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

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

Nadine wrote: "Erica wrote: "DNF:
Dial A for Aunties I don't like this trope and didn't realize it was used before I started the book. ..."


I just started this! Which trope should I be bracing myself for?"

The main character covers up a death/crime/murder. I can understand why a lot of people enjoy the book but I just couldn't get passed the trope right now.

Happy check-in! It's super hot and dry here, causing fire troubles. With so many water troubles, too much or too little, the world over I don't think it's wrong to be upset about people watering their lawns too much.
Anyway reading is a good activity for hot weather.

Finished Reading:

On the Way to the Wedding ⭐⭐⭐
I finally finished this series.

From Blood and Ash ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This seems to be hit or miss with people but I gave it a shot. This has flaws but I still found it entertaining and I'm addicted. Waiting for book two to show up on overdrive is tedious.

Fruits Basket, Vol. 4 ⭐⭐⭐
Not sure where the series is going. It's a little boring just meeting the new zodiacs every book.

Almost Midnight ⭐⭐⭐⭐
These two short stories by Rainbow Rowell were adorable. The second story is for all Star Wars fans.

Heartstopper: Volume Three ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was my favourite so far.

PS 2021 39/50
PS 2017 36/52
Goodreads 153/200

DNF:
Dial A for Aunties I don't like this trope and didn't realize it was used before I started the book.

Currently Reading:

Lore
And Then There Were None
Ironskin

QOTW:

I would say no however these past few months I have taken notice of Tor books.

@Cendaquenta thanks for posting the gif even if it's not your dog!

Cendaquenta wrote: "I have a Very Important Dog Update too!

I recently discovered my rescue dog has, at some point, been trained to do this:



Of course, myself and my mother have been more or less permanently makin..."

How does one move forward after discovering this?? ;)

Thanks everyone who chimed in on The Lightning Thief. It's good to know about the movie and future series. The casting has always made the movie look interesting. Maybe I'll read the series first.

Happy check in! I managed to read a bunch of short books this week. I got my most dreaded prompt finished! 😀 14 users labeled the book as magical realism on goodreads so that's enough for me.

Finished Reading:

Strange Planet: The Sneaking, Hiding, Vibrating Creature ⭐⭐⭐⭐
So didn't realize this was a picture book until I started reading the ebook. I liked this so much more than the collections aimed at adults. This was cute and actually funny.

Weird Things Customers Say in Bookstores ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (2021 dream job)
This finally came in from the library and I read it immediately. It did not disappoint. I giggled out loud throughout reading it. I thought it was a graphic novel/comic but it just had some artwork every now and then. I wanted to use this book for a prompt and this was the best option available.

The Lightning Thief ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I now understand why Riordan books are so popular. I'm really looking forward to continuing this series. I love how the Greek mythology has been used. Also I can go and watch the movie now.

The Deal of a Lifetime and Other Stories ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The two main short stories/novellas were beautiful the final really short story was a dud.

Cairo: A Graphic Novel ⭐⭐⭐ (2021 magical realism)
I wanted to like this more but it was so light on the mythology which is what made me pick this up in the first place. Plus it's such a gorgeous cover. The author was very careful in how people of different perspectives interacted with each other.

Cook Korean!: A Comic Book with Recipes ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (2021 different format)
It never occurred to me that you could have a graphic novel cookbook. I really enjoyed this although what I find easy when cooking and what the author finds easy are a bit different. I like to avoid dishes and I think rinsing everything multiple times is bad water usage. I did learn lots and the artwork is great. The instructions seem straight forward but I don't have time to try things out before this has to be returned to the library. Definitely made me hungry while reading this though. I think I need t borrow this again.

New Moon: The Graphic Novel, Vol. 1 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I finally got around to reading this. It made me want to reread Twilight. Also it made New Moon better. :)

The Giving Tree ⭐⭐
What a depressing little children's book. Now I know why my mom hated this and never read it to me. I'm unsure why this is so popular, although I do love the tree.

PS 2021 39/50
PS 2017 35/52
goodreads 148/200

Currently Reading:
On the Way to the Wedding
And Then There Were None
Ironskin

QOTW:
If I'm obsessed with the series then I will need to track down every little thing pertaining to it. :) Which makes it very frustrating when they can't be found or are unreasonably priced.
I'm currently reading the Bridgerton series for the first time and all the books have a second epilogue that was created many years after the series was finished. The epilogues have technically spoiled books to come but it hasn't bothered me because these aren't the books you read if you want to not see things coming. Some of them have been good and others have been boring.
If I don't care about the series as much then I'm good to leave the extras alone.

@Ashleigh
I love this series but it has been a while since I read it last.

This fits #7 dream job if you want to be a librarian.
I don't know how closely you want things to fit but you could stretch it for #9 family tree. It doesn't have an actual family tree in the book but genealogy is quite important to the overall story.
#19 body positivity could also be stretched because Lirael spends a lot of time not fitting in because of her looks and she grows to accept herself.

Title: Remote Control
Author: Nnedi Okorafor
Recommend? If you're a fan of Okorafor's sure. It was a little confusing.

Natasha wrote: "Happy Thursday. I made it! Barely!

I'm back in NYC and along with about 5000 of my neighbors decided to hit up Orchard Beach for the 99 degree day Wednesday. It actually didn't get crazy crowded ..."

I read Galatea this past week as well. I too wanted more. It was still good. Hercules Bow seems to be in special editions of Song of Achilles. I was sad to find out her next book isn't Greek mythology inspired but Shakespeare inspired. I still probably read it and love it.

@Lynn I'm curious how you label James Patterson books for genre. Do you they count as horror to you? I ask because I've only read one of his books and have watched a couple of movies and found them gruesome, yet I'll read horror genre books.

Happy check-in! We are officially under this heat dome thing. Lytton BC set new records for Canada three days in a row to come out of the dome and be burned up by a forest fire. As far as I know they managed to evacuate people in time. While I don't have air conditioning I am grateful to have my home with a basement. Hopefully my part of the country is better prepared than BC has been.
This week also I spent 6 hours in the drive through to get my second jab. Totally worth it seeing as how they kept running out last week. Naturally I got a really stiff arm and needed to wash my hair. 🤦‍♀️
I read a lot of books, 27, in June because of a bingo challenge that was a lot of fun.

Finished Reading:

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time ⭐⭐ (2017 a book involving travel)
This started off great and got very tedious in the middle. It died as soon as Christopher solved the murder. This caused a great BOTM discussion.

10 Sure Signs a Movie Character Is Doomed, and Other Surprising Movie Lists ⭐
A book of lists that has not aged well. I don't think the author would have got away with some of these lists had it been published today. It does show that the movie industry has made some improvement on diversity in 20 years. This quickly solved a bingo prompt.

Child of the Hunt ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (2017 from a used book sale)
This is a new story set during the 3rd season of the tv show. Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder write the best Buffy novels. It felt like a new episode of the show. $4 well spent.

Star Daughter ⭐⭐
A girl in New Jersey who is half star half human following Hindu mythology. Buddy read this with someone in India who was very helpful to explain anything I didn't understand, no glossary. We all gave it 2 stars. The mythology and writing style were good but the characters and plot needed a lot of work.

Fruits Basket Collector's Edition, Vol. 3 ⭐⭐⭐
I seem to get more and more confused by this series. The take on the Chinese Zodiac is great though.

The Curse of Tenth Grave ⭐⭐⭐ (2021 TBR favourite thing: coffee)
10 down 3 to go. Although there may be a novella or two. This urban fantasy series about the grim reaper is on my craptactular shelf.

PS 2021 36/50
PS 2017 35/52
Goodreads 140/200

Currently Reading:
And Then There Were None BOTM
Dial A for Aunties I may dnf this, I didn't realize it was the covering up a murder trope which I don't like

QOTW:
Not really it just has to be easy on the brain. So rom-coms and urban fantasy.

Happy check in! Weirdly all the books I read this week were physical copies from the library, yet the pile is still huge???

Finished Reading:
Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History and Maus II: A Survivor's Tale: And Here My Troubles Began ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (2021 book about art or an artist)
This is a powerful memoir and it has new meaning to read whilst my country keeps discovering unmarked graves from residential schools.

A Man Called Ove ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (2017 takes place over a character's life span)
The funniest book I've ever read about suicide. Backman is fantastic at creating different characters who's lives inter weave. I really want to see the movie with Tom Hanks now.

Little Prince 75th Anniversary Edition: Includes the History and Making of the Classic Story ⭐⭐⭐ (2021 everybody else has read)
So this is the version the library sent me. 😒 I did not need or want to read about themes and philosophy of the book and author. Nor did I need to read a comparison of all the typos between editions. I read it anyway and once is enough. The original story is cute and I can understand why it is beloved but it's not that amazing to me.

Fruits Basket, Vol. 2 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was a bit confusing but still an interesting story.

Currently Reading:
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Star Daughter ya fantasy with Hindu mythology
Child of the Hunt

QOTW:
I'm at 35/50 for this year's popsugar and I'm also doing 2017's list which I'm at 33/52. I've read 134/200 for my goodreads challenge, although I've got many graphic novels and some picture books in this total. I could be done 2021 if I wasn't using some books for 2017 and not allowing my ya addiction to count. I had scoped out some books at the start of the year and I was sticking to my 'plan' pretty well. I'm at the point now where I want to be done so I just fit a book I read in where ever I can, I've let a few books that count as ya in but they are classics. The 1990's prompt was easy to fill for me but I'm dreading magical realism so bad. I'm also starting to dislike the tbr prompts despite being excited at the start of the year.

@Nadine I'll be curious to see what you think of American Elsewhere, the synopsis didn't pique my interest. Definitely recommend Foundryside to SFF fans.

Happy check-in.

Finished Reading:

African Voices - Poetry & Tales ⭐⭐⭐
I enjoyed the tales more than the poetry.

Nimona ⭐⭐
I wanted to like this more but the only joke that was funny to me was at the beginning and the rest just was boring. :(

Bleach (3-in-1 Edition), Vol. 1: Includes vols. 1, 2 & 3 ⭐⭐⭐
Teenage boy who can see ghosts unexpectedly becomes a grim reaper. I still don't understand why it is called Bleach. Best guess it refers to his hair which is naturally red???

Foundryside ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (2017 espionage thriller) I may have stretched here :)
This was a great SFF. Interesting concept of mixing magic and computer coding in a feudal society. Strong characters, snarky humour, not completely predictable so I'm good to read the next one.

It's in His Kiss ⭐⭐⭐
The best relationship in this book wasn't between the two main characters. Oh well still an entertaining historical romance just not the best in the series. However there is a romance book read by the characters in the book, which they love and make fun of, that is going to be published later this year as a graphic novel. Miss Butterworth and the Mad Baron I can't wait for this.

Enough! 20+ Protesters Who Changed America⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is a good picture book. Every protestor gets a page and a short synopsis at the end. This is the updated version.

Grave Destiny ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The final reread before the final book. This one fights for favourite of the series with book one. Things are set up for, finger crossed, a good ending.

PS 2021 33/50
PS 2017 32/52
Goodreads 129/200

Currently Reading:
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time BOTM
A Man Called Ove This is going much better than Anxious People for me
Star Daughter

QOTW:
Well I have read very few books published before 1950 so I have no hidden gems to contribute to the list but I've enjoyed seeing other people's picks.

Happy check-in!

Finished Reading:

I Lost My Talk ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rita Joe is a residential school survivor and established poet. One of her poems about the 'school' was used to make this picture book.

When He Was Wicked ⭐⭐⭐ (2021 set in multiple countries)
Bridgerton book 6 check. I love the author's dedications at the start of every book, there usually funny.

Fruits Basket, Vol. 1 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A hugely popular manga from the nineties. I'll be continuing this series because I enjoy it. The author did explain the title but I still didn't really understand. Anyway this is about the Chinese Zodiac and not fruit. One family has been cursed to by the spirits of the original zodiac so naturally we follow teenagers in the series.

The Gunslinger ⭐ (2017 becoming a movie in 2017)
I do not like westerns I should have known better, but I needed to read this specific book to complete a challenge in a different group. The writing was so indirect and King spent paragraphs on describing grass yet one sentence to kill off a main character, and I nearly missed it. Also I want to read some of the classics by King hopefully his other books are better.

Dune: the Graphic Novel, Book 1 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is a gorgeous graphic novel that depicts the first section of Dune. However I think I had an allergic reaction to the book, major watering eyes that were dry and blood shot when I went to bed. New book smell was too chemically I think. Can't wait for volumes 2 and 3.

All Systems Red ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I re-read this and upgraded my rating to 5 stars. What's left to say about this series, you should read it.

PS 2021 33/50
PS 2017 31/52
Goodreads 122/200

Currently Reading:
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
African Voices - Poetry & Tales
Star Daughter
Bleach (3-in-1 Edition), Vol. 1: Includes vols. 1, 2 & 3
Foundryside

QOTW:

Exclusive shelves:
Read
Want to Read
Currently Reading
Maybe (usually things recommended, classics, weird titles, series I've started but I'm not sure about continuing)
DNF
Poems/Short Stories (then they don't mess up my read count)

Exclusive:
All-Time Favourites

Regular:
Challenge shelves
Fandom shelves ie Harry Potter, Buffyverse, Austenland
Short stories/novellas
Ya, Tween and Children's
Some genres
Never again
and others

Sarah wrote: "Hi everyone. I'm a little pink from the nice weather yesterday but not sore luckily!

My nephew was watching me on Goodreads yesterday and asking questions about how it works. Then, in the two min..."

Moxie on Netflix with Amy Poehler is really good.

@Theresa thanks for posting the link. I love the one about shapewear. :)

Nadine wrote: "Erica wrote: "The Girl of Fire and Thorns ⭐⭐⭐
This was a surprise. I hadn't heard of this until I saw a buddy read going on and I joined in for a comforting read. Ya fantasy about a princess that h..."

I just summarized the author's explanation so I would suggest borrowing it just to read the author's note if you've already read it. I love when I finish a book and the author's note makes me re-evaluate the whole book.

Cendaquenta wrote: "Evening... no news here this week. Just a few more days till the post-vaccine 2 weeks is up and it's safe to start going out into the world again. Can't quite decide whether I want to go bookshoppi..."

Wow that's smart marketing to rescue books. I read House of the Rising Sun last year and gave it 2 stars. I read the author's one series years ago and this is the start to a spin off, which I didn't realize until I was a good chunk into the book. :) I can't remember my reasoning for my rating but that's probably a sign that it didn't stand out when I read a lot of urban fantasy. Hope you have fun trying new random books.

Happy check-in. It is a scorcher today. I finally don't look like an oompaloompa anymore due to my own stupidity of reading outside without sunscreen. 🤦‍♀️
I too discovered that my clothes didn't fit when I switched over to summer stuff, staying at home and eating will do that.

Finished Reading:

Watchmen ⭐ (2017 set in two different time periods)
I hated this! I so don't understand why this is considered a classic. It's just depressing and boring not art to me. What really killed the book for me was the end of a chapter where the one character's paper on owls or hawks (I don't remember) was thrown in for me to read.

The Girl of Fire and Thorns ⭐⭐⭐
This was a surprise. I hadn't heard of this until I saw a buddy read going on and I joined in for a comforting read. Ya fantasy about a princess that has a Godstone in her belly making her capable of magic. I was giggling out loud when I lost count of how many times the love interest drugged her food/drink yet she still saw him as a winner. Also it had a love triangle that for the first time I can think of both (view spoiler)[love interests were killed off by the end of the book. (hide spoiler)] This is from 2011 but there was an update from the author recently explaining her inspiration for this book. She had a terrible date where her ex-boyfriend stopped her ordering dessert. So body image and food were huge parts of this story.

Meg ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (2021 tbr ugly cover)
So I loved this movie and needed to read the book. Here's the winning ugly cover or other ugly cover possibilities . Here's the copy the library sent me... Thanks library! Anyway this book was awesome and hard to put down although I like what the movie did better. Prehistoric shark that we thought was extinct shows up to eat people.

Frostbite: The Graphic Novel ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Shadow Kiss ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I like these graphic novels based on her series a bit better. They're more to the point.

Turtles All the Way Down ⭐⭐⭐
This was quite interesting reading about anxiety induced thought spirals. I wanted to give the main character a hug a lot.

PS 2021 32/50
PS 2017 29/52
Goodreads 116/200

Currently Reading:
Foundryside
When He Was Wicked

QOTW:
Nope, just use overdrive. Although I think I might read something off Gutenberg to accomplish different format.