Dare to Dream discussion
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The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires
Seasonal Reading Challenges
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SPRING 2020 READING CHALLENGE
Mod
Looks great! Thank you for a fun challenge.
Can't wait to select my challenge books...looks FUN!
Janet wrote: "Can't wait to select my challenge books...looks FUN!"Glad you’re joining us again Janet! :D
Come on March 7th! Another great challenge!
Danell wrote: "Come on March 7th! Another great challenge!"Glad you like it! :D
Look forward to seeing what everyone is reading and adding to my tbr. :)
Mod
Also, I'm going to read Her Fearful Symmetry for the third time. Can't say which task this one is for because it would be a spoiler :-) ha ha
Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I'm going to read I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya AngelouAlso, I'm going to read Her Fearful Symmetry for the third time. Can't say which task this one is for ..."
Thanks for the updates, Dustin! Look forward to hearing your comments. :)
Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Going to try Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A. S. King"I’ve only read one of her middle grade books The Year We Fell From Space
. I really liked her writing. I’ve been meaning to read one of her ya books-maybe
Everybody Sees the Ants
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I'm going to give some of these authors with birthdays a try :-)
Mod
Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "The Unseen World by Liz Moore looks interesting.I'm going to give some of these authors with birthdays a try :-)
"I’ve heard good things about it. I really liked her new release
Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Here's another Birthday Author I'm going to try because I like the title ha ha. Apparently a collection of short stories. "This is the one author on the list that I haven’t read. People seem to love or hate her writing style. I think she’s known for writing unlikeable characters with gross habits lol-that’s what I’ve heard anyway-look forward to hearing what you think. :D
Mod
Hey Everybody! Greetings from Washington State. Its pretty intense here right now. All the things that get me out of the house have been cancelled. Its what you gotta do. I hope everyone is staying healthy. It will be a good time to get some reading done. I told my husband a long time ago I had so many books because there might be a flood. Who knew it would be a pandemic!!!! I saw all the different everyone is going to read for their tasks. I haven't made any definite choices except for Maya Angelou's 2nd book in her autobiography Gather Together in My Name Does everyone make a choice of what they are going to read as they see the challenge? I kind of wing it as time goes by in the time period. I try to pull from my bookshelves. Sometimes my book clubs have choices that fit some of the tasks. Anyway, I'm hanging out here. Like I said before, stay healthy!!!!
Christine wrote: "Hey Everybody! Greetings from Washington State. Its pretty intense here right now. All the things that get me out of the house have been cancelled. Its what you gotta do. I hope everyone is staying..."It is definitely a crazy time. Glad you’re well. I always have some ideas about what I plan to read for the challenge but I also change my mind as the challenge progresses. I’m definitely a mood reader.
Look forward to hearing your thoughts about the Maya Angelou autobiography. I’m thinking of rereading Letter to My Daughter.
I don’t usually reread books (with a few exceptions) but I’m finding that’s what I really want to do right now-it’s calming in a way.
Stay healthy!
Hope everyone is well-keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.Hopefully this will pass soon. xoxo
Mod
I choose some books initially that fit the challenge and request them from the library. Sometimes I am able to add more in as the season progresses.
Mod
The movie theater is not using me this weekend. This is the first time in two years that I haven't worked at least one shift during the theater work week. Several movies have been postponed and special events have been canceled. Public Schools and Universities here are closed and working online only. Monday the theater is going to shorted business hours showing movies only 1-8PM, there is a possibility of temporarily closing the theater after a meeting with corporate next week.
I'm still able to work full-time hours at my M-F employment, but I'm definitely going to be doing a lot more reading, hiking and household cleaning. I plan to increase my 2020 reading goal since I'm already ahead of schedule.
Dare to Dream & Keep Reading!
Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "My library is closed until at least the end of March. Typically, I visit the library once a week. I have items waiting for me on the holds shelf that I may not see until April. Looks like I've got ..."Glad you’re well. :)
I finished my first book for the challenge, The Other Woman. Good book!Usually I make a list of books I plan to read when the challenge is revealed, sometimes I stick to the list, sometimes I deviate.
My library is closed as well. For now it might open April 7, time will tell.
Happy reading!
Danell wrote: "I finished my first book for the challenge, The Other Woman. Good book!Usually I make a list of books I plan to read when the challenge is revealed, sometimes I stick to the list, sometimes I dev..."
Thanks for the update, Danell!
Glad you’re well. :)
Hopefully things will get back to normal sooner rather than later.
Fingers crossed.
Christine wrote: " Does everyone make a choice of what they are going to read as they see the challenge? I kind of wing it as time goes by in the time period. I try to pull from my bookshelves. Sometimes my book clubs have choices that fit some of the tasks...."Hi Christine! I do the same....wing it and hope I have some books on my shelf that fit.
Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "The movie theater is not using me this weekend. This is the first time in two years that I haven't worked at least one shift during the theater work week. Several movies have been postponed and special events have been canceled. ..."What movie theater do you work at? I ventured out Sunday to go the the Century in Boulder (Invisible Man)....only to get an email from Cinemark yesterday that they will be closing theaters beginning tomorrow. There were only 13 of us in the theater....but I have been having anxiety issues ever since! Scary times for sure.
Glad to see you all post and relieved you’re all doing okay. Wishing you all continued good health.Sending hugs to all of you.
Rachel wrote: "Finished An Unwanted Guest
If you can suspend your disbelief it’s a fun page turner.
Works for #6"
That looks entertaining. Escapism is good right now, lol.
I finished my first book for the challenge. It has a map in it.
Its an interesting tale for sure. My only complaint about the book is that it had too much info in it. The book is set a bit farther north from me but it does make me want to go out in the forest and hug an old growth tree. Thankfully I still live in a place where I have access to the ancients!
All still healthy in my family and all staying home. Both my children and their partners are able to work from home. We are spread out over a few states in the west. The sun came out this week so made staying home a bit more bearable. I'm starting to shift from watching the news all the time to reading and watching TV and movies. My house is super clean, lol. The one that is most happy is my dog, Bonnie. She loves I am home all the time. We've been going on lots of walks. I've also been cooking a lot. Its how I pass the time.
Christine wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Finished An Unwanted GuestIf you can suspend your disbelief it’s a fun page turner.
Works for #6"
That looks entertaining. Esc..."
Thanks for the update, Christine! Glad you and your family are well. :)
I get updated on the news once or twice a day -usually look at headlines/articles on my phone and then avoid the news the rest of the day.
Bonnie sounds adorable! I think pets are great for helping with anxiety.
Mod
Hi Janet :-) Century Boulder is the one. The only mainstream movie theater in Boulder. I live right down the street off 30th so it's been pretty convenient. The theater doesn't know when they can reopen. Cinemark has closed all US theaters. In response to COVID-19 they are terminating all staff. I've worked there the past two years and previously worked there 2011-2012. I'm not sure if I'll re-apply when they reopen.
I enjoyed The Invisible Man. I was able to watch it on my birthday at the end of February. I believe there are invisible people among us. I've caught some of them watching free movies at the theater. When I tell people this, most people think I'm crazy (hence my middle name) just like the main character in the film, so I'm glad this film is bringing the idea of Invisible People to light.
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Although my hours have been reduced, I'm glad I've been able to work at my full-time employment. I worry about being able to pay bills. I work in a production facility with a lot of square footage. There's only ten of us working now ( we have a total of twenty employees - 5 are working from home and 5 don't want to take the risk). I have my own shipping/receiving department in the corner. However, we're taking it one day at a time.
With my weekends completely free and shorter workdays during the week, I have been going through books extremely fast. I have increased my GR 2020 Reading Goal twice in the past week and need to increase it again.
Most of the books that I was planning to read for this Spring Challenge got stuck at the library. I have six books waiting for me on the holds shelf. I might see them in April at the soonest and might have to re-request some of them. The library closed on a Friday a couple of weeks ago without any advance notice.
Well, now's the time to read :-) I'm sure we're all taking advantage of this opportunity and seizing the moment. Glad we have this medium of communication. Happy Reading & Be Well! Remember all those things you learned from reading dystopian fiction!
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Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Right after my last comment, I learned my city has implemented a Stay at Home Order effective tomorrow at 5PM. This will be in effect at least through April 10. Tomorrow will be my last workday for..."First of all- Happy (belated) birthday!
I’m sorry about your job-sending hugs and good vibes your way. xoxo
Hope everyone continues to post-you’re all on my mind and continue to be in my prayers.
I listened to Catch Me If You Can which works for #2. Good book.Got laid off, not sure when I’ll be returning to work. Business so slow the owners are working the gas station. Wonder how many books I’ll get read.
Hope everyone is doing well.
Danell wrote: "I listened to Catch Me If You Can which works for #2. Good book.Got laid off, not sure when I’ll be returning to work. Business so slow the owners are working the gas station. Wonder how many boo..."
I’m sorry, Danell. Thanks for checking in. xoxo
I read Please Ignore Vera Dietz, which works for #1. Good book.
Its been 2+ weeks since I've been stuck at home. I'm reading in drips and dabs. I can't seem to concentrate for very long. It is what it is. I've been also working on an art project. I am making an art journal of the books I read in 2019. I only have four books left to do. Its another thing that has come in drips and dabs, lol. I'm sorry to hear that some of you have been laid off. My husband is still working but has cut back hours. Who knows what the future will bring. I think the dog is ready for me to go back out in the world. There's been some fun things online about our pets wanting us to go back to work. My favorite one is of a dog that said "Now you know why I chew up the couch every day", lol. I'm glad to see people keeping a sense of humor. I will let you know if I finish any books. I do have some good recommendations to watch: The Handmaid's Tale on Hulu. Locke & Key and The Crown on Netflix. The Man in the High Castle on Prime. Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist on NBC or Hulu. I'm glad to see people in our group checking in. Take care!
Danell wrote: "I read Please Ignore Vera Dietz, which works for #1. Good book."Thanks for the update, Danell! :)
Christine wrote: "Its been 2+ weeks since I've been stuck at home. I'm reading in drips and dabs. I can't seem to concentrate for very long. It is what it is. I've been also working on an art project. I am making an..."Thanks for checking in, Christine (and for the recommendations :)
I’ve been watching and really liking high fidelity on Hulu which is a remake of the movie. It’s now a television show with a female lead (Zoe Kravitz).
I believe Nick Hornby is one of the producers. I haven’t finished all the episodes yet but I would recommend.
Thanks for the recommendation of High Fidelity. I've been wondering about it. I will definitely check it out. I just finished a book on a "bad ass" woman, since she is real I am not going to count it towards our challenge but I do want people to know about her. This book is
Its about the actress, Hedy Lamarr, who was also an inventor. Her invention led to what we use to today in cell phones, and other wireless technologies. This is the second book I've read about her. The other one being
. I don't really recommend either book. Here is one of the most glamorous movie stars of our time and I've read two books that are rather boring. I'm still on the hunt for a book that captures the vitality of what Hedy Lamarr must have been like. Rhodes's book does a better job than the fictionalized version.
Christine wrote: "Thanks for the recommendation of High Fidelity. I've been wondering about it. I will definitely check it out. I just finished a book on a "bad ass" woman, since she is real I am not going to coun..."
Thanks for the update, Christine! You can count it if you’d like-I just wanted a task for “bad ass” females. Hope your next book is more enjoyable.
Hope you like High Fidelity! :D
Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: ..."Dustin...here's a bit of trivia for you. I met you when you were working at Borders in Boulder. We both enjoy Dean Koontz, and I enjoyed the books you would recommend based on what I liked. You told me about Goodreads at the time (I hadn't heard of it), and you were one of the first people I friended here. I wish I had known you were working at the Century - I would have looked you up! I live in Longmont, but will always drive to the Century for a movie {{{BEST POPCORN}}}
Christine wrote: "Its been 2+ weeks since I've been stuck at home. I'm reading in drips and dabs. I can't seem to concentrate for very long. It is what it is. I've been also working on an art project. I am making an..."Thanks for the viewing recommendations! I really enjoyed Locke & Key! I've had the same concentration issues...haven't been able to read much at all :( I've been doing a lot of jigsaw puzzles, and one mystery box...and a lot of drinking :)
Janet, I burst out laughing when you said, "and a lot of drinking". I think a lot of us are doing that, lol.
Dare to Dream
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The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires (other topics)
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The Spring 2020 Reading Challenge starts March 7th and ends May 31st.
Rules of the challenge:
Read 3 books (or more)
Complete 3 tasks (or more)
All genres okay
Rereads okay
This spring, complete 3 (or more) of the following:
1. Several authors have birthdays this season.
SO THIS SPRING,
READ A BOOK BY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
A.S. King-March 10th
Maya Angelou-April 4th
Ottessa Moshfegh-May
Liz Moore- May 25th
2. The Movie Mulan will be released in theaters on March 27th.
SO THIS SPRING,
READ A BOOK THAT FEATURES A CHARACTER PRETENDING TO BE SOMEONE ELSE.
or
READ A BOOK WITH A BADASS FEMALE PROTAGONIST
3. April is ASPCA Month.
SO THIS SPRING,
READ A BOOK WITH THE LETTERS A-S-P-C-A
IN THE TITLE/SUBTITLE.
4. Read a a Roadmap Day is April 5th.
SO THIS SPRING,
READ A BOOK WITH A MAP IN IT.
5. The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix will be published April 7th. It’s described as Steel Magnolias meets Dracula and it’s the spring group read.
SO THIS SPRING,
READ THE BOOK AND DISCUSS IT WITH THE GROUP.
6. The Woman in the Window will be released in theaters May 15th.
SO THIS SPRING,
READ A BOOK WITH THE WORD “WOMAN” IN THE TITLE/SUBTITLE.
or
READ A BOOK THAT FEATURES A CHARACTER UNABLE TO LEAVE HIS/HER LOCATION.
(This can be due to a medical condition, a storm, etc.)
7. Random task- This counts towards the challenge but isn’t inspired by the season.
SO THIS SPRING,
READ ONE OF REESE WITHERSPOON’S BOOK CLUB PICKS. (PAST OR PRESENT).
HAPPY SPRING, EVERYONE! :D