WINTER 2020/2021READINGCHALLENGE

[Rachel]

Just an interesting FYI- Jenny Lawson owns a bookstore called Nowhere Bookshop. :)

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

The book is only 200 pages so it always surprises me when the film makers choose to go different directions with the film instead of "by the book". A 200 page book could have easily been presented as depicted. Still, it was a nice film and it's been doing well in my movie theater during the past 3 weeks. I think it's only showing twice on weekends now, but it's one of the big three movies we opened with along with Wonder Woman and Promising Young Woman.

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

Tom Hanks was an excellent choice to portray a main character who is a professional orator and a genuinely good person.
I met one guest last week who didn't like the movie, but most people seem pretty happy with News of the World.

[Rachel]

Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "The book is only 200 pages so it always surprises me when the film makers choose to go different directions with the film instead of "by the book". A 200 page book could have easily been presented ..."

It always surprises me too. I guess the filmmakers always feel the need to put their individual spin on the story but I wish they wouldn’t. :)

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

Rachel wrote: "Just an interesting FYI- Jenny Lawson owns a bookstore called Nowhere Bookshop. :)"

I wasn't aware of that until now :-) San Antonio, TX
https://www.nowherebookshop.com

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

Well, with Ready Player One, the author wrote the screenplay and chose to completely change things. It was a great film but totally different from the novel.

[Janet]

I definitely liked better than the previous one I read (Let's Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir)...but I'm wondering if it was because I listened to this one, rather than reading. I think if I had read this, I would have again been irritated by the run-on sentences and express trains of thought, but listening to Jenny narrate her stories made all the difference. There were many laugh out loud chapters sprinkled amongst the more serious ones dealing with her anxieties, depression, and the host of other issues. Her letter to her insurance company was spot on! I loved the chapter about the buttons. But I hated the Shark Tank chapter, I felt it totally unnecessary. Regardless...it was a great audiobook for a roadtrip!

I finally finished reading David Copperfield for my book that takes place in the 1800s. I loved it, despite the archaic language...it just took a bit more work to read, with lots of lookups and really slowing down the pace.

Currently reading for my bookclub.

Don't know why I thought our challenge ended this month! I will add at least one more to my goal and read for task one.

My favorites reads of 2020 were The Institute by Stephen King, The Devil all the Time by Donald Ray Pollock, and Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson

[Rachel]

Janet wrote: "I definitely liked better than the previous one I read (Let's Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir)...but I'm wondering if it was because I listened to this..."

Thanks for the updates, Janet! :D

I definitely prefer nonfiction on audio most of the time especially when the author narrates.

Look forward to your thoughts on your current reads-hope you enjoy them.

I’m currently rereading (actually listening to) - it’s a great book.

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

Janet, we have such similar taste in books! I'm going to reading Devotion of Patient X on February too.
I agree without Jenny Lawson's vocal performance, the books would be annoying. I liked the book with the racoon on it the best. I think there was a good deal of taxidermy mentioned in the book. Been thinking I might re-read that one.
How did you get an audiobook for a Jenny Lawson April release?
I also enjoyed Red at the Bone. I may add another Jacqueline Woodson book by the end of February. We'll see.

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

Devotion of Suspect X. Next in line to start in my reading line up. Hope it's good. Danell recommended it if I remember correctly.

[Rachel]

Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Devotion of Suspect X. Next in line to start in my reading line up. Hope it's good. Danell recommended it if I remember correctly."

Look forward to your thoughts-hope you enjoy it. :)

[Danell]

Finished my fourth book for the challenge, the Devil in Silver by LaVelle. I thought it was ok.
Happy reading everyone!

[Rachel]

Danell wrote: "Finished my fourth book for the challenge, the Devil in Silver by LaVelle. I thought it was ok.
Happy reading everyone!"

Thanks for the update, Danell! :D

[Janet]

Just finished
and I LOVED IT! Yet another great author that you, Rachel, have introduced me too! Thank you so very much!

It was a very unique and refreshing take on the mystery/crime premise...where we learn very early the who, where, why, what, and how of a murder. Yet, it does not get boring after that, as we follow along in the investigation and discovery of clues. While I did shake my head a couple of times, I just needed to remind myself that this is a Japanese novel and that police procedure in Japan is very different.

In addition, there was a very absorbing cat and mouse game between two former classmates and geniuses in their own areas. The mathematician vs the physicist.

Though this was apparently the 3rd in a series, you wouldn't know it. There was no indication that we were missing any background information ==> which I greatly appreciate. Definitely recommend

[Janet]

Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Janet, we have such similar taste in books! I'm going to reading Devotion of Patient X on February too.
I agree without Jenny Lawson's vocal performance, the books would be annoying. I liked the b..."

I agree! We do have similar tastes..

To answer your question about my early access to Broken (which I didn't realize was early til I looked it up): one of my cousins has a online bookstore and a Libro.fm account. I was down her way (Dallas) in August/2019 when I took my granddaughter to LeakyCon and she gave me her sign-in. I don't use it too often, as I prefer physical books, but its a life-saver on roadtrips!

[Rachel]

Finished Red at the Bone - I enjoyed this book even more the second time. It’s great on audio and features a full cast of narrators.

[Danell]

I listened to An Elderly Lady is up to no Good, which works for #2. Cute, short book!

[Rachel]

Danell wrote: "I listened to An Elderly Lady is up to no Good, which works for #2. Cute, short book!"

Thanks for the update, Danell! :D

[Janet]

Just popping in to say hi! Been reading some non-challenge books, trying to slowly chip away at my TBRs. Finished Lee Child's Past Tense and Blue Moon, both good, fast-paced thrillers. I am a Reacher Creature from way back and have read them all except for the last two (which were written with his brother, Andrew).

Then I read Zombie by J.R. Angelella for a PopSugar prompt (title starts with Q, X, or Z) and Sight Unseen by Iris and Roy Johansen for another prompt (title with an oxymoron). Neither were particularly good, Zombie was the better of the two. Don't expect Zombies, though. It's a coming of age story...a bit strange. The other I just didn't think was written well at all.

Getting ready to start It's been on my shelf for some time now and I figured I should read it during Black History Month

Hope everyone is staying warm! And safe!

[Rachel]

Janet wrote: "Just popping in to say hi! Been reading some non-challenge books, trying to slowly chip away at my TBRs. Finished Lee Child's Past Tense and Blue Moon, both good, fast-paced thrillers. I am a Reach..."

Hi! :)

Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood is a great book- I loved it on audio-he narrates. Hope you enjoy it.

Stay safe and warm! :D

[Franzi]

Hello,

I've been in a bit of a reading slump. Our little one is 10 weeks old tomorrow, I have to homeschool our 7 year old and the 6 year old is bored because he's not in kindergarten. Schools and nurseries might reopen in two weeks so fingers crossed.

Anyway... I've misplaced "Case Histories"... Think I'm on page 80 or so. It's interesting but I've struggled to read on with such a bunch of unlikeable protagonists. Anyway as I couldn't find that book but would love to finish the challenge (I've managed 5 books so far), I started The Dry by Jane Harper this morning (the two older kids spent the weekend away with their grandparents and are Only due back this afternoon) . Ive been avoiding The Dry as I didn't fancy reading a thriller but what can I say.. I couldn't put it down and on page 200 now! Luckily our baby girl has been sleeping on me all morning ;) so there's a surprise, highly recommend it.. Mand I'm out of my slump :)
When will the prompts for the spring challenge be revealed? There will be one, right?

Stay safe everyone :)

[Rachel]

Franzi wrote: "Hello,

I've been in a bit of a reading slump. Our little one is 10 weeks old tomorrow, I have to homeschool our 7 year old and the 6 year old is bored because he's not in kindergarten. Schools and..."

Congratulations on your new baby, Franzi! :D

Glad you enjoyed

The spring challenge will be posted at the end of the month. :D

[Rachel]

Stay safe and warm, everyone!

[Rachel]

Finished The Vanishing Half for a character who returns to her hometown after years away.

The characters were really well drawn-I really enjoyed the writing. Recommend.

[Christine]

Rachel wrote: "Finished The Vanishing Half for a character who returns to her hometown after years away.

The characters were really well drawn-I really enj..."

This one keeps popping up on my radar. I will add it to my TBR list because you recommend it. Thanks!

Still reading here but mostly books that I've requested from Libby. Why do they always come all at once. Expect a long list of what I've been reading lately soon.

I hope everyone is warm and safe!

[Janet]

Franzi wrote: "Hello,

I've been in a bit of a reading slump. Our little one is 10 weeks old tomorrow, I have to homeschool our 7 year old and the 6 year old is bored because he's not in kindergarten. Schools and..."

Can't imagine why you are in a reading slump!!! (just kidding!) Congrats on the baby and, girl....that fact that you can get ANY reading time in at all during these times IS FANTASTIC! Glad you are enjoying The Dry. Thrillers are my jam, which is your favorite genre?

The best thing about this challenge....NO PRESSURE. Just enjoy the fun of finding new things to read.

[Janet]

Just bumped my goal up one more to include my current read...


This is my bookclub's pick and it takes place primarily in the 1800s, good for task 4b

[Rachel]

Christine wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Finished The Vanishing Half for a character who returns to her hometown after years away.

The characters were really well dra..."

Thanks for the update, Christine! :D

Look forward to your thoughts on The Vanishing Half when you get to it-hope you enjoy it.
The books always come all at once lol-always look forward to seeing what you have been reading. :)

[Rachel]

Janet wrote: "Just bumped my goal up one more to include my current read...


This is my bookclub..."

Thanks for the update, Janet! :)

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

Hey Kids! I've been absent due to switching jobs. The screenprint/ embroidery shop where I've been working as shipping/receiving for the past 2 years closed their production facility. Now I'm working back at the chocolate factory where I worked 2012-2018. Still working at the movie theater on weekends.

I've placed a hold on The Vanishing Half at the library thanks to all the recommendations. I haven't been able to get a copy of The Midnight Library from the public library so I'll have to read that one later.

I've completed my Winter Challenge with a bunch of long journey books - I just need to review/mark as read on Goodreads. I might even get some bonus books completed by Sunday, but I'm not sure. I started re-reading a favorite book with a Chicago setting this morning - Dark Matter by Blake Crouch. I didn't remember until I started reading that it is set in Chicago.

[Rachel]

Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Hey Kids! I've been absent due to switching jobs. The screenprint/ embroidery shop where I've been working as shipping/receiving for the past 2 years closed their production facility. Now I'm worki..."

Great as always to see you post, Dustin. :)

Sorry that the shop you were working at closed down-glad you were able to find another job. I remember when you worked there previously.

Hope you enjoy .
Thanks for all of the updates. :)

[Franzi]

I hope youre happy in the new Job. Chocolate factory Sounds pretty good but I bet the nausestingly sweet smells are probably annoying after a while?

Janet , I dont really have a favourite genre. I do currently enjoy family sagas most I think , novels spanning several generations etc.

50 pages to go in Case Histories. I find it really odd but so entertaining. I dont think Ive ever come across a book with solely messed up, unlikeable characters. Reading about their development seems like witnessing a car crash..I just cant look away... Put it down.

[Rachel]

Franzi wrote: "I hope youre happy in the new Job. Chocolate factory Sounds pretty good but I bet the nausestingly sweet smells are probably annoying after a while?

Janet , I dont really have a favourite genre. ..."

Thanks for the update, Franzi! :D

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

Franzi wrote: "I hope youre happy in the new Job. Chocolate factory Sounds pretty good but I bet the nausestingly sweet smells are probably annoying after a while? "

Thanks Franzi
I only notice the chocolate smell when I first walk in the door in the morning, like any other environment, it takes leaving and returning to really notice because we get accustomed to our surroundings.
Part of the job includes taste testing - tough job, but someone's gotta do it, so I have become very particular about my favorites.

I'm hoping for the best. Luckily I hopped on board just before Valentines Day which is the biggest chocolate holiday of the year. Easter is looking a bit slower than we'd like. There are so many Chocolate Easter Bunnies that they show up in my nightmares! Same thing happens with Chocolate Santas for Christmas.

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

I've decided to just buy The Midnight Library. It sounds like my kind of story and the library wait list is 250+ people.

[Christine]

Dustin, I think The Midnight Library is a book that you can be read over and over. I don't think you will regret buying it. I loved it. I'm glad you are back at the chocolate factory!

Franzi, congrats on the new baby! What joy!

I finished the challenge. February was a quiet month for me. I read a lot. I think I finished 11 books! A lot of my Libby requests came in at the same time.

My challenge:

Kate Atkinson: Behind the Scenes at the Museum
Keigo Higashino: The Devotion of Suspect X
GoAT: Fortune and Glory
Chicago: The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America
set in 1800s: The Duke and I
Jane Harper: Force of Nature
and The Midnight Library

Thanks again for a great challenge. I love reading, I love seeing what other people are reading, I love this group! I'm looking forward to spring challenge. I'm looking forward to Spring in more ways than one. Its always a season of hope. Hugs to all!!!!!

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

Thanks for your kind words Christine.
I'm looking forward to Spring too!

[Rachel]

Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I've decided to just buy The Midnight Library. It sounds like my kind of story and the library wait list is 250+ people.
"

I do think it’s right up your alley-look forward to your thoughts-enjoy!

[Rachel]

Christine wrote: "Dustin, I think The Midnight Library is a book that you can be read over and over. I don't think you will regret buying it. I loved it. I'm glad you are back at the chocolate factor..."

Congrats on completing the challenge, Christine! :D
I love this group too. :)

The spring challenge has been posted-look forward to hearing your thoughts about it and seeing which books you choose.

Buh bye winter! :D

[Rachel]

Thanks to everyone who participated in the winter challenge and congratulations to everyone who completed it. :D

The Spring 2021 challenge has been posted. :D

[Danell]

I’m late posting but finished The Midnight Library a few days ago. Great book.

[Rachel]

Danell wrote: "I’m late posting but finished The Midnight Library a few days ago. Great book."

Glad you enjoyed it! :D