Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion

Megan wrote: "My long book journey continues, so I'm making progress but completing nothing. Maybe I'll carve out some reading time this weekend to try and finish one of them though....

Finished:
* nada"

Sometimes when I find myself with too many books sitting there staring at me I have to just pick one and finish it all the way thru before continuing with the rest. Then I feel better...until it happens again, hahaha.

Lynn wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "Lynn wrote: "I guess this last Saturday, January 29, was National Puzzle Day, at least according to a Half Price Books email I received. I do miss jigsaw puzzles in my life, but with 4 cats I dare ..."
Oh, boy! That is tempting! Now where to put it.."

OMG, right! Wish I had the space for something like that. I have a whole shelf of puzzles to do but, because there's a rambunctious four year old in the house I do NOT dare.

Kendra wrote: "Books I made progress on:

Memoirs of a Geisha - Cuz why finish a book you had planned when you can pick up a random book your mother is reading and get hooked on that?"

BWAAAHHH!

Alright, alright, alright...another week is gone! February already! Does anyone else find themselves still feeling like it's 2020?!

While some of you are buried in snow and others are waiting for rain to stop so they can go do things, I find myself happy that it is finally raining outside. :) I live on catchment and while it did rain a bit of and on during the week it wasn't much...however, today it has been raining all day and is pretty steady so, fill up that water tank! As an aside, the rain is also good for the pastures need rain and the cattle need water to drink.

I had a Dr.'s appt Wed. and he was harping on my weight and made me feel all depressed...so naturally I went and bought Little Caesars (evil laughs). Also I woke up the next day with the worst neck and shoulder pain all day. Guess I was all tensed up while I slept. But, anyway fat girl problems...

Now to books, yea!

2022 Challenges:
Popsugar: 16/50
ATY: 11/52
A to Z: 15/26
50 States:
2021.....25/50 (Have until end of June)
2022.....5/50
Goodreads: 20/100

Finished
4 finished this week, 4 Popsugar

Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton
(As I mentioned last week I finished it by the time I posted but, I'm only counting it now) I'm using it for PS #25 book about a secret. ATY#11.

The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert. I did end up finishing this on Monday. But, I fell asleep in like the last chapter or two so, I had to reborrow it in the morning just to finish like 40 pages. Ugh. Luckily it was still available.

I ended up really liking this book. It cover like 90-100 years and the book is 500 pages long and is primarily about Botany (which is why I used it for PS #36, something I know nothing about) but I found this to be quite interesting.
ATY#35/WC, AtoZ, 2021: 50 States

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
PS#46, ATY#37, 2022: 50 States
I really liked this one as well. I read it super fast...about 95% in one day. If I wasn't such a harsh critic/rater It would have gotten 5 stars but, it was a little too typical story. A good read though anyway.

Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics by Dolly Parton
PS#21, AtoZ
Who doesn't love Dolly! I been wanting to read this for a while now and I saw it was available and jumped it right up to the top of my "pile" of TBR. I got the audiobook and loved hearing it in her own words. I had also wanted to follow along with the ebook to look at the pictures but, noticed right away that the audio does not go along with the book. So now I will go back and look thru the book to see the images and other things you miss when you listen to it.

Currently Reading
Get a Life, Chloe Brown By Talia Hibbert
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

On the backburner:

Overdrive
The House of the Spirits
When We Left Cuba
Child of the Civil Rights Movement (Children's book for BHM)
Déjà Dead decided 2022 would be the year I get to this series.
To Kill a Mockingbird

Still "working on" this library book
Magic Lessons

QOTW:
It just so happens that both my books correlate to BHM. I don't purposely plan out book for Heritage months but, if it happens it happens. I also do look thru the list the library puts out and may add them either to my wish list or borrow them if I can and want to read it now.

After spending the past two days digging out from Winter Storm Landon, hubby and I have had enough of snow, haha! Not feeling too bad muscle-wise though; after Izzy a few weeks ago I could barely move, and this time I'm feeling better.

Through several books this past week! Feeling good about that too.

銀の匙 Silver Spoon 1 Gin no Saji Silver Spoon 1 - 4 stars. Very fun and different! I'm looking forward to more.
A Clash of Steel: A Treasure Island Remix - 4 stars. Allll the luscious food descriptions <33 The Treasure Island vibe came through in the end! A great story. Book about found family
End Days - 5 stars. A play, for the next reading I'm working on at my local theatre. Hilarious and heartfelt.
Women, Race & Class - 5 stars. Still deeply relevant. Nobody writes like Angela Davis. Different book by an author you read in 2021
The Complete Maus - 5 stars. An unexpected reread, but I blew through it in a day. Still brilliant.
Batman Hush: The 15th Anniversary Deluxe Edition - 4.5 stars. A fantastic story and while the artwork was the typically female-exploitative variety in places, the rest of it was fantastic. Book about someone leading a double life
Saga #55 - 5 stars. I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am that this series is back. Published in 2022

PS 10/50

Currently:
Take a Hint, Dani Brown - Excited to be reading this while the monthly group read is the first book. I like Dani a lot already, and Talia Hibbert's writing continues to be wonderfully fun!
The Lies of Locke Lamora - Reread with another group. This is my third time with this book and Lynch's turns of phrase still make me laugh out loud.
Over Sea, Under Stone - Another reread, so I can continue with the series. Highly recommend this middle-grade/YA series if you like Arthuriana!
The Silmarillion - My poor neglected Tolkien. I promise I'll get back to him SOON!

Coming next:
The Long Way Down

QOTW: Are you planning to read any specific books during February in honor of Black History Month being celebrated in the US and Canada? And/or, do you have any books to recommend?
Probably not as many as I would like; I've got a lot on the docket for this month (not that it can't be rearranged, but we'll see what happens). As it is, I've got Native Son, Dawn, and Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky in my plans.

Always always books to recommend!
Nonfiction:
The Autobiography of Malcolm X
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness
Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?
Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption
Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America
You Can't Touch My Hair: And Other Things I Still Have to Explain
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents
Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot
Just as I Am

Fiction:
Get a Life, Chloe Brown trilogy
Dread Nation duology
So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix
Dear Martin duology
Homegoing
The Unbroken first in a series
Ace of Spades
Legendborn first in a series

What a freezing week of snow and cold temps. It's a balmy 17 degrees with a wind chill this morning. I'm legit driving to the library to pick up my hold and making the most out of getting my car out by trying a place in West Town I've been meaning to try and get a biscuit & pie to go. I'm still DEEP binging below deck- closing out S2 now and will be moving to S3 this weekend.

6/80 GoodReads Challenge
6/50 PopSugar Challenge

Finished:
1.) Whiskey When We're Dry by John Larison ⭐⭐⭐⭐: Read this for a virtual book club, and it was TOUGH to get into but once I turned the corner (about 30% in) it went very fast for me. I stayed up way too late bawling my eyes out by the ending. Brilliant writing, still had a few quibbles but I was invested in this world.



Currently Reading:
1.) The Escape Room
2.) The Night She Disappeared



QoTW: Are you planning to read any specific books during February in honor of Black History Month being celebrated in the US and Canada? And/or, do you have any books to recommend

Just the prompt for our February read - planning to read Seven Days in June

My recs would be:
Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption
The Hate U Give
Between the World and Me
Saving Ruby King
Everything, Everything

Currently reading: The Thursday Murder Club
Fourth week in a row and I'm still on this one, but I am edging nearer to the end, and having finally grabbed a copy of the sequel from the library I confidently predict that I will finally be done with this by next week. (The amount of time I am taking to read it should not be taken as a reflection on the quality of the book - I just have a lot going on right now.)

1/50

QOTW - No, because I already have the sequel mentioned above lined up and then three pretty long books that I have to read for research. And then maybe a parenting book.

Mandy wrote: "K.L. wrote: "... Rumiko Takahashi is an institution of the manga world. Have you read her new series Mao? ..."



Is that a good one?! I bought the first volume for my daughter for xmas, but she hasn't read it yet. Maybe I should go grab it and read it before her.

Jennifer W wrote: "The best Christmas present I got this past year was a puzzle table! It's about the size of a large corkboard, it comes with little drawers on the side, and a piece of plastic to cover the top when you're not working on the puzzle. My daughter plays dolls on it and my cat walks across it and not a single piece is out of place! I think it was about $80, so it's a bit of a splurge, but I love the convenience! ..."



that sounds WONDERFUL!!

Lynn wrote: "Theresa wrote: "Congrats Lynn on your repaired and functioning plumbing!

Did you find yourself flushing the toilet extra times just because you could???"

Actually, the next morning it overflowed..."



oh nooooo!!! But it's fixed now?

I've never heard of grease collecting on pipes to the point where you can't drain. I HAVE heard that it's better to run cold water, so the grease goes down in chunks instead of lining the pipe (if any grease must go down at all, that is.) Now I'm worried that I haven't been careful enough!!!! I don't cook much meat, and when I do, I usually wipe out the grease before washing, but ... not always.

Alex wrote: "I wish I could say, "happy Thursday!" like normal, but it is not a happy Thursday here as yesterday I received the terrible news that a dear friend of mine suddenly passed away due what they think ..."

I'm so sorry Alex for the loss of your friend. How tragic!! It's always a good reminder how short life is and to set aside differences and cherish the moments you have.

Happy Lunar New Year to all who celebrate, Blessed Imbolc, and happy February!

We are still digging out from 2 feet of snow from last weekend and another few inches last night. I couldn’t be happier; I love snow! And chickadees, cardinals, nuthatches and juncos. I’m almost at the halfway point in my CEUs, so I’m slowly progressing along.

Finished:
Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption. Not for the challenge. It was a “comfort re-read”. Maybe an inspirational re-read, because I feel so much more passionate while I read this masterpiece, and the after-effects last a while. I cry lots of tears during this book - most of them are tears of wonder and gratitude that Bryan Stevenson exists on this planet. I swear he’s a holy man.
If you are searching for something to read during BHM, don’t miss this! You deserve hope.

Currently Reading:
Finna. Liking this so far.
A Poem Traveled Down My Arm: Poems and Drawings. My library had a table full of books by Black poets, and I tried not to be overly greedy. There was Alice Walker's book, ready to come home with me. And it starts with the letter that Finna ends with.

QOTW:
I do love the CAMs for highlighting authors who might otherwise remain in the publishing margins. I seem to read mostly BIPOC authors these days, anyway, at least the past three or four years - without any plan. I seem to be just drawn to these writers and stories,

Hmm, so far this year, I've only read Black and African authors - and one Asian-Canadian author.


Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America was given to me with a lot of love, and I'm reading it in small pieces. It gives me time to process and think about history and how enslaved people and others have been erased for all intents and purposes. Almost.

I'm not sure of which books I'll get to this month, but I'm looking forward to reading more:

Ibram X. Kendi
D L White
Audre Lorde
Martin Luther King Jr.
Kofi Awoonor
Alice Walker

Lynn wrote: "Happy Thursday yet once again!! The Percival Everett author event has been rescheduled to March 15, so now I’ll have time to read at least one more of his books before the event!

I'm having troub..."

Very glad to hear that the plumbing is working well again!

K.L. wrote: "Good morning, everyone!

It has been a pretty busy week! I am continuing to work on clearing out the junk that has accumulated in my home over the years, and I’ve made some decent progress.

I’ve a..."

Wow, reading goals! Congrats!

Alex wrote: "I wish I could say, "happy Thursday!" like normal, but it is not a happy Thursday here as yesterday I received the terrible news that a dear friend of mine suddenly passed away due what they think ..."

I'm so sorry for your loss! How devastating - you and your loved ones are in my thoughts.

Nadine in NY wrote: "It's been another cold week. Yesterday the temps finally rose above freezing, my dogs had a blast playing in the snow, and my driveway is FINALLY clear ... just in time for tonight's storm coming i..."

You just cannot go wrong with Nella Larsen or Zora Neale Hurston!

Sarah wrote: "Hi everyone. After all the stress and struggle of just making it through last year, apparently I was doing better than I thought as I've been awarded employee of the year. Go me! I'm a little in sh..."

Congratulations!

Nadine in NY wrote: "Mandy wrote: "K.L. wrote: "... Rumiko Takahashi is an institution of the manga world. Have you read her new series Mao? ..."



Is that a good one?! I bought the first volume for my daughter for xm..."

I enjoyed it. Has an inuyasha vibe but different.

Mandy wrote: "again, your taste in manga is superb. Both series are on my tbr list. Rumiko Takahashi is an institution of the manga world. Have you read her new series Mao?"

Thanks Mandy! I love Rumiko Takahashi! I have not had a chance to read Mao yet, but it's definitely on my list of books to pick up. She also has a new book coming out next week that looks really good. It's called Came the Mirror & Other Tales.

Lilith wrote: "Wow, reading goals! Congrats!"

Thanks Lilith!

I saw. I can’t wait to read it. A lot of her older stuff has been coming out too. I’ve been getting it for the library.

Had a very busy (plus cold and wet) week here in Manchester. I just found out that I got a new job so unexpected celebrating and life admin of house hunting has got in the way of reading.
Finished this week Only managed to get through The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music audiobook this week for 21. A book about a band or musical group. Pleased that I'm maintaining a book a week and still commenting on here each week (although I am a little late!).
Currently Reading
The Mercies- loving this book but struggled to find time to read it. Only have a few days left on it as a ebook on my local library app so need to finish it today! Oh well! Love an excuse to get cosy and read with a nice cup of tea watching the rain outside.
Get a Life, Chloe Brown - only started a few pages, but excited to get stuck into it
The Underground Railroad- my next audiobook - not started yet but will start between now and next week""
QOTW: Are you planning to read any specific books during February in honour of Black History Month being celebrated in the US and Canada? And/or, do you have any books to recommend? I'm in the UK and Black History Month is in October so I haven't factored in any reading for that this month. However, I recently read The Hate U Give, which would be a great read for Black History Month.

I am now 5/40 for the PS challenge and 7/52 for my personal reading goal.

I finished the February group read yesterday (or was it the day before?), Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert. I loved the first half, but didn't like the second half. It was so witty and smart at first, but then it just was full of sitcom tropes full of misunderstandings and easily avoidable issues between the main characters. (author is BIPOC book)

I'm *almost* done with The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg. I am absolutely loving this book! (found family book)

I am continuing with listening to Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (victorian book) and reading Call Us What We Carry by Amanda Gorman when I feel like some poetry. I am going to take my time with this one and enjoy her brilliance. (#40 prompt so it's #31 from 2016- a poetry book)

I do like to read down the list as much as possible so Deacon King Kong by James McBride is next (Anisfield-Wolf book award winner).

Hi!

I finished Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo for my book with a character who uses a mobility aid and I'M IN LOVE WITH KAZ BREKKER. That's all. That's the update.

Currently reading Crooked Kingdom because I'm addicted and in love.

QotW

I don't have anything specific lined up. I'm going to France next week so my reading will be more Paris-centric this month. I do have Pride by Ibi Zoboi, which would be a good read for Valentine's day AND Black History Month.

Nadine in NY wrote: "Chrissi wrote: "Alright, I won't start by saying it feels like spring here in Switzerland, but it kind of does ... however, we had some icy rain this week, which was loads of fun to walk through! M..."

Luckenbooth is an odd-ball of a book, to be honest. It's wrapped up with the history of Edinburgh and the wider world, told in snippets of conversation or letter or life story, all woven around whatever happened to the devil's daughter who starts the story. It's a bit of history mixed with magical realism. Definitely not for everyone but I enjoy the history part ... not all the way done yet, but we'll see!

Back to a more productive reading week! I always struggle with what to include in these updates timing wise, so normally I just include everything I have finished since my comment on last week's. This week I went kind of dark with my books, unintentionally. There is a HUGE trigger warning on the second two books, though I will keep thing intentionally vague. My currently reading list is also a little bit too long, but I literally just realized I could check things out for 21 days instead of 14 on Libby.

Finished:
Wild Beauty - 6. A book by a Latinx author
⭐⭐⭐
There was nothing particularly wrong with this book. I thought it was a really creative and unique story and it kept my interest. The representation in the book was awesome, and the characters were so close to being great for me. In terms of writing style, it wasn't necessarily my cup of tea. There were some very long descriptive passages, and it painted a great picture but was hard to follow at times. That absolutely shouldn't take away from reading it, because it definitely is a great book and you may love the writing style!

Girls of Fate and Fury - 5. A sapphic book
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I loved this whole series, even if the second book was a little lower rated. I will say, if you get attached to characters, this may not be the series to read. After all, it's about a war and there are some really really dark moments. I loved the multiple POVs in this book, and it really was pretty nonstop action. Definitely need to beware the trigger warnings on the content of the entire series. The world that Natasha Ngan created is immersive and this was definitely a great conclusion to the series. I have listened to the audiobook throughout the entire series, which have all been narrated by the same person. I LOVED the continuity of that. I think at some point, I will try to go listen to them all in order, since it's now been a few years since I began the series.

Asking For It - 38. A book featuring a party
⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
This is absolutely not a happy feel good book, but that does not mean it is not worth reading. It is just an important conversation and touches on so many issues. The book is written such that most of the characters are not at all likeable, minus a small handful. It definitely left me feeling heavy, but in this case, it's not necessarily a bad thing.

Currently Reading:
In Another Time - kind of stalled on this one when my hold for Girls came through, plus the time travel turned me off a little bit, but I will finish it this week!
The School for Good and Evil
Where the Drowned Girls Go
This Poison Heart

QOTW:
Normally, I just read things in whatever order I like. If something comes available via my hold or whatever is available at the time. However, I did intentionally want to honor Black History Month and I checked out This Poison Heart to read. I haven't started it yet, but I am excited to!

It was a rough reading week. I just couldn't get motivated to read.

Finished:
These Alien SkiesC.T. Rwizi


The story was slow going and a bit confusing. I gave it 2 stars. Just as I was understanding what was going on the story was over.

Beauty's Release


I love Anne Rice and of the original books in the trilogy, this was the best. I plan to read the 4th book to see if her style changed since this was written amongst the uproar of "Fifty Shades of Grey". I gave it 3 stars

2043...A Merman I Should Turn to Be


I gave this 3 stars. I wanted more of the story. Just as it was getting interesting the story was over.

QOTW
I don't plan to read anything in particular during Black History Month. My reading choices lean towards BIPOC authors and themes naturally. I am looking forward to reading Muted. I will be reading that as a part of a verse novel unit I am doing with my students. This book covers #'s 5 and 38 of the challenge if anyone is interested.

And we are back from vacation, and now it’s catchup time. So much work to do. And of course I’m starting to feel worn down. I think I’m getting sick. (NOOOOOO!)
QOTD: I have a bunch of books in the que, but didn’t think of focusing particularly on any one. I have been meaning to read Caste, Kindred and Witches Steeped in Gold.
I only have a few more for last year
PS: 3/50
RH: 0/24
GR: 6/365
HP: 0/52
ATY: 0/52

Currently Reading:
Witch Please
James Potter and the Hall of Elders’ Crossing
All the Young Dudes
More Myself: A Journey
Goblin
Cackle
Spells like Teen Spirit
Waiting for the library to renew:
Space Boy: Vol. 11
Finished:
Lumberjanes, Vol: 19: A Summer to Remember
The Searcher
Garlic and the Vampire
You’ll Be The Death Of Me
Nothing But Blackened Teeth
Your Guide to Not Getting Murdered in a Quaint English Village
The Ex Hex
House of Secrets
The Manningtree Witches
Big Shot (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #16)