2025 Reading Challenge discussion

Our April group read is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith.

The beloved American classic about a young girl's coming-of-age at the turn of the century, Betty Smith's A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is a poignant and moving tale filled with compassion and cruelty, laughter and heartache, crowded with life and people and incident. The story of young, sensitive, and idealistic Francie Nolan and her bittersweet formative years in the slums of Williamsburg has enchanted and inspired millions of readers for more than sixty years. By turns overwhelming, sublime, heartbreaking, and uplifting, the daily experiences of the unforgettable Nolans are raw with honesty and tenderly threaded with family connectedness -- in a work of literary art that brilliantly captures a unique time and place as well as incredibly rich moments of universal experience.

Please mark your spoilers.

I am really going to make an effort to read this one with the group. It has been on my list for a few years now!

It has been on my TBR list as well and I am going to read it with the group.

Ok, I'm in for this months group read.

I think I'm in for this one as well. I've been meaning to read this for a long time.

I just got my copy from library, edition is from year 1956 and it really looks but I guess only story matters.

I want to read this too!

I'm in!

I'm super excited this book was chosen. I'll be leading the discussion! I'll pick up the book today and set up the topics. I'm really looking forward to it

Booked it at the library can't wait

I read it last month (listened on Audible) and it was wonderful! It's in my top 5 of audio books I've ever listened to!

That is one of my all time favorite books. Read it at least 2-3 times a yr when I was young and quite a few times as an adult. I just got it for my Kindle so I can read again on it!! Amazing book.

I just read the synopsis and look forward to reading it with the group.

I've already got 16 books lined up for April, but I'm going to try and get to this book still :)

I think I'll join in this one as it will work with the read women second quarter challenge.

I am going to read this book.

I am so happy this is the April BOTM - I read last months and was looking forward to April. I've had this on my list for a long time (I think I've read the first few chapters but years ago). Looking forward to this!

So glad there is so much interest! I'm about halfway through with it! I'm looking forward to the discussion

I'm starting on this today! I'm really looking forward to reading it... It wasn't a book on my radar before the group read, but after I took a look at it, I'm really glad it was chosen.

I'm in! Haven't read this since I was young :-)

I'm in. I just picked up my copy for. the library.

I started reading this morning. Enjoying it so far.

I joined this group a while ago but life got in the way and I haven't been able to read any of the month's picks.Fortunately, I'll be starting this one tomorrow! Can't wait to see how it is and discuss.

That's completely understandable, Albany! I hope you enjoy A Tree Grows in Brooklyn - I thought it was excellent.

Just got my copy today, looking forward to reading this!

Just finished this book last night and I loved it! Not normally a book I would read but once I got started on it I couldn't put it down. Francie's story is so real, so raw. Problems that she faced 100 years ago people, including myself, still face today such as poverty, alcoholism, classism, and gender descrimination just to name a few. I also liked it for the historical information. What it was like to go to school, work, and live in the early 1900's. I wish there was a follow up book. I want to know if Francie ever made it to college, did Neely graduate high school, who did Francie marry, how did Annie turn out? So many questions that never get answered. I am not saying the book doesn't have a good and adequate ending because it does, I would just like to read more of the story. I hear there is a 1945 movie based on the book. Has anyone watched it?

I'm so glad to be reading this book, from the very first page I was captivated!

I have finished it and it was well written and enjoyable. I loved it. Francie certainly knew what she wanted in life and worked hard to get it.

I wish I had read it years ago. This is a book that should be on every high school reading list.

Once you've finished, please go ahead and put your reviews in this thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Does anyone else have the urge to do the Bible and Shakespeare thing after reading this? Although I think I would read more than one page a day.

I am loving this book. I have told several girls I work with that I am reading it and they say "oh that's such a good book". I had never heard of it until this book club read of the month. Can' wait to finish it.

Maria wrote: "I have finished it and it was well written and enjoyable. I loved it. Francie certainly knew what she wanted in life and worked hard to get it.

I wish I had read it years ago. This is a book that..."

It should be on the high school reading list. I had never heard of it until this book club.