SUMMER 2020 READING CHALLENGE

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

I'm gonna be increasing my Summer Reading Challenge goal. I've been finding too many books that work easily with the C-A-M-P and the friendship criteria :-)

[Rachel]

Thanks for the updates, Dustin! :D

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

Today I finished a weird book that I've owned since 2011. It works for Friendship and Multi-Perspective. I liked it better than most reviewers :-) Better if you go into this with an open mind, not having read the author before and therefore no expectations.

[Rachel]

Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Today I finished a weird book that I've owned since 2011. It works for Friendship and Multi-Perspective. I liked it better than most reviewers :-) Better if you go into this with an open mind, not ..."

Thanks for the update, Dustin! :)
I saw that you’re reading -I’ve been meaning to read that for ages so look forward to hearing what you think of it. I read and loved a while back.

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

The general consensus seems to be that Still Alice was better.
I hope I like Left Neglected, but it's too soon to tell at this point.
I haven't found a way that Left Neglected ties into Summer Challenge. We'll see if Friendship plays a major role in the story - that's the only task I can see that might fit.
I really liked reading What Alice Forgot and The Neuroscientist Who Lost Her Mind.

[Rachel]

Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "The general consensus seems to be that Still Alice was better.
I hope I like Left Neglected, but it's too soon to tell at this point.
I haven't found a way that Left Neglected ties into Summer Ch..."

I really liked What Alice Forgot too.

[Rachel]

Finished The Last Flight - friendship plays an important role in the story.

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

I did finish Left Neglected and wrote a review. I was deciding between 3-4 stars and gave the book 4 stars. Left Neglected doesn't work for any task this Summer, but I'm reading plenty of other books that easily do.
Speaking of which, I'm currently re-reading Odd Thomas which is the Koontzland July Group Read and works for at a couple of Summer Challenge tasks.

[Danell]

I read Vampire Academy which works for the letters C A M P

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

Danell wrote: "I read Vampire Academy which works for the letters C A M P"

I don't think that's one I'm gonna read :-) ha ha.

Have you watched American Horror Story: Hotel where Lady Gaga is a vampire? That was pretty good.

[Danell]

No I haven’t. Currently don’t have tv,trying to figure out finances before choosing to indulge.

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

Danell wrote: "No I haven’t. Currently don’t have tv,trying to figure out finances before choosing to indulge."

I completely understand. Believe me :-) The last time I had television service was in 2012. I've never watched any movie online.
I have the entire American Horror Story on DVD. If you lived in my city I'd let you borrow it - Season Five is Hotel with Lady Gaga as a Vampire. You could probably borrow it from the library if you're old school like me.
Ten years ago, when I had to start all over I couldn't even afford internet for a while, but since that's how I stay in touch with the outside world, it was something I made a priority within a few months.

[Danell]

Not sure when the library is going to open but look forward to that day! I will have to get a DVD player. Thanks for the recommendation Dustin!

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

Danell wrote: "Not sure when the library is going to open but look forward to that day! I will have to get a DVD player. Thanks for the recommendation Dustin!"

My library is open for carry out holds only. We have a limit of 5 holds and then make an appointment. I was just at the library yesterday :-)

Yeah, you're reminding me of my journey ten years ago. I did buy a small DVD/Television combo that was reduced price at Best Buy. I bought a VCR at the thrift store at a half off sale for $3 . I still use that on a regular basis too. I bought a commercial grade VHS rewinder from Blockbuster when they closed for $6 or $8 to save my $3 VCR.

[Danell]

I just got a bed a few days ago, today I bought a bed frame, looking forward to sleep tonight! Life is a wondrous journey!

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

For about 10 months I had an inflatable air mattress as my bed :-)
I try to live simple. My dad gave me a bed and a television otherwise I would have just kept using what I had.
I kinda waiting to upgrade my bed (a d couch) until I don't have a cat. My cat is a shedder and a shredder.

[Rachel]

Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I did finish Left Neglected and wrote a review. I was deciding between 3-4 stars and gave the book 4 stars. Left Neglected doesn't work for any task this Summer, but I'm reading plenty of other boo..."

Thanks for the update, Dustin! :)

[Rachel]

Danell wrote: "I read Vampire Academy which works for the letters C A M P"

Thanks for the update, Danell! :)

[Rachel]

Danell wrote: "I just got a bed a few days ago, today I bought a bed frame, looking forward to sleep tonight! Life is a wondrous journey!"

Hope you get some good sleep. :)

[Rachel]

Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "For about 10 months I had an inflatable air mattress as my bed :-)
I try to live simple. My dad gave me a bed and a television otherwise I would have just kept using what I had.
I kinda waiting to..."

A shedder and a shredder-sounds like a double threat to the furniture. Good thing he/she is probably adorable. :)

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

Yes. I didn't spend much on my furniture - most came to me second hand. Indie, the Telepathic Cat is an adorable cat with a great personality. I chose him from over 60 cats in 2013. He first communicated with me through the internet. He does have some issues. He killed most of my houseplants within a week. He had been returned to the humane society at least once when I found him. He throws up nearly every day. He was extremely scared of loud noises and sudden movements. The Humane Society told me he was about 3 years old, but when I took him to the vet he more than doubled in age. Now he's over 14 years old by my vet's estimation.

I got him on a special diet and I brush him at least once every day. Sometimes he does get restless and very vocal. I've gotten him settled and he's calmed down to the point that we sit on the patio each evening at sunset.

I've had Indie, the telepathic cat for seven years now. He's now the pet I've had the longest in my entire life and only the third pet that I've shared a telepathic connection with. I had two dogs as a teenager that I previously had a telepathic bond with.

[Rachel]

Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Yes. I didn't spend much on my furniture - most came to me second hand. Indie, the Telepathic Cat is an adorable cat with a great personality. I chose him from over 60 cats in 2013. He first commun..."

Sounds like he went through quite a bit before you adopted him. Glad you found each other. (The telepathy probably helped :)

[Rachel]

What did he do to the plants?

[Danell]

Finished The House We Grew Up In by Lisa Jewel. It was good

[Rachel]

Danell wrote: "Finished The House We Grew Up In by Lisa Jewel. It was good"

Thanks for the update, Danell! :)

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

Rachel wrote: "What did he do to the plants?"

Knocked them all over and attacked them. This was in the early days. He's calmed down quite a bit but not before he shredded my mattress and my couch.

I also learned not to leave anything on the counter after he ate through a loaf of bread and I had to put child safety locks on my cupboards because he kept getting into trouble.

One of the other incidents was my window shade fell down in the morning as I was heading out the door to work, I was in a rush so I just left it. When I got back he had attacked the window shade, unrolled it and bitten several sections.

These days I just try to keep him happy. If Indie gets upset he will shit on the carpet, the bed or the couch!

Honestly he reminds me a lot of my ex-wife, very needy and demanding.

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

Danell wrote: "Finished The House We Grew Up In by Lisa Jewel. It was good"

Have you read any of her other books before?

I have two Lisa Jewell books lined up for this Summer.

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

I've finished a creepy book by Jack Ketchum. The first book I've read by the author. Friendship plays a big part in the story.

Hide and Seek

[Rachel]

Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Rachel wrote: "What did he do to the plants?"

Knocked them all over and attacked them. This was in the early days. He's calmed down quite a bit but not before he shredded my mattress and my couch...."

😂

[Rachel]

Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I've finished a creepy book by Jack Ketchum. The first book I've read by the author. Friendship plays a big part in the story.

Hide and Seek"

Thanks for the update, Dustin! :)

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

But really he's a sweet cat. When I get home from work, I pick him up and carry him around the house over my shoulder like a baby. He is heavy, but I do this while I'm putting things away otherwise he will yell at me for attention. If I carry him around on my shoulder, he gets distracted by the higher vantage point and starts purring. Of course if something startles him - the sound of a plastic bag or such thing he will suddenly springboard off my shoulder. Sometimes when he gets restless, I give him some catnip. He really likes his toys too. Indie has a toybox full of toys and sometimes he gets them all out doesn't put them away. Yesterday, I was cleaning out the closet and found a bow, so I gave it to him to play with. This is one the bows from when I worked at the chocolate factory - not the first I've given him. There are other bows in his toy box. Today he was really cute with his new red bow, lying with it near the window as I went out the door for work.
He watches out for me to get home. I see him through the window as I park my scooter. Usually I go check the mailbox before I go inside and sometimes he's crying by the time I get to the door and I have to pick him up and carry him around the house like a baby.

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

I need to increase my Summer Reading Goal again.
Maybe to 20 books.

[Rachel]

Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "But really he's a sweet cat. When I get home from work, I pick him up and carry him around the house over my shoulder like a baby. He is heavy, but I do this while I'm putting things away otherwise..."

He sounds adorable and is obviously very bonded to you. :)

[Rachel]

Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I need to increase my Summer Reading Goal again.
Maybe to 20 books."

Rock on 😎

[Janet]

Going to start Round House by Erdrich tonight. Christine, I'm excited that you liked it.


I think I'll set my goal at 5 books (one less than winter and one more than spring).  


Thank you, Rachel for creating these challenges!  So fun!   I really appreciate that the goals are self-governing (other than 3/3), which makes it both stress-free AND easier to complete along side other challenges.


Dustin, I have Fledgling on my TBR and can't wait to get to it.  I picked up a signed copy of Left Neglected when I went to a Tattered Cover author event years ago.  I really like it.


Finished If It Bleeds, loved it!  

[Rachel]

Janet wrote: "Going to start Round House by Erdrich tonight. Christine, I'm excited that you liked it.


I think I'll set my goal at 5 books (one less than winter and one more than spring).  


Thank you, Rachel..."

You’re welcome, Janet! Glad you’re joining us for the challenge. :D
Thanks for the updates!

[Rachel]

Finished Deacon King Kong . Really enjoyed it. It’s a multi perspective novel.

[Christine]

How's everybody"s summer so far? Its definitely not like any summer I've seen before. I have had lots of time to read. I've added a couple more books to my challenge:

Mr. Mercedes for friendship. Love the relationship between Bill, Jerome and Holly.

Rendezvous with Rama first contact.

[Rachel]

Christine wrote: "How's everybody"s summer so far? Its definitely not like any summer I've seen before. I have had lots of time to read. I've added a couple more books to my challenge:

Mr. Mercedes ..."

Feel the same-it’s also very hot here.

Thanks for the updates, Christine! :D
I’m not sure if you saw my earlier post about If It Bleeds but holly is in at least one of the novellas (I believe just the title one). I think it’s a sequel to .
I’m not sure if there’s spoilers from the trilogy.

She’s not in the first 2 novellas-I’ve read those. She is featured in the title novella and not sure about “rat” which i believe is the last one in the collection.

[Christine]

Not hot here, just beginning to feel like summer.

Yes, I did see your previous post about the Bill Hodges books. I'm hoping to read them before I get to If it Bleeds. The first one I went through quickly so I'm hoping to get thru the others as quickly.

What else am I going to do?

[Rachel]

Christine wrote: "Not hot here, just beginning to feel like summer.

Yes, I did see your previous post about the Bill Hodges books. I'm hoping to read them before I get to If it Bleeds. The first one I went through..."

lol I know what you mean. :)

They are quick reads. I really enjoyed the whole trilogy. I’m skipping The Outsider -I’m sure there are spoilers for that book because the title novella features the same characters.

[Danell]

I finished The Color Purple which works for #3, published in 1982

[Rachel]

Danell wrote: "I finished The Color Purple which works for #3, published in 1982"

Thanks for the update, Danell! :D

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

Janet wrote: "Going to start Round House by Erdrich tonight. Christine, I'm excited that you liked it.


I think I'll set my goal at 5 books (one less than winter and one more than spring). "

How are you liking The Round House? I'm still planning to read that book, but I haven't gotten to it yet.

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

Janet wrote: Dustin, I have Fledgling on my TBR and can't wait to get to it. "."

Have you read any other books by the author? Fledgling was the first book I read by Octavia E. Butler

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

Danell wrote: "I finished The Color Purple which works for #3, published in 1982"

I haven't come across a 1982 book. The closest I got to was 1984, and the book ended up working for friendship: Hide and Seek

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

Christine wrote: "How's everybody"s summer so far? Its definitely not like any summer I've seen before. I have had lots of time to read. "

It's hotter than usual this Summer. My reading goal for 2020 is 180 books, which will be a new personal record for me.

Yesterday, I did my training for the new cleaning and safety procedures at the movie theater. I'm one of ten staff members rehired to reopen the theater - hopefully next month. The theater will only be open weekends for a while.

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

Janet wrote: "Finished If It Bleeds, loved it!"

I'm still planning to read the book. Looks like I'll probably read If It Bleeds in August, since July is winding down now.

[Rachel]

Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Danell wrote: "I finished The Color Purple which works for #3, published in 1982"

I haven't come across a 1982 book. The closest I got to was 1984, and the book ended up working for friendship: [b..."

[bookcover:The Color Purple|11486] is a great book. A few other books published in 1982:

Different Seasons ], The BFG ,
The House of the Spirits , Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant , The House of Thunder and The Women of Brewster Place

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

Thanks for the 1982 suggestions Rachel :-) You exceed all expectations of seasonal reading challenges!