Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2018 Weekly Checkins
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week 5: 1/25 - 2/1
AF wrote: "This week I finished Beartown by Fredrik Backman. I am using it for the prompt "set in a country that fascinates you", but I'll still check in on the monthly group read to see what ..."I just read Night for my "time of day" book prompt. It was really good and a very quick read. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
My reading has really slowed down in the past couple of weeks. I only finished one book: Fever Pitch, for a book about sports. I love Nick Hornby, this is the only book of his I hadn't read yet so I decided to give it a try, but I really couldn't care less about football/soccer so it took me ages to finish it and got me in a bit of a reading slump! Now I have started The Hate U Give for a past goodreads choice award winner, and I am still (very slowly) working my way through Sapiens - not sure for what prompt yet, maybe an author of a different ethnicity.
I finally finished Vanity Fair (book made into a movie you've seen) and the best thing I can say about it is that I can now donate it with a clear conscience. Very, very tired of reading about Amelia Sedley, the world's saddest sack. Becky may not have been very friendly but she at least had some energy. Ugh. Gotta shake off that bad book. I think I'll return to a category that I usually read (true crime, maybe) to reenergize myself. QOTW: I don't really keep up with new releases! I'll periodically Google the release date for a few favorite authors' new releases, and am monitoring George R. R. Martin's Livejournal with bated breath, but usually if I want to read something new I'll just go to the bookstore or library and browse.
This week I finished The Time Machine. This book was my pick for the prompt 23: a book about time travel. It was, also, my first science fiction book. Not a bad start.I've read since the beginning of the year 4 books.
We’re enjoying 80 degree weather n Southern California, so no roasting chestnuts on the open fire for us,lol.12/50
Read this week:
#8- Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
#6- The Other Einstein
The Rosie Effect
Currently Reading:
#3- The Snowman
#31- Great Expectations
The Picture of Dorian Gray
QOTW:
I’m in 4 live book clubs and 2 online book clubs, so I usually don’t have time to read my own book choices. I do take note of Goodreads’ Facebook page for book suggestions.
I didn’t read as much this week as usual but I did finish one book. I read Missoula by Jon Krakuer for the “book about or involving sports” prompt. I debated which category to put this under but since Grizzly football played a major role I thought the sports category would work. I learned a lot about how difficult it is to prosecute rape and sexual assault cases. Depressing but informative.
Forgot the QOTW! I mainly use the book of the month club to introduce me to new releases otherwise I don’t tend to pay much attention.
Just stopping in to give a brief update since I'm so late with my check-in this week.I only completed one book which was The Shark Club by Ann Kidd Taylor for the book with an animal in the title prompt. There was one story arch that got a lot of attention at the beginning of the book but then didn't appear again until the end which I found frustrating. Overall, a 3 star read that includes a woman's fascination with the sea, a love triangle and a reminder that a key component of growing up is learning when to hang on and when to let go of the people in your life.
I'm continuing to read The Lost Art of Mixing by Erica Bauermeister for this challenge and The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical Tales by Oliver Sacks for another reading group I'm in.
QOTW:
I enjoy finding out what the most buzzworthy new releases are each month which does my TBR no favors! I utilize Read It Forward's Best of Each Month booklist, Book of the Month, the New Release Section of my library/ Barnes and Noble and follow booksonthesubway on Instagram.
Another week gone by. I'm now at 6/40COMPLETED:
Hidden Figures: The Untold True Story of Four African-American Women Who Helped Launch Our Nation into Space 14. A book by an author of a different ethnicity than you
The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland LOVED THIS BOOK. 13. A book that is also a stage play or musicalIN PROGRESS:
FeedAlso reading another book but it doesn't fit this challenge.
PUT DOWN:
Liked the podcast can't stand the book.
I might pick this back up some other time but just not interested right nowQOTW
I work in a library, so I see books as they come in.
Hi all! Another productive reading week for me. First off, I created a new Instagram account purely dedicated to all things books, (as I realised my Instagram account was fast becoming about what I was reading/ book purchases!) - would love it if any of you wanted to follow me at 'Books From My Bookshelf' :)
Then secondly, yesterday I went to a giant book sale for a local charity LifeLine. There were more secondhand paperbacks then I had ever seen before and all at amazing prices (the most I paid for one book was $6), so I picked up 16 great titles for just $60!!! I was in heaven. Looking forward to the next event in April.
Back to the challenge...
Completed:
Beartown by Fredrik Backman - I had a head start on the February challenge as my library hold came in. I enjoyed the multi-faceted characters and plot layers, so overall I absolutely loved this book, another 5 stars from me. Cannot wait for Backman's next instalment in the series. Chosen for the group choice prompt for 'book involving a sport'.
Currently reading:
The Railway Man by Eric Lomax - a very intense memoir of Lomax's experience as a POW during WW2 when we was forced to work on the Burma-Siam railway. He graphically describes the harrowing atrocities that he and his comrades endured. Uplifting story of his incredible courage and survival. I'm two thirds of the way through and hoping to finish this afternoon. Chosen for the prompt 'Book made into a movie you've already seen'. The movie stars Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman for anyone who hasn't seen it already and I would recommend it's worth watching.
Total completed: 7/50
QOTW: My favourite source to learn about upcoming book releases mainly usually either from Goodreads (this group) or Instagram. Sometimes also on Amazon kindle website on their daily deals too.
Slow week for books. I started the yakoubian building, which was recommended by a few people in my Yiddish class, but I've misplaced the book so haven't made further progress. The book would fall under the category of either borrowed book or different ethnicity. I did finish A Dark Lure which I'm not sure whether I can get to fit any of the categories. I got it as a free kindle selection, so I thought it was a new release, but turns out it isn't. There's a serial murderer, a dying cop out out to catch him (although the police think that crime's been solved), the lone survivor of the murderer who is dealing with PTSD, and a few other themes...
Started "As Good as True" a kindle prime January read, published in 2018 and set in the year I was born. The book deals with an abused woman in the South, daughter of Syrian immigrants, and the ramifications of her inviting in the town's first black postman for a cup of water. The book is written in the first person, and halfway through I'm beginning to get tired of the voice. I think I'd enjoy a break from Anna, and getting to hear from someone else. But we'll see how it progresses.
As for new releases: As someone else mentioned, there's so much to read out there that I don't pay that much attention to what's coming out. I get some notifications from Amazon, some advance reads from Amazon Prime Kindle, notifications from Goodreads and people in the group here (thank you all, I do enjoy your updates and suggestions), and from time to time, email updates from a reading blog. Today I actually received a personal notice from one of my writing colleagues about the release of her new book, so that's another source.
My reading slowed down this week as I only read one book which was In Cold Blood for the true crime prompt. I give it 5 stars as the story tells the background of the innocent family and the killers. Sad how it happened and it stayed in my mind each night as I had difficulty falling asleep thinking about it and if the killers would get what they deserved. That's when I know it's a good book for me. It also reminds me to keep my doors and windows locked at night. For QOTW: I do get emails for new releases but I usuallt don't buy them or check them out unless they are from an author I'm familar with or have to do with history. (Which I love) Those emails come from Amazon Primeand their Kindle First, Book Bub, Book Gorilla and Goodreads monthly newsletter.
I read two books this week. Finished them both over the weekend as I had a particularly quiet weekend! Just what I needed as I have events on almost every weekend until April. So I finished Wuthering Heights as a book about a villain or antihero. I often find books of this era a little dry so wasn’t sure that I would like it but it was fantastic! Admittedly I fairly detest the behaviour of the majority of the main characters but reall did find it so engaging! and it has really encouraged me to read more from that era.
Next I finished kindle edition of A Traveler's Guide to Belonging - tho fit the prompt for ‘a book about death or grief’ but would also work for ‘a book about Set in a country that fascinates you. The storyline is sad and sweet and gave me a lump in my throat in parts. The way it depicted India made me even more inspired to visit and it’s description of the travelling communities made me want to go back to my backpacking days! ❤️
It’s late now to start another this week but I am thinking of A Dog's Purpose which I’ll use for ‘a book I borrowed’
I’m still listening to ‘Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World on Audible. Which I am currently planning on using for a book about a real person although not technically a novel.
I also think I might start reading ‘The Nazi Olympics on kindle as ‘a book about sport’ in place of Beartown ( which is between $40-$80 in my local bookstore at the moment and I just can’t justify).
QOTW
I don’t really follow the new releases section too closely or purposely.
Usually I’ll have a look there if I’m in the bookshop or keep and eye on the book of the month recommendations from my bookstore which I believe are generally new releases. Last year I tried to follow their book of the month as part of my reading challenge but trailed off half way through the year.
This week I finished Maisie Dobbs on audiobook. It was tough to get into, and had a very long background section, detailing Maisie's life from teens to present day. A library features prominently in her background, so I think I'll use this for that prompt. I am thinking of using this for the gift prompt, but could use it for country that fascinates you as it's set in the Netherlands.QOTW: my mom is a great reader, and she has a real knack for matching books and people. She's been my main source of recommendations for years. She introduced me to Goodreads, and now I do enjoy nominee lists for recommendations. Also, for this challenge I've found my library and local bookshops featured books to be helpful.
I'm currently reading the golden tulip. I had some trouble getting into this one as well, but now that I'm 100 pages in, it is picking up and I'm really enjoying it.
How do so many people manage to read so many books per week? I'm amazed.This past week I finished Daughter of Fortune for the celebrity book club prompt even tho it was in Oprah's book club in 2000!
So far in 2018 I've read four books: Pachinko for book set in a country that fascinates you;
Bel Canto for borrowed book;
The Namesake for author with a different ethnicity than you.
Currently reading The Scribe of Siena for time travel , although it might be a "missed opportunity" to read the time traveler's wife.
Finished another 3 books this week.17/50
Finished:
1) The Catcher in the Rye for a book mentioned in another book. - I didn't want to like this book, but I did. I wonder what that says about me...
2) Fruits Basket, Vol. 1 for a book with a fruit or vegetable in the title. - I wanted to read A Clockwork Orange for this prompt, but then I got into it a bit and realized that I'd already read it... So, manga it is. I really enjoyed this one and it was nice to have a light read.
3) Howl's Moving Castle for a book recommended by someone else taking the POPSUGAR Reading Challenge. - I LOVED this book. The movie is already one of my favourites, but the book was just delightful.
Currently reading:
1) The Stranger Beside Me: Ted Bundy The Shocking Inside Story for true crime. - This one is really interesting so far, and I wanted to finish it this week, but I just can't read too much of it in one go. I find it deeply disturbing and depressing.
2) Six of Crows for a book involving a heist. - So far, so good. I don't feel like I've fully gotten into it yet.
QOTW:
I tend to get this news from Goodreads, Book Riot, from my mom, or from the local bookstores. I'm not too fussed about reading the latest thing. I care much more about reading things that I know will interest me. I fell out of reading for a few years, so I feel like I have a lot to catch up on.
I finished 5 books this week, but since I just joined the challenge last week, my count for the whole year so far is also at 5. I finished Hold Still: A Memoir with Photographs for the prompt 'A book you meant to read in 2017'. Sally Mann is my favorite photographer (and as a photographer, I feel like that holds weight) and I knew she was exceedingly well spoken in interviews so I was excited to read this when it came out. It's really, really beautiful, though certainly flawed, and her verbose Southern intellectual writing style is enjoyable but made for a really sluggish reading experience, and I ended up shelving it about a third of the way through last year. I'm glad I managed to carve out the time to complete it this week. I also listened to the audiobook of Ready Player One on the recommendation of my mother, of all people. I consider myself a pretty nerdy person and am well familiar with the majority of the references in this book, but man, I do not see why it is so acclaimed. I thought the writing was super lazy, the characters were cliche'd, the plot was obvious, and the references to nerd culture were overly explained and not utilized cleverly at all. I know that's an unpopular opinion, but yeah. Cannot recommend. Will Wheaton did an admirable job as the reader, though, and I'm glad I listened to the audio version. Anyway, that ticks off the prompt for 'a cyberpunk book'.
I also read The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ for the prompt 'an allegory', and it was short and entertaining - I managed to read it in two sittings, and I'm not the fastest reader. There were some slow bits in the middle, but the premise was interesting and the end was, I thought, insightful. I enjoy Philip Pullman's particular take on Christianity.
Lastly, I read two graphic novels, one which ticked off a prompt for the Read Harder challenge -This One Summer - I absolutely love 'literary' graphic novels (non-traditional, no action or superheroes - not sure if there's a name for the genre) and this is one of the best I've ever read, 5 stars for sure. I've followed Jillian Tamaki's illustration work for years, and this book proved she's an absolute master of her craft. Really wonderful read. I also read the quick and extremely disturbing Beautiful Darkness, which I would only recommend for those who are not feint of heart with gruesome imagery - I was genuinely unsettled by this book. But, the illustrations are incredibly well done, and the story (maybe because it was so horrific) has stuck with me in the days since.
I'm really looking forward to this month's reads! Feminist ponderings, Speculative Fiction, and more graphic novels abound.
Edit: I find new books by perusing the library, recommendations on Goodreads, and watching a handful of excellent Booktubers.
Today I finished my 9th book for the challenge.The Neverending Story for book made into a movie you have seen.
Stolen for a book involving a heist.
Stalking Jack the Ripper for a novel based on a real person.
Spirits, Stilettos and a Silver Bustier for a book with your favorite color in the title.
The Cuckoo's Calling for a book with a female author with a male pseudonym.
The Sunlight Pilgrims for a book with an LGBTQ protagonist.
Whispers and Roars for a book about mental health.
Oasis for a book published in 2018.
The Fault in Our Stars for a past Goodreads Choice Awards winner.
Hey everyone, not a particularly productive reading week for me.I finished (and loved) Hidden Bodies for next in a series.
I'm almost done with S.T.A.G.S for involving sport, and I'm over half done with The Hike for an allegory.
Question of the Week
I find books on Goodreads, Amazon, Bookriot and Buzzfeed's books newsletter too.
I finished up Beartown by Fredrik Backman and am looking forward to checking out the monthly read thread! I decided to use it for the same prompt (a book about or involving a sport).After reading several heavy books, I needed something a little lighter. I originally picked up Guards! Guards!, but didn't get very far before seeing that the Agatha nominees were announced this week. I decided to start working my way through the nominees that I haven't read yet to make informed voting decisions at the Malice Domestic conference in April. The full list of nominees/categories can be found here: 2017 Agatha nominees. So far, I've read Glass Houses and The Paris Spy; I love both of those series and enjoyed both of the novels very much.
I started and finished one of the contemporary nominees (Death Overdue by Allison Brook) and one of the historical fiction nominees (Dangerous to Know by Renee Patrick. I'll be able to use both of them for prompts ("a book about or set on Halloween" and "a book by two authors").
I picked up one of the Best First Novel nominees yesterday (Hollywood Homicide by Kellye Garrett), which I'm starting today. I'm likely going to use that for the alliterative title prompt. I have inter-library loan requests in for two more nominees: The Plot Is Murder by V.M. Burns and The World's Greatest Detective by Caroline Carlson, and have an ebook hold request for American Fire: Love, Arson, and Life in a Vanishing Land by Monica Hesse. I'm hoping to read at least two nominees in each category before the conference and all of the short story nominees, which normally get posted on the Malice Domestic website.
Counting the two Agatha nominees that I finished earlier today, my totals are 9/40 and 1/10.
QotW :
I subscribe to several bookish newsletters, which are my primary favorite sources for discovering new books. My faves are sent out by my local library, Goodreads, BookRiot, and a local indie mystery bookstore.
Cai wrote: "...Lastly, I read two graphic novels, one which ticked off a prompt for the Read Harder challenge -This One Summer - I absolutely love 'literary' graphic novels (non-traditional, no action or superheroes - not sure if there's a name for the genre) and this is one of the best I've ever read, 5 stars for sure. I've followed Jillian Tamaki's illustration work for years, and this book proved she's an absolute master of her craft. Really wonderful read. I also read the quick and extremely disturbing Beautiful Darkness, which I would only recommend for those who are not feint of heart with gruesome imagery - I was genuinely unsettled by this book. But, the illustrations are incredibly well done, and the story (maybe because it was so horrific) has stuck with me in the days since..."I really enjoyed This One Summer as well, and you just reminded me of Beautiful Darkness, that I want to read. Apropos disturbing graphic novels, I recommend Elin under havet, if you can get a hold of it. It´s not translated to English, but it has very little text, and the understanding lies in the illustrations.
Karen wrote: "This week I finished Maisie Dobbs on audiobook. It was tough to get into, and had a very long background section, detailing Maisie's life from teens to present day. A library features prominently in her background, so I think I'll use this for that prompt. I am thinking of using this for the gift prompt, but could use it for country that fascinates you as it's set in the Netherlands. " Stick with the series. The first book really just lays the groundwork for the characters. Also, they are all set in England - mostly London, but Maisie does travel to France, Spain, Germany, and India in later books. Maisie reflects frequently back on her WWI service. The audiobooks are excellent, especially when depicting other characters like her friend Pricilla and Billy Beale.
Lyor wrote: "How do so many people manage to read so many books per week? I'm amazed."Reading speed has a lot to do with it, and personal schedules factor in, but if you're looking to fit in more reading time either 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think or The Fringe Hours: Making Time for You are both really helpful for figuring out how. You could even read one of them for 'recommended by another person doing the PopSugar challenge if you like. :-)
Happy February! We don't get too much winter in Vegas so Spring is already inbound.This week I'm working on
and
I fininshed
this was for the 2015 Favorite Prompt - book with a nonhuman character.
Currently 6/52
QotW:
What is your favorite source to learn about new books coming out?
I actually don't keep up that well. I do wander around Barnes and Noble a couple times a month so that helps keep up a little bit.
This week's reads:Challenge Prompt: # 21 - title with favorite color (purple) in it
Purple Passage: The Life of Mrs Frank Leslie by Madeleine B Stern
Non Challenge related - A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin
Currently Reading: Carnegie's Maid
QOTW: As part of my job, I read book reviews in Library Journal, Booklist, CHOICE, and Publisher's Weekly. This is were I find most of the new books I want to read.
For the check-in period, I finished:A book by two authors:
Das Relikt: Museum der Angst (Relic)
Seen the film many times, first time reading the book (or any Preston/Child, for that matter). Enjoyed it immensely and will definitely return to the Pendergast series when I have the time.
The Last Dragonslayer
This one I read for the ATY Challenge (prompt: A book from the first 10 books added to your To Be Read list); Jasper Fforde in fine form. I read all three books in the series in one go.
The Song of the Quarkbeast
Also for the ATY Challenge (A book written in first person perspective); the second book in the Last Dragonslayer series.
Question of the week
My main sources for book news are Goodreads and my favorite authors' websites and Facebook pages. These days I try to stick to my favorite authors rather than keeping my eyes peeled for all kinds of book news. I am still getting enough of those, also here in the group :) Another nice little source is the magazine by the German railway corporation: it's a really nice magazine that comes out every month (I believe) and always features a book presentation, with a review, an interview with the author, and excerpts. I discovered a few favorites this way.
Emily wrote: "Chloe wrote: "This week I'm slogging through the fourth-longest book on my Reading Challenge list, The Secret History for prompt 36 (set in the decade you were born). I also read [book..."Hi Emily - I really enjoyed it (as much as you can enjoy a book about death). It was really beautifully written and not so much about death/illness as the state in between life and death - really ethereal.
Lyor wrote: "How do so many people manage to read so many books per week? I'm amazed."I wonder about that sometimes too. My mom reads an average of 5 books a week. But she's retired, and she's the type of person who always wants to be doing something. I'm ... not. I chafe at the idea that we should fill every hour of our day to accomplish more. I like spending some quality time with nothing. (I guess some people would call it meditation, but I don't feel disciplined enough for that.) I think personality also plays a role in how we spend our time. Do you always need to be doing something? Or do you need a break from doing things?
Stina wrote: "Eujean2 wrote: "... Clover - An adorable novella that answers the question of what happened to Patricia's cat from All the Birds in the Sky ..."Oh! I have to find this! I *loved* AtBitS."
You can read it online for free: https://www.tor.com/2016/10/25/clover/
I have it saved for when I need to read something on my phone as it's pretty short!
Heather wrote: "Lyor wrote: "How do so many people manage to read so many books per week? I'm amazed."I wonder about that sometimes too. My mom reads an average of 5 books a week. But she's retired, and she's th..."
I wonder too. I´ll tell you how I do it: I read a lot of YA, children´s books, picture books and graphic novels - generally short reads. So a lot of titles and good reading experiences, but timewise not so massive. I don´t know how other people do it. Then again, my mom is retired and her days look very different from mine.
Definitely late to the party on this week's update! Oops.This week I finished Truly Devious. Last week I mentioned that it was good but not great and blamed it on the fact that I don't read too much YA and am usually underwhelmed. HOWEVER, this book really picked up in the second half and I can't wait for the next one in the series.
I'm just about done with The Dry and am loving it! Can't wait for #2 in this series as well -- good thing it comes out tomorrow.
I also started the audiobook of Forty Acres. Too soon to have any real thoughts on the book but I look forward to listening this week!
Force of Nature has been out in Australia since at least December. I bought it a month ago. Haven't read it yet though. Really got to get onto that.....
Got the flu and was asleep for most of this week. It's a bummer, too: I couldn't even stay awake long enough to really read, so I feel a bit behind. I did manage to squeeze in Ghost --a short YA novel by the wonderful Jason Reynolds, who wrote All American Boys. I wanted to read Beartown, but I couldn't get to the library because of the plague :).
I also squeezed in two other quick YA books:
My Life in Pink & Green for the favorite color (green is one) prompt and
Far Far Away for the allegory prompt. This was an AMAZING read, and it won the National Book Award several years ago and I had not gotten around to it...Thanks Popsugar Reading Challenge!
QOTW:
I primarily have only used GR, Bookriot, and BookBub. But, I've recently found Bookoutlet.com and they have a great Twitter Feed. My local bookstore, Byrds Books, and favorite bookstores (Harvard's, Strands -New York, Raven Book Store -Lawrence, KS) also do wonderful bookish events and send regular newsletters!
Raquel wrote: "Lyor wrote: "How do so many people manage to read so many books per week? I'm amazed."Reading speed has a lot to do with it, and personal schedules factor in, but if you're looking to fit in more..."
Chiming in as someone who does manage to read a lot of books, some other factors besides reading speed that contribute to more books read -
Do you read the newspaper every day? magazines? Personally I only have a certain amount of free time away from work and other demands and choose to read books. I scan newspaper headlines and articles for only about 15 minutes a day on average, almost never read magazines. I find when I am reading newspapers/magazines, I'm not reading nearly as many books. My brother hasn't read a book in probably 40 years, but he reads tons of magazines and newspapers every day.
Other interests/hobbies - in my life it is a bit of a competition - if I am doing a lot of cross stitching, cooking, pattern designing, or any one of a number of other things, the volume of my reading is reduced - and vice versa.
Commuting - I commute to work on public transportation. I almost exclusively use that time to read. I also squeeze in reading while waiting on appointments, during lunch (usually at my desk, and I'd rather read than continue to work, even if I only take 20 minutes). I even read at home in between loads of laundry -- apartment building laundry room - no washer/dryer in apartment, ergo need to be attentive, thus giving automatic time to read.
Before going to sleep - I get about an hour in before going to sleep at night. I have a hard time falling asleep, and reading settles me down. Not always, but most of the time!
Other people requiring your attention - well, I'm single with no kids. Automatically increases the time I have available to read! Think about it - no homework to supervise, kids/spouse to get out the door to school/work, meals that have to be prepared (I can decide to eat that cold left-over slice of pizza in the fridge and be done), no laundry to do several times a week. Think how much reading you would get done if you had all that time. :-)
Speed - yes, I read pretty fast but it depends on the book. It took me 5 weeks last year to read one 1400 page book, yet only 10 days to read 3 books that exceeded 1500 pages collectively. Why? That 1400 page book was a much harder slower read - narrative style, inclusion of letters and poetry, being diverted to looking up some historical information that the story made me curious about, some challenging vocabulary, some difficult to read and comprehend sections. The 3 books that together were over 1500 pages were far lighter, easy reading pure entertainment.
How many books do you start but DNF? If that happens a lot, you are actually reading a lot more than you are likely counting as having read. I have a friend who is constantly starting books, reading for a few days then tossing them aside saying she's not in the mood to read them and moving on to something else. She never counts those DNF rejects as 'read' unless she goes back and finishes them (which frequently does not happen).
Quality over quantity - I read a mix of what I call quality books - classics, some non-fiction, really good writers -- and books that are not necessarily quality (does not make them bad at all, just really quick light reading) - like cozy mysteries, regency romance, contemporary series. I can rip through new books by favorite genre authors in a day or two each. But reading Dickens for example, that will take me a few days.
There are many factors at play in how many books you can manage to read over a period of time. The important thing is that you are reading, regardless of how many books that ends up being.
9/50Finished:
- PostSecret: Extraordinary Confessions from Ordinary Lives - A bestseller from the year you graduated high school - It was an interesting book, fun, and opening.
- Saga, Vol. 8 - A book set on a different planet - I'm getting kind of annoyed with these graphic Novels... They take forever to get released then nothing happens in them. I will still continue because I want to know what happens but I'm glad I'm not purchasing these.
- Illuminae - Reread so doesn't count towards my count. one of my favorite books and now I'm onto the 2nd!
Currently reading:
- Tower of Dawn - A book with a time of day in the title - loving it so far
- Beneath the Sugar Sky - A book you borrowed or that was given to you as a gift - also loving so far
QOTW:
I watch a lot of YouTube videos and read a lot on Goodreads.
I had a great week! I read two books.. one that will fit into a prompt and one that won't. I read a great psychological thriller:
Blood Sisters by Jane Corry
And I read A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. Wrinkle in Time will fulfill the prompt "a book that takes place on another planet"
My review for wrinkle in time : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Question of the Week:
What is your favorite source to learn about new books coming out?
My favorite sources to learn about new books coming out are:
1) Goodreads
2) Book Riot and Bookreporter
3) Blogs from friends that I follow
Mainly though, Goodreads. I have found so many wonderful titles on GR! I LOVE GR. It has completely transformed my hobby of reading into a passion.
Overall 10/40 0/10
This week I read:One of Us Is Lying for the prompt "Title with Song Lyrics." It was engaging. My students are excited to read it.
There's Someone Inside Your House and used it for the prompt about Halloween (takes place in weeks leading up to Halloween with climax on Halloween). If it hadn't been for the prompt, I probably would not have finished it. I didn't like it at all.
Spoonbenders for the prompt about time travel as one of the family member's super power is being able to travel back and forth throughout time (greatly influences story). This was a crazy tale, but overall I enjoyed it.
The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit for my True Crime prompt. The crime in this case is theft - nothing violent. A colleague recommended this to me. I don't read a lot of true crime or even non-fiction so it was really nice to get out of my comfort zone. A quick and thought-provoking read. I recommend it!
Overall I am 13/40 and 0/12 bonus
It was a really productive week! Right now I am working on a few challenges that may not fit any my remaining prompts. Just reading to read. :)
I'm worried that I am cruising through the prompts that I like or that are easy for me, and I will be stuck with ALL challenging reads at the end of the year!
QOTW:
Goodreads is my main source of book searching. I have had an account forever, but I got really into using it just over the past year. I had a few too many of those moments when you get a few chapters into a book and realize you've read it already! I decided to keep better track of what I read and what I want to read. I also love being part of the challenge! I must be even more competitive than I thought, but it has me reading more than I've ever read in my life.
I also use Pinterest for random book list pages and suggestions from friends.
I've completed Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened by Allie Brosh for task 35.
I just borrowed 'Hyperbole and a half' from the library for that exact prompt.
Forgot to check in last week and late checking in this week 🙈 had a productive couple of weeks though! I finished Matilda and the hunger games this week putting my total to 6/52 so getting a bit ahead which is good as I’m meaning the start one of my longer books soon! Happy reading guys!
This is my first reading challenge ever [and first check in!] so I'm only planning to read the 40 regular prompts. I've read four so far, so I think I'm on track!Currently reading She's Come Undone for my 2017 TBR and I just started Beartown for a book about a sport and our February book choice.
QOTW: Goodreads! It's actually the only online resource I use, but I'm always browsing our library and local bookstore!
I didn't get any reading done this week unfortunately, there's been a lot of sickness and bad news running through our house the last few weeks, so I've been a little preoccupied. My main form to find out about new books is usually Amazon or right here on Goodreads I find publish dates.
I’m so sorry to hear that, John. I hope things will get better for you soon!
I didn't finish any books last week. I was listening to the audiobook of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" and reading "Death with Interruptions," but didn't get them finished by the 1st.QOTW: I get too many good book recommendations, from Goodreads, from book club members, from friends, from new book lists. So many books, so little time!
Books completed for week 5 (01/25 - 02/01):A book set on a different planet: A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs
A book with an LGBTQ+ protagonist: The Color Purple by Alice Walker
I just finished When the Moon is Low by Nadia Hashimi. It was a great book.. and it will satisfy the prompt: "read a book by an author that is a different ethnicity than you"
Nadine wrote: "poshpenny wrote: "Ugh, Super tough day at work. Many tears. And I need to get up and go back in 3 or 4 hours so a short one from me tonight. ..."I'm sorry it was tough. What is your job?"
Retail management. You know when you start a new job or get a new team, and it's hard and sucks for a while, but then you find your groove together? Yeah, they keep moving people around a lot so as soon as I get there, or closer to there, POOF I have to start all over. Currently the person above me and the person above them and I are really not a good fit, apparently. I. Am. So. Tired.
Nadine, sorry about your job situation. I've been there. Keep on keeping on and ready something that brings you joy.
Heather wrote: "Lyor wrote: "How do so many people manage to read so many books per week? I'm amazed."I wonder about that sometimes too. My mom reads an average of 5 books a week. But she's retired, and she's th..."
I feel this
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
No Country for Old Men (other topics)When the Moon is Low (other topics)
A Princess of Mars (other topics)
The Color Purple (other topics)
She’s Come Undone (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Nadia Hashimi (other topics)Allie Brosh (other topics)
Madeleine L'Engle (other topics)
Jane Corry (other topics)
Fredrik Backman (other topics)
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There are no rules! do what is most fun for you.