SPRING 2025 READING CHALLENGE

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

I'm currently reading The Wife Upstairs by Freida McFadden

[Rachel]

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I'm currently reading The Wife Upstairs by Freida McFadden
"

Thanks for the updates, Dustin. Look forward to hearing your thoughts. :D

[Danell]

I read Songs of Willow Frost by Jamie Ford which works for F-R-O-G. It was good.

[Rachel]

Danell wrote: "I read Songs of Willow Frost by Jamie Ford which works for F-R-O-G. It was good."

Thanks for the update, Danell! :D

[Danell]

I listened to Do Not Disturb by Freida McFadden. It was really good.

[Rachel]

Danell wrote: "I listened to Do Not Disturb by Freida McFadden. It was really good."

Thanks for the update, Danell! :D
Glad you’re enjoying her books. I still haven’t read her yet-which has been your favorite so far?

[Danell]

I’ve been meaning to read Frieda McFadden for at least a year and thanks to the challenge I ve read 4 of her books so far. I liked Do Not Disturb the best. Her writing is easy and quick to read and her plot twists keep the reader engaged, at least for me.

[Rachel]

Danell wrote: "I’ve been meaning to read Frieda McFadden for at least a year and thanks to the challenge I ve read 4 of her books so far. I liked Do Not Disturb the best. Her writing is easy and quick to read and..."

Thanks for the recommendation, Danell! :)

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Danell wrote: "I’ve been meaning to read Frieda McFadden for at least a year and thanks to the challenge I ve read 4 of her books so far. I liked Do Not Disturb the best. Her writing is easy and quick to read and..."

I would read another book by McFadden. She's written a lot. I'm still reading the Wife Upstairs. My library doesn't have any of her other books on audio CD, but they have her newest release The Tenant on order, so I've placed a hold for that one.

[Danell]

I was fortunate that my holds on the Libby app came through and I listened to Frieda McFadden’s books. Although I like her work I really need to focus on the 15 other books I have set aside for this challenge, and that’s not counting the ebooks on my Nook that would work for the challenge. But there is only a few days left for me to finish the Goodreads challenge and then onto the other books for this challenge. I highly doubt I’ll surpass the 19 books I read last challenge.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Danell wrote: "I highly doubt I’ll surpass the 19 books I read last challenge."

Well, don't count yourself out yet. There's still the entire month of May and the F-R-O-G task is an easy one :-)

[Danell]

I love how positive you are!!

[Danell]

I listened to Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker. I enjoyed the book and would read another by her.

[Rachel]

Danell wrote: "I listened to Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker. I enjoyed the book and would read another by her."

Thanks for the update, Danell! :D

I enjoyed her new book, The Strange Case of Jane O, even though I wanted her to go into more detail regarding why everything was happening.

[Danell]

I listened to The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker. I really enjoyed it. Unfortunately the wait rid too long for me to get a copy of The Strange Case of Jane O.

[Rachel]

Danell wrote: "I listened to The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker. I really enjoyed it. Unfortunately the wait rid too long for me to get a copy of The Strange Case of Jane O."

Thanks for the update, Danell! :)
Going to add this to my tbr-Thanks! :D

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Movie Recommendation: The Ballad of Wallis Island. I've watched it five times so far!

I'm almost finished with my re-reading of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, a title with FROG letters.

[Rachel]

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Movie Recommendation: The Ballad of Wallis Island. I've watched it five times so far!

I'm almost finished with my re-reading of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, a title with FROG letters.
[book..."

Thanks for the update and recommendation, Dustin! :D

[Danell]

I read Queenpin by Magen Abbot it won a Edgar. I really enjoyed it.

[Danell]

I read The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami. I enjoyed this book also. I thought there should have shown more emotion after missing out of your children’s lives for close to a year. Curious what others think.

[Rachel]

Danell wrote: "I read Queenpin by Magen Abbot it won a Edgar. I really enjoyed it."

Thanks for the update, Danell! :D
Just added this to my tbr-Thanks! :)

[Rachel]

Danell wrote: "I read The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami. I enjoyed this book also. I thought there should have shown more emotion after missing out of your children’s lives for close to a year. Curious what others ..."

Thanks for the update, Danell! :D
I had picked this book up a while ago but quickly put it down-May have to give it another try.

[Danell]

I read The Bright Ages, A New History of Medieval Europe by Matthew Gabriele and David M Perry. It’s not something I would have read but it was a book club pick and since we can use subtitles this book works for
F-R-O-G

[Rachel]

Danell wrote: "I read The Bright Ages, A New History of Medieval Europe by Matthew Gabriele and David M Perry. It’s not something I would have read but it was a book club pick and since we can use subtitles this ..."

Thanks for the update, Danell! :D

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

I read The Humans by Matt Haig at the recommendation of Danell.
(Edgar Award Nominee 2014) 4 Stars from me.
I've enjoyed everything I've read by the author so far, so will likely be seeking out more Matt Haig books in the future.

[Danell]

I’m glad you enjoyed it Dustin! I always get nervous recommending books. I like Matt Heig and believe I was introduced to him through the challenge, wasn’t Midnight Library a group read one season? The books of his that I have read I’ve enjoyed.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Danell wrote: "I like Matt Heig and believe I was introduced to him through the challenge, wasn’t Midnight Library a group read one season?..."

Yes. I also read The Midnight Library at that time. I'm introduced to most new authors and books I end up loving through the seasonal reading challenges of this little group.

[Rachel]

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I read The Humans by Matt Haig at the recommendation of Danell.
(Edgar Award Nominee 2014) 4 Stars from me.
I've enjoyed everything I've read by the author so far, so will likely be seeking out mo..."

Thanks for the update, Dustin! :D
I really want to read this but my library doesn’t have it which is annoying. I might just buy the audiobook.

[Rachel]

Danell wrote: "I’m glad you enjoyed it Dustin! I always get nervous recommending books. I like Matt Heig and believe I was introduced to him through the challenge, wasn’t Midnight Library a group read one season?..."

Don’t be nervous-you have great taste in books. Your recommendations are always appreciated. :D

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

FROG re-read. My third time reading, highly recommend.
Richard Wagamese Selected: What Comes From Spirit

[Rachel]

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "FROG re-read. My third time reading, highly recommend.
Richard Wagamese Selected: What Comes From Spirit
"

Thanks for the update and recommendation, Dustin! :D

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

I've updated my Spring reading goal from 15 to 20 books. I have quite a few FROG books lined up that I plan to complete before the end of the month.
I'm also currently re-reading a book with a desert setting.


Movie Recommendation: SINNERS, just watched it for the first time yesterday. I think it is definitely one of the best films of 2025.

[Rachel]

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I've updated my Spring reading goal from 15 to 20 books. I have quite a few FROG books lined up that I plan to complete before the end of the month.
I'm also currently re-reading a book with a dese..."

Thanks for the update and recommendation, Dustin! :D
That movie has been getting a lot of buzz-good to hear it lives up to the hype.

[Danell]

I listened to The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki. It’s not something I would have read but grateful I did. I enjoyed it and want to read more of her work. Thank you!

[Rachel]

Danell wrote: "I listened to The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki. It’s not something I would have read but grateful I did. I enjoyed it and want to read more of her work. Thank you!"

You’re welcome, Danell! Glad you enjoyed it. You and Dustin are making me want to read one of her books too. :D

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Danell wrote: "I listened to The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki. It’s not something I would have read but grateful I did. I enjoyed it and want to read more of her work. Thank you!"

I'm currently reading My Year of Meats by Ruth Ozeki, I think it was her first novel.
I like A Tale for the Time Being better. I plan to read The Book of Form and Emptiness at some point in the future.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

I used Anne of Green Gables as a FROG title and have been reading the entire series of 8 books, plus a prequel. I'm currently reading the last two books, Rilla of Ingleside (book 8) and Before Green Gables (prequel), both are FROG titles.
and another FROG: I'm re-reading Looking For Alaska by John Green

[Rachel]

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I used Anne of Green Gables as a FROG title and have been reading the entire series of 8 books, plus a prequel. I'm currently reading the last two books, Rilla of Ingleside (book 8) and Before Gree..."

Thanks for all of the updates, Dustin! :D

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Another FROG title re-read
All of Us Strangers

[Rachel]

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Another FROG title re-read
All of Us Strangers
"

Thanks for the update, Dustin! :D

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Another FROG title Re-read
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane
This is currently one of my top ten personal favorite works of fiction.

[Rachel]

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Another FROG title Re-read
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane
This is currently one of my top ten personal favorite works of fiction.
[bookcover:The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane|2515..."

Thanks for the update, Dustin! Added it to my tbr. Thanks! :D

[Franzi]

Hello everyone, will add my read ones at some point this weekend. Just wanted to drop in quickly and say I'm currently listening to Run for the Hills and really enjoying it. Its my first by Kevin Wilson and won't be the last.

[Franzi]

Is the new Backman out in the US? I just wanted to buy it but it's only released in Europe in late June. I'm sure I've read a comment somewhere of someone saying how great it was.

[Danell]

I read The Godfather by Mario Puzo, which works for
F-R-O-G. I thought it was good.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Franzi wrote: "Is the new Backman out in the US? I just wanted to buy it but it's only released in Europe in late June. I'm sure I've read a comment somewhere of someone saying how great it was."

My Friends was released in the US on May 6. My library didn't have an audiobook on order, so I re-read a couple of favorite Backman books this Spring (A Man Called Ove, Anxious People). I'll check next month and see if the library has an audiobook of My Friends that I can borrow. Looks like Backman published a book last year (The Answer is No) that I haven't read yet.

[Rachel]

Franzi wrote: "Hello everyone, will add my read ones at some point this weekend. Just wanted to drop in quickly and say I'm currently listening to Run for the Hills and really enjoying it. Its my first by Kevin W..."

Look forward to seeing your updates. Glad you’re enjoying Kevin Wilson. Looking forward to reading it. :D

[Rachel]

Danell wrote: "I read The Godfather by Mario Puzo, which works for
F-R-O-G. I thought it was good."

Thanks for the update, Danell! :D
How does it compare to the film?

[Rachel]

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Franzi wrote: "Is the new Backman out in the US? I just wanted to buy it but it's only released in Europe in late June. I'm sure I've read a comment somewhere of someone saying how great it was."

..."

I enjoy Backman’s books too. :)

[Rachel]

The Fredrik Backman book, My Friends, will be a bonus group read for the summer challenge. It’s getting great reviews.