What Big Book Are You Currently Reading? > Likes and Comments

My first book in print for Big Book Summer is The Testaments by Margaret Atwood, a book I've been dying to read that was in my Big Book Summer stack last year! I was extra-motivated to tackle it for my first Big Book because I can't wait to see the new TV show! The TV adaptations of The Handmaid's Tale is one of our favorites.

On audio, I am listening to A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving, a group read on Booktube for Meany in May. It's excellent so far!

I’m starting Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead today. I borrowed it from a sibling and it is also a part of another challenge for me on Goodreads. I’m also finally going to start Lonesome Dove. I wanted to read it when it was a group read in 2024 for BBSC but that didn’t happen. I like to read several books at the same time.

My name is Fern and my first Big Book for this group is A Rose for the Crown by Anne Easter Smith. It is a historical fiction coming in at 632 pages.
I'm also working my way through The Blue and The Gray by Henry Steele Commager which will take most of the summer. 1151 pages
One more I have just started is The Stripping of the Altars by Eamon Duffy which will also take most of the summer. 593 pages

I'm starting with "lonesome Dove" and I am hoping to get to "East of Eden" next. I have several others if finish both of those. I'll probably read several short books in between.

First Big book is The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

Kristin wrote: "I’m starting Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead today. I borrowed it from a sibling and it is also a part of another challenge for me on Goodreads. I’m also finally going to start Lonesome Dove. I wa..."

Good for you, being able to juggle multiple books, Kristin! Back in 2023 (I think?), Great Circle was the #1 book of Big Book Summer. And Lonesome Dove is outstanding! Hope you enjoy them both.

Pianomans wrote: "My name is Fern and my first Big Book for this group is A Rose for the Crown by Anne Easter Smith. It is a historical fiction coming in at 632 pages.
I'm also working my way through The Blue and T..."

Sounds like a great plan, Fern! I haven't read any of those yet. Enjoy!

Mary wrote: "I'm starting with "lonesome Dove" and I am hoping to get to "East of Eden" next. I have several others if finish both of those. I'll probably read several short books in between."

Hope you enjoy them both, Mary! Lonesome Dove blew me away!

Tashinka wrote: "First Big book is The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton"

I enjoyed The Forgotten Garden - hope you do, too, Tashinka!

My first big book will be Conform by Ariel Sullivan. FANTASY from Jenna Bush’s brand new publishing company, Thousand Voices .

My first big book of this summer will be a reread of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flag. I’ll also rewatch the movie adaptation as part of the Book Cougars “book to screen adaptation” theme for the year. Im sure that tears will reappear as well - this story definitely tugs as my heartstrings!

I'm starting A Suitable Boy with the intent of finishing it at the end of the year and Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community

All the Glimmering Stars is my first one! It's a little heavy (but beautiful) so I'm also reading Ascendant.

My first Big Book is Age of Vice by Deepti Kapoor. It was on my list for last summer and I never got around to it! Thanks Sue and others for hosting once again!

Allen wrote: "My first big book will be Conform by Ariel Sullivan. FANTASY from Jenna Bush’s brand new publishing company, Thousand Voices ."

Sounds like a good pick, Allen! I've been curious about her new publishing imprint.

Kim wrote: "My first big book of this summer will be a reread of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flag. I’ll also rewatch the movie adaptation as part of the Book Cougars “book to screen..."

Kim, I also plan to reread Fried Green Tomatoes (on audio this time). Enjoy!

Linda wrote: "I'm starting A Suitable Boy with the intent of finishing it at the end of the year and Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community"

Bowling Alone sounds intriguing, Linda - great title!

Heidi'sbooks wrote: "All the Glimmering Stars is my first one! It's a little heavy (but beautiful) so I'm also reading Ascendant."

Enjoy, Heidi!

Kate wrote: "My first Big Book is Age of Vice by Deepti Kapoor. It was on my list for last summer and I never got around to it! Thanks Sue and others for hosting once again!"

My first pick is also one left-over from last summer, Kate - The Testaments by Margaret Atwood.

My first big book will be Lonesome Dove. This novel has been on my TBR forever so I’m happy to dive in.

My first big book will be Tom's Crossing by Mark Z. Danielewski
1200 pgs!

The Night Circus and Fourth Wing

I’m reading Gertrude Stein’s The Making of Americans as a readalong with the Pittsburgh Review of Books and the White Whale Bookstore in Pittsburgh. It is 1022 pages, which the hosts have scheduled out over 14 weeks, including a catch up week in the middle (thank goodness). I didn’t know what to expect having never read Stein before. It is odd yet often beautiful so far.

I finished Fried Green Tomatoes yesterday, but I did read the first half earlier in the week so I might not ‘count’ it. I will hopefullY read more big books that hew closer to the 400 page count than to anything approximating TMOA while Stein provides a constant background hum to the summer.

I've got 3 Big Books going at the moment:

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen--on audio--a many times re-read; for my birthday week.
South Riding by Winifred Holtby and
All Things Wise and Wonderful by James Herriot--reading a few chapters here and there and hope to finish this summer.

Some other possibilities from my Big Books pile:

Tender is the Night, F Scott Fitzgerald (just qualifies with 403 pages!)
They Were Sisters, Dorothy Whipple
The Forsyte Saga, John Galsworthy (3 novels & 2 interludes in one volume)
The American Senator, Anthony Trollope
Marion Fay, Anthony Trollope
Jude the Obscure, Thomas Hardy (a re-read)
Mr Scarborough's Family, Anthony Trollope

I hope to read a total of 8 books over the summer, but I'll be happy with whatever I finish! Thank you, Sue!

Mary wrote: "The Night Circus and Fourth Wing"

I loved The night Circus, Mary - enjoy!

Colleen wrote: "I’m reading Gertrude Stein’s The Making of Americans as a readalong with the Pittsburgh Review of Books and the White Whale Bookstore in Pittsburgh. It is 1022 pages, which the hosts have scheduled..."

Sounds like a good plan, Colleen! I'm planning to re-read (via audio) Fried Green Tomatoes.

I am currently reading 2 big books. The first is a wonderful Midldle-grade book called The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli By Karina Yan Glaser. There are two time lines. The Character Han Yu lives in Ancient China in the year 731 and Luli is in China Town in New York City in 1931. They both are having adventures of different kinds.
The 2nd book I am reading is This Tender Land By William Kent Krueger. I just started it and am really enjoying his writing style.

Ann Litwack wrote: "I am currently reading 2 big books. The first is a wonderful Midldle-grade book called The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli By Karina Yan Glaser. There are two time lines. The Character Han Yu lives i..."

Sounds like a great start to Big Book Summer, Ann! I LOVED This Tender Land and Krueger's writing - that novel has everything. The middle-grade book sounds really interesting, too. Hope you enjoy them both!