Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2018 Weekly Checkins
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Week 23: 5/31 - 6/7
Ooh, I had a big week of finishes thanks to a bunch of short books (plus two audiobooks)!East of Eden I read as a book about twins. It was wonderful, although I have a hard time explaining to myself why I like it so much!
Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic started out Pride month for me. I thought it was great, although the fact that it was made into a musical means the explicit scenes took me a little by surprise. I loved the family relationships aspects, but the literature references made it feel a little esoteric/snobby at times?
I read the original Peter Pan (an edition with cute manga style illustrations) as a childhood classic, and because I have a few retellings coming up. I am bummed that the Indian characters were so terribly done that the rest of the book is kind of tainted for me. I would never give it to a kid to read without abridging that part out, but the rest was charming. I like how older kids books really didn’t dumb things down.
Another Pride month read, which *is *in the GR database but hard to find for some reason when linking, was Trigger by Jessica L. Webb. It is the first in a Lambda award winning thriller series about an ER doctor and RCMP agent(f/f) who fall in love and solve crimes. It was fun and not too long - medical thrillers aren’t so much my thing, but it was fine.
Another childhood classic I’ve never read was next, The Little Prince. Very cute and interesting, another example of a book for kids that doesn’t talk down to them.
And finally, another audiobook - Obsidio. I really enjoyed this series and I think I used this one as a book published in 2018. I do have one gripe, but it’s a spoiler so I won’t mention it here.
QOTW: not recently because now I get my books first and don’t often read something I do t think I’ll like. But I was surprised back in the day how much I loved HP and also GoT, years after my husband first read them and gushed.
This week I finished 3 books, none for this challenge.The Broken Girls for ATY ghost story. I can't believe that was this week, it seems like so long ago.
The Great Alone for ATY. This book is the reason I can't remember anything else. It was so good and just captured all my attention.
Audiobook of Text Me When You Get Home: The Evolution and Triumph of Modern Female Friendship also for ATY.
Currently Reading:
Map of Bones for ATY
Shake It Up: Great American Writing on Rock and Pop from Elvis to Jay Z: A Library of America Special Publication for Book Riot Read Harder essay anthology.
Listening to The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
QOTW:
I definitely avoided Harry Potter for a long time because I thought it was just for kids. I didn't start reading it until after I saw the first 3 movies with my daughter.
I thought Kristin Hannah was in the Danielle Steele, Nicholas Sparks camp. My mom loves her books, which is another reason I avoided them. But The Nightingale was really good, and The Great Alone was just great. Although I still have no desire to read her other books.
I am so glad I never gave into the pressure to read Fifty Shades of Grey.
Hello Reading Friends!I completed one book this week, The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley which was for the time travel prompt. This book was a delightful read for me with thoroughly engaging characters, a bit of romance and historical fiction in there and lush descriptions of the Cornish coast! It was the perfect way to relax after what was a stressful week at work.
Currently Reading:
The Opposite of Loneliness: Essays and Stories by Marina Keegan for the Won't Be Long prompt of the Goodreads Summer Challenge and the book published posthumously prompt for Read Harder. I'm three essays in and enjoyed the first but was not blown away by the next two.
To Be or Not To Be: A Chooseable-Path Adventure by Ryan North for the Childhood Reboot prompt of the Goodreads Summer Challenge. A brilliant and rollicking amount of fun that makes me question why no one before him thought to turn Shakespeare's plays in to a choose your own adventure book!
QOTW:
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline was so far outside the realm of what I usually read but I devoured this one last year in 5 days and Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney as I questioned how a book about a lady taking a walk through her neighborhood could be that absorbing but I finished it understood why it got so much hype.
Haven't checked in here in a little while. Oops! So, here's what I've read in the last couple weeks.Finished:
Saga, Vol. 8 - Advanced 10. A book recommended by someone else taking the POPSUGAR Reading Challenge
Another great volume, but now I'm sad. Still my favourite graphic novel series. I'm so invested in these characters.
Paper Girls, Vol. 2 - Regular 23. A book about time travel
Paper Girls, Vol. 3 - Not read for a challenge
This series is also becoming a favourite. Very intrigued about where it's going.
Midnight at the Electric - Regular 8. A book with a time of day in the title
This one didn't work for me. I found it very slow and nothing really gets resolved at the end. I was hoping the stories would come together in an interested way, but was left a bit disappointed. The timeline is also very confusing. I kept having to flip back and forth trying to figure things out, but the the dates just didn't add up.
The Princess Saves Herself in this One - Read for ATY
I think this is just not my kind of poetry. Bit underwhelming.
Lumberjanes, Vol. 2: Friendship to the Max - Not read for a challenge
Lumberjanes, Vol. 3: A Terrible Plan - Not read for a challenge
The Princess Diarist - Read for Book Riot
Highly recommend the audiobook.
Progress
Regular: 28/42
Advanced: 6/10
Currently Reading:
Still slowly making my way through Outlander. Haven't picked up anything else for this challenge yet.
QOTW:
Honestly, I don't really pay attention to which authors are considered 'trendy'.
Hi everyone! Not really any progress to report from here in dry, hot AZ - it was a really slow reading week for me.
I am, however, chipping away at the audio of I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer. This is great, but as someone else mentioned, not for the faint of heart. It's creepy. I think listening to it on audio, particularly late at night as I have a habit of doing, intensifies the creep factor a bit too.
Also currently reading Paper Girls, Vol. 4 and Bitch Planet, Vol. 2: President Bitch, both of which are fantastic, I just haven't gotten the time to sit down and finish them.
QOTW: I don't do the best job of keeping up with trendy authors, and when I do read them, it seems most of the time the books turn out about like I expect. But I guess Rainbow Rowell could count as a trendy YA author. I expected to dislike both Landline and Eleanor & Park, but was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed both. Fangirl, on the other hand, was the opposite. Went in expecting greatness and got.. meh. Also, if Angie Thomas is considered trendy, then I can say that The Hate U Give definitely surpassed expectations. I expected it to be decent, but instead, it was amazing.
NO NO NO I SWEAR I JUST CHECKED IN!Seriously, time. WTF.
Finished:
A Long Way Home
Time Traveling with a Hamster - Yay!
I also went down the CBeebies Bedtime Stories rabbit hole on YouTube the other night, which actually was quite a nice way to fall asleep. I visited my favorite then saw some I hadn't seen before.
Odd Dog Out - I really like Tom Hardy's earnest reading of this, but I also just really like this book. I think I need it buy it.
The Dog Detectives: Lost in London
Wee Granny's Magic Bag - James McAvoy read this, in his actual proper accent, which made me think hmmm... I've been avoiding the ancestry prompt, maybe I'll just use this
No Matter What
Stick Man
Currently Reading: Pride month!
Alan Turing: The Enigma - Interesting but with huge chunks about math functions or theoretical computer parts.
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
QOTW:
I guess the only one I can think of recently would be John Scalzi. I didn't think I would really like sci-fi in book form, but his audiobooks changed my mind. I'm much more open to them now. (within limits.) My default books tend to be middle grade, and I'm not sure I move in circles where I notice who is trendy there. A great deal of my purchases come from the cover catching my eye.
I got in on Harry Potter early. I impulse purchased the second book when it came out (in my late 20's) because I liked the cover and blurb. It wasn't until a couple of months later that I heard another human mention it.
Eujean2 wrote: "@CendaquentaWhat is the Reading Women Challenge? (I tried to look it up in Good Reads Groups, but a lot of things come up in that search.)"
Here: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
:)
Last week I continued reading the 2 books I had started the previous week. I also started a 3rd book: Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides for the June's challenge. I just started reading this yesterday and the beginning of the book is a bit confusing. But it it's unusual too.
My reading progress so far:
Completed: 11
Currently reading: 3
Sara wrote: "Nadine wrote: "I needed to read a "medical or legal thriller" for Around the Year, and while I read lots of thrillers, I'd never read a medical or legal thriller.If you want to try again, I remem..."
There are a lot of better legal thriller writers than Grisham! I frequently want to throw his books against the wall at some point in reading them. But they make mighty fine movies LOL. Try William Bernhardt for some well-crafted legal thrillers.
Anne wrote: " .Bimbos of the Death Sun for another challenge – I kind of wish this could work for cyberpunk, but that would be a very big stretch. It’s hysterical! Set in the mid90s, it’s a spoof of sci fi conventions."OMG, that book was hilarious! Now I have to comb my bookshelves for my original paperback read years ago so I can re-read it! I canxt believe it is still around!
Tara wrote: " main character wasn't likable and I'm pretty sure that John Updike doesn't think real highly of women, but I was still so drawn into the story and the writing. It .."I don't care for Updike - well I didn't in my 20s. My boss at the time was, together with his wife, an avid reader. Mort adored Updike, his wife Roz loathed Updike. Roz loved Robertson Davies, while Mort hated them. They had a theory that Updike were written for men because theywere about men's midlife crisis while Davies appealed women because they were about community.
Good morning from a sunny Copenhagen, Denmark.This week I read:
Den lange vandring ("The long journey") a picture book with beautiful illustrations, but the story didn´t quite live up to the author and illustrator´s other collaboration Huset der vågnede ("the house that woke").
Uhyrlige historier ("monstrous stories") short stories for kids, monstrous stories, some with monsters.
Leoniderne For older kids - first in a series. This involves time travel - yay - so that prompt is ticked. Great story, good writing.
Lysets hjerte a short story also for older kids. Really good! And funny enough, also involved time travel.
and Goldfish from Beyond the Grave a children´s book about zombie pets ;)
Currently reading:
Listening to Trækopfuglens krønike (The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle). Probably going to be listening to this for a while, since I mainly listen to audiobooks on my bike ride to and from work (25 min each way), and it´s a long book.
Later today I´ll start reading Knivens stemme, the never-before-translated-to-Danish edition of The Knife of Never Letting Go, that I´ve received for review (yay - I´ve had this on my TBR for ages!).
QOTW:
I don´t really know what´s considered trendy. I know what trends on the Danish children´s literature market, but that´s too narrow to be called trends in general I think.
At first I couldn´t really think of any, since I either don´t read hyped books (if this is what you mean by trendy) or I read them after some trusted friend, family or colleague has read it first and can recommend it, and then I´m not surprised if I like it.
I do read some hyped YA, but I´m generally not surprised either way.
I did like All the Light We Cannot See more than I expected, but that´s mainly because I´m wary of WW2 historical fiction, because I overdosed on it when I was younger.
Good evening from Scotts Head NSW Australia. Came over to the beach to check on my 90 year old father in law for a couple of weeks. I spend a lot of time reading when I’m up here. Finished a few books this week.
Never Never by James Patterson and Candice Fox (Audiobook) First Detective Harriot Blue book. Listened to most of it with Hubby when we were driving a few weeks ago. Finished it when I was driving the 500+km to the farm on Tuesday. Really enjoyed it. Worked out whodunnit almost from the start. Hubby asked me who did it (he wasn’t with me when I finished listening to it) and I just said who do you think and he got it right. The clue was pretty obvious. Hopefully I can get the next one in the series soon.
Contest by Matthew Reilly (audiobook) Matthew Reilly’s debut book. Really liked it. Been listening to it for many weeks while I was cleaning, driving and cooking. Finally finished it on Tuesday. I spent 3 1/3 hours finishing Never Never and 1 1/2 finishing this one. So glad I discovered the library borrowing app. So easy listening to books I’ve downloaded on my phone over Bluetooth.
The Bat by Joe Nesbø (paperback) First Detective Harry Hole book. Enjoyed it even though some parts annoyed me. It was set in Sydney and was going on about the Outback but they didn’t get anywhere near the Outback. Also part of it was in my home town. At least they got the name right I suppose....
Currently reading
Cinder by Marissa Meyer (audiobook). Listened to the first few hours this morning driving from the Farm to the Beachhouse. It’s quite good so far.
Leviathan Wakes by James SA Corey (paperback) only got a little way in before I had to take it back to the library. Picked up my own copy this week so I can get back to it. Watched the first episode of The Expanse on Netflix the other night and it covered exactly how much I’d read lol
Also still got the Immortalists and Dear Fahrenheit 451 on my currently reading list even though I haven’t looked at them this week.
QOTW
I didn’t even realise Harry Potter was a thing until I saw news reports of all the kids dressed as wizards and witches for the release of Goblet of Fire. I had kids, who read heaps, the right age but had never seen anything about it before. I bought my middle son Philosopher’s Stone for his birthday and never looked back. I read it before I gave it to him and was able to pick up 2 at the library and next time I went to a town with proper shops I bought 2,3 and 4. Now every member of the family has the full set.
A lot of the hyped stuff I didn’t read. I still haven’t read Hunger Games or Divergent even though I did see the first Hunger Games Movie years after it came out. Lately though I have been reading some of the hyped books and I have read James Patterson and Sue Grafton and others and actually enjoyed them. And I’ve been reading a lot of the new release books that everyone is Racing about. Normally they’re not what I like but lately they are. Go figure.
Tricia wrote: "Hello from Brisbane Australia. Slow reading week for me.This week I finished
Scar Tissue (A book with two authors). I really loved the Red Hot Chilli Peppers in my youth so this boo..."
I loved Scar Tissue when I read it a few years back (possibly about 10). It is a miracle that man is still alive and the fact nobody who was involved in his upbringing was pulled up for abuse is beyond me. Plus he is proof that men can age well.
Evening from the NT. This week has been a poor effort for reading. I have completed exactly 0 books and I can't even remember the last time that happened.
Currently still reading:
A Handful of Happiness, which should have been a cute read about a hedgehog but is so badly written it is hard to enjoy the story.
LIFEL1K3: OK but only if you suspend belief and accept that a 1 armed dude can climb a ladder while carrying a robot dog and open an overhead manhole cover all at once. Hmmmm. Some annoying points which were obviously not thought through.
Still sort of going on 3 others too but too slowly to be likely to finish anytime soon.
QOTW
Kazuo Ishiguro was a wonderful discovery (I think he is trendy anyway). Also loved Gone Girl and went out and bought the rest of Gillian Flynn's stuff after reading it. The Girl With All the Gifts was popular with the kids at school so I read that and really enjoyed it too. Ditto 13 Reasons, which the school library has had to order more copies of because they can't keep up.
Really disappointed by some too though eg Girl on The Train and The Hate You Give. Hated 50 Shades.
Still haven't read Harry Potter or The Girl With... mainly because there are so many that once I start I probs won't read anything else till the series is done.
Jen wrote: "LIFEL1K3: OK but only if you suspend belief and accept that a 1 armed dude can climb a ladder while carrying a robot dog and open an overhead manhole cover all at once. "does... does he have about 5 prosthetics...
Hi all, I am late to the party, but here regardless.
I took a tiny break from the challenge....but mostly to read some escapist fluff (yeah, not joking).
I am currently reading The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared...I am reading it for the book with the ugly cover. My cover is YELLOW and basically looks like it smeared with mustard! But this book is very funny so far.
QOTW: I am one of the folks who reads bestsellers....so sometimes I am let down, and sometimes I love them. I really loved the entire The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series, and they were all very trendy. I must agree, Girl on the Train was a massive let-down for me. I still go on personal recommendations or recommendations from Goodreads friends -- much more reliable!!
I haven't been on here updating for the challenge because I've been so behind on reading and it gets boring to write the same books with no progress haha. I finished my undergrad, took a break from pretty much everything, back in grad school, and now finishing up some books! I've been taking White Teeth to the gym with me so it's been breezing by, and the threat of overdue notices have kicked me into finishing Fables, This One Summer, and Batman graphic novels. I thought I wouldn't be able to put This One Summer anywhere, but I saw it was published in 2014 when I graduated high school so I took All the Light We Cannot See off my list and replaced it! I've been reading a lot, but not for this challenge... I own Middlesex so I'll start it for the monthly challenge after the Batman books! The teaching book is required reading for grad school and sadly won't find a place on the challenge!
Challenge: 9/50, 20 total for the year
Finished:
- Fables, Vol. 5: The Mean Seasons
- This One Summer (a bestseller from the year you graduated high school)
Currently:
- White Teeth (book with twins)
- Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (book about a villain or antihero)
- Teach, Breathe, Learn: Mindfulness in and out of the Classroom
QOTW:
I don't usually have the money to buy "in" books because I'm going through backlist books I already own, but I guess maybe one would be Douglas Adams. I read the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy books and I really enjoyed the first few, which was surprising because I'm not big on "trendy" science nerd stuff that I assumed the series was because it was so popular. Douglas Adams is actually very funny and I feel bad for judging! Another one in recent memory would be Marissa Meyer. The covers of her Lunar Chronicles and the hype almost turned me off but they were actually really fun and one of my favorite YA series!
I finally finished The Count of Monte Cristo and loved it. I used it for a book with an alliteration in the title. I thought there might be parts of the book that dragged just because it is so long, but I was engaged from beginning to end. I will probably read this again some day. It's just that good.This brings the PopSugar challenge total to: 26/40 and 3/10
I also read Love Walked in and enjoyed it. The constant movie references become tiresome but some of the prose was beautiful. I read this and plan on reading Belong to Me before reading I'll Be Your Blue Sky for the MMD summer reading challenge.
Gone to Green - I needed a break from all the long and/or heavy content books I've read this year. This fit the bill.
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West - for the AtY52 prompt to read a book with a complete sentence in the title. I remember my mom reading this book when it first came out. I was a kid and always wanted to read it. It was interesting and heartbreaking. A good book if you want to understand the systemic killing of the Indians by the government.
The Search for Anne Perry - I read this because I used to read Anne Perry's Inspector Monk series, and a lesser extent, her Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series. It is a detailed account of the murder of her best friend's mother that she and her best friend committed in New Zealand in 1954. I always wanted to read a true account of those events. The author had extensive access to letters, records, and Miss Perry. She went to extensive detail in how the plots of Anne Perry's books were effected by her life and the murder. It was interesting, but it was also one of those books that you are certain you just read 25 pages only to find out it was only 4 pages.
Jen wrote: "Tricia wrote: "Hello from Brisbane Australia. Slow reading week for me.This week I finished
Scar Tissue (A book with two authors). I really loved the Red Hot Chilli Peppers in my yo..."
I was obsessed with the Chilli's when I was younger, and until he grew his nasty moustache Anthony was my ultimate lust object (besides my husband, of course...oh, and Jake Gyllenhaal). I read Scar Tissue maybe six years ago, and from what I remember I kind of wished I hadn't. Sometimes, mystique is a good thing!
I finished two books this week:Not for challenge: Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover
Many of my friends had recently read this book and raved about it. It hits closer to home for us in Utah as it was about a Mormon family in Idaho who have taken the teaching a bit too far and have become survivalists (those who are preparing for the end of the world and distrust government). She received very little education, but managed to get to college and beyond, while coming to terms with her family's ideas. Interesting read.
33. Childhood Classic: The Little Prince
I originally had Lord of the Flies in this category, but I moved it to Allegory instead and read this delightful little book. I do not know how I missed reading it during my 57 years.
28/42 regular, 5/10 advanced
QOTW:
My niece told me I would love The Hunger Games, but her description of the plot made me cringe (there is no good way to describe the series that actually sounds appealing). Once people started talking about it more, I gave it a try and loved it. I should have trusted her.
I read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo for this challenge. I had avoided it for years because I thought it was too disturbing or something, but I really liked it and quickly read the sequels as well.
Since my last post I finished:Bad Feminist - my book about feminism. I like reading Roxanne Gay in the newspaper, and have enjoyed her public speaking, but this book was not my favorite. I liked a few of the essays, was bored by most of them. The book is mostly a compilation of her thoughts on pop culture, and although I agree with a lot of her ideas, I didn’t enjoy reading about them. This is only book I have read by her, I wonder if I should try a different book or just move on to something else.
The Genius of Birds - animal in the title. This is a book about birds, which isn’t a topic I’m really into, but I read it for a book club. Surprisingly, I really liked this book, it’s very well written. Birds are fascinating creatures, with many intelligent quirks and behaviors. Who knew?
At Home in the World: Reflections on Belonging While Wandering the Globe- audiobook - prompt from a previous challenge. Very enjoyable travelogue from a year spent abroad with her husband and young kids. I actually bought this audiobook by mistake, but found myself on a long car trip and was glad I had it. She might have spent more time on the logistics of the trip (rather than the places she visited) than I liked, but I did enjoy her stories, and appreciated her encouragement for people who want to take time out of a normal working life to spend time seeing the world.
A Prayer for Owen Meany- I’m re-reading this for the book that takes place the decade I was born. I read this when it first came out and didn’t remember it well, I’m loving it. This is a wonderful, touching book. I remember The World According to Garp so well, I don’t know why this one didn’t make such an impression! I was born in the 60s, but a far amount of the book takes place in the 50s, so it would work for that decade as well!
QOTW: I never read any Harry Potter (still haven’t, but I may for the childhood prompt this year) so I was wary of the Cormoran Strike books. I loved them and have read them all!
Mod
Bad Feminist - my book about feminism. I like reading Roxanne Gay in the newspaper, and have enjoyed her public speaking, but this book was not my favorite. I liked a few of the essays, was bored by most of them. The book is mostly a compilation of her thoughts on pop culture, and although I agree with a lot of her ideas, I didn’t enjoy reading about them. This is only book I have read by her, I wonder if I should try a different book or just move on to something else.
..."
I didn't like Bad Feminist either, and I hope people chime in with opinions, because I've also been wondering if I should try another one of her books.
Good evening from South Dakota! It has been really hot for the month of June. A lot of towns broke heat records for temps over 100 degrees. I am on part 3 of Gone with the Wind.
My goal this week was to finish Light in August. The themes were dark and depressing. Not real impressed with my Oprah book club pick.
Light in August is finished so I will start reading The Song of Achilles for the LGBQT prompt
QOTW: I don't usually follow trends. The Song of Achilles was a best seller on Amazon and very popular on Goodreads. Amazon recommended it several times before I bought the book. I am not a big fan of Ancient Greek history. I was surprised that I am 20 percent done and liking it.
I've got an unexpected evening to myself, so I decided to check in early (well, early for me 😉) this week! I finished one non-prompt read, made progress on another book I'd started last weekend, and received and started another unexpected ARC. The book gods have definitely smiled upon me so far in 2018!Finished:
* ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ City of Ink by Elsa Hart -- I received an ARC of the third book in the Li Du historical mystery series courtesy of the publisher (Minotaur) in exchange for an honest review, which I'll be writing as soon as I'm done with this update.
Currently Reading:
* The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin -- I'm a little over halfway done. I originally picked it up for one of the other challenges I'm working on this year (BookRiot Read Harder) and am about 99.9% sure that I found a way to make it work for this one and the third challenge (Modern Mrs. Darcy) -- book reading challenge trifecta!; and,
* Trust Me by Hank Phillippi Ryan -- I was delighted to find out I'd been selected to be a member of her Super Reader Group and received an ARC ebook yesterday! I've read and enjoyed the entire Jane Ryland series and the first in the Charlotte McNally series. This is the author's first standalone novel, so I'm excited to check it out. I've only read a few chapters so far, but suspect I'll be making a big dent it in over the weekend.
My challenge total remains steady at 28/40 and 4/10. I'm at 75/100 for the Goodreads Reading Challenge, which is amazing since 75 books was my original goal for 2018. Whoa!
QotW:
Who are some trendy authors you've read in the last few years that you were surprised to find you really enjoyed? Looking back at the past couple of years, I'd say that Gillian Flynn, Attica Locke, and Megan Abbott are three standouts for me. After I read each of them for the first time, I was HOOKED and have been trying to read all of their backlists.
Theresa wrote: "I finished two more challenge books this week! That puts me at 34/50.I loved The Hate U Give too, I’m pushing it on everyone I know! Thanks for The Last Watchman of Old Cairo suggestion, it sounds great, and I’m still looking for a good twin book! Bonus - I went to Cairo last year, fascinating place!
This week I read The Color Purple for the LGBTQ+ prompt, The Gender Game as a random ebook, and City of Heavenly Fire which was my book being read by a stranger. This puts me at 27/50 completed for the challenge.
Theresa wrote: "One of the books that but for this group and the challenge I would never have encountered was The Hate U Give - truly one of the best books I've ever read."I was at B&N the other day checking out and chatting LGBT books with the clerk, when y'all helped me convince him he needed to read THUG. *high five*
16/50Finished
The Book Thief (being read by a stranger prompt) sad WWII story following the life of an orphan girl and told by Death himself. I found the narration a bit awkward in the beginning, but as the story progressed it pulled me in and I ended up really liking it. 4 Stars, but if I have to read the word "Saumensch" one more time, I'll scream. Is that even a word? I lived in Germany most of my life and never heard it.
A Game of Thrones for the favorite of past challenges prompt. 3rd time read, all time favorite. Listening to it on audio this time, because I'm trying to get through the entire series (as of yet) and it is looooong.
Currently reading
A Clash of Kings #2 in the Song of ice and Fire series, also on audio. Will use it for the twin-character prompt for now
The Phantom of the Opera (book that's also a stageplay) I'm about half way through and really liking it so far.
QOTW: I pick my books according to what I believe I will enjoy. Not considering their popularity at all, so when i like a popular book I'm rarely surprised. Stephen King is my favorite author. Some critics claim that he is no serious writer; I'm convinced they never seriously read any of his books!
Happy weekend everyone
Cendaquenta wrote: "Jen wrote: "LIFEL1K3: OK but only if you suspend belief and accept that a 1 armed dude can climb a ladder while carrying a robot dog and open an overhead manhole cover all at once. "does... does ..."
haha. Actually at this stage of the book his nicknames were "stumpy" and "braintrauma" and he had no prosthetics though he did get one later.
Sarah wrote: "Jen wrote: "Tricia wrote: "Hello from Brisbane Australia. Slow reading week for me.This week I finished
Scar Tissue (A book with two authors). I really loved the Red Hot Chilli Pepp..."
I think I admire him more after reading it. Not usually the case after reading rocker bios. G n' R and Marilyn Manson being cases in point.
Kathy wrote: "Theresa wrote: "I finished two more challenge books this week! That puts me at 34/50.I loved The Hate U Give too, I’m pushing it on everyone I know! Thanks for [book:The Last Watchman of Old Cair..."
do clones count as twins since identical twins are genetic clones? If so Lifel1k3 (lifelike) could cover it if you like accidentally funny YA.
Hi everyone,this week I didn't get much reading done, paused The Power because I had to give it back at the library, but will read it at a later time, because I liked it.
Finished Heartless, fourth in the series Parasol Protectorate. Liked it, wouldn't have read it (started the series) if not for the Steampunk prompt last year.
Currently reading
One Crazy Summer, still listening to this one, good middle School book.
Justice, Decker/Lazarus novel, so far I am not so sure I like it so much, but serves as a good read for stressful times.
Also still reading Fragen Sie Ihren Bestatter: Lektionen aus dem Krematorium which is Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematoryin English, also seem to have paused this quite a bit, maybe I'll dnf it for now, don't know.
QOTW:
I am with those people that started on Harry Potter late and then became Aficionados. so unexpected! I even was invited and went o an HP theme party before having read them and not really knowing anything about them. At that Point I was convinced I wouldn't like them and didn't want to read them because everyone was raving about them. Now I love anything Harry Potter, have read the books several times and listened to the cds so often I had to get new ones :-)
Apart from that I do like crime novels that are up to date and have repeatedly been happy I did read them even though I was a little bit wary first because of their popularity. Generally, I am not afraid of book trends anymore, but still try to find out more about books before getting them.
Haven't read many of the trendy books, like The Hunger Games,Twilight Fifty Shades of Grey, or others, but mainly because I don't think I'll like them. But maybe at least some of them would surprise me nicely?
Miriam wrote: "Hi everyone,this week I didn't get much reading done, paused The Power because I had to give it back at the library, but will read it at a later time, because I liked it.
Finished..."
In my opinion (opinion only) the Hunger Games books are the least cringe worthy of those you listed as avoiding. Fifty Shades should be at least part read just so you can believe how bad it is on so many levels (but don't waste money on them). Twilight had to be read to understand the obsession the kids of that era had (they have moved on and it is no-longer trendy). Manga seems to be the thing they are on now round here.
Jen wrote: "Miriam wrote: "Hi everyone,this week I didn't get much reading done, paused The Power because I had to give it back at the library, but will read it at a later time, because I lik..."
Haven't tried Manga yet, either, maybe they're worth a try
I had a decent reading week as I read 2 books and that's not bad for me. One for an advanced prompt #1: A bestseller from the year you graduated high school with Wanderlust I actually liked this book and debated between 3 or 4 stars. Even though it was more lust than wonder, I enjoyed it and was my 1st Danielle Steel book and the journey the couple had to take and sacrifices made. I also read Bad Games and boy was this a thriller. I read it for my book club but could fit it in a prompt where a murder takes place. Five stars from me and highly recommend it. It messes with your mind and is gory in places. I made sure I read it during the day. There are 3 books in this series and this was the 1st. I will definitely read the 2nd one.
QOTW: Trendy authors I enjoyed had to be George RR Martin and I so far have enjoyed the Harry Potter series. I also like one Danielle Steel book and will read her in the future. I also liked David Baldacci
All I can say is thank goodness for Audible. With all the running about Hong Kong I've been doing, it's been wonderful (and life-saving!) to "read" a book on buses and subway trains. Noise-cancelling headphones and a great book make the hectic city melt away. This week I finished:
No Stone Unturned: The Story of Necrosearch International Investigators - It could be a microhistory book, but I'd filled that category already. It's really interesting if you like true crime shows/podcasts. You've probably heard of the Necrosearch group in some high-profile cases, and this book goes into the history of forensic science and how this group went from studying the bodies of pigs to solving some very high-profile cases.
A Bitter Rain - prompt: weather element in the title. After several tries with Moyes's Sheltering Rain, I gave up and found this book on Kindle super-cheap + the added Audible narration for only $1.99 more. I'm glad I bought it. Chilling, redemptive story set during WWII/Holocaust in Germany. I was angry with the ending because, as someone who willingly suspended disbelief for so long in the book, I was disappointed with it - but as the notes point out, it's quite close to the truth. That isn't to say the ending was bad - it just felt unjust in many ways, but powerful in others. Even open to suggestion as to what really happens to the characters. Shipman doesn't slam the door shut at the end - he more or less leaves it open a crack.
Working on:
Savage Continent: Europe in the Aftermath of World War II .- just because I want to torture myself with a long history read alongside Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies. One I got on Kindle with a history book sale; the other I got from our teacher book swap shelf. I may be on these for awhile, but since I'm taking a year ON with going home and traveling, I may get them done before the new year!
The Keeper of Lost Things - prompt: prompt from previous year's list - eccentric character - So lovely so far. Enjoying it.
The Beast's Garden - Listening to on Audible. Another WWII/Holocaust fiction book that starts on Kristallnacht. Already giving me chills.
Question of the week
Who are some trendy authors you've read in the last few years that you were surprised to find you really enjoyed?
I have to go with Liane Moriarty as well. I read her books before Big Little Lies became a thing on TV. I was surprised I liked them, especially The Husband's Secret. Paula Hawkins and Gillian Flynn were others, as people were raving over the books, but I liked them in the end. Jonathan Tropper is another. I loved This is Where I Leave You, the film, and then went on to read most of his books because he infuses a great sense of humour and irony into his novels.
I think my biggest surprises were Sophie Kinsella and Kate Fforde, both chick-lit romance writers. I like their story lines. They have plenty of humour with the romance stories, along with some strong-willed women, too. And, if not stubborn, at least they are quirky and fun.
Just two and a half books for me this week. - Words in Deep Blue for my book involving a library or bookstore
- Where Am I Now? for my juicy memoir for Modern Mrs. Darcy
- Half of Girl Made of Stars for my book about a subject that made headlines for my Top Picks challenge
QOTW:
Definitely Sarah J. Maas and Maggie Steifvater! I went into both of their series last year (ACOTAR and Raven Cycle) not expecting very much, and ended up loving both.
Theresa wrote: "Sara wrote: "Nadine wrote: "I needed to read a "medical or legal thriller" for Around the Year, and while I read lots of thrillers, I'd never read a medical or legal thriller.If you want to try a..."
Haha! I was going to say the same thing: Grisham books make for much better movies!
Nadine wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Since my last post I finished:Bad Feminist - my book about feminism. I like reading Roxanne Gay in the newspaper, and have enjoyed her public speaking, but this book ..."
I didn't necessarily agree with all of her essays, but I think she has something to say. I did realize that I enjoyed it more when I read the essays one at a time with a book in between rather than straight through.
Nadine wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Since my last post I finished:Bad Feminist - my book about feminism. I like reading Roxanne Gay in the newspaper, and have enjoyed her public speaking, but this book ..."
I found Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body really moving.
But there’s also her fiction, which I haven’t personally read yet.
OK, busy week. Finished both Numbers and Proverbs from my Bible readings. They both tie in to my ancestry.I finished three other books, but I don't think I'll be able to use them for popsugar.
1) Broken Angels Another World War 2 story, so I guess it could be used for death/grief/prompt from previous year. I've got all those prompts covered already. The book was OK, but I know too much about the period not to be bothered by the many inaccuracies.
2) A Lonely Death This one fits the ATY challenge: ghost, my brother gave it five stars, and it features a murder. The book seemed to start mid story, as if the beginning was missing, which I found annoying. Also, more short story than book. Won't continue the series.
3) Say You're Sorry Murder/legal mystery Best of this week's reads. Listened to it on Audible. Liked the characters and the story line. But again, don't think this fits any unfilled prompts.
Halfway through The Tears of Dark Water The first half of the book involves piracy on the high sea, and takes place mainly on the sea (the sailing boat, US navy), but then shifts to land and trying to figure out what lay behind the act of piracy, etc. So far, the book is quite interesting, but I'm still finding it slow going. Will that be able to count for sea if only half of it is on sea? Also, there's sailing and skiing in the book, aren't they both sports? I'm really having problems filling the sports prompt. I ordered the Bakman book, but the order was cancelled, so I'm getting desperate... The book also has twins... Also started Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine for the recommended by someone doing the challenge. I'm really enjoying it so far.
QOTW Hmmm. I remember reading Harry Potter after hearing all the discussions about it to see whether it would be appropriate for my kids. And yes, I enjoyed it enough to make it through the series and let my kids read it too. Usually I don't read books because they're trendy, but because they sound interesting or because people recommend they (or can loan them to me...).
Jen wrote: "Miriam wrote: "Hi everyone,this week I didn't get much reading done, paused The Power because I had to give it back at the library, but will read it at a later time, because I lik..."
My husband loves manga, it’s almost all he reads. I’ve tried it a few different times but so far it’s just not for me.
My middle son (now 26) and all his mates were into manga about 10 years ago. He’s still into anime. Not much time to read stuff that isn’t for his job at the moment so an episode of something here and there works for him.
Chinook wrote: "Nadine wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Since my last post I finished:Bad Feminist - my book about feminism. I like reading Roxanne Gay in the newspaper, and have enjoyed her public speaking,..."
I also found Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body to be affecting. Definitely not an easy read.
Teri wrote: "My niece told me I would love The Hunger Games, but her description of the plot made me cringe (there is no good way to describe the series that actually sounds appealing)."I read The Hunger Games because my friend told me the main character reminded her of me. (Yes, I understand if that makes you want to back away slowly...)
Miriam wrote: "Jen wrote: "Miriam wrote: "Hi everyone,this week I didn't get much reading done, paused The Power because I had to give it back at the library, but will read it at a later time, b..."
I've been really enjoying the Food Wars!, Vol. 1 series, which was my first introduction to manga. If you like cooking shows at all, especially the cooking competition ones it's worth trying. The only weird thing is there are regularly these dream-sequence-like 'foodgasm' scenes where people have lost most of their clothes. If you can get past that, the story is a lot of fun.
33/52 nowThis week I finished two books.
The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer for the book borrowed. I borrow it from my daugher. It's been on my TBR for a while. Several of my friends and students have highly recommended it. I like Chris Colfer a lot as an actor, so I hoped to like his books too. I was not disappointed. I loved how the different fairy tales are all intertwined in the story. There were a few surprising moments I didn't see coming.
I also read Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson for the book about mental health. There were so many moments I laughed aloud. I appreciate her sense of humor and wish I was her best friend. I think she'd be a lot of fun to hang out with.
Currently reading:
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline via audiobook (cyberpunk prompt). It's narrated by Will Wheaton! I am so into this book. I listen to it when I am alone in the morning getting ready for work. When my husband gets up, I'm sad to turn it off. I love the 80's references as I am happily and proudly a product of the 80's (graduate of '89). The premise of this book is so possible it's a bit scary.
Hercule Poirot and the Greenshore Folly by Agatha Christie for the book with my favorite color in the title.
Chinook wrote: "Jen wrote: "Miriam wrote: "Hi everyone,this week I didn't get much reading done, paused The Power because I had to give it back at the library, but will read it at a later time, b..."
Me neither and I have a problem with some of it being in the young reader section of our library. I don't think tweens should be exposed to bondage scenes especially when they are drawn. Perhaps I am just a fuddy duddy?
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Twintig regels liefde (other topics)The Hate U Give (other topics)
Just After Sunset (other topics)
Towering (other topics)
Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Harlan Coben (other topics)Ann Leckie (other topics)
Emma Newman (other topics)
David Baldacci (other topics)
Attica Locke (other topics)
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I'm in a science outreach group and today our 3rd and 4th grade classes came to us for a field trip. We pull out all the fun messy explode-y demos that the elementary school won't let us do there. The kids love it but it is a full day and oh dear god they are so loud and energetic. God bless teachers.
This week I read 3 books(ish).
Around the World in 72 Days: the travel writings of Nellie Bly (a journalist in the late 1800s) who went around the world in 72 days to beat the fictional record set in the Jules Verne book. More interesting as a historical curiosity than fun to read.
The Supernatural Enhancements: I loved Cantero's Meddling Kids so I've been itching to read something else by him. This wasn't as good, but still a 4-star read.
Partners: a short story prequel by John Grisham. I needed a medical or legal thriller for my Around the Year challenge, and just wasn't feeling up to the long books that I had as options, so I opted for something very short to get this prompt out of the way. I hated this short story; I thought it was bland, predictable, and boring. Plus, it just never really felt like the protagonist ever had a real obstacle to his success.
QOTW: I tend to avoid trendy authors mainly because I just don't seem to like the stuff that gets really big. Everybody likes different stuff and that's fine. There are so many books out there that I continually find stuff I do want to read, even without the popular opinion to guide me.