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4th Annual Reading Challenge > Alondra's Hot Topics - 12+4 Edition

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message 1: by Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator (last edited Oct 19, 2025 12:48PM) (new)

Alondra Miller | 4286 comments Mod
Yes, I know; but I have a bunch of books that I need to read and hopefully, this will encourage me to get them done. These will incorporate Contemporary, NF, ATW, States, etc.

This will NEVER, EVER; happen again! Ever!

The Twelve:

Wolf Hall (HF) - 4.5 Stars
All Our Wrong Todays (Sci-Fi, Time Travel) 3.5 Stars
A Farewell to Arms (Classic, HF, War) 3.5 Stars
Open House (Contemporary, Women's Lit) - 3 Stars
Gone South (Thriller, Southern Gothic)
The Auctioneer (Horror) - 4 Stars
The Rosie Project (Contemporary)
Ragtime (HF)
We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy (NF) Currently Reading
Feminism Is for Everybody: Passionate Politics (NF) - 3 Stars
A Man Called Ove (Contemporary, Humor)
Under the Wicked Moon (Horror, Paranormal)

The Safety Net:

Earth Abides (SF)
Children of Time] (SF)
Midnight Mass (Horror, Vamps) - 3.5 Stars
Ararat (Horror)


message 2: by Alissa (new)

Alissa Patrick (apatrick12211) | 1887 comments GIRL ARE U DOING TWO LISTS????


message 3: by Denise (new)

Denise (drams5) | 329 comments Just here for some inspiration. 😏 Good luck with your list!


message 4: by Lea (new)

Lea (leaspot) | 3807 comments I love how you start with how this will never ever happen. You may surprise yourself! I've read Wolf Hall (the writing takes some getting used to...just know that "he" typically refers to Cromwell). I've also read and enjoyed The Handmaid's Tale, Open House, and The Rosie Project! Enjoy!


message 5: by Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator (new)

Alondra Miller | 4286 comments Mod
Alissa wrote: "GIRL ARE U DOING TWO LISTS????"

Ssshhhh


message 6: by Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator (new)

Alondra Miller | 4286 comments Mod
Denise wrote: "Just here for some inspiration. 😏 Good luck with your list!"

Hey, Denise! I always hope that I provide just a little bit of inspiration. Just a little


message 7: by Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator (new)

Alondra Miller | 4286 comments Mod
Lea wrote: "I love how you start with how this will never ever happen. You may surprise yourself! I've read Wolf Hall (the writing takes some getting used to...just know that "he" typically refers to Cromwell)..."

Thanks, Lea. Everything on both lists are on another list somewhere else; so, that should have me covering all my bases.

What's the worst that could happen?? I might not finish; but I can almost guarantee that I will read 60+ books in a year. So, I am confident. 😁😬🤔😂


message 8: by Bill, Moderator (new)

Bill | 4462 comments Mod
Excellent mix, Alondra. I've only read Wolf Hall, a slow build but excellent and The Handmaid's Tale (enjoyed each time I've read it) I hope to read Gone South in 2025 as well. Enjoy!


message 9: by Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator (new)

Alondra Miller | 4286 comments Mod
Bill wrote: "Excellent mix, Alondra. I've only read Wolf Hall, a slow build but excellent and The Handmaid's Tale (enjoyed each time I've read it) I hope to read Gone South in 2025 as well. Enjoy!"

Thanks again, Bill. Wolf Hall is one I may change out for another HF/Mystery.

Also, it is high-time that I read Handmaids Tale since our country is on the precipice of such an event. Yeah. I'm lead supervisor in the radiation fields.


message 10: by Anne (new)

Anne | 461 comments The Handmaid’s Tale is excellent. The only other book on your list I have attempted was Wolf Hall, but I gave up relatively early because I hate her writing style. I hope you have better luck.

Happy reading!


message 11: by Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator (new)

Alondra Miller | 4286 comments Mod
Anne wrote: "The Handmaid’s Tale is excellent. The only other book on your list I have attempted was Wolf Hall, but I gave up relatively early because I hate her writing style. I hop..."

Thanks, Anne. I hope I like it too; but it is wavering on my list. I may change it out for something else. I was thinking another Historical Fiction novel; but not sure what.


message 12: by Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator (new)

Alondra Miller | 4286 comments Mod
Okay; I had to swap Handmaids for something else. I cannot find that book! Ugh.


message 13: by Michelle (new)

Michelle (marcher08) | 1784 comments I've read some of these Alondra but there are so many more that you will convince me to add to my TBR. Happy Reading!


message 14: by Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator (new)

Alondra Miller | 4286 comments Mod
Michelle wrote: "I've read some of these Alondra but there are so many more that you will convince me to add to my TBR. Happy Reading!"

Thanks, Michelle. I have a good feeling about all of them. I do want to add more books; but just may add to my individual list.


message 15: by Mary (new)

Mary | 78 comments This is a great list, Alondra ! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on several of your selections. I've only read Wolf Hall which is excellent but for me required a lot of patience. Happy reading!


message 16: by Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator (new)

Alondra Miller | 4286 comments Mod
Mary wrote: "This is a great list, Alondra ! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on several of your selections. I've only read Wolf Hall which is excellent but for me required a lot of patience. Happy read..."

Thanks Mary! I hear that a lot. I have both the 1st and 2nd books; so, I am hoping I enjoy it enough to continue to book 2. I may start a chapter now just to see how I like it.


message 17: by Vikki, Moderator (new)

Vikki (silverstarz) | 851 comments Mod
I finished the Rosie books by Graeme Simsion earlier this year


message 18: by Bonnie (new)

Bonnie | 733 comments I've read and enjoyed your contemporary picks- read Wolf Hall, which was harder and less enjoyable, but interesting and well written.


message 19: by Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator (new)

Alondra Miller | 4286 comments Mod
Vikki wrote: "I finished the Rosie books by Graeme Simsion earlier this year"

Everyone seems to like the books, and I've had it on the shelf for a few years. It's time.


message 20: by Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator (new)

Alondra Miller | 4286 comments Mod
Bonnie wrote: "I've read and enjoyed your contemporary picks- read Wolf Hall, which was harder and less enjoyable, but interesting and well written."

Yikes. Everyone's comments are making me not want to read it. I love historical fiction; so, maybe I will find something else.


message 21: by Denise (new)

Denise (derickert) | 1277 comments I enjoyed The Rosie Project, A Man Called Ove was a 5 star read for me and the movie with Tom Hanks was also excellent. I have Open House and Wolf Hall on my TBR. Good luck with your challenge.


message 22: by Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator (new)

Alondra Miller | 4286 comments Mod
Denise wrote: "I enjoyed The Rosie Project, A Man Called Ove was a 5 star read for me and the movie with Tom Hanks was also excellent. I have Open House and Wolf Hall on my TBR. Good luck with your challenge."

Thank you so much, Denise. I hear great things about a Man Called Ove; but I may read Open House first.


message 23: by Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator (new)

Alondra Miller | 4286 comments Mod
Yep. So, now Master & Commander has replaced Wolf Hall. I still may change my mind; but I am not sure. Since I am one of very few folk who actually loved Moby-Dick or, The Whale; I think I can handle this book.

We shall see. The worse that could happen is that I don't like it and have to pick an alternate. Decisions, decisions.


message 24: by Lea (new)

Lea (leaspot) | 3807 comments Regarding Wolf Hall, I really should re-read it. By the time I figured out how to read the book, I was on the sequels, which I enjoyed better than the first book, probably because I eventually got used to the writing style. You might like the series. At some point, when you are feeling particularly patient, read a couple chapters and see what you think. :-)


message 25: by Patricia (new)

Patricia | 1206 comments I will also encourage you give Wolf Hall a try but be willing to take it slow. It took me a bit to read it the first time. I admit, watching the PBS series helped. This year I read the whole trilogy with an online group & found them to be very enjoyable.


message 26: by Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator (new)

Alondra Miller | 4286 comments Mod
Lea wrote: "Regarding Wolf Hall, I really should re-read it. By the time I figured out how to read the book, I was on the sequels, which I enjoyed better than the first book, probably because I eventually got ..."

I think I should do that. Who knows?? I might love it.


message 27: by Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator (new)

Alondra Miller | 4286 comments Mod
Patricia wrote: "I will also encourage you give Wolf Hall a try but be willing to take it slow. It took me a bit to read it the first time. I admit, watching the PBS series helped. This year I read the whole trilog..."

Mmmmm; sounds like a plan!


message 28: by Alissa (new)

Alissa Patrick (apatrick12211) | 1887 comments I think you'll surprise yourself with this list. I have faith in you =)


message 29: by Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator (new)

Alondra Miller | 4286 comments Mod
Alissa wrote: "I think you'll surprise yourself with this list. I have faith in you =)"

Thank you so much, Alissa. After the pandemmy, I stayed in my comfort zone. I think I'm ready to go back to the rest of my tbr.


message 30: by Denise (new)

Denise (drams5) | 329 comments I loved Ove and Rosie. ❤️ Both really great books with non-mainstream main characters. Great choices. I hope you love the rest of your list as well.


message 31: by Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator (new)

Alondra Miller | 4286 comments Mod
Denise wrote: "I loved Ove and Rosie. ❤️ Both really great books with non-mainstream main characters. Great choices. I hope you love the rest of your list as well."

Thanks, Denise! I appreciate that! :D


message 32: by Stephen (new)

Stephen (spg-) | 19 comments All Our Wrong Todays looks interesting as I thought I'd read all the good time travel books - hadn't heard of that one before.


message 33: by Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator (new)

Alondra Miller | 4286 comments Mod
Stephen wrote: "All Our Wrong Todays looks interesting as I thought I'd read all the good time travel books - hadn't heard of that one before."

... and I hardly ever read them. It sounded too good to pass up.


message 34: by Martha (new)

Martha (marthas48) | 771 comments I LOVED Ragtime!! could not finish Wolf Hall. I hate to give up on them. good luck with your lists.


message 35: by Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator (new)

Alondra Miller | 4286 comments Mod
Martha wrote: "I LOVED Ragtime!! could not finish Wolf Hall. I hate to give up on them. good luck with your lists."

Aahhh, good info to know, Martha! Wolf Hall is off the list, but I still want to read it. Like others have suggested, I will try and read a chapter before the new year. If I like it enough, I might put it back on the list. I just want to enjoy what I read. I really don't want it to be a chore or feel like I should read something, if its failing me.

Thanks so much


message 36: by Ann at the Beach (new)

Ann at the Beach | 128 comments Always interesting lists... Rosie is the only one that I have read but several are on my TBR (including Wolf Hall--looks like I might put that off for awhile..). I will be watching--happy reading


message 37: by Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator (new)

Alondra Miller | 4286 comments Mod
Ann at the Beach wrote: "Always interesting lists... Rosie is the only one that I have read but several are on my TBR (including Wolf Hall--looks like I might put that off for awhile..). I will be watching--happy reading"

I think and am hoping, that the Rosie Project will be a new favorite. I have high hopes.

Don't let me influence you on Wolf Hall; I haven't read historical fiction in a while.


message 38: by Madeline , Moderator (last edited Dec 22, 2024 05:21PM) (new)

Madeline  | 509 comments Mod
Looks like a good list, Alondra. I read The Rosie Project and A Man called Ove. I really enjoyed them, both 4 stars from me.


message 39: by Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator (new)

Alondra Miller | 4286 comments Mod
Madeline wrote: "Looks like a good list, Alondra. I read The Rosie Project and A Man called Ove. I really enjoyed them, both 4 stars from me."

Thanks, Madeline. Glad you enjoyed them, as so many have. That means I should enjoy it too and I really hope I do. Its been a minute since I read just contemporary lit.


message 40: by Lillie (new)

Lillie | 1796 comments You haven't read A Man Called Ove *gasp* *horror* lol jk

Looks like an ambitious list but this is the year!! Good luck and enjoy the reading :)


message 41: by Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator (new)

Alondra Miller | 4286 comments Mod
Lillie wrote: "You haven't read A Man Called Ove *gasp* *horror* lol jk

Looks like an ambitious list but this is the year!! Good luck and enjoy the reading :)"


I know, I know. I really want to join the bandwagon sometimes, but I'm an outlier, soooo..... 😩😂😂

Thanks, Lillie!!


message 42: by Jackie (new)

Jackie | 1127 comments Ove and Ragtime are excellent!


message 43: by Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator (new)

Alondra Miller | 4286 comments Mod
Jackie wrote: "Ove and Ragtime are excellent!"

That is what I hear and, it is what I am hoping for. I think I need to make sure that I switch back and forth between the lists, to keep my mojo going. 🥴


message 44: by Jackie (new)

Jackie | 1127 comments Sounds like a good plan, Alondra.


message 45: by Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator (new)

Alondra Miller | 4286 comments Mod
Jackie wrote: "Sounds like a good plan, Alondra."

I hope so. 🫰🏽🙏🏽


message 46: by Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator (new)

Alondra Miller | 4286 comments Mod
Okay, I started reading the beginning of Wolf Hall, per everyones suggestion; and I like it. I don't know what it is about Historical Fiction; but I like it. I like it a lot.

So, I put it back where it goes.


message 47: by Patricia (new)

Patricia | 1206 comments Alondra wrote: "Okay, I started reading the beginning of Wolf Hall, per everyones suggestion; and I like it. I don't know what it is about Historical Fiction; but I like it. I like it a lot.

So, I put it back wh..."

Hope you enjoy it, Alondra!


message 48: by Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator (new)

Alondra Miller | 4286 comments Mod
Patricia wrote: "Hope you enjoy it, Alondra! ..."

I expect that I will. I know it will probably drag a little at some point; but I like the writing!


message 49: by Faouzia (new)

Faouzia | 309 comments I loved A Man called Ove, and the Rosie Project was a fun story. Hemingway was sadly among my least favourite reads.
I hope you enjoy all the books 😀


message 50: by Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator (new)

Alondra Miller | 4286 comments Mod
Faouzia wrote: "I loved A Man called Ove, and the Rosie Project was a fun story. Hemingway was sadly among my least favourite reads.
I hope you enjoy all the books 😀"


Thanks Faouzia! I loved The Old Man and the Sea; so, I am hoping I enjoy this one, as well. Its short enough, so if I don't like it, I will still push through and finish it.

I'm looking forward to AMCO and tRP.


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