Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2023 Weekly Check-Ins
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Week 44: 10/27 - 11/2
message 51:
by
Ron
(new)
Nov 04, 2023 04:59AM
Keep meaning to drop in. Haven't in a short while. Been busy reading books for NFN, and now I'm doing NaNoWriMo so that's taking up time as well. Having a blast with both though.
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Mod
The Binghamton groups I'm in have been ALL ABOUT this tree lately :-) I looked up the address, it's a road RIGHT next to campus. The university campus is literally in their backyard.
I can't help feeling sad about the tree - it's a gorgeous tree and their yard won't look the same now. But I guess it got too big for its spot and they want it gone?
Has anyone’s notifications stopped working again?
Mod
Good for you!
"Currently Reading:
* The Buenos Aires Quintet by Manuel Vázquez Montalbán, which continues to gather dust rather than pages read"
That just happens sometimes...at least it does to me!
"* The Final Curtain by Keigo Higashino and translated by Giles Murray, which is a NetGalley copy I received from the publisher"
Oohhh...this series looks interesting!
"QotW:
When was the last time someone surprised you with a book as a gift? Or, if that has never happened, how would you imagine it happening? From whom? And which book? Hmm. I receive a lot of books as gifts from lots of people in my life. I've sometimes been pleasantly surprised by the titles they've given me, but not necessarily surprised to having received a book. If I had to pick one, I'd go with the signed copy of What Came Before He Shot Her by Elizabeth George I received from my Mom more than 10 years ago. She met the author at a book festival and this was the first one that was jointly signed to both of us. We've used the same personalization for book signings since then and it's often a fun conversation starter or prompts the author to recall having met us before."
Awwww...that is a wonderful tradition!! How neat!
Mod
My attention span has been terrible and I'm working full time as well as working with a postpartum doula client after work."
You are definitely busy! I personally believe there are just times when we need a break...even from reading! 😊
"QOTW: When was the last time someone surprised you with a book as a gift?
My coworker surprised me with a book for Christmas last year. We did a gift exchange and he picked my name. I haven't read it and I'm not sure if I will or not."
Well if you do, I hope you will enjoy it!
"READING:
The Davenports and Our History Has Always Been Contraband: In Defense of Black Studies"
Oooohhh! Added both of these to my TBR listing!
Mod
- Nonfiction November
-NaNoWriMo
-School Work
I know, I know, school work comes first, but thankfully I'm on track with that so I do not have to worry that much."
Sounds as if you already have a good start!
"I've currently got 4 books going:
Our Migrant Souls: A Meditation on Race and the Meanings and Myths of “Latino”
Hollywood's Native Americans: Stories of Identity and Resistance
Standing with Standing Rock: Voices from the #NoDAPL Movement
You Are What You Watch"
Each of these looks so interesting. I think the last one might be especially enlightening...
"Also started with my NaNoWriMo project which has been fun. I recently finished my second poetry book so that is in the process of being self-published. Now with this third book though I am certainly planning on turning it into a book and it's going to be a series of short stories. I've seen short story books have between 134-217 pages so considering my first poetry book was 217 pages I'm in good hands that way."
Wow! Amazing!! Good for you! 👍👏👏👏
Mod
We had SNOW on Halloween! Rude! Still had at least some trick or treaters, Michigan kids are hearty when it comes to candy."
LOL 😋
"I think rain keeps them in more than cold/snow. At least had nicer weather for the halloween concert/party we went to over last weekend. Friday was downright lovely. My husband and I dressed up as Barbie and Ken, very fun."
How fun!
"A Head Full of Ghosts - I finished this a bit after check in. I had mixed feelings about it. I still don't really love mental illness being wrapped up in horror."
Ugh. I can't even imagine...but then I do NOT do horror, with or without mental illness!
"Where'd You Go, Bernadette - finished audiobook for my genre challenge. I liked it pretty well, although there were bits that were kind of all over the place."
This definitely did not fully live up to my expectations...
"QOTW:
I don't know offhand. People have given me books before, occasionally as a surprise. Usually because it was on my wishlist. Most people know not to get me surprise books otherwise, unless they're willing to do a LOT of research because I read and own a lot of books already. I have a friend who's gotten me a few surprise books and I feel bad every time because it's not that she's WRONG in her selections, it's just that i've already had copies of everything she's picked. I of course said thank you politely, but usually gift receipts weren't included so then I'm left with a book I can't return, already have so end up having to just give away.
However at my birthday this year several people gave me surprise book gift cards which is much appreciated! I've not spent them because i've been really busy, but hopefully this month I'll get a lull in a weekend and be able to go to the book store and get some spending in."
Bookstore gift cards are so much fun!!
Mod
Started: The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking
Many Worlds?: Everett, Quantum Theory, & Reality"
All of this nonfiction looks so interesting! But...
"No Two Persons"
I had totally overlooked this book! She is one of my all-time absolute favorite authors! Thanks for the reminder!
"QotW: The last book I was pleasantly surprised by receiving was Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice That Shapes What We See, Think, and Do from my father. I hadn't even heard of this book even though it covered some of my core areas of studies. It was very good. Also, it was a surprise since my father hardly ever selects gifts for me."
Awwww...that is so cool! Glad he did that for you!! 👍😊
Nadine in NY wrote: "Theresa wrote: "Super cool exciting news too! It was revealed that the Rockefeller Center Tree was found in and is thus coming from Vestal, NY! Why is that so cool and newsworthy you ask? Vestal is..."That is what happens - the trees get too big, and some start becoming more vulnerable to disease. Or just pose a hazard in some way. Or is now too close to other similar sized trees and none thrive anymore.
Look at it this way, it is going out in great glory and ultimately ends up becoming homes through Habitat for Humanity.
Mod
Not only did I get all my October books done, but I am half way through one of my November books. November and December get busy for me, so I'm thrilled to get ahead."
Jealous!! But good for you!
"Buddy Reads:
The Horse and His Boy - 3/15 chapters"
Looks like lots of scary/horror reads and then this one! LOL
"QOTW: I can't remember. For a while I got terrible books as gifts because people would ask book stores for recommendations and I'd get books that were their taste. Or I'd get books in French to help me become more bilingual. Now I just buy myself my own books and I'm happier."
Yep!
Mod
Oooff! I think this is one I would enjoy. At least the dog doesn't die. That might make it palatable to me!
"Question of the Week:
The last book I remember being gifted was Go Set a Watchman because I like To Kill a Mockingbird. That book should not have been published without a lot of disclaimers and caveats, and it in no way deserves to sit alongside the book that Harper Lee actually submitted to her publisher in full possession of her faculties that became TKAM."
Those were two very different books...
"Now, I pretty much just check out books from the library or get them in ebook form myself."
Seems like a good plan!
Mod
We had a full on snowstorm for Halloween, which meant almost no trick or treaters. We had a few teens bravely don snowsuits for candy, and one family who was driving their kiddos house to house, but that was about it. The only one who had a fun halloween was my dog, who finds the doorbell upsetting."
Aww...I feel for your doggie!! 😢
"Finished:
The Mystery Guest: I came into this with my expectations too high and was disappointed. Also it's a slow mover; the last third hit a good pace but before that the plot was pretty pokey."
I have yet to read The Maid, so I'll reserve judgment until I finish that one!
"Currently reading:
The Woman in White: slow but in the usual way of the time period."
I would like to read this one since I did finally read The Moonstone!
"In the Shadow of Agatha Christie: Classic Crime Fiction by Forgotten Female Writers: 1850-1917: you can definitely feel that these were earlier writers than Christie in the way the plots are structured, the character types, the *heavy* handed moral component. But it's interesting! I'm hoping one of these will be an introduction to an author I want to read more from"
I would definitely like to read this one. I have been reading a few female authors from the same time period over the past few years. IMO, some are definitely just as good as Christie...
"QOTW: I often get books for Christmas or my birthday, but rarely just out of the blue. Once my aunt sent me a book that she and her book club had just loved. Apparently they thought it was hilarious, but the humor just wasn't for me. I did finish it, but if it hadn't been a gift I probably wouldn't have."
That is the risk taken by gifting a book to someone without knowing if they're truly interested in reading it!
Mod
Now, that's a good friend! Letting you know it is okay to admit it if the book doesn't resonate for you in a positive way! YAY!
Mod
This is a December read for one of my IRL book clubs! Hope you enjoyed it!
"System Collapse by Martha Wells - going to a book signing for this at a local bookstore and I cannot wait!"
Oh, my! Where is that?!?
"Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree"
Yep! You and me both! 😊
"QOTW:
I am very, very picky about books, especially the ones I choose to own/keep, so it sounds really ungrateful but I actually prefer not to get surprise books. I find half the time, it's "surprise, have a book you already own" and the other half, it's "surprise, have a book you'll never read and end up donating."
I think the last time I got surprise books, my partner's mom bought me a bunch of the books she enjoys reading for Christmas, which aren't really my speed. I think I wound up donating them."
Uhm...at least she tried? 😉
Mod
I... have managed to get sucked into the One Piece rabbit hole again. All 1000+ episodes of the anime. Thanks, Netflix, it's not like I don't have big school assignments coming due..."
Uh-oh! 😯
"The Twisted Tree -- one of my Halloween reads. Creepy story incorporating Norse mythology… and one of the most awkward descriptive phrases I’ve read in awhile. (I’m pretty sure when the author wrote “cat-shaped eyes” she meant the character had eyes shaped like a cat’s eyes but all I can picture is “eyes shaped like little cats”...)"
Ha! Ha! Now I can't get that image out of my head!!
"DNF:
Whalefall -- less daddy issues and abused kid getting gaslit by the rest of his family, more whale. I feel like I didn’t get what I was promised here."
That doesn't happen to me very often, but it is mind-boggling when it does!
"Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life
Leonard and Hungry Paul"
Ooohh...on my TBR now!
"Paradise Lost"
Pretty sure this is one classic I will skip! 😊
"QOTW:
Last time I was gifted a book was last Christmas, when a family friend randomly gave me The Wildlife of Star Wars. The nerd in me was very happy.."
That's so fun!
Mod
As far as my reading week is concerned…
This has been an absolutely insane week for reading! I finished a total of 7 books, 4 of which ended up being five-star reads. I don’t think I’ve ever had that many five-star reviews in a single week before! It’s amazing!"
Well, you have certainly been busy and having lots of fun! Good for you!
"Finished Reading (Fiction):
~N or M? — This is the third book in the Tommy and Tuppence series. I really enjoyed this mystery! This series just keeps getting better and better. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️"
The second the third books in this series are supposedly awaiting me in a parcel locker at my local post office as of today! I am anxious to continue this series!
"~The London Séance Society — This was a fantastic book! The story was mysterious and exciting, and the characters were great. I had a really hard time putting this book down, and read most of it in a single day. Highly recommend! 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️"
I loved The Lost Apothecary! I can't imagine this one not being a good read for me as well!
"Finished Reading (Nonfiction):
~The Science of Murder: The Forensics of Agatha Christie — This book was absolutely fascinating! I highly recommend this one to anyone who is interested in forensics, as well as fans of Agatha Christie. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️"
Now on my TBR listing!
"~Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void — This book was fascinating! I think it’s my favorite of Mary Roach’s books. Content Alert: (view spoiler) 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️"
I have yet to read one of hers...
"~Starter Villain — While I do like John Scalzi’s writing, I have to confess that I totally bought this book because of the cover. I’m currently just a few chapters in, and I’m enjoying it so far. 📚"
You-all have convinced me I need to read a Scalzi to see if like his writing!
"QOTW:
My dad occasionally picks up books that he thinks I’ll like when he goes to Half Price Books, and I always end up enjoying them. The last one he surprised me with (at the beginning of September) was an early edition copy of Passenger to Frankfurt, by Agatha Christie."
Wow. Very cool!
Mod
Good news and a bit of bad news. Definitely disruptive for you to have to drive him, but at least he is evidently feeling much better! 👍😊
"Challenge Progress: All my challenges are done... including mini-challenges!!! I did Popsugar, the 52 Book Club, ATY, and A to Z (author's last name). Woohoo!"
YAY FOR YOU! 👏👏👏👏😁
"Emma ★★★★★"
I enjoyed this as well!
"Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club ★★★★"
Got a copy of this very cheaply not too long ago! Looks good!
"The Death of Us ★★★"
I've enjoyed the books I've read written by Lori Rader-Day and plan to read this one. She actually grew up in the same area where I've lived the past 22 years! I've attended two events where she spoke. I really liked her.
"Emma (Manga version)"
Ha! Had no idea there was a Manga version!
"QOTW: My daughter-in-law surprised me with a leather-bound Jane Austen collection. It's beautiful... and it was certainly an unexpected but welcome gift."
That's neat!
Mod
I'm getting some but not all. For example, I didn't get a notification about the new comments in this post, but I got three other notifications. I guess it comes and goes?
I didn’t finish any books during this check-in period but I am closing in on completing the 40-book challenge. I hope to finish this week. I have a growing stack of TBR that I want to read so I am beginning to resent the challenge. Question of the week
I tried to think of a book that was given to me and I can’t think of many I didn’t directly request. My best friend gave me The Four Agreements. I hated it. Not a fan of parables. At all.
Wahoo finished this book:Teaching with Comics and Graphic Novels
What a great read! As a future teacher, I've mentioned using comics and graphic novels to people before, but this was an excellent resource so definitely one worth holding on to. Only took me 2 days to read it.
Now time for a small break so I can figure out what to read next since my mind is fried with all of this educational stuff. LOL!
L Y N N wrote: "System Collapse by Martha Wells - going to a book signing for this at a local bookstore and I cannot wait!"Oh, my! Where is that?!?"
It's in the Seattle area, at an awesome local bookstore called Third Place Books.
https://www.thirdplacebooks.com/event...
They are shipping signed books, if anyone wants one.
Laura wrote: "But give John Scalzi another chance. He's a great writer..."Oh it's not the first of his I've read and I don't judge an author based on audiobook narrators.
Just saw a comment about the Waco book. I watched the miniseries of it and DAMN. I went in completely blind (being born in Europe in 1994 means I had no clue) and I can still get enraged thinking about it! I might have to read the book, haha!
That's interesting, Carmen. I have vague memories of seeing it on the nightly news when I was a kid; it seemed like it dragged on *forever*. Thinking on it now, while some of it makes me angry, mostly I'm just sad. But I highly recommend the book! Not sure if the miniseries got into, but the events at Waco upset a portion of Americans who think the government is coming for their guns, which lead to Timothy McVeigh blowing up a government building in Oklahoma City, which is what started this conversation!
Mod
You completed this task with flying colors, IMO! Mush-brain zombie or not! 👍🤗
"We had a chilly, but snow and rain free Halloween and the kiddo had a lot of fun. Then it snowed a dusting yesterday that promptly melted. I remember the "storm of the century" in the early 90s hit on Halloween night and we were in snowpants trick or treating and after half a block my dad pulled the plug and said he would just buy us candy!"
Now there is a resourceful parent! LOL
"I finished The Complete Maus for the group read and banned book. I still love this book so much and would encourage everyone to give it a shot. After I finished reading it, I happened to hear a piece of a news report that a college professor asked his students who knew what Auschwitz was? Only a few students raised their hands! College kids don't know about Auschwitz?? I'm so disgusted...."
I doubt that is true for the cohort overall, however! Gosh, I sure hope not!! I got my copy yesterday and am about 1/3 of the way through. It is intriguing.
"Other than that, I've been working on Floodpath: The Deadliest Man-Made Disaster of 20th-Century America and the Making of Modern Los Angeles I got to the part about the dam breaking at my appointment this morning. Gah! What a place to have to put it down!"
The dangers of being interrupted!!
"Also Homegrown: Timothy McVeigh and the Rise of Right-Wing Extremism (how are you liking it, Laura?). Having read about Waco earlier this year, this is a good follow up. I kinda wish the author would stop explicitly pointing out how McVeigh is like January 6 rioters or whatever, I can see the similarities myself. Maybe in future years that will be more necessary, but at this time, I remember well what the rioters said and did and believed."
Ooof! This looks intense!
"QOTW: I don't remember the last time I was surprised by a book gift. I usually ask for exactly what I want and with online lists, it's easy for everyone to see and get the right thing."
Being able to make lists online for others to see is a definite advantage!
Mod
Ugh. Sorry you had to endure that. I think those are the worst! 😯🤗
"Finished 42/50
I actually might finish the challenge this year! Just one massive SanderTome that might throw me off though.... o.O"
Cool!
"My Ex-Wife Said Go to Hell for "book about divorce". Easily the worst book I read all year. Wow the misogyny is strong in this one...strong pass. It was dumb when I'd hoped it'd be funny."
I guess the good news is you completed the prompt. Just wish it proved to be more enjoyable for you.
"Legends & Lattes for "book written during NaNoWriMo". It's super cute so far!"
I adore this one!
"QotW
So typically random people at church lend me books to review. I never know when this is going to happen nor what book nor even why they lend them to me (I had someone totally troll me once by lending me a book they hated without telling me just to watch me burn it in my review... NOT NICE. Don't make me suffer just because you did!). I have this reputation for book reviewing, I guess? Anyway, that happened this week when someone randomly put The Last Unicorn and its sequel in my hands. So, I guess that'll be on my list for next year's prompts (everyone knows I take 6 months- 1 year to return their books and they STILL lend them to me. These people are great)."
That is so funny! But really, to do that to you when they didn't like the book at all. Unless they had told you ahead of time of their reaction... Just weird! And kinda mean, IMO!
"But as far as actually GIFTED a book to me...I think that'd have to be one of my good friends who recently passed away. She used to send me a pretty deep book every year for Christmas that made her think of me. I finally read the last book she ever sent me last year. I never knew what she'd send, and I often had never heard of the books before. It's sad to no longer have that to look forward to...may her memory be eternal."
Aww...I am sorry for that loss in your life, but hopefully remembering the past fun stuff will help fill that void... 😔 Hugs to you! 🤗
Mod
No that's not true.
I just checked and asked my college kid (via text) and my high school kid. They both knew. And I dont' spend a lot of time teaching them about WWII history or anything.
More likely that professor is boring and none of his students felt like raising their hands."
And/or the students weren't even paying attention! 😏
Mod
Great! YAY FOR YOU! 🎉🎊👏👏👏👏
"We had a colder Hallooween then the last few years I think and had less kids show up, only 19. The cutest costume definitely was the little, barely walking, girl dressed as a senior complete with walker and curlers in her hair. I have a friend who goes all out at decorating and she had 885 kids show up before she quit."
885? Good grief!
"QOTW:
My sister gives me her library books to read if she thinks I'll like/should read them, otherwise people give me gift cards and I get what I want."
That's so gracious of your sister!
Mod
Ugh. Hate mosquitos!
"Super cool exciting news too! It was revealed that the Rockefeller Center Tree was found in and is thus coming from Vestal, NY! Why is that so cool and newsworthy you ask? Vestal is only about 10 miles from my family's farm and home town upstate! It will be like a little piece of home coming here for Christmas! According to the news, it will arrive and be set up on November 11th. I may just have to wander down there to welcome it! (No I do not attend in person the tree lighting. I do not do crowds and I actually want to see things)."
A personal connection to the famous Rockefeller Center tree! Cool! I can relate to not attending the tree-lighting in person! One year my mother insisted that I and my three sons accompany her to the tree-lighting on Monument Circle in Indianapolis, IN. It was AWFUL! The boys were 10, 8, and 6, and could see nothing! We were packed into the street like sardines in a can and miserable! Even mother had to admit it wasn't much fun... Never again! LOL
"I actually made some progress in PS - now at 44/50!"
Whoo! Whoo!
"The Ex Hex - not for a prompt though it fits a holiday not Christmas. I have something else I'm reading for that prompt but can use this if I don't get the other read."
I enjoyed this one, though it had a few too many sexual details for my liking... (I'm picky! LOL)
"Currently reading:
Miracle on 34th Street - for prompt book written based on a movie (it was written during the year after the original movie screenplay and release)."
Had no idea that book existed...
"A Free Man of Color - set during Mardi Gras - guess which prompt?"
Ooohhh! That is already on my TBR and looks intense, yet intriguing! Uhm, is this for the "not-Christmas" holiday prompt?
"A Prayer for the Crown-Shy"
Love this duology!
"Highfire"
This looks like fun!
"QOTW: I'm given books all the time as gifts. Mostly though for Christmas and birthdays, often based on the wishlist I keep updated on Amazon. HOWEVER, I have been truly surprised more than once by a gift book from a client! Way preferable to flowers or chocolates in truth. The book choice is such a personal thing. One of the books was Razorblade Tears which I read and loved. The other is a very fat book about modern women artists -- Ninth Street Women: Lee Krasner, Elaine de Kooning, Grace Hartigan, Joan Mitchell, and Helen Frankenthaler: Five Painters and the Movement That Changed Modern Art. Still sitting in the TBR"
Oooohhh...Ninth Street Women looks so good! How cool of clients to do that!!
L Y N N wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "I got to the part about the dam breaking at my appointment this morning. Gah! What a place to have to put it down!"The dangers of being interrupted!!..."
That's why, when I was working anyway, I never listen to mysteries on audiobooks. What if I get to something intense or thrilling or a cliffhanger and I have to get out of the car???
Mod
Unfortunately, computers do not last forever! When I bought this laptop, the HP guy was like, "I hope you didn't lose any files." I just smiled and let him know I had them all on a thumb drive that I'd been using as a precaution for the last 2-3 months since I could tell it was going to die... Thank goodness!
"This weekend I got to go to the mini comic-con my library was putting on. I got to see the headline speaker Gene Luen Yang who wrote American Born Chinese, which just got turned into a tv show. I also sat in on a panel where he was joined by 3 other graphic artists (Briana Loewinsohn, Jason Shiga, Thien Pham) and it was really fun! Picked up a few books- including one for my niece who's starting to read middle grade graphic novels."
How cool!
"QotW:
Last year, my friend and I had seen the book Text Me When You Get Home: The Evolution and Triumph of Modern Female Friendship at our local bookstore, and had talked about how it sounded really interesting. So a month later, I went back to buy it for her for Christmas. It was sold out so I had to special order it, but I was very confident that it was a great gift idea. Turns out she'd had the same thought- so now we both have copies"
I love it! How fun! 😁👍
Mod
The dangers of being interrupted!!..."
That's why, when I was working anyway, I never listen to mysteries on audiobooks. What if I get to something intense or thrilling or a cliffhanger and I have to get out of the car???"
Yep! I made that mistake a couple of times! Sitting in the parking garage not wanting to go into the office... LOL
Jen wrote: "L Y N N wrote: "System Collapse by Martha Wells - going to a book signing for this at a local bookstore and I cannot wait!"Oh, my! Where is that?!?"
It's in the Seattle area, at an awesome local ..."
JEALOUS! But then I read all her books in ebook. Given I live in NYC - she will definitely come through here at some point. I just need to pay attention.
Ellie wrote: "Laura wrote: "But give John Scalzi another chance. He's a great writer..."Oh it's not the first of his I've read and I don't judge an author based on audiobook narrators."
I like your attitude. I basically don't like audiobooks much, and mostly listen only to audio of books I've already read - so not that often, mostly long road trips. So I would be someone who would probably have a lot more negative reviews if I was first listening to them in audio because I am very critical of readers and also my mind wanders a lot while listening.
L Y N N wrote: "Theresa wrote: ""A Free Man of Color - set during Mardi Gras - guess which prompt?"Ooohhh! That is already on my TBR and looks intense, yet intriguing! Uhm, is this for the "not-Christmas" holiday prompt?..."
DING DING DING! You guessed it!
Highfire - just started and love it --only a few pages in though.
The Ninth Street Women is definitely one I want to get to soon. IT'S BIG! And I need a calmer period to read it than I've had lately. Probably new glasses as well (I'm so overdue for new glasses and contacts). Really lovely gift from a lovely client.
Mod
You and me both! 😯
"I finished one prompt this week for A book you bought from an independent bookstore Noni & The God Tree: A Shrouded Spark by Breshea Anglen It was an enjoyable urban fantasy with an African America young adult as the lead. I got it at the Ohioana book fest via the fabulous Book Loft in Columbus's German Village area."
Ugh. Nothing but a Kindle edition... 😒
"QOTW all my friends know I love books so I get them often from them. Last month the chair of my department gave me the urban fantasy Half Wild"
That's cool!
@Jennifer I don’t think the show got into that 🤔 I’ll definitely look into the book! It saddens me as much as it enrages me. @Theresa So many people listening to audiobooks in the car, I could never. Maybe it’s because I’m not the one driving. The only way for me to do audiobooks is while doing something else, like diamond painting, jigsaw puzzles (though not the massive one I’m working on now), ‘Calm Colors’ on Switch, coloring, mindless games like Candy Crush etc etc. The activity keeps my brain from wandering but also doesn’t take focus away from the book!
Mod
Then I went to the Redcliffe Plantation to the After Dark program of walking the family cemetery and viewing the moon from the rooftop of the plantation house. I do love history! I found two headstones that delighted me. Husband’s: I fought the good fight. Wife’s: She did the best she could!"
Interesting... 😊
"I also attended several new classes: OneDrive intro (one session, informative), Ghost Stories (one session, storyteller telling SC ghost stories!), A Stroll Around Mr. Irvin’s Map (first of 3 sessions, about historic homes in Aiken) and Winter Sowing (one session – flowers not veggies!)."
Wow. Such a wide variety and intriguing!
"Seems that my trip to Redcliffe Plantation turned out to be a screw in the tire trip. Discovered early Monday when I went to go to the OneDrive class with a tire with 11 psi of air! Dealer added air and ordered the tire. Got additional air on Tuesday…and had to wait as dealer had picked up the wrong tire. Finally got it done at the end of the day!"
Whew!
"Ghost Talkers – ATY #42. A creative WWI book about a team of volunteer mediums who take reports from those who have just died in battle. And, since I am a Mystery genre reader, there are a couple of deaths by another's hand that are not battle related. I did not see the ending coming!"
I read this out of curiosity since I adore her Lady Astronaut series and was very surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I am going to try one of her romance books next...
"Bewitched, Bothered, and Biscotti – ATY #43. This is book 2 in a series that I had started. The characters are fun, believable, and people I think I would like to know. Cozy mystery."
The first book was already on my TBR listing!
"The Last Illusion – ATY #44. 80%. Continuation of a series. I am really enjoying this series set in Manhattan in early twentieth century days. This book features Houdini."
This series is on my TBR listing as well!
"The English Breakfast Murder – Other challenge. Another starting today.
Aunt Bessie Considers – No challenge. Audiobook. 83%. Fun cozy mystery featuring an elderly lady much like Miss Marple. Setting is Isle of Man."
Both of these are new to me!
"Home Fire – PS #14"
I was quite impressed by this one!
"The Age of Innocence – Library discussion"
I thought Wharton did an amazing job of placing the reader right there in that time and place, I just become exceedingly bored by such elitists and their machinations of each other. :)
"A Distant View of Everything – ATY #45"
One of my all-time favorite series!
"QotW: When was the last time someone surprised you with a book as a gift? Or, if that has never happened, how would you imagine it happening? From whom? And which book?
It wasn't exactly a gift but ended up that way. My mom loved biographies and autobiographies. She usually tried to get me to read them, and, although I enjoy them occasionally, they are not in the top 5 or 10 of the genres that I reach for when selecting a book. Many years ago, when Hillary Clinton was running for president, Mom foisted on me Hard Choices, insisting that I take her copy.
It was easier to take it than to put up with the insistence that I read it. Mom died in 2018. I still have the book on my home shelf, unread."
I am sorry she is no longer with you. I can imagine that book now holds much more emotional meaning than ever before...
"More successful gifts have been a gift card where I can select my own books. I tend to use them for ebooks, Kindle books or audiobooks and delight in finding books I want as cheap as I can get them so the gift card goes further."
I hear ya! The cheaper the better! 👍😁
Mod
You and me both with the pop culture stuff of TV and entertainment news! Congrats on the history win!! Sounds like fun all the way around! Older = Wiser! 😊
"Sira by María Dueñas"
I have a copy of The Time in Between, the first in this series, but have yet to read it.
"QOTW
My mother-in-law ‘surprises’ me every birthday with a book (this year Go as a River by Shelley Read). She has a persistent view of books that she thinks I like and continues to buy them. Even though I say it's not my genre. So every year I smile and say ‘thank you, I love reading!’"
You are quite gracious with her!
Mod
Sadly this means I can't catch up on all the messages, because I never would check in and I don't think I've missed any check ins this year for the first time ever (a max of one maybe) so yay me!"
Definitely YAY YOU!!
"So yeah. Major cold. Got the flu shot on Friday, my arm was a mess until Tuesday. On Saturday my entire non-shot arm decided to grant me with a major fibro flare so from the tips of my fingers to my neck, I was in pain. Then as soon as my shot-arm settled down, I got a major cold. It's been 4 days. I am done. I have sat in the car with a box of tissues and a baggie for my used tissues. I have sat in a take away place waiting for food with said box. Every time I put vaseline around my nose to keep it from cracking, I end up sneezing a lot and wiping off the vaseline ajsdhfkasg AND I now have confirmation my allergy to mint isn't merely mouth related. I put Vicks Vaporub on my chest to try to bridge the gap between 'my nose is stuffed again' and 'I can't use my nose spray again for another two hours'. yeah. It burned jhaksdkfas
And of course there's the headache and the MAJOR sensitivity to natural light. Being in the car during the day was absolute hell, and if there was sun I wish I could curl up on the backseat.
So yeah. ajhdsfkasg help me"
I'm so sorry you've been so sick! Ugh! Sending you healing energy!
"I have started working on my puzzle again, though! Bit by bit I am making progress! Dumbo is almost complete and the water from his tub is coming along nicely!"K/i>
Sounds fun!
"My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece
I gotta be honest: I got this on Audible in a 1+1 sale because David Tennant narrated it and I didn't hate the premise. (ngl, if the other kind of cover had been on there I probably would have dismissed it; the power of covers is real!) I also started this last night because I wanted an audiobook while playing Calm Colors and nothing appealed to me so I figured listening to David would be nice.
I'm hooked. It's already 11pm and I still gotta watch the new Loki so I fear I won't be able to continue tonight as I am exhausted from going to the store (30min drive) to get guirlands and lights (I have carte blanche this year to decorate the house as mom is away for two weeks and I have IdeasTM), but I really can't wait!"
Added this to my TBR listing! Glad you can decorate as you like!
"QOTW
My best friend is the only one who surprises me with books really, and I rarely read them because my brain just be like that. I will eventually, they just don't take precedence. One I remember from semi-recently is Lemony Snicket, the Unauthorized Biography; I was super excited to read it, but wasn't reading at the time and ... therefore haven't yet. Maybe soon!"
I hope you enjoy when you do read it!
Mod
I completely forgot to check-in yesterday. I was such a day. Today is much better: less stress, many work accomplishments, and two expensive coffees makes a good day.
This morning I thought Ziggy was broken. He was walking funny and slower than normal. I mean he sashays as it is cuz he's a dachshund/chihuahua (looks like a dachy with longer legs). Anyhoo, I bent down to check him out and felt that he had a leg through the neck of his sweater!
It was 5:14 am and dark and I wasn't quite awake yet. Plus, the sweater is dark blue and he is black so it was tough to see even with a light on.
So I yank the sweater up and put his leg back into the proper hole.
Then my mom (73 this year) didn't answer the phone. Every time I hang up, she tells me to let it ring and ring and ring. Okay I did. three calls later, she finally answers.
I was about ready to have a sheriff do a well check when she finally answers and says, she's on the phone with my sister, who is sick.
Okay, she could have just answered after ring 7 instead of 35 rings and three calls later to tell me to F@#k off. I could have handled that. I would have preferred it actually. That would be understandable. But keeping me hanging until i'm worried that she has fallen or passed out or whatever else my brain was coming up with that cranky old ladies can do to hurt themselves. sheesh!
So my sister made it home okay, and I didn't call the sheriff."
That was quite a day!
"Fourth Wing"
It seems everyone is reading this one!
"QOTW:
I'm not sure. The last time I got a book was I Want To Eat Your Pancreas light novel. A friend gave it to me for Christmas. The same person gave me a copy of Vivian Vande Velde's Dragon Bait.
I usually tell people what I want book wise because no one knows exactly what I have or don't besides me. And sometimes even that is iffy."
Those are both certainly unique titles! I rely on Goodreads to tell me whether I own a specific book or not! 😯
Mod
That's great!
Mod
Oohhh...here's hoping you finish the challenge and get the other books!
"Question of the week
I tried to think of a book that was given to me and I can’t think of many I didn’t directly request. My best friend gave me The Four Agreements. I hated it. Not a fan of parables. At all."
Ha! Ha! I liked this one and agreed with it. Sorry it didn't work for you!
Mod
Teaching with Comics and Graphic Novels
What a great read! As a future teacher, I've mentioned using comics and graphic novels to people before, but this was an excellent resource so definitely one worth holding on to. Only took me 2 days to read it.
Now time for a small break so I can figure out what to read next since my mind is fried with all of this educational stuff. LOL!"
It can become a bit overwhelming at times! But what a great idea!
Mod
Oh, my! Where is that?!?"
It's in the Seattle area, at an awesome local ..."
I already looked it up. *sigh* If I had the money, I would be there! I love Seattle!
L Y N N wrote: "Cornerofmadness wrote: "Wow, how is it November? this is going to be a hard month too but maybe I'll get some reading done because I still have several to finish for the challenge."You and me both..."
it was cool
You all keep flying through this thread. That's awesome. I keep trying to catch up. LOL!
Mod
yes you have to be driving, since driving is "doing something else." I can't just sit and listen, I have to engage part of my brain with driving, mowing, washing, folding, jigsaw puzzles, sudoku, or logic puzzles (the kind without words).
Well in another case of 2023 being truly the worst year, the brand new job I started this summer just had to do a bunch of layoffs. I think I'm still shell shocked- especially cause I turned down another great job to work there. And I told them I had another offer. This year, I swear
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
The Time in Between (other topics)MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios (other topics)
Teaching with Comics and Graphic Novels (other topics)
The Lost Apothecary (other topics)
The Maid (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Lori Rader-Day (other topics)María Dueñas (other topics)
Shelley Read (other topics)
Gene Luen Yang (other topics)
Jason Shiga (other topics)
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