SUMMER 2020 READING CHALLENGE

[Rachel]

Now I can get back to Little Fires Everywhere

[Rachel]

How is everyone doing?

[Danell]

I listened to another Louise Erdrich book, The Painted Drum and I read another Lisa Jewell book, Then She Was Gone. Book books were great.

Besides not sleeping well, I’ve been great! Looking forward to what’s in store for the Fall challenge!

[Rachel]

Danell wrote: "I listened to another Louise Erdrich book, The Painted Drum and I read another Lisa Jewell book, Then She Was Gone. Book books were great.

Besides not sleeping well, I’ve been great! Looking forwa..."

Thanks for the update, Danell! :D
Hope you get some good sleep soon.

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

For better sleep, I've been taking Valerian every night to help knock me out. I started that routine when I had 7:30am start time for work. Hope I never have to accept a position with a start time before 8am again. I've learned over the years that I am more of a night owl than an early bird.
The thing about Valerian Root though, it's nature's tranquilizer and it can be tough for some people to wake up and get their bearings in the morning. What I do is take another herbal supplement first thing in the morning called Ashwagandha Root.
Walter Bishop in Fringe taught me how to self medicate, so I did some investigating and experimenting. Had a few things I tried that didn't work so well - including one really strange reaction trying to use activated charcoal.
So anyway, for what it's worth to you. Valerian Root seems pretty safe and there are you could start with smaller dose to see how you react. I just wouldn't recommend taking it during the daytime, when you need to be alert or when you can't devote at least 6 hours to sleep.
Do you know Walter Bishop? I sure learned a lot from him. I'm currently rewatching Fringe - it's my favorite television show.

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

Rachel, I thought you finished resding Little Fires Everywhere

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

With If It Bleeds, my favorite was the first story about the dead man's cell phone being buried with him. My least favorite was the the final story, The Rat - some kind of twisted fairytale where a rodent grants wishes for a price.

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

Did you use audible to listen to The Painted Drum? Me being old school, I've never used audible but I know some titles are available through audible that aren't available through old school audiobooks on CD. I'm so old school that I've never used Netflix neither. I don't watch movies or television shows online, I dont read ebooks. I prefer to have both an audiobook and a printed copy whenever possible. I visit the library at least once a week, thank goodness it's back open! That was my biggest concern when everything shut down in the Spring. I've been an urban hermit for years, but I need access to books.
In 2016, I finally upgraded to an MP3 player from my CD Walkman. It's a lot smaller and easy to stick in my pocket. I get CDs or Mp3 CDs and use my computer to transfer them onto my Mp3 player.

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

I read two Lisa Jewell novels this Summer, Watching You and The Girls in the Garden. I liked them enough but they didn't really blow me away. I probably won't continue reading Lisa Jewell. I'm goung to donate at least one of the books, maybe even both to my neighborhood Little Free Library.

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

I'm currently reading and enjoying The Perfect Wife by Delaney. This is my second experience witn the author after reading The Girl Before. I plan to borrow more of the author's books from the library.
The Perfect Wife works with the Summer Challenge as a multi-perspective story. There are two narrator view points from two different times. I'm finding The Perfect Wife to be very interesting.

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

I liked The Life of Chuck too. I'd say that's my second favorite story of the four in If It Bleeds.

[Danell]

I used the Libby app for the audiobook of The Painted Drum. The Lisa Jewell book i had on hand, going to donate it.

I’m on a prescription to help sleep and have started taking Melatonin also, but still wake up 4 to 5 times a night. Sometimes I’m awake 1/2 hour to an hour, sometimes I wake up and look at the time and can fall back asleep. I’ve tried Valerian root, unfortunately it didn’t work for me.

My library still isn’t open and I’ve decided to treat myself to the Book Of The Month. Only been a member two months but enjoying it. I do look forward to the library opening, to me I just love browsing the shelves looking for the next great read .

[Christine]

Hey Everyone! It looks like everyone has been busy reading. Me too. My favorite people on the planet came for a visit, my kids. They traveled from Colorado and Utah. It was so much fun. We mostly hung around our house, eating, cooking, and playing games. We also got in a couple of picnics and a trips to the beach. It felt almost normal.

So my next week will be finishing up the challenge. I start If it Bleeds tomorrow. I should finish it and a couple of others. Everything else is in progress. I never read just one book at a time, lol.

hugs to all!!!!!

[Rachel]

Christine wrote: "Hey Everyone! It looks like everyone has been busy reading. Me too. My favorite people on the planet came for a visit, my kids. They traveled from Colorado and Utah. It was so much fun. We mostly h..."

Christine, did you finish all 3 bill Hodges books? Not to be a broken record but the title novella has major spoilers from all of those books and the outsider. The rest are stand alones. :)

Sounds like you had a great time with the family :D

[Rachel]

Danell wrote: "I used the Libby app for the audiobook of The Painted Drum. The Lisa Jewell book i had on hand, going to donate it.

I’m on a prescription to help sleep and have started taking Melatonin also, but..."


Hope it helps you to get better sleep!
I’ve heard great things about book of the month-hope you enjoy! :D

[Rachel]

Thanks for all the updates, Dustin! :D

I put aside to finish the other 2 books but will go back to it now. It’s still early in the story but off to a good start.

I also wasn’t a fan of “Rat”

[Rachel]

Thanks for checking in, everyone! It’s always great to hear from all of you. xoxo

[Christine]

Rachel wrote: "Christine wrote: "Hey Everyone! It looks like everyone has been busy reading. Me too. My favorite people on the planet came for a visit, my kids. They traveled from Colorado and Utah. It was so muc..."

I am finishing the third book in the Bill Hodges series tonight. I saw the TV series of The Outsider so I will skip reading it for now and go straight to If it Bleeds. Hopefully that works!

[Rachel]

Christine wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Christine wrote: "Hey Everyone! It looks like everyone has been busy reading. Me too. My favorite people on the planet came for a visit, my kids. They traveled from Colorado and Utah..."

Sounds like a plan. :D

[Rachel]

Also just wanted to let everyone know the fall challenge will be posted next week and I wanted to know if I should include another group read or not.

If yes- would you rather it be a 2020 release or something older?

[Christine]

As I've said many times before, thank you for creating these seasonal challenges. They are so much fun.

As far as a group read, I'm game. How about we go old school and do a classic, something gothic and spooky to fit the season??????

[Janet]

Well, my one week visit to S. Dakota turned into THREE when my youngest granddaughter (10mos) ended up in the hospital! She's home now and all is going to be well, but it was definitely not fun.

Finally finished my bookclub read Wasn't my cup of tea...I really felt it didn't go anywhere and was way too long. Read from my TBR pile that I packed just in case I needed another book. It was OK, not as good as some of Karin Slaughter's thrillers, but I was glad to have had it with me.

I did find a Lisa Jewell audiobook and listened to most of it on the drives up and back...have about an hour left (if libro.fim is correct) That will make 4 for this challenge...I wanted to do 5, don't think I'll make it.

[Rachel]

Janet wrote: "Well, my one week visit to S. Dakota turned into THREE when my youngest granddaughter (10mos) ended up in the hospital! She's home now and all is going to be well, but it was definitely not fun.

F..."

Thanks for the updates, Janet. Glad your granddaughter is doing better-that had to be horribly scary.

[Rachel]

Christine wrote: "As I've said many times before, thank you for creating these seasonal challenges. They are so much fun.

As far as a group read, I'm game. How about we go old school and do a classic, something go..."

You’re welcome Christine! :D

I think something old school would be fun-any suggestions?

[Rachel]

We could read something by Poe C. Auguste Dupin Collection or some other collection

[Rachel]

There’s also The Woman in White which seems to be a love it or hate it type of story. It’s also pretty long.

I love this idea but definitely need help picking a title. :)

[Janet]

Rachel wrote: "There’s also The Woman in White which seems to be a love it or hate it type of story. It’s also pretty long.

I love this idea but definitely need help picking a title. :)"

I've actually already read this - believe it or not! A few years ago I challenged myself to read a classic, and two of my friends (knowing I love mystery/thrillers) recommended this one. I enjoyed it.

[Rachel]

Janet wrote: "Rachel wrote: "There’s also The Woman in White which seems to be a love it or hate it type of story. It’s also pretty long.

I love this idea but definitely need help picking a title. :..."

Glad to hear more good things about it. :)

[Rachel]

I guess this doesn’t count as a classic but thought I would put this title out for consideration The Elementals

[Christine]

Ooooh, The Elementals looks interesting.

Another not a classic is Mexican Gothic

I checked out GR list of Gothic Horror and came up with some other suggestions. Its a pretty good list if anyone wants to take a look too.







Woman in White is also on that list, one I haven't read, so I am game for that.

[Janet]

I just picked up Mexican Gothic!. Haven't started it yet, that would be a cool group read.

[Janet]

Halfway through American Eclipse by David Baron. Very interesting account of the 1878 solar eclipse and those that were determined to study it in it's totality. I am enjoying the Colorado connection and that the locations chosen for the observations are so familiar. BONUS: The title spells CAMP! Barring a catastrophe, I should make my goal of 5 after all!

[Rachel]

Janet wrote: "Halfway through American Eclipse by David Baron. Very interesting account of the 1878 solar eclipse and those that were determined to study it in it's totality. I am enjoying the Colorado connectio..."

Thanks for the update, Janet! :D

[Rachel]

Christine wrote: "Ooooh, The Elementals looks interesting.

Another not a classic is Mexican Gothic

I checked out GR list of Gothic Horror and came up with some other suggestions. Its a pretty good..."

Thanks for the suggestions, Christine! :D

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

Christine wrote: "As I've said many times before, thank you for creating these seasonal challenges. They are so much fun.

As far as a group read, I'm game. How about we go old school and do a classic, something go..."

Count me in :-)

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

Janet wrote: "Finally finished my bookclub read The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami Wasn't my cup of tea...I really felt it didn't go anywhere and was way too long."

After your post about Haruki Marakami, I checked Boulder Public Library. They didn't have The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle as an audiobook, so I started The Rat Series. I've already read and enjoyed the first two short books :-) These were his first 2 published novels. Hear the Wind Sing and Pinball, 1973:


I will be experiencing the next two books in the series soon.
A Wild Sheep Chase and Dance Dance Dance

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

I am back working my weekend job at the movie theater, so I won't be checking Goodreads as often.
Yesterday was my first shift since March, watched Words on Bathroom Walls last night - liked it better than The New Mutants.

[Christine]

I got it all done! Whew! Last book to complete was My favorite story was If It Bleeds. I am such a fan of Holly Gibney, I think I would love any book/story she is in.

I read That was so strange, like a fever dream, disturbing and vivid. That was for "Sea".

For CAMP, I read While the book was full of inspiration and wisdom, the thing I really liked about it was the paper it was printed on. I just loved the feel of it. I know, weird, lol.

The thing that I did that was kind of part of the challenge was I read all of the Bill Hodges series by Stephen King so I could get to If it Bleeds. I loved them all. I have to go back to read The Outsider. I saw the TV show but still want to read the book. Its been a good summer to spend with my favorite writer. He's such a good storyteller. I find I can't read fast enough.

[Rachel]

Thanks for the updates, everyone! Congrats on completing the challenge!

The Fall Challenge will be posted very soon. :D

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

Great job! This Seasonal Reading Challenge had the most comments of any since 2016!

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

Christine wrote: "Ooooh, The Elementals looks interesting.

Another not a classic is Mexican Gothic

I checked out GR list of Gothic Horror and came up with some other suggestions. Its a pretty good..."

I would love to read something by Shirley Jackson. The Haunting of Hill House or We have always lived in the castle.