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.
Showing 1,541-1,560 of 4,909
Katy wrote: "I read George Washington's Final Battle: The Epic Struggle to Build a Capital City and a Nation as my favorite from a past list: a book you pick off the shelf w/o looking. I had to go pick up a book at the library and I'm afraid they're going to go to curbside only and knowing this was a category I wanted to do I just went to the new acquisitions. And this is the book you get when you do that. The beginning was more interesting than I thought it would be, but I lost interest by halfway. I finished the book, but I have a feeling it's a good thing I don't have to take a test on it because I don't think I really absorbed most of it."Sounds like finishing this a bit of a slog... Congrats!
"I just started The Witches of Eastwick as my book about witches or with witches or whatver. I have a feeling I'm not going to really like this one either but I'm only 20 pages in, so I should give it more of a chance before I decide one way or the other."
Sure hope this one improves for you!
"QOTW: Not really. There have been books that I have liked more than I thought I would because the genre just didn't seem like anything I would like. But, I haven't gone forward and sought more out.
For instance I read REady Player One for a LitRPG book. I didn't even know wht the catgory meant, was kind of dreading it and loved the book. But, I haven't read any more. Although I may eventually read Ready Player Two."
I really enjoyed the sequel as well. It was different from Ready Player One, but I didn't expect a repeat for the sequel! LOL 😊
Nadine in NY wrote: "Lynn wrote: "I prefer novels with more character development and complexity of plot and character interactions than is typical in what I consider to be “run-of-the-mill” romance novels. ..."I read a lot of romance, I have for years, but it's "chick lit" and "women's fiction" that I used to avoid, because I thought all of it always discussed fashion and brands and the exact types of lipstick and shoes everyone is wearing ... and some of it does do that! but not all of it.
Some other authors I've found who straddle the lines between romance & chick lit & women's literature, and have a lot of character development in their stories:
Lauren Willig"
I have yet to read one of her books. I own a couple of hers though...
"Beatriz Williams"
I've read two of hers and plan to read Cocoa Beach this year! Really liked those two!
"Jenny Colgan"
I started reading one of hers and wasn't terribly impressed, but I intend to give her a try again...
"Mhairi McFarlane"
That is a new one on me. I'll have to research... 😀
Happy Thursday! I feel as if I’m late in posting since I got my laptop out at 7:30AM yesterday morning thinking, “Oh, I’ve got to post for the Weekly Check-In!” Then realized, “Oh, I don’t have to do that today, this is Wednesday!” *sigh* Old age… And now I am a bit late in posting this morning! But that's only because I finished another book that I wanted to document! So it's all good! 👍😊I am trying to be purposeful about rotating more nonfiction books into my reading schedule. I think I feel as if they require much more reading time, but I’m not sure that’s true! I just feel as if I read more slowly since I’m always wanting to remember everything! Almost like studying a textbook!
I came across a NY Times story written by Marcus Samuelsson (whom I adore) regarding the pandemic and how he and his family have been coping…
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/10/st.... Just in case you’re interested! I had no idea he now has 36 restaurants around the world in his empire! Good for him! Not bad for an orphaned African child…
Admin Stuff:
The January 2022 Monthly Group Read discussion of People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry is here. This can be used to satisfy the 2022 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge prompt #11 A #BookTok recommendation! Erica is leading the discussion! I enjoyed this much more than I expected!
You can post the book you read to satisfy this prompt here.
Please help us start the process to select the April Monthly Group Read by voting in the nomination poll here. This book will fulfill prompt #26 A book with a misleading title! Happy April Fools’ Day! 😉 If you plan to nominate a different book, please do so early on so other members have the opportunity to consider supporting your nomination! **BE SURE TO CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO VIEW IT IN MORE DETAIL!** LOL
Question of the Week:
(from Lauren) Is there a genre that you've always avoided but have recently started getting into because of this (or another) reading challenge?
This was appropriate because I just read People We Meet on Vacation for our January monthly group read discussion and realized that as long as I research well enough to feel assured I’m not selecting a typical “bodice-ripping” “open door” “romance” novel, I am much more open to reading “romance” now than ever before. I prefer novels with more character development and complexity of plot and character interactions than is typical in what I consider to be “run-of-the-mill” romance novels. I am glad for that expansion in my reading repertoire! Because I refused to even consider reading any book classified as “romance” in the past!
Others I’ve read and enjoyed in recent years:
Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin
Yes No Maybe So by Becky Albertalli
Love Story (Love Story #1) by Erich Segal (reread 50 years later)
Oliver's Story (Love Story #2) by Erich Segal
You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson
All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
Cocktails for Three by Madeleine Wickham
The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Cafe by Mary Simses
POPSUGAR: 11/50
ATY: 27/52
RHC: 4/24
FINISHED:
Day of Infamy by Walter Lord ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ was amazing! I didn’t know much of anything about the attack at Pearl Harbor. One fact that was mentioned is that this attack was one of the few times war was begun without a declaration of war being announced first. I had never considered that…
POPSUGAR: #25-The Japanese worked hard to keep all the preparations, plans, and training a secret from the World!, #29-I read A Night to Remember in 2021, NEW #31-war, NEW #33-War is a social horror, IMO!
ATY: #2-read A Night to Remember in 2021, #4-A book related to Shelley's poem Ozymandias (Nadine’s proposal): Round the decay/of that colossal Wreck-Pearl Harbor was left a “colossal Wreck” in the wake of Japan’s attack, #7-the psychology of a surprise attack, #14-4,229 ratings, #15, NEW #20, #21-battleship, NEW #29, #31, #40-Death, Judgment, The World, #49, NEW #52
RHC: NEW #22
I Am Not Sidney Poitier by Percival Everett ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for his author visit later this month. This proved to be quite absurd, “absurdly” so in the beginning 30 pages! LOL However, it did improve a bit and then I read the analysis and learned that without the knowledge of Poitier’s movies I was missing much in this book. Though I did recognize the “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” parody!
POPSUGAR: #9, #36
ATY: #1-Ted Turner, #14-1,492 ratings, #15-Just a hand, #39-2009, #34-Pericval is Not’s Professor for “Nonsense,” #40- The Lovers, Strength, Justice, Temperance, Judgment, The World, The Fool, NEW #43, #49
RHC: #24-2021: Read a book you’ve been intimidated to read
The House Without a Key (Charlie Chan #1) by Earl Derr Biggers ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ is the first in the Charlie Chan mystery series. I’m so glad for Marilyn Stasio’s introduction warning a reader to forget anything they may know or remember of the Charlie Chan movie adaptations. I’ve had this book for probably 4 months and was dying to try it out, so I did! I liked the way it started out with just a hint of a scandalous family member’s criminal activities and one rather minor attack, then simply continued the story of the various characters’ interactions…until clues finally started to become known. Stasio was correct. This was nothing like the film adaptations and that was a good thing, IMO! While Chan’s English was a bit out of sync, he was a quiet person who observed much and put everything together way before anyone else. This was a delightful read and I especially appreciated the characters’ development along the way. There are 6 of these and I definitely plan to read the other 5. 😊
POPSUGAR: #25, #40-2017 prompt #39 The first book in a series I haven’t read yet
ATY: #4- A book related to Shelley's poem Ozymandias (Nadine’s proposal): John Quincy is a traveler who is just realizing his passions in this land of sands!, NEW #5, #14-1,729 ratings, #20-Set in the 1920s, #29, #31-1925, #35-The lush tropical setting of Honolulu, #37 (title), #40-Justice, Death, Temperance, Judgement, The World, #49
RHC: NEW #14, #24-2017: Read a book published between 1900-1950
CONTINUING:
The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race by Walter Isaacson for a January Buddy Read. This is such an interesting and timely read! It is my first Isaacson book and probably will not be my last. I appreciate the fact that he provided so much historical information to lead into discussing Doudna’s research. That was so helpful to put later developments into context. I liked pictures of the scientists as Isaacson presented their findings. It just felt more personal somehow!
*Yes, Chef by Marcus Samuelsson to complete two 2021 challenges!
*Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. On hold for our February monthly group read.
*Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family by Robert Kolker
*Paradise by Toni Morrison to fulfill the 2020 Reading Women prompt #25 A book written by Toni Morrison
PLANNED:
To complete some 2021 year-long challenges:
1) *Marjorie Morningstar by Herman Wouk
2) *The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald
To complete the 2021 Read Harder Challenge:
*Get a Life, Chloe Brown (Brown Sisters #1) by Talia Hibbert (our February Group Read! How convenient! LOL)
*Ordinary Girls by Jaquira Díaz
*Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James
*Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff
*The Right Attitude to Rain (Isabel Dalhousie #3) by Alexander McCall Smith
* The Careful Use of Compliments (Isabel Dalhousie #4) by Alexander McCall Smith
*The Comforts of a Muddy Saturday (Isabel Dalhousie #5) by Alexander McCall Smith
*The Lost Art of Gratitude (Isabel Dalhousie #6) by Alexander McCall Smith
Kenya wrote: "Happy Thursday, y’all.So... I'm going back to school this fall. Decided that it's finally time I went to college, and am planning on finally pursuing a degree in either library science or creative writing (haven't decided which yet). Feels weird planning on going to college at 38, but hey, better late than never, right?"
Good for you! I returned to college in my 30s! You can do it!
"I know this is going to eat into my reading time, though... ah well. Sacrifices for the greater good, right?"
Yes, it probably will. You'll be reading, but not for pleasure, most likely! LOL
"Books read this week:
Hidden Figures -- for “an Anisfield-Wolf Book Award winner.” I never realized just how closely enmeshed the stories of the Space Race, the Cold War, and the Civil Rights movements were. I just wish the book we'd gotten to tell these girls' stories had been better written... it was a slog at times."
Sorry it didn't read well for you. I was enthralled by it! I also thought the movie was a good adaptation...
"Where the Drowned Girls Go -- for “a book published in 2022.” The Wayward Children series is one of my favorite series ever, and while this one leaves some unanswered questions, it’s still great to see where certain characters have ended up and what they’re doing now."
Maybe they'll be answered in the next installment!
"A Study in Scarlet -- for “a book set in Victorian times.” I’m finding I really enjoy Sherlock Holmes… though having the second half of this one (view spoiler) kind of threw me off. Wasn’t expecting that…"
I have yet to read these...
"DNF:
Whispers in Autumn -- originally for the “book with an onomatopoeia in the title.” The writing was overdone and the book was falling into some tropes that bug me (insta-love, super-special protagonist who has to keep her powers hidden, etc.), but I was going to stick with it… until it got weird regarding people of color. Not sure why the book had to make an excuse for why the population is predominantly white or not, but it came across as uncomfortable and I had to quit."
Sounds like smart move to DNF that one. It wasn't working for you...
"Currently Reading:
Carmen Miranda's Ghost is Haunting Space Station Three -- for “a book about the afterlife”"
That title alone is intriguing!
"QOTW:
Ready Player One, full stop. That book is a guilty pleasure for me -- not the best but still enjoyable. I don't see why it needed a sequel, except that the author was buoyed up by the success of the book and the movie adaptation and decided to milk the cash cow again.."
I enjoyed the sequel! Not as much as the first installment, but I definitely liked it. Sorry it didn't work for you... 🙁
Doni wrote: "How about The Hate U Give and Concrete Rose?"I believe those are marketed as the second to be a sequel to the first, are they not?
M wrote: "Amy J. wrote: "do both books need to be from the same duology? Could I do Crooked Kingdom and Sapphique? Both are the second books in their respective duologies."From how the prompt reads, it needs to be A Duology together"
That is how I understand it as well...
Sara wrote: "These Violent Delights and Our Violent Ends will work as a duology. I believe Vicious and Vengeful also work, although there is rumor..."As long as a third book hasn't been released, I would count those two as a duology.
I see I am in the minority with this opinion. But remember, the challenge is yours to interpret as you desire!
Therese wrote: "Dear Martin And Dear Justyce By Nic Stone also work for this and for me. This might be a little more doable, though."Ooohhh, yes!
Aleksandra wrote: "Between the Lines and Off the Page are a duology. I found them kind of boring but someone might enjoy them.Incarceron and Sapphique on ..."
Excellent suggestions! I am glad you keep remembering! LOL
Therese wrote: "I'm not sure I understand this prompt, but is it a set of books, as in 2 to a series? I have The Princes of Ireland and the Rebels of Ireland by Edward Rutherfurd which could take a really long tim..."Are they published as a book and its sequel? If so, I would say that counts. If they are just two in a series of 3 or more then they wouldn't count. At least as I understand the prompt...
Ashley Marie wrote: "Good morning from Akron! Still not much snow up this way, although apparently we should be expecting anywhere from .05" to 3ft of snow this weekend. We'll see how that pans out."Make sure you keep it there, please! LOL
"The heating element in our oven peaced out last week (in the middle of making steak for dinner, no less); we ended up finishing dinner with the toaster oven and it actually turned out pretty good! Heating element has been replaced and everything is back in working order."
I use our toaster oven all the time unless I need to use a pan large enough that it won't fit. Hope your oven gets fixed though!
"Still waiting for my car to get out of the shop (it was supposed to be done yesterday), but trying not to be impatient."
That can seem to take forever, can't it?
"In Important Bird News, this morning I have discovered the great eared nightjar: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_e...
He looks like a tiny fluffy dragon! :D"
Does that mean you sited one?
"My reading brain has decided to go all in on Pendergast, so those are the two books I've finished this week:
Brimstone - 4 stars Features two languages
Dance of Death - 4 stars Takes place during your favorite season - I bent this one to Takes place during the current season because the book kept mentioning that it was January. Calling it done!"
Good!
"The Bone Shard Emperor - DNF. I'm still in shock over this one, because I ADORED the first book. This one was dragging, and the pairing didn't make sense, and sloppy editing, and and and..."
Sounds like a good lead-in to Nadine's QotW!
"I've also quietly tucked Amra Thetys back on the TBR shelf and hope that my friend who highly recommended it hasn't noticed. It's an indie fantasy but it feels very middle-of-the-road to me so far. It's short, so I'll try it again eventually."
Hopefully you'll enjoy it better later!
"Currently reading:
Women, Race & Class Different book by an author you read in 2021"
I imagine this is a good read!
"QOTW: Are there any books that have sequels, but you wish they didn't?
To Kill a Mockingbird comes to mind, although I suppose Go Set a Watchman isn't actually a proper sequel."
I broke down and read Go Set a Watchman and actually enjoyed it. All I can say is if the publisher set Harper the task of changing it to To Kill a Mockingbird they certainly improved it mightily! I definitely don't consider GSaW to be sequel though I guess some might...
Cat wrote: "I'm kind at 50% or more of the book and just wanted to share some other thoughts (I really look forward to the whole sharing about the book). Thoughts under spoiler brackets below
Ok so I already..."
I agree with your spoiler thoughts! (view spoiler)
Cat wrote: "Erica wrote: "Cat wrote: "I finally start reading this book and I'm trying to catch up with the thread. I'm at 25% and I'm adoring it. There's something really appealing to me in the way Henry wri..."
I like your quotes! Especially the first two!
Cat wrote: "Check point 8 - 12In terms of this book and/or its characters, It Aspires...?
English it's not my first language and I'm not really sure how to reply to this, however someone replied When Harry met Sally and my mind went there when they got together in the car from Uni to home in Ohio and the all we are friends but there is this little percentage of what if... It probably doesn't aspire to, but the whole "we meet mostly for summer vacation" made me think about, One day. (view spoiler)"
I loved the book One Day. I also liked the movie adaptation!
Cat wrote: "General Questions: What made you decide to read this? Do you like the BookTok prompt? Are you using this book for a different prompt?I discovered it in last year suggestion as best 2021 book, I was intrigued, but couldn't find it on loan, so I read Beach reads first, which I loved. When it came up as a suggestion as botm I voted for it.
I'm not really sure what a booktok is... And as I'm new to goodreads group, I'm not sure if i'll apply to the popsugar reading challege (might I apply during the year and cover prompt with book read in 2022?)"
Yes, you can do that, Cat! However you wish to work on the challenge is "correct"!
Erica wrote: "Check point 13 - 17Besides the obvious no work, what's the one thing you need for it to feel like a vacation? Are you a schedule fan or do you want to play things by ear?"
My first husband and I only traveled with our three sons 3 times and he refused to allow me to make any reservations or plans before we departed. (And this was WAY before cell/smart phones and the internet!) So we spent a lot of time hunting for hotel rooms and restaurants late at night, etc., that really angered me since I was the one stuck trying to entertain and pacify the boys! Sheesh! I prefer a combination. The few times I have traveled on my own I have always made lodging reservations in advance and then purchased tickets for any events I wanted to attend and/or places I wanted to visit. But I always had at least 2-3 friends I was visiting and they were local to the area, so I would leave the time with them mostly unplanned since they wanted to show me certain things in the area. That was soooo much fun! So I guess a combination. I like to allow time to be spontaneous, but I want to know where I'm crashing at night! LOL
""As long as I have him, I will never be alone again." Why does it take Poppy so long to reach this conclusion? Why has the current Poppy still been unable to act on this thought?"
I thought this was rather immature, myself. Just because you have one person in your life, that shouldn't mean you will never feel "alone" again, unless you are tethered together 24/7, which trust me, can be stressful in and of itself at times! LOL I guess I dislike it when a character feels their life won't be fulfilled until they have a romantic relationship or one specific partner. I have always tried to fulfill my life with or without someone else or a specific person in my daily life. I think that is a healthier (more mature?) outlook overall...
Erica wrote: "Check point 8 - 12In terms of this book and/or its characters, It Aspires...?
So I thought I was so clever with the question and now I have to have an answer for it... 🤦♀️"
You crack me up! LOL
"Have you ever booked a hotel room with two beds only to end up with one? Does this common event in rom coms bother you or are you a fan?
I'm kinda shocked that this has happened to two of you in real life. I guess I don't travel enough for this to have happened. This plot device always gets an eye roll from me, but it won't affect my enjoymen."
I was surprised this happened IRL as well!
"Do you ever catch yourself buying into the social media promoted ideal of perfection? Poppy makes her living by staying relevant with social media and having an inspiring brand. How does she avoid low self esteem when she has dealt with so much bullying as a kid? Or does that explain her ennui or her holding on to a friendship instead of a relationship?
I not one for posting photos of myself. If my eyes are open and my facial expression isn't awkward I'm good, mostly don't have the patience for it. At this point to me present Poppy seemed fairly confident compared to all the flashback chapters that she mentioned her high school experience. It didn't seem like a confidence issue but just change/risk regarding Alex."
I would agree. I felt she was so scared of spoiling their friendship that she was hesitant to be honest... I could relate to that. My current husband and I were BFFs for almost a year before we decided to date... I just didn't want to lose his friendship!
"What is the best road trip music? Or is this a dumb question when audio books exist for this crowd?
No instrumental, tried and true things to sing a long. My faves are Oklahoma soundtrack, old country, Michael Buble and other musical soundtracks. I know cds are over but I still use them."
I love it! You would be fun to road trip with! LOL
Mary wrote: "Lynn wrote: "Murder on Black Swan Lane (Wrexford & Sloane #1) by Andrea Penrose ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ was an amazing read! Penrose is perfect in her depiction of the gloomy sooty “stews” of London d..."Do it! LOL
Stephanie wrote: "What made you decide to read this? Do you like the BookTok prompt? Are you using this book for a different prompt?I received this book last year through BOTM and never got around to reading it, so I was happy that it was January's monthly book! BookTok is not something I am too familiar with, but I like the idea of social media recommending books :)
I enjoyed reading this book and even though it was a typical love story, I liked the inclusion of travel! I am a big traveler myself and have met some amazing people while on vacation."
Reading about the various travel locations was fun! Unlike you, I must live vicariously through others' travel experiences! 😄
