Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2019 Weekly Checkins
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Week 6: 2/1 – 2/7
Milena wrote: "Serendipity wrote: "A much more productive week for me reading wise. I finished Unmarriageable (loved its overt feminism), The Fifth Season (I enjoyed it more than expected given its not really my ..."My city was pummelled by a series of large earthquakes in 2010 and 2011. The most destructive in 2011 made international news for many days until the Japan tsunami occurred. Earthquakes never really bothered me before then. But now - even though no one I know was killed or seriously injured and our property damage was not major - I'm a lot jumpier if I hear about them or even feel a minor one. After our large quake I was speaking to friends of my parents who experienced a major quake about forty years previously. They said you never fully get over them and I think they may be right. I'm definitely not paranoid just jumpier and more aware of things - like building exits!
Mod
I experienced the big Loma Prieta earthquake in California in October 1989, and yeah, it took a looooooong time to get over it. The aftershocks were the worst. I still don't like being stuck in traffic under an overpass ... just in case (even though a large earthquake is unlikely in NY) and I get a little jumpy when I'm on a bridge or other overhang that shakes when a truck drives over.
Finished: The Woman in the Window (Book #9)
I Am Watching You (Book #10)
Currently reading:
The Minefield Girl
Questions I Am Asked About the Holocaust (free ARC from Edelweiss Plus)
I read Perfect Is Boring: 10 Things My Crazy, Fierce Mama Taught Me about Beauty, Booty, and Being a Boss and all I can say is that is is okay. Geared a little too much toward younger set.This book is good for prompt Two women authors but it does fit the nostalgia prompt for me because I missed ANTM and the Tyra Talk Show.
I am currently reading The Book Thief and want to read The Hobbit or There and Back Again and D'Arc for next couple weeks.
Jessica wrote: "I don't know how you ladies and gents read so many books but color me impressed. Feel free to share your tricks! I so wish we had public transit in Vegas. lolI have completed nothing this week. N..."
Jessica, not sure if these are tips and tricks but this is what I do. I listen to audiobooks on my drive to work, while cleaning, cooking, walking the dog and working out. I don't watch TV, instead choosing to read in the time TV used to take up. I used to scroll social media last year in the evening but now have been making a conscious choice to read instead, even though I still go on to check on social media book groups and Goodreads, but not as often.
It also helps that I am a fast reader and I don't have kids or a spouse to have to share my time with. Everyone reads at a different pace and depending on where you are at in your life, you might read less than some or more than some. I hope you enjoy the books you are reading this year. Take care.
Jessica, I agree with Alicja, I have basically replaced TV with reading books and I have to say that I don't miss TV at all which is something that surprises me. I also read before bed instead of playing with any electronics (phone/social media mostly). I found that it helps me sleep a lot better. I used to read MAYBE 8 books in a year. I read 8 in January alone this year. Just like Alicja, I listen to audiobooks during my runs, while in the car, while cooking.
Serendipity wrote: "Carmen wrote: "I am so impressed with people reading the books in order of the prompts! It seems so organized!"I started off reading in order for ATY. But then library holds arrived at times that..."
You are still doing much better than me. I'm picking up any old book, reading it then seeing if it will fit PS or ATY anywhere. Most fit one or the other somewhere. Probably finish PS first because I have been in the mood for lighter books so far this year. Hopefully my friend I am worried about gets in touch and is fine so I can focus more.
I'm checking in late, so I'll update based on what I was still reading Thursday! Although I finished one of those books today. :)9/40
Currently Reading:
King of Scars
Pretty Girls Dancing (11. a book with an item of clothing or accessory on the cover) - audiobook, so it's taking me longer to get through.
(Don't) Call Me Crazy
Finished Reading:
Crooked Kingdom (3. a book written by a musician) - I LOVED THIS SO MUCH. This is my favorite duology ever. If you're into fantasy and well-developed multiple POV stories, this is the series for you!
The Sun and Her Flowers - I did not love this and I was super disappointed. I was expecting more and was incredibly let-down. There was so much I didn't enjoy in this and it felt pretty contrived throughout, which is a strange feeling to have.
QOTW:
I haven't. I'm also just not huge on reviewing. I like being able to gush about a book or just write a quick blurb about my feelings. I think if I was required to write a review, I may not enjoy it as much. It's nice to just look back and see how I feel about a book without having to give a whole ton of information and dissect the book. That's just not really my thing.
I do continue to enter into the GR giveaways, but have yet to win one ha! Maybe some day. :)
On reading totals - I did answer on the other thread but so you don’t need to seek it out - it’s a mix of things for me- I’m a fast reader. It helps that if my husband and I both sit for an hour to read, I can read further.
I choose reading over other activities. I didn’t for a bit - I was always a voracious reader and then college, early married life and then kids broke me a little. This year I stopped browsing Netflix at nap time, and instead picked up a book.
I found audiobooks. I don’t know why, but I never considered them for myself, and when I tried them I realized I was missing out! Now my boring chores, migraine days, or cooking/getting ready can include books.
Mood read! This is HUGE. I’m always faster if I’m into a book. I get an assortment from my library and read what I’m in the mood for.
Varying book length - I read graphic novels (real fast!), middle grade, and shorter books mixed in. For example, over the weekend of #24in48 I read for 16 hours between two days, and finished 9 books. A handful of those were graphic novels, middle grade, or short. Last week I read 4 3 2 1 - it’s 866 pages, I wasn’t as invested, and it took me 4 days. So the book length and mood really play in a lot.
Checking in large. My IPad stopped working an d I was hoping it was just the battery. No such luck. So now I'm typing this on my tiny android keyboard. I have to get a new one because I can't read on this screen. Hopefully, next month.I only do wished two books this week.
Washington Black, which I liked a lot. Difficult subject matter. I thought it had some interesting observations on family.
Home for Erring and Outcast Girls for Netgalley. I really loved the authors first book but this left me meh. It's a sual timeline and I really thought that this structure did a disservice to both stores.
On Friday, I finished You Can't touch My Hair for humor prompt.
Current reading
The Fire Next Time
The Fire This Time. I'm excited to be buddy reading both of these.
What I've read since last checking in:- The Other Woman for a book with clothing on the cover
- The Power for a book where a character has a superpower
- From Twinkle, with Love for a book with love in the title
- The Afterlife of Holly Chase for a ghost story
- Rush for a book that takes place at a college
I sped through these because I enjoyed them so much for different reasons. Currently I'm working on the two books with the same title prompt :)
I've finished 9 out of 50 books so far, for the PopSugar Reading Challenge.What I finished reading this week
Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe – PSRC #25. A debut novel
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, by Jenny Han – PSRC #29. A book with “love” in the title
Folk Art Fusion, by Heather Galler
How to Pray for Lost Loved Ones, by Dutch Sheets
What I'm reading now
Before We Were Yours, by Lisa Wingate – PSRC #30. A book featuring an amateur detective
Jesus the King, by Timothy Keller – PSRC #18. A book about someone with a superpower
You Were Born for This: Seven Keys to a Life of Predictable Miracles, by Bruce H. Wilkinson
Question of the week: Have you ever received an advance copy of a book?
Yes, I've received some books from Net Galley.
I hope your friene is okay, Jen! Sending lots of good vibes.
Carmen wrote: "I hope your friene is okay, Jen! Sending lots of good vibes."Thank you!
Mod
No. I was on the Stanford campus in an underground lecture hall listening to a PhD defense - things I remember: the look on the PhD student's face (his mouth made a perfect O of shock!), the way my asshole adviser BOOKED out of that lecture hall ahead of everyone else (note: this is not why I disliked him, but it added fuel to the fire for me) - he had been in the front row and he must have had to actually push people out of the way to get out before the rest of us, the TV s mounted to the ceiling started shaking, ceiling tile dust started coming down on us, and - once I got outside - seeing the palm trees swaying when there was no breeze, seeing all the bikes fallen over, and hearing alllllll the car alarms going off... And waking up in the middle of the night to the aftershocks.
That lecture hall was structurally sound and no one on campus was injured, but it was freaky! All of my books fell off their shelves, of course, and some of my roommate's glasses broke, but nothing else.
It was a slow reading week, so I didn’t finish any books for this check-in.QOTW: I don’t think so. There aren’t any that I can recall.
I've finished two books since I last checked-in!Finished:
After Dark I read this for the prompt a book that takes place in a single day. I enjoyed it, but I don't know that I would recommend it.
Children of Blood and Bone This was for the debut novel prompt. I liked this! The writing was overdramatic at times, but i enjoyed it. I'll definitely read the sequel.
Currently Reading:
Circe This is a book inspired by mythology, legend, or folklore. This one might be my favorite read of 2019 so far.
QOTW: No I haven't gotten an advanced copy!
I'm now at 10/50 Finished:
Pet Sematary I really enjoyed this story, though I don't see why King thought it was his scariest work. Maybe because I'm not a parent. I'm using it for becoming a movie this year.
My Sister, the Serial Killer This book was great. It was a super quick read but I loved looking at the sibling relationship struggles in a context most sisters (hopefully) won't go through. I used this for an author from Africa.
Currently Reading:
The Last Time I Lied
QOTW:
I think I did like 2 books as ARCs that wanted reviews. I didn't like it. I don't like to read if there's a deadline and I didn't like either of the books.
This week I read The Home for Unwanted Girls. It was very good. I am currently reading Black-Eyed Susans and should be done tonight.
PS 9/40, GR 10/36
QOTW: I've never received an advanced copy of a book.
This week I finished After My Own Heart which I'm using for a debut novel. It was solidly OK. This brings me to 6 books read for the challenge.I'm hoping to finish The Sleeper and the Spindle tonight (retelling of a classic).
I'm still partway through the following:
The Secret Loves of Geek Girls (book with love in the title)
Just Eat It (book published in 2019)
Neverwhere (book with an extinct/imaginary creature)
QOTW: I've never received an ARC. I've never even looked into it to be honest, it doesn't really interest me.
I didn't finish anything this past week, but I'm still on track for the year. QOTW: Yes, I've won several Goodreads Giveaways (both ebooks and physical books), including We Were Mothers by Katie Sise and Watch Me by Jody Gehrman.
I am 10/53 so far this year.This week I read: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery as my nostalgic prompt. I remember reading this when I was little. I just loved rereading it. (((contented sigh)))
Still reading: Cinder by Marissa Meyer in German. This is taking way more effort than I had hoped. My new plan is to listen to it in English on audio for a chapter, then read it in German. I think reading it one chapter at a time will help me immensely. I'm just looking up too many words.
Just started in audio: Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt
Just started in paperback: Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
I was reading: The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien on audio, but it was the BBC radio version. Although it was interesting and I enjoyed it, I stopped about halfway through because it felt like cheating. It didn't feel like reading at all. When it's an audiobook, it should be read to me, right??? Are any other books like this? I was surprised.
AF wrote: "I am 10/53 so far this year.This week I read: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery as my nostalgic prompt. I remember reading this when I was little. I just loved rereading it. (((..."
Oh, the BBC audio drama of LOTR is really good! I agree though, that it's not quite the same as an audio book--at the very least it would be an abridged version. If it's the same one I'm thinking of it's really meant to be more like a radio play.
This week I finished reading Beartown. It was EXCELLENT! Using it under the prompt for a book I hope is turned into a movie. Planning on reading the sequel next Us Against YouI also finished the audiobook Sweet Tea and Sympathy to fit under the SWEET prompt.
Just began listening to Lethal White, putting it under the prompt that includes a wedding.
I am 10/53 so far this year.This week I read: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery as my nostalgic prompt. I remember reading this when I was little. I just loved rereading it. (((contented sigh)))
Still reading: Cinder by Marissa Meyer in German. This is taking way more effort than I had hoped. My new plan is to listen to it in English on audio for a chapter, then read it in German. I think reading it one chapter at a time will help me immensely. I'm just looking up too many words.
Just started in audio: Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt
Just started in paperback: Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
I was reading: The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien on audio, but it was the BBC radio version. Although it was interesting and I enjoyed it, I stopped about halfway through because it felt like cheating. It didn't feel like reading at all. When it's an audiobook, it should be read to me, right??? Are any other books like this? I was surprised.
Mod
I was reading: The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien on audio, but it was the BBC radio version. Although it was interesting and I enjoyed it, I stopped about halfway through because it felt like cheating. It didn't feel like reading at all. When it's an audiobook, it should be read to me, right??? Are any other books like this? I was surprised.
..."
Yes there are a bunch of BBC Radio plays available on Overdrive, anyway. I tried listening to Good Omens: The BBC Radio 4 dramatisation that way, but I was bored AND annoyed, so I "dnf"ed that one. I figure if the radio play was boring me, then there's no sense reading the actual book.
I know there is a Cast Recording of American Gods, but that's the actual book, with actors for the different characters.
Mod
I've listened to a few "full cast productions" (I just finished one yesterday: Broken Monsters) and they are usually pretty good, and yes it is the full unabridged book with no sound effects or anything.
I haven't been reading as fast as I was in the beginning of the year, I got distracted by watching Glee. I blame The Enchantress Returns. I was able to finish The Warrior in the Mist: The invaders are coming. The battle is about to begin. and To All the Boys I've Loved Before. Currently I'm reading Crow's Revenge The Whydah: A Pirate Ship Feared, Wrecked, and Found.QotW: I never got an advanced copy of a book but I did just help an author with a book he is currently writing. It's a picture book and he wanted me to see what my students thought of it.
AF wrote: "it was the BBC radio version. Although it was interesting and I enjoyed it, I stopped about halfway through because it felt like cheating. It didn't feel like reading at all. When it's an audiobook, it should be read to me, right??? Are any other books like this?"I bought a full cast dramatization of the Narnia series a few years ago. I didn't really catch the "dramatization" bit until I tried to listen to it. While it's entertaining, I don't want to listen to it because I don't think it's quite the same as listening to the full book. I want my precious audio hours to go to unabridged books that I feel I can count for my reading goals.
Glee is a wonderful way to distract yourself! For the first four seasons anyways 😅
Late again for the weekly check-in!For this week I was able to finish Never Have I Ever and I began Magyk, a fantasy book that so far seems pretty cool.
I am a slow reader at the weekend always, so I hope to advance more in the book this week.
QOTW: I've never received an advanced copy, but read a book before anyone else, it looks really exciting!
Feel like I'm finally picking up the pace a bit!Finished: La Belle Sauvage for A book you meant to read in 2018
Started and finished: The Key for A book told from multiple character POVs
Started: The Garden, probably for A book about a family, but would also obviously work for A book with a two-word title if it doesn't work for the first prompt.
QOTW: Never received an advance copy, just the odd freebie!
Gemma wrote: "Feel like I'm finally picking up the pace a bit!Finished: La Belle Sauvage for A book you meant to read in 2018
Started and finished: The Key for A book told from..."
What did you think of LaBelle Sauvage?
Quick check-in from me.Didn't get much reading done this week since I was at a teacher conference and seminar in Auschwitz and Cracow.
Finished one book:
Moabit, not so bad book a little at the margin of the series by Volker Kutscher. Quick read, interesting background about Charly, one of the main characters.
Currently reading:
Still listening to Becoming, but I've reached 10 hours of listening time.
Marlow the newest in Volker Kutscher's series.
Auschwitz Und Die 'Auschwitz Lüge'. Massenmord Und Geschichtsfälschung
Ein Schnupfen ist kein Beinbruch: Warum weniger Medizin oft gesünder ist
Oma lässt grüßen und sagt, es tut ihr leid
Don't know how I came to read so many books at the same time. Just means I am slower in finishing.
QOTW:
No, no ARC yet (in Germany, they're harder to come by) but I've recently checked out some websites that offer them.
AF wrote: "I was reading: The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien on audio, but it was the BBC radio version. Although it was interesting and I enjoyed it, I stopped about halfway through because it felt like cheating. It didn't feel like reading at all. When it's an audiobook, it should be read to me, right???"Raquel wrote: "Oh, the BBC audio drama of LOTR is really good! I agree though, that it's not quite the same as an audio book--at the very least it would be an abridged version."
IMO it's like any adaptation/abridged version. It's not the original work, but it still counts as a separate work. Like if someone published a modern play version of Beowulf (just as an example), reading it wouldn't count as actually reading Beowulf, but you could still count it toward your yearly reading goal, Popsugar, etc. Totally not cheating.
Folks, I can't believe that I don't miss my TV!!!! My goal was to cut down my electronics/social media time. Even when I read, I try to get the hardcopy of the books at the library or online (e.g., Thriftbooks.com). I "stole" my daughter's light clip so I can clip it to my books and read them before bed. I'm amazed how many books I read if I make it one of my priorities. In the past, I spent so much time on mindless TV watching, social media, and game apps. Now, I love going to the library to drop off and pick up books. I love finding ways to read books without breaking the bank. Before, if I liked a book, I'd click the Buy button for the Kindle book and then never read the book or read it many months/years later. Not anymore! I just finished books #11, #12 and #13.
Book #11 was The Minefield Girl which almost became my first DNF book. I loved it in the beginning, but sometime around chapter 13 I had to force myself to read it.
Book #12 was my very first ARC from Edelweiss+ Questions I Am Asked About the Holocaust. The on sale date for this one is April 2, 2019. It was a fast read (only approx. 160 pages), but a great read. As someone born and raised the first 14 years of my life behind the Iron Curtain in East Germany, this one hit home for me.
Book #13 was the Challenge Book of the Month: To All the Boys I've Loved Before I'm usually not into romantic novels at all, but this one was and easy read and cute book.
I'm currently reading book #14 which is also an ARC from Edelweiss+.
https://www.amazon.com/High-Stakes-Kn...
It is the 6th book in the Knight and Devlin Series by John F. Dobbyn and so far I love it!!! No dragging out of character or setting introduction over multiple chapters. The author starts with action in the very chapter!
The Knight and Devlin Collection
Super late check in for me this week. No excuses I just forgot!Finished
The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle
I really enjoyed this book right up until the end where it all went a bit off the rails. I don't think the explanation of the loop was very well thought out. This is my book featuring a puzzle
I also finished two more books Love in the Time of Cholera and Sorrow of the Earth but I finished these after Thursday so I'll save my thoughts for this week's check in otherwise I'll have nothing to write about!
Currently reading
War and Peace - Very close to the end now
The Mystery of the Yellow Room - I didn't like Gaston Leroux's writing style in The Phantom of the Opera but its perfect for this type of book. I can't wait to work out the mystery!
QOTW
No. I don't want to feel obligated to read and review something to a deadline. I have too many books on my TBR for that!
Don't you just love it when you stumble across a book that fits a more limited PS prompt, and it is one you already own but have not read?Just happened to me. I had just finished a couple of books and didn't want to start anything else right away, nor watch tv or do anything else as it was very close to bedtime. So I decided to do some Google research on some of PS prompts that I did not already have something in mind and could prove difficult. One of those prompts was 'Shakespeare or influenced by Shakespeare.' I've read a lot of Shakespeare and books influenced by Shakespeare already so this had potential to turn into a re-read unless something popped up. I found a couple of interesting lists and blogs (not GR) about these books, both of which mentioned The Weird Sisters with pictures of the cover. That cover was soooo familiar! Like I'd just seen it in the last week or 2 in a pile of books around my apartment - on my nightstand coming to mind in particular. I immediately took a cursory look -- did not see it but the books are piled high and 3 layers deep there. Then I got busy and forgot about looking further, but something triggered it in my mind again. So last night I dug through the piles on the nightstand - THERE IT WAS!
So cool. It's now on top and will probably get read in just a couple of weeks - after I read the latest round of library ebooks that downloaded and the other books I am currently reading.
I also have a copy of The Daughter of Time and of Juliet around somewhere - they have not surfaced.
I love it when that happens, Theresa! Just wish it happened to me more often 😂Wasn’t that a ATY prompt though? I never expected keeping the two lists separate in my head would be the real challenge haha!
Mod
heyyyy if you're looking to do "same title" there's also Daughter of Time by Sarah Woodbury. It was a Kindle freebie a while back, a time-travel romance w/a modern heroine sent back to medieval Wales. I didn't LOVE it, but it was fun.
Mod
..."
LOL! honestly! I keep getting them confused, and I feel like as the admin here I'm supposed to have my shit together and NOPE. And yes I think you are correct, Shakespeare is an AtY prompt. But I'm planning to read a Shakespeare play for that and for "inspired an idiom" for Popsugar, so I get that one confused (among many)!
Carmen wrote: "I love it when that happens, Theresa! Just wish it happened to me more often 😂Wasn’t that a ATY prompt though? I never expected keeping the two lists separate in my head would be the real challen..."
OMG you are right! It's ATY! HAHAHAHAHA!
I'm having a really hard time keeping them straight too. Just wrote out my review and caught the mistake.
Nadine wrote: "Theresa wrote: "... I also have a copy of The Daughter of Time and of Juliet around somewhere - they have not surfaced.ok..."heyyyy if you're looking to do "same title" there's also Daught..."</i>
OOH, interesting idea. However, I just discovered though that [book:Night Train to Lisbon by Pascal Mercier, a book I am currently reading, has the same title as an Emily Grayson book I was able to immediately download from NYPL - Night Train to Lisbon - and it sounds really like an interesting pairing.
Nadine wrote: "Carmen wrote: "I never expected keeping the two lists separate in my head would be the real challenge haha! ..."
LOL! honestly! I keep getting them confused, and I feel like as the admin here I'..."
I'm glad I'm not the only one who can't keep their challenges straight! It seems like even more people are doing both so even if people get confused, I'm sure it's helpful to everyone following along.
I just started the ATY challenge and I'm glad I have my spreadsheet for both of the challenges. I keep moving books around and I found a lot of books that fit both challenges.
There are some very similar prompts. I find myself getting them mixed up all the time.
I’m doing 4 challenges, I have 4 spreadsheets haha. It’s hard to keep track!
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
The Witness (other topics)The Wedding Date (other topics)
The Silent Patient (other topics)
The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own (other topics)
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Pascal Mercier (other topics)Emily Grayson (other topics)
Sarah Woodbury (other topics)
Gaston Leroux (other topics)
Volker Kutscher (other topics)
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I started off reading in order for ATY. But then library holds arrived at times that didn't work. Not to mention the second or third book on my list doesn't get released until March! Now it turns out I have a run of classics and non-fiction, both of which can sometimes feel a bot more like work than pure pleasure. So I've decided to slip in an out-of-order book or two in amongst in. So I'm mostly reading ATY in order - except when it doesn't suit me! Once ATY is done I'll move to finishing off Popsugar mostly in order and so on through the rest of my challenges. In other words I lack the discipline and organisational skills to read completely in order.