PtP R23 - Readers Dough it Better (3)

[Cathy M.]

Laura wrote: "LaurLa wrote: "Laura and I are in... a few (more than)... challenges together and trying to juggle them all is definitely a challenge in itself! THank goodness a couple are non-competitive so that ..."

I've been wanting to re-start that series. I think I left off on book 9 or so, and by that point, don't think I remember much about that world.

[Cathy M.]

Selection Post

Week #2 - Option 1

Pages: 584
How it fits: Set in London (UK) per book blurb - The first in a brand new Shadowhunters trilogy set in Edwardian London by internationally bestselling author Cassandra Clare.

[R~wka]

Completion Post - Week 1

Book Lovers

Rating: 3 ⭐️
Review:
This book just didn't manage to grab my attention from the beginning. Is a good one, the plot is OK but... I don't know why.... it took me a long time to finish it... possibly if I wasn't reading the Audiobook version It would have ended up on dnf

[Sassafrass]

Week 2: Selection
Option 1


Everyone's Thinking It
Pages: 363/GR
How it fits: According to the précis --> Mean Girls meets Dear White People in this big-hearted, sharp-witted UK boarding school story...

[Sassafrass]

Week 2: Completion
Option 1


Everyone's Thinking It
Pages: 363/GR
How it fits: According to the précis --> Mean Girls meets Dear White People in this big-hearted, sharp-witted UK boarding school story...
Date completed: 10/12/24
Rating: *4+ STARS*

This was not light reading. Yes, it's YA and yes it's school drama and hierarchy and all those things. But this was so much more. The insecurity and trying to find your footing, it's just so much more when you are in a black female body, surrounded by what is usually considered the "ideal" by beauty standards.

These two young women at the center of the story decided to handle their insecurities different ways but they still had scars from the world they found themselves in. It was heartbreaking and humbling to read this story because I would love to think that those experiences that I had weren't still going on. But here we are 30+ years later and I'm reading a story that is so achingly familiar.

But beyond that there is a mystery and a lot of coming of age. This was just so good and interesting and heartachingly real in all the best ways.

This is a new author for me. Everyone's Thinking It just happens to be her debut novel. I am looking forward to more of her work.

[LaurLa]

Selection Post🚦Week 2
Option 1


Call🚦1. Sourdough originated in Egypt and spread through Europe
Task🚦Read a book set in Africa or Europe
Book🚦Dreamfever
Pages🚦514 (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits🚦set in Ireland per blurb "And as Mac fights for survival on Dublin’s battle-scarred streets,"

[LaurLa]

Yep, I'm that team member who has gotten behind 😮
I will absolutely have one of the first 2 calls done by our 3rd call. Not sure which one yet but one of them for sure! Followed closely I hope by the other!

Playing catch up right now but I should be all sorted by tomorrow (she says, crossing her fingers!)

[R~wka]

Selection post; Option 1
Week #2


The Smoke Thief
Page numbers: 352
How the book qualifies: Main Page Setting: Darkfrith, England (United Kingdom), London, England, Carpathian Mountains

[Laura]

LaurLa wrote: "Yep, I'm that team member who has gotten behind 😮
I will absolutely have one of the first 2 calls done by our 3rd call. Not sure which one yet but one of them for sure! Followed closely I hope by t..."

I believe in you!

[Vicki]

Selection post Option 1
Week #2


Book: The Bee Sting
Author: Paul Murray
Pages: 656
Qualification: MPG Ireland and Setting Ireland on the MPG

[Vicki]

Completion Post Week 1
Option 1

Book: The Seven Sisters
Author: Lucinda Riley
Date Read: 11 October 2024
Rating: 5 stars

Review:
Maia D'Apliese is the eldest of six girls adopted by the wealthy billionaire that they call Pa Salt. The girls are from all over the world, and after Pa Salt passes away they get clues to their heritage and each one sets out to learn about hers. Maia finds her roots in Brazil and she also finds love there.

In the present we see how Maia copes with the loss of her adopted father while coming to grips with the knowledge of her familial beginnings. A journey of self-discovery, of learning to trust oneself and others in the process of healing.

I thought the story of the sisters was a beautiful one, the characters were well-developed and the journeys to different parts of the world took me on a journey as well.

[LaurLa]

Laura wrote: "I believe in you!"



awww, shucks!😊

[Cathy M.]

Completion Post

Week #2 (Option 1)
by Cassandra Clare
Date: 10/15/24
Rating: 4 Stars

Review:
It was fun being back in the Shadowhunter world! It was another fun, exciting and somewhat heartbreaking delve into this world.

This new generation of characters were just as endearing and a fantastic addition to this universe. Also loved seeing Will and Tessa and Jem from The Infernal Devices. But there were times that I couldn't remember who was who as there were a lot of characters, which is to be expected from a book of this size. And I didn't like that you had to read all of Clare's other series to know what has happened to some of the characters (mostly Matthew). I hate full on info dumps but some information would've been nice.

I especially loved Cordelia and Lucie, and loved the relationships between siblings (Cordelia/Alastair, James/Lucie). I hated Grace from the beginning. I mean Come on! It was all so obvious (view spoiler)[that she had James under a spell (hide spoiler)]!! It was frustrating that no one else seemed to see it! Hoping for redemption and acceptance for Alastair, and hope Matthew gets the help he needs.

I'm looking forward to continuing this series but want the love triangle (square?) to resolve so that James and Cordelia end up together :)

[Cathy M.]

LaurLa wrote: "Laura wrote: "I believe in you!"



awww, shucks!😊"

I second that :D

Hope you had a wonderful vacation!

[LaurLa]

Thanks, I did actually. It wasn't restful but it was fun!

[Laura]

Completion Post - Week 2

Book: Silver Silence
Date Read: 10/15
Rating: 4.5 stars
Review: This is not my favorite Psy-Changeling. Maybe because it's the first Psy-Changeling Trinity book and the focus of the books changes with that move. That being said, it was still a good story. I know some people don't care for Silver as a character, but I did like her. Although I wanted to punch her after her surgery!

[LaurLa]

Completion Post🚦Week 1
Option 1


Call🚦15. Home cooking at its best
Task🚦Read a book from one of the following lists
Book🚦Come Home to Me
Pages🚦416 (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits🚦#50 on Romance Novels with Home in the Title list
Date Read🚦10.14 ★★★★
Review
I am conflicted about this book. I gave it 4 stars because it held my attention well into the night. It wasn't high octane but there was a steady tension that kept me reading. But my conflict is around a major plot point that to me is somewhat controversial and was never fully resolved, in my opinion. It's side arc with the male MC, his brother and sister-in-law (who were the MC couple in the previous book) where (view spoiler)[the sister-in-law asks the male MC to be a sperm donor because she has found out his brother (her husband) is sterile. The controversy is that they make this decision without telling the husband for reasons that I won't go into. The reasons are somewhat valid, I can understand their thinking, and it while it bothers me that they went forward with the artificial insemination without the husband's knowledge (hide spoiler)], my bigger concern is that the issue is sort of left hanging, I don't feel like the author gave it due course. I am also unsatisfied that the author did not include any kind of Author's Note about it. The way it's handled in this story is controversial and I just don't feel like she did a good job with it. I'm assuming this will come up in future books - it's too big not explode all over the characters. And tbh, if it doesn't, if this is the end of it, then I really really think the author did us a disservice because it makes what they did meaningless in the scope of an important issue.

[Laura]

Cathy M. wrote: "LaurLa wrote: "Laura wrote: "I believe in you!"



awww, shucks!😊"

I second that :D

Hope you had a wonderful vacation!"

We were right in our belief!

[Cathy M.]

LaurLa wrote: "Completion Post🚦Week 1
Option 1


Call🚦15. Home cooking at its best
Task🚦Read a book from one of the following lists
Book🚦Come Home to Me
Pages🚦4..."

Wow see a lot of low ratings for the book, probably due to the same issue you had!

[Cathy M.]

Laura wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "LaurLa wrote: "Laura wrote: "I believe in you!"



awww, shucks!😊"

I second that :D

Hope you had a wonderful vacation!"

We were right in our belief!"

Yay for that :P

[Cathy M.]

LaurLa wrote: "Thanks, I did actually. It wasn't restful but it was fun!"

That's all that matters (having fun)!

I always say that I need another vacation as soon as I return because I'm running around so much.

[R~wka]

Completion post
Week #2


Book: The Smoke Thief
Rating 4,5 stars
Review
I chose the book because it suits another challenge, and I started reading it without expectations. To my surprise it caught me from the first page.
Some passages are a little too detailed and lost me.
... I don't know what else to say becaus that I'm not good at writing reviews...

[Cathy M.]

R~wka wrote: "Completion post
Week #2


Book: The Smoke Thief
Rating 4,5 stars
Review
I chose the book because it suits another challenge, and I started reading it w..."

You just need to write a couple sentences on what you thought about the book, so you're fine!

[R~wka]

Cathy M. wrote: "R~wka wrote: "Completion post
Week #2


Book: The Smoke Thief
Rating 4,5 stars
Review
I chose the book because it suits another challenge, and I starte..."

I'm glad it's enough like this. 🙈

[Cathy M.]

Well, I'm not the one judging it (that's up to the mods). But they don't have to be elaborate, just write a couple sentences on what you liked or disliked and it should be good.

[LaurLa]

Honestly R~wka, usually I don't have much more than what you did. I just happened to feel pretty strongly about the one aspect of my book last week!

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

R~wka wrote: "Completion post
Week #2


Book: The Smoke Thief
Rating 4,5 stars
Review
I chose the book because it suits another challenge, and I started reading it w..."

This is fine. I just want a little more than 'I liked it' and prove you read it. :)

[Cathy M.]

Happy selection day :D

[Laura]

R~wka wrote: "... I don't know what else to say becaus that I'm not good at writing reviews..."

I'm not very good at it either. But like others have said, just a few sentences. Anything that stood out to you, or you particularly enjoyed or didn't like.

[Cathy M.]

Hopefully not stepping on any toes posting this but had a question so.


Week 3

Option 1
9. After mixing, let it rise
* Read a book from a popular new author. Their first published book must be from the year 2020 or later.
Please note their first published book , along with its date of publication, in your qualification. You do not need to note how/why they are popular.


Option 2
Key date: 19 April 2024
Team mate read on or after this date and rated at least 3 stars


Option 3
Pass

A selection post must be made for whichever option you choose - INCLUDING A PASS
Refer msg 3 in your team thread for formatting of all 3 options.

[Cathy M.]

Do any of you know what the best way to find debut authors is? All the ones I've seen so far I'm not really interested in. So might have to do option 2 again but want to see if I can at least find something for option 1.

[Laura]

Cathy M. wrote: "Hopefully not stepping on any toes posting this but had a question so..."

No toe stepping here. I was thinking about this this afternoon, but then I forgot when it got towards time for the call. Thanks for posting.

[Laura]

Cathy M. wrote: "Do any of you know what the best way to find debut authors is? All the ones I've seen so far I'm not really interested in. So might have to do option 2 again but want to see if I can at least find ..."

There is a debut category in the Goodreads Choice awards. So you could take a look at the last few years there. But be carefully with the 2020 one. I think books are eligible from November to November, so it's possible a book for 2019 could sneak into the 2020 awards.

On re-reading the task, it doesn't look like you have to read the debut book, just that the debut must have been 2020 or later.

[Cathy M.]

Laura wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "Hopefully not stepping on any toes posting this but had a question so..."

No toe stepping here. I was thinking about this this afternoon, but then I forgot when it got towards tim..."

Figured you were busy and I want to find something to start this weekend :)

[Cathy M.]

Laura wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "Do any of you know what the best way to find debut authors is? All the ones I've seen so far I'm not really interested in. So might have to do option 2 again but want to see if I c..."

Oh shoot okay. I was thinking that i had to read the debut book so that's better! Thanks, let me go look at those lists and see if I can find something.

[Laura]

There are a bunch of lists that might help. I would post them here, but people have separated them by Adult/YA/Fantasy/MM/etc. Too many to post for each year. Just search Debut and the year. But remember that anyone can add to a list, so double check that that really is the author's debut. (I've seen so many instances that show people think Fourth Wing was Rebecca Yarros' debut novel, but she had been publishing quite a bit before that.)

[Laura]

Selection Post - Week 3

Book: Silver Bullet
Page Count: 452
How it fits: Colette Rhodes' first published book was The Terrible Gift, published January 31, 2020

[Laura]

Cathy M. wrote: "Laura wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "Do any of you know what the best way to find debut authors is? All the ones I've seen so far I'm not really interested in. So might have to do option 2 again but want..."

I did ask in the Q&A just to make sure I'm right about this.

[Cathy M.]

Laura wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "Laura wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "Do any of you know what the best way to find debut authors is? All the ones I've seen so far I'm not really interested in. So might have to do option..."

Thanks, appreciate it!

[Cathy M.]

Am listing a couple that I've found so far (so I can remember them and choose):

[Sassafrass]

Week 3: Selection
Option 1


Alight
Pages: 317/GR
How it fits: The author, A.H. Cunningham, had her debut book (this one) in 2021

[Sassafrass]

Week 3: Completion
Option 1


Alight
Pages: 317/GR
How it fits: The author, A.H. Cunningham, had her debut book (this one) in 2021
Date completed: 10/19/24
Rating: *3.5 STARS*

So, I read another of this author's books, Plié and I LOVED it. And when I say love, I mean it. I find myself thinking about how soon is too soon for a reread on that one. But before I wax poetic about that book (I do think a reread will be in order very soon), I have to stay on task about this book.

I will say that this one was ok. I wasn't blown away the way I was with Plié, but I like the friends to lovers and the second chance romance aspects of the book, but Alight didn't gel for me. This was the author's debut novel so I am happy to say that she's grown as a writer. But, I felt taken out of the story a lot because of that.

Another issue I had was that these two who were BFFs at one point, just didn't talk enough. There was alot of their inner thoughts but not enough of them taking to each other and of course that lead to a lot of problems.

I enjoyed the story and the characters but wanted it to be a bit more polished. But, since I know how good the author will get, I am looking forward to continuing this series at some point. But first, I will have to do that reread I've been dreaming about...

[LaurLa]

Selection Post🚦Week 3
Option 1


Call🚦9. After mixing, let it rise
Task🚦Read a book from a popular new author
Book🚦Apprentice to the Villain
Pages🚦342 (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits🚦debut novel Assistant to the Villain published in August 29th 2023

[Laura]

Completion Post - Week 3

Book: Silver Bullet
Date Read: 10/20
Rating: 4 stars
Review: So many RH books are all about the smut, with a little bit of story to tie them together. Colette Rhodes is not like that, at all. Her books are full of story, and this one is no different. Bullet's ultimate fate is uncertain for much of the book, Grace is on the run, Riot is stuck with Viper, and we're still looking for the other bonds. Kept my attention on the story throughout, for sure!

[Vicki]

Selection Post Option 1
Week #3


Book: One Summer in Savannah
Author: Terah Shelton Harris
Pages: 464
Qualification: Ms. Harris's first book published 4 July 2023

[R~wka]

Selection Post Option 1
Week #3


Book: The Banshee in the Bathroom
Author: Courtney McFarlin
Pages: 162
Qualification: debut book, Escape From Danger, First published in January 4, 2020
https://www.goodreads.com/author/list...

[Laura]

Cathy M. wrote: "Am listing a couple that I've found so far (so I can remember them and choose):

[bookcover:The K..."

Don't forget to post your Selection post this week!

[R~wka]

Completion Post - Week 3

Book: The Banshee in the Bathroom
Date Read: Oct 23
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
A mystery and a ghost that seems uncertain if If she is guilty of what happened or just wanted to help...
And in addition to all this, we also have a slide story that will develop in the next book.

I don't remember so much about the first book. I love the author's other series, Razzy. Reading this book I found the same way of writing that attracted me and made me devour that Razzy series... And will probably happen with this series as well.

[Cathy M.]

Laura wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "Am listing a couple that I've found so far (so I can remember them and choose):

[bookcover:The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels|55502861..."

Thanks for the reminder! I've been feeling like I'm in a bit of a funk so haven't been reading.

[Cathy M.]

Selection Post

Week #3 - Option 1

Pages: 336
How it fits: This is debut book for author, published 06/15/2021