Questions & Clarifications About Topics

[Jenni]

Thanks so much!

[Jenni]

Thanks so much!

[misplacedselchie]

Julie Kagawa! I kept trying to remember her name but couldn't

[Emily]

Berit wrote: "Does anyone know of an author with the initials BL?"

For BL I wasn't as successful, but I found:

Jewel by Bret Lott
10:04 by Ben Lerner

[misplacedselchie]

Oooh read The Devil's Queen! If that is the one I think it was a great historical fiction :)

[Berit]

Thank you so much! :-) I will check those out or I'm going to change my initials to JK :-)

[Jacquelyne]

Hi! I know that this may be redundant but it is hard to know if it has been addressed on this long skein... What do when we have finished a book? I have only ~ 100 pgs left of NOS4A2. Do we make a change on our stated plan or post or...?

[Zaz, Mood Minion]

Many of us edit our plan when we have finished a book. We add check mark or strike the book or write something to say it's finished.
You can too comment your reading plan, to say if you liked the book... Use your Plan thread as a journal and personalize it as much as you want/need :)

And look at the "Week : Progress Post" in each current week, to learn more about the other members challenges and tell them how you found your book.

[Jacquelyne]

Merci beaucoup, Zaz!

[Adriana]

I found this article with a pretty cool infographic that relates age, numbers of books written and breakthrough books of some famous writers. It might be helpful for those who are still looking for a book for "a author under 30" week.

[Diane]

Adriana wrote: "I found this article with a pretty cool infographic that relates age, numbers of books written and breakthrough books of some famous writers. It might be helpful for those who are still looking for..."

Maybe this has already been asked, but when did Anne Frank's Diary of a Young Girl get published? She was born in 1929. I'm wondering because I thought I'd read it for # 6 (A book written by someone under 30).

[Adriana]

It was first published in 1947 in Amsterdam, according to wikipedia. I think it's totally okay since it was written before 30!

[Diane]

Adriana wrote: "It was first published in 1947 in Amsterdam, according to wikipedia. I think it's totally okay since it was written before 30!"

Thanks, Adriana - That's what I'm going with then. :)

[Anja]

Even if it would have been first published more than 30 years after her birth I'd consider Anne Frank's Diary of a Young Girl as valid for #6. She definitely WROTE it long before she was 30!

[Adriana]

Yes, that was the point I was trying to make - I think what matters for this week is the age of the author when he/she wrote it, instead of when it was published!

[Tammy]

Ana wrote: "For the "bad reviews" book, I googled "good book with bad reviews" because I didn't actually want to read a "bad" book."

Ana, I love that idea. I'm with you!

[Cait the Bookish Bansídhe]

Can I read graphic novels/trade paperbacks for some of these (other than the graphic novel part of the 2015 challenge)?

Also, if there are no books that take place in my hometown, does one that takes place a few towns over work?

[Bana AZ]

Caitlin wrote: "Can I read graphic novels/trade paperbacks for some of these (other than the graphic novel part of the 2015 challenge)?

Also, if there are no books that take place in my hometown, does one that ta..."

For the graphic novels, definitely, as long as it fits the category for the week. For the hometown thing, I have the same problem and I'm choosing a book that just takes place in my country, so I think you can do the neighboring town thing.

[misplacedselchie]

Caitlin wrote: "Can I read graphic novels/trade paperbacks for some of these (other than the graphic novel part of the 2015 challenge)?

Also, if there are no books that take place in my hometown, does one that ta..."

We are trying to stick with traditional books as much as possible and have the graphic novel just for that week. If you cannot find anything you like though then I don't see why you couldn't do graphic novels for a few. However, I would highly recommend trying to go for traditional books, make the challenge a challenge!

But really, the most important thing is to have fun and read.

And going a few towns over for hometown book is fine. Or, if you have moved you can use that place. :)

[Diane]

I'm trying to fill in the rest of my list. For 'a book that scares you', I'm stuck. I want a book that scares me but not something that's going to scare the **** out of me. Definitely no horror. Got any suggestions?

[Laura, Mod]

Diane: a lot of people are going with a different interpretation of "scare". Some have said theyre doing a book that they've always been afraid to read due to writing style or length. For instance, I've always been intrigued by Anna Karenina but have never read it since I'm not a fan of classics and am afraid of the style and of hating it. Others have done books that they're "scared" of but more along the lines of an idea that scares them like something post-apocalyptic or The Omnivore's Dilemma. Hope this helps!

[Diane]

Laura wrote: "Diane: a lot of people are going with a different interpretation of "scare". Some have said theyre doing a book that they've always been afraid to read due to writing style or length. For instance,..."

Hi Laura - Thanks! Seems there's different reasons to be afraid of a book. I'll keep that in mind. I appreciate your help. :)

[Tanya]

Diane wrote: "I'm trying to fill in the rest of my list. For 'a book that scares you', I'm stuck. I want a book that scares me but not something that's going to scare the **** out of me. Definitely no horror...."

I not into horror either. It scares me to read a book about suicide or psychopaths. I have not selected a book for that week yet, but I just don't want to make a decision yet. I am ahead on some categories, but have only completed one that fits for the first five weeks. I may just be peeking at everyone's selections when that week arrives and making the decision then.

[misplacedselchie]

Diane wrote: "I'm trying to fill in the rest of my list. For 'a book that scares you', I'm stuck. I want a book that scares me but not something that's going to scare the **** out of me. Definitely no horror...."

I haven't picked one either because I don't like scary books. As mentioned, I think I an going to read something else like maybe a book on Isis or the Killing Fields because those are things I find scary

[Deana]

For "20. a book at the bottom of your to read list" do you think "bottom" here means...

- book been on your TBR for a very long time, even if it's near the top of my pile at the moment?
- book i (or really my husband) owns that i have no interest in reading?
- book i recently added but probably won't get to in a long time because there are so many other books ahead of it?

[Diane]

Deana wrote: "For "20. a book at the bottom of your to read list" do you think "bottom" here means...

- book been on your TBR for a very long time, even if it's near the top of my pile at the moment?
- book i (..."

Hi Deana - I wouldn't read 'book you own that you have no interest is reading'. You'd probably hate it. Instead you'd want to select a book that you think you'd enjoy, but has been waiting on your list for some time and you just hadn't gotten to it before now. :)

[Zaz, Mood Minion]

I chose "a book waiting for ages to be read". I'll pick up one of the first books I added on my Goodreads to read list.
One of the "less interesting" books from your to read list could be another choice, so maybe you'll discover a good book which wasn't fully appealing.
We let you decide what is the best for you ;)

[Grace Meredith]

I have totally bent the rules with so many of these prompts. I put The Importance of Being Earnest for a book based on or turned into a TV show. Because plays are a little bit like TV. I'm ashamed of myself. But I'm also happy because now I get to read that!

[Jessica]

You could have also counted toward the "play" week (unless, of course, you already have one there).

[Grace Meredith]

Already have Macbeth. I've been meaning to read that for ages.

[Grace Meredith]

Diane wrote: "I'm trying to fill in the rest of my list. For 'a book that scares you', I'm stuck. I want a book that scares me but not something that's going to scare the **** out of me. Definitely no horror...."

Hi Diane! For my scary book, I'm going with the Phantom of the Opera, because it's a classic, and it's a slightly creepy romance novel. I don't think it'll scare the **** out of me, and I'm an easily scared person. I would really recommend this for you.

[Berit]

☺️☺️

[Diane]

Grace wrote: "Diane wrote: "I'm trying to fill in the rest of my list. For 'a book that scares you', I'm stuck. I want a book that scares me but not something that's going to scare the **** out of me. Definit..."

Hi Grace - I appreciate all suggestions. Actually, I have intended to read more classics this year, so this may work well.

[Rebekah]

Britteny wrote: "Hmmm...the hometown one is suuuper hard for me. I put in all the towns I've lived in on the website where you could search (and looked on both maps) and nothing. So I may just look for a book set i..."

I'm doing the same thing. I'm picking "Los Angeles" as a whole instead of one of the small parts of Los Angeles (San Fernando Valley area).

[Rebekah]

What's the difference between Topic #14 (a non-fiction book) and Topic #19 (a book based on a true story)?

[Zaz, Mood Minion]

For a non-fiction, you can for example read a science or history book or one based on true events. The true story will be more about "the true story about someone".

[Diane]

For non-fiction, I'm planning to read through (maybe not cover to cover) a vegetarian diet book that I saw which interested me.
Although the characters were fictional, I've read a few stories based on true events. One is The Girl Who Came Home by Hazel Gaynor (based on true events of the Titanic). Another is I Shall be Near to You by Erin Lindsay McCabe. It is about a woman who dressed like a man and joined the Union army during the Civil War. There were actually many women who did this for various reasons. There's also The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd.

[Rebekah]

See? This is where I'd have to disagree, and that's why I'm questioning the difference. A non-fiction book is "not fiction"; therefore, it can be anything that's true. I suppose we could add textbooks and reference books into the mix. A true story is still a non-fiction book. I suppose it would be something like a biography, autobiography, true crime, etc., but it's still considered "non-fiction", too. I think I'm going to find a book in which the title reads "based on a true story" or "a true story".

For example, there's "The Astronaut Wives Club". It says "A True Story" on the cover of the book. If it's a true story, then it is a non-fiction book.

Then again, I could have picked "Twelve Years A Slave". It's a true story (a memoir) and is, therefore, non-fiction.

[Rebekah]

Nonfiction or non-fiction is the classification for any informative work (often, a story) whose creator, in good faith, assumes responsibility for the truth or accuracy of the events, people, and/or information presented.

Specific types of nonfiction:
Academic paper
Academic publishing
Almanac
Autobiography
Biography
Blueprint
Book report
Creative nonfiction
Design document
Diagram
Diary
Dictionary
Nonfiction films (e.g. documentaries)
Encyclopedia
Essay
Guides and manuals
Handbook
History
Journal
Journalism
Letter
Literary criticism
Memoir
Natural history
Philosophy
Photograph
Popular science
Self-help
Science book
Scientific paper
Statute
Technical writing
Textbook
Thesaurus
Travelogue
Writing

[Emily]

Rebekah wrote: "What's the difference between Topic #14 (a non-fiction book) and Topic #19 (a book based on a true story)?"

I know that there is a lot of debate about this one. I'm more inclined to agree with Rebekah - however, this is supposed to be a fun challenge, and I think however you want to interpret this, you can.

For me, I interpret "a book based on a true story" as being fiction, but about a real person. I'm planning on reading The Queen's Fool for this topic. Most of Philippa Gregory's books would fit into how I interpret this topic - fiction books based on known people (in the case of The Queen's Fool, it's based on Hannah Green who was in the Tudor court). Other books like, Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald, Among the Wonderful: A Novel (about the "human wonders" of P.T. Barnum's circus), The Black Dahlia... these all fit the category of "based on a true story" in my opinion.

With all that said, however, as far as I'm concerned, if you interpret "based on a true story" to mean a biography or memoir, then read a biography or memoir. :)

[Rebekah]

I hope this helps: Television shows based on books -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category...

[Diane]

Rebekah wrote: "I hope this helps: Television shows based on books -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category..."

Thanks, Rebekah - That does help! I had no idea there were so many.

[Laura, Mod]

What would everyone think about reading The Selection series for the trilogy week? I added it to my list and went to start it this morning but realized that it is now no longer a trilogy as there is a fourth book being released this year.

I know that I should go with what I want to read more but then the Type A person in me feels like I should stick with the challenge and go with The Maze Runner. Would you still stick to The Selection even though it's not "technically" a trilogy anymore?

[Berit]

I vote yes, I would still read, The Selection, that is a trilogy I also would really like to get to. Yes the fourth book is coming out next month I believe, I say read it.:-)

[Zaz, Mood Minion]

Read the 1st book for each series and choose the one you like the most (I can't recommend Maze Runner, so if it's your only other option, you have to verify you're not in the hater club). The ongoing series are a problem, you never know when they will be finished.

[Laura, Mod]

Zaz: I like that option. I was thinking it would unfortunate to dislike the first book and then have to suffer through the other two. But I was worried about falling behind by abandoning the other two books. I'll just go with reading both and just use it as an excuse to squeeze in more books :)

[Cait the Bookish Bansídhe]

I agree with Zaz! I would read the first book in each series before deciding.
Since I didn't want to just pick a trilogy that I wasn't 100% on, I actually chose a trilogy that I loved, but haven't read in years, so I knew that I would enjoy those three weeks. :)

[Francesca]

Laura wrote: "What would everyone think about reading The Selection series for the trilogy week? I added it to my list and went to start it this morning but realized that it is now no longer a trilogy as there i..."

I wouldn't worry about it not actually being a trilogy! I've cheated on these weeks as I've been reading the 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series and I want to continue reading it so rather than start a new trilogy, I'm reading the next books in the series that I have left!

[Diane]

Francesca wrote: "Laura wrote: "What would everyone think about reading The Selection series for the trilogy week? I added it to my list and went to start it this morning but realized that it is now no longer a tril..."

Hi Francesca - I think that's a great idea. I hadn't been able to find a trilogy that really interested me, but I do have several series reads I need to get caught up on.

[Erin]

Rebekah wrote: "I hope this helps: Television shows based on books -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category..."

thanks, rebekah! good resource for this one.

however, this list shows hannibal the show based on the book, hannibal. the show, hannibal is actually based on characters from red dragon, so it would be more accurate to read red dragon for this.