Lina’s Comments (group member since Aug 11, 2018)

Lina’s comments from the EVERYONE Has Read This but Me - The Catch-Up Book Club group.

OVERALL TOTAL: 105pts

October Total: 31pts
2.5pts - 1. Everything I Never Told You, 10/1/20, 292pgs + Review
2.5pts - 2. The Handmaid's Tale, 10/10/20, 311pgs + Review
1.5pts - 3. The Power of Ritual: How to Create Meaning and Connection in Everything You Do, 10/12/20, 224pgs + Review
2.5pts - 4. Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza, 10/21/20, 260pgs + Review
2.5pts - 5. Oona Out of Order, 10/22/20, 339pgs + Review
2.5pts - 6. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, 10/26/20, 258pgs + Review
1.5pts - 7. Ricochet Joe, 10/29/20, 95pgs + Review [Audiobook]
2.5pts - 8. The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, 10/30/20, 250pgs + Review
1.5pts - 9. A Grief Observed, 10/31/20, 76pgs + Review [Audiobook]
1.5pts - 10. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, 10/31/20, 96pgs + Review [Audiobook]

October Quick Reads
1pts - 1. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, 10/22/20, 40pgs + Review
1pts - 2. Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3, 10/22/20, 40pgs + Review
1pts - 3. Peter Rabbit Tales – Goodnight Peter 10/22/20, 16pgs + Review
1pts - 4. Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, 10/23/20, 32pgs + Review
1pts - 5. Five Little Monkeys Reading in Bed, 10/23/20, 40pgs + Review
1pts - 6. Time for Bed, 10/24/20, 28pgs + Review
1pts - 7. The Hiccupotamus, 10/24/20, 32pgs + Review
1pts - 8. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, 10/24/20, 24pgs + Review
1pts - 9. Boo to You!, 10/26/20, 36pgs + Review
1pts - 10. Barnyard Dance, 10/26/20, 24pgs + Review

November Total: 29pts
2.5pts - 1. Tales from Watership Down, 11/5/20, 335pgs + Review
1.5pts - 2. The Screwtape Letters, 11/5/20, 228pgs + Review [Audiobook]
1.5pts - 3. Aristotle in 90 Minutes, 11/7/20, 87pgs + Review [Audiobook]
1.5pts - 4. The Call of the Wild, 11/13/20, 172pgs + Review [Audiobook]
4.0pts - 5. All the Light We Cannot See, 11/14/20, 531pgs + Monthly Read + Review
1.5pts - 6. Animal Farm, 11/16/20, 141pgs + Review [Audiobook]
1.5pts - 7. Convenience Store Woman, 11/21/20, 163pgs + Review [Audiobook]
3.5pts - 8. God Emperor of Dune, 11/24/20, 587pgs + Review
1.5pts - 9. Dear White America: Letter to a New Minority, 11/26/20, 190pgs + Review [Audiobook]

November Quick Reads
1pts - 1. If You Give a Moose a Muffin, 11/21/20, 32pgs + Review
1pts - 2. All Are Welcome, 11/21/20, 44pgs + Review
1pts - 3. The Cat in the Hat, 11/21/20, 61pgs + Review
1pts - 4. Harold's Circus, 11/21/20, 64pgs + Review
1pts - 5. May I Please Have a Cookie?, 11/22/20, 32pgs + Review
1pts - 6. What a Wonderful World, 11/28/20, 32pgs + Review
1pts - 7. Bruce's Big Storm, 11/28/20, 48pgs + Review
1pts - 8. Hello Ninja, 11/28/20, 14pgs + Review
1pts - 9. Dragons Love Tacos, 11/28/20, 32pgs + Review
1pts - 10. The Paper Kingdom, 11/28/20, 40pgs + Review

December Total: 45pts
1.5pts - 1. Man's Search for Meaning, 12/1/20, 221pgs + Review [Audiobook]
3.5pts - 2. The Huntress, 12/1/20, 560pgs + Review
1.5pts - 3. Men Explain Things to Me, 12/5/20, 130pgs + Review [Audiobook]
2.5pts - 4. The Midnight Library, 12/8/20, 288pgs + Review
1.5pts - 5. My Dyslexia, 12/8/20, 128pgs + Review [Audiobook]
1.5pts - 6. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, 12/11/20, 144pgs + Review [Audiobook]
2.5pts - 7. The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever, 12/13/20, 251pgs + Review
1.5pts - 8. The Complete Guide to Astrology: Understanding Yourself, Your Signs, and Your Birth Chart, 12/16/20, 200pgs + Review [Audiobook]
2.5pts - 9. The Tattooist of Auschwitz, 12/17/20, 260pgs + Review
2pts - 10. A Christmas Carol, 12/19/20, 104pgs + Review + BOTM [Audiobook]
2.5pts - 11. Go Set a Watchman, 12/21/20, 278pgs + Review
1.5pts - 12. How to Survive a Robot Uprising: Tips on Defending Yourself Against the Coming Rebellion, 12/22/20, 176pgs + Review [Audiobook]
1.5pts - 13. Fauci, 12/25/20, 200pgs + Review [Audiobook]
2.5pts - 14. When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir, 257pgs + Review
2.5pts - 15. The Art of War, 273pgs + Review [Audiobook]
1.5pts - 16. Betting on You: How to Put Yourself First and (Finally) Take Control of Your Career, 240pgs + Review
2.5pts - 17. The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down: Guidance on the Path to Mindfulness from a Spiritual Leader, 288pgs + Review [Audiobook]

December Quick Reads
1pts - 1. Ten Apples Up On Top!, 12/21/20, 62pgs + Review
1pts - 2. You Will Be My Friend!, 12/21/20, 32pgs + Review
1pts - 3. Mister and Lady Day: Billie Holiday and the Dog Who Loved Her, 32pgs + Review
1pts - 4. Anna, Elsa, and the Secret River, 12/21/20, 40pgs + Review
1pts - 5. The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend, 12/23/20, 40pgs + Review
1pts - 6. The Day the Crayons Came Home, 12/23/20, 48pgs + Review
1pts - 7. Uni the Unicorn, 12/23/20, 48pgs + Review
1pts - 8. Antiracist Baby, 12/25/20, 24pgs + Review
1pts - 9. A is for Activist, 12/25/20, 32pgs + Review
1pts - 10. Mitford at the Fashion Zoo, 12/25/20, 40pgs + Review

Sagittarius ♐️ here for team FIRE 🔥 please. 👍🏽

What a beautiful book. I wasn’t sure what I expected but the enduring love of two sisters for decades and across a wide variety of experiences was something I was really drawn to. The ideas that Shug shares about God are also lovely. I’m really glad I finally read this book!

I always really look forward to the challenge. It is what got me going into reading again a few years ago. I personally don’t feel like it has to be tied to the Hogwarts theme. But do think that the teams and points (whatever the theme) help to drive people to challenge themselves in new ways. I think we all just need to personally be ok with contributing as much as we can but not feeling bad if you aren’t obtaining the most points in your team. There will always be people who try to read for points strategically and as long as it gets us all reading, it doesn’t really matter to me what books those actually are. :)

I’m late but just starting today. Will check in later to see what everyone thought!

I still have not started, but too bad it wasn’t the best read for either of you! I haven’t read all of your comments because I still want to attempt to read it at some point but now feel less of a sense of urgency. I have found that fantasy has started to not interest me as much as it used to. Enjoy your other reads! ❤️

Hey there! Doing well, thank you! How are you?

This sounds like a great idea to me. Looking forward to reading with you!

I hadn’t heard of this book before we chose to read it here, but one of the characters in another book I just finished reading “No Woman is a Man” said it was one of her favorite books. Looking forward to reading alongside you all!

I am looking forward to reading this book with everyone. I had not heard of it before it was chosen, but coincidentally in one of the books I recently read (A Woman is No Man) one of the characters talks about it being one of her favorites. 👍🏽

I’m just starting this audiobook, narrated by Bill Homewood. I finished Les Mis last quarter so one of these days/quarters I will be on the same schedule as you all. I am looking forward to this one, most of my favorite friends love it so it must be good!

I have a hard time choosing a favorite. I love that they all have different strengths and distinct personalities.

Thinking about Bigwig’s last encounter with Woundwort makes me teary as well!!

I will say Fiver for being the visionary. Blackberry for being the brains. Bigwig for being the soldier. Pipkin for his courage and Hazel for his leadership! So, everyone? Haha

I can’t remember the names of the females from Efrafa, but the ones that had the courage to escape... ugh. The poem that one recites? So heartbreaking.

Anyone want to do a Buddy Read for the follow up book? Tales from Watership Down? I just love these rabbits. ❤️

I hadn't heard of this book before we had selected to read it as a group. I really enjoyed the book.

I enjoyed the characters and learning all about the world of rabbits. I found myself trying to explain some of the lapine terms to my spouse and couldn't quite do it justice. I had also told my daughter that I was reading a book about rabbits and she asked what their names were, as I described them she said "those are funny names" and I thought, "yeah I guess they kind of are".

I decided not to read the author's opinion or anyone else's because I wanted to form my own opinion and while I think there are always themes that are present in any story, I enjoyed it just as a story about a band of rabbits who learn to work together as a team, play to each others strengths and challenge the convention of what rabbits are "supposed" to do.

I really thought highly of Hazel's leadership and vision.

My daughter is 4, I probably couldn't see her wanting to read it very soon - but I am definitely going to encourage her to read it as she grows in her reading capacity. I agree that I think we tend to shield children from too much. In doing so, topics become taboo and harder to talk about as they get older. I try to talk to my daughter like I would someone my own age and explain everything as matter of factly as possible.

I really enjoyed this book and have found a new favorite.

Sincerely,
Lina-rah (haha)

Looks like I’m in good company so far. I am looking forward to reading this book. It is something I probably wouldn’t have had myself read otherwise. Looking forward to reading alongside the group!

I’m just about done with my next couple of books. Just let me know when you’re ready and have it and I will start along with you. 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

I finished this earlier this week. I’ve been wanting to read a book by Neil Gaimann and I couldn’t put this one down. I ended up rating it 3 stars but it’s probably more like 3.5. I felt almost like there were too many characters and storylines. But it was extremely interesting and has also got me interested in his other works too. I felt confused a bit by Shadows desire to do the vigil and why suddenly he seemed more alive in that act. I did not like most of the gods, but liked the town of Lakeside. Every now and then buts and pieces come back to me and I think “how was that related to the overall story?” Or “that part was weird”. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

January - March: Oldest Books on TBR
Books Read: 5/5
Read 01/19 - 1. To Kill a Mockingbird
Read 03/01 - 2. The Nightingale
Read 01/23 - 3. Between the World and Me
Read 01/29 - 4. I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban
Read 02/17 - 5. The Bell Jar

April - June: Books You Already Own
Books Read: 5/5
Read 04/05 - 1. The Girl from Everywhere
Read 05/25 - 2. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
Read 05/11 - 3. Untamed
Read 05/28 - 4. Dune
Read 04/18 - 5. Cinder

July - September: Books With Your Name Letters
Books Read: 5/5
Read 07/26 - 1. L | Lethal White
Read 08/19 - 2. I | I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness
Read 08/08 - 3. N | No Ego: How Leaders Can Cut the Cost of Workplace Drama, End Entitlement, and Drive Big Results
Read 09/03 - 4. A | Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
Read 07/06 - 5. B | Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood

October - December: Books That Are Part of a Series
Books Read: 5/5
Read 10/10 - 1. The Handmaid's Tale
Read 11/05 - 2. Tales from Watership Down
Read 11/24 - 3. God Emperor of Dune
Read 10/29 - 4. The Restaurant at the End of the Universe
Read 10/31 - 5. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Oh man, that is frustrating. I’m frantically trying to finish American Gods so I will be ready whenever you happen to get it but no rush. There are always so many books to read! Looking forward to discussing with you both!

Thank you everyone!! Thank you Betsy for being an amazing Mod! Until next year indeed! Rah rah, Ravenclaw!

I forgot to post that I’m reading along with you guys! This is my first Neil Gaman book. I’m in the mood for some magic but still set in this world so this is perfect.

Oh man. I didn’t realize there was a thread up for this. I will get the book today and can start reading whenever! Yay!