Alias's 2024 Book Challenge

[Alias Reader]

I completed another prompt !

✅18- book that takes place during a holiday. Any holiday.
Pearl Harbor Christmas: A World at War, December 1941

It took me a long time to find a title for this prompt. So many of the Christmas books were chick lit Hallmark titles. That's fine. However, that is not really a genre I was in the mood for.

I do like reading WWII books. So as soon as I saw this title I knew that was the book for me. Unfortunately, I didn't think it was well written. Though it had it's good points. I'll write a review in the Book Salon.

[Bella (Kiki)]

Congratulations, Alias! Especially on finding a book that takes place during the holiday season that doesn't remind you of a Hallmark movie. I don't like that genre of book, either. It's too bad the book you read wasn't better written, though.

[Alias Reader]

Thanks, Kiki.

My next read is another WWII book. It was just published in March. I'm hoping it's a good one. The Amazon ratings are good. 4.5 out of 5.

Takeover: Hitler's Final Rise to Power

[madrano]

Alias Reader wrote: "I completed another prompt !

✅18- book that takes place during a holiday. Any holiday.
Pearl Harbor Christmas: A World at War, December 1941

It took me a long time to find a titl..."

Well done, Alias. I find the mystery genre is full of holiday titles but i suspect i've read most. I salute your creative discovery, poorly written or not.

[Alias Reader]

madrano wrote:

I find the mystery genre is full of holiday titles

That's true, deb. However, I am not a big mystery reader. So since I didn't want romance either, I was excited to read the Pearl Harbor book. Even though the book didn't meet my expectations, it had enough good tidbits and photos that I'm happy with my selection.

[madrano]

I agree. This is why i think your "find" was perfect for you. Not Hallmark & not a mystery. I've been tempted by nonfictions about the ways to celebrate a holiday but none really called to me. I think those creative days are over for me, so that even reading about them seems tedious. But once upon a time...

[John]

Reading this thread, this title sprang to mind as a non- mystery: Dancing at Lughnasa.

[Alias Reader]

John wrote: "Reading this thread, this title sprang to mind as a non- mystery: Dancing at Lughnasa."

I see that Petra read this play. She gave it 3/5 stars and said she would like to see it performed.

[madrano]

Neat selection, John. I've not seen the film, nor read the play but i like what i see written about it.

Thanks for the title.

[Rachel]

Alias Reader wrote: "Thanks, John."

Weather is certainly playing a huge part in current events.

[madrano]

Truer words, Rachel, were never spoken. It's something we cannot control. (Well, except for those sad minds who think it can be controlled. LOL)

[Alias Reader]

madrano wrote: "Truer words, Rachel, were never spoken. It's something we cannot control. (Well, except for those sad minds who think it can be controlled. LOL)"

I seriously wonder about this, deb. Is it that our education system has failed so many that they can't think critically? Is it the internet and social media that silos people? I saw on the news that some FEMA workers were being threatened? Seriously?

'There have been threats' against FEMA workers in North Carolina, sheriff says
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/threa...

This is a serious problem for a democracy if the citizens can't think critically.

[madrano]

Alias Reader wrote: "I seriously wonder about this, deb. Is it that our education system has failed so many that they can't think critically? Is it the internet and social media that silos people? I saw on the news that some FEMA workers were being threatened? Seriously?..."

Good question, Alias. I was in my late 20s before it occurred to me that i didn't have to agree with what a writer had opined. I blamed it on being raised in parochial schools but i no longer do. I'll also add that i was on the debate squad, where critical thinking was part of the strategy. Was i raised to be a follower, not think for myself?

It hasn't changed, imo. In a way, we've been struggling with this since 2016, at the least. We've been likening it to pre-Nazi Germany & the willingness to embrace those ideas.

Maybe it's critical action which is needed. How do you help one another understand, not degrade, another's opinion? Honestly, at times i feel just as guilty. How did "they" come to their decision that harming FEMA workers would solve the problem? Or to shoot a candidate?

Something is seriously amiss but as long as one side can exploit it, they will. That's just my random morning thought on the topic.

[Alias Reader]

madrano wrote:Maybe it's critical action which is needed. How do you help one another understand, not degrade, another's opinion? ."

I think that's key. You can't call someone an idiot and expect them to be open to discussion.

[madrano]

Yes.

[Alias Reader]

I finished the 50 book challenge. One book for each prompt. I listed all the books in the first post of this thread.

I enjoyed the challenge and appreciate how it led me to books I enjoyed and otherwise would not have read.

Thank you all for your encouragement along the way. 💞

I'll write up a review in the Book Salon thread. I have to say, this was probably the most difficult book of all the fifty books.


✅17- Spiritual or inspirational F/NF
Why Buddhism Is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment

[madrano]

Congratulations, Alias! Time to Celebrate!

[Alias Reader]

:) Love the graphics, deb.

Thank you !

[John]

WOW! As I've said, I'll be missing a few, so your feat is truly impressive! 👍

[madrano]

Completed or not, the reward of exposing ourselves to fresh genres is enough, imo.

[Alias Reader]

Thank you, John.

I've enjoyed the challenge a lot. I also really enjoy seeing the books that others have chosen.