The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

15.6 My Way
February 17 is My Way Day. Read a memoir or autobiography- a non-fiction account of the author's OWN personal life and experiences. Books with co-authors are ok ex. Finding Me: A Decade of Darkness, a Life Reclaimed: A Memoir of the Cleveland Kidnappings by Michelle Knight and Michelle Burford

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This help thread is open!

Please verify - autobiography and NOT childrens

Jesus Land

Book Concierge wrote: "Please verify - autobiography and NOT childrens

Jesus Land"

This task doesn't require the genre be present- the description works.
No children's genres present

No genre on main page but description makes it clear:

Approval for that children is not listed on main page.

Thank you in advance.

This author is a friend of mine, and I know the story that she's written here is an authentic memoir. She's not a big, nationally known name, so there aren't a lot of users for her titles, but the word MEMOIR appears in the title and description.

I've been looking for an excuse to read this book for a while - this seems to be the perfect task if I could get it verified. Yes?

Means of Transit: A Slightly Embellished Memoir
by Teresa Miller

Given that I've never done anything worthy of being put in anyone's autobiography, how is it possible to use one's own experience for this task?

Trish wrote: "Given that I've never done anything worthy of being put in anyone's autobiography, how is it possible to use one's own experience for this task?"

I think they were just trying to clarify the difference between a biography (written about another person) and an autobiography (written by the person it's about).

Book Concierge wrote: "No genre on main page but description makes it clear:
"

That works

Tara Jo wrote: "Approval for that children is not listed on main page.

Thank you in advance."

noted

Pat wrote: "This author is a friend of mine, and I know the story that she's written here is an authentic memoir. She's not a big, nationally known name, so there aren't a lot of users for her titles, but the..."

yes, that would work, as long as "slightly embellished" doesn't turn into fiction

Thanks, Dlmrose!

I'll be sure to keep it "real." In fact, the truth of her life often reads as fiction -- she's a pretty amazing individual. She hosts a PBS show called Writing Out Loud where she interviews authors of all kinds. I try to watch as often as I can since she and I don't work at the same university anymore.

Morgan wrote: I think they were just trying to clarify the difference between a biography (written about another person) and an autobiography (written by the person it's about).

You're right - for some reason my brain didn't click in for that one. Ho hum.

Please confirm that both of these meet the task requirements:

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

So, Anyway...

Thank you

I have those moments too, Trish. lol.

I can't remember why I have a tab open half the time.

Kim wrote: "Please confirm that both of these meet the task requirements:

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

So, Anyway...

Thank you"

Yes, either would work

Can I read Goodnight Dear: The Unsentimental Diary Of A Bereaved Husband - Darren Humphries?

*I've asked for approval for length as well*

Fiona (Titch) wrote: "Can I read Goodnight Dear: The Unsentimental Diary Of A Bereaved Husband - Darren Humphries?

*I've asked for approval for length as well*"

yes, that works

Please verify:

by Sidney Poitier

OR

by Caroline Knapp

Erika wrote: "Please verify:

by Sidney Poitier

OR

by Caroline Knapp"

either would work

Does this work?
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling.

Hina wrote: "Does this work?
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling."

That works "invites readers on a tour of her life "

Would Born Free: The Full Story work?

Elizabeth wrote: "Would Born Free: The Full Story work?"

yes "the story of her life alongside Elsa"

I'm assuming Let Me Stand Alone: The Journals of Rachel Corrie would work. Or does it need to be written with the intent to publish?

Anna wrote: "I'm assuming Let Me Stand Alone: The Journals of Rachel Corrie would work. Or does it need to be written with the intent to publish?"

it works, "telling her story in her own words"

I think I can read this book?

Pia wrote: "I think I can read this book?

"

Yes, that works

If anyone's stuck on this one, I read Unbearable Lightness: A Story of Loss and Gain by Portia de Rossi a while back and thought it was really good.

Still Foolin' 'em: Where I've Been, Where I'm Going, and Where the Hell Are My Keys? was good as well - the audiobook was hilarious - read by the author

Just to verify Me Talk Pretty One Day will work for this?

Thanks!

Teresa Jo wrote: "Just to verify Me Talk Pretty One Day will work for this?

Thanks!"

sure, "the most distinctively skewed autobiography "

How about Last Days in Babylon: The History of a Family, the Story of a Nation? (tried to get it in for the fall, but did not quite make it) Thanks

Cindie wrote: "How about Last Days in Babylon: The History of a Family, the Story of a Nation? (tried to get it in for the fall, but did not quite make it) Thanks"

Yes, that would work

Can I count this? I read 40% before Dec 1 but it is VERY long.

The Great War for Civilisation: The Conquest of the Middle East

Stacie wrote: "Can I count this? I read 40% before Dec 1 but it is VERY long.

The Great War for Civilisation: The Conquest of the Middle East"

Here's the rule
Pre-reading: Books longer than 499 pages that were started any time before the beginning of a challenge can be used to fulfill a task if more than half the book is read during the challenge.

Since you read less than half before Dec 1 then you can finish it for the winter challenge but it doesn't look like a memoir or autobiography

Much of it is a reflection on his time as a correspondent in the ME. I would consider it a memoir but it's up to you.

Stacie wrote: "Much of it is a reflection on his time as a correspondent in the ME. I would consider it a memoir but it's up to you."

Ok, I can see it- from the publisher: "Fisk's remarkable history is also the tale of a journalist at war – learning of the 9/11 attacks while aboard a passenger jet, reporting from a bombed-out Baghdad, interviewing Osama bin Laden – and of the courage and frustration of a life spent writing the first draft of history."

Great! I need the motivation to finish this one. It's seriously gloomy but I'm learning a lot.

Bright Lights, Big Ass: A Self-Indulgent, Surly, Ex-Sorority Girl's Guide to Why It Often Sucks in the City, or Who Are These Idiots and Why Do They All Live Next Door to Me? works, right?

Marscha wrote: "Bright Lights, Big Ass: A Self-Indulgent, Surly, Ex-Sorority Girl's Guide to Why It Often Sucks in the City, or Who Are These Idiots and Why Do They All Live Next Door to Me? works, ri..."

yes

Looking for approval for this book

A Million Steps

Wanda wrote: "Looking for approval for this book

A Million Steps"

that works

Just wondering about As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride? It appears to be an autobiography of a specific time in Elwes' life, as well as a history of the making of the film. I am just wanting to clarify if it's too far "film story" to still be considered "life story?"

Sam wrote: "Just wondering about As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride? It appears to be an autobiography of a specific time in Elwes' life, as well as a histor..."

That would work " share his memories"

Would Catching the Big Fish: Meditation, Consciousness, and Creativity work?

Alexis wrote: "Would Catching the Big Fish: Meditation, Consciousness, and Creativity work?"

yes