Trim 2021 – The Official Unofficial Challenge Thread

[Meli]

Amy wrote: "Meli, and yet the Night Circus is perfect for October Fall Flurries!!! I think you'd love it!"

I know 😭
But it's such a freakin chonker!

[Joy D]

Sue wrote: "My #10 is Shalimar the Clown. Mixed reviews on this book and may be way to heavy to work through right now.

I'm going to see if I can get on audio. I've been finding some really diffic..."

I recently read this one and think it is a good candidate for audio. I read it. It's fairly densely-written in typical Rushdie style.

[Joy D]

Amy wrote: "I have the dream daughter, which I think may be a buddy read, and its already in my audio library, which is a help on a very full month. I am listening to the Paper Palace on audio, and its going v..."

Amy, The Dream Daughter is #10 on my list, too.

[LibraryCin]

Meli wrote: "I know 😭
But it's such a freakin chonker!"

Is it!? I really don't remember it taking all that long to read! Could be my memory, but it might go quicker than you think!

[Amy]

I thought so Joy! Just us, or a third?

[Amy]

I had the same reaction Cindy. That I thought as far as books go, that the Night Circus was more of a medium/regular.

[Meli]

You guys are right, it isn't even 400 pages 😂
It just kinda looked like it was thicker than that... maybe the stripes on the cover added 10 pounds!

[Theresa]

Meli wrote: "You guys are right, it isn't even 400 pages 😂
It just kinda looked like it was thicker than that... maybe the stripes on the cover added 10 pounds!"

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[LibraryCin]

Meli wrote: "You guys are right, it isn't even 400 pages 😂
It just kinda looked like it was thicker than that... maybe the stripes on the cover added 10 pounds!"

LOL!

[Joy D]

Amy wrote: "I thought so Joy! Just us, or a third?"

I looked on the planning thread and found:
#10 The Dream Daughter - Amy, JoyD, Shelley

[Amy]

Very nice - a trio it shall/may be!

[Linda C]

Hi all, just catching up on messages here and caught the one on my picking for November. Yeah. Looking forward to it.

I am so way behind on my reading for this challenge and have to get a move on!

[Amy]

In the last days of September, just starting September's Trim, The Possible World. Need to get through my audio of the Paper Palace (I'm maybe about 30%) to be able to start my audio of the Dream Daughter, which let me tell you has been in my audio queue since I began the account!

[Joy D]

I bought it a long while ago, when I first got my Kindle. I am not sure it is a book I am likely to really enjoy. I have learned a lot about my taste in books since then but I will be glad to get it off my TBR, and hopefully it will be better than expected. I've had a few nice surprises lately.

[Heather Reads Books]

I just need to report that out of curiosity, I started compiling a new trim list for 2022. I was aiming for 15 but I had to cut myself off at 24 and I keep switching books in and out, LOL. Too many books, not enough time!

Edit: I just messed around with it and assigned 2 to each number. That might help me actually, too often a number is called and gives me a book I'm not all that jazzed about. Maybe with 2 options I can pick the one that appeals to me more, hmmm... *strokes chin*

[Meli]

I like that idea, Heather!
Maybe I'll do that.

[Shelly]

Oh! The Dream Daughter!
I really do want to get to this one, later in the month (after F2F bookclub and Fly the Skies books).

Might look into the audio, too, thanks for the idea, Amy.

[Booknblues]

Heather Reads Books wrote: " I just messed around with it and assigned 2 to each number. That might help me actually, too often a number is called and gives me a book I'm not all that jazzed about. Maybe with 2 options I can pick the one that appeals to me more, hmmm... *strokes chin* "

That doesn't sound like a bad idea. I have an idea how to set it up, one with DTB, which I really want to whittle down and one with ebooks which I prefer reading these days.

[Theresa]

I did two books for about 3/4 of this year because I got so behind on the trim picks in 2020 due to Proust and work that I had to double up in order to finish off the original Trim this year! If the # picked was a double book month, I would read one at beginning of month and one at end of month.

That worked great until August hit and I got behind...one book. Ditto September. October is another double month...the last. I will catch up by end of year though.

I too already have a 2022 trim list started...

One of my tricks is to be sure nothing too serious or long is on the trim list.

[Heather Reads Books]

Gosh, I’m not sure I could handle doubling up two in a month, but I’m a very slow reader compared to many in PBT! Still, having two options makes me feel a little better, knowing I have some leeway. This year especially I’ve been pretty vigilant reading everything as assigned (tho I switched numbers a few times) and I think I need more flexibility going forward.

I AM prone to putting chonkers on the trim list, though, because I’m so likely to shy away from them otherwise. In the past I put a lot of books that had been sitting on my TBR for several years, especially nonfiction related to my research interests, on the list to force myself to seek out these topics independently since I was no longer required to do it for school.

I think I’ve pretty much succeeded in that goal, so for next year I think I want to switch it up and nudge myself in the direction of genres I’m newly interested in. So a lot of fantasy, historical fiction, and history on topics I barely know anything about are making an appearance. And still so much time before I have to finalize a list…

[Amy]

As I am sure, it will be frustrating to wait - all of us are compiling our 2022 lists, me too. I already made one myself. But I really think we need to see what the 2022 yearlong challenges are. That could potentially change our lists some. I want us to honor the commitment to make the yearlong challenges our priority, and we will have probably about two weeks in December to pull it all together. But I know we will. I will be ready to go, the second the yearlongs are announced, I will open a planning thread and will make it really clear. Its kind of exciting to completely start our lists from scratch! I already love my list, but its happily resting on my phone with the rest of the Secret TBR book list. Meanwhile, I have the Dream Daughter with Shelley and JoyD.

[Theresa]

#10 - first of 2 - Startup by Doree Shafrir



2 stars - my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I added this to my TBR in 2018 and I have no idea why - probably saw some outside reviews (Kirkus, NYTimes, Newsday and many others raved), thought the premise interesting, and likely fun, and added it. I know at that time I was in the middle of representing a couple of startups on legal matters involving office leases.

In truth, while I did enjoy reading this, I don't get the raves. Others have written better -- and lord knows comparing the antics of the startups in this book to the real life stories of the Enrons and Worldcoms show us how depressingly unchanged it all is.

[Booknblues]

#10 Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Heather Reads Books]

Finished my #10 - The Underground Girls of Kabul: in Search of a Hidden Resistance in Afghanistan. I was rather disappointed, and gave it only 1 star. But hey it's OFF my TBR for good now!

See the review here

[Olivermagnus]

I finished my #10 - Every Vow You Break - Peter Swanson - 4.5 Stars

Abigail is wracked with guilt after a drunken one-night-stand with a stranger named Scottie during her bachelorette weekend. She debates on whether to confess this encounter to her wealthy fiance, Bruce, but ultimately decides against it. She's determined to put this mistake in the past but gets a bad feeling when Scottie approaches her the week before the wedding and wants her to cancel it to be with him. The wedding takes place and Abigail believes she has safely buried her indiscretion as they leave for their honeymoon on a technology-free lodge on an island off the coast of Maine.

There are only a few people staying at the lodge and only two other women. Abigail befriends Jill, another honeymooning bride. After drinking too much Jill confides that she also has a past affair she wants to keep secret from her new husband. It turns out her ex-boyfriend has now turned up as a guest at this ultra-exclusive lodge. But then, so has Scottie. When she arranges to meet Jill the next day, she doesn't show and now Abigail can't help feeling something is out of control.

This was just what I was looking for in a well crafted psychological thriller. Creepy gothic setting, well written characters, an intriguing plot, plenty of mystery and suspense and an ending that took me by surprise. If you are a fan of old movies, you might especially like this atmospheric mystery.

[Book Concierge]

Finished August's pick # 11

Dancing In the Lowcountry – James Villas – 1.5*
I was hoping for a charming, “old Southern lady” romp of a story. Instead, I got a tedious, repetitive meander that went nowhere. I did like all the references to the music of the ‘40s and ‘50s. I’ll give him an extra ½ star for that, though it wasn’t enough to save the book for me.
My full review HERE

[Book Concierge]

Finished September's pick # 9

Eat Cake – Jeanne Ray – 4****
Ruth Hopson likes to bake cakes. She finds comfort in comforting others, and lately everyone – including Ruth – needs some comfort. I have loved every book I’ve read by Jeanne Ray, and this one is no exception. Her writing reminds me of Anne Tyler and Elizabeth Berg. Her characters experience everyday life, with all its joys, crises, heartaches and triumphs.
My full review HERE

[Linda C]

Bunch of reporting to catch up here

Finished March: #7 The Silver Boat - Luanne Rice - (3 stars) 9/25/21

Three sisters return to the family home on Martha's Vineyard after the death of their mother to clear out the home they can no longer afford to keep. We get back story on each and especially the parents. The father left the family when the children were 12 and under to sail to Ireland, his home country, to search for documentation that proved an old land grant. He landed, called home and then disappeared presumed shipwrecked on the coast.

The second half of the book deals with resolving the disappearance question and final decisions affecting each sister's future. Interesting but left a few holes for me. Also had a touch of magical realism to solve some problems, not a plot device I like.

[Linda C]

Finished April: #5 Alien Proliferation - Gini Koch - (3 stars) 9/20/21

Kitty is very pregnant at the beginning of this volume with a daughter who has powers in the womb. The delivery scenes are way too fantastical with the number of people present and the scope of the action.

Due to threats discovered and the people threatened every possible character is brought into the complex for safety, way too many to keep track of. The action is fun and there are many humorous bits throughout, but the whole thing had some dragged out parts. It could have been shortened without losing the flavor.

I really did not like the jealous confrontations that Jeff had every time a male got near Kitty. Where's the trust? And why does Kitty have to hold everyone and treat them like she's there mother? Not as good as some previous volumes.

[Linda C]

Finished May: #6 Train: Riding the Rails That Created the Modern World-from the Trans-Siberian to the Southwest Chief - Tom Zoellner - (3 stars) 10/10/21

Zoellner spent 4 years riding the rails - “Each … journey had something important to say about the past and future of railroads; each a physical road that led to the heart of an idea.” His trips covered the length of Britain (Scotland to Cornwall), India, US (NY to LA), Russia (interrupted by a dog bite that sent him home for rabies treatment), China (bullet trains to Tibetan plateau), Peru (high in the Andes), and Spain (high speed transit).

His narrative covered bits of history concerning the places he passed or stopped at, train history and development, and anecdotes by and about people he met and talked to. It was an interesting travelogue but definitely for someone who is enthralled by train travel. I'm more interested in a shorter experience based on a specific trip with a purpose and destination.

[Linda C]

Finished August: #11 A Lady Like Sarah - Margaret Brownley - (3 stars) 10/12/21

Reverend Justin Wells is relocating from Boston to Rocky Creek, TX. On his ride across MO he comes upon a wounded U.S. Marshall and his prisoner, Sarah Prescott. The Marshall puts Sarah in Justin's care to deliver to TX. The first part of the book is the travel to TX and the rest deals with the time in Rocky Creek. The book has a heavy religious overtone with lots of reliance on signs from God. There is some humor and a good bit of adventure.

[Booknblues]

Did we already choose November and December's number? Or doesn't it matter at this point?

[Theresa]

Just coming to ask the same thing as Booknblues.

[Amy]

Linda C is supposed to post. I figured if she hadn’t checked in after a while, Tessa would private message her. Anyone is welcome to. I have my last three Trim books at the ready…..

[LibraryCin]

The one for this month for me is getting put off till next month, anyway. It's been a slower reading month for me.

[Book Concierge]

Amy wrote: "Linda C is supposed to post. I figured if she hadn’t checked in after a while, Tessa would private message her. Anyone is welcome to. I have my last three Trim books at the ready….."

Amy ... why don't you just pick. We're getting down to the wire now.

[Amy]

Not sure we’re friends…. Let me check…

[Theresa]

I think we give Linda C until Tuesday. It is only 23 Oct., hardly last minute. She was looking forward to picking.

[Amy]

Booknblues was kind to send her a note. I agree with Theresa and give her a moment to get to it. She was one of the people in the first year of our challenge who finished every book and on time each month. Next time around will will know two years in advance whose turn it is....

[Booknblues]

Amy wrote: "Booknblues was kind to send her a note. I agree with Theresa and give her a moment to get to it. She was one of the people in the first year of our challenge who finished every book and on time eac..."

I agree with Theresa that we should wait for her to choose.

[Linda C]

Apparently my messages changed again. When the message first went around I changed my privacy settings. Don't know what caused it to change back.

I flipped a coin and #1 is for November, therefore, #4 is for December

[Linda C]

My #1 A Confederacy of Dunces -John Kennedy Toole
and #4 The Good Husband of Zebra Drive - Alexander McCall Smith

[Theresa]

Oooh, just the order I wanted! Thank you Linda C

#1 - The Girl Who Played with Fire
#4 - The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis - which is tagged appropriately to bring me home in Fly the Skies! BTW, I think there is a buddy read for this?

[[deleted user]]

#1 is And Then There Were None - think this is a buddyread?
#4 also brings me back home - A Burnable Book

[Jen]

My number 1. A Dog's Journey which I read earlier when I needed something light so I will finish my October read 10. Edgar Sawtelle in Nov since I'm behind on that and now don't need to rush. 4. is Horns by Joe Hill for December.

Still gets them off the tbr so all good by me.

[Joanne]

I also read my #1, actually a DNF, already. I have not done my October book yet *sigh*

The 2 I have left to read The Seven Sisters and Sea of Shadows

[Olivermagnus]

My #1 is Where the Desert Meets the Sea by Werner Sonne
My #4 is The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain which has been on my Trim List since the Official Round.

[Heather Reads Books]

My #1 is Dune, which is perfect timing! I’m planning to see the film and then read the book (as doing it the other way around usually makes me disappointed in a movie).

I will probably swap out my #4. It’s another political nonfiction book, War on Peace by Ronan Farrow, and I put it on there in 2020 when I was trying to get myself to dedicate voluntary time to more research-oriented books. I’ve actually been really good about that lately, and feel a little tired by the prospect of adding in another to what should be pleasure reading. It’s also a book largely about foreign policy in Afghanistan, which in light of the last few months is even more depressing than it was before.

TBD on what I’ll read instead. I have that “new list” for 2022 that I’ve already surreptitiously been dipping into. I’m sure I’ll come up with something!

[Booknblues]

Wow, Heather, that is perfect timing!

My #1 is The White Tiger which everyone says is excellent but I could never get myself to crack the cover.

My #4 is Lily and the Octopus which sounds fun for December.

[Amy]

Joanne is finally getting to the Seven Sisters!!!

I had two on number one, Eva Luna, and A Pidgeon and A Boy. I think two other people were supposed to read Eva Luna with me, and I'm pretty sure they both did!

My number 4 is Caspian Rain, which is actually a much quicker read, which will be great for September where finishing all of the challenges will be of Issue. Caspian Rain got on my TBR ages ago because of longtime ago member Regina Lindsey. I believe. She recommended this book so highly, that I put it on my TBR.

With this completion of the 36 original, I cleared out everything that was on my TBR from 2017 and 2018. So you guessed it. My new list will have (already has) some that got missed in 2019, but some of the best reads I wanted to get to for 2020 and 2021. I think my list will provide a huge number of possible buddy reads. Of this I am sure!