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.

Dubhease wrote: "Happy Thursday.
Not only did I get all my October books done, but I am half way through one of my November books. November and December get busy for me, so I'm thrilled to get ahead."
Jealous!! But good for you!

"Buddy Reads:
The Horse and His Boy - 3/15 chapters"
Looks like lots of scary/horror reads and then this one! LOL

"QOTW: I can't remember. For a while I got terrible books as gifts because people would ask book stores for recommendations and I'd get books that were their taste. Or I'd get books in French to help me become more bilingual. Now I just buy myself my own books and I'm happier."
Yep!

Doni wrote: "Finished: Justice for Animals: Our Collective Responsibility This was a re-read. I don't know what it was about this book, but I didn't love it. Her ideas seemed reasonable and well-thought out. I want to read Korgaard's application of Kantian thought to animals in the future.

Started: The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking
Many Worlds?: Everett, Quantum Theory, & Reality"
All of this nonfiction looks so interesting! But...
"No Two Persons"
I had totally overlooked this book! She is one of my all-time absolute favorite authors! Thanks for the reminder!

"QotW: The last book I was pleasantly surprised by receiving was Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice That Shapes What We See, Think, and Do from my father. I hadn't even heard of this book even though it covered some of my core areas of studies. It was very good. Also, it was a surprise since my father hardly ever selects gifts for me."
Awwww...that is so cool! Glad he did that for you!! 👍😊

Sheri wrote: "Hi All
We had SNOW on Halloween! Rude! Still had at least some trick or treaters, Michigan kids are hearty when it comes to candy."
LOL 😋

"I think rain keeps them in more than cold/snow. At least had nicer weather for the halloween concert/party we went to over last weekend. Friday was downright lovely. My husband and I dressed up as Barbie and Ken, very fun."
How fun!

"A Head Full of Ghosts - I finished this a bit after check in. I had mixed feelings about it. I still don't really love mental illness being wrapped up in horror."
Ugh. I can't even imagine...but then I do NOT do horror, with or without mental illness!

"Where'd You Go, Bernadette - finished audiobook for my genre challenge. I liked it pretty well, although there were bits that were kind of all over the place."
This definitely did not fully live up to my expectations...

"QOTW:
I don't know offhand. People have given me books before, occasionally as a surprise. Usually because it was on my wishlist. Most people know not to get me surprise books otherwise, unless they're willing to do a LOT of research because I read and own a lot of books already. I have a friend who's gotten me a few surprise books and I feel bad every time because it's not that she's WRONG in her selections, it's just that i've already had copies of everything she's picked. I of course said thank you politely, but usually gift receipts weren't included so then I'm left with a book I can't return, already have so end up having to just give away.

However at my birthday this year several people gave me surprise book gift cards which is much appreciated! I've not spent them because i've been really busy, but hopefully this month I'll get a lull in a weekend and be able to go to the book store and get some spending in."
Bookstore gift cards are so much fun!!

Ron wrote: "Wow, I honestly don't know how I'm going to do this. I've got 3 things to keep up with this month:
- Nonfiction November
-NaNoWriMo
-School Work
I know, I know, school work comes first, but thankfully I'm on track with that so I do not have to worry that much."
Sounds as if you already have a good start!

"I've currently got 4 books going:
Our Migrant Souls: A Meditation on Race and the Meanings and Myths of “Latino”
Hollywood's Native Americans: Stories of Identity and Resistance
Standing with Standing Rock: Voices from the #NoDAPL Movement
You Are What You Watch"
Each of these looks so interesting. I think the last one might be especially enlightening...

"Also started with my NaNoWriMo project which has been fun. I recently finished my second poetry book so that is in the process of being self-published. Now with this third book though I am certainly planning on turning it into a book and it's going to be a series of short stories. I've seen short story books have between 134-217 pages so considering my first poetry book was 217 pages I'm in good hands that way."
Wow! Amazing!! Good for you! 👍👏👏👏

Jai wrote: "Happy Thursday!! I'm in a reading slump and I realized I probably won't finish the PS challenge but I did surpass my GR challenge so I'm happy. I decided not to even stress or worry since I've had so much fun choosing Black authors to cover my prompts.
My attention span has been terrible and I'm working full time as well as working with a postpartum doula client after work."
You are definitely busy! I personally believe there are just times when we need a break...even from reading! 😊

"QOTW: When was the last time someone surprised you with a book as a gift?
My coworker surprised me with a book for Christmas last year. We did a gift exchange and he picked my name. I haven't read it and I'm not sure if I will or not."
Well if you do, I hope you will enjoy it!

"READING:
The Davenports and Our History Has Always Been Contraband: In Defense of Black Studies"
Oooohhh! Added both of these to my TBR listing!

Megan wrote: "This may be the earliest I've checked in! I finished one book and made progress on others I'm currently reading. I'm still at 36/40 and 7/10 for this challenge, and have read 96 books overall so far this year."
Good for you!

"Currently Reading:
* The Buenos Aires Quintet by Manuel Vázquez Montalbán, which continues to gather dust rather than pages read"
That just happens sometimes...at least it does to me!

"* The Final Curtain by Keigo Higashino and translated by Giles Murray, which is a NetGalley copy I received from the publisher"
Oohhh...this series looks interesting!

"QotW:
When was the last time someone surprised you with a book as a gift? Or, if that has never happened, how would you imagine it happening? From whom? And which book? Hmm. I receive a lot of books as gifts from lots of people in my life. I've sometimes been pleasantly surprised by the titles they've given me, but not necessarily surprised to having received a book. If I had to pick one, I'd go with the signed copy of What Came Before He Shot Her by Elizabeth George I received from my Mom more than 10 years ago. She met the author at a book festival and this was the first one that was jointly signed to both of us. We've used the same personalization for book signings since then and it's often a fun conversation starter or prompts the author to recall having met us before."
Awwww...that is a wonderful tradition!! How neat!

Bea wrote: "Also on Saturday, I attended a Car 101 class for women. I knew much of the how to that was demonstrated, although I did not know how to locate or check the fluids in my own new computerized car! A good time. I even won a gift card, a ball cap and a sprocket set…although I haven’t the faintest what to do with that last thing!"
Well, with these newer even more complex computer-operated vehicles, I doubt there is much use for a sprocket set!

"Sunday I attended a screening of a documentary about one family’s discovery of their connection to the destruction of the Black community of Tulsa – Black Wall Street. I felt out of place in the audience as it was made up mostly by the black community and the discussion centered around the idea of black generational wealth and its replacement. Although I agreed with some of the panelists, I felt like I was sneaking a peak behind the curtain and didn’t belong."
Perhaps you can better understand what "minority" folks endure on a constant basis, every single day. And, IMO, this is an excellent way to allow you to feel more comfortable in such situations. Good for you!

JessicaMHR wrote: "I've been having a really hard time focusing on any books lately. To be fair I have had a super emotionally stressful past month and only in this past week have things seemed to turn around a bit. So my head and heart just weren't really in it."
Ugh. Those times are never fun! Sorry for all that you've had to endure and overcome! 😥

"I actually forced myself to read this past week and to finish the one book I did finish. I ended up sitting in the library parking lot to read the last 10 or 15 pages of it just so I could turn it in at the drop box and not have to come back another time.
"
Ha! I sometimes sit in the parking lot of my gym either before or after I've taught and worked out and read in my current book! Sometimes I just want 10-15 more minutes of reading!! 😁 (Yes, I'm strange! LOL)

Bea wrote: "L Y N N wrote: "Kenya wrote: ""Keeping Secrets -- I seem to be hitting my horse-girl stage later in life than normal, haha… Predictable but good read about a teenage girl working at a riding school..."
Love it!

Britany wrote: "Another vote for loving Migrations. I own her second book, but haven't read it yet."

Ha! Ha! Duly noted!

Nadine in NY wrote: "Non-book news: my daughter's marching band won the New York National class field band championship competition last night! We are, for the second year in a row, the best field band in New York stat..."
My little old high school band won some competitions...none as prestigious as this, however! That's great!! YAY!!

Teri wrote: "I have been so busy since I retired a month ago that I have not been keeping up here. I thought I would be less busy, but it doesn't seem to work that way. I have good days where I get a lot done, ..."
Congrats on retiring!! Like you, I am enjoying each day that I do not have to slog my way to work!

Nadine in NY wrote: "Laura wrote: "Marching band was one of my favorite high school activities. I pushed my elder son into band (even though he has absolutely no musical aptitude... lol), and he loved it too!..."

That's so cool!

Ashley Marie wrote: "Happy Thursday! I can’t believe how fast October went. Things have been busy this past week. A friend and I got to see Loreena McKennitt in concert over the weekend (Celtic/New Age music) and she was fantastic."
She is one of my absolute favorites! I am soooooo jealous!!

"I’m seeing the Eras Tour at the movie theater tomorrow night. And yesterday my husband scored tickets to see Iron Maiden when they come through the area on their current tour (a year from now, but we’re still thrilled)!"
Ha! Yet more music in this week's posts!

"Coupled with all of this plus work, I’m amazed I got anything finished this week, but I’m feeling ambitious - giving NaNoWriMo a shot after a few years away. I made good progress yesterday, and it feels good to be writing again."
Wow. You really have been busy! Positive energy to you for NaNoWriMo!! You go, girl! 👍

"Ghostlore Vol. 1 - 2 stars. I was excited for this and instead wound up disappointed."
Ugh. It's no fun when that happens!

"Why Did You Leave the Horse Alone? - 4 stars. I took my time with this one because each poem deserved its own space. Poignant."
I don't read much poetry, but this one is already on my TBR listing.

"The Blackbird Girls - on track for a solid 3 stars"
Ooohh...this looks like one I would like!

"Currently:
The Woman in Me"
Interested to see what you think of this one!

"Upcoming:
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow"
One I hope to get to next year!

"QOTW: When was the last time someone surprised you with a book as a gift?
My dad gifted me a copy of Tolkien's translation of Beowulf for my birthday as well as an ebook copy of Isherwood's The Berlin Stories, the basis for Cabaret, one of my favorite musicals. I usually post a list of books for family but I'm steadily coming around to the idea, at least for him, of choosing newer releases and things that are more easily find-able in the bookstore. My sister navigates online shopping easily but Dad is old-school (I'm still stunned at Berlin Stories - that's the second ebook in a year he's sent me)."
It takes us older (and wiser? LOL) folks a while to catch on to all this newfangled online stuff! 👍😊

Ellie wrote: "What miserable weather! We're meant to be going to London for my birthday tomorrow, but currently the train tracks are flooded so I'm not super hopeful. Last year my plans got cancelled due to a storm too so I think I need to change my birthday to a better month."
Or...I have a good friend who insists on celebrating her birthday for a whole month! 😁

"Finished:
Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki for ATY (sun/moon/stars on cover). This was strange and lovely. I don't usually enjoy books about music but I loved this (I guess it helped having demons, aliens and the donut shop)."
Hmmm...books about music appear to be a recurrent theme for us this week! LOL You and Nadine! What a combination of apparently unrelated things in this book!

"I'm still listening to Starter Villain but I'm finding Wil Wheaton a bit annoying. Making a mental note to avoid audiobooks read by him in the future."
I think that's one reason I rarely 'listen' to a book-it adds yet another layer of interpretation. At least now you know... 😊

"QOTW:
Not in ages, my partner stopped buying books for me because he quite rightfully says I just buy the books I want to read the most anyway. I don't mind someone buying me something off my wishlist, but I generally don't keep up with the books I already have, so a random book gift isn't always welcome.

Last time I remember a spontaneous book giving not for any occasion was a special edition of The Buried Giant which I still haven't read...which is why no one gives me books any more."
Ha! Ha! You definitely made me laugh. I enjoyed The Buried Giant, though it definitely isn't a favorite read for me. I should probably read it again when I can be more in the mood for it...

Katy wrote: "I finished The Thirteenth Tale. I liked it. Totally recommend."
Glad you enjoyed it!

"I'm reading The The Complete Short Stories of Mark Twain I'm about 1/3 of the way through and have skipped two stories so far. I'm not big on short stories, but I like Mark Twain so I'm conflicted."
Gosh! I haven't read Twain in forever. Cool!

"In other news, I got laid off and my last day is in 2 weeks. I have no marketable skills. I'm freaking out a bit."
Ack! I am so sorry! I might point out that you MUST have skills or you wouldn't have been employed? Positive energy for amazing employment opportunities to come your way!! 🤗🥰 And meantime a virtual hug of comfort!

Nadine in NY wrote: "Happy Thursday! It's finally gotten cold here - it snowed yesterday and I had to bring in my tender houseplants. I still don't know where my winter coat is - not that I've really spent all that much time looking for it. In Central NY we have this weird attitude of refusing to give in to the weather, like wearing a winter coat is somehow meaning we lose and the weather wins."
Ha! Yes, it showed here on Tuesday while I was out running errands in my winter coat!! 😁 It was just flurries...fortunately!! I no longer have that same compulsion about not wearing a winter coat when the temperatures are uncomfortably cold to me. As I get older I find I cannot tolerate the cold air as well! For me, the weather definitely wins! And I am quite satisfied to admit it! LOL

"I finished ONE book this week, and I hated it."
I am so sorry you didn't enjoy that one book! Ugh.

"Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah - this book sounded like it would be awesome, a dark satirical look at a near future when prisoners fight like gladiators. It was ... not awesome. It was dull and bloated and boring. TBH I skimmed a lot in the middle, there were just too many characters, and I didn't care about a single one. Two thumbs DOWN."
Yeah. I'm not even bothering to try this one. Just doesn't interest me at all. But I wish it had proven to be more enjoyable for you!

"I'm finished with Popsugar & Around the Year challenges, and I've made no progress on my other two challenges."
Only one comment to that--👏👏👏👏👏 I'm glad one of us is setting a good example! 😁

"QotW
I don't even remember. My mom got me The Jazz of Physics: The Secret Link Between Music and the Structure of the Universe many years ago and I still haven't read it - that's probably the last time I got a surprise book. I don't listen to jazz and I don't really like reading about music - I understand why she thought I'd like the book, but ... it's probably never going to happen.

In general, I am not a good person to give books to. Every time someone has spontaneously said "I love this book, here borrow this from me" (and I guess it's happened maybe three times in my life) I have never read the book."
I think that's true for many of us. In this case, he knew I was planning to read it, so that was a bit different, perhaps... But this book sounds truly interesting!

And here we are in NOVEMBER! YIKES!! And the Hoosier state (Indiana in the US) is now COLD!! Frost and freeze have occurred. I even wore my winter coat while running errands on Tuesday since it didn’t even get over 39 degrees Fahrenheit that day!

Ah, so 'tis the season! Interestingly, one of our gym instructors was speaking about the spiritual feelings of “connection” she feels at “this time of year.” She spoke of the weather changing to winter temperatures, snow, etc., and the various holiday/family gatherings expected, etc. (Definitely a northern hemisphere-centered setting!) All I could think with regard to her comments was, Why can’t or don’t we always feel a special spirituality and “connection” to others each and every day? I feel that if our spiritual beliefs don’t accomplish this, then they aren’t nearly as effective as they should be at making us feel grateful, hopeful, and “connected” all year ‘round. I have found that abandoning the observance of all holidays has helped me be much more aware of “life” and others on a daily basis and enabled me to focus more on these daily aspects of life without the need to participate in “special” activities or events with regard to spiritual beliefs. Just my thoughts… It may be the opposite for others. But whatever your foundational beliefs, I always send out positive energy to all!

ADMIN STUFF:
The November Monthly Group Read will be The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern!. The discussion is posted in the Current Monthly Group Read folder HERE. (I and the IRL book club I facilitate LOVED this book so much!) This book could be used to fulfill prompt #41 A book written during NaNoWriMo! No “marvelous manager” volunteered to lead this discussion! Let chaos reign! I will post some generic questions, but, IMO, there is more than enough material for a good discussion to occur organically!

The October Monthly Group Read discussion for The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman is posted in the Current Monthly Group Read folder HERE. This book can be used to fulfill prompt #18 A book that’s been banned or challenged in 2022. Banned Books Week is October 1-7, 2023! Website: https://bannedbooksweek.org/#:~:text=... Jennifer was the "official organizer" who graciously lead this discussion! THANK YOU, JENNIFER! 👏👏👏👏 My copy did not arrive in time for October, but as soon as it does, I will read it! That should happen yet this week!

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. I’m certain 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!

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

Question of the Week:
When was the last time someone surprised you with a book as a gift? Or, if that has never happened, how would you imagine it happening? From whom? And which book?
I just had to pose this question because this just happened to me last month. From such an unexpected source!! My D.O. presented me with a brand-new copy of The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin when I arrived at his office for an appointment. He had been reading it and I stated it was on my TBR and hoped to get to it soon… I was shocked and amazed! Needless to say, this man has won my heart!!

Tell us! 😉

FINISHED:
*The 9th Judgment (Women’s Murder Club #9) by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro ⭐⭐⭐⭐ was okay. It was very melodramatic and a bit on the hysterical side. I did appreciate the diversity as a bisexual character was one of the main characters. I rather liked the fact that the cat burglar ended up returning all she had stolen…
POPSUGAR: #2, #19-2015: prompt #5 A book with a number in the title, #28, #29, #46
ATY: #2, #3-A book set in the workplace of at least one character, #5, #10-Scary, #14, #18, #33, #37, #43, #45, #52
RHC: #23, #24-2015: A book that someone else has recommended to you

*The Secret Adversary(Tommy & Tuppence #1) by Agatha Christie ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was excellent! I did pretty much guess who the villain was, which is unusual for me, but certainly did not in any way diminish by appreciation for and enjoyment of the book! One thing I did learn is that "Tuppence" is pronounced as "two pence," not "tup pence" as I had pronounced it to myself all these years!! LOL 😁 I am awaiting arrival of the second and third installments to continue the series!
POPSUGAR: #1, #2, #19-2019: prompt #30 A book featuring an amateur detective, #28, #36
ATY: #3-A book related to “first contact,” #5, #10-Scary, #14, #19, #24, #27, #37, #43, #45
RHC: #23, #24-2017: prompt #7 A book published between 1900-1950 (1922)

I have now read all the books in the Mrs. Pollifax series but haven’t documented them all. I am in the process of catching up with that! I might have imagined myself volunteering for the CIA at 65 years of age if not for physical limitations, so it is fun to live vicariously through this character! Though admittedly, I would probably never have succeeded, at least not under the same circumstances she encounters! 😊
* The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax(Mrs. Pollifax #1) by Dorothy Gilman ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was a marvelous introduction to this intrepid “elderly” woman with the fancy hats! But beware! Do not underestimate this widow!! She may well surprise you in totally “unexpected” ways! I adore her determination and positive twist to those threatening and intimidating occurrences as may well befall a CIA operative!
POPSUGAR: #4, #16, #19-2015: prompt #41 A book written by an author you’ve never read before, #28, #36, #39
ATY: #1-Albania, #3-A book about “a fish out of water,” #5, #10-Scary, #14, #24, #33, #37, #43, #45, #52
RHC: #23, #24-2017: prompt #11 A book set more than 5,000 miles from your location

*The Amazing Mrs. Pollifax (Mrs. Pollifax #2) by Dorothy Gilman ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was just as ‘amazing’ as the first installment! Lots of action in this one!
POPSUGAR: #2, #16, #19-2016: prompt #8 A book set in Europe, #28, #36, #39
ATY: #1-Turkey, #3-A book featuring the Widow, the Wallflower, or the Woman Scorned (Widow), #5, #10-Scary, #14, #24, #37, #43, #45
RHC: #23, #24-2020: prompt #3 Read a mystery where the victim is not a woman

*The Elusive Mrs. Pollifax (Mrs. Pollifax #3) by Dorothy Gilman ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was absolutely brilliantly plotted and as usual, Emily has the most outrageous imagination to plan the impossible… And she learns of an unknown ‘traitor’ who is one of the good guys, but retains that information as an act of loyalty to the person who saved her life as well as that of others…
POPSUGAR: #16, #19-2016: prompt #14 A book you can finish reading in one day, #28, #31, #36, #39
ATY: #3-A book including a justice-impacted character or person, #5, #10-Scary, #14, #24, #37, #43, #45
RHC: #23, #24-2018: prompt #23 A book with a female protagonist over the age of 60

CONTINUING:
* The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin
I got halfway through this and decided to complete a review of some of the scientific concepts and theories covered before rereading that first half and then finishing the book. The science nerd in me just cannot skim through without remembering accurately and fully understanding…

PLANNED:
The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman
*10th Anniversary (Women’s Murder Club #9) by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
*Strange Sight (Essex Witch Museum Mystery #2) by Syd Moore
Dirty Thirty (Stephanie Plum #30) by Janet Evanovich scheduled to release October 31
Bookshops & Bonedust (Legends & Lattes #0) by Travis Baldree for our December Monthly Group Read scheduled to release November 7. I CANNOT WAIT TO READ THIS ONE!
System Collapse (Murderbot Diaries #7) by Martha Wells scheduled to release November 14. ANOTHER ONE I AM SO ANXIOUS TO READ! I binge-read through the whole series with the release of installment 6, so don’t plan to do that this time around… But who knows! 😋
*Split Tooth by Tanya Tagaqfor an IRL book club
*To Shape a Dragon's Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose for an IRL book club
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

Laura wrote: "The furnace came on for the first time yesterday, and all seemed well... until this morning. 66 degrees with the thermostat set for 70. I called, but the soonest a technician can get here is 6 p.m. This is so frustrating. We had a whole new system put in last April."
Wow. I would be a bit upset at thinking it wasn't working well when it was a relatively new system!

"I Swear: Politics Is Messier Than My Minivan: Katie Porter is a gem! ★★★★★"
Oh, this looks like an honest perspective on political representatives!

"Night: We never discussed the Holocaust in high school. We barely addressed WWII in history classes, and I'm sure it would have been too controversial for our English classes. (PS 7 - a book you should have read in high school) ★★★★"
I also mourn the fact that history curricula taught in high school was so shallow. It is a shame teachers aren't (or feel they can't be) more creative.

"Emma (ATY Fall Challenge - a book you'd read in English 101)"
I recently read this as well!

"Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club (ATY Fall Challenge - a book that features family relationships)"
I recently got a used copy of this very cheap!

Joanna wrote: "Happy Thursday!

Finished
Dreamsongs, Volume II Made it through. Ended strong with the last few stories being some of my favorites.

"The Bear and the Nightingale Enjoyed overall - again, it got stronger towards the end when stuff actually began to happen, but I'm not sure that I'll continue the series. For those that have read, is book 2 similar to this or does it go in a different direction?"
Good question! I really enjoyed this one and have yet to continue the series...

"PageboyLike a lot of commenters, I thought this could have used a little editing. The chronology was confusing, and sometimes a chapter would start on one story, but then go off in a totally different direction - I think it was meant to be a conversational style, but it often felt like things were getting derailed. I really feel for Elliot, it seems like he experienced some real trauma, and was just so constantly miserable, and I hope he's been able to put a lot of that behind him since his transition."
This is on my TBR listing!

"The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race I can really see why people think Isaacson is a great biographer - he writes in an interesting and engaging way, and makes what could be a very technical topic accessible."
I found this book to be so remarkable in so many ways! I agree that Isaacson is a master of making the technical details accessible and interesting!

"Pride and Prejudice Love and adore! Rereading for my PS book you wish you could read for the first time and ATY connected to pride. I wasn't sure what to use for this PS prompt, then I saw a fun little video, originally from TikTok I think about imaging people reading it when it first came out. So it was two women in approximation of era appropriate clothing and the one was reading out loud to the other who was reacting ("Oh Lizzy! He said WHAT? Girl, what will you do?") and it was fun, and did make me think about how I'd react if I could read it, not knowing what was coming. And I am trying to keep that in mind as I read, but it's so hard since I know it so well!"
That video sounds like fun! I recently reread this after 50+ years and was amazed at how I had to adapt to people never having to work for a living AND the inane lives of the females. I was also so very sympathetic to the idea of your marriage being your only hope of financial security unless you were due to inherit a bunch of money. Of course, if a female inherited at that point in time, it went directly to the husband and he was in total control, so not as if a female had any legal right to money, etc! UGH!!

"QotW
Not really seasonally influenced, but this time of year tends to be when my push gets back on to finish the challenge. Usually I start strong, but around early summer my eyes wander, and I start reading books that don't meet the brief. But now we're close enough to the end of the year that I know I have to read prompt books to make it, so those come back to priority. I think this weekend I'm going to make a final plan for outstanding prompts, and gather the books I own into a stack that will be my main source of reads until I complete PS and ATY."
That's what I need to do as well!