Dare to Dream discussion

Please post all questions/comments/updates about the winter challenge in this thread. :)

The Winter 2024/2025 Reading Challenge will begin December 3rd and end February 28th.

Rules of the challenge:

Read 3 books (or more)
Complete 3 prompts (or more)
Any genre okay
Rereads okay

This Winter complete 3 (or more) of the following:

1. Most of these authors have birthdays this season but at least one may or may not (couldn’t find a birthday).

So this winter,

READ A BOOK BY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

Joan Didion
Peter Heller
Toni Morrison
Max Porter
Sally Rooney


2. Unstoppable will have a limited theatrical release in December before premiering on Amazon Prime Video on January 16th. The film is about Anthony Robles who was born with one leg and overcame the odds to become a national wrestling champion. It’s based on a true story.

So this winter,

READ A BOOK THAT FEATURES A INDIVIDUAL (REAL OR FICTIONAL) THAT OVERCOMES THE ODDS.

OR

READ A BOOK IN WHICH A SPORT IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE STORY.

OR

READ A BOOK WITH AN “UN” WORD IN THE TITLE/SUBTITLE.


3. The Room Next Door will have a limited release in December before opening nationwide on January 17th. It’s about 2 friends who’ve lost touch and are reunited when one becomes ill. Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton star.

So this winter,

READ A BOOK WITH THE WORD “DOOR” IN THE TITLE/SUBTITLE.

OR

READ ANY BOOK MADE INTO A FILM STARRING JULIANNE MOORE OR TILDA SWINTON.

4. The Newberry Medal is awarded annually to the author of the most distinguished children’s literature. The winners and honor books are selected from books published in the preceding year. The 2025 Newberry Medal Winners will be announced in January.

So this winter,

READ A BOOK THAT HAS RECEIVED A NEWBERRY AWARD OR HONOR. (ANY YEAR)

5. World Whale Day is February 16th. It’s to celebrate whales and raise awareness about threats to the species.

So this winter,

READ A BOOK WITH THE LETTERS W-H-A-L-E IN THE TITLE/SUBTITLE.

6. I like to include group reads to spotlight new releases each season. The winter challenge will feature one more 2024 release as well.

So this winter,

READ ONE (OR MORE) OF THE FOLLOWING AND DISCUSS WITH THE GROUP:

Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune (available now)

Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor -January 14th

Three Days in June by Anne Tyler-February 11th

7. Random-This counts towards the challenge but isn’t inspired by the season.

So this winter,

READ A BOOK PUBLISHED THE YEAR YOU WERE BORN.

WISHING YOU ALL GOOD THINGS IN 2025. HAPPY WINTER, EVERYONE! :D

Please note that un words refer to books where un is used as a prefix which turns any word into its opposite. So words like under or until etc don’t work.

I’m geeking out like I always do when a new challenge is released. Went through my books and found several that will work for the challenge.
Thank you again for a wonderful challenge!!!

Danell wrote: "I’m geeking out like I always do when a new challenge is released. Went through my books and found several that will work for the challenge.
Thank you again for a wonderful challenge!!!"

You’re welcome Danell! Glad you like it. :D

I will definitely be reading Somewhere Beyond the Sea.

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I will definitely be reading Somewhere Beyond the Sea.
"

We all seemed to like the first book so thought this was a good choice.

What a great challenge you've put together again, thanks so much Rachel!

Im absolutely in with TJ Klune as well.

I also already know the birthday one :I've got Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney on my shelf and reading The Locked Door by Freida McFadden for another book club in January :-)

I look forward to lots of great reads this season.
Happy Christmas to you all!

I read We Have Always Lived in a Castle by Shirley Jackson. It works for W-H-A-L-E. Second time reading that one and enjoyed it greatly!!

Franzi wrote: "What a great challenge you've put together again, thanks so much Rachel!

Im absolutely in with TJ Klune as well.

I also already know the birthday one :I've got Beautiful World, Where Are You by S..."

You’re welcome, Franzi! Happy Christmas! :D

Danell wrote: "I read We Have Always Lived in a Castle by Shirley Jackson. It works for W-H-A-L-E. Second time reading that one and enjoyed it greatly!!"

Thanks for the update, Danell! :D

I’m like Danell when I see a new challenge. I’m geeking out too!
Thanks for another fun challenge. We move in on 12/12 and I’m looking forward to being in one place and reading!

Christine wrote: "I’m like Danell when I see a new challenge. I’m geeking out too!
Thanks for another fun challenge. We move in on 12/12 and I’m looking forward to being in one place and reading!"

You’re welcome, Christine! :D
Congrats on your new home.

I am currently reading and enjoying Somewhere Beyond the Sea by T.J. Klune

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I am currently reading and enjoying Somewhere Beyond the Sea by T.J. Klune
"


Thanks for the update, Dustin! Glad you’re enjoying it. :D

I read The Couple Next Door which works for #3. I really enjoyed the book

Finished Somewhere Beyond the Sea.

I didn't get to re-reading the Chaos Walking Trilogy last challenge (was planning on SLOTH), but now I'm planning on using them for WHALE for Winter.

CHAOS WALKING:
The Knife of Never Letting Go
The Ask and the Answer
Monsters of Men

I wonder if the spring challenge will have an animal in it. Like sloth and whale.

Danell wrote: "I wonder if the spring challenge will have an animal in it. Like sloth and whale."

There's one person who knows :-)

Danell wrote: "I read The Couple Next Door which works for #3. I really enjoyed the book"


Thanks for the update, Danell! :D

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Finished Somewhere Beyond the Sea.

I didn't get to re-reading the Chaos Walking Trilogy last challenge (was planning on SLOTH), but now I'm planning on using them for WHALE for Winter.

CHAOS WALK..."

Thanks for the update, Dustin! :D
Glad it worked out.

Danell wrote: "I wonder if the spring challenge will have an animal in it. Like sloth and whale."


I almost feel like it has to lol. I’ll see what I can find. :D

I have read my first WHALE title:
I THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD: A LOVE STORY
This is a favorite re-read.

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I have read my first WHALE title:
I THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD: A LOVE STORY
This is a favorite re-read.
"

Thanks for the update, Dustin! :D
I remember you reading that years ago.

Re listened to the audiobook long way down by Jason Reynolds.

Short novel written in verse and read by the author. Recommend.

Newberry Honor

I read Lessons in Chemistry which works for overcoming the odds. Great book. Loved the dog

Danell wrote: "I read Lessons in Chemistry which works for overcoming the odds. Great book. Loved the dog"

Thanks for the update, Danell! I loved the dog too. :D

I read The Last Word by Taylor Adams, which works for
W-H-A-L-E. First time author for me but I’m looking forward to reading more of his books. This one was great and it creeped me out.

Danell wrote: "I read The Last Word by Taylor Adams, which works for
W-H-A-L-E. First time author for me but I’m looking forward to reading more of his books. This one was great and it creeped me out."

Thanks for the update, Danell! :D
I read and enjoyed No Exit years ago. Added this to my tbr. Thanks!

I am going to be reading two books by Sally Rooney (task #1, featured authors). I have never read this author before. The titles I was able to obtain from the library are:
Beautiful World, Where Are You
Intermezzo

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I am going to be reading two books by Sally Rooney (task #1, featured authors). I have never read this author before. The titles I was able to obtain from the library are:
[book:Beautiful World, W..."

Thanks for the update, Dustin! :D
Look forward to hearing your thoughts on them

I read Lock Every Door by Riley Sager. Very good book. Creepy.

Danell wrote: "I read Lock Every Door by Riley Sager. Very good book. Creepy."

Thanks for the update, Danell! :D

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE! :D

Reread When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead.

Newberry Winner.

Rachel wrote: "Reread When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead.

Newberry Winner.

"

I really like that book. I have a copy that I found in my neighborhood Little Free Library during the pandemic and have re-read once since.

I finished Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney. I definitely liked it. Will be adding my review soon. I love Irish novels.

I re-read a short novella by Fredrik Backman. Was needing something short to finish my yearly challenge and found one that worked for the W-H-A-L-E task, meeting two challenges.
And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer

Currently reading a short book by Toni Morrison, less than 200 pages.

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I finished Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney. I definitely liked it. Will be adding my review soon. I love Irish novels.
"

Glad you enjoyed it. :D

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I re-read a short novella by Fredrik Backman. Was needing something short to finish my yearly challenge and found one that worked for the W-H-A-L-E task, meeting two challenges.
[book:And Every Mor..."

I really like Fredrik Backman. That novella is beautiful but heart breaking.

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Currently reading a short book by Toni Morrison, less than 200 pages.
"

Look forward to hearing your thoughts on it.

Thanks for all of the updates! :D

I read The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson which I hope works for #2 the Un part. I was wondering if Unspeakable and Unsafe Harbor would work for the Un part of the challenge.
Hope everyone had a great Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year!!

Danell wrote: "I read The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson which I hope works for #2 the Un part. I was wondering if Unspeakable and Unsafe Harbor would work for the Un part of the challenge.
Hope everyone had a gr..."

Looks like they work :-)
I found a book in my neighborhood Little Free Library that I might use:
The Uncommon Appeal of Clouds

Danell wrote: "I read The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson which I hope works for #2 the Un part. I was wondering if Unspeakable and Unsafe Harbor would work for the Un part of the challenge.
Hope everyone had a gr..."

Thanks for the update, Danell! :D

Unrest, unspeakable and unsafe are all good “un” words that work for the challenge. :)

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Danell wrote: "I read The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson which I hope works for #2 the Un part. I was wondering if Unspeakable and Unsafe Harbor would work for the Un part of the challenge.
Hope ev..."

Also a good “un” word. :)

Finished What Does It Feel Like? By Sophie Kinsella

Although the novella is fiction, it’s pretty much the author’s story of being diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor and her treatment and recovery. Recommend.

Works for whale. Also works for overcoming the odds which I hope she continues to do for many many years.

I know it’s a little early but wishing you all a Happy New Year.
Hope 2025 is Kind to all of us.

I read The Last Picture Show by Larry McMurtry which works for W-H-A-L-E. I really enjoyed it.

Danell wrote: "I read The Last Picture Show by Larry McMurtry which works for W-H-A-L-E. I really enjoyed it."

Thanks for the update, Danell! :D

I read White Oleander, works for W-H-A-L-E. It was good