Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2019 Challenge Prompts - Regular
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39 - A book revolving around a puzzle or game
Shannon wrote: "I know I already commented with what I plan to read, but the book I'm currently reading for the "book you wish was a movie" prompt would also work well for this. It's called The Glass Town Game by Catherynne M. Valente--it's a very whimsical story AND has the added benefit of having the Bronte siblings as its main characters (of course it's completely fictitious, but it's still fun imagining what they were like as children). Rather than being a mystery, it's about a game the kids play together suddenly becoming real."This sounds fun!
Teri wrote: "Shannon wrote: "I know I already commented with what I plan to read, but the book I'm currently reading for the "book you wish was a movie" prompt would also work well for this. It's called The Gla..."I've really enjoyed it so far--hoping to finish it today! There are some editing issues, but the writing itself is beautiful. If you like whimsical, imaginative stories and descriptions, this is a great choice! There are also some fun nods to the grown Brontes and their works.
I am using Accidental Thief. It is about video games.
I chose The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern which involves a game or compitition between two magicians. I really liked it.
LdyGray thank you for the recommendation of The Noble Hustle! it sounds really interesting and was available through my library as an eBook! thanks
Could I do an actual puzzle book for this prompt? Lolol
The Queen's thief. It's actually a heist book series.Hope you'll like it
Mod
Sally wrote: "Has anyone read The Running Man by Stephen King (as Richard Bachman)? I believe it is about a game? Seeking confirmation of quality/ suitability."I have read this, the movie changes most of the plot and it's not the best book but it's a quick read.
Karissa wrote: "Could I do an actual puzzle book for this prompt? Lolol"I did. I did Hercule Poirot's Whodunnit puzzles, or something like that. It was a book full of math, logic and mystery puzzles.
I’m reading The Westing Game for this prompt. Thank you to those who recommended it! I never would have found this book had it not been for this challenge!
Norpio☽ wrote: "I chose The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern which involves a game or compitition between two magicians. I really liked it."Oh man, I absolutely LOVE The Night Circus! Such beautiful imagery in that one!
Rachel wrote: "Brittany wrote: "I'm using the Triwizard Tournament as my game here and reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"Good call! I'm rereading the whole Harry Potter series next year, so t..."
What a great idea!! I already have Sorcerer's Stone for the "at least one million ratings" and Chamber of Secrets in the queue for "A book featuring an extinct or imaginary creature". It looks like I will be able to read the series this year AND include them in my challenge :)
Throne of Glass is applicable for this prompt as their is a competition to find the king's champion.
These books also work: - Caraval by Stephanie Garber
- A Gathering of Shadows by V.E Schwab,
- An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
- Godsgrave by Jay Kristoff
Any opinions on which to read: Book Scavenger (#1 of series) by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
The Glass Town Game by Catherynne M. Valente
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (Added this because a couple comments above)
I have Chess Story
by Stefan Zweig on my TBR shelf I must have won from a site. I have not started the book yet.
For this challenge I read The 7 1/2 deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. This was a very good book and I highly recommend it.
Lori wrote: "Any opinions on which to read: Book Scavenger (#1 of series) by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
The Glass Town Game by Catherynne M. Valente
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (Added this because a..."
I've read both, and while I enjoyed The Glass Town Game, I absolutely LOVED The Night Circus. Go with The Glass Town Game if you want something whimsical and fun (with lots and lots of literary references). Go with The Night Circus if you want something slightly more adult, with sumptuous descriptions and a really intriguing plot.
So I’m currently reading The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle and it seems that it would fit this category.
For anyone who likes cozies there is a Sudoku mystery series. I can't say if they are any good having not read any myself but just thought I would put it out there. Death by Sudoku
I'm reading The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History and was wondering, do you think it would fit this prompt? not a game, but a puzzle of where the Nazis were taking the art to and where they hid it?? thoughts? or would it fit better under Amateur detective?
I finished The Monopolists,Obsession,Fury & the Scandal Behind the World’s Favorite Board Game by Mary Pilon for this prompt.
Krissy wrote: "I'm reading The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History and was wondering, do you think it would fit this prompt? not a game, but a puzz..."Honestly not sure it's a great fit for either. The puzzle is a stretch but that's up to you. I don't think they're amateur detectives because they are hired specifically to track down the artwork.
Sierra wrote: "For anyone who likes cozies there is a Sudoku mystery series. I can't say if they are any good having not read any myself but just thought I would put it out there. Death by Sudoku"
I loved that series, even though I’m not big on sudoku, so would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes cozies.
Sara wrote: "This is an interesting one! I love puzzles :)Warcross and its sequel Wildcard plus Ready Player One all involve virtual reality games.
Ready Player One is also in the LitRPG section in case you were stuck on that one... The other's all look kinda boring.
I did read Qualify for this prompt, and really enjoyed the book (which is still free on kindle, at least in the US!), though it had a lot less game in it than I was anticipating. A little over half the book is classroom setting, though with a lot of fun sci-fi elements like learning hoverboards. It does eventually lead into a somewhat Hunger Games style competition, but I'm mostly counting it here because of Nadine's theory that if you read the book in good faith that it would fulfill a prompt you can still count it. (Especially since it does still kind of count, just not as fully as I would usually prefer.)
It would count nicely for book about a family (sibling interaction comes in quite a bit) or a book inspired by myth/legend (Atlantis).
I read The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern for PopSugar's 2019 prompt #39 "A book revolving around a puzzle or game." It was absolutely magical!
Wondering if reading a book that revolves around cricket would work for this one. I would like to read The Taliban Cricket Club
Sonia wrote: "Wondering if reading a book that revolves around cricket would work for this one. I would like to read The Taliban Cricket Club"Absolutely cricket should count. I'll be reading The Boys of Summer
for this prompt and the "season in which it takes place" prompt.
Alison wrote: "It sounds like The Last Time I Lied would fit here. Can anyone confirm?"I was wondering the same thing? Could you also count this as a ghost story?
Vanessa wrote: "Maze Master: A Thriller is a good book for this prompt."I know this isn't what you meant, but you made me think of all the puzzle books I had as a kid, with mazes and logic puzzles and such. That would be a cool way to fulfill this prompt.
I really enjoyed Simple Simon which was the book that was made into the 90s movie Mercury Rising with Bruce Willis.I also have read n the past Extra Lives: Why Video Games Matter
since I've read those already I will probably read Word Freak that was already mentioned in this thread.
Elspeth wrote: "I really enjoyed Simple Simon which was the book that was made into the 90s movie Mercury Rising with Bruce Willis.I also have read n the past [book:Extra Lives: Why Video Games M..."
I want to read Word Freak also. I love Scrabble.
I am thinking of using Legendary for this one but not sure what do you all think?
I haven't read Legendary, but Caraval is definitely about a game, so I'd expect Legendary is too.
I read The Chess Men by Peter May - an excellent crime/mystery read, set in the Outer Hebrides and with reference to the Lewis Chess Men - ancient carved chess pieces discovered there
Lori wrote: "Any opinions on which to read: Book Scavenger (#1 of series) by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern "
I really enjoyed both of these. Scavenger is better if you want a fun middle grade adventure. Circus is better if you want atmosphere. It seems to be a Marmite book, most people either hate it or LOVE it. It made the most amazing pictures in my head. Maximum effect if you read it in Autumn when the nights are longer.
I'm currently reading Carolyn Parkhurst's Lost and Found, which focuses on the teams participating in a fictional 'Amazing Race'-style scavenger hunt reality show
I read The Westing Game for this. Apparently it's a well-known and beloved book? I hadn't heard of it until looking around for this prompt, but I'm really glad it came to my attention! It's so charming, and the mystery really feels mysterious for quite a while, which is not an easy feat. I particularly liked the sense that, with all their foibles, the book is still rooting for all the characters to find their happiness. Very endearing.
I was thinking The Da Vinvi Code might work for this? But I'm not entirely sure...
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Pachinko (other topics)Cold Day in the Sun (other topics)
Nine Perfect Strangers (other topics)
The Westing Game (other topics)
Never Have I Ever (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Min Jin Lee (other topics)Erin Morgenstern (other topics)
Stefan Zweig (other topics)
Ellen Raskin (other topics)
Matthew Reilly (other topics)
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I also still love children's books!