Dec'11/Jan'12 Group Read Nominations

[Becky, Moddess]

Hi all! 'Tis that time again... Nominations are upon us. This round will be themed in honor of the season:

Books that feature a holiday or ritual - Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Solstice celebrations, etc.
OR
Books that involve a time of change, reorganization, new beginnings, etc (need not necessarily be tied to the New Year or holiday season).

Please give a short explanation of how your nomination fits your category when nominating.

One nomination per person, so you will need to choose one theme only. If more than one book is mentioned, the FIRST book will count as the nomination.

We will take nominations until Sunday 12/4, and then we will vote.

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I have a title but it isn't a HF.

[April]

How about The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York by Deborah Blum

The birth of forensic medicine sounds like a time of change to me :)

[Becky, Moddess]

Sounds good to me. ;)

[Shomeret]

How about Genghis: Birth of an Empireby Conn Igulden? I have it and I've been wanting to read it. It's about the beginning of Genghis Khan's career. That's certainly a new beginning.

[Becky, Moddess]

Perfect. :)

[Hannah]

Scratch that!

[Terri]

Amazir by Tom Gamble


Takes place in Morocco and the deserts of Africa.

Two major changes here.
The change sweeping through Africa where the Berbers are rising up against oppression of french Colonialism.
The other change involves the change of a beautiful 20 year old french girl who is awakening from being a child into being a woman. Discovering her sexuality and her independence from under her parents and tutors thumbs, and discovering some 'hot men' along the way. :D

[Becky, Moddess]

Oh Terri... You come bringing the hotness. I approve. ;)

[Terri]

*takes bow* I knew the hot men reference would get my nom in the door. :D
One hot british man, one hot American man, one hot french lady. What a triangle!!

[Jackie]

Terri wrote: "*takes bow* I knew the hot men reference would get my nom in the door. :D
One hot british man, one hot American man, one hot french lady. What a triangle!!"

Sounds yummy!! My kinda book ;)

[Terri]

lol!
It might be a nice read for the holiday season.
It'll be cold outside in the U.S over Christmas, but you can tuck yourself up and dream of hot desert sands, the markets of Marrakesh and handsome men fighting for your heart and your...ahem..other alluring qualities...:+

[Stormi (StormReads)]

Anyone like Jewish history?

[Hannah]

I just remembered that this book exists, and we read an HF about the French Revolution earlier this year. I'm changing my nomination.

Elizabeth Street: A novel based on true events by Laurie Fabiano.

It's a novel about an Italian family that immigrates to America in the early 1900's. The author loosely based it on her own family's actual history. I think this would keep with the theme of new beginnings and a time of change.

[Gabriel]

well, if we are going an immigrant route, how about . An irish immmigrant in the 1850's coming to America.

[Nancy from NJ]

is one of my very favorite books.

I also think is another book which would be most enjoyable. But because this is a trilogy, I usually wait till all of the books are in print so I can more or less read them together.

[Becky, Moddess]

Hi all, can you please link to the books using the titles, rather than images... It's much easier to read/see that way.

Thanks!

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

Do the holiday themed books need to be HF? If not, I nominate "The Christmas Shoes"

[Kiri]

The Paper Garden: An Artist Begins Her Life's Work at 72 by Molly Peacock

A story of starting anew and finding your life's passion - about the creator of the mixed media collage.

I saw this gorgeous book at the bookstore and am looking forward to reading it. From the GR description "Gorgeously designed and featuring 35 full-colour illustrations, this is a sumptuous and lively book full of fashion and friendships, gossip and politics, letters and love."

[Maudie]

Diane Whitney wrote: "Shomeret wrote: "How about Genghis: Birth of an Empireby Conn Igulden? I have it and I've been wanting to read it. It's about the beginning of Genghis Khan's career. That's certain..."

Great read!! I third this nomination!!!

[Maureen]

How about Caleb's Crossing?
A time of change as the first Native American graduates from Harvard University.

[Darkpool]

I've just stumbled across The Harper's Quine by Pat McIntosh, which looks as if it might fit the bill. A medieval mystery (yep, another one) which starts at the May Day dancing, which would fit the holiday or ritual category. And the cover looks pretty.

[[deleted user]]

Terri wrote: "*takes bow* I knew the hot men reference would get my nom in the door. :D
One hot british man, one hot American man, one hot french lady. What a triangle!!"

Sounds great! The part about it being set in Morocco and Northern Africa sounds interesting too. I'm not sure I've read much with that setting.

[Terri]

Jennifer wrote: "Sounds great! The part about it being set in Morocco and Northern Africa sounds interesting too. I'm not sure I've read much with that setting.
..."

I've always been fascinated by North Africa. The food is wonderful, the spices, the desert.
I am enjoying the ambiance of this book right now and I wonder why it is not more well known, especially considering the awards it was nominated for. :)

[Judith]

Maureen wrote: "How about Caleb's Crossing?
A time of change as the first Native American graduates from Harvard University."

I'll second Caleb's Crossing.

[Becky, Moddess]

OK, I'm closing the nominations and putting up the poll. :)

[Jane]

Nancy wrote: " is one of my very favorite books.

I also think is another book which would be most enjoyable. But because this is a..."

I am new to the group and trying to figure things out, but I finished this book about 2 weeks ago. It was great. Can wait for the next installment.

[Nancy from NJ]

Jane wrote: "Nancy wrote: " is one of my very favorite books.

I also think is another book which would be most enjoyable. But becau..."

I bought this book when it was first published. I made the mistake of looking at the Amazon reviews and they weren't that great so I held off on reading it. But now several people including you have sung it's praises so I think I will begin this for the new year.

[Jane]

I hope you are enjoying the book. Hope you've been having a good holiday (I'm guessing Hanukkah).

[Sara]

The Known World by Edward Jones

[Sara]

Oops wrong thread duh