30.1 - Jonquil's Task: Straight on Till Morning

[Dlmrose, Moderator Emeritus]

30.1 - Jonquil's Task: Straight on Till Morning

Spring is when the young people I work with make momentous choices about the next phase of their life. The adults in their lives watch with hope and trepidation as the students struggle to select and commit to a school or a job. Waiting to hear from colleges, graduate schools or potential employers, and then helping the young person to decide is more jarring than a carnival ride.

This is a TWO BOOK challenge
This challenge is about new beginnings, so please no rereads. REQUIRED: State that neither book is a re-read when you post.

Book 1 In solidarity with these new graduates, read a book with a roller coaster, carousel or Ferris wheel on the cover. The pictured ride should appear to be carnival-sized, not a toy, miniature, music box, snowglobe, etc. As shown on the covers below, just a portion of the roller coaster, carousel or Ferris wheel is acceptable if the other criteria are met.


REQUIRED: Include the cover in your post.

Book 2 Shifting from full time student to full time employee is a huge life change. Read a book where the Main Character has made a major career change. This must be a completely new (paid) profession, not just a promotion, new employer, undercover assignment or a hobby. Examples: pop star becomes assistant dorm director Size 12 Is Not Fat; boxer/art forger becomes insurance investigator Quinn Checks In; widow becomes a CIA spy The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax; downsized banker runs orchard One Bad Apple. Fiction and non-fiction will work.

REQUIRED: List the protagonist’s previous career and their new occupation.

REQUIRED: State that neither book is a re-read when you post.

[Jonquil]

Greenlighted Book 1:



Joyland It Happened at the Fair Peter Pan Must Die: A Novel The Ride of Her Life The Blue-Ribbon Jalapeno Society Jubilee What Happened To Polly Alice's Summertime Adventure Utopia Whistling Past the Graveyard The Wicked Girls Diamond Ruby Palisades Park Four: A Divergent Story Collection The Long and Faraway Gone A Field of Darkness Blind Faith A Few Dying WordsShady CrossSaint Anything A Very Accidental Love Story





Greenlighted Book 2:
Ambulance Girl: How I Saved Myself By Becoming an EMT
American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House
Angels Walking
Bad Country: A Novel
Beaten, Seared, and Sauced: On Becoming a Chef at the Culinary Institute of America
The Case of the Not-So-Fair Trader
The Cuckoo's Calling
Dangerous Minds
Dead as a Scone
The Five People You Meet in Heaven
Free for All
Glazed Murder
He's So Fine
How Starbucks Saved My Life: A Son of Privilege Learns to Live Like Everyone Else
I'd Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had: My Year as a Rookie Teacher at Northeast High
In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin
Kneading to Die
The Laws of Murder
Look Back In Hunger
Love and Blarney
Me Before You
Memory Man
The Misadventures of the Laundry Hag: Skeletons in the Closet
The Painted Girls
The Rhetoric of Death
Running the Books: The Adventures of an Accidental Prison Librarian
Silence for the Dead
The Silkworm
Somewhere in France
Tipping the Velvet
To Serve Them All My Days
Turn Up the Heat
The Unlikely Spy
We Bought a Zoo
Wicked Autumn


Mrs. Pollifax books by Dorothy Gilman
Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich
Tres Navarre books by Rick Riordan

[Jonquil]

Additional hints

Ferris Wheel on cover https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7...

Carnival rides on cover
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7...

[Dlmrose, Moderator Emeritus]

This help thread is open!

[Trish]

Does the job change have to happen in the book you choose for Option 2? Or can it be in the character's back story?

I read (Kneading to Die) for the Winter Challenge, which has "Maybe the best thing that ever happened to Kristan "Stan" Connor was losing her high-stress public relations job" in the description. #2 in the series (A Biscuit, a Casket) has "The small town of Frog Ledge, Connecticut, has wholeheartedly embraced Kristan "Stan" Connor's new business: preparing quality organic treats for dogs and cats" in the description."

Would it be okay to use book #2, as I've already read book #1?

[Jonquil]

Trish wrote: "Does the job change have to happen in the book you choose for Option 2? Or can it be in the character's back story?

I read (Kneading to Die) for the Winter Challenge, which has "Ma..."

Trish-

If the current series book mentions her painful past, list her past/current professional the way the current book does.
If you read a previous book in the series, but this one doesn't dwell on the change, then cite your recollection of her previous profession.
If a current book in the series catches your fancy, and the blurbs about this book or past books mention her past then report her previous paid profession from those blurbs.

[Jonquil]

Trish wrote: "Does the job change have to happen in the book you choose for Option 2? Or can it be in the character's back story?

"Maybe the best thing that ever happened to Kristan "Stan" Connor was losing her high-stress public relations job" in the description. #2 in the series (A Biscuit, a Casket) has "The small town of Frog Ledge, Connecticut, has wholeheartedly embraced Kristan "Stan" Connor's new business: preparing quality organic treats for dogs and cats""

Sounds perfect, Trish, enjoy Book 2!

[LouLouReads]

The name of this task is absolutely perfect; I love it :)

Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy: Four Women Undercover in the Civil War--would this do? I realise that not all of them get official professional jobs, but they all go undercover in some way, which is very different from simply being a wife or mother or unmarried woman (considered a full-time occupation back then).

[Fandury]

Will this work?

Silence for the Dead

The main character was a factory worker who was let go and now falsifies her background and starts to work as a nurse.

I do not know if there is much description of her old job, but the book starts with her job interview for the new job.

[Jonquil]

LouLouReads wrote: "The name of this task is absolutely perfect; I love it :)

Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy: Four Women Undercover in the Civil War--would this do? I realise that not all of them get o..."

LouLouReads-

Mrs. Polifax's job works because CIA spies are paid for doing a job. It's a bizarre thing to say, but I suspect these women are unpaid "volunteers". Unless the book specifies that they receive a salary, this fascinating-sounding book will likely not work. Sorry.

[Jonquil]

Fandury wrote: "Will this work?

Silence for the Dead

The main character was a factory worker who was let go and now falsifies her background and starts to work as a nurse.

I do not know if there..."

Fandury-
As scary as the premise is, since the MC had a paid job and is moving into a completely new paid profession, Silence for the Dead will work.
Happy (?) reading.

[Kim]

Does this meet the requirements for option 1? (ferris wheel in the distance)


Will either of these work for book 2?

The Unlikely Spy -- history professor becomes a spy

Somewhere in France -- aristocrat becomes ambulance driver

Thank you.

[Jonquil]

Kim wrote: "Does this meet the requirements for option 1? (ferris wheel in the distance)


Will either of these work for book 2?

The Unlikely Spy -- history professo..."

Joyland works (love the cover, BTW) since it's a real-life Ferris wheel.

The Unlikely Spy works because the British Intelligence Service would have paid your history professor for his services at his moonlighting job.

Somewhere in France also works because Great Britain will be paying Lady Elizabeth to drive the ambulance.

[Donna Jo]

I can't use it because I've already read it, but I would think that Me Before You would work for part 2. She is fired from her job in a tea shop and hired as a caregiver for disabled man.

[KSMary]

Donna Jo wrote: "I can't use it because I've already read it, but I would think that Me Before You would work for part 2. She is fired from her job in a tea shop and hired as a caregiver for disabl..."

I would second that suggestion. I just finished it for the Winter challenge and it's wonderful!

[Trish]

Jonquil wrote: "Trish wrote: "Does the job change have to happen in the book you choose for Option 2? Or can it be in the character's back story?

"Maybe the best thing that ever happened to Kristan "Stan" Connor ..."

Cheers. I'm one of those sad people who likes reading series in order!

[KSMary]

Would any of the Cotton Malone books by Steve Berry would work...I'd like to read The Lincoln Myth by Steve Berry. Cotton Malone was a former agent for the Justice Department before retiring and buying an antique book store in Copenhagen.

The blurb from the first book in the series states: "Cotton Malone, one-time top operative for the U.S. Justice Department, is enjoying his quiet new life as an antiquarian book dealer in Copenhagen when an unexpected call to action reawakens his hair-trigger instincts–and plunges him back into the cloak-and-dagger world he thought he’d left behind."

[Cait S]

Love the task name, Jonquil! This is great.

Could I get you to take a look at this and tell me if it fits for Book 2?



It seems as though Robin is half of a main character duo but I'm not sure if that is main enough to count. And also it talks about how seven years ago when all these traumatic things occurred she was a stripper but now she's a business woman. So is it still okay if the career changes happens outside of the book but is obviously a big part of it?

Thank you!

[Jonquil]

Judy wrote: "Would work for book 1?

Thanks!"

Tricky one, Judy.

The major premise of the book 1 part of the challenge is the carnival ride.
If Carrington was working on an individual horse at the factory, not attached to a carousel, this wouldn't work. The photo isn't clear, so I was also puzzled. However, I looked at enlargements online, found a story about how Carrington and Tyler got their names and learned that this an actual carousel photo. I'm going to close these 37 open browser windows now.

So, you're good to go.

[Jonquil]

KSMary wrote: "Would any of the Cotton Malone books by Steve Berry would work...I'd like to read The Lincoln Myth by Steve Berry. Cotton Malone was a former agent for the Justice De..."

"call to action reawakens his hair-trigger instincts–and plunges him back into the cloak-and-dagger world he thought he’d left behind" I want it to work just so you can enjoy sentences like this.

Unfortunately, it sounds like a favor to his friend and/or an unpaid rescue mission, not a change from bookseller (his present job) to paid government employee.

Perhaps you can still slot it into 5.3 or 15.4, Steve Berry is old enough for 10.6--I hate to see a good book go wanting (are my social worker problem-solving skills showing? I hate when that happens, too.).

Sorry.

[Andy]

I can't use this because I used it this season , but I pondered over the cover because the object on the cover looked like a clock to me but it is actually a ferris wheel
by John Verdon. It is not very clear from this thumbprint, but the ferris wheel does play an important role in the plot so I'm sure that is what it is.

[Jonquil]

Cait wrote: Could I get you to take a look at this and tell me if it fits for Book 2?



It seems as though Robin is half of a main ..."

Actually, Cait, my problem with Robin is her job.

The task states: "This must be a completely new (paid) profession, not just a promotion, new employer..."

Seven years ago Robin was a stripper at RJs, now she runs RJs, which is another job in the same industry, the very same business and same storefront--technically, it's a promotion, so it doesn't count. Sorry.

[Teri-K]

Today I just finished a book that would work perfectly for Option 1 . sigh

However, I've had my eye on this one, too. Though the Ferris Wheel is in the background it looks plain to me. Can you see it clearly enough?


If not there's always

Thanks. :)

[Jonquil]

Andy wrote: "I can't use this because I used it this season, but I pondered over the cover because the object on the cover looked like a clock to me but it is actually a ferris wheel "



Andy--it looks like one to me, also.
I thought the cover to All Fall Down, which I won't include here so I don't confuse people, was the London Eye, I was ready to use it as an example when I finally got that it's an embassy seal.

Thanks for sharing!!

[Jonquil]

Teri-k wrote: "Today I just finished a book that would work perfectly for Option 1 . sigh

However, I've had my eye on this one, too. Though the Ferris Wheel is in the back..."

Teri-K I didn't even have to enlarge It Happened at the Fair to see the Ferris wheel, so either book 2 will work--isn't it nice to have choices?

My pattern is to download a book to my Kindle for next month's challenge, forget what it was for, and read it the last day of the wrong month. I feel your pain. I need to design an app that puts do-not-cross police tape around my Kindle carousel books...

[Elizabeth]

How about He's So Fine for book 2?

Would it be possible to put the books you've okayed for option 1 in post 3? It would be really helpful!

[Jonquil]

Elizabeth wrote:Would it be possible to put the books you've okayed for option 1 in post 3? It would be really helpful!"

Ooh, lists, I love lists!! Will do!!

[Sandi]

Thanks for using Quinn Checks In in your examples for Book 2. I realized I already had that on my kindle so finding a book for that task was way too easy!

For book 1, I found these on my kindle:



All of them have print editions, so good on that front. Will these work? I'm a little iffy on Alice's Summertime Adventure because it may not really appear to be a lifelike size since it's (to me) depicted as part of a thought bubble of various memories.

Thanks!!

[Jonquil]

Elizabeth wrote: "How about He's So Fine for book 2?"

Elizabeth- Can you give more detail on your thoughts on He's So Fine?

[Cait S]

I was legitimately not expecting this to be hard to slot a book for at all... 40 pages in to my TBR list and I am reconsidering that notion lol Thanks for the answer!

[Elizabeth]

Jonquil wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "How about He's So Fine for book 2?"

Elizabeth- Can you give more detail on your thoughts on He's So Fine?"

She's a former child actor and she moves in this town and opens a vintage store.

[Teri-K]

Jonquil wrote: "Teri-k wrote: "Today I just finished a book that would work perfectly for Option 1 . sigh

However, I've had my eye on this one, too. Though the Ferris Wheel..."

I actually suggested to myself that I just not read anything these past few weeks, but do lots of housework and such instead, thus saving all those books I really want to read till after the challenge started. However, I might as well decide not to breathe, so I gave that up part way through the first day. :)

[Jonquil]

Elizabeth wrote: "Jonquil wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "How about He's So Fine for book 2?"

Elizabeth- Can you give more detail on your thoughts on He's So Fine?"

She's a former child actor and she mo..."

Several of the goodreads reviews make it clearer than the description that this will work. Enjoy your visit to LH!

[Jonquil]

Sandi wrote: "Thanks for using Quinn Checks In in your examples for Book 2. I realized I already had that on my kindle so finding a book for that task was way too easy!

For book 1, I found thes..."

Thanks, Sandi!!

I found Quinn hiding on my Amazon Cloud list when I needed a book title that started with "Q".

[Jonquil]

Teri-k wrote: I actually suggested to myself that I just not read anything these past few weeks, but do lots of housework and such instead, thus saving all those books I really want to read till after the challenge started. However, I might as well decide not to breathe, so I gave that up part way through the first day. :) "

Two shelves are your salvation Teri-k:
Short stories
Childrens

Neither qualify for the challenge and I've read some incredible middle school books, feel free to browse my 2012-2015 5 star books if you want suggestions. :) Happy reading!!

[Cait S]

Another question (sorry!), does motherhood count as a previous career? If a summary talks about how they were a full time or stay at home mom and then they become something that's a paid job? Or does the initial career need to be paid as well?

[Jonquil]

Cait wrote: "Another question (sorry!), does motherhood count as a previous career? If a summary talks about how they were a full time or stay at home mom and then they become something that's a paid job? Or do..."

I listed a widow in the examples, so you can easily state that your book would qualify. As long as she's not going to be a surrogate mother--deciding that one would drive me to a five pound box of chocolates (despite the sounds currently emanating from your computer that would be a bad thing. no chocolate, no chocolate.)

[Cait S]

Lol Got it! Thank you again! :)

[KSMary]

Jonquil wrote: "KSMary wrote: "Would any of the Cotton Malone books by Steve Berry would work...I'd like to read The Lincoln Myth by Steve Berry. Cotton Malone was a former agent for..."

No problem. I was considering the job change from government worker to bookseller since he retired from that job and then bought the bookstore.

[Morgan]

Would one of the Stephanie Plum books work?

Original job: a lingerie buyer (she's been laid off when the first book starts)
Now: Bounty Hunter

I'm on 21 so pretty far from the beginning, but still.

[Jonquil]

Morgan wrote: "Would one of the Stephanie Plum books work?
Original job: a lingerie buyer (she's been laid off when the first book starts)
Now: Bounty Hunter
I'm on 21 so pretty far from the beginning, but still"

Since she hasn't had any other real, long-term job (she doesn't get paid for her vehicle demolition activities) lingerie buyer to struggling bounty hunter is certainly a career shift!

Bonus points for remembering "lingerie buyer" 21 years after the fact, Morgan!

[Morgan]

Jonquil wrote: "Morgan wrote: "Would one of the Stephanie Plum books work?
Original job: a lingerie buyer (she's been laid off when the first book starts)
Now: Bounty Hunter
I'm on 21 so pretty far from the begi..."

I dunno...visits from Ranger seem like a form of "payment" to me. heh. I'd accept them for sure!

I will admit to too many re-reads of the first along with multiple viewings of the movie. >.> I might have issues.

But at least I don't put olives on my peanut butter sandwiches! ;)

[Ann A]

For option 1?


There's a Ferris wheel on the bottom left.

[Jennifer W]

These listopias may help for option one: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7...

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7...

[Sandi]

And a roller coaster one if anyone is interested

[Jennifer W]

For option 2, I'm looking for approval for

The Painted Girls With few options for work, Marie is dispatched to the Paris Opéra, where for a scant seventy francs a month, she will be trained to enter the famous ballet. Marie throws herself into dance and is soon modelling in the studio of Edgar Degas, where her image will forever be immortalized as Little Dancer Aged Fourteen.
(change from dancer to model)

[Camilla]

I'm having a bit of trouble finding something to read for book 2. Would any of these be acceptable:
Ambulance Girl: How I Saved Myself By Becoming an EMT
Tout Sweet: Hanging Up My High Heels For A New Life In Rural France
Beaten, Seared, and Sauced: On Becoming a Chef at the Culinary Institute of America

[Jonquil]

Camilla wrote: "I'm having a bit of trouble finding something to read for book 2. Would any of these be acceptable: ..."

Camilla

1- Perfect--author to EMT
Ambulance Girl: How I Saved Myself By Becoming an EMT

2- Problematic- If she was a fashion editor turned house rehabber this would be fine. But she is renovating her personal residence. While the rehab may save her money (or not) it is not the way she is (or will be) supporting herself, so

No to: Tout Sweet: Hanging Up My High Heels For A New Life In Rural France

3- Yes to: Beaten, Seared, and Sauced: On Becoming a Chef at the Culinary Institute of America

MC is serial job jumper who enters and finishes culinary school and then keeps job as a chef

So, people or food, but not mansions. Enjoy!!

[Dee]

Turn Up the Heat - i can't read it because I already have, but for romance readers - Bellamy starts off as a financial analyst type job and ends up in a Chef in training

[Jonquil]

Ann A wrote: "For option 1?


There's a Ferris wheel on the bottom left."

There certainly is! You're all set.