Trim Challenge 2022 – Community and Announcement Thread

[Heather Reads Books]

Finished my #15, Klara and the Sun! 5 very emotional stars. I definitely cried. Review is here.

[Book Concierge]

April # 20 - ✔ 22Aug22


Queen of America – Luis Alberto Urrea – 4****
Urrea picks up where he left off in The Hummingbird’s Daughter and continues the story of his great aunt, Teresita Urrea, “The Saint of Cabora” or “Mexican Joan of Arc.” Teresita is in turns sheltered and looked after, abused, taken advantage of, earning and taking charge of her celebrity, and finding peace. Set against the backdrop of historical events in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Urrea gives us a woman who has earned a place in history and legend.
LINK to my full review

[Book Concierge]

Hannah wrote: "I've got really behind in reading for this and writing my reviews for the books ..."

I'm keeping you company on the "really behind" list!

[Meli]

Heather Reads Books wrote: "Finished my #15, Klara and the Sun! 5 very emotional stars. I definitely cried. Review is here."

YAY! I am reading that this month.

Missed my #15 for August but hoping to catch back up this month with #22.

[Theresa]

Book Concierge wrote: "Hannah wrote: "I've got really behind in reading for this and writing my reviews for the books ..."

I'm keeping you company on the "really behind" list!"

Book Concierge wrote: "Hannah wrote: "I've got really behind in reading for this and writing my reviews for the books ..."

I'm keeping you company on the "really behind" list!"

Me too. Workload in May/June/July overwhelmed my life and time. I expect to catch up in fall.

[Joanne]

I missed my August book too-first time I have fallen behind this year!
Planning to squeeze it in September

[Meli]

I feel like summer had every reader I know too busy to read at their usual pace. Seeing this across the board! No worries, we will likely be back on schedule as we head out of fall and into winter, at least I am sure I will be. Can't do anything else in the winter :P

[Jen]

Meli wrote: "I feel like summer had every reader I know too busy to read at their usual pace. Seeing this across the board! No worries, we will likely be back on schedule as we head out of fall and into winter,..."

Not me. Massive teacher/marker/moderator shortages means I now have 6 jobs. 1 full time and 5 part time. The situation is desperate over here more and more work and heading into year 9 of a pay freeze.

[Meli]

Jen wrote: "Not me. Massive teacher/marker/moderator shortages means I now have 6 jobs. 1 full time and 5 part time. The situation is desperate over here more and more work and heading into year 9 of a pay freeze."

My husband is a teacher, so I can appreciate that.

[Jen]

Meli wrote: "Jen wrote: "Not me. Massive teacher/marker/moderator shortages means I now have 6 jobs. 1 full time and 5 part time. The situation is desperate over here more and more work and heading into year 9 ..."

Yeah it seems to be almost worldwide.

[Sue]

I finished my August and September books.

August: Klara and the Sun 5 Stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

September: Malibu Rising 4 Stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Amy]

I never post it, but I am actually up to date as well. I haven't missed a month since the original official challenge began. I really love this challenge and I am so glad we were able to revive it. It really allows me to get to books I wouldn't have, but also to do buddy reads with you guys. I'm so glad this one has persisted.

[Sallys]

I read tons during the summer but expect that to chance. I'm a teacher and just started a new job so I'm completely overwhelmed. I am trying to finish Second Place by Rachel Cusk.

[Theresa]

#15 - August - first of 2 books

Paris by the Book by Liam Callanan

3.5 stars

This one has not been easy for me to rate; I've had a very mixed reaction to both reading it and the book itself. It should be a slam dunk -being mostly set in Paris. But I'm not that easy a reader or reviewer.

Leah and Robert had a real 'meet cute': Leah shoplifted a copy of Lamorisse's classic The Red Balloon from a bookstore and Robert chased after her, having seen her do it. Both are orphans with creative dreams: grad student Leah to make her own film in the style of Lamorrisse's The Red Balloon (he wrote the book and made the film), Robert, having a modest success with a series of children's books, was looking to write a great novel. They marry, have a couple of kids, Leah becomes the main breadwinner parlaying her creativity into speechwriting for the university president. Robert's star as a writer slowly flickers out, even though the family loves and encourages him, tolerating his many 'writeaway' disappearances. Until one day, he disappears and does not return.

The book becomes the story not so much of Robert, who is clearly suffering from mental illness not just writer's block, but of Leah and their daughters Daphne and Ellie and their struggle to survive Robert's disappearance, and Leah's own struggle with guilt. Leah finds plane tickets for Paris and part of a novel by Robert where a family just like theirs goes to Paris and runs a bookstore. Some money appears. Leah decides that Robert wants them following these clues to find him in Paris - a trail of breadcrumbs. So Leah decides to take them all to Paris (which has a great signficance to her and Robert as someplace he always promised to take her). A new life for the family begins in Paris without Robert, but all continue to look for him, sometimes convinced they see him keeping hope alive that they will find Robert, that he is merely 'lost'. It's a story of loss, grief, coping with the unexplained disappeance of a parent/spouse for no reason and the lack of closure. It is the story of searching for the one lost, and coping with guilt that something you said or didn't say or failed to do caused Robert to leave. It's also the story of a beginning and the building a new life, realizing a dream, experiencing life in a foreign city.

The story is told entirely by Leah and you pretty quickly begin to suspect she's an unreliable narrator. I spent some time initially confused and disappointed, for 2 reasons: it turned out to be very different than I expected as in much more serious and psychological, and until I realized that she is an unreliable narrator, Leah herself was confusing me. Once I reconciled those 2 things, I settled in to reading it and enjoying it in large part. Yet, at one point I put it down because I was busy with other things, and I found myself reluctant to pick it back up even though I was 80% into the story. Likely this was because I could see where it was going (although I still was surprised a few pages on when I did finally pick it back up to finish) and I'm not terribly fond of unreliable narrator plots though this one gets pretty high marks from me because you actually know when Leah is presenting unvarnished direct truth.

There was a lot I enjoyed too: the myriad moments describing the essence of Paris or of being an American living in Paris were superb, the weaving in of both Bemelmans' Madeline books, adult writings and life, and Lamorrise's The Red Balloon, his films, life and other writings, how so many other books and authors wander through, the quirky way the family decides to organize the books in their quirky bookshop - by geography, the little mysteries that appear and are resolved alongside the bigger mystery of Robert and his disappearance. I appreciated the writing and I applaud having an unreliable narrator plot that isn't a thriller or psychological crime fiction.

I ended up giving it 3.5 stars and since GR doesn't allow factional ratings, I brought it down to 3 as I could not give it 4. I will however, consider organizing my massive personal library geographically rather than by title/author/genre - the quirkiness appeals -- if I ever get around to setting it in order (it never was organized after my last move). I'm curious how many different locales I'll manage.

Just want to mention that the author's website provides a wonderful essay about his inspiration for this book and a family visit to Paris while writing it.

[Jen]

Sallys wrote: "I read tons during the summer but expect that to chance. I'm a teacher and just started a new job so I'm completely overwhelmed. I am trying to finish Second Place by Rachel Cusk."

Totally understand that. Very hard to find reading time during term time.

[Book Concierge]

He lives in Milwaukee and I see him every once in a while at my local indie bookstore.

[Meli]

I missed August, but I am back, BABY!

Finished my September book Ratman's Notebooks.
My copy has the same cover but the title is Willard.

Anyway, review below.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Amy]

Just wanted to make sure I mentioned - KateNZ is the Trim Picker for October! Get ready, Kate!

I will try to remember to edit our last pick 22, so the available numbers and list will be in thread number one.

[LibraryCin]

I think I forgot to post that I've already read my #22.

Titanic Survivor: The Newly Discovered Memoirs of Violet Jessop Who Survived Both the Titanic and Britannic Disasters by Violet Jessop.

I think I gave it 3 stars (ok).

[Sallys]

I can't believe it's October already. Time just whizzes by!

[Sallys]

Almost October

[Jenni Elyse]

Now that October's tag has been announced, I'm waiting impatiently for our new number. I really hope I can get to the book next month. LOL.

(I know it's night in NZ. I'm just saying I'm anticipating what it's going to be.)

[Meli]

Jenni Elyse wrote: "Now that October's tag has been announced, I'm waiting impatiently for our new number. I really hope I can get to the book next month. LOL.

(I know it's night in NZ. I'm just saying I'm anticipati..."

ME TOOOOO!
I have a lot of scary on my trim tbr.

[KateNZ]

This month’s number is #5 - enjoy everyone!

Sorry for delay: I plead an excess of work and a broken wrist as my pathetic excuses 😁

[LibraryCin]

Oh, you picked my longest book! It may take me a couple of months to get through, but:

David Copperfield / Charles Dickens

[KateNZ]

Well that makes it kind of scary, I guess, Cindy! Great book though

[Jenni Elyse]

I already read my #5 earlier this year. Woot Woot. I'm going to go back to a number I missed. I'm not sure what I'm going to choose yet, though.

[Jen]

I get 5) The Andromeda Evolution/Against all Odds/The Other Emily as my choices....I'm pretty sure for the first time ever I have trim options to fit the PBT. All of them could fit IMHO.

[Theresa]

Oooh, my #5 choices are Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters or The Secret of Santa Vittoria.

I think they would both fit October tag!

[Booknblues]

Jenni Elyse wrote: "I already read my #5 earlier this year. Woot Woot. I'm going to go back to a number I missed. I'm not sure what I'm going to choose yet, though."

I thought I had a buddy read with you, but I guess I will do my #5 Nine Perfect Strangers solo. It is my first Liane Moriarty read.

I'm not sure, that I ever revealed that there is any number of women authors which I have avoided reading and she is one of them. I added her to the list to avoid being close minded.

[Jenni Elyse]

I’m sorry! My IRL book club decided to read it a few months ago and I forgot about our buddy read. Liane Moriarty is one of my favorite authors. I hope you like the story….

[Booknblues]

Jenni Elyse wrote: "I’m sorry! My IRL book club decided to read it a few months ago and I forgot about our buddy read. Liane Moriarty is one of my favorite authors. I hope you like the story…."

Jenni, it is fine. I've accidentally read 2 books on my trim challenge.

[Amy]

My number 5 is the Hidden Palace, the sequel to the Golem and the Jinni, if anyone wants to join. I'm not sure there is anyone who previously wanted to join this one. But with Magic and folklore, certainly fits October......

[Amy]

Also, BnB, Lianne Moriarty is a wonderful author and many have loved her books. I even gave her name as one of my four for the Favorite Author Challenge. Oddly enough I didn't even submit Alice Hoffman and now all four of mine are knocked out! I put up Lianne Moriarty and Taylor Jenkins Reid, but had Amor Towles and Frederick Backman as the top two. I think I had Amor Towles for winner, and I actually thought i was going to pull that one out. Alice Hoffman has been a surprise to me, especially because people know how much I treasure the spirituality in her writing. I never thought she would get so many votes. I was voting for the group's favorite.

But back to Lianne Moriarty, its fair to say that while many of her books are beloved, this is the one (Nine Perfect Strangers) that has garnered the most criticism, and that most folks have liked the least, I say that because if you don't fancy this one, I would love for you to give her another try. Personally, I think she has grown as an author, and her earlier works are not the same as her later ones. I really loved Apples Never Fall. But maybe my favorite of hers (others do not agree) was the first one of hers I read. And that would be the Hypnotists Love Story. That one pulled me in big time. Just sharing the thought....

[Joanne]

I still have August and September to read-ugh! My # 5 is pretty long, I am hoping to finally get a copy of The Social Graces in a week or two and will probably read that in October

[Charlotte]

Booknblues wrote: "Jenni Elyse wrote: "I already read my #5 earlier this year. Woot Woot. I'm going to go back to a number I missed. I'm not sure what I'm going to choose yet, though."

I thought I had a buddy read w..."

You have a buddy with me!!!! My #5 is Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty

I'm open to reading it whenever you are, I own it, so just let me know!

[Heather Reads Books]

My number 5 is either Madam by Phoebe Wynne or The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie. I think I'm going to go with the former – labeled as "horror" and "gothic," I'm hoping it will fit right in for October. I'm interested in The Blade Itself but I think I've read plenty of fantasy so far this year and wanted to focus on spooky stuff for fall. :)

[Jenni Elyse]

Thanks for saying that, Amy! I wanted to say something similar about Moriarty, and I didn’t want to color BnB’s perspective of NPS before she read it. I really liked NPS because of the exploration of mental health and grief. I related quite a bit to some of the characters. I can see why others did not, though. My favorite Moriarty book was also my first—What Alice Forgot. I love that book sooooo much.

BnB, I’m glad Charlotte can still do the buddy read with you. I’ll participate in the discussion even if I’m not reading it in October.

[Diana]

My #5 is The Obsession by Nora Roberts.

I also finished reading my #22 recently - A Good Girl's Guide to Murder and I loved it!

[Sallys]

I will absolutely join you Amy! I loved the Golem and the Jinni. I will reserve the sequel.

[Booknblues]

Charlotte wrote: "You have a buddy with me!!!! My #5 is Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty."

Oh, yay! That will be fun. I haven't thought about it much, but maybe the second week of October will work, somewhere between the 9-15.

[Charlotte]

Booknblues wrote: "Oh, yay! That will be fun. I haven't thought about it much, but maybe the second week of October ..."

Sounds good! I don't have any books that I have to read by any particular time in Oct so I'm open, just let me know :)

[Booknblues]

Charlotte wrote: "Booknblues wrote: "Oh, yay! That will be fun. I haven't thought about it much, but maybe the second week of October ..."

Sounds good! I don't have any books that I have to read by any particular t..."

Deal!

[Kelly]

#22 - September

Firefly and by Kristin Hannah



4 stars

Katie Mularkey and Tully Hart are in eight grade when they meet. At the time Katie is unpopular while Tully is the new cool girl at school. The two bond and the book follows their friendship for thirty years. The story is dramatic and predictable at times, but if you stick with it to the end it gets a bit emotional and ties together.

Katie and Tully are written as opposites. Katie being the reliable one and Tully is the charge ahead wanting more friend. Katie is sometimes along for the ride whether she wants to be there or not. The reader understands both characters and the things that have happened in their lives that shaped them. Tully has had an especially hard time growing up which most people around her do not know. However, Katie was there to help Tully with it all and later Tully must decide if she will be there for Katie.

The Nightingale remains one of my favorite books Kristin Hannah. Although I did not enjoy Firefly Lane as much as The Nightingale, readers of Kristin Hannah will enjoy this story and the relationships developed in it.

[Sue]

My #5 is Bloodchild and Other Stories

[Booknblues]

My #22

The Rose Garden

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

[LibraryCin]

KateNZ wrote: "Well that makes it kind of scary, I guess, Cindy! Great book though"

LOL! True!

[Book Concierge]

My # 5 is The Turtle Warrior by Mary Relindes Ellis

[Booknblues]

Book Concierge wrote: "My # 5 is The Turtle Warrior by Mary Relindes Ellis"

I'm curious about this one.

[Amy]

Sally, I am thrilled!!!!!