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2022 Annual Reading Challenge
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Lea's 1st Annual Reading Challenge - 2nd List Complete...There will be no 3rd List! :-)
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Michelle wrote: "I think we should nip this talk of next year in the bud peolple."LOL
Congrats Lea :) I enjoyed reading your letters :D
Thanks Alondra and Faouzia! It's been fun. And yes, Alissa, LOL indeed. :-) :-) :-)
Well done. Glad it's not just me thinking about next years reading plans!
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Well done. Glad it's not just me thinking about next years reading plans!"
I know, I can't stop myself either! It's so fun to make lists. :-)
Dear Ms. Strout, I enjoyed reading Olive, Again, the sequel to Olive Kitteridge. I may have enjoyed this more than the first one, and I really hope it isn't because I'm older, crankier and more socially awkward than I was when I read the first book, so I can relate more. But, it probably is. :-)
All the best,
Lea
Dear Mr. Kinney,I love it whenever the Heffley family goes on vacation. So much craziness happens. This book was just what I needed after a long week. I was here for the skunk, the summer camp, and the shooting watermelons.
Thanks for the laughs,
Lea
Lea wrote: "Dear Ms. Strout, I love it whenever the Heffley family goes on vacation. So much craziness happens. This book was just what I needed after a long week. I was here for the skunk, the summer camp, and the shooting watermelons.
Thanks for the laughs,
Lea"
I keep wondering if I should revisit Olive Kitteridge again since I disliked it the first time I read it, which was when it first came out, 12 years ago. I'm definitely more cranky now..
Lillie wrote: "I keep wondering if I should revisit Olive Kitteridge again since I disliked it the first time I read it, which was when it first came out, 12 years ago. I'm definitely more cranky now.."All I know is that worked for me.
I also knew when I would be in the mood for it, so that helped too. I wasn't quite in the right space when I read Olive the first time.
Lea, I so enjoy your letters. Such a clever idea!
Jackie wrote: "Lea, I so enjoy your letters. Such a clever idea!"Thanks, Jackie! So glad you enjoy them! I can't write one for every book I finish, but I don't mind writing 16 for my challenge.
Lea wrote: "All I know is that worked for me. I also knew when I would be in the mood for it, so that helped too. I wasn't quite in the right space when I read Olive the first time."
Looks like I may have to add this and the previous book on my list. But for a much later time, lol
Lillie wrote: "Looks like I may have to add this and the previous book on my list. But for a much later time, lol"Yes, when you are in the mood for a quiet meandering and a whole lot of awkwardness. :-)
Almost done with the Wimpy kid series!!
Alissa wrote: "Almost done with the Wimpy kid series!!"Yes, hopefully I will finish the series before the next book comes out! :-)
Dear Ms. Montgomery,I love the Anne of Green Gables series, it was a nice surprise to discover that there was another book in the series that was published in 2009 entitled The Blythes Are Quoted. Much of the book had been already published in The Road to Yesterday but there were some new pieces and I enjoyed reading these stories, I felt very nostalgic. However, I did kind of feel like I was reading the part of Anne of the Island where Diana had taken Anne's book and added in all of the references to Rollings Reliable Baking Powder. I felt like your stories which could stand on their own, but you threw in a bunch of random references to various Blythes to make it part of this series. Who knew how influential the Blythe family was?!? I still enjoyed the book and I am so sad that there aren't any more new books in the series. 3 solid stars!
Love,
Lea :-)
Mod
I love the Anne of Green Gables series, it was a nice surprise to discover that there was another book in the series that was published in 2009 entitled [book:The ..."
I usually catch up with Anne in December. Always comforting.
Bill wrote: "I usually catch up with Anne in December. Always comforting."This is an excellent strategy. Now that I've finished the Anne books, (again) I want to read some of L.M. Montgomery's other works. Have you read any of her other books?
Mod
This is an excellent strategy. Now that I've finished the Anne books, (again) I want to read some of L.M. Montgomery's ot..."
No I haven't but our national TV network created a series based on the Emily of New Moon book trilogy.
OMG ONE LEFTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
(Whispering this cause I’m not ready for the judgements) I’ve never read Anne of the Green Gables and never really felt the pull to do so. It always felt like Little Women and Little House on the Prairie type of books and they’re not favorites 😬🤷🏻♀️ But here you all are loving them. Maybe it needs to go on a challenge list for next year…
Alissa wrote: "OMG ONE LEFTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT"I think she has time for another one, don't you?
Bill wrote: "No I haven't but our national TV network created a series based on the Emily of New Moon book trilogy."I think I read the Emily series a year or two ago...I enjoyed that series too and will have to see if I can lay my hands on the TV series somehow.
Alissa wrote: "OMG ONE LEFTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT"Yes!! I'm getting itchy to finish the list!!!
Lillie wrote: "(Whispering this cause I’m not ready for the judgements) I’ve never read Anne of the Green Gables and never really felt the pull to do so. It always felt like Little Women and Little House on the Prairie type of books and they’re not favorites 😬🤷🏻♀️ But here you all are loving them. Maybe it needs to go on a challenge list for next year…"Depending on what you don't like about Little Women and Little House on the Prairie, you may not care much about Anne either.
I'm not sure I would have loved Anne of Green Gables as much if I had been introduced to them as an adult.
I loved both Little Women and Little House on the Prairie, but I loved Anne of Green Gables the most and I also think it holds up the best. Of course, I do have a red haired bestie named Anne. I have the dark hair like Diana, but in personality, I definitely was more of an Anne than a Diana. :-)
Ioana wrote: "Alissa wrote: "OMG ONE LEFTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT"I think she has time for another one, don't you?"
I don't know. It definitely cannot be another group of series this year. I'm going to have to read standalones!
Lea wrote: "Ioana wrote: "Alissa wrote: "OMG ONE LEFTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT"I think she has time for another one, don't you?"
I don't know. It definitely cannot be another group of series this year. I'm..."
I approve the standalones, but yes list 2 list 2 list 2
I'm rereading the series this year and still love it. Anne of Green Gables will always be my favourite I think. It's definitely in my top 10 of all time. That said, I want to read The Blue Castle at some point which is a standalone and more aimed at adults as far as I know. I did enjoy her autobiography earlier this year, The Alpine Path: The Story of My Career, it's quite short, but it gives you a good idea of how much writing went into her life before Anne was a success.
Alissa wrote: "I approve the standalones, but yes list 2 list 2 list 2"How does this list look? I will hit it after I finish out the first list...
1. The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams
2. A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf
3. Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk
4. Robot Visions by Isaac Asimov
5. The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix
6. Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley
7. Somebody's Daughter by Ashley C. Ford
8. The Switch by Sandra Brown
9. Before and Again by Barbara Delinsky
10. Flirting with Disaster: Why Accidents Are Rarely Accidental by Marc S. Gerstein
11. Cities of the Plain by Cormac McCarthy
12. No Good Men Among the Living: America, the Taliban, and the War through Afghan Eyes by Anand Gopal
Alternates:
13. Home Before Dark by Riley Sager
14. The Secret History by Donna Tartt
15. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind
16. The Mountain Shadow by Gregory David Roberts
Looks like a great list & a lot of reading before the end of the year! That's what this is for, right? I've only read The Secret History (which I loved), so I'll be eager to read your thoughts as you zoom through another list!
Carolien wrote: "I'm rereading the series this year and still love it. Anne of Green Gables will always be my favourite I think. It's definitely in my top 10 of all time. That said, I want to read The Blue Castle at some point which is a standalone and more aimed at adults as far as I know.I did enjoy her autobiography earlier this year, The Alpine Path: The Story of My Career, it's quite short, but it gives you a good idea of how much writing went into her life before Anne was a success."
Yes, I am hoping to have The Blue Castle on my 2023 Individual List, I haven't read that book either. I can't remember if I've read Jane of Lantern Hill so that might be on the list next year too.
I'm so glad you liked The Alpine Path: The Story of My Career and that it is also short! That encourages me. For whatever reason, I hadn't realized it was short. :-)
Patricia wrote: "Looks like a great list & a lot of reading before the end of the year! That's what this is for, right? I've only read The Secret History (which I loved), so I'll be eager to read your thoughts as you zoom through another list!"I am so glad that you liked The Secret History. I've heard such good things about it, but it is such a large book...so I always feel a bit intimidated about it. Hopefully, since it is on this list (and my Individual List), I'll actually get to it this year! Fingers crossed!!
Lea wrote: "Alissa wrote: "I approve the standalones, but yes list 2 list 2 list 2"How does this list look? I will hit it after I finish out the first list...
1. The Dictionary of Lost Words..."
Looks good, more than half are on my TBR, which is a good thing in case you like them. I've only read Home Before Dark, which I enjoyed. I feel the same about The Secret History, because I really liked The Goldfinch. Happy reading!
Nice list Lea! I hope you enjoy this selection. I don't think I read any of the books you chose but many are already in my TBR.
looking forward to seeing what you think of them.
Mod
Congratulations on completing your challenge. You have an awesome 2nd list. I don't think I will ever have a 2nd list. I predict I will just slip under the wire at year end with this one. Assuming I finish it at all.
Ioana wrote: "Looks good, more than half are on my TBR, which is a good thing in case you like them. I've only read Home Before Dark, which I enjoyed. I feel the same about The Secret History, because I really liked The Goldfinch. Happy reading!"I also read The Goldfinch and remember liking it, but not loving it and that has made me a bit nervous about reading The Secret History. It's a lot of investment for an uncertain payoff. :-)
I'm glad to hear you enjoyed Home Before Dark, I hope I enjoy it also. It's been on my almost to be read list for a long time. :-)
Faouzia wrote: "Nice list Lea! I hope you enjoy this selection. I don't think I read any of the books you chose but many are already in my TBR.
looking forward to seeing what you think of them."
Thanks, Faouzia! I hope I've picked some good books. I tried to get some variety in there. So fingers crossed, hopefully these books will be fun!
Alondra wrote: "Early congrats on completing your challenge; and kudos on doing a 2nd list!! Woot!!"Now I really have to finish the challenge, I've already been congratulated. LOL. :-) I'm always excited about a new list of books to conquer.
Michelle wrote: "Congratulations on completing your challenge. You have an awesome 2nd list. I don't think I will ever have a 2nd list. I predict I will just slip under the wire at year end with this one. Assuming I finish it at all."I'm not saying I haven't finished 12 + 4 lists before months and months after the year finished, because I definitely have. Sometimes it is better to read what we're in the mood for than try to stick to a list.
Mod
Now I really have to finish the challenge, I've already been congratulated. LOL. :-) I'm always..."
Yes, yes you do... LOL
The Secret History has mixed reviews, but I really want to read it. I will be interested to see what you think of it
Lea wrote: "Alissa wrote: "I approve the standalones, but yes list 2 list 2 list 2"How does this list look? I will hit it after I finish out the first list...
1. The Dictionary of Lost Words..."
How does this list look? I will hit it after I finish out the first list...
Lets break it down on ones I'm familiar with!
1. The Dictionary of Lost Words ON MY TBR
2. A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf- Surprisingly not on my TBR but I only thought Bell Jar was okay. I will await to hear your thoughts before proceeding lol
3. Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk- didn't like it but I'm one of the rare ppl who didn't like the movie either
5. The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix- SO fun! I did the audiobook and this one was a wild ride (rated it 4)
6. Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley- currently on my 2nd 12+4, hope to get to it soon
7. Somebody's Daughter by Ashley C. Ford- ON MY TBR
12. No Good Men Among the Living: America, the Taliban, and the War through Afghan Eyes by Anand Gopal- YAY our buddy read!
Alternates:
13. Home Before Dark by Riley Sager- spooky spooky fun! I rated it 4 stars
14. The Secret History by Donna Tartt- one of my all-time favorites of all time. Easily in my Top 10- 5 stars
Looks great! Now go get that Wimpy kid book and hop to it lol
And i just realized I'm a dumbass who confused Sylvia Plath with Virginia Woolf so maybe I need to read more classics LOL
Alondra wrote: "Yes, yes you do... LOLThe Secret History has mixed reviews, but I really want to read it. I will be interested to see what you think of it"
I'm finishing up a book tonight or tomorrow morning and then I plan to start on Big Shot, the last book on my first list. No further stalling.
Yes, I'm a bit nervous about The Secret History, but like you, I feel I need to read it. I am hoping to fall into the "like it" camp, but who knows? Fingers and toes crossed...
Alissa wrote: "Lets break it down on ones I'm familiar with!1. The Dictionary of Lost Words ON MY TBR
2. A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf- Surprisingly not on my TBR but I only thought Bell Jar was okay. I will await to hear your thoughts before proceeding lol
3. Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk- didn't like it but I'm one of the rare ppl who didn't like the movie either
5. The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix- SO fun! I did the audiobook and this one was a wild ride (rated it 4)
6. Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley- currently on my 2nd 12+4, hope to get to it soon
7. Somebody's Daughter by Ashley C. Ford- ON MY TBR
12. No Good Men Among the Living: America, the Taliban, and the War through Afghan Eyes by Anand Gopal- YAY our buddy read!
Alternates:
13. Home Before Dark by Riley Sager- spooky spooky fun! I rated it 4 stars
14. The Secret History by Donna Tartt- one of my all-time favorites of all time. Easily in my Top 10- 5 stars
Looks great! Now go get that Wimpy kid book and hop to it lol"
I love your thoughts, and I had to laugh at your second comment about confusing Sylvia Plath with Virginia Woolf, because I keep confusing George Orwell with John Steinbeck for years before I read more of their books. I have never read anything by Virginia Woolf, I'm intimidated by her, so this will be a true challenge. I'll let you know my thoughts.
I've never seen Fight Club and I kind of don't know too much of what it is about, except for the catch phrase, so that one will be a true challenge also.
I'm glad you like The Final Girls Support Group and Home Before Dark, I needed something fun on the list to pair with some of those other, more serious reads.
Maybe we'll get to some of those books on your TBR at the same time?
So relieved to hear that you loved The Secret History - I hope I am on the same team. :-)
I'm hoping to start the Wimpy Kid book either tonight or tomorrow. No further delays.
Dear Mr. Kinney,Big Shot was OK for me. I am not a huge basketball fan, so it was hard to get too enthused, but I felt for Greg this time around, being pushed into playing on a sports team when he didn't feel particularly sporty. The final game and the ending was pretty hilarious, though. Dare I say it though? I am more interested in music, so I am excited for the next book in the series, Diper Överlöde that comes out in two months? Before then, however, I'm even more excited to say that I finally completed this series that has been on my TBR for years and years and years!
And with that, List 1 is complete and I am pleased to move on to my next list!
Industriously,
Lea
Congrats on finishing your list! I don't think I will ever finish one!
Mod
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Books mentioned in this topic
The Dictionary of Lost Words (other topics)The Dictionary of Lost Words (other topics)
A Room of One’s Own (other topics)
Fight Club (other topics)
Robot Visions (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Pip Williams (other topics)Pip Williams (other topics)
Virginia Woolf (other topics)
Grady Hendrix (other topics)
Pip Williams (other topics)
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I wish I could be more spontaneous. Sometimes, I even make plans to be spontaneous. :-) :-) :-)