Trim Challenge 2023 – Community Announcement and Discussion Thread

[Shelly]

My strategy is to read at least 1 book per month off my trim list, without considering the number. I finished The Beautiful Struggle: A Father, Two Sons and an Unlikely Road to Manhood to prepare for Coates' visit to UNC-Asheville next month. Even blew out a candle!

[Amy]

Good job Shelly!

[Meli]

@Theresa - LOL! I am always waiting until the last minute for trim since I have until the end of the month, whereas book club books are all mid to late in the month.

We will see if I get to Between The World And Me. I feel I have little excuse since it is short but I have a couple I need to finish ahead of it first!

[Shelly]

@Meli
I hope you do get to Between the World and Me. The book offers so much to think about, and everyone comes to those thoughts from a very different place/perspective.
I did it on audio, read by Coates.

But as you said, it is short, so if you don't get to it this month, it will be easy to fit in somewhere else.

[Theresa]

Shelly wrote: "@Meli
I hope you do get to Between the World and Me. The book offers so much to think about, and everyone comes to those thoughts from a very different place/perspective.
I did it ..."

It is an excellent read, and short, but a bit slow going I found. Not one I wanted to rush.

[Theresa]

So happy to see people popping up! I love seeing what pops off everyone's Trim lists each month because they are so diverse! Plus for me to be the first to post a review is so rare as never to have happened before.

@Meli - my only IRL book club meets 2nd Sunday so that book is out of the way early.

[Theresa]

Shelly wrote: "My strategy is to read at least 1 book per month off my trim list, without considering the number. I finished [book:The Beautiful Struggle: A Father, Two Sons and an Unlikely Road to Manhood|278492..."

Not one I have read...

Coates is a charming engaging interviewer and interviewee. I foung his style, manner, and voice far lighter, more humorous, more informal than his writing. Totally not what I expected.

[Theresa]

Ann☕ wrote: "Waving hello to Theresa. I'm here, too!!! I just finished listening to the audio of Remarkably Bright Creatures in between the other six books I'm juggling. I needed to take a few d..."


So many have recommended this to me personally, but then I look at its page and see 'For those who love A Man Called Ove...' and I shudder and say nope. I am NOT on the Backman train, not even Ove.

[Sallys]

I finished Forest dark, which was a huge disappointment. I'm now reading The Hidden Palace, which I love so far!

[Hannah]

#1 A Tangled Mercy by Joy Jordan-Lake (1st of 3 trim options)

4 Stars - I really enjoyed this book, and I've added another couple of books by this author to my TBR.

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[LibraryCin]

I will be reading Chief Piapot: I will stop the train by Vincent McKay.

[Amy]

Kate - great choice. Just next time, wait until Anita publishes the tag winner. Because your choice might next time want to reflect what the monthly tag is. But we will go with four.....

[Amy]

I am switching my number four and number two - none of the books have Buddy Reads. I want to read both books in February (maybe one even in the days before: When Stars Go Dark - its my Fall Flurry Candle), and I want to read the Gown. And if the tag is England, that would be my tag book as well! Which could make things simpler.

[Joanne]

My #4 is Queen Hereafter: A Novel of Margaret of Scotland

[Theresa]

My #4 is a new translation of La Petite Fadette by George Sand. Translator is Gretchen Van Slyke, a french literature professor with whom I bonded at a signing over our admiration for George Sand and how overlooked her work is in US but how esteemed in Europe. Really thrilled to get to this classic!

[Amy]

Absolutely not! You did a great job! I love your enthusiasm for all things PBT! And I love that we have such a great influx of new members. I also love your new photo with the cat and the flowers.

[Booknblues]

My # 4 is Rules of Civility. I think I had a buddy read with somebody for that.

[Amy]

So sorry about Pete. This is a group that loves their pets, and many of us have experienced recent losses. That is a great way to honor him.

[Heather Reads Books]

Finished my #1! All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. Review is here!

Kinda wish I'd liked it more than I did. I know it's a big fave for a lot of people. Had a generally good time with it, though.

Now to look for my #4 possibilities...

[Heather Reads Books]

My neither #4 is Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir and/or Babel, Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators’ Revolution by R.F. Kuang. I feel like I'm already struggling to finish both for one month, but it's gonna be tough to pick between these two!

[Theresa]

Heather Reads Books wrote: "My neither #4 is Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir and/or Babel, Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators’ Revolution by R.F. Kuang. I..."

Go for Gideon the Ninth! I absolutely loved it, stayed up late on 'school' nights because I could not put it down. It is a 'what the hell WAS that?!' thrill ride of a read, and wacky as it is, it is quite an adventure. My Feminerdy Book Club loved it and Harrow the Ninth which I have yet to read.

[Book Concierge]

My # 4 - Fallen Women by Sandra Dallas

[Heather Reads Books]

Theresa wrote: "Heather Reads Books wrote: "My neither #4 is Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir and/or [book:Babel, Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators’ Revolutio..."

I'll have to see! They are apparently really popular at the library right now... I put myself on hold for both and I might just have to see what comes in first.

[Sue]

My #1 - and the book that had been on my TBR for the longest. I'm so glad I finally read it.

The House of Special Purpose by John Boyne 4 stars

Told as a series of flash-backs from the perspective of Eighty-year-old Georgy Jachmenev, this is an imagining of "what might have happened" to one of the Romanov daughters.

The story spans from 1981 to 1981, sweeps from Russia to Paris to London, and is charming if a bit predictable.

I love John Boyne, and while this wasn't my favorite of his, I enjoyed his take on historical fiction.

[Linda C]

My #4 is Becoming – Michelle Obama

[Amy]

I absoloutely LOVED the Personal Librarian

[Meli]

Shelly wrote: "@Meli
I hope you do get to Between the World and Me. The book offers so much to think about, and everyone comes to those thoughts from a very different place/perspective.
I did it ..."

I think I will make it!
I will finish one for my Sunday bookclub tonight, so I think I will have time to knock this out this weekend. :)

My #4 is Goddess of Filth!!
Also graciously short and I am very much looking forward to this one.

[Joanne]

Ann☕ wrote: "My #4 book is A Splendid Ruin but I think I'll read The Personal Librarian instead, which is #4 on my alternates list."

I loved the The Personal Librarian, her books are usually hit or miss for me, but this is one of my favorites. Cannot wait to read your thoughts

[Joanne]

Meli said My #4 is Goddess of Filth!!

They wrote a book about you! 🤣😂🤣😂

[Meli]

Joanne wrote: "Meli said My #4 is Goddess of Filth!!

They wrote a book about you! 🤣😂🤣😂"

I love it! 🥰🤣
This seems like the most perfect random book pick ever for me, I will simply HAVE to read it.

[Joy D]

Finished my #1 for January:
The Vanishing Velázquez: A 19th-Century Bookseller's Obsession with a Lost Masterpiece by Laura Cumming - 3.5* - My Review

This book provides a biography of British bookseller John Snare (1808 – 1884) and a tribute to Spanish master painter Diego Velázquez (1599 – 1660). In 1846, Snare purchased an early portrait of Charles I (before he became King), paying very little for it. He believed it was a lost work by Velázquez. This artwork became an obsession throughout Snare’s lifetime. In attempting to prove it was a Velázquez, he displayed it, engaged in a legal battle for it, and suffered financial and domestic misfortune over it. This book documents his many tribulations that were at least in part caused by his passion for this painting. Along the way, the author offers details about the life and artistic vision of Diego Velázquez.

The author is obviously a huge fan of Velázquez. Her praise for the artist occasionally overshadows the story of the bookseller. Few details are available about the ultimate disposition of the painting, which leaves the ending a bit unsatisfying. I enjoyed learning about John Snare, a relatively unknown person of history and the artwork of Diego Velázquez. I think it requires an interest in art or art history to fully appreciate it. The writing is not quite as accomplished as I was expecting but I am glad I read it.

3.5

[Kelly]

#1 - January

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

4 stars

I really enjoyed this book by Karen McManus. In it a group of seeming random students are in detention after school. Something happens though and one of them, Simon, dies before the day is over. The book looks at the kids in detention, what led them to be there and if any of them could have played a role in the death. Simon happened to have a website where he posts facts about the kids at school. People wonder if this has anything to do with Simon's death and what secrets he knew.

McManus did a good job of creating diverse students that the story revolves around. Connections between them and Simon are made more clear as the story goes on and it is told from different points of views. The group of kids form a bond and try to make sense of the situation. They all have their own secrets that they do not want to come out. It is an exciting book that fans of suspense will like.

[Jen]

Theresa wrote: "Ann☕ wrote: "Waving hello to Theresa. I'm here, too!!! I just finished listening to the audio of Remarkably Bright Creatures in between the other six books I'm juggling. I needed to..."

Me neither. I did read Ove but that was enough. Just not a writing style I like.

[Jen]

My number 4 choices are: 4) The Loop/King Solomon’s Mines/Camp Jupiter Classified

However I am not seeing the Feb tag posted anywhere......

[Joanne]

Jen wrote: "My number 4 choices are: 4) The Loop/King Solomon’s Mines/Camp Jupiter Classified

However I am not seeing the Feb tag posted anywhere......"

Jen, Kate got a little excited and posted our trim # early

[Diana]

I had two options for number 4 - The Huntress and Fair and Tender Ladies. And now that the tag is announced, I've chosen The Huntress because it fits the tag

[Theresa]

Ann☕ wrote: "@Theresa @Jen I understand what you mean. I've also read multiple books by Fredrik Backman and I really, really want to like them but I usually don't. Somehow, the writing or type ..."

You need to stop punishing yourself! LOL. Time to come clean to friends and say you dislike his writing, no judgment on them. Tell them think how boring it would be if everyone liked and agreed on every book.

Too many wonderful books out there waiting for you, Ann☕

[Theresa]

@Katelovesbooks - I for one was really happy to have the pick for February early. It helped me so much figuring out which books to fit around others and around work in February. Only getting random monthly picks in the last week of the month can mean I don't get to it on schedule.

[Jen]

Ann☕ wrote: "@Theresa @Jen I understand what you mean. I've also read multiple books by Fredrik Backman and I really, really want to like them but I usually don't. Somehow, the writing or type ..."

That's exactly how I feel.....what am I missing?

[Jen]

Ann☕ wrote: "Jen wrote: "My number 4 choices are: 4) The Loop/King Solomon’s Mines/Camp Jupiter Classified

However I am not seeing the Feb tag posted anywhere......"

It hasn't been announced yet. Voting is by..."

Of course...the one I least liked. At least it is not as bad as food.

[Jen]

Joanne wrote: "Jen wrote: "My number 4 choices are: 4) The Loop/King Solomon’s Mines/Camp Jupiter Classified

However I am not seeing the Feb tag posted anywhere......"

Jen, Kate got a little excited and posted ..."

OK well the trim is more exciting than the tag as it turns out so.....

[Sallys]

I am reading The Hidden Palace, as my #1. I am enjoying it so much. I loved the Golem and the Jinni and this is just as good!!

[Amy]

Sally, I just read it and I loved it so much. It made my top 10! I’m also reading the island of missing trees if you want to get to that soon.

[Sallys]

Amy wrote: "Sally, I just read it and I loved it so much. It made my top 10! I’m also reading the island of missing trees if you want to get to that soon."

Is it good? I can only read really engaging books while school's in session.

[Joanne]

Finished my January Book Avenue of Spies: A True Story of Terror, Espionage, and One American Family's Heroic Resistance in Nazi-Occupied Paris my review is here https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Amy]

Sally, not loving the Island of Missing Trees - gotta say. HayJay, have you started it yet?

[Hayjay315]

Amy wrote: "Sally, not loving the Island of Missing Trees - gotta say. HayJay, have you started it yet?"

I have not as this week has contained interview prep for my MBA application. Just completed that part of the process yesterday. I still have to get to Lager Queen so it is looking like Trees will kick off my February reading.

[Amy]

I will check out reviews other than mine before starting. I am very likely to come in well under the rave.

[Sallys]

OK. Since we like the sake book, I'll skip i and read Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen.

[Hayjay315]

I started my Trim year off strong with Songs in Ursa Major which just received 5 triumphant music filled stars. My February book will be The Dress Shop on King Street.