Every summer, we participate in the Big Book (S)ummer Reading Challenge hosted by Book By Book where the goal is to read at least 1 400+ page book. Here’s how we did this summer.
Tanya – Last year I totally rocked this challenge with 6 books, but this year, I finished only 3 – which I would be more OK with if all of them were stellar. I read …
The Thirst (Harry Hole #11), Jo Nesbo
467 pages. Loved 👍 👍 The Harry Hole series is one of my favorite all time long running series of books. The Thirst is the latest book in the series, and it did not disappoint. The crime is crazier than usual, and the solving of it is just as crazy a ride. My favorite thing about this series is how the author spends time developing the characters so we feel invested – and disgusted.
The Bone Witch, Rin Chupeco
411 pages. Just … no 👎. This book is full of lush, beautiful descriptions and is set in a very imaginative World. But descriptions along cannot make for an interesting book, and while I did end up getting into the story a little bit as the story progresed, I’ll say it took some effort and a determined few months, to make it to the end. The first half bored me to tears, and frankly, even at the end, I’m still not sure if I understand what the heck happened!
(Image: The Paperback Pilgrim)
Second Life, S.J. Watson
425 pages. Loved 👍 👍. The ending was terrible – let’s just get this out there right up front. It left things unresolved and was, in my opinion, a cop out by the author. But it did leave me thinking about the choice the main character had to make long after I was through reading. Other than the ending, I really enjoyed this thriller. It was fast paced, intriguing and the moral dilemmas faced were well played out.
Kim – I love this challenge. 400+ pages is not too bad for me and not impossible to get a few of these in each summer. Like Tanya, I’m finished 3 books.
Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows #2), Leigh Bardugo
536 pages. 👍👍 Honestly, I love everything Leigh Bardugo writes and Crooked Kingdom was no exception. These characters!! On audio they really came alive. I can’t wait to see how this series continues.
The Trespasser (Dublin Murder Squad #6), Tana French.
449 pages. 👎 Okay, so not one of my favorite books by Tana French. Kinda sad because I usually love this series. I skipped The Secret Place (you don’t have to read them in order) so I’ll be going back to that and hoping it’s better.
Beartown, Fredrik Backman
432 pages. 👍👍 This is another gem from Backman. I really enjoyed this heartfelt story and got completely pulled in.
What big book have you read lately?
// Comments //
Anne@Headfullofbooks
I managed to finish two 400+ page books this summer and almost finished a third but didn’t complete it until after Labor Day. I am very impressed by your list.
Cinzia
I didn’t know this challenge! I read some books over 400 pages in that period:
– ice hunt by James Rollins (466 p.)
– a game of thrones. Book 1 by George Martin (857 p.)
– before the rains by Dinah Jefferies (416 p.)
I liked them all 🙂
Tanya Patrice
@Cinzia I really liked A Game of Thrones too, although it took some time to really get into it.
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