Dare to Dream discussion

Please post all questions, comments and updates about the challenge in this thread. :)


The Winter 2023/2024 Reading Challenge will begin on December 2nd and end on February 29th.

Rules of the challenge:

Read 3 books (or more)
Complete 3 prompts (or more)
All genres ok
Rereads ok

So this winter, complete 3 (or more) of the following:


1. Many talented authors have birthdays in the winter.

So this winter,

READ A BOOK BY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

Wilkie Collins
Mariana Enriquez
Jasper Fforde
Mary Karr
Connie Willis

2. Leave the World Behind will premiere on Netflix on December 8th. I’m not sure if there is also a limited theatrical run. A family’s vacation is interrupted by 2 strangers bearing news of a mysterious blackout. It’s based on the book of the same name.

So this winter,

READ A BOOK IN WHICH STRANGERS COME TOGETHER UNDER UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES.

OR

READ A BOOK WITH THE WORD “WORLD” IN THE TITLE/SUBTITLE.

3. Eileen will premier in theaters in December. A young secretary becomes enchanted by the glamorous new counselor at the juvenile prison where she works. Their friendship takes a twisted turn when a secret is revealed. It’s set during the 1960’s in Massachusetts. It’s based on the book of the same name.

So this winter,

READ A BOOK THAT CAN BE DESCRIBED AS A CHARACTER STUDY.

OR

READ A BOOK SET (AT LEAST IN PART) IN MASSACHUSETTS.

OR

READ A BOOK SET (AT LEAST IN PART) DURING THE 60’s.

OR

READ A BOOK IN WHICH A FRIENDSHIP OR ROMANCE TAKES A TWISTED TURN.

4. ‘‘Tis the season.

So this winter,

READ A BOOK SET DURING THE HOLIDAYS.

5. 2024 is a leap year.

So this winter,

READ A BOOK WITH THE LETTERS L-E-A-P IN THE TITLE/SUBTITLE.

6. The winter challenge starts in 2023 and ends in 2024 so chose group reads from both years.

So this winter,

READ ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING AND DISCUSS WITH THE GROUP:

A COUNCIL OF DOLLS BY MONA SUSAN POWER (AVAILABLE NOW)

THE WOMEN BY KRISTIN HANNAH (FEBRUARY 6th)

7. Random- This counts towards the challenge but is not inspired by the season. We all love book recommendations.

So this winter,

READ A BOOK BLURBED/RECOMMENDED BY AN AUTHOR YOU LIKE.

WISHING YOU ALL GOOD THINGS IN THE NEW YEAR. HAPPY WINTER, EVERYONE! :D

I know the Kristin Hannah book is probably going to have a long wait list at the library. I’m happy to add a 3rd group read if anyone has suggestions.

Hey Everyone: I won’t be able to participate in this challenge. My husband is seriously ill and I will concentrating on his care. I hope to be back in the spring.

Christine wrote: "Hey Everyone: I won’t be able to participate in this challenge. My husband is seriously ill and I will concentrating on his care. I hope to be back in the spring."

So sorry, Christine. Sending love to you and your family.

I’m sorry to hear that news!

Im so sorry to hear this Christine, sending you love and all the very best for a swift and full recovery xx

Christine wrote: "Hey Everyone: I won’t be able to participate in this challenge. My husband is seriously ill and I will concentrating on his care. I hope to be back in the spring."

Best wishes for health and recovery. We will miss you Christine.

I watched the film adaptation of Ottessa Moshfegh's novel Eileen last night. Looking forward to reading the book this winter.

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I watched the film adaptation of Ottessa Moshfegh's novel Eileen last night. Looking forward to reading the book this winter."

I can’t recall if I gave the book a try or not a long time ago but will definitely try to read it this winter. I have heard it’s pretty gross with regards to the details of the character’s habits. It seems to be one of those polarizing books people either love or hate. Same can be said for leave the world behind.

Look forward to your thoughts on it.

I'm planning to read Leave The World Behind this winter too.

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I'm planning to read Leave The World Behind this winter too."

I think it’s having a limited theatrical release as well as streaming on Netflix.

Did you want me to add a third group read or are you interested in the 2 already included? If you’d like a 3rd option just give me some suggestions. :D

I'm not sure yet if I'll be reading the Council of Dolls or the new Kristin Hannah. I'm not committed yet, but I don't really have any suggestions.
I always like the author birthday task. I'm definitely going to read Jasper Fforde (Shades of Grey) and Wilkie Collins (The Woman in White). I'm still looking into Connie Willis too.

I'm not sure yet if I'll be reading the Council of Dolls or the new Kristin Hannah. I'm not committed yet, but I don't really have any suggestions.
I always like the author birthday task. I'm definitely going to read Jasper Fforde (Shades of Grey) and Wilkie Collins (The Woman in White). I'm still looking into Connie Willis too.

I'm not sure yet if I'll be reading the Council of Dolls or the new Kristin Hannah. I'm not committed yet, but I don't really have any suggestions.
I always like the author birthday task. I'm definitely going to read Jasper Fforde (Shades of Grey) and Wilkie Collins (The Woman in White). I'm still looking into Connie Willis too.

Please excuse the repeated comment. Had trouble posting.

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Please excuse the repeated comment. Had trouble posting."

Goodreads seems to be glitching again.

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I'm not sure yet if I'll be reading the Council of Dolls or the new Kristin Hannah. I'm not committed yet, but I don't really have any suggestions.
I always like the author birthday task. I'm defi..."

No pressure but I believe both are available on cd.

I might try a bunch of these authors also. Some of them I’ve been meaning to try out for awhile.
I think I might pick up the moonstone rather than the woman in white but haven’t decided. I believe both books were written in installments for magazines so not sure what the pacing will be like. Both have good reviews but the moonstone is shorter.

I also may finally give Jasper afforded a try. I’m thinking maybe the nursery crime books.

Connie Willis and Mariana Enriquez have also been on my radar. I don’t know but there’s a lot of interesting books to choose from.

Always look forward to hearing your thoughts.:D

Oh autocorrect I meant to type Fforde not afforded lol

Jasper Fforde's Nursery books seem a bit too silly for me. That's why I went with Shades of Grey about color. Also, there is a sequel to Shades of Grey being released in 2024.
I am looking into Moonstone as well. Woman in White was more accessible for me, so will start with that one.

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Jasper Fforde's Nursery books seem a bit too silly for me. That's why I went with Shades of Grey about color. Also, there is a sequel to Shades of Grey being released in 2024.
I am looking into Moo..."

They might be too silly for me too but I’m hoping they will be entertaining. I don’t know, I just finished the hitchhikers guide to the galaxy and I thought it was ridiculous but so many love that book.

I've decided I will read Council of Dolls.

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I've decided I will read Council of Dolls."

Glad you’re going to give it a try. Hope you enjoy it. :)

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I've decided I will read Council of Dolls."

Let me know when you’re going to start it and I’ll read it with you.

I'll try to post here when I've obtained Council of Dolls printed copy and audiobook. Might be a bit.

I don't have anything from the Winter Challenge ready to go yet, but I've got lots of plans. I might pack a good number into my January reading lineup.

A couple of L-E-A-P titles that I've read recently:
Lobster Is the Best Medicine: A Collection of Comics About Friendship
The Patchwork Girl of Oz

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "A couple of L-E-A-P titles that I've read recently:
Lobster Is the Best Medicine: A Collection of Comics About Friendship
The Patchwork Girl of Oz
[bookcover:Lobster I..."

Thanks for the update, Dustin! :D

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I'll try to post here when I've obtained Council of Dolls printed copy and audiobook. Might be a bit.

I don't have anything from the Winter Challenge ready to go yet, but I've got lots of plans. I..."

Look forward to seeing which titles you choose. :)

Finished Eileen. Great character study. Definitely dark, definitely disturbing. Really well written. I’m curious to see how the film compares to the book.

Dustin-

Have you read any other books by Ottessa Moshfegh? I really liked her writing. I was thinking of My Year of Rest and Relaxation.

I read Krampus which works for takes place during the holidays.

Happy Holidays!!

Danell wrote: "I read Krampus which works for takes place during the holidays.

Happy Holidays!!"

Thanks for the update, Danell!
Happy Holidays! :D

Hello
I’ve finally found time to plan my winter challenge and managed to assign some books I’ve read in December:

1) I’ll read - Willie Collins - The Woman in White in February

✅2) strangers coming together: Legends & Lattes (3⭐️)

✅3)A book in which romance takes a twisted turn: The Killer in the Snow by Alex Pine (4.5⭐️)

✅4) A book set during the holidays : The Christmas Postcards - Karen Swan (4⭐️)

5) L-E-A-P: Harry Potter and the cursed child - currently reading

6) The Women - Kristin Hannah

7)Blurbed by an author I like: Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow - recommended by Celeste Ng (I loved it) - will read it in February

Thanks for another great challenge 🥰

Oh and I watched Leave the world behind and enjoyed that too ☺️

Franzi wrote: "Hello
I’ve finally found time to plan my winter challenge and managed to assign some books I’ve read in December:

1) I’ll read - Willie Collins - The Woman in White in February

✅2) strangers com..."

You’re welcome, Franzi! Glad you like it. :)
Hope you enjoy all of your upcoming books.
Happy Holidays!

I finished Leave the World Behind and it definitely was not for me. It’s a love it or hate it type of book for most -look forward to hearing everyone’s thoughts on it if you pick it up.

Happy New Year!
I read The Light Pirate which works for L-E-A-P

Danell wrote: "Happy New Year!
I read The Light Pirate which works for L-E-A-P"

Thanks for the update, Danell! :D
Happy New Year!

Rachel wrote: "Finished Eileen. Great character study. Definitely dark, definitely disturbing. Really well written. I’m curious to see how the film compares to the book.


"

I'm planning to read Eileen this month. I'm curious to see how the book compares to the film, since I saw the film first.

Rachel wrote: "Dustin-

Have you read any other books by Ottessa Moshfegh? I really liked her writing. I was thinking of My Year of Rest and Relaxation.

"

I've only read Homesick for Another World Short Stories.


My library doesn't have My Year of Rest and Relaxation as an audiobook (in an old school format I use).
I've been thinking of re-reading Homesick for Another World.

Rachel wrote: "I finished Leave the World Behind and it definitely was not for me. It’s a love it or hate it type of book for most -look forward to hearing everyone’s thoughts on it if you pick it up.


[bookcove..."

I'm almost finished with Leave the World Behind. Overall, I'm impressed with the book, although I could have done without some of the explicit sexual descriptions. I have a feeling that might be what I'm in for with Eileen too.

Franzi wrote: "1) I’ll read - Willie Collins - The Woman in White in February"
7)Blurbed by an author I like: Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow - recommended by Celeste Ng (I loved it) - will read it in February

I'll be reading The Woman in White soon too.

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin is a title I've been wanting to read for some time. I'm assuming this is the same book. I've enjoyed the other Gabrielle Zevin novels I've read. Especially The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Rachel wrote: "I finished Leave the World Behind and it definitely was not for me. It’s a love it or hate it type of book for most -look forward to hearing everyone’s thoughts on it if you pick it ..."

There are some uncomfortable moments in Eileen as well but the difference for me at least was that the uncomfortable moments made sense with regards to the story and character. Not so much with leave the world behind.

I’m glad you are still enjoying the story. The writing ruined that one for me. I rolled my eyes so many damn times reading that book lol
It’s definitely a polarizing book. There are as many that love that story as there are that hate it when you look at the reviews.

Finished Leave The World Behind. I have to go over all the passages I marked and write my review. I'll give it either 4 or 5 stars.

I listened to Ivy Aberdeens letter to the World. It was ok. I read Leave the World Behind a few years ago and thought let down

Thanks for the updates! :D

I read The Final Revival of Opal and Nev, which works for L-E-A-P. I enjoyed it

Danell wrote: "I read The Final Revival of Opal and Nev, which works for L-E-A-P. I enjoyed it"

Thanks for the update, Danell! Glad you enjoyed it. :D
I’ve been meaning to listen to that one for awhile.

Rachel, I'm going to start A Council of Dolls soon. I have an audiobook, so expect to finish the book before the end of January. Just wanted to give you a heads up.
I finished Bellwether by Connie Willis and quite enjoyed it. Much of the story takes place in the city I live on, so that was fun. I didn't know Willis lives in Colorado.
I'm currently reading The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde, too soon to know if I'll like it, but so far, I'm not real crazy about it.

Oh, I forgot. I also read Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh. I'm way behind on book reviews.

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Rachel, I'm going to start A Council of Dolls soon. I have an audiobook, so expect to finish the book before the end of January. Just wanted to give you a heads up.
I finished Bellwether by Connie..."

Thanks for the update, Dustin! I appreciate the heads up regarding council of dolls. Unfortunately, I don’t have time to start it. I’m in a little bit of a reading slump but I am listening to the moonstone and enjoying it so far. I also have the Kristin Hannah book on hold. Glad you enjoyed the Connie Willis book.

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Oh, I forgot. I also read Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh. I'm way behind on book reviews."

Did you enjoy the book? How did the film compare?