November 2014 - Fact, not Fiction - Reporting Thread

[Mary Alice]

Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea

3pts - Fun Fact shared!

Chelsea Handler is obsessed with midgets, but not in a fetish kind of way but she just wants to be best friends with them, in an obsessive kind of way.

I also learned that famous people can be very strange but in an awesome way that I didn't see as possible. She is awkward and someone that I could be friends with.

(Not sure if these count as facts so I won't count them as points, haha)


Topic
2pts – Biography, Autobiography, Memoir.


Cover (on the version you read)
0 pts

Pages
1 pt - 200 - 299 pages

Total Points: 3

[Kat]

I read Tomboy: A Graphic Memoir

Fun facts shared: As a memoir there weren't any specific 'fun facts'.

Topic = Memoir = 2 points
Pages = 256 = 1 point

So. 3 points. What a way to return to monthly challenges ;-)

But I do have to say I really enjoyed the book, and I think it had some great messages about gender and expectations, especially for young girls.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Kat wrote: "I read Tomboy: A Graphic Memoir

Fun facts shared: As a memoir there weren't any specific 'fun facts'.

Topic = Memoir = 2 points
Pages = 256 = 1 point

So. 3 points. What a way t..."

You learnt absolutely nothing?

[jaxnsmom]

Sarah wrote: "Rusalka wrote: "Janice wrote: "This has been an informative challenge. I'm enjoying the collection of facts we have in this thread."

Yay! Mission accomplished!"

Me too. I can feel myself getting cleverer with each book and fact reported! ;-).."

I love learning tidbits about things I knew nothing about. Now all we need is a giant trivia game! My only problem is that when I take in so much info, it gets a little scrambled while being remembered :~)

[Lara]

Whew! I almost forgot that I needed to finish my book by the end of the month.

I read The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph by Ryan Holiday.

Scoring

3pts - When Thomas Edison's factory was burning down, he told his son to get the rest of the family as they'd probably never get to see such a sight the rest of their lives. He then went on to make the equivalent of $100 million in today's dollars over the rest of the year.

Topic: 0 - self-improvement

Cover (on the version you read): 0

Pages: 1 - 224

Bonus Points (count once): 0

Total: 4 points!

[Janice, Moderator]

You scraped it in, Lara!

[Amanda]

I read Dead Men Do Tell Tales

Scoring

3pts - Fun Fact shared!
A selection of the interesting facts from the book:
*Forensic testing on the exhumed body of President Zachary Taylor has shown that he was not poisoned by arsenic, as many people believed.
*Dismembered limbs are often found along Floridas Highways. They are generally drug or gang related, and most are never identified.
*There is a poem on Bonnie Parker's tombstone which reads 'as the flowers are all made sweeter by the sunshine and the dew, so this old world is made brighter by the lives of folks like you.' She was only 23 when she died.

Topic
4pts – Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths. (Forensic anthropology)
3pts – Human Culture, Language, History. (Discussed historical deaths and murders)
2pts – Biography, Autobiography, Memoir. (Author discusses his life and work)


Cover (on the version you read)
3 pts – The Title is in blue.

Pages
2 pts - 300 - 399

Total: 14 points

[Janice, Moderator]

Interesting epitaph for Bonnie Parker!

[Ari]

Barely finished on time, I read Astronomy for Dummies

3pts - Fun Facts:
-A comet's tail is always pointed away from the sun, so as it heads towards the sun its tail is behind it, and as it heads away from the sun its tail is in front of it.
-There are no small (less than 2 miles diameter) craters on Venus because the atmosphere destroys smaller meteors before they can hit the surface.
- The Pleiades are an open star cluster, which means they are a group of stars that all formed from the same cloud of "primordial gas", and stayed together. The brightest star in the cluster is called both Eta Tauri and Alycone.

Topic
4pts – Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths.

Pages
2 pts - 338 pages

Bonus Points (count once):
5pts – Mentions a Scorpion.
5pts – Mentions a Centaur.
(Constellations)


Total: 19 points

[Pragya]

I finished my book right on the dot. I read We Should Hang Out Sometime: Embarrassingly, a true story.

3 points - Fact - If we have a crush on someone, that person's every behavior attracts us even more. But if we don't like that person, the very same behavior will annoy us.


Topic
2pts – Biography, Autobiography, Memoir.

Pages
2 pts - 300 - 399 pages

Total - 7 points

[Janice, Moderator]

Nice to see you all finishing just before the deadline.

[Tejas Janet]

Yay, I finished my book in time!

The Underground Girls of Kabul: In Search of a Hidden Resistance in Afghanistan by journalist/author Jenny Nordberg.

Fascinating book delving deeply into the meaning of gender. The primary focus is on a sector of contemporary Afghanistan society known as “bacha posh,” girls raised disguised as boys. Go here to read more at my review (still in progress):
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

3 pts - Fun fact shared - In the early 20th century of the former Afghan imperial court, women dressed as men were used to guard the king’s harem. Men were deemed unsuitable guards as they posed a threat to the harem women’s chastity and thus to the king’s bloodline. (Slave eunuchs once performed this task, but slavery was increasingly phased out towards the end of the 19th century and into the 20th century.)

5 pts – Topic I haven’t read about before – a book on the history and culture of Afghanistan

3 pts – Human culture, language, history

1 pt – Related to a hobby – Sociology (it was my post grad area but I’ve never been employed professionally as a sociologist so now I consider it a “hobby”)

2 pts – Page count between 300 to 399 (368)

0 bonus pts
Total = 14 points

[Lucy]

I just realized I hadn't posted that I finished my book for this challenge! Hope I'm not too late!

I read Slow Getting Up: A Story of NFL Survival from the Bottom of the Pile by Nate Jackson and while it didn't get me many points, I did very much enjoy it. It's very different to read a book like this from the view point of a player who never became a huge star. This is a funny, smart and most of all, a very heartfelt and engaging read.

Points:

Topic - 2pts (Memoir)
Pages - 1pt (200-299)
Bonus Points - 5pts (Mentions a scorpion in the last bit of the book. Said scorpion was hiding in a teammate's shoe. Eeek!)

Total: 8 Points

[Poongothai]

Some of the facts that I learnt from How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk are

Children need to have their feelings accepted and respected.
1. You can listen quietly and attentively.
2. You can acknowledge their feelings with a word. “Oh . . . Mmm . . . I see . . ."
3. You can give the feeling a name."That sounds frustrating!”
4. You can give the child his wishes in fantasy.“I wish I could make the banana ripe for you right now!

To engage a child’s cooperation
1. Describe what you see, or describe the problem. "There’s a wet towel on the bed.”
2. Give information. “The towel is getting my blanket wet."
3. Say it with a word."The towel!”
4. Describe what you feel."I don’t like sleeping in a wet bed!"
5. Write a note. (above towel rack) : Please put me back so I can dry. Thanks! Your Towel

Instead of punishment
1. Express your feelings strongly—without attacking character. “I’m furious that my new saw was left outside to rust in the rain!
2. State your expectations. "I expect my tools to be returned after they’ve been borrowed."
3. Show the child how to make amends. “What this saw needs now is a little steel wool and a lot of elbow grease.”
4. Offer a choice. "ou can borrow my tools and return them or you can give up the privilege of using them. You decide."
5. Take action. "Child: “Why is the toolbox locked?” Father: “You tell me why."
6. Problem-solve “What can we work out so that you can use my tools when you need them, and so that I’ll be sure they’re there when I need them?"

Praise and self-esteem
Instead of evaluating “good” . . . “great!” . . . “fantastic!”), describe.
1. Describe what you see. "“I see a clean floor, a smooth bed, and books neatly lined up on the shelf"
2. Describe what you feel. "It’s a pleasure to walk into this room!”
3. Sum up the child’s praiseworthy behavior with a word. " You sorted out your Legos, cars, and farm animals, and put them in separate boxes. That’s what I call organization!”


The examples mentioned above are taken from the book

I have updated my original post by claiming points for fact shared.

[Elsbeth]

Poongothai wrote: "Some of the facts that I learnt from

Children need to have their feelings accepted and respected.
1. You can listen quietly and attentively.
2. You can acknowledge their feelings with a w..."

Very interesting! Thank you for sharing this, Poongothai!

[Poongothai]

Elsbeth wrote: "Very interesting! Thank you for sharing this, Poongothai!
..."

Its an interesting book with many situations and the best way to make the child listen. Do try to read it sometime.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Poongothai wrote: "Some of the facts that I learnt from How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk are

Children need to have their feelings accepted and respected.
1. You can listen..."

Perfect!

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Lucy wrote: "I just realized I hadn't posted that I finished my book for this challenge! Hope I'm not too late!

I read Slow Getting Up: A Story of NFL Survival from the Bottom of the Pile by [..."

Never too late. I haven't shared yet. I have finished. Just report to the EU due today and the end of financial year on Friday (Uni, not Aus but bad enough). So I will get in when I can and then badges!

[Debra]

I read The Dinosaur Heresies: New Theories Unlocking the Mystery of the Dinosaurs and Their Extinction. I learned so much. One thing I didn't know is that crocodilians (crocodiles, alligators, etc.) are good mothers. They fiercely guard their nests, gently carry their offspring in their mouths to the water after they hatch, and protect them until they are old enough to fend for themselves.

[Gail]

I didn't complete this challenge. I only read half of a non-fiction book. I did the other challenge of reading a book with a number in the title though. :)

[Elsbeth]

@Gail - well, sometimes you have them both, sometimes just one, or none... I almost didn't finish this, either. Reading The Woman in White and another 'fat' book (more than 600 pages) The Crystal Key (both really beautiful!) this month hardly left any time for challenges...

[jaxnsmom]

Debra wrote: "I read The Dinosaur Heresies: New Theories Unlocking the Mystery of the Dinosaurs and Their Extinction. I learned so much. One thing I didn't know is that crocodilians (crocodiles, ..."

Sounds really interesting! I'm looking for some kid's level dinosaur books (my 6 year old niece wants to be a paleontologist), but it sounds like I could give her lots of fun facts from this :)

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Sex with the Queen: 900 Years of Vile Kings, Virile Lovers, and Passionate Politics

Fun Facts -

When royalty was promised to each other, there were fake wedding ceremonies held. A proxy bride or groom as a stand in for the other party were used. The whole ceremony occurred, and a proxy wedding night occurred, with them having to share the bed together (although not the actual "event", although I wonder how many times that happened). This meant that after this, they were "married" and when they finally met each other, either party couldn't pull out as they were already "married".

Empress Elizabeth of Russia in the 18th Century convinced everyone that she was no threat to the crown, as she giggled and flirted and danced, and then slept with everything and everyone she felt like. When everyone had completely written her off, she rallied the army to her side and staged a coup on the palace, taking power. Turns out you can sleep around, be politically brilliant and a woman.

Alternatively, Marie Antoinette was incredibly stupid, and if she had listened to her lover, she and the King wouldn't have been executed. He organised an escape plan for her, but she refused to ride in a common carriage, with a common driver who knew the roads, and wouldn't dress in a disguise. She insisted a elaborate carriage was made for her escape, she bought her entire family new wardrobes of clothes for the journey (not appropriate clothes, but "appropriate" for their station), and the gentlemen drivers didn't know the roads and got bogged. They were recognised as soon as they left the house, and people where in pursuit and found them sitting there for easy pickings after the carriage got stuck.

3pts

Topic
3pts – Human Culture, Language, History.
2pts – Biography, Autobiography, Memoir.

Cover - 0

Pages
2 pts - 300 - 399 pages

Bonus Points (count once): 0

Total = 10 points

[Travis]

Nothing says love like proxy participants

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Indeed! Mind you, it was possibly smart in a "we've locked you into this so when you see how ugly and stupid your inbred cousin is, you can't leave" kind of way.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Debra wrote: "I read The Dinosaur Heresies: New Theories Unlocking the Mystery of the Dinosaurs and Their Extinction. I learned so much. One thing I didn't know is that crocodilians (crocodiles, ..."

Could you please score for me Debra?

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Anna wrote: "Fear and Trembling by Søren Kierkegaard



No facts. Philosophy. Religion.

Topic
3pts – Human Culture

Cover
0

Pages
0pts- 160pp
..."

Hey Anna, did you learn anything you could share with us?

[Pragya]

Rusalka wrote: "Sex with the Queen: 900 Years of Vile Kings, Virile Lovers, and Passionate Politics [bookcover:Sex with the Queen: 900 Years of Vile Kings, Virile Lovers, and Passionate Politics|16179..."

Ah! Marie Antoinette!

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Alright I'm calling it boys and girls. I'm awarding badges on info I have as of now.

Let me know if you missed a badge, or got a badge in error.

YAY to everyone for making me more educated :D

[Lilisa]

Thanks Rusalka - cute badge and it was fun participating in the challenge!

[Tasha]

yes, thanks! it was a great. :)

[Lara]

The badge is so cute!

[Cherie]

I already miss not learning something new with each book I see posted.

We need to do this again, Rusalka, but wait until I get all of the books read that I added to my list from this challenge first! hehehe

[Tejas Janet]

Cherie wrote: "I already miss not learning something new with each book I see posted.

We need to do this again, Rusalka, but wait until I get all of the books read that I added to my list from this challenge f..."

Good luck with that Cherie! Tho you do a great job. My tbr list just grows and grows. Like a kid in a candy store ♥

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Glad you're all enjoying the badges

And noted Cherie. But shall give you some breathing space first ;)

[jaxnsmom]

Just had to share some facts I learned from an interview of the author and narrator of Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands by Chris Bohjalian. The audiobook is narrated by his daughter, and she helped him with some of the language the characters would use.

I also learned where the title came from. I usually avoid the news, so I know only generalities of most horrible things that happen. I'm using a spoiler in case you don't want to know. (view spoiler)[After the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School, the surviving children were told to close their eyes and hold each others hands before being led out of the school. This was so they wouldn't see the bodies of their classmates as they walked through them. One can only hope that they did as told, since the incident itself was traumatizing enough. (hide spoiler)]

I think I need my own thread to share info :)