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.

This discussion thread is to mark your completion of the October challenge to fulfill prompt #16 A book about witches. “Spooktober”/Halloween

Please include the following:

Title:
Author:
Would you recommend this book?

This discussion thread is to mark your completion of the September challenge to fulfill prompt #6 A book written by a LatinX author. In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month September 15-October 15 in the US!

Please include the following:

Title:
Author:
Would you recommend this book?

Nadine wrote: "I was disappointed in the list when I first looked at it, but now that I've been noodling through it for two days and putting together a list of ideas, I'm finding it's not that bad. The list is oddly specific, unlike past years, but I've been able to find a book I'm excited about for every category I've researched so far. Unlike in past years, when there's always a handful of books I just do NOT want to read, I'm pretty excited about my entire list this year!!

I do realize, there are some categories that pretty much force you to read romance or SFF, and I happen to love both romance and SFF.."
I assume I'm in the minority in that I appreciate the fact there aren't 20-30 books out there that I REALLY want to read that fit each different prompt. I appreciate the fact there are fewer books in which I am interested that fit each prompt.

Nadine wrote: "Theresa wrote: "... Silent in the Grave -- first of the Lady Julia Gray series, an older series by Deanna Raybourne. I loved this. ..."

There's your perfect book for "set in Victorian era" - the Lady Julia Gray series is set in the Victorian era! Put the next book in the series on your list for next year :-)"
Ooohhh! I thought about a different series for this prompt, The Charles Lenox series by Charles Finch. I read A Beautiful Blue Death last year and own several more in that series. However, I now own a copy of Silent in the Grave and am dying to read it! Here I go, multiple books that I really want to read for just one prompt! 🙄😊

Charlsa wrote: "The Age of Innocencetakes place during the 1920's which is The Gilded Age, but I think that Wharton's Ethan Fromemight work."
Actually, I just double-checked because I thought I remembered this was way before the 1920s. It is actually set in the 1870s. I'm going to put it back now! LOL 😀 Thanks for helping keep me honest!

Charlsa wrote: "The Age of Innocencetakes place during the 1920's which is The Gilded Age, but I think that Wharton's Ethan Fromemight work."
Yikes! Thank you for correcting me. I'm editing my posting!

K.L. wrote: "Mary wrote: "For onomatopoeia, you could check out Mary Roach if you haven't before. She's a scientist who writes nonfiction books. She has two books Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex and Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War that both meet the challenge. I haven't read either yet, but I've read several other by her that are great.."

I read Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex earlier this year and thought it was really interesting. I also thought Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers was very good, and it could potentially work for the challenge as well.

I haven't read it, but Mary Roach has also written a book called Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife, which would work well for next year's afterlife prompt."
Ooohh...that sounds very interesting for the Afterlife prompt! Thank you!

Mary wrote: "Lynn wrote: "Uhm. Admittedly, my first response is, “So many!” LOL
Before I start my list, I admit to having to lookup the following words to either confirm my memory or educate myself:
sapphic, ace, onomatopoeia, palindromic
These are prompts I definitely feel as if I’ll need help to find books that are interesting to me to fulfill.
7 A book with an onomatopoeia in its title
39 An #OwnVoices SFF (science fiction and fantasy) book
44 & 45 A duology
I have found it difficult to find a duology I want to read in the past. It seems like everything that interests me has at least 3 books…or more!
49 & 50 Two books set in twin towns, aka "sister cities""

I'm excited because I have suggestions I think might help you. I have been doing an absurd amount of research for the challenge, including having to look up all the words you mentioned to make sure I remember the meaning of the words."
I'm glad you are researching! And good to know I am not alone in the need to know what these words mean!

"For onomatopoeia, you could check out Mary Roach if you haven't before. She's a scientist who writes nonfiction books. She has two books Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex and Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War that both meet the challenge. I haven't read either yet, but I've read several other by her that are great."
That's great! I have yet to read one of hers but definitely want to!

"For sister cities, I know you're buddy reading the Alex Cross series, which is set in Washington DC, and Washington DC has tons of sister cities, including Paris, Rome, and Athens, all of which have lots of books published there."
Ooohhh, yeah. And...one of the books was partially set in Paris as well! Thank you!

This discussion thread is to mark your completion of the April challenge to fulfill prompt #35 A book with a constellation on the cover or in the title.
In honor of the Perseid Meteor Shower which is typically from mid-July to around mid-August. It peaked August 11-13 in 2021!

Please include the following:

Title:
Author:
Would you recommend this book?

This discussion thread is to mark your completion of the July challenge to fulfill prompt #47 A book featuring a parallel reality. Reality based upon geography? It is winter in the Southern Hemisphere and summer in the Northern Hemisphere!

Please include the following:

Title:
Author:
Would you recommend this book?

This discussion thread is to mark your completion of the June challenge to fulfill prompt #10. An Anisfield-Wolf Book Award winner. Honoring
Juneteenth on June 19, 2022! (aka African American Freedom Day or Emancipation Day)
This award "recognizes books that have made important contributions to our understanding of racism and human diversity."

Please include the following:

Title:
Author:
Would you recommend this book?

This discussion thread is to mark your completion of the April challenge to fulfill prompt #15 A book written by a Pacific Islander author. In honor of
AAPI Appreciation month in the US!

Please include the following:

Title:
Author:
Would you recommend this book?

This discussion thread is to mark your completion of the April challenge to fulfill prompt #26 A book with a misleading title. April Fools' Day! LOL 😁

Please include the following:

Title:
Author:
Would you recommend this book?

This discussion thread is to mark your completion of the March challenge to fulfill prompt #3 A book about or set in a nonpatriarchal society. In celebration of Women’s History Month in Australia, UK, and US!

Please include the following:

Title:
Author:
Would you recommend this book?

This discussion thread is to mark your completion of the February challenge to fulfill prompt #18 A romance novel written by a BIPOC author. Black History Month in Canada and US, and Valentine's Day is celebrated around the world on February 14th!

Please include the following:

Title:
Author:
Would you recommend this book?

This discussion thread is to mark your completion of the January challenge to fulfill prompt #11 A #BookTok recommendation. Something new and different for a new year!

Please include the following:

Title:
Author:
Would you recommend this book?

This is the comprehensive listing for 2022 Monthly Group Read selections!

This will be updated as time progresses to include all books selected and discussion leaders for each month.

Many many thanks to those who led discussions this year!

JANUARY: 11. A #BookTok recommendation
Something new and different for a new year!
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
THANK YOU, Erica, for facilitating this discussion! THANK YOU! 😁

FEBRUARY: 18. A romance novel by a BIPOC author
Black History Month in Canada and US, and Valentine’s Day is celebrated around the world on February 14th!
Get a Life, Chloe Brown (The Brown Sisters #1) by Talia Hibbert
Sherri is the "gracious gifted guide" who lead this discussion! THANK YOU!! 😁

MARCH: 3. A book about or set in a nonpatriarchal society
Women’s History Month in Australia, UK, and US
The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See

APRIL: 26. A book with a misleading title
April Fools' Day! LOL 😲
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
Sherri was our "guru guide" for this discussion! THANK YOU!! 😁

MAY: 15. A book by a Pacific Islander author
AAPI Appreciation month in the US
Year of the Reaper by Makiia Lucier
Stormie ~ Book Dragon ~ was the "bubbly bibliophile" who lead this discussion! THANK YOU!! 😁

JUNE: 10. An Anisfield-Wolf Book Award winner
Juneteenth on June 19, 2022! (aka African American Freedom Day or Emancipation Day)
This award "recognizes books that have made important contributions to our understanding of racism and human diversity."
Beloved by Toni Morrison

JULY: 47. A book featuring a parallel reality
Reality based upon geography? It is winter in the Southern Hemisphere and summer in the Northern Hemisphere!
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
Teri is the "terrific team leader" who lead this discussion! Thank you, Teri! 😁

AUGUST: 35. A book with a constellation on the cover or in the title
In honor of the Perseid Meteor Shower which is typically from mid-July to around mid-August. It peaked August 11-13 in 2021 and is expected to peak August 11-12 in 2022!
The Dog Stars by Peter Heller
Erica is the "marvelous manager" who lead this discussion! Thank you, Erica! 😁

SEPTEMBER: 6. A book written by a LatinX author
National Hispanic Heritage Month September 15-October 15 in the US
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
We would like to locate a "savvy superstar" to lead this one! But since we evidently don't have one available, Lynn served as a last-minute stand-in.

OCTOBER: 16. A book about witches
“Spooktober”/Halloween
The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling
Sherri is the "knowledgeable navigator" who lead this discussion! THANK YOU! 😁

NOVEMBER: 9. A book about a “found family”
Family gatherings common for holidays/holiday season! As decided by a poll!
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
Jennifer W. is the "official organizer" who has graciously volunteered to facilitate this month's discussion! Thank you!

DECEMBER: 1. A book published in 2022
Because it’s the end of another great reading and book discussion year!
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
JessicaMHR is the "rambunctious reader" of choice who will rally us for this month's discussion! Thank you, JessicaMHR for volunteering!

Theresa wrote: "If you google 'booktok book lists' many many links come up that don't require anyone to TikTok. I had no idea booktok existed...but then I don't even tweet."
I also had no idea there was something called "BookTok" until I read this prompt! Glad I'm not alone. I tweet occasionally, but refuse to download another app! 😁 I'm becoming a stubborn old broad in my old age! LOL

Tania wrote: "Thanks for the lists - I'm not a 'tokker (as evidenced by the fact that I'm fairly sure no one on TikTok calls themselves that lol) :-)"
Oh, just a mere matter of semantics! LOL

Line wrote: "I´ll strech this one and go with Kushiel's Dart

It´s been on my to-read list for a long time and its played on a (dart)board. ;-)"
Very smart!