August: Types of Nonfiction Challenge

[Zara's Corner]

I've updated everyone's totals. Great work everyone.

[Megan]

Completed #6 - Self help - The Silver Boat by Luanne Rice. Story revolves around three sisters, who spend most of the book giving each other advice. This book left me conflicted. I did not feel that the author was capable of fully expressing the narrative or her characters as she could have. However, the story was heartfelt and the characters had depth. Overall, not bad but not one of my favorites. 3 stars

5/2

[Zara's Corner]

Megan wrote: "Completed #6 - Self help - The Silver Boat by Luanne Rice. Story revolves around three sisters, who spend most of the book giving each other advice. This book left me conflicted. I did not feel ..."

Hi Megan,

I'e updated your goal. You're doing a phenomenal job.

[Theresa~OctoberLace]

Today I finished Emma, so I'm halfway toward my goal at 4 of 8.

[Zara's Corner]

Theresa~OctoberLace wrote: "Today I finished Emma, so I'm halfway toward my goal at 4 of 8."

I've updated your progress Theresa. Excellent work.

[mim]

I've completed my goal! I'm gonna see if I can maybe get a few more, but I'm happy with this. They're all the OR options (I'm not so good with nonfiction.)

1. Autobiography. Read an autobiography OR read a book told in the first person: Shadow and Bone

2. Diary. Read a diary OR read a book written in diary entries or letters: Code Name Verity

8. Travel writing. Read a travel writing book OR read a book that takes place in a country that you would like to visit: A Tale for the Time Being

[ScarlettMi]

Forgot to make a post on here for this. Going to try for 7 books off this list.

(7/7) - COMPLETED!

1. Autobiography. read a book told in the first person.


2. Diary. read a book written in diary entries or letters.


3. Dictionary. You're probably not going to read a whole dictionary, so instead, read a book whose title is only a single word that can be found in the dictionary. Examples: Speak, Dune

4. History. Read a nonfiction book about history


5. Philosophy. read a book in which the protagonist must make an ethical decision of some sort.


6. Self-help. read a book in which one character gives advice to another.


7. Popular science. read a science fiction book.


8. Travel writing. read a book that takes place in a country that you would like to visit.

[Erika]

August Nonfiction Challenge

2/5

1. Autobiography. Blue-Eyed Devil

2. Diary. Read a diary OR read a book written in diary entries or letters.

3. Dictionary. Twisted

4. History. Read a nonfiction book about history OR read a book that takes place over 100 years ago.

5. Philosophy. Read a book of philosophy OR read a book in which the protagonist must make an ethical decision of some sort. (Don't forget to mark spoilers!)

6. Self-help. Read a self-help book OR read a book in which one character gives advice to another.

7. Popular science. Read a science book OR read a science fiction book.

8. Travel writing. Read a travel writing book OR read a book that takes place in a country that you would like to visit.

[Zara's Corner]

Erika, ScarlettiMi and Mim I have updated your progress so far. Well done Mim for completing your goal. Great work.

[Theresa~OctoberLace]

Today I finished Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley. That takes me to 5 of 8 for this challenge. I have the other 3 lined up to read and/or listen to before the end of August.

[Zara's Corner]

Theresa~OctoberLace wrote: "Today I finished Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley. That takes me to 5 of 8 for this challenge. I have the other 3 lined up to read and/or listen to before the end of August."

Hi Theresa. I've updated your progress.

[Megan]

Completed #5 - Philosophy - Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts. Main character has to decide whether to take vengeance into his own hands or seek justice. Good, entertaining audiobook. I liked the murder mystery and the romance; the pirate treasure was a touch over the top for me. Overall, definitely worth reading, especially as audiobook! 4 stars

6/2

[Zara's Corner]

everyone's progress has been updated.

[Anna]

Whew! Made it! I committed to 3 of the categories and just finished the last book. I chose the fiction alternatives.

Dictionary aka Single Word Title:
Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson 4.5 stars in my book.

Popular Science aka Science Fiction Book:
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. 4 stars for me. I took the recommendation from one of the other participants. I echo her recommendation.

Autobiography aka First Person Narrative:
The Rapture by Liz Jensen 3 stars. Entertaining but not a wow book.

[Zara's Corner]

Anna wrote: "Whew! Made it! I committed to 3 of the categories and just finished the last book. I chose the fiction alternatives.

Dictionary aka Single Word Title:
Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson 4.5 st..."

I've updated your progress Anna. Congratulations on your achievement.

[Theresa~OctoberLace]

I just updated my list (message #45). I've finished 7/8 and will finish listening to Dracula in the next day or two. I have a 24 hour challenge right now, but will resume tomorrow.

[Zara's Corner]

Theresa~OctoberLace wrote: "I just updated my list (message #45). I've finished 7/8 and will finish listening to Dracula in the next day or two. I have a 24 hour challenge right now, but will resume tomorrow."

I've updated your progress Theresa. Excellent work.

[Sarah]

I have just completed my goal with the following tasks and books:

1. Autobiography. Read a book told in the first person. Splintered COMPLETE

4. History. Read a book that takes place over 100 years ago. Florence and Giles 1891 COMPLETE

7. Popular science. Read a science fiction book. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy COMPLETE

8. Travel writing. Read a book that takes place in a country that you would like to visit. Mudbound COMPLETE

Goal: 4
Completed: 4
Goal Completed!

[Erika]

August Nonfiction Challenge

4/5

1. Autobiography. Blue-Eyed Devil

2. Diary. Read a diary OR read a book written in diary entries or letters.

3. Dictionary. Twisted

4. History. Read a nonfiction book about history OR read a book that takes place over 100 years ago.

5. Philosophy. Read a book of philosophy OR read a book in which the protagonist must make an ethical decision of some sort. (Don't forget to mark spoilers!)

6. Self-help. Start Me Up

7. Popular science. Read a science book OR read a science fiction book.

8. Travel writing. Wedding Night

[Lianne]

I have read 3 of the 4 books for this challenge and already started the last one. The three books were totally different, but all very interesting.

3/4

1. Autobiography. Read an autobiography OR read a book told in the first person.
Water for Elephants

2. Diary. Read a diary OR read a book written in diary entries or letters. Some examples can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War

3. Dictionary. You're probably not going to read a whole dictionary, so instead, read a book whose title is only a single word that can be found in the dictionary. Examples: Speak, Dune
Night

7. Popular science. Read a science book OR read a science fiction book.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

[Megan]

Completed #4 - History - Brida by Paolo Coelho (flashbacks throughout the book take the main character back hundreds of years). While I enjoyed this interesting look at the history of magic and witchcraft and the deeper philosophical meanings, it was not one of my favorite Coelho books. It didn't speak to me as much as some of his other works. 3.5 stars

7/2

[Zara's Corner]

Lianne and Megan I've updated your progress. Megan I think you have blitzed this challenge. lol

[Megan]

Zara wrote: "Lianne and Megan I've updated your progress. Megan I think you have blitzed this challenge. lol"

Haha, I've just been reading a lot lately. Thanks!

[Jack]

Completed 3 of 4.

[Zara's Corner]

Hi Jack.

I've updated your progress. Well done on your efforts so far.

[Jack]

Jack Hansen's review Aug 26, 2013
5 of 5 stars Revelation

Bookshelves: favorites, philosophy, religion, based-on-real-events, christian, christianity, cultural-mideast, judao-christian, history, non-fiction
Read from May 31 to August 26, 2013

The last book in the Bible brings the entire Bible full circle, from predicting Christ to the return of Christ. What was taught in Genesis is still taught in Revelation as to how to behave while here on earth. Without being too revealing, the Apostle John, who walked with Christ, describes events to yet take place with extravagant symbolism that rivals any prophet that came before him. A prophet, himself, John writes what he is told and what he sees. The book, like all other books of the Bible, is Divine.

This reader comes away from reading Revelation with this intended message: If, after reading this book, one's direction is not pointed toward the straight and narrow path which is necessary to enter the Gates of Heaven, then the path one is on will be harder to alter.

[Megan]

Completed #2 - Diary - The Violets of March by Sarah Jio. Part of the story is revealed through diary entries she finds from 1943. Surprisingly good, touching book! The plot really sucked me in, and I finished the last half of the book in one sitting. Well-written with interesting characters. Definitely worth reading! 4.5 stars

8/2

[Theresa~OctoberLace]

With tonight's finish of Dracula I have finished this challenge. I must say that I loved this audio version, read by Alan Cumming, Tim Curry, Simon Vance, Katherine Kellgren, Susan Duerden, John Lee, Graeme Malcolm, Steven Crossley, Simon Prebble, and James Adams. I can easily see how it was nominated for the 2013 Audie Award in the Classics category and won the Audie Award for Distinguished Achievement in Production.

[Zara's Corner]

Theresa~OctoberLace wrote: "With tonight's finish of Dracula I have finished this challenge. I must say that I loved this audio version, read by Alan Cumming, Tim Curry, Simon Vance, Katherine Kellgren, Susan Duerden, John Le..."

Congratulations Theresa. I've updated your progress. Well done.

[SibylM]

Just finished in the nick of time!

1. Autobiography. Read an autobiography OR read a book told in the first person.
After Visiting Friends: A Son's Story

2. Diary. Read a diary OR read a book written in diary entries or letters.
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War

3. Dictionary. You're probably not going to read a whole dictionary, so instead, read a book whose title is only a single word that can be found in the dictionary.
Fearless

4. History. Read a nonfiction book about history OR read a book that takes place over 100 years ago.
The Secret Agent: In Search of America's Greatest World War II Spy

6. Self-help. Read a self-help book OR read a book in which one character gives advice to another.
The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking

7. Popular science. Read a science book OR read a science fiction book.
The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2011
I haven't had a whole lot of luck with my August reads. The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2011 was stellar though, one of my favorites from this year.

[Zara's Corner]

Sibyl wrote: "Just finished in the nick of time!

1. Autobiography. Read an autobiography OR read a book told in the first person.
After Visiting Friends: A Son's Story

2. Diary. Read a diary OR read a book wri..."

Well done Sibyl. I updated your progress. Congratulations on your achievement.

[Lianne]

I didn't complete my challenge, only got 3/4. I'm having trouble getting into World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War.

[Jack]

Finished the Challenge on 8/31/13.

[ScarlettMi]

I finished back on August 27th.

[SibylM]

Lianne wrote: "I didn't complete my challenge, only got 3/4. I'm having trouble getting into World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War."

In my opinion it starts strong and gets progressively worse/more boring. I wish I had quit about a third of the way through when I realized I was hating it.

If you like to read extensive descriptions of military tactics and types of weapons, this is a great book. But there isn't much more to it IMO.

[Zara's Corner]

ScarlettMi wrote: "I finished back on August 27th."

Hi ScarlettiMi. Congratulations on achieving your goal. Great effort. I've updated your progress

[Sharon]

Sorry, was out of town for Labor Day ... here is my update

August Types of Nonfiction Challenge
Duration: August 1 - 30, 2013

1. Autobiography. Read an autobiography OR read a book told in the first person.

2. Diary. Read a diary OR read a book written in diary entries or letters. Some examples can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of... currently reading - ok didn't finish until 9/3

3. Dictionary. You're probably not going to read a whole dictionary, so instead, read a book whose title is only a single word that can be found in the dictionary. Examples: Speak, Dune

4. History. Read a nonfiction book about history OR read a book that takes place over 100 years ago.
6. Self-help. Read a self-help book OR read a book in which one character gives advice to another.

[Erika]

August Nonfiction Challenge

Completed 5/5

1. Autobiography. Blue-Eyed Devil

3. Dictionary. Twisted

5. Philosophy. In the After

6. Self-help. Read a book in which one character gives advice to another. Start Me Up

8. Travel writing. Wedding Night

[Lilac]

Well I only read 1 of my goal in the end.

3. Dictionary. You're probably not going to read a whole dictionary, so instead, read a book whose title is only a single word that can be found in the dictionary.
Dune - ★★☆☆☆ - 05/08/13

Cpmpleted 1/4

[Zara's Corner]

Hi Lilac. I've updated your progress. Well done on what you managed to achieve.