FALL 2025 READING CHALLENGE

[Danell]

Glad I wasn’t the only one who thought that about Hemlock and Silver. I loved The Rose Code, it was a book club pick and was one of my favorites that I read last year. I purchased The Briars Club and hope to get to it. I have yet to read The Alice Network

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

I'm currently reading The Rose Code by Kate Quinn

[Danell]

I’m looking forward to your thoughts of it Dustin! Your book reviews are great!!

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

I'm going to try The Diamond Eye.
Maybe I'll get around to reading The Alice Network this Fall too!

[Rachel]

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I'm going to try The Diamond Eye.
Maybe I'll get around to reading The Alice Network this Fall too!
[bookcover:The Diamond Ey..."

Thanks for the update, Dustin! Look forward to your thoughts. Hope you enjoy whichever ones you get to. :)

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

Typically, I'm not a huge fan of historical fiction, but Kate Quinn novels seem more engaging than most. I've also enjoyed Louise Erdrich, Lisa See, Kate Mosse, and Ann Weisgarber in this genre.

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

I started reading The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn, but it wasn't as interesting to me as The Rose Code and The Briar Club. I'm planning to pick it back up, just needed a break.
I'm currently reading The Fireman by Joe Hill. Still reading and enjoying The Once and Future Me by Melissa Pace.

[Rachel]

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I started reading The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn, but it wasn't as interesting to me as The Rose Code and The Briar Club. I'm planning to pick it back up, just needed a break.
I'm currently reading..."

Thanks for the update, Dustin! :)

[Rachel]

I finished The Correspondent by Virginia Evans for the random (author I’ve never read before). It’s an enjoyable character study of an older woman told through letters. There are lots of books mentioned and some of the letters are to authors which was fun. The audiobook is excellent and features a full cast of talented narrators.

[Danell]

I listened to Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer I really enjoyed it.

[Rachel]

Danell wrote: "I listened to Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer I really enjoyed it."

Thanks for the update, Danell! :)
Added it to my tbr-thanks! :D

[Danell]

I listened to The Once and Future Me. I agree with your review Rachel

[Danell]

I listened to Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry, which works for B-A-T. It was good. What a man and what a life!

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

Danell wrote: "I listened to The Once and Future Me. I agree with your review Rachel"

I am still reading The Once and Future Me. My library didn't have an audiobook available, I'm reading this one solely in print which is why it's taking a while. I am mostly reading in the middle of the night to help me fall asleep.
I loved the 1954 setting, but I'm not sure I like where it's going now . . . .

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

Random Task
2013 - READ A BOOK LESS THAN 200 PAGES
or READ A BOOK OF SHORT STORIES

I'm currently reading Seven Stones to Stand or Fall, a book of seven short stories set in the Outlander world by Diana Gabaldon.
The book is over 500 pages, so I'm planning to read some shorter books after I finish this one. I'm getting behind on my yearly reading goal (number of books) because I've been reading such lengthy volumes lately: Joe Hill, Outlander, Moby Dick etc.

[Rachel]

Danell wrote: "I listened to The Once and Future Me. I agree with your review Rachel"

Thanks for the update, Danell! So far this seasons group reads are falling short. Are you going to try King Sorrow?

Hope your next book is more enjoyable. :)

[Rachel]

Danell wrote: "I listened to Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry, which works for B-A-T. It was good. What a man and what a life!"

Thanks for the update, Danell! :)
So sad that he’s gone.

[Rachel]

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Danell wrote: "I listened to The Once and Future Me. I agree with your review Rachel"

I am still reading The Once and Future Me. My library didn't have an audiobook available, I'm reading this one..."

Thanks for the update, Dustin! :)
Looking forward to hearing your final thoughts on it.

[Rachel]

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Random Task
2013 - READ A BOOK LESS THAN 200 PAGES
or READ A BOOK OF SHORT STORIES

I'm currently reading Seven Stones to Stand or Fall, a book of seven short stories set in the Out..."

Thanks for the update, Dustin! :)
All those doorstoppers are impressive. :)

[Danell]

I listened to The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong which works for
S-M-A-R-T, fall 2016 challenge. One part of the book bothered me and that had to do with animals dying.

[Rachel]

Danell wrote: "I listened to The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong which works for
S-M-A-R-T, fall 2016 challenge. One part of the book bothered me and that had to do with animals dying."

Thanks for the update, Danell! :)
Also, thank you for the heads up about the animals-I hate reading that stuff.

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

Currently reading Wild Dark Shore

[Rachel]

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Currently reading Wild Dark Shore
"

Thanks for the update, Dustin! :D
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it. Hope you enjoy it.

[Danell]

I listened to King Sorrow by Joe Hill, it was ok. Slumped for me in the middle.

[Rachel]

Danell wrote: "I listened to King Sorrow by Joe Hill, it was ok. Slumped for me in the middle."

Thanks for the update, Danell. I think I'm going to skip it now. Oh these group reads all sounded so good! I guess they all can't be winners. I appreciate you gave them a try. Hope your next book is more enjoyable. :)

[Danell]

That’s the thing with books you never know what will be a good book. And a good book to me might not be good to another reader. I happened to have a free three month trial for audible and that’s how I got to listen to The Once and Future Me and King Sorrow. Im looking forward to next challenge titles and always appreciate the effort and time to make the challenges fun! I love our group!!

[Rachel]

Danell wrote: "That’s the thing with books you never know what will be a good book. And a good book to me might not be good to another reader. I happened to have a free three month trial for audible and that’s ho..."

Thank you for the kind words-I love our group too. :)

As far as next season’s group reads, I’m going to need your feedback and Dustin’s on which titles to feature. Most of the time titles just stand out and I know I have to feature them. Other times, such as winter 2026, there isn’t one that looks better than the others. It does seem to be the season of the mystery/thriller. There are a bunch that have potential. I’ll list them soon. Please let me know what looks interesting.

[Danell]

I will let you know what looks interesting

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

Post a list of potential winter group reads and I'll be happy to share feedback. I'm not very current on new/upcoming releases - for years Rachel's seasonal challenges have educated and informed me. Much love for this seasonal tradition!

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

I didn't love Wild Dark Shore as much as Rachel. I'm a bit behind on my reviews, but will post one soon - need to return the copy to the library, so that will be incentive.
I have started reading Bad Things Happened in this Room by Marie Still. Not too far in yet, but I kinda like what I've read so far.

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

My Favorite Movies at the theater right now:
1. Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere
(musical biopic, I personally prefer it to last years Bob Dylan film, A Complete Unknown, but I also prefer Springsteen over Bob Dylan)
2. Tron Ares
(many people are boycotting Jared Leto because of his personal choices/history, but this is actually one of his better roles. Music by Nine Inch Nails is phenomenal as are the visuals. I've watched the film in 3D twice)
3. If I Had Legs I'd Kick You
(Rose Byrne shines in this strange film. Hole in the ceiling, daughter's feeding tube, hamster etc.)
4. Chainsaw Man
(Anime, Bizarre and Quirky. Based on the printed Manga Anime and following the one season Television Show.)
5. Roofman
(based on true events of crime involving Toys R US, McDonald's and Blockbuster, starring Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst)

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

Random Task 2023 - READ A BOOK WITH BLACK MIRROR VIBES.

Tonight, I will finish re-reading The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher

[Rachel]

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Random Task 2023 - READ A BOOK WITH BLACK MIRROR VIBES.

Tonight, I will finish re-reading The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher
"

Thanks for the updates, Dustin! :)

[Rachel]

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "My Favorite Movies at the theater right now:
1. Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere
(musical biopic, I personally prefer it to last years Bob Dylan film, A Complete Unknown, but I also prefer Spr..."

Thanks for the recommendations, Dustin! :D

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

READ A BOOK WITH THE WORD “GHOST” IN THE TITLE/SUBTITLE.
I'm currently re-reading The Ghost in Love by Jonathan Carroll. Would like to read more by this author but haven't gotten around to it yet since The Ghost in Love is the only audiobook available through my library. It will take more effort on my part, but I definitely plan on reading more Jonathan Carroll.

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

Random Task 2019 - READ A BOOK BY AN AUTHOR WHO WRITES (OR HAS WRITTEN) UNDER MORE THAN ONE NAME.
I have read A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher. Kingfisher also writes books under the name Ursula Vernon.

[Rachel]

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Random Task 2019 - READ A BOOK BY AN AUTHOR WHO WRITES (OR HAS WRITTEN) UNDER MORE THAN ONE NAME.
I have read A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher. Kingfishe..."

Thanks for the updates, Dustin! :)
I should probably give T. Kingfisher another try. Which one is your favorite by her?

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

Rachel wrote: "I should probably give T. Kingfisher another try. Which one is your favorite by her?"

A House With Good Bones

[Rachel]

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Rachel wrote: "I should probably give T. Kingfisher another try. Which one is your favorite by her?"

A House With Good Bones
"

Thanks Dustin! :)

[Danell]

I listened to House of Bone and Rain by Gabino Iglesias which works for
F-E-A-R, Fall 17, it was ok

[Rachel]

Danell wrote: "I listened to House of Bone and Rain by Gabino Iglesias which works for
F-E-A-R, Fall 17, it was ok"

Thanks for the update, Danell! :)
Hope your next book is more enjoyable.

[Rachel]

Finished The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer-Short enjoyable book. Listened to the audiobook which is narrated by the author.

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

READ A BOOK WITH THE WORD “GHOST” IN THE TITLE/SUBTITLE.
I have read The Ghost in the Electric Blue Suit by Graham Joyce. This is the third book I've read by the author. I have intentions of reading more but audiobook availability (as in the case of Jonathan Carroll) is what holds me back.

[Rachel]

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "READ A BOOK WITH THE WORD “GHOST” IN THE TITLE/SUBTITLE.
I have read The Ghost in the Electric Blue Suit by Graham Joyce. This is the third book I've read by the auth..."

Thanks for the update, Dustin! :D

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

READ A BOOK WITH THE LETTERS B-A-T IN THE TITLE/SUBTITLE.
I have re-read two books. Beat the Reaper - I donated to my neighborhood Little Free Library as I don't intend to read again.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou - one of my top ten favorite non-fiction books.

[Rachel]

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "READ A BOOK WITH THE LETTERS B-A-T IN THE TITLE/SUBTITLE.
I have re-read two books. Beat the Reaper - I donated to my neighborhood Little Free Library as I don't intend to read again.
I Know Why t..."

Thanks for the update, Dustin! :)

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

Task #4 An Inheritance is part of the story
and Random Task
2019 - READ A BOOK BY AN AUTHOR WHO WRITES (OR HAS WRITTEN) UNDER MORE THAN ONE NAME.

I'm re-reading another T. Kingfisher novel - The Twisted Ones. I got interested in re-reading my favorite T. Kingfisher books with the author's newest release. Maybe sometime I'll give Hemlock & Silver another chance, maybe not.

[Danell]

I listened to Whiskey Tender by Deborah Taffa which was nominated for the National Book Award, it was good

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

Danell wrote: "I listened to Whiskey Tender by Deborah Taffa which was nominated for the National Book Award, it was good"

Added to my Want to Read list/Goodreads shelve.

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

Random Task
2022 - READ A BOOK WITH A NAME IN THE TITLE.
I have re-read Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking-Glass.