progress - (PS A book you've always avoided reading) Maybe a bit of a stretch, since it only came out a couple of years ago, but I had absolutely zero intention of reading this, was in fact actively avoiding reading it, and would not have read it if it wasn't for the local book award committee I'm on. And having read it I wouldn't say I regret reading it, but it was a very heavy read (pun unintended) which is the main reason I was avoiding it. But the story it tells is one that someone needs, so I can't fault it for that.
Cursed Princess Club, Vol. 4 -(CL something plaid) I continue to enjoy this series.
The Sound of Music Story: How A Beguiling Young Novice, A Handsome Austrian Captain, and Ten Singing von Trapp Children Inspired the Most Beloved Film of All Time - (RH Read about a piece of media you love) Finally finished! I had to keep putting this off for more time sensitive reads, but whenever I could get back to it, I learned something interesting.
Sona and the Golden Beasts - (PS Road Trip) This was such a slog to get through! The world building was interesting at least, but so many of the story beats felt like they were happening because they were supposed to, and there were a few things that could have been cut out altogether.
Currently Reading:
The Rabbit's Gift
Art Club
Uncharmed
QOTW: I don't think there's anyone I trust enough to go with their recommendation sight unseen.
Happy Thursday, everyone! I read five quick books this past week, but most of them were emotionally heavy and dealing with various forms of grief (still recovering from the book hangover!). I've been saving Katherine Center for afterward; Her wholesome romances feel like the perfect palate cleanser and just what I need to recover.2025 Reading Challenges
Popsugar- 47/50
52 Book Club- 48/52; Connections- 11/21
Barnes & Noble- 47/52
Booklist Queen- 48/52
Buzzword- 7/12; Cover- 6/12
Finished
Challenger Deep- This has been on my Goodreads TBR for years, and I finally picked it up for Disability Pride Month. I liked how the author used the Challenger Deep plot as a metaphor for the teenage protagonist's internal struggle with schizophrenia. Even more moving was discovering the book was inspired by the author's own son. Overall, it was a solid YA read. ☆☆☆
ATY Summer #2B- author's initials in: UNSWEETENED ICED TEA
The Second Chance Year- This was a cute rom-com! ☆☆☆ 1/2
52BC Connections #8- cover shares item with the previous cover
The New Me- The story revolves around the musings of a thirty-year old temp worker. I think I would have liked this better if I had read it in print, because I found the audiobook narrator's voice really grating. It felt like listening to someone rant for 2 hours. ☆☆ 1/2
52BC Connections #9- shares a narrative technique with previous book
52BC #4- title starts with letter "N"
Maggie; or, A Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar- This was my BOTM pick for this month, and I'm still recovering from the "hangover" this book gave me. I loved it; I think I just hated the emotions it stirred in me. I'm not a crier, but I definitely shed a tear or two. I think the protagonist handled everything with humor and grace, but there were times where I wanted to rage on her behalf. ☆☆☆☆
52BC Connections #10- a book the previous character would read at the beach
Buzzword- title featuring punctuation
Aftertaste- picked this as my BOTM pick two months ago because the premise was intriguing. I was surprised by how much I liked it since I don't usually read magical realism/paranormal stories. This one also was about grief, but it balanced it well with its cast of colorful characters, humor, romance, and unique plot. ☆☆☆ 1/2
52BC Connections 11- same publisher as previous book
Currently Reading
The Rom-Commers
House of Beth
Vain
QOTW
I follow several celebrity book clubs out of curiosity, but I only pick up the ones that genuinely appeal to me. I’ve had the most success with Read with Jenna - some of her picks are already on my radar, so her recommendation reinforces my interest, but I’ve also discovered books I knew nothing about that became favorites. For example, I picked up Groundskeeping a few years ago based on her recommendation, and it ended up being one of my top reads that year. Now I’m looking forward to the author’s new release that just came out last month. I’ve also read selections from Reese and Oprah, and less so from GMA.
Hello and happy Thursday from Columbus! I missed last week’s check in. By the time I realized I missed it it was already Monday lol. On Saturday I drove to Pittsburgh to see my boyfriend for the day before he left for Prague. And today I’m leaving work a little early to go to a Yelp event where we’ll be planting some peppers to take home and doing a little floral arranging. I know Yelp has a certain reputation for being a bit Karen-y but they really do put on some fun events. Finished:
Felicity Takes a Dare
Felicity's New Sister
Felicity Discovers a Secret
Tea for Felicity ; a play about Felicity ; Director's Guide none for the challenge, I’m just working my way through all my old American Girl books still.
Babel for a read harder prompt. I liked this a lot more than I anticipated. I love her work, but I was prepared for a really dense book I’d struggle to give my full attention to but this was a lot easier to read than her Poppy war series without sacrificing anything. I was holding out hope for a happier ending but I guess sometimes we need to have books that punch us in the chest.
Go Set a Watchman for the favorite 2015 prompt prompt. Man, talk about a book sucker punching your emotions. I really loved this, I’m glad we got some more Harper Lee before she passed. She’s always been so fascinating to me, and I really loved Mockingbird. I liked having glimpses into Scout’s childhood and who she became as an adult. I think it shows the stark contrast of how children view the world and how young adults have to come to accept how the world really is.
A Sand County Almanac and Sketches Here and There for my classics challenge. This is a really lovely naturalist book. I was expecting something dry and just data + observations but this was written beautifully.
Currently Reading:
An Ember in the Ashes
Beware the Poltergeist
Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Great Adventure Catholic Bible
Challenges:
Popsugar - 19/40; 0/4; 0/3; 2/3
Read Harder - 13/24
Classics - 6/12
European Tour - 6/10
12 Friends - 5/12
Yearly Goal - 71/180
Recently Watched when I was in Pittsburgh we saw My Neighbor Totoro, one of my childhood faves ❤️
QOTW:
I’m usually pretty trusting so I’ll take a rec from basically anyone or anywhere lol
Happy Thursday! I feel you on the heat, ugh. Finally back from vacation! We went to Niagara Falls and Acadia National Park! Piece of advice: don't bother with the American side of the falls. Everything you can do on the US side, you can also do on the Canadian side and it's a much better view (and technically cheaper due to exchange rates). And use the free island shuttles on Acadia! They're amazing, save parking spaces and emissions, and will get you pretty much anywhere you need to go INCLUDING Bar Harbor. We loved it.Anyway...
Finished 28/50
Chef Roy Choi and the Street Food Remix for "book about a food truck". I did not realize this was a kid's book when I reserved it. I think I would've preferred his actual book. But this was very cool and well-done, and I read it to my 7 year old who enjoyed it! Art was great too.
Currently Reading
An Acceptable Time for "book that reminds you of your childhood". This whole series so far just smells of C. S. Lewis and Narnia which I loved as a kid, and so far this book is no exception!
The Sayings of the Desert Fathers: The Alphabetical Collection for "a classic you've never read". This is basically an Orthodox "classic". I mean, it's over 1500 years old so.....our church book club is doing it and I never read it, so I figured it'd fit! Taking my time with it though.
QotW
Ancient Faith Radio used to have a book club podcast that I loved to read along with, but they stopped doing it when COVID hit. Otherwise, no, I don't really. But if someone I know, like a friend whose reading tastes I trust, recommends a book to me, I'll add it to my tbr.
It's stinking hot here too but we had once nice day and I took full advantage and went to the Pittsburgh Botanical GardensManaged a little reading.
The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths for PS 16. A book set in or around a body of water. It's set in a saltmarsh near the sea in northern England. As a mystery, that was solid but as much as I liked the idea of Ruth (a forensic archaeologist) she is annoying as is Detective Nelson and that fat shaming was ridiculous (he calls her disgusting once in his head and she's so worried about getting in his car because the seat belt might not fit. How heavy is she? Under 170 pounds (I almost DNFed right then and there but I wasn't sure I had another book at hand to fit this prompt, luckily once the crime started going the fat shaming went away (until the post climax wrap up)
Zero at the Bone by Bryce Marshall a true crime (read for my alphabet challenge), over 30 years old at this point about a man who wiped out his whole family because they were annoyed (but did very little about it) that he fathered kids with his daughter.
Victoria's Electric Coffin 03 by Ikuno Tajima I didn't realize this was only a 3 part manga. Wrap up a bit too fast but otherwise I liked the book
QOTW
Honestly no. I don't even follow anyone like that. I get enough recs from AI feeds on GR and Amazon to ignore and ones from friends I might listen to, I don't really need help finding books Even if I did follow anyone, I can't imagine anyone I'd trust to take every rec. Even my friends and I don't always share tastes in books and we know each others' genres well.
Ron wrote: "Can't believe there's only one Thursday left of July. Time flies as it always seems to do these days.School starts up in August so that's something I'm kind of looking forward to. Re-taking one c..."
good luck with your upcoming classes
Hi all! It is hot. I am researching splash pads in the area (ostensibly for my daughter, but if I happen to get wet, too.... ;) Huh, Ithaca has one??? How did I not know this until right this moment?? My mom says we used to go there when we were kids, I totally don't remember.... Kiddo's swimming lessons ended last week, she still didn't pass beginners' level. She won't let go of the wall! We need to practice. But I've been enjoying not having to run to lessons every day.
My step sister and her 2 young daughters are coming up this weekend for a week, so my kiddo and her kiddos will definitely need to get together.
I'm bouncing like crazy between books! I've read a chapter or 2 in:
The Schoolmaster's Daughter
A Calamity of Souls
The Turn of the Key
Blankets
and Never Saw Me Coming
The only book I've made real progress in is Tig Notaro's memoir I'm Just a Person. I love her comedy, she's very dry and deadpan, so I was hoping that her book would be funny, even though I knew it was about serious stuff (view spoiler). There's been a few chuckles, but goodness, it's mostly very sobering. I'm halfway through it on audio. I've taken to youtubing her comedy just to give myself a break.
This is the 3rd book I've read this year about very serious medical issues! What is up with me??
QOTW: No, I don't follow anyone enough to read their suggestions automatically. I have a GR friend, I don't think she's in this group, but when I catch what she's reading, I'll usually look into it because she and I have very similar tastes. That's about as close as I get!
Alex wrote: "Happy Thursday! I feel you on the heat, ugh. Finally back from vacation! We went to Niagara Falls and Acadia National Park! Piece of advice: don't bother with the American side of the falls. Everyt..."How cool!! I live about 3 hours from Niagara and I went to college in Maine! You can get into Acadia for free in the winter, but who would want to?? (umm..... ;) It once got so cold up there that the ocean iced over for like a month.
I haven't been back since I graduated, but one of kiddo's school vacations we need to go.
Happy check-in! It's been cooler this past week but smokey. I've enjoyed watching the Women's Euro tournament and didn't read as much this past week. Finished Reading:
The Robin on the Oak Throne ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Book two of a dark fantasy series. The main character is a thief so the books follow the heist story plot but then a whole bunch of other stuff happens along the way.
Yellowface ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (PS y title)
What can't Kuang write?
PS 41/50
ATY 44/52 Anniversary 5/10 Summer 24/25
Goodreads 172/250 Bookmarks 6/9
QOTW:
Reese's picks would be the closest. Knock on wood, I've never had a less than 3 star book when I've read her picks.
I finished A Yak for Christmas as my book that started with Y. It was OK, but definitely not a Christmas book.I'm a little over half way through The Lake House as my book from the 2024 list: a book with a writer as a character (or something like that). I love Kate Morton.
QoTW: Probably not. I trust no one!!!!
Happy Thursday! It's been weirdly overcast and chilly this week for. Very strange to be at the end of July and still wearing all my sweaters and cardigans. This weekend I got to see of Montreal, a band I listened to a lot in college. It was a really fun show, and I got to take a friend who was even a bigger fan- a good end to the weekend!For some reason, I haven't been able to concentrate on audiobooks this month. I've started and set aside a bunch- instead I've just been listening to podcasts and a lot of music. But there's a bunch of audiobooks I want to get to on Libby, so hopefully I can start concentrating on them soon
Finished:
Redundancies and Potentials- a quick novella about time travel, clones and fax machines. I really liked it, I hope the author puts out a full length book soon
-no prompt
Sunrise on the Reaping- this was very good, and made me cry a lot. Reading these books now that I'm older is rough- every time they even mentioned the smaller kids it made me so sad. Took me a bit to finish because the sadness of it
-5 A book with a snake on the cover or in the title
How We Know Our Time Travelers: Stories- short story collection of speculative fiction by a local author I met at a book event. I though this was really interesting- some had a black mirror feel to them, some were more melancholy. A mix of unsettling and moving. Will definitely be reading more from her
-no prompt
Up Next Possibilities:
I have a few netgalley books I need to get to, but I haven't decided what to start with
A Holy Maiden's Guide to Getting Kidnapped- something fun and silly, I'd like a breather
The Transition- loved the author's first book
The L.O.V.E. Club- another local author whose first book I really enjoyed
QotW:
Not really, but there's a booktuber who if they say a book was really good, I'll at least add the book to my tbr. Except for romance- our opinions for romance do not gel.
L Y N N wrote: "I recently purchased a used copy of Alas, Poor Lady by Rachel Ferguson from one of my favorite local used bookstores. I know nothing about this author or the book, but the fact that Persephone Books (https://persephonebooks.co.uk/) saw fit to reprint it recently, in 2006, was enough for me to know it is most likely a book I will feel better for having read. It was originally published in 1937.Persephone Books stated mission:..."
I am with you on Persephone Books! If I come across a wrack of their books in a bookstore, I have to buy one! I've enjoyed every single one I've read - which is just about all I own. Maybe I need to go shopping!
LOVE LOVE their books and every one I've read, I've so enjoyed. I also love the look and feel of the books and the publisher's mission.
Stats
GR: 153/250
PS: 36/50
ATY: 39/52
ATY Anniversary: 9/10
ATY Rejects: 16/28
ATY Rewind: 5/10
GR Choice: 16/30
TBR: 4/10
Books I finished:
The Cat Who Saved Books ⭐⭐⭐⭐
PS: Books in title/cover.
River Marked Dramatized Adaptation ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reread.
It Rhymes With Takei ⭐⭐⭐⭐
ATY: Do Re Mi connection. (Fa)
Just Like Heaven ⭐⭐⭐⭐
PS: Bucket list. (play violin or go to England)
Edge of Reality: Journeys Through the Rabbit Hole of Reality Television ⭐⭐⭐
ATY Rejects: Science/tech go wrong.
Cue the Sun! The Invention of Reality TV was better.
With You Forever ⭐⭐⭐⭐
ATY: Do Re Mi connection (Re)
Laughing with the Trickster: On Sex, Death, and Accordions ⭐⭐⭐⭐
PS: Past prompt. (Indigenous nonfiction)
Everything for You ⭐⭐⭐⭐
ATY Rejects: MC and author opposite genders.
All Systems Red Dramatized Adaptation ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reread.
We'll Prescribe You a Cat ⭐⭐⭐⭐
PS: Healing fiction.
The World's Wildest Cons: Incredible True Tales of Hustles, Frauds and Swindles ⭐⭐⭐⭐
ATY: True crime
The best story was the guy who spoofed a bunch of publishing company sites and convinced several well know authors to send him their unpublished manuscripts. Not so he could sell them or anything. He just wanted to read them.
Why We Love (and Hate) Twilight: The Highs and Lows of the Twilight Saga ⭐⭐⭐
ATY: Pair of opposites in title A.
There were a few too many grammatical errors in this.
The Favorites ⭐⭐⭐
ATY Rejects; Set in an Olympic Host City.
I was expecting to love this, but I just didn't. There were things I really liked, but it just made me want to reread Carrie Soto.
If Only You ⭐⭐⭐⭐
ATY: Title 10 letters or less.
Only and Forever ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This marks the first book this year I haven't been able to match up to a prompt. Every prompt it works for, I've already used up.
Killers of a Certain Age ⭐⭐⭐⭐
PS: Menopause.
I read this for the GR bookmark and I was not expecting to like it. Mysteries and thrillers just aren't my jam. But this looked like the least objectionable on the list, and it turned out to be so much more than I was expecting.
Best Possible Place, Worst Possible Time: True Stories from a Career in Hollywood ⭐⭐⭐
ATY: Pair of opposites in title B.
Solo Leveling, Vol. 1 ⭐⭐⭐
ATY Rewind: Title doesn't have A, T or Y.
In Progress
Swordheart
The House of Hades
Last Week's QotW
If I'm going into a bunker, I'm going to need a lot more books than just 5 series and 1 stand alone. But if you're just asking for my 5 fav completed series, here they are:
The Edge series by Ilona Andrews
The Sevenwaters series by Juliet Marillier
The Scolomance series by Naomi Novik
The Otherland series by Tad Williams
Otherworld series by Kelley Armstrong
QotW
I don't even trust my sister 100% when it comes to recommends, even though we have similar taste in books, and she's aware of where our differences are.
Life update: We are still having broadband issues, but an engineer is due to come this afternoon. Hopefully they will be able to sort it out. Meanwhile, I'm off work for two weeks, so with internet distractions more limited than usual, I've been reading a lot.Reading update: I finished 7 books this week. Notably,
This World Is Not Yours enabled me to tick off prompts for no less than four challenges: a married couple who don't live together for PS, a novella in a day for Readers of the Wild Moor, queer horror for Pride Season, and queer fiction free-for-all for Queereads Bracket Books. This leaves me with only 2 books to go to finish the PS challenge; one of those is in progress, but the one I need to complete my "two books with the same title" isn't published until late August, so I'll have to wait a while longer.
The other 6 books I read were:
Trans Historical: Gender Plurality before the Modern for Pride Season: nonfiction about transgender history
The Bisexual Imaginary : Representation, Identity and Desire for Pride Season: nonfiction about bisexuality
Murder by Memory for Pride Season: queer cosy read
The General in His Labyrinth, the last of the books my friend left with me, for Disability Pride Month challenge: a non-US/Canadian author. Several of the characters are disabled as a result of their service in Bolivar's revolutionary wars.
The Dawnhounds for Pride Season: queer Indigenous writer or topics and Queereads Bracket Books: queer adult SFF
Echo of the Larkspur for Pride Season: queer sci-fi and Disability Pride Month challenge: mental health representation
Stats:
PopSugar Challenge: 1 this week, 48/50 total
Star Trek Series Challenge: 0 this week, 16/18 total
Readers of the Wild Moor: 1 this week, 18/30 total
Pride Season Challenge: 6 this week, 14/15 total
Queer Reads Bracket Challenge: 2 this week, 3/6 total
Disability Pride Challenge: 2 this week, 2/5 total
Cosmere Challenge: 0 this week, 2/48 total
Outside the challenges: 0 this week, 19 total
All books finished this year: 7 this week, 98 total
DNF or paused: 0 this week, 19 total
Challenges completed this year:
GR Community Favorites, GR Seasonal Bookmarks
Currently Reading:
For Us It Was Heaven: The Passion, Grief and Fortitude of Patience Darton -- From the Spanish Civil War to Mao's China for an overlooked woman in history
Fabulosa!: The Story of Polari, Britain’s Secret Gay Language for Pride Season Reading Challenge: queer history
The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, vol. 2, for my current audiobook
The Valmiki Ramayana Vol. 3 for spiritual bedtime reading
QOTW: Not really. Most publishers cover such a wide range that it wouldn't be fair to expect all their books to suit my tastes, and I don't really listen to podcasts. I do have an old mutual from our Livejournal days whose judgement on books I find very reliable, so if I'm considering a book I will often look to see if he has reviewed it here. Even then, I don't read everything he recommends; he's a very fast reader with a long daily train commute, which means he reads more books in a day than I do in a week.
Cornerofmadness wrote: good luck with your upcoming classes
Thanks. I'm excited for 2 of them. They're literature/writing classes. The 3rd not so much because I have to re-take it as I failed the previous term.
But it will be fun to see what my reading list will consist of for those literature classes.
Happy Friday everyone!Is anyone else addicted to the little bookmarks in the Goodreads Challenges? They’re so pretty, and there have been some large lists with good recommendations. So, I haven’t been paying as much attention to my PopSugar list. Maybe after September 15th...
Also, we have 2 IRL challenges with our Commonwealth Library and 1 with our local library, so those have been keeping me busy as well.
I’m getting to the end of unemployment, and I’ve had quite a few interviews lately. A promising one is working medical admin at a well-known, enormous hospital, and I’m up to my third interview. I’m not applying for Chief of Surgery, but it is nice to be wanted.
I also relented and faced the reality that, transferable skills notwithstanding, once you’ve gotten stuck in hospitality, you are drowning in that quicksand. At least I’ve found one place that is not too objectionable. And my best friend works there, so that could be a possibility of keeping body and soul together.
I’ll really miss my volunteer work and activism. We got into “good trouble” in Cambridge on July 17th, and planning to get into more with Indivisible tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll have time off that coincides with my priorities.
Finished:
In no particular order, as I haven’t posted in a bit:
Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection -- 4.5 stars – highly recommend! Yes, it’s biology, which I love, plus sociology and social conscience. This is why I go out and roast in stupidly hot weather, and raise issues (protest).
The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World – 5 stars! – I’m familiar with what Robin Wall Kimmererwrites about. We’re linguistically related! But I really love how beautifully she writes, and how well she breaks down concepts that are comfortable for some/my kin, and translates them clearly across cultures.
I'd probably give it 10 stars if I could.
The Book of Cold Cases – Loved The Sun Down Motel and Simone St. James didn’t disappoint. Great last line, if you want to read something, don’t want to know the ending, and trust a rec from someone who likes mystery, suspense, and Gothic “dread”.
Care Work: Dreaming Disability Justice – at least 4.5 stars! I’d appreciated the poetry of Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha, and this is a non-fiction collection of essays relating to disability visibility and justice, and ways of creating access for all. She centers Sick and Disabled BIPOC folks who are trans and/or queer who identify as femme, and it’s deeply satisfying and mind-blowing in a good way. Her hard-won wisdom is great for anyone working for any kind of justice.
Removal Acts – really good Indigenous poetry. Erin Marie Lynch is both a formal and experimental poet. I was most drawn to her blackout poetry. We know erasure, and this form hits home. Highly recommend!
To Belong Here: A New Generation of Queer, Trans, and Two-Spirit Appalachian Writers - gorgeous prose, essays, some poetry, some pieces of memoire about what it means to be trans and/or queer in rural Appalachia. One of my favorite Pride Month reads. Though, come to think of it, I read these choices year round.
QOTW:
I don’t listen to podcasts these days, really, though I try to keep up with Robert Reich. Yes, I’ll read anything he recommends sight unseen.
Otherwise, I do subscribe to newsletters from favorite authors, Alice Hoffman and Sophie Hannah, and I’ll read anything they are publishing, no questions asked.
This was a fast week. Didn't even realize to was Thursday (now Friday, 30 mins from Saturday)I read 5 books, none for prompts because I'm doing a read a thon.
Mostly Harmless
How Proust Can Change Your Life
Hitch 22: A Memoir
Ducks, Newburyport
The Razor’s Edge
Currently reading:
My Ántonia
The Missing Half
The Correspondent
QOTW:
I don't trust anyone about anything, but so far all the books I've read recommended by the podcast Backlisted have been winners.
Lilith wrote: "Happy Friday everyone!Is anyone else addicted to the little bookmarks in the Goodreads Challenges? They’re so pretty, and there have been some large lists with good recommendations. So, I haven’t..."
*raises hand* Me! I keep checking to see if the new lists have been revealed, even though I know the next one isn't due for another week!
I’m going after the bookmarks too. Right now the only one available unaccomplished is the Chart Toppers which I’ve already read 7 books off of the list.
I've gotten 3 of 9 completed. Of the next 4, I have two on my desk for next to read and the other two are planned in my PS/ATY challenges.
Heat index is hottttt this week. Moving day next Friday into the new apartment with my boyfriend. All big steps, and so stressed to start packing - really procrastinating it, it's the worst part right?32/75 GoodReads Challenge
28/50 PopSugar Challenge
Finished:
1.) All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker (#2-Last Sentence) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: Slow burn to start, short AF chapters (which I loved) and characters that completely stole the show! I sobbed like a giant baby when I closed this book.
Currently Reading:
1.) Famous Last Words
2.) Broken Country
QoTW: Is there a publisher/celebrity book club/podcaster you trust enough to read whatever they have published or recommend? Even if you are unaware of the author and/or title?
Ok, yes didn't read this whole question. I have a number of book podcasts that I listen to, and typically once more than one of them talk about a book, I will add it to my TBR and read it, it's worked in my favor numerous times. My Fave podcasts are:
- Sarahs Bookshelves
- BookTalk Etc.
- Currently Reading
- Bad on Paper
- All the Books
I'm trying to use the bookmarks as the push to read some books I've had on my shelf for a long while. I picked up a used copy of What It Means When a Man Falls from the Sky years ago, and I'm finally reading it now that it's on the list for award winners
Mod
Is anyone else addicted to the little bookmarks in the Goodreads Challenges? They’re so pretty, and there have been some large lists with good recommendations. So, I haven’t..."
I haven't been paying any attention to that AT ALL!! I just went and checked and hey what do you know I've got pretty little bookmarks too!!! I didn't even know it.
Maybe once I complete all my open challenges that I'm currently focused on, I'll go dig into the GR challenges to get more bookmarks. Are they time dependent? Like, if I complete a June challenge in October, do I still get that bookmark?
@Nadine the bookmarks are time dependant. This grouping ends in September. There’s another set of bookmarks that go for the whole year.
Quick check-in from me since I forgot to log in on Thursday! I finished one book and will finish another tonight, so I'm counting that as finished since it fits an open prompt. I'm at 13/40 and 0/10 for this challenge, and will be at 42/85 for my overall Goodreads Reading Challenge as soon as I finish the book I'm going to finish tonight. Finished:
* The Briar Club written by Kate Quinn and narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, which I really enjoyed; and,
* The Echo of Old Books by Barbara Davis, which I will finish tonight. It was a book club pick.
Currently Reading:
* The Penguin Book of Murder Mysteries edited by Michael Sims;
* The Book of Lost Hours by Hayley Gelfuso;
* Dare to Lead by Brené Brown;
* Talk to Me Nice: The Seven Trust Languages for a Better Workplace by Minda Harts;
* The Moon, the Stars, and Madame Burova: A Novel written by Ruth Hogan and narrated by Nina Wadia;
* Who Is Government?: The Untold Story of Public Service written and narrated by Michael Lewis, Sarah Vowell, John Lancaster, Geraldine Brooks, Casey Cep, Dave Eggers, and W. Kamau Bell
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Is there a publisher/celebrity book club/podcaster you trust enough to read whatever they have published or recommend? Even if you are unaware of the author and/or title? I almost always love books published by Minotaur and Soho Crime, so that's probably the closest I'd come to trusting a recommendation every time.
off to check the bookmarks challenges!
I'm also hooked on the bookmarks. I'm sort of struggling with the award winners right now. All the books I've either already read, or have no interest in reading.... Any suggestions on which ones are short and NOT depressing? (I've read Orbital, Nettle & Bone and Murderbot) I wish the list hadn't been so repetitive and had included a few more non-serious awards (or at least included a romance award) But overall, I like the bookmarks for the same reason I like doing the PS challenge: they push me to try new things I might not have found otherwise. Sometimes I end up with duds, and sometimes I get new authors or even entire genres to follow.
I'm trying to the Bookmarks as well, and I agree with Kendra: The award winners list is difficult! I've read so many of them it's hard to choose from the remaining books. I think I'm going to read Improvement by Joan Silber. It's 240 pages, so I think I can handle it.I read A Master of Djinn earlier this year and really enjoyed it. It's almost 400 pages, but it's worth it.
Sasha wrote: "Lilith wrote: "Happy Friday everyone!Is anyone else addicted to the little bookmarks in the Goodreads Challenges? They’re so pretty, and there have been some large lists with good recommendations..."
LOL! I have found my people!
I do the same thing - the next category isn't revealed till August 1st, but I'll check anyway. Do you every start thinking, "Hmmm, could that category they are hinting at be "a debut author"? " Then I start looking for a list!
Erica wrote: "I’m going after the bookmarks too. Right now the only one available unaccomplished is the Chart Toppers which I’ve already read 7 books off of the list."Wow, you are amazing! I have one category currently available, too. Acclaimed Titles. While I don't really keep up with awards, I'm always surprised at many I inadvertently read. I had the same reaction as you did to the list.
I love the Stonewall Awards winners - I've enjoyed every one that I've read. I'm going with one of those.
Bea wrote: "I've gotten 3 of 9 completed. Of the next 4, I have two on my desk for next to read and the other two are planned in my PS/ATY challenges."Wow, you are doing great! I love finding a book I want to read on their lists that also works for the PS/ IRL challenges.
Erin wrote: "I'm trying to use the bookmarks as the push to read some books I've had on my shelf for a long while. I picked up a used copy of What It Means When a Man Falls from the Sky years ag..."I love that! I finally picked up Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection, even though it's not been on my TBR long. I really appreciated being "nudged" into reading it by the bookmark, or I might have put it off for the PS challenge. It was truly fascinating and moving.
Nadine in NY wrote: "Lilith wrote: "Happy Friday everyone!Is anyone else addicted to the little bookmarks in the Goodreads Challenges? They’re so pretty, and there have been some large lists with good recommendations..."
Isn't great when these pop up? They are time dependent, but the lists have been mostly very good. I'm always surprised when I "receive" a bookmark I was not focused on yet. Usually, I've inadvertently read something on a list that I was just in the mood to, or my TBR hold came up.
Britany wrote: "off to check the bookmarks challenges!"They are fun!
Kendra wrote: "I'm also hooked on the bookmarks. I'm sort of struggling with the award winners right now. All the books I've either already read, or have no interest in reading.... Any suggestions on which ones a..."I'm reading the Award Winners now. I really like the Stonewall Awards. I'm a cishet woman, ad I always find the books chosen are so compelling. I haven't run into a dud yet!
I can recommend Freedom House as a great and short read. If you like poetry, formal or experimental, KB Brookins is a provocative writer and poet. They dive into intersectionality too, so I found it an emotional, relatable read.
Laura Z wrote: "I'm trying to the Bookmarks as well, and I agree with Kendra: The award winners list is difficult! I've read so many of them it's hard to choose from the remaining books. I think I'm going to read ..."Oh, this sounds like a good read! I dive into the Stonewall Awards, but I think this list may have me reading a few good books I did not know about previously.
I'll get back to PS by Fall....I promise myself, lol.
Lilith wrote: "I'll get back to PS by Fall....I promise myself, lol."Except that they'll come out with a whole new set of bookmarks for fall! lol
I’ve noticed for the bookmarks they always have the lists they choose to promote be released just before the bookmark opens.The award list was very hard for me but I completed it by finally getting to Yellowface which got me two bookmarks. If they hadn’t included the Goodreads I don’t know what I would have read. I’m hooped if they make a self help bookmark.
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Ararat (other topics)Beautiful Ugly (other topics)
Freedom House (other topics)
What It Means When a Man Falls from the Sky (other topics)
Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Joan Silber (other topics)Ruth Hogan (other topics)
Minda Harts (other topics)
Michael Sims (other topics)
Brené Brown (other topics)
More...
Back up to 90 degrees and above here right now. We should be getting some rain Friday through Sunday along with a bit cooler temps. I hope we get some nice gentle showers as we've been having. It makes pulling weeds so much easier!!
LISTS!
I adore John Grisham’s writing, but admit it has been quite awhile since I read any of his books. And some of you might need yet another reading challenge, yeah?!? John Grisham’s Camino Island-Inspired Reading Challenge:
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/th...
And now I’m really interested in his Camino Island series!
20 New Books the Goodreads Editors Can’t Wait to Read in July
Megahit Reader? Genre Gem Seeker? Find Your Next Read with These 84 Books...
I know many of you are all about screen adaptations! So here is a list!! New & Upcoming Book-to-Screen Adaptations
ADMIN STUFF:
THE OCTOBER MONTHLY GROUP READ NOMINATION POLL IS LIVE! This book could be used to fulfill prompt #18 A book containing magical creatures that aren't dragons!
National Black Cat Day is October 27, 2025
https://www.calendarr.com/united-stat...
There are 9 books nominated thus far with only 14 votes!
This poll will run through Tuesday, July 29th!!
VOTE HERE!!
THE JULY MONTHLY GROUP READ IS Sunrise on the Reaping (Hunger Games #0.5) by Suzanne Collins!
This book could be used to fulfill prompt #5 A book with a snake on the cover or in the title
World Snake Day is July 16, 2025 (I had no idea there was one of these!!)
Dubhease is the “sibilant superstar” who is leading this discussion! Yay Dubhease! Thank you so much! 👏👏👏👏👏👏
THE AUGUST MONTHLY GROUP READ IS Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt!
This book could be used to fulfill Prompt #28 A book with an unlikely friendship!
World UFO Day is July 2, 2025!!
https://www.calendarr.com/united-stat...
Vaish B is the "fun-filled friend" who has graciously volunteered to lead this discussion! Thank you so very much!! 👏👏👏👏👏👏
I absolutely adored this book and wouldn’t mind rereading it, if I can make the time to do so.
THE SEPTEMBER MONTHLY GROUP READ IS *Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail by Ben Montgomery!
This book could be used to fulfill prompt #32 A book about an overlooked woman in history
Emma M. Nutt Day is September 1, 2025
A fascinating story of the world’s very first woman/female telephone operator!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emma_Nutt
Who is the “adventurous advocate” willing to lead this discussion? Message either Nadine or myself to volunteer, please!
I am especially interested in reading this since one of my best friend’s grandsons is currently walking the Appalachian trail!
THE LISTING OF 2025 MONTHLY GROUP READ TOPICS IS HERE!
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QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Is there a publisher/celebrity book club/podcaster you trust enough to read whatever they have published or recommend? Even if you are unaware of the author and/or title?
I recently purchased a used copy of Alas, Poor Lady by Rachel Ferguson from one of my favorite local used bookstores. I know nothing about this author or the book, but the fact that Persephone Books (https://persephonebooks.co.uk/) saw fit to reprint it recently, in 2006, was enough for me to know it is most likely a book I will feel better for having read. It was originally published in 1937.
Persephone Books stated mission:
Persephone Books reprints neglected fiction and non-fiction, mostly by women writers and mostly dating from the mid-twentieth century. All of our 152 titles are intelligent, thought-provoking and beautifully written. As well as novels we publish short stories, diaries, memoirs, poetry, gardening books and cookery books; each title has an elegant grey jacket and a patterned endpaper, along with a matching bookmark.
It just got me wondering whether any of you feel that way about a specific publisher…or perhaps a celebrity book club recommendation…or a podcast reviewer/recommender…?
2025 READING CHALLENGES:
Popsugar: 39/50
Around the Year (AtY): 51/52
AtY 2025 Anniversary List: 10/10 FINISHED
Read Harder: 16/24
52 Book Club: 44/52
2024 Popsugar: 47/50
FINISHED:
*Classified as Murder (Cat in the Stacks #2) by Miranda James ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was just as enjoyable as the first!!
POPSUGAR: #2, #4, #6, #43
ATY: #2, #11, #15, #16, #23, #32, #33, #36, #40, #41, #42, #45, #48
RHC: #4, #11, #24
52 Book Club: #1, #5, #6, #10, #36, #45
Hope to document these over the weekend, if not before!
*File M for Murder (Cat in the Stacks #3) by Miranda James ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
POPSUGAR:
ATY:
RHC:
52 Book Club:
*Orbital by Samantha Harvey for an IRL book club ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was absolutely fascinating! Though other book club members were not as impressed as I was! 😬
POPSUGAR:
ATY:
RHC:
52 Book Club:
*Out of Circulation (Cat in the Stacks #4) by Miranda James ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Tom Lake by Ann Patchett ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for an IRL book club blew me away! One of my absolute favorite reads!
*The Wedding People by Alison Espach ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ did NOT blow me away! I assumed I would adore this book, but I think perhaps I was in 'hangover' mode from Tom Lake and it kinda spoiled my enjoyment of this one.
*The Silence of the Library (Cat in the Stacks #5) by Miranda James ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
CONTINUING:
*East of Eden by John Steinbeck
I’m on page 34 and got sucked right into this one!
*Broken Light by Joanne Harris
I want to get this year’s Popsugar finished, so started this one for prompt #9 (menopause) and I’m already on page 184! (Yep! There’s that whoosh sound as I got sucked into this one also!)
*Arsenic and Old Books (Cat in the Stacks #5) by Miranda James
I am so enjoying this series!
*The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley
*The Double Life of Benson Yu by Kevin Chong for an IRL book club meeting
*The Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty
*Hope in the Dark: The Untold History of People Power by RebeccaSolnit
PLANNED:
*The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
*The Fire This Time: A New Generation Speaks About Race by Jesmyn Ward
*Begin Again: James Baldwin's America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own by Eddie S. Glaude Jr.
*Her Hidden Genius by Marie Benedict
*The Invisible Husband of Frick Island by Colleen Oakley
*The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray
*The Mitford Affair by Marie Benedict