Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2025 Weekly Check-Ins
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Week 31: 7/24 - 7/31
Happy Thursday all!Yesterday marked the end of our summer programs at the library. Hopefully this means things calm down a bit at work, heh... Summer is always our busy time of the year, what with the summer reading programs and kids being out of school.
Books read this week:
No Humans Allowed! -- cute middle-grade adventure novel set in the world of Dungeons and Dragons, about a human girl raised among monsters who sets out to find her destiny.
City -- weird and melancholy collection of stories about the fate of mankind and the legacy they leave behind.
Cold Clay -- I’m enjoying this cozy mystery series with animal characters!
DNF:
Beautyland -- WAY overwritten, and not sci-fi despite what the GoodReads summary promised.
Currently reading:
The Best of Catherynne M. Valente, Volume One
Oasis
Shark Heart
Wesley the Owl: The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl and His Girl
Blood on Her Tongue
QOTW:
I'm not so concerned about getting the book dirty as I am about losing it entirely! This is why I don't bring brand-new books or library books on vacation -- I stick with older, more worn books or my Kindle.
Happy Thursday! Ashley and the boys are heading out on a little vacation tomorrow, so it’s going to be a quiet week with just me and Seth in the house. I’m hoping to do a PURGE while they’re gone. There’s just so much clutter!2025 Reading Challenges:
52 Book Club: 45/52 (Connections Challenge: 10/21)
ATY: 38/52 (ATY Anniversary Challenge: 8/10, ATY Summer Challenge: 25/25 – Finished!)
The Book Girls’ Guide: 43/74
Booklist Queen: 46/52
Popsugar: 43/50
My Ever-Growing TBR: 95/297 – 32.0% (My goal is 33.3%.)
Recently Completed:
✅ The Three-Body Problem Remembrance of Earth’s Past, #1: Adventures Underground Book Club. (ATY Summer #3c – a military character) ★★★★
✅ This Summer Will Be Different ★★★★
✅ The Gate to Women's Country: Reasonable Doubt Book Club. ★★★★
✅ Atmosphere: It’s not my favorite Taylor Jenkins Reid, but I’m certainly not disappointed. She writes great characters. (Popsugar #26 – an adult character changes careers) ★★★★
✅ The Romance Recipe: A little light on plot. (ATY Summer #4d – set in a café, bakery, or restaurant) ★★★
✅ The Sirens' Call: How Attention Became the World's Most Endangered Resource: The author is MSNBC’s Chris Hayes… one of my nerdy newscaster crushes. ★★★★
✅ Heavy ★★★★
✅ Lights Out Into Darkness, #1: I’m completely surprised at how much I enjoyed this book! (52 Books Connections #9 – a book a previous character would read at the beach) ★★★★★
✅ A Most Puzzling Murder: This was pretty fun... The story is embedded with puzzles that you can solve. Cryptograms, anagrams, nonagrams. You don’t have to solve them, but it adds an extra layer to the story. (52 Books #48 – related to the word puzzle) ★★★★
✅ The Young of Other Animals: Kindle First Reads. ★★★
✅ Done and Dusted Rebel Blue Ranch, #1 ★★★
✅ An Indiscreet Princess ★★★
✅ A Most Perilous World: The True Story of the Young Abolitionists and Their Crusade Against Slavery ★★★★★
Currently Reading:
Enough Already: Learning to Love the Way I Am Today: Valerie Bertinelli. (BGG Lifetime of Reading #8 – 60-somethings)
The Compound: BOTM. (ATY #12 – an Irish author)
The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy Dearly Beloathed, #1: This started off as a Hermoine + Draco fanfic. We’ll see how it goes.
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter (52 Books #32 – includes a diary entry)
Three Wild Dogs
The Stress of Her Regard: My husband’s been trying to get me to read this book for years. (Popsugar #44 – a book you’ve avoided reading)
Leather & Lark The Ruinous Love Trilogy #2 (52 Books Connections #11 – same publisher as the previous book)
Convenience Store Woman
The Library at Hellebore: Goodreads Giveaway.
One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This
Back After This
The Golden Compass Graphic Novel, Volume 1
QOTW: I’m not usually afraid of getting my books dirty or damaged, but I am afraid I’ll lose them! I try not to take library books. I’ll pick a few paperbacks, but mostly I rely on my Kindle when I’m traveling.
Hi all! Whew! It's been a whirlwind around here! Oh, but before I forget, my latest "first world book problems"- So a while ago I mentioned that my local library was in chaos. The director was causing problems, including purging the library of 40% (!! I still can't get over that number) of the books. So she's gone. One of the changes that they're undoing is the number of renewals allowed. She had upped it to 6, they're taking it back down to 2, starting tomorrow. All books that have already been renewed more than twice, will now be due on their due date, even if they have more renewals left. So now I gotta reassess my due dates!
My stepsister and her 2 daughters are up this week, so my kiddo has been to my dad's twice to swim and play with them. It's been fun, but my dad's is an hour and a half away, so it's also been exhausting. This weekend is Girl Scout camp for her, so fingers crossed that she can spend the nights!! Today it's raining and much cooler than it has been, so we're just going to chill and maybe bake some cookies, since I'll be OK with turning on the oven.
I don't think I've read any print books this week, but audiobooks have been working. I finished I'm Just a Person. Good grief was that heart-wrenching.
Last night, I resumed (after a few months??) Hanging Mary on audio, and was totally hooked again. Lincoln has just been assassinated, and the MCs are shocked that their friend John Wilkes Booth was named as the killer. But I may have to put that aside as I have to see what library books need attention before I am forced to return them sooner than expected!
QOTW: Nadine!! You're worried about damaging your own books, so you take library books with you?? Lol! If anything, I'm the opposite, I'd rather risk damaging or losing my own books than library books. But I usually take a mix. And far too many that I won't actually read. I don't do much reading on the beach, I can't get comfortable, I'd rather be in the water, I fall asleep in the sun... I do most of my reading when I'm indoors on vacation.
Moving day is tomorrow!! Moving across town to be on Lake Wylie side of Charlotte - quieter spot on the water and moving in with the boyfriend. Packing everything up and still have my city apartment until next weekend, so excited to have some overlap to take our time moving stuff in.33/75 GoodReads Challenge
29/50 PopSugar Challenge
Finished:
1.) Famous Last Words Gillian McAllister (#36 Silver on Cover) ⭐⭐⭐: Liked but didn't love, great premise, a little weak on the execution.
Currently Reading:
1.) Broken Country
2.) The Bright Side Running Club
QoTW: Do you hesitate to bring a new book with you on vacation for fear it will get dirty?
Yes! Deep down, but then I would just grab my kindle instead. :)
Happy Thursday!Finished:
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins - 4 stars - not for a prompt. Even though I knew how it had to end, I was still gripped, and I still cried.
Comics/manga:
Honey Lemon Soda, Vol. 9 (Volume 9)
Akane-banashi, Vol. 12
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Vol. 13
I am currently at 38/50 for Popsugar (31/40 and 7/10).
Currently reading:
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg - for a book that features a character going through menopause. This isn't my usual style of book. I'm not really engaged yet, but it's quick to read, so hoping it picks up soon.
Upcoming/Planned:
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston - not currently for a prompt.
QOTW:
I have brought physical library books with me on vacation in the past, but everything else is digital now, so I don't have to worry about Kindle books getting dirty.
Wow another week is done and it's the end of July!Things are going suprisingly well. Weather wise, we've been getting a lot of rain so I've been loving it!
Something recently happened to me and I'll have more details later when things get settled but it's incredible news, at least for me and I'm really excited for it.
****
Book News:
What an excellent reading month for July. I read 19 books (and yes I finished them all.) It now puts my reading at 94 for the year.
My favorite books of July were these three:
Our Moon: How Earth's Celestial Companion Transformed the Planet, Guided Evolution, and Made Us Who We Are
Impossible Monsters: Dinosaurs, Darwin, and the Battle Between Science and Religion
Bibliotherapy: The Healing Power of Reading
All of these were 5-star reads for me.
*****
Excited for my August TBR. I have about 22 on my list. Several of them are for school.
Then I'm also doing the Sealey Poetry Challenge where I read poetry every day. I have 21 books.
By the looks of things I'll complete 14 (if not at most 16) books from my August TBR, plus my daily poetry books (which are short and can be read in a day). It's going to be a crazy reading month!
*****
I also have new release books arriving next week that I'm excited for.
*****
Then to top things off I've already chosen my priority books from September through December so that saves some time.
*****
On a final note, here is what I'm currently reading:
How to ADHD: An Insider's Guide to Working with Your Brain
-Loving this book! This is the second book I've read on this subject and I love it better than the other one I read.
Vivid Tomorrows: On Science Fiction and Hollywood
- An unexpected read/find, but the author uses high-brow humor which is awesome! I can laugh at things that others might not find so funny and because his is high-brow I can even understand his sarcasm (which I'm unable to in general because of my autism.)
Man and His Symbols
- An interesting read, but liking it so far.
Metamorphoses: A New Translation, Contexts, Criticism (Norton Critical Editions) by Ovid (19-Jan-2010) Paperback
-Just starting, but enjoying the mythology so far.
*****
Books I'm about to start this weekend:
Strata: Stories from Deep Time
Dear Writer: Pep Talks & Practical Advice for the Creative Life
No Two Persons
*****
Question of the Week
Do you hesitate to bring a new book with you on vacation for fear it will get dirty?
I don't really think about it much. If I take books on vacation, they're usually older books this way they can be re-reads and I end up getting new books at the places I visit anyway.
I haven't finished many books this week because I'm traveling...Finished: The Postman's Fiancée It was kind of fun to finish this story, but also, it eliminated some of the ambiguity of the first book.
Started: A Perfect Day for a Walk: The History, Cultures, and Communities of Vancouver, on Foot
Crises of Democracy
Safekeeping: A Writer’s Guided Journal for Launching a Book with Love Does a guided journal count as a book for reading?
QotW: Not really. If I'm concerned about getting it dirty, I'll still bring it with me, I just won't use it in that specific context such as reading it in the bath or taking it to the beach.
Funny though. We got all the books from Powells, so are now traipsing around disguised as a bookmobile! ;)
Oof, I've been in a bit of a reading slump, for me, and am watching my 'number behind' on my reading challenge for this year creep up. However, this week got a bit better, so hopefully I'm through the slump. Haven't updated in awhile due to the slump and a vacation, so I'll just go back a little ways.
Finished
Yellowface A hard read in that the narrator was so unlikeable, but then kind of delicious as well. Used for book starting with Y.
Flight of the Fallen Read this even though the first in the series didn't quite live up to it's premise / worldbuilding. And, same with this one. Used for dystopia with a happy ending. Even though I'm not sure it's full on happy, more hopeful. But this was proving to be a hard category to fill!
Wavewalker: Breaking Free Memoir of a girl whose parents take her on what's supposed to be a one-year sailing voyage, but it turns into their new life plan, which she doesn't like as she wants to attend school. Really upsetting to read how she was treated. Used for non-traditional education.
A Scanner Darkly Used for a travel book (see my answer to the QotW. Darkly comic in places, but fairly bleak look at the consequences of drug addiction. No prompt.
The Maid Ehn. Read for a GR bookmark. I get that she was neurodivergent, but some of her (lack of) analysis of situations didn't ring true to me. No prompt.
We Measure the Earth with Our Bodies Read for a book club. Really touching story about a family's experience of the exodus from Tibet and then their lives in exile.
Currently Reading
Geekerella
The Bar Chef: A Modern Approach to Cocktails
Microserfs
QotW
I don't really care about dirty, but for different reasons - when I'm travelling, I try to pick books from my TBR pile that I'll be okay giving away / leaving behind when I'm done. I only ever want to have book weight on my outbound journey! Then I hope I enjoy the book, but not enough that I want to keep it, and I can pass it off to a Little Free Library or a traveling companion.
So, of all my TBR piles, I probably pick the ones that I'd care less about getting dirty than the ones I think I'll want to keep.
Happy Thursday!I finished 2 books this week. Both were fun easy reads that I went through quickly. Neither were read for prompts, although they did get me another 700 points in the ATY summer challenge. I am finishing July in good shape.
I finally started that buddy read with my daughter. I'm not sure we can get it done before university.
And I started my August series book already. It's some tales after the Inheritance Cycle in Eragon's world. Fortunately, the book is under 300 pages - not those 700-900 page chunksters.
I'm getting some serious things accomplished on my vacation. I'm also watching too much TV and movies. But the main goal is to disconnect from work. I hadn't realized how strung out I was.
Finished:
The Ugly Truth
Popsugar prompt: can't find one
ATY prompt:
Anniversary prompt: A book whose author has published more than 7 books
Summer prompt: A book with a child main character - 400 points
All for One
Popsugar prompt: can't find one
ATY prompt: A book featuring adult friendships
Anniversary prompt:
Summer prompt - A sentimental book - 300 points
Series - 6/10
Reading Across Canada - 6/10
Nobel laureates - 2/5
PS - 29/40
Regular ATY - 27/40
Anniversary ATY - 8/10
Summer Challenge - 3600/5000 - 72%
Currently reading:
Interior Castle - 25%
Wicked Woods - 80%
Plays by Jacinto Benavente : Second series - 65%
The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm: Eragon - 10%
Buddy Reads:
Library of Souls - Just started
QOTW: When we go to our camping event (which we aren't this summer due to border issues), I keep clothes in plastic totes. Books go in there too and then they don't get damp from overnight moisture and dew.
Jennifer W wrote: "Oh, but before I forget, my latest "first world book problems"- So a while ago I mentioned that my local library was in chaos. The director was causing problems, including purging the library of 40% (!! I still can't get over that number) of the books. So she's gone. One of the changes that they're undoing is the number of renewals allowed. She had upped it to 6, they're taking it back down to 2, starting tomorrow. All books that have already been renewed more than twice, will now be due on their due date, even if they have more renewals left. So now I gotta reassess my due dates!..."That library director sounds like a villainous character from a book! Who needs to cull that many books from a library?
Hello, Been a super busy week. I read
by Evan Osnos and
by Daniel Goleman. I was unable to complete any PopSugar prompts this week :( QOTW: Normally when I go on vacation (been a while) I will usually bring a book that I would not mind leaving somewhere for another reader to enjoy.
Hello! I haven't checked in in ages. Work has been so busy and stressful. I've only been grabbing moments online on my phone, thinking I'll check in later when I'm at my PC and then completely failing to do so.Before the mega-stress we went on a short break to Somerset. We stayed in a shepherd's hut with a hot tub and we had the entire site to ourselves. We visited Bath, Glastonbury Tor, and Cheddar Gorge, and it was so nice that we could take our dog everywhere in Cheddar. She was very interested in the part of the caves where they were aging the cheese!
Not been reading loads but audiobooks have helped a bit:
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E Schwb. This was too long and meandering and I'm kind of over these sort of (view spoiler) stories.
Wearing the Lion by John Wiswell. I didn't need another Greek myth retelling in my life but this version of Heracles is adorable. And Purrseus! Very different from Someone You Can Build a Nest in but has some crossover in theme. Monsters are not necessarily the ones you think.
Paladin's Hope by T. Kingfisher. Probably my least favourite of her books so far. It was kinda of short and rushed, but still enjoyable.
Paladin's Faith by T. Kingfisher. This was felt like it had a slightly different dynamic in the romance than the others in this series and I enjoyed more than the previous. All up to date on this series now and can look forward to the new one next year.
Currently listening to Overgrowth and need to sort out which books fit which prompts still.
QOTW:
Unless it's a fancy edition I'm not too bothered. I donate a lot of my books after reading them anyway. I usually try and avoid taking bulky books though.
Dubhease wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "Oh, but before I forget, my latest "first world book problems"- So a while ago I mentioned that my local library was in chaos. The director was causing problems, including purging the library of 40% (!! I still can't get over that number) of the books.That library director sounds like a villainous character from a book! Who needs to cull that many books from a library?..."
I kind of think she was! From the reporting I read, she was passive aggressive, micro-aggressive, and played favorites with staff. I think she wanted to steer the library towards more online content, but why that precludes books on the shelves...?? Even worse, they got rid of so many books, that they couldn't find new homes for them. They used *multiple dumpsters* to throw books away.... :(
And now with library funding being basically eliminated from the US federal government.... we likely won't get physical or online books back.
I'm housesitting with a pool and all the streamers I don't get at home so I've not been reading much. I did manage to get through oneWarchild =(Star Trek: Deep Space Nine #7) by Esther M. Friesner read for PS 20. A book that fills a 2024 prompt you'd like to do over (or try out)
I chose to do over a book set in the future mostly because I have a huge backlog of SF books (someone came with a literal truck's bed worth to the library a few years back and I swept up a ton of them)
It was lackluster and somehow the 'huge twist' was mired in outdated Human gender norms for hair and dress that haven't been relevant since the 1950s and we've never seen them exist on Bajor period. (I mean all three main Bajor female characters Ro, Kira and Leeta ALL had short hair and suddenly in this book girls don't wear their hair short?!?)
QOTW
I'm not particularly worried about it getting dirty. However, I won't take library books or any of my signed books that I won't to keep. If I'm bringing physical books (and I usually do because 10 hour battery on my ereader, my backside. I'm lucky to get a couple hours) they tend to be paperbacks I don't care about and will donate wherever I'm at
Nadine in NY wrote: "that's the situation I'm in now! I'm at the beach, but I didn't bring the two books I own because I don't want to get them dirty (lots of opportunities for dirt at the beach: sand, seawater, sunscreen, dripped iced tea, etc). I only brought library books...."WAIT! It's OK to get beach dirt - sand, seawater, sunscreen, dripped iced tea, dripped ice cream cones, etc. - on LIBRARY BOOKS??????
Every library I ever borrowed books from would charge you to buy a new copy if you turned it in with 'dirt' damaging the pages. What has Syracuse's standards dropped to?
This is the last week for summer reading at my library. It feels too soon, but at the same time I'll be glad to be done with a couple of the programs we ran. And not having to wrangle the teen volunteers!I learned that libro.fm has a program for librarians, and I was approved just in time to check out the July selections.
Finished:
Art Club - I wasn't too impressed with this one, art or storywise.
The Rabbit's Gift - Straight up did not like this one. I could not force myself to care about the main characters' problems, and the worldbuilding makes so little sense.
Speechless: A Graphic Novel - Unlike the previous two, I did enjoy this one.
It Came from the Closet: Queer Reflections on Horror - Since this was a collection of essays, some were better than others, but overall I enjoyed it. And it got me to watch some movies I hadn't gotten around to yet.
Currently reading:
Uncharmed
Warrior on the Mound
Sea Monsters
Hemlock & Silver
QOTW: I can't say I've ever thought about that when packing my vacation/travel reading. Granted, almost any book I'd be bringing would be from the library anyway, but still.
Thursday greetings all! We have a weather front moving through - rain, flash floods, thunder/lightening -- worst of it will hit over night. It is dropping temps from 90s to 70s - 60s for a couple of days/nights. I can't wait!
PS 44/50 ATY 58/62
Finished:
Curses! by Aaron Elkins - fab snake on the cover!
Clementine in the Kitchen: Modern Library Foods
The Treasure Hunters Club
Miss Desirable - prompt MC immigrant or refuge - he's an emigre who escaped reign of terror.
Currently reading:
Night Boat to Tangier
Black Sun
Bleak House
QOTW: Not an issue - I travel with ebooks only, except for one paperback that I keep in my carryon in case my tablet and phone both run out of charge and I can't read - or some other reason such as I forgot to download the ebook so I could read it in airplane mode.
Another quick check-in for me since I should probably get in some reading time given the number of books I have in progress right now. Nothing finished since the last check-in, so no changes in my reading totals. I'm at 13/40 and 0/10 for this challenge, and 42/85 for my overall Goodreads Reading Challenge.Finished:
* nada
Currently Reading:
* The Penguin Book of Murder Mysteries edited by Michael Sims
* The Book of Lost Hours by Hayley Gelfuso, which is my #CampNetGalley selection and need to write a review for by tomorrow to earn the 2025 badge...not sure that's gonna happen, though I've been enjoying this one so far;
* Dare to Lead by Brené Brown, which I need to finish before my loan expires in 4 days because there is a Libby waiting list;
* Talk to Me Nice: The Seven Trust Languages for a Better Workplace by Minda Harts, which I also want to get moving on because there's also a Libby waiting list...but I've got two more weeks on the loan, so plenty of time still;
* The Moon, the Stars, and Madame Burova: A Novel written by Ruth Hogan and narrated by Nina Wadia, which I've been dipping in and out of since I ended up with an audiobook copy of the following book club pick...no rush since this is one I own (no Libby wait list!!); and,
* Who Is Government?: The Untold Story of Public Service edited by Michael Lewis and written/narrated by Michael Lewis, Sarah Vowell, John Lancaster, Geraldine Brooks, Casey Cep, Dave Eggers, and W. Kamau Bell. This is one of my book clubs' picks for August. I got a Libby Lucky Day copy, so focusing on this audiobook primarily.
QotW:
Do you hesitate to bring a new book with you on vacation for fear it will get dirty? No hesitation at all! The only books that I own that I don't bring with me on vacation are personalized copies. And the only library books that I bring with me on vacation are the ebooks that I borrow/download onto my Kindle (no physical library books on vacation unless I'm visiting my parents). I like bringing a mix of physical books and ebooks whenever and wherever I travel 📚🤓📚
Happy Thursday! Started a bunch of books this week, but only actually finished one. Taking a day off of work next week to visit with my family- it'll be a ton of driving so not the most restful day off, but it'll be nice to see everyone. Wound up with a free ticket to see Dropkick Murphys this week- almost 20 years after I saw them for the first time!Finished:
The Transition- I really liked this take on the werewolf story. A mix of supernatural horror and social horror about a trans teen getting bitten by a werewolf. This is my second book by the author, I loved both
- no prompt I can think of
Currently reading:
Everything She Touched: The Life of Ruth Asawa- very slowly listening to this bio about a SF based artist. There's an exhibit of her work at a local museum, so I thought I'd listen to her bio and then maybe go see her work.
A Holy Maiden's Guide to Getting Kidnapped- I paused this for a sec, it's fine, not what I'm in the mood for but I need to read it soon for netgalley
What It Means When a Man Falls from the Sky-slowly reading this short story collection
The L.O.V.E. Club- just started this, the author is doing a reading this weekend, so I"d like to finish it before in case I can make it
QotW:
On my last trip, I took one of my newer books. The humidity alone completely warped the cover. But I don't really mind. I probably wouldn't bring a hardback book, just because they're more bulky. Also I knock over my coffee enough at home, that my books are never really safe.
But I definitely wouldn't bring a library book! The last time a library book I had out got ruined- thanks cats- the library charged me nearly $40 to replace it. Fingers crossed it never happens again
I finished the reading challenge!! I absolutely loved the last two books I read for the challenge and rated them both 5 stars. Considering I kicked off the year with a book I rated 1 star, that's a very pleasant surprise.Finished
One Dark Window (a book with magical creatures that aren't dragons). This is an incredible fantasy book. I’m so excited to start the next book.
Reading
Two Twisted Crowns
The Last Train to Key West
Crime and Punishment
QOTW
That’s not something I’ve thought about, unless the book is a library book or on my Kindle. I do worry about ruining my Kindle or other people's books.
Happy Thursday, everyone! Got confirmation that my first day on my new job is Monday! I'm nervous but also excited! I hope it’s a smooth start and that I settle in quickly.On the reading front, July was probably my worst reading month of the year. No 5-star reads, and plenty of one- and two-star ratings mixed in with a pile of so-so books. Lots of disappointments and very few surprises, which this past week only reinforced. I stopped by the library and checked out a stack of graphic novels. They're not exactly light reads, but they look promising. One even won the Pulitzer, and the others are adaptations of Slaughterhouse-Five and a Pulitzer-winning article. Hoping they’ll at least be engaging and give me some quick wins.
Here’s to a better reading month in August!
2025 Reading Challenges
Popsugar- 47/50
52 Book Club- 49/52; Connections- 14/21
Barnes & Noble- 47/52
Booklist Queen- 48/52
Buzzword- 7/12; Cover- 7/12
Finished
House of Beth- Picked this up for Disability Pride Month. It was not the type of book I was expecting. I'm trying to branch out and read more horror, but lately the ones I've been picking up haven't been that scary. The ending to this one was somewhat satisfying but also very infuriating if that makes sense. ☆☆☆
The Launch Date- Really enjoyed this friends-to-enemies-to-lovers romance! It was probably my best read of the week and just what I needed after reading a bunch of depressing and infuriating reads. ☆☆☆☆
Buzzword Cover- cover featuring technology
Vain- I added this to my TBR like a decade ago after seeing it had above a 4.4 star rating on Goodreads at the time. I finally picked it up, and I am completely baffled by its high rating. It's a self-published book, so maybe I should have seen this coming, but it was poorly written, had several formatting and grammatical mistakes, and the characters were very one-note. All the guys were drooling for the FMC, the setup took forever while the character development happened very suddenly, and the story felt a little white savior-y. This book annoyed me so much I immediately drove to my nearest Little Free Library to get rid of it upon finishing it. ☆
Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly- Picked this up to fulfill a reading challenge prompt. Bourdain's humor really shines through in the audiobook, and, although the rampant machismo in the industry wasn't necessarily fun to hear about, I liked learning about it all the same. He truly had some wild adventures, and I just had to look up video clips from his many TV shows just to hear him talk about food and the people who make them. Wish he was still with us! ☆☆☆☆
52BC Connections #12- non-fiction inspired by something in previous book
Shattered- picked this up for Disability Pride Month. It was a solid memoir. ☆☆☆ 1/2
52BC Connections #13- cover is on opposite side of color wheel to previous book
The Rom-Commers- Katherine Center, I thought you could do no wrong! This had a strong start, I was hooked and couldn't put it down. But then, the hero kept letting me down, and I could not get behind him as a love interest! Low key mad about this one because I was saving this for when I needed something fun and wholesome. This is the first time I've given a Center book below 4 stars. ☆☆ 1/2
52BC Connections #14- character shares profession with previous character
52BC #23- a sprayed edge
Currently Reading
Nora Goes Off Script
QOTW
I don’t mind bringing new books on vacation, especially for road trips or when I’m visiting family in another state. These days, though, I mostly rely on audiobooks when I travel; they save space and make packing easier. When I studied abroad, I packed a few paperbacks for long bus rides since I didn’t want to drain my phone battery, which was my lifeline in unfamiliar places! Like others here, I avoid bringing library books on trips. I’d be too worried about them getting damaged or lost.
Megan wrote: " Who Is Government?: The Untold Story of Public Service edited by Michael Lewis and written/narrated by Michael Lewis, Sarah Vowell, John Lancaster, Geraldine Brooks, Casey Cep, Dave Eggers, and W. Kamau Bell. This is one of my book clubs' picks for August. I got a Libby Lucky Day copy, so focusing on this audiobook primarily...."Ooh! Let me know what you think of this. I wanted to get a copy, but didn't because it's fairly easy to get and I'm travelling. I like other stuff of Lewis's though and enjoyed it.
Joanna G wrote: "Yellowface A hard read in that the narrator was so unlikeable, but then kind of delicious as well. Used for book starting with Y. ..."Oh man, that's tough to hear. I loved Babel so I've been wanting to read other stuff by Kuang. But I have so little tolerance for unlikeable characters. I mean, they're not real! Why should I care about them if they're not likeable?
Hello and I hope your Thursday left you in a better mood than mine did (from Columbus!) I’ve had the most insane week; the ac in my car went out, I dropped my phone at Kings Island and broke the back screen, the heat almost made me pass out, it was so hot and humid my phone got water damaged. And that was all just Saturday. Sunday my phone started smoking and getting so hot I couldn’t touch it, I order a replacement and spend all day Monday getting it set up. Come home to my bed frame broken, one cat threw up and the other is having issues with the other end. Yesterday I leave work and walk out to a flat tire. Literally one minor inconvenience away from a meltdown lol. Needless to say I didn’t get a ton of reading done. Finished:
An Ember in the Ashes for my 12 friends challenge. A fun fantasy, no notes. Will probably read the rest of the series.
A Fugitive Green for a read harder prompt. This is one of the novellas connected to the outlander series. I feel like I wait so long between books that I barely remember who anyone is or what happened. But this was cute and kind of stood on its own.
Currently Reading:
Beware the Poltergeist
Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Great Adventure Catholic Bible
Challenges:
Popsugar - 19/40; 0/4; 0/3; 2/3
Read Harder - 14/24
Classics - 6/12
European Tour - 6/10
12 Friends - 6/12
Yearly Goal - 73/180
QOTW:
I mostly just listen to audiobooks while out and about so I rarely think to bring a physical copy with me.
Doni wrote: "Safekeeping: A Writer’s Guided Journal for Launching a Book with Love Does a guided journal count as a book for reading?"If counting it is useful to you, then it counts! How are you finding it? I'm just starting a writing project and wonder if it would help me.
Life update: I got a migraine on Sunday and have spent most of my second week off recovering from it, which feels like a bit of a waste. Still better than trying to work through it or taking unpaid sick leave, I guess (I am out of paid sick leave due to the way my phased return to work after becoming disabled is classified.) Having my eldest son back home for a while has been a huge help, as he's taken on some of the dogwalking and chores. He's been househunting after a breakup, and although he's found a place now, he won't be moving in until 1 September, so I get to enjoy his company and his help for a while longer.Reading update: I finished three books this week:
Beautiful Ugly for three of the GR bookmarks and for Readers of the Wild Moor: set in the Scottish Highlands
Fabulosa!: The Story of Polari, Britain’s Secret Gay Language for Pride Season: queer history and Readers of the Wild Moor: awesome non-fiction
For Us It Was Heaven: The Passion, Grief and Fortitude of Patience Darton -- From the Spanish Civil War to Mao's China for PS: an overlooked woman in history. I found this really inspiring; it made me want to get more involved myself in trying to help fix the mess the world seems to be in. Since I'm not quite sure how to do that right now, I decided the first step is to educate myself more, and I joined two politics reading challenges. Typical me lol.
Stats:
PopSugar Challenge: 1 this week, 49/50 total
Pride Season Challenge: 1 this week, 15/15 total
GR Summer Challenge: 1 this week, 3/6 total
Disability Pride Challenge: 0 this week, 2/5 total
Star Trek Series Challenge: 0 this week, 16/18 total
Readers of the Wild Moor: 2 this week, 20/30 total
Politics & Philosophy: 1 this week, 4/15 total
Queer Reads Bracket Challenge: 0 this week, 3/6 total
Cosmere Challenge: 0 this week, 2/48 total
Anti-Capitalist Inspiration: 1 this week, 7/30 total
Outside the challenges: 0 this week, 19 total
All books finished this year: 3 this week, 101 total
DNF or paused: 0 this week, 19 total
Challenges completed this year:
GR Community Favorites, GR Seasonal Bookmarks, Pride Season
Currently Reading:
Ararat for the GR awards list bookmark and Readers of the Wild Moor: set in a storm
The Beats: A Graphic History: research for a writing project
The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, vol. 2, for my current audiobook
The Valmiki Ramayana Vol. 3 for spiritual bedtime reading
QOTW: I like to travel as light as possible, so I never travel with physical books unless it's absolutely necessary for work or something like that. I just load up my Kindle app with e-books and read on my phone.
I finished The Lake House as my book for a 2024 prompt: a book with an author as a character. It was really good.I'm now reading The Canterbury Tales as my book from my TBR with the oldest author. I'm about halfway through. It's OK.
QOTW: I'm the opposite. I would NEVER bring a library book on vacation because it's not my book. Especially not to the beach. I would be more likely to bring an old book, than a new one. One I picked up at a FLL or yard sale.
Happy Friday! It's 64 degrees this morning after the front Theresa wrote about passed through. Ahhhhhhhhh! So happy it's August, that means summer is almost over.I have not posted here in months. Work has been very busy and annoying. My mother in law had some very serious health issues and even moved in with us for a while. My mother had her own less serious issues. My dog is really old and it's making me sad. I guess I have been anxious and a little depressed too.
Luckily my reading hasn't suffered. I am 4 books away from finishing the challenge.
Finished:
The Bright Side Running Club for book about a running club. The book was OK. I hate this prompt, unnecessarily limited.
Eat the Ones You Love
Atmosphere I loved it, as I do most of her books.
Goblin Market: A Tale of Two Sisters
Currently reading:
When Will There Be Good News?
The Last Enchantment audiobook
QOTW:
I take a Kindle. If I am worried about running out of power, I take a backup Kindle (I have 4). It's still lighter and takes up less room than a physical book. I took 2 Kindles on my recent beach vacation.
Wow August first, that's insane!This year aside from my general TBR, I'm also participating in the Sealey Challenge which is a month long challenge in August to read a poetry book a day.
Since I've read every poetry book I own, I got some new ones. I'll be reading at least 22 of them which isn't bad.
Hey guys! NYC was HOT the first half of this week! But today I went to do some errands with my mom and it was pretty chilly out. The weather warmed up a bit but dang we needed this cooler weather. Due to some family stuff going on, I took two days off from work. Regardless of the family things I am going through, I needed a few days off from work, I was getting burnt out. They were filming a movie by my job last week and phew there was a lot of people. The crew, actors, extras, and fans just all outside, so using the lobby was a hassle. My boyfriend and I have finally finished watching Law and Order: SVU and we have no idea what to watch now. I have been watching some Pawn Stars compilations on YouTube and it is a large nostalgia trip watching that. I didn't realize how much WWE memorabilia they have walking into their shop. RIP The Old Man!
I know this is a weekly update but I don't come on the site weekly, so I will give this month's reading wrap up. I read 8 books this month. 4 books were used to complete 4 challenges in Popsugar and 4 books were used to complete 4 challenges for 52 Book Club.
1) Which Side Are You in by Ryan Lee Wong: 3/5
2) First Love: Essays on Friendship by Lilly Dancyger: 3.5/5
3) Leap by Simina Popescu: 4.5/5. This book completed the prompt "A prompt from the 2024 PopSugar Reading Challenge"
4) Sex with a Brain Injury: On Concussion and Recovery by Annie Liontas: 2/5. This book completed the prompt for "A book that has LGBTQIA+ characters not coming out."
5) The Things We Didn't Know by Elba Iris Perez: 3.5/5
6) Almond by Sohn Won-Pyung: 4/5. This book completed the prompt "A book considered as healing fiction."
7) Next of Kin by Hannah Bonam-Young: 4.25/5
8) Address Unknown by Katherine Kressmann Taylor: No rating. This book completed the prompt "A classing you haven't read."
Currently reading:
1) The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai. Reading this book for the prompt "POC character not experiencing trauma."
2) Gather Me: A Memoir in Praise of the Books That Saved Me by Glory Edim. Reading this book for the prompt "Book in the title."
QOTW: I am pretty careful with not dirtying my books during my vacations. I try to only read in "safe" areas such as in the hotel room, by the pool side, in the airport, in the airplane, or in the car. If I take my book to the beach, I make sure I am completely dry before picking up the book.
Hi all! We broke out of a stretch of crazy hot and humid weather (the corn sweat effect is *real*) and now enjoying some more mild temps. We're getting together with friends to attend a minor league baseball game this weekend and it should be just perfect. Our local team is the Milwaukee Milkmen and the games are a lot of fun. The sideline announcers dress like old-fashioned milkmen, the mascot is a bull whose jersey number is 2%, and you are encouraged to MOO throughout the game. Fun for the whole family. Currently Reading:
The Spare Man: sci-fi murder mystery set on a space cruise ship
QOTW:
I don't mind taking a new book on vacation; in fact I often go to the bookstore before a vacation to purposely get some new reading material. What matters to me is the format. I prefer paperbacks for travel, or my kindle. Hardcovers almost never leave home. And I would never take a library book on vacation for fear of somehow damaging it! I would feel so bad.
Happy Friday! I told myself all day yesterday to do this, and then promptly forgot. Ugh! Anyway...Finished 30/50
An Acceptable Time for "book that reminds you of your childhood". Really liked this one. I mean, this whole series is great!
You Are Mine for "book with a happily single female protagonist". It's an autobiography by a nun. So. Obviously happily single, lol. Really good, very powerful!
Currently Reading
The Alloy of Law "for book with an unlikely friendship". Yay, next Mistborn series! Goodness do I love Sanderson.
The Sayings of the Desert Fathers: The Alphabetical Collection for "a classic you never read". Slowly but surely! It's good so far.
QotW
Only if it's large.
Doni wrote: "Megan wrote: " Who Is Government?: The Untold Story of Public Service edited by Michael Lewis and written/narrated by Michael Lewis, Sarah Vowell, John Lancaster, Geraldine Brooks, Casey Cep, Dave ..."Some of the authors are better narrators than others, but I'm really enjoying it and hope more people find this book. I'm about three-quarters of the way through. Each chapter has been fascinating, but the chapter by Casey Cep has been my favorite so far.
Friday already. That means in less than one week school's open and I have to go back to work again. At least we've had mild weather still, I'm grateful we are having lower than normal temps when I see so many on here talking about the heat wavesI finished 4 books, one that I used for a prompt. I allowed myself to get distracted by read-a-thons/team challenges and have strayed from my prompt books. I need to fix that
Hitch 22: A Memoir
Ducks, Newburyport
The Razor’s Edge (silver on the cover)
The House on Mango Street
Currently reading:
Year of Wonders (title starts with Y)
The Missing Half (for a book club)
War and Peace (reading over a year)
1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List (bucket list)
QOTW:
What is this vacation of which you speak? I rarely travel as I have no money for that. I sometimes go to a friends cabin but I read only in the cabin so no worries, or I bring the Kindle. I DID this year get to go to a beach hotel for 3 days this year (5 miles for home) but I only read in the room or on the rooftop so no worries about ruining books
That being said, I DO have a "beach book" that I carry in my beach bag for my day trips to the beach. I live about 4 miles from the beach so I have a bag where I keep sunscreen, water, a book, and an old ID to identify me in an emergency. I throw in my towel and leave the house in just a swimsuit, cover up and flip flops. That bag is full of sand when at the end of the summer and the "beach book" gets little beaten up
Happy Saturday, y’all.I am not sure what happened to Thursday, but Friday I spent on other things and reading this thread to catch up.
I completed the ATY Summer challenge. My next goal is to complete the ATY anniversary challenge. Still working on PS and ATY yearly challenges and any others that I have in progress.
My neighbor took down two trees, one of which was along my driveway and reaching for my house and yard. I know he had his own reasons for removing the two trees, but the blessing for me is that more light will get to a different part of my own front yard!
In addition, I am now expecting two different companies to give me estimates on sodding my front yard and another to give me an estimate on hydroseeding it. These estimates will come in the next two weeks…so hopefully a plan will be in place by the end of this month.
Due to all this, and the expected cost, I have cancelled my plans for the Mississippi Riverboat trip next year. No refund on the cabin reservation but I won’t have to spend 8K on that trip and can use it for my yard and appliances.
Oh, yeah. I have someone coming out to look at my refrig, which is leaking water into the bottom from the ice maker (?) as well as the dishwasher that I haven’t used in a month due to very loud and high squealing sounds while washing. I absolutely need the refrig, but I am single and so can get by handwashing my few dishes.
Sharon (my friend and neighbor) and I are making plans for attending the new play season at the Aiken Community Theatre as well as the library book/movie discussion series. Both start in September. Also starting then are the short courses for seniors at the local university through the Center for Lifelong Learning.
I am interested in the opera class and the chess class among others. I do not know nor have much experience with opera. And the three to be discussed are not familiar to me; but Sharon (who loves opera) has had so much good to say about the class, that I have decided to expand my exposure and try it.
The chess class requires us to bring a chess board and is titled “a journey through the dark ages via chess moves”. Sounds wonderful!
And a giggle for y’all. I uninstalled the Google Play Store from my phone some time ago. (Don’t ask my why, ‘cause I don’t know what possessed me.) The result is that I cannot add new apps to my phone if they are available through Google Play Store. Surely cuts down on games, but also music apps and others that I might want! Duh! Senior moment for sure.
Finished:
The Woman in Cabin 10 – ATY #25 (waves on cover), PAS. 4*. This one had me on pins and needles while reading it.
Smith Wigglesworth on Prayer, Power, and Miracles – No prompt. 4*. I learned a lot and found myself in awe of this man who lived and worked in the 20s and 30s around the world.
The Seventh Bride – no prompt. 4*. This book surprised me in that it carries the horror genre and yet I liked it. Most of the horror was connected to attempts of the bad wizard to keep the young girl from escaping, but she always found a way through it. The good guys won, the bad ones were banished.
The Accidental Book Club – PAS, PS #4(two or more books on cover). 4*. I seem to enjoy books and unexpected friendships that blossom into deep ones.
Yellowface – PAS. ATY #24 (MC is a basket case). 3*. After all the hype for this book, I was disappointed. I did not like the MC nor the overall story.
Currently Reading:
Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All - ATY #30 (monster), PAS, PS #44 (book I have avoided). 73%. I’m beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel on this massive volume.
Nicked – PAS. 12%
The Witchfinder's Sister – No prompts. 14%
Project Hail Mary – PAS, PS #28 (unlikely friendship). 50%. This one was due back to the library on Friday (8/1) and could not be renewed due to holds. So, I am trying to finish it quickly.
Spiritual Reading:
A 5th Portion of Chicken Soup for the Soul: 101 More Stories to Open the Heart and Rekindle the Spirit – no prompt. Devotional reading. 95%
With Open Hands – no prompt. 73%
Navigating the Bible: The 5-Minute Guide to Understanding God's Word – I am using this book as a brief overview of whatever Bible book I am reading. Currently it is Acts.
Just Starting:
Shaman – PS #38/#39 (same title). 6%. I own this book, so it takes the back seat to library due dates.
Happiness Falls – PS #43 (nonverbal character), PAS. 1%
This Must Be the Place – PAS. 2%
On Deck: (library)
In the Night of Memory – (due 8/3 w/renewal)
The Frozen People - ATY, PS. (due 8/14)
Hunting Ground - No prompts. (due 8/13 w/renewal)
PS 29/50
ATY 35/52, Anniversary 9/10
GR 122/200
QotW: Do you hesitate to bring a new book with you on vacation for fear it will get dirty?
I travel with my Kindle or any owned book that I am comfortable leaving once finished. I would never (hopefully) take a library book with me since it would cost me if lost or damaged.
Mod
Not much to report here! Temperatures have finally cooled off into the 70s! I love this weather!
I’m anxiously anticipating the return of several of my closest friends to the gym.
Life goes on…and I agree that July has flown by!
ADMIN STUFF:
THE OCTOBER MONTHLY GROUP READ FINAL SELECTION POLL IS LIVE! This book could be used to fulfill prompt #18 A book containing magical creatures that aren't dragons!
National Black Cat Day is October 27, 2025
https://www.calendarr.com/united-stat...
These four books are under consideration:
Fablehaven (Fablehaven #1) by Brandon Mull
The Fellowship of the Ring (Lord of the Rings #1) by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Last Unicorn (The Last Unicorn #1) by Peter S. Beagle
Lore Olympus: Volume One (Lore Olympus #1) by Rachel Smythe
This poll will run through Tuesday, August 12th!!
VOTE HERE!!
THE AUGUST MONTHLY GROUP READ IS Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt!
This book could be used to fulfill Prompt #28 A book with an unlikely friendship!
World UFO Day is July 2, 2025!!
https://www.calendarr.com/united-stat...
Vaish B is the "fun-filled friend" who has graciously volunteered to lead this discussion! Thank you so very much!! 👏👏👏👏👏👏
I absolutely adored this book and wouldn’t mind rereading it, if I can make the time to do so.
THE SEPTEMBER MONTHLY GROUP READ IS *Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail by Ben Montgomery!
This book could be used to fulfill prompt #32 A book about an overlooked woman in history
Emma M. Nutt Day is September 1, 2025
A fascinating story of the world’s very first woman/female telephone operator!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emma_Nutt
Who is the “adventurous advocate” willing to lead this discussion? Message either Nadine or myself to volunteer, please!
I am especially interested in reading this since one of my best friend’s grandsons is currently walking the Appalachian trail!
THE LISTING OF 2025 MONTHLY GROUP READ TOPICS IS HERE!
***
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Do you hesitate to bring a new book with you on vacation for fear it will get dirty?
Nope! I learned a long time ago that for me, a book that is in pristine condition indicates it really hasn’t been properly ‘enjoyed’! I would view a bit of dirt or other slight disfigurement to be a sign that I was enjoying reading it while wherever doing whatever! It could serve as a poignant memory/connection to that book for me! I think much of this philosophy stems from the fact that I am aware of people who simply use books as decorations. Literally. The owners never read them…just display them.
2025 READING CHALLENGES:
Popsugar: 41/50
Around the Year (AtY): 51/52
AtY 2025 Anniversary List: 10/10 FINISHED
Read Harder: 16/24
52 Book Club: 44/52
2024 Popsugar: 47/50
FINISHED:
*Out of Circulation (Cat in the Stacks #4) by Miranda James ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was yet another totally enjoyable book in this series! I appreciate the way James allows his characters to develop throughout the series!
POPSUGAR: #2, #4, #6, #43
ATY: #1, #2, #5, #11, #15, #16, #26, #27, #32, #36, #37, #40, #41, #42, #45, #48
RHC: #4, #24
52 Book Club: #1, #9, #10, #34, #41, #43
*Orbital by Samantha Harvey for an IRL book club ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was absolutely fascinating! Though other book club members were not as impressed as I was! 😬 If you are interested to know some of the more inane details of daily life aboard an orbiting spacecraft, this book is for you! This is not an adventure story or heavy on plot, but rather is, IMO, a study in characterization and character interactions. I adored it on so many levels! Plus some scientific details!
POPSUGAR: #2, #6, #8, #14, #20, #48
ATY: #2, #3, #5, #11, #13, #14, #15, #16, #24, #37, #43, #45, #48
RHC: #9, #12, #16, #24
52 Book Club: #10, #13, #18, #22, #33, #37, #38, #42
*Tom Lake by Ann Patchett ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for an IRL book club blew me away! One of my absolute favorite reads! This is set during the COVID pandemic, but from the perspective a mother whose adult children are living in isolation back in their family home. I could relate to this book so very solidly! Trying to reacquaint yourself with your now-grown children, yet remembering their pet peeves, etc.! This hit home for me with such sincerity and pragmatism! And is proof that even those closest to you (children, spouse, partner) need not know every single detail of your life and/or past!
POPSUGAR: #6, #26
ATY: #2, #5, #11, #15, #16, #18, #23, #26, #33, #36, #37, #40, #41, #43, #45
RHC: #16, #21, #24
52 Book Club: #2, #7, #13, #33, #37, #43
*The Wedding People by Alison Espach ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ did NOT blow me away! I assumed I would adore this book, but I think perhaps I was in 'hangover' mode from Tom Lake and it kinda spoiled my enjoyment of this one. I was actually reading these both in tandem. I would definitely give Espach another try and I did love the story arc of this one! Just some of her metaphors/similes didn’t quite work for me upon a first read…
POPSUGAR: #6, #16, NEW #27, #28
ATY: #2, #5, #15, #16, #24, #25, #26, #31, #36, #37, #40, #43, #45, #48
RHC: #4, #24
52 Book Club: #7, #13, #33, #38, #43
Getting’ there!
*The Silence of the Library (Cat in the Stacks #5) by Miranda James ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Arsenic and Old Books (Cat in the Stacks #6) by Miranda James ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Murder at Somerset House (Wrexford & Sloane #7) by Andrea Penrose ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
*No Cats Allowed (Cat in the Stacks #9) by Miranda James ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
CONTINUING:
*East of Eden by John Steinbeck
This one makes me feel like I’m reading a train wreck…
*Broken Light by Joanne Harris
I want to get this year’s Popsugar finished and am anxious to see how this one ends. Not at all what I expected!
*The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
A reread 6 1/2 years later.
*The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré
Prepared to read 10 pages or so last night before going to bed and finally stopped at Chapter 8! 😊
*The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley
*The Double Life of Benson Yu by Kevin Chong for an IRL book club meeting
*The Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty
*Hope in the Dark: The Untold History of People Power by RebeccaSolnit
PLANNED:
*The Fire This Time: A New Generation Speaks About Race by Jesmyn Ward
*Begin Again: James Baldwin's America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own by Eddie S. Glaude Jr.
*Her Hidden Genius by Marie Benedict
*The Invisible Husband of Frick Island by Colleen Oakley
*The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray
*The Mitford Affair by Marie Benedict
Good morning, everyone! Happy Sunday!Yesterday I returned home after a week-long solo road trip to Salem, Massachusetts, and Niagara Falls, New York. I’ve wanted to visit both of these places for a while, and I was really excited to have a chance to visit both locations in the same trip. I also had a chance to visit the Mark Twain House and Museum on my drive out to Salem, and I definitely recommend stopping for a tour if you’re traveling through Connecticut.
Salem is a very interesting place! If you're going to visit, I highly recommend taking time out for some evening/nighttime walking tours to learn more about the city and its history. The museums and shops were also fun, and the food was fantastic. My favorite restaurants that I ate at included: Black Cat Diner, The Olde Main Street Pub, Boston Burger Company, and Flying Saucer Pizza Company. Also, Ye Olde Pepper Companie, which is America’s oldest candy company, is an amazing place to get candy.
Niagara Falls was the most incredible part of my trip. Words and pictures just can’t do the falls justice. They need to be experienced in person. If you have a chance to go, I highly recommend taking a ride on the Maid of the Mist. If you’re planning to take pictures while you’re on the boat though, be sure to have a waterproof case for your phone (preferably with a strap), because the water does get a little rough, and you will definitely get wet.
I had a great time on my trip, but I am glad to be back home. It was so nice to sleep in my own bed last night and spend time with my cat.
While I did manage to do a little bit of reading before leaving on my trip, I did very little while I was traveling. Between all of the driving and walking around town, I was just too tired to do more than read a chapter or two before bed each night. I’m looking forward to diving back into reading now that I’m home.
Here are my current challenge and TBR totals…
Goodreads Challenge: 257/250 (100% — Challenge Complete!)
Mount TBR Challenge: 126/150 (84% complete)
📚Physical TBR: 103/731
📱Ebook TBR: 12/218
🎧Audiobook TBR: 11/12
TBR Checklist Total: 126/961 (13% complete)
TBR Books DNFed in 2025: 3
I did not purchase any new books this week! Self-control for the win!
“New” Books Bought in 2025: 125
“New” Books Read in 2025: 123
“New” Books DNFed in 2025: 0
“New” Books Checklist Total: 98% complete
Here are the books I finished this week…
Finished Reading (Fiction):
~The Last Wish — This is the first book in The Witcher series, which I’ve read a couple times already. I really enjoyed listening to this book before bed at night! 🎧: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~The Eye of the Bedlam Bride — This is the sixth book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I’m looking forward to reading the next one as soon as the hardback is released. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Finished Reading (Nonfiction):
~The Happiest Place on Earth: The Incredible Story of Walt Disney's Disneyland — I was gifted a copy of this book when I signed up for my D23 membership. I thought this was a fantastic book! The photographs are amazing, and I loved learning more about the creation of Disney’s first theme park. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Finished Reading (Manga, Comic Books, & Graphic Novels):
None
Finished Reading (Poetry and Drama):
None
DNFed:
None
Currently Reading:
~Sword of Destiny — This is the second book in The Witcher series. While I have read this book a couple times before, I’m enjoying listening to it at night before bed. Content Alert: (view spoiler) 🎧
~The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies — This is the first book in the Ill-Mannered Ladies series. I’m currently a little less than 100 pages away from the end of this book, and will likely finish it today. 📚
~Six Women of Salem: The Untold Story of the Accused and Their Accusers in the Salem Witch Trials — I started this book while I was in Salem, but haven’t made it past the first chapter. I’m looking forward to finishing it now that I’m no longer traveling. 📚
QOTW:
The timing of this question is perfect since I just got back from my trip!
I don’t usually hesitate to bring new books with me on vacation. I’m usually more concerned about the amount of weight I am carrying, rather than their physical condition. A lot of times I will opt for mass market paperbacks, which travel really well. I’m not overly concerned about keeping them looking nice, like I would be with a hardback book, so them getting dirty hasn’t really been a concern.
I do try to buy books by local authors when I travel (though I didn’t on this trip), so I usually end up traveling with a new book by the end of my trip anyway.
I actually brought three books with me on my trip this past week, one of which was the special edition copy of Shield of Sparrows. Since my books pretty much spent the entire trip in my bag, there wasn’t much concern that they would get dirty.
I am thinking next year of doing a movie challenge with the PS prompts. It did it one year with another book challenge list, but those were easier prompts. It might be fun.
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Yesterday I returned home after a week-long solo road trip to Salem, Massachusetts, and Niagara Falls, New York. I’ve wanted to visit both of these places for a while, and I was really excited to have a chance to visit both locations in the same trip. I also had a chance to visit the Mark Twain House and Museum on my drive out to Salem, and I definitely recommend stopping for a tour if you’re traveling through Connecticut.
Salem is a very interesting place! If you're going to visit, I highly recommend taking time out for some evening/nighttime walking tours to learn more about the city and its history. The museums and shops were also fun, and the food was fantastic. My favorite restaurants that I ate at included: Black Cat Diner, The Olde Main Street Pub, Boston Burger Company, and Flying Saucer Pizza Company. Also, Ye Olde Pepper Companie, which is America’s oldest candy company, is an amazing place to get candy.
Niagara Falls was the most incredible part of my trip. Words and pictures just can’t do the falls justice. They need to be experienced in person. If you have a chance to go, I highly recommend taking a ride on the Maid of the Mist. If you’re planning to take pictures while you’re on the boat though, be sure to have a waterproof case for your phone (preferably with a strap), because the water does get a little rough, and you will definitely get wet.
I had a great time on my trip, but I am glad to be back home. It was so nice to sleep in my own bed last night and spend time with my cat.
While I did manage to do a little bit of reading before leaving on my trip, I did very little while I was traveling. Between all of the driving and walking around town, I was just too tired to do more than read a chapter or two before bed each night. I’m looking forward to diving back into reading now that I’m home."
That all sounds marvelous! I am going to live vicariously through your travel experiences!! LOL 😁👍
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I am not sure what happened to Thursday, but Friday I spent on other things and reading this thread to catch up.
I completed the ATY Summer challenge. My next goal is to co..."
Wow. Home ownership is expensive, is it not? And it is always something...always!
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What is this vacation of which you speak? I rarely travel as I have no money for that. I sometimes go to a friends cabin but I read only in the cabin so no worries, or I bring the Kindle. I DID this year get to go to a beach hotel for 3 days this year (5 miles for home) but I only read in the room or on the rooftop so no worries about ruining books"
That's more 'vacationing' than I get to do! So congrats! 👍😁
"That being said, I DO have a "beach book" that I carry in my beach bag for my day trips to the beach. I live about 4 miles from the beach so I have a bag where I keep sunscreen, water, a book, and an old ID to identify me in an emergency. I throw in my towel and leave the house in just a swimsuit, cover up and flip flops. That bag is full of sand when at the end of the summer and the "beach book" gets little beaten up"
And you live just 4 miles from a beach! I would love that!! Enjoy!
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I don't mind taking a new book on vacation; in fact I often go to the bookstore before a vacation to purposely get some new reading material. What matters to me is the format. I prefer paperbacks for travel, or my kindle. Hardcovers almost never leave home. And I would never take a library book on vacation for fear of somehow damaging it! I would feel so bad."
Agreed. I wouldn't take a library book either...
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This is one I was unaware of, but it certainly looks to be a worthwhile read!
Glad to know you participate in these Check-Ins when you can!!
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This year aside from my general TBR, I'm also participating in the Sealey Challenge which is a month long challenge in August to read a poetry book a day.
Since I..."
THAT is a LOT of poetry! Enjoy!
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I have not posted here in months. Work has been very busy and annoying. My mother in law had some very serious health issues and even moved in with us for a while. My mother had her own less serious issues. My dog is really old and it's making me sad. I guess I have been anxious and a little depressed too."
Sounds as if you've had a ton to cope with over these past months! Glad you've returned! Welcome back! 🤗
"Luckily my reading hasn't suffered. I am 4 books away from finishing the challenge."
Excellent! Good for you!
"Atmosphere I loved it, as I do most of her books."
I adore Taylor Jenkins Reid!! I really cannot afford to purchase a brand-new book full price right now, but as soon as I can, or if I luck into a cheaper used copy, I'll own and read it!
"QOTW:
I take a Kindle. If I am worried about running out of power, I take a backup Kindle (I have 4). It's still lighter and takes up less room than a physical book. I took 2 Kindles on my recent beach vacation."
Four Kindles? Wow. I'm impressed!!
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I am so sorry about the migraines! Ugh. Those are awful. But as you say, at least you could rest and recover without trying to also work!
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That's...awful!! I am so sorry you've had to deal with all that in such a short time period! I guess the only direction life can go for you from here is UP!! Here's hoping that happens! 👍🤗
"QOTW:
I mostly just listen to audiobooks while out and about so I rarely think to bring a physical copy with me."
Ah! Very smart!
Happy check-in! Finished Reading:
Once Bitten ⭐⭐
I love this author's Grave Witch series so I finally got around to reading book one of her first series thanks to Hoopla. It was disappointing. I don't know if I'll read the other two books or not but I don't like not finishing series. On the bright side Kalayna Price improved in her writing for one of my favourite series.
Bloom ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bonus pick on Hoopla. A cute picture book about environmental activist jellyfish. Come the end of the year I can use this for the aty prompt that has a collective noun for animals in the title.
Arcana Academy ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Her books keep showing up here and there and my library bought her newest book. This is romantasy dark academy and it uses tarot like magic cards. It was something different I want the next one now.
Solo Leveling, Vol. 2 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My newest manwha series I'm working through. Great artwork and fun concept.
Britt-Marie Was Here ⭐⭐⭐ (PS soccer)
I love how the author used soccer to sew connection between characters. I struggle with Backman's repetitive writing style.
PS 42/50
ATY 44/52 Anniversary 5/10 Summer 24/25
Goodreads 182/250 Bookmarks 6/9
QOTW:
I'm too worried about losing a library book and then having to pay for a book I don't have a copy of to ever take it on vacation.
Finished poetry book number 4 today so I'm glad I've been on track.*****
On another note, lots of new releases out this week! Many of which I pre-ordered last year.
The one I'm most anticipating (and it's my highly anticipated book of 2025 for the second half of the year) is the new book by Garrett M. Graff, whom I've been a fan of since his book The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11.
His new book, The Devil Reached Toward the Sky: An Oral History of the Making and Unleashing of the Atomic Bomb is about the Hiroshima/Atomic Bomb. Sure there are a lot of books on the subject, but Graff is one of my favorite reporters/historians so I'm excited for it. I even pre-ordered the book when it went by another name, Destroyer of Worlds. He changed it a month later.
*****
Among other new releases that I'll be getting are these:
Ghosts of Hiroshima - I got this one because James Cameron got the rights to it before it was even released and he plans on making a movie of it at some point.
Nagasaki: The Last Witnesses - I got this one because I have Sheftall's book about Hiroshima.
Disney Adults: Exploring (And Falling In Love With) A Magical Subculture - Got this one because I love the whole adult-Disney subculture. So many people think that Disney should belong to kids, and that people should grow out of it. Just like Power Rangers, Disney was one of those things I could never grow out of. It was a big part of my 90s/00s youth growing up.
Counting Miracles - The latest Nicholas Sparks book is finally being released in paperback so I can't wait to read it.
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
How the Mountains Grew: A New Geological History of North America (other topics)Strata: Stories from Deep Time (other topics)
Disney Adults: Exploring (And Falling In Love With) A Magical Subculture (other topics)
The Devil Reached Toward the Sky: An Oral History of the Making and Unleashing of the Atomic Bomb (other topics)
Disney Adults: Exploring (And Falling In Love With) A Magical Subculture (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Taylor Jenkins Reid (other topics)Andrea Penrose (other topics)
Abi Daré (other topics)
J.R.R. Tolkien (other topics)
Shelby Van Pelt (other topics)
More...
Hello from the Jersey Shore! I’m here this week visiting my mother. It’s unbearably hot, but the ocean has been wonderful, so warm and gentle, and no jellyfish!!
***** Admin stuff *****
The July group read (which could fill "snake on the cover or in the title") was: Sunrise on the Reaping. You can still join the discussion here:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
August's group read will be: Remarkably Bright Creatures. Vaish B will be leading the discussion here:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
September's group read, which could fulfill "A Book About an Overlooked Woman in History," will be: Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail. Let us know if you'd like to lead this discussion.
And the Final poll for the October group, which could fill "A book containing magical creatures that aren't dragons" is here:
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/3...
Vote for your favorite!
This week I finished 2 books, neither were for the Popsugar challenge but the book checked categories in the AtY anniversary challenge, so I'm done with that mini challenge now.
Under the Stars by Beatriz Williams- this was a NetGalley book, just published yesterday. Very enjoyable. It's the fourth book from Williams set on Winthrop Island, so I went nuts trying to remember who everyone was, and I finally drew family trees for myself to keep track. I wish the book came with a family tree!! I used this for the AtY anniversary category "author with more than 7 books."
Ruth Run by Elizabeth Kaufman- this was a simple quirky heist story with several unpredictable turns. Ruth was clever, and unlike anyone I've read about before. I really enjoyed this debut, and I used it for "title without an E" in the AtY anniversary challenge.
Popsugar 82% 41 /50
Must Reads 30% 3 /10
AtY 83% 43 /52
AtY bonus 100% 10 /10
2025 pub 72% 36 /50
NetGalley ratio: 86%
Question of the Week
Do you hesitate to bring a new book with you on vacation for fear it will get dirty?
LOL that's the situation I'm in now! I'm at the beach, but I didn't bring the two books I own because I don't want to get them dirty (lots of opportunities for dirt at the beach: sand, seawater, sunscreen, dripped iced tea, etc). I only brought library books.
(I brought a bunch of books that will fill open challenge categories so I should make some good progress on Popsugar next week! Except I keep falling asleep from the heat so I’m making zero progress so far.)