Book Nook Cafe discussion
2025 ~ Book Challenge
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Michele's 2025 Book Challenge
Best of Reading during the Challenge, Michele!I began but just couldn't continue reading Creation Lake--Rachel Kushner. Figuring out what was what got to me. lol
Alias Reader wrote: "Thanks for joining the challenge, Michele.Did you enjoy The God of the Woods ?"
I liked the book, but it's not one I would recommend to my friends. I don't know how to describe it except to say that the characters were very broad and exaggerated, and the story had some big holes in it. I probably rated it too high,
madrano wrote: "Best of Reading during the Challenge, Michele!I began but just couldn't continue reading Creation Lake--Rachel Kushner. Figuring out what was what got to me. lol"
I looked at my review (under Michele's Reviews somewhere on GR) and I rated it 3.5 because I thought the descriptions of rural France were right on. I didn't like the sloppy tradecraft and thought the female provocateur to be a Peter Sellers-type F-up. I enjoyed it more if I saw it as a tongue-in-cheek comedy. Another book I wouldn't recommend to a good friend.
Michele wrote: " thought the female provocateur to be a Peter Sellers-type F-up. I enjoyed it more if I saw it as a tongue-in-cheek comedy. Another book I wouldn't recommend to a good friend..."Agreed. It was her, more than anything else, that distracted me.
Michele wrote:Did you enjoy The God of the Woods ?"I liked the book, but it's not one I would recommend to my friends. I don't know how to describe it except to say that the characters were very broad and exaggerated, and the story had some big holes in it. I probably rated it too high,
.."
I appreciate the quick reply. Sorry it wasn't better for you.
I finished female detective prompt with a book called Miss Graham's Cold War Cookbook by Celia Rees. it takes place in 1945 and 1946, in Lubeck, Germany and elsewhere. Lubeck is located in the British Zone of occupation. Miss Edith Graham, looking for a challenge and a purpose volunteered to work in the British zone in the Education Branch, where she would set up and administer schools for the German children. She was also recruited to be a spy. looking in particular for information on the whereabouts of Count Kurt von Stavenow. Edith had an affair with him at university, and visited him in Germany after his marriage to Countess Elisabeth. Edith was pretty good at drawing out the people she met, but not quite as good at reading their minds. The story was atmospheric and the plot was twisty with a few surprises. I thought it was well-done as historical fiction and as a mystery/thriller. 4 stars.
Miss Graham's Cold War Cookbook
Celia ReesMichele wrote: "I finished female detective prompt with a book called Miss Graham's Cold War Cookbook by Celia Rees. it takes place in 1945 and 1946, in Lubeck, Germany and elsewhere. Lubeck is located in the Brit..."
That sounds like an interesting read and it also includes recipes ! Win, win.
Good job for the prompt, Michele.
Michele wrote: "I finished female detective prompt with a book called Miss Graham's Cold War Cookbook by Celia Rees. it takes place in 1945 and 1946, in Lubeck, Germany and elsewhere. Lubeck is located in the Brit..."This sounds like a winner to me. And what a novel concept, as well. Thanks for sharing about this one, Michele. And congrats on completing another prompt!
As one who has liked reading about real female spies, i'm attracted to this novel. Another one on my TBR! Thanks for sharing with us.
madrano wrote:As one who has liked reading about real female spies, i'm attracted to this novel. Another one on my TBR! Thanks for sharing with us..."
Deb, this morning I was listening to the radio program On The Media. They had a segment I think you will find interesting.
It's about the book:
Book and Dagger: How Scholars and Librarians Became the Unlikely Spies of World War II by Elyse GrahamOn The Media
Wars Are Won By Stories
Sounds terrific. Thanks, Alias, for calling it to my attention.
I read Fourth of July Creek to answer the prompt "Takes place on a holiday. Any holiday." It was a great novel--great setting and atmosphere, impacted on important social/political issues, well-developed characters and a very good plot. 4.5 stars
BTW: There was no Fourth of July celebration in the book, but one reviewer pointed out that the issues raised about our form of government, is anarchy an answer to government overreach etc are in the spirit of the 4th. I'll keep looking.
Great and different selection, Michele. I relish learning about new entries into the "Holiday Book" challenge. The point you mention via one reviewer makes sense, doesn't it?
Congratulations on this creative choice for the Challenge.
Michele wrote: "I read Fourth of July Creek to answer the prompt "Takes place on a holiday. Any holiday." It was a great novel--great setting and atmosphere, impacted on ..."
Even though it wasn't what you were seeking, it sounds like an intersting book. Serendipity strikes !
I'm going to read a bit more about it on Amazon. Thanks for the title.
I finished reading a lovely, light book called The Wedding People, which fulfills the category of a humorous book. It was filled with interesting people and activities and ideas, and I gave it 4+ stars in my review on GR. It's about Phoebe, divorced and feeling sad when her cat dies, who decides to make a reservation for one night so that she can commit suicide. And life intervenes to save her. It is not that the plot is much of a surprise, but the story is so well-executed and funny.
It may interest you to know that it could also go into that strange category of a book that features water. Phoebe lives in St. Louis and has never seen the ocean. Much of the activity takes place in, on or near the water in Newport, RI.
I'm glad you mentioned your Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ review, Michele, as i often forget to look there for reviews by Book Nook members. Your review was a pleasure to read. Thanks for drawing our attention to it.Congrats on completing another prompt. Or two, if you double count it for water challenge. :-)
Michele wrote: "I finished reading a lovely, light book called The Wedding People, which fulfills the category of a humorous book. It was filled with interesting people an..."
Well done on the prompt, Michele. I've seen that book at Target. It's a Read With Jenna book selection. Since you gave it such a good rating, I'll have to check it out. Thanks!
I read The Wishing GameIt was a young adult book that is masquerading as a novel for adults. It could also be magical realism. It describes a fictional world made up by an eccentric man named Jack, who after making a fortune on 65 books in his Clock Island series, finds an island off Portland, ME and creates his fictional world IRL. He suddenly stops writing for six years and begins drinking. His illustrator who was scheduled to leave and go back home to London, stays with him in fear that he will do himself harm. But one day Jack is suddenly sprightly again, and launches a contest for the children-now adults- who had loved his work. He chose four people from among the thousands of entries he received, and they all came to play. It's not an awful book, and some is very inventive, but all-in-all, it had some huge issues. I gave it a 3, but will keep an eye out for her next one. She has potential for sure.
Michele wrote:"It's not an awful book, and some is very inventive, but all-in-all, it had some huge issues. I gave it a 3, but will keep an eye out for her next one. She has potential for sure."
I hope your next read is a winner, Michele.
Michele wrote: "I read The Wishing GameIt was a young adult book that is masquerading as a novel for adults. It could also be magical realism. It describes a fictional world made up by an eccentr..."
The contest is like a touch of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, it sounds like. The premise of the book is clever, i must say.
Thanks for the review, Michele. I'm intrigued.
I have just finished two books for my challenge:Shakespeare by Another Name: The Life of Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, the Man Who Was Shakespeare
fills the 'Book involving the Arts" challenge. This was a super book that provides an excellent argument for the Earl of Oxford as the real Shakespeare. I dare you to think differently after you read it. (The story can also be seen on Netflix narrated by Derek Jacobi) 5 stars
Rebel Yell: The Violence, Passion, and Redemption of
Stonewall Jackson. This was a prize winner (Pulitzer) so fulfills that challenge.
I loved this book as well. So much that I found myself rooting for the Confederates. Actually, Jackson's life is proof that men are multifaceted and one blind spot does not negate the contributions of a person, even if he is REALLY wrong. His story was fascinating and fully told. This was a long one, but worth the extended effort. 4+ stars.
Two winners for you. Nice ! Well done on the prompts, Michele. Are you a Shakespeare fan ?
Michele wrote: "I have just finished two books for my challenge:Shakespeare by Another Name: The Life of Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, the Man Who Was Shakespeare
fills the 'Book involving the Arts..."
Two neat history books, Michele. I appreciate both topics. Back when i was in high school, i relished reading about all the people who were considered a candidate for the "real" Shakespeare. Even the very idea of the subject pleased me in some way.
As we've visited Civil War sites over the years, we've come to appreciate the lives of a number of Confederate officers. As you note, they were more than that one war and their awful decision to back the South. Thanks for this title.
Great choices for these prompts. Brava!
Alias Reader wrote: "Two winners for you. Nice ! Well done on the prompts, Michele. Are you a Shakespeare fan ?"
I grew up in NJ. In high school, we would study a Shakespearean history play and then take a class trip to see a live performance of it at McCarter Theater at Princeton University. We listened to at least one other play on vinyl in English class. I've been to Oxford to see a few plays and Shakespeare's alleged house, and to the Public Theater in NYC a couple of times to see big stars like Al Pacino do Shakespeare (Julius Caesar; he played Brutus). I saw Dustin Hoffman in the title role in The Merchant of Venice. So yes, I would say I am a fan, though not in any way an expert. Does Kiss Me Kate count?
Michele wrote: "I grew up in NJ. In high school, we would study a Shakespearean history play and then take a class trip to see a live performance of it at McCarter Theater at Princeton University. We listened to at least one other play on vinyl in English class..."Wow ! That is wonderful that your school had trips like that.
In Pacino's memoir that I recently read, Sonny Boy he notes his love of Shakespeare.
He also was in a movie adaption of The Merchant of Venice
The Merchant Of Venice 2004 Shylock speech)
Michele wrote: "Alias Reader wrote: "Two winners for you. Nice ! Well done on the prompts, Michele. Are you a Shakespeare fan ?"
I grew up in NJ. In high school, we would study a Shakespearean history play and ..."
Great job! I'm from NJ also, we went to a performance of "Of Mice and Men" at New Hope, PA for our school theater experience.
Michele wrote: "I grew up in NJ. In high school, we would study a Shakespearean history play and then take a class trip to see a live performance of it at McCarter Theater at Princeton University. We listened to at least one other play on vinyl in English class. .."Neat! My experience is significantly less but my appreciation is as high. We were in London when they were re-creating the Globe Theatre. They used only non-electrical tools, which were whisper quiet. I think I’ll always remember that visit.
Why not count Kate?!
John wrote: "Michele wrote: "Alias Reader wrote: "Two winners for you. Nice ! Well done on the prompts, Michele. Are you a Shakespeare fan ?"
I grew up in NJ. In high school, we would study a Shakespearean h..."
Jersey strong! Sounds like we were on opposite sides of the state. I was at the shore in the Manasquan area.
madrano wrote: "Michele wrote: "I grew up in NJ. In high school, we would study a Shakespearean history play and then take a class trip to see a live performance of it at McCarter Theater at Princeton University. ..."Why not, indeed. My husband (we went to school together from K to college) used to write parodies of Shakespeare for fun. We would put them on in English class. I remember his "Julius Caesar" in which I played a character named "Lizzie." I know. We were soooo nerdy.
Two easy books this week: One was a reread of something I read in 2015. Speak. A perennial banned book, the subject being the rape of a HS student and its aftermath. I loved the satire of HS life much more this time, but the ending was a little too neat. However, if aimed at encouraging rape victims to feel they could recover, I will forgive a little over-optimism.
The Truth About Horses. This is a YA book. It is about horses and horse people, but the trauma that must be overcome is the sudden death of Mom in an automobile accident. It was a good yarn, peopled with interesting animal and human characters. It had a wide streak of magical realism which I always suspect is a device to get an author out of trouble by providing some motivation she couldn't get from her characters. And the ending was a fizzle. I did like it, though.
Michele wrote: Why not, indeed. My husband (we went to school together from K to college) used to write parodies of Shakespeare for fun. We would put them on in English class. I remember his "Julius Caesar" in which I played a character named "Lizzie." I know. We were soooo nerdy.."
Love it ! 💓
Michele wrote: "Two easy books this week: One was a reread of something I read in 2015. Speak. A perennial banned book, the subject being the rape of a HS student and its aftermath. I loved the sa..."
Sounds like you read two very good reads. Thanks for the titles.
Michele wrote: "My husband (we went to school together from K to college) used to write parodies of Shakespeare for fun. We would put them on in English class. I remember his "Julius Caesar" in which I played a character named "Lizzie." I know. We were soooo nerdy..."Love nerds here! It sounds fun, actually. Stirring the creative juices is always a great idea!
Michele wrote: "Two easy books this week: One was a reread of something I read in 2015. Speak. A perennial banned book, the subject being the rape of a HS student and its aftermath. I loved the sa..."
The second selection reminds me a bit of The Horse Whisperer-Nicholas Evans, a book I liked quite a bit. It’s fascinating how animals evoke healing and help in humans.
DebYes, Wes was a horse whisperer and there were a few references to that skill in the book. Wes was a voluntary mute, and gave riding lessons to a blind girl using only signals. Very effective description of how to ride a horse using mostly the cues you get from the animal. And another, somewhat awkward, example of the long-term effects of trauma and the pace of recovery.
Thank you for the further information, Michele. How wonderful to figure out such techniques.
G.A.I.A.: A World on the Brink in the Age of A.I.I wanted to read a book that explained the extraordinary mess we are in as a planet and a species without all the super-technical science information. This book did it in spades, and his explanations are for adults, as well as straightforward and comprehensible. This book is written by a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ author who is not yet a writer of acceptable fiction. He is trying, and maybe he'll get there, but he did exactly the job of educating me about the Monocrisis threatening our existence. It fulfills the STEM prompt. I gave it 3 stars overall.
Michele wrote: "G.A.I.A.: A World on the Brink in the Age of A.I.I wanted to read a book that explained the extraordinary mess we are in as a planet and a species without all the super-technical ..."
From Michele's review
The remedy is to eliminate much of the progress men have previously made and return to the values of the native peoples, who lived in harmony with nature.
Well done on the prompt, Michele. Also I enjoyed reading your review.
Unfortunately, I don't see humans changing our destructive behavior.
I don't think it is too pessimistic to say we are on the road to ruin. The pace at which we are destroying the planet is horrifying. We seem to be at a tipping point and our response is to ignore that and actually accelerate the destruction.
If anyone wants a few non fiction books on the topic, I can recommend three that were all 5 stars for me:
The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert
Under a White Sky: The Nature of the Future by Elizabeth Kolbert
A Life on Our Planet: My Witness Statement and a Vision for the Future by David Attenborough
Michele wrote: "G.A.I.A.: A World on the Brink in the Age of A.I.I wanted to read a book that explained the extraordinary mess we are in as a planet and a species without all the super-technical ..."
Thanks for the informative review, Michele.
Does G.A.I.A. Stand for anything. I ask because years ago i read Gaia: A New Look at Life on Earth�James E. Lovelock, which i found interesting. The premise was that Earth, Gaia in ancient cultures, will take care of herself. As in helping to create catastrophes, if she sees humans harming the planet. I haven’t heard much about it lately but at the time there was interesting facts mentioned.
Alias Reader wrote: "Michele wrote: "G.A.I.A.: A World on the Brink in the Age of A.I.I wanted to read a book that explained the extraordinary mess we are in as a planet and a species without all the ..."
I don't think that's pessimistic at all.
madrano wrote: "Michele wrote: "G.A.I.A.: A World on the Brink in the Age of A.I.I wanted to read a book that explained the extraordinary mess we are in as a planet and a species without all the ..."
I have read that Gaia in Greek mythology represent the Earth, and is a female deity with mixed motives. I believe the book about AI uses those letters for an organization dedicated to dealing with AI issues, but I didn't make a note of what the letters stood for. The middle ones are Artificial Intelligence I believe.
Alias Reader wrote: "Michele wrote: "G.A.I.A.: A World on the Brink in the Age of A.I.I wanted to read a book that explained the extraordinary mess we are in as a planet and a species without all the ..."
Thanks for the references.
I noticed that each letter in GAIA had a period, so should have figured that out. 🫤
Two more books read:The Whereabouts of Eneas McNulty Good Irish vocabulary and lilt in the language. Interesting contemplation of how the violence in Ireland impacted the lives of everyone. Good ending.
Filled the prompt of a book from my TBR list (2021) that I finally read. 4 stars
Audio book Robert E. Lee: A Life by Allen C. Guelco. Very comprehensive and interesting. Lee is probably not who you thought he was. I enjoyed comparison and contrast with Stonewall Jackson from last month 4+stars.
That sounds like two heavy reads, Michele. I'm glad they were winners for you.
Michele wrote: "Two more books read:The Whereabouts of Eneas McNulty Good Irish vocabulary and lilt in the language. Interesting contemplation of how the violence in Ireland impacted the lives of ev..."
Congratulations on those two, and thanks for your thoughts on the Sebastian Barry book -- sounds like just my cuppa!
Michele wrote: "Two more books read:The Whereabouts of Eneas McNulty Good Irish vocabulary and lilt in the language. Interesting contemplation of how the violence in Ireland impacted the lives of ev..."
Two interesting books, Michele. I’m making note of the Lee bio, as I’d like to learn more. Your comments saved me time! Thanks.
Book Nook Cafe
Books mentioned in this topic
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine (other topics)Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine (other topics)
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine (other topics)
Wellness (other topics)
Wellness (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
James Clear (other topics)James E. Lovelock (other topics)
David Attenborough (other topics)
Elizabeth Kolbert (other topics)
Nicholas Evans (other topics)
More...
x The Truth About Horses by Christy Cashman (Award Winner)
x The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
X2- Takes place during a holiday or about a holiday. Any holiday.
x Fourth of July Creek by Smith Henderson
Swimming with Bridgeport Girls by Anthony Tambakis
X3- A banned or challenged book
xSpeak by Laurie Halse 1999 Natl Book Award Finalist
X4- STEM ( any field of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics)
Storm in a Teacup by Helen Czerski
Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari
x G.A.I.A.: A World on the Brink in the Age of AI by JJ Wisdom
X. 5- A book about a world leader or notable person(s) (living or dead)
On Call by Anthony Fauci, MD
x Robert E. Lee: A Life by Allen C. Guelzo
X6- A book from your TBR list or a book you own but never read.
x The Whereabouts of Eneas McNulty by Sebastian Barry
Mercury Pictures Presents by Anthony Marra
A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marion James (Jamaica,
X 7- A book published in 2025
x In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
X8- A book that was nominated for a prize or won a book award prize. (any year, any prize)
x Rebel Yell: The Violence, Passion and Redemption of Stonewall
Jackson by S.C.Gwynne. (Pulitzer Prize)
X9- A book involving the Arts or character involved in the Arts
(dance, music, painter, theater, drawing, architecture, film, photography)
x. Drawn Testimony: My Four Decades as a Courtroom Sketch Artist by Jane Rosenberg
x Shakespeare by Another Name: The Life of Edward de Vere, Earl
of Oxford, the Man Who Was Shakespeare by Mark Anderson
X. 10- Animal, vegetable or mineral
x Horse by Geraldine Brooks
X. 11- Re-read a book you read before
x The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski
X 12- History, Current event, or historical fiction
x The Briar Club by Kate Quinn
A Day in the Life of Abed Salama by Nathan Thrall (Pulitzer)
X. 13- A book that takes place in or is about a country you don't currently live in
x Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner (France)
x The Appeal: A Novel by Janice Hallett (Australia)
X 14- ...OLOGY --- Any field of study that ends in the suffix ology.
x. Fossil Men: The Quest for the Oldest Skeleton and the Origins
of Humankind by Kermit Pattison (paleoanthropology}
15- A book dealing with mental health, physical disability or other health related issue
What She Left Behind by Ellen Marie Wiseman
16- Author's Last Name begins with R, E, A or D.
17- Self help, motivational, inspirational, spirituality, mindfulness, or communication.
X 18- Biography, autobiography or memoir
x Source Code by Bill Gates
19- Mystery, thriller, suspense or true crime novel
The Night She Disappeared: A Novel by Lisa Jewell
The First Lie Wins: a Novel by Ashley Elston
20- novella, short story collection, essays collection, or play.
The Exploits of Brigadier Gerard: Adventures of a Dashing
French Officer by Arthur Conan Doyle
21- (for 2025) Select a book published at least 25 years ago.
Since Yesterday: The 1930's in America by Frederick Lewis Allen
Originally published in 1940
22- A book that was translated into English.
Malice: A Mystery by Keigo Higashino and Alexander O. Smith
A Death in Tokyo: A Mystery by Keigo Higashino
The Silver Bone by Andrey Kurkov
The North Light by Hideo Yokoyama
23- Travel or a journey ( could be literal or spiritual)
24- Bildungsroman - Coming of age
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Normal People by Sally Rooney
Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead
25- (for 2025) A book title with at least 5 words in the title. Bonus if it is exactly 5.
***
Bonus prompts or substitution
NOT required to complete the challenge!
*
1- humorous or funny book
Undermajordomo Minor by Patrick DeWitt
X 2- fantasy, magical realism or science fiction
x Familiarist by David Wroblewski
x The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson
X3- A book that features water. (ocean, swimmer, lake, ship/boat or has picture of water on cover)
x The Wedding People by Alison Espach
X4- Romance or love 💖
xWellness: A Novel by Nathan Hill
X 5- A book with a female detective
x The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
x Miss Graham's Cold War Cookbook by Celia Rees