Sheri’s Comments (group member since Jul 25, 2016)

Sheri’s comments from the EPBOT Readers group.

Hi everyone!

Enjoying some decidedly spring like weather again this week. Getting some cold next week, so enjoying it while it lasts. Even saw robins on the lawn! Cats are loving the sunbeams.

Book club

I have put up a new thread for picking a book for April! https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Feel free to make suggestions! Any genre welcome.

This week I finished:

The Leavers - this was just ok for me. Kind of a rollercoaster of "hey this is moving along" and "ughh dragging". The story was kind of sad, and i feel for the general circumstances of the characters. But the way they were written, I didn't personally connect with any of them so it was hard to really get invested. Counting it for popsugar multiple countries, book nerds author I haven't read before, around the year a book involving an immigrant.

A Phoenix First Must Burn - book of short stories by Black women, all SFF, mostly involving Black women leads. Short story collections are all hit or miss for me, I rarely LOVE all the stories. But this one I think came out better than most, some of the stories were a little meh but none were terrible, and several were interesting enough I looked up the authors to see what else they wrote. Counting it for Read Harder SFF collection edited by a person of color, popsugar book I think my best friend would like, reading women book cover designed by a woman, and book nerds book of short stories.

What's Mine and Yours - got this ARC free from my library as a reading challenge prize. I only just got to it, book's actually coming out this month (assuming it's not already out). I liked it pretty well, but something just didn't quite click into "really liked" or "loved". I think I'm finding that I don't mind timeline jumps, and I don't mind changing perspectives, but doing them together needs to be handled delicately. I get annoyed if I have to constantly have to keep track of just whose perspective and what year I'm in.
Used for popsugar book published this year, book nerds book published this year, aty book published this year (popular prompt, huh?), and Reading Women's book with a biracial protagonist.

QOTW:

Obviously if we're in this group, we're all readers. Are there any writers here? What do you write?

I am an all over the place writer. Tends to go in spurts. Sometimes I'll get really productive and write every day for a good span. Then something interrupts it and then I won't write anything for months. have trouble finding time/energy/concentration for all the things I like to do! I have a novel that I've probably started over 8 times over the last decade, a children's book I have a bunch of notes on but never actually pulled together, and a bunch of ideas and character sketches for a comic that I still haven't actually written.
It's currently march of robots so I'm drawing my children's book characters mostly, hoping that I can turn all the quick drawings into motivation to actually get a story written, that I can illustrate properly.

Opening up a thread for thinking about our next book!

Same rules as usual apply:

1) Please don't just list books you're planning to read. Give a sentence or two on why you think we should read a book as a book club.

2) If you made a suggestion before, please re-submit it for this time to be included. I won't be going to past suggestion threads, this is a new round.

3) If someone already listed something you like/what you would suggest, you can "vote " for it by adding support. You can add your own reasoning why you think we should read it.

After that, we'll gather up the books that have the most support and put them into a proper poll for the final selection.

Oh I've heard good things about The Princess in Black. Also saw a thing from the author that said she was so frustrated with schools and the like. I guess she's had schools that invited ONLY the girls to her assemblies, or told the boys to just "sit quietly and try not to look bored", or univited her saying they wanted something that would appeal to both boys and girls. Even though plenty of boys love her work, if they arent' discouraged from reading it. I've meant to check it out! I have a children's book idea brewing and been collecting a list of good ones to check out so I can get a feel of how to write one. (I've been mostly working on illustrations)

Rebecca, I avoided the Sherlock ones because I’m so sick to death of Sherlock stories, haha. Sorry! I like Nan and Sara, I liked their earlier books. Home from the sea is one of my favorites. But yeah I’ve not loved a lot of her more recent books which makes me sad. I might try Jolene though because she’s finally left off Sherlock.

Hi everyone,

Hope everyone is doing well! Enjoyed the above freezing weather until it went back to being cold today. Looks like weather is warming up next week though!

This week I finished:

Fables Compendium One - this was a massive beast! And it's only the first of 3. over 1200 pages, of nice high quality gloss, I think it weighed at least 10 lbs. A bit awkward for carrying around the house! It was nice to blaze through the whole thing in a sitting though. I get annoyed having to switch out issues repeatedly, it's nice to get a big swath of story at once. counted for Booknerds graphic novel prompt.

The Testaments - books & brew picked this for our march read, discussing tuesday. I probably wouldn't have chosen to read this right now, I in fact didn't read it when it came out because it was in the "too real" level of dystopia. And that was BEFORE an actual attempted coup that was only two months ago. So it was well written, engaging, I wanted to know what happened, but man it was mentally trying right now.

after that I went on a comics binge as a palette cleanser.

Big Girls, Vol. 1 - this series is fun, giant women facing off against big monsters, kinda Pacific Rim ish but with more social commentary.

We Only Find Them When They're Dead Vol. 1 - this one is also sort of Pacific Rim ish but more in the sense of how Ron Peralman's crew stripped down the dead Kaiju and sold the parts. But in space. Art's really nice, interesting idea, plot feels a little thin so far. Hopefully picks up as it goes on.

An Unkindness of Ravens - feels very Sabrina modern reboot-like. Sort of dark teen magic. Like it fine

Seven Secrets Vol. 1 - i like this one too, bunch of secrets in briefcases that must be protected for the fate of the world. Of course others want those secrets. Secret society, secret cases, more general secrets., secret bases. It's all very secretive.

Ascender, Vol. 2: The Dead Sea & Ascender, Vol. 3: The Digital Mage - I ADORE the artwork of this, lovely watercolor in a striking palate. The story isn't quite as good as Descender, but i still really like it.

Currently reading:

The Leavers - this isn't really grabbing me so far. I think i put it on request at my library a couple years ago when it'd fit a prompt, but never came in until now. I'll stick at it a little longer.

1Q84- didn't actually make new progress.

QOTW: Another question from Kathy: Do you have any recommendations for new kids/middle grade books that would appeal to adults? (such as newer than 2000)

I feel like my suggestions are pretty obvious, Percy Jackson and basically anything Rick Riordan. I also really enjoyed the Aru Shah books by Roshani Chokshi which are very similar in format/style to Rick Riordan but pulling from various Indian myths.

I also enjoy the My Little Pony comics, I find they're kinda similar to the show in that they're aimed at and appropriate for children, but plenty of jokes/references for the adults reading.

Shel, reading challenges are meant to be fun, not stressful. Usually I don’t count re-reads unless it’s been so long since I read it that I can’t remember it. But that’s me and I know I read a lot so won’t have trouble finishing. Also pretty sure first year I did a challenge at all I did use rereads. So I’d say if it makes it less pressure for you, go for rereads. You can always go back and switch up your list if you end up reading things that fit that aren’t re reads if it bugs you later

Oh nice! I loved A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking

Hi everyone,

Hope you are all doing well this week! I'm happy that it's been sunny and above freezing. I'm so ready for spring. This is Michigan, so I 100% know we'll get more cold and nastiness before weather really improves. But I'll take the brief reprieve! I think we might actually go down into Detroit this weekend just to get out of the house. Walk around, pop into a couple stores, get some take out from some of our favorite places to eat in the car. (obviously while masked, distanced etc.) .

This week I finished:

Plain Bad Heroines - This was a lot of fun, I'm here for queer gothic horror! I picked it up based on the title and the cover, not really paying attention that it was a 600+ page book along with the other two 600+ page books I also picked up, haha. At least library's being generous with the auto-renews. I counted it for popsugar magical realism, book nerds book with illustrations, ATY book related to "my favorite things", Reading women featuring a queer love story. (i wouldn't call it a romance, but there were multiple queer romantic interests)

Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools - this was well researched and written, though it's hard to say "enjoyable" for stuff like this. I am glad I read it, learned more upsetting things about our US school system. Using it for popsugar social justice book, book nerds book with odd number of pages, ATY book by an author whose name doesn't have ATY in it, Read Harder investigative nonfiction by a PoC author.

Currently Reading:

1Q84 - put in another few chapters, i don't love it but I don't hate it either. Hopefully starts coming together more. Just kind of weird right now. Popsugar's longest book on my TBR

Fables Compendium One - this was the other 600 + (more like 1000+) page book i picked up at the library at a whim. Man, it's HEAVY. Would qualify as a melee weapon, I think. First 40 issues or so.

The Testaments - my next Books & Brews read for March. Liking it so far, but it took me a while to realize the first person perspective was shifting, i didn't realize the icons at each section part indicated a character shift, just thought they were general art.

QOTW: Kathy suggested that since several people in here are doing the BookNerds challenge, and one of the prompts is a book recommended by someone doing the challenge, that we have a recommendations question. So what books would you all recommend?

I personally tend to tailor my recommendations to who I'm specifically talking to. Mainly because I know everyone has different tastes, so I wouldn't recommend a romance to someone I know hates them, or something sci fi to someone I know doesn't read it.

If anyone would like any specific recommendations, feel free to ask for those!

But here's a few of my general favorites:

Gideon the Ninth - This is still a standout book in my mind. I love the genre mashing of fantasy-horror-sci-fi-mystery. I can't resist space magic! I also find Gideon to be hilarious, loved her banter with Harrow.

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet - I know we already read this as a group, but hey there's new members here that might have missed it. Love the space crew on a long voyage vibes, I thought it was well written and a lot of fun. And the rest of the series is also very good! I am very excited for the 4th book coming out soon.

The City We Became - NK Jemison is great, I know most of us really enjoyed the The Fifth Season. This is the start of another series, set in a more real-world scenario. I found it really powerful, was blown away after I finished.


I've read a lot of good books, so I'd certainly give more recommendations if anyone has any specific they'd like!

Not exactly a detective book, but I did ebioy Strange Practice by Vivian Shaw, first of the Greta VanHelsing books. Greta is a doctor to the supernatural but gets pulled into a mystery when someone’s attacking her clients. The regular world doesn’t know about the supernatural so Greta doesn’t really have authorities to turn to so investigates herself with the help of friends/clients

I will say I think Dresden files does hit its stride around book 4, but that’s not me saying “go read more”. I won’t deny Harry’s written to be pretty sexist, and while he acknowledges it himself, doesn’t really change behavior much. I can still generally enjoy the epic adventure ok while rolling eyes at Harry, but I totally get when people say that’s a deal breaker for them. There’s plenty of other good urban fantasy out there!

Marina, I get what you’re saying about Dresden. I still like it ok, but I don’t LOVE it like some do.

Have you tried October Daye books by Seanan McGuire? Half fae detective, lots of fun stories.

Jennifer, My book club read Crawdads a while ago and I felt kind of the same. It was fine, liked it reasonably well, glad I read it, but it wasn't the OMG hype that a lot of people seem to have for it.

Rebecca, I actually did read Native Son in high school! I think my district must have tried a bit harder than some for diversity. I remember also reading Raisin in the Sun, and A Color Purple. Not an amazing selection, but more than the zero it seems like other schools did.

Hi everyone, hope you are all holding in there.

I don' t know if anyone in the group is in Texas, hope you are staying safe and warm if so. Hope everyone is, really!

This week I finished:

Empire of Wild - this was pretty good, but the ending was extremely abrupt and left me confused. I couldn't tell if it was a cliffhanger for another book later, or if I was supposed to read something into it that I was clearly not grasping. Counted this for Popsugar book by an Indigenous author, Read Harder genre fiction by an Indigenous author, ATY cross genre book (horror-thriller-paranormal), Book Nerds book with a nonhuman character.

The House in the Cerulean Sea - I really loved this, so charming. I think my books & brew is going to do it later in the year, i'll have to do the print version. The audio book was a good rendition, but I have trouble fully absorbing the whole thing. I'll get more once I read it in print. Still fills the HP loving part of my heart that is kind of vacant right now. I've not really been able to even think about HP without feeling sad, so it's nice to find a good story in a similar vein that I can feel good about. Counted for Popsugar book about fresh starts, ATY book set on an island, Read Harder book where a beloved pet doesn't die, Book Nerds book with N, S, C in the title.

Currently Reading:

Plain Bad Heroines - Enjoying this so far, sort of a creepy horror story meets making of horror movie type thing.

Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools - well written and researched, obviously not very light reading.

1Q84 - still plugging away, read another chapter or so.

Sorry no question this week, been migrained and can't think.

Haha sorry meant 21

Hi everyone,

Been a rough week at work, dealing with a stressful project. Late check in post!

Hope everyone is doing well!

This week I finished:

The Burning God - finished up the Poppy War series. I have to say that war books aren't my favorite. But this one was captivating enough I wanted to finish. That being said, was kind of disappointed in this one. It was a rough read, lots of violence, bad conditions, death, injury etc. The ending was kind of a letdown. I understand why it ended that way, and honestly maybe it's the only way it COULD have ended, but it still wasn't a satisfying conclusion, for me. Counting it for popsugar book set mostly outside, Booknerds related to fire, ATY book with title and author name both containing u, reading women book over 500 pages.

The Old Guard, Book Two: Force Multiplied - I liked this, interesting because I had thought the movie was changing things from the book. But i was reading the afterword, and looks like the author of the comic actually wrote the screenplay. And a lot of the things set up at the end of the movie were segued into this second book.

Cat's Cafe: A Comics Collection - just wanted something fun and cheerful, and I love this webcomic. Couldn't resist when i saw it on hoopla.

Crooked Kingdom - finished this up, i admit i waited far too long to read it after Six of Crows. I only vaguely remembered Kaz and Inej, I couldn't remember basically anything else from the first book. That being said, I still enjoyed the story of this. I'll have to go back and read them back to back at some point. Counted for book nerds book with a criminal, aty book set in a made up place.

Snotgirl, Vol. 3: Is This Real Life? - This is such a weird series, but I'm strangely enamored of it haha. It's full of drama which normally I can't stand, but it's weird drama so I like it.

Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 1 & Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 2 - the covers caught my eye on Hoopla, so I grabbed them. It's weird, can't do horror movies at all. Horror comics I'm fine with. Horror books are hit or miss. It's pretty violent, probably wouldn't recommend to the group at large. But I do love a good monster hunter, and I kinda want to cosplay Erica Slaughter if cons are ever a thing again.

Currently reading:

Empire of the Wild - not super far in this yet, book involving the rougarou. Counting it for Popsugar book by Indigenous author, Read Harder genre fiction by an Indigenous author, reading women book inspired by folklore.

The House in the Cerulean Sea - still doing audio book. I like the reader, but I'll probably still re-read it in print soon. The librarian who runs my book club said she was going to pick it for the next round of books, and wasn't sure she should since I was reading it already, told her not to worry. So i'll probably grab the print in a couple months to refresh.

1Q84 - haven't actually touched this this week, will get back to it soon.

QOTW: Borrowing from Popsugar's: Are there any books from the 20th century that you think will become classics?

The Book Riot article helpfully lists some qualities of a "classic," from Italo Calvino:

* Exercise an influence over the reader, become unforgettable, be reread often, and “hide in the layers of memory disguised as the individual’s or the collective unconscious.”
* Constantly generate discussion, and always have something new to present to even those who have read it before.
* Doesn’t allow you to remain indifferent: Readers are profoundly moved by it.
* Have a timeless quality or, effectively capture a certain time period in a bottle, “trailing behind them the traces they have left in the culture or cultures through which they have passed.

I feel like there's quite a few books that would fit that. Some off hand I can think of :

I'd like to think The Night Circus. I realize I'm biased since it's my favorite book, but it seems like it provokes pretty strong reactions of people who read it. You either love it, or you don't. I've not seen many people just sort of like it. It has a timeless quality because of the circus never aging. I know I've read it at LEAST 6 times. It always still provokes a dreamy sensation in me, inspires me to make art.

Grudgingly I'll say A Gentleman in Moscow . I personally did not like it AT ALL, but it certainly provoked a response. And a ton of other people i know just adore the book, fawn over the writing etc.

I'd say the Broken Earth trilogy as well. I don't know if I've read any other sci fi or fantasy that was quite like it.

Kristy, I know Pratchett isn’t everyone’s jam, and honestly he’s not my #1, myself. However I do think his earlier books aren’t the strongest. I never cared for Rincewind. The ones with Death are my favorites, or the witches.

I loved Spinning Silver, but I’m not so attached to rumplestiltskin that I felt it deviated too much. I actually like the retellings best that take the loose bones of a story and totally spring off into something new! Although I do like those bones to be there. I read Gingerbread last year, and honestly I didn’t like it much. Story was weird and as far as I could tell, a character being named Gretel and a vague reference to Hansel was the only real relation. At that point it was just kind of “...ok why was the reference there at all?”

Jennifer, I feel you on Harrow. I LOVED Gideon so much, Harrow was a lot more difficult to get into and figure out what was going on. I will say that I think it redeemed itself in the last quarter or so, and now I'm still looking forward to Alecto the Ninth.

Hi everyone,

Been having some goodreads book tagging issues, let's see how this post goes!

Book Club

There's a finished reading thread over in the book club for anyone who finished November 9, as well as a pre-reading thread for anyone who hasn't started yet.

This week I finished:

An American Marriage - Yay this is fixed, book WOULD NOT show up yesterday, only study guides. This was pretty good, I liked how realistically flawed everyone was. The interactions felt pretty real. That being said, while I thought the people were very real, I didn't particularly LIKE a lot of the decisions people made. So it made it harder to root for the characters. But it was well written and wasn't a struggle to get through. This counted for popsugar winner of Women's prize, ATY book from one of USA Today's 100 Black authors to read, Book Nerds book that takes place over several years.

Thick: And Other Essays - Tressie McMillan Cottom - still won't show up in the search, even though it's on my goodread's shelf so I know it's in their system. Oh well. It's a book of essays about being a Black woman in America, from the author's perspective as an academic writer. I'm counting it for Popsugar's body positivity prompt since some of the essays touched on how mainstream beauty and the beauty industry relate to being a Black woman in America. Also using for ATY book of short stories, poems, essays, Reading Women book off the 2019 short list/honorable mentions, book nerds book with a dark cover.

currently reading:

The Burning God - went to library and got a random stack of new releases, this is the third of the Poppy Wars novels. I like the series, but war books are always hard to read. Normally I don't like books where I don't like the characters, and Rin is NOT a hero by any means. But I do find her strangely compelling.

The House in the Cerulean Sea Sneak Peek - so this one links, but to the sneak peek not the actual book? Whatever, you get the idea haha. I'm doing the audio book for this. I've heard great things about it. Not very far yet, an hour if that.

1Q84 - still poking at this, will be here a while. It's very long and slow going.

QOTW:

Do you like to read retellings of stories? If so, do you make sure to read the original first?

I love fairy tale retellings, in particular. Most of them I'm at least semi familiar with, and often there's not really a definitive source. I might go google the original story if the retelling is referencing something I'm not familiar with and I'm curious.

I don't do AS many non-fairytale retellings. But I'd probably be less interested in reading one if it wasn't a story I already was interested in. I know there's a ton of Pride and Prejudice retellings, but i didn't terribly enjoy the book so I'm not really interested in reading different versions of it. Also I'm kind of sick to death of Romeo and Juliet as a source material. But I did really enjoy The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein, and when they attached the original Frakenstein to the end of my e-book I went head and re-read it.