2011 November Reading Challenge

[Jennifer]

With Veteran's Day and Thanksgiving this month, we thought it would be fun to do a history challenge. So here it is- read either a historical fiction or non-fiction book about a time period with which you are unfamiliar, and tell us what you think. Was their something interesting that you learned? As usual, we will have a prize drawing at the end of the month. Ready, set, go!

[Britt, Book Habitue]

Ooooh I'm all over this one! I tend to read a lot of historical fiction. :D

[Jennifer]

I think I'm going to read Cleopatra, even though I'm generally not a non-fiction reader. Everyone said it was excellent. We'll see if I have enough attention span for it...

[Stephanie]

Just put Hot Time in the Old Town: The Great Heat Wave of 1896 and the Making of Theodore Roosevelt by Edward Kohn on hold, so that will probably be mine. But I love Historical Fiction, too, so some of those might sneak in this month...

[Britt, Book Habitue]

Cleopatra is on my list, but I don't think I can handle reading that during NaNoWriMo. I have read Sorcery and Cecelia already, but I'm not sure historical fantasy that you've read a good 6 times counts. :D

[Tina]

I just finished a teen historical fiction, Phantoms In The Snow. It's set in 1944, during World War II, and is about a seldom recalled military unit that were trained to ski and climb in snow and ice. The main character is a sixteen year old boy who has recently been orphaned. This would be a good choice for teen boys who are reluctant readers.

[Britt, Book Habitue]

That sounds really interesting! Adding it to my TBR list.

Countdown would be a really good pick if anyone is interested in the Cuban Missile Crisis. (I read it last month.)

[Tina]

If anyone needs a recommendation. I listened to the audio of 1776a few years ago and was absolutely enthralled with the personalized details of the movers and shakers of the Revolutionary War.

[Jennifer]

Tina wrote: "If anyone needs a recommendation. I listened to the audio of 1776a few years ago and was absolutely enthralled with the personalized details of the movers and shakers of the Revolutiona..."
I really should read that before I go to Philadelphia. Was it a good narration?

[Stephanie]

Jennifer wrote: "Tina wrote: "If anyone needs a recommendation. I listened to the audio of 1776a few years ago and was absolutely enthralled with the personalized details of the movers and shakers of th..."

Jen, I listened to it a few years ago, as well, and I thought it was a very good narration- great book- I never hesitate to recommend it.

[Erin]

I am reading Becoming Marie Antoinette, a person and setting I know nothing about. I'm enjoying it so far. The descriptions of the amount of grooming involved in preparing her to become queen is astounding.Becoming Marie Antoinette

[Lahni]

The Heretic's Daughter - I haven't read tons of books about the Salem Witch trials but this is one of the best that I've read. It was more impactful and I really liked how it tied in the indian attacts and small pox epidemic that seem to get left out of other books.

These Is My Words - I'm not much of a "western" reader but I loved this book!

[Jan]

OMG, I just found this challenge. I need to search through my Historical Fiction to Read list.

[Trpusey]

Over the weekend, I finished "The Second Rescue" by Susan Madsen Arrington. It involves the Willie and Martin Handcart company. Really enjoyed it. I'm now reading another pioneer story about the Willie and Martin Handcart companies which is "Tell My Story, Too."

The other historical book I read was "Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy." I started it in October but finished it the first week of November. It was fascinating! I really was intrigued by the footnotes that Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg and Michael Beschloss did. It provided intersting current day information while giving some historical context.

[Debbie]

I am currently reading An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793. It happened in Philadelphia while that city was our nation's capital. So far, an incredible story and an incident I was unaware had happened.

[Erin]

I read "Fever 1793" by Laurie Halse Anderson. It was about the Yellow Fever epidemic of 1793 in Philadelphia. I wasn't aware of this episode. Interesting that the person who posted right before me is also reading about this epidemic. I thought it was an interesting look at the Yellow Fever epidemic of 1793. In some ways, the story was a little too perfect. So many people died during the epidemic, but the main character only lost her grandfather.

[Becky]

I just finished The Dovekeepers tonight. I realize that I have read a lot of historical fiction, but don't usually choose books based on that genre, rather, I happen upon historical books because they look interesting. I read The Dovekeepers because I really enjoy Alice Hoffman's work, but this time in history, 70 C.E., is very unfamiliar to me, and so this was very educational. I am left, satisfied with the story, but wanting to know more about Masada.

[Marnie]

I just finished 1491. I really enjoyed it for the cultural info about life in this hemisphere before Columbus. Sometimes it got too technical or scientific for my taste but it wasn't overwhelming. It is definitely worth reading!

[Vicki]

I just finished, The Help, and it is so good. It is a must read! It really made me look at my own values and where they came from and how I live my life! Wonderful!

[[deleted user]]

I read Ashes of Roses.
I also read Number the Stars .
I think I like Historical Fiction more now than I did before.

[Jennifer]

Maggie wrote: "I read Ashes of Roses.
I also read Number the Stars .
I think I like Historical Fiction more now than I did before."

Great, Maggie! I remember being deeply affected by Number the Stars because of my Danish heritage. Growing up in Utah, a Scandanavian heritage seemed pretty common and boring and Denmark seemed like one of the most boring Scandinavian countries. No offense to the Danes out there, but I was always a little jealous of people who came from what seemed like rich and exotic places, like Italy or China or wherever. But after reading this book and learning more about the bravery of the Danes in WWII, I started to really be proud of Danish cousins and wanted to learn more about it. It's an amazing story.

That's one of the things I like most about historical fiction- it can change the way you view not only the past, but also the present and yourself. Have any of you ever had a similar experience?

[Vicki]

I found that reading The Help, brought back memories of when I was a child. We lived in Southern California and we had a black housekeeper names Epsie. As far as I can remember, she was treated with respect. I think maybe that experience helped me to be the kind of person I am today. I have never been prejudiced toward any group of people, it always hurts when I hear how badly any Minority group is treated. Several years ago, I found out that my Great Great Grandparents provided a stop on the Underground Railroad in their home in Ohio. It makes me very proud to be a part of that heritage.

[Debbie]

Debbie wrote: "I am currently reading An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793. It happened in Philadelphia while that city was our nation's capital. So far, an inc..."

I have finished reading "An American Plague ..." It was interesting to see how much good comes out in people and how much bad during times of crisis. Once it was clear there was a plague, the wealthier people mostly left the city in droves. At the time Philadelphia was the capitol and government of the nation crawled to a stop as few remained to take care of the business of government. As the white people left to run from the plague, few remained to take care of the ill. The African Society was asked to step in to provide nursing care because it was believed that blacks were immune to the disease as virtually none had it. So the black nurses came to the call of the city, taking care of the sick white people, cleaning up nastiness no whites would touch. And then they also started falling ill. What was most illuminating was that, after the cold weather returned and the plague stopped, a few books were written. If written by a white, the actions of whites were mostly lauded and those who left or who had cheated others was lightly criticized. Hue and cry was made, however, that the blacks who cared for the sick whites had stolen and cheated them. The blacks were generally reviled. What was not pointed out, although known by the authors, was that it was whites who bid for the care by too few nurses, driving up the cost of care and the nurses who stole were universally white nurses.
I liked how the author pointed out that if Yellow Fever were to strike today in a large US city, the death toll would be high because no US company even manufactures the medication to counteract it, let alone have any in storage.

[Debbie]

For my historical fiction, I read Ann Chamberlin's new book "The Woman at the Well".
Based in Syria between 638 and 642 (AD), Ann takes Khalid ibn al-Walid, an historical figure also known as the Sword of Allah, a girl called Rayeh, a woman Sitt Sameh (whom Ann identifies as an historical figure), and Rayeh's grandmother. Although Ann identifies the first three creating the braid of the story, to me there are four strands, making a weaving of the tale, rather than a braiding of it. At times it seems Ann may have forgotten one strand and then she plucks it up and deftly weaves it in with the other strands. The result is an unexpected pattern, as wild and enchanting as the ever present Syrian desert.

[Jenny]

I read War Horse which tells of World War I from the perspective of the horse Joey. I thought it was very well written and there were some very poignant moments. I am looking forward to seeing the movie and wish I could see the theatre adaptation.

I am almost finished reading Lionheart. This is a fabulous book and has pulled me right in to the Crusades and the life of Eleanor of Aquataine and Richard the Lionheart. I must admit to knowing very few details about this time period, but may go on to read other books by Penman set around this time.

[JoAnn]

America's Hidden History LP: Untold Tales of the First Pilgrims, Fighting Women, and Forgotten Founders Who Shaped a Nationwas an interesting glimpse into the events that shaped our nation.

[Jennifer]

Well, it's November 29th and I am pretty resigned that I am going to fail my own challenge. At least, I was unable to muster the attention span to read Cleopatra, even though I do think it's a great book. It's a sad commentary on society when a librarian can't focus long enough to read non-fiction, isn't it? In my defense, I did start a new job this month- I'm at the Kearns Library now.

I did, however, read the third book in the Monstrumologist series, The Isle of Blood, which I loved. In fact, I'm in love with the whole series, but I know I've talked about it many times before. However, if you are looking for a little literary historical horror to provide a break from all the holiday cheer, give it a try.

If you would like to be included in the prize drawing for this challenge, please post your entry by the end of the day tomorrow. I think that for December, since many of us will be reading less as we run around like mad for the holiday season, we will do a short story challenge. I will post the link for that soon.

Thanks for participating!

[Stephanie]

I finished my book, and it was interesting to read about a natural disaster that I had never heard about- a 10-day heat wave in 1896 that was the cause (directly or indirectly) of over 1300 deaths in New York City alone.

Jen, congrats on your new job!

[Havilah]

I just started re-reading Night. It's pretty short, so I should finish it by the end of today! I am loving these challenges by the way! It's nice to branch out and read different genres every once in a while.

[Britt, Book Habitue]

Um, I read the Sorcery and Cecelia books... twice. This is what NaNoWriMo does to my brain. If we're counting alternate/fantasy history, then check, check and check-- times two. lol

(If you haven't read them, you totally should. Hilarious.)

[Tina]

I really liked "Fever,1793" as an older teen, and I've read it again since then.

[Debbie]

Completed:

Historical: An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 -- Jim Murphy
Historical Fiction: The Woman at the Well -- Ann Chamberlin

If I read two, do I get entered twice? Just teasing!

I enjoy these challenges; keep them coming!

[Jennifer]

The November prize winner was Trpusey, who read "The Second Rescue", "Tell My Story, Too.", and "Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy." Talk about the extra mile!

Please remember that if your profile is set so that I can't see if you are a Salt Lake County resident and I can't send you a message through Goodreads, then I won't be able to choose you if you are the winner. So if you are concerned, you might want to check your profile options.

Congratulations, Trpusey!