Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2019 Weekly Checkins
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Week 6: 2/1 – 2/7
This week I will start with my check-in as the last couple of weeks I never got around to it as I read everybody else's and then got either distracted or never finished reading them and then never made my own check-in. There are a lot of post in the beginning of the year. But I also love to read them and see what everybody else have been up to.
So for the last 3 weeks I finished:
36. A ghost story Poltergeist
16. A book with a question in the title Where'd You Go, Bernadette
7.A reread of a favorite book Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
33. A book with a zodiac sign or astrology term in the title The Moon Sister
And a few others for other challenges. It brings me to 14/50.
I am currently reading:
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Escaping from Houdini
Silver Borne
QOTW: No I don't really think they have this in Denmark or maybe I just haven't looked in to it as I like to read what I feel in the mood for.
Mod
We have pencilled you in for May! :-)
Conny wrote: "Caliban's War (A book set in space)The second book of "The Expanse", and like with book #1, I'm loving every single page of it. I'm actually even a little glad that I have so little time, because that way I am making it last^^"
I'm reading The Expanse series right now too. I took a break this week to finish a few library books coming due soon, but I'm going to start the third book next. I'm really enjoying this series!
Kenya wrote: "The Graveyard Book -- "ghost story." A boy raised by ghosts certainly counts, I think... This was lovely! I think my faith in Neil Gaiman has been (mostly) restored after I crashed and burned with "Fragile Things" last year."I think I remember that conversation about Fragile Things from last year's challenge, and I'm so glad you liked The Graveyard Book - it's one of my all-times favorites, definitely my favorite Gaiman. Might be my "re-read of a favorite book" this year - we'll see.
Happy Thursday all! Finished 4 books this week, 2 for the challenge which leaves me at 16/50.Finished Reading:
A Knit before Dying- (A book featuring an amature detective) Another cute cozy mystery featuring knitting. I enjoyed it as I love to knit myself!
I Hear the Sirens in the Street- This was an enjoyable Historical Mystery set in Northern Ireland in the 1980s. I loved the historical aspect and the way the author wove together seemingly unrelated crimes by the end was great.
User Unfriendly- (A LitRPG book) This was a reread of a favorite YA author of mine as a teen. I remembered liking the sequel to this better and I agree with past me- this one felt underwhelming and the RPG elements were almost an afterthought.
I Will Have Vengeance- For my personal reading around the world challenge. Set in Fascist Italy by an Italian author, I wanted to love it but instead felt very "meh". I never connected with the MC despite the super cool premise of him being a detective who saw the "echoes" or final ghostly imprints of the dead.
Currently reading:
The Crystal Ribbon
Crooked Kingdom
The Man in the High Castle
In the Morning I'll be Gone
QOTW:
I've received a few ARCs through Goodreads giveaways back when I was originally on here a few years ago. One time I also randomly received an ARC in the mail despite having no recollection of requesting it.
Julie wrote: "I was going to respond to your original comment asking this very question. I reverted back to the original, no-frills Kindle because I can't even handle the Paperwhite's backlight at this point due to screen burnout and headaches. The Fire was a no-go for reading on for me :( So I get it."I'm really interested in this discussion as I was just thinking about buying a Kindle Paperwhite since they are sale for Valentines day. I spend ALL day looking at a computer screen and occasionally this gives me migraines from eye strain. I thought the Paperwhite was supposed to be the one that is better on the eyes. Is this not the case? I do like to read inverted (white text on black screen) when I read digitally so am wondering if that will make a difference at all.
Two books this week:Book I mean to read in 2018
Cross Her Heart by Sarah Pinborough. This was my BOTM from like September. One of my resolutions this year was to read my BOTM during that month. I really enjoyed this and I probably would’ve given it 4 stars if not for one last twist that was just too much and completely unbelievable because like no one noticed this. I didn’t buy it.
Dead Beat by Jim Butcher. I’m kind of over this series. Same thing happens and the overall storyline moves barely at all. Blech.
Brittany wrote: "I'm really interested in this discussion as I was just thinking about buying a Kindle Paperwhite since they are sale for Valentines day..."I got myself a Paperwhite last October, and I find it really easy to read on. As yet (touch wood) headaches and migraines haven't been an issue.
Hello all! I've been trying to do some planning for this challenge, and it seems to me that this year's list is really unfriendly to non fiction books. I read majority fiction, but both of my reads for this week were nonfiction. Anyone else experiencing the same issue?First this week I finished Well-Read Black Girl: Finding Our Stories, Discovering Ourselves edited by Gloria Edim. I counted this as my book about a hobby, specifically reading. It's a book of essays by black women talking about the importance of reading and writing in their life. There's a TON of book recommendations in there, so I've got a lot of ideas of what else to pick up during Black History month! I really loved this book! I thought the essays were all interesting, and it's a really lovely way to sample a bunch of author's writing.
Then I finished The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell: Tales of a 6' 4", African American, Heterosexual, Cisgender, Left-Leaning, Asthmatic, Black and Proud Blerd, Mama's Boy, Dad, and Stand-Up Comedian by W. Kamau Bell, which has the longest subtitle ever! I counted this for my favorite prompt from a past PopSugar Challenge, which was a "book written by someone you admire" which I believe was the same prompt I used last year for a favorite. I picked this up because I loved his stand up special on Netflix, and this book was excellent! He covers a variety of topics and handles all of them well. I also laughed out loud pretty frequently listening to this!
Currently, I checked out a bunch of books from my library. I have a couple Beverly Jenkins books that I'm going to start with, and I'm going to start listening to The Fifth Season by NK Jemisin as well - which coincidentally this author is a cousin of W Kamau Bell, who I just finished reading! She was also featured in the Well Read Black Girl anthology, and I really loved her writing in it!
QOTW: I've won a couple good reads giveaways, and then my local bookstore has occasionally given away arcs. That's it! I don't really have a social media presence, so I don't think publishers are interested in sending books to people who don't have a blog or booktube channel! But that's fine! I'm not particularly interested in them.
I am at 15/50.This week I finished:
Frankenstein: I managed to read the entire thing out loud and really appreciated it.
After: This book was so awful and a huge waste of time. I would never recommend it to anyone.
An Anonymous Girl: This book hooked me right away and never let go. I thought it was really interesting and terrifying.
The Sun Is Also a Star: I finished this one this morning and thought it was really cute and unique.
Currently reading:
I have not yet decided what to start next.
Observations so far:
I thought by now I might be starting to get sick of the prompts and just want to read whatever, but I’m pleasantly surprised at how much I’m still enjoying this.
Question of the Week:
Have you ever received an advance copy of a book? Commonly these are acquired through Goodreads giveaways, Net Galley, Launch Teams, etc.
No, I haven’t. How do you apply for these things?
So, weekly check in. I've managed to tick off another three prompts this week...which at least gives me a bit of a cushion for those weeks when I can't read as much. The two basic prompts are:
The Consuming Fire, John Scalzi, for 20. Set in space. Part two of a space opera series - but space opera in which the books aren't also doorstops! Plus, it had Scalzi's trademark humour.
Owls Well That Ends Well, Donna Andrews, for 30. Amateur detective. I like this series as much for the POV character's crazy family as the mystery.
I also read All's Well That Ends Well, William Shakespeare for advanced prompt 49.Inspired a common phrase or idiom, which also worked for the ATY prompt this week. Sure, he didn't invent the phrase, but I'd say he popularised it. Its also the origin of "needs must where the devil drives".
Running totals:
Basic - 13/43
Advanced - 2/10
Other than that, I enjoyed a quick Aunt Dimity book: one of my favourite series for curling up in a blanket on a cold day. This one was Aunt Dimity and the Village Witch, which was a pleasantly murder-free treasure hunt.
For this week coming, I'm continuing my slow Harry Potter reread with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, which I may use for 5.One million ratings. I'm also looking at Octavia E Butler's Kindred for 43.Own voices, as it looks like it should work for ATY's "duel timeline" prompt as well.
And if I get them read, next would be The Black Dahlia, James Ellroy.
QotW
I did win a GR giveaway one time, but other than that, no. Sadly no ARCs. I am a member of Net Galley, but on the rare occasions I've requested a book, I've pretty much always been declined, as I'm not a proper blogger - I only really comment on GR.
Brittany wrote: "I'm really interested in this discussion as I was just thinking about buying a Kindle Paperwhite since they are sale for Valentines day. I spend ALL day looking at a computer screen and occasionally this gives me migraines from eye strain. I thought the Paperwhite was supposed to be the one that is better on the eyes. Is this not the case?."I think generally it is supposed to be easier on the eyes. My spouse uses a paperwhite with no eye strain issues at all. For me, the fact that the paperwhite uses an LED backlight is an issue for my eyes, for sure. You can dim it or turn the backlight off completely, which is definitely better, but for some strange reason, I still notice a slight difference between that and old school Kindle. Maybe I'm just crazy, haha. But also, I think the backlight is one of the features of the Paperwhite that justifies the price point, so if I'm not able to use it, I figured I might as well use the old school version which was cheaper. Unrelated to migraines/headaches, I also like that my Kindle is so much lighter than the Paperwhite.
I never read inverted, so I unfortunately don't know whether that would make a difference or not.
I get lots of headaches and migraines in general, and they predate having a Kindle. I don't think it gives me issues, but it's hard to say. I also have an old Kindle Fire and a Kindle HD, and those are not nearly as nice to read on.
I had a very productive reading week. I recently cut off my TV service and I'm getting so much more reading done, plus traffic has been horrible lately so I'm whipping through my audio books too. Still, I only used two of this week's reads for this challenge, so I'm at 11/50. What Alice Forgot - a good read and an interesting concept, essentially time jumping in your own life ten years in the future and do you like what you see?
The Tempest - as a former English major, I did a lot of Shakespeare reading, but never got to this one. I decided to do this one by reading the physical play, but with an audio dramatization playing along as well which I thought was a great help to get into the language and feeling of it. Not my favorite Shakespeare play, but I enjoyed it.
Cell - this was a reread for me and I enjoyed it a lot; very quick for a Stephen King novel (just watched the movie last night and wasn't a fan - thankfully it was available to check out for free at the library)
Binti - this was a short novella and I enjoyed it though it took me a bit to get into it, even though it was short
Undying - this was a quick and fun YA book, the second in a duology series
Hunted - this was one of my PS books of the week, using it for the retelling of a classic; I enjoyed it for the most part though it wasn't a favorite. I liked the different take on Beauty & the Beast interspersed with Russian fairy tales
The Immortalists - I really liked this one and liked the way the four different story lines are developed.
Challenger Deep - This one was used for the PS prompt with 'challenge' in the title. Working in a mental health related field, I thought this was really well done to put across a glimpse of what some individuals with schizophrenia go through.
The Library Book - As a (clearly) avid reader (and one who has recently really been using the library system), I found the insights into the background inner workings of the library to be very interesting.
QOTW: I do enter Goodreads giveaways and have won two. One I received was I think an ARC, but it wasn't one I especially enjoyed so the details escape me.
Hi everyone,hope at least some of you aren't freezing like I am :) I read three books this week, yay for me :D
First was The Winter Wedding by Abby Clements for the book involving a wedding. I didn't like it very much, but I blame the translation, it was quite terrible. Don't know if any of you will know the feeling, but I hate when I can see that the book was translated, even more so when I know what was the original and would have translated it differently.
The second book was Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli for the book with a piece of clothing or an accessory on the cover. As much as I liked the book (despite one thing defying logic), I almost couldn't stomach the movie, too many changes for my taste. Maybe I shouldn't have watched it so shortly after reading the book...
And the last book was a czech book, that I wanted to read so I know the writing style (working at a bookstore). I hope I won't enrage anyone, but I would like to hear your thoughts...if the writer is...very curvy middle-aged woman with large breasts and writes about very curvy middle-aged woman with large breasts, does that count as "own voice" book?
QoTW: Nope, personally I haven't got any advanced copies of books (plus the Goodreads giveaways are currently only for US and Canada residents), but they're sometimes sent to our bookstore in exchange for a review, but so far the genre was much more my co-worker's type :)
Mod
Katy wrote: "I finished A Confederacy of Dunces for a book published posthumously. I decided I liked the book while hating all but one character in it.I’m glad you liked A Confederacy of Dunces, I have tried several times but never made it through. Maybe this year I will try again, I really want to like it.
I have a kindle Voyage, which was the higher end one before Oasis came out (I got it because it at least has haptic buttons, I really want my real buttons back. Kindle's touch technology sucks). I get migraines too and mine doesn't bother me any more than reading with a reading light. I also have my brightness fairly low, basically just high enough I CAN read it in the dark.
Lauren wrote: "I'm currently at 14/50 for the challenge, and this week I finished: America Is Not the Heart - there were some parts that I really liked, and others that were not for me, but I wou..."
I agree with your thoughts on America is Not the Heart. I wanted more about her time with the rebels and what led to the situation the Philippines was in at that time. It would definitely make a good film!
I hope you're liking The House of Broken Angels. That is still my favorite from ToB with 4 to go...
I could see an obese character being own voices, especially in our society (US) but I don’t think just chunky/curvy/big breasted is. The way that obese people are viewed, treated, and desexualized. The same way I could almost see an elderly character by an elderly author being considered. I don’t know that I’d use them to fill my prompt but I would be surprised if someone else did. But unmarginalized groups - a white man writing a white man, for example, isn’t.
Brittany wrote: "I'm really interested in this discussion as I was just thinking about buying a Kindle Paperwhite since they are sale for Valentines day. I spend ALL day looking at a computer screen and occasionally this gives me migraines from eye strain."I've never gotten a headache or eye strain from my Paperwhite. My issue is with reading on a device. My brain thinks I should be working, so I can't relax and enjoy the book. Before this started, I really loved my Paperwhite.
In this past week I have finished The Death of Mrs. Westaway which I really enjoyed. I'm currently reading The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo for the prompt "a book with an item of clothing or accessory on the cover". Also really enjoying this book so far. Already this years challenge has introduced me to some wonderful books.Question of the week
Have you ever received an advance copy of a book? Commonly these are acquired through Goodreads giveaways, Net Galley, Launch Teams, etc.
I've never had an advanced copy of a book, however it has only been since the beginning of this year that I have started to enter Goodreads giveaways. Fingers crossed!
I have given me a tough challenge for February, 2 books a day and over 20.000 pages... It doesn't go too well :-D (I'm 3 books and about 2000 pages behind of the challenge. :-(So far I have read:
The Horse and His Boy (224 pages)
This was a reread for PopSugar challenge. I love this book.
The Tales of Beedle the Bard (109 pages)
A quickie to keep up with the challenge :-D Should have chosen shorter books... (Right now on my list is The Eye of the World - 814 pages... X-]) I liked it.
Paper Magician (222 pages)
Oh, this was hard... I don't like it. I like the idea, i like the different magics, but... urgh - YA romance. Yuk.
Life (564 pages)
Loved this one!
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland (247 pages)
Loved this one, too.
Perelandra (288 pages)
I used to like it, so I chose C.S.Lewis' space trilogy as my "space" book. But this time I didn't like it much. Not going to read the last book.
The Bear and the Nightingale (323 pages)
Loved this.
The Tempest (205 pages)
Another story to prove that one shouldn't reread childhood favorites as adult. (Well, I wasn't child when I last read it, but there's 30 years between, and this time I wasn't ignorant to certain nasty details in the story...)
Romeo and Juliet (281 pages)
This is so weird! It starts as a comedy, ends as a tragedy. I'm trying to see it as exaggerating the tragedy for comedy's sake, I mean, Romeo was really, really, really in love with Rosalie when the story began, and when he saw Juliet (not yet 13) and it was all about her, and Rosalie who? So maybe it was meant to be comedy all through, even though... it isn't. I don't know. Weird.
A Winter's Promise (468 pages)
I liked it, even though some people find it really irritating because of the sexism etc.
The Eternal Champion (188 pages)
OMFG. I need to read 5 Michael Moorcocks, but if it is as he says "when you write a lot, you'll realize all your MCs are the same person", I don't want to! I HATE Erekosë!
Currently reading:
The Eye of the World (814 pages)
The Goldfinch (771 pages)
Oryx and Crake (389 pages)
Walden (352 pages)
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No ARCs for me. Maybe the aren't that common in Sweden, and maybe I'm not public enough for my word to be of any publicity, but - Nah. I wish, though. Of course I'd want to get free books! :-D
Hi all, happy Thursday! I am shuffling categories around all over the place, but this week I finished 3 books so I think I'm at 17/50.My Year of Rest and Relaxation: for a book you'd like to see made into a movie. Originally wasn't going to use this for anything, but would I watch a movie about a girl trying to sleep for a year? Yes, yes I absolutely would. I thought it was super funny.
The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle: a book revolving around a puzzle or a game. I feel like everyone and their mother has been reading this and my hold came in slightly too late to keep up! I really liked the puzzle aspect at first but got super confused around the 80% mark.
The Clique: a book that gives you nostalgia. OH THIS BOOK. Borrowed it on a whim and it's just as dreadful/wonderful as it was when I read it in seventh grade. Watching rich preteens be awful to one another is just so much fun. I borrowed a bunch of the others in the series right after too, but I don't plan on using them to fill in the challenge.
QOTW: Yes, I've gotten a fair few ARCs. I worked at a publisher for a little bit and we'd get sent advance copies from other houses. There were carts full of them free for the taking. A bunch of the ones I took were meh but I did really enjoy The Water Cure and L'Ordre du jour.
(PS does anyone know where the "most read authors" page has gone? I'm sure there's a better place to be asking this but I feel like I've looked everywhere)
Anne wrote: "I am checking in even though I have a bathroom to scrub before my in-laws get here. I guess we all know where my priorities lie.I think the horror theme park would be a cool setting for a movie, but I can see it being scary. I'm sure I haven't even gotten to the really scary parts yet!
Brittany wrote: "Julie wrote: "I was going to respond to your original comment asking this very question. I reverted back to the original, no-frills Kindle because I can't even handle the Paperwhite's backlight at ..."There is a backlight option for paperwhites, but I dim it down to almost nothing and use lamp or daylight for reading it. To me it feels the same as looking at paper, but I get through books more quickly than in paper form. I also enjoy being able to highlight sections in books and refer to all those clippings later (as well as the dictionary feature to quickly see the definitions of words I don't know). I haven't tried the black background/white font feature, but I'm guessing that would also look nice on the screen.
I forgot to check in last week so I'm including books I read over the last 2 weeks, all for ToB:America Is Not the Heart (debut novel) - I really liked this book and the insight provided into Filipino immigrants living in California. My biggest gripe was that the author introduced a fascinating character in the prologue and then put her in the background for the entire book despite her being an integral aspect of the life of the main character.
Warlight - I can't quite put my finger on it but despite the beautiful writing and intriguing story, there was something missing from this novel. It was enjoyable to read but I don't see it sticking with me.
My Sister, the Serial Killer (author from Asia, Africa or South America) - This was terrific and packed quite a punch for such a short and "easy" read. So much to glean from between the pages about the relationship between the two sisters and how they relate to the world around them.
The Mars Room (A book with a zodiac sign or astrological term in the title) - This is another one that I am on the fence about. It started out slow but became more interesting by around the 25% mark. The writing was very good and I think some of the things I didn't like were purposeful including a detachment from the characters due to the institutional setting. I realize this is unfair, but I couldn't help but be reminded of the TV show Orange is the New Black and feel that much of this is covered territory.
Taking a mini-break from ToB and currently reading:
Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood - I am so glad I finally took basically everyone's advice and started listening to this! I don't normally do audiobooks but this material is absolutely elevated by Noah's narration.
Watching You - I just started this but so far and intrigued by story and writing. It's not my go to genre but I love a good psychological thriller every once in a while.
QOTW: I signed up for Netgalley a couple of years back and received ARCs for The Immortalists and The Secret Life of Mrs. London. I really liked both books but since I am horrible about writing reviews and don't have a blog, I decided it wasn't a great fit for me although I do occasionally go on and submit for a book that sounds interesting.
I DNF'd Cell. it was so boring and it just was stupid to me. I give books 50 pages then I let it go. Deborah wrote: "I had a very productive reading week. I recently cut off my TV service and I'm getting so much more reading done, plus traffic has been horrible lately so I'm whipping through my audio books too. S..."
Elizabeth wrote: "I could see an obese character being own voices, especially in our society (US) but I don’t think just chunky/curvy/big breasted is. The way that obese people are viewed, treated, and desexualized...."Nadine wrote: "LOL generally large-breasted curvy middle aged women are not counted as a marginalized group (that's not to say they are never discriminated against, they are, but not to the point of being margina..."
Thank you Nadine and Elizabeth, the main character is not very reliable narrator, so I don't actually know if she's curvy, chubby or obese. I guess I'll find something else that fits the prompt more :)
It is so cold and icy here in Oklahoma. I'm so thankful I get to work from home today. I finished two books this week. I read Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar for the prompt with pop, sugar, or challenge in the title. I liked it overall. Some of it was rather repetitive but I may have shed a tear or two. I also read Gmorning, Gnight!: Little Pep Talks for Me & You for a book by a musician. It was really quick and you have to be in the right mood for this to be a good read. If you find daily affirmations cheesy, this is not for you. But it's good for a quick pick-me-up. QOTW: I have never won a Goodreads giveaway which makes me sad. And I've never received an advanced copy. Although, my office does a Festival of Books and they get early copies of children's books and occasionally YA. I happened to peruse one of the shelves yesterday and there was On the Come Up. I was so excited! I thought I was going to have to wait months at the library.
Happy week 6, everyone.Current standing:
6/43 regular
2/10 advanced
Completed this week:
Bird Box for prompt 3, book by a musician
Currently reading:
It for prompt 1, a book becoming a movie in 2019
Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? for prompt 16, a book with a question in the title
Ready Player One for prompt 45, a LitRPG book
Starting soon:
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon for prompt 29, a book with LOVE in the title
The Alchemist for prompt 47, two books that share the same title (1 of 2)
QotW: Have you ever received an advance copy of a book?
Once. I got it in a goodreads giveaway. I read it, but was underwhelmed. I haven't participated in the giveaways in years, mostly because I felt compelled to finish the book I was given, since it was free, but felt guilty that I didn't like it. I didn't like feeling guilty for giving an honest opinion of a book that I found to be mediocre at best.
I have been off my game with reading this week! I just haven't really felt like reading much and things have been busy at work and I've just been too lazy once I get home. Though I have made a bit of progress in the books I'm currently reading:The Moon Dwellers I'm about half way through this one and I've been REALLY enjoying it! I only read it at the gym though and I havent had time to go to the gym at lunch like I normally do so my reading is a little more slow going.
The Fiery Cross I'm about 400 pages in to this one. Ill admit the first 300 pages were ssslllooowww! And I've never had that issue with any of her books but a lot of people say this is their least favorite of the entire series and it always takes a long time to get through. So I kinda saw it coming. But its starting to pick up and I think Ill get a lot more reading in very soon....
I recently moved to Olympia, WA and it turns out that when it snows a little bit here...the whole PNW shuts down! Haha. Well according to the weather its supposed to start snowing tomorrow and wont stop until Wednesday so chances are I wont be working and Ill have a lot of time to read coming up
QOTW
I used to get ARC's when I worked at Barnes and Noble. Vox, All the Beautiful Lies, Tragedy Plus Time: A Tragi-Comic Memoir, Sadie, and How to Walk Away are a few. I have a few more from Barnes and Noble but I havent read them yet.
I also recently won a goodreads giveaway for an ARC but it never actually came in the mail so no idea what happened there.
I don't think I'd want to use Net Galley or anything just cause I already have a crazy long reading list and I dont need to add to it. I only have ARC's from Barnes and Noble cause they were just sitting there in the break room staring at me yelling "Pick me, pick me"... 😁
For those who are wondering if they can get ARCs from NetGalley without a blog, I do! (I technically have a personal blog, but didn't put it on my NetGalley profile since I don't really review books there.) I just post my reviews on Goodreads, and so far I've gotten approved for half a dozen ARCs. I did really go into detail on my reading preferences for my profile though, and made sure I picked a nice 'professional' looking profile picture, so that all probably helps.
If you're wondering how to sign up for ARCs, the site I use is NetGalley: https://www.netgalley.com/
If you go browse and sign up as a reviewer it's fairly self explanatory. There's also a basic FAQ here: https://netgalley.zendesk.com/hc/en-u...
Biggish reading week for me.Read
Texts from Jane Eyre: And Other Conversations with Your Favorite Literary Characters by Mallory Ortberg 02/01/2019 which has various characters from various stories/books who are self aware about some of the absurdity that is their literary identity. It is done in a loving way and I enjoyed it, although not quite as much as I'd hoped.
Black Water Rising by Attica Locke is the debut novel from the author who wrote Bluebird, Bluebird which was one of my favorite reads from last year. I liked that one better but I really, really enjoyed this one as well, plus it is set in Houston where I live and where the author used to live so the setting felt very real to me which sometimes doesn't always when it is a place that you are from.
Circe by Madeline Miller a retelling of the various Circe stories from greek myth but with Circe in the center. I love retellings and so I was looking forward to this one. I was worried it wouldn't live up to my expectations. Blew them away. I loved it. Kept finding things I needed to do to listen to it longer.
To All the Boys I've Loved Before it was fine. I didn't love it. I didn't hate it. It was fine. I didn't finish it and put the next one on my library queue, but I also literally couldn't put it down so I was trapped while I was reading it, more than I thought i would be. But I can't see myself going further in the series which is very rare for me. See my next book.
Destiny's Surrender by Beverly Jenkins for book riot's historical romance by an author of color. I don't love romance books but one a year isn't going to kill me. I picked this one literally because I was out of audio books and my library had a section on their font page about black romance (which they didn't label as being for the book riot challenge but they have other collections they've put together this year) and this book was both available now and on audio. So I picked it up. It is the second book in a series but I did not need to read the first book because I don't need any more print books I needed something on audio. It was fine. I enjoyed the female characters in the book. It was light and easy and I blew through it, And then when it was over I marked it 3 stars (2.5) but the very next second I picked up the next book in the series because I did't care about the 3rd brother in the least but I was invested in some of the characters who would be returning in smaller roles in this one. So there you go. I have no place for it on my list at all but I'm currently reading Destiny's Captive which has a girl pirate! Eh. I'm not feeling it. Oh well. Still, girl pirate!
QOTW
I've read a few Net Galley proofs.
Hey everyone. This is my first time writing an update this year. I have had the craziest January of my life and didn't really have time to write out my updates. Anyways, after a really nice week weather-wise (we have had mid to upper 70s), we are now in the middle of a cold front which is perfect reading weather for me.Progress to date
6/40 regular
0/10 advanced
Finished
My Favorite Thing Is Monsters, Vol. 1 - a book featuring an amateur detective
I am not a huge fan of graphic novel. In fact they usually give me a headache. But this one was recommended by some one whose opinion I trust so I gave it a try. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am eagerly awaiting the sequel.
Devils Arithmetic PB - a book that makes you nostalgic
I remember my 5th grade teacher reading this book to the class and I have loved it ever since. I felt like it was way past time for a reread and it fit this prompt perfectly for me.
Skyward - a book set in space
It took me a little while to get in to (I was in a bit of a reading slump), but once I did, another great read for me
A Study in Charlotte - a retelling of a classic
I have been a fan of Sherlock for years and this seemed like a perfect fit. It wasn't my favorite read ever, but I do plan on continuing with the series.
The Last Time I Lied - a ghost story
This one was more of a stretch to fit the prompt. Rather than actual ghosts, the main character deals with the "ghosts" of her past. A thriller that I really enjoyed
Lethal White - a book you meant to read in 2018
I love the Cormoran Strike series and really wanted to get to this one last year, but it was never in at my library. Finally got my hands on it and wasn't disappointed
Currently reading
The Wife Between Us - a book written by 2 women
I should be finished with this one today or early tomorrow
Drums of Autumn - a book about a family
This is my nighttime kindle read and with it being over 800 pages long, it is really slow going for me
Up next
Renegades - a book about someone with a superpower
Archenemies - a book by an author whose first and last names start with the same letter
The Name of the Wind - not sure what prompt yet
QotW
I have never received an ARC, but I did accidentally buy one at a library book sale well after publication date
Elizabeth wrote: "I could see an obese character being own voices, especially in our society (US) but I don’t think just chunky/curvy/big breasted is. The way that obese people are viewed, treated, and desexualized...."Agreed. I think something like Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body would work (for multiple reasons) but not the other one described.
Hi everyone! I forgot to check in last week, but I didn't read much anyway because I spent most it in bed with the flu. I'm much better this week and managed to finish two books, so I'm now at 4/40 for the challenge.Books finished:
Far From the Madding Crowd I read this for a book I meant to read in 2018. I enjoyed this, although the characters started to really frustrate me during the last half of the book. In the end I gave it 4 stars.
To All the Boys I've Loved Before I read this for the monthly read as a book with 'love' in the title. I really enjoyed this, but I haven't seen the movie yet so I'll be interested to see if my opinion of the book changes once I've gotten around to watching it. It was exactly what I needed after reading a classic. I gave this 4 stars.
Currently reading:
P.S. I Still Love You I decided to continue with the series while I'm already feeling invested in those characters and relationships. I'll probably use it for a book becoming a movie in 2019 as I've heard Netflix are working on the 'To All The Boys' sequel at the moment.
QOTW
I won an ARC in a Goodreads giveaway a couple of years ago, back when they still did giveaways for the UK. I've also won a couple of ARCs in Waterstones (a UK bookshop) competitions in the past, but nothing recently. Luckily, I enjoyed all of the ARCs I've received.
Yeah, I'd say Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body would work for own voices for many reasons. It was a really good but intense read.
Rachelnyc wrote: "I forgot to check in last week so I'm including books I read over the last 2 weeks, all for ToB:America Is Not the Heart (debut novel) - I really liked this book and the insight p..."
I'm still waiting for my library hold on "The Mars Room" but am a bit nervous about this one. It looks like the author doesn't have personal experience with incarceration, so I would have loved to see a novel like this written by an "own voice." But I appreciate that it might bring more awareness to these issues. Hoping to get to it soon.
And I'm glad you listened to "Born a Crime"! That will likely remain my all-time favorite audiobook for a while. :)
I work at a library, and though it's only as a volunteer, I used it for my NetGalley profile haha! I've been approved 10 times out of 11, and the one I didn't get already had too many people. I didn't expect anyone to approve me so I requested a bunch.Big mistake. Gonna be more careful in future haha!
I just finished The Psychology of Time Travel, so a book finished this week after all! This happened to be a NetGalley as well. The publication date is set at February 12, but it's already out so I'm a bit confused. Ohwell, it meant I got to listen to it on audio. I was very underwhelmed, but I was so excited for this book that might have been part of it. It has loads of good things though! All characters are women, they are independent and have actual personalities, there are queer women, there is diversity in terms of color of skin and nationality, and the time travel is different from anything I've ever read/seen before. The storyline just fell flat for me because I did not care about the 'mystery/case'. I liked the ending though.
I might use it for STEM prompt (I think that's ATY) as I feel there's enough science in it for it to count haha! But it's a stretch, I admit.
SQUEEE! Last night I had a super fangirl moment: Angie Thomas signing both her new book, On the Come Up, and my copy of The Hate U Give, all while I told her that thanks to you all, I read THUG very early on and have been awed by her gift ever since! She was at a special event at NYC Symphony Space, part of the ThaliaKids' Book Club program there. A paid ticketed event, it included a copy of the book, a vibrant reading from her new book (by the incredibly talented Dominique Fishback) and a conversation led by Angela Yee (host of the radio show The Breakfast Club) - and Angie signing afterwards. She is so interesting and funny and inspiring! But what really made my heart sing was the rapt packed audience, at least half of which were young girls of color, and all clutching to their hearts a copy of the just released hardcover. I've not seen such a large group of kids excited about a book release since Harry Potter! And yes, I have a picture of Angie signing my book and my thanking her. There are several interviews floating around, including on GR, where Angie talks about her new book and I highly recommend listening to or reading them. I also had another very entertaining author event this week: NYPL has free author events and panels from time to time. This week was Rabeah Ghaffari discussing To Keep the Sun Alive, set in Iran just before and during the Revolution, which I started this week and it is beautiful, interesting and probably fits 'own voices' or the family prompt. That discussion was beautifully led by Crystal Hana Kim whose book If You Leave Me sounds interesting. Both Rabeah and Crystal were extremely charming, relaxed, engaging, and made me want to read their respective books even more.
It's been a heady book week - but also a busy work one, and I've got theater outings coming up as well. All this while still dealing with a bad cold! Why does everything always happen at the same time?
Back to challenges and reading. I'm at 22 out of 153 books read for my GR 2019 challenge, 18/52 for AYT 2019, and 16/52 for PS 2019 (I'm reading 1 each for Asia, Africa and South America). WAAAAAY ahead of my self-imposed schedule! I can only say that I'm reading what I want when I want for the most part without worrying about fitting prompts, then fitting what I read into prompts. It's worked well but I'm now getting to the point where I will have to be more selective and directed in my reading choices to fill prompts. I've also read a lot of pretty short books which I can read in a day or two at most. This is all fine as I have a couple of doorstoppers in my future that will NOT be fast reads! Oh and given the pace at which I'm completing challenges, I've decided to read the last 7 books I need to read to complete the prompts for 2015 PS -- I only discovered PS in 2016, and when a book doesn't fit current PS, I see if it plugs into 2015. However, now I'm at the point where I have to find and read specific books I don't typically read - like a play or a graphic novel - in order to finish 2015.
Currently Reading:
To Keep the Sun Alive - not sure of prompt yet
One Day in December - celebrity recommendation (Reese)
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk - takes place in a single day
Lone Rider - escapist cowboy romance with some suspense fluff
Bygone Badass Broads: 52 Forgotten Women Who Changed the World - just interested in it - not sure where to fit but might substitute for book with unusual chapters.
Finished:
The Bookshop - for past PS challenge prompt - 2018 set in bookstore, and ATY #1 - nominee for Booker Prize in Fiction. I loved this little book - beautifully if sparsely written, wry, funny, tragic, sad - all about Florence, an outsider in a dying English village who decides to open a bookshop only to come up against all the petty prejudices, politics, and power plays of a small self-governed community. Was made into a well-received movie that I now have to see.
Murder in Mesopotamia - a classic Hercule Poirot from 1936 set on an archeology dig in Iraq, near Baghdad. Totally lacking in either Iraq or dig ambiance, could just as easily have been set in an English country house, but excellent mystery and characters. Of course. My PS book with unusual chapter headings (for now), and ATY book published before 1950.
They Came to Baghdad - one of Dame Agatha's spy thrillers, published in 1951 - this was excellent! Victoria, who has a gift for prevarication and thinking on her feet, on a whim follows a young man to Baghdad where an important world leader summit is to be held. I thought the location was well depicted, providing a real flavor for Baghdad while still under British supervision yet with the Cold War period clearly at hand. This was my PS book that makes me nostalgic (read it originally as a teen but did not remember much. Reading Agatha Christie always is nostalgic for me. I also used it for ATY - book involving a journey.)
[Yes, I have still been sucked into Iraq and the Middle East. These rabbit holes happen and we love them. Usually.]
Never Buried - a palate cleanser cozy - set in Pittburgh and actually quite good. First in a series featuring advertising copywriter Leigh. An old embalmed corpse suddenly appears in the backyard hammock of Leigh's cousin's house, and what evolves is the revelation of dark secrets and solving of an old mystery. I will definitely seek out more of this series. This was my PS 2 word title.
QOTW - I've read a few but don't search them out. When I get an ARC, I feel I have to read it immediately and I just don't want that pressure in my life. I have lots of books I want to read, that I own and want to read! I do sign up for GR Giveaways (and have won a couple which sit waiting for me to read), and I have been approached from time to time to read and review, but I usually gently turn those approaches down.
In fact, one of the GR Giveways that I won was for The Winter of the Witch which sits on top of the pile on my nightstand waiting impatiently for me to have time to read it! I had planned to read it before the official publication - that did not work!
I have a lot of ties to publishing, writers, and bookstore owners, and as a result, I have received ARCs over the years to read, including Flamingo Fatale - which I could not finish, I disliked it so much. Also the first two Inspector Gamadge mysteries by Louise Penny which I loathed and have not read her since. Hmmm, just remembered I have an ARC of a Robert Barnard lying around somewhere from a friend in publishing -- must be his last one.
At this point, I don't seek them out other than via GR Giveaways which I feel no pressure to read immediately, and only sign up for ones that catch my interest and I'd read anyway.
Ohman I really did not like The Bookshop, the ending just made it all so pointless! I suppose that’s literature for ya, but it didn’t work for me. At least it was a short read.
Week 617. After the Fall -- Two books that share the same title (1)
18. Pigs in Heaven -- A book about a family
19. Pride and Prejudice -- A book with at least one million ratings on Goodreads
QOTW: Yes, once. I made an author friend/mentor in the process of publishing my first novel, and when her next one was coming out, she offered me an ARC for review.
Urgh, darn work getting in my way of checking in. Still, only one day to go until I'm off on annual leave...it can't come soon enough!Two books read this week, both for PS. So that takes me to 8/55 (5/45, 3/10).
First up was New Boy by Tracy Chevalier, for advanced prompt #6 unusual chapter headings. The story is told over the school day and each chapter is a different part of the day (recess, lunch etc). This is a retelling of Othello and I feel I have to add the disclaimer that I have never read it or seen it performed. All I know of Shakespeare's play is what I read of the Schmoop summary I glanced at before I read this book! So I can't judge it on it's retelling, but I thought it was a clever story. A dark exploration of the cruelty of children, the injustice of racism and the senselessness of bullying. Told over the space of one fraught school day where new boy, Ghanaian "O" becomes the only black kid on the playground, this is a dramatic and face paced read. Although I didn't go to school in the 70's, I was transported back to my own school days and thought that Chevalier really captured a lot of the sensations of that age. I thought the characters were really well established, and I thought the storyline was such a clever interpretation of the classic play. The only thing I struggled with was the age of the kids. I know at age 11 there was a lot of one-day relationships and heated games of kiss-chase, but I think if the characters had even been a bit older it would have seemed more believable. But that's such a tiny quibble really, in such a clever story.
My second read was for prompt #26 published in 2019. I went for Diane Setterfield's Once Upon a River. I had actually planned to leave this prompt until later in the year to see what my options were, but I was too excited to read this! One of my favourite 2018 challenge reads was The Thirteenth Tale, so when I scored a Netgalley of her new book I nearly peed my pants! But I was a bit nervous - I had loved her last book so much, what if I didn't like her new work? I shouldn't have worried. Like her previous book, it has a gothic beauty and a haunting darkness in its rich and layered narrative. But it is very different in other ways that made me fall for it in its own right. This is the story of what happens when the body of an unknown child is recovered from the frozen waters of the Thames, to then come back from the dead and be claimed by three different people. I was enthralled by the characters, and really loved how the story slowly unfolded. The relationships and concealments were delicious to see unfold and I couldn't stop turning the pages. Setterfield is a masterful storyteller and a beautiful writer. I hope there is more to come.
End fangirling.
QOTW - Have you ever received an advance copy of a book? Commonly these are acquired through Goodreads giveaways, Net Galley, Launch Teams, etc.
Haha, see above! I'm still pretty new to NetGalley though, so I've been turned down for a few books I really wanted. Hopefully this is the start of my luck changing. I don't think I ever won a Goodreads giveaway when they did them for the UK, but I did get a Waterstones' review copy of a book a few years ago when they used to do that (it was so disappointing...great premise, but too rich-people-problems for me). And when I worked in Waterstones we had our pick of uncorrected proofs, they used to just lie around the staff room and a lot made their way home with me!
Cendaquenta wrote: "Good afternoon! A belated Happy Lunar New Year to those who celebrate.Really haven't done anything much this week. Meeting up with a friend at the weekend to see How to Train Your Dragon 3, so th..."
We were reading twins this week - Othello/New Boy and Once Upon a River!
Hello from a very wet and warm Cleveland. I know it's just a false spring, but I've spent my last two lunch breaks outside, and it's been a wonderful change.I read The Dinosaur Artist: Obsession, Betrayal, and the Quest for Earth's Ultimate Trophy by Paige Williams for a book featuring an extinct creature. This was sadly one of those nonfiction books that would've been far better as a magazine article - so little time was spent on the main "character" that I kept forgetting who he was. I still gave it 3* since I did learn a lot about paleontology, fossil trading, and the history of Mongolia (honestly, this was the real focal point of the book!).
QOTW: I've won one ARC on Goodreads and it was pretty awful. (Animal abuse at the very end was a fun surprise.) I already use reading challenges as an outlet for my perfectionism and need to set goals (because I know it doesn't *actually* matter) and I think ARCs would just make it way too stressful. I think I'd only be interested if it was a sequel in a series I loved or had a prominent ace character, so there's almost none of those.
Carmen wrote: "Ohman I really did not like The Bookshop, the ending just made it all so pointless! I suppose that’s literature for ya, but it didn’t work for me. At least it was a short read."I think it depends on what you wanted to get out of reading it. I revel in beautiful writing, I don't need positive endings or upbeat stories, and if the story told requires unsympathetic characters, sad endings, or even no one likable, I'm ok so long as it serves the story. The ending was pretty much inevitable if, like me, you have dealt with small self-governing communities and have watched time and again where everyone closes ranks against the newcomer trying to do something without following the unspoken but critical path of currying political favor and assuaging egos.
Plus, between that image in the first paragraph about the eel and seagull, and the fact that I actually more or less knew how it ended as I knew a lot of people liked it but still found it depressing, (and I'd seen the trailer for the movie made from it), the ending was foretold.
I saw it as more a village story than just a story about Florence. Wasn't the failure as much the village's as Florence's?
Lauren wrote: "Rachelnyc wrote: "I forgot to check in last week so I'm including books I read over the last 2 weeks, all for ToB:America Is Not the Heart (debut novel) - I really liked this book..."
I'm about halfway through Born a Crime and absolutely loving it.
As I mentioned, I don't feel like I learned much from The Mars Room that I didn't already know from OITNB but I still liked it once I became used to the writing style. Also, I decided to change my original plan and am pairing it with American Prison: A Reporter's Undercover Journey into the Business of Punishment for the ATY two related books prompt. I was blown away by the Mother Jones article that is the basis of the book and feel like it will provide significantly more insight into the prison (specifically private prison) system.
Brittany wrote: "Hi All!Man this week flew by for me. Really looking forward to the weekend, I think the weather is supposed to be fairly nice so my husband and I are going to do some long overdue yardwork.
I f..."
OMG Brittany! "My cat ate it..." Seriously...you will probably make the librarian's day with the story! Chin up!
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I read a few pages but I have yet to tackle it, I downloaded a Spanish/English dictionary to help me when I get stuck. Much to my surprise there are free kindle books in Spanish so I read two this week. They were both cute and super quick for ages 4-8 years old. They were Gato Blanco Gato Negro ad I Love to Help Me Encanta Ayudar: English Spanish Bilingual Edition
I'm currently reading The Wife Between Us for #21 prompt of a book by two female authors. I'm only 50 pages in and I know from reading what it's about is totally different than what i'm thinking it's about. i have a feeling there's gonna be a twist at the end. I'm excited and waiting to see.
QOTW: Yes I've read a few ARC's and have won several books from Goodreads. Most of the time I'm reading a bunch of other books so t hey sit on my tbr pile forever.
GR: 11/70 PS: 5/40