The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

25.5 - Nick KY’s Task: Shadow of the White Tiger

For this task, read two books. Each book has two Options:

Book 1.

Option A. Read a book with a black or white silhouette on the cover. This is similar to a 5-point task from Spring of 2012, only, in respect to the White Tiger, I am adding the stipulation that the silhouette must be black or white. Here are some examples:

The tree is in silhouette, even if the girl has too many discernible features to be called a silhouette.
Remember, a silhouette is not a shadow. It is a featureless outline of an object. In a photograph it is usually a dark featureless outline against a lighter background. But, as you can see from the examples, many drawn silhouettes are light against a dark background.
Required: Post a link showing the cover.

Option B. Because following the Shadow of the White Tiger is such an adventure, choose any book by any author who has won the Crime Writer’s Association’s Steel Dagger Award for mystery-adventure. You may also use any book by one of the 2012 nominees (earlier winners are listed on the right hand side of the page; scroll down for short list and long list nominees.)
Required: Tell if your author is a winner of the Steel Dagger or is a 2012 nominee.

Book 2.

Option A.
Follow the Shadow of the White Tiger by choosing a second book in the following manner:

Go to the Literature Map. (Click on the link or type in www.literature-map.com )

In the search box, type the name of the author of your first book, whichever option you chose When the results pop up, choose a book by any author whose name appears. [If for Book 1 you read a book with multiple authors (such as a collection), you may put in any of the contributors’ names as long as you can provide a link to Book 1’s contributor list or a table of contents.]

Option B. If you do not like your choices, or do not have any from following the Literature Map, you may read a book by any author whose first and last initials are found in the words “WHITE TIGER” – that is, “W, H, I, T, E, G, R.” You may use the same letter twice.

Required: Tell us which option you choose for Books 1 and 2.

Approved Silhouette Covers for Book 1. Option A.

Unapproved covers for Book 1. Option A.

-- a really tough call, this one, but the faces were just thyyyyyat much too distinct.



-- another tough call. I felt the windows made the house too distinct, not an outline anymore.

-- silhouettes are not black, white, or are not outlines.

This help thread is open!

ok, so just making sure I understand - i'm thinking about reading The Dispatcher by Ryan David Jahn for 1.B - but since his name doesn't show up on literature map - http://www.literature-map.com/map-sea...

I read a book who's author has the initials in white tiger?

Does this work for a silhouette?

Dee wrote: "ok, so just making sure I understand - i'm thinking about reading The Dispatcher by Ryan David Jahn for 1.B - but since his name doesn't show up on literature map - http://www.literature-map.com/ma..."

I'm afraid in that instance, that's the only choice you have. Yes.

Kathy G. wrote: "Does this work for a silhouette?

"

The adult, child, and ship's railing are featureless and black, so Yes!

Would the boy work for a silhouette? Every part of him is except his shoes.

I want to make sure that will work for a silhouette.

Suzanne wrote: "Would the boy work for a silhouette? Every part of him is except his shoes.

"

It's a little rough. But I think it's an acceptable silhouette.

The trouble, as I've found out in coversations with the moderators, is that in black and white photography, sometimes a silhouette is actually gray, not black! But this one looks black and featureless to me.

To be safe, include in your post that the cover was approved, giving the message #.

Rebecca wrote: "I want to make sure that will work for a silhouette."

Absolutely!

Thanks Nick!

I think these definitely work:



Not sure about these two?
their faces seem too distinct?
- not sure about the guy with the umbrella...

Just wanted to point out that fans of YA should definitely consider using Megan Abbott's Dare Me for Book 1, Option B (it's a 2012 nominee) - I read it for the winter challenge and it's excellent.

Nick wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "Would the boy work for a silhouette? Every part of him is except his shoes.

"

It's a little rough. But I think it's an acceptable silhouette..."

Thanks Nick!

D.G. wrote: "I think these definitely work:



Not sure about these two?

Concerning , I think the guy with the umbrella is definitely a silhouette.

is different. The face on the bottom definitely has features. The top face only has one cheek with light on it. But I don't want to be inconsistent, so I guess I'd have to say that's enough to discount it.

The others are good to go.

would this cover work for option 1A ?

Aleksandra wrote: "would this cover work for option 1A ?"

Strange that the silhouette has a purse. But yes, it's a silhouette.

Nick wrote: "Aleksandra wrote: "would this cover work for option 1A ?"

Strange that the silhouette has a purse. But yes, it's a silhouette."

Thank You :)

Would work? How about ? Thanks!

Nick wrote: "The face on the bottom definitely has features. The top face only has one cheek with light on it. But I don't want to be inconsistent, so I guess I'd have to say that's enough to discount it.

The others are good to go.
"

That's what I thought too, Nick. Thanks!!

I wanted to check some options (especially the last two):-

Erin (NY) wrote: "Would work? How about ? Thanks!"

works.

does not. There is no silhouette. Having the space behind the left eye of the mask unlit does not make it a silhouette of an eye. It's just a hole.

Chaitra wrote: "I wanted to check some options (especially the last two):-



works.
The cutout of the house in has its silhouette status destoyed by having discernible lights on inside.
is too fragmented to be a silhouette.(The fragments have discernible features.)
has only discernible objects, no silhouettes, unless you count the buildings in the background, which are the gray of black and white photography. They don't work.

Thanks Nick! I'll use the first one!

I was wondering if any of these books work for the silhouette challenge?

~ * mariya * ~ wrote: "I was wondering if any of these books work for the silhouette challenge?



The silhouettes must be black or white. The "Lost Girl" silhouette almost works, except that it has shades of gray within its multicolored structure.

None of the others work -- Though the "Golden Boy" drawings are in black ink, they are not outlines.

Nick, sorry to bug you again, but how about this one: ?

My author apparently isn't known to literature map. I have to go with the initials - except none of my planned books fit with that either.

When I was doing a cover search for this, I came across this Listopia list: Silhouette Covers. Most of the covers in there are silhouettes in black or white. Just in case anyone else is like me and need help. :)

Does work for book A?

Would and work for sihouette ?

A couple of my authors are not in the literature map either. The one that has the most choices is a book I already good approved for another task!

Decisions, decisions...

Chaitra wrote: "Nick, sorry to bug you again, but how about this one:?

My author apparently isn't known to literature map. I have to go with the initials - except none of..."

Yes, it's a white silhouette.

I think there might be a couple of other listopias with silhouettes on the cover also.

Hi, Just checking this one is not too grey.

?

Thanks

Skandia wrote: "Would and work for sihouette ?"

All three covers have great silhouettes. ("Lost in Time" has silhouetted pyramids at the bottom.)

Thank you, Nick!

Do this work?

Nikki wrote: "Hi, Just checking this one is not too grey.

?

Thanks"

Approved.

That "gray" question is a real pill, isn't it? It's certainly something I did not think of when I was putting the task rules down.

In your case, I think the headless armed men at the top of the cover are fine silhouettes. Their shadows are grey and if they were the only thing on the cover you were trying to get approved, I'd have to say no. But the headless guys fit the bill.

Katrina wrote: "Does work for book A?"

Hi Katrina, Your book cover did not come through for me. If you intend this one:



I will O.K. the hand as a white silhouette. But I had to think about it -- as much as I've seen this cover at libraries, I'd never realized before now that it was a hand!

If you meant this one:



I am afraid those silhouettes are in grey and will not work.

Thanks Nick - and love the challenge and grey is just black and white getting friendly :).

My challenge is about to be released, I'm dreading to think what i haven't considered.

A couple of the new approved covers are on my TBR so I'll add those to my list!

does this one work for sillouette?

What about these for the silhouette option?

I have a question about the Literature Map option. One of the authors I can use is Leo Tolstoy... I was wondering if I can use Android Karenina because it still has him listed as an author along with Ben Winters.

What about (not sure about this one) or

JennRenee wrote: "does this one work for sillouette? "

Yes. The silhouettes are black, not grey.

~ * mariya * ~ wrote: "What about these for the silhouette option?

"

Yes, the silhouettes are black, not grey.

Melanie wrote: "What about (not sure about this one) or


As long as the silhouette is black or white and just an outline, it will work. All of yours fit the bill except:



This has a picture of a white rose, not a silhouette. As explained in the task, a silhouette is an outline without distinct features.

Oops, sorry about that:) Thanks, Nick:)

Sue T wrote: "Do this work? "

Yup. It works.