Friday (9/21) Weekly Reading Recap :)

[ufcasey]

What have you read this week? What are you currently reading?
Reminder: Book Club discussion for 'Now That You Mention It' by Kristan Higgins will be on 9/26

QOTW
What is some advice you have heard that you would like to share or wish you had followed? (this can be as simple as 'always wear clean underwear in case of an emergency' or something deeper like 'always trust your instincts', whatever you want!)

[travella]

I finished The Wife Between Us, 2*. I'm currently reading Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan. I'm about 80% through the book. I'm waiting to see the movie until after I finish the series.

QOTW: Hmm... "Just because a person is an authority figure doesn't necessarily mean that they are correct or shouldn't be questioned. They make mistakes just like everyone else." It came from my mom nearly being raped by a person of authority when she was young. Thankfully, I never dealt with the trauma she had, but it has helped me not internalize things that people had said to me when I was younger.

[rainbowchip]

I finally finished The Drawing of the Three and I also read Fify Shades Freed this week. The series was OK. I didn't love it but I also didn't hate it.
People who have read the series, are the two Christian POV books worth reading?

[ssmjlm]

Finished:
Excise (Dr. Schwartzman #2)- For as much as I liked book 1, book 2 didn't do it for me at all. I had to read a book in between this one and take a break.
Half Empty (First Wives #2)- Light read. The whole "russian ex-FIL" story was a bit much, but at least these are more mature romances and not 20 year olds falling in love in 2 weeks.
The Sideline Wife - had high hopes for this one, but it was too HEA for me.

QOTW: The only person who is going to look after your career, is you. So put in for the job and if they call, then decide.

[krystee]

I am reading the new Bob Woodward book on Trump and simultaneously a memoir of an Obama staffer, West Winging It. The differences are stark.

I'm not really sure of the best piece of advice, but my grandpa was like the living embodiment of the type of person everyone should strive to be, so he was my personal inspiration.

[bex]

I'm still reading Fear by Bob Woodward. Its good but not a fast read.

My favorite piece of advice -
Begin as you mean to go on. The few times I haven't followed it I have been annoyed with myself.

Also, just in general - don't be afraid to show how smart you are. This is one that I back away from ALL THE TIME to the point where lately at work I've been asking myself, "do these people think I am stupid?" And the answer is yes, they probably do - or they at least think they know better than me, because I've let them think that. And that has been a mistake.

[monkeyfeet]

Reading A Wrinkle in Time in order to watch the movie.

[minzy]

I read Educated - A Memoir by Tara Westover. Five stars. What a life story, and I thought it was so well written. My face throughout pretty much the whole book: 😮

QOTW: One of my aunts (who has a PhD), when I was considering post graduate study, said “you can never go wrong to put money in your head,” (i.e., you will not regret becoming educated). Overlooking any issues with student loan debt, I like the idea of always being open to learning more.

[ufcasey]

Read:
Angels of Chaos by Debra Dunbar
3.5 stars/paranormal romance urban fiction
This isn't as great as Kate Daniels, but it's amusing enough

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
3.5 stars/young adult fantasy
This was surprisingly interesting but I am getting old because the girl's relationship with her murderous 'father' was more interesting than the romantic relationship developed in the story. Though I am interested in that too considering how the book ends.

Dangerous by Minerva Spencer
3.5 stars/historical roance
This is different than the usual stuff in this genre - the heroine is 32 and the hero is shunned by almost everyone

Extinguish by J.M. Darhower
3 stars/paranormal romance urban fiction
Great writing and concept, just not enough fully formed plot development, especially at the end. But I'm reading the next book in the duology because I want to know how it all ends.

Total so far for the year: 109

QOTW:
Invest in your retirement early and consistently - glad I followed this because I worry about my parents lack of retirement funds even though they are already 'retired'. I would also worry about my 50 year old sister-in-law if it wasn't for the fact that she is a heinous bitch so I'm actually looking forward to her future struggles because I can be vindictive at times LOL

[Vespasia]

I finished a Season of Storms by Susanna Kearsley earlier this week. It was much like her other books and just what I expected.

I also just finished Warcross. Not great literature but it was a quick and fun read.

QOTW: If you keep having the same issues with people over and over again, you might be the problem.

[sarahswim]

I just finished The Pants Project by Cat Clarke. It was ok. I read a few reviews and the consensus seemed to be, “sigh, another book about a transgender person written by a cis person”. So I went into it with that in mind (but I’m reading it for a book club so I wasn’t going to abandon it). It was interesting but not necessarily painting a true picture.

Advice: People aren’t necessarily against you, they’re for themselves. It gives me some perspective when I think about other people’s lives and choices:

[secretlyevil]

Finished Fear, it was fine.

About 75% the way through Close Enough to Touch, light and fun read for book club. Should finish this weekend.

I’m 54 of 50 books for my reading goal for the year.

[tacokick]

I finished Ghosted by Rosie Walsh yesterday. What a silly mess that book was! The last quarter was so hokey I was cringing. 227 books read this year!

I am currently reading the new Lisa Jewell ARC on my Kindle and The Darkest Corners by Kara Thomas in hardback from the library. I have a bunch of true crime and more “literary” fiction out of the library now so I’m easing into it with some mysteries.

QOTW: I think the last direct advice I got from someone was my high school guidance counselor suggesting I take “Food for Singles” as a home ec elective. Ha! I’m still slightly offended by that but I do think cooking is a life skill people need to be taught.

[AJL]

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green - 4/5*
Arrogant Devil by RS Grey - 3/5*
Blood Kiss by JR Ward - 3/5*

QOTW - A couple of my favorite sayings that I think also double as good advice or things to keep in mind are:

What other people think of me is none of my business.
Pouring salt in my sugar won't make yours any sweeter. 

[sassypants]

I'm about a third of the way through Time's Convert by Deb Harkness. It just came out on Tuesday but I'm a huge fan so I dropped my other book (again) temporarily so I can indulge in the Bishop-Clairmont world once more.

QOTW: I can't really think of any good advice per se. I did have someone give me a little framed saying once that I like, though. It says "Whatever you are, be a good one."

[MrsAxilla]

I’m working on Fear, but it’s just too much to take sometimes. I finished The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley. I know several of you like her and this popped up on a kindle deal. I only gave it 3 ⭐️ because it was so predictable...but it kind of stuck with me.... Was this one on sale because it’s not her best? Any recommendations?

I’m also reading The Watsons go to Birmingham because my son is reading it in class and informed me it contains “the ‘n’ word”.  His class had a whole discussion about it before they started the book.  Have any of you read this?  It’s YA published when I was in college, so I missed it altogether. I’d love to discuss it or add it to our book club list.

QOTD:  OMG this is my FAVORITE question because I have the best answer!!  My momma once told me you should always accept an offer of gum or mints because it might be the other person’s way of saying your breath stinks!  I’ve used this on people before and it sucks when they refuse and go on with their garlic-breath story.  Once, I was in a meeting with a colleague who was early in her pregnancy with twins.  All of a sudden she grabs her bag, pulls out gum and says “I feel like I have the worst coffee breath!” (she wasn’t drinking coffee; I was) “I need some gum.  Want some??”  Why yes, thank you.  I would love some gum.  Lol.

[spedrunner]

Read:
The Perfect Couple
Heres to Us
Both by Elin Hilderbrand
4/5 stars for both!


currently reading
Her Mothers Shadow by Diane Chamberlain
The Guernsey Literary ...I just can't get into this Its sitting and stiting on my coffee table, each time i think of picking it up i find something else to do
Need to commit and just do it

QOTD: My mom always said to make sure I have a career and can support myself in the event I get a divorce, etc. Never rely on anyone. I am happy I am "built" this way as I enjoy being single and supporting myself now

[charlatti]

I’m reading The Glass Ocean, somehow co-written by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig and Karen White. Pretty good so far. There are three women narrators, so I’m guessing each author wrote one character’s story.

Qotw: not advice exactly, but I’ll never forget my UPS carrier when my kiddo was a tiny infant. She was the first person who admitted to being miserable with a newborn; up to that point all I heard was the “enjoy every minute!!!” advice. She also had a non-unicorn baby, so I finally like I wasn’t alone and things would actually get better. (Which they did, and my DD has pretty much been a unicorn kid from toddlerhood.)

[mrspez07]

Whew! Busy week!
I am listening to the Kiss Quotient and reading Under the Dome. Enjoying both so far. Though I think I prefer to read sex scenes instead of listen to them.

Recent advice I’ve been trying to remember and practice:
Make time to exercise now or be ill later.
This to me is a long-term perspective but I guess could also be more short term.

[tacokick]

Sept 21, 2018 23:14:59 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

I’m working on Fear, but it’s just too much to take sometimes. I finished The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley. I know several of you like her and this popped up on a kindle deal. I only gave it 3 ⭐️ because it was so predictable...but it kind of stuck with me.... Was this one on sale because it’s not her best? Any recommendations?

I’m also reading The Watsons go to Birmingham because my son is reading it in class and informed me it contains “the ‘n’ word”.  His class had a whole discussion about it before they started the book.  Have any of you read this?  It’s YA published when I was in college, so I missed it altogether. I’d love to discuss it or add it to our book club list.

QOTD:  OMG this is my FAVORITE question because I have the best answer!!  My momma once told me you should always accept an offer of gum or mints because it might be the other person’s way of saying your breath stinks!  I’ve used this on people before and it sucks when they refuse and go on with their garlic-breath story.  Once, I was in a meeting with a colleague who was early in her pregnancy with twins.  All of a sudden she grabs her bag, pulls out gum and says “I feel like I have the worst coffee breath!” (she wasn’t drinking coffee; I was) “I need some gum.  Want some??”  Why yes, thank you.  I would love some gum.  Lol.

I read the Watsons when I taught but I didn’t teach it. I’m up for a discussion.

[Nonny]

I finished:
Life, Love, and a Polar Bear Tattoo (Toronto #1) - don't read this,
Dream Country (The Sandman, #3) - my favorite in this graphic novel series so far, and
The Testing (The Testing, #1) - a total Hunger Games rip off, but very fast paced and much better IMO than other Hunger Games rip offs (at least so far), so if you liked Divergent (before it went off the rails) or Red Rising, I would recommend this one.

I'm also currently about 1/2 way through Independent Study (The Testing, #2), which so far is proving to be just as faced paced.

QOTW:  Compound interest is your friend.  A college professor showed us a graphic about investing, and was basically like, when you get your first jobs after graduation you aren't going to want to start saving for retirement, but you should do it anyway because you want to leverage compound interest starting when you are as young as possible. You might think it sucks, but it's only going to suck for the short term, so do it anyway and your old self will thank you.  

[pinotgrig]

I’ve been buried under work and personal travel and haven’t been reading as much. I’ve read:

Achtung Baby: An American Mom on the German Art of Raising Self-Reliant Children - 4*
The Ocean at the End of the Lane - 4* This was my first Gaiman novel and I loved his writing. What other books of his are must-reads? He has a ton and I was a bit overwhelmed looking at them all.

I’m at 67 for the year.

A fave quote at the moment given my workload is “Take care of the minutes, for the hours will take care of themselves.” I try to keep this in mind when I spend time on social media, too, since it’s easy to lose a lot of time there.

[ally]

I have had a couple of slow reading weeks.  I finished In The Woods, Tana French, 2*.  I found it too long winded and (unlike me) I skimmed the middle 200 pages. 

I am currently reading:
Never Let Me Go, Kazuo Ishiguro, my pick for my IRL book club.  
The Death Class, Erika Hayasaki, for my non-fiction IRL book club (which I will be leaving once we have all picked and hosted once).
Dinner with Edward, Isabel Vincent, listening to this one.

I travel next week, I am hoping to get all the reading/listening done of the plane!

QOTW:
"No response is a response" - I try to remember this and learn from what the lack of response means by the other person (or myself).

"When you need to make a hard decision, flip a coin. Why? Because when that coin is in the air you suddenly know what your hoping for." - it is a great way to end the debate/pro & con list that I have running in my own head.

[secretlyevil]

I am reading Locksmith's Daughter by Karen Brooks. I downloaded the sample and it really has a great rhythm and am caught up in the plot so I bought the book. Also listening to The Witch's Daughter by Paula Brackston. I have a pattern going...

[snshne322]

Sept 21, 2018 23:14:59 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

I’m working on Fear, but it’s just too much to take sometimes. I finished The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley. I know several of you like her and this popped up on a kindle deal. I only gave it 3 ⭐️ because it was so predictable...but it kind of stuck with me.... Was this one on sale because it’s not her best? Any recommendations?

I’m also reading The Watsons go to Birmingham because my son is reading it in class and informed me it contains “the ‘n’ word”.  His class had a whole discussion about it before they started the book.  Have any of you read this?  It’s YA published when I was in college, so I missed it altogether. I’d love to discuss it or add it to our book club list.

QOTD:  OMG this is my FAVORITE question because I have the best answer!!  My momma once told me you should always accept an offer of gum or mints because it might be the other person’s way of saying your breath stinks!  I’ve used this on people before and it sucks when they refuse and go on with their garlic-breath story.  Once, I was in a meeting with a colleague who was early in her pregnancy with twins.  All of a sudden she grabs her bag, pulls out gum and says “I feel like I have the worst coffee breath!” (she wasn’t drinking coffee; I was) “I need some gum.  Want some??”  Why yes, thank you.  I would love some gum.  Lol.

It's typical in that it's her typical genre, but it's not her strongest showing.  My favorite is Marianna, but I know others differ.