Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2025 Weekly Check-Ins
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Week 32: 7/31 - 8/7
Happy Thursday! My son Rhys’s job in San Francisco ended abruptly this past week. No, he wasn’t fired. From what I understand, a new subcontractor was awarded the work, so he and the rest of his crew were just… done. No notice, no severance. BUT he updated his resumé, and within hours of putting it out for consideration he was offered another job. They matched his current pay plus travel expenses and a per diem for food and housing. It’ll be in St. Louis, so he still won’t be near us, but he’ll be near other family. He starts next Monday. Yay for Rhys!2025 Reading Challenges:
52 Book Club: 46/52 (Connections Challenge: 11/21)
ATY: 39/52 (ATY Anniversary Challenge: 8/10, ATY Summer Challenge: 25/25 – Finished!)
The Book Girls’ Guide: 45/74
Booklist Queen: 46/52
Popsugar: 45/50
My Ever-Growing TBR: 99/301 – 32.9% (My goal is 33.3%.)
Recently Completed:
✅ Three Wild Dogs ★★★★
✅ The Library at Hellebore: Goodreads Giveaway. ★★★
✅ One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This ★★★★
✅ The Stress of Her Regard: My husband’s been trying to get me to read this book for years. (Popsugar #44 – a book you’ve avoided reading) ★★★
✅ Convenience Store Woman (BGG Book Voyage #8 – Northern Asia/Popsugar #24 – happily single woman protagonist) ★★★★
✅ The Buffalo Hunter Hunter (52 Books #32 – includes a diary entry) ★★★★
✅ To Win Her Heart ★★★
✅ The Compound: BOTM. (ATY #12 – an Irish author) ★★★★
✅ Enough Already: Learning to Love the Way I Am Today: Valerie Bertinelli. (BGG Lifetime of Reading #8 – 60-somethings) ★★★★
✅ The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy Dearly Beloathed, #1: This started off as a Hermoine + Draco fanfic. ★★★★
✅ Leather & Lark The Ruinous Love Trilogy #2: Last week I loved Lights Out by Navessa Allen. Very similar themes, but I don’t think this series is nearly as good. (52 Books Connections #11 – same publisher as the previous book) ★★★
✅ Back After This ★★★
Currently Reading:
In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin: Reasonable Doubt Book Club.
The Only One Left: BOTM selection. (BGG ICYMI Backlist #8 – written under a pen name)
Sag Harbor
The God of the Woods: BOTM selection. (BGG Decades #8 – the 1970s)
Facing the Mountain: A True Story of Japanese American Heroes in World War II The Book That Wouldn’t Burn: Adventures Underground Book Club.
The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch: Jane Austen Book Club.
Hour Glass (BGG Read Around the USA #8 – Northern US)
The Golden Compass Graphic Novel, Volume 1
The Friendship List
The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy
A Summer Affair
QOTW: There are many classic authors I've not read, but two I immediately thought of are Anne Bronte and James Fenimore Cooper. It's more likely that I'll tackle The Last of the Mohicans before I ever finish Wuthering Heights.
Nadine in NY wrote: "I did read Edith Wharton in high school (Ethan Frome - so depressing, not very accessible for a teenager) and did not like it at all. Now that I’m a middle aged adult, I think I should give her another try. Maybe The House of Mirth?"I read Edith Wharton's The Buccaneers earlier this year and really enjoyed it. (It's been loosely adapted into a streaming series on AppleTV+.) Next one I'll try is probably The Age of Innocence.
Happy Thursday!I've spent this week at a family reunion, which has included playing Dungeons and Dragons, visiting Yellowstone National Park, discussing anime with my brother's boyfriend, and learning what kind of depravity exists in Cards Against Humanity. I... think our family isn't exactly normal, haha...
Also this Saturday I'm going to a Weird Al Yankovic concert. Yay!
Books read this week:
Oasis -- obviously written during the “YA dystopian” craze, though it does have some interesting ideas in it
Shark Heart -- beautiful writing and unique premise, but boy is it all over the place
Wesley the Owl: The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl and His Girl -- cute read about a biologist and the barn owl she raised from a chick
DNF:
Blood on Her Tongue -- got a little too uncomfortable for my tastes, especially the (view spoiler)
Currently reading:
The Best of Catherynne M. Valente, Volume One
Myths and Magic
Seven Endless Forests
Eat the Ones You Love
A Wolf Called Fire
QOTW:
One of these days I WILL read a Jane Austen novel... I just haven't managed to power my way through one yet. I DID read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies years ago, but I bet it's not the same thing...
Good morning, everyone! Happy Thursday!While I would love to say that I’ve gotten a ton of stuff accomplished since returning from my recent road trip, that would be a lie. I’ve spent most of the past week in recovery mode, trying to catch up on sleep and settling back into being at home. As nice as it’s been to rest, today I really need to get back into the habit of working on my household projects…starting with the mountain of laundry that accumulated during (and since) my trip.
Even though I haven’t gotten much done around the house, I have done a tremendous amount of reading since getting back from my trip. I had a chance to get to several titles that have been on my TBR list for quite a while, and also managed to read some of my recently purchased books.
Here are my current challenge and TBR totals…
Goodreads Challenge: 264/250 (100% — Challenge Complete!)
Mount TBR Challenge: 131/150 (87% complete)
📚Physical TBR: 104/731
📱Ebook TBR: 16/218
🎧Audiobook TBR: 11/12
TBR Checklist Total: 131/961 (13% complete)
TBR Books DNFed in 2025: 3
This week I picked up four new books, including: Dungeons & Dragons: The Fallbacks: Dealing with Dragons, by Jaleigh Johnson; Disney Adults: Exploring (And Falling In Love With) A Magical Subculture, by AJ Wolfe; Otaku Elf Vol. 9, by Akihiko Higuchi; and Six Wild Crowns, by Holly Race.
“New” Books Bought in 2025: 129
“New” Books Read in 2025: 125
“New” Books DNFed in 2025: 0
“New” Books Checklist Total: 96% complete
Here are the books I finished this week…
Finished Reading (Fiction):
~The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies — This is the first book in the Ill-Mannered Ladies series. I thought this was a very well-written book, and loved the main characters. I also loved that the main characters were older than the typical protagonist for this type of novel. Content Alert: (view spoiler) 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~The Ladies Road Guide to Utter Ruin — This is the second book in the Ill-Mannered Ladies series. I found this book just as engaging as the previous one, and actually read most of it in a single evening. Content Alert: (view spoiler) 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~The Witch Club — This is the first book in the Scottish Witches Mystery series. While the identity of the culprit became pretty obvious early on, this mystery still managed to keep me engaged and entertained. I also liked the characters, so I will probably continue this series at some point in the future. 📱: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Soul Deep — This is the first book in the King Crow Ink series. I thought this was a pretty cute romance, but I wasn’t impressed with the writing (mostly because of the numerous grammatical errors). I currently don’t have any of the other books in this series, and don’t plan to continue it. Content Alert: (view spoiler)📱: ⭐️⭐️
~Natural Selection — I don’t read very much contemporary fiction, but I really enjoyed this short story. I’m very interested in reading more books by this author. 📱: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~The Mafia and the Baker — This is the third book in the Mafia Mates/Vaten Valley Underground series. I have to admit that I was disappointed in this book, mostly because of its length. The novella was only 74 pages long, which made it far too short for the amount of content the author tried to pack into it. As a result, the story felt extremely rushed, and I never felt like I got to know the main characters. Content Alert: (view spoiler) 📱: ⭐️⭐️
Finished Reading (Nonfiction):
None
Finished Reading (Manga, Comic Books, & Graphic Novels):
~Otaku Elf Vol. 9 — This was a great continuation of the Otaku Elf series! I’m already looking forward to reading the next volume. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Finished Reading (Poetry and Drama):
None
DNFed:
None
Currently Reading:
~Sword of Destiny — This is the second book in The Witcher series. While I have read this book a couple times before, I’m enjoying listening to it at night before bed. Content Alert: (view spoiler) 🎧
~Six Women of Salem: The Untold Story of the Accused and Their Accusers in the Salem Witch Trials — I started this book while I was in Salem, but haven’t made it past the first chapter. I’m looking forward to finishing it now that I’m no longer traveling. 📚
~The Colour of Magic — This is the first book in the Discworld series. I’m only a couple of chapters into this book, but I’m enjoying it so far. 📚
~Disney Adults: Exploring (And Falling In Love With) A Magical Subculture — As a Disney fan who happens to be an adult, I was really excited to get a copy of this book. I’m currently a little over halfway through, and I’m finding it a really interesting read. 📚
~The Trouble With Magic — This is the first book in the Bewitching Mystery series. It is a re-read for me, but it's been so long since the last time I read it that I don't remember anything that happened. I'm about 6 chapters in, and really enjoying the story and characters. 📚
QOTW:
I have yet to read anything by any of the Brontë sisters, but I’ve kind of gotten past the idea that I “should” read their work. I’ll probably eventually get around to it, but I’m certainly not in any hurry.
Happy Thursday, y’all.Good news. My knee pain and instability is NOT a ligament injury. It is simply an arthritic process in early stages. So…pushing on with confidence in exercise class and life generally.
Yesterday was one of those particularly productive days for me. I got a lot of things completed or moved to the next step. Felt good.
Today is a free day. Absolutely nothing on my calendar. Of course, I will read…and probably do yard stuff, but the rest is un-programmed.
Finished:
Project Hail Mary – PAS, PS #28 (unlikely friendship). 5* Loved this book and the choices made.
A 5th Portion of Chicken Soup for the Soul: 101 More Stories to Open the Heart and Rekindle the Spirit – no prompt. Devotional reading. 3* Some of the stories were more inspirational than others.
With Open Hands – no prompt. A book about prayer. 3* This was a re-read. Not much new info obtained.
Nicked – ATY #9 (TOB longlist), PAS. 3*. I was mildly surprised by the underlying emotions and sub story line.
Sarah and the Doctor – PAS. 4*. A nice romantic read. Novela.
Hunting Ground - No prompts. Next in series. As I have said before, this is a delightful escape from reality, and I indulged myself last night with it. 4*
Currently Reading:
Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All - ATY #30 (monster), PAS, PS #44 (book I have avoided). 73%.
The Witchfinder's Sister – No prompts. 36%
Happiness Falls – PS #43 (nonverbal character), PAS. 57%
Out of the Storm – PAS. 19%
Spiritual Reading:
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. Currently it is Acts.
The Practice of the Presence of God – Devotional reading. 22%
Stories of the Spirit, Stories of the Heart: Parables of the Spiritual Path from Around the World – Devotional bedtime reading. 8%
Just Starting:
Shaman – PS #38/#39 (same title). 6%. I own this book, so it takes the back seat to library due dates.
This Must Be the Place – PAS. 9%
On Deck: (library)
In the Night of Memory – (due 8/17)
The Frozen People - ATY, PS. (due 8/14)
PS 30/50
ATY 36/52, Anniversary 9/10
GR 127/200
QotW: Is there a classic author you have never read (that you always think you “should” read)?
James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans. It has been on my TBR since 2013, and I own it. Goal is to read it this year.
I only realized it was Thursday when I saw Nadine's post! How this week has flown by! PS 44/50 - down to last 6!
ATY 60/62 - only 2 left!
Finished - I read an entire trilogy by Rebecca Roanhorse this past week and nothing else - very unusual for me as I don't binge read a series or author except on a reread:
Black Sun - ATY NPR Books prompt
Fevered Star
Mirrored Heavens - ATY witches and goddesses for prompt witches, goddesses, or nuns.
I really enjoyed this and give series overall 5 stars, each book no less than 4 stars.
Currently reading:
Bleak House - a slow read along
Night Boat to Tangier
One, Two, Buckle My Shoe
QOTW: I have and continue to read classics, but one significant author I have not read at all is Anthony Trollope, a contemporary of Dickens and an author that has literary societies and book clubs dedicated to his works which were written as different series. I figure I will get there eventually.
I have always read classics. I haven't however always read the main book assigned to be read in school by that author - for example I have not read Ethan Frome by Wharton but I have read and recommend The Buccaneers and The Age of Innocence. Both have excellent adaptations - BBC series the first and movie with Michelle Pfeiffer and Daniel Day Lewis the second. I frequently think the most boring book of an author seems to be picked to assign to teenage and even college students to read. Or the most boring and dated translation -- i.e. Lattimore's translation of the Odyssey vs. assigning Fagels or the most recent Emily Wilson.
Also, go to the full list of the author's works to pick something. Wharton wrote more than the 4 or 5 books that are most known. Not appearing regularly on recommended or required reading lists of American Classics doesn't mean her other books are bad or boring or not up to snuff.
A classic author that is a challenge to read for most -- because of the style he was developing later in his life - is Henry James. If you want to try his work out - read Washington Square, set in NY Greenwich Village in the late 19th Century. It's been adapted in many formats including the superb movie The Heiress. In fact, that's usually the title of the adaptations - including a theater adaptation I last saw with the amazing Cherry Jones in 1995.
Whatever you do, don't try first reading James with The Turn of the Screw - it's so bad and James himself only wrote it to make quick money he desperately needed, and it was not a theme or idea he developed, but one he was hired to write.
K.L. wrote: "I have yet to read anything by any of the Brontë sisters, but I’ve kind of gotten past the idea that I “should” read their work. I’ll probably eventually get around to it, but I’m certainly not in any hurry.."Each sister is very distinct writer from the others. I personally loathe Emily's Wuthering Heights, liked Charlotte's Jane Eyre, but absolutely love and have read twice her Villette which has very modern ideas of women's independence - be sure to read a copy that has translations of the extensive French (it's set in Belgium), usually in footnotes. I have not yet read any of Anne's work but all I know who have love her The Tenant of Wildfell Hall best of all the collective Bronte works. It's in one of my TBR Towers to read.
Kenya wrote: "Happy Thursday!I've spent this week at a family reunion, which has included playing Dungeons and Dragons, visiting Yellowstone National Park, discussing anime with my brother's boyfriend, and lea..."
What a wonderful time! I was in Yellowstone last October -- my second visit and I can't wait to go back again.
One of these days I WILL read a Jane Austen novel... I just haven't managed to power my way through one yet. I DID read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies years ago, but I bet it's not the same thing...
Actually, it is far closer than you think. Author basically took the exact test of P&P and stuck in references to zombies, war, battles, etc. It would not have been noted by those who have not read the original, but it is why I dislided P & P & Zombies so much - it was shoddy work and not truly adaptive - now the movie was fabulous I think.
I'd recommend that you start with a different Austen for your first - Emma which was wonderfully adapted into the movie Clueless. My personal favorite is Persuasion - I just enjoyed Anne who was surrounded by so many self-involved idiots that she only really had herself to talk to - and did - well until things changed. There's also the superb film adaptation with Ciarin Hinds and Amanda Root from 1995.
Happy Thursday.I finished my vacation. I read another 2 books. The three I'm reading are all the books I planned to read in August books, so I can spend all month reading them if I want.
I'm slightly pissed off about Ruth Ware's book It was due back on July 29 and the person reading it kept it out another week, despite 12 people waiting in line. Fines were eliminated in a lot of libraries in Ontario to keep them accessible to low income people. I love libraries being for everyone. But once in a while, I find that spoiled people take advantage of it because there are now no consequences of keeping a book longer. It would have been the perfect vacation read. So, now I have to work it in to my busy life.
I had a devil of a time finding prompts for the two books I read. I read them because they were a Nobel laureate's book and a NB book (as part of my personal challenge to read across Canada). I liked both of them more than I thought I would.
Finished:
Plays by Jacinto Benavente : Second series
Popsugar prompt: can't find one
ATY prompt: can't find one
Anniversary prompt:
Summer prompt: A book originally written in a language other than English - 400 points
Wicked Woods
Popsugar prompt: can't find one
ATY prompt: A collection of short stories or novellas, essays, poetry, or a mix of various brief writings
Anniversary prompt:
Summer prompt - A book by a new to you author - 100 points
Series - 6/10
Reading Across Canada - 7/10
Nobel laureates - 3/5
PS - 29/40
Regular ATY - 28/40
Anniversary ATY - 8/10
Summer Challenge - 4100/5000 - 82%
Currently reading:
Interior Castle - 30%
The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm: Eragon - 50%
Those Pink Mountain Nights - 35%
The Woman in Suite 11 - 5%
Buddy Reads:
Library of Souls - 10%
QOTW: I suppose Hemmingway and Joseph Heller, I have two Dostoevsky and Kafka books on my TBR. After doing James Joyce this year, I think I'm letting these people go for another year.
Kenya wrote: "Also this Saturday I'm going to a Weird Al Yankovic concert. Yay!..."I feel like this man does not get enough credit. Yes he does parodies, but he writes so much original material too.
Theresa:I hated Turn of the Screw. I only read it because I wanted to read The Turn of the Key and thought I needed to know what she was updating. Ruth Ware's book was such an improvement over the "classic".
Starting a new challenge! This one is put out by the Vancouver Public Library.VPL Challenge: 2/24
Also got a ton of new books at Powells.
Purchased TBR: 22/48 46%
Finished: Heart Berries This started out really strong and then lost some of its magic along the way. She used simple, clear sentences, but I felt like it turned out she had less original to say.
A Perfect Day for a Walk: The History, Cultures, and Communities of Vancouver, on Foot I LOVED this book! It has tons of re-read value and every time I would explore another area of Vancouver, I would re-read the section and it would become even more relevant to me!
QotW: Homer's Odyssey. I feel like I'm fairly familiar with the story now because of Epic the Musical, but I don't think I've actually read the original classic.
Dubhease wrote: "Theresa:I hated Turn of the Screw. I only read it because I wanted to read The Turn of the Key and thought I needed to know what she was updating. Ruth Ware's book was such an imp..."
Absolutely agree! I actually re-read it after reading Ware's take on it and still loathed it. Ware btw claims she's never read the James and wasn't particularly familiar with the plot. Personally I think it's one of those plots and books - like Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn - that has also been referenced in so many works as to simply be part of the general knowledge.
Sadly for you, there was no need to read it to appreciate ware's plot or even how she deviated from the original!
I'd first read it a long time ago, probably in my early 20s and didn't really care for it, then re-read it in anticipation of seeing a production of the Benjamin Britten opera production about 20 years ago - which is superb btw and I've seen 2 different productions - and disliked it. In case you are trying to count them, my 3 reads of them were spread over 50 years and not close together at all. What's interesting about my rereads isn't that I still loathed it (and no there will never ever be another reread), but that there are 3 or 4 critical scenes that were just as vivid in my mind on each reread and are still as when I first read through it. Another words, there are like 8 pages of that entire story that need to be read to get the entire plot, characters, and themes.
Isn't that what Cliff Notes provides????.
Happy Thursday!And it's a happy one indeed.
Finally got a job! I started this week. Just training but still. It's part-time which is fine for now because I can focus on that and then on my online classes once school starts.
I'd been volunteering there for a month and then a position opened up so they offered it to me.
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Book News:
- I've started the Sealey Challenge this month which is a month long initiative to read a poetry book a day. Today I completed day 7 so my reading numbers are really going to add up since I have this, along with my general monthly TBR.
- Speaking of reading numbers, I finished off July pretty well with 19 books and ended at 94 for the year.
- Now that we're in August, already I've read 14 books (7 poetry books, and 7 regular nonfiction books).
-This now puts me at 108 for the year, already surpassing years past. In 2024 I finished the year with 107. That was the first time I ever hit the 100s. And we still have a long way to go!
*****
Currently Reading:
- Daily poetry books aside, here is what I have going on at the moment.
Disney Adults: Exploring (And Falling In Love With) A Magical Subculture - Still on chapter 1 as the chapters are long. Liking it so far, though it kind of focuses on the parks. I wasn't a fan of that quiz before chapter 1 because that focused on the parks and not everyone has the means to spend endless amounts of $$ on Disney trips.
I'll see how this one goes.
The Devil Reached Toward the Sky: An Oral History of the Making and Unleashing of the Atomic Bomb - This was one of my highly anticipated new releases for 2025. Currently on chapter 1.
Strata: Stories from Deep Time - I am devouring this book. Currently on chapter 4 and I love it! This is a mix of science/geology with lyrical prose.
The author uses high-brow humor which I love. I never understood low-brow humor (example: the show 'Friends'.) High-brow on the other hand is more sophisticated and intellectual. Uses things like history and science among other educational vices to make a humorous point.
The author also talks about science in a way that is easy to understand, while still allowing room if I need extra research like from a google source or something.
I was gravitated toward this book in particular because of a geology book I read a few years back ( How the Mountains Grew: A New Geological History of North America )
*****
I still have a lot of books on my August TBR so I'll see how much I can actually get through.
Partial TBR's are set for September through December with books I consider my priority reads (mainly new releases.)
*****
Question of the week
Is there a classic author you have never read (that you always think you “should” read)?
I keep telling myself to stop with the classics because they don't appeal to me the way they used to. I read 'Pride & Prejudice' by Jane Austen about a year or so ago and while that used to be my favorite in high school, this time around I found myself annoyed by their vanity and talk of marriage.
So around the same time I read 'Northanger Abby' and I had a hard time getting through that.
Same with 'War of the Worlds' by HG Wells. That used to be my favorite classic in high school. Read it for the first time this year after many years and I was laughing my behind off. It was so ridiculous that I couldn't find the same joy and appreciation with it the way I did back then.
In terms of other classic authors I still want to try, I'm tempted to try Tolstoy, Virginia Woolf, Dostoevsky, and T.S. Elliot, but I don't consider them high priorities.
I will be reading Don Quixote in October. That's been on my TBR forever so I'll see how that goes.
Ron wrote: "Happy Thursday!And it's a happy one indeed.
Finally got a job! I started this week. Just training but still. It's part-time which is fine for now because I can focus on that and then on my onli..."
That's great news! Congratulations!
Continuing a bit discussing classics and ones not read but feel should ... I've always had trouble reading and liking most of the American classic authors -- other than Mark Twain, more or less. Faulkner, Hemingway, etc. I've not avoided them but the books I've read, always those assigned to classes or hailed as their best, I have just about universally loathed. I was a French major so read a lot of French classics, plus British, Russian, etc. which either influenced or were influenced by French classics. I also love the real classics - ancient greek etc.
It took me decades of reading, but I think I know why so many writers of American Classics - the older ones, not Modern Classics - I find boring or just unreadable. Because the US is a new country - coming into existence in late 18th century when Europe, Britain and so many other countries had hundreds of years of literary endeavors already, those authors writing in the 18th, 19th and even early 20th Centuries were influenced by European styles and writers of the time, even if they pushed it in a new direction. Hemingway and Fitzgerald are classic examples - influenced as the Lost Generation living in Paris by those already developing the realistic style of writing that Hemingway and Fitzgerald are noted for - as the French and British and Europeans in general were breaking away from the Romantic and very verbose and descriptive writing style of the 19th Century. Among those influences on Hemingway and Fitzgerald were the writings of Gertrude Stein, Henry James, and others who were already experimenting with it.
If anyone really wants to give Hemingway a try, I'd suggest reading The Paris Wife first then Hem's The Sun Also Rises as MacLain covers the real life that inspires Hem in her HF based on real events. It's how I ended up reading The Sun Also Rises and it's the only one I've liked.
Congratulations on the job, Ron. Hope it goes well.
Thanks you guys, I'm really excited for it.
Mod
A list! Penguin Random House’s The Most Anticipated Stories for Book Club of Summer 2025(https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/th...)
My big news this week is that I am finally all caught up documenting books! YAY!
Also, I am having a devil of a time with my allergies. I had the first ever reaction of my throat swelling up the other day. That has happened twice now and I believe it is due to a huge construction project that is next to my husband’s favorite restaurant. Time to get a really good mask to use when outside AND an epi pen to have on hand, just in case. Truly scary stuff. But it could always be worse! It didn’t escalate to a trip to the ER or anything, so that’s good. I was able to get it under control with Benadryl and probiotics.
ADMIN STUFF:
THE OCTOBER MONTHLY GROUP READ FINAL SELECTION 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...
These four books are under consideration:
Fablehaven (Fablehaven #1) by Brandon Mull
The Fellowship of the Ring (Lord of the Rings #1) by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Last Unicorn (The Last Unicorn #1) by Peter S. Beagle
Lore Olympus: Volume One (Lore Olympus #1) by Rachel Smythe
This poll will run through Tuesday, August 12th!!
VOTE HERE!!
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 classic author you have never read (that you always think you “should” read)?
Quite a timely question for me! Not an author per se, but a specific book—East of Eden. I loved The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men, but I found The Red Pony to be so depressing I really didn’t enjoy it much. I have always avoided East of Eden feeling as if it would be too angsty/depressing, but feel as if I really should read it, so a friend and I are currently doing a buddy read of it. And I was correct! It is depressing! I feel as if I am reading an approaching trainwreck about to happen… But at least I’ll have a frame of reference for it now!
Funny story. Another IRL book club member and I were discussing John Steinbeck and she was adamant that she would never read another one of his books. I asked why and she informed me she had to read The Red Pony in junior high school and she hated it! It was depressing, etc. To which I could only agree and said I regretted that was her first and only exposure to his writing! Sometimes I think it just depends which book you read first in a specific author's body of work.
I had always avoided reading The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde assuming I really would NOT enjoy it! But when it was selected for the December 2024 Monthly Group Read I figured, "Why not?!?" And I was correct! Not only would I not have read it if not for that, I would not have even finished it but for the group discussion! But now I have a frame of reference for it, so there is that!
2025 READING CHALLENGES:
Popsugar: 42/50
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:
*The Silence of the Library (Cat in the Stacks #5) by Miranda James ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ continues my enjoyment in one of the most satisfying series I’ve read! I greatly appreciated James’ plotting—the real-life murder was reflected in the mystery book he was reading! Clever!
POPSUGAR: #2, #4, #6, #20
ATY: #2, #11, #16, #23, #26, #32, #36, #37, #40, #41, #48
RHC: #24
52 Book Club: #10, #28/#29
*Arsenic and Old Books (Cat in the Stacks #6) by Miranda James ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This was a very clever use of the title as a double entendre! Sometimes when people are 'doing good' it can backfire, as proven here. The machinations people will go to for an advancement in their careers! Just another enjoyable installation in this series! And Charlie is going to be a grandpa!
POPSUGAR: #4, #6, #20, #35, #43
ATY: #2, #5, #11, #15, #16, #24, #26, #32, #36, #37, #40, #41, #45, #48
RHC: #4, #11, #19, #24
52 Book Club: #1, #10, #28/#29, #32, #43, #45
*Murder at Somerset House (Wrexford & Sloane #7) by Andrea Penrose ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ brings some major changes to Wrex and Charlotte’s lives! The weasels have increased from 3 to 4! And Wrex has a newfound relative! For once, the Dowager’s knowledge of blue-blood lineage proves not to be useful!
POPSUGAR: #1, #2, #6, #14, #20, #40, #43
ATY: #2, #13, #16, #17, #19, #24, #26, #31, #32, #33, #40, #42, #45, #48, #51
RHC: #4, #11, #16, #21
52 Book Club: #3, #5, #22, #38, #41, #43, #51, #52
*No Cats Allowed (Cat in the Stacks #7) by Miranda James ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was just as enjoyable as others in this series! A ‘shotgun wedding’! Another grandchild on the way! And Charlie has accepted the director of libraries position on an interim basis as the search continues for a permanent director! Diesel helps him adapt to all these changes!
POPSUGAR: #2, #4, #6, #20, #26, #35, #40, #43
ATY: #2, #13, #15, #16, #20, #24, #26, #32, #36, #37, #40, #42, #45, #48
RHC: #11, #24
52 Book Club: #4, #5, #6, #10, #22, #29, #43, #48
*Broken Light by Joanne Harris ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ is another all-time favorite book for me! 10 STARS!! I cannot believe just how strongly and intensely I connected with this book! The FMC is enduring various symptoms related to menopause and with this time of life she regains a nearly forgotten ability that enables her to affect others' minds... Ah, though there may be unintended consequences resulting from any such action, eh? This book tackles so much in such a realistically straightforward and believable way! For example: feminism, conspiracy theories, #MeToo, sexual assault, child abuse and neglect, rape, and more! Very insightful and honest, IMO! I could go on and on, but I'll just encourage you to read it if you are at all interested! Highly recommend for prompt #9 and #17 as the Finchley Fliers Run Club that Bernie joins about midway through the book proves to be a valuable addition to her life…
POPSUGAR: #2, #6, NEW #9, #17, #20, #28, #40
ATY: #2, #3, #5, #13, #16, #23, #24, #24, #30, #32, #33, #37, #41, #47, #48
RHC: #4, #11, #16, #19
52 Book Club: #2, #10, #22, #33, #40, #43
“Breastmilk” by Pemi Aguda ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was an excellent short story! Although not even listed in Goodreads, here is the link for the electronic version of the Cain Prize nominated work: https://static1.squarespace.com/stati... I nursed all three of my sons, though the milk didn’t come in and start to flow for 5 whole days after my eldest/first son’s birth! So I could relate a bit to Aduke’s challenges. I did appreciate the implied link between her own emotional turmoil with her husband’s behavior and her apparent physical inability… Very poignant! Anxious to read her short story collection, Ghostroots: Stories, which includes this one!
POPSUGAR: #1, #6, #10, #20, #23, #43
ATY: #2, #5, #15, #16, #24, #41, #43
RHC: #8, #24
52 Book Club: #13, #47
CONTINUING:
*East of Eden by John Steinbeck
*The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
A reread 6 1/2 years later for an IRL book club.
*The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré
*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 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.
*Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe for an IRL book club meeting
*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
Happy Thursday!Finished:
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg - 3 stars - for a book that features a character going through menopause. I don't have strong feelings about it. It was fine. I'm glad that I read it. I'm not in a rush to read any sequels, though.
Comics/manga:
Magus of the Library, Vol. 8
I am currently at 39/50 for Popsugar (32/40 and 7/10).
Currently reading:
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston - not currently for a prompt. I'm really enjoying this so far. I love con artist stories.
Upcoming/Planned:
Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu - not currently for a prompt.
The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan - not currently for a prompt.
I need to get back to my challenge books soon.
QOTW:
I've never read a bunch of the authors in other people's answers: Edith Wharton, James Fenimore Cooper, Henry James, Virginia Woolf, James Joyce... I've read Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights in school (which I hated), but nothing by either of her sisters. I'm not much of a classics reader these days, although I have one slated for the challenge this year.
Temps in my area have been hitting above 100°F this week, as high as 107 so that's been a real drag.*****
On another note some updates on my current reads:
Strata: Stories from Deep Time - About to start part 2, chapter 5. This book gets more and more interesting and I love it! There's a lot of existential questions because there's so much information that science just can't seem to answer since the Earth/rocks are ever changing. Those are my favorite types of questions.
Disney Adults: Exploring (And Falling In Love With) A Magical Subculture - Not quite sure how I feel about this book. The author uses some language that I don't particularly care for. I know this book isn't a psychology book so it shouldn't bother me, but he makes it seem like Disney Adults are a certain type and they come in all forms. Plus he makes it a point that Disney Adults need to love the theme parks which I also have an issue with.
I'll continue this book and see where it leads but so far I have it rated as a 3-star.
*****
Happy Thursday, everyone! I started my new job on Monday, and during onboarding, they told us we’re not allowed to work outside of work hours. As a former teacher, I was like Wait—no taking work home? No stressful environments? No pressure from admin? This kind of job actually exists?! I got to meet my coworkers and supervisors this week, and everyone’s been really friendly. I’m getting good vibes already!As for reading, August didn’t get off to the best start, but I did manage to cross off a few reading challenge prompts, so I’m calling that a win!
2025 Reading Challenges
Popsugar- 47/50
52 Book Club- 50/52; Connections- 16/21
Barnes & Noble- 49/52
Booklist Queen- 48/52
Buzzword- 7/12; Cover- 7/12
Finished
Nora Goes Off Script- One of my reading challenge prompts was to get a recommendation based on my review of the last book I read. After finishing The Rom-Commers - which I liked until the ending and rated 2.5 stars - several people suggested Nora Goes Off Script. Funny enough, I ended up having almost the exact same experience with this one! Celebrity romances are already a tough sell for me, and while I enjoyed the beginning, the dragged-out third act conflict and the too-sudden resolution didn’t quite land. ☆☆ 1/2
52BC Connections #15- recommended by someone else based on your review of previous book
Don't Look Now- I picked this up because I thought it was Romantic Suspense (I'm trying to read other sub-genres within the broader Romance genre). However, the romance didn't materialize until the very end. I also found the writing kind of dry and didn't like reading from the serial killer POV. I guess I'll just have to try Sandra Brown instead. ☆☆
B&N #32- Crime/True Crime
52BC Connections #16- Goodreads rating +/- .25 of previous book's rating
A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon- This was a solid read. Although I don't particularly enjoy reading travel-related nonfiction, I liked learning about the history of the Canyon and the author's humbling journey through the park. ☆☆☆
B&N #37- Travel
Maid for Each Other- needed a quick light-hearted romance as a pick me up after reading a streak of disappointing reads. It definitely delivered on what I was looking for. ☆☆☆ 1/2
52BC #1- pun in the title
Currently Reading
How to Dodge a Cannonball
QOTW
I love Jane Austen, and everyone keeps recommending Elizabeth Gaskell as a similar author I’d probably enjoy. I actually own three of her novels but just haven’t gotten around to reading them yet, though I have a feeling I’ll like her once I do. I also feel like I should read William Faulkner. He’s always showing up on lists of great American literature, and he’s won both the Nobel and the Pulitzer. I’ve been a little intimidated by how dense his writing seems, but my sister read Absalom, Absalom! and really liked it, so I might finally give him a shot.
I finished The Canterbury Tales for my oldest author. I did not love it. But, that's OK. I also didn't hate it.QOTW: I read a lot of classics. There are definitely authors I've only read once and am not planning any more. I only read half of the Old Man and the Sea, but I don't think I should read heimingway. Blech. I need to read James Baldwin for sure. Elizabeth Gaskell. Not sure about anyone else.
On a related note, i just looked at a list of 100 classics you should read, to see if I was forgetting about any authors I need to read. They have a book written in 1992. How did I get so old that a book written when i was in college is a classic. I just graduated like 5 years ago, right? That has to be right. LOL.
Andrea wrote: "I also feel like I should read William Faulkner. He’s always showing up on lists of great American literature, and he’s won both the Nobel and the Pulitzer. I’ve been a little intimidated by how dense his writing seems, but my sister read Absalom, Absalom! and really liked it, so I might finally give him a shot..."I read the Sound and the Fury a couple of years ago and found it truly painful. And I was bummed, because I always wanted to read Absalom, Abasalom, but now I just can't.
The lesson I take from that is if you really want to read a classic novel, make sure you read that one and not another one by the same author. Maybe the one you wanted to read was better.
I highly recommend any and all James Baldwin. I have always found them very accessible - and I started reading his books as a teen and that was a very very long time ago. I do think If Beale Street Could Talk would be a good start as it is set in the 1970s NYC and tells a story that's recognizable and relevant today. It was also make into a good movie that many of you might have seen.
L Y N N wrote: "“Breastmilk” by Pemi Aguda ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was an excellent short story! Although not even listed in Goodreads, here is the link for the electronic version of the Cain Prize nominated work: https://static1.squarespace.com/stati... I nursed all three of my sons, though the milk didn’t come in and start to flow for 5 whole days after my eldest/first son’s birth! So I could relate a bit to Aduke’s challenges. I did appreciate the implied link between her own emotional turmoil with her husband’s behavior and her apparent physical inability… Very poignant! Anxious to read her short story collection, Ghostroots: Stories, which includes this one!"I read Ghostroots (highly recommend!) and "Breastmilk" was my favorite story in the collection!
I know you are seeing a lot more comments from me on this topic of reading classics. It's a subject I like to talk about and feel that more of them would be enjoyed if readers looked at other books by the author than those usually force fed in school environments. I also know that there have been many classics I've read and hated. Besides those I already mentioned, I read Green Mansions for a PS prompt years ago, remembering how much I had enjoyed it when I first read it as a teen and had fond memories of the story. I absolutely hated it on the re-read and was rather appalled that I had liked it so much in the past. Some of that is age related - teens pick up on lots less than a mature reader does - but some of it is evolution of ideas and what is culturally acceptable, as well as just taste in reading material.
But then there was the day I picked up on a whim to read Villete by Charlotte Bronte, and discovered a book that is a beloved favorite.
Another issue with classics which we know only by English translation - a lot of older translations are not particularly good, and those on inexpensive or free editions of the books are often disappointing at best.
Want to mention an American classic that does not get the promotion and recognition it deserves though more now than when I discovered it: The Awakening by Kate Chopin. I discovered it when I read somebody's comment that it is an American version of Flaubert's Madame Bovary. It is far more than that.
Summer Reading is officially over, though it's never really over until all the prizes have been picked up. But the programming side is over, so I am enjoying an all-too-brief respite before the Fall programming starts up again. My library recently hired a couple more people for the children's department, so that will help, but they work on the days I don't, so I have yet to meet them.In other news, my anniversary is tomorrow, so my husband and I are going to a new restaurant I've been interested in checking out.
Finished:
Warrior on the Mound - Honestly, this one wasn't for me, in more ways than one.
Lunar Boy - I liked the artstyle a lot, but the storyline felt a little muddled.
Currently reading:
Those Kids from Fawn Creek
Jojo vs. Middle School
Hemlock & Silver
Uncharmed
Sea Monsters
QOTW: There are so many classic authors I haven't read, but none that I feel like I absolutely need to.
I normally don't rate books less than 3 stars, but sadly I gave my first 2-star rating this month. I'm usually pretty neutral in terms of my ratings so it takes a lot for me to rate a book lower than that, especially because I don't want to be rude about it.Stuff like that happens I guess though.
Hi all! I actually had a few hours to myself this week. The kiddo was at Vacation Bible School, and as her grandma was an aide, she took her and brought her home, so I had the mornings to myself! It was nice. Did I mention last week she and I were going to try to make rock candy? I tried making it as a kid, but my brother and I never got it to work. We mixed it up over the weekend, and I can see crystals growing! I think I'm more excited than she is, lol. Otherwise, not too much going on in our household. She's on full tilt through the end of summer with a weekend trip with my dad to see a local production of The Little Mermaid, birthday parties for friends, and a trip to a cabin the last week of the month and then it'll be back to school!
Reading-wise, I'm still trying to figure out what books I can realistically read before they come due and what ones are a lost cause. And then I listen to an audiobook I own, soooo.... yay lack of discipline! lol
I didn't finish anything this week, but I did make progress in How I Paid for College: A Novel of Sex, Theft, Friendship & Musical Theater, Blankets and my audiobook Hanging Mary. Pretty well enjoying all 3, so that's good.
QOTW: Oh so many! I wasn't even forced to read most of the classics you all have mentioned in school, so I can't use that as an excuse! I was trying to convince the GR Banned Books group to read something by John Steinbeck because I've never read him. I've read 2 of the 3 Bronte sisters, but atm, I can't remember which one I haven't gotten to. I recently checked out As I Lay Dying by Faulkner, but didn't get to it before it was due, haven't ever read him. The only Dickens' book I've ever read is A Christmas Carol, so I'd like to read some of his others. I don't think I've ever read Mark Twain or Jack London or HG Wells* (though I have The World Set Free out from the library right now). Ugh, I feel like if I fess up to anymore, the literary police are going to kick down my door and remove all books in my possession written later than 1990!
*A couple of weeks ago, someone asked about confusing various Anne-named authors for each other. I constantly confuse HG Wells and Orson Welles! I know one's an author and one's an actor, but I can never keep them straight! Aside from their last names, it messes with my mind that Orson was the one who performed HG's War of the Worlds on the radio that caused a panic.
Happy Thursday! My computer is acting up a bit, so I'm going to try to submit an update before it goes on the fritz.Took Monday off and went to visit my parents. My nieces were up for the week, so spent the day hanging out with them. Lots of card games and word games. The only bad thing was there was sooo much driving!
This Saturday a local book store is putting on a Bookstore Romance Day, with a bunch of fun activities. I'm going with a few friends, and I have a $100 store credit, so I'm hoping to find some good stuff!
Finished:
The L.O.V.E. Club- this was a really interesting exploration of grief and misogyny through a scifi setting. I don't think this will be for everyone, but I thought it was really interesting
-no prompt
It Had to Be Him- a really fun contemporary romance about two highschool friends reconnecting during trips to Italy. This was exactly the romcom I wanted to read this week
-33 A book featuring an activity on your bucket list (going to Italy- went when I was super young, I want to go back)
Currently reading:
Still working on the three books from last week- The Holy's Madien..., When a Man Falls from the Sky, and the Ruth Asawa biography. I haven't made a whole lot of progress this last week, because I kept starting other books instead...
QotW:
I think there are a bunch of the Russian classic authors I haven't read from yet, and then more modern classic writers like James Baldwin.
Happy Thursday! While I've finished three books since the last check in, I didn't check off any prompts. I'm at 13/40 and 0/10 for this challenge, and 45/85 for my overall Goodreads Reading Challenge. Finished:
* Who Is Government?: The Untold Story of Public Service edited by Michael Lewis and written/narrated by Michael Lewis, Sarah Vowell, John Lancaster, Geraldine Brooks, Casey Cep, Dave Eggers, W. Kamau Bell. This was one of my book clubs' picks for August. If I could give it a million stars, I would. Instead, I will settle for 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
* Dare to Lead by Brené Brown, which was recommended by a bookish coworker friend. I was racing against the clock to finish it before Libby auto-returned it (due to hold requests). I had TWO MINUTES left on the loan as I read the final page. I have never cut it that close before! 🥵 Worth it - finally found a Brené Brown that I clicked with!; and,
* The Moon, the Stars, and Madame Burova: A Novel written by Ruth Hogan and narrated by Nina Wadia, which was a cozy hug of a read.
Currently Reading:
* The Penguin Book of Murder Mysteries edited by Michael Sims;
* The Book of Lost Hours by Hayley Gelfuso, which I chose as my #CampNetGalley pick. While I've missed the deadline to submit a review to get the 2025 camp badge, I'm still plugging along;
* Talk to Me Nice: The Seven Trust Languages for a Better Workplace by Minda Harts, which has a Libby auto-return clock ticking on it...I've got a week left though and it's pretty short, so I am hopeful that I won't find myself with TWO MINUTES left on the loan clock a week from now. We'll see!; and,
* The Bookstore Keepers written by Alice Hoffman and narrated by Jennifer Jill Arays, which is the third short story in the Once Upon a Time Bookshop Stories series.
QotW:
Is there a classic author you have never read (that you always think you “should” read)? The only classic authors I have on my TBR list currently who I have not read yet (and feel like I "should" read) are Frances Burney and Dorothy L. Sayers. I own copies of Evelina: Or, The History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World and Whose Body? and have gotten nowhere with either of them yet. But! I am planning to read Evelina this year, so maybe I'll get to narrow this classic author list to just one.
I'm in Gettysburg for a Steampunk Convention. I should get a little reading done at meal times I suppose (and I'll probably BUY more books while I'm here). It should be fun.Only finished one this week. Monster Burger by D.M. Guay for PS 14. A book about a nontraditional education
I was going to use it for magical creature (demons and zombie and guardian angels) but since Lloyd is being taught to be a monster hunter I figured it would fit here (especially since he's avoiding reading his employee manual and it's now gone feral and is stalking him) It wasn't quite as good as book one (which would fit both prompts too) but it was fun.
QOTW
I am not sure there are any classic authors I haven't read but feel I should. I mean there's Leo Tolstoy but I'm fairly sure I don't care if I never read him.
Raymond Chandler, that's who I would like to read. He counts, right?
Went back to work this week after summer vacation. First day with kids was today. Sooooo tired.Will list the two books I finished next week
QOTW:
I think I'm fairly well read in the classics, but as a few people above have mentioned, I haven't read any full length novels from Anthony Trollope (he wrote so many books, I really need to give him a try with the books i have of his), William Faulkner (I have a 4 book anthology to tackle), or Elizabeth Gaskell (I have one or two of hers also I can start with)
Life update: I'm working again this week after my break, and I'm exhausted. My husband is still away, and our dog has been acting up on her morning walks with my son, growling at other dogs (some of whom she knows and normally gets along with). We're not sure why. My best theory is that my son acts less confident around other dogs than my husband does, and that's prompting her to be overprotective. One of the other dogwalkers thinks the same; if we're right, it will hopefully settle down after my husband gets back tomorrow. My fear is that she could be ill, but we've been watching her closely and haven't seen any other sign of that. Reading update: Someone on Reddit put me onto the idea of making/joining Storygraph challenges with no time limit to track series you want to complete, so I joined a bunch of them and made a couple of my own. I won't track them here, or it will get too much, but I think it will be useful to stop uncompleted series from getting lost in my vast TBR. I also made a challenge for myself to track books I want to read for research on my new writing project.
I only finished one book this week, Ararat, for the GR awards list bookmark and Readers of the Wild Moor: set in a storm. It was good enough that I'll probably pick up the rest of the series, but too formulaic to be really great.
Stats:
PopSugar Challenge: 0 this week, 49/50 total
GR Summer Challenge: 1 this week, 4/6 total
Disability Pride Challenge: 0 this week, 2/5 total
Star Trek Series Challenge: 0 this week, 16/18 total
Readers of the Wild Moor: 1 this week, 21/30 total
Politics & Philosophy: 0 this week, 4/15 total
Queer Reads Bracket Challenge: 0 this week, 3/6 total
Anti-Capitalist Inspiration: 0 this week, 7/30 total
Outside the challenges: 0 this week, 19 total
All books finished this year: 1 this week, 102 total
DNF or paused: 0 this week, 19 total
Challenges completed this year:
GR Community Favorites, GR Seasonal Bookmarks, Pride Season
Currently Reading:
Remarkably Bright Creatures for the group read
The Beats: A Graphic History: research for my writing project
The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, vol. 2, for my current audiobook
The Valmiki Ramayana Vol. 3 for spiritual bedtime reading
QOTW: Herman Melville. Moby-Dick or, The Whale is referenced in a lot of media that I enjoy, but I just couldn't get through it, and it put me off even looking into Melville's other works. I should probably try some of his shorter writing - maybe Bartleby the Scrivener would suit me better.
Another 2 week check in for me.Stats
GR: 161/250
PS: 36/50
ATY: 41/52
ATY Anniversary: 9/10
ATY Rejects: 18/28
ATY Rewind: 6/10
GR Choice: 17/30
TBR: 4/10
Finished
Stupid TV, Be More Funny: How the Golden Era of The Simpsons Changed Television—and America—Forever ⭐⭐⭐
Rejects: Microhistory
This was fine, but kinda blah.
Freedom House ⭐⭐⭐
PS: Under 250 pages.
Thank you to the person who recommended this for the GR awards bookmark. It was a really nice poetry collection.
The Robin on the Oak Throne ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rewind: Wings on cover.
Book 2, and things Happened. The author deserves credit for creating characters that felt so real to me, the actions of the villain managed to make me so mad, I had to keep reminding myself that it was just a book.
Swordheart ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
ATY: 10 or less letters in the title.
The Distance Between Us ⭐⭐⭐
ATY: Irish author.
I loved Hamnet & The Marriage Portrait so I wanted to try some of her older books. It shows the promise of the author she would become, but the the last third of the book devolved into a case of instalove.
Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger ⭐⭐⭐⭐
No prompt.
I loved these books, but I'd aged out of them before the last 2 were published, and so I didn't even know about their existence until recently. As fun and silly as the first 2.
A Night Like This ⭐⭐
No prompt.
The sisters and their plays are the only reason this didn't get a 1.
Persuasion ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reread.
I needed this to cheer me up and remind me I like reading after the last book. It still ranks as my favorite book of all time.
In Progress
After I Do
The House of Hades
QotW
Fyodor Dostoevsky. I have a loose list of the classics I want to eventually read, and so far I haven't read any of the classics Russians. That being said, I'm still working my way through the British classics, and the next one I want to tackle is Villette but I've already read Charlotte Brontë so she doesn't count for the question.
Side note: Has anyone looked at the list for the newest bookmark? I think I'm either going to go for A Resistance of Witches or What Will People Think?.
Dubhease wrote, "I'm slightly pissed off about Ruth Ware's book It was due back on July 29 and the person reading it kept it out another week, despite 12 people waiting in line. Fines were eliminated in a lot of libraries in Ontario to keep them accessible to low income people. I love libraries being for everyone. But once in a while, I find that spoiled people take advantage of it because there are now no consequences of keeping a book longer. It would have been the perfect vacation read. So, now I have to work it in to my busy life."I have recently had the experience of having books (2 different ones at two different libraries on different days of a week) that I was reading come due with no renewals. Both times, I found myself sitting in the appropriate library reading as diligently as I could to finish the book before the library closed. And, then last week, I went to renew a book that I had barely started only to find that one had holds! I binge read it and finished the next day. Paid $.20 fine.
All of that happened within a week. Now I am trying to get the remaining books finished and in ahead of the renewal date so that I can take a break from library reads.
@Ron and Andrea: Congratulations on your new jobs!
Hello,Has been a busy week and is going to be for at least one more week. I will be covering 2 instructors starting next week (I am a nurse educator and a teach brand new nursing students). One of my colleagues are leaving mid quarter for a new job and the other has to have surgery. So for the next few weeks I will be doing the work of at least 2 people (possibly 3 because I still have my own responsibilities). As a single person I am use to this- doing the work of at least 2 people while receiving the glory of one- LOL. Thanks for letting me vent. Now back to books.
I always try to read a little in the morning and at night before bed. I was unable to complete any prompts this week. I follow (and sometimes participate) in numerous book clubs. Those books are on my priority list. Anyway, before all the chaos I was able to complete:
1.
by H.G. Parry2.
by Starre Vartan3.
by Lindsay Buroker4.
by Freida McFaddenThis week I hope to complete (fingers crossed):
by Elie Mystal. I have a few books I want to reread for my book clubs but if I'm unable that's OK (so many new books to read).Finally, this month I am participating in the Hooked on Books Listopia Madness and Symbols of Luck and Fortune Challenges and For Love of a Book BOTM puzzle. I will be doing the Hooked on Books 24 hour Read a Thon on the 15th,
Regarding the question I always feel I should read more Shakespeare. I just wish I could understand it better!
Sasha wrote: "QOTW: Herman Melville. Moby-Dick or, The Whale is referenced in a lot of media that I enjoy, but I just couldn't get through it, and it put me off even looking into Melville's other works. I should probably try some of his shorter writing - maybe Bartleby the Scrivener would suit me better..."I do like his short fiction like Bartleby the Scrivener so do give it a try. Billy Budd I found so so. I only liked the first 30 pages or so of Moby Dick -- once he meets QueeQueg and they head off to sea, it was over for me. In fact making the mistake of reading the harvesting blubber scene while eating a tuna sandwich put me off tuna fish for decades.
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Popsugar Challenge Completion: 20%, 2/10
📖=book 💻=ebook 🎧=audiobook
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📖 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐1️⃣Started July 18, 2025, and finished July 28, 2025, I read To Be a Runner: How Racing Up Mountains, Running with the Bulls, or Just Taking on a 5-K Makes You a Better Person and the World a Better Place by Martin Dugard for Popsugar Challenge 10: A book you got for free. I got this one off the free/discard books cart at my local library. It has turned out to be one of my favourite books yet on physical fitness and running, as it is a book about more than that. It looks at running as an essential part of our need for movement, being something spiritual even, outside of tracking statistics and racing for the finish line. Simply getting out there and listening to where your soul wants to go and how your body wants to get there is something I think I forgot how to do for a while. So I'm very grateful for having found this book and the redirect back to what made me love running in the first place.
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💻 ⭐⭐2️⃣I read Pollinated by the Plant Monster by Holly Wilde on August 3, 2025, for Popsugar Challenge 13: A book rated less than three stars on Goodreads. I chose it as a quick read since I wasn't sure I'd have it in me to read a book that's below 3 stars for a great length of time. That being said, however, part of the reason I chose this particular story was because it was very close to having 3 stars. While the author uses a large vocabulary to help elucidate the scenes very well in the beginning, there does come a point when the reading feels rushed and the words fail to convey the actions in any particular detail. Overall, I ended up feeling rather let down by the end.
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📖 page 152/336 (45%)3️⃣Started on July 30, 2025, I'm currently about halfway through The Secret History of the Mongol Queens: How the Daughters of Genghis Khan Rescued His Empire by Jack Weatherford for Popsugar Challenge 32: A book about an overlooked woman in history. Prior to reading this book, I had never even heard of the daughters of Genghis Khan, let alone their contributions. I admit to becoming somewhat enamoured with his tactics and laws, and the protections put in place for the women of his empire. The queens and princesses were largely responsible for the success of the empire and efforts have been made throughout history to diminish their importance. I must also admit to feeling rather deflated by the collective disapproval and erasure of these proud women, who proved so much more competent than the majority of the men who would see them deposed. That being said, I swing between admiration and sorrow at the great, sweeping actions of these historic giants and their often awe-inspiring and/or horrific consequences. I'm very excited to see where the second half of the book takes me.
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Question of the week
Is there a classic author you have never read (that you always think you “should” read)?
For some reason when I was younger I thought that Edgar Allen Poe was an author I had to read in order to be a "real reader" or something. I felt similarly about authors like Shakespeare, Lovecraft, and Homer. As I've gotten older, however, I've realized that I have very little interest in reading the classics, finding them to feel more like a stale obligation than something that brings joy to my reading practice. I've done better by focusing more on the type of books I enjoy, as well as branching out to different authors I haven't necessarily heard of before. Letting go of those preconceptions of what a reader "must" read has helped me become a more joyful reader again, and has led me to hold space and acceptance for myself when I've decided that a book/author just isn't for me, no matter how obligatory they may seem in the wider community.
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Hi! What a week. The little guy got croup (he's doing much better now but geez I do *not* recommend that experience). Work has been absolutely crazy because we've been shorthanded all week. I'm so tired and this weekend will not be a break because my hubby has to work. And I can't even run down to get some help from the grandparents because we can't risk his younger cousin getting infected. SighhhhhhMurder After Hours: a reread...I uh forgot that I happen to have a copy that was first published in the 60s and includes some slurs so that was a little jarring.
QOTW: There's many individual classic books I've got in the back of my mind as 'to get to eventually' but I think the only author that stands out as a gap in my reading is Tolstoy. Someday I'll take on Anna Karenina.
Happy Friday! Again, I had good intentions yesterday, and then I took a nap...so...Finished 31/50
The Alloy of Law for "book with an unlikely friendship". It's 1800s Wild West with magic. C'mon. What's not to love?
Currently Reading
The Forty Elephants for "book about an overlooked woman in history". An overlooked BAD woman. ;) So far so good!
The Sayings of the Desert Fathers: The Alphabetical Collection for "a classic you've never read". Picking up the pace on this so I can finish by September.
QotW
I've never read anything by a Bronte sister. No reason why. Just never have.
Happy check-in! Saw the Superman movie this past week and I really enjoyed it. I've been reading so much that last couple of years that I haven't been watching as many movies.Finished Reading:
A Queen This Fierce and Deadly ⭐⭐⭐
Series ender. The whole series was good but nothing special in the romantasy genre.
Wolf Girl ⭐
Really awful. Seemed like a good and unique idea but no such luck. Adult characters were written like middle grade age with all the insta emotions, but (view spoiler) I have other books by this author on my tbr but now I'm not sure that's a good idea.
Uglies ⭐⭐⭐
Ya dystopian series started. At 16 you have plastic surgery to become pretty to avoid a society of differences.
The Girl in the Green Silk Gown ⭐⭐⭐ (ATY serpentine element)
This relied on Greek Mythology so I should have enjoyed this more, but I just don't care about the Americana nostalgia of highways, truck stops, and diners.
Saga, Volume 12 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (PS anticipated 2025)
This is still awesome and clever.
PS 43/50
ATY 44/52 Anniversary 5/10 Summer 24/25
Goodreads 185/250 Bookmarks 6/9
QOTW:
As a big SFF reader I need to read The Lord of the Rings and the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series. I also really love Greek Mythology and have not read The Iliad or The Odyssey.
Summer and Xingu by Edith Wharton were really good. Xingu is a short story about a book club for those feeling like they should read her stuff.
Kendra wrote: "Side note: Has anyone looked at the list for the newest bookmark?"Yes! I've narrowed it down to four:
The Eights
The Bombshell
Fundamentally
Archive of Unknown Universes
Currently I'm leaning towards Archive of Unknown Universes, but it depends what mood I'm in when I get there.
Kendra wrote: "Side note: Has anyone looked at the list for the newest bookmark? I think I'm either going to go for A Resistance of Witches or What Will People Think?."Looks like I completed it... I hadn't looked at the list until just now and it seems my recent reading of The Compound counted. And I just checked out The Hounding from the library yesterday. I still haven't completed the "Award Winners" challenge.
So stoked, I need to get 9 books for just one class. It's a full semester so that makes sense. It's neat because one author I've read time and time again (Thoreau). Then there are 2 authors on the reading list that I've wanted to read for a while now.My professor has a good mix of nonfiction and fiction so that will be neat.
One book is part of a duology so I plan to get and read the second part anyway. And then I want to get 2 other books specifically related to the topic we'll be covering so I can understand it more.
Ron wrote: "Happy Thursday!And it's a happy one indeed.
Finally got a job! I started this week. Just training but still. It's part-time which is fine for now because I can focus on that and then on my onli..."
Congratulations on the new job! I'm a little envious of your chance to be around books and people who love books. Enjoy your expanded role!
Andrea wrote: "Happy Thursday, everyone! I started my new job on Monday, and during onboarding, they told us we’re not allowed to work outside of work hours. As a former teacher, I was like Wait—no taking work ho..."Congratulations on your new job!
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
The Eights (other topics)Tilt (other topics)
The Bombshell (other topics)
The Road (other topics)
Tilt (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
KB Brookins (other topics)Edith Wharton (other topics)
Jack Weatherford (other topics)
Holly Wilde (other topics)
Martin Dugard (other topics)
More...
So last week I learned that I am a complete monster because I risk getting library books dirty. Yikes!! You guys are ALL more careful with your library books than I am! I want to clarify: they are still okay to read, I can still return them, but maybe I got a few drops of water on a page from the condensation on my water bottle, so a page might be a little tiny bit warped, for example. Maybe I need to re-evaluate what I think is acceptable.
***** Admin stuff *****
August's group read will be: Remarkably Bright Creatures. Vaish B will be leading the discussion here:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
September's group read, which could fulfill "A Book About an Overlooked Woman in History," will be: Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail. Let us know if you'd like to lead this discussion.
And the Final poll for the October group, which could fill "A book containing magical creatures that aren't dragons" is here:
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/list/1...
This week I finished 2 books, both for this challenge.
The Game Is Afoot by Elise Bryant - the first book in this wacky mystery series was so much fun, but this was a flop, the main character became annoying rather than fun. It’s about the mysterious death of a soccer coach, so I checked off “about soccer.”
All Through the Night by Connie Brockway - this was my second book with the same title, by an author I used to love, so I was committed … and it was awful. One star. What happened here? How did it go so wrong? Have my tastes changed? idk.
Popsugar 86% 43 /50
Must Reads 30% 3 /10
AtY 83% 43 /52
AtY bonus 100% 10 /10
2025 pub 74% 37 /50
NetGalley ratio: 86%
Question of the week
Is there a classic author you have never read (that you always think you “should” read)?
I did read Edith Wharton in high school (Ethan Frome - so depressing, not very accessible for a teenager) and did not like it at all. Now that I’m a middle aged adult, I think I should give her another try. Maybe The House of Mirth?