2016 Big Book Summer Reading Challenge discussion
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Although I don't have a blog, I review many books on Goodreads, Leafmarks, and LibraryThing. I plan to participate in the Big Book Summer Challenge beginning with The Perfume Collector by Kathleen Tessaro.
Mod
Wonderful! Welcome to the Big Book Summer Challenge, John! Enjoy your first book - I've heard good things about that one.
Hello! I will be participating by reading some of these, which are all already in my To Read pile beside my bed...i should get at least half of them done...
Already started on audio: The Luminaries, 849 pages..which is why i am 'listening' to this one!
Also just started this week: City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare 542 pages
Then.. Road to Rome by Ben Kane, 568 pages
Daylighters by Rachel Caine, 446 pages
City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare, 638 pages
Warleggan by Winston Graham, 471 pages
Don Quixote by Miguel De Cervantes, 986 pages (Kindle)
Anno Dracula by Kim Newman, 526 pages (Kindle)
Mod
I will be participating by reading some of these, which are all already in my To Read pile beside my bed...i should get at least half of them done...
Already started on audio: The Luminarie..."
Wow, Claire, that is an impressive list!! Good for you :) My son loves the Cassandra Clare series. Hope you are enjoying The Luminaries - I've heard good things about it!
Yes, i love some YA books, and generally love fantasy, as well as historical fiction and crime/forensic fiction...i read the first Mortal Instruments books a couple of years ago then got distracted by other series but decided i needed to go back and catch up this year :) Don Quixote is in there too as i have been reading more 'classics' recently too. I'll let you know on The Luminaries..it's only my second audio book and i've fallen asleep three times so far!! i think i need to listen when i'm a bit more awake!
Mod
I love YA, too, and also read middle-grade novels. All are great! I also love audios and always have one going on my iPod. I listen while I am doing other things, like laundry or cooking, walking or driving. I need to read the Mortal Instruments books - they are my son's favorites! I did enjoy the movie :)
John wrote: "Although I don't have a blog, I review many books on Goodreads, Leafmarks, and LibraryThing. I plan to participate in the Big Book Summer Challenge beginning with The Perfume Collector by Kathleen ..."That is a great book!
Good morning! I'm signing on and found you via My Book Retreat. Plan is to read Katherine Ann Porter's Ship of Fools ~500pg. I had planned on reading Doctor Zhivago by Pasternck for my personal "Summer of my Russian Novel" challenge, so that may also become a contender
Hi, I found the reading challenge thanks to Claire, who is also responsible for the luminaries being in my to read pile. I still need to rummage through the rest of my books in my pile to check number of pages.
Donna wrote: "Hi, I found the reading challenge thanks to Claire, who is also responsible for the luminaries being in my to read pile. I still need to rummage through the rest of my books in my pile to check num..."I feel the weight of responsibility on my shoulders! ....i never realised how long it was when i ordered it....now i check no. of pages on every book! Xx
Have just spent a while looking for "Luminaries", and have it on hold, simply because I want to read it ;)
Andrea wrote: "Have just spent a while looking for "Luminaries", and have it on hold, simply because I want to read it ;)"*now feels even more responsibility!* :D
Mod
Welcome to the Big Book Summer Challenge, Andrea! Sounds like a good one to start with. And I am so impressed by your Summer of the Russian Novel. I've never read any of the famous Russian novels (just short stories)...and so far this year I have read exactly - ZERO - classic for my Classics challenge. gulp. Will have to fit in a couple this summer!
Mod
Welcome to the Big Book Summer Challenge, Donna! Glad you decided to join the fun :) Let us know when you decide on a Big Book.
Ship of Fools in docked in port. Got three read and reviews that should have been done that I forgot! ARRRRGH
Mod
Totally understand, Andrea - I am a full month behind on reviews!
Claire wrote: "Hello! I will be participating by reading some of these, which are all already in my To Read pile beside my bed...i should get at least half of them done...
Already started on audio: The Luminarie..."
I'm really enjoying Winston Graham's Poldark series myself--need to read book 3 now.
Just signed up...thanks for the reminder, Sue!Not sure how many I will finish, but from my TBR Pile Challenge list, here are the candidates:
Blonde, by Joyce Carol Oates
The Forgotten Garden, by Kate Morton
A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini
Time and Chance, by Sharon Kay Penman
From my Back to the Classics Challenge list, here are some possibilities for the summer:
The Custom of the Country, by Edith Wharton
The Small House at Allington, by Anthony Trollope
Behind a Mask by Louisa May Alcott
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
Salem Chapel by Mrs. Oliphant
And my blog is www.janegs.blogspot.com
Mod
Not sure how many I will finish, but from my TBR Pile Challenge list, here are the candidates:
Blonde, by Joyce Carol Oates
The Forgotten Garden, by..."
Welcome to the Big Book Summer Challenge, Jane! You have some great books on your list of possibilities - enjoy!
Jane wrote: "Just signed up...thanks for the reminder, Sue!Not sure how many I will finish, but from my TBR Pile Challenge list, here are the candidates:
Blonde, by Joyce Carol Oates
The Forgotten Garden, by..."
I have read about 60% of your list Jane. Great choices
On overdue review down....two to go....sandwhiched between tidbits of Porter.....interesting melange of flavors. Porter is a 60's book written about a really judgemental time, but I'm goung to finish it because the characters are so.well.articulated
Mod
Sounds very interesting, Andrea. And thanks for reminding me - I should set up another discussion thread for completed books/reviews.
Since I just read this, Sue, after you commented on my blog, I thought I would start here. I will place a link on my blog later this week and link up on your book blog. For today, since I am already reading a big book, I want to be a part of this. I am reading "Uncle Tom's Cabin" by Harriet Beecher Stowe. It is a book I have 'meant to read' for years. Finally reading it! Thanks for doing this this summer! ~ linda @ The Reader and the Book
Linda wrote: "Since I just read this, Sue, after you commented on my blog, I thought I would start here. I will place a link on my blog later this week and link up on your book blog. For today, since I am alread..."I read Uncle Tom's Cabin a couple of years ago and was surprised by how good it was. I expected just melodrama, but it was well written and fascinating to read in light of the impact it had on the nation and the world.
Here's a link to a blog post I did on a favorite quote from the book...
http://janegs.blogspot.com/2012/08/qu...
Mod
Wonderful, Linda! Welcome to the Big Book Summer Challenge! I look forward to reading your post.
Uncle Tom's Cabin is one of those books I've always meant to read for me, too. Funny, though, I thought it was pretty short - didn't realize it's a Big Book! Will have to take a closer look.
I just finished Until Next Time by Kevin Fox which was only a three star read for me. This novel of star-crossed lovers includes two alternating story lines approximately 25 years apart. Here is my Goodbooks review.
Mod
Here is ..."
Sorry it wasn't a 5-star book for you, John, but congratulations on finishing your Big Book! There's another discussion thread for Big Book reviews, if you want to add your review there. What's up next for you?
Sue wrote: "John wrote: "I just finished Until Next Time by Kevin Fox which was only a three star read for me. This novel of star-crossed lovers includes two alternating story lines approximately 25 years apar..."I'm have just begun The Secret Place by Tana French. I have read the remainder of her Dublin Murder Squad series.
I've just looked up Tana French. The Dublin murder squad books look a good read. Loving how many good recommendations there are. My to read list keeps getting longer.
Donna wrote: "I've just looked up Tana French. The Dublin murder squad books look a good read. Loving how many good recommendations there are. My to read list keeps getting longer."Tana French writes in a way that you become part of the murder squad as they are investigating the crime. You learn what they know when they learn it. If they head down false alleys, you head down them do. You really feel like you are a police detective when reading these books.
Mod
Oh, great choice! My husband and I both love the Tana French books - mysteries but SO well-written! I have only read the first one so far, but the second is on my own list of Big Books for this summer!
Thanks for the invite! I do not have a blog but love to read and it seems that I'm always reading that "chunky" book!Just finished Whistling Women at 404 pages.
I have on my summer to read list - End of Watch at 432 pages and
The Fireman at 752 pages
Looking forward to seeing what you all are reading!
Mod
Just finished Whistling Women at 404 pages.
I have on my summer..."
So glad you decided to join the fun, Deb! Sounds like you have some excellent Big Books lined up for the summer - enjoy!
I'll join in the challenge, Sue. I just finished Gone With the Wind, which was a goal I had this year. It was my mom's favorite book and she occasionally urged me to read it. I am less likely to want to read a book after seeing the movie, so I put it off. My mom passed away in January and when I found her copy of GWTW, I knew the time had come. It was an absorbing read and I felt a connection to my mom while reading it. I started Sons and Lovers by DH Lawrence yesterday (600+ pages). I also have a couple books going now that don't meet the 400 page limit. I don't have a challenge list beyond that, but I will keep you posted. At least I have one down already.
Mod
That's great, Carrie - I've never read Gone with the Wind either! And I totally understand about reading a book your mom loved. I lost my dad a year ago (melanoma), and one of the things we shared was a love of reading. My husband and I brought home his collection of Stephen King & Dean Koontz books (two of his faves!), plus some others. He wrote the date he read (and often, re-read) each book on the first page, and we are enjoying sharing some of his favorite books with him.
I've never read any DH Lawrence, either, so good luck with that one! And welcome to the Big Book Challenge! There are additional discussion threads for big Book We Are Reading and one for Big Books Completed or Reviewed. Glad you decided to join the fun!
Sue
P.S. I just met up with Laura Jean & her family for dinner while in Virginia last week - lots of fun reminiscing!
Mod
I am really late with this, but I finally did the Big Book Summer Challenge Giveaway that I promised at the start of the summer. I included all of you that signed up here in Goodreads and those who signed up on my blog. The winner was Jada who writes the blog Sort of Beautiful (a wonderful book blog).
Here are all the details, the big books available for the giveaway, and a link to Jada's blog.
http://bookbybook.blogspot.com/2016/1...
Hope you all had fun and will join the challenge again next summer!
2016 Big Book Summer Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Whistling Women (other topics)Whistling Women (other topics)
End of Watch (other topics)
The Fireman (other topics)
If you have a blog, you should instead visit the sign-up page on my blog so you can add your link to the list:
http://bookbybook.blogspot.com/p/2016...