On The Same Page discussion

2024 was a little rough on my work/life balance and reading had to take a backburner. For 2025 I expect more of the same so I have a simple Independent Challenge. I am calling it a Rainbow challenge. I have selected books that have a color in the title and will hopefully read them all.

The Red Garden by Alice Hoffman


A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess


Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
Completed 2/8/2025

Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia


Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren


The Man in the Brown Suit by Agatha Christie


The Color Purple by Alice Walker


The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde


Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel


White Oleander by Janet Fitch


Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg


One Lavender Ribbon by Heather Birch


The Silver Boat by Luanne Rice


The Pink Suit by N.M. Kelby


Bellman & Black by Diane Setterfield


Where the Grass Is Green and the Girls Are Pretty by Lauren Weisberger

Great looking list, Denise. I feel you on that work/life balance and the imbalance that actually happens. I truly hope the life part gets more of the balance and you have a great upcoming year.

Fried Green Tomatoes is one of my favorite books, and the movie was fantastic too. White Oleander just broke my heart; but it is such a great piece of fiction and deserves all the stars.

A Color Purple and a Clockwork Orange are just so different, but just as compelling. I always advise looking up the slang dictionary for Clockwork Orange, because the slang dialect will have you lost initially. Dorian Gray is just a work in narcissism. What a jerk. LOL

Good luck and happy reading!

Alondra wrote: "Great looking list, Denise. I feel you on that work/life balance and the imbalance that actually happens. I truly hope the life part gets more of the balance and you have a great upcoming year.

Fr..."

Work has unfortunately taken over my life. I have hit complete burnout and don't know how much longer I will last before utter exhaustion takes over. Reading has always been my way of winding down, but now I just want to crash when I get home. Life hasn't been much better with my father's health declining and needing more supervision. He is denying that he needs help because just wants to be able to be independent, but that is just not possibly anymore.

Thanks Alondra

As Alondra says, Clockwork is a very different book and it takes time to get into the flow... But it's still worth reading. Dorian Gray wasn't quite what I expected but still interesting. Enjoy.

Denise wrote: "Work has unfortunately taken over my life. I have hit complete burnout and don't know how much longer I will last before utter exhaustion takes over. Reading has always been my way of winding down, but now I just want to crash when I get home. Life hasn't been much better with my father's health declining and needing more supervision. He is denying that he needs help because just wants to be able to be independent, but that is just not possibly anymore.

Thanks Alondra.."

You are me 3 years ago. With the failing health of my dad and eventual passing; it put so much in perspective. I cashed in my 401k; paid off all my debt and have been PRN ever since. The pandemic was like a reset. Of course, I was and still am in healthcare; so, some things really hit me over the head. I won't go back to full or even part-time, unless I am forced to. I hate going to work. I want to be home with my plants, books, hubby and the dog. Is that too much to ask!!?? 😩😭🤔🤔😂🥴😭😭😖😮‍💨☺️ (most of my emotions)

Do what you have to do to not burn out or crash out. Not necessarily quitting, but changing the perspective in some way, so you keep your sanity. You are so worth it. 🤗

Bill wrote: "As Alondra says, Clockwork is a very different book and it takes time to get into the flow... But it's still worth reading. Dorian Gray wasn't quite what I expected but still interesting. Enjoy."

Yep. I think I gave Dorian Gray 3 stars. It could have been much better, but the times.

Sorry to hear about the work burnout and dealing with the problem of elderly parents. It's not easy.

I love your color idea and echo Alondra's recommendation to make sure you have a slang dictionary nearby when you read A Clockwork Orange. I've also read and enjoyed Yellowface, The Color Purple, The Picture of Dorian Gray and Fried Green Tomatoes. I hope you like them also. Best wishes!

I can't believe these lists are up already! I love your rainbow one, and I hope work will be less demanding this year and leave you some time for you and your life.
I just retired a couple months ago, and it's been wonderful. After years and years of stress and deadlines, this is another life.
Good luck with you choices, happy reading!

I love your Rainbow challenge. I can sympathize with your burn out. I have turned to audiobooks to destress but still miss reading sometimes. Your challenge sounds like a perfect antidote.

If birds fly over the rainbow why oh why can’t I

Alondra wrote: "Denise wrote: "Work has unfortunately taken over my life. I have hit complete burnout and don't know how much longer I will last before utter exhaustion takes over. Reading has always been my way o..."

I think the first step at work is to start saying NO. I am going to have a heart to heart with my boss on Monday and explain that I can't do it all and that the other managers need to start pulling their weight. We have had a lot of turnover in managers, including the store manager. I am the only one who stayed and I unfortunately know how the store is supposed to be ran. The second step is being able to turn my phone off when I am off, the other managers constantly bother me rather than the store manager, how am I supposed to decompress when my phone won't stop buzzing.

Great idea on the color challenge! So many great choices!

Denise wrote: "I think the first step at work is to start saying NO. I am going to have a heart to heart with my boss on Monday and explain that I can't do it all and that the other managers need to start pulling their weight..."

Ooohhh-wweee! That was me, Denise. It's so hard not to be great. There are always 1 or 2 of us in any work environment. We know the ropes, we know the system and "how things work." Get taken advantage of. I get it. It's not fair either.

My hope for you, is that you are able to get the balance you need, and deserve. 🤗🤗🤗

Denise wrote: "Alondra wrote: "Denise wrote: "Work has unfortunately taken over my life. I have hit complete burnout and don't know how much longer I will last before utter exhaustion takes over. Reading has alwa..."

OOF I'm sorry but I agree, it needs to be done/ It's an awkward conversation but when it starts to affect you mentally to the point where you can't even enjoy reading??? Absolutely not.
Good luck xoxo

Darling Rose Gold has really mixed reviews, but I couldn't put it down. I'll be interested to see what you think.

I'm sorry that it's been a tough year :(

Love your challenge. What a fun idea. I've read 5 of them and did like them all (The Man in the Brown Suit, The Color Purple, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Fried Green Tomatoes, Bellman & Black). Will have to check out the others on your list.

What a neat challenge! I love it!

I really like your colorful challenge idea!

I am happy to report that speaking up was the right thing to do., I definitely feel better and have been able to just walk away from work and try to enjoy my days off. My new manager is so appreciative of my hard work that he put in me in for a $1.50 raise! Guess he didn't want me to leave so he gave me some incentive to stay.

Denise wrote: "I am happy to report that speaking up was the right thing to do., I definitely feel better and have been able to just walk away from work and try to enjoy my days off. My new manager is so apprecia..."

Well that's a fun update! Yay!

Denise wrote: "I am happy to report that speaking up was the right thing to do., I definitely feel better and have been able to just walk away from work and try to enjoy my days off. My new manager is so apprecia..."

YAY!!!! SO proud of you for advocating for YOU!!! Kudos, Denise, Kudos!! 🥳🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

Happy New Year!

Completed Yellowface just forgot to update. Gave it 4 stars.