Anyone interested in a reading challenge for summer?

[Cyn]

how would one find a list of books published before 1950...???

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

do a search on good reads books published 1900-1950.

[Vicki]

Algo0117 wrote: "Ok after a couple hours of searching I finally have my search!

1. New Author:Secrets of a Shoe Addict by Beth Harbison

2. 1900-1950:Animal Farmby George Orwell

3. Man/..."


Book Thief is a good one!

[Cyn]

OK, here is my list:

1. Mountains Beyond Mountains
2. To Kill A Mockingbird (close enough)
3. Sarah's Key
4. Tinkers
5. Charms for the Easy Life
6. Consent to Kill
7. The Last Summer
8. Whale Song
9. The Grand Finale
10.The Red Tent

[Vicki]

I loved Sarah's Key. Hope you do too!

[Cyn]

OK, some of those links aren't working, but the titles are correct!

[JC]

Jenny - have you read the Outlander series? It's my favorite historical fiction series, and my favorite author!

[JC]

Brenda - Author you have never read before.

[Jenny]

I thought about doing that one because I haven't read it yet! I think I probably will. :)

[JC]

get ready to be hooked, my dear!!

[SarahSaysRead]

JenC I second that, I absolutely love Outlander. I told myself I wasn't going to read them this year and focus on others books, so I got my older sister hooked instead and living vicariously through her!

Are you going to get The Exile: An Outlander Graphic Novel when it comes out in September?

[Lori]

This sounds fun. I might have to participate.

[Ally]

I'm up for this challenge - something a little different to the norm - I like it!

1. An author new to me: Not the End of the World by Kate Atkinson

2. 1900-1950: Cheri by Colette


3. Man/Woman couple on cover: Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates

4. One Word Title: Scoop by Evelyn Waugh

5. From a friend's GR shelf: The End of the Affair by Graham Greene

6. American Flag on cover: TBC

7. Word summer in title: by Edith Wharton

8. Canadian Author: The Birth House by Ami McKay

9. Word grand or parent in title: TBC

10. Historical Fiction: The Lady Elizabeth by Alison Weir

...I'm off to look for some interesting choices and I'll be back to update the list soon.

Ally xx

[JC]

Sarah - I want to look at it first, I don't know anything about graphic novels. I just decided to buy the whole series since I had read it all from the library, so far I've just bought Outlander.

Ally - we have the same new author! I'm thinking of reading her first.

[Ally]

JenC. wrote: "Ally - we have the same new author! I'm thinking of reading her first...."

So we do! - I've been looking at her collection of short stories for the last two months and this challenge is giving me the oomph to actually read them! - we#ll have to swap notes on the different books of hers we've chosen.

Ally

[JC]

I am itching to get started!! But I need to finish what I'm currently reading and try to sneak one more book in before the 21st. I bought "The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner" and want to read it quickly before we "officially" get started. I'm starting with "Behind the Scenes at the Museum". Anyone else know what they will read first?

[JC]

Sarah - Diana Gabaldon posted a page from Exile on her blog.....I'm buying it. It's the scene where Jamie takes the punishment for Loghaire. The illustrator portrayed Jamie as much younger than I imagined in my mind and Loghaire as much more "busty", shall we say. But it looks AWESOME!

[Laura]

Algo0117 wrote: "Ok after a couple hours of searching I finally have my search!

1. New Author:Secrets of a Shoe Addict by Beth Harbison

2. 1900-1950:Animal Farmby George Orwell

3. Man/..."

Oh my goodness, Prodigal Summer and Book Thief are two of my all-time favorites in one list.....Go Algo, Go!!!

[Laura]

Wow....I just might do this one also! Great idea, Jen. And I'm glad also that you're challenging yourself to read more non-mommy books. I've been there, and you'll be glad you did this, I think.

[Ally]

I'm struggling to find a book that I'm interested in with an american flag on the front. As an English person can I substitute the Union Jack? (...not that I've found a book with that on either! ha ha)

Ally

[SarahSaysRead]

JenC, I saw that page, it looks good! I agree though, Jamie looks pretty young there...I hope he's beefed up a bit as it goes on, the books always make a point to mention how tall and broad he is.


And hmmmm...I think I may start my challenge with Twilight. Just to get it out of the way, lol.

[JC]

That was my toughest challenge as well. I did a search on GR for "america" and looked at covers. You can absolutely use a union jack; since we're celebrating our independence from England, you could celebrate getting rid of us *wink*.

[SarahSaysRead]

JenC. wrote: "That was my toughest challenge as well. I did a search on GR for "america" and looked at covers. You can absolutely use a union jack; since we're celebrating our independence from England, you co..."

Yeah and notice I picked a book with a tiny scrap of the flag on it... I hope that's okay. I looked through other covers, but I have this Kenneth Davis book on my shelf at home anways, so I went with it.

[Em]

Ally wrote: "I'm struggling to find a book that I'm interested in with an american flag on the front. As an English person can I substitute the Union Jack? (...not that I've found a book with that on either! ha..."

It's quite a challenge to find something with a US Flag in the UK, I only found two books in my local library! I went for a Bill Bryson eventually as he's pretty easy reading so confident I'll get through it. Good luck finding a Union Jack, let me know what you find, if it's more interesting than mine I might join you!

[Laura]

Maybe something about history or one of the presidents might have a flag?

[Tera, First Chick]

Yeah I'm having an issue with the flag and with a couple on the cover that isn't a fabio inspired romance.

[Laura]

Here's one, it's essays tho - I'd post a better link, but that feature's not working:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11...

[Laura]

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10...

I think there's a little flag in the top right corner, kinda....that one looks good actually.

[Laura]

Here's another one about religion in the US

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16...

[Laura]

Here's a fiction book, has 1 5-star rating and that's it.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44...

[JC]

Everyone is welcome to steal my flag book - it won the Pulitzer, that's why I chose it. I was also looking at one by John Stewart (of "The Daily Show") but thought it might be too political.

I also looked in the "lists" section of GR: Best historical fiction, best YA, longest book etc. where you can vote on the lists and found a couple of lists of books about american history, presidents, and the like. Some had flags on them. The lists are under the Explore tab and click on books.

[JC]

And Tera - The people on the cover don't have to be a romantic couple, it can just be a man and a woman.

[JC]

ready.....set.....start reading on monday!

[SarahSaysRead]

I can't wait! I went to the library and I have a nice stack just sitting there waiting to be read... :o)

[Em]

Looking forward to this challenge, books are ready but still have Catching Fire on the go, I'll have to put in some serious reading today so ready to start tomorrow!

[B.]

I have a dilemma...I finished a book yesterday...should I start one today or should I wait till tomorrow so it'll count for the challenge...Can I go a day without reading???

[Vicki]

Beth, I think you should definitely read another book, perhaps one that wouldn't count for the challenge... I am being a trouble maker :)

[JC]

I have the same dillema Beth - I decided to re-read some cooking magazines for recipe ideas.

[Em]

Or just start early and don't tell the rest of us - I am also being a trouble maker now! Vicki started it though... hahahah!

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Does this help? The rule in the "big" Seasonal Challenge is that if you have read less than half the book before the challenge starts, you can count it.

[Vicki]

Em wrote: "Or just start early and don't tell the rest of us - I am also being a trouble maker now! Vicki started it though... hahahah!"

You didn't have to follow me though :)

[B.]

Well, my husband solved the problem for me...he wanted to go out for Father's Day, so I had no time to read...now the day's almost over, and I'm tired, so I'll follow Jen's lead and read some magazines I have stacked up...sorry Em and Vicki, I'll stay out of trouble for now :)

[B.]

And, I have picked my first book
The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells, an author that I have never read before (I'm not a sci fi fan, but this book goes toward one of my personal goals to read 12 classics this year). Promise I won't peek till tomorrow!

[Vicki]

I give you credit. I chose 5 classics for this year and I am on my second. I am reading Fahrenheit 451, not for the challenge, but for a group read and a potential book to teach. I don't usually read sci-fi either. It's interesting though, hope you like The Invisible Man.

[Leslie]

I'm in! having just retired from 25 years as an Elementary Librarian I miss reading and sharing with my peers. Good Reads is just what I needed. My "real-life" book club is great, but I needed just a little something more. I am sure I will finish the challenge, but I am definitely willing to take it on:}
Happy Reading

[B.]

Vicki wrote: "I give you credit. I chose 5 classics for this year and I am on my second. I am reading Fahrenheit 451, not for the challenge, but for a group read and a potential book to teach. I don't usually re..."

So far, its good...I have not made much headway on my 12 classics, so I hope I get into this one and finish it!

[JC]

I've read about 1/3 of Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson and it's ok so far. It jumps between the present and past, and I'm enjoying the past chapters far more than the present. My reserved copy of Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater arrived at the library today, so I'll pick that up this week to read next. Off to a good start!!

[B.]

Okay, I've finished my first book

for task one, an author I've never read before.
I'm not a sci fi fan, so I've never read Wells before,
but I was surprised...I actually liked this one!
On to the next...

[Em]

Well, I just had to finish Catching Fire before starting the challenge! Now that I have, I am going to begin with The Road - I hope I like it, I've heard such positive comments so I'm hopeful that I will...

[SarahSaysRead]

I'm going to start Twilight today for my first book. I was so busy on Monday, and then I got a First Reads book in the mail, so I felt obligated to start that first.