August 2020 Reading Discussion

[Tracy]

Hey everyone! Happy August! We are over halfway through 2020, How are you doing with the ATY challenge? What books are you reading this month?

[viemag]

I am happy to report that I have read 34 books out of the 52 books in the challenge. I don't read in weekly order but just choose random books that I want to read and then see if they fit the challenge. It's been fun so far but, I am struggling with finding two books that are binary opposites and would welcome suggestions...

[Entropia]

I am struggling with binary opposites prompt too. I thought it's nice, maybe I even voted for it, but now I'm anxious that if I settle of any specific pair, the other book from the pair will end up not good or something ^___^'
Other than that I finished today first August ATY book - I read Good Reasons for Bad Feelings: Insights from the Frontier of Evolutionary Psychiatry for geometric element/pattern prompt.
I started reading The Other Side of the Mountain for book you don't recognize/put on your tbr on a whim. After that I think I will take a break from ATY and read Reality is Not What it Seems: The Journey to Quantum Gravity, unless I will somehow figure out that there is something on my tbr that would be polar opposite of that, but that's unlikely as I don't even have an idea what type of book could be considered opposite in that case. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Donna]

I'm loving this challenge! My books for this month's challenge are:

32. A book related to the 2020 Olympic Summer Games in Japan The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics I started reading this one this morning, and it is very interesting!
33. A book about a non-traditional family The World According to Fannie Davis: My Mother's Life in the Detroit Numbers
34. A book from a genre that starts with a letter in your name- Dystopian: The Testaments
35. A book with a geometric pattern or element on the cover: Red Clocks

[Marie (UK)]

I am ahead of the game in number of books read . I could do with a recommendation for a neurodiverse character preferably not YA although in July I really enjoyed Furious Thing which falls into that category

[Bana AZ]

Marie (UK) wrote: "I am ahead of the game in number of books read . I could do with a recommendation for a neurodiverse character preferably not YA although in July I really enjoyed Furious Thing whic..."

Convenience Store Woman! It's what I read for that prompt and I really liked it!

[Marie (UK)]

Ana A wrote: "Marie (UK) wrote: "I am ahead of the game in number of books read . I could do with a recommendation for a neurodiverse character preferably not YA although in July I really enjoyed [book:Furious T..."

i have already read this book unfortunately because i also enjoyed it

[Anastasia]

The Outside by Ada Hoffman is good for a neurodiverse character. The mc is autistic and so is the author.

[SarahKat]

I have 3 prompts left:
Major theme of survival (which should be really easy to just fill without planning but I'm being really picky I guess)
10 most coveted literary prizes: I'll be reading The Tiger's Wife next month for this
Related to one of the 4 horsemen of the apocalypse: I'll be reading On a Pale Horse next month for this.

So I'll finish next month for sure. I just need to be less picky about things fitting for survival. I'm sure half the books I've read already this year would fit.

[Kelly]

I am just about on track for the challenge (!!) but August is usually where I fall off the wagon, so 😅 We'll see. Right now I'm taking my time with my re-read of A Clash of Kings (not for the challenge) and loving it. Definitely my favorite of the series. I also started Murder on the Orient Express on audiobook, but I might not go back to it. I just think audiobooks are not for me, unless I already know the story and want to re-read.
As for books that actually count for the challenge, The Satapur Moonstone finally came in at the library, so I will be reading that next. Also have Exit West checked out.

[Beth]

Donna wrote: "I'm loving this challenge! My books for this month's challenge are:

32. A book related to the 2020 Olympic Summer Games in Japan [book:The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for..."

I loved The Boys in the Boat! One of my favorites the year I read it (2015?). I live in the Seattle area and went to UW, so I may be biased. I really wanted to learn to row after I read it. I hope you enjoy it.

[Pam]

I'm 2 books ahead and almost finished with 2 more- The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line (Veronica Mars #1) and Cutting for Stone.

I've really missed going to the library so I went today and checked out 2 books -
A Life Without End by the French author and journalist Frédéric Beigbeder which I may use for the binary opposites prompt
The Master Butchers Singing Club by Louise Erdrich for the Author on the ABE list of 100 Essential Female Writers. I had never heard of either of these books so it was fun finding something completely new to me!

[Ellie]

I'm a little bit behind still, I didn't really read much during May and June, but July was much more productive. I have struggled to settle on anything for the binary pair too. At the moment I'm leaning towards summer/winter as I have several books that work for each option.

The Glass Hotel just arrived in the post so I can finally give up on Year of the Flood for the Abe's list prompt (I was reading it when lockdown hit and I just can't get back into it) and replace it with this one.

Also just ticked off the 20th book prompt with Karin Slaughter's 20th novel. This was another prompt I was dithering with so happy to get it out the way.

[Sherri]

I finished my first book for August yesterday. South Pole Station by Ashley Shelby. Not for this challenge. I read it for my face to face book club. We are reading adventures since our chances for adventure are limited for now.
I’m currently reading Stay With Me by Ayòbámi Adébayó for week 39 a book by an author whose real name your not quite sure how to pronounce. This is my last prompt. When I finish this book I’m done. I was hoping it was set in a location that hasn’t been added to the group reading map but it’s set in a Nigeria & that seems to be a popular setting.

[Jill]

So far this month I have read Dead Man's Folly I liked it but think Christie has written better

[Becky]

I have been enjoying the challenge although not engaging with the community a ton, mostly because I had my second child at the end of June--I'm still finding myself with plenty of time to read but can't get too complex. I'm reading in order, finished Conjure Women a couple of days ago for #44 (book related to witches) and am currently reading Middlegame for #45. Took a detour to read Royal Holiday, which was fun but definitely the weakest of that series for me.
#46 (We Didn't Start the Fire) might take me a few tries to find something I can stick with while my reading time involves wee-hour nursing sessions, but I'm looking forward to it.

[Sherri]

I finished Stay With Me by Ayòbámi Adébáyò for week # 39 A book by an author whose name(s) your not quite sure how to pronounce. I gave it 4 stars. Very good book. This was my last prompt. I finished the challenge today.

[Jill]

Well done Sherri.

[Pam]

Congrats Sherri on finishing the challenge!

[Milena]

Congrats, Sherri!

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

Congrats Sherri! I loved Stay with Me when I read it a couple years ago.

I have been so out of the loop the last few weeks. We start school on Monday (with all of our kids, face to face), so this week has been a frantic rush to get all of the new technology up and running and plan my lessons.

I am speeding through The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue though. It was my summer reading pick for school (we each had to pick one book and lead a book club with our students), so it feels like I'm working even though I'm totally immersed in the book haha.

[Tracy]

I loved The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics !! It was one of my favorites so far this year which surprised me. I guess I'm becoming a non-fiction fan.

I am slowly getting back into reading. I managed a day or two's worth of graphic novels during the read a thon, because they all came in from the library at once. Other than that, my reading has been sporadic, if pretty much non-existent since covid hit. I started several books, but just didn't continue to pick them back up. Watching movies and playing the Redecor app was just much easier to focus on.

I have a stack here from the library for various challenges, but right now I am sucked into The Priory of the Orange Tree, Which I can't put down, its so good. If I don't fall asleep soon I hope to finish it tonight. The library took it back from my devices about a week ago, but thanks to all of you teaching me the "airplane mode" trick, I still have it on my kindle :-)

Next up is Hidden Bodies, which I expect to read through quickly. And then I have a stack that started pouring in when the library opened to curbside pickup. Perfect because that is where I do my custody exchanges with the girls and its only a minute from my house. I have here:

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Vol. 1: Squirrel Power ( started reading this to the kiddos- My little one (who I call Squirrel) had to do the squirrel parts, but then they quickly got bored. We read the first part, but I will try to continue the rest on my own- none of us were big fans, So, I guess that means I have a love of graphic novels, but comics, not so much)
Born on the Fourth of July ( kind of can't wait to read this)
Matilda
East
The Bridge Home
Otherwood
Race to the Sun
and I still have started but on hold
A Feast for Crows and
Monsters of Men

My library also has added a TON of books onto Libby in the past few months so I spent a long time today browsing lists and adding them to a TBR.

[Tracy]

Ellie wrote: "Also just ticked off the 20th book prompt with Karin Slaughter's 20th novel. This was another prompt I was dithering with so happy to get it out the way..."

Ellie, this sounds like a good option for me. Right now I have the 20th book written by Stephen King ( that I haven't already read) planned here, which is Bag of Bones, but it seems like an enormous undertaking after all the chonks I've already read this year. I enjoy Karin Slaughter and read one of her books last year so I know it will be a quick read. Which one is her 20th?

[Robin P, Orbicular Mod]

Emily wrote: "Congrats Sherri! I loved Stay with Me when I read it a couple years ago.

I have been so out of the loop the last few weeks. We start school on Monday (with all of our kids, face to..."

Gentleman's Guide was delightful on audio but I was a bit taken aback when you mentioned it was for a school discussion. I think it will be a hit, but we sure didn't get to read anything like that when I was in school!

Tracy, I read The Priory of the Orange Tree and generally admired it, but I got bored anytime there was fighting or battles. That almost always happens to me in books and movies, I feel like saying, "Wake me up when something interesting happens", by which I mean something to do with character or relationships or even conversation. And when there is magic involved, it is hard to understand sometimes why one creature or person can defeat another. And sometimes a person or creature suddenly has some new power, which seems like cheating.

I also loved The Boys in the Boat, which surprised me as a mostly fiction (and not at all sports) fan. But if the incidents of that book had been in fiction, an editor would have refused it as unbelievable. I read it for an in-person book group a few years ago.

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

Each teacher chose one book to read this summer, and then every student in the school chose one of the books read by the teachers to also read. So there was a lot of options for the kids, and I limited my pick to only juniors and seniors because it's definitely racier than I remember! I think it will be fun, though, and definitely reach the kids who fall into the gender queer category since we don't have many other teacher picking books with LGBTQ+ characters.

[Ellie]

Tracy wrote: "EI enjoy Karin Slaughter and read one of her books last year so I know it will be a quick read. Which one is her 20th?..."

The Silent Wife, though advance warning it's about a serial rapist case and quite a disturbing one.

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

I've only read The Good Daughter by her and I was a bit disturbed, and I've heard that this is one of her tamer books.

[Tracy]

Ellie wrote: "Tracy wrote: "EI enjoy Karin Slaughter and read one of her books last year so I know it will be a quick read. Which one is her 20th?..."

The Silent Wife, though advance warning it'..."

Thanks, I saw that, I stopped being lazy and looked it up after I posted LOL. I actually have 2 books checked out on Libby right now for this prompt becuase I need some easy reading. Takedown Twenty, and The Bone Garden, Both 20th in series ( Janet Evanovitch and Tess Gerrtitsen). I really need some mindless reading right now :-)

I would be more htan happy to read The Silent Wife, But theres a wait, and I am maxed on holds right now :/

Ugh sorry I'm not correcting those typos... having a glass of wine right now. Kiddos and going back to school decisions are just getting to me right now.

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

We went back to school on Monday, so I've been excessively busy/stressed/getting lost in my phone rather than reading.

I am listening to Red, White & Royal Blue, which is wonderfully scandalous and lovely and exactly what I need in my ears right now.

I'm also reading The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives which is already heartbreaking but a surprisingly quick read, so that's good. I've been reading it mostly before bed.

[Robin P, Orbicular Mod]

I loved Red, White & Royal Blue, not only the delightful love story but the idea of living in a country with a woman as president. There was a lot more to it than just the love story and I found the political part and subplots interesting as well. So many romances seem to take place in isolation from anything in the world.

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

I did love the idea of a woman president who is divorced and remarried. Her role as mother and president has been so fascinating to watch and I love her relationship with Alex (and I feel for June).

[Pam]

My mother recommended Killing England:The Brutal Struggle for Independence by Bill O’Reilly. I’m listening to the audiobook, which is really good! I had heard of O’Reilly’s Killing series but hadn’t read any yet. I will definitely be reading more of the series. He’s a decent writer and the narration is really good! Fortunately, it happens to fit into the challenge - Published in a prime number year. I’m really hoping to start Middlemarch by the end of August. Still dragging my feet with this book!

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

Oooooh I started Middlemarch and gave up about 50 pages in. Wayyyy too much of a slog for me!

[Pam]

Emily- I will give it 50-100 pages. If it doesn’t grab me by then, I’ll DNF it. I have too many other books I want to read. My husband keeps pushing me to read it. He loves long classics. Me, not so much! 😬

[Entropia]

I DNF'ed two books in a row trying to get highest rated non-fiction on my tbr as a counterpart to lowest-rated fiction for polar oposites prompt and the one I'm reading now Language in Our Brain: The Origins of a Uniquely Human Capacity is very scientific and dry, which normally wouldn't be much of a bother, but right now it's still too hot where I live to focus sufficiently. Next highest-rated nonfiction on my tbr (apart from anthologies that I need to finish the first part of to start reading) is Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, I've read a bit of introduction and it seems far more readable. I don't usually like to read books about social issues when the topic is related to current events, but I'm thinking of switiching yet again.

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

Entropia, I have Stamped from the Beginning on my TBR -- Spotify actually has a playlist of the audiobook that I have downloaded but haven't started yet.

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

I just found out that I will be teaching AP literature this year. We started school on Monday, as I mentioned, and I pick up this class next Monday, so I have between now and then to start and finish The Poisonwood Bible, which was their summer reading book. Send some prayers that I can get through this chonk in the next 4 days!

[Tracy]

Emily wrote: "I just found out that I will be teaching AP literature this year. We started school on Monday, as I mentioned, and I pick up this class next Monday, so I have between now and then to start and finish..."

I love that booK!!! Its very readable, so even though it may be a chonk, it should go by quick. Good Luck!!

[Entropia]

Emily wrote: "Entropia, I have Stamped from the Beginning on my TBR -- Spotify actually has a playlist of the audiobook that I have downloaded but haven't started yet."

I started reading it yesterday and so far I'm loving it (despite one thing that I don't think is reasonable to suggest).

[Pam]

Good luck Emily with The Poisonwood Bible! I have faith in you that you can finish it. I’ve only heard good things about it so there’s that. The upside is that the students didn’t read Middlemarch! 😂 Good luck with the entire school year! This fall will be interesting.

[Jackie, Solstitial Mod]

Oh god I had to read Poisonwood Bible for summer reading back in the day, and boy did I hate it. I'm pretty sure I'm the only person on the planet who doesn't like it, so you'll probably be fine.

[Steven]

I hated the Poisonwood Bible too. The characters never felt real to me. They felt so burdened by what they represented that I couldn't feel for them. The messaging was just so heavy handed I could barely get through it.

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

So I'm only 100 pages in (and I haven't read at all today lol), but I'm tending to agree with Steven here... it just feel so symbolic that I can't really relate. But I guess the symbolism is why I'm reading it for AP lit. The whole class is about interpreting meaning.

[Laurel]

My public library just delivered a whole bag of books to my front porch - now I need to decide what to read first! Do I want a mystery, a romance, a novel, or a memoir?

Saving Ruby King
The Heir Affair
Never Ask Me
Half Moon Bay
The Suicide House
It Is Wood, It Is Stone
How to Forget: A Daughter's Memoir
The Grove of the Caesars

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

I'm itching to read The Heir Affair but the wait time is so long at my library! I'd start with that one.

[Hannah]

August is not being my most successful reading month. I've only finished one book (Exhalation: Stories), which I didn't even predominantly read this month - I've been reading it out loud a story at a time since May. To be fair, I really have a lot going on right now: I'm writing my thesis, preparing to move back to America after living in Europe for a year, and I had a friend staying with me for a week, but still!

I had been reading A Gentleman in Moscow at the beginning of the month, but due to the above events (and the fact that I honestly found it a little slow...) I didn't end up finishing it before it was due back to the library. This is a complete disaster, because its hold list is so long that I likely won't get it again for months. I was surprised it didn't capture my attention so much, though, since I've heard SO many good things about it and it really seemed like it was going to be my sort of book. Maybe I just wasn't in the right frame of mind and when I take another crack at it in a few months I'll dive right in.

I started The Signature of All Things a few days ago and I'm enjoying it well enough, so hopefully I get my groove back!

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

Hannah, I have read nothing but fluff books or YA books this month. I feel like my brain can't handle anything more dramatic than that.

[Entropia]

I had yesterday a crisis with reading Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, but I've overcome it thankfully. My brain really wants to read something chill now, so I'll be reading fiction for the next prompt.

[Sherri]

Good Morning. I have finished four books since my last posting.
Four Puddings & a Funeral (Oxford Tearoom Mysteries #6) by H.Y. Hanna. I have read this series for years but had not read one for this year. I wasn’t as thrilled with this book. Not sure I’ll continue the series. I’m finding it too repetitious.
The Topeka School by Ben Lerner. I didn’t like it.
A Dangerous Place (Maisie Dobbs #11) by Jacqueline Winspear). Another series I have read for years. I really liked this one.
The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes. I liked this one too. I have waited a long time to read it. I really lucked out. I was on a Overdrive late one night & there it was available. That never happens.

[Robin P, Orbicular Mod]

Hannah, A Gentleman in Moscow is a tough book for right now because the hero is confined for years. Even though he is in a pretty nice place, just like most of us, it gets boring. I actually was disappointed in that book. The best part was the very end when something actually happened. It also had a "trope" that I dislike - a child who comes into the story in order to make adults happy and give them purpose and who seems to have few ill effects from previous trauma.