Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2022 Weekly Check-Ins
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Week 10: 3/3 - 3/10
Nadine in NY wrote: "Erica wrote: "Happy check-in! It's been a rough week. I'm so glad to just talk about books.Also definitely celebrating the Pi Day. I feel like having pumpkin pie this year.
Finished Reading:
[bo..."
Yeah that's true. I've found a few books for the tbr from your check-ins so thanks!
Mod
It's a new ho..."
I never watched Hannibal. What else is it like. Is it sci-fi, or serial killer?
I did not have a lot of energy for reading this week. I think I have one book that I was very excited about that's disappointing me a little bit, and it is putting me off sitting down to read. Also I had a 41 page court packet to submit today. I am 45/50.
This week I finished:
Sadie: Booktok recommendation: I don't know how to type my thoughts without spoilers, so I'll just say that it was a very unique book, with a compelling main character, a ton of dark/triggering subject matter, and a bold, haunting ending.
The Patient's Secret: I have done so much rearranging on my list this year. I ended up moving several things around and I'm using this for favorite previous prompt (audiobook): I am becoming a pretty big fan of this author. The only reason this wasn't a five star book for me was that the book had too many threads at the beginning and the author wasn't giving quite enough for my mind to follow each one of them. It definitely evolved over time but I wish there had been just a little more offered towards the beginning.
Currently reading:
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: This is probably my least favorite of the series, but I'm still enjoying the one chapter a day pace.
The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper: I have put this aside for now, until I download the ebook version. The audiobook is not for me.
Silver Sparrow: This is just as good as the other Tayari Jones book that I read. It has excellent character development and a clear vision. The audiobook is also great quality.
These Silent Woods: I was looking forward to this book so much, and there is so much to like about it, but for whatever reason, it is not keeping me engaged. I think I was too caught up in the hype for it. I will not give up, but I'm disappointed so far.
QOTW:
Seven Ways We Lie is the most recent one. I have recommended it to several kids in my Digital Boundaries class, because of the excellent way it portrays the gender double standards. I like to receive recommendations more than giving them. I recommend books to my probation kids a lot and I always like to try at least one book that each of my kids likes (I discovered Percy Jackson that way.) I have already received 3 recommendations from kids this week.
Ashley Marie wrote: "It's a new horror movie! I highly recommend it to anyone if they enjoyed the Hannibal tv series"100% seconded! Some of the score even reminded me of Hannibal which made me very nostalgic, haha!
It's not a slasher kind of horror movie, though, and I didn't even think it was that graphic (being used to Hannibal).
Repeating my head's up, however: if you struggle with the sound of people chewing, make sure you have the subtitles on and mute the sound whenever they eat, because there is a serious emphasis on the sound.
If anyone wants more details about the movie, feel free to DM me so no one gets spoiled here!
Quick check-in, still working (it’s 8pm now). I will read your posts tomorrow or later this weekend. Our municipality is going to host refugees from Ukraine in a sports hall. Refugees can stay there a couple of days and then move to a place where they can stay a bit longer. The first refugees are arriving tomorrow. Colleagues are placing field beds while I’m typing my post. I have just finished a webform where volunteers can apply to help. It’s heart warming: over 40 people have already applied to help, the form is online for just 1 hour…PS:4/40
Read 2022: 9
Finished
Nothing
Currrently reading
To Hell and Back: Europe, 1914-1949
Los pacientes del doctor García
QOTW
Nope.
I've already fallen asleep once trying to post this so it's short and sweet from me today. I had a pretty mediocre reading week, dictated mostly by library holds, judging deadlines, and the desire for comfort reads.Finished:
A Fatal Grace - Gamache #2 at Christmas - The fatphobia in this book is epic. Blech
Mr. and Mrs. Bunny — Detectives Extraordinaire! - I thought I would love this but it is pretty stupid
The Cruelest Month - Gamache #3 at Easter and less riddled with crappy comments
Real Estate: A Living Autobiography - for BookTube Prize
Marion Lane and the Deadly Rose - This was fine
Orwell's Roses - for BookTube Prize
Currently Reading:
Women Warriors: An Unexpected History
Three Bags Full - Sheep try to solve a murder
Hi everyone. Spring must be delayed here. Our daffodils are only just thinking about coming out. I live across from a cemetery so when they do show up, it'll be like a little sea of yellow opposite my house.This week I finished three books! I think I'm finally getting back into my pre-pandemic groove.
First up I finished Reputation. I loved a different take on that time period. Normally all the books I read set in the regency-era are full of people trying to maintain a good reputation but these girls didn't care. *Starts singing Joan Jett* It was a lot darker than I was expecting and Georgiana was just an awful human being (in fact most of the characters were) but Mr Hawksley was certainly a swoon-worthy hero.
I also finished Alone in Antarctica: The First Woman To Ski Solo Across The Southern Ice. As much as I would love to visit Antarctica one day, I don't think I'll be recreating this journey any time soon! It was intriguing to see how the author's biggest hurdles were all mental and it makes you wonder how you would cope in the same situation.
Finally I finished Rumaysa: A Fairytale. This was a middle grade fairy tale re-telling but it was definitely aimed at a younger end of middle grade. I would have liked a more in depth story but I'm not the target audience lol
Currently reading: Thorn, another fairy tale because that's how I roll
QOTW: I only really talk to you guys about books. Reputation and A Song for a New Day would be my recommendations from what I've read so far this year
Nadine in NY wrote: "My most recent example was after reading The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race.This book is getting some great reviews!! I definitely want to read it now!!."
I sampled this very book this morning to see if it's my next read, but it started two years ago with the beginning of lockdown stuff and I noped right out of there.
Ashley Marie wrote: "Good morning! In typical Midwestern fashion, the weather can't make up its mind so I end up stuck with a sinus headache for days on end. It's wonderful. Don't try this at home without proper superv..."How are you liking Parable of the Sower? I was considering this book as well.
It has been a slow reading week with spring break and the end of the quarter coming up. I did not complete any books this week.
I am still reading:
QOTW: I don't typically suggest books so that I can have someone to talk to about it. I recommend books because if they are good, I want to share the joy with others. It does no one any good to hold on to something that is meant to bring light into the world of others. I also tend to read stuff that my friends would not pick up on their own. I like to share.
Hello All! Sorry I missed last week, but at least I only finished one book since then. haha.Finished:
Flight of Dreams by Ariel Lawhon (4 out of 5 stars)
This was just a pretty good book until I read the author's note at the end. The pace moved nicely, but I just didn’t understand the motivation of the Journalist and her husband particularly so that took me out of the story some. Then the author revealed how much actual history was entwined in the book and WOW. While the story is completely fiction and how the author imagines this could have happened on Hindenburg (and she stresses COULD) all the characters are real people from the Hindenburg with real backgrounds given. She quotes a website (http://facesofthehindenburg.blogspot....) in the author's note and man did I fall down a rabbit hole reading more about these people. It is fascinating.
Prompt: A book set on a cruise ship, plane, or train
Currently Reading:
The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See for the March Group Read
Prompt: A book about or set in a non-patriarchal society
Overall Progress:
7/50
QOTW:
Out of all the ones I've read so far this year probably Flight of Dreams. As I said above there is some fascinating history behind that book.
Happy Thursday everyone!I've been ordering crafty things for Summer Reading and making records for what seems like a thousand manga and light novels at work.
The weather has been cold at night and nice in the day except for the last couple of days. Clouds came through and finally went away today. Tomorrow it's supposed to be 60 degrees.
For the Popsugar Challenge #44:
I read A Magic Steeped in Poison, which is the first in a duology. It's based in Ancient Asia (probably China) where steeping tea has magical and mystical properties.
The second book, A Venom Dark and Sweet, comes out in August, but I'm hoping NetGalley will give me the second book way sooner than that.
Because I can:
I read Abe-kun's Got Me Now! Vol. 8. It's about a girl who doesn't like muscly jocks and then falls for one. It's cute shojo manga.
Continuing reading:
As Good As Dead and Luck of the Titanic are still hanging on.
My AO3 plunge has hit bottom for the moment. I've feasted on some interesting things and have sated the fanfic demon in my mind. Now I can focus on books again.
My friend did tell about a scrubbed Reylo fanfic that has been published. I placed an i.l.l. for the book and am waiting for it. I did get my hands on the original fanfic though, and I'm thoroughly enjoying the alt. universe, scientists in modern day fic. The Love Hypothesis is the name of the scrubbed book.
QOTW: Almost every book I read! I want gush, gossip, compare notes with, or hate upon them with someone. It's such a pain not to have someone to do that with. 😭
Not that I don't do a lot of recommending at work, but personal recs and professional recs are different.
Good morning, all! Not a lot of reading for me this week, but my surgery is scheduled for next week and I'm looking forward to finally feeling better. And it's kidney surgery, so relevant to the day!PopSugar: 16/50
Finished:
The Barrow Will Send What it May by Margaret Killjoy. This was the second of my duology reads. I'm not sure it was intended to be a duology; it felt like she intended to do more with the series. It was enjoyable, but already fading from memory. Prompt: a duology
Currently Reading:
Outside the Magic Square. A non-fiction book about gardening, climate change and food security.
Seveneves. I'm about to get stuck back into this while I wait for books to arrive at the library.
QOTW:
Yes! Just recently I recommended To Say Nothing of the Dog to a friend of mine because I really wanted to talk about it. She emailed me recently to say she's half-way through and enjoying it, so we'll be able to get stuck in next time we see each other.
Hello! It's been a busy week at work and my niece was born yesterday so I have been quite distracted with all the baby news. Will be heading back to the office next week which I'm happy and sad about. Happy to be around humans again but sad that I now have to get up at get ready at 5:30 in the morning rather than waking up at 6:50 and walking into the next room..Currently Reading:
Magic Lessons I've started slow. I wasn't sure I should read it since I havent read Practical Magic but it's in chronological order so I'm sure it's fine.
Finished Reading:
Every Day - I really enjoyed the premise but was annoyed by the stalkery romance of it all. Prompt: A book about gender identity
The Sky Is Everywhere - Loved it! I thought it captured loss and grief very well. Losing isn't always just about sadness...sometimes there's a lot of other emotions that go into it and you get a glimpse of that in this book. Prompt: A book about a band or musical group <<< Might have been a stretch but I'm sticking with it.
QOTW:
It's been a while since I've recommended a book to someone like that. My cousin and I recommend books back and forth but it's not usually a full discussion. I buy series for my husband that I plan on reading eventually and he always wants me to read them quicker so we can talk about it though. It's cute.
Happy Thursday. This week, my Dad had health issues and so it hasn't been a great week for me. The blizzard like conditions haven't helped. I'm just REALLY looking forward to Pi day. I'm making Flapper and Banana Cream this year.Stats
PS: 18/50
ATY: 23/75
ATY Reread: 6/52
WoT: 2/15
Books I finished:
Winter's Orbit ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Prompt: PS: 32. A book with a quote from your favorite author on the cover or Amazon page. (Martha Wells)
A scifi romance, this was so much fun. This was supposed to be my reward book - the book I saved until I finished a couple of other books, but I couldn't wait. I'm kind of sad that it's a stand alone.
Mr. Popper's Penguins ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Prompt: ATY Reread: 31. A book published at least 10 years ago.
When I was waiting to hear news about my Dad, I needed a comfort reread that didn't require much thinking or concentrating. This ended up being a bit more dated than I remember but given it was published in 1938, it's not as bad as it could have been.
The True Story of the Great Escape: Stalag Luft III, March 1944 ⭐⭐⭐
The Nine: The True Story of a Band of Women Who Survived the Worst of Nazi Germany ⭐⭐⭐
Prompt: ATY: 26 & 27. 2 books with the same word in the title.
I finally managed to finish the Great Escape book. It was well done, but given it involved over 100 POWs and the author gave a mini biography for Every Single One, it was very slow to begin with. the fact that most of the backstories were so similar didn't help. But once it actually go to the escape and aftermath, I couldn't put the book down. And because I'd been introduced to each officer, I was really invested in their fates (especially because I knew that for most of them it ended tragically). And then my library hold for the Nine came in just as I finished. So I started reading about a group of women escaping. It was a much easier read but it didn't have the same tension (but I knew going in that these women were successful in their escape, which could have accounted for the lack of tension).
This Is Paradise: Stories ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Prompt: PS: 15. A book by a Pacific Islander author.
I voted for this for the monthly book but it didn't make the final vote. Still I had it from the library so I decided to read it anyway and then I'd have the prompt completed for sure. I really enjoyed it, so I think I may have to revise my opinion on slice-of-life short story collections....
Books I made progress on:
Crowbones
The Dragon Reborn
QOTW
I don't need other people to have read a book for me to talk about it. Like Lynn, my family has to ask me to NOT discuss my latest nonfiction read😋. The problem comes when I have to stop myself from giving spoilers. Because by the time they finally read the book, I've already moved on to other books and I don't feel the need to discuss the old books as much.
Afternoon from my farm in Armidale, New South Wales, Australia. It's been a bit of a write off this week as I still have shingles and have been absolutely exhausted all the time. Then I go to bed and can't sleep. I haven't done anything or even picked up a book. I did watch some movies this week though. Eternals and Shang-Chi on Disney+ among others as well as going back to the beginning of Bones. Loved that show. Still do. Was thinking about doing a Marvel rewatch from the start again. Was going through a stall in weight loss 8 months after my surgery but this week I lost 1.5kg (3.3lbs). Glad to see it's on it's way down again. It's not an easy journey but so worth it. I've lost 46.1kg (101lbs) since June.
So yeah
Finished 0
Currently reading 29
Popsugar who knows
ATY also don't know
QOTW
Don't bother recommending books anymore. People who ask don't have my taste anyway and whinge that the book was shit.
Happy check-in! It's just been a lot of work lately, but I think this weekend I'll be seeing some friends I haven't seen in almost a year! Very excited for thatFinished
Several People Are Typing- I really liked this book. It's funny and super weird- a guy gets sucked into the slack app and can't get out. It's told all through slack messages so it's a super quick read. Don't think it works for any prompt, but still worth checking out!
Grass- a graphic novel about the Korean women who were abducted and forced into sex slavery during WW2. This book is pretty devastating. It's really upsetting. It also reminds me how many parts of history we just don't hear about, or choose to ignore. But if you can handle the subject matter, I do really recommend it.
20. A book whose title begins with the last letter of your previous read (after Several People Are Typing)
Currently reading
Winter in Sokcho
QotW
I recommended Voices from Chernobyl: The Oral History of a Nuclear Disaster to a few people because I want to hear what they think of it, and I've been telling my coworkers about Several People Are Typing- I thought since we're on slack all the time they'd appreciate it, but I think they think it sounds too weird.
Erica wrote: "Recently I was talking with my mom and sister and I referenced a golden ticket only to discover my mom had no clue what I was talking about. My sister and I harassed her to read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. She read it and liked it. Although she whined that we make her read things and we don't read the books she loves. So I have to read The Witch of Blackbird Pond now...."Haha, fair is fair.
Kelsey wrote: "Magic Lessons I've started slow. I wasn't sure I should read it since I havent read Practical Magic but it's in chronological order so I'm sure it's fine...."I read Practical Magic last year and am also reading Magic Lessons right now but, so far (pg. 72) they do not seem to be connected. I'm thinking it's more of a back story.
(Monday thoughts) So apparently, I spent much of the week reading but not making much progress on my challenges. A lot of the books I seem to be currently reading do not fit into any challenges.(Thursday thoughts) Well at least I got some challenge prompts filled but, what happened to filling Popsugar.
2022 Challenges:
Popsugar: 26/50
ATY: 22/52
A to Z: 19/26
50 States:
2021.....30/50 (Have until end of June)
2022.....9/50
Read Harder: 8/24
Goodreads: 49/100
Finished:
7 finished this week, 1 for Popsugar
We Should All Be Feminists
This was great and had many good points.
Royal Holiday
RH #4, AtoZ
A nice fun, quick read. Just thru this in to have something light in between everything else.
Hell of a Book
Really bummed I can't find a place for this on any of my challenges. Esp. since it took me 3 weeks to read.
This was a great read once you got past the first half, which was a bit more of a setup to the rest of the book and so, slower to get through. I found myself liking Soot’s side of the story better even though it was not the main part of the story.
Navigate Your Stars
A moving and inspiring commencement speech that Jesmyn gave back in 2018 set to beautiful artwork. After going back to college at 28 and now having been out of school with no ‘real jobs’ in the four years since I have been out, this hit home for me. I only read this because I just finished Sing, Unburied, Sing and saw this on my Libraries Get it While it Lasts on Overdrive, but I’m glad I did.
Grand Union: Stories
Some of these were better than others and some didn't seem to have an ending.
What Happens in Paradise
ATY #26, ’22 50 States
Yet again I am reminded how much I like Elin’s writing, and why she is one of my favorite authors. She always manages to paint such a vivid picture.
This is book two of a trilogy…but if you want to read these you will have to start in the beginning because the story leads from one book straight into the next, so much so that you could put these all in one book and it would just be one long story.
The Bees
ATY #36, PS#3
I give the author props for her new imaginative story told from the perspective of the Bees. It primarily follows one unique bee, Flora 717, who while born a sanitation worker she ends up doing almost every job in the hive. The depth of description in this book is immense, in a good way.
Currently Reading
Magic Lessons
At First Light
On the Backburner
Overdrive
American Spy
Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Burning the Breeze: Three Generations of Women in the American West
The Island of Sea Women
Why Not Me?
Diary of a Drag Queen
Under the Wave at Waimea
This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate
The Princess Saves Herself in This One
Waiting for the Library to Renew
The House of the Spirits
The Eighth Life
One Hundred Years of Solitude
QOTW:
Sometimes I'll find myself just blabbing about a book, movie or show with my sister or stepmom without being asked. I don't have any people besides my stepmom around me who actually read and her taste in books is usually different from mine. Although I did just tell her about An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed and An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good after seeing it mentioned on a Goodreads thread thinking she'd like them...and she actually went and ordered one!
I got my love of reading from my Mom and even though we didn't always have the same tastes in books I still wish I could talk to her about books I've been reading. In fact today on the radio they were talking about the new Star Wars series coming out and I just thought "Wow, Mom sure is missing some good shows." She was probably more of a Trekkie but she was also a SciFi nerd so I know she would've probably watched this.
Mandy wrote: "I read Abe-kun's Got Me Now! Vol. 8. It's about a girl who doesn't like muscly jocks and then falls for one. It's cute shojo manga."This sounds super cute! I will definitely be reading this one!
Katrina wrote: "Ashley Marie wrote: "Good morning! In typical Midwestern fashion, the weather can't make up its mind so I end up stuck with a sinus headache for days on end. It's wonderful. Don't try this at home ..."It's very good but, considering the state of the world at present, very heavy. Butler gives us a dystopian setting that's not far off the mark from current events. It's written in diary format, and in that way I think I'd probably be better off reading my print copy, but Lynne Thigpen's narration is excellent so I'm sticking with the audio.
Late check in! Happy Friday everybody. I've been doing a little light electrical work and feeling very full of myself. The outlets in my house are all really loose; like you try to plug something in and the plug just falls out. [The house is older, but it's not *that* old. I don't know what the previous people were up to.] The internet convinced me that the outlets are simple and easy to replace, and it turns out to be true. So now I'm on a journey to systematically do the whole house. I only finished one book this week: So Far So Good: Final Poems: 2014-2018. I had no idea Ursula K. Le Guin wrote poetry and I really liked it! I'm looking forward to going through her backlist, eventually.
I've picked The Maid back up after a break. I was just having such a hard time concentrating so I set it down for a bit and now I'm back into it. As a veteran mystery lover and an incorrigable armchair detective, I'm loving all the titular maid's attention to detail. So many potential clues! If I don't have this finished by next week, send the reading police because I need to be locked up.
QOTW: I don't think so? If I want to talk about a book with someone, I'll just tell them all about it lol. My poor hubby...
Kaia wrote: "Good morning, all! Not a lot of reading for me this week, but my surgery is scheduled for next week and I'm looking forward to finally feeling better. And it's kidney surgery, so relevant to the da..."Wishing you luck and all the best 🤞!
It snows, it warms up, it gets muddy. Dogs dance in the mud. We curse and clean. REPEAT. QOTD: I have been recommending The Witch's Heart to everyone who loves Marvel as I am hoping that we can get Hiddleston to play Loki. I was only able to imagine him in the role, and that was before I saw all the Marvel movies.
I only have 39 more for last year, so hopefully I can complete them soon.
2021
PS: 40/50
RW: 15/28
RH: 18/24
HP: 52/52
ATY: 36/52
2022- I'm trying to fit things in that are just random reads for right now
PS: 7/50
RH: 2/24
GR: 58/365
HP: 8/52
ATY: 8/52
Currently Reading:
James Potter and the Hall of Elders’ Crossing - I have gotten a few more pages read of this
The Island of Sea Women
No Words
Into The Drowning Deep
All the Young Dudes
Goblin- so close to almost done
Cackle
Spells like Teen Spirit
Call Us What We Carry
Witches Steeped in Gold
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents
The Quick Fix Kitchen
Waiting for the library to renew:
Romantic Outlaws
Kindred
Finished:
Witch Please
Nancy Drew Diaries: The Red Slippers
Nadine in NY wrote: "you guys! I have been watching old episodes of Lost on Hulu with my daughter, and every time I turn it on, Hulu advertises Fresh to me. But what the heck is it?"The social-horror ideology of "women as consumables" is what totally blew me away with this film. Yes it was hard to watch at times but worth it.
K.L. wrote: "Mandy wrote: "I read Abe-kun's Got Me Now! Vol. 8. It's about a girl who doesn't like muscly jocks and then falls for one. It's cute shojo manga."This sounds super cute! I will definitely be read..."
it's fun and funny!
You might also like Cutie and the Beast, Vol. 1 too!
Mod
Go, you!!! I'm impressed!! My attitude toward anything electrical is: don't touch it.
Mod
Congratulations!!
Mod
I'm sorry you're having to worry for so long - I hope he is feeling better soon and all the news is good.
Mod
I dread getting shingles. I should really look into getting the shingles vaccine - I'm old enough now, I qualify for it, but I don't have a regular doctor, so I don't know who to ask. I'm sure if I REALLY wanted to, I could figure something out.
I'm posting now before I forget again. Just one completion this week (a short story), so no updates to my PS Reading Challenge totals (2/40 and 1/10). The short story brought my overall Goodreads Reading Challenge total up to 11/75. But! The end is finally in sight for my lengthy Giveaways win, so I should be able to finish it before the next check in (she types with her fingers crossed). Finished:
* The Girls on the Shore by Ann Cleeves, which I really hope was a start for a full-length Matthew Venn/Two Rivers novel because it seemed to end so abruptly. My Mom had warned me that it did but I really thought I'd missed something. I guess it's a good sign since I was so drawn in after reading so few pages and wanted the story to keep going?
Currently Reading:
* Something to Hide by Elizabeth George, which is my 700+page Giveaways win. About 150 pages left to go, so I am hoping I'll be able to finish it next week and get back my 800+page book. Or maybe I'll pick up something nice and short as a palate cleanser 🤪
* The Labyrinth of the Spirits by Carlos Ruiz Zafón, which is the 800+page book patiently awaiting my return. I was enjoying it but two monster length books plus the required book club reads was too much to handle at the same time, so this one was put on the back burner.
QotW:
Is there a book you read recently that you recommend to others just because you want to discuss it with someone else? Hmm...looking at the books I've read so far this year, most of the ones I'd want to discuss with someone were book club picks, so I did discuss them with someone :) I most looked forward to discussing The Sentence by Louise Erdrich and The Midnight Library by Matt Haig with my book clubs and they were both excellent discussions.
Of the non-book club reads, I'd go with They Can't Take Your Name by Robert Justice, which is a debut novel. Really interesting mystery that explores race and criminal justice and had unexpected turns. I can't wait for the next book in the series because of how this one ended.
Yeah Nadine it’s a pain. Literally. The nerve pain can be excruciating. And because of my weight loss surgery I can’t have a lot of pain killers so getting to sleep can be hard. I gave in a couple of nights and had some but generally I just have to put up with it. My doctor wanted to put me on some tablets that they use for epilepsy but I’ve been on them before for chronic migraine. I was out of it the whole time. My daughter could have come to me and told me she was going partying with the football team and I would have told her to have fun. Not that she would have done that but you know what I mean. Just didn’t give a shit about anything. So yeah big nope to those tablets. I’d rather have pain than not be able to function at all.
You really should find somewhere to get the vaccine. I think they’re free if you’re over 70 over here. Not 60 yet. It’s brought on by stress so it would be the surgery that triggered it with the lack of proper nutrition and dehydration and I had the Covid booster a few weeks before I got it and a lot of people have been getting the booster and then getting shingles within a few weeks.
Nadine in NY wrote: "Jacqueline wrote: "Afternoon from my farm in Armidale, New South Wales, Australia. It's been a bit of a write off this week as I still have shingles and have been absolutely exhausted all the time...."I think you can get it at pharmacies.
I had shingles as a teenager, it was awful.
Running late again, been a rough week, the stitches are out of my hand but the wound still didn't heal well and the cat nearly broke his leg.I read Wake the Bonesby Elizabeth Kilcoyne for a book published in 2022. Technically it's not due out until July. I have an arc. It was a strange southern gothic horror. It was good.
For the prompt. A book by a Pacific Islander author I read Where Dreams Descendby Janella Angeles. I had mixed feelings about this one. I did like it but I thought it had serious world building issues.
QOTW Me and my friends do this often actually. I'm trying to get them to read some of the Rick Riordan present books right now and one is trying to get me to read a mystery based on the Monkees
It is awful Jennifer. It’s the chicken pox virus that stays dormant for years. Sometimes 5, sometimes 10 and sometimes 70.
Yeah shingles is awful. My grandmother got it in eyes and had so many painful flare ups that she eventually lost her vision.
Late check in since the Tournament of Books and work got in the way the past two days. ;)This past week I finished:
Revival Season I was hoping things would go a little deeper here, but it was a decent story. 4 stars
The Eternal Audience of One The story didn't totally grip me, but the writing was fantastic. Tons of great lines and I learned some things. 4 stars
Subdivision This felt like a dream. I enjoyed the experience but couldn't figure out what it all meant. 3 stars
The Confession of Copeland Cane This was a challenge in print, but once I switched to audio, it was great. Very strong Voice in this story. 4 stars
I'm currently reading Nervous System: A Novel in print and Bullet Train on audio.
QOTW: Yes! After reading Nice Racism: How Progressive White People Perpetuate Racial Harm I asked a few people I engage in antiracism work with to read it so we could talk about it. Still waiting... ;)
Mandy wrote: "You might also like Cutie and the Beast, Vol. 1 too!."I love Cutie and the Beast! I can't wait until the next volume comes out!
Jacqueline wrote: "Afternoon from my farm in Armidale, New South Wales, Australia. It's been a bit of a write off this week as I still have shingles and have been absolutely exhausted all the time. Then I go to bed a..."I had shingles at 12! It is rare for kids to get it but I remember being so uncomfortable. I remember my mom dousing cotton balls with calamine lotion and it was cold and sticky. I hated it!
What a week- work is draining all my energy. I'm taking Monday off to try to recover a bit, and I need to get my taxes done this weekend. It's freezing here (13 degrees) again but think it'll warm up again over the next few days. Went out to an Italian restaurant here that is super popular and finally got a reservation, it was delicious- I'm still thinking about that meal.14/80 GoodReads Challenge
13/50 PopSugar Challenge
Finished:
1.) All Things Reconsidered: How Rethinking What We Know Helps Us Know What We Believe by Knox McCoy (#24- 1 sitting) ⭐⭐⭐⭐: I love the podcast that Knox hosts with Jamie B Golden so this was a real treat to listen to the audio. I just love pop culture and his humor.
2.) The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen (#48 - 2 POVs) ⭐⭐⭐: Good, but not the best by this author duo. It was a bit underwhelming and slow going. A few too many characters and a plot that was a bit far reaching.
Currently Reading:
1.) Pachinko
2.) His & Hers
QoTW: Is there a book you read recently that you recommend to others just because you want to discuss it with someone else?
YES! Most recently with Verity by CoHo. It was insane and such a fast read, so made my friend read it so that we could discuss.
K.L. wrote: "I managed to reach my goal of reading 150 books from my physical TBR checklist! I am thrilled that my self-imposed book buying ban has officially ended!"Congrats KL!
Yeah Katelyn I had Chicken pox when I was about 6. That was a lot of discomfort and calamine lotion. I remember it all too well. This is excruciating pain at times and more calamine lotion and because it’s actually a herpes virus (like cold sores) I put cold sore cream on them as well and that seemed to help. And the doctor gave me tablets. You’re supposed to have them within 3 days of the things appearing but I couldn’t get into him when I noticed them and rang up so he gave them to me anyway in the hope it would stop it spreading. It seems to have done that job anyway. They’re slowly getting better. Thankfully. I was worried it would get into my eyes Eric. I did read that you could go blind if it did.
Jessica wrote: "the author's note and man did I fall down a rabbit hole reading more about these people. It is fascinating.."This is my absolute favorite thing about reading. I love going down a research rabbit hole after finishing a great book. It's the icing on the cake for me.
Jackie wrote: " I've been doing a little light electrical work and feeling very full of myself. The outlets in my house are all really loose; like you try to plug something i..."So impressed Jackie!!! Good for you. :)
Katelyn wrote: "I had shingles at 12! It is rare for kids to get it but I remember being so uncomfortable. I remember my mom dousing cotton balls with calamine lotion and it was cold and sticky. I hated it!"Me too Katelyn- we were on a multi family vacation and all the yelling stressed me out, when my mom took me to the ER she couldn't believe someone so young could get it. I got it again in 2018, felt like a combo of skin being sunburned and sore from working out. Not fun at all, and not something to mess around with.
Britany wrote: "Congrats KL!"Thanks Britany!
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
The List of Things That Will Not Change (other topics)Save Me a Seat (other topics)
Front Desk (other topics)
Heartstopper: Volume One (other topics)
The Night Diary (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Tracy K. Smith (other topics)Alice Walker (other topics)
Heather Gudenkauf (other topics)
Greer Hendricks (other topics)
Knox McCoy (other topics)
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Finished 10/50
A fifth of the way there!
The Book Thief for "#booktok rec'". It took awhile to grab me, but it was pretty good. Sad book, and an eerie read in the midst of everything going on in Europe right now.
Currently Reading
Unquenchable Fire: The Traditional Christian Teaching about Hell for "book about the afterlife". Y'all done made this prompt, so here we are. Just in time for Lent too. Goodness.
QotW
HA!!! I literally did this with Rhythm of War a few weeks ago! My Starbucks barista loves this series and agreed to read this book with me since they hadn't read it yet. It was a BLAST reading it with them! I'm pretty sure the rest of that store thinks we're insane. I'm also bugging basically everyone I know to read the series too because it is just that good and I want to hear all the freak outs!