30.1 - Ms Anderson's Task - Birthdays and Birthmonths

[Rita]

Well, I was approaching it from the fact that GWTW was a movie as well.

[Megan]

Yes, but it was originally a book, so it still won't work.

[Jason]

I have September and the topic Everyday Objects.

The book I want to use is The Difference Engine. Can I use engine as the object?

[Megan]

Jason wrote: "I have September and the topic Everyday Objects.

The book I want to use is The Difference Engine. Can I use engine as the object?"

Yes, you may.

[Megan]

Sara wrote: "So I'm not sure what constitutes a novel in verse. What about the novel Light Boxes? It has a really unusual format. It opens with:

Thaddeus


We sat on the hill,
We watched the flames
inside t..."

I looked at this book at the bookstore, and it won't work. While there are a few poems scattered throughout, the majority of of the book is prose. A novel in verse tells the story using poetry as opposed to paragraphs; while the writing of a book can be poetic, it isn't necessarily told through poetry. On post 61, Tanja linked to some great GR lists of novels in verse that you could take a look at if you're still wondering what to read.

[Deedee]

Ms Anderson wrote: "Jason wrote: "I have September and the topic Everyday Objects.

The book I want to use is The Difference Engine. Can I use engine as the object?"

Yes, you may."

Yeah! I, too, am a September baby and I was having a difficult time finding a book. The Difference Engine has been on my TBR for a long time and now that's the one I'm planning to use.

[Megan]

I'm using The Way Things Work for mine (yay September~!).

[Deedee]

Deedee wrote: "Ms Anderson wrote: "Jason wrote: "I have September and the topic Everyday Objects.

The book I want to use is The Difference Engine. Can I use engine as the object?"

Yes, you ma..."

Ms. Anderson ... you are aware that The Difference Engine is fiction?

[Megan]

Deedee wrote: "Deedee wrote: "Ms Anderson wrote: "Jason wrote: "I have September and the topic Everyday Objects.

The book I want to use is The Difference Engine. Can I use engine as the object?"..."

This is embarrassing--apparently my lack of sleep is catching up to me. Thank you for pointing that out, Deedee. I hereby rescind my approval for this book. However, if you'd like to read a book about actual engines (or vehicles that contain engines), you are more than welcome to do so. Again, sorry for my mistake!

[Jason]

Deedee wrote: "Ms. Anderson ... you are aware that The Difference Engine is fiction?"

Er, I knew that. I was just testing you. Good catch, keep up the good work.

[Deedee]

Jason wrote: "Deedee wrote: "Ms. Anderson ... you are aware that The Difference Engine is fiction?"

Er, I knew that. I was just testing you. Good catch, keep up the good work."

Hee-hee. Now I'm back to my problem of what to use for "Everyday Objects".

Would any of the numerous books on spices count? Nathaniel's Nutmeg (which I've read, 3 stars) or Salt: A World History (which I've read, 1 star), but there are many more like it. If not, help!, I need some suggestions!

[Megan]

Spices will work, utensils will work, a book on cars or bikes or computers or books or crayons or dolls or watches...basically anything you use in your daily life will count.

Some books that I looked up that sounded interesting (and examples of possible "objects"):
The Telephone Gambit: Chasing Alexander Graham Bell's Secret
Bicycle: The History
Secrets of Saffron: The Vagabond Life of the World's Most Seductive Spice
The Clock and How It Changed the World
Computers: The Life Story of a Technology
The Pencil: A History of Design and Circumstance
Defining the World: The Extraordinary Story of Dr Johnson's Dictionary
100 Years on the Road
A History of the World in 6 Glasses
The Art and Craft of Papermaking
Glass: A World History
The Story of Shoes
Shocking True Story: The Rise and Fall of Confidential, "America's Most Scandalous Scandal Magazine"
Chairs: A History
Bittersweet: The Story of Sugar
Milk: The Surprising Story of Milk Through the Ages

I hope this helps!

[Deedee]

Spices will work -- yeah! -- I'm considering

Spice: The History of a Temptation
The Scents of Eden: A History of the Spice Trade
The Taste of Conquest: The Rise and Fall of the Three Great Cities of Spice

I've also been considering:
Spring Forward: The Annual Madness of Daylight Saving Time
but I'm not sure if the September category can stretch to include it.


And, thanks Ms. Anderson, your list did help :0)

[Dave]

Hi Ms Anderson,
would Joseph Smith Rough Stone Rolling be okay for a polygamy book?

If not, I'll probably read Setting the Record Straight: Mormons and Polygamy.

Thanks

[Megan]

Dave wrote: "Hi Ms Anderson,
would Joseph Smith Rough Stone Rolling be okay for a polygamy book?

If not, I'll probably read Setting the Record Straight: Mormons and Polygamy.

Thanks"

Either one looks like it could work.

[Jason]

Well, since I totally screwed up with The Difference Engine I want to try again.

How about Deus ex Comica: The Rebirth of a Comic Book Fan? It is non-fiction and it has the word book which is an everyday object, especially for us in this group.

[Megan]

Jason wrote: "Well, since I totally screwed up with The Difference Engine I want to try again.

How about Deus ex Comica: The Rebirth of a Comic Book Fan? It is non-fiction and it has the word boo..."

The word doesn't need to be in the title, but the book has to be about the object you're choosing (if that's what's making it extremely difficult to find one). Books are definitely common objects, but that one seems more like the memoir of someone who likes comic books, rather than a book about how comic books are made and/or affect people as a whole. But if you're interested in using "comics" as your topic, might I recommend Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art? I loved it when I read it back in high school (to the point where I went out and actually bought it when I returned my borrowed copy).

[Jason]

Ms Anderson wrote: "Jason wrote: "Well, since I totally screwed up with The Difference Engine I want to try again.

How about Deus ex Comica: The Rebirth of a Comic Book Fan? It is non-fiction and it ha..."

Thank you. That book is exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks for the help.

[Usako]

DEEEEEEEEDEEEE I have a nonfiction book for you!!
The Grilled Cheese Madonna and 99 Other of the Weirdest, Wackiest, Most Famous eBay Auctions Ever - LOTS of everyday objects!

I used this book for the Spring Challenge. It's an amusing n' quick read.

[Deedee]

Here's two more I'm considering:

Charles Babbage: And the Engines of Perfection (1998) by Bruce Collier, James MacLachlan (Hardcover, 128 pages)

The Difference Engine: Charles Babbage and the Quest to Build the First Computer (2001) by Doron Swade (Hardcover, 352 pages) [would be a re-read for me as I originally read it in 2002:]

[Deedee]

Tanja wrote: "DEEEEEEEEDEEEE I have a nonfiction book for you!!
The Grilled Cheese Madonna and 99 Other of the Weirdest, Wackiest, Most Famous eBay Auctions Ever - LOTS of everyday objects!

I u..."

That book does look funny! I'll be looking for it! :0)

[Megan]

Deedee wrote: "Here's two more I'm considering:

Charles Babbage: And the Engines of Perfection (1998) by Bruce Collier, James Ma..."

Either of these are fine ^_^

[Julia]

Ms Anderson, for alternate history does steampunk count? I'm particularly looking at Soulless, which is also paranormal so I am not sure how far "alternate" can go...

[Megan]

Julia wrote: "Ms Anderson, for alternate history does steampunk count? I'm particularly looking at Soulless, which is also paranormal so I am not sure how far "alternate" can go..."

Sure, that'll work. It's been on my list for awhile (silly library, not getting it in), so let me know what you think.

[Julia]

Ms Anderson wrote: "Sure, that'll work. It's been on my list for awhile (silly library, not getting it in), so let me know what you think. "
..."

I started reading it right before I graduated last month but only got about 10 pages into it before Catching Fire tore me away. Those 10 pages were super interesting though haha. Thanks for allowing it! :)

[Cindy AL]

Soulless was much fun, I recommend it for a quick read, a little romance a little humor. I really thought it was more alternative history than steampunk anyway. There are a few "gadgets" and there is travel by dirigible, but those aren't the centerpiece of this book.

[Kate]

I am a Saturday baby. Would cheerleading count as a sport? My school lists cheerleading with the other sports teams.

[KSMary]

Would work for April as a catastrophe?

[GracieKat]

I have Occultism and I was wondering if books on ghosts would count? I mean, true-life stories, not fictional ghost stories.

[Megan]

Kathryn wrote: "I am a Saturday baby. Would cheerleading count as a sport? My school lists cheerleading with the other sports teams."

Cheerleading will count (I have a personal revulsion to cheerleaders in general, but I won't deny the athletics and training that go into it).

---

Grace wrote: "I have Occultism and I was wondering if books on ghosts would count? I mean, true-life stories, not fictional ghost stories."

Yes, you're good with this.

---

KSMary wrote: "Would work for April as a catastrophe?"

Well, the topic for April is "Disasters, Natural or Man-made"; "Catastrophe" just happens to be the name of the example book. While Columbine was certainly a tragedy, I wouldn't consider it a disaster. Disasters tend to be either unpredictable (such as with earthquakes), the result of human negligence (like the Titanic), or a combination of both (the 1900 hurricane in Galveston, TX). Those boys at Columbine walked in that morning knowing exactly what they were going to do, even if they were the only ones.

[Megan]

Danielle wrote: "Amanda wrote: "Okay I was born in February and it says I have to read a book on Polygamy. I really need suggestions for this task, the book has to be non-fiction. If you have suggestions please try..."

I'll count polyamory for February, too.

[Diane]

Nicole wrote: "Anyone have any thoughts on great books about body art?

It's really not my thing and I would prefer to not read a 500 page book about it.

Thanks!"

I have to read about body art, too (groan).

[Leigh Ann]

I was born on a Wednesday so I have to do fanfiction. How do I know how much to read or what to read? Should I post a link to fanfaction site? And does anyone know of any good stuff to read?

[Lisa]

Leigh Ann wrote: "I was born on a Wednesday so I have to do fanfiction. How do I know how much to read or what to read? Should I post a link to fanfaction site? And does anyone know of any good stuff to read?"

I have to read fanfic too. I've decided to read Heat Wave by Richard Castle. The novel was based on the tv show Castle. I've also seen books published about Gray's Anatomy. A lot of fanfiction didn't appeal to me, so I decided to look at tv shows that spawned books. If you like soap operas, then As the World Turns and Guiding Lights have had spin-off books published.

[Cindie]

Ok I was born in August, which gives me the Occult. (Why do you hate August babies, MS Anderson??) Can I read The Complete Idiot's Guide to Numerology? (My sister has been begging me to read it for years)

[Megan]

Cindie wrote: "Ok I was born in August, which gives me the Occult. (Why do you hate August babies, MS Anderson??) Can I read The Complete Idiot's Guide to Numerology? (My sister has been begging me to read it ..."

That book will work. And I don't hate August babies o_o Where did you get that idea?

Leigh Ann wrote: "I was born on a Wednesday so I have to do fanfiction. How do I know how much to read or what to read? Should I post a link to fanfaction site? And does anyone know of any good stuff to read?"

If you're going to use a fanfic from a website, the fic needs to be at least 100 pages (an SRC rule) and you need to post a link to the fic you read when claiming points. My guidelines for fanfics for this challenge count, too (meaning, the original media for the fic may not have been a book). There are a lot of posts throughout this thread with suggestions for fanfics, since that's the topic most people have been having difficulty with.

[Leigh Ann]

Thanks! I read back though and realized I'd totally missed post #2 so I was going about the whole task all wrong.

[Rachel]

My birthmonth is September--"Everyday objects." Would you consider candy an everyday object? I'd love to read Candyfreak: A Journey through the Chocolate Underbelly of America. Just wondering!

[Megan]

Rachel wrote: "My birthmonth is September--"Everyday objects." Would you consider candy an everyday object? I'd love to read Candyfreak: A Journey through the Chocolate Underbelly of America. Just wo..."

This will work!

[Rachel]

Ms Anderson wrote: "Rachel wrote: "My birthmonth is September--"Everyday objects." Would you consider candy an everyday object? I'd love to read [book:Candyfreak: A Journey through the Chocolate Underbelly of America|..."

Woo hoo!! Great, thanks!! :D

[Cindie]

Ok, I am an August girl. So can I read "Awakenings" By Mary Ochino (she is a psychic) for part !?

(I will use the Idiot's Guide to Numerology for another task)

[Megan]

Cindie wrote: "Ok, I am an August girl. So can I read "Awakenings" By Mary Ochino (she is a psychic) for part !?

(I will use the Idiot's Guide to Numerology for another task)"

Do you mean Awakened Instincts? If so, it will work.

[Cindie]

Ms Anderson wrote: "Cindie wrote: "Ok, I am an August girl. So can I read "Awakenings" By Mary Ochino (she is a psychic) for part !?

(I will use the Idiot's Guide to Numerology for another task)"

Do you mean [book:..."


I do - thanks!

[Cindie]

Ok so is MJ Rose "The Hypnotist" noir? I loved The Reincarnationist and The Memoirist, and this seems to be in the same vein. It felt noir to me! What say you, MS Anderson? :P

[ColleenPA]

If any other Tuesdays are having some trouble with identifying an alternate history, this seems like a great resource: The Sidewise Awards for Alternate History. The list of winners and finalists is at http://www.uchronia.net/sidewise/

[Megan]

Cindie wrote: "Ok so is MJ Rose "The Hypnotist" noir? I loved The Reincarnationist and The Memoirist, and this seems to be in the same vein. It felt noir to me! What say you, MS Anderson? :P"

I did some research on this one, and from what I can tell, it's more suspense/thriller than actual noir. You might be able to fit it into the "Get Caught Reading" or "Listmaker" task, though!

[Jayme Pendergraft]

Hi Ms. Anderson,

Would Dirty Work by Stuart Woods count as noir? Thank you!

[[deleted user]]

Would Basketball Jones work for sports? I'm having my doubts and can use this for a different task.

[Terri FL]

Would this one work for Body Art? Decorated Skin: A World Survey of Body Art by Karl Groning. I wasn't sure, as I do not know whether it's just more of a photo book with not much text. I'm an anthropology student, so this kind of fit in with my interests.

[Kim]

I have September and Tuesday- has anyone got suggestions for 'everyday objects' and alternate history?