30.4 Dlmrose's Task: Like I Needed an Excuse.......

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

30.4 Dlmrose's Task: Like I Needed an Excuse.......

April 7th is No Housework Day. (yeah!) So we'll read instead. Read 2 books.
A. Read a non-fiction book about an interest or activity you would pursue instead of housework- it could be a book about a sport, a hobby, history etc.
And
B. Since the spring cleaning needs to be done anyway, read a book prominently featuring a domestic worker: cleaning lady, housekeeper, maid, governess, nanny, butler, chauffeur, household cook, dog walker, laundress, nursemaid, etc. If the character's household position is not apparent in the Goodreads description, please note the character and position when you post.

[Dlmrose, Moderator Emeritus]

A. approved books
The Old Farmer's Almanac 2011
Starting from Scratch
A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail
Memoirs and narrative nonfiction work

B. approved books- non-fiction works too
Bad Marie
Behind the Scenes: Or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House
Her Royal Spyness
Poison Study
Shakespeare's Landlord
The Elegance of the Hedgehog
The Help
The Kitchen House
The Thirteenth Tale

seamstress, midwife = ok

[Dlmrose, Moderator Emeritus]

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[Sue]

Would Her Royal Spyness work?

[Dlmrose, Moderator Emeritus]

Sue T wrote: "Would Her Royal Spyness work?"

It looks like it will work for B as it looks like she starts a domestic service

[Sue]

That's what I was thinking, thanks!

[Ms.soule]

Some books that might work since I can only think of ones I've already read:

When Darkness Comes - cleaning lady
Lie by Moonlight - governess
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day - companion/housekeeper
Yours Until Dawn - nursemaid
The Crown and the Crucible - companion/maid

[Dee]

for part B - can they be hiding in a position such as a footman - I was thinknig about reading Love Letters From a Duke - he is a duke (well duh! but is disguised as her footman)

for A - I tend to read a lot and try to push my boundaries with reading - could I use a nf book off a shelf that scares me (or that I would typically avoid)? since reading is my hobby (aside from studying)

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

A couple others I can think of for part B that I've read:
The Remains of the Day - butler
Jane Eyre - governess

[Dlmrose, Moderator Emeritus]

Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "for part B - can they be hiding in a position such as a footman - I was thinknig about reading Love Letters From a Duke - he is a duke (well duh! but is disguised as her footman)

f..."

For B, as long as he performs the duties of the footman, it would work.
For A, if it is a non-fiction subject that interests you, it should work. You could read a non-fiction book about reading or any other topic you find interesting.

[Dee]

got it...i'm looking for a good one on dog training right now, so hopefully i'll find something and yep he does

[Dlmrose, Moderator Emeritus]

Training a dog sounds like much more fun than dusting- I have friends that liked The Monks of New Skete's methods.

[★Meghan★]

I think I am going to try to quit pushing off Eat, Pray, Love and read it for part A since I'd much rather be traveling.

For part B, would The Help work?

[Dlmrose, Moderator Emeritus]

★Meghan★ wrote: "I think I am going to try to quit pushing off Eat, Pray, Love and read it for part A since I'd much rather be traveling.

For part B, would The Help work?"

Yes it would

[Donna Jo]

If anyone is interested in a very light mystery, I just read Dusted To Death by Barbara Colley, which is part (not the first) of a series about Charlotte LaRue who runs a cleaning service.

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

I found this list, for the mystery lovers among us...

http://www.cozy-mystery.com/blog/cozy...

[Bea]

Oh, dear! I love to clean! What would I do if I could not clean or read...hmm. How about a book on writing? Starting from Scratch

I sometimes think I would like to do some writing but am saving it for retirement. :)

[Dlmrose, Moderator Emeritus]

Sandy wrote: "I found this list, for the mystery lovers among us...

http://www.cozy-mystery.com/blog/cozy..."

Thanks Sandy!

[Dlmrose, Moderator Emeritus]

Bea wrote: "Oh, dear! I love to clean! What would I do if I could not clean or read...hmm. How about a book on writing? Starting from Scratch

I sometimes think I would like to do some wri..."

That works for A

[Bea]

Thanks, Dimrose!

[Diane]

The Undomestic Goddess would work for part B, since she works as a maid.

[Sheila]

Will Shakespeare's Landlord by Charlaine Harris work for part B? Lily runs a cleaning service

[Robin]

Hurray no dusting or dishes!!! Didn't know there was an official day for that..now I don't have to feel guilty.

Every year I sit down and read The Old Farmer's Almanac from cover to cover getting ready to put in my garden. Does it count as a book?

[kiki]

would you accept a concierge as domestic help? wikipedia states that concierges who work in apartment buildings do the same duties as a butler.

i'm thinking of The Elegance of the Hedgehog, where renee is a concierge in an upscale apartment building.

thanks for your help! :)

[Dlmrose, Moderator Emeritus]

Sheila wrote: "Will Shakespeare's Landlord by Charlaine Harris work for part B? Lily runs a cleaning service"

yes

[Dlmrose, Moderator Emeritus]

Robin wrote: "Hurray no dusting or dishes!!! Didn't know there was an official day for that..now I don't have to feel guilty.

Every year I sit down and read The Old Farmer's Almanac from cover to cover gettin..."

The Old Farmer's Almanac 2011 works for A. I use it for my garden too!

[Dlmrose, Moderator Emeritus]

kiki wrote: "would you accept a concierge as domestic help? wikipedia states that concierges who work in apartment buildings do the same duties as a butler.

i'm thinking of [book:The Elegance of the Hedgeho..."

A concierge works

[Gayla]

Do nannies work? I was thinking about Bad Marie.

[Dlmrose, Moderator Emeritus]

Gayla wrote: "Do nannies work? I was thinking about Bad Marie."

Nannies work

[Lahni]

Would The Kitchen House work?

[Dlmrose, Moderator Emeritus]

Lahni wrote: "Would The Kitchen House work?"

Slavery and indentureship are the sinister sides of domestic service, but they will work for this task

[Katie]

Could cooking or gardening count as things you'd do to avoid housework? I know some people consider them chores, but I really enjoy doing both.

[Dlmrose, Moderator Emeritus]

Katie wrote: "Could cooking or gardening count as things you'd do to avoid housework? I know some people consider them chores, but I really enjoy doing both."

Cooking and gardening are fine. Those are the things that keep me from my chores

[Lahni]

Katie wrote: "Could cooking or gardening count as things you'd do to avoid housework? I know some people consider them chores, but I really enjoy doing both."

Ooh. I would way rather plant some flowers than scrub some toilets!! :)

[Patricia]

Just a recommendation, I'm reading The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga and the main character is a driver/servant. I'm enjoying it.

[Maggie]

Would The Baby Signing Book: Includes 350 ASL Signs for Babies and Toddlers work? I want to learn this and start teaching my baby. I'm mostly asking because I assume a lot of the book is pictures of signs so I want to make sure it counts! If not, I'm thinking The Baby Food Bible: A Complete Guide to Feeding Your Child, from Infancy On so I can learn about feeding the little guy and making my own baby food. Thanks!

[Dlmrose, Moderator Emeritus]

Maggie wrote: "Would The Baby Signing Book: Includes 350 ASL Signs for Babies and Toddlers work? I want to learn this and start teaching my baby. I'm mostly asking because I assume a lot of the b..."

Either would work, it's up to you to decide if you think the ASL book is "enough" of a book.

[Maggie]

Okay! Thanks for answering! I think I'll have to see after I get them.

[Michelle]

Would A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail work for part A. I know that I would much rather be out exploring the outdoors/unknown than cleaning (heck, I'd rather be doing almost anything else!)

[Dlmrose, Moderator Emeritus]

Michelle wrote: "Would A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail work for part A. I know that I would much rather be out exploring the outdoors/unknown than cleaning (heck, I'..."

It does.

[JennRenee, Moderator]

One of my favorite things to do is teach my dog tricks and play with my dog. I was wondering if 50 Games to Play with Your Dog work for the non fiction?

[Dlmrose, Moderator Emeritus]

Jenn Renee wrote: "One of my favorite things to do is teach my dog tricks and play with my dog. I was wondering if 50 Games to Play with Your Dog work for the non fiction?"

That works. Have fun!

[Melissa Wiebe]

Would '67: The Maple Leafs, Their Sensational Victory, and the End of an Empire work for Part A? I am a big NHL fan.

[Dlmrose, Moderator Emeritus]

Melissa W wrote: "Would '67: The Maple Leafs, Their Sensational Victory, and the End of an Empire work for Part A? I am a big NHL fan."

That works

[Meagan]

Can I read To Hate Like This Is to Be Happy Forever it's about the UNC-Duke basketball rivalry, and as a UNC student, I'd much rather watch basketball than clean :)

[Dlmrose, Moderator Emeritus]

Meagan wrote: "Can I read To Hate Like This Is to Be Happy Forever it's about the UNC-Duke basketball rivalry, and as a UNC student, I'd much rather watch basketball than clean :)"

sure, have fun

[Jayalalita]

For Part A, might I read The Time Traveler's Guide to Medieval England: A Handbook for Visitors to the Fourteenth Century? I'd much rather be reading and thinking about history than cleaning, and it's good research for a story I'm writing, which is something else I'd rather be doing than disturbing the dust in my house, which, if you ask me, has a right to peace and quiet as much as any of us.

[Dlmrose, Moderator Emeritus]

Jayalalita wrote: "For Part A, might I read The Time Traveler's Guide to Medieval England: A Handbook for Visitors to the Fourteenth Century? I'd much rather be reading and thinking about history than ..."

Dust is a protective finish for fine furniture, but it is harmful to books, so I need to read them to keep them tidy

That works- I've heard good things about it too.

[Kristina Simon]

Dlmrose wrote: "Dust is a protective finish for fine furniture, but it is harmful to books, so I need to read them to keep them tidy"

LOL

[Joanna]

Would poetry count as nonfiction for part A? One of my favorite things to do instead of housework is write poetry, but I don't really know if it fits here.