What is the Sunday Salon?
The Sunday Salon is a place to link up and share what we have been doing during the week. It's also a great opportunity to visit other blogs and join in the conversations going on there.
I hate, hate, hate admitting it, but I have decided to give up on A Tale of Two Cities, at least for now. I did everything I usually do to make my way through a book---read chapter summaries, read a kid version, read a comic book---but nothing was helping.
I read A Day in the Life of Abed Salama and learned so much about the conflict that has been going on for so long in the Middle East, but reading this serious and important book took a lot out of me, and, with all the rest of the insanity going on around us in the US these days, I had to set aside Seek a Kind Person and There is No Place for Us for right now and find some reading that is more consoling.
What I Read Last Week:
A Day in the Life of Abed Salama: Anatomy of a Jerusalem Tragedy by Nathan Thrall
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
What I'm Reading Now:
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry (Chapter-a-Day)
Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty (Book Club)
Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton (Nonfiction)
Sanditon by Jane Austen (Classic)
What are you reading right now that you are enjoying?
What I Posted Last Week Here at Readerbuzz:
The Names by Florence Knapp: Book Beginnings on Fridays, First Line Friday, The Friday 56, and Book Blogger Hop
The idea behind this reading challenge is simple: Use the ease of summer to tackle a Big Book (400+ pages) or two or ... however many you want! You set your own goals. And if it is the start of winter where you live, then it's your Big Book Winter Challenge. Everyone is welcome to participate. The Big Book Summer Challenge is hosted by Sue at Book by Book.
The Details:
Hey, it's summer, so we'll keep this low-key and easy!
- Anything 400 pages or more qualifies as a big book.
- The challenge runs from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend (May 23 this year) through Labor Day (September 1 this year).
- Choose one or two or however many big books you want as your goal. Wait, did you get that? You only need to read 1 book with 400+ pages this summer to participate! (though you are welcome to read more, if you want).
- No sign-ups are necessary! All readers are welcome to participate.
- If you are a blogger or YouTuber and want to share your Big Book Summer plans, book reviews, or wrap-ups, you can add your link(s) to the links list here so others can find you.
- Join the 2025 Big Book Summer Goodreads group to enjoy Big Book discussions all summer long! We always have a lively group with lots of fun book chat. Or if you prefer, join the Big Book Summer Storygraph group.
- For chatting on other social media platforms, use #BigBookSummer
That's it! Go check out your shelves and your TBR list for chunksters and get started!
What kind of books "count"? All kinds! Middle-grade, YA, graphic novels, classics, all genres, all types--as long as they are at least 400 pages. Yes, e-books and audio books count, too--just check online for the number of pages in the print edition.
My potential reads:
- Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry - 964 pages
- The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang - 545 pages
- Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty - 505 pages
- Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945 - 955 pages
- Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - 474 pages
- Pigeon Post by Arthur Ransome - 548 pages
- Dangerous Liaisons by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos - 400 pages
- Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser - 557 pages
- A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens - 590 pages
I began to list 3 Good Things every day during the pandemic. Now I've established a regular routine of writing down my 3 Good Things. Here are 3 Good Things from last week:
Good Thing #1:
Egg. Caterpillar. Pupa. Adult Butterfly.
I enjoyed watching
the development of a Painted Lady butterfly
over twenty days.
Good Thing #2:
One of a pair of Mississippi Kites
in our Live Oak tree this week.
Good Thing #3:
Eating fresh green beans (friend's garden),
tomatoes (ours), kale (ours), cucumbers (ours),
and peppers (ours).
Reading books (and news articles) on depressing or challenging topics is definitely overwhelming when so many bad things are happening to our country! I had to give up on a history book this week and seek an escape novel, so I’m sympathetic to your experience!
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting Sunday Salon … mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Read what gives you comfort. We are surrounded by bad news.
ReplyDeleteSometimes we just have to rethink books. I'm almost done with one I nearly put down and I'm glad I'm closing in on it. But it was close. Sometimes you have to stop a bit and read something a little more fun or encouraging.
ReplyDeleteI’m definitely more of a mood reader these days. Health challenges for those I love and world news has impacted what I read and when. Take care and have a great week.
ReplyDeleteI had to read The Tale of Two Cities in high school English lit. It is wordy and grim. I made my peace with it because I had to, and ultimately did enjoy the story. Or maybe I was just glad to have finished. Ha! I don’t blame you for choosing to read something lighter after a A Day in the Life of Abed Salama. I don’t think I could face that one right now.
ReplyDeleteSometimes consoling reading is what we need -- there are times we need to replenish, or at least, read something that isn't draining us! Hope you found something suitable.
ReplyDeleteAlso, added The Lives of Stoics to my TBR list after reading your review.
ReplyDeleteI was in Frisco, Texas last weekend so didn't have a Sunday Post. But I'm back - we visited restaurants, the giant bookstore there, and held or breaths during a few tornado warnings. There was also a wedding and lots of good food.
ReplyDeleteWe took over a month to read A Tale of Two Cities in high school, examining it in detail, so it was not a chore that way. it became one of my favorite books, as our teacher was so good at explaining all the political and social/historical meanings of that era. We also watched the black and white movie later on, the one that became a classic, made in 1935 with Dirk Bogarde. I would suggest seeing it or one of the other later movie versions before trying the book again, which was written in 19th century English! And not easy!
I forgot to say that the movie A Tale of Two Cities is o YouTube or Amazon Prime! H ope you get a chance to see it!
ReplyDeleteHarvee https://harvee44.blogspot.com/2025/05/bookstore-browsing-sunday-salon.html
I'm going to be curious what you (and your book club?) think about Here One Moment. I read that several months ago and liked it. It's different from what the author usually writes or I found it so. Hope you guys enjoy it and have a nice discussion. Also hope you have a nice Memorial Day weekend!
ReplyDeleteThe butterfly is pretty. I love fresh green beans.
ReplyDeleteI think reading for escape is high on everyone's list right now. Real life is far too disturbing. I got out for a hike on a new-to-me trail today with a friend and it was so nice to be away from my computer. I'm guilty of doomscrolling too often every day. Being outdoors in nature is so much more pleasant!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit I DNF books more often than I like. But life is short and books are many – too many for me to read in a lifetime! 😊You are not alone in cleansing your reading pallet – and needing a break from the insanity in the US. How fun to watching the Painted Lady butterfly! I used to love doing that activity with my students. Your garden dish looks delicious – and most from your own garden! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI'm no good when it comes to gardening foods and flowers but my mom was a pro at both. I'm so sad about what's going on right now.
ReplyDeleteI love fresh green beans. Deb, I am so happy to have found you again! We used to follow each other's blogs when I was at Linda's Peaceful Place. I had no computer for more than 7 years and due to the amount of time that had passed, I lost access to my old blog. I have missed you!
ReplyDeleteI started a new blog at the end of March, Linda's Relaxing Lair (the link to my blog is in my profile).
I wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you, that I have started blogging again, and where you can find me.
Your blog is lovely! Take good care of yourself and warm greetings from Montreal, Canada.
Sometimes you just need some light reading to take the pressure off. Your three good things are a delight.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing that tastes better than vegetables you have raised in your own garden. Yours look yummy! And I just saw a Painted Lady butterfly in my backyard this afternoon. It must have only recently completed its metamorphosis because it still looked pristine and beautiful. In the world of Nature, that doesn't last long.
ReplyDeleteI definitely am reading for enjoyment and feel good factor these days! Most of the time anyway!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Here's to consoling reads, I can definitely use some of those. I felt better myself after reading Mirabai Starr's version of the Showings of Julian of Norwich - it was lovely. Your veggies look delicious, how lucky to have so much freshness in your life. And I have to check out Raising Hare now - I just saw it on another blog.
ReplyDeleteI've been meaning to reread Tale of Two Cities but also have to be in the right mood. Maybe a buddy read? But no pressure.
Oh, you're reading Here One Moment. I really enjoyed that one! I keep seeing Lonesome Dove on people's lists and feel like I should read it.
ReplyDeleteYes, you need lighter books!
ReplyDeleteI love Mississippi Kites, such interesting faces! Every year, we rent a tiny cabin for a week at Giant City Park in the Shawnee National Forest (southern Illinois). Going back every year makes you familiar with which bird lives where. They live 8 years on average, so I may have known a couple of generations, always perching on the same old dead tree
How satisfying to watch a butterfly grow!
ReplyDeleteI read A Tale of Two Cities in high school. Back when I had hours a day to read and people I wanted to impress. I'm glad that I did it, mostly so that I have context for "It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known." But, I wouldn't choose to read it again.
I didn't put in my reading in today's post. So, I'll confess here that I gave up on One Day by David Nicholls. I want likeable characters, right now. I'm doing better with The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club by Helen Simonson.
ReplyDeleteYou have a lot on your platter with these big reads. I'm interested in how you're liking the hare book -- is it good? I might try Dream Count for my Big Book summer read. The Kite bird looks amazing! thx for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt's a very gentle read. I'm only about 1/3 of the way into the book.
DeleteI completely understand why you want more comfort reads, right now. A Tale of Two Cities isn't remotely comfortable. I loved the photos charting the progress of your butterfly emerging and all those lovely fresh-grown vegetables on your plate:)). I hope the coming week is a kind one for you, Deb:)).
ReplyDeleteJoined the Big Book group. Don't know if I'll have time to squeeze a big book in, but I always think of the Goldfinch, which I really enjoyed. Also, had to say (again?) that I really like your Everyone is Welcome Here graphic :)
ReplyDeleteNew here looking to follow some new people!
ReplyDeleteWith all that is going on in this country right now, you are definitely not alone when it comes to leaning into consoling reads! My two most recent reads also served that purpose. I've only read a handful of Dickens novels, but never hesitate to mention that A Tale of Two Cities is my least favorite.
ReplyDeleteThe world is a scary place at the moment. Our area has just voted in a crazy party (I did not!) to take over the Local Council. Goodness knows what they are going to do to our area. The life cycle of a butterfly is fun.
ReplyDeleteI tend to shy away from anything over 400pages. I am too slow a reader for that! Plus I am in Blog Tours and have Netgalley deadlines.
Enjoy your books.
Have a good week next week!
Wow! Congrats on the birth of your beautiful butterfly!!!! And all the yummy garden veggies look delicious!
ReplyDeleteI added A Day in the Life of Abed Salama and There is No Place for Us to my TBR. I'd really like to know what the heck we are ever going to do about the homeless. Just today I saw where a Target (?) in California (?) has an annoying alarm that goes off whenever it detects movement on the stairs. Purpose is to keep the homeless from sleeping in that little sheltered area. I see all sides. Shoppers are scared to walk past the people sleeping on the stairs because you never know if the person is on drugs and going to attack you. Shop owners want to protect their shoppers. But what about the homeless person who is totally harmless and JUST needs somewhere safe and warm to sleep? What are we going to doooooooooooooooooooooo????? We have to help the regular homeless and the ones on drugs and the ones with mental issues. But how? How? How? How?
Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, the book is not right for us. No guilt, just let it go. LOVE all the fresh veggies from your garden and a friend's! I really want a yard with a fence so we can have a garden and keep the deer out!
ReplyDeleteWhy don't I know Sandition? How odd. My brain at the moment...sheesh.I'd like to join your challnge but I think it will take me the whole month to get thru a 400 page book. I'll see how I go with my book club books then seek one out.
ReplyDeleteI have been known to DNF books occasionally, too. There's no harm in it. Sometimes switching to the audio version helps! Sometimes, not. I'm glad you've moved on (for now). I've just finished re-reading 1984 (!!!) and have followed it up with an easy fantasy, Greenteeth by Molly O'Neill. I am enjoying it greatly :-) Hope your week ahead is lovely!
ReplyDeleteWait, Lonesome Dove is almost 1000 pages? It didn't feel that way when I read it eons ago. Just goes to show it's not necessarily the size of the book but its ability to transport you.
ReplyDeleteI can understand setting A Tale of Two Cities aside for now. I remember reading it in high school but don't remember much about it beyond its very famous opening lines. I'm not so sure about Huckleberry Finn. I know I've been assigned to read it at least three times in various English classes, but don't think I ever managed to finish it. I really, really hate books with lots of dialect and non-standard English. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteThat Kite in a tree is wonderful to see. Sometimes books aren't right for the now. I have never read a Tale of Two Cities and most likely never will.
ReplyDeleteHi Deb, I love ❤️ to 📚 read. I enjoy non fiction. So I love to read some biographies, books about World War II, Chicken Soup for the Soul, etc.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back to Big Book Summer, Deb! That looks like a great list of Big Book possibilities for you. Lonesome Dove ended up being my #1 book of the year last year, so I hope you enjoy it just as much. Interesting about A Tale of Two Cities. I haven't read it since high school (when I liked it), and I've been meaning to reread it, since I like Dickens. I wonder if I'll like it as much now? Hey, I just noticed that you live in Alvin, TX! My husband lived there for 11 years, in the 70's & 80's. He worked at the Chocolate Bayou plant, when it was owned by Monsanto, then Conoco, then DuPont (we've heard it's changed hands many more times since then!), until he moved to Louisiana in 1986, where he met me :) Just a fun coincidence!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your Big Books!
Sue
2025 Big Book Summer Challenge
I can't seem to tackle serious subjects in reading these days, so I totally understand the desire to break away. Good luck with your big book reading challenge. Pretty butterfly! Took some parsley out of my garden this week and saw some flowers on the tomato plants. Always fun and satisfying eating fresh. Hope you enjoy your week.
ReplyDeletehttps://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2025/05/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-and.html
I'm reading Mansfield Park right now and getting through it better than I thought I would. I have definitely DNF'd a book or two that I felt was too much at the time.
ReplyDeleteVery cool about the butterfly too!
Forgot to add that I couldn't make it through A Tale of Two Cities. Not even an audiobook could save it for me. I'll try again someday....maybe...
ReplyDeleteI had the same issue with Great Expectations. I really tried and I tried all the versions I could think of but it just didn't work for me. I finally had to have a sit down with myself and remind myself that not all books work for everyone. I've been reading light and fast paced lately and it's been working for me. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteI have watched the movies from Dickens' books, and I'll stick to that. Enjoy whatever you choose for the Summer Challenge.
ReplyDeleteDid you like Raising Hare? I've thought about adding it to my TBR list, but a lot of animal stories are too sappy for my tastes.
ReplyDeleteYes, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. It's not sappy at all; in fact, it's the opposite---I wondered if it might be too dry for some people. But I really liked it.
DeleteI am poking along on Go Tell It On the Mountain. At 12 pages a day it takes forever to finish even a short book, I can't imagine who you did it with a nearly 500 page book in A Tale of Two Cities. The other book I am poking along at is Watchmen. It is so dark yet it is so revered. I will finish it but can't say I love it.
ReplyDeleteNo, I didn't finish A Tale of Two Cities. I set it aside for now.
Delete