Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2017 Challenge prompts
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A book from a nonhuman perspective
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Lisa
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Jan 08, 2017 02:23PM
I think I'm going to read The Dalai Lama's Cat.
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I can heartily recommend The Bees - one of the most extraordinary books I've read in recent years.If you want something a bit funnier, try Me Cheeta: The Autobiography, which my husband and I both loved.
I wonder if "The Girl with all the Gifts" would work.... TECHNICALLY not a "human" narrative
How about "The Book Thief"? It's narrated by the angel of death. One of my favorite books. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Anna wrote: "I may finally knock Watership Down off my TBR list."Perfect recommendation. I read this decades ago, but still remember with fondness
I want to add to the recommendations of A Dog's Purpose. Yes, it will make you cry, but I laughed more than I cried. Can't wait to see the movie. For lighthearted, funny mysteries told from a canine perspective, check out the Chet and Bernie series. The first one is Dog On It. No tears here, but lots of chuckles.
For anyone looking for something for this one, A Rat's Tale is fantastic. I read it when I was a kid, and I think I still have my old copy somewhere.
The Chet and Bernie mystery series is fun, all books narrated by Chet, the dog. The first one is Dog on It. Chet is pretty funny and it's less sentimental than A Dog's Purpose. No tears here.
Mirel wrote: "How about "The Book Thief"? It's narrated by the angel of death. One of my favorite books. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1..."This would definitely work, Mirel! I am considering reading it for this task as well :)
I'm currently reading The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto for this category and it's wonderful! It's told by the perspective of Music and as with most of Mitch Albom's books, it's beautifully written. I highly recommend it for anyone who's still looking for a book in this category!
Ashley wrote: "Mirel wrote: "How about "The Book Thief"? It's narrated by the angel of death. One of my favorite books. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1..."This would defin..."
me too.
Consider reading Redwall or any of the rest of that series by Brian Jacques. These are all told from the POV of the animal characters. They are wonderfully rich, with humor and adventure. They're great for middle school students, too.Another fab option is Terry Pratchett's story The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents. Again, it's humorous, clever, told from an animal's POV, and middle school appropriate.
David Clements tales told by animals' are outstanding: Fire Bringer and The Sight.
I read The Book Thief
for this prompt. One of only two books (so far) that I've had to go somewhere other than my personal library shelves (physical or digital) to find a copy to read - I borrowed this from the library before I even knew I would be participating in the challenge.
As two others in this thread have commented, I also plan to read Animal Farm by George Orwell for this prompt as it is also my February book assignment for my IRL book club.
Brandyn wrote: "The Bees by Laline Paull is on sale for Kindle today.https://www.amazon.com/Bees-Novel-Lal......"
Loved that book!
The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents Two out of three of my brothers agree that this book is great. The third one hasn't read it.
Anatomy of a Soldier is non-human perspectives; it tells the story of a wounded soldier from the perspective of, for example, a bag of fertilizer, an IV bag, a prosthetic leg, and a motorcycle. I loved it.
AF wrote: "How about A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron?"I just read that book and really enjoyed it. Looking forward to seeing the movie.
Kristy wrote: "AF wrote: "How about A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron?"I just read that book and really enjoyed it. Looking forward to seeing the movie."
I plan to read this as well and want to see the movie. I am a huge dog person and work for in the pet industry. One question though: how many Kleenex boxes will I need?
Tanelle wrote: "How about The Bees by Laline Paull. The narrator is a bee"Yes! This would be perfect for this part of the challenge. I read "The Bees" last year and couldn't put it down! Such a fresh, interesting perspective. If you like "Animal Farm," you'll like this book!
Brooke wrote: "Kristy wrote: "AF wrote: "How about A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron?"I just read that book and really enjoyed it. Looking forward to seeing the movie."
I plan to read this as ..."
Well, I cry through the trailer so I'm thinking at least two boxes of Kleenex will be needed.
White Fang seems perfect for this, and I've been meaning to read more "classic" fiction.
Does being a ghost count as a nonhuman perspective? If so, the Morgue Drawer Series are a great read https://www.goodreads.com/series/8754...
AF wrote: "Brooke wrote: "Kristy wrote: "AF wrote: "How about A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron?"I just read that book and really enjoyed it. Looking forward to seeing the movie."
I plan t..."
A really terrible video just surfaced of animal abuse on that film :-/
Megan wrote: "AF wrote: "Brooke wrote: "Kristy wrote: "AF wrote: "How about A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron?"I just read that book and really enjoyed it. Looking forward to seeing the movie...."
I've seen it too :( so awful - won't be going to watch it now!
Can The Siren by Kiera Cass be considered "from a nonhuman perspective" since the narrator is (So sorry if this counts as a spoiler for some people) a human-turned-to-siren?
I have already read this, several years ago, but would love to revisit it! (not for the challenge, just for fun) Feel free to include me!Marilyn wrote: "Anna wrote: "Watership Down readers: Want to be accountability partners? We can pick a time to read it together!"
Pick a date and I'm in!"
Sheila wrote: "What do you think of The Elephant Whisperer. Would this meet the prompt?"If you are looking for a book told from an elephant's perspective, The White Bone is excellent. I've never read anything like it, before or since.
So this may be a stretch, since only one of several narrators is non-human (or formerly human?), but could I count The Girl with All the Gifts for this category?
I am half-way through A Dog's Purpose and this will be my book for this prompt. Sadly, one of our dog's passed away on New Years Day this year so I considered holding off on this book for a while in the hope I would get through it in one piece at a later date. Just expect to cry regardless.
My Bernese Mountain Dog, Luna is getting me through. When I cried she came over and put her head in my lap, and then gives me the paw to hold my hand (she does this when I am upset) Right now, she is snoring beside me. In parts of the book, I have found myself stopping and just staring at her and realising how much our dogs do for us while asking for so little in return. If you love dogs read this book. If you don't, read it anyway and you soon will :)
Kelli wrote: "I can heartily recommend The Bees - one of the most extraordinary books I've read in recent years.If you want something a bit funnier, try [book:Me Cheeta: The Autobiography|44880..."
I am tentatively planning to read The Bees. Nice to see that somebody recommends it.
Julie wrote: "Kelli wrote: "I can heartily recommend The Bees - one of the most extraordinary books I've read in recent years.If you want something a bit funnier, try Me Cheeta: The Autob..."</i>
I just moved [book:The Bees to my DNF shelf (did not finish). I hat to ever not finish a book, but I just couldn't get into the writing or the story. I didn't want to get bogged down so early in the year, but maybe I will try again later.
Good ideas regarding The Bees and The Book Thief. Both worth reading!What do you think about The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate-Discoveries from a Secret World for this category?
Beth wrote: "So this may be a stretch, since only one of several narrators is non-human (or formerly human?), but could I count The Girl with All the Gifts for this category?"I thought this too! I think it can be counted :) The main character/narrator isn't technically human
I'm surprised more urban fantasy hasn't come up where there are numerous non-human leads.Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn (werewolf)
A Kiss of Shadows by Laurell K. Hamilton (half fae)
Full Moon Rising by Keri Arthur (vampire/werewolf)
Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison (witch)
Dark Currents by Jacqueline Carey (half-demon)
Moon Called by Patricia Briggs (coyote shape-changer)
Or fantasy
The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison (goblin)
Shelly wrote: "Julie wrote: "Kelli wrote: "I can heartily recommend The Bees - one of the most extraordinary books I've read in recent years.I was disappointed in The Bees. It started off quickly and was hard to put down for a while. However, the last quarter of the book became tedious and the end a letdown. I would give it 3 stars.
Norabear wrote: "I'm surprised more urban fantasy hasn't come up where there are numerous non-human leads.Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn (werewolf)
[book:A Kiss of Shadows..."
Thanks for the reminder! I love fantasy books and didn't even think of that for here.
Norabear wrote: "I'm surprised more urban fantasy hasn't come up where there are numerous non-human leads.Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn (werewolf)
A Kiss of Shadows..."</i>
I super duper recommend [book:The Goblin Emperor. It was one of my favorite books in... 2015? When did I read it? I don't remember, but I loved it.
Ashley wrote: "Mirel wrote: "How about "The Book Thief"? It's narrated by the angel of death. One of my favorite books. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1..."This would defin..."
Thank you for reminding me! I was almost done with this book last year but it was a library book and I had to return it. It would be nice to check that off.
But I still want to ask the group- does it matter if it is 3rd or 1st "person"? Would A Nest for Celeste: A Story About Art, Inspiration, and the Meaning of Home count?
Mod
I've been wondering about that too. Some 3rd person books still get you inside the head of the protagonist, sort of an omniscient narrator, so I think those would still count. I glanced at "Celeste" and it looks like it might work.
I just started reading The Art of Racing in the Rain. The concept is interesting, but I'm not a fan of all the racecar driving stuff. I get the metaphor they're trying to go for, but reading about races is pretty boring for me.
Has anyone else mentioned The Elephant's Journey yet? That one and The Art of Racing in the Rain are the first two that came to my mind.
I highly recommend Mitch Albom's The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto. It's told from the perspective of music. Truly magical. :-)
Mod
LOL! But ... it's "the Art of Racing" ... surely you expected racing? :-)
I am going with John Gardner's Grendel. It is told from the monster's point of view in the fight against Beowulf. It can also be used as the book with the character name as the title.
Nadine wrote: "Rachel wrote: "I just started reading The Art of Racing in the Rain. The concept is interesting, but I'm not a fan of all the racecar driving stuff. I get the metaphor they're trying..."Lol, I was thinking about that after I posted but I was actually thinking it was more about the dog running in the rain somehow.
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
The Bees (other topics)That Hideous Strength (other topics)
That Hideous Strength (other topics)
The Book Thief (other topics)
The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Laline Paull (other topics)Markus Zusak (other topics)
Terry Pratchett (other topics)
May Sarton (other topics)
Diana Wynne Jones (other topics)
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