The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

25.3 - Sirena's task: Hey Baby, It's Cold Outside...So Pick a Side!
The Cold War, for me, is the most interesting and compelling time period in 20th century history. So much was accomplished; so much was at stake; and so much continues to be exposed about the era (1947-1991) and the players.

Since where you are born is up to chance, flip a coin to establish your alliance. Heads = USA; Tails = USSR

Pick 2 different options and follow the rules for your alliance.

Required: Indicate the results of your coin flip and which options you chose when you post.

Option 1: Key Leaders The men who ran the Cold War led storied lives. Read a biography, autobiography, or memoir about one of the men who lead your alliance. Genres may be stand alone or embedded.
USA: Harry S. Truman; Dwight D. Eisenhower; John F. Kennedy; Lyndon B. Johnson; Richard Nixon; Gerald Ford; Jimmy Carter; Ronald Reagan; or George H.W. Bush
USSR: Joseph Stalin; Georgy Malenkov; Nikita Kruschev; Leonid Brezhnev; Yuri Andropov; Konstinin Chernenko; Mikhail Gorbachev

Option 2: Space Race I love the Space Race. It exemplifies how competition can spur man to the greatest heights, and how, sometimes, having an arch-rival can motivate us to do better, be better, and...deceive better. Read a non-fiction book about a topic listed under your alliance. Topic should be obvious in the GR summary.
USA: NASA; Astronauts; Space Race; Apollo program; Space Exploration; Aviation; Physics
USSR: Russian Aviation and Space Agency; Cosmonauts; Space Race; Yuri Gagarin; Space Colonization; Rocketry; Astronomy
**Because "Space Race" books will cover both USA and USSR, books identified as such can work for either alliance. Science topics (space exploration, rocketry, etc.) are general and do not need to be alliance specific.**

Option 3: Espionage Everyone knows...NOW...how espionage played a crucial role during the Cold War. From the Rosenbergs to Kim Philby, James Bond to George Smiley to Jason Bourne, spies fascinate us. Read a fiction or non-fiction book with the main page genre "Espionage", with additional specifications based on your alliance. Genre may be stand-alone or embedded.
USA: The book must be set at least 50% in the USSR or Eastern Bloc (USSR and Eastern Bloc countries that work for this task: Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Tajikistan, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Turkmenistan, Armenia, Latvia, Estonia, East Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Poland).
USSR: The book must be set at least 50% in the USA. (This includes the United States, and the territories of Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands).

Option 4: Peace The end of the Cold War was a defining moment in 20th century history, and one that I distinctly remember from the news coverage, and the change in mission that my parents experienced in the military. This peace was accomplished by Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, and, according to himself, David Hasselhoff. Read a fiction book that contains a word of 3 or more letters (excluding "the") from the quote attributed to the leader of your alliance OR David Hasselhoff in the title or subtitle. Words must match exactly.
USA: "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall."
USSR: "If not me, who? And if not now, when?"
HASSELHOFF: "I find it a bit sad that there is no photo of me hanging on the walls in the Berlin Museum at Check-Point Charlie."

We are go for launch:

Option 1, Alliance: USSR:


Option 1, Alliance: USA


Option 2, Alliance: USSR:


Option 2, Alliance: USA


Option 3, Alliance: USA:


Option 3, Alliance: USSR:


Option 4, Alliance: USA:


Option 4, Alliance: Hasselhoff:

Houston, we have a problem...

Option 2, Alliance: USSR:
(not about rocketry)
(not about rocketry)

Option 3, Alliance: USA
(Set in W. Europe)

Option 3, Alliance: USSR
(Set in Vietnam)

This thread is now open!

Lol option 4

I flipped tails - USSR.

Just wanted to get some clarification on Option 2 (because, YAY! books about space!)

For "Space Race", would a book about Apollo 11 work? I know the Apollo program is a USA topic, but would you consider Apollo 11 part of the Space Race? Specifically, I'm looking at Rocket Men: The Epic Story of the First Men on the Moon, if that helps.

If not (because I can't decide) would a book about Pluto work for Astronomy? Looking at either The Pluto Files: The Rise and Fall of America's Favorite Planet or How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming.


Also, just to double check, for Option 4, I can use "and" as my word?

So for option 4, we are going by the first letter of each word in the phrase of our prospective side?

Does this work for Opt. 3?
I don't know if it's in 50% USSR.

The Cardinal of the Kremlin
I'm in USA

thanks

Looking at The Spy Who Came In from the Cold for option 2.

Would you consider allowing books set in the Eastern Bloc countries (East Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Romania, Poland)? Just curious.

Thank you.

Rolled tails: USSR

Please approve The Guilty for Option 2: espionage, which is currently near the bottom of the genre list.

For option 4, can I go with Hanging Hill which has the word "hanging" from the Hasselhoff quote?

Thanks!

Oh, this is one of the most interesting tasks I've seen to date! I'm not even completely biased because I get to read an astronomy book as an option. :)

Very educational AND funny. Great job Kristina!

Having called tails, I need a book set 50% in the US. I'm debating rereading The Hunt for Red October for Option 3, which is one of my all-time favourite Cold War novels. All the analysis stuff on Ryan's side is US based, but a certain amount of the story happens on a US submarine in the Atlantic. Would that be "US" enough to cover the option.

Boston Kate wrote: "I flipped tails - USSR.

Just wanted to get some clarification on Option 2 (because, YAY! books about space!)

For "Space Race", would a book about Apollo 11 work? I know the Apollo program is a US..."

Apollo 11 is definitely, in my opinion, the pinnacle of the space race and works for option 2. Also, books about Pluto would count as astronomy, too!

For option 4, yes, "and" works for the USSR!

Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "So for option 4, we are going by the first letter of each word in the phrase of our prospective side?"

East Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Bulg..."

For option 4, I have asked the moderators to clarify my language to say: "Read a fiction book that contains a word of 3 or more letters (excluding "the") from the quote attributed to the leader of your alliance OR David Hasselhoff in the title or subtitle.

Kathy G. wrote: "Does this work for Opt. 3?
I don't know if it's in 50% USSR.

The Cardinal of the Kremlin
I'm in USA

thanks"

Approved!

Does it also work for 50% USA? I thought it might.
I misunderstood the coin toss--- :-)

Kim wrote: "Looking at The Spy Who Came In from the Cold for option 2.

Would you consider allowing books set in the Eastern Bloc countries (East Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Bulg..."

I have asked the moderators to add Eastern Bloc countries to the option, which would mean The Spy Who Came In from the Cold would definitely work.

Amy wrote: "Rolled tails: USSR

Please approve The Guilty for Option 2: espionage, which is currently near the bottom of the genre list.

For option 4, can I go with Hanging Hill..."

Both books are approved!

Trish wrote: "Having called tails, I need a book set 50% in the US. I'm debating rereading The Hunt for Red October for Option 3, which is one of my all-time favourite Cold War novels. All the ana..."

Approved!

Kathy G. wrote: "Does it also work for 50% USA? I thought it might.
I misunderstood the coin toss--- :-)"

If your alliance is to the USA, then the book should be 50% in the USSR (or the Eastern Bloc countries, pending approval from the moderators), because you would spy on your enemies.

If your alliance is to the USSR, you want to spy on the United States.

That being said, it looks like this book would work either way, based on the GR setting data.

Thank you--- I get it now.
Great book--- working for both sides. :-)

My alliance is USA.

For option 3, I am choosing Gorky Park.

For option 4, using USA quote, I am choosing The Wall.

Sirena wrote: "Trish wrote: "Having called tails, I need a book set 50% in the US. I'm debating rereading The Hunt for Red October for Option 3..."

Approved! "

Thank you!

Bea wrote: "My alliance is USA.

For option 3, I am choosing Gorky Park.

For option 4, using USA quote, I am choosing The Wall."

Both books look really good!

Sirena wrote: "Boston Kate wrote: "I flipped tails - USSR.

Just wanted to get some clarification on Option 2 (because, YAY! books about space!)

For "Space Race", would a book about Apollo 11 work? I know the Ap..."

Awesome, thanks! Now just to make a decision! :)

I haven't even flipped the coin yet, but just wondering about this book for Option 2 USA alliance
The Astronaut Wives Club

or this one if I flip "tails" for USSR
Rocket Boys

Book Concierge wrote: "I haven't even flipped the coin yet, but just wondering about this book for Option 2 USA alliance
The Astronaut Wives Club

or this one if I flip "tails" for USSR
[book:Rocket Boy..."

The Astronauts Wives Club will work for the subject "Astronauts" under the Option 2 USA Alliance.

Rocket Boys is one of my favorite books, and Homer Hickam is so wonderful. But, this book does not fit for USSR as it is primarily a memoir about Homer Hickam in West Virginia, and his sparking interest in science.

I rolled Heads - USA. Would any of these work for Opt 2 Space Race:
, or

For option 1, is this enough about Stalin to qualify? Stalin and His Hangmen: The Tyrant and Those Who Killed for Him

KSMary wrote: "I rolled Heads - USA. Would any of these work for Opt 2 Space Race:
, [bookcover:Riding Rockets: The Outrageous Tales of a Space Shutt..."

Lost Moon would work only because 7 users categorized it as "Astronomy," but not for Space Race (because the Space Race died down after we reached the moon).

Moon Shot definitely works for Space Race.

Riding Rockets doesn't work for USSR because it is not about Russian Aviation and Space Agency; Cosmonauts; Space Race; Yuri Gagarin; Space Colonization; Rocketry; Astronomy. (It seems like a good book for the NASA/Astronauts topics for the USA alliance).

Jennifer W wrote: "For option 1, is this enough about Stalin to qualify? Stalin and His Hangmen: The Tyrant and Those Who Killed for Him"

That works!

Daphne wrote: "Oh, this is one of the most interesting tasks I've seen to date! I'm not even completely biased because I get to read an astronomy book as an option. :)

Very educational AND funny. Great job Krist..."

Thanks!

Sirena wrote: "KSMary wrote: "I rolled Heads - USA. Would any of these work for Opt 2 Space Race:
, [bookcover:Riding Rockets: The Outrageous Tales o..."

If she flipped Heads, which is USA, wouldn't any of those books work for Option 2 for being about NASA?

Boston Kate wrote: "Sirena wrote: "KSMary wrote: "I rolled Heads - USA. Would any of these work for Opt 2 Space Race:
, [bookcover:Riding Rockets: The Out..."

I did add them to the USA. I am trying to keep up with the questions.

Sirena wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "For option 1, is this enough about Stalin to qualify? Stalin and His Hangmen: The Tyrant and Those Who Killed for Him"

That works!"

Thanks!

For Option 2 are you ok with a book by a Canadian Astronaut I am looking at Chris Hadfield's book An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth
it talks about his ques tand training to become and astronaut and his experiences on the Space Station.
I am in the USA alliance.

Heather(Gibby) wrote: "For Option 2 are you ok with a book by a Canadian Astronaut I am looking at Chris Hadfield's book An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth
it talks about his ques tand training to bec..."

It does match the subject "Astronauts." When I read that book, I gave it 5 stars. It is so good, and he is such an interesting person! Enjoy the book!

My alliance is the USA. Please verify the following are ok:

Option 2.

Option 3.

Thank you.

Kim wrote: "My alliance is the USA. Please verify the following are ok:

Option 2.

Option 3.

Thank you."

Fantastic choices. Both are approved.

For Option 2, alliance USA, would you accept Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void? Thanks for your help! :)

For Option 3, alliance USA, how about Night Soldiers? Sounds like a mixture of settings, including some Western Europe, but also includes Bulgaria and Soviet Russia.

For Option 2 (USA), would having main page genre Science > Physics work for The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements?

kiki wrote: "For Option 2, alliance USA, would you accept Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void? Thanks for your help! :)"

This definitely qualifies for space exploration! Enjoy!

Kristen wrote: "For Option 3, alliance USA, how about Night Soldiers? Sounds like a mixture of settings, including some Western Europe, but also includes Bulgaria and Soviet Russia."

I don't think this works. The GR summary seems to set it primarily in Western Europe, specifically France.

Brooke wrote: "For Option 2 (USA), would having main page genre Science > Physics work for [book:The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table..."

That works! Enjoy!

Sirena wrote: "Trish wrote: "Having called tails, I need a book set 50% in the US. I'm debating rereading The Hunt for Red October for Option 3, which is one of my all-time favourite Cold War novel..."


Well that answered my question :-) I'm going to read Patriot Games as well. I'm not sure if enough of it will be set in the US to count but I haven't read it before and I'll find another home for it if I find it doesn't fit.

As a suggestion for those who flipped for the US, the Mrs Pollifax series by Dorothy Gillman are often set in Eastern bloc countries. They are a lighthearted and fun set of books, at least I've enjoyed the 3 I've recently read.

Fun task btw.

okay, so I got USA and I'm looking at option two and one of the topics can be physics. I'm wondering if this book would work
The Little Book of String Theory

Nicola wrote: "As a suggestion for those who flipped for the US, the Mrs Pollifax series by Dorothy Gillman are often set in Eastern bloc countries. They are a lighthearted and fun set of books, at least I've enj..."

Thanks! I hope you enjoy it!

Whitnie wrote: "okay, so I got USA and I'm looking at option two and one of the topics can be physics. I'm wondering if this book would work
The Little Book of String Theory"

Yes, that works for physics. Enjoy!