2013 November Reading Challenge

[Ann]

With Thanksgiving coming up our challenge for this month is to read a book you think you’ll be grateful you read, or re-read a book you’re thankful someone wrote. It can be something profound and moving, or something light and happy that just makes your day a little brighter. Just find something you think you’ll be glad you read, or re-read.

[Britt, Book Habitue]

Hmm, interesting. There are so many options! :)

[Mandy]

Love this challenge! It will be hard to choose...

[Carolyn]

what books are people reading? This is so way open, not sure what book to read.

[Ann]

The October Reading Challenge winner just got posted. Check out who won and what they read by going to 2013 October's Reading Challenge.

[Becky]

After last month's challenge, I am on a quest for light and funny reads. So far, I am looking at The Rosie Project or This One is Mine. I need a good laugh!!

[Debbie]

I will be reading (i.e. finishing) Dragon's Teeth by Upton Sinclair. It's the Pulitzer Prize Winner for 1943 and tracks the rise of Hitler and the methods by which the Nazi's took control of the government and the nation.

[Ann]

Becky wrote: "After last month's challenge, I am on a quest for light and funny reads. So far, I am looking at The Rosie Project or This One is Mine. I need a good laugh!!"

I've seen a couple reviews and ads for The Rosie Project and it does like it could be really funny. If you wind up picking it you'll have to tell us what you think. I know I'm curious about how things will work out for the main character.

[Carolyn]

I am reading "the Help" "Catching Fire" (before the movie), and "The Drowning Guard: and and glad to be reading all of them! I also want to read Enders Game before I see the movie.

[Allen]

I am reading Galileo's Daughter: A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith and Love this month because I am grateful for people like Galileo that brought so much new knowledge to the world and weren't afraid to go against the conventional beliefs of the time.

[Debbie]

I have finished reading Dragon's Teeth by Upton Sinclair. I am really glad I read this book because, although it is set in Europe at the time of Hitler's rise to power, I see many comparable political strategies being pursued in this country by the Tea Party. It quite gave me pause since the Germans never conceived that what Hitler did could ever happen in a civilized nation like Germany. And many folks here sing the same song about our country. It reminds me of the old song "Second verse, same as the first. Could get louder and it will be worse."

[Ann]

With life starting speed up as the holidays approach I've just realized I'm grateful for the break of reading whatever I have on hand at the moment, be it the down-to-earth reality of non-fiction or the escapism of a good novel.

Right now I'm looking forward to starting Delia's Shadow.

[Jackie]

I am just going to be grateful for books in general this month. What a great way to relax, imagine, and learn! In the past couple of years,I have read several books that I would have never considered reading before, and I am so thankful that I did. The Book Thief stands out as one of them. I will list the books I finish this month as it gets closer to the end of the month, and the reason I am grateful I read it.

[Jennifer]

I'm grateful that there's a new Sarah Dessen novel out, The Moon and More, and it just came in on hold for me. Like a mini-vacation for the soul.

[Jackie]

Allegiant (Divergent #3)
by Veronica Roth. Long awaited final book in a series. I gave it 4 stars, and I am thankful that I have a series FINISHED :0)
Songs of Willow Frost. I liked this book, though not as much as his first book. Thankful for authors who take a piece of their history and create a beautiful story.

[Ann]

Jackie wrote: "Allegiant (Divergent #3)
by Veronica Roth. Long awaited final book in a series. I gave it 4 stars, and I am thankful that I have a series FINISHED :0)
Songs of Willow Frost. I liked this book, thou..."

I can relate to the feeling thankful for finishing a series. I always feel like I've accomplished something after completing a series, but when the series is good I, contrarily, also wish there was more books to read.

[Jackie]

Just finished "Almost Home" yesterday. I am truly thankful that circumstances in my life have never left me without a home. The book reminded me that every homeless person has a story, a reason behind the sad situation that they are in. I saw several people on corners today, and each time made me think of the book and how hard it was for Sugar to have people label her as soon as they saw her...

[Marinda]

One book I am thankful I read this month is Brief Thief. I laughed out loud at one of the pictures when I read this book, and everyone needs a good LOL moment. Even if you only get a good chuckle, I highly reccomend this picture book.

[Alyson]

Jackie wrote: "Just finished "Almost Home" yesterday. I am truly thankful that circumstances in my life have never left me without a home. The book reminded me that every homeless person has a story, a reason beh..."

I love Joan Bauer!

[Carolyn]

I finished the Drowning Guard last night and I am glad I read it. It wasn't quite what I expected, but it was pretty good!

[Britt, Book Habitue]

I just read True (...sort of) which was beautiful, and The Best of Connie Willis: Award Winning Stories which I want to carry everywhere like a security blanket until the end of time now.
Very grateful to have read them both. :)

[Rachel]

I read the The Rent Collector. It was the perfect book to read this month. It was touching and inspiring!

[Allen]

I finished Galileo's Daughter: A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith and Love. It was a wonderful insight into his life, beyond just the things we learned about in school growing up.

[Becky]

I am always so very grateful for reading, for books, for the library, but especially for Friday nights, the one night a week when I read until I can't keep my eyes open anymore. What bliss! This month, I was really looking forward to some light and funny books, so I read The Rosie Project which I really liked. (BTW, the author of The Rosie Project, Graeme Simsion will be at The King's English on Saturday, December 7 signing books.) I also read The Taming of the Tights which is light and silly. I love Louise Rennison!! Finally, another book I am grateful that I read this month is The Universe Versus Alex Woods which was well written, interesting, and had a lot of food for thought. I can't wait until my son finishes it so we can discuss (another thing I am grateful for--great book discussions with family and friends and goodreads pals)!!

[Ann]

Marinda wrote: "One book I am thankful I read this month is Brief Thief. I laughed out loud at one of the pictures when I read this book, and everyone needs a good LOL moment. Even if you only get ..."

This one is on my to-read pile. After reading your review it definitely got bumped to the top of the pile. (Don't you love how silly kids' books can get?)

[Ann]

Heads up! December's reading challenge is up and posted. I hope you all have tons of fun with it.

[Carolyn]

Allen wrote: "I finished Galileo's Daughter: A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith and Love. It was a wonderful insight into his life, beyond just the things we learned about in school growing up."

This one is on my list to read. I hope it is good!

[Alyson]

I read "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand" because it was recommended by a friend, and I liked it better and better as it went on. I wouldn't have picked it up on my own, probably, and so I'm thankful to have been nudged into a good experience.

[Carolyn]

I am glad I have gotten to read all the books i have read this month: Ocean at the end of the Lane, Bellman and Black, The Help, and the drowning Guard. I have had a lot of time to read this month and it makes me happy!

[Debbie]

I finished a second book in November The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg. She is also the author of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, in case her name is not familiar.

I am glad I read this book. It is set in a small town outside Mobile, Alabama and the main character was, of course "raised Southern". Although I am from Idaho, my parents were from Oklahoma and theirs were from Arkansas and further back from South Carolina. So I, too, was "raised Southern". I am adopted. Fairly early on the main character learns she was adopted. The difference between us in that is I always knew I was adopted. She had raised 4 children, 3 of whom were married, before she learned accidentally that she was adopted.

Reading this book helped me understand better my mother's deep love for my sister and me despite the fact that she always seemed somehow uncomfortable with our being adopted. I realized how real her fear was that we would someday want to meet our biological parents and not love her any more. She never seemed to understand that the phrase "blood is thicker than water" only is true if you are talking about the viscosity of liquids. It has nothing to do with human relationships.

And I am thankful I could come to understand this through the delightful humor and poignant honesty that is Fannie Flagg's trademark. Thanks, Fannie, for this wonderful book! And thanks to Salt Lake County Library for making this book available for borrowing!

[Jenny]

I am thankful to have reread Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. This year I read it with my children. I don't often reread books but I love this one so much that I've read it three times in three years...and it is a perfect November read.
I am slowly making my way through The Orphan Master's Son and it makes me very grateful to live in the US. I also read Cinder which I really enjoyed.

[Karen]

Alyson wrote: "I read "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand" because it was recommended by a friend, and I liked it better and better as it went on. I wouldn't have picked it up on my own, probably, and so I'm thankful ..."
I heard about Major Pettigrew on the radio last year and I don't regret reading it, such a sweet story.

[Jackie]

Jenny wrote: "I am thankful to have reread Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. This year I read it with my children. I don't often reread books but I love this one so much that I've read it three..."
You are right, Jenny. Such a great read for the month of November, or anytime you need a reminder to be grateful :0)

[Ann]

November’s Reading Challenge drawing winner is Allen. He read Galileo's Daughter: A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith and Love by Dava Sobel.

[Debbie]

Congrats Allen!

[Jackie]

Yay for Allen! Congrats!

[Allen]

Yea! I'm excited for the prize book....