Dare to Dream discussion
Seasonal Reading Challenges
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WINTER 2022/2023 READING CHALLENGE
I look forward to this challenge as I do all of them! Thank you just doesn’t seem to cover my appreciation!Happy reading!
Danell wrote: "I look forward to this challenge as I do all of them! Thank you just doesn’t seem to cover my appreciation!Happy reading!"
You’re very welcome, Danell! :D
Happy Reading!
Christine wrote: "Lots of great prompts for the new season. Thank you!"You’re welcome, Christine! :D
message 6:
by
Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado
(last edited Dec 02, 2022 07:39PM)
(new)
I recently read Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking-Glass. Today I started a companion book that I might finish tonight, Alice I Have Been. This novel gives in depth background on the relationship between the real Alice (Alice Liddell Hargreaves) and Charles Dodgson AKA Lewis Carroll. Fascinating, well-researched and well-written.
Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I recently read Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking-Glass. Today I started a companion book that I might finish tonight, Alice I Have Been. T..."Thanks for the update, Dustin! :D
I am currently re-reading my favorite book. Await Your Reply by Dan Chaon. The book focuses on a troubled family member.
From the Goodreads description:
Longing to get on with his life, Miles Cheshire nevertheless can't stop searching for his troubled twin brother, Hayden, who has been missing for ten years. Hayden has covered his tracks skillfully, moving stealthily from place to place, managing along the way to hold down various jobs and seem, to the people he meets, entirely normal. But some version of the truth is always concealed.
From the Goodreads description:
Longing to get on with his life, Miles Cheshire nevertheless can't stop searching for his troubled twin brother, Hayden, who has been missing for ten years. Hayden has covered his tracks skillfully, moving stealthily from place to place, managing along the way to hold down various jobs and seem, to the people he meets, entirely normal. But some version of the truth is always concealed.
message 9:
by
Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado
(last edited Dec 02, 2022 09:31PM)
(new)
I'm looking forward to seeing which Goodreads Choice nominees don't win so I can read one of them for the challenge.
I found a copy of The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards in my neighborhood Little Free Library, so I'll use it for the Winter Challenge. Task # 5
Another book I recently found in my neighborhood Little Free Library is The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See. I'll use that one for the H-A-N-D in title/subtitle ( Task #2)
Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I am currently re-reading my favorite book. Await Your Reply by Dan Chaon. The book focuses on a troubled family member.From the Goodreads description:
Longing to get on with his life, Miles Chesh..."
I really have to try this author one of these days.
Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I found a copy of The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards in my neighborhood Little Free Library, so I'll use it for the Winter Challenge. Task # 5
"I haven’t read this but saw the tv movie based on it many years ago.
Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Another book I recently found in my neighborhood Little Free Library is The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See. I'll use that one for the H-A-N-D in title/subtitle ( Task #2)..."
You find some really interesting titles at your little free library. Hope you enjoy your books! Look forward to hearing your thoughts on them.
Its reading season! This is my favorite time of year to read. We've got snow on the ground already. My holiday decorations are up. I have a stack of holiday books to read! Turn on a little Christmas music and I'm set. I may not get to any of the challenge books until January. Yikes!
Christine wrote: "Its reading season! This is my favorite time of year to read. We've got snow on the ground already. My holiday decorations are up. I have a stack of holiday books to read! Turn on a little Christma..."Sounds wonderful, Christine! Happy Holidays! :)
Which holiday books are you most looking forward to reading?
I already finished one, Comfort & Joy It had a plot twist that I didn't see coming. I started listening to Murder On The Christmas Express That's going to count as an Agatha Christie inspired book. Others on my list are:Christmas at the Island Hotel
Meet Me Under the Mistletoe
Flight
The Matzah Ball
Happy Holidays to everyone!
Christine wrote: "I already finished one, Comfort & Joy It had a plot twist that I didn't see coming. I started listening to Murder On The Christmas Express That's going to count as an ..."I’ll have to check out those titles. Hope you enjoy them. Happy Reading! :)
Danell wrote: "I listened to an Angie Cruz book and really enjoyed it. Dominica"Thanks for the update, Danell! Glad you enjoyed it. :D
I finished Remarkably Bright Creatures- thought it was enjoyable and heartwarming.Also finished The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi which lost in the sci-fi category. It was a really accessible and entertaining sci-fi book.
Hello lovely book group :)I’ve been very busy with my return to work but finally managed to get more reading time again this month.
I’ve read some Christmas books too, love those in December.
Can’t believe I’ve missed the winter challenge launch but going to have a closer look and plan my reading tonight 😊
Have a great weekend!
I just finished
It counts as my "loser" book. It was very entertaining. It hit my Libby app at the perfect time.
Franzi wrote: "Hello lovely book group :)I’ve been very busy with my return to work but finally managed to get more reading time again this month.
I’ve read some Christmas books too, love those in December.
C..."
So great to see you post, Franzi! :D
Hope your return to work is going well.
Christine wrote: "I just finished
It counts as my "loser" book. It was very entertaining. It hit my Libby app at the perfect time."Thanks for the update, Christine! I’ve gone back and forth about whether to read that one. Glad to hear you enjoyed it. :D
Danell wrote: "I listened to The Incendiaries, which works for H-A-N-D. The book wasn’t for me. Happy Holidays!!"
Hope your next book is more enjoyable.
Happy Holidays! :D
Christine wrote: "I just finished
It counts as my "loser" book. It was very entertaining. It hit my Libby app at the perfect time."
The title is certainly intriguing :-)
It counts as my "loser" book. It was very entertaining. It hit my Libby app at the perfect time."The title is certainly intriguing :-)
I've been reading some Oz books. (companion books). I just finished WICKED by Gregory Maguire this morning. Really enjoyed it - reminded me of reading the Magicians series - so much that I'm planning to reread those books too.
Movie Recommendation:
EMPIRE OF LIGHT starring Olivia Coleman. Great Soundtrack. The film is about working in a move theater with mental illness in 1981. I immediately connected to the film on several levels. Unfortunately, the theater I work at will not have the movie for Christmas - today was the last day of a two-week run.
EMPIRE OF LIGHT starring Olivia Coleman. Great Soundtrack. The film is about working in a move theater with mental illness in 1981. I immediately connected to the film on several levels. Unfortunately, the theater I work at will not have the movie for Christmas - today was the last day of a two-week run.
Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I've been reading some Oz books. (companion books). I just finished WICKED by Gregory Maguire this morning. Really enjoyed it - reminded me of reading the Magicians series - so much that I'm planni..."Glad you enjoyed it. I might have to pick that book up-loved the broadway musical.
Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Movie Recommendation:EMPIRE OF LIGHT starring Olivia Coleman. Great Soundtrack. The film is about working in a move theater with mental illness in 1981. I immediately connected to the film on seve..."
Thanks for the recommendation. :)
I haven’t heard of it -will have to check it out.
Danell wrote: "I listened to Give me your Hand, which works for #2. It wasn’t for me."Thanks for the update, Danell! Hope your next book is a good one.
Hey Everyone!What was your favorite book of 2022?
My top books were Sea of Tranquility, Finding Me by Viola Davis, and The Bullet That Missed.
Also loved Toni Morrison’s short story Recitatif
Honorable mention: Book Lovers by Emily Henry
I normally don’t read romance but really enjoyed this one-it reminded me of rom-coms from back in the day. I’ll definitely read more of her books.
There were other books that I enjoyed but these were my favorites.
Rachel wrote: "Hey Everyone!
What was your favorite book of 2022?"
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel, hands down my favorite book of 2022. I read it three times. An intriguing, relativiely short and easy read.
Thanks for introducing me to new favorites!
What was your favorite book of 2022?"
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel, hands down my favorite book of 2022. I read it three times. An intriguing, relativiely short and easy read.
Thanks for introducing me to new favorites!
Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Hey Everyone!What was your favorite book of 2022?"
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel, hands down my favorite book of 2022. I read it three times. An intriguing, relativ..."
Glad you enjoyed it! I love her writing. :)
Danell wrote: "The island West with Giraffes
The Exorcist’s House
The Plot
Upgrade"
I haven’t heard of some of these titles-will have to check them out. :D
My library was closed for a few weeks (due to meth use in the restrooms), so holds are a bit backed up right now. Below are some of the books I'm waiting on to use in the Winter Reading Challenge:
Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "My library was closed for a few weeks (due to meth use in the restrooms), so holds are a bit backed up right now. Below are some of the books I'm waiting on to use in the Winter Reading Challenge:..."
Who the hell goes to the library to do drugs?!
Anyway, hope you enjoy these titles. Look forward to hearing your thoughts on them.
READ A BOOK IN WHICH ONE OF THE WORDS IN THE TITLE/SUBTITLE REFERS TO A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY (SON, DAUGHTER, ETC.).
Decided to re-read a book that I read back in 2014,
The Girl Who Fell From The Sky, "The Girl" referring to a member of the family. Maybe it's a bit of a stretch - the word is Girl rather than Father, Mother, Son, Daughter.
Decided to re-read a book that I read back in 2014,
The Girl Who Fell From The Sky, "The Girl" referring to a member of the family. Maybe it's a bit of a stretch - the word is Girl rather than Father, Mother, Son, Daughter.
Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "READ A BOOK IN WHICH ONE OF THE WORDS IN THE TITLE/SUBTITLE REFERS TO A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY (SON, DAUGHTER, ETC.).Decided to re-read a book that I read back in 2014,
The Girl Who Fell From The ..."
It is a bit of a stretch but it’s all good. :D
Enjoy your reread. :)
Hey! Happy New Year! December went by in a blur and January is not much better. I just finished up my book journal from 2022 and set up the new one. Best books of 2022, there always has to be more than one:
I'm going to do something a bit different for my yearly reading challenge. I cut back on the number of books and I want to read some of the "big" books on my shelves, hopefully make more room in the bookcases. Even though I did a big purge this fall, I still have books on the floor My husband says no more bookcases. He really is no fun, lol.
Anyway I hope everyone is healthy and dry. Its been a bit wet out west. Happy reading!
Christine wrote: "Hey! Happy New Year! December went by in a blur and January is not much better. I just finished up my book journal from 2022 and set up the new one. Best books of 2022, there always has to be mor..."
I really have to read Lessons in Chemistry. Which big books are you planning to read this year? I’m always somewhat intimidated by big books but hope to read one or two myself this year.
Happy Reading! :D
My main focus will be catching up on the Outlander series. I've re-read the 1st four books and have all the rest. I just love those characters. I'm also going to finish Ken Follett's Century Trilogy and Kingsbridge series. David Copperfield and Huck Finn, possibly some Neal Stephenson and some hefty Stephen King from the Dark Tower series. All are books that have been on my shelves for years. They take up feet not inches in the bookcases. What I'm finding is that I love character development and the bigger book gives that to me. I'll mix in the books from our seasonal challenges too. I'm listening to Now is Not the Time to Panic and I am loving it.
Christine wrote: "My main focus will be catching up on the Outlander series. I've re-read the 1st four books and have all the rest. I just love those characters. I'm also going to finish Ken Follett's Century Trilog..."Good luck! Reading those books will definitely give you more shelf space (and room for new books :)
Christine wrote: "hopefully make more room in the bookcases. Even though I did a big purge this fall, I still have books on the floor My husband says no more bookcases. He really is no fun, lol.."
I have bought a bunch of bookshelves and used books in the past year. I found an etsy seller that makes a nice bookshelf for small spaces. I also have become addicted to thriftbooks - I can get good quality used books for under $5 and then they reward me with free books.
I like living alone and surrounding myself with books. I also rotate out books that I'm not interested in re-reading - mostly 1-3 star books, and keep the 4-5 star books that are worth reading again and again. I trade books at my neighborhood Little Free Library.
I have bought a bunch of bookshelves and used books in the past year. I found an etsy seller that makes a nice bookshelf for small spaces. I also have become addicted to thriftbooks - I can get good quality used books for under $5 and then they reward me with free books.
I like living alone and surrounding myself with books. I also rotate out books that I'm not interested in re-reading - mostly 1-3 star books, and keep the 4-5 star books that are worth reading again and again. I trade books at my neighborhood Little Free Library.
Books mentioned in this topic
Remarkably Bright Creatures (other topics)Maame (other topics)
Remarkably Bright Creatures (other topics)
A Room of One’s Own (other topics)
Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone (other topics)
More...




The Winter 2022/2023 Reading Challenge will start December 1st and end February 28th.
Rules of the challenge:
Read 3 books (or more)
Complete 3 prompts (or more)
All genres ok
Rereads ok
This winter, complete 3 (or more) of the following:
1. I always like to feature a bunch of authors in each challenge. Some of the authors have birthdays this season and some may or may not. (I can’t always find that information).
So this winter,
READ A BOOK BY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
Angie Cruz
Rene Denfeld
Yaa Gyasi
Colleen Hoover
Kanae Minato
2. National Handwashing Awareness Week is December 4th-10th.
So this winter,
READ A BOOK WITH THE LETTERS H-A-N-D IN THE TITLE/SUBTITLE.
3. The winners of the Goodreads Choice Awards will be announced on December 8th.
So this winter,
READ ONE OF THE LOSERS.
4. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery will have a limited release in theaters before premiering on Netflix on December 23rd. The same detective is back (played by Daniel Craig) but this is a whole new story and a new cast of characters. It’s considered more of a companion story rather than a direct sequel. The writer/director of the films has stated Agatha Christie as one of his influences.
So this winter,
READ A BOOK THAT HAS BEEN INSPIRED BY OR INFLUENCED BY AGATHA CHRISTIE.
OR
READ A COMPANION NOVEL.
5. The Son will have a limited release in theaters in November and then a nationwide release on January 20, 2023. It’s about a divorced couple struggling to help their troubled teenage son.
So this winter,
READ A BOOK THAT FOCUSES ON A TROUBLED FAMILY MEMBER.
OR
READ A BOOK IN WHICH ONE OF THE WORDS IN THE TITLE/SUBTITLE REFERS TO A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY (SON, DAUGHTER, ETC.).
6. Since the winter challenge starts in 2022 and ends in 2023, I thought the group reads should feature a couple more 2022 releases as well as a winter 2023 title.
So this winter,
READ AND DISCUSS WITH THE GROUP ONE (OR MORE) OF THE FOLLOWING:
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
(Available Now)
Now Is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson
(Available Now)
Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson (January 17, 2023)
7. Random Prompt-This counts towards the challenge but is not inspired by the season.
This past fall was the 22nd anniversary of the television show Gilmore Girls. The character Rory Gilmore loved books and hundreds were discussed during the show’s run. If you google Rory Gilmore Book List or Reading List, you will find a list of all the books mentioned.
So this winter,
READ A BOOK MENTIONED ON THE SHOW.
WISHING YOU ALL GOOD THINGS IN THE NEW YEAR. HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY WINTER, EVERYONE! :D