On The Same Page discussion
3rd Annual Reading Challenge
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Michelle's 2024 Best Books List List-3rd List
Michelle wrote: "Clearly, I'm not the one to explain it to you Lea. The Eric Carle book is about the third children's book that my family enjoyed and I didn't have a clue. I guess I raised my kids to read banned books and didn't even know it. I think I've even read the Eric Carle book to my grandson. Oh well, another generation."I haven't read Draw Me a Star yet, but I don't get the controversy. I went looking as to why it was banned, and I guess there is a naked couple in one of the illustrations...but apparently they aren't doing anything that would require a non age appropriate explanation so I'm as confused as you are.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is one of my absolute favorite books of all time and I'd like to read The Grouchy Ladybug again sometime soon. It's been a long time.
Ahh. I guess there is a naked couple. They are an Adam and Eve type representation. But like all Eric Carle books this one uses the collage style so nothing is explicit. It never occurred to me. Isn't that like assuming every one has the same twisted thoughts you do. I can't imagine a child even noticing.
BTW my grandson's favorite is Brown Bear Brown Bear. I highly recommend it. If it hasn't been banned of course.
Michelle wrote: "BTW my grandson's favorite is Brown Bear Brown Bear. I highly recommend it. If it hasn't been banned of course."I looked it up and that one got banned because the author has the same name as another author who wrote a book about Marxism.
Apparently, we're back to banning books/series because we don't like people's viewpoints as opposed to there actually being something objectionable in the book.
I keep thinking there cannot be a stupider reason to ban a book, but I fear that we've just created a new bar.
I think you are right Lea. I would say if you find a book objectionable just don't read it but when I look at the reasons given for banning the book it usually seems pretty clear that they didn't read it. Unfortunately just making that choice for themselves is not enough.
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Just to reiterate; "you people" are specifically Lea, Alissa and Bill!!
They are to blame! They are the culprits! Bwahahhaha..... I won't give in to the spreadsheet!!
Alondra wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I'm actually considering it! You people have turned me into a list maker. ACK!..."Just to reiterate; "you people" are specifically Lea, Alissa and Bill!!
They are to blame! They..."
Says our wonderful moderator extraordinaire who secretly has her lists done before any of us even get started!! Hehe! 🤣
I think there is plenty of blame to go around. I decided not to do any more lists this year so I'm putting it on my possible lists for next year list.
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I don't know what you are referring to... but I resemble that remark. Tuh!.... -_-
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Yyyeess. There sure is!!
Alondra wrote: "Lindsey wrote: "Says our wonderful moderator extraordinaire who secretly has her lists done before any of us even get started!! Hehe!.."I don't know what you are referring to... but I resemble th..."
🥰😘😘😘😘🥰🥰 All said with much love. (And feel free to message me a preview of your list. 🤣
Alondra wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I'm actually considering it! You people have turned me into a list maker. ACK!..."Just to reiterate; "you people" are specifically Lea, Alissa and Bill!!
They are to blame! They..."
I regret nothing lol
Michelle wrote: "I checked out the read banned books thread on our group’s homepage and just so you all know, I have read only 26 of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books list. Obviously something I should work ..."One of my lists for 2025 for the Individual Challenge will be Banned Books. woot woot!
Here;s a sneak preview of what i have on the list so far:
The Bluest Eye
This Book Is Gay
The House on Mango Street
Crank
Alissa wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I checked out the read banned books thread on our group’s homepage and just so you all know, I have read only 26 of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books list. Obviously somethi..."Ok I love the 2025 list sneak preview. I'm not sure I can commit this far out but I love your picks. I'm looking forward to Alissa Vs. Banned Books 2025.
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LOL
Alissa wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I checked out the read banned books thread on our group’s homepage and just so you all know, I have read only 26 of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books list. Obviously somethi..."Michelle~That would be an Excellent Challenge, since clearly you don’t do enough of those. Still, Banned Books I have thought of Doing. Today, in a nearby town that had a Book Mobile and it was painted with an entire list of Banned Books. Each person could then get 1 Banned Book for Free. I picked Last Night at the Telegraph Club since haven’t really heard of it and most of the other choices I have Read. Banbed Books = Best Books for Me. Best of Luck 💕📚
Kristine wrote: "Alissa wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I checked out the read banned books thread on our group’s homepage and just so you all know, I have read only 26 of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books list. Ob..."What a good idea and a great way to promote banned books. I hope you enjoy your pick. I haven't read it either but like you I consider its inclusion on the Banned Books list a recommendation.
Listening to Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. Terrific narration. I can tell this will be another book that makes an impact.
Finished another heavy hitter
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison.The story follows a young black man in 20th century America through his journey of self-discovery. A journey that is both brutal and significant throughout which he believes himself invisible because he is unseen.
This is such a difficult review to write. This book was so well thought out and written. It spoke clearly of the feelings of its protagonist as well as the brutal events he experiences and witnesses. It is a truly amazing piece of writing. I would like to say our country has grown to a point that this book is no longer relevant, but I fear that is not the case. If there is any value in writing books or reading them, it is that there are books like these that can allow readers to understand the reality of others.
4 this really is a book everyone should read stars.
Quotable:
“When I discover who I am, I’ll be free.”
― Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man
“Whence all this passion towards conformity anyway? Diversity is the word. Let man keep his many parts and you will have no tyrant states. Why, if they follow this conformity business, they'll end up by forcing me, an invisible man, to become white, which is not a color but the lack of one. Must I strive towards colorlessness? But seriously and without snobbery, think of what the world would lose if that should happen. America is woven of many strands. I would recognize them and let it so remain.”
― Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man
“Some things are just too unjust for words, and too ambiguous for either speech or ideas.”
― Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man
I am well into Cutting for Stone and it is amazing! I should be able to finish up this list but it's going to be close.
Finishing up Cutting for Stone and listening to The Age of Innocence. Getting very close to the end of the challenge.
Has anyone else stopped getting GR email notifications? I used to rely on these emails to know what all of you are reading, when there was an update to your challenge posts ....but they have stopped maybe a month ago or so. How do you manage now?
Ioana wrote: "Has anyone else stopped getting GR email notifications? I used to rely on these emails to know what all of you are reading, when there was an update to your challenge posts ....but they have stoppe..."GR has stopped sending email notifications. I was upset about it too. In order to get notifications to your phone you have to go into your settings and select which groups you want notifications from. You can also scroll to the bottom of a thread like this one and click the box that says Notify me when people comment. Then you will receive notifications on your phone (assuming your settings allow) and in the app. I did both for threads that I really wanted to be sure not to miss. It is working ok but like you I would very much prefer the email notifications.
I didn't like it either. I had folders set up in my email for each book group I'm in. Now I have to go to Goodreads, go to my list of Groups and visit each one. Then I click on the little "Unread" at the top of the list of threads and it shows a list of all the threads with new messages.
You can also click on the Notifications symbol ( the bell) on the bar at the top of the page and it will show you any new unread Notifications. That is after you set up the notifications in your settings or click notify me on a particular thread.
Closing in on the end of this challenge with
The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton.Wharton paints a grim picture of the upper-class society of turn of the century New York. Behind the wealth and privilege, society rules with strict requirements any who strive for acceptance. A young man on the cusp of marriage suddenly realizes that his life is limited by the restrictions and expectations of the society in which he lives. He struggles against but eventually accepts the life that society has dictated for him.
I enjoyed the story due to Wharton's excellent writing. Her commentary on human nature and society still stands the test of time. This is only the second book by Wharton that I have read but from these two I would say she writes about the hold of any society on the individual and the futility of struggling against the norm. Well written but the tone is not a happy one. Romantic but terribly sad.
3 stalwart gentlemen and ruined ladies stars.
Quotable:
“His whole future seemed suddenly to be unrolled before him; and passing down its endless emptiness he saw the dwindling figure of a man to whom nothing was ever to happen.”
― Edith Wharton, The Age of Innocence
“The real loneliness is living among all these kind people who only ask one to pretend!”
― Edith Wharton, The Age of Innocence
“Each time you happen to me all over again.”
― Edith Wharton, The Age of Innocence
Only four to go but the year end is coming up fast.
Michelle wrote: "GR has stopped sending email notifications. I was upset about it too. In order to get notifications to your phone you have to go into your settings and select which groups you want notifications from. You can also scroll to the bottom of a thread like this one and click the box that says Notify me when people comment. Then you will receive notifications on your phone (assuming your settings allow) and in the app. I did both for threads that I really wanted to be sure not to miss."Oh, I really don't like this. With emails, the post opened at the point I had left it, with notifications...it opens at the beginning. Was there any email/notification from GR that emails will be discontinued?
Ioana wrote: "Michelle wrote: "GR has stopped sending email notifications. I was upset about it too. In order to get notifications to your phone you have to go into your settings and select which groups you want..."Apparently there was but I missed it too. My notifications reopen at approximately where I left off though. Maybe there is an adjustment in settings you could make?
Cut to the bone by
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese.This was a saga which spanned a lifetime making it difficult to give a good synopsis. The tale begins with the fraught birth of identical twins. Raised in a mission hospital in Ethiopia by parents who were both doctors, both boys chose medicine as their calling. For one fate leads him to the United States to train as a surgeon while the other stays behind to treat the patients he feels most called to serve. Circumstances separate them both physically and emotionally but then bring them full circle back to where they began.
I don’t know what prevented me from reading this for so long but I’m so glad this list made me pick it up at last. From the first words I was drawn into this story. There were many parts of this book that were truly unputdownable. I think I read the last 100 pages or so like the first 100 pages in one greedy sitting. This one truly does belong on a list of books that everyone should read. If you haven’t yet don’t be stubborn like I was, go find the book and get started.
5 unforgettable cutting for stone stars.
Quotable:
The world turns on our every action, and our every omission, whether we know it or not.”
― Abraham Verghese, Cutting for Stone
We are all fixing what is broken. It is the task of a lifetime. We'll leave much unfinished for the next generation.”
― Abraham Verghese, Cutting for Stone
We come unbidden into this life, and if we are lucky we find a purpose beyond starvation, misery, and early death which, lest we forget, is the common lot. I grew up and I found my purpose and it was to become a physician. My intent wasn't to save the world as much as to heal myself. Few doctors will admit this, certainly not young ones, but subconsciously, in entering the profession, we must believe that ministering to others will heal our woundedness. And it can. but it can also deepen the wound.”
― Abraham Verghese, Cutting for Stone
“It was as if nothing I’d ever done in my life prior to this counted. As if my past life was revealed to be a waste, a gesture in slow motion, because what I considered scarce and precious was in fact plentiful and cheap, and what I counted as rapid progress turned out to be glacially slow.”
-Abraham Verghese, Cutting for Stone
Michelle wrote: "Cut to the bone by Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese.This was a saga which spanned a lifetime making it difficult to give a ..."
One of my favorite books ever, I'm so glad you liked it!!!
I truly did. Have you read other books by this author? I'm wondering if I should put more by him on my TBR.
Michelle wrote: "I truly did. Have you read other books by this author? I'm wondering if I should put more by him on my TBR."I've read The Covenant of Water. I had high expectations, and was disappointed.
It has great reviews on GR, so maybe it was me...let me know what you think if/when you read it.
mmmm.....Sounds like I had better not plunge right in.
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One of those books I took in university but I don't believe I finished. Good luck.
Bill wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Started The Stranger. Only 3 more. That seems doable."One of those books I took in university but I don't believe I finished. Good luck."
Thanks Bill. On the one hand it is only 5 chapters long. On the other hand I can already see that it is more cerebral than action oriented. Fingers crossed.
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Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison.The story follows a young black man in 20th century America through his jour..."
Great reviews; and I have this book and Cutting for Stone on my tbr and on my physical shelves. I guess it's time to move them upstairs to the read now pile. Maybe, for next years challenge??
Alondra wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Finished another heavy hitter Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison.The story follows a young black man in 20th century America..."
Perfect for a challenge Alondra. Better make room on that read pile.
So I'm still working on The Stranger and Of Human Bondage (although I'll admit not working very hard) and I just started listening to Homegoing. If I can clean these all up I think that will take care of this list.
Taking it home with
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi.A series of interconnected short stories follow the lives of a family through generations. The stories begin with two sisters raised in the heart of their tribe and continues through generations from Africa to America and back again.
Once again I can’t believe it took me so long to read this book. It was excellent. Well written and compelling. Through the story of this family the author reveals history in a way that cannot be denied or misunderstood. Another beautiful example of the way that good books can foster understanding and bring people together.
4 our experiences can be felt for generations stars.
Quotable:
We believe the one who has power. He is the one who gets to write the story. So when you study history, you must ask yourself, Whose story am I missing? Whose voice was suppressed so that this voice could come forth? Once you have figured that out, you must find that story too. From there you get a clearer, yet still imperfect, picture.”
― Yaa Gyasi, Homegoing
The family is like the forest: if you are outside it is dense; if you are inside you see that each tree has its own position.”
― Yaa Gyasi, Homegoing
This is the problem of history. We cannot know that which we were not there to see and hear and experience for ourselves. We must rely upon the words of others. Those who were there in the olden days, they told stories to the children so that the children would know, so that the children could tell stories to their children. And so on, and so on.”
― Yaa Gyasi, Homegoing
No one forgets that they were once captive, even if they are now free.”
― Yaa Gyasi, Homegoing
Still chipping away at The Stranger and Of Human Bondage. I am having visions of myself still reading one or both of these at 11:59 on 12/31/24.
Finally!!!!!!!!
Of Human Bondage Yesssssssssss!!!!!!This book follows a young man from birth to adulthood, through a very long series of poor life choices, ill-advised business decisions, and fraught love affairs. After losing all his money, learning the value of work, and acknowledging the value of a true heart, he finally begins to shape a life worth living.
I did not enjoy this book but I will say that W. Somerset Maugham's writing was wonderful. The reader feels the youthful pains of the main character even as he winces knowing that his decisions will lead to disaster. There is a quote "Life is hard. It's even harder when you are stupid." I think that sums up the book. The main character gains less wisdom at the end than he does acceptance of life's ups and downs.
2 youthful failure to understand life's basics in excruciating detail stars.
Quotable:
“Like all weak men he laid an exaggerated stress on not changing one's mind.”
― W. Somerset Maugham, Of Human Bondage
“He did not care if she was heartless, vicious and vulgar, stupid and grasping, he loved her. He would rather have misery with one than happiness with the other.”
― W. Somerset Maugham, Of Human Bondage
“Self-control might be as passionate and as active as the surrender to passion...”
― William Somerset Maugham, Of Human Bondage
The secret to life is meaningless unless you discover it yourself.”
― W. Somerset Maugham, Of Human Bondage
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I actually loved The Painted Veil which made this book just that much more disappointing.
My mother loved Maugham's books, and I've only read and enjoyed The Painted Veil. For some reason, I'm afraid to try any of his others, and after reading your review, Of Human Bondage will slide down on the list. No worries, I have hundreds and hundreds of other books there...
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Of Human Bondage Yesssssssssss!!!!!!This book follows a young man from birth to adulthood, through a very long series of poor life c..."
Congrats, Michelle! When you can finally get through "that book"; its so worth it, even if it is not your favorite.
It is Alondra. I do think the book deserved 2 stars but if I were rating my relief in finishing it would be 5 stars.
@Ioana. I tried to point out in my review that the writing is excellent. Maugham's vivid writing style that let's you almost feel what the characters feel is what I enjoy about his books. In this case however it had the opposite effect. As a Mom who has watched young adult children make their mistakes this was just too much. I also felt that even in the end the MC didn't grow up enough or acknowledge his errors. Thankfully that is not part of my personal experience but it was a source of frustration for me with the book.
On The Same Page
Books mentioned in this topic
The Plague (other topics)The Stranger (other topics)
Of Human Bondage (other topics)
Of Human Bondage (other topics)
The Stranger (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
W. Somerset Maugham (other topics)Yaa Gyasi (other topics)
Ralph Ellison (other topics)
Ralph Ellison (other topics)
Abraham Verghese (other topics)
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Clearly, I'm not the one to explain it to you Lea. The Eric Carle book is about the third children's book that my family enjoyed and I didn't have a clue. I guess I raised my kids to read banned books and didn't even know it. I think I've even read the Eric Carle book to my grandson. Oh well, another generation.