The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
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5.6 - "I Only Regret That I Have But One Life To Lose For My Country."
I'm not extremely familiar with the book but would The Three Musketeers work for this? Its about a plot to kill the king.
Felina wrote: "I'm not extremely familiar with the book but would The Three Musketeers work for this? Its about a plot to kill the king."No
From my shelves;The Constant Gardener - John le Carre
Our Man in Havana: An Entertainment - Graham Greene
The Human Factor - Greene
The Gun Seller - Hugh Laurie
The Vesuvius Club: A Lucifer Box Novel - Mark Gatiss
The Scarlet Pimpernel
The Quiet American - Graham Greene
This seems like a good (slightly outside of the box) choice:StarCrossed
Updated to add...maybe for the fall challenge since it doesn't come out until October.
GACK!!!!
I think I'm going to read Signed, Mata Hari. I was going to read it for the "This Day in History" task this season but I don't think I will get to it! Does this work Cynthia?
I have a suggestion for you all. Right now I am reading Tamar by Mal Peet which is a sophisticated YA book with spies and deception in World War II Holland.
I've been wanting to read The Scarlet Pimpernel. I wouldn't have thought of that one, so thank you Cait!
Lisa Julianna wrote: "Cynthia may I read the book N Or M by: Agatha Christie? For this task?"yes
Nicole wrote: "Cynthia,
Can I use Harriet the Spy for this task?"
I'll take it.
Jamie wrote: "I think I'm going to read Signed, Mata Hari. I was going to read it for the "This Day in History" task this season but I don't think I will get to it! Does this work Cynthia?"
That's fine (ironically I had considered using Mata Hari instead of Nathan Hale as inspiration for this task when I was making up the list).
Valorie wrote: "Would an NSA undercover agent be considered a spy?"If I knew what book it was it might be helpful.
Cynthia wrote: "Valorie wrote: "Would an NSA undercover agent be considered a spy?"If I knew what book it was it might be helpful."
Sorry, the book is The Second Betrayal
Valorie wrote: "Cynthia wrote: "Valorie wrote: "Would an NSA undercover agent be considered a spy?"If I knew what book it was it might be helpful."
Sorry, the book is The Second Betrayal"
I'll take it.
Could I read a non-fiction book about espionage? I am thinking either Blind Spot: The Secret History of American Counterterrorism or The Code Book: The Science of Secrecy from Ancient Egypt to Quantum Cryptography. Thanks!
Erin wrote: "Could I read a non-fiction book about espionage? I am thinking either Blind Spot: The Secret History of American Counterterrorism or The Code Book: The Science of Secrecy from ..."</i>yes non-fiction is fine
<i>Sandra wrote: "Would [book:Sandstorm by James Rollins work for this task?"
yes
For those that like YA, there is a fun series of a girl at a secret spy school. The first book is I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You. I'm planning on reading the 4th one in the series (out in June) for this task. :)
Katie wrote: "I'm debating between The Queen's Fool and Her Royal Spyness for this task."Queen's Fool has a spy in it?? Awesome! I have had it in my TBR forever!
Katie wrote: "I'm debating between The Queen's Fool and Her Royal Spyness for this task."I'm reading the second one for this task! I loved the first one!
Hi!In Jamie's message (post #6) there are a lot of helpful ideas. One of the books on the list is: The Code Book: The Science of Secrecy from Ancient Egypt to Quantum Cryptography. Would you accept this book?
:D
Jennifer wrote: "Hi!In Jamie's message (post #6) there are a lot of helpful ideas. One of the books on the list is: The Code Book: The Science of Secrecy from Ancient Egypt to Quantum Cryptography. W..."
Not really what I was thinking of.
Cynthia wrote: "Not really what I was thinking of."Yeah, I sort of figured that but since I own the book, I had to ask! Thanks Cynthia. :)
I can't decide between
I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You and
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold ...two very different books!
What I'm considering:
Invisible Ink: Spycraft of the American Revolution by John A. Nagy (Hardcover, 384 pages)
The Irregulars: Roald Dahl and the British Spy Ring in Wartime Washington by Jennet Conant (Hardcover, 393 pages)
Spy Who Came in from the Cold by John le Carré (Paperback, 240 pages)
The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy (Paperback, 304 pages)
The Quiet American by Graham Greene (Paperback, 192 pages)
Cynthia wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Hi!In Jamie's message (post #6) there are a lot of helpful ideas. One of the books on the list is: [book:The Code Book: The Science of Secrecy from Ancient Egypt to Quantum Crypt..."
Wait I am confused. I thought you approved this book for me in message 21?
You would have to check with Cynthia but I think any of the books in Sara Shepard's Pretty Little Liars series would work for this one. Cynthia please let me know if I am correct here.
I am currently leaning toward reading The Untouchable. Banville is on my list of authors to try this year and the book is on the 1001 list. 2 birds, 1 stone.
does a covert agent work? in Anne Stuart's Ice series, the first two books have covert agents as the main characters in them...I think the later ones might have spies, but I haven't read any of the earlier ones and they need to be read in order from what i'm told...
Would any of the Spellman Files work? I'm hoping to read the 4th one for this challenge, The Spellmans Strike Again. It's not so much about secret agent spies, but rather private detectives who do a lot of spying on other people (and each other!)
How about the James Rollins books like Map of Bones? It is my understanding that they all have a main character that works for a secret government agency. Can anybody verify that?
But no ordinary police organization alone can deal with the bizarre theft and massacre, and SIGMA Force -- an elite covert arm of the U.S. Defense Department -- is called in under the command of Grayson Pierce.I found this in the description of the book. Cynthia, does covert goverment squad equal spy?
yes, they are all part of a covert group called Sigma ForceFelina wrote: "How about the James Rollins books like Map of Bones? It is my understanding that they all have a main character that works for a secret government agency. Can anybody verify that?"
Oooh Nancy, good questio..., I have the first book and it's been sitting on my shelf waiting to be read for about a year now. Hopefully The Spellman Files books will count! :-)
Books mentioned in this topic
Spies' Wives: CIA Families Abroad (other topics)The Hunt for Red October (other topics)
Witch Hunt (other topics)
The Spellmans Strike Again (other topics)
The Spellmans Strike Again (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Tom Clancy (other topics)Tom Clancy (other topics)
James Rollins (other topics)
James Rollins (other topics)













Nathan Hale (June 6, 1755 – September 22, 1776) was a soldier for the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War and is widely considered America's first spy. In memory of this famous patriot read a book with a main character who is a spy or where espionage plays an important role in the plot. (EXAMPLE: The Tourist)
If you need suggestions OR have suggestions for books to read for this task post them here.