2026 Reading Challenge discussion

This thread is to discuss Wool, the first book in the Silo series by Hugh Howey.

Pages: 509 pages

Length: 1 month (June)

Participants: Eirelyn, Robin

Everyone reads at their own pace during a Buddy Read. Because participants can be at different parts of the book at different times, it is extremely important to mark spoilers so that the book is not ruined for someone who is not as far along as others!!!

Mark spoilers by placing {spoiler} before the text and {/spoiler} after the text but use the < and > instead of the { and }.

Here are some questions to help get the conversation started! Feel free to look up discussion questions specific to this book or come up with your own. Just make sure any questions that contain spoilers are under spoiler tags.
Discussion questions are not required but may be a fun way to talk about the book and get to know each other!

Prior to starting:
What prompted you to join this buddy read?
Have you read this author before? What do you think of their other books?

Mid-read:
What character or ideas do you relate to the most and why?
Do you have any favorite quotes or scenes?

After reading:
What was enjoyable or not-so-enjoyable about this book?
Did this book change your perception about anything, either within the book (character development) or in real life?

Thanks for the thread, SarahKat! And thanks for joining me in the Buddy Read, Robin! :D I'm looking forward to reading this.

My husband was telling me about this book last night. I just added it to TBR. I'll probably read it with you ladies :)

Susan, oh that's awesome he was just telling you about it. Welcome to the buddy read! :D

Glad to get in on this! Thank you!!

Why I joined this buddy read:
Big dystopian fan ... Trying to find shorter series and new authors.

This book was not what I expected at all ... Tho not sure what I expected. I can't put it down ....

Are you guys reading the long version that's 509 pages or the shorter book (1A) also called Wool?

I found two version.... Wool Omnibus AND Wool

Robin wrote: "This book was not what I expected at all ... Tho not sure what I expected. I can't put it down ...."

@Robin - I'm a big dystopian fan too and kept hearing about this series and thought I'd try it out. Reading that you can't put it down makes me more excited to read it. I'm still waiting for my library hold to come through (I'm #1 on the list so it shouldn't be too much longer I hope!)

Susan wrote: "Are you guys reading the long version that's 509 pages or the shorter book (1A) also called Wool?

I found two version.... Wool Omnibus AND Wool"

@Susan - I was planning to read the full 509-page Wool Omnibus. If that's more than you two want to read in June, we could always extend it into July as well if you'd like. :D

Eirelyn wrote: "Susan wrote: "Are you guys reading the long version that's 509 pages or the shorter book (1A) also called Wool?

I found two version.... Wool Omnibus AND Wool"

@Sus..."

I think that'd be great! When I first saw the book, I thought I could handle 59pgs or whatever. I have a lot of books planned this month, not sure I can squeeze another 500 page book in there. If we extend into July, I totally could! Thanks!

Sounds perfect! We'll definitely extend into July then. 😁

Eirelyn wrote: "Sounds perfect! We'll definitely extend into July then. 😁"

Thank you!

You're welcome. :D That will give me a chance to get the book too and not feel as rushed to finish with a busy month going on haha.

I completed the 500+ version...

Robin wrote: "I completed the 500+ version..."

Oh wow, awesome, Robin! You really couldn't put it down! Tell us your thoughts (hiding spoilers of course haha). :D

I love dystopian fiction, and the premise of the world in the silo was really unique. The mix of found family, love, "terror", secrets and reveals really kept me involved. Howley mastered mixing them all with a writing style that was easy to walk beside each of the characters.

I'll wait for more ... Want to hear from you all now!! I'm on to Shift, next in the series! I'm hooked!!

It sounds really good & intriguing! I'm hoping my library hold comes through soon so I can start reading. 🤞