Public Domain Readers discussion

In this thread, you can talk about the books you are reading for the current challenge.

I'll post here every two weeks on Thursday for a friendly book discussion and accountability.

Hello, everyone. How's your reading? I'm almost done with The First Violin (90%).

I won't say my opinion until I'm done. I hope I'll able to do so on Saturday.

I look forward to hearing about your challenge progress.

I have three chapters left in Helen's Babies. It's pretty funny.

Lanelle wrote: "I have three chapters left in Helen's Babies. It's pretty funny."

I'm happy to hear that. You make me want to read it.

Here's my update. I gave it 3 stars. And I agree with Dorcas's review.

I finished listening to Helen's Babies by John Habberton (J for January).

It's all about a young bachelor caring for his sister's two little boys while she and her husband take a short holiday. As you can imagine, there is a lot of disasters and crying (both from the boys and the bachelor :). But there are tender moments as well. A very funny book. I was surprised at the amount of religion though.

Lanelle wrote: "I finished listening to Helen's Babies by John Habberton (J for January)."

Nice! I'll start reading it. Thanks, Lanelle.

I read The Jungle Book for J. I had never read it. Didn’t even realize it was a collection of short stories that included Riki Tiki Tavi (I loved that movie as a kid).

JenniferFour wrote: "I read The Jungle Book for J. I had never read it. Didn’t even realize it was a collection of short stories that included Riki Tiki Tavi (I loved that movie as a kid)."

What's your book rating? I gave it 3 ⭐. I've read in 2015 and sadly I don't remember the details.

Are you going to read another book for January? Or are you going to prepare books for February?

Hmmm...3 or 4 for The Jungle Book I guess. It was so inventive but at the same time a little ponderous....I guess I like my “commentary on human societies” books to be a more subtle.

I will probably read my Feb book after something else ...

JenniferFour wrote: "I guess I like my “commentary on human societies” books to be a more subtle..."

I feel the same way about religious books. I like when the author lets the reader figure out 'the moral of the story' instead of hitting us over the head with their own viewpoint.

I've finished reading Whose Body?.

And I must admit that the second-reading is very enlightening. Knowing who is the killer, I get to pay attention to the words and situations.

I get to appreciate the book from a different angle.

Another thing that I've personally noticed is the improvement of my understanding of the book. This round is so much easier than the first time I've read it.

I had no idea that I read the book twice right about the same time. Thanks, Goodreads.

First reading was from 16/1/2016 to 24/1/2016.
Second time was from 16/1/2021 to 27/1/2021.

What about you?

I finished The First Violin and did enjoy it. Now onto Whose Body?

Stacy wrote: "I finished The First Violin and did enjoy it. Now onto Whose Body?"

That's awesome, Stacy. I'm so happy you enjoyed it. I see you gave it 4 stars.

I hope you'll enjoy Whose Body? as well.

Thank you Sawako. Yes I did enjoy it, and I would have never known of the book if not for you! : ) What did you think of it?

Stacy wrote: "Thank you Sawako. Yes I did enjoy it, and I would have never known of the book if not for you! : ) What did you think of it?"

I liked it. And I'd have loved it if I didn't have high expectations. It's my fault for reading the raving reviews.

Surprisingly, reviews/spoilers don't affect my reading experience, but it did with this one.

How many books have you managed to read in January?

I've planned to read 3 books but ended up with 2 only.

Sawako wrote: "How many books have you managed to read in January?

I've planned to read 3 books but ended up with 2 only."

Do you mean total books or Public Domain books?

I planned on reading two books and I got them read :)

February is a short month and I'll be off visiting family, so I'll schedule 1 book. I'll cross my fingers that I'll be able to read more than that.

Stacy wrote: "Do you mean total books or Public Domain books?"

Public Domain books from the challenge. My January books
✔️ The First Violin
✔️ Whose Body?
❌ Three Men in a Boat

Lanelle wrote: "I planned on reading two books and I got them read :)"

Congratulations! 👏🏼

Lanelle wrote: "February is a short month and I'll be off visiting family, so I'll schedule 1 book. I'll cross my fingers that I'll be able to read more than that."

I looked up your book and it sounds interesting. It's on LibriVox. Maybe you can listen to it while driving to visit your family.

I finished just 1 in January-- The First Violin.

Stacy wrote: "I finished just 1 in January-- The First Violin."

That's great! Because you added that book in the signup and finished it on time. 👏🏼

Sawako wrote: "Stacy wrote: "I finished just 1 in January-- The First Violin."

That's great! Because you added that book in the signup and finished it on time. 👏🏼"

This month I am planning on finishing up last month's plus February picks.

Stacy wrote: "This month I am planning on finishing up last month's plus February picks."

Awesome. Okay, I'll do the same. I'll read Three Men in a Boat this month.

Let us do our best!! 💪🏻📚

Sawako wrote: "Stacy wrote: "This month I am planning on finishing up last month's plus February picks."

Awesome. Okay, I'll do the same. I'll read Three Men in a Boat this month.

Let us do our best!! 💪🏻📚"

Sounds like a plan! : )

How is your February reading?

I'm still reading my first book, The Secret Garden. I'm 72% done.

Let me know your progress.

I got a late start in January reading Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. I finished reading it today and gave it 4 stars.

I will start my February pick today which is The Food of the Gods by H.G. Wells.

I just finished Whose Body? and nearly done with Three Men in a Boat. What did those that read it think those?

Tim wrote: "I got a late start in January reading Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. I finished reading it today and gave it 4 stars."

Thanks for the update.

Stacy wrote: "I just finished Whose Body? and nearly done with Three Men in a Boat. What did those that read it think those?"

Good job, Stacy! I'm halfway through Three Men in a Boat. I'm focusing more on The Secret Garden. I can't wait to read your thoughts about them.

I finished Three Men in a Boat. Now onto The Secret Garden

Stacy wrote: "I finished Three Men in a Boat. Now onto The Secret Garden"

Awesome, Stacy! So, what are your thoughts?

Finished a current paranormal novel last night and will probably start on my monthly challenge book tonight :)

JenniferFour wrote: "Finished a current paranormal novel last night and will probably start on my monthly challenge book tonight :)"

Awesome. Are you going to read The Mystery of M. Felix?

Sawako wrote: "Stacy wrote: "I finished Three Men in a Boat. Now onto The Secret Garden"

Awesome, Stacy! So, what are your thoughts?"

I liked it-- I thought it was hilarious, his perspective on things and how he was able to poke fun at himself as well.

I'm going to be busy in the upcoming weeks. So, I've updated my Goodreads Challenge to 12 books instead of 45. This way, I'll be able to read at least one book for this group challenge.

Sawako wrote: "JenniferFour wrote: "Finished a current paranormal novel last night and will probably start on my monthly challenge book tonight :)"

Awesome. Are you going to read The Mystery of M. Felix?"

Yep! Never read anything by this author...keeping my attention so far so that is good

Stacy wrote: I liked it-- I thought it was hilarious, his perspective on t..."

I'm happy you liked it. I found it hilarious too.

JenniferFour wrote: "Yep! Never read anything by this author...keeping my attention so far so that is good"

Great! I like books that keep your attention and can't wait to see what will happen next.

I look forward to reading your final thoughts on it.

Sawako wrote: "Stacy wrote: I liked it-- I thought it was hilarious, his perspective on t..."

I'm happy you liked it. I found it hilarious too."

How are you liking The Secret Garden? I will be done Thursday and then I will begin The Firefly of France.

Stacy wrote: "How are you liking The Secret Garden? I will be done Thursday and then I will begin The Firefly of France."

I LOVE it so far. I'm 88% done. I think I'll be able to start The Firefly of France at the same time as you. YAY!

Sawako wrote: "Stacy wrote: "How are you liking The Secret Garden? I will be done Thursday and then I will begin The Firefly of France."

I LOVE it so far. I'm 88% done. I think I'll be able to start The Firefly ..."

That is great! We seem to be on the same track! : D

I finished reading The Food of the Gods earlier today. At times while reading it, I felt like I was watching a sci-i/horror B movie from the 40's or 50's where a scientific experiment goes awry. At other times had trouble staying awake while reading it. I gave it a rating of 3 stars.

Tim wrote: "I finished reading The Food of the Gods earlier today. At times while reading it, I felt like I was watching a sci-i/horror B movie from the 40's or 50's where a scientific experiment..."

Thanks for the update, Tim!

I finished The Secret Garden, and it is still great!

Stacy wrote: "I finished The Secret Garden, and it is still great!"

I did too! The book is AMAZING. I never thought that I would like it so much. Thank you for reading it with me.

What are you going to read next? I've started with The Firefly of France. But I want to read a book from the March list. Shall we read Wives and Daughters?

How many books have you managed to read in February?

I've planned to read 3 books but ended up with 1.

Hopefully, the third time would be a charm, and read 3 books in March.

Sawako wrote: "How many books have you managed to read in February?

I've planned to read 3 books but ended up with 1.

Hopefully, the third time would be a charm, and read 3 books in March."

Crazy reader that I am, I managed to cram 14 in February. Alas, only 1 of them is a public domain book.
I'm sure you'll get to your goal soon, take your time, sometimes work and other things don't actually let us get to reading as much as we'd like. :)

I am still reading The Mystery of M Felix... probably about 2/3 done. It’s entertaining enough, pretty typical for the time period. Quite a few “brain fevers.”