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WINTER CHALLENGE 2014 > 20.6 - Seasoned Reader - Alicia T's task: Deployment

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message 1: by Kristina Simon (last edited Dec 11, 2014 07:49AM) (new)

Kristina Simon (kristinasimon) | 11205 comments 20.6 - Seasoned Reader - Alicia T's task: Deployment

One of the best things about the SRC is its ability to distract me from stressful times. This fall, I read more than I normally do in a challenge period, because my husband is deployed and books were a great escape.

Fortunately, at some point in the middle of the Winter Challenge, my husband will finally be coming home! It’s a very exciting time for my family, and in honor of that I created a few options to categorize the life of a deployed spouse.

Pick ONE option and read a book that fits its criteria. Rereads and books with the genre "kids" or "childrens" on its main page may not be used for this task (but see note to option 2).

Option 1: Far Abroad – The world is a great big place, especially when you’re not exactly sure where your loved one is located for months on end. Read a book set on a different continent(s) than the one you are currently residing in.
Required: State the continent on which you live and identify the setting of the book if it's not obvious from the Goodreads description.

Option 2: Parenthood- One of the most challenging parts about my husband being gone is caring for my toddler son solo. Some days it feels like I’m a single parent, but what gets me through is reading books involving parents. In honor of that, read a fiction book where the main character is a parent or guardian. OR read a non-fiction parenting self help book, such as Oh Crap! Potty Training or Playful Parenting. Reminder: Books written for adults with the genres "kids" or "childrens" may be verified in the Not Really For Kids Books thread and then used for this option. If you've gotten a book approved in the Not Really For Kids Books approval thread, you must include the post number where the book was approved when you post.

Option 3: Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder- If there’s one thing about deployments that I try to convey to my friends, it’s that you have to get creative with your relationship. In today’s world of technology, my husband and I almost have to be archaic with our affections. We write each other hand written letters, I send care packages full of his favorite snack foods, and he sends me flowers for no reason at all. We have to put a lot of thought and effort into making one another feel good emotionally when we can’t physically be next to each other. It’s forced us to think about all the little romantic gestures we can do, so for this option read a book with the genre "Romance" on the goodread’s main page. The genre may be stand alone or embedded.

Option 4: Relevance - To help fill the gap and make sense of why my husband has to be gone for so long, I tend to read a lot of stories concentrating on the military lifestyle. For this option, read a book from the Best Modern Day Military Accounts list. Required: State the page and position in which the book is found on the list.

Required: State the option you chose, that the book is not a reread for you, and any other required information when you post.


message 2: by Alicia (last edited Feb 09, 2015 06:24AM) (new)

Alicia (amazingact21) | 127 comments List of Approved Books:


Option 1:Far Abroad-
Gertrude Bell Queen of the Desert, Shaper of Nations by Georgina Howell Redeployment by Phil Klay Morality for Beautiful Girls (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency #3) by Alexander McCall Smith Chasing Windmills by Catherine Ryan Hyde The Lotus Palace (The Pingkang Li Mysteries, #1) by Jeannie Lin Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie



Option 2:Parenthood-
Father Found (The Daddy School #1) by Judith Arnold Sheltering Rain by Jojo Moyes Discover Your Child's Learning Style by Mariaemma Willis Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy From Doctors Who Are Parents, Too! by Roger W. Harms Flowers in the Attic (Dollanganger, #1) by V.C. Andrews



Option 3:Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder-
My Soul to Take (Soul Screamers, #1) by Rachel Vincent At Swim, Two Boys by Jamie O'Neill Mommy in the Making by Victoria Pade Groundswell by Katie Lee Never on a Sundae by Wendy Markham


Option 4:Relevance-


message 3: by Alicia (new)

Alicia (amazingact21) | 127 comments Placeholder for Non Approved Books:


message 4: by Kristina Simon (new)

Kristina Simon (kristinasimon) | 11205 comments This thread is now open!


message 5: by Cait S (new)

Cait S | 738 comments What a great task idea! I'm a military wife too and now I'm wishing I had had SRC when my husband was gone! Thank you both for your service and sacrifices and I hope time goes quick for you these last few months :)


message 6: by Karen Michele (new)

Karen Michele Burns (klibrary) | 2062 comments I'm wondering if the recent NBA winner Redeployment will fit as on another continent from the US as it isn't on the Modern Day Military list yet. Has anyone read it and do enough of the stories take place in Iraq or Afghanistan for this to count? It fits the spirit of the task, but I'm not sure if it will actually work for the task.


message 7: by Fiona (Titch) (new)

Fiona (Titch) Hunt (titch) I'm going to read My Soul to Take - Rachel Vincent Romance 337 users


message 8: by Tara (new)

Tara | 391 comments Thank you for you and your family's sacrifice and your husband's service!

I was hoping to find a good place to use this book...I think it works well for Option 2 or Option 3.
Father Found (The Daddy School #1) by Judith Arnold


message 9: by Fiona (Titch) (new)

Fiona (Titch) Hunt (titch) The UK are forever thankful for the service men and women all around the world for fighting for each and every country x


message 10: by Cheri (new)

Cheri (jovali2) So glad you're husband's coming home soon! I'm a military brat, so I understand how hard these deployments can be.

I'd like to read Gertrude Bell: Queen of the Desert, Shaper of Nations for option 1. I live in North America, and my only concern about this book is that it looks like it takes place not on ONE other continent but on THREE continents (Europe, Asia, Africa), but none of them is the continent where I live. Is it ok to use this book?


message 11: by Alicia (new)

Alicia (amazingact21) | 127 comments Cait wrote: "What a great task idea! I'm a military wife too and now I'm wishing I had had SRC when my husband was gone! Thank you both for your service and sacrifices and I hope time goes quick for you these l..."


Thank you! Fellow military wives are some of the nicest people I have met. I just admire their patience and perserverence so much.


message 12: by Alicia (new)

Alicia (amazingact21) | 127 comments Karen Michele wrote: "I'm wondering if the recent NBA winner Redeployment will fit as on another continent from the US as it isn't on the Modern Day Military list yet. Has anyone read it and do enough of..."


I just read this book for the fall challenge, and that's a tough choice. The book is a dozen or so short stories, and while a handful of them focus on veterans back in the United States, the majority take place in the Middle East. Because the main focus is about people who are over there and what the culture is like in certain regions, I'm going to approve it.


Just to be safe, though, I'll double check with one of the moderators and get their opinion.


message 13: by Alicia (new)

Alicia (amazingact21) | 127 comments Fiona (Titch) wrote: "I'm going to read My Soul to Take - Rachel Vincent Romance 337 users"


Looks good! I will add it to the approved book list.


message 14: by Alicia (new)

Alicia (amazingact21) | 127 comments Tara Jo wrote: "Thank you for you and your family's sacrifice and your husband's service!

I was hoping to find a good place to use this book...I think it works well for Option 2 or Option 3.
[bookcover:Father..."



This will definitely work for either option.


message 15: by Alicia (new)

Alicia (amazingact21) | 127 comments Fiona (Titch) wrote: "The UK are forever thankful for the service men and women all around the world for fighting for each and every country x"


Thank you. My husband and I actually love the military lifestyle; we're just ready for him to be home!


message 16: by Alicia (new)

Alicia (amazingact21) | 127 comments Cheri wrote: "So glad you're husband's coming home soon! I'm a military brat, so I understand how hard these deployments can be.

I'd like to read [book:Gertrude Bell: Queen of the Desert, Shaper of Nations|1649..."



I was a military brat, as well. I always felt like military kids experienced an entire part of life than non-military kids didn't.


A book set in multiple foreign countries works, so long as it's not one that you reside in. That's something I'll go back and clarify as soon as I can. For now, I'll add your choice to the approved list.


message 17: by Cheri (new)

Cheri (jovali2) alicia wrote: "Cheri wrote: "So glad you're husband's coming home soon! I'm a military brat, so I understand how hard these deployments can be.

I'd like to read [book:Gertrude Bell: Queen of the Desert, Shaper o..."


Thank you, Alicia! I'll check back before reading this to be sure it's still approved.


message 18: by SamZ (new)

SamZ (samwisezbrown) I'd like to read Morality for Beautiful Girls, set in Africa. I live in North America. Also, could I get it verified as no "childrens" genre?
Great task!


message 19: by ♞ Pat (last edited Dec 04, 2014 02:43PM) (new)

♞ Pat Gent | 786 comments I was a military brat myself. It's a whole different lifestyle, that's for sure.

Glad your husband is coming home safe!

Going to read At Swim, Two Boys by Jamie O'Neill At Swim, Two Boys.


message 20: by Book Concierge (new)

Book Concierge (tessabookconcierge) | 4447 comments Sam wrote: "I'd like to read Morality for Beautiful Girls, set in Africa. I live in North America. Also, could I get it verified as no "childrens" genre?
Great task!"


The mods have announced that pre-approval for "no kids/childrens" will no longer be allowed, since they have a specific thread to have a book verified as an adult book when it has "childrens" on the main page but is clearly for adults.

(Boy, THAT's a convoluted sentence ... )

If you want to be safe, check AR bookfinder anyway ... I believe this book is okay per that site.


message 21: by Alicia (new)

Alicia (amazingact21) | 127 comments Pat wrote: "I was a military brat myself. It's a whole different lifestyle, that's for sure.

Glad your husband is coming home safe!

Going to read At Swim, Two Boys by Jamie O'Neill[book:At Swim, Two Boys..."



I wasn't sure what option you were using this book for, so I added it Option 3 when I saw romance listed as one of the subgenres. However, if it fits into another category that is fine. Happy reading!


message 22: by Claire (new)

Claire (proud-mum) | 1086 comments Option 1: Chasing Windmills by Catherine Ryan Hyde (live in Europe, set in North America)


message 23: by ♞ Pat (last edited Dec 07, 2014 08:38AM) (new)

♞ Pat Gent | 786 comments alicia wrote: "I wasn't sure what option you were using this book for, so I added it Option 3 when I saw romance listed as one of the subgenres. However, if it fits into another category that is fine. Happy reading!
..."


I'd planned to use it for Option 1 since it takes place in Ireland and I live in the USA, but Option 3 works for me! Thanks, Alicia! :-)


message 24: by Alicia (new)

Alicia (amazingact21) | 127 comments Claire wrote: "Option 1: Chasing Windmills by Catherine Ryan Hyde (live in Europe, set in North America)"


Looks like a good story! I'll add it to the list of approved books.


message 25: by Bea (new)

Bea Would you verify this one for Option 3 Romance?

Mommy in the Making

It has only one user for Romance.


message 26: by Cindie (new)

Cindie | 1836 comments How about Groundswell for option 3? Romance is listed as third genre on its page

Thanks!


message 27: by Nicola (new)

Nicola | 1360 comments Would a governess do for a guardian?


message 28: by Alicia (new)

Alicia (amazingact21) | 127 comments Bea wrote: "Would you verify this one for Option 3 Romance?

Mommy in the Making

It has only one user for Romance."




I read the synopsis and yes, it can count as romance. I will add it to the approved list.


message 29: by Alicia (last edited Dec 14, 2014 06:46AM) (new)

Alicia (amazingact21) | 127 comments Cindie wrote: "How about Groundswell for option 3? Romance is listed as third genre on its page

Thanks!"




That'll work; I will make sure and add it to the approved book list!


message 30: by Alicia (new)

Alicia (amazingact21) | 127 comments Nicola wrote: "Would a governess do for a guardian?"


I was really looking for an actual parent or someone with legal guardianship for that option.


message 31: by Bea (new)

Bea alicia wrote: "I read the synopsis and yes, it can count as romance. I will add it to the approved list."


Thanks, alicia. I was worried since only one user chose to shelf it as Romance.


Michelle (Meshell) | 34 comments Will "MY REAL CHILDREN" work?


message 33: by Alicia (new)

Alicia (amazingact21) | 127 comments Michelle wrote: "Will "MY REAL CHILDREN" work?"


Michelle, are you referring to this novel: My Real Children by Jo Walton ? If so, then yes, the book will work. The main character seems to be a parent and visits with them.


message 34: by S.L. (new)

S.L. Berry Option 1 (Far Abroad): I live in US so will The Lotus Palace (The Pingkang Li Mysteries, #1) by Jeannie Lin work -- set in China?


message 35: by Alicia (new)

Alicia (amazingact21) | 127 comments Susan wrote: "Option 1 (Far Abroad): I live in US so will The Lotus Palace (The Pingkang Li Mysteries, #1) by Jeannie Lin work -- set in China?"


That will work. I'll be sure and add it to the list of approved books. Happy reading!


message 36: by Pia (last edited Jan 04, 2015 05:54PM) (new)

Pia Will this book work for Option 2: Parenthood?

Sheltering Rain

Goodreads description says it's about the relationships of a grandmother, mother and daughter

Just saw it also fits Option 3: Romance, as it's been shelved by 16 users in that category, so I think I can use it for this task, anyway


message 37: by Alicia (new)

Alicia (amazingact21) | 127 comments Pia wrote: "Will this book work for Option 2: Parenthood?

Sheltering Rain

Goodreads description says it's about the relationships of a grandmother, mother and daughter

Just saw it also fits Op..."



That would definitely fit Option 2. I'm going to add it to the approved book list under Parenthood, but if you choose to use it for Romance, that is fine, too.


message 38: by Pia (new)

Pia alicia wrote: "Pia wrote: "Will this book work for Option 2: Parenthood?

Sheltering Rain

Goodreads description says it's about the relationships of a grandmother, mother and daughter

Just saw it ..."


Thanks! I finished reading it and posted it under Romance, but it does qualify under Parenthood also... Lots of messy relationships between parents and children


message 39: by Cindy (new)

Cindy (cindyd) Cindy C.

This book does not have any genres on its main page (as of this morning), but it is about helping your child learn through their own style & modality. I am reading it for work, but I was hoping it could count for Option 2. Thanks!

Discover Your Child's Learning Style: Children Learn in Unique Ways - Here's the Key to Every Child's Learning Success Discover Your Child's Learning Style Children Learn in Unique Ways - Here's the Key to Every Child's Learning Success by Mariaemma Willis


message 40: by Deana (new)

Deana (ablotial) | 276 comments Option 2... I don't have any kids yet, but I will soon! Would this count? Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy It has both parenting and self-help on the main page.


message 41: by Alicia (new)

Alicia (amazingact21) | 127 comments Cindy wrote: "Cindy C.

This book does not have any genres on its main page (as of this morning), but it is about helping your child learn through their own style & modality. I am reading it for work, but I was..."



Sorry for taking so long to reply! I'm usually emailed a notification that someone has commented on a thread, but I did not receive one this time.

Your book definitely sounds like it falls under the Parenthood category, so I will be adding it to the list of approved books. (In fact, I might add it to my TBR shelf; looks like it could be very insightful.)


message 42: by Alicia (new)

Alicia (amazingact21) | 127 comments Deana wrote: "Option 2... I don't have any kids yet, but I will soon! Would this count? Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy It has both parenting and self-help on the main page."


I apologize for not responding until now, my email failed to notify me like it normally does when someone comments on this thread. I will add your book to the approved list right away!


message 43: by LouLouReads (new)

LouLouReads | 221 comments Hi, I live in the UK--Goodreads says that Americanah is set in Nigeria, the UK, and the US. Is that sufficiently set in another continent, or does it have to be entirely in another continent? I'm not sure what the proportions are for each country, but from the description it sounds like it's mostly set in Nigeria.


message 44: by Alicia (new)

Alicia (amazingact21) | 127 comments LouLouReads wrote: "Hi, I live in the UK--Goodreads says that Americanah is set in Nigeria, the UK, and the US. Is that sufficiently set in another continent, or does it have to be entirely in another ..."


I read the synopsis for the book, and because it sounds like more than half the book takes place in Nigeria and/or the US, I will approve it and add it to the list.


message 45: by Emurphy (new)

Emurphy | 851 comments Would these work?

Option 2 - Parenthood Flowers in the Attic

Option 3 - Romance Insurgent

Thanks!


message 46: by Alicia (new)

Alicia (amazingact21) | 127 comments Flowers in the Attic will work for Option 2. I do not have Internet at the moment, but the minute I get it back I will add it to the list of approved books!


message 47: by Alicia (new)

Alicia (amazingact21) | 127 comments Flowers in the Attic will work for Option 2. I do not have Internet at the moment, but the minute I get it back I will add it to the list of approved books!


message 48: by Emurphy (new)

Emurphy | 851 comments alicia wrote: "Flowers in the Attic will work for Option 2. I do not have Internet at the moment, but the minute I get it back I will add it to the list of approved books!"

Wonderful, thanks! What about Insurgent? Romance is listed on the main page, so that should be fine, right?


message 49: by Emurphy (new)

Emurphy | 851 comments Emurphy wrote: "alicia wrote: "Flowers in the Attic will work for Option 2. I do not have Internet at the moment, but the minute I get it back I will add it to the list of approved books!"

Wonderful, thanks! What..."

Never mind, I realized this is a one book challenge...thanks! :)


message 50: by Jess (new)

Jess (jess219) | 35 comments for option 3, does Never on a Sundae work?


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