ŷ������

Happy Thursday!!

It's truly summer now in northern NY.  We went blueberry picking yesterday and we now have a huge carton of blueberries sitting on the counter.  The weather is lovely again today and the dogs are outside lying in the sunny grass.  I need to mow.   The monarchs are back.  I haven't seen any hummingbirds yet but they must be here, too.


Admin stuff
Our July group read of Hunting Party is on-going - join the discussion here:  
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This week I finished 4 books, 3 for this Challenge.

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger - I thought this would have more to do with Star Wars; Brandon tried to warn me!  I didn't listen.  This was a middle grade book, and it was cute, and not at all what I usually read, and it wasn't technically based on a movie at all except for a bunch of preteen kids talking in Yoda-voice, but since I thought it would be, I figure I read it in good faith, and I'm counting it for "based on a movie."

The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins - this was my "retelling of a classic" and it was a lot of fun.  It followed a lot of the main plot points of Jane Eyre, set in modern-day Alabama, and added in a few twists, some that caught me by surprise. This would make a great beach read or book club book. You don't need to have read Jane Eyre to enjoy this, you'll just miss a few clever bits she throws in there that are sort of homages to the original.

A Thousand Mornings: Poems by Mary Oliver - Mary Oliver is always great!

The Stolen Coast by Dwyer Murphy - you guys!  I WON A BOOK FROM GOODREADS!!  It's been a looooong time since I won any of the giveaways.  Happily, I LOVED this book, too, this was solid neo-noir crime fic, RIGHT UP MY ALLEY. It comes out next week, so I checked off "book released in the second half of 2023."  I also decided to check off "con or heist" in AtY.



Popsugar: 37/50  
Winter mini-challenge:  6/10  
AtY: 31/52  
2023 must-reads: 6/12




Question of the Week

Does the thought of choosing a book randomly fill you with excitement, or dread? (or something else?)


I find it exciting!!  And yet I hardly ever do it!  I wouldn't want to do it for every book, but I like shaking things up now and then.  I have loved the categories that had us closing our eyes and choosing a book randomly - I hope we get more of them..  And this is a big part of why I like the cultural appreciation reading months: it gives me a chance to hit pause on my reading plans and look around and pick something different.  

The problem is that I enjoy that so much that I want to plan for it!! LOL  So I really have to restrain myself from too much advance planning. Like: "I love being spontaneous, let's plan to be spontaneous on the first Thursday of each month, this month we can go to Seneca Falls , and next month we'll visit Corning ..." and that right there takes all the spontaneity away.



Okay, now I have to go let the dogs in.

I finished Ripley Underground as my book with 2 languages. Not as good as the Talented Mr Ripley, but still pretty good.

I'm a little over halfway through Something Wicked This Way Comes as my book that takes place on a non-Christmas holiday.

QOTW: I have been using that as one of my previous year faves. I sometimes end up reading a book I would have never otherwise thought to, but like you, I wouldn't want to do it for every book. Once a year or so is good.

I had a whole plan to read all of the books my current public library has and future public library does not before I move. Sadly, getting ready for the move has stolen most of the time I have to read print books so that won’t be happening. I have been making great progress on my audiobook, though!

I move next Thursday! I couldn’t be happier. The more I’ve packed and taken down my decor, the more I see the flaws of this apartment that I covered up with design and distraction (and sometimes turning a blind eye).

Reading
Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon

QOTW
I don’t know if I would go so far as to say dread, but I don’t enjoy the pick a book at random/book you know nothing about categories. Reading is an emotional experience for me. I like to make sure I’m emotionally prepared for the story I’m starting.

Happy Thursday!

Rehearsals for Twelfth Night are moving along well and things are coming together nicely. There’s so much music in this show and I’m in awe of our musicians�� talent nightly. Beyond that, poison ivy has struck once again (as it seems to do yearly, anymore) but I went to urgent care yesterday and got set up with steroids, and things are getting better already. And I have an appointment in September for new tattoos! I can’t wait. It’s been several years since my last one.

Books finished this week:
You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight - 4 stars. This was a little clunky in places but overall a lot of fun, and I loved the references to all those classic 80s slasher flicks!

Mirka Andolfo's Mercy: The Fair Lady, The Frost, and The Fiend- 3.5 stars. The in-issue art paled in comparison to the covers, and the story was WEIRD. But I liked it!

Nimona - 4 stars. So cute! Can’t wait to watch the movie now! Book becoming a film/tv show in 2023

Gideon the Ninth - DNF @ 57%. I was considering trying it again, but the more I think on it, the more I feel like this one just isn’t for me.

Jade City - 5 stars. SO glad I did this reread, because this book is phenomenal.
…and here I told myself I would only reread this one, and now inevitably I want to reread the whole trilogy #bookworldproblems

PS 31/50
ATY 38/52
Mount TBR 30/60

Currently:
The Irish Game: A True Story of Crime and Art
Her Lost Words: A Novel of Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley

QOTW: Does the thought of choosing a book randomly fill you with excitement, or dread? (or something else?)
I tend to plan rather than choose at random, so any time I get a challenge category like that I love it. I do find myself planning randomly, if that's possible - I jot down titles in my monthly spreadsheet that sound good or that have been sitting around for ages, and I'm always proud when I'm able to get to them amid my various buddy reads, etc. I love making time for mood reads.

Nadine,

I don't remember talking about the Origami Yoda book with you. The book would have to be retooled significantly if it did not have the Yoda element, so I definitely support your using it for a book based on a popular movie.

If you find yourself wanting other Tom Angleberger stories, I can recommend Return of the Jedi - Beware the Power of the Dark Side!, Fake Mustache, and Two-Headed Chicken.

I have not checked in for awhile, as I was busy preparing for and executing a move from Arizona to Massachusetts. Most of the driving days were 10 hours, which is as high as I would go doing it again. One of the days was more than 13 hours of driving, and that is too much for comfort and taking care of one's self.

There are a lot of driving differences between the two states, but the biggest for me right now is the very short merge lanes onto the freeways. In Arizona, they are side-by-side to the freeway for about half a mile, and people use them to both exit and enter the freeway. In Massachusetts, you need to speed up quickly and also be ready for whatever the freeway's right-lane traffic might be doing. I fully expect to be forced onto the shoulder at some point if somebody doesn't let me on.

Finished:

Five Survive by Holly Jackson (3/5, a book that takes place over less than a day)

This is a pretty engaging thriller. There were one or two parts where I felt the injury sustained would probably have resulted in death or more serious recovery than the book showed. Don't read this for 100% realism or if you want to enjoy an upcoming RV trip.

I recently reread the arc from The Death of Superman through The Return of Superman. One addition made to the current four-book arc from the three-book arc I used to own is the annuals storyline (Bloodline/Earthplague). It's not essential reading for the main story, but some of the new Supermen are included, so completists will be happy to have them there.

I also reread the Star Trek: Gateways series (DS9, VOY, and TNG portions only). These are quite enjoyable, and each series comes at the event with its own approach.

Currently reading:

I am most of the way through Phase II of Star Wars: The High Republic. Only Path of Vengeance remains from the novels.

Usagi Yojimbo Saga, Vol. 3
Peter David's Aquaman, Book 1
Star Trek: The Brave and the Bold duology

Question of the Week:

I sometimes like to pick something randomly from my TBR or from the books I own. A truly random choice is not desirable because of Sturgeon's Law (90% of everything is junk).

Heather wrote: "I don’t know if I would go so far as to say dread, but I don’t enjoy the pick a book at random/book you know nothing about categories."

"Book you know nothing about" categories are the WORST, because I'm always reading synopses on GR before I pick up a book! 😂

I didn't get much reading done (I've hit some doldrums, more because of the blah nature of the books I brought on vacation than anything else)

I did read Together We Rot by Skyla Arndt which I loved. It's a YA horror and if I hadn't read for a book about family or a book for the second half of 2023 this would have fit in. It is 100% about two families and I think it'll be out in Oct/Nov. (I had an arc)

QOTW No dread (unless you count knowing it's going to take me forever to make a choice). It's far more excitement, the thrill of the hunt if you will. That extends to library sales too. You never know what you'll find and that's half the fun

Happy Thursday!

Nadine, I love your positivity about the weather. I feel like all I do is complain at this time of year.

I only have 2 books left to finish Popsugar. I can't wait. But one I am reading right now is very long.

Finished:
Hollywood Homicide
Things Fall Apart
Bad Summer People
Love Medicine for book bought from an independent bookstore. I loved this book, as I have loved everything I've read by her. Good thing she has written so many books.

Currently reading:
The Covenant of Water This is the very long book I'm reading, but I don't want to rush it because it's so good.
The History of Love
The Lonely Hearts Book Club on audio

QOTW:
I love randomness in theory. I love picking a random book off my shelf or from my TBR. However, I put those there because I am interested in reading them. Completely random off someone else's or a library's shelf, I am not sure I would like that so much. Although I have read books that people have loaned me without knowing anything about them. I guess it just has to be someone whose taste you trust.

Happy Thursday! I finished reading nothing, but I made good progress on one book and started a second.

Series - 9/15
Series Completed: - Lying Games, Bronwyn the Witch, Divergent, Millenium, Heather Wells

Nobel laureates - 4/7
Random books - 3/7

ATY - 26/40
PS - 24/30
Nadine's 23 challenge - 10/10 -Completed!
Summer challenge: 5/12
Around the year in 52 movies - 26/52

Currently reading:

The Starless Sea - 85% done
The Wandering Fire - 20% done

Buddy Reads:
God in My Everything: How an Ancient Rhythm Helps Busy People Enjoy God - 11/15 chapters
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - 12/37 chapters
A Light in the Window - 3/21 chapters

QOTW: Does the thought of choosing a book randomly fill you with excitement, or dread? (or something else?)

I'm actually doing a personal challenge this year of reading 7 books chosen by randomizing my GR TBR list and reading the first book. The caveat is that if I hit a book and wonder what I was thinking putting it on my TBR list, that I can delete it and re-randomize. (This too reduces my TBR list).

I'm currently reading my 4th randomized book - The Starless Sea. The pros are that it's a fun challenge and it gets books off your TBR list. The only con is that I can't always find a prompt (either PS or ATY) for random books.

Katy wrote: "I finished Ripley Underground as my book with 2 languages. Not as good as the Talented Mr Ripley, but still pretty good. ..."



I have been slowly working my way through all of Highsmith's books - I try to read at least one each year, sometimes more than one. (I've got one cued up as my next audiobook, in fact!! ) But all reviews of the Ripley books say the sequels are not as good as the first, so I've been avoiding those!!

Happy Thursday, everyone!

It has been a tough week, health-wise. I’ve been having some stomach issues for the past several weeks, and after spending 10 days on antibiotics and anti-microbials without significant improvement, I had to go in for a CT scan yesterday morning. (For the record, I don’t mind the scan itself or the contrast dye, but I could easily go the rest of my life without having to drink any more barium. Yuck!) I’m currently waiting for the results. Keeping my fingers crossed that there’s nothing serious going on.

I also managed to throw out my back over the weekend, which pretty much messed up all of my plans for the beginning of the week. Fortunately my back does seem to be improving, but I could use some prayers and positive vibes with everything that's going on.

But despite all of the medical drama, it has been an excellent week for reading! This is my second week (out of two) focusing on reading the books that I’ve purchased since the first of the year. I’ve had a chance to read some great books, and I feel like I’ve made really good progress getting caught up on my “New Books�� list.

I’ve still got a lot of books left on my TBR list though. I’ll be getting back to them over the weekend, but I’m going to have to kick it into high gear if I want to complete 40% of my TBR list before the end of 2023.

Here are my current challenge and TBR totals��

ŷ������ Challenge: 600/400 (Challenge Complete!)
Mount TBR Challenge: 150/150 (Challenge Complete!)

📚Physical TBR: 255/634
📱Ebook TBR: 7/236
��Audiobook TBR: 11/13
TBR Checklist Total: 273/883 (30.9% complete)

I’ve officially completed more than 95% of the titles on my “New Books�� list!

Even though my book buying ban is now over, I am going to try to not go overboard on my book buying through the end of July.

That being said…I have purchased some new books this week. One of the books I bought was a new release that I was actually planning to get this month. That book was Barbarian's Mate, by Ruby Dixon.

Then I came across the first box set of Toilet-bound Hanako-kun (volumes 1-10) at the bookstore, and I just couldn’t resist it. (It’s not often that you come across a box set designed to look like a toilet stall.) I also picked up copies of A Most Agreeable Murder, by Julia Seales; and You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight, by Kalynn Bayron.

Finally, this week my dad surprised me with a couple of books that he found at the used bookstore. He got me a copy of Passenger to Frankfurt, by Agatha Christie; as well as Alfred Hitchcock's Haunted Houseful, which he remembered reading when he was a kid.

“New�� Books Bought in 2023: 332
“New�� Books Read in 2023: 320/332 (96.3% complete)

Here are the books I finished this week��

Finished Reading (Fiction):
~Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves: The Road to Neverwinter �� I absolutely loved the recent Dungeons & Dragons movie, so I was super excited when my dad got me a copy of this prequel story! It was a fantastic read! 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves: The Druid's Call �� This Dungeons & Dragons movie prequel focuses on Doric, and her journey toward becoming a druid. It was such a great read! Doric was one of my favorite characters in the movie, so I really enjoyed learning more about her. Content Alert: (view spoiler)[ This book does include references to child abuse and neglect. (hide spoiler)] 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~The Year in Between: A Sense and Sensibility Variation �� This book is an expansion of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, taking place toward the end of the original novel. I completely fell in love with this book! It was so much fun to read, and I really had a hard time putting it down. Content Alert: (view spoiler)[ This book does include a storyline that focuses on the loss of a child. (hide spoiler)]📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~The Ghost Goes to the Dogs �� This is the most recent book in the Haunted Bookshop Mystery series. I really enjoyed the story! 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~A Most Agreeable Murder �� I thought this was a really fun read. If you like Regency Era murder mysteries that include a little romance and a ton of humor, then I definitely recommend checking out this book. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight �� This was a very fast, creepy read. If you’re a fan of slasher movies, then you might want to check out this YA novel. Content Alert: (view spoiler)[ This book does include graphic bloody violence consistent with movies such as Scream, Halloween, and Friday The 13th. (hide spoiler)] 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~The Burning Page �� This is the third book in The Invisible Library series. I enjoyed it just as much as the previous two books, and I’m already looking forward to reading the next one. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Finished Reading (Nonfiction):
~Shadow of the Titanic: The Extraordinary Stories of Those Who Survived �� This book tells the stories of some of Titanic’s survivors, focusing on how the disaster affected their lives years later. I found it very interesting, and really appreciated its readability. 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Finished Reading (Manga, Comic Books, & Graphic Novels):
~Fables: Compendium Two �� I have to say, I actually liked the second compendium better than the first. It seems like Fables is getting better as it goes along, so I’m excited to see what happens in the remaining compendiums. Content Alert: (view spoiler)[ This book does include graphic violence, including animal deaths and depictions of war. (hide spoiler)] 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Toilet-bound Hanako-kun, Vol. 1 �� I thoroughly enjoyed the first ten volumes of this series, and I’m really looking forward to reading more! 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Toilet-bound Hanako-kun, Vol. 2 �� 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Toilet-bound Hanako-kun, Vol. 3 �� 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Toilet-bound Hanako-kun, Vol. 4 �� 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun, Vol. 5 �� 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Toilet-bound Hanako-kun, Vol. 6 �� 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Toilet-bound Hanako-kun, Vol. 7 �� 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Toilet-bound Hanako-kun, Vol. 8 �� 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Toilet-bound Hanako-kun, Vol. 9 �� 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~Toilet-bound Hanako-kun, Vol. 10 �� 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Finished Reading (Poetry and Drama):
None

DNFed:
None

Currently Reading:
~Twenty Years After �� This is the sequel to The Three Musketeers, and takes place two decades after that book. I’m currently 60 chapters into the story, and really enjoying it. 📚
~Fables: Compendium Three �� I’m currently a little over three-quarters of the way through this compendium, and should be able to finish it this afternoon. It’s been good so far. 📚
~On a Sea of Glass: The Life and Loss of the RMS Titanic �� I have to confess that I’m not finding this book as enjoyable to read as my last two books about the Titanic. The font size and two-column page layout are kind of making me feel like I’m reading a textbook. I’ve only managed to read 32 pages so far. 📚
~The Cradle of Ice �� This is the second book in the Moonfall series. I’m currently only a few chapters in, but really enjoying it so far. 📚
~Barbarian's Mate �� I am planning to start this book right after posting my update. 📚

QOTW:
I wouldn’t say that I feel excited about choosing books randomly, but it doesn’t fill me with dread either. I usually choose my books based on my mood, but I also randomly choose titles from my TBR list when I don’t know what I’m in the mood for. Sometimes I’ll create a list of 20 titles and roll a D20 to see which book I’m going to read next.

Brandon wrote: "There are a lot of driving differences between the two states, but the biggest for me right now is the very short merge lanes onto the freeways. In Arizona, they are side-by-side to the freeway for about half a mile, and people use them to both exit and enter the freeway. In Massachusetts, you need to speed up quickly and also be ready for whatever the freeway's right-lane traffic might be doing. I fully expect to be forced onto the shoulder at some point if somebody doesn't let me on..."

Whoo... Driving in Massachusetts is.... interesting... scary.... intense... and weird. I once came upon a traffic circle that had a sign "no right on green" or something similar with green traffic arrows. Which made me wonder when I was supposed to go?? On red?? Also, I wouldn't expect most people to let you on the highway, floor it!
Welcome to the east coast!!

Hi all! Lazy day in my house today. The kiddo was supposed to go to her summer program today, but she said she didn't feel well and has been laying around. I don't think she's sick per se, but we all need lazy days sometimes, so I'm not pushing her. She *did* fake a sick day on Monday, and admitted to it later. Little goober! I've been battling a migraine myself, so as long as she doesn't want me to play something loud and active, we're all good.

I finished Stay Gold which I'm using for a color in the title, but it would work for several other prompts including queer lead, banned book, could probably but it under divorce as one of the MC's parents are divorced and it plays a part in her development. I almost thought about using it for Hollywood as one of the side characters was a Hollywood actor, but I thought that might be too much of a stretch. The book itself was good, it's about a trans teen trying to go stealth at a new school. I liked it when I turned it on, but I wasn't ever eager to see what happened next (it's a character study, so not my favorite type of books anyway).

I started Out of the Blue last night, but I'm not sure I'm going to jump right back into it. It's also about a queer teen boy, which I knew when I turned it on. The dumb (for me, my hang up) part is that he and the boy in Stay Gold both want to go to Hollywood, but they want to be directors or something behind the scenes. My brain is cranky- "didn't we just do this??" Maybe the queer mermaid part will redeem it for my cranky brain. Cause I *definitely* haven't done that before!

My cranky brain is having a hard time landing on something. I'm still reading Night over Water, which I like. I also picked up The Schoolmaster's Daughter. I started it a while ago (maybe last fall/winter?), but I decided (since I have 9 zillion renewals from the library) that I would restart it from the beginning. I did pick up 2 holds from the library that only have 1 or 2 renewals (I guess cause they're ILLs from other libraries), so I'll have to try to prioritize them and see if they're any good.

QOTW: I love a random book! I don't often do it, but I've definitely picked books without knowing a thing about them for challenges. I'm a huge mood reader, so I usually go in to the library to browse and come home with something I'd never heard of before. So I guess most of my reading is pretty random. :)

I am currently typing this from my hotel room in Chicago, a LONG way from home. Going to hang out with a friend this weekend and visit a Renaissance Faire. After some rough times getting here yesterday (a tornado warning diverted us to Indianapolis for a few hours) I'm ready to just have a good time.

Books read this week:

Whatshisface -- goofy but fun read about a boy who discovers the ghost of a boy who lived in Shakespeare’s time living in his new phone. Aimed at middle schoolers but still fun.

The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway -- YA rom-com involving a Renaissance Faire. Mostly read this to get me in the mood for going to a Ren Faire this weekend. A little predictable and cheesy but surprisingly cute.

A Wolf for a Spell -- I don’t agree with the cover blurb about it being a combination of The Girl Who Drank the Moon and Pax, but this is still a good retelling of Russian mythology, with a wolf as the main character.

The Moth Keeper -- graphic novel. Not my favorite work by K. O’Niell, but still a sweet fable about responsibility and community.

DNF:

The Relentless Moon -- I liked the first two books in this series, but I am just not feeling it for the third book. The pace of this entire series is so slow, it’s frustrating.

Sunshine -- I usually enjoy Robin McKinley’s writing, but�� she cannot write contemporary stories worth beans. The main character talks WAY too much about things that aren’t important to the plot, and I got bored quickly.

Currently Reading:

Blackfish City
Dancing Barefoot
The Door-to-Door Bookstore
This Is My Letter To The World: The Omikuji Project Cycle One

QOTW:

I actually pick my books this way pretty frequently (at least, I pick them randomly from my TBR list or my TBR bookshelf at home). Sometimes it works out for me, sometimes it doesn't, but it's a fun way to pick a new read.

K.L. wrote: "Happy Thursday, everyone!

It has been a tough week, health-wise. I’ve been having some stomach issues for the past several weeks, and after spending 10 days on antibiotics and anti-microbials with..."

Oh hooray, someone else who enjoyed You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight! *high fives* and I'm sending good thoughts wrt your health issues, KL <33

Kenya wrote: "I am currently typing this from my hotel room in Chicago, a LONG way from home. Going to hang out with a friend this weekend and visit a Renaissance Faire. After some rough times getting here yeste..."

I miss Chicago, I haven't been there in over a decade. Have fun at the Ren Faire, Kenya!!

Happy Thursday!

So last Sunday I went through my 400+ list of read books and retroactively filled in prompts. I basically doubled my count for Popsugar and Aty. It was sorta fun filling in a bunch of prompts that I didn’t know I had fulfilled while randomly reading stuff.

I’m not looking forward to the weekend. There’s going to be four or five days with 100-degree temps. Can we get back to fall, please?

I only have two more days with Summer Reading Program. I still don’t have more than 6 kids sadly. I’m doing a mini Zen Garden the size of an Altoids box. It has a hinged lid and it will come with a bamboo fork they can use to make the lines. I even have rocks they can place in the sand and move around. The other project will be a fast and cheap version of Sumi-e painting with what I have on hand. For those unfamiliar with Sumi-e painting, it’s the beautiful black ink paintings on scrolls. Modernized ones have colored ink and whatever they want to paint. I’m using India Ink and watercolor paper with brushes on hand, which are definitely not traditional brushes.

I just got my birthday present from my mom! It took over almost 3 weeks to get here. But I finally got a copy of Fourth Wing. Only problem: I have 5 NetGalley books and 3 other books I'm reading at the moment. WAH!!!!!

Popsugar: 25/50
Finished:
Reincarnated as a Dragon Hatchling (Light Novel) Vol. 1⭐⭐⭐⭐ps 5 Simply put a reincarnation where they start out in an egg and they are a dragon. Life threatening monsters abound. It was cute.
Lightning and Romance Vol. 4⭐⭐⭐⭐ ps 6 OMG! The twisty reveal in this book was so freaking amazing. I can’t wait for the next book!
I Belong to the Baddest Girl at School Volume 01⭐⭐�� ps 7 This is a story of a timid guy who mistakenly thinks that the delinquent girl wants him as her lackey when she actually has a crush on him!
The White Cat's Revenge as Plotted from the Dragon King's Lap: Volume 2⭐⭐⭐⭐ ps 9 Ruri has been forced out of the kingdom that summoned her by the prince and Asahi’s ladies. She is now at home in the Dragon King’s castle as a cat. Now Asahi thinks that Ruri is held against her will and wants her back! So, the kingdoms are now at war!
Captive Hearts of Oz, Vol. 1⭐⭐⭐⭐ ps 14 Dorothy and friends travel to the Emerald City. A bit of romance sparks.
Mirrorverse: Pure of Heart⭐⭐⭐⭐ ps 15 Based on the Mirrorverse video game app, this is the first installment of the series. Snow White is attacked by crystalline versions of the dwarves. Mickey recruits her to join a cast of people from the multiverse to save her world from the darkness infecting it.
Psyche and Eros⭐⭐⭐⭐ ps 16 A retelling of the myth of Psyche and Eros. It does deviates from the myth, but I didn’t mind it.
Sweet Sweet Revenge Vol. 2⭐⭐�� ps 17 A bullied girl gets revenge on the boys that made her suffer. This is the final installment of the series.
Solo Leveling, Vol. 1 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ps 25 Sung Jinwoo is a hunter in modern day Korea. He only goes into the easiest of dungeons that appear. Until this last one �� something unexpected happens and his world is turned inside out.
The Princess�� Smile: The Body-Double Bride Searches for Happiness with the Reclusive Prince⭐⭐⭐⭐ ps 31 A relative and look alike to the princess is forced to switch places with the princess in a political marriage.
Usotoki Rhetoric Volume 1⭐⭐⭐⭐ ps 34 A girl who can hear lies meets with a private detective in 1926 Japan.
With the Sheikh in His Harem, Vol. 2⭐⭐�� ps 48 Sanagi gets kidnapped by Adil, the crown prince of Armadia.
Culinary Chronicles of the Court Flower: Volume 1⭐⭐⭐⭐ ps 50 Rimi becomes a concubine of the emperor. Only she is soon arrested and charged with disrespect. Soon to be executed, she must find a way to exonerate herself with her culinary genius.

Reading:
Prince of Thorns & Nightmares ps 32 This book is in the perspective of Prince Philip from Sleeping Beauty.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone ps 4 �� I finally came back to this one.

Aty:30/52
Finished:
With the Sheikh in His Harem, Vol. 1 aty 1
My Happy Marriage, Vol. 3 (light novel) (My Happy Marriage aty 3
Me and My Beast Boss, Vol. 1 aty 4
I Got a Cheat Skill in Another World and Became Unrivaled in the Real World, Too, (Light Novel) Vol. 2 aty 5
A Tale of the Secret Saint (Light Novel) Vol. 1 aty 10
Usotoki Rhetoric Volume 1 aty 13
The Princess�� Smile: The Body-Double Bride Searches for Happiness with the Reclusive Prince aty 14
The Apothecary Diaries: Volume 3 aty 15
Usotoki Rhetoric Volume 2 aty 17
The Tyrant's Etiquette Tutor: Volume III aty 24
The World After the Fall, Vol. 1 aty 28
The World's Fastest Level Up (Light Novel) Vol. 1 aty 36
The Tyrant's Etiquette Tutor: Volume I aty 37
The Loner aty 39
The Tyrant's Etiquette Tutor: Volume II aty 43
With the Sheikh in His Harem, Vol. 2 aty 44
Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill: Volume 2 aty 46
Greymist Fair aty 50
7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy! (Light Novel) Vol. 3 aty 51

Reading: None

ŷ������ Challenge 448/400
Finished:
The Dragon Knight's Beloved (Manga) Vol. 5
I'll Never Be Your Crown Princess! (Manga) Vol. 1
I'll Never Be Your Crown Princess! (Manga) Vol. 2
Raven of the Inner Palace (Light Novel) Vol. 1 It’s the second go around for this one this year. I loved it the first time and loved it the second time as well.
Solo Leveling, Vol. 2
Yearning In The Mountains
Virgin and the Bratva
Captured by the Mafia Boss
Harbor Master

Reading:
Raven of the Inner Palace (Light Novel) Vol. 2
Prince of Thorns & Nightmares
Akaoni: Contract with a Vampire, Vol. 1
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Nadine's Mini Challenge 8/10
Finished:
Bofuri: I Don't Want to Get Hurt, so I'll Max Out My Defense., Vol. 9 (light novel) (Bofuri: I Don't Want to Get Hurt, so I'll Max Out My Defense.⭐⭐⭐⭐

Reading: None

Mount TBR:
33/150 Ebook
22/150 Physical

QOTW:

I don't think I choose randomly. I tend read what my books are about before taking them. I think the only time I had a book I knew nothing about was when I fulfilled said prompt last year (either aty or popsugar). I think the only other time was when I received a copy of the original fan fiction version of Love Hypothesis. I just knew that it was Reylo and modern AU.

Ashley Marie wrote: "Heather wrote: "I don’t know if I would go so far as to say dread, but I don’t enjoy the pick a book at random/book you know nothing about categories."

"Book you know nothing about" categories are..."

I know how you feel. Working as a librarian does that to you too. I literally had to ask my colleague for a book because I knew something about the books in the library.

K.L. wrote: "Happy Thursday, everyone!

It has been a tough week, health-wise. I’ve been having some stomach issues for the past several weeks, and after spending 10 days on antibiotics and anti-microbials with..."

Oh gosh! I'm definitely sending you good vibes!

I also really liked what I've read of Hanako.

Nadine in NY wrote: I have been slowly working my way through all of Highsmith's books - I try to read at least one each year, sometimes more than one. (I've got one cued up as my next audiobook, in fact!! ) But all reviews of the Ripley books say the sequels are not as good as the first, so I've been avoiding those!!..."

I have a 3-in-1 book of the first 3 Ripley's, so I'm at least also going to read Ripley's Game. It's probably hard to write more than one book, about a likeable murderous psychopath not getting caught. He has a wife in the second book and I think she's in the third also.

Personal: 46/50
Nadine's: 10/10
Mount TBR: 30/31
Summer: 26/30

Read: Our Mathematical Universe: My Quest for the Ultimate Nature of Reality This book was interesting, but I'm not sure I completely understood the thesis. Tegmark claims that the universes are constructed out of math, not just that they can be described by math. I'm not sure how physical objects can BE math.

Crazy Brave
Read for prompt book chosen by someone else. This was an unabashedly honest memoir and I read it in one day. It's just so sad how common the threads of alcohol and violence destroy Native peoples' lives. The people who write about it are success stories, but it's still so painful to read about.

Started: I'm having trouble reading lately, so I've started a few, but not made much progress in them...

Babel: An Arcane History This was a last-minute impulse buy at City Lights. I'm trying to read more sci-fi.

Against Happiness What a relief it would be to no longer strive for happiness... Such a fickle creature!

The Many Worlds of Hugh Everett III: Multiple Universes, Mutual Assured Destruction, and the Meltdown of a Nuclear Family I got about halfway through this last time before I got distracted, so it's largely a re-read.

The Amber Spyglass I'm listening to an audiobook version of this for prompts in a couple challenges. I hate audiobooks in general. This one is full-cast and narrated by the author, so it's pretty dang good.

QotW: Mostly, I hate selecting a book by random. I sometimes do this if I haven't finished a previous book because then my critical nature is amped up. But lately, I've been wanting to select my reading so much that I haven't even been willing to read book club selections (minus Crazy Brave because that also fit a prompt for my personal challenge.) The select-a-book-at-random prompts that we've had in the past have been very challenging for me to get through.

Happy Thursday!

I've been having ŷ������ problems lately. I wasn't able to log in at all today until just now, and I've been getting intermittent "unexpected error" messages over the last few days.

Finished:
Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert - 4 stars - for a book about an athlete/sport. This was a lot of fun, and I liked both the leads.

Night: Memorial Edition by Elie Wiesel - 5 stars - for a book I should have read in high school. It's difficult to say I enjoyed this absolutely brutal read, but, wow, was this powerful. A reminder not to look away from what's happening in the world right now.

Comics & manga:
Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun, Vol. 5
Run on Your New Legs, Vol. 3 (Volume 3)
Run on Your New Legs, Vol. 4
WITCH WATCH, Vol. 6: Black Darkness in the Abyss of the Universe
A Man & His Cat Vol. 8

Currently reading:
A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor by Hank Green - for a book with just text on the cover. I probably should have reread the first book, which I read for the 2021 challenge. I do remember enough that I was able to get into it again after a few chapters, though.

I am currently at 37/50 for Popsugar (30/40 and 7/10)

Upcoming/Planned:
Act Your Age, Eve Brown - for a romance with a fat lead.
A Deadly Education - for a book I meant to read in 2022.

QOTW:
A little bit of both excitement and dread, I guess. I usually plan everything out and line up library books, but then if I'm not in the mood for something, it can really kill my enjoyment and turn a book into a chore. If it's a random book off my TBR, I was at least interested enough to put it there in the first place, but picking something random from, say, the library or a bookstore... that I'm less keen on.

Dubhease, I like your random TBR challenge! I might try that after I'm done with Popsugar this year. :)

K.L. wrote: "Happy Thursday, everyone!

It has been a tough week, health-wise. I’ve been having some stomach issues for the past several weeks, and after spending 10 days on antibiotics and anti-microbials with..."

Feel better! (I'm with you on the Barium, too.)

K.L. wrote: "Happy Thursday, everyone!

It has been a tough week, health-wise. I’ve been having some stomach issues for the past several weeks, and after spending 10 days on antibiotics and anti-microbials with..."

Here's some good vibes and get well wishes. Hope you feel better soon!

Temperatures are on a roller coaster these days. One day it’s nice summer weather, 24 degrees and the next day it’s a sticky hot 33 with thunderstorms on top of it. My body is having a hard time coping with these swift changes.
Plums are falling off our tree these days, so I guess I will be making all kinds of jam this weekend (with port, with cinnamon, with oranges��.).

My reading is having a great time. It’s July and I have only 9 prompts left on Popsugar (I want to do 40 out of 50 prompts so I have some ‘free�� reads).

PS: 31/50 (goal: 40/50)
Total 2023: 37/52

Finished
Aleksandra by Lisa Weeda ��
#5, A book with mythical creatures
This book was an utter disappointment. It was chaotic. There was so much magical realism it turned to fantasy. And so many characters and time shifts my head couldn’t keep up with it. You have to know the history of Ukraine to know in which period of time you are.

Bij twijfel hard zingen by Francis van Broekhuizen⭐⭐��
#22, a book with a queer lead
Memoirs of Dutch opera star and Pride Ambassador Francis van Broekhuizen. Nice and funny and warm, just like she’s on the podium or tv. Funny woman.

Oranje tegen de Zonnekoning: de strijd van Willem III en Lodewijk XIV om Europa by Luc Panhuysen⭐⭐��
Not for PS
Character study of governor Willem III of the Dutch Republic (and later King William III of England) and king Louis XIV of France. Louis XIV looked down on William III, he was 'only a prince'. Still, William III was his greatest challenger in Europe. And vice-versa. Interesting study, also because the consequences of their ‘battle�� are still noticeable in Europe today.

Currently reading
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

QOTW
I actually used it this morning at the library. I took my TBR-shelf on ŷ������ and chose ‘sort random��. The first one that was available at our library is my next book. I enjoy doing this after all those intentional reads for PS.
Taking a completely random book off the shelves would be hell. Reading is meant to be fun, not a task. So first, I should walk to a section of the library I know there are books I like on the shelf. After that, maybe I would randomly pick a book�� and read the synopsis to decide whether I’m really going to read it or not *smile*. I do like to browse at the library and discover new books I would like to read. That's a bit less random, but at least it's not intentional.

Hi all,

My cat had his one month post-radiation check this week, and he's looking really good! Skin is healing nicely, no sign of any new bumps. So at least as of right now we're just going to continue with the re-check schedule, an wean him off his anti-inflammatory meds. So happy for our lil guy! Was really worried he'd still need chemo or more radiation.

This week I finished:

Pageboy - this was a bit of a difficult listen. I had no idea how much hate and abuse Elliot endured, even before coming out as gay much less trans. Lots of really stark depictions of abuse, slurs, and eating disorders. Hopefully now that he's living his truth he's able to get to a much better place.

Snow Crash - re-read, to cover my "book I wish I could read again for the first time". I re-read my all time favorites often enough I didn't want to just read one again. So instead i picked a sci fi book that used to be amazing in terms of "woah, how cool would that be!?" and having the tech mostly catch up if not surpass it. I'd love to be able to go back into the 90's with a more adult mind and read it back when it was still super cutting edge. Google Earth was actually inspired by this book, and I always laughed when I saw the IMVU ads that were popular a decade or so ago because they so perfectly matched the Clint and Brandy descriptions.

That takes my popsugar challenge to 49/50! I didn't have any convenient ARCs laying around, so just waiting for one of my coming out in july book holds to come up so I can read it. I have a couple that the library let me put on hold before they were actually out, I think one just came out on the 11th but i'm #20 on it, and another I think I'm #1 on but it doesn't come out until the 18th.

Currently reading:

Raven Stratagem - this'll be my read harder book with a trans character written by a trans author. Kinda wish I'd re-read Ninefox Gambit, but I was lazy. Having to strain my brain to remember what happened. But it's still intriguing so far!

Dark Matter and the Dinosaurs: The Astounding Interconnectedness of the Universe - audio book. Trying to get some of my various nonfiction categories filled in for the library genre genius challenge. This one is interesting but a lot of it is kind of going over my head. I don't think it's the author's fault really, she's doing her best to explain things really well. I just keep glazing over as the astrophysics get explained.

Girl Made of Glass - trying to get the poetry genre over with, reading a couple here and there.

QOTW: I don't really like doing the blind poking/grabbing to pick a book. It seems like even if i'm doing it amongst books I own and presumably want to read, I always end up picking one I'm not in the mood for, or a book that's actually in the middle of a series, or one that was a sequel but it's been too long since i read the first etc. However I do quite a bit of "i dunno, let's just see what's new at the library" and poking at anything that catches my eye and I'll read it if the description looks interesting. I think even for the "book you know nothing about" I took that approach, figuring if I didn't know anything about it BEFORE I read the blurb to see if it interested me, that's close enough.

Sheri wrote: "Hi all,

My cat had his one month post-radiation check this week, and he's looking really good! Skin is healing nicely, no sign of any new bumps. So at least as of right now we're just going to co..."

Hooray for kitty! And you too <33

I'm hoping I can read Pageboy this month, but girding myself already to be in the proper headspace for it.

Hello!

The weeks tend to fly by on wings lately. Nothing exciting happened this past week other than my friend putting blue and pink in my somewhat white hair (mostly white around the face and sides only) in honor of the trans friends I have. It was supposed to be done by the end of June, but, since it is only semi-permanent, my friend did it Sunday so it would be fresh in color for a special event this coming weekend.

Finished:
The Widows of Malabar Hill �� ATY #25 (a book with a tropical setting). Mumbai (formerly Bombay) has a tropical climate per Wikipedia. I enjoyed this peak into a historical time in India and into a way of life very different from my own. The mystery was wrapped in situations unfamiliar to me and, although I guessed a bit of it, I was delighted at the reveal. 4*

In a Dark, Dark Wood �� ATY #28 (a book that is dark). I went with KIS and used a title with the word “dark��. However, GR description states that this is “suspenseful, compulsive, and darkly twisted psychological thriller��. And, it is. Guess it more than met the definition of dark! 4*

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%. On hold.

The Egyptian Cross Mystery �� old challenge. 67%

Code Talker: The First and Only Memoir By One of the Original Navajo Code Talkers of WWII �� ATY #24. 2%

Last Night at the Telegraph Club �� ATY #26. 40%

Unleashed �� No prompt. 82%. I will probably finish this later today.

Night Shift �� ATY Summer. 2%. Just starting.

On deck:

Bone Deep �� Old challenge.

This Tender Land �� ATY. The last book for Q1 challenge.

Suite Francaise �� ATY #27.

PS 24/50 and 6/10 for Nadine’s Challenge
ATY 25/52 and 11/12 for Q1 Challenge, 4/12 for Q2 Challenge, 5/12 for Summer Challenge
GR 149/200
RwS starting a new season: 24/30

QotW: Does the thought of choosing a book randomly fill you with excitement, or dread? (or something else?)

I am a planner and get a lot of joy out of finding a book to meet the prompt. However, I am also somewhat of a mood reader and may find that I either substitute midway in the challenge something that I have already read during the challenge time for something planned that is not yet read (usually when the challenge is ending and I have not read enough to finish on time) OR that I do not want to read the book that I planned after all and need to find a replacement. In that case, I am as excited as I was when I originally planned.

Happy Thursday, everyone!

Took a 4 day vacation from last Thurs through Monday.
It was great. Exactly what I needed. The best part was that it was my sister and her family that invited myself and my mom with them so that made it even more fun.



While I didn't do any reading last week as I didn't much have the time, I did do a lot of book buying. Bought 5 books on that trip.

To top it off since it was Amazon Prime week this past Tues and Weds, I couldn't help myself and ended up buying 6 or 7 more books.

I think I'm safe and I can go on a book buying ban for a while.
LOL!




Given all of the books I bought, I think the one I'll start with will be tomorrow with the book:


The Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death on a Scorched Planet

I had already planned on reading this book when I first heard about it's release a couple of weeks ago, but now someone on TikTok asked about doing a buddy read with it so I'll be going with it.

After that I'll see which book I read after.



Question of the Week

Does the thought of choosing a book randomly fill you with excitement, or dread? (or something else?)

It all depends I guess. I'm mainly a mood reader so I go based off that. Other times if my 'mood' allows then I'll choose a book randomly via from a TBR jar.

I currently have my TBR cart filled with 15 nonfiction books which I placed the titles on pieces of paper and then shake them up in a jar. Again, as a mood reader I have to be in the mood in order to do this.

Oh a couple of other things:

1.) We've had nothing but temps above 100 degrees (F). Apparently were going to most likely hit 30 some days of temps in that range. We haven't had them any less. It's insane! Definitely trying now to stay inside as much as possible and gotta keep those puppies indoors too.

2.) I got a new tattoo yesterday. My 20th. My sister and I had planned on getting matching tattoos, but something changed that so it just wasn't meant to be. That's okay though because I let her choose the design and plus some things are just better than a tattoo so it's no great loss that we can't get them together.

Bea wrote: "Hello!

The weeks tend to fly by on wings lately. Nothing exciting happened this past week other than my friend putting blue and pink in my somewhat white hair (mostly white around the face and si..."

That's so fun, Bea! I've resolved to wait until my hair goes grey before I go crazy with fun colors. *side-eyeing all of my (younger) friends who are already going grey*

Happy Thursday! This weekend is my dad's birthday, so the family is getting together for lunch, but they haven't decided if we're meeting close to my parents or close to me. So I have to spend tomorrow cleaning my apartment in case they decide to come here... Also! My friend had her baby this last weekend! A very adorable little girl- both mom and baby are healthy and doing well.

Finished:
Spy x Family, Vol. 8- another fun addition to the series!
-no prompt

Payback's a Witch- this was a really entertaining and fun witchy romcom with a dose of revenge. Will be picking up the sequel which follows two secondary characters I really liked in this one
-47 A book about a holiday that's not Christmas (halloween/samhain)

The Best Strangers in the World: Stories from a Life Spent Listening- I really liked this. Some very funny moments, some parts that made me really emotional. Highly recommend- especially the audiobook
-no prompt for me but could be used for celebrity memoir.

Currently reading:
The Count of Monte Cristo- on page 250, so about 1/5 the way through. I'm trying to read this slowly while reading other smaller books. It's such a fat book, it is not exactly easy to read in bed- I kept almost dropping it on my face, so now it's a reading while upright book

QotW:
I like walking through the new release shelves at the library and picking books at random. I have two at home right now that I'd never even heard of before seeing them on the shelves. Sometimes it's immediately clear they're not going to work for me, but it's nice to branch out. You never know when you'll find a new author that has just fallen through the cracks.

Not as much of a fan doing this at bookstores. Before I would buy things at random, but too often I'll finish a book and think- ok, I don't need this on my shelf anymore. So I'm trying to be more selective about buying books.

Hey, look! I'm actually managing to check-in on time! It's been a crazy month so far with me in the hospital for most of it. Nothing life-threatening, but still intense. Resting at home now. I did manage to do some reading though!

Finished 23/50

Building a Life Worth Living: A Memoir for "book your best friend would like". Given he's a therapist, this is definitely up his alley! Interesting book about the founder of Dialectical Behavior Therapy and her time in a mental institution.

Currently Reading

Lord of Chaos for "book with a map". Halfway through! I do love WoT so much...

QotW

Oh, I love it! The mystery is what makes it exciting!! I've read books I'd never read otherwise that way!

Been awhile - I went back and looked and I've missed all weekly posts since the start of June. Won't recap everything though, that would be too much. I'll just do my last few challenge reads.

Read
Dead Air Just meh. Story about a radio DJ in England, just post 9/11. However, I picked this book because it was one I owned that I thought I could take on holiday and ditch there (correct) but then it turned out to involve an affair with a mob boss's wife. So I filled it in for my forbidden romance.

Bobbi Lee: Indian Rebel Picked this for 'should have read in high school', because I don't remember reading any indigenous content, and we definitely should have. This book was out when I was in high school, so I picked it. Having read it though, I'm not sure what the class discussions would have been like. Also, I think I need more context, I don't know Lee Maracle well enough. Since it's a memoir of her early years, there's not that much of high impact that happens. It definitely would have been a different perspective to read about, though.

Why Read: Selected Writings 2001��2021 Picked this up at the library because of the flames on the cover, used it for that prompt in Nadine's challenge. Different non-fiction writings, both about some of his travels, and essays on reading. They were of variable quality.

Currently Reading
The Hunting Party All thoughts going in the group read thread.

Ninth House Picked it up as my book I meant to read last year, because I borrowed it from a friend then. However, there's a line repeated throughout, "we are the shepherds" so I may shift it to that prompt of Nadine's, even though it isn't literal, because I hadn't found anything else there. Fortunately, she loaned me a bunch of other books at the same time, so I will still have plenty of options for the original prompt.

I'm enjoying it, although maybe not as much as I expected. I find the out-of-order telling to be a little hard to follow, and I'm not sure why it's necessary - I think it would have worked with linear storytelling from when Alex arrived at Yale, with only flashbacks to what happened to her before. But I like Alex, and Lethe, and am eager to see how the story unravels.

QotW
As others have said, within limits. If it's picked at random from my TBR, or my book piles, or the sections of the library / bookstore I generally enjoy, fun! If it's really truly at random out of all the options, I'd be worried about ending up with a stinker or a slog.

Happy Thursday! This week I didn't finish anything but I started Luster for the prompt about a love triangle.
I'm only 24 pages in and I've had a few cringe moments. I actually borrowed it from a coworker.

QOTW:
I really want to do a random read! I think that will be really exciting. I may choose to just do that just to see what I get.

I already struggled to realize where time went last check in, but I was literally surprised to truly realize it was almost midnight. On yet another Thursday.

There was a Game Weekender for my thon (where we all read and try to find as many words as we can, and collect colors), I went out with my parents to look at a table and chairs for outside and then went back with dad to pick it up. I spent a couple nights gaming with my dad (Death Squared, we finished the storyline today!), I went to see Elemental (AMAZING), had a breakdown on Tuesday, and today Mickey was allowed to go outside again after 3 months of being in the shed! We're still keeping the meds going after all, after some advice, but through snacks now, so hopefully a lot less picking him up!

Seeing Mickey hobble around outside was so emotional for me. He's back in the shed now because one side isn't fully shielded off yet so another bunny could bite off part of his ear if he's unlucky, and he's not sure yet how to shelter for rain (of which there is many) so another day tomorrow!

Tuesday was a shitshow because I woke up to the news of my contact person at the local government who handles my benefits is leaving. She was amazing and understood me, so I never had to worry. So fingers crossed my new person will be great, too! Tomorrow I have a video call with the one who's leaving as a goodbye.

However, while I was still reeling from that news, trying to process it enough to tell my dad without sobbing, Disneyland Paris dropped the information about the new annual passes. And they're bad. They pulled a dcik move here, legal as it is, and then worsened the blow by saying 'they listened to feedback'. I instantly wanted to crash, because I truly believed my trip with my dad next month would have to be cancelled now. I literally almost threw up while trying to eat my lunch as if everything was fine, haha!

Eventually it all came spilling out, I crashed, we talked it through, and I am excited for what's to come. Ish. Until I have that new card in my hand and my dad has his, I won't be fully relaxed yet, haha! The stress comes from them limiting the new annual passes and me not going a month until after they've gone up for sale for current AP holders. If I can't get it, the world isn't ending; I've only just renewed my annual pass so I'm good until end of July 26 (it technically hasn't even started yet, haha!) but I'd rather have the new one for better capacity to get into the parks and no stress on what I am or am not allowed.

The ��200 price hike with all perks now officially scrapped is rough, though. And the ��204 deposit for the new one will be painful.

ANYWAYS.

Barely read, hahah! Even during the Weekender I didn't get to read a whole lot, and then AO3 was attacked and therefore was down. Think I'm gonna read a fic or two before bed, though!

QOTW
I love picking random books! I have a jar on my shelf that is stuffed with little notes with titles of unread owned books on them. I let myself pick 3-5 and then pick the one I want to read; I am still a mood reader so I need options. I just need to read the last one I picked so I can pick a new one!

Carmen wrote: QOTW
I love picking random books! I have a jar on my shelf that is stuffed with little notes with titles of unread owned books on them. I let myself pick 3-5 and then pick the one I want to read; I am still a mood reader so I need options. I just need to read the last one I picked so I can pick a new one!

This is pretty much what I do as well.

Currently I have the books I want to read that are on my tbr cart. From there I put those titles in a jar and draw from them. There aren't many, but that's because I add a new paper/title every time I add a new book to the cart.

I also currently have the book I'm about to start and from there I'll go, also with my top 3 because they are the most important, and then do my tbr jar after.

Alex wrote: "Hey, look! I'm actually managing to check-in on time! It's been a crazy month so far with me in the hospital for most of it. Nothing life-threatening, but still intense. Resting at home now. I did ..."

I hope you're feeling better. The hospital is the definition of No Fun. and also No Rest.

It's thursday in the week that's a month long... I have a very complex case I've been working on for 4+ years and it was supposed to end a critical stage on Tuesday - only one of the parties defaulted. So it's scramble and continue to fight and strategize and work ridiculously long hours. At least this afternoon I was able to work on other client matters this week! I'm also getting a haircut tomorrow and I have a week's vacation starting next Thursday - though laptop and work will be with me. Too many cases at critical points.

ATY - 51/52!!!!!!!! PS - 37/50

Finished:
Hercule Poirot's Christmas - fit ATY pride prompt as pride was reason for murder.
Murder on Gramercy Park

Currently reading:
The Women in Black

My reading is zilch this week - fall asleep after about a page.

QOTW: I don't plan. I fill prompt as I read. When I reach a point that the last few prompts need me to target a book to read, I just go through my massive TBR Towers. Not really have any particular emotion about it -- sometimes I'm annoyed because I'm busy, other times I enjoy pawing through the shelves and stacks and scroll the ebook tbr. But it only takes me a few minutes usually to find a book I own that fits.

I do tend to organize my reading each month because I have a few challenges in GR group that have a monthly theme. There's little opportunity to plan as the theme's are voted the month before or a random number or title picked from a list you pulled from your tbr at beginning of year.

Otherwise I just go by mood.

Two-week check-in. I’ve had a miserable two weeks. First, it is entirely too hot (going to be 100F this weekend). I can hardly go anywhere because I get heat sick fairly quickly. Gonna be a long summer.

My backyard neighbor has a huge tree. Lots of branches have grown over our backyard and up to our roof. For the past few weeks, there have been a TON of baby bugs coming off the tree. They get to the roof, and then find all kinds of places to come into the house. We have been finding dozens and dozens per day, everywhere, including on our bodies, in our beds, and one died in my ear. We feel buggy all the time. Spraying hasn’t helped much. My nephew finally came over this week and cut down a ton of the branches, and now we are only getting a few in the house. Such a relief. That was terrible.

I did celebrate a birthday during all this. I hadn’t made plans this year because I haven’t been feeling well, but loved ones made sure I had a good weekend. I have great friends and family.

I haven’t read anything during this time. Instead, I watched all the past Indiana Jones movies prior to going to “The Dial of Destiny.�� Loved the movie and thought it was a good ending to the series. Then I starting to watch all the Mission Impossible movies. Finished that last night, so am ready to get to the theater soon to see the latest one. Harrison Ford and Tom Cruise are getting older, but they are still great �� and genetically blessed.

Started Reading (finally):

The Pale Blue Eye by Louis Bayard
Spare by Prince Harry (audiobook)

QOTW: I do love a random read every once in a while. When I could walk better, I'd pick a random aisle in the library and take the first book I noticed (usually because I liked the author's name). It's rather fun to do so without researching a book first. Granted, you find some good ones and some not-so-good ones. I don't do this very often now, especially since I started doing Popsugar.

Happy Thursday! I finally put in my ac this week. I wait as long as possible before I put it in the window because I get charged an extra 100 a month by my landlord for whenever the a/c is in. I just find it aggravating to have to pay extra to use something that I own. I also baked a 3 layer (grapefruit, orange, lemon) citrus curd pie this week. The filling was excellent but the crust was not my best work. I started a few books this week but finished none of them.

Currently reading:

We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story (no prompt)

The Atlas Six (PS self published)

Red, White & Royal Blue (reread no prompt)

Portrait of a Thief (ATY related to the arts)

QOTW: Not really excitement or dread. Something in between, I suppose. I plan pretty much all of the books I read. The only time I would read randomly is if I stopped by a little free library. They are the only truly random books since you never know what you are going to find inside one.

I got too caught up in ATY suggestions yesterday to realise it was Popsugar check-in day.

The rains have finally returned. I think it's because we were planning on going out this weekend so we've summoned it. The cucumbers were struggling a bit with the dryness but now I'm sure we'll be inundated with them.

I dusted off my nanowrimo project this week so I have been doing more writing than reading. I did finish one book:

For the First Time, Again by Sylvain Neuvel for two languages (it has three I think, English, the alien language and German). This was a bit different from the others, it's told from a younger character's perspective and it felt like he was having more fun with the whole thing. I loved that there was a second epilogue after all the notes (which are always work reading with his books) that was a nice little touch for those who have read the Themis Files.

QOTW:
I'm too much of a mood reader for truly random book selection. I'd keep putting the book back until I got something I wanted! For instance, my brain's not really in the right place for complicated, serious books right now, so I would probably be in the dread category.

After reading the comments by all you wonderful people, I realize that I never really read a random book. Most books that I plan for challenges are books that I have previously planned for a challenge but not read. Then there are my TBR and Wishlist shelves, where I park books that I have heard of that sound interesting or have placed books I own.

I love the idea of randomizing my Wishlist and taking the first book that comes up. But, I am so far behind right now in reading that I truly can't imagine doing it.

Oh, well.

Hey everyone, I have a quick question...Is there a way to randomize your TBR list on ŷ������? I really like that idea and want to pick a random book to read but don't want to pick it myself.

Jai wrote: "Hey everyone, I have a quick question...Is there a way to randomize your TBR list on ŷ������? I really like that idea and want to pick a random book to read but don't want to pick it myself."

I don't know, but you could always pick a random number and then look.

Katy wrote: "Jai wrote: "Hey everyone, I have a quick question...Is there a way to randomize your TBR list on ŷ������? I really like that idea and want to pick a random book to read but don't want to pick it ..."

Thanks Katy that's a good idea.

Jai wrote: "Hey everyone, I have a quick question...Is there a way to randomize your TBR list on ŷ������? I really like that idea and want to pick a random book to read but don't want to pick it myself."

Go to "Want to Read" under "My books"

At the bottom of the page , it says "sort". Mine defaults to position. There is a drop down menu and one option is random.

Hi Everyone, I read 2 books for the week.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches. Not for this challenge. 5 stars.
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk. PS advanced prompt # 43 A book that takes place in one day. 3 stars. I got a little tired of it. I thought I'd like it better.
QOTW : It depends. Sometimes I love randomly picking books. It's hard with challenges. I struggled with the banned book prompt this year. I had read all the banned books titles I wanted to. I randomly choose a book just to complete the prompt. I didn't enjoy the book.
When all my challenges are completed I do enjoy closing my eyes & picking a book off my shelf.

Hi all! It feels like it's been a never ending week of work. I truly can't wait to get this day of work over with.

Finished:
Tidesong: not the most memorable book, but perfectly fine. a little too basic with the plot line

Currently Reading:
The Name of the Rose: I've got this on audio, and it's interesting but it's also way above my head. I feel like I need to go read a couple wikipedia articles about monastic factions and the catholic church in the 14th century. And also maybe learn latin.

Portrait of a Thief: my current ebook; seems like it's going to be a fun heist book

QOTW:
I guess it depends on how random? Like a random book off my tbr, that'll be fine. A truly random book from the library, lower chances of success lol.

Jackie wrote: "The Name of the Rose: I've got this on audio, and it's interesting but it's also way above my head. I feel like I need to go read a couple wikipedia articles about monastic factions and the catholic church in the 14th century. And also maybe learn latin."

Good luck with this one, Jackie! Fair warning, I thought the ending was a total letdown.