Book Nook Cafe discussion

I'll be using this list to check off categories, with further details given in thread posts below. Those will be a brief comment on the book, with review links included in my "What did you read last month?" post.


✅ 1 - Book you picked because of the cover

✅ 2- Book with an animal as a character

✅ 3- Travel memoir

✅ 4- A classic

✅ 5- Short story collection

✅ 6- Historical Fiction

✅ 7- Biography, memoir or autobiography

✅ 8- A non fiction book

✅ 9- A book with a city or country in the title

✅ 10- A book with a number or color in the title

✅ 11- A genre you rarely or never read

✅ 12- A book you already own

13- A health, diet, exercise, fitness & wellness book

✅ 14- A book over 500 pages

✅ 15- A book under 125 pages- novella

✅ 16- Music, art, dance, theater, acting theme

✅ 17- An audio book

✅ 18- A book about nature

19- sports related book

✅ 20- Romance

21- Politics

✅ 22- Legal or featuring the legal profession

✅ 23- About business or economy

24- Self- help

✅ 25- religious or spirituality

✅ 26- Mystery or thriller

27- Current events

✅ 28- About Science or math

✅ 29- Humor

30- Celebrity book club pick

✅ 31- History

32- YA book

✅ 33- DIY, cooking, hobbies, craft book

✅ 34- Travel

35- computers / tech involved in the book

36- graphic novel

✅ 37- Literature - fiction

38- book about or set in outer space or astronauts

✅ 39- A story set during a war

✅ 40- bio of a U.S. President or leader of country you live in

41- bio of President or leader of a country you don't live in

✅ 42- Book you DNF but want to give another chance

✅ 43- Book from the Banned Book list. (any year)

44- post apocalyptic story or dystopian novel

✅ 45- a book by a debut author

✅ 46- A book published in 2022

47- An award winning book

✅ 48- A Pulitzer prize winning book or Nobel prize winning author

✅ 49- A beach read

✅ 50- Book with that has some illustrations, photos or maps

✅ 51- book you've been meaning to read but never got around to it

✅ 52- book written in letters or diary- epistolary

✅ 53- Book about racism

54- True Crime

✅ 55- Famous author you never read

✅ 56- book by author you disagree with

✅ 57- Historical fiction

✅ 58- Booker Prize winner

✅ 59- Book about mental health

60- Horror

61- book about philosophy

62- poetry

✅ 63- A book published in 1980s

✅ 64- A book published in 1970s

✅ 65- A book published in 1960s

✅ 66- A book published before 1960

✅ 67- A book published before 1900

✅ 68- A book about medicine or someone involved with medicine

✅ 69- A book about education or takes place in a school setting

✅ 70- A book set or about a country you would love to visit

71- A book set in the future

✅ 72- A book originally published in a foreign language

✅ 73- LBGTQ+ book or protagonist

✅ 74- A play

✅ 75- celebrity memoir

✅ 76- Book made into a movie/tv show

✅ 77- A book you think would be a challenging read for you

✅ 78- A book about a difficult topic

79- inspirational or motivational book

✅ 80- Read a book set on or about one of the continents - Asia, Africa, N America, S America, Antarctica, Europe and Australia. Extra credit if you read one from each continent.

✅ 81- A book recommended by someone from Book Nook Cafe

✅ 82- A book by an author who has published at least 4 books

83- A book you want to read because of a book review you read.

✅ 84- A book that was recommended or mentioned in another book you read

✅ 85- adventure or espionage

86- A Western

✅ 87- Read at least 22 books in 2022

88- Coming of age novel

✅ 89- A book from your TBR list

✅ 90- A book from the 100 books everyone should read before they die https://www.businessinsider.com/100-b...

✅ 91- A book from Modern Library best 100 Fiction book list https://www.modernlibrary.com/top-100...

✅ 92- A book from Modern Library best 100 Non Fiction book list https://www.modernlibrary.com/top-100...

✅ 93- A book that takes place during a holiday

94- Read more books then you did in 2021

✅ 95- Read a book that was published before you were born

✅ 96- A book whose title begins with the letter B, N, or C

97- Read a fiction and nonfiction book on the same topic

98- Book set on a plane, train or cruise ship

✅ 99- A book you Buddy Read with someone

✅ 100- A book with either a cop, detective or doctor character in it.

Good luck, John ! I hope you have fun selecting books and have a wonderful reading year.

This is going to be an interesting challenge. I'm going to give it a try too. Best of luck!

Thanks, guys! If I seem to be whizzing along, it's that many categories fit my outstanding TBR. I'm looking forward to everyone's contributions!

Wow this is an ambitious challenge. Good Luck John. 😃

Barbara wrote: "Wow this is an ambitious challenge. Good Luck John. 😃"

Thanks, Barbara! There are a few categories that I'm confident will never happen (Western, etc.), but many apply to books on my TBR, and the ability to have the same read count for multiple categories at once will help a lot!

John wrote: " There are a few categories that I'm confident will never happen (Western, etc.), but many apply to books on my TBR, and the ability to have the same read count for multiple categories at once will help a lot!."


I'm not a cowboy western reader either. But we can stretch the category to a novel that takes place in the west ! No cowboys needed. :)

Well, while i cannot say i'm a fan, i can say i have read several in the last few years which i can say i found worthwhile. Most likely many could enjoy reading Zane Grey's best known work, Riders of the Purple Sage. I found it interesting to realize Mormons and the dislike locals had to their presence in the area was a focal point.

Just a thought. Also, in The Shepherd of Guadeloupe a returned soldier from WWI returns to the range, where readers can see his recovery from what today would be called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Odd to be starting with Romance (20), but Rainbird's Revenge, is the final in a series that features (focuses on) two characters in each book who fall in love, marrying at the end. I liked the non-romance, humorous historical fiction aspect.

John wrote: "Odd to be starting with Romance (20), but Rainbird's Revenge, is the final in a series that features (focuses on) two characters in each book who fall in love, marrying at the end. ..."

:)

I am savoring that last line, John. How often do we have some aspect of books which we tolerate because other parts are worth it? Smiling at that line...

I like your book challenge and I think the first one is interesting - a book you picked because of the cover!! Can't wait to see what book you pick for that topic!

Julie, i know what you mean. The only time i tried to select a book for the cover challenge, i found myself wondering what it meant. Was i to select a beautiful one? A challenging one? A weird one? It actually had me thinking quite a bit about the selection process for covers which publishers must establish. '

Ultimately, i realized it was all about me--what drew me to the book. And i selected one with a black & white photo of the bottom of a highway because when i drive, i sometimes wonder what's under me. Silly reason...and the book let me down, i hasten to add! LOL!

I have one slotted one for the Cover category, which was more a case of its being a factor when I wasn't sure.

At the moment, I'm awaiting delivery of some books that I bought specifically with this challenge in mind (Pulitzer, banned books, and a play).

I think this is one of the curious factors of the Challenge, the pleasure in seeking the books to fit.

Checked off "B, C, or N" (96) after finishing Being Invisible by Thomas Berger. In the end, it fell squarely between "What a find!" and "What a slog!" with elements of both.

John, that's quite a range. I still have his Little Big Man on my TBR!

John wrote: "Checked off "B, C, or N" (96) after finishing Being Invisible by Thomas Berger. In the end, it fell squarely between "What a find!" and "What a slog!" with elements of..."

Well done !. Of course BNC was the most important one. :)

Sorry it became a slog. Onward !

Alias Reader wrote: "John wrote: "Checked off "B, C, or N" (96) after finishing Being Invisible by Thomas Berger. In the end, it fell squarely between "What a find!" and "What a slog!" wit..."

A slog on the sense of the characters not being a likeable lot mostly. More to come in the review later.

madrano wrote: "John, that's quite a range. I still have his Little Big Man on my TBR!"

Will make more sense in a review. Berger writes well, especially strong with setting scenes.

We look forward to it, John.

Michael Gilbert used his background as a lawyer to create a story that's as much about the firm where the murders take place, as about the criminal investigation itself: Smallbone Deceased. So, there's category 22 taken care of!

John wrote: "Michael Gilbert used his background as a lawyer to create a story that's as much about the firm where the murders take place, as about the criminal investigation itself: [book:Small..."

Well done, John !

So much for a classic (4) and one from Modern Library fiction list (91) ... all those rave reviews of Zuleika Dobson: Or, An Oxford Love Story by Max Beerbohm leave me completely flummoxed, as I don't recall ever reading a more pointless story? I'd title it "Two Hundred Pages of Pure Tedium" myself.

John wrote: "So much for a classic (4) and one from Modern Library fiction list (91) ... all those rave reviews of Zuleika Dobson: Or, An Oxford Love Story by Max Beerbohm leave m..."

:) I appreciate the honest review, John. On the positive side you checked off two tasks.

Time is short and we can't read everything. So I always read the one star reviews first to see if they mention any key words that throw up a red flag for me. For example, non linear timeline, a large cast of characters, needs an editor or magical realism.

Book published in 1960 (65) completed with Jeeves in the Offing by P.G. Wodehouse. Passed time okay, but certainly wouldn't start here as it makes reference to previous characters and predicaments, as well as Jeeves making not more than Special Guest Appearances.

John wrote: "Book published in 1960 (65) completed with Jeeves in the Offing by P.G. Wodehouse. Passed time okay, but certainly wouldn't start here as it makes reference to previous c..."

You are doing real well with the challenge, John.

I looked at the list and without stretching what I had in mind I can't even fit the novel, Our Country Friends, into the challenge.
:( Another demerit for this book ! LOL

That's a pity about Jeeves. Honestly, i didn't realize the books continued into the '60s.

Alias, that's a bummer about no category for the challenge.

madrano wrote: "That's a pity about Jeeves. Honestly, i didn't realize the books continued into the '60s."

Alias Reader wrote: "John wrote: "Book published in 1960 (65) completed with Jeeves in the Offing by P.G. Wodehouse. Passed time okay, but certainly wouldn't start here as it makes reference ..."

From the blurb, seems as though your book can be shoehorned into covering Romance, perhaps? As long as there's some sort of recognizable romantic subplot, need not be Harlequin level.


madrano wrote: "That's a pity about Jeeves. Honestly, i didn't realize the books continued into the '60s."

The action is vague enough that it could easily take place earlier, as early as the 1930s. Perhaps it was the audio narration, but Jeeves' tone hinted he was ready for retirement after a lifetime of solving Wooster's scrapes; here, he comes back early from his summer vacation later on to save the day.

I like your description, John. No doubt Jeeves was ready to retire fairly early on, imo.

Passenger To Tehran by Vita Sackville-West takes care of three categories: Travel memoir (3), title including city name (9), and famous author not yet read (55).

Good choice to start with the author, likely won't be reading more, but don't regret this one. Full review to follow...

Three for one! Great job, John.

Hat trick ! Nice.

As mentioned in chat earlier, Offshore by Penelope Fitzgerald was technically a re-read, but as I recall absolutely nothing of it, rather a moot point. Category 58 (Booker prize winner) accomplished - review to follow in this month's books read list.

I thought i'd read something by her, John, but cannot find any on my list. Perhaps it was a short story, which i don't keep tally. Looking her up online, the Wiki bio has me wanting to read one or two of hers. I like that she didn't write much until she was in her late 50s.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penelop...

John wrote: "As mentioned in chat earlier, Offshore by Penelope Fitzgerald was technically a re-read, but as I recall absolutely nothing of it, rather a moot point. Category 58 (Book..."

Well done, John !

The name is familiar but I don't think I've read any books by her. I checked Amazon to see what she wrote and I added The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald

Something tells me I owned this book. Did I read it? Oh well, we shall see.

The cover did draw me to the book, so if I do read it I can check off #1 on the task list.

Alias, i was thinking that would be the Fitzgerald i would try. My library has it in eBook version. Do you have a time in mind? We could do it together, "99- A book you Buddy Read with someone", could be checked off, too. Just let me know when.*

*Next week is out, as my left eye cataract is scheduled Wednesday.

madrano wrote: "Alias, i was thinking that would be the Fitzgerald i would try. My library has it in eBook version. Do you have a time in mind? We could do it together, "99- A book you Buddy Read with someone", co..."

Err... ummm... I need to complete that one, too!

Re: The Bookshop--Penelope Fitzgerald

John & Deb. Excellent !

Deb, first and most importantly, best wishes for successful surgery.

John, I am sorry we seem to be hijacking your thread !

I don't have a time picked out for it. At 178 pages, according to Amazon, it is a novella (#15)

My library system has 3 eBooks available.

I will set up a thread for us to discuss it. Deb & John does Feb 15 work for you or is a later date better ?

I encourage comments! Whatever schedule works for you folks is fine with me.

Thanks, John !
I'm looking forward to reading it with you.

Yes, the 15th works well for me, Alias. With my right eye operation, i could read after 10 days without problems. Thanks for the good wishes, too.

I'll slot the 15th in my calendar. Best of luck with the second operation!

Sounds like a plan. If for any reason, you don't feel up to it after your surgery, don't hesitate to delay. It's not a problem. I set up the thread for us.

Gosh, we haven't done a Buddy Read or Group read in ages. I had to look back over the old threads to see how I set it up. :)

John, thanks for the good wishes.

Alias, i was thinking the same thing, that it's been awhile. I recall reading a play or two together last.

Just finished Death of My Aunt, a mystery which I'm slotting into category 95 - written before I was born.

John wrote: "Just finished Death of My Aunt, a mystery which I'm slotting into category 95 - written before I was born."

Nice.

This sounds as though it would be a fun book to read. I've not heard of C.H.B. Kitchin. His next book in this series (possibly the only other book?) is Death of His Uncle. Delightful.

Btw, i see that is was first published by Leonard and Virginia Woolf at The Hogarth Press. Interesting.

madrano wrote: "This sounds as though it would be a fun book to read. I've not heard of C.H.B. Kitchin. His next book in this series (possibly the only other book?) is Death of His Uncle.

Crime at Christmas is the next one, which was recommended at another site, but for 99 cents I decided to read this one first.