#popsugar reading challenge 2022

[catsbooksandbees]

Book 13 of 2022!

Maus by Art Spiegelman

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This tells the story of Vladek Spiegelman, a Jewish survivor of Hitler’s Europe, and his son, a cartoonist struggling to come to terms with his fathers story.

Content Warnings: violence, war, anti-semitism, child abuse, racism, police violence and police brutality, genocide, death, suicide, mental illness

What Did I Think?

Honestly, it feels strange to talk about a book like this the way I would with any others. It was powerful and at several times throughout I had to put the book down just to gather myself together and give myself a breather. It was intensely dark, raw, real and honest. The choice to make the Nazis cats and Jewish people mice was amazing. This was by far one of the most difficult and challenging things I’ve ever read but I think everyone should. It absolutely should be required school reading.

Prompts:

Popsugar - “A Social Horror Book”

52 Book Club Challenge - “A Non-Fiction Bestseller”

[windfalling]

my tbr list for the 2023 popsugar reading challenge! I’ve always wanted to actually try to do this but I never do lmao. I’m looking to branch out from just reading Romance but of course I had to include a few

anyway my overall reading goal is 50 books

we’ll see how far I get lmao

[shesamreads]

We made it to the end, friends! 2022 was the year I got my reading mojo back. I read lots of romance and audiobooks, which is a trend that will very probably continue.

This year was my first PopSugar challenge. I had fun! I didn't complete it, but Storygraph shows I got 88%, which is not too shabby.

I'm doing PopSugar again in 2023. I'll also try my best to do the Uncorked Reading Challenge.

I will also also be doing a book club with my mom and sister. January's book is The Family Game by Catherine Steadman.

Here's to another great year of reading!

[thelibraryofeden]

Review of the Popsugar 2022 reading challenge!

So I finished the popsugar reading challenge for school this year since my library was participating in it and I would like to share my thoughts.

First of all I never have done a reading challenge before so this was really fun! I got to diversify my reading and get to a lot of books on my to read list. This challenge and my English class at the moment inspired me to get back into regular reading! I have a hard time picking out books to read since I read any genre so having a challenge forces me to pick out something while engaging my competitive spirit! Once I am done catching up to all the series I have started I am going to take even more challenges. I would suggest taking reading challenges for people who have that difficulty choosing books who are looking to read more often!

On to the quality of this challenge, I would give it a 9/10. My favorite thing about it was that It had a lot of prompts focused on diversity (I really loved that it included a prompt for a book with a character on the ace spectrum). My least favorite prompt was “find a book with a quote from your favorite author on the cover or amazon page”. First of all if your favorite author isn’t famous your going to really struggle with this, second off all, why is amazon mentioned? Popsugar isn’t owned by Amazon but I think they have a partnership and this is very obvious about it (how dare you make me use amazon Popsugar). And I don’t really like how both a book about someone leading a double life and a book about a secret is on there because its redundant. If your reading a book about a double life, its automatically ALSO about a secret??

despite that, I would suggest people looking for a challenge to give it a try!

some books I would suggest for the challenge are:

Genderqueer by Maia Konabe (Book with a reflection on the cover, book about gender, book with a character on the ace spectrum)

Beloved by Toni Morrison (Anisfield-wolf winner, social horror book)

Scott Pilgrim Vs The world by Bryan Lee O’Malley (book with a recipe and book about a band/musical group)

Cemetery boys by Aiden Thomas (Own voices fantasy or sci-fi, book by a Latinx author, a book set during a holiday, a book featuring a party)

Clap when you Land by Elizabeth Acevedo (Book with two POVs, book about someone leading a double life, a book that features two languages, a book with a onomatopoeia in the title)

[franticvampirereads]

I am deep in all of the feels over this book. At different turns this book has had me crying over a single line of dialogue and at others it’s made me want to fling it across the room for an entire chapter. I’m still trying to process everything that I read, so I hope this review comes out okay.

I really liked Wallace as a main character, but he was a total asshole at the start of this book. I loved that by the time we get to the end of the story he had learned from his past to make a better future. Hugo was such a sweetheart and he really deserves all of the hugs and warm tea. And I can’t forget Mei, Nelson, and Apollo! They got up to the best shenanigans. I also really loved that this book didn’t shy away from hard topics. And that it dealt with them in a genuinely kind way, especially Cameron’s storyline. I think the only draw back to this book is that it was really slow paced. But I think it also worked for this type of storytelling.

This is one of those books that will stick with me long after I’ve finished it. This book deals with grief in a different way then any other that I’ve read and it hit home in ways that I wasn’t really ready for. But it was also something that I think I really needed and for that I have to thank TJ Klune. Under The Whispering Door is getting a four and half out of five stars.

Edit: I forgot my reading challenge prompts again! 🤦‍♀️

Reading challenge prompt fills:

PopSugar 2022: a book about the afterlife

[fanfic-reading-challenge]

Rules & FAQ

Hi everyone!

Welcome to the 2023 Fanfic Reading Challenge! This has always been a little bit of a dream to me, Juulna, to do, but I lacked the fandom insight then that I have now. Or, well, in late 2020, leading up to the new year! But it only really came to fruition through a conversation in one of the Discords I belonged to way back then, when @betheflame brought up the same idea I'd been mulling over for a while --- we'd always been on the same wave length; something which definitely made us good friends! She graciously stepped aside so I could create this, as she had plenty of other things on her plate (like the kickass Stony Podcast and assisting with some charity auctions, along with a prolific writing career!), and so I took up the challenge of creating this, well, challenge for you, instead.

In 2021 I was all by my lonesome and rushed to get out a challenge that people could start putting to use, though I by no means cut any corners. And it actually turned out to be a success!!! But, simply put: this year, with help from some enthusiastic participants who had some great ideas, and who dove into the drafting process with me, I think this 2023 Fanfic Reading Challenge will be even better than the last one! It certainly is bigger, hahahaha. But really, I could not have done this without the regular, monthly feedback from @jandjsalmon and the questions and comments, put forward to me by @attractiverock, as I came up with new challenges. Of course, my best friends Annaelle, Perry_Downing, and grlie-girl deserve some shout-outs too, for listening to me… shout??? cry?? throw things??? Yeah, you really deserve more than kudos for all my ridiculousness.

BUT OKAY! Before I get carried away, here are some basic rules and info to help you succeed. Check below if you have a question, and if you can't find the answer here, you are more than welcome to send an Ask to @juuls or @fanfic-reading-challenge on Tumblr, check the latter's blog posts and FAQ, or send an email to juulna.writes@gmail.com --- both emails and Asks send me notifications pretty quickly, as does direct message on either blog!

So what is this?

Well! It's a reading challenge (much like with book reading challenges from POPSUGAR and Book Riot) but specifically designed for fanfiction. We all know we and everyone else we know is going to read at least one fic this coming year, so why not earn a spiffy, name-embossed badge while we're at it!?

That brings us to the basics…

The event runs from January 1st to December 31st, 2023. If you started a fic in 2022 but finished it in 2023, that absolutely counts in full towards the 2023 challenge and word count. Anything you read before you start this challenge (whether in January or May or October) counts too!

Signing up: You don't need to sign up at all! You can just grab a copy of the challenge spreadsheet and fill it out however you wish (or even keep track of your tasks in an entirely different manner like a Word doc). Declaring your intention to participate is more of a thing if you want to be held accountable for your goals, but it's not like we're going to be angry with you if you don't finish any of it!

This challenge operates on the honour system. If you said you completed a fic for a certain task, that's between you and whichever ghost/saint haunts/watches over you. Come January 2023, all I'll ask is just to see the document you've used to keep track of your challenge, so I can match it up to the numbers which determine which prize you get!

Yes! Prizes! Here's an example of one of the 2021FRC badges:

There are a few changes to the style of this year's challenge. Instead of multiple lists where you have to complete x amounts of tasks for each to achieve the Extreme challenge (this provided less leeway), I have combined all of the tasks into a single spreadsheet. To achieve different levels of completion, you can pick and choose whichever task you wish from anywhere on the list, as long as you complete the required number of tasks for each level.

Participant Prize: Complete at least one task from the challenge!

Regular Mode: Complete between 80 and 159 tasks.

Hard Mode: Complete between 160 and 239 tasks.

Extreme Mode: Complete at least 240 tasks.

Anything else?

Two different fic trackers/reading logs are included in this spreadsheet. The 'Fic Tracking Sheet' was created and used by @jandjsalmon during 2021 and 2022, and the 'Reading Log' was created and used by @juuls also during those years. Both have their pros and cons, so please feel free to try both, combine them, alter them, or use something else entirely! We won't take any offense whatsoever. :) Feel free to adjust them as needed and ask questions if you need to!

This challenge is for any fandom, any ship(s)… or you can use more than one fandom and/or ship to complete this!

Fics can count towards more than one goal. (It's just more fun if you use all different fics! :D)

This Challenge runs on the honour system.There is no need to comment or kudos on the fics (though this is greatly encouraged, even if just to say ‘I really enjoyed this, thanks for writing!’ for the former) and there will be no need to link to the fics you read for this challenge. There will be space where you can write the title/author—but that's the minimum required along with checking off each task you complete, when you submit the spreadsheet in January 2023 (in order to receive your prize!). I don't even need to see your reading log, if you even have one! This is supposed to be fun. :)

Don't compare yourself to others! If you can't complete the challenge, or can only complete part of it.... honestly? You're still awesome in my books. Plus, if you manage to check off even part of this crazy list, you should know you've done a damn fine job. Don't push yourself too hard, don't feel guilty if you didn't complete it... seriously, I'd still, personally, post my list even if I completed just 10 items, to show that I did do something!

If joining late, the Monthlies ('time-specific tasks') you missed can be done at any time, but the monthlies still to come should done during said month.

Maybe a bit of a repeat but... You do not need to report to me that you're finished with the challenge, but I will absolutely have a place on Tumblr where you can tag me with goals/whole challenge complete! (@fanfic-reading-challenge) Tagging the blog is the easiest way to catch my notice, or by email as per above. If you do wish to claim one of the four+ badges, you'll need to fill out a Google Submissions form I'll put together in the latter months of 2021, which will require at the least for you to link your challenge spreadsheet to me (making sure the share feature is enabled), with each completed task checked off. Preferably you include the links to the fics read or link to a Google Doc with the links (I will include examples on the Tumblr as to how I am completing this challenge), but that is not required. Honour system, remember? :)

To use the challenge spreadsheet, simply 'create a copy' (under 'File' in the browser version), and then save the copy under whatever name you wish to. After that, you can change anything you like except the goals themselves.

How to contact me.

Well, obviously you can send me an Ask on @fanfic-reading-challenge! On that Tumblr, there will also be an FAQ page (this page), and you can submit questions via the Ask box too! :) I'll keep the FAQ as up-to-date as possible.

Conversely, I have the 'messages' option turned on, so you can just send me a direct message on @fanfic-reading-challenge (or @juuls).

Tag '#2023frc' or '#2023 fic reading challenge' and I'll reblog most anything related to this challenge if/when I find it! But as said above, tagging the blog itself is probably the best option if you want a reblog/answer/interaction. :)

Comments/Suggestions/Complaints?

I recognize that there may be some things I should have included (more minority goals, but I'm goin to work on that for next year's list) or should not have included, based on each individual's personal opinion, but I created this list for fun, and the goal is to have fun, and it's a learning experience for us all! If you must criticize, please keep it constructive and polite, but also: you do not need to participate. I've done my best, am already anxious, and will be keeping an eye out for how I can make things better/more inclusive/less or more X, Y, or Z…. etc. I promise. <3 I included, for 2021 and 2022's form submission, a place where one could submit suggestions, and it's absolutely possible to leave said suggestions or comments anonymously. I'm doing my best, as have my wonderful partners in this year's, 2023's, challenge. We tried to mix things up from 2021 and 2022, so some things have been left out, or, in fact… they have been set aside for next year's challenge! 2024… seems like forever away, and now I feel cursed just for mentioning anything to do with the passing of time these days, yikes.

One Last Very Important Thing!

Based on feedback, anywhere where the challenge lists a '(relation)ship', this year you may include Gen pairings, Friendships, and Family relationships. We have and will continue to attempt to incoporate more Gen and Family-friendly (rather, no romantic or sexual) pairings/groups into the challenge where we can. This is a work in progress and we are trying to take as many suggestions as we can and incorporate them into the existing structure. One thing's for sure, it'll make the challenge a little less repetive each year --- there are only so many tasks you can incorporate before things become repetitive from year to year, I'll tell you that! But I try. :) Please address any concerns with me by any of the ways to contact me below!

E-mail: juulna.writes@gmail.com

Tumblr: @fanfic-reading-challenge

Personal/my fandom Tumblr: @juuls

Leave an Ask or send an e-mail, or some other form of polite communication!

Questions will be answered as soon as possible, though I am chronically ill, so please bear with me. No more than a week, though! Complaints will be assessed on a case by case basis. Suggestions will be given due consideration and treated according to the level of politeness therein. Thank you for your understanding!

Most Important of all…? HAVE FUN! EXPLORE NEW WORLDS! ENJOY YOURSELF! <3

(And please keep staying safe for yourself and others!)

[readmorepoets]

1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 ?? <33

thank you kenna for asking i love you <3 please tell me any books you're interested in reading as well

1. What are 2-5 already published fiction books you think you want to read in 2023?

bestiary by k ming chang because i was supposed to read it before 2022 ended. i'll list some that intimidate me most: rebecca, wuthering heights, p&p, go tell it on the mountain. DO NOT speak to me about whale weekly i'm so annoyed by how behind i am i'm two seconds away from giving up

2. What are 2-5 already published nonfiction books you think you want to read in 2023?

underland by robert mcfarlane 2023 is your year. h is for hawk by helen mcdonald 2023 is your year. women race & class 2023 is your year. why be happy when you could be normal 2023 is your year. they can't kill us until they kill us 2023 is your year.

3. Any poetry on your TBR? yes all the poetry i couldn’t get to this year: tommy pico (feed), donika kelly (bestiary), louise gluck (1962-2020), anne carson (autobiography of red), ocean vuong (time is a mother). it would be cool to attempt homer?

5. What 2023 new releases are you most looking forward to?

ALECTO THE NINTH OCTOBER 10TH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (edit: NOT confirmed date but goodreads has it like that!) a day of fallen night by samantha shannon, chlorine by jade song, HOPEFULLY my favorite thing is monsters pt 2 by emil ferris and death valley by melissa broder. jenny odell has a new book coming but i'm afraid </3

6. Do you have any conceptual reading goals? E.g., I plan to read books on food history.

mostly i want to read the books that i've been meaning to read for years and years. even though i know i'm not gonna stick to it 100% i've got a list of priority books and a lot of them i've been wanting to read for at least 5 years or even more. i really wanna give all of those books a chance... this is a cop-out answer to a good question. i feel like i'm missing out on a lot! i want to strengthen my foundations be it in fiction or theory. and foundations usually come from older texts so that’s where i’m kinda directing myself. like i have a book entirely about genetics on the list cause that’s the basis for everything right and that's what i want to do for all of my interests read like, texts that will build me foundations for the rest

8. Are there any reading challenges you want to try? have not found a challenge where i like all the prompts (and if i'm doing a challenge i would like to do all the prompts RIGHT) so i had sketched out one of my own where i mixed and matched mostly from the popsugar challenge and ended with like 35 prompts but i'm not sure if i'll stick to it!

[90363462]

Glen Wilson/HBO

15 'Insecure' Sex Scenes That'll Make You Go Back For More

Let's take a walk down memory lane, shall we?

Sheriden Chanel

Jun. 17, 2022 03:00PM EST

It's been nearly half a year since the series finale of Insecureaired, and I'm still not over it. So much so, I've unapologetically binge-watched the series a couple of times since "Everything Gonna Be, Okay?!" had us shedding real tears as it was hard to say goodbye, okay?! The Issa Rae-created show offered a complex look into the normal lives of Black millennial women navigating adulthood. It was relatable, authentic, and easy for a lot of us to see ourselves at some point throughout the duration of the five-season run. Since its premiere in 2016, we've laughed, we've cried, and we've also taken a look in the mirror and challenged our own mirror selves to grow and leave comfort zones behind at times.

In addition to the subject matter, Insecure also struck a chord with its thoughtfully curated soundtrack and stunning visuals. And I can't be the only one who was a fan of the steamy sex scenes that often played out (of which my favorite were the ones that sort of popped up out of nowhere). Keep reading for an extensive list of all of the sex scenes in Insecure (excluding the finale season because they were few and far between and nobody has time for that). 

Spoilers are most definitely ahead.

Season 1, Episode 5: Issa’s first time with Daniel

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Despite his chocolate skin and brilliant smile, I was never Team Daniel (Y’lan Noel). However, I could see the writing on the wall as the tension unfolded between episode 1 and episode 5 of Insecure’s first season leading to Issa (Issa Rae) cheating on her long-time love Lawrence (Jay Ellis) for the seemingly ambitious, charismatic Daniel who seemed like the one who got away. As soon as Daniel and Issa ended up running down a video of her on the internet and somehow ended up alone in the studio by the end of the episode, I knew what time it was. Plus sir told her things she thought she always wanted to hear from him, about being ready, so I knew the panties would drop shortly thereafter. And that they did.

Points for Issa trying to resist, but that kiss was only the beginning of a few things between Daniel King and Issa Dee. What unfolded was an indulgent gratuitous love scene that started on the couch, ended up on the floor, and also acted as the first sex scene we got on the show. For that reason, it rightfully earns this spot on our list. 

Honorable Mention: The brief flashbacks we got of the scene in the episode that came after. Whew.

Season 2, Episode 1: Issa and Lawrence’s ex-sex

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The sophomore season of Insecure started off with a bang, literally. In a moment of high emotions and confusion, Lawerence and Issa engaged in 30 seconds of passion remembering what was between them sexually. The blue couch that saw no action in the first season suddenly got a taste of what could be again as Lawrence and Issa gave into their indulgences and made a messy breakup somewhat messier. I found the ex-sex slip-up to be very realistic, especially in situations where closure hasn’t happened yet and there’s still a desire to be together. Though not one of the steamier love scenes featured in the series, it still holds a lot of weight because it was so damn relatable.

Honorable Mention: Earlier in the episode, a brief spooning sex exchange played between Lawrence and Tasha. So good he had her saying “daddy with a ‘z.’”

Season 2, Episode 3: Issa has sex with Neighbor Bae

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Speaking of relatability, the very next sex scene between Issa and Neighbor Bae (Leon Thomas III) was also on point for that reason. Neighbor Bae, also known on the show as Eddie, made a couple of appearances before becoming a sometimes-y hookup for Issa and he was just what the doctor ordered in terms of helping her enter her “hoe phase” and get Lawrence’s recent dick-me-down out of sight and out of mind. During a somewhat lengthy scene, Issa and Eddie were able to work through the sometimes awkward reality of sex (especially first-time sex with someone new) by finding a position that worked for them and communicating along the way.

Sometimes the first new fuck after a breakup is the hardest. And what we saw was no-strings-attached sex between two consenting adults and it was great to see Issa get back in the game. As she exits his apartment, she receives a message from a dating app and reads it with a smile, showing the audience that she is single and officially ready to mingle. Dating roster and all.

Season 2, Episode 4: Lawrence has a threesome

c.tenor.com

Yeah, no comment on the actual threesome, but I will say I really appreciate the moments throughout the series where I could see the contrast between the “masculinity” Lawrence was trying to portray to the world versus the man he wanted to be (also of note, he is also navigating his own version of getting over his breakup). With his homeboy Chad (Neil Brown Jr.), there were instances in the series where Lawrence would just do something to get his approval but not necessarily because it was something he would feel good about in the end. Case in point, this threesome. But it also took me back to a scene earlier in the season where they are looking for a place together and Chad expresses being excited that Lawrence is shedding his “good guy” ways. So that was an interesting continuation of that theme.

Season 2, Episode 5: Molly has sex with Dro

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In terms of what she wanted, Molly always had a hard time practicing what she preached in matters of the heart. That was no different in how she moved in her situationship with Dro (Sarunas J. Jackson). I knew from the minute they first interacted on-screen that she’d end up letting him in sexually and emotionally, especially because she was not feeling ole dude that was good on paper (Sterling K. Brown). When the illusion she had of her parents’ picture-perfect marriage shattered, it was only a matter of time before she’d stray from her checklist and find herself underneath a man with whom she had no future as an act of self-sabotage.

As soon as he walked her to the door, we knew what time it was. He tried to walk away but Molly grabbed him by the hand and gave him a look that asked him to stay. And underneath Dro is exactly where she found herself at the end of the episode, leading to a series of trysts between the two that would continue throughout the remainder of the season. 

Season 2, Episode 6: Issa, Daniel, and the infamous facial

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I know the moment of the climax is the most talked-about aspect of this particular scene, but Daniel emitting that breathy moan when he first starts getting head? Yes. And him sinking into the couch before closing his eyes? Absolutely. And the attention to detail of holding her head closer to take more of “him” in when he is about to climax? Abso-fucking-lutely. To be frank, Issa’s dramatization following said unsolicited facial kind of killed what Daniel’s orgasm was doing for me, but still, I loved that we were able to get a sex scene where oral was more of the focus.

Honorable Mention: The intimate connection Molly and Dro have between them gets the visual treatment with a quick transition into them spooning. 

Season 3, Episode 1: Boundaries are a thing

popglitz.net

Nothing super intense or indulgent played out in this episode as far as sex scenes go, instead, it seemed to be planting seeds and establishing dynamics based on where people were in their lives. Boundaries also seemed to be an important theme, as both Molly and Issa navigated situations with men who had feelings for them (and they too had feelings for) but men they also didn’t necessarily want to get themselves too caught up on because of the mess history alluded to be on the other side.

Honorable Mention(s): There is an opening scene where Daniel is attempting to make Issa jealous or at least painfully aware of what she’s missing out on by having loud sex with someone else. The slow pan across Daniel’s body was cinematography for the books. Also, loved that brief intermission of oral between Dro and Molly where she was sitting on the counter and he was nestled in between her legs, the emphasis was placed on her pleasure. I personally loved this scene because it felt like a parallel for where they were in their situationship. Molly was in a place where she was intent upon laying out her boundaries and as the episode played out (as well as the demise of their dealings), the two were fighting for control. And by the end, they both retreated and a white flag was raised. 

Season 3, Episode 3: The Issa and Daniel sex scene that never came to be

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After a disappointing setback involving another producer, Daniel lashed out at Issa and called her out on some shit even though Issa’s line of questioning was perfectly on point. It resulted in a shutting down between both parties. Later that night though while laying together silently in bed, Daniel attempted to initiate sex with Issa. At first, she seemed to give in to his kisses and even seemed open to him eating her out, but instead of going backward with him again like we thought she would, Issa pumped the brakes and didn’t give in to the temptation because she knew the reality was, she couldn’t entertain Daniel in that way. The body is weak but the heart and mind were stronger.

Personally, I was relieved af. He’s fine but Daniel was one of the most emotionally immature men Issa had dealt with and I felt like their paths stopped and stalled so often for a reason. 

Honorable Mention: The “good morning oral sex” fantasy Issa had with Daniel involved extra spicy Hot Cheetos and some diligent head game.

Season 3, Episode 5: Issa and Nathan on the Ferris wheel

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I felt the chemistry between Issa and Nathan (Kendrick Sampson) as soon as he dropped her taco earlier on in the season so when they reunited again during Coachella, I was like immediately yes. I never knew I would need a sex scene such as this, but everything from the cool-toned lighting to the Ferris wheel setting made this a contender for one of the best sex scenes on Insecure (for me). The lead-up conversation where Nathan made Issa feel seen and supported (another reason why I like him around for her character) added to how their first time played out. Issa pulled him in for a kiss, got onto his lap, and the rest was history.

I loved Nathan’s attention to her nipple (a detail we don’t often see, especially from the main actors) and when he told her to show him how much she wanted him, I understood why sis had no choice but to put her panties to the side and pull him into an impromptu ride. 

Season 4, Episode 1: Issa and her TSA cut buddy

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After Nathan dropped the ball by turning into Ghost Bae, we are introduced to one of Issa’s next hookups at the beginning of the series’ fourth season. TSA Bae (Reggie Conquest) was putting in work and I lived for the thick fellas getting some love on the show and showing some nudity on top of that. Here for it! I also loved the nod to the sometimes underrated nature of how people look at missionary. As Issa classically said following their tryst, “Church is always in the answer.”

Honorable Mention: We got a glimpse into Lawrence and Condola’s (Christina Elmore) bedroom in this episode too, and I’ll just add it to the very short list of ways I felt did Lawrence and Condola wrong. The energy was just not…there.

Season 4, Episode 2: Issa and TSA Bae lose the condom

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TSA Bae gets another quickie in as Issa’s go-to cut buddy at the start of this season. I personally loved seeing such diversity in love interests in this show, from size to race, which is why some of the fourth season’s love scenes stand out to me. This orgasm-inducing scene between Issa and TSA Bae in particular even added some butt playto the mix. Initially, Issa is shown positioned over the side of the bed while TSA Bae is thrusting out Issa’s “stress.” After she orgasms, they switch to a modified missionary position so he can get his. Sir respectfully requests that Issa press his “button” during to intensify his climax. Here. For. It.

Honorable Mention: Take the cake Andrew (Alexander Hodge), take the cake. IYKYK. 

Season 4, Episode 7: Andrew and Molly’s vacation sex

Merie W. Wallace/HBO

On their first couple’s baecation, Andrew and Molly prioritize experimenting. Our first taste of that was when Andrew snuck his hand beneath her blanket while in the air. An easy life hack for joining the Mile High Club without joining the Mile High Club. The conversation about what they like and want to explore continues when they enter their hotel room and bring out the toys they decided to try on the trip. Molly says she knows she likes the fingering sesh from on the plane and wants to try the balcony. They take it outside where Andrew thrusts into her while holding her neck and the beauty of Puerto Vallarta surrounds them.

Honorable Mention: Molly taps into her dominant side later when she slides that thang up to Andrew’s face while he’s blindfolded. She does this before instructing Andrew to eat her ass. He humbly obliges.

Season 4, Episode 8: Issa and Lawrence reunite for real, for real this time

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I felt this reunion in my soul. Even though it was a reunion I didn’t know I was going to get, the combination of the real conversations they had and the body-to-body connection they were able to reignite by the end of the episode was everything. Lawrence and Issa were introduced as a couple at the beginning of the series and lost their way due to Issa cheating on him with Daniel. It was great to see that down the road, both of them were able to make peace with their contributions to the demise of the relationship and take accountability for their actions. It was also beautiful to note that Condola was a catalyst in Lawrence seeing something through that he might have always had a question mark about since it was shown to viewers that he was ready to marry Issa back in the first season. From the second they kissed, it seemed that they were finally coming home to each other where they had become better people and were in a better place. Coming together after falling apart.

Honorable Mention(s): Technically, the Lawrence and Issa sex montage happens at the start of the next episode but due to it being the only sex scene in episode 9, I’ll just place it here. The fact that all of the sex between the couple happened on or against his couch was a nice nod to previous episodes where a couch has seemed central to their shared intimacy. 

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[studybl-u-rr-ed]

In relation to my 2023 Popsugar Reading Challenge, I finished two books for January:

A book you meant to read in 2022: Breasts and Eggs - Mieko Kawakami; and

A book you bought from an independent bookstore: The Cinderella Murder - Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke

So for February, I'll be finishing two more books for the following categories:

A book by a first-time author: The Silent Patient

A celebrity memoir: Crying in H-Mart

[firstdegreefangirl]

June 2023 Reading Wrap-Up!

Halfway through the year, and I'm excited to report that I'm either on track or ahead of all my reading goals for 2023! I've just got to focus more on reading books I already have, instead of buying new ones. Should be easy enough, right? ;-)

As always, stats up here, mini reviews under the cut. Click through to see what had me swearing at my empty living room at 1:30 a.m.

Total books read: 7 

Total pages read: 1,816 

Days read: 23/30 

Average star rating: 4.33/5 

Challenge Prompts Filled: 13 in June; 66 total. Popsugar: 6(23)/40.   Romanceopoly: 3 (18)/36. CRAD: 1(6)/12. BTBL: 3(19)/52 

Happy Singles Day by Ann Marie Walker 

⭐⭐⭐⭐(¼) 

This was cute! I picked it up on a whim, when I found myself with some free time at the big library branch across town, because I liked the idea of a romance novel celebrating singlehood. I liked watching the MC figure out who she is outside of her job, and her love interest was such a compelling dude. Between his daughter and his sister, and his bed and breakfast, he really made the story for me. It wasn’t quite grumpy/sunshine, because Lucas opens up as things progress, but something about his reluctance to even be invovled in the story at all really entertained me. The only thing I’d say really bugged me was the dog. Don’t get me wrong, I love dogs. Like, so much. But the cover has a picture of a little terrier shaped pup, and then the text describes the dog as a “pit bull/boxer mix,” and it drove me nuts every step of the way. A little detail, maybe, but the discrepancy really threw me off. 

Prompts filled: Popsugar – A book about a vacation 

Summer on Blackberry Beach by Belle Calhoune 

⭐⭐⭐(¾) 

What a fun little summer read! I’ll admit, I was expecting there to be some sort of Christmassy detail, given that the town is called Mistletoe, but once I got past that, this was so delightful! I grabbed it from a book thrift store while my friend was in town visiting, after the teacher/Navy SEAL fake dating plot caught both of our attentions. I liked watching the characters learn how to move past their respective losses, and that they communicated really effectively through much of the story. Too many times, the plotline falls apart if the characters would just have like one mature conversation, so I really enjoyed that they did that here and the story held up. It was refreshing to watch these characters grow together and find the futures they didn’t think they deserved. 

Prompts filled: Popsugar – About a holiday that’s not Christmas; Romanceopoly – Soldier Street/One of the MCs are in the military 

Biting Through The Skin: An Indian Kitchen In America’s Heartland by Nina Mukerjee Furstenau 

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

I’ve had this on my shelf for … probably two years now? At least a year and a half; I’m pretty sure I bought it at the library fall book sale on Fill A Bag day. Food as a vessel for culture has always interested me, and the idea of a memoir pairing Indian food with Midwest culture (where I’ve lived my entire life) was particularly fascinating. Turns out the author spent most of her childhood like three hours from where I grew up/live, in the same small town where one of my friends is from! Every chapter includes stories about the Indian foods that flavor her memories, and the recipes are at the ends of the chapters. I haven’t cooked any of them yet, but maybe someday! The essays were heartfelt and compelling, like I could feel myself in the kitchen right alongside the author and her family, with the warm, hearty spices and sentimental stories.  

Popsugar – favorite prompt from past challenge (2022 – a book with a recipe in it); BTBL – Epistolary/unusual writing style (recipes) 

Darcy by RJ Scott, Meredith Russell 

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

At some point, I got this for free on my Kindle, and it got the callup this month for being something short enough that I could read it in a couple of days, but compelling enough to hold my attention (also, for having a five-letter title!). I’m admittedly a sucker for fake dating-turned-romance, but usually the “dating” couple is the endgame, so it was interesting to read a story that turned the trope on its head. Darcy and Adrian had such an instant attraction, but more than just sexually. I loved seeing them open up to each other, and how supportive Darcy was through the whole story, of both Adrian and his sister, and especially at the ending. I’m definitely planning to pick up the rest of the series at some point.  

BTBL – less than 170 pages; CRAD – half as many letters as May; Popsugar – Forbidden Romance; Romanceopoly – Passion Place/slow burn or instant heat contemporary romance 

The Water Baby by Roz Denney Fox 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Finally, I got back around to reading this for the first time in … 15 years or so? I don’t remember exactly when I read it for the first time, but I do remember picking it up from my mom’s book stack when I was probably too young for Harlequin romance novels. I liked it then, and saved it from a garage sale pile a few years later. It’s well-loved and rough around the edges, but the best books always are. Luckily, it’s just as good now as it was years ago, and absolutely worth the shelf space for all this time. 

Prompts filled: BTBL – released at least 23 years ago; Popsugar – Set in the decade you were born 

Egghead: or, you can’t survive on ideas alone by Bo Burnham 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

I don’t have much to say about this one that I haven’t said before. I love poetry, I love Bo Burnham, and some of my favorite poems ever are in this book (look at you, The Letter!). This particular reread was just shy of an hour, sitting on the floor of my denbrary, looking for something to spark inspiration for an upcoming writing project I'm trying to plan. I’m not sure yet, but I think I figured it out, at that! 

Prompts filled: None 

The Last Flight by Julie Clark 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Fuck this book. Five stars. I’m writing this right about an hour after I finished devouring the book in three days. Mostly two days – the first day I only had time to read like the first chapter. Usually, I’m not one for thrillers, but this caught my eye at the same thrift store as Blackberry Beach up above. Once I realized it’s a signed copy, and was only three dollars, I basically had to give it a try. And holy HELL, am I glad I did! I was sucked in from the first few pages, absolutely enthralled right down to the end. In fact, on page 142, I actively shouted “what the fuuuuuuck?!?” out loud to my empty apartment. It’s that sort of a book. I had a loose suspicion of how it would end, but there were a lot of things I didn’t see coming. I’d KILL to see this one as a movie, and I’m absolutely going to read the author’s other thrillers. Sometimes, there’s a benefit to stepping outside my wheelhouse, because I have a feeling this is going to be a top 10 for 2023.  

Prompts filled: Popsugar – A book about divorce; Romanceopoly – Killer Crescent/a thriller of your choice 

[catsbooksandbees]

Book 43 of 2022!

⭐⭐⭐

This Is How You Know I Want You by Ava 

A love story, a diary. This book is meant to be read straight through like a rabbit hole into falling in love. 

What Did I Think?

I’m not sure if it’s because I’m grey-aromantic and my experience of falling in love with my partner was vastly different, but I just thought this was okay. It was an interesting insight into the way others fall in love and what it is probably like for those who aren’t any kind of aromantic. There was clearly a lot of emotion poured into this, but I just had difficulty feeling them. Ironically, if these were posted to Tumblr, I think it would have been eaten up. 

[medical-magpie]

13.06.22

Im really late on schedule for the #studyblrwithknifereadingchallenge so I picked up the 2022 popsugar one, am I trying to do a yearly challenge in a 3 month span ? Absolutely. Have I it planned out ? Absolutely not. On top of that I’m pushing myself to solely read in English until July because I’m attempting the toefl test in the hopes that I get accepted in an abroad placement next summer.

My last read was The Secret History by Dona tartt which fills the « set in the 80s » prompt even though the setting isn’t reminiscent of that decade at all, you get some brief mentions of songs of the decade played by Richard’s neighbours but other than that the dark academics could be committing their debauchery at any point in time. I liked it, the second part was more enjoyable in my opinion because I hated Bunny’s guts and even when Henry started getting on my nerves it still was less annoying than any scene featuring Bunny. All the characters are very flawed so sometimes they’re hard to follow and even harder to support, you could say they’re morally grey if the shade you’re thinking of is anthracite. Overall I had a good time seeing how the plot unfolded, 4/5

[shesamreads]

Pausing the book to post a prediction:

Jehan is not actually Jehan. She's Mari, because they needed an alive and well princess to wed the King. And now is it real!Jehan that's trying to kill the fake!Jehan?

[primrosesunsets]

The 2023 Popsugar Reading Challenge (1/40)

A book you meant to read in 2022: Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami

This 450-page book tackles motherhood-among others- regardless of the process of becoming one. There was a diversity in opinions relating to artificial insemination and sperm donation but every one had a solid point, albeit some opinion being insensitive than the others.

Overall, Breasts and Eggs has been a delight to read - allowing readers to see varying opinions as regards motherhood and considering or reflecting on their views on it at the same time. It might just be me, but somehow, it strengthened my idea of not having children.overall, Breasts and Eggs has been a delight to read - allowing readers to see varying opinions as regards motherhood and considering or reflecting on their views on it at the same time. It might just be me, but somehow, it strengthened my idea of not having children.

[franticvampirereads]

So. I really struggled through this one. I’m pretty sure I hit another wall in my fantasy reading slump 😭. I did really enjoy being back in this world. But I have to admit, Silver was not my favorite narrator for most of Drowned Country. He did grow on me by the end though!

I loved the second half of the book so much. I loved that we got to see more of the Woods and all the creatures that live/move through it. I also really loved the happy ending that we got for Silver and Tobias, they deserved it after everything they went through. So all in all, this one is getting a four out of five stars.

Reading Challenge Prompt Fills:

PopSugar 2022: a duology (2)

[the-forest-library]

Mid-Year Reading Update

Tagged by: @readingrobin and @letthebookbegin - thank you!

Amount of books you’ve read so far: 211 (look, I basically am almost always listening to an audiobook).

Best book you’ve read so far in 2022: Here are three that really stood out so far: The Invisible Kingdom by Meghan O’Rourke, Ten Steps to Nanette by Hannah Gadsby, and Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake.

Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2022: Rivals (American Royals III). The second book in this series seriously disappointed, but the third book brought the magic back. It was a really satisfying read. 

New release you haven’t read yet but want to: Two I am particularly eager for: Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel and The Wedding Season by Katy Birchall. 

Most anticipated release for the second half of the year: The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes.

Biggest surprise favorite new author (debut or new to you): Patricia Lockwood. I had no idea what I was getting into with No One Is Talking About This, but it was so much fun and super inventive. And, she’s Miette’s owner - that was quite a neat surprise. 

Newest fictional crush: I quite enjoyed Liam from Here for the Drama by Kate Bromley. 

Book that made you cry: None.

Book that made you happy: I love a good royalty romance, and American Royalty by Tracey Livesay did not disappoint. 

Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received): I pre-ordered Scattered Showers by Rainbow Rowell, and I think that cover is pretty and fun.

What books do you need to read by the end of the year?: As usual, I am taking part in lots of reading challenges, including Popsugar Reading Challenge, 22 in 2022, Beat the (Not Quite) Backlist, and Forgotten YA Gems Summer Reading Challenge, so I have books that I need to read to complete those prompts. 

Tagging: I am way behind on this one, and I know a bunch of people have already done it. If you haven’t, and would still like to, consider yourself tagged.