The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

25.2 Laurie ME's task: Interesting Spring Holidays

Choose 2 different options:

1. March 14: National Pie Day: Read a book (fiction or non-fiction) based around food: making, selling, consuming.

2. March 15: The Ides of March: Julius Caesar was assassinated this day in 44BCE. Read a book set in the ancient world (Ancient Rome, Greece, Egypt - basically prior to the common era or the birth of Jesus.) OR a book about a prominent person's assassination/attempted assassination. The person may be factual or fictional e.g. a fictional president

3. April 15: Titanic Remembrance Day: Read a book set mostly on a ship/boat; OR one about a maritime disaster.

4. April 18: Patriot's Day: read a book set during the time of the American Revolution (any country, during the 1700s) The book must be set during that century. Time travel books that move between the 1700's and the present do NOT work. OR a book set in Massachusetts.

5. May 4: National Renewal Day: Give an old book/author/series you've neglected or given up on another chance.

6. May 7: National Tourism Day: Read a book set in or about a place you'd like to visit. The place must be a real place; the book may be fiction or non-fiction

Required: Please identify the option and explain any connection that is not explained in the book description

reserved

reserved

This help thread is open!

Hehehe. I am moving a book already! The Last of the Mohicans was approved for 15.5 (my copy showed a tree) but it will fit option 4 here much better. Off to find another tree for 15.5 and to find the second book for this task!

So for option 5, could this be an author that I have not read in a long while (Phillis Whitney - started her book after a long hiatus last season but did not finish)? Or a book that has taken me a long time to read and that I keep chipping away at but finally put down (Les Misérables - been trying to read this book for over a year and still not half-way)?

just used goodreads boat books list to find a book for option 3. Is life of pi ok?

I believe this one will work for Opt 2. set in ancient Rome: Cleopatra's Daughter . Michelle Moran also wrote Nefertiti and The Heretic Queen which are set in ancient Greece which would also work, right?

For option 6, can I read a historical fiction book set in the place I'd like to visit, or does the fiction need to be set in modern day?

Bea wrote: "So for option 5, could this be an author that I have not read in a long while (Phillis Whitney - started her book after a long hiatus last season but did not finish)? Or a book that has taken me a..."

Yes

Kirsty wrote: "just used goodreads boat books list to find a book for option 3. Is life of pi ok?"

If there's a boat involved in a significant way, it works fine.

KSMary wrote: "I believe this one will work for Opt 2. set in ancient Rome: Cleopatra's Daughter . Michelle Moran also wrote Nefertiti and The Heretic Queen which are set in ancient Greece which would also work,..."

Yes

Ms Anderson wrote: "For option 6, can I read a historical fiction book set in the place I'd like to visit, or does the fiction need to be set in modern day?"

All that counts is the place - any place you'd like to visit, time doesn't matter.

Bea wrote: "Hehehe. I am moving a book already! The Last of the Mohicans was approved for 15.5 (my copy showed a tree) but it will fit option 4 here much better. Off to find another tree for 15.5 and to fin..."

;-)

Laurie wrote: Yes.

"Bea wrote: "So for option 5, could this be an author that I have not read in a long while (Phillis Whitney - started her book after a long hiatus last season but did not finish)? Or a book that has taken me a long time to read and that I keep chipping away at but finally put down (Les Misérables - been trying to read this book for over a year and still not half-way)?"

Now to decide....:)

Laurie wrote: "Ms Anderson wrote: "For option 6, can I read a historical fiction book set in the place I'd like to visit, or does the fiction need to be set in modern day?"

All that counts is the place - any pla..."

Awesome, thank you!

I particularly like the one about neglected series. I have a series I love but for some reason I haven't picked up a book in the last two years! I'm definitely going to read it for this task.

Will Assassination Vacation work for option 2? The author travels to all the places in the US where presidents were shot.

Chris wrote: "Will Assassination Vacation work for option 2? The author travels to all the places in the US where presidents were shot."

Yes.

I want to check on A Breath of Snow and Ashes for Option 4: Patriot's day. The book page lists Time Travel since that's a huge part of the Outlander series but so far as I can tell by looking at the dates in chapter headings, only 4 pages in the epilogue chapter take place in the 20th century, the rest of the book takes place between 1772 and 1776.

Would that work?

Vicky wrote: "I want to check on A Breath of Snow and Ashes for Option 4: Patriot's day. The book page lists Time Travel since that's a huge part of the Outlander series but so far as I can tell by looking at th..."

No, since time travel is the basis for the story line.

I wondered if Transfer of Power would work for Ides of March assassination attempt. Since I haven't read it I'm not sure, but it sounds like it is a political thriller with a presidential assassination attempt.

Amy C wrote: "I wondered if Transfer of Power would work for Ides of March assassination attempt. Since I haven't read it I'm not sure, but it sounds like it is a political thriller with a presidential assassin..."

Yes, it works.

I'm going to read:

Option 2: Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran

Option 4: The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper

Hi, great task, just wondered if you would accept Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void for Option 6. I have always wanted to travel in space :).

Claire wrote: "I'm going to read:

Option 2: Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran

Option 4: The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper"

Sounds perfect!

Nikki wrote: "Hi, great task, just wondered if you would accept Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void for Option 6. I have always wanted to travel in space :)."

If it's someplace you'd like to go, it works for me!
Yes!

For Option 5 does it have to be set on a boat on the sea or can it be a canal boat?

Narrow Minds

Wendy UK wrote: "For Option 5 does it have to be set on a boat on the sea or can it be a canal boat?

Narrow Minds"

I think you mean Option 3 and a canal boat works just fine, if it's on water of some sort ... perfect.

Laurie wrote: " Wendy UK wrote: "For Option 5 does it have to be set on a boat on the sea or can it be a canal boat?

Narrow Minds"

I think you mean Option 3 and a canal boat works just fine, if it's on water o..."

Thanks Laurie - yes I did mean Option 3!

Wendy UK wrote: "Laurie wrote: " Wendy UK wrote: "For Option 5 does it have to be set on a boat on the sea or can it be a canal boat?

Narrow Minds"

I think you mean Option 3 and a canal boat works just fine, if ..."

;-)

for #5 - what about a book that you are scared to read because the first one in the series was really good and you don't think a second one could top it/or might destroy your love of the first one? I have UnWholly staring at me on my nightstand - I loved Unwind and pre-ordered unwholly, but something is just holding me back...does that make sense?

Would Wanderlust work for Option 2? The heroine is an ambassador who survives repeated assassination attempts over the course of the book.

Dee wrote: "for #5 - what about a book that you are scared to read because the first one in the series was really good and you don't think a second one could top it/or might destroy your love of the first one?..."

Yes that does, I've done the same thing, and as far as I'm concerned that counts!
Yes.

Mrs.soule wrote: "Would Wanderlust work for Option 2? The heroine is an ambassador who survives repeated assassination attempts over the course of the book."

Yes, it works for me.

Thanks - this was the task I was most worried about

Dee wrote: "for #5 - what about a book that you are scared to read because the first one in the series was really good and you don't think a second one could top it/or might destroy your love of the first one?..."

Just so you know, Dee - I just finished UnWholly, and I thought it was great. :)

Thanks Kate - most of my friends have enjoyed it but all of their reviews have had a but in it...

I'm planning:
Breakfast at Tiffany's
for option 1. Pi Day, but that main story is followed by a few short ones that may or may not have to do with food. Will this count. Breakfast at Tiffany's is over 100 pages, but I haven't found a copy without extra stories.

Karen GHHS wrote: "I'm planning:
Breakfast at Tiffany's
for option 1. Pi Day, but that main story is followed by a few short ones that may or may not have to do with food. Will this count. Breakfast at Tiffany's is o..."

Breakfast at Tiffany's doesn't really have anything to do with food.

Sandy wrote: "Karen GHHS wrote: "I'm planning:
Breakfast at Tiffany's
for option 1. Pi Day, but that main story is followed by a few short ones that may or may not have to do with food. Will this count. Breakfas..."

Oh, darn! ;) Obviously I need to get this one in my repertoire. I've missed the book and the movies!

For option 6 (National Tourism Day), I always wanted to visit Russia and I'm currently reading Anna Karenina, which is a MONSTER read. Would that do?

Marwa wrote: "For option 6 (National Tourism Day), I always wanted to visit Russia and I'm currently reading Anna Karenina, which is a MONSTER read. Would that do?"

Yes

May I use The Song of Achilles for option 2?

Jayme VA wrote: "May I use The Song of Achilles for option 2?"

Yes.

Thanks Laurie!

I'd like to check to make sure A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail will work for Option 6. i.e. can The Appalachian Trail be considered a place I'd like to visit? I'm told you can hike it in segments over a period of time and eventually get credit for hiking the whole thing. It is not clear from the blurb on the back whether Bryson and his friend did the whole 2100 mile journey.

Andy wrote: "I'd like to check to make sure A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail will work for Option 6. i.e. can The Appalachian Trail be considered a place I'd like to visit? I..."

If that's where you'd like to go on your vacation, it works for me. And, I've heard the same thing. A friend of mine is planning to hike to Maine section later on this year. Good luck to him and you if you decide to hike any part of it.

Laurie wrote: "Andy wrote: "I'd like to check to make sure A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail will work for Option 6. i.e. can The Appalachian Trail be considered a place I'd lik..."

Thanks, don't know if I'll make it this year, but it's on my bucket list.

For option 6, does it matter if you've already been to a place as long as you want to visit it again?

We've been to England but we're thinking of going again this summer. :)