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.

Once you have finished reading, would you recommend this book to others? Why? Or why not?

Reminder: please use spoilers appropriately!

Did anything "surprise" you about this book? How did you react to that surprise or those surprises?

Reminder: please use spoilers appropriately!

This book also won the 2019 Goodreads Choice Awards for Best Romance Novel and Best Debut Novel. What characteristics of this book do you think accounts for such honors?

Reminder: please use spoilers appropriately!

This book won a 2020 Alex Award: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Aw...
The Alex Awards annually recognize "ten books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults ages 12 through 18".

More information about the Alex Awards:
Essentially, the award is a listing by the American Library Association parallel to its annual Best Books for Young Adults, a longer list of recommended books that have been promoted in the YA category. Since 2002, the Alex Awards have been administered by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). YALSA also names several other "Top Tens" annually.
The awards, named after Baltimore librarian Margaret Alexander Edwards, who was known as "Alex", are sponsored by the Margaret Alexander Edwards Trust and Booklist magazine. The list of books published during the previous year serves to provide the choice of titles selected for the awards, which were initially bestowed in 1998.

Why do you think this book was one of the winners? What do you think would make it appealing to 12-18 year olds?

Reminder: please use spoilers appropriately!

1) Do you usually notice a cover image? What are your thoughts regarding this cover?
I do always notice the cover image. I try to guess from that what the genre of the book may be and whether I would enjoy it or not. My thought about the cover was the PINK color! For a romance about two males. Appropriate, IMO, since this is a color typically in our society associated with females. At least in the past. So, I felt it was a challenge to preconceptions! My thought was “Good!” :)

2) What does the title indicate to you? Or does it not impress you at all?
I loved the play on words! Red, White, and Blue. Such an exemplary phrase to represent the USA. But then juxtaposed with “Royal” to add in that aspect of the UK.

3) What excites you the most about this book?
A “queer”/male-male relationship!! Between what I would consider to be the most famous and sought after young men in these two countries! Wild! I only wish it could be true! Just think of the hearts and minds that might be opened by such a revelation!

4) Does anything make you hesitant to read this book?
The only hesitation I had was that it is a ROMANCE. I was hoping it would not be too explicit/open door for my liking… I just feel as if my imagination is vivid enough to fill in the blanks! ;)

Kendra wrote: "Jen wrote: "I'm looking forward to reading about an America that's more accepting of queer people, considering the current climate in the US right now."

I hadn't even thought about that. Can I add this to my answer too?"
I assume so. Copying is the greatest form of flattery, isn't it? LOL

Kendra wrote: "I forgot to put my hold on this until today, but the wait list is short and there are 8 copies, so I hope it'll come in before the end of the month."
Fingers crossed!

"1) Do you usually notice a cover image? What are your thoughts regarding this cover?
I notice covers, but I usually don't let that impact what I read. I do find the cover art to be very generic, as most romance covers are."
Huh. I had never thought of romance covers in that way. But they are very similar overall...

"2) What does the title indicate to you? Or does it not impress you at all?
Well, it combines 'red, white and blue' which is an iconic American saying, and Royal, which tends to be a European thing, which does suggest a story like 'The Prince and Me' or 'The Princess Diaries'. And given blue is also associated with boys and by changing it, the blue becomes emphasized, and it's a MM romance, I actually find the title quite clever."
Agreed.

"3) What excites you the most about this book?
My sister recommended it to me, but I just haven't gotten around to it until now. But having it be the group read has given me the extra push to get to it."
YAY! I sure hope you enjoy it!

"4) Does anything make you hesitant to read this book?
If I'm honest, I am worried about how the world politics will be handled."
I hadn't considered that before reading it, but I felt comfortable with that aspect of the book. Hope you will as well!

Laura wrote: "I loved this book, and am using it for the "book you wish you could read again for the first time" prompt. I enjoyed the characters, the humor and fun, and the creative use of quotes from historical same-sex lovers. (And I agree with Jen about liking the alternate America in 2020, with no Covid and no state governments attacking the LGBT+ community.)

Very much hoping the movie coming in August will capture that amazing chemistry between Alex & Henry."
I hope so as well!

"Fun fact about the title: as some languages don't have the expression "royal blue," the Spanish title translates as "Red, White, and Blue Blood." The French version is titled, in English, "My Dear F***ing Prince.""
Oh, my! That is hysterical! Leave it to the French? ;)

Jen wrote: "1) Do you usually notice a cover image? What are your thoughts regarding this cover?

A good cover can get my attention, but I try not to let a cover I don't like turn me off from a book. I think this cover is kind of boring, actually. It looks like a pretty typical rom-com cover of this era, with that cartoony illustration style."
I do likewise, Jen! Though I find most horror book covers are distinctive and alert me to that genre. And since I cannot read horror, that's a good thing. At least it can make me wary... :)

"2) What does the title indicate to you? Or does it not impress you at all?

I think it's a cute pun. I know from the blurb it involves the US President's son falling in love with a member of the British royal family, and I think the title reflects that."
Yep! I thought that was quite clever!

"3) What excites you the most about this book?

I'm looking forward to reading about an America that's more accepting of queer people, considering the current climate in the US right now."
Couldn't have said it better!! Agreed!

"4) Does anything make you hesitant to read this book?

I was only kind of lukewarm on One Last Stop, the other book I've read by this author, so we'll see how this one goes"
Ah, well, I plan to read her backlist, but this is the first book I've read written by her!

I have been lurking in this thread and tabulating responses regarding Monthly Group Reads. Some good suggestions that I will try to incorporate! I gather that for many members the rather lackluster prompts for this year have been somewhat of a "nonmotivator" in general. I can sympathize with that!

Life has struck again in my world. Not in good ways, but it could always be worse… I’m trying to just breathe through it all…

Car towed to the mechanic’s. Our youngest kitty still sick. Very sick. More meds and testing Wednesday. As my vet said, “We’re throwing everything we can at her and uttering a Hail Mary!” Quite a stubborn bacterial infection. And all my indoor kitties are strictly indoors, so who knows how she contracted it… :( Please send healing energy to my “Tigger”! She needs it!

Was able to borrow a vehicle from my son since the cheapest car rental available was $400 per week and my mechanic is backed up and probably unable to get to Myrtle until the 12th. Geeminy! Just grateful for his help!

Getting warmer here. In the 80s and 90s all this week.

And life goes on… And so fast! I cannot believe it is already JUNE!! I will be publishing a very short mini-challenge sometime this month. (HINT: think DIVERSITY!)

ADMIN STUFF
****The final selection poll for the September Monthly Group read is HERE! As usual, I am anxious to see which one is selected!

I will retain the May Monthly Group read discussion of Bunny by Mona Awad, as well as the thread to list the book(s) you’ve read to fulfill prompt #24 A book with a rabbit on the cover, in the Current Monthly Group Read folder HERE for a few more days.

The June Monthly Group Read of Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston can be used to fulfill prompt #22 A book with a queer lead. In honor of “Pride Month” as declared by US Presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden. (Also acknowledged in a 2019 tweet by Donald Trump.) Per Wikipedia this originated to commemorate the Stonewall Riots which occurred at the end of June in 1969. June is increasingly recognized as “Pride Month” (for all LGBTQ+/non-cisgender folks) outside the US. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_pride I loved this book when I first read it about 6 weeks ago and now have reread it and have posted some pre-reading questions and then will post questions to be answered once you’ve read the book, but not until this weekend. All of that can be found HERE in the Current Monthly Group Read folder! :)

In addition, we are currently on the lookout for two more monthly group read discussion leaders:
1) A “bubbling bibliophile” to lead the discussion of the July Monthly Group Read! The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley can be used to fulfill prompt #47 A book with a holiday that’s not Christmas. You may have heard of “Christmas in July”! But this is NOT Christmas in July! :)
2) A “fearless facilitator” to lead discussion of the August Monthly Group read, Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister! This book could be used to fulfill prompt #30 A book that’s on a celebrity book club list. (Celebrities are ‘august’!) This was selected by Reese Witherspoon.

Please message either Nadine or myself to volunteer for either or both! :)

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

Question of the Week
Have you ever gone into a book hoping it will be bad? When are situations where you go into a book feeling one way or another about it, rather than neutral?
I agree with you, Nadine, this is a very strange question! I cannot recall EVER hoping a book will not be enjoyable. I have been hesitant about reading some books that I was uncertain about, but never have I hoped one will be “bad.”

Though I admit I am more than ambivalent about Marquez’ Love in the Time of Cholera, given that I actually DNFd One Hundred Years of Solitude because I abhorred it and was barely able to make myself finish Chronicle of a Death Foretold. But I am determined to give LitToC a chance yet this year! I would love to have the third book thrill me. But I am very doubtful that will happen…

As others have stated, having grave reservations about a book isn't the same (IMO) as hoping I hate it! :)

Popsugar: 41/50
Nadine’s Q1 Mini-Challenge: 7/10
AtY: 50/52
RHC: 13/24

FINISHED:
*2nd Chance (Women’s Murder Club #2) by James Patterson and Andrew Gross ✶✶✶✶✶ was an enjoyable read for me. This series has much more character development than the Alex Cross series, IMO, and therefore is more enjoyable to me. Lindsay’s father. Ugh…
POPSUGAR: #2, #19-2015: prompt #5 A book with a number in the title, #28, #29-Vera and Donna, #31, #46
ATY: #2, #3-A book involving friends, family, or a found family, #4, #5, #10-Scary, #12-Jill’s pregnant!, #14, #18, #28, #33, #37, #43, #45
RHC: #23, #24-2015: A book someone else has recommended to you (Vera/Donna)

*3rd Degree (Women’s Murder Club #3) by James Patterson and Andrew Gross ✶✶✶✶✶ was a solid mystery with much character development among these four women. I would have liked at least a sentence denoting the reason for Cindy ending her romantic relationship from the last book and there were (again) times when I couldn’t believe Lindsay would just barge in on her own… It seems I definitely appreciate the books co-authored with Gross.
POPSUGAR: #2, #19-2015: prompt #27 A book you can finish reading in one day, #28, #29-Vera and Donna, #31, #35, #46
ATY: #2, #3-A book involving friends, family, or a found family, #5, #10-Scary & Baby, #14, #18, #28, #33, #37, #43, #45, #46
RHC: #23, #24-2016: Read a mystery/thriller

*4th of July (Women’s Murder Club #4) by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro ✶✶✶✶ was well-plotted and the trial felt pretty realistic, but I admit that the final solution was quite an eye-roller for me. It just felt sensationalistic and over-dramatized. But I’ll persevere with the series! I think the books with more of the women’s club in them will be more enjoyable to me.
POPSUGAR: #2, #19: 2015: prompt #29 A book set somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit, #28, #29-Vera and Donna, #46, #47
ATY: #2, #3-A book about a “fish out of water,” #5, #10-Scary, Sporty, #14, #18, #22, #28, #33, #37, #39, #43, #45
RHC: #23, #24-2020: prompt #3 A mystery where the victim is not a woman

*Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston ✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶ was such a phenomenally enjoyable read for me!! Even this second time around! I love the diversity of the US families juxtaposed with the overly-controlled “Royal Family” in the UK! And the wedding cake scene will remain in my memory forever, I think! Fun and yet poignant!
POPSUGAR: #1, #4, #6, #9, #19-2022: prompt #37 A book about gender identity, NEW #20, #22, #28, #31, #35
ATY: #3-A book that has won a diversity award in the 21st Century (2001-present), #4, #5, #10-Posh, #14, #19, #24-Spy? (At least on political campaigns!), #26-the Queen’s, #29, NEW #30, #52
RHC: #3, #16, #24-2017: prompt #20 Read an LGBTQ+ romance novel

CONTINUING:
*Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
*Cross the Line (Alex Cross #24) by James Patterson
*The 5th Horseman (Women’s Murder Club #5) by James Patterson
*Like Family: Growing Up in Other People's Houses by Paula McLain
*The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story by Nikole Hannah-Jones
*The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family by Annette Gordon-Reed
*Festival Days by Jo Ann Beard
*Mrs. 'Arris Goes to New York (Mrs. ‘Arris #2) by Paul Gallico
*Beloved by Toni Morrison

PLANNED:
Working on those above! I have a bit of a break from book club reads, etc. in early June!

I am leaving this up throughout the first few days of June just in case others haven't yet commented and would like to do so...

It will then reside in the 2023 Monthly Group Read folder for the near and far future! :)

Pre-reading questions:

1) Do you usually notice a cover image? What are your thoughts regarding this cover?

2) What does the title indicate to you? Or does it not impress you at all?

3) What excites you the most about this book?

4) Does anything make you hesitant to read this book?

Please feel free to post any of your reactions as you read: surprises, likes, dislikes, etc. Sometimes those can prompt some of the best discussions!

Let's go!

I still contend Bezos/Amazon only purchased Goodreads to make it malfunction! I lost so much this morning! But finally…I am done!

Weather has been nice. I bit warmer off and on, but generally highs in the 70s. I can do that!

Life is busy but I feel as if I’m settling into more of a routine… Popsugar is now a priority to re-establish with more time in that routine! I’m gettin’ there!

ADMIN STUFF
**** Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister is our August Monthly Group! This book could be used to fulfill prompt #30 A book that’s on a celebrity book club list. (Celebrities are ‘august’!) This was selected by Reese Witherspoon. I’m excited for this one!!

****The nomination poll for the September Monthly Group read is HERE. Please do not forget to check the listing of books that are NOT eligible for September HERE before writing in a nomination! Happy nominating!!

The May Monthly Group read discussion of Bunny by Mona Awad, as well as the thread to list the book(s) you’ve read to fulfill prompt #24 A book with a rabbit on the cover, are in the Current Monthly Group Read folder HERE! It seems that several people have not been thrilled with this one… If you’ve read it, you might pop over and add your ‘two cents’ worth’ to the discussion! :)

In addition, we are currently on the lookout for three more monthly group read discussion leaders:
1) A “savvy superstar” to lead the discussion of the June Monthly Group Read! Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston can be used to fulfill prompt #22 A book with a queer lead. In honor of “Pride Month” as declared by US Presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden. (Also acknowledged in a 2019 tweet by Donald Trump.) Per Wikipedia this originated to commemorate the Stonewall Riots which occurred at the end of June in 1969. June is increasingly recognized as “Pride Month” (for all LGBTQ+/non-cisgender folks) outside the US. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_pride
2) A “bubbling bibliophile” to lead the discussion of the July Monthly Group Read! The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley can be used to fulfill prompt #47 A book with a holiday that’s not Christmas. You may have heard of “Christmas in July”! But this is NOT Christmas in July! :)
3) A “fearless facilitator” to lead the discussion of the September Monthly Group read, Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister! This book could be used to fulfill prompt #30 A book that’s on a celebrity book club list. (Celebrities are ‘august’!) This was selected by Reese Witherspoon.

Please message either Nadine or myself to volunteer for either or both! :)

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

Question of the Week
Do you feel as if your reading tastes have changed over time? If so, in what way(s)?
Mine have definitely changed. Of course, I have been reading for about 62 years! I would expect some change… :)

I have become much more accepting of books overall and much less “picky”! (I started out being VERY “picky”!) Especially with regard to typos, misspellings, and misuse of English grammar. I may roll my eyes and grunt or mutter, but I just keep on reading. I used to note corrections and send them to a publisher/author, but I find there are so many more errors in books now than there were in the past, it is time-consuming, frustrating, and irritating to do so. Since most publishers seemingly do not make extra effort to edit in detail, neither do I. That has been liberating for me…

In addition, after previously boycotting “romance” books I have discovered there are some of those I find very enjoyable to read! I just have to screen for “open-door” text and avoid those since that inclusion automatically spoils it for me. I much prefer my imagination to fill in any such details!

Lastly, I am more accepting of grisly details…though not much! I have confirmed that horror is a genre I must avoid since it gives me nightmares and I cannot recover from horrific visual images created by what I read!

How about you?

Popsugar: 40/50
Nadine’s Q1 Mini-Challenge: 7/10
AtY: 49/52
RHC: 12/24

*Ash (Ash #1) by Malinda Lo ✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶ was amazing, IMO! While I loved Huntress, a prequel published 10 years after this book, this book blew me away! I loved the strong feminist theme(s) as well as the diversity represented by a Sapphic relationship. (view spoiler)[She chose the female Huntress rather than “the Prince”! (hide spoiler)] You go, girl!
POPSUGAR: #1, #5, #14, #19-2017: prompt #17 A book involving a mythical creature, #22, #28, #31
ATY: #3-A book related to “first contact,” #5, #8, #9- William C. Morris YA Debut Award Nominee (2010), #26, #42, #45, #52
RHC: #24-2015: A book by or about someone who identifies as LGBTQ+ (both author and protagonist)

The Fox (Ash #0.7) by Malinda Lo ✶✶✶✶✶ was a short story available on her website. It was good, just as I find all her writing to be! Not counting for any challenges.

*The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill ✶✶✶✶✶ was proof that one person’s comment that struck you so strongly wasn’t nearly as important to the commenter! At one of April’s book club meetings another member asked if I’d read this book. I replied that although I own a copy I had not yet read it. Then she added that it reminded her of me. (Weird…) We were interrupted and I never was able to ask how or why I would remind her of a specific book… Then I made sure to read it in the next few days and when I asked her about this at the May meeting she had no memory of making that comment even though one of the other members had overheard her and noted that she remembered her making that statement… I had to laugh! So funny! I really hope she remembers in time for the June meeting, though I suppose I will never have an answer. So now I am conjecturing how I could remind someone of this book… I thought it was very well done!
POPSUGAR: #4, #19-2022: prompt #1 A book published in 2022, #28
ATY: #3-A book involving friends, family, or a found family, #5, #14, #28, #43, #44, #45, #52
RHC: #23

* The Storyteller's Deathby Ann Dávila Cardinal ✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶ was one of the best books I’ve read lately! Much of this was drawn from the author’s personal experience and that was evident in my feeling this was all so REAL! Well-drawn believable characters and so much of Puerto Rican culture and landscape detail! Just an excellent read!
POPSUGAR: #2, #3, #4, #6, #19-2016: prompt #30 A book with a blue cover, #29, #31, #34, #48
ATY: #3-A book with magical realism, #4, #5, #10-Scary, #13-Quenepas, #14, #19-storytelling/writing, #25, #26, #28, #37, #42, #43, #47-OVAL, the shape of quenepas,
RHC: #23, #24-2015: A book that someone else has recommended to you-Laura!

CONTINUING:
*2nd Chance (Women’s Murder Club #2) by James Patterson
*Like Family: Growing Up in Other People's Houses by Paula McLain
*The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story by Nikole Hannah-Jones
*The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family by Annette Gordon-Reed
*Festival Days by Jo Ann Beard
*Mrs. 'Arris Goes to New York (Mrs. ‘Arris #2) by Paul Gallico
*Beloved by Toni Morrison

PLANNED:
*Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
*Cross the Line (Alex Cross #24) by James Patterson
*3rd Degree (Women’s Murder Club #3) by James Patterson
*4th of July (Women’s Murder Club #4) by James Patterson
*The 5th Horseman (Women’s Murder Club #5) by James Patterson

Jennifer W wrote: "L Y N N wrote: "Better late than never! Happy Tuesday! ;)

1st to Die (Women’s Murder Club #1) by James Patterson ✶✶✶✶✶ was a result of peer pressure at its best! LOL Two friends of mine were worki...

I don't often read series, but back when those books were first coming out, my mom would buy them for me. Books 1-3 were great (though if I recall, book 3 was especially grisly). Book 4 had some clunky writing and I gave up on them after that."
Oh, boy. Thanks for that warning! I'll make sure to read #3 early in the day and not late at night! :) I can understand not continuing with the series.

Better late than never! Happy Tuesday! ;)

I accept responsibility for the final August selection poll not being created in a timely manner. Nadine and I have been alternating for the creation of these polls, but when I had a bit of time very late Wednesday night, my computer was not working at all. Then I neglected to text her that next morning when I was called to take my friend to Urgent Care, which ended with us in ER. So…life! I will prepare both polls for the September Monthly Group Read in exchange! Watch for that nomination poll next week. The selected book could be used to fulfill prompt #14 A modern retelling of a classic! There are so many now from which to choose! :)

ADMIN STUFF
Nadine has created the final selection poll for our August Monthly Group read HERE This book could be used to fulfill prompt #30 A book that’s on a celebrity book club list. (Celebrities are ‘august’!) Please help us select a book that hopefully many members will want to read and discuss!

The May Monthly Group read discussion of Bunny by Mona Awad, as well as the thread to list the book(s) you’ve read to fulfill prompt #24 A book with a rabbit on the cover, are in the Current Monthly Group Read folder HERE! It seems that several people have not been thrilled with this one… If you’ve read it, you might pop over and add your ‘two cents’ worth’ to the discussion! :)

In addition, we are currently on the lookout for two more monthly group read discussion leaders:
1) A “savvy superstar” to lead the discussion of the June Monthly Group Read! Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston can be used to fulfill prompt #22 A book with a queer lead. In honor of “Pride Month” as declared by US Presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden. (Also acknowledged in a 2019 tweet by Donald Trump.) Per Wikipedia this originated to commemorate the Stonewall Riots which occurred at the end of June in 1969. June is increasingly recognized as “Pride Month” (for all LGBTQ+/non-cisgender folks) outside the US. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_pride
2) A “bubbling bibliophile” to lead the discussion of the July Monthly Group Read!The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley can be used to fulfill prompt #47 A book with a holiday that’s not Christmas. You may have heard of “Christmas in July”! But this is NOT Christmas in July! :)

Please message either Nadine or myself to volunteer for either or both! :)

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

Question of the Week
Can you enjoy a book if the cast of characters is exclusively men? Or exclusively women?
This is such an interesting question! I have never considered this. I guess, overall, books I read include both genders and sometimes characters not falling into the binary gender classifications. So I can’t really speak from experience, I guess. However, I don’t think it would matter to me? I don’t think so…and that is my final answer! LOL

Popsugar: 40/50
Nadine’s Q1 Mini-Challenge: 7/10
AtY: 49/52
RHC: 12/24

FINISHED
1st to Die (Women’s Murder Club #1) by James Patterson ✶✶✶✶✶ was a result of peer pressure at its best! LOL Two friends of mine were working out in the pool with me and mentioned that they love this series. I was a bit hesitant since I had listened to an audiobook of one of these and wasn’t impressed overall due to the villain’s grisly murders. However, I decided to try the first one and see what I thought. This was so well plotted and I do love Lindsay and the others! So now I’ll be catching up and reading one per month as Buddy Reads, just as I’ve been doing with the Alex Cross series. I believe this series will be more enjoyable to me that AC.
POPSUGAR: #2, #6, #19-2015: prompt #10 A mystery or thriller, #28, #29, #46
ATY: #2, #3-A book involving friends, family, or a found family, #5, #10-Scary, #14, #18-Forensics, #20-Cover: the Golden Gate Bridge, #28, #33, #37, #43, #45, #46, #52
RHC: #23, #24-2015: A book someone else has recommended to you (Vera/Donna)

*Huntress (Ash #0.5) by Malinda Lo ✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶ was yet another excellently written read by Malinda Lo. I am convinced that whatever she writes will be super-enjoyable for me! Her writing engages me from the beginning and I barely realize how far I’ve read when I do take a (usually bathroom) break!
POPSUGAR: #1, #5, #19-2022: prompt #5 A Sapphic book, #22, #28
ATY: #3-A book related to first contact, #5, #10-Scary, #14, #21, #28, #37, #38, #42, #43
RHC: #22, #24-2015: A YA novel

*Particles of a Stranger Light by Anthony Sutton ✶✶✶✶✶ was a very enjoyable poetry collection. (Poetry is not necessarily one of my favorite genres…) Disclaimer: Anthony worked at my favorite local used bookstore and I attended his reading event at the store last week. Anthony is a favorite person for me. I always felt connected to him and hearing him read and explain context for a selection of these poems was a fulfilling experience. I wish Anthony all the best and extreme success in his writing career! He is currently completing a fellowship.
POPSUGAR: #2, #4, NEW #12, #19-2017: prompt #36 Written by someone I admire, #26-66 pages, #29-Laura
ATY: #3-A book about a “fish out of water,” #8, #13, #34, NEW #51, #52
RHC: #9, #14-8 ratings, #24-2022: prompt #12 Read an entire poetry collection

*The Push by Ashley Audrain ✶✶✶✶✶ was an amazing debut novel, IMO! These characters felt very real and I could relate to many aspects of Blythe’s life. This was excellent for book club discussion—a definite conundrum of nature vs. nurture as well as children’s mental/emotional health and parenting. So very much to think about…
POPSUGAR: #4, #17, #19-2018: prompt #10 A book about death or grief, #29-Heather/Paige, #30-Good Morning America Book Club, #31
ATY: #3-A book club read, #5, #8, #10-Scary, #11, #12-Benny the Bunny, #13-Profile-like a Rorschach image, #14, #18-Psychiatry, #19-Blythe was a writer, #22, #26, #28, #52
RHC: #24-2022: prompt #16 A book recommended to you by a friend with different reading tastes

CONTINUING:
* The Storyteller's Deathby Ann Dávila Cardinal
*Like Family: Growing Up in Other People's Houses by Paula McLain
*The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story by Nikole Hannah-Jones
*The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family by Annette Gordon-Reed
*Festival Days by Jo Ann Beard
*Mrs. 'Arris Goes to New York (Mrs. ‘Arris #2) by Paul Gallico
*Beloved by Toni Morrison

PLANNED:
*Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
*Cross the Line (Alex Cross #24) by James Patterson
*2nd Chance (Women’s Murder Club #2) by James Patterson
*3rd Degree (Women’s Murder Club #3) by James Patterson
*4th of July (Women’s Murder Club #4) by James Patterson
*The 5th Horseman (Women’s Murder Club #5) by James Patterson
Once I catch up with the Women's Murder Club monthly buddy reads it will only be one book per month!

Carissa wrote: "I am shocked that I am not liking this as much as I thought I would. I am finding the style to be extremely choppy and in short bursts which I can’t stand. I think I know why it’s done this way but..."
Space did say it was "so so so weird"!

Space wrote: "I finished this book a week ago and this book is so so so weird. I would love to see this done as an indie film. However the writing style wasn't for me."
What about it made it "weird" for you, Space?

Felicia wrote: "Read half the book before I put together that the college is called Warren like a rabbit warren"
That's kinda cool!

Carissa wrote: "I am shocked that I am not liking this as much as I thought I would. I am finding the style to be extremely choppy and in short bursts which I can’t stand. I think I know why it’s done this way but..."

Ooohhh...that sounds like a writing style that I would either really enjoy or truly despise! :)

I hope you-all get to discuss this!! :)

It would appear that we are into summer weather here now.

I have been busy and just trying to stay current with appointments, etc, for myself, my husband, and my good friend who is now undergoing bouts of extreme vertigo… She will be undergoing extensive testing near the end of the month and I hope this identifies a cause and treatment. This is preventing her from many daily activities, so it is debilitating and depressing for her. Also, our youngest feline is ill. And it doesn’t look good. Antibiotics seem to have little to no effect… :(

In addition, I am now teaching three classes in the heated therapy pool each week rather than just one. It’s fun, but a bit more stressful overall. I like just being a ‘student’ and not having to lead! (I’m getting lazy in my old age!

I have not had time to catch up on documenting my books and just realized I didn’t even manage to post last week. :( I am going to start allotting one day of the week to Popsugar. I think it is like anything else. I need to carve out specific time(s) to accomplish what I want to do for this group! I miss interacting with you-all, so if that means a bit less reading time, so be it!

NEW ADMIN STUFF
Nadine has created a nomination poll for our August Monthly Group read HERE This book can be used to fulfill prompt #30 A book that’s on a celebrity book club list. (Celebrities are ‘august’!) Please help us nominate some interesting books! Make sure to check your book against the listings of prior reads first!

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

Question of the Week
How many shelves do you have on Goodreads?
I ask because as I was using Goodreads on my phone during a recent IRL book club meeting I just started laughing! Why? Because I noticed that I now have over 300 shelves! How did that happen, you may ask? LOL

I began adding shelves for specific settings of books--mainly countries around the world. And I created shelves to site books into specific Centuries (9th, 10th, 11th) and/or decades (1920s, 1930s, etc). In addition, I created shelves for specific subject matter and/or themes throughout the years. I’m not upset by this, but it did make me laugh! Then I wondered how many shelves other Goodreads members have…just out of curiosity! I’m sure we all categorize our books in unique ways that best suit our purposes, as with anything else!

Popsugar: 39/50
Nadine’s Q1 Mini-Challenge: 7/10
AtY: 48/52
RHC: 12/24

FINISHED
*And Then There Was Me by Sadeqa Johnson ✶✶✶✶✶ was a very personal read for me. I could so relate to Bea’s situation in life. Though I bemoan her bad aim!  Love Johnson’s writing!
POPSUGAR:
ATY:
RHC:

*The Darling Dahlias and the Confederate Rose (Darling Dahlias #3) by Susan Wittig Albert ✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶
POPSUGAR:
ATY:
RHC:

*Clouds of Witness (Lord Peter Wimsey #2) by Dorothy L. Sayers ✶✶✶✶✶ was an excellent read, IMO! Although Sayers did bring in a relatively new person at the end, it was believable. There were many other authors who were cohorts of Agatha Christie, who, IMO, wrote mysteries that were just as enjoyable as hers.
POPSUGAR:
ATY:
RHC:

*The Spare Man by Mary Robinette Kowal ✶✶✶✶✶ I love Kowal’s writing and while I enjoyed this mystery, I admit to being a bit put-off by the CONSTANT referencing of alcoholic beverages. It felt as if these characters drank nothing BUT alcohol! Other than that and new alcoholic recipe at the beginning of each chapter, I had no qualms at all with this book! I did appreciate her author’s note at the end about the alcohol and her mention that she had actually created some of the recipes and a few are actually nonalcoholic. I admit I am very very very much looking forward to the next installment in the Lady Astronaut series due out later this year! Meanwhile I am starting to explore her romance novels…
POPSUGAR:
ATY:
RHC:

*Before the Coffee Gets Cold: Tales from the Café (Before the Coffee Gets Cold #2) by Toshikazu Kawaguchi ✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶ was as enjoyable as the first book in the series!
POPSUGAR:
ATY:
RHC:

*Before Your Memory Fades (Before the Coffee Gets Cold #3) by Toshikazu Kawaguchi ✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶ was just as engaging as the first two books in this series, though the location has changed and along with several recurring characters there are quite a few new ones!
POPSUGAR:
ATY:
RHC:

CONTINUING:
The Push by Ashley Audrain for an IRL book club meeting this coming Tuesday
The Huntress by Malinda Lo
1st to Die by James Patterson
*Like Family: Growing Up in Other People's Houses by Paula McLain
*The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story by Nikole Hannah-Jones
*The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family by Annette Gordon-Reed
*Festival Days by Jo Ann Beard
*Mrs. 'Arris Goes to New York (Mrs. ‘Arris #2) by Paul Gallico
*Beloved by Toni Morrison

PLANNED:
The Storyteller’s Daughter by ?? for an IRL book club meeting
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus for a group read