Fall Challenge 2011: Task Ideas

[Dee]

DLMRose normally posts the stats - here is the link to the ones from the last one - http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...

[Janice]

I'm currently reading Cry of the Kalahari, which is awesome. It has given me a couple of more ideas for tasks.

Africa has amazing biodiversity. Therefore, read a book about conservation efforts centered anywhere in the world.

The fight for survival, among the wildlife is constant, Therefore, read a true tale of survival.

[Beth F]

Read a book/novel that was originally published serially.

[Usako]

You're Living in De-Nile: Read a book whose cover you may have misjudged.

For example, this cover didn't impress me but I gave the free book a shot and actually really loved it!


I Came Here for the Waters: Quench your thirst by reading a juicy novel that you've been eagerly anticipating opening.

Of All the Gin-Joints: In honor of Casablanca, read a book about a government power struggle OR a setting under colonial status.

Dun-Dun-DUN-DA: Put on your fedora and bullwhip and read a novel about exploration or uncovering lost artifacts.

Polygot: Africa is the most multilingual continent in the world. Read a book originally written in another language. Feel free to select from the Languages of Africa or the language of a historic colonial power in Africa.

I Can See My House From Here: The Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt was the world's tallest structure for 4,000 years, until the completion of Lincoln Cathedral around the year 1300. Read a book set in Egypt.

The Gods Must Be Crazy: In the movie, the bushman wants to return the Coke bottle to the gods by throwing it off the edge of the world. Read a book about something you don't know.

[Lahni]

Beth F. wrote: "Read a book/novel that was originally published serially."

What does this mean?

[Lahni]

The word Africa begins and ends with the same letter. Read a book who's title begins and ends with the same letter. (The Host, Anna Karenina).

[JennRenee, Moderator]

Lahni wrote: "The word Africa begins and ends with the same letter. Read a book who's title begins and ends with the same letter. (The Host, Anna Karenina)."

I like this one

[Dee]

@Lahni - like a book that was originally published in several parts - one I can think of off the top of my head is The Green Mile by Stephen King - it originally came out in 6 parts and then they re-released it as one book...lots of classics (Dickens etc) were done that way as well

[Jody]

Read a book about civil disobediance or the overthrow of a government

[Lahni]

Thanks, Dee

[Liora]

A different idea for Fall Back to School could be to read a book set on a school/college/university campus or with a main character who is a teacher or professor or a nonfiction book about schools and/or education.

[Deedee]

On August 11, 2011 NPR released a list of "Top 100 Science Fiction, Fantasy Books"

http://www.npr.org/2011/08/09/1392485...

Read a book from the list.

[Dee]

I know its a re-do, but i liked the one from last summer, where you read a book that had been reviewed in a blog (and had to include the link to the blog)

[Kathy G.]

Dee--- I like that task too. There are so many blogs out there and some great books!!!

[Connie]

That sounds like fun. I have a few favorite blogs that I enjoy visiting.

[Deedee]

I like the blog idea also.

There have been several tasks surrounding the month you are born in -- title with the month you are born in, written by an author born in the same month you were born in, etc. How about a task that surrounds the month 6 monthes away from the month you were born in?

January - July
February - August
March - September
April - October
May - November
June - December

[Dee]

you seem to have to hunt through it a bit, but this blog seems to have some pretty good lists of books that might work for a challenge:

http://www.onlinedegreeprograms.com/b...

20 Timeless Coming of Age Novels - http://www.onlinedegreeprograms.com/b...

100 all best book club books - http://www.onlinedegreeprograms.com/b...

10 aclaimed authors who only wrote one books - http://www.onlinedegreeprograms.com/b...

100 best books for serious sports fans - http://www.onlinedegreeprograms.com/b...

[Jennifer W]

How about reading a book that was nominated but not selected as one of the group reads for fall?

[Shannon SA]

Lahni wrote: "The word Africa begins and ends with the same letter. Read a book who's title begins and ends with the same letter. (The Host, Anna Karenina)."

Clever one!

[Shannon SA]

Dee wrote: "@Lahni - like a book that was originally published in several parts - one I can think of off the top of my head is The Green Mile by Stephen King - it originally came out in 6 parts and then they r..."

Like!

[Deedee]

Alot of science fiction novels were initially serialized in science fiction magazines. http://208.100.59.10/cgi-bin/index.cgi is a good source for determining if a particular novel was serialized first, then published as a novel second.

[Jayme Pendergraft]

Let's go on a Safari! Read a book from the Best Books for an African Safari List.

Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world. Read a book set on an island.

Dr. Livingstone, I presume.
HM Stanley tracked Dr. David Livingstone through the jungle, risking his own life to find the famous explorer. Read an adventure story in honor of these legendary travelers.

Who Built the Pyramids?
Many people believe that aliens may have in some way influenced the building of Egypt's pyramids. Read a science fiction or non fiction book that includes aliens.

Languages
UNESCO estimates that there are about 2000 spoken languages in Africa. Read a book that was originally published in a language other than your own.

[Jayme Pendergraft]

King of the Jungle. Read a book with a lion on the cover or in the title.
Examples: Henderson the Rain King, Mrs. Pollifax and the Lion Killer, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

African Literature
Instead of just reading about Africa, let's make sure we read some books written by Africans. Read a book that has been published as part of the African Writers' Series. Published since 1962, this series has given voice to many great African writers over the years, including Chinua Achebe, Nadine Gordimer, and Mariama Ba. The list can also be found here: Goodreads African Writers Series OR Read a novel that has been published as part of the African Books Collective

[Sue]

Jayme VA wrote: "Let's go on a Safari! Read a book from the Best Books for an African Safari List.

Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world. Read a book set on an island.

Dr. Livingstone, I presume...."

I like the Safari idea!

[Sue]

Jennifer W wrote: "How about reading a book that was nominated but not selected as one of the group reads for fall?"

Or a book that was a group read that you wanted to read but didn't get to.

[JennRenee, Moderator]

Sue T wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "How about reading a book that was nominated but not selected as one of the group reads for fall?"

Or a book that was a group read that you wanted to read but didn't get to."

I like this one.

[Bea]

Jayme VA wrote: "King of the Jungle. Read a book with a lion on the cover or in the title.
Examples: Henderson the Rain King, Mrs. Pollifax and the Lion Killer, [book:The Lion, the Wit..."

I really like this idea!

[Kathy G.]

We could use the words AFRICAN JUNGLE and have to choose two letters for the author's name--- consecutive letters--- or otherwise.

[Usako]

Leopard Cannot Change His Spots: Africa is home to a great many beasts who are prized for their fur. Capture your own fur by reading a book.
1) Spots: If you love leopard fur, read a book with a spotted cover or features an unsavory main character, for example Dexter.
OR
2) Stripes: If you love zebra fur, read a book with stripes on the cover or is set in a jail/prison.
OR
3) Mane: If you love the bushy lion mane, read a boom with a crown on the cover or features a royal character.

[JennRenee, Moderator]

Usako wrote: "Leopard Cannot Change His Spots: Africa is home to a great many beasts who are prized for their fur. Capture your own fur by reading a book.
1) Spots: If you love leopard fur, read a book with a sp..."

Like very much

[Connie]

Usako wrote: "Leopard Cannot Change His Spots: Africa is home to a great many beasts who are prized for their fur. Capture your own fur by reading a book.
1) Spots: If you love leopard fur, read a book with a sp..."

That's a cute idea. It might be nice to also include having these animals on the cover since there are some safari books out there that might be fun to read.

[Dee]

dunno why i was thinking of this, maybe someone will use it for a 2 book task

Add/Subtract or Replace

read a book and for the second book, either add a word to the title; subtract a word, or replace a word

so Bad Moon Rising (Dark-Hunter, #18) could be replaced with Full Moon Rising

Warrior could become Dream Warrior (or vice versa)

[JennRenee, Moderator]

Dee wrote: "dunno why i was thinking of this, maybe someone will use it for a 2 book task

Add/Subtract or Replace

read a book and for the second book, either add a word to the title; subtract a word, or repl..."


this sounds pretty cool

[Angie]

I really like that idea, Dee!

[Kathy G.]

That's a neat idea Dee. I bet there are lots of possibilities!!!

[Dee]

maybe someone who gets a 25/30 pointer will use it ;) if not, its an idea for me next time if i finish

[Jennifer]

Here's one...

I just won a book from Goodreads Giveaways (Only Time Will Tell by Jeffrey Archer). Read one of the books from the Previous Giveaways list http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/pre.... Required info would be the page you found the book on (approx. since they add books to the list all the time), and when the giveaway was - both to help verify books are on the list.

There are almost 400 pages of books, tons of goodreads authors and some really good books on that list (i.e. The Hunger Games, Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, The Heretics Daughter, Outliers, The Help, etc.).

EDIT - sorry, the link above is broken. Here's the link to the Giveaways page http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway

Previous books given away can be found by clicking on the "Previous Winners" link up on the right hand corner of the page.

[Dee]

i like that jennifer - would give me a chance to read one of the ones i've won but haven't been able to fit into a challenge

[Katrina]

Read a book with two names in it.

For example:

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, Amy & Roger's Epic Detour, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell.

[CaseyKS.]

Cindy~ I like your birthday idea as mine is in September too- Sept 15/83 that would be a neat idea!

[Valorie]

Jennifer L. wrote: "Here's one...

I just won a book from Goodreads Giveaways (Only Time Will Tell by Jeffrey Archer). Read one of the books from the Previous Giveaways list http://ww..."

Great idea Jennifer!

[★Meghan★]

Kathy G. wrote: "We could use the words AFRICAN JUNGLE and have to choose two letters for the author's name--- consecutive letters--- or otherwise."

Or AFRICAN SAFARI???

I really like your ideas also Dee and Jennifer L. I am reading one GR giveaway now and have two more sitting waiting to be read and 3 more on the way...so exciting!

I think I also know exactly what I would use for your task Dee!

[Kristina Simon]

I'd like to thank each and every one of you guys for some really great ideas for the Fall 2011 Challenge! For those of you who are still awake at this hour, we've started to put up some of the tasks. Others will follow in the coming days, as they are available. Thanks again and have fun planning and reading! (I know I will ;o)).