The 52 Book Club: 2025 Challenge discussion

WEEKLY CHECK-IN
June 4, 2023 -- Week 23

Tell us about your latest read! What did you like / dislike? Would you read another book by this author?

Wildwood by Colin Meloy. It was fantastic! A girl's little brother is kidnapped by a murder of crows and taken into a forest, and she goes to rescue him. I already have the next book in the series checked out, and my library is working on getting me the third one.

Roses, in the Mouth of a Lion. Overall I liked it and found it a fast read
My kne quinble is that it was either too long or too short…because on several occasions she brought up incidents or ideas that were subsequently dropped and added little to the narrative. I wanted to know more about them (longer book) and if there was going to be no more mention they should have been left out (shorter book)

I read The Boardwalk Bookshop by Susan Mallery. I really enjoyed this book.. Great character development and was an easy enjoyable read. I gave it 4.5 stars. If there was probably something I disliked about it was it was on the predictable side...but it wasn't a huge turn off.
This was my second Mallery book and I preferred this one over the last one(The Vineyard at Painted Moon) for sure! I would probably read another one of her books in the future!

@Megan good to know. I read Painted Moon and hated it, but I was interested in the Boardwalk Bookshop (gotta love books about bookshops). I was hesitant because of how much I disliked Painted Moon, but I think I’ll give it a try

Earlier today I finished The Last Mona Lisa by Jonathan Santlofer. The novel was based on the true story of the 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa from the Louvre. I liked the historical aspects, as well as the fun of numerous Google searches to acquaint myself with the artists and architects referred to in the book. I was less impressed with the fictional characters, particularly the protagonist, an artist/art history professor who, for whatever ill-advised attempt at a plot twist, doesn't connect the string of "accidental" deaths to his quest in Florence until nearly the end. Insert eye roll here. Anyway, it really wasn't too bad and I'd consider reading something else by this author.

I'm reading When Maidens Mourn by C.S. Harris. I really like this series, so unless the quality really goes downhill, I'll keep reading.
I'm listening to Two Graves by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. The modern day Nazis in the middle of the jungle storyline is starting to become a trope that I don't care for, but it's not enough to make me stop this series, either.

I just finished The Moonlight Child by Karen McQuestion. I would absolutely read another by her. Even one with the same characters, a year or two from the end...

The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood, 5 stars. This is book 2 in her MaddAddam series but it unfolds at the same time as the first book (Oryx and Crake), covering the same time period with some overlapping characters and locations. Somehow this book felt less bleak than the first; certainly the main characters are more sympathetic and likable. The book is well-written, balancing plot and character development, and the themes are truly thought-provoking—genetic manipulation and modification, climate change, consumerism, abuse of power, cults, friendship, courage.

Read The Lioness by Chris Bohjalian for my local bookclub. It appears to be one of the few books that is a hit with all of us! (I can see their ratings here.) I gave it a 5. I have not read all of his books but those that I have read are all wonderful. I honestly don't think I would have read this one had it not been for book club because of the topic ("picture" safari in Tanzania). I am so glad I did!

All Systems Red (Murderbot Diaries #1)

I saw the second book in the series as one of another group's June buddy reads. I can't read a second book without reading the first, so I figured I'd give it a go.

I am not a sci-fi fan typically. But as it's only 150 pages, I figured it was worth a shot. Wow, am I glad I went for it! Murderbot has a hilarious, sarcastic personality that I totally enjoyed. Some of my favorite quotes:

it’s one of those things I’m not contractually obligated to care about.

Yes, talk to Murderbot about its feelings. The idea was so painful I dropped to 97 percent efficiency.

And in their corner all they had was Murderbot, who just wanted everyone to shut up and leave it alone so it could watch the entertainment feed all day.

I'm not sure I've ever identified with a literary character so closely. LOL

Yes, I want more Murderbot! I've signed up for the June buddy read for book 2.

A Stranger's Game by Colleen Coble
I like how it's got a really good suspenseful vibe yet also has Christian elements to it that don't feel forced. There does seem to be a little more going on than I'd like - and by that I mean it feels odd that the two big events happening in the book involve two different characters but they're happening at the same time and in the same proximity. Just feels too odd or made to look like a coincidence. Then there's the fact that some characters are either stupid or get too emotional to see reason - as in, hello, of course person didn't tell you the truth as they were under cover. You've only known each other less than a month, so why would she trust you?! Don't get upset when you finally learn the truth! (To be fair I feel this happens in many other books, but it unnerves me that no one ever seems to pause and see the reason for this, especially when there was no malice involved.)

Still, I like the story itself. I haven't read any other books by Colleen Coble, but if I came across one and the summary sparked my interest, I wouldn't say no.

Just finished Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
I love the way that Fredrik Backman writes people who are so relatable and flawed and understandable. Not my first book by him, and not my last either.

Anna wrote: "Just finished Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
I love the way that Fredrik Backman writes people who are so relatable and flawed and understandable. Not my first b..."

Anna, I'm a huge Fredrik Backman fan! I recently finished his Beartown trilogy. Quite different from his other works; very deep and intense, but oh so good!

Jeni wrote: "Anna wrote: "Just finished Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
I love the way that Fredrik Backman writes people who are so relatable and flawed and understandable. N..."

Beartown series is probably the next Backman that I will read.

I'm currently reading My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell. I'm loving it, I think it will be 5 stars. The writing is fantastic, the humor is especially great. I'm planning to read the whole trilogy.

I just finished Demon Copperhead, by Barbara Kingsolver, so fits for #14, a Survival Story. I really thought this was an incredible book. It is an ode to Lee County, Virginia and all the areas that are rural and poor considered Appalachian Country. However, this is usually meant in a derogatory way. Demon is someone you route for and I just loved him from the start. It can be a hard read at times with so many young people getting hooked on Opioids and Heroin. Yet, it is also about wanting both Survival and Actual Thriving. Demon would have a hard time labeling himself that as he is a Foster. Kids from Foster Homes are not expected to do well and I just wanted better for Demon the entire time. Definitely Recommend.

Anna wrote: "Just finished Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
I love the way that Fredrik Backman writes people who are so relatable and flawed and understandable. Not my first b..."
Anna~Fredrik Backman is my favorite author. I just finished his last book, The Winners in the Beartown Trilogy. I agree with you, he brings flawed people together and makes us able to relate to them. Anxious People another great book.

I just finished The Boys in the Boat: An Epic True-life Journey to the heart of Hitler's Berlin by Daniel James Brown which was excellent! I love a "based on a true story" book where you can easily Wikipedia search the end result and what happened to the characters, but is written so well that you are still in suspense about the outcome. I was going to use this book for my "alliterative title" prompt, but have decided to use it for the summer reading challenge as "a historic site on the cover" prompt since Brandenburg Gate is pictured on my copy.

I finished Son Nefes Havaya Karışmadan (When the Last Breath Becomes Air) by Paul Kalanithi yesterday. It's a memoir of a doctor who was sicked by lung cancer when he was in his last year of brain surgery practice. I suggest the book but because he's dead at the age of 38 no more books he could write.

The last book I read was For You and Only You. I enjoy this series and so clearly I would read this author. I am not sure if she has other books though. I never checked.

Right now I am reading The Foxglove King. It's ok. I've read a few other books by the author. I actually just finished For the Throne which is the second book of the Wilderwood Duology. It was also decent. They weren't spectacular or anything, but still decent reads.

Not sure why, but I never see the question unless I find it in FB. Am I doing something wrong?

Carol wrote: "Not sure why, but I never see the question unless I find it in FB. Am I doing something wrong?"

I don't know how it looks in the app as I only use the Goodreads website, but the question should show as the first post in this thread.

Today I gave up on The Lost World 200 pages in I just couldn't get into it. It was so slow. The last book I completely finished was Beach Read. It was okay, I didn't love it, but didn't hate it.

I just started The Foundling and am enjoying it so far. It takes place around the time period of history I like studying. I would read other books by Stacey Halls.

I just finished Fat Cat. I really enjoyed it and I was a little surprised by that. I like that I found the main character realistic and the only down fall in that is sometimes she was unlikeable. I would definitely read something from Robin Brande again

Since I am very behind in the weekly check-ins...I will tell about the book I just finished

A Rather Lovely Inheritance by C.A. Belmond

I absolutely loved reading this book and it is the first book by this author that I have ever read!! And, since this is a series I will absolutely be reading this author again.