The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

30.3 - Sheila's Task - An Ode To Illinois
A. I have lived in Illinois (The Land of Lincoln) my entire life so for that reason, I would have everyone...Read a book about Abraham Lincoln (A. Lincoln: A Biography) or his wife Mary Todd Lincoln (The Emancipator's Wife).
AND
B. When people think Illinois they think Chicago: Read a book with Chicago in the title (The Chicago Way) or a book that takes place in Chicago (The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America).
OR
C. Chicago is famous for talk show host Oprah Winfrey: Read something from her book club picks over the years. Oprah's Book Club Picks

If you need suggestions OR have suggestions for books to read for this task post them here.

Okay does Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter count for this.

That was my question too. Can we read fictionalized books about Lincoln like Love Is Eternal?

Are we supposed to pick two out of three OR read A and then choose either of the last two?

Dionisia wrote: "Are we supposed to pick two out of three OR read A and then choose either of the last two?"

You have to do A but can choose between B&C and I believe it can be fiction or non-fiction for Lincoln.

By the way, one of the Top Five for the Wall Street Journal task includes a list of Lincoln books.

Thanks for clarifying!

Love is Eternal is a good book, I read that years ago. Thanks Elizabeth, I found that WSJ list, too

Felina wrote: "Okay does Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter count for this."

I hope so!

Cait wrote: "Felina wrote: "Okay does Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter count for this."

I hope so!"

I know it sounds awesome...but I think I'm going to go with Lincoln Legends: Myths, Hoaxes, and Confabulations Associated With Our Greatest President as I already own it. If you read it Cait, I will look for your review. :)

Felina wrote: "Cait wrote: "Felina wrote: "Okay does Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter count for this."

I hope so!"

I know it sounds awesome...but I think I'm going to go with Lincoln Legends..."</i>

That book looks good too. I own [book:Lincoln and, while I'm sure it's really good, I don't know that I can do a presidential biography of that size for this challenge. I did put myself on the hold list for the vampire hunter book, so we'll see. I'm going to see if my library has Lincoln Legends as well. Thanks again, you've made this task much easier for me. :o)

No problem! We'll do Lincoln Vampire Hunter another time. :)

I can verify that Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter has quite a bit of history in it and was a really fun read. :D

Personally, I plan on reading Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln if I have time for part A.

I think I am going with Abraham Lincoln and The Book of Ralph: A Novel, which is set in Chicago in the 70's

Sometime recently I read Mary, which I found fascinating.

Does The Time Traveler's Wife take place in Chicago? I can't remember.

Liz wrote: "Does The Time Traveler's Wife take place in Chicago? I can't remember."

I saw it on a list of books set in Chicago but have not corraborated that. I don't always trust lists out of hand!

Yes it does...part of the time. I mean when he travels through time its not always in Chicago. Check with Cynthia to make sure the ratio's are okay.

I've ordered Mrs. Lincoln and Mrs. Keckly: The Remarkable Story of the Friendship Between a First Lady and a Former Slave for the first part of this task. When I read Mary, I was fascinated with this relationship and am glad for an excuse to read more of it. For the second part, though I have 2 books on my shelf that would work, I was delighted to see Tara Road on Oprah's list, as Maeve Binchy is one of my favorites and I haven't read this.

Elizabeth wrote: "I've ordered Mrs. Lincoln and Mrs. Keckly: The Remarkable Story of the Friendship Between a First Lady and a Former Slave for the first part of this task. When I read [book:Mary|19382..."

Elizabeth, I'm reading Mary for the Summer Challenge. I'll keep Mrs. Lincoln & Mrs. Keckly in mind for future reading.

I hope you like it Petra. I knew very little about Mary before I read that.

Was Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter ever approved?
Also, can anyone confirm whether The Time Traveler's Wife works for option B?

Liz wrote: "Was Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter ever approved?
Also, can anyone confirm whether The Time Traveler's Wife works for option B?"



The Time Traveler's Wife is definitely set in Chicago. :o)

Elizabeth wrote: "I've ordered Mrs. Lincoln and Mrs. Keckly: The Remarkable Story of the Friendship Between a First Lady and a Former Slave for the first part of this task. When I read [book:Mary|19382..."

I put a hold on that one at the library, too - I thought it sounded really interesting.

Liz wrote: "Was Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter ever approved?
Also, can anyone confirm whether The Time Traveler's Wife works for option B?"

I would like to know if Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter was approved also...

Valorie wrote: "Liz wrote: "Was Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter ever approved?
Also, can anyone confirm whether The Time Traveler's Wife works for option B?"

I would like to know if [b..."

Please, for the love of all that's wonderful and good and right in the universe let Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter be approved <3 If not, I'll need to fit it in somewhere else, because it sounds like it's made of epic win.

Cait wrote: "The Time Traveler's Wife is definitely set in Chicago. :o)"

Yay! Thank you!

I'll make the executive decision the Abe Lincoln Vampire Hunter is acceptable.

Cynthia wrote: "I'll make the executive decision the Abe Lincoln Vampire Hunter is acceptable."

Hooray for Cynthia!

I'm doing this one for part of this challenge The Radical and the Republican: Frederick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln, and the Triumph of Antislavery Politics by James Oakes

This one looks interesting for part B: by Karen Abbott

A lot of Laura Caldwell books are set in Chicago.

Hurrah! Abe Lincoln, Vampire Hunter is approved! Dance party time all you vampire readers!! :P

Cynthia wrote: "I'll make the executive decision the Abe Lincoln Vampire Hunter is acceptable."

Yay!! Thank you Cynthia!

I'm hoping Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith works for this task because that's what I picked for part A and hey I designed the task! lol

For part B because I am a die hard Cubs fan I'm choosing a book called Murder at Wrigley field which unfortunately occurs a lot there when another team shows up to play. haha!! Oh well, maybe next year?

Sheila wrote: "I'm hoping Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith works for this task because that's what I picked for part A and hey I designed the task! lol

Fo..."

Cynthia already okayed Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.

Tanja wrote: "Hurrah! Abe Lincoln, Vampire Hunter is approved! Dance party time all you vampire readers!! :P"

Satire, satire~ *dancedancedance*

I can't WAIT to bring this book to school and have the kids ask what I'm reading *GRIN*

I found "To sleep with angels. The story of fire" by David Cowan is going work for B?

I was wondering if Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowellwould work? Lincoln's murder seems to be the main theme throughout the book.
Thanks

Some books set in Chicago:

Then We Came to the End
The House on Mango Street
The Lazarus Project
Loving Frank

Most of the Harry Dresden series are set in Chicago, I was planning on using the newest one.

Jack Daniels by J.A. Konrath series is set in Chicago.

Sheila, will you accept Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer for Part A, or is that not considered to be about Lincoln enough to qualify? Thanks!

Ms Anderson - HEE! I should get the paperback just to show it off :)

I would think any book relating to John Wilkes Booth would be fine El. Plus this book even has Lincoln in the title. I have actually read that book and learned a lot of facts I didn't know before. The whole reason I chose the Lincoln theme was that I just visited the new multi-million $$ Lincoln presidential museum in Springfield, Il. It was fantastic and IMHO would rival any Smithsonian museum. If anyone is traveling through Illinois that would definitely be worth a visit.

I think Cynthia has the final say as to what is allowed though. Since this is my first time coming up with a task I am not sure who has the final say, but I will defer to Cynthia.

Cynthia, what do you think?

For a book that takes place in Chicago... would Oprah: A Biography work?

Please say yes to Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer - I've been wanting to read it!

Wanted to let everyone know that this task is now worth 30 points!

Cynthia,

Are you able to approve books for this challenge or do we need to wait on Sheila? I'm waiting on confirmation on Oprah: A Biography as a book that takes place in Chicago.

Will Storm Front work for B? It sounds like it's set in Chicago, but I just wanted to confirm.