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

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

Happy check-in!

Finished Reading:

The Prince and the Dressmaker ⭐⭐⭐
This stared me down at the library for months, and then I went to borrow it and I had to request it from another location because someone else had borrowed it. Anyway it was a pretty cute graphic novel with great artwork. I didn't like the ending because it felt quite rushed.

Long Way Down ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The concept of this was a brilliant. Every floor the elevator stops at a ghost of gun violence past gets on to talk to the main character. Really recommend this poetry collection. I also really loved the couple of anagrams that were used.

City of Bones and City of Ashes ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I started this series years ago but lost interest. I have enjoyed the movies and netflix show since then. I'm hopefully going to read the 5 origional books so that I can see if I want to read any of the spinoff series.

Squad ⭐⭐
I wanted to like this high school werewolf story better. The explanation for teenagers being werewolves was never addressed. Everything that happened plot wise was erased by the end.

Displacement ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Another book this week with an amazing concept. A teenage girl time travels back into her grandmother's experiences in a incarceration camp. This is semi biographical and the artwork was good. Stand out quote: “Being from the Future meant very little when my education on the past was so limited”
― Kiku Hughes, Displacement

Bird Box ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I saw the movie first and the book held up to my expectations. This was a botm and perfectly creepy for October. Definitely interested in the sequel.

PS 2021 44/50
PS 2017 47/52
Goodreads 233/250

Currently Reading:
Lost and Found Sisters
Fatty Legs: A True Story
Japense fairy tales
A Twist of Fate

QOTW:
I've only been in book clubs online so I can't really answer. I do think that books that invoke strong emotions will lead to discussion while boring books will not.

Happy check-in!
Not feeling too great today I think it might be a response to the flu shot, which has never happened before. Oh well, supposedly this year's flu season is going to be tough so maybe it's a stronger flu shot. 🤷‍♀️

To the books.

Finished Reading:

In a Badger Way ⭐⭐⭐
Entertaining, fast paced urban fantasy. This is the second book in a series and it takes place right where the last book left off so not so good to read this by itself.

The Party Crasher ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The newest from Sophie Kinsella. It was near impossible to put this down. This author stays in her lane and makes enjoyable reads for me.

Gods & Monsters ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Finally finished this one. The library has collected it from me so it's taken a while to get here. It was a good ending to the series.

As Good As Dead ⭐⭐
This series has been so addictive. The first half of this book was just as awesome as the first two books but then choices were made. I made myself finish this but I'm really not good with the way she ended this series even though it makes sense.

The Last Unicorn: The Lost Journey ⭐⭐
Probably should have read The Last Unicorn first but this was just kinda boring. It started off good but then nothing happened. This also just might not be the story for me because I definitely found the movie boring.

PS 2021 44/50
PS 2017 47/52
Goodreads 226/250

Currently Reading:
City of Bones reread
Bird Box botm
Japenese Fairy Tales

QOTW:
I used Weird Things Customers Say in Bookstores mostly because I loved this book and wanted to slot it in somewhere.

@Ellie and @Nadine it's nice to know I'm not alone in a dislike of online recipes compared to a cookbook. Fortunately, with a collection of cookbooks I don't have to search online for things.

Happy check-in! Weird rainy/snowy day here. When it snows in October I'm all happy, not so much come November. Anyway had a fun Sunday dinner when the power went out while the turkey was in the oven, fortunately it was only off for 15 minutes so everything was okay.

Finished Reading:

Saga, Vol. 9 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
😭 I now have to wait for more to be created. Also this ending is the worst.

The Lamb Will Slaughter the Lion ⭐⭐
I'm all over the place with this book. Some of the social commentary was biting yet others were upsetting. I kept going back and forth whether I liked the main character too. I'm definitely intrigued to read the next novella because the found family at the end is compelling.

The Mortal Instruments: The Graphic Novel, Vol. 2 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The second half of the first mortal instruments book. These are great except that the artist does not make a better Magnus Bane than Harry Shum Jr.

Burning In This Midnight Dream ⭐⭐⭐ (2021 Indigenous Author)
I really enjoyed all the Cree language that the author used. The subject matter dealt with Residential School and generational trauma so it's not likeable but powerful poetry.

Eleventh Grave in Moonlight ⭐⭐
I'm commited to finishing this series but this book had a very obnoxious middle. I usually want to rate these books 2 stars until the ending and they get bumped up to 3. This did have a good ending but I was so annoyed with the mc's husband a good ending couldn't upgrade it.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (2017 about an interesting woman)
This lived up to the hype and then some. I want the movies and characters to be real. I would probably have ended up sobbing had I not had to stop reading to make supper. I did cry but the break in reading helped me stop.

day/break ⭐⭐⭐
I randomly grabbed a couple of short books from the library to find prompt answers. This poetry collection had a pretty cover so good enough. It was a heavy subject centered on the author's experience as a trans woman. Some of the poetry was quite confusing and others heartbreaking.

Also discovered a short story set in the Cinder universe all about covid hitting futuristic Earth. COVID-128 I probably would have liked this better had I not read it right now. Our health care system is nearly in triage and I have family needing cancer treatment right now so I'm very grumpy with the unvaccinated.

PS 2021 44/50
PS 2017 47/52
Goodreads 221/250

Currently Reading:
Japense fairy tales
Bird Box BOTM
In a Badger Way

QOTW:
Well I have around 50 cookbooks, so I love them. Some I read through others, I just read through over time. I wait until I've made at least 3 things before rating a cookbook and I write in them whether things are good or my additions. I can't stand using the internet for recipes because they turn out to be videos or lifestyle junk. I don't need people's, I don't know, feelings about the recipe I just need the recipe. I don't like having to hunt through text or video to write down instructions before I can cook. Did I mention cookbooks don't have ads.

Weird. It must be just that Nadine.

Guys I’ve seen yams in the store. They are much smaller than sweet potatoes. Maybe they are just not fully grown sweet potatoes. Anyway they both still look like the monster in Tremors. 😁

I have seen them both in the grocery store the odd time. Sweet potatoes are huge in comparison and much cheaper. I don’t know I’ve ever actually eaten yams.

I’ve never had a problem with bitterness when it comes to turnips/rutabagas. I put nutmeg on them and they’re delicious.

Anyway to add to the confusion of vegetables and fruits we have sweet potatoes vs. yams and cantaloupe vs. musk melons.

Happy Thursday! I got to visit my grandma for her birthday and spend quality time with her. If only it hadn't been so smoky outside, we could have enjoyed the 20C+ weather.
Now on to celebrating Thanksgiving this weekend. This is my favourite holiday because to me it's about taking stalk of the end of harvest and enjoying the people and food you have. Also I do enjoy some football. :)

Finished Reading:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reread. This volume has the most controversial topics and most social commentary. One more to go before I reach the cliff of impatience that is waiting on the next volume.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The ending was amazing/infuriating. Probably would have been 4 stars without it. I got a little bored/impatient with the long chapters but that just might be me struggling to read long books right now.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (2017 reread from childhood)
I read the book originally in school and really couldn't understand the main character. It was amazing to read this and see that I have learned something over the years when I can sympathize with the mc and understand the importance of this book and a teacher championing it when others would ban/censor it.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This has lived in my goodreads feed all September and the start of this month. I couldn't put this book down and stayed up way too late to read it. Anyone wanting to use the prompt from last year about a woman in STEM this one is perfect for it.

PS 2021 43/50
PS 2017 46/52
Goodreads 214/250

Currently reading:
In a Badger Way
Saga, Vol. 9
a collection of Japanese fairy tales
The Lamb Will Slaughter the Lion

QOTW:
Yeah I'm really bad at reading non-fiction so the answer is no. I definitely increase my tbr when I'm curious about a topic.

Teri wrote: "I pretended that I was a healthy person and went away for the weekend (one hour away). I went to a Michael Buble concert with friends, then a play "The Mousetrap" the next day, and then a movie "Sh..."

I hope you are well. Also is it too soon to tease you about going too hard at a Michael Buble concert? FYI I am a huge Buble fan so I'm a bit jealous.

Drakeryn wrote: "Hey all! Been a while since I checked in. A lot of turbulent things going on (got evacuated from apartment due to fire in building; city inspections revealed massive code violations unrelated to fi..."

Wow, that sounds like quite the ordeal. I'm glad that you're safe. Thankfully books are always there to reduce stress.

Alex wrote: "It's a momentous Thursday in our house as I've just learned that I have COVID. As does my husband. We're both vaccinated and doing well, so nothing to worry about there, but it's a little surreal t..."

Hope you and your husband recover soon. It's fantastic that your baby is staying healthy.

Title: Anxious People
Author: Fredrik Backman
Recommend: I don't know. I gave this book a two but I've loved other books by him. I don't know if I was in a mood when I read this or what but I thought it was very man splany and tedious. It ended well though.

Happy Thursday!
September has been a great reading month for me. However I'e been reading what I want to read not challenge books...

Finished Reading:

My Name Will Grow Wide Like a Tree: Selected Poems ⭐⭐⭐ (2021 black and white cover)
I grabbed the first book that had a black and white cover off of overdrive. It's a translated poetry collection. Some were interesting some were confusing.

Well Played ⭐⭐⭐
This was not as good as the first book. I didn't really like the mc and the love interest. I also found the poor me my best friend is getting married and I'm single thoughts obnoxious. Still like the other characters and I'm waiting for book three to be published in October.

Run: Book One ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Graphic novel continuing John Lewis' memoir. What happened after the March series. Most of the book was approved by him before his death.

Saga volumes 1-7 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rereading a beloved series and realizing you forgot so much that it seems new again.

The Secret Keeper of Jaipur ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Set 12 years after the first book this follows old beloved characters and new ones. A little predictable but enjoyable characters and writing style.

Crave ⭐⭐⭐
So the cover suggests that this is a Twilight book, and the plot does too. It was entertaining but the main character does Bella things that are cringy. However this book has dragons which is awesome.

PS 2021 43/50
PS 2017 45/52
Goodreads 210/250

Currently Reading:
Saga 8 & 9
The Lamb Will Slaughter the Lion
Green Willow and Other Japanese Fairy Tales

QOTW:
I have 7 prompt for each of the two popsugar challenges I'm doing. I am a little worried because I'm enjoying shorter books and I have prompts for long book left. I'm happy with the classics and big name authors that I've finally read this year though.

Happy check-in!
I too am not a fan of beta. I gave feedback about how a website aimed at readers should not lose reading content. @Shannon I see the shopping page too and an increased emphasis on reviewing.

Finished Reading:

Monstress, Vol. 2: The Blood (2017 unreliable narrator) Monstress, Vol. 3: Haven Monstress, Vol. 4: The Chosen Monstress, Vol. 5: Warchild ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is a solid series. It is very dark and inspired by the author's grandparent's experience in China. The artwork is beautiful but gory. Volume 6 was published this week.

Dearly ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Misread a prompt so I borrowed this because I thought it was supposed to be 'by an interesting woman' when it's supposed to be 'about an interesting woman'. Oh well I really liked this and it's a quick read. This is the first thing I've read by Margaret Atwood.

Cemetery Boys ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is a cute ya book. It is pretty predictable but enjoyable none the less. Strong characters.

A Nation Worth Ranting About ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (2017 by someone I admire)
I read this the day before our election and it was crazy how his rants from fall 2008 to spring 2012 were still applicable. There was an election, Olympics, earth quake in Haiti, pandemic of swine flu, jokes at Trudeau and Kenney's expense. This was published in 2012 and it ties in with The Rick Mercer Report tv show.

The Cruelest Mercy ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was hard to put down and yet again the author killed me with the epilogue. There better be a third book!

Change Sings: A Children's Anthem ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Amanda Gorman can win two goodreads choice awards. This had lovely words and pictures.

The Pale Dreamer ⭐⭐⭐
Discovered a prequel novella on overdrive so why finish my other books when I can read this. Prequel to The Bone Season.

PS 2021 42/50
PS 2017 45/52
Goodreads 198/240

Currently Reading:
The Secret Keeper of Jaipur so far so good
Run: Book One
Green Willow And Other Japanese Fairy Tales

QOTW:
Yeah I have a few because I'm at the point where I say close enough. I've been not allowing ya books to count because I end up reading so many. That being said a bunch of the graphic novels I've used for prompts probably count as ya.

Nadine wrote: "Erica wrote: "Lock In ⭐⭐⭐ (2017 got on a trip)
Well I was going to read a John Scalzi book for the online blogger etc. prompt and then I saw this to take at the library so I grabbed it without read..."

Cool. I definitely got the idea to use Scalzi from this group I don't remember who specifically. Curious to see what you think of Old Man's War.

@Nadine the wildstone series is great but I haven't read anything else by her. Each book is centered in Wildstone California but characters are always unconnected. The books follow more than two characters so there's usually sibling dynamics to laugh at while the romance happens.

Happy check-in! Where I live everything is about covid and the election again. Wasn't the year of 2020 supposed to be a loop not 2021? Anyway the leaves are changing colours and days are a little cooler. :( I did go and get my first pumpkin spice latte so that's good. (yep I'm one of those people) My one book club has a fun monthly challenge going on that has prompted me to read quite a bit this month.

Finished Reading;

Lock In ⭐⭐⭐ (2017 got on a trip)
Well I was going to read a John Scalzi book for the online blogger etc. prompt and then I saw this to take at the library so I grabbed it without reading the synopsis. It's a plague book... so this sat on the pile for awhile until now. A trip to the library is the best I'm going to do for the trip prompt so oh well. This was a solid read with pleasant writing. Murder mystery meets plague and politics.

Love for Beginners ⭐⭐⭐
I like this series but this is not the best in it. A standard romance book with the main character restarting her life after a near fatal car accident and coma.

The Mortal Instruments: The Graphic Novel, Vol. 1 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I've only read the first three books of this series and world created by Cassandra Clare. I love the movie and tv show. So graphic novels are awesome too. I just really need to reread the books and continue the series.

Wilf Perreault: In the Alley / Dans la ruelle ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (2017 book with a subtitle)
A coffee table art book about an artist I like. It was a little pretentious when the gallery people had things to say but the collected poetry inspired by specific paintings was great. Plus pretty pictures. :)

Mistletoe in Paradise ⭐⭐⭐
A mindless novella set at Christmas in a series I like.

PS 2021 42/50
PS 2017 43/52
Goodreads 188/200

Currently Reading:
Cemetery Boys BOTM really enjoying this even though it's a bit predictable
Monstress, Vol. 2: The Blood
Green Willow And Other Japanese Fairy Tales
She Who Became the Sun

QOTW:
Seeing how you can only write in the first round I usually try to for all the categories I can. I've read 31 new publications this year. I usually try and write in for favourite authors because awards can bump sales which means more books hopefully.
5 stars this year worth my vote:

Lore by Alexandra Bracken ya fantasy
You'll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey: Crazy Stories about Racism by Amber Ruffin not sure humour, memoir, non fiction
Blood Heir by Ilona Andrews fantasy
The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey Science Fiction
A ​Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maasfantasy ( she doesn't need to win though)
Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo fantasy
Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells science fiction
The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren romance
The Tea Dragon Tapestry by Kay O'Neill middle grade, graphic novel
Bubble by Jordan Morris graphic novel
The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang romance
The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes ya mystery

Still got a month to find additions.

Doni wrote: "Erica wrote: "I wish you luck and a speedy recovery!..."

Thank you, Erica! Surgery went well."

Glad to hear it. 😀

Happy check in! This past labour day weekend was a blast. Lots of football, friends and eating junk food.

Finished Reading:

The ​Crown of Gilded Bones ⭐⭐⭐
This series has been so addictive but at the half-way point in the book I just struggled to read the repetitive dialog and slow moving plot. I finished the book only to discover that it wasn't the end of a trilogy because there are three more books. ugh. I don't know if next year when book four comes out I'll still care to know what happens in the overall story.

Firefly Original Graphic Novel: The Sting ⭐⭐⭐⭐
So the first few pages were in the last Firefly book I read and I didn't realize it was a teaser. Thus I needed to read the actual story. All the female characters in the series team up for a heist. It was great but a little more serious so less humour.

The Magic Fish ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A goodreads graphic novel nominee that looked at me in the library. I finally picked it up after having it in my house for a few weeks. I had no idea going into this, that it uses different fairy tales to help the 13 year old kid talk to his mom about being gay. The thought and intention of the story and artwork from Trung Le Nguyen was amazing. Also this uses Cinderella which is my favourite.

The Hawthorne Legacy ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was an awesome sequel. More puzzles and riddles to solve in short chapters keeping a fast paced book. Naturally I read it in a day. I saw somethings coming but other things left me blind sided.😁 I read the first book earlier this year and it was still too long of wait to get to the Sept. 7 publishing date.

The Heart Principle ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (2021 heart on the cover)
Another highly anticipated 2021 publication that I read in a day. I loved this so much. It really hit home when the mc becomes a caregiver to their parent and struggles with burnout. I was able to be there for my grandmother at the end of her life but I know how it's not easy. This definitely breaks the mould for romance books. :)

PS 2021 42/50
PS 2017 41/52
Goodreads 183/200

Currently reading:
Cemetery Boys BOTM

QOTW:
I dreaded forced reading. I had one teacher that let us pick from a list but the rest gave no options. We also had to read so many hours every month outside of school and get our parents to sign off on it. Shakerspeare was good but a huge chunk of my never again list has required reading.