Book Nook Cafe discussion
2024- Book Prompt Challenge
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Alias's 2024 Book Challenge
I knocked off another prompt ! I reviewed it in the Book Salon. ✅6- Humorous story, or comedian wrote it, or light hearted fun read
The Guncle Abroad
Thanks, deb. I'm closing in on almost finishing the challenge. I've never completed one before. The closest was the year I put short classics on my Determination List.
Alias Reader wrote: "Thanks, deb. I'm closing in on almost finishing the challenge. I've never completed one before. The closest was the year I put short classics on my Determination List."
Way to go Alias. That is exciting. Crossing things off the list is so satisfying. Don't you think so?
Rachel wrote: Way to go Alias. That is exciting. Crossing things off the list is so satisfying. Don't you think so?.."Absolutely. Though the best part of the challenge is finding so many books that I enjoyed that I never would have read.
Alias Reader wrote: "Thanks, deb. I'm closing in on almost finishing the challenge. I've never completed one before. The closest was the year I put short classics on my Determination List."
I thought you must be close to completing them all. What an accomplishment that will be!
Alias Reader wrote: "I knocked off another prompt ! I reviewed it in the Book Salon. ✅6- Humorous story, or comedian wrote it, or light hearted fun read
The Guncle Abroad"
I bailed on the original Guncle, but this group is all about different opinions. You're getting close to finishing, indeed! 👍
Yes. I remember you didn't care for Guncle. I did like the humor in the first one and the way he narrated the audio book. However, the second one I don't think I would recommend. It was just okay. I'm guessing he might continue with the character. If so, I'll probably take a pass.
Knocked off another prompt ! ✅25- A book published before you were born
Quicksand --Published 1928
Unfortunately, I gave it a 2/5 stars. Did not meet my expectations.
I'll review it in the Book Salon.
Well done, though, Alias. I thought your comments were fair, too, btw.
Alias Reader wrote: "Knocked off another prompt ! ✅25- A book published before you were born
Quicksand --Published 1928
Unfortunately, I gave it a 2/5 stars. Did not meet my expectations.
I'll review ..."
It's tough when another book by the same author doesn't work out! I had an acquaintance in Seattle, who abruptly moved to Las Vegas like that.
Yes, it was a disappointment, John. At least it was a slender novel.
I finished off another prompt !✅2- Business, economics, finance (personal, business or home) F or NF
The Secret Life of Groceries: The Dark Miracle of the American Supermarket
This book was quite the eye opener. I'll review it in the Book Salon.
Alias Reader wrote: "I finished off another prompt !✅2- Business, economics, finance (personal, business or home) F or NF
The Secret Life of Groceries: The Dark Miracle of the American Supermarket
T..."
Kudos for knocking out another prompt. I had heard about that book but was kind of afraid to read it as I have no choice but to shop at the supermarket. Did it make you hate shopping in one?
Rachel wrote. I had heard about that book but was kind of afraid to read it as I have no choice but to shop at the supermarket. Did it make you hate shopping in one?..."No, I don't think it's the grocery store per se that is the whole problem. I guess it is like most things, it's a race to the bottom when it comes to price. That has a ripple effect in the supply chain.
The section where the author discusses the change in the way we shop I found interesting. Before you went to the local general store. There you told the clerk what you wanted and he/she got it for you. You didn't touch the merchandise. The first self-service grocery store, Piggly Wiggly, was opened in 1916 in Memphis, Tennessee, by Clarence Saunders. Now the shopper could touch the items and take their time shopping. Then in 1937 Sylvan Goldman invented the shopping cart. I guess these are things I never thought about before. So I found that section interesting.
I don't eat shrimp, but if I did I may reconsider that after reading the book. I had no idea that there is literally slave labor involved.
It's probably the same situation in other consumer goods. Sweat shops where young children slave away making clothes, sneakers etc. I never knew the work conditions trucker endure. Lorr rides along with a female trucker and her story is just heartbreaking.
I'm as guilty as the next person looking for bargain prices. I really never gave a thought to how it all got to the grocery store.
The book does make you think. What is the solution? I don't know. Maybe more investigative reporting and books like this shining the light on the terrible conditions that workers must endure.
I thought it was a good informative read. The book was published early 2020. It would have been interesting to see the effect that had on the supply chain and how that in turn effected workers. I'm not talking about the part where shelves were empty. But how that further hurt workers. I am going to guess that workers conditions deteriorated further. Though in some cases I can't imagine how worse they could get. :(
Alias Reader wrote: "Rachel wrote. I had heard about that book but was kind of afraid to read it as I have no choice but to shop at the supermarket. Did it make you hate shopping in one?..."No, I don't think it's the..."
It is like indetured servitude in a modern guise. The bargain always stands in contrast to the life of the people who helped get it to you.
I was at a meeting once and the person giving the talk gave everyone a single raisin. She asked us to feel it, smell it etc. Then she asked us to think about how it started out in the ground and was picked, packed, trucked to us and put on the shelf. It is a good exercise.
Rachel wrote: I was at a meeting once and the person giving the talk gave everyone a single raisin. She asked us to feel it, smell it etc. Then she asked us to think about how it started out in the ground and was picked, packed, trucked to us and put on the shelf. It is a good exercise.."Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh, had a book with that same exercise. It was about mindful eating. It was part of his mindfulness series. It was book 2 of 9.
How to Eat by Thich Nhat HanhI have to admit I usually am online, watching tv or reading something while eating my meals. :(
Alias Reader wrote: "Rachel wrote: I was at a meeting once and the person giving the talk gave everyone a single raisin. She asked us to feel it, smell it etc. Then she asked us to think about how it started out in the..."The meeting I referred to was a Buddhist meditation group! I guess our teacher got it from Thich Nhat Hanh. For anyone not awarded he was a revered teacher and monk.
Rachel wrote: The meeting I referred to was a Buddhist meditation group! I guess our teacher got it from Thich Nhat Hanh. For anyone not awarded he was a revered teacher and monk..."
:)
Another prompt checked off ! Review in the Book Salon folder.
✅ 37- color in title
The Other Black Girl
Don't think this one would be for me, but some liked it, and you gave it a chance. Looks like you don't have much left to complete!
John wrote: "Don't think this one would be for me, but some liked it, and you gave it a chance. Looks like you don't have much left to complete!"I think I have around 6 or so more. I hope I can do it .
Another prompt bites the dust !✅21- Banned book or Challenged book
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
This is a YA book. I have to admit I did smile and LOL quite a few times. Other times it was a bit silly as the target audience is young teen boys humor. I'm not one for banning books and I don't see anything in this book that is so offensive that a young person shouldn't read it. In fact, I can see teens really liking the book. I linked below to the authors response to the bans and I totally agree with him.
I'll write a quick review tomorrow in the Book Salon.
Here are some examples of where Me and Earl and the Dying Girl has been banned or challenged: (source: Google)
Humble Independent School District (TX)
A Moms for Liberty member challenged the book, and some middle school libraries removed it without review
Flagler Schools (FL)
The book was withdrawn from all school libraries.
Cobb County, Georgia
The book was removed from 20 library shelves due to "highly inappropriate, sexually explicit content".
Tallahassee, Florida
The book was removed from high school library shelves after a petition from the Leon County chapter of Moms for Liberty
Here is an article where the author talks about the bans.
Jesse Andrews On ‘Me And Earl’ And The Book-Banning Girls In Tallahassee, Florida
https://deadline.com/2023/07/jesse-an...
3 questions for Jesse Andrews, whose book 'Me and Earl and the Dying Girl' has been banned in 3 states
'Me and Earl and the Dying Girl' was the 10th-most-banned book in 2022, according to the American Library Association.
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/3...
Alias Reader wrote: "Another prompt bites the dust !✅21- Banned book or Challenged book
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
This is a YA book. I have to admit I did smile and LOL quite a few times. Othe..."
Well what teenager would think about sex without salacious material? (tongue firmly planted in cheek)
Yes. I thought the book reflected well how teens talk and what they talk about.
I completed another prompt !✅19- book with a relationship in the title (father, mother, daughter, son, sister or brother)
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan BraithwaiteI'll write up a review in the book salon.
I'll just say I would never have selected this book if it wasn't for the challenge. That would have been my loss because I enjoyed the book a lot. I listened to the audio as I followed along with the eBook. Adepero Oduye was the narrator and she had a voice that really drew me into the story. The book takes place in Nigeria so I enjoyed hearing that accent. The audio also helped with the pronunciation of the names.
Alias Reader wrote: "I completed another prompt !✅19- book with a relationship in the title (father, mother, daughter, son, sister or brother)
[book:My Sister, the S..."Kudos to you Alias for finishing a prompt. I am going to place this book on my wish list. It is not something I would have tried. So thanks for the expansion of my reading world.
You're welcome, Rachel. It's not a book I would have picked up either. I've found many times that pushing myself outside of my comfort zone to be rewarding.
Alias Reader wrote: "You're welcome, Rachel. It's not a book I would have picked up either. I've found many times that pushing myself outside of my comfort zone to be rewarding."
Absolutely. I have read some wonderful books either due to a challenge or book group.
I finished another prompt ! I listened to that audio book as I read the eBook.
Henry Winkler read the audio which added a lot to my enjoyment.
I'll review the book in the Book Salon.
✅20- The Arts: Music, art, theater, acting, dance or poetry
Being Henry: The Fonz . . . and Beyond.
Thanks, Rachel. I'm getting close to the finish line.
Alias Reader wrote: "I finished another prompt ! I listened to that audio book as I read the eBook.
Henry Winkler read the audio which added a lot to my enjoyment.
I'll review the book in the Book Salon.
✅20- Th..."
Nice going! I'm old enough to recall Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley as first-run episodes.
John wrote: "Alias Reader wrote: "I finished another prompt ! I listened to that audio book as I read the eBook.
Henry Winkler read the audio which added a lot to my enjoyment.
I'll review the book in the B..."
Me too! Where does the time go?
Alias Reader wrote: "Thanks, Rachel. I'm getting close to the finish line."You go girlfriend.
Alias Reader wrote: "I don't eat shrimp, but if I did I may reconsider that after reading the book. I had no idea that there is literally slave labor involved...."This is relative to The Secret Life of Groceries: The Dark Miracle of the American Supermarket, which Alias read. Around 2010, i read Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture--Ellen Ruppel Shell, which covered the inexpensive shrimp i was buying. She wrote about how Thailand was flooding land, then salting it, in order to breed shrimp for the markets. When the demand lessened, the land was ruined for future crops for years.
Whether the workers were slave or not, i do not remember being mentioned. However, the same principle holds true, consumers were driving that market, to the loss of the planet.
ALSO, Alias Reader wrote: "What is the solution? I don't know. Maybe more investigative reporting and books like this shining the light on the terrible conditions that workers must endure."
Excellent question. Kroger is the big chain here in the Dallas area. Now that they are trying to purchase Albertson's (the other largish chain here), we are learning more about the larger chain's practices, particularly after COVID. It's shameful and they seem to have little regrets, all the while paying their exec's high, high salaries.
I've tried steering clear of them, opting for Trader Joe's and Aldi, both of which have issues, too, no doubt. I am fed up with the "digital coupons", as well. Pass on all that.
A San Antonio-based grocery is making moves to infiltrate northern Texas. H-E-B (named for Howard Edward Butt, the founder) has a solid reputation, at this point, for good employment practices, as well as community activity. Their upscale "Central Market" has made inroads here, despite the somewhat elite items. I hope they scare Kroger, in some way.
Alias Reader wrote: "Another prompt checked off ! Review in the Book Salon folder.
✅ 37- color in title
The Other Black Girl"
I'll echo what John wrote, you are closing in on completing the Challenge before December. Cool!
And, well done.
Alias Reader wrote: "Another prompt bites the dust !✅21- Banned book or Challenged book
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
This is a YA book. I have to admit I did smile and LOL quite a few times. Othe..."
I read this one for that prompt, as well, Alias. I found some big laughs, probably because they reminded me of my own life, and sometimes experiences my children had. To create a humorous novel with a sad subject was an achievement, i must say.
The author also endeared me to the book because he didn't dwell on the girl, just allowed characters to react as they did. Again, well accomplished. That some parents denied their teenagers this book is a sad statement about the realities of dealing with death of their contemporaries. Sad and, imo, shameful.
Thanks for sharing about this book.
Alias Reader wrote: "I completed another prompt !✅19- book with a relationship in the title (father, mother, daughter, son, sister or brother)
[book:My Sister, the S..."Alias, you really pointed out nicely the biggest benefit of these yearly Challenges. We enhance our reading lives by stretching our options. Congrats on this prompt.
madrano wrote: "This is relative to The Secret Life of Groceries: The Dark Miracle of the American Supermarket, which Alias read. Around 2010, i read Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture--Ellen Ruppel Shell, which covered the inexpensive shrimp i was buying. She wrote about how Thailand was flooding land, then salting it, in order to breed shrimp for the markets. When the demand lessened, the land was ruined for future crops for years.
Whether the workers were slave or not, i do not remember being mentioned. However, the same principle holds true, consumers were driving that market, to the loss of the planet.."
It's a sad state of affairs, deb. In the end the workers and planet suffer.
madrano wrote: "The author also endeared me to the book because he didn't dwell on the girl, just allowed characters to react as they did. Again, well accomplished. That some parents denied their teenagers this book is a sad statement about the realities of dealing with death of their contemporaries. Sad and, imo, shameful..."Thanks deb.
It is shameful that books like this are being banned/challenged in schools.
I'm happy to hear you also enjoyed this novel. I forgot that you had read it.
Alias Reader wrote: "It's a sad state of affairs, deb. In the end the workers and planet suffer...."True. And, apparently, we don't have much say in the matter, other than our wallets. However, we need to know there is an issue, as you noted earlier in your notes.
I finished another prompt !✅38- Weather related F/NF
Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Man, Nature, and Climate Change by 
Elizabeth KolbertI'll write up my review in the Book Salon.
Good job, Alias. This sounds like a good book for the topic, too. Particularly apt as we watch the devastation of Hurricane Helene.
Alias Reader wrote: "I finished another prompt !✅38- Weather related F/NF
[book:Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Man, Nature, and C..."Yes, finishing this book in the midst of a huge hurricane is certainly food for thought.
Alias Reader wrote: "I finished another prompt !✅38- Weather related F/NF
[book:Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Man, Nature, and C..."Great job - congrats!
Book Nook Cafe
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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✅15- philosophy, ethics, morality
Fatherland: A Memoir of War, Conscience, and Family Secrets
I think this one fits as the author explores his grand..."
Excellent way to fill a prompt. To find a beloved Grandparent has a dark secret must have rocked the author's world. It is hard for me to imagine.