Alphabet Soup Challenge (2014)

[Karen]

Yes, I noticed this a bit late. July was a hell of a month. Still, I'm in with 7 books to go :)

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

That's great! The end of the alphabet is killer. ;) So glad you're here!

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

Uh, not the part about July being miserable for you. That's not great. Hope August is better. <3

[Karen]

Iasa wrote: "Karen, was Parasite worth reading?"

Well I rated it 3 stars. It was an interesting idea and relatively fast paced and absorbing. However for me there was some repetitiveness and I had difficulty accepting some plot points and some character behavior. Overall I don't regret reading it though. I'm planning to read the sequel so I suppose that says something, plus there's a very fun character called Tansy who's worth meeting :)

My review is here

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

Great going, Iasa!
I still have U to go, so I'm quite envious. :)

[Camille]

Well done, Iasa!

[Kassandra]

Great job, Iasa!

[James]

To my surprise I have read books for almost all letters of the alphabet already:

A - Adieu Sweet Bahnhof, Action Sorgenkind, Airpussy
B - Der Brenner und der liebe Gott
C -
D - The Death-Ray, David Boring
E - Englische Geschichte, Das Erbe, Eichmann in Jerusalem: ein Bericht von der Banalität des Bösen
F - Faschistische Ideologie, Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic, Der Feind aus alten Tagen
G - Geschichte des Zionismus
H - Heads Or Tails
I - In Plüschgewittern, Im Schatten keiner Türme, Ice Haven, Im Land der Frühaufsteher
J - Jamilti, Julio's Day, Jahrestage
K - Kälteschlaf, Kritik und Wahrheit
L - Liebe schaut weg, Love & Rockets, Leviathan und Schwarze Spiegel, A Long Way Down, LTI
M - Mode und Verzweiflung, Make Me a Woman, Der Mann, der kein Mörder war, Manifest der Kommunistischen Partei
N -
O -
P - Porno, Pussey!
Q - Quodlibet
R -
S - Summer Blonde, Sandburg
T - Tel Aviv Berlin
U -
V -
W -
X -
Y -
Z -

(ok, that's two thirds, nearly)

I chose the following books from my to-read list:
Caricature by Daniel Clowes or A Child's Life and Other Stories, Der Nazi und der Friseur by Edgar Hilsenrath or Native Speaker, Reading Lolita in Tehran or Righting the Mother Tongue, Unlovable, Vietnamerica, Zahra's Paradise

Does anyone have suggestions for O, X, Y? (On my to-read list I have One-dimensional Man but I think I prefer to read this one in German where it's Der eindimensionale Mensch and does not start any longer with an O - I found Once a Runner and One Nation Under a Groove in my currently-reading list but I'm not in the mood to read running books at the time and the other one is a children's book about Hip Hop, so, I don't know; recommendations are very welcome)

[James]

yikes, I forgot W:
I'm planning to read one of those:
We Are Ugly But We Have The Music: Eine ungewöhnliche Spurensuche in Sachen jüdischer Erfahrung und Subkultur or Where the Sidewalk Ends: The Poems and Drawings of Shel Silverstein or Why I Am Not a Muslim or White Gold: The Extraordinary Story of Thomas Pellow and North Africa's One Million European Slaves. Giles Milton

[Melissa]

Iasa wrote: "Finished up my alphabet with Under the Volcano tonight."

Great Job, Iasa!!! I still have V left. Maybe this month with a V mystery.

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

Excellent choices, too, Sandy!

[James]

Iasa wrote: "James, sorry I'm not very knowledgable about the books you favor but how about The Yiddish Policemen's Union or Öl auf Wasser.

They have both been recommended me, but ..."

Thanks, Iasa. I have read The Yiddish Policemen's Union already, and though I liked it very much I don't think I'm gonna re-read it this year. However, I have just finished One Nation Under a Groove: Rap Music and Its Roots, so I'm done w/ O now.

Something in English about Yiddish is still a great idea for Y. I like the language, because I know the Hebrew letters and unlike Hebrew in Yiddish letters are used for all vowels, which makes reading it much easier, plus it has a lot of words that are the same in German ... have to search.

[James]

Sandy wrote: "James, a few suggestions for the letter O -

O Pioneers!
The Ocean at the End of the Lane
Of Human Bondage
The Officers' Ward
[book:The Old Ma..."

Thanks, Sandy. As mentioned above I'm through w/ O now but still I will consider some of the books to read at some point in time. I have read The Old Man and the Sea already (found it boring back then, maybe I should give it a second try).

[Melissa]

I may have asked this already, but is there a good *V* mystery? I have Voss by Patrick White as to read, but that is not going to happen any time soon, with all of my mysteries sitting by the side of my bed. I think I need something simple, but enjoyable.

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

How about The Valley of Fear by Arthur Conan Doyle? It's the last of the Sherlock novels (although there were more short stories) and I really enjoyed it.

[Tracey]

I am slacking on my V here and it's the only one I have left. I even know what I want, I just havent downloaded it yet.

[Tracey]

Whew.. Finally finished mine.

[Melissa]

Congratulations Chase!!! Way to Go!!!

[Kassandra]

Congratulations Chase!!!

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

Great job!! Interesting V. How was it?

[Camille]

Well done, Chase!

[Tracey]

Renee wrote: "Great job!! Interesting V. How was it?"

It had it's flaws, but it was a cute story. I would recommend. My biggest problem with it was that it seemed to use a lot of Russian stereotypes in it.

[Steffie]

I know I'm late joining this party but I have to challenge myself to do this, as you said, some books will be easier but other's not so much!!!

I'll fill in as I go, I'm going to start tackling my to-read books to start!!!

A - Accidental Leigh by Melanie James Read


B - Blown by Braxton Cole Read


C - Chasing Nikkiby Lacey Weatherford Read


D - The Damaged One by Mimi Harper Read


E The Escort Next Door by Clara James Read


F Frosted Shadow by Nancy Warren read

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

So great to have you join us, Steffie! Welcome!

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

One More Letter for me!!
U- Uncle Tom's Cabin, a novel about which I have long been curious.

[Steffie]

Just realised I can't edit my posts from my phone. I'm so glad I decided to do this challenge, I went a little one click crazy and started with my 'A' book as I wait for Sept reading challenges to begin. I found an awesome book and read it cover to cover, I need the second in the series but it is going to have to wait!

I'll edit my first post tomorrow when I get on the computer to put down my progress.

thanks for welcoming me to the challenge! x

[Kassandra]

Welcome to the challenge Zoe!

[Alessandra]

I feel like I won't finish this challenge, but let's try at least :D I read too many books with the same letter! Never realized it, thought :O *somewhat fascinated*

A - Anna and the French Kiss
B - The Book Thief
C - Catching Fire
D - The Death Cure
E - The Enemy
F - File Under: 13 Suspicious Incidents
G - Geeks vs. Zombies
H - The Hunger Games
I - Isla and the Happily Ever After
J
K - The Kill Order
L - Lemony Snicket: The Unauthorized Autobiography
M - Mockingjay
N - A Night of Blacker Darkness
O
P - Poison Study
Q
R
S - The Scorch Trials
T
U
V
W - Who Could That Be at This Hour?
X
Y
Z

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

Zoe and Alessandra-
Absolutely! This challenge runs until December 31st. Glad to have you both here!

[Holly, That Geeky One]

It's always the way, you read loads of books starting with only a few letters! Good luck with your challenges, Alessandra and Zoe!

[Alessandra]

Yes, we will, Zoe! :D
I realized that I can fill some more letters with the books I'm planning on reading. I just have to try and fit them into my reading schedule :D

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

Of course you will! It's your challenge so count what feels right to you. I used short stories for my X and Y titles. Plays, graphic novels, etc. Whatever it is that appeals to YOU. :)

Also, Zoe, when you can (and are at a computer), please link your titles. (Even if it's just the ones you've read so far.) One of the ways that people in the community get ideas for interesting books is to look at each other's lists. And it helps generate conversation. Really, just whenever you get the chance. Thanks!

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

There's truly no need to rush, but thank you. :)

Also, scroll back in this thread for X ideas.

[Holly, That Geeky One]

We only have your best intentions at heart, Zoe, I promise!

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

Shhhh! Don't tell the others! ;)

[Melissa]

Zoe, you have no idea, but just embrace it go for the ride! It's all good! :)

[Kassandra]

Zoe, you need sleep! Having said that, if you're still up at 2 am and your book is calling you, you really should answer the call :) Perhaps you can indulge in the book and have a nap later!

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

Or the book will put you to sleep! Lol. Seems like win-win.

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

Authors' Names. Maybe we'll do that next year. :) Thanks for the info, Marc.

[Steffie]

I'm having such a hard time with this challenge. Money's a little tight right now so I'm hammering at amazon's freebies. Why do so many authors write "series" where each book is not a self contained story within a larger story and then charge extortionate prices for the following books! So sad. Ah well onward and upward, 5 down 21 to go!!! :D

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

It is a very sneaky marketing ploy, Steffie!! But 5 Down! Good for you! :D

[Melissa]

Way to go Steffie!!!

Author challenge for 2015 -- Oh my! We are off to the races and this year is barely half through!

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

Haha! Virgo default... I'm planning ahead!

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

Happy Birthday!!!
I'm on the 20th. :D

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

Hmm. I don't know. I'm closer to Libra chronologically. In temperament I tend to 'take charge' with people who'd rather follow, but am easy-going with people who'd rather lead. Just don't try to lead me somewhere I don't wanna go!! Ha!

[Kassandra]

Happy belated birthday, Renee and Sandy!

[Melissa]

Sandy wrote: "Renee wrote: "Haha! Virgo default... I'm planning ahead!"

Haha! I thought you might be a Virgo, Renee. :D It takes one to know one -- i.e. I just had my birthday! When is yours?"

Happy Birthday toooo you! Happy Biirrthday toooo you! Happy Birrrthday dear Sandy and Renee! Happy Birthday tooo you!

Hope you enjoyed your days!!!!

[Steffie]

Happy Belated Birthday Renee and Sandy!

[James]

Finished O. 17 of 26... have to finish some of the books I have started, maybe during the September Readathon.

A - Adieu Sweet Bahnhof, Action Sorgenkind, Airpussy
B - Der Brenner und der liebe Gott
C -
D - The Death-Ray, David Boring
E - Englische Geschichte, Das Erbe, Eichmann in Jerusalem: ein Bericht von der Banalität des Bösen
F - Faschistische Ideologie, Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic, Der Feind aus alten Tagen
G - Geschichte des Zionismus, The Ghost Writer
H - Heads Or Tails
I - In Plüschgewittern, Im Schatten keiner Türme, Ice Haven, Im Land der Frühaufsteher
J - Jamilti, Julio's Day, Jahrestage
K - Kälteschlaf, Kritik und Wahrheit
L - Liebe schaut weg, Love & Rockets, Leviathan und Schwarze Spiegel, A Long Way Down, LTI
M - Mode und Verzweiflung, Make Me a Woman, Der Mann, der kein Mörder war, Manifest der Kommunistischen Partei
N -
O - On Loving Women
P - Porno, Pussey!
Q - Quodlibet
R -
S - Summer Blonde, Sandburg
T - Tel Aviv Berlin
U -
V -
W -
X -
Y -
Z -

[Steffie]

Renee wrote: "Authors' Names. Maybe we'll do that next year. :) Thanks for the info, Marc."

That's an awesome idea, I'll probably read for other challenges and fill in as I go with the alphabet then around this time next year try and read the letters I have left!