February: Explorations in Love Challenge

[Merja]

First book for this challenge read!

✔ 4. Autassassinophilia. Another way to say you love death, destruction, or mayhem. Read a mystery, horror, or thriller.


1/3 completed

[[deleted user]]

I'm just wondering if this book would count for #9: Plushophilia. In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin. I think it counts as a subculture but wasn't entirely sure.

[Jodi]

Kelsi wrote: "I'm just wondering if this book would count for #9: Plushophilia. In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin. I think it counts as a subculture ..."

This is on my list!

[Daphne]

Kelsi wrote: "I'm just wondering if this book would count for #9: Plushophilia. In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin. I think it counts as a subculture ..."

Absolutely. :)

[[deleted user]]

Daphne wrote: "Kelsi wrote: "I'm just wondering if this book would count for #9: Plushophilia. In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin. I think it counts as..."

Awesome! I'm not sure I will get to it but I'm goon to try. It has been sitting on my shelf waiting to be read for a long time haha

[Daphne]

Updated to here!

[Moth]

Short month and I'm sort of multitasking reading right now, I'm going to go for three.

0/3

[Cassandra]

2. Love triangle. There are some pretty famous ones. In honor of Aphrodite, Hephaistos, and Ares, read a book about ancient myths or fables OR a mythic fantasy novel.


Finished February 4

1/2

[Karena]

completed 2/4

7. Star-crossed lovers. In honor of the original star-crossed lovers, read a book that takes place in Renaissance Italy, Elizabethan England, or was book to movie that had Claire Danes or Leonardo DiCaprio in them. (There are a lot, seriously. Check out IMDb if you don’t believe me.) The Midwife of Venice

Takes place in Renaissance Italy.

[Jodi]

3. Pygmalionism. From the Greek myth of Pygmalion. Read a book that features an artist, a great work of art or architecture, or an inanimate object having some sort of consciousness. The Night Circus The various parts of the circus comes to life. The carousal animals come to life and many other parts of the circus come to life.

1/4

[[deleted user]]

Finished 2/5 (most likely going to increase my goal to 7, possibly 9...may as well make it 7 now)

5. Chronophilia. When you only date people of a certain age group, derived from the God Chronos (father time). Read a book where the main characters are vastly different age ranges OR read a book that spans a large amount of time.
Lolita

[Daphne]

Reese wrote: "Short month and I'm sort of multitasking reading right now, I'm going to go for three.

0/3"

Welcome to the challenge Reese! Good luck!

[Daphne]

3/9

8. Mechanophilia. Who doesn't love cool machines? Read a Steampunk/Cyberpunk book OR read a book that machines (like a spaceship) play a big role. The Machine That Saved the World by Murray Leinster 2/4/2014

[Daphne]

Updated to here. Everyone is jumping right in!

Got The Night Circuson my TBR list. What did you think of it Jodi?

[Lauren]

5/9

1. Philia: Translated from the ancient Greek as brotherly love. Read a book that features some sort of ‘bromance’ or two strong male characters. - Dark Lover

2. Love triangle: There are some pretty famous ones. In honor of Aphrodite, Hephaistos, and Ares, read a book about ancient myths or fables OR a mythic fantasy novel. - The Struggle

3. Pygmalionism: From the Greek myth of Pygmalion. Read a book that features an artist, a great work of art or architecture, or an inanimate object having some sort of consciousness. -

4. Autassassinophilia: Another way to say you love death, destruction, or mayhem. Read a mystery, horror, or thriller. - Gone Girl

5. Chronophilia: When you only date people of a certain age group, derived from the God Chronos (father time). Read a book where the main characters are vastly different age ranges OR read a book that spans a large amount of time. Barracuda

6. Biophilia: A love of nature. Coined by the great E. O. Wilson. Read a book whose setting takes place in nature or wild and untamed lands OR read a book about ecology. Bonus if you read a book by Edward O. Wilson! -

7. Star-crossed lovers: In honor of the original star-crossed lovers, read a book that takes place in Renaissance Italy, Elizabethan England, or was book to movie that had Claire Danes or Leonardo DiCaprio in them. (There are a lot, seriously. Check out IMDb if you don’t believe me.) -

8. Mechanophilia: Who doesn't love cool machines? Read a Steampunk/Cyberpunk book OR read a book that machines (like a spaceship) play a big role. -

9. Plushophilia: A love of stuffed animals. They even call themselves plushies. Read a book about a sub-culture OR read a book involving anthropomorphism. - Lover Eternal

[Jodi]

Daphne wrote: "Updated to here. Everyone is jumping right in!

Got The Night Circuson my TBR list. What did you think of it Jodi?"

I liked it quite a lot. I really didn't know what to expect because I hadn't read anything about it. The author did an amazing job of making the tents come to life. I would say the writing was beautifully done. At one point though I was ready for the circus to be over because I felt like it was more of the same thing. I found all the characters to be very interesting and all have their own perfect proper place.

[Pat]

updated message 30 1/3 completed

[Adriana]

Would a book work for #5 if events are being recalled from 20 years ago and the present time is 20 years later?

[Maiko]

Update

(5/9)

✓ 5. Chronophilia. When you only date people of a certain age group, derived from the God Chronos (father time). Read a book where the main characters are vastly different age ranges OR read a book that spans a large amount of time.

More than 3 centuries time span
Orlando

5.

[Lindy]

It is only 2 days less than a normal month, so read 2 books less than 30 if that is what you read

[ScarlettMi]

I've updated message #38.

Currently at two (2) books read so far.

[Cassandra]

4. Autassassinophilia. Another way to say you love death, destruction, or mayhem. Read a mystery, horror, or thriller.


Finished February 5

Lee Child is one of my favorite suspense authors.

2/2

[Daphne]

Jodi wrote: "Daphne wrote: "Updated to here. Everyone is jumping right in!

Got The Night Circuson my TBR list. What did you think of it Jodi?"

I liked it quite a lot. I really didn't know what..."

That sounds like a fun book. I will definitely move that one up on my list of reads. :)

[Daphne]

Adriana wrote: "Would a book work for #5 if events are being recalled from 20 years ago and the present time is 20 years later?"

That is a long span of time for an individuals life, so I don't see why not. :)

[Daphne]

Lindy wrote: "It is only 2 days less than a normal month, so read 2 books less than 30 if that is what you read"

Your goal then is 28 books that fit into this challenge for the month then? I'm sorry; I'm confused with what you are asking.

[Daphne]

Cassandra wrote: "4. Autassassinophilia. Another way to say you love death, destruction, or mayhem. Read a mystery, horror, or thriller.


Finished February 5

Lee Child is one of my favor..."

Updated to here, and congrats on the first person to reach their goal Cassandra!

[Cassandra]

Thanks, Daphne. I try to keep my monthly goals manageable, because I have more ambitious yearly/quarterly ones. I get stressed out if I'm trying to find a book that fits into too many challenges!

[Erika]

4. Autassassinophilia. Another way to say you love death, destruction, or mayhem. Read a mystery, horror, or thriller.

Rebecca

2/5 finished!

[[deleted user]]

Finished 3/7


2. Love triangle. There are some pretty famous ones. In honor of Aphrodite, Hephaistos, and Ares, read a book about ancient myths or fables OR a mythic fantasy novel.
Prince Caspian

[Maiko]

(6/9)

✓ 7. Star-crossed lovers. In honor of the original star-crossed lovers, read a book that takes place in Renaissance Italy , Elizabethan England, or was book to movie that had Claire Danes or Leonardo DiCaprio in them. (There are a lot, seriously. Check out IMDb if you don’t believe me.)
Lucrezia Borgia: Life, Love, and Death in Renaissance Italy

[Adriana]

Daphne wrote: "Adriana wrote: "Would a book work for #5 if events are being recalled from 20 years ago and the present time is 20 years later?"

That is a long span of time for an individuals life, so I don't see..."

Okay great!



#5 Chronophilia. When you only date people of a certain age group, derived from the God Chronos (father time). Read a book where the main characters are vastly different age ranges OR read a book that spans a large amount of time.

1/5 books done

[Erika]

1. Philia. Translated from the ancient Greek as brotherly love. Read a book that features some sort of ‘bromance’ or two strong male characters.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

3/5

[Pat]

Updated message 30 2 down 1 to go. Great challenge

[Daphne]

Updated to here.

[Jaclyn]

1/5

4. Autassassinophilia. Another way to say you love death, destruction, or mayhem. Read a mystery, horror, or thriller.
02/06/14

[Daphne]

4/9

9. Plushophilia. A love of stuffed animals. They even call themselves plushies. Read a book about a sub-culture OR read a book involving anthropomorphism. Tails of Wonder and Imagination 2/7/2014 Fantasy collection of many stories from many authors. Most involve anthropomorphism in some way.


Updated to here. Grats on getting your first read for the challenge done Jacyln.

[Merja]

Finished second book for this challenge.

✔ 9. Plushophilia. A love of stuffed animals. They even call themselves plushies. Read a book about a sub-culture OR read a book involving anthropomorphism.



2/3 completed

[Jodi]

I edited message #36 to include:

4. Autassassinophilia. Another way to say you love death, destruction, or mayhem. Read a mystery, horror, or thriller. The Ocean at the End of the Lane

[[deleted user]]

4/9 finished (may as well read them all, still have most of the month left.)

7. Star-crossed lovers. In honor of the original star-crossed lovers, read a book that takes place in Renaissance Italy, Elizabethan England, or was book to movie that had Claire Danes or Leonardo DiCaprio in them. (There are a lot, seriously. Check out IMDb if you don’t believe me.)

Just read The Great Gatsby. I absolutely LOVED this book! I was really surprised since I couldn't get into it last time I tried to read it. Apparently I just wasn't in the mood for it before...but it got 5 stars from me :)

[Daphne]

Updated to here.

Merja, I loved that one. Definitely a perfect fit for that challenge.

Jodi, now that I finally started to read Neil Gaiman for the first time this year, I feel super lucky to have so many great books from the same author ahead of me. How was this one?

Kelsi, cheers on upping your goal! Part of me wants to read The Great Gatsby, but my fiance read it awhile ago, and told me that even though the writing was good he still hated it because he couldn't manage to give two s***s about any of the characters. What made you decide you did love it?

[Maiko]

(7/9)

✓ 6. Biophilia. A love of nature. Coined by the great E. O. Wilson. Read a book whose setting takes place in nature or wild and untamed lands OR read a book about ecology. Bonus if you read a book by Edward O. Wilson!

Anthill by Edward O. Wilson



Had no idea that the cycle of life of ants could make an interesting read. For me that was the highlight of the book.

[Jill Renee]

I'm in for 2

2. Love triangle. There are some pretty famous ones. In honor of Aphrodite, Hephaistos, and Ares, read a book about ancient myths or fables OR a mythic fantasy novel.

Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

4. Autassassinophilia. Another way to say you love death, destruction, or mayhem. Read a mystery, horror, or thriller.

American Elsewhere by Robert Jackson Bennett

[Jodi]

Daphne wrote: "Updated to here.

Merja, I loved that one. Definitely a perfect fit for that challenge.

Jodi, now that I finally started to read Neil Gaiman for the first time this year, I feel super lucky to ha..."


I really liked Oceans at the End of the Lane. It was really magical, almost like a fairy tale. It was the first book I have read by Neil Gaiman. I have Stardust and Neverwhere but I haven't read them yet. I am looking forward to reading more by him.

[[deleted user]]

Daphne wrote: "Updated to here.

Merja, I loved that one. Definitely a perfect fit for that challenge.

Jodi, now that I finally started to read Neil Gaiman for the first time this year, I feel super lucky to ha..."

I found for about the first half of the book I wasn't that interested...it was mostly the last couple of chapters that really got me. I can't say too much without spoiling anything but it really made me think about human nature. Everyone reacts so differently to the same situation. I like psychology so that was the main reason that I got really into it.

[Merja]

Finished a book and completed the challenge! Yay!

✔ 7. Star-crossed lovers. In honor of the original star-crossed lovers, read a book that takes place in Renaissance Italy, Elizabethan England, or was book to movie that had Claire Danes or Leonardo DiCaprio in them. (There are a lot, seriously. Check out IMDb if you don’t believe me.)


3/3 completed


I might go to bonus round with #1 and #8 since I was faster with this challenge than I thought. But at first I'm going to read The Rosie Project.

[Brian]

I think I'll sign up for this and try for 3 - it will push me to find Mythic Fantasy and Steampunk genre books, which will also help me with my Monopology challenge.

3/3
COMPLETED!

1. Philia. Translated from the ancient Greek as brotherly love. Read a book that features some sort of ‘bromance’ or two strong male characters.

Fall of Giants by Ken Follett ***** This book has two brothers Grigori and Lev Peshkov - maybe not a bromance in the modern sense of the term, but Grigori sacrifices so much for his brother. Also, I thought Grigori Peshkov and Walter von Kessel were both two strong male characters.

4. Autassassinophilia. Another way to say you love death, destruction, or mayhem. Read a mystery, horror, or thriller.

Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith While the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series spend way more time on the characters' daily lives and relationships than they do on the actual mysteries themselves, this book was cataloged as a mystery and I discovered it in the Mystery section of my library :] so I count it.

9. Plushophilia. A love of stuffed animals. They even call themselves plushies. Read a book about a sub-culture OR read a book involving anthropomorphism.

Stardust by Neil Gaiman There were many instances of anthropomorphism in this book! Some of the trees in the land of Faerie are predatory. Another tree talks to the main character Tristran Thorn and gives him important information to help him find his fallen star. Also, witches turn people into animals.

[Megan]

Just completed #6 - Biophilia (nature) - The Lions Of Lucerne by Brad Thor. Most of the book takes place on mountain ranges with avalanches and scaling sheer cliff faces. Felt like I was reading an guy's action flick - very little character development, lots of bullets, and a macho bachelor who can take more punches than any immortal ever could. The basic plot was ok, a tad convoluted, and several sections of the book were repetitive. Overall, not my fav book and won't continue with the series. 2.5 stars

3/3

[Maiko]

Update...


8/9

✓ 9. Plushophilia. A love of stuffed animals. They even call themselves plushies. Read a book about a sub-culture OR read a book involving anthropomorphism.
Redwall

[Jaclyn]

2/5

✔️8. Mechanophilia. Who doesn't love cool machines? Read a Steampunk/Cyberpunk book OR read a book that machines (like a spaceship) play a big role.
02/09/14

I originally read this because it was on the list that was posted (in message 2 I think) for Pygmalionism. But after reading it, I realized that it doesn't fit that category AT ALL. None of the machines have a conscious, and there is absolutely no art, artists, or architecture, so I'm not sure why it's in that list. But anyhoo, it fits this category much better, so I can still use it. Yay!

[Adriana]

#3 Pygmalionism. From the Greek myth of Pygmalion. Read a book that features an artist, a great work of art or architecture, or an inanimate object having some sort of consciousness.

2/5 books done