Hooked on Books discussion

🎬 "Raiders of the Lost Archive"


🌄 "The Page Pioneers (trailblazers of prose) and Tome Trekkers (relic hunters of rare editions) venture into the temple of collaborative reading. Their holy grail? A book that checks one July task for both teams—before the dreaded Overdue Fees swallow them whole!"

✨ Bonus Breakdown:
• 30pts per reader (counts toward personal totals)
• +75pts to each team if 100% of your team participates
• Double-Dip Bonus: +20pts for two tasks (e.g., "The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane" rural community + immigrant journey)
• Creative Comment Bonus: +10pts for Indiana Jones-style "field notes" or book maps, memes/fanart/playlists/etc (max 1 per reader)

💬 Discussion Starters:
• "Which character would pocket a library artifact?"
• "What’s the ‘booby trap’ scene in this book?"
• "If this story were a museum exhibit, what’s in the display case?"
• “How does this book reflect belonging?”
• “Which character would you invite to your book club?”
• “Did any moment in the book make you feel unexpectedly connected to the story, a character, or even each other?”
• “If this book were a community event (festival, support group, secret society, etc.), what would it be and who would attend?”
• “Which character would struggle the most (or thrive the most) in your real-life friend group or team?”
• “What quote or scene best captured the theme of connection for you?”

⏰ TIMELINE REMINDER
July 25: Submit your team’s book pick for approval
July 1-31: Read, discuss, and revel in your shared story!

💡 Pro Tip: "Argue passionately for your book picks—I’m flexible! A loose fit with creativity beats a ‘perfect’ but boring choice."



Chosen Book: Ulysses by James Joyce

Hello everyone!

Our thread name is making me think we should pick a book set in South America.

It's also making me sing John williams tunes, which is never a bad thing 😆

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk5_O...

So, my historical fiction TBR is over 100 books long (and that's just what I already own, lol), but the first one that jumped out to me from the list is All the Pretty Horses which works for immigrant experience (USA to Mexico - a change from most stories that do it the other way around...). And it possibly works for intergenerational relationships for the double-dip too.

I've been meaning to read this book for 6 years now, but the challenges never align 😆

Hello Sammy!

I have read 2 Cormac McCarthy books and found them both "eh", but I am NOT above reading anything, so I would be open to All the Pretty Horses.

Risa on our team is ONLY reading her TBR this year, which thankfully is quite robust, so I'll have to search through her list later and see if it's on there! 😆😆

I did see A Passage to India on the TBR, which would work for multiple tasks:

Read a book about immigrants finding community in a new land.
While not strictly about immigrants, the British characters are outsiders in India, and some (like Fielding) attempt to integrate, while others remain aloof.

Read a book about intergenerational relationships.
There are some intergenerational dynamics, particularly between older British officials (like Mr. Turton) and younger figures (like Adela Quested).

Read a book that showcases friendships across different backgrounds.
The central friendship between Dr. Aziz (Indian) and Fielding (British) is a key focus, though it is strained by cultural and political tensions.

Read a book that addresses themes of exclusion.
The novel heavily critiques racial and cultural exclusion under British colonialism, particularly in the aftermath of Adela’s accusation against Aziz.

Read a book that highlights diverse voices.
Forster gives voice to both British and Indian perspectives, though some critics argue the Indian characters are still filtered through a colonial lens.

Oh, and I just thought about the Formal Buddy Read: The Paris Library

Read a book where a character rebuilds their life after loss/displacement
Read a book that addresses themes of exclusion
Read a book featuring a cultural or artistic community

Although that would be probably not as lucrative, since you could do the BR anyway, and we could do another book, lol

A Passage to India would be a re-read for me, and as I didn't enjoy it a whole lot the first time around, it wouldn't be my first choice!

Is she working from a specific list? I can see if anything overlaps...

I found a book about friends whose families have different social standings, and it threatens to divide them. (friendships across different backgrounds?)

Years later, Rozeena receives a call from one of them to help with her granddaughter, who is having problems. (so maybe intergenerational relationships)

Under the Tamarind Tree

Although I am thinking it fits the rebuilds after loss/displacement best. because a character dies, changing the fate of all their lives. It's a dark secret. They rebuilt their life. (maybe)

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1... (if we wanted to read for the diverse voices task...)

I keep meaning to read The Kite Runner but haven't gotten around to it.

I've got And the Mountains Echoed by the same author on my tbr. 😁

Sammy wrote: "A Passage to India would be a re-read for me, and as I didn't enjoy it a whole lot the first time around, it wouldn't be my first choice!

Is she working from a specific list? I can se..."

Go to know! I wasn't super stoked at the idea, honestly!

What about The Clan of the Cave Bear?

I think it can work for a couple different tasks from just taking a quick look the the description.

I’m not sure what books Risa has on her list or if is she has any specific ideas.

So far I am fine with All the Pretty Horses, The Kite Runner, and Clan of the Cave Bear. Two I haven't read, and Clan I read when it came out.

I was thinking of . It would work for Generational and Diverse characters at least. Her last book Black Cake was amazing.

Donna wrote: "https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1... (if we wanted to read for the diverse voices task...)

I keep meaning to read The Kite Runner but haven't gotten around to it."

I checked that list for any books I have on my shelves, and I do have The Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns, The Diary of a Young Girl, Americanah, One Hundred Years of Solitude and Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982.

I also wanted to read some of these for July:
Mexican Gothic, A Passage to India, Anatomy: A Love Story, Daisy Jones & The Six, Girl with a Pearl Earring, The City of Brass, The Blind Assassin, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, The Seven Sisters, Stalking Jack the Ripper, These Violent Delights

I'm checking out the other books mentioned now.

Lol just saw you already warning everyone of me 🤣

So I just checked the other books, I don't have them on my Shelves (only the ones I already mentioned in my list earlier) so I'd get the ebook as a last resort if we can't find a book that I got, sorry 🥲 Y'all making me want to buy some physically though 😵‍💫 I. Must. Resist.

Oh I found a few more...

Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela, Le Morte d'Arthur: King Arthur and the Legends of the Round Table, Memoirs of a Geisha

I obviously read too many books. Almost all of those would be re-reads for me 😆

Out of those, I think The Seven Sisters has been the longest for me (barring A Passage to India, but I already gave my feelings on that one 😂) although I know it definitely isn't going to be everyone's cup of tea.

I thought Memoirs of a Geisha was extremely good, though I already packed up my copy and it's currently 350 miles away!

I hated The Clan of the Cave Bear when I read it many years ago, because it was so full of anachronisms and that just irritates me beyond belief (also the main reason I don't tend to read historical romances. Why does adding the "romance" part seem to mean historical accuracy is no longer needed? /moan).

Do you have a link to your shelf Risa?

Mine is https://www.goodreads.com/review/list... for the historical fiction.

Yes I have a link to my physical TBR, but it's not divided into genre 😅
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
There aren't my audiobooks though, I count those separately

Cindy wrote: "What about The Clan of the Cave Bear?

I think it can work for a couple different tasks from just taking a quick look the the description.

I’m not sure what books Risa has on her ..."

That was my dad's favorite book. I miss him..

I took a look at Risa's TBR, and these are ones I wouldn't mind reading or rereading. (I'm sure there are more.)
, or really any of the King books on the list. Or the newest one, .

Hmm, I'm fine with any of those except GOT, because I suffered through it the first time...

Nothing on that list that's also on my tbr, but there are a few Historical fiction MPGs on there I would consider re-reading:

I'm so sorry 🙈

Donna wrote: "That was my dad's favorite book. I miss him.."

My friends and me send each other this emoji when we give virtual hugs 🐣 , so:
🐣 🐣 🐣

Ok. I am going to suggest one that will certainly bring people out of the woodwork to scream bloody murder at me, but I think it would be a really fun buddy read.

ooo, I'm not against it 😂😂

Totally ok with a reread of Ulysses as well.

“I was a Flower of the mountain yes when I put the rose in my hair like the Andalusian girls used or shall I wear a red yes and how he kissed me under the Moorish wall and I thought well as well him as another and then I asked him with my eyes to ask again yes and then he asked me would I yes to say yes my mountain flower and first I put my arms around him yes and drew him down to me so he could feel my breasts all perfume yes and his heart was going like mad and yes I said yes I will Yes.”

And for those of you old enough to have seen the movie Back to School, this is the poem that Sally Kellerman read in class that made Rodney Dangerfield jump up and scream out "Yes!"

Ulysses is one of my favourite books, so always happy to re-read (I'm pretty sure it's been over a year...)

I have also read Finnegans Wake, and by "read", I mean my eyes took in all of the words. I haven't the first clue WTF any of them actually meant 😆

I wouldn't mind rereading that too ^^

I have not read that book

I meant Ulysses btw 😅

So, should we poll the group as a whole? Are we settling on Ulysses?

Are we that brave? Or maybe... am I that brave? I have been on a classics kick lately....

Also, Sammy - I'm relying on your knowledge of what tasks it fits....

I google search eluded to ...

✔ Close-knit community
✔ Friendships across different backgrounds
✔ Themes of exclusion
✔ Cultural/artistic community

But, I'm not comfortable saying wether or not this is true or how true, yet!

I'm certain we could argue close-knit community. Exclusion is an absolute definite. Leopold feels excluded because he is Jewish. I guess different backgrounds would work because of the same.
I think artistic community would also work. There is a lot of art, artists and discussion of art.

Also, in case anyone doesn't have this book, it looks like this copy is free (at least in the US, not sure other countries, since I can't tell that) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

I have 4 copies, including the ridiculously mahoosive centenary edition (known in our house as "the little baby book"), so I think I'm good 😆

Sammy wrote: "I have 4 copies, including the ridiculously mahoosive centenary edition (known in our house as "the little baby book"), so I think I'm good 😆"

I was most definitely NOT including you, lol 😆😆 I was positive you had at least 2

Is that this one? It looks lovely!!

I literally have it (and have read it) in every format 😂

Yes, that's the one! It is HUGE! I could only read it at my desk because there was no holding that thing! 🤣🤣🤣

But it does have a heap of essays and annotations in there as well as the original text, hence the size of the thing.

Sammy wrote: "Yes, that's the one! It is HUGE! I could only read it at my desk because there was no holding that thing! 🤣🤣🤣

But it does have a heap of essays and annotations in there as well as the original tex..."

How fun! Definitely a cool book to own!

It was my birthday present to myself when it came out.

Adding that book to my need it now list. I have an old paperback of this, and the audio, so I will likely go back and forth between them.

I love some of the annotated books. I have a great annotated version of The Hunting of the Snark, which makes it even more fun. And weird.

📣 BOOK BRIDGE BONUS: HOT TIP & DEADLINE DROP 📣

Alright, bookish dream teams — consider this your official nudge (and mild threat 👀):

⏰ TIMELINE REMINDER
June 25 – Submit your team’s shared book pick for approval
July 1–31 – Read, discuss, and absolutely revel in your story-powered alliance

📝 WHERE TO POST:
Drop your pick in the Q&A thread like the responsible, team-bonded reader you are. Don't leave your mods lurking in the shadows wondering what you're doing. We see everything. (Except your book pick... unless you post it.)

🔥 PRO TIP:
Fight for your pick. Pitch it like you're on Shark Tank:
💬 “It loosely fits ‘immigrant journey’ because technically the character moves cities and they eat unfamiliar soup.”
Yes. That counts. I love that for you.

💡 Loose + creative > "perfect" but boring. You have permission to ✨stretch✨ if it means you'll actually read it and enjoy it.

📚 So go forth! Pick a book. Pitch it with flair. Post it where it belongs. And let’s make this Bridge Bonus iconic.

Dang! Ashley's getting serious. I am okay with Ulysses if it gets us a consensus on one book.

Sorry, I was feeling spicy this morning... my husband is already annoyed with me... but I'm just going to keep going and eat spicy ramen for lunch, so it's a SPICY DAY DANGIT!

I'm obviously on board with Ulysses, but if it's a hard no for other folk, I can probably manage pretty much anything provided I can get hold of it and I haven't read it in the past year (anyone who is GR friends with me should be able to double check that), so if you all decide on something else while I'm sleeping (and away for most of tomorrow), you can put me down for a yes if it falls in the right time-frame for me.

Ulysses Vote

🌟 Page Pioneers:
Jenny - Yes
Angie - Possible Yes
Sammy - Yes
Judith - Yes
Donna - Yes

🌟 Tome Trekkers:
Ashley - Yes
Jax - Yes
Risa - Yes
Cindy - Yes

Risa said she's on board too.