Vivian’s Comments (group member since Jun 02, 2018)

Vivian’s comments from the Laurel County Public Library group.

Laurel County wrote: "QOTD: What’s your favorite thing to do right after finishing a really good book?"

I often find myself going back and looking at quotes I made note of (if I annotated). Then I'll get on here and rate it and sometimes review it.

Laurel County wrote: "Top Ten: Ways in Which My Review/Blogging Style Has Changed Over Time"

1. I don't try as hard. I just lay out my thoughts and move on. I used to try and come up with a template for them, and that just didn't fit with every book.

2. I don't review as often anymore (mainly because I don't read as much)

3. The vibes of my reviews have changed just because I read different types of books now. I don't read YA or romance anymore. If I do, it's usually a buddy read for fun.

4. I'd say I'm more critical of books now. I'll pay more attention to the author and where they're from/their history. I don't always write about that in reviews, but it definitely helps me discuss the book better when I know where the author snagged inspiration from.

Laurel County wrote: "QOTD: Do you ever assign aesthetics (cottagecore, dark academia, etc.) to books you read?"

I guess sometimes I'll do it if I'm discussing a book with someone, and I want them to understand the vibes it gives off.

Laurel County wrote: "QOTD: Which author’s backlist are you slowly working through?"

- Stephen Graham Jones (there's a few that I'd still like to read by him)
- James Baldwin
- Khaled Hosseini (I think I still have to finish A Thousand Splendid Suns)

Laurel County wrote: "QOTD: What’s your ideal length for a series—duology, trilogy, or long-running saga?"

I think trilogy works best for me. Anything longer than that and I'll lose interest. It could also depend on how the story goes.

Laurel County wrote: "QOTD: What book do you think everyone should read at least once in their lifetime?"

Obvious answer just because it's classic and iconic - LOTR

Other books you should read once just because they're really good:
Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin
Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar
Night of the Living Rez by Morgan Talty
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Laurel County wrote: "QOTD: What's on your May TBR?"

I want to finish Native Son by Richard Wright.
Continue on in A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams.
Start Moth Smoke by Mohsin Hamid.

Laurel County wrote: "QOTD: How many books did you read in April? What were your favorite and least favorite reads of the month?"

I didn't finish any books in April.

Laurel County wrote: "QOTD: Do you have anything fun and exciting planned for the month (ex. trips, projects, events, etc.)?"

My friend is celebrating her bday/early college graduation celebration, so hopefully I'm able to go and spend it with her and some other folks. Other than that, I don't have anything planned this month.

Laurel County wrote: "This or That: Do you prefer to read outdoors in the spring or stay cozy inside?"

I love reading outside but it hardly ever happens.

Laurel County wrote: "Happy Wednesday! What have you recently finished reading? What are you currently reading? What do you plan on reading next?"

I haven't finished anything.

Currently: Mothers and Sons by Adam Haslett

Next: ?

I’d definitely recommend A Minor Chorus by Billy-Ray Belcourt! I think all of the books I read by him are under 250 pages.

LCPL wrote: "Happy Wednesday! What have you recently finished reading? What are you currently reading? What do you plan on reading next?"

Sorry I'm a bit late to this.

Finished:
James by Percival Everett

Currently:
Why Fathers Cry at Night by Kwame Alexander
Mothers and Sons by Adam Haslett

Next:
?

LCPL wrote: "QOTD: Are there any January releases you're excited for?"

Mothers and Sons by Adam Haslett
Too Soon by Betty Shamieh

LCPL wrote: "QOTD: How many books did you read in December? What were your favorite and least favorite reads of the month? How many books did you read in 2025? What were your favorite and least favorite reads o..."

I didn't read any books in December.

I read 59 books in 2024.

I didn't realize how hard it would be to pick a favorite, so here are my top 3 in no particular order:
Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar
My Heart is a Chainsaw by SGJ
Blackouts by Justin Torres

3 Least favorites:
The Siege by Ismail Kadare
The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown
The Wall by Marlen Haushofer

Krystyna wrote: "Top Ten Bookish Goals for 2025:
1. Read 100 books (I've never read 100 books in a year and it will be a goal of mine every year, until I hit it.)
2. Read mostly from my physical TBR.
3. Curate my ..."

I should utilize my Kindle more instead of letting it collect dust.
Finish The Poppy War trilogy
I think I set my reading goal to 30 books this year. I really want to focus on quality of books over quantity.
Now that I'm back home, I'm excited to read at the beach this summer.

LCPL wrote: "QOTD: Hot chocolate, mulled apple cider, or eggnog—what’s your holiday drink of choice?"

Hot chocolate!

LCPL wrote: "QOTD: Are there any December releases you're excited for?"

Only Stars Know the Meaning of Space: A Literary Mixtape by Remy Ngamije

Sister Snake by Amanda Lee Koe

LCPL wrote: "Happy Wednesday! What have you recently finished reading? What are you currently reading? What do you plan on reading next?"

No update.

LCPL wrote: "QOTD: What's on your December TBR?"

I don't think I'll get to anything. I'm still just reading The Fellowship of the Ring and The Wishing Game.