CHALLENGE: Book Awards III Update

I finished my third Book Awards Challenge this month. The challenge was to read 5 books that had won 5 different awards. Here are the books I read to complete the challenge:

• Commonwealth - The Slap by Christian Tsiolkas
  
• Orange Prize (New Author) - The Lizard Cage by Karen Connolly
  
• Pulitzer Prize - A Death in the Family by James Agee
  
• Giller Prize - Clara Callen by Richard B Wright
  
• Printz - How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff

Favorite book of the challenge:
The Lizard Cage and Clara Callen were my favorite, the kind I told everyone I met who reads that they should read. Both written by Canadians btw.

Least favorite book of the challenge:
A Death in the Family really didn't resonate with me. Lots of people love it, but it was blah for me.

New authors discovered in this challenge:
All were new to me in this challenge. I liked all (except the Agee) and would read others by these new authors.

What I learned:
That even though Michelle makes it harder each time, I still manage to finish. And I have every hope of completing the next version, set to begin in February, 2010. The list of books I meant to read, and never got to includes:

Newbery Award -The Wheel on the School
IMPAC Dublin - Man Gone Down
Orange Prize - Small Islands
Booker Prize - How Late it Was, How Late; The True History of the Kelly Gang; Vernon God Little
Giller Prize - The Time In Between; Barney's Version
Pulitzer - Foreign Affair; The Bridge of San Luis Rey

Thanks for hosting again Michelle, see you next year!

BLOGGING: It's Tuesday, Where Are You?

Read any bad-covered books lately? We are looking for suggestions this week in The Bookword Game. I'll leave the comments open until Wednesday evening. Any and all ideas welcome!

In reading, I am in Japan, recently moved into some neighbour's apartment after my grandmother died. Guess what my favorite room is? (Kitchen, by Banana Yoshimoto)

Where is reading taking you today? Leave a comment, write a post, spread the word.

BOOK: Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris, 292 pages

Celebrate the Author; Vampire Challenge

my preambling rambling:
Much like suziqoregon, I would have preferred to get the book with the cover from before this Southern Vampire Series was made into a television series, but this was the one I found. I haven't watched any of the HBO series True Blood based on the book, but I am intrigued. I loved Harris' Shakespeare mystery series, and have been planning to read this vampire series for quite a while. I actually started reading this book a year ago, and couldn't get into it at all, but wanted to give it another try.

the plot outline:
Sookie Stackhouse has a disability - she can read minds. Because of the problems this causes her, she hasn't dated much at all. When Vampire Bill moves to her town, she discovers she cannot hear his thoughts at all and thus finds it so relaxing to be around him. Vampires have recently had laws enacted which makes it easier for them to live in mainstream society - the invention of synthetic blood allows them to survive without feasting on humans. When one of Sookie's coworker waitresses is murdered, suspicion falls on Bill.

my thoughts:
I'm not sure I completely get the vampire intrigue, or all the rules that surround them. However, this book at least provided a rationale for liking a vampire and allowing them to live in the human world. Dead Until Dark was very fun, combining the supernatural elements within the Southern sensibilities of Louisiana. Harris writes great mysteries with well developed characters that I want to read more about. Sookie, Bill, and Sam make an interesting trio and I look forward to more of them.

This is my November book for celebrate the author as Charlaine Harris was born November 25, 1951. I also highly recommend her Shakespeare mystery series, set in Shakespeare, Arkansas. It's quite dark, but only 5 books long, so it's an easy series to read.

BOOK: Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland

Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland, 242 pages

4 Month Challenge: Art themed book

Originally, my biggest complaint about the book was that the picture that inspired it was not on the cover. As I looked around to find an image of the young girl looking out the window, I discovered that Vreeland follows the history of an imagined Vermeer painting. I knew what the painting looked like after reading the book, as many descriptions are contained. The image I found below was painted to be included in a Hallmark movie based on the book.

Starting in the present and working backwards in time, the eight short stories are connected only by the history and love of the painting. Everyone who owns the painting has a special connection to the painting and sees a different aspect to it. The painting was acquired in many different ways, including Nazi looting or slave owners looking to gain respectability. The book also shows how a non-authenticated painting could exist, as it passes from one owner to another.

things I liked - I liked how the painting touched something in each owner, whether a memory of a former love, the freedom of a young girl, the beauty of the painting, even just the idea that is was painted by Vermeer. By having different owners, it was possible to see the many different reactions to the beauty of the image.
- I liked seeing how the painting ended up in the homes that it did through so many different manners.

things I didn't like - It was hard to get involved with any character, as the story of each owner was so short. The obvious comparison is to Girl With Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier, which also looked at how that particular Vermeer painting was done. The characters were much more developed in that book. The books have different goals so it isn't fair to compare them this way, it depends on what you want from a book.
- Since each story was so different, the mood of the book changed continuously to match the characters life.
- Nazi looting, but that isn't the fault of the book, I never like reading about Jews during the war.

GAME: Bookword Game

We have some results: What should we call a book that has such a distinctive smell that we find it distracting?

We call it an aroma tome! Thanks to bybee for her most excellent suggestion. She has a way with these bookwords.


What is wrong with this book on the left? The cover is screaming 'a long time ago.' I know that we shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but sometimes we can't help it. My nine year old daughter will look at a cover and dismiss a book in an instant if the cover doesn't appeal to her. Compare it to these other covers of the same book:


These other two look a bit more appealing and certainly more modern. Alas, I am cheap, and the ugly cover was available at the used book store, but it may have contributed to my over all feeling for the story.

So, how about coming up with a word to describe a book with a bad cover.

We'll take suggestions until Wednesday of next week, and then Suey will tabulate the results and we will vote. Suggestions in the comments, please.

BLOGGING: It's Tuesday, Where Are You?

Last night was the final of Battle of the Blades, possibly the most Canadian show ever produced. It was awesome. They matched up female skaters like Jamie Sale, Shae-Lynn Bourne, and Barbara Underhill, with former hockey players like Ti Domi, Ron Dugay, Craig Simpson, and Claude Lemieux and had them learn figure skating routines. They were judged each week, and then voted on by Canadians. It was much like Dancing With the Stars, but on skates. The guys had to learn moves - one even managed to land a jump. The lifts and throws were spectacular, because these hockey guys were strong and huge. Stephan Richer actually bench-pressed Marie-France over and behind his head. The hosts were Ron MacLean and Kurt Browning, and they both skated all the time. I imagine they'll run another series of this as it was very successful.

In reading, I am in The Netherlands, following a painting, that may be a Vermeer, through history. (Girl in Hyacinth Blue, Susan Vreeland)

Where is reading taking you today? Leave a comment, write a post, spread the word.

CHALLENGE: A - Zed Author

From this year, I've been keeping track of authors and books and I've got a chance to finish the authors. I never officially signed up, so I'll consider it my own personal challenge. Here's the list:

A: Allende, Isabel - Daughters of Fortune
B: Brazell, Josh - Beat the Reaper
C: Camilleri, Andrea - Excursion to Tindari
D: Duprau, Jeanne - City of Ember
E: Ephron, Nora - I Feel Bad About My Neck
F: Ferris, Josh - Then We Came to the End
G: Gladwell, Malcolm - The Tipping Point
H: Hage, Rawi - DeNiro's Game
I: Itani, Frances - Remember the Bones
J: James, PD - Children of Men
K: Kluger, Steve - Last Days of Summer
L: Lively, Penelope - Moon Tiger
M: MacLeod, Alistair - No Great Mischief
N: Northcutt, Wendy - Darwin Awards
O: Ogawa, Yoki - The Housekeeper and the Professor
P: Picoult, Jodi - Nineteen Minutes
Q: Quartey, Kwei - Wife of the Gods
R: Richards, David Adams - Mercy Among the Children
S: Swan, Leonie - Three Bags Full
T: Tremain, Rose - The Road Home
U: Undset, Sidgrid - The Bridal Wreath
V: Vreeland, Susan - Girl in Hyacinth Blue
W: Westerfield, Scott - Specials
X: Xinran - Sky Burial
Y: Yoshimoto, Banana - Kitchen
Z: Zink, Michelle - The Prophesy of the Sisters

BOOK: The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick, 525 pages
: a novel in words and pictures

4 Month Challenge: a book set in France; Caldecott Medal winner 2008

This was just a wonderful afternoon read, and the children are grabbing for it as well. The perfect blend of mysterious story, amazing pictures - I kept imagining that my fingers were going to be covered in pencil smudges. I've been reading raves about this book for a few years already. I confess, the cover made me think of a hot air balloon, and made me think it would be like the Wizard of Oz. I have no particular reason for thinking this, just poorly judging a book by its cover. I picked up a hardback version at the second hand bookstore without the cover leaf, so I was not biased by my cover concerns. The black cover actually fits the book better, with its dark mood.

Instead of Wizard of Oz, this is more reminiscent of The Hunchback of Notre Dame for feel, and sometimes I forgot that it was set in the 1930s. Hugo is living in the back alleys of the Paris train station, on his own like some waif from Les Miserables. He looks after the clocks after his uncle disappears. He has an automan his father left him that he is trying to fix. He meets up with a little girl, and her adopted family. The automan is the connecting idea and the mystery. The history of movies is also a part of the story, in a lovely tribute to the real filmmaker, Georges Melies.

The pictures were amazing and moved the story along in a way that the writing couldn't, but conversely, the pictures alone wouldn't have worked. Selznick has made a most memorable book for children and adults alike. Read it. I'd lend you mine, but the two oldest are fighting over who gets to read it first.

BOOK: I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron

I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron, 137 pages
and other thoughts on being a woman

Women Unbound - my 1st nonfiction read

I remember reading Framed's review of this book about a year ago, and making a mental note to read this book. Then I saw it on some one's list as a recommended book for the Women Unbound Challenge.

It was, in a word, hilarious. Shaking in my bed, laughing late last night as Ephron laments her poor purse skills - forgetting to get a new one in the new season, having everything in the world in it, refusing/not understanding to pay copious amounts of money for a purse, that apparently, should match. How did she get into my head?

Ephron is the journalist writer that you may know better as the screenwriter of When Harry Met Sally and Silkwood, among others. This book is her series of essays on being a woman, a woman of a certain age. There were so many sections I adored. Her humorous take on being blind as a bat and not being able to find her reading glasses is very soon in my future. The amount of time required for maintenance - hair, nails, waxing, and pedicures as women age. She suspects she is 8 hours from looking like a homeless person. She is sarcastic but speaks the truth. She attributes the phrase '50 is the new 40' to the advent of hair colour that is widely used.

Ephron has lived what would be called a privileged life, so when she talks about losing her rent controlled apartment, not many will identify with her. However, when she talks about the rapture of being caught up in an excellent book, we can identify. Which reminds me, she raved about The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. My new years resolution will have to be to read that book. She also talks about how parenting has changed over the years, not always in a good way, because we still end up with sullen teenagers.

She lived through the feminist breakthrough days of the 1960s and 70s and discusses changes, good and bad. She is blunt about the aging process, and what she doesn't like, all with a humorous voice. I'm going to start putting more face cream on my neck, or I'll be wearing turtlenecks pretty soon.

BOOK: The Bridal Wreath by Sigrid Undset

The Bridal Wreath by Sigrid Undset, 272 pages plus notes
Book 1 of Kristin Lavransdatter
translated by Charles Archer and JS Scott

Women Unbound Challenge

I do enjoy historical fiction. This was my first venture into 14th century Norway, but I'm not sure I've been avoiding this genre; there isn't a lot that I'm aware of. Luckily this is quality stuff, as Undset won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1928. I think there are several translations, and it would be interesting to read another version, but I was limited by my library copy.

We first meet Kristin when she is 8 and the apple of her father's eye. She lives a relatively privileged life for Middle Ages. The church has a big influence on the lives. The laws of inheritance rule their lives in a sense, as marriages are made based on how the family estates will prosper. Kristin is promised to a local boy by her father over the poor boy who obviously loves Kristin but deemed not suitable. Kristin is sent to live in a convent in the town for a year before the betrothal.

But it's a good historical fiction, and besides seeing the lives of Norwegian there was a love story. Kristin meets an impetuous young man, Erlend Nikulasson, to whom she was not promised to, and like all head-strong teenagers, falls madly in love with against her parents hopes and wishes. She will need to defy her parents and the rules of the land/church if she wants to be with Erlend.

Lots of great characters - Brother Edvin, Lady Aashild, and her father Lavrans round out the story. This is the first in the trilogy and I am looking forward to the next book to see how Kristin makes out with her decisions.

I decided to read this book after reading about a group read-a-long, hosted by Claire and Richard. There is a round up of other reviews for this first book here at Claire's. I'm not reading the same translation, but I like the way the story was translated in mine, even if it feels a bit clunky at times. It feels more 14th century Norwegian language to me.

GAME: Bookword Game

What should we call a book that has such a distinctive smell that we find it distracting?

We had a few suggestions this week over at Sueys:

nose tingler by Serena
smelly story by raidergirl3
aroma tome by bybee
odor reader by arcona

There weren't a lot of suggestions this week; maybe people aren't reading smelly books these days. I have some old Little House and Bobbsey Twins books that spend a long time in the basement in boxes that have a musty smell, but I don't mind it, there are too many good memories associated with those books.

Robert's Rules of Order: call for the vote. (I got a little off topic there)

Come by my blog to vote for a book that has such a distinctive smell we find it distracting. Voting will stay open for a week, then I'll post results and offer up a new word next Wednesday.

poll by twiigs.com

Edit: Look at what scientists are investigating now in books and with smell.

BLOGGING: It's Tuesday, Where Are You?

So busy this week. Once I get through today, hopefully things will slow down, but I just can't seem to get ahead. I know that most of the things I have to do are because I put things off and procrastinate. So I had to stay up late the last two nights correcting and getting midterm exams ready because I went shopping on a family women' s weekend. I have to say it was worth it, no matter how tired I am today and have been since I got back. My sister, cousin and two aunts all met in a town that is near to us all, and we shopped all day Saturday - clothes, Christmas presents, just stuff you can't get in your own smaller town. We ate out Saturday night at The Keg, which was fabulous, and then stayed over at a hotel. We must plan another one in the spring, and try to get some more cousins and aunts to come. Drinks and laughs and lots of gabbing and shopping - what more could you want?

Don't forget to stop by Suey's and add a suggestion to the latest Bookword Game. I'm still thinking because I have a book like that right now! It is distracting! I'll have a poll up sometime late Wednesday.

In reading, I am oh so slowly reading these days. I am in the country side of England, where a new widow has moved into a house nearby, and everyone is wondering about her and her son. The narrator is quite smitten with her, which should not please the young lady who thought they were spoken for. (The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Emily Anne Bronte, my apologies to the Bronte-ites)

Where is reading taking you today? Leave a comment, write a post, spread the word.

BOOK: How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff

How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff, 194 pages

Book Awards III Challenge: Printz Award 2005; YA Dystopian

I don't get nearly enough credit in life for the things I manage not to say. page 77

This book just broke my heart. Daisy had such a strong, unique voice, with an ability to tell much without details. It's about a girl with anorexia, but she never really talked about it, but it drove the plot in some ways, without being at all obvious, or an important book about anorexia. It's about family and love and how you don't get to chose who you love or what makes a family. It's also about the heartbreak of war, and how it tears people and countries apart.

We couldn't go on. We went on. Staying alive is what we did to pass the time. page 155

I really liked the style of writing. Daisy used Random Capitals, like a modern day Emily Dickison, to highlight Important Ideas. She also rambles on and on, but then throws in some important little observation. I like her cousins, with their weird connectedness, and how Daisy felt like she had come home the minute she set foot in the house. There is an inappropriate relationship with Daisy and her cousin, that may be unsettling for some readers, but it happened, and I didn't have a problem with it and it isn't graphicly described. They had an instant connection (not like on The Bachelor, a real one) and while she knew it wasn't quite right, the lack of parents around after the vague war broke out made decision making among the teenagers suspect.

I was thinking of approaching my old school next time I was in New York and telling them to replace the unit on Media Communications with one on How to Survive Half Dead in the Wild Without Much in the Way of Hope. page 155

There is war, and an occupation, but not many details were ever given about who or why, and it never really matters, because when it affects the life of the citizens, why they don't have food, or who killed the neighbours doesn't really matter. In the end, it was all about love and belonging for Daisy.

also reviewed at:
nymeth at things mean a lot
tanabata at in spring it is the dawn
3m at 1morechapter.com
terri at tip of the iceberg
jenny at jennysbooks

BLOGGING: It's Tuesday, Where Are You?

I was home with a sick kid today, most likely H1N1. She wasn't sick enough to go to the doctor, but too sick to send to school. Hopefully it won't go right through the house. It's really crazy about the flu and the vaccine. Funny story - the girl that is sick here got all caught up in grade four little girl drama on the day their vaccination clinic was announced last week. Big welling up eyes at supper, freaking about getting a needle, this girl says... that boy said.... It was kind of out of character because she's a tough little girl most of the time Look out if she's coming at you for the ringette ring. Anyway, she was getting herself all worked up about the needle. Later that night it started again, so I suggested there might be a reward for people who get through the vaccination without drama. Just suck it up, essentially. A minute later, I hear a calm, little voice, "What kind of reward?" Dramatic situation averted due to bribery. I'll have parenting advice here every week, thank you very much.

Don't forget to vote at Suey's for this week's Bookword Game. She'll have results later in the week and then new word for suggestions.

In reading, I just arrived in the English countryside to stay with my cousins, but war has just broken out and there are no adults in the house right now. There should probably be some supervision, because some inappropriate behaviour is occurring. (How I Live Now, Meg Rosoff)

Where is reading taking you today? Leave a comment, write a post, spread the word.

CHALLENGE: Notable Book Challenge, Update

A Short History of a Reading Challenge:

Once upon a time, I met some bloggers who read books. All the books I liked to read - the ones you find on lists. I haven't decided if it's the books I like, or just checking off the lists, either way, I am having fun. Way back in once upon a time 2007, Wendy, at caribousmom, organized a challenge to read a number of books from the NY Times Notable Book list. *Historical note: She was probably one of the first people to set up a blog specifically for a challenge. She invited participants to post reviews to the group blog. I tiptoed around, reading their reviews, reading some of the books, and then finally getting brave enough to join in all the fun. I read a great group of books from the list that year:

• Half of a Yellow Sun - Aldichie *best of this list*
  
• The Echo Maker - Richard Powers
• The Translator - Leila Aboulela
• Arthur and George - Julien Barnes
• The Road - Cormac McCarthy
• Alentejo Blue - Monica Ali
• One Good Turn - Kate Atkinson

The next year, 2008, wendy expanded the challenge to include notable book lists from several sources besides NY Times. She made another blog, with all the lists available. Lots more people joined. Each time, she left the challenge parameters up to the reader, to set their own personal challenge. In 2008, I read:

• The Gathering by Ann Enright (NYT 2007)
• Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill (PW Best Book)
• The Book Thief, Marcus Zusak (2007 IRA CL/R SIG Notable Books) *best*
  
• House of Meeting by Martin Amis (NYT 2007)
• Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, by Ishmael Beah (NYT 2007)
• In the Country of Men by Hisham Matar (NYT 2007)
• Black Swan Green by David Mitchell (ALA 2007) *best*
  
• Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson (NYT 2007)

In 2009, she made it a perpetual challenge. I confess, I forgot about going to the blog but I still had the lists in the back of my mind. I made my own post that I use to keep track of the books I've read from the NY Times Notable books each year, copying the idea from Michelle at onemorechapter. (I copy lots of great ideas from Michelle, thanks!) I limited it to NY Times just for convenience - how many lists can I keep track of anyway? Many of the same books get listed anyway. It appears that 8 books is about my average each year to read from the list.

Today I saw an update from Wendy which made me remember this little personal challenge. While there are still two months left in the year, I have already read 8 books from the NY Times notable book lists over the years. I don't pick just from the latest year, I allow myself to pick from any of the lists because there are still tons of great books I've missed over the years. So the list from this year:

• The Road Home - Rose Tremain
• Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
• Gilead - Marilynne Robinson
  
• Dancing to Almendra - Maya Montero
  
• Then We Came to the End - Joshua Ferris *best*
  
• The View From Castle Rock - Alice Munro
• American Wife - Curtis Sittenfield
• Special Topics in Calamity Physics - Marisha Pessl
  

I can't see me reading anymore this year, but I'll try again next year, and keep reading these listed books. Thanks Wendy, for starting this whole challenge, and promoting good books and the community of book bloggers.

CHALLENGE: Women Unbound

There is a new challenge on the go: Women Unbound, to celebrate women's studies:

the multidisciplinary study of the social status and societal contributions of women and the relationship between power and gender.

There are plenty of details and ideas over the the Women Unbound Blog, set up especially for this challenge.

Length of Challenge: November 1, 2009-November 30, 2010

There are several levels to chose from:

• Philogynist: read at least two books, including at least one nonfiction one.
• Bluestocking: read at least five books, including at least two nonfiction ones.
• Suffragette: read at least eight books, including at least three nonfiction ones.

My first reaction was to pick the lowest level, but then I decided I should try to really challenge myself, so I will go with the Suffragette, to read at least eight books, and three must be nonfiction.

Here's what the blog says about the types of books:

For nonfiction, this would include books on feminism, history books focused on women, biographies of women, memoirs (or travelogues) by women, essays by women and cultural books focused on women (body image, motherhood, etc.) It’s trickier to say what is applicable as fiction. Obviously, any classic fiction written by a feminist is applicable. But where do we go from there? To speak generally, if the book takes a thoughtful look at the place of women in society, it will probably count. At the end of the day, it’s up to you to explain in your review why you chose this for the challenge and its connection to women’s studies

Potential Book Ideas:

• I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron NF essays about aging
• Nellie McClung by Charlotte Gray biography of early Canadian feminist
  
• She Got Up Off the Couch by Haven Kimmel NF memoir
• Candy Girl by Cody Diablo NF memoir by screenwriter of Juno

• The Bridal Wreath (Book 1 Kristin Lavrandatter) by Sigrid Undget - Nobel prize winning author about women's life in 14th century Norway
• Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto - young women deal with grief
• Wife of the Gods by Kwei Quartey - set in Ghana, the life of women played an important point, as young girls are offered as wives to fetish priests to reverse family curses
• Sky Burial by Xinran - woman journalist writes story of Chinese doctor who searches for her husband, and lives in Tibet
  
• The Art of Mending by Elizabeth Berg - caribousmom says Berg always has strong women characters
• The Tenent of Wildfell Hall - Anne Bronte - Brontes! nuff said (not reviewed)
  
• The Nine Lives of Charlotte Taylor - about a woman settler in 18th century New Brunswick
• 
  
• The Book of Negroes by Laurence Hill - about a slave who survived
• The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver - was on the tagmash at librarything
• Affinity by Sarah Waters - was on the tagmash at librarything
• American Girls About Town short stories - all written by women

I think there will be fiction books I decide after I read them that fit in this category, so it's hard to know before hand what will count.

CHALLENGE: Vampire Challenge

Kathrin at Secret Dreamworld of a Bookaholic is hosting a challenge to read at least two vampire books during the 2009 calendar year. It may seem late to sign up for this one, but I have a few vampire books here that I am hoping to read. This is just the incentive I need to get them done.

My two books are
Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
When Twilight Burns by Colleen Gleason

I am reading a zombie book right now, but I guess it doesn't count.

BOOK: Lamb by Christopher Moore

Lamb by Christopher Moore, 404 pages
The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal

First, I have to comment on my beautiful edition. It looks like a bible, with gold edged pages, and an attached bookmark ribbon. It is stunning.

I started this book back in September, hoping to read it for a book based on a character in the Bible for the four month challenge hosted by Virginie. I'm not even sure why it ended up taking me two months to read the book, because I enjoyed the whole thing. It was funny, well written, and done really well.

Biff, also known as Levi, is brought back to life in modern times to write his gospel. His version includes the years before Jesus (Biff calls him Joshua) began his ministry. Biff is hilarious and irreverent, but devoted to Josh. Biff and Josh travel to India and China and spend many years learning from the three wise men and having adventures.

I have no idea what the "H" in Jesus H. Christ stood for. It's one of the things I should have asked him. page 2

The main story is there, all the characters you'd expect: Mary Magdalene (called Maggie), Joseph of Arimethia, Judas, the woman who would have been stoned except for the whole - he who has not sinned.... advice, all the disciples and apostles. Biff wasn't a fan of the parables especially mustard seed ones. Actually, Biff is pretty blunt and takes the brunt of the inappropriate behaviour in the book. Jesus or Josh, is pretty true to form, so readers worried that Jesus will be blasphemed can relax. Josh does have a sense of humor though, and doesn't mind teasing Biff or tricking him. And you can assume that the language was cleaned up for the real Bible, so there is some swearing.

This book was a reprint in 2007 and includes an Afterword by Moore. He explains what liberties he took in the timeline of travelling to China, but he felt he really had to answer the question, "What if Jesus knew kung-fu?"He explains his research process and his concern that he'd end up living with Salmon Rushdie after the book was originally published, so was pleased with the positive response.

This story is not and never was meant to challenge anyone's faith; however, if one's faith can be shaken by stories in a humorous novel, one may have a bit more praying to do.

BLOGGING: It's Tuesday, Where Are You?

My school participated in the Million Minute Challenge today, a challenge where schools keep track of their reading minutes. Even at high school, once a month we have a silent reading period, where everyone in the school stops and reads for 20 minutes. The students in my class who forgot to bring a book were offered a selection of my science books - 100 Most Influential Scientists, A Short History of Nearly Everything, The Planets, Latitude, Galileo's Daughter, e-mc^2. They weren't always pleased with the book I gave them, but they had to read something.

Still looking for suggestions for this week's Bookword Game. Pop on over and leave a suggestions, I'll leave the comments open until Wednesday. We can't be shut out. Somebody must have a good name.


In reading, I am in the time after the zombie war, trying to chronicle the beginning of the carnage, before people really knew what was happening. Very interesting book! (World War Z, Max Brooks)

Where is reading taking you today? Leave a comment, write a post, spread the word.

BOOK: The Number Devil by Hans Magnus Enzensberger

The Number Devil by Hans Magnus Enzensberger, 262 pages
A Mathematical Adventure
translated by Michael Henry Heim

One of my students in grade eleven physics brought me this book because he thought I would like it because it was all about math. How sweet was that? He was so very right about the book. As a math lover, I appreciated how well this cute little book is put together and how accessible math is made in the book, but this book is also for people who don't appreciate math, yet. (Apparently, there are people out there who don't like math. Go figure - I think it's amazing.)

This is the story of Robert, a little boy who has nightmares, and who hates math in school. Suddenly, the number devil appears in his dreams and spends twelve nights showing Robert some cool patterns and numbers. Prime numbers, infinite numbers, Fibonacci series, Pascal's triangle, combinations. All are developed and explained with simplicity and logic and some humor. And if you have never seen Pascal's triangle and all the flabbergasting patterns it holds, then you didn't have a very good math teacher.

The story is quick, and easy to read, with illustrated pictures included, and math demonstrated. Some terms are worded differently, like taking the square root is called rutabaga, because it is a root vegetable, and prime numbers are called prima donna numbers. The index at the back cross lists both terms. I think it's the kind of book I'd like to have around here for my kids to hopefully pick up and enjoy. It's never too early to introduce the wonder of math.

This book is recommended on the back cover for children and other thinking beings.

BOOK: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, 391 pages

YA Dystopian Challenge

Second book in a trilogy.
Excellent.
Almost as good as the first.
Cliffhanger of an ending!
Great characters.
Young Adult Dystopian.
Brutal and violent but less than the first.
Not the love triangle I thought it would take.
Can't wait for the next book.

LIST: Top 10 Atlantic Canadian books

Chris at book-a-rama posted this List, that was found here, on her Friday Bookish Buzz. Nimbus Publishing picked the books based on the votes of more than 700 authors, critics, librarians, professors, booksellers, and readers. This is an awesome list of Atlantic Canadian books. I've read 7 of them, and they are among my favorite books of all time. Only two I haven't heard of, but I plan to do some investigating and fill in my local reading gaps.

The top-10 titles are:

1. No Great Mischief by Alistair MacLeod
2. Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery
3. The Colony of Unrequited Dreams by Wayne Johnston* I have it here and hope to read it soon
4. The Mountain and the Valley by Ernest Buckler
5. Fall on Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald
6. Barometer Rising by Hugh MacLennan
7. Random Passage by Bernice Morgan
8. The Lost Salt Gift of Blood by Alistair MacLeod
9. Mercy Among the Children by David Adams Richards
10. Rockbound by Frank Parker Day

If you are looking for a great Canadian book to read, this is a good place to start. I recommend all the highlighted books, and I know that John Mutford at the book mine set would also recommend The Colony of Unrequited Dreams.

GAME: The Bookword Game

The results are in, and better late than never. With a strong showing in the poll, the new word for what we call a book that makes you read chapter after chapter long after you decided to quit for the night is midnight special suggested by bybee. Great suggestion bybee!

This week we'll look for suggestions for what we can call a book that would be good to leave in the bathroom to read. There are books you can buy, Uncle John's Bathroom Reader but sometimes there are other books that would be great in the bathroom. Any suggestions? I'll take suggestions in the comments for the next week and then there will be a poll for voting.

BLOGGING: It's Tuesday, Where Are You?

Don't forget to vote in the latest Bookword Game. Voting until late Wednesday, then I'll post results and take suggestions on the next word.

Reading wise, I am in back in Panem with Katniss and Peeta, on the way to the Capital. (Catching Fire, by Suzanne Collins)
Sometimes I am in the gospel according to Biff, best friend of Jesus also known as Josh. Biff and Josh are in China right now, but on their way to India soon. (Lamb, by Christopher Moore)

Where is reading taking you today? Leave a comment, write a post, spread the word.

BOOK: Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl

Title and Author of Book?
Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl, 514 pages

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre?

fiction

What led you to pick up this book?
I heard of this book over two years ago when the title caught my fancy. For the non-physics fans out there, there is no physics in the book. It was one of the NY Times Notable Books in 2006.

More recently, I picked it because it was on my TBR Lite Challenge list, and Marisha Pessl was born in October, making it a perfect book for Celebrate the Author.

Summarize the plot, but don't give away the ending!
Blue van Meer, college student, is writing a book about her last year in high school. Her childhood has been spent all over America as her political/philosophical Professor father moves from college to college. She makes friends with a pretentious group of students and an unbalanced and sketchy teacher at her newest school.

What did you like most about the book?
The final 100 pages made up for a slow middle section. I liked the way the plot evolved in the end and all the events and references from earlier were explained.
The literature references were fun, and the final exam at the end was a very unique way to tie up the book and give some perspective on events and characters in the book.
The writing was smart and chockful of information, historical, factual, and literature.

What did you like least?
I lost interest in the middle of the book as the mystery was still far off.
The continual allusions and references got a bit tiring after a while.
Blue's dependence and admiration of her father were a bit creepy.

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books?
This is her only book published.

What did you think of the main character?
Blue was a unique voice, very educated. At times she seemed conflicted between her tremendous intellect and understanding of characters, with her obvious lack of ability to interact with people. She never knew what to do or say, but she could think and analyse everybody.

Any other particularly interesting characters?
Everyone was interesting, from Hannah the teacher, to the Bluebloods, Blue's friends.

Share a quote from the book:
Love or, more accurately, infatuation ("Take as much care with words expressing your sentiments as you will crafting your doctoral dissertation," Dad said.) was one of those no-good drifter emotions. (page 390)

The girl…nervously bared her long and pointy teeth (see ‘Venus Flytrap,’ North American Flora, Starnes, 1989).

What about the ending?

The ending was very good. I was ready for it about 150 earlier, but the payoff was very good.

Which of your readers are most likely to enjoy this book? Why?

It's a NY Times Notable Book, so people who like listed books would like it. It's a coming of age story as well, and lots of literature references.




Marisha Pessl was born October 26, 1977.

CHALLENGE: Four Month Challenge, Part Two

Beginning November 1st, running until the end of February hosted by Virginie Says... This is a fun challenge, finding books to fit different categories, and adding up the points. I never expect to get all the points, but it's the trying. Italic titles are ideas and possibilities, bolded categories are completed.

Running total: 210 pts

5 Point Challenges

Read a book with a proper name in the title - The Nine Live of Charlotte Taylor by Sally Armstrong

Read a book about a queen or king - The Heretic Queen

Read a book by a Bronte - The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte

Read a book about Vampires - Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

Read a book by V.C. Andrews -

10 Point Challenges

Read a book by Canadian author - Vinyl Cafe Diaries by Stuart McLean

Read a book by Charles Dickens -

Read a book set in France - The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Read a book by Georgette Heyer - Why Shoot the Butler?

Read an ‘art’ themed book - Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland

15 Point Challenges

Read a book with a Civil War theme (any country) - Small Wars by Sadie Jones (Cyprus)

Read a book with characters inspired by King Arthur or about King Arthur/Camelot - I Am Morgan LaFay - Nancy Springer

Read a biography/autobiography - Nellie McClung - Charlotte Gray

Read a book related to or something by Shakespeare - Tales from Shakespeare - Marcia Williams

Read a book by an author born in November, December, January or February - Hypothermia by Arnuldar Indridason (January)

20 Point Challenges

Read a book with a wintery theme (Christmas, snow, ice, freezing etc.) - Let It Snow - John Green, et al.

Read a book that was a winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction - Interpreter of Maladies - Jhumpa Lahiri

Read a book that begins with A and one that begins with Z - The Art of Mending by Elizabeth Berg, Z for Zachariah by Robert O'Brien

Read a book from The Modern Library Top 100 - Wide Sargasso Sea, The Bridge of San Luis Rey,

Read a book and then write a review- How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff

GAME: The Bookword Game

It's time for a poll to vote on the latest Bookword - What do we call a book that makes you read chapter after chapter long after you decided to quit for the night?
Maybe we still like pageturner, or maybe someone has thought of a new word that is better. For a few days there, it looked like pageturner for the win, but then some ideas appeared. thanks! I left the pageturner option in the poll. Here are the choices:

• midnight special suggested by bybee
  
• continue-em suggested by arcona
  
• Tunnel-vision read suggested by Michelle
  
• Obsess-a-book suggested by Michelle
  
• a flipper suggested by Suey
  
• Insomni-book suggested by CarrieK
  
• Addictabook suggested by Melissa
  
• Rivetread suggested by Bibliolatrist
  
• Engageapage suggested by Bibliolatrist
  
• AM Addiction suggested by raidergirl3
  
• Pageturner suggested by the rest of the world

Be sure to stop by my blog to vote in the poll for the next week only, (it's not visible on Google Reader.) I'll have the results next week, and then another word to think about.

poll by twiigs.com

BLOGGING: It's Tuesday, Where Are You?

What a wonderful long weekend we had here in Canada. Thanksgiving dinner with both sides of the family, lots of great meals and wine and wonderful weather. I even got some decluttering done around here on Monday - getting summer things put away is so satisfying.

The Bookword Game at Suey's doesn't have many suggestions yet. Is there another name for What do we call a book that makes you read chapter after chapter long after you decided to quit for the night.? Leave a comment at her blog soon if you can think of something.

In reading, I am still in high school with Blue van Meer. She and her clique of friends are about to deal with some trauma. I am not half way yet (it's over 500 pages) so I am still getting the story set up. Someone just drowned at the party the kids crashed. (Special Topics in Calamity Physics, by Marisha Pessl)
I am also in the New Testament, reading ever so slowly the lost gospel by Biff, JC's best friend. Lamb by Christopher Moore.

Where is reading taking you today? Leave a comment, write a post, spread the word.

CHALLENGE: YA Dystopian Reading Challenge

Challenges seem to be on the way out in blogger land - too many people are taking on too many commitments in reading so they are starting to cut back. I say, I understand the rationale behind it, but the buttons, and the list are too compelling. I can't stop. Especially for dystopian novels, and if you make it Young Adult novels? Well then, that is right up my alley. If I have to pick between 1 and 4 books to read between now and the end of the year, I can easily find that number of books to hope to read. And reading challenges are all about hopes to read. (And list, don't forget the beautiful lists!)

So thanks to Bart for hosting a challenge and keeping us book bloggers true to our roots.

Here's the list of books around the house these days that I have to pick from:
1. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
2. How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff
3. Z is for Zachariah by Robert O'Brien
4. The Prophet of Yonwood by Jeanne Dupre
5. The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer
6. The House of Power by Patrick Carman

Let's say I hope to read at least 2 of these before the end of the year.

BLOGGING: It's Tuesday, Where Are You?

Don't forget to vote for the latest Bookword at Sueys. Voting is easy - just ticky the little boxy. She should have the results up around Wednesday, and a new word to think on.

I am just starting a book so I am not completely sure where I am. I think I am in high school, and I am narrating my life which, according to my father, I am too young to be writing a memoir, so something dramatic must have happened. (Special Topics in Calamity Physics, by Marisha Pessl)

Where is reading taking you today? Leave a comment, write a post spread the word.

BOOK: Souvenir of Canada by Douglas Coupland

Souvenir of Canada by Douglas Coupland, 140 pages

3rd Canadian Book Challenge; Dewey Decimal Challenge: 971

I love the way Coupland writes, I love the way he words things. I love the pop references in his book. I knew I loved the way he put ideas together, and then I saw the collection of still life photographs he fashioned to represent Canadians and Canada, and it was complete. Coupland can do no wrong.

The book is written for Canadians, as we share our cultural history and nod and go hmm mmm, and then remember to say "Good book, eh?" It would provide some insight into Canadians you might know, but I'm not sure how many in-jokes are present. Maybe a lot. Maybe they aren't jokes though. We are different from Americans, even as we share so much of their culture that we feel we know them. Did you know that Canadians can buy their milk in 1L plastic bags, that we put into a milk container and then cut open and pour?

Part of the appeal for me is that Coupland is only a few years older than me, we are the beginning of Generation X, surviving in the shadow of the Baby Boomers, so we share a history of experiences just for growing up in the same time periods.

The book is written in a series of chapters or vignettes, in somewhat alphabetical order, that could be an encyclopedia of Canada. Coupland is not afraid to show his biases, and his perspective on the topics, and they range from the humorous to the serious, how we speak cereal French to the FLQ. Just watch me.

I returned this to the library a while ago, but I jotted down the titles of some chapters to remind me of the book. For you Canadians, can you guess why they were included?


Capitaine Crounche
Chocolate
DEW line
Distance
Flies
FLQ
Newfoundland
Ookpik
Poutine
Stubbies
222s
Vinegar
Water
Wildlife
Zed

BOOK: The Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink

The Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink, 343 pages

RIP IV Challenge; Young Adult

The cover drew me in at Walmart a few weeks ago. The statues, with the red rose was so striking. I have so many books I already know I want to read that it felt weird to just pick up a random book I had not heard of before. The inside flap description made it sound perfect for the season, that is, the spooky Halloween season and the RIP challenge.

Twin sisters, Lia and Alice, discover that they have inherited a legacy, a vital role in a prophecy that could spell the end of the world, with demons and lost souls wrecking havoc on the world. Set in the 1890s in eastern United States provided an unusual time period. I didn't always feel the time period profoundly, it could have been in many time eras just as easily.

Lia and Alice realize that they cannot trust each other as they will be on opposite sides of the prophecy. Lia narrates, so we mainly see her side of the story. Lia was a strong character, searching for ways to do the right thing. And unfortunately, it is a part of a series that isn't written yet! I will have to wait to find out how the sisters will attempt to end the prophesy once and for all. I haven't read a lot of young adult fantasy, paranormal books so I'm not the best judge of these books. I enjoy them, but as a change of pace. It kept my interest and has a plot with ancient legends that is very original.

also reviewed by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie