Friday, What Are You Reading? (8/25/17)

[dorothyinAus]

So what pages are you turning this weekend?  Are they holding your interest?

QOTW: It's my birthday on Sunday, so what's your favorite birthday cake (or other celebratory treat if you're not a cake person)?

[travella]

I finished The Hate You Give and am now about 100 pages from finishing Travels with Charley by Steinbeck. I really liked the book in the beginning, now the pace is starting to slow down.

Qotw: There was a bakery where we used to live that made an excellent bare cake. Currently, my favorite is probably Hawaiian Paradise- it has layers of guava, lime, and passion fruit cake.

[litskispeciality]

I'm reading "The Unraveling of Mercy Louis". Almost 100 pages in it's just ok, hoping it really picks up. I never read "Carrie", but this seems like a Carrie rip off.

QOTW: I love cheesecake. I used to get a sampler for my birthday so I could have a few different kinds. Not a giant cake fan, but I enjoy all things chocolate cake.

[ally]

I finished The Royal We, it was fine, not awesome.  Then, I was patiently waiting on a hold for Ahab's Wife, or The Star-Gazer
 by Sena Jeter Naslund, which came in this morning.  It is the choice for my IRL book club, it is also 700 pages!  If I am going to spend that much time I hope it is good!   But, this is a new book club, so I do feel I have to read the book so I can truly participate.

QOTW: My birthday was this month and I made myself a German chocolate cake (from a mix) and the coconut pecan icing.  It can only be in my house once a year because I can hardly resist it.

[Vespasia]

I am still trying to finish Edge of Eternity. I've really lost all interest and everything about it annoys me but at 80% I have to complete it.


QOTW: I am not a big cake person but the carrot cake layer of our wedding cake was one of the best things I have ever eaten. It had a apple marmalade filling that was to die for. 5 years later and I still think about that cake often.

[rainbowchip]

I am still reading City of Mirrors (The Passage #3). It's not holding my interest but I need to power through to finish the series.

QOTW: I prefer pie but I like cake with filling the best. Lately we have been getting white cake with strawberry filling and buttercream icing.
If I make my own cake at home I either nake funfetti cake with rainbowchip frosting or yellow cake with chocolate frosting.

[sassypants]

I'm happily ensconced in a reread of A Wrinkle in Time. It's been decades since I read it and with the new movie out I felt the need for another visit.

QOTW: Mmm, cake. I only like cake that is scratch made, though. Box cakes taste like chemicals to me, as does the premade icing. I cannot resist a real cake, though. My favorite is a Black Velvet one, which is just like red velvet but without the food coloring, and with the cream cheese icing. Also, there is a bakery here called Wildflour that makes some of the best cakes I've ever eaten so if a cake comes from them it doesn't even matter which one it is, I'll love it though their Death By Chocolate is my fave. They also have a cake called Better Than Sex which is chocolate and caramel and nuts and delicious.

Now I want cake.

[hurricanedrunk]

Listening to Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. On disc 3 of 9 and it's alright so far, waiting for it to pick up.

I just started Into the Water by Paula Hawkings and am in the middle of The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins. Both are good so far but I've been tired all week and haven't made much headway on either - keep falling asleep right away when I start reading.

QOTW - I'm a big fan of filled cupcakes - preferably something fruity like raspberry, not a huge chocolate person. The last event I was at had fun funfetti cupcakes filled with raspberry - amazing!

[sassypants]

Aug 25, 2017 7:30:37 GMT -5 travella said:

I finished The Hate You Give and am now about 100 pages from finishing Travels with Charley by Steinbeck. I really liked the book in the beginning, now the pace is starting to slow down.

Qotw: There was a bakery where we used to live that made an excellent bare cake. Currently, my favorite is probably Hawaiian Paradise- it has layers of guava, lime, and passion fruit cake.

What is this??

[monkeyfeet]

Qotw: There was a bakery where we used to live that made an excellent bare cake. Currently, my favorite is probably Hawaiian Paradise- it has layers of guava, lime, and passion fruit cake. [/quote]

That sounds unique and delicious!

[monkeyfeet]

I finished Caraval last night and think I'm the first person to like it here! Just started Girl at War.

QOTW: I'm not one to turn down sweets, fresh fruit filled (thinking Wegmans), but I love all things apple...pie, streusel, etc

[ufcasey]

I'm now on week four of 'try to finish any book series I have already started". This will be the last week of it though, I am going back to just reading whatever I feel like next week! Well, I still need to read the book for book club next week (whoops!)

Read last week:
Just Like Magic (#7 in series) by Gayla Drummond - PNR; 3 stars; this was a short novella, cute but nothing exciting
Now I Rise (#2 in series) by Kiersten White - YA/Historical Fiction; 4.5 stars; this series is so unique, I really recommend it!
Beyond Ruin (#7 in series) by Kit Rocha - romance; 3 stars; usually I like the plot to smut ratio in this series, but this one wasn't that great
Scandal in Spring (#4 in series) by Lisa Kleypas - historical romance; 3.5 stars; the two main characters were maybe a little too normal to make this bok be particularly exciting, but it was still a good read
A Duke of Her Own (#6 in series) by Eloisa James - historical romance; 3 stars; I read this series out of order so it was fun for me to see some characters again and get more of their backstory

Currently reading:
Frozen Tides (#4 in series) by Morgan Rhodes - YA/fantasy; this really is a light, YA version of Game of Thrones. I'm still not loving this series as much as I did in the beginning but it's still pretty good. I'm about 40% into the book so my opinion might improve.

QOTW:
I like to do chocolate fondue for my birthday at a local restaurant which is super fantastic and I don't have to clean up afterwards LOL

[snshne322]

Aug 25, 2017 12:49:23 GMT -5 ufcasey said:

I'm now on week four of 'try to finish any book series I have already started". This will be the last week of it though, I am going back to just reading whatever I feel like next week! Well, I still need to read the book for book club next week (whoops!)

Read last week:
Just Like Magic (#7 in series) by Gayla Drummond - PNR; 3 stars; this was a short novella, cute but nothing exciting
Now I Rise (#2 in series) by Kiersten White - YA/Historical Fiction; 4.5 stars; this series is so unique, I really recommend it!
Beyond Ruin (#7 in series) by Kit Rocha - romance; 3 stars; usually I like the plot to smut ratio in this series, but this one wasn't that great
Scandal in Spring (#4 in series) by Lisa Kleypas - historical romance; 3.5 stars; the two main characters were maybe a little too normal to make this bok be particularly exciting, but it was still a good read
A Duke of Her Own (#6 in series) by Eloisa James - historical romance; 3 stars; I read this series out of order so it was fun for me to see some characters again and get more of their backstory

Currently reading:
Frozen Tides (#4 in series) by Morgan Rhodes - YA/fantasy; this really is a light, YA version of Game of Thrones. I'm still not loving this series as much as I did in the beginning but it's still pretty good. I'm about 40% into the book so my opinion might improve.

QOTW:
I like to do chocolate fondue for my birthday at a local restaurant which is super fantastic and I don't have to clean up afterwards LOL

I'm so sad you're not loving it more!  I adored this series.  I can't wait for the next one to come out.

[cole]

This past week I finished Caraval by Stephanie Garber, and Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman by Lindy West.

I started Wonder by R.J. Palacio yesterday, and had to force myself to go to sleep last night instead of finishing. I'll definitely finish today.

My favorite cake that I request for my birthday is a piece of cheesecake factory Linda's fudge cake. So good!

[spedrunner]

This week I read:

Arrowood  4/5 stars. I really enjoyed this so much!  I found it a very quick read and I was engulfed in it from the start!! It had some spooky almost unbelievable scenes (ouija board, psychic, etc) BUT the author did a great job making it as believable as possible!
great suspense/mystery

Unworthy  3.5/5 stars.  explains self hate and how to get out of it
The Almost Sisters  3.5/5 stars.  I felt like this dragged a bit for me. It felt long and I found myself skimming in some areas. Loved the story line and how so much was going on !

Currently Reading:

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid 
The Good Daugther by Karin Slaughter (I am only 3 chapters in but WOAH. I am completely sucked it!  )
The Second Mrs. Hockaday by Susan Rivers

QOTD:  Birthday cake.  Hmmm, as a kid i always LOVED ice cream cake (those chocolate crumbs!)  I once had an amazing orange dreamsicle cake with  white chocolate curls all over it.  Oddly enough, I have always loved regular boxed cakes with store bought icing! 

[spedrunner]

Aug 25, 2017 8:00:41 GMT -5 Vespasia said:

I am still trying to finish Edge of Eternity. I've really lost all interest and everything about it annoys me but at 80% I have to complete it.


QOTW: I am not a big cake person but the carrot cake layer of our wedding cake was one of the best things I have ever eaten. It had a apple marmalade filling that was to die for. 5 years later and I still think about that cake often.

OMG this sounds amazing

[ufcasey]

Aug 25, 2017 12:54:16 GMT -5 snshne322 said:

Aug 25, 2017 12:49:23 GMT -5 ufcasey said:

Currently reading:
Frozen Tides (#4 in series) by Morgan Rhodes - YA/fantasy; this really is a light, YA version of Game of Thrones. I'm still not loving this series as much as I did in the beginning but it's still pretty good. I'm about 40% into the book so my opinion might improve.

I'm so sad you're not loving it more!  I adored this series.  I can't wait for the next one to come out.

I really, really like the character of Magnus and could happily read a book just about him. But Jonas is annoying as hell, I mean, he's terrible at literally everything he has done so far, and even he admits it! They could write him out of the book and I'd be ok with that. Amara I will say is getting a lot more interesting. I was really super into the first two books, so I am still hopeful that this fourth book will get back to that sweet spot for me, which it might since there's 60% left! That third book just really put me off for some reason.

[snshne322]

Aug 25, 2017 13:43:46 GMT -5 ufcasey said:

Aug 25, 2017 12:54:16 GMT -5 snshne322 said:

I'm so sad you're not loving it more!  I adored this series.  I can't wait for the next one to come out.

I really, really like the character of Magnus and could happily read a book just about him. But Jonas is annoying as hell, I mean, he's terrible at literally everything he has done so far, and even he admits it! They could write him out of the book and I'd be ok with that. Amara I will say is getting a lot more interesting. I was really super into the first two books, so I am still hopeful that this fourth book will get back to that sweet spot for me, which it might since there's 60% left! That third book just really put me off for some reason.

The plot lines are all running together for me, I think.  I listened to the first four, but my library didn't have five.  I ended up buying it (then buying the first four later, lol) and I blew through it.  I usually have a tough time transitioning from audio books like to paper, but this one was seamless.

I totally agree about Magnus.  He's such a great character.  I like that the series is not quite YA in that they don't shy away from sex, but it's not a main plot point or plot mover.

That said, I'm trying to read the third book of The Firebird trilogy by Claudia Gray and it's been a MISERABLE transition from audio (1 and 2) and paper on the 3rd.  I want to claw my eyes out, but I'm committed to finishing the trilogy.

[snshne322]

I'm just starting Charged by Jay Crownover on audio this afternoon.  I got a little burned out by her other series.  I liked them, but I binged too much.  I've taken a long enough breather than I'm ready to get back to her newer series.

I'm reading A Million Worlds With You by Claudia Gray.  I enjoyed the first one quite a bit, the second was decent, but the third is starting really really slowly.  Too much science, not enough action.

QOTW:  I have two favorites.  One is a mocha cake with mocha frosting that's a family recipe.  I don't love frosting, but I would eat buckets of this one.  My other is marble pound cake.  So simple, so delicious.

Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY dorothyinAus !

[ssmjlm]

Finished-Pretty Baby by Mary Kubica
Oh wow, was this one not good. It was so slow to start, then there was the "twist" and then everything was so rushed the last couple chapters. It was very similar to her Don't You Cry in the timing. I like the Good Girl, but it seems my style and her editor are not meshing.

Reading-Under a Silent Moon by Elizabeth Haynes
I think I'm becoming a fangirl for this author. This one has been a bit of slow start for me (too much other crap going on), but I do love the way she unfolds a story.

QOTW- Chocolate with PB icing is my favorite. Costco cake is next, we just had some at work for a celebration this week and yum!

[aurora]

I'm still re-reading Game of Thrones (book 1).

Listening to a book called Girls of Riyadh, which came up in my library's list of available audiobooks when I finished my previous one a few days ago. It's by Rajaa Alsanea and Marilyn Booth and is very interesting so far, though I think maybe it would be better to read the paper/Kindle version because I do need to focus to follow the transitions between the story and the explanations (apparently she added some when it was translated to English). In any case, so far I'm enjoying it and would recommend to anyone looking to read stories about women from different cultures.

QOTW: 1st choice is my mom's cheesecake recipe. It's much tastier and less dense than typical. 2nd choice is anything with cream cheese frosting. There is a theme here.

Happy birthday, dorothyinAus! You're halfway between my sister's and my husband's birthdays; it's a busy time for gifts!

[aurora]

Aug 25, 2017 9:41:58 GMT -5 rainbowchip said:

I am still reading City of Mirrors (The Passage #3). It's not holding my interest but I need to power through to finish the series.

QOTW: I prefer pie but I like cake with filling the best. Lately we have been getting white cake with strawberry filling and buttercream icing.
If I make my own cake at home I either nake funfetti cake with rainbowchip frosting or yellow cake with chocolate frosting.

I ended up feeling like he had/told a compelling story but could have used an editor to help move the story along. The series didn't need to be quite so long.

That said, I'm glad I finished City of Mirrors and liked the ending.

[Nonny]

I'm still working on Career of Evil, but I had to set it aside to read Nora Webster for my book club tomorrow morning, and I don't think I'm going to finish Nora Webster in time because it's boring and I keep setting it aside to do other things (like post here about how boring it is).

QOTW:  If I'm having cake I like a white cake or a yellow cake, with minimal frosting.  I have a sweet tooth, but I think most frostings are gross (unless it's a carrot cake, then bring on ALL the cream cheese frosting).

[travella]

Aug 25, 2017 10:31:39 GMT -5 sassypants said:

Aug 25, 2017 7:30:37 GMT -5 travella said:

I finished The Hate You Give and am now about 100 pages from finishing Travels with Charley by Steinbeck. I really liked the book in the beginning, now the pace is starting to slow down.

Qotw: There was a bakery where we used to live that made an excellent bare cake. Currently, my favorite is probably Hawaiian Paradise- it has layers of guava, lime, and passion fruit cake.

What is this??

Also called a naked cake, no frosting and lots of fruit. I'm sure they poured something on the cake to make it more moist and flavorful. I'm not a huge fan of frosting.

[charlatti]

I am reading some Jacqueline Woodson books for school and I'm about to start Rhys Bowen's newest Royal Spyness mystery, which should be fun. I am exhausted from a long week, so light and fluffy sounds perfect.

QOTW: Happy birthday, dorothyinAus! I usually request ice cream pie for my birthday. I like the kind with a cookie-ish crust. But I love baked goods, so pretty much any cake makes me happy.

[sassypants]

Aug 25, 2017 16:46:22 GMT -5 travella said:

Aug 25, 2017 10:31:39 GMT -5 sassypants said:

What is this??

Also called a naked cake, no frosting and lots of fruit. I'm sure they poured something on the cake to make it more moist and flavorful. I'm not a huge fan of frosting.

 But...but...cake is merely a delivery method for frosting. The frosting is the best part! Corner piece forever!!

[mrspez07]

I'm reading The Hate U Give but haven't had a ton of time to get into it this week.

My favorite is dulce de leches. I had DH make me one for my birthday in January. I also like to mix cake and ice cream together. There really is very few desserts I'll say no to.

[dorothyinAus]

I'm still reading She, Lover of Death. It's hard to get into and I'm not enjoying it as much as I hoped I would. August is going to be a low read month, I know it.

QOTW: I love cake, and truly believe that it is a frosting delivery device. I dropped a hint to my DH that if my MIL was making a cake, I prefer her Creme de Menthe cake with cocoa frosting to any other cake she has made. Fingers crossed, though I'm up for whatever. My favorite cake is moist cake with as much really, really good buttercream as possible. I'm less interested in the flavor of the case as the texture, it needs to be moist; dry cake is the most disappointing thing ever.

[bex]

I'm reading Caraval for the discussion next week. I like it, it kind of reminds me of the night circus, but I don't love it, but at least it's a pretty fast/easy read.


I love cake!! I definitely prefer homemade. My mom's hot milk cake is probably my favorite because it's so simple and basic but good.

ETA: for special occasions my favorite is Smith Island Cake.  It's amazing.

[booknerd]

I'm rereading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

I leave for the beach in the morning and am either going to start Misery by Stephen King or The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley.

QOTW: Chocolate cake, chocolate icing. Or cheesecake lol.