Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2022 Weekly Check-Ins
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Week 16: 4/14 - 4/21
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Happy Thursday. The weather can't seem to make up it's mind, so it's been snowing, then raining, there's no sun and it's just kinda depressing out. I want the sun back!!!Stats:
PS: 24/50
ATY: 41/75
ATY Reread: 10/52
Wheel of Time: 3/15
Books I finished:
If I Never Met You ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Prompt: ATY Reread: A book related to one of the 22 Tarot Major Arcana cards. (The Lovers)
It was a reread, and I enjoyed it just as much the second time around. But I am a sucker for a good fake-dating romcom.
Someday ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Prompt: PS: A book set during a holiday. (Christmas)
Usually Drew Hayden Taylor gets me with his humour, but this was a real gut punch. Even though the play is pretty short, it packs a lot of emotion in.
The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories ⭐⭐
Prompt: ATY: A book with a touch of gothic.
I normally like modernized fairy tale retellings, but this was not my cup of tea. Just not worth the time and effort for the most part.
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Prompt: ATY: A book with handwriting on the cover.
So this could be a kids picture book, or a adult philosophy book done as a graphic novel... either way I loved it.
The Diamond Eye ⭐⭐⭐
Prompt: ATY: A book from historical fiction genre.
This is so close to being a 4 star read, but there's only one MC in this and the second time-line isn't very interesting until the end, so I think the going back and forth in time hurt the flow of the story.
To Marry and to Meddle ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Prompt: PS: Two books set in twin towns, aka "sister cities". (1) (London)
I loved the first book in this series but I wasn't as impressed with book 2. This was much more to my taste.
Books I made progress on:
A Deadly Education
Cinder
My sister recommended both of these to me, but I'm really only enjoying Deadly Education.
QOTW
I read a bunch of Charmed, Buffy and Supernatural tie-in novels, but I'm mostly over those type of books. But I still read all the Firefly related novels, graphic novels or whatever.
And I tried to read the Veronica Mars books, but while I love the show, I really don't like reading that genre. And Season 4 is fine, as long as you stop and skip the last 5 minutes. I maintain it didn't happen and it was all just a bad dream.
Happy Thursday! It's been a little bit since I checked in- kept losing track of what day it was. I also haven't been reading much the last couple weeks. This week my allergies hit me full force. It was so bad yesterday, I had to take the day off work and went for a covid test to make sure it really was allergies. But no covid! So that's good at least. And during my day off, I finished my first book of the month, so that's something!Finished:
When You Trap a Tiger- this was nice enough, but not very memorable.
4. A book with a tiger on the cover or "tiger" in the title
When Death Takes Something from You Give It Back: Carl's Book- this is such a devastating memoir about the death of the author's son. It jumps between diary entries, letters, poetry and prose. It's devastating, but it feels like one of the most true depictions of grief I've read. Not for any prompt.
The Myth of Closure: Ambiguous Loss in a Time of Pandemic and Change- this took me forever to read even though I thought it was good and it's very short. I was going to use this for the book published in 2022, but it turns out it was released in December... oops.
Currently Reading
Less- just started this yesterday, and I really like it so far! Reading it for the prompt 32. A book with a quote from your favorite author on the cover- Ann Patchett has a blurb on the cover
QotW
I would have said Squid Game, but we're getting a second season now, so hopefully some of the questions will get answered. There was that show Stumptown that got cancelled during covid- I thought it had a lot of potential. I'd read books tying up the storylines.
Of course, there's always fanfic
Erin wrote: "Happy Thursday! It's been a little bit since I checked in- kept losing track of what day it was. I also haven't been reading much the last couple weeks. This week my allergies hit me full force. It..."If it h elps Stumptown was a comic book first
Cornerofmadness wrote: "If it h elps Stumptown was a comic book first"oh I didn't know that!! I'll have to see if I can get it through my library. Thanks!
Mod
Yes you are doing the right thing.
Mod
oh I didn't know that!! I'll have to see if I can get it through my library. Thanks!"
Somehow I heard about Stumptown the show before it came out, and I like graphic novels so I went and read the first volume before I watched the show. It's all the same characters and place, but a VERY different feel, the graphic novel is gritty and lacks the charm and charisma of the show. But it's worth giving it a read.
What a week! There really aren't words for it, and I broke out in stress hives for the first time in my life which made for a really uncomfortable evening on Wednesday. Also, wouldn't you know...I'm back testifying in court again today.I kept working through the series I'm rereading. I finished 2 more Tess Gerritsen books and Harry Potter #3.
Currently reading:
Vanish and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire as rereads
When the Stars Go Dark: I'm stuck on this right now.
Mothertrucker: Finding Joy on the Loneliest Road in America: I haven't been in the mood for this, but I'm not giving up.
QOTW:
I love this question. It made me realize how many shows I love are already based on books. I think I would love to read books about the show Jericho. I love survival type books. It would be like adult dystopian kind of. Also, after watching Sons of Anarchy, I started really enjoying trashy, biker romance, so maybe SOA too. I also love shows with smart dialogue, like Peaky Blinders and Justified, which reminded me that Justified is based off books and I should probably check them out.
Finally remembered to check-in on Friday night! Just one book finished this week. Completed 23/50
Finished Reading
Native Tongue by Suzette Haden Elgin. I had high hopes for it, but it didn't deliver. There were a lot of interesting concepts, but it wasn't executed very well. There weren't any characters that really grabbed me, some really interesting points were brought up once in passing, then never revisited, and the ending was pretty unsatisfying. I don't think I'll read the sequels. Prompt: Book featuring two languages
Currently reading
Borderline. A really good start, though I haven't had a lot of time this week.
Coming up
Working Class Boy and Holes
QOTW
I can usually find fanfiction that satisfies any urge I have to dig deeper into a TV series. But... I will say Pride and Prejudice (the BBC mini-series is my adaption of choice). I know there's Death Comes to Pemberley, but what I want to read about is Charlotte's happily ever after (presumably after Mr Collins dies of consumption), Georgiana finding true love and whether Kitty ever settles down.
Kaia wrote: "I can usually find fanfiction that satisfies any urge I have to dig deeper into a TV series. But... I will say Pride and Prejudice (the BBC mini-series is my adaption of choice). I know there's Death Comes to Pemberley, but what I want to read about is Charlotte's happily ever after (presumably after Mr Collins dies of consumption), Georgiana finding true love and whether Kitty ever settles down."I recently read a few books by Anna Elliott that you might enjoy, which are all about Georgiana and Kitty's lives after Pride and Prejudice. Here are the titles in order...
Georgiana Darcy's Diary: Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice Continued
Pemberley to Waterloo: Georgiana Darcy's Diary, Volume 2
Kitty Bennet's Diary
I thoroughly enjoyed all three books!
poshpenny - Cindi wrote: "Shannon wrote: re: QOTW: "Maybe Pushing Daisies " If Jim Dale doesn't read that audiobook I'm rioting. Ned the Piemaker is my biggest fictional crush ever."
The ONLY acceptable replacement would be Lee Pace! And agreed--I am definitely in love with Ned.
Erin wrote: "Cornerofmadness wrote: "If it h elps Stumptown was a comic book first"oh I didn't know that!! I'll have to see if I can get it through my library. Thanks!"
You're welcome. I haven't read it. I did see another comment mentioning they're rather different (unsurprising)
Wow!!! What a week. I have completed 2 books this week:
by Suzanne Collins ~ (40. Fav prompt from past Popsugar RC: 2020 A book published the month of your birthday)
by James PattersonI am still reading with little success:
Rush by Maya Banks
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
Starting new:
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
The Gift of the Magi and Other Short Stories by O. Henry
Question of the Week
If you were to read a book based on a TV show (either novelization or continuation) what show would you want to read about?
That is a great question. I have racked my brain to decide. I think I would want to get a deeper view into "The Boys". This is an Amazon series about incredibly flawed superheroes. I would be interested in knowing more about the inner thoughts of these superheroes.
Ashley Marie wrote: "Happy rainy Thursday! It's supposed to be in the 80* range this weekend. I'll believe it when I see it. Til then, I have Robert Fuller's Yorkshire wildlife livestreams, theatre, and plenty of books..."I too am a loooong time Supernatural fan and found some of the novelizations at a used book store years ago. I have never read them and they continue to haunt my bookshelves (pun intended). I started watching the series again on Netflix and I hope to dive into the books at some point.
Late check in. What a week?! I am ready for the weekend!Finished:
Deacon King Kong - This book turned out much better than I expected. I loved the character tie-ins.
Still Reading:
The Plot - I decided I don't like how the author writes. The storyline is good and I am intrigued to learn more but I find myself skimming the long drawn out paragraphs that over-explain things. I just want to scream "I GET IT!"
Started:
Tell the Wolves I'm Home (book set in the 1980's). Started this on audio and I don't like the narrator's "breathy" voice. Good coming-of-age story set around the topic of AIDS and family.
QOTW:
Supernatural is the only one that comes to mind but that is because I have some of the books sitting on my bookshelf and I am currently in a re-watch of the series.
Mod
https://www.amazon.com/article/read-t...
Nadine in NY wrote: "I download these every year and never get around to reading them."Same. I think I've read one so far.
Thanks Nadine. I've never read any of them either. Actually, I got a new phone and uploaded my kindle books to it and I was like, what the heck are these books? Ohhh.... lol
Nadine in NY wrote: "This week is Amazon's World Book Day (which seems to last a week, so why isn't it Book Week?) Amazon has chosen a handful of books by authors from around the world to promote. I download these ever..."thanks for this
K.L. wrote: "I recently read a few books by Anna Elliott that you might enjoy, which are all about Georgiana and Kitty's lives after Pride and Prejudice. Here are the titles in order...."Thanks, K.L! I'll add them to my reading list.
Hello, from the soggy rainforest! Ugh, this rain. But as we tend to tell tourists...it is a RAINforest. We had ONE day of sun this week, one! My sister played hooky from work and went to town on Monday (about 20 miles away) and was all like "What it wasn't nice today? It was sunny in town!" It's so relentless that I've given up and have been letting the kid play outside after school. I just make him come into the garage when the rain gets harder.2022 Challenges:
Popsugar: 34/50
ATY: 31/52
A to Z: 22/26
50 States:
2021.....31/50 (Have until end of June)
2022.....11/50
Read Harder: 12/24
Goodreads: 71/100
Finished:
5 finished this week, 3 for Popsugar
You Have a Match
2022 50 States
This was a good YA novel. Since it was storming all Sunday, I just lazed around and ended up reading this in one day.
The Secrets We Kept
PS#50, ’21 50 States
You ever have a book that seems to be slowing down/holding back your reading progress? Yup, that was this book for me. I’m just glad I finished it.
This was listed under the sapphic book listopia and so that was why I read this book. However, I do not think it qualifies. There is mention of a romance between two women, which seems to come out of nowhere, and it is barely mentioned in this book. Definitely not mentioned enough, in my opinion, to count as a sapphic book. So, I had to find another place for it. I’m gonna use it for a sister city book, since most of it takes place in D.C., I’m gonna read a book set in Paris to go along with it.
Our Stories, Our Voices: 21 YA Authors Get Real About Injustice, Empowerment, and Growing Up Female in America
RH #5
A collection of short stories (aimed at YA girls) from various YA authors. This came out in 2016 (after Trump was elected) and it sometimes focuses on their own reactions because of that. It also, has the effect of making it feel dated at times. But mostly it is just stories about things that these women have gone through in life that are often uniquely feminine and often race based as well.
The Love Hypothesis
PS #19, ATY #34
This was a cute, light-hearted romance even though it was a bit cliché and expected. Even still, I found myself sucked into it by the end.
Lord of the Flies
PS# 33, ATY # 19
Okay, so I never read this in school. I’m actually really shocked at the violence portrayed in this novel. I mean wow! Some of these boys gots a few screws loose! If I was Ralph and had the chance I would have left those boys on the island. Also, is it saying something that no one paid any attention to the little ones… there was a point in the book where I was like are they gonna be the only ones that survive?
Currently Reading
At First Light
Burning the Breeze: Three Generations of Women in the American West
The Love That Split the World Apparently I am on a mission to read all of her books this year.
Dakota Born
The Rules of Magic
Leaves of Grass (Started the audiobook because I have been ‘reading’ it for a few years now and just want to get it done with.)
QOTW: If you were to read a book based off a TV show (either novelization or continuation) what show would you want to read about.
After watching the Longmire series I started to read all the novels (finally finished them last year). I liked the novels just as much as the show, although I do like Branch better on the show than the novel.
Another show that was also a favorite was Bones and I have been meaning to get to these novels for a while now. I know that they are different from the show but, I still feel like reading them.
After watching the first season of Virgin River I read the entire series of novels in about four months! I don’t like, or understand why, they made (view spoiler) I feel like it would have been just as ‘scandalous’ to have them dealing with that. Sometimes the changes screenwriters make are pointless and or just stupid, or not needed.
But, honestly, I don’t usually watch a show and think this would make a good book whereas I do often find myself thinking this book would be a great movie/show. Plus, I watch a LOT of cop shows and law shows so not much fleshing out there.
Hello!I finished a few books this week, and I'm now 19/50 for the challenge:
Crash by Lesley Choyce - premise is believable (and heartbreaking) but the story was too short to do the characters justice, could be used for the onomatopoeia prompt
The Caiman by Maria Eugenia Manrique - children's book that I got during the World Book Day giveaway on Amazon, cute story and very engaging, I understood it to be based on a true story
A Captain's Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALs, and Dangerous Days at Sea by Richard Phillips - the ordeal of the pirate attack and kidnapping of Captain Phillips in his own words, I enjoyed it and found the occasional share about what his family went through during that period to humanize the story and really round out our understanding of who Captain Phillips was as a person.
The Visit by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - short read, Amazon Original, flips gender roles and speculates on a future where women hold all the power and men are oppressed. I would have preferred a more nuanced look at that situation - this one was very heavy-handed (villianizing women while still characterizing them as only caring about looks and crafts). Set in Nigeria, used for the prompt book set about or set in a nonpatriarchal society
QOTW: So as it turns out, the first few that came to mind (90210 the original, and One Tree Hill, and even Chicago Fire) already have books that I didn't know about. I guess I'll say This Is Us - it doesn't look like there's a fictional book series, just a companion book.
Mod
Since I love lists of books:
Here is a listing of mysteries in different settings/locations.
And since many of you listen to audiobooks, here is a listing of the 2022 Audi Award winners.
FYI: There is a Dewey’s 24-Hour Read-a-Thon scheduled for Saturday, April 30!
Yesterday was the Christamore House Guild’s 42nd Annual Indy Book Author Luncheon event and it was wonderful, as usual! One of my best friends and I attend together every year. Of course this year was particularly special since it was canceled for the past two years due to COVID. We met some wonderful fellow readers at our table and I was able to speak with each of the five authors who were able to participate. Unfortunately, Elle Cosimano became ill and literally turned back at the airport to return home to recuperate. I was disappointed about that since I greatly enjoyed her first book in the Finlay Donovan series, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It. But now I have a copy of the second installment in the series, Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead to read! Each of the authors was an excellent speaker and provided intriguing backstories to their current novels. And, the MC this year was superb! (Rather ironic since I have no interest in sports…) It was Andrew Luck, formerly of the Indianapolis Colts. A wonderful speaker who is an avid reader and has done much in the Indianapolis area to promote reading, literacy, etc. To my mind, he proved that a professional sports person can also have other interests and expertise. In researching about him online a bit this morning, he had suffered injuries and rehabilitation and had supposedly earned over $97,000,000 in his 7-year professional sports career and retired at age 29. I say, “Good for him!” He realized it would be a continual struggle to stay healthy enough to give it his all, so I guess he decided $97,000,000 was enough money to enjoy the rest of his life. I gather others were shocked that he would leave another potential $400,000,000-$500,000,000 on the table. Really?!? You need more than $97,000,000 to live comfortably the rest of your life? Luck strikes me as a person who is very logical and common sensical. Again, “Good for him!” And, there were only about 7 males in this 900-person group, but one of them was an absolute “doppelganger” for Luck. It was pretty unbelievable. Luck even had him stand up so we could all see just how similar they were in build, facial characteristics, even down to the facial hair styling! Quite a coincidence!
I had more proof of my old age. I was gone from 8:30AM-2PM yesterday for this event and once I got home I was so exhausted I went to bed for a “nap” and awoke 5 hours later! I am definitely “old”! LOL ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Here is an article about World Book Day which is celebrated today, April 23, 2022: https://www.ndtv.com/education/world-...
Excerpts from this article…
New Delhi:
April 23 is celebrated as World Book Day across the globe. Also known as World Book and Copyright Day, this day is an important day for literature as it marks the birth and death of several prominent authors. William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes, and Josep Pla died on April 23 and Manuel Mejia Vallejo and Maurice Druon were born on April 23. World Book Day is organised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). This year is the 26th edition of World Book Day.
As part of World Book Day, UNESCO and the international organisations representing the three major sectors of the book industry - publishers, booksellers and libraries, select the World Book Capital for a year. Guadalajara (Mexico) has been named World Book Capital for the year 2022. The city of Madrid (Spain) has been the first city to be named World Book Capital in 2001.
World Book Day 2022 Quotes:
A book is the only place in which you can examine a fragile thought without breaking it,or explore an explosive idea without fear it will go off in your face. – Edward P Morgan
A writer only begins a book. A reader finishes it. – Samuel Johnson
Books are the compasses and telescopes and sextants and charts which other men have prepared to help us navigate the dangerous seas of human life. – Jesse Lee Bennett
Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers. – Charles William Eliot
Books are the bees which carry the quickening pollen from one to another mind. – James Russell Lowell
Life is good!
ADMIN STUFF:
Sherri is our “guru guide” for April’s discussion of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson for prompt #26 A book with a misleading title, in honor of April Fools’ Day! Thank you, Sherri! I ended up enjoying this, though I wouldn’t rate it as a favorite by any means…
We’ll start the selection of a monthly group read for August next Thursday with a nomination poll. This will be a book to fulfill prompt #35 A book with a constellation on the cover or in the title. Be thinking of which book you would like to nominate! Be sure to check against the listing of past monthly group reads here to make sure it wasn’t selected in the past.
We will need a “vivacious volunteer” to lead June’s monthly group read discussion of Beloved as well as a “terrific team leader” to guide July’s monthly group read discussion of Piranesi!! Please message either Nadine or myself to help with the group with these!
The comprehensive listing of Monthly Group Reads for 2022 is here.
Question of the Week:
If you were to read a book based off a TV show (either novelization or continuation) what show would you want to read about?
Ooohhh, good question! Since I haven’t had TV in my house for almost 25 years this is a toughie for me to answer! It’s just been too long!
The only thing I can think of is the “Murder She Wrote” novels. I have never yet read one just to try it, but wonder if they would be a disappointment or if I would enjoy them. I rarely watched the show… When I did watch TV I mainly watched PBS.
Popsugar: 33/50
ATY: 42/52
RHC: 13/24
FINISHED:
Network Effect (Murderbot Diaries #5) by Martha Wells ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was yet another amazing read in the Murderbot series! It didn’t feel much longer than the shorter books.
POPSUGAR: #5, #9, #22, #25, #27, #29, #40-2015: prompt #16 A book written by a favorite author that you haven’t read yet
ATY: #1-Amena and ART, #2, #4-2021 Hugo Award for Best Novel and Best Series, #7, #15, NEW #28, #33, #36, #40-Strength, Justice, Death, Judgement, The World, #41, #44, #46, #49
RHC: #11, #24-2017: prompt #12-A fantasy novel
Fugitive Telemetry (Murderbot Diaries #6) by Martha Wells ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Then I’ll have Murderbot out of my system for awhile! 😊
POPSUGAR: #9, #22, #24, #29-I read in 2021, #31, #40-2016: prompt #10 A book that was/is a NYT bestseller
ATY: #1-Aylen and Tural, #2- I read Artificial Condition in 2021, #4-2021 Hugo Award for Best Series, #7, #15, #25-168 pages, #33, #36, #40-Strength, Justice, Death, Judgment, The World, #41, #44, #46, #49
RHC: #11, #24-2020: prompt #9 Read the last book in a series
Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee by Casey Cep ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This book was so interesting! I learned much about Harper Lee and the last book she was supposedly writing. I had no idea she was an alcoholic. I was gratified to learn that Go Set a Watchman was the original manuscript she had submitted and it was only through the publishing editors suggesting changes that the book became To Kill a Mockingbird, which, having read both, I much prefer TKaM and do not believe GSaW would have become a classic, and certainly not a Pulitzer Prize Winner, etc…. But that’s just my opinion!
POPSUGAR: #25, #36, #40-2019: prompt #26 A book published in 2019
ATY: #3, #4-A book whose cover depicts your favorite kind of weather, #15, #26/#27-Murder, #37, #40-Strength, Justice, Death, Judgment, The World, #41, #43, #49, #50, #52
RHC: NEW #1, #11-As far as anyone knows, #22, #24-2019: prompt #5 A book written by a journalist or about journalism
London Bridges (Alex Cross #10) by James Patterson ⭐️⭐️⭐️ was just so-so for me. Very little character development (even much less than usual…). Both of the criminal resolutions were anti-climactic, IMO. I’ll read the next installment and decide whether to continue or not…
POPSUGAR: #25, #26, #29, #31-several of them, #40-2016: prompt #14 A book you can read in one day, #46
ATY: #1-Alex, #2-Read Alex Cross #1-6 in 2021, #4-#4-A book related to Shelley's poem Ozymandias (Nadine’s proposal): Kinda describes this whole book…, #7-Cross holds a PhD in Psychology, #15, #31-2004, #33, #44, #49
RHC: #24-2021: Read a book with a cover you do not like
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for our monthly group read. I don’t know if the writing improved after the first 50 pages or if I just became more comfortable with Jackson’s writing style, but I ended up enjoying this much more than I thought I might. I felt Mr. Ward’s part of the ending was a bit farfetched which definitely demoted it from 5 stars. Interesting twists and turns, however!
POPSUGAR: #25, #26, #36, #40-2015: prompt #41 A book written by an author you’ve never read before, #46
ATY: #1-Andi/Andrea Bell, #4-A book whose author is younger than you, #15, #26/#27-Murder, #29, #34-school setting and Mr. Ward, #36-Barney, #37, #40- Strength, Justice, Death, Judgment, The World, The Fool (Mr. Ward), #41-Butterfingers, #44, #47, #49
RHC: #24-2020: Read a mystery where the victim is not a woman-Salil
Finlay Donovan Is Killing It (Finlay Donovan #1) by Elle Cosimano ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for the Christamore House Guild’s Indy Book Author event yesterday (Friday)! Unfortunately, Cosimano was unable to attend at the last minute. Who knows, perhaps she’ll release the third installment at the beginning of 2023 and will be invited again next year! (She was also invited and participated remotely in 2021!) I laughed more at this book than any other in such a long time! Definitely continuing with this series!
POPSUGAR: #25, #26, #36, #40-2015: prompt #10 Read mystery or thriller, #46
ATY: #1-Theresa, #3, #4- A book related to Shelley's poem Ozymandias (Nadine’s proposal): those lifeless things…Round the decay A lot of buried bodies!, #7, #40-Strength, Justice, Death, Judgment, The World, #44, #50-Mrs. Haggerty
RHC: #24-2020: prompt #3 Read a mystery where the victim is not a woman
I will forego other listings since this posting was too long! 😲😄
Mod
I'm reading These Broken Stars
and those are definitely stars on the cover, in various arrangements, but I can't make out any constellations I recognize. (I only recognize a few, however, so these may well be actual constellations visible from Earth and I'm just not recognizing them.) Or maybe they are actual (well, "actual") constellations visible from wherever the spaceship Icarus is in space. That's kind of the argument I'm going with, to allow me to read this book for this category.
Mod
Good question. I had listed A Constellation of Vital Phenomena for this prompt, taking it literally as "constellation" on the cover/in the title! I've been wanting to read that book in forever...
I was going to go for a constellation name in the title, and allow myself to include the English version. My current plan is to use The Unicorn Girl for the unicorn constellation, but I rarely stick to my plans. ;)
The weather in Chicago continues to mystify me. We had our very first really nice day in months (maybe this entire year) on Saturday. The people watching was insane- jeans, athleisure, crop tops, bodysuits, bathing suits, unbuttoned jean shorts, tops that made me question gravity. It was ALL out there. Today it's rainy and colder and this week the temps will continue to drop. Starting the final season of Better Call Saul and really disappointed in the Masked Singer season so far. I hate this format!22/80 GoodReads Challenge
21/50 PopSugar Challenge
Finished:
Nothing
Currently Reading:
1.) Like a House on Fire
2.) Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle
3.) The Anthropocene Reviewed
QoTW: If you were to read a book based off a TV show (either novelization or continuation) what show would you want to read about?
Probably all my 90s shows: Dawson's Creek, The OC or Charmed.
Mod
Lynn wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: "Since we will be thinking about books with constellations on the cover, let me ask: how are you all approaching this? Are you choosing a book with a REAL constellation, or just..."
Yeah, choosing a book with the word in the title is more straightforward! But I'm just drawn to the idea of finding a book with a constellation depicted in the cover art. Which means I'm PEERING at books trying to decide if it counts.
I'm enjoying this book, so I think I'm going to decide it counts. They mention constellations in the story!
Yeah, I could see myself driving myself nuts over squinting at covers! Hence the title option for me!
Brittany, it's 81 right now here in NY, supposed to be cold enough to snow by Weds... I haven't watched Masked Singer this season. I missed the first episode and never got caught up. I wasn't really in the mood when it started.
Hello from sunny, SW Washington state. The rain returns tomorrow so we have been doing the yard work. Just got back from the nursery with four juniper trees to plant. I'm taking a quick break before I have to start digging.This week was good and bad for me. I got a lot of reading accomplished the first half of the week, but no reading since Tuesday. But I did watch all of Never Have I Ever on Netflix. :)
I finished:
The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland for my book by an Pacific Island author
The Witches by Roald Dahl for my book about witches
Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle for my book becoming a TV series
All three books are from my classroom library. All were great, but I thought Better Nate Than Ever was the cutest. I just loved his drive and spunk.
I also finished Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid and absolutely loved it. I loved the different POV the story was told, I loved how it unfolded over 24 hours, but also had flashbacks to explain the back story. Reid is my new favorite author. I can't wait to read Daisy Jones and the Six!
Now I am 25/40 for Popsugar and 27/52 for my yearly goal.
I purposely have not watched the masked singer this season too many problematic things going on.
Dubhease wrote: "I suppose Friends. (Which was my favourite in the day.) Watching them raise kids and be exhausted between work, housework, kids, aging parents, and marriage, would not have made a good sitcom. But it might make a good book.."Ooh- add this to my list too! I LOVE friends. :)
Jennifer W wrote: "Brittany, it's 81 right now here in NY, supposed to be cold enough to snow by Weds... I haven't watched Masked Singer this season. I missed the first episode and never got caught up. I wasn't real..."
INSANITY isn't it Jennifer?? Yes, so far I just hate the way they are formatting it, and just want them to get on with it...
I’m not really doing the challenge, but I read Star Mother that had several stars connected together into a fox with the fox illustrated, and it was about the personification of the various celestial beings as deities. I figure it would count. It’s not set in our world but it would be A constellation
Nadine in NY wrote: "Since we will be thinking about books with constellations on the cover, let me ask: how are you all approaching this? Are you choosing a book with a REAL constellation, or just any arrangement of s..."I'm gonna probably just wing it. I have a few ideas, mostly from books I own already.
As you can tell I'm not being picky about whether there is an actual recognizable constellation on it.
Here's two I am using for other prompts that would also work.
I know it says constellation but, I only know like three of them so...
Mod
That's exactly the kind of validation I'm looking for!! There are definitely stars on the cover of These Broken Stars, and they definitely form patterns, but they are not recognizable constellations. (And, like I said, for all I know they are actual constellations from our own sky - I only recognize a few - like, if it's not Orion or the Big Dipper or Cassiopeia ... I don't know it.) In the book the character even refers to constellations and notes that he does not recognize these (which surprises him since apparently he's memorized the sky charts for every colonized planet).
I'm really enjoying this book, by the way, and I recommend it to anyone who loves sappy YA sci-fi romances.
My approach is if the books has stars on the cover I will read it.
Nadine in NY wrote: "Since we will be thinking about books with constellations on the cover, let me ask: how are you all approaching this? Are you choosing a book with a REAL constellation, or just any arrangement of stars that COULD be a constellation?"I went with Ariadne for this one. There are stars there, and they have meaning in the story, so that worked for me.
I haven't really considered the constellation prompt yet but will need to soon since it is one of few I have left to read. This discussion just triggered something: constellations go by different names so why not a title in one of those different names? Example: Orion is the Hunter. While finding 'Orion' in a title is hard, 'hunter' is more common.Also, aren't the zodiac constellations?
I used Hunt the Stars.
There are stars in the sky on the cover that could be a constellation and the word stars in the title. This is a space opera with made up planets too. That was good enough for me.
Hi everyone. I am new in this group. Though I try to read all sorts of books, thriller and classics are my favourites to read. You guys can feel free to follow me and send me friend requests.I have read the book AS GOOD AS DEAD by HOLLY JACKSON and I really liked it but still now I haven't read A GOOD GIRL'S GUIDE TO MURDER. Hoping to read it soon.
Thank you for the attention.
Lynn wrote: "FYI: There is a Dewey’s 24-Hour Read-a-Thon scheduled for Saturday, April 30!"Do people really read for 24 hours straight? If I lived alone, I'd totally try to do that.
Lynn wrote: "Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee by Casey Cep ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This book was so interesting! I learned much about Harper Lee and the last book she was supposedly writing. I had no idea she was an alcoholic. I was gratified to learn that Go Set a Watchman was the original manuscript she had submitted and it was only through the publishing editors suggesting changes that the book became To Kill a Mockingbird, which, having read both, I much prefer TKaM and do not believe GSaW would have become a classic, and certainly not a Pulitzer Prize Winner, etc…. But that’s just my opinion!"I really loved this book. The part about helping Truman Capote research In Cold Blood lead me to read that book as well. She had a very interesting life, to say the least.
Teri wrote: "Lynn wrote: "FYI: There is a Dewey’s 24-Hour Read-a-Thon scheduled for Saturday, April 30!"Do people really read for 24 hours straight? If I lived alone, I'd totally try to do that."
I love the idea of participating but I ALWAYS end up with plans on the days they do them!
Teri wrote: "Do people really read for 24 hours straight? If I lived alone, I'd totally try to do that."I've participated in the readathon a number of times, but I've only read for 24 hours straight during one of them. It was a lot of fun, but I ended up sleeping for most of the following day. I've gotten to the point where I just can't pull an all-nighter anymore.
Teri wrote: "Do people really read for 24 hours straight? If I lived alone, I'd totally try to do that."I used to try for 24 hours but the longest I ever managed was 21.5. It starts at 1pm here and I reckon if it started earlier I might have chance. However now I just read all afternoon and evening on Saturday and then do a few hours Sunday morning after I've slept a normal night. I just don't function without sleep any more.
I just found this book challenge! Excited to get started!
Umm... is anyone else wondering if someone forgot it's Thursday? Or should I be worried? Or am I just impatient? It's just so much later than usual... Though I do default to worried when people break routine Edit: YAY everyone is OK and I can relax
Mod
LOL maybe our newly retired admin slept in today :-)
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
In Cold Blood (other topics)Hunt the Stars (other topics)
Ariadne (other topics)
These Broken Stars (other topics)
Navigate Your Stars (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
James Patterson (other topics)Casey Cep (other topics)
Martha Wells (other topics)
Holly Jackson (other topics)
Elle Cosimano (other topics)
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For the prompt A book about a secret I read Mister Impossible by Maggie Stiefvater I love this series. However, this book a l ot less so. Ronan's story isn't that interesting. His two brother's sub story was much more engaging.
For the prompt 32. A book with a quote from your favorite author on the cover or Amazon page I read The Cabinets of Barnaby Mayne by Elsa Hart, a historical mystery set in 1703 around a cabinet of curiosities spanning two entire houses (in a time before public museums) I thought it was very good.
And that takes me to 33 books read so pretty darned good.
QOTW Well if we're talking something that doesn't have a book series but I wish it did Prodigal Son ah well at least there's fanfic.
I have read a lot of books from tv series and they're never as good as you'd want them to be in my experience. I've read Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel the series, Torchwood, The X-Files, Red Dwarf, Star Trek just to name a few and yeah none have really been all that great.