You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
Challenges: Year Long Main 2025
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Badge One Help
Janice wrote: "Odette wrote: "Do these 2 books fit the following themes?1. Survival - Deadman's Track by Sarah Barrie
Tess Atherton is a guide who takes groups into remote areas..."
Thanks, Janice. You have cleared this up for me. The theme needs to be the primary one and not one of a number of themes. Think I may go back to my original plan, and read:
Dog Theme: The Art of Racing in the Rain
Survival Theme: From Snow to Ash: Solitude, soul-searching and survival on Australia's toughest hiking trail
Odette wrote: "Survival Theme: From Snow to Ash: Solitude, soul-searching and survival on Australia's toughest hiking trail"Oh interesting. One of my Heads of School did that in 2023. She took 6 weeks to hike it herself. Her husband and kids met up with her every two weeks for a weekend camping trip along the way and supply drop. But otherwise she solo hiked it, and loved it. She went the opposite direction from Canberra (where we live) down to Gippsland.
Odette wrote: "Janice wrote: "Odette wrote: "Do these 2 books fit the following themes?1. Survival - Deadman's Track by Sarah Barrie
Tess Atherton is a guide who takes groups in..."
It's not that it needs to be the primary theme, but nothing vague. It's sort of like when we have a task requiring a type of character and it can't just be a mention of that person.
I think your original choices are a much better choic.e.
Rusalka, that is an incredible adventure! I can't see myself doing something like that, but I love to hear about those kinds of experiences.
Janice wrote: "It seems vague from what I've read of the book blurb. Perhaps you might want to reserve it for the title or author lists and pick something more obvious?"Yeah, I'll probably go with my first thought and reread Fingersmith
I should reread that one too someday, Margo. I really enjoyed it.
I may be overthinking things. I was looking forward to reading,:The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden for the Ghost Theme.
Also just became available for me at the Library:
Now I am wondering whether Ghosts is the primary theme of the book or is war also a theme?
Other choices would be:
The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Haunted Ground by Irina Shapiro
Yes, I think you might be overthinking things a bit. Ghosts are a part of the story both supernaturally and as a metaphor for those things that haunt us. I was considering this book myself for this task. In a way, I think it might fit the theme better than simply a ghost story because it deals with the topic metaphorically.
Thanks, Janice. The Warm Hands of Ghosts is next on my list to read.I am planning to do the object on cover list after completing Badge One.
has lovely gates on the cover!
I have a few of Shapiro's books to read and I've never read her before. That just gives me an idea since I gave up on reading the book I'd selected for my challenge read. So thanks for posting that.
Oh I know! The struggle is real. Sometimes I search and can't find one. At other times, I find a book and it fits three themes. I identify the 'flexible' books that will fit in a variety of places. Other times, I read one and there is a risk. Most of the time it works and I am not risk averse. Another thing that I do is think around the theme: most religious leaders are people so I am going to read an autobiography. I think the same applies for all of the themes.
Odette wrote: "Thanks, Janice. The Warm Hands of Ghosts is next on my list to read.I am planning to do the object on cover list after completing Badge One.
h..."I'm planning to read The Warm Hands of Ghosts for the GHOST task too Odette. I'm half hoping that when I read it I'll find it fits SURVIVAL too!
Would you count Dune Messiah for religion theme? The main character is now emperor and dealing with the repercussions of the war started in his name. It deals with politics, religion, and the conflicts between the two.
It sounds like it might from the book blurb.
I've read Dune Messiah and I would say religion is a theme of the book
Janice wrote: "It sounds like it might from the book blurb."Thanks!
I've just started a book that I think will fit the Religion theme, but want to check it first. Basically, it's a novel about a group of church women and their pastor who are trying to figure out a way to fund raise for their church coffers. They are kind of snarky about the "mega-church" that has a huge congregation and lots of money, but they also have moments of clarity ..."God doesn't need a big space - he only needs a little room in your heart."
I can USE it for the "love" task, but I really would prefer to use it for religion.
I guess I'm just asking for a little clarification on how you envisioned this task, Janice.
Sooo.... from different explanations on the internet, a theme in literature is an idea, topic, or underlying message that the book explores. They are a concept that an author wants to convey. Many of Stephen King's books have an underlying message about politics - sometimes blatantly so and at others, subtle. Themes add depth and encourage readers to engage at a deeper level. In my viewpoint, and what I was hoping people would embrace that it's not a genre, but a concept that is explored in the book.Specifically, with religion, I have read books where the protagonist was conflicted and questioning his or her faith. And the book expounds on that by revealing the person's thought process and how they work out their dilemma.
In the book I'm currently reading, there is a magical mythical child named Lucifer aka the anti-Christ. His foster parents have discussions with him about what is morally correct in meting out punishment or dealing with annoying people. Is it right to squash someone just because you don't like their viewpoints? That discussion would be a theme of morality or right from wrong,
I asked ChatGPT specifically about Last Circle of Love and it responded with yes, "because the story delves into the characters' personal journeys, relationships, and the dynamics within their religious community, highlighting how faith influences their lives and decisions".
Thanks, Janice! That was pretty much exactly the feel that I got from this little book, which was a great read because it was so much an exploration of the idea of spiritual growth and human sexuality in that context. It didn't beat you over the head with it, and as a chick-lit title, it was a fresh perspective. I posted it as a LOVE theme on my page, but I'm going to go back and change that now. Thanks, again!
Oh - Janice - what's the Lucifer book title that you referenced in your answer to my question? It sounds intriguing!
♞ Pat wrote: "Oh - Janice - what's the Lucifer book title that you referenced in your answer to my question? It sounds intriguing!"She was just reading Somewhere Beyond the Sea. It's the follow up to The House in the Cerulean Sea.
Kristie is correct. Have you read the first book? The House in the Cerulean Sea? You really do need to read these two books in order.
Just saw this thread come up on the Suggest Me a Book reddit that people might find useful titled "Books about pirates?":https://www.reddit.com/r/suggestmeabo...
What an in-depth and clarifying definition of a theme, Janice. Might I suggest that it have its own thread under the challenge. It has made me look at my book choices for Badge 1 a little differently and might be helpful for everyone. Not everyone reads this thread unless they need it.
Rusalka wrote: "Just saw this thread come up on the Suggest Me a Book reddit that people might find useful titled "Books about pirates?":https://www.reddit.com/r/suggestmeabo..."
I just get an internal error message with this link.
Jayme wrote: "What an in-depth and clarifying definition of a theme, Janice. Might I suggest that it have its own thread under the challenge. It has made me look at my book choices for Badge 1 a little different..."This thread is it. Badge One is Themes, and I intentionally gave it its own thread so people could get help on themes. The remaining challenge help is separate from this one.
Janice wrote: "Rusalka wrote: "Just saw this thread come up on the Suggest Me a Book reddit that people might find useful titled "Books about pirates?":https://www.reddit.com/r/suggestmeabo......"
I also get an internal error message with this link.
Maybe you could link to the theme definition message in the main page where the theme list is.
Katrisa wrote: "Maybe you could link to the theme definition message in the main page where the theme list is."There are already links in the main challenge thread to the help discussions. I put a link in message one of this thread to take you to the definition.
Hopefully, that helps.
LoriLovesBooks wrote: "Try this one https://www.reddit.com/r/suggestmeabo..."
This one works, thanks Lori.
The book I'm currently reading for the task is Magic Marks the Spot. I found it in an audible sale a couple of years back and was fascinated by the sample read by Katherine Kallgren. I bought it without really looking at it. It's shelved as Middle Grade and it is quite youngish. It's about a precocious young girl who is determined to be a pirate instead of a student at Miss Prim's School for Delicate Ladies.
Oops sorry. It kept a slash at the end of the link from the code I had to delete as goodreads does not let us hyperlink neatly to external websites any more.Edited above and here again so you don't have to go scrolling: https://www.reddit.com/r/suggestmeabo...
Thanks Lori! Sorry, all the comments overnight didn't load until I posted my new comment... /sigh gremlins.
Janice wrote: "Katrisa wrote: "Maybe you could link to the theme definition message in the main page where the theme list is."There are already links in the main challenge thread to the help discussions. I put ..."
That's great, Janice. That's what I meant in my post was to have the definition of a theme somewhere - should have explained better.
I am thinking about the theme of women and have two books I am considering The Woman in the Wallpaper
2 women accept work in a wallpaper but notice the design of a woman in the wallpapers.The woman in the wallpaper's life appears to impact the lives of the other women
Or
Darling Girls
Again has female MC's the first the women rescued from family tragedies and raised by a loving foster mother, Miss Fairchild, on an idyllic farming estate but this may not be the case - has they way they were raised made them turn on the woman that riased them
I am thinking perhaps the first fits the theme better?
Marie - Darling Girls was a great book, but I'm not sure women is a theme. They are all women, but from what I recall the story doesn't really have to do with being a woman or womanhood per se. It's more a mystery and about what makes a family.
It sounds like The Women in Wallpaper might be a better choice, given what Kristie said about Darling Girls.
Kristie wrote: "Marie - Darling Girls was a great book, but I'm not sure women is a theme. They are all women, but from what I recall the story doesn't really have to do with being a woman or womanhood per se. It'..."Janice wrote: "It sounds like The Women in Wallpaper might be a better choice, given what Kristie said about Darling Girls."
thanks Janice and Kristie I will give it a go but I do have some alternatives now as well
Would you accept Counterfeit for the Pirate task? The second definition of pirate on wikipedia is: a person who appropriates or reproduces the work of another for profit without permission, usually in contravention of patent or copyright. This book is about women creating a global business selling knock-off perfect replicas of high-end designer hand-bags.
Would you accept The Women for survival task? I started reading it and it talks about nurses during the the Vietnam War and the survival and hardship caused by it - both in society as well as during the actual war. (Not entirely sure how it would evolve but wanted to check once if the theme above stays would it be accepted?)
Heather wrote: "Would you accept Counterfeit for the Pirate task? The second definition of pirate on wikipedia is: a person who appropriates or reproduces the work of another for profit without per..."I think piracy as a theme would be nebulous, and there are a lot of books that would fit the theme better.
Nistha wrote: "Would you accept The Women for survival task? I started reading it and it talks about nurses during the the Vietnam War and the survival and hardship caused by it - both in society..."Yes, I would say that survival is a significant theme of this book.
I am part way through The Women which I am reading for the women theme.It fits this as the book explores the experiences of women who served in the Vietnam War. The book highlights the women who were often forgotten for their service.
Frankie's father has pictures of all the male heroes of the family in his study. The women of the family are not heroes only brides.
Hope this is OK to read.
I suppose one book can satisfy more than one theme for the challenge.
This book is about women and their survival in a male dominated world as well as in war.
Odette wrote: "I am part way through The Women which I am reading for the women theme.It fits this as the book explores the experiences of women who served in the Vietnam War. The book highlight..."
I would say that The Women fits both the women and survival tasks very well, Odette.
Janice wrote: "Nistha wrote: "Would you accept The Women for survival task? I started reading it and it talks about nurses during the the Vietnam War and the survival and hardship caused by it - ..."Thanks a lot for confirming!
Odette, I'm planning of reading The Women for the theme of women next month, or early March. Our bookclub will be discussing it at our March meeting.
You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
Books mentioned in this topic
Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism (other topics)The Art of Racing in the Rain (other topics)
Three Wild Dogs [and the Truth] (other topics)
The Dog Stars (other topics)
One Dog Night (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Heather Marshall (other topics)Heather Marshall (other topics)
Simone St. James (other topics)
Shirley Jackson (other topics)
Irina Shapiro (other topics)
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1. Survival - Deadman's Track by Sarah Barrie
Tess Atherton is a guide who takes groups into remote areas of southern Ta..."
I think the books both may have the specified themes as secondary themes. I've not read either one of them, so I don't have any more information than you. If you're willing to take the chance and then justify how they fit the themes, go ahead. If not, maybe look for something that would be more obvious.