Popsugar Challenge 2018 Nearly Complete with Mini Reviews

I managed to read 36/40 for the regular Popsugar Challenge of 2018 and 4/10 for the advanced section.  It is okay that I didn't finish.  I am happy with what I was able to accomplish this year.  Excited for next year!

A book made into a movie you have already seen:

"Cheesy, fun, but completely unbiblical."











True Crime:

"A little hard to follow, but I learned about the old-time circus."











The next book in a series you started:

"Wonderful, full of the optimism of youthful dreams."











A book involving a heist:

"It was like watching a funny movie.  It was a hilarious ride."











Nordic Noir:

"So intense and a lot of coffee drinking!  I was surprised by how much I liked this book even with how disturbing it also was."










A novel based on a real person:

"Based on the life of King Ahaz and King Hezekiah- I liked it but it might be a little forgettable for me."










A book set in a country that fascinates you:

 "I love Italy.  This was a nice trip but I wish there were better pictures in this book."










A book with a time of day in the title:

"This was a reread for me and it was much sadder than I remembered."











A book about a villain or antihero:

 "It might be a little bit of a cheat but I thought it fit the category.  It was a funny, light read!  It made me think of a book that Gru from Despicable Me might read or possibly write."









A book with a female author who uses a male pseudonym:

"There were a couple of things that should have been edited out but I loved this "who done it" book.  Now I am curious about the rest of the series!"










A book with an LBTQ+ protagonist:

"A bit simplistic and a bit inappropriate for younger grades as it very casually mentions pornography- but I am so glad to hear a story from the transgender community especially from a child's perspective."










A book that is also a stage play or musical:

"Great! Wow!  Now I am really obsessed with the Hamilton soundtrack even it this book was more of a pat on the back to all those who helped create the musical and it wasn't exactly what I was expecting, but it was an interesting story and I hope I will eventually have time to read the actual biography that started it all."







A book by an author that is a different ethnicity than you:

 "I loved this book!  It was a reread for me but it is such a wonderful, relatable story about mothers and daughters."










A book about feminism:

"It had a cop out ending, in my opinion, but it was interesting speculation but not scary to me.  The point of view was so one sided and I had a hard time getting all worked up about it.  This book could benefit from a discussion for me."








A book about mental health:

"An average feeling book, but I did love the main character."











A book you borrowed or that was given to you as a gift:

"I borrowed it from the library- The Color Purple- as difficult as this book was to read it was ultimately hopeful and beautifully crafted."










A book by two authors:

"Left Behind- even though this was a reread I wanted to know if looking back it would be just as cheesy (and it was) but I also want to FINALLY finish this series because it would just feel like a huge accomplishment after so many years.  Maybe to others it is a waste of time but it is my time so I can use it how I wish." 








A book about or involving sports:

"Too many cliches and too many characters for me to keep track of- it dealt with a very difficult and timely topic though.  But it was not my favorite.  I don't understand the world of sports any better- in fact it makes me discouraged about it and I was hoping for something more uplifting in the end (maybe if I continue with the next book).  It was basically Friday Night Lights meets hockey."






A book by a local author:

"A pretty descent book with a suspenseful chase.  Some of it was unintentionally funny to me but overall I enjoyed it.  The angel was played by Dean Cain in my head."









A book with your favorite color in the title:

 "A fun read aloud with the kids."











A book with alliteration in the title:

"What a masterpiece!  So glad I was able to read it!"











A book with a weather element in the title:

"A heartbreaking story that needed to be told.  The Middle East is such a mystery to me and this was told through a Westerner's eyes so I might have missed something but I still don't think this is the kind of life a young teenager would dream for herself if she knew her choices but I would know for sure because I also have a Western mindset."







A book set at sea:

"A reread but still fun and suspenseful and for some reason my head cast Katherine Parkinson who plays Jen in the show The IT Crowd as the main character."









A book with an animal in the title:

"This was a unique way to tell your life story.  I learned to love Gary Paulsen and can't wait to read Hatchet.  He is a great story teller."










A book set on a different planet:

"What a strange book!"











A book with song lyrics in the title:

"I wouldn't have read this book on my own but it was fun to read with my Christian reading group.  It wasn't revolutionary or anything but it gave me more insight into my insecurities and jealous tendencies."









A book about or set on Halloween:

"I read it with my 1st grader.  It wasn't a favorite Junie B. book but it does have a very funny ending!"










A book with characters who are twins:

"A little bit unbelievable but it was fun for nostalgia's sake."











A book mentioned in another book:

"I can't believe I decided to try this book!  It is the longest second to the Bible book that I have ever read!  I really enjoyed it!  It was epic." 










A book from a celebrity book club:

"I found this at the used book sale and found out it was one of Oprah's book club books.  I thought I would give it a try since is was so short.  It was interesting and simple yet profound.  I don't have words for this book but it was good and I enjoyed it."








A childhood classic you never read:

 "Just way too wacky for me."











A past Goodreads Choice Awards Winner:

"The Help- I love love love this book!  Such strong female protagonists- it was inspiring!"








A book set in the decade you were born: (1980s)

"This was such a fun family!  It is so much like the family I use to imagine I had when I was a kid.  I thought it fit the spirit of the prompt very well."










A book with an ugly cover:

"The Catcher in the Rye- ugly inside and out- it was just too g*d d*mn depressing.  I literally hated this book and I tried really hard to give it a chance."







A book that involves a bookstore or library:

"Too techy for me- it was an okay read just not for me."











Your favorite prompt from past Popsugar Reading Challenges (a book by a female author):

"A Tree Grows in Brooklyn-  Where has this book been all my life?!?  It was my absolute favorite book of this year!  Francie Nolan is my literary best friend!"






ADVANCED:

 A cyberpunk book:

"This made me miss a very dear friend who passed away a few years ago.  He would have loved this book.  He loved the 80s.  It was like he was speaking to me through this book.  It might not have been super well written but it had true heart!  80s nostalgia for the win!"







A book with a fruit or vegetable in the title:

"Fun and farfetched cozy mystery!  It is always nice break up the more serious reads with something light and fluffy.  I miss reading this series and this one left me with a huge cliffhanger! OH NO!" 








An allegory:

"Odd, but it had some beautiful quotes."











A book about a problem facing society today:

"I thought this book would be more interesting but the author is too sentimental for me and it was BLOG book so that should have tipped me off.  It was okay but not anything I couldn't have read online at some point."