Suzan’s Comments (group member since May 22, 2020)

Suzan’s comments from the 2020 Big Book Summer Reading Challenge group.

Allen wrote: "i started reading The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo at 532 pages."

Hope you're enjoying it, Allen!

Kate wrote: "I finished Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow and have started my final (I think) Big Book, The House f the Spirits by Isabel Allende."

I've always wanted to read that one, Kate. I read one Allende book years ago (a YA novel) and didn't like it that much, but EVERYONE raves about her books and especially this novel. I really should give it a try!

Davida wrote: "I think I'm finished... the last Big Book I had, I ended up DNFing it!"

Aw, sorry your last Big Book didn't work out, Davida! But you had a good Big Book Summer, for sure! Hope your next book is a hit for you.

Elinor wrote: "Well, I’m still reading Becoming – it and I finally clicked! 🙂 Enjoying it now, and loving the honesty of it so far. Because summer challenge is almost up, would love to squeeze in a last Big Book ..."

Glad you are enjoying it, Elinor!! I listened to it on audio, which was fabulous - felt like Michelle was a close friend talking to me :)

Nancy wrote: "Just starting It's just under 400 pages so I don't know if it counts as a big book but this is one I feel like I need to read. My stomach is already in knots when..."

Nancy, I'm listening to American Dirt on audio. Amazon says it is 400 pages, so I was counting it :) It's taken me a while (less audio time with everyone at home every day!), but I am almost to the end now. Wow, it's a powerful and gripping story! And quite true-to-life. Last year, I listened to a nonfiction book, The Devil's Highway, that covers immigrants coming through in the same area of desert, and the novel is describing it quite well. BTW, I highly recommend that NF book, too!

Linda wrote: "Finished Exposure about court case against DuPont over the waste from Teflon production that made many ill. This lawyer (the author) has been suing them for over 20 years. And it's still not over. ..."

That one hits a bit close to home, Linda - I worked for DuPont for 10 years and my husband is still there (40 years and counting). Neither of us every worked in the Teflon business, though. I've kept up with the coverage in the local news.

Allen wrote: "Might start The Most Fun We Ever had by Claire Lombardo, or do 28 Summers"

Hope you enjoy whichever one you choose, Allen - I've been hearing good things about 28 Summers all summer!

Cheriee wrote: "I finished my 8th big book, Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond. (425 pages)
Here is my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......"

Wow, 8 Big Books so far - way to go, Cheriee! I hadn't heard of this book before but just read your review, and it sounds really interesting. I'd like to read it (and will check out the video links, too).

Kate wrote: "I just finished Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow. I found a copy on my son's shelf and when Penguin announced a read along in early July, I thought it was a perfect opportunity to read it. I finis..."

Congratulations on another (Really) Big book, Kate! Everyone I know who's read it has enjoyed it - glad you did, too.

Cheriee wrote: "Karla wrote: "Finished my 6th book: Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman (audio book narrated by Martin Jarvis) 400 pages. Great fun! I give it 4 stars out of 5."

I adored this book. I've..."

So, Cheriee, how did the Tv show and book compare? We watched a couple episodes of the TV show but didn't stick with it for some reason.

Cheriee wrote: "Elinor wrote: "Just finished The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson - LOVED it. Thank you Sue for egging me on with this one, it was better than the film! (Swedish)

Check out my review h..."

I get that, Cheriee - the violence is pretty graphic. Even worse seeing it on screen - I think I watched that part with my hands over my eyes!

Allen wrote: "I’ve just finished the perfect Girl by Gilly MacMillan . Meh"

Congrats on finishing another Big Book, Allen - sorry it was only meh. That's always a disappointment! Hope your next one blows you away!

Karla wrote: "Finished my 6th book: Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman (audio book narrated by Martin Jarvis) 400 pages. Great fun! I give it 4 stars out of 5."

Congratulations on finishing another Big Book, Karla! We watched the first episode or two of the TV show but then got distracted I guess! Have you seen the show yet? If so, how does it compare to the book? Of course, Pratchett and Gaiman are both amazing, so I'm guessing the book is better!

Deb wrote: "Another big and very important book finished.

My review:


The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Every person in the U..."

Wow, that sounds like an incredible book, Deb - thanks for the review! I've heard so many good things about this one - I need to move it up my TBR list!

Victoria wrote: "I also finished this from the library which was also over 400 pages. Dark Towers: Deutsche Bank, Donald Trump, and an Epic Trail of Destruction. Very interesting I’d you’re into bus..."

Sounds interesting, Vicki ... and also probably depressing! ha ha

Hey, how many Big Books are you up to now? You've been flying through them this summer!

Victoria wrote: "Thanks Stephen Kiernan for writing over 400 pages! Universe of Two

Highly recommended."

Vicki - I always hear Booktopia friends talking about Kiernan but I haven;t read one of his books yet - really need to!

Elinor wrote: "Just finished The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson - LOVED it. Thank you Sue for egging me on with this one, it was better than the film! (Swedish)

Check out my review here:
https://w..."

Congrats on finishing another Big Book, Elinor - so glad you liked it! The rest of the series is just as good. BTW, the Swedish film is better than the American/Hollywood one!

Cheriee wrote: "I have just finished my 7th big book, With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo. It barely squeaks in as a big book (only 400 pages) but it was a gorgeous story.

Here is my revi..."

Congratulations on finishing your 7th Big Book, Cheriee! Sounds like it was a good one - I'll have to check it out.

Allen wrote: "I’m getting ready to start The Perfect Girl by Gilly MacMillan"

Enjoy, Allen!

Cheriee wrote: "I am reading my 7th big book, With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo. I'm listening to it, but the hardcover says it is 400 pages. So far it is gorgeous."

Hope you enjoy it, Cheriee!