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.

Ashley Marie wrote: "Good chilly morning, all! I've woken up to frost on the car these past two mornings, but I'll take it over snow any day. The outdoorsy cat has been staying inside in the mornings, eschewing her usual routine of slipping outside after breakfast. She knows it's cold and the house is toasty :)"
That cat is no dummy! LOL I agree. No snow! LOL 🤨

"I've finagled my PS challenge around so I only need one more to complete all 50 :D Hoping to read Get a Life, Chloe Brown in December."
Ooohhh...I plan to read this in November or December as well!

"Meanwhile, books I finished this week:
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow - 5 stars, reread. I love this story, especially on audiobook. It's 95% atmosphere and descriptions and not as much action as most people tend to assume, based on the various adaptations. Perfect Halloween story."
I guess I've never read this!

"The Arctic Fury - 2 stars. The dual timelines didn't help matters. I was expecting a harrowing story of women surviving in the ferocious Arctic, and I got a legal drama with bits of Arctic suspense thrown in. Very disappointed, but I know a lot of people who enjoyed this one. I have one other Macallister book on my shelf and I'll give it a go before giving up on her."
But...it looks as if it would be so good!!! LOL

"PS 49/50"
Just one more!

"Upcoming:
The Night Watchman"
I thought this was good.

"QOTW: Do your tastes generally match up with the winners of the Goodreads Choice Awards, or are you usually disappointed in the winners chosen for each category?
Ish? It depends. I've been making more of an effort this past year or two to read more new releases, so I'm more in the know about the books that are nominated/winning. I used to not vote for a book unless I'd read it, but that rule got tossed aside awhile ago."
I feel the same way. I do not like voting for books without having read them, but I started doing it anyway! LOL 😊

Mary wrote: "Happy Thursday! I'm looking forward to a 4 day weekend. I'm taking a bus trip to see a show on Saturday and have been looking forward to it for months. With regards to reading, I have recently become incredibly impatient for the 2022 prompts to be released and it makes me not want to start new books. Also, I have tried several books over the last few weeks that I DNF, so I decided to do a reread of an old series to keep my attention, and that worked perfectly. I've been averaging a book a day since I started that on Sunday."
Oohhh...your bus trip sounds like so much fun! And I like your strategy of rereading a favorite series! Sounds like that was a good plan!

"I finished:
This Might Hurt: I got an ARC of this about a month ago and finally got around to it. I enjoyed it more than I expected to, but I found myself getting confused a few times. It was an unedited copy, so I'm not sure if I just wasn't paying close enough attention, or if there are a few issues that need to be worked out still. I thought the book had more potential than the ending as well, but overall it was good.

Currently reading:
The Mother Next Door: I wish I had read this during Halloween week, but so far so good."
Yep! You definitely read creepier things than I do! 😉

"QOTW:
I have found that I often haven't read that many of the books that are nominated for the GR awards, so I never feel right about voting, but I usually get good ideas to add to my TBR list. I don't think my taste is generally very conventional though."
You and I use the nominations in the same way! Though I admit I have been voting these past couple of years and may well do so again this year...

Katy wrote: "I have less than 100 pages to go on The Great Dissenter: The Story of John Marshall Harlan, America's Judicial Hero. It's very interesting."
Wow. You have read this rather quickly, haven't you? Glad you're enjoying it!

"QOTW: I don't read that many new releases, maybe 2 or 3 a year, tops, so I don't pay much attention to the GR awards unless I need it for a prompt."
Yes, there is that! When a prompt refers to the Goodreads awards...

Nadine wrote: "Brrrr it's getting pretty cold up here now. It hit 32 F this morning! I've got the big puffy winter comforter on my bed. The dogs are cuddling closer at night. Soon I'll have to stop sleeping with the window open!"
Oh, my! I used to sleep with a window open year-round! I had kinda forgotten! We have been hitting 30 for a few nights now. And our trees have turned and leaves litter the ground wherever they are!

"Really, though, the cold weather is late this year. Usually we have a killing frost and some snow in October - but my cosmos are still going. (Although last night's low may have finally done them in.)"
Somebody said yesterday this is a bit early for us...

"Admin stuff
New month means new group read!!
Join the group read of Firekeeper's Daughter, and talk about the book here: November Group Read
I've got the audiobook borrowed from my library! I'll get to it as soon as I finish my current audiobook."
Picking up my copy this weekend!

"The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis- this was my book club's selection, and I voted for it myself, I was excited to read it, and ... wow, no. Another disappointing book club read for me!! I'm starting to feel like the Book Club Curmudgeon!...In my old book club, I would have been open about not liking it, but the leader of this new book club is one of those Very Positive People, and it's pretty clear that she doesn't like too much complaining. Just like with the last book, most of the members seem to have loved it, so I'm keeping most of my negativity out of the discussions. There are plenty of things I can still say about it without coming right out and saying "I hated it!""
You made me laugh! In my opinion, it is okay to state your reaction to a book overall, as long as you are prepared to state your reasons for that reaction. We often begin book club meetings by giving our overall reactions and then beginning to discuss. Many times we ask those who didn't enjoy the book at all or as much for their reasons and that gets discussion going. What one person dislikes, could be what another person likes, etc. As long as it is respectful, it can be eye-opening, informative, and fun!

"Question of the Week
Do your tastes generally match up with the winners of the Goodreads Choice Awards, or are you usually disappointed in the winners chosen for each category?
This week's question is from Lauren. We talked about write-ins for the Choice Awards a few weeks back, so in a way this is a continuation of that conversation. USUALLY the first round of the Choice Awards is already underway by now, so I THOUGHT this would be a good week to ask. But they haven't started ... yet!"
I thought it seemed a bit later than usual?

"I always vote in the Choice Awards. In fact, I make a concerted effort each year to read as many new publications as I can, in the hopes that I will be able to make an educated vote in the genres that I read. But, of course, I usually have read only one, at most, in any given category. The Choice Awards are based on books that have been shelved by many Goodreads members, so based on this, I assume that I just don't read the same books that most Goodreads members read. And, in fact, I often do not like the winners.

So, no, my tastes do not usually line up with the winners!"
I guess I simply don't track this at all given that I don't read many new releases... I assume that most readers have some with which they agree and others with which they do not agree...

It is November! Native American Heritage month in the U.S. and NONFICTION NOVEMBER! I will be reading Firekeeper's Daughter and There There this month. I’m hoping to finish at least two nonfiction books as well—probably The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois and We Are Everywhere: Protest, Power, and Pride In The History of Queer Liberation.

I was busier than I like to be this past weekend, but it was all good stuff! I helped one of my very best friends celebrate her 79th birthday! Although we are 15 years apart in age, we are kindred spirits, and I pledged to myself to spend more time with her. Although she is in a communal living facility, she still misses me, which is nice to know. I just need more stamina to spend time away from home during the weekends while maintaining my workweek schedule. Gettin’ old…and my stamina appears to be ever decreasing!

Then we had book club at my favorite used bookstore Sunday. We met outside which was nice, though eventually got a bit chilly once the clouds overran the sun! I mentioned the book 3 times and another member mentioned it once and that was it. *sigh* I will attend in November since we are reading Speak No Evil by Uzodinma Iweala which I’m guessing should be a good one to stimulate discussion, but if that doesn’t happen I’ll not plan to participate in any more meetings of this club. I can spend my time reading books to discuss with other Goodreads members and get just as much and usually more out of it. I also realized that my interests are not a good match to the majority of the other members. I have had no TV in my house for more than 20 years now and most of their discussions center around TV shows and stars. I guess that explains much of my dissatisfaction…

I realized the other day (Thanks to the electronic calendar on my phone and a reminder message…) that G. Willow Wilson will be at Butler next Tuesday! That snuck up on me! I have three of her books (Alif the Unseen, The Butterfly Mosque: A Young American Woman's Journey to Love and Islam, The Bird King) and will plan to read one of them this weekend, and then I can take them to be signed on Tuesday. I’m excited about an author event after so long with NO events!! And I am particularly intrigued by her conversion to Islam. I want to know more about that! She is very well known for her graphic novels, which I'm sure would thrill some of you, but I don't have much interest in that myself...

Admin Stuff:
In addition to the discussion for Firekeeper's Daughter, as usual, we have a discussion thread where you can post any other books you’ve read that would fulfill prompt #16 A book written by an indigenous author.

Question of the Week:
(from Lauren) Do your tastes generally match up with the winners of the Goodreads Choice Awards, or are you usually disappointed in the winners chosen for each category?

Honestly, I don’t read enough new releases to have read more than 3-4 of the books nominated in any given year. Though I admit I do typically review the nomination lists for possible additions to my ‘meager’ TBR listing! 😉

Popsugar: 45/50
ATY: 48/52
RHC: 17/24
Reading Women: 14/28

FINISHED:
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ was a much deeper and more poignant read for me than for the other book club members. I actually cried as Nina read her letter as I remembered reading a letter my own biological father had written about me. Fortunately, Nina’s letter had much more positive connotations than mine. I can’t remember the last time a book had me laughing out loud this much! I love the humor! Several of us would definitely appreciate a follow-up regarding the other letters and how Nina’s life progressed. As I finished reading this I wondered if Waxman has any plans for at least a sequel if not a series. And…she actually replied to my email! She stated she is not planning on a Bookish Life of Nina Hill series, but Nina will be a character in her new novel, Adult Assembly Required, due to be released in May 2022. And she sent me a Nina Hill short story! So cool!
POPSUGAR: #7-Bookshop clerk!, #9, #21-Books About Books, Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Humor, Romance, #27, #30-California, #37, #43, #48-One of my favorite reads of this year!
ATY: #3-…whiskers on kittens… Phil!, #6, #20-Thrilled to see this is the beginning of a series, ‘cause I want to know what the future holds for Nina, et al!, #23-Books About Books, Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Humor, Romance, #27-The Lovers, Death, Temperance, Judgment, #34-K.I.T.T.!, #36, #45-Papa, #52-In the end, Nina learned to appreciate other people in her personal life!
RHC: #23, #24

I specifically obtained a copy of Urban Tumbleweed: Notes from a Tanka Diary by Harryette Mullen ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ to fulfill prompt #20 for Read Harder—Read a book of nature poems and prompt #13 for Reading Women—Read a poetry collection by a black woman. Mullen includes 366 poems written over the course of one year and one day, in a “tanka-like” format. Each poem is short, consisting of only 3 lines and typically 31 syllables. She uses the nature and natural aspects of her surroundings on daily walks/hikes throughout California for the most part, as well as Texas and Sweden while visiting each. Easily read and enjoyable overall. Perfect for me, as I am not a huge poetry fan!
POPSUGAR: #18-Enjoying the “here and now”!, #22, #30-California, #36-40 reviews on Goodreads
ATY: #1-In the beginning, writing one poem per day seemed an impossible task to me!, #21, #26, #29, #31, #33, #41
RHC: NEW #20
Reading Women: NEW #13

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ was yet another 5-star read for me for 2021! This was a faster read for me than I expected it to be and I found it to enthralling. Loved the twists and turns and especially the ‘happy’ ending! I trust Penner is working hard on another novel! I sure hope so!
POPSUGAR: #1, #7-Tracking down information and solving historical mysteries, #21-Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery, #27, #37, #43, #47-One of my favorite reads this year!
ATY: #8-the UK, #10-Nella, Eliza, and many others, #18-The past can be reflected in the present and the future, #23-Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery, #27-Death, Judgment, The World, #40, #42, #50, #51, #52-In the end, magic worked!

CONTINUING:
The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates
The Laws by Connie Palmen
I have read the first 20 pages and am interested to see where this goes...

PLANNED:
G.Willow Wilson books for next Tuesday’s author event:
Alif the Unseen
The Butterfly Mosque: A Young American Woman's Journey to Love and Islam
The Bird King
For the POSUGAR Monthly Group read in November:
Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley
For my favorite used bookstore book club in November:
Speak No Evil by Uzodinma Iweala
For Literary Wives December 6:
The Summer Wives: A Novel by Beatriz Williams
And the others that are waiting patiently...
The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois
Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family by Robert Kolker
Eva Luna by Isabel Allende to fulfill the 2020 Reading Women prompt #26 A book written by Isabel Allende.
Paradise by Toni Morrison to fulfill the 2020 Reading Women prompt #25 A book written by Toni Morrison.

Kenya wrote: "Happy Thursday, y’all.

It has been a week. I'm exhausted. And that's all I'll say for now."
I hear ya! 😒

"Books read this week:
All Creatures Great and Small -- most people know about James Herriot, who made a name for himself publishing books and stories about his life as a country vet… but it was quite hilarious reading the full, colorful account of his first few years as an assistant vet."
I have always found his writing to be poignant and entertaining!

"Killer -- think “Jaws” but with an orca in place of the shark. Fairly dated (it was published in the ‘70s) and can be difficult to read if you have a soft spot for orcas, but otherwise it’s a ghoulishly entertaining thriller."
That made me laugh! LOL

"Currently Reading:
The Ruin of Kings
Children of Time
The Prey of Gods"

"QOTW:
I... really don't take part in a book club. But I think you can discuss a book whether or not you liked it (though the conversation could get interesting if you REALLY hated the book, haha...)"
There are times... 🙄 Though it's a good way to practice respect and acceptance...of differences and different reactions/opinions!

Dubhease wrote: "I didn't finish any books this week. I had to put Dracula on hold, a bit because I could only sign A Slow Fire Burning out for 2 weeks. Everyone wants to read it. (At least where I live.)"
I am quite curious about A Slow Fire Burning as well!

"QOTW:
I haven't been in a book club for almost 20 years, so I have to base it on discussions I've had with people. It seems great when I people love or hate the same books that I do, but what I find matters more than anything is people who can articulate their reasons for feeling a certain way about a book. Don't just tell me you hated a book because "it was badly written". Tell me that you thought a character was one dimensional, or that you found 16 typos in it, or that the ending was telegraphed in chapter 5. I find we sometimes have good book discussions at my writing group because we look at them as writers and comment on plot points, or choice of point of view, or structure of the book."
That is such a good point! It's great to announce whether you enjoyed a book or not, but so much better if you can pin down some of the specific aspects that either annoyed or entertained you. 😁

Shannon wrote: "Good morning! I have a busy morning and a light afternoon, which is the reverse of how it normally goes. I'm remote today, which makes me happy because I plan to use my lighter afternoon to make dough for Halloween cutout cookies!"
That sounds so good! Brings back memories from when my children were young.

"Thank goodness the people at the café I go to don't mind me bringing them treats...I thought they might find it weird, but I love baking and don't need to eat everything myself! Luckily, they seem to appreciate it lol."
Oh, my! Of course they appreciate it! And how generous and kind of you!! 👍😊

"My mom is coming up on Saturday so we can go to the symphony (can't WAIT to hear Night on Bald Mountain live!) and then Sunday morning we fly out to Napa for a few days. Also excited to drink all the wine!"
Wow. You have some fun stuff ahead! Travel safely!

"Finished:
Coraline by Neil Gaiman - A book everyone has read but me. This was cute! I went in assuming I'd like it, and I did. Gaiman likes repeating the same words a lot, which was a strange thing to notice...not in a "these words have an important symbolic meaning" kind of a way, but in a "I guess he couldn't come up with other descriptors" kind of way. But the story was fun! And I wonder if I noticed the repetition because I was listening to it."
Good point about listening to a book and what you may or may not notice as opposed to reading it... Sounds like an interesting research project!

"Currently Reading:
Eldest by Christopher Paolini - A book that takes place mostly or entirely outdoors. Continuing my Inheritance Cycle re-read so I can finally read the last book! I'm still enjoying it. I forgot how much I love his characters; the fact that he allows his teenage boys to actually be upset when they've killed someone, even if it was for noble reasons, is just so great. Give me more teen boys who cry!!! These are traumatic situations!!!"
Gosh, it's been so long since I read that trilogy. You make me want to reread it! LOL

"QOTW:
It's rare that I have trouble discussing a book, whether I liked it or not. If I'm having trouble, it's either because I don't really remember it or because I haven't fully processed it and can't yet verbalize my thoughts."
I am very similar...

Ellie wrote: "Just one book finished this week, The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling for my random word for ATY (witch). I liked the whole accidental curse aspect of this but the romance was a bit irritating. So much denial, maybe I just don't like the "second chance" trope? Rhys seemed nice 9 years on from a teenage blunder, but Vivi is holding a major grudge, yet all the time thinking about having sex with him."
I sometimes think I have just forgotten how a younger person can be obsessed with sex, especially with one special person...

"I haven't been getting in much audiobook time, so I am still listening to The Dark. It has suffered a bit by the thing mentioned on the cover being a thing that happens two thirds through, so I've kind of been waiting for it to start. I try not to read blurbs because of this but this is literally the tagline on the cover. Hmpf."
That sounds frustrating! 🤨

"Currently reading The Winter Garden which is charming."
Sounds intriguing! I added it to my TBR listing!

"QOTW:
I find it a lot easier to dissect a book when I don't love it, and lively discussions did tend to come out of the books we liked less. Beyond that, I think things like controversial or unusual topics lead to more discussion. I haven't been to a book group in forever though, I got a bit annoyed with having to read a book chosen by someone else every month 🤣 I think I'd prefer a book group where we just meet once a month to talk about books in general!"
I instituted a voting process in the book club I facilitate. We create a list of suggestions throughout the year and then vote and select 12 books for the next year, and spend part of one meeting scheduling each book for a specific month as a group. I had suggested rotating responsibility for selecting a book for one month's read, but no one wanted to be wholly responsible for selecting a book! 😁

Katy wrote: "I finished The Far Pavilions. I assume someone somewhere is arranging the appropriate parade."
I love your sense of humor! And, actually, I have some past experience with organizing parades, so yeah, get your convertible reserved so you can ride and "queen wave" to your fans! 😋

"I read Hallowe'en Party. It was OK. Definitely not my fave Christie."
You're making me want to read a Christie mystery! Soon! 😁

"And I've started The Great Dissenter: The Story of John Marshall Harlan, America's Judicial Hero."
Wow. That looks so interesting! I added it to my TBR listing. This is another rather long one!

"QOTW: I don't think enjoying it would be the key. I think having something worthy to discuss in the book would be the key. Like 3 dimensional characters, maybe a controversial action or plot."
I would agree.

I'm thinking Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley would work for this. Popsugar listed Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas. (Yeah, Goodreads wouldn't pull the title...again!)

Listopia is here

I noticed a book not too long ago with a reflected image on the cover and now I can't remember which one it was! Aha! Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel García Márquez! Not a book I enjoyed reading, but it fulfills the prompt!

Popsugar lists Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion by Jia Tolentino.

Listopia is here

There are so many prompts to select from for this! I will probably select a favorite from 2021 that I have a perfect book to fulfill but didn't end up reading it in 2021!

Here is the listing of past POPSUGAR prompts for your convenience. We'll add the 2021 prompts as of January 1, 2022!

My copy should arrive later this week! I'm excited for this one!

As much SFF as I've been reading these past few years I can't believe nothing is coming to mind...

Popsugar lists A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin.

Listopia is here

I know I have read some that would definitely fit... The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yōko Ogawa and The Hundred-Foot Journey by Richard C. Morais.

I'm sure there are many more!

Listopia is here

Mary wrote: "I didn't get much reading done this week. I had a busy weekend and this week, I had court and meetings and several trainings, so I didn't want to think anymore when I got home. My training yesterday on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training came with book recommendations, and I love it when trainers recommend books, so I have a few to books to add to my list, and was pleasantly surprised to see that I had read one of the books already (Thanks PopSugar Challenge!)"
Wow! I am also grateful for book recommendations from training sessions. May I ask what you added to your TBR? And...what one have you already read? DEI is the big thing on our campus right now as well.

"I finished:
The Violent Season: This book was interesting and different for the genre, but when I'm looking back at my rating of 4 starts almost a week later, I'm not sure that it was deserving of that. It really hasn't stuck with me much and I remember being disappointed at the way that it concluded."
I'm so glad to hear that someone else is doubting their rating given immediately after reading it. There are some that truly surprise me when I read them months/years earlier! LOL
¯\_(ツ)_/¯

"Currently reading:
I Am Still Alive: I enjoy a wilderness survival book, and this one has some extra elements that I'm sure I will enjoy if done well, but I'm having trouble giving anything my full attention right now, and I'm very nervous that there is a dog in this story. If anyone has read this and something bad happens to the dog, please warn me, because I need to stop reading immediately!!!"
Sorry I can't be of help with this one. Ugh...

"QOTW:
I have never been in a book club, so I'm not sure what makes for a good discussion, but I know I love to talk to people that enjoyed the same books as me about our favorite characters/parts. I agree that that is sometimes pretty one-dimensional, so I guess it depends on what you're hoping to get out of the discussion."
A very good point!

Ashley Marie wrote: "Sorry for being a bug! I'm so used to the threads already being up by 7-8am that it made me antsy today."
You are not being a "bug"! I don't know why, but it just completely was NOT on my radar this morning! The irony is that I had a whole hour while listening to meditation that I could have easily posted. Ah, well, now I have added an additional reminder on Thursday mornings on my calendar, so hopefully that won't happen again!

"Finished:
The Historian - 2.5 stars. I liked it for all the traveling, but this book was confusing and cliche in equal parts. Good horror-ish ending, but I didn't care about the romance subplot. Lots of meh here. Book on your TBR the longest"
This is one I keep looking at and wondering if I would really enjoy it or not...

"The Murders in the Rue Morgue - 3
The Pit and the Pendulum - 3 stars
Night of the Mannequins: A Tor.com Original - 3.5 stars. I get the feeling that if Stephen King and Caroline Kepnes had a book baby, it would turn out something like this. Book by an indigenous author"
All of these look pretty creepy! LOL

"PS 48/50
Only two books to go!!"
Whoo! Whoo!

"Currently:
The Arctic Fury"
This looks good!

"QOTW: (from Theresa) What is it about a book that makes it good for discussion? Do you have to love the book or can it be a book that you didn’t particularly enjoy?
I love seeing opposing opinions about books, because those can spur discussions for hours. Otherwise, I love when discussions go off on tangents and spool into side stories or bring in mentions of other books. I don't think I have to like or dislike a book for the discussion to be good (there was excellent chatter in one of my other groups about Wuthering Heights when a few of us read it last year, and I was not a fan)."
That seems to be the popular response thus far. 😉

Nadine wrote: "Hey Lynn is running late so I'm starting the check-in!"
Thanks so much for your help, Nadine! I have added another reminder on my calendar on Thursday mornings, just in case. Ugh. Work just has me frazzled right now. Seriously considering "retiring" so I can just job-hunt full-time...

"Wow Thursday really came fast this week!! It's time to figure out what we are going to carve on our pumpkins.
People get so creative with this now. Glad we were doing this ages ago when it was much simpler! LOL (I'm no artiste!)

"We still have some leaves on our maple tree, but it won't be for much longer now."
I did notice yesterday that our leaves are now starting to turn.

"This week I read five books, one for this challenge, so I am now 45/50."
You have five more to go and I have only four. But...I must locate my copy of Gold to fulfill prompt #45 The book that's been on your TBR list for the longest time. So, I guess it's no surprise that I'm having a difficult time locating it since it has been on my TBR listing the longest time... LOL (❁´◡`❁)

"First, a fantastic picture book:
Is Was by Deborah Freedman - I just loved everything about this book. It presented a complex, abstract concept in a very simple way, with beautiful art."
Awwww...this looks so cute!

"The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher - I decided to read a creepy book for October, and this was a winner. It was exactly creepy enough for me, but not terrifying."
Another one for my "Do NOT Read" shelf! 😲

"Every Vow You Break by Peter Swanson - I had fairly high expectations for this, because I thought Swanson was a pretty good thriller writer, but WOW was this bad. This is the fourth book I've read by him and it's absolutely the worst of the bunch. Such a dumb set up. One star."
Looks as if several others are echoing your own negative reaction to this one! That always makes me feel a bit better--to know it is NOT just me!

"Mr. Hotshot CEO by Jackie Lau - this was my DNFed book! I started it last year, and just set it aside and never felt like picking it up again."
At least you've fulfilled that prompt! I have yet to do so, but am hoping to in November!

The Back Chamber - poetry from former poet laureate Donald Hall - this was an uneven collection, some powerful poems, but a lot of quotidian dick lit too."
I was reading your review and had to look up "prurient" since I couldn't quite remember the meaning, though I evidently did once I read it! LOL I love to be challenged with rather unfamiliar words, so thank you! LOL Sorry this wasn't your jam!

"QotW
(from Theresa) What is it about a book that makes it good for discussion? Do you have to love the book or can it be a book that you didn’t particularly enjoy?

Great question, since I just joined a new book club last month!! A good book club book has a lot to talk about and has polarizing opinions. So, no, it doesn't have to be a book I've enjoyed. If everyone simply gushes: "oh I just loved this book and I can't even say why," that is a great book, but not a good discussion!! If some people liked aspects of the book and other people did not, that gives you a lot to talk about. Even better if characters in the book engage in morally grey activities, so that you can discuss if you agreed with their actions, if it seemed in character, if you would have done the same, etc. Sometimes a good discussion happens when you've learned things from a book, or you were inspired to go do research after reading it (and this ties into our QotW from week 40!!)"
Agreed!

So sorry to be so late this morning! First, I totally spaced that it was Thursday. Kept thinking it was Friday this morning. And then had to make an unplanned stop on the way to work, which delayed my posting even further! Ah, well, the workweek is about done!

It is National Immigrants Day!! This has been recognized in the US since 1987 and I am just NOW learning of it! (Thank goodness for NPR!) **NOTE: I had to remove the link to the website for this due to a new (at least to me) Goodreads prohibition against posting "links to other sites." Ugh...

The United States of America is known as the world’s melting pot, and every year on October 28 National Immigrants Day gives us a reason to reflect on just how unique that distinction is among the world’s 195 sovereign nations. As Americans, we are proud of our long history of welcoming immigrants from all parts of the world and value their contributions that add zest to our nation’s blend of cultures, customs, and traditions.

Although this country has not lived out these ideals in the past 5 years or so to a great degree, (At least in my opinion…) I have faith that we will! I feel as if the overwhelming majority of U.S. citizens honor the above, but somehow there are many times these sentiments get lost when it comes to politicians’ policy decisions.

Interestingly, one of our faculty who is from Venezuela/France/Mexico, referred to himself as an “immigrant” the other day and it kinda shocked me momentarily. Then I realized I just don’t tend to “label” people any more. And I was glad for that. It’s not as if he doesn’t speak with a pronounced accent even though he is multi-lingual. 😊

Admin Stuff:
October’s Monthly Group Read discussion of Anxious People by Fredrik Backman is here in the Current Monthly Group Read folder! I’m anxious to read over others’ thoughts on this one. I adored it when I read it in April. This will finish up on Sunday.

You can post the book(s) you’ve read to fulfill prompt #13 a locked-room mystery here!

And then as of next Monday, November 1, we will officially begin discussion of Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley. This will fulfill prompt #16 A book by an indigenous author, determined by an unprecedented tiebreaker vote with only one vote selecting this book over Tommy Orange’s There There! (Such excitement! 😉) Lindsey is the “happy helper” who volunteered to facilitate this discussion! Thank you!! And, as usual, we will also have a thread for you to post whatever you have read to fulfill this prompt in another discussion thread. These will be opened on Sunday. 😊

Question of the Week:
(from Theresa—though I edited a bit…)
What is it about a book that makes it good for discussion? Do you have to love the book or can it be a book that you didn’t particularly enjoy?

In my experiences both as a facilitator and a discussion member, mostly in real life/face-to-face groups, there seemed to be more and better discussion when there were mixed reactions to a book—some loved it, some thought it was okay, and some didn’t enjoy it at all. Some of the tougher discussions were when every member loved the book! Almost too much agreement! And actually, there were times when no one particularly enjoyed the book but we had great discussions! I do not believe enjoyment is positively correlated to good discussion.

How about you?

Popsugar: 46/50
ATY: 49/52
RHC: 16/24
Reading Women: 13/28

FINISHED:
The Sound and the Furry (Chet & Bernie #6) by Spencer Quinn ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ was just as good as the first 5 books in this series! I love being inside Chet’s head! LOL Such an entertaining bit of reading every time for me.
POPSUGAR: #18-Protecting the environment, #22, #30-Louisiana, #34-Corporate greed at the expense of safety, #36-517 reviews on Goodreads, #46, #47-One of my favorite authors and series!
ATY: #1-In the beginning, Chet is fierce!, #2, #3-…whiskers on kittens…Cats, or rather the lack thereof, play a role in this book!, #8-Louisiana, #10-the waitress and Vonna, #13-I read A Fistful of Collars, Chet & Bernie #5, in 2020!, #20-We must protect our environment in order to have a viable future, #21, #27-Justice, Death, #34, #40, #42, #45-Charlie is Bernie’s son and Chet’s favorite person!
RHC: #24

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ was such a slow read for me. But it is so very deep! So many questions and considerations to be contemplated, IMO! This was phenomenal!
POPSUGAR: NEW#11, #21-Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction, Young Adult, #27, #29-France, US, #30-France, #37, #38, #43, #47-Author of one of my favorite series!
ATY: #1-In the beginning, neither Addie nor Henry realized exactly what they had agreed to, #3-…whiskers on kittens…Book!, #4, #6, #8-France, #9-July 29, #10-Addie was definitely a criminal in the strictest sense…a thief! But what else could she do to survive?, #13-I read A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic #1) in 2020!, #20-If it’s possible, Addie has too much future ahead, just as she has too much past behind her!, #23-Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction, Young Adult, #27-The Lovers, Strength, Death, The Devil, Judgment, The World, The Fool, #30, #34, #36, #39, #43, #46-2020 Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Fantasy
RHC: #24
Reading Women: #5-Over 300 years old!

Pop Goes the Weasel (Alex Cross #5) by James Patterson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ was basically a repeat of the first 4 in the series as far as the perpetrator. Yet another “crazy”/addicted serial killer. I admit that part of these books is the least enjoyable part for me. What keeps me reading is Alex and his family. Fortunately, the characterization is well done. I just wish we could get past at least one (sometimes more…) serial killer in each and every installment. But for now I will continue with Roses Are Red, the sixth book in the series…
POPSUGAR: #4, #18-Safety and security for all!, #27, #29-Bermuda, Jamaica, England, United States, #30-Bermuda, Jamaica, #33, #34-Equal investigative resources for all neighborhoods!
ATY: #3-At one point Shafer rides a pale pony in his children’s birthday party, #6, #8-Bermuda, England, Jamaica, #18-The past did not determine the future for Alex and Christine, #24, #25-partially, #27-The Lovers, Justice, Death, Judgment, #31, #34, #42, #52-In the end, Alex’s life came full circle…
RHC: #24

CONTINUING:
After the first 50 pages of The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman, I am thrilled to be reading this! What a hoot!
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner is the October group read for two different Goodreads groups. I hope I can finish it by October 31!
The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates

PLANNED:
And the others that are waiting patiently...
The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois
Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family by Robert Kolker
Eva Luna by Isabel Allende to fulfill the 2020 Reading Women prompt #26 A book written by Isabel Allende.
Paradise by Toni Morrison to fulfill the 2020 Reading Women prompt #25 A book written by Toni Morrison.