You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
Challenges: Monthly
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November 2017 REPORTING - Finish Line
I read The Dispatcher by John Scalzi.Cover: 0
Author: 5
3 points - The author has won an award for writing.
2 points - The entire author's name on the version of book you read, is 10 characters long or shorter.
Melbourne Cup Points: 0
November Points: 2
2 points - A character dies in the book. All Souls Day/Day of the Dead.
Total: 7
I also read The Dispatcher by John Scalzi. Length - 130 pagesCover - 0 points
Author - 3 points, award winner
Author - 2 points, full name is 10 characters
Melbourne Cup - 0 points
November - 2 points, a character dies
Total: 7 points
I read Witches of Lychford. The author has won the BSFA Award for his short fiction. That gets me three points. I really enjoyed the book, and I read all of it today. The "witches" of the title are a really interesting trio of women. There is only one of them that I would call a witch. Another is a vicar. By the end of the book, (view spoiler) The third character sells magic paraphernalia, but doesn't believe in what she sells. The friendship that develops between the three women as they learn to respect each other's views is what makes the story come alive. So, 3 points.
I read And the Birds Rained Down by Jocelyne Saucier, 160 pages.Cover: 0 points
Author:
3 points - The author has won an award for writing.
Melbourne Cup Points:
2 points - A character runs away in the book.
November Points:
2 points - A character dies in the book.
Total points: 7
I read The Monarch of the Glen by Neil Gaiman.Author:
3 points - The author has won an award for writing.
2 points - The entire author's name on the version of book you read, is 10 characters long or shorter.
Total: 5 pts
Best of Both Worlds - 112 pagesCover: 0 points
Author:
2 points - The entire author's name on the version of book you read, is 10 characters long or shorter.
Melbourne Cup Points: 0 points
November Points: 0 points
Total: 2 pts
Timbuktu
- 181 pagesCover: 0 pts
Author: 3 pts = The author has won an award for writing. – PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction is one of many
Author: 2 pts = The entire author's name on the version of book you read, is 10 characters long
Melbourne Cup Points: 2 pts= A character runs away in the book.
November Points: 2 pts = A character dies in the book.
Total: 9 pts
Like Casceil, I read Witches of Lychford so I tie with her on 3 points. It was a good read but felt a bit rushed to me. Could have done with some more plot and character developement.
I read Incest and despite the cringe worthy subject, loved it enough to bestow it with 4 stars. I would recommend it to anyone who is not faint hearted. ;)Melbourne Cup Points:
2 points - There is a horse race in the book (not like a horse race but there were horses chasing one another as men mounted them, does that count?)
2 points - A character runs away in the book. The first race, a horse bolted before the start. (A family ran away together, does that count?)
November Points:
2 points - A character dies in the book. All Souls Day/Day of the Dead. (only if I got 2 points for each person that died, I would win this challenge! I am being downright morbid, ain't I?)
Total - 6? (need approval)
I read Pygmalion by George Bernard ShawCover : 0
Author :
from Ireland - 4 Points
won award,Nobel - 3 Points
November points -
2 points - character running away - here Eliza Doolittle leaves Prof.Higgins home at night after argument... and goes to his mothers home..he does not know what happened to her...
will this count?
Total - 7 (/ ? +2)
Finished Clubbed to Death4 points – The author was born in Ireland.
3 points - The author has won an award for writing.
2 points - Your main character has a mustache.
2 points - A character dies in the book.
11 Total Points
Almeta wrote: "Finished Clubbed to Death4 points – The author was born in Ireland.
3 points - The author has won an award for writing.
2 points - Your main character has a mustache.
2 points - A ..."
Wow, Almeta!
I read The Emperor's SoulCover:
0 points
Author:
3 points - The author has won an award for writing.
Melbourne Cup Points:
2 points - There is a horse race in the book (someone races a horse to escape - does that count? It's not horses racing each other)
2 points - A character runs away in the book (not like running away from home, but escaping from prison. Does that count?)
Total: 3 (or 5/7)
Pragya wrote: "Almeta wrote: "Finished Clubbed to DeathWow, Almeta!..."
REALLY! I thought that was a pretty puny score!
Almeta wrote: "Pragya wrote: "Almeta wrote: "Finished Clubbed to DeathWow, Almeta!..."
REALLY! I thought that was a pretty puny score!"
I had to read four books just to find one with 9 points and you just took over the lead, I think.
Almeta wrote: "Pragya wrote: "Almeta wrote: "Finished Clubbed to DeathWow, Almeta!..."
REALLY! I thought that was a pretty puny score!"
It's the highest so far!
Cherie wrote: "Almeta wrote: "Pragya wrote: "Almeta wrote: "Finished Clubbed to DeathWow, Almeta!..."
REALLY! I thought that was a pretty puny score!"
I had to read four books just to find one ..."
Yeah, Cherie. Go find another one to give Almeta some competition. ;)
The Death of the Banker: The Decline and Fall of the Great Financial Dynasties and the Triumph of the Small Investor2 pts Rob Chernow = 10 characters
2 pts character dies
2 pts mustache
3 pts Chernow has won many awards.
9 pts
The Housekeeper and the ProfessorAuthor:
3 points - The author has won an award for writing.
2 points - The entire author's name on the version of book you read, is 10 characters long or shorter.
November Points:
2 points - A character dies in the book. All Souls Day/Day of the Dead.
Total - 7 points
Even though the points are less, the book was wonderful and I'm really happy I read it. Me and Maths don't really go together that well, but the Maths the Professor here was describing was wonderful. I would have probably aced the subject if I had had a teacher like him.
Laura wrote: "The Housekeeper and the ProfessorAuthor:
3 points - The author has won an award for writing.
2 points - The entire author's name on the version of book you read, is 10 characters ..."
I loved that book and glad to know you did too, Laura. :)
Cherie wrote: "@ Pragya - sorry, I gave it my best shot. I am quite okay with not winning. :o)"Haha, let's aim for the gluestick then? ;)
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck 112 pages
Scoring
Cover = 0
Author = 3
In 1962 Steinbeck received the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Melbourne Cup Points = 0
November Points: 2
Curley's wife and Lenny both Die.
Total Points: 5
I did manage to get points this month!
I read Being There: How to Love Those Who Are Hurting by Dave Furman. 176 pages.Scoring:
Cover - 0
Author - 2 (The entire author's name on the version of book you read, is 10 characters long or shorter)
Melbourne Cup - 0
November - 0
Total Points: 2
I read Things Fall Apart and got:3 points - The author has won an award for writing.
2 points - A character dies in the book. All Souls Day/Day of the Dead.
Total: 5 points
I read The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton WilderAuthor:
3 points - The author has won an award for writing. (Winner of the Pulitzer Prize)
Melbourne Cup Points:
2 points - A character is involved in charity work. A "big heart" like Phar Lap's.
2 points - A character runs away in the book. The first race, a horse bolted before the start.
November Points:
2 points - A character dies in the book. All Souls Day/Day of the Dead.
Total Points: 9
Rusalka wrote: "Anne (Booklady) wrote: "I did manage to get points this month!"YAY!"
Rus, I was aiming for the Glue Stick Award. I wish we had a special badge for the most Glue Sticks awarded in a year. That would be fun
Anne (Booklady) wrote: "Rus, I was aiming for the Glue Stick Award. I wish we had a special badge for the most Glue Sticks awarded in a year. That would be fun."LOL I can see it now
Read Fontamara2 points - A character runs away in the book.
2 points - A character dies in the book.
4 points total
I read the The Christmas Train for this challenge.Score:
Author Points:
3 points - author won award for writing
Melbourne Cup Points:
2 points - character runs away in the book
November Points:
2 points - character in book dies
Total Points: 7
I read The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes.Score:
3 point: The author won the Man Booker Price
2 points: A character dies in the book
Total points: 5
I read A Fine Madness by Elizabeth Essex | 145 pagesCover: -
Author:
3 points - The author has won an award for writing (Best Historical in the Reader's Crown 2013)
Melbourne Cup Points:
2 points - A character runs away in the book.
November Points: -
Total points : 5
I decided to read
for the challenge. It has 153 pages.Here's my scoring:
Cover:
4 points - The cover has champange (glass or bottle) on it.
Author:
2 points - The entire author's name on the version of book you read, is 10 characters long or shorter.
Melbourne Cup Points:
0 points
November Points:
0 points
Total: 6 points
A Moveable Feast3 points - The author has won an award for writing - Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954.
2 points - A character is involved in charity work - Ezra Pound and Gertrude Stein, maybe others (promoting authors and/or artists).
2 points - There is a horse race in the book - Hemingway goes to the races regularly.
2 points? - A character runs away in the book - Hemingway abandons wife and child; leaves her for another woman.
2 points - A character dies in the book - Ezra Dunning for one.
TOTAL = 9 points (or maybe 11)
I read Rose and Helena Save Christmas. This is a good series, but my favorite by this author is the Miss Fortune series set in Sinful, Louisiana. The Sinful Ladies are a hoot!Cover:
0 points
Author:
2 points - The entire author's name on the version of book you read, is 10 characters long or shorter. Jana DeLeon = 9 characters
Melbourne Cup Points:
0 points
November Points:
2 points - A character dies in the book.
Total 4 points!
Tejas Janet wrote: "
A Moveable Feast3 points - The author has won an award for writing - Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954.
2 points - A character is involved in charity..."
Count the runaway points TJ
Debra wrote: "I read Rose and Helena Save Christmas. This is a good series, but my favorite by this author is the Miss Fortune series set in Sinful, Louisiana. The Sinful Ladies are a hoot!"I've been enjoying the Miss Fortune series. They are guaranteed to dissolve me into raucous laughter.
I'm late reporting, but did read Save a Truck, Ride a Redneck by Molly Harper 136pp.Scoring
Cover: 0 points
Author: 0 points
Melbourne Cup Points: 0 points
November Points: 0 points
TOTAL: 0! I don't think I've ever managed that before!
For those of you who asked for clarification which I missed, I counted your top score. Sorry. I hate November.
Books mentioned in this topic
Save a Truck, Ride a Redneck (other topics)Rose and Helena Save Christmas (other topics)
A Moveable Feast (other topics)
Rose and Helena Save Christmas (other topics)
A Moveable Feast (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Molly Harper (other topics)Elizabeth Essex (other topics)
Julian Barnes (other topics)
Thornton Wilder (other topics)
John Steinbeck (other topics)
More...



The Melbourne Cup Race is held on the first tuesday of November during this carnival. The race lasts around 3 mins, and is watched by most of Australia. Usually for those of us who have more sense and less money, this is done in our workplaces. Where we may get some chips and dip, if we are really lucky a paper cup with a splash of champagne, indulge in small amounts of gambling, and head back to our desks 10 mins later. Wham, bam (sometimes more literally for some of the horses), go back about your business.
And that's what we shall do this month. We are going to read a book that will take slightly more time than our 3 minute horse race, but shorter than usual. I would like you to read a book between 100 and 200 pages long.
However, so that we are all running with the same weight.
- No childrens books
- No graphic novels
- No collections of short stories.
General Rules:
1. The book may be in any format - paperback, ebook, audiobook.
2. The book may be in any genre besides those listed above.
3. The book may NOT be combined with the Year Long Geocaching Challenge.
4. The book must be read between November 1 - 30, 2017 (based on your local time zone).
5. The challenge is for one book. You may read more books if you chose.
6. If reading an audiobook or ebook where page numbers aren't listed, page numbers will be determined by the issue that comes up first on a Goodreads search.
Scoring
Cover:
5 points - The cover has a watch or clock on it. The winner of the early Melb Cups won a gold watch.
4 points - The cover has champange (glass or bottle) on it.
3 points - The cover has a trophy on it.
2 points - The cover has a horse on it.
Author:
5 points - Is from New Zealand.
4 points - Is from Ireland.
3 points - The author has won an award for writing.
2 points - The entire author's name on the version of book you read, is 10 characters long or shorter.
Melbourne Cup Points:
2 points - A character is involved in charity work. A "big heart" like Phar Lap's.
2 points - There is a horse race in the book
2 points - There is an archer in the book. The first winner was called Archer.
2 points - A character runs away in the book. The first race, a horse bolted before the start.
2 points - There is a pig in the book. Australian slang is rife in horse racing too. Pig Root: The act of a horse bucking. This will cost a horse ground and can often dislodge the jockey; it almost always puts paid to a horse's chance of being competitive in a race.
November Points:
2 points - Your main character has a moustache. Movember.
2 points - Your book is set in the Middle East. National Pomegranate Month.
2 points - A character dies in the book. All Souls Day/Day of the Dead.
2 points - Your main character is a musician. Hungarian Opera Day.