Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2021 Weekly Check-Ins
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Week 33: 8/13 - 8/19
Happy Thursday! I'm still stuck in a little bit of a reading funk. I have been so unbelievably busy at work that I don't have the energy for reading when I get home, so I have been only reading on the weekend right now. I'm really hoping that changes soon, because I have so many great books checked out from the library right now and I want to read them all RIGHT NOW! I have a three day weekend, so fingers crossed.This week I finished:
We Were Never Here: I enjoyed this one a lot more than I expected to. There was even a surprise so good that my mouth actually fell open when I was reading it.
Currently reading:
False Witness: My love of all things Karin Slaughter goes pretty deep, but I am having some trouble staying invested in this one. I think it was pretty ambitious of me to pick such a long book during my reading funk, but also I'm having trouble with the "let's write a book about COVID trend." I understand that author's get inspiration from the real-world and current events, but I use even dark reading as a form of escapism, and I don't want to escape into COVID world.
Planned:
The Mary Shelley Club: I had no idea that this book was so long when I requested it from the library. It sounds good, but I try to stick to stuff under 400 pages unless I'm sure I'm going to love it. Has anyone read this yet? Is it worth all 500ish pages?
Not a Happy Family: I have the audiobook of this from Overdrive, but haven't started it yet.
QOTW:
I'm sure that there are lots of them, but I can't think of a specific one off the top of my head.
Whoa, it's Thursday again already? Where did the week go??I'll be out of town from later today til Sunday afternoon for my sister's bachelorette party. She's keeping things pretty low-key, which I appreciate, and I've made sure my Kindle is loaded and charged so I'll have plenty of books in the event the weather decides to be less-than-ideal.
I finished From Cradle to Stage: Stories from the Mothers Who Rocked and Raised Rock Stars this week! Lots of good stories in here, especially Tom Morello's (Rage Against the Machine/Audioslave/Prophets of Rage) mom and Geddy Lee's (Rush) mom. There's also a single-season tv series on Netflix; I'm hoping they do more eventually, because as much as I like reading about the various rock moms, there's something about witnessing the conversations that's absolutely magical. Plus we get Dave Grohl's story interwoven, and he's a gem.
I also finished One of Our Thursdays Is Missing this morning - 4 stars. This series has always been mind-bending, but this installment is especially so.
The Doll's House should also be finished before I leave this afternoon! It got REALLY good this morning; met a guy who decided he didn't want to die and so he's now witnessed several hundred years of history, from Chaucer to Shakespeare to the American Revolution and now into the 1980s (which I suppose was essentially current when this was first written). Can't wait for the tv series!
Currently reading:
Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent - I should probably take this back to the library and read it another time, but some part of me is determined. Determined, I say!
The Hangman's Daughter
And They Called It Camelot: A Novel of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis
41/50 for PS
Upcoming:
Fugitive Telemetry
Get a Life, Chloe Brown
The Romanov Empress: A Novel of Tsarina Maria Feodorovna
Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents
QOTW: (from Heather) - Are there any books you’ve read that you wish had a sequel?
I would agree with Last Night at the Telegraph Club! And probably add The Alice Network while I'm at it; so many amazing historical fiction books are standalones.
I finished A Man Called Ove as my book that everyone else has read. LOVED IT.I'm about 3/4 of the way through Queen Defiant as my book tha t starts with Q, X, or Z. It's OK.
QOTW: You mean besides A Dance with Dragons? I'm sure I have. I can't remember, though. But, it might be a careful what you wish for kind of thing. My favorite book is Lonesome Dove and if there weren' a sequel, I would proably wish there was, but I wish the sequel that does exist, didn't.
Mod
On Saturday we take my daughter to college, so I'm all verklempt. She's still packing and is a stressed out mess, so it's fun times! It's very weird that suddenly she won't be a part of all of the continuing things in our lives: watching Brooklyn 99, emptying the dishwasher, putting things on the grocery list, deciding on the week's menu, who gets to eat the leftovers. I may or may not be a hot mess next week, my first week without her. Mother Nature is cruel, forcing new parents to completely change their lives and make EVERYTHING about the baby, and then, just a few short years later, poof! the grown child moves out.
This week I finished a few mediocre books. Happily, all of the books I'm reading right NOW are GREAT!! I wish I could only read great books! As discriminating as I am in choosing books, I still end up with a lot of clunkers. I guess because I'm always trying to read outside of my comfort zone, that's the risk I take.
Neither of these books is for this Challenge, so I remain 37/50.
Meditations in an Emergency poems by Frank O'Hara - this guy lived for just a short time, and he has a fervent fan base, and I see the appeal, but I'm not a fan.
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson - this book was raved about so much, I thought it was a sure thing! Nope. Didn't like it. REALLY didn't like it.
QotW
There have definitely been books that I wished I could read more of after I finished them, but I can't think of them right now!
I would love to read a sequel to Catherine House! It has a very open-ended ending, anything could happen next!
But sometimes you read a sequel and wish you hadn't! This happens more with YA I think. I remember LOVING Delirium, it was the perfect book full of teen angst and forbidden love and secret covert ops fighting back against The Man ... and I wish the next two books didn't exist. Warm Bodies was so good, so fresh and different! The sequel was so blah, and so unnecessary.
It feels like autumn already, did I miss summer?Finished:
The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik for dark academia. This was great, I liked it more than the first book maybe because I wasn't trying to work out what on earth was going on with the malia/mana/mal, but also, all the warm fuzzy feelings! Which I did not expect from a series about a deadly school. Though if you don't like cliffhangers, maybe wait until book three is a bit closer.
Fake Law: The Truth About Justice in an Age of Lies by The Secret Barrister for anonymous. Nearly all I know about the UK legal system is from the Secret Barrister, so important to discuss these things, although now I have even more to be angry with the government about.
The Black God's Drums for my "DNF from TBR" book. This is such a ridiculous prompt, but I'd put this was down because I wasn't really absorbing the world first time. This suffers the same as some of his other short fiction, there is potential but it doesn't get the space it needs in such a short story. I would say I would like to see this world in a longer format but I just want him to concentrate on the djinn books.
Currently reading Lonely Lonely Castle in the Mirror and listening to Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder (I found it on a list of locked room mysteries but now I'm reading it I'm not sure it fits).
QOTW:
It seems I don't read that much standalone fiction. Sometimes I want to know what happens to characters but also not sure if a whole other novel is necessary, like I'd prefer a short story or novella just to glimpse into their future lives. I got to the end of House of Hollow and initially wanted a sequel, but I don't think a sequel would be anywhere near as good.
Mod
same!!!
Happy Thursday, y’all.Well, after being in a bit of a slump last week, I read quite a bit this week! Catching up I guess...
Books read this week:
A Master of Djinn -- I’ve loved pretty much everything by P. Djeli Clark so far, and his first full-length novel is fantastic! I want to see more of Fatma, Siti, and this steampunk magical version of Egypt that I’ve come to love.
Faerie Tale -- ugh. Bad pacing, a cast full of wish-fulfillment characters, and a lot of cringey content (view spoiler). Also despite being about the Fae it takes over half the book to finally actually get to the Fae part. Don’t think I’ll be reading anything else by this author.
Oddjobs -- a weird hybrid of Lovecraftian horror and British comedy, about the bureaucracy involved in keeping elder Gods in check. Weird, tongue-in-cheek, and oddly fun.
The Midnight Circus -- collection of stories by Jane Yolen, an author I loved when I was in junior high and high school. These stories are a fair bit darker than her usual fare, and I can’t say I enjoyed all of them, but they do show her incredible and varied imagination.
A Robot in the Garden -- yes, I read this because it was about a robot. But dang if it wasn’t adorable. Not only is the titular robot adorable, but it’s a surprisingly moving story about a relationship on the rocks and one man coming to terms with the fact that he’s flawed and what he needs to do to fix things.
The Last Dragon -- graphic novel adaptation of a short story by an author whose work I loved in junior high and high school. The artwork is gorgeous, and the story is just as good as I remembered it being… though some of the language felt a little anachronistic.
Currently Reading:
Remnant Population
Poor Things
James Herriot's Cat Stories
The City of Brass
QOTW:
Well, as mentioned before, A Master of Djinn! Also Catherynne Valente's Space Opera -- I know she stated there would be a sequel released this year but I've seen no sign of it...
Good Morning All, I finished two books for the week. Neither are for any challenge. I’m at the point where I have two prompts left for Pop Sugar & one prompt for ATY. I’m waiting for library books to arrive. Pachinko by Min Jin Lee. 4 stars. This is for a face to face book club. This is a long book but I enjoyed it.
Green lights by Matthew McConaughey. 4 stars. I did not seek this book out. I never planned on reading it. A friend from the neighborhood brought it down wanting me to read it. She has learning disabilities & said the book was too hard for her to concentrate on. She liked what she read but couldn’t continue reading. I like Matthew McConaughey so why not. A free hard cover book is a precious thing.
I’m currently reading Piranesi by Susanna Clarke because of an on going discussion on ATY about the Women’s Prize. I was on Over Drive late one night & saw where this book was available. No waiting list. A book available on Over Drive is a precious thing.
Kenya wrote: "Well, as mentioned before, A Master of Djinn!..."He has a two book deal with his UK publisher and his publicist made it sound like it's going to be another Fatma book.
Getting this in before I have waaay too many meetings today/tonight. This week I finished:
Things We Lost to the Water This was excellent. I really enjoy books set in New Orleans and immigrant stories, even though they often include tough stuff. 5 stars
Things Fall Apart This was for a book club, and I'm glad I'll get to discuss it with other readers since there's a lot to talk about here... 4 stars
She Who Became the Sun My attention for this story ebbed and flowed where I enjoyed most of it but sometimes lost the story. 3.5 stars
Currently reading: I'm about to finish Damnation Spring as well as Everyone Knows Your Mother Is a Witch, and reading Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds in print.
QOTW: I guess most books I've loved I might want more, in the form of a sequel, unless the ending was pretty final. Cantoras and The Vanishing Half come to mind as stories where I wanted to know what happened for the characters next.
Hello, all. I finished four books since last week, three of which were for the PopSugar challenge. PopSugar: 36/50 (14 to go! 😐 )
Goodreads: 83/100 (20 ahead, probably need to up this)
* A book about forgetting: The Lost Girls of Johnson's Bayou by Jana Deleon
* A book that was published anonymously: Heat Wave by Richard Castle (actually written by Tom Straw)
* A book from your TBR with the ugliest cover: The Zonderling by Kersti Niebruegge (Short enough to read in one day)
Also finished:
* The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle (Listened to audiobook on YouTube)
* Vampires of the Desert by A. Hyatt Verrill (a long Sci-Fi short story, part of a 1900-page anthology I am determined to finish this year. Three stories left!)
Currently Reading
* Orlando by Virginia Woolf for a classics group read. Alas, doesn’t seem to fit any of my remaining fourteen prompts. Can’t say I’m enjoying it, so there’s great satisfaction in getting through my chapter of the day (six chapters, most about 50 pages, some longer or shorter than that).
QOTW: I’m sure there are, but I read so many series, I can’t think of any single titles I wish had a sequel (or two).
Ellie wrote: "Kenya wrote: "Well, as mentioned before, A Master of Djinn!..."He has a two book deal with his UK publisher and his publicist made it sound like it's going to be another Fatma book."
Yaaaaaay!
Hey! Hey! I finished some books this week!Finished: Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened
Dead Wednesday
Started: Teaching Reading in Social Studies, Science, and Math: Practical Ways to Weave Comprehension Strategies into Your Content Area Teaching
Qotw: I just came across a book that I had hope for/expected a sequel, but which hasn't come out yet and may not ever. The Last Monster Delightful book, though. To bend the question a little, the sequel I'm most looking forward to coming out is Philip Pullman's Book of Dust #3!
Happy Thursday! Boy o boy did this week fly by! I couldn't believe it was Thursday again already!
Finished:
How Much of These Hills Is Gold by C. Pam Zhang (a DNF book from your TBR list). This book was beautifully written and told such an interesting history.
The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult (a book set in multiple countries - Egypt/United States). I have never read Jodi Picoult before and while I do think she writes well, the book could have been at least 50 pages shorter. The jumping timelines were confusing too - sometimes even a memory would pop up in the middle of another memory.
Also - both books ended on a "cliffhanger" of sorts which was kind of funny.
Currently Reading:
Too Good to Be True by Carola Lovering (A book with a diamond on the cover) I made the mistake of reading the reviews before starting this one and most people said they didn't see the twists and turns. If the twist is what I am thinking it is, I figured it out on page 12 - but we will see if I am correct (I have been surprised before).
Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie (not for the challenge). I read And Then There Were None earlier this year so now I am on an Agatha Christie kick. This one came in from the Library and they are pretty fast reads for me so I added this one to read. I felt cheated on "None" because my copy seemed to be missing the pages that explained the ending so hopefully that doesn't happen with this one.
QOTW:
I mostly read mysteries/thrillers so those I would sometimes like a sequel to just because we never find out what happens after the traumatic events or how they end up. There is a new trend of "Final Girl" books coming out (Riley Sager wrote one and I believe Grady Hendrix did as well) about what happens after the final girl survives so those would be interesting to read. I would read the crap out of a sequel to The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue if there was one. I liked the ending but I wanted more.
Hello! Looking at my comment history, it was one year ago tomorrow that I joined this group! Yay!My reading continues to be comfort rereads of series, but two library books with wait lists came in, so I need to get to those.
Finished This Week:
Sapphire Flames / Emerald Blaze by Ilona Andrews. Finished my reread of the series. I'd forgotten a lot of Emerald Blaze, having only read it once, but still quite liked it on reread. It was interesting reading all five (plus Diamond Fire) back to back. The Baylors at the end of Emerald Blaze are a far cry away from the Baylors at the beginning of Burn For Me.
Late Eclipses by Seanan McGuire. Another reread. After reading last year's A Killing Frost in the October Daye series, I reread an earlier book in the series that I thought introduced a character. But when you meet him in that book, he says he's actually introduced in this book. So with When Sorrows Come coming next month, I reread Late Eclipses to find that character introduction. It's brief, and can easily be forgotten (which I'm sure is the point). I hadn't reread this one in a while, so it was good to revisit, as Important Stuff Happens. Debating if I should keep going in order, or if I should just read the next one that appeals to me.
Nothing was for a prompt, so count remains at PS 36/50.
Currently Reading:
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune. Still quite early, he just got to the island. Enjoying it so far.
My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor. No progress since last week. Still in her childhood.
Up Next:
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson. Fairly large wait list behind me, so need to get started on this.
QOTW: Are there any books you’ve read that you wish had a sequel?
I want to see continuing adventures of people I've enjoyed getting to know, but I also recognize that books need conflict, and too often conflict in sequels is artificially breaking people apart for the majority of the book because too many authors don't know what to do with happy people.
I guess I'd want a sequel to Sunshine by Robin McKinley, because that's one of my favorite books, but I know Robin's had difficulty writing for the past decade or so, especially since her husband died, so I don't expect it to ever happen.
I know The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison has a sequel now, but I'd love to see the continuing adventures of how Maia is doing.
Not much news this week... just facing up to the fact I have to get a new laptop. I dread these purchases every time. Technobabble drives me to tears. Intel, AMD, integrated graphics, GPU, gigabytes and terabytes... 😭On a less stressy note, there's a young rook in a nearby tree whose voice is breaking like a teenage boy's. Poor thing, he's trying to caw and it keeps coming out as either these strangled shrieks or a ridiculous grating "raaaaaak?!" And in between he chirrups like he's trying to clear his throat.
Read this week:
Metal Like Blood in the Dark - Great short story. Loved the concept of the robots modifying themselves and growing new parts as needed via consumption of metal as a raw material. Would have liked to know a bit more about the villain's backstory and the apparent robot society involved.
Mrs Death Misses Death - I'm in the minority here - very sadly this didn't do it for me. It was overly poetic, too fragmented. Lots of good parts but a bit style-over-substance.
Maybe I'll reread at some point, see if I can get more out of it.
Pandora's Jar: Women in the Greek Myths - Mostly enjoyed it, got a little dense at parts though. Definitely recommend to mythology nerds.
Currently reading:
The Iliad!
Haynes got me hyped to tackle a capital-C Classic. Fagles translation this time. I get the sense I'm going to end up collecting a few different translations till I find my favourite, one that strikes a perfect balance between being easy to understand and retaining a sense of poetry. Fagles is very good at the former, I can follow the plot with minimal difficulty, but sometimes the wording is a bit too plain.
QotW: Nothing springs to mind. Most reads that I can think of that I've enjoyed enough to want more, they either do have sequels or there's one in the works.
I very much need the continuation of the Locke Lamora series by Scott Lynch, mostly because the most "recent" (er, 2013) installment ended in a way that really bothered me, and the next volume might clarify things enough that I can decide whether I want to keep reading the series.
Hi all, Goodreads ate my post, boooo. Anyhow I only just posted on Monday due to the disaster week/weekend I had last week. SO not a whole lot of new to post.
I finished: The Fire Rose - needed something already on my kindle and easy to read as a break from spooky eldritch horror while in the dark.
Beneath the Rising - book with a black and white cover. This was an interesting premise, but I think had some clumsy execution. It felt like she couldn't decide between a more serious adult book and an a YA, and ended up shoehorning it into YA. It would have really solid eldritch world-building, and some good immediately post-9/11 commentary on racism, interrupted by really juvenile banter. (view spoiler)
Currently reading:
Little Women - my book everyone else has read. I think i might have enjoyed this more if I'd had read it as a kid like most people. I'm finding it a bit saccharin.
QOTW:
I can't really think of anything beyond wanting sequels NOW to books that are already series. Most the time I'm content with a stand alone book.
For example, Night Circus is one of my favorite books of all times. Sure Erin Morgenstern COULD write a book about previous games between A and Prospero, or books about the circus in the modern world, but I don't really want that. I think the Night Circus is perfect as is, I don't want the magic diluted with sequels and spin offs. I'd rather her focus on writing new books that were also full of their own special magic.
Question of the Week:I would love to see another book like Food: A Love Story by Jim Gaffigan. There are plenty of food types and trends that have not been discussed yet.
One of the rare sequels that lives up to a satisfying first book and ends in a satisfying way itself is The Candymakers and the Great Chocolate Chase by Wendy Mass. I highly recommend this duology to readers of 10 through 100.
Finished:
Legacy of the Force: Exile by Aaron Allston (3/5)
The writing and characters are good, but this is definitely not a complete story.
Currently reading:
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
I am still really enjoying this one just shy of the 70% mark.
Excelsior: Forged in Fire by Michael A. Martin and Andy Mangels (reread)
This is a fantastic book for fans of Klingons, honor, action, and diplomacy.
Dragons of Autumn Twilight by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman (reread)
Quite some years ago, I read and enjoyed this book. When I started reading the second book, it was apparent that there was something that happened between the first and second book. I never finished the second book, but now that I have made peace with the fact that there is a time jump between books, I am trying the trilogy again.
I also finished pruning my TBR to those that I have high confidence or excitement for. Counting a series as one book, the number is just under 50 currently. That's a pretty comfortable place for me. I know that Star Wars and Star Trek books will continue to come out, and I am happy to reread books I have enjoyed.
Happy Thursday! After a tornado scare yesterday, it's beautiful out today! You never do know what August will throw at you. Anyway...Finished 33/50
New Spring for "book set in multiple countries". This is the prequel to Wheel of Time, and it wasn't Jordan's best. Then again, it's centered around Moiraine and the Aes Sedai, who are not my favourite people in that series. Oh well. Wasn't bad, but wasn't great.
Currently Reading
Love Finds You in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania for "book set somewhere you'd like to visit in 2021". I didn't have high hopes for this year, given COVID, so I figured if I could at least get across the river, I'd be doing good. I did get over there once, so yay! I'll be honest....I don't have high hopes for this book. But maybe it'll surprise me!
QotW
I really wish there was more Everworld. It ends on such a cliffhanger! I also want more X/1999 too, but that series isn't completed....though...it's questionable whether it ever will be. T.T
Happy Thursday! It's so quiet for check in day.It looks like I only finished one book this week. That is unusual. I think it's because I am actually devoting all my reading energy to War and Peace at the moment, so I am only making progress on audiobooks.
Finished:
Act Your Age, Eve Brown Adorable
Currently reading:
War and Peace
Queenie
QOTW:
I miss the characters from The House in the Cerulean Sea, but the book wrapped up fine from what I remember. Can't think of any others at the moment.
Hi everyone! Haven't checked in for a while. My reading has really slowed down with my new job but I hope I can find a way to pick my pace back up!Currently Reading...
Hunting Annabelle by Wendy Heard, one of my favorite authors.
Earthlings by Sayaka Murata. I loved Convenience Store Woman by the same author, but I've heard this one is pretty messed up, so we'll see how I find it.
The God Equation: The Quest for a Theory of Everything by Michio Kaku for a book my best friend would like.
I'm 31/50 for the challenge. I hope I can finish it again this year!
QotW
I've come to prefer standalones, because series take more of a commitment. But I would like to see a sequel to Victoria Schwab's books The Archived and The Unbound. You can tell it was meant to be a trilogy, but she wasn't famous yet so the publisher ended the series. Now that she's so popular I hope she can finish the trilogy someday.
Thanks for all the good wishes last week. My leg heals quite fast so I plan a bike ride to the hairdresser in the city tomorrow. It’s a 20 minutes ride. Yeah! I do a bunch of exercises every day and each day it’s improving.Otherwise it has been a boring week: grey and rainy weather (which I actually like better than sunshine and heat, sorry everyone on a camping site!), not much happening because everyone is on a vacation, yawn. One more week before the hustle and bustle starts again. We plan to migrate the municipality’s website this fall. The project is gearing up September 1, so I think I’m going to enjoy the quiet week next week.
29/40
Finished
De Dertigjarige Oorlog: De allereerste wereldoorlog 1618-1648 by Dick Harrison ⭐⭐
Prompt: #23, a book with something broken on the cover.
Well, broken it truly did: people’s lives, cities and towns all across Germany during the Thirty Year War from 1618-1648. Germany was one big battlefield filled with war and looting. The book itself was a bit disappointing. The title is promising: ‘the very first world war’. I expected to read why this war was the real first world war. But instead, it turned out to be a bit chaotic re-telling of the war. The writer mixed up personal stories and military stories into a non-coherent style.
By the way, not all of Europe was broken in those years. It actually were the golden years for my country, the Netherlands. Yes, during a war. We were fighting too, surprisingly because we hate doing that instead of making money. We took advantage of weakening positions of the Spanish and Portuguese overseas by seizing their colonies. Oh boy, some people got awfully rich by doing that. You can still see all that wealth along the canals of Amsterdam. #EndOfHistoryLesson
Currently reading
The Romanovs: 1613-1918
De meeste mensen deugen (in English: Humankind: A Hopeful History)
QOTW
I definitely had some hard times saying goodbye to my book friends. But wishing for a sequel? Can’t remember. Wishing the book wouldn’t end yes, but a sequel? I think a sequel would disappoint me. I’d rather have a sequel that blows me away than wishing for a sequel.
Today is my birthday! Happy Birthday to me! I do have to work but the way the week shook out, today is a quiet day, no zooms or conferences, unlike every other day this week. So slept in, am closing down soon (well technically since I'm on GR I'm closed, LOL), and will settle in for an afternoon of lounging in jammies, opening all the cards and presents that have been arriving at my door the last several days (it has been better than Christmas!), maybe watch some TV and read, read, read. I have half the dessert from a dinner out last night to consume too.
Which is my other big news: I had a social evening yesterday that was just like those I used to take for granted 18 months ago, and did 2 or 3 times a week. I met colleagues for drinks across the street from Grand Central Station, then walked over to Bryant Park Grill next to the NYPL to have a sublime dinner with friends visiting from Chicago (his birthday is tomorrow!). I even stopped at my real office to swap files. It was humid as heck but wow, it felt WONDERFUL! We all had to show proof of vax for the first time to enter restuarants - yeah for NY's Excelsior Pass App on my phone. Felt like I was being carded .... and in truth I was only ever carded once or twice when I was 'at that age' because my hair started going gray when I was 14. While I did not look old, having salt/pepper hair as a late teen and in college really let me get away with a lot. I was the envy of many. And no - I have never dyed my hair.
Before I start reporting... I have a treat for all you joining September read of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue which I am leading: A spotify playlist to listen to while reading! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7mu...
Full disclosure - I did not create this, it was posted by someone in January I believe who was reading it then, possibly in this group even, with permission to all to enjoy it. My Feminerdy Book Club read and discussed Addie LaRue in February, and it was a lively interesting discussion with some like me loving it and declaring it a classic, at least one who DNF but was articulate of why she did so, and others who really enjoyed it but not in the same way or as much as I did. I have copious notes from then and from my own reading. Plus the Play Book Tag group on GR also had a discussoin about it among those who were reading it early in the year. Meaning I have more notes! Yes, I'm very enthusiastic and I'm probably going to run this discussion a tad differently than they are usually run... we'll see how it shakes out. I really hope lots of you join in, whether you are reading it now or have already. One more note: If you are listening only to the audio, I urge you to at least find a print or ebook copy to look at the artwork at the beginning of each section and read the information. Initially you think it's just decoration but as anyone who has read the book will tell you - they are very very important.
Back to my reading:
Finished:
The Little Paris Bookshop - PS prompt book from TBR - reminds you of favorite place (France/Paris) or thing (books) -- loved loved loved this. It's funny and sweet and full of loss, love, grief, mourning and life.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes - by Anita Loos - the original story upon which the movie starring Marilyn Monroe was based. The book is funny and as it is written in journal form, solely in gold digger Lorelei's voice (and all I heard in my head was Marilyn - she was perfect!) including all the misspellings, grammatical errors, and every sentence starting with 'so', which had me irritated then annoyed starting from halfway through the read. I suspect an audio version would be better. I need to watch the movie again.
That brings me to 38/50 prompts!
Currently reading:
A Suitable Boy - at nearly 1500 pages, my longest in pages book from my TBR. Not far in it yet - no time to read - but it is a delight so far! I think I'm going love it and likely finish if not by next check in but the one after (work is pretty intense right now - little reading time)
QOTW: I can think of two right off the top of my head:
The Priory of the Orange Tree - author has declared this a stand-alone but there were so many characters introduced who barely had a cameo and were intriguing with interesting stories and plots that more is needed please.
C.C. Benison - a Canadian mystery writer, started a series with titles based on the Twelve Days of Christmas - where Christmas is the last name of a vicar in a rural village. He wrote three of them, they were delightful crime fiction more cozy than not, better than so many of the genre, yet he discontinued it when his publisher either dropped him or dropped the series - can't remember which (he published a statement about not continuing the series and why at some point). Of course, what happens with beloved series characters has never been resolved, even though there is no unsolved murder mystery hanging out there.
Mod
I do have to work but the way the week shook out, today is a quiet day, no zooms or conferences, unlike every other day this week. So slept in, am clos..."
Happy birthday!!
Mod
Firstly, since I've been reading SSF lately, I'm issuing a magic spell to remove your funk! Out damn funk! Out I say! LOL 😁 Secondly, I hear ya about reduced energy level. It has been almost 2 weeks since I reacted to the COVID vaccine and I am just now beginning to feel as if I'll recover to my full energy level. Admittedly, since I am old, that level has decreased somewhat from my younger years however! 😳 Thirdly, I am so jealous of your 3-day weekend and yet very glad you are getting one! May the reading genie visit you all three days!
"This week I finished:
We Were Never Here: I enjoyed this one a lot more than I expected to. There was even a surprise so good that my mouth actually fell open when I was reading it."
Oh, gosh! I can't remember what book it was, but that happened to me several months ago. Isn't that fun?!? 😅
"Planned:
The Mary Shelley Club: I had no idea that this book was so long when I requested it from the library. It sounds good, but I try to stick to stuff under 400 pages unless I'm sure I'm going to love it. Has anyone read this yet? Is it worth all 500ish pages?"
I have not...
"QOTW:
I'm sure that there are lots of them, but I can't think of a specific one off the top of my head."
Well, if you remember one, you can always return and post about it!
Happy Thursday. Well, it looks like Fall has come again. The leaves have begun to turn and the weather went from being unbearably hot to cool and rainy. The smoke from the various fires is not helping. So everything is kinda blah. I love Fall weather, but I want to see the sun! Popsugar: 42/50
ATY: 45/72
ATY Rejects: 17/25
Books I finished:
One More Bite ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Still rereading this series. It's fun, not top of the line but still good.
Ninth House ⭐⭐⭐ - This ended well, and I'm glad I read it, but I was just not feeling it so I really had to force myself to read it. The characters were interesting, the world building was good, but it just spent too much time on Alex's past trauma and not enough on the current story. I will need to read the next book.
Books I made progress on:
King of Scars - I wouldn't let myself start this until I finished Ninth House - It was supposed to be the carrot that got me reading, but now that I can read it, I only have 2 more days until the library takes it away.....😱 I don't know if I can do it, especially cuz another book has caught me...
The Reckless Oath We Made - I made myself a list of past Goodreads Choice awards nominees to see how many I can get around to reading. Then I needed a book that started with R for a Scattegories challenge on another group so I went through the list for books that started with R. Then I got this one, and opened it up to read the first few pages to see if it was any good, and now I'm hooked, even though I really do want to finish King of Scars.
Bite Marks - Continuing the reread.
QOTW
I read a lot of series books, and so I do love a good sequel, but I'd rather the author told the story they wanted and left it at that because sequels can sometimes ruin the original book, especially if the author didn't really want to write it but gave in to fan/publisher pressure. The only book I really wish could have a sequel is the Cal Leandros series by Rob Thurman. The last book ended on a MAJOR cliffhanger, but then the author was in a serious car accident and from the sounds of it, she's never going to be able to write again.😢😢
Mod
I know!
"I'll be out of town from later today til Sunday afternoon for my sister's bachelorette party. She's keeping things pretty low-key, which I appreciate, and I've made sure my Kindle is loaded and charged so I'll have plenty of books in the event the weather decides to be less-than-ideal."
Sounds like a good time!
"I finished From Cradle to Stage: Stories from the Mothers Who Rocked and Raised Rock Stars this week!"
I bet there was a lot of good stuff in there!
"I also finished One of Our Thursdays Is Missing this morning - 4 stars. This series has always been mind-bending, but this installment is especially so."
Ack! Reminder to me that I wanted to read the first in this series this year! I own a copy...
"Currently reading:
Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent - I should probably take this back to the library and read it another time, but some part of me is determined. Determined, I say!"
Ha! I had to laugh at that! DETERMINED!! 😂
"Upcoming:
Fugitive Telemetry"
I'm definitely itching for another Murderbot!
"Get a Life, Chloe Brown"
I plan to get a copy of this soon. I think I'll enjoy it!
"QOTW: (from Heather) - Are there any books you’ve read that you wish had a sequel?
I would agree with Last Night at the Telegraph Club! And probably add The Alice Network while I'm at it; so many amazing historical fiction books are standalones."
I have a copy of The Alice Network being held for me. I really want to read it!
Mod
I loved it, too! Even if it did make me ugly cry! 😭
"QOTW: You mean besides A Dance with Dragons?"
Ha! Ha! YES! LOL
"I'm sure I have. I can't remember, though. But, it might be a careful what you wish for kind of thing. My favorite book is Lonesome Dove and if there weren' a sequel, I would proably wish there was, but I wish the sequel that does exist, didn't."
Ahhhh...That's too bad! 🙁
Mod
I had to laugh! It's been way more than "just a few short years," Nadine! This is her next step to an independent life! YAY for her! YAY for you! You have succeeded in one of the most important (IMO, at least!) aspects of parenting...allowing them to leave the nest and strike out on their own! So exciting!
"This week I finished a few mediocre books. Happily, all of the books I'm reading right NOW are GREAT!! I wish I could only read great books! As discriminating as I am in choosing books, I still end up with a lot of clunkers. I guess because I'm always trying to read outside of my comfort zone, that's the risk I take."
That is so true! I guess I believe in the old adage that you need a little rain to fall in your life to appreciate the sunshine! Reading a book I don't enjoy much every once in a while tends to make me appreciate the ones I really enjoy even more, I think!
"A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson - this book was raved about so much, I thought it was a sure thing! Nope. Didn't like it. REALLY didn't like it."
I saw this but assumed I wouldn't like it. Though I did enter to win a free copy...just in case! LOL
"QotW
I would love to read a sequel to Catherine House! It has a very open-ended ending, anything could happen next!"
Agreed!
"But sometimes you read a sequel and wish you hadn't! This happens more with YA I think. I remember LOVING Delirium, it was the perfect book full of teen angst and forbidden love and secret covert ops fighting back against The Man ... and I wish the next two books didn't exist. Warm Bodies was so good, so fresh and different! The sequel was so blah, and so unnecessary."
That's just sad... 🙁
Yeah for check in. This has been a better reading week and maybe I'm out of my slump. Finished Reading:
John Keats: Poetry ⭐⭐⭐
Very pretty descriptions but I had no clue what was going on. Fortunately I own this book so I can reread in the future.
Where the Sidewalk Ends ⭐⭐⭐⭐
So most of these poems were good and funny. A few stood out as being outdated but it was interesting to see poems touching on vaccination, veganism, and flat earthers when these were created in the 70s or earlier. I also discovered that I knew some of the poems in the collection so that was neat.
Bubble ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was a huge surprise. This was mentioned in a article on goodreads as a great graphic novel so I gave it a shot not expecting much. I didn't realize it was sci-fi or that it would be so funny. It's a satire on the 'gig economy'.
PS 2021 40/50
PS 2017 39/52
Goodreads 168/200
Currently Reading:
1984
She Who Became the Sun half done but the library took it back so I'll have to wait for it to come back
Gods & Monsters
The Kinder Poison
QOTW:
Blood and Chocolate sprang to mind. I love this book and it's an excellent stand alone so I know a sequel would ruin things, but I still want more in the world Klause created.
Where as A Curse So Dark and Lonely was a great retelling of Beauty and the Beast but the two sequels have killed my appreciation for the first book. The sequels feature chapters by an awful character that made me dislike my favourite character for falling in love with them.
Lynn wrote: "Mary wrote: "Firstly, since I've been reading SSF lately, I'm issuing a magic spell to remove your funk! Out damn funk! Out I say! LOL 😁 May the reading genie visit you all three days!."You are wonderful. I love this energy.
A bummer about your vaccine. I had one rough day after my second dose, but I did my best to just sleep through it.
Mod
You could join me in Indiana! We're still in the middle to high 80s!
"Finished:
Fake Law: The Truth About Justice in an Age of Lies by The Secret Barrister for anonymous. Nearly all I know about the UK legal system is from the Secret Barrister, so important to discuss these things, although now I have even more to be angry with the government about."
No government is without faults and corruption, it seems...
"QOTW:
It seems I don't read that much standalone fiction. Sometimes I want to know what happens to characters but also not sure if a whole other novel is necessary, like I'd prefer a short story or novella just to glimpse into their future lives. I got to the end of House of Hollow and initially wanted a sequel, but I don't think a sequel would be anywhere near as good."
I think therein lies the danger. A sequel can either expand upon the original book and be enjoyable or it can fail miserably...
Happy Thursday! We've had two days of rain, which has been great for our dying lawn but not so great for other parts of my state that are flooding. It's drought or deluge these days. What happened to moderation in all things? Unfortunately for my lungs, the rain hasn't enough to get rid of the smoky air from the fires west of us.Finished
20 Minutes On the Road by Daniel Hurst - 4 stars; not for challenge
My favorite quick read series. This is #13. Many of the favorite characters are back and stuck in a huge vehicle accident. Interesting way to move these stories forward. The next one is already out. He's killing me with his "novel a month" routine. How can anyone write this fast?
The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich - 4 stars; PS #16 (indigenous author)
I had no idea what I expected this book to be, but I wouldn't have guessed it. This book is a novel based on her grandfather, who fought the federal government who was trying to terminate the treaties with the native tribes in the 1950's. I hadn't ever heard of this. And I was especially surprised when this was spearheaded by a senator from my state who was trying to fulfill the prophecies of his (and my former) religion. The things you learn while reading (which is why I love it so much).
Currently reading
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
Goodreads: 70/100
Popsugar: 41/45, 6/10
QOTW:
First one that comes to mind is The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. There has to be more to the Addie/Luc story.
Sheri wrote: "For example, Night Circus is one of my favorite books of all times. Sure Erin Morgenstern COULD write a book about previous games between A and Prospero, or books about the circus in the modern world, but I don't really want that. I think the Night Circus is perfect as is, I don't want the magic diluted with sequels and spin offs. I'd rather her focus on writing new books that were also full of their own special magic."I agree with this completely.
Happy Birthday Theresa! Thanks for linking the playlist, I love matching music to what I'm reading
I haven't finished anything but did start another book. Maybe I'll finish one of the books in progress before next week's check in. Or maybe I'll just start a fourth book instead of actually finishing anything (ha!ha!). I remain at 19/40 and 2/10, and 39/100 for my overall Goodreads Reading Challenge. Finished:
*nada
Currently Reading:
* Shell Game by Sara Paretsky, which I *should* finish over the weekend;
* Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, which is one of my book clubs' picks for this month. It'll definitely work for one of my open prompts (hooray!); and,
* Midnight at Malabar House by Vaseem Khan, which is my other book club's pick for this month (my nomination :)).
QotW:
(from Heather) - Are there any books you’ve read that you wish had a sequel? One of the books that I've read most recently that I wish had a sequel is The Conjure-Man Dies: A Harlem Mystery by Rudolph Fisher. It was the only novel published by the author and would've made for a fantastic detective series. While the sequel to Lady Joker, Volume One by Kaoru Takamura exists in its original Japanese, it doesn't exist in English translation yet, so I would also add that to my wish list because it ended after 600+pages on a cliff hanger! I need some closure, please!! :)
Happy Thursday everyone! It's been an interesting week at work again- another new employee just gave their notice, so we're doing another round of hiring. At this rate we're going to run out of applicants...Finished:
Minor Detail- this is the group read for the Women in Translation readathon. It's about a Palestinian journalist looking into the rape and murder of a girl by a group of soldier. It's really well written, but very difficult to read.
Currently Reading
Upstream: Selected Essays- I think I prefer Mary Oliver's poetry, but I'm still liking these essays.
Strange Weather in Tokyo- just started this morning. Hopefully I love it!
The Road Trip- my hold expired from the library, so I'm back on the waitlist. This cuts between a couple reuniting after a breakup, and then flashes back to when they first got together. I think the current timeline is fairly interesting, but I was pretty bored by they part of them falling in love. The whole I've known you for 8 days and I already love you- I just can't care. I'll probably still finish it once I get a copy back. I want to know how it ends
Holy cow, I forgot it was Thursday. Well I knew it was Thursday, but I forgot it was Thursday. Work, man. Ugh. No idea how I did this week. Let's find out.Hey pretty good!
Finished:
The Archive of the Forgotten - Second book from Hell's Library. This was fine.
The Cambodian Curse and Other Stories: A Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery Collection - I do enjoy Jaya Jones. There were some fun short stories in here, all nine gen-u-ine locked rooms, if you're still looking. I especially liked the one called "The Library Ghost of Tanglewood Inn." This is my last Jaya book. Sad face.
The ABC Murders - After that I wanted some Christie, and this re-read is another of the Eight Perfect Murders. If anyone actually found all eight to read, hit me up. Some are hard to find.
The Guncle - I thought this would be fun with some sad, but I found it sad with some fun. If you are looking for a book dealing with grief, would recommend.
Mr. Lemoncello's All-Star Breakout Game - My pal Mr. Lemoncello's newest game drops the names of about a thousand books! Good times.
Currently Reading:
Master of Formalities - I was feeling like something light-hearted last night and this is what I came up with. I'm telling ya, if you try to search for light-hearted or humorous books, you are gonna wade though a LOT of romances looking for something that isn't. Ugh, I wish you could eliminate some things from searches, Overdrive.
Earthlings
QOTW:
The Red House Mystery
Cheshire Crossing
Emperor Mollusk versus The Sinister Brain
poshpenny wrote: "Holy cow, I forgot it was Thursday. Well I knew it was Thursday, but I forgot it was Thursday. Work, man. Ugh. No idea how I did this week. Let's find out.Hey pretty good!
Finished:
[book:The A..."
I had to look up what you meant by Eight Perfect Murders - I am a mystety reader and had no clue! I blame overwork.
I googled and found this.
https://www.tbretc.com/etc/2020/2/23/...
I have read and actually own copies of just about all on the list but frankly most I read so many decades ago, I no longer remember them.
Now I need a copy of Eight Perfect Murders.
It is all your fault, poshpenny, if an avalanche of books buries me when I go searching for my copies of the books on the list.
Happy birthday Theresa! Hope you had a wonderful day.
Theresa wrote: "It is all your fault, poshpenny, if an avalanche of books buries me when I go searching for my copies of the books on the list."*Maniacal birthday laughter*
MUAHAHAHAPPYBIRTHDAYHAHA
Ugh I finally found a used copy of The Drowner that's less than $250 so I might get that I guess. And I literally never thought I'd need to buy one of those cheesy copies of a play with the stripes. I'm never going to get to read Eight Perfect Murders if I have to actually read most of the stories... with my eyeballs. *sigh* Who knows, maybe my power will go out for a week or something and I'll be audiobookless.
It’s been a pretty busy week, but I did manage to read several books!POPSUGAR: 33/50
Beat the Backlist: 44/52
Goodreads: 210/200
Finished Reading:
~Caught Dead Handed
~Code Talker: The First and Only Memoir By One of the Original Navajo Code Talkers of WWII - “a book by an Indigenous author”
If you’d like to read my thoughts about this book, you can find them at https://theunapologeticbookworm.com/2....
~Book Love
~Phoenix Extravagant
~Adulthood Is a Myth
Currently Reading:
~North and South
QOTW:
I tend to read a lot of series and trilogies, so most of the books that I would wish had a sequel already have one.
Finally starting to feel back to normal, looking forward to a lazy weekend. My balcony finally opened today, so excited to sit outside and watch the air and water show today. I know some people are sick of hearing about Fall already, but I am ready to live in my first fall in Chicago. 🍂30/40 PopSugar
7/10 Advanced PopSugar
44/80 GoodReads
Finished Reading:
1.) Recursion by Blake Crouch (#11 Forgetting) ⭐⭐⭐⭐: I loved Dark Matter more, but Crouch has such a way to make science fiction interesting to me. It got a little heavy handed on the science in the last third, but I was able to press on.
Currently Reading:
1.) Les Miserables
2.) Hairpin Bridge
QOTW: Are there any books you’ve read that you wish had a sequel?
I actually don't enjoy reading series because I feel obligated to finish the series, and the writing starts getting predictable to me. I can't think of any books offhand that I wanted a sequel for, but looking forward to reading some of the answers.
Mary wrote: "We Were Never Here: I enjoyed this one a lot more than I expected to. There was even a surprise so good that my mouth actually fell open when I was reading it."I love this cover Mary- you've convinced me to add it to my TBR.
Nadine wrote: "Happy Thursday! On Saturday we take my daughter to college, so I'm all verklempt. She's still packing and is a stressed out mess, so it's fun times! It's very weird that suddenly she won't be ..."
Good Luck with all the emotions Nadine! I'm sure it will be all the feelings afterwards.
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Firekeeper’s Daughter (other topics)Get a Life, Chloe Brown (other topics)
Beside a Burning Sea (other topics)
Eight Perfect Murders (other topics)
Murder on the Orient Express (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Blake Crouch (other topics)Sara Paretsky (other topics)
Vaseem Khan (other topics)
Yaa Gyasi (other topics)
Kaoru Takamura (other topics)
More...
Time to check-in with all you beautiful people!
I am starting my day with an early doctor’s appointment followed by a very long day at work.
Anxious for this week to be over and the weekend to arrive!
Admin Stuff:
Brandy B is leading August’s discussion of Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas! I basically read this in one day and enjoyed it way more than I thought I might.
And don’t forget to post the book(s) you have read to fulfill prompt #5 A dark academia book here!
WE STILL NEED DISCUSSION LEADERS FOR THESE TWO MONTHLY GROUP READS:
October: #13 A locked-room mystery
(“Spooktober”/Halloween)
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
Are you the "fascinating facilitator" needed to lead discussion of this book?
December: #1 A book published in 2021
(Because it’s the end of the year!)
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
There is need of a "gifted guide" to lead this discussion!
Message either Nadine or myself to volunteer!
I was reviewing our list of monthly group reads for the rest of the year and am really excited about them!
Question of the Week:
(from Heather) - Are there any books you’ve read that you wish had a sequel?
This JUST happened to me a few weeks ago. I would LOVE to have a sequel to Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo. want to know more about Kath’s life: her family, her life following arrest, etc. I would also like more information about Tommy and Lana: their prior lives and more details of their relationship. And, of course, I want to know how life worked out for Lily!
I wonder if Elisabeth Thomas has any plans for a sequel to Catherine House? I felt it ended on rather a cliff-hanger and I definitely felt the story arc would lend itself to a sequel…
Popsugar: 41/50
ATY: 48/52
RHC: 14/24
Reading Women: 11/28
Added one more this week!
FINISHED:
Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ was a rather quick read for me. I found it engaging and enjoyed it. Certainly not an ‘all-time favorite’ read, but enjoyable. Creepy, but not too creepy, even for a wuss like myself! LOL I think I was intimidated by all the “horror” classifications given to it by Goodreads members! Although it contained some horrific elements, I didn’t really consider it to be “horror,” which is a very good thing!
POPSUGAR: #16, #21-Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Gothic, Mystery/Thriller, #27, #38-Ines was majoring in Art History
ATY: #3-…girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes…, #10-Viktoria, #14, #16, #19-The present didn’t offer Ines anything much better than the past, in end end, except she has made some friends, at least with Yaya, #23-Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Gothic, Mystery/Thriller, #27-The High Priestess, The Lovers, Death, The Tower, Judgement, The World, #41, #42, #46-Catherine House went way beyond “school uniform,” #49, #52-In the end I’m not sure Ines knows much more about “plasm”…
RHC: #1
Reading Women: #18
A Universe of Wishes: A We Need Diverse Books Anthology edited by Dhonielle Clayton ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ was one of the best short story collections I’ve read. Really enjoyed it! I might never have picked it up if not for the Read Harder challenge prompt #10 Read an SFF anthology edited by a person of color. I enjoyed stories written by some authors whose books I’ve read in the past, as well as discovering some who are new-to-me! Overall, one of the best short story collections I’ve read!
POPSUGAR: #18-Diversity in literature, #21-Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Stories, Young Adult, #27, #36-491 reviews on Goodreads, #47-Diversity
ATY: #1-In the beginning, there was no diversity in literature, #10, #14, #17, #20-Diversity is the future!, #23-Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Stories, Young Adult, #33, #40, #41, #43
RHC: NEW #10
CONTINUING:
I am reading The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich in preparation for a face-to-face IRL book club meeting at my favorite used bookstore this coming Sunday! I assumed I would enjoy this, and I am!
Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence
How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates
PLANNED:
For August Buddy Reads:
Little Men (Little Women #2) by Louisa May Alcott
And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini. Still need to dig this one out.
Xenocide (Ender’s Saga #3) by Orson Scott Card.
Giving the Alex Cross series one more try with Jack & Jill (Alex Cross #3) by James Patterson.
****The Third Angel by Alice Hoffman
And…
The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois
Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family by Robert Kolker
Eva Luna by Isabel Allende to fulfill the 2020 Reading Women prompt #26 A book written by Isabel Allende.
Paradise by Toni Morrison to fulfill the 2020 Reading Women prompt #25 A book written by Toni Morrison.
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi