kkunker's 2013 ROOT challenge
Talk ROOT - 2013 Read Our Own Tomes
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1kkunker
I’ve decided to do this challenge since I have a ton of books in my library which I have not read. I would like to make an attempt at remedying this problem. According to Goodreads I have 118 TBR books. Those books are partially my own, and partially just fun titles I saw somewhere and am curious about. More directly I have two stacks of books in my room which are the top TBR books from my library. I am doing a 13 category challenge over here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/146396
and I think a lot of my potential ROOT books will help me fill categories.
I’m going to tentatively say that I want to read 24 ROOT books this year. That may get increased depending on how the year goes. I’m not going to specify publication limitations, basically anything that I’ve had sitting around, pre-2012. They will primarily be in the categories of history, Tolkien, and fantasy.
and I think a lot of my potential ROOT books will help me fill categories.
I’m going to tentatively say that I want to read 24 ROOT books this year. That may get increased depending on how the year goes. I’m not going to specify publication limitations, basically anything that I’ve had sitting around, pre-2012. They will primarily be in the categories of history, Tolkien, and fantasy.
2kkunker
Potential Titles:
Tolkien
The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun
Unfinished Tales
Tales Before Tolkien
The Tolkien Fan’s Medieval Reader
Master of Middle Earth
Fantasy
A Darkness Forged in Fire
Clockwork Angel
Scar-Crow Men
Looking Glass Wars
Seeing Redd
Dies the Fire
Storm of Swords
Death Star
History/Historical Fiction
Bloody Mohawk
1066
Adopted Son
Lost to the West
God of Liberty
Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War
George Washington’s Sacred Fire
Medieval Outlaws
Nelson’s Trafalgar: The Battle that Changed the World
Eleanor of Aquitaine
Heretic’s Daughter
Tolkien
The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun
Unfinished Tales
Tales Before Tolkien
The Tolkien Fan’s Medieval Reader
Master of Middle Earth
Fantasy
A Darkness Forged in Fire
Clockwork Angel
Scar-Crow Men
Looking Glass Wars
Seeing Redd
Dies the Fire
Storm of Swords
Death Star
History/Historical Fiction
Bloody Mohawk
1066
Adopted Son
Lost to the West
God of Liberty
Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War
George Washington’s Sacred Fire
Medieval Outlaws
Nelson’s Trafalgar: The Battle that Changed the World
Eleanor of Aquitaine
Heretic’s Daughter
4kkunker
Just finished my first ROOT of the year.
1. The Gospel According to Star Wars
This book provides an overview into the philosophical background to George Lucas' Star Wars films and compares and contrasts the films to a Christian worldview. McDowell discusses good and evil, the tragedy of Anakin, violence, and redemption.
1. The Gospel According to Star Wars
This book provides an overview into the philosophical background to George Lucas' Star Wars films and compares and contrasts the films to a Christian worldview. McDowell discusses good and evil, the tragedy of Anakin, violence, and redemption.
6kkunker
2. 1066: The Year of the Three Battles by Frank McLynn
finished 2/7/13
The book has chapters on all the major players in pre-1066 Europe, including the Normans, Vikings, and English leaders. It shows the political environment in which all these men lived and the unstable societies they were trying to control. The last few chapters focus on the battles themselves.
finished 2/7/13
The book has chapters on all the major players in pre-1066 Europe, including the Normans, Vikings, and English leaders. It shows the political environment in which all these men lived and the unstable societies they were trying to control. The last few chapters focus on the battles themselves.
7cyderry
Oh, I may have been hit with a BB. 1066 fits right in there with the Sharon Kay Penman books I'm reading this year. I'll have to figure out where it can fit it or duck another one!
8kkunker
re cynderry: I'm glad you found 1066 intriguing. I learned a lot from it, and enjoyed getting in the minds of the military leaders.
3. Master of Middle Earth by Paul Kocher
finished 2/28/13
This book provides a good overview of several themes present in Tolkien's world. It has chapters on Cosmic Order, the nature of evil, the Free Peoples, and a very interesting look at Aragorn. The last chapter gives a brief overview of 7 of Tolkien's short non-Middle Earth works, including Farmer Giles, Smith, and Leaf by Niggle.
3. Master of Middle Earth by Paul Kocher
finished 2/28/13
This book provides a good overview of several themes present in Tolkien's world. It has chapters on Cosmic Order, the nature of evil, the Free Peoples, and a very interesting look at Aragorn. The last chapter gives a brief overview of 7 of Tolkien's short non-Middle Earth works, including Farmer Giles, Smith, and Leaf by Niggle.
9kkunker
4. Shadows of Imagination: The Fantasies of C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Charles Williams
4/2/13
An interesting look at the works of these three authors and their relationships with each other. The book has a few chapters contributed by people who personally knew the Inklings.
4/2/13
An interesting look at the works of these three authors and their relationships with each other. The book has a few chapters contributed by people who personally knew the Inklings.
10kkunker
5. The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor
4/13/13
An interesting re-interpretation of the Alice in Wonderland story, in which Princess Alyss Heart flees Wonderland through a looking glass in order to escape her aunt Redd. Her sworn protector Hatter Madigan follows her through the glass to protect her in a strange world: however she is sent to Victorian London, he to Paris. In order to find Alyss and have any hope of taking her home, Hatter must master looking glass travel and find Alyss. Meanwhile back home in Wonderland a resistance group has formed of the Heart family allies who all await Alyss' return. When Alyss meets Reverend Dodgson he writes her tale, taking plenty of artistic license. She eventually convinces herself Wonderland is a fantasy and she needs to grow up. Once Alyss is finally rescued and returns to Wonderland she has to rediscover her imagination and confidence on order to fight for her throne.
4/13/13
An interesting re-interpretation of the Alice in Wonderland story, in which Princess Alyss Heart flees Wonderland through a looking glass in order to escape her aunt Redd. Her sworn protector Hatter Madigan follows her through the glass to protect her in a strange world: however she is sent to Victorian London, he to Paris. In order to find Alyss and have any hope of taking her home, Hatter must master looking glass travel and find Alyss. Meanwhile back home in Wonderland a resistance group has formed of the Heart family allies who all await Alyss' return. When Alyss meets Reverend Dodgson he writes her tale, taking plenty of artistic license. She eventually convinces herself Wonderland is a fantasy and she needs to grow up. Once Alyss is finally rescued and returns to Wonderland she has to rediscover her imagination and confidence on order to fight for her throne.
11kkunker
6. The Invaders by John Flanagan
4/20/13
Book 2 in the Brotherband Chronicles series finds Hal and his crew on the high seas trying to catch up with the pirate ship Raven and her captain who stole their nation's most valuable treasure, the Andomel. The young sailors must gain experience quickly if they hope to be victorious over the pirate crew. They finally trace the pirates to a mining town. While cooperating with the towns folk who escaped to the woods, Hal plans to attack the town. When he receives some unexpected reinforcements from home Hal and his crew just might manage to defeat the Raven and her allies. Hal devises a daring three pronged attack to neutralize the outer defenses, crash through the palisade gate, and secure the harbor.
4/20/13
Book 2 in the Brotherband Chronicles series finds Hal and his crew on the high seas trying to catch up with the pirate ship Raven and her captain who stole their nation's most valuable treasure, the Andomel. The young sailors must gain experience quickly if they hope to be victorious over the pirate crew. They finally trace the pirates to a mining town. While cooperating with the towns folk who escaped to the woods, Hal plans to attack the town. When he receives some unexpected reinforcements from home Hal and his crew just might manage to defeat the Raven and her allies. Hal devises a daring three pronged attack to neutralize the outer defenses, crash through the palisade gate, and secure the harbor.
12kkunker
7. Adopted Son: Washington, Lafayette, and the Friendship that Saved the Revolution by David Clary
5/9/13
This book provides an intimate look at the lives of George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette. Clary quotes extensively from their letters to show the depth of the bond which developed between these two great men. Both were orphans and looking for a familial relationship. The book starts out before the war years, and shows how the two men grew up in vastly different worlds. Once they met two continents were changed. Lafayette became Washington's strongest supporter, and when he returned to France partway through the war he helped secure loans for America and military support. Lafayette was the only one the General trusted with the difficult Virginia campaign which led to Cornwallis' surrender and the end of the war. Lafayette always considered himself subordinate to Washington, even when he returned to France. Lafayette constantly sought Washington's approval and advice and he took the lessons he learned in America and tried to apply them in France.
5/9/13
This book provides an intimate look at the lives of George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette. Clary quotes extensively from their letters to show the depth of the bond which developed between these two great men. Both were orphans and looking for a familial relationship. The book starts out before the war years, and shows how the two men grew up in vastly different worlds. Once they met two continents were changed. Lafayette became Washington's strongest supporter, and when he returned to France partway through the war he helped secure loans for America and military support. Lafayette was the only one the General trusted with the difficult Virginia campaign which led to Cornwallis' surrender and the end of the war. Lafayette always considered himself subordinate to Washington, even when he returned to France. Lafayette constantly sought Washington's approval and advice and he took the lessons he learned in America and tried to apply them in France.
13kkunker
8. The Scar-Crow Men by Mark Chadbourn
The second book in the Swords of Albion series provides a good continuation of the story line from the first book. Will Swyfte and his associates are hard pressed to discover the new plot being hatched in England by the Unseelie Court (the Fay). With traitors closing in and the plague killing all across London the spies need to find the truth before England is overrun.
9. Death Star
This book provides the immediate background and events of Star Wars from the perspective of the men and women who were posted on the Death Star. The readers gets to see the mindset of big characters like Darth Vader, Tarkin, and Motti but also of a TIE fighter pilot, a stormtrooper, a cantina owner, an architect, a doctor, a librarian/archivist, and an escaped convict. The way their paths cross and intersect will change their lives forever.
The second book in the Swords of Albion series provides a good continuation of the story line from the first book. Will Swyfte and his associates are hard pressed to discover the new plot being hatched in England by the Unseelie Court (the Fay). With traitors closing in and the plague killing all across London the spies need to find the truth before England is overrun.
9. Death Star
This book provides the immediate background and events of Star Wars from the perspective of the men and women who were posted on the Death Star. The readers gets to see the mindset of big characters like Darth Vader, Tarkin, and Motti but also of a TIE fighter pilot, a stormtrooper, a cantina owner, an architect, a doctor, a librarian/archivist, and an escaped convict. The way their paths cross and intersect will change their lives forever.
14Henrik_Madsen
Nice progress!
I'm kind of tempted by Adopted Son after reading your comments. (Which, of course, is bad for the purpose of this group...)
I'm kind of tempted by Adopted Son after reading your comments. (Which, of course, is bad for the purpose of this group...)
15kkunker
10. Tin Swift
11. Bloody Mohawk: The French and Indian War and American Revolution on New York's Frontier by Richard Berleth
This book provides an in depth look at the raids and battles which took place throughout New York between European settlers and Native Americans. The political dynamics and tensions of living in a multi-cultural area are well presented. Being a native of the Albany NY area I enjoyed reading some local history.
12. A Darkness Forged in Fire
11. Bloody Mohawk: The French and Indian War and American Revolution on New York's Frontier by Richard Berleth
This book provides an in depth look at the raids and battles which took place throughout New York between European settlers and Native Americans. The political dynamics and tensions of living in a multi-cultural area are well presented. Being a native of the Albany NY area I enjoyed reading some local history.
12. A Darkness Forged in Fire
16kkunker
13. The Light of Burning Shadows
14. A Tolkien Miscellany
A collection of some of Tolkien's poems and short stories, read for my online Tolkien class.
14. A Tolkien Miscellany
A collection of some of Tolkien's poems and short stories, read for my online Tolkien class.
20kkunker
18. The Making of the British Landscape by Francis Pryor
This one was in my door stopper category, it came in at 815 pages, took me a while to work through. Lots of neat information about archaeology and industry on the UK. It was filled with useful pictures and maps to make the material come alive.
This one was in my door stopper category, it came in at 815 pages, took me a while to work through. Lots of neat information about archaeology and industry on the UK. It was filled with useful pictures and maps to make the material come alive.
22kkunker
21. The Tolkien Fan's Medieval Reader
An interesting read, published by TheOneRing.net fan website. This collection includes a variety of modern editions of medieval texts which Tolkien read and used as sources for his Middle Earth legendarium.
An interesting read, published by TheOneRing.net fan website. This collection includes a variety of modern editions of medieval texts which Tolkien read and used as sources for his Middle Earth legendarium.
23kkunker
22. Yorktown's Civil War Siege by John Quarstein
Mr. Quarstein was a guest speaker at a conference held at Fort Ticonderoga in the summer of 2012. This short book highlighted the major players on the Virginia Peninsula; and the new technologies, including ironclads and balloons, which changed how the war was fought.
Mr. Quarstein was a guest speaker at a conference held at Fort Ticonderoga in the summer of 2012. This short book highlighted the major players on the Virginia Peninsula; and the new technologies, including ironclads and balloons, which changed how the war was fought.
24kkunker
23. Seeing Redd by Frank Beddor
26kkunker
I finished my challenge last night!!
24. Starfighters of Adumar by Aaron Allston
This book is number 9 in the X-Wing series, I've enjoyed working my way through the whole series this year.
24. Starfighters of Adumar by Aaron Allston
This book is number 9 in the X-Wing series, I've enjoyed working my way through the whole series this year.
27MissWatson
Hey, that's great!
30rabbitprincess
Woo hoo! Congratulations! :)
