Book Nook Cafe discussion
100 Book Prompt Challenge -2023
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Lindseyโs 100 Book Challenge - 2023

The Push - 2 stars
Debut novel & "phycological thriller" by Ashley Audrain. This felt more like a book about motherhood with a twist - *only the "twist" was predictable and honestly kind of boring.

It's frustrating when promised a "twist" only to find it fairly predictable. This is why i trust Book Nook reviewers more than professional ones or others i do not know. Their new can be my ho hum.

It's frustrating when promised a "twist" only to find it fairly predictable. This is why i trust Book Nook reviewers more than professional ones ..."
I see what the author was doing (trying to make us doubt ourselves along with the main character) - it just didn't work well. This was her debut novel though, so I tried not to judge too harshly!

Sorry to hear it wasn't a winner. On the other hand, it fit a bunch of prompts ! Onward.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one. Barbara Kingsolver 's writing is just lovely and her ability to tell a story and keep a reader's interest past 500 pages is impressive. I also love stories like this (fictional yet built into reality) because they make me want to go read non-fiction books on the same topic (the opioid crisis for one).

Wow ! You hit the Prompt jackpot on this book !
I have it on my list to read. I'm glad it's a winner. I can't say I've read a book by Barbara Kingsolver that I didn't like.
The Poisonwood Bible is my fav so far.

This was outside of my typical book genre (mainly due to being a compilation of essays), but I really enjoyed it. Roxane Gay is such an amazingly non-judgmental writer (while harshly judging some of her subjects - she has an amazing way of doing both at once, I'm still trying to figure that out), while also being crystal clear about her opinions on everything from feminism to politics to pop culture. I didn't always agree with everything in her essays, but I always appreciated and respected her viewpoints.

Thanks Alias! I remember loving Poisonwood Bible also, but I read it ages ago (in high school... so at least 20 years ago!) Maybe time for a re-read.

This was outside of my typical book genre (mainly due to being a compilation of essays), but I rea..."
Good job on the prompts, Lindsey !

Lindsey, you are off to a terrific reading year with achieving prompts. Congrats.


You got a lot of mileage out of the ones you've chosen so far.

Same here, Lindsey. I feel like a thief in the night but still do it! This is also another reason i have posted what i "hope" to read for some prompts, in case others are having trouble coming up with titles. Several are quite challenging.

I have such a huge TBR stack that I went through mine and posted what I hope to read, too. I've changed a few, but only a few.

Last year few of the prompts could be found on my TBR, so i added some which were formed from my list. I'm hoping i can keep faithful to them, although thus far, not so. :-0

Last year few of ..."
I'm having trouble finding a book about parenthood I want to read, and also a romance. I don't read genre romances, so I've been searching for a literary novel that contains a romance. I don't know if that's being unfaithful to the prompt or not.

L..."
I never read Romance (unless it happens on accident). That's a clever approach to the prompt!
Although I'm a parent, I don't enjoy most "parenting" style books. I do like those based in psychology though. I think I'm going to read The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read or Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, or Self-Involved Parents.
Both seem sort of "self-help"-style, so I'm still on the hunt for something based a bit more in psychology.
Interested to see what you choose!

That's a great idea! I may try to do the same. I love grabbing inspiration from everyone's lists, although it's making my TBR completely unmanageable :)

.."
You totally decides what fits a prompt or not. No pressure. It's a challenge for fun.

While i don't think i'll reread The Child In The Family--Maria Montessori, i recall being intrigued by her ideas. I read this book over 40 years ago when i (unexpectedly) was pregnant. She gave me direction when i had none.

Thank you, Alias, and it is fun. I'm really enjoying it and love to read about the books everyone reads.

This is one of those books that literally every single person in our country would benefit from reading. Despite feeling like I've read a lot about our country's struggles with racism, I was still shocked by several things that happened to Ray (Anthony Ray Hinton) and learned a lot. His story is heartbreaking and enlightening and powerful. Some describe it as inspirational, and while I agree that Ray was an absolute inspiration and made the most of his circumstances - I was mostly just shocked and angered for what he endured.

This is one of those books that literally every single person in our country wo..."
Thanks for the title and review, Lindsey. I'm not familiar with the book.

This is one of those books that literally every single person i..."
If you've seen the movie made from this book: Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption, you'll know the story. I didn't know Ray had written his own book (Just Mercy was written by the lawyer who took on his case).

Did you prefer Rays book over Just Mercy ? If you could read just one, which would you suggest?

This is one of those books that literally every single person in our country wo..."
Wow, thanks for this title and your comments, Lindsey. I'm adding it to my TBR but moving it toward the top. Good selection!

Did you prefer Rays book over Just Mercy ? If you could read ..."
I read Just Mercy over 5 years ago, and can't remember enough to give a great comparison. I do remember being moved by Stevenson's writing and the overall story.
If I had to suggest one, it would be Ray's own account. He focuses less on the legal aspect of things (although he does include some), and more on his actual time in Prison and on death row. The narrator for the audio book is fantastic as well.

This is one of those books that literally every single person i..."
I probably should have added that it was fairly difficult to read. The amount he suffered is unfathomable. But I'm glad I read it. And I hope he writes more in the future - he's a natural storyteller and has a lot to give.

If I had to suggest one, it would be Ray's own account. He focuses less on the legal aspect of things (although he does include some), and more on his actual time in Prison and on death row. The narrator for the audio book is fantastic as well.
..."
Thanks, Lindsey !

I appreciate that addition, Lindsey. I had pretty much settled on reading Hinton's book because i've been trying to find books about this specific topic. Thanks for the comments.

Absolutely. If you read any others that you love, please share!

Michele


Yes, sad and bleak are excellent descriptors. I found Ray (the author and innocently convicted man) to be a very positive, uplifting voice, but that made it all the more depressing in my opinion. The injustice is hard to fathom.

Sad and bleak. However, it's critical that we learn about these gross injustices so that hopefully we can correct them.

True. First we will have to educate ourselves, then follow up with action. It's almost criminal that a justice system has done this so much over the years.

Yes, sad and bleak ar..."
An injustice like that is hard to fathom, for the unjustly accused and for his loved ones.

I love the Pillars trilogy! I didn't realize I actually read the "prequel" which isn't part of the trilogy, so I still have one book left. They aren't my type of books/genre at all, so I was surprised how much I liked them. Probably due to Follett's writing and ability to tell a story, especially as most of his books are 500-1000 pages

Yes, ..."
Yes exactly - his mom, basically his favorite person (he was the baby of the family and lived with her) died while he was still imprisoned. I can't even imagine.

I love the Pillars trilogy! I didn't realize I actua..."
I feel the same, Lindsey. I don't usually like books set in that time period, but I loved The Pillars of the Earth. I have not yet read the other two books. I think Follett is an amazing writer.
Yes. That man's mother must have suffered horribly, with him locked in prison for something he didn't do. It probably contributed to her death. I can understand a judge or jury getting it wrong sometimes, but when it becomes clear that a person is wrongly incarcerated, it's terribly difficult to get out of prison, and it shouldn't be that way. If someone in my family were wrongly incarcerated, I know I couldn't think of much else until the condition was righted, which can take months or even years. The court system here moves so slowly.

For that reason itโs a good book to read if you want to understand the South USA, post Jim Crow laws.

Yes, that is tragic. The level of irresponsibility involved. As long as it's not their loved ones, right?

I like the idea of this novel but have yet to attempt it. It's a whopping big book.
Books mentioned in this topic
A Knock at Midnight: A Story of Hope, Justice, and Freedom (other topics)Floriography: An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers (other topics)
How to Do the Work: Recognize Your Patterns, Heal from Your Past, and Create Your Self (other topics)
The Rodeo Queen (other topics)
Arson! (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Brittany K. Barnett (other topics)Cap Iversen (other topics)
Marcella Bell (other topics)
Agatha Christie (other topics)
Benjamin Percy (other topics)
More...
โ๏ธ 1- A book adapted to the big screen.
A Man Called Ove
X 2- A book about slaves in the U.S. OR one about freed slaves.
โ๏ธ 3- A book by an author you've never heard of before.
The Push by Ashley Audrain
โ๏ธ 4- A book you chose simply because of its cover.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold
โ๏ธ 5- A book with a epistolary or diary format.
The Yellow Wallpaper
โ๏ธ 6- A book set on a farm or a ranch.
The Life She Was Given: A Moving and Emotional Saga of Family and Resilient Women
โ๏ธ 7- Told from the antagonist's point-of-view.
Freshwater
โ๏ธ 8- A book written in the second person.
The Stories We Tell: Every Piece of Your Story Matters by The Stories We Tell: Every Piece of Your Story Matters
โ๏ธ 9- A book recommended to you, whether you think you'll like it or not. Could be a recommendation from a person, review you read, podcasts etc.
A Man Called Ove
โ๏ธ 10- A debut novel or book
The Push
โ๏ธ 11-A book with a verb in the title.
The Push
โ๏ธ 12- A trilogy. Part of a trilogy. (You don't have to read all 3)
The Perfumist of Paris
Gwendy's Button Box
โ๏ธ 13- A book with an index
Floriography: An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers
โ๏ธ 14- A comic novel or humorous book.
Yellowface
X 15- A book published in the 1950s.
โ๏ธ 16- A book translated into English from another language.
Lonely Castle in the Mirror
โ๏ธ 17 - Book set in your current city or hometown
Leaving Atlanta
โ๏ธ18 - Book based in a city youโd love to visit
The Covenant of Water
X 19 - Book written by OR about a current or past First Lady
โ๏ธ20 - Book with a character that lives with a disability (or impairment)
The Pearl That Broke Its Shell
โ๏ธ21- Book about Witchcraft, Monsters of any kind (real, historical or fictional/magical)- or - Book with fantastical creatures (dragons, fairies, etc) or- A book with magic in it.
The Magic of the Mirror
โ๏ธ 22 - Book about immigration or displacement
Beautiful Country
โ๏ธ 23 - Book about Nature/the environment
Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses
โ๏ธ 24 - Speculative Fiction or Dystopian novel
Lonely Castle in the Mirror
โ๏ธ 25 - Retelling of a Fairy Tale, fable, legend or ancient myth
Wendy, Darling
โ๏ธ 26 - Book about motherhood (or parenthood) fiction or nonfiction
The Push
All the Dangerous Things
โ๏ธ 27 - Book from Bill Gateโs Favorite Book List: https://www.gatesnotes.com/Books
Klara and the Sun
โ๏ธ 28 - Book about inequality (financial, racial, gender or other)
Bad Feminist
Demon Copperhead
The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row
โ๏ธ 29-- biography, memoir or autobiography
The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row
โ๏ธ30 - Music, art, dance, theater, acting theme
Let Me Hear a Rhyme
โ๏ธ 31- A book published in 2023
Hijab Butch Blues: A Memoir
โ๏ธ 32- A play
The Puppets of Spelhorst
โ๏ธ 33- Read at least 23 books in 2023
โ๏ธ 34- Read a fiction and nonfiction book on the same topic
Opioid Epidemic: This Is Your Mind on Plants & Demon Copperhead
Also: The Age of Fentanyl: Ending the Opioid Epidemic
X 35- A prize winning book that has a different prize then those listed in the other prompts.
โ๏ธ 36- A book about an animal(s) or nature fictional or nonfiction
Remarkably Bright Creatures
โ๏ธ 37- - The title has a word that begins with a B, N or C in it.
Book Nook Cafe :)
Hello Beautiful
โ๏ธ 38- A book about or set in a country you don't live in.
The Nesting Dolls
The Pearl That Broke Its Shell
โ๏ธ 39- A book published before you were born
The Yellow Wallpaper
โ๏ธ40- A Young Adult book- YA- Fiction or nonfiction
Let Me Hear a Rhyme
โ๏ธ 41- Book with a name in the title
Demon Copperhead
โ๏ธ 42-A classic (modern or older)
The Yellow Wallpaper
X 43- A National Book Award
โ๏ธ44- Pulitzer Prize winning book
Demon Copperhead
โ๏ธ45- A Booker winner
Shuggie Bain
โ๏ธ 46- A book written by a Nobel prize winner- any topic or genre
Klara and the Sun
X 47-A book written about an author, novel, biography, criticism.
X 48- Contains the word "Wife" or "Woman" in the title.
โ๏ธ 49-A book about Native Americans OR a book written by a Native American.
Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses
โ๏ธ 50- A book about a Real Life Person you admire
The Stories We Tell: Every Piece of Your Story Matters by Joanna Gaines
X 51-A book about a Royal Person--any nation, any time period.
โ๏ธ 52-A book set in Asia. Fiction or nonfiction
Lonely Castle in the Mirror
โ๏ธ 53-A book set in Africa. Fiction or nonfiction
Freshwater
X 54-A book set in Australia/Oceania. -Fiction or nonfiction
X 55- A book set in South America. - Fiction or nonfiction
โ๏ธ 56-A book about Asians in the US. or a book written by an Asian American-- fiction or nonfiction
Crying in H Mart
โ๏ธ57-A Novel related to Classics, such as a character from Moby Dick with his/her own story/book.
Demon Copperhead
โ๏ธ58-Novela
Gwendy's Button Box
โ๏ธ 59- Book over 500 pages
Demon Copperhead
โ๏ธ 60- A book by Agatha Christie
The Secret Adversary
โ๏ธ 61- One word title
Freshwater
โ๏ธ 62- book on a modern-day problem/issue? (ie global warming, gun violence, etc.) - Fiction or nonfiction
The Age of Fentanyl: Ending the Opioid Epidemic
โ๏ธ 63- A book you knew nothing about beforehand. However something caught your attention. Cover, blurb, title. Tell us why.
The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row - the cover pulled me in at first, then the blurb - I didn't realize prior to reading this that it's the same story from Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption, but written from Ray's perspective (Just Mercy is written from his lawyer's perspective)
โ๏ธ64- a book out of your comfort zone, not a genre you normally read
All the Dangerous Things
โ๏ธ65- Concerning food or containing recipes
The Korean Vegan Cookbook: Reflections and Recipes from Omma's Kitchen
โ๏ธ66- A book where weather is involved. Fiction or nonfiction
A Children's Bible
โ๏ธ67- A book having to do with travel- fiction or nonfiction
Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao's Revolution
โ๏ธ 68- Wild Card ! Any book you feel like recommending to fellow readers.
The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row - It's only January, but I'm guessing this will be in the top 2 best books I read this year!!
โ๏ธ 69- A health, diet, exercise, fitness or wellness book
Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity
โ๏ธ 70- About business, the economy or economics. (Personal, home or business)
Artpreneur: The Step-by-Step Guide to Making a Sustainable Living from Your Creativity
โ๏ธ 71- related to science
This Is Your Mind on Plants
Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity
โ๏ธ 72- Book about racism
The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row
โ๏ธ73- LGBTQ+ character fiction or nonfiction
Freshwater
X 74- Read more books than you did in 2022
Not happening unfortunately! Maybe next year :)
โ๏ธ 75- Book you started but never finished
A Knock at Midnight: A Story of Hope, Justice, and Freedom
X 76- Book on a banned book list
โ๏ธ 77- Education or teaching profession or has teacher or student in story F or NF
Leaving Atlanta
โ๏ธ 78- book with maps or photographs in it
Floriography: An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers
โ๏ธ 79- set in a country you have never visited
The Pearl That Broke Its Shell - Afghanistan.
โ๏ธ 80- set around a holiday
A Children's Bible
โ๏ธ 81- books about trauma or mental health issue- fiction or nonfiction
Freshwater
No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model
โ๏ธ82 Book with a 4 word title
All the Dangerous Things
โ๏ธ83- Famous author you've never read
Gwendy's Button Box by Stephen King & Richard Chizmar
โ๏ธ 84-A book whose author's last name starts with B,N or C
Gut Feelings: Healing the Shame-Fueled Relationship Between What You Eat and How You Feel by Will Cole
โ๏ธ 85- graphic novel
Brina the Cat #1: The Gang of the Feline Sun
by Giorgio Salati
โ๏ธ 86- WWI or WWII or any war - novel or nonfiction
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow
โ๏ธ 87- Book about or set in, the state or country you live in
Demon Copperhead
Leaving Atlanta
โ๏ธ 88- an author who has published at least 5 books
Barbara Kingsolver (Demon Copperhead)
โ๏ธ 89- Author is under 35 years old
Beautiful Country
โ๏ธ 90- Thriller or mystery
What She Knew
โ๏ธ 91- Crime - fiction or nonfiction
The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row
โ๏ธ 92 - History
Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao's Revolution
โ๏ธ 93- Disease - fiction or nonfiction
When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress
โ๏ธ 94- legal profession - fiction or nonfiction
A Knock at Midnight: A Story of Hope, Justice, and Freedom
โ๏ธ 95 - short story or essays
Bad Feminist
X 96- a leader whose country you don't live in (living or dead)
โ๏ธ 97- a color in the title
Hijab Butch Blues
โ๏ธ 98- historical fiction
The Nesting Dolls
โ๏ธ 99- spiritual or inspirational
How to Do the Work: Recognize Your Patterns, Heal from Your Past, and Create Your Self
โ๏ธ100- Romance
The Nesting Dolls
โ๏ธ 101- Bio or other NF about an Artist (paints, drawing, sculpture, i.e.), Author (poetry, books (F or NF) or an Architect.
Artpreneur: The Step-by-Step Guide to Making a Sustainable Living from Your Creativity
โ๏ธ 102- Book (F or NF) written before the 1800s.
The Yellow Wallpaper
โ๏ธ 103- Book (F or NF) about Religion or Atheism.
Hijab Butch Blues: A Memoir
X 104- A book published in the 1960s.
X 105- A sport related book - fiction or non fiction