2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge discussion

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

Please remember to mark spoilers by using spoiler tags: [spoiler]...[/spoiler], but replace [ by < and ] by >

I just started reading this book. My copy doesn't seem to have chapter numbers, is that also the case for anyone else?
If so, maybe we should use % when discussing the book here.

Since it's an epistolary novel, it doesn't have chapters. In my update on GR I just wrote what letter number it was , when I updated % progress

I hadn't read it before, but watched the movie years ago, and had forgotten how sad it is.

The last letter I read yesterday before bed was #8 where (view spoiler)[Miss Beasley's "help" is limited by her propriety, and then the her being pretty much sold to Mr. ____ (hide spoiler)]

I'm currently on letter#17 (pg.29 /loc 303/10%) , and all I gotta say is, poor Harpo.

One thing I'm enjoying is the use of AAVE (=African-American Vernacular English) . It's something I found my self missing while reading Kindred, every time someone mentioned how differently Dana and Kevin spoke.

Just got my copy today and started reading. I had NO idea the story was told through various forms of letters. Very interesting. It has taken me a bit to get used to this style and I’m curious how the story evolves.

I also am enjoying the use of AAVE. The letters to GOD and use of AAVE make the story feel very human and real!

I am about 17% done, pg 54.

Lisa wrote: "I hadn't read it before, but watched the movie years ago, and had forgotten how sad it is.

The last letter I read yesterday before bed was #8 where [spoilers removed]

I'm currently on letter#17 ..."

Just got my copy! ❤️

It's my first time reading it but can't for the life of me wonder why I have kept putting it off because I am loving it! I love that it is told in letter form. Just gives it a more personal feeling. I don't have my copy with me at the moment but I'm only a little ways in.

Almost halfway through…one thing I keep questioning is what year it is, trying to understand what timeframe we are in as it relates to norms, classes, how long since slavery formally ended, etc.

I am half way completed the book. I am loving the conversation it’s creating with family and co-workers. I am going to watch the movie once I complete the book. Aiming for Wednesday. 😃

Jennifer wrote: "Almost halfway through…one thing I keep questioning is what year it is, trying to understand what timeframe we are in as it relates to norms, classes, how long since slavery formally ended, etc."

I believe the timeframe is supposed to be the 1920s, so if that is correct, slavery would have ended approximately 60 years earlier.

Completed my reread of the book and am looking forward to discussing it!

Jennifer wrote: "Almost halfway through…one thing I keep questioning is what year it is, trying to understand what timeframe we are in as it relates to norms, classes, how long since slavery formally ended, etc."

It takes place in rural Georgia from 1909 to 1949.

Thanks, Lisa, for the clarification!

Finished the book last night. So glad this was the monthly group read and I joined. For some reason I had a perception that The Color Purple was going to a be very hard story to read, emotionally, so I put it off. It absolutely evoked emotional responses but was so worth it. A unique way to tell a story, characters to root for, I really enjoyed it. I also may give the movie a try.

I started the book last Sunday and read 35% of it. I don't remember the last time I read so much of a book in one sitting. It's absolutely enthralling and I'm sad I put it off for so long. This story is stunning, sad, and thought provoking. I have so many emotions when I read it. I love it.

I am almost done with the book but am so happy it was a group pick or I would still be putting it off and I would have missed out on a beautiful emotion filled story.

Even when I lay the story down I sometimes sit and wonder how I would have been in their situations. Those were some STRONG women in so many ways.

I just started today and am already almost 40% of the way through. I'm a little embarrassed to say I knew basically nothing about this book before reading (other than how many people love it) so I didn't really have any expectations going in but am really loving it so far! I love when books are written through letters, journal entries, etc. rather than a traditional prose because it feels so personal and makes it so easy to connect with the characters. It really works with such an emotional story as well.

I finished this over the weekend. I really enjoyed the story. I'm glad that I decided to read it. Not only was it a Black story, it was also a love story and there were different kinds of love through out the book.

I know I am a bit late, but I received the book on the 27th of February, so I did not quite make it on time. I am very glad I read the book, it hit me pretty hard and I will definitely be recommending it to others. I really liked the way it was set up, the language, the form of the letters, the discussion of god (and the way their views change over time), the gender and race issues, ...
Thanks for pointing out that there is a movie, I will try to watch it soon.