Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2025 Weekly Check-Ins
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Week 2: 1/3 - 1/9
Happy Thursday!Went to bed when it was snowing, woke up to snowing! It didn't last long on the roads/pavements, but the rabbit hutches still look white, haha!
Not much to report I don't think, though I do want to keep sharing what I watch this year, especially because I started off this year with some amazing watches!
Squid Game 2 may not have been needed, but I still thought it was really great and I cannot wait for season 3 this year to wrap it up!
Black Bird (AppleTV+) has been on my watchlist for ages, purely because Taron Egerton is in it, but a friend of mine recced it and since mom is away and dad & I have full control over the TV, we watched it. It's a miniseries based on a real life crime (and besides one side plot that doesn't really go anywhere, is actually completely real!), and we were riveted.
I also went to the cinema yesterday, to see a movie I hadn't even heard of before Monday. I was going to see Queer, but had no ride back, so would've had to take the bus home late, which with my CFS/ME is just not great. So I checked the schedule to see if there were movies I could combine it with; taking the bus home after 2-3 movies at least feels like it was worth it! This movie caught my eye immediately, but it was in the afternoon, and nothing I wanted to see inbetween so I had to make a choice.
And I chose Flow.
And boy am I glad I did.
WOW.
I saw a kitty, was intrigued immediately, trailer looked good, so off I went. I am still thinking about this movie a full day later. I want it on DVD, so I never have to worry about being able to see it again. I found out afterwards it even won the Golden Globe for Best Animation! It beat movies like Moana 2, Inside Out 2, and The Wild Robot! I've seen all three of those, and while I adored them (merely loved Moana sadly), this movie deserved the win. I am still emotional about it, and I'm not even sure why, haha!
If animated movies don't put you off, and you love animals (especially kitties), I would 1000% recommend this. It's an indie movie about a cat's (and other animals) survival when nature strikes. The animation is very game-like, but the way the animals move is insanely realistic. Not a single word is spoken in this movie, merely the animals' sounds.
I almost didn't go because I was so exhausted, but it was the last time my cinema showed it so I persevered. So glad I did.
Anyways, enough rambling about a movie xD On to books! Because YES, I have something to report!!
Read
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
Server Challenge: Book that defies expectations
Popsugar: Unlikely friendships
(these may change as the year moves along)
After all the warnings I saw about this book being different to the stage show/movie, I was actually quite underwhelmed. Yes, it's darker and has more death, but other than that I guess that fanfiction/fandom has made it hard (haha) for me to be shocked by anything sexual. I was more shocked about the things people didn't warn for. (view spoiler) I got warned for politics but not for the insane amount of the word 'female' (made worse by having a narrator who sounds like a creepy old uncle who constantly has saliva build up in this throat- don't listen to this on audio folks, it makes it so much more obvious) or how women are written in general. One of my best friends adores this book, can quote entire parts of it, but she had no idea the word 'female' was used so often, so I wonder if the people warning others have just 'forgotten' about these things?
My personal favorite was: 'Who are we to have an opinion, old and female as we are?'
(This book was published in 1995; so not as far back that I expected this.)
I was however impressed at how pretty much every character was even less sympathetic than in the show/movie xD
It felt rushed (it's 50ish years across less than 500 pages), but at the same time like it dragged on, spending too much time on frivolous things, while at the same time still not really letting us get to know the characters? Or their journey/growth? It's impressive, as well.
I was on the fence on whether to continue the series or not, but it's been a few days and I still have no desire to continue, so I guess I won't. My apologies to all who love this book! I would love a book faithful adaptation one day!
Currently Reading
The Three Musketeers
IT'S OFFICIAL! I picked it back up! Started end of April 2023, stopped May 2 2023, read for a few more days end of October 2023, and now continuing in 2025! xD I am determined this time!
I really want to pick up The Wild Robot as well, but I can't justify a book purchase right now, and spending an Audible credit (even if it only cost me €1) on a book that will take 3 hours to finish feels like a waste as well. Reminder that Dutch libraries are a) Dutch and b) not free, so no help there either. I have a digital card to the Edinburgh library, and I just checked, it's available there, but there's one audiobook copy, and 30 people ahead of me waiting, saying 'several months'. Ebook (which I suck at reading) has about a 13 week wait (which is still 3 months, to give an idea of what 'several months' might entail). So we'll see what happens. Life of a reader is hard, haha!
QOTW
Not specifically, with how little I was reading. But Three Musketeers is definitely one I've left for too long, haha! I had also hoped to finally finish the Draconis Memoria trilogy, so I am hoping to get to those this year as well.
Happy Thursday!School starts in a couple of weeks for me... I guess this means I should look into buying my textbooks soon, huh? Only two semesters left to go...
Books read this week:
Floating Hotel -- for the prompt “book about space tourism.” There were so many fascinating tidbits here, but the story hopped viewpoints so many times that it ultimately felt like nothing actually happened. Shame. We need more cozy science fiction.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Vol. 1 (plus the other ten volumes of the series) -- for the prompt “book with a left-handed character.” I ended up reading the entire manga series instead of just one volume, but still just counting it for one prompt. Surprisingly good for being based on a video game.
That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon -- for the prompt “book about a POC who experiences joy and not trauma.” Light-hearted and silly at heart, a romantasy that doesn’t take itself super-seriously and is more “cozy” in feel than anything else.
DNF:
Red Mars -- I can forgive a slow start to a 500 page sci-fi novel, but this one was too dry. And the characters felt absolutely wooden. Bailing.
Currently reading:
The Art of Trapeze: One Woman's Journey of Soaring, Surrendering, and Awakening -- for "book about an adult character going through a career change"
We'll Prescribe You a Cat -- for "healing fiction"
A Fish Caught in Time: The Search for the Coelacanth -- for "book taking place in or around a body of water"
The Witch King -- for "prompt you want to try again from 2024 (book by a trans or nonbinary author)"
QOTW: I meant to read Heavenly Tyrant last year, but our library didn't get it until this year. At least it fits a prompt for 2025 ("book about a politician").
Happy Thursday! Watching national weather reports makes me really happy to be here in southeastern Washington. We haven't had any snow! To be fair, it's cloudy and gray, and we've had an abnormal amount of rain, but I'd much rather deal with rain than snow. It looks like it's going to get a little colder these next couple weeks, but the highs will still be above freezing. Yes, yes, I know I just cursed it. I'll be back in two weeks complaining about the cold and snow. Ha!2025 Reading Challenges:
52 Book Club: 1/52
ATY: 1/52 (ATY Anniversary Challenge: 1/10, ATY Winter Challenge: 8/15)
The Book Girls’ Guide: 0/74
Booklist Queen: 0/52
Cover Lovers: 5/50
Popsugar: 2/50
My Ever-Growing TBR: 2/208 (My goal is 33.3%, and even though I read a book from my list this week, my average is surely decreasing… I bought 4 books and won a Goodreads giveaway!)
Recently Completed:
Starter Villain: This was a re-read for me, and it was just as much fun the second time! The audiobook is perfectly, snarkily narrated by Wil Wheaton. Adventures Underground Book Club, 2023 NPR Books We Love. (ATY Anniversary #8 – author has published 7+ books/Cover Lovers #14 – cover makes me laugh) ★★★★★
The Trolls of Wall Street: How the Outcasts and Insurgents Are Hacking the Markets ★★★
Other People's Houses (ATY Winter #6 – an author you’ve read before/Popsugar #37 – two books with the same title: Book 1) ★★★★
Audacity: A novel-in-verse about Clara Lemlich who led women in the labor rights movement following the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire. Although the book appears to be written in the verse, the audiobook is disappointingly unlike poetry. (52 Books #17 – told in verse/Popsugar #32 – an overlooked woman in history) ★★★
The Cure for Women: Dr. Mary Putnam Jacobi and the Challenge to Victorian Medicine That Changed Women's Lives Forever: I’m not sure Jacobi’s challenge changed women’s lives forever. It seems we’re continually relitigating many of the same issues… (ATY Winter #8 – a nonfiction book) ★★★★
Darkly: The Wishing Game tackles a similar story and does it better. (ATY #45 – author’s career spans 10+ years) ★★★
A Slow, Calculated Lynching: The Story of Clyde Kennard: 2023 NPR Books We Love. ★★★★
The Phoenix Bride (ATY Winter #9 – author’s first or last initial found in WINTER: Natasha Siegel/Cover Lovers #12 – botanical elements) ★★★★
Currently Reading:
Jane Austen at Home: Jane Austen Book Club. (Cover Lovers #33 – a shadow or silhouette)
The Book of George (Cover Lovers #46 – a proper noun in the title or design/Popsugar #4 – books on the cover or “book” in the title)
How to Read a Book: Goodreads Giveaway. (BGG Book Lovers #1 – characters connect through books/Cover Lovers #6 – an illustrated scene)
A Painted House (BGG Lifetime of Reading #1 – a child protagonist)
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics (52 Books #26 – sold more than 1 million copies/BGG ICYMI Backlist #1 – published in 2013)
Migrations (52 Books #14 – climate fiction/BGG Read Around the World #1 – Arctic or Antarctic)
Mad Honey (52 Books #3 – title starts with M/BGG Read Around the USA – set in New England)
The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba (52 Books #15 – includes Latin American history/BGG Decades Challenge #1 – 1880s or 1890s)
The Ghostkeeper: A Graphic Novel (ATY Winter Challenge #10 – a mostly blue cover)
QOTW: Most of my TBR consists of books I meant to read last year! But specifically, I meant to get around to Madwoman, The Lost Story, and A Sorceress Comes to Call. All the Colors of the Dark and The God of the Woods are also giving me the side eye from across the room.
Happy Thursday, everyone! We did not manage to avoid the snowstorm, but we didn’t get nearly as much as they did a couple hours to the south. It was still enough snow to trigger a Level 2 Snow Emergency, but the roads were pretty much clear by Tuesday afternoon.
I ended up spending most of the week at home, and had plenty of household projects to keep me busy.
Speaking of household projects…I just got back in from shoveling snow, and I think I’m done with physical activity for the day. We only got about half an inch of additional accumulation, but the ice underneath the snow made shoveling a little more exciting than I generally like. I didn’t fall, but I did have a couple close calls.
Despite being busy, I did manage to get a considerable amount of reading done this week. I also went to Barnes & Noble for the first time in 2025, and may have gone a little overboard on the new releases.
Here are my current challenge and TBR totals…
Goodreads Challenge: 022/250
Mount TBR Challenge: 022/150
📚Physical TBR: 22/731
📱Ebook TBR: 0/218
🎧Audiobook TBR: 0/15
TBR Checklist Total: 22/964
I did get a couple new releases this week, including: Dating and Dragons, by Kristy Boyce; Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear, by Seanan McGuire; and Four Ruined Realms, by Mai Corland. I also picked up a copy of Nights With A Cat, tome 4, by Kyuryu Z.
I’m looking forward to reading all of these books as soon as possible. Of course, I do still need to read the first book in the Broken Blades series before I can start Four Ruined Realms, so it might be a little while before I get around to reading it.
“New” Books Bought in 2024: 4
“New” Books Read in 2024: 0
“New” Books DNFed in 2024: 0
Here are the books I finished this week…
Finished Reading (Fiction):
~A Psalm for the Wild-Built — This is the first book in the Monk and Robot duology. I really enjoyed this story and the characters. It’s my first five-star book of 2025. 📚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
~A Prayer for the Crown-Shy — This is the second book in the Monk and Robot duology. I enjoyed this book just as much as the first one! The characters and story were wonderful, and really made me think. 📚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Finished Reading (Nonfiction):
None
Finished Reading (Manga, Comic Books, & Graphic Novels):
This week I had a chance to finish the Delicious in Dungeon manga. I really enjoyed watching the first season of the anime adaptation on Netflix last year, and thoroughly enjoyed the manga as well! The characters were a lot of fun, and I really liked the story. The art was also fantastic!
~Delicious in Dungeon, Vol. 9 — 📚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
~Delicious in Dungeon, Vol. 10 — 📚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
~Delicious in Dungeon, Vol. 11 — 📚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
~Delicious in Dungeon, Vol. 12 — 📚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
~Delicious in Dungeon, Vol. 13 — 📚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
~Delicious in Dungeon, Vol. 14 — 📚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
~Delicious in Dungeon World Guide: The Adventurer's Bible — This book is a companion guide to the Delicious in Dungeon series. It includes background information about the characters, a monster guide, and some stories that did not make it into the manga. Most of this book was full color, and the art was great. My only complaint it that most of the text was extremely small. 📚: ⭐⭐⭐
I also read the first four books of The Invisible Man and His Soon-To-Be-Wife. I thought this was a very cute series, and I’m looking forward to reading the next volume when it is released later this year.
~The Invisible Man and His Soon-to-Be Wife, Vol. 1 — 📚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
~The Invisible Man and His Soon-to-Be Wife, Vol. 2 — 📚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
~The Invisible Man and His Soon-to-Be Wife, Vol. 3 — 📚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
~The Invisible Man and His Soon-to-Be Wife Vol. 4 — 📚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Finally, I got caught up on the following manga series…
~Young Ladies Don't Play Fighting Games Vol. 7 — While this was a good continuation of the previous book, I think I may be done collecting this series. I’m just having a hard time connecting to the characters. 📚: ⭐⭐⭐
Finished Reading (Poetry and Drama):
None
DNFed:
None
Currently Reading:
~Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare: The Desperadoes Who Plotted Hitler’s Downfall, Giving Birth to Modern-day Black Ops — This has been an interesting book so far. 📚
~Map of Bones — This is the second book in the Sigma Force series. I’m currently about 40% of the way into this book, and the story has been really exciting so far. 📱
~Not Your Average 5K: A Practical 8-Week Training Plan for Beginning Runners — I have successfully completed 5Ks while walking, but I’m really interested in running one now that my ankle is fully healed. This book seemed like a good place to start. 📚
QOTW:
I bought quite a few volumes of manga in the last couple months of 2024 that I meant to read before the end of the year, but just never got around to. Most of the series I’m reading won’t get another update until March (or later), but I’m currently trying to get caught up on all of them.
I have to drive back to Ohio as the semester starts on Monday and it would be good that the professor is there (and today is like the only non-storm day this coming weekend)I've been hiding in reading from the ugly of this year (my uncle is slowly dying) so I have a few reads
I read To Slip the Bonds of Earth by Amanda Flower for PS 24. A book with a happily single woman protagonist
She even calls herself happily an old maid (this is a historical mystery with Katharine Wright, sister to Orville and Wilbur, as the sleuth) I enjoyed this one
I also read Minstrels in the Galaxy: Stories in the Key of Tull, Volume 1 edited by Sam Robb for P.S. 47. A book of interconnected short stories. Honestly it's more prompt adjacent. All the stories are interconnected by the fact they're all inspired by Jethro Tull songs rather than characters but for now I'm counting it. It's a very good Sci-Fi anthology
QOTW
Oh yes very much so, more than I can list here. I have at least 6 left over from last year's Ohioana book festival and the various pop culture cons I went too. At least three of them will be used to fill PS prompts this year so it's all good
Happy Thursday!Wow! The New Year is here and making itself known. I am both excited for reading and adventuring this year and anxious about the political situation that will be present.
Prayers for California (fires) and the areas in the northern US hit by this storm. Everyone, please stay safe.
Here in the deep south of SC, we are facing COLD. Yep, we occasionally have cold but not for as long or as early as this is…and possible ice this weekend. I have a small hope for snow, but if it occurs, it will only be a flake or two, I am sure. (I miss the snow of CT.)
I made the decision to cancel my two camping trips planned for March and April and will concentrate only on the Japan/US train trip.
Finished:
Ya-Yas in Bloom – ATY #13 (group of 4 not family), ATY anniversary 2025. 3*. I really enjoyed this romp through the lives of the Ya-Yas extended families and loved the “feel good” ending, even though I had a bit of a difficulty figuring out who belonged to whom and what generation each was.
Mistletoe Murders 2 – Audible. 4*. I chose this due to the season, the genre, and the fact that it was short. Now to figure out if it will replace a planned book for any challenge!
The Great Passage – ATY #22 (translated), PS #33 (bucket list). Kindle. 4*. I liked this book as it brought to mind some of my own frustrations with definitions in dictionaries as a young person looking to understand her reading.
Palindrome – PAS. 4*. Wondering why it has taken me this long to read this book. I thoroughly enjoyed the suspense, the romantic interest and the characters of the island people. The ending was both satisfying and sad.
Cave of Bones – ATY #4 (underground). Kindle. 4*. A continuation of a series and maybe a stretch for the prompt. Yes, the bones were in a cave, but most of the action/mystery solving was spent above ground. I'll see how the year goes and may look for a substitute later in the year.
Jesus Out to Sea – PAS. Short stories. 3*. Kinda noir stories of The Big Easy in an earlier time with a very bleak ending of Katrina.
Currently Reading:
The Beginner's Photography Guide: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Manual for Getting the Most from Your Digital Camera – 27%. I have decided to pick up photography again.
Shaman – PS #38 (same title). 10%
Mistletoe Murders – 6 podcasts. Audible. 17%
Just Starting:
God Is in the Small Stuff and It All Matters: Stop Worrying and Invite God into the Details of Your Life – ATY seasonal (nonfiction) . 8%
Murder in Jerusalem– No prompt
High Noon – ATY winter
Xoe: or Vampires, and Werewolves, and Demons, Oh My! - PS #18. Kindle
On Deck:
Kate: The Journal of A Confederate Nurse – PAS.
The Pony Wife – PAS
Moving Target – PAS
PS 1/50
ATY 3/52
GR 6/200
QotW: Is there a book you meant to read in 2024 that you have not yet had the opportunity to read?
Nettle & Bone
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
Demon Copperhead
A Tale of Two Cities
Magic for Liars - currently on desk
All are planned for this PS list, too.
Mod
We have fairly cold temperatures here. It supposedly ..."
Lynn! how is your son doing?
Mod
We've had snow, snow, and more snow this week. Every morning when I let the dogs out, I'm shocked at how much snow we got overnight. I have to sweep the snow off of the sliding door rails every morning or eventually it will pack up on the rail and we won't be able to close the door.
Last night I went out with my kids and my daughter's bestie and HER mom & sister to a trivia night, and it was really hard! It was all current events. The trivia I'm good at is old stuff. (So when the question was "on this day in 1790, in which city did George Washington give the first State of the Union address?" I knew the answer. But for stuff that happened this year, I'm clueless.) But it was fun and not at all crowded and worth trudging through the snow and I want to go again.
That was our last hurrah, because today college kid goes back to college town because she's got to work. I'll get her back for a long weekend before school actually starts.
And I have made progress in the Challenge! I'm feeling very positive about it now, and I know I want to focus only on Popsugar for now (and on all the books waiting for me in NetGalley - some of them will fill Popsugar challenges - I just got approved for ANOTHER NetGalley book! My ratio is in the toilet.).
This week I finished 3 books, and DNF'ed one book.
I finished:
The Road Trip by Beth O'Leary - my first Challenge read of the year (for "road trip")!! Woohoo!! I started off LOVING this book, but I ended up giving it only one star, because it is a second chance romance, and the reason they broke up the first time was pretty bad, bad enough that I did not want them to ever get back together again.
The Yakuza's Bias, Volume 1 by Teki Yatsuda - I read this for "a 2024 category you loved" which was K-Pop for me. This was so cute!!! I'm so glad this was recommended to me!! (And I forget who recommended it ... was it Erica?) I might read the second volume for the "music" category.
Guide Me Home by Attica Locke - this was very "meh" for me, but I see a lot of readers are loving it. Not a challenge read.
And I DNF'ed
You Dreamed of Empires by Álvaro Enrigue - I just had no idea what to make of this, and I rarely knew what was going on. This isn't the kind of book I would normally pick up, but it got such rave reviews, it was a NYT notable book of 2024, so I thought I should give it a try. Nope. This book either demands a different sort of reader, or a more attentive reader, or both. I am not the proper reader for this book.
Popsugar 4% 2 /50
Must Reads 0% 0 /10
AtY 2% 1 /52
AtY bonus 0% 0 /10
2025 pub 0% 0 /50
BookRiot 0% 0 /24
NetGalley ratio 67%
QotW
LOL yes. The answer is always yes.
These six titles in particular:
The Tainted Cup
The Ministry of Time
One of Our Kind
Bear
The God of the Woods
Here One Moment
And of course the 12 (now 13) NetGalley titles that languish on my shelf ... I won't even bother listing them.
(The Blue Hour would have been on that list, too, but I'm reading it right now!)
Finished:Indistinguishable from Magic (3/5, a highly anticipated read for 2025)
There are some great concepts here, and it picks up on some loose ends from the Star Trek: The Next Generation series. However, the writing style is quite choppy, and the quality level is uneven throughout the book.
Currently Reading:
Mars
Star Wars: The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire
Brinkmanship (reread)
Captain Nemo (reread)
Question of the Week:
I really don't care which month or year I read a book in. If I'm enjoying my reading time, then I'm satisfied.
Carmen, I very much enjoyed your post, and I'm glad I DNF'd Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West as early as I did.
I will also share what I am watching. In terms of new things, I am loving Star Wars: Skeleton Crew.
In older media, I am rewatching the series Scooby-Doo: Where Are You?
Happy Thursday!Finished:
How to Steal a Galaxy by Beth Revis - 4 stars - for a book under 250 pages. I loved this and I can't wait for the third novella!
Lady Eve's Last Con by Rebecca Fraimow - 3.5 stars - for a book centering LGBTQ+ characters that isn't about coming out. A fun little romp about a con woman trying to swindle the rich man who broke her sister's heart, in a sci-fi setting.
I am currently at 4/50 for Popsugar (4/40 and 0/10).
Currently reading:
Heavenly Tyrant by Xiran Jay Zhao - for a book that features a character with chronic pain. In the first book, Iron Widow, the main character struggles to walk and is in frequent pain since her feet were bound when she was young. This could also fit the politician prompt, since she becomes Empress in this book, but I think I will stick with it for the chronic pain prompt. Mild spoiler: (view spoiler).
Upcoming/Planned:
Swordcrossed by Freya Marske - for a book I got for free since it's a library book
QOTW:
A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher is the big one I meant to read when it came out, but I was too busy with other library books and challenge reading, and it just kind of slipped my mind. I'm going to prioritize it for this year, for sure. I would also like to get caught up on Seanan McGuire's October Daye series, and finally read the rest of the Wayward Children novellas.
Brandon wrote: "In older media, I am rewatching the series Scooby-Doo: Where Are You?"Best series ever!
January Library TBR: 0/8Library Challenge: 30/30 COMPLETE!
November Nonfiction: 17/22
PS 2025: 20/50
Finished: The Bible With and Without Jesus: How Jews and Christians Read the Same Stories Differently
Creative Journal Writing: The Art and Heart of Reflection
Kabbalah: Your Path to Inner Freedom for prompt book that fills your favorite prompt from the 2015 challenge (started but not finished.)
Started: Social Justice for the Sensitive Soul: How to Change the World in Quiet Ways for prompt POC who experiences joy not trauma
New Collected Poems for prompt oldest author on TBR (He's 90)
A Future We Can Love: How We Can Reverse the Climate Crisis with the Power of Our Hearts and Minds
The Last Bookstore on Earth for prompt of book with the word "Book" in the title
QotW: No.
Hello from a freezing Columbus! We had quite a bit of snow and got two snow days out of it. It would have been the perfect opportunity to get some reading done, alas I had a cold and was too miserable to read anything. But in positive news, I’m feeling better and was able to pick my car up after it had been undrivable since the beginning of December. I’m excited to run errands again lolFinished:
The Monsters of Templeton I picked this up at the end of December when I had finished my challenges. I read this several years ago, but didn’t really remember the details. I really enjoy Lauren Groff and wanted to read my way through her books.
Currently Reading:
House of Leaves
Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Great Adventure Catholic Bible
Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop
Challenges:
Popsugar - 1/40; 0/4; 0/3; 0/3
Read Harder - 0/24
Classics - 0/12
European Tour - 0/10
12 Friends - 0/12
Yearly Goal - 1/180
QOTW:
Ugh, so many but I don’t have the mental bandwidth to list them lol
Notifications are working again! Someone said logging out and back in worked for them and it did for me as well, in case people are still struggling!
Hi all! Things are going well here. I have not gotten the snow Nadine has, I've got like an inch or 2, and thanks to the wind, there are still bare spots. I'm hoping people in Cali are safe, and people down south who aren't used to snow and ice stay safe, too.
Lynn, still hoping things are going well for your son!!
Yesterday I subbed for the middle school for the first time. I was almost 3 hours late, though, because my boyfriend locked his keys in his running car and I had to be the one to wait for someone to come open it. Once I got there, it was pretty easy, I even got some reading done while monitoring study halls! But, as usual, it completely drained me, so I napped for 3 hours today.
I can't seem to pick something to read and stick to it. When I have time and energy to read, nothing sounds good. I did start Out of My Mind, and am liking it, but I haven't picked it up in a few days. I read like another chapter in A Quilt for Christmas, but haven't picked that up, either. Yesterday, I had to read something off my phone and read a few chapters in Firefly. So far, I'm not really impressed, but I'll try to keep at it.
QOTW: I'll ditto Dani's answer!
Happy Thursday!I finished the 2024 challenge this week. For the 2025 challenge I read It Ends with Us to fulfil prompt 26 (A book where an adult character changes careers).
I wasn't sure how I would feel about this book given the topic and the media frenzy about the movie, but overall I am glad I finally read it.
It has been a long week! We were caught in the snowstorm over the past weekend, getting 7 inches of snow and sleet. The sleet is what really messes things up. I tried getting out yesterday (thought I had shoveled enough of the driveway), it didn't go well. I have safely been able to get out twice since then, after some more shoveling and the sun coming out. We're due to get up to 2 more inches of snow tonight into tomorrow, but they're expecting it to be only snow this time. Completed Books
Klara and the Sun - Very much like his other books. They always leave me feeling a bit unsettled at the end (not necessarily in a bad way, just in a make-me-think way).
I used this for prompt #14.
3* (No major negatives. I didn't like it as much as the other books of his I've read. It was OK, but not special for me.)
Pygmalion - I listened to a wonderful audiobook of this, which made it very enjoyable. This is the play the musical My Fair Lady is based on. The story in general is based on Greek myth.
4*
Currently Reading
Rabbit, Run
A Caribbean Mystery
I, Robot
QOTW
My joke-y answer to this is everything on my TBR. In reality, though, I don't remember anything I really wanted to read last year that I didn't get to.
I spent most the weekend replacing two bookcases which were close to collapsing. It took so long to sort and clean the books and put them back. Have loads to take to charity now, so that's another task to add to the list.I love this time of the challenge year where everything is easy to slot in, though I am making an effort to tick off some trickier prompts early.
Finished:
Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett. Everything I expected from this series. Shadow is such a good old dog.
Popsugar: magical creatures that aren't dragons
Cover Lover: floral
ATY Anniversary: all the vowels in title
The History of Sound by Ben Shattuck. I think the audiobook production elevated this melancholy short story collection. They are linked pairs of stories and I wish I was aware that the first is linked to the last because I spent way too much time trying to find a link between the first two that wasn't there. Not my usual thing but I liked most the stories.
Popsugar: interlinked short stories
ATY: Tournament of Books
Cover Lover: no people
QOTW:
Lots but nothing specific that I wish I'd got round to.
I wasn't in the area of the snowstorm, but we did get some snow where I was on Monday, which is all gone now, despite the frigid temperatures we've had these past few days.Our library lizard was brumating (like hibernating, but not as deep), but we gave her a bath anyway and she seems to be awake for good now.
Since folks are sharing what they're watching, I just started Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld. I'd heard good things about it, but I'm only two eps in, so it's too soon for me to judge.
Finished:
The Extinction of Irena Rey - (RH A book about obsession, PS A book about a cult) I had a rough time wrapping my head around the main conceits of the book at first. Once I got into it, I enjoyed all the twists the book took, though I wasn't completely satisfied with the ending.
Leeva at Last - (A book about chosen family) This book wanted to be Roald Dahl, specifically Matilda, so so bad, but I don't think it achieved it. I appreciated how important the library and librarians were to the plot, but overall it was just too absurd.
The Mythic Dream - This was a collection of retellings, so some were better than others. But on the whole, I thought it was pretty good.
Aria of the Beech Forest, Vol. 1 - (RH A comic in translation) A cute, cozy fantasy, but nothing special. That said, I do plan to read the next volume.
The Snowcat Prince - (RH Standalone Fantasy) Not 100% sure how I feel about this one, but it had very nice art and a decent story. It would make a good animated movie.
The Grace of Wild Things - (A book containing magical creatures that aren't dragons) I enjoyed this one a lot, especially the audiobook's narrator. It's a retelling of Anne of Green Gables, but was different enough to not be distracting (minus one particular bit).
Currently reading:
Beautyland
The Storyteller
Little Monarchs
QOTW: Always!
I finished Crime and Punishment as my classic I've never read. I actually liked it. Jsut found it getting a bit long towards the end.I started A Holly Jolly Diwali as my book with a POC character experiencing joy. It's OK. I'm not loving it.
QOTW: I can't think of anything specifically. There's never enough time to read ALL the books. LOL.
Afternoon all, happy Thursday. Been wanting to post hee today, but I have just been enjoying the weather too much to do anything else but hang out outside and read when I want to get warm.Started snowing around 11 AM this morning and it's been pretty consistent for nearly 4 or 5 hours now so that's pretty cool.
They said we were going to get snow yesterday but that never happened. All that build up only to be left disappointed so that was a bummer. I've gladly been taking the snow today though so I've been loving it! In and out of the house all day. Out to enjoy it, back in when I get too cold. Supposed to get down to 29°F tonight.
Continuing with the weather- hope those of you in California are trying to be safe. The fires out there are insane! I don't care who you are, rich, poor, middle class, whatever, it's tragic. People are losing things they worked for, their homes, where they grew up, photos, the list goes on. In the end we're all still human and it's still such a great loss.
Then I hope those of you in the east are staying safe from the cold weather as well. Crazy weather all around!
*****
Reading News:
I was supposed to have a book delivered this week, but on an account of the crazy storms in the east it's delayed until next week. Not a problem I guess since it gives me time to work on my other books.
Finished:
The Underdogs- 3 star. I'm just not into classics the way I used to be. I thought it was an okay book but I couldn't get into it. I think I'm better off reading a nonfiction book about the Mexican Revolution instead.
*****
Currently Reading:
Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage - 35% done. Still a ways to go but I'm about to start part 3 of this book. I'm loving it more than I thought I would.
Star Wars The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire - 16% done. Feels like I've gone a lot farther in this book because there's so much heavy information. Already have an idea of how I'll rate this book though.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story - 9% done. Just started this book today. Currently on ch. 3. It's a great start so far. Very fast pace so that's good. It's been ages since I saw the movie so I don't remember it and I've never read the novel.
Tales of Two Planets: Stories of Climate Change and Inequality in a Divided World - 11% done. I'm thinking this will possibly be a DNF. With all of the crazy climate change stuff going on lately I don't have the nerve to read about it at the moment. It's hard enough that natural disaster movies are my favorite genres so I need to take a step back from it all.
*****
Books Read In January So Far: 4
*****
QOTW:
Is there a book you meant to read in 2024 that you have not yet had the opportunity to read?
Yes:
Intimate Integration: A History of the Sixties Scoop and the Colonization of Indigenous Kinship
I learned about The Sixties Scoop last summer when I was watching the Hulu series, 'Under The Bridge' and it was mentioned via one of the character backstories. I picked up 2 books on the subject. I read one of them, but I didn't get around to reading the second so now I've placed that on my summer reading list.
Happy Thursday!I've been sick since the 31st. it's just a minor cough and snot with a bit of sinus swelling to make life interesting. So I've been feeling run down for the most part. Today has been okay since the brain fog has been mostly gone.
The weather has been rainy, cloudy, sunny, partly cloudy with an super epic fog bank as my sister and I drove to Fallon. It was so foggy that cars disappeared after a few feet. it was awesome! We even waited a whole hour before leaving home for it to burn off. Nope. It was The Mist during certain parts.
I've read 9 books. I haven't looked to see if they meet any challenge requirements yet. I haven't even planned a single one for ps or aty. I did happen to start a title and author (last name) ABC challenge. I've filled 6 on each.
Goodreads Challenge 9/400
Light Novel:
Since I Was Abandoned After Reincarnating, I Will Cook With My Fluffy Friends Volume 1
Since I Was Abandoned After Reincarnating, I Will Cook With My Fluffy Friends Volume 2
A God Killed Me By Mistake, But I Reincarnated As The 4th Son Of The Marquis: Volume 1 I haven't figured out if Cai Xi Peng is Americanized or in family name first name. so can't use it sadly.
Manga:
Trapped By His Love: The Duke's Unexpected Bride, Volume 1
Romance:
Infatuation Continued
Someone To Fight For: MMA Fighters Boxset 1-3
Falling In The Mountains
Snowed In With My Forbidden Crush: A brother's best friend age gap erotic romance
Unexpected Love
Currently Reading:
Since I Was Abandoned After Reincarnating, I Will Cook With My Fluffy Friends Volume 3
Planning:
Immortal It just came in today and was processed by the bestest colleague Adam, and I'm not waiting for my personal copy to come.
QOTW:
There are too many to name. Here are two Bride, Raven of the Inner Palace (Light Novel) Vol. 4 to Raven of the Inner Palace (Light Novel) Vol. 7.
Happy Thursday. The weather here is cold AF. There is the temperature and then the "wind chill". I know parts of the US are on fire right now - I'd love to ship them some of our weather for a while to help (no tariffs added). I finished my first book of the year. I wasn't even planning on reading in January, except every book I wanted was out or was relying on inter-library loans. I like Karen McManus and this one was fun because it was a heist book.
I finally got Denial - my BC book for my "Reading across Canada" personal challenge. My super long series book is puttering along too.
I went shopping last Friday and we had time to kill before dinner, so I went to a bookstore and read a number of chapters in a book I am trying to get this month. Grady Hendrix always introduces you to characters and makes you care about them in the first few chapters before they meet vampires/ghosts/demons/etc. I hadn't hit the horror part yet.
Finished:
Such Charming Liars
Popsugar prompt: A book centering LGBTQ+ characters that isn't about coming out
ATY prompt: A book of secrets, lies, or deception
Anniversary prompt:
Series - 0/10
Reading Across Canada - 0/10
Nobel laureates - 0/5
PS - 1/40
Regular ATY - 1/40
Anniversary ATY - 0/10
Currently reading:
Inheritance - 31%
We Sold Our Souls - 20%
Denial - 15%
Buddy Reads:
none at present
QOTW: There's a number of them, but I'm pretty happy with what I did read
Mod
I'm hoping people in Cali are safe, and ..."
I wish I knew how much snow we had on the ground right now so I could brag properly LOL. It's less than two feet, but probably more than one foot. I've got some big container planters on my deck and they are almost buried - every winter I think "I should measure those so I can use them as a gage for snowfall" and every time the snow melts ... I forget.
My week started out with two snow days since we had the first measurable snowfall in several years (I ended up with about 6 inches). The temps have been frigid, so not a lot of melting going on yet. We're supposed to get another round of snow this weekend (just an inch or two). I'll take that over the wild fires though. The images and videos coming out of California are so heartbreaking. Keeping those affected in my thoughts. No books finished since the last check in. I started two more and also signed up for a few more reading challenges because why not?! I haven't finished any prompts yet and am at 1/85 for my overall Goodreads Reading Challenge (speaking of...I don't love the changes they made this year (or the extra challenges that point you to specific book lists) and the fact I can't see my friends' challenges...it was fun to see what everyone was aiming for and cheering on their progress). At least one of my books in progress should check off a prompt though, so we'll see if I have any updates for next week!
Finished:
* nada
Currently Reading:
* The Penguin Book of Murder Mysteries edited by Michael Sims;
* Mindful Self-Compassion for Burnout: Tools to Help You Heal and Recharge When You're Wrung Out by Stress by Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer;
* The Committed written by Viet Thanh Nguyen and narrated by François Chau; and,
* Ultra-Processed People: The Science Behind Food That Isn't Food by Chris van Tulleken, which is one of my book clubs' picks for January.
QotW:
Is there a book you meant to read in 2024 that you have not yet had the opportunity to read? I'm a mood reader, so I can't say there was a book I meant to read in 2024 that I didn't. I have a ton of books sitting around my house (physical, ebooks, and audiobooks) that I would've liked to have read last year but as the saying goes...so many books, so little time! 📚🤣📚
Happy check-in! I think it's been a couple of months since I've managed check-in day. I hope all in the difficult weather areas of the states are safe.
Finished Reading:
Pearl ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (PS same name book one)
Great graphic novel about being Japense/Hawiian in Japan during Hiroshima.
Blackmoore ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (ATY manor)
This started to drag a little at the end and not be as happy a book as I was looking for. I prefer Edenbrooke.
She Followed the Moon Back to Herself ⭐⭐⭐ (ATY poetry)
The Ice Guy and the Cool Girl, Vol. 1 ⭐⭐⭐ (ATY 4 members not family)
Cute manga.
The Lost Hero ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (ATY breakfast club)
Glad to knock off a prompt I dislike with a great book. This is the start to the next Percy Jackson series.
A Business Proposal, Vol. 7 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Only three more volumes to be translated.
Pearl, Vol. 2 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Great story and artwork. This series would work for the cult prompt. It's too early in the year to allow myself more than one comic from a series for prompts.
Lady Susan ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (PS classic I've never read)
Had I realized that this was epistolary, I would have read it much sooner. Lady Susan is quite the character, and wonderfully different from Austen's other characters.
PS 3/50
ATY 5/52 Anniversary 1/10
Goodreads 12/200
QOTW:
I create a shelf for the year of mostly new publications but a few others that I want to accomplish. 2024 has 10 left that I didn't get to.
Happy Thursday! So so happy it's Thursday- this was the first week we went back to 3-days a week in the office, which has been... something. Such a bummer having to get in the car at 7:30 instead of making my second cup of coffee. There was a funny moment where we got our desk assignments, and apparently my teams' desks were the unofficial desks of some other people who seemed a bit miffed they got moved. Oh well, it wasn't my choice to be there!I feel so bad for everyone affected by the SoCal fires- I feel like it's never not fire season now. Let's hope they can get the fires under control soon!
Finished:
Since I Could Die Tomorrow, Volume 2- a slice of life manga of 40+yr old women in Japan. Not my favorite manga series, but I do find it interesting how she explores how women are treated in the workforce
-9 A book that features a character going through menopause (they mention menopause on pg 3)
The Message- he's such a great writer, everything is very lyrical, but I think I went in expecting something more focused. I prefer the interviews he's done about the book over the actual book
-no prompt
The Pairing- I really liked this! I can see why the romance girlies had mixed feelings on it, because it's not really a romance, it more dealing with two people who really hurt each other in the past and are trying to rebuild their old friendship. It worked for me more than I was expecting.
-35 A book centering LGBTQ+ characters that isn't about coming out
Currently reading:
How Long 'til Black Future Month?- really liking this
We Do Not Part- need to read this asap for netgalley
The Girl Who Smiled Beads: A Story of War and What Comes After- I received a free copy of this from goodreads when it came out, then never read it. I'm trying to catch up on all my old arcs. I'm half listening, half reading- so far it's upsetting, but a really good memoir
QotW:
So many! I always have more plans than I can get to. I kept buying books, and then only reading library books- so this year I want to get to some those books that I bought planning to read them right away
Hey look! I'm here again! So far so good. It's cold here! And windy. But better than burning and windy like it is in LA. Prayers going out for anyone out there. I cannot even imagine.Finished 1/50
Lost Histories: The Good, the Bad, and the Strange in Early American Orthodoxy for "2024 prompt/book published in a year ending in 24". Eh. It was ok. Honestly, it was just a collection of random historical stories that had very little to do with each other. No real point to the book unless you're a real history buff who likes random facts.
Currently Reading
Monk's Hood for "book about a chosen family". I mean, the main character is a monk who lives in an abbey. That's a chosen family to me! And he solves crimes!
Everyday Saints and Other Stories for "interconnected short stories". Love this book so much. Huge but worth it.
QotW
Oh a TON. Mostly Sanderson books. I actually did plan on doing the challenge last year, but then life just exploded and I didn't. So now I'm finally getting to the books I'd been meaning to read all year!
@Nadine I’m so glad you enjoyed Yakuza’s bias! I read the Beth Revis series because of you so I’m glad I could rec something back.
I’m sitting here in LA inhaling smoke and dodging ash when I step outside. My house is safe from fires the closest being about 10 miles away but the school I teach at is closed due to poor conditions and difficulty for the staff to get there due to road closures. Thank you Ron for acknowledging that all the victims are people regardless of economic class. Being rich will not make it any easier to explain to your child why their house is gone.
The National Guard has arrived because there are looters arriving in evacuated neighborhoods. Why would anyone think it’s ok to loot someone’s home?
Currently reading: How To Read A Book by Monica Wood
A Midsummer Nights Dream
War and Peace (year long read)
The Nakano Thrift Shop
I finished 2 books while not working and both fit prompts for multiple challenges
The Whisper Sister by Jennifer S. Brown
Still Alice by Lisa Genova. This one had a left handed character.
QOTW:
Still Alice which I just finished was planned for 2024, even had prompts assigned
Other carryovers are To Paradise, The Perks of Being A Wallflower, and Wandering Stars
Happy 2025 everybody!Stats
PS: 3/50
ATY: 3/52
ATY Anniversary: 0/10
ATY Rejects: 0/28
ATY Rewind: 1/10
GR Choice: 0/30
TBR: 0/10
Finished
The Ice Guy and the Cool Girl, Vol. 1 (PS: GR Algorithm Suggestion)
The Little World of Liz Climo
To Sir Phillip, With Love (ATY: Historical Fiction)
Why We Read: On Bookworms, Libraries, and Just One More Page Before Lights Out (PS: Happily Single MC)
Monstress, Volume 9: The Possessed (ATY: Female Author SFF)
Life's Short, Talk Fast: Fifteen Writers on Why We Can't Stop Watching Gilmore Girls (ATY Rewind: Connected to TV/Movie)
Pearl (PS: Same Title)
In Progress
Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear
The Malevolent Seven
QotW
I only read about 66% of the books I planned to read last year, and while some of them I will eventually read, only a few made it onto this year's plan.
Life update: This has been my first week of working since the holidays, and all in all it hasn't been too bad. I work remotely at the moment because of a neurological disability that causes vertigo, nausea and migraines and is made worse by screen use and transport. I was a bit nervous about getting back on my work laptop after a two-week break, but actually it's been manageable. I've also been feeling excited this week because my husband and I talked about our long-term plans given that we're both in our mid-to-late 50s and chronically ill. We agreed to work towards retiring in the next couple of years (me fully, him partially) and downsizing to a smaller house in a more affordable part of the country. The two places we're considering are both ones that I know and like, and would be more convenient for him to run his business until he's ready to wind it down. Knowing that there's an end in sight makes the return to work a little easier too.
Reading update: Since the pandemic and the illness took away my commute time and made it harder to focus, I haven't been reading much, and this challenge is supposed to help me fix that. I haven't actually finished a book yet this year, but I'm already reading at a faster rate than I have since early 2020. Hopefully by the next check-in I'll have more to report.
Stats:
Read for the PopSugar Challenge: 0 this week, 0/50 total
Read outside the challenge: 0 this week, 0 total
DNF: 1 this week, 1 total
Currently Reading:
Making It All Work: Winning at the Game of Work and Business of Life for the "oldest author in your TBR" prompt
Vanaprastha (A Joyous Journey Toward Liberation) English Meera Seth for the "under 300 pages" prompt
DNF:
Spiegel der Artzney 1529 Leather Bound . If anyone here follows Max Miller on Tasting History, this is mentioned in his recent video on gout, and I downloaded it because he asked viewers for help with the old German Fraktur script and translations. I grew up in Germany at a time when Fraktur was still taught in high school literature classes, although no longer commonly used. I ended up reading more of the book than I intended to, because I found it quite an interesting example of early modern approaches to medicine, but the image format combined with the dated language and script does make it slow going. I stopped when it got to bedtime, about 25% of the way through, and don't intend to continue. I did find the answer to Max's question, though!
Up next:
Was tun, wenn jemand stirbt: Handbuch für den Trauerfall Yeah, it's a handbook about what to do if someone dies, very cheerful. I've been feeling anxious about my mother's situation and want to address that by being as prepared as I can be.
Adult MHFA Course Manual I'm a Mental Health First Aider and really need to see about updating my certification, but in the meantime I should at least review the manual.
A Fire Born of Exile For the "POC experiencing joy" prompt, and because the author is a mutual of mine.
QOTW: Very much yes, that's a big part of why I'm doing this challenge. I had really intended to read Vanaprastha (A Joyous Journey Toward Liberation) English Meera Seth, Smart Legal Contracts: Computable Law in Theory and Practice and Come Tumbling Down and am frustrated that I didn't manage it.
Hi all, I'm tentatively back! Last year just got...really overwhelming for me. Lots of mental health struggles as I tried to get a proper diagnosis for adhd and medication, my cat's cancer came back and he had to have more surgery, then emergency surgery when the incision didn't close properly, plus lots of other personal things and just overwhelm with the world. I didn't have energy to track and follow reading challenges or make big long posts. I was having a hard time for a while even READING. I ended up modifying my goodreads goal twice just to be able to meet it. i realize a bad year for me is WAY above what some people read on their best year ever, but it was still discouraging.
I'm not participating in any reading challenges this year aside from my book club's TBR challenge. But I'll try to at least post here more regularly because I do like the community!
I have read some books this year::
The Kamogawa Food Detectives - books & brew book for january - This was a cute premise but I didn't really love the execution. Felt a little repetitive. Also all the action was just told in past tense. I'd have liked to be shown the detectives investigating the food stories. Writing was also a little stilted but it's hard to say if that's the author or the translation.
The Naturalist Society - first book from tbr challenge. I think i got this from a stuff your kindle event. I liked it quite a bit. Interesting magic system stemming from identifying and classifying animals and plants and being able to draw traits from them based on understanding them thoroughly. I really liked Beth and her determination to not be hemmed in by society.
A Court of Sugar and Spice - The december pick for felcicia daye's vaginal fantasy book club. This was just ok. It's nominally a Nutcracker retelling, but it basically just pull some names from the story and that's the only real resemblance. It couldn't really make up it's mind if it wanted to be whimsical and cosy or a dark fantasy and it felt weird bouncing between the two. But it did follow a pretty consistent story and resolve itself, so points for that. Lots of things for CWs, read with caution.
The Crescent Moon Tearoom - Second TBR challenge pick. I got this for my book club's book exchange in december. It was a nice cozy tea room magic book. Good january read. Not my absolute favorite of the genre, but it was low stakes and cozy and cute.
Currently reading:
Stone Blind - third tbr pick, just started it. It's the story of Medusa centering the women in the story. I love Natalie Hayes writing, both her fiction and nonfiction. So expecting to enjoy.
Missed you all!
QOTW:
Not really, like I said I had a rough reading year. So I wouldn't say i really INTENDED to read anything last year. Just simply...reading was enough. By the middle of the year anything resembling intentions had gone out the window.
Good morning! Alas, my phone has died - it appears that the battery has given up the ghost. I'll have to go get a new one tomorrow. Not the end of the world but certainly very annoying. It had been having hardware issues in general; I just hate how long it takes to get a new phone. Finished:
Ghost Ship: The Mysterious True Story of the Mary Celeste and Her Missing Crew: really interesting story and I think Hicks makes a compelling case for what he believes happened
The Christmas Guest: this struggled to keep my attention and then the plot was kind of a let down.
A Short History of Black Craft in Ten Objects: an ARC; it was fine but very surface level
QOTW:
I started The God of the Woods last year and then set it aside because I didn't want to take a big hardcover on a trip. And then it just didn't get picked back up. So I'm hoping to get back to it soon!
I started a new fitness challenge last week. Since the theme is bookish, it feels right to mention it. The idea is that I’m walking with Frodo on the quest to destroy the One Ring. There’s a distance tracker on the Middle-earth map and reels and such connected to the story along the way. I only signed up for the Shire challenge to see how I like the app. So far, so good.Finished
It Ends at Midnight (a book set at a luxury resort). Oh my God, this was awful. The characters are terrible and also terrible people. I got so annoyed reading this book. Like rolling my eyes and sighing out loud annoyed.
Reading
His & Hers
QOTW
My goal last year was to finish 3 series, and I did that the last week of December! I’m starting fresh in 2025.
Heather wrote: "I started a new fitness challenge last week. Since the theme is bookish, it feels right to mention it. The idea is that I’m walking with Frodo on the quest to destroy the One Ring. There’s a distan..." This sounds awesome.Finished: Impossible People by Julia Wertz for ATY. Don't see where it fits here, yet.
Started: The Promised Land by Barack Obama
Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend by MJ Wassmer
Some Other Time by Angela Brown ... slow start
Glass Houses by Louise Penny
Out of My Mind by Sharon M Baker
Ongoing: Harry Potter und der Gefangene Von Askaban
Mod
that sounds great!!!
Happy Friday Night! Very busy at work so only now getting to bring a few updates!2/50 PS - 2/52 ATY
Finished:
Dead Beside The Thames
Labyrinth's Heart - if you love fantasy, you need to read this trilogy - strong female MC, amazing world building on all levels, the best incorporation of gender choices I've ever read, complex absorbing plot, and all brought to a satisfying close. I spent last weekend so caught up in it, I still am having trouble remembering I'm in the real world. Now that I've said all that, Nadine will no doubt hate it as she always seems to do with SFF I love. 🥰😉
Currently reading:
Reykjavík: A Crime Story
QOTW: Lordy yes. I had a couple of trim challenges and an Agatha Christie challenge that I did not complete in 2024. Also a buddy read. I'm carrying those books over and feeding them into the reading as I can:
Jacqueline in Paris
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest
A Strangeness in My Mind
George Sand
Killed by Clutter
Nothing
Third Girl
Ordeal by Innocence
One Summer in Paris
Quite a few but most are not overly long or serious.
It's astonishing that so many didn't get read considering I read about 180 books last year even though really busy.
Good morning from Australia! No snow over here. Or fires, thankfully. Considering we usually have US firefighters over helping us during our fire season, and send people over there for the US fire season, the LA fires are terrifying. Not meant to have the whole world on fire at the same time of year. Thoughts are with everyone in the area - stay safe, Denise!Last year was not a reading year. I had a lot of mental health struggles and spent almost three-quarters of the year re-reading my fave fanfictions. But, the doctor and I got my medication right and I have a new job, so things are looking up. Plus, I spend 1.5hrs a day commuting so I've started listening to audiobooks, which will give me more reading time.
PopSugar 1/50
Finished
The Trees by Percival Everett It certainly got me thinking, but not an easy read (or listen, in this case). I read it for the 2 books with the same name prompt.
Currently Reading
Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.. Bizarre, but in a way I really enjoy. I'm about half-way through and will probably finishing listening over the weekend as I do my cleaning. I'm reading it for the last line prompt.
100 Ways to Change Your Life: The Science of Leveling Up Health, Happiness, Relationships & Success Not for a prompt, just listening on my morning walks.
Coming Up
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches and How to ADHD: An Insider's Guide to Working with Your Brain are next on the listening list. I also have Puberty Blues that I need to read before it's due back at the library.
QOTW
Plenty. I've been wanting to read The Ministry for the Future for a couple of years now so I'm going to put it to the front of my list this year.
Mod
LOL I never heard of it, but I'll be sure to avoid it now!!! 🤣🤣🤣
Speaking of the LA fires, which I ofc forgot in my initial post, I am so devastated by all of it.I've seen people laugh at celebrities losing their homes and it disgusts me. Sure, they can rebuild/rebuy easier than others, but their things are still gone? Anthony Hopkins has now lost TWO houses to fires (his London home in 2000), can you imagine what he's lost?
And from a cultural perspective, houses like his would probably have housed incredible history, and it's now gone. Especially people (not just celebs) his age will have things from people/friends who have passed away, and that's now gone, too.
Everyone is equal here in their losses. I can't even imagine, it's my worst nightmare. I genuinely lie awake sometimes at night thinking about how I can safely get the pets out if a fire breaks out. Preferably safe with me, but if that's not possible, I'd rather they run away with a chance of me/them finding them/me again, than watching them die for sure. My anxieties have led to my parents finally keeping a key by the front door, though! They were like 'what about burglars?' and I was like 'well they're already inside if they can reach that key so I think that's a non-issue' xD
Anyways thinking about this has got my anxiety sky rocketing again soooo gonna leave it here.
Everyone in the area, please stay safe as best you can <33
I have a list of 16 new releases that I'm looking forward to in 2025. Of those 16, 14 of them are nonfiction.One of them arrived yesterday and I've already started:
Y2K: How the 2000s Became Everything
Charlotte had a "winter storm" yesterday - which warned us against 1-2 inches of snow and flurries. Coming from Chicago, it felt like a joke, and understanding that I now live in a city that doesn't really have the infrastructure to deal with multiple inches of snow. Flurries for a few hours, left a light dusting on the ground, today it's all melting, and freezing into quite beautiful ice sculptures this morning. Such the opposite of all the fires and high winds in California - my heart is broken thinking about all the devastation, quite literally fire and ice in the world today.
0/75 GoodReads Challenge
0/50 PopSugar Challenge
Finished:
Nothing yet (how is it the 11th already and I've finished nothing!)
Currently Reading:
1.) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals
2.) Just Another Missing Person
3.) The God of the Woods
QoTW: Is there a book you meant to read in 2024 that you have not yet had the opportunity to read?
Yes, I generally have a list going of books I really want to read throughout the year, but the challenge books usually take precedence over these the further the year goes on.
This is a few years' worth of carry over at this point.
Notes on an Execution
All the Lonely People
Beyond That, the Sea
In Memoriam
The Wedding People
Carmen wrote: "Happy Thursday!"Carmen - I read Wicked SO LONG ago, I just remember going to see the musical adaptation and was like this doesn't match -- but I appreciate your highlights of the book again, because you're absolutely right. I don't remember ALL the things about that reading experience, but I remember not LOVING it the way it seemed so many others did.
Nadine in NY wrote: "and the reason they broke up the first time was pretty bad, bad enough that I did not want them to ever get back together again."CACKLING Nadine! 🤣😂
Erin wrote: "Happy Thursday! So so happy it's Thursday- this was the first week we went back to 3-days a week in the office, which has been... something. Such a bummer having to get in the car at 7:30 instead o..."HATE going into the office Erin. This week my energy and motivation was so low because I had to go back into the office, after two weeks of staying home!
Sheri wrote: "Hi all, I'm tentatively back! Last year just got...really overwhelming for me. Lots of mental health struggles as I tried to get a proper diagnosis for adhd and medication, my cat's cancer came b..."
Missed you too Sheri, and sending you positive vibes for a better 2025 for you, sounds like you have a lot on your plate at the moment.
Kaia wrote: "Last year was not a reading year. I had a lot of mental health struggles and spent almost three-quarters of the year re-reading my fave fanfictions. But, the doctor and I got my medication right and I have a new job, so things are looking up."I'm sorry for all that you had to go through last year Kaia, but so glad to hear that so far this year is starting off on a good foot!
Heather wrote: "I started a new fitness challenge last week. Since the theme is bookish, it feels right to mention it. The idea is that I’m walking with Frodo on the quest to destroy the One Ring. There’s a distan..."this sounds amazing. what is the name of the app?
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Where the Crawdads Sing (other topics)Lessons in Chemistry (other topics)
My Favorite Thing Is Monsters, Vol. 1 (other topics)
The Cuckoo's Calling (other topics)
Look Out For The Little Guy! (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Angela Y. Davis (other topics)Paul Tremblay (other topics)
Claire Keegan (other topics)
Kurt Vonnegut Jr. (other topics)
Percival Everett (other topics)
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We have fairly cold temperatures here. It supposedly got to 7 degrees last night. But that is definitely not unexpected for us during winter. Our area managed to avoid the snow storm for the most part with just a couple of inches of accumulation, but directly south of us got it pretty hard. My gym schedule has been totally messed up due to holidays and then they closed early and all aquatic classes were cancelled on Monday due to the snowstorm! Ugh. I need my workout/teaching routine back to normal, please! LOL 😁
ADMIN STUFF:
THE JANUARY 2025 MONTHLY GROUP READ IS...Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper!
This book could be used to fulfill prompt #43 A book that includes a nonverbal character!
National Dress Up Your Pet Day is January 14, 2025
Thank you to Jennifer W who volunteered to facilitate this discussion! 😊
You can find it HERE
I loved this one!
Drumroll, please! THE FEBRUARY 2025 MONTHLY GROUP READ IS A Deadly Education (Scholomance #1) by Naomi Novik! This book could be used to fulfill prompt #14 A book about a nontraditional education. World Thinking Day is February 22, 2025! I’m really hoping there is a “crafty chronicler” who will volunteer to lead this discussion! Please message either Nadine or myself to volunteer! (This is a book I do not intend to read…)
THE MARCH 2025 MONTHLY GROUP READ NOMINATION POLL IS HERE! Wow so many from which to select! This book could be used to fulfill prompt #31 A book where music plays an integral part of the storyline. World Music Therapy Day is March 1, 2025! THIS POLL IS SET TO RUN THROUGH NEXT WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15!! GO VOTE! 😊
THE LISTING OF 2025 MONTHLY GROUP READ TOPICS IS HERE!
***
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Is there a book you meant to read in 2024 that you have not yet had the opportunity to read?
Oh, my, yes! I just realized the other day that I have yet to read Now or Never (Stephanie Plum #31) by Janet Evanovich! This was released November 19, 2024, and I cannot believe I have yet to acquire and read it! I usually try to read the newest installment as soon as possible after its release, but definitely got sidetracked with book club and challenge reading at the end of 2024!
I am in disbelief at the vast number of prompts the 5 books I have managed to read thus far in 2025 could to used to fulfill! Interesting…
2025 READING CHALLENGES:
Popsugar: 18/50
Around the Year (AtY): 28/52
AtY 2025 Anniversary List: 6/10
Read Harder: 5/24
52 Book Club: 17/52
2024 Popsugar: 47/50
FINISHED:
*Owls Well That Ends Well (Meg Langslow #6) by Donna Andrews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was really more than just another solid installment in this series! I found myself chuckling and laughing off and on all the way through! And quite a few twisty twists!
POPSUGAR: #6, NEW #24, #43
ATY: #2-A book with a character who works in law enforcement, #15, #16, NEW #20, NEW #21, NEW #23, NEW #32, NEW #33, NEW #36, NEW #40, NEW #41, NEW #42, #45, #48
52 Book Club: NEW #1, NEW #2, NEW #8, NEW #18, NEW #51
A Chocolate-Flavored Bargain (Tales from the Chocolate Heart #0.25) by Stephanie Burgis ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very short. Very romance-y. Very cute!
Free on the author’s website
The Dragon with an Unbearable Family (Tales from the Chocolate Heart #0.5) by Stephanie Burgis
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very cute (and sensible) scenario of sibling hijinks!
Free on the author’s website
*The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart (Tales from the Chocolate Heart #1) by Stephanie Burgis ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was, IMO, adorable and ingenious!
POPSUGAR: #2, #6, NEW #8, NEW #14, NEW #16, NEW #18, #20, NEW #23, NEW #28, NEW #40
ATY: #2, $5, NEW #11, NEW #13, NEW #14, #15, #16, NEW #19, #24, #33, #36, #40, #45, NEW #46, NEW #47
RHC: #4, NEW #16, NEW #21
52 Book Club: NEW #11, #18, NEW #19, NEW #22, NEW #27, NEW #38, NEW #41, NEW #42, NEW #43,
Girl in Boots: A Short Story in the World of The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart (Tales from the Chocolate Heart #1.5) by Stephanie Burgis ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was a heartwarming story of Silke being able to more than adequately defend her BFF!
*Wooing the Witch Queen (Queens of Villainy #1) by Stephanie Burgis ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I recently won this in a Goodreads giveaway. YAY! I suspected it may be a bit too “romance-y” for me, but…I’m happy to say I was wrong! Burgis’ characterization skills are amazing, IMO! I really enjoyed this!
POPSUGAR: #2, NEW #4, #6, NEW #10, #18, NEW #19, #20, NEW #21, #28, #40, #43
ATY: NEW #1, #2, NEW #10, #11, #13, #14, #15, #16, #36, #41, #42, #45, #46, #48, NEW #51
RHC: #16, NEW #19, #24
52 Book Club: #22, #27, NEW #39, #41, #51, NEW #52
CONTINUING:
*No Nest for the Wicket (Meg Langslow #7) by Donna Andrews
Somewhere Beyond the Sea by T.J. Klune
*The Trees by Percival Everett (#40)
*Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer (#42)
*Labyrinth by Kate Mosse
*The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer
*Brief Answers to the Big Questions by Stephen Hawking has me thinking so very much that I have delayed reviewing it until I can finalize my thoughts…
*The Birthing House by Kathy Taylor
*...And Ladies of the Club by Helen Hooven Santmyer
PLANNED:
*21st Birthday (Women’s Murder Club #21) by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
*22 Seconds (Women’s Murder Club #22) by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
*23rd Midnight (Women’s Murder Club #23) by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
*23 1/2 Lies (Women’s Murder Club #23.5) by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
*The 24th Hour (Women’s Murder Club #24) by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
*Fear No Evil (Alex Cross #29) by James Patterson
*Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey
*The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin