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Reading Challenges
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2013 October Reading Challenge
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I already read the Orphan Master's Son. Currently I am reading A Fable by William Faulkner, the Pulitzer winner for 1955. So that will be my October Challenge Read.
Yes! Just put that book on hold yesterday...I am looking forward to reading it.
Hmm... that is wide open. What to do, what to do....:)
I just got the notice that the ebook of The Orphan Master's Son is available for me to download, today, so I am ready for the challenge!
I read the Boy in the Striped Pajama's and loved it! It is hearth wrenching and amazing.I am waiting for the Orphan masters son still.
Debbie wrote: "I already read the Orphan Master's Son. Currently I am reading A Fable by William Faulkner, the Pulitzer winner for 1955. So that will be my October Challenge Read."Alas, I already finished A Fable. It's due October 1 so that is really is pushing it too close. So I must define me a different book.
We have a winner for the September Reading Challenge. You can see the post under "2013 September Reading Challenge."
Does anyone have a good recommendation for a book about about orphan trains?
I think "Rodzina" by Karen Cushman was about a girl on an orphan train...I remember liking it.
Marinda, I am currently reading The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty. I had never heard of the orphan trains of the turn of the century, until suddenly, my protagonist had a flashback to her orphan train ride as a 7-year-old girl. It's historical fiction set in the 1920s, and I am sucked in deeper every day. I just love it. The only thing that makes me hesitate recommending it, is that there is a poignant and heartbreaking scene where a character is discovered to be homosexual that could make one slightly uncomfortable.So this is my book choice for October! Although I am on hold for The Orphan Master's Son.
i am starting the Orphan Master's son tonight.
Hi Heather! I tried reading The Chaparone when it was a RC pick a while back but I just couldn't get into it so I abandoned it before that flashback scene. Thanks for the reccomendation though!
So with regards to orphan trains, are you looking for fiction or nonfiction? It just seems so funny that you ask because when it was brought up in my book, I remember thinking, "How have I never heard of this?" It described the era as a mass migration of several hundred thousand children from the dangerous and highly populated cities to the middle west. Let me know what you find!
I chose my book and have finished Songs of Willow Frost by Jamie Ford. The similarities of it to Orphan Master's Son make it relevant for this challenge.Like Jun Don, William Eng is:
Asian
Raised in an orphanage
Not an orphan
Also, The woman in his life whom he loves most is a very successful movie actress.
So I'd say it qualifies.
For Songs of Willow Frost, itself, if you liked Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, you will also enjoy The Songs of Willow Frost. Same author, same locale.
Marinda wrote: "Does anyone have a good recommendation for a book about about orphan trains?"I don't know what age group you're going for, but my favorite orphan train books are Joan Lowery Nixon's Orphan Train Adventures. They are JFs. The first book is called "A Family Apart" which introduces a family and why the children are sent on the orphan train. The family is split up when they reach their destination and the rest of the books each follow a different child. The series gives a good look into several of the possible outcomes for these children as well as the struggles they faced in adjusting to thier new lives. They are compelling reads. When I first read them I couldn't put them down and was very dissapointed when I realized I'd read them all.
I haven't had a chance to read The Orphan Master's Son yet, so I'm wondering what those of you who have read or are reading it think of the book.
Ann wrote: "I haven't had a chance to read The Orphan Master's Son yet, so I'm wondering what those of you who have read or are reading it think of the book."I really enjoyed it and, at times, hated stopping. In some ways it is, emotionally, a hard read, North Korea being the modern equivalent of 1984 taken to it's most harsh possibilities.
Marinda wrote: "Does anyone have a good recommendation for a book about about orphan trains?"Marinda, YES! One of the books on our next Reader's Choice group (Jan - April 2014) is: The Orphan Train by Christine Kline Baker. Here's the publishers' description: "Penobscot Indian Molly Ayer is close to 'aging out' out of the foster care system. A community service position helping an elderly woman clean out her home is the only thing keeping Molly out of juvie and worse.... As she helps Vivian sort through her possessions and memories, Molly learns that she and Vivian aren't as different as they seem to be. A young Irish immigrant orphaned in New York City, Vivian was put on a train to the Midwest with hundreds of other children whose destinies would be determined by luck and chance. Molly discovers that she has the power to help Vivian find answers to mysteries that have haunted her for her entire life--answers that will ultimately free them both. Rich in detail and epic in scope, Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline is a powerful novel of upheaval and resilience, of unexpected friendship, and of the secrets we carry that keep us from finding out who we are."
Finished reading The Orphan Masters Son. Gave it 3.5 stars.
I did not like the Orphan Master's Son.I did not finish it.I have been told it gets better but I don't want to waste my reading time on something that I may not ever like.I do not think this should have been the One County One book choice. It may be an award winner but I don't think it has appeal for the majority of casual readers.
I just finished "My Family for the War," which references concentration camps, escape, oppression, AND freedom. The tone is a little uneven--possibly because it's translated from German--but it was compelling.
Robyn wrote: "I did not like the Orphan Master's Son.I did not finish it.I have been told it gets better but I don't want to waste my reading time on something that I may not ever like..."I think it's wise to stop reading a book you don't like. There are so many books out there you will enjoy. I'll do the same thing if I don't like a book.
I read two that fit this theme so far this month.Argo is about the CIA rescue of 6 Americans who escaped the American Embassy takeover during the Iran Hostage Crisis of 1978-79. It was written by the agent in charge of the covert operation and is riveting. I do not plan to see the movie that is based on this book.
Faith Behind the Fences is about the internment of Europeans (mainly Dutch citizens) by the Japanese in the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) during WWII. It is written from the perspective of the oldest daughter in a family of six. I read it because I am the granddaughter of a Dutch woman who survived WWII in the Netherlands and I knew someone who had been intered in a Japanese POW camp. It was interesting, but there are better written and more compelling books in this genre.
I have at least one more book I'd like to read this month for this challenge about the internment of Jews in Lithuania during WWII.
I finished The Orphan Master's Son last night. Here is my review: 3.5 stars. This was a very difficult read. The horrifying brutality, the lack of dignity for the citizens of North Korea, and the frightening totalitarian system made this book difficult to get through. The writing was terrific and the crafting of the novel kept me interested, as well as the building suspense of "what happened to Sun Moon?". I am glad I read this book as it makes me appreciate the charmed life I live, and to remember to have gratitude for all the blessings I experience. In my naivete, I was hoping the author exaggerated some of the horror, but then found out, in the afterword, that he toned down the brutality; so extremely sad. (less)
JoAnn wrote: "I read two that fit this theme so far this month.Argo is about the CIA rescue of 6 Americans who escaped the American Embassy takeover during the Iran Hostage Crisis of 1978-79. It was written by ..."
I remember seeing something about the book Argo: How the CIA & Hollywood Pulled Off the Most Audacious Rescue in History around the same time the movie came out, but I wasn’t sure if it had been written to promote the movie or if it had come first. (I have a bit of a bias against books that come after the movie, or at least, as a result of a movie.) Hearing that this is an enjoyable read, and came before the movie; I definitely will have to add it to my to-read list. (I’ve always found the Iran Hostage Crisis to be an interesting event, especially since I know someone who had been living in Iran at the time of the regime change that led to it.)
I just finished reading The Orphan Master's Son. Despite being completely disgusted in some parts (I almost threw up on TRAX during one part), I surprisingly enjoyed the book. What an insight into North Korea! Solid four stars.
Observations here and elsewhere suggest that one either enjoys The Orphan Master's Son or detests it. There seems to be no camp for ambivalence. Pun intended.
Ruby wrote: Marinda, YES! One of the books on our next Reader's Choice group (Jan - April 2014) is: The Orphan Tra..."Thanks, Ruby! Have you read it? Did you like it? I read the back when it came through circ one day and it sounded like heavy chic lit. Did I get the wrong impression? (I always seem to judge books by their cover :)
I finished the Orphan Masters son tonight and am left sad and grateful at the same time. Such a hard book to read although it was well written and engaging.
I am going to give The Orphan Master's Son a try. Wish me luck it is not my usual type of book. I lean toward trash.
Debbie wrote: "Observations here and elsewhere suggest that one either enjoys The Orphan Master's Son or detests it. There seems to be no camp for ambivalence. Pun intended."That does seem to be the consensus, and one of the reasons this month’s reading challenge is open enough that people can find another book if The Orphan Master's Son isn’t something a reader enjoys.
I enjoy hearing from both camps and seeing what all of you have to say; after all, a big focus of the One County One Book is generating discussion about the book picked.
I finished the Orphan Masters Son tonight and Wow! what an interesting book. There is so much heart ache and repression. It makes me sad to think that there are people who might actually have to live like this. The saddest part is many of them don't know it is wrong! I can't even imagine it. It disgusted me to hear the countries version of things, the lies they tell their citizens!
Ann wrote: "That does seem to be the consensus ..."Although some have objected to this book being the One Country, One Book selection, I'm wondering what other books are there, fiction, specifically about North Korea. Does One Country, One Book include non-fiction? Also, is there an online list that gives the One Country, One Book selections so far? Thanks.
I've posted the reading challenge for November for those early birds out there. With how busy everyone seems to get at this time of year I tried to pick something that everyone would enjoy and can be as easy or as hard as you want to make it. Happy reading!
Two more days left to finish up with October’s Reading Challenge. Make sure to post if you finish by the end of the month.
I read Children of the Orphan Trains by Holly Littlefield. I didn't read it to my 5 year old because I thought it would be above her comprehension. But just barely. The book is mostly pictures.
Debbie wrote: Although some have objected to this book being the One Country, One Book selection, I'm wondering what other books are there, fiction, specifica..."
The Fall 2013 edition of the library's magazine Shelf Life (http://www.slcolibrary.org/rc/rcwr/pd...) has a great list of Orphan Master's Son read alikes.
I don't know where the list for past One County/One Books are, but The Book Thief was one a while back, and I think you would enjoy it, based on your posts. Have you read it?
I read Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth which was non-fiction, but which definitely falls under the opression, freedom and political categories!I really enjoyed it, btw.
So, taking the challenge in a different direction, I read Kizzy Ann Stamps, which is about a black girl who gets to go to the white school for the first time. Interesting how the law can insist upon integration but that doesn't mean things happen the way it intends. The book is almost entirely letters to her new teacher. You have to infer what the teacher says in response up until the very end when you finally see a letter from the teacher.Really enjoyed it.
Marinda wrote: "I don't know where the list for past One County/One Books are, but The Book Thief was one a while back..."I have read The Book Thief and thoroughly enjoyed it. I understand The Life of Pi is also one of the One Country/One book titles. I've not read it, but after seeing the movie, I'm not sure I'm interested in reading it. I found the movie pretty boring. Although I know that books are usually better than the movies, I've never particularly cared for "stranded alone" stories.
Debbie wrote: "Marinda wrote: "I don't know where the list for past One County/One Books are, but The Book Thief was one a while back..."I have read The Book Thief and thoroughly enjoyed it. I understand The L..."
Life of Pi was beyond all bizarre. After reading it, all I could say was "What the heck just happened?!".
October’s Reading Challenge drawing winner is Alyson. She read My Family for the War by Anne C. Voorhoeve.
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The County Library
Books mentioned in this topic
My Family for the War (other topics)Children of the Orphan Trains (other topics)
The Book Thief (other topics)
The Orphan Master's Son (other topics)
Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Holly Littlefield (other topics)Laura Moriarty (other topics)
So really this month’s challenge is wide open. Find something that sounds good and tell us what you liked about it.