Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge discussion
2017 Read Harder Challenge
>
Task #10: Read a book that is set within 100 miles of your location
It is a good time to be living in Melbourne :)
Mona wrote: "For those of you struggling or not finding anything you like from Google searches, here are a couple ideas:-Think of an event (historical or recent) that occurred in your area and check whether t..."
These are great suggestions. I think settling for a book set within your state is close enough to the spirit of the challenge as well (at least for me, I won't be losing any sleep over it). Someone living in Arkansas or Idaho is going to have a much harder time than someone in NY or much of California, for example.
Catie wrote: "Does anyone have favorites set in southern New England? I live in Providence and would ideally like to read something set in Rhode Island for this task.Some recent books I liked a lot from that region: Imagine Me Gone (Massachusetts), Did You Ever Have a Family (CT), Eileen (MA), Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel (MA- would also satisfy the YA book by an LGBTQ author if you double-dip). The Unseen World (mostly set in Boston but small parts in Rhode Island), and My Sister's Keeper (Rhode Island).
Sadly, I checked and Chicago os just outside of that radius for me. I'll have to see if I can find something interesting set on Milwaukee or Dubuque.
Barbara wrote: "Sadly, I checked and Chicago os just outside of that radius for me. I'll have to see if I can find something interesting set on Milwaukee or Dubuque."The Art of Fielding is set in Wisconsin and its great.
Rainey wrote: "Stina wrote: "Rainey wrote: "HA, I am on an island so there is no land within 100 miles of me. Will just pick the USA."
Is there possibly a book set *on* the island? Like a local history or guid..."
Good luck at the library. Be sure to ask the librarian(s). If there is something appropriate, they are sure to know about it or at least how to help you find it.
I live in Southern Ontario so I'm going to take this opportunity to read Thomas P. Kelley's book off my TBR about The Black Donnellys
Bonnie wrote: "Barbara wrote: "Sadly, I checked and Chicago os just outside of that radius for me. I'll have to see if I can find something interesting set on Milwaukee or Dubuque."The Art of Fielding is set in..."
I also counts for the a book about sports prompt, if you want to double dip. (I'm using it for that. :) )
I'm in Sydney Australia. Any suggestions for a book set between 1900 and now, within 100 miles or 200 kilometres of Sydney?
Diane wrote: "I'm in Sydney Australia. Any suggestions for a book set between 1900 and now, within 100 miles or 200 kilometres of Sydney?"What about The Proving Ground, which is about disastrous
Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race in 1998. Yacht Racing is a sport so it could count towards that one as well.
Diane wrote: "I'm in Sydney Australia. Any suggestions for a book set between 1900 and now, within 100 miles or 200 kilometres of Sydney?"Maybe something by Ruth Park?
Barbara wrote: "Sadly, I checked and Chicago os just outside of that radius for me. I'll have to see if I can find something interesting set on Milwaukee or Dubuque."If you're thinking Milwaukee, I've been told there's a part of "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman that takes place near Madison at House on the Rock. I haven't read it, but it's on my list for this!
Liz wrote: "I live in a rural part of Oregon. As I look today, I'm finding TONS of books set in Portland, which is over 250 miles away. I'm finding this one to be really tough (as I think most people in rural ..."If Redmond is within your 100 mile orbit, Strange Piece of Paradise is set near there. Nonfiction and it may keep you up at night . . .
Allie wrote: "This one is the one I think will be the biggest challenge for me. I'm in SW Virginia (Blacksburg/Roanoke area) and looking for suggestions! Most of the ones I'm seeing right off the bat are set in ..."How far are you from Bassett, VA? Factory man is an excellent book about that town. The author, Macy Gray, is from Roanoke and has written some other books. You should also look at Martin Clark who writes about western Virginia.
Patty wrote: "Allie wrote: "This one is the one I think will be the biggest challenge for me. I'm in SW Virginia (Blacksburg/Roanoke area) and looking for suggestions! Most of the ones I'm seeing right off the b..."Also Nikki Giovanni teaches at Tech and she is an interesting poet.
I live in central British Columbia, so this challenge will mean me picking up a local book. I'm actually really looking forward to this! Reading some history on my local area will likely be fascinating. so far I'm eyeing Behind Closed Doors: Stories from the Kamloops Indian Residential School by Jack Agnes and Walhachin: Birth of a Legend by Larry Jacobsen. :P
I haven't seen anyone mention this yet but, for some books, Goodreads will include a setting which is clickable to see other books with the same setting. You can also search through the full list of Places to find something set in a city or region near you. https://www.goodreads.com/places/
Allie wrote: "This one is the one I think will be the biggest challenge for me. I'm in SW Virginia (Blacksburg/Roanoke area) and looking for suggestions! Most of the ones I'm seeing right off the bat are set in ..."I read a lot of series and I know of two that are set in your area. I've only read the first of both of the following. One is Rita Mae Brown's "Mrs. Murphy" series set in Crozet, VA (light mysteries). The other is Adriana Trigiani's Big Stone Gap series (romance but not goopy).
Allie wrote: "This one is the one I think will be the biggest challenge for me. I'm in SW Virginia (Blacksburg/Roanoke area) and looking for suggestions! Most of the ones I'm seeing right off the bat are set in ..."Allie, Barbara Kingsolver lives near you. Her "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle is a good nonfiction book about the area. Also, her novels Flight Behavior and Prodigal Summer are set in the area as well. You can even visit her restaurant after you read the book: http://www.harvesttablerestaurant.com/
Thanks. I've actually read American Gods before. I had to skim the House on the Rock part, because he did such a good job of evoking that place, and I REALLY can't stand it. For some reason, school groups and scout troops etc insist upon thinking it's an appropriate places to take kids. It's simultaneously stultifyingly boring, and incredibly creepy. I think I wound up being taken there 3 or 4 times between the ages of 8 and 13 or so, and it has left some lasting scars. If you're thinking Milwaukee,..."
If you're open to nonfiction,..."Thanks! I'm making it more difficult on myself by trying not to read anything written by white (cis) men this year. I may have to put that by the wayside to finish Read Harder, but I'm headed over to my local library tomorrow to see if they have much in the way of suggestions for local books written by women and/or POC.
Diane wrote: "I'm in Sydney Australia. Any suggestions for a book set between 1900 and now, within 100 miles or 200 kilometres of Sydney?"Agree Ruth Park is good.
Sulari Gentill has some great books set in Sydney. Written now but with a between the wars time frame. Think Phryne in Sydney.
Careful He Might Hear You is another great book if you like that era. Plus you can double up with watching the great movie classic as well.
Sydney has so many. I'm in Tamworth and there is nothing up this way. 200km does not even get me to Newcastle or the coast.
Rainey wrote: "I am in Bermuda, so nothing within 100 miles but water. I will either read a book that takes place on the water The Proving Ground or read something from US [book:Last Train to Pa..."
If you do decide that you want something specifically set in Bermuda, here are some possible options to start.
https://www.goodreads.com/places/360-...
Patty wrote: "Patty wrote: "Allie wrote: "This one is the one I think will be the biggest challenge for me. I'm in SW Virginia (Blacksburg/Roanoke area) and looking for suggestions! Most of the ones I'm seeing r..."Thanks! Bassett is in range, and I've added one of Giovanni's poetry collections to my TBR also!
Also, thanks Jane for the recommendations! Rita Mae Brown's books look like fun! Unfortunately Big Stone Gap is just a little too far.
Jen wrote: "Rebecca The Corrections is set in StL."Thanks Jen! I added it to my list.
Allie wrote: "This one is the one I think will be the biggest challenge for me. I'm in SW Virginia (Blacksburg/Roanoke area) and looking for suggestions! Most of the ones I'm seeing right off the bat are set in ..."I live about an hour north of you in Harrisonburg. I found this list that was very helpful. I personally chose Yellow Crocus by Laila Ibrahim.
https://www.goodreads.com/places/1711...
Nicole wrote: "Looking for suggestions in Toronto, Canada or as far as Detroit,Michigan. I'm kinda smack-dab in the middle"What about Rush Home Road? Set in rural Ontario, Chatham/Windsor area... I really enjoyed this one!
Monique wrote: "I live in central British Columbia, so this challenge will mean me picking up a local book. I'm actually really looking forward to this! Reading some history on my local area will likely be fascina..."What about Medicine Walk? I am not sure about the setting, and whether or not you have read it, but it sure is rural BC (Kamloops inspired perhaps, per author's location?) and I LOVED the book....
I live in Omaha, NE and I've already read all of Rainbow Rowell's books. I think I'm going to give Safer by Sean Doolittle a shot. Its set in a fictional small town in Iowa. I'm assuming it's within 100 miles of Omaha:)
Chessa wrote: "Ugh, living in Helena, MT and don't love westerns. If anyone has suggestions I'm all ears! So far I've got Work Song and Buster Midnight's Cafe noted, but I'm not jum..."
Nicholas Evan books are set in Montana. The Brave was more of a family story than a western (although its only partially set in Montana). Its been years since I read the Horse Whisperer and I enjoyed it. I'm not much of a fan of westerns either.
Addie wrote: "Chessa wrote: "Ugh, living in Helena, MT and don't love westerns. If anyone has suggestions I'm all ears! So far I've got Work Song and Buster Midnight's Cafe noted, ..."
Oh and a River Runs Through It is set in Montana as well.
Anneke wrote: "Nicole wrote: "Looking for suggestions in Toronto, Canada or as far as Detroit,Michigan. I'm kinda smack-dab in the middle""
The Unquiet Dead is set in Toronto and is a mystery. The ebook is on sale on Amazon.com for $2.99
Any suggestions for Lancaster, Pennsylvania? Philadelphia, Reading, and Harrisburg are within 100 as well.
Can anyone recommend some good books set in the Dallas/Ft Worth area? I'm a bit north of FW, so my 100-mile radius goes a bit up into Oklahoma and as far south as Waco. So far all I'm finding is a bunch of romance novels, which... not exactly my cup of tea. Myself, I can recommend 11/22/63 for a novel set in Fort Worth & Dallas.
Rachel wrote: "I actually really hate this prompt. Having done hometown/home state prompts multiple times in previous challenges, they are consistently some of my least favourite books and very difficult to find."Rachel, I'm with you. I live in Northeast Tennessee, and have read most of the good books set near here. I decided to look at the challenge from a different perspective and will most likely read Bill Bryson's "At Home". Here's the blurb: a fascinating history of the modern home, taking us on a room-by-room tour through his own house and using each room to explore the vast history of the domestic artifacts we take for granted. As he takes us through the history of our modern comforts, Bryson demonstrates that whatever happens in the world eventually ends up in our home, in the paint, the pipes, the pillows, and every item of furniture.
This is a very easy choice for me. I've already read a number of books set in my hometown of Denton, Texas, but one I have not gotten to yet is A Field Philosopher's Guide to Fracking: How One Texas Town Stood Up to Big Oil and Gas, by Adam Briggle.
Allie wrote: "This one is the one I think will be the biggest challenge for me. I'm in SW Virginia (Blacksburg/Roanoke area) and looking for suggestions! Most of the ones I'm seeing right off the bat are set in ..."Here is a list of books set in Roanoke: https://www.goodreads.com/places/8915...
Also, it's a bit of a stretch, but I think part of A Beautiful Mind takes place in Roanoke. It may be a very small part (I haven't read the book).
Melissa W wrote: "Anything for Vancouver, BC? Would Do Not Say We Have Nothing qualify? Or do I have to find something else? Seattle also qualifies for me (I am 99 miles north of Seattle)"Here are some books set in Vancouver, BC: https://www.goodreads.com/places/1032...
I think you can also find some other books if you type "vancouver" into the Goodreads search box.
I probably shouldn't ask for suggestions seeing as I live IN DC and there is a wealth of books to choose from set in and around the city. However, I wanted to see if anyone had personal recommendations rather that just selecting one off a list.
Nicole wrote: "Looking for suggestions in Toronto, Canada or as far as Detroit,Michigan. I'm kinda smack-dab in the middle"Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenies is set almost entirely in Detroit
April Any suggestions for Lancaster, Pennsylvania? Philadelphia, Reading, and Harrisburg are within 100 as well.13 hours ago
Try Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult
I´ll be reading City of My Dreams. It´s a Swedish classic. The narrative follows a group of working-class people on Södermalm in Stockholm between 1860 and 1880.
Bobby wrote: "Melissa W wrote: "Anything for Vancouver, BC? Would Do Not Say We Have Nothing qualify? Or do I have to find something else? Seattle also qualifies for me (I am 99 miles north of Se..."I think Do Not SaybWe Have Nothing would qualify.
Katie wrote: "April Any suggestions for Lancaster, Pennsylvania? Philadelphia, Reading, and Harrisburg are within 100 as well.13 hours ago
How about Heat & Light by Jennifer Haigh. Its set in Pennsylvania
Nancy wrote: "Rachel wrote: "I actually really hate this prompt. Having done hometown/home state prompts multiple times in previous challenges, they are consistently some of my least favourite books and very dif..."Have you read Girls of Atomic City? NF about Oak Ridge, where the atomic bomb was built.
The Detroit recommendation mentioned was GREAT!Jmegan wrote: "Nicole wrote: "Looking for suggestions in Toronto, Canada or as far as Detroit,Michigan. I'm kinda smack-dab in the middle"
A couple of my favourites:
Toronto:
In the Skin of a Lion
..."
Jmegan wrote: "Nicole wrote: "Looking for suggestions in Toronto, Canada or as far as Detroit,Michigan. I'm kinda smack-dab in the middle"
A couple of my favourites:
Toronto:
In the Skin of a Lion
..."
April wrote: "Any suggestions for Lancaster, Pennsylvania? Philadelphia, Reading, and Harrisburg are within 100 as well."I think most of Jennifer Weiner's books take place in Pennsylvania
I'll be in several locations next year, ranging from New York to North Carolina to South Carolina to outside the US. I wonder what happens if I start something that works while I'm in one place but don't finish it until I'm somewhere else?I'll probably try to read Serafina and the Black Cloak, which is set on the Biltmore Estate and in Biltmore Forest, while I'm in North Carolina.
Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Ready Player One (other topics)The Devil All the Time (other topics)
What You Don't Know (other topics)
Natural Obsessions: The Search for the Oncogene (other topics)
Temporary People (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Paulette Jiles (other topics)Emily Woof (other topics)
Richard Russo (other topics)
Laurie Halse Anderson (other topics)
Katherine Howe (other topics)
More...
Will just pick the USA."
Is there possibly a book set *on* the island? Like a local history or guidebook, even?"
Didnt find anything the first time. Will have another try at the library.