The Next Best Book Club discussion
Cynthia's Seasonal Challenges
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OFFICIAL SPRING CHALLENGE - 2009
1981 - John Kennedy Toole won the Pulitzer for Confederacy of Dunces.
Beth Henley, won the Pulitzer in Drama (Crimes of the Heart), and Robert K. Massie for Biography (Peter the Great).
John Updike won the National Book Critics Circle Award for fiction, and Stephen J. Gould for non-fiction.
Martin Cruze Smith won the Crimewriters' Golden Dagger, and Colin Dexter the Silver Dagger.
Salmon Rushdie won the Booker.
Peter Shaffer won the Tony (Amadeus) for Best Play.
The Nobel winner was someone I'd never heard of - a Bulgarian, I believe.
Thanks, Jamie, Mary Beth and Laura. You gave me a few ideas to think about. I am having fun putting my list together.
* The National Book Award goes back to 1950 for those who are interested.* The Bounty: The True Story of the Mutiny on the Bounty by Caroline Alexander was a book that was selected by my live book club last year. Although I was unable to attend (and therefore didn't read the book), it was very well received. Just thought I'd throw that out there for the Aquarius people in the crowd.
* The Natural by Bernard Malamud and Summerland by Michael Chabon are both novels centering on baseball. The first was also made into a movie with Robert Redford. The second is a young adult fantasy-type book.
* The Abstinence Teacher by Tom Perrotta would also be good for Virgos. It was also one of TNBBC's Group Reads.
* Edith Hamilton's Mythology is an excellent read. I had to read it in school for my World History class and it really stuck with me.
Questions:
* Re: 15 Point Task #10: March, April, and May are the 3rd, 4th, and 5th months of the year
- Read the third, fourth and fifth books of one series OR
- Read 3 books with the numbers 3/4/5- three/four/five in the titles (books do not have to come from the same series in this instance)
Does this mean books that have the words three, four, and five are acceptable, even if they are not in any way part of a series? i.e. Three Junes by Julia Glass, Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell, Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
* Re: 5 Point Task #5: For Easter/Lent…
- Read a Christian Fiction novel,
- A book about sacrifice, OR
- A book about something you would or are planning to give up.
Would The Last Temptation of Christ by Nikos Kazantzakis or The Gospel According to Jesus Christ by José Saramago be acceptable? Not sure which I'll be reading, but wanted to get the okay.
* Re: 5 Point Task #7: For Arbor Day – Do your part to save some trees by…
- Reading an e-book OR
- Listening to an audiobook OR
- By reading a book and “recycling” it - giving it away to someone else like a friend or through an online book swap/trading site or by donating it to a local library or charity.
Can we also participate in "recycling" books by borrowing a book from a friend/family member? Or does it have to be OUR book that we read and loan out?
A few questions:10-point task #6 - Would "Star" work for that one, also, or just Sun and Moon? (I tend to think of the three together--sun, moon, and stars--which is why I ask.)
15-point task #2 - Does the "book of poetry" have to be a compilation of a specific poet's poems, or can I read a book where the story is told in a series of poems, like What My Mother Doesn't Know?
15-point task #4 - What if we never go anywhere? We didn't have spring break at my college, so I've never been on any spring break vacations. Should I just read a book about the place I live...? I have a book with the words "spring break" in them that I could read...
15-point task #6 - Could this be religious text?
Thanks so much Susanna!! I think I might do an Updike!
Another good one for twins, if anyone is still looking, is "I Know This Much Is True" by Wally Lamb. :)Off to plan my challenge goals now!
I have a question ... for the star sign one, I'm Capricorn, so need a book about an artist or art .... would a photographer count for this?
Good question, Suzie! I'm also a Capricorn, so I've been on the hunt. I did find this Listopia list for Art & Artists in Fiction, if any of those help you (or anyone else).
was going to go to bed but thought i'd just check on here and realised that i'd missed the whole of this being put up so much so that there's already 3 whole pages of replies!! I'm so excited so am now gonna print up the challenges and start choosing my reads! so much for my early night - never mind there's always time to sleep later on!!!
I have a question too: For the TBNNC task with the year you were born, I was born in 1978, so I could read 1,9,7,8,19,18,17,97,79,87,78. Am I figuring that out right?
Charity said: Good question, Suzie! I'm also a Capricorn, so I've been on the hunt. I did find this Listopia list for Art & Artists in Fiction, if any of those help you (or anyone else).Thanks for that! I will have a look :)
Another question Cynthia! For # 6: In honor of Earth Day (April 22) read a book with the word Earth, Moon, Sun or one of the other planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune) in the title.
- Words such as earthly, sunset etc. are acceptable.
Would "world" be acceptable? As in World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War?
When does the challenge end? How long do we have to read for this?
Okay, this is my first reading challenge. Supposed we're already read a book that falls into one of these categories. Do we have to read it over again or do these have to be brand new books we've never read before?
Vicki wrote: "Ok I am working mine out... I think this will get me excited about reading books that have been sitting on my shelf forever. Can anyone reccomend one for Aquarius set on the sea or about ships?..."
The Life of Pi is a great book if you haven't already read it an the majority of that book is set out on the sea!
I believe you would have to re-read it if you wanted to use it.
For the last task with three/four/and five, could we use third, fourth, or fifth?
Laura wrote: "Vicki wrote: "Ok I am working mine out... I think this will get me excited about reading books that have been sitting on my shelf forever. Can anyone reccomend one for Aquarius set on the sea o..."
I think The Shipping News by Annie Proulx would work too. I was not a big fan, but I know a lot of people who read it and really enjoyed it.
For Aquarius--Master and Commander and To Catch A Pirate (YA) would also work. I haven't read Master and Commander yet, but lots of people love it. I have read To Catch a Pirate and it was decent YA fluff.
Does anyone know of any books that are set in Prague? I'm going there on holiday in March so would nicely fit into task 4 of the 15 point task.
What sites are being used to find out books that literary awards were won for in a certain year? I found a few sites on Google that give me newer years and a few sites that give me a single award but there has to be a collective site somewhere right?
Thanks Mary Beth- great idea. Someone else mentioned books about the Titanic which is definitely an option also. That never even crossed my mind.
I'm hoping Life of Pi gets okayed because I already have that here. I forgot about that one as well.
Everyone is so helpful!
Angela wrote: "For the last task with three/four/and five, could we use third, fourth, or fifth? "Good one, Angela! I'm also interested in hearing about that and forget to include that example in my original question.
♡ Eva ♡ wrote: "What sites are being used to find out books that literary awards were won for in a certain year? I found a few sites on Google that give me newer years and a few sites that give me a single award..."
Eva - Here is a good compilation of literary awards/prizes.
Looks like a useful list, Charity.
Thanks Charity- I started getting nervous I wouldn't be able to find any! LOL I appreciate it!
Cynthia, just some Qs, hopefully easy for you to answer ;)Magician task: I'm assuming since you're accepting HP, The Magician's Apprentice by Trudi Canavan will be acceptable?
Armed Forces task: I'm relying on my husband's advice to read Rainbow Six by Tom Clancy. But as he only reads an average of 1 book a year, thought I'd get a second opinion. Is this book acceptable for this task?
Spring Break task: I'm not really planning to go anywhere and haven't been overseas in over a decade! So I'm assuming that I can read something that's located in Australia (where I am)? I'm looking at A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute
Thanks, Cynthia!
and I'm proud to say that 2 out 3 books were out of my physical tbr pile! Terrific categories :)
This is what I have so far and I'll change/add to it as I go.1. Read a Science Fiction OR Fantasy Novel.
?
2. Read an epistolary novel OR a non-fiction collection of letters/journal etc.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky OR We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver
3. Spring Cleaning: Follow these directions to find your book for this task...
Survivor- Chuck Palahniuk
4. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles Task – Read or listen to a book while you are on a plane, on a train, or in a car (or other mode of transport like a bus/combinations of transportation)
Pure Sunshine- Brian James
5. For Easter/Lent…
?
6. In Honor Of Women’s History Month…
Extreme: My Autobiography- Sharon Osbourne
7. For Arbor Day – Do your part to save some trees by…
Dime Piece- Tracy Brown OR Hell Has No Fury- Keith Lee Johnson
8. For April Fools Day…
Just A Guy- Bill Engvall OR Kiss My Tiara- Susan Jane Gilman
9. Read a book with one of the following Spring animals in the title…
A Project Chick- Nikki Turner
10. April Showers Bring May Flowers…
Through The Storm- Lynne Spears OR Sunshine & Rain- Dawn Desiree
10 POINTS
1. For St. Patrick’s Day – Read a book by an Irish author, set in Ireland, OR about Ireland.
The Wednesday Letters- Jason F. Wright OR Autobiography Of A Face- Lucy Grealy
2. For Cinco De Mayo – Read a book by a Mexican author, set in Mexico, OR about Mexico.
Rainbow Boys- Alex Sanchez OR The Hummingbord's Daughter- Luis Alberto Urrea
3. For ANZAC Day – Read a book by an Australian author, set in Australia, OR about Australia.
The Road From Coorain OR True North- Jill Ker Conway
4. Read a book by an author who was born in March, April, or May.
Lolita- Vladimir Nabokov
5. March 24 is Harry Houdini’s Birthday – Read a book about magic, a magician etc.
?
6. In honor of Earth Day (April 22) read a book with the word Earth, Moon, Sun or one of the other planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune) in the title.
The Almost Moon- Alice Sebold OR A Thousand Splendid Suns- Khaled Hosseini
7. In Honor of Mother’s Day…
Dear American Airlines- Jonathon Miles
8. In Honor of Memorial and Armed Forces Day – Read a book about a veteran OR someone serving in the military (fiction or non-fiction).
Love My Rifle More Than You- Kayla Williams
9. Read a book from the TNBBC Top Books list…
Me Talk Pretty One Day- David Sedaris OR To Kill A Mockingbird- Harper Lee OR A Long Way Gone- Ishmael Beah
10. Members of the TNBBC have great tastes in books - follow these directions to find your book for this task...
The Diary Of Anne Frank- Anne Frank, Life Of Pi- Yann Martel, The Hour I First Believed- Wally Lamb, Water For Elephants- Sara Gruen, I Am Not Myself These Days- Josh Purcell, Belong To Me- Marisa de los Santos OR My Best Friend's Girl- Dorthy Koomson
15 POINTS
1. It’s Written In the Stars…read a book that corresponds to your astrological sign… (books can be fiction or non-fiction)...
- PISCES: Read a book about a fisherman, fishing, sea life, marine biology etc.
Life of Pi- Yann Martel (IF OKAYED)
2. April is National Poetry Month – Read a book of poetry OR about a famous poet.
After The Storm- Janet Bale
3. Read a past OR present TNBBC group read that you haven’t read before.
The Bell Jar- Sylvia Plath
4. Read a novel that takes place in a location you plan to visit during this challenge OR have visited previously during spring break.
Priestblock 25487- Jean Bernard OR The Cage- Ruth Minksy Sender
5. Read a book written by an author who won a major literary prize (Nobel, Pulitzer etc.) in the year you were born.
?
6. Read a book that was has been translated from its original language.
?
7. In honor of both Dr. Seuss’ birthday (March 2) and Mother Goose Day (May 1) find and read two books with rhyming titles. By this I mean that there is a word in the title of one book that rhymes with a word in the other book’s title.
Another Man's Wife- Shonda Cheeks & A Three Dog Life- Abigail Thomas
8. Get To Know The Author - Read a book by an author AND then either attend a reading by that author OR read/listen to an interview with that author.
The Hour I First Believed- Wally Lamb OR ?
9. Read a book with a color in the title AND eat a meal that includes at least 2 foods that are that color (you don’t have to cook it yourself).
The Green Mile- Stephen King OR ???
10. March, April, and May are the 3rd, 4th, and 5th months of the year
Around The Way Girls 3, 4 & 5- Variaous Authors
So I have at least one choice for all but five and for those five I left blank I have some titles floating around in my head. It'll be six actually if Life of Pi isn't okayed for the seal book. Thanks for all the help everyone!
Now I'm even more excited to start!
Alice wrote: "Does anyone know of any books that are set in Prague? I'm going there on holiday in March so would nicely fit into task 4 of the 15 point task."i believe there is a book called Prague. i read a year or so ago i think. you can check my bookshelves if you want, it should be listed there. i can't think of the author off the top of my head, sorry!
Busy Busy Bees - That's what you guys are...To Answer Your ?'s
SUZIER - Photographer counts as an artist
ANGELA - Yes you are correct about the numbers you could read for the top TNBBC list, 3rd/4th/5th is fine
BECKY - World is acceptable
LAUREN - Re-reads count unless indicated in the task
LISA - Breaking Dawn does not count
FIONA - Stormbreaker (ok) - Water (not acceptable in place of rain/storm) - Moonlit - (ok) - Stepmother's are acceptable
JEN - yes you can read books for a different task in between reading books for a multi-book task - you can't obviously claim the points for the multi-book task however until all of them have been read
JEANE - I'd prefer exact spelling for the mom/name task but I will accept it since it is very close.
SARA - Yes a religious text would be fine for the translated book task. Star also acceptable for earth, moon, sun etc. task. If you have never been outside of your hometown on any kind of vacation - then yes I would accept a book about where you are from. Otherwise substitute a vacation/trip taken at another time of year.
LIZ/SARA - books written in verse/series of poems count.
Thanks Charity that's a great help - lots of books for me to choose from there! I've even read a couple of those recently and had either forgotten or not realised they were set in prague!I am going to vow to just do the tasks that I have books for before I buy any more books to fit any of the other tasks so here are the ones I will be starting with as I already own the books! (strangely this month i am finding the 15 point tasks easier to do than the 5 point tasks which is good!)
5 POINTS
3. Spring cleaning read the first book added on your goodread bookshelf that you haven't yet read
The Woman in White by wilkie collins (damn - i've been putting this one off for months. it was one of my 5 point tasks for this seasons challenge too. I'd have more chance reading it if it was a higher pointer one!)
6. In honour of women's history month read a novel with the word girls in the title:
The Girls by Lori Lansons
8. Read a humourous novel or a biography of a comedian for april fools day.
The Difficult Second Book - autobiography of Chris Moyles (am unsure of whether he would really be classed as a comedian but he is funny so it's gonna be a funny book too!).
10 POINTS
1. For St Patricks day read a book sed in Ireland
McCarthy's Bar by Pete McCarthy (is a book i've tried to read before but didn't get through but will try again!)
4. Author born in march, april, may
Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones who was born on 23rd March
6. Honour of Earth Day read a book with earth, moon or sun in title.
East of the Sun by Julia Gregson
8. Honor of memorial and armed forces day
The Welsh Girl by Peter Ho Davies (is set in the second world war so has soldiers etc in it)
9. Read a book in the TNBBC Top Books list
was born in 1981 so am going to read the number 1 book:
I capture the castle by Dodie Smith (don't have it yet but it is a book i've wanted to read and the ones that i could read that i did have i had already read and don't want to do re-reads! but i promis ei'll read all the others before this one!!)
10. Read a 5-star rating book from a member of TNBBC who is on the same page as you in the date joined order.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas which was given a 5 star rating by Meg. (Meg i'll blame you if i don't enjoy this ok!!)
15 POINTS
5. Read a book written by an author who won a major literary prize in the year I was born (1981).
The Sea by John Banville. (He won the Guardian Prize in 1981 for Kepler)
6. Read a book that has been translated from its orignial language.
Shape of Water by Andrea Camillira (translated into English from Italian
7. In honor of both Dr Seuss' birthdya and Mother Goose Day read two books with rhyming titles.
The who was going to die by Glyn Maxwell and The End of Mr Y by Scarlett Thompson
8. Read a book by an author and then read an interview with that author.
The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold (we've got a magazine at work in our waiting room with an interview with her in it!)
9. Read a book with a colour in the title and eat a meal that includes 2 foods that are that colour.
Half of a yellow sun by the very long named author i've not got written down in front of me! Then I'll cook myself spag bol with sweetcorn and yellow peppers in it!
So that's mine so far and will be what I'll start with. After I've read those I will allow myself to buy some new books which fit into the other tasks! (I can't promise I'll definitely read the woman in white before buying new books though so don't hold me to that one!).
Thanks, Cynthia! I believe you answered my 3/4/5 question, which was similar to Angela's. Any thoughts on my Easter/Lent and Arbor Day questions?
Here is what I have so far and the best news is almost all of them are on my bookshelf. 5 POINTS
1. Read a Science Fiction OR Fantasy Novel. Lament: Faerie Queen’s Deception Maggie Stiefvater
3. Spring Cleaning: Follow these directions to find your book for this task...Amber Spyglass Pullman
6. In Honor Of Women’s History Month The Other Boleyn Girl
7. For Arbor Day – Do your part to save some trees by… The Ink Exchange
9. Read a book with one of the following Spring animals in the title…To Kill A Mockingbird
10. April Showers Bring May Flowers…Bean Trees or Mists of Avalon
10 POINTS
1. For St. Patrick’s Day – Read a book by an Irish author, set in Ireland, OR about Ireland. Angela’s Ashes
4. Read a book by an author who was born in March, April, or May. Raymond Carver – Where I am Calling From: Collected Stories
5. March 24 is Harry Houdini’s Birthday – Read a book about magic, a magician etc. City of Glass, Hunted, Jonathon Strange
6. In honor of Earth Day (April 22) read a book with the word Earth, Moon, Sun or one of the other planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune) in the title. The Moons of Jupiter By Alice Munro
7. In Honor of Mother’s Day… Annie John by Jamaica Kincaid
8. In Honor of Memorial and Armed Forces Day – Read a book about a veteran OR someone serving in the military (fiction or non-fiction). Things they Carried by Tim O’Brien
9. Read a book from the TNBBC Top Books list…I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
10. Members of the TNBBC have great tastes in books - follow these directions to find your book for this task...Water For Elephants
15 POINTS
1. AQUARIUS: Read a book that takes place at sea, about ships etc. Life of Pi (may use for rhyming)
Possibilities: The Old Man and the Sea, True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, The Terror
2. April is National Poetry Month – Read a book of poetry OR about a famous poet. Woman I kept to Myself by Julia Alvarez
3. Read a past OR present TNBBC group read that you haven’t read before Blindness or Book of Lost things
5. Read a book written by an author who won a major literary prize (Nobel, Pulitzer etc.) in the year you were born (it does not have to be the book they won the award for). Pushcart prize, Edwidge Danticat, Krik Krak
6. Read a book that was has been translated from its original language Shadow of the Wind
8. Get To Know The Author - The Hour I first Believed by Wally Lamb
Maria : i think Unbearable likeness of being was set in PraguePrize lists:this is a good link for awards even though im too old for most (but not all!)
lists fo bests
any ideas for the military challenge for someone whos not particulartly interested in wars/battles per se, dont want something too dry
Jon--I'm thinking of using Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian. It's the first book in the series and a movie with Russell Crowe. I haven't read it yet but I have a friend of the family (50s, male) who swears by the series.There's also The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brian. I personally loathed it but I just talked with someone who re-reads it almost annually. And it's a fairly quick read.
And Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier is wildly popular.
Jon- The first few that spring to mind are Catch-22, All Quiet on the Western Front, and From Here to Eternity.I read From Here to Eternity last month and it was long, but oh so fulfilling! There is actually VERY little war going on (maybe 1% of the novel)...it is more about the lives of the soldiers.
Jon- I don't know if this is up your alley but I bought this awhile ago, haven't read it, and it looks okay. Love My Rifle More Than You Young and Female in the U.S. Army
Maybe that could help you? I haven't found any more yet myself but am still looking for a couple, including this one.
Karen wrote: "Karen wrote: "Cynthia, just some Qs, hopefully easy for you to answer ;)..."
ps: Is the National Book Critics Circle Award counted as major literary award for this challenge?"
Oh Jon! And I almost forgot...Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo. Wonderful read!!
Hm, how about Black Hawk Down for the military challenge?I loved the movie - the book should be good? anybody knows?
Charity wrote: "Jon- The first few that spring to mind are Catch-22, All Quiet on the Western Front, and From Here to Eternity.I read From Here to Eternity last month and it was long, but oh so fulfilling! There..."
I forgot about Catch-22! That is a great book. Definitely recommended for anyone who wants to fulfill the task.
Question: for the Cinco de Mayo task, would a Chicano author work? (Chicano=Mexican American)I have had Rudolfo Anaya's Bless Me, Ultima sitting on my shelf for a couple years and if I can use it, that would be great. If not, I'll choose something else. Thanks :)
How about Full Metal Jacket The Screenplay? I forgot about that one too- that was a good movie also. Thanks for the awards link Jon- I'm using both and slowly but surely going through them all!
thanks for the suggestions ladies, sounds like some winners in there
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Can anyone reccomend one for Aquarius set on the sea or about ships?..."
Hi Vicki, not sure if this would work, but the Travis McGee mystery series by John D. MacDonald (every title has a color in it) might - the main character/detective lives in a houseboat in the Florida Keys.