Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2019 Weekly Checkins
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Week 2: 1/4 - 1/10
2/53 Finished this week
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (16. A book with a question in the title)
(Still) Currently Reading
Napoleon's Buttons: How 17 Molecules Changed History (11. A book with an item of clothing or accessory on the cover)
That Hideous Strength (20. A book set in space)
Queen of Scots: The True Life of Mary Stuart (34. A book that includes a wedding)
QOTW: Not really. I have a friend that married a published author and I have met him a couple of times. I also have another friend who's younger sister published a children's book on kindle. And I have another friend who is a writer, who I am sure will be published one day!
Hi everyone! I'll go back and try to read more comments later, but it sounds like everyone is doing really well so far!Finished Reading
Crazy Rich Asians #34 A Book with a wedding
I enjoyed parts of this, but it did get a bit redudant and old to me after awhile, although I did like the ending.
Spindle Fire #44 Book set in the same season you read it (winter)
This was a YA retelling of Sleeping Beauty and I did enjoy it. It added a lot of world building and some new characters.
Oryx and Crake #46 Book with no chapters
This one was very different, but I liked the way the story was told.
Saga, Vol. 2 No challenge
Love this series!
Currently Reading
The Spectacular Sisterhood of Superwomen: Awesome Female Characters from Comic Book History This is really cool so far!
Starcrossed This is an older YA series that involves Greek Mythology and the Battle of the Trojan War, but set in modern day. Its actually a lot better than I thought it would be so far, although it does have a bit of a Twilight vibe. But still, loving the mythology aspect!
Thor, Volume 1: The Goddess of Thunder Not far in, but liking it so far!
Getting ready to start:
The Belles
The Immortalists
QOTW
Do any of you know an author personally?
I know two pretty well.
David Estes who is a self published writer and I have been friends for years. His work is really entertaining, I def recommend it! My favorite of his is his Slip series. I've organized a lot of events and other "street team" type of things for a long time for him.
And Rysa Walker I have been championing for back when she was also a self published author. Her first book was called Time's Twisted Arrow, and I read and reviewed an ARC of it when it was first published, and raved about it, and made everyone I know read it. Its an amazing Sci-Fi time travel story. Then it won the book of the year award from Amazon and Skyscape then published the whole trilogy, and then another trilogy since. The new name of it is Timebound. She is so so smart, a history professor. I've met her a few times now. The first time was at a book festival and she took me and my friends out for margaritas! One of the best nights of my life!
Nadine wrote: "Good morning!! JUST as I was typing "we are having our second two hour delay of the week, and I hate two hour delays because they mess up the entire day's schedule" ... the schools closed for a sno..."I received
for Christmas! Can't wait to read it!
Hi everyone. It didn't feel like a particularly good reading week, but listing out the books I see that it was.Finished:
Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened I meant to finish this last year but I didn't so I stuck it in one of the challenges I am doing that has humor category.
The Other Woman for book with clothing or accessory on the cover. This was a Reese Witherspoon recommendation. Like most of her thriller recs, it was just OK.
Bury Your Dead Another book I hoped to finish last year, but since it carried over I used it for book I meant to read in 2018. So good, I think it's my favorite of the series so far.
My Sister, the Serial Killer Short but really good. There's a lot squeezed into a little book, family, life in Lagos, sibling rivalry. I listened to the audiobook.
Less I think I waited like 6 months for this audiobook. I liked it. It was surprisingly light and enjoyable for a literary prize winner.
Welcome to Your Authentic Indian Experience I listened to this short story on LeVar Burton reads. Probably won't count it for a challenge.
Currrently Reading:
A Place for Us for a book that includes a wedding. I really like it, but it's not going very quickly.
The Clockmaker's Daughter
Lost in a Good Book on audio.
QOTW:
Sylvie Bigar co-authored a cookbook with Daniel Boulud. She used to be married to my husband's cousin.
Monkiecat wrote: "Hello allThis has been a bit of a bumpy week... winter vacation is over and kids back to school, husband back to work, which means I can't stay in bed all day feeling sorry for myself (1 kid is ho..."
After reading your lung issues I am grateful I am lucky enough to be able to chase the idiots. Bet you would swap in a heartbeat. Hope you feel better soon.
Time flies and I am still reading my first book, The Nightingale for prompt #1 A book becoming a movie in 2019. This rarely happens to me, but I am really enjoying the story and want to savour it. I usually devour books I love, but this one I am not at all rushing. I love the writing, and I am deeply involved in the characters and their stories. I am more than halfway done, and should be finished soon. Can't wait for the movie. I know I'll go see the trailer once I finish the book.Still: 0/40, 0/10 ; 0/52 ATY, 0/60 GR
QOTW: I only know an old colleague of mine who writes children's books in French.
I read 3 books this past week, but I'm only counting 1 of them for this challenge. The other two books could be counted for some of the prompts, so we shall see.First I read The Chronicles of Amber: Volume II which was the conclusion to the book I read last week. This could be counted for the imaginary creature prompt, as there is a unicorn, or maybe for the superpower prompt, but right now I'm not counting it toward the challenge.
I also read A Wrinkle in Time as my reread of a favorite book. I can't tell you how many times I have read this book, and always my mother's copy from the 70s <3 The movie was good, but I still love the book the best.
And because I need to read series in order and all at once, I read A Wind in the Door, which could also be counted for the imaginary animal prompt. But, again, I'm just leaving it for now. I'm going to be reading way more books than the 50 books for this challenge.
Currently reading:
A Swiftly Tilting Planet because I must continue this series. This might end up being my multiple POVs later on, we'll see.
(I am also in the middle of The Two Towers where I started it in 2018 and then stopped reading it for months)
QotW: I actually do know several published authors. No big names, but Denise Thompson-Slaughter used to live on my street and I'm friends with her on FB. I do know more people who have published short stories and some self published novels.
Hello everyone! I'm off to a bit of a slow start and had an okayish reading week, but I loved both of them!Completed
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - 2. A book that makes you nostalgic
Started off 2019 by heading back to Hogwarts again. It's been quite awhile now since I've reread Harry Potter, so I'm excited to revisit the series this year. It will always be a favourite of mine. The series just means so much to me.
The Prince and the Dressmaker - Historical romance for Book Riot
My heart! This story is so precious I actually hugged the book when I finished.
Progress: 1/52
Currently Reading
Washington Black - Popsugar
The Devil and the Deep - ATY
Queste (not sure where this would fit yet)
QOTW
I know a couple people who have published books.
This week I finished:The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle
and
A Little Bit Wicked: Life, Love, and Faith in Stages
I started :
Oryx and Crake
and
1984
I have not slotted any books into a definitive spot yet. I have a general idea of where i want them, but will wait a bit to finalize.
QOTW
My cousin is Lexi Ryan. She writes romance set in our home state of Indiana.
Book 1 finished! It was Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky. Insanely good sci-fi story. At 600 pages, it’s the longest book I’ve read in 12 years. With that, I got to check off the “set in space” and “multiple POV” boxes. It felt like it didn’t have quite enough cli-fi content to cover that topic, unfortunately.
Next up: All the Stars We Cannot See, although I’m not even sure what challenge categories it covers, if any!
- the last half of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets as my book that has been banned in my state, for Bookish's 2018 challenge- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (in one day!) for my book featuring an extinct or imaginary creature for PopSugar
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire for my book related to one of the 12 Chinese Zodiac animals for Goodreads ATY
- the first quarter of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix for my reread of a favourite for PopSugar
QOTW
I don't know any personally, but I own a book by an author who my mom apparently went to high school with, and she has another friend who is married to a published sci-fi author.
My reading speed has been slow. Didn't complete any book last week. Question of the week:
Do any of you know an author personally? Question submitted by Mike.
I personally don't know well known authors of course. But technically speaking, a friend of mine wrote and self-published a couple of books, so that could count. Few of my professors in college authored academic books in their respective subjects. I myself wrote and self-published a book.
Happy Thursday!I finished three books this week, though only one for Popsugar.
I finished Assassin's Quest which I've been reading for some time. This is for another GR group read.
I also read Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices for the ATY challenge. This book was a lot of fun. Though it should be read aloud. I decided I needed to have the audio version of it as well.
And just today I read Love That Dog for a book with "love" in the title. This was a super quick, delightful read.
Carmen wrote: "If we’re counting signings, I met Joanne Harris as well! She is so kind and lovely, and we spent some time gushing over Loki and how he deserves more love then he gets 😅"Its good to meet another fan of Harris's Loki books! Although I'll admit I liked the first one more than the second.
I finished You Think It, I'll Say It this week as my first book of 2019 for a book recommended by a celebrity. (Reese Witherspoon's book club pick). It was an easy, quick read. Despite a slow start this year, I'm excited to get the ball rolling!
@Trish Yay Loki fans! I haven’t read the second one just yet, but hopefully I’ll get to it this year! With a bit of luck I can even find a prompt for it 😊
Are there really so many banned books btw? The only one here I know of is Mein Kampf, but in Belgium it’s legal so easy to get. Why would Chamber of Secrets be banned? I am so intrigued!
Carmen wrote: "Are there really so many banned books btw? The only one here I know of is Mein Kampf, but in Belgium it’s legal so easy to get. Why would Chamber of Secrets be banned? I am so intrigued!"
Clockwork Orange has been banned...
Johanne wrote: " ... @snow. I am wondering, all these snow days. What does it take for the schools to close?..."When I was at school in the Scottish Borders, they had a two tier system. If you lived close to the school and could walk, you went in, if you lived on a hill farm and there was a risk of getting stuck, you got sent home. My high school was 7 miles away but I still remember going in on the bus on snowy days.
Now I live on the south coast of England, there is barely any snow and ice but people just cannot cope when it happens. The only time work told me to stay home, was after last year's freezing rain. I couldn't even walk the dog that day though, everything was covered in solid ice.
I do rely on the train to get to work these days, so I'm more likely to get "snowed in" than my colleagues. But the trains here also get defeated by leaves, rain, sunshine and ponies...
Carmen wrote: "Are there really so many banned books btw? The only one here I know of is Mein Kampf, but in Belgium it’s legal so easy to get. Why would Chamber of Secrets be banned? I am so intrigued!"
The ALA always publish a list of most challenged books in libraries every year and this has sort of morphed into "Banned Books Week" even if books weren't really banned anywhere.
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks
From what I can tell, some US libraries or schools pulled Harry Potter because it was promoting that occult. I think it's rare these days for a book to be outright banned in Europe/US.
There is a leftover law in the UK which bans comics with adult content, but this is obviously ignored! It was brought it because there were a lot of crime comics being imported from the US and they thought they would encourage kids to commit crimes.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Childre...
We had the conversation about banned books last year. If I remember correctly, some schools or local authorities may ban a book from the curriculum (and the library?) in the US, but when I hear 'banned book' I think of a governmental ban, and that is very rare in Europe (as far as I know). I don't think any books are currently banned in Denmark, we even have an obligation in libraries to NOT censor books; that is to not acquire due to political content or similar. We can choose not to acquire it for other reasons, like quality, lack of interest from patrons etc. This means that Mein Kampf is in the libraries. There was a book by an ex-military man a couple of years ago about his time in the military, that the military tried to ban due to national security, but then the book (and the secrets, that didn't threaten national security by the way) was already out... I think the curriculum banned books make no sense. If a teacher thinks a book is relevant to teach, trust that teacher!
... and trains stopped by ponies? ...
Edited: Just googled it: The book was by a former Police Intelligence Service guy.
Johanne wrote: "... and trains stopped by ponies? ..."I live on the edge of the New Forest which has "wild" ponies (technically they are all owned but they are left to live as if wild). Sometimes they manage to get onto the side of the tracks to find some particularly tasty grass. Mostly they like to stand in the road though.
http://www.thenewforestguide.co.uk/bi...
Hi allI finished 2 books last week:
The Windup Girl (for the Cli-fi prompt) and The Giver (for the author's name and surname starting with the same letter prompt, although it would also work for the over 1 million ratings on Goodreads prompts).
I'm currently reading The Man in the High Castle, and while I'm enjoying the storyline, I'm struggling a bit with the writing.
QOTW:
A friend's husband had a couple of short books self-published. Otherwise, while I have met/spoken to a few authors, I wouldn't really say I knew any of them well.
@Raye, I finished The Man in the High Castle just two days ago, so I am curious to hear what you think! I liked it, but still feel weird about it.
I've read so much since I started the challenge I think I'm up to 15 books read. The last one I finished was Mr. Terupt Falls Again for Multiple POVs. I'm currently reading The Reluctant Assassin Not quite sure where it fits in right now. QOTW: Unfortunately I don't have any author friends but I have met a few.
Hello!!Books finished:
This Star Won't Go Out: The Life and Words of Esther Grace Earl - A book published posthumously - It was a great read, very inspirational.
Também Tive Um Pega Monstro - Uma Viagem Aos Anos 90 - A book that makes you nostalgic - I'd throw this book in a trashcan, if I wasn't against throwing away books.
Currently reading:
Six of Crows - A book written by a musician (fiction or nonfiction) - Have only read the first chapter so far.
Vicious - A book set on college or university campus - I'm really enjoying this one!!
Shatter Me - A book about someone with a superpower - I'm not enjoying it as much as other dystopian YA books I've read, but it's a good read so far.
Fire and Heist - A book with a zodiac sign or astrology term in title - Decided to start this one for the Fairy Loot readathon and I'm LOVING it so far! It's such an easy and fun read!!
Save the Date - A book that includes a wedding - I'm listening to the audiobook, but I'm still at the beginning.
QOTW: I don't know any authors personally.
Mod
In terms of Shakespeare, I’ve had a lot of exposure to Macbeth b..."
I've never tried a Shakespeare audiobook! Maybe I should ...
This year I'll be reading Twelfth Night. Overdrive has two copies:
Paul Scofield, Siobhan McKenna & John Neville
or
Stella Gonet, Gerard Murphy, & "full cast" ("with classical music")
I don't know which one to choose! I've never listened to an audiobook with any of those voice actors. They both have a wait time of "about 6 weeks." I think I'll just put them both on hold and see which one comes in first.
Hi all, a slightly late check in for me.Completed
Circe - I got tired of waiting for my library copy to get back to me so used an audible credit. The final 2/3rds were miles better than the beginning and I finally got the hype! What a great feat of research and passion.
I actually started reading this in 2018 to fulfil the 'published in 2018' prompt but I'm going to also use it for this years challenge. Probably for the 'based on a myth ' prompt
Currently reading
War and Peace - Still reading this. Still loving this
Shadow of The Fox - I'm not sure about this yet. I think it's a bit too YA for me but I like the idea of fantasy that's not from the typical European background. We'll see.
QOTW
Amazingly there are two published authors from the small village I grew up in (population 1000), Nikki Fine and Carol McGrath. Both write very well researched historical fiction. I thoroughly recommend their books. I met both through community theatre. I think there's a distinct crossover between amdram and writing, every group I've been in has had at least one person who is writing their debut.
My boyfriend is also writing his debut not published yet but he's still and author to me!
Mod
Why would Chamber of Secrets be banned? I am so intrigued!"
No, there aren't any books in the US that are truly, legally BANNED by the federal government (there might be some states that restrict pornography). There are even books on how to create anarchy or make bombs that you can legally purchase. The term is used loosely to refer to any book that has been removed from a library or even just removed from a school curriculum. I find it's mostly a lot of pearl clutching over nothing - out of THOUSANDS of classroom-worthy books that could be on a school curriculum, what does it matter if one is removed in favor of another? I realize I may be minimizing the issue, though, since I live in NY which tends to be one of the more liberal states in the US.
On the other hand, I also think it is silly when, say, Duke University assigns the excellent graphic novel Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic to all their incoming freshman, and a few select conservative Christian students go bonkers because they are expected to read a book by a lesbian that actually lets the reader know she had sex. (IIRC, Duke did not back down.) So, because of that fuss, Fun Home will now show up on "banned books" lists, but it's not REALLY banned, it's just been challenged at numerous schools.
And that's what they are trying to draw attention to, of course: some regions, even some US states, will try to ban books that are about more liberal issues, such as feminism or homosexuality, and they will use outdated obscenity laws to do this, and that needs to stop. Unfortunately they use confusing words like "banned books" when they are not actually banned, they are challenged. In most cases, books that are "banned" from school libraries are still available in the local community public libraries.
Harry Potter gets challenged because of all the eeeeevilllll magic which of course is direct from Satan and will corrupt young Christian minds. It's ridiculous, because SO MANY kids' books involve magic, why is this one the one that gets challenged?? Most Christians LOVE Harry Potter, too! He's so wholesome! He's on the side of GOOD! He never even cheats on a test! (I think?) It's a shame that some folks take their religion a little too far.
Errlee wrote: "I'm the same - I've had My Brilliant Friend out from the library a gazillion times, and even had a borrowed copy on my bookshelf for about a year and yet I never seem to be able to bring myself to read it and I don't know why. Now it's just become some kind of weird block and I feel like I will never end up reading it. "I wonder if its because it was the "everyone's talking about it" book a couple of years ago, and that always puts me off a bit.
I am at 11/50 challenges, this week I read:What Alice Forgot for a book about family. Alice wakes up at the gym (what, she never goes to the gym?) where everyone seems to know her. All she wants is her husband to rush to her side, seeing as they're expecting their first baby. The doctor informs her she isn't pregnant and she fears she's lost the baby, until the doctor finds no record of a recent pregnancy with her OB - but three over the past 10 years that Alice doesn't remember. What else has Alice forgotten in the last 10 years?
Dumplin' Not for a prompt, I just wanted to read it before I watched the movie - it could maybe stretch to "involving a game" since she enters a pageant? but I have another pick for that, so I'm leaving it off my list for now.
Difficult Women Book with a two word title - Wow this one was a (not shocking) hard read for me. The stories are just a minefield of trigger warnings, so I would not recommend unless you are in a good headspace and can deal with that kind of thing.
I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life Book about a hobby - and a perfect palete cleanser after Difficult Women, this was light, sweet, and quick look at one woman's experience with her reading life.
Long Way Down Unconventional chapter numbering - Totally not what I was expecting, I went in knowing nothing - just that friends recommended it - and may have been expecting science fiction LOL but this was impactful and I am totally glad I listened to it, because I'm a sucker for when authors read their own work, especially in verse.
Schoolgirl Missing Article of clothing on the cover - I had an ARC to read and was real let down by this one.
Aquicorn CoveFeaturing an imaginary creature - This was so sweet and made me cry, which is unusual for middle grade for me, lately.
Women Talking Based on a true story - I had mixed feelings - the fact that this occurred I thought was interesting and not anything I'd already heard of, but in reading it (and no one could say I wasn't warned) it was just women talking and ended up being a little boring to me.
In an Absent Dream Plant on the cover - this was my most anticipated book for this year coming out of 2018, I freaking love this series and this one was no exception.
The WitchesI had originally chosen this for book set in Scandinavia, but it took place almost entirely in England, with a small portion being in Norway, and I'm hesitant to actually count it now.
The Mermaid's Voice Returns in This One
The One Multiple POVs - this was different than I expected but still awesome. It follows multiple people living in a world where you can find your perfect match through DNA testing, as long as you both sign up and pay a small fee to access the data when matched. It seems perfect, but not everyone's soul mate is what they seem, and sometimes you just want to pick love for yourself.
Trish wrote: "Errlee wrote: "I'm the same - I've had My Brilliant Friend out from the library a gazillion times, and even had a borrowed copy on my bookshelf for about a year and yet I never seem..."When I first gotMy Brilliant Friend, I opened it, saw the list of characters and all their nicknames, and thought it was going to be so complicated and dry to keep up with. So I didn't read it for a few years, but I ended up loving it and the entire series.
Katie wrote: "Next up All the Light We Cannot See..."This is such a beautifully written book, and if you don't have firm selections for each prompt, you can use it for
- multiple POV (it alternates between 2 main characters)
- puzzle or game (the father of one of the main characters builds puzzles for her to solve to adjust to blindness)
- I think the unusual chapter heading prompt. It's been a couple of years since I read it, but I seem to recall either no chapter headings or else dates/times.
I hope you like the book!
Nadine wrote: "Carmen wrote: "Are there really so many banned books btw? The only one here I know of is Mein Kampf, but in Belgium it’s legal so easy to get. Why would Chamber of Secrets be banned? I am so intr..."
It's very interesting Nadine. I didn't realize that teachers weren't allowed to choose all the books they wanted. I did a quick check and found that in Ontario, some shcools decides to remove To Kill a Mockingbird and The Handmaid's Tale from their curriculum.
Brooke wrote: "Katie wrote: "Next up All the Light We Cannot See..."This is such a beautifully written book, and if you don't have firm selections for each prompt, you can use it for
- multiple POV (it alternat..."
Yes, I'm using it for my unusual chapters prompt because I figured that'd be hardest to fulfill. It's not always obvious when you're selecting books how it's broken up within the text. Each time it switches POV the heading on top changes, and then there's sections delineating what year it currently is as it goes between time points in the war. Not standard chapter 1, 2, 3 etc.
Nadine, It was pretty fun! I'd say the main downside is it's kind of noisy, even on a not super busy night, and the nature of a long bar table made it harder to hear people on the other end. However it was nice having a drink and a more casual atmosphere.
Thanks so much for the info about the ‘banned’ books! That is so interesting, ...and scary. We don’t read books the way you guys seem to do in school. We get a list to choose from in the upper classes, and a free range (with a minimum level) in the lower classes.
The one or two books we read in Dutch weren’t overly discussed either. Just, read together in class. For your reading list pretty much anything went as long as it was originally Dutch and of sufficient difficulty.
So that’s probably why this is so foreign to me! But then again, we have an official banned book here, which pisses me off because censoring is supposed to be illegal.
Currently reading: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life: I like to start each day reading a chapter of a non-fiction, self-help, or leadership book. I do not usually count these towards the challenge. By reading just one chapter at a time, it allows me to 'sit' with the concept/idea of that chapter for a day to try to incorporate it into my daily practices.
Flight of the Sparrow: I am reading this for 'A novel based on a true story'. It was a bit slow to begin with...so while I was on the road for work this week, I spent more time watching the Food Network than reading in my hotel room. Time to catch up a bit this weekend.
As for authors, Jeanne Burrows-Johnson is a very close family friend of ours. My mom has helped in editing the Natalie Seachrist mystery series. I have also worked in higher education over the past 10+ years and have been fortunate to work with some amazing authors including Mary Szybist, Pauls Toutonghi, and Kim Stafford.
Happy reading!
I can't believe it's Friday already! haven't read as much as I expected this week - I had a lot of travel time but ended up listening to music & podcasts rather than reading.. still read a few books though! this week I finished:
Brooklyn - a suggestion from my aunt, really disappointing for me tbh. I can't see it fitting any prompts either.
Exit West - which conversely I loved! so good. i'm volunteering with a charity that is helping w the european refugee crisis right now, and this book is the thing i want to give to anyone who doesn't understand why that work is necessary.
Chanson douce - i finished it! & i definitely didn't understand all the french! i heard such good things about it but it didn't quite do it for me. i might return to it after another few months of french immersion and see if things click a bit more?
currently reading: 2666, still. (it's so good! so weird!) & I started America Is Not the Heart too which I'm really enjoying so far. we'll see if I actually end up finishing either of those before next Thursday!
& I don't have any interesting stories for this week's question - but I'm looking forward to reading other peoples stories!
Nadine wrote: "Carmen wrote: "Are there really so many banned books btw? The only one here I know of is Mein Kampf, but in Belgium it’s legal so easy to get. Why would Chamber of Secrets be banned? I am so intr..."
My father-in-law was a school librarian for years and told us about a girl (elementary age- I think she was in third grade) who took out the first Harry Potter book then was told to bring it back the next day because it was full of evil magic. Instead she took out Aladdin and the mom had no problem with that one.
Also, in our state the State Children's Choice Book Award nominees (the Golden Sowers) are posted in all the schools and there are school programs attached to reading the nominees. The year The Hunger Games was on the list it was challenged and removed from some of the school libraries in the state. I thought it was ironic that the books had to be removed while posters of the Golden Sowers promoted the book in the same libraries.
Theresa wrote: "Desert Queen: The Extraordinary Life of Gertrude Bell: Adventurer, Adviser to Kings, Ally of Lawrence of Arabia - absolutely fabulous 5 star read! Not only tells about an amazing woman but also is a great primer of the modern Middle East. I used for PS character with a superpower (if anyone has ever had a superpower, it's Gertrude Bell!) and ATY ##44 related to a movie (Lawrence of Arabia, of course). "The BBC currently have a series where the public vote for the greatest icon of the 20th century. It's at the category stage at the moment so they put forward the case for four 'icons' from each category in an episode.
Wednesday's episode was about explorers and Gertrude Bell was one of the candidates alongside Neil Armstrong, Ernest Shackleton and Jane Goodall. I had never heard of Bell before and her story was amazing. Saying that Goodall got my vote because I've always admired her.
I am currently at 2/50 books. I just started the challenge this past Sunday. I have read the following books:Where'd You Go, Bernadette (Book becoming a movie in 2019) - I enjoyed the read. The book is mostly written as a series of letters, emails, etc. The characters are quirky and fun to read about, and it provides an interesting take on anxiety and agoraphobia. It was also a very easy, quick read. I would recommend it to someone looking for a light, fun read. Overall, I didn't love it, but I liked it. It's not one I would read again, though.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Book that makes you nostalgic) - I absolutely adored this book. I had heard of it, but I never would have chosen it to read without this challenge prompting me to. I am so glad I did. It is very well-written and definitely made me think back to my last year of high school. I especially enjoyed all the music references.
I am currently reading High Fidelity for the Book with a two word title prompt. I love this movie, so I figured I'd give the book a try.
Unfortunately, I do not know any authors personally. I wish I did.
Sheri wrote: "Hi everyone!Temps took a nose dive this week, prompting us to start putting up the window plastic. usually have to put it up much sooner, but it's been a mild winter so far.
This week I finishe..."
For the past few years I keep planning to start a book club like that, at one of our local pubs that has a nice little separate room but I never get my act together. I belong to another more traditional one where we host, but I always get stressed the night I have to get my house cleaned and now we have two crazy dogs so it's near impossible to have a decent group at my house. Thought doing it out would give everyone a break from having to rush home from work and get it all done. Maybe this will be the year I actually do it!
I did Into the Drowning Deep for a challenge last year (maybe book set at sea?) and enjoyed it more than I thought I would, although it was a bit out there for me.
I've finally gotten serious about this challenge. I've finished Circle of Quilters #8 prompt, Born a Crime #25.
3/50 PS
0/24 RH
3/50 PS
0/24 RH
@Nadine, I'm not a Harry Potter aficionado but isn't there a whole book where he's cheating on his schoolwork? Lol
Trish wrote: "Errlee wrote: "I'm the same - I've had My Brilliant Friend out from the library a gazillion times, and even had a borrowed copy on my bookshelf for about a year and yet I never seem..."I think that's part of it - I'm the same way with tv shows and movies, although often once I finally get down to reading or watching I enjoy them (but not always - sometimes the hype is not well deserved).
Must be the rebel in me not wanting to conform :)
Hello friends! It's been a long time. I didn't do much reading last year but I'm hoping to get back in the swing this year. Whether or not I finish the challenge, I want to get back to enjoying reading again. I miss it.I am 1/40 (undecided on the advanced) as I finished Still Me by Jojo Moyes. I am using this one for two-word title and find it interesting that a lot of us are starting the year with this prompt. This was my book club's pick for the month. I'm bummed because I missed the meeting (last night) even though I finished the book. I enjoyed it. Lindi messaged me her thoughts on it when she saw I was reading it and I concur: it was a good finish to the Louisa Clark story arc. I wasn't sure at a few points but Moyes didn't disappoint me. I am very vested in HEA stories.
Undecided at this point but I could turn this into "two books with the same title" because Christopher Reeve's autobiography was also called Still Me. We shall see. I adored him and am a bit surprised I haven't read it yet given my penchant for autobiographies.
QotW
I don't know any mainstream authors personally but I was a newspaper reporter for several years so I have acquaintances/former colleagues who have written books. Plus I worked at a university and most of the tenured profs have books.
I do have a close encounter of the fangirl variety. I went to a Nora Roberts book signing +15 years ago. Then after the book signing, my girlfriends and I headed to TGIFriday's for dinner and who did we run into? Yep! She was there having dinner. We geeked out and she was very gracious about taking more photos with us. I remember thinking how very tiny she was. She is very petite which doesn't come across in the head shot on her book jackets.
Happy to be back here with you lovelies! Happy reading! Not sure what I'll read next but that's half the fun, right?
Ellie wrote: "Johanne wrote: " ... @snow. I am wondering, all these snow days. What does it take for the schools to close?..."When I was at school in the Scottish Borders, they had a two tier system. If you li..."
They do this strange thing here in Ottawa where they cancel buses for weather but keep the schools open? So teachers and staff have to go in, and I guess kids that live close by (or parents that are desperate for child care) can still go in. They didn't do that when I was a kid. It is a bit annoying, since as the kids get older they complain endlessly about being forced to go when their friends don't, and honestly all they do in class is play games and watch movies since half the kids aren't there. Only have one left at home, and he's in high school and takes a city bus to school, but usually I leave it up to him whether to go or not - sometimes he wants to go just to hang out with friends. It's a bit of a weird cop out by the schools if you ask me.
And we don't often close for snow here - it's freezing rain usually. And they announce bus cancellations on the radio and online by 5 a.m. so sometimes you get cancellations even though the weather improved and they didn't need to, which is a bit of a pain. But at least there is certainty. And each year we seem to get more and more days of freezing rain - global warming perhaps?
Wow, I didn't realize I had so much to say about school closings :)
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle (other topics)The Life We Bury (other topics)
Becoming (other topics)
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (other topics)
Lady Chatterley’s Lover (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Rena Olsen (other topics)Cathrin Kühl (other topics)
Khi Armand (other topics)
Charles Porterfield (other topics)
Catherine Yronwode (other topics)
More...
3/50
This week I finished:
✔ The 7+1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle (Prompt 39, A book revolving around a puzzle or game) [Kindle] ... my review
✔ Beowulf (Prompt 23, A book set in Scandinavia) [Audiobook] ... my review
✔ Year of No Sugar (Prompt 10, A book with “pop,” or “sugar,” or “challenge” in the title) [Kindle] ... my review
Right now I'm reading:
The Night Circus (Prompt 19, A book told from multiple character POVs) [Audiobook]
Volcanic Momentum - a productivity book [Kindle]
Do I know authors personally?
Well, I am one, so for years I've been involved in author critique groups and writers' clubs, both online and offline. So I know a lot of authors, some with quite a few books published.