Play Book Tag discussion
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Trim Challenge 2024: Announcement and Community Thread
great clip Meli-!! I need some motivation like that, have not finished 1 for trim yet! (*hides head in shame*)
#13 JanuaryHeaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
5 stars
In 1972 a skeleton is found at the bottom of a well in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. The book then goes back 47 years to tell a story of how people in the small town interacted and their prejudices again both Jewish and Black residents. In it Chona and Moshe marry and the goodness of Chona is seen by all. She is Jewish and runs a grocery store in a poor section of town known as Chicken Hill. She gives away many store items to those in need and is friended by the Black community there.
Chona has no children of her own and tries to protect a 12 year old Black boy, Dodo, from being sent to an institution run by the state. She takes in Dodo and tries to hide him when state workers come looking for him. Dodo is deaf and wrongly seen at the time as being 'dumb.'
The book themes include immigrants and how they are treated, racial and Jewish discrimination, and the privileges of others. People take risks for their family and friends; and the reader cares about the characters.
The writer has done a good job of describing the segregation in the town and has made very strong characters who do what needs to be done to get by. Some humor is also included through the actions of secondary characters. This book examines people's lives and what they believe; it is an excellent read.
#14 February A Town Call Solace by Mary Lawson
4 stars
In the small town of Solace, seven year old Clara's sister, Rose, is missing. Clara is very affected by this and also by the death of her next door neighbor, Mrs. Orchard. A man named Liam has moved into Mrs. Orchard's home and has problems related to his marriage and job. Liam is connected to Mrs. Orchard from when he is young. He struggles to find is way, but befriends Clara who is taking care of Mrs. Orchard's cat.
What happens to Rose is only touched upon briefly. There is certainly fear around it, but the details are not discussed. As the book goes along, Clara knows there is information not being told to her and turns to Liam. The author shows how different people cope with bad situations. It also highlights secrets being kept from family, the police and even oneself.
The setting is a town where not much normally happens. But in this story, lives are changed and people need to make decisions on what they are going to do. It was a well written book.
Meli wrote: "* clings bottles together * Haaaaaannnnahhhh... come out and plaaaaaaayeeeyaaaay!
(if you don't get that reference, please google "warriors, come out and play" 😆)"
😍 - Fabulous clip, Meli!
@JoAnne - you should have that play for you each evening when you settle in to read!
I'm finally starting my January pick, lol. I think I can finish it in a couple of days. Maybe, I can knock out my February one right after, lol.
It’s Hanna’s turn to pick for March. She usually gets on fairly regularly and when she does she posts a bunch of bunch of books. Plus she’s playing in the books with friends, so I have a feeling that she’ll turn up sooner or later. Since it’s only been a day or so, I’m not gonna press her about it, but if anybody else who in contact with her, would like to mention it feel free. I’m excited too to see what the pick is.
I had a message from Hannah on something else and she mentioned she's at the theater. I'm sure she will post when she gets home in a few hours.
No worries of course, totally in jest although I am always excited for the tag and trim reveal 😃
Theresa wrote: "I had a message from Hannah on something else and she mentioned she's at the theater. I'm sure she will post when she gets home in a few hours."Good to know. I wonder what she's seeing at the theatre?
I'll be going to Spring Awakening next week. This is the Deaf West production with both hearing and deaf actors simultaneously telling the story.
Theresa wrote: "I had a message from Hannah on something else and she mentioned she's at the theater. I'm sure she will post when she gets home in a few hours."How dare she have a life or any fun? (snark emoji) Looking forward to seeing what I will get to read this month.
I for one am thrilled she’s at the theater! It’s so important to not just love our stories, but to get out there in the world and do stuff. Good for her. I am delighted and I hope she’s having fun. I’m sure we can all hang on.
Amy wrote: "I for one am thrilled she’s at the theater! It’s so important to not just love our stories, but to get out there in the world and do stuff. Good for her. I am delighted and I hope she’s having fun...."I think we all are Amy.....that's why we need emojis because things get lost in translation when just typing.
Good point, Jen. We also just need some levity here too, and even with emojis it doesn't always translate. I'm still laughing though over Meli's video clip. Lordy I needed that today!
Sorry I've made you all wait, but as Theresa mentioned I was at the theatre with friends last night, and that then became drinks and dancing and I didn't get home until gone 2.March Trim is #18
For me, this is The Cactus, which was one of my Trim books from last year that I didn't get around to, so I'm definitely going to get to it some time in March.
Hannah wrote: "Sorry I've made you all wait, but as Theresa mentioned I was at the theatre with friends last night, and that then became drinks and dancing and I didn't get home until gone 2.March Trim is #18
..."
Sounds like a fun night. We could all use one of those once in a while so good on you.
my choices are: 18) Ready Player Two/Quicksilver /Sea of Tranquility
Not an easy choice.
My choices for #18 are Point of Retreat and What Happened to Goodbye. None of them fits the BWF letter, but luckily both fit the monthly tag. I think I'll go with Point of Retreat because this year I want to focus on reading the series I've started.
Of my 2 choices, I am going with The Indifferent Stars Above: The Harrowing Saga of a Donner Party Bride
I also have two listed for most of the number picks. 18 for me, the first is Murder in the Marais by Cara Black. Theresa had me put this on my TBI years ago. And it has slowly risen up higher and higher. Finally I made shortcut on my trim list as well so I would get to it. Now that would’ve been perfect for mystery. The other book is a newer one, The Roaring Days of Zora Lily, which sounds like it’s coming of age, but I don’t really know that enough people have tagged it yet. I don’t even know if anyone has read it yet. I know HayJay has. But again, what’s exciting about this challenge, is that I either like it or love it, or it quickly comes off the TBR.
Just started the Museum of Failures. Is that the book you were referring to Amy? I just finished Stories from the Tenants Downstairs which I absolutely loved. Works been rough. My students text me every day so readings been a great escape when I have time. I’m working with girls ftom the Bhoukaran community which is a change and a challenge. Their family’s are all from a n are in Russia that I believe borders Afghanistan
Sounds like a great night out, Hannah! My #18 is In The Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado.
I meant test me. Also the girls are Orthodox Jews and very sheltered which I forgot to mention. When I taught them the word entranced they said were not allowed to say that
Sounds like a fabulous night out Hannah, glad you enjoyed!Sally, I'm sure that it means much to the girls to be able to reach out to you.
My #18 is Things We Lost to the Water, a third BR with BnB!
It also fits the tag and BWF.
Fabulous, Hannah!Sally, what a fascinating population. Not your typical Orthodox girls, but the Boukharan Russian sect. I think "entranced" may be related to "idols" (thou shalt not covet false idols, and there therefore be distracted by the true God). I also think there is something about not be allowed to visit a psychic or tarot reader, as that too, takes away from God. The idea that anyone else would have power or control or enchantments. Even the idea of Jesus feels an affrontery to the Jews as a whole, that anyone would compete with the one true God. I believe Jews consider Jesus to be a Rabbi and a teacher (as well as a carpenter - I always found that funny.... Was he a rabbi, or carpenter, or both?). But that God resides in all of us, and that we are all sons and daughters of God. I think even Jesus himself believed that, and it was the apostles that raised him higher, following his unfortunate demise. About the idea of making the blind see, and the deaf hear, walking on water, turning water into wine, I have no idea what they made of that, nor what they would think of healers today, as there are quite a many miraculous energy healers today. I do believe they would think its a gift that comes from God, but not that we any of us are more godly than anyone else. After all, quite a few of our Jewish heroes were "savants" or "illiterates." Our esteemed Rabbi Akiva did not even read until the age of 40 and he was a goat shepherd. The Bal Shem Tova, cleaned the floors of the Synagogue and was an illiterate savant who served sanitation and janitorial duties. Anyway, I wax poetic here with grand digression. But I do believe there is a prohibiton on "enchantments" that has to do with the commandment around not serving false idols and being distracted from God.
Museum of Failures - I ended up loving that and giving it 5 stars, but now that I am recalling it, it started engaging, but as a slower burn. It wasn't until I was openly weeping at the end, that the beauty of the writing collided with the plot so much that was "entranced" and overwhelmed. By the way, with a good book, most of us spend a hell of a lot of time entranced. I sure do. Plus Museum of Failures is a fabulous U for Umigar. But only three tags for authors of color, and I suspect that is because it is a newer book. In a year it will have 5+ tags. Funny how arbitrary the challenges can turn out to be and how that shapes our reading. I had actually thought on the trip to Mexico, I would have spelled Authors all by myself! But because I interrupted to read Don't Forget to Write and the Beautiful Ones, I was short the H and the A needed to complete it in time, before the new month started. But those were two five star books, one an author of color, and one the Jewish Book Club book. Already I have like 10 books ordered at the library to pick up Monday for March.
Still on the topic of entranced and my vacation books, I got on to write a review of the Beautiful Ones (4.5) stars!!! That was delightful!
Looks like I'll be reading Giving Up the Ghost by Melissa Ecker. It doesn't fit any of the other challenges, so it'll be a stand-alone this time around, but looks like a fun one.
I am reading The Silence of the Girls, fits no challenge at all but is a buddy read with Heather.At least I did not get a NF for 3rd month in a row! I did put a few on the list but never thought they would be picked one after another! I still have Feb pick to read.
@Amy - glad you are getting to Murder in the Marais!
Jen K wrote: "Sounds like a fabulous night out Hannah, glad you enjoyed!Sally, I'm sure that it means much to the girls to be able to reach out to you.
My #18 is Things We Lost to the Water, a..."
Yay, Jen! This is a book, I've been wanting to read for a long time. Every time I put it on my monthly reading list, I don't quite have the time for it and it gets pushed back. Let me know your timing for this. I have a book I need to read early in the month and one mid month, but I could fit it in then as well.
Booknblues wrote: "Jen K wrote: "Sounds like a fabulous night out Hannah, glad you enjoyed!Sally, I'm sure that it means much to the girls to be able to reach out to you.
My #18 is [book:Things We Lost to the Wate..."
Me too!! It looks so good. I kept adding to my monthly list and then not managing.
My library only has a physical copy available and I will be on work travel all of March so I might end up buying this. Then I will have it available to read anytime. Let me know what works best for you and I will be ready.
Jen K wrote: "Booknblues wrote: "Jen K wrote: "Sounds like a fabulous night out Hannah, glad you enjoyed!Sally, I'm sure that it means much to the girls to be able to reach out to you.
My #18 is [book:Things ..."
How about sometime in the 3/9 to 3/24 range. What is good for you?
Looks like my #18 is historical fiction (I think! LOL!). Yes, as I see the subtitle and cover, definitely historical ficiton. :-)Arbella: England's Lost Queen / Sarah Gristwood
My #18 is The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker and/or Invisible Things by Mat Johnson. They sound really good so IDK which I wanna go for.I was thinking of swapping in A Good Girl's Guide to Murder to fit the monthly tag, as well. Decisions, decisions!
Heather Reads Books wrote: "My #18 is The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker and/or Invisible Things by Mat Johnson. They sound really good so IDK which I wanna go for.I was thinking of swapping in A Good Girl's Guide to Mu..."
We have a buddy read for The Silence of the Girls but fine with me if it's not right for you in March. Not sure when i can get to it - I've not read February yet!
Hmmm. My 18 is LIKE A SISTER by Kellye Garrett.
Theresa wrote: "Heather Reads Books wrote: "My #18 is The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker and/or Invisible Things by Mat Johnson. They sound really good so IDK which I wanna go for.I was thinking of swapping ..."
Oh do we?!? I've been so out of the loop. Thanks for letting me know! I've put a bunch of books on hold at the library and I guess I'll see what grabs me when the time comes (I also need to start my Feb book so it's probably going to take a bit haha)
Heather Reads Books wrote: "Theresa wrote: "Heather Reads Books wrote: "My #18 is The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker and/or Invisible Things by Mat Johnson. They sound really good so IDK which I wanna go for.I was think..."
It won't be until mid-month for me. Gotta get past Feminerdy Book Club read.
Amy wrote: "Fabulous, Hannah!Sally, what a fascinating population. Not your typical Orthodox girls, but the Boukharan Russian sect. I think "entranced" may be related to "idols" (thou shalt not covet false i..."
My Turkish friends (Muslim) also believed that Jesus was a prophet not the son of God. I find religion quite interesting which some of my friends find hilarious. But getting to know what a person you care about believes helps you understand them better I think and if you care about someone then what matters to them should matter to you whether you believe it or not. Luckily for me my friends have been willing to explain and teach me so I can understand them better and not one has tried to convert me but it has allowed us to find common ground.
Finished my Feb trim so that is 2 for 2. Now to do Author of colour.....cutting it fine because work got in the way. A lot of dramas because the y11/12 coordinator was off sick so everyone else had to step up and the new psych teacher (who is apparently so much better than me she was brought in to replace me after I've been doing it since 2007) has quit already (less than 4 weeks into the year) having left no program or approved course at all....so I'm supporting the second replacement for myself who has never taught it before.Oh well I'll just stay in the chem lab and take my y12s on excursion to AAS and thin layer chromatography this week. Not much time or head space for reading between the dramas.
I swapped out The Overstory for The Museum of Failures. I'm intrigued by the idea of The Overstory but not in the right mindset.
I am trying to get better at DNFing books, so I am doing this to my February pick, Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Disappointing, because I've loved other works by this author. I'm not posting it to PBT because I only made it to page 57 and didn't rate it, but if you're curious about my thoughts, my review is here.
Onward to another book I like better, I hope!
Plenty of people loved it, a few I could name from our group, but I also did not care for it. However, I just gave 4 1/2 stars to her other book the beautiful ones.
4 stars from me on this one Heather, but it was not an easy read for me. I had some problems with it, but did enjoy it at the end of it all.
February #14
A Store at War - Joanna Toye - 3 stars
Review: It’s June 1941 when Lily Collins gets a Junior position in Childrenswear at Marlowe’s Department Store. Lily is 14 and amazed to be working in the posh store in the Midlands of England. Life is a little different in the Midlands from London, but the rationing is in full swing, air raids happen, and the hardships of war are everywhere. But there are still well off people who shop.
The culture of the store is interesting and very different from today. During the few months of this story much changes. It will be interesting to see what happens to Lily, her family, her friends and colleagues through the next years of the war. Good start to a series.
Play Book Tag
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Haaaaaannnnahhhh... come out and plaaaaaaayeeeyaaaay!
(if you don't get that reference, please google "warriors, come out and play" 😆)