The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

5.4 - I'm Glad My Mother Didn't Name Me...
Read a book written by an author OR one with a main character that has a name you're sooooo glad is not yours. (NOTE: The author or main character must share your gender. In other words, no A Boy Named Sue situations). (EXAMPLE: Fannie Flagg -- Love her books, but sooooo glad my name's not Fannie).

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

Yes -- These books would fit this task:

No -- These books do not fit this task:

Main character names:

Kilgore Trout in Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five and Breakfast of Champions

Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird

Bucky Wunderlick in Don DeLillo's Great Jones Street

Kerrick and Vainte in Harry Harrison's Eden Trilogy West of Eden(main characters for the two different species)

Beowulf Shaeffer, in Larry Niven's Crashlander

Lenar Hoyt, Fedmahn Kassad, Het Masteen, Merin Aspic, Siri in Dan Simmons Hyperion (each has a starring role in stories very loosely based on The Canterbury Tales)

Duny, Ged in Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea books A Wizard of Earthsea(Main character has several names -- also called Sparrowhawk)

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate

For Charles Dickens, see http://charlesdickenspage.com/charact...

(Lots of "good" names in the Harry Potter books, too bad they're not main characters.)

I found a Cormina in one of the books I own...i'm soo using that!

Listopia (may or may not work):
http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/18...

The Hunger Games trilogy main character is named Katniss. Which is almost ok, but SOOOOOO not. Because it just screams "Catnip" to me!

Ashley FL wrote: "The Hunger Games trilogy main character is named Katniss. Which is almost ok, but SOOOOOO not. Because it just screams "Catnip" to me!"

That's what Gale called her sometimes!

I'm thinking any of the Sookie Stackhouse books would work...unless you'd like to be names Sookie, of course. LOL!

Leigh Ann wrote: "I'm thinking any of the Sookie Stackhouse books would work...unless you'd like to be names Sookie, of course. LOL!"

That was one that came to mind for me, too. I've finished the series, but they would definitely work.

Ran across this one in the bookstore tonight and it looks interesting: Swimming by Nicola Keegan. The main character's name is Philomena

I was thinking of reading a book by Edith Wharton. I absolutely glad my parents did not name me EDITH...I think I would cry!

I was thinking of reading Moll Flanders

I'm reading The Complete Ivory : Includes Gate of Ivory; Two-Bit Heroes, & Guilt Edged Ivory by Doris Egan. The main character's name, Theodora, isn't too bad in my opinion, but I would not want to be named Doris.

Doris makes me think of things like crotchety old cafeteria ladies who wear too much pink and knit awful sweaters for their grandchildren.

This is the perfect task to read Flannery O'Connor!

its interesting that she goes by Flannery, but her real name is Mary...Flannery is her middle name...

Cait wrote: "This is the perfect task to read Flannery O'Connor!"

pjreads wrote: "(Lots of "good" names in the Harry Potter books, too bad they're not main characters.) ."

I wouldn't much like to be named Hermione!

I can't imagine being called anything but Elizabeth, so technically any book written by a woman whose name is something other than Elizabeth would work for me. (But I'll see if I can work in someone with a slightly odd name.)

Delicious Dee the book slut wrote: "its interesting that she goes by Flannery, but her real name is Mary...Flannery is her middle name...

Cait wrote: "This is the perfect task to read Flannery O'Connor!""

Oh wow, I didn't know that! I wonder if she will still work?

her profile says Flannery, but if you read her bio it says Mary Flannery...so I don't know...

Cait wrote: "Delicious Dee the book slut wrote: "its interesting that she goes by Flannery, but her real name is Mary...Flannery is her middle name...

Oh wow, I didn't know that! I wonder if she will still work?"

She writes under the name Flannery (for whatever unknown reason ;o)) so, yes, she'd still work for the task as long as you wouldn't want to be called Flannery ;o).

Caity wrote: "Doris makes me think of things like crotchety old cafeteria ladies who wear too much pink and knit awful sweaters for their grandchildren."

That made me laugh. My grandmother's name was Doris and she actually knitted some really beautiful sweaters for me. But, like you, I'm really, really glad my mother didn't name me after my grandmother ;o).

I actually like weird names and I wouldn't really mind to be named something like Hermione, Flannery, Edith, or Doris.

It's 'unique' spellings I'd hate. Not really on anyone else, I just have enough trouble getting people to spell my last name right.

Kathryn Stockett
Stephenie Meyer
Ayn Rand
Alyson Noel
Laurell K. Hamilton
Kelley Armstrong

The most unfortunate names I can possibly think of with authors/characters I recognize:

Agatha Christie
Good Omens (Agnes)
Priscilla Cummings (I'm using this one)
Gertrude Stein
A Streetcar Named Desire (Stella)
Ethel and Ernest: A True Story
White Noise (Babette)

Maybe I have something against names that sound kind of crusty and old-maid-ish? Dagmar is pretty bad, but I don't hate that one as much as I did when I first started taking German in high school.

Haha - this is such a subjective task b/c I love the name Stella!
And I agree Rhea - I have a hard time with names spelled uniquely.

some of my personal suggestions:
LaVyrle Spencer
Mansfield Park (Fanny Price)
Tamela Quijas
Jandy Nelson
The True Story of Hansel and Gretel (Gretel & Magda)
Stefne Miller
Richelle Mead
Justina Chen Headley
Philippa Gregory
Tana French
Libba Bray
Abra Ebner
Brunonia Barry
Baroness Emmuska Orczy

Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Yann isn't a name I'd prefer.

Tanja wrote: "Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Yann isn't a name I'd prefer."

I wouldn't want to be named Yann either, but keep in mind that the task states "The author or main character must share your gender."

My father actually wanted to name me Mary Lou, thankfully my mother prevailed! Having a really tough time finding anything for this other than nursing texts! Help!

Barbara wrote: "My father actually wanted to name me Mary Lou, thankfully my mother prevailed! Having a really tough time finding anything for this other than nursing texts! Help!"

I saw some books on your tbr that might be options for you (unless you like the character or author's name, of course).

The Handmaid's Tale (character named Offred)
Summer - Edith Wharton
Moll Flanders (character Moll)
Oscar and Lucinda (character Lucinda)
Tess of the D'Urbervilles (character Tess)
Fingersmith (characters Sue or Maud)
Cold Comfort Farm (character Flora)
Agnes Grey (character Agnes)

Cait wrote: "Barbara wrote: "My father actually wanted to name me Mary Lou, thankfully my mother prevailed! Having a really tough time finding anything for this other than nursing texts! Help!"

I saw some bo..."

Thanks Cait! I just added Cold Comfort Farm for 5.3 (Stella Gibbons). My kids and I were discussing names today and they were falling off the bar stools at lunch when I was telling them about what I was almost named, it just doesn't "go" with my German last name, maiden or married! I married my husband because of a gymnastics competition so I guess a Bio or something by mary Lou Retton would be an appropriate choice for me. I hadn't thought of that idea. It was the character that I was looking for.

Lol, I'm sorry Barbara! For some reason I was under the impression that you thought you had to use the name Mary Lou. I'm having the same problem as you; I could only find two books that might work. One of them is a juvenile book Absolutely Normal Chaos, and the other, On the Road, lists Mary Lou as a character, but I haven't read it so I don't know for sure.
Are you sure you don't want to read a nursing text? :oD

Barbara wrote: "My father actually wanted to name me Mary Lou, thankfully my mother prevailed! Having a really tough time finding anything for this other than nursing texts! Help!"

Only non-children's Mary Lou book I could find... The Eighth Commandment. No idea if it's any good!

Nicki (UK) wrote: "Barbara wrote: "My father actually wanted to name me Mary Lou, thankfully my mother prevailed! Having a really tough time finding anything for this other than nursing texts! Help!"

Only non-chil..."

Thank You! Thank You!
I just love Laurence Sanders, I read all of his Archie McNally books, Deadly Sins and all of the single novels as well. Missed the Com.

What I don't like about naming kids is trendiness, not weirdness. So, for example, I'm happy my name isn't "Lisa." It was the most popular name given to girls in the US the year I was born -- and the year before, and for several years after. There were 3 Lisas in my second grade class (and three Jennifers as well). So can I use Lisa for this task?

Barbara wrote: "Nicki (UK) wrote: "Barbara wrote: "My father actually wanted to name me Mary Lou, thankfully my mother prevailed! Having a really tough time finding anything for this other than nursing texts! He..."

So glad it's something you want to read :)

ColleenPA wrote: "What I don't like about naming kids is trendiness, not weirdness. So, for example, I'm happy my name isn't "Lisa." It was the most popular name given to girls in the US the year I was born -- and t..."

Sure. But you may want to explain all that when you post.

Thanks, Kristi. Will do!

I'm reading Ladies of Liberty: The Women Who Shaped Our Nation by Cokie Roberts for this task. Cokie? I don't think so.

I was thinking of reading Alcatraz Versus the Knights of Crystallia, in which one of the main characters (a girl) is named Bastille... She's not the MAINEST character (that would be Alcatraz), but she's one of the core characters (one of the 4 or 5 who goes on all the adventures) and I believe she's going to become the love interest... Is that main enough?

Sara ♥ wrote: "I was thinking of reading Alcatraz Versus the Knights of Crystallia, in which one of the main characters (a girl) is named Bastille... She's not the MAINEST character (that would be..."

From the description of the book, it looks like Alcatraz, Bastille, and Grandpa Smedry (and maybe Alcatraz's father) are the main characters. So I think you're good. (And, dang, another series for my TBR shelf. Those look really good!)

Alisha wrote: "I'm reading Ladies of Liberty: The Women Who Shaped Our Nation by Cokie Roberts for this task. Cokie? I don't think so."

LOL. I'd have to agree.

I'm going with The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag. I would not want to be named Flavia.

I had, and I know I won't be able to find a book with the name, but a girl who worked for me in Iraq who's name was Shunkalita

Kim D, that's not a bad idea either. I've been meaning to read book 2!

This is hard for me because I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings!

If this helps...

Margaret Laurence has a few main characters (women) with names I'd never want - Hagar in The Stone Angel and Morag in The Diviners.

Leigh Ann wrote: "I'm thinking any of the Sookie Stackhouse books would work...unless you'd like to be names Sookie, of course. LOL!"

i was thinking about this one too!

Delicious Dee the book slut wrote: "I had, and I know I won't be able to find a book with the name, but a girl who worked for me in Iraq who's name was Shunkalita"

Haha I used to volunteer at the County Health Department where my mom works. There was a girl who's name was spelled as Shithead but it was pronounced "Sha-vaad". I don't think I will find a book with that name either.

Ms Anderson wrote: "The most unfortunate names I can possibly think of with authors/characters I recognize:

Agatha Christie
Good Omens (Agnes)
Priscilla Cummings (I'm using..."

Agnes Nutter from Good Omen was what I thought of too-what a combination!

lol...too funny! sometimes i wonder what is going through people's heads when they name their kids

Meghan wrote: "Delicious Dee the book slut wrote: "I had, and I know I won't be able to find a book with the name, but a girl who worked for me in Iraq who's name was Shunkalita"

Haha I used to volunteer at th..."