Mount TBR Challenge 2025 discussion

I read fewer books in 2024 than in any recent year. I need my reading mojo back and I think setting this goal will help. I'm signed up for one class (6 books) and committed to 6 book groups (2 f2f and 4 virtual). If I read only the books assigned for these I should hit my goal. And then there are all those mysteries stacked up in and on my book shevles.

# 1 The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thorton Wilder

When bad things happen does it mean that God wanted it to happen?

#2 The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle

This is NOT the one in which the dog doesn't bark.

#3 Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Funny detective stories about murder are unusual.

#4 The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

The fictional account of how Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune became friends and worked together to model non-racist behaviour and bring about the hiring of African Americans in the US federal government.

#5 Joy in the Morning by P.G. Wodehouse

Jeeves and Wooster are quite a pair. This is the first one I've read and I just might have to get some others.

#6 Until I am Free by Keishan N Blain

This is the story of Fannie Lou Hamer who became a major supporter of civil rights protests in Mississippi.

#7 Beastly Things by Donna Leon

I love Brunetti and his Venice. I'm so glad there are still more books in the series to read.

#8 Across that Bridge: A Vision for Change and the Future of America by John Lewis

This book is not just about the Civil Rights movement, but is a spiritual reflection that supported that movement throughout.

#9 Candide by Voltaire

Classic satire on the best of all possible worlds.

#10 Smallbone Deceased by Michael Gilbert

1950s British classic, but I just didn't connect with any of the characters. I was supprised by the revelation of the murderer.

#11 The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore by Evan Friss

I loved this book, but then I love bookshops as much as I love books. On our second date my now husband took me to the library after dinner. I knew he was a keeper. Our town just lost an independent bookshop (very sad) but another opened...a little smaller, but bright and shiny new. I can't wait to go there,

#12 One Long River of Song by Brian Doyle

What beautiful writing!! This book is a series of essays each one more perfect than the next.

I listened to this book on audible.Since the essays are not connected, each one deserves to be experienced with some time and thought in between. That's not how it happens with an audiobook which just keeps plowing on.

#13 A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

My fourth time reading this book, each time with a different discussion group and consequently I learned/understood things differently.

#14 The Singing Sands by Josephine Tey

I read this book ten years ago and again now for a book club discussion. I'd forgotten how the mystery is solved.

#15 The Mystery Guest by Nina Prose

Second in the series about a quirky maid whose notice of details helps solve crimes.

#16 Educated by Tara Westover

An inspiring story about breaking away from one's family in order to save yoursekf,

#17 Oh Pioneers by Willa Cather

If you like My Antonia you'll like this one.

#18 Seeing with the Heart by Kevin O'Brien
A good companion to "An Ignatian Adventure" by this author.

#19 The Great Mistake by Mary Roberts Rinehart

Complicated plot, large cast of characters. All in the family, so to speak.

#20 Rebecca by Daphne duMaurier

The book is better than the Hitchcock movie, even though it won the Best Picture Oscar.

#21 The Great Mistake by Mary Roberts Rinehart

Published in 1940, it contains all the pluses and minuses of that time period.

#22 Summer People by Aaron Stander

First book in the Ray Elkins series. Are the four deaths coincidental or are they related in some way going back 20-25 years?

#23 Pirenzi by Susanna Clarke

I loved Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrel, but I just didn't get this one.