2020 Big Book Summer Reading Challenge discussion

Use this discussion thread to post and discuss what Big Book you are reading!

I am starting the summer with Faithful Place by Tana French, since we just finished watching Dublin Murders, based on her first 2 books (that I loved!).

Origin by Dan Brown.
I’m in the middle of Tell The Wolves I’m Home

So glad you're doing this again!! I am definitely game to participate :)

Here are 3 I am definitely tackling:

The Host (620 pages)
The 5th Wave (457 pages)
The Murder House (451 pages)

I'm starting by listening to Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys and reading The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly.

Allen wrote: "Origin by Dan Brown.
I’m in the middle of Tell The Wolves I’m Home"

That's such a great book, Allen! Just add a post to the Sign-Up discussion, so I will remember to include you in the giveaway at the end of the summer!

D.L. wrote: "So glad you're doing this again!! I am definitely game to participate :)

Here are 3 I am definitely tackling:

The Host (620 pages)
The 5th Wave (457 pages)
[book:Th..."

Oh, The 5th Wave is so good! That was one of my reads for a previous Big Book Summer - enjoy!

Karla wrote: "I'm starting by listening to Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys and reading The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly."

Sounds great, Karla! I LOVED Salt to the Sea - fabulous book! I haven't read the other one yet. Enjoy!

Right now I'm reading Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce that is 400 pages, and I'm almost finished with it!

Next up is Her Last Flight by Beatriz Williams - 400 pages.

I also have Fast Girls: A Novel of the 1936 Women's Olympic Team by Elise Hooper - 510 pages.

Finally I have Jackie and Maria: A Novel of Jackie Kennedy & Maria Callas by Gill Paul - 480 pages.

That's all the ARCs I have due out this summer. I might have another print book to add...

I immediately thought of Barkskins, by Annie Prouix, 717 pages. It has been lingering on my bookshelf unread for quite some time. Then on my goodreads feed page popped up a review of the book. So Barkskins it is I think. Right now I’m reading The Snowman by Jo Nesbø.

Now that I am semi-retired, I will be reading The Prince of Tides (for book club in July) and Wolf Hall. If I get a trip to the beach scheduled I'll probably add Barkskins.

I've been in such a reading rut lately with Covid-19 and work stress and hope that with the work stress gone (laid off last week) that I'll feel more inclined to sit with a good book outside.

Davida wrote: "Right now I'm reading Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce that is 400 pages, and I'm almost finished with it!

Next up is Her Last Flight by [autho..."

Those all sound great, Davida! You're off to a good start!

Debbie wrote: "I immediately thought of Barkskins, by Annie Prouix, 717 pages. It has been lingering on my bookshelf unread for quite some time. Then on my goodreads feed page popped up a review of the book. So B..."

Oooh, we have The Snowman, too (my husband's read it but not me yet). I'd like to read Barkskins, too, Debbie - sounds like a great first choice!

Joan wrote: "Now that I am semi-retired, I will be reading The Prince of Tides (for book club in July) and Wolf Hall. If I get a trip to the beach scheduled I'll probably add [book:B..."

So glad you're joining the fun, Joan!! Can you just add a brief comment to the Sign-Up thread so it's official? That's what I will use at the end of the summer for the giveaway :)

I have NEVER read Prince of Tides but always meant to - I loved the movie! I haven't read Wolf Hall yet, either, and would love to read Barkskins. You're off to a great start!

I’ll also read The book of longings

Here are two books I plan to read toward the Big Book Challenge!

Code Name Hélène by Ariel Lawhon

Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky

Deb wrote: "Here are two books I plan to read toward the Big Book Challenge!

Code Name Hélène by Ariel Lawhon

[book:Imaginary Friend|435..."

Code Name Helene is already on my "best of 2020" list so ENJOY!

Suzan wrote: "I have NEVER read Prince of Tides but always meant to - I loved the movie!"

I read this when it came out, loved it and never wanted to see the film. Mind you, my husband tried to read the book he wrote after that, and didn't like it so we kind of dropped him from our reading lists.

Joan wrote: "Now that I am semi-retired, I will be reading The Prince of Tides (for book club in July) and Wolf Hall."

Oh, have fun... it is really good (if I recall correctly. I read it when it came out)!

The 'Big Book' I am reading is "The Glass Sentence" by S. E. Grove for a book club. It has 528 pages.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Happy Reading to Everyone! 📚

I’m thinking of read Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon or The Knife by Jo Nesbo.

Karla wrote: "I'm starting by listening to Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys and reading The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly."

I adored Salt to the Sea. I think you will need a box of kleenex at hand for it.

I'll be reading Gone with the Wind 959 pages and A Column of Fire -
909 pages. I will probably add a third book just not sure what to choose.

I'm super excited to dig into Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

Karen wrote: "I’m thinking of read Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon or The Knife by Jo Nesbo."

Just started Code Name Helene. So good so far!!

I finished my first (met my goal, ha ha) I read a 400+ page ARC of Lazarus and it was so good! Not coming out until December I think. If you’re a fan of the Scandinavian detective/killer type stories, I recommend this series.

So I started The Stand last night and got 6 Chapters in, I have to get to chapter 24 by Friday to listen to The Company of the Mad-The Stand podcast. Which will help me read this massive book that I've only read 2x in my life and am re-reading b/c of this challenge and that I wanted to pick up some of SK's work that I had read before and have forgotten about. I have the basics, but not the immense details.

I've just started The Complete Short Stories of W. Somerset Maugham. It's really long, about 900 pages! It has about 30 short stories and my goal is to read one every day. I have a LOT of short story collections so I'm hoping to knock two or three of them off the pile this summer (in addition to my other long reads).

Davida wrote: "Right now I'm reading Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce that is 400 pages, and I'm almost finished with it!

Next up is Her Last Flight by [autho..."

Sounds like a great line-up, Davida! Remember to add your blog post to the links list on the challenge page!

Debbie wrote: "I immediately thought of Barkskins, by Annie Prouix, 717 pages. It has been lingering on my bookshelf unread for quite some time. Then on my goodreads feed page popped up a review of the book. So B..."

Hey, Debbie, did you see the new Barkskins TV adaptation on National Geographic channel? I haven;t seen it yet but keep seeing the ads!

Allen wrote: "I’ll also read The book of longings"

Sounds like a good plan, Allen!

Deb wrote: "Here are two books I plan to read toward the Big Book Challenge!

Code Name Hélène by Ariel Lawhon

[book:Imaginary Friend|435..."

I'm hearing a LOT about Code Name Helene, Deb - sounds like a good one! And I LOVED The Perks of Being a Wallflower so would definitely like to try Chbosky's latest.

Joan wrote: "Now that I am semi-retired, I will be reading The Prince of Tides (for book club in July) and Wolf Hall. If I get a trip to the beach scheduled I'll probably add [book:B..."

Hey, Joan, I was focused on the books and just realized you said semi-retired! Congratulations!

Amelia wrote: "The 'Big Book' I am reading is "The Glass Sentence" by S. E. Grove for a book club. It has 528 pages.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Happy Reading to Everyone! 📚"

Sounds like a good one, Amelia! Enjoy!

Karen wrote: "I’m thinking of read Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon or The Knife by Jo Nesbo."

Code Name Helene may just be the top Big Book of the summer! I'd like to read it, too. And my husband loves Nesbo - I need to give him a try!

Jeanette wrote: "I'll be reading Gone with the Wind 959 pages and A Column of Fire -
909 pages. I will probably add a third book just not sure what to choose."

I read Gone with the Wind last summer, Jeanette, and absolutely loved it! Far more than I expected to. I was completely absorbed for all of those almost-1000 pages - enjoy!

Emily wrote: "I'm super excited to dig into Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3..."

You've started quite a trend with your announcement, Emily! Looks like a lot of people will be joining you!

Victoria wrote: "I finished my first (met my goal, ha ha) I read a 400+ page ARC of Lazarus and it was so good! Not coming out until December I think. If you’re a fan of the Scandinavian detective/k..."

Wow, that was quick, Vicki! Maybe you'll fit in another before September...

Susan wrote: "So I started The Stand last night and got 6 Chapters in, I have to get to chapter 24 by Friday to listen to The Company of the Mad-The Stand podcast. Which will help me read this massive book that ..."

Oh, interesting, Susan - I didn't realize you'd read it before! I think I read it twice, too (so far!). A podcast and readalong is always good motivation.

Karen wrote: "I've just started The Complete Short Stories of W. Somerset Maugham. It's really long, about 900 pages! It has about 30 short stories and my goal is to read one every day. I have a LOT of short sto..."

That's a great idea, Karen. I have several short story collections I never get to because I am usually in the mood for a novel. I should try reading the stories one at a time, too!

The Parisian by Isabella Hammad

I'm also reading The Stand by Stephen King for #The Stand Challenge. Just read ~200 pages per month and then there will be a monthly podcast at: https://thestandpodcast.com
The 1st podcast covering Ch 1-24 is already up (posted on May 29). Great discussion. This is my first time to read The Stand

I’m now reading an ARC of Utopia Avenue by David Mitchell. It’s kind of embarrassing but I probably have 50 ARCs to read.

Suzan wrote: "Victoria wrote: "I finished my first (met my goal, ha ha) I read a 400+ page ARC of Lazarus and it was so good! Not coming out until December I think. If you’re a fan of the Scandin..."

Don’t worry, #2 is in process!

Suzan wrote: "Emily wrote: "I'm super excited to dig into Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3..."

You've sta..." Yes, I have some accountability partners!

Emily wrote: "Suzan wrote: "Emily wrote: "I'm super excited to dig into Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3......"

I read that via audio a few years back. I really liked it but audio took FORVER! (Only listened on my commute which wasn’t that long).

Suzan wrote: "Amelia wrote: "The 'Big Book' I am reading is "The Glass Sentence" by S. E. Grove for a book club. It has 528 pages.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Happy Reading ..."

Thank you! So far I'm enjoying it!

I've started reading The Huntress (500 pages) So far I am wowed, even as it raises my anxiety level!

Started reading origin by Dan Brown

Cheriee wrote: "I've started reading The Huntress (500 pages) So far I am wowed, even as it raises my anxiety level!"

After reading this, Nina became one of my all-time favorite fictional characters! Enjoy!