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.

Kendra wrote: "L Y N N wrote: "Did you find it just as enjoyable the second time around?"

I did.

One thing I have to say about the opening - I did flip onward to check that the whole book wasn't in second person. I normally hate second person, which makes the fact that Morgenstern managed to make me love it (in this limited context) even more impressive."
I'm terrible. I rarely notice things like second person, etc.! I'm just readin'! LOL You are obviously much more discerning than me! That's undoubtedly a good thing!

Happy Thursday, Popsugar Enthusiasts!! Weather here has held rather steady for the past 3-4 days. Rather temperate which is nice... Not too cold and not hot!

I admit to being an NPR nerd. Here is an email message I received from NPR Books: https://view.nl.npr.org/?qs=7848a8d4c.... It is discussing many different things. Of course, the National Book Awards hosted by LeVar Burton held yesterday. https://www.nationalbook.org/awards-p... I don’t think I’ve read or am even familiar with most all of the longlisted books for all five prizes: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Translated Literature, and Young People’s Literature. Not sure what that means... LOL

There is an interview with Barbra Streisand regarding her newly released autobiography entitled My Name is Barbra, which is a brick at 1040 pages! Interestingly, she was asked to use a different last name and refused, but did shorten Barbara to Barbra! 😁

There are three newly translated books discussed (https://www.npr.org/2023/11/03/120968...
Vengeance Is Mine by Marie NDiaye whose mother was French and father was Senegalese
Undiscovered by Gabriela Wiener from Peru
Pedro and Marques Take Stock: A Picaresque Novel by José Falero from Brazil
All three of these look to be intense and yet (to me, at least) intriguing reads!

Three new books of poetry (htt)s://www.npr.org/2023/11/06/1209701376/poe...) are discussed.
English as a Second Language and Other Poems by Jaswinder Bolina
The Kingdom of Surfaces: Poems by Sally Wen Mao
Pig: Poems by Sam Sax
Though I’m not a huge fan of poetry, I must admit reading about that third book definitely piqued my interest! The title alone is intriguing!

Last, but by no means least is a brief summary of information submitted by readers regarding their various strategies for keeping track of books. I thought of you-all who keep spreadsheets, etc. (I am lazy and simply use Goodreads. I guess that may be much of the reason for my frequent complaints when it messes up!!)

Myrtle has now been fixed and we’ll be picking her up later today! I can’t wait!

ADMIN STUFF:
The November Monthly Group Read is The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern!. The discussion is posted in the Current Monthly Group Read folder HERE. I started rereading this one last night. This book could be used to fulfill prompt #41 A book written during NaNoWriMo! I will be posting some more specific questions today. Stop by if you’re at all interested! I’m certain this will hold up as a good read for me the second time around!

The December Monthly Group Read will be Bookshops & Bonedust (Legends & Lattes #0) by Travis Baldree. This book could be used to fulfill prompt #32 A book published in the last half of 2023. Surely there is a “cool captain” out there amongst you-all who is just dying to facilitate this discussion! Please message either myself or Nadine to volunteer! I’m so excited! My copy should arrive this next week!

Just a reminder that the comprehensive listing of 2023 Monthly Group Reads can be found HERE

Question of the Week:
Who/What is one of the characters you have read about that you most admire? Why?
Ooohhh…which one?!?

Since I did just finally finish the Mrs. Pollifax series, Emily Pollifax has my vote. It takes real guts to go to the CIA and volunteer to work as a “spy” at 65 years of age! Even if you do know karate!! She reminds me of Christie’s Miss Marple in that she knows people and can determine their character!

Popsugar: 45/50
Nadine’s Q1 Mini-Challenge: 7/10
AtY: 52/52 DONE!
RHC: 14/24

FINISHED:
*Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank (Finlay Donovan #4.5) by Elle Cosimano ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was excellent, as were the first 4 installments in this series! Good prep for the 5th installment, Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice, due to be released March 5, 2024!! (Thank you for listing this one last week, Ashley Marie!)
POPSUGAR: #16, #19-2020: prompt #3 A book with a great first line: Any idiot can spot a window of opportunity, but it takes a unique brand of idiot to fall through one., #32, #39, #50
ATY: #2, #3-A book set in the workplace of at least one character, #5, #6, #14, #34-107 pages, #37, #40, #45, #51
RHC: #14-213 ratings, #23, #24-2018: prompt #15 A one-sitting book

*Split Tooth by Tanya Tagaq ⭐⭐ for an IRL book club meeting this past Tuesday! This had been on my TBR listing, but I was hesitant to think I would enjoy it… While Tagaq’s writing ability is phenomenal, she lost me at one-third into the book. And, unfortunately, I never recovered… She has an amazing imagination and her use of words can be totally enthralling and very philosophical, but her subject matter in this fantastical debut was extremely off-putting for me. (At least the last 2/3 of the book.) I would love to read more of her writing if the subject matter was less pornographic overall. That’s all I’m sayin’… This is definitely not for the “faint of heart,” IMO! She is an activist for the rights of indigenous people to sustain themselves via seal-hunting and the immense numbers of missing/murdered indigenous females. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanya_T...) She is a talented throat singer as well!
POPSUGAR: #2, #4, #5, #6, #19-2015: prompt #7 Nonhuman characters, #27, #29
ATY: #1-Arctic, #3-A book one of your Goodreads friends is reading (3), #8, #10-Scary, #12, #28, #42, #43, #52
RHC: #20, #21, #23, #24-2015: A book that is by or about someone from an indigenous culture (Native Americans, Aboriginals, etc.)

UPDATED TO ADD: *Marjorie Morningstar by Herman Wouk ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ is the book I had selected to fulfill prompt #13 A book published in the year you were born. (It’s not exactly that year, but very close!) I have so enjoyed this book! I am just 45 pages from finishing. I should finish today and then will document to include here. It will be interesting to see what happens I am so glad I was able to finish this one immediately after reading Split Tooth! This was such a pleasant surprise since I found it to be totally enjoyable! Glad I selected this one for that prompt and looking forward to reading more of Wouk’s writing!
POPSUGAR: #6, #16, #19-2017: prompt #27 A book with a title that is a character’s name, #28, #31, #34, #39, #47-Passover (the Seder), #50
ATY: #3-A book where the chapters are named, #5, #6, #12, #19, #26, #37, #38-Moon on cover, #40, #45
RHC: #24-2015: A book written by an author whose gender is different from your own

CONTINUING:
*The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern for our Monthly Group Read!
*To Shape a Dragon's Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose for an IRL book club meeting this Sunday
*The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin
This one may need to wait until December or at least near the end of this month.

PLANNED:
*10th Anniversary (Women’s Murder Club #9) by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
*Last of the Breed by Louis L'Amour for an IRL book club
*Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey for an IRL book club
Dirty Thirty (Stephanie Plum #30) by Janet Evanovich
Bookshops & Bonedust (Legends & Lattes #0) by Travis Baldree for our December Monthly Group Read
System Collapse (Murderbot Diaries #7) by Martha Wells

Jennifer W wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: "yikes does the Collierville TN school system have any books left????..."

If I had loads of money, I'd set up an Underground Railroad of passing around banned books across the ..."

I would help!!

This discussion thread is to mark your completion of the March challenge to fulfill prompt #48 A collection of at least 24 poems.

World Poetry Day is on March 21!

Please include the following information about this book:

Title:
Author:
Would you recommend this book?

This discussion thread is to mark your completion of the February challenge to fulfill prompt #1 A book with the word "leap" in the title.

Since this “extra day” occurs in February in this “leap” year, it is just too obvious to resist!

Please include the following information about this book:

Title:
Author:
Would you recommend this book?

This discussion thread is to mark your completion of the January challenge to fulfill prompt #19 A book set in the future.

Ellis Island opened on New Year’s Day 1892, which was also a leap year! Most all who made it to Ellis Island were simply hoping for a better future. The NEW YEAR is usually focused on the future with setting resolutions, etc. January 1 is also WORLD DAY OF PEACE! More of which this world needs in the future, IMO!

Please include the following information about this book:

Title:
Author:
Would you recommend this book?

Teri wrote: "I read this after October was over, so I didn't participate in the group read.

I do not read many graphic novels as I am not a very visual person, but I cannot imagine this book being told in any..."
Ah, such valuable insights!!

Like you, I pledge to do better with those I care for each day... It can be very draining...

Moriarty wrote: "I started rereading it last month for the “a book I wish I could read for the first time again” prompt. I was a little nervous about wether I would still like it, because I do remember the insta lo..."
Very cool!!

Kendra wrote: "I love this book, but I just reread it last June, so I'm probably not going to reread it again. But I'm happy to talk about it.

And for me, the opening grabbed me right away. When I originally re..."
Totally understandable that you wouldn't read it again!! 😊 Did you find it just as enjoyable the second time around?

Jennifer W wrote: "I want to try to read this book this month, but I have a bunch of holds that came in at the library that I will have to prioritize. I bought this book years ago, but I've never been able to get ver..."
If you're able to join in, please do!

Teri wrote: "1) What, if any, are your expectations of this book?
I read this book in 2018 (can't believe it has been that long). I rarely buy books these days because I don't have room for them, but I loved this one so much that I bought a copy. I hope I can fit the re-read in this month. My expectation of the re-read is that I will love it just as much as the first time."
I first read it in 2019! Time does fly, doesn't it? LOL I believe I will enjoy it just as much the second time as well!

"2) Would you have considered reading this book if it wasn't selected as a Popsugar Monthly Group Read?
I would have re-read it again at some point, but am happy to have a reason to fit it in now."
Yes, I'm excited!

"3) Have you read Morgenstern's sophomore novel, The Starless Sea?
I have been meaning to, but haven't gotten to it. Someday."
Everyone in my book club felt it was a very different book from TNC.

"4) What are your thoughts regarding a novel you know originated through NaNoWriMo? Does that make a difference to you?
Not sure it makes a difference, as I am already so impressed with anyone who writes a book. I am also so grateful that people have stories in their heads and the ability to get it out on paper (or computer, most likely)."
I feel as if it doesn't make a difference either. Any book requires much editing and at least several iterations, it seems. But to be able to completely compose a novel in one month seems almost impossible to me!

Dubhease wrote: "I read the book about two years ago. I gave it 5 stars and felt like I was reading a future classic."
I would agree with the "classic" designation. I felt it to be one of the most unique books I've ever read!

"1) What, if any, are your expectations of this book? I didn't have many. Some popular books don't live up to the hype. This one did."
I felt the same way about it.

"3) Have you read Morgenstern's sophomore novel, The Starless Sea?

I read it this year and was disappointed. I loved the Night Circus and this one didn't live up to my expectations. I found some of the plot needlessly confusing."
Agreed. But I cannot imagine an author's second book coming up to the standard set by The Night Circus, either!

"4) What are your thoughts regarding a novel you know originated through NaNoWriMo? Does that make a difference to you?

I was shocked when I learned that. The books that myself and my friends have produced during NaNo were so rough and sometimes trash. She must have edited it a zillion times since her NaNo draft."
I feel the same. I'm always so impressed with anyone who can write a book...and then bonus if it's readable and enjoyable! LOL Good for them!

I will begin reading this one tomorrow (Wednesday) and will post more questions then.

Erin wrote: "L Y N N wrote: "...then my brand new laptop locked up with an urgent alert from Windows Security that I had been attacked by a Trojan virus and was unable to use my computer again until I called a ..."
The more I think about it, the more certain I am it was a scam and when they figured out I had no money and no credit, they let me go on my way!

Teri wrote: "Has anyone watched the "All the Light We Cannot See" miniseries yet? There is a lot that is different than the book, as of course there has to be. I quite liked the changes and thought they fit wel..."
I rarely watch adaptations and I hesitate to do so with this even if it is on Netflix which is the only streaming channel to which I subscribe. I just loved that book so much...
🙂

Kenya wrote: "This week has been exhausting. I'm so ready for this semester to be over..."
Hang in there!!

"Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life -- decent middle-grade novel about a neurotic thirteen-year-old boy trying to find the meaning of life (or just the keys to the box his dad gave him for his birthday) in New York City."
That made me chuckle!

"Leonard and Hungry Paul -- I’m all for slice-of-life books, and it was nice to read about genuinely nice characters trying to be their genuine best. But boy, this was pretty dull."
Yep! Sounds like one I would enjoy... LOL

"The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes"
I keep telling myself I need to dig out my copy and finally read this!

"QOTW:
Of the books on this list, I've read 10 and DNFed 7. My favorites of the ones I did read would have to be Station Eleven, Project Hail Mary, and I'm Glad My Mom Died."
Oh, my! That sounds like a lot to DNF! I guess I usually just persevere...but then I really enjoy most everything I read. I loved Project Hail Mary!

Bea wrote: "Happy check-in, y’all!

Why do I keep signing up for classes that I know a lot about? This past week I did a Heart Healthy Cooking class at a local library. It was very basic on the different food groups, need for exercise and basic good thinking about one’s body. Still, I did a few chair exercises with them and came away with an app that might be useful. It isn’t that I don’t know what to eat…it is more like I don’t do what I know."
Unfortunately, I believe that is true for most of us! We know better...

"I attended two events last weekend. Saturday was Cowboy Experience, which was a catered cookout along with demonstrations with explanations of various horse/cowboy skills – roping calves, mustang training, sidesaddle riding, and various reining techniques. Very interesting except my friend spent the time talking to everyone she saw rather than being with me."
Ohh, that can be frustrating.

"Then on Sunday I went to a Foodie Festival with some friends. It was a mix of a craft fair as well as ethnic food trucks. I enjoyed the craft fair and bought some honey with comb! Hard to find. I also made an appointment with a masseuse for a massage the next day. But, we did not eat at any of the food trucks. Bah! I would have loved to sample the various foods, but one friend had her autistic son along and he did not want to eat at any and my good friend had pain in her legs and needed to sit to eat…no place for that with the food trucks. So we ended up in a pizza restaurant."
I trust you enjoyed it all anyway!

"I did get the massage the next day. It was with hot stones…and not what I expected but better!"
I had a massage therapist in the past who did an amazing job with hot stones! I'm sure you felt marvelous afterward!

"Oh! Internet went down on Monday...and couldn't be fixed remotely until a tech came out on Wed. So...I took my MiFi from Verizon out of my trailer, hooked it up in my house, and voila! home internet!!! Of course, Breezeline restarted Monday night and tech was cancelled, but I learned that my MiFi can provide internet to my FireTV as well as my computer...and I have unlimited data plan for it...and already pay for it...and why do I need Breezeline?"
Wow. Internet/WIFI is a challenging concept, IMO!!

"Regarding reading…I am not sure that I will finish this challenge. I have 12-13 prompts to go, but I going to give it a try."
And the good news is there are NO Popsugar police! As long as you have fun and enjoy some books along the way! That's all that really counts! 👍😊

"PS 37/50 (72%) and 7/10 (70%) for Nadine’s Challenge (I have two checked out from library…and hope to get the third one by December. Might finish this one yet!)
ATY 44/52 (85%) and Spring Challenge Finished*, Fall Challenge 8/12 (67%).
GR 217/200

*I reviewed my read books from Mar 1 – May 31 and was able to complete all prompts with books read during that time.

+I did the same type of review for Sept 1-Nov 30 (Fall) and was able to complete 8 of the prompts as well as plan for an additional 2 (originally planned for 10). I doubt that I will get that last 3 planned or read, but who knows?"
It amazes me sometimes how books I've read just happen to fulfill prompts!

"QotW: How many of the 76 most popular books of the past decade have you read? Are any of these books favorites of yours?

I have read 25 and another 13 are on one of my TBR lists (wishlist, friends recommend, new series).

Five stars:
Where the Crawdads Sing
Educated
The Nightingale
The Tattooist of Auschwitz
The Four Winds
Orphan Train
Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI"
My book club will be reading Educated soon and I hope to get the last 3 on your list in 2024...

K.L. wrote: "I had an opportunity to do a tremendous amount of reading this week, and I’m getting very close to accomplishing my TBR goal for 2023. I currently have 9 books left to read, and at the speed I’ve been reading, I think I will be able to get through all of them before the end of the month."
That is awesome!

"I’d like to say that I’ve also made significant progress on my “New Books” list goal…but that would be a lie. I am continuing to read the books on my list, but it’s hard to make progress when you keep buying more books. Oh well. It is what it is."
I still believe you are brave for even trying! LOL

"Two of the books I purchased were new releases that I was already planning on buying this week. They were Murder in Williamstown, by Kerry Greenwood; and Bookshops & Bonedust, by Travis Baldree."
I'll be ordering some new releases next week! Definitely including this one!

"Of course, because I have zero self-control when it comes to book shopping, I also ended up getting copies of Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries, by Heather Fawcett; and Critical Role Vox Machina Origins, volumes 1-3, by Matthew Mercer.

My biggest surprise purchase of the week, however, was System Collapse, by Martha Wells. Even though this book is not supposed to be out until the 14th, my local Barnes & Noble already had tons of copies on their New Release shelves! I was so excited to be able to get this one a week ahead of schedule!"
I'm just thrilled to know there are others like me! And I am so jealous of your week-ahead purchase!! YAY!

"~By the Pricking of My Thumbs — This is the fourth book in the Tommy and Tuppence series. I really enjoyed this story! 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Postern of Fate — This is the fifth book in the Tommy and Tuppence series. I really enjoyed this mystery! 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️"
I finally received installments 2 and 3 and am looking forward to finishing the series as well!

"~They Came to Baghdad — This is one of Agatha Christie’s standalone mystery novels. I really enjoyed this story! It was very different than most of the Christie novels I have read; more thriller than mystery. I do have to admit, however, that I was not a big fan of the main female character. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️"
Don't think I've read this one!

"~The Secret of Chimneys — I’m only a couple of chapters into this book, so I haven’t really formed any opinions of it yet. 📚"
Haven't read any from this series...

"QOTW:
The only books I’ve read from this list are…
~Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood, by Trevor Noah
~The Testaments, by Margaret Atwood"
Interesting! Did you enjoy them both?

Ashley Marie wrote: "Good morning Thursday PopSugar people! My physical reading is tanking thanks to NaNoWriMo (as I knew it would - when will I finally remember to leave November a blank slate in my reading plans?), and my audio choices have been a mess. But I think I've finally settled on a few things, so that feels good."
Good for you doing NaNoWriMo!

"Finished:
Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank - 5 stars. If you enjoy the Finlay Donovan books this has probably been on your radar for awhile. I've always thought Vero was the stronger of the two characters so it's no surprise I loved this!"
Oohh!! Only available in ebook format. Guess I'll have to take a break from this thread to read it! Be right back! LOL (How did I not know about this?!?) Thanks so much for mentioning!

"QOTW: How many of the 76 most popular books of the past decade have you read? Are any of these books favorites of yours?
Oh fun! Looks like I've read 15 with 2 DNFs. Favorites include The Alice Network, Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood, Daisy Jones & The Six, and Spare."
I hope to get to The Alice Network and Spare next year!

Ellie wrote: "I'll just answer the QOTW for now and return if I actually finish anything today. London was fun but tiring and I can't believe how busy it was for a damp, November weekend. I guess international tourism is back in full force. Both days that we swung past Borough Market it was too crowded to see anything, obviously it's got a lot more popular than last time I went (which must be pre-pandemic, I've lost all sense of years going by).

Since our hotel was by the Tower of London and I had a 241 voucher, we decided to be proper tourists for a bit, and I never knew they had such an amazing collection of lifesize horse models with ridiculous facial expressions. I loved them, so much cooler than the sparkly crown jewels. I wonder if the original artists thought they'd really captured the spirit of the royal horses?"😃
Sounds like so much fun!!

"QOTW:
I've read 21, a few I loved and the rest are a bit on the average side. Several were ones I only read because I was in a book group at the time. My tastes clearly leans to "obscure by Goodreads standards"."
I always feel that way as well. So I was surprised by how many I'd read and loved. Though there are so many others not listed that I would include!!

"Those I loved are Heartstopper: Volume One, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, Station Eleven and Sea of Tranquility."
Though I'm typically not a fan of graphic novels, Heartstopper is one I may well read one day. And I really meant to get to Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow this year, but it looks as if that one will be booted to 2024!