Summer 2022 Book Discussions

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

Hey everyone! It. Is. Summer! (At least for those of us in the northern hemisphere...)

How are we doing on the challenge? Feeling a step ahead, or a step behind? What do your summer reading plans look like?

Let us know!

This discussion will run June 1 - August 31.

[Louise]

Doing ok, been trying to read ahead because I know work will be really busy these next months!

I like reading Noir books in Summer - so I am lining up some of those.

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

That's how I'm feeling too, Louise. I'm pregnant (yay!) and due in mid-November, so I'm trying to get ahead on the challenge so I can finish before the baby comes. I am.. not doing great lol.

I'm reading in order, and I am exactly on time. I should finish my first June prompt today though (Heartstopper: Volume One, which is the MOST loving LGBTQIA+ relationship).

Looking ahead at June, I also want to read:

Float Plan for inclement weather
The Once and Future Witches for 440+ pages

Then for the same word in title, I will either go with:

The Lost Girls of Paris/The Atomic City Girls
or
Black Cake/Black Sun

[Jen K]

Congratulations Emily, super exciting news!!

Float Plan is a fun one!

I kind of already finished ATY but still working on other challenges.
Mostly my reading this summer will be escape from crazy work and then fun reads during a much needed vacation in August.

[Ellie]

Congrats Emily!

I thought I was way behind but I'm exactly halfway. I haven't been planning my reading much so I expect I've left all the harder prompts for the second half of the year...

[Jillian]

Congratulations Emily!

I think I have 15 prompts left and there is a mixture of easy and hard ones left. Last weeks, read-a-thon really helped me fill in some harder prompts.

[Kathy]

Congratulation, Emily! So exciting!

I have 5 prompts left and want to finish by the end of June. Then I'm not sure what I'll do - repeat some prompts, more rejects, free read?

[Pam]

Congrats Emily! That’s very exciting news. Best wishes to you and the baby!

I had a terrible reading month in May because of one book I struggled to finish (Valis by PKD) but am on track for the year. I have no idea what I want to read this summer but I’m determined to tackle books I own! earlier this year, I bought some dual language (Spanish/English) books that I’m ready to dive into. They are short but will take longer since I’m not fluent in Spanish yet and I will jot down new words/phrases. I know this will greatly expand my vocabulary from what I’m learning on Duolingo.

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

Thanks everyone!!

Kathy, I finished the challenge in June of last year and ended up just doing the whole thing over again. I ended up using a couple Wild Cards for that second round, but I didn't feel guilty about it since I had already finished it one time.

Pam, all of the print books I read in May were books I owned without me even trying, and it feels so good to knock some of those books off my TBR pile!

[Kendra]

Congrats Emily! 🤗🥳🎈🎉🧁

[Louise]

Emily wrote: "That's how I'm feeling too, Louise. I'm pregnant (yay!) and due in mid-November, so I'm trying to get ahead on the challenge so I can finish before the baby comes. I am.. not doing great lol.

I'm ..."

Uhhh congrats! First child? (restraining myself from sending you a bunch of favourite picture book titles :-D)

[Sherri]

That’s the best news Emily. Congratulations..

[Stacey]

Congratulations, Emily! How wonderful for you and your family! I still have a ways to go on the challenge, but looking forward to it!

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

It is my first! We've been trying for about five years now, so it's definitely a welcome addition to the family... and I'll take all the picture book titles, Louise! haha

[Steve]

Emily wrote: "It is my first! We've been trying for about five years now, so it's definitely a welcome addition to the family... and I'll take all the picture book titles, Louise! haha"

It's funny how as a reader you start to get critical of the books you read to your children/babies. There's one that we were gifted for our baby (or got as a hand-me down I think) that was a bedtime book that I just have retired because the meter is horrible and I can't stand it. "So snuggle up really close, and I'll read to you out loud. Let's imagine we are gently drifting and floating on a cloud." "Off you'll float to where all of your sweetest dreams will come true. A place where you can be and do anything you really want to!"

Having to use adjectives and adverbs like "really" to fill in syllables is poor writing. (Former) English teachers shouldn't be allowed to read books for babies apparently because we're hypercritical.

(This is the kind of book discussion this thread is intended for, right?? :-P )

[Louise]

Steve wrote: "Emily wrote: "It is my first! We've been trying for about five years now, so it's definitely a welcome addition to the family... and I'll take all the picture book titles, Louise! haha"

It's funny..."

I think I have read these to both my kids 100+ times :-D
Also as she grew older my daughter loved the Fancy Nancy books.

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

Steve, I cringed just reading those lines in my head so no, you're absolutely justified there.

[Anna]

Congratulations Emily :-)

Reading wise I am a bit behind but I caught up a bit in May but still not in phase.

[Louise]

Emily wrote: "Steve, I cringed just reading those lines in my head so no, you're absolutely justified there."

Ohh and the In the Night Garden books.... Talk about tongue twisters reading those aloud

[Kelly Sj]

I'm reading mostly in order, 2 books per prompt, and just reached prompt 26/27 (4 books with the word "plague" in the title - good times!). Since I'm ahead, I have decided to try to read all 25 prompts for the summer challenge by adding a few extra books that I hadn't planned for the regular ATY. I'm not teaching this summer, for the first time in a while, so looking forward to lots of deck time with my books!

Also excited for the 2023 prompt selection process :)

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

Kelly Sj, that sounds AMAZING.

[Jillian]

I now have 13 prompts left and I'd like to finish the challenge by the end of July. I'm not much of a preplanner but I have picked 6 books to focus on for the rest of June. I tried to pick a mixture of audio and print. I also tried to pick a mixture of the hard/easy for me prompts.

11. A book from historical fiction genre- audio/kindle
A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon

16. A book related to Earth Day- kindle
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

30. A book related to mythology- kindle
The Witch's Heart by Genevieve Gornichec

40. A book related to one of the 22 Tarot Major Arcana cards- hardback
The Wind Through the Keyhole by Stephen King

50. A book that involves aging, or a character in their golden years- audio
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk byKathleen Rooney

51. A book published in 2022- audio
Stephen Leeds: Death and Faxes by Brandon Sanderson

[Hannah]

Louise wrote: "Steve wrote: "Emily wrote: "It is my first! We've been trying for about five years now, so it's definitely a welcome addition to the family... and I'll take all the picture book titles, Louise! hah..."

Oh my goodness, Owl Babies! That was one of the books I had as a kid and I've never met anyone else who knew of it. Such a sweet and beautiful little picture book.

[Laurel]

Just finished book 26! Halfway! I am reading in order but not limiting to the specific week.

Three 5-star reads so far - #2, Artificial Condition (science fiction), #14, Entangled Threads (historical mystery), and #19, Parable of the Sower (dystopian fiction).

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

Jillian, you have some excellent options there... I loved Lillian Boxfish!

[Louise]

Hannah wrote: "Louise wrote: "Steve wrote: "Emily wrote: "It is my first! We've been trying for about five years now, so it's definitely a welcome addition to the family... and I'll take all the picture book titl..."

Yes! :-) My son really loved it, so it's in the very sizable pile of picturebooks we're saving for possible grand children

[Misty]

Congratulations Emily! Okay - I have to add one of my favorite children's books. It's for when they're a little older, but it's hard to find. :)


I had a hard month in May, and I am just now starting to get my head above water! I was reading Game of Thrones because my daughter asked me to read it with her. I have to admit that I was having a really hard time with it. I have been reading a lot of fantasy books by women, and it's just a completely different fantasy world. I was having a hard time getting into GoT. I came to something I couldn't stomach right now. I told my daughter I was going to have to put it down for a while, but I will pick it back up. Because of my hard May though, I was several books ahead, and now I am right on schedule with the ATY challenge! :) I'm jumping back into the challenge by reading Oil and Marble: A Novel of Leonardo and Michelangelo by Stephanie Storey, and then next up with The Merciless Ones by Namina Forna. It was just released and is a sequel. I read the first book a few months ago, and I am really excited to get into it!

[Jillian]

Emily wrote: "Jillian, you have some excellent options there... I loved Lillian Boxfish!"

I'm not a fan of literary fiction so while I liked the book I was relived when it was done. I would definitely recommend it even though it was not necessarily for me.

[Hilde]

Emily, just saw that you’re expecting. That’s so exciting, big congratulations to you. Hope you’re feeling ok :)

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

Thanks Hilde! Just hit 18 weeks so I'm feeling great at the moment haha!

[LeahS]

Many congratulations, Emily.

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

Happy end of June, everyone! How is everyone doing on their reading challenge?

[Jillian]

I finished 7 books towards the ATY challenge this month which leaves me with 8 prompts left. I'm also halfway done with the summer challenge.

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

Nice Jillian! I finished 5 towards ATY, which puts me one prompt ahead into July's prompts, since I'm reading in order. I was a bit nervous to pick up The Remains of the Day for the Powell's prompt, so I'm reading two Heartstopper books before I jump into the next ATY prompt.

Definitely was hoping to be further ahead in the challenge at this point since I'm aiming to be done before the baby gets here in mid-November, but hopefully I can pick up the pace in July when I'm not as focused on reading LGBT+ books.

[NancyJ]

Emily wrote: "Nice Jillian! I finished 5 towards ATY, which puts me one prompt ahead into July's prompts, since I'm reading in order. I was a bit nervous to pick up The Remains of the Day for the Po..."

I put off Remains of the Day for years, but it turned out to be a very enjoyable read, and fairly quick too.

The second trimester is often a high-energy time, so you might be able to double or triple up in July and August. You might not want to read much at all in the last month or two.

[Joan]

I'm 5 ahead with the challenge and hoping to keep it that way. Reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory today so I can stay 5 ahead and check off another prompt. Reading it for the food prompt. I always meant to read it!!!!

[Misty]

I am STILL slogging through Game of Thrones. It's just not that good. I will read anything my kids want me to though - LOL - so..... I am listening to it, and I have about an hour and a half left. I also started The Merciless Ones by Namina Forna as well. I've been looking forward to that sequel for months! I am listening to that one as well. I am reading (physical book!) Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo. I *cough* lost it for a few weeks. Oops. My daughter and husband are both waiting for it! LOL. I am so ready to be done with GoT - so very ready to be done!!!! Gah. If anyone else had asked me to read it, I would have thrown it against the wall by now.

[Jillian]

Emily, I hope The Remains of the Day is an enjoyable read and you get ahead in July.

Joan, sometimes it is nice to read an easy book especially if it is not one you’ve read before.

Misty, GoT is such a slog. I love epic fantasy but his books are just too dark for me. If he ever publishes another book in the series, I’m just reading reviews.

I’m not sure if I’ve made any progress on the ATY challenge since my last update.

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

I ended up getting into Remains of the Day, but it took me a minute... I wasn't sold on the ramblings about what it means to be a great butler but I appreciated the nuances and subtext as the book went along.

I only have one more prompt to go and then I'm done with July's prompts! Currently reading A History of Wild Places for the mythology prompt.

[Misty]

Jillian wrote: "Misty, GoT is such a slog. I love epic fantasy but his books are just too dark for me. If he ever publishes another book in the series, I’m just reading reviews."

Such a slog! LOL. I finally finished it last night. Ugh. I mean, it wasn't terrible, but it wasn't very good either. I'm so glad it's done. :)

[Jillian]

I have gotten my July books updated! I need 700 more points for the summer challenge and I have 4 books left for the ATY challenge. I also finished my reread of Robin Hobb's The Realm of the Elderlings with the final book in Assassin's Fate. I hope she writes more books in the series.

[Sherri]

I read Olga Dies Dreaming. I used it for prompt #38 A book by a Latin American author. I loved it. One of my favorite reads in 2022.

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

Sherri, I had started that one on audio but quickly realized I would need to read it in print to better digest it. I'm looking forward to picking it up again later... maybe for the Latin American prompt!

[Pam]

I probably won’t finish the summer challenge. I’m just focusing on getting caught up on the annual challenge. I’ve got 2 humorous books going, one is Squeeze Me by Carl Hiassen, plus I’m listening to Jaws. It’s Shark Week, so it seemed appropriate. This is one book where I can say the movie was better than the book!

[Kendra]

Pam wrote: "I probably won’t finish the summer challenge. I’m just focusing on getting caught up on the annual challenge. I’ve got 2 humorous books going, one is Squeeze Me by Carl Hiassen, plus I’m listening ..."

Jaws was a truly terrible book. I am so impressed with how Spielberg managed to turn that into something good.

[Jackie, Solstitial Mod]

I had a monster week of reading while I was on vacation, which was lovely and relaxing, and also got me ever so slightly ahead on the challenge. Yay!

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

Jackie, that's awesome. Most of my vacations have not been conducive to reading this year, except for my book club beach trip where I finished two books in 4 days. June was a slow month because of travel and activities keeping me from reading!

[viemag]

Emily wrote: "Hey everyone! It. Is. Summer! (At least for those of us in the northern hemisphere...)

How are we doing on the challenge? Feeling a step ahead, or a step behind? What do your summer reading plans ..."

I feel that the category of Initials of the Author's name in the phrase is difficult. None of the author's I have read have both initials in one phrase.