2019 Fall Flurry of Holidays Challenge--Discussion and Planning

[Becky]

Nicole R wrote: "Idit wrote: "The only thing I can think of is Melbourne Cup. Read something about horses(?)"

If you go this route, I LOVED Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand. I know..."

I second this recommendation! It was a very good read.

[Becky]

Joanne wrote: "https://www.tor.com/2019/10/01/horror...

Just found this-It is a list of "Spooky" for all levels (ie: little but of spook, mild spook, and pure horror in IMO)"

Thanks for this! I haven't read much in this genre, so I'm still not real sure where to start. But at least I have some ideas!

[Joanne]

Meli wrote: "I'm a high tolerance reader so looks like I need to read Hex! I just bought White Is For Witching but I don't think I will get to it for October."

LOL Meli, I knew Hex would be your choice!

[Joanne]

Becky C wrote: "Joanne wrote: "https://www.tor.com/2019/10/01/horror...

Just found this-It is a list of "Spooky" for all levels (ie: little but of spook, mild spook, and pur..."

Not my genre either Becky, last year I skipped this challenge I believe-still going down rabbit holes to participate. Will keep you posted as I pop in and out of that hole

[Becky]

Joanne wrote: "Becky C wrote: "Joanne wrote: "https://www.tor.com/2019/10/01/horror...

Just found this-It is a list of "Spooky" for all levels (ie: little but of spook, mil..."

I checked out all the recommendations on the list and I think I'm going with The Fisherman by John Langan. Hopefully my library has it. It took me forever to finally choose this one. =/

[Becky]

Nicole R wrote: "So, I have been building my list for about a month now. I will certainly not get to all of these books, but these are what I will be choosing from.

I always struggle with November. I always say I ..."

Thank goodness for your recommendations! I was drawing a total blank for November, but Lecia Cornwall's book is right up my alley! Love a good historical romance set in the Highlands. =)

[Kimber]

My October so far has been a whirlwind of activity, but I've managed to put half a list together to use as a guideline for at least October and November:

For October theme, I'm going with "spooky" with a heavy emphasis on ghosts. The books I'm either currently reading or have my eye on (or just finished but haven't written a review yet):

The Prince of Mist
Lincoln in the Bardo
Slade House
NOS4A2
The Witch Elm

For November, a hodge podge:

John Saturnall's Feast
The cover looks very November-y and the book is a fictional story about a chef, food, and cooking, so it makes me think of Thanksgiving. I'm pretty sure my copy is hanging out in the back seat of my car right now.

Possibly Matterhorn, which would fit in to the theme of Veterans Day. I obviously haven't read this yet and I'm sure the experiences shared in it are very different from my dad's experience, but this book makes me think of my awesome dad, who is in his 70s now, and served in the Army during the late sixties. My dad's birthday is on Veterans Day--just seems like an added reason to try a book on this theme.

Also looking at Ceremony which fits both a Native American and veteran theme as the main character is representative of both. This book was strongly recommended to me by a friend.

I don't have December figured out yet, but will probably go with a winter theme, as the first thing I thought of was Scandinavian mystery novels set in the winter--one of my favorite genres.

While browsing, I also found a book by Jeannette Winterson called Christmas Days: 12 Stories and 12 Feasts for 12 Days that looks very good to me and would fit a Christmas/winter theme.

[Joanne]

Kimber wrote: "My October so far has been a whirlwind of activity, but I've managed to put half a list together to use as a guideline for at least October and November:

I have added Matterhorn-looks right up my alley-thanks!

[Theresa]

Kimber wrote: "
While browsing, I also found a book by Jeannette Winterson called Christmas Days: 12 Stories and 12 Feasts for 12 Days that looks very good to me and would fit a Christmas/winter theme.
"

Kimber - I discovered and read it last year. Loved it and will probably dip back into it on an annual basis. Do read it. I highly recommend.

[NancyJ]

Kimber wrote: "My October so far has been a whirlwind of activity, but I've managed to put half a list together to use as a guideline for at least October and November:

For October theme, I'm going with "spooky"..."

Great options! It's funny that I never noticed Joe Hill until this week, now I'm seeing his books mentioned everywhere. I guess it's just not my genre, but this book sounds interesting.

Ceremony sounds great for me, and so does the Jeanette Winterson book. I'm reading her Frankissstein now. Her style is really daring and refreshing.

I'm also reading a different Tana French novel now too, In the Woods, and I really like her writing.

[Kimber]

Joanne - I hope you like Matterhorn! Maybe we can compare notes when we both finish.

Theresa - Thanks for the recommendation on the Winterson stories; I'll be sure to make them part of my December reads..

NancyJ - Thanks! Frankisstein is on my list to read in the future. I read In the Woods by Tana French a year or so ago and I really liked her writing too.

[Nikki]

It might be a bit late in the month to suggest a new topic, but I saw a sign at our local library saying that October is 'Filipino American History Month'. After a bit of googling, I think I'm going to sneak In the Country onto my already long October list...

[Joanne]

Nikki wrote: "It might be a bit late in the month to suggest a new topic, but I saw a sign at our local library saying that October is 'Filipino American History Month'. After a bit of googling, I think I'm goin..."

Thanks for the tip Nikki-I am reading a WWII about the Philippines now for another group...woot! twofer!

[Theresa]

Attention all Lady O fans!

Lady Osbaldestone’s Plum Puddings was released today!

[annapi]

Theresa wrote: "Attention all Lady O fans!

Lady Osbaldestone’s Plum Puddings was released today!"

Why the heck do they release it 2 months before Christmas? It will be so hard to resist reading it before December!

[Nicole R]

annapi wrote: "Why the heck do they release it 2 months before Christmas? It will be so hard to resist reading it before December!"

Right?!? I am not necessarily dying to read the new Lady O (I still have last year's installment to get to), but some of my favorite holiday authors have books that are now out and I instantly want to read them all!

[Theresa]

annapi wrote: "Theresa wrote: "Attention all Lady O fans!

Lady Osbaldestone’s Plum Puddings was released today!"

Why the heck do they release it 2 months before Christmas? It will be so hard to..."

I know! I have so many new Christmas reads I'm just itching to delve into...and it's going to be really really hard to resist them in November when I truly do not have any seasonal romance or cozy mystery reads lurking in my TBR!

I may have to re-read the prior to Lady O's just to prep for this years...and survive until December 1!

[Theresa]

Just want to mention how much I love that I turned on so many to the charms of Lady O last year! It was a highlight of my first few months as a member of PBT.

[Jemima]

Just finished The Whisper Man by Alex North as my halloween read and loved it.

I'm reading A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway (my first ever Hemmingway read!) for Armistice/Remembrance Day in November.

I'm planning on Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie for December, but I might need to check out Lady O myself. Maybe we could do a buddy read?

[Theresa]

Jemima wrote: "Just finished The Whisper Man by Alex North as my halloween read and loved it.

I'm reading A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway (my f..."

Jemima - I am up for buddy reads on Lady O and also Hercule Poirot's Christmas.

[Theresa]

Anyone looking for a Thanksgiving themed mystery thriller for Flurries, I highly recommend Zero-Degree Murder.

[Jemima]

Awesome. Let’s do it! Thanks Theresa. Nothing like a cozy mystery novel with a Christmas theme.

[Theresa]

Just spent time again looking through books on a section of bookshelves that has been inaccessible for a while (note to self: in future need dustcloth in hand). Not only did I find a treasured Christmas mystery I want to reread, but also numerous collections of Christmas Crime themed short stories, and a couple of Halloween appropriate ones for next year's flurries.

All are now more readily accessible on the shelves, even when furniture is put back in front of the shelves.

[Hebah]

I've got a book checked out right now that would fit nicely for Native American Heritage month: Bury My Heart at Chuck E. Cheese's, which is a collection of humorous essays by a Native American (Sioux) woman. Can't wait to dive in!

[Meli]

Hebah wrote: "I've got a book checked out right now that would fit nicely for Native American Heritage month: Bury My Heart at Chuck E. Cheese's, which is a collection of humorous essays by a Nat..."

Oh my God, I love that title!

I have nothing for November unfortunately, but came upon a fun Christmas book by Joanne Fluke called Christmas Cake Murder which sounds light and fun.

[Nikki]

My husband has just started The Forever War & says it's very good. I wasn't interested when he first mentioned it (assuming it was just another space opera...) but have since noticed that in the front cover blurb, William Gibson calls it "as fine and woundingly genuine a war story as any I've read" - apparently, despite the scifi trappings, the author drew heavily on his own experiences in & after Vietnam when writing the book. I'm starting to think that this might be calling me to read it for the Veterans Day theme...

[Sara]

Hebah wrote: "I've got a book checked out right now that would fit nicely for Native American Heritage month: Bury My Heart at Chuck E. Cheese's, which is a collection of humorous essays by a Nat..."

Thanks for mentioning this one Hebah. I've just added it to my TBR.

[Nicole R]

I got my Amazon delivery of cheesy Christmas romances!!! I ordered 4 paperbacks, and downloaded another 4 on my Kindle. I also picked up 2 from the library.

I am putting up my Christmas tree today and am going to try and hold off on starting to read until Thanksgiving, but no promises! Lol.

[Theresa]

Nicole R wrote: "I got my Amazon delivery of cheesy Christmas romances!!! I ordered 4 paperbacks, and downloaded another 4 on my Kindle. I also picked up 2 from the library.

I am putting up my Christmas tree toda..."

I have several lined up too! And cozy Christmas mysteries. Even found a 2005 novella collection for December monthly tag.

[Joanne]

Nicole R wrote: "I got my Amazon delivery of cheesy Christmas romances!!! I ordered 4 paperbacks, and downloaded another 4 on my Kindle. I also picked up 2 from the library.

I am putting up my Christmas tree toda..."

Waiting breathlessly for these reviews 😍

[Jemima]

Theresa wrote: "Attention all Lady O fans!

Lady Osbaldestone’s Plum Puddings was released today!"

yay!

[Meli]

I am reading One Day in December with my IRL book club and Christmas Cake Murder for funsies. Never read any of her cozy mysteries and this is #23 so hopefully I can understand what is going on :P

[Nicole R]

Meli wrote: "I am reading One Day in December with my IRL book club and Christmas Cake Murder for funsies. Never read any of her cozy mysteries and this is #23 so hopefully I can..."

Oh lord. Not to discourage you but I DESPISED One Day in December. I wonder if the aspect that irritated me to no end will also irritate you....

[Meli]

Nicole R wrote: "Oh lord. Not to discourage you but I DESPISED One Day in December. I wonder if the aspect that irritated me to no end will also irritate you...."

Yep, I already saw a bunch of reviews here that were very discouraging and got me concerned, but I have to give it a shot because my local bookstore picked it so I have no choice. If only for the companionship I get at book club :)

[Amy]

I’m in to finishing series or sequels this year for the winter version of fall flurries. I have been looking forward to the sequel to the witches of the York, by Ami McKay. Half spent a Yuletide.... Now I’m wondering if it’s even out yet. Also I need to finish the trilogy of winter of the witch that begin with, now I can’t remember the Russians girl fairy tale ghost story thing. I’d also like to finish the trilogy up of Eleanor of aquataine. The sequel is Winter Queen, And then it’s end autumn throwing to be used for next November. But if none of these pan out, I have a whole lovely Christmas and winter list that I could pick up. As you guys know, my favorite thing about this season is Christmas carols, eggnog, the absolute love and joy and believe in miracles and kindness to one another that the season brings for everyone, the idea of light and hope in darkness, and of course my birthday, not to mention sharing it with Tessa and Joi on Goodreads.

[Karin]

Okay, I have just put holds on 4 or 5 Christmas novels, I kid you not (not being much of a holiday book reader) from different GR groups I am in, etc. That said, I am not likely to enjoy all of them, but perhaps I'll read more than one in December. One is by an author I have a strong possibility of liking.

[Theresa]

Meli wrote: "Nicole R wrote: "Oh lord. Not to discourage you but I DESPISED One Day in December. I wonder if the aspect that irritated me to no end will also irritate you...."

Yep, I already saw a bunch of rev..."

I was several chapters in before it 'clicked' somehow for me and I ended up liking it. Read it for the two women's friendship that's shown. And the ending is pure Love Actually ... I could hear the theme music as I read 😅. Since that movie is a total guilty pleasure...

[Hebah]

I am going to try to actually read One Day in December this year--bring on the angsty romance!

I'm also planning to clip through Spending the Holidays with People I Want to Punch in the Throat: Yuletide Yahoos, Ho-Ho-Humblebraggers, and Other Seasonal Scourges for some snark.

And as Hanukkah falls in December, I'm going to try It's a Whole Spiel: Love, Latkes, and Other Jewish Stories since there's a good chance there will be some Hanukkah stories in it.

I've also put a hold on Let it Snow, but I think it's the one I'm most likely to check out from the library and then not read.

[Amy]

Latkes in the title is a pretty good indicator. I will put it on my December flurry list too. Just heard today new interfaith holiday movie on Hallmark; Mistetoe and Menorahs.