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HOB's 2025 "Best Book of March" Nominations & Brackets
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Mod
Death of the Author
The Subway Girls
Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead
Wolf Hall
James
The Joy Luck Club
The Jasmine Throne
The Secret of Elephants
(List then randomized on Random.org for Brackets)
Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead
James
Wolf Hall
The Subway Girls
The Jasmine Throne
Death of the Author
The Secret of Elephants
The Joy Luck Club
Voting Schedule:
๐ณ๏ธ Round 1: April 1st - 6th
๐ณ๏ธ Semi-Finals:
๐ณ๏ธ Final:
Round 1 Matchups:
Match 1: Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead vs James
March 2: Wolf Hall vs The Subway Girls
Match 3: The Jasmine Throne vs Death of the Author
Match 4: The Secret of Elephants vs The Joy Luck Club
Round 1 Winners:
Match 1: James
Match 2: Tie | Poll Extended Winner: Wolf Hall
Match 3: Death of the Author
Match 4: Tie | Poll Extended Winner: The Joy Luck Club
Semi-Final Matchups:
Match 1: James vs Wolf Hall
Match 2: Death of the Author vs The Joy Luck Club
I have to nominate
by Nnedi Okorafor. Definitely a 5-star read for me, and I am not generally big on science fiction. This book interweaves SO MUCH that it's hard to even describe. Very satisfying.
I've read several good books this month. I'm going to nominate
The Subway Girls by Susie Orman Schnall. Historic Fiction is one of my favorite genres. I really enjoyed this one๐
In 1949, dutiful and ambitious Charlotte's dream of a career in advertising is shattered when her father demands she help out with the family business. Meanwhile, Charlotte is swept into the glamorous world of the Miss Subways beauty contest, which promises irresistible opportunities with its Park Avenue luster and local fame status. But when her new friendโthe intriguing and gorgeous fellow-participant Roseโdoes something unforgivable, Charlotte must make a heart-wrenching decision that will change the lives of those around her forever.
Nearly 70 years later, outspoken advertising executive Olivia is pitching the NYC subways account in a last ditch effort to save her job at an advertising agency. When the charismatic boss sheโs secretly in love with pits her against her misogynistic nemesis, Oliviaโs urgent search for the winning strategy leads her to the historic Miss Subways campaign. As the pitch date closes in on her, Olivia finds herself dealing with a broken heart, an unlikely new love interest, and an unexpected personal connection to Miss Subways that could save her jobโand her future.
The Subway Girls is the charming story of two strong women, a generation apart, who find themselves up against the same eternal struggle to find an impossible balance between love, happiness, and ambition.
I recommend The White Girl by Tony Birch, an excellent fiction read on how indigenous people were treated in Australia in the 60โs. My absolute favorite was James by Percival Everett, but I thought you had read that book already before.
I also recommend higly Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead a five star read by the noble prize winner Olga Tokarczuk. A really wonderful read
Mod
Ashley wrote: "Claire, thank you for the recommendations, but please pick just one book from your March reads to nominate!"Iโll choose Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead then. Sorry, I was too enthusiastic.
I finally finished
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel and have to nominate it as well. Amazingly well written historic fiction of the unlikely rise of Thomas Cromwell from an abused child living in poverty to serving as Henry VIII's right-hand man.
Mod
by Amy Tan. I started reading the digital book and then switched to the audio because the narrator just does such a brilliant job with all of the different characters. I recommend keeping a digital/paper copy around if you do the audio just to keep the characters straight. It is split into 16 chapters - 4 women with 4 chapters, each.
This is a story about women, about mothers and daughters, about Chinese immigrants with their "old country" ways and their American children with their American ways, about friendship, life, about love, about family, both blood and found, about sacrifice. I will read it again, next time the version with words so I can highlight all of my favorite passages. This was my first Amy Tan and will not be my last.
One of the things I took from this book was that I wish so much that "Aunties" were a cultural norm here in America, where I was born and raised. Aunties with all their wisdom and their flaws and their delicious recipes and their stories. There is something so cozy about being raised by a group of aunties who adore you and only want the best for you, even if they drive you crazy in the process.
A few highlights that spoke to my heart and soul:
"For all these years I kept my mouth closed so selfish desires would not fall out. And because I remained quiet for so long now my daughter does not hear me. She sits by her fancy swimming pool and hears only her Sony Walkman, her cordless phone, her big, important husband asking her why they have charcoal and no lighter fluid. All these years I kept my true nature hidden, running along like a small shadow so nobody could catch me. And because I moved so secretly now my daughter does not see me. She sees a list of things to buy, her checkbook out of balance, her ashtray sitting crooked on a straight table."
"But now that I am old, moving every year closer to the end of my life, I also feel closer to the beginning. And I remember everything that happened that day because it has happened many times in my life. The same innocence, trust, and restlessness, the wonder, fear, and loneliness. How I lost myself. I remember all these things. And tonight, on the fifteenth day of the eighth moon, I also remember what I asked the Moon Lady so long ago. I wished to be found."
Mod
Also, I've decided to add the Formal Buddy Reads to the running this month. I'd love everyone's input on doing this for the rest of the year. I think it's a nice addition!
Mod
We had a tie on 2 matches for Round 1, so those Polls have been extended until April 9th.
Go VOTE!
Match 2: Wolf Hall vs. The Subway Girls
Match 4: The Secret of Elephants vs The Joy Luck Club
Mod
Match 1: James
Match 2: Wolf Hall
Match 3: Death of the Author
Match 4: The Joy Luck Club
Semi-Final Matchups:
Match 1: James vs Wolf Hall
Match 2: Death of the Author vs The Joy Luck Club
Hooked on Books
Books mentioned in this topic
The Joy Luck Club (other topics)James (other topics)
James (other topics)
Wolf Hall (other topics)
Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Hilary Mantel (other topics)Olga Tokarczuk (other topics)
Tony Birch (other topics)
Percival Everett (other topics)
Susie Orman Schnall (other topics)
More...
Spring has sprung, and so have amazing reads! ๐ท๐ Welcome to the third installment of our year-long literary adventure!
It's time to nominate your top pick for the "Best Book of March 2025" contest! Which book blossomed in your hands this month? ๐ธ
How to Nominate:
1. Plant your book choice in the comments below.
2. Include the title, author, and why it grew on you.
3. One nomination per member - choose wisely!
Rules of Engagement:
๐ Any book finished in March 2025 is eligible.
๐ All genres, lengths, and formats are fair game.
๐ Audiobooks, e-books, and good old-fashioned paper all count!
Cultivate Book Love:
๐ฃ๏ธ Share a quote that made your thoughts bloom.
โค๏ธ Tell us why this book took root in your heart.
๐ฅ Convince us why your pick should be crowned March's literary champion!
What's Next?
On April 1st, we'll unveil the tournament bracket. Then, watch the book battles unfold! ๐น
Voting Details:
๐ณ๏ธ Polls will sprout up with easy voting links.
โฐ Voting season ends on April 15th.
๐ The winner will be announced shortly after!
Voting Schedule:
๐ณ๏ธ Round 1: April 1st - 6th
๐ณ๏ธ Semi-Finals: April 7th - 12th
๐ณ๏ธ Final: April 13th - 18th
Your passionate nomination might be the seed that grows into votes for your chosen book!
So, literary gardeners, which March read deserves to be planted in the HOB's Best Book of 2025 garden?
Let the nominations blossom! May the most captivating story reap the rewards! ๐ ๐โจ