L Y N N’s Comments (group member since Nov 10, 2018)

L Y N N’s comments from the Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge group.

It is now Sunday and since I never got a posting done last week, figured I'd catch up now!

Temps back in the 80s for us this week and I am ready to return to the 70s!

No lists this week, but lots of reading done and ongoing!

ADMIN STUFF:
THE DECEMBER MONTHLY GROUP READ NOMINATION POLL IS LIVE HERE! There are 10 titles to consider.
This book could be used to fulfill Prompt #25 A book where the main character is an immigrant or refugee
International Migrants Day is December 18, 2025
If you do not see the title you would like to nominate, please write it in. Please check the book's eligibility first! Only books that have NOT been discussed within the past two years (2023-present) are eligible. Remember to consult the listing of these books that are NOT eligible for this month HERE before nominating! :) There is an alphabetized listing by title as well as a chronological listing.
NOTE: This is the NOMINATION round, which is step one. We will select the top results from this round to create a new poll for a Final Vote to select ONE book for the November 2025 group read.
*** This poll will run through September 23rd. ***

THE NOVEMBER MONTHLY GROUP IS A Psalm for the Wild-Built (Monk & Robot #1) by Becky Chambers!
This book could be used to fulfill Prompt #29 A book about a food truck
National Fast Food Day is November 16, 2025
https://www.calendarr.com/united-stat...
Who among you is the “fearless foodie” willing to lead this discussion? Message either Nadine or me to volunteer!

THE OCTOBER MONTHLY GROUP READ IS The Fellowship of the Ring (Lord of the Rings #1) by J.R.R. Tolkien! 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...
Dubhease is the “magical manager” who has graciously volunteered to lead this discussion! Thank you ever so much! 👏👏👏👏👏👏

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
Join the discussion HERE

THE LISTING OF 2025 MONTHLY GROUP READ TOPICS IS HERE!
***
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
What are your bookish pet peeves?
Misspellings, grammar errors. The need for a good editor!

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: 45/52

2024 Popsugar: 47/50

FINISHED:
*Careless Whiskers (Cat in the Stacks #11) by Miranda James ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was an excellent example of intriguing plotting, IMO! So many red herrings with totally believable possible perpetrators of the crimes! And I admit to liking the ending which seemed very logical given the characters...
POPSUGAR: #2, #4, #6, #20, #28, #35, #40, #43
ATY: #2, #3. #5, #11, #13, #15, #16, #23, #24, #26, #32, #36, #37, #40, #41, #45, #48
RHC: #4, #11, #24
52 Book Club: #2, #6, #10, #22, #29, #43, #45

*Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail by Ben Montgomery ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was extremely enlightening!! What an amazing woman, life, and legacy! I’m just blown away by all of her accomplishments, but especially that first complete thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 1955!! So glad this was selected as the Monthly Group Read!
POPSUGAR: #6, #20, #24, #26, #32, #46
ATY: #1, #2, #3, #5, #16, #18, #24, #36, #41, #45, #46, #47, #48
RHC: #4, #13, #17, #24
52 Book Club: #7, #10, #21, #24, #32, #35, #38. #39, #42, NEW #46

*Record of a Night Too Brief by Hiromi Kawakami, translated by Lucy North ⭐⭐ for an IRL book club meeting Tuesday (in the evening). I always thought I would read Strange Weather in Tokyo, but after reading this book, I’m no longer as certain about that! Though SWiT sounds like a different type of book... There were 11 people at the book club meeting and not a single one of us felt we had really "gotten" the overall point of these stories. Interestingly, that made most everyone extremely relieved that not one of us felt assured of what they had actually just read! (I, on the other hand, no longer worry about that. If I feel as if I "get it," that's fine. But likewise, if I don't feel as if I "get it," that is also fine! Gettin' independent in my old age! LOL) My only comments on the first story, "Record of a Night Too Brief" was that it reminded me of the way in which I often might recall dreams the next day-in bits and pieces-and that I was reminded of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland / Through the Looking-Glass as characters would shrink or enlarge for no apparent reason... The idea of dreams resonated with most of the other members as well. The second story entitled "Missing" was quite absurd to me, as well as everyone else. Though I did note that some 'traditions' can seem totally meaningless and may even be very dangerous, as well as certain people may seem to be almost interchangeable...? The third story, "A Snake Stepped On" was rather scary for me since I am not at all fond of snakes, let alone imagining a ton of them crawling all over and even inside a character's body. (One time when my inclination to create images as I read was perhaps NOT to my advantage! 😯😬😒) Just more absurdity, IMO.
POPSUGAR: #6, #8, #18, #20, #43
ATY: #2, #5, #14, #16, #22, #24, #44, #45
RHC: #6, #8, #24
52 Book Club: #37, #42, #46

*Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for an IRL book club meeting that was also held on Tuesday (in the afternoon). Only one member didn’t enjoy (or even read beyond 40 pages) this book. She is in her 80s and just couldn’t connect with it at all… For one thing, she really dislikes reading a book if it uses the “F” word more than 3-5 times. I didn’t bother to count how often that word appeared in the first 30-40 pages, but I’m certain it was way more than 5 times! LOL I knew immediately she probably wouldn’t read it. I admit to feeling a bit put-off by the intensity of the first 20-30 pages, but in the aftermath of finishing the book, I think it might have been intentional, since I realized my feelings upon reading the beginning somewhat echoed Margo’s emotional state as well… This was an amazing catalyst for book club discussion as it depicted so many commonplace issues in today's society and world. I would recommend this one, especially for those who believe it is so very easy for a woman to simply be thrust into the world of single parenthood without financial resources. This is such an accurate (IMO) depiction of the complexity of human nature, humans in general, and especially human relationships. I do believe each of us contains both "good" and "bad" traits...it all depends upon who is doing the judging! As well as the context of the relationship.
POPSUGAR: #6, #14, #18, #20, #26, #40, #43
ATY: #2, #3, #5, #13, #15, #16, #23. #24, #35, #36, #37, #45
RHC: #21
52 Book Club: #3, #21, #22, #25, #33, #43, #46, #51

*The Tales of Beaufort Scales (Beaufort Scales #0) by Kim M. Watt ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was a genuinely delightfully fun and rather silly collection of short stories that was free on the author’s website! Loved each and every one of these! Beaufort is the High Lord of the Cloverly dragons!
POPSUGAR: #6, #8, #10, #14, #18, #20, #24, #28, #47
ATY: #1, #2, #3, #5, #8, #11, #13, #14, #15, #16, #24, #26, #32, #36, #40
RHC: #24
52 Book Club: #2, #11, #18, #21, #38, #42, #45, #46

*The Cat Did It: 8 short tales of troublesome felines by Kim M. Watt ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was another freebie on the author’s website. Not quite as laugh-out-loud funny as the Beaufort Scales stories, but definitely entertaining!
POPSUGAR: #6, #8, #10, #18, #20, #43
ATY: #2, #8, #15, #20, #26, #36
RHC: #24
52 Book Club: #42, #45, #46

CONTINUING:
*The Fire This Time: A New Generation Speaks About Race by Jesmyn Ward
*East of Eden by John Steinbeck
*Begin Again: James Baldwin's America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own by Eddie S. Glaude Jr.
*The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré is one I’m anxious to get back to and finish!
*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:
*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

Bea wrote: "Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail– PS #32 (overlooked woman). An amazing woman, but I am not sure that I get how she alone saved the Appalachian trail. Seems to me it was through the hard work of many people. Still she made a definite impact on hiking, trails, and getting out in nature. 4*"
I think perhaps Gatewood captured people's attention since she was the first female to complete the trail in one hike-through, and also the fact she was 67 years old when she did it. I really kinda felt that Montgomery really wanted to advocate for her amazing ability to endure and keep going...in so many ways. Plus that subtitle (I think that's the correct term) maybe draws more attention to the book overall?

"The Guncle - PS #35 (LGTBQ not coming out). For most of this book, I was a solid 3* due to its silliness. However, by the end it had made it to 4*. A bit too much of the gayness felt put-on rather than true for me."
I was not nearly as enamored with that book as I thought I would be. I have a couple of 'gay' friends who mirror those same behaviors, etc., so that didn't throw me off, but I felt the book was much more serious than I expected, what with the sibling relationships, etc. But perhaps I was more impacted since I am an only child and unfamiliar with such relationships. I just love how one book evokes so many varied reactions within the reading community!!

Ron wrote: "I am so terrible at keeping up with my goodreads and fable trackers.

The only one I'm consistent with is my Storygraph. I pay for the extra features because I love making my own charts."
That cracks me up. I despise charts! LOL I took one look at Storygraph and decided it offered me nothing I could appreciate over what I get with Goodreads...

But I think it's great that there is another option that works for other people!!

Thank you ever so much for leading, Vaish!!

6) Would you have the courage to hike all alone for over 2,000 miles with no more equipment than Emma had with her?
Not at 67 years of age! Maybe in my 20s? But I seriously doubt it. I would have been too scared of the unknowns and various dangers...

7) What aspect of Emma's first successful AT trek in 1955 was the most surprising to you?
Boy. So many! I think one of the most surprising was the encounter with the integrated group of rival gang members. I was amazed that someone was farsighted enough to try such an exercise in 'trust' to break through gang rivalries and a cycle of violence!

8) Were you ever holding your breath as you read due to your anxiety about Emma's safety?
Many times. Snake encounters. Losing her glasses. (I could relate so closely to that loss!!)

9) What do you think is the most important factor that accounts for Emma's ability to endure and keep pushing on to the finish despite her pain and injuries?
Perhaps it is simply her desire to finish. Especially to be the first female to do so. But I also feel that she was able to endure the pain and discomfort due to the fact that she had been beaten so much by her husband. I know there are people who virtually feel no pain and I wonder if she was at least able to endure much more pain and discomfort than the average person and just keep on keepin' on...

10) Montgomery feels that Emma's account of her own AT hike is accurate. What is your opinion of Earl Shaffer's account and claims?
Ack. No offense meant to males, but my first thought was, "Typical male!" Ugh.

11) What is your reaction to P.C.'s one dying request for Emma just to come and stand in his doorway for a minute?
I won't state exactly what words entered my mind...for fearing of offending some of you. I'll just say, "Fat chance, asshole!" (Yes, those were the nicer words! LOL)

I finished yesterday and what an amazing story and legacy!!

6) Would you have the courage to hike all alone for over 2,000 miles with no more equipment than Emma had with her?

7) What aspect of Emma's first successful AT trek in 1955 was the most surprising to you?

8) Were you ever holding your breath as you read due to your anxiety about Emma's safety?

9) What do you think is the most important factor that accounts for Emma's ability to endure and keep pushing on to the finish despite her pain and injuries?

10) Montgomery feels that Emma's account of her own AT hike is accurate. What is your opinion of Earl Shaffer's account and claims?

11) What is your reaction to P.C.'s one dying request for Emma just to come and stand in his doorway for a minute?

So many quotes and other comments. I admit to shedding a few quiet tears in celebration of Emma's accomplishments and her daughter Lucy's efforts to make certain her mother was recognized for her accomplishments. What a life!

At that time the AT was the longest continuous walking path in the world!!

"Aloneness more complete than ever."

"Because I wanted to."

Kendra wrote: "L Y N N wrote: "So can you NOT access the upcoming seasonal/monthly/whatever challenges? Only the current ones? I mean, I'm a planner!! I want to see what is coming up in the future!!! LOL"

No. An..."
Yep! I did manage to discover the other parts you mention. But not being able to plan ahead is a bummer! Wonder if they'll continue this into 2026?

So can you NOT access the upcoming seasonal/monthly/whatever challenges? Only the current ones? I mean, I'm a planner!! I want to see what is coming up in the future!!! LOL

Lilith wrote: "It's OK, Lynn, it would have been easy to miss.

This is the link to this year's Goodreads Challenge:

https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/2......"

And somehow I have 9 of 15 achievements! LOL

Sasha wrote: "Lilith wrote: "Thanks, Sasha! Congratulations on finishing the PS challenge! I hope you can stick around for conversation and gathering bookmarks!"

I definitely will! Thank you <3"
Please do stick around!!

Nadine in NY wrote: "L Y N N wrote: "Okay, y'all! I'm going to show my total ignorance here, so get ready to chuckle and shake your head. WTH are "bookmarks"?!?😯😋 ..."



LOL! It's the revamped Goodreads Challenge. (Th..."
Huh. Well, I'll check it out!

Kendra wrote: "L Y N N wrote: "Okay, y'all! I'm going to show my total ignorance here, so get ready to chuckle and shake your head. WTH are "bookmarks"?!?😯😋 I realize I've probably missed something so obvious it'..."

Thanks! I never pay attention to the Goodreads Challenge, so there is that! LOL

Lilith wrote: "Sasha wrote: "Lilith wrote: "Happy Saturday everyone!

Thanks, Sasha! Congratulations on finishing the PS challenge! I hope you can stick around for conversation and gathering bookmarks!"
Okay, y'all! I'm going to show my total ignorance here, so get ready to chuckle and shake your head. WTH are "bookmarks"?!?😯😋 I realize I've probably missed something so obvious it's ridiculous, but I am truly curious! LOL

Lilith wrote: "L Y N N wrote: "Lilith wrote: "I finally have a job, yay! It’s temping, but it’s medical admin at an amazing hospital, and these adventures often turn into temp-to-perm. Sigh, you have to do loads ...

Oh, you are definitely with me in spirit! You would really enjoy meeting and talking with people here. You'll definitely find many like-minded folks, and make lots of friends!"
Thanks!!

"I'm enjoying Sweet Bean Paste. It is slow-paced, and the friendship develops slowly, but it's perfect for a quieter novel between heavier reads."
And that is exactly what I would expect! 🤗

Bea wrote: "1) What are your expectations for this book?
I am always interested in learning more about those who do amazing things. My niece hiked the trail and got close to the end before stopping due to foot issues. When younger, this was a "I want to..." that I never did. So I am hoping to be fascinated about her walk."
Just the idea of her taking off all alone with no more equipment than she had...unbelievable! How brave and courageous!

"2) Do you have any hesitations about reading this?
None."
I'm just hoping she is okay...

"3) Do you have any prior knowledge about and/or experiences with the Appalachian Train itself?
No experience other than vicariously through my niece. I have always been fascinated with this trail, since I have lived close to it."
I can imagine I would have been much more aware of it if I had lived closer to it. I am in Indiana.

"4) This is a nonfiction book. Do you typically read nonfiction?
Yes."
Yay for nonfiction!!

"5) Would you have selected this book to read if it had not been voted in for the September Monthly Group Read?
I did.."
I would have, but I was totally unaware of it until the nominations!

Rose wrote: "One of my favorite books. Grandma Gatewood sounded like an amazing woman and what she was able to do was amazing.

I think you will like the story Lynn - what she was able to do without all the hi..."
I can't imagine that I won't be intrigued by this book and her story! I'm now on page 22 and am fascinated!

1) What are your expectations for this book?
I certainly hope to gain much more knowledge about the Appalachian Train itself, and about Gatewood overall, especially with regard to how she managed to "save" the trail.

2) Do you have any hesitations about reading this?
I admit to a bit of hesitation just because I'm a bit leery as to how an older woman in 1955 might fare hiking so many miles. My best friend's grandson is experiencing difficulties during his hike and he was well-prepared and is a medic to boot! I just can't imagine she won't have suffered at least physical difficulties if not also mental health challenges. Fingers crossed that her experience is not as difficult as I am imagining it to have been...

3) Do you have any prior knowledge about and/or experiences with the Appalachian Train itself?
Virtually none. I have driven a very short distance of it, but that's it... And of course now, at the age of 69 with titanium knee joint implants, I won't be hiking it in this lifetime!! LOL

4) This is a nonfiction book. Do you typically read nonfiction?
I always have great plans to fit in more nonfiction books, but never manage to achieve reading as many as I would like... Fiction books are my distracting shiny objects!!

5) Would you have selected this book to read if it had not been voted in for the September Monthly Group Read?
I don't know. I wasn't even familiar with this book until it was nominated!! And then I became obsessed!! LOL

After reading the first few pages I am fascinated to learn more about her experience!

Some initial questions:

1) What are your expectations for this book?
2) Do you have any hesitations about reading this?
3) Do you have any prior knowledge about and/or experiences with the Appalachian Train itself?
4) This is a nonfiction book. Do you typically read nonfiction?
5) Would you have selected this book to read if it had not been voted in for the September Monthly Group Read?

Lilith wrote: "I finally have a job, yay! It’s temping, but it’s medical admin at an amazing hospital, and these adventures often turn into temp-to-perm. Sigh, you have to do loads of interviews and other procedures to be accepted into this hospital’s temp service, but it’s an income stream. So relieved to have finally snagged something after 7 months. It’s brutal out there. If I ever get laid off again, I’m just taking Social Security and working in a dungeon and/or selling plasma."
You make me laugh! But I can relate... I hope this proves to be worthwhile to you!

"Now we wait for the background checks and the appointment at health services to get immunizations and/or titers. There are so many “childhood illnesses” I’ve had, but my pediatrician passed away a long time ago, so I have no proof. I guess I'll have complimentary immunizations coming up. I always do at hospital jobs."
Here's hoping you do not react to those immunizations! And that they're still available in the U.S.... 😬

"I’ll really miss my volunteer work and activism. We got into “good trouble” in Framingham the last 2 Saturdays (I am seeing sooo much of Massachusetts, and meeting up with other like-minded folks), and planning to get into more with Indivisible/ Bernie on Monday!"
Please know that I am jealous of your experiences and always with you in spirit, if not in body!!

"I have not posted in a looong time, so I apologize for the length ahead."
No apologies necessary! And please know that you can always complete two postings to include everything, if you wish to do it that way... I certainly have done that in the past!! Not that anyone has to have permission! LOL

"The Mistletoe Mystery. For the final Summer GR bookmark. Very endearing story. I’ll have to check out the rest of the series."
I love this series!!

"The Mysterious Affair at Styles. Agatha is the oldest author on my TBR, at her time of death – and older than the living authors. I have loads of other authors whose writing dates back millennia, but they did not live as long as she did. There are dated references and some racism that is rough, but thinking of the times, the plotting was wonderful. Quite a debut mystery!"
I feel as if I need to start rereading her books...and reading the ones I have not yet read for the first time. She was certainly prolific!

"Tilt. I actually really liked this, though I can see so many mixed reviews. Oddly, I liked this essentially unlikable character – I do enjoy flawed people, which is likely most of us on the planet, at times. I was mesmerized by the mix of kind acts and selfish, great people and not-so-great, and I even liked the ending. Usually I’m ok with ambiguity, and this was no different, especially as I did not have to figure out whether it had a happy ending. This could fit the “road trip” prompt … it did remind me a lot of The Road."
Huh. That's a new one for me.

"Currently reading: Sweet Bean Paste. Set in Japan, found family, loving the quiet pace so far."
This one intrigues me... Anxious to see what you think of it!

Nadine in NY wrote: "L Y N N wrote: "... Oooph! Yes! The Wedding People is the most recent and memorable. Although I feel that may partially be due to the fact that I had just finished Tom Lake, a book I could relate t...
Wow we truly are opposites! I really loved The Wedding People, so much more than I thought I would. It was so relatable for me, and so funny, despite some of its dark themes. I'd best not read Tom Lake, I'm sure to not like it!


(And Margo's Got Money Troubles was one of my all time favorite books. LOL I bet you don't like it hahahahah)"
Yep! I'm always thrilled when we agree on a book! LOL