Big Book Summer Challenge 2024 | My Recommendations & TBR

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  • Опубліковано 4 лис 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 74

  • @RobynLG
    @RobynLG 5 місяців тому +3

    Oh the memories of my mom watching the Thorn Birds!

  • @ToddsBookTube91
    @ToddsBookTube91 4 місяці тому +1

    Nice video! I started talking to Sue Jackson when she only had 500 subscribers! I'm glad she's getting all this attention!

    • @jensreadinglife
      @jensreadinglife  4 місяці тому +1

      Her channel is wonderful and I’m so glad I found her! Thanks for watching my video. 😊

  • @maggieyoder5655
    @maggieyoder5655 4 місяці тому +1

    I love tackling big books in the summer. Reminds me of getting lost in a book during my summer breaks in high school and collage when I was free to read whatever my heart desired. I was surprised you did not pull down the big chunkster on the shelf behind you (The Eighth Life). That one is waiting on my shelves too 😊

    • @jensreadinglife
      @jensreadinglife  4 місяці тому +1

      I love big books for that reason too! I’m thinking of putting together a group read of The Eighth Life for anyone interested in the new year. 😊

    • @maggieyoder5655
      @maggieyoder5655 4 місяці тому

      @@jensreadinglifeif it works out for the new year, count me in!

    • @jensreadinglife
      @jensreadinglife  4 місяці тому

      @@maggieyoder5655 fantastic! 😁

  • @RobynLG
    @RobynLG 5 місяців тому +1

    Piles of possibilities!!

  • @reginadake5672
    @reginadake5672 4 місяці тому +1

    Love the shell seekers!!! I just started coming home.

  • @meganmichalski9582
    @meganmichalski9582 5 місяців тому +1

    Anxiously awaiting my copy of The Shellseekers to arrive. It sounds like a wonderful story and perfect for summer.

    • @jensreadinglife
      @jensreadinglife  5 місяців тому +1

      It is! I can’t wait to hear what you think.

  • @nonisnest9718
    @nonisnest9718 5 місяців тому +1

    When you started to talk about big books The She’ll Seekers immediately came to mind. I need to reread it. I also love stories set in India, Marcia Willett and Maeve Binchy. Marjorie Morningstar, an oldie but goodie is on my summer TBR. My copy of Up the Down Staircase arrived yesterday on your recommendation.

    • @jensreadinglife
      @jensreadinglife  5 місяців тому

      I adore Marjorie Morningstar! And I hope you enjoy Up the Down Staircase.

  • @WaterBearReads
    @WaterBearReads 5 місяців тому +1

    The Thorn Birds is one of my favorite books!!! 💕

  • @SueJacksonDE
    @SueJacksonDE 5 місяців тому

    Welcome to Big Book Summer, Jen! I was surprised I haven't been to your channel before because I've heard good things about it. And several people have already told me they hears about the challenge here, so thanks for spreading the word (and for adding your link to the list on my blog - I'll share it across social media). So glad you decided to join the fun this year! I remember The Thorn Birds miniseries, but I haven't read the book yet. And I've heard SO many people rave about Rosamund Pilcher and the Shell Seekers, but I haven't read any of her books yet - thanks for inspiring me! I love Tana French's Dublin Murder series and had heard about The Hinter (and The Searcher) but thought they were stand-alones. I didn't realize they're the start of a new series, so thanks for that, too! I read The Lincoln Highway last summer and LOVED it. Enjoy all your Big Books! You can also join the Goodreads group if you want to, to share your video link, see what everyone else is reading, and enjoy some Big Book chat all summer!

    • @jensreadinglife
      @jensreadinglife  5 місяців тому

      Thank you for the welcome, Sue! I did join the Goodreads group and will have to link my video there too. You should definitely read a Rosamunde Pilcher book at some point - she’s wonderful. I’m so glad I found your channel and this challenge. 😊

  • @miriamelizabethreads
    @miriamelizabethreads 5 місяців тому +1

    The Thorn Birds sounds intriguing! I've only read maybe a couple of long family sagas and enjoyed them (the one I can remember off the top of my head is The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy which I loved). Great reading plans! I hope you find some new favourites!

    • @jensreadinglife
      @jensreadinglife  5 місяців тому +1

      I would love to read The Forsyte Saga at some point! I think you would enjoy The Thorn Birds…it’s a captivating story. 😊

  • @MLLatUtube
    @MLLatUtube 5 місяців тому +1

    I had not heard of this challenge - thanks for pointing it out. I remember readingThe Thorn Birds ages ago and enjoying it. I like the suggestion in the comments to read a Kate Morton - I love her books. I also love Maeve Binchy, so that is another option.

    • @jensreadinglife
      @jensreadinglife  5 місяців тому

      I love Kate Morton too and should have mentioned her. She’s a great option!

  • @joyceredman2136
    @joyceredman2136 5 місяців тому +2

    I loved the Thorn Birds and the Feast. I would love to read any Kate Morton books this summer.

    • @jensreadinglife
      @jensreadinglife  5 місяців тому +2

      Kate Morton books are wonderful summer reads!

  • @bookwalk1
    @bookwalk1 4 місяці тому +1

    Have you read The covenant of Water? This is a family saga set in India. It is a wonderful book. My hardbound edition is 715 pages. It was a fast read for me, even at this length!

    • @jensreadinglife
      @jensreadinglife  4 місяці тому

      Yes! I read it last summer and loved it. 😊

  • @jenkins6839
    @jenkins6839 5 місяців тому

    Thank you for the recommendations. I’m really enjoying your videos.

    • @jensreadinglife
      @jensreadinglife  5 місяців тому

      Thank you so much! I’m glad you are enjoying them. 😊❤️

  • @MMjones6459
    @MMjones6459 5 місяців тому

    Thanks for being so enthusiastic about your reading life. ❤

    • @jensreadinglife
      @jensreadinglife  5 місяців тому +1

      You are welcome! Books bring me so much joy and I am having fun sharing that with all of you. 😊

  • @pamelamcarthur5131
    @pamelamcarthur5131 5 місяців тому +1

    Your recommendations sound good. I have picked books from my TBR cart for big book summer. I'm reading At Home In Mitford by Jan Karon at 540 pages, enjoying it so far! Happy Reading!

    • @jensreadinglife
      @jensreadinglife  5 місяців тому

      I love they this is a challenge where you can easily pick books off your own shelves! I loved At Home in Mitford when I read it years ago - enjoy!

  • @allisonryder4781
    @allisonryder4781 5 місяців тому +2

    I remember my mum reading the Thorn Birds as well!!! I must read it. I just read the Feast. It was all about the seven deadly sins. Each character’s first letter of their name is a hint to the “sin”. 😮

    • @JacquelineCaron
      @JacquelineCaron 5 місяців тому

      That is very interesting! I have The Feast on my shelves to be read. love the cover!

    • @jensreadinglife
      @jensreadinglife  5 місяців тому

      Oh that’s right! I forgot about that element! So clever. 😊 And definitely give The Thorn Birds a read, it’s wonderful!

    • @jansmith9391
      @jansmith9391 5 місяців тому +1

      Never knew that, and I love that book & the series. Cool, thanks

  • @kathleencraine7335
    @kathleencraine7335 5 місяців тому +1

    Oh! I loved The Feast and it did not feel like a 400+ page book at all-it flew by! I plan to read In This House of Brede (R. Godden), a re-read of Our Mutual Friend (Dickens) and maybe a longer Anthony Trollope.

    • @jensreadinglife
      @jensreadinglife  5 місяців тому

      The Feast is such a fast-paced read! And I really enjoyed In This House of Brede!

  • @theresas709
    @theresas709 5 місяців тому +1

    This is my second year on Big Book Summer and I also am going to read The Shell Seekers but not till August.

    • @jensreadinglife
      @jensreadinglife  5 місяців тому

      I think I said July for Shell Seekers but my book club is actually reading it over August and September! I may have trouble not reading it all in one go however!

  • @katejones5396
    @katejones5396 5 місяців тому +1

    Great recommendations! I should take part in this challenge, it seems all the books I've bought recently would qualify! I just started Lonesome Dove, and I am also planning to read The Thorn Birds (I saw the mini series ages ago but havent read it), The Feast, Sleeper's Castle by Barbara Erskine, and Rebecca by Daphne Dumaurier... my edition is 428 pages. I love Firefly Summer! I've read it, and most of Maeve Binchy's books, several times :)

    • @jensreadinglife
      @jensreadinglife  5 місяців тому +1

      Lonesome Dove is the group read for the challenge so if you are on Goodreads you could join the group for the discussions. 😊 And I’m so glad to hear you loved Firefly Summer. I’m a big Maeve Binchy fan too.

    • @katejones5396
      @katejones5396 5 місяців тому +1

      @@jensreadinglife hey, that's great, thanks! I'll join the group!

  • @glendaslanina9939
    @glendaslanina9939 5 місяців тому

    Hi Jen….The Shellseekers is my top read for the summer. I have never read it but I love Rosamunde Pilcher’s other books. That’s my main choice but I will also read some Agatha Christie, Barbara Pym and Elly Griffiths and of course Miranda’s Season of Story book club choice, One Month in the Country. I think it’s going to be a great reading summer!📖👏🏻🌺

    • @jensreadinglife
      @jensreadinglife  5 місяців тому

      You have some wonderful reading ahead of you! The Shell Seekers is fantastic. Enjoy your summer reading! 😊

  • @delltaylor9678
    @delltaylor9678 5 місяців тому

    Hi Jen: I have been following you since you started this channel and love 💕 your style and recommendations! We have such similar tastes … I always find new titles to add to my TBR. I have read many of your summer recommendations and loved them all. You must listen to The Lincoln Highway… the narration is fantastic.

    • @jensreadinglife
      @jensreadinglife  5 місяців тому

      Thank you for your kind words about my channel! I’m so glad you found me. 🩷 I am hoping so can get the audio of Lincoln Highway from my library in time to read it this month otherwise I’ll have to read the print version.

  • @starlasell5698
    @starlasell5698 5 місяців тому +1

    Great recommendations! I read The Thornbirds I my twenties and loved it!
    I'm reading Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens for Big Book Summer.
    Two other big books I loved were Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett and A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles.

    • @jensreadinglife
      @jensreadinglife  5 місяців тому +1

      I love that you are tackling a Dickens this summer! Maybe I’ll do that next year! And yes to both Pillars and Gentleman as excellent big books!

    • @starlasell5698
      @starlasell5698 5 місяців тому

      @jensreadinglife 😀👍 I'm really liking it!

  • @cassandra3399
    @cassandra3399 5 місяців тому +2

    Hi Jen, I just reordered a big book that I loved back when I was a young woman, Pennmaric by Susan Howatch. It is a sweeping family saga. Have you ever read it? It is over 700 pages and I wonder if I still will love it again, 50 or so years later. Thank you.❤😊😊

    • @JacquelineCaron
      @JacquelineCaron 5 місяців тому +1

      I loved Penmarric - and find I recommend it quite often to people. Found it in the library a couple years ago, and was intrigued by the old edition. I also loved Cashelmara, I'm sure you've read that one as well.

    • @jensreadinglife
      @jensreadinglife  5 місяців тому

      I haven’t read it but I recently got a copy of her book Cashelmara (I think that’s the title?). Have you read that one? It’s definitely a big book! I’ll have to add Pennmaric to my TBR!

    • @jensreadinglife
      @jensreadinglife  5 місяців тому

      I just got a copy of Cashelmara so I’m glad to hear you love it!

  • @938quilt
    @938quilt 5 місяців тому +1

    is The Feast similar to Bridge of San Luis Rey? I remember startin that obok many years ago but didn't finish (not sure why)

    • @jensreadinglife
      @jensreadinglife  5 місяців тому +1

      I haven't read Bridge of San Luis Rey but from looking at the synopsis, they sound like very different books even though they tackle a similar type of event.

  • @elizabethbrink3761
    @elizabethbrink3761 5 місяців тому

    I am intrigued by East of the Sun and The Far Pavilions! Those both sound super good. I'm part of a group reading Moby-Dick this summer, so that is definitely my Big Book Summer challenge option. I'm hoping to pick up some more fun books that are over 400 pages too, though. 😂I'm hoping to read an annotated version of Emma in Jane Austen July!

    • @jensreadinglife
      @jensreadinglife  5 місяців тому

      Ok, I am also planning to read the annotated Emma for Jane Austen July! How funny is that! Another buddy read??? 😂

  • @MJ-in-Canada
    @MJ-in-Canada 5 місяців тому +1

    A story set during the summer in a seaside hotel in Cornwall?🏖 “The Feast” is tempting me with that setting.

    • @jensreadinglife
      @jensreadinglife  5 місяців тому +1

      The setting (and the book) is fantastic!

  • @eileennielsen5165
    @eileennielsen5165 5 місяців тому +1

    Hi Jen, your blouse is very cute and summery. Would like to hear more about M.M. Kaye bks. The Feast, Firefly Summer and the trio by Marcia Gillett sound good to me. Hope I can read some. Thanks

    • @jensreadinglife
      @jensreadinglife  5 місяців тому

      Thank you, Eileen! I hope you find some good books this summer. 😊

  • @carlaking3459
    @carlaking3459 5 місяців тому

    Reading Becoming Madam Secretary now for book club, 516 pages inc author note.
    On my June TBR, Lost Roses, sequel to Lilac Girls I read in May. It's 432 pgs. Any of Kate Morton's books are good choices for "big books", too

    • @jensreadinglife
      @jensreadinglife  5 місяців тому

      Sounds like you are definitely set for big books this summer! I should have included Kate Morton because I love her books too!

  • @anacastillo8023
    @anacastillo8023 5 місяців тому

    Just found your channel, I really enjoyed the books! I saw the Thorn Birds when it came out, what a story! Thank you!

  • @jansmith9391
    @jansmith9391 5 місяців тому +1

    You would almost certainly love “And Ladies of the Club”, by Helen Hooven Santmyer. It’s definitely a chunkster, and it is about the lives of the women in their college club in Ohio. It follows two main best friends and their families, but also other women. The time period begins just post Civil War. It’s also about books!

    • @jensreadinglife
      @jensreadinglife  5 місяців тому

      I found that one secondhand a couple of months ago and really want to read it! You are right about it being a chunkster! I didn’t know it was about books too, that makes me even more excited to read it! 😁

  • @jessicastamper4312
    @jessicastamper4312 5 місяців тому +2

    What is the name of the book club.

    • @jensreadinglife
      @jensreadinglife  5 місяців тому

      It’s called the Cozy Reader Book Club. I will actually have a video going up soon all about the book club which my co-host and I are putting together. And anyone is welcome to join!

  • @amyodell7157
    @amyodell7157 5 місяців тому

    Do you know anything about Kate Howe? She hasn’t posted anything for awhile. I hope she is okay.

    • @jensreadinglife
      @jensreadinglife  5 місяців тому +2

      Kate is doing ok. She is taking a break from UA-cam for a bit due to her chronic illness. Hopefully she will be back when she is feeling up to it. 🩷

    • @amyodell7157
      @amyodell7157 5 місяців тому

      @@jensreadinglife Thank you! I was worried. Thanks for sharing! Have a blessed day!