You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
Challenges: Monthly
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July 2024 - For the Sake of It Reporting
date
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Please include on your reporting thread:Your WOF
What you read
Why you read it (for the sake of it is completely fine)
Did you like it?
The criteria it satisfied and points (ie. show your working)
Total score
WoF: KristieI read Nosy Neighbors because I previously read and enjoyed The Lost Ticket by Freya Sampson, so I was looking forward to reading this one and was in the mood for her type of story.
I enjoyed this story. You have to suspend your disbelief a bit, but it is just a easy to read heartwarming type story. It was just what I expected and wanted.
The only criteria it fits is for pages! It was 389 pages, so 2 points.
Total score: 2
Thank you for this challenge because I really wanted to read this one and might not have if I didn't have the time. I often put aside books that I want to read for books that I 'need to' read for challenges, book clubs, etc. It was nice to read a book just because I wanted to.
WoF MarnieI read The Husbands because a friend recommended it to me. It was cute but got repetitive.
It got 2 points for page length but knocking a just for fun book off my shelf…priceless.
WoF JaymeI read We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange because my mom gave me the book and told me that I would like it and you have to do what your mom says.
I enjoyed the story and the characters. I do have mixed feelings about the ending though, but will definitely read the sequel. Now I need to call my mom to tell her I finally read the book :)
Total score: 1 point (274 pages)
WoF SharonBiskitI read Unbreakable Determination by Maria Florkiewicz. One of my best friends highly recommended it to me as she knows the author. She also helped edit the book.
I gave the book 3⭐️⭐️⭐️. While some of the book was repetitive and the dialogue not quite polished, the message and plot was riveting. It is a hard book to read because of the subject matter: abuse. I am glad that I read it but it took a bit out of me.
Total Score:
343 pp. = 2 pts.
Near ocean- 2 pts.
Total: 4 points
WofF TrudyAnI read Chouette by Claire Oshetsky. I chose this book because of the intriguing reviews and high ratings given by several readers I follow.
This was a strange but beautiful fantasy about the experience of motherhood and a mother's love for her non-conforming child. I found it very creative, often humorous, and sometimes disturbing. It won't be for every reader, but five stars for me.
1 point for length (256 pp).
WoF AyaI read One of Us Is Back because it claimed to have a story about (view spoiler) which I shipped since the book #1. It has no thrill as its previous books, or maybe I didn't focus listening to the audio. The plot is unexpected though, and if I were in a better situation when reading it, I'd surely enjoy it more.
2 points (368 pages)
WoF KatrisaI read Mirrored Heavens. I chose this book because it was an awaited end to a series I was reading and it was an excellent end to this trilogy! Now if she would just finish the Sixth World series I would be so glad! She started this series after Sixth World but I guess she just hasn't been feeling that series because she has written like 5 books since the last installment of Sixth World :(
Points:
597 pages - 4 points
WoF Fiona I read Bright & Dark by Lena Kiefer.
I have recently read Heavy & Light, the first book of the Westwell series. I loved it so much that I really wanted to read the second book, so that is what I did :)
Points:
464 pages - 3 points
WOF BethI read The Vanishing Half. A former colleague recommended it an age ago, I had it already on TBR from a NYT review, and I think I had even gone so far as to get it on audible, but I just hadn't started it. This was my excuse, and I loved it.
2 points - 399-300pp
2pts • Shark Week on the Discovery Channel is in July. You can't get the Discovery Channel here without some sort of streaming service but it is so known due to so many American pop culture references - Read a book set in a location that is on the sea/ocean (New Orleans and LA and NY are settings for much of the book)
4 pts.
WoF - JaniceI read A Fatal Grace. I originally had it listed for my hiking challenge. It had been so long since I read the first book I thought it would be a good idea to refresh my memory. Netflix (or Prime Reading) has the series and I thought watching the first episode would do the trick. When nothing seemed to trigger my memory, I checked Goodreads and their first episode was actually book 2 of the series. I quit watching, but was really intrigued. When this challenge came along, I thought "hiking challenge be damned" and picked this book. I'll never get to that hike anyway. Good choice. :)
Scoring
2 points for pages (311 pages hc edition). That's it - 2 points total.
WoF PragyaI read Butter: A Novel of Food and Murder
because I saw it on someone's reading list. A long book that is so deliciously written that you fret the lack of butter in your fridge. Its a hit or a miss for most people. 4 stars for me. Only dragged a bit in the last 10%.
Scoring
3 points - 499-400pp- 464 pages
I must say, this is the most cheering, best thread to read! I am so glad you guys have read some things you really wanted to get to.
Janice wrote: "WoF - JaniceI read A Fatal Grace. I originally had it listed for my hiking challenge. It had been so long since I read the first book I thought it would be a good idea to refresh ..."
There's a series?! To google!
Pragya wrote: "WoF PragyaI read Butter: A Novel of Food and Murder
because I saw it on someone's reading list. A long book that is so deliciously written that you fret the lack of butter in you..."
I've heard a few reviews of this. Sounded like a vegemite book. Luckily in your case, vegemite and butter are the best of friends!
...
I'm a little appalled at myself and will see myself out.
WoF margoI read Glorious Exploits and I think it way be the best book I've read so far this year. I've had this on hold in the library since it came out and they must have got more copies because it unexpectly landed in my account last week.
The tale is set in Syracuse in 450 BC and tells the story of what happens then two ordinary guys decide to put on a play with a very unexpected cast. The story is funny, sad and most of all very human.
The audiobook was read by the author which made me groan till I started listening. He was magic! His Dublin accent plus the contemporary Irish way of speaking made the story so immediate, believable and relatable that I sucked in from the opening line.
This book has caused a stir here in Ireland and I only hope it gets the acclaim deserves elsewhere. I can't wait to see what what he writes next!
Scoring
2 points - 304pg
Rusalka wrote: "There's a series?! To google!."Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series page Yes, there's 19 books to keep one occupied.
Janice wrote: "Rusalka wrote: "There's a series?! To google!."Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series page Yes, there's 19 books to keep one occupied."
Heh Sorry, I meant, there is a Netflix series? My bookshelves already groan with the books.
Rusalka wrote: "Janice wrote: "Rusalka wrote: "There's a series?! To google!."Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series page Yes, there's 19 books to keep one occupied."
Heh Sorry, I meant, there is a Netflix serie..."
It was either on Netflix or Prime Video.
WoF - Lynn The List of Suspicious Things
It's been on my radar since release because it's set in Yorkshire (where I'm from) and in a timeframe of when I was growing up (like the MC). And then I just kept seeing glowing reviews for it.
And I loved it!
Scoring:
3 points - 499-400pp
WoF - CherieI read Tamarack County - 5 stars.
I read (actually - listened to) this book because Roz recommended the series to me and I have been listening to the books as they become available from my library on LiBBY. This book is #13 in the series by William Kent Krueger. Book #20 is due to be published in August.
I have enjoyed listening to all of the books in this series, so far. The narrator is David Chandler. The setting, in Minnesota, is interesting and all of the characters feel like family now. The MC, Cork O'Connor, is part Native American (Ojibwe) and there is a lot of the native American language spoken (like greetings, etc) that are cool to listen to.
The only points that I can claim for the book are for the pages, so my total score is 2pts for 309 pages.
WoF GrainneI read The Guncle
It's a tale about gay uncle Patrick who lives in Palm Springs. He takes care of them for the Summer while their Dad is at a treatment center nearby right after their Mom has passed away. Although it is bitter-sweet at times, it weaves a story of connection, family, and doing the unexpected yet fun thing to do. I enjoy this book immensely because it was funny and it was relatable.
I read it because I had previously read a book by this author and it's been on my TBR list for too long haha.
2 points: 326 pages
Overall 2 points
WoF Shirley I read The Trackers because it’s a book I bought ages ago, and haven’t gotten around to reading it. I bought it because the author, Charles Frazier wrote Cold Mountain and Varina, both of which I enjoyed.
I liked reading this book, although I found it a bit slow at times.
2 points: 320 pages
Overall: 2 points.
WoF name - Amanda(Lily)I read Just Stab Me Now. I chose this book because my daughter introduced me to the YouTube videos by the author, and I thought they were funny. I really enjoyed this book. It was quirky and fun. Very meta.
2 points - 399-300pp (314 pp)
Total: 2 points
WoF - RusalkaI read The Thursday Murder Club. I chose this one to read as I've had this on my shelf for ages, lots of people have raved about it for years, the movie is about to come out, and I felt like I was almost the last person on earth to read it. I am very glad I did, as the cast of characters were great and the book was amusing as well as a good mystery. I wish this is my life in a retirement village, and I have been looking over my shoulder every time I go to visit the in laws.
2 points - 382 pp
Total: 2 points
Hi everyone. I am so incredibly sorry, but badges are now posted.
Thank you for all your patience with me this year while the wheels have fallen off. Please let me know if anyone is missing a badge you have earnt.
Thanks for the badges, Rus. No worries about the delay. From what I've heard, we don't have to have our ducks in a row until next year anyway. So, you're all good. ;)
My ducks are having a rave this year, so this is good to know :P
There are the ducks of YLTO...
You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
Books mentioned in this topic
The Thursday Murder Club (other topics)Just Stab Me Now (other topics)
The Trackers (other topics)
Varina (other topics)
Cold Mountain (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
William Kent Krueger (other topics)Lena Kiefer (other topics)
Claire Oshetsky (other topics)
Maria Florkiewicz (other topics)
Tracey Lange (other topics)
More...
Just because you wanted to. Because someone who's opinion you cared about told you to at some stage. Because something came out you really wanted to read, either recently or you just haven't gotten there yet. Because you walked into a bookshop or library at some stage and saw it and wanted to jump in.
This is the month to do that. Tell us why you are reading the book (just for the sake of it is incredibly valid) and read it.
General Rules:
1. The book may be in any format - paperback, ebook, audiobook.
2. The book may be combined with the Year Long Challenge and the Group Themed Read.
3. The book must be read between July 1 - July 31, 2024 (based on your local time zone).
4. The challenge is for one book. You may read more books if you chose but you may only report one.
5. The book must be 175 pages or more determined by the issue you read.
In the case of ebooks & audiobooks, use the hardcover or paperback edition to determine page length. From the book page, select “all editions”, then select the first paper edition as your guide. If reading an ebook and there is no paper edition, the ebook book must be at least 250 pages. If reading an audiobook and there is no paper edition, your book must be a minimum of 6 hours long.
Scoring
Length
5 points - 600pp and over
4 points - 599-500pp
3 points - 499-400pp
2 points - 399-300pp
1 point - 299-200pp
Random July Fact Points (worth 2 points each, can only count each once)
• One of July's birth flowers is larkspur, which is also known as delphinium. One of my favourite poems as a kid was by A.A. Milne and started:
"There once was a Dormouse who lived in a bed
Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red)"
The Dormouse and the Doctor, A.A. Milne
- Read a book of poetry
• Guanacaste Day is celebrated in July in Costa Rica. - Your book is set in Costa Rica or written by an author with Costa Rican decent.
• Leo is one of July's star signs - Read a book with "lion" in the title.
• Matariki (Māori New Year) occurs between late June and late July - Read a book with a new year's celebration in it. If it is not the 1st Jan, explain it to us so we can learn about all the celebrations around the world
• National Chili Dog Day is in July. I don't know what a Chili Dog is - Read a book with a 75% red cover, if not sure, check https://labs.tineye.com/color/
• Ketikoti is the celebration of Emancipation Day in Suriname in July. It means "the chain is broken" - Your book has a chain on the cover.
• Tynwald Day on the Isle of Mann is in July where they meet in a field and turn any government bills approved by the Crown into law next to a hill buring the Midsummer Court - Your book has a tent on the cover
• Saba Saba Day celebrates a day in Kenya when nation wide protests took place. Saba means "seven". - Read a book that is seventh in a series
• Shark Week on the Discovery Channel is in July. You can't get the Discovery Channel here without some sort of streaming service but it is so known due to so many American pop culture references - Read a book set in a location that is on the sea/ocean
• National Sleepy Head Day is a Finnish holiday. Excuse the wall of text, but this is amazing: "The tradition of the Sleepy Head Day traces back to the Middle Ages, when the belief was that the person in the household who slept late on this day would be lazy and non-productive for the rest of the year. In the old days, the last person sleeping in the house (also dubbed as the "laziest") could be woken up by using water, either by being thrown into a lake or the sea, or by having water thrown on them" - Wikipedia. - Read a book set in Finland or written by an author with Finnish decent.