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.

My posting continued...
*Miss Bianca in the Orient (The Rescuers #5) by Margery Sharp, illustrated by Erik Blegvad (5 STARS) was yet another purely enjoyable installment. I appreciate Sharp’s ability to include some longer words and basic philosophical issues without bogging down the narrative!
POPSUGAR: #9, #24, #25, #28-Holiday = Vacation, #40-2020: prompt #46-A book by an author who has published more than 20 books, #41, #46-Bianca
ATY: #7, #14-177 ratings, #15, #25-144 pages, #31-1970, #36-mice, elephants and peacocks, #40-The Chariot, Strength, Justice, Death, Judgment, The World, #41, #43, #46, #49
RHC: 2016: Read a middle grade novel

*Red Bones (Shetland Island #3) by Ann Cleeves (5 STARS) was yet another quite complicated yet believable mystery. Cleeves does such a great job of making me suspect everyone! 
POPSUGAR: #25, #38, #40-2016: prompt #27 A murder mystery, #46
ATY: #4-A book related to Shelley's poem Ozymandias (Nadine’s proposal): Perfect fit, #5, #7, #15, #19, #29, #31-2009, #33, #36-Hunting rabbits?, #40-The Lovers, Strength, Justice, Death, Judgment, The World, #43, #44, #49, #50

CONTINUING:
*The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
*Silent Voices (Vera Stanhope #4) by Ann Cleeves
The Perfectionist by Lane Kauffmann
*Mrs. 'Arris Goes to New York (Mrs. ‘Arris #2) by Paul Gallico
*Beloved by Toni Morrison

*The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family by Annette Gordon-Reed Tackling this one again tomorrow! :)

PLANNED:
*Marjorie Morningstar by Herman Wouk
*The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald
*Ordinary Girls by Jaquira Díaz
*Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James
*Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff

I haven't even begun drafting my posting for this week! My good friend with all the heart trouble and surgery and hospitalizations every few weeks since the TAVR procedure was in the hospital again this week with pneumonia. Her daughter was out-of-town (again!) so I spent two days in the hospital with her and then stayed home and rested a day because I felt like I was coming down with something (pneumonia? Ugh...) But then felt better yesterday and had a doctor's appointment and taught and worked out at the gym in the evening per the usual for Wednesday. And today had to get my friend's meds for her, etc., since no one else had done so when they took her home from the hospital yesterday. That meant she spent another night coughing instead of sleeping since she didn't have the cough medication. (I could just strangle her kids, but that's for another day...) Then I had to shop for food and get a tire with a slow leak patched and I came home and am EXHAUSTED. Then the thought occurred to me that this is...THURSDAY! OMG! Was I supposed to post first today...no. I'm pretty sure it was Nadine's turn and then I consulted my calendar and breathed a sigh of relief. SHEESH!

So...all of that to say thank you to Nadine for remembering (1) This is Thursday and (2) posting the new Weekly Check-In! I'll try to post tomorrow... :)

And, Nadine, I sure hope both you and your daughter recover well with no lingering after-effects of COVID! Healing energy comin' atcha! :)

Just to let you all know I’ve been at the hospital all day with a friend. Will try to complete this tonight oe tomorrow!

Mandy wrote: "Omg! The 2x4 finally worked. I can’t believe it! Finally vindication for yadriel! Very happy about that.

I also have a guess as to the ‘bad guy’ too. Got it around 50% of the book. Maybe a bit earlier."
And...were you correct? I had no guesses... So you were definitely way ahead of me! :)

Erin wrote: "1) Were you planning to read this anyway, or only since it was selected as a monthly group read?
I was actually planning to read this next month for a "spooky reads" tbr, but decided to read it early for the group read."
Great!

2) Do you have any expectations for this book?
This was really popular on booktube when it first came out, so I'm hopeful it'll live up to the hype. But YA books have been very hit or miss for me recently, so we'll see."
I hope you did enjoy it.

"3) According to Wikipedia and Goodreads, this book has been honored with these accolades:
Bram Stoker Award for Best Young Adult Novel nominee 2020...
Rhode Island Teen Book Award Nominee 2022
Does this alter your expectations at all?
Not really, since I knew it had been pretty popular."
One or two awards I might discount somewhat, but all of these nominations and wins certainly make me take notice. :) But you already knew of its popularity beforehand.

"4) Aiden Thomas identifies as queer, trans, and LatinX. Does that alter your expectations?
It makes me hopeful that the characters in this book will be more thoughtful and fleshed out."
You and me both. I always feel as if it is more realistic when the author has the same experiences.

"I was planning on using this for book taking place during holiday, but this should work for 39. An #OwnVoices SFF (science fiction and fantasy) book, right?."
I hadn't even considered that, but yes, I would certainly count it. And I did add it to my own listing! Thanks for pointing that out!

Mandy wrote: "Okay I just have to giggle that the high 60s is puffer jacket weather! I laugh at this. That is thin jacket/hoodie weather for me! They would die in the freezing temps here. 🤣"
Same. I just shook my head... :)

Mandy wrote: "1) Why do you think that is such a valid distinction to Yadriel?

I think it’s a valid because she can’t stop being vegan at any time. Yadriel doesn’t have that option. She could have the ceremony the moment she chooses. The adults are forcing yadriel’s choice."
Agreed.

"2) Do you think you would be able to recognize and/or advocate for Yadriel as a boy and brujo if you were a fellow member of his family/extended family/culture? Have you ever personally encountered a similar situation among family or friends?

I have come in contact with that type of situation. I’m frustrated by those that hate and ostracize anyone ‘different’ from them.

I would advocate. If that’s who they are they need to be true to themselves to be happy. I wanted to smack some of the characters because of what they were doing to yadriel.

I think his mom truly understood and accepted after the incident with purrcaso."
Ah, you and me both!

"3 What was your reaction to that revelation? Why do you believe his being queer was easier for others to accept than the fact that he was transgender?

My reaction was I wanted to strangle all those people hurting him with their passive callousness and denial.

I think all they see is the biology and not yadriel’s soul. I think, in their minds, he’s a girl liking boys. Not a trans liking the same gender as he is."
I agree. Both with the desire to strangulate and your analysis! LOL

"I still get confused with trans identification. I’m working on learning, but it’s a whole new world for me. Thankfully I have a great friend that i can ask my questions and get answers."
I still have to stop and think for a moment as well. It's all about familiarizing myself with other possibilities than the two cis-genders with which I have been raised... But, IMO, the trick is to stop and expand my horizons with regard to gender, etc.

"I’m been having to look up some words and lines and can understand others enough to guesstimate the gist."
Same here!

I'll start.

1) What was your reaction to the ending?
I was like, "What...?!?" at first, but then by the book's end I could "suspend my disbelief" enough to accept (view spoiler)[Catriz's betrayal and need for power... (hide spoiler)]

2) What do you think the second installment in this new series, planned for a 2024 release, might be about? Where might Thomas go from here?
I have absolutely no idea. The sky's the limit as far as I'm concerned! :) I trust that Yadriel is now accepted as a brujo, but I wonder if he will again be stuck with a potential spirit as he was with Julian...

Before I post any other questions/comments...

1) What was your reaction to the ending?

2) What do you think the second installment in this new series, planned for a 2024 release, might be about? Where might Thomas go from here?

Nadine in NY wrote: "Lynn wrote: "I inadvertently read the wrong Vera Stanhope book for September (#5 rather than #4), so am working to read the correct one (#4) today and tomorrow! I love that series, so it’s not as i...

haha you say you're behind, but I say you're AHEAD!"
That is definitely a positive spin! :)

Happy happy THURSDAY!! I am so excited that I now have a copy of The Winners (Beartown #3) by Fredrik Backman in hand. However, it is a brick and I already have enough books scheduled for October so this will definitely need to wait until at least November. And I haven't yet decided whether I will try to reread the first two books before reading this one or not. I may go ahead and read this one and then plan to reread all 3 sometime in 2023. Decisions, decisions! :) If only I didn't have to sleep! LOL

I discovered this article in the Guardian to be quite interesting and added some books to my TBR: Top 10 Books About Women Written Out of History by Janina Ramirez
https://www.theguardian.com/books/202...
Note: The third book’s title is misspelled. It should be Medieval Woman: Village Life in the Middle Ages. I mention this because I was unable to pull it up in Goodreads using Women…

I just counted and I have another 10 Buddy/Group/Book Club reads scheduled for October! When will I ever learn not to sign up to read every single book I want to read?!? Evidently never! LOL Ah, well, it keeps me out of trouble I reckon! However, I definitely need to label the front cover of each book with the month it is for, since I inadvertently read the wrong Vera Stanhope book for September (#5 rather than #4), so am working to read the correct one (#4) today and tomorrow! I love that series, so it’s not as if it is a trial to read two in a row, but now it puts me behind! LOL :) That’s me, always behind! :) As you will note I have yet to list prompts for the two books I managed to read this past week! I now have 9 books to document to catch up. But I will persevere!

I’m trying to calmly convince myself we are entering the fourth and final quarter of 2022! Yikes! They do not lie when they state time seems to move much faster the older you get! Inevitably I am now beginning to wonder when the 2023 Popsugar prompts will be announced. I know…I should learn to be patient about such things…but… :) 'Cause as you know I need more to get behind on! LOL

ADMIN STUFF:
The September Monthly Group Read is Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas and you will find that discussion as well as the thread to post the book you have read to fulfill prompt #6 A book written by a LatinX author in the Current Monthly Group Read folder HERE. This prompt was selected for September to honor National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrated September 15-October 15 in the US. Nadine has graciously posted a discussion thread for Hispanic Heritage Month reading HERE. I am posting some final questions/comments today and will keep this in the Current Monthly Group Read folder for a few days into October, just in case.  Anxious to hear others’ reactions to that ending!

I have moved the October Monthly Group Read discussion posts to the Currently Monthly Group Read folder HERE . No one has yet volunteered to lead and I already have a copy of the book, so I will plan to post some questions/comments if there is no last-minute brave soul volunteering! Sherri has saved the day! She has very graciously volunteered to lead the October discussion!! THANK YOU, SHERRI! I don’t expect this one to offer much in the way of discussion-provoking issues, but we will see! (I have been fooled before!) I am expecting a relatively light-hearted entertaining read.

We currently have TWO ONE Monthly Group Read still needing a discussion leader for 2022:
THANK YOU, SHERRI! 1) October: a “knowledgeable navigator” to lead the discussion of The Ex Hex (The Ex Hex #1) by Erin Sterling NOTE: IT’S NOT TOO LATE! LOL :)
2) December: Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Please message either Nadine or myself to volunteer!

November: Jennifer W. is the “official organizer” who has graciously volunteered to facilitate the discussion of The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune. THANK YOU JENNIFER W! I am anxious to reread this one and then read his newest release Under the Whispering Door as well!

The comprehensive listing of Monthly Group Reads for 2022 is HERE.

Also, just a reminder that every single past 2022 Monthly Group Read discussion and “I Finished!” thread is open and available to all in the 2022 Monthly Group Reads folder HERE.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
With October just around the corner, do you have any “spooky” reads planned other than perhaps The Ex Hex for our monthly group read?

Cemetery Boys would definitely qualify as “spooky” in my opinion! They live in a graveyard after all! LOL And that ending!

I am planning to read Strange Sight, the second installment in Syd Moore’s Essex Witch Museum mystery series. Other than that I do have 5 mysteries scheduled as Buddy Reads. Alex Harrow’s The Once and Future Witches for an IRL book club and Erin Morgenstern’s The Starless Sea for another IRL book club. As I recall The Starless Sea had some creepiness to it. Not sure about Harrow’s book.

How about you?

Popsugar: 46/50
ATY: 50/52
RHC: 18/24

FINISHED:
*The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner (5 STARS) was just as good the second time around! I will plan to read The London Séance Society which is her sophomore novel due to release next year.
POPSUGAR: #9, #23, #25, #40-2016: prompt #10 A NYT Bestseller, #46, #47, #48
ATY: #4-A book whose author is younger than you, #11, #12-glass vials, #13, #15, #19, #29, #34-Nella was Eliza’s teacher, #35, #40-Strength, Justice, Death, Judgment, The World, #41, #44, #49
RHC: #24-2017: prompt #2 A debut novel

*The Glass Room (Vera Stanhope #5) by Ann Cleeves (5 STARS) was NOT the Buddy Read for September, but rather for October. Now I’m working to read the fourth installment, Silent Voices before the end of this month! YIKES! I guess it was bound to happen considering how many Buddy Reads I have going right now, including two different Cleeves series!  This was a good one though!
POPSUGAR: #9, #25, #38, #40-2019: prompt #6 A book with a plant in the title or on the cover, #46
ATY: #4-A book written by an author you might like to meet, #5, #6-window, #7-Mark Winterton was definitely “daft”, #15, #19, #31-2012, #32, #33, #34-Ferdinand was obviously not much of a teacher, #40-The Lovers, Justice, Death, Judgment, The World, #43, #44, #49, #50
RHC: #24-2020: prompt #3 A mystery where the victim is not a woman

CONTINUING:
*Silent Voices (Vera Stanhope #4) by Ann Cleeves
*The Perfectionist by Lane Kauffmann for a Read Harder prompt.
*Mrs. 'Arris Goes to New York (Mrs. ‘Arris #2) by Paul Gallico
*Beloved by Toni Morrison
*The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family by Annette Gordon-Reed This is scheduled for this weekend! :)

PLANNED:
*The Ex Hex (Ex Hex #1) by Erin Sterling
*Murder at the Serpentine Bridge (Wrexford and Sloane #6) by Andrea Penrose
I cannot wait to read this one! It will probably be one of the first I read in October! I adore this series! My copy is on its way to me since I pre-ordered it. It was just released on Tuesday!
*Marjorie Morningstar by Herman Wouk
*The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald
*Ordinary Girls by Jaquira Díaz
*Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James
*Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff

Oh, my! Way way way way late in posting for this week, but determined to do it even if it is on Wednesday, the day immediately preceding the next check-in! LOL (That should make the rest of you feel much better!)

You will note I still have 7 books for which I have yet to list all prompts, but I did finally complete all the books from Week #37’s check-in, so there is that! I’ll work on these throughout this next week! I did read 14 books in the 9 days of the ATY Team Readathon, so that puts me behind! :)

Still helping my friend deal with her recurring heartrate and AFIB issues. It seems she ends up in ER every couple of weeks and then the cardiologist’s office for follow-up. Very frustrating and depressing for her… Her 80th birthday is near the end of October and I already have all kinds of stuff purchased for her and we’re planning a celebration at our IRL book club meeting scheduled just two days prior to her birthday. I just hope she will be well enough to attend. Streaming positive energy her way!

ADMIN STUFF:
The September Monthly Group Read is Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas and you will find that discussion as well as the thread to post the book you have read to fulfill prompt #6 A book written by a LatinX author in the Current Monthly Group Read folder HERE. This prompt was selected for September to honor National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrated September 15-October 15 in the US. Nadine has graciously posted a discussion thread for Hispanic Heritage Month reading HERE. I am working to get questions/comments posted yet today to finish this discussion! Interested to know how others reacted to the ending...

We currently have TWO Monthly Group Reads still needing discussion leaders:
1) October: a “knowledgeable navigator” to lead the discussion of The Ex Hex (The Ex Hex #1) by Erin Sterling
2) December: Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Please message either Nadine or myself to volunteer! While I do plan to read or reread all 3 of these, I’m sure everyone would greatly appreciate it if others would volunteer to facilitate these discussions! :) I admit I'm looking forward to reading all 3 of them!

November: Jennifer W. is the “official organizer” who has graciously volunteered to facilitate the discussion of The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune. I am anxious to reread this one and then read his newest release Under the Whispering Door as well!

The comprehensive listing of Monthly Group Reads for 2022 is HERE.

Also, just a reminder that every single past 2022 Monthly Group Read discussion and “I Finished!” thread is open and available to all in the 2022 Monthly Group Reads folder HERE.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Jennifer asked this one a few months ago: Have you/would you read Mein Kampf? What would you think if you saw someone else reading it?
Such a great question. I had never even considered this book until I read an article many years ago regarding opinions as to whether it should even be published now and made available… Firstly, I disagree with censorship, so it should be available.

Not sure I would necessarily spend time reading it.(I gather it is a poorly written slog to get through and over 600 pages in length!) IHowever, I also assume each of us really should read it so we might better recognize signs of yet another super-bully such as Hitler who may well attempt the same behaviors. I might have been more interested when I was younger. Although this was Hitler’s overall recruiting/justification tool, I will never forget what one of my History professors stated, “The rate of inflation in Germany just before Hitler’s rise to power was 1 to the 23rd zeroeth power.” I can't even begin to imagine such a thing. There was no economy. They had nothing. No industry. No work. No jobs. No money. Nothing. Much easier to overwhelm and overpower people when there is nothing for them to do or any way for them to succeed. And I find it a remarkably evil trait that we humans can be much more motivated by hatred and negativity than anything else. All of this made it so easy for a dictator to take power at that time in Germany. Of course, as I learn more about the aftermath of World War I and the Flu Epidemic at that same time, Germany was being punished economically and lost many people to the flu pandemic. Such a bad combination of factors to lead to a maniacal man overpowering (almost) the world. What scares me is to see leaders playing the same mind games in the present day…

If I saw someone else reading it I would like to discuss it with them to see their reaction. Though I would be hesitant since I have read it is still used by certain fanatical groups much as Hitler used it…to recruit and motivate. That might well give me pause…

Popsugar: 46/50
ATY: 50/52
RHC: 18/24

FINISHED:*Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas (5 STARS) was an amazing read, IMO! So glad I decided to read it! I love the use of so much Spanish as well as the diversity among the characters which definitely increased my enjoyment immensely! Highly recommended!
POPSUGAR: #6, #12, #25, #28, #36, #37, #38, #40-2018: prompt #12 A book with an LGBTQ+ protagonist, #42, #46
ATY: #4-A book related to Shelley's poem Ozymandias (Nadine’s proposal): …passion…desolation…despair…, #6-Moon, #7, #17, #30, #35, #36-the boys, #38, #39, #40-Strength, Justice, Death, Judgment, The World, #41, #44, #46, #49
RHC: #24-2017: prompt #16 Read a book that has been banned or frequently challenged in your country

*The Darling Dahlias and the Cucumber Tree (Darling Dahlias #1) by Susan Wittig Albert (5 STARS) was a well-written book just as I would expect of Albert! There were several mysteries, all resolved realistically, IMO! Anxious to continue with the series!
POPSUGAR: #9, #23, #25, #40-2015: prompt #17 A book recommended by a friend, #46, #47
ATY: #3, #4, #7, #11, #14-3,019, #15, #20-1930, #31-2010, #35, #40-The Chariot, Strength, Justice, Death, Temperance, Judgment, The World, #41, #43, #44, #49
RHC: #24-2020: prompt #7 A historical fiction novel not set in WW II

*I, Alex Cross (Alex Cross #16) by James Patterson (5 STARS) was one of the better installments in this series, IMO. I just wish we could have fewer gory details and more characterization/plot for Alex and family. Though this was better at that than some others in the series…
POPSUGAR: #9, #25, #29, #40-2015: prompt #27 A book you finish in one day, #46-the Vice President, #47
ATY: #1-Alex, #2, #4-A book relating to Catch-22, #7, #19, #31-2009, #33, #40-The Lovers, Strength, Justice, Death, Judgment, The World, #44, #49

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates (10 STARS) was a heartbreakingly accurate and amazing read. The concept that there can be no "white" people without "others" who are subservient and oppressed has taken me a while to incorporate into my understanding of the world. It is so true... We are all just human. There should be no “colors” to be considered…
POPSUGAR: #24, #29, #31, #33, #40-2015 prompt #4 A book published in 2015, #47
ATY: #2-I read The Water Dancer in 2021, #4--A book related to Shelley's poem Ozymandias (Nadine’s proposal): Perfect fit, #7, #15, #19, #25-152 pages, #40-Strength, Justice, Death, Judgment, The World, #44, #49
RHC: #8, #24-2017: prompt #19 A book in which a character of color goes on a spiritual journey (From Daniel José Older, author of Salsa Nocturna, the Bone Street Rumba urban fantasy series, and YA novel Shadowshaper)


*The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway (10 STARS) had so very much to say about war and the mindset needed by all to perpetuate such conflicts. Arrow decided to remove herself from that system... Bully to the cellist who risked his life to play one day for each victim standing in line to get...bread. 22 dead = 22 days
POPSUGAR: #31, #33, #40-2015: prompt #13 A book set in a different country, #47
ATY: #1-Arrow, #4-A book related to Shelley's poem Ozymandias (Nadine’s proposal): Perfect fit, #7, #11, #15, #19, #40-Strength, Wheel of Fortune, Justice, Death, Judgment, The World, #41, #44, #49, #50-the neighbor with two handle-less water bottles
RHC: #24-2017: prompt #14 A book about war

*Little Lord Fauntleroy by Frances Hodgson Burnett (5 STARS) was definitely a “happily-ever-after” story, but it worked for me! I appreciate having uplifting and hopeful stories such as this to break up more intense and emotionally disruptive reading! Burnett is a favorite author for me! I plan to delve into others she has written.
POPSUGAR: #9, #24, #25, #29-I reread The Secret Garden in 2021, NEW #34, #36, #38-Fauntleroy’s 8th birthday, #40-2017: prompt #27 A book whose title is a character’s name
ATY: #2-I reread The Secret Garden in 2021, #4-A book related to the year you or someone in your family turned 22-Published 100 years prior to my 22nd birthday, #6, #7, #11, #19, #31-1886, #37, #40-The Chariot, Strength, The Hermit, Justice, Death, Judgment, The World, #49, #50,
RHC: #24-2020: prompt #7 A historical fiction novel not set in WW II

*The Turret (The Rescuers #3) by Camille Peters, illustrated by Garth Williams (5 STARS) was another excellent installment which involved a repentant formerly evil person deserving to be rescued. Miss Bianca, Bernard, and Scout Shaun to the rescue!
POPSUGAR: #8, #19-summer, #24, #25, #28-summer holiday from school, #38, #40-2015: prompt #7 A book with nonhuman characters, #46
ATY: #4-A book written by an author you might like to meet, #7, #14-246 ratings, #15, #25-138 pages, #29, #31-1963, #33, #35-vines on the turret, #36-Mice, #40-Strength, Justice, Judgment, The World, #41, #44, #46, #49
RHC: #24-2016: Read a middle grade novel
Continued in message #93 below! (Too long...)

Happy Happy Thursday, fellow readers! :)

As Ron reminded us in Week #33, Banned Books Week in the US begins on Sunday, September 18, and continues through Saturday, September 24. Jennifer W had posted a link during the Week #33 Check-In: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
I used this to create a whole listing of the books I was interested in reading as well as those I had already read. I was gratified to realize I had already read quite a few of these! I am going to try to concentrate on reading at least some of those I haven’t yet read and which I own over the next few weeks. And then prioritize them in the future. It frightens me to see books being challenged and/or banned within a self-proclaimed “democracy.” Access should be granted so that each individual can determine what they wish to read. No one person or group has the right to prevent access. *Stepping down from my soapbox…*

I awoke feeling totally wiped out and coughing and sneezing on Tuesday, so had to cancel my initial Borders Book Club Reboot meeting, but we’re rescheduled for this coming Tuesday! As it happened, one of the other members was sick as well. I felt MUCH better yesterday and better today. My body always reacts once the weather starts changing, especially in the fall. We have had temperatures down into the mid-50s at night here this week. I always react to that initially! I have a very strange body! LOL ;)

You will notice I completed 6 books this week! There is an ATY Team Readathon in which I am participating. (Though I have made myself not read as intensely this time and have been much more relaxed about it! Yes, I’m proud of myself! LOL) However, I’ve not taken the time to determine which prompts each book could fulfill, so will work on that over the next few days. In the interest of getting our conversation started, I am posting without those done for now… :) You are welcome! LOL I just want to mention that 4 of those 6 books were some of my absolute favorite reads! I love it when that happens!

ADMIN STUFF:
The September Monthly Group Read is Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas and you will find that discussion as well as the thread to post the book you have read to fulfill prompt #6 A book written by a LatinX author in the Current Monthly Group Read folder HERE. This prompt was selected for September to honor National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrated September 15-October 15 in the US. Nadine has graciously posted a discussion thread for Hispanic Heritage Month reading HERE. I will be finishing this book today and posting more questions, and responding to comments at least daily throughout the remainder of the month. This book has been a delightful read thus far! And, bonus, it is on the banned/challenged book listing, and it fits one of the Team Readathon prompts! Whoo! Whoo!

We currently have THREE Monthly Group Reads still needing discussion leaders:
1) October: a “knowledgeable navigator” to lead the discussion of The Ex Hex (The Ex Hex #1) by Erin Sterling
2) November: an “official organizer” to lead the discussion of The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
3) December: Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Please message either Nadine or myself to volunteer! While I do plan to read or reread all 3 of these, I’m sure everyone would greatly appreciate it if others would volunteer to facilitate these discussions! :) I admit I'm looking forward to reading all 3 of them!

The comprehensive listing of Monthly Group Reads for 2022 is HERE.

Also, just a reminder that every single past 2022 Monthly Group Read discussion and “I Finished!” thread is open and available to everyone in the 2022 Monthly Group Reads folder HERE.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Is there a prompt you would like to be included in the POPSUGAR challenge every year?
The one prompt I would like to see repeated every year is “Read a book published in [the current year]. So, for 2023, it would read “Read a book published in 2023.” And then 2024…etc.

I guess I got to thinking about this with regard to the ATY challenge. There are some prompts that are repeated each year. I kinda like that.

I also appreciate a prompt that asks you to select a prompt from the past challenges to fulfill. That’s kinda fun.

I would also like a nonfiction prompt each year.

What prompt would you like to see repeated?

Popsugar: 45/50
ATY: 50/52
RHC: 18/24

FINISHED:
*The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue (10 STARS) was one of best historical fiction novels I’ve read. In a small microcosm of a converted storage room Donoghue depicts so many of the personal and interpersonal aspects of the era of WW I and the flu pandemic. A surreal reminder of the past two years of COVID overtaxing medical institutions, personal, and resources. A beautifully rendered story!
POPSUGAR: #5, #9, #25, #40-2015: prompt #27 A book you can finish in one day, #46-Dr. Kathleen Lynn
ATY: #4-A book related to Shelley's poem Ozymandias (Nadine’s proposal): …passion…desolation…despair…but through perseverance, hope!, #7, #11, #13, #15, #17, #19, #20, #40-The Lovers, Strength, Justice, Death, Judgment, The World, #41, #44, #49
RHC: #24-2020: prompt #7 A historical fiction novel NOT set in WW II

*Ghost (Track #1) by Jason Reynolds (10 STARS) was so well done! Reynolds’ writing reminds me of Zora Neale Hurston in that it directly reflects real life for these characters. It is imperative that youth have adults they can trust and respect, and who truly for and about them. Do yourself a favor and read this one! I am anxious to read the others in the series. I also have so much respect for Jason Reynolds for all the work he does with youth in the US.
POPSUGAR: #9, #24, #25, #26, #36, #40-2016: prompt #23 A book published in 2016, #47
ATY: #1-Aaron Holmes from the track team, #4-A book whose author is younger than you, #7, #19, #25-208 pages, #34-Coach and the Principal, #41, #49
RHC: #4, #24-2016: Read the first book in a series written by a person of color

*Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman (10 STARS) was such a poignant and emotionally challenging read for me. I could relate so closely to most all of Cee Cee’s 2challenges. I cried at least 4 different times while reading this book. I had to stop and consider my own similar experiences, recognize my own grief/frustration/anger and once again forgive. I must believe that as damaged as some adults are, we each do the very best we can for our children. But each of us has different and unique limitations to our skills and abilities when it comes to parenting…
POPSUGAR: #9, #19-summer, #25, #28-Summer holiday from school, #36, #38, #40-2015: prompt #42 A book you own but have not yet read
ATY: #4-A book written by an author you might like to meet, #7, #11, #15, #19, #31-2010, #34-Aunt Tootie was an excellent teacher!, #36-snails, #37, #40-The Lovers, Strength, Death, Judgment, The World, #41, #49
RHC: #24-2020: prompt #7: A historical fiction novel not set in WW II

Brave New World Revisited by Aldous Huxley (5 STARS). Huxley was unbelievably prescient in his vision of lies being broadcast enough to divide people in the US thereby creating a viable threat to our democracy. He didn’t foresee the internet, or else he would have probably predicted exactly what we have been witnessing in this country since WAY BEFORE 2016… A coordinated effort to dominate the voting public, making them believe lies…
POPSUGAR: #24, #31, #33, #40-2018: prompt #49 A book about a problem facing society today
ATY: #3, #4-A book related to Shelley's poem Ozymandias (Nadine’s proposal): …desolation…despair…, #7, #25-116 pages, #31-1958, #40-Strength, Justice, Judgment, The World, #44, #49
RHC: #24-2021: Read a book you’ve been intimidated to read

*Max's Story by W. Bruce Cameron (5 STARS) was just as wonderful as all the other books written by Cameron that I have read so far. And an invaluable resource at the end with pre-reading discussion questions, post-reading discussion questions, as well as follow-up activities!
POPSUGAR: #9, #19-summer, #24, #28-Summer holiday from school, #40-2018: prompt #34 A book published in 2018
ATY: #4-A book whose author is younger than you, #7, #14-972 ratings, #15, #21-A dog, #25-192 pages, #36-Max is a puppy, #40-Strength, Justice, Judgment, The World, #46-Max, #49
RHC: #24-2016: Read a middle grade novel

*The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes (10 STARS) had a similar overall setting and theme as The Woman from Troublesome Creek, but was quite different, IMO! Both books were excellently written, though I think TGoS was a bit more “suspenseful” overall. I would love to know more about these characters’ lives from this point in time and I love it when I feel that way at the end of a book!
POPSUGAR: #9, #25, #26, #40-2018: prompt #15 A book about feminism, #47
ATY: #1-Alice Wright, #7, #11, #19, #20-1937, #24, #36-Bluey, #40-The Lovers, The Chariot, Strength, The Hermit, Justice, Death, Temperance, Judgment, The World, #41, #43, #44, #49
RHC: #11-Bennett, #24-2020: prompt #7 A historical fiction novel not set in WW II

CONTINUING:
*Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas (5 STARS)
*I, Alex Cross (Alex Cross #16) by James Patterson
*Mrs. 'Arris Goes to New York (Mrs. ‘Arris #2) by Paul Gallico
*Beloved by Toni Morrison
*The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family by Annette Gordon-Reed No progress on this one this past week, but I may well concentrate on this over the weekend… It depends how our Readathon Team progresses! :)

PLANNED:
*Red Bones (Shetland Island #3) by Ann Cleeves
*Silent Voices (Vera Stanhope #4) by Ann Cleeves
*The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway
*The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
This will actually be a reread for me, but I’m looking forward to it since I enjoyed this book so much the first time! And I’m sure I’ve forgotten some of the details!
STILL PLANNING THESE BELOW AS WELL!
*Marjorie Morningstar by Herman Wouk
*The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald
*Ordinary Girls by Jaquira Díaz
*Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James
*Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff

It’s that magic day of the week! THURSDAY!! FRIDAY!! SATURDAY!! Although as of Tuesday, September 13, my magic day of the week, at least once a month, will be Tuesday! I am rebooting my IRL Borders Book Club on that day and I cannot wait! Several wanted to create a whole new reading list. Several wanted to read one from our “old” reading list. The Starless Sea. And one wanted our first “meeting” to be just catching up and creating a list of books on which we can all vote regarding our next year of books to read! Luckily, I was able to incorporate all suggestions! We are meeting on the 13th for lunch which will, of course, be catching up, as it always is. Then we’ll be going to the bookstore to meet and brainstorm a listing of books on which we will all vote for upcoming reads over the next year. Then at our April meeting we will discuss The Starless Sea. I am soooooo excited! These are some of my favorite people who are still in my close and convenient geographical range! (So many of my “favorite people” have moved to distant locations!)

I watched the movie adaptation of Dumplin' on Netflix after reading the book. It was okay. They certainly used artistic license with the adaptation, however. I would highly recommend the book. Then I watched the Dolly Parton documentary (since Dolly Parton is a very large part of Dumplin') and was I impressed! A small group of friends, including my husband and myself, were supposed to meet and have lunch with her when we were last in Tennessee visiting them (about 6 years ago), but she ended up canceling that morning. One of our friend’s daughters has worked for her for many years. I’m really disappointed now that I didn’t have that opportunity. That woman is definitely a songwriting savant! And no fool business-wise. For example, Elvis Presley wanted desperately to purchase “I Will Always Love You” from her and she refused. Years later Whitney Houston recorded it and made another $1,000,000 for Parton in that first year! I find it interesting that she has remained married to the same man (whom she met just a few days after first moving to Nashville) but he is never with her on the road, etc. But that would be her…to be different! 

A very interesting article regarding tsundoku: https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/do-i-... And, no, it is not another type of puzzle game, but perhaps a situation (syndrome? LOL) with which some of us (Okay, yes, definitely me!) just might be a bit familiar… ;)

An ATY Individual Readathon is scheduled September 10-18! You must complete 4 prompts to enter the raffle to name one of the 2023 Challenge prompts! I have already selected a listing of banned/challenged books that are shorter in length, however, with the number of buddy reads I have to complete, I am going to be concentrating on those! If I don’t get to the banned/challenged books, then I’ll have those for the following week of September 18-24, which is technically Banned Books Week here in the US. And I somehow missed the Team Readathon sign-up posted on the 7th, but got added to a team just this morning, so I’m off for another Team Readathon, but am sticking to my Buddy Reads listing for the most part, so we’ll see how this goes! 

And for those who might be interested, there is a Goodreads interview with Taylor Jenkins Reid. I met her several years ago at a book/author event. She seemed a bit stand-offish at that time, but it appears to me as if she may have loosened up somewhat since then: https://www.goodreads.com/interviews/... What I do know is that after reading 3 of her books, she is definitely one of my all-time absolutely favorite authors! I am very anxious to read Carrie Soto Is Back!

ADMIN STUFF:
The September Monthly Group Read is Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas and you will find that discussion as well as the thread to post the book you have read to fulfill prompt #6 A book written by a LatinX author in the Current Monthly Group Read folder HERE. This prompt was selected for September to honor National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrated September 15-October 15 in the US. Nadine has graciously posted a discussion thread for Hispanic Heritage Month reading HERE. I am really enjoying this book and am rather happy no one else volunteered to lead the discussion as this prompted me to purchase and read it! And, bonus, it is on the banned/challenged book listing! 

We currently have THREE Monthly Group Reads still needing discussion leaders:
1) October: a “knowledgeable navigator” to lead the discussion of The Ex Hex (The Ex Hex #1) by Erin Sterling
2) November: an “official organizer” to lead the discussion of The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
3) December: Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Please message either Nadine or myself to volunteer! While I do plan to read or reread all 3 of these, I’m sure everyone would greatly appreciate it if others would volunteer to facilitate these discussions! :) I admit I'm looking forward to reading all 3 of them!

The comprehensive listing of Monthly Group Reads for 2022 is HERE.

Also, just a reminder that every single past 2022 Monthly Group Read discussion and “I Finished!” thread is open and available to all in the 2022 Monthly Group Reads folder HERE.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
From Lauren: What do you love about your local library/bookstore? What do you wish they provided that they currently don't?
Acrually, my favorite local used bookstore has upgraded to now include several things I had been wishing for! One was an expanded outdoor facility. They quadrupled the space! It is now large enough to accommodate quite a lot of bargain specials for periodic sales, at least 4-5 tables with accompanying chairs. And then they added permanently positioned tarps overhead for shading of the outdoor area! It is wonderful for book club meetings, etc., and is where my IRL book club will be meeting as weather permits. Otherwise, we will be inside.

The owners have also worked hard at increasing and better labeling stock. Vast improvements.

The only drawback to this newer location (as of 2 years ago) is rather limited indoor space for author and other special events. Since I’m fairly certain adding on to the current building is most likely not feasible, I don’t see that improving any time soon. Though they have reorganized to create mobile displays in one larger area so those can be moved to create more indoor space than was available before, so there is improvement even in this area (pun intended? LOL)!

Popsugar: 45/50
ATY: 50/52
RHC: 18/24

FINISHED:
Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead by Elle Cosimano (5 STARS) was a great followup to the initial installment in this series. It is a bit more serious and yet also humorous. Finlay begins to discover much about herself, as well as revelations about others, such as Vero, Steven (her ex), Julian (her law student ‘friend with fringe benefits’), Nick, and even her own mother! Anxious for the next installment. Keep writing, Elle! LOL
POPSUGAR: #1, #9, #25, #38, #40-2015: prompt #27 A book you can finish in a day
ATY: #3, #4-A book related to Shelley's poem Ozymandias (Nadine’s proposal): ….passion…desolation…despair…, #7, #33, #40-The Lovers, The Chariot, Strength, Justice, Death, Judgment, The World, #44, #49, #50-Finlay’s parents, #50-Finlay’s parents
RHC: #24-2020: prompt #3 A mystery where the victim is not a woman

*Dumplin' by Julie Murphy (5 STARS) was an excellent read! Quite enjoyable and yet also rather intense. The characters were well-defined and IMO very realistically presented. I loved the unexpected twists and turns near/at the end. Anxious to watch the movie and to continue this series!
POPSUGAR: #20-Read this after Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead, #40-2015: prompt #41 A book written by an author you’ve never read before
ATY: #4-A book whose author is younger than you, #7, #40-The Lovers, The Chariot, Strength, Death, Judgment, The World, #41, #43
RHC: #24-2021: Read a fat-positive romance

*Started Early, Took My Dog (Jackson Brodie) by Kate Atkinson (5 STARS) was yet another excellently written book in this series! I love Atkinson’s genius on all levels. And the humor she intersperses throughout delights me! Once I have read all the books in this series, I will definitely search out more of her writing to try! Jackson is an idiot in many ways, but overall he truly is a well-meaning soul…that should count for something! LOL
POPSUGAR: #9, #25, #28-Holiday = Vacation, #31, #40-2015: prompt #7 A book with nonhuman characters-The Ambassador, #46
ATY: #1-Tracy Waterhouse, #4-A book written by an author you might like to meet, #7, #31-2010, #33, #36-The Ambassador, #40-The Lovers, Strength, Justice, Death, Judgment, The World, The Fool, #41, #44, #49, #50, #52
RHC: #24-2021: A book featuring a beloved pet where the pet doesn’t die

CONTINUING:
*Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas (5 STARS)
*Mrs. 'Arris Goes to New York (Mrs. ‘Arris #2) by Paul Gallico
*Beloved by Toni Morrison
*The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family by Annette Gordon-Reed No progress on this one this past week.

PLANNED:
*The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue
*Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman
*Red Bones (Shetland Island #3) by Ann Cleeves
*Silent Voices (Vera Stanhope #4) by Ann Cleeves
*I, Alex Cross (Alex Cross #16) by James Patterson
*The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
*The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway
*The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
This will actually be a reread for me, but I’m looking forward to it since I enjoyed this book so much the first time! And I’m sure I’ve forgotten some of the details!
STILL PLANNING THESE BELOW AS WELL!
*Marjorie Morningstar by Herman Wouk
*The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald
*Ordinary Girls by Jaquira Díaz
*Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James
*Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff

Mandy wrote: "Lynn wrote: "Mandy wrote: "1) no, I was reading a Star Wars book by Cordova but stopped 34% through."
Yes. I was reading Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead, but put it aside to read thi..."
It is interesting how differently each of us rates books, isn't it? :)

Interesting about Swoon Reads. Too bad that didn't continue!

Kendra wrote: "Introductory questions:

1. No. I wasn't even planning on joining the group read, but then the newsletter came out today and when I looked it was available on Overdrive, so impulse borrow it is."
Excellent! Glad you're joining us!

"2. My sister had read it and said it was good. It's been so long since I read the blurb for the book, I can't really remember what it's going to be about."
I generally prefer not knowing much about a book before reading it...

"3. Not really. I'm glad it was loved, but I don't always agree with popular opinion on books."
Totally fair...

"4. Not really."
Good!

I have read through Chapter 7/page 113.

Please remember these are topics that interest me, and the point of this discussion thread is to discuss whatever interests any of us. Please mention anything you are interested in discussing that may fall outside these questions!

1) I found it interesting that both Maritza and Yadriel are not part of the brujx. I can see where that created a strong bond between the two of them. However, as Yadriel notes, he was prevented from becoming a brujo, whereas, it was Maritza's choice not to belong. Why do you think that is such a valid distinction to Yadriel?

2) It is very unfortunate that Yadriel's mother died as it appears she was the only true advocate for Yadriel to be recognized as a boy and brujo. Do you think you would be able to recognize and/or advocate for Yadriel as a boy and brujo if you were a fellow member of his family/extended family/culture? Have you ever personally encountered a similar situation among family or friends?

3) I found it interesting that the others in Yadriel's life were better able to accept his being gay since that meant he was still attracted to males (as he would have been as a cis female), but unable to process or recognize his gender as 'male'. What was your reaction to that revelation? Why do you believe his being queer was easier for others to accept than the fact that he was transgender?

4) I was impressed with Chapter 7's depiction of gossip fueled by prejudice and discrimination as applied to Julian and his family/friends. Did that surprise you? Have you personally encountered any such assumptions made by others in your personal life? Whether about yourself or someone else?

5) Poor Julian. I was initially put off by his tough guy act, and yet, by the end of Chapter 7, I was feeling much sympathy and empathy toward him. What do you think will be discovered when these three finally encounter his friends and brother? Do you believe him to be as unfeeling as he has seemed up until now? Or do you believe that in reality he has strong interpersonal relationships with at least some of them? (Is he truly a 'bad boy' or is there some good in him?)

I've been rather surprised at how much Spanish I can recall! :)

Kenya wrote: "Lynn wrote: "Happy Thursday everyone!

Goodreads is still making me sign in multiple times, but at least it usually keeps me signed in once I get there, so I guess there is improvement... :) Altho...

Yaaay on the pools being reopened!

And I didn't realize "Cemetary Boys" was a group read this month -- I just picked up the audiobook because it looked good. Maybe I'll actually participate in a group read this month..."
Yes, do! I am finding this to be quite an enjoyable read!

Mandy wrote: "1) no, I was reading a Star Wars book by Cordova but stopped 34% through."
Yes. I was reading Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead, but put it aside to read this one!

"2) none of my own expectations, but my colleague read it and so I know what he thinks."
Ah. So I gather he was a fan? :)

"3) no but I’m hoping it’s fun and thrilling. It’s started off okay. Had to look up a bunch of Spanish words I didn’t recognize. I didn’t realize how many awards it had been nominated for."
I had no idea about the award nominations either! I have found the first 4 chapters totally enjoyable! I particularly appreciate the snarky humor! :)

"4) no. I bought it for my library ya collection specifically because it was diverse and because of the publisher was swoon reads. I miss swoon reads. Sigh."
I don't know if I'm the only one, but I know nothing about swoon reads. Can you enlighten me/us? :) Please and thank you!

Happy Thursday everyone!

Goodreads is still making me sign in multiple times, but at least it usually keeps me signed in once I get there, so I guess there is improvement... :) Although this is my second attempt to post this! :(

My big news is that the pools have reopened at my gym today! I feared they might not be ready, but they are! After a little more than one month. I. CANNOT. WAIT! I usually only workout Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, but I’m going down this afternoon to get a head start! On a Thursday! LOL I definitely need that heated therapy pool and the whirlpool to offset the soreness, stiffness, and pain of osteoarthritis. I am at the point that even my hands and feet suffer if I am not in that warm water working out! YAY!! I am anxiously anticipating relief!

I am in the process of rebooting my IRL book club that I initially founded 10 years ago while working at Borders! I am so excited! Two members are not returning but we gained one, so there will be just 4 of us. A good number, I think! Enough to have a good discussion, but not too many so everyone will have a chance to ‘speak their piece’! Our favorite used bookstore has a shaded area outside with tables and chairs so as long as the weather is decent, we can meet outside. My husband (the person with an insatiable sweet tooth) is thrilled since that means I’ll be baking treats at least once a month now!

Financially, I’ll be rebuilding my savings since I just paid almost $1400 to replace the rear brake system in my car including new brake lines, rotors, calipers, etc. And another almost $600 for a rental vehicle during the 2 ½ weeks it was being repaired. *sigh* I guess that’s what savings are for, but yuck! LOL

Other than that, I’m busy reading! As you can see, I have quite a list of buddy reads, monthly group reads, and book club reads for September!

ADMIN STUFF:
As determined by 24 voters, our December Monthly Group Read will be Book Lovers by Emily Henry! This can be used to fulfill prompt #1 A book published in 2022. Thank you for helping with this selection! So we started this year with Emily Henry (People We Meet on Vacation) and now we will be ending it with her as well! LOL

The September Monthly Group Read is Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas and you will find that discussion as well as the thread to post the book you have read to fulfill prompt #6 A book written by a LatinX author in the Current Monthly Group Read folder HERE. This prompt was selected for September to honor National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrated September 15-October 15 in the US. Nadine has graciously posted a discussion thread for Hispanic Heritage Month reading HERE. Since no one else volunteered, I purchased a copy of this yesterday and have posted introductory questions. Although this wasn't a book I had planned to read, I’m rather enjoying it thus far. I particularly appreciate the diversity amongst the characters!

The August Monthly Group Read discussion of The Dog Stars by Peter Heller will remain in the Currently Monthly Group Read folder HERE for awhile yet to allow for completion of the discussion. The August "I Finished!" thread is HERE! This book can be used to fulfill prompt #35 A book with a constellation on the cover or in the title. The theme was selected for August to coincide with the Perseid Meteor Shower which is typically from mid-July to around mid-August. It was expected to peak August 11-12 this year.

We currently have THREE Monthly Group Reads still needing discussion leaders:
1) October: a “knowledgeable navigator” to lead the discussion of The Ex Hex (The Ex Hex #1) by Erin Sterling
2) November: an “official organizer” to lead the discussion of The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
3) December: Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Please message either Nadine or myself to volunteer! While I do plan to read or reread all 3 of these, I’m sure everyone would greatly appreciate it if others would volunteer to facilitate these discussions! :) I admit I'm looking forward to reading all 3 of them!

The comprehensive listing of Monthly Group Reads for 2022 is HERE.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Have you ever read a “classic” book/author and had a distinctly opposite reaction to the majority of readers and/or reviewers?
I always think of Holden Morrisey Caulfield from J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye. It seems the majority of reviews I’ve read truly despised this poor child. They call him “whiny” or “obnoxious” but I felt very sorry for him. It was obvious (to me, at least) he was not well emotionally. But…I was in my early 60s the first time I read this, while I believe most readers are much younger upon first encountering this classic, so perhaps that could explain much of the difference between my reaction and others’.

How about you?

Though I am STILL not quite caught up with documenting books, my challenge totals are:
Popsugar: 45/50
ATY: 50/52
RHC: 18/24

FINISHED:
*The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo (5 STARS) was a very interesting read. Though I am not typically a huge fan of mythology, Choo’s writing style made this a quite enjoyable reading experience. I particularly appreciated her historical information regarding mythology in the Notes section. Interestingly, if a person was to be wedded to a ghost/someone who had died, a rooster was used as place-holder for the groom during the ceremony! LOL That just made me laugh!
POPSUGAR: #12, #25, #36, #40-2015: prompt #7 A book with nonhuman characters, #46, #47
ATY: #1-Tian Bai, #4-A book related to Shelley's poem Ozymandias (Nadine’s proposal): …passion…desolation…despair…, #7, #11, #18, #19, #30, #36-a dragon, #40-The Chariot, Strength, Death, Justice, Judgment, The World, #41, #44, #46-Er Lang, #49, #50-Li Lan’s father
RHC: #24-2017: prompt #2 A debut novel

*The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George, translated by Simon Pare (5 STARS) is one of the most delightful books I’ve read in quite a while. Some might term this a “character study,” while I prefer “a slice of life” novel. These characters are my friends and I will miss them. Definitely want to read more of her writing!
POPSUGAR: #2-a book barge, #9, #19-summer, NEW #23, #25, #31, #36, #40-2015: prompt #29 A book set somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit, #42-French and English, #47, #49/#50-Paris, France
ATY: #3, #4-A book whose author is younger than you, #6, #7-Recovery from grief, depression, anger, #15, #19-alternate reality, #29, #35-herbs, spices, vegetables, fruits, #36-fish, #40-The Lovers, The Chariot (Lulu), Strength, The Moon, The Sun, The World, #41, #50
RHC: #2, #7, #24-2019: prompt #10 A translated book written by or translated by a woman

CONTINUING:
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas for our monthly group read!
Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead by Elle Cosimano. I had just started this one yesterday morning! :)
Mrs. 'Arris Goes to New York (Mrs. ‘Arris #2) by Paul Gallico
*Beloved by Toni Morrison
*The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family by Annette Gordon-Reed No new information available this week. I haven’t had time to read any further.

PLANNED:
8 Buddy Reads, our Monthly Group Read, and 1 IRL Book Club read! Yikes!! LOL
*Dumplin' by Julie Murphy
*The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue
*Red Bones (Shetland Island #3) by Ann Cleeves
*Silent Voices (Vera Stanhope #4) by Ann Cleeves
*Started Early, Took My Dog (Jackson Brodie) by Kate Atkinson
*I, Alex Cross (Alex Cross #16) by James Patterson
*The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
*The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway
*The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
This will actually be a reread for me, but I’m looking forward to it since I enjoyed this book so much the first time! And I’m sure I’ve forgotten some of the details!
STILL PLANNING THESE BELOW AS WELL!
*Marjorie Morningstar by Herman Wouk
*The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald
*Ordinary Girls by Jaquira Díaz
*Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James
*Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff