Erica’s Comments (group member since Apr 05, 2019)

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

I can't find these graphs on the new book pages.

Doesn't goodreads/amazon hire book people? Why do they hide information when book people clearly like to read?

This is your fault, so you must look at it. ;)

1. A book with a main character whose name starts with A, T, or Y (The Atlas Six)
2. A book connected to a book you read in 2021 (Tales From King Arthur)
3. A book with 22 or more letters in the title (Politically Correct Holiday Stories...)
4. A book that fits your favorite prompt that did not make the list (Borders)
5. A book by an author with two sets of double letters in their name (The Final Gambit)

6. A book with an image of a source of light on the cover (The Friendship Pact)
7. A book related to psychology, neuroscience or the mind (Love On The Brain)
8. 3 books set on three different continents - Book 1 (The Waiting) Asia
9. 3 books set on three different continents - Book 2 (On The Same Page) Oceania

10. 3 books set on three different continents - Book 3 (Mansfield Park) Europe
11. A book from historical fiction genre (Cellist Of Sarajevo)
12. A book related to glass (A Mirror Mended)
13. A book about a woman in STEM (Steminist Novellas)

14. A book with fewer than 5000 ratings on Goodreads (Some Things I Still Can't Tell You: Poems)
15. A book without a person on the cover (215)
16. A book related to Earth Day (Skin & Earth)
17. A book from NPR's Book Concierge (Playlist For The Apocalypse)

18. A book by an Asian or Pacific Islander author (This Is Paradise)
19. A book that involves alternate reality, alternate worlds, or alternate history (Ruby Fever)
20. A fiction or nonfiction book that is set during 1900 -1951 (A Night To Remember)
21. A book with one of the Monopoly tokens on the cover (The Dog Stars)
22. A book with a Jewish character or author (The Flame)

23. A book that features loving LGBTQIA+ relationship (Winter's Orbit)
24. A book related to inclement weather (Rainy Day Friends)
25. A book less than 220 pages OR more than 440 pages (Allegiant)
26. 2 books with the same word in the title - Book 1 (Kingdom Of The Cursed)

27. 2 books with the same word in the title - Book 2 (Cursed Moon)
28. A book that won an award from Powell's list of book awards (Flowers For Algernon)
29. A book set on or near a body of water (Shipped)
30. A book related to mythology (Lore)

31. A book published at least 10 years ago (Slightly Married)
32. A book where the main character is a female detective/private eye/police officer (Deadly Spells)
33. The next book in a series (Silver Shadows)
34. A book with an academic setting or with a teacher that plays an important role (Zodiac Academy The Awakening)
35. 2 books related to flora and fauna - Book 1 (The Prison Healer)

36. 2 books related to flora and fauna - Book 2 (Second First Impressions)
37. A book that uses all five vowels in the title and/or author's name (Demon In The Wood)
38. A book by a Latin American author (The Poet X)
39. A book from the TIME list of 100 Best YA Books of All Time (Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me)

40. A book related to one of the 22 Tarot Major Arcana cards (Summoned To The Thirteenth Grave)
41. A book with a theme of food or drink (Ice Cream Man)
42. A book with a language or nationality in the title (The American Roomate Experiment)
43. A book set in a small town or rural area (Book Lovers)
44. A book with gothic elements (Kingdom Of The Wicked)

45. A book related to a game (Halo Graphic Novel)
46. A book with a non-human as one of the main characters (Alex + Ada)
47. A book with handwriting on the cover (Edenbrooke)
48. A book posted in one of the ATY Best Book of the Month threads in 2021 or 2022 (Verity)

49. A book connected to the phrase "Here (There) Be Dragons" (Rat Queens)
50. A book that involves aging, or a character in their golden years (An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed)
51. A book published in 2022 (Jameela Green Ruins Everything)
52. A book with a time-related word in the title (Year Of The Reaper)


So I've completed this probably much sooner in the year, yet I still have two prompts left for Popsugar???

Happy check-in! I moved books around and managed to fill all the prompts for my PS 2015 list, so that is over and done with. Now all I have left on this year's list are two prompts. So naturally I didn't read any books for prompts this week. :) Last check-in's discussion on filling in this year's aty challenge just for fun got me thinking that 2023 will be the year I try ATY but then I saw the western prompt... We shall see how I feel come January. I'll still fill in this year's challenge for fun when I find some time.

Finished Reading:

The River of Silver: Tales from the Daevabad Trilogy ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I loved this series so much it was great for just a bit more. Chakraborty is a great author, and I can't wait for her new book next year.

Queen of the Conquered ⭐⭐⭐
This cover called to me in the library. I'm not sure if I will read the end of this duology though because there wasn't much plot just the same event repeating itself. Fantasy set in the not Carribbean.

Demon in the Wood ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Darkling's origin story but in a graphic novel. Gorgeous colouring and artwork.

The Awakening ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This finally showed up at the library. A magical school/university that revolves around the zodiac where everyone are various magical creatures. This was addictive and entertaining, it's probably going on my craptacular shelf though.

The Heartstopper Yearbook ⭐⭐⭐
This was fine. The artwork is cute as ever.

PS 2022 48/50
PS 2015 50/50 ✅
Goodreads 222/250

Currently Reading:
The 5th Wave - Gelombang 5
Fruits Basket Ultimate Edition, Vol. 5

QOTW:
This has never caught my attention, probably because I don't really visualize things as I read making plot and dialog more important than location details.

Oh I’ve had trouble when on the actual book page that I select an exclusive shelve like ‘want to read’ then while I’m using the drop down menu to add to other non exclusive shelves it switches it to read suddenly. It has happened a couple of times and thus I have been going into my books to move books onto different shelves. This has occurred on the web version not the app.

Misshelving how? I’ve seen people complaining that goodreads is changing around the comics books.

Nadine in NY wrote: "A few years back, I set up a whole spreadsheet of which episodes to watch after which, we jumped back and forth between BtVS s4 & AtS s1. I am a big Bangel shipper so AtS s1 episode 8 "I Will Remember You" is peak viewing for me. That episode just kills me. Right through the heart."

Your spreadsheet sounds awesome. I cried so much the first time I watched that episode. I've always been hesitant to rewatch it too.

Teri wrote: "The weather is so beautiful that it makes me want to cry and then laugh in delight. And the forecast for the next 7 days is more of the same. I love this time of year. It does my soul good!

My mom..."

Congratulations on reading your first book in Spanish! 🥳

Happy check-in! This past weekend was Thanksgiving here and we were finally able to have a normal one. It felt normal because we had multiple tables to squeeze in family. We were all pretty much thankful for making it through a couple of tough years.

Finished Reading:

215 ⭐⭐⭐
A poetry/song collection. This was clearly about residential schools but there was no introduction, author's note, titles of work or even a description on the back. I only know these were songs because there was a quote on the back referring to them as songs.

The Golden Enclaves ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I was happy with this series ending. It was really tough for me to stay on task and read this, so I ended up scrambling to finish it before overdrive clawed it back.

PS 2022 47/50
PS 2015 48/50
Goodreads 217/250

Currently Reading:

Queen of the Conquered
The River of Silver: Tales from the Daevabad Trilogy
Fruits Basket Ultimate Edition, Vol. 5

QOTW:
I don't really have any interest in meeting author of books I like.

Joanna wrote: "Erica wrote: "I have three prompts left and only one figured out. I'd happily take suggestions.

14. Cutlery on the cover - ? I did read How to Pronounce Knife: Stories but I needed to use it for t..."

Thanks

@Nadine and @Ellie thanks, I've already read The Love Hypothesis, Every Heart A Doorway and Gender Queer but I'll look into your other recommends. I'm not allowing myself rereads because I read so many books in a year.

@Nadine hope you feel better soon. Don't beat yourself up about needing sick days/naps from covid.

@Kenya my mom was given the same prescription, and it has helped keep her numbers down. I hope your consult with the dietician works well for you.

Happy check-in! I rewatched Hocus Pocus and then watched the new one. They both were great. My favourite thing was the (view spoiler)[roombas. 🤣 (hide spoiler)]

Finished Reading:

Love and Other Words ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reread that still is enjoyable. Good for the booktok prompt.

Kingdom of the Feared ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This series is over now. 😥 I enjoyed that things from the whole series were finally explained.

The World Needs More Purple People ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kirsten Bell's children's book. It was cute and I laughed out loud.

PS 2022 47/50
PS 2015 48/50
Goodreads 215/250

Currently Reading:
The Golden Enclaves

QOTW:
I have three prompts left and only one figured out. I'd happily take suggestions.

14. Cutlery on the cover - ? I did read How to Pronounce Knife: Stories but I needed to use it for the Booker/Giller prize winner prompt from the 2015 list.

21. Musical group/band - I have this figured out because I got Daisy Jones & The Six for Christmas and have yet to read it.

22. Character on the ACE spectrum - ?

My 2015 list I have two prompts left but both will be easy when I actually make myself accomplish them instead of reading 2022 publications.
20. Bottom of your tbr
48. Banned book

Title: The Poet X
Author: Elizabeth Acevedo
Recommend? Yes. I have read everything else by this author since reading this earlier in the year. This is my favourite of the author's works but her other books are still really good. This and the author's other works are in free verse fyi.

Title: Kingdom of the Wicked
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Recommend? Yes, I loved this and read it more than once this year. It's a gothic fantasy romance for older ya and up age group. This also works well for the BookTok prompt.

Title: Kingdom of the Wicked
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Recommend? Yes, I loved this and read it more than once this year. It's a gothic fantasy romance for older ya and up age group. This also works well for the BookTok prompt.

Happy late check-in! It wasn't a very good reading week due to summer showing up again. 😁 30+ degree weather with a breeze that cools off at night. It's also been heartbreaking to see two big hurricanes hitting the east coast of North America.

Finished Reading:

When I Was Eight ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A residential school story I've read before but in a picture book for an even younger audience.

The Dragon's Promise ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (2022 book 2 for duology)
This was a great ending for this story. I did take me a long time to read it but I still enjoyed it.

PS 2022 47/50
PS 2015 48/50
Goodreads 213/250

Currently Reading:

Kingdom of the Feared

QOTW:
I don't generally plan to read spooky books this month. Vampire and werewolf books are common all year round for me. Although I do ramp up Halloween movies for this time of year.

Happy check-in! I miss summer. :( Although the fact that it's suddenly a rainy day is okay.
Here's two weeks of reading.

Finished Reading:

The Final Gambit ⭐⭐⭐
The first two books were 5 stars and I enjoyed the short chapters. This one the short chapters made it too easy to put down. The love triangle being stretched into the third book was annoying I thought it had been resolved in the second book.

Dumpty: The Age of Trump in Verse ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This one was still clever.

The Infernal Path ⭐⭐⭐
I really don't like when comics are put into collections and they aren't labled as volume 1, 2, etc.

The Absolute Sandman, Volume One ⭐ (2015 published in the 90s)
I hated this! It was so long and I hate read it for a prompt, also I don't like dnfing especially if it is labeled a classic. I'm struggling to like Gaiman's books.

Servant Mage ⭐⭐⭐
This novella set up an interesting fantasy world but there were some plot and character holes.

Naruto, Vol. 1: Uzumaki Naruto ⭐⭐
Disappointment.

The Good Luck Sister ⭐⭐⭐
This novella completed the series for me. You can play a drinking game with these books but they're funny enough.

Sailor Moon Eternal Edition 5 Sailor Moon Eternal Edition 6 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love Sailor Moon. These editions are literally sparkly so....

The American Roommate Experiment ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A good rom-com. I think it was better written than The Spanish Love Deception but I did like love deception more.

Fence, Vol. 5: Rise ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
It's been a while for this series, and I had forgotten how much I love these books.

Malala's Magic Pencil ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Great children's version of Malala's story.

Darth Vader and Son Vader's Little Princess ⭐⭐⭐
These comics were cute.

PS 2022 46/50
PS 2015 48/50
Goodreads 210/250

Currently Reading:
Where the Crawdads Sing
The Dragon's Promise

QOTW:
I don't want to read this, and I understand why some people would want to read this because of an interest in history. I probably would still judge someone reading it out in public.

You can always make peanut butter cups with almond butter or other nut butters. They’re fairly easy to make.

This qotw is reminding me so much of The Library Book by Susan Orlean. I thought it was a true crime book on the fire at the central library of Los Angeles but really it was more of a micro history on the library and it’s importance in the community. I would really recommend even though the bits about the fire destroying books was upsetting.

Yes I’m in Saskatchewan and watching the news is still very sad. There is a bright spot that all those who were injured are out of intensive care. I agree for hugs all around. Sorry for being a downer.

Happy check-in! What a week. This past weekend was horrific here. In a four day period our provincial alert system was used at least 15 times for three groups of dangerous persons who have been arrested or are deceased. The news has been heartbreaking with information on a mass murder. I am fortunate to not be directly effected but it still was scary. Now our news is eclipsed with the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth II who is our queen as well because Canada didn't fully separate from the UK. Needless to say I haven't read much in terms of books. I'll just post my books from last week.

Finished Reading:

Love on the Brain ⭐⭐⭐
This was one of my most anticipated reads for this year and it was a bit of a let down. This seemed very samey to The Love Hypothesis but the characters were a little annoying. It still had the humour I enjoy so it gets the three stars.

Ruby Fever ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (2022 published in 2022)
Again a highly anticipated book but this one beat my high expectations. I have my fingers crossed that they continue this series following my favourite character. They did leave things open so they could.

The Dog Stars ⭐⭐
This was a strange book and I'm glad I read it. There were many things to discuss but the writing style really did not work for me. The author does not make it clear which characters are talking because there are no quotation marks so if you like audiobooks I suggest that it would be a better read in that format. This was a good dystopian but overall I wanted more details and less philosophy.

Currently Reading:

The Final Gambit This is good but slow going. Sometimes short chapters make me speed through a book other times it kills them. My mood is such that I can put the book down after every chapter instead of binging through.

QOTW:
My library system is great. All the libraries in the province are connected and there is no charge for holds to be delivered or late fees. They got rid of late fees because they realized most of the people accumulating them couldn't afford to pay any ways. Now they will charge you for the material if you have it for a while, not sure how long. Requests are easily made like online shopping and you can pick whichever location works best. Waits aren't too long usually. We don't have any independent bookstores here just a chain store.