WINTER 2019/2020 READING CHALLENGE

[Rachel]

Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Another book I'm currently reading is The Last Anniversary by Liane Moriarty. I was of course introduced to this author last year through a previous seasonal challenge featured in this group. This ..."

Thanks for the updates, Dustin! I love that you’re finding new authors to read through the challenges. :)

[Rachel]

Danell wrote: "I finished The Silent Patient, which works for #2"

Thanks for the update, Danell! :)
That seemed to be a book people either really enjoyed or really didn’t. I thought it was a good book.

[Rachel]

Look forward to hearing everyone’s thoughts about

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Another book that I had started during the Fall Reading Challenge is The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. This is a really long book and because of the recent film it is still very popular like the Institute with a wait list. I have to take The Goldfinch back this week and I'll probably reading it for a good portion of 2020.

The DVD of the Goldfinch is now available and I have that checked out from the library right now too.


I have cut back my work schedule at the movie theater in 2020 to only one shift each weekend. This means more time for hiking and literature and I will be able to visit Goodreads more often.

[Rachel]

Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Another book that I had started during the Fall Reading Challenge is The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. This is a really long book and because of the recent film it is still very popular like the Instit..."

Glad you’re able to cut back your work schedule and relax more. Look forward to seeing your posts. Don’t forget to let us know what movies are worth seeing. :)

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

I'm way behind on movies. My favorites leaving my theater soon are A Hidden Life and A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (Mr. Rogers). Little Women has done really well since being released on Christmas Day. I've heard only good response from Little Women but haven't seen it myself.

[Rachel]

Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I'm way behind on movies. My favorites leaving my theater soon are A Hidden Life and A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (Mr. Rogers). Little Women has done really well since being released on Chri..."

I really want to see the Mr. Rogers movie :)
I saw Little Women the last time they remade it with Winona Ryder lol. I’m sure the new version is good too.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

There was a 2018 Mr. Rogers Documentary called "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" which I highly recommend if you haven't seen it.

The 2019 "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" starring Tom Hanks, is a more narrowly focused film featuring a journalist's meetings with Mr. Rogers. This feature film does go to some dark places with emotions and feelings including a trip to the Land of Make Believe.

Apparently this is the fifth remake of Little Women. I don't think I've seen one all the way through. The audience is predominately women.

[Rachel]

Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "There was a 2018 Mr. Rogers Documentary called "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" which I highly recommend if you haven't seen it.

The 2019 "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" starring Tom Hanks, is a..."

I’ve got to check out the documentary-Thanks for the recommendation. :)

I know it’s an unpopular opinion but I don’t think you’re missing anything with regard to the little women movies. shh don’t tell anyone I said that. :D

[Christine]

I listened to It counts for IHOP in the title. I don't know if you like Craig Ferguson but if you do, I highly recommend this book. It was a lot of fun to listen to.

[Janet]

I'm almost finished...it's SO GOOD!!!

[Rachel]

Christine wrote: "I listened to It counts for IHOP in the title. I don't know if you like Craig Ferg..."

Thanks for the recommendation, Christine! :)

[Rachel]

Janet wrote: "I'm almost finished...it's SO GOOD!!!"

Glad you’re enjoying it! :D

[Janet]

Reading for my IHOP task

[Rachel]

Janet wrote: "Reading for my IHOP task"

Thanks for the update, Janet! :)

[Rachel]

Finished The Water Dancer which is an Oprah book club selection.
It took me a little while to get fully invested but the story kept getting better and better as it progressed. I thought it was well written. 4 stars

[Danell]

I finished The Road by Cormac McCarthy, which is one of Oprah’s book club. Dark and powerful book. Difficult to read but glad I did. I also wanted to cheat and read the end partway into the book.

[Rachel]

Danell wrote: "I finished The Road by Cormac McCarthy, which is one of Oprah’s book club. Dark and powerful book. Difficult to read but glad I did. I also wanted to cheat and read the end partway into the book."

Thanks for the update, Danell! :)

[Rachel]

Finished The Redemption of Galen Pike . (IHOP)

I liked a few of these stories but this collection was mostly a miss for me.

[Danell]

I listened to Dear Girls which won the comedy category on the Goodreads Choice awards. It was raunchy, but funny.

[Rachel]

Danell wrote: "I listened to Dear Girls which won the comedy category on the Goodreads Choice awards. It was raunchy, but funny."

Thanks for the update, Danell! :D

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Christine wrote: "I listened to It counts for IHOP in the title. I don't know if you like Craig Ferg..."

Maybe I should give this a try :-)

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

I watched 1917 last weekend after my shift at the movie theater. I would highly recommend it - I'd watch it again. Most filmmakers won't even attempt to do such a long shot with no cuts, especially in a complicated film. The film is also a timely reminder about the casualties of war. 1917 brought tears to my eyes during a few scenes as I watched it. The film has already won at the Golden Globes and is Oscar nominated in ten categories for an Academy Award.

[Rachel]

Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I watched 1917 last weekend after my shift at the movie theater. I would highly recommend it - I'd watch it again. Most filmmakers won't even attempt to do such a long shot with no cuts, especially..."

Thanks for the recommendation, Dustin! :D

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Christine wrote: "I listened to It counts for IHOP in the title. I don't know if you like Craig Ferg..."

I checked library availability last night for an audio on CD or Playaway format. My Colorado Libraries only have this as an e audio. I'm too old school for the digital age, so I'm gonna pass on this.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Janet wrote: "Reading for my IHOP task"

This could be interesting. I'm sure I could relate to the religious social aspects given my Mormon upbringing :-)

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

I'm currently re-reading The Bad Place by Dean Koontz. I'm using this title for one of the 1917 subcategories with a bond between siblings - in this case a twisted and disturbing bond!

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Congratulations! This Winter Challenge has the most activity in a Season Reading Discussion Thread since Spring 2018.
Let's keep the momentum going :-)

[Rachel]

Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I'm currently re-reading The Bad Place by Dean Koontz. I'm using this title for one of the 1917 subcategories with a bond between siblings - in this case a twisted and disturbing bond!

[bookcover..."

Thanks for the update, Dustin! :)
Twisted stories are my favorite kind lol

[Rachel]

Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Congratulations! This Winter Challenge has the most activity in a Season Reading Discussion Thread since Spring 2018.
Let's keep the momentum going :-)"

:D

[Rachel]

Which 2020 book release(s) is everyone looking forward to reading?

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Rachel wrote: "Which 2020 book release(s) is everyone looking forward to reading?"

The Hunger Games Prequel to be published in May

[Rachel]

Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Which 2020 book release(s) is everyone looking forward to reading?"

The Hunger Games Prequel to be published in May
"

I want to read that too. Maybe a summer group read?! :D

Some thought this book would center on Mags story although I’ve since heard it may not. I don’t think much has been released about the plot but I’m looking forward to it.

[Rachel]

I’ve never read a Grady Hendrix novel before but his new book sounds fun The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires

[Rachel]

I’m reading which came out this month and so far so good.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Count me in for a Songbirds & Snakes Summer Group Read

[Danell]

Haven’t looked at a list yet to see what is coming out this year but you can count me in for any adventure.

[Janet]

Rachel wrote: "Which 2020 book release(s) is everyone looking forward to reading?"

As a diehard King fan..I'm looking forward to this

[Rachel]

Janet wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Which 2020 book release(s) is everyone looking forward to reading?"

As a diehard King fan..I'm looking forward to this "

I forgot to add this to my tbr-Thanks for the reminder. :)

I had heard this might be part of the Holly series ( I forget the character’s last name) but not sure if that’s correct. I’m familiar with the character from the Mr. Mercedes trilogy but I didn’t read
The Outsider. I’m assuming it can be read as a stand-alone. Have you heard anything about it?

[Janet]

Rachel wrote: "Janet wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Which 2020 book release(s) is everyone looking forward to reading?"

As a diehard King fan..I'm looking forward to this "

I forgot to ..."

It's going to be a novella collection. I "think" I read somewhere that one of them is a Holly story.

[Janet]

Just bumped my challenge goal from 3 to 5 - Hadn't realized would work until I went back and looked at the Goodreads 2019 choices again!

[Janet]

Rachel wrote: "Look forward to hearing everyone’s thoughts about "

I freakin LOVED THIS! King writes kids so darn well, it brings tears to my eyes. It's definitely in my top 5 King favs

[Janet]

Ok, I might regret this choice (due to the length of the book), but I am going to read for the 4th task! Killing two birds with one stone..as its been on my TBR list for a while now.

[Rachel]

Janet wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Look forward to hearing everyone’s thoughts about "

I freakin LOVED THIS! King writes kids so darn well, it brings tears to my eyes. It's definitel..."

He’s a great writer. Glad you enjoyed it-I’ve heard there’s plans for a limited tv series.

[Rachel]

Janet wrote: "Ok, I might regret this choice (due to the length of the book), but I am going to read for the 4th task! Killing two birds with one st..."

Thanks for the updates, Janet! :)

[Rachel]

Janet wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Janet wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Which 2020 book release(s) is everyone looking forward to reading?"

As a diehard King fan..I'm looking forward to this ..."

Thanks for the info. :)

[Rachel]

I finished Long Bright River for the bond between siblings.
Part family story, part mystery. I thought it was well written and would recommend.

[Danell]

I listened to The Library at The Edge of The World, which works for #4.

[Rachel]

Danell wrote: "I listened to The Library at The Edge of The World, which works for #4."

Thanks for the update, Danell! :)

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Janet wrote: "Just bumped my challenge goal from 3 to 5 - Hadn't realized would work until I went back and looked at the Goodreads 2019 choices again!"

I'm planning to read The Silent Patient soon. We'll see if I finish by end of February so I can count it. If all goes well, I'll increase my goal too - my goal is currently set at five.