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Seasonal Reading Challenges > FALL2021READINGCHALLENGE

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message 51: by Franzi (new)

Franzi | 74 comments Thank you all so much for your kind words. I’ve had a great reading month so far. I’m currently reading Ready Player Two and was actually really worried about it. Heard so many bad things and some good. Definitely polarising, right? I’m really enjoying it and about a third in.

I’ve also read Cilkas Journey by Heather Morris (Tattooist of Auschwitz #2) and Anxious People by Fredrik Backman this week, both perfect 5 stars for me.

Oh and im listening to Home Before Dark but finding it veeerry slow and repetitive for a Riley Sager novel.

What are you currently reading? :)
Take care


message 52: by Rachel (last edited Oct 17, 2021 10:20PM) (new)

Rachel | 3524 comments Franzi wrote: "Thank you all so much for your kind words. I’ve had a great reading month so far. I’m currently reading Ready Player Two and was actually really worried about it. Heard so many bad things and some ..."

Thanks for the updates, Franzi! :D
I really enjoyed Anxious People by Fredrik Backman too. Glad to hear some good things about Ready Player Two (Ready Player One, #2) by Ernest Cline -it definitely got its share of bad reviews.

I’m currently reading One of Us Is Lying (One of Us is Lying, #1) by Karen M. McManus which I’m enjoying but don’t think will work for the challenge.

My next challenge book will probably be Dear Evan Hansen by Val Emmich (features a psychologist or psychiatrist).

Happy Reading! :D


message 53: by Christine (last edited Oct 18, 2021 10:30AM) (new)

Christine | 798 comments Life is getting a little more like normal. I am starting to read again, mainly finishing books I already started.

I read Stiff The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach as my forensic book. Not really that much on the subject but it is a quirky look at what happens to dead bodies. I may read a novel from the Kay Scarpetta series if there is time. It fits better for the task.

I read Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner for a book that made me cry. It was kind of weird that this book kept popping up on my radar. I didn't realize what it was about when I checked it out of the library. Its about her journey of her losing her mom to cancer. I lost my mom to that too. So its pretty obvious why it made me cry. I think her process is beautiful and became insightful into my own loss. Its been almost 30 years. Its a loss that you never stop feeling. My mom gave me my love of reading and by the odd circumstances this book kept telling me to read it, I feel a renewed connection to my own mother. Its an unexpected gift.


message 54: by Rachel (last edited Oct 18, 2021 05:36PM) (new)

Rachel | 3524 comments Christine wrote: "Life is getting a little more like normal. I am starting to read again, mainly finishing books I already started.

I read Stiff The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach as my forensi..."


Sounds like you were meant to find that book, Christine. I lost my mom about 7 and a half years ago . She didn’t die from cancer but one of my sisters did (lung). I really want to read Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner but trying to wait for the right time. I know it’s going to make me cry too. Hugs.


message 55: by Christine (new)

Christine | 798 comments I highly recommend Crying in H Mart especially if you have lost someone you had a complicated relationship with.


message 56: by Janet (new)

Janet (janetm2956) | 93 comments Just started My Heart Is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones , looking forward to it!

My bookclub didn't pick Chainsaw, so I had to read The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly for our October read this year. I really enjoyed it. It deals with a young boy's grief, the power of storytelling, and incorporates fairy tales and fables in a very unique way. Bonus - the copy I read included notes at the end on the origins of each tale used, as well as the fairy tales themselves. One very cool part was the use of Robert Browning's poem: Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came, which was also one of the inspirations behind Stephen King's Dark Tower series.

Saw the new Bond movie last week, enjoyed it but I think some of the other Daniel Craig movies were better.

Oh, and I picked up Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer to read for task #4 I need to hustle! I still have a few PopSugar prompts left to fill by year-end too. Yikes!


message 57: by Rachel (new)

Rachel | 3524 comments Janet wrote: "Just started My Heart Is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones, looking forward to it!

My bookclub didn't pick Chainsaw, so I had to read The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly for our October read..."


Thanks for the updates, Janet! :D


message 58: by Franzi (new)

Franzi | 74 comments Janet wrote: "Just started My Heart Is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones, looking forward to it!

My bookclub didn't pick Chainsaw, so I had to read The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly for our October read..."


I only have 1 1/2 Popsugar prompts to go :)
I can’t wait to plan the new challenge as well as the ATY one. The prompts have been decided on already.

I look forward to hearing what you think of Extremely loud and incredibly close. Will read this too at some point in November.

I only just realised that the Goodreads app never shows full comments and have always been wondering why you commented short texts… went on the website and realised you don’t 🙈 can’t believe I haven’t realised for so long. Does anyone else have this problem? Also, how do you get a book cover into your texts? Sorry feel a little silly…

Oh and started listening to Elif Shafak‘s The Island of Missing Trees yesterday. Wow wow wow, I love it so far. It’s just what I like reading. Can’t believe it took me so long to finally decide to go for her and which book to choose since now I probably have to read them all :D

Probably getting less reading done than I was hoping this week/weekend … both kids have to be quarantined until Monday when they get tested because of a couple of Covid cases in their class … meeeeh … oh well, well make the most of it and enjoy our family time :)
Take care everyone


message 59: by Rachel (last edited Oct 22, 2021 05:05PM) (new)

Rachel | 3524 comments Franzi wrote: "Janet wrote: "Just started My Heart Is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones, looking forward to it!

My bookclub didn't pick Chainsaw, so I had to read The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly for ou..."


I’ve never used the goodreads app, I always use the website. To add a book cover press add book/ author which appears above the comment box. Then search for the book by title and push add. At the bottom of that screen it will give you the choice to add a link which shows the title or a picture of the book cover. Hope that helps. :)

Glad you’re enjoying the The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak

Hope the kids are okay.


message 60: by Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado (new)

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl (dustpancrazy) | 2897 comments Mod
Christine wrote: ".Dustin......did you see the new James Bond movie yet? Probably a silly question, lol."

Actually, I haven't seen it. Long movies recently which require a 3 hr time commitment: No Time to Die, The Last Duel, Dune.
I'm not that committed to the James Bond series, although I have seen the more recent films like Skyfall.

Today I watched Dune and loved it. I was wondering if anyone has read the book. I'm going to read the book in the near future as well as watch the older movie and television adaptations. Dune is the best movie in the theater in my opinion.


message 61: by Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado (new)

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl (dustpancrazy) | 2897 comments Mod
I've been on a Mathew Quick Reading Kick lately.
Many of the books feature a psychiatrist/ psychologist character.
The Good Luck of Right Now by Matthew Quick The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick Love May Fail by Matthew Quick


message 62: by Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado (new)

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl (dustpancrazy) | 2897 comments Mod
Y'all have been reading several books that I have read - most of them I've read in the past year and a half. The only one I was disappointed with is READY PLAYER TWO. I think all the others I gave 4 or 5 stars.
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman Ready Player Two (Ready Player One, #2) by Ernest Cline Dear Evan Hansen by Val Emmich Stiff The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach My Heart Is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly


message 63: by Rachel (new)

Rachel | 3524 comments Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Christine wrote: ".Dustin......did you see the new James Bond movie yet? Probably a silly question, lol."

Actually, I haven't seen it. Long movies recently which require a 3 hr time commitment: No..."


I haven’t read the book but know it’s considered a classic of the genre.


message 64: by Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado (new)

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl (dustpancrazy) | 2897 comments Mod
Rachel wrote: "Have you read Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick?

It’s been a while but I remember enjoying it."


I don't think the library had an audiobook available when I looked, so I started with all the titles that had an audiobook readily available.
I'll probably look into Leonard Peacock again soon :-)


message 65: by Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado (new)

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl (dustpancrazy) | 2897 comments Mod
My Favorite Films currently in the movie theater:
1. Dune (Amazing! I plan to read the book soon!)
2. The Rescue (National Geographic Documentary Thailand Cave Rescue)
3. The Alpinist (Documentary - Mountain Climbing)
4. Ron's Gone Wrong (Animated)
5. The Addams Family (Animated)
6. The French Dispatch (Wes Anderson, Quirky, Color, Black & White, Animation featuring many many superstar actors)


message 66: by Rachel (new)

Rachel | 3524 comments Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Have you read Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick?

It’s been a while but I remember enjoying it."

I don't think the library had an audiobook available when I looked, s..."


Look forward to hearing your thoughts on it if you pick it up.


message 67: by Rachel (new)

Rachel | 3524 comments Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "My Favorite Films currently in the movie theater:
1. Dune (Amazing! I plan to read the book soon!)
2. The Rescue (National Geographic Documentary Thailand Cave Rescue)
3. The Alpinist (Documentary ..."


What is Dune about exactly? I’ve seen the trailer but I’m still not sure lol.

I forgot about the animated Addams family!


message 68: by Rachel (new)

Rachel | 3524 comments Oh I accidentally deleted my Leonard peacock post when editing my comment.

Also I feel like gr is glitching a little today. Sometimes it won’t let me respond to a comment without cutting off part of the post. Anyway.


message 69: by Rachel (new)

Rachel | 3524 comments Thanks for the movie recommendations, Dustin! :D


message 70: by Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado (new)

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl (dustpancrazy) | 2897 comments Mod
Dune is Science Fiction. Really excellent film. Going to read the book, watch the 1984 David Lynch film and television series soon!

Today I'm going to watch Last Night in Soho at the movie theater.


message 71: by Rachel (new)

Rachel | 3524 comments Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Dune is Science Fiction. Really excellent film. Going to read the book, watch the 1984 David Lynch film and television series soon!

Today I'm going to watch Last Night in Soho at the movie theater."


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


message 72: by Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado (new)

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl (dustpancrazy) | 2897 comments Mod
Last Night in Soho is the winner this weekend.
I wouldn't recommend Antlers.

A Mouthful of Air is about the sadest movie ever! The film even starts with a viewer discretion warning about anxiety and depression triggers.


message 73: by Rachel (new)

Rachel | 3524 comments Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Last Night in Soho is the winner this weekend.
I wouldn't recommend Antlers.

A Mouthful of Air is about the sadest movie ever! The film even starts with a viewer discretion warning about anxiety ..."


I’ll have to check out last night in soho. :D


message 74: by Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado (new)

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl (dustpancrazy) | 2897 comments Mod
Reading Friends,
I am switching to a new chocolate factory next week as my employer. I'm hoping this move also allows me more time to spend on Goodreads. I'm really proud of the company I'll be working with and would highly recommend Moksha Chocolate -bean to bar made with Simplicity and Integrity. I've been following the company, speaking with the owners, tasting and buying chocolate bars for over a year. Today I did a trial work day and I'll start working there next week. If you're looking for ethically sourced chocolate options for yourself or a gift, please consider buying from this company (it directly pays my wage :-)
I'll still be working at the movie theater on weekends and holidays.
Thank you & Happy Reading!
www.mokshachocolate.com


message 75: by Rachel (new)

Rachel | 3524 comments Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Reading Friends,
I am switching to a new chocolate factory next week as my employer. I'm hoping this move also allows me more time to spend on Goodreads. I'm really proud of the company I'll be wor..."


Congratulations on your new job, Dustin! :)
That blood orange chocolate bar is calling my name. :D


message 76: by Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado (new)

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl (dustpancrazy) | 2897 comments Mod
The blood orange is really pretty for a gift. Paired with 65% Cacao, its a bit sweet for my taste. I personally prefer the 72% Raspberry Bar. Soon there will also be a peppermint bar available for Winter.
It's important to eat Chocolate everyday for a balanced life.


message 77: by Janet (new)

Janet (janetm2956) | 93 comments Congratulations on the new job Dustin! AND, I'm glad you will still be at the theater - love getting your recommendations. Orange and chocolate...a match made in heaven! But that Bourbon bar might be calling my name. I don't drink it, but I love the smell of bourbon - perhaps because as a child my mom would make bourbon balls for parties. Kids were not allowed to eat them, but I would open that Tupperware container and breathe in the aroma!


message 78: by Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado (new)

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl (dustpancrazy) | 2897 comments Mod
Janet, starting on Thanksgiving I'll be working more at the movie theater Thursday through Sunday and Monday through Wednesday at the chocolate factory.
I don't think we have met in person (maybe a long time ago at Borders?), so you'll have to introduce yourself when you find me!


message 79: by Rachel (last edited Nov 08, 2021 02:41PM) (new)

Rachel | 3524 comments Hey Everyone-

I need some help picking the winter group read. I want to feature a 2021 release but I’m having a hard time deciding so need your help.

These are the titles I’ve been considering:

In My Dreams I Hold a Knife In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead
All Her Little Secrets All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris
56 Days 56 Days by Catherine Ryan Howard
The Collective The Collective by Alison Gaylin
Harlem Shuffle Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead
Under the Whispering Door Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune

Let me know your thoughts on these titles.

Hope all is well with all of you. :D


message 80: by Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado (new)

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl (dustpancrazy) | 2897 comments Mod
I vote for Harlem Shuffle. I've already put a hold on the audiobook at the library. I'll be reading Harlem Shuffle regardless :-)

I am interested in Under the Whispering Door but my library doesn't have an audiobook available.


message 81: by Franzi (new)

Franzi | 74 comments My vote is for Under the Whispering Door.
I need to read this and cannot edit… I loved loved loved The House in the Cerulean Sea and heard so much good about the whispering door…
I’ll be buying all of T J Klunes books as physical copies. They’re keepers 🤩


message 82: by Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado (new)

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl (dustpancrazy) | 2897 comments Mod
I'll try to read Under the Whispering Door if it's chosen to be featured as the group read :-) It just might take me a while since I won't have the help of an audiobook.


message 83: by Franzi (new)

Franzi | 74 comments Cannot wait, not edit… sorry it was the middle of the night;)


message 84: by Janet (new)

Janet (janetm2956) | 93 comments Franzi wrote: "I only have 1 1/2 Popsugar prompts to go :)
I can’t wait to plan the new challenge as well as the ATY one.."


Wow, you are doing two big challenges, plus these?!? That's awesome! I am having a hard enough time with just these, Popsugar, and my bookclub.

I use the Goodreads app 90% of the time, only sit at the computer to post here - it takes me entirely too long to type on my phone. :)

Sorry to hear your kids were exposed to Covid, I know how difficult it is to constantly be worrying and to have to be ready (and able) to stay home with them each time someone in their classes test positive. (((HUGS)))


message 85: by Janet (new)

Janet (janetm2956) | 93 comments Well, I definitely enjoyed My Heart Is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones It was an interesting read, Jade's over the top obsession with slasher movies started to get on my nerves, BUT then the book took a turn and ended up great! Even the acknowledgements at the end were a good read, with the author mentioning several of his influencers. I added many to my TBR.

Then I read Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer as planned for task #4 It was a good read as well and I liked that 'multi-media' was included to help tell the story. A touching and sad story of Oskar's grief processing.

Another task #4 read was The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin which made me cry. I loved it.

I just finished My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell which I read for task #7...a polarizing book. I thought it was a uncomfortable, but important read. Kinda like Lolita, but from the girl's perspective. It shows how easily a lonely teenage girl can be taken advantage of and how she can be manipulated into thinking it's what she wants.

I will be reading The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune next for my bookclub, bonus: it fits task #3 C-S-I

I didn't manage anything for task #2....but hit all the rest.


message 86: by Janet (new)

Janet (janetm2956) | 93 comments Rachel wrote: "Hey Everyone-

I need some help picking the winter group read. I want to feature a 2021 release"


I'm not going to make this easy, sorry. :) I vote for The Collective as my first choice and Under the Whispering Door as a close second.


message 87: by Janet (new)

Janet (janetm2956) | 93 comments Oh....you all notice that there's not been a Goodreads Best Books of 2021 poll yet? I enjoyed voting last year and was looking forward to it again. :(


message 88: by Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado (new)

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl (dustpancrazy) | 2897 comments Mod
"can not edit!"
I thought that was a curious wording. I kept repeating the phrase and was wondering what other word "edit" might be standing in for.
The phrase, "I can't wait!" puts my mind at ease.


message 89: by Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado (new)

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl (dustpancrazy) | 2897 comments Mod
I hadn't noticed that there's no Best of Goodreads 2021. Usually there's a big banner promoting and inviting when I log on to Goodteads.
I feel the same about My Heart is A Chainsaw. Although I rated the book 4 stars, it's my least favorite Graham Jones I've read so far. Just discovered the author last year through these seasonal challenges. Found out SGJ lives on my city and teaches at the university. He has liked my reviews on Goodreads. I prefer Mongrels and The Only Good Indians over My Heart is a Chainsaw love the title though.
I've read and enjoyed Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close last year. The film starring Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock was released a decade ago in 2011. I was working at the movie theater at that time. I own the film, audiobook and paperback.
I've also read and enjoyed The Storied Life of A.J.
Guess I really need to check out this Under The Whispering Door author.


message 90: by Rachel (new)

Rachel | 3524 comments Franzi wrote: "Cannot wait, not edit… sorry it was the middle of the night;)"

lol :)


message 91: by Rachel (new)

Rachel | 3524 comments Janet wrote: "Well, I definitely enjoyed My Heart Is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones It was an interesting read, Jade's over the top obsession with slasher movies started to get on my nerves, BUT then the book t..."

Thanks for the update, Janet! :D
I really enjoyed The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune -definitely a feel good story. Look forward to your thoughts on it.

I recently heard The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin was going to be adapted although not sure when.


message 92: by Rachel (new)

Rachel | 3524 comments Janet wrote: "Oh....you all notice that there's not been a Goodreads Best Books of 2021 poll yet? I enjoyed voting last year and was looking forward to it again. :("

I was wondering what happened-maybe it’s just delayed?


message 93: by Rachel (new)

Rachel | 3524 comments Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I hadn't noticed that there's no Best of Goodreads 2021. Usually there's a big banner promoting and inviting when I log on to Goodteads.
I feel the same about My Heart is A Chainsaw. Although I ra..."


That’s pretty awesome that SGJ liked your reviews.
Glad you’re open to trying Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune . :)


message 94: by Rachel (new)

Rachel | 3524 comments Thanks for the input! Still waiting to hear from Christine and Danell but I know they both have Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune on their tbr so that will probably be the group read. I might feature a bonus book as well. :D


message 95: by Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado (new)

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl (dustpancrazy) | 2897 comments Mod
Sounds good. I'll get me a copy of that Under the Whispering Door book.
On Current Films: I noticed my theater has not gotten the new Tom Hanks film but other theaters are showing it now. I'm going to watch Belfast on Friday - it looks pretty good from trailers. I'm not going to make Clifford the Big Red Dog a priority - it looks like a Horror movie to me! PBS had a great cartoon and I think he doesn't translate well to the big screen wirh CGI.
I will also be avoiding The Souvenir Part Two. The Souvenir was my least favorite and biggest disappointment of 2019, I wish they hadn't made another one - so boring! I have never seen Tilda Swinton in such a dull role.

My Current Recommendations based on films playing at my movie theater:
1. Dune
2. Last Night in Soho
3. Eternals
4. Spencer
5. The French Dispatch
I'm glad you all like literature and film. Some of the best film ideas come from literature, although some books do not translate well to a film adaptation.
I'm enjoying my new Chocolate Factory. I'm working 3 jobs until Thanksgiving and then my life will be a bit simpler and less busy.
Happy Reading!


message 96: by Rachel (new)

Rachel | 3524 comments Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Sounds good. I'll get me a copy of that Under the Whispering Door book.
On Current Films: I noticed my theater has not gotten the new Tom Hanks film but other theaters are showing it now. I'm goin..."



You’re a busy man. Glad the new job is working out. :D


message 97: by Rachel (new)

Rachel | 3524 comments Finished The Man Who Died Twice (Thursday Murder Club, #2) by Richard Osman -This might be a bit of a stretch as the character is a retired psychiatrist but he still uses his skills
. Also I just f*ing love this series-the characters are wonderful. This is the second book.


message 98: by Danell (new)

Danell (danellbookworm) | 685 comments I will be happy to read whatever book you choose for next challenge. I’m not very far into Heart is a Chainsaw, but hope to finish by the end of the month.

Glad everyone is doing well!


message 99: by Rachel (new)

Rachel | 3524 comments Danell wrote: "I will be happy to read whatever book you choose for next challenge. I’m not very far into Heart is a Chainsaw, but hope to finish by the end of the month.

Glad everyone is doing well!"


Thanks Danell! :D
Look forward to hearing your thoughts on My Heart Is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones


message 100: by Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado (new)

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl (dustpancrazy) | 2897 comments Mod
I'm currently reading a book that makes many readers cry
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Of course, I picked this book up because of Malibu Rising which was featured in this group earlier this year.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid


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