30.6 - Peebee's task: It's the End of the World As We Know It...And I Feel Fine

[Dlmrose, Moderator Emeritus]

Peebee's Task: It's the End of the World As We Know It...And I Feel Fine

This task was inspired by Jessica PDX’s Task from the Spring Challenge involving the Smashing Pumpkins, and my love for 80s classic alternative rock. Back in the day, I could sing along all the lyrics to the classic REM song, It's the End of the World As We Know It...And I Feel Fine (although honestly, there's major confusion about most of Michael Stipe's lyrics, so I'm sure I got some of them wrong, and it was before I could look them up on the Internet.)

Select two (2) different options from the following choices:

REQUIRED: Indicate the options you choose when your post.


A) "It starts with an earthquake...": Read a book about a type of disaster listed in the song. Here's a few, but this list is not exclusive: "It starts with an earthquake"; "eye of a hurricane"; "wire in a fire" (electrical fire); "automotive incinerate" (car fire).

REQUIRED: If it's not obvious, please explain which type of disaster referenced in the lyrics that your book is about.


B) "End of the World As We Know It": Read a book about the end of the world...any book shelved as dystopia, apocalyptic, or post-apocalyptic on its main Goodreads page will work. The song specifically mentions the Rapture, for those who want to read a Christian perspective on the subject.

OPTIONAL: Tell us your favorite or most unsettling characteristic about the world described in the book which is different from today's world (i.e., what's different from the world as you know it?)


C) Putting on the LBs: Read a book about one of the people listed in the song: Leonard Bernstein, Leonid Brezhnev, Lenny Bruce, or Lester Bangs. Fiction or non-fiction is fine, as is any book in which these play a significant role (something beyond a one-time mention but they don't have to be the central figure of the book, either).

REQUIRED: If it's not obvious, please explain how the book is about the person you select.


D) "A Tournament of Lies": Read a book about war from one of the following lists:

Best War Novels
Best Non-fiction War Books
War/Romance Novels

REQUIRED: Please state which list and the position on that list of the book you select.


E) A Cover Tune: Read any book with a cover depicting one of the "things" listed in the song. Here's a few, but this list is not exclusive: birds, snakes, airplanes, ladder, uniform, book, candle, birthday party, cheesecake, jellybean.

REQUIRED: Please link to the cover and state which thing from the song it depicts.


F) I Feel Fine: Read any book listed with the Self-Help genre on its Goodreads page. The Goodreads Self-Help page may give you some ideas.

OPTIONAL: Tell us something you learned from the book or how it helped you.


G) It's time I had some time alone: Read a book where the central character experiences time alone or isolation i.e. a significant solo experience. Examples: a single, separated, divorced, or widowed person who lives alone or whose relationship recently ended; a prisoner in solitary confinement; someone who is lost or trapped/kidnapped away from others; someone who takes a solitary journey, etc.

REQUIRED: Please state in which way the character can be considered alone.

[Peebee]

Approved Books:

Option A:
hurricane:
Out of Focus by Nancy Naigle
Barefoot in the Sand by Roxanne St. Claire

earthquake:
The Last Coyote by Michael Connelly

burn:
The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire that Saved America by Timothy Egan

burning books:
Burning Books by Haig Bosmajian

Option E (plus see Sara's options in msg 13):
candle:
(it's OK that it's melted)
(enough is showing to identify it as a candle)

heart:


heel:


uniform:


Option G:
The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
Hidden in Paris by Corine Gantz
Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
Hidden Steel by Doranna Durgin

[Peebee]

I tend to interpret things pretty liberally...I think the challenge should be fun and not too restrictive, so that you read books you actually enjoy! Don't stress too much about finding the perfect book, but if you still have questions, I'm happy to help out.

[Dlmrose, Moderator Emeritus]

This thread is open!

[Kathy G.]

Hi PeeBee-

For G- Would The Time Machine by H. G. Wells work? He has to travel alone and experience this alone.

[Kayleigh]

Hello
Just a couple questions
Do we pick two different options or can we use the same one twice?

And for Option E would a melted candle work?
e.g.

Thanks:)

[JennRenee, Moderator]

would a heart be a thing and if so would this work

[Peebee]

Kathy G. wrote: "Hi PeeBee-

For G- Would The Time Machine by H. G. Wells work? He has to travel alone and experience this alone."

Yes, that works!

[Peebee]

JennRenee wrote: "would a heart be a thing and if so would this work "

Yes, heart is a thing (as opposed to a person or place) and this would work.

[Peebee]

Keltie Lee wrote: "Hello
Just a couple questions
Do we pick two different options or can we use the same one twice?

And for Option E would a melted candle work?
e.g.

Thanks:)"

Two different options, and yes, the melted candle works.

[Dee]

for a - does the event have to occur in the book, or can it be pending/them preparing for it - i've found 2 where hurricanes are mentioned - but i don't know if the hurricane actually takes place during the book - Out of Focus or Barefoot in the Sand

[Peebee]

Given that both are discussed in the description and seem to be pretty central to the plot, I think I would count them.

[Sara ♥]

Some options for part E:
- candle
- candles
- is that enough candle?
- candle
- birthday party
All 5 books in the series - uniforms
uniforms

And of course, there's a ton of stuff with hearts, so I'm not even gonna go there!

[Dee]

thanks ;)

Peebee wrote: "Given that both are discussed in the description and seem to be pretty central to the plot, I think I would count them."

[Emily]

Sara ♥ wrote: "Some options for part E:
- candle
- candles
- is that enough candle?
- candle
..."

I was considering as well, so I'd like confirmation that there is enough candle on the cover to count it.

[Peebee]

Yes, it is enough candle to count...it's been specifically added to the approved list above.

[Suzanne]

Hi Peebee,

I'm considering two different options for G (Time Alone) - would either / both of these work?

Hidden in Paris - "Lost in France, a country she mistrusts, among French people she hardly understands, Annie has trouble venturing away from home since the death of her husband."

Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter - "More than twenty years have passed. Larry, a mechanic, lives a solitary existence, never able to rise above the whispers of suspicion."

[Suzanne]

Would "heel" work for E (Cover Tune)? I'm thinking about this book.............

[Ritika]

For G, would Rabbit, Run be ok? He feels trapped by a relationship and runs away.

[Peebee]

Suzanne wrote: "Hi Peebee,

I'm considering two different options for G (Time Alone) - would either / both of these work?

Hidden in Paris - "Lost in France, a country she mistrusts, among French people she hardly..."

Both books would work...widowed is specifically listed as one of the examples, and someone's life described as solitary qualifies as well.

[Suzanne]

Peebee wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "Hi Peebee,

I'm considering two different options for G (Time Alone) - would either / both of these work?

Hidden in Paris - "Lost in France, a country she mistrusts, among French p..."

Awesome, thanks! Now I just have to pick one. :)

[Peebee]

Ritika wrote: "For G, would Rabbit, Run be ok? He feels trapped by a relationship and runs away."

It's been a while since I read it, but as I recall, he's not alone for very long. Doesn't he meet the prostitute and move in with her right after he leaves his marriage?

Someone who feels alone, even though he's among other people, was not quite what I had in mind with this option.

[Peebee]

Suzanne wrote: "Would "heel" work for E (Cover Tune)? I'm thinking about this book.............

"

Heel works. Approved.

[Suzanne]

Peebee wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "Would "heel" work for E (Cover Tune)? I'm thinking about this book.............

"

Heel works. Approved."

Thanks! Just wanted to make sure the shoe's heel was okay as opposed to the human foot's heel.

[Sassafrass]

Is this enough of a uniform?

[Peebee]

sure, he's a "rugged Navy SEAL!"

[Sassafrass]

Peebee wrote: "sure, he's a "rugged Navy SEAL!""

Lol. Don't you love it?

[Chel-c]

does this work for option G Wintergirls?? She seems to be in a world of her own since her bestfriend died

[Sam]

Just wondering if this would work for option A The Last Coyote. It mentions the lead character having lost his home to an earthquake & is on the Barnes & Noble website listed under Earthquake. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/?cate...

[Peebee]

Chel-c wrote: "does this work for option G Wintergirls?? She seems to be in a world of her own since her bestfriend died"

I don't think this one works. I'm trying to focus on the physical aloneness: pursuing a solitary journey; separated from a partner or parent -- not the feeling of emotional isolation.

[Peebee]

Sam wrote: "Just wondering if this would work for option A The Last Coyote. It mentions the lead character having lost his home to an earthquake & is on the Barnes & Noble website listed under Earthquake. http..."

Approved.

[Chel-c]

Peebee wrote: "Chel-c wrote: "does this work for option G Wintergirls?? She seems to be in a world of her own since her bestfriend died"

I don't think this one works. I'm trying to focus on the physical alonenes..."

Alrightty! I have a back-up :-)

[Jody]

Does this work for g?

[Peebee]

Jody wrote: "[bookcover:Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail]
Does this work for g?"

Yes, it looks like an excellent choice...really gets at what I had in mind with this task. Might have to add it to my own to-read list!

[Ritika]

For 30.6 (G), how is Mr Palomar? The book appears to be about him alone.

[Peebee]

Ritika wrote: "For 30.6 (G), how is Mr Palomar? The book appears to be about him alone."

Ritika -- I couldn't tell that from the description. Since so much of this is on the honor system, and unless I or the mods have read a book, it's hard to tell, I will approve it.

However, if you read it and it doesn't work: it's not about him alone, I hope that you will submit it for another task.

thanks -- peebee

[Ritika]

Peebee wrote: "Ritika wrote: "For 30.6 (G), how is Mr Palomar? The book appears to be about him alone."

Ritika -- I couldn't tell that from the description. Since so much of this is on the honor system, and unle..."

The author betrayed me by bringing along a wife. :( So I will be shifting this book to some other task.

[Karen Michele]

Can I use a forest fire for the words "slash and burn" or does it have to be the exact type of fire in the song?

The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire that Saved America

[Peebee]

Karen GHHS wrote: "Can I use a forest fire for the words "slash and burn" or does it have to be the exact type of fire in the song?

The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire that Saved America"

I'll approve it, Karen GHHS, since the word "burn" is in both the song and the title.

[Karen Michele]

Peebee wrote: "Karen GHHS wrote: "Can I use a forest fire for the words "slash and burn" or does it have to be the exact type of fire in the song?

The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire that Saved America"

..."

Thanks, PeeBee,
The fire went right through the area where my husband grew up and where we stay in a cabin every summer, so I've been wanting to read this one for awhile!

[Dee]

I think this has to be one of the best lines yet ;)

The author betrayed me by bringing along a wife. :( So I will be shifting this book to some other task.

[Donna Jo]

For the catastrophe in A. would you consider as mentioned in the song?

[Peebee]

Donna Jo wrote: "For the catastrophe in A. would you consider as mentioned in the song?"

Yes, that's approved.

[Kristina Simon]

Dee wrote: "I think this has to be one of the best lines yet ;)

The author betrayed me by bringing along a wife. :( So I will be shifting this book to some other task."

I know, it made me laugh, too. ;-)

[Deanna]

For option G - isolation, does this one work? Hidden Steel It involves a CIA agent who wakes up chained to a hospital bed with no memory after being abducted and given an experimental drug.

[Peebee]

Deanna wrote: "For option G - isolation, does this one work? Hidden Steel It involves a CIA agent who wakes up chained to a hospital bed with no memory after being abducted and given an experimental drug."

I'll approve it.

[Immersednbooks (Kristen)]

Hi,

I just finished reading Fahrenheit 451 and didn't know if it can fit into either option A for burning books or option E for burning

[Anne (Booklady)]

Option A: Eye of a Hurricane-
Book five of the bestselling Max Freeman mystery series: As a powerful hurricane rips through southern Florida, Max and his girlfriend must face down the Everglades’ most menacing criminals

Option D: A Tournament of Lies - #6 on the Best War Novels List.

Will these work?

[Peebee]

Anne (Booklady) wrote: "Will these work?"

Yes.

[Anne (Booklady)]

Peebee wrote: "Anne (Booklady) wrote: "Will these work?"

Yes."

Thank you