Think Outside Your Box and Expand Your Mind

[jaxnsmom]

This Toppler's theme is:

Think Outside Your Box, and Expand Your Mind

The idea is to read a book about something you're unfamiliar with in order to have a better understanding about the controversy surrounding the topic. Something that causes arguments as much as discussions. Or maybe something you haven't read about because it's different from your lifestyle. The books can be nonfiction or fiction, where the topic/situation is part of the story.

As you read your books, consider the legal, ethical, and moral implications. Where do you stand on the issue? Can you see the other side's viewpoint? Are there compromises, treatments, or preventative measures? What actions can be taken to stop/control/prohibit intolerable actions?

Examples of topics include:

Religion
Religious prosecution has existed as long as humans. Teaching evolution in US schools
I want to know more about Islam, the moderate beliefs and how the terrorists differ. I might read a nonfiction history or something by Khaled Hosseini.

Sexual orientation
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender. Issues of acceptance in society, rights to be recognized as moral and legal partners with same benefits as straight man/woman couples, the decision to keep quiet or be open about sexual preference.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/lg...

Race
It's Black History Month in the US, but there are racial issues all over the world. Anyone remember Apartheid? Or all the episodes of racial genocide? Segregation? What about the conflicts with police that are in the news, racially motivated shootings, OJ Simpson, Rodney King? The treatment of American Indians or Australian Aboriginals?

Politics
hahahahahahahahaha Is there ever a clear understanding of politics?! How do the different forms of government work? Democracy, dictators, Monarchs...

Cultural beliefs
Some are comfortable with no conflict, some we see as strange and bizarre, while others are seen as barbaric. As citizens of the world, how much responsibility do we have to do something about inhumane actions?

Mental illness
So many forms, some more obvious than others. Is having that label helpful for others to understand, or does it give a negative connotation that affects others views?

Medical research using human cells/bodies - ownership, financial compensation, moral issues. Research using animals.

Eating disorders
Causes and effects. Possible treatment or prevention?

Genocide
Why, and what justification do killers use?

Human trafficking and slavery
What gives anyone the idea that they can use people any way they want???

Suicide
Reasons why? Is it ever acceptable (terminal illness, unbearable treatment by others like rape and torture)? How do survivors continue after failed attempt? The effect on the family and friends of someone who killed themselves. Personal suicide (committed by the person - drugs, shooting, jumping) versus those who involve others (suicide by cop, stepping in front of a moving vehicle).

Treatment of children
Buying and selling, killing if not the preferred sex

Addiction
Is there a gene that leads to addiction? Are there viable treatments?

There are so many other issues that I'll look at them on a case by case basis.

There will be one lighthearted topic for those who absolutely can't read about a serious topic. You'll have to message me to explain yourself and may have homework. Are such things as witches and ghosts real? What about vampires and werewolves? The Loch Ness monster and Bigfoot? Your book can't just have any of these characters in it, there must be some questioning of their reality.

The dates for the Toppler are February 20th noon EST until February 27th noon EST.

The rules are as usual:

1. Books must be started and finished in this time period to qualify.
2. You may read any format - paperback, hardcover, ebook, or audiobook. For the last two use the page numbers on the first edition that comes up on the GR page.
3. Each book must be at least 175 pages.
4. Toppler books can count toward the monthly challenge, the group theme read, and the yearly challenge if they qualify.
5. You may plan ahead and chose books for the challenge, but you are not restricted to those books. You may swap them out at will.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Ooo nice one. So many options... off to stare meaningfully at my bookshelves for a bit.

[Deborah]

*licks lips*

My cup of tea entirely! *bites lip on rant about general view of Islam and what constitutes being Moslem* (well, for a start, spellcheck didn't recognise my perfectly valid spelling)

*wanders off to check bookshelves for the unexpected*

[Marie (UK)]

there out to be something there about medicine I am thinking along lines of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks or Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers even as i nurse i did not know the full extent of either

[Sarah]

Interesting! Off to see what my bookshelf currently holds but will leave a full on gopher until the full details are up. This will be an enlightening toppler.

[Delitealex]

Many possibilities but the first that comes to mind are Unbearable Lightness: A Story of Loss and Gain(nonfiction) or The Disappearing Girl (fiction) both are about people struggling with eating disorders

[Lisa]

Sounds great as always J'mom.

[jaxnsmom]

Marie and Delitealex - I'll definitely add something for both of those topics.

The Henrietta Lacks book brought up some good discussions on the uses of cells (or other body parts) without permission of the "original owner" or the family. And should they somehow be reimbursed when someone makes money from the research? Stiff was very informative. I plan on going to the Body Farm after my death, but a lot of people have trouble with the idea of their loved ones being used like that. There are so many beliefs about death and autopsies and embalming. Then there's life after death...

Eating disorders are a big problem. What leads a person to them and what can be done to help someone caught in the cycle? Is there a way to prevent them? And there are so many issues surrounding body image.

[[deleted user]]

Marie wrote: "there out to be something there about medicine I am thinking along lines of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks or Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers even as i ..."

Henrietta Lacks is good. Stiff is alright. The second half seems to derail when she talks about reanimation.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Second time in a row that I've just finished a book that would work. I've just read Between Shades of Gray which regarded Stalin's genocide and I'm currently reading Moloka'i, based in Hawaii (interesting to learn about their culture!) and regards leprosy, which I knew little about.

Which makes me think...how about a medical category? Looks like some of the books above would fit too. Also science based. Current day slavery or human trafficking? Mental health? True crime? Just a bunch of random thoughts... :)

I'll need to do some gophering, but I know I have a few books on my tbr that will fit.

My first thoughts:
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Unbearable Lightness: A Story of Loss and Gain
Forensics: What Bugs, Burns, Prints, DNA and More Tell Us About Crime
Hidden Girl: The True Story of a Modern-Day Child Slave
The Dorito Effect: The Surprising New Truth About Food and Flavor
Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness
Orhan's Inheritance
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil: A Savannah Story

[Travis]

I may jist peruse the many Great Courses options

[[deleted user]]

I would like to read Walk on Water: The Miracle of Saving Children's Lives. This book is about congenital heart defects in infants and surgery. It follows a world renown pediatric surgeon and not only talks about the skill and demand, but delves into the political aspects of performing heart surgery on infants.

[Marie (UK)]

Kelly B wrote: "Marie wrote: "there out to be something there about medicine I am thinking along lines of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks or [book:Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers|321..."

I agree Kelly the first part was much stronger than the second

[Marie (UK)]

Kelly B wrote: "I would like to read Walk on Water: The Miracle of Saving Children's Lives. This book is about congenital heart defects in infants and surgery. It follows a world renown pediatric sur..."

Delitealex wrote: "Many possibilities but the first that comes to mind are Unbearable Lightness: A Story of Loss and Gain(nonfiction) or The Disappearing Girl (fiction) both are about p..."

jaxnsmom wrote: "Marie and Delitealex - I'll definitely add something for both of those topics.

The Henrietta Lacks book brought up some good discussions on the uses of cells (or other body parts) without permissi..."

Many books about personal journey through such things as anorexia, drug dependence etc would fit

[Marie (UK)]

Kelly B wrote: "I would like to read Walk on Water: The Miracle of Saving Children's Lives. This book is about congenital heart defects in infants and surgery. It follows a world renown pediatric sur..."

that sounds fascinating

[Marie (UK)]

i have just found these on my bookshelf all full of fascination i should think
The Kraus Project: Essays by Karl Kraus
The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements
Attention All Shipping: A Journey Round the Shipping Forecast
Trail of 32: The True Story of a Youthful Spirit That Knew Not of Defeat
The Atomic Times: My H-Bomb Year at the Pacific Proving Ground
and
Thin Wire: A Mother's Journey Through Her Daughter's
Heroin Addiction

Woohoo i might clear some of my to read shelf but NOOOOO- i have already added to it from above suggestions

I am thinking only thin wire of these would count

[Almeta]

MUST. WAIT. I NEED. RESTRAINT.



Couldn't wait!

ETA: I DON'T THINK ANY OF MY CHOICES ARE GOING TO WORK!

Now that jax has made a clarification, most of my "science" books and all the rest won't work!

The World Without Us
48 Hours to Chaos: An Engineer Looks at Life and How the World Really Works
The Magic of Reality: How We Know What's Really True
A Brief History of Time
Global Warming-Alarmists, Skeptics & Deniers:
Earth - The Power of the Planet
Evolution: What the Fossils Say and Why It Matters
The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil: A Savannah Story
Death's Acre: Inside the Legendary Forensic Lab the Body Farm

Monkeyluv: And Other Essays on Our Lives as Animals

The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life

101 Great Philosophers: Makers of Modern Thought

Out of My Mind
The Brain Fog Fix:

Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras (40 pages)

The Stamp Collector (32 pages)

A Single Man
4000 Years of Uppity Women

Deeper into the gopher hole, I must go!

[Kristie, Moderator]

I'm doing the same thing, Almeta! I want to wait to see the rest, but I can't help gophering! I've found so many that I think will fit already. Looking forward to this one and can't wait to see the rest of it when J'mom is done (again).

[Sandra, Moderator]

Great toppler idea, J'mom! I'll need some gophering... so many options! (I know SO little of SO many things)

@Almeta, love it!

[jaxnsmom]

Ya'll are coming up with some great topics. Some are on my list, and I'll be adding others.

[Tammy]

Interesting toppler. I'll be checking my downloaded Kindle books and met TBR list

[MegMiller]

This is such a fun topic. So many great books in my shelves and kindle that will fit right in!

[Delitealex]

Sexuality/Gender/Idenity
Butch Is a Noun
Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More
Gender Failure
Dear John, I Love Jane: Women Write About Leaving Men for Women

[Kristie, Moderator]

That's a good one too, Delitealex. I hadn't thought of that one, but I have a couple of books on the subject.

[Sarah]

I've spent most of my day looking at my tbr, my wishlist and what's available on ebook from the library. That are relatively short. Ruling out non fiction otherwise i won't even get one book read in the week. Although 2 are tempting. I have options. Some might fit the geocache too. One might fit the monthly challenge. None fit the group read theme. I'm still waiting to find out the full scope of the toppler before making any reservations at the library/buying anything or committing to my options. I think we might need to buy in a bulk load of tissues for us all during the toppler.

[[deleted user]]

Marie wrote: "i have just found these on my bookshelf all full of fascination i should think
The Kraus Project: Essays by Karl Kraus
[book:The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness,..."

I added the Disappearing Spoon to my shelf!

[[deleted user]]

I did some gophering and found Genome: the Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters,
Voyage of the Beagle and The Origin of Species, so far

[Sandra, Moderator]

Well, I'm liking the idea of reading about mental illness, specially Stop Pretending: What Happened When My Big Sister Went Crazy, but it's a collection of poems, so maybe its 160 pages are not enough. I'll ask for a ruling as soon as j'mom formally posts the rules.

[Lanelle]

Well, this is a different kind of gophering. Off to search my stacks.

[Sandra, Moderator]

My second option is The Hunt for Vulcan: . . . And How Albert Einstein Destroyed a Planet, Discovered Relativity, and Deciphered the Universe in the science -> scientists biographies topic.

[Casceil]

I have found a number of interesting-looking books in the posts above. I want to add a recommendation for a book I found surprisingly interesting and informative. It is also a fairly fast read:

To Engineer Is Human: The Role of Failure in Successful Design. My review can be found at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Casceil]

A couple more possibles for others that I thought highly of:

Parrotfish This is the book my eldest offspring (formerly daughter) gave me to read when he "came out" as trans. It helped me understand. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

How Dogs Love Us: A Neuroscientist and His Adopted Dog Decode the Canine Brain My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Kristie, Moderator]

A few more that I really want to read, depending on the challenge details:
Becoming Nicole: The Transformation of an American Family
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical Tales
Love's Executioner and Other Tales of Psychotherapy
What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions
Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape
Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology

[Kristie, Moderator]

Just a side note - I always find it interesting that nonfiction books have such long titles!

[Delitealex]

Casceil wrote: "A couple more possibles for others that I thought highly of:

Parrotfish This is the book my eldest offspring (formerly daughter) gave me to read when he "came out" as trans. It helpe..."

I've been trying to find some good fiction with trans characters.

[jaxnsmom]

One quick clarification - I see a lot of science books being talked about. Sorry, but a lot of them aren't the type of book I'm looking for. The topics should be ones that are controversial in some way.

Religion
Sexual orientation
Race
Politics
Cultural beliefs - offensive and/or barbaric
Mental Illness
Medical research using human cells/bodies - ownership, financial compensation, moral issues
Eating disorders
Genocide
Human trafficking and slavery
Suicide


The rules are the same as usual:
1. Books must be started and finished in this time period to qualify.
2. You may read any format - paperback, hardcover, ebook, or audiobook. For the last two use the page numbers on the first edition that comes up on the GR page.
3. Each book must be at least 175 pages.
4. Toppler books can count toward the monthly challenge, the group theme read, and the yearly challenge if they qualify.
5. You may plan ahead and chose books for the challenge, but you are not restricted to those books. You may swap them out at will.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Thanks for the clarification, Janice. I was headed in the wrong direction with some of my choices, but I have plenty that fit. Looking forward to the toppler. Great idea!

[Janice, Moderator]

Kristie wrote: "Thanks for the clarification, Janice. I was headed in the wrong direction with some of my choices, but I have plenty that fit. Looking forward to the toppler. Great idea!"

You mean jaxnsmom.

I'm back to the drawing board myself.

[Deborah]

ok....saw the heads up and deleted post about evolution (though it can be a controversial topic I don't think my choices were and I still get to read them!)

So, I am going to read In the Course of Human Events: A Novel, a novel about American extremism and will follow, time allowing, with Thirteen Reasons Why, about suicide. Or the other way round, whichever arrives first!

[Sarah]

So pleased I held off the extensive gophering. Feeling smug ;-) But I still think we might need to order that bulk load of tissues!

Options so far include mainly books about Islam in some way and/or race generally, mental illness, politics, and transgender issues.

Library paperbacks
The Bell Jar 288pg
The Color Purple 295pgs
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest 325pg
The Danish Girl 336pg Geocache - Set in Denmark
Mornings in Jenin 352pgs Geocache - war, great love

Library ebooks
**The Reluctant Fundamentalist 184pg
Moth Smoke 256pg Geocache - blue cover
**Purple Hibiscus 307pg Geocache - Set in Nigeria, devout character
The Bridges of Constantine 320pg Geocache - painting, war, great love
In the Shadow of the Banyan 322pg Geocache - war, birds on cover, death theme

Books I own
Words Will Break Cement: The Passion of Pussy Riot 320pg
A Thousand Splendid Suns 372pg monthly challenge

[Almeta]

Try again...

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Pluto demoted as a planet - How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming
Alternative Energy vs Fossil Fuels -Renewable Energy Systems
Environmental impact of hydraulic fracturing - The Boom: How Fracking Ignited the American Energy Revolution and Changed the World
Climate Change/Global warming - Meltdown
Climate Change/Global warming - An Inconvenient Truth: The Crisis of Global Warming
Climate Change/Global warming - Global Warming-Alarmists, Skeptics & Deniers: A Geoscientist looks at the Science of Climate Change
☭ Biodiversity - Crow Planet
Genetically Modified Foods - Green Phoenix: A History of Genetically Modified Plants
Genetically Modified Foods - Uncertain Peril: Genetic Engineering, Future of Seeds

MEDICAL
Genetic engineering - My Sister's Keeper
Euthanasia/Assisted suicide - The Future of Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia
Mental Illness - All the Bright Places
Cloning - The Second Creation: Dolly and the Age of Biological Control

CULTURAL
Ebonics - Talkin that Talk: Language, Culture and Education in African America
☭ Afghanistan - The Kite Runner
☭ Human Rights - The Screaming of the Innocent
☭ Human Rights - The Investigation
Illegal Immigration - Citizens, Strangers, And In-between
☭ Immigrants/Refugees - Little Bee
☭ African gem trade - The Sapphire Sea
☭ Black History - Go Tell It on the Mountain
Black History - Up Your Banners
Otherness - Out of My Mind

POLITCAL
Gun Control - Open Fire: Understanding Global Gun Cultures

SEXUAL ORIENTATION
Queer America: A GLBT History of the 20th Century

LITERATURE
Harry Potter Controversy - The Mystery of Harry Potter Family Guide
Shakespeare Controversy - Case for Shakespeare: End of the Authorship Question

[Debra]

Could sexual orientation be expanded to include those people with alternative sexual lifestyles like BDSM. Thinking Fifty Shades of Grey. It certainly is a controversial subject.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Wondering about the controversial aspect, Jmom. Does it have to be controversial to you?

Example - I recognise that climate change in some parts of the world is a controversial topic, but for me it's fact. Does that mean I can't read something like The Weather Makers: How Man Is Changing the Climate and What It Means for Life on Earth as it's not going to blow my horizons?

Which is a completely fair reading of your toppler, as you are challenging us to challenge and broaden ourselves. Just after clarification for us all.

Edit: Also acceptable to say "Rus, you numpty, you're overthinking it and confusing everyone. AGAIN."

[Teanka]

I wish treatment of research animals/ ( or maltreatment of animals in general ) was also a subject, I'd like to read something about that.

Middlesex has been on my tbr or a long time now and it fits 'sexual orientation' topic neatly, but it's long so not perfect for the toppler.

[Peggy]

Interesting topic! I love to read books about such topics, especially when it's fiction and a good book but you learn something in the process.

I loved Henrietta Lacks, can really recommend reading it to everyone.

If I receive it in time (I ordered it but it's still somewhere between the US (or UK) and my hometown), I would like to read What is the What. It's a refugee story and the refugees coming into Europe right now raise a lot of controversy and question. There are so many demonstrations (and not always in a peaceful manner) by groups pro and con. Should we take them in? And how many? And what if they don't live according to our norms? Are they true war refugees or do they just come here for money? I have a strong opinion on the topic but I'm very interested in it although I haven't read much about it. I hope something like that is what you intended jmom. If not, I have other books that would probably work :)

The Kite Runner (Islam)
And the Mountains Echoed (Islam)
Half of a Yellow Sun (serious topic, not sure if it's controversial though.. anyone read it?)
Sweetsmoke (slavery)
The Dry Grass of August (segregation)
The Story of Beautiful Girl (would that work? Is people with developmental disabilities having babies is something in the way of controversial you were thinking about?
Mornings in Jenin (Israel/Palestine)
Little Bee (refugees)

Oh.. now I want to read them all..

[Lisa]

I haven't done any serious gophering yet but I can think of a few books that will fit:

The Shock of the Fall - Mental Illness
A Royal Affair - Sexuality
Cold City - Mental Illness, Sexuality. I think there could be some religious themes too.
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas - Genocide

[Sarah]

This sounds interesting. I have wanted to continue with Noughts and Crosses (racial issues) and there are a few books I have about depression and eating disorders and body image. Will mooch at other books when I know more.

[Sarah]

I had Half of a Yellow Sun as a possibility too Peggy - I chose it for race issues but it also takes part during a civil war (Biafran war) linked to politics. I believe there were different peoples of Nigeria who didn't feel represented by the government. Different cultures, religion etc. I think it occured off the back of the British decolonization of Nigeria. It resulted in a humanitarian crisis. I think a lot of countries got involved in the conflict because of oil (sound familiar?!) too. A bit of useless trivia, it is my understanding that the lead singer Jello Biafra, once lead singer of the punk band Dead Kennedys, chose the name Biafra after the war in Nigeria. I've not read the book but I think it would count - lots of topics covered. I ruled it out because it's a little longer than desired but it does sound like it would be an interesting read.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Janice wrote: "Kristie wrote: "Thanks for the clarification, Janice. I was headed in the wrong direction with some of my choices, but I have plenty that fit. Looking forward to the toppler. Great idea!"

You mean..."

Oops! Yes, I do. I had a migraine...I'm surprised I got a 'J' name.

[Janice, Moderator]

Almeta wrote: "Try again... "

For cloning - Never Let Me Go. I gave it 1 star because I was so upset over the content. I should have given it 5 stars because of the sheer impact of it.