Trim 2021 – The Official Unofficial Challenge Thread

[Booknblues]

My number# 7 is Seabiscuit: An American Legend, which is another dtb book and can take it off one of my stacks.

[Amy]

JoyD! I will private message you, but we have a buddy read for the Time in Between at number 12. Its also not my only 12. But I am reading that book for Africa instead, because its the only one on my TBR for Africa. You are Welcome to join me....

[Jenni Elyse]

My #7 is Sean Griswold’s Head by Lindsey Leavitt.

[Amy]

The Lovely Joy has agreed to move our Trim Buddy Read of #12; The Time In Between to March, as it is my only African book currently on my TBR. Anyone who would like to is welcome to join us....

[Sallys]

Sounds intriguing I’ll join

[Shelly]

My #7s are The Vanishing Half and Nothing to See Here.

I doubt I will get a copy of Vanishing Half from the library anytime soon, so I might start with Nothing to See Here. Or I might buy a copy of Vanishing Half!
I have Crocodile on the Sandbank on my Trim list, so maybe I will read that.

[Heather Reads Books]

The Vanishing Half was SO GOOD! I hope you are able to get a copy soon!

[LibraryCin]

My #7 is The Dreams of Ada by Robert Mayer.

[Kelly]

February #8

The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis



3 stars

This story centers around two women and the New York Public Library. Laura Lyons is a mother and in 1913 she is trying to become a journalist. Her husband is the superintendent of the New York Public Library and together with their two children they live in an apartment within the library. In 1993 Laura's granddaughter, Sadie, is working at the same library. The two have never met, but by this time the grandmother is recognizing as a prominent writer from her generation.

When Laura was connected with the library a thief stole rare books and how this crime was committed was not solved. Now years later while Sadie is there important books are going missing again. As this mystery plays out we see both Laura and Sadie grown in their fields and become more confident in their decisions.

Overall this book was fine. The author tries to give the main characters a number of similarities and differences. She gives good descriptions of the library and represents the time differences well. However, I felt that the story could have been more interesting and would have liked the story's focus to cover more parts of Laura and Sadie's lives.

[Joy D]

Amy wrote: "The Lovely Joy has agreed to move our Trim Buddy Read of #12; The Time In Between to March, as it is my only African book currently on my TBR. Anyone who would like to is welcome to join us...."

Thanks for posting this, Amy! I am going to read both my original #7 (Great House by Nicole Krause) and A Time in Between. I'll probably substitute another book for #12 so I will knock one more off my TBR whenever it is called.

Sallys wrote: "Sounds intriguing I’ll join"
Glad to hear it, Sallys!

[Book Concierge]

My # 3 (has not been called yet ...)


The Girls – Emma Cline – 2**
I vividly remember the Manson murders of Sharon Tate et al. I followed the news coverage and could not imagine how these people became so enthralled and obedient to the obviously crazy Charles Manson. Cline’s Evie gives me some insight into how that might have happened. But I cannot bring myself to rate the book even with three stars. The subject was so distasteful to me. I cringed at how Evie is drawn in, at how she was abused, at how she “begged” for the abuse because she was so hungry for attention and for what she thought was evidence of love.
My full review HERE

[Amy]

Yes, i am reading my number seven this month as well. The Opposite of Fate by Amy Tan. Oddly enough, my other number 12 is also with Sally, something we had planned to read with each other sometime this year. So I still have a twelve left. You are welcome to read that one with us. I'm pretty sure its The Most Fun I Ever Had.

[Amy]

Kelly, that's great that you read Lions of Fifth Avenue with us. There is a buddy read thread for it too. I think I liked it more than you did. But I thought it was still a worthy read.

[Sallys]

I've been switching around my books to fit in with Buddy Reads and to suit my mood. So I'm reading Eva Luna, which was originally #1 and will next read A Time In Between because the description intrigued me and its a Buddy Read.

[Amy]

Not to mention Africa - lol! Sally, by the end of the year, we should count up how many books we have read/enjoyed together.

[Sallys]

I just reservEd The Most Fun We Ever Had

[Sallys]

I have 9 books on reserve right now including The Exiles, Us Against You and What We Owe.

[Linda C]

My #7 is Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal - Mary Roach

[Kimber]

My number 7 is The Sea Runners by Ivan Doig. I'm partial to marine and coastal stories, so this one should suit me. I'm only just now finishing up my pick for January, so I'm running about a month behind. I'm glad it's a casual challenge, I'm enjoying having these in a stack with an aim to read them, but feeling leisurely about it, rather than stressed. :)

[Book Concierge]

My # 7 is Cockroaches by Jo Nesbø

But I'll probably put it off until later in the year.

[Meli]

Book Concierge wrote: "My # 3 (has not been called yet ...)



The Girls
– Emma Cline – 2**
I vividly remember the Manson murders of Sharon Tate et al. I followed the news coverage and c..."

It sounds like you may not want to delve into this subject further, and if so please ignore, but in terms of the how I watched a really good documentary about some Manson women now and it was really illuminating on how easy it could be to draw in those who are lost, seeking answers, or seeking guidance.

I think I rated The Girls a 3. I thought it started off interesting and then was just kind of tedious (but this was quite a while ago).

[Theresa]

Finished my second February #8 pick - I had two because I was behind on last years'.

Provence, 1970: M.F.K. Fisher, Julia Child, James Beard, and the Reinvention of American Taste - 5 stars and hearts!

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I've had great reads but I am also glad only to have one book to read for this next month and it is short.

[Olivermagnus]

February #8

The Sunne In Splendour - Sharon Kay Penman - 5 Stars and a Favorite

Covering the period from September 1459 to June 1492, and portrayed as the story of Richard III, this novel is as much about his older brother, King Edward IV, and his rise to power, as it is about Richard.

Penman portrays Richard as a sympathetic figure who has been unfairly treated by history. Sadly, he is often thought of today as the villain of Shakespeare’s Richard III......the evil hunchback who murdered his nephews.

The story is told from multiple viewpoints, with little of the story being from Richard’s perspective. Much of what we learn about Richard we learn through the eyes of his family, friends and enemies. A lot of time is devoted to the romance between Richard and Anne Neville, which began when they were children. One of the most fascinating parts of the book was the complex relationship between the York brothers, Richard, Edward and George. Richard, the last born son of the Duke of York, would become the last Plantagenet king of England and the last king to die on the battlefield. He is still the most controversial monarch ever to rule and certainly the most vilified.

It was a complicated time politically, and the author outlines how alliances and loyalties might have been changed and abandoned. This book is a fascinating political study, showing that the cutthroat nature of modern politics is rooted in a long tradition. I think any author that writes of this time takes a stand, and leads the reader to take one as well. Either you believe Richard did make his nephews “disappear” from the Tower in order to take the crown, or you believe he is innocent. I felt Penman made a good case for his innocence, but I've always seen him as a romantic hero, and not a villain.

There are not many novelists who can grip a reader for over a thousand pages. Her attention to detail without sacrificing story is phenomenal. Penman has a knack for fleshing out real-life historical characters so that they leap off the page and make it difficult to stop reading. Her vivid descriptions of daily life during this period, as well as her depictions of medieval religion, warfare, and politics, are so well written the reader feels like they are witnessing it in person.

I've now read this book three times since its publication in 1982. I've always loved this sumptuous, heart-breaking, triumphant and tragic tale about a significant period of English history. If I could only read one book over and over, it would have to be The Sunne in Splendour, Sharon Kay Penman's debut and a masterpiece of historical fiction.

[Booknblues]

I love Penman's book and loved this one as well.

[Amy]

Oh this has been on my TBR for forever. I am saving it for the eventual happenstance that PBT pushes through its Long Book challenge. The year they do that, my yearly book number goal completely changes...... And I get to a few I have been waiting for. And this one is on the top of my list!

[Joanne]

@Oliver, you know I love Penman-this is one of my favorites of hers
FYI, I fall on the side that Richard did not do it, no matter how much I read to the contrary

[Olivermagnus]

Joanne wrote: "@Oliver, you know I love Penman-this is one of my favorites of hers
FYI, I fall on the side that Richard did not do it, no matter how much I read to the contrary"

I thought she made a good case for Buckingham having it done. That was more believable for me. But, I admit to thinking there was just no way Richard would kill his brother's children. He loved him too much.

[Charlotte]

Finished #8 for February A Bend in the Road by Nicholas Sparks

I picked it up at the local used bookstore because I have liked other Nicholas Sparks books that I've read. It then sat on my IRL TBR...

I wasn't a fan and only rated it 2 stars. It was incredibly predictable, and you could see the plot twist coming from a mile away. I'm ok if I go into a book expecting it to be predictable and reading it for fun anyway, but I expected more of a surprise.

I also got annoyed with the writing in spots and caught myself skimming several times.

The good news is... it's off my shelf. Unfortunately, it may have soured me on Nicholas Sparks for a bit and I've got another of his books on my shelf.

I may have to do an unofficial self-imposed Trim next year.

[Charlotte]

My #7 is Rebecca

Although, I did start my #4 (which hasn't been called yet) just to get it going as it will also fit a Popsugar prompt for longest book on my TBR! I thought it would be good to get it started, instead of waiting until the end of the year.

[LibraryCin]

Ah, I'm hoping to start my 7... tomorrow!? Not sure how long it is, but unlikely I'll finish it in a day. :-) Will carry over, just a bit, to March.

[Theresa]

Charlotte wrote: "My #7 is Rebecca

Although, I did start my #4 (which hasn't been called yet) just to get it going as it will also fit a Popsugar prompt for longest book on my TBR! I thought it woul..."

There is a dormant buddy read for Rebecca from the book to film month. I never finished my reread then. I will join you in reading it as I just unearthed my copy last night when looking for another book (which I did not find) complete with bookmarked page where I left off! My #7 is short.

We can exhume the buddy read!

[Charlotte]

Theresa wrote: "Charlotte wrote: "My #7 is Rebecca

Although, I did start my #4 (which hasn't been called yet) just to get it going as it will also fit a Popsugar prompt for longest book on my TBR!..."

Sounds like a plan! I haven't decided if I'm going to listen to it or read it yet, but both versions are available from my library with no wait.

[Kimber]

I finished my #2 (January pick): Men in the Sun and Other Palestinian Stories. 4 Stars. My review is posted in the Feb. Other Books thread. Next, digging in to the Feb. pick - Masques by Patricia Briggs.

[Book Concierge]

# 9 (not yet called) ...


The Brutal Telling – Louise Penny – 3.5***
Book # 5 in Louise Penny’s popular mystery detective series featuring Chief Inspector Armand Gamache begins when a stranger is found murdered in the village bistro and antiques store. I love this series. I like the way Gamache ferrets out clues and pieces together the puzzle. I love the various inhabitants of the fictitious Three Pines, including Ruth and her duck. I particularly enjoyed the references to literature and art in this episode, especially the paintings of Emily Carr.
My full review HERE

[Sallys]

I got my copy of The Time In Between from Amazon and I'm almost done with Eva Luna. Woo Hoo.

[Sallys]

I received The Time in Between from Amazon and I'm almost done with Eva Luna. Woo Hoo!!

[Amy]

God, what a year you and i are having, Sally. At the end of 2020, I want us to compare how many books we had read in common. We are off to a rousing start! So we are on for A Time In Between with Joy, and I think there is another one or two of us joining us for the Exiles.....

[Sallys]

And I just got Exiles from the library!

[Hayjay315]

Amy wrote: "God, what a year you and i are having, Sally. At the end of 2020, I want us to compare how many books we had read in common. We are off to a rousing start! So we are on for A Time In Between with J..."

I'm joining in on the group read of Exiles. I'm behind on reading and posting reviews from February; but should be able to start Exiles Monday, 3/8.

[LibraryCin]

Oops, my last post said I was starting #7. I meant #8 - February's. Here it is:

Daughter of Time / Sarah Woodbury
3.75 stars

Meg has a toddler daughter, Anna, and just recently buried her abusive husband, who she’d been trying to leave. When Meg and Anna are driving one night, an accident spins their vehicle, but when they wake up, Meg thinks someone is playing a prank. They have woken up in the 13th century, and the man taking care of her is the Prince of Wales (when Wales was still its own country). At this time, the Prince, Llywelyn, has made a tentative peace with the Prince (King?) of England, but still has people coming after him, including his own traitorous brother, Dafydd.

I quite enjoyed this time travel/historical fiction/romance. The chapters alternated points of view between Meg and Llywelyn. I did prefer the chapters from Meg’s POV, likely due to a. being a woman, and b. being able to “picture” how one might react shifting in time from present day to the 13th century! I liked the pronunciation guide (for Welsh) at the start of the book. Apparently this is a prequel to a series, but I haven’t (yet) read any of the rest of the series (though I plan to continue now!)

[Sallys]

So for March The Time In Between, followed by The Exiles

[Amy]

I thought it was you, HayJay! And maybe one other, other than Sally. We shall see if it emerges. I think I might read the Exiles first, but they are both next up, so it shouldn't matter..... I think for the lot of us, after the current book, its the next two....

[Amy]

Just a note for HeyJay, so far we have traveled both to Sweden, then To Cuba, and now we are together going to Australia! Too bad you don’t get extra points for pairing up to fly!

[Hayjay315]

Amy wrote: "Just a note for HeyJay, so far we have traveled both to Sweden, then To Cuba, and now we are together going to Australia! Too bad you don’t get extra points for pairing up to fly!"

It has been a joy and delight to read such wonderful books with you Amy! Between Trim and Skies we've had one every month!

[Diana]

Finished both my #7. Here is my review for Loneliness on the Net

[Heather Reads Books]

Finished my #7, The Last Wish by Andrej Sapkowski. My review is here, but the short version is I loved it!

[LibraryCin]

I don't think I've been posting my reviews here, but I'm caught up. Done #7.
The Dreams of Ada / Robert Mayer
4 stars
(true crime)

[Theresa]

My #7 done! The Penelopiad - 3 stars - ok read not great - I rewarded originality, style, and integration of classic greek drama structure into the work.

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

[Sue]

I finished my #7 Anything Is Possible by Elizabeth Strout.

First Unofficial Trim book that didn't get DNR'ed this year!

Link to my review: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

[Joanne]

*sigh* have not even started my #7, but for sure I will read it soon as it fits 3 other challenges I am doing this year.