You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

Please read through the reporting thread carefully to ensure to report correctly to get your badge/s.

After you have read your chosen book(s) for this month's group theme read, please report in the thread below.

Please state what book you read (and link it), how it fits the theme, that you discussed it (and where), and briefly summarize what you thought of the book and/or link to your review if you have written one.

If you lead the discussion, please state this in your post.

Here is an example for how to report your read:

“I read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and discussed it in the [Harry Potter/Buddy Read/Other books in theme] thread. I really enjoyed the book. I watched the film first so I already knew the story line but I was surprised how much I enjoyed the book more as there was more detail involved. Plus I listened to the audio which was narrated by Stephen Fry who is a superb narrator. 4 stars.”

If you read more than one book which fits the theme, please report all your reads in the same post rather than in separate posts.

Please note, there are THREE different badges that can be obtained for group reads. Those reading and discussing one of the two chosen group reads will receive a colorful badge similar to those for previous group reads. Those reading and discussing any other book in the theme will receive a stamp. The discussion leader for the two chosen group reads will receive a badge stating they led the discussion. Maximum amount of badges you can receive for the group reads is TWO - one for the chosen group read/discussion leader and one for any other book in the theme.

In order to receive a badge you must:
1. put your Wall of Fame Name at the beginning of your post as follows: WoF Name - Sandra
2. have read the book(s) before or during January 2026.
3. discussed it in the relevant thread. Discussion must be more than "I read the book and I liked it". Discussion requires something more substantial and analytical of what you read, for example, thoughts, opinions, impact it had on you, what was your favorite part, was it what you expected it to be like etc. You may also like to review the book and post a link to the review in that thread.
4. Report that you have read AND discussed the book.

WoF Jayme

I read The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times by Jane Goodall discussed it in the appropriate thread and am the discussion leader.

Overall, I liked the book. It was inspiring and well hopeful. Jane tells several ancedotal stories of her amazing life and how her foundation is helping to promote hope in our struggling world.
I realized by reading the book that I really didn't know a lot about her and how she moved from being a naturalist in the field to a leading world lecturer on conservationism and the ambassador of hope. Which is what I really wanted to know. I also wanted more chimp stories. I think that is another book.
3.5 rounded to 4

WoF - Janice

I read Cajun Fried Felony by Jana Deleon.

I've enjoyed the Miss Fortune Series. They are guaranteed to bring a laugh or two. Silliness abounds and the three main characters always find their own brand of mishaps. This installment started out with wrangling wild turkeys in a turkey run. You can only imagine how they managed wrangling the drunks at the local watering hole when they agreed to help out the owner.

WoF Marnie

I read Geraldine Verne's Red Suitcase and talked about it in the group thread. It was a book about grief and moving on. The author did a great job of taking a sad subject and adding hope plus humor.

WOF SharonBiskit

I read Geraldine Verne's Red Suitcase and discussed it in the group thread. Although it deals with grief, it has such wonderful moments of wit and humor. I am so glad I read this book.

WoF Laura apenandzen

I read and discussed the same book and really enjoyed it. I would probably read anything by this author. Heavy themes but handled to uplift and inspire the reader and not depress them. And Rosalyn Landor did a great job with the Audible too.

Wof Nix

I read A Bookshop of One’s Own by Jane Cholmeley and discussed in relevant thread

Though I enjoyed the premise of the book I didnt particularly think it was an engaging read. It actually felt too long to finish. However, an inspiring story of opening up a feminist bookstore. Unfortunate for all the politics and harships they had to go through. I gave it 3 stars because of the story and effort but the writing was not great

WoF Karin

For author with a name starting with JAN

I read Love's Enduring Promise by Janette Oke and discussed it in the relevant thread.

Overall I enjoyed this book almost as much as the first book in this series. I plan to give it 4 stars once I get back to reviewing the books I've read this month (I'm behind.) The first book was a romance, but now it's turning into a family story; I plan to continue reading this series.

WoF Katrisa

I read and discussed The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times
I loved the book because Jane is really inspiring. I listened to the audio and Jane's parts were in her voice so that was cool. I didn't find it to be very much a "survival guide for trying times" but I loved it anyway. I gave it 5 stars rounded up

I read and discussed in group The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times by Jane Goodall.

I really enjoyed listening to Jane's voice and learning more about her fascinating and inspiring life. I hadn't known about her until recently, which was such a shame. It was a much needed read in this hopeless world at the moment. The examples of young adults bringing change was definitely a beacon of hope.

I would definitely be checking out more of her books.

WoF: Kristie

I read Geraldine Verne's Red Suitcase by Jane Riley and was the discussion leader in the group thread. I enjoyed the book, but it wasn't as funny as I expected. It was much more serious and the main character was more curmudgeonly as well, kind of like Ove from A Man Called Ove.

I also read and discussed Gator Bait by Jana Deleon in the group genre thread. I enjoy this series and it had been a while since I read one of these books. It was great to get back to it and really get a feel for the characters again. I plan to read the next book much sooner this time.

WoF margo

I read two books for this theme.

The Killer Question by Janice Hallett was a lot of fun. This woman is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. All of her books (that I've read) are told in a variety of formats. This story was told as an idea of a true crime story being pitched to amazon, which really tickled me. It unfolded as a series of text messages, Whatsapps, recollected meeting etc. I gave it 3.5 stars as it did get a bit confused towards the end but it was still highly enjoyable.

I also took part in the group themed read of The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times by Jane Goodall. I listened to the audio and is was read by Jane herself and her interviewer Douglas Abrams. That woman has such an impact on the world, she is an inspirational speaker. It was wonderful to hear her thoughts in her own words and to hear her recount stories of what she has witnessed. It wasn't a perfect book but, for sheer impact, I gave it 5 stars. I felt a little warm glow as I listened and that's a minor miracle in these dark times.