Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2025 Weekly Check-Ins
>
Week 42: 10/9 - 10/16
Happy Thursday all.Kitchen remodeling is going on here. It's going to be nice when it's all done, but boy, I am not a fan of the mess.
Books read this week:
What Stalks the Deep -- another of the Sworn Soldier novellas. These are creepy historical-horror fun, and I love Alex as a character.
Stanley Will Probably Be Fine -- fun middle-grade novel about comic book trivia, sensory processing disorder, and an unlikely friendship.
Last Wish -- indie horror book, okay but have some issues with the ending
Nevada -- this was a wild ride. I seem to be on a roll of reading novels by and about trans people that have some fascinating things to say about the trans experience…
Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 6
Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 7
Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 8
Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 9
Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 10
Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 11
Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 12
Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 13
Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 14
Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 15 (fan translation)
Kaiju No. 8, vol. 16 (fan translation)
Yeah, kinda binge-read the rest of Kaiju No. 8. My friend and I got excited... enough so that we couldn't wait for the official versions of the last two volumes to be published and so read fan translations...
DNF:
Seven Recipes for Revolution -- really wanted to love this one, and even made our library buy it. Too bad the writing style is SO stilted.
Currently reading:
The Best of Catherynne M. Valente, Volume One
A Gathering of Saints: A True Story of Money, Murder and Deceit
Free Country: A Penniless Adventure the Length of Britain
One in a Millennial: On Friendship, Feelings, Fangirls, and Fitting In
Fowl Play
QOTW:
I admit, the Goodreads rating of a book sways me more than it should. But I've found if a LOT of people are rating a book low, there's generally a reason. Sometimes I'll press on and read it regardless, though.
Happy Thursday!I figured I would delay a work mandatory training and post here instead. Things have been quiet around here. Tomorrow is my birthday. My daughter is coming after work and my husband is grilling us some steaks. Not a birthday fan, so keeping it low key.
Finished:
I Regret Almost Everything
Exit Lane
Currently reading:
Katabasis
Too Old for This
QOTW:
I pay much more attention to what other people on Goodreads say that they're enjoying than the ratings. Unless the rating are really low. Like Kenya said, there's a reason for that. Thanks Popsugar for the hated less than 3 stars prompt. Still not over that.
Life update: I started a new job this month after being let go from the old one in May. I made it through yesterday's tax deadline, and I got my first check, so it finally feels real.Books read:
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (4 stars out of 5)
Currently reading:
Star Wars: Survivor's Quest
Sanctuary: A Bad Batch Novel
Treaty's Law
I also restarted my Marvel Unlimited subscription, so I've read a bunch of High Republic comics and some of the X of Swords series.
Question of the Week:
The GR average rating absolutely impacts what I read. Experience has shown me to be very careful of anything below about a 3.75. Unless it's a trusted author, or I love the sample, I will avoid books that are less than that amount, and I typically look for 4 or above.
For Amazon, the average rating needs to be at about 4.4 or higher, as their scores skew higher.
Mod
That's very cool that there's such a fervent fan base that fans are out there translating it for other fans!!!
Mod
I read a short story for that one, just to get it over with quickly. It deserved its low rating.
Mod
Congratulations!! I hope this new job is 100x better than your former job.
Good morning, everyone! Happy Thursday!The migraines have continued this week, and I am so tired of dealing with them. I did have a couple of medical appointments this week (just routine check-ups; nothing serious), so I was able to talk with my primary care doctor about what’s been going on, and she has sent in a referral to a local neurologist so we can get things checked out. She isn’t worried about anything being seriously wrong, but given my family history, she wants to be sure…which I really appreciate. Hopefully I’ll be able to get in with the neurologist in the next week or so, and we’ll be able to figure out what’s going on.
Apart from medical stuff, the week has been pretty laid back. I’ve managed to get a few things done around the house (mostly laundry), and spent a lot of time napping and reading.
Despite my frequent headache-escaping naps, I have managed to do a decent amount of reading this week. I am continuing to focus primarily on my reading for FrightFall. As of this morning, I’ve had a chance to finish a total of 12 books specifically for FrightFall!
In other reading news, the Dewey’s 24-Hour Readathon is happening this weekend, and I’m really looking forward to participating. Even though I’m not planning to read for the full amount of time, because I do need to force myself to work on some household projects, I’m really hoping to do a considerable amount of reading on Saturday. I’d like to make some more progress on my reading for FrightFall, but I also want to take some time to continue The Arabian Nights: Tales of 1001 Nights, Volume 2.
Here are my current challenge and TBR totals…
Goodreads Challenge: 334/250 (133% — Challenge Complete!)
Mount TBR Challenge: 169/150 (112% — Challenge Complete!)
📚Physical TBR: 122/731
📱Ebook TBR: 36/218
🎧Audiobook TBR: 11/12
TBR Checklist Total: 169/961 (17% complete)
TBR Books DNFed in 2025: 5
I did pick up a couple new books this week, which were The Casting Call, by Delemach; and The Keeper of Magical Things, by Julie Leong.
“New” Books Bought in 2025: 156
“New” Books Read in 2025: 153
“New” Books DNFed in 2025: 1
“New” Books Checklist Total: 98% complete
Here are the books I finished this week…
Finished Reading (Fiction):
~FantasticLand — This was a very interesting book, and one that I had a really hard time putting down. Since this book was written as a series of post-disaster interviews, rather than a chronological narrative, I do feel that the story loses a lot of its immediacy and, as a consequence, some of its scare factor. However, this choice really allowed the author to dig into the characterization, which made the characters seem more real…and actually made the situation they were placed in feel more likely. Ultimately, I feel like the book is best described as disturbing, rather than scary, which worked to its advantage. Content Alert: (view spoiler) 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Finished Reading (Nonfiction):
~101 Horror Books to Read Before You're Murdered — This is probably best described as a reference book for modern horror novels. I really enjoyed reading the author’s thoughts about why she included each book (or author) in this list, and was surprised by the number of titles and authors that I’d already read (or that are on my current TBR). I also learned about some new titles that I’d really like to check out. 📚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Finished Reading (Manga, Comic Books, & Graphic Novels):
None
Finished Reading (Poetry and Drama):
None
DNFed:
None
Currently Reading:
~NIV Audio Bible — This audiobook edition of The Bible is read by David Suchet. I currently have a little less than 73 hours remaining. 🎧
~The Arabian Nights: Tales of 1001 Nights, Volume 2 — I have not made any significant progress on this book over the past week, but I wasn’t really expecting to. Content Alert: (view spoiler) 📚
~Dracula — I’m currently about a third of the way through this book, and I’m really enjoying it. I will definitely be finishing it this week. 📚
~Into the Forest: Tales of the Baba Yaga — I thought this anthology of short stories and poetry featuring Baba Yaga would be a good fit for the spooky season, and it has been so far. 📚
~The Langoliers — I started this book right before bed last night, and I’m already halfway through it! I will definitely be finishing it today. 📚
QOTW:
Outside of looking at them for reading challenge prompts, I really don’t pay much attention to average reviews on Goodreads. Nine times out of ten, I don’t end up agreeing with the average rating, so I don’t use it as a metric for whether or not to pick up a particular book.
Nadine in NY wrote: "I have had the FATTEST orb weaver spider outside my back door - almost every day she has rebuilt her web, she is very busy, and her body is the biggest I've ever seen on a spider. She is bigger than a blueberry. She's also very camera shy, so I've been unable to get a good photo of her. This is the best I've got ( I decided not to embed it, in case any of you are arachnophobic): https://www.instagram.com/p/DPfLXwiDP....."
I couldn't view the photo as I'm not active on Instagram, but could your fat spider be pregnant? All that web building ... thinking you will shortly have a zillion tiny spiders spreading out everywhere. I remember in my teens watching a chubby spider in similar behavior on the barn window near the calves (whom I had the chore of feeding every evening - yes, I grew up on a dairy farm). Suddenly one day as I watched, a zillion tiny spiders appeared and scattered. She abandonned her elaborate web not too long after that and was smaller.
I don't remember the time of year. But don't spiders remain dormant in cold weather? Live underground? It's been many decades since I brushed up on my spider knowledge - you don't really see them much or at all in apartments in NYC.
It's such a joy to have these proper cool autumn days and cold autumn nights! Lots of green trees still. ATY: Finished!
PS: 2 left
Finished:
Where They Last Saw Her - this was so good! I picked it up to read because I needed crime fiction set in Minnesota for a challenge, it sounded good, and I love the cover. It was fantastic! I gave it 4 stars -- the author is an indigenous author of note and she's addressing the issue of the high rate of missing and/or murdered indigenous women and girls in US and Canada and the bystander culture that operates around this. About a third into it I realized it fit the Run Club prompt! The narrator Quill and her friends are clearly a run club and that is important to the plot. That was NOT a prompt I ever expected I'd find a read for it from just what I happened to be reading!
Second Sight
Currently reading:
Three Junes
Bleak House
Upcoming witchy read:
Human Rites
QOTW: I pay no attention to GR average ratings unless I need to for a challenge. I do pay attention to friends with similar reading tastes and skills have to say and how rate. Even then I don't give it much weight as I often don't agree. I also just prefer making my own judgment about a book. Many a book with a high average rating I think is garbage. And the other way around as well.
Hello all! It's been a pretty quiet, rainy week. The kittens have their eyes open now, and are wiggling and squeaking in a mass of black-and-white fur.I'm at 93 books for the year, 46/50 for the Popsugar, 50/52 for the Booklist Queen.
Finished:
City of Refuge, Starhawk's sequel to The Fifth Sacred Thing, for a dystopian novel (BQ) and a dystopian with a happy ending (PS). I guessed right about it having a happy ending, with some break-your-heart scenes along the way.
Currently reading:
Very Fine People, essays by A.R. Moxon. I discovered Moxon on Xitter before it went to hell, and now follow him on Bluesky. He's really good at breaking down fallacies, like the way the media insists that both sides must always be portrayed as equally right & equally wrong, even when one is provably lying. Moxon's one novel, The Revisionaries, was surreal and confusing, but his essays are crystal clear.
QOTW: I don't generally pay attention to star ratings, because my taste may not match someone else's. With an unfamiliar author, I'm mostly interested in the description of the book, what it's about. If I've read & enjoyed an author before, of course I'm likely to read their other books.
Though I'm slightly perturbed that the next book on my stack, Girls Will Be Girls: A Novella and Short Stories, has only two Amazon ratings, a one-star and a two-star. I've read several of Leslea Newman's books (poetry, fiction, children's books), and generally enjoyed them. But in any case it will check off the "menopause" prompt for the Popsugar.
Mar-Oct. Purchased TBR: 34/60 57%June-Oct. Library TBR: 24/28 86%
VPL Reading Challenge: 19/24
Finished: Democracy & Disobedience
Why Deliberative Democracy?
The Wave in the Mind: Talks and Essays on the Writer, the Reader and the Imagination This book set me up with false expectations because the first essay was hilarious. And then the rest of the essays were not at all. I like LeGuin, but I was kinda bored. I wanted more writing advice and less random opinions.
Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day Guilty pleasure book.
The Berry Pickers Man! We stole everything from the Native Americans and their kids too. Sadly, this isn't that unusual of a story. And it was sad that it had less trauma in it than many Native American authors I read even though it was such a terrible circumstance.
Wendy's Ever After I love Peter Pan spin-offs! This was no exception. The author had the audacity to keep Peter Pan as a minor character. And it worked. Read this in a day.
Started: A Different Democracy: American Government in a 31-Country Perspective
The Fellowship of the Ring
QotW: I pay less and less attention to Goodreads overall. I only use it for my TBR now. I read this book about resisting Amazon that asked its readers not to review on Goodreads. I couldn't understand the rationale. (I know Goodreads is owned by Amazon, but it still seemed like giving a good review would help authors...?) But anyhow, I don't leave ratings or reviews nearly as much as I used to or even keep my read shelf updated.
Happy Thursday! I love October - the changing temperatures, the changing leaves, Halloween. Eli (8) and Ewan (3) are going to be Saja Boys this year - they look so cute! Ashley's going to wear a K-Pop Demon Hunters sweatshirt when she takes the boys around the neighborhood. I'll be at home doing my "witchy" best to hand out candy, painted rocks, dog treats, etc. 2025 Reading Challenges:
52 Book Club: 47/52 (Connections Challenge: 15/21, October Mini-Challenge: 3/3)
ATY: 46/52 (ATY Anniversary Challenge: 8/10, ATY Fall Challenge: 32/36)
The Book Girls’ Guide: 60/74
Booklist Queen: 48/52
Popsugar: 49/50 - JUST ONE MORE!!!
Goodreads Fall Challenge (Bookmarks): 7/12
My Ever-Growing TBR: 124/316 – 39.2% (My goal was 33.3%.)
Recently Completed:
🐦⬛ Girl on Girl: How Pop Culture Turned a Generation of Women Against Themselves ★★★★
🐦⬛ This Spells Love: BOTM Selection. (52 Books October Mini #2 – a sugary sweet character) ★★★★
🐦⬛ And He Shall Appear (ATY #6 – serpentine element on cover/Popsugar #5 – snake on cover/Goodreads “Community Picks” Bookmark) ★★★
🐦⬛ The Lion Women of Tehran: BOTM Selection. (BGG Read Around the World #10 – set in the Middle East/Booklist Queen #16 – set in the Middle East) ★★★
🐦⬛ American Werewolves (52 Books October Mini-Challenge #1 – mythological creature) ★★★★
🐦⬛ The Last Bathing Beauty (BGG Lifetime of Reading #10 – 80-somethings) ★★★
🐦⬛ We Used to Live Here (52 Books October Mini #3 – keeps you up all night/Goodreads “Spine Tinglers” Bookmark) ★★★★
🐦⬛ The Haves and Have-Yachts: Dispatches on the Ultrarich ★★★★
🐦⬛ Misery ★★★★
🐦⬛ Play Nice: BOTM Selection. ★★★★
QOTW: I pay more attention to low ratings than high. I think they're more honest especially when it comes to genre fiction.
What a week. Busy like crazy with work and school. Thankfully my hardest class is over. Just waiting on 3 grades from my professor, but I think I'll pass the class so that's a relief.Weather here has been cooling off a bit. Had a couple of rainstorms which was nice.
*****
Reading News:
With 2026 right around the corner, I'm starting to plan out ideas. I've got my wrapped TBRs through April already set. I know it's way early for those, but I figure I wrap them now then I'll forget which books I included. Even though I'm a mood reader, I found doing a monthly wrapped TBR to be very helpful. Not once did I hit a reading slump this year which was great.
As it is I keep track of the days I read and I've read every single day for the past 258 days which is insane!
I'm also looking at videos and ideas on how I want to design my spreads. Even though I have a book tracker already made, I also had fun going the creative route with my reading journal so I want to continue doing that next year. It was very therapeutic.
I already have some books planned for next year, 2026 new releases mostly so I'm excited.
******
In terms of this year, the PS Reading Challenge has been tricky with several prompts. I am still missing all of these:
- Married couple who don't live together
- Dystopian w/happy ending
- Character going through menopause (I may use The Country of the Pointed Firs and Other Stories since it featured a lot of older characters. Even though menopause isn't directly mentioned, because of their age I just figure it's a given. Thoughts?
- Rated less than 3 stars on GR
- A run club
- Happily single woman protagonist
- Adult character changes careers
- Luxury resort
- Food truck (I have trouble reading about food, so I might skip this.)
- LGBTQ character that isn't about coming out
*****
Mid-October Book News:
Been reading like crazy which has been great. It's been a mix of my personal reading and books for school so that's really added to my count.
Been buying a lot of books too which has bene fun.
*****
Finished:
Girl Warrior: On Coming of Age - Harjo does it again! She has a way of speaking to my soul and I loved this one. It may be my favorite out of all the books I've read of hers.
*****
Currently Reading:
Remain - Never would have imagined a collaboration between Sparks and M. Night! Barely starting chapter 4 and this book is insane! It reads like a traditional Sparks novel, but you can tell where M. Night gave his insight. And it also feels like I'm watching Ghost Whisperer which is awesome!
American Civil Wars: A Continental History, 1850-1873 - This book is insane! Definitely one of my favorite history books of the year so far.
Body Toxic - Reading this for school and it's insane so far! Definitely worth the read. Makes me think of my past (although not through that intensity.)
American Grammar: Race, Education, and the Building of a Nation - This is my second book on this subject this year, but already I'm hooked and I'm just on chapter 1! I'll have to look more into this author/historian later.
*****
Other Book Chat:
My November and December TBR's are set so I'm excited to get to those in a couple of weeks.
*****
Question of the Week
When considering a book, are you most swayed by the overall review average on Goodreads (? out of 5 stars) or a different data point?
I never pay attention too GoodReads ratings. As it is my tastes are slightly different than others. One thing that often does persuade me though, no matter what source is I never read books below 3 stars. I usually read books that are 4 or higher.
For the most part though I don't go based on any data points. I just go with what interests me and if I find a title or cover interesting enough, but I mainly just go on a chosen topic I like.
Hi all! I'm so sick of having headaches! They're not 'crawl into bed and hide from the world' bad, but they're bad enough that I don't want to do anything that requires getting off the couch or thinking. I'm playing phone tag with my doctor, though I already undid the med change he ordered, but it's still not helping. My mom thinks it's sinuses, but I don't want to go see my primary care (sometimes, living half an hour or more away from everything kinda sucks!). Anyway, aside from that, things have been good around here. Weather has really cooled off (blah), and we're putting away summery things. My boyfriend has also decided he wants to gut his mancave and turn it into a guest bedroom. Which has motivated me (a little) to do some cleaning and purging also. I took a carload of stuff to sell and donate yesterday.
My reading is kind of aimless since I don't have immediate due dates hanging over my head. I guess the book I'm most into is the audiobook of The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina, it's easier to listen than read print when my head hurts. I would like to finish The Carpet Makers soon, though I'm only 1/3 through it. I'm picking a little at Children of Blood and Bone and I like it. I also started Starkweather: The Untold Story of the Killing Spree that Changed America. I've got a few other books around here that I nibble at, too. Like I said, aimless....
QOTW: I don't give a ton of weight to average ratings on books, although I would say I get "concerned" if a book is rated less than 3.25 stars. I try to remind myself that's not so bad, I often rate enjoyable books 3 stars. I am more inclined to check out reviews when books get into that territory.
Happy Thursday!Finished:
A Philosophy of Thieves by Fran Wilde - 4.5 stars - not for a prompt. I really liked this. It's a sci-fi, dystopian story where rich people hire thieves as entertainment, and there's heists, family secrets, and corporate espionage.
Comics & manga:
Skip and Loafer Vol. 11
The Apothecary Diaries, Vol. 14
I am currently at 45/50 for Popsugar (37/40 and 8/10).
Currently reading:
Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie - for a classic you've never read.
Upcoming/Planned:
Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz - not currently for a prompt.
A Mouthful of Dust by Nghi Vo - not currently for a prompt.
The Keeper of Magical Things by Julie Leong - not currently for a prompt.
Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine - for two books with the same title.
Emma by Jane Austen - for a book by the oldest author in your TBR pile.
Boneshaker by Cherie Priest - for a book you have always avoided reading. This is the book that's been on my TBR the longest, so I figure it's the one I've been "avoiding" the longest.
The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley - for a book that reminds you of your childhood. This was the first book I remember getting from a Scholastic Book Sale, the first fantasy book I remember reading, and became my comfort read as a kid.
QOTW:
Not really. If something is rated lower, I'll usually skim the low ratings to see what people were complaining about not liking to see if it's something that might alter my enjoyment of the book.
I notice a lot of people are suffering from bad headaches lately. I have also been having bad headaches for a few weeks now. Like Jennifer said, not turn off the lights and get in bed bad, but bad enough that it's affecting my life. I wonder if it's related to the change in weather.
Hi all! I had to double check that today was in fact Thursday. It's just been a chaotic week. Finished:
A Psalm for the Wild-Built
Currently:
The Hidden Staircase
The Girls of Murder City: Fame, Lust, and the Beautiful Killers who Inspired Chicago
I've got 7 PS prompts still to go, so I'm trying to be strategic and knock em out.
QOTW:
If I'm very honest I would say the data point that I am most swayed by is the page count, lol. Average rating only really grabs my attention if there's a lot of low reviews. People on goodreads tend to rate very generously so most books average 3.5 and up.
This weekend is Dewey’s Readathon. I’ve picked out all my books and downloaded them from Libby or made a trip to the library to check them out. It’s a strange mix of cozy and creepy this year, so hopefully all my bases are covered in terms of my mood on Saturday.Reading
Third Path
As The Crow Flies
Crime and Punishment
QOTW
I don’t consider the Goodreads rating too much when looking at a book. I know that can be really subjective, and as we all know from the prompt, it’s hard to find a book rated under 3 stars anyway. If the rating is kind of low, I’ll read some reviews to find out what readers didn’t like, and then decide if I’ll read the book.
Happy Thursday! Trees are finally starting to turn colours!! I'm so excited. I love cooler weather.Finished 42/50
That Hideous Strength for "book by oldest author on your TBR". Holy cow this was creepy!!! I did not know C.S. Lewis had this in him! It's marked as sci-fi, but it's really more social horror, and it is definitely not kid friendly. Very philosophical.
Spare for "book with a left-handed character". Yeah, I cheated and googled famous left-handed people, and Prince William is apparently one, so this book technically counts. Ha! But this book was REALLY REALLY GOOD. A must read for everyone, I think.
Revolutionary Girl Utena, Vol. 4: To Bud and Revolutionary Girl Utena, Vol. 5: To Blossom (not for challenge): It's not as good as the anime, but I'm glad I read it!
Currently Reading
The Spiritual Life and How to be Attuned to it for "book featuring an activity on your bucket list": Still going strong!
The Martian for "book where nature is the antagonist". Really good so far!
QotW
I sometimes look at the ratings of books but usually I just look at my TBR or books other people recommended to me.
🎃📖🎃📖🎃📖🎃📖🎃📖🎃📖🎃📖🎃📖🎃📖🎃📖🎃📖🎃📖🎃HAPPY SPOOPY MONTH!!
📖I've sort of backburnered The Eye of the Bedlam Bride by Matt Dinniman so I can get some of my horror stories underway for spoopy month, and also to get some of my library books returned within a reasonable amount of time.
📖I'm currently reading The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner and am a little over halfway through. I'm hoping to finish it within the next day or two so it can go back to the library. There's quite the line of people waiting on it. This will fulfill the Popsugar Reading Challenge Advanced Hard 50: A Book That Features a Character with Chronic Pain.
📖Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend by M.J. Wassmer is next on the list of library books that need to go back, and I'm pretty excited about this one, despite reading some mixed reviews. This will fulfill Popsugar Reading Challenge 27: A Book Set at a Luxury Resort.
🟰🟰🟰🟰🟰🟰🟰🟰🟰🟰🟰🟰🟰🟰🟰🟰🟰
Popsugar Challenge Completion: 13/26, 50%
📖=book 💻=ebook 🎧=audiobook 🌠=rating
🟰🟰🟰🟰🟰🟰🟰🟰🟰🟰🟰🟰🟰🟰🟰🟰🟰
📖2025 Read Harder Challenge 6: Read a standalone fantasy book.
Reading with reading buddy.
I started reading Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White for my very first buddy read ever! I'm only 3 chapters in, but so far the book is great, and so is my reading buddy! This also fulfills my 2025 Read Harder Challenge 6: Read a standalone fantasy book.
📖I ended up moving But Not Too Bold by Hache Pueyo from my Popsugar Reading List over to my Read Harder List to fulfill Read Harder Challenge 3: Read a queer mystery. Which means I'm back down to 50% done my Popsugar list. Oh well.
I also plan to read some shorter horror novels that I've been wanting to for a while now:
📖I managed to get a hold of a copy of Motel Styx by Michelle von Eschen, so I'll be reading that one at some point this week. It was a tricky one to track down and fulfills my Read Harder Challenge 21: Read a book about a moral panic.
📖I also plan on reading Out of the Drowning Deep by A.C. Wise this week for Read Harder Challenge 11: Read a work of weird horror.
📖
📖I'll be enjoying some stories from The Black Girl Survives in This One edited by Desiree S. Evans, along with The White Guy Dies First: 13 Scary Stories of Fear and Power edited by Terry J. Benton-Walker, both horror anthologies written by BIPOC individuals.
💻I've started reading the book The 31st Trick-or-Treater by Ben Farthing because it's an advent book, where you read one chapter each night of October, and I thought that was really cool! I started in the middle of the month, however, and I have so many other reads going on right now, it might get read in a few sittings or even pushed to next year.
🎃📖🎃📖🎃📖🎃📖🎃📖🎃📖🎃📖🎃📖🎃📖🎃📖🎃📖🎃📖🎃📖🎃
Question of the Week
When considering a book, are you most swayed by the overall review average on Goodreads (? out of 5 stars) or a different data point?
I don't pay a huge amount of attention to star ratings. I mostly look at the cover, title, description, and tags to make a decision on whether or not to read it. Sometimes I'll skim some reviews if I'm not sure, but I've had it happen many times that I end up not agreeing with the reviews for one reason or another. It helps if it's an author I already know, as well, since I'll gravitate towards authors I know I already like, and avoid those I dislike. And finally, if someone appears to like a lot of the same stories as me, and I see it come up on their feed or book list, I'm more likely to give a book a chance.
🎃📖🎃📖🎃📖🎃📖🎃📖🎃📖🎃📖🎃📖🎃📖🎃📖🎃📖🎃📖🎃📖🎃
I finished The Red Queen as my second book of two books with the same title.I read Strangers in Time as my book published in 2025.
I started Traveller. I am using it as my 2015 challenge, a book with animals as character. I had already read Blitz Cat for that, but am moving that to a book with a nonverbal character. I started Traveller for that, but didn't really think it fit because the animals are talking to each other. i don't usually allow myself moves, but I generall finish the challenge around mid-October and I still have around 9 books left, so don't have time to be picky.
QOTW: Not really swayed by Goodreads ratings, but sometimes I think I should, LOL. I just read the back of the book and if it looks like something I want to read, i'll read it.
Mod
She could be, I've wondered. I check for her every day now. She is very good at hiding so I try not to worry if I don't find her.
In winter spiders either find a hole and hibernate, or leave an egg mass in a sheltered spot and die. I'm not sure which situation will be hers. We've had a few nights below freezing, but I think she gets into a crevice in the siding where she stays safe, but that won't cut it in the winter.
A few weeks ago I mowed over a rotted log that was hidden under some leaves so I didn't know it was there, the dang log broke in half and jammed my mower, so THAT was fun, but also there were suddenly DOZENS of spiders running on the ground in every direction!! So clearly I disturbed some sort of spider nursery. They were a good size, not babies, but maybe they were all living together in the log, idk.
It's all making me want to read Charlotte’s Web again.
Mod
They must be so adorable!! I always think it must be so hard to give them away when they are so cute and you have to keep them for weeks so you bond with the little fuzzballs.
Mod
I am so excited to read this one, because I loved Here Beside the Rising Tide, but my hold at the library is just not moving!! I think they are still processing the books or something. ARRRRGGGHH
Girl on Girl: How Pop Culture Turned a Generation of Women Against Themselves ★★★★
This is on my TBR. Looks like you liked it?
It was a slow week on the reading front, since my newest nephew decided to born a little early, so I had to put my MKAL on hold and focus on finishing up a blanket for him. Having a long weekend definitely helped, but it still took longer than I thought it would. I got it out today, so that's that.Finished:
Northwind - The last of my committee reading, thank goodness! While not the worst book I had to read, it was terribly slow. This is the first time I've switched to audio from print just because of how boring I found the prose.
DNF:
This Will Be Fun - This sounded promising, but the "modern thing but medieval" schtick really grated on me, and I had no interest in either of the romances by the 20% mark, so I'm letting this one go.
Currently reading:
Awakened
Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon
Cursed Bunny
Explainers: The Complete Village Voice Strips, 1956-1966
Hit Me with Your Best Charm
QOTW: I don't pay attention to GR reviews/star ratings when choosing what to read. A book either sounds interesting or it doesn't, and I have no qualms about not finishing a book if it doesn't grab me.
Mod
I really like Cherie Priest and I thought Boneshaker was great! For some reason, I have only read three books in the series. I think my library didn't have the next one and I got frustrated and just dropped it. I keep meaning to go back and read the rest.
Happy Thursday!As Nadine said, PS has continued to tease us, while giving us nothing useful. I had said that I was going to do a 2026 challenge of using the PopSugar prompts as movie prompts. But I'm not doing that if it's 50 gardening related prompts.
Meanwhile ATY fished its voting today, so I can get some 2026 planning done. My personal 2026 challenge is going to be "number 1s". I have a GR TBR list and a TBR list on my computer. And I'm going to read the oldest book on one or the other. Then I will have a new "number 1". Plus I'm going to try to read of my TBR more next year even if it means doing less PS and ATY prompts. I need books off of my lists.
I finished two books this week - almost polar opposites. A nice Christian book about 4 school friends who reconnected in their 50s when they most needed girlfriends again. And a gruesome horror book about a group of 14 year old boys stuck on an island with a bioengineered disease,
Finished:
Here's to Friends!
Popsugar prompt: can't find one
ATY prompt: A book by an author with a common noun in their name
Anniversary prompt
The Troop
Popsugar prompt: A book where nature is the antagonist
ATY prompt: A book set primarily in nature
Series - 8/10
Reading Across Canada - 9/10
Nobel laureates - 3/5
PS - 36/40
Regular ATY - 39/40
Anniversary ATY - 8/10
Summer Challenge - 5100/5000 - Completed!
Currently reading:
Interior Castle - 45%
Selected Poems of Gabriela Mistral - 60%
Kingdom of the Wicked - 35%
Find You In The Dark - 10%
Buddy Reads:
Library of Souls - 20%
QOTW: I care a smidgen. If a book has an overall rating of less than 3 stars, it might mean something. But when I look at an author I like's list of books, sometimes the higher rated ones aren't my favourites. I have also noticed that the ratings of series books get higher as it goes along. It's like all the people who didn't like it, gave up stop rating after book 1 or 2. By book 4-5, it's the die hards who love it.
Nadine in NY wrote: "They must be so adorable!! I always think it must be so hard to give them away when they are so cute and you have to keep them for weeks so you bond with the little fuzzballs."Definitely illegal amounts of cute!
Nadine in NY wrote: "Theresa wrote: "could your fat spider be pregnant?..."She could be, I've wondered. I check for her every day now. She is very good at hiding so I try not to worry if I don't find her.
In winter..."
I was thinking the same thing! And thinking about Ron and his spider hatred and Hagrid's 'friend'.
I was at a local pop culture/anime con over the weekend and then had to write a bunch of mid terms so I didn't get much read but I did knock out one for the challengeI read The Cat Who Saved Books by Sōsuke Natsukawa (ps 23 - A Book That is Considered Healing Fiction) A young boy, a talking cat, saving books, sounds great. Was ...forgettable like I didn't get a chance to do the review yet and I'm not even sure what I'm going to put.
Tsubasacon hosts the traveling manga library (out of NC) every year and they let you read and decompress at the con so I did read two graphic novels/manga
Hooves of Death, Volume 1 by Sam Bragg which was cute, unicorns saving the remains of humans from zombies and other things
X-Gender, Vol. 1 Asuka Miyazaki supposedly a memoir of realizing the mangaka was non binary but comes across as biphobic, misogynistic and deeply depressing, do not recommend.
QOTW
I honestly look at zero data in making a pick. I buy based on cover, blurb and author alone really. It's a rare occasion for me to look at reviews before buying anything.
Mod
While I am thrilled you finished the 2025 Popsugar Challenge, Nadine, I am also sticking my tongue out at you for doing so! LOL
I am a bit better off mentally/emotionally than I was last week, but after dealing with the local VW dealership, I am in amazement they manage to stay in business. I can only assume that is due to new car sales and definitely NOT due to “good” (or any?) customer service. Absolutely unbelievable… I informed them if I am ever forced to use a VW dealership for anything in the future, I will go to Indianapolis, the nearest “city” and certainly hope for better (any?) service than they have provided…
But that is done and I have Myrtle back! And the rental car returned…which leads me to this…
If you are not aware, at least in the state of Indiana, car insurance ‘goes with the driver’ as my insurance company puts it. I have always kept “full coverage” since my divorce and I am so glad I do that! There was a red cylindrical object (looked like a red metal bucket) in the middle of my lane on the interstate and I had no way to totally avoid hitting it, though I did manage to turn the wheel enough to make it glance off the passenger-side front bumper, so much less damage than if I had hit it head on. My insurance company covers any and all damage repair to a rented vehicle, including compensation to the company for as many days as it is unable to be rented. Plus, they cover my deductible! At least that was a truly positive resolution…and I needed something positive!
I now have two healthy (previously sick) cats who are eating me out of house and home! And I am so grateful for that!!
One of my students at the gym last night made me feel good. I’d last seen him two weeks ago when I was really down… He came up to me after class, stating that he was glad to see the “happy” Lynn back! He said he was concerned about me when he last saw me because I was obviously so “down” compared to my usual mood… I thought it rather nice that he had noticed and then felt compelled to note the positive change for the better!
So, I am reading Marie Bostwick books in preparation for the author event I’ll be attending later this month. About a third of the way through Esme Cahill Fails Spectacularly, there was this sentence: When you fill every moment with frenetic activity, there’s no space left for the things that truly matter.
Yes! Exactly that! I realize this so much more as I age! It is just so very true! We need and should build some time into our busy lives to ‘just be.’ To contemplate, relax, and refresh!
*****
And now to catch up to today!
I am finally feeling halfway normal once again and hoping that remains for the future.
All 3 male kitties are getting along and behaving!
I am so glad I have cut way back on the challenges I am finishing this year and will certainly continue for 2026.
I’m just grateful for better health!!
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
When considering a book, are you most swayed by the overall review average on Goodreads (? out of 5 stars) or a different data point?
Hmmm…I guess I am most easily swayed by the Weekly Check-Ins and your comments/ratings of what you have read. I also tend to add to my TBR from various lists posted online. However, I do not add a book unless I have reviewed the synopsis and author (if new-to-me) information to determine whether I am truly interested in reading it. Sometimes the fact that a book doesn’t have a very high GR rating, but I’m really interested in reading it will prompt me to read it sooner rather than later! 😉
2025 READING CHALLENGES:
Popsugar: 42/50
52 Book Club: 47/52
2024 Popsugar: 47/50
FINISHED:
I started listening to *We'll Prescribe You a Cat (We’ll Prescribe You a Cat #1) by Syou Ishida, translated by E. Madison Shimoda - translator ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐on audiobook. I have since decided to wait until I can read the actual book as I hold it in my hands! Overall, I think audiobooks just are not for me. Especially this type of cozy book, I guess... Ugh. I was trying to fulfill the 52 Book Club Challenge’s prompt #31 Audiobook has multiple narrators. The good news is that I did finally find 3 audiobooks that I really enjoyed just by searching on the website:
*Mistletoe Murders, Mistletoe Murders 2, and Mistletoe Murders 3 by Ken Cuperus ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ were better mysteries than I expected! I honestly don’t remember much about them since I ‘listened’ to them and was feeling pretty punky on that day, but that prompt is done and these were enjoyable!! Double win!
POPSUGAR: #6, #24
52 Book Club: #3, #9, #29, NEW #31, #46
This was the first day I started feeling really rotten, so it was a nice diversion to just sit and listen since I was not up to reading! I am anxious to finally read We'll Prescribe You a Cat whenever I get a copy! And there is a sequel, We'll Prescribe You Another Cat, that has been translated into English as well!
*Prime Time (Charlotte McNally #1) by Hank Phillippi Ryan ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was an amazing start to this series. Definitely continuing with it! This was quite the encoded puzzle to solve! Fascinating!
POPSUGAR: #6, #20, #24, #43
52 Book Club: #10, #13, #43, #46, #48
*Fields of Gold (Dillon, Oklahoma #1) by Marie Bostwick ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was such a surprise to me! This was historical fiction which included Charles Lindbergh as a character. I loved it! Anxious to read the sequel, On Wings of the Morning!
POPSUGAR: #6, #14, #20, #26
52 Book Club: #18, #22, #36, #42, #43, #46
*The Galaxy, and the Ground Within (Wayfarers #4) by Becky Chambers ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was just as amazing as every other book written by Chambers that I have read! We get much more insight to Pei’s character. And usually, I’m good with a series ending and some issues unresolved…but not this one! I really need more information about Pei and Ashby! This was first released in 2021, so it has been 4 years. I need installment #5!! Please!
POPSUGAR: #3, #6, #14, #20, #24, #25, #28, #31, #40, #43
52 Book Club: #18, #22, #29, #39, #43, #46, #51
*Esme Cahill Fails Spectacularly by Marie Bostwick ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ was in many ways, not even a true “romance” novel. Bostwick’s writing is why I read! Each book is a favorite for me!
POPSUGAR: #4, #6, #16, #20, #24, #26, #33
52 Book Club: #7, #21, #24, #32, #33, #36, #46, #47, #51
CONTINUING:
*The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré
*Hope in the Dark: The Untold History of People Power by RebeccaSolnit
*East of Eden by John Steinbeck
*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
PLANNED:
*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
Happy check-in! It's been a gloomy week outside which means lovely indoor reading time. :) Anyone else feel the need to read 2025 publications before best of the year lists come out?@Nadine if you're looking for a spider positive book But Not Too Bold was good. It's a novella that will earn you a goodreads bookmark as well.
I too am glad that the ATY list has been finalized, but I wait until I have this year's various challenges finished before my limited planning for next year.
Finished Reading:
Blood of Hercules ⭐
I'm so glad I didn't buy this book! This is a very pretty book in the store but the characters, plot and even writing have many flaws. I love Greek Mythology and the idea the author had to use it and make it new was actually really good, but the rest of the long book was not. :(
Dinosaur Sanctuary Vol. 7 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this series so much!
The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Book four of a beloved vampire series.
The Nefarious Nights of Willowweep Manor ⭐⭐⭐
A creative graphic novel about a gothic manor being invaded by a group from classic murder mysteries. The humour is just a little too over the top for me.
To Clutch a Razor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Why wasn't this book on the goodreads bookmark list that has fantasy horror? If you love Spinning Silver and horror than you should read this series.
PS 47/50
ATY, Anniversary, Summer completed
Goodreads 244/250 Bookmarks 4/12
QOTW:
I don't really look at the average rating, but page count and genre tags for sure. There are some tags that I just know aren't my thing so I avoid those books. I definitely notice the ratings you all give to books as well as friends in my feed. I found some favourites thanks to you!
Happy Thursday, everyone! I read 17 books during Hispanic Heritage Month and of those, 14 were by Hispanic authors! I've got some Booker books and other Latino books I didn't get to on my nightstand to get me through the rest of the month. 2025 Reading Challenges
Barnes & Noble- 50/52
Booklist Queen- 50/52
Buzzword- 9/12; Cover- 9/12
GR Bookmarks- 5/12
Finished
Jawbone- picked this up because it was one of the books written by a Hispanic author from the Top Horror Books in the Last 10 Years Goodreads List. I keep trying to branch out and read horror, and I always end up reading Literary Horror, lol. Didn't find this scary, but certainly disturbing. I feel like I need to read more book reviews to see what others took from this book. ☆☆☆
52 BC October Mini-Challenge #3- Pick your scare level - Cozy, Mysterious, or Keep You Up All Night
BQ #34- Dark Academia
Goodreads Bookmark- Spine-Tinglers
Elena Knows- this has been on my radar since I've heard other people I trust sing its praises. I finally picked it up for Hispanic Heritage Month and it did not disappoint. It's a short read, but also slower-paced. The mystery was elevated by its surprising conclusion and timely themes. Highly recommend! ☆☆☆☆
A Caribbean Heiress in Paris- I really wanted to read at least one romance for Hispanic Heritage Month, and this was the only one they had available on Libby. Overall, I wasn't impressed. It was insta-love, and I didn't find myself believing in the couple. If I'm being honest, the story kind of bored me, and I really only played it in the background while commuting/completing tasks around the house. I have to read a trilogy for another reading challenge, but I don't see myself finishing this series, so I'll have to find another one. ☆☆
Currently Reading
Mate
QOTW
Average Goodreads rating is one of the things I look at when choosing a book. If its above a 4, that's usually a good sign. But I'm also cautious when using this data point, especially if it's for a book that has not been released yet, as early reviews tend to skew positive anyways.
I mostly rely on the summaries and the blurbs which usually include an elevator pitch of the book's premise. If it intrigues me or includes comparisons to authors, books, or other media I enjoy, then I'll add it to my TBR. Also, if I have loved previous books by the author, then I'll add their upcoming releases on my TBR as well.
I also look at professional reviews from credible sources. If I notice a book get rave/starred reviews from multiple places, I might give it a chance.
Happy Thursday! Seeing my mom this weekend for lunch, and then seeing some friends which will be fun.Finished:
Witchcraft- I thought this was a great graphic novel, following three witches coming to South America, and then the different people whose lives are impacted by them. Multiple characters and timelines, with some really interesting artwork, some upsetting stories. Really like it!
-no prompt (maybe 2 books same title?)
Lucky Day- I think this is my favorite Chuck Tingle yet. Went in kinda blind on this one, and it really kicked off with a bang!
-no prompt
Cursed Bunny- I loved this short story collection. Finished it last night, and the last story made me cry which I was not expecting. Guess I'm adding the rest of Bora Chung's books to my tbr!
-no prompt
Currently reading:
Somebody Is Walking on Your Grave: My Cemetery Journeys- I am almost done with this. I should have dnf'd it tbh, but I'm committed to finishing it now
Frankenstein: The 1818 Text- finally reading this for the classics prompt. I also found a decent audiobook on hoopla in case I need extra help concentrating on it, but so far I like it
QotW:
If a book has a really low rating, I may read some reviews to get a better sense as to why. But lately, I have not found the average ratings to be a very good indication of whether I'll like a book or not. So many books I find meh have super high ratings, and then this year I read 2 books with less than 3-star average, and thought they were both way better than that.
@nadine: I also have giant orb spiders every fall and spring. If you don’t duck leaving the patio gate you’ll walk right into the web so we have to hold a light to leave at night. We try not to disturb the web which dissolves every am. Never occurred to me they might be pregnant @laura: kittens are absolutely the most adorable things. I’m guilty of watching kitten videos for a pick me up (assuming my cats are not willing to indulge me in some playtime. They are 7/8 so are lazy bums)
Sick again including the apparently ubiquitous headache so book update next week.
QOTW: I pay little attention to GR ratings or reviews. I pick books based on the blurbs, longer reviews in bookstore newsletters or magazines like The Atlantic or Bookmarks, briefing stores. The GR exception is on discussion posts like these, I will read and consider what people say. I sometimes look at the rating AFTER I finish
Life update: My stress levels have been better this week, partly thanks to having fewer video calls for work. The good news is that this will probably continue, because we agreed to end one series of calls early this year! Physically, I've been so-so, with a migraine at the weekend and now a cold that I caught from my husband.Reading update: I'm focusing on getting my NetGalley percentage up to 100%, which I will hopefully do either this week or next, and then I'll focus on finishing challenges. I finished four books this week:
The First State of Being - research. Very enjoyable MG novel.
Ice - NetGalley, and after a bit of thought I decided to count it for the Horror Subgenre Challenge postapocalyptic prompt, because I think it has enough elements to count. It's good, but a difficult read due to experimental language and being much longer than my usual choices.
Across the Green Grass Fields - Readers of the Wild Moor: a book about friendship. I enjoyed this more than the last few in this series.
The Mind of the Maker - Reading About Writing Challenge bonus prompt: any other book about writing. I really enjoyed this one; Sayers has a very witty style and makes interesting connections between writing and spirituality that made me want to check out Hindu books on the same subject.
Stats:
Disability Pride Challenge: 0 this week, 4/5 total
Readers of the Wild Moor: 1 this week, 25/30 total
Queer Reads Bracket Challenge: 0 this week, 4/6 total
Horror Subgenre Challenge: 1 this week, 9/11 total
The German Challenge: 0 this week, 2/10 total
Politics & Philosophy: 0 this week, 4/15 total
Anti-Capitalist Inspiration: 0 this week, 7/30 total
Reading About Writing: 1 this week, 2/40 total
All books finished this year: 4 this week, 134 total
DNF or paused: 0 this week, 22 total
Challenges completed this year:
PopSugar, Pride Season, Star Trek Series, GR Community Favorites, GR Seasonal, GR Summer
Currently reading:
The Fire Next Time - Politics and Philosophy: a book about politics or philosophy from the Americas, and Anticapitalist Inspiration: about race and anti-racism
I'll Find You Where the Timeline Ends for NetGalley
In Search of a Lost Ladino: Letter to Antonio Saura (bilingual edition) - The Great Big Jewish Literature Challenge: translated from Ladino, and Spanish Titles ABC: L
The Valmiki Ramayana Vol. 3 - spiritual reading
Journey to the West (Chinese Lore podcast) - Discord book club
QOTW: I do glance at the overall rating. If it's very close to 5, I'll look at the reviews to see if I think they're genuine, and if it's very low, I'll look to see what it is that people aren't enjoying and whether or not I think it's something that will bother me as well. Other things I look at are the blurb, the page count, the cover art, the author, and whether any of my trusted reviewers have reviewed the book.
Sasha wrote: "Physically, I've been so-so, with a migraine at the weekend and now a cold that I caught from my husband...."
Man! What is it with everybody and their headaches? This seems to be quite a trend!
"Politics & Philosophy: 0 this week, 4/15 total..."
What is this politics and philosophy reading challenge you're doing? Been wondering for a couple of weeks now...
"Reading About Writing: 1 this week, 2/40 total..."
Oh and this one too?
Mod
I just saw that listed on NYPL's list of best new horror this year! I'm all about spider positivity LOL
Which bookmark do you get?
Hello, y’all. Another week of missing check-in on Thursday. What is it about Thursdays?
I finally began to feel physically better (more energy) at the end of last week only to find by Monday that I was feeling weak and unsteady. Decided that my BP might be dropping with physical (exercise, dancing) activity. Increased water intake.
Also I got the bright idea to work on sit at street sides with Darla. I tried for two days and only managed to make her afraid of a couple of street corners on our walks…and interrupted our rapport. It turns out that, though she sits for food and treats, she really does not know the word SIT. Oh, well, we are good again…and today is dog training with trainer day.
Temps climbed over the weekend into the 80s. I much prefer the 50 to 70s range.
Finished:
Mrs. Quinn's Rise to Fame - Book Club October. 5*. A really relate-able book for some reason. British Baking Show story.
Soul Taken – Audible. Paranormal candy and continuation of the above series. 4*
A Spoonful of Murder – No prompt. Kindle. 3*. I got a bit tired of the manic jumping to conclusions of the main character in trying to solve the murder.
Currently Reading:
Eat a Peach – PAS. 38%. Memoir
Winter Lost – Audible. No prompt. Paranormal candy. Last in series.
Spiritual Reading:
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 John.
The Imitation of Christ – Devotional reading. 25%
Meditations for Women Who Do Too Much – Bedtime devotional reading. Started Oct. 3.
Just Starting:
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle – PS #10 (free).
Key West Connection – PAS
On Deck: (library)
All the King's Men – Book Club December
Murder on Black Swan Lane - PAS
PS 40/50
ATY 39/52
GR 171/200
QotW: When considering a book, are you most swayed by the overall review average on Goodreads (? out of 5 stars) or a different data point?
I have read all the previous responses from Thursday to this question and think that I rely mostly on the blurb for decisions about whether a book is for me. I am not usually aware of the GR rating, but I do look at the genres. Most of my books are from discussion groups or authors that I like. I do like the idea of checking out reviews for low rated books to see why they are rated so low.
Hi everyone! I haven't checked in for months. Work has been stressful and busy and I just haven't had the mental capacity to do much when I do get home. So my reading is well behind, but the world's not gonna end if I don't complete my challenges. I'm checking in now because I missed my train home so I have random free time!I'm excited to hear the Popsugar list will be announced early. I hope it's a bit more inline with my reading than this year's list has been.
I did finish a couple of audio books this week:
Thief of Night by Holly Black
What Stalks the Deep by T. Kingfisher
QOTW:
I only check Goodreads ratings if it's a book I'm not sure about reading. Even then it's more to see if most people didn't like it. I don't tend to care what complete strangers think, but if everyone says it's slow and boring I may pass.
Mod
LOL yes I have to duck. I've, uhhh, forgotten to duck a few times.
Mod
Welcome back!! I've been wondering how you're doing!! glad all is well and you're just busy.
Mod
haha me too!!! hopefully you're more disciplined than I am, because I created a six book backlog for myself. (It's not all bad - I am LOVING the audiobook I just got from them)
I do not miss all the video calls for work - we had engineers in three or four different time zones so the calls were literally at all hours - very annoying, but it wasn't too bad when I was able to work from home and just roll up to my home desk with my coffee for an early call
Nadine in NY wrote: "Denise wrote: "@nadine: I also have giant orb spiders every fall and spring. If you don’t duck leaving the patio gate you’ll walk right into the web so we have to hold a light to leave at night. We..."I noticed a big spider making a web right over my front steps when I left yesterday for a class. I skirted around it so as not to mess up her web. BUT, on my return, I was listening to my audiobook and walked right into it! Luckily, I noted as I backed up excitedly wiping web from my face, she had escaped up towards the roof-line.
Mod
Accckkk!!!
As much as I love spiders, I do not fancy having a spider the size of a gumball walking up my back. so the last time I walked into the web I ran into the house in a panic asking my kids "is it on my back? is it on my back?" Meanwhile, older kid was busy being annoyed that I left the door open, and saying "mom you're going to let all the bugs in" and I was telling her "never mind that! is there a spider on my back???"
The spider was NOT on my back. We had an exciting moment though.
It's been a week 🫠 But at least I finished a bunch of books 📚 Only one fit an empty prompt for this challenge, but a couple worked for other challenges I'm working on simultaneously, so, hooray! I'm at 17/40 and 2/10 for this challenge, and 61/85 for my overall Goodreads Reading Challenge. Finished:
* The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly: Life Wisdom from Someone Who Will (Probably) Die Before You by Margareta Magnusson, which I decided to use for the advanced prompt "a book by the oldest author in your TBR" since I'm pretty sure that none of the other living authors in my TBR are older...and if they are, I'll swap;
* Be Gay, Do Comics edited by Matt Bors, which was one my public library's list of frequently challenged or banned books;
* Cross My Heart and Never Lie written and illustrated by Nora Dåsnes and translated by Matt Bagguley, which was so charming; and,
* It's Me. written and illustrated by Jim Benton.
Currently Reading:
* The Penguin Book of Murder Mysteries edited by Michael Sims;
* All Fours by Miranda July;
* Joyride: A Memoir by Susan Orlean, which is my latest Giveaways win; and,
* The Confidante: The Untold Story of the Woman Who Helped Win WWII and Shape Modern America written by Christopher C. Gorham and narrated by Ann Richardson, which is one of my book clubs' picks for this month (we're discussing on Sunday). I decided to persevere with the audiobook at 1.25 speed since I need to get this done before book club!
QotW:
When considering a book, are you most swayed by the overall review average on Goodreads (? out of 5 stars) or a different data point? The blurb and a recommendation from my Mom or a reader friend usually outweigh any average Goodreads rating when I'm considering a book. Honestly, anytime I see an overall rating that's anywhere near 5 stars, I am skeptical and think it's probably overhyped....and then look for the 1-star reviews.
Doni wrote: "Man! What is it with everybody and their headaches? This seems to be quite a trend!..."I caved and went to my primary today. She also thinks it's likely my recent med changes, but she did say that it could easily be allergies or the change in season, too. So, in short, I know no more than I did before!
Though it does make me feel a smidge better that I'm not the only one suffering...
Nadine in NY wrote: "Bea wrote: "BUT, on my return, I was listening to my audiobook and walked right into it!..."Accckkk!!!
As much as I love spiders, I do not fancy having a spider the size of a gumball walkin..."
Ew. Spiders are important, they are helpful, they can even be pretty, their ability and architecture of web-building is fascinating, but they can do all that FAR away from me!
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
All Fours (other topics)Cross My Heart and Never Lie (other topics)
The Penguin Book of Murder Mysteries (other topics)
The Confidante: The Untold Story of the Woman Who Helped Win WWII and Shape Modern America (other topics)
It's Me. (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Matt Bagguley (other topics)Jim Benton (other topics)
Matt Bors (other topics)
Ann Richardson (other topics)
Margareta Magnusson (other topics)
More...
My maple tree is about to turn golden on the bottom, which means my kitchen will be bathed in reflected golden light for a few days. And then it will all be naked.
I have had the FATTEST orb weaver spider outside my back door - almost every day she has rebuilt her web, she is very busy, and her body is the biggest I've ever seen on a spider. She is bigger than a blueberry. She's also very camera shy, so I've been unable to get a good photo of her. This is the best I've got ( I decided not to embed it, in case any of you are arachnophobic): https://www.instagram.com/p/DPfLXwiDP...
***** Admin stuff *****
The October group read, which could fill "A book containing magical creatures that aren't dragons" is: The Fellowship of the Ring. You can join the discussion here:
The November group read (which could fill "book about a food truck") will be A Psalm for the Wild-Built. That's a popular author in our group - let us know if you would like to lead the discussion!!
The December group read, which could fill Prompt #25, A book where the main character is an immigrant or refugee, will be: Everything I Never Told You. Let us know if you'd like to lead this discussion.
PS continues to tease us on FB. No ACTUAL news yet on the 2026 list.
This week I finished 1 book:
The El by Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. - I had the HIGHEST expectations for this book, I expected sheer awesomeness, and what I got was sheer boredom. I could not be more disappointed. I started out listening to the audiobook (multiple narrators for the multiple POV) but that was taking too long, so I switched over to ebook just to get it over with. One star. I should have just DNFed. This may appeal more to people from Chicago (there is A LOT of detail about cross streets and El stops) or people who enjoy a character-driven story with a lot of dialogue and not much plot, or people who want to read about inner city gangs in the late 70s.
Popsugar 100% 50 /50
Must Reads 70% 7 /10
AtY 92% 48 /52
AtY bonus 100% 10 /10
2025 pub 100% 51 /50
NetGalley ratio 92%
I was down to only two books left to read in NetGalley, and I told myself I could not request books until I was done with those, but ... I am weak. I requested books. And they ALL got approved right away WTF. So now my NG ratio has dropped a bit.
Question of the Week
When considering a book, are you most swayed by the overall review average on Goodreads (? out of 5 stars) or a different data point?
I don't really focus on the GR star ratings, because everyone rates things differently. I am a bit mystified by ALL the posts I've seen on GR and elsewhere about GR ratings, people get so hung up on this and get upset if other people don't rate the way they do. Who cares? We are not professional book reviewers!
The only time I'll pay attention to the rating is if it's someone I know and trust, or if there are A LOT of low star reviews all saying the book is poorly written.
Often if I'm not sure about a book, I'll filter for the one star ratings and read those, they tend to be good reviews that explain exactly what they did not like about a book, and then I'll be able to tell if those issues matter to me.