Alicia’s Comments (group member since Dec 25, 2019)

Alicia’s comments from the Around the Year in 52 Books group.

Nooo I just checked the due dates on my books and it’s May 31st!

This month has been tough for me, despite working from home for the last two weeks. How did it get to be the 19th already?

I've only read 4 books this month so far (down from 15 in January and 11 in February).

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
An Untamed State by Roxane Gay

So far a combination of 3 and 4 stars, but I hated The Starless Sea. If I could have given it 0 stars I would.

I'm currently listening to In the Woods, which is tough since I don't have a regular commute anymore. I'll also finally start House of Earth and Blood which I've been meaning to get to all month. Wish me luck!

One thing we may all be able to get behind will be the number of virus crisis books that will be out in a couple years. Book related to coronavirus should definitely be a prompt for 2022.

My job closed down a week ago until the end of March. I thought it was going to be so much easier to find time to read, but it’s actually been much harder. I always have an audiobook going during my commute, so that cuts those out. Then I feel like there is more or I have a harder time getting away to read. March will be a low number for me.

Always excited to the start of a new month! It's like my eyes are too big for my stomach (or brain, in this case).

I'm doing both ATY and PopSugar. I'm a little further ahead for ATY, and I like keeping them close to even, so some of these will go more to Popsugar.

(1) Red, White & Royal Blue
(2) The Family Upstairs
(3) A Secret History of the IRA: Gerry Adams and the Thirty Year War
(4) Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland
(5) Long Bright River
(6) House of Earth and Blood - I will probably devour on Tuesday as I'm so excited for more Maas in my life.
(7) Scythe
(8) The Silent Patient
(9) The Girl with the Louding Voice
(10) The Princess Bride
(11) The Starless Sea

I'm waiting to see if I like Scythe before adding more, because once I like the start of a series, I have to finish the rest. So March may include Thunderhead and the The Toll

I try to hold off at the end of the month and not start a book that I can't finish that month (weird, I know). But this extra day in February is driving me crazy! I want to start my March reads!

Anyone with me?

Steve wrote: "
Title: Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup
Author: John Carreyrou
..."

You could also use it for the prompt book inspired by a leading news story

Love this thread!

Title: Ayiti
Author: Roxane Gay
Rating: 5 STARS!
Format (Print, eBook, Audio): Print
ATY Prompt you used it for (if applicable): An underrated book, hidden gem, or lesser known book
Brief reason why it was the best: I've read Roxane Gay's other mainstream books and loved it, but I feel like Ayiti and An Untamed State don't get as much attention as the others. Then Ayiti turned out to be my favorite of her books. While some stories are only a page or two they pack a punch. You're immediately wrapped into the new world and the new characters, their struggles, and their joy. Absolutely recommend this book to anyone.

Emily wrote: "Help! My jar of wonders gave me Week 19 (a fantasy book), and I am stumped. I only have three options on my list, and right now, nothing sounds good.

My options are:
..."

Ooh my favorite category! If you aren't a fantasy person, I'd recommend House of Salt & Sorrows. It's more like a mystery/thriller fantasy. There are "gods" and some magic doors but not over the top fantasy.

My February update:

Completed
The Girl in the Tower
Difficult Women
Ember Queen
The Winter of the Witch
The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper - so so bad
Children of Virtue and Vengeance
The Nickel Boys
House of Salt and Sorrows
The Autobiography of Malcolm X
Ayiti

Still Reading
Americanah - will finish tomorrow

Will end up finishing 12 books this month (down from 15 in January). 7 of the books were for the ATY challenge, the rest for PopSugar.

Currently at 15 completed for the ATY challenge. 29% done with the challenge!

ZeeJane wrote: "Congrats on winning Emily!

Sooo, I'm having a reading crisis over here, ugh LOL. I've always gravitated towards 'fluffy' books-lots of historical and contemporary romance, paranormal romance, etc...."

Hey ZeeJane, another good genre may be YA Fantasy. It has your dragon/faerie/witch/other magical goodness at the forefront, but there is always a background romance

Emily wrote: "I have been on SUCH a heavy book kick lately (which is probably contributing to my slump). I picked up a few books for Black History Month, and they have all been dense, emotional reads... and unfo..."

I second With the Fire on High. I'd also recommend Nicola Yoon's two books: Everything, Everything and The Sun Is Also a Star, Becoming which I'd recommend in audiobook form if you can grab it, and the The Wedding Date or any of Jasmine Guillory books for some quick and fun romances.

I'm in the same boat! Was doing really great in January, but hit my slump in February. Hoping to pull it out this upcoming weekend.

I did the exact same thing Emily. Glad to know it’s still just as captivating in print.

Children of Virtue and Vengeance! I’m going to start it tomorrow.

Katie wrote: "I need recommendations for February.

Of the 16 books I've read so far this year, 14 have been nonfiction, and 9 of those have been history or biography. I'm totally on a history kick right now.

A..."

Hey Katie, another good and long biography is The Autobiography of Malcolm X

I need to finish the Winternight Trilogy series and Ember Queen because I've been waiting a year!

Outside of that, I'm going to try to read books by or about black characters in honor of February being black history month. So far I'm thinking:
The Autobiography of Malcolm X
On the Come Up
Americanah
Homegoing
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
The Nickel Boys

Title: The Bear and the Nightingale
Author: Katherine Arden
Rating: 5 stars!
Format (Print, eBook, Audio): Audiobook (Libby)
Brief reason why it was the best: The scenery and characters are rich and powerful, it's a darker fairy tale/fairy tale retelling and I was sucked in by just the first chapter. Can't wait to read the 2nd and 3rd book.

Does anyone think Moscow would be considered a "global city" or are you just sticking to the cities listed in the first post?

As the month comes to an end, I'm feeling good about my progress on the challenge. This is my first book challenge and I'm actually doing this one and PopSugar.

For this challenge, I've read the following:
Red Rising
Morning Star
The Giver
The Bear and the Nightingale - loved this book, highly recommend!
There There
The Bell Jar
Brave New World
The Hand on the Wall

15% done with the challenge! Onto my February reads.