Dare to Dream discussion
Seasonal Reading Challenges
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FALL2021READINGCHALLENGE
Thank you so much once again Rachel. I’ve been updating Goodreads several times a day over the last few days and got so excited now it’s finally here…!!! I love your prompts yet again and I love it gives me a heads up for upcoming releases. I think I will go with Elif Shafak for prompt 1 , no idea for the housewife one yet “The Friend” by Dorothy Koomson I read last month would have been brilliant.
CSI I will read Cilka’s Journey, sequel to The Librarian of Auschwitz
Tom Hanks starred in Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close which I think I have waiting on my shelf. :)
I can’t think of a Psychiatrist/ Psychologist one…
I’ve read The Silent Patient or The Woman in the Window which would fit it
Looking forward to our creepy read…
And polarising I have no idea as yet
What are you guys going to read?
Have a great start to the new week x
Franzi wrote: "Thank you so much once again Rachel. I’ve been updating Goodreads several times a day over the last few days and got so excited now it’s finally here…!!! I love your prompts yet again and I love it..."You’re welcome, Franzi! Glad you like it! :D
Thanks for all of the updates.
I’m not sure what I’m going to read for #7 but a few that I’ve read and enjoyed are
and
. Of course there are many that hate these books lol and I get it but I found them both unsettling and memorable.
Happy Reading :)
Just an FYI-goodreads has a list of fictional therapists which included some books I’ve really enjoyed and forgot featured a psychiatrist/psychologist.
eeeee, a new challenge is so exciting! I just picked my mom up from the airport last night, haven't seen her in 18mos (she lives in Canada) - so it might be a few days before I have time to look through my tbrs to find books that match. I know a have a Mary Oliver, so I'm excited to see that. And is that a NEW Stephen Graham Jones?!!! Can't wait!I'll pop in again soon.
Janet wrote: "eeeee, a new challenge is so exciting! I just picked my mom up from the airport last night, haven't seen her in 18mos (she lives in Canada) - so it might be a few days before I have time to look th..."Have a great time with your mom! :D
Another great challenge! I can't believe we are to Fall of 2021 already! I haven't picked any of my books for challenge yet except for the CSI one. I'm going to read
If you haven't had a chance to read anything by Mary Roach, I highly recommend it. She writes about the most unique subjects. She has a new one coming out this month. I also recommend for the psychologist task, the Alan Gregory series by Stephen White. I read them all and I'm still sad this series has ended. I think I met Dustin through this series on GR????? I'm on the fence with the Stephen Graham Jones book. I haven't read any of his books but have
I may just read that. The blurb about the new one does have me intrigued........Anyway, Happy Fall, Happy Reading (this is my favorite season!)
P.S. Thank you Rachel!!!!
You’re welcome, Christine! Glad you like it. :DI really enjoyed
on audio- it’s one of those books that manages to be informative, gross and funny all at the same time lol. Look forward to hearing your thoughts about it.I haven’t read anything by Stephen Graham Jones but have heard good things.
Happy Fall! :D
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I also re-read STIFF by Mary Roach within the past year. I think I first read the book in 2010 or 2011. The book was featured in one of my favorite television shows, SIX FEET UNDER.
I would like to be on Goodreads more often, but been busy working. I'll look over this new challenge and post what I plan to read.
Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Did you say there's a new Stephen Graham Jones book? If so, I must read. He teaches at the university in Boulder, Colorado in the same city where I live. Stephen White also wrote a series set in Bo..."Always good to see you post, Dustin. :D
I’m looking forward to
After seeing a bunch of favorable reviews this weekend for My Heart Is a Chainsaw, I decided to read it. It looks really good.
Christine wrote: "After seeing a bunch of favorable reviews this weekend for My Heart Is a Chainsaw, I decided to read it. It looks really good."Glad you’re going to pick it up-it does sound good.
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Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I have just finished reading Dear Evan Hansen in preparation of the film release later this month. This book works for the challenge in a couple of ways: there is a psychologist/ psychiatrist chara..."Thanks for the update, Dustin! :D
Just added it to my tbr-thanks for the recommendation. :)
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Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I'm about half-way through Stephen Graham Jones' MY HEART IS A CHAINSAW. What a great title. A fun book for Slasher horror fans."Thanks for the update, Dustin! Looking forward to your review. :D
Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Movie Recommendation: BLUE BAYOU. Made me cry, very emotional with complex characters and situations, most significantly being deportation of individuals now adults, adopted as children from countr..."I’ll have to check it out-Thanks! :)
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Thanks for the updates, Dustin! Just added Embers to my tbr. :D
Monthly check in- How’s everyone doing?
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Hey everyone! I haven't been reading much. My house is torn apart due to plumbing troubles. Its left me with not much energy for anything else. I have ben watching a lot of Netflix etc so if anyone is interested in any streaming recommendations, I will provide those. I do have a great stack of books to read when this slump is over. Thanks for all the recommendations for our fall challenge. I'm really looking forward to My Heart Is a Chainsaw The perfect October title! Thanks for checking in
Christine wrote: "Hey everyone! I haven't been reading much. My house is torn apart due to plumbing troubles. Its left me with not much energy for anything else. I have ben watching a lot of Netflix etc so if anyone..."Always good to see you post, Christine. :D
Sorry about the plumbing problems-Hope it gets fixed quickly.
I always love recommendations. I’m currently rewatching 30 Rock and waiting for the new season of Dead to Me whenever that is.
Did you see the 9 perfect strangers adaptation on Hulu? It was crazy but I enjoyed it and really liked how it came together in the end. Loved the cast.
I am loving Ted Lasso. I resisted watching for so long because I thought it was just a show about soccer. Its so much more. Its one of the those shows where you just love the characters, lots of kindness and laughter. I'm also watching Sex Education and Money Heist, shows that are completely different. I'm also loving Reservation Dogs. None of the movies I've watched are worth recommending. I've been wondering about 9 Perfect Strangers. I will check it out.
Christine wrote: "I am loving Ted Lasso. I resisted watching for so long because I thought it was just a show about soccer. Its so much more. Its one of the those shows where you just love the characters, lots of ki..."I f*ing love Ted Lasso! :D
I was also hesitant about the soccer (definitely not a sports fan) but then heard great things about it on Jenny Lawson’s blog. I guess it was last year that she was asking her followers what was helping them get through the stress of the times and so many mentioned the show so I checked it out.
I’ll have to check out the other shows you’ve mentioned. Thanks for the recommendations. :)
Better late than never??? :)Ok, Mom's gone home. She was here for a whole month. during which (luckily for me LOL) she spent some days with my sister. It was a long visit since it the first in over a year and a half, and travelling from Vancouver Island to here is so exhausting for her. My sister and I worked really hard to convince her its time to move! During her visit I set up several tours at independent living communities that offer meals and transportation (she is legally blind). Scheduled a slew of medical tests that take years to get scheduled in Canada. Got her her flu shot. Had her meet our financial planner. Went to only one movie (Jungle Cruise). Clothes shopping. And then a nice 6 day visit in South Dakota so she could meet Sophia (her great, my grand) for her 2nd birthday and do some sightseeing. She spent time with 2/3 of her kids, 4/5 of her grandchildren, and both of her greatgrands.
I might have worn her out. LOL
Challenge update!
I read
and
for Task #1. I loved Indian Horse, but it is a heartbreaking read about a northern Ojibway and his experiences at a residential school. It's very well written and feels more like a memoir than fiction. Highly recommend, but it IS heartbreaking and deals with difficult subjects.
Upstream was OK, but not really my cup of tea. I had picked it up back when I worked at Barnes and Noble, primarily because it was a beautiful little book. Plus, Mary Oliver is quite the popular poet..I thought 'essays' would be a better intro for me since I don't normally read poetry. I did like parts of this little book.
I don't have anything lined up for Task #2 yet. I did scan through my TBRs..didn't see any with the word Queen in the subtitle. Will have to look deeper for a housewife or con artist
Task #3 I am currently reading and enjoying
Ever since we read his Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires, I'm a huge fan. I have several more C-S-I books in my TBRs, as well as some in which forensics play a part ==> so will be adding more in this space.Task #4 nothing planned yet
Task #5 I read
in which one character is a former psychologist..which might be stretching things a bit LOL. But the last one I read
definitely counts, as a main character is a neuropsychologist. There was also some forensic in there, so it could be used for #3. It was a good thriller and the 1st in a series. The second one, The Cutting Room, is already out.Task #6 Picked up my copy of
and can't wait to enjoy it. My bookclub meets on the 9th and we each are to throw one horror book into the pot for us to vote on...this will be my choice. I'll be reading it regardless, but it's always nice to kill two birds with one stone if possible. Task #7 I think I might read
I seem to remember seeing lots of discussion regarding this book and there were definitely polarized opinions.Whew! Bet you guys weren't expecting a BOOK of an update LOL! Oh, and I LOVE Ted Lasso too! Sorry about your plumbing issues, Christine...been there, done that, and it SUCKS and thanks for the Mary Roach suggestion. Dustin, always enjoy seeing your movie recommendations, I always seem to be at the theater on your day off (or you are watching a movie) :) Franzi, I love your Tom Hanks pick..I think I will read that one too! I have a feeling that one will definitely work for both parts of Task #4
Ok, done for now. Happy Reading Everybody!!
Janet wrote: "Better late than never??? :)Ok, Mom's gone home. She was here for a whole month. during which (luckily for me LOL) she spent some days with my sister. It was a long visit since it the first in ov..."
Now that’s an update, lol.
Glad you got to spend some quality time with the family. :)
The Penny book is a little bit of a stretch but it totally counts :D
I love Gamache and Three Pines.
Look forward to your thoughts on
-hope you enjoy it.Great to see you post, Janet. Happy Reading!
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I usually only work one shift at the theater each weekend (typically Saturday or Sunday). I worked my shift today. Friday is usually my day off - yesterday I watched 4 movies in a row. I will probably work 2 days next weekend for the James Bond No Time To Die opening.
Currently I work Mon-Thursday at the chocolate factory in Gunbarrel.
I've been considering leaving the chocolate factory again and going full-time at the movie theater, but worried about the inconsistency in hours. January is typically a slow month for movies and also chocolate.
There is a bizarre French film out currently called Titane. Complex and thought-provoking, provocative, violent and graphic. The film may not survive the cut next week when James Bond takes over the theater. The only movie currently playing at my theater that I have not seen is JUNGLE CRUISE :-) which is also on the chopping block to make way for James Bond.
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Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I finished MY HEART IS A CHAINSAW. Didn't like it as much as The Only Good Indians and Mongrels. I need to write my review of the novel within the next day so I can return the book to the library...."
Thanks for the update, Dustin!
Look forward to your review. Hope your next book is more enjoyable. :)
Hope you get the hours you need at your job whether you stay at the chocolate factory or go full time at the theater. :)
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Will finish reading it today.
Love May Fail
Thanks for the update, Dustin! :DI haven’t read him in a while but did enjoy
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Currently reading Silver Linings Playbook! :-)
Love the film, have never read the book before.
Hello everyone So sorry I’ve been quiet. September has been crazy and I didn’t get much reading done. My boy , 6, started school, then we had a late bday party for my daughter to organise (8) and a few days after she got ill. Really nasty cold which made her sick from the coughing. So sleepless nights there. Then my son got it and he has had croup since he was a baby … knocked him out this time. We’re used to the fits he gets with it, struggling to breathe and can normally soothe him and take him outside or to the window. Didn’t help this time so I had to call an ambulance because he couldn’t breathe. It was so scary. I went with him in it and we stayed for a couple of nights. He needed special meds (adrenaline ) in an inhaler for his throat to sweet down. I was so worried night after night but he finally got better and we got to go home. Just as well because meanwhile my baby girl (9 months now) has caught it and struggled with her first ever cold and it almost broke my heart not to be there to soothe her. My husband took the week off work (we get sick leave with the kids) and my parents helped. But still I wouldn’t want to repeat it … we are all better now and happy again (otherwise I wouldn’t have gone into this much detail)….
I’ve started a few my challenge books and will give you an update shortly.
Finally I can relax and read and switch off again. You forget to appreciate the everyday madness and everyone being healthy (we’re so lucky) just too quick.
Anyway, I’ll be back soon. Until then, stay safe yx
Franzi wrote: "Hello everyone So sorry I’ve been quiet. September has been crazy and I didn’t get much reading done. My boy , 6, started school, then we had a late bday party for my daughter to organise (8) and ..."
That sounds horribly scary, Franzi. Glad the kids are all feeling better.
I appreciate you posting and letting us know how you’re doing.
Hugs.
Thank you Rachel :)So, I’ve finished two prompts now - housewife with a secret : The Book Club by C J Cooper, a good read, 4/5 and the therapist prompt : The Therapist by B A Paris
That was 4.5 … I couldn’t put it down. Really enjoyed reading that.
I’ve then attempted to read My Heart Is A Chainsaw but I just can’t get into it. I’m really not into splatter movies and find it so hard to get into it. So I’ve decided rather than struggling through I will choose another creepy read and have picked Home Before Dark by Riley Sager. Ghosts stories creep me out much more than splatter ones. :)
Not fully decided on the other prompts but I will keep you posted as I go along.
Happy Reading
Franzi x
Franzi wrote: "Thank you Rachel :)So, I’ve finished two prompts now - housewife with a secret : The Book Club by C J Cooper, a good read, 4/5 and the therapist prompt : The Therapist by B A Paris
That was 4.5 … ..."
Thanks for the update, Franzi! :D
I’m in a horrible place. I just can’t seem to finish a book. Recently got back from seeing my family, which I haven’t seen in 4 years. My mom took me to a bookstore and on the way back to Michigan I stopped at a Barnes and Noble and bought My heart is a chainsaw. Just wanted to say hi to everyone and happy reading! There is a read a thon this weekend and I’m hoping to finish a book.
Franzi......it is so scary when your children are ill. Thankfully mine are adults now. There are new things to worry about......you never stop being a parent. I hope everyone is healthy now. Danell.......I totally get where you are at right now. I'm having a hard time being interested in reading too. I can't seem to stay focused on the storyline(s). I know it will pass. I hope it does for you too. For me, reading is my comfort place and it feels like I can't go there right now. Just a lot going on in my life. We are still dealing with plumbing issues. My home is my sanctuary and its betraying me right now. Grrrrrr
Dustin......did you see the new James Bond movie yet? Probably a silly question, lol.
Rachel......anything new with you?
Danell wrote: "I’m in a horrible place. I just can’t seem to finish a book. Recently got back from seeing my family, which I haven’t seen in 4 years. My mom took me to a bookstore and on the way back to Michigan ..."I’m sorry you’re in a bad place, Danell. Sending hugs to you. Hope the reading slump passes soon, Glad you got to see your family.
Appreciate you checking in-I’ve missed you!
Christine wrote: "Franzi......it is so scary when your children are ill. Thankfully mine are adults now. There are new things to worry about......you never stop being a parent. I hope everyone is healthy now. Dane..."
Sorry you’re still having plumbing problems, Christine. I know what a pain that can be. Hope it gets fixed soon. Hope the reading slump passes soon. Hugs
I tend to struggle with anxiety at times and it’s been a bitch these days but I’m hanging in there. Fortunately I can still read because books are the one thing that gets me out of my head -they’re my stress relief.
Quick note to everyone:Please don’t hesitate to post whether or not you’re reading. I just want to know how you’re all doing. I appreciate everyone checking in. Sending you all hugs and better days ahead. xoxo
I finished
and I’m sorry to say I really didn’t like it. I loved the premise-I’m a big fan of many of the classic horror films mentioned in the book but the story just didn’t work for me. I think I might have liked it more if it was a novella.Many people have loved this book so hoping everyone in the group currently reading it or planning to read it enjoy it. Either way look forward to hearing everyone’s thoughts about it.
Hey Rachel! Thanks for checking in with all of us. I'm glad you are hanging in there with your anxiety. It is not easy. Hugs to you and the rest of the group.
Christine wrote: "Hey Rachel! Thanks for checking in with all of us. I'm glad you are hanging in there with your anxiety. It is not easy. Hugs to you and the rest of the group."xoxo
Dare to Dream
Books mentioned in this topic
Sorta Like a Rock Star (other topics)The Lost Queen (other topics)
The Alienist (other topics)
The Lost Queen (other topics)
Harlem Shuffle (other topics)
More...
The Fall 2021 Reading Challenge will begin on September 1st and end November 30th.
Rules of the challenge:
Read 3 books (or more)
Complete 3 tasks (or more)
All genres ok
Rereads ok
So this fall, complete 3 (or more) of the following:
1. Many authors have birthdays this season.
So this fall,
READ A BOOK BY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
Tayari Jones
Mary Oliver
Elif Shafak
Richard Wagamese
2. Queenpins will be released in theaters September 10th. A housewife and her best friend create a multi million dollar coupon scam. Inspired by actual events. Kristen Bell stars.
So this fall,
READ A BOOK THAT FEATURES A HOUSEWIFE WITH A SECRET.
OR
READ A BOOK THAT FEATURES A CHARACTER WHO’S A CON ARTIST.
OR
READ A BOOK WITH THE WORD “QUEEN” IN THE TITLE/SUBTITLE.
3. CSI: VEGAS is the latest reboot to hit the small screens. The limited series will feature some of the original cast members of CSI as well as some new characters. It will premiere on CBS on October 6th.
So this fall,
READ A BOOK WITH THE LETTERS C-S-I IN THE TITLE/SUBTITLE.
OR
READ A BOOK IN WHICH FORENSIC SCIENCE PLAYS A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE STORY.
4. Finch will premiere on Apple TV on November 5th. Tom Hanks stars as a dying inventor living in a post-apocalyptic world who builds a robot to take care of his beloved dog. They all go on a journey together. Bring the tissues.
So this fall,
READ A BOOK THAT MAKES YOU CRY.
OR
READ ANY BOOK MADE INTO A FILM STARRING TOM HANKS.
5. The Shrink Next Door is a limited series that will premiere on Apple TV on November 12th. It’s about a psychiatrist who becomes more and more involved in his patient’s life. Inspired by true events. Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd star.
So this fall,
READ A BOOK THAT FEATURES A CHARACTER WHO’S A PSYCHIATRIST OR A PSYCHOLOGIST.
OR
READ A NON FICTION BOOK THAT CAN BE DESCRIBED AS STRANGER THAN FICTION.
6. Fall = Creepy Reads.
So this fall,
READ MY HEART IS A CHAINSAW BY STEPHEN GRAHAM JONES AND DISCUSS IT WITH THE GROUP.
7. Random task- This task counts towards the challenge but isn’t inspired by the season.
So this fall,
READ A POLARIZING BOOK. (A BOOK PEOPLE EITHER LOVE OR HATE)
HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY AUTUMN, EVERYONE! :D