44 - Read a book during the season it is set in

[Janet]

Raquel wrote: "I might go for reading The Dry in winter time--which gives me two chances, if I don't read it soon enough at the beginning of the year, I'll try again toward the end."

I read this book this year and loved it. Enjoy!

[Tabitha]

Milena wrote: "SarahKat wrote: "The Winter of the Witch comes out in January so I may just use that!"

Ooh, excellent idea."

Would the second book, The Girl in the Tower, count for this challenge? I assume it should given the first and third do, but I wasn't sure since nobody had mentioned it yet. I've pre-ordered book 3 and still need to read book 2.

[Milena]

Believe it or not, I don't remember. Maybe someone that read it more recently can comment. I don't remember it being as wintery as the first.

[Kim]

My copy of Early Riser, by Jasper Fforde just came yesterday, and I can't wait to read it! I had no idea which prompt to use it for. I already had a book I really want to read for "A book with two words in the title... one that goes with my prompt for "Two books with the same title (my two word title is the same title with the word, "The" removed). ...And then I realized that Early Riser takes place during a long winter! I can start reading on Jan. 1st!!!

[Nadine in NY]

Tabitha wrote: "Milena wrote: "SarahKat wrote: "The Winter of the Witch comes out in January so I may just use that!"

Ooh, excellent idea."

Would the second book, The Girl in the Tower, count..."

It's been a while since I read this, and I remember it spanning several seasons, I think winter and spring, so it should work.

[Leandra]

Several prompts seem to be encouraging rereading/nostalgia so I will feel no guilt in reading The Long Winter come January!

[Megan]

Leandra wrote: "Several prompts seem to be encouraging rereading/nostalgia so I will feel no guilt in reading The Long Winter come January!"

Brilliant. That's now my choice too!

[Sean]

I'm a bit stumped on this one. I immediately thought of The Shining and Misery, which (at least to me) are both indelibly linked to winter. I'd love to find something similar, i.e. you can't imagine the story taking place in any other season.

[Lucie Renee]

Whiteout
Whiteout by Ken Follett was set at Christmas. This was a great book.

[Sarah]

Tove Jansonn’s The Summer Book and A Winter Book would work for this.

[Darci]

I've been meaning to try William Joyce's series The Guardians ever since the movie Rise of the Guardians. This looks like a perfect reason to read Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King!

[Amreen]

I'm currently reading "The Polar Bear Explorers' Club" to my nephew (and I'm reading it for the first time too!) - Would this count as a winter seasonal book?

[Megan]

Megan wrote: "Leandra wrote: "Several prompts seem to be encouraging rereading/nostalgia so I will feel no guilt in reading The Long Winter come January!"

Brilliant. That's now my choice too!"

Done! I can check this off my list.

[Katie]

Starting my 2019 reading challenge by reading No Exit by Taylor Adams. My December 2018 Book of the Month selection!

[Megan]

Katie wrote: "Starting my 2019 reading challenge by reading No Exit by Taylor Adams. My December 2018 Book of the Month selection!"

Mine too 😊

[Nadine in NY]

I am listening to The Mermaids Singing right now (and to be honest, I'm not really enjoying it, even though it's the TYPE of book I normally enjoy; either I just don't like the author, or I just don't like the guy reading the audiobook) and to my perverse delight, they just mentioned that one of the murders happened on Christmas Day!! The murders are eight days apart and there's been at least one more (I was zoned out and didn't catch if that was the first or second murder that was on xmas day) and voila! here we are in the first week of January and that must be when the book is set also?! Did I accidentally stumble upon a challenge book? It's hard to tell, because they don't really mention the weather.

[Linda]

I just finished Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman and it all took place in January! So if anyone needs a book to read right now to fill this prompt it would work.

[Juliebean]

I haven’t normally done the advanced prompts but always end up with “extras”. But this year, it just so happens that I read The Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett and it’s a perfect fit here. It was a cute, quick read - a Tiffany Aching book from Discworld but I think it would definitely stand on its own. It references other books but gives enough explanation that you aren’t lost. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator was great.

[Angelina]

Maeve Binchy has a few suitable ones

[Shelley]

I went with The Bear and the Nightingale. Definitely didn't love it like other people did, but it was definitely winter. Of course I'm in the American South, so a Russian winter doesn't match my reality but whatever.

[Kara]

Any suggestions for a spring book by a female writer? I have two possibilities for every season, but only one for spring (A Court of Thorns and Roses). I've already read The Secret Garden,

[Jenny]

Right now I'm reading Spindle Fire and it definitely fits this prompt to read right now because its winter! The sequel is also set in winter: Winter Glass So I'm defitinely using it for this prompt! Be nice to tick this one off early, I should finish the book today!

[Angelina]

Sean wrote: "I'm a bit stumped on this one. I immediately thought of The Shining and Misery, which (at least to me) are both indelibly linked to winter. I'd love to find something similar, i.e. you can't imagin..."

The Snowman would be apt if you are looking for a winter one.

[Little Bee]

Summer Days and Summer Nights: Twelve Love Storiesis what I am going with

I really enjoyed reading My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories.

[The BookSnom]

Is It by Stephen King set in summer? I am not sure I remember correctly.

[Angelina]

Pappu wrote: "Is It by Stephen King set in summer? I am not sure I remember correctly."
If I was guessing on a quiz I’d say so, but not read it for over 20years, might reread it as movie coming out in 2019 as I think the 2nd one is out this year.

[Umairah (Sereadipity)]

Can someone please give me a book rec for spring or summer?

[Angelina]

bookishdragon wrote: "Can someone please give me a book rec for spring or summer?"
This is an easy read, I’ve heard an audio version as well.

Firefly Summer

[Sean]

Angel wrote: "Pappu wrote: "Is It by Stephen King set in summer? I am not sure I remember correctly."
If I was guessing on a quiz I’d say so, but not read it for over 20years, might reread it as mo..."

I just read it last year, the "kids" section takes place in June/July and at least part of the "adults" section takes place in June. Seems like it should work for summer.

[Milena]

Pappu wrote: "Is It by Stephen King set in summer? I am not sure I remember correctly."

Maybe not the whole book, but the part with the kids is.

[Raquel (Silver Valkyrie Reads)]

Kara wrote: "Any suggestions for a spring book by a female writer? I have two possibilities for every season, but only one for spring (A Court of Thorns and Roses). I've already read The Secret Garden,"

Novellas/children's books that count:
Sarah, Plain and Tall
The Glass Mermaid (only recommend if you like sweet romances)

And a couple in the middle of series' (but would probably still be enjoyable as stand alones, though you might notice there's a larger story thread going on):
The Princess Game: A Reimagining of Sleeping Beauty
The Princess Search: A Retelling of The Ugly Duckling

Edited to remove one I accidentally included by a male writer...

[Rose]

Anyone else thought of expanding the challenge to read a book set in each of the seasons? Spring, summer, fall, winter? Why do I think of these things to add to my challenge?!?!

[Milena]

Rose wrote: "Anyone else thought of expanding the challenge to read a book set in each of the seasons? Spring, summer, fall, winter? Why do I think of these things to add to my challenge?!?!"

What a fun idea.

[Jess]

If anyone fancies taking on the A Song of Ice and Fire books. they all take place during Summer. Summer just happens to last decades in Westeros!

[KF-in-Georgia]

Kara wrote: "Any suggestions for a spring book by a female writer? I have two possibilities for every season, but only one for spring (A Court of Thorns and Roses). I've already read The Secret Garden,"

Kara, Great Day for the Deadly by Jane Haddam is a murder mystery set at St Patrick's Day. And it takes place at a tiny convent... St Patrick's Day is about 3 days before Spring officially arrives, but...

Many of Haddam's early Gregor Demarkian mysteries are set at holidays, so just pick a holiday that falls in the right season.

[Cornerofmadness]

I read A Cajun Christmas Killing by Ellen Bryon which was a pretty fun Cozy.

[Ariel]

Jess wrote: "If anyone fancies taking on the A Song of Ice and Fire books. they all take place during Summer. Summer just happens to last decades in Westeros!"

I believe only the first one takes place in summer. It is autumn in the next four.

[Jess]

Ariel wrote: "Jess wrote: "If anyone fancies taking on the A Song of Ice and Fire books. they all take place during Summer. Summer just happens to last decades in Westeros!"

I believe only the f..."

Sorry, you are correct. I don't remember any mentions of autumn so thought that there might only be summer and winter in Westeros but the next book is called Dream of Spring (duh!) so I guess autumn and spring do exist.

[Courtney]

Winter Storms by Elin Hilderbrand

[KF-in-Georgia]

Baseball season is nice and long. I'll probably read The Boys of Summer and double up this prompt with the game prompt.

Also, I have Great Day for the Deadly which takes place on St Patrick's Day...at a small convent.

[Arya]

I read Nos4A2 by Joe hill

[Rachel]

I was originally thinking of a Morgan Matson book for the summer, since I've never read anything she's written, but now I'm thinking of fitting in one of the Lumberjanes books instead. They take place at a summer camp, so they would also work for summer.

[Ellie]

Because I will probably forget by autumn, Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen McManus is set in September/October.

If you want to tick this off sooner rather than later, Red Snow is set in February (I'm going to use if for my Scandinavia book though).

[Angelina]

Hi I’ve just finished River Road, it’s set in winter and at a college so ideal for either challenge.

I’m also reading my own books only or books from the library which makes it a lot harder.

[SadieReadsAgain]

I actually had another book lined up for this prompt, but I just read it and it was set in summer *headdesk* But last week I read a book which would fit this one perfectly - The Great Alone. Even though it's set over many years in all seasons, the winter is a huge factor in this novel.

I had seen this book recommended by a lot of readers I respect, and so I shouldn't have been surprised at how good it was. I don't know whether it was the incredible sense of place, or the vibrant characters, or the compelling story, but this book grabbed me and didn't let go. Alaska is more than just a setting for this story, it is a character all of its own and I loved the descriptions of its harsh beauty. This is a love story to the wilderness, as well as the story of a family escaping to the frontier in a mistaken attempt to build a new life. But they can't run away from the abuse, dependency and love that shapes their lives together, and in the claustrophobic isolation of Alaskan winter their cabin becomes a powder keg. The coming of age of Leni acts as the spark which causes it all to explode, as she sees the reality of her parents' relationship and tries to shape her own life. If you don't like to see your heroine put through the wringer, or if you struggle to suspend disbelief that one person could endure so much, then I'm just warning you that a lot happens in this book. The ending is a little too tidy, but to be honest I think after all that happens both the characters and the readers deserve it! A beautiful book that will stay with me...and has inspired me to add visiting Alaska to my bucket list.

[Ashleigh]

I'm reading The Snow Child for this section. It takes place in 1920s rural Alaska in the dead of winter. Everything is barren--the land, the homestead, the couple. Loss and isolation abound. It is a sad and heartwrenching read so far. Hoping these people can find some hope...

[SadieReadsAgain]

I loved that book, it's so beautiful.

[Ashleigh]

Sarah wrote: "I loved that book, it's so beautiful."

The Snow Child? That's good news. It is beautifully written, I just keep waiting for everyone to be devastated and die! Maybe it's just me...

[Nadine in NY]

Ashleigh wrote: "Sarah wrote: "I loved that book, it's so beautiful."

The Snow Child? That's good news. It is beautifully written, I just keep waiting for everyone to be devastated and die! Maybe it's just me..."


LOL it does sort of have that feeling of impending doom doesn't it? But it's not really that kind of book.

[Ashleigh]

Nadine wrote: "Ashleigh wrote: "Sarah wrote: "I loved that book, it's so beautiful."

The Snow Child? That's good news. It is beautifully written, I just keep waiting for everyone to be devastated and die! Maybe ..."

Ha ha! I'll stop looking for the girl to turn into a fox and eat them all!
Thanks.