Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2021 Weekly Check-Ins
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Week 7: 2/12 - 2/18
Mod
I am so sorry to hear of all these challenges! Ugh. A very sick child and losing a furbaby. Sending you positive coping energy!
"I’m feeling better and more able to get some reading time (and have the attention to absorb what I’m reading!), so here I am to report some progress!"
YAY!
"Finished
A Dead Djinn in Cairo - An Afrofuturist book - More P. Djèlí Clark? Why not? This Tor short story had all the texture and character I felt was lacking from the much longer Ring Shout. Absolutely delightful!"
Ooohhh...definitely checking this out!
"Currently Reading
Candide - A book set in multiple countries - My favorite podcast is going over this, so I decided to read along. This is ridiculous and harrowingly true. Voltaire is scathing, in the best way!"
I don't believe I have ever checked this out, but I am now! :)
"QOTW
When I was 16, I read The Stand, and I couldn't put it down. I literally read it during French class, since I was able to follow along and answer questions when I needed to. Looking back, it was rude, but man, I was obsessed with that story!"
As a displaced teacher, I must demonstrate at least a modicum of outrage...however, I can sure understand! :)
"This isn't a book, but when the final Mass Effect game came out, my husband kindly herded my kids into the kitchen and said, "This weekend, Mom doesn't exist!" I played so much my butt got sore. (And then I HATED the ending! 🤣 That should be a lesson in moderation!)"
Awww...that was so sweet! :)
On the MCU front I probably have an unpopular opinion that while I enjoyed most the movies well enough when i watched them the first time, there's only a small handful I'm willing to watch multiple times. Original Iron Man used to be in there, but I've found that one didn't age all that well but that's potentially just me personally. I'll watch Ant Man vs Wasp, the guardians movies, Captain Marvel, Black Panther. The rest I'm fine with just having seen the once or twice and moved on from. I'd maybe watch the newer spidermans again, but they're not on a streaming service I have right now, and not really quite "buy" them level for me. However I am really enjoying Wandavision, which surprises me. I thought those two never really got enough time in the MCU to be even remotely interesting. Their chemistry always felt forced and more "look, they're a couple because we said so" more so than being believably together. Clearly it was a case of them not being given enough to work with, because I really am loving both of them in Wandavision! I honestly just watched it on a whim because we had nothing going on the friday it came out and figured at an hour to watch both the episodes, no big time investment if it wasn't good. So glad we did!
Mod
I can imagine doing that! :) Mine was my grandmother asking me to please not read while I walked through the house! :)
WandaVision is so good in that way, because I don't like Wanda and hate Vision. I like Wanda a bit more, but hate Vision, still, woops, but I adore this show! And I've seen a lot of people feeling the same way!And hey, there's nothing wrong with not wanting to rewatch certain movies! I have several I would skip, too, if my brain would let me, haha! The only one I'll allow myself to skip is the Hulk, as it isn't truly MCU, even with the Tony cameo at the end.
Mod
It looks as if you must be in the correct frame of mind to handle the rape and sexual assault, but otherwise, this looks very interesting. Thanks for sharing!
Mod
Ditto!
"The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - this was a re-read, but I hadn't read it in almost 40 years, so it was like new again (and the things I thought I remembered, I had all wrong! (view spoiler)) It was even more wonderful this time around, 5 stars from adult-me. My cousin started a book-and-movie club via Zoom for all of the family. Last month it was my daughter's turn to choose, and she chose this book, because she had never read it for school, and so many people talk about it. We get together this weekend to discuss. Something tells me some of my cousins will have opted to watch the movie rather than read a book. (We're going to watch the DiCaprio movie next week. I've never seen it.)"
How cool about the family book/movie discussion! Would you agree with many critics who feel this book is "the American classic"? I admit that in the opposite way, I was less impressed this time around, some 50 years later...
"QotW
I'm embarrassed by this, but I think you all are the one group who will understand: yes, there have been books that are so engaging that I kept reading at work even after my lunch break ended."
Ha! Ha! I think I just consider that to be typical behavior! LOL
"There are also books that are so good that I would keep reading instead of making dinner, but for the most part my kids will not allow that. Dinner is late sometimes, though. And there are books that are so good that I keep reading instead of sleeping - I have a special shelf for them, "stayed up too late.""
I love that you have a separate shelf for that!! LOL
Mod
And those are definitely unique, as I gather this book is as well. I will definitely give it a try sometime...just not sure when! :)
"Currently Reading:
Anne of Green Gables -- for “book about do-overs or fresh starts”
Ah, I read that whole series about 6 years ago and adored them all!
"QOTW:
I've gotten so wrapped up in a book before that I've ended up late for work. XD And I was so invested in The Priory of the Orange Tree that I lugged it along on vacation and read it obsessively even when we were supposed to be enjoying the cabin. (To be fair, what's the point of a cozy cabin if you can't snuggle in with a book?)"
How else would you "enjoy a cabin"? LOL
Mod
This is definitely on my list. I keep moving it up! :)
"I read Dead Poets Society as my dark academia book. I do not highly reommend it."
That made me chuckle!
"QOTW: I don't know. I'm pretty irresponsible in the first place."
:)
Mod
I'm so glad your weather has improved and ice is no longer covering everything!
"I found out yesterday Bridget Collins (the author of my favorite book The Binding) has been liking transphobic tweets on Twitter for months now and I was not yet ready to have another book so dear to me tarnished. *deep sighs* Why is being a decent human being so hard these days?"
I'm not sure it is just in "these days," but it certainly does seem to be a challenge for many humans... :(
"Luckily Ferb has been doing better, and while she was supposed to go into the shed today, we are postponing it to tomorrow, because my help is sick and my dad is putting together my sister's room. I did promise her no more meds after this morning, so I'll stick to that ;)"
YAY, FERB!! :)
"Read
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue...The Girl With a Pearl Earring is NOT a Rembrandt, thank you very much. *Dutch feathers ruffle*
So funny! How many editors missed that, I wonder?
"Exile (fave prompt from past for PS, random word generator (tear) for ATY)."
I did add the first installment to my TBR. Looks interesting...
"Currently Reading
Clap When You Land I can say this again because I just read 51 pages of it, haha! It's just such a struggle. I can read Yahaira's pages pretty easily, but Camino's take me forever. The story is great, though!"
Definitely intrigued by this!
"Starting The House in the Cerulean Sea on Saturday, and hope to finally start Outlander soon, too."
I'll be reading this one in March for a book club. Anxious to get to it 'cause I think I'll enjoy it.
"QOTW
Most definitely! I can't really remember a specific occasion, as I haven't had school or work in forever, but yeah, getting in those pages even though you should be leaving has happened to me plenty of times! Also staying up until 6am to finish a fic. Or 3am for a book. Woops. My sleeping schedule is still not great, so 3am for a book wasn't so weird, but foregoing sleep to read is still a common occurrence!"
Wow. I have finally regained my full ability to really SLEEP through the night and am so grateful. Plus, our youngest kitty, Tigger, has finally stopped awakening me 3-4 times a night. Whew!
Mod
Ha! Ha! I know that feeling! :)
"Finished
Binti by Nnedi Okorafor (an Afrofuturist book). I liked the characters, story, and world-building. But there was too much story for a novella. I think it would have been better as a novel."
It did seem as if it could be expanded pretty easily, but that doesn't seem to be her writing style. At least not for this series!
"QOTW
Oh, yes, I’ve done this. There are some books and series just so captivating that I don’t want to stop reading them. Many impromptu vacation days have been taken so I could stay home and read a book."
I love that!
Mod
Confession: I still haven't seen Ant Man and Wasp. My kids went with their dad to see it, and I just hate watching movies with people who have already seen them, so I've never watched it. Is Michael Pena in it?
Nadine, yes he is, quite a bit :) I love him haha!I'd say it's worth watching. My big thing with the MCU is it just gets exhausting with how much of every movie had to set up other movies and lead to this big messy event thing. Ant Man and the wasp was a sort of "while you all were doing that, here's a nice small story" and it was basically a heist movie with low stakes in comparison to a lot of the MCU movies. It has some fun banter, fun special effects with stuff going big and small all over, Luis is great, Wasp gets to be awesome, there's no mention of any kind of stones. The only real tie in to everything else is mentions of the Ultron events and the post-credits cut scene.
I still haven't seen Ant-Man and the Wasp yet either, and I don't know why. I really need to remedy that! I am a massive Paul Rudd fan, and love Michael Pena as well, so I really should get on that, hahah!
Happy Perseverance Day! We just landed an awesome rover and a helicopter on Mars, y'all! Step one to getting Martian samples back to Earth! My little NASA-loving heart is all a-flutter. It happens that I am feeling like not reading books about slavery and struggle for Black History Month this year. I've been mostly reading about adventures and joy and mysteries. I'm going to try keeping it up all month. It's been an extra challenge trying to find happy black books, or at least books about just, stuff.
Finished:
How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House - So much grief. Excellent cover
A Dead Djinn in Cairo - MOAR! Annoyed this isn't in print.
The Haunting of Tram Car 015 - Nice but I want Fatma back
Check, Please!, Book 2: Sticks & Scones - White protagonist but black author, so I'm counting it! So sweet.
Owls of the Eastern Ice: A Quest to Find and Save the World's Largest Owl - for BookTube prize
Currently Reading:
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky which I should finish today, then probably...
Honey Girl
QOTW I missed my bus stop on the way to work several times while reading The Phantom of the Opera
Nadine wrote: "Sheri wrote: "On the MCU front I probably have an unpopular opinion that while I enjoyed most the movies well enough when i watched them the first time, there's only a small handful I'm willing to ..."Michael Pena is such a scene stealer. Definitely worth watching Ant-man and Wasp.
My sisters live in Dallas. One lost power and water in her apartment but another one didn't, so she was able to stay with her and be safe. There was ice growing on the inside of their windows! I feel you about being pained and wishing everyone could just be happy and safe. It takes fighting the greed, selfishness, and neglectfulness in each of us to bring that about. Caring for each other takes sacrifice and hard work. Unfortunately, it's easier to just care for ones self, though not necessarily better, and we're all guilty of that to some extent, me included. That's my two cents anyway.Finished 5.25/50
The Idiot (not for the challenge). This is my second read through. It's got such sad ending, but it's so good. A reflection on how society hates what is good in itself.
Currently Reading
The Philokalia, Volume 2: The Complete Text for "longest book on your TBR". I have got to finish this asap so I can finish volume 3 before the end of March!
QotW
I did this today! My church book club meets today to discuss The Idiot, and I hadn't finished! I read 200 pages today and ignored pretty much everything except my toddler to get it done in time! Phew! Glad I did though. It's such a good novel!
Mod
LOL!!! That was my exact reaction to that book!!!
Hello from snowy Kentucky! I'm still stuck at my mom's house, more snow today but hoping to get to my house to at least check on it over the weekend.Finished:
Get a Life, Chloe Brown: Wasn't a huge fan of the type of language the author used during the more... steamy... scenes on this one. I thought the overall concept was cute and I liked the entire storyline... but when you throw in several crass, vulgar words it just feels out of place and kind of spoiled the feeling for me. Probably won't read the other two in the series.
PS prompt: body positivity
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue (audiobook): OMG another amazing, 5 star for me. Loved the twists.
I assume I'll use this for some sort of PS prompt, but not sure which one.
The Sanatorium: I read this to participate in the Reese's Book Club discussions on the new app and I ended up finding myself really liking it. I *thought* I didn't like thriller/suspense books, but I think this one and The Guest List prove that wrong.
PS prompt: a book with fewer than 1,000 reviews on Amazon or Goodreads. Ok Ok this might be cheating since it just released a few weeks ago, but currently it has 800 ish reviews on Amazon and a little over 700 on Goodreads, so I'm going with it.
Currently:
Still working on Check, Please!, Book 2: Sticks & Scones. I'm not enjoying this one as much as the first, primarily because of the pet names that Bittle uses for Jack.
Next Up:
I'm joining a readalong for the Red Rising series this weekend, so I have a few days to kill before then. I hope to finish Check, Please. I also plan to begin (and maybe finish) Piranesi in book form and The Vanishing Half in audiobook tomorrow.
PS: 9/40 (though I'm sure I'll use a few more of the books I've finished for other prompts, just don't know what we will be choosing here for the group reads)
Overall: 15/50
We got ice here for 12 hours but were far luckier than Texas. Somehow our electricity held.I'm working on a good book but a slow book for some reason. I only managed one this week for the prompt A book about art or an artist which I reread Interior Desecrations: Hideous Homes from the Horrible '70s by James Lileks. Okay it's the interior decorating arts but it's what I'm going with.
QOTW oh yes there have been many (right now Legendborn is threatening to do that. Mostly they cost me a good night's sleep but I can't remember titles I'm afraid
Mod
It happen..."
In a FB group I belong to, one of the members actually worked on this!!! And hello! dream job!!!!
Cornerofmadness wrote: "We got ice here for 12 hours but were far luckier than Texas. Somehow our electricity held.I'm working on a good book but a slow book for some reason. I only managed one this week for the prompt ..."
Legendborn is so worth ignoring life and sleep for.
poshpenny wrote: "Happy Perseverance Day! We just landed an awesome rover and a helicopter on Mars, y'all! Step one to getting Martian samples back to Earth! My little NASA-loving heart is all a-flutter. It happen..."
I watched the landing when I got home form work! It's so good to see a rover on the surface of Mars again :) I grew up in Florida, so Kennedy Space Center was a huge part of my childhood. We used to be able to see the space shuttles in the sky from my backyard. I love all things NASA and hope they get loads of money for space exploration in the coming years!
I feel so badly for Texans. They're not used to this stuff like New Yorkers like me. And the fact that they could have better prepared and made infrastructure changes just makes me mad. I get that snow and ice aren't in their repertoire, but hurricanes, heat and fires are, and upgrading utilities for that might have helped for this. I do have even more empathy than usual because we ran out of propane over the weekend, which is our heating and cooking source. We all had to hide in the bedroom with a little space heater. I had to fight with the gas company because they didn't want to deliver for 3 days, we got them here in 2. And those 2 days sucked. But at least we still had electric and water during that time. Stay safe and warm!
I've done some reading this week, but with heat issues, and also the babysitter is off this week, I haven't made a ton of progress.
I'm still reading The Magic Mountain, and got about 100 pages into A Time to Kill. The past couple of nights I've been too tired to keep my eyes open, so I've listened to a bit more of Serpent & Dove, which I started last year and don't think I've listened to since late December or early January.
QOTW: When I was in college, I had a part time job. I was almost done with a book, I went in to work, but told my boss my stomach was upset (it wasn't) so I could go home and finish the book! I probably stayed home from school in high school once or twice that way, too!
I've always been one to delay sleeping so I could read. Basically from the time I *could* read I was doing it. My parents would put me to bed, but they kept a hall light on until they went to bed. More times than they (or I) could count, they caught me sitting in the doorway of my room reading by that light. Or with a flashlight under the covers later!
Even now, though I can't stay up until the wee hours anymore, I've definitely stayed up later than intended to read "just one more chapter"!
Thanks for everyone’s kind words. It has definitely felt like we’re in the apocalypse here in Texas. Our power went out Sunday night and we just got it back this morning. Freezing all day and night. We still have no water though, and I’m exhausted from the nonstop work of survival this week. Our state leadership is horrendous and they really don’t care about people. If you haven’t seen it yet, Senator Cruz flew to Cancun with his family for a vacation while we’ve been living in the end of times here. Oh and the right has tried blaming this on renewable energy, which is infuriating. The good news is that this state is filled with wonderful regular people who have been helping each other get through this and survive. We’ve definitely gotten close with our neighbors this week. It’s not over yet but there’s a light at the end of the tunnel with the weather forecast at least. Then folks will need to get all the plumbing fixed that burst. We saved our frozen pipe just in time. So tired. I’ll post my regular check in later after I’ve had some sleep.
Good evening! Usually I check in a bit earlier but I had lots of meetings today and then I had some errands to run too. It has finally warmed up a bit here today. I think it was 28 F this afternoon and yesterday it was a balmy 19 F! You know it's cold when 19 F suddenly is warm! Popsugar: 47/100 (double challenge)
Bingo: 22/25
February scavenger: 7/10
And as you can see I've been busy working on my February Scavenger challenge romantic paintings this past week. I've already had the books picked out so was just busy reading them. Plus I also did the Valentine's day readathon too. Combining the two was a great idea.
Read this week:
Mosquito Man forgetting. The main character in here had forgotten many of the details of what had happened when he had been 7 years old when his parents had disappeared. This is a creepy thriller. Great story too..it's also a great story for those who love those giant bug movies. This is also my second book for Forgetting.
Still Life with Tornado Ugly Cover. This is my second Ugly Cover book so now I'm done with this category. This book would also fit the Artist category or possibly the Magic Realism one. This is one strange story about a teen girl who is depressed because of incidents at school. There's some definite quantum mechanics in here! It was a bit hard to read this because it's so serious but it was actually a good book...and it could lead to discussion about bullying. 
Winter of the Crystal Dances Best Friend Would Like. This is a children's book - middle grade I guess - about a girl who lives out in the middle of nowhere with her mother and she can communicate mentally with horses. She saved some wild mustangs during a awful winter. A great story! And also the first book in a series..
Catalyst Pretty Cover! Who wouldn't think that's a beautiful cover?? So many books I think have just blah covers or else ugly ones it's actually hard to find a pretty one in my opinion! This is also my second pretty cover. And this was a fantastic story! It's about cats in outer space. Wonderful character driven plot that kept me reading and earlier today I had just picked up the sequel to this:
Catacombs so I really look forward to reading this. Before I read this I had never really thought of how the animals we love would accompany us into space, to new worlds and what they would do there. In this case these particular cats are very important as they help detect air leaks and catch rodents / insects on the spaceships. And if for any reason you need a plague story (last year's popsugar??) This would fit that too.
An Enchantment of Ravens my second Artist book! And this was a truly wonderful book too, about faeries and the girl who paints their pictures. The author clearly has put a lot of thought into this story and it's a love story too, but this girl has good head on her shoulders. Lots of great descriptions in here of the different environments.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine this is my second Everyone Has Read This book...so another category I'm done with! I really loved this story about Eleanor but I think I can relate a bit too much too her and it has lead to me having some disturbing dreams... unfortunately. I do pretty much think the way she does and share a lot of the same problems when it comes to people. I do hope the ranch will reopen soon so I can get out there with the horses again...they are waiting on paperwork from the state... because I think they help me deal with these issues. Haven't been out there since the end of December. And the horses are really the only ones I actually interact with... All of those meetings are by phone.
Cursed Objects: Strange but True Stories of the World's Most Infamous Items Magic Realism. This is my first magic Realism book but I'm currently reading the second one. I had ordered this from my library because I had thought it sounded interesting and it just happened to match this challenge (once I read and understood what magic Realism was).. it's about real items that are said to be cursed and to give you bad luck. And you can't explain bad luck! So it must be magic Realism! The most interesting story in here I think was about an old clothing trunk that had passed down in this one family and anyone who had put their items into the trunk soon died. It kept happening over and over.. a fascinating book.
I Believe in a Thing Called Love this was one of my February Scavenger challenge books. It's a YA romance with a Korean drama flare. I found it a bit humorous but not really funny..it was ok.
Dreadful Company another of the Feb Scavenger challenge books... And a great character driven story set in Paris..I just picked up the sequel to this from the library too!
Grave Importance so hopefully I can read it soon! Oh, this is about a lady doctor who treats monsters and she was kidnapped by vampires! I don't know what the sequel is about yet obviously as I didn't read it yet.Currently Reading:
Across the Nightingale Floor this is my second Magic Realism book. In here the main character, a teenage boy, suddenly gets super hearing and he doesn't know why. He can overhear two people whispering in another room! And stuff far away..it's set in Japan.. 🗾 so far I'm enjoying it.. oh and this is also one of my February Scavenger challenge books too...it just happened to fit the magic Realism category by accident..I hope to finish the February Scavenger challenge romantic paintings books by the end of the weekend.
Question of the Week: well I have been caught reading books when it comes time for my yoga class (which is done on the computer via Google meet). I'm waiting for my teacher to send the link and often she is late so I don't want to just sit there so I start reading the book...and then my phone is beeping for a text message and it's her asking "did you get the link?" Yeah, I got it, but I'm sidetracked by my book now! Today I actually got on the meet first as I wanted to test the new lamps I had got to see if they make the area any brighter because it's so dark even with the lights on..they just don't throw out enough light and I don't know how to fix it. And there's no overhead light where my yoga mat is. The overhead light, which is more over the computer, is dim. It's ok for me personally, but not good for my yoga teacher to see me on the Google meet. The lamps help a little but don't make it that much brighter really.
But I often stay up late reading books anyway..
Again work has been a nightmare this week. When will it ever end?? Thinking I need to update my resume and look for something different, or take a vacation. (HA! if only...) Hoping everyone in the great state of Texas is ok and any of our dear friends are safe and warm.7/40 PopSugar
1/10 Advanced PopSugar
8/80 GoodReads
Finished Reading:
1.) The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (#28- Magical Realism) ⭐⭐⭐⭐- I really enjoyed this one, Nora Seed is a protagonist I won't soon forget. I loved the detail Haig took on her different lives and especially appreciated Mrs. Elm.
Currently Reading:
1.) Les Miserables
2.) The Fiery Cross
3.) The Book of Lost Names
QOTW: Has there been a time that the book you are reading has consumed you to the point of totally overlooking a responsibility or commitment? What book was that? What did you neglect to do?
Yes, the Twilight series. I received the first one for Christmas in 2008 and started and finished the entire series one superbowl weekend in January. I ate, drove and sat on the couch all dang weekend to finish that series.
Well, it seems we managed to survive the cold & winter storm of 2021 here in Oklahoma! I'm keeping my poor Texan neighbors in my positive vibes and sending them love. It has been difficult for me to focus this week with the seemingly constant chaos happening. I was able to finish 2 books over the weekend. Finished:
Fresh start or do-over:
Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ I really enjoyed this stand alone novel about Edward, a 12 year old boy that survived his family after experiencing a tragic plane crash. His journey to healing really stuck with me. It reignited my senses about how to understand people because you never know what people may be dealing with in their lives.
Title the same as a song title:
Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ This YA novel is a prequel to The Hate U Give. It was an amazing story written by Angie Thomas about Black boyhood & manhood. The story introduced Maverick, a 17 year old boy, who grew into a man and developed his own sense of being.
Challenges:
ABC 6/26
Popsugar 6/50
Goodreads 10/52
Continuing:
Fly Girls: How Five Daring Women Defied All Odds and Made Aviation History
Tough Mothers: Amazing Stories of History's Mightiest Matriarchs
The Yellow Bird Sings
QOTW:
The one that comes to mind is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I had pre-ordered the book at a Borders book store. I went to get it at midnight on its release date. I stayed up all night reading it because I didn't want it to be spoiled. So, first off, I neglected sleep. Secondly, I was extremely tired for work the next day, so I'm sure I shirked some of my work-related responsibilities. Also, at the time, I was in graduate school, and I didn't go to class the following night because I was too tired from staying up the night before reading. Was it worth it?? OH YES!! No spoilers for me, and I was able to enjoy the ending of the epic series of Harry Potter!
Lauren wrote: "Thanks for everyone’s kind words. It has definitely felt like we’re in the apocalypse here in Texas. Our power went out Sunday night and we just got it back this morning. Freezing all day and night..."Take care, Lauren. Glad your pipes didn't burst. Run a trickle of hot and cold water. Stay warm and safe! We're thinking of you and pulling for you!
It has been a very dry winter here in Utah, but it is doing it's best to make up for it this week. Since I love drinking water, I'm happy about that. The best part about working from home is not having to navigate snow if I don't want to do so. And I don't want to. I haven't left the house since Saturday. Now that I say that, it sounds weird. Good thing I'm going out tomorrow before I turn into a total recluse. I finished one book this week:
Binti: The Complete Trilogy by Nnedi Okorafor - 4 stars; PS #2 Afrofuturist book
I had gotten Binti from the library and loved it so much that I bought the trilogy for my Kindle (for $4.99). It included a short story between the first and second books that I think added so much to the story. This spoke to me because I have also made decisions that my family did not care for, but were necessary for my mental and emotional health.
Currently reading:
A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson. Nearly halfway through the audiobook and am thoroughly enjoying it. He's a funny guy. For the outdoors prompt.
We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy. Powerful so far. For the bookshelf prompt.
The Ship of Brides by Jojo Moyes. I thought I should start a romance novel on Valentine's Day even though it isn't a favorite genre. I like Jojo Moyes books that I've read in the past so went with one of hers. I am not very far into it, but this is my type of romance novel. It is loosely based on her grandmother's journey at the end of WWII to be reunited the American she has married during the war.
Goodreads: 9/100
Popsugar: 8/50
QOTW: I assume this happens a lot in my life, because I realized it had just happened this weekend and I'm sure it is not an anomaly. I had purchased a ticket for Josh Groban's virtual Valentine's Day concert. However, I was so involved in reading the Binti trilogy that I completely forgot to watch the concert. Fortunately I was able to see it the next day. It was wonderful, and so was the trilogy.
Hello everyone. It's been a weird week and I'm in a reading funk. Audio or bust for me right now. Hope everyone is well and staying safe with the weather12/40 Regular
4/10 Advanced
27/75 Year
Finished
34. A book about a social justice issue
Holy crap this book was intense and awesome and jaw dropping.
Sweet, young adult debut involving an audition and a roadtrip. So fun.
Currently Reading
QotW:
Has there been a time that the book you are reading has consumed you to the point of totally overlooking a responsibility or commitment? What book was that? What did you neglect to do?
I'm pretty compulsive about responsibilities but I have neglected sleep many, many times to read. Last night Girls with Bright Futures assisted me in going to be way past my bedtime
I hope everyone is safe and warm tonight. Finished
Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano. This book isn't the kind of book I normally read, but I really enjoyed it. I loved the way the book was written.
Shuri Volume 1 The Search For The Black Panther by Nnedi Okorafor. This is a graphic novel about the Black Panther sister. The Black Panther is lost and she is looking for him. I really liked this book and will be getting the next one when I can find it.
Katie the Catsitter by Colleen AF Venable. I saw this on the libraries website and knew I wanted to read it. The cover I love. It's Katie running with cats running around her. It's a graphic novel. It's about Katie who wants to go to camp with her best friend, but she doesn't have the money to go. She decides to do odd jobs. She fails at the first couple and figures she won't be able to go to camp. Then she finds a note under her door and it's tells her to go to a certain apartment. She gets there and finds the lady has 217 cats(not suppose to have pets in the building). The cats aren't normal cats as one is a hacker, one is a weapons expert, and so on. Also there is a superhero and a super villain. I loved this book. Katie was funny and loving and 12 years old.
Bleach Volume 3 (Memories in the Rain) by Tite Kubo. This is a re-read. I started the series a few years ago, but it wasn't finished and I ended up reading all the books that were out at the time. The manga series is done now and planning on finishing. I'm hoping this year, but not sure how long it will take to get all of it from the library. I love this series. It's about a teenager who has been able to see ghosts since he was a kid. He gets soul reaper powers and uses them at first to help his family and friends, but ends up protecting everyone.
currently reading (actually be starting tomorrow)
Binti
The Great Gatsy: a graphic novel adaption.
and I have several children's books I want to read this week.
QotW
When I was a teen, my Mom slapped my leg. I looked at her and asked why she hit me, she said that she'd called me 4 times. I'd not heard her, I was so engrossed in the book I was reading. All I can remember for sure is that it was a fantasy novel. I get lost in books still. We had late suppers twice this week as I was reading the end of Dear Edward. The last half of the book pulled me in completely and held me I so wanted to know what he would end up doing. Though there was a part of me who didn't want it to end.
My family knows that if they can get my attention, I'll probably tell them after this paragraph which usually means after this page.
I remember reading Blockade Billy by Stephen King. It's a novella about baseball. I started it at night and didn't go to sleep until I finished it at 5 am. I was lucky I didn't have anything to do the next day until suppertime as I slept most of that time.
Mod
Pffft. Right there with you. And I don't feel weird about it!! I go out every Saturday to the library and the grocery store. And that's it. I don't go out for the rest of the week. I mean, I go outside to fill the bird feeders, and sometimes we walk the dogs when it's warm enough, but that's it.
Mod
Good to hear from you!
Work has been so busy, it's interfering with my ability to post on time.Finished
Heartstopper: Volume One, Heartstopper: Volume Two for author with my zodiac sign.
Jane Eyre for book everyone seems to have read. I have no idea how I managed to avoid reading it all these years. I LOVED it!
The Chicken Sisters for book with something broken on the cover.
A Study in Scarlet for book with a black and white cover. My Kindle copy had a black and white cover.
Currently reading:
The Once and Future Witches
The Secret Garden
Nervous Conditions
War and Peace
Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-first Century
QOTW:
I have definitely gone past my stop on the Long Island Rail Road at least once due to reading. Can't remember the book unfortunately. As for sleeping, I am always way too tired to stay up long reading, even when I want to. I did it many times when I was younger though. Again, can't remember the books.
I finished 3 books & 1 audio book for the week.Octavia’s Brood: Science Fiction Stories from Social Justice Movements by Adrienne Maree Brown, (Editor/Contributor) Walidah Imarisha (Editor/Contribtor).
I used it for an Afrofuturist book.
The Cooking Gene : A Journey Through African American Culinary History in the Old South by Michael W. Twity. I used it for a book with a family tree. There is a huge family tree & lots of genetics.
One CrazySummer(Gaither Sisters,#1) by Rita Williams-Garcia. Not for this challenge.
Nothing Like I Imagined by Mindy Kaling. Audio book. Essay’s. A book in a different format than what you normally read.
QOTW: I can’t remember the last book I was so engrossed in I neglected other things. I do have moments all the time where I tell myself one more chapter then take a break.
My brain isn't fully functioning yet, but I'll get to the normal check in before all my meetings start today. This week we didn't have power until yesterday, which meant I got in a decent about of reading time between survival tasks. Pro reader tip - if you have a kindle paperwhite and it's freezing in your house, you can keep your gloves on and turn the page by tapping the device to your nose instead of taking your gloves off, LOL.
I finished:
Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments: Intimate Histories of Riotous Black Girls, Troublesome Women, and Queer Radicals for a book club. It was a tough read, but provides plenty of things to talk about. 4 stars
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind This was interesting, but there were some parts I took issue with. Since I listened to the audio version (and was distracted by stress this week), I may have missed qualifiers for those parts, so I'm leaving it without a rating.
Aftershocks Excellent new memoir. 5 stars
Red Pill for the Tournament of Books. This was a lot, and went some places I wasn't expecting, but the ending was strong. 4 stars
Ain't I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism I expected to love this since I've heard great things about the author, but I really struggled with some parts of it. The harsh stance against Black men and ideas like, "all men hate women" were difficult for me to process. I couldn't give it a rating, but I'll continue thinking about some of it.
Felon: Poems I met this author at an abolition conference in 2019 and finally got around to reading this collection. Very powerful and moving poems. 5 stars
No Heaven for Good Boys This was another tough read, but gave me some insight on an issue and country I previously had limited knowledge of. 4 stars
I'm currently listening to The Road to Jonestown: Jim Jones and Peoples Temple and reading An Untamed State on kindle.
QOTW: I think I've mainly just stayed up later than my preferred bedtime for reading, but I can't think of any specifics right now.
Lauren wrote: "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind This was interesting, but there were some parts I took issue with. Since I listened to the audio version (and was distracted by stress this week), I may have missed qualifiers for those parts, so I'm leaving it without a rating.What did you take issue with if I might ask? I listened to (though a few years ago) and I loved it so I am very curious to your views!
Carmen wrote: "Lauren wrote: "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind This was interesting, but there were some parts I took issue with. Since I listened to the audio version (and was distracted by stress this week..."There was this whole section that seemed to be in praise of capitalism, and I kept waiting for a "why it's actually problematic..." section but it either wasn't there or I missed it in the stress of listening to the book during a disaster. There was one other thing that rubbed me the wrong way, but I can't remember what that was now.
poshpenny wrote: "The Haunting of Tram Car 015 - Nice but I want Fatma back"Dang it, y'all - I was hoping she would pop in soon. At least we have a little Siti, and I do really like Onsi!
Lauren wrote: "There was this whole section that seemed to be in praise of capitalism, and I kept waiting for a "why it's actually problematic..." section but it either wasn't there or I missed it in the stress of listening to the book during a disaster. There was one other thing that rubbed me the wrong way, but I can't remember what that was now"Sounds vaguely familiar, but I sadly can't help you there! Incredibly valid issue, though!
Mod
I LOVED the first part of this book, but then it got super opinionated.
From my review:
Harari most definitely has an agenda, and that boils down to:
- hunter-gatherers had a great lifestyle.
- Buddhism is awesome.
- money is a myth and capitalism is a religion.
- capitalism is what facilitated European imperialism.
I noticed a thread in this group about a Discord, and I took the liberty to make one, just in case people were (still) interested! Feel free to share the word!Invite for the Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge Discord!
Mod
The one that stands out to me is also Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. We bought it on the Saturday but because my mum paid she got to read it first (at 14 I thought this was incredibly ..."
I adore this story! That is so cool! :)
Mod
Hopefully, your partner wasn't too angry! :)
Mod
* The Conjure-Man Dies: A Harlem Mystery: The first ever African-American crime novel by Rudolph Fisher, which I may use for "a book that's published in 2021" prompt (debating this since it was originally published in 1932)"
Oohhh...that looks good! Another Harlem Renaissance read!
I hear ya about reading too late at night... :)
Mod
Ooohhh...I listened to quite a bit of The Relentless Moon when Kowal was livestreaming her recording process. So interesting! The voices she does are amazing, IMO!
"QOTW:
It's been a while, I usually just fall asleep these days. I guess I might read a few pages here and there in quiet bits of work if I'm really into a book, but that would run the risk of getting completely sucked in and not doing any work at all. Other chores can wait though!"
What chores? LOL
Mod
This is the next Kowal book I'm going to read. It may be a bit too "romancy" for me, but I'm gonna give it a try!
"QOTW
My foray into the Wheel of Time series consumed most of my scheduled when I got really into it. I was audiobooking during work and reading it on my commute, because thats the only way you get through a fantasy saga spanning 14 books and thousands upon thousands of pages. Made it up to book 5 before interest sputtered out"
I've always been rather glad I'm not really interested in this series! That's quite a time commitment!
Mod
I'm glad someone enjoys the snow! :) Glad you're getting your second dose already!
"Finished:
Swine and Punishment - prompt set mostly outdoors - another cute farm cozy. Yes, I was feeling bucolic."
It looks as if this is only available on Kindle and not in print? It definitely is a series I would like to try, especially given that I am a farm girl...at least still in my heart! :)
"Currently reading (you'll see why I took a romance and cozy break!):
A Brief History of Seven Killings"
I have a copy of this at home and keep avoiding it like the plague. I have a feeling it is going to be very gory...
"QOTW: What have I neglected to do? Get off the bus or subway at my stop! I'm sure there are other things, but those for a New Yorker are classic. I can't remember what the last book(s) were that this happened with --- Pandemic Quarantine has kept me out of the subways and off the buses for the last almost year --- but it definitely has happened rather frequently - at least once a year! The worst is when that happens on the subway because I live pretty far uptown and some neighborhoods above me late at night have really deserted subway platforms that do not seem that safe. Plus the opportunities to switch back to go downtown can mean not only paying a second fare, but also a long wait for a train or bus. Not a happy time when you are tired and hungry from a long day at work.
Of course, any book that causes me to do that gets a very high rating and is recommended to all with the caveat 'it will make you miss your subway stop!""
That definitely sounds like something I would do if I had the opportunity to use public transmit for my commute!
Mod
Long is good! We're glad you're here!
"Finished:
Death Wins a Goldfish: Reflections from a Grim Reaper's Yearlong Sabbatical I gave this 5 stars!!! I was laughing sooo hard at this graphic novel. Death has to take all his accrued vacation days and he has so many adventures. This book really reminds us that we need to slow down and take time for ourselves and not work ourselves to DEATH."
That definitely sounds unique!
"The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth & Harlem's Greatest Bookstore #42 The shortest book (by pages) on your TBR list . I'm so happy I found this book. I definitely learned so much. I never knew there was a black owned bookstore in NYC for 30 years. I definitely learned something for Black History Month."
Ooohhh...this looks like so much fun!
"Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe14. A book set in a restaurant. I read this and watched the movie for my books to movie book club. When I realized it fit into PS prompt I was even happier."
I keep thinking I'll finally read this...every year... :)
"QOTW Recently I was listening to The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires and I could not stop listening to it even though it was 3 am and I needed to sleep. I was engrossed in the story and yelling and screaming to the point that I scared my son lol"
Keep him on his toes! LOL
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
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Terra Nullius (other topics)
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How to Find Fulfilling Work (other topics)
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William W. Li (other topics)Alfred F. Young (other topics)
S.A. Chakraborty (other topics)
Ken Follett (other topics)
Bill Bryson (other topics)
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Finished
Billions & Billions: Thoughts on Life and Death at the Brink of the Millennium by Carl Sagan (longest on my tbr). Loved it, but it's so frustrating to see how few problems we've managed to solve in the twenty-four years since this book came out. He was so hopeful that America would start taking climate change seriously in the coming years. I mean, better late than never, but still...
These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong. This was a DNF for me. I just couldn't get into it. There was a lot of set dressing but very little actual...plot. I see almost exclusively rave reviews, however, so I'm afraid it must just be me.
Rabid: A Cultural History of the World's Most Diabolical Virus by Bill Wasnick and Monica Murphy. This was decent. It focuses a lot on the myths and legends that rabies inspired--werewolves, vampires, zombies--and less on specific outbreaks. I was hoping more for a history of the disease (I know, I'm an oddball lol). But still enjoyable.
Currently Reading
Wilder Girls by Rory Power. Creepy, gorgeous, fierce. I've already filled my dark academia prompt, but this would work for that, too.
Spinster: Making a Life of One's Own by Kate Bolick. This is a memoir of a woman who chose singleness over married life, and she analyzes the female writers who influenced her toward that life. I'm a proud, happy thornback (unmarried past the age of 27) myself, so I'm relating well to this.
The Dark Vault by Victoria Schwab (something broken on the cover). This is one of Schwab's earliest works, so it's not as amazing as her later stuff. That said, it's still extremely well written and engaging. It's cool to see her earlier works and watch her development as an author. Addie LaRue totally blew me away in its amazingness.
QotW
I think my anxiety and OCD keep me from fully engaging in reading (or any activity) in such a way that I accidentally lose time while reading. However, I've had books where it was so good I decided I would finish no matter what. The last book for me was The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman.