2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge discussion

This is where we will discuss the book after we start reading it in February.

Cant wait for February to kick in with this beautiful book.

I started the book. I like how the story is going so far.

I am almost done with it 😊. Got a head start after finishing station eleven. I love the way the author describes the Alaskan terrain. Love the beautiful descriptions of the snow and the snow flakes

I think I'll be reading Snow Child and Eleanor Oliphant in parallel :) I abandoned catcher in the Rye coz I just couldn't get engrossed enough. (Too boyish and teensy for my taste)

Bibliophile wrote: "I think I'll be reading Snow Child and Eleanor Oliphant in parallel :) I abandoned catcher in the Rye coz I just couldn't get engrossed enough. (Too boyish and teensy for my taste)"

I am reading them both in parallel as well :D

Bibliophile wrote: "I think I'll be reading Snow Child and Eleanor Oliphant in parallel :) I abandoned catcher in the Rye coz I just couldn't get engrossed enough. (Too boyish and teensy for my taste)"

Same planning to read both Snow Child and Eleanor Oliphant - but I can't give up Catcher in the Rye. I have been wanting to read it for a while now.

Maria wrote: "Bibliophile wrote: "I think I'll be reading Snow Child and Eleanor Oliphant in parallel :) I abandoned catcher in the Rye coz I just couldn't get engrossed enough. (Too boyish and teensy for my tas..."

That's really good. I had added CitRye to my tbr last year as well, but when I got to the 25% mark I gave up feeling better stories await me. Maybe it was just not the right time or the mindset when I picked it up.

I'm only a little of the way through, but the dynamic between Mabel and Jack is to die for. (view spoiler)[ I love the tenderness of their relationship and conflict resolution at the end of chapter 3 (hide spoiler)]

Just finished Part 1

This is not a book I’d normally pick for myself but I was intrigued by the description. I love the writing style and story so far.

Random thoughts (view spoiler)[ Seeing what life is like for Jack & Mable in the Alaskan wilderness, in their 50s, and childless is something close to a future I’ve thought of for myself (even though it’s based in the 1920s). So this book has held my interest from the start. Jack does irritate me a bit how he does not tend to step up for Mabel when she needs him. I feel like he will grow a lot in that aspect though, as he has had those same thoughts. I love how loud & chaotic life is for the Benson’s, those were always the best houses to hangout at when you’re a kid. As for the “snow child”, finding out she had a father makes you really wonder how this story will turn out. She seems to still be wrapped up in some sort of connection with the cold & snow. (hide spoiler)]

Have only read a few chapters so far and am loving it! The writing is beautiful.

On chapter 3 and already hooked, I like the way it is written.

Finished the book. I loved it.

Kimber wrote: "Finished the book. I loved it."

Same! Can’t believe how fast I read it lol

I just started last night and got to chapter 3. I love it so far. The first chapter was a really good hook.

totally agree, the hook is captivating ^

I'm about halfway through the book now. I am just amazed at how quickly I became engrossed in this book. I am so curious to see how this ends, but it definitely has already made me emotional...

I finished Part 1 today!

(view spoiler)[I'm really enjoying this story. It's beautifully written. I do wish Jack was a little more attentive to Mabel. I wonder if there is some bitterness there since it was her idea to move out there and for a few chapters they aren't sure how they'll survive the winter and Jack was thinking he'd have to go work in the mines. It could also be put down to their age and the time it's set in, but that feels like a cop-out.

Plus, it's obvious that he loves her, I think he has his own grief and stuff to deal with too and neither one of them really knows how to interact with the other one about anything emotional or real. They are both sad characters I think, but maybe the snow girl will improve that.

She is interesting too. I like how she seems to prefer Jack over Mabel because he is less questioning. The fact that she has a real father up in the mountain is weird, since she seems to have just been made from snow. (hide spoiler)]

Desire, interesting that you've thought of that sort of life for yourself. Alaska has always intrigued me and I'd love to visit. I probably would like living there too, but definitely not living off the land.

I am about halfway through the book now. I have to say that this wasn’t even on my radar until it was picked for the February Group read and I am really enjoying it! Alaska is beautiful but but it’s way of life can be very unforgiving! I can not imagine trying to eek out a living there in the 1920’s! I am anxious to see what happens in the story...I am starting Chapter 25 today 😊

Alaska has always been a place I'd love to visit - three of my brothers lived there for a short time in the early '70's and their description of life was like an old Western! This story was very different, of course. The author described the cold, the wilderness, the loneliness - with a care that enveloped me. I agree with Alison that Alaska is beautiful, but at the same time challenging. The story unfolds in a beautiful way, also, and again challenging. How do two people share a dream that comes true? I love how the tale unfolds.

Alison, I agree with you - the beauty of Alaska bearing often an unforgiving saga. This books was wonderful, I think.

Hi all! I usually participate in every second group read but considering I've already read the one selected for March and have zero desire to read it again I've decided I'm jumping in on this one instead 😁 it was already on my tbr list and I've asked the library to put it on the reserve shelf for me! Hopefully will start in the next few days!

I have just ordered this book which looks very interesting by all accounts. I hope I am not too late to start reading it!

I've finished the book. I love that it's set in the beautifully unforgiving wilderness of Alaska.

I finished part I, I'm at 30%, and liking the reading very much.

I'm only about 15 pages in and as someone who's never really cried in any book or movie (I have a heart of steel okay) this has already brought some emotion. Geez.

I am on page 22 and this is one bleak read. It reminds me of Robert Goolrick's A Reliable Wife, which is not a good thing... Plus he wrote a recommendation comparing this to a mix of Willa Cather (I've not read any of her books yet.) and Gabriel Garcia Marquez (I barely made it through one of his with just a 1-star rating and then DNF'd another.) which made me particularly wary... I sure hope this changes soon. I admit the writing is good in so far as it creates a main character with the atmosphere/environment, but it is so bleak!! (Did I mention that it seems very "bleak" to me so far?!? LOL)

Ashleigh wrote: "I'm only about 15 pages in and as someone who's never really cried in any book or movie (I have a heart of steel okay) this has already brought some emotion. Geez."
I feel sorry for both of them!

Linda wrote: "Alaska has always been a place I'd love to visit - three of my brothers lived there for a short time in the early '70's and their description of life was like an old Western! This story was very di..."

Your posting gives me hope that this will significantly improve for me! :)

Lynn wrote: "I am on page 22 and this is one bleak read. It reminds me of Robert Goolrick's A Reliable Wife, which is not a good thing... Plus he wrote a recommendation comparing this to a mix of..."

Yes, I almost bailed because it was depressing, but it soon gets better.
(view spoiler)[After Mable attempts suicide by walking across the frozen river, it picks up. Especially after the snow child and Esther come on the scene (hide spoiler)]

Through Chapter 3. I truly feel sorry for (view spoiler)[Mabel. All this was her idea to begin with and WTH was Jack thinking? :( Almost 50 years old and he's going to homestead in the bitter cold environment of Alaska? Yikes! Though Mabel evidently considers herself to be a 'loner' I don't believe she quite envisioned life accurately in the wilds of Alaska. Of course, Jack isn't even allowing her to be outside helping at all. But it is 1920, so... (hide spoiler)]

I've reached chapter 9.

(view spoiler)[I'm really enjoying the story, but for some reason I'm not motivated to keep picking it up and I can't quite pinpoint WHY because I actually like it. It's weird. I, for some reason, don't trust the youngest son of the Bensons. He seems a little odd. But I really am liking it... maybe just not loving it? (hide spoiler)]

i just finished chapter 3, and after a long break, i am in!!!

On Chapter 26 and mesmerized by this book. When I put it down, I need a long moment to settle back from Alaska, out of Mabels’ and into my own world.

I loved the Snow Child. The writing is beautiful. The relationships are well developed and I liked all the characters. The Alaskan landscape is described so well as well as the hardships of those living there. I visited parts of Alaska several years ago but saw large cities, not the desolate, isolated lands described in the book.

I loved this book at the beginning. I'm drawn to stories the convey survival in Alaska, its hardships and beauty. I even loved the conception of the snow child, but when she was a literal snow child that is when it really fell apart for me.

Jeffrey wrote: "Lynn wrote: "I am on page 22 and this is one bleak read. It reminds me of Robert Goolrick's A Reliable Wife, which is not a good thing... Plus he wrote a recommendation comparing thi..."
Thank you for the encouragement, and, of course, you were entirely correct! :)

I'm through Chapter 26 and this has become a compelling read for me. If I had more free time right now, I would sit and simply complete reading it asap!

I believe Ivey is an expert at creating (view spoiler)[suspense. I love the way she introduced the girl and eventually interacted directly with Mabel and Jack. Though I feel for Mabel and Jack's position in not being believed by others when they insist the girl exists. Though of course, Jack, was a real scaredy-cat in admitting the girl's existence to anyone else... Right now I feel sorry or Mabel and am anxious to discover whether the girl will return or not as winter returns. (hide spoiler)] I think not...

And who couldn't love (view spoiler)[Esther? I want an 'Esther' as my best friend! I was blown away by the hard work and generosity demonstrated by Esther and Garrett. And of course, George and the other two boys had to compensate for whatever contributions Esther and Garrett would have made to their own family's planting and other spring/summer activities on their own farm. So everyone sacrificed to help as Jack slowly recovered (I was so scared he might not make a full recovery!) and Mabel began to contribute to the farming aspect of their homesteading. (hide spoiler)]

I think I've worked out why this book isn't connecting with me as much as I thought it would. I'm still enjoying it, but not loving it.

It's the what I feel to be a rather weak plot. I have struggled with many books like this - ones that seem to exist for the writing more than actual plot. I had the issue with All The Light We Cannot See and The Night Circus as well. The plots were weak, but the writing was nice.

I'm not saying that's a bad thing, I just feel that these types of books aren't for me, I don't think. I always end up disappointed.

At the same time, I keep thinking about this book when I'm not reading it. It's really confusing me (not the book, but my feelings towards it). I feel like I love it but don't at the same time. I've never felt this way about a book before lol. It's weird.

Through Chapter 43. Why the hell did (view spoiler)[Garrett shoot her fox? I just don't understand. Especially after he gets her (I think it was more for him...) a husky pup. Or perhaps that was part of it. He could provide her with a companion in the absence of the fox. (hide spoiler)]

I just didn't expect this to go where it has gone, as far as (view spoiler)[Garrett becoming friendly with Faina and all. They are teenagers. Hormones are raging. And for some reason, I just keep thinking disaster is just ahead (hide spoiler)]...around the corner... But I hope not!

Ashleigh wrote: "I think I've worked out why this book isn't connecting with me as much as I thought it would. I'm still enjoying it, but not loving it.

It's the what I feel to be a rather weak plot. I have strug..."

I would say that for me at least, this book is very enjoyable due to Ivey's skill at characterization. Perhaps that is why you think of it often? I don't know...

I finally finished this and unfortunately the story wasn't for me. I prefer books with much stronger plots and I just couldn't get behind the vagueness of where this was going. I can see why this appeals to so many people but I definitely prefer books that have plots and purpose to it (at least stronger ones). I gave it 3 stars.

It's such a beautiful well written book. It feels like a perfect read sitting for cozy late winter evenings, sitting by the fireplace with a cocoa :) I'm still at the 70% mark, and I feel the pace is slow but the prose cant be compared to a thriller novel. I might start my March reads now and take this one on a slow ride along.