Take It or Leave It Challenge - August 2025
Talk 75 Books Challenge for 2025
Join LibraryThing to post.
1SqueakyChu
For those new to this challenge: More info and monthly index can be found in post #1 of this thread or this TIOLI FAQS wiki.
...logo by cyderry
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Your TIOLI challenge for August, 2025, is to...
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Read a book with a title containing only two or three words in which at least two of the words have the same number of letters
***************************************************
Rules:
1. Do not use words containing an apostrophe or a hyphen.
2. Disregard subtitles.
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Other Stuff (not part of the TIOLI challenge):
1. @FAMeulstee's 2025 TIOLI Sweeplette Meter
2. @FAMeulstee's Our TIOLI Sweeps
3. Morphidae's List of Previous TIOLI Challenges (2010-2016) - A reference (Do a control-F scan) to avoid repeating a previous challenge. If your idea is similar to a previous challenge, make it unique by adding a new "twist" to it. (Exception: Any challenge previously entered by FAMeulstee)
4. The August 2025 TIOLI Meter - Optional page on which you may track your TIOLI reading. Not competitive--- just fun!
...logo by cyderry
---------------------------------------------------------------
Your TIOLI challenge for August, 2025, is to...
*************************************************
Read a book with a title containing only two or three words in which at least two of the words have the same number of letters
***************************************************
Rules:
1. Do not use words containing an apostrophe or a hyphen.
2. Disregard subtitles.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Stuff (not part of the TIOLI challenge):
1. @FAMeulstee's 2025 TIOLI Sweeplette Meter
2. @FAMeulstee's Our TIOLI Sweeps
3. Morphidae's List of Previous TIOLI Challenges (2010-2016) - A reference (Do a control-F scan) to avoid repeating a previous challenge. If your idea is similar to a previous challenge, make it unique by adding a new "twist" to it. (Exception: Any challenge previously entered by FAMeulstee)
4. The August 2025 TIOLI Meter - Optional page on which you may track your TIOLI reading. Not competitive--- just fun!
2SqueakyChu
Index of Challenges:
Challenges #1-6
1. Read a book with a title containing two or three words of which at least two of the words have the same number of letters - msg #1
2. Read a book written by a Benelux author - msg #3
3. Read a story or essay collection - msg #4
4. Read a book where the title (not including subtitles) has at least one word with 3 consonants in a row - msg #5
5. Read a book that has something to do with citizenjoyce's son - msg #7
6. Read a book where the majority of it is set in a landlocked country - msg #6
Challenges #7-12
7. Read a book with the vowels E, I, and O (in that order) somewhere in the title - msg #8
8. Read a book you'd planned to read earlier this summer - msg #10
9. Read a book with a vehicle in the title - msg #12
10. Read any book by an author from the Booker Longlist - msg #13
11. Read a book where you have more than one book by that author on your TBR - msg #14
12. Read a book whose title features a cartographic, geological or geographic term - msg #18
Challenges #13-15
13. Read a book with a connection to the number 8 - msg #17
14. Read a book with a title that is a command or instruction - msg #28
15. Read a book by an author with an Irish or Scottish name or descent - msg #43
Hold your challenge until the September, 2025, TIOLI thread is posted. Thank you.
Challenges #1-6
1. Read a book with a title containing two or three words of which at least two of the words have the same number of letters - msg #1
2. Read a book written by a Benelux author - msg #3
3. Read a story or essay collection - msg #4
4. Read a book where the title (not including subtitles) has at least one word with 3 consonants in a row - msg #5
5. Read a book that has something to do with citizenjoyce's son - msg #7
6. Read a book where the majority of it is set in a landlocked country - msg #6
Challenges #7-12
7. Read a book with the vowels E, I, and O (in that order) somewhere in the title - msg #8
8. Read a book you'd planned to read earlier this summer - msg #10
9. Read a book with a vehicle in the title - msg #12
10. Read any book by an author from the Booker Longlist - msg #13
11. Read a book where you have more than one book by that author on your TBR - msg #14
12. Read a book whose title features a cartographic, geological or geographic term - msg #18
Challenges #13-15
13. Read a book with a connection to the number 8 - msg #17
14. Read a book with a title that is a command or instruction - msg #28
15. Read a book by an author with an Irish or Scottish name or descent - msg #43
Hold your challenge until the September, 2025, TIOLI thread is posted. Thank you.
3PaulCranswick
Challenge #2 - Read a Book by an author from the Benelux Countries
Anita Fameulstee Memorial Read.
This coincides with the European Grand Tour Challenge also and is in honour of one of the TIOLI's greatest ever exponents - the wonderful, loved and always missed, Anita.
Simple enough any author born in or with citizenship of one of the three Benelux countries - Netherlands, Belgium or Luxembourg.
Some Dutch options:
Harry Mulisch, Gerard Reve, Hella Haase, Cees Nooteboom, Multatuli, Michel Faber, Yael Van der Wouden, Tim Krabbe, Astrid Roemer, Gerbrand Bakker, Robert Van Gulick, Simone Van der Vlught, Herman Koch, Jente Posthuma, Corrie Ten Boom.
Some Belgian options:
Willem Elsschot, Georges Simenon, Hugo Claus, Chika Unigwe, Jacqueline Harpman, Julio Cortazar, Amelie Nothomb, Herge, Dmitri Verhulst, Stefan Hertmans
Anita Fameulstee Memorial Read.
This coincides with the European Grand Tour Challenge also and is in honour of one of the TIOLI's greatest ever exponents - the wonderful, loved and always missed, Anita.
Simple enough any author born in or with citizenship of one of the three Benelux countries - Netherlands, Belgium or Luxembourg.
Some Dutch options:
Harry Mulisch, Gerard Reve, Hella Haase, Cees Nooteboom, Multatuli, Michel Faber, Yael Van der Wouden, Tim Krabbe, Astrid Roemer, Gerbrand Bakker, Robert Van Gulick, Simone Van der Vlught, Herman Koch, Jente Posthuma, Corrie Ten Boom.
Some Belgian options:
Willem Elsschot, Georges Simenon, Hugo Claus, Chika Unigwe, Jacqueline Harpman, Julio Cortazar, Amelie Nothomb, Herge, Dmitri Verhulst, Stefan Hertmans
4avatiakh
Challenge #3 : Read a story or essay collection
Short story collections, anthologies, folktales, essays and journalism articles
eta: poetry collections
Short story collections, anthologies, folktales, essays and journalism articles
eta: poetry collections
5dallenbaugh
Challenge #4: Read a book where the title (not including subtitles) has at least one word with 3 consonants in a row
6DeltaQueen50
Challenge #6: Read a book where the majority of it is set in a landlocked country (see Wikipedia article and list of countries: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landlocked_country
7Citizenjoyce
In honor of my son's August birthday -
Challenge #5: Read a book that has something to do with my son. State what it is.
On a personal level, he's an introvert and a certified electrician who loves doing home repairs and watching YouTube videos to figure out how to do them. He also loves science fiction and fantasy, barbecue, and, alas, trump.
On a sociological level, you can read anything about mothers and sons or how men fit into today's society.
On a scientific level, nothing about cancer unless it's specifically multiple myeloma or details about stem cell transplants or the cost of medical treatments.
I'll be reading What Is Wrong with Men: Patriarchy, the Crisis of Masculinity, and How (Of Course) Michael Douglas Films Explain Everything by Jessa Crispin.
Challenge #5: Read a book that has something to do with my son. State what it is.
On a personal level, he's an introvert and a certified electrician who loves doing home repairs and watching YouTube videos to figure out how to do them. He also loves science fiction and fantasy, barbecue, and, alas, trump.
On a sociological level, you can read anything about mothers and sons or how men fit into today's society.
On a scientific level, nothing about cancer unless it's specifically multiple myeloma or details about stem cell transplants or the cost of medical treatments.
I'll be reading What Is Wrong with Men: Patriarchy, the Crisis of Masculinity, and How (Of Course) Michael Douglas Films Explain Everything by Jessa Crispin.
8alcottacre
Challenge #7: The EIEIO Challenge: Read a book with the vowels E, I, and O (in that order) somewhere in the title. Subtitles will not count for this particular challenge.
Bonus points for EIEIO! Lol
Bonus points for EIEIO! Lol
9alcottacre
Never mind, lol
10susanna.fraser
Challenge #8: Read a book you'd planned to read earlier this summer
Simple and self-serving!
Simple and self-serving!
11PaulCranswick
>9 alcottacre: I thought it was a good question, Stasia!
12Carmenere
Challenge #9: Read a book with a vehicle in the title
A vehicle is any machine (manual or otherwise fueled) that transports beings. Anything from canoes to flying saucers is acceptable. I will also accept embedded words, so "car" in carpool is fine.
A vehicle is any machine (manual or otherwise fueled) that transports beings. Anything from canoes to flying saucers is acceptable. I will also accept embedded words, so "car" in carpool is fine.
13Kristelh
Challenge #10. The Booker Longlist will be announced Tuesday, July 29, 2025, according to The Booker Prizes. Read any book by an author from the longlist.
You do not need to read the actual book that was nominated.
Here’s the link; https://thebookerprizes.com/
You do not need to read the actual book that was nominated.
Here’s the link; https://thebookerprizes.com/
14wandering_star
Challenge #11: Read a book where you have more than one book by that author on your TBR
Sorry for ungrammaticality. If anyone can suggest a better way of expressing this I can change the wording!
If you are someone with a small enough TBR that you don't have multiple unread books by any author on it,what are you doing on LT? you can read a book where you have multiple books by that author on your wishlist.
Sorry for ungrammaticality. If anyone can suggest a better way of expressing this I can change the wording!
If you are someone with a small enough TBR that you don't have multiple unread books by any author on it,
15Carmenere
>5 dallenbaugh: Would you consider the word "spy" having 3 consonants?
17lindapanzo
Challenge #13: Read a book with a connection to the number 8
In honor of the 8th month of the year, read a book with a connection to the number eight. Please identify the connection.
An 8th book in a series. The word eight (or an 8) in the title. An 8 letter title word. Whatever you can come up with.
In honor of the 8th month of the year, read a book with a connection to the number eight. Please identify the connection.
An 8th book in a series. The word eight (or an 8) in the title. An 8 letter title word. Whatever you can come up with.
18Chatterbox
Challenge #12: Read a book whose title includes a cartographic, geographic or geological term or phrase
If you want to read Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner, now's your chance! The whole title is a geographic term defined as "The steepest angle of descent or dip, relative to the horizontal plane, at which a mass of loose, freely movable material such as sand or unconsolidated rock debris can remain stationary, i.e. without sliding downward, despite the pull of gravity."
Or there's Offshore by Penelope Fitzgerald, defined as "Comparatively flat zone of variable width that extends from the outer margin of the rather steeply sloping shoreface to the edge of the continental shelf."
Here's one source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_geography_terms_(A%E2%80%93M)#A
another one. https://maps.lib.utexas.edu/maps/glossary.html
I won't be too doctrinaire. Words in a subtitle are OK. While "Antarctic Circle" is given as a geographic term, I'm fine with Antarctic or Arctic or Antarctica.
Embedded words are OK as LONG AS THEY ARE USED IN THE GEOGRAPHIC/CARTOGRAPHIC CONTEXT. So a book about Robert MAPplethorpe or MAPle trees may technically include the word "map" -- but in neither word is it used in the context of what we think of as a map. On the other hand, a book about mapping the world, or the human genome, would work perfectly.
I'm trying to cover all possible scenarios here, though I realize I've probably overlooked some!
If you want to read Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner, now's your chance! The whole title is a geographic term defined as "The steepest angle of descent or dip, relative to the horizontal plane, at which a mass of loose, freely movable material such as sand or unconsolidated rock debris can remain stationary, i.e. without sliding downward, despite the pull of gravity."
Or there's Offshore by Penelope Fitzgerald, defined as "Comparatively flat zone of variable width that extends from the outer margin of the rather steeply sloping shoreface to the edge of the continental shelf."
Here's one source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_geography_terms_(A%E2%80%93M)#A
another one. https://maps.lib.utexas.edu/maps/glossary.html
I won't be too doctrinaire. Words in a subtitle are OK. While "Antarctic Circle" is given as a geographic term, I'm fine with Antarctic or Arctic or Antarctica.
Embedded words are OK as LONG AS THEY ARE USED IN THE GEOGRAPHIC/CARTOGRAPHIC CONTEXT. So a book about Robert MAPplethorpe or MAPle trees may technically include the word "map" -- but in neither word is it used in the context of what we think of as a map. On the other hand, a book about mapping the world, or the human genome, would work perfectly.
I'm trying to cover all possible scenarios here, though I realize I've probably overlooked some!
19Carmenere
>16 dallenbaugh: Yay! Thank you!
20alcottacre
>11 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul, but no matter.
21alcottacre
>12 Carmenere: Does it have to be a real life vehicle or can it be a fictional vehicle, Linda?
22jeanned
I just wrapped up 11 books by Ian McDonald over the past 10 months (yes, I counted)—exploring lunar dynasties, sentient AI, and lush, complex futures. It’s been a whirlwind of speculative fiction that stretched both imagination and heart, with The Dervish House being one of my favorite reads so far this year. I am feeling that if I re-read Brasyl, which I first read 15 years ago, I would have a better appreciation now, but I'm going to resist that urge for a bit.
Because...
Now I’m setting my sights on another deep dive—this time into the works of Adrian Tchaikovsky, whose books range from alien linguistics and post-human evolution to insect-inspired civilizations and time-bending tales. If you’re up for giant spiders, deep space drama, rogue AI, or philosophical detours into what makes us... well, us, I’d love some company on this next deep dive. I’ll be stretching it out over the next few months, fitting books into TIOLI challenges as I can —so keep an eye out if, like me, you have yet to explore this particular brand of stellar sci-fi and speculative fantasy.
I'll be starting with the book one of the Children of Time series, winner of the 2016 Arthur C. Clarke Award, Children of Time, in Challenge #4.
Because...
Now I’m setting my sights on another deep dive—this time into the works of Adrian Tchaikovsky, whose books range from alien linguistics and post-human evolution to insect-inspired civilizations and time-bending tales. If you’re up for giant spiders, deep space drama, rogue AI, or philosophical detours into what makes us... well, us, I’d love some company on this next deep dive. I’ll be stretching it out over the next few months, fitting books into TIOLI challenges as I can —so keep an eye out if, like me, you have yet to explore this particular brand of stellar sci-fi and speculative fantasy.
I'll be starting with the book one of the Children of Time series, winner of the 2016 Arthur C. Clarke Award, Children of Time, in Challenge #4.
23alcottacre
>17 lindapanzo: Linda, the challenge needs to appear on the wiki at number 13 else it is liable to be replaced by someone else's number 13 and the number of yours changed.
I am sincerely hoping that this is just an oversight and nothing is going on with your mother.
I am sincerely hoping that this is just an oversight and nothing is going on with your mother.
24lindapanzo
>23 alcottacre: I put it on the next page after 7 through 12. Is that wrong?
25alcottacre
>24 lindapanzo: No, I am just an idiot. I am so sorry.
26lindapanzo
>25 alcottacre: Oh good. Not you but, after all these years, I don't think I ever put a new challenge at the top of a new page. Wasn't sure if there were any differences so I just used the very first edit button at the top, like I always do.
27alcottacre
>26 lindapanzo: My problem, I guess, is that on this page challenge 12 is below challenge 13, and for some reason I think that translated in my brain to that was the way it should be on the wiki too. Who knows, lol?
That is cool that you got a 'first for you' thing in this month!
That is cool that you got a 'first for you' thing in this month!
28Morphidae
Challenge #14: Read a book with a title that is a command or instruction
It must include the full title but not the subtitle (unless that is also an command or instruction.)
+×+×+×+
Examples in no particular order:
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab
Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell
Never Flinch by Stephen King
Do Not Disturb by Freida McFadden
It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Lights Out by Navessa Allen
Nobody Move by Philip Elliott
Do Not Become Alarmed by Maile Meloy
Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert
Say Yes to the Marquess by Tessa Dare
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
Give Me a Sign by Anna Sortino
Capture the Crown by Jennifer Estep
Let's Pretend This Will Work by Maddie Dawson
Gild by Raven Kennedy
Nonfiction
Keep Sharp by Sanjay Gupta M.D.
Make It Stick by Peter C. Brown
Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
Gulp or Grunt or Bonk by Mary Roach
Quiet by Susan Cain
It must include the full title but not the subtitle (unless that is also an command or instruction.)
+×+×+×+
Examples in no particular order:
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab
Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell
Never Flinch by Stephen King
Do Not Disturb by Freida McFadden
It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Lights Out by Navessa Allen
Nobody Move by Philip Elliott
Do Not Become Alarmed by Maile Meloy
Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert
Say Yes to the Marquess by Tessa Dare
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
Give Me a Sign by Anna Sortino
Capture the Crown by Jennifer Estep
Let's Pretend This Will Work by Maddie Dawson
Gild by Raven Kennedy
Nonfiction
Keep Sharp by Sanjay Gupta M.D.
Make It Stick by Peter C. Brown
Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
Gulp or Grunt or Bonk by Mary Roach
Quiet by Susan Cain
29Chatterbox
>27 alcottacre: I think the mismatch is my fault. I had a gap between posting the challenge on the wiki and being able to hop back to the thread and put it there...
>28 Morphidae: ... although I think that makes Morphy's cool challenge #14.
We are doing well for challenges this month!
>28 Morphidae: ... although I think that makes Morphy's cool challenge #14.
We are doing well for challenges this month!
30alcottacre
>29 Chatterbox: No, the mismatch was not the problem, Suzanne. The problem was all me, lol.
Yes, we are! I am really digging it.
Yes, we are! I am really digging it.
31Citizenjoyce
My planned reads:
Challenge #1: Read a book with a title containing only two or three words of which at least two of the words have the same number of letters - started by SqueakyChu
✔The Dream Hotel - Laila Lalami (4)
Challenge #2 : Read a book written by a Benelux author - started by PaulCranswick
✔Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl - Anne Frank (5)
Challenge #3 : Read a story or essay collection - started by avatiakh
✔The Very Best of the Best: 35 Years of The Year's Best Science Fiction - Gardner Dozois (Editor) (4)
Challenge #4: Read a book where the title (not including subtitles) has at least one word with 3 consonants in a row - started by dallenbaugh
*✔Dragonclaw (The Witches of Eileanan)- Kate Forsyth (3.5)
✔The Night Ends with Fire - K. X. Song (4)
Challenge #5: Read a book that has something to do with my son. State what it is. - started by Citizenjoyce
✔Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz (4)
✔Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said - Philip K. Dick (3.5)
✔Kitty and The Midnight Hour - Carrie Vaughn (3.5)
✔Not My Type: One Woman vs. a President - E. Jean Carroll (5)
✔So Far Gone: A Novel by Jess Walter (4)
✔Too Old for This - Samantha Downing (4)
✔What Is Wrong with Men: Patriarchy, the Crisis of Masculinity, and How (Of Course) Michael Douglas Films Explain Everything - Jessa Crispin (4)
Challenge #6: Read a book where the majority of it is set in a landlocked country - started by DeltaQueen
✔The Inkblots: Hermann Rorschach, His Iconic Test, and the Power of; Seeing - Damion Searls (4.5)
Challenge #7: The EIEIO Challenge: Read a book with the vowels E, I, and O (in that order) somewhere in the title. - Started by AlcottAcre
✔The Bright Sword: A Novel of King Arthur - Lev Grossman (4)
✔The Witch of New York: The Trials of Polly Bodine and the Cursed Birth of Tabloid Justice by Alex Hortis (4)
Challenge #8: Read a book you'd planned to read earlier this summer - Started by susanna.fraser
*✔Four Treasures of the Sky: A Novel - Jenny Tinghui Zhang (4.5)
*✔The Monsters We Defy - Leslye Penelope (4.5)
Challenge #9: Read a book with a vehicle in the title - Started by Carmenere
✔Orphan Train Escape - Rachel Wesson (3)
Challenge #10: The Booker Longlist will be announced Tuesday, July 29, 2025, according to The Booker Prizes. Read any book by an author from the longlist. Started by Kristelh
*✔Audition - Katie Kitamura (3.5)
*The Inheritance of Loss - Kiran Desai
*✔Pure - Andrew Miller (3.5)
*The South- Tash Aw
Challenge #11: Read a book where you have more than one book by that author on your TBR - started by wandering_star
*✔Gun Island - Amitav Ghosh (4)
*✔The Magician's Daughter- H. G. Parry (3.5)
Challenge #12: Read a book whose title features a cartographic, geological or geographic term - Started by Chatterbox
*✔Rivers of London - Ben Aaronovitch (3.5)
Challenge #13: Read a book with a connection to the number 8 - Started by lindapanzo
*✔8 Lives of a Century-Old Trickster - Mirinae Lee (4)
Challenge #14: Read a book with a title that is a command or instruction - Started by Morphidae
✔America, Let Me In: A Choose Your Immigration Story - Felipe Torres Medina (4.5)
Let Me Tell You - Shirley Jackson
Challenge #15: Read a book by an author with an Irish or Scottish name or descent - started by countrylife
*The Book Club for Troublesome Women - Marie Botswick
The Briar Club: A Thrilling and Powerful Story of Female Friendships and Secrets - Kate Quinn
For Your Own Good - Samantha Downing
Nesting: A Novel - Roisín O'Donnell
✔The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder - David Grann (5)
Challenge #1: Read a book with a title containing only two or three words of which at least two of the words have the same number of letters - started by SqueakyChu
✔The Dream Hotel - Laila Lalami (4)
Challenge #2 : Read a book written by a Benelux author - started by PaulCranswick
✔Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl - Anne Frank (5)
Challenge #3 : Read a story or essay collection - started by avatiakh
✔The Very Best of the Best: 35 Years of The Year's Best Science Fiction - Gardner Dozois (Editor) (4)
Challenge #4: Read a book where the title (not including subtitles) has at least one word with 3 consonants in a row - started by dallenbaugh
*✔Dragonclaw (The Witches of Eileanan)- Kate Forsyth (3.5)
✔The Night Ends with Fire - K. X. Song (4)
Challenge #5: Read a book that has something to do with my son. State what it is. - started by Citizenjoyce
✔Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz (4)
✔Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said - Philip K. Dick (3.5)
✔Kitty and The Midnight Hour - Carrie Vaughn (3.5)
✔Not My Type: One Woman vs. a President - E. Jean Carroll (5)
✔So Far Gone: A Novel by Jess Walter (4)
✔Too Old for This - Samantha Downing (4)
✔What Is Wrong with Men: Patriarchy, the Crisis of Masculinity, and How (Of Course) Michael Douglas Films Explain Everything - Jessa Crispin (4)
Challenge #6: Read a book where the majority of it is set in a landlocked country - started by DeltaQueen
✔The Inkblots: Hermann Rorschach, His Iconic Test, and the Power of; Seeing - Damion Searls (4.5)
Challenge #7: The EIEIO Challenge: Read a book with the vowels E, I, and O (in that order) somewhere in the title. - Started by AlcottAcre
✔The Bright Sword: A Novel of King Arthur - Lev Grossman (4)
✔The Witch of New York: The Trials of Polly Bodine and the Cursed Birth of Tabloid Justice by Alex Hortis (4)
Challenge #8: Read a book you'd planned to read earlier this summer - Started by susanna.fraser
*✔Four Treasures of the Sky: A Novel - Jenny Tinghui Zhang (4.5)
*✔The Monsters We Defy - Leslye Penelope (4.5)
Challenge #9: Read a book with a vehicle in the title - Started by Carmenere
✔Orphan Train Escape - Rachel Wesson (3)
Challenge #10: The Booker Longlist will be announced Tuesday, July 29, 2025, according to The Booker Prizes. Read any book by an author from the longlist. Started by Kristelh
*✔Audition - Katie Kitamura (3.5)
*The Inheritance of Loss - Kiran Desai
*✔Pure - Andrew Miller (3.5)
*The South- Tash Aw
Challenge #11: Read a book where you have more than one book by that author on your TBR - started by wandering_star
*✔Gun Island - Amitav Ghosh (4)
*✔The Magician's Daughter- H. G. Parry (3.5)
Challenge #12: Read a book whose title features a cartographic, geological or geographic term - Started by Chatterbox
*✔Rivers of London - Ben Aaronovitch (3.5)
Challenge #13: Read a book with a connection to the number 8 - Started by lindapanzo
*✔8 Lives of a Century-Old Trickster - Mirinae Lee (4)
Challenge #14: Read a book with a title that is a command or instruction - Started by Morphidae
✔America, Let Me In: A Choose Your Immigration Story - Felipe Torres Medina (4.5)
Let Me Tell You - Shirley Jackson
Challenge #15: Read a book by an author with an Irish or Scottish name or descent - started by countrylife
*The Book Club for Troublesome Women - Marie Botswick
The Briar Club: A Thrilling and Powerful Story of Female Friendships and Secrets - Kate Quinn
For Your Own Good - Samantha Downing
Nesting: A Novel - Roisín O'Donnell
✔The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder - David Grann (5)
32SqueakyChu
>31 Citizenjoyce: I love your long list! I cannot be sure I'll make it through two books a month these days...but I try! :)
I really find it fun to see what others are reading. I get especially happy when books I like very much are listed.
I really find it fun to see what others are reading. I get especially happy when books I like very much are listed.
33Citizenjoyce
>32 SqueakyChu: I'm retired now and very lazy so I have lots of time to read, or rather listen to books. These days, reading with my eyes puts me right to sleep.
34Chatterbox
>12 Carmenere: Does the vehicle need to be a land vehicle? Could it be a canoe, etc? Also -- can it be embedded (eg 'carpool')?
35PaulCranswick
>31 Citizenjoyce: I am looking forward to August reading. I have at least 2 shared reads with Joyce.
Challenge #1: Read a book with a title containing only two or three words of which at least two of the words have the same number of letters - started by SqueakyChu
Evenings and Weekends by Oisin McKenna
Challenge #2 : Read a book written by a Benelux author - started by PaulCranswick
My Heavenly Favourite by Lucas Rijneveld
Challenge #3 : Read a story or essay collection - started by avatiakh
Highway 13 by Fiona McFarlane
Challenge #4: Read a book where the title (not including subtitles) has at least one word with 3 consonants in a row - started by dallenbaugh
The Lost Paths by Jack Cornish
Challenge #5: Read a book that has something to do with my son. State what it is. - started by Citizenjoyce
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
Challenge #6: Read a book where the majority of it is set in a landlocked country - started by DeltaQueen
The Cafe With No Name by Robert Seethaler
Challenge #7: The EIEIO Challenge: Read a book with the vowels E, I, and O (in that order) somewhere in the title. - Started by AlcottAcre
Editor by Max Hastings
Challenge #8: Read a book you'd planned to read earlier this summer - Started by susanna.fraser
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
Challenge #9: Read a book with a vehicle in the title - Started by Carmenere
Canoes by Maylis de Kerangal
Challenge #10: The Booker Longlist will be announced Tuesday, July 29, 2025, according to The Booker Prizes. Read any book by an author from the longlist. Started by Kristelh
TBC - I hope it will be Muckle Flugga by Michael Pederson
Challenge #11: Read a book where you have more than one book by that author on your TBR - started by wandering_star
Gun Island by Amitav Ghosh
Challenge #12: Read a book whose title features a cartographic, geological or geographic term - Started by Chatterbox
The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd
Challenge #13: Read a book with a connection to the number 8 - Started by lindapanzo
8 Lives of a Century-Old Trickster by Mirinae Lee
Challenge #14: Read a book with a title that is a command or instruction - Started by Morphidae
Let Me Go Mad in My Own Way by Elaine Feeney
Challenge #1: Read a book with a title containing only two or three words of which at least two of the words have the same number of letters - started by SqueakyChu
Evenings and Weekends by Oisin McKenna
Challenge #2 : Read a book written by a Benelux author - started by PaulCranswick
My Heavenly Favourite by Lucas Rijneveld
Challenge #3 : Read a story or essay collection - started by avatiakh
Highway 13 by Fiona McFarlane
Challenge #4: Read a book where the title (not including subtitles) has at least one word with 3 consonants in a row - started by dallenbaugh
The Lost Paths by Jack Cornish
Challenge #5: Read a book that has something to do with my son. State what it is. - started by Citizenjoyce
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
Challenge #6: Read a book where the majority of it is set in a landlocked country - started by DeltaQueen
The Cafe With No Name by Robert Seethaler
Challenge #7: The EIEIO Challenge: Read a book with the vowels E, I, and O (in that order) somewhere in the title. - Started by AlcottAcre
Editor by Max Hastings
Challenge #8: Read a book you'd planned to read earlier this summer - Started by susanna.fraser
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
Challenge #9: Read a book with a vehicle in the title - Started by Carmenere
Canoes by Maylis de Kerangal
Challenge #10: The Booker Longlist will be announced Tuesday, July 29, 2025, according to The Booker Prizes. Read any book by an author from the longlist. Started by Kristelh
TBC - I hope it will be Muckle Flugga by Michael Pederson
Challenge #11: Read a book where you have more than one book by that author on your TBR - started by wandering_star
Gun Island by Amitav Ghosh
Challenge #12: Read a book whose title features a cartographic, geological or geographic term - Started by Chatterbox
The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd
Challenge #13: Read a book with a connection to the number 8 - Started by lindapanzo
8 Lives of a Century-Old Trickster by Mirinae Lee
Challenge #14: Read a book with a title that is a command or instruction - Started by Morphidae
Let Me Go Mad in My Own Way by Elaine Feeney
36Citizenjoyce
>35 PaulCranswick: We do share 2 reads, and they look like good ones.
37PaulCranswick
>36 Citizenjoyce: I am fascinated by what will be on the Booker longlist - how many I have read, how many I have on the shelves, what books are available in the shops.
38Citizenjoyce
>37 PaulCranswick: I get all my reading from Libby. It looks like quite a few of the possibilities are available, so I got a few of them just to make sure they don't vanish with the announcement. I put a hold on The Dream Hotel
by Laila Lalami because it looks like the most enjoyable one to me. Let's see if she makes it.
by Laila Lalami because it looks like the most enjoyable one to me. Let's see if she makes it.
40Kristelh
>39 alcottacre: Thank you!
41alcottacre
>40 Kristelh: No problem!
42Carmenere
>34 Chatterbox: A vehicle is any machine (manual or otherwise fueled) that transports beings. Anything from canoes to flying saucers is acceptable. I will also accept embedded words, so "car" in carpool is fine.
43countrylife
Challenge #15: Read a book by an author with an Irish or Scottish name or descent.
In honor of my Scots-Irish Grandmother, who was born in August 1917 and who died over 30 years ago on my birthday.
In honor of my Scots-Irish Grandmother, who was born in August 1917 and who died over 30 years ago on my birthday.
44PaulCranswick
>43 countrylife: I was tempted to go with my own Irish family name - I am descended from the Walsh family. But I am going with a Scots one- and surprisingly a Scottish one - Pederson.
Always deemed Scandinavian the sons of Peter can be traced back to the Scots:
Etymology of Pederson : The ancestors of the Pederson family were part of an ancient Scottish tribe called the Picts. The name Pederson is derived from the personal name Peter. Pederson is a patronymic surname, which belongs to the category of hereditary surnames.
This is because I really want to shoehorn in Muckle Flugga by Michael Pederson.
Always deemed Scandinavian the sons of Peter can be traced back to the Scots:
Etymology of Pederson : The ancestors of the Pederson family were part of an ancient Scottish tribe called the Picts. The name Pederson is derived from the personal name Peter. Pederson is a patronymic surname, which belongs to the category of hereditary surnames.
This is because I really want to shoehorn in Muckle Flugga by Michael Pederson.
45PawsforThought
>44 PaulCranswick: Where is that etymology from? Because Pederson isn’t “considered” Scandinavian, it is Scandinavian. That said, of course people in Scotland can still have it as a name, but it was 100% brought in by Scandi settlers.
46klobrien2
>44 PaulCranswick: Well, here’s an instance of the Baeder-Meinhoff Phenomena (two encounters within 24 hours of something you’ve never heard of before): You mention that you’re reading Muckle Flugga and I am reading Thin Air, which has a character who used to be a lighthouse keeper on…Muckle Flugga! What a great name for an island!
I know my comment has nothing to do with anything here, but I couldn’t resist!
Karen O
I know my comment has nothing to do with anything here, but I couldn’t resist!
Karen O
47alcottacre
>43 countrylife: I also have a Scots-Irish grandmother. Her maiden name was Henry (we are related to Patrick Henry somewhere along the line). I just need to find a book written by someone with Henry as a last name, lol.
48PaulCranswick
>45 PawsforThought: It is from a website called "house of names".
https://www.houseofnames.com/pederson-family-crest
https://www.houseofnames.com/pederson-family-crest
49PaulCranswick
>47 alcottacre: There is Emily Henry, Stasia
50alcottacre
>49 PaulCranswick: I was just looking to see what my local library has in the way of her books, Paul :)
51Citizenjoyce
>43 countrylife: Wow, she kind of looks like my mother, who was of Dutch and various other ancestry, but not Scottish.
52PawsforThought
>48 PaulCranswick: I think they mean that the people who now make up that family have Pict ancestry (as well as obviously Scandinavian ancestry), not that the name is Scottish/Pictish.
53Morphidae
>43 countrylife: >44 PaulCranswick: MrMorphy's mother was a Pederson.
"Big Grandma" (my great-great grandmother) and my great grandmother, her daughter, along my maternal line were Flanagans. Her daughter, my grandmother, married a Donovan. And had my mom who has used her maiden name for decades (although she did hyphenate for her last marriage.)
Another great-grandmother (grandfather's mother) was a McCarthy.
Just a wee bit of the Irish in me. 🍀
For this challenge, I'm going to attempt Christianity Rediscovered by Vincent J. Donovan.
This is not a book I would normally ever read or own - it's about a Catholic priest who was a missionary to the Masai tribe in the 1950s - 1970s. I don't believe in the entire concept of missionaries for one.
However, it's family history. Vincent was my great uncle (my mother's father's brother.) I've had this and another one of his books for years but haven't read them.
This one is just 169 pages so I think I can make it through.
"Big Grandma" (my great-great grandmother) and my great grandmother, her daughter, along my maternal line were Flanagans. Her daughter, my grandmother, married a Donovan. And had my mom who has used her maiden name for decades (although she did hyphenate for her last marriage.)
Another great-grandmother (grandfather's mother) was a McCarthy.
Just a wee bit of the Irish in me. 🍀
For this challenge, I'm going to attempt Christianity Rediscovered by Vincent J. Donovan.
This is not a book I would normally ever read or own - it's about a Catholic priest who was a missionary to the Masai tribe in the 1950s - 1970s. I don't believe in the entire concept of missionaries for one.
However, it's family history. Vincent was my great uncle (my mother's father's brother.) I've had this and another one of his books for years but haven't read them.
This one is just 169 pages so I think I can make it through.
54PaulCranswick
>52 PawsforThought: Paws, we are talking about ancestry and descent not foundation : the challenge says:
Read a book by an author with an Irish or Scottish name or descent
I think my link shows "descent" at the very least. There were Pedersons recorded in Aberdeen in the 1300's. People are therefore descended from those same peoples and therefore it surely fits the challenge.
I am not saying that the name originated in Scotland and that doesn't seem to be the challenge.
If Cindy disagrees with me I will happily remove it as I have plenty of alternative options.
Read a book by an author with an Irish or Scottish name or descent
I think my link shows "descent" at the very least. There were Pedersons recorded in Aberdeen in the 1300's. People are therefore descended from those same peoples and therefore it surely fits the challenge.
I am not saying that the name originated in Scotland and that doesn't seem to be the challenge.
If Cindy disagrees with me I will happily remove it as I have plenty of alternative options.
55PaulCranswick
>53 Morphidae: I have Flanagans in my family tree too, Morphy.
As well as Cranswick, I am aware of Newitt, Walsh, Orr, Flanagan and Crooks.
As well as Cranswick, I am aware of Newitt, Walsh, Orr, Flanagan and Crooks.
56PawsforThought
>54 PaulCranswick: I just pointed it out because your initial post specified “etymology of Pederson”.
57PaulCranswick
>56 PawsforThought: It wasn't intended to be in any way controversial, Paws, it was directly quoting the relevant website.
58Chatterbox
My own Pederson ancestry is Norwegian, but also was used as a patronymic -- i.e. Kristian Pederson's father was Peder Johansson. My great grandmother was Julia Kristiansdatter, so, daughter of Kristian.
Irish/Scottish names in my own family tree are myriad -- from Ireland, Burchell, Milligan, Duke, Casement (yes same family as Sir Roger), Mills, and Mayberry, among others. Obviously Protestants, whether converts or transplants. From Scotland, McGee, Fraser, Guthrie, Sibbald, Pollock, McCaw, Gair, Douglass.
Irish/Scottish names in my own family tree are myriad -- from Ireland, Burchell, Milligan, Duke, Casement (yes same family as Sir Roger), Mills, and Mayberry, among others. Obviously Protestants, whether converts or transplants. From Scotland, McGee, Fraser, Guthrie, Sibbald, Pollock, McCaw, Gair, Douglass.
59PawsforThought
>57 PaulCranswick: I just got confused by the wording. It seemed to say that Pederson wasn’t a Scandinavian name. I’m glad you’ve found a challenge for your book!
60alcottacre
On another note entirely, one of the books I was supposed to read for July, Engine Summer never arrived even though I ordered it at the beginning of the month. However, I received a book today that will fit nicely into one of August's challenges :)
61PaulCranswick
>59 PawsforThought: Thanks Paws. I wasn't saying it wasn't a Scandinavian name. xx I do so much want to read that book too!
62countrylife
Seeing the world as a melting pot, I shouldn't be surprised at so many here having Scots-Irish ancestors. I've enjoyed your backstories!
>54 PaulCranswick: : I'm fine with Pederson; interesting learning about that tie-in.
We used to live in the midwest, where there was a small Danish community nearby, complete with a Danish windmill. Our neighbors were Pedersons.
>54 PaulCranswick: : I'm fine with Pederson; interesting learning about that tie-in.
We used to live in the midwest, where there was a small Danish community nearby, complete with a Danish windmill. Our neighbors were Pedersons.
63PaulCranswick
>62 countrylife: Thanks Cindy.
64alcottacre
The book that I had ordered at the beginning of July to read for that month's TIOLI challenges finally arrived today! It does not look like it is going to get read in August though.
65alcottacre
It is that time of the month again - PRIZE TIME!!
Mini-Sweeplettes in July:
antqueen for challenges 1-4
bell7 for challenges 9-12
Kristelh for challenges 15-17
PaulCranswick for challenges 13-15
raidergirl3 for challenges 2-6 and 13-17
Sweeplettes in July:
antqueen for challenges 7-12
JeanneD for challenges 7-12
Kristelh for challenges 7-12
labfs39 for challenges 7-12
raidergirl3 for challenges 7-12
Sweeps in July:
AlcottAcre
avatiakh
Chatterbox
Citizenjoyce
Countrylife
Quondame
Congratulations to all our prize winners!! It was nice to see so many Sweeplettes in July!
As always, if I made any mistakes, please let me know and I will correct my error. Please note that we had at least one 'unclaimed' book on this month's list so I could not give credit where credit is due.
Mini-Sweeplettes in July:
antqueen for challenges 1-4
bell7 for challenges 9-12
Kristelh for challenges 15-17
PaulCranswick for challenges 13-15
raidergirl3 for challenges 2-6 and 13-17
Sweeplettes in July:
antqueen for challenges 7-12
JeanneD for challenges 7-12
Kristelh for challenges 7-12
labfs39 for challenges 7-12
raidergirl3 for challenges 7-12
Sweeps in July:
AlcottAcre
avatiakh
Chatterbox
Citizenjoyce
Countrylife
Quondame
Congratulations to all our prize winners!! It was nice to see so many Sweeplettes in July!
As always, if I made any mistakes, please let me know and I will correct my error. Please note that we had at least one 'unclaimed' book on this month's list so I could not give credit where credit is due.
66SqueakyChu
>65 alcottacre: Congrats to our sweepers! You've been busy this past month!
67PaulCranswick
>65 alcottacre: Wow I didn't think I had made it last month!
68raidergirl3
>65 alcottacre: I’m amazed at you doing this and the time you put in. Thank you!
I also had 7-12; I only missed challenge #1 and even had that book almost half done, sigh. Is there a word for that, besides unlucky?
I also had 7-12; I only missed challenge #1 and even had that book almost half done, sigh. Is there a word for that, besides unlucky?
69avatiakh
>65 alcottacre: Thanks for keeping the stats. That's my second sweep ever.
70Kristelh
>65 alcottacre: Thanks Stasia for your diligent work. And congrats to the people who sweep a little, some and more.
71alcottacre
>66 SqueakyChu: Yeah, last month was a nice improvement over June! It was great to see.
>67 PaulCranswick: I was happy to see you back, Paul, and very happy that you had a mini.
>68 raidergirl3: You are right - I have no idea how I overlooked your 7-12 since I have it clearly marked on my spreadsheet.
There is a word for it: not-time-enough :)
>69 avatiakh: I knew it was, Kerry, and was very happy for you!
>70 Kristelh: I am more than happy to do it, Kristel. You are right: congratulations to everyone!
>67 PaulCranswick: I was happy to see you back, Paul, and very happy that you had a mini.
>68 raidergirl3: You are right - I have no idea how I overlooked your 7-12 since I have it clearly marked on my spreadsheet.
There is a word for it: not-time-enough :)
>69 avatiakh: I knew it was, Kerry, and was very happy for you!
>70 Kristelh: I am more than happy to do it, Kristel. You are right: congratulations to everyone!
72alcottacre
>62 countrylife: I am in a bit of a dilemma regarding the book that I chose for this month, Cindy. In the BlackHole it was listed as being written by Patti Callahan Henry, but when I picked up the book from the library today, it is only Patti Callahan on the cover. Will it still count for your challenge?
73elkiedee
>72 alcottacre: Surely Callahan is a name of Irish origin?
74alcottacre
>73 elkiedee: I honestly do not know, Luci, but I should probably check. Thanks.
ETA: Well, I just Googled the surname Callahan and it is indeed Irish: It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic surname Ó Ceallacháin, meaning "descendant of Ceallachán". The name is associated with the Munster province in Ireland, and the personal name Ceallach is thought to mean "bright-headed".
Looks like I am in the clear either way!
ETA: Well, I just Googled the surname Callahan and it is indeed Irish: It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic surname Ó Ceallacháin, meaning "descendant of Ceallachán". The name is associated with the Munster province in Ireland, and the personal name Ceallach is thought to mean "bright-headed".
Looks like I am in the clear either way!
75bell7
>74 alcottacre: It is also confusing that she's written books under each name, isn't it? (We started filing them all under "Callahan" at the library where I work just so readers would find them in the same place)
76alcottacre
>75 bell7: Yes, it is confusing. It is bad enough when books start having alternate titles. Now we have authors with alternate names! Lol
77countrylife
>72 alcottacre: : Works for me!
"The surname Callahan originates from Ireland and is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Ó Ceallacháin."
"The surname Callahan originates from Ireland and is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Ó Ceallacháin."
78alcottacre
>77 countrylife: Woot!
79SqueakyChu
July, 2025, TIOLI Stats
For the month of July, 2025, we read a total of 326 books (highest monthly total this year since January!) of which 38 (12% - second lowest percentage this year) were shared reads. We accumulated 20 TIOLI points for a July YTD total of 208 TIOLI points (the lowest July YTD total since 2021).
The most popular book, read by 4 challengers, was Isola by Allegra Goodman.
The most popular challenge, with 33 books read, was the one by @Morphidae to read a book with a title that starts with the letters BIBLIOPHILE in order.
The challenges with the most TIOLI points (three each) were:
--the one by me (@SqueakyChu) to read a book whose title, subtitle, author's name, or series name contains a body of water
--the one by @Morphidae to read a book with a title that starts with the letters BIBLIOPHILE in order.
Hope you're enjoying your summer reading. Ever onward!
For the month of July, 2025, we read a total of 326 books (highest monthly total this year since January!) of which 38 (12% - second lowest percentage this year) were shared reads. We accumulated 20 TIOLI points for a July YTD total of 208 TIOLI points (the lowest July YTD total since 2021).
The most popular book, read by 4 challengers, was Isola by Allegra Goodman.
The most popular challenge, with 33 books read, was the one by @Morphidae to read a book with a title that starts with the letters BIBLIOPHILE in order.
The challenges with the most TIOLI points (three each) were:
--the one by me (@SqueakyChu) to read a book whose title, subtitle, author's name, or series name contains a body of water
--the one by @Morphidae to read a book with a title that starts with the letters BIBLIOPHILE in order.
Hope you're enjoying your summer reading. Ever onward!
80lindapanzo
>79 SqueakyChu: Hoping to contribute more this month. I'm currently reading a shared read, the first Georges Simenon mystery from 1930.
At long last, Mom's kyphoplasty, which we hope will offer pain relief for her spinal compression fractures, is scheduled for August 20th. Even if it doesn't completely eliminate the pain, maybe it'll help at least somewhat.
At long last, Mom's kyphoplasty, which we hope will offer pain relief for her spinal compression fractures, is scheduled for August 20th. Even if it doesn't completely eliminate the pain, maybe it'll help at least somewhat.
81bell7
Quick question, folks, did someone put in Equal Rites for challenge #1 but with my name on it accidentally? I have read the book - but back in 2023. And I don't recall putting it on the wiki, but I suppose stranger things have happened!
82alcottacre
>79 SqueakyChu: 326 books sounds very good for a month! We had 25 different readers in July if I counted correctly which means that we averaged reading 13 books apiece!
Isola was excellent. I read that one in July and can give it a resounding recommendation if someone is looking for historical fiction reads.
>80 lindapanzo: August 20th cannot come soon enough can it, Linda? I hope all goes well for your mom!
>81 bell7: All I can say is, it was not me. Not a Pratchett fan with a few exceptions.
Isola was excellent. I read that one in July and can give it a resounding recommendation if someone is looking for historical fiction reads.
>80 lindapanzo: August 20th cannot come soon enough can it, Linda? I hope all goes well for your mom!
>81 bell7: All I can say is, it was not me. Not a Pratchett fan with a few exceptions.
83bell7
>82 alcottacre: I do like Pratchett, but like I said, definitely didn't read it this month!
I think I did find it going back over edits from some time ago. I wanted to make sure I wasn't messing anyone up by deleting it, and I don't think I am, so I've taken my listing out :)
I think I did find it going back over edits from some time ago. I wanted to make sure I wasn't messing anyone up by deleting it, and I don't think I am, so I've taken my listing out :)
84Citizenjoyce
>80 lindapanzo: Thats such good news. I'm hoping for the best.
85PaulCranswick
>80 lindapanzo: As with so many of our number, Linda, I am keeping you and your mom in my thoughts and prayers. xx
86Citizenjoyce
I want to put The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder
by David Grann in Challenge 15. I Googled Grann and found that it is usually considered a Scandinavian or German name, but "In some cases, it may also be a variant of "Grann," which has Scottish and Irish origins."
by David Grann in Challenge 15. I Googled Grann and found that it is usually considered a Scandinavian or German name, but "In some cases, it may also be a variant of "Grann," which has Scottish and Irish origins."
87SqueakyChu
The TIOLI Awards for July, 2025
The Say It Again Award goes to @AlcottAcre for reading Un Lun Dun for the challenge by lindapanzo to read an UN book where a title word starts with Un. I love the rhyming of this book title which captures an "un" in each of the title words!
The You Said a Mouthful Award goes to @antqueen for reading Forbidden Brides of the Faceless Slaves in the Secret House of the Night of Dread Desire for the challenge by dallenbaugh to read a book with a title at least six words long. This book title contained 16 words...and it took me a while to read the title (and to count the words). :D
The Most Luscious Food Item Award goes to @lindapanzo for reading Death by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin for the challenge by bell7 to read a book with a food item in the title. This food item sounded the most interesting to me...and I would like a recipe for it!
The Interesting Quarters Award goes to @quondame for reading The House of Rust for the challenge by avatiakh to read a book with a place to live in the title. I kept wondering what this house must look like...and what it is made of...and who would the rust remover be?!
Congrats to our award winners! Feel ree to add awards of your own at this time.
The Say It Again Award goes to @AlcottAcre for reading Un Lun Dun for the challenge by lindapanzo to read an UN book where a title word starts with Un. I love the rhyming of this book title which captures an "un" in each of the title words!
The You Said a Mouthful Award goes to @antqueen for reading Forbidden Brides of the Faceless Slaves in the Secret House of the Night of Dread Desire for the challenge by dallenbaugh to read a book with a title at least six words long. This book title contained 16 words...and it took me a while to read the title (and to count the words). :D
The Most Luscious Food Item Award goes to @lindapanzo for reading Death by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin for the challenge by bell7 to read a book with a food item in the title. This food item sounded the most interesting to me...and I would like a recipe for it!
The Interesting Quarters Award goes to @quondame for reading The House of Rust for the challenge by avatiakh to read a book with a place to live in the title. I kept wondering what this house must look like...and what it is made of...and who would the rust remover be?!
Congrats to our award winners! Feel ree to add awards of your own at this time.
88quondame
>87 SqueakyChu: Thank you, Madeline! We never do learn - maybe if there's a sequel.
89Kristelh
>87 SqueakyChu:, congrats to the award winners!
90alcottacre
>87 SqueakyChu: Yay for awards! Thanks for that, Madeline.
Congratulations to all of the award winners!!
Congratulations to all of the award winners!!
91countrylife
>86 Citizenjoyce: - I'm ok with that.
92antqueen
>87 SqueakyChu: It was the longest one I could find!
93alcottacre
>92 antqueen: I believe it!
95SqueakyChu
TIOLI Question of the Month:
You are in a strange place mentioned in one of the books you've read or are reading this month. Where are you? In what book did you find this place?!
You are in a strange place mentioned in one of the books you've read or are reading this month. Where are you? In what book did you find this place?!
96cbl_tn
>95 SqueakyChu: I'm in the House of the Vestals in 1st century Rome, found in One Virgin Too Many by Lindsey Davis.
97PaulCranswick
>95 SqueakyChu: I am sitting in Bag End enjoying Bilbo Baggins' Eleventy-First birthday from The Fellowship of the Ring which I am re-reading for challenge #5 and Joyce's son!
98alcottacre
>95 SqueakyChu: I am in the eponymous Ghormenghast, as strange a place as any!
99SqueakyChu
>95 SqueakyChu: I'm stuck in a concrete island between major highways in England. It's a place where I ended up when my Jaguar went through a road barrier and over the side of a precipice! My book is Concrete Island by J.G. Ballard.
100avatiakh
>95 SqueakyChu: On a derelict oil rig in the North Sea, it's about to fall apart. Swept Away by Beth O'Leary.
101Kristelh
>95 SqueakyChu: You could find me on the streets of London Dodge & Twist, Eden the Bible as/in Literature, or a Death Cafe in New York The Collected Regrets of Clover.
102countrylife
>95 SqueakyChu: - I'm in a cave in Algiers, either burying (in 1790s) or digging up (in 1970s) Charlemagne's (fictional) chess pieces.
103lindapanzo
LOL. I didn't read the message in 105 as the TIOLI question of the month and instead read all the situations I thought my fellow TIOLI participants found themselves in. I got a laugh when I finally went back up and read the question.
Please keep your prayers and good thoughts coming our way. Mom has been recovering nicely from her two hospital stays (8 nights in all so, as the home nurse told us this morning, that means about an 80 day recovery--10 days per night in the hospital).
Finally, her back/spine surgery was scheduled for yesterday and all seemed to be progressing ok but turns out her hemoglobin is dangerously low, so it was cancelled.
Fortunately, at her primary care doctor's request, we were able to get an appointment at a hematologist for next week so maybe we can get to the bottom of all of this. Her anemia is really wearing her out, though her back pain seems greatly reduced.
Please keep your prayers and good thoughts coming our way. Mom has been recovering nicely from her two hospital stays (8 nights in all so, as the home nurse told us this morning, that means about an 80 day recovery--10 days per night in the hospital).
Finally, her back/spine surgery was scheduled for yesterday and all seemed to be progressing ok but turns out her hemoglobin is dangerously low, so it was cancelled.
Fortunately, at her primary care doctor's request, we were able to get an appointment at a hematologist for next week so maybe we can get to the bottom of all of this. Her anemia is really wearing her out, though her back pain seems greatly reduced.
104Kristelh
>103 lindapanzo:. Thanks for the update on your mom. Some good news. And once the hemoglobin problem is resolved she will feel a bit more energy. Continue to keep you and your mom in my prayers.
105lindapanzo
>104 Kristelh: Thank you.
Our perspective just keeps changing. We figured that, if her back/spine problem was resolved, all would be well. However, Mom reports that the pain on that seems to be lessening by itself and the anemia and its side effects is what is frustrating her. I did not see that coming.
Our perspective just keeps changing. We figured that, if her back/spine problem was resolved, all would be well. However, Mom reports that the pain on that seems to be lessening by itself and the anemia and its side effects is what is frustrating her. I did not see that coming.
106Chatterbox
>95 SqueakyChu: I am in Hades/Hell, as found in Rebecca Kuang's imagination in Katabasis
107alcottacre
>103 lindapanzo: I am happy to hear that your mother's back pain is reduced, if nothing else, Linda. Prayers going up!
108Citizenjoyce
>105 lindapanzo: I was anemic after surgery a few years ago. I was so fatigued I would fall asleep almost every time I sat down. I hope your mom's problem is easily resolved. I've been a vegetarian (or rather a pescatarian) for over 40 years, but I ate liver every day for a while until I was better.
109Citizenjoyce
>95 SqueakyChu: I have scurvy and I'm shipwrecked on an island off the tip of South America in The Wager.
110SqueakyChu
>109 Citizenjoyce: Here are a few citrus fruit, Joyce. Eat them up quickly! :D
>103 lindapanzo: Linda, wishing your mom the best. Hope all continues to go well for her.
>103 lindapanzo: Linda, wishing your mom the best. Hope all continues to go well for her.
111bell7
>103 lindapanzo: Continuing to pray for her recovery to go smoothly!
112lindapanzo
Thanks for all the prayers and good wishes for Mom. Most days, she is feeling stronger but, for some reason, not today. Even so, she had her 30 day PT assessment and cut her 10 foot walk time in half from a month ago and even improved a bit on the 30 second sit to stand.
Keeping my fingers crossed that we can get to the bottom of this. The iron infusions don't seem to be helping.
Keeping my fingers crossed that we can get to the bottom of this. The iron infusions don't seem to be helping.
113quondame
>95 SqueakyChu: In the void through the Weep accessed outside Windscar garrison on a colony planet with issues. Nightwatch over Windscar.
114SilverWolf28
>112 lindapanzo: It could be that your Mom is low in Vitamin B12, my Mom was for several years. She took iron supplements and they didn't work. It wasn't until someone figured out that she had low B12 that her anemia went away.
115lindapanzo
>114 SilverWolf28: that’s a good suggestion. I’ll have to look into that and ask about it.
116Citizenjoyce
>43 countrylife: How about this one? I want to read Too Old for This by Samantha Downing. Google says "Irish Origins
The surname Downing is sometimes an anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name Ó Duinnín.
Ó Duinnín translates to "descendant of Duinnín," and the name itself is associated with County Kerry, according to Irish Coat of Arms, Family Crest."
The surname Downing is sometimes an anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name Ó Duinnín.
Ó Duinnín translates to "descendant of Duinnín," and the name itself is associated with County Kerry, according to Irish Coat of Arms, Family Crest."
117susanna.fraser
>95 SqueakyChu: I'm snowbound in a delightfully over-the-top small town from Three Holidays and a Wedding.
118Carmenere
I’m in the NASA space program circa 1980ish and frankly I’m getting a little tired of snide remarks from my male counterparts. Atmosphere.
119DeltaQueen50
>95 SqueakyChu: I am in Vermont, trying to solve the mystery of Idlewilde Hall, is it the ghost of Mary Hand behind the disappearances? Reading Broken Girls by Simone St. James.
>103 lindapanzo: Great news, Linda. Wishing you and your mother all the best!
>103 lindapanzo: Great news, Linda. Wishing you and your mother all the best!
120jeanned
>95 SqueakyChu: All that remains of humanity is contained in the spaceship I'm in. The only habitable planet we can find is full of very large spiders, made sentient and intelligent by the human space-faring empire that collapsed before our desperate exodus from Earth. (Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky)
121Matke
I just returned from Disc World, where I spent most of my time in Lancre and near the Ramtop Mountains, hanging out with three witches, trying to put a better king on the throne.
122humouress
>95 SqueakyChu: I'm investigating The Secret of the Wild Woods which are wild and mysterious. For challenge 2.
123countrylife
>116 Citizenjoyce: - Works for me.
124alcottacre
My monthly reminder to please have all entries on the wiki completed so that I can post the 'prizes.' If you would have this done by the fourth I would appreciate it. Kerry's birthday is on the fifth and I am heading out of town to my mother's on the sixth - and she has no Internet at all. I will not be returning until the 14th of September.
125Citizenjoyce
>124 alcottacre: No internet at all. But what does she do if it's 2 am and she just has to know how tall Colin Firth is? How does she survive the suspense?
(He's 6'2", in case she asks you.)
(He's 6'2", in case she asks you.)
126wandering_star
>125 Citizenjoyce: I have met him and I was surprised how tall he was!
127Citizenjoyce
>126 wandering_star: You met Mr. Darcy? I'm so jealous.
128wandering_star
>127 Citizenjoyce: I used to volunteer for a refugee support charity and he participated in one of our fundraising events (reading a poem).
129humouress
Here we go with the shoehorning ...
The captcha is just spinning for me (again) but I went through the wiki & didn't spot any shared reads
Challenge 2. Read a book written by a Benelux author The Secret of the Wild Wood by Tonke Dragt (1965){translated 2015}
Challenge 4. Read a book where the title (not including subtitles) has at least one word with 3 consonants in a row A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross (2022) {4, 5, 8, (11), 12, 15?}
Challenge 5. Read a book that has something to do with citizenjoyce's son A Market of Dreams and Destiny by Trip Galey (2023) {5, 8 }
Challenge 6. Read a book where the majority of it is set in a landlocked country All the Wandering Light by Heather Fawcett (2018) {4, 5, 6, 8}
Challenge 7. Read a book with the vowels E, I, and O (in that order) somewhere in the title Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh (2019) {5, (6), 7, 12} there's also IEIEO
Challenge 9. Read a book with a vehicle in the title A Witch’s Guide to Escape: A Practical Compendium of Portal Fantasies by Alix E. Harrow (2018) {4, 5, 7, 9, 12 } I'm thinking, if you can have flying saucers, you can have portals ;0)
Challenge 13. Read a book with a connection to the number 8 A Case of Mice and Murder by Sally Smith (2024) 2+0+2+4=8
X 1. Read a book with a title containing two or three words of which at least two of the words have the same number of letters - msg #1
X 3. Read a story or essay collection - msg #4
Challenges #7-12
8. Read a book you'd planned to read earlier this summer - msg #10
X 10. Read any book by an author from the Booker Longlist - msg #13
11. Read a book where you have more than one book by that author on your TBR - msg #14
12. Read a book whose title features a cartographic, geological or geographic term - msg #18
Challenges #13-15
X 14. Read a book with a title that is a command or instruction - msg #28
15. Read a book by an author with an Irish or Scottish name or descent -
The captcha is just spinning for me (again) but I went through the wiki & didn't spot any shared reads
Challenge 2. Read a book written by a Benelux author The Secret of the Wild Wood by Tonke Dragt (1965){translated 2015}
Challenge 4. Read a book where the title (not including subtitles) has at least one word with 3 consonants in a row A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross (2022) {4, 5, 8, (11), 12, 15?}
Challenge 5. Read a book that has something to do with citizenjoyce's son A Market of Dreams and Destiny by Trip Galey (2023) {5, 8 }
Challenge 6. Read a book where the majority of it is set in a landlocked country All the Wandering Light by Heather Fawcett (2018) {4, 5, 6, 8}
Challenge 7. Read a book with the vowels E, I, and O (in that order) somewhere in the title Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh (2019) {5, (6), 7, 12} there's also IEIEO
Challenge 9. Read a book with a vehicle in the title A Witch’s Guide to Escape: A Practical Compendium of Portal Fantasies by Alix E. Harrow (2018) {4, 5, 7, 9, 12 } I'm thinking, if you can have flying saucers, you can have portals ;0)
Challenge 13. Read a book with a connection to the number 8 A Case of Mice and Murder by Sally Smith (2024) 2+0+2+4=8
X 1. Read a book with a title containing two or three words of which at least two of the words have the same number of letters - msg #1
X 3. Read a story or essay collection - msg #4
Challenges #7-12
8. Read a book you'd planned to read earlier this summer - msg #10
X 10. Read any book by an author from the Booker Longlist - msg #13
11. Read a book where you have more than one book by that author on your TBR - msg #14
12. Read a book whose title features a cartographic, geological or geographic term - msg #18
Challenges #13-15
X 14. Read a book with a title that is a command or instruction - msg #28
15. Read a book by an author with an Irish or Scottish name or descent -
130SqueakyChu
Oops! Missed Housekeeping Day yesterday! Be sure you have all the books you completed by midnight yesterday on the wiki and remove those not completed in time (except for the rolling challenges which can just be marked DNF). Thanks!
131humouress
>129 humouress: Could someone please help me enter my books on the wiki please? Still no joy trying to save them there.
132quondame
>131 humouress: If someone hasn't offered already, just DM the challenge # and title/author to me and I'll fill them in.
133SqueakyChu
>129 humouress: I'll do it now from what you've listed on message #129. I had an out of town guest here while I popped in briefly last evening.
134quondame
>131 humouress: Oops, I should have been awake to notice >129 humouress:. My bad.
135SqueakyChu
>131 humouress: Done. Fill in any more details if you have computer access to the wiki. If not, don't sweat it. I've got your books in...and now I'm off to make dinner for my out of town guest! :D
136SqueakyChu
>134 quondame: Thank you so much for your offer, though, Susan. I really appreciate it. I checked to be sure you had not yet entered Nina's books before I did it as I only had/have a short while before my guest and husband will return for dinner. Ha! They're off on an errand to buy a generator for my guest's car which broke down on what she thought was her way home today!
137Carmenere
Deletions accomplished. With 3 books in the past 3 months, started but not completed, it looks like January, ‘26 will be catch-up-uary.
138humouress
>132 quondame: >133 SqueakyChu: Thank you both!
ETA: I tried to add some explanations but it's still not saving.
ETA: I tried to add some explanations but it's still not saving.
139SqueakyChu
>138 humouress: Sure. Since this is only happening to you, why not check with LT admin to see what might be wrong?
What if you log out and then log back in again?
What if you log out and then log back in again?
140humouress
>139 SqueakyChu: Thanks; I have put it on the old bug report. It happens to me a lot - apparently it might have something to do with my location. I'll try logging out.
ETA: logged out, logged straight back in; didn't work. Will try it overnight.
ETA: logged out, logged straight back in; didn't work. Will try it overnight.
141SqueakyChu
>140 humouress: Oh, well. I hope it gets resolved soon. It must be so frustrating for you. :(
