Take It or Leave It Challenge - September 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 September, 2025, is to...
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Read a book by an author whose last name begins with X, Y or Z
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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 September 2025 TIOLI Meter - Optional page on which you may track your TIOLI reading. Not competitive--- just fun!
...logo by cyderry
---------------------------------------------------------------
Your TIOLI challenge for September, 2025, is to...
*************************************************
Read a book by an author whose last name begins with X, Y or Z
***************************************************
---------------------------------------------------------------------
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 September 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 by an author whose last name begins with X, Y or Z - msg #1
2. Read a book by an author whose surname starts either Mac or Mc - msg #5
3. Read a book with the at least 2 words in the title which are opposites OR read 2 books that have opposite titles - msg #
4. Read a book considered to be Cottage-core - msg #6
5. Read a book where an animal is telling at least part of the story and the book includes a tag indicating it is for adults - msg #10
6. Read a book discussed in any September on the BBC Worldservice Bookclub - msg #9
Challenges #7-12
7. Read the first book in a series - msg #11
8. Read a book where at least one title word begins with the letter “D” - msg #12
9. Read a book with a blue cover, or a title word blue or sapphire for Sapphire September - msg #13
10. Read a book with a word in the title starting with the letters WAR EAGLE - msg #15
11. Read a book about sisters, fiction or non-fiction - msg #17
12. Read a book by a journalist (NF or F), about a journalist or the media - msg #19
Challenges #13-18
13. Read a book where the title is a stand-alone sentence - msg #27
14. Read a book by a writer with a set of double letters in their name - msg #28
15. Read a book with a word from the school supply list in the title, author, or on pages 25 or 26 - msg #66
16. Read a book with the name of a European city in the title or on the first page - msg #70
17. Read a book which brings a song to mind - msg #78
18. Read a book with a placement word in the title - msg #84
Please hold your challenge until the October TIOLI Challenge thread is posted. Thank you!
Challenges #1-6
1. Read a book by an author whose last name begins with X, Y or Z - msg #1
2. Read a book by an author whose surname starts either Mac or Mc - msg #5
3. Read a book with the at least 2 words in the title which are opposites OR read 2 books that have opposite titles - msg #
4. Read a book considered to be Cottage-core - msg #6
5. Read a book where an animal is telling at least part of the story and the book includes a tag indicating it is for adults - msg #10
6. Read a book discussed in any September on the BBC Worldservice Bookclub - msg #9
Challenges #7-12
7. Read the first book in a series - msg #11
8. Read a book where at least one title word begins with the letter “D” - msg #12
9. Read a book with a blue cover, or a title word blue or sapphire for Sapphire September - msg #13
10. Read a book with a word in the title starting with the letters WAR EAGLE - msg #15
11. Read a book about sisters, fiction or non-fiction - msg #17
12. Read a book by a journalist (NF or F), about a journalist or the media - msg #19
Challenges #13-18
13. Read a book where the title is a stand-alone sentence - msg #27
14. Read a book by a writer with a set of double letters in their name - msg #28
15. Read a book with a word from the school supply list in the title, author, or on pages 25 or 26 - msg #66
16. Read a book with the name of a European city in the title or on the first page - msg #70
17. Read a book which brings a song to mind - msg #78
18. Read a book with a placement word in the title - msg #84
Please hold your challenge until the October TIOLI Challenge thread is posted. Thank you!
3Carmenere
Found you and starred you but I’ll come back in the morning to add a challenge. I’m struggling to keep me eyes open.
4SqueakyChu
>3 Carmenere: Sweet dreams! This thread will be waiting until after your morning coffee. LOL!
5PaulCranswick
Challenge #2 : The Big Mac and Little Mc Challenge; Read a Book by an author whose surname starts either Mac or Mc.
Fairly self-explanatory. I will read Lonesome Dove this month.
Fairly self-explanatory. I will read Lonesome Dove this month.
6alcottacre
Challenge #3: The "Opposites Attract" Challenge: Read a book with the at least 2 words in the title which are opposites OR read 2 books that have opposite titles (example: Night and Day by Elie Wiesel)
7Carmenere
>4 SqueakyChu: Hehehe Morning, Madeline! I'm bright eyed and busy tailed with a cup of Cinnamon Dolce beside me and ready to TIOLI!
8Carmenere
Challenge #4: Read a book considered to be Cottage-core.
Here is a definition and some descriptions of Cottage-core. (The term was rather new to me)
Cottagecore books are stories set in romanticized rural or natural environments, emphasizing a simpler, slower pace of life, self-sufficiency, and a deep connection with nature. These books often feature themes of comforting traditions, community, found family, gentle magic, and cozy, peaceful atmospheres, rather than bustling cities and modern complexities. Classics like Anne of Green Gables and The Secret Garden are prime examples of this aesthetic.
Key Characteristics of Cottagecore Books
Rural Settings:
The settings are almost always the countryside, deep woods, or cozy cottages, rather than urban or suburban environments.
Themes of Simplicity and Nature:
The narrative focuses on the beauty of the natural world, self-sufficiency, and appreciating simple things, like gardening or baking.
Cozy and Comforting Atmosphere:
The books create a warm, inviting feeling, similar to what one might experience by a warm fire on a rainy day.
Nostalgia and Romanticization:
Cottagecore romanticizes a historical or idealized version of country life, emphasizing tradition and a quiet, peaceful existence.
Gentle Magic and Wonder:
Some cottagecore stories incorporate subtle or wondrous magic into their narratives.
Here is a definition and some descriptions of Cottage-core. (The term was rather new to me)
Cottagecore books are stories set in romanticized rural or natural environments, emphasizing a simpler, slower pace of life, self-sufficiency, and a deep connection with nature. These books often feature themes of comforting traditions, community, found family, gentle magic, and cozy, peaceful atmospheres, rather than bustling cities and modern complexities. Classics like Anne of Green Gables and The Secret Garden are prime examples of this aesthetic.
Key Characteristics of Cottagecore Books
Rural Settings:
The settings are almost always the countryside, deep woods, or cozy cottages, rather than urban or suburban environments.
Themes of Simplicity and Nature:
The narrative focuses on the beauty of the natural world, self-sufficiency, and appreciating simple things, like gardening or baking.
Cozy and Comforting Atmosphere:
The books create a warm, inviting feeling, similar to what one might experience by a warm fire on a rainy day.
Nostalgia and Romanticization:
Cottagecore romanticizes a historical or idealized version of country life, emphasizing tradition and a quiet, peaceful existence.
Gentle Magic and Wonder:
Some cottagecore stories incorporate subtle or wondrous magic into their narratives.
9humouress
Challenge 6: Read a book discussed in any September on the BBC Worldservice Bookclub
World Bookclub kicked off in September 2002 at the Edinburgh Festival. This September's book is The Hound of the Baskervilles and the episode will be broadcast on 6th September. (I suspect they won't be interviewing Sir ACD.)
Homepage: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p003jhsk
LT List (updated): https://www.librarything.com/list/45293/BBC-World-Book-Club
ETA2: you can sort the list by 'Added' and then scroll by the month the episode (first) aired.
ETA3: do a Cntr-F search for September to look for eligible books (doesn't seem to work for me; maybe because I'm on an Apple?)
From Wikipaedia:
World Book Club features a famous writer who answers questions submitted by the public about one of their books. It is usually recorded in front of a live audience. Listeners around the world can submit questions before the recording.
World Book Club became an hour-long programme broadcast on the first Saturday in the month in slots otherwise occupied by the weekly highlights compilation of The Strand. Some repeats are in an edited 30 minute version to fit The Strand's half hour slot.
As well as 'live' radio transmissions and repeats, current programmes can be listened to online as part of the BBC's usual 'listen again' streaming. Previous programmes are archived and can also be listened to online at any time. Some recent programmes are available to download as podcasts.
ETA 1: oops - forgot to add it to the wiki; done now & changed the number
World Bookclub kicked off in September 2002 at the Edinburgh Festival. This September's book is The Hound of the Baskervilles and the episode will be broadcast on 6th September. (I suspect they won't be interviewing Sir ACD.)
Homepage: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p003jhsk
LT List (updated): https://www.librarything.com/list/45293/BBC-World-Book-Club
ETA2: you can sort the list by 'Added' and then scroll by the month the episode (first) aired.
ETA3: do a Cntr-F search for September to look for eligible books (doesn't seem to work for me; maybe because I'm on an Apple?)
From Wikipaedia:
World Book Club features a famous writer who answers questions submitted by the public about one of their books. It is usually recorded in front of a live audience. Listeners around the world can submit questions before the recording.
World Book Club became an hour-long programme broadcast on the first Saturday in the month in slots otherwise occupied by the weekly highlights compilation of The Strand. Some repeats are in an edited 30 minute version to fit The Strand's half hour slot.
As well as 'live' radio transmissions and repeats, current programmes can be listened to online as part of the BBC's usual 'listen again' streaming. Previous programmes are archived and can also be listened to online at any time. Some recent programmes are available to download as podcasts.
ETA 1: oops - forgot to add it to the wiki; done now & changed the number
10dallenbaugh
Challenge #5: Read a book where an animal is telling at least part of the story and the book includes a tag indicating it is for adults
11lindapanzo
Challenge #7: Read the first book in a series
It doesn't matter to me if you've already read a book in the series or not, just be sure to read the first book in a series. It can't be a standalone.
If it's the only book so far but there's some indication that it'll be a series, that's fine. For instance, this morning, I discovered that the authors of a book I want to read said they just submitted the second book in the series to their publisher, so that's enough evidence for me. If the publisher has indicated that the book is a first in the series, that's fine too.
This is, as usual, somewhat self serving. Last month, I "discovered" Ed McBain by doing a shared read with Judy so I'd like to discover other series. Sometimes, I start at the beginning. Other times, I'll read the most recent one and then start at the beginning.
It doesn't matter to me if you've already read a book in the series or not, just be sure to read the first book in a series. It can't be a standalone.
If it's the only book so far but there's some indication that it'll be a series, that's fine. For instance, this morning, I discovered that the authors of a book I want to read said they just submitted the second book in the series to their publisher, so that's enough evidence for me. If the publisher has indicated that the book is a first in the series, that's fine too.
This is, as usual, somewhat self serving. Last month, I "discovered" Ed McBain by doing a shared read with Judy so I'd like to discover other series. Sometimes, I start at the beginning. Other times, I'll read the most recent one and then start at the beginning.
12DeltaQueen50
Challenge #8: Read a book where at least one title word begins with the letter “D”
This is a self-serving challenge as I have a number of books to fit this challenge.
This is a self-serving challenge as I have a number of books to fit this challenge.
13Kristelh
Challenge #9: Read a book with a blue cover, or a title word blue or sapphire for Sapphire September, September is my birthday month and sapphire is my birthstone.
15susanna.fraser
Challenge #10: Rolling challenge: Read a book with a word in the title starting with the letters WAR EAGLE
With September, college football season is upon us, and I will spend a few hours each Saturday watching my beloved Auburn Tigers (and unless something turns around in a hurry, grousing about the current head coach and how we never should've hired him). Despite their mascot being the tiger, Auburn's battle cry is "War Eagle," which supposedly has something to do with a military veteran's pet eagle, but the story is surprisingly murky for a legend that only dates back to the late 19th century.
Anyway, however it started, in addition to a student dressed in a tiger suit as the goofy, entertaining sideline mascot, Auburn has actual eagles, courtesy of their vet school's raptor rehab center, that do pregame flights and hang out on the sideline during the game.
"War Eagle" also serves as a greeting between Auburn fans wherever they happen to encounter each other, especially in places thousands of miles away from the school like I am, living in Seattle. You see someone else in Auburn gear, greet them with "War Eagle," receive their response of "War Damn Eagle," and these days, start grousing about why in the heck did we hire Hugh Freeze, and we know it'd be prohibitively expensive to buy out his contract, but that's what rich alumni are for, right?
In honor of this unique tradition, please read a book with a title word starting with the letters. Usual rolling challenge rules apply: "A" and "An" don't count, don't start a new set until there are only two slots left in the previous set, and no more than two open sets at one time.
(I'm not an Auburn alumna myself, but my brother and a niece and nephew are, and my actual alma mater isn't much of a football school, or at least hasn't been for a century or so. And I do love college football and the over-the-top intensity it takes on in my native state of Alabama.)
With September, college football season is upon us, and I will spend a few hours each Saturday watching my beloved Auburn Tigers (and unless something turns around in a hurry, grousing about the current head coach and how we never should've hired him). Despite their mascot being the tiger, Auburn's battle cry is "War Eagle," which supposedly has something to do with a military veteran's pet eagle, but the story is surprisingly murky for a legend that only dates back to the late 19th century.
Anyway, however it started, in addition to a student dressed in a tiger suit as the goofy, entertaining sideline mascot, Auburn has actual eagles, courtesy of their vet school's raptor rehab center, that do pregame flights and hang out on the sideline during the game.
"War Eagle" also serves as a greeting between Auburn fans wherever they happen to encounter each other, especially in places thousands of miles away from the school like I am, living in Seattle. You see someone else in Auburn gear, greet them with "War Eagle," receive their response of "War Damn Eagle," and these days, start grousing about why in the heck did we hire Hugh Freeze, and we know it'd be prohibitively expensive to buy out his contract, but that's what rich alumni are for, right?
In honor of this unique tradition, please read a book with a title word starting with the letters. Usual rolling challenge rules apply: "A" and "An" don't count, don't start a new set until there are only two slots left in the previous set, and no more than two open sets at one time.
(I'm not an Auburn alumna myself, but my brother and a niece and nephew are, and my actual alma mater isn't much of a football school, or at least hasn't been for a century or so. And I do love college football and the over-the-top intensity it takes on in my native state of Alabama.)
16SqueakyChu
>7 Carmenere: Yay!
>14 humouress: Not really, Nina. I stopped when I reached challenge #5 on the wiki index because my out of town guest arrived then! I listed your challenge now. :D
>14 humouress: Not really, Nina. I stopped when I reached challenge #5 on the wiki index because my out of town guest arrived then! I listed your challenge now. :D
17Citizenjoyce
Challenge #11: Read a book about sisters, fiction or non-fiction
Sorority sisters count, friends designated as sisters count as in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Friends count only if they refer to themselves or are referred to by others as sisters.
The Six: The Lives of the Mitford Sisters by Laura Thompson (I've started it before, let's see if I finish it this time)
and The Hounding by Xenobe Purvis
Sorority sisters count, friends designated as sisters count as in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Friends count only if they refer to themselves or are referred to by others as sisters.
The Six: The Lives of the Mitford Sisters by Laura Thompson (I've started it before, let's see if I finish it this time)
and The Hounding by Xenobe Purvis
18humouress
>16 SqueakyChu: (She still loves me!)
I hope you had fun with your guest. I thought it was because I messed up the numbers.
>17 Citizenjoyce: ETA yours is challenge 11.
I hope you had fun with your guest. I thought it was because I messed up the numbers.
>17 Citizenjoyce: ETA yours is challenge 11.
19Chatterbox
Challenge #12: Read a book (F or NF) by a journalist, or focusing on journalism or the media, or with journalists in the center of the narrative
Basically, you can read anything that focuses on the world of journalism. Bryan Gruley (a former colleague) has some fun mysteries; Geraldine Brooks was a long-time foreign correspondent. You could read Svetlana Alexeivech's books, or something about Anna Politkovskaya. Murder the Truth is an excellent book about where the First Amendment stands right now that's causing a lot of buzz in media circles. I may re-read You Don't Belong Here by Elizabeth Becker, about three groundbreaking women war reporters in Vietnam. A fabulous book is Fallout: The Hiroshima Cover-up and the Reporter Who Revealed It to the World by Lesley M.M. Blume, the story behind John Hersey's famous New Yorker works. Also planning to read The Hollow Tree by Philip Miller, which has an investigative journalist as the protagonist.
The guidelines: the focus of the book/author MUST be or have been a professional journalist. So, someone who has occasionally published articles but whose main work has been as a historian or novelist would NOT count for this challenge. But people who have left the media world for books DO count, eg Geraldine Brooks or Louise Penny. The author does not need to be a journalist if the focus of the book is the media world; equally, if the author is a journalist, the main characters don't have to be.
Basically, you can read anything that focuses on the world of journalism. Bryan Gruley (a former colleague) has some fun mysteries; Geraldine Brooks was a long-time foreign correspondent. You could read Svetlana Alexeivech's books, or something about Anna Politkovskaya. Murder the Truth is an excellent book about where the First Amendment stands right now that's causing a lot of buzz in media circles. I may re-read You Don't Belong Here by Elizabeth Becker, about three groundbreaking women war reporters in Vietnam. A fabulous book is Fallout: The Hiroshima Cover-up and the Reporter Who Revealed It to the World by Lesley M.M. Blume, the story behind John Hersey's famous New Yorker works. Also planning to read The Hollow Tree by Philip Miller, which has an investigative journalist as the protagonist.
The guidelines: the focus of the book/author MUST be or have been a professional journalist. So, someone who has occasionally published articles but whose main work has been as a historian or novelist would NOT count for this challenge. But people who have left the media world for books DO count, eg Geraldine Brooks or Louise Penny. The author does not need to be a journalist if the focus of the book is the media world; equally, if the author is a journalist, the main characters don't have to be.
20Citizenjoyce
>18 humouress: Counting can be so difficult.
21humouress
>20 Citizenjoyce: I know, right?
22SqueakyChu
>20 Citizenjoyce: Agreed. LOL!
23Infern0
hey, i'm new here. can any1 explain what we do here? (also I signed up for this because I'm a massive bookworm lol)
24Kristelh
>19 Chatterbox: I just read The Collected Regrets of Clover which is a debut novel by an Australian Journalist.
ETA: "Mikki Brammer is an Australian journalist based in New York City, by way of France and Spain. She writes about design, architecture and art for publications such as Architectural Digest, Dwell and ELLE Decor. The Collected Regrets of Clover is her debut novel. Google Books"
ETA: "Mikki Brammer is an Australian journalist based in New York City, by way of France and Spain. She writes about design, architecture and art for publications such as Architectural Digest, Dwell and ELLE Decor. The Collected Regrets of Clover is her debut novel. Google Books"
25SqueakyChu
>23 Infern0: I can't tell you briefly, but this is a good introduction.
https://wiki.librarything.com/index.php/TIOLI_FAQS#What_is_the_TIOLI_Challenge.3...
https://wiki.librarything.com/index.php/TIOLI_FAQS#What_is_the_TIOLI_Challenge.3...
26Chatterbox
>24 Kristelh: Cool! I'm all in favor of debut novels from journalists....
27wandering_star
Challenge #13: Read a book where the title is a grammatical sentence
By 'grammatical sentence' I mean it needs to stand on its own. I think this means there needs to be a verb. But if there are any grey areas please ask!
By 'grammatical sentence' I mean it needs to stand on its own. I think this means there needs to be a verb. But if there are any grey areas please ask!
28avatiakh
Challenge #14: Read a book by a writer with a set of double letters in their name
Either first names or surnames but must be consecutive letters.
Either first names or surnames but must be consecutive letters.
29Citizenjoyce
My planned reads for the month:
Challenge #1: Read a book by an author whose last name starts with X, Y or Z - started by SqueakyChu
✔Uncultured: A Memoir - Daniella Mestyanek Young (4)
Challenge #2 : The Big Mac or Little Mc Challenge ; Read a book by an author whose surname starts either Mac or Mc - PaulCranswick
✔Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right's Stealth Plan for America - Nancy MacLean (5)
Challenge #3: The Opposites Attact Challenge: Read a book with the at least 2 words in the title which are opposites OR read 2 books that have opposite titles - started by AlcottAcre
*Bittersweet - Susan Cain
*Black Dahlia & White Rose - Joyce Carol Oates
*✔He Said/She Said: A Novel - Erin Kelly (4)
Challenge #4: Read a book considered to be Cottage-core - Started by Carmenere
*✔Best Hex Ever - Nadia El-Fassi (3)
The Late-Night Witches - Auralee Wallace Abandoned
Challenge #5: Read a book where an animal is telling at least part of the story and the book includes a tag indicating it is for adults - Started by dallenbaugh
*✔Pod - Laline Paull (5)
Challenge #6: Read a book discussed in any September on the BBC Worldservice Bookclub
*✔Brokeback Mountain - Annie Proulx (5)
*✔The Hound of the Baskervilles - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (3)
Challenge #7: Read the first book in a series - started by lindapanzo
*✔The Distant Echo (Karen Pirie #1) - Val McDermid (3.5)
*✔The Left Hand of Dog- Si Clarke (3)
The Mechanical - Ian Tregillis
✔Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind- Ann B. Ross (3)
Challenge #8: Read a book where at least one title word begins with the letter “D” - started by DeltaQueen
✔Before Dorothy - Hazel Gaynor (4)
Challenge #9: Read a book with a blue cover, or a title word blue or a title word blue or sapphire for Sapphire September - Started by Kristelh
✔Wayward Girls: A Novel - Susan Wiggs (4)
Challenge #10: Rolling challenge: Read a book with a word in the title starting with the letters WAR EAGLE - Started by susanna.fraser
✔What We Don't Talk About When We Talk About Fat - Aubrey Gordon (4)
✔The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - Taylor Jenkins Reid (40
Challenge #11: Read a book about sisters, fiction or non-fiction - Started by Citizenjoyce
The Hounding: A Novel - Xenobe Purvis
*✔The Six: The Lives of the Mitford Sisters - Laura Thompson (4)
Challenge #12: Read a book by a journalist (NF or F), about a journalist or the media - Started by Chatterbox
✔The Collected Regrets of Clover: A Novel - Mikki Brammer (4)
✔How to Be Well: Navigating Our Self-Care Epidemic, One Dubious Cure at a Time - Amy Larocca (3.5)
*No Country For Love - Yaroslav Trofimov
Challenge #13: Read a book where the title is a stand-alone sentence - started by wandering_star
*✔There's No Turning Back - Alba de Céspedes (4)
Challenge #14: Read a book by a writer with a set of double letters in their name - started by avatiakh
The Library at Hellebore - Cassandra Khaw ABANDONED
*✔The Light Pirate - Lily Brooks-Dalton (4)
Challenge 15: SCHOOL DAZE - Read a book with a word from the school supply list in the title, author, or on pages 25 or 26 - started by Morphidae
✔The Book Club for Troublesome Women: A Novel - Marie Bostwick (4)
*✔The Phoenix Pencil Company: A Reese's Book Club Pick by Allison King
The Red Pencil - Andrea Davis Pinkney
Challenge #16: Read a book with the name of a European city in the title or on the first page - started by AnneDC
✔The Paris Express: A Novel - Emma Donoghue (3.5)
Challenge #17: Read a book which brings a song to mind. (Please list the song & the reason) - started by countrylife
✔Joan: A Novel of Joan of Arc by Katherine J. Chen (4)
✔My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing (3.5)
✔Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler - Susana M. Morris (5)
Challenge #18: Read a book with a placement word in the title - started by raidergirl3
✔Coming Up Short: A Memoir of My America - Robert B. Reich (4)
The Lighthouse At the Edge of the World - JR Dawson abandoned
Miss Julia Takes Over- Ann B. Ross
Challenge #1: Read a book by an author whose last name starts with X, Y or Z - started by SqueakyChu
✔Uncultured: A Memoir - Daniella Mestyanek Young (4)
Challenge #2 : The Big Mac or Little Mc Challenge ; Read a book by an author whose surname starts either Mac or Mc - PaulCranswick
✔Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right's Stealth Plan for America - Nancy MacLean (5)
Challenge #3: The Opposites Attact Challenge: Read a book with the at least 2 words in the title which are opposites OR read 2 books that have opposite titles - started by AlcottAcre
*Bittersweet - Susan Cain
*Black Dahlia & White Rose - Joyce Carol Oates
*✔He Said/She Said: A Novel - Erin Kelly (4)
Challenge #4: Read a book considered to be Cottage-core - Started by Carmenere
*✔Best Hex Ever - Nadia El-Fassi (3)
The Late-Night Witches - Auralee Wallace Abandoned
Challenge #5: Read a book where an animal is telling at least part of the story and the book includes a tag indicating it is for adults - Started by dallenbaugh
*✔Pod - Laline Paull (5)
Challenge #6: Read a book discussed in any September on the BBC Worldservice Bookclub
*✔Brokeback Mountain - Annie Proulx (5)
*✔The Hound of the Baskervilles - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (3)
Challenge #7: Read the first book in a series - started by lindapanzo
*✔The Distant Echo (Karen Pirie #1) - Val McDermid (3.5)
*✔The Left Hand of Dog- Si Clarke (3)
The Mechanical - Ian Tregillis
✔Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind- Ann B. Ross (3)
Challenge #8: Read a book where at least one title word begins with the letter “D” - started by DeltaQueen
✔Before Dorothy - Hazel Gaynor (4)
Challenge #9: Read a book with a blue cover, or a title word blue or a title word blue or sapphire for Sapphire September - Started by Kristelh
✔Wayward Girls: A Novel - Susan Wiggs (4)
Challenge #10: Rolling challenge: Read a book with a word in the title starting with the letters WAR EAGLE - Started by susanna.fraser
✔What We Don't Talk About When We Talk About Fat - Aubrey Gordon (4)
✔The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - Taylor Jenkins Reid (40
Challenge #11: Read a book about sisters, fiction or non-fiction - Started by Citizenjoyce
The Hounding: A Novel - Xenobe Purvis
*✔The Six: The Lives of the Mitford Sisters - Laura Thompson (4)
Challenge #12: Read a book by a journalist (NF or F), about a journalist or the media - Started by Chatterbox
✔The Collected Regrets of Clover: A Novel - Mikki Brammer (4)
✔How to Be Well: Navigating Our Self-Care Epidemic, One Dubious Cure at a Time - Amy Larocca (3.5)
*No Country For Love - Yaroslav Trofimov
Challenge #13: Read a book where the title is a stand-alone sentence - started by wandering_star
*✔There's No Turning Back - Alba de Céspedes (4)
Challenge #14: Read a book by a writer with a set of double letters in their name - started by avatiakh
The Library at Hellebore - Cassandra Khaw ABANDONED
*✔The Light Pirate - Lily Brooks-Dalton (4)
Challenge 15: SCHOOL DAZE - Read a book with a word from the school supply list in the title, author, or on pages 25 or 26 - started by Morphidae
✔The Book Club for Troublesome Women: A Novel - Marie Bostwick (4)
*✔The Phoenix Pencil Company: A Reese's Book Club Pick by Allison King
The Red Pencil - Andrea Davis Pinkney
Challenge #16: Read a book with the name of a European city in the title or on the first page - started by AnneDC
✔The Paris Express: A Novel - Emma Donoghue (3.5)
Challenge #17: Read a book which brings a song to mind. (Please list the song & the reason) - started by countrylife
✔Joan: A Novel of Joan of Arc by Katherine J. Chen (4)
✔My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing (3.5)
✔Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler - Susana M. Morris (5)
Challenge #18: Read a book with a placement word in the title - started by raidergirl3
✔Coming Up Short: A Memoir of My America - Robert B. Reich (4)
The Lighthouse At the Edge of the World - JR Dawson abandoned
Miss Julia Takes Over- Ann B. Ross
30humouress
>29 Citizenjoyce: The His Bloody Project episode aired in July 2025. September's book this year will be The Hound of the Baskervilles.
I'd list the September books (since 2002 - lots of choice!) but it's a bit onerous to do 1-handed.
I'd list the September books (since 2002 - lots of choice!) but it's a bit onerous to do 1-handed.
31raidergirl3
>30 humouress: I went to the List you helpfully posted, then did a Cntr-F search for September to look for eligible books
32humouress
>31 raidergirl3: Ta - didn't know you could do that. I'll add it to message >9 humouress:
33alcottacre
>30 humouress: I am very happy for the Hound! It is my favorite Holmes.
34Citizenjoyce
>30 humouress: Thanks, once again I didn't pay attention to the challenge. I've never liked Sherlock Holmes. Brilliant men behaving badly, ugh, but I'll give the Hound a try. If I can't stomach it, there's always Brokeback Mountain.
35Chatterbox
>30 humouress: Ooof, that's a tough one. There are only two of the September books on there that I haven't already read (in two cases, tried and failed to read), and I won't read anything by Neil Gaiman at present, so that leaves me with American Tabloid, which I honestly had never even thought of reading. *shrug* For the first time ever, I'm flummoxed! It has been decades since I read Midnight's Children but that's a loooong and complex book to re-read
36avatiakh
>30 humouress: That was me not reading the directions.
37Carmenere
Hoping someone can help me find a challenge to place a book I absolutely need to read n September. Is there a challenge for The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin?
38alcottacre
>37 Carmenere: I tried, Lynda, but did not find a challenge in which the book would fit. Hopefully someone will post a challenge yet that the book will fit into.
39humouress
>35 Chatterbox: Best of luck.
>36 avatiakh: No worries.
>37 Carmenere: Challenge 3 if you read a book with ‘water’ in the title?
(I assume that double letters for Challenge 14 must be consecutive.)
>36 avatiakh: No worries.
>37 Carmenere: Challenge 3 if you read a book with ‘water’ in the title?
(I assume that double letters for Challenge 14 must be consecutive.)
40avatiakh
>39 humouress: Yes, consecutive double letters.
41PaulCranswick
>37 Carmenere: Maybe you could stretch things grammatically a bit and use Challenge 13, Lynda?
42SqueakyChu
>37 Carmenere: Maybe check into James Baldwin’s writing career and see if you would have deemed him a journalist at any time during his early writing career. If so, put your book in challenge #12 if Suz agrees with you!!
43PaulCranswick
>42 SqueakyChu: Madeline may have a point, Lynda. This is the AI Review on Google:
"Yes, James Baldwin was a journalist, among his many roles as a writer, playwright, essayist, and activist. He reported on the civil rights movement, using his essays to document racial issues in America and becoming a powerful voice in public discourse through writing and public appearances. "
"Yes, James Baldwin was a journalist, among his many roles as a writer, playwright, essayist, and activist. He reported on the civil rights movement, using his essays to document racial issues in America and becoming a powerful voice in public discourse through writing and public appearances. "
44Carmenere
Thanks for your help humouress ,Madeline and Paul! I'm going to put Baldwin challenge #12
Although I could have put him in challenge #3 I'm already stretched and adding an opposite book to that one would do me in
Although I could have put him in challenge #3 I'm already stretched and adding an opposite book to that one would do me in
45SqueakyChu
>43 PaulCranswick: I let you do your own AI research as I hate AI. It's lied to me before! LOL!
It is so funny to watch as we shoehorn books into our various challenges!
It is so funny to watch as we shoehorn books into our various challenges!
46alcottacre
>44 Carmenere: Sorry, Lynda. I did not realize that Baldwin had also been a journalist in his career. Learn something new every day!
47Carmenere
>46 alcottacre: I know! Right!? I've never read Baldwin and very much looking forward to this one.
Thanks to Paul and AI, many of us learned something new today!
Thanks to Paul and AI, many of us learned something new today!
48Carmenere
>45 SqueakyChu: I think AI does have its attributes, Madeline but I remain leary and suspicious. Haha
49PaulCranswick
>47 Carmenere: Unless of course AI lied, Lynda? :D as I didn't know he was a journalist either!
50Kristelh
>49 PaulCranswick:. AI gathers info from other sources. This is from the National Museum of African American history. "James Baldwin was a powerful voice in the modern Civil Rights Movement. As a journalist, he reported on significant historical events, particularly in the South, and he attended major marches, including the 1963 March on Washington and the 1965 Selma to Montgomery March. Whenever he was called upon to do so, he lent his presence and his voice at various types of legal proceedings. Equally as significant, he met with lawmakers at the highest levels of United States government to help eradicate racial segregation and violence."
See https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/baldwin-witness
See https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/baldwin-witness
51PaulCranswick
>51 PaulCranswick: I was being slightly flippant, Kristel, as I suspect Madeline was being too. It has been wrong a few times too.
52Kristelh
>51 PaulCranswick:. Paul, I think AI should encourage us to check out sources. I also found this as I was curious as to which magazines he might of worked for; "By the time of Baldwin’s New Yorker debut — his sole byline in the magazine — his journalistic efforts were increasingly found on glossy pages: Esquire, Mademoiselle, The New York Times Magazine, and later, Playboy, Life, Look, McCall’s, and New York."
53SqueakyChu
AI has its place, but also its dangers. Tonight my husband pointed out a news program he was watching in which a family was suing ChatGPT because it completely instructed their teenager how to perform that youngster's completed suicide. After hearing that, my younger son told me an amazing story about how he used ChatGPT to determine the provenance of an antique watch he hopes to sell in the future. Use it with caution; beware of its dangers.
P.S. Never use their recipes! LOL!
P.S. Never use their recipes! LOL!
54PaulCranswick
>53 SqueakyChu: Journalism nonetheless though, Kristel.
>54 PaulCranswick: Oh my goodness that is terrible, Madeline.
I'm terrible at following recipes but have the distinct advantage of being married to a wonderful cook who taught our maid (and the world's finest maker of coffee) to cook to the extent that she isn't too far behind her in the culinary arts (other than a propensity to make food overly spicy).
>54 PaulCranswick: Oh my goodness that is terrible, Madeline.
I'm terrible at following recipes but have the distinct advantage of being married to a wonderful cook who taught our maid (and the world's finest maker of coffee) to cook to the extent that she isn't too far behind her in the culinary arts (other than a propensity to make food overly spicy).
55SqueakyChu
>54 PaulCranswick: Overly spicy?! Invite me! I love overly spicy! :D
56humouress
>53 SqueakyChu: Yes, I heard part of that news this morning; it's terrible! We were driving in Ireland last month and didn't know if we could make a U-turn. I googled it for the city we were in (probably Belfast) and glanced at the AI option at the top which claimed we could. Reading other answers, though, it looked like we couldn't in Northern Ireland (where we were) but could in ROI. I think it just copied from the ROI Highway Code.
I barely even glannce at the AI at the top now.
I barely even glannce at the AI at the top now.
57SqueakyChu
>56 humouress: I only read the AI if the correct information is not important (e.g. an opinion, such as what side dishes to serve with roast chicken). Then I make up my own mind! :D
58PaulCranswick
>55 SqueakyChu: Any time, Madeline. You will always be welcome. I of course love spicy food and that is partly the reason that she has been indispensable to me for almost 24 years!
59Carmenere
>56 humouress: haha try using "AI said it was ok" to the judge.
60Chatterbox
Weighing in on the James Baldwin debate, belatedly. Because I was AWOL for a few days and wasn't around to join the extensive discussion, I'll allow it. But Baldwin is the kind of writer who I tried to write my challenge to exclude -- he was not a reporter, or even a columnist, but an essayist/contributor. I'd also exclude people like Ian Buruma, for instance, whose work has popped up in NYRB (which he edited for a short while) but whose main claim to being a journalist was editing the Far East Economic Review's cultural pages after getting degrees in Chinese & Japanese studies in various places.
There are lots of people who glide between the worlds of academia, literary fiction, non-fiction and contributions to more generally accessible media outlets, like the Atlantic or whatever. But these folks are not professional journalists. I suppose I'd compare this to someone who gets occasional work as an extra for movies describing themselves as an actor, when actually they're a lawyer or car repair dude who does the walk-on stuff on the side. Yes, they get paid for it, but it's not their profession.
If that sounds stuffy or pedantic, I apologize! Blame it on the fact that this is my profession, in this case. I admire/revere James Baldwin for what he was -- a superb stylist, a great creative mind, a novelist of tremendous power, a great essayist. All things I can't aspire to being. I just don't see in his bio that he earned his bread and butter working for the "mainstream" media or being a newshound.
As I say -- grandfathering this in, but just in case anyone has queries about what I'm thinking of.
And yes, to the "AI says so, therefore..." Eeek! I have been trying to use AI as a research and organizational tool a bit recently, and the extent to which I see it hallucinate (even when I'm asking it to do a basic translation) is very scary...
There are lots of people who glide between the worlds of academia, literary fiction, non-fiction and contributions to more generally accessible media outlets, like the Atlantic or whatever. But these folks are not professional journalists. I suppose I'd compare this to someone who gets occasional work as an extra for movies describing themselves as an actor, when actually they're a lawyer or car repair dude who does the walk-on stuff on the side. Yes, they get paid for it, but it's not their profession.
If that sounds stuffy or pedantic, I apologize! Blame it on the fact that this is my profession, in this case. I admire/revere James Baldwin for what he was -- a superb stylist, a great creative mind, a novelist of tremendous power, a great essayist. All things I can't aspire to being. I just don't see in his bio that he earned his bread and butter working for the "mainstream" media or being a newshound.
As I say -- grandfathering this in, but just in case anyone has queries about what I'm thinking of.
And yes, to the "AI says so, therefore..." Eeek! I have been trying to use AI as a research and organizational tool a bit recently, and the extent to which I see it hallucinate (even when I'm asking it to do a basic translation) is very scary...
61SqueakyChu
>60 Chatterbox: the extent to which I see it hallucinate
Exactly, Suz! That's why I deferred to you. I only read AI with great skepticism these days.
Exactly, Suz! That's why I deferred to you. I only read AI with great skepticism these days.
62Carmenere
>60 Chatterbox: Suzanne, Thank you for “grandfathering” my choice of Baldwin into your challenge. I understand the blurred lines of this selection and out of respect to your challenge and profession, I’m rescinding my inclusion of The Fire Next Time. I still look forward to reading it this month for book club.
63PaulCranswick
>60 Chatterbox: Your challenge and your call Suz but your challenge didn't use the word "reporter", you said "journalist". Every reporter is a journalist but not every journalist is a reporter.
A writer of reviews, in-depth pieces that are published in journals (the clue is in the word) and also in front line news is a journalist. Since Baldwin submitted reviews in journals from his early twenties and published numerous in depth pieces in journals he does fit the definition of a journalist whatever the intention of your challenge. Had you used the word reporter instead your intentions would have been clearer to all of us.
https://careerplanb.co/difference-between-reporter-and-journalist/
A writer of reviews, in-depth pieces that are published in journals (the clue is in the word) and also in front line news is a journalist. Since Baldwin submitted reviews in journals from his early twenties and published numerous in depth pieces in journals he does fit the definition of a journalist whatever the intention of your challenge. Had you used the word reporter instead your intentions would have been clearer to all of us.
https://careerplanb.co/difference-between-reporter-and-journalist/
64Chatterbox
>63 PaulCranswick: Again, apologies for any confusion (and I'm fine with grandfathering Baldwin because of it.) Though I do think I spelled out the definition in detail in my post (if not the label on the challenge). I recognize that in the loosest possible definition, someone who writes reviews for a "journal" may be deemed by some a journalist, but the emphasis I find is in the the focus of news/information transmission.
From UNESCO: "A journalist is a person who gathers information in the form of text, audio or pictures, processes it into a newsworthy form and disseminates it to the public." (Wikipedia has picked up that definition)
From Collins (one example of several): "A journalist is a person whose job is to collect news and write about it for newspapers, magazines, television, or radio."
Ending my participation in any debate though. And a reminder to be excessively clear if there's any potential for misunderstanding!
>62 Carmenere: Please do include the Baldwin if you don't find another spot for it, or don't have another entry for this challenge...
From UNESCO: "A journalist is a person who gathers information in the form of text, audio or pictures, processes it into a newsworthy form and disseminates it to the public." (Wikipedia has picked up that definition)
From Collins (one example of several): "A journalist is a person whose job is to collect news and write about it for newspapers, magazines, television, or radio."
Ending my participation in any debate though. And a reminder to be excessively clear if there's any potential for misunderstanding!
>62 Carmenere: Please do include the Baldwin if you don't find another spot for it, or don't have another entry for this challenge...
65Morphidae
Challenge 15: SCHOOL DAZE - Read a book with a word from the school supply list in the title, author, or on pages 25 or 26
More info in a little
More info in a little
66Morphidae
Challenge 15: SCHOOL DAZE - Read a book with a word from the school supply list in the title, author, or on pages 25 or 26
It's that time of year again and I just finished helping a friend organize and pack up school supplies for her four kids. One in elementary school, one in middle school, and two in high school.
Wow. Just wow.
This challenge is honor of my friend, a single parent to those great kids. I don't know how she does it.
The list can be found here:
TIOLI Challenge 15: School Daze
The 25 and 26 are in reference to the school year: 2025/26.
Google Books is a great reference to pull up the text on a page.
*******
DETAILS - you don't *HAVE* to read these. They are here for reference if there is a question.
Rules & Regulations. Terms & Conditions. Protocols & Procedures. Customs & Conventions. Manners & Mores. P's & Q's. PB & J's. "Dogs and cats living together. Mass hysteria!" (See addendum at bottom.)
Ahem.
Embedded words are fine. For those who read in a language other than English, the equivalent word in that language is acceptable.
On the list is not only the word(s) but also all the ways it can be acceptably broken down. For instance, "dry erase marker", "dry", "erase", and "marker" are all valid.
If you think of a school supply that is not on this list (if you can, I'll give you a cookie!), please let me know and I'll make a determination.
If several words are in quotation marks, it needs to be an exact match.
Numbers need to remain in numeral form unless the word for the number is also on the list. Series/book numbers, chapter numbers, and page numbers can't be used.
I tried to keep the words in singular form so the plural form is automagically included. I don't believe any words have unusual plurals. But if there are any, the plural is valid. *
Addendum:Enjoy! 😄
It's that time of year again and I just finished helping a friend organize and pack up school supplies for her four kids. One in elementary school, one in middle school, and two in high school.
Wow. Just wow.
This challenge is honor of my friend, a single parent to those great kids. I don't know how she does it.
The list can be found here:
TIOLI Challenge 15: School Daze
The 25 and 26 are in reference to the school year: 2025/26.
Google Books is a great reference to pull up the text on a page.
*******
DETAILS - you don't *HAVE* to read these. They are here for reference if there is a question.
Ahem.
Embedded words are fine. For those who read in a language other than English, the equivalent word in that language is acceptable.
On the list is not only the word(s) but also all the ways it can be acceptably broken down. For instance, "dry erase marker", "dry", "erase", and "marker" are all valid.
If you think of a school supply that is not on this list (if you can, I'll give you a cookie!), please let me know and I'll make a determination.
If several words are in quotation marks, it needs to be an exact match.
Numbers need to remain in numeral form unless the word for the number is also on the list. Series/book numbers, chapter numbers, and page numbers can't be used.
I tried to keep the words in singular form so the plural form is automagically included. I don't believe any words have unusual plurals. But if there are any, the plural is valid.
Addendum:
67alcottacre
>66 Morphidae: Morphy, all the hyperlink seems to do for me is take me to the top of this thread.
68alcottacre
This message has been deleted by its author.
69Morphidae
>67 alcottacre: Yikes! All fixed! Thanks for letting me know.
*mutters to self, "One little equals sign..."*
*mutters to self, "One little equals sign..."*
70AnneDC
Challenge #16: Read a book with the name of a European city in the title or on the first page
Fairly self-explanatory I think.
Fairly self-explanatory I think.
71alcottacre
>69 Morphidae: Thanks for the fix!
72Chatterbox
>66 Morphidae: What a hoot! And positively heroic on your part to help yr friend tackle that task...
73Carmenere
>66 Morphidae: Thank you, Morphy! xx I was able to find a spot to put the James Baldwin novella, I need to read this month, in your challenge!
74PaulCranswick
>66 Morphidae: I can also put Endling in the challenge as it has the word "three" on page 26.
75alcottacre
It is that time of the month again - PRIZE TIME!!
Mini-Sweeplettes in August:
AnneDC for challenges 1-3
antqueen for challenges 3-6 and 13-15
avatiakh for challenges 7-9
bell7 for challenges 3-5
countrylife for challenges 3-6 and 13-15
humouress for challenges 4-6
Kristelh for challenges 1-3 and 13-15
lindapanzo for challenges 13-15
PaulCranswick for challenges 7-11
raidergirl3 for challenges 8-12 and 13-15
Sweeplettes in August:
avatiakh for challenges 1-6
DeltaQueen for challenges 1-6
PaulCranswick for challenges 1-6
countrylife for challenges 7-12
Kristelh for challenges 7-12
Sweeps in August:
AlcottAcre
Chatterbox
Citizenjoyce
Quondame
Congratulations to all our prize winners!! Nice job on both mini-sweeplettes and sweeplettes for August! That is always great to see.
As always, if I made any mistakes, please let me know and I will correct my error.
Mini-Sweeplettes in August:
AnneDC for challenges 1-3
antqueen for challenges 3-6 and 13-15
avatiakh for challenges 7-9
bell7 for challenges 3-5
countrylife for challenges 3-6 and 13-15
humouress for challenges 4-6
Kristelh for challenges 1-3 and 13-15
lindapanzo for challenges 13-15
PaulCranswick for challenges 7-11
raidergirl3 for challenges 8-12 and 13-15
Sweeplettes in August:
avatiakh for challenges 1-6
DeltaQueen for challenges 1-6
PaulCranswick for challenges 1-6
countrylife for challenges 7-12
Kristelh for challenges 7-12
Sweeps in August:
AlcottAcre
Chatterbox
Citizenjoyce
Quondame
Congratulations to all our prize winners!! Nice job on both mini-sweeplettes and sweeplettes for August! That is always great to see.
As always, if I made any mistakes, please let me know and I will correct my error.
76SqueakyChu
>75 alcottacre: Nice crowd for the sweeps and sweeplettes! Congrats to all.
77Kristelh
Thank you Stasia and Madeliene for the work and time you both give to TIOLI which we enjoy!
78countrylife
Challenge #17: Read a book which brings a song to mind. (Please list the song & the reason)
Because I couldn't find anywhere else to put a book I just finished ---
Mine:
A Single Thread – Tracy Chevalier (Winchester Cathedral, setting)
Because I couldn't find anywhere else to put a book I just finished ---
Mine:
A Single Thread – Tracy Chevalier (Winchester Cathedral, setting)
79alcottacre
Can we get just one more challenge in for September so that we have a full slate of 18??
80SqueakyChu
>77 Kristelh: I enjoy giving my time to LT so much. It's a touch of friendliness and caring in an otherwise insane world.
81alcottacre
>76 SqueakyChu: Yeah, it was nice to see!
>77 Kristelh: >80 SqueakyChu: What Madeline said! I consider it an honor and privilege to be able to contribute in my small way to TIOLI.
>77 Kristelh: >80 SqueakyChu: What Madeline said! I consider it an honor and privilege to be able to contribute in my small way to TIOLI.
82SqueakyChu
>79 alcottacre: I even just added a 4th wiki page! :D Go fill it up challengers (if you haven't already submitted a challenge)!
83alcottacre
>82 SqueakyChu: Yes! We can do it, I know we can!!
84raidergirl3
Challenge #18: Read a book with a placement word in the title
behind, beside, near, left, right, etc
behind, beside, near, left, right, etc
85alcottacre
>84 raidergirl3: Thank you!
Question: Do you consider 'top' a placement word? I would like to read The Boy at the Top of the Mountain for your challenge.
Question: Do you consider 'top' a placement word? I would like to read The Boy at the Top of the Mountain for your challenge.
86raidergirl3
>85 alcottacre: 100%
I didn’t list everything, even ‘in’, and ‘in’ tell where something is. If you (the reader) think it is, it probably is
I didn’t list everything, even ‘in’, and ‘in’ tell where something is. If you (the reader) think it is, it probably is
87alcottacre
>86 raidergirl3: Great! Thank you so much.
88PaulCranswick
>84 raidergirl3: Thank you for making it three full sweeplettes this month, Elizabeth.
89raidergirl3
>88 PaulCranswick: you’re welcome! It looks so much more complete to have 6 per page
I’m planning to read Endling so we can do a shared read for #15
I’m planning to read Endling so we can do a shared read for #15
90PaulCranswick
>89 raidergirl3: Yes I look forward to that. The snippets I have read make it appear something a little fantastical.
91humouress
>75 alcottacre: Ooh, I got a mini again; I didn't think I would.
Thanks Stasia and congratulations everyone!
Thanks Stasia and congratulations everyone!
92alcottacre
>91 humouress: You are most welcome, Nina. Congratulations on your mini!
93Kristelh
I am currently reading he said/she said by Erin Kelly. This one fits into at least 3 TIOLI categories. Opposites (he, she), songs ("She Said She Said" by The Beatles, and "SHE SAID HE SAID SHE SAID" by Joshua Bassett. and a work (this one being fiction) by a journalist. Erin Kelly is an English writer from Romford. She has worked as a journalist since 1998, writing for newspapers, magazines including Red, Psychologies, Marie Claire and Elle, as well as writing psychological thrillers. Penguin Random House considers this a book written by a journalist. See https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/the-read-down/books-by-journalists/
94Helenliz
>93 Kristelh: I love those ones that offer options, rather than the ones you need to shoehorn in somewhere!
I've got the Distant Echo up for later in the month, I've put it in First in series, but it could go in the Mc/Mac challenge, the D word in the title and the edition I'm listening to has a blue cover. It may well move if I get close to a sweeplette!
I've got the Distant Echo up for later in the month, I've put it in First in series, but it could go in the Mc/Mac challenge, the D word in the title and the edition I'm listening to has a blue cover. It may well move if I get close to a sweeplette!
95elkiedee
>94 Helenliz: The Distant Echo would also fit into the reminder of a song challenge #17 - I think the title is taken from a song by the Jam (possibly Down in the Tube Station at Midnight).
Also, I would say that TDE is the book in which Karen Pirie first appears, but I wouldn't really see it as #1 in the series in which she is the central character. A Darker Domain is the real first in series (and much better, I think).
Also, I would say that TDE is the book in which Karen Pirie first appears, but I wouldn't really see it as #1 in the series in which she is the central character. A Darker Domain is the real first in series (and much better, I think).
96alcottacre
>93 Kristelh: I love it when books can fit into multiple challenges, Kristel. One of my favorite things to do is see whether books I am reading for another challenge will also fit into TIOLI.
>94 Helenliz: You can get that sweeplette I am sure, Helen!!
>94 Helenliz: You can get that sweeplette I am sure, Helen!!
97Citizenjoyce
>93 Kristelh:, >94 Helenliz: Those both look good. Let me know where you put them, and I'll join you.
98alcottacre
>94 Helenliz: >97 Citizenjoyce: I will join in the read of The Distant Echo too. I have never read it but have owned it for years.
Joyce, I found it under challenge #7.
Joyce, I found it under challenge #7.
99Kristelh
>97 Citizenjoyce:, I put mine under opposites for now.
100SqueakyChu
>84 raidergirl3: Would "orbital" work for your challenge? This word describes the path of an object in space. I was thinking of reading Orbital.
101raidergirl3
>100 SqueakyChu: sure, orbit is relative to the sun. Plus, I loved the book, (I taught high school physics til I retired in June) and love people reading it. Hope you enjoy it!
102SqueakyChu
>101 raidergirl3: I just started it tonight as I got it from my library today. Thanks!
Happy belated retirement!
Happy belated retirement!
103raidergirl3
>102 SqueakyChu: thanks, it feels like retirement just started as summer was my regular summer.
104Helenliz
>97 Citizenjoyce: I put it in challenge 7, first in a series. It is listed as the first in the Karen Pirie series on LT.
105Kristelh
>101 raidergirl3:, Happy retirement, Elizabeth. It does take awhile before retirement becomes real.
106SqueakyChu
>101 raidergirl3: Sorry. I just bailed on Orbital after three chapters. Though most people loved this book, I was finding it very boring and needed to move on to something else.
107PaulCranswick
>106 SqueakyChu: I am in your camp, Madeline. It was mercifully short. I really cannot conceive how the jury possibly thought this a more deserving winner than James.
108humouress
There'll be a memorial read in the Green Dragon of The Nine Tailors for @MrsLee in a week or two. Any thoughts as to where I could put it?
109PawsforThought
>108 humouress: What a lovely thing to do! (And a great book, too!)
There seems to be an old ballad with the lyric “I can tell you how the world begun, nine tailors make a man” - maybe that could work for Challenge #17?
There seems to be an old ballad with the lyric “I can tell you how the world begun, nine tailors make a man” - maybe that could work for Challenge #17?
110SqueakyChu
>10 dallenbaugh: >109 PawsforThought: If I start singing any song by James Taylor, would that give you an earworm? LOL!
111PawsforThought
>110 SqueakyChu: Haha! I happen to love James Taylor, so I wouldn’t mind
112dallenbaugh
>110 SqueakyChu: sorry, how does that fit my challenge? earworm?
113SqueakyChu
>112 dallenbaugh: Well, if the word "tailor" reminds her of a James Taylor song, would that count or not? How about if she sings the song?! Your call, of course! :D
114dallenbaugh
>113 SqueakyChu: I am still confused. Are you talking about my number 5 challenge about animals telling part of the story?
115SqueakyChu
>114 dallenbaugh: Oops! My bad! I was referring to a different challenge...the challenge (#17) by countrylife to read a book which brings a song to mind.
I accidentally wrote >10 dallenbaugh: instead of >108 humouress: in post #110.
Sorry for the confusion.
I accidentally wrote >10 dallenbaugh: instead of >108 humouress: in post #110.
Sorry for the confusion.
116lindapanzo
>114 dallenbaugh: I'm thinking it's for challenge #17, about bringing a song to mind.
117humouress
>109 PawsforThought: The song doesn't ring a bell but if you know it, that works for me. Thank you!
>110 SqueakyChu: Or James Taylor. Either way, challenge 17 it is.
>110 SqueakyChu: Or James Taylor. Either way, challenge 17 it is.
118dallenbaugh
>115 SqueakyChu: All is well
119SqueakyChu
TIOLI Stats for August, 2025
We're hanging in there, my friends. For August 2025 we read a total of 295 books of which 59 (20%) were shared reads. We accumulated 33 TIOLI points for an August 2025 YTD total of 241 TIOLI points (somewhat behind last year).
Our most popular book, read by 5 challengers, was Audition by Katie Kitamura.
Our most popular challenge, with 32 books read, was the one by @lindapanzo to read a book with a connection to the number 8.
Our challenge with the most TIOLI points (5) was the one by @Kristelh to read a book by an author from the The Booker Prize longlist.
Ever onward, challengers!
We're hanging in there, my friends. For August 2025 we read a total of 295 books of which 59 (20%) were shared reads. We accumulated 33 TIOLI points for an August 2025 YTD total of 241 TIOLI points (somewhat behind last year).
Our most popular book, read by 5 challengers, was Audition by Katie Kitamura.
Our most popular challenge, with 32 books read, was the one by @lindapanzo to read a book with a connection to the number 8.
Our challenge with the most TIOLI points (5) was the one by @Kristelh to read a book by an author from the The Booker Prize longlist.
Ever onward, challengers!
120humouress
If anyone is joining the memorial read of Nine Tailors by Dorothy L. Sayers for @MrsLee the thread is here (in the Green Dragon):
https://www.librarything.com/topic/374055#
https://www.librarything.com/topic/374055#
121SqueakyChu
The August, 2025, TIOLI Awards!
The That Counts Award goes to @susanna.fraser for reading Installment Immortality for my (SqueakyChu's) challenge to 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. This challenger picked a book with qualifying title words each of eleven letters. I hate counting letters in book titles. I'm glad it was done for me! :D
The Devoted Parent Award goes to @Citizenjoyce for the challenge to read a book that has something to do with this challenger's son. Our children (and grandchildren) are our pride and joy. Kudos to this challenger for bringing this to our attention.
The Earworm Award goes to @AlcottAcre for the challenge to read a book with the vowels E, I, and O (in that order) somewhere in the title. Don't even ask me how many times I sang "Old McDonald Had a Farm (E, I, E, I, O)" after reading the title to this challenge! :O
The Esoteric Travel Award goes to @humouress for reading A Witch’s Guide to Escape: A Practical Compendium of Portal Fantasies for the challenge by @Carmenere to read a book with a vehicle in the title. Happy (long distance) traveling with your portal! :)
The Easy Peasy Number Award goes to @lindapanzo for the challenge to read a book with a connection to the number 8. Sometimes our challenges are so hard to shoehorn our books into, but this challenge made me laugh for the myriad ways the number 8 could help fit a book into it. Perhaps 8,888 ways?! :D
Ever onward, my good challengers!
The That Counts Award goes to @susanna.fraser for reading Installment Immortality for my (SqueakyChu's) challenge to 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. This challenger picked a book with qualifying title words each of eleven letters. I hate counting letters in book titles. I'm glad it was done for me! :D
The Devoted Parent Award goes to @Citizenjoyce for the challenge to read a book that has something to do with this challenger's son. Our children (and grandchildren) are our pride and joy. Kudos to this challenger for bringing this to our attention.
The Earworm Award goes to @AlcottAcre for the challenge to read a book with the vowels E, I, and O (in that order) somewhere in the title. Don't even ask me how many times I sang "Old McDonald Had a Farm (E, I, E, I, O)" after reading the title to this challenge! :O
The Esoteric Travel Award goes to @humouress for reading A Witch’s Guide to Escape: A Practical Compendium of Portal Fantasies for the challenge by @Carmenere to read a book with a vehicle in the title. Happy (long distance) traveling with your portal! :)
The Easy Peasy Number Award goes to @lindapanzo for the challenge to read a book with a connection to the number 8. Sometimes our challenges are so hard to shoehorn our books into, but this challenge made me laugh for the myriad ways the number 8 could help fit a book into it. Perhaps 8,888 ways?! :D
Ever onward, my good challengers!
122humouress
>121 SqueakyChu: Ooh, I got an award! Thanks Madeline. I'll pop over to collect it shortly.
123SqueakyChu
>122 humouress: Traveling here by portal...right, Nina? :D
124humouress
>123 SqueakyChu: Absolutely. Only way to go ;0)
125susanna.fraser
>121 SqueakyChu: I counted the letters three times to make sure they really matched!
126SqueakyChu
>125 susanna.fraser: Confession time! I counted them as well to be sure they fit the parameters! LOL!!
127SqueakyChu
TIOLI Question of the Month:
Have you acquired books (or a single book) recently from a source other than where you usually get them? If so, what books and from where?
Have you acquired books (or a single book) recently from a source other than where you usually get them? If so, what books and from where?
128alcottacre
>121 SqueakyChu: Thanks for the award, Madeline. I cannot tell you how many times I sang it too!
129lindapanzo
>121 SqueakyChu: Thanks for the award, Madeline. I’m still feeling like easy, simple challenges. And easy, simple reading too.
131Citizenjoyce
>121 SqueakyChu: Thanks for the award, but one thing that doesn't need awarding is to be a devoted parent. It just happens for most of us. We make mistakes, but it's not out of a lack of devotion, just human fallibility.
132humouress
>131 Citizenjoyce: I wish my kids would see it that way :0/
133Citizenjoyce
>132 humouress: Alas, they don't until they grow up, and maybe not even then.
134Helenliz
>127 SqueakyChu: this month's books have come from:
Library via Borrowbox app
Library
Shelterbox book club
Bought online from the author
Bought from my local independent bookshop
Church book share. This is the one that is the one off. I'd gone with him to bell ringing practice even though I wasn't ringing as we were going on somewhere else afterwards. I'd forgotten to take a book, so borrowed one from the parish's book share box. I did return it.
Library via Borrowbox app
Library
Shelterbox book club
Bought online from the author
Bought from my local independent bookshop
Church book share. This is the one that is the one off. I'd gone with him to bell ringing practice even though I wasn't ringing as we were going on somewhere else afterwards. I'd forgotten to take a book, so borrowed one from the parish's book share box. I did return it.
135SqueakyChu
>135 SqueakyChu: What is Borrowbox app? What is Shelterbox book club?
137Helenliz
>135 SqueakyChu: Shelterbox is a charity that provides support, by way of a box that contains emergency items to areas that have experienced natural or manmade disasters.
They have a book cub and every 6 weeks subscribers get a book that has some link to an area that they have supported. It may have been written by an author from a country or be about a country that they have supported. It is a win-win - I get to read something I would likely never have picked up myself, they get financial support for their work
https://shelterbox.org/book-club/
As in >136 elkiedee: Borrowbox is an app that provides library users with access to e-books and audiobooks. I use it for audiobooks.
They have a book cub and every 6 weeks subscribers get a book that has some link to an area that they have supported. It may have been written by an author from a country or be about a country that they have supported. It is a win-win - I get to read something I would likely never have picked up myself, they get financial support for their work
https://shelterbox.org/book-club/
As in >136 elkiedee: Borrowbox is an app that provides library users with access to e-books and audiobooks. I use it for audiobooks.
138SqueakyChu
>136 elkiedee: >137 Helenliz: I've basically stopped reading ebooks as I much prefer handling and readin real books. I don't even know where my Kindle is! :D
>137 Helenliz: Shelterbox sounds really cool. My problem is that, being a member of Bookcrossing, Little Free Library (stewards), and LibraryThing (Early Reviewer), I don't have time to read the books I already have!
>137 Helenliz: Shelterbox sounds really cool. My problem is that, being a member of Bookcrossing, Little Free Library (stewards), and LibraryThing (Early Reviewer), I don't have time to read the books I already have!
139Morphidae
>133 Citizenjoyce: It's funny how the older I got the more intelligent mother was.
I'm now 60 and she's a freaking genius!
I'm now 60 and she's a freaking genius!
140Citizenjoyce
>139 Morphidae: Oh, the fights I had with my mother! How different things look now.
141humouress
>139 Morphidae: So I just have to wait for another 20 40 years or so ...
142PawsforThought
>141 humouress: I used to have massive fights with my mum all the time as a kid and in my early teens (a combination of being very different in some aspect and exactly the same in other aspects). But when I was around 15 it started getting better, and it's only gone up since (and I'm over 40 now) - nowadays my mum is one of the people I love spending time with the most. It was a matter of reconciling on both parts (for me that my mum is actually right sometimes, and has many smart things to say, and for her that I'm never going to be her and choose the same path as her).
143SqueakyChu
Housekeeping Day!
Please remember to update the September wiki by deleting any book you do not complete by 12 midnight tonight (or mark those rolling challenges DNF). Thanks, much!
Please remember to update the September wiki by deleting any book you do not complete by 12 midnight tonight (or mark those rolling challenges DNF). Thanks, much!
144alcottacre
This is also my monthly reminder to please be sure all your books are marked as "complete" if they are so that I can get the monthly 'prize' list compiled by October 4th. Thank you!
145humouress
Time to do some 'bookhorning' as Mark would call it.
60) Nine Tailors by Dorothy L. Sayers (Green Dragon memorial read)
1. Read a book by an author whose last name begins with X, Y or Z - msg #1
2. Read a book by an author whose surname starts either Mac or Mc - msg #5
3. Read a book with the at least 2 words in the title which are opposites OR read 2 books that have opposite titles - msg #
4. Read a book considered to be Cottage-core - msg #6
5. Read a book where an animal is telling at least part of the story and the book includes a tag indicating it is for adults - msg #10
10. Read a book with a word in the title starting with the letters WAR EAGLE - msg #15
11. Read a book about sisters, fiction or non-fiction - msg #17
12. Read a book by a journalist (NF or F), about a journalist or the media - msg #19
13. Read a book where the title is a stand-alone sentence - msg #27
15. Read a book with a word from the school supply list in the title, author, or on pages 25 or 26 - msg #66
18. Read a book with a placement word in the title - msg #84
Challenge 6: Read a book discussed in any September on the BBC Worldservice Bookclub
The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (shared read)
Challenge 7: Read the first book in a series
The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen
Challenge 8: Read a book where at least one title word begins with the letter “D”
The Search for the Red Dragon by James A. Owen
Challenge 9: Read a book with a blue cover, or a title word blue or sapphire for Sapphire September
The Ravenswood Witch by Jenni Keer
Challenge 14: Read a book by a writer with a set of double letters in their name
Bee Sting Cake by Victoria Goddard (shared read)
Challenge 16. Read a book with the name of a European city in the title or on the first page
The Muse of Maiden Lane by Mimi Matthews
Challenge 17: Read a book which brings a song to mind
The Missing of Clairdelune by Christine Dabos
60) Nine Tailors by Dorothy L. Sayers (Green Dragon memorial read)
1. Read a book by an author whose last name begins with X, Y or Z - msg #1
2. Read a book by an author whose surname starts either Mac or Mc - msg #5
3. Read a book with the at least 2 words in the title which are opposites OR read 2 books that have opposite titles - msg #
4. Read a book considered to be Cottage-core - msg #6
5. Read a book where an animal is telling at least part of the story and the book includes a tag indicating it is for adults - msg #10
10. Read a book with a word in the title starting with the letters WAR EAGLE - msg #15
11. Read a book about sisters, fiction or non-fiction - msg #17
12. Read a book by a journalist (NF or F), about a journalist or the media - msg #19
13. Read a book where the title is a stand-alone sentence - msg #27
15. Read a book with a word from the school supply list in the title, author, or on pages 25 or 26 - msg #66
18. Read a book with a placement word in the title - msg #84
Challenge 6: Read a book discussed in any September on the BBC Worldservice Bookclub
The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (shared read)
Challenge 7: Read the first book in a series
The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen
Challenge 8: Read a book where at least one title word begins with the letter “D”
The Search for the Red Dragon by James A. Owen
Challenge 9: Read a book with a blue cover, or a title word blue or sapphire for Sapphire September
The Ravenswood Witch by Jenni Keer
Challenge 14: Read a book by a writer with a set of double letters in their name
Bee Sting Cake by Victoria Goddard (shared read)
Challenge 16. Read a book with the name of a European city in the title or on the first page
The Muse of Maiden Lane by Mimi Matthews
Challenge 17: Read a book which brings a song to mind
The Missing of Clairdelune by Christine Dabos
146humouress
By the way, I notice that Sense and Sensibility is listed under two different challenges (3. Read a book with the at least 2 words in the title which are opposites & 11. Read a book about sisters) if the readers wanted to combine for a shared read.
147raidergirl3
>146 humouress: they have different authors though. I read a modern updating by Joanna Trollope.
148humouress
>147 raidergirl3: Oh - I just assumed they were both Austen
149humouress
>15 susanna.fraser: Can I start another round for Challenge 10 and add The Muse of Maiden Lane under 'L'? The last WAR EAGLE is full except for the letter 'R'.
ETA: No worries. I've found another challenge for it.
ETA: No worries. I've found another challenge for it.
150humouress
>84 raidergirl3: Can the placement word be embedded? I'm looking for somewhere to put The Nine Tailors:
Nine Tailors.
Nine Tailors.
