Badge One Help

[Jenn]

I loved The Women, and agree that it would fit either task, Women or Survival. I hope you all enjoy it too

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Sorry for joining the overthinking crew.

I've just picked up By Night the Mountain Burns for Childhood. The book so far, and continues from all the blurbs and reviews I have read, is recounting memories from the author's childhood on a tiny, tiny African island in the middle of the Atlantic (Annobón if any one is amazed by these random parts of the world like me, it's part of Equatorial Guinea).

Is that enough for the theme of childhood? I feel yes, but I would prefer to know now at 10 pages that I need to find something more intensely prosecuting the theme. Thanks Janice :) We'll get our heads around it soon!

[Janice, Moderator]

AI says childhood is a significant theme because the author is relating experiences and observations through the eyes of a child.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Thank you! See the overthinking statement.

But also thought it was important to ask for those people who are also worried about their picks. If it sounds obvious, it prob is :D

[♞ Pat]

I'm going to read Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall for the WOMEN task.

It should be some really good historical fiction.

[♞ Pat]

Janice wrote: "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."

Yes. I did. I have had the Somewhere Beyond... book on my to read list for a while. Maybe I'll pull it up closer to my chest.

[Janice, Moderator]

♞ Pat wrote: "I'm going to read Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall for the WOMEN task.

It should be some really good historical fiction."

That sounds like an interesting book. I look forward to your impressions.

[Nancy H]

Asking about the theme of Dogs: If there are several dogs in the story and one of them is more or less a 'main character' who sniffs out trouble, tries to keep his owner safe, and also helps find a murderer and keeps the murderer in place until the police come, is that enough to qualify for this topic?

[Janice, Moderator]

It sounds like it would fit, Nancy.

[Nancy H]

Thank you, Janice. I will use it.

[Cherie]

I really, really liked The Women.
I was sorry that I had already read it before I started the challenge or it would have been my pick to read for the women theme!

[Roz]

Hi Janice, I'd like to use The Island of Sea Women for the Survival theme. The story involves significant sections about how the divers survived their work in the ocean as well as what the people of Jeju endured to survive the occupation of the Japanese, the post Korean War era.

[Janice, Moderator]

Yes, go ahead.

[Roz]

Woohoo! Thank you.

[Karin]

I didn't start this book with the Dogs theme in mind, but there is a secondary story with involving three stray dogs a woman has taken in. She is trying to find who the third one belongs to through the book (I peeked ahead to see this) but the main story has to do with murder. Present Danger. The dog belongs to the aunt of one of the protagonists who raised him; he's moved back to live with her since her husband died because she has dementia.

Is this enough or should I wait for a book where dogs (or a dog) are the main thing?

[Janice, Moderator]

From what I can see of the book, I don't think it has a theme of dogs. it seems to be more a romantic suspense than a dog story.

[Karin]

Janice wrote: "From what I can see of the book, I don't think it has a theme of dogs. it seems to be more a romantic suspense than a dog story."

Yes, it is--the dog story is secondary so I'll wait for one to come that's all about dogs. My library has been slow.

[Viji]

Due to some health issues, I could not start the challenge. I think I would at least complete Badge 1 this year.

For Religion, would any book under the genre Christian Fiction or Biblical Fiction work? Thanks.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Viji, the tags alone won't be enough. I've read a few books tagged Christian Fiction and there is nothing religious about the book. The focus of the story or a significant theme needs to be religion.

[Viji]

I found a few books in Kindle. To me, they all seem to be religious but am not sure whether they would fit the theme Religion. Could someone help me to choose a book which would be acceptable for this theme?

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Sorry for any inconvenience caused. I am racing against time to find books. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Viji]

Would be acceptable for the theme True Crime? Thanks.

[Viji]

To which theme would fit - Dogs or Ghosts? Could anyone who has read this book help me? I also have which also has Book Main Page genres as Dogs an Ghosts. Quite confusing right now. Thanks.

[Jayme, Moderator]

Hey Viji -
After reading the book blurbs I think the The Ghost Goes to the Dogs fits the ghost theme, but not the dogs theme. Dogs are part of the book, but not the theme.
Murder at the Lemonberry Tea doesn't fit either ghosts or dogs theme.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Viji - I think any of the books you have posted for religion would work. As long as the focus is on the religion that's what you're going for. I personally, like the books where the person is questioning their faith or beliefs.

I think Janice will be best to answer your True Crime question. It says True Crime in the title, but I'm not sure it really is.

[Viji]

Jayme wrote: "Hey Viji -
After reading the book blurbs I think the The Ghost Goes to the Dogs fits the ghost them, but not the dogs theme. Dogs are part of the book, but not the theme.
[book:Mur..."

Thanks, Jayme, for your time and help.

[Viji]

Kristie wrote: "Viji - I think any of the books you have posted for religion would work. As long as the focus is on the religion that's what you're going for. I personally, like the books where the person is quest..."

Thanks a lot, Kristie. It is a great help. I would try to read one of the books listed by me.

[Janice, Moderator]

Viji wrote: "Would be acceptable for the theme True Crime? Thanks."

It doesn't seem to fit. Go to Browse, Genres, True Crime and there should be lots of books that would fit.

[Viji]

Thanks, Janice. I need help with two books.

Theme - True Crime
The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession

Theme - Dogs
Play Dead
Who Let the Dog Out?


Would any of these books work for the themes mentioned?

Thanks.

[Viji]

Theme - Love

Would any book with MPG - Romance work for this theme? Thanks.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Hi Viji, hope you're well.

I'm just going to jump in and say just remember Janice can't make rulings on every possible book and theme. I would read the blurb, read the reviews, google the book for other reviews on blogs, if you feel that way inclined see what AI tools can offer you, have a look at the book on amazon, other bookstore sites, StoryGraph, Library Thing, etc.

You should be able to find the answers to most of the questions you have been asking that way from people who have read the book. And as you say you are short on time (however, remember we still have 7 months to go!) you'll be able to find answers much quicker that way. And hopefully that helps you narrow down an option faster!

If you have a specific question on whether a book fits the theme like "It sounds like this book's main character is a ghost of a talking moose. Just wanted to check that a ghost of an animal was okay for the theme of ghosts" or something, then ask that. That's a question Janice can make a clear call on without having to research a whole heap of books she hasn't read.

You got this! You're a challenge veteran!

(Forgive me for a terrible example that I made up on the spot)

[Janice, Moderator]

Thanks Rusalka. You summed that up nicely.

Viji, I'm going to recommend that you download ChatGPT. You can simply ask AI these questions and get an answer. I use AI quite a bit when gophering for my own challenge books.

Another suggestion is that you look at other member's threads and see which books they've read for a theme. Or, you could check the request for badges thread. Lots of people have already finished the first badge.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I'm going to add that sometimes you don't even have to do much research. Sometimes books can obviously fit the theme. For example, you asked about The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession. The subtitle states that it is a true story of crime and the first line of the blurb is, "One of the most remarkable true-crime narratives..." In cases like that you do not even have to look further. The book and its page state that it is about true crime.

Try not to question yourself too much. I know you don't feel confident about it, but you can do it!

[Viji]

Kristie wrote: "I'm going to add that sometimes you don't even have to do much research. Sometimes books can obviously fit the theme. For example, you asked about [book:The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, ..."

Thanks, Kristie.

[Viji]

Rusalka wrote: "Hi Viji, hope you're well.

I'm just going to jump in and say just remember Janice can't make rulings on every possible book and theme. I would read the blurb, read the reviews, google the book fo..."

Thanks, Rusalka. It is really very nice of you to have put me on the right track. Your mail was very helpful to give me more options.

[Viji]

Janice wrote: "Thanks Rusalka. You summed that up nicely.

Viji, I'm going to recommend that you download ChatGPT. You can simply ask AI these questions and get an answer. I use AI quite a bit when gophering for ..."

I have a very old PC which I use only for checking mails and posting my book completions. Our computer engineer is of the opinion that it may not support AI tools. Actually, I feel I should update myself on the latest developments! Let me see what I could do.

Your other suggestion to seek help from our friends in the challenge who have completed the badges is more feasible and very helpful. I will check and try to get more book suggestions that way. This is a great group and I enjoy being with you all.

[Janice, Moderator]

Viji wrote: "Your other suggestion to seek help from our friends in the challenge who have completed the badges is more feasible and very helpful. I will check and try to get more book suggestions that way. This is a great group and I enjoy being with you all."

You don't need to seek help. Just read their threads and the request badge threads and get ideas from what they've posted.

[Roz]

I was having so much trouble finding an acceptable book for "Dogs". I fluctuated between a few. I thought I would read One Dog Night since I'm reading the series anyway. The main character's dog, Tara, has a role in the book. My other choice was The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. I didn't want to bother you, Janice. You have enough to do and I decided I could figure this out myself. I never thought to check with ChatGPT (thank you Janice). So I did. My first choice (ODN) doesn't really fit for a "dog theme" but The Story of Edgar Sawtelle does. So now I know. Problem avoided.
I think I'm having more trouble finding appropriate books for this first badge. I find "themes" hard to pin down. Just because some people/readers have tagged a book with a certain genre doesn't really mean it's true. I can't wait until I finish this badge and can move on to the next one and just need to remember my alphabet.

[Janice, Moderator]

It is difficult when you're relying on crowd sourced tagging of genres. Tags aren't themes. Sometimes they aren't genres. I'm glad you sorted it out.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

I'm having the same problem, Roz. I read the challenge originally and thought, that's pretty easy. But when pinning down books to actually read, finding out they don't quite fit into the theme idea. It does your head in a little!

Thanks Janice for finding a new way to make the challenges challenging!

[Janice, Moderator]

It kind of evolved on it's own. I was looking for theme ideas that would fit in alphabetically and was snatching genres out of the air to fill gaps. But, then came the realization that themes have more meat than genres, so it evolved into something else. If I was to do it over again, I'd change some of the themes - like fantasy. I could have used friendship.

I hope it has been a journey of discovery for others as well as for me. That's what challenges are all about.

Maybe there will be some opportunities for themes in the 2026 challenge which I need to start soon. I have a couple of ideas. There's a sticky thread in the Monthly Challenge folder where people can offer suggestions for a monthly or annual challenge if they are so inclined.

[Viji]

Janice wrote: "Viji wrote: "Your other suggestion to seek help from our friends in the challenge who have completed the badges is more feasible and very helpful. I will check and try to get more book suggestions ..."

Thanks, Janice.

[Viji]

Rusalka wrote: "I'm having the same problem, Roz. I read the challenge originally and thought, that's pretty easy. But when pinning down books to actually read, finding out they don't quite fit into the theme idea..."

Totally agree with you in every aspect. Janice really excels in making one think out of the box. Of course, I overthink and bother her! Sorry, Janice.

[Carrie]

Roz wrote: "I was having so much trouble finding an acceptable book for "Dogs". I fluctuated between a few."

I am also unsure what it means for a book to have the theme of "Dogs." I did read Edgar Sawtelle and I recall the MC is a dog breeder, but I thought the story was basically "Hamlet." I know it's not enough just for book to include a dog, but I don't understand how to know when a book crosses the line from "has a dog character" to "has the theme of dogs."

[Carrie]

Carrie wrote: "I am also unsure what it means for a book to have the theme of "Dogs.""

Me again...

I don't necessarily trust ChatGPT's analysis, but since it's being cited as a source, here's what I got when I asked "Can you help me distinguish between 'books about dogs' and 'books that have the theme of dogs'":

Books about dogs
These books place dogs at the center of the story, often as main characters or the primary subject. The plot revolves around the dog—its life, behavior, experiences, or relationship with humans.

Books with the theme of dogs
These books may not be about dogs per se, but dogs represent deeper themes—such as loyalty, communication, companionship, or grief. The dog may play an important symbolic or emotional role without being the central focus of the plot.

So I'm thinking of this one:

The Dog Stars
In a post-apocalyptic world, a man and his dog survive together. The dog represents the last thread of emotional connection and humanity.

Just sharing in case anyone else was floundering, too.

[Janice, Moderator]

Google says about themes: "In contemporary literary studies, a theme is a central topic, subject, or message within a narrative. Themes can be divided into two categories: a work's thematic concept is what readers "think the work is about" and its thematic statement being "what the work says about the subject"."

I suspect there is a lot of overthinking going on.

So ask yourself, "what is the book about?" "what is it telling me about dogs? - Is there a relationship that is meaningful?

If there is a dog (or more) in the book, and it has a major role by being a companion to a person, chances are, it has a theme of dogs.

Go to the genres page and search genres for "Dogs". You will get this result.

Go to the lists page and search lists for "Dogs". You will get this result.

If you are in doubt as to whether or not the book you chose has a theme of dogs, google "Does The Art of Racing in the Rain have the theme of dogs. The first response is an AI overview, "Yes, dogs are a central theme in "The Art of Racing in the Rain." The story is narrated from the perspective of Enzo, a dog who develops a deep understanding of human emotions and relationships."

I read Three Wild Dogs for this task. It was a memoir of how these stray dogs came into Marcus Zusack's life and home and the impact they had on the family and their community.

I'm just using "dogs" in this discussion mainly because it's one that seems to cause the most grief. You can apply this to all the themes.

When I was in elementary school, we had a program called Music Appreciation. Classical music was piped over the intercom and we would listen to discover what music is. I recall William Tell's Overture, and Flight of the Bumble Bee. Think of these challenges as Books Appreciation. Dive deeper in that just fluff and stuff. Read a book where a dog is a faithful and loyal companion and all that can mean to us. Read a book with a theme of "Women" and learn the difficulties women have had and still have in having their voices heard, or about close friendships that have been poignent and meaningful.

[Janice, Moderator]

I have to tell you something funny about ChatGPT. Today, I was asking about something my son had experienced. All of a sudden, she started talking about Bam Bam racing around the tank. Bam Bam is a snail I just got for my aquarium. I replied to the bot, "Hang on. We are talking about my human son and not about my snail named Bam Bam in my aquarium."

AI can be useful as a tool, but sometimes they go off the deep end. They are fallible, just like the genre pages, and the listopias can be fallible. Be discerning when using any of them.

[Pragya]

Bam Bam, the snail... sorry to digress but that's so cute, Janice!

I tried to read up on the Villainy discussion but apologies if this has been asked and I missed it.

I was thinking if real life Villainy would make the cut, thinking Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism.

[Janice, Moderator]

I think it does, Pragya.

I talked more about my aquarium on the My Pets thread. All my fish/snails are named after the Flintstones.

[Pragya]

Thank you, Janice.

Off to check out more info on Flintstones inspired cuties!

[Karin]

Janice wrote: "I have to tell you something funny about ChatGPT. Today, I was asking about something my son had experienced. All of a sudden, she started talking about Bam Bam racing around the tank. Bam Bam is a..."

AI can't be relied on in and of itself. Since I normally use DuckDuckGo for searching, it's Duck AI and it often cites which websites it got its information from which is helpful since some of those sites are better than others.

I don't know of other search engine AIs cite sources or not since I don't use them as often. I prefer ones not rife with ads at the top.