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.

6. How do you feel about the choices mother June made?
Poor June was a lost soul. I felt she was rather a typical female for the time, simply looking to marriage as a way to "escape" her current life and take her away... Away to anywhere, just away...

7. Jay was able to forgive Hudson (view spoiler). Do you think you would have been able to do the same? What do you think about what Hudson did and how he handled it?
Honestly, I could kinda relate to Hud's unwillingness to be honest with Jay. Jay was always "the star" and Hud was just kinda tagging along, according to others. I think Hud was always a bit afraid of Jay and definitely felt as if his role was to be subservient to Jay. But he should have realized that he was playing with fire long before he did. But that's very easy to say as an observer/bystander and a very different thing when you discover a mutual attraction to your sibling's love interest, I'm sure! Those hormones can be difficult to control I guess! LOL

8. What did you think about all the details of the party scenes? Is this a party you would like to attend?
No. Even when I did do some partying when younger, drugs were not my scene. I might toke a bit off a joint but no pills or anything else. As soon as they started passing around coke I would have left. And the gun! And sliding down the roof into the pool! Yikes. I would have been long gone from there by then.

Teri wrote: "cat herine wrote: "As an only child, sibling dynamics always fascinate me at best, and make me glad I'm an only child at worst. Lol. A bit of a cop out but it's the best I've got."

Nadine in NY wrote: "It's all a big mystery to me, I'm on the outside looking in for this one, since I am an only child. I have no idea what it would feel like to have a sibling."

I also cannot imagine being an only child. It always sounded lonely and quiet to me. Was it? I had a loud and boisterous childhood and always someone to play (and fight) with. But sometimes it would be nice to not have people that know every single stupid thing you've done in your life and love to retell them."

I know you didn't ask me, but I'll put in my two cents' worth...
We lived in the country. It was a 3-mile bike ride into the nearest town. My grandmother was a widow, my mother was divorced, and our nearest neighbor was a mile away. My grandmother was somewhat of a hermit. (She was born in 1896 and didn't learn to drive until her mid-30s and was never comfortable behind the wheel so rarely ever drove and eventually sold her car.) I probably had friends over to my house 5-6 times. So as a teenager I participated in many school groups that require me to stay after school. I realize now that provided me with much of my interpersonal experience in high school. I was always a person who could entertain myself, even as a child. I would play board games (monopoly and Chinese checkers were favorites) using stuff animals as other players and making all the moves! I learned to cook, especially bake, from my grandmother. I would knit, read, play the piano, as I got older I played the flute... I swear I knew every square inch of that 280-acre farm! I spent many hours running and exploring with my dog! My dog was my "sibling"/"friend". It killed me when she died during my senior year and I felt so guilty for not having spent as much time outside with her.

Teri wrote: "3. This novel is in part about the way we repeat the mistakes of our parents or try to avoid doing so. How was Nina’s life shaped by her mother’s? How has your own life been shaped by the people who raised you?
Nina's life was definitely shaped by her mother as she had to cover her mother's deficiencies, and in the process give up a great deal of herself to do so.

I have tried to avoid repeating the mistakes of my parents. A big part of that was in not getting married nor having children. I haven't trusted in those kinds of commitments, and I haven't trusted myself either. My life has been completely influenced in being raised by two toxic parents. I'm 61 years old and still trying to figure it all out."
I hear ya! My mantra for my next lifetime is "No marriage. No children!" LOL

2. Early on, Taylor Jenkins Reid writes, “Our family histories are simply stories. They are myths we create about the people who came before us, in order to make sense of ourselves.” Do you agree? How did this book make you think about your own family history?
This is so interesting because I have discovered that many times my children and I remember things from the past completely differently. And really, I don't think as children we truly get to know who our parents are, let alone who other ancestors might be with regard to their personalities, etc. We might have a general idea regarding the jobs they held or reputations they had, but that's pretty much it, isn't it?

3. This novel is in part about the way we repeat the mistakes of our parents or try to avoid doing so. How was Nina’s life shaped by her mother’s? How has your own life been shaped by the people who raised you?
Poor Nina had to BE the mother even way before her mother's death. She had to try to protect her mother from her own bad effects of drunkenness in addition to overseeing her siblings' care. She was caretaker of everyone! I mean, driving the car at 14 so they were not in danger from her mother driving. I can remember my own mother allowing me to drive myself places once I hit 15 and had taken driver's ed. I was unlicensed, etc., but it was 1972 or so and a different time.

Thank goodness my main caregiver was my grandmother. My mother and I lived with her. Her husband had died 4-5 years before I was born and she had invested the bulk of the inheritance into a 280-acre farm. She was a city girl through and through, but she realized that land was one of the best investments to be made. Anyway, as my favorite therapist once said during a session, "So your grandmother saved your life." I agreed, though I'd never thought in those terms. My mother was so mean that I swear, had my grandmother not been there, I feel relatively certain I would have run away as a teenager. I thought Haight-Ashbury looked like soooo much fun! And I was relatively fearless so I'm sure I would have killed myself from an overdose or something... This was roughly 1965-1975. Hippies! Power to the people! Make love not war! I was just lucky to be in a very rural community where drugs were not as available or prevalent overall. Plus I was poor. I think that can help you avoid drugs, etc.!

4. Why do you think the author included the parents' stories?
I always feel that knowing a person's history helps understand their behaviors a bit better. While I could better understand Mick's inability to be loyal, etc., I still couldn't forgive him and I was gratified that his children denied his very belated attempts to connect. I was sooooo angry with him for not even providing financial support! That was sick and wrong! It was the least he could have done!

5. The book is also about sibling relationships. Why do you think sibling dynamics can be so complicated? How do we use our siblings to define our own personalities?
Wow. I have no idea. Only child here, so no experience from my own childhood. Though it was interesting to observe the interactions among my own three sons. I'm not sure I could define exactly how they affected each other's growth and behavior, however.

Teri wrote: "I definitely related to Nina. Well, not the beauty and the talent and the money, of course. But I am the oldest of four children, my father was a charming, cheating, lying piece of work, and my mother kept taking him back until he left her for good. Thankfully, (view spoiler). I know what it meant for her to give so much of her life to her siblings to keep it all together. Not nearly so dramatic for me, but there is so much I understand."
Oh, I am so sorry you endured that as a child. Ugh.

cat herine wrote: "I vibed with Nina the most. I'm an only child, so the sibling dynamic is always fascinating to me but I've noticed that I typically like older siblings (unless they act really immaturely).

The boy..."
I would agree that Nina did not get the respect or gratitude that she deserved from her siblings.

1. In the meantime, which sibling were you most drawn to and/or related to the most? Nina, the model; Jay, the surfer; Hud, the photographer; Kit, the baby.

I think I felt most drawn to Nina since she had to take over and raise the other three. I can't imagine that, especially quitting high school, since I am an 'only child,' and yet I think maybe that's why I can relate to her plight.

Erica wrote: "@Nadine if the January discussion still needs a leader I'd like to volunteer."
YAY!!! I'll go update everything! Thank you so much, Erica!

Okay, I have been lax in my moderator duties, but finally got a good start on updating and moving some of the 2022 Monthly Group Read information...

ADMIN STUFF:
December's Monthly Group Read is Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid and that discussion is here. Technically, that will wrap up tomorrow, however, it will be archived and you can read through and/or post to that discussion thread in the future. Teri is the most gracious volunteer who led this discussion. And I truly am going to participate, Teri! Really! I loved the book!

I have updated the comprehensive listing of 2022 Monthly Group Reads and now we are anxious to fill those volunteer slots for each monthly discussion leader! *Hint! Hint!* 😊

As always, there is also a thread for you to post any books you have finished reading to fulfill prompt #1 A book published in 2021 as well. Since I just finished reading it, I’ll go to the thread tonight or tomorrow to participate!

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! I’m excited for this one! We need a “fascinating facilitator”! Please message either Nadine or myself to volunteer!

Please post the book you read to satisfy this prompt here.

Picking up where I left off...

Popsugar: 49/50 ALMOST!!
ATY: 52/52 DONE!!
RHC: 19/24
Reading Women: 18/28

FINISHED:
Until We Reckon: Violence, Mass Incarceration, and a Road to Repair by Danielle Sered ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ was definitely what I would term a “must-read”! Sered confirms what I’ve always felt to be true…our ‘criminal’ “justice” system is based upon and only encourages violence. There is little to no long-term positive value to such a system. It needs to be replaced for the most part and used only as a last resort. But our culture must first change to encourage and incorporate such changes effectively.
POPSUGAR: #7- Activist to establish effective alternatives to incarceration and all the cultural changes needed, #15, #20, #21- Culture, Nonfiction, Politics, Psychology, Race, Sociology, Social Justice, #27, #34-Mass incarceration, #36-105 reviews on Goodreads, #37, #47-Social justice is of the utmost importance!
ATY: #4, #20- Only by effectively reckoning with the past in the present can we hope to build a better future for all!, #23- Culture, #24, #27-Death, Judgment, The World, #36, #44, #47, #52- In the end this will require a majority of voters to make changes on local, regional, and national levels!
RHC: #2
Reading Women: NEW #3

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ was an absolutely excellent reading experience for me! Although it was quite poignant it was also uplifting and hopeful. We all do what we can do… And exactly how do you define “family”? If you read this, make sure you read the Acknowledgments! I cried at the last paragraph!
POPSUGAR: #1, #18-Family: biological, found, and committed, #19, #21- Family, Fiction, Historical Fiction, History, Marriage, Romance, #22, #27, #30-Malibu, #33, #37, #43, #47-Reid is one of my absolutely favorite authors!
ATY: #4, #13- I read Daisy Jones & the Six in 2020, #15, #19- The past may well affect the present, but doesn’t need to always determine the future, #23-Family, Fiction, Historical Fiction, History, Marriage, Romance, #27- The Lovers, Death, Temperance, Judgment, The World, The Fool, #32, #34, #42, #49, #50, #52-In the end, family is what you make of it…
RHC: #19

Eva Luna by Isabel Allende ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ was initially to fulfill the 2020 Reading Women prompt #26 A book written by Isabel Allende AND now will fulfill the 2021 Reading Women prompt #6 A book written by a Southern American author in translation. I was determined to finish this one in 2021! Upon rereading the first 54 pages I found it to be much more enjoyable this time around! It seems I am a bit disillusioned by South American authors thus far. Though I will read more of Allende’s books since I own at least two of them. The Stories of Eva Luna is probably the next one…sometime in 2022.
POPSUGAR: #7-Eva is a storyteller and writer, #16-Chile, #18-Equal rights for all!, #21-Classical, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Magical Realism, Politics, Romance, South America, #27, #28, #34-Feminism, political exploitation, wealth redistribution, #38-Eva is a storyteller and writer, #46
ATY: #3- Bright copper kettles, Riad furnishes his house with all kinds of kitchen gadgets, including copper pots and pans!, #6, #8-the South American continent, #14-Although it is a South American country, it is not identified as a specific one, #17-Riad, #20-One can hope for a less chaotic future for Eva!, #23-Classical, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Magical Realism, Politics, Romance, South America, #24, #27- The Lovers, The Hanged Man, Death, Judgment, The World, #31, #35-South America, #39-Riad and Eva herself, really, though she was kidnapped!, #41, #52- In the end, I can only hope Eva’s life will be less chaotic and more enjoyable in the future!
RHC: #1-South American author, #5
Reading Women: NEW #6, #18

Waiting to Exhale by Terry McMillan ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ was a very enjoyable read. I really need to rewatch the movie since it has been many years. I’m sure they toned down the language. I feel for each of these woman. Life is not easy… Anxious to read the sequel, Getting to Happy in 2022!
POPSUGAR: NEW #10, #18-Treating others with respectful honesty and sincerity, #19, #21-Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Humor, Race, Romance, #27, #36-587 reviews on Goodreads, #46, #47-McMillan is one of my favorite authors!
ATY: #5, #6, #9-Colorado, #20-The past teaches lessons to make better decisions in the present and create a better future overall, #23-Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Humor, Race, Romance, #24, #27-The Lovers, Justice, The World, The Fool, #31, #32, #34, #49, #52-In the end, life goes on…
RHC: #17

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ was not at all what I expected. It was much more and more intense in some ways. It delved below the surface with interpersonal relationships and “race,” familial relationships and parenting, and a twenty-something female trying to find her way in the world, especially with regard to full-time employment.
POPSUGAR: NEW #12- On Brit Bennett's bookshelf during the 2020 Texas Book Festival Interview, #18- Interracial relationships and intrinsic (perhaps unconscious) motivations, #19, #20, #21- Coming-of-Age, Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Race, Romance, Social Justice, #27, #30-Philadelphia, PA, and NYC, #34-Racial profiling/unjust harassment, #37, #43, #46, #47-My favorite books are those that make me think at a deeper level in the aftermath.
ATY: #2, #5, #6, #8-New York City, #10-Alex was definitely a lying villain, IMO!, #19-Sometimes we must cut ties in the present to ensure a different future, #23-Coming-of-Age, Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Race, Romance, Social Justice, #24, #41, #46-2020 Goodreads Choice Award for Debut Novel, #52-In the end, growing up can be tough!

Gold by Chris Cleave ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ proved to be much more than I expected. Cleave is excellent at demonstrating the complexities of being human in this one! Truly an enjoyable and thoughtful read! There is so much to unpack in it that I’m sure my mind will be processing it for a while…
POPSUGAR: #6, #21-Contemporary Fiction, Family, Fiction, Marriage, Sports, #27, #29-Greece, Switzerland, United Kingdom, #30-Greece and Switzerland, #43, NEW #45, #46, #47-Cleave is one of my favorite authors!
ATY: #1-In the beginning, you could tell Zoe was emotionally unstable, #6-Tom and Zoe, but without any sexual relationship, just genuine love for each other!, #8-Greece, Switzerland, United Kingdom, #9-Competitive cycling season, #20-The past and present can be overcome to create a worthy future!, #22, #23-Contemporary Fiction, Family, Fiction, Marriage, Sports, #27-Jack, Death, Judgment, The World, #49

CONTINUING:
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
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. I admit the beginning of this really threw me off. But I feel as if I really need to finish it!

PLANNED:
Violets Are Blue (Alex Cross #7) for a January 2022 Buddy Read!
For our own Popsugar January 2022 Monthly Group Read:
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry!
To complete the 2021 Read Harder Challenge:
*Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
Glad to see this is our February Monthly Group Read!
*Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
*Ordinary Girls by Jaquira Díaz
*Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James
*Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff
*Yes, Chef by Marcus Samuelsson

Happy Thursday and Happy “End of 2021”! I am always grateful to have survived another year and hope that the next year is even better!

I have been a reading machine these past 10 days or so. Our team of 10 “Penguins” read 60 books and earned almost 9 wildcards in the 9-day ATY Winter readathon! That placed us at 3rd place out of 4 teams. Well, at least we weren’t in last place! LOL

I will place my listing of books finished, etc., in a different posting since it is so long, and as you can see, my answer to the Question of the Week is unbelievably long! That’s what you get when you ask me for favorite books! LOL ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Question of the week:
What are your favorite books that you read this year? (Any book you read, not just for this challenge)
Oh, my! You know me…I like so many of the books I read and then I also LOVE many of the books I read… I think that means I’m a relatively easy-to-please reader and I’m okay with that! I started trying to prioritize those I enjoyed most, etc., and finally ended up just scrolling through my ‘books read’ for 2021 and ended up with this listing…
1) I finished the Binti: The Complete Trilogy trilogy by Nnedi Okorafor
Highly recommend all three books!
2) All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
I doubt I’ll ever forget this one!
3) Animals Make Us Human: Creating the Best Life for Animals and Thinking in Pictures: My Life with Autism by Temple Grandin
Excellent reminder that you never know what or how someone else sees the world and each of us should be open to others' interpretations! Reading Thinking in Pictures is so informative and fascinating!
4) Inside the O'Briens and Every Note Played by Lisa Genova
I have yet to read one of her books that isn’t absolutely excellent!
5) Ready Player Two (Ready Player One #2) by Ernest Cline
He does amazing things with words and world-building!
6) Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man by Mary Trump
I think it is important to understand how this person was created…
7) The Secret Place (Dublin Murder Squad #5) and The Trespasser (Dublin Murder Squad #6) by Tana French
I don’t believe she’ll never write one I don’t absolutely love!
8) The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
Absolutely adorable! Anxious to read his newest release!
9) Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer (Theodore Boone #1) and Calico Joe by John Grisham
Grisham is amazing! Love this juvenile series and the stand-alone! Both were rereads.
10) Saving Shiloh (Shiloh #3) and A Shiloh Christmas (Shiloh #4) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
One of the best children’s writers, IMO! I adore this series!
11) A Night to Remember by Walter Lord
Such a readable and intimate nonfiction recounting of the Titanic.
12) Love Story (Love Story#1) and Oliver's Story (Love Story #2) by Erich Segal
A revisit 50 years later and the sequel for the first time. I enjoy Segal’s writing and plan to explore more of his books.
13) The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
My first Haig book and I don’t plan for it to be the last!
14) Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
Anything this man writes is going to be an excellent read for me!
15) The Ender's Saga series by Orson Scott Card
I love his writing and am looking forward to The Shadow Series in 2022!
16) The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith
I still have 3 books left to catch up in this series. Looking forward to them in 2022!
17) Dorothy Gilman’s Mrs. Pollifax series is delightful and I hope to read the rest of them in 2022!
I believe Gilman will be as Agatha Christie is for me…any of her books will be good reads!
18) The Black Stallion by Walter Farley
I definitely plan on continuing this series!
19) Martha Wells’s Murderbot Diaries series is outstanding!
20) Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed
Purposefully searching out her books!
21) Nic Stone’s Dear Martin was amazing and I am definitely planning to read more of her books!
22) Moon Pie by Simon Mason was much more intense than I expected… A great example of children needing to become the adult of the household. An excellent read!
23) Origin (Robert Langdon #5) by Dan Brown
I have now read and loved all Dan Brown’s books.
24) Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
One of the best books I’ve read!
25) Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women held up for me 50 years later
I also read Good Wives and plan to continue the series in 2022!
26) The Hundred-Foot Journey by Richard Morais
Much more enjoyable than I expected it to be!
27) The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
While this story arc was not one of my favorites, I loved her writing and am anxious to read more of her books.
28) The Third Angel by Alice Hoffman
One of the best books! And now I am anxious to read more of her writing!
29) Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
I love this man’s writing and look forward to reading more of his books!
30) Elsewhere, Home by Leila Aboulela
I loved this so much that I now own another two of her books and look forward to reading them in 2022!
31) Gaither Sisters Trilogy Box Set: One Crazy Summer, P.S. Be Eleven, Gone Crazy in Alabama trilogy by Rita Williams-Garcia
Anxious to finish this by reading the third installment in 2022!
32) Shades of Magic series and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
Anxious to read the third installment in this series! Fairly certain I would like whatever she writes!
33) Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Yet another absolutely excellent book by Weir! Certain I’ll enjoy anything he writes!
34) How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
READ THIS!!
35) The Sound and the Furry (Chet & Bernie #6) by Spencer Quinn
Love to pick one of these up and read it every now and then. Pure enjoyment! Love me some Chet!
36) The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman
Loved it! I now own two more of her books and plan to read the in 2022!
37) The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
This was a DEBUT novel!! Will definitely plan to read anything she releases in the future!
39) The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa
Loved it! Definitely plan to read more of hers, especially The Memory Police!
40) The Butterfly Mosque: A Young American Woman's Journey to Love and Islam by G. Willow Wilson
A fascinating autobiography! Own two more of hers and anxious to read them in 2022!
41) Speak No Evil by Uzodinma Iweala
This should NEVER happen! But does…unfortunately! READ THIS!
42) Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
Another DEBUT novel!! Loved it and will definitely plan to read whatever she writes in the future!
43) The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Love his writing! Own two more of his books and hope to read them in 2022! He also writes graphic novels, but I’m not into those…
44) Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series
Yeah…as soon as one is released I’ll own it and read it! Pure escapism!
45) The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois
I learned so much real history! (Not just the ol’-white-guy version…)
46) There There by Tommy Orange
47) The Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams was soooo good!
I have now read 2 of her books and look forward to reading more of them!
48) A Yellow Raft in Blue Water by Michael Dorris
I didn’t know what to expect, but this was a good read and I plan to read more of his writing.
49) The Gift of the Magpie (Meg Langslow #28) by Donna Andrews
I will definitely plan to read this series! Quite enjoyable!
50) The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez
READ THIS! Such an excellent representation of immigrants to the US!
51) The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother by James McBride
I definitely plan to read his fiction!
52) Until We Reckon: Violence, Mass Incarceration, and a Road to Repair by Danielle Sered
READ THIS! We must put more resources into much more effective and efficient alternatives to mass incarceration!
53) Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Yep! Reid is the bomb! My third book written by her and now I want to work my way through her backlist!
54) Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
This Reid is also the bomb! Another fantastic debut! Racism at a whole ‘nother level. This wasn’t what I expected at all. Much better!
55) Waiting to Exhale (Waiting to Exhale #1) by Terry McMillan
I love her writing and am anxious to read the second installment, Getting to Happyin 2022!
56) Gold by Chris Cleave
My second book written by him. Now on my “absolute favorite author” list. Own 2 more written by him that I want to read in 2022!

Popsugar: 49/50 ALMOST!!
ATY: 52/52 DONE!!
RHC: 19/24
Reading Women: 18/28

I have just one more book to read for the Popsugar challenge—Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. Although the premise seems like a book I wouldn’t necessarily enjoy, I own a copy and it is a book I feel as if I “should” read… I should finish it tomorrow easily enough…

Ashley Marie wrote: "What a week it's been! I got my booster shot on Sunday and the soreness moved from my arm into my shoulder into my armpit, and it's lingering. So that's fun. No other side effects besides a splitting headache all day Monday; if that's the worst I have to deal with, I'll gladly take it."
Ugh. I'm always so jealous of those who have no reactions to these vaccines! My husband, for example! 🤨

"We made gingerbread cookies for Yule on Tuesday :) They turned out so yummy! I picked up a new part-time job that started yesterday, for a combined 14hr day on top of my day job. Woof. And I got my holiday shopping done this morning! Happy Festivus! Now to go home and wrap everything before hubby and I celebrate our tiny Christmas tomorrow morning :)"
You are ready!

"I finished three books and DNF'd another one this week:
The Complete Art of Fullmetal Alchemist - 5 stars. It was really cool to see all the collected artwork in one book, and to know that she actually paints the color images with acrylics!
Jade Legacy - 5 stars. Probably my most-anticipated new release of the year and it didn't disappoint. Series of the year for me, for sure!
So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix - 5 stars. As the title suggests, this is a Little Women retelling starring a Black family set in the Roanoke freedmen's colony during the Civil War. The change in setting really brought the story to life. It was so charming and beautifully written. Adenrele Ojo narrates the audiobook."
Sounds like you really enjoyed all these!! YAY!

"Island Beneath the Sea - DNF. Allende appears to be very hit or miss for me."
Well, if Eva Luna is an indication, I don't know if her writing is for me or not...

"I'll be happy to close out the year with both of these; I had hoped to sneak in The Long Way Down as well, but that might be better off waiting until the new year. New year, new series, yadda yadda. I've read over 150 books this year, which is leaps beyond what I normally read! 2021 was clearly a rough year if I dove into that many books :D"
Perhaps. And yet, at least you had books to distract you!! 😊

"QOTW: Is there any book from your 2021 reading that you were really excited to read and then it disappointed you? Has that changed your opinion of an author or series or genre or…?

I was hoping I would love Shōgun, but I ended up DNFing it because life is too short for massive sloggy books. It's probably a good thing though; it doesn't seem to have aged well, so I'm glad it's off my TBR and my bookshelf."
Now THAT is a positive spin!

"Other unexpected disappointments include The Historian, The Conductors, and The Ghost Bride. The Historian is one I've been wanting to read for YEARS, and my sister had bought me a second copy with a beautiful cover. Alas. The Conductors seemed like something that was totally up my alley with its historical fantasy twist, but I didn't gel with it the way I thought I would. Ghost Bride was another been-on-my-TBR-for-years book that sounded beautiful in theory and didn't hold my interest."
It is really interesting how some books just don't do it...

Katy wrote: "I finished The Homecoming. Solid Christmas read. Now I want to see the movie again"
Cool!

"I'm about hafway through Intimacy with God: Revised and Updated: A Bible Study in the PsalmsIt's not the best bible study I've ever done, but it's OK."
Sounds as if you're getting something out of it though! 👍

"I'm doing my yearly read of A Christmas Carol. Last year I read it out loud in one sitting on Christmas Day (seriously, I had nothing better to do). This year, I'm reading one stave a night to finish up tomorrow night after Church if I have the energy, or maybe Christmas morning."
I love that you read it aloud! I miss doing that with my children when they were young!

"I'm reading Fatal Throne. I don't know what my fascination is, but I love Henry VIII stuff. Even from before when it was super popular."
IMO, you need no other reason than the fact that you enjoy it!

"QOTW: Maybe The Far Pavilions. I love epic historical fiction. But, IMO, this one was awful. I see that I gave it 2 stars, so I must have liekd at least part of it, but I certainly wouldn't recommend it."
Oohhh...sounds like one to avoid!

"Kingdom Come: The Final Victory was the last book in the Left Behind series that I finished eons ago and really enjoyed. This last book was pointless and contrived."
Ooohh...sorry it didn't end with a good read!

It is Thursday! The last day I have to work here in the office until Monday, January 3! Whoo! Whoo! I admit that I would love it if I could obtain a job working from home and never have to return to the office! My fingers are crossed! LOL

And I am soooo excited! I finally have a copy of Malibu Rising in hand! Yes!! Can’t wait for tomorrow when I can devote my whole day to reading it!

I am currently participating in an ATY Winter 2021 Team Read-a-thon (GO TEAM PENGUIN!) and the Individual Challenge that goes along with it December 18-26 and Dewey’s Holiday Informal Readathon December 17, 2021-January 6, 2022! It is helping to motivate me to spend every spare minute I can reading!! Well, okay, admittedly it’s really not all that difficult to motivate me to read in every spare moment I have, but…it sounds like a good reason, doesn’t it?!? 😊

I guess there will be no 2022 Reading Women Challenge. So I will simply finish the 2021 Challenge in 2022 and then proceed to work my way through the past challenges at my own rate. Those prompts really did force me into unknown realms, so I’ll keep working on them all…Being the obsessive booklisting nerd that I am, I already have a comprehensive listing of all 2018-2021 challenge prompts and have begun to select books to fulfill them. Trying to fit in books I already have selected for Popsugar and ATY in 2022!

ADMIN STUFF:
December's Monthly Group Read is Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid and that discussion is here. Teri is the most gracious volunteer who is guiding us. As always, there is also a thread for you to post any books you have finished reading to fulfill prompt #1 A book published in 2021 as well. I'm so anxious to finish with this one in 2021 and then... (the perfect lead-in to)...
POLL RESULTS and 2 NEW POLLS!
In January 2022 we will be reading People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry as the Monthly Group Read! This can be used to satisfy the 2022 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge prompt #11 A #BookTok recommendation! I’m excited for this one! And we will need a discussion leader for this one! Please message either Nadine or myself to volunteer!

In addition, we now have the final selection poll for the February Monthly Group Read posted here. Please vote for the book you want to read which will satisfy the 2022 prompt #18 A romance novel written by a BIPOC author! This is in recognition of Black History month in Canada and the US, and Valentine’s Day which is celebrated around the world on February 14th each year!

And finally…a nomination poll for the March Monthly Group Read which can be used to fulfill prompt #3 A book about or set in a non-patriarchal society! If you have a write-in nomination, please get it entered early on so others will have the option to vote for and support that selection!

Question of the week:
Is there any book from your 2021 reading that you were really excited to read and then it disappointed you? Has that changed your opinion of an author or series or genre or…?
I wasn’t certain what to expect from The Laws by Connie Palmen which I selected to fulfill ATY prompt #12 A book eligible for the Warwick Prize for Women in Translation. I didn’t feel I really connected to the writing style and I found the theme to be pretty “meh” overall… I probably will not try any other of her books.

The Lady Matador's Hotel by Cristina García was definitely a disappointment for me. I thought the cover image was rather provocative and was hopeful for the interrelatedness of the characters. I did appreciate the interrelated characters, but the ending didn’t really stick for me and left me pretty blah overall. I realized in the aftermath that this read much as a noir novel to me, and I truly dislike noir…so that probably explains much of my disappointment with this one. I'll not purposefully pursue any of her other books at the present time.

The Secret History by Donna Tartt was a big letdown for me since I loved The Goldfinch. Again, this one read much like noir to me, probably explaining my disappointment to a large degree. But I would definitely read more of her writing.

I had to DNF Curva Peligrosa by Lily Iona MacKenzie after just a few pages. It was due to my dislike of explicit sex in my books, I guess especially female masturbation with a human bone and then from the motion of riding a galloping horse. It’s just not me. My sensibilities are disturbed by such fare, particularly when there are two such scenes within the first few pages. That does not portend of an entertaining or enlightening read for me! But at least I tried it! I definitely would not read any other of her books.

Popsugar: 46/50
ATY: 52/52 DONE!!
RHC: 19/24
Reading Women: 16/28
I have begun reading all the other books for Popsugar except Bel Canto. Fingers crossed that I finish those last four!

FINISHED:
The Gift of the Magpie (Meg Langslow #28) by Donna Andrews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ was for the IRL book club meeting this past Sunday at my favorite used bookstore. The discussion of the actual book lasted 20 minutes or so out of the 1 hour and 25 minutes of the meeting. But it was okay… I thought it was adorable and informative and will definitely add this series to my TBR listing.
POPSUGAR: #21- Animals, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Humor, Health & Well Being, Mystery, #27, #30-Virginia, #33, #36-217 reviews on Goodreads, #37, #38-Quilting and entertainer, #43
ATY: #3- Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes (They finally got some snow for Christmas!), When the dog bites (Thank goodness for Meg’s dogs!), Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens (Awwww…the adorbs little stray kitten!), #9-The Holiday Season at the end of the year!, #10-the supposed online friend, #18- The past can have a HUGE impact upon the present and perhaps make for a better future!,
#23- Animals, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Humor, Health & Well Being, Mystery, #27-Death, The World, The Fool, #29, #31, #42, #49, #52-There was a much happier ending than I expected!
RHC: #24

The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henríquez ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ was absolutely AWESOME! If you identify as white/Caucasian I consider this to be a “must-read”! I put this in now to fulfill the ATY Winter 2021 Team Readathon prompt of “Mexico” and I am just sooooo glad I read this!
POPSUGAR: #18-Respect for all humans! We are more alike than not…., #21- Coming-of-Age, Contemporary, Fiction, Immigration, Race, Romance, Young Adult, #27, #34-Respecting others, #37, #46
ATY: #1-In the beginning, optimism was high, #3-Mayor just wanted to show Maribel the snow and the ocean, #6, #8-Delaware, #9-Winter—snowfall!, #20-Hopefully, the future will be much better!, #21, #23- Coming-of-Age, Contemporary, Fiction, Immigration, Race, Romance, Young Adult, #24, #27-Death, Judgment, The World, #28, #34, #39, #49, #51
Reading Women: NEW#12

The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother by James McBride ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ was also awesome! What all his mother (and her sister and mother) endured as a result of her father’s abuse and downright meanness was sickening! Too bad he wasn’t accidentally shot or killed. (It would have been a service to society!) He was a white Jew living in the southern U.S. at a time when the only thing worse was to be dark-skinned… But, alas, he managed to survive and thrive despite his evil ways. I cannot begin to imagine living as one of 12 children in a household. I am an only child and raised three children of my own, but…wow…12!?! I truly cannot imagine…
POPSUGAR: #15, #18-All humans deserve respect and safety!, #20 (It should be, IMO!), #21-Autobiography, Nonfiction, Race, #27, #30-Virginia, New York, #33, #34-Respecting others who are different from yourself, #37, #38-McBride is a writer and musician!, #46
ATY: #4, #5, #7 (contained within), #8-New York, #18-Ruth had so much to overcome in her past to make a better future!, #23-Autobiography, Nonfiction, Race, #24, #31, #36, #39, #41, #51, #52-In the end, Ruth accomplished so much!

CONTINUING:
Until We Reckon: Violence, Mass Incarceration, and a Road to Repair is chock full of important shifts that need to be made within our criminal justice system.
Waiting to Exhale by Terry McMillan
I am so anxious to finish this one this next weekend! I love McMillan’s writing!
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
I’ve wanted to read this in forever!
Gold by Chris Cleave
Just about 20 pages in, but very good so far! I'm sorry I didn't get to it sooner, but better later than never!
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
I am really hesitant about this one, but determined to conquer it once and for all! 😊
Eva Luna by Isabel Allende to fulfill the 2020 Reading Women prompt #26 A book written by Isabel Allende AND the 2021 Reading Women prompt #6 A book written by a Southern American author in translation. I am determined to finish this one in 2021! I guess it’s obvious that I am not finding it to be a compelling read.

PLANNED:
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. I admit the beginning of this really threw me off. But I feel as if I really need to finish it!
Many others for the Reading Women and Read Harder challenges...

poshpenny wrote: "Beverly wrote: "Any of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes collections of short stories and novellas would fit."

*Puts on pedantic deerstalker*

Info for those who like to go all in..."
Wherever would we be without you, Poshpenny! Lost! That's where we would be! 😊

Rachael wrote: "mel wrote: "I'm reading Last Night at the Telegraph Club right now, and that would definitely fit the bill. I've also been wanting to read If I Loved You Less, altho...

Last Night at the Telegraph Club is on my TBR so delighted to hear it fits!"
I loved this book!

Lauren wrote: "Happy Thursday! I'm currently at a hotel three towns north of home for a mini writing retreat to work on my novel. It's going pretty well so far!"
How exciting! 😲😁👍

"This week I finished:
All That She Carried: The Journey of Ashley's Sack, a Black Family Keepsake Sometimes this dug a little too far into small historical details, but otherwise I thought it was great and I learned some new perspectives on how historical knowledge is passed down. 4 stars"
Sounds like a good read!

"Doctor Zhivago This was for a book club and I knew it was going to be tough. I struggle with most "classic" literature and it's difficult to explain why. It's fine on a sentence level, but all together I get lost easily and this was a long one. I tried. 3 stars"
Kudos to you for trying! I reread this a couple of years ago and found it didn't hit quite the same notes for me. I much preferred the movie's ending as opposed to the book's ending, for one thing! Though I do love Pasternak's writing!

"I'm currently reading a bunch of things:
The Trees"
Everett is scheduled to be here in Indianapolis in January! He was originally to be here in 2020, but, you know...that pandemic thing got in the way! I already own a couple of his books so now I'll read them before seeing/hearing/meeting him! I'll be anxious for your reaction to this one. It sounds quite intense!

"Life in the City of Dirty Water: A Memoir of Healing"
Ooohhh...that sounds like one I would enjoy!

"Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants"
I'm going to try to get to this one in 2022!

"Pep Talks for Writers: 52 Insights and Actions to Boost Your Creative Mojo
The Writer's Field Guide to the Craft of Fiction"
So exciting that you're writing!

"QOTW: I'll say I was pleasantly surprised with what came from the "shares your astrological sign" prompt since that helped me find Edwidge Danticat who is fantastic. I'm now working my way through all of her books."
You just never know... 😊👍

1. Have you read any of Taylor Jenkins Reid's other books?
I have read and loved Daisy Jones & The Six and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo! I hope to work through her backlist if I live long enough!! 😊

2. Are you currently reading Malibu Rising, or did you read it previously?
I should be reading it this Friday, December 24! Whoo! Whoo! I'll be upset if it isn't delivered in time!

Allie wrote: "Nadine wrote: "Yes, one of Evelyn's husbands, the rock star, is the patriarch of the family in Malibu.."

Does anyone know if her other books link together in some way? Has anyone read Daisy Jones ..."

I read Daisy Jones & The Six last summer and loved it! Of course, being set in the 70s made it even more pertinent for me! (I am old!) LOL

Nadine in NY wrote: "Erica wrote: "I was not going to read this but I read Evelyn Hugo and loved it so much and there apparently slightly linked. Unless I got that wrong. Anyway I’m going to join in even though this wo...

Yes, one of Evelyn's husbands, the rock star, is the patriarch of the family in Malibu."
Ooohhh... Cool! And I agree with Lauren, Nadine! I LOVED The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo! It's always so entertaining to see which books we react to in much the same way and those to which we have opposite reactions!