L Y N N’s
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(group member since Nov 10, 2018)
L Y N N’s
comments
from the Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge group.
Showing 881-900 of 4,909
I ended up enjoying this much more than I thought I would. I did finally get it read on July 30! :)I rarely ever read a mystery slowly. Once I begin I just have to know who, what, why, etc., so I tend to keep reading until done!
Hunting in and of itself just doesn't interest me. Killing something is not my thing. Even if I plan to eat the meat, tan the hide, whatever. I thought this setting was quite unusual/unique for such a gathering. I believe Emma was going for something unusual when she planned this getaway!
I guess I'm pretty easy going when it comes to mysteries. I rather appreciate the "closed circuit" aspect of this setting. I thought Foley did an absolutely excellent job of creating the off-putting desolate and haunting atmosphere at this retreat site!
I felt the victim just had to be (view spoiler)
I rather like the slow reveal of the victim's identity. It helps create tension, but also allows me to get to know the characters and try to guess who was killed...and then why! Almost all these characters had definitely negative aspects to their personalities, didn't they?
And the the two characters who were truly 'wounded' and needing time and isolation to try to work through their past trauma: Heather and Doug. I was glad they were included so I could have characters to like and root for!
(view spoiler)
Agreed about the tension regarding Doug possibly being the perpetrator or getting arrested for the crime.
The end of July just snuck up on me! How did that happen?!? ;)The A/C went out on my car Wednesday. Well, the A/C is still working, but obviously either a sensor or the thermostat is off because one moment it reads -40 F and the next 70 F! When the reading his higher, the A/C kicks on, but when the readout is a lower temperature, there is no A/C even though I do not change the settings and have it set to full blast! LOL But then drove all over on Friday (6 different stops) and it worked beautifully! I decided to hold off on taking Myrtle to the mechanic since I really cannot afford it right now and honestly, if it stays in the 80s I can handle no A/C in the car… Not my preference, but it is doable! Definitely a "first world" challenge.
Question of the Week
How do you feel about open-ended endings?
I admit just reading this question made me laugh! ;) I mean, if it is “open-ended,” is that really an “ending”? LOL :)
I typically adore such books. I find they tend to make me contemplate the implications for the ending and/or the characters’ futures and I enjoy that! Many times I wonder if there will be a sequel to continue the story. Sometimes I think I would enjoy that and other times I am quite happy not to have “closure.”
However, ending a book with an action that is a shocking cliffhanger is not usually enjoyable for me. If in a series, that means I must wait until the next installment is published to find out what happens! But at least there should be a follow-up, whereas with a stand-alone, I’ll never know what may happen next!
In responding to this I realize it depends upon the type of “open-ended ending” it is…
ADMIN STUFF
The July Monthly Group Read discussion of Lucy Foley’s The Hunting Party is currently underway HERE! You can also list any book(s) you’ve read to fulfill prompt #47 A book with a holiday that’s not Christmas HERE! I just read this yesterday and thought it was very well done. Hope to get to the discussion sometime today!
Speaking of which the August Monthly Group Read postings are now in the Current Monthly Group Read folder. (Yes, August! Which begins TOMORROW! Yikes!) HERE is the discussion of Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister. This book can be used to fulfill prompt #30 A book that’s on a celebrity book club list. Celebrities are “august,” per the definition—respected, dignified, impressive! This book was a Reese’s Book Club selection. HERE is the posting to list any book(s) you have read that could also fulfill this prompt!
Just a reminder that the comprehensive listing of 2023 Monthly Group Reads can be found HERE
I am currently compiling a listing of possible changes to the Monthly Group Read process that have been suggested for consideration… Stay tuned… ;)
Popsugar: 43/50
Nadine’s Q1 Mini-Challenge: 7/10
AtY: 52/52 DONE!
RHC: 13/24
FINISHED:
*The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky ✶✶✶✶✶ felt so very realistic to me. If this wasn’t at least related to some real-life experience of the author, he did a good job of making it feel autobiographical, IMO! This was a much more uplifting and positive read than I expected. Highly recommended.
POPSUGAR: #1, #4, #17, #19-2017: prompt #3 A book of letters, #28, #31
ATY: #3-A book club read, #5, #10-Scary, #11, #14, #37, #52
RHC: #24-2019: prompt #1 Read an epistolary novel or a collection of letters
*Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey ✶✶✶✶✶ was a rather delightful surprise! I was impressed with the total irony of the premise as well as the what-felt-realistic depiction of the relationships among the characters. Definitely up for reading more of her writing!
POPSUGAR: #2, #4, #6, #19-2020: prompt #37 A western, #22, #29, #50
ATY: #3-A book club read, #5, #6, #10-Scary, #14, #19-writing/reading, #22, #24-Amity, #26-PRIDE MONTH, #28, #34, NEW #39, #43, #45, #52-IRONIC!
RHC: #3, #23, #24-2015: A book that someone else has recommended to you
*The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune ✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶ was just as enjoyable the second time around. All 5 of the other book club members stated it is also one of their all-time favorite reads!
POPSUGAR: #2, #5, #6, #9, #10, #19-2017: prompt #51 A book about a difficult topic, #22, #31, #36, #39, #50
ATY: #2, #3-A book about a “fish out of water”, #5, #12-phoenix, #19-Chauncey is a poet!, #20-Cover, road to the orphanage, #25, #26-read during “Pride Month”!, NEW #31-Travis Baldree, #37, #44, #45, #52
RHC: #3, #24-2015: A book by or about someone who identifies as LGBTQ (both)
*In the Lives of Puppets by T.J. Klune ✶✶✶✶✶ was a retelling of Pinocchio and actually piqued my interested enough that I would like to read the original now! There was much philosophical musing of “real” and “life” and when/if either or both of these concepts apply to various beings. I just don’t think Klune can write something I won’t enjoy reading…
POPSUGAR: #5, #6, #12, #14 (Carlo Collodi’s The Adventures of Pinnochio), #19-2019: prompt #4 A book you think should be turned into a movie, #22, #31
ATY: #2, #3-A book about a “fish out of water”, #5, #12-Gio & the Blue Fairy create a human?, #13-trees, #14, #18, #19, #24, #37, #45, #51
RHC: #24-2022: prompt #21 Read a queer retelling of the classic of the canon, fairy tale, folklore, or myth
CONTINUING:
*The 6th Target (Women’s Murder Club #6) by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro for a buddy read
PLANNED:
*Target: Alex Cross (Alex Cross #26) by James Patterson for a buddy read
*No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai for an IRL book club
Dubhease wrote: "I participated in Bunny - it was my first one. It just never aligned with my personal reading. I'm planning on doing "The Hunting Party".I have been in "Buddy read" groups before. I find in those that people differ wildly. Some just post their thoughts at the end. A handful of people, sort of "live blog" and post their thoughts through out the book. (Under a spoiler of course.) The first buddy read I did, all three of us did the posting through out. But every other buddy read I was in, I was the only one posting. I thought maybe I was doing it wrong.
Is no dialogue a bad thing? If a group read gets more people reading, is it still valuable even if they don't comment?"
I guess for me, the purpose of the Monthly Group Reads is to provide an opportunity for discussion with other members who have read or are reading the book. But if it doesn't happen, then it doesn't!
Ugh. I just realized it is the end of July and I have yet to read The Hunting Party! I'd better get on it!"
You made me laugh!!
Joanna wrote: "A friend just did a clear out of her 'to read' shelves where she did go through and pulled out all the books she didn't think she'd end up reading. She got to fill those shelves back up with stuff she was more into. And that totally makes sense to me, but I just can't bring myself to do it on mine. (And of course, I picked up a bunch of those books from her.)"Kudos to your friend and I had to laugh at the fact that of course you got more books from her!! :)
I like your idea of possible questions for the Monthly Group Read. I am compiling a listing and will make a Question of the Week to request from members!
Erin wrote: "Happy Thursday! Today on my morning walk I found a dog just wandering around. She very nice, but did not want me touching her collar- maybe she could tell I was a cat person. I was like a mile from home, so even if she'd been ok with me getting ahold of her, there was no way she was going to be calm enough to go with me. Luckily someone in a the neighborhood offered to put her in their backyard until its owner finally called back. A little excitement for the day!"Awwww...glad it was a happy ending!
"Finished:
A Thief in the Night- super short, gay, historical romance. It's ridiculous. Had a great time reading it.
-44 A book that was self-published (at least I'm pretty sure- the publishing company is the author's initials so...)"
Sometimes you just want a "ridiculous" book! :)
"This is How You Lose the Time War- just finished this. I spent like half this book going "I have no idea what's happening, but I like the vibe" and then by the end was so invested I'm almost crying.
-maybe #booktok rec? Does anyone know if this fits- I know it was popular on youtube when it came out and got popular again on twitter recently, but have no idea about tiktok."
Sorry. I am of no help with tikok. I would assume it was recommended by someone on there though!
"QotW:
I don't really feel the need to read the original story before the retelling. You definitely lose some of the callbacks, but if a book is good it should stand on its own. Also a lot of times you might have a general idea of what the original book is about, so you're not completely lost. And retellings can introduce you to new classics that you might not have been initially drawn to."
So true!
Jackie wrote: "Hi all!Lynn, so sorry to hear about Tigger."
Thank you!
"Finished:
The Name of the Rose: so long but so good! I really enjoyed it...mostly. Feel like we could have trimmed down some sections but that's fine. Absolutely going to track down that Sean Connery adaptation!"
Ooohhh...love Sean Connery! Have yet to read Eco. Perhaps this one?
"Currently reading:
A million things, I truly have like 7 books I'm cycling through attempting to get something to grab me."
Happens to me as well!
"QOTW: No? But the few times I've done that I've ended up kind of confused because I can tell the book is referencing something from the original that I just don't know about. A prime example is Pym: good book but I knew absolutely nothing about The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket and Related Tales beforehand. I don't think you need to read Poe's book first (by all accounts it's very racist) but you should probably read the wikipedia page, which I had to look at after finishing."
Ugh. I read that book for an English literature class over 37 years ago and still am repulsed by the thought of it. My comment was that Poe should have definitely stuck to poetry! Thank goodness he only wrote one novel! Whew!
Nadine in NY wrote: "K.L. wrote: "The Lover — I remember seeing the movie adaptation of this book on either AMC or TCM when I was younger..."I was EXACTLY the right age for that movie when it came out. The movie was SO dreamy and atmospheric and sexy. A few years later I bought the book, and yeah, it was a bit disappointing. But I still own it (somewhere!). It's autobiographical, which I think always adds depth to a story.
Tony Leung was in the movie, and when I saw Tony Leung was in Shang-Chi, I was very excited! And I was confused, once I watched the movie (which was a lot of fun and I recommend it to all Marvel fans!!). Turns out there are TWO TONY LEUNGS!!! And they are close in age!!
Tony Leung Chiu-wai is 61, from Hong Kong, and he's the guy in Shang-Chi as well as Lust Caution, Chungking Express, In the Mood for Love, etc ... I think he is the bigger actor,.
Tony Leung Ka-fai is 65, also from Hong Kong, and HE is the guy in The Lover."
Wow. That is totally bizarre! What a coincidence!
Jennifer W wrote: "L Y N N wrote: "I'll make up something bizarrely happy to post next week. Enough doom and gloom from me! :)..."I have also noted that I want to read Richard Wright’s Native Son before reading Nic Stone’s Dear Justyce.
If I ever need to title a music album, I am totally naming it Bizarrely Happy! Lol"
I want credit for inspiring you!! ;)
"Yes! Dear Justyce has MAJOR spoilers for Native Son. I had no idea and was so bummed when I came to that part. (and this is why I have to read the originals before I read things.... mumble, grumble, grumble) Native Son happens to be sitting in my piles of library books that I'm not reading...."
Good to know that I should stick to my plan to read the classic first! At least for this one!
Megan wrote: "Just a quick check-in for me. I finished one book but couldn't find an open prompt that fit, so no movement on my challenge totals. I don't think either of my book club reads are going to fit any of my open prompts either, but perhaps I'll be pleasantly surprised 😉 I'm at 30/40 and 5/10 for this challenge, and 68/75 for my overall Goodreads Reading Challenge."You've made good progress!
"Finished:
* The Case of the Reincarnated Client by Tarquin Hall."
Oh, my! I had forgotten about this series. I read the first book and really enjoyed it. I should finish it!
"Currently Reading:
* The Buenos Aires Quintet by Manuel Vázquez Montalbán, which remains unopened for another week...maybe when I finish my two book club reads I'll pick it back up...or maybe I will just keep staring at it on my nightstand...only time will tell;
* After the Lights Go Out by John Vercher, which I need to finish before Saturday since that's when my book club meets. I don't have much more to go though, so it shouldn't be a problem; and,
* A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting by Sophie Irwin, which is my other book clubs' pick for July. I may switch over to the audiobook version to get some momentum going - it's a little longer than I was expecting and listening might make it easier to get in some extra reading time."
That looks like quite an eclectic grouping!
"QotW:
Followup on “retellings” question in week #27: Do you feel that you must have read the classic book before reading the “retelling”? While I think it might help me appreciate the retelling more, I don't feel like I have to read the classic first."
Fair enough!
Jennifer W wrote: "Hi all! I did too much today and I am whooped. It's hard keeping up with a 5 year old... Hopefully a night of rest will help so I can do it all over again tomorrow! Though, hopefully I *get* a night of rest because we're in a watch for severe thunderstorms until 3am. Ugh. I'm a weather geek and I love this kind of stuff... but I love sleep more!"Here's hoping you had a good rest!
"QOTW: Yep! Totally neurotic about it. I have a couple retellings that I am super excited to get to, but they have to wait until I have a chance to read the original. I've tried to start retellings without reading the original, just can't do it. It's my weird brain. :)"
Not "weird," your brain just knows what it needs!! ;)
Carmen wrote: "I looked earlier and this thread wasn't up yet and now i'm 20 messages behind, haha! It's almost 1am and I am physically sick due to exhaustion so I'll try to keep it short."As long as you're here, you're not behind! :)
"Mickey is doing great! We're sticking with the meds for now, but in a way that has him take them himself through food. We're incredibly proud of him. No news of Mia, but no news is good news I guess. I know how overwhelmed the shelters are so I'm not holding it against them."
Sounds like things are going well...
The new Disneyland Passes went on sale for current passholders and everything went to shit."
Oh, my! I have never been to Disneyland. Enjoy!
"The other reason for my exhaustion is that I've had the brilliant idea to host a RoyJamie (Ted Lasso) Fandom Bingo, so I've been setting up the tumblr and collecting prompts to put on the bingo cards. Thinking of starting sign ups late November/December and starting the round on January 1st. I've never done this before. Send help."
Definitely sending you positive planning energy!! Sounds fun!
"Anyways, reading: nope. just fics. I should have been continuing Good Omens but I have been too exhausted. Rip me. I have a week left before season 2. Wish me luck."
Always!!
"QOTW
Nope, ironically with retellings I just don't really care? Sometimes it's because I know the original won't work for me but the retelling might, other times it's that I just really want to read the retelling and the original is going to have to wait. Sometimes I don't even know it's a retelling, or have never heard of the original, and then I am too tired with a way too huge TBR to care, hahah!"
LOL
Jennifer W wrote: "Lynn, SO sorry for your loss. But it sounds like you have many precious memories! ❤️"Definitely! She was a bit of an imp in many ways! Definitely kept our household lively!
Carmen wrote: "Oh Lynn, my tears for your loss. Have a hug if you want it <3"Ooohhh...a hug! Always want and usually need one!! ;) Thanks!
Ron wrote: "Hey everyone, hope you all are keeping safe from the heat.It's been absolutely insane where I live.
I try to stay inside as much as possible because my sebboric dermatitis flares up with heat and dry weather. When that happens I get rashes, itchy skin, and scales on my face. I hate this condition because it looks like I haven't washed my face or I haven't put lotion on.
I don't like summer as it is, but this year has been exceptionally brutal."
Ugh. My skin, especially on my face, is starting to exhibit such symptoms. I quit wearing makeup about 15 years ago because no matter what brand I wore my face would break out in a rash. But now it seems to be persisting without makeup! :( I feel for you! It's no fun!
"I haven't done any reading. Just been busy with other things. I have wanted to though, things just haven't really worked out the way I'd hoped.
And now I've got a side project that I'm working on which I'm hoping to complete in a year. This is one goal I'm determined to meet."
Ooohhh...I like such mysterious announcements! :)
"So again, in terms of reading, I have not done much. I have however bought several books:
Discovering Dyscalculia: One family’s journey with a math disability
Dyscalculia: from Science to Education"
Interesting.
"At this point I've pretty much given up on the PS challenge. I just read so much nonfiction so it's hard to find books that fit in the prompts. At least I got most of the challenge done. Just unfortunate that I can't seem to fit in the books I'm reading into the lists."
That's understandable! No need to read books in which you are not the least bit interested! You've done what you can! :)
"Question of the Week
Followup on “retellings” question in week #27: Do you feel that you must have read the classic book before reading the “retelling”?
I don't really do retellings of books so it's hard for me to determine. I suppose on the off chance I did do a retelling, then I would have to read the original book first."
Good plan!
Kenya wrote: "Happy Thursday everyone.Came back from Chicago this week. It was an exhausting but fun time. Chicago is a beautiful city, I don't care what anyone else says about it. And the Ren Faire was a ton of fun!"
Been many years since I was in Chicago! I love that place!
"Also finished three books on the plane and a fourth at the hotel itself. What does that say about me, haha..."
That is excellent!
"Books read this week:
Blackfish City -- this doesn’t have the best reviews on Goodreads, but I really enjoyed it! A dystopian floating city, a mysterious podcast, and an “orcamancer,” what’s not to love?
This Is My Letter To The World: The Omikuji Project Cycle One -- a collection of stories and vignettes written as a project where the author would send stories, along with handwritten letters, to fans all over the world. Lovely and poetic, as to be expected from Catherynne Valente.
Dancing Barefoot -- five stories by Wil Wheaton, aka Wesley Crusher from Star Trek: The Next Generation. I’d read a couple of these before in Still Just a Geek: An Annotated Memoir, but it was nice hearing him narrate them as an audiobook
Empress of All Seasons -- flawed but readable and enjoyable fantasy that combines Japanese mythology with feminist themes and a story about oppression and prejudice.
DNF:
The Door-to-Door Bookstore -- this has such rave reviews, but it’s just coming across as cloying and saccharine. Can we have children who don’t magically solve adult’s problems for them just by being precocious and adorable/annoying?
Dead Eleven -- interesting premise, VERY slow pacing. That cover is cool, but it belongs on a much better book."
Many of your comments make me laugh and/or smile! :)
"QOTW:
I don't find it absolutely necessary. I read and enjoyed both Deerskin and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies without having read the originals first. Sometimes if the original is short or piques my interest I'll read it first, but not always."
Okey dokey! :)
Kenya wrote: "L Y N N wrote: "Good Thursday morning, POPSUGAR devotees!My last two weeks have been traumatic, but I’m in (self-declared) full recovery after our youngest furbaby left this world for something much better, sans..."
My heart goes out to you. It's always sad when a furbaby crosses the bridge. :( They're family members, and it's hard to lose them."
Thank you! Yes, it is difficult to let go...
Laura wrote: "Lynn, I'm sorry to hear about Tigger."Thank you!
"I missed last week's check-in. We were in Vail, Colorado for our niece Jess's wedding. We rode a sky tram/gondola to the top of Vail Mountain for the service. The sky was clear and blue and absolutely gorgeous! The wedding and reception were so well done and so much fun."
Sounds like fun!
Completed:
The Hacienda (PS 41: a book written during NaNoWriMo) ★★★★
The American Roommate Experiment ★★★★
A Flicker in the Dark ★★★"
Leg: The Story of a Limb and the Boy Who Grew from It ★★★★
Lucky Red (ATY 39: a western) ★★★★★
See You Yesterday (ATY 13: a book with a repeated object on the cover) ★★★★★
The Build Up (ATY 1: a book set in a place starting with A, T, or Y - Atlanta/PS 10: a romance with a fat lead) ★★★★
Lone Women ★★★
The Dollhouse (52 BC 25: a book featuring a fashionable character) ★★★★
Conversations with Friends (52 BC 47: a book set in Dublin/ATY 32: a book set in a UNESCO "City of Literature") ★★★
Nora Goes Off Script ★★★★
The Best of Us (ATY 25: a book with a tropical setting) ★★★
Waco: David Koresh, the Branch Davidians, and A Legacy of Rage ★★★★
We'd Know By Then (PS 45: a book that started out as fan fiction - Star Wars/Rey and Kylo Ren) ★★"
Wow. That's all I can say about that list...WOW!
"QOTW: Most retellings seem to be of well known stories, so that even if I haven't read the original I still have enough to go on although I'm usually drawn to updates of novels I've previously read. (I'll try any retelling of Jane Eyre!) In the case of originals I haven't read, sometimes - if the book's really good! - I'll be inspired to read the source material."
It seems to be that way for quite a few people!
Mandy wrote: "@LynnI'm sorry to hear about you baby. It's never long enough. I understand completely. Because not even 14 years was long enough for me."
My Smokie (my GR pic) was with me 21 1/2 years, so losing one so young has been a real shock... You are correct. It never seems long enough!
Mandy wrote: "Happy Thursday!I only have one day left in Summer Reading Program! I have survived. It’s been sort of sad that I didn’t have a lot of kids, but I think they are getting out more than last year. Next year will probably see an uptick in kids."
YAY! You go, girl!
"The new library system has pros and cons we are finding. There are things I like about it, but there are things I truly hate. The prices of my collections did not transfer over! So I have 1000s of books with no pricing on them. And since we charge the book price to the patron when it’s damaged, it’s a mess!"
Oh, my! Ugh...
"Other than that, I can’t wait until my vacation starts. I have 9 days off. That does include two weekends, but it’s going to be fun. I’m going to do a bit of art and going through books to downsize my collection of books. It’s scary."
9 WHOLE DAYS! That's great!
"OMG! My niece pulled herself up on her feet! I watched a video of it! Today she’s two days shy of 8 months old! I can’t believe she’s so big now. Her breathy little laugh at the end was so cute and evil sounding. She is definitely mama’s mini-me!"
That brought a smile to my face! How fun!
"I haven’t been reading much this week. I found a new Chinese drama on Viki that I’ve been watching when I get home from work. It’s called Beauty of Resilience.
Abridged synopsis from Viki:
Wei Zhi is a young mortal woman has resolved to enter the elite Egret Academy. Everyone has always looked down on her and considered her a dangerous jinx who brings bad luck wherever she goes. She manages to gain acceptance to the academy. She meets the sun deity Yan Yue. He has a mission to find and destroy the Phoenix. Based on the hit novel “The Mistaken Eternal Life” by Lin Jia Cheng."
Sometimes we just need a break! Even from reading!
"QOTW:
I like to read the original if i'm interested in it. But not always before reading the retelling. if i've consumed the original in some other format then I feel i know enough about it.
Sometimes i've watched the original in tv or movie form, which isn't as great as reading it, but I've ended up reading the original afterward. Like Lorna Doone i loved the A & E production so much that I got the book and read it. And Wives and Daughters was also a watch before read."
Cool!
Sherri wrote: "Lynn, I'm sorry about Miss Tigger. She sounds very special."Thank you! She was a one-of-a-kind!
"2. Carrie Soto Is Back. 5 stars. For my real life book club."
I love Reid's writing!
"QOTW: I know I have read retellings that I didn't know were retellings. I normally don't read the classic version before the retelling. I did watch the 1935 version of David Copperfield before reading Demon Copperhead. I found that very helpful."
Huh. I never even think about watching a movie adaptation. That's smart! Glad you felt it was beneficial!
