2018 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge

[The Dust Bunny Reader, Headmistress]

Great, great, great reviews! :)

@Candace I really did like Prince Caspian. This series is so wonderful.

@Anne I read that novella last year (I think). Very good!

[Allison]

Finished my first book! #3 - Read a book in a series already started: 1/16:18.

I wrote a blurb about it on the Bingo challenge already so I can’t double dip lol. But I would recommend this series for the most part, especially if you’re into YA.

[Allison]

And my second! #4 - Read a book involving a heist: 2/3/18.

(view spoiler)[In this 13th book of the Stephanie Plum series, her ex-husband, Dickie Orr, has gone into business with three shady partners with “fake” law degrees. He overhears a master plot and decides that instead of becoming fish food, he’ll steal their drug money to the tune of 40 million dollars right out from under their slimy noses. Violence, corruption, kidnappings, death by flamethrower, and chaos ensues. (hide spoiler)]

I loved this book. I’ve loved all of these books but either this one happened to be particularly funny or I just needed it to be in my life right now, I don’t really know or care. I belly laughed so many times reading this one. The characters and situations are outrageous yes, but it’s delivered in such a dry wit, you can’t help but just go along for the wacky ride. I heartily recommend this series, especially if you’re looking to LOL several times.

[Anne]

Hi you guys!
I was wondering if anyone has a recommendation for book number 2 from this list? I don't have any crime books at home, but I really feel like trying out some new genres. So if anyone knows a good book, let me know!

[Allison]

Hey Anne :)

The only one that comes to mind out of my tbr is:

[Anne]

Thanks Allie!
I will check at my local library whether they have it in stock! It sounds good!

[Evianrei]

I'm going to post my list here and just update it as I finish books, I think that's how everyone else is doing it?

1. A book made into a movie you've already seen
2. True crime
3. The next book in a series you started
4. A book involving a heist
5. Nordic noir
6. A novel based on a real person Little House in the Big Woods
7. A book set in a country that fascinates you
8. A book with a time of day in the title
9. A book about a villain or antihero Cracked
10. A book about death or grief
11. A book with a female author who uses a male pseudonym
12. A book with an LGBTQ+ protagonist
13. A book that is also a stage play or musical
14. A book by an author of a different ethnicity than you
15. A book about feminism
16. A book about mental health
17. A book you borrowed or that was given to you as a gift
18. A book by two authors
19. A book about or involving a sport
20. A book by a local author
21. A book with your favorite color in the title
22. A book with alliteration in the title
23. A book about time travel
24. A book with a weather element in the title
25. A book set at sea The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
26. A book with an animal in the title
27. A book set on a different planet
28. A book with song lyrics in the title
29. A book about or set on Halloween
30. A book with character who are twins
31. A book mentioned in another book
32. A book from a celebrity book club
33. A childhood classic you've never read Prince Caspian
34. A book that's published in 2018
35. A past Goodreads Choice Awards winner
36. A book set in the decade you were born
37. A book you meant to read in 2017 but didn't get to
38. A book with an ugly cover
39. A book that involves a bookstore or library
40. Your favorite prompt from the 2015, 2016, or 2017 POPSUGAR Reading Challenges

ADVANCED
41. A bestseller from the year you graduated high school
42. A cyberpunk book
43. A book that was being read by a stranger in a public place
44. A book tied to your ancestry
45. A book with a fruit or a vegetable in the title
46. An allegory
47. A book by an author with the same first or last name as you
48. A microhistory
49. A book about a problem facing society today
50. A book recommended by someone else taking the POPSUGAR Reading Challenge

[Evianrei]

Finished the other day and loved it! Counting it for #25 'A book set at sea'.

Small review here: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader Review

[Allison]

Yup, that’s what I did, Candace :)

[Sainabou]

Candace | Evianrei wrote: "I'm going to post my list here and just update it as I finish books, I think that's how everyone else is doing it?

1. A book made into a movie you've already seen
2. True crime
3. The next book in..."

Thats how Im doing it and then you can post the whole list when you are done :)

[Little Bee]

I like to cross things off lol

[Anne]

Hi guys! I have a question... are you allowed to read number 3 when you haven't read number 2 yet??? Or do you have to read 1, 2, 3 etc.?

[Little Bee]

You can read them in whatever order you want to :)

[Little Bee]

I finished . And it was phenomenal. My heart was hurting the entire night. There were not really any moments that were slow.

This story followed Starr, who was in the car when her friend was shot by a police officer. It follows how she handles the death, from going to school, being harassed by the police, testifying the in the grand jury. She loses friends, gains best friends, struggles in her interracial relationship. This book was so amazing, and I am glad I read it.

I look forward to seeing the movie. I am especially excited because it has Common in it, and I LOOOOVE me some Common. I am hoping they find a new Chris that is worthy of that role. Chris was a great character.

[Anne]

Thanks Little Bee! (that book sounds amazing btw:D)

[Allison]

Finished my third book! #6 - a novel based on a real person: 2/16/18.

This novel was about Lady Jane Grey, the “9 day Queen” of England before Mary I came to the throne. It’s told through the eyes of one of her attendants, Elizabeth Tilney. This is the second book I’ve read of this author’s and I liked them both a lot. Very easy to read, flows nicely. You do not need to know the lineage of every English noble house to follow along. The author did take some liberties with the history but not enough to where something major was left out or something too big was put in. Highly recommended.

[Allison]

I read a book I think qualifies for #25 - Set at Sea: 2/22/18 (At least half of the book is set at sea - the characters take an ocean liner from England to New York, the set up of the entire novel happens while on the boat, and the bookcover shows the ship itself lol).

I absolutely love this series but this one was my least favorite. Maybe because they went to America and this series is so quintessentially English? The two main characters love story went no where and I was bothered by the mother always putting her daughter down, especially when it concerned the relationship between the two lovers. That mother is horrid and yet she’s supposed to be funny, yikes. Also the MC seems to have lost some of her spunk, which is a big turn off for me. I like my MC’s to be strong characters. The one thing I did like about the setting switching to the States is that we meet Charlie Chaplin. What I didn’t like was his character thinking he could run his hand up and down girl’s thighs just because he was Charlie Chaplin.

I will continue the series, hoping this was the only dud.

[Allison]

Read this for #9 - book about a villain: 2/21/18

This book is the tale of how a sweet, young girl becomes the evil Queen of Hearts of “Alice In Wonderland” fame. Although the author clearly did her homework in all things Lewis Carroll, the book was complete dullsville with absolutely no plot. Fourteen and a half hours on audiobook and she merely goes to a few parties. The point of this book doesn’t show up until the very last hour and then wham! You realize what turned her into a stone cold witch with a capital B. The narrator was quite good with incorporating different voices but I still found turning this audiobook on completely tedious. Such a disappointment after reading (and loving) her Lunar Chronicles.

[Little Bee]

Ugh. I could not stand Heartless. I had such high hopes for that one. The end was the only good thing about the whole book

[Allison]

I would have given up but I was reading it for a buddy read with a few girls I had never read with before....giving up on the first one would not have made a good impression :P

[Little Bee]

I didn’t give up because I was doing a fairytale retelling challenge 😂 but man. It wasn’t good. And so many people LOVE IT. The end was the only good part

[Allison]

I know! But usually the ones everyone loves are the ones I hate.

I don’t know if the ending was actually good or just finally, the point of the book was revealed!!

[Allison]

Read on 2/25/18 for #7 - book set in a country that fascinates you.

This series centers around a small Scottish village and it’s “lazy” policeman, Hamish MacBeth. Very easy and quick reads, all the books are 150-175 pages. Reading these you feel like you’re one of the Scottish Highlanders.... a pleasant way to spend a couple hours curled in an armchair :)

[Little Bee]

Yesterday I finished The Cruel Prince for the book that came out in 2018.

First off, I LOVE Holly Black. I haven't really read a book of hers that I didn't enjoy. The Cruel Prince SUCKED me in. It is set in Faerie and follows a human girl Jude, who was brought there against her will with her twin sister, and her older sister who was half Fae half human by a Faerie who is the father of the older sister. He killed their mother and brought them to Faerie.

Jude is constantly tormented for being human and she starts to conspire on how to get power. OH MAN. I can't really say anything else because they would be epic spoiler alerts, but this book is fantastic and I highly recommend it

[Little Bee]

I realized one of my rando books satisfies #27, being set on another planet.

Kiss My Asteroid: Galaxa Warriors is about the sister planet of Nova Aurora, the planet where shifters originated from. Ivy, the cousin of Cassandra from a previous installment, Bearfoot and Pregnant, travels with two other women (who are searching for a friend also from a previous installment) to Nova Aurora with Gerry Wilder. Ivy wanted to see her cousin, who was due any day with the alpha of a bear pack to the north on Nova Aurora. While she was in the guest wing of the king's castle, it was indicated that Ms. Wilder may have gotten a sex bot/hologram for Ivy to enjoy. The next day, Ivy, the other two women, and Ms. Wilder fly to Galaxa, where Ivy bumps into the person she thought was the sex bot, who she later finds out is the king. On Galaxa, the king's family does not know who their beast is until they find their true mate. Well, his true mate is Ivy, and she gets kidnapped by a black market dealer.

I finished reading The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue for #12, book with LGBT Protagonist this afternoon. It is about a young lord who sets off for his grand tour before being expected to go back to his family's estate and take up the family business. Him, his friend Percy (who is colored) and his sister Felicity all set off one morning. Monty expects that it will be the year of his lifetime because he gets to spend his time with Percy, whom he secretly loves. This all takes place around the 1700s. So this is forbidden. The father, who is tired of Monty's whoring with other boys and with girls, and tired of Monty's binge drinking and gambling, decides to send a tutor along with them so that they can only do certain activities and not allowed to drink, gamble, or whore around. The goal is to drop Felicity off at finishing school. But, as you may know, everything hits the fan one night when Percy and Monty had a fight and Monty stole something from the duke/right hand of the king.

This leads them on to a wild ride from being robbed by highwaymen, captured by pirates, nearly sunk on an island near Venice. It was overall an okay book. I will probably give it 4 stars, but more closely it is 3.5. I will read the next book, which is about Felicity and her desire to become a surgeon, which is unheard of because she is a female.

This book was also on my Clear Away Bookshelf challenge. So I will basically copy and paste my little blurb.

[Evianrei]

Completed Cracked and counted it for # 9 because the main character is something of an antihero!

Cracked Review

[Little Bee]

I finished which fulfilled # 20: book by a local author. I selected this book because the author is from El Paso and currently lives in Dallas. I live in Midland and it is a halfway point between the two locations. El Paso is part of West Texas, which is the region that I live. It is as local as it is going to get around here!

This book centers around this small, desert town, diner. This town has a lot of supernatural things going on around it, and everyone is just kind of used to it. Duke and Earl, fat werewolf and skinny, enlightened vampire, stop at the diner for food when zombies bust through the front window, which is a common occurrence. After the two helped new owner Loretta, Loretta asked them if they would help her lay the new gas line in for the diner, which they agreed to because they wanted to see what was causing her zombie problem. They discover that there is something of the occult going on. Tammy is a 17 year old enchantress, who goes by the name Mistress Lilith. She convinced Chad to follow along with her antics to open up the gates of Hell, which so happen to be under the diner. Tammy is behind the zombies attacking the diner, in attempts to frighten Loretta enough to leave the diner, which isn't working. A lot of things continue to happen, leading up until the final fighting moments.

There is a lot of comedy. This book was really entertaining. I liked how backwoods all the characters were. I really suggest this book. It was enjoyable.

[Anne]

That book sounds very amusing! Definitely adding that to my To Be Read mountain:) I am kinda struggling with a book from my region since I don't want to read in Dutch, but I'm glad that your book turned out great!

[Allison]

I think can be used for #9 - Book about a Villian or Antihero. This has both as main characters. (view spoiler)[The Villian (although he wouldn’t call himself that) has developed a sterility virus. The antihero turns out to be a woman that used to be quite close to this man so you think she’s trying to help him spread it. She’s actually trying to prevent it. In the end, she’s one of the main voices/“experts” on trying to contain it and guide humanity into the future. (hide spoiler)]

Finished on 3/19/18.

[Stephanie]

Anne wrote: "Hi you guys!
I was wondering if anyone has a recommendation for book number 2 from this list? I don't have any crime books at home, but I really feel like trying out some new genres. So if anyone k..."

Hi Anne,
I'm not a huge true crime fan but I was really fond of In Cold Blood.

[Stephanie]

Hey, I just realized I did number 23, a book about time travel.
It was Time and Time Again, which covered a lot of time travel tropes but was fun. Now I'm reading a darker, crime book about time travel, too.

[Anne]

Hi Stephanie!
Thanks so much! I had almost forgotten about my question, but luckily I haven't read a true crime book yet! Definitly going to add In Cold Blood now!

[Little Bee]

Finished a book that satisfies #22 on the list


This review may contain minor spoilers

This review is from my blog:

Every now and then, a series pops into my life and leaves me wrecked. Soulmated is such a fantastic series. The first book, Soulmated (you can check out my review here) left me in need for book 2 immediately. Alas, I had to wait AN ENTIRE YEAR before Fighting Fate arrived in my email. Just like in Soulmated, I am left with this high from the unique and original story line, and now I am dropping, and the crash is going to hurt knowing I have to wait another year to read book 3.

In Fighting Fate, we pick up where Soulmated left off. The joining that did not quite happen because of Liam’s fear of injuring Lucky, which resulted in Liam breaking up with her while he tried to figure out how to join without killing her, and left them both catastrophically wrecked for weeks. Their waves of emotions were so savage they barely slept, they could not breathe while away from each other, Lucky lost weight because she could not eat. As a reader, you feel their pain. You have been there, you have experienced that loss at some point in your life that leaves a hole in your soul that you cannot figure out how to fill back in. In some cases, we get better, use some duct tape to close the wound, and move forward with our lives. In other cases, the hole gets bigger, and consumes us more until we can no longer breathe. We have to decide if we will drown, or find that strength to keep fighting the waves before they take you under. This is what Liam and Lucky had to decide. They decided to keep fighting, to fill that hole together. They were faced with many adversaries, and many challenges are faced that will either make them stronger, or break them apart.

This book had so many twists. At one point, I thought I was going to have a heart attack. My chest began hurting, I felt physically ill. Shaila Patel has a way to keep you hooked from the first page, all the way until the end, and then leaves you full and empty all at the same time. It has been a long time since I have been so hooked into what I was reading that I could barely breathe. I caught myself several times holding my breath, trying to get through. Trying to ride this ride with Liam and Lucky.

This is such a wonderful series, that I highly recommend. If you would listen to at least ONE book recommendation from me, this series would be the one you should pick up next. This series is so original and a breath of fresh air to the YA genre. You will not be disappointed. I can promise you that.

[Gabby]

Your review convinced me I should try reading Soulmated! The summary on GR didn't draw me in, but I've added it to my TBR list :)

I've put a hold on a few books at the library--I need to get started on this list! I'm planning on reading or first. I own so I'll be starting that once I finish one of the books I'm currently reading.

[Little Bee]

I loved My Lady Jane!!! I can't wait to read the sequel! (Im)patiently waiting for the book to release LOL

Glad my review could sway you on Soulmated. It really is very good. I got sucked into both books so hard I felt drunk when I was finished LOL

[Gabby]

:o There's a sequel to Lady Jane?? I've gotta get reading lol!

Lol! That's when you know the books are good! That was me after flying through the Daughter of Smoke and Bones series.

[Evianrei]

Read Little House in the Big Woods a little while back, counting it for #6 'A novel based on a real person', because the book series is based on Laura Ingalls herself and her experience living in the midwest!

Review Here

[Allison]

Finished for #1. I saw the movie when it first came out last year and just read the book this month for a buddy read. It was ok. Really simple sentence structure. Really simple. You can read it within a couple hours. I prefer the movie on this one only because Kate Winslet is in it but if I hadn’t seen it first, I’d never have read this book. It’s listed as Christian fiction but it never brought up religion of any kind at all. Maybe it’s labelled that since it’s so clean? There weren’t any swear words (I don’t even think “shut up” or “stupid” was even used and there’s a couple kisses but it’s presented as like an afterthough, almost like they never happened. So anyone looking for some romance/passion, skip this book. Both the major characters are extremely likable but my favorite was the dog lol.

[Little Bee]

For number 7: Set in a country that fascinates you:

Earl of Sunderland is book 4 in the Wicked Earls Club series. It is not necessary to have read any of the other books to read this one. Each book is written by a different author. At the moment there appear to be 12 books in the series.

This story is initially about Carson, the heir to the Falsbury estate. He does not wish to be the Earl and tries to get his twin brother to trade him places on his own wedding day. Carson did not want to be married and felt he was not fit to be Earl, but that his brother Christopher "Kit" was. Carson married Eliza, cousin of Grace. The story takes place between the perspectives of Kit and Grace.

During a night of debauchery, Carson is killed in an accident, leaving Eliza to be sent back to her abusive father. During the decision of sending her back, it was discovered she was pregnant with Carson's child, deciding that Eliza would stay with the Falsbury family, who loved her as their own daughter. Kit was now the new heir until the gender of the child was known.

Grace had met Kit at Eliza's wedding but had not seen him for many months since that time. Eliza wrote to Grace in need of family to visit, and Grace uprooted the estate she was caring for since her mother's death to be there for her. At the Falsbury estate, she was reintroduced to Kit, and the magic kept the story going.

Earl of Sunderland is a sweet, historical romance to brighten any heart. By the end, I was teary-eyed and touched by the story. I look forward to the next installment and am happy there will be another featuring this family. It makes me interested in reading about the other Earls in the series as well.

The pace starts out a little slow, but once Grace, her father, and her brother arrived at the Falsbury's it picks up. I have hopes maybe Lord Boldon will have a story with the Lady Rafferton, as there seemed to be a hint of possibility there.
I did not take stars away for this next part, because it did not take away from the story, but there were a couple of typos in the book.

I highly suggest giving this book a read. I don't read sweet romances very often so it was a nice little break. I read 70% of the book in one sitting because I simply could not put it down. All of the characters were great. I loved little Sammy especially. His antics always made me laugh.

[Gabby]

Just finished Marlena today, for #10! I really enjoyed this book. It is a sad story, probably one of the heavier books I've read, but I loved the way it was written.

[Allison]

Finished 5/12/18 for #10 - book about death or grief. That’s all this book is about!! This book is a fictionalized account of the months leading up to Agnes’ death - the last public beheading to take place in Iceland. All this poor girl does the whole book is wait for her sentencing of death, wondering if “today is the day”. But was she really a murderess? Or innocent? That’s what her court-appointed reverend must find out while also attempting to save her soul before she loses her head. For a book where all he action has taken place BEFORE the story begins, this had no trouble keeping my attention. The descriptions of the lonely, isolated winters make you feel you’re suffering right there alongside the characters too.

[Allison]

Discovered I’ve read a few more that can be added into this challenge:

*A Childhood Classis you’ve never read: by Roald Dahl was read on 2/11/18. Although I owned the movie as a child (and loved it!), I’d never actually read the book. One enjoyable afternoon was spent listening to the audiobook. The narrator was great, he switched between voices for all the characters.


*Book by an author whose ethnicity is different than yours: by Kevin Kwan. I was really excited about this book, everyone kept saying how riotously funny it was. Hmmmmm. Which parts were those?! There were two really terrible things that happened in the book that werent funny at all and the rest of the book is about rich people thinking themselves above everyone else. I suppose I may have chuckled over one of the Chinese mother’s antics but LOL? Nope. Not once. Would have been severely disappointing had it not been for all the food descriptions. Holy cow did I get hungry while listening to this on audio. And now Singapore has been added onto my bucket list of places I want to see. And the story was engaging enough to want to know what happens to all the characters in the next two books. The movie coming out soon looks great though!


*Book about time travel: read on 5/20/18. The author found all these old photographs in flea markets and got it in his head to tell a story around them. I thought the concept was awesome but the story itself was just ok. I liked it enough to continue on with the series but not anytime soon. The MC travels back in time to visit these “Peculiars”, Children with special abilities that must live in specially developed time loops in order to be kept safe from inhuman monsters called “Hollows”. The time loop he kept returning to was in September of 1943 Britain, just as bombs were destroying this seaside town (although The War is really just background story/setting and not the focal point).


*Read a book with twins: by Lemony Snicket read 5/16/18. Technically the brother and sister in the story are triplets but their sibling died in a fire. Everyone calls them twins. Didnt think his particularly counted but I watch “This Is Us” on tv and those characters are technically triplets but one sibling died and they say “it’s a twin thing” alllllllllll the time. So I’m counting it :P


*Book with alliteration in the title: also by Lemony Snicket 4/27/18. I’ve been reading these since finding out there was a series with Neil Patrick Harris on Netflix. The audios are fabulous. And if you love the books but are hesitant to watch the series, don’t be. It’s great! And very true to the books. The kids are so adorable and NPH is FANTASTIC in it.

[Gabby]

I picked up for #26: A book with an animal in the title. So far I'm enjoying it!

Allie; You've read some super interesting books! LOVE the Series of Unfortunate Events books! And I had your same thoughts on the first book of the Peculiar Children series. I tried reading the second book a few months ago but didn't finish it. I may pick it up again another time. Will you be continuing with the series?

[Catherine]

10. Book about grief. Highly recommend. Her discussion of grieving is applicable to many situations- not just death.

Resilient Grieving: Finding Strength and Embracing Life After a Loss That Changes Everything
by Lucy Hone (Foreword)

[Catherine]

19. Book about ice skating.
Spinning
I recommend this if you like graphic novels. Reminds me how hard it is to be a kid - not just fun and games you know.