Team Second to None

[Lara]

I'm just starting my book. It's not very long, so I'm hoping to finish it tonight.

[Lori Z]

Well teammates, there's been a plot twist!
Jaxnsmom has posted homework for this toppler. Here's the link to the homework: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I also posted it in the reporting thread.
Hope everyone is enjoying their reads and GO TEAM!!

[jaxnsmom]

Homework doesn't have to be turned in immediately after finishing a book. You have until Monday at midnight EST.

[Ava Catherine]

I finished Unbearable Lightness: A Story of Loss and Gain and Nineteen Minutes.

[Lori Z]

That's great, Connie! What did you think of Unbearable Lightness: A Story of Loss and Gain? I have it on my list too.

[Lynn]

Lori Z wrote: "Well teammates, there's been a plot twist!
Jaxnsmom has posted homework for this toppler. Here's the link to the homework: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I als..."

Ugh ...... I had a suspicion something like this might happen hence why I wasn't sure I wanted to do this Toppler. This feels exactly like homework, which to me isn't fun. The reason I do Topplers is because they are fun.

[jaxnsmom]

Lynn, it's really your feelings about the book and the issue. It isn't a book report and it doesn't have to be long. Sort of like when we've already been discussing some issues. If you don't want to do that part, your teammates will be glad to have the points for the book you read, and not be bothered about anything else. There is no guilt. I bet there will be a few who don't do it for one reason or another.

Keep it fun for yourself!!

[jaxnsmom]

Connie (Ava Catherine) wrote: "I finished Unbearable Lightness: A Story of Loss and Gain and Nineteen Minutes."

I'm so glad you're able to participate. I've been worried that life is overwhelming you. Are you taking care of yourself?

[Lori Z]

REPORTING UPDATE!

After you've finished your book(s), report the name of the book in our team reporting thread Team second to none reporting thread Also report if you do the homework so we can keep track of points.

If you decide to go for the bonus points and do the homework you post your homework here: Homework thread You have until Midnight EST on Monday, February 29th to post it.

Clear as mud? ☺

[Kerri]

I'll probably leave my homework to the last minute like I always did in school, so I may not get it all completed in time. My focus is going to be to read as many books as I can.

[Ava Catherine]

@Lori Z msg. 55:
Connie (Ava Catherine) wrote: "I finished Unbearable Lightness: A Story of Loss and Gain."

Most of the book is sad, but the author does triumph after years of struggle. Portia de Rossi tells her story with such honesty and grace that i was completely engrossed all the way through the book. Through her, we come to understand the reality of the disease and its causes. It made me think about the unrealistic expectations to look a certain way we as a society place on females. Why do we hold those unrealistic ideals up as models for our young girls through advertising, film, etc. Why don't we as a society embrace healthy bodies in all sizes?
I gave it 4 stars. It is a well written, compelling story.

@Jaxnsmom msg. 59
I am slowly getting back to normal, but there is so much business I have to deal with that I haven't allowed myself to stop and think too much. I still wake up in the morning thinking I have to rush to get to the hospital.
My husband and I adopted Dad's beloved puppy Max in November because Dad was hospitalized, and Max has been a wonderful comfort. ( I fear only dog people will understand)
I am happy that I am able to participate this week, too. I have missed being with my GR friends.
Thank you, Jaxnsmom, for your kindness and concern.

[Delitealex]

Halfway thru Read My Lips: Sexual Subversion and the End of Gender and started Butch Is a Noun

[Delitealex]

Had a migraine earlier feeling better now back to reading.

[Berit☀️✨]

Just finished my book, I'll post in the morning, with my lovely homework, ;-)

[Lara]

Delitealex wrote: "Had a migraine earlier feeling better now back to reading."

Glad you're feeling better. I had getting migraines. Especially when they interfere with my reading ;-)

[Lori Z]

Connie (Ava Catherine) wrote: "@Lori Z msg. 55:
Connie (Ava Catherine) wrote: "I finished Unbearable Lightness: A Story of Loss and Gain."

Most of the book is sad, but the author does triumph after years of stru..."

Thanks, Connie. I'm glad you liked it. I'm looking forward to reading it, hopefully this week.

[Lynn]

Delitealex wrote: "Had a migraine earlier feeling better now back to reading."

Not quite the same but didn't get a lot of reading done yesterday because I had a horrendous headache and couldn't concentrate on reading.

[Ava Catherine]

Hope both of you feel much better soon! Headaches are so bad, and you certainly can't read when your head is throbbing.
Glad that today seems to be better.

[Delitealex]

Finally finished my first book Read My Lips: A Book of Sexual Subversion and the End of Gender reading Butch Is a Noun

[Kerri]

I've finished 3 books now, all of them rather sad in their own ways. I'd love to read something light and fluffy right now, but nothing comes to mind that will fit with the toppler theme.
I'm going to read Flowers for Algernon now, hopefully it'll have a happy ending.

[Anna]

started my third book The Boy in the Dress

[jaxnsmom]

****IMPORTANT****

Team members need to report in the appropriate place(s). Whoever is tracking points for your team has stated where they want the books read and homework reported. Don't make them have to wonder if they got everyone and will need to search through the posts. I might take away points if it looks like this is a problem.

[Ava Catherine]

I finished Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia.

[Ava Catherine]

Finished Inside Out & Back Again

[Ava Catherine]

Finished The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
And
Not My Father's Son

[Cherie]

Connie (Ava Catherine) wrote: "Finished The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
And
Not My Father's Son"

How was the Cumming's book, Connie?

[Lara]

Cherie wrote: "Connie (Ava Catherine) wrote: "Finished The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
And
Not My Father's Son"

How was the Cumming's book, Connie?"

I listened to his narration of his book last year. It was quite good. Some parts were difficult to listen to though. His father was a real piece of work.

[Berit☀️✨]

I'm still reading girls, I will probably have three books to post tomorrow or on Saturday, it's been a crazy week!

[Anna]

reading I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced

[Ava Catherine]

Cherie wrote: "Connie (Ava Catherine) wrote: "Finished The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
And
Not My Father's Son"

How was the Cumming's book, Connie?"
Although there are extremely sad parts, it is a wonderful book that is truly inspiring. His dad was so cruel that it was difficult to read the abusive parts, and I don't know how Cumming survived. Amazingly Cumming's joyful spirit and love of people weren't crushed by his dad's abuse. It is a story of how he not only survived but soared. I recommend it.

[Ava Catherine]

Finished Jihad Academy

[Tejas Janet]

Sorry for being basically incommunicado all week. Turned out no e-access all week in Mexico. Also couldn't access the ebooks I thought I had lined up. However, I was able to read an ebook called Georges that addressed issue of racism. Written by Alexandre Dumas. First book I've ever read by him. Has me wanting to read others, especially The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo.

Home now but fighting cold/flu thing. Also itching a lot from bug bites - we have reason to suspect maybe bed bugs - yuck. A new first for both me and my husband.

Now I'm working on The Reluctant Fundamentalist, which addresses the original controversial subject I had hoped to read something about. So far, so good. Hope I'll finish on time.

[Berit☀️✨]

I think it has just been a crazy week for everybody!

[Delitealex]

I finally finished my second book I'm reading Persistence: All Ways Butch and Femme now

[Ava Catherine]

TJ, I hope you feel better soon! Glad you found Dumas; he is one of my favorite authors. ❤️

[Ava Catherine]

Finished The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives
and
We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will be Killed With Our Families: Stories from Rwanda

[Ava Catherine]

Finished The Children Act
and
Sons of Mississippi: A Story of Race and Its Legacy

[Ava Catherine]

Finished Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith

[Ava Catherine]

Finished Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry,
Hystera,
Hunger

[Lara]

Okay, I didn't originally think of including it, but I finished listening to The Martian last night and it was definitely mind broadening about the realities of space exploration.

[jaxnsmom]

I'm sorry Lara, but the book needs to be about a controversial issue. So unless you can convince me, it shouldn't be included.

[Lori Z]

Delitealex wrote: "I finally finished my second book I'm reading Persistence: All Ways Butch and Femme now"

Oops, I almost missed this one. I'll add it to our scoreboard. I'll go and remove The Martian for now, but keeping my fingers crossed that Lara can convince jaxnsmom its controversial.

[Delitealex]

Lori Z wrote: "Delitealex wrote: "I finally finished my second book I'm reading Persistence: All Ways Butch and Femme now"

Oops, I almost missed this one. I'll add it to our scoreboard. I'll go an..."

I only read Read My Lips and Butch is a Noun I didn't get to finish Persistence: all ways Butch and femme

[Lori Z]

Delitealex wrote: "Lori Z wrote: "Delitealex wrote:
I only read Read My Lips and Butch is a Noun I didn't get to finish Persistence: all ways Butch and femme

Oops, again. I'm sorry, I should have checked with you before I added it. I just thought you might have forgot to post in the reporting thread. All fixed!

[Tejas Janet]

Connie (Ava Catherine) wrote: "TJ, I hope you feel better soon! Glad you found Dumas; he is one of my favorite authors. ❤️"

Thank you, Connie. I am feeling much better now. Cold pretty much resolved and skin itchies. Bed bugs in Mexico, we're pretty sure. Ugh. Isn't that gross? : (

I have various of our carry on bags stashed in the freezer for a few weeks. Our big bags I may just toss. There on the back patio. I laundered everything that could be put thru the washing machine and dryer. I seriously don't want to introduce them into our home. So far so good.