Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2023 Weekly Check-Ins
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Week 33: 8/11 - 8/17
I was on vacation for 2 weeks. I missed two weeks of this group and two sessions of voting for ATY, but I got to go on vacation for the first time since 2019.
I took 3 books on vacation, which was a mistake, especially since one is 700 pages. I managed to finish one. One took me a while to get into. The Apollo Murders starts really slow, which is ironic since it's about the fictitious Apollo 18 moon voyage - and space travel has to accelerate fast not be a slow burn. :)
Finished:
The Wandering Fire
ATY prompt: A book related to a chess piece (kings, knights, and people used as pawns)
Popsugar prompt: A book with a map
Summer challenge: A book with a map
(The irony is that the map in this books wasn't even as good as the map in the first book.)
Zero Days
ATY prompt: A book published in 2023
Popsugar prompt: A book that comes out in the second half of 2023
Summer challenge: Book written by your favorite author
Series - 11/15
Series Completed: - Lying Games, Bronwyn the Witch, Divergent, Millenium, Heather Wells
Nobel laureates - 4/7
Random books - 4/7
ATY - 30/40
PS - 28/30
Nadine's 23 challenge - 10/10 -Completed!
Summer challenge: 9/12
Around the year in 52 movies - 30/52
29. A movie that is light - Your Place or Mine (rom-com)
Currently reading:
Eldest - 45% done
The Apollo Murders - 55% done
Buddy Reads:
God in My Everything: How an Ancient Rhythm Helps Busy People Enjoy God - 14/15 chapters
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - 23/37 chapters
A Light in the Window - 10/21 chapters
QOTW: I don't.
The Silmarillion was the only book I ever took notes while reading, although in my defense I was pregnant and pregnancy brain is real.
I still haven't read a book for the "celebrity book list" - maybe I should read this one!! It is not even on my TBR, not my usual kind of book.
It's been muggy here with a chance of rain. So it hasn't been cooling down the last two nights.
On the bright side, I'm done weeding my YA section. I didn't get the room I wanted, but at least there are no books stacked on top of books anymore. It's all been shifted and evened out with room on the shelves for growth again.
It was a workout especially since I'm still coughing from my cold of last week. I'm as still a bit stuffy too, but I'm at work this week. And I finally can sleep laying down again, which is a plus.
I spent a lot of time watching anime and Chinese dramas on Viki. Liked the anime, but the Chinese drama I finished was on the depressing side. But the theme to this series was loss as can be attested by most the characters facing some sort of emotional loss and death. So I should have figured that the ending would be crappy and not a HEA.
I loved the the Subspace Rhapsody episode of Strange New Worlds. The last four episodes were dark, quirky, quirky and musical, and dark. I wish there were more episodes to the season. Maybe even just 5 more for 15 episodes than 10.
Other than that, it's been quiet and uneventful this week.
Here's a list for three weeks of posts.
Popsugar: 25/50
Finished:
Zhara ps 32
Reading:
Prince of Thorns & Nightmares ps 32 This book is in the perspective of Prince Philip from Sleeping Beauty.
Aty:31/52
Finished: None
Reading: None that I’m aware of
Goodreads Challenge 470/400
Finished:
Zhara
Raven of the Inner Palace (Light Novel) Vol. 3
A Tale of the Secret Saint (Light Novel) Vol. 2
The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen: From Villainess to Savior (Light Novel) Vol. 3
The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor Vol.1
Revolutionary Reprise of the Blue Rose Princess Vol.1
Chronicles of the Hidden World: How I Became a Doctor for the Gods, Vol. 1 (light novel) (Chronicles of the Hidden World: How I Became a Doctor for the Gods
My Unique Skill Makes Me OP Even at Level 1 vol 1
Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke's Mansion, Vol. 4
Villains Are Destined to Die, Vol. 1
Dear Mr. Dad Bod
The Grump of the Mountain
Chef's Kiss
Hiding Out In The Mountains
Breeding the Babysitter: A forbidden age gap pregnancy romance
Bred By Her Sugar Daddy
Reading:
Fourth Wing
Prince of Thorns & Nightmares
The Scarlet Alchemist
Nadine's Mini Challenge 8/10
Finished:
Reading: None
QOTW:
Nope. I don't mark my books for passages. I either remember what book they came out of and search for them, which makes me start rereading the book at some midpoint, or I don't find anything to remember.
This week I finished two books, one for this Challenge, so I am now 42/50:
The Last Policeman by Ben H. Winters - This book got under my skin and it’s going to stay with me for a long time. On the surface, it’s a murder mystery, but it's set during an apocalypse, because Earth is about to collide with a giant comet. No challenge categories, but I've been wanting to read this for a while and I'm glad I did. I have loved every book I've read by Winters, and this book seals it: he's one of my favorite authors now.
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney - I have now read everything Sally Rooney has published, and this was my least favorite of the three. I checked off "recommended on BookTok" with this one, and "set in a UNESCO city of literature" for AtY. This was also one of my "must read in 2023" books, because my daughter wanted to talk to me about how much she hated the ending - I ALSO hated the ending, so she and I continue to be in complete agreement on books!!
Popsugar 84% 42/50
Must Reads 58% 7/12
Nay's Winter 70% 7/10
AtY 77% 40/52
I was hoping to be done with my reading Challenges in September, but I don't think I'm going to make that deadline!!
QotW
I don't usually take many notes while I read. If I come across a great quote, I might mark it, and if I come across something that enrages me that I need to complain about (example: flowers blooming at the same time that would NEVER actually be blooming at the same time), I will mark it to include in a review. If I'm reading a Kindle book, I'll just highlight the passages. Highlighting passages is easiest when reading an ebook, because then I can just copy / paste it right into my review. If it's an audio book, I'll bookmark it and hope I can find it again. If it's a paper book, I'll tear off part of my bookmark and stick it in the pages there. (I put my library books on hold, so each book comes with a slip of paper w/ part of my name & library card number, so they can shelve it on the holds shelf for me - and these slips of paper make PERFECT bookmarks. I have a zillion of them now LOL)
If I'm REALLY into a book, I take no notes at all!
I read Mrs. Dalloway as my book that takes place in one day. I didn't like it.
I've just stared Magdalena: River of Dreams as my book with lyrics in the title. A little nonfiction palate cleanser.
QOTW: No. Not really. If I'm reading something like War and Peace I keep a character list with some notes so I can remember who's who.
Finished:
Illuminations by T. Kingfisher - 4.5 stars - for a book that was self-published. I loved this. More fun middle-grade from Kingfisher, with a magic system involving art and paintings.
Light of the Jedi by Charles Soule - 3.5 stars - for a book based on a popular movie. This was mostly setup for the Star Wars: The High Republic series, which I've been meaning to get into. Most of this book focused on a tragedy and the ramifications of it across the galaxy and was not my favorite type of book, but it does seem to be a good introduction to the major players of the series. I will probably continue the series after I finish the challenge for this year, since I've heard good things about some of the later books and I like the other authors in this writing group.
Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher - 5 stars - not for a prompt, but would fit as a retelling or a book released in the second half of 2023. I just loved this, short and sweet, gentle retelling of Sleeping Beauty with a twist.
Comics & manga:
Komi Can't Communicate, Vol. 26
I am currently at 47/50 for Popsugar (38/40 and 9/10).
Currently reading:
Midnight Blue-Light Special by Seanan McGuire - for a book I read more than 10 years ago. Hoping to reread this series up to where I stopped after I'm done with Popsugar for the year, then get caught up on the rest.
Upcoming/Planned:
I just have two prompts left after my current book. I'm thinking of reading The Kiss Curse by Erin Sterling for a book with a pet character, since the cat was my favorite part of book 1, but the first book was not my favorite romance ever.
I think for the "bought secondhand" prompt, I'm going to twist it to "borrowed from the library," and pick something off my TBR that I can get from the library - that's in the spirit of the prompt (reading a not-new book), if not the letter, and I don't have room for more books while we're sharing a house.
QOTW: I highlight passages I like or that are humorous on Kindle, but otherwise I don't really make notes on books.
I did finish four books this week!
Bring the Fire - 4 stars. A solid ending to the trilogy, even if it left a few loose threads that I was expecting to be tied up.
D is for Deadbeat - 2 stars. Kinsey bugs me with her smugness.
Beowulf - 5 stars. A really lovely translation by Seamus Heaney.
Nettle & Bone - So friggin good. Belongs on the shelf between Alix Harrow and Nicola Griffith.
PS 38/50
ATY 45/52
Mount TBR 38/60
Summer Reading challenge 16/50 +2 bonus
Currently:
Soccer in Sun and Shadow
Up next:
Abeni's Song - Family Lore had to go back to the library, so I’ll get it again later and read this instead!
+ my ginormous stack of plays
QOTW: Do you have a system for note-taking or otherwise marking a book so you can remember specific passages, etc?
Notes/highlights are one of the things I love most about reading on my Kindle! I've also been known to highlight physical books, and if I don't want to do that, dog-ear a page (not by much! I've seen some people fold down an entire page, which feels excessive IMO). I also love the GR Quotes page for this too!
I used to love that series and I'm up to V or W or something now, and yeah in the last few Kinsey was so smug I had a hard time enjoying the book. I assumed the books had changed. But if she was annoyingly smug even back in D, then I guess I am the one who's changed.
Finished: Nothing
I'm currently reading The Merciless OnesCrusade for Justice: The Autobiography of Ida B. Wells and Ace of Spades
Question of the Week
Do you have a system for note-taking or otherwise marking a book so you can remember specific passages, etc?
I normally just comment on here as an update but I'll also use my phone as well.
I was on vacation for 2 weeks. I missed two weeks of this group and two sessions of voting for ATY, but I got to go on vacation for the first time since 2019."
Welcome back! I will live vicariously through you. I can't even remember the last time I got a "vacation"! Not for at least 7-8 years. But I find as I age I have less interest in traveling much or very far, even if I did have the opportunity to do so. Less energy and less mobility than when I was younger. So enjoy!!!
"I took 3 books on vacation, which was a mistake, especially since one is 700 pages. I managed to finish one. One took me a while to get into. The Apollo Murders starts really slow, which is ironic since it's about the fictitious Apollo 18 moon voyage - and space travel has to accelerate fast not be a slow burn. :)"
Sounds like something I would do! :)
"The Silmarillion was the only book I ever took notes while reading, although in my defense I was pregnant and pregnancy brain is real."
Ha! Ha! You made me laugh! I didn't notice that so much with pregnancy, but definitely with menopause. I had 2-3 years when all I could read were magazines or short stories. Couldn't concentrate enough to read a book. Weird...
I still haven't read a book for the "celebrity book list" - maybe I should read this one!! It is not even on my TBR, not my usual kind of book.."
I "think" you may enjoy this one...? The premise just seemed so bizarre that I couldn't imagine McAllister making it work, but I am finding it to be enthralling, though a bit confusing. It just may be my mood right now...
I used to love that series and I'm up to V or W or something now, and yeah in the last few Kinsey was so s..."
It upsets me because over the past five-ish years I collected the whole series - my copy of Y is for Yesterday is a brand new never-read hardcover and it's gorgeous, but this makes me want to get rid of the whole set because if she's like this the whole time I can't handle it.
I have several friends who are new mothers (all within the past month!) and they would ABSOLUTELY agree with you about pregnancy brain!
I'll agree on notes for the Silmarillion bc that is one tough book even when you're not pregnant! If I hadn't found an audio recording I don't know if I would've finished it last year.
PS: 33/50 (goal: 40/50)
Total 2023: 43/52
Finished
A More Perfect Union by Tammye Huf⭐⭐⭐
Not for PS
Pro: through the eyes of Henry you learn why slavery is worse than dying of hunger on an Irish estate of an English Lord.
Con: the story is not very surprising
Wat je zegt, gaat vanzelf by Liesbeth Koenen⭐⭐⭐
PS #25, a book with just text on the cover
Book with short columns on the remarkable things of (Dutch) language.
Stad in de storm by Thea Beckman⭐⭐⭐
PS #13, a book published in the year you were born
This is a young adult book from a time where there was no such thing as young adult. It's from my favorite writer when I was about 13-15 years old. I remember reading it that this book was a bit dull. Re-reading it now, I know why I thougt that way. It’s historical fiction with a lot of history in it, the dull part. I like that now. And it's an excellent researched book, so a better way to learn history than a really dull textbook.
Currently reading
The World: A Family History of Humanity by Simon Sebag Montefiore (longest on TBR)
Displaced by Stephan Abarbanell
QOTW
I read books from the library, so I can’t scribble in it. I use sticky notes and scribble my comment or a mark to the interesting part on it. Or I immediately type something in my notes-app. I use my notes-app to write down my thoughts about a book after I finish it. I also like to google locations or historic events in a book to learn more about it. I love the photographs of historic locations, you really get a sense of the world the book is taking place in.
It's been muggy here with a chance of rain. So it hasn't been cooling down the last two nights.
On the bright side, I'm done weeding my YA section. I didn't get the room I wanted, but at least there are no books stacked on top of books anymore. It's all been shifted and evened out with room on the shelves for growth again."
That's quite an accomplishment! Congratulations!
"It was a workout especially since I'm still coughing from my cold of last week. I'm as still a bit stuffy too, but I'm at work this week. And I finally can sleep laying down again, which is a plus."
Not being able to sleep lying down is such a bummer! Glad you've regained that ability at least! Here's to a full recovery--soon!
"Here's a list for three weeks of posts.
Finished:
Zhara
Raven of the Inner Palace (Light Novel) Vol. 3
A Tale of the Secret Saint (Light Novel) Vol. 2
The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen: From Villainess to Savior (Light Novel) Vol. 3
The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor Vol.1
Revolutionary Reprise of the Blue Rose Princess Vol.1
Chronicles of the Hidden World: How I Became a Doctor for the Gods, Vol. 1 (light novel) (Chronicles of the Hidden World: How I Became a Doctor for the Gods
My Unique Skill Makes Me OP Even at Level 1 vol 1
Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke's Mansion, Vol. 4
Villains Are Destined to Die, Vol. 1
Dear Mr. Dad Bod
The Grump of the Mountain
Chef's Kiss
Hiding Out In The Mountains
Breeding the Babysitter: A forbidden age gap pregnancy romance
Bred By Her Sugar Daddy"
That's a ton!
"QOTW:
Nope. I don't mark my books for passages. I either remember what book they came out of and search for them, which makes me start rereading the book at some midpoint, or I don't find anything to remember."
Perhaps I'm just too old to remember any more without markers!! :)
I'm waiting to hear back from a lawyer and my doctors. If I really have to go back to work, I'll start looking when school starts and I can focus a little better without the kiddo at home. (I'm literally writing this post while I'm on hold with Social Security's med examiner- I'm caller 8 in line!)
I finished a book this week, The Optimist's Daughter. I hadn't ever read Eudora Welty before. Her writing was fantastic! There wasn't much of a story to the book, but she really developed characters, back story and a sense of place. I would read her again. Not sure where it might go for a prompt. I haven't looked in a minute and have forgotten a lot of the prompts I have left.
I picked up Night over Water for the first time in weeks. It's not a bad book, but it's definitely not up to Ken Follett's usual level of tension.
I've been wanting to read Solutions and Other Problems, but her writing makes laugh hysterically and I just know my daughter will want to know why I'm laughing so much and I don't want to explain every joke...
QOTW: I never make notes. Writing in a book is a sacrilege to me. I've sometimes thought about taking notes in a notebook for long or complicated books, but now we have the internet and I can find someone else who has already done it. I'm not exactly a well organized person.... *sheepish grin*
I did a tremendous amount of reading this week, and managed to finish several books from both my TBR and “New Books” lists. I’m feeling really good about my progress on both lists, and a lot more confident about my ability to accomplish my reading goals by the end of the year.
Here are my current challenge and TBR totals…
Goodreads Challenge: 677/400 (Challenge Complete!)
Mount TBR Challenge: 150/150 (Challenge Complete!)
📚Physical TBR: 283/634
📱Ebook TBR: 8/236
🎧Audiobook TBR: 12/13
TBR Checklist Total: 303/883 (34.3% complete)
At the end of last week, my dad and I celebrated my birthday with a trip to Barnes and Noble. While I was there, I picked up several books, including: The London Séance Society, by Sarah Penner; The Honjin Murders, by Seishi Yokomizo; The Science of Murder: The Forensics of Agatha Christie, by Carla Valentine; Thornhedge, by T. Kingfisher; Annihilation, by Jeff VanderMeer; and Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide, by Rupert Holmes.
I also picked up copies of the other two books in VanderMeer’s Southern Reach trilogy (Authority and Acceptance) after reading Annihilation.
Finally, this week I picked up copies of The Way of the Househusband, Vol. 10, by Kousuke Oono; Love's in Sight!, Vol. 3, by Uoyama; and the Throne of Glass series, by Sarah J. Mass.
“New” Books Bought in 2023: 401
“New” Books Read in 2023: 367/401 (91.5% complete)
Here are the books I finished this week…
Finished Reading (Fiction):
~Louise de la Vallière — This is the sequel to The Vicomte de Bragelonne. This book was full of royal court drama and intrigue, which made it a pretty fast-paced read. I had originally planned to stretch this book out over the month of August, but ended up finishing it much more quickly because I didn’t want to put it down. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Thornhedge — I thoroughly enjoyed this book by T. Kingfisher! It was a very clever twist on a classic fairy tale. Content Alert: (view spoiler) 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Moonraker — This is the third book in the James Bond series. While I thought the premise of this book was interesting, I found the pacing rather slow. It’s been a long time since I last watched the movie adaptation, but I do remember it being more exciting. Content Alert: (view spoiler) 📚: ⭐️⭐️
~Falling for the Highlander — This is the fourth book in the Highland Brides series. I really enjoyed this novel, and thought the main characters made a great couple. Content Alert: (view spoiler) 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Annihilation — This is the first book in the Southern Reach trilogy. I thought this was a really interesting story, and had a hard time putting it down. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Finished Reading (Nonfiction):
None
Finished Reading (Manga, Comic Books, & Graphic Novels):
~Pokémon: Sword & Shield, Vol. 7 — This volume was a great continuation of the series. I’m looking forward to reading volume 8 later this year. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Doctor Strange, Vol. 4: Mr. Misery — This was a great continuation of the Doctor Strange comic book series. I thought the art was fantastic. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Doctor Strange, Vol. 5: Secret Empire — I also thought this book did a great job of continuing the Doctor Strange series. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Doctor Strange: The Oath — This was a fantastic standalone story! 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Doctor Strange and the Sorcerers Supreme, Vol. 1: Out of Time — I thought this was an interesting story, but I didn’t really care for the inclusion of the “Choose Your Own Adventure” style of storytelling that was used near the end of the book. It just seemed unnecessary. I currently do not have the next book in this series, but I am thinking about getting it. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Doctor Strange: The Flight of Bones — This was a good standalone Doctor Strange story. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Doctor Strange and the Secret Defenders — I really enjoyed this comic book collection! It was a lot of fun to see Doctor Strange team up with other Marvel heroes. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Rocket Raccoon & Groot, Vol. 0: Bite and Bark — While this is a great collection of Rocket & Groot comic books, it’s important to note that most of the stories in this collection have also been published in the following books: Rocket Raccoon & Groot, Vol. 1: Tricks of the Trade, Rocket Raccoon & Groot, Vol. 2: Civil War II, and Groot. So if you’ve read those books, then you’ve already read pretty much all of the comics included in this collection. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
~The Way of the Househusband, Vol. 10 — This volume was a good continuation of the series. It had some very funny moments. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Love's in Sight!, Vol. 3 — I’m continuing to really enjoy this series! The relationship between the two main characters just gets more and more adorable in each volume. Content Alert: (view spoiler) 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This week I also finished reading the Vinland Saga manga...at least, the volumes that have been released so far in the US. I’ve really been enjoying this series, and I can’t wait to see where the story goes from here! I had a really hard time limiting myself to reading only one or two books a day, because I just wanted to keep on going. Content Alert: (view spoiler) The volumes I read this week include…
~Vinland Saga Omnibus, Vol. 6 — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Vinland Saga Omnibus, Vol. 7 — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Vinland Saga Omnibus, Vol. 8 — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Vinland Saga Omnibus, Vol. 9 — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Vinland Saga Omnibus, Vol. 10 — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Vinland Saga Omnibus, Vol. 11 — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Vinland Saga Omnibus, Vol. 12 — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Vinland Saga Omnibus, Vol. 13 — 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Finished Reading (Poetry and Drama):
None
DNFed:
None
Currently Reading:
~The Man in the Iron Mask — This is the sequel to Louise de la Vallière, and the fifth (and final) book in the D’Artagnan series. I wasn’t planning to start this book until September, but since I finished the previous book so quickly, I decided to go ahead and start reading it. I am currently on chapter 28, and I’m enjoying it so far. 📚
~On a Sea of Glass: The Life and Loss of the RMS Titanic — I am continuing to make progress on this book, but I have to confess that I’m having a hard time with it. I blame the formatting. I only have about a third of the book left, and I’ve decided to treat it like a school reading assignment (20 pages per day). I should be able to finish it by next week’s update. 📚
~Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law — I’m currently about halfway through this book, and I’ve really been enjoying it. Content Alert: (view spoiler) 📚
~Essential Doctor Strange, Vol. 2 — This is the second collection of classic Doctor Strange comic books. I am currently about 20% of the way through this book, and I’m really enjoying it. 📚
~Surrender to the Highlander — This is the fifth book in the Highland Brides series. I’m currently about two-thirds of the way through this story, and will probably finish it tonight. 📚
~Authority — This is the second book in the Southern Reach trilogy. I only started it yesterday, so I’m not super far into it yet, but I am enjoying it. Content Alert: (view spoiler) 📚
QOTW:
I rarely annotate my books, so I don’t have any kind of note-taking system. If I am doing research, I’ll use note cards to keep track of important quotes and their sources.
Awww... Time does fly... :)
"The Last Policeman by Ben H. Winters - This book got under my skin and it’s going to stay with me for a long time. On the surface, it’s a murder mystery, but it's set during an apocalypse, because Earth is about to collide with a giant comet. No challenge categories, but I've been wanting to read this for a while and I'm glad I did. I have loved every book I've read by Winters, and this book seals it: he's one of my favorite authors now."
I have this one on my TBR listing, but after my rather "disruptive" reading experience with Underground Airlines two years ago I am hesitant to read another of his... I guess not at the top of my list. Glad to know his writing works so well for you!!
"Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney - I have now read everything Sally Rooney has published, and this was my least favorite of the three. I checked off "recommended on BookTok" with this one, and "set in a UNESCO city of literature" for AtY. This was also one of my "must read in 2023" books, because my daughter wanted to talk to me about how much she hated the ending - I ALSO hated the ending, so she and I continue to be in complete agreement on books!!"
So cool that you agree! :)
"Popsugar 84% 42/50
Must Reads 58% 7/12
Nay's Winter 70% 7/10
AtY 77% 40/52"
I had to laugh! Of course you have included percentages!! ;)
"I was hoping to be done with my reading Challenges in September, but I don't think I'm going to make that deadline!!"
That was a very courageous goal!
"QotW
I don't usually take many notes while I read. If I come across a great quote, I might mark it, and if I come across something that enrages me that I need to complain about (example: flowers blooming at the same time that would NEVER actually be blooming at the same time), I will mark it to include in a review. If I'm reading a Kindle book, I'll just highlight the passages. Highlighting passages is easiest when reading an ebook, because then I can just copy / paste it right into my review. If it's an audio book, I'll bookmark it and hope I can find it again. If it's a paper book, I'll tear off part of my bookmark and stick it in the pages there. (I put my library books on hold, so each book comes with a slip of paper w/ part of my name & library card number, so they can shelve it on the holds shelf for me - and these slips of paper make PERFECT bookmarks. I have a zillion of them now LOL)
If I'm REALLY into a book, I take no notes at all!"
That is one huge advantage of ebooks, as I see it. But I'm still going to resist whenever possible! :)
Love the fact that the library provides your bookmarks! ;)
Finished:
House of Odysseus by Claire North for published second half of 2023. Aphrodite was a slightly annoying narrator, I much preferred Hera who did the first book. I love Penelope and the maids though, and I think their behind the scenes story is well done. Although I would like her to change the ending in the next book but she's been following the original for the main points, so...
The Society For Soulless Girls by Laura Steven for girl in the title. YA dark academia about anger, dark but entertaining read.
QOTW:
For quotes I want to take note of, if it's an ebook I highlight using the kindle feature and paper books I take a photo on my phone. I don't really write notes any more, which is probably why I barely write proper reviews!
Saving Us: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World
Organizing for the Creative Person: Right-Brain Styles for Conquering Clutter, Mastering Time, and Reaching Your Goals
Started: The Idiot
Apollo's Arrow: The Profound and Enduring Impact of Coronavirus on the Way We Live
QotW: I love this question! I have different systems depending on whether it's a library book or I own it. If it's a library book, I'll use sticky tabs and write notes in my Book of Knowledge. If it's a book I own, I will underline in pencil only and make note of the most important parts by writing the page numbers on the title page.
I have this one on my TBR listing, but after my rather "disruptive" reading experience with Underground Airlines two years ago I am hesitant to read another of his... I guess not at the top of my list. Glad to know his writing works so well for you!!..."
I disliked Underground Airlines enough that I didn't finish it, but I LOVED Golden State. So Ben Winters has been uneven for me, I guess.
“New” Books Read in 2023: 367/401 (91.5% complete)..."
How do you have room for all your new books?
Something to look forward to. :( I can't imagine going 2-3 years without reading a book! People around me get concerned if I go 2-3 DAYS without reading a book!
Well, I say happy but ugh. I've got a major cold I'm trying to rush through by drinking water with syrup and broth because I'm leaving for Disney for Sunday and I really really need this trip.
On top of that yesterday had me rush to the vet with Mickey because (TW for in depth pet health discussion involving creepy crawlies) (view spoiler)
summary: Mickey could have been a goner, but we caught it early. Now he's back on an intense twice a day care regime. There are worries about quality of life, but he's still improving from the parasite so I'm not giving up just yet. He might have to move inside which would be A Thing. So fingers crossed!
In other news, I've almost finished the Bambi panel of the 40.320 puzzle! Only the 3 starry borders left and some pieces to fill some spaces up that I couldn't figure out/see/didn't have the first time around.
Of course I'm still not reading any books. Right now the puzzle has my utmost focus, and when I go up I play some Songpop, read a short fic, watch an episode of The Bear and go to sleep, haha!
QOTW
I don't really take notes, it takes me out of reading. When I'm buddy reading I try to make a point to jot down some thoughts or quotes, both of which I use Bookly for.
So... my grandfather isn't doing well. He's only estimated to have a couple weeks left. He's in his eighties and has lived a full life, but it's still hard knowing we're going to lose him. Add that to school starting next week, and things are a little stressful right now...
Time for some escapism, I guess.
Books read this week:
The Watchmaker's Daughter -- decent Victorian-era fantasy, though the fantasy elements don’t really kick in until the last third of the novel. And it was rather slow-paced… which wouldn’t have been SO frustrating if (view spoiler)
Air -- a great story featuring a wheelchair-using protagonist, and that shows that even well-intentioned help can be harmful if it’s not wanted or truly needed.
The Antagonists: Book One -- another story with a wheelchair-using protagonist, this time a young woman who wants to join a superhero team, only to find out they’re not what they expected. Not the best writing, but the passion behind the story is obvious.
Misfit Mansion -- graphic novel about a foundling home for monsters, and a great read about what makes a family.
DNF:
A Half-Built Garden -- yes, I get that the environment and gender identity are important topics… but this book promised me a first-contact alien story. Can we get more of that please and less people standing around and talking?
Waste Tide -- very difficult to follow, and to tell what’s a flashback and what’s actually happening in the book’s “present.” I wonder if some of it wasn’t a translation issue?
Currently Reading:
Daisy's Run
Bloodchild and Other Stories
Mister Magic
Disney's Land: Walt Disney and the Invention of the Amusement Park That Changed the World
QOTW:
I really don't keep track of book quotes...
On top of that, Saturday evening during the show, I got a muscle cramp in my upper back that was unrelieved by Tylenol, the only treatment that I had with me. The upshot is that I got very little sleep and that the drive home was a bit of a pain. When I got home, Motrin and heat took care of the issue!
My EKG for the f/u of last week’s arrhythmia was completely normal. MD decided not to put a monitor on me unless it reoccurs.
I attended the Hiking Club and found that the plan is to do hikes within my level – Beginner to Intermediate. Very grateful.
I got registered for the Extension Courses and, yes, I got into the astronomy one! Yippee!
Then I hit yesterday. Part of my shed is an office. I haven’t gone in it for a couple of years, so when I opened the door I was surprised to find that that part of the ceiling had collapsed and that the insulation was moldy. New roof needed. Just waiting for quote.
Then my digital alarm quit when the microburst came through (quick violent storm) and took out the electric. Couldn’t get it to reset when the electric came back on and my little coffee pot also decided to brew only a half a pot! My friend gave me one of her coffee pots that she was not using. Turns out to be the twin of the one I had. So…glad…that this week is ending!
Finished:
Exit the Milkman– Other Challenge. 3*. Cozy Mystery. Likeable characters. Quirky characters. Centered around an ag college town.
Wild Pork and Watercress – 4*. PS #40 (my initials) and Nadine’s Challenge. This was a fiction story of what felt more like a memoir. The young boy was shuffled around due to family death’s and his delinquency until he ended up with an older couple that was distantly related. When the woman dies, he is confronted with being returned to the Social Services system until he ages out…about 2 years. He doesn’t want to do that so he heads off into the bush with his relative as the homestead is being sold. It is an amazing story that I could not put down. A engaging story about relationships.
The Novel Habits of Happiness– ATY #32. 4*. The next in the series about Isabel Dalhousie, a philosopher in Edinburgh. It is a delightful cozy series.
Julie of the Wolves – No challenge. 4*. This is a story of an Eskimo girl who is married at 12 and runs off. She gets lost and is saved by learning the ways of a wolf pack…and realizes that she does not want to live in a town but rather on the land. Very good coming of age story.
Currently Reading:
Dreams and Shadows –Kindle. 13%. Weird book. Still on hold.
The Beginner's Photography Guide: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Manual for Getting the Most from Your Digital Camera – PS #2. 8%.
Dumplin' – PS #10. 1%
Uncle Tom's Cabin Or Life Among The Lowly - ATY Seasonal. 11%
Negotiating with the Dead: A Writer on Writing– ATY #31. 10%
The Ghost and the Dead Deb – Other challenge. 55%
A Cast-Off Coven – Other challenge. Just starting
The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club– ATY #33. Just starting
On deck:
Bone Deep – Old challenge.
Therapy – Other challenge
Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal – PS #50
Pudd'nhead Wilson– ATY #34
The Chemistry of Death = ATY #35
PS 30/50 (plus I have 8 waiting) and 7/10 for Nadine’s Challenge
ATY 31/52 and 4/12 for Q2 Challenge, 6/12 for Summer Challenge {Finished Q1 challenge}
GR 171/200
RwS: 26/30
QotW:
I read for pleasure and seldom do reviews. (If I do a review, it is written right away before I lose my ideas of the book.)
Also I do not take notes as most of what I read are library books.
oh that's brilliant!! My first thought: "I should do that!" but then reality intervened: I usually read paper books at bedtime, when my phone is in another room plugged into the charger.
We are opposite! Underground Airlines blew me away! And I wasn't sure how I felt about Golden State, it was good but I didn't LOVE love it. I think the ending was too ambiguous for me. So I was on the fence about Winters until I got to this neo-noir mystery/apocalypse trilogy - the whole time I was reading it, I kept reassuring myself: "the world doesn't end yet! this is the first in a trilogy!" But ... what happens in book 3??? Will I ever be brave enough to find out???
LOL you never know what life will throw at you!!! I used to read constantly. Then I got married and had kids. Reading became a "yeah sometimes" activity. I read maybe one or two books a year, for YEARS.
When my oldest was two, Goodreads appeared. A friend invited me to join. I said "Oh I don't know, I don't really read that much ..." BWAHAHAHAHA FAMOUS LAST WORDS. Goodreads re-ignited that spark! Also, by that time I was going to the library every week with my littles and getting piles of picture books, so that helped (and was probably why that friend even thought to invite me to GR in the first place).
The Last Policemen is decidedly neo-noir in style ,and I seem to remember you're not the biggest fan of noir mysteries? So this might not be the book to win you over! But it won ME over!
He's got three new books that I have not read:
The Quiet Boy (2021)
The Bonus Room (2023)
Big Time (2024)
To be honest, I really don't have room for them. The books have basically taken over my house at this point. 😁
For this week, I started and finished I’ll Stop the World for a title that is a song lyric. I think this was a Kindle First Read which I downloaded on impulse before I started the challenge. It is also a new spring release. I enjoyed it quite a bit. Not what I expected and not sure if it is YA but was about high school seniors. Very intriguing premise.
QotW If I am reading on a Kindle, I will highlight a passage that speaks to me. Occasionally, I will type a quote into my Goodreads review if I want to remember it.
I am 100% opposed to writing in books. It’s the former student library assistant / bookseller in me.
I'm seeing Belinda Carlisle in concert this weekend! My mom had one of her albums on tape cassette when I was little and I remember singing along to it in my room. I was really surprised she was touring, so I had to get tickets to go! Been listening to her music this week to get ready
Finished:
Camp Damascus- I liked this! It didn't go in the direction I was expecting, but I thought it was really good. The fly parts were disgusting
-5 A book with mythical creatures (mythical, supernatural...it counts)
Currently reading:
After the Fall: Being American in the World We've Made- I had to dnf Trick Mirror halfway through, so this is the next audiobook I'm trying. Not sure if I'll stick with it- it's a heavy topic, and I've been a little sleep deprived, so not sure if I can fully concentrate on it
Count of Monte Cristo- not a lot of progress this week...
QotW:
The only time I really take notes is if I'm reading a ebook from the library and I take a screen shot to remember something for later. I've definitely had moments where I remember something from a book and it drives me nuts that I can't remember what book it's from.
Finished:
The Atlas Paradox (no prompt) 4 stars. I love this series so far. Although I do not love Libby.
The Sandman, Vol. 1: Preludes & Nocturnes (no prompt) 4 stars. I always enjoy Gaiman. I might watch the Sandman netflix series after this to compare.
Currently reading:
The Starless Sea (ATY object repeated on cover)
How High We Go in the Dark (ATY book set in different century book 3)
Upcoming:
Beartown (PS althlete/sport)
QOTW: I don't really take notes. I read on my kindle so I will highlight a quote if I really want to remember it.
I am having an odd week after a weekend where I just withdrew completely and did some series binge reading of light women's fiction. My week was rather quiet until yesterday when one of my complex cases exploded again. In the middle of that I provided support for a friend dealing with complex medical issues and coordinated having a shredding company dispose of the last of the purged files from vacating my old office. I also spent time coordinating my birthday outing for this Saturday (centerpiece is visiting a small indie bookstore in Queens called Kew & Willow), and I actually bought an advance sale ticket for a concert at Carnegie Hall scheduled for December. This is only the second advance sale ticket, or any advance purchase ticket, I have made since 2019; I used to buy series tix routinely! I also bought a ticket to the Astoria Book Shop sponsored release date event for Shelley Parker-Chan and He Who Drowned the World that's on August 26th! This is major!
Though I have more and more friends, colleagues, clients who are contracting covid, I find myself ready to put some things back into my life just as in person special events that used to be guaranteed as annual ones are being slowly added back to event calendars. Just need to be careful, wear masks judiciously, and keep the boosters up to date.
i mentioned binge reading this weeked ... it was primarily one series which I FINISHED, all 8 issued so far, Pamela M. Kelley's Plum Beach Cove Inn series is set on Nantucket. It centers on the Hodges family, a widow who converts her 'cottage' on the beach into a BnB to provide an income. Her adult children and various friends, inn guests, and others each get a plot and book centered on them, including many middle-aged and senior. These are light clean reads, each centering on a particular theme. Some plots are darker - such as dealing woth a controlling partner with anger management issues and an unexpected pregnancy. Some plots revolve around growth of businesses or creative efforts and learning how to promote them on social media platforms. At the center is Nantucket itself. The author puts you right there, down to actual specialties from menus of real restaurants. That let me overlook some serious consistency errors relating to characters that should have been caught by those editing - which of course highlights what all the writers I know tell - that the skill and time needed for good editing and fact checking is not being provided by publishers these days.
Other finishes, also easy fiction fare:
Sweet Beginnings - another light read, first in a series set in a beach community in Northern California.
Unraveling the Past - Christian romantic suspense that had too much religion in it for my taste but a good suspense plot. Also part of a series by the author, but I won't read more because the faith and praying is just too front and center for me.
Unfinished Business - an old Nora Roberts about a concert pianist returning to her hometown to make peace with her mother and her past, finding herself reconnecting with high school boyfriend. Not the best from Nora but you really see here her writing gift starting to burst forth.
I had all 3 of these books and 2 of the Nantucket ones already in ebook on my Nook, and I borrowed the other Nantucket ones in ebook from my 3 local public libraries - Queens PL, Brooklyn PL, and NYPL. They were short so I read 3 a day or more. None rated more than 3 stars, most were 2 star reads. I had a wonderful binge, cleared a bunch from my Nook, put my library cards to heavy use, and did not fill a single PS prompt. But I did decimate a good part of the deficit I had built up in my GR 2023 Challenge.
Currently Reading: I am now ready to pick up again the 3 books I was reading before my little binge, even eager to do so!:
Liar's Poker
Lolita
Les Misérables
QOTW: I actually do have various methods employed constantly:
Fat fiction reads - ones that take a while like Proust or A Suitable Boy or rereading with an eye for detail all of A Song of Ice and Fire - I buy a cheap used trade paperback (thus keeping my hardcovers or special editions pristine) and freely write in them, highlight and use post-it tabs. I also dedicate a small notebook to each such read where I scribble down meanderings and more complex thoughts. This recalls my time 4 decades ago in law school where you had to brief the cases you were reading. We all developed our own method of marking the casebooks as we read. If you ever saw a used copy of a Contracts or Constitutional Law casebook used in law schools, you know what I mean. You never lose that skill!
I read more in ebook these days, and that format has built in annotation and highlighting tools. I use them liberally and find them incredibly useful for writing reviews, sharing favorite quotes on social media or during discussions IRL. Love it. I still resort to any notebook at hand (I have many scattered around) when I want to jot down complex thinking and reactions.
Physical print books are still a big part of my reading. Most I don't what to write in either - I treat print books with respect and gentle handling, except when I deliberately buy one to write in as I read. There those post-it type page markers are my go to - not just ones that are decorative or reading themed (which I love), but also the various sizes and colors of post-its I use as a lawyer. And notebooks come into play too.
I rarely listen to audiobooks and when I do it is a book I have already read and I'm driving. There are many reasons I don't care for audiobooks. One of them is losing highlighting and tagging easily.
My plan is to use The Guest List which is lurking in my TBR Towers. It was one recommended on Reese Witherspoon's list. In fact the first year this prompt wandered through, I stumbled on her list and read the fabulous Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows. Highly recommend.
*****
I finally finished a book in a week! I never do because of either time constraints or the fact that annotating takes forever. And I can't not annotate because then I lose focus as to what it is I'm reading.
This is the book I finished.
Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity
I rarely rate books with 5-stars, but this one absolutely deserved it. Having recently been diagnosed, I felt so seen with this book. I have never felt validated since I read 'Quiet' by Susan Cain.
This is certainly worth the read.
*****
Ugh, getting tired of these 100 degree temps. I just want fall already, or at least anything lower than 90.
*****
Now that I finished 'Unmasking Autism,' I don't know which book will be my next read. I do have a potential list of four so we'll see.
*****
I'm getting bored with my TBR jar. I find it boring seeing pieces of paper in a jar so I thought I'd have a bit of fun with it. I found some vending machine capsules on Amazon so I'm going to put my prompts in those and then since I've got over 260 prompts, I'll be placing them in a tote bag. I need better aesthetics and this seemed like a fun way to do it.
*****
I really want to do a prompt for the PS Challenge, but I can't seem to find one that works when it comes to my books since I'm trying to do all nonfiction.
*****
Question of the Week:
Do you have a system for note-taking or otherwise marking a book so you can remember specific passages, etc?
Love this question!
I am huge on annotating. I can't read a book and not do it. It's the only way I learn and retain information. It wasn't really like that until a few years ago once Covid hit. I mean I used to annotate prior to, but it wasn't as frequent. Now I absolutely have to do it.
As for my system, I will often make notes with clear sticky notes since my notes aren't short enough to mark in the margins.
I use highlighters and pens. With the highlighters I will give certain things certain colors. This is just an example:
baby blue- Notes
dark purple- Important Notes
green- Vocabulary
orange- Questions
pink- Quotes
I will also tab my books, but those usually don't have a set system. If anything if I have enough red tabs then those will go on pages I deem very important. If I don't have red tabs then I will mark a star on the edge of them so I can find the important stuff a lot easier.
I find it so fascinating that many of you don't mark in your physical books. I honestly can't do that and no offense, but I can't understand why one can't do so. Not that there's anything wrong with it, of course. We all have our styles of reading which is awesome!
I need to write in them. I know some people view it as wrong and sacrilege and all of that, but it's the total opposite for me.
Sometimes I'll get multiples of the same book, because anytime I do a re-read, my notes are always so different than from the times before.
I view my books as journals. I like to make notes in them because then I can go back and look at them months or years later and I'll see what it is I thought of during that read.
I can't read a book without annotating. I just can't focus on the story (fiction or nonfiction). My mind drifts off. Whereas if I annotate I'm not only focused, but I'm actively engaging and am part of the story (again, fiction or nonfiction.) It makes the experience come alive for me.
I find it so fascinating that many of you don't mark in your physical books. I honestly can't do that and no offense, but I can't understand why one can't do so..."
You wanna know something funny? While I absolutely can't mark up a book, I love noticing what other people have marked in books! The Optimist's Daughter that I just finished this week had several passages underlined and starred- even though it's a library book!! =0 I don't think it helped my understanding of the book, but it made me wonder what the other reader felt was so important about those lines that they needed to mark them.
Been having work done on our half bath this week, but like any home improvement project, nothing can go smoothly. Found a lot of water damage in the sub floor, had to replace it all. Apparently previous owners decided to just add more caulk around the toilet when it started leaking instead of...you know...fixing it. We've been here ten years, and never actually found water to know there was a problem. But they'd installed linoleum over 4 layers of flooring, so i guess al those floor layers prevented the water from leaking into the basement. so...i guess good that the basement didn't get flooded with toilet water, but kinda gross/annoying/worrysome we had 10 years of a leak without realizing it.
This week I finished:
Lady Tan's Circle of Women- I think i finished this after check in last week. I liked it quite a bit. It was a fictionalized account of a real woman doctor from 15th century China. All the cases were pulled from the notebook she left, but not much was known about her life aside from what she wrote in the intro. So the author basically wove a story around "how would this woman have become a doctor, how did she interact with all these different types of women" etc. Read for Read Harder's historical fiction set in an Eastern country.
Love in the Time of Cholera - Ugh, i did the audio book for this, and ew. The reader was actually pretty good, but I didn't need to hear most that content read out loud. Used for a different challenge, book referencing time in the title.
Dread Nation - second to last TBR challenge book. I liked it pretty well, lots of action and was engaging. I liked Jane and Katherine a lot.
Currently reading:
The Stonewall Reader - will be for read harder's nonfiction book about lgbtqa+ and/or BIPOC history. This was compiled by the New York Public Library, and consists of a bunch of essays/excerpts from other publications. The forward specifically said they tried to make sure to try to include a diverse assortment of perspectives, since so often lgbtqia+ works focus only on the white cis male perspective.
Fourth Wing - my library actually had the audio book available, and I kept hearing people talk about this. I'm sometimes dubious about the really hot reads, but when I saw there were dragon riders I was in. I'm actually really loving it! Fair warning, it is a lot spicier than the average not-billed-as-romance fantasy. Will probably finish it later today, have less than 3 hours left.
QOTW:
I haven't taken notes while I read since I got out of school. I read for pleasure, even if I'm reading nonfiction. Taking notes makes it feel like work and takes me out of the story. If i'm reading it on a kindle, I might highlight a really good quote, but that's about it. I guess if I was doing actual research for something, I would have to take notes.
That's one of the reasons I love doing it. It allows me an avenue as to what I found important at the time.
*****
I read for pleasure, but my way is by annotating. It doesn't feel like work to me at all. If anything aside from annotating feeling like it's a journal, it's also like a source of a kid's sandbox.
I get to play with my highlighters and tabs. I get to play with my clear post-it notes and sharpie markers. I get to play with my pens.I get to play around with the words and sentences. I get to play with my thoughts. It's simply just fun! :^D
I find it so fascinating that many of you don't mark in your physical books. I honestly can't do that and no offense, but I can't understand why one can't do so..."
I can't understand how anyone could, haha! Not in terms of 'it's sacrilege!' because honestly it's your property go wild, but in terms of 'I'm autistic and cannot for the life of me 'deface' something on purpose'. I tried 'Wreck This Journal' before I knew I was autistic and I had to crack to spine.
I did it.
But I cried jashdkfasg. And that was a book that was supposed to be defaced and dirtied and torn up.
I do love reading other people's notes, though, as long as I know when I buy/get the book so I don't get it as a surprise, haha!
I am however a firm believer in 'books are meant to be read'. I see so many people who collect special editions also buy a paperback because they don't want to read the book they just dropped $400 on. Like, I get it, you spent a fortune on one book cuz it's pretty, but also it's a book?? I read my special editions, and if I want to sell them on for whatever reason, no one will know it's been read.
But as before, when it's your own property, live your best life. Some people make art out of books (that are not just old secondhand outdated nonfiction books no one reads anymore) and it hurts my soul, but hey, as long as you don't start cutting into my books we're all good, haha!
Finished:
* The Undoing Project: A Friendship That Changed Our Minds written by Michael Lewis and narrated by Dennis Boutsikaris, which is one of my book clubs' picks for August. We'll discuss it next weekend;
* Blackwater Falls by Ausma Zehanat Khan, which is the first book in the series. I have a NetGalley copy of the second book and am looking forward to finding out what comes next! I really liked her first mystery series and think this series is going to be just as good, if not better; and,
* The Irish Boarding House written by Sandy Taylor and narrated by Aoife McMahon, which is my other book clubs' pick for August. I'll also be discussing this one next weekend.
Currently Reading:
* The Buenos Aires Quintet by Manuel Vázquez Montalbán, which remains on pause for yet another week;
* My Sister's Grave by Robert Dugoni, which I picked for one of the Kindle Summer Reading Challenge prompts since I had a copy of it already; and,
* Prom Mom by Laura Lippman, which I plan to use for "a book that comes out in the second half of 2023" since it was published in late July.
QotW:
Do you have a system for note-taking or otherwise marking a book so you can remember specific passages, etc? I sometimes use the highlight feature in my Kindle or copy a sentence (or two) that tickles me in the Bookly app, but not frequently. The only time I took notes or marked up a physical book to remember passages was when I was in school a million years ago. Ok, so technically it was maybe not quite that long ago but some days it feels like it was 🤣
It calls itself a retelling on the cover. Honestly I'd call it a steampunk/mystery/fantasy sequel to Dr Jekyll/ Mr. Hyde and I wanted to like it more than I did. It was good but it had a lot of irksome things (I think that would be the romance they tried shoehorning in)
QOTW Yeah no, I don't do any kind of annotation/bookmarking etc on any of my books, not since I left my literature classes.
I recently found out I'm autistic and this is one of the reasons why I do it, so it's basically the opposite for me. LOL!
I learned to annotate when I was 12 and kind of never stopped. I just loved it so much that the thought of not annotating a book makes me feel...icky I guess is the word.
I have books I've read that aren't annotated and it makes me feel weird because then I don't remember what the book is about.
I suppose you could say that annotating is one of my 'special interests' in terms of my autism.
Like others, sometimes a borrowed book does have some notes in it, and I am always curious; but it does bother me and seldom do the notes make sense for me.
Somewhere I picked up the idea that I should not mark up books. It feels ingrained. And, since I make a point of passing my books on when I own them, there is no reason to mark them for my future use.
Perhaps it is my age - middle seventies - but on the other hand, I really do like the idea that books I own are flying free out in the world for someone else to own.
Then in school, we use textbooks and novels that are owned by the school, intended to be passed on to future students. We cannot write in these books.
Of course by college we buy our own texts, and we CAN write in those, and many of us do. (I know I did.) But by then, the habit of not writing in books is ingrained in most of us.
Nevermind. I thought I could get one in but I gotta clock in! Later, I swear! I actually read some books!
1.The Diamond Eye. This is for my face to face book club. 5 stars. I really liked this book.
2. The Sisters Brothers. 5 stars. Not for this challenge.
QOTW: Something prevents me from marking in books.
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
The Spare Man (other topics)Murder Your Employer (other topics)
The Twist of a Knife (other topics)
The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder (other topics)
The Seaside Corpse (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
DeuxMoi (other topics)A.J. Pearce (other topics)
Dennis Boutsikaris (other topics)
Ausma Zehanat Khan (other topics)
Sandy Taylor (other topics)
More...
The IRL book club I facilitate met this week and we had an amazing discussion, as well as an opportunity to help one of our members deal with lifetime trauma that was dredged up by our book selection…More about that below…
Other than that, life has been fairly mundane, though very busy! Unfortunately, I missed posting last week, though I did have a draft… *sigh* I find myself sliding into a lackadaisical sense of organization and am working hard to counteract that! I am discovering retirement can be a bit disorienting if I don’t work to retain some modicum of a routine. Honestly, I just want to read! ALL the time! LOL
Our house is still so extremely quiet, which I typically appreciate. Though I still get sad when I realize our Miss Tigger was at the heart of much of the raucous behaviors, noise, and chaos in our household and then I am back to missing all that she brought with her. But she was not meant to be with us as long as we would have liked, so I am able to accept that now. I MUST be getting old! This absence of a furbaby is hitting me so much harder than in the past.
Okay, on to the business of Popsugar!! Focus, Lynn! LOL
ADMIN STUFF
August Monthly Group Read has begun! HERE is the discussion of Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister. This book can be used to fulfill prompt #30 A book that’s on a celebrity book club list. Celebrities are “august,” per the definition—respected, dignified, impressive! This book was a Reese’s Book Club selection. HERE is the posting to list any book(s) you have read that could also fulfill this prompt! I wasn’t necessarily going to read this, but ended up purchasing a used copy at Half Price Books (and using a coupon for an additional 10% off), decided to give it a try. I have yet to access the discussion, but at halfway through, I am now going back and skimming and marking to better track the story arc. I admit this is one I want to really try to figure out for myself and need to review certain parts to better remember and organize my thoughts! It is fascinating!
Just a reminder that the comprehensive listing of 2023 Monthly Group Reads can be found HERE
Question of the Week
Do you have a system for note-taking or otherwise marking a book so you can remember specific passages, etc?
When I began blogging book reviews years ago, I began using my phone to take notes as I read. Then I also began using Post-it strips to mark specific pages as well. Note-taking is a very time-consuming activity for me and I sometimes go overboard doing that… Using page markers seemed to help me immensely as I could return to those markers to decide what I would include in a review… This is a habit I have maintained even after abandoning my blog. (Blogging really cut into my reading time!)
The other day at the book club meeting for the group I facilitate one of our members handed me all kinds of Post-it page markers that she got for me! And now that I am in the middle of Wrong Place Wrong Time and desperate to better organize what I have already read so I can keep track of the story arc and try to figure out the solution, I am consumed with determining what color and style of marker to use for which story line, character, etc.!! LOL ;)
All of this made me wonder what, if anything, you all do to track specific things you wish to remember from a book…
Who knows? If you don’t have a system in place now, others’ ideas may motivate you to try one out! Or not... :)
Popsugar: 43/50
Nadine’s Q1 Mini-Challenge: 7/10
AtY: 52/52 DONE!
RHC: 13/24
I really will take a break and finish these today! REALLY! :)
As you can see it was quite a varied reading week for me. two of three books I could have done without having read! Ugh...
FINISHED:
*Target: Alex Cross (Alex Cross #26) by James Patterson ✶✶✶✶
POPSUGAR:
ATY:
RHC:
*No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai ✶✶
POPSUGAR:
ATY:
RHC:
*7th Heaven (Women's Murder Club #7) by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro ✶✶
POPSUGAR:
ATY:
RHC:
*The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah ✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶Any Kristin Hannah book I read is awesome! I doubt she would ever disappoint. However, unbeknownst to the other four members of the book club I facilitate, our newest member has suffered domestic abuse from a stepfather and then her first/now-ex husband. Unfortunately, we didn’t realize this book contains so much domestic abuse! Hence, we didn’t include any warning about that. Fortunately, she ended up feeling as if she had further processed and improved her mindset regarding her own personal experiences as a result of our discussion. But it could have turned out very differently for her and I felt terrible that we hadn’t been warned and hadn’t in turn warned her! She and I talked it over for an hour that evening. We are now going to be more thorough in our research of each possible book we consider in the future to hopefully at least warn others of possible triggers… Whew! This was such an INTENSE read! For all of us. It was very interesting to note our varied responses to this book. It was a favorite read for all of us, but also quite emotional… Book hangover to be expected! Excellent for prompting discussion!
POPSUGAR:
ATY:
RHC:
CONTINUING:
*Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister for our Monthly Group Read. This is soooooo good!
PLANNED:
*Criss Cross (Alex Cross #27) by James Patterson
*The 8th Confession (Women's Murder Club #8) by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro