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Trim Challenge 2023 – Community Announcement and Discussion Thread
Finished my #4 for February:Stuff Matters: Exploring the Marvelous Materials That Shape Our Man-Made World by Mark Miodownik - 4* - My Review
Mark Miodownik examines the materials that surround us, including chocolate, concrete, foam, glass, graphite, implants, paper, plastic, porcelain, and steel. The author dives deep into the scientific properties and history of each. He also relates his own experiences with these substances. I have to admit being surprised at the inclusion of implants and chocolate, as they seem a bit different than the others (but still interesting). There is an unusual “play” in the middle, involving plastics, which did not quite work as well as the other chapters, but I guess he was going for creativity. It is written in a lively manner, accessible, and entertaining manner.
Finished #1 for JanuaryAll That She Carried: The Journey of Ashley's Sack, a Black Family Keepsake - Tiya Miles
Rating 4 stars
Review: https://goodreads.com/review/show/509...
I cannot add my review text because the computer on this cruise ship will not allow copy and paste, sorry. Please use the link.
Kateloves2read wrote: "Finished #4 for February Danger on the Ranch 2 stars
Because I read A Redbird Christmas, Goodreads thought I should read a Christian romantic thriller about a serial killer, his..."
🤣🙄
Crossroads is slow going, especially when coupled with a demanding and frustrating school year
Sally! We are in desperate need for a catch up! I hope the winter break is recharging and gives you a lift. Choose Joy! Reading or otherwise, do what brings you warmth and fulfillment. And by the way, you are the Trim Picker for March.
Oh. That's right. OK. just let me know when it's time.
My book for February: Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng 4 starsI enjoyed this book, even though I thoroughly disliked a few of the main characters. Only Celeste Ng could turn this dysfunctional family tragedy into a page-turner.
The focus of the story is a mixed-race couple and their three children. As the book opens, we're told the middle child is dead. The story sort of spirals out from there, telling the before and after sequences in multiple timelines.
The parents are self-absorbed and selfish, projecting their own flaws and failed ambitions onto their children. And the children each represent the classic roles in a dysfunctional family - the golden child (Lydia), the scapegoat (Nath), and the lost child (Hannah). All three children trying to "fix" things in their own way - but each fails because (view spoiler)
#4 FebruaryFriends and Strangers by J. Courtney Sullivan
3 stars
In this book Elizabeth hires Sam to be her babysitter. The two women become friends and share many of their life stories with each other. However, they also have opinions about the other person's home, boyfriend/husband, background and financial status. Some of the minor characters are less complex and seem more shallow.
The author refers to privilege in the story. Those with it who may not understand that they are privileged themselves, and those without it. Elizabeth and Sam both have secrets they are keeping, and some are more realistic than others. They do not always see the other's point of view and this affects their relationship. The direction of the book was predictable, but the storyline kept the reader interested.
Finished my # 4 Queen Hereafter: A Novel of Margaret of Scotland 4 starsmy review: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Finished the first of my books at #4 for February. Murder at the Brightwell by Ashley Weaver - 4 Stars
My Review: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I might get to one of the other books by the end of this month, but I probably won't be able to read them both.
JUST notified that my book has arrived a the library. Assuming no "snow closure" tomorrow ... I'll pick it up then and get started later this coming week.
Sally, you are up! Anything except Numbers 1 and 4.
My #7 is either Haven by Emma Donoghue or Blood of Elves by Andrej Sapkowski (third in the Witcher series). I'm gonna lean toward Haven for the moment; I have a feeling my book club partner might want to do the Blood of Elves with me – we've read the two previous ones for our book club. I'm still on very long waiting lists for both my #4s...!! I will get to those eventually, I hope.
My #7 is Castle in the Air, which works great for me as I already have it in line for a few other challenges next month.
I have two for #7. A very clever girl by Stephanie Thornton - one of my favorite authors these days. She is newer for me. And the Postmistress of Paris.
My #7 is a dtb that I've had for years, Gray.Amy, I put Postmistress of Paris on my subdue list, but I've already past it so if you choose to read it, I could do a buddy read with you.
I have Blush as my #7! I'm excited to read something set in warmer weather- by the end of Thursday my area of MN looks to be hit with 2' of snow! Alas, libraries are closed and I was not able to get my book for this month before the closures. I am close to finishing Lager Queen as I bring up the caboose for that January buddy read and take #5 off my Trim list. It will be nice to have a freebie for when #5 actually gets chosen!
My #7 is Good Evening, Mrs Craven: The Wartime Stories of Mollie Panter-Downes. I still have Feb #4 to read as well though month not over. Both are short. I might just swap them and read #7 now since it fits an England tag, then read my #4.
Ha! I just finished reading a Jean Plaidy book, but my #7 is The Courts of Love. I still have to get to February's book, too. I'll likely get to it either as my last book this month or my first book in March.
Trim (Unofficial) Challenge 2023:Primary List:
1. 2061: Odyssey Three
2. Philosophy Between the Lines: The Lost History of Esoteric Writing
3. Solar History: The Connection of Solar Activity, War, Peace and the Human Mind in the 2nd Millennium
4. Hero of Two Worlds: The Marquis de Lafayette in the Age of Revolution
5. Foundations of Oriental Art & Symbolism
6. Evil Under the Sun
7. The Catcher in the Rye
8. The Eagle Tree
9. Shadow and Evil in Fairy Tales
10. The Betrothed
11. A Hero Born
12. Gullible's Travels, Etc.by Ring W. Lardner, Fiction
Alternate List:
1. The Sundering Flood in 20 classic Fantasy Vol1
2. Days on the Road: Crossing the Plains in 1865
3. The Fatal Eggs and Other Soviet Satire 1918-1963
4. The Holy War
5. The Divine Comedy
6. Imperial Woman: The Story of the Last Empress of China April
7. Mao's Great Famine: The History Of China's Most Devastating Catastrophe, 1958 62 Finidhed April
8. Blood and Money: War, Slavery, Finance, and Empire
9. The Hungry Road
10. The Harvest Gypsies: On the Road to The Grapes of Wrath
11. Plague: One Scientist's Intrepid Search for the Truth about Human Retroviruses and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), Autism, and Other Diseases
12. When Money dies
2nd Alternates List :
1. Gangsters of Capitalism: Smedley Butler, the Marines, and the Making and Breaking of America's Empire
2. The Crown Jewels Conspiracy
3. The Diabetes Code: Prevent and Reverse Type 2 Diabetes Naturally
4. The Power of Myth
5. Julius
6. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life Finished March
7. A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century
8. Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman
9. The Jewel House: Elizabethan London and the Scientific Revolution
10. The Complete Poems of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
11. Russian Fairy Tales A Choice Collection of Muscovite Folk-lore
12. The Scarlet Letter
My number 7 is going to be The Catcher in the Rye for March Or Mao's Great Famine: The History Of China's Most Devastating Catastrophe, 1958 62
My #7 is Crossroads which I am now loving.
My #7 is either Where We Belong, The Boy at the Door or My Name is Leon. I really want to read all of them, but I'm not sure I will have time and work is getting very busy with marking at the moment.
I'm a bit messy with my Trim this year. I finished my January book but still haven't reviewed it.... I haven't started my February book yet but own the paperback. My #7 is Women Talking which I thought was a buddy read at that number but looks like I got the number wrong so I am going to do a switcheroo and trade for my #10, The Salt Line. This actually works out nicely because I also own the paperback for that one.
On Tuesday I leave for work travel until March 30 so fingers crossed that my two paperback Trim reads will fit in the suitcase! Hopefully I will be properly sorted by the end of the month.
I finished Crossroads which I ended up loving. Next is either Sea of Tranquility or A Quiet Life, both small books that have gotten good reviews. Has anyone read either or both of them?
Sallys wrote: "I finished Crossroads which I ended up loving. Next is either Sea of Tranquility or A Quiet Life, both small books that have gotten good reviews. Has anyone read either or both of them?"Yay, Sally for powering through and loving it!
Started A Quiet Life, which immediately drew me in. It's a small book which will probably be a quick read.
February # 4 - ✔ 04Mar23
Fallen Women – Sandra Dallas – 3***
When wealthy New York socialite Beret Osmundsen learns that her estranged sister was murdered in a brothel, there is nothing for her to do but go to Denver and seek answers. Dallas is well-known for her historical fiction, focusing on women in the 19th and early 20th century. Here she gives a very realistic view of 1880s Denver and the brothels that flourished there, as well as taking the reader inside the nouveau riche mansions of the city’s elite. The actual mystery plot isn’t all that well executed, but the historical detail and some of the characters really kept my interest up.
LINK to my full review
I finished my first book for #7 which was My Name is Leon.Review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Just wanted to pipe in and say that our April Trim Picker is Meli!
Amy wrote: "Just wanted to pipe in and say that our April Trim Picker is Meli!"😲 Thanks for the reminder!
So I can pick anytime?
You wait until Anita announces the monthly tag. Usually on the 22nd. And that's because what it is might influence your choice.
Our April trim # is 6! My #6 is The Ballad of Black Tom which I accidentally already read... so I guess I will skip this month.
My #6 is West with Giraffes and I think that I have a buddy read for it and that it might fit friendship(not sure about that.)
Oh, I'll finally get to reading Wolf Hall which is my #6! I have to admit I'm quite intimidated by its size, but I hope it won't disappoint as historical fiction.
Diana H. wrote: "Oh, I'll finally get to reading Wolf Hall which is my #6! I have to admit I'm quite intimidated by its size, but I hope it won't disappoint as historical fiction."
Good luck! We in Camp Hate Wolf Hall are here to ease your pain!
Booknblues wrote: "My #6 is West with Giraffes and I think that I have a buddy read for it and that it might fit friendship(not sure about that.)"I am part of the buddy read for West with Giraffes and I believe Amy is as well. It will be a double buddy read month for Amy and I as we also have The Botanist's Daughter!
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Play Book Tag
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Don't Throw It Out: Recycle, Renew, and Reuse to Make Things Last / Lori Baird
3 stars
The title of the book kind of says it all. It’s more of a reference book to check when you have something you might need to fix or if it’s time to get rid of, you can look up some alternate ways to use those things.
There are lots of suggestions in the book, some of which I already know about or do. Many, though, (especially the fixes, but even some of the maintenance to help things last longer) require someone handier than I. I am not handy at all. That being said, I do plan to hold on to the book so I can check if there is something I might be able to do with something when it’s time to get rid of it. I already try to use most things until they die.