Deedee’s Comments (group member since Aug 04, 2010)

Deedee’s comments from the Reading with Style group.

OK this one is really hard to pick a book for because I don't find books intimidating. I'll have to think on it a bit.

Both United States (March, April and August) and Great Britain (August, October) are mentioned in the blurbs -- lots of history books there. Unfortunately none mentioned Rome or Italy or Timbuktu, Mali. President Obama is mentioned (March) -- Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime and/or The Price of Politics are both Obama-centered non-fiction on my shelf. I'm also going to look at Ancient Egyptian History.

message 1110: +5 Combo 207A Bechdel

1825 + 05 = 1830

Task 20.7 Bechdel Test:

The work must (i) have at least 2 female characters who (ii) talk to each other about (iii) something other than a man/men
The hero’s wife and a matron employed by the British government discuss the logistics of moving children from London to the countryside during the 1940 London Blitz. (There’s a lot of reassurance that the children will be safe there.)

Bitter Seeds (Milkweed Triptych #1) (2010) by Ian Tregillis

+20 Task
+05 Style: 2. Multiple (5 points): Each time you repeat a task.
+10 Style:3. Review (10 points):

Task Total: 20 + 05 + 10 = 35

Grand Total: 1830 + 35 = 1865

Review: This novel is set in England, France and Germany during the early days of World War II. The twist: Germany’s pursuit of “supermen”, beginning in 1920, has produced a handful of successes. England belatedly plays catchup, using the manipulation of natural forces instead the manipulation of humans to gain wartime advantage. The emphasis in the first half is on the day-to-day struggles of the characters and on the puzzle of how the supernatural in THIS world works. I liked that part. The second half, spies + horror, wasn’t as interesting.

Overall, an original fantasy/ alternative history / horror novel. Recommended for fantasy / horror fans.

And, with this book, I’m finished with the Fall Challenge. Thanks to all the moderators and I'll see y'all in the winter challenge.

I like the challenge here because (1) since I read 40-45 books every 3 monthes, if I concentrate I can finish a challenge; and (2) the challenge here encourages reading the older books; and (3) the challenge here encourages reading a wider variety of books (like this time around Westerns!) which I also like. Thanks to all the moderators for making it possible!

Liz M wrote: "Deedee,

Scoop: The main character, Boot, is sent to the fictional African country of Ishmaelia to cover an expected revolution. I don't think it qualifies for London.

Under the Net: three of the ..."

I've redone my list. I'm keeping A Severed Head; after I read it I'll know whether the Cambridge part is 10% or not. Scoop and Under the Net are gone. And, I've added additional Backups.

Task 10.7 - Karen GHHS' Task - Monsterfest IV

Also fits Task 20.7 Bechdel Test: the work must (i) have at least 2 female characters who (ii) talk to each other about (iii) something other than a man/men
Queen Victoria gives our heroine a mission in a conversation that is “unrelated to “a man/men””.
Our heroine and an eccentric female French business owner (and possible spy) have several conversations unrelated to men.


Changeless (Parasol Protectorate #2) (2010) by Gail Carriger

+10 Task
+05 Style:1. Combo (5 points): (20.7 Bechdel Test)
+10 Style:3. Review (10 points):

Total: 10 + 05 + 10 = 25


And, yeah!, I have a Mega Finish!

+100 pts challenge completion
+200 pts Mega Finish bonus


Grand Total: 1500 + 25 + 100 + 200 = 1825


Review: This is the second novel in the “Alexia Tarabotti” series. It’s a continuation of the first novel, and it assumes that you remember the world building details and major characters from the first novel. I found this installment more entertaining than the first one, as the author could spend more time on character interactions and less on how THIS world works. Changeless is more steampunk than the first one – complete with Queen Victoria, dirigibles, “glassicles” (a form of eyeglasses), and brass encrusted, steam powered machines. This novel, unlike the previous novel in the series, ends with a huge TO BE CONTINUED moment. Recommended for fans of steampunk (but be sure to read the first in the series, Soulless, before reading this one!)

Christine wrote: "Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "I don't know about anyone else, but I'm excited to have a place for Lonesome Dove. Rosemary found a place in Fall, and we've had a Pulitzer task before, but I finally have it in my list."

I, too, am planning to read Lonesome Dove for this. ..."

I've been meaning to read Lonesome Dove for a long time now. :-)

Task 20.2 –Read one of the top 150 books with a rural setting
(#99 on list as of November 21, 2012)

Also fits Task 10.2
author born in Canada
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucy_Mau...

Also fits Task 20.7 Bechdel Test: the work must (i) have at least 2 female characters who (ii) talk to each other about (iii) something other than a man/men
The heroine and the other women of her family spend a lot of the beginning of the book talking about what is and is not socialy acceptable

Also fits Task 20.8 veteran" author, one that has published books for 20 or more years.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucy_Mau...


The Blue Castle (1926) by L.M. Montgomery
Lexile 870

+20 pts - Task
+20 pts - Combo (10.2 - Canada, 10.4 - Blue, 20.7 Bechdel Test, 20.8“veteran” author)
+10 pts - Review
+10 Style:4. Oldies (5 to 25 points): -76 to 150 years old: 10 points (1862-1936)

Task Total - 60 pts

Grand Total: 1440 + 60 = 1500

Review: This was a nice story about a 29-year-old woman who takes control of her life. She spent the first 29 years being the designated “loser”, particularly when compared with her very pretty cousin Olive. Deciding not to care about what others thought about her actions was very liberating for our heroine. The ending fit the novel and was very satisfying to the reader. Interspersed with our heroine’s story are elegant descriptions of the Canadian countryside (which is how it made it onto the GR rural setting list). Overall, a gentle, uplifting story. Recommended for when you’re in the mood for gentle, uplifting story.

Task 20.8 "veteran" author, one that has published books for 20 or more years.
Albert Camus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_C...
I checked with Kate S and she said that his non-fiction book counts, so Camus has the 20 years of published books :0).

The Stranger (1942) by Albert Camus

+20 Task
+05 Style: 2. Multiple (5 points): Each time you repeat a task
+10 Style:3. Review (10 points):
+05 Style:4. Oldies (5 to 25 points): -25 to 75 years old: 5 points (1937-1987)

Task Total: 20 + 05 + 10 + 05 = 40

Grand Total: 1400 + 40 = 1440

Review: This is one of those classics that I somehow missed when I was in school. The plot revolves a young man who is a sociopath (that is, one who lacks a sense of moral responsibility or social conscience). He exists, having no joy or sorrow in his life, limited ability to plan for the future, and no sense of consequences being related to actions. I think it is significant that this was written by a Frenchman in the 1939-1940 timeframe, when Nazi Germany had invaded and occupied France. (Camus was in France at the time.) A lot of writers say that during wartime, people have limited ability to plan for the future and no sense of consequences being related to actions. It was a controversial novel at the time because the protagonist is an atheist. It’s a good novel – really, at 123 pages, novella – but not a timeless classic. Recommended for people who read about wartimes, and for people who want to read all the classics.

Kate S wrote: "Deedee wrote: "Does Albert Camus count as a veteran?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_C...

listsp
Non-fiction books
Christian Metaphysics and Neoplatonism (1935)

And
Novels
The Fall..."

OK thanks!

Does Albert Camus count as a veteran?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_C...

lists
Non-fiction books
Christian Metaphysics and Neoplatonism (1935)

And
Novels
The Fall (La Chute) (1956)

which is >20 years; however, his novels/plays/essay collections were published in <20 years

Task 15.10 - 10th book - letter X(2007)


Miss Chopsticks (2007) by Xinran


+45 Task
+200 points if the chain qualifies for both (A) and (B)
(A) Bonus: all 10 books published within any 25-year period (1984-2007)
(B) Bonus: books are read in chronological order (by original publication date) as well as alphabetic order (without repeating a year)

Task Total: 45 + 200 = 245

Grand Total: 1155 + 245 = 1400

Review: This is a gentle story about 3 teenaged girls born and raised in the Chinese countryside who move to the Big City of Nanjing to work for wages. In the introduction, the author says that she is a journalist born and raised in China. The three sisters in the story are based on three young women (who are NOT sisters) whom she met while doing her job as a journalist. The details are fictionalized to protect their privacy. The “local color” details were interesting. It was very soothing to read a story about sisters who actually liked each other. Recommended.

I made a long list of London locations -- I plan to start with the oldest one, until I find one that I can keep to, then keep going through the list until I hit 10 books read :0). I also read everyone else's posts and I plan to possibly add any interesting-sounding London books to the list.

I don't want to cause any difficulty for the moderators though.

Karen GHHS wrote: "Adding my good wishes, Bea."

And mine.

Revised (Again)
Location: London, England
Goal: Archeologist
Publication: 1722 - 2012

1. 1722 A Journal of the Plague Year
2. 1886 The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
3. 1889 The Nether World or 1891 New Grub Street
4. 1958 Dreaming Suburb
5. 1961 A Severed Head (there is a brief journey to Cambridge, 62 mi from London.) It
6. 1965 The Millstone
7. 1982 The London Embassy
8. 2007 Burning Bright
9. 2011 How it All Began
10. 2012 NW

Backups
1. 1929 Harriet Hume: A London Fantasy
2. 1950 Our Spoons Came from Woolworths
3. 2000 A Conspiracy of Paper
4. 2003 The Hanover Square Affair
5. 2009 The Hand That First Held Mine
6. 2010 Mr. Chartwell: A Novel

After looking at other people's approved London lists, I've added additional backups:
Additional Backups
1944 Forever Amber
1965 At Bertram's Hotel
1997 Jack Maggs
2009 Her Fearful Symmetry

Consolidated List of Future Reads
1961 A Severed Head (there is a brief journey to Cambridge, 62 mi from London.)
1965 At Bertram's Hotel
1965 The Millstone
1982 The London Embassy
1997 Jack Maggs
2000 A Conspiracy of Paper
2003 The Hanover Square Affair
2007 Burning Bright
2009 The Hand That First Held Mine
2009 Her Fearful Symmetry
2010 Mr. Chartwell: A Novel
2011 How it All Began
2012 NW



And, lastly, here's the list of what I actually read for this task:
Location: London, England
Publication: 1722 - 2012

1. 1722 A Journal of the Plague Year by Daniel Defoe
2. 1889 The Nether World by George R. Gissing
3. 1950 Our Spoons Came from Woolworths by Barbara Comyns
4. 1958 Dreaming Suburb by R.F. Delderfield
5. 1982 The London Embassy by Paul Theroux

Task 20.1 Read an award winning debut book.
Winner Locus Award for Best First Novel: 2005

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell (2004) by Susanna Clarke (Paperback, 1006 pages)

Hugo Award for Best Novel (2005)
Man Booker Prize Nominee for Longlist (2004)
Nebula Award Nominee for Best Novel (2006)
Locus Award for Best First Novel (2005)
World Fantasy Award for Best Novel (2005)
Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Adult Literature (2005)


Fits Task 10.7 published (2000-2012) with a spooky and imaginary character in it.
evil faeries

Fits Task 20.7 Bechdel Test: the work must (i) have at least 2 female characters who (ii) talk to each other about (iii) something other than a man/men
Emma and Arabella talk about Emma's state of mind

Most popular version:
The red cover paperback, pagecount = 1,006

+20 Task [20.1 Read an award winning debut book.]
+15 Style:1. Combo (5 points): (10.7 evil faeries , 10.8 (B) with 7 letters in the author’s first name: SUSANNA, 20.7 Bechdel Test: )
+10 Style:3. Review (10 points):
+25 Style: 5. Jumbo (5 to 25 points): -1000+ Pages: 25 Points

Task Total: 20 + 15 + 10 + 25 = 70

Grand Total: 1085 + 70 = 1155

Review: This original, award-winning fantasy novel is set in an alternate universe of Britain during and shortly after the Napoleonic Wars, wherein magic is real but not widely understood or used. The writing style is inspired by the writing styles common in 19th Century Britain. There is a plot, which progresses throughout the novel, and which has a distinctive beginning, middle and end (no sequels necessary to resolve major plot points!) There are also numerous entertaining and humorous digressions into related but non-essential matters. The tone is that of a drawing room comedy of manners like Jane Austen’s books, even when the situation isn’t gentile, like (moderate (view spoiler)[ raising men from the dead, and sending them back when you are done with them (hide spoiler)]). I liked it. Recommended for fans of fantasy.

Task 15.9 - 9th book - letter W(2003)

Death Gets a Time-Out (A Mommy-Track Mystery #4) (2003) by Ayelet Waldman

+30 Task

Task Total: 30

Grand Total: 1055 + 30 = 1085

Review: This is the 4th entry in the cozy mystery series A Mommy-Track Mystery. Our heroine is the married mother of 2 preschoolers. In this installment, she finally gets a valid reason for all her investigations. The reason: she is now working part-time in a private detective firm. It’s still a silly series (bringing along a 3 year old on a stakeout? Mild spoiler: (view spoiler)[doing a home pregnancy test in a suspect’s bathroom? (hide spoiler)]) but fun. Recommended for fans of fun, unrealistic cozy mysteries.

Task 15.8 - 8th book - letter V(2000)

Stardoc (Stardoc #1) (2000) by S.L. Viehl

+30 Task

Task Total: 30

Grand Total: 1025 + 30 = 1055

Review: This is the second novel by S.L. Viehl that I’ve read – and the second novel wherein the heroine has major conflicts with her father. In this science fiction novel, the first of a series, both the heroine and father are medical doctors. She rejects her father’s views on life (including medical ethics), and she leaves Terra (Earth) for a multispecies frontier colony. Oddly enough, all the alien species think and act like humans, even though they have decidedly non-human bodies. (The charge nurse looks like a gigantic spider LOL.) Overall, this is an entertaining but not original story. The novel ends with a definitive TO BE CONTINUED, with a few plotlines unresolved. Recommended for science fiction fans.

I've read Maisie Dobbs -- the World War I parts are all brief "Maisie remembers" sections, while the plot all happens in England. She visits the English countryside for a chapter or two but I don't remember if the countryside part is > 10 % or < 10 % of the plot; but the countryside is < 150 miles from London.

From post #846
+05
975 + 05 = 980

Task 20.10 a book by an author that committed suicide

Also fits Task 20.4 written by an LGBT author.: Yukio Mishima was bisexual:
http://www.glbtq.com/literature/mishi...


Also fits Task 20.8 veteran" author, one that has published books for 20 or more years.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yukio_Mi...


Sound of Waves (1954) by Yukio Mishima

+20 Task
+10 Style:1. Combo (5 points): (20.4 LGBT author, 20.8 "veteran" author)
+10 Style:3. Review (10 points):
+05 Style:4. Oldies (5 to 25 points): -25 to 75 years old: 5 points (1937-1987)

Task Total: 20 + 10 + 10 + 05 = 45

Grand Total: 980 + 45 = 1025

Review: This short novel takes place shortly after World War II, in a small fishing village on a small Japanese island. The first two chapters had extended descriptions of fishing life, and I almost tossed it (but then I remembered my likely alternative for 20.10 was Ernest Hemingway so I gave the novel another chance LOL). I’m glad I did. I guess the first 2 chapters were to “set the scene”, and then in chapter 3 the action could begin. The story involves two teenagers: a poor but honest fishing boy, and a sweet girl from the local well-to-do family --- love at first sight and the obstacles they face to be together. Interspersed with the plot are idealized vignettes of small town Japanese fishing villages. Recommended for those interested in Japanese culture, or who wish to read a gentle love story.