You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
Challenges: Year Long Main 2021
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Peggy in 2017 - It's all about me! challenge || DONE!
Read a book that contains one of your names in some way – author, title, character.
Peggy Margaretha Henrica (first and middle names)
Charms for the Easy Life
Read a book that is either about your favourite sport or one of the characters plays that sport. You could also chose a book where the cover shows that sport.
Dancing
Read a book where the colour of your eyes is the main colour of the cover, or the word is in the title.
Brownish-grey (bf calls it swamp colour ;-))
Between Shades of Gray
The Picture of Dorian Gray
On Folly Beach
Sweetsmoke
The Memory of Love
If yes, read a book with the word “Bone” in the title. If no, read a book about archeology (the character may be an archeologist, the book may be set in a museum, etc)
No
Crocodile on the Sandbank
If the movie is an adaptation, read the book that inspired the movie. Or, read a book that is written by the same author. Or, read a book that has the same title. If the movie is not an adaptation, read a book with a similar theme or has the same title.
Hard one! I'll go for La Vita è Bella (Life is Beautiful)
Those Who Save Us
Sarah's Key
The Boy on the Wooden Box
The Paris Architect
The Song of the Stork
Or another book set in WWII
Read it again. Or, read a book that has the same title. Or read a book by the same author. If you can’t find the same title, or the author only has the one book, go to the book page and click on “Readers Also Enjoyed”. Select a book from the list.
I don't really have a favourite, but I'll go for one that I loved and had a big impact on me: A Thousand Splendid Suns
And the Mountains Echoed
Select a series and read the book that corresponds to that number. Or, read a book with the number in the title.
7
Peach Cobbler Murder (should read 4, 5, and 6 first.. why didn't I go for a nice low number? Or 8 would have been good!)
Read a book that is about that holiday, set during that holiday, or has the name in the title.
Christmas
Dash & Lily's Book of Dares
Sugar Cookie Murder
Read a book with that word in the title, or where the main character or author shares that status. Or…. Get creative. What kind of book will be representative?
Living together
*Staked??
The Road to Woodstock
The Best of Adam Sharp
Read a book with that word in the title.
Right
The Good Luck of Right Now
Read a book with the selected month in the title, or set during that month.
March
The Violets of March
Read a book featuring that type of pet. Or, read a book with that pet in the title.
A Man Called Ove
Read a book set in the country or region of choice. (Chinese – set in China, Italian – set in Italy, etc.) If you chose a type of food that is not specific to a country, what region would you find it prevalent? Read a book set in that region. For example – Seafood would be prevalent in the coastal areas of Canada, United States, among others.
Mediterranean
The Thread
My Family and Other Animals
Read a book with that word in the title. Or, is on the cover. Or…. Get creative. What kind of book will represent that item?
Underwear
*Tipping the Velvet
Blood Bound
Select that number of books on your TBR, put them into the Fruit Machine (or another randomizer), and read the one that is selected. If you used European sizes, convert to US using this site: https://www.softmoc.com/ca/shoesize.asp That will reduce the number of books you need to plug into the Fruit Machine.
37 (or should I convert it to US size?) --> 7
Easypeasy :)
✔
Read a book that either represents that flavour by the colour of the cover, or in the title. You may also chose a book that represents that flavour in some way.
Passionfruit
Passionfruit is exotic to me, so book set in exotic location (South America where the fruit comes from?)
Eleanor & Park
The Lemoncholy Life of Annie Aster
Maisie Dobbs
Rush Home Road
Read a book set in that country, or written by an author that was also born in that country.
The Netherlands
Girl With a Pearl Earring
Of Windmills and War
Read a book with either the season in the title, or set in that season.
Spring
Ruby Red??
Or do a title search for spring
Or hope to find something unexpected
Interpret that desk top picture any way you like. Read a book that represents that interpretation. For example, mine is a magnified picture of a frozen soap bubble. I could interpret it as ice, or alien landscape, or bubble. I could read a book with “Ice” in the title, a book set on an alien planet, or has bubbles on the cover. The gophering could be endless on this one.
Mint leaves
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives (colours mirror those of desktop picture exactly - green and black)
*Teatime for the Firefly (those leaves are perfect for tea!)
Those Who Save Us
The Hangman's Daughter
The Baker's Daughter (these three: picture was taken by my partner when we were in Germany, these books are set in Germany)
Read a book with your selection on the cover, or in the title, or it plays a significant role in the book.
Train
Orphan Train
Go to your TBR and order the shelf by number. Read the book that corresponds to your answer. If you picked “none” or “zero” as your answer, your number will be 100.
32
Today (27/11) during gophering: Elantris
If yes, read a book set in a hospital, or with the word “accident” in title. If no, read a book that is a thriller, in which an accident is a high probability.
No
Mr. Mercedes
Read a book with your selected word in the title, or depicted on the cover.
Shower
Murder Can Rain on Your Shower
A Deadly Bridal Shower
Read a book set in that location.
Just one?! I'd like to visit any place I haven't been to yet. The top of my list can vary on a monthly basis, but if you forced me to buy a plane ticket right now, I would buy one to Japan.
Norwegian Wood or something else by same author
Read a book in that genre.
Historical fiction
Lots of choices
*Books I don't own
Read a book with your selection on the cover or in the title.
Car
The Last Dragonslayer
Tears of the Giraffe
Bone Crossed
Read a book that represents your tattoo in some way. For example, if you have a tattoo of a rose, your book choice could have a rose on the cover, in the title, or a proper name of the author or character. If you don’t have a tattoo, read a book with a tattoo on the cover, or represents a tattoo that you would want if you were to get one.
No
Moon Called
If Classic, read a book published in 1800 – 1899. If Contemporary, read a book published in 2000 – 2017.
Contemporary
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand
Mornings in Jenin
Purple Hibiscus
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children
Honolulu
The Luminaries
Lemon Meringue Pie Murder
Read a book with that selection on the cover or in the title. Or, read a book that you feel represents that flower in some way.
Wildflowers
The Boy I Love
*The Absolutist
Maisie Dobbs
The Girl You Left Behind
*All Quiet on the Western Front
(link: poppies - WWI)
Read a book set in that location. If you haven’t been to Europe, read a book set in a European country you would like to visit.
Belgium, Germany, Luxemburg, Liechtenstein, France, Spain, Portugal (and Madeira), Greece, Italy, the Vatican, UK (England, Scotland) Russia, Bulgaria, Hungaria, Turkey, Estonia, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia, Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic
Should be easy, no need for gophering
The Muse
Read a biography, autobiography, memoir, or historical fiction about that person.
When I was in my early teens it would have been Backstreet Boys, without a doubt. In my late teens and twenties Johnny Depp. Now, I don't know. Toughest question! Maybe Rory Gallagher (not alive anymore) or Dave Grohl, both great musicians who would for sure give you a fun night out.
*Rory Gallagher: His Life and Times
*This Is a Call: The Life and Times of Dave Grohl
*Come As You Are: The Story of Nirvana
From Cradle to Stage: Stories from the Mothers Who Rocked and Raised Rock Stars
Read a book with that feature on the cover or in the title.
My hair
The Lotus Eaters
Where She Went
Mariana
The Promise
If ghost, read a ghost story. If alien, read a story with aliens in it. If neither, read a book about another supernatural being other than a ghost or alien (werewolf, vampire, witch, succubus, etc).
Neither
Iron Kissed
Living Dead in Dallas
*Staked
Read a book with that creature on the cover, in the title, or in the story.
Tiger
Tiger Hills
The Jungle Book
Tiger Lily
Read a book in that setting or that represents your choice.
Road trip with lots of nature and culture
Neither Here nor There: Travels in Europe
Read a book with that word in the title, or read a book where a character is afflicted by that same loss.
My first idea was to go with smell, but I've been thinking about it some more, and as losing smell means losing taste as well, I would rather just lose the taste and still be able to smell. So, taste (oh, but all the yummy food :( )
*The Taste of Apple Seeds
A Morbid Taste for Bones
Read either a book by that author, or a book recommended by that author.
I honestly don't have one. I'll pick Brandon Sanderson, who was one of my favourite authors in 2016.
The Final Empire
The Well of Ascension
The Hero of Ages
If tea or coffee, read a book with the word in the title, or set in a country where that beverage is a huge export (ie China for tea, Brazil for tea). If water, read a book with the word in the title, or set on/near a large body of water.
Water
The Death of Dulgath
Read a book with that gemstone on the cover, in the title, or the colour of that gemstone is the colour of the cover.
Aquamarine
The Mirror World of Melody Black
The Invisible Bridge
Winter Garden
The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper
On the Edge of Darkness
Read a book with that fruit on the cover, in the title, or the colour of that fruit is the colour of the cover.
Berries
Fudge Cupcake Murder
Read a book where this issue is prominent or is represented in some way. It may be fiction or non-fiction.
Human rights
What Is the What
Bluestockings: The Remarkable Story of the First Women to Fight for an Education
Read a book in that setting.
Undersea
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea
The Water Babies
*Dark Life
*The Maracot Deep
*Under the Sea Wind
Read a book either set in that time period, or published in that time period. Or, read a book about time travel where the character’s time travelled to that period.
1960s
I Heart Ed Small
The Road to Woodstock
Love, Janis??
Read a book where your selection is on the cover or in the title, or get creative and find a book that represents your choice.
Barefeet
Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers
Tales of a Female Nomad: Living at Large in the World
Read a book with either a predominantly green or black cover depending on your answer. If you said “neither”, read a book with a predominantly white cover. Aim for at least 75% of the cover so that when you look at the cover, it screams green, black or white depending on your choice.
Green, I think.
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives
Forget About It
Redfield Farm: A Novel of the Underground Railroad
The Lost Hours
Britt-Marie Was Here
This one is wide open. Read a book that represents your zodiac sign in some way. Mine is Sagittarius (the archer). I could read a book with Sagittarius in the title, Archer in the title, author named Archer, bow and arrow on the cover, horse on the cover, a Western with Indians (bow & arrow).
Aries
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children
Eragon
The Final Empire
(Aries is the first of the zodiac signs, these books are first in a series)
Go to your TBR shelf and sort by number. Read the book that matches your answer.
66
Today (27/11) during gophering: Elizabeth Street: A novel based on true events
Read a book that represents that person in some way. I miss my mother, so I could read a book with “Mother” in the title, a biography of Mother Theresa, where the main character is a mother, a book with a mother holding her baby on the cover, etc.
My grandparents
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand
Mariana
Read a book that represents that hobby in some way.
Read, travel, crochet
The Sex Lives of Cannibals: Adrift in the Equatorial Pacific
The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry
50. What language would you like to learn to speak?
Read a book that was translated from that language to one you do speak. Or, chose a book where a character speaks that language. For example, if you chose Gaelic, you could read any of the books in the Outlander series.
Spanish
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Daughter of Fortune
*The House of the Spirits
*Inés of My Soul
*Books I don't own
When you complete a book for the challenge, you need to leave a new message in your personal thread explaining the following:- a countdown of the badges you read - Part 1: 1/12, 2/12, 3/12, etc. If you are working on subsequent badges, you will need to preface with Part 2 or Part 3.
- the book you read, link to it and the cover
- the question it relates to
- an explanation as to how the book you chose relates to your answer to the question
Planned / Completed reading, Part 1
✔ 1/12
Book link: Moon Called
Question: 27
Explanation of book-question link: I don't have any tattoos, the cover shows a woman with tattoos
Completed 03/01 - ★★★★
✔ 2/12
Book link: The Muse
Question: 30
Explanation of book-question link: I listed several countries in Europe which I visited, among them were Spain and the UK. The Muse is set in both these countries.
Completed 08/01 - ★★★★
✔ 3/12
Book link: The Death of Dulgath
Question: 38
Explanation of book-question link: I picked water, and this book is set in a village near the sea, and revolves around a castle that perches on a cliff and is right on the sea's edge.
Completed 14/01 - ★★★★
✔ 4/12
Book link: A Man Called Ove
Question: 12
Explanation of book-question link: I adopted my friend's cat for this question. There's a cat on the bookcover (which I now realize is not in the criteria), but there are also two cats in the book, one of which plays quite a big role for a cat.
Completed 18/01 - ★★★★★
✔ 5/12
Book link: Lemon Meringue Pie Murder
Question: 28
Explanation of book-question link: I chose contemporary, the book was published in 2003
Completed 25/01 - ★★★
✔ 6/12
Book link: Eleanor & Park
Question: 16
Explanation of book-question link: My favourite ice cream flavour is passionfruit, and the main colour on this cover resembles the colour of the ice cream
Completed 06/02 - ★★★ (3.5)
✔ 7/12
Book link: What is the What
Question: 41
Explanation of book-question link: A topic I'm very passionate about is human rights and equal rights in the broadest sense of the word (women, lgtb, ethnicity, prisoners, refugees, you name it). This book is the true story of a war refugee who is denied a lot of basic human rights during his journey to escape from war to find a better life. I decided to read this book now because I will pick up language coaching with refugees again soon (had to stop for a while because I couldn't combine it with work), and this book will remind me once more of how important this is.
Completed 14/02 - ★★★★★
✔ 8/12
Book link: Charms for the Easy Life
Question: 1
Explanation of book-question link: One of my middle names is Margaretha (Dutch version of Margaret), and one of the main characters in this book is Margaret (the book is told from her perspective). Also, Peggy is derived from Margaret (I never saw the link, but apparently it's Margaret --> Maggy / Meggy --> Peggy)
Completed 17/02 - ★★★★
✔ 9/12
Book link: My Family and Other Animals
Question: 13
Explanation of book-question link: My favourite cuisine is Mediterranean. This book is set on the Greek island of Corfu, which is a Mediterranean place.
Completed 24/02 - ★★★ (3.5)
✔ 10/12
Book link: Girl with a Pearl Earring
Question: 17
Explanation of book-question link: The book is set in the Netherlands, which is where I was born.
Completed 25/02 - ★★★★ (4.5)
✔ 11/12
Book link: The Final Empire
Question: 46
Explanation of book-question link: My zodiac sign is aries, which is the first one in the series of zodiac signs. This book is the first in a series as well.
Completed 08/03 - ★★★★ (4.5)
✔ 12/12
Book link: Crocodile on the Sandbank
Question: 4
Explanation of book-question link: I have never had a broken bone, so I had to read about archaeology. One of the main characters is an archaeologist, the other has a very strong interest in it, and the book is set during an archaeological expedition.
Completed 14/03 - ★★★
Planned / Completed reading, Part 2 ✔ 13/24
Book link: The Song of the Stork
Question: 5
Explanation of book-question link: The movie is about a little Jewish boy during WWII, the book is about a Jewish girl during WWII. Both film and book have the same theme: the story of a Jewish child during the war.
Completed 19/03 - ★★★
✔ 14/24
Book link: The Lost Wife
Question: 25
Explanation of book-question link: My favourite genre is historical fiction, and this book is in that genre. Also, for some reason I didn't want to use just any old historical fiction, but I wanted a fantastic one. And I found it! 5-star read.
Completed 23/03 - ★★★★★
✔ 15/24
Book link: Neither Here nor There: Travels in Europe
Question: 35
Explanation of book-question link: I wrote down road trip, not necessarily by car, but a holiday in which I don't stay in one place but travel through one or more countries. Bill Bryson travels from Norway to Turkey in this book, stopping in many places along the way.
Completed 30/03 - ★★★★
✔ 16/24
Book link: The Maracot Deep
Question: 42
Explanation of book-question link: I answered undersea and this book is set on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. This was the task I least looked forward too, I had no fitting books and I'm not interested in books set undersea, but it was not so bad at all :) Still glad I have this one out of the way though!
Completed 02/04 - ★★★
✔ 17/24
Book link: Age of Myth
Question: 18
Explanation of book-question link: I answered Spring, and this book is set in that season.
Completed 21/04 - ★★★★
✔ 18/24
Book link: Tales of a Female Nomad: Living at Large in the World
Question: 15
Explanation of book-question link: I entered Stiff, Tales of a Female Nomad, The Circle, Bluestockings, The Underground Girls of Kabul, Purple Hibiscusn and Britt-Marie Was Here in the fruit machine, and it selected Tales of a Female Nomad: Living at Large in the World for me.
Completed 28/04 - ★★★★
✔ 19/24
Book link: Fudge Cupcake Murder
Question: 40
Explanation of book-question link: I wrote down berries as my favourite fruit and red is a common colour for berries. The cover is very red! Also, the fudge cupcake from the title is made with raspberry syrup and a raspberry on top :)
Completed 30/04 - ★★★
✔ 20/24
Book link: The Best of Adam Sharp
Question: 9
Explanation of book-question link: I'm living together with my partner but am not married. The main character in this book does the same.
Completed 11/05 - ★★
✔ 21/24
Book link: The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper
Question: 39
Explanation of book-question link: My birthstone is aquamarine. It comes in different shades of blue, and the blue of this cover is very close to some of the stones I find on google.
Completed 25/05 - ★★★
✔ 22/24
Book link: The Hero of Ages
Question: 37
Explanation of book-question link: I don't really have a favourite author so I picked one of my favourites from 2016: Brandon Sanderson. This book is written by him.
Completed 02/06 - ★★★★ (4.5)
✔ 23/24
Book link: Blood Bound
Question: 14
Explanation of book-question link: Something I use daily is underwear. You can see Mercy's bra on the cover.
Completed 05/06 - ★★★★
✔ 24/24
Book link: Britt-Marie Was Here
Question: 45
Explanation of book-question link: I picked green olives. The cover is mostly green.
Completed 08/06 - ★★★★★
✔ 25/50
Book link: A Morbid Taste for Bones
Question: 36
Explanation of book-question link: I chose to lose taste. This book has 'taste' in the title.
Completed 09/06 - ★★★
✔ 26/50
Book link: Mr. Mercedes
Question: 22
Explanation of book-question link: I have never been in an accident, so I read a book in which an accident was highly likely.
Completed 14/06 - ★★★★
✔ 27/50
Book link: A Deadly Bridal Shower
Question: 23
Explanation of book-question link: I prefer a shower, this book has shower (although a different kind) in the title.
Completed 22/06 - ★★
✔ 28/50
Book link: All Quiet on the Western Front
Question: 29
Explanation of book-question link: I wrote wildflowers as my favourite flowers. One type of wildflower that immediately comes to my mind (and probably one of the only ones I know the name of) and which I really like is poppies. Poppies have become the symbol of WWI, and All Quiet on the Western Front is one of the most famous books set during WWI. I also read the poem 'In Flanders Fields' by John McCrae which is why poppies became such a symbol.
Completed 25/06 - ★★★★
✔ 29/50
Book link: The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry
Question: 49
Explanation of book-question link: One of my hobbies is reading. In this book a bookshop plays a large role, characters love to read, and there's a lot of talk about books.
Completed 29/06 - ★★★ (3.5)
✔ 30/50
Book link: Norwegian Wood
Question: 24
Explanation of book-question link: There are lots of places I still want to visit, but the one I wrote down was Japan. This book is set in Japan (and was written by a Japanese author)
Completed 04/07 - ★★ (2.5)
✔ 31/50
Book link: The Violets of March
Question: 11
Explanation of book-question link: I was born in March. This book has both March in the title and is set in March.
Completed 13/07 - ★★ (2.5)
✔ 32/50
Book link: The Good Luck of Right Now
Question: 10
Explanation of book-question link: I'm right-handed, right is in the title
Completed 31/07 - ★★ (2.5)
✔ 33/50
Book link: Sugar Cookie Murder
Question: 8
Explanation of book-question link: I answered Christmas for favourite holiday, and this book is set around Christmas time (largely at a Christmas buffet even!)
Completed 01/08 - ★★
✔ 34/50
Book link: Elizabeth Street
Question: 47
Explanation of book-question link: My height in inches is 66. This book was #66 on my to read shelf when I gophered for the challenge.
Completed 12/08 - ★★★★★
✔ 35/50
Book link: From Cradle to Stage: Stories from the Mothers Who Rocked and Raised Rock Stars
Question: 31
Explanation of book-question link: One of my answers to this question was Dave Grohl. This book was written by his mom and includes the story of Dave growing up. He is also mentioned in some of the other stories, is in the picture on the cover, and wrote the foreword.
Completed 13/08 - ★★★
✔ 36/50
Book link: Iron Kissed
Question: 33
Explanation of book-question link: I prefer to meet neither ghost nor alien. Vampires, werewolves, walkers, fae... all in here!
Completed 25/08 - ★★★★
✔ 37/50
Book link: Zolang er leven is: het tweede geheime dagboek van Hendrik Groen, 85 jaar
Question: 48
Explanation of book-question link: Someone I miss are my grandparents, and I chose this book to represent my granddad. The book is the diary of an 85-year old man who lives in a care home for the elderly. He describes his life and the things happening in the home. He's a founding member of the old-but-not-dead-club, a group of 8 people from that care home who don't want to wither away and once a month they in turn organize little outings and they stir up the place a little. They avoid complaining about their illnesses and such, but do make jokes about it. It's a sweet, touching, funny and sad book, all at the same time. My granddad never lived in a care home, but the MC of the book reminds me of him. My granddad also enjoyed life, and I think he would have been a perfect member for that old-but-not-dead club.
Completed 29/08 - ★★★★★
✔ 38/50
Book link: Orphan Train
Question: 20
Explanation of book-question link: Train is my favourite mode of transportation. This book has train in the title, a train window on the cover, and the train plays a significant role in the story.
Completed 01/09 - ★★★
✔ 39/50
Book link: Bone Crossed
Question: 26
Explanation of book-question link: I prefer a car, this book has some cars on the cover.
Completed 15/09 - ★★★
✔ 40/50
Book link: I Heart Ed Small
Question: 43
Explanation of book-question link: I would like to travel to the 60s. The blurb suggested this book was set in that time, and it was, but only for the first quarter. Still, I think the book fits the question for two reasons: I picked 60s because of the hippie era, Woodstock, the music, the clothing, the people, the spirit. This is not restricted to the 60s but also fits the 70s, and the rest of the book was set in the 70s. Several of the major characters were hippies, and there were references to music, clothing, hairstyles etc. throughout the book. Second, the things that happened in the first quarter of the book (so in the 60s) were crucial for the events 5 and 10 years later.
Completed 20/09 - ★
✔ 41/50
Book link: Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers
Question: 44
Explanation of book-question link: I prefer bare feet. You can't miss them on the cover.
Completed 27/09 - ★★★★ (4.5)
✔ 42/50
Book link: Tiger Lily
Question: 34
Explanation of book-question link: I picked tiger as my favourite animal, and the book has tiger in the title.
Completed 30/09 - ★★★★
✔ 43/50
Book link: Peach Cobbler Murder
Question: 7
Explanation of book-question link: This is the 7th book in the Hannah Swensen series
Completed 10/10 - ★★★
✔ 44/50
Book link: Where She Went
Question: 32
Explanation of book-question link: I'm most often complimented on my hair. The cover shows the MC's (I guess) hair prominently. And it sort of looks like my hairstyle when I was in my teens.
Completed 12/10 - ★★★ (3.5)
✔ 45/50
Book link: Enchantress
Question: 21
Explanation of book-question link: 32 candles. When I gophered I found Elantris as #32, but I didn't want to read it as it has only 1 published book and I don't want to read it and wait for ages before I can continue with the series. So instead I looked at the current #32, which was Enchantress. It's also the first in a series, but at least more (all?) books have been published.
Completed 27/10 - ★★★ (3.5)
✔ 46/50
Book link: And the Mountains Echoed
Question: 6
Explanation of book-question link: I don't have one favourite book, so I picked A Thousand Splendid Suns which I rated 5 stars and had a big impact on me. The book I read for this task is by the same author.
Completed 06/11 - ★★★★
✔ 47/50
Book link: Tipping the Velvet
Question: 2
Explanation of book-question link: I wrote dancing as my favourite sport. The MC in this book has a short career as a singer/dancer and dancing is mentioned several times throughout the book.
Completed 10/11 - ★★★★
✔ 48/50
Book link: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Question: 50
Explanation of book-question link: Spanish is a language I'd like to learn. The MC's in this book live in the US but have a Mexican background, and they speak Spanish as well.
Completed 17/11 - ★★★★ (3.75)
✔ 49/50
Book link: Between Shades of Gray
Question: 3
Explanation of book-question link: My eyes are brownish-grey, and the book has gray in the title.
Completed 19/11 - ★★★ (3.5)
✔ 50/50
Book link: The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives
Question: 19
Explanation of book-question link: My desktop picture is mint leaves. The colours are black and green, and those are also the colours of this book's cover.
Completed 23/11 - ★★
Wow Peggy. The list of European countries visited is impressive!
I realized that too when I listed them. I should add travel to my hobbies..
You will want to round your height either up or down. Trust me. :)
Some questions were so tough! But I think I finished :)
You've been to so many places!! That is really awesome.
And that's only within Europe :)But we have an advantage here compared to the US or Canada or Australia. It's so easy to take a car, bus, train, boat or plane to another country, and I can reach most of Europe within 3 hours. I'm 20 minutes by car from Belgium and 10 minutes by car from Germany.
That is so cool, it just sounds so amazing. But I get it. Thinking about how easy it is to travel to the different states as it relates to you being able to travel to the connecting countries. It just sounds so much more exotic on your end!!
You are quite the traveller, Peggy!It's funny, I have travelled to countries in other parts of the world far more than I have been to European countries.
Tasha wrote: "That is so cool, it just sounds so amazing. But I get it. Thinking about how easy it is to travel to the different states as it relates to you being able to travel to the connecting countries. It j..."Still, you've been to more countries than me, Peggy (and you are a decade younger than me!) ;)
Maybe it is because we have children - we didn't travel so far these last few years. And: I'm addicted to the Austrian mountains (not for winter sports, only in summer), I just HAVE to go back there once in a while! :D
Tasha, yes, I think it's similar to you travelling the states. And there are so many attractions there! But I get that it sounds less exotic than actually going to other countries.How often do you go on far trips Lisa? We make one outside of Europe once every two years or so, and the other year within Europe. And one or two short European trips each year.
I think children can indeed make it a bit more difficult (and expensive!) to travel far. But kids don't care, as long as they can swim and play and meet some other kids they're happy, even if it's only 30 minutes from home :)
You've been to Bulgaria? How come? It's not the most popular destination. I am curious what you visited and if/what you liked :) (if it's not clear, I am from there)
I have no idea how we decided on Bulgaria anymore, it was in 2009. I think we were looking for a new place, and we hadn't been to that part of Europe. We first went to Varna (needed some relaxation after a busy year), then Veliko Tarnovo (loved that!), and Sofia (really liked that too). All by train, and from Sofia we took a train to Istanbul.
Cool, you visited a lot! I hope your experience with the trains wasn't horrible because the Bulgarian trains are very old and break down often.
I do remember that they were old! But we were lucky, no delays or breakdowns :)
Peggy wrote: "Tasha, yes, I think it's similar to you travelling the states. And there are so many attractions there! But I get that it sounds less exotic than actually going to other countries.How often do yo..."
Peggy, I used to go outside Europe at least once a year for a holiday, mainly to the USA. My last holiday outside Europe was in 2012 when I went to Egypt. I also spent 2 months in South Africa back in 2007 when I did some voluntary work over there.
That's cool Lisa! Which US states have you visited?I'm so excited to get started on gophering and organizing!
Volunteer works in S A sounds really interesting, Lisa! What did you do there?I'm also curious which states you visited.
Peggy and Tasha, I have been to Florida several times, Nevada, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Rhode Island. I also went to Quebec in Canada on a school skiing trip and to Barbados on holiday.Tasha, my volunteer work in South Africa was an amazing experience! It's the best thing I have ever done. I worked on two different wildlife conservation projects. One was a rehabilitation centre located about 30 minutes drive from Kruger National Park which looked after sick, injured and orphaned wildlife. I spent 5 weeks there. I then spent 3 weeks on a reserve about 2 and half hours away from Cape Town.
That sounds amazing, Lisa! I can't even imagine a more interesting experience! I would hav loved to do something like that years ago when animals were my passion. The reserve sounds especially cool!
Tasha wrote: "Did the reservce have elephants??!"Yes, the reserve had loads of elephants. We saw them pretty much everyday :) It also had white lions which are really rare.
I loved both places I worked at but I had a real soft spot for the rehabilitation centre. It was so nice helping to care for these sick and injured animals and then releasing them back to the wild.
Peggy wrote: "50. What language would you like to learn to speak?Spanish "
I can help with that whenever you want, Peggy. :)
Thanks Sandra!I bought this extensive course for home-study over 5 years ago. I think I did the first few chapters, then I started my PhD and never got back into it. I might be without a job from September though, and if I am, I'll pick it up again. It would be fun to exchange some simple messages in Spanish with you when I have practiced a bit!
So much fun! Can't wait for 2017.I filled in some book possibilities that immediately came to mind when reading the instructions. I'll do some more serious gophering later.
I had a "duh" moment - I momentarily thought it was your birthday today when you put today's date into the question about candles, but then I remembered your birthday month is March.
I think I finished gophering. There are a few questions that I haven't got books for, but I can't do all 50 questions anyway. If I come across something that fits, I'll just add it. And if some miracle happens and I do get to all 50, I'll gopher some more when necessary.I'm so excited about this challenge, I was able to find many books that I've been wanting to read for a long time and look really forward to.
Nice job, Peggy. You have some good books listed there. Some I hope to read too. I'm doing a little less gophering this year, as I feel it leaves it open to some mood reading and some have a lot of books that will fit, so I'll fill those in as I go.
I also don't plan to necessarily stick to what I wrote down, it's more like a reminder of which books that I own fit some of the questions. If we happen to read the same book at approximately the same time, we should do a buddy read!
You have some great books lined up, Peggy!I may not stick to all the books I wrote down either, although I have tried to choose books that I really want to read wherever possible.
Haha, gophering is just so much fun! And I had to do it now, I noticed I spent half the day at work thinking about books and I want to focus more on actually working tomorrow ;-)One of the reasons I added several books to a number of questions is that I can have my final pick depend on my mood.
Peggy wrote: "I also don't plan to necessarily stick to what I wrote down, it's more like a reminder of which books that I own fit some of the questions. If we happen to read the same book at approximately the same time, we should do a buddy read!"
That would be great! I think two that you have that I want to read that will also fit my challenge are The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper and The Gargoyle. Actually, maybe The Last Dragonslayer too. There are a few others, but I'm not sure they'll fit my challenge. If I end up reading them around the time you do, I'll let you know.
Peggy wrote: "Cool, let's keep each other updated :)"Will do. :)
You've got some great books on your list. I just got Orphan Train for kindle from amazon today. Maybe we can do a buddy read.From #41 What Is the What and #44 - Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers - Bothe of these were 5 star books for me.
Like jaxnsmom, I also gave five stars to What Is the What and Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers. They are both terrific books! You have some great titles on your list.
That would be great jmom! And good to know you both rated those books 5 stars. I will definitely read what's the what in 2017, even if it's not for this challenge. Don't own stiff, so have to see about that.
A small bit of advice - if you're squeamish about icky conversations while eating, you really don't want to eat rice until you're a ways through Stiff. The first part, about the Body Farm, is where my body is going after I die. They do fascinating work there.
I can always eat ;-) except when someone's throwing up. Other than that I should be fine!I've heard of body farms, I find it very intriguing. I think I'm going to check throughout the year to see f I can get a cheap second hand copy somewhere.
I just listened to Stiffs last week. I definitely recommend the audio if you can find it. It was great! I think I added four of the authors other books to my TBR list after.
Oh, good one on the position of your zodiac sign and choosing to read a "first in series" book. For your hair books: I saw both of those . :)
For tiger: I saw a book called Tiger Lilly about the Indian maiden who loved Peter Pan before Wendy came along. You might look it up. I had a red cover.
I was very proud of myself when I came up with the 'first in a series' idea ;-)Thanks for the Tiger Lily recommendation! I wasn't really looking forward to being restricted to reading Tiger Hill, so I'm glad to have another alternative :)
You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
Books mentioned in this topic
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives (other topics)The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives (other topics)
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives (other topics)
Between Shades of Gray (other topics)
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (other topics)
More...
Peggy Margaretha Henrica (first and middle names)
2. What is your favourite sport?
Dancing
3. What colour are your eyes?
Brownish-grey (bf calls it swamp colour ;-))
4. Have you ever had a broken bone?
No
5. What is your favourite movie?
Hard one! I'll go for La Vita è Bella (Life is Beautiful)
6. What is your favourite book?
I don't really have a favourite, but I'll go for one that I loved and had a big impact on me: A Thousand Splendid Suns
7. Pick a number between 1 and 10.
7
8. What is your favourite holiday?
Christmas
9. What is your relationship status?
Living together
10. Are you right or left handed?
Right
11. What is your birthday month?
March
12. Do you have a pet? What is it? Don’t have a pet? Adopt a pet that someone in your immediate circle has (mother, brother, sister, friend, etc.)
I'll adopt my friend's cat
13. What is your favourite type of food? (Chinese, Italian, Mexican, etc)
Mediterranean
14. What is something you use daily? (brush, computer, car, get creative)
Underwear
15. What is your shoe size? (No halves; roll up to next number)
37 (or should I convert it to US size?)
16. What is your favourite Ice cream flavour?
Passionfruit
17. What is your country of birth?
The Netherlands
18. What is your favourite season?
Spring
19. What is your current desk top picture?
Mint leaves
20. What is your preferred mode of transport?
Train
21. How many candles were on your last birthday cake?
32
22. Have you been in an accident?
No
23. Do you prefer a shower or bath?
Shower
24. Name a place you’d like to visit.
Just one?! I'd like to visit any place I haven't been to yet. The top of my list can vary on a monthly basis, but if you forced me to buy a plane ticket right now, I would buy one to Japan.
25. What is your favourite genre?
Historical fiction
26. Do you prefer a car or truck?
Car
27. Do you have a tattoo?
No
28. Do you prefer Classic or Contemporary?
Contemporary
29. What is your favourite flower?
Wildflowers
30. Have you been to Europe? Where? (If you live in Europe, specify country other than your own.)
Belgium, Germany, Luxemburg, Liechtenstein, France, Spain, Portugal (and Madeira), Greece, Italy, the Vatican, UK (England, Scotland) Russia, Bulgaria, Hungaria, Turkey, Estonia, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia, Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic
31. If you could meet anyone famous, infamous, notorious, who would it be?
When I was in my early teens it would have been Backstreet Boys, without a doubt. In my late teens and twenties Johnny Depp. Now, I don't know. Toughest question! Maybe Rory Gallagher (not alive anymore) or Dave Grohl, both great musicians who would for sure give you a fun night out.
32. What is the feature on you are most often complimented?
My hair
33. Would you rather encounter a ghost, an alien, or neither?
Neither
34. What is your favourite animal (other than domestic pets)?
Tiger
35. What type of holiday do you prefer? (Beach, Mountain, Camping, exotic, etc)
Road trip with lots of nature and culture
36. If you had to lose one of the 5 senses, which would you prefer it to be?
My first idea was to go with smell, but I've been thinking about it some more, and as losing smell means losing taste as well, I would rather just lose the taste and still be able to smell. So, taste (oh, but all the yummy food :( )
37. Who is your favourite author?
I honestly don't have one. I'll pick Brandon Sanderson, who was one of my favourite authors in 2016.
38. Do you prefer tea, coffee, or water?
Water
39. What is your birthstone using the US 2016 listing: (https://www.americangemsociety.org/en...)
Aquamarine
40. What is your favourite fruit?
Berries
41. Issue you are passionate about (abortion, euthanasia, animal rights… etc)
Human rights
42. Would you rather explore in space or undersea?
Undersea
43. To what time period would you like to time travel?
1960s
44. Do you prefer shoes or barefeet?
Barefeet
45. Do you prefer green or black olives? Neither?
Green, I think.
46. What is your Zodiac sign?
Aries
47. What is your height in inches?
66
48. Who is someone you miss?
My grandparents
49. What is your hobby?
Read, travel, crochet
50. What language would you like to learn to speak?
Spanish