2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge discussion

I'm going to go for 100 again. I was able to hit it in 2012 so I'm going to try try again.

Book #1: The Dinner by Herman Koch - 4 stars

I really enjoyed this book. Such a nice little twist almost halfway through that turns your perspective of the characters inside out. The story is focused around a dinner with two couples - two brothers and their wives. One brother is running for Prime Minister of the Netherlands and is very well known. Both have teenage sons. This story revolves around the the actions of these sons and the affect it has on the parents and vice versa.

Book #2: Melonhead by Katy Kelly - 4 stars

This book is on my 9 year old son's Sunshine State Young Reader Awards(SSYRA)list for 2013-2014. His goal is to read all 15 of the SSYRA for his age group. I like to read them also in order to discuss with him. Also, I work in an elementary school library so this helps me relate to what the kids are reading. This book was extremely cute and easy to read. About a boy deemed "Melonhead" (Last name Melon) who gets into all kinds of predicaments. Very amusing and a cute story.

You're doing great so far Melissa! I never tried to look at the summary of The Dinner but by your description it actually sounds pretty good. Thanks (:

Book #3: The Five Lives of Our Cat Zook by Joanne Rocklin - 4 stars

This book is also on my 9 year old's SSRYA list. This is such a touching story about a 10 year old girl and her cat Zook and the important role Zook plays in her life as well as the rest of her family - her younger brother, her mother, and more.

Adriana wrote: "You're doing great so far Melissa! I never tried to look at the summary of The Dinner but by your description it actually sounds pretty good. Thanks (:"

Thank you Adriana. I do recommend The Dinner. Especially if you like dysfunctional situations :) I compare it to Gone Girl which I liked a great deal also but had some extreme craziness.

Book #4: The Giver by Lois Lowry.

This was excellent. What would like be like in the Sameness? Set in a future that is not quite ideal, the story of a boy named Jonas who is selected for a very special position in his community of Sameness and his struggle as he learns what he has always thought his life to be is very different than how it actually is.

Mathilde / Ikvindlezenleuk wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Book #1: The Dinner by Herman Koch - 4 stars

I really enjoyed this book. Such a nice little twist almost halfway through that turns your perspect..."

Unfortunately I do not speak Dutch but I would be very interested also in the differences in this translated version and the original version. Please let me know :)

Melissa wrote: "Book #4: The Giver by Lois Lowry.

This was excellent. What would like be like in the Sameness? Set in a future that is not quite ideal, the story of a boy named Jonas ..."

I've only read Gathering Blue. I thought it was very strange yet very good. I didn't know it was a series until much later. I can't quite remember the story but The Giver seems similar. I wonder how it all comes together.

P.S. All the books you are reading are awesome (;

Adriana wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Book #4: The Giver by Lois Lowry.

This was excellent. What would like be like in the Sameness? Set in a future that is not quite ideal, the story of a ..."

Hi Adriana :) I thumbed through the other two the other day in the bookstore and saw that they must be from other people's perspective. I didn't buy them but I definitely will pick them up in the future to read them - I liked The Giver a lot. It is one of those books that I have thought about a lot since I read it which means it must have left a meaningful impact on me.

PS Thanks for your awesome comment ;)

Book #5. Lucky Man: A Memoir by Michael J. Fox.

I thought this book was okay until I got to the part where he was diagnosed with Parkinson's. Then, I thought it was terrific. I learned so much just from reading this book. I also loved that he uses his illness to help the PDC (I think that's right) community. Sometimes I'm not sure how I feel about celebrities using their fame to talk about things like diseases and natural disasters but I really got that in this case at least, the community was thankful that he stepped forward and used his status to make more people aware thus bringing extra funding towards finding a cure.

Book #6. Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

I would give this book 3 1/2 stars if I could, not just 3. I liked it. I got a little nervous when it started talking about codes (I had no idea what this book was about) because I really disliked The Da Vinci Code; however I enjoyed this book. I thought the main character, Clay, was very easy to relate to and funny to boot. Follow him on an adventure to discover what exactly is going on ion Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore.

Book #7. The Year of the Book by Andrea Cheng.

This is an intermediate book in my elementary school library, part of the Sunshine State Readers Awards. I liked the main character, Anna, a great deal as she reminded me a lot of me when I was younger - always with my nose in a book. Anna discovers that she can read but also make room for friends. It was a neat little story.

Book #8. Touch Blue by Cynthia Lord.

Continuing with my Sunshine State Readers Awards list, I liked this book. The story of a family who lives on an island off the coast of Maine. The island families decide to adopt children in order to prevent the school being closed due to lack of students. The story, however, is more about one family and the boy, Aaron, they adopt. The focus turns less from wanting to keep the school open to wanting Aaron to want to stay and be a part of the family. Well written from Tess' point of view, a daughter who wants to connect with Aaron and does everything in her power to make him want to stay.

Book #9. The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo.

I have truly loved all of Kate DiCamillo's novels I have read and I am still on the streak. This book is a wonderfully touching story about a boy who loses his mother and gains a friend and his father along the way.

Book #10. Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan.

A sweet simple story about a family who hopes to gain a mother and not lose her to the sea. Lovely story.

Book #11. The Wolf of Wall Street by Jordan Belfort.

Bottom Line: terrible writer. terrible person. Just, yuck.

I need to read sarah, plain and tall again. I read it in elementary school and don't remember much about it.

Alison wrote: "I need to read sarah, plain and tall again. I read it in elementary school and don't remember much about it."

It is such a simple little story but so nice. Reminds me of Laura Ingalls series which I loved as a child.

Book #12. Waiting for the Magic by Patricia MacLachlan.

As mentioned before, I'm trying to read all of the Sunshine State Readers' Awards Books on my son's list. This is one of them. Little did I know that this book was written by the same author of Sarah, Plain and Tall, Patricia MacLachlan.

I didn't like this book at the start because the father was selfish. But the story is a lovely telling of how four dogs and a cat weave their magic through this family to bring them together again.

Book #13: Fake Mustache by Tom Angleberger.

Another Sunshine State Readers' Award book. I thought this book was okay. I wish there was an "okay" star but "I liked it" will do. The story of a boy, who acquires a fake mustache that changes him drastically and fantastically towards a path of world dominance. His best friend must try to stop his madness along with the help of Tween TV Star, Jodie O'Rodeo. I think my son will like it much more than I did and that is demographic for which the book was written.

Book #14. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes.

I enjoyed this book. The story of a woman in her 20's who discovers a new way of living through her job assisting a quadriplegic who is battling his own demons. She has 6 months to make him want to live. A touching story about friendship and how much can one person handle when their entire world as they know it is changed in an instant. I wouldn't be surprised to hear this is being made into a movie.

Book #15. Floors by Patrick Carman.

Another on my Sunshine State Young Reader's List. This book was definitely written for young readers as I am confident my 9 year old son will really like this book about the adventures of a young boy in a hotel with highly unusual room themes (the cave room, the pinball room, the haunted room). I thought it was okay throughout and then as usual the end made it that much better.

I think I might look for that list Melissa. You seem to be reading some great books. I'm assuming you are from Florida too based on the list name.

Adriana wrote: "I think I might look for that list Melissa. You seem to be reading some great books. I'm assuming you are from Florida too based on the list name."

Adriana - are you from Florida? Yes, I live in Vero Beach Florida on the East Coast. I am really enjoying the Sunshine State list - my son is trying to accomplish them also before the end of March so we are really into them. My personal faves from the list: Waiting for the Magic, Touch Blue and The Five Lives of our Cat Zook.

Book #16. Thomas and the Dragon Queen by Shutta Crum.

This was an extremely sweet story about a brave boy becoming an even braver knight. Thomas might be small, but what he lacks in size, he makes up for in courage, compassion and caring. A very nice story.

Book #17. Sleeping Arrangements by Madeleine Wickham.

I'm not sure if I'm getting over Chick-lit or if this one just wasn't that great. The ending fell flat and the story just seemed unrealistic. About two families who end up staying at the same house (loaned by a friend who planned the entire thing) where the families are entwined in several ways. Just okay.

Book #18. Seeing Sugar by Cynthia Brinson.

I picked this from the library when I was shelving books. A neat little story about a girl who sees a whole new world once she gets glasses.

Book #19. Iggie's House by Judy Blume.

Another book I picked up when I was shelving books. I loved Judy Blume's books while growing up. I couldn't resist picking up a couple to read just simply for pleasure. Iggie's House is about a girl whose best friend moves away. And in her house moves an African-American family which lets her see the true spirit of her neighbors and friends.

Book #20. Just as Long as We're Together by Judy Blume.

Another one I picked off the shelf in the library. I was surprised to see this one because I thought I had read every Judy Blume book there was. This was a story about friendship - old and new written in true Judy Blume style. Not one of my favorites but okay.

Good luck Melissa!

Trinity wrote: "Good luck Melissa!"

Thank you Trinity! Good luck to you also - looks like you are well on your way to hitting your goal for the year :)

Book #21. Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt.

My favorite book so far this year. A tale from 1987 when AIDS was a somewhat new subject out in the mainstream. A 14 year old girl must deal with the death of her best-friend and Uncle Finn as her relationship with her sister deteriorates. She discovers a new friendship and secrets about her family that she isn't sure she's ready to face. Such a great writer and incredible story about innocence and dealing with life's tragedies.

Book #22. Double Dog Dare by Lisa Graff.

A cute little story that involves a duel of sorts between the new kid and the girl who wants to be the newscaster for her school's morning news program. Both must come to terms with their home situation as they challenge each other through double dog dares.

Book #23. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate.

I grew up on a farm where animals were animals and humans were humans. We were not cruel to the animals by any means, however humans were the more evolved species on our farm. This book is about an ape who is stuck in terrible living conditions (a mall zoo) along with several other animals. The story is sweet: Ivan (the ape) declares his intention to protect the young elephant who is brought in to save the circus. Does Ivan succeed in doing so? That part of the story was nice.

The book annoyed me at times however. We get it...humans are mean, animals are super smart if they could only somehow relay that to us. I know I sound snarky but if this ape was as insightful as the author portays him to be (in his thoughts) I'm confused as to why he didn't get them out of the horrible living conditions sooner.

So while the story itself (Ivan helping the little elephant) is sweet, the main character himself irritated me.

Book #24. Glory Be by Augusta Scattergood.

I'm whittling down the Sunshine State Readers List. This book was good but in reading it, I tried to see it from my 9 year old son's point of view and I'm unsure whether he would get it. Set in Mississippi in the 60's, this is the story of a girl whose town is turned upside down by visitors from the North and the racial division. Glory must stand up for what she believes in and does so by calling out those who claim they are doing what's best for the community through hatred and ignorance. The end of the story is on the cusp of a huge movement which will change history forever.

Book #25. Flawless by Sara Shepard.

I read the first in this series (Pretty Little Liars) last year. My niece once called books like these "Brain Candy" - there's no huge meaning or educational value, it's just fun. This book definitely is that. I liked it though and have challenged myself to finish this series in a 2nd Qtr Challenge. These are quick reads that are truly guilty pleasures.

Book #26. Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout.

I am very disappointed that an author, who wrote a book with such a lovely writing style and use of vocabulary and interesting characters, used said book to go on a political rant throwing insults and name calling. Boo! If she had simply left out those three or four pages of insults I would have come away with a completely different impression from the one I did. Boo again!

Book #27. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey.

The first half of this book was hard to get through. I was all into it at the beginning but then a few chapters in through to the middle I was a little bored. Then the book got better and better. I saw the movie a long time ago, didn't remember the end which I'm glad for, and now am looking forward to watching it again.

Book #28. The Wish Stealers by Tracy Trivas.

Book #29. Insurgent by Veronica Roth.

Book #30. Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

I adore Bernadette Fox and adored this book. She is an extremely likeable character with a great story.

Book #31. The Candymakers by Wendy Mass.

Great job with your challenge so far, Melissa! I have Tell the Wolves I'm Home on my TBR, so I'm glad to hear you liked it.

Book #32. Orange Is the New Black by Piper Kerman.

I was expecting this book to be more interesting. There were so many instances where there was a slight build up and I'd be going "okay, here we go, something is going to happen here" and would be left unsatisfied. And because of the nothingness, I would expect the next section to be a continuation and then it would be about something totally unrelated to that section. Use some asterisks or stars or something to separate these things. I know, a minor infraction but it annoyed me for awhile, then I just got used to nothing really happening.

While the relationships she develops in "camp" were valid and many times, comparable to any normal relationship out of prison, her story wasn't that amazing. Yes, it would be terrific if the federal system looked at the ridiculous amounts of prisoners in jail for minor offenses but the bottom line is, right now drugs are illegal. So try not to hang out with people who are transporting drugs and drug related money around the world. And try not to transport said drugs or money around the world. Not even one time! I don't think she asks for our sympathy - she understands that she is not the norm in the prison system and she really wants us to know that as well as know that everyone adores her. Outside prison (she received tons of letters, gifts, books on a weekly basis, always had money in her account to buy things in the commissary, and had visitors every week) and inside prison (it seemed everyone she ran across (except maybe two people) just simply thought she was the best thing ever and what is she doing in here???). Her picture on the back of the book portrayed how she thought of herself exactly: feminine colored shirt so you know she's a pretty blond girl and enough of a smirk so she comes across as a bad-ass with whom don't want to mess.

#33. The Last Summer by Ann Brashares.

**spoilers**I found this book to be somewhat boring through about the first 75% of it. I assume the title is to represent the two sisters' relationship (two girls on the cover) but over half of the first part concentrated on one sister's relationship with their longtime family friend, Paul. Her being in love with him and him acting like a jerk (she hasn't seen him for three years at the very start of the book). However, I'm unsure whether anything has ever happened between them prior to this meeting.

There is one of those "misunderstandings" in the story where there is a relationship, then one person abruptly ends it because she can't explain what happened due to promising to keep a secret and nothing is explained at the time whatsoever. I never understand these because wouldn't you just say: "Something has happened. I can't tell you what it is right now however after everything has settled, you'll understand what is happening" as opposed to: I'm just going to run away even though I've been in love with you forever and I'm not going to say a thing.

The ending was good - it saved the book.

#34. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson.

This book is about a girl, Lia, with an eating disorder who is haunted by her friend who died because of an eating disorder. Lia feels responsible because she didn't call her friend back the night she died. The rest of the story is Lia carrying on through her sluggish life, complaining about almost everyone around her - her mother, her stepmother, her father and her psychiatrist. The only people she seems to like are her half-sister(step-sister?) and some loser who is, of course, supposed to be some philosophical free-spirit but in reality is just some guy with a horrible story who lives in a disgusting motel. Have you ever noticed that philosophical dreamers in books are never successful? Hmmmm.....

It was hard to feel sorry for the main character who complained incessantly about her parents and her shrink when it seemed like all they were trying to do was keep her alive. I do understand that she has a serious illness going on and I feel terrible that this society makes girls develop these eating disorders (I totally believe that to be true and factual). However, as a parent, I can't imagine not doing everything in my power to keep my own child alive. I felt that the author intended for us to be on Lia's side in this and I just couldn't do it.

#35. All He Ever Wanted by Anita Shreve.

This book has been on my bookshelf for years. It is really not my normal genre of book - set in the late 1800's/early 1900's. The story revolves around a marriage between a man obsessed and a woman who settles. She, however, is blunt with her proclamation that she doesn't love him and he needs to understand that. He, in his deluded state, believes this will occur over time. This book covers the span of their courtship and marriage as told from the husband's point of view. At times you pity him, and other times you despise him.

Anita Shreve is a wonderful story teller. Her prose is almost soothing to read. And while not a lot happens throughout the book, the things that do hit you with a zing. I really enjoyed this book.

#36. Easy by Tammara Webber

Okay, let me get this out of the way: I do not like the name of this book. I understand it after reading the entire book, but I just don't like it. That said...

I really liked this book! The two main characters were entirely likeable and for once, when the guy inexplicably tells the girl they can't see each other anymore, she actually goes back to him just a few days later and tells him she misses him as opposed to just letting it go and everyone being miserable. I liked that. The story is how a horrible event can create the person you become.

#37. Smashed: Story of a Drunken Girlhood by Koren Zailckas

This book could have been 100 pages long if she had only included one metaphor per sentence as opposed to three per sentence. If you did a word count for the word "like" in this book the number would most likely astound you.

I didn't think her story was that unusual and one of her college friends told her (after she asked) that she didn't drink any more than any of them. I don't understand why this book was written - if it was to help make people aware of younger people drinking and be afraid of it, she needed to have a lot more happen than losing her virginity as a sophomore in college at a frat party (what??? That NEVER happens).

This was void of pretty much anything interesting or so stunningly shameful that it would make anyone not drink. I think she just likes herself and wanted to write down everything she did in high school and college. One thing I found amusing. She said her mom would say to college boyfriends, "Did she (Koren) tell you about the time she almost died?" and then I guess they would all talk fondly about the time she was 16, drank too much at a party, threw up all over herself, passed out and had to go to the hospital to have her stomach pumped. Seriously? That's the story you're going to tell guests? No wonder she drinks.