Book Nook Cafe discussion

✓ 1- YA book (young adult)
Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani

✓ 2- Takes place during a holiday or about a holiday. Any holiday.
Brightly Shining by Ingvild H. Rishøi

✓ 3 - A banned or challenged book
Millennium Approaches and Perestroika by Tony Kushner

✓ 4- STEM ( any field of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) or a character who works in or is involved with any STEM area.
The Doctor's Wife by Sawako Ariyoshi

✓ 5- A book about a world leader or notable person(s) (living or dead)
Augustus by John Williams

✓ 6- A book from your TBR list or a book you own but never read.
Sylvia's Lovers by Elizabeth Gaskell (own)

✓ 7- A book published in 2025
The Jackal's Mistress by Chris Bohjalian

✓ 8- A book that was nominated for a prize or won a book award prize. (any year, any prize)
The Wedding People by Alison Espach

✓ 9- A book involving the Arts or character involved in the Arts
(dance, music, painter, theater, drawing, architecture, film, photography)
The Awakening by Kate Chopin

✓ 10- Animal, vegetable or mineral
Bewilderment by Richard Powers

✓ 11- Re-read a book you read before
Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson

✓ 12- History, Current event, or historical fiction
The Sunflower House by Adriana Allegri

✓ 13- A book that takes place in or is about a country you don't currently live in
The Tunnel by Ernesto Sabato (Argentina)

✓ 14- ...OLOGY --- Any field of study that ends in the suffix ology. For example: psychology, sociology, archology, cardiology, dermatology, zoology, ecology, oceanology, biology, technology etc.
Can be non fiction or a fictional character that is involved in that field.
Psychology: Fragile by Lisa Unger

✓ 15- A book dealing with mental health, physical disability or other health related issue
Still Missing by Chevy Stevens

✓ 16- Author's Last Name begins with R, E, A or D.
American Notes for General Circulation by Charles Dickens

✓ 17- Self help, motivational, inspirational, spirituality, mindfulness, or communication.
Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood

✓ 18- Biography, autobiography or memoir
The Salt Path by Raynor Winn

✓ 19- Mystery, thriller, suspense or true crime novel
The Couple at Number 9 by Claire Douglas

✓ 20- novella, short story collection, essays collection, or play.
The Best American Short Stories 2024 by Lauren Groff

✓ 21- (for 2025) Select a book that was published at least 25 years ago.
Cannery Row by John Steinbeck

✓ 22- A book that was translated into English.
So Long a Letter by Mariama Bâ

✓ 23- Travel or a journey ( could be literal or spiritual)
Eastbound by Maylis de Kerangal

✓ 24- Bildungsroman - Coming of age
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

✓ 25- (for 2025) A book title with at least 5 words in the title. Bonus if it is exactly 5.
The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali
***************************************************************
Bonus prompts or substitution
NOT required to complete the challenge!
******************************************************************

✓ 1- humorous or funny book
The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman

✓ 2- fantasy, magical realism or science fiction
The Life Impossible by Matt Haig

✓ 3- A book that features water. (ocean, swimmer, lake, ship/boat or has picture of water on cover)
To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf (cover)

✓ 4- Romance or love 💖
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

5- A book with a female detective

Planning Possibilities for the 2025 Book Challenge


1- YA book (young adult)
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani

2- Takes place during a holiday or about a holiday. Any holiday.
Brightly Shining by Ingvild H. Rishøi (Christmas)

3- A banned or challenged book
Millennium Approaches and Perestroika
are the two plays in the Angels in America series by Tony Kushner
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

4- STEM ( any field of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) or a character who works in or is involved with any STEM area.
The Doctor's Wife by Sawako Ariyoshi(medicine)

5- A book about a world leader or notable person(s) (living or dead)
Augustus by John Williams

6- A book from your TBR list or a book you own but never read.
Sylvia's Lovers by Elizabeth Gaskell (own)

7- A book published in 2025
The Jackal's Mistress by Chris Bohjalian

8- A book that was nominated for a prize or won a book award prize. (any year, any prize)
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss

9- A book involving the Arts or character involved in the Arts
(dance, music, painter, theater, drawing, architecture, film, photography)
The Awakening by Kate Chopin (Edna, the main character, painted, and Mademoiselle Reize was a musician. Artistic expression was important in the book.)

10- Animal, vegetable or mineral
Bewilderment by Richard Powers (Environmental problems and extinction of nature's creatures is an important theme in this book.)

11- Re-read a book you read before
Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson

12- History, Current event, or historical fiction
The Sunflower House by Adriana Allegri (historical fiction)
Sylvia's Lovers by Elizabeth Gaskell (Historical fiction)

13- A book that takes place in or is about a country you don't currently live in
The Memoirs of Stockholm Sven by Nathaniel Ian Miller

14- ...OLOGY --- Any field of study that ends in the suffix ology. For example: psychology, sociology, archology, cardiology, dermatology, zoology, ecology, oceanology, biology, technology etc.
Can be non fiction or a fictional character that is involved in that field.
Fragile by Lisa Unger

15- A book dealing with mental health, physical disability or other health related issue
Still Missing by Chevy Stevens
More or Less Maddy by Lisa Genova

16- Author's Last Name begins with R, E, A or D.
American Notes For General Circulation by Charles Dickens
A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende

17- Self help, motivational, inspirational, spirituality, mindfulness, or communication.
Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood

18- Biography, autobiography or memoir
Charles Dickens by Claire Tomalin
Franz Kafka: A Biography byMax Brod
The Salt Path by Raynor Winn

19- Mystery, thriller, suspense or true crime novel
The Couple at Number 9 by Claire Douglas

20- novella, short story collection, essays collection, or play.
The Best American Short Stories 2024 by Lauren Groff

21- (for 2025) Select a book that was published at least 25 years ago.
To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
Cannery Row by John Steinbeck

22- A book that was translated into English.
So Long a Letter by Mariama Bâ (French)

23- Travel or a journey ( could be literal or spiritual)
Eastbound by Maylis de Kerangal (Trans-Siberian Railroad)

24- Bildungsroman - Coming of age
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

25- (for 2025) A book title with at least 5 words in the title. Bonus if it is exactly 5.
The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali

***************************************************************
Bonus prompts or substitution
NOT required to complete the challenge!
******************************************************************

1- humorous or funny book
The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman

2- fantasy, magical realism or science fiction
The Life Impossible by Matt Haig

3- A book that features water. (ocean, swimmer, lake, ship/boat or has picture of water on cover)

4- Romance or love 💖


5- A book with a female detective

I hadn't planned it, but the first four books that I read in 2025 were translated novels set in foreign countries:

Brightly Shining is a Christmas book set in Norway. Two motherless sisters are living with their loving, but alcoholic, father who finds a job at a Christmas tree stand.

Eastbound is a suspenseful story set on the Trans-Siberian Railroad.

So Long a Letter is a feminist book about two women in Senegal, each having to deal with their husbands taking a second wife. One woman writes a long letter to her friend.

The Doctor's Wife is the story of a famous Japanese doctor who does the first surgery with anesthesia, and the unrecognized women in his household who supported him and even acted as human guinea pigs to test out the herbal anesthesia.

Connie wrote:

"8- A book that was nominated for a prize or won a book award prize. (any year, any prize)
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss"

I really enjoyed that book. It's one I never would have picked up on my own. At the time I belonged to a face to face book club and it was the selection.

FYI-- her ex husband is author Jonathan Safran Foer

In June 2004, Safran Foer married writer Nicole Krauss. They lived in Park Slope in Brooklyn, New York, and have two children. The couple divorced in 2014.

Connie wrote: "I hadn't planned it, but the first four books that I read in 2025 were translated novels set in foreign countries:

Brightly Shining is a Christmas book set in Norway. Two motherle..."

Isn't that serendipitous? I relish such reading moments. The cover on the Rishøi novel is beautiful. Even a couple of the alternate covers for the book are lovely. This sounds line a good book, which i've now added to my TBR.

Congratulations on your strong start for this year's challenge, Connie.

Alias Reader wrote: "Connie wrote:

"8- A book that was nominated for a prize or won a book award prize. (any year, any prize)
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss"

I really enjoyed that book. It's one I never would ..."

It won the Orange Prize (now called The Women's Prize for Fiction) in 2006. I find that I usually enjoy the winners and nominees for that literary prize.

madrano wrote: "Connie wrote: "I hadn't planned it, but the first four books that I read in 2025 were translated novels set in foreign countries:

Brightly Shining is a Christmas book set in Norwa..."

It is a gorgeous cover, Deb. Thank you for your encouragement in starting the challenge.

Connie wrote: "madrano wrote: "Connie wrote: "I hadn't planned it, but the first four books that I read in 2025 were translated novels set in foreign countries:

Brightly Shining is a Christmas b..."

My library has the eBook and the audio. There is a waiting list.

I'm putting it in my TBR notebook. Thanks, Connie !

Alias Reader wrote: "Connie wrote: "madrano wrote: "Connie wrote: "I hadn't planned it, but the first four books that I read in 2025 were translated novels set in foreign countries:

Brightly Shining i..."

I enjoy reading some holiday books every Christmas. This book had lots of holds on it at the library so it was a January book for me.

Connie wrote: "I enjoy reading some holiday books every Christmas...."

I like the idea of that but in the last few years, i've failed to do so. Sad for me.

In "Sense and Sensibility," two sisters attempt to make suitable marriages in early 19th Century England. The two young women have different personalities and different attitudes during their courtships. Elinor is sensible and diplomatic, but Marianne is passionate and displays her romantic sensibility.

The year 2025 is the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth. I've noticed that many libraries, and blogs are featuring Austen's books this year.

Connie wrote: "In "Sense and Sensibility," two sisters attempt to make suitable marriages in early 19th Century England. The two young women have different personalities and different attitudes during their court..."

Wonderful selection for the prompt, Connie !

Impressive completions so soon!

Each of your books seem quite interesting, with unique storylines.

John wrote: "Impressive completions so soon!

Each of your books seem quite interesting, with unique storylines."

Thanks, Alias and John. I've been trying to finish up a bunch of January books since both eyes will be healing and sensitive to light from cataract surgery during the month of February.

Connie wrote: "In "Sense and Sensibility," two sisters attempt to make suitable marriages in early 19th Century England. The two young women have different personalities and different attitudes during their court..."

Great choice, Connie. This is one of Austen's works that i've "only" read once. Yes, i'm that reader.

Good luck with your cataract surgery. Your idea to finish up as many now as you are able to do, is wise.

I added a reread, Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson. It's beautiful, spare literary fiction set in Norway. Events that happened when a boy was fifteen years old have repercussions later in his life. A father-son relationship is an important part of the story.

Connie wrote: "I added a reread, Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson. It's beautiful, spare literary fiction set in Norway. Events that happened when a boy was fifteen years old hav..."

This sound interesting, Connie. What was it about the book that made you want to re-read it?

Alias Reader wrote: "Connie wrote: "I added a reread, Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson. It's beautiful, spare literary fiction set in Norway. Events that happened when a boy was fiftee..."

I belong to a library international book discussion group. We're reading three books this winter/spring set in Norway.

Connie wrote: "I added a reread, Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson. It's beautiful, spare literary fiction set in Norway. Events that happened when a boy was fifteen years old hav..."

This sounds very good, Connie. As you've already read it, you know what's ahead. I noted it was soon after WWII, as well.

Your book group sounds fun. And such a creative goal in mind. Thanks for sharing the title & about the library group. Enjoy!

Connie wrote:
"I belong to a library international book discussion group. We're reading three books this winter/spring set in Norway.
."

Thanks for the reply. That sounds like a nice group to help one read more widely and find new authors.

I've read a few Per Petterson, one of my favorites read some of the audio editions.

While i haven't heard of him previously, i see some interesting titles on his list. Thanks to Connie & John for pointing the way.

John wrote: "I've read a few Per Petterson, one of my favorites read some of the audio editions."

I'm glad that you enjoyed his works too, John.

I added The Lion Women of Tehran and Augustus, both 5 star works of historical fiction.

Connie (on semi-hiatus) wrote: "I added The Lion Women of Tehran and Augustus, both 5 star works of historical fiction."

Well done, Connie.

Hope all continues to go well with your vision.

Alias Reader wrote: "Connie (on semi-hiatus) wrote: "I added The Lion Women of Tehran and Augustus, both 5 star works of historical fiction."

Well done, Connie.

Hope all continues to..."
Thanks for your concern, Alias. I'm doing well, and will be able to read normally after I get my new glasses in early March.

Connie (on semi-hiatus) wrote: "I added The Lion Women of Tehran and Augustus, both 5 star works of historical fiction."

Glad they were both 5 star reads!

I just read one by the same author as the Lion Women,
The Stationary Shop. Although I have to admit I didn't love it (it was just OK).

Connie (on semi-hiatus) wrote: Thanks for your concern, Alias. I'm doing well, and will be able to read normally after I get my new glasses in early March.
..."

Excellent! I happy to hear all is going well and as planned.

Lindsey wrote: "Connie (on semi-hiatus) wrote: "I added The Lion Women of Tehran and Augustus, both 5 star works of historical fiction."

Glad they were both 5 star reads!

I just ..."
Lindsey, I read The Stationary Shop, but I liked her new book more.

Connie (on semi-hiatus) wrote: "I added The Lion Women of Tehran and Augustus, both 5 star works of historical fiction."

Great, Connie. I wondered about Augustus, having appreciated two other books, written by John Williams. Stoner and Butcher's Crossing. The one you read sounds quite different!

I'm happy to learn your eyes are doing well. It's such a relief, isn't it?

madrano wrote: "Connie (on semi-hiatus) wrote: "I added The Lion Women of Tehran and Augustus, both 5 star works of historical fiction."

Great, Connie. I wondered about Augustus, ..."

"Augustus" is told in letters and journals so it's very different than "Stoner." Williams imagines how Augustus and his daughter, Julia, feel internally, since they have to put on a strong public face.

Adding The Best American Short Stories 2024 by Lauren Groff, an anthology of 20 stories. The stories tended to be a little edgy with diverse characters.

Connie (on semi-hiatus) wrote: "Adding The Best American Short Stories 2024 by Lauren Groff, an anthology of 20 stories. The stories tended to be a little edgy with diverse characters."

I enjoy those anthologies. I like the essay anthologies a lot.

Alias Reader wrote: "Connie (on semi-hiatus) wrote: "Adding The Best American Short Stories 2024 by Lauren Groff, an anthology of 20 stories. The stories tended to be a little edgy with..."

I haven't read any of their essay anthologies. I've been adding many more short stories to my reading during the last five years.

Connie (on semi-hiatus) wrote: ""Augustus" is told in letters and journals so it's very different than "Stoner." Williams imagines how Augustus and his daughter, Julia, feel internally, since they have to put on a strong public face ..."

Even better, as epistolary novels are my favorite. Thanks for the fresh info, Connie.

Connie (on semi-hiatus) wrote: "Adding The Best American Short Stories 2024 by Lauren Groff, an anthology of 20 stories. The stories tended to be a little edgy with diverse characters."

I enjoyed reading her novel, Matrix, very much.

madrano wrote: "Connie (on semi-hiatus) wrote: "Adding The Best American Short Stories 2024 by Lauren Groff, an anthology of 20 stories. The stories tended to be a little edgy with..."

I liked Matrix too. The short stories were a mixed bag, but she did pick a diverse group of writers.

For # 9, I added The Awakening by Kate Chopin. The main character, Edna, found painting to be a means of artistic expression. Her friend, Mademoiselle Reize, played the piano.

Connie (on semi-hiatus) wrote: "For # 9, I added The Awakening by Kate Chopin. The main character, Edna, found painting to be a means of artistic expression. Her friend, Mademoiselle Reize, played the p..."

Good choice.

For some weird reason I didn't think the book was as old as it is. It was first published in 1899. I must be thinking of another book.

Connie (on semi-hiatus) wrote: "For # 9, I added The Awakening by Kate Chopin. The main character, Edna, found painting to be a means of artistic expression. Her friend, Mademoiselle Reize, played the p..."

Neat selection, Connie. Several years ago we roamed around Louisiana and ran into the site of her home in Cloutierville, Natchitoches Parish. In 2008 it burned, pretty much to the ground. By the time we got there, only the roadside marker remained. At the link before, you'll see the before & after shots.
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/national...

It was in that town, where her husband was born, that she lived until her husband's death. She moved back to Missouri, where her family lived, and began writing her evocative stories. Here's her Mo. home info page, with her history and place in literature, as well. Apparently, it is not open to the public.
https://theclio.com/entry/157492

madrano wrote: "Connie (on semi-hiatus) wrote: "For # 9, I added The Awakening by Kate Chopin. The main character, Edna, found painting to be a means of artistic expression. Her friend, ..."

Hi Deb, I'm sorry I didn't reply but notifications don't always come through. Thank you for taking the time to post the wonderful photos of Chopin's homes. It was such a shame that fire destroyed the house she lived in with her husband. I love the big porch/balcony on that Southern home.

I read a couple of bonus books this week:

For a humorous book, The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman is entertaining. It's a good combination of mystery, humor, and emotional moments that will be especially appreciated by older readers. I would recommend starting with the first book in the series, The Thursday Murder Club.

I read The Life Impossible by Matt Haig which has elements of magical realism and fantasy. I really liked the setting of the Spanish island of Ibiza, the book had a positive message, but it got repetitious. It really wasn't for me, but some women in my library bookclub loved it.

Connie (on semi-hiatus) wrote: "
I read The Life Impossible by Matt Haig which has elements of magical realism and fantasy. I really liked the setting of the Spanish island of Ibiza, the book had a positive message, but it got repetitious. It really wasn't for me, but some women in my library bookclub loved it..."

Magical realism is not something I usually enjoy.

Alias Reader wrote: "Connie (on semi-hiatus) wrote: "
I read The Life Impossible by Matt Haig which has elements of magical realism and fantasy. I really liked the setting of the Spanish island of Ibiza, the book had a..."

I can enjoy a book with magical realism if it doesn't overwhelm the story, but I prefer more realistic fiction.

Connie (on semi-hiatus) wrote: "Hi Deb, I'm sorry I didn't reply but notifications don't always come through. Thank you for taking the time to post the wonderful photos of Chopin's homes. ..."

Don't worry about missing the post earlier. It's hard enough to see all this group posts!

I'm glad you liked the photos. It was a stroll down Memory Lane for me.

Connie (on semi-hiatus) wrote: "I read a couple of bonus books this week:

For a humorous book, The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman is entertaining. It's a good combination of mystery, humor, a..."

I read the first two book in this series but lost interest by the end of the second. However, i haven't crossed it off, just awaiting a better, more receptive change of my mind/mood. I'm tickled to see Osman has found his niche & is producing more of these books.

You had two neat selections for your prompts. I wish you could enjoy them all, the way you did the first. Continued success, Connie!

madrano wrote: "Connie (on semi-hiatus) wrote: "I read a couple of bonus books this week:

For a humorous book, The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman is entertaining. It's a good ..."

Osman is writing a new series now with a daughter-in-law body guard and a father-in-law ex-cop. He's going to take a break from the Thursday Murder Club mysteries, but will go back to them in a few years.

Cool information, Connie. Thank you. The characters in the new series would be ripe for conflict. Or not. lol

Connie (on semi-hiatus) wrote: "madrano wrote: "Connie (on semi-hiatus) wrote: "I read a couple of bonus books this week:

For a humorous book, The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman is entertaini..."

Just listened to We Solve Murders, which details how the gang got together. I think it's the first in this series. I enjoyed it, but I'm not sure I reviewed it. Can't remember.
Michele

Michele wrote: "Just listened to We Solve Murders, which details how the gang got together. I think it's the first in this series. I enjoyed it, but I'm not sure I reviewed it. Can't remember..."

If you did, Michele, i cannot find it. According to this link, it's a different group of people. We Solve Murders was only published last year, and appears to be a new Osman series. Interesting, either way.

Thanks for the title.