Jess’s Comments (group member since Oct 04, 2017)

Jess’s comments from the Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge group.

Hello ladies and gentlemen,

Went to the library yesterday and thought "I want to read all the books" and yet I am still working on the 158 page book I started two weeks ago. #life


29/40 Regular
5/10 Advanced

Currently Reading



QotW:

Do you reread books?
If so, what draws you to reread certain books? What do you gain from rereading?
If not, what are your reasons? What benefits do you find in your reading life from avoiding rereads?
Nope. I have read 2 books twice in 33 years of life. To Kill a Mockingbird and A Wrinkle in Time. Mockingbird was mandatory both times and Wrinkle I actually didn't really like the second time. I sometimes think about re-reading Harry Potter (I still haven't hit the re-read challenge for this year and am dreading it) but then I don't. I barely have time to get through new books. I also don't rewatch movies very often. Once I know all the surprises coming I kind of lose interest. Not for me.

I am being super melodramatic today (as you will notice in my reading notes). I am burning the candle from all ends right now and it is starting to take its toll. The weather here in Vegas is stunning. I hope everyone is having a wonderful week. Sorry so whiny!

29/40 Regular
5/10 Advanced

Currently Reading

I thought "it's short, I can finish it no time" A week later I'm like 6 chapters in and fighting falling asleep everywhere because I'm so burnt out.

Dear college, I think I hate you. That is all.

Finished
My Sanity

QotW:

Do you like to read scary or creepy books?
Sometimes. I honestly don't read a ton of them although I have a lot on my tbr right now. I really enjoyed Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. That's the most recent scary book I have read. That was ages ago. I would like to read The Haunting of Hill House this month but I highly doubt I will manage it.

Hello and Happy October!!! Time for me to (hopefully) binge read for the rest of the year. I am starting to get balance in my college-full time job adult life so I am hoping to fit in more good stuff. My struggle now will be reading books that fit the remaining challenges and not just reading what I want. lol. #thestruggle.

29/40 Regular
5/10 Advanced

Fiinished
NADA

Currently Reading



Question of the week:

Did you have a favorite author when you were a child?
Who wrote the boxcar children?! I liked those as a kid.
JK Rowling is about it though. I died for years waiting for the next installation. I was a library wanderer most of my life and just hunted for titles that sounded intriguing. I still do that mostly but in recent years I will gravitate towards authors I enjoy.

poshpenny wrote: "Jessica wrote: "I have 5 or 6, 5 star picture books. If you are interested let me know and I will add."

*raises hand*"

Nadine wrote: "It’s officially autumn in the northern hemisphere. The trees are turning colors here. October is right around the corner! In October, our group read will be The Graveyard Book.



Th..."
Be selfish! It helps us all. Unless there are some of those crazy people who want to SHORTEN there TBR list. (jk. If you are trying to shorten I support you, I just don't understand you. <3)

Hello book friends. Hope everyone is doing well. The weather is cooling off here in Vegas which is lovely. I have the fall bug big time. Starting to decorate for Halloween a little. Plan on getting the works done on my day off Monday. Woohoo.

29/40 Regular
5/10 Advanced

Finished

Book Club choice. Super predictable imho.

Currently Reading



Loving this one on audio so far!

QotW:
What are your last few five star reads?

All my 5 Star for 2019



I forgot the most recent one which was amazing!!!!


I have 5 or 6, 5 star picture books. If you are interested let me know and I will add.

Hello! I returned to work today from two weeks "off" (off from work at least). I have not done a ton of reading lately and I missed check in last week. But something is better than nothing I suppose.

Regular 29/40
Advanced 5/10

Finished Reading:

37. Two-word title
(audio)
20. Set in Space
This was sooooooo good!

Currently Reading





QotW:

(From poshpenny) If you could attend a party/event that recreates the setting or atmosphere of a book, which book would you want it to be?
I would love to attend a party at Hogwarts. Winding, moving staircases and magic food. Sneak out to Hagrid's cottage to see what kind of magical critters he has hiding out there. Yes please!

Hey! Like a lot of you, I am itching for fall. However, I am in Vegas so it probably won't arrive til October. Boo! Trying to balance out fun reading with my course load. I think I will get it figured out to at least make it through the regular challenge at the bare minimum (fingers crossed).

27/40 Regular
5/10 Advanced

Finished:

4. I think it should be a movie. As an actor I would LOVE to play Hannah. OMG, such a great character. Great book overall.

Currently Reading

For my Anthropology course
*
*
*Research for upcoming production in my Theatre program

DNF

I won this thru goodreads and I'm not sure I will be able to get through it. Certainly not right now.

QotW:

How do you feel about authors reviewing their own books on Goodreads?
HATE IT!

Hello friends.

First week of Fall Semester of college. Very new experience for me being in some live, in person classes. I haven't finished anything this week. My book club got pushed back til next Tuesday so that stopped me from HAVING to finish the book. I have 2 chapters left. I am dragging.

26/40 Regular
5/10 Advanced

Currently Reading:




QotW:

What did you like best about the book you just finished?

The last book I finished was From Scratch by Tembi Locke ^. It is a memoir of how she dealt with the grief of losing her husband. It went far beyond that exploring her relationship with Italy, his home country, after his passing. It was absolutely beautiful. Made me hungry at some turns, made me bawl my eyes out at others but always had me hoping that Tembi and her daughter Zoella are happy and healthy now 7 years later. Absolutely wonderful.

Hey guys! Fall Semester starts Monday! This month has flown by and I definitely have not met all the goals I wanted to but that's ok.

26/40 Regular
5/10 Advanced

Finished

I LOVE her poetry so much!

44. Read a book during the season it is set in
I listened to most of it on overdrive then when my rental was over finished it in print. So beautiful and moving.

Currently Reading



DNF

I was reading this to my daughter and it would have fit as a reread of a favorite. (From when I was in 4th grade) Well she seems to hate it. She basically only has eyes for manga right now.

QotW:

Are you a fast reader or a slow reader? Have you ever tried to change your reading speed?

I read relatively quickly when I am not burnt out. I have finished 400 pages books in one sitting but I have also taken months to finish short books. Technical and non fiction I tend to read slower. It's all based on interest. I have more of an issue with audio because I get distracted or bored and want to listen to music so often I will start as audio and have to finish in print because it expired. Sometimes I will supplement with audio when I really need to burn something.

Hey readers. I am so slow right now. My brain feels fried and
I have no school this month. Granted I am averaging only 4 hour sleep a night but that can't be it. *eyeroll*

I don't remember my exact book count right no and I don't want to look it out. Approx 24 for regular and 4 for advance.

I am excited for the soon to be released SLAY which I believe will cover the LitRPG topic that I fear so greatly. Woohoo!

Currently Reading




Finished

for ATY picture book challenge which I am ALSO choking on


QotW:

(from Lauren) -Is there a book that you chose to read based on liking the cover? Or a book that you didn't want to read because of the cover?
All books. lol. I very much judge a book by it's cover. My main book finding process involves browsing titles. If the title catches my eye I will the JUDGE the cover. If I also like that then I will read the excerpt and add to list. I put off for a long time because the cover is meh. Ugly covers I kind of avoid like the plague. Ex. Escape from Exile has a stupid cover, imo, but it was my favorite book as a child so I am re-reading to my daughter. Opposite case, I am not a Stephen King fan. Have never had the desire to read ANY of his books. I love the cover below so much I am already on hold lists at my library and it's not out yet.

Hello! Last week of (kids) summer here in Vegas. Took my daughter to Six Flags in CA which was a super fun little break from life for us. Tried to do some reading but I have been caught up in Queer Eye which has most of my free times attention rn.

26/40 Regular
4/10 Advanced

Completed:

26. Published in 2019 (I got a prepublished ARC thru a gr giveaway. Yay!)

5. Book with over 1 million ratings

Reading




QotW:

What is your reading format preference? (hardcover, paperback, e-book, audiobook, etc)
Physical copy or audio book. I do not care for e reading as it gives me a headache(I will in a pinch but so rather not).
Love audiobooks for the car! We do not have a good transit system in Vegas so overdrive and hoopla help me get some extra books in. I also am working on voice over myself so it is good research as well. I almost always have a book on me. So necessary.

Hello one and all! Hope everyone is well. We have a lovely cricket infestation on Vegas. It's super gross. Can barely leave the house at night. I have not finished any books this week. I am working on more than a few intermittently and I'm happy with my progress.

24/40 Regular
4/10 Advanced

Currently Reading







QotW:

This week’s question was suggested by Raye:

Are you the type of person who has to finish a book once started or are you ok with DNFing. If the latter, how far into a book do you read before deciding not to finish?

I used to be WAY worse about DNFing. If I wasn't into it in the first couple pages, bye bye. I now give a book 50 pages and if it is not worth my time I don't waste my time. My TBR is way too big to waste on books I don't like. Sometimes I will push through (for bookclub or classes definitely).

Hello everyone. My book club meeting was on Tuesday so that lit a fire to at least get that book finished. My summer class ends on Saturday and then I will be school free til August 26th!!! I have a big tbr and plan to catch up on Stranger Things and GLOW. Big goals. I am excited!!

24/40 Regular
4/10 Advanced

Finished

25. Debut Novel - I didn't hate it but no love either. I didn't find any of the characters likable or worth rooting for.

21. Written by 2 female authors - I liked it. Good twists and turns.

For ATY - SOOOO good

Currently Reading



on audio performed by Dan Stevens (swoon)

DNF

Certain chapters were assigned reading for PHIL 102. Finished those.

QotW:

What is the oldest book you've read this year, and how does it compare to other, more contemporary, books?
The oldest book I have read this year was Murder at the Vicarage published in 1930. I loved it but I have an Agatha problem. he next oldest was Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats in 1939 which I disliked and found incredibly racist. I tend to prefer contemporary as a whole I think.

Hello. Hope everyone is enjoying the summer. It's super hot so I try to avoid leaving my house,
I missed check in last week. I have DNF'd more than half my pile this week (most to pick up at a later date) because I am overwhelming myself with personal goals, school and work. I can't handle everything and I am sooooo tired. Enough whinging from me.

Regular 22/40
Advanced 4/10

Currently Reading

Required reading for my Critical Thinking course. Only certain chapters are required so IDK if I will finish it.

Book club book for July

ATY

Finished
Nada. My brain has been melting daily.

DNF


I intend to return to both of these in August between summer semester ending and fall semester start.

I had this through Overdrive. Got about 60% through and it expired. Gotta get my hands on it again to finish.

Neither my daughter nor myself are enjoying this one.

QotW:

Are you more or less likely to want to read a book when it's very popular?
I have been very guilty of this in the past (and present, if we are being real). I think I particularly avoid popular literary fiction. I'm not so bad with other genres. I think lit fic isn't my fave to begin so add mass popularity and movie writes being sold 3 days after publication (slight exaggeration) and I get a bit annoyed. The only other factor is the popular books are harder to get from the library. (@Nadine hoping your library is up and functional very soon.)

Hello everyone!!! Happy 4th of July for those that celebrate it. Happy Thursday and check-in day for those who don't. I have not finished any books this week but that's ok. I have actually watched some movies and television this week instead which I rarely am able to make time for more than 1 a week. I am working on quite a few books this week and just enjoying things. The weather is blistering and super unpleasant so I shall be hiding inside for the foreseeable future.

22/40 Regular
4/10 Advanced

Currently Reading

Listening to this on overdrive. Really enjoying it so far. I read The Wife Between Us last year (I think) and I quite enjoyed it.

This is my "textbook" for my Critical Thinking course. Only certain chapters are assigned so I don't know if I will finish. It's super interesting so far though.

Super whovian here, I want part in EVERYTHING David Tennant does. Watched the 1st 4 episodes and loved it (pushed to watch by the ridiculous petition to take it off the air, f u censorship!) Decided I wanted to read it despite not liking Gaiman as a novelist. So far it's almost word for word of the show so far. I'm not mad at it.



Not actively reading this one right now. 8/

QotW:

A spin-off from last week’s discussion, per Karen’s excellent suggestion:

How do you organize your book shelves?
This is exciting because I just got 2 new bookshelves in my house!!! My husband and I are setting up our office, which up until this point has just been the room we put all the stuff we have no space for. I have one shelf already in the office which has been over-flowing for a while now. I have not fully set how they will be organized but I currently have all my book of the month club books together and sorted alphabetically. I have my acting books and plays together. Cookbooks are together. I previously just had everything on the shelf, paperbacks in one area, hard covers in the other. Other than that there was no actual sorting. Now that I have more shelves I believe everything will be sorted differently. Not sure how though. Excited to get it set up though. Will be sorting kindle now that I know it's an option!

Ellie wrote: "Hi guys, a later check in for me than usual because we had a lovely work outing to a local vineyard today. It was so hot and sunny after several weeks of cold, gloomy weather, so it was great to be..."

Aww I hope your dog is feeling better. My dogs were sick too. It's the worst!

Hello literary friends. The last week and change has been crazy. After dealing with one puppy getting sick, my other one did too. They are both back to normal finally. I have finals tomorrow so I have been swamped. I literally finished my book club book this month 10 minutes into the book club meeting. If nothing else it has been interesting.

22/40 Regular
4/10 Advanced

Finished

11. Clothing on Cover.
This was not as good as her other two but it was still a great novel. The other two just happen to be gold.

Currently Reading

Started watching the mini series which I love (have not finished tho, no spoilers) so I thought I would give it a go. Disclaimer: I have not had luck with Neil Gaiman's writing. I hated the book Coraline and I couldn't even finish Stardust I was so disgusted by it. I love both of the movie versions however. I don't know. I clearly LOVE his ideas but not necessarily how they come out in novel form. I have not read anything by Pratchett. Fingers crossed I like his style better.

I won this through goodreads so trying to get to it sooner than later

Not actively reading. Was using it for bedtime stories for my daughter but since summer started she doesn't go to bed at a set time too often.


DNF

I tried. I really did. The main character is not a cactus. She is straight up awful and even morbid curiosity could not keep me reading this one.


Question of the week:

Do you plan your reading out or are you a mood reader?
100% a mood reader! I try to plan and I fail completely. The only planning I have is for book club and even that is sometimes hard. My permanent residence in the world of mood reading is part of my struggle with book challenges such as this. It gets really rough to just stumble across books that fit categories without planning or reading 300 books a year. As I definitely do not have time for the latter I have to try to plan. Rarely works for me though.

Lynn wrote: "Jessica wrote: "Hello everyone. I just got back from a weekend (mine is MTW) trip to San Diego. I intended to read but that didn't happen. We brought our corgis with us. Turns out the older one doe..."

Thank you. It was very frustrating and scary. He is back in top form now so that's good!

Hello everyone. I just got back from a weekend (mine is MTW) trip to San Diego. I intended to read but that didn't happen. We brought our corgis with us. Turns out the older one does not like the car and the little got some pot someone left on the ground at the beach and had to go to the animal hospital (we thought he had heat stroke; he couldn't walk or stand well, his heart was barely beating), Turns out he was high, it was chaos. (he is ok now) Needless to say, reading didn't happen and we are very happy to be home.


21/40 Regular
4/10 Advanced

Currently Reading

Listening to this on audio and I am pretty sure I hate it but I'm still giving it a chance




Finished

For ATY


Question of the Week:

Do you prefer fiction or nonfiction?
I read to escape life so I am definitely fiction ALL the way. I will find a non-fic here or there that I like (or have to read for school) butADA I don't gravitate in that direction at all.