30.1 Ms. Anderson's Task: We Didn't Start the Fire

[Emily]

I picked 1974 and rolled a 2. The ONLY author that I could find born during 1974 is Jennifer Vanderbes. Anyone know of any other options?

[Jessica]

He's not primarily known as an author, but Jimmy Fallon does have a book - I Hate This Place: The Pessimist's Guide to Life.

Also, I found that Camilla Läckberg was born in 1974 - she's a Swedish crime writer.

Finally, I came up with Miranda July - her short story collection is a favorite here in Portland.

[Emily]

Thanks, Jessica! That definitely gives me some options.

[Kathy G.]

I tried searching for writers born in 74 and it was hard. But, if you go with famous people--- some celebs write books.

[Megan]

Sorry for taking so long--GR keeps telling me there's trouble posting my comments *grumpgrumpgrump*

Jessica: Just say the book was specifically mentioned in your year when you post. Good roll!

Kate: Did you try http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/yea...? This came up with lots of options. While I don't recognize most of the names on the list, I did see Melissa Marr, who wrote Wicked Lovely, and Shannon Hale, who writes some really amazing fantasy. Hopefully that helps!

[Emily]

Thanks for all the help, you guys! I did try that website, but for some reason couldn't get it to work the first time. Your direct link definitely helped. Now I have a few options to go with.

[Ann A]

I picked 1983. My first roll was a "3". For this, I plan to read a Tennessee Williams play, as he died in 1983. My 2nd roll was a "6". Could I read Serious by John McEnroe since he won Wimbledon in 1983?

[Megan]

Ann A wrote: "I picked 1983. My first roll was a "3". For this, I plan to read a Tennessee Williams play, as he died in 1983. My 2nd roll was a "6". Could I read Serious by John McEnroe since he wo..."

Wimbledon isn't mentioned in the song. You'll need to pick a person, place, thing, or event from your year and read a book directly related to it. Use the link to the song in the first post to see the different references Billy Joel makes.

[Ann A]

Ms Anderson wrote: "Ann A wrote: "I picked 1983. My first roll was a "3". For this, I plan to read a Tennessee Williams play, as he died in 1983. My 2nd roll was a "6". Could I read Serious by John McEnr..."

Oh, sorry. I had just read the description for #6, which doesn't say it has to be directly related.

[Bluemoon]

I picked 1961 and rolled snake eyes. I am planning on reading something by Hemingway as he committed suicide that year which I know fits the task. For my second book I would like to read The Red Umbrella which takes place in Cuba in 1961. The description says that it is about Operation Pedro Pan which was conducted by the US from 1960-1962 to bring children to the US from Cuba. Is this OK or does the book specifically have to be about the Bay of Pigs?

Thanks

[Pollyanna]

For 1955 can I read East of Eden as james Dean starred in it?

[Laurie]

I chose 1961 and rolled a 4 and a 6.

I'd like to read The Windsor Secret - Revised and Updated International Edition, which is about Princess Diana, who was born in 1961. Would this work?

[Megan]

Bluemoon wrote: "I picked 1961 and rolled snake eyes. I am planning on reading something by Hemingway as he committed suicide that year which I know fits the task. For my second book I would like to read The ..."</i>

Because the line is "Bay of Pigs invasion," the book should be directly related to that. If the event comes up and plays a big role in the book, Red Umbrella will work, but otherwise...

~~~~

<i>Pollyanna wrote: "For 1955 can I read [book:East of Eden as james Dean starred in it?"

Unfortunately I'm going to have to say no. If "East of Eden" had been mentioned directly, then it would count (since I'm counting even stage/film adaptations of books), but since the line is "James Dean," you'd need to read something actually about him, either fiction or nonfiction.

~~~~

Laurie wrote: "I chose 1961 and rolled a 4 and a 6.

I'd like to read The Windsor Secret - Revised and Updated International Edition, which is about Princess Diana, who was born in 1961. Would t..."

She's not in the song, so no. It has to be something mentioned in your year.

[Foxy Grandma]

I chose 1951 and rolled a 2 and 6

2) Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris who was born in 1951

6) Immortals by Micael Korda about Marilyn Monroe

Just making sure I am thinking right on this one.....

[Megan]

Beth NC wrote: "I chose 1951 and rolled a 2 and 6

2) Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris who was born in 1951

6) Immortals by Micael Korda about Mar..."

1951 or 1950? Harris was born in '51, but Marilyn Monroe was mentioned in '50. So, depending on which year you meant, one book will work but the other won't.

[Foxy Grandma]

Ms Anderson wrote: 1951 or 1950? Harris was born in '51, but Marilyn Monroe was mentioned in '50. So, depending on which year you meant, one book will work but the other won't.


OOOPS Take out Deadlocked and add More Twisted: Collected Stories Vol. II by Jeffery Deaver who was born in 1950

[Tammy AZ]

Kate I also picked 1974 and rolled double 2s! Nicole Krause was also born that year

[Emily]

Ooh, thanks Tammy. I actually had The History of Love on my TBR already (it's a loooong TBR, so I didn't search through it book by book for the year).

Thanks everyone who helped out finding me options. I added a few new books to my TBR from your suggestions, so now I've got some good options. :)

[Bucket]

I am still considering my year and leaning toward 1983. If one of my rolls is a 1 or 6 and I choose to read something about a "thing" (specifically, AIDS) is fiction okay? Or does it have to be non-fiction?

The fiction books I'd consider are:

The Blackwater Lightship
Veronica
In the City of Shy Hunters

All three center around the theme of AIDS and two of the three (Veronica, and In the City of Shy Hunters) take place in the 80s and specifically discuss the fact that AIDS was uncharted territory at the time. Basically they take place in light of AIDS just being discovered and turning into a pandemic, which is what is mentioned in the song.

[Sassafrass]

Ok, I think I've got it right this time! LOL

I chose the year 1983 (that's in the song, I swear!)

I rolled a 2 and a 4

for 2: I'll read The Mark of an Alpha by Kim Dare who was born in 1983

for 4: I'll read The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty which was originally published in 1983.

Did I get it right this time?

[Megan]

Bucket wrote: "I am still considering my year and leaning toward 1983. If one of my rolls is a 1 or 6 and I choose to read something about a "thing" (specifically, AIDS) is fiction okay? Or does it have to be non..."

Fiction or non-fiction is fine, and as long as AIDS is the main focus (being a "thing"), those will work.

[Megan]

Sassafrass wrote: "Ok, I think I've got it right this time! LOL

I chose the year 1983 (that's in the song, I swear!)

I rolled a 2 and a 4

for 2: I'll read The Mark of an Alpha by [author:Kim Dare|2..."

Yes it is! Those will work.

[Chris]

I picked 1955 and rolled a 2 and 5. Geraldine Brooks was born in 1955, so I'd like to read Caleb's Crossingfor number 2. For number 5, Tennessee William's won the Pulitzer for Drama that year for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Would that be OK?

[Megan]

Chris wrote: "I picked 1955 and rolled a 2 and 5. Geraldine Brooks was born in 1955, so I'd like to read Caleb's Crossingfor number 2. For number 5, Tennessee William's won the Pulitzer for Drama ..."

Sounds good to me! I actually saw someone reading Caleb's Crossing at the gym today...maybe the universe is trying to tell me something? lol

[KSMary]

What a coincidence! I picked 1955 also and rolled a 2 and 5. I planned on using Cat on a Hot Tin Roof also but I'm using a book by Steve Berry (born in 1955) for my 2.

[Coralie]

I am still having difficulties with this one. I chose 1952 and rolled a 1.
I am looking at
'The vaccine for polio is privately tested by Jonas Salk.'
Is this a person, place, event or thing? If this is a thing is it a vaccine, polio or a polio vaccine? In other words -
Could I read a book about vaccines in general?
Or someone suffering from polio?
Or just the polio vaccine itself?

[Emily]

Coralie, I've heard good things about Polio: An American Story.

[Megan]

Coralie wrote: "I am still having difficulties with this one. I chose 1952 and rolled a 1.
I am looking at
'The vaccine for polio is privately tested by Jonas Salk.'
Is this a person, place, event or thing? If ..."

"Vaccine" would be a thing. In the spirit of the challenge, it should be the polio vaccine, since that's what Billy Joel was referring to. However, since the line is just "vaccine," it would be possible to use any vaccine as the main focus of your book.

[Coralie]

Ms Anderson wrote: "Coralie wrote: "I am still having difficulties with this one. I chose 1952 and rolled a 1.
I am looking at
'The vaccine for polio is privately tested by Jonas Salk.'
Is this a person, place, eve..."

So I could read The Vaccine Controversy: The History, Use, and Safety of Vaccinations which includes a chapter on the polio vaccine?

[Megan]

Coralie wrote: "Ms Anderson wrote: "Coralie wrote: "I am still having difficulties with this one. I chose 1952 and rolled a 1.
I am looking at
'The vaccine for polio is privately tested by Jonas Salk.'
Is this ..."

I will accept that

[Coralie]

Thank you.

[Rebecca NJ]

I think I have this one but I wanted to make sure. I picked 1963 (partly because this line always sticks in my head and I hoping to get a 1 or a 6 to read Stephen King's book). As you can see, I got lucky!

Rolled a 4 - A Wrinkle in Time which won the Newbery Medal for children's literature in 1963. I have never read this (or don't recall reading it) and it has been on my list for some time.

Rolled a 1 - 11/22/63

[Megan]

Rebecca wrote: "I think I have this one but I wanted to make sure. I picked 1963 (partly because this line always sticks in my head and I hoping to get a 1 or a 6 to read Stephen King's book). As you can see, I ..."

Did you roll a 4 or a 5? 5 is for an award, and A Wrinkle in Time was published in 1962 originally (4 is for publication year).

The other book will definitely work, though.

[Rebecca NJ]

Thank you!

[Megan]

Rebecca wrote: "Thank you!"

Sorry! I made a mistake--Wrinkle in Time was published in 1962. Did you mean you rolled a 4 or 5?

[Rebecca NJ]

Ms Anderson wrote: Sorry! I made a mistake--Wrinkle in Time was published in 1962. Did you mean you rolled a 4 or 5?"

I didn't see this until now. I have the 1 and 5 portions highlighted on my printout so I meant to write 5. Wrinkle in Time will work for Part 5. Sorry for the confusion.

[mstan]

Hi Ms Anderson

This is rather late, but can I read A Moveable Feast (die roll 6) and something else written by Ernest Hemingway (die roll 3) for 1961? The first is an autobiography and since Hemingway died in 1961, and I rolled a 3, I'm hoping to be able to read something else by him as well.

[Megan]

Looks good to me!

[Deanna]

Can we use fiction that features an Elvis impersonator in a major role for 1955?
Hound Dog Blues by Virginia Brown

What about one about a hound dog named Elvis that thinks he is The King reincarnated? (I'm guessing that one might be a bit of a stretch.)
Elvis and the Dearly Departed by Peggy Webb

I know that this one will work. It supposes that Elvis faked his death, had plastic surgery and is now broke and living in LA and working as a PI.

Elvis Has Not Left the Building by J.R. Rain

[Megan]

Deanna wrote: "Can we use fiction that features an Elvis impersonator in a major role for 1955?
Hound Dog Blues by Virginia Brown

What about one about a hound dog named Elvis that thinks he is The King reincarn..."

Yeah, the last one would be the best. It should actually be Elvis as the character.

[Ms.soule]

I chose 1988 and I rolled a 5 & 1 - for the #1 task, can I read a book on environmentalism or does it specifically have to be about that incident only? I read The World Without Us meaning to use it for this task, but the moderators said to check with you to see if it fits what you're looking for. There ARE 2 entire chapters devoted to ocean pollution in the book ("Polymers Are Forever" & "The Sea Cradle"), along with multiple references in other chapters if that makes any difference.

[Megan]

Mrs.soule wrote: "I chose 1988 and I rolled a 5 & 1 - for the #1 task, can I read a book on environmentalism or does it specifically have to be about that incident only? I read The World Without Us meaning to use i..."

I will accept this based on a technicality (I overlooked something someone said earlier). You're saved! I can't wait to see your task.