Friday Reads Big Book Summer Hopefuls 2024

Рет қаралды 6,507

2 ай бұрын

Sue Jackson's #BigBookSummer Challenge 2024 is here! This year the challenge runs from May 24 - September 2, 2024. The challenge is to read a book that is 400 pages or more.
Learn more from Sue: • #BigBookSummer Challen...
Are you participating? If so, let us know about your list of books.
We also want to know about your favorite books that are 400 pages or more.
Here is our list of BIG BOOKS:
FELLOWSHIP POINT by Alice Elliott Dark: bookshop.org/a/17535/97819821...
A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES by Deborah Harkness: bookshop.org/a/17535/97801431...
THE WOMEN'S ROOM by Marilyn French: bookshop.org/a/17535/97801431...
CHASING BEAUTY: The Life of Isabella Stewart Gardener by Natalie Dykstra: bookshop.org/a/17535/97813285...
MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS by Antonia Fraser: bookshop.org/a/17535/97803853...
THE LOST BOY OF SANTA CHIONIA by Juliet Grames: bookshop.org/a/17535/97805935...
THE AWAKENING by Nora Roberts: bookshop.org/a/17535/97812507...
Send us an email at bookcougars@gmail.com if you want join the Zoom conversation on Sunday, June 2nd at 7PM (ET).
SALT, FAT, ACID, HEAT: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking by Samin Nosrat: bookshop.org/a/17535/97814767...
THE MAKIOKA SISTERS by Junichiro Tanizaki: bookshop.org/a/17535/97806797...
Also Mentioned:
THE STAND by Stephen King: bookshop.org/a/17535/97803079...
THE SEVEN OR EIGHT DEATHS OF STELLA FORTUNA by Juliet Grames: bookshop.org/a/17535/97800628...
Sign up for our monthly newsletter: www.bookcougars.com/subscriber
We are an affiliate of Bookshop. org. Your purchase made through our link is greatly appreciated: bookshop.org/shop/bookcougars
Thanks for watching!
Chris & Emily
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Пікірлер: 106

@Ihearbooks 2 ай бұрын

The Count of Monte Cristo is going down this summer. I've had this great edition for several years. I think I'll count it as 2 books at almost 1100 pages.

@robinlewis8101 2 ай бұрын

I am so tempted to try this too...I was just considering this earlier this evening and now I'm seeing your comment! Idk, though, it's over 1000 pp...

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

I'd say it counts as three books! 😬 That was the first book I read when we moved to Connecticut and I have such fond memories of reading it. It had pretty good pacing from what I recall. Enjoy!

@Kadie-lx7sk 2 ай бұрын

I just finished Stephen King's.11/22/63 and loved it! 449 pages. A great read!

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

Congrats, and thanks for the recommendation. I love King but that is not one I've read. --chris

@user-ts2yd8pj7c 2 ай бұрын

I am not specifically participating in the challenge but a review of the books I have pre-selected for The Buzzwordathon Challenge for June, July, and August are all over 400 pages: June - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (590 pages); July - One Hundred Years of Solitude (417 pages); and, August - Sparks Like Stars (448 pages) so I guess I am participating

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

Well that worked out well for you! We both love The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. The Buzzwordathon Challenge sounds fun--what a great way to discover new books or look at those on your shelves in a different way.

@ToddsBookTube91 Ай бұрын

Just discovered your channel! Sue Jackson is a wonderful person!

@BookCougars 25 күн бұрын

Hi Todd, so nice to connect with you. Sue is the best!

@BookChatWithPat8668 2 ай бұрын

Love your channel! I remember reading The Women's Room a lifetime ago, probably in the early 1980's. I love that you are reading Fellowship Point together. I really loved that one. Have a wonderful summer with these delightful books!

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

Hi Pat, thanks! We're happy to hear you loved Fellowship Point. It looks like you have a lot of great reading lined up yourself this summer. Enjoy!

@coletteryan3887 2 ай бұрын

I am so happy that your channel popped up on my feed. Nothing against other KZfaq channels but most of the books on their lists are just a little too young for me. This is going to be fun!

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

Thanks, Colette! We know what you mean.

@user-dj7xp5hw2o Ай бұрын

I loved The Women’s Room. I first read it in 1979 for a book club, then again in the 90s & felt it was outdated.

@BookCougars 25 күн бұрын

Hi, Barbara! How cool that you read it for book club. It feels like a cautionary tale now that some want to roll back the progress that has been made in women's equality and rights.

@bookwalk1 2 ай бұрын

Oh, I loved Fellowship Point. I was able to read this very fast, so hope you two will too! And, yes, it does give great vibes of Maine.

@joniburke8005 Ай бұрын

I love these two Nora Robert’s and Lisa Gardner

@anenthusiasticreader 2 ай бұрын

I loved Fellowship Point. The characters are so well developed. Have a great time reading.

@anenthusiasticreader 2 ай бұрын

Did you watch the Netflix series for Salt Fat Acid Heat? It’s a wonderful companion to the cookbook. I’ve made the buttermilk brined chicken and it’s delicious.

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

So glad to hear this!

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

I'll ask Emily (this is Chris).

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

Chris who does not cook very much....

@kathyfaulk710 Ай бұрын

Have fun with the Discovery of Witches - look up the names mentioned like Brigit Bishop. I loved it, Read the books, watched the series and read the books again.

@RobinLyons-gi3dr Ай бұрын

Great episode, Book Cougars! I also have had Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat on my shelf since it came out and have never picked it up. I hadn’t thought about getting the audiobook, great suggestion. I found Fellowship Point to be a long book that didn’t feel long. It’s a great book for a buddy read. I loved it. 💕

@CarolAttrux 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for this! All of the books interest me. Chasing Beauty grabbed my attention because I watched a documentary about the museum heist. Fascinating!

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

Totally fascinating! Kind of unbelievable that the case hasn't been solved. You'd think someone would offer a brag that would get leaked so the investigators would have a new trail to follow. Perhaps we read/watch too much mystery.

@cathleenolson3699 2 ай бұрын

The Women's Room was a made for tv movie , don't remember the year starring Lee Remick and Colleen Dewhurst and Patty Duke. It was fantastic. I VHS recorded it at the time and later bought, for 10 dollars at the thrift store a tv with a built in VHS player and watch it often. I have a paperback copy of the book, of course never read,but now I am inspired 19:16 to pick it up

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

Oh, wow! We didn't know about the TV movie. Will definitely have to try to track that down. One of the used bookstores in the area still sells VHS. It'll be interesting to hear what you think of the book if you read it since you've enjoyed the movie so much.

@julieg_quebec-julesselivre8641 2 ай бұрын

Hi ladies! I wasn’t aware of this challenge but I’ve just started Les Misérables by Victor Hugo and my copy in Frendh is over 1300 pages so I think it’s going to be my big book project for this summer! 😅😂

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

Oh, yes, Les Mis should count as two or three books! That is an undertaking. We hope you enjoy! Your blog is making us wish we could read French.

@annayeatts87 2 ай бұрын

Love your channel and book 📚 recommendations!!! Hope you enjoy your summer and reading 📖👋😁

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

Thanks, Anna! We wish you the same. 😻

@verucasalt4535 2 ай бұрын

Just subscribed! I love your screen name! I'm going to be reading 3 big books: Spin by Robert Charles Wilson, Clan of the Cavebear by Jean M. Auel, & Empress Dowager Cixi: The Concubine Who Launched Modern China by Jung Chang. Favorite long books: Game of Thrones by GRRM, Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky, The Secret History by Donna Tartt, Wild Swans by Jung Chang, Invisible Child by Andrea Elliott, & The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

Those are some impressive books! Thanks for helping grow our TBRs. I/chris am thinking about reading The Secret History this summer. I tried it years ago and didn't get into it but I think it just wasn't the right time.

@verucasalt4535 2 ай бұрын

@@BookCougars Some either love it or hate it. I love to hate the characters. I'm planning on rereading it again soon.

@debbiemurphy4971 2 ай бұрын

Great video! I love y’all’s podcast (am new to it) and didn’t realize you have a KZfaq channel, too. I love big books as well, but haven’t decided what to read for this challenge. Deborah Harkness is coming out with a new book in this series this summer. I’ve had The Women’s Room on my TBR forever - need to get to it.

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

Welcome! We're so glad you found the podcast and our channel, too! When we first started this channel we thought it would be more of an occasional thing to supplement the podcast, but we've found that we really enjoy making videos. And it's really great to connected with other readers here.

@librariesandlabradors 2 ай бұрын

This came up on my recommended feed, so glad the algorithm suggested you two! Subscribed. 💗 and how fun, I love the idea of big book summer. I love big books!

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

Hi Melissa! We're so glad you found us--we just subscribed to your channel. We are both huge fans of dogs as well as books.

@BeyondBooks-wt5il 2 ай бұрын

Hi Ladies! Just discovering your channel and glad i did!

@Nurse_Kathy 2 ай бұрын

Me, too! 😊

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

Welcome!! We're so glad you found us!

@MemphisJones Ай бұрын

New sub, you ladies are great 👍🏾

@BookCougars 25 күн бұрын

Hi, Memphis! Welcome, and thank you so much! 😻

@knitty781 Ай бұрын

Yeah!! I love big books and recently started two. Ken Follette World Without End and Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell. Both are can't put down books.

@BookCougars 25 күн бұрын

Thanks for the great recommendations, Pamela!

@juliehughes1258 2 ай бұрын

I'm very intrigued by the Isabella Stewart Gardner book. Go, go, go to the museum in Boston. I thoroughly enjoyed it but it was many years ago and they were in the process of remodeling (adding a cafe, revamping galleries, etc.). The best part of the ISG Museum is that you're able to see fine art in its natural setting, as it were. You see the rooms of her home and the art is hanging on her walls, just as it was when she first acquired it. Think I'll check out that book from the library.

@katschrodinger954 2 ай бұрын

Discovery of Witches is an awesome book! Professor Harkness has her 5th book in the series coming out on the 16th of July - The Blackbird Oracle. Can't wait!

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

Oooh, that's great to know about the FIFTH book coming out. And the TBR list continues to grow and grow. 😻

@lindasheehan2423 2 ай бұрын

Chris, I KNEW you would say The Women’’s Room. I remember it so well! Our book discussion at the time suggested using a mirror and getting to know a certain part of our bodies.Amazing! Love your chats!!!

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

Love it!! And thank you! I remember a scene from Fried Green Tomatoes by Fannie Flagg where the women take out their mirrors to explore themselves. --chris

@snappyzinnia1561 2 ай бұрын

The Goldfinch

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

Donna Tartt! Enjoy. I thought about reading her Secret History this summer. --chris

@leesawarshauer7928 2 ай бұрын

Great cookbook!!

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

🙌

@mariasmiles68 2 ай бұрын

This will be my second year participating. I am going to be reading East of Eden. If I finish before the challenge is over I will read A Gentleman in Moscow. I should also finish A Discovery of Witches which I A enjoying.

@starlasell5698 2 ай бұрын

A Gentleman in Moscow is so good!!

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

East of Eden is one of Emily's favorite books. We both read it a couple years ago for an IRL book club. I/chris really enjoyed it.

@michellemurray4044 2 ай бұрын

Just finished Outlander book 8, over 1100 pgs. It was a task but a lot going on. Good ending Now off to read my bookclub June book.

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

I've read the first three Outlander books and will probably start the forth this summer. I'm happy to hear you say it is a good ending. My mom was a little conflicted about it (but didn't give me any spoilers, of course). --Chris

@lilybugslibrary 2 ай бұрын

I just found your channel and I'm so glad I did. I'll do one "big book". A Court of Thorn and Roses seems to be really popular with a lot of people, so I'm going to try that one. It's 419 pages.

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

We're so glad you found us! We just subscribed to your channel. 😻That sounds like an action-packed story and the start of a great series. Enjoy!

@lilybugslibrary 2 ай бұрын

@@BookCougars Wonderful, thank you. Yes I hope it is a great series. It's been a while since I read a good fantasy series.

@Panagiotireads 2 ай бұрын

I just finished this phenomenal new book of fairy tales entitled Sillies, Fancies, and Trifles - it was phenomenal and I think you'd love it. It would go with the lovely recommendations here. Keep up the beautiful videos :)

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

Thank you! And thanks for the recommendation!

@SueJacksonDE 2 ай бұрын

Wow, you two are on top of things! I think you posted your Big Book Summer video even before mine went up! lol You're dressed alike today - was that planned? Thanks for the day-count, Chris - I've never counted before. I've never read A Discovery of Witches, Emily - hope you enjoy it. It's always interesting to read something outside of your usual reading habits. Chris, I didn't think I remembered The Women's Room until you showed the paperback cover - I do remember that, though I've never read it. Love your definitions of lady and woman, Chris! I haven't read Chasing Beauty, but I did read a novel that referenced that famous art theft in Boston. The Lost Boy comes out on my birthday :) OH! I didn't realize your readalong book was a Big Book! Oooh, a cookbook for Big Book Summer - I like it, Emily - I've heard SO much about that one. Thanks for shouting out Big Book Summer!

@SueJacksonDE 2 ай бұрын

P.S. Had some technical difficulties with the links lists on the sign-up page, but I;m working on it this morning!

@karennaughton 2 ай бұрын

I’m honored my review of “Fellowship Point” bumped it up on your TBR. I hope you end up enjoying it and that I didn’t oversell it. 😬 I’m going to do Big Book Summer, too, but I haven’t finalized my selection(s) yet. More to come. 🤗

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

It wasn't planned but we both have the same black shirt, so it was bound to happen! We do like the idea of a uniform.

@SueJacksonDE Ай бұрын

@@BookCougars Thanks for adding your link to the list on the challenge page - hopefully, it will help even more people to discover the magic of the Book Cougars! I'll be sharing it on social media today.

@cherylrugg4750 2 ай бұрын

I read Fellowship Point last summer as my big book. It wasn’t exactly what I was expecting but I did enjoy it. I also just finished The Covenant of Water ( audio version) It was a LONG listen but engaging!

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

Hi Cheryl! Glad to hear you still enjoyed Fellowship Point. It's interesting that several people have said it wasn't what they were expecting but they still enjoyed it. Phew,

@marytumulty4257 2 ай бұрын

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on “Fellowship Point”. The cover art is very appealing.

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

It really is, makes you want to step right into it.

@hollyc4624 2 ай бұрын

I have 2 overlapping TBR big books as y’all. The Makioka Sisters and Fellowship Point. I’m leaning toward Fellowship Point first. Also Discovery of Witches is terrific. I would love to continue the series. I really loved that first book. By the way, Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat was done as a docuseries on Netflix that was excellent! Highly recommend.

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

Hi Holly! How fun that we have so many books in common. Not sure when we're starting Fellowship Point, but it will be in June. Hope you enjoy! 😻

@sandyokey1019 2 ай бұрын

I’m waiting for Chasing Beauty from my library too. I did a deep dive on Belle da Costa Greene after reading The Personal Librarian and came to hear about Isabella Gardiner in connection with Bernard Berenson. I recommend An Illuminated Life, a bio on Belle da Costa Greene also. I heard about the big book summer challenge just a couple of days ago. I’ve watched Sue’s video, and since I already planned to read The Goldfinch in June, I’m participating.

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

Greene is such a fascinating women. I enjoyed The Personal Librarian and it did make me want to read a biography of her so thanks for recommending An Illuminated Life (nice title play there). Have you heard that The Morgan Library & Museum is doing a major exhibition on her that opens in October? www.themorgan.org/exhibitions/belle-da-costa-greene. Hope you enjoy The Goldfinch.

@JolineGruz Ай бұрын

I've already read several big books this year, but of course I must do the Big Book Summer Challenge! This year I selected a book that I have wanted to read for a long time since everyone just seems to love it. My pick is Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. I am very eager to start reading it.

@BookCougars 25 күн бұрын

We hope you enjoy Lonesome Dove when you get to it!

@JolineGruz 25 күн бұрын

@@BookCougars I finished Lonesome Dove a couple days ago and I absolutely loved it! It was hilarious, sad, heart-wrenching and the best cast of characters of any book I've ever read. This has become one of my all-time favorite books. I think I'll read more Larry McMurtry books!

@karengustafson7666 2 ай бұрын

I’m starting to read Vanity Fair.

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

Excellent! @maggie6512 left a comment here that she is also reading Vanity Fair this summer. Hope you enjoy!

@reginabrown5059 2 ай бұрын

Just found your channel! Love your selections! I just read two big books Fourth Wing and Iron Flame. It was ok! More for younger readers I felt. Love your variety! I’m thinking of doing big book. Got to read Women’s room!

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

We're so glad you found us!! I was wondering about Fourth Wing and Iron Flame and appreciate your thoughts on them. --chris

@sandyroberts2911 2 ай бұрын

Big books…hmmmm I love the concept, but honestly it feels a little overwhelming to me…I tend to read no higher than 350ish. But I will say I think stepping out of my comfort zone would be a good challenge for me. You guys make it look so easy and also give such great tidbits and reviews that make me want to read everything you all talk about 😊

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

Hi Sandy! You know, sometimes a big book can feel short if its a good story. Maybe you can see if one of your favorite authors has a 400+ page book. That might be a safe bet.

@deidrediane9594 2 ай бұрын

I have never heard of The Ladies Room and I think I will start with that one and River of Stars by Guy Gavriel Kay. ❤ Happy reading 📚

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

River of Stars sounds fascinating! Guy Gavriel Kay is a new to me author. --Chris

@annettep28 2 ай бұрын

Just discovered the challenge. I'll be re-reading "The Medicus", by Noah Gordon. I have read that in my late teens or early twens and Singen I had just finished a book about women in the Middle Ages, for example, Hildegard von Bingen, it felt like a good idea to remain in that era. It was started early May, but I think, it counts. For the time being though, I opted for shorter books aka under 400 pages. I'll finish those, so that I can then return to Noahs book. Enjoy all your reading!

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

Thanks, Annette! It looks like Gordon's book is titled The Physician in English. It sounds like a fascinating story and I just added it to my TBR. Happy reading! --chris

@noteworthyfiction 2 ай бұрын

Just found your channel and love it! Nice mix of books. I'd love to hear what end up as the favorite recipes and I can't wait for an update on The Woman's Room.

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

Hi, Nicole! So glad you found us! We just subscribed to your channel. We should take the Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge, too (seeing how many we've read, not reading them all 😬). I'll definitely report back on The Woman's Room. --chris

@noteworthyfiction 2 ай бұрын

@@BookCougars sounds good. Yes! Do the challenge! (I'm definitely never making it to 100% either).

@starlasell5698 2 ай бұрын

I'd not heard of this challenge, but I just found your channel. I just started Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens. I'm on page 40 of 928, so I'll count that. 😊❤📚

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

We're glad you found us! I enjoy Dickens but have not read Little Dorrit (this is Chris). Hope it is a great read for you!

@starlasell5698 2 ай бұрын

@BookCougars Thank you Chris. 🤗

@dbernasc2750 2 ай бұрын

I want to read Solenoid by Cartarescu but I will do a mix of ebook and audio reading to make sure I can finish it before the end of summer.

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

That sounds like a fascinating and intense reading experience!

@maggie6512 2 ай бұрын

My choice is Vanity Fair. I loved Salt Fat Acid Heat. You have reminded me to go back and do some of the recipes! I read it as a non fiction book, so it made sense to me that you have it on your list. I have put A Discovery of Witches on my list to look out for when I am in charity secondhand book shops. Thank you for a lovely video. New Subscriber 🙂

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

Vanity Fair is such a chunkster -- it should count as two books! We hope you enjoy. So glad you found us, thanks for subscribing.

@annlitwack5623 2 ай бұрын

I really enjoyed your video and it inspired me. I am going to participate in Big Book Summer for the first time. I have one for sure book and am sure I will find more. The definite book that I want to read is The Weight of Ink By Rachel Kadish. You have also made me curious about The Discovery of Witches.

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

Thanks, Ann! The Weight of Ink sounds amazing! I just added it to my TBR. --chris

@robinlewis8101 2 ай бұрын

I think I'm going to read The Book of Love for the Big Biok Challenge. I've also got Fingersmith and Wolf Hall waiting, but all 3 are over 500 pp so i better get cracking! I love Salt Fat Acid Heat's "roasted veggies, white bean, and Za'atar salad" (and the roasted chicken) which I got from the Netflix show. Ive got to get the cookbook!

@BookCougars 2 ай бұрын

Wolf Hall! So tempting....

@Emily-Fine 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for letting me know about the recipe. Will definitely give it a try.