Take It Or Leave It Challenge - March 2016 - Page 1
Talk 75 Books Challenge for 2016
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1SqueakyChu
For those new to this challenge: More info and monthly index can be found in post #1 of this thread or this TIOLI FAQS wiki.
Simple directions for posting to the wiki can be found at the bottom of each month's wiki page.
...logo by cyderry
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Your challenge for March 2016 is to
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Read a book with me in the title
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Haha! I don’t literally have to be there, but you do have to read a book with the two letter combination “m” and “e” in the title.
Rules:
1.The letters must be in the order “m” followed by “e”.
2. The letters must not have any punctuation or other letter between them – so no title “m” followed by a subtitle “e”. These are usually listed on LT with a colon separating them.
3. The letters may be across two words – so there may be a space between these two letters.
4. One or both of the letters may be capitalized.
Sounds simple enough…right? So find your book…and have fun!
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Other Fun Stuff (not part of the TIOLI challenge):
1. The March 2016 TIOLI Meter - Optional page on which you may track your TIOLI reading. FYI: This is not meant to be competitive - only fun!
2. Morphidae's List of Previous TIOLI Challenges - You may use this reference (Do a control-F scan) to avoid repeating a previous challenge. If your idea is similar to a previous challenge, just make it unique by adding a new "twist" to it. (Updated 09/23/14)
Simple directions for posting to the wiki can be found at the bottom of each month's wiki page.
...logo by cyderry
-------------------------------------------------------------
Your challenge for March 2016 is to
*************************
Read a book with me in the title
*************************
Haha! I don’t literally have to be there, but you do have to read a book with the two letter combination “m” and “e” in the title.
Rules:
1.The letters must be in the order “m” followed by “e”.
2. The letters must not have any punctuation or other letter between them – so no title “m” followed by a subtitle “e”. These are usually listed on LT with a colon separating them.
3. The letters may be across two words – so there may be a space between these two letters.
4. One or both of the letters may be capitalized.
Sounds simple enough…right? So find your book…and have fun!
-----------------------------------
Other Fun Stuff (not part of the TIOLI challenge):
1. The March 2016 TIOLI Meter - Optional page on which you may track your TIOLI reading. FYI: This is not meant to be competitive - only fun!
2. Morphidae's List of Previous TIOLI Challenges - You may use this reference (Do a control-F scan) to avoid repeating a previous challenge. If your idea is similar to a previous challenge, just make it unique by adding a new "twist" to it. (Updated 09/23/14)
2SqueakyChu
Wiki Index of Challenges:
Challenges #1-6
1. Read a book with me in the title - msg #1
2. Read a book you're a bit panicky over - msg #3
3. Read a book with an embedded word in the title - msg #4
4. Read a book with a "wind" word in the title or author's name - msg #5
5. Read a book that mentions a fictional poison, medicine or drug somewhere in the text - msg #12
6. Read a book with a title word or author name beginning with the letters "Co" or the word "Dog" or synonym, or a book with a dog as the main protagonist -- in memory of Coco - msg #13 - picture of Coco
Challenges #7-12
7. Read a book with yellow on the cover - msg #21
8. Read a book about the homefront during a war or military deployment - msg #22
9. Read a book where the author's first or last name starts with the letter "L" - msg #29
10. Read a book that has a title in which each word can be anagrammed - msg #32
11. Read a stand-alone book, or a book from a series, that has inspired a video game - msg #34
12. Read a book whose title could be an essay question - msg #35
Challenges #13-18
13. Read a book of ethology or the study of non-human animal behavior - msg #37
14. Read a book by an author whose initials form a word - msg #38
15. Read a book by a writer born in Wales - msg #58
16. Reread a book - msg #62
17. Read a book which has a something (small or large) to do with Daylight Savings Time - msg #68
18. Read a book with a title word describing a place someone could live - msg #73
Challenge #19
19. Read a book in which pulses are eaten - msg #82
Hold your next challenge until the April challenges are posted. Thank you!
Challenges #1-6
1. Read a book with me in the title - msg #1
2. Read a book you're a bit panicky over - msg #3
3. Read a book with an embedded word in the title - msg #4
4. Read a book with a "wind" word in the title or author's name - msg #5
5. Read a book that mentions a fictional poison, medicine or drug somewhere in the text - msg #12
6. Read a book with a title word or author name beginning with the letters "Co" or the word "Dog" or synonym, or a book with a dog as the main protagonist -- in memory of Coco - msg #13 - picture of Coco
Challenges #7-12
7. Read a book with yellow on the cover - msg #21
8. Read a book about the homefront during a war or military deployment - msg #22
9. Read a book where the author's first or last name starts with the letter "L" - msg #29
10. Read a book that has a title in which each word can be anagrammed - msg #32
11. Read a stand-alone book, or a book from a series, that has inspired a video game - msg #34
12. Read a book whose title could be an essay question - msg #35
Challenges #13-18
13. Read a book of ethology or the study of non-human animal behavior - msg #37
14. Read a book by an author whose initials form a word - msg #38
15. Read a book by a writer born in Wales - msg #58
16. Reread a book - msg #62
17. Read a book which has a something (small or large) to do with Daylight Savings Time - msg #68
18. Read a book with a title word describing a place someone could live - msg #73
Challenge #19
19. Read a book in which pulses are eaten - msg #82
Hold your next challenge until the April challenges are posted. Thank you!
3lyzard
Mwuh-ha-ha! :D
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Challenge #2: Read a book you're a bit panicky over
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...that is, a book with some sort of looming deadline, real or imagined. It might be a library book with an imminent due date, a book club selection you haven't finished - and you picked it! - a book assigned for a course or some other formal reason, a group read book you're trailing behind with, a book that's been on the nightstand forever and makes you feel bad...or maybe just a book you're desperate to fit into this month's TIOLI!
Any unread book that makes you uncomfortable for any reason: you tell me (on the Wiki, please!).
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Challenge #2: Read a book you're a bit panicky over
************************************************
...that is, a book with some sort of looming deadline, real or imagined. It might be a library book with an imminent due date, a book club selection you haven't finished - and you picked it! - a book assigned for a course or some other formal reason, a group read book you're trailing behind with, a book that's been on the nightstand forever and makes you feel bad...or maybe just a book you're desperate to fit into this month's TIOLI!
Any unread book that makes you uncomfortable for any reason: you tell me (on the Wiki, please!).
4SqueakyChu
Cheli is away from her computer at this time and asked me to post her challenge. This is what she wrote to me:
Challenge #3: Read a book with an embedded word in the title - Pretty self explanatory.
I made this into Challenge #3 because lyzard already spied what I was up to! :)
Challenge #3: Read a book with an embedded word in the title - Pretty self explanatory.
I made this into Challenge #3 because lyzard already spied what I was up to! :)
5fuzzi
Aw, shucks. I thought I was going to get challenge #2, but I wasn't fast enough.
Challenge #4: Read a book with a "wind" word in the title or author's name
Any "wind" word for the windy month, like "breeze", "zephyr", etc.
Challenge #4: Read a book with a "wind" word in the title or author's name
Any "wind" word for the windy month, like "breeze", "zephyr", etc.
6fuzzi
>3 lyzard: hmm, sounds like a good challenge for those ER books from back in 2012...or before...
7SqueakyChu
>6 fuzzi: Even I didn't get to put in Challenge #2...and I created the whole challenge! You just have to be faster than Liz! :D
8lyzard
I was on the spot for a change, having slipped well down the challenge list in recent months! :D
>5 fuzzi:
That's the idea - clear that conscience!
>5 fuzzi:
That's the idea - clear that conscience!
9SqueakyChu
>2 SqueakyChu: Any unread book that makes you uncomfortable for any reason
How about the 500+ books that are looming over me on my TBR shelf?! Yikes!
How about the 500+ books that are looming over me on my TBR shelf?! Yikes!
10lyzard
>9 SqueakyChu:
If you can really say you have an, "Aw, I should have read that by now!" relationship with your book, as opposed to, "Yeah, yeah, I'll get to you some day..." We're on the honour system here! :)
If you can really say you have an, "Aw, I should have read that by now!" relationship with your book, as opposed to, "Yeah, yeah, I'll get to you some day..." We're on the honour system here! :)
12dallenbaugh
Challenge #5: Read a book that mentions a fictional poison, medicine or drug somewhere in the text
National Poison prevention week is in March. Time to look for a book that mentions a fictional poison, medicine or drug somewhere in the text. Be sure and tell us what the drug is and its use.
Examples:
The Constant Gardener by John Le Carre (dypraxa – a new drug tested on Kenyans in exchange for free medical treatment)
Discworld titles by Terry Pratchett (Scrape, Slice, Slide, Slunky, Slurp, and Sliver – recreational drugs for Trolls)
Vorkosigan Saga series by Lois McMaster Bujold ( Fast-penta – a truth serum)
The Princess Bride by William Goldman (Iocaine powder – deadly Australian poison)
Here are a couple of places to look for ideas:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fictional_toxins
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fictional_medicines_and_drugs
National Poison prevention week is in March. Time to look for a book that mentions a fictional poison, medicine or drug somewhere in the text. Be sure and tell us what the drug is and its use.
Examples:
The Constant Gardener by John Le Carre (dypraxa – a new drug tested on Kenyans in exchange for free medical treatment)
Discworld titles by Terry Pratchett (Scrape, Slice, Slide, Slunky, Slurp, and Sliver – recreational drugs for Trolls)
Vorkosigan Saga series by Lois McMaster Bujold ( Fast-penta – a truth serum)
The Princess Bride by William Goldman (Iocaine powder – deadly Australian poison)
Here are a couple of places to look for ideas:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fictional_toxins
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fictional_medicines_and_drugs
13Smiler69

Challenge #6: In memory of Coco: read a book with a title word beginning with the letters "Co", or the word "Dog" or synonym
I lost my beloved little lamb (toy poodle mix) Coco very suddenly to hemangiosarcoma in the night of Sunday to Monday, and have been thinking of him constantly since. No surprise I'd want to have a challenge in his honour. If anyone has a question, ask away!
14dallenbaugh
>13 Smiler69: I'm so sorry to hear about your little dog.
I just wanted you to know that I think we posted our challenges almost at the same time so I changed your Challenge to #6. If you are attached to the #5 we can switch around. Let me know.
I just wanted you to know that I think we posted our challenges almost at the same time so I changed your Challenge to #6. If you are attached to the #5 we can switch around. Let me know.
15Smiler69
Not sure how or why my challenged got bumped to #6, but so be it—the number doesn't make a difference, just wondering. Madeline, I've altered the parameters a little bit as per my title above.
eta: >14 dallenbaugh: looks like we are really timed tonight, as we posted the above messages almost concurrently too! It's ok Donna, I wasn't attached to #5, just wanted to be in the first page. Not that it makes a difference either...
eta: >14 dallenbaugh: looks like we are really timed tonight, as we posted the above messages almost concurrently too! It's ok Donna, I wasn't attached to #5, just wanted to be in the first page. Not that it makes a difference either...
16SqueakyChu
Coco's challenge is #6.
Ilana, I am so sorry about the loss of your dear little fuzzy Coco. I'm sure you're heartbroken. :(
Got your changes.
Ilana, I am so sorry about the loss of your dear little fuzzy Coco. I'm sure you're heartbroken. :(
Got your changes.
18SqueakyChu
>17 Smiler69: I know. I followed all of his pictures online and couldn't believe what a cute little charmer he was.
19lyzard
Oh, Ilana, I'm so sorry! I've been out of the loop lately and didn't know. You have all my sympathies, my dear!
20Smiler69
>18 SqueakyChu: Thank you Madeline. I've been dealing with the separation by staring at his photos a whole lot. Gave me so much joy just to look at his cute little self. It was all very sudden and I'm still processing the shock of it all.
>19 lyzard: Thank you Liz.
>19 lyzard: Thank you Liz.
21susanna.fraser
Challenge #7: Read a book with yellow on the cover
Self-explanatory, because I associate March with yellow because of blooming daffodils. It can be a little yellow or a lot, and shared reads are allowed.
Self-explanatory, because I associate March with yellow because of blooming daffodils. It can be a little yellow or a lot, and shared reads are allowed.
22lindapanzo
Challenge #8: Read a book about the homefront during a war or military deployment
Can be fiction or nonfiction, but the homefront, in whatever country during a war or military deployment, must play a prominent part in the book.
Can be fiction or nonfiction, but the homefront, in whatever country during a war or military deployment, must play a prominent part in the book.
23SqueakyChu
>20 Smiler69: The quickness with which Coco's illness and death happened must have been overwhelming for you, Ilana. If you want to, share here with us a little bit about your happy times with Coco. He was a handsome fellow!
24susanna.fraser
>13 Smiler69: I'm so sorry! He looks like such a sweetheart.
25lindapanzo
>13 Smiler69: Awww, sorry to hear about Coco.
26Smiler69
>23 SqueakyChu: Thanks Madeline... I feel the urge to talk him a lot, so I'll definitely take you up on that soon. I have many, many happy memories of him. He was sweet and funny and made me laugh lots over the almost six years I had the privilege to be his mom.
>24 susanna.fraser: He really was a very sweet boy and always made sure he was somehow by my side. I feel like I've suddenly lost a limb, but staring at his pictures brings some consolation.
>24 susanna.fraser: He really was a very sweet boy and always made sure he was somehow by my side. I feel like I've suddenly lost a limb, but staring at his pictures brings some consolation.
27SqueakyChu
>26 Smiler69: Our frogs can move over if you want to talk about your special doggie at any time! :)
28avatiakh
Oh Ilana, I'm away from home so not reading the threads so much and just saw about Coco. So sorry.
29DeltaQueen50
Challenge 9: Read a book where the author's first or last name starts with the letter "L"
30Smiler69
>28 avatiakh: Thank you Kerry. I miss him so much it hurts sometimes. I'm grateful I've gotten a lot of support from my friends this week.
31DeltaQueen50
I am very happy to report that I have listed a book that has two "Co"s. So I have spelled Coco. :)
32yoyogod
10: Read a book that has a title in which each word can be anagrammed.
I mean in which the letters of each word can be rearranged to spell one or more other words. Each word must be anagrammed individually, so titles with A or I in them are out. The reulting title should be listed in the challenge, and should be in the same language as the original title, but doesn't have to make any sort of sense.
I mean in which the letters of each word can be rearranged to spell one or more other words. Each word must be anagrammed individually, so titles with A or I in them are out. The reulting title should be listed in the challenge, and should be in the same language as the original title, but doesn't have to make any sort of sense.
33fuzzi
>13 Smiler69: so sorry to hear about Coco. They really worm their way into our hearts.
34jeanned
Read a stand-alone book, or a book from a series, that has inspired a video game
I will be reading Roadside Picnic, a Russian science fiction novel by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky. Apparently, the alternative reality setting of the book, as well as some its terminology, are featured in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. “first-person shooter survival horror” game series. If you’re not in to that sort of thing, the challenge opens a number of other possibilities, from Discworld to Dune, Hercule Poirot to Jason Bourne, classics to Japanese light novels. Please use this Wikipedia page to guide your selections. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Video_games_based_on_novels)
If the name of the video game is different than the book, please include the game name on the wiki.
ETA: I was trying to share this link on Japanese light novels rather than the wikipedia page, but for some reason I can't get either to work: http://englishlightnovels.com/an-introduction-to-light-novels/ or https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_novel
My apologies.
I will be reading Roadside Picnic, a Russian science fiction novel by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky. Apparently, the alternative reality setting of the book, as well as some its terminology, are featured in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. “first-person shooter survival horror” game series. If you’re not in to that sort of thing, the challenge opens a number of other possibilities, from Discworld to Dune, Hercule Poirot to Jason Bourne, classics to Japanese light novels. Please use this Wikipedia page to guide your selections. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Video_games_based_on_novels)
If the name of the video game is different than the book, please include the game name on the wiki.
ETA: I was trying to share this link on Japanese light novels rather than the wikipedia page, but for some reason I can't get either to work: http://englishlightnovels.com/an-introduction-to-light-novels/ or https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_novel
My apologies.
35wandering_star
Challenge #12 - Read a book whose title could be an essay question
"The Rights of the Reader: discuss"
"The Good, the Bad and the Multiplex: what's wrong with modern movies?"
"A Meaningful Life"
This could be a book whose title is already a question (or would be if you add a question mark). Or it could be a statement, a phrase or a word after which you could add the word 'discuss' to turn it into a topic for a discursive essay.
I hope this is not going to turn out to be a very culturally-specific challenge! Ask if you have any questions and I'll try and make it clearer.
"The Rights of the Reader: discuss"
"The Good, the Bad and the Multiplex: what's wrong with modern movies?"
"A Meaningful Life"
This could be a book whose title is already a question (or would be if you add a question mark). Or it could be a statement, a phrase or a word after which you could add the word 'discuss' to turn it into a topic for a discursive essay.
I hope this is not going to turn out to be a very culturally-specific challenge! Ask if you have any questions and I'll try and make it clearer.
37Citizenjoyce
>13 Smiler69: I'm so sorry for your loss.
Challenge #13: Read a book of ethology or the study of non-human animal behavior
I plan to read The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness by Sy Montgomery.
Challenge #13: Read a book of ethology or the study of non-human animal behavior
I plan to read The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness by Sy Montgomery.
38cbl_tn
Challenge #14: Read a book by an author whose initials form a word
I'm looking for actual words here, not acronyms. Any language is fine. A couple of examples:
Stewart O'Nan (so)
Anne Tyler (at)
I'm looking for actual words here, not acronyms. Any language is fine. A couple of examples:
Stewart O'Nan (so)
Anne Tyler (at)
39cbl_tn
Madeline, the wiki numbering is off and I'm not sure how to fix it. Challenges 13 & 14 are on p. 4, and p. 3 has 19-24. We almost ended up with two challenge 13s!
41countrylife
>38 cbl_tn: : For the Author's Initials Form a Word challenge: do the initials need to be in in the order of the word? e.g. - Anita Rau Badami - her out of order initials form "bar".
42cbl_tn
>41 countrylife: Yes, I was thinking in order.
43countrylife
>42 cbl_tn: : Thanks. Removed!
44Helenliz
Doing well so far, managed to place a book in challenges 1, 2 and 3. That's half the moth sorted out then.
45SqueakyChu
>34 jeanned: There is no link to Japanese "light novels". :(
46SqueakyChu
>39 cbl_tn: Yep. It was wack-o! I think it's fixed. Let me know if there's still something wrong with it.
47madhatter22
>13 Smiler69: What an incredibly adorable little dog Coco was! And from those photos he looks like he had a happy, comfy life. I'm sorry for your loss.
>3 lyzard: When I read Madeline's challenge last month, I thought, "Ok, can't put it off any longer. This is a sign. I have to finally read The Wind-up Bird Chronicle". I was actually relieved to remove it from the wiki when the month got so crazy that I hardly got any reading done. Now this. Wind-up Bird is the #1 "I should've read this by now" book in my 500+ TBR pile. Back on it goes. Panic ensues.
>29 DeltaQueen50: Ooh. Just noticed this. I'd told myself no more of Laura Lippman's Tess Monaghan books until I got a few weightier things tackled, but this challenge is practically forcing me. And I'll need something to calm me down from Liz's challenge.
>3 lyzard: When I read Madeline's challenge last month, I thought, "Ok, can't put it off any longer. This is a sign. I have to finally read The Wind-up Bird Chronicle". I was actually relieved to remove it from the wiki when the month got so crazy that I hardly got any reading done. Now this. Wind-up Bird is the #1 "I should've read this by now" book in my 500+ TBR pile. Back on it goes. Panic ensues.
>29 DeltaQueen50: Ooh. Just noticed this. I'd told myself no more of Laura Lippman's Tess Monaghan books until I got a few weightier things tackled, but this challenge is practically forcing me. And I'll need something to calm me down from Liz's challenge.
48Smiler69
>33 fuzzi: Thank you. I am at home full-time, so we were together practically 24/7. I guess in a sense I crammed in more time with him than I would have had I had an office job, so that's something to be grateful for.
>37 Citizenjoyce: Thanks Joyce.
>47 madhatter22: Thank you Shauna, Coco was as sweet as he was adorable. A really good and quiet little dog I could bring with me everywhere and who made friends with everyone: even people who said they didn't like dogs were enchanted with him. He was very special.
>37 Citizenjoyce: Thanks Joyce.
>47 madhatter22: Thank you Shauna, Coco was as sweet as he was adorable. A really good and quiet little dog I could bring with me everywhere and who made friends with everyone: even people who said they didn't like dogs were enchanted with him. He was very special.
49Dejah_Thoris
Wow - some fascinating Challenges this month!
>37 Citizenjoyce: Would you accept Fredrik Sjöberg's The Fly Trap?
>37 Citizenjoyce: Would you accept Fredrik Sjöberg's The Fly Trap?
50Citizenjoyce
>35 wandering_star: could you extend that to include the subtitle? I'd like to include Finale: A Novel of the Reagan Years by Thomas Mallon
51Citizenjoyce
>49 Dejah_Thoris: If the book is about insects, which it seems to be, then yes. If it's about plants, no.
52Citizenjoyce
Hm, I'm having some trouble fitting in the books I want to read. I hate to put everything in the yellow cover, embedded word or panic category, but here's what I have so far for the month:
Challenge #1: Read a book with me in the title - started by SqueakyChu
✔Time Thief - Katie MacAlister - Audiobook (2)
Challenge #2: Read a book you're a bit panicky over - started by lyzard
✔The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler - E-Audiobook
Challenge #3: Read a book with an embedded word in the title - started by cyderry
*The Return of the Native - Thomas Hardy - E-Audiobook
✔The Swans of Fifth Avenue: A Novel - Melanie Benjamin - E-Audiobook (4)
Challenge #4: Read a book with a "wind" word in the title or author's name - started by fuzzi
Unless the Wind Turns - Mildred Walker - E-Audiobook
Challenge #5: Read a book that mentions a fictional poison, medicine or drug somewhere in the text - started by dallenbaugh
Maggie for Hire - Kate Danley - Nook
The Neverending Story -Michael Ende - E-Audiobook
Challenge #6: In memory of Coco: Read a book with a title word beginning with the letters "Co", or the word "Dog" or synonym - started by Smiler69
✔The Dog: Stories - Jack Livings (3.5)
Challenge #7: Read a book with yellow on the cover - started by susanna.fraser
✔A Doubter's Almanac: A Novel - Ethan Canin E-Book (3.5)
✔The Grownup - Gillian Flynn - E-Audiobook (4.5)
✔Vivian Apple at the End of the World - Katie Coyle - Audiobook (4)
Challenge #8: Read a book about the homefront during a war or military deployment - started by lindapanzo
*✔A Bitter Truth - Charles Todd - Audiobook (2.5)
Challenge #9: Read a book where the author's first or last name starts with the letter "L" - started by DeltaQueen
✔Dearest Friend: A Life of Abigail Adams by Lynne Withey - Audiobook (3.5)
✔The Preacher - Camilla Läckberg - E-Audiobook (3)
Wake of Vultures - by Lila Bowen - E-Book
Challenge #10: Read a book that has a title in which each word can be anagrammed - started by - yoyogod
✔Gratitude - Oliver Sacks - E-Book (5)
Challenge #11: Read a stand-alone book, or a book from a series, that has inspired a video game - started by JeanneD
Challenge #12: Read a book whose title could be an essay question - started by wandering_star
✔Finale: A Novel of the Reagan Years by Thomas Mallon - E-Audiobook (3.5)
✔The Taliban Shuffle: Strange Days in Afghanistan and Pakistan - Kim Barker - E-Audiobook (4)
Challenge #13: Read a book of ethology or the study of non-human animal behavior - started by Citizenjoyce
*✔Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat (2.5)
*✔The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness - Sy Montgomery (5)
Challenge #14: Read a book by an author whose initials form a word - Started by cbl_tn
Challenge #15 : Read a book by a writer born in Wales - started by PaulCranswick
My Real Children - Jo Baker
Challenge #16 : Reread a book - started by souloftherose
✔The Double Bind by Chris Bohjalian - E-Audiobook, RL Book Club (3.5)
✔Girl On the Train - Paula Hawkins - RL Bookclub, E-Audiobook (4.5)
Challenge #18 : Read a book with a title word describing a place someone could live - started by Madhatter22
✔City on Fire - Garth Risk Hallberg - E-Audiobook (3)
✔The Guest Room - Chris Bohjalian - E-Audiobook (4.5)
✔Inside the Kingdom - Carmen Bin Ladin - E-Audiobook (4)
Challenge #19: Read a book in which pulses are eaten - started by paulstalder
✔The Light of the Fireflies - Paul Pen - Kindle (4)
Pretty Girls - Karen Slaughter - E-Audiobook
Challenge #1: Read a book with me in the title - started by SqueakyChu
✔Time Thief - Katie MacAlister - Audiobook (2)
Challenge #2: Read a book you're a bit panicky over - started by lyzard
✔The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler - E-Audiobook
Challenge #3: Read a book with an embedded word in the title - started by cyderry
*The Return of the Native - Thomas Hardy - E-Audiobook
✔The Swans of Fifth Avenue: A Novel - Melanie Benjamin - E-Audiobook (4)
Challenge #4: Read a book with a "wind" word in the title or author's name - started by fuzzi
Unless the Wind Turns - Mildred Walker - E-Audiobook
Challenge #5: Read a book that mentions a fictional poison, medicine or drug somewhere in the text - started by dallenbaugh
Maggie for Hire - Kate Danley - Nook
The Neverending Story -Michael Ende - E-Audiobook
Challenge #6: In memory of Coco: Read a book with a title word beginning with the letters "Co", or the word "Dog" or synonym - started by Smiler69
✔The Dog: Stories - Jack Livings (3.5)
Challenge #7: Read a book with yellow on the cover - started by susanna.fraser
✔A Doubter's Almanac: A Novel - Ethan Canin E-Book (3.5)
✔The Grownup - Gillian Flynn - E-Audiobook (4.5)
✔Vivian Apple at the End of the World - Katie Coyle - Audiobook (4)
Challenge #8: Read a book about the homefront during a war or military deployment - started by lindapanzo
*✔A Bitter Truth - Charles Todd - Audiobook (2.5)
Challenge #9: Read a book where the author's first or last name starts with the letter "L" - started by DeltaQueen
✔Dearest Friend: A Life of Abigail Adams by Lynne Withey - Audiobook (3.5)
✔The Preacher - Camilla Läckberg - E-Audiobook (3)
Wake of Vultures - by Lila Bowen - E-Book
Challenge #10: Read a book that has a title in which each word can be anagrammed - started by - yoyogod
✔Gratitude - Oliver Sacks - E-Book (5)
Challenge #11: Read a stand-alone book, or a book from a series, that has inspired a video game - started by JeanneD
Challenge #12: Read a book whose title could be an essay question - started by wandering_star
✔Finale: A Novel of the Reagan Years by Thomas Mallon - E-Audiobook (3.5)
✔The Taliban Shuffle: Strange Days in Afghanistan and Pakistan - Kim Barker - E-Audiobook (4)
Challenge #13: Read a book of ethology or the study of non-human animal behavior - started by Citizenjoyce
*✔Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat (2.5)
*✔The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness - Sy Montgomery (5)
Challenge #14: Read a book by an author whose initials form a word - Started by cbl_tn
Challenge #15 : Read a book by a writer born in Wales - started by PaulCranswick
My Real Children - Jo Baker
Challenge #16 : Reread a book - started by souloftherose
✔The Double Bind by Chris Bohjalian - E-Audiobook, RL Book Club (3.5)
✔Girl On the Train - Paula Hawkins - RL Bookclub, E-Audiobook (4.5)
Challenge #18 : Read a book with a title word describing a place someone could live - started by Madhatter22
✔City on Fire - Garth Risk Hallberg - E-Audiobook (3)
✔The Guest Room - Chris Bohjalian - E-Audiobook (4.5)
✔Inside the Kingdom - Carmen Bin Ladin - E-Audiobook (4)
Challenge #19: Read a book in which pulses are eaten - started by paulstalder
✔The Light of the Fireflies - Paul Pen - Kindle (4)
53dallenbaugh
>52 Citizenjoyce: Challenge #2 should be fairly easy. Pick a book you are worried about fitting into a challenge.
54Citizenjoyce
>53 dallenbaugh: true, I just hate to do that.
55Dejah_Thoris
>51 Citizenjoyce: LOL! I wasn't thinking about the Venus Fly Trap when I posted the title. No, it's about hoverflies - family Syrphidae, 6000 species, 200 genera. The book, though, is not just about the hoverflies but the collector himself, the Swedish island on which he collects them, etc. I wondered if that wandered too far from your intent.
ETA: Actually, the more I think about it, the less appropriate it seems for your Challenge. Never mind!
ETA: Actually, the more I think about it, the less appropriate it seems for your Challenge. Never mind!
56Citizenjoyce
>54 Citizenjoyce: No, that doesn't wander too far. Including the habitat is essential in studying the animal.
57wandering_star
>50 Citizenjoyce: I am happy to include subtitles but I can't quite see how this one could be an essay title - what is the subject under discussion?
58PaulCranswick
Challenge # 15 - Read a book by a writer born in Wales
1 March is St. David's day, the Patron Saint of Wales. So my challenge is to read a book by a writer born in that wonderful country. Please indicate where in Wales your choice was born. Some examples:
Martin Amis - born in Swansea
Trezza Azzopardi - born in Cardiff
Roald Dahl - born near Cardiff in Llandaff
WH Davies born in Newport
Rhys Davies born in the Rhonda Valley
Joe Dunthorne - born in Swansea
Ken Follett - born in Cardiff
Dick Francis - born in Lawrenny
Emyr Humphries - born in Prestatyn
Bertrand Russell - born in Trellech
Dylan Thomas - born near Swansea
R.S. Thomas - born in Cardiff
Bernice Rubens - born in Cardiff
Jo Walton - born in Aberdare
1 March is St. David's day, the Patron Saint of Wales. So my challenge is to read a book by a writer born in that wonderful country. Please indicate where in Wales your choice was born. Some examples:
Martin Amis - born in Swansea
Trezza Azzopardi - born in Cardiff
Roald Dahl - born near Cardiff in Llandaff
WH Davies born in Newport
Rhys Davies born in the Rhonda Valley
Joe Dunthorne - born in Swansea
Ken Follett - born in Cardiff
Dick Francis - born in Lawrenny
Emyr Humphries - born in Prestatyn
Bertrand Russell - born in Trellech
Dylan Thomas - born near Swansea
R.S. Thomas - born in Cardiff
Bernice Rubens - born in Cardiff
Jo Walton - born in Aberdare
59cyderry
>4 SqueakyChu: Madeline, thanks so much for taking care of that for me!
60SqueakyChu
>59 cyderry: You're welcome! Good to have you back.
61fuzzi
>47 madhatter22: my challenge would be perfect...#4.
>58 PaulCranswick: don't forget Richard Llewellyn! I loved How Green Was My Valley and Green, Green My Valley Now :)
Argh! Never mind, I just saw he wasn't born in Wales.
>58 PaulCranswick: don't forget Richard Llewellyn! I loved How Green Was My Valley and Green, Green My Valley Now :)
Argh! Never mind, I just saw he wasn't born in Wales.
62souloftherose
Challenge #16 - Reread a book
Hopefully self-explanatory and just because I'm in the mood for some rereading. I hope to reread at least Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (inspired by reading a biography of CB last month) and start a reread of Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn series with The Final Empire.
Hopefully self-explanatory and just because I'm in the mood for some rereading. I hope to reread at least Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (inspired by reading a biography of CB last month) and start a reread of Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn series with The Final Empire.
63lindapanzo
>58 PaulCranswick: Thanks for including some suggestions. I had no idea that Ken Follett and Dick Francis were born in Wales.
Alas, some Welsh mysteries I'd hoped to read were written by people not born in Wales. Ah well, perhaps a challenge for another day.
Also didn't realize that March 1st is St David's day, so it's a special day in more ways then one. My planned celebration looks like it might turn to staying home and shoveling snow, though.
Alas, some Welsh mysteries I'd hoped to read were written by people not born in Wales. Ah well, perhaps a challenge for another day.
Also didn't realize that March 1st is St David's day, so it's a special day in more ways then one. My planned celebration looks like it might turn to staying home and shoveling snow, though.
64lyzard
>13 Smiler69:
Ilana, I was wondering whether you would accept Agatha Christie's Dumb Witness for your challenge? The title refers to a dog who is a major character, but doesn't spell it out.
Ilana, I was wondering whether you would accept Agatha Christie's Dumb Witness for your challenge? The title refers to a dog who is a major character, but doesn't spell it out.
65Smiler69
>64 lyzard: You know what Liz? I now wish I'd made my parameters wider for Coco's challenge to allow as many people as want to to participate, so, yes, I'll allow it. xx
66cbl_tn
>65 Smiler69: In that case, would you accept an author whose name starts with "Co"? I would love to participate in Coco's memory, but I don't have a book with a title that fits. I do, however, have a book by an author named Conrad.
68AuntieClio
====Challenge #17 : Read a book which has a something (small or large) to do with Daylight Savings Time - started by auntieclio====
In The US, Daylight Savings Time is March 13, meaning we set our clocks forward an hour. Read a book which mentions DST, has something to do with DST, in which a character complains, explains, or lauds DST. You are allowed to stretch this as far as you like. My only requirement is that it be about Daylight Savings Time. Please explain how your book fits.
For my part, I am going to read Benjamin Franklin by Edwin S. Gaustad because Franklin wrote this essay about it in 1784.
In The US, Daylight Savings Time is March 13, meaning we set our clocks forward an hour. Read a book which mentions DST, has something to do with DST, in which a character complains, explains, or lauds DST. You are allowed to stretch this as far as you like. My only requirement is that it be about Daylight Savings Time. Please explain how your book fits.
For my part, I am going to read Benjamin Franklin by Edwin S. Gaustad because Franklin wrote this essay about it in 1784.
69madhatter22
>61 fuzzi: I hadn't even noticed that! I may move it over if I find something else for #2 - I know there are more than a few!
>62 souloftherose: Ooh - just a few days ago I was watching a clip from the Joan Fontaine/Orson Welles version of Jane Eyre and it really made me want to reread it. I'll share that.
>62 souloftherose: Ooh - just a few days ago I was watching a clip from the Joan Fontaine/Orson Welles version of Jane Eyre and it really made me want to reread it. I'll share that.
70lindapanzo
>68 AuntieClio: A few years ago, I read an excellent book about the origins of Daylight Savings time. Seize the Daylight by David Prerau.
71dallenbaugh
>68 AuntieClio: If DLT is mentioned once in a novel is that enough to meet this challenge?
72AuntieClio
>71 dallenbaugh: once is all it takes ;-)
73madhatter22
Challenge #18 - Read a book with a title word describing a place where someone could live
This can be simple or creative, general or specific, as long as it's a place where a real person could conceivably live, or a place where a fictional person you can cite has lived. House, Castle, Cave, Planet, Mars, San Francisco, Narnia, Car, Cupboard (under the stairs) - you get the idea.
This can be simple or creative, general or specific, as long as it's a place where a real person could conceivably live, or a place where a fictional person you can cite has lived. House, Castle, Cave, Planet, Mars, San Francisco, Narnia, Car, Cupboard (under the stairs) - you get the idea.
74jeanned
Here's what I'm reading in March!
Challenge #1: Read a book with me in the title
Unaccustomed Earth, by Jhumpa Lahiri
Challenge #2: Read a book you're a bit panicky over
Sea Hearts, by Margo Lanagan
Challenge #3: Read a book with an embedded word in the title
Death of a Red Heroine, by Qiu Xiaolong
Challenge #7: Read a book with yellow on the cover
Quiller: The 9th Directive, by Adam Hall
Challenge #9: Read a book where the author's first or last name starts with the letter "L"
Strong Justice, by Jon Land
Challenge #10: Read a book that has a title in which each word can be anagrammed
The Quiet War, by Paul McAuley
Challenge #11: Read a stand-alone book, or a book from a series, that has inspired a video game
Roadside Picnic, by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky
Challenge #14: Read a book by an author whose initials form a word
Digging to America, by Anne Tyler
Challenge #18 : Read a book with a title word describing a place someone could live
Mission Flats, by William Landay
Challenge #1: Read a book with me in the title
Unaccustomed Earth, by Jhumpa Lahiri
Challenge #2: Read a book you're a bit panicky over
Sea Hearts, by Margo Lanagan
Challenge #3: Read a book with an embedded word in the title
Death of a Red Heroine, by Qiu Xiaolong
Challenge #7: Read a book with yellow on the cover
Quiller: The 9th Directive, by Adam Hall
Challenge #9: Read a book where the author's first or last name starts with the letter "L"
Strong Justice, by Jon Land
Challenge #10: Read a book that has a title in which each word can be anagrammed
The Quiet War, by Paul McAuley
Challenge #11: Read a stand-alone book, or a book from a series, that has inspired a video game
Roadside Picnic, by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky
Challenge #14: Read a book by an author whose initials form a word
Digging to America, by Anne Tyler
Challenge #18 : Read a book with a title word describing a place someone could live
Mission Flats, by William Landay
75DeltaQueen50
>73 madhatter22: Could it just be the generic word City?
I am finding that most of my books fit Cheli's Embedded Word Challenge but I would like to spread them out over the challenges a little more.
I am finding that most of my books fit Cheli's Embedded Word Challenge but I would like to spread them out over the challenges a little more.
76jeanned
So sorry to whomever entered City of Thieves in Challenge #3 - I accidentally deleted your entry. Darn laptop touchpad!
77DeltaQueen50
>76 jeanned: It's OK, you didn't delete it, I removed it until I hear from madhatter22 if I can move it to her challenge.
78madhatter22
>75 DeltaQueen50: Yep, generic place names are fine - City, State, Country - all good.
79DeltaQueen50
>78 madhatter22: Thanks!
80Smiler69
>66 cbl_tn: Yes, I'll allow that as well. I was wondering from the beginning about including names starting with "Co". I think I will rephrase the challenge to:
Read a book with a word or name beginning with the letters "Co", or the word "Dog" or synonym, or with a dog as the main protagonist.
I hope that's ok Madeline?
Read a book with a word or name beginning with the letters "Co", or the word "Dog" or synonym, or with a dog as the main protagonist.
I hope that's ok Madeline?
81SqueakyChu
>80 Smiler69: Yep. It's fine.
Is this what you mean to say?
Read a book with a title word or author name beginning with the letters "Co" or the word "Dog" or synonym, or a book with a dog as the main protagonist
Is this what you mean to say?
Read a book with a title word or author name beginning with the letters "Co" or the word "Dog" or synonym, or a book with a dog as the main protagonist
82paulstalder
Challenge #19: Read a book in which pulses are eaten
The FAO declared 2016 as the year of the pulses, so I challenge you to eat pulses, äh, I mean read a book in which pulses are prepared for food or are eaten. Indicate the page and the kind of pulses. No embedded words, no uneatable stuff.
http://www.fao.org/pulses-2016/en/
here is a list of these: 'FAO recognizes 11 primary pulses.' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legume
Bon appetit
The FAO declared 2016 as the year of the pulses, so I challenge you to eat pulses, äh, I mean read a book in which pulses are prepared for food or are eaten. Indicate the page and the kind of pulses. No embedded words, no uneatable stuff.
http://www.fao.org/pulses-2016/en/
here is a list of these: 'FAO recognizes 11 primary pulses.' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legume
Bon appetit
83fuzzi
>82 paulstalder: the book of Daniel in the Bible would qualify for that challenge, thanks!
84paulstalder
>83 fuzzi: That applies to the King James version and the Septuagint, all the others have 'vegetables', 'Gemüse', or 'légumes', 'groenten'. :)
85fuzzi
>84 paulstalder: thanks, I did not realize that the modern versions had changed the word. Oh well, a King James Bible is easy enough to find.
86fuzzi
>80 Smiler69: I have found eight (8) books for your challenge, and I'm going to try to read them all this month, for Coco.
If anyone wants suggestions for "dog" books, I'm your huckleberry, just ask!
If anyone wants suggestions for "dog" books, I'm your huckleberry, just ask!
87Smiler69
>81 SqueakyChu: Yes, thanks Madeline, that sounds perfect... I was having a bit of trouble getting a handle on that one, as you noticed and thankfully fixed!
>86 fuzzi: Sounds wonderful, bless your heart. I'd be curious to know what your eight books are.
I hope some day to get a sweep with the TIOLI challenges, but this month I too will read as many books as I can in memory of my beloved little Coco.
>86 fuzzi: Sounds wonderful, bless your heart. I'd be curious to know what your eight books are.
I hope some day to get a sweep with the TIOLI challenges, but this month I too will read as many books as I can in memory of my beloved little Coco.
88SqueakyChu
For Coco's memorial challenge, I want to recommend two dog books I love now...
1. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein - I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book!
2. Marley & Me by John Grogan
...and one book I loved as a kid...
1. Lad: A Dog by Albert Payson Terhune (which can be a shared read with harrygbutler)
1. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein - I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book!
2. Marley & Me by John Grogan
...and one book I loved as a kid...
1. Lad: A Dog by Albert Payson Terhune (which can be a shared read with harrygbutler)
89lindapanzo
For the Coco challenge--what a terrific way to honor a beloved dog--one book I'm hoping to read is A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron, which is the first book in the dog's purpose series. My nephew was eager to read these and so I picked up a few of these for his birthday.
90swynn
>82 paulstalder: Oh: beans!
My first thought was that you were talking about some supergenre of vampire fiction.
My first thought was that you were talking about some supergenre of vampire fiction.
91paulstalder
>90 swynn: Well, I had to check the English word, German it is 'Hülsenfrüchte' - no connections whatsoever with vampires. The German word for pulse is Puls, so I checked the English word twice to make sure I understand what 'pulses' are. So these pulses increased my pulse - healthy, aren't they?
92swynn
>91 paulstalder: It's a perfectly good English word according the Oxford English Dictionary -- I just don't recall hearing it used in that sense before. So: vocabulary++. Thanks!
And yes, very healthy.
(Fun fact: according to the OED, it's derived from the Latin word "puls," as opposed to the same word in the sense "throbbing or rhythmical expansion of the arteries," which is derived from the Latin word "pulsus". Oh, those crazy Romans.)
And yes, very healthy.
(Fun fact: according to the OED, it's derived from the Latin word "puls," as opposed to the same word in the sense "throbbing or rhythmical expansion of the arteries," which is derived from the Latin word "pulsus". Oh, those crazy Romans.)
93fuzzi
>87 Smiler69: here are my planned reads:
Challenge #6. Read a book with a title word or author name beginning with the letters "Co" or the word "Dog" or synonym, or a book with a dog as the main protagonist -- in memory of Coco
Challenge #6. Read a book with a title word or author name beginning with the letters "Co" or the word "Dog" or synonym, or a book with a dog as the main protagonist -- in memory of Coco
One Corpse Too Many by Ellis Peters - (ROOT)
A Husky in the House by Sally Carrighar - (ROOT)
Protecting Marie by Kevin Henkes - (ROOT)
Barry the Story of a Wolf Dog by Thomas C. Hinkle - (ROOT)
Luck of the Irish by Ruth Adams Knight - (ROOT)
Boots the story of a Working Sheep Dog by S.P. Meek - (ROOT)
Spike of Swift River by Jack O'Brien - (ROOT)
Lad of Sunnybank by Albert Payson Terhune - (ROOT)
94raidergirl3
>73 madhatter22: I see you are reading the Anne of Green Gables series. If you get to the end, Rilla of Ingleside would be perfect for #8, book set on the home front during a war.
95avatiakh
I read two new dog-themed books in February so probably won't get to more this month unless I stumble across another.
Sirius: The remarkable story of a little dog who changed world history by Jonathan Crown was a light read
Jonathan Unleashed by Meg Rosoff - her latest and I enjoyed this a lot, though the main character is Jonathan rather than the dogs.
Sirius: The remarkable story of a little dog who changed world history by Jonathan Crown was a light read
Jonathan Unleashed by Meg Rosoff - her latest and I enjoyed this a lot, though the main character is Jonathan rather than the dogs.
96lahochstetler
>13 Smiler69: - I'm so sorry for the loss of your doggie. Losing a dear furry friend is heartbreaking.
97lahochstetler
Also, for those interested in the video game challenge, that wikipedia page is definitely incomplete. There are video games for sure for the following works (I've played them). I'm happy to provide web pages if anyone is interested. Literary video games are one of my odd interests. The ones I've listed here are in addition to those on the wikipedia page.
Agatha Christie:
Peril at End House
The 4:50 from Paddington
Death on the Nile
Dead Man's Folly
Edgar Allen Poe:
Murders in the Rue Morgue
The Goldbug
The Premature Burial
The Black Cat
The Masque of the Red Death
The Fall of the House of Usher
The Tell-Tale Heart
The Mystery of Marie Roget
Defoe:
The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe
Lemony Snicket:
A Series of Unfortunate Events (the game is based on the whole series, and has elements from various books)
Hans Christian Andersen:
The Tin Soldier
Dickens:
A Christmas Carol
James Patterson:
Women's Murder Club series
Washington Irving:
Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Wilkie Collins:
The Moonstone
Gaston Leroux:
The Phantom of the Opera
The Mystery of the yellow Room
F Scott Fitzgerald:
The Great Gatsby
Agatha Christie:
Peril at End House
The 4:50 from Paddington
Death on the Nile
Dead Man's Folly
Edgar Allen Poe:
Murders in the Rue Morgue
The Goldbug
The Premature Burial
The Black Cat
The Masque of the Red Death
The Fall of the House of Usher
The Tell-Tale Heart
The Mystery of Marie Roget
Defoe:
The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe
Lemony Snicket:
A Series of Unfortunate Events (the game is based on the whole series, and has elements from various books)
Hans Christian Andersen:
The Tin Soldier
Dickens:
A Christmas Carol
James Patterson:
Women's Murder Club series
Washington Irving:
Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Wilkie Collins:
The Moonstone
Gaston Leroux:
The Phantom of the Opera
The Mystery of the yellow Room
F Scott Fitzgerald:
The Great Gatsby
98Smiler69
>96 lahochstetler: Thank you so much for your words of sympathy, all of it helps. I'm left with a huge trove of wonderful memories of our time together and I'm certainly glad I was able to be with him most of the time and was able to benefit fully from his presence.
>97 lahochstetler: So many good titles on there! Thanks for that list.
>97 lahochstetler: So many good titles on there! Thanks for that list.
99jeanned
>97 lahochstetler:: Thank you so much for that!
100thornton37814
For any others who finish War and Peace this month, I put it in challenge #9.
101fuzzi
>13 Smiler69: I just finished my third book for Coco's challenge. :)
102streamsong
>100 thornton37814: Hope to join you there, Lori! I've just finished Book 3, so I'm now over a thousand pages into it.
103thornton37814
>102 streamsong: I hope you get there too.
104Smiler69
>101 fuzzi: Thank you. I miss him like crazy today. It's actually physically painful.
105Smiler69

Plumdog by Emma Chichester Clark ★★★★½
Missing Coco so much today, I thought picking up Plumdog might do me some good this evening. Obviously I'll add it to Coco's challenge. It's about the author, Emma Chichester Clark's dog Plum, self-described as a 'whoosell': whippet mixed with Jack Russell and poodle. She keeps a journal of her days with 'words by Plum' and 'illustrations by Emma'. It's really very sweet and I'll have to look up the blog it is based on (here: http://emmachichesterclark.blogspot.ca). Of course I kept imagining how Coco would have described his days throughout.
106fuzzi
>105 Smiler69: I want to read that just for the cover!
107lyzard
I posted this on my thread but thought I should re-post here just in case, as I know people often do join in with an Agatha Christie read:
In Dumb Witness, which I have listed in #6, there are spoilers for The Mysterious Affair At Styles, The Mystery Of The Blue Train, The Murder Of Roger Ackroyd and Death In The Clouds, so anyone who hasn't read those novels should avoid this one.
{/public service announcement}
In Dumb Witness, which I have listed in #6, there are spoilers for The Mysterious Affair At Styles, The Mystery Of The Blue Train, The Murder Of Roger Ackroyd and Death In The Clouds, so anyone who hasn't read those novels should avoid this one.
{/public service announcement}
108Smiler69
I've just started on the Costa Award-winning The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge and wondering which challenge it might fit into...
109elkiedee
>108 Smiler69: I read a book called the Lightning Tree which I considered putting in Challenge 18 though I decided it fitted elsewhere. Or you could put it in Challenge 2 (panicking over not being able to find a challenge to list it in! - see message >3 lyzard: )
110Smiler69
>109 elkiedee: Oh yes, thanks for encouraging me to reread Liz's parameters for her challenge... that's where it'll have to go! :-)
111SqueakyChu
TIOLI Question of the Month
Have you abandoned any book or considered abandoning any book you were reading for a TIOLI challenge this month? If so, what was the book, and why did you or were you considering not finishing that book?
Have you abandoned any book or considered abandoning any book you were reading for a TIOLI challenge this month? If so, what was the book, and why did you or were you considering not finishing that book?
112fuzzi
>111 SqueakyChu: Protecting Marie, which was a YA book, I think. It was tedious, and I got tired of the teen angst and drama, but I did sort of want to find out how it ended. It could have been better, imo.
113Helenliz
I'm having a slow month, but so far I've not wanted to abandon any of them. Still Listening to Barnaby rudge, on CD 17 of 22. And for real book, I'm working my way through the "other stories" part of Voltaire's Candide and other stories.
114SqueakyChu
>111 SqueakyChu: For me, it's been Me Before You by JoJo Moyes. I said I'd read this book for my online book club. It's cute, but not compelling so I keep picking up other books. The book is on the bestseller list so I cannot renew it at the library. I've taken it out, waited for it on the hold list, took it out a second time, and now have it overdue and about to be returned to the library tomorrow...but I'm only halfway through that book! Will I ever finish it? I don't know! I'm getting into manga this week so my reading interests are turning elsewhere... *sigh*
115susanna.fraser
>111 SqueakyChu: I abandoned The Force Awakens. I'd heard it offered some insights into backstory and character motives you wouldn't necessarily get from the movie, but the writing style didn't work for me, and I figured there was nothing stopping me from filling in the backstory and motives I however I liked in my own imagination.
116fuzzi
I just finished The Murder of Mary Russell by Laurie R. King, and it's a keeper.
If any of you are fans of the Holmes/Russell books, one of my favorites is on sale TODAY at Amazon for $1.99 US:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Game-suspense-featuring-Sherlock-ebook/dp/B000FC1AG6?_...
Go get it!
If any of you are fans of the Holmes/Russell books, one of my favorites is on sale TODAY at Amazon for $1.99 US:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Game-suspense-featuring-Sherlock-ebook/dp/B000FC1AG6?_...
Go get it!
117Citizenjoyce
>111 SqueakyChu: I thought I was going to have to leave your question unswered, but just today I abandoned a book after barely beginning it. Pretty Girls appears to be about a girl (I only got to one) who was abducted. Her veterinarian father was tormenting himself over the tortures she might have endured by describing the damage done to an abused dog. That did it - torture of women and animals in just the first pages, were children going to be next? I don't know, I don't care. I'm not reading any more.
118cyderry
>116 fuzzi: glad to hear that I have a great read waiting on the top of the pile for my next up. I love that series and believe it or not so does my husband, but he only does them on audio.
119Dejah_Thoris
>111 SqueakyChu: Oh, I definitely bailed on one this month. Surfing the Himalayas turned out to be Buddhism lite a la Atlantis - and very little about Nepal. I really tried, but gave up about 100 pages in. Not for me.
120SqueakyChu
It's such a relief to bail on a bad story! Hope all of you who did so moved on to something better.
I still can't move on Me Before You. I returned it to the library once again. It was my last month's book club read. Oh, well. I'll finish it sometime. I'm just not sure when.
I still can't move on Me Before You. I returned it to the library once again. It was my last month's book club read. Oh, well. I'll finish it sometime. I'm just not sure when.
121SqueakyChu
TIOLI Stats for February, 2016
For the month of February, we read a total of 434 books, the smallest number of books read in a month since 2011. We shared 75 books or 17% of our reads. We have a total of 86 YTD TIOLI points, the smallest YTD total for this month since 2010, the first year of our challenge.
I keep these stats to see if there is enough interest in the TIOLI challenges to keep it going. If I see the numbers going down, I imagine a waning interest. Do not panic, however. I will keep the TIOLI challenges going through the end of the year and then take a poll to see if challengers want to continue for another year. We are in our 7th year now! Can you believe it?!
I admit that my own reading numbers are going down because of two distractions...babysitting my grandson and playtime on my smart phone. I'll never stop reading, though, so don't worry too much.
The most popular books, each with 5 readers, were The Frozen Thames by Helen Humphreys and Hell is Empty by Craig Johnson.
The most popular challenge was cyderry's challenge to read a book where a word in the title can be an action - in which there were 78 books read.
The most TIOLI points were 5 points each for the following challenges:
1. cyderry's challenge to read a book where a word in the title can be an action
2. yoyogod's challenge to read a book that is part of a series that has been (or is about to be) adapted into a television show
3. lyzard's challenge to read a book with a person-possessive title
Look for the forthcoming TIOLI awards for February...
For the month of February, we read a total of 434 books, the smallest number of books read in a month since 2011. We shared 75 books or 17% of our reads. We have a total of 86 YTD TIOLI points, the smallest YTD total for this month since 2010, the first year of our challenge.
I keep these stats to see if there is enough interest in the TIOLI challenges to keep it going. If I see the numbers going down, I imagine a waning interest. Do not panic, however. I will keep the TIOLI challenges going through the end of the year and then take a poll to see if challengers want to continue for another year. We are in our 7th year now! Can you believe it?!
I admit that my own reading numbers are going down because of two distractions...babysitting my grandson and playtime on my smart phone. I'll never stop reading, though, so don't worry too much.
The most popular books, each with 5 readers, were The Frozen Thames by Helen Humphreys and Hell is Empty by Craig Johnson.
The most popular challenge was cyderry's challenge to read a book where a word in the title can be an action - in which there were 78 books read.
The most TIOLI points were 5 points each for the following challenges:
1. cyderry's challenge to read a book where a word in the title can be an action
2. yoyogod's challenge to read a book that is part of a series that has been (or is about to be) adapted into a television show
3. lyzard's challenge to read a book with a person-possessive title
Look for the forthcoming TIOLI awards for February...
122Smiler69
>121 SqueakyChu: I certainly hope you intend on keeping the TIOLI going for a long time! I would venture to guess that Suzanne's absence has an impact on total of books read, since she was after all one of our biggest readers, in terms of sheer numbers.
123fuzzi
>122 Smiler69: I second your hope. The TIOLI challenge is what helps me read consistently, and more than with any other challenge here on LT.
124dallenbaugh
>123 fuzzi: I agree
125SqueakyChu
>122 Smiler69: My goal is to keep the TIOLi challenges going as long as you want them. I still love posting them. You are right about Suz's absence being significant on the total numbers, but this was also February, our shortest month (even with the leap day).
126SqueakyChu
>123 fuzzi: >124 dallenbaugh:
They will continue!
The TIOLI challenge is what helps me read consistently, and more than with any other challenge here on LT.
That's nice to know!
They will continue!
The TIOLI challenge is what helps me read consistently, and more than with any other challenge here on LT.
That's nice to know!
127susanna.fraser
>121 SqueakyChu: I hope TIOLI keeps going for the foreseeable future, too! I like the sort of unstructured structure it gives to deciding what to read next--a mix of "how can I fit this library book I need to read in the next week into one of the challenges" and "for once my library books aren't overwhelming me--do I have something that fits one of the challenges that's not getting much play this month?" Also, it gives a certain communal feel to reading even if I don't have a lot of shared reads when I track my books on the TIOLI meter and make an extra effort to get to any books that might be shared.
128Smiler69
>127 susanna.fraser: You've summed up everything I love about the TIOLI challenges too, Susanna!
129DeltaQueen50
Re: TIOLI Question of the Month: I very rarely abandon books but I just had to give up on The Coldest Girl in Coldtown. The more I read the angrier I found myself getting. The plot made no sense and the main character infuriated me. I read 40% of the book but decided I best abandon it before I did some permanent damage to my kindle.
I really only feel bad about not reading this book as it was one of the ones I had listed in Ilana's 'CoCo' challenge. Luckily my other read for that challenge was excellent.
I really only feel bad about not reading this book as it was one of the ones I had listed in Ilana's 'CoCo' challenge. Luckily my other read for that challenge was excellent.
130SqueakyChu
>127 susanna.fraser: I like the sort of unstructured structure
Haha! That's what my husband calls a random pattern. Sounds like an oxymoron to me! ;)
Haha! That's what my husband calls a random pattern. Sounds like an oxymoron to me! ;)
131SqueakyChu
>129 DeltaQueen50: decided I best abandon it before I did some permanent damage to my kindle.
Phew! I'm glad you stopped reading that book. :)
Phew! I'm glad you stopped reading that book. :)
132Dejah_Thoris
>121 SqueakyChu: Count me in with the crowd who want the TIOLI Challenges to continue for a long time!
As far as shared reads / TIOLI Points go, what a good percentage for the month? 20%? 25%? 30%? Even if the total numbers were down, we can aim for a better percentage. I haven't been doing particularly well with shared reads this year; I need to do better. If I had a percentage to aim for, it would motivate me.
I should also post the books I'm thinking of reading more frequently than I do, not just posting when I've finished them. I know I check out what other folks are reading and often try to add one to my list. I also know that I'm more likely to try for a shared read (particularly late in the month) if someone has already marked the book COMPLETED or Reading.
As far as shared reads / TIOLI Points go, what a good percentage for the month? 20%? 25%? 30%? Even if the total numbers were down, we can aim for a better percentage. I haven't been doing particularly well with shared reads this year; I need to do better. If I had a percentage to aim for, it would motivate me.
I should also post the books I'm thinking of reading more frequently than I do, not just posting when I've finished them. I know I check out what other folks are reading and often try to add one to my list. I also know that I'm more likely to try for a shared read (particularly late in the month) if someone has already marked the book COMPLETED or Reading.
133thornton37814
>121 SqueakyChu: My reading was way down in February. I've also had trouble finding places to fit my reads in sometimes lately. If something takes too much time to try to figure out if it fits a category, I skip that category.
134DeltaQueen50
I am still addicted to the TIOLI Challenges! I try to fit all my reading into the challenges and I often change my books around in order to make them fit. I have less leeway this year due to other challenges and I hate it when a book that I have to read doesn't fit at the TIOLIs. Starting about this time of the month, I check into LT almost on an hourly basis to see if the new challenges have been posted! See, addicted!
135SqueakyChu
>132 Dejah_Thoris: what a good percentage for the month? 20%? 25%? 30%?
Interesting question!
Here are some of our stats:
The lowest percentage was 11% in December 2014.
The highest percentage was 48% in March, 2010.
So in the beginning (2010) we averaged 31% a month.
More recently (2015) we averaged 20% a month.
I think 25% is a good average per month.
Interesting question!
Here are some of our stats:
The lowest percentage was 11% in December 2014.
The highest percentage was 48% in March, 2010.
So in the beginning (2010) we averaged 31% a month.
More recently (2015) we averaged 20% a month.
I think 25% is a good average per month.
136dallenbaugh
And what do readers think is more fun, having shared reads or fitting odd books into difficult challenges which usually means less shared reads?
137streamsong
>134 DeltaQueen50: Starting about this time of the month, I check into LT almost on an hourly basis to see if the new challenges have been posted! See, addicted! Heehee! Me, too!
I had two long books this month which has really cut my numbers (War and Peace and Winter) - but they both turned into shared reads.
>136 dallenbaugh: I do both - I am so trying to get Planet TBR cut down a bit this year that I am really working to get the oddies off the shelf. That definitely limits my shared reads.
I had two long books this month which has really cut my numbers (War and Peace and Winter) - but they both turned into shared reads.
>136 dallenbaugh: I do both - I am so trying to get Planet TBR cut down a bit this year that I am really working to get the oddies off the shelf. That definitely limits my shared reads.
138jeanned
>136 dallenbaugh: For my part, I enjoy fitting books into challenges. A shared read is the cherry on the sundae.
139SqueakyChu
TIOLI Awards for February 2016...
The Brave Contemporary Japanese Fiction Reader Award goes to paulstalder for reading one of the "older" (the author is no longer alive) authors for my (SqueakyChu's) challenge to read a book of modern Japanese fiction (in rolling order). This challenger read Der Seemann, der die See verriet (The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea) by Yukio Mishima. I've never read this book, but I have read other books by this author and loved them. I wanted to share my love for this type of fiction with others and hope I did so. I think that the authors (Haruki Murakami and Banana Yoshimoto) which other challengers read for this challenge are very good, but they are much more well known by American readers in general.
The Strangest Conveyance Award goes to nrmay for reading In the Belly of the Bloodhound by L.A. Meyer for PaulCranswick's challenge to read a book which is set or largely set in or on a means of conveyance. I know I'm probably misinterpreting this. However, I thought this challenge should have had all of the conveyances listed along with each book's name. That not having happened, though, I thought traveling in the belly of a bloodhound was an odd way to move from place to place. Hence, this award!
The Unicorn's Appearance Award goes to fuzzi for reading Unicorn Variations by Roger Zelazny for DeltaQueen's challenge to read a book that has an animal, bird or reptile in the title. I don't know whether or not a real animal was being sought for this challenge. I only know that my two-and-a-half-year-old grandson had been asking me for a unicorn ... and I found it in the title of this book! So easy... :)
The Most Extraordinary Award goes to Smiler69 for reading The Road Home by Rose Tremain for dallenbaugh's challenge to read a book with the word 'extraordinary' or a synonym of this word somewhere on the front or back cover. I loved the description of this book as "strikingly alert". :)
The You Knew This was Coming Award goes to cbl_tn for reading The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare for fuzzi's challenge to read a book written at least 50 years ago. This book had the oldest publication date (1600) of all the books listed for this challenge.
The Most Imaginative Challenge goes to paulstalder (once again!) for his own challenge to read a book with a four-corner-letter-word on page 20 or 16. I loved this challenge...although I could not at all understand it at first. After multiple explanations, I began to see how much fun it was...after all. You know I love creative challenges, and this challenge was once of that kind. Kudos!
Feel free to add your own awards at this time...
Congratulations to our award winners!
The Brave Contemporary Japanese Fiction Reader Award goes to paulstalder for reading one of the "older" (the author is no longer alive) authors for my (SqueakyChu's) challenge to read a book of modern Japanese fiction (in rolling order). This challenger read Der Seemann, der die See verriet (The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea) by Yukio Mishima. I've never read this book, but I have read other books by this author and loved them. I wanted to share my love for this type of fiction with others and hope I did so. I think that the authors (Haruki Murakami and Banana Yoshimoto) which other challengers read for this challenge are very good, but they are much more well known by American readers in general.
The Strangest Conveyance Award goes to nrmay for reading In the Belly of the Bloodhound by L.A. Meyer for PaulCranswick's challenge to read a book which is set or largely set in or on a means of conveyance. I know I'm probably misinterpreting this. However, I thought this challenge should have had all of the conveyances listed along with each book's name. That not having happened, though, I thought traveling in the belly of a bloodhound was an odd way to move from place to place. Hence, this award!
The Unicorn's Appearance Award goes to fuzzi for reading Unicorn Variations by Roger Zelazny for DeltaQueen's challenge to read a book that has an animal, bird or reptile in the title. I don't know whether or not a real animal was being sought for this challenge. I only know that my two-and-a-half-year-old grandson had been asking me for a unicorn ... and I found it in the title of this book! So easy... :)
The Most Extraordinary Award goes to Smiler69 for reading The Road Home by Rose Tremain for dallenbaugh's challenge to read a book with the word 'extraordinary' or a synonym of this word somewhere on the front or back cover. I loved the description of this book as "strikingly alert". :)
The You Knew This was Coming Award goes to cbl_tn for reading The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare for fuzzi's challenge to read a book written at least 50 years ago. This book had the oldest publication date (1600) of all the books listed for this challenge.
The Most Imaginative Challenge goes to paulstalder (once again!) for his own challenge to read a book with a four-corner-letter-word on page 20 or 16. I loved this challenge...although I could not at all understand it at first. After multiple explanations, I began to see how much fun it was...after all. You know I love creative challenges, and this challenge was once of that kind. Kudos!
Feel free to add your own awards at this time...
Congratulations to our award winners!
140SqueakyChu
>136 dallenbaugh: And what do readers think is more fun, having shared reads or fitting odd books into difficult challenges which usually means less shared reads?
This is a great question because I like both equally!
This is a great question because I like both equally!
141lindapanzo
>140 SqueakyChu: I like both equally, too.
I absolutely love when the new TIOLI is announced. Love to see the challenges and see what other people are reading. I like to add anything I might read to fit each challenge and then, if someone else is interested, I'm more inclined to actually read it.
I absolutely love when the new TIOLI is announced. Love to see the challenges and see what other people are reading. I like to add anything I might read to fit each challenge and then, if someone else is interested, I'm more inclined to actually read it.
142cbl_tn
>139 SqueakyChu: An award! :-) This is actually one of my favorite times of the month. I love seeing all of the creative award categories. Plus, it's a sign that next month's challenges are coming soon!
143fuzzi
>139 SqueakyChu: thanks! That book has been on my tbrr list for a long time...I just finally broke down and ordered it online.
Did he get his unicorn?
And congratulations to all award winners: @paulstalder, @nrmay, @Smiler69, and @cbl_tn!
Did he get his unicorn?
And congratulations to all award winners: @paulstalder, @nrmay, @Smiler69, and @cbl_tn!
144SqueakyChu
>143 fuzzi: I knew I had a unicorn in my house famong my daughter's old Beanie Babies. I could only find the white Magic the Dragon which had wings. He was satisfied when I added a cardboard horn to this toy animal. Then I found the white unicorn Beanie Baby called Mystic, but, when I gave it to my grandson, he wanted that animal to have wings. So we added cardboard wings! *sigh*
145nrmay
>139 SqueakyChu:
Thanks for the award! My first time to win one.
The 'Bloodhound' was the name of a slave ship.
The complete title is -
In the Belly of the Bloodhound: Being an Account of a Particularly Peculiar Adventure in the Life of Jacky Faber
Highly recommended, but start with the 1st in the series -
Bloody Jack; Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy
I love the awards! Congratulations to the winners.
Thanks for the award! My first time to win one.
The 'Bloodhound' was the name of a slave ship.
The complete title is -
In the Belly of the Bloodhound: Being an Account of a Particularly Peculiar Adventure in the Life of Jacky Faber
Highly recommended, but start with the 1st in the series -
Bloody Jack; Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy
I love the awards! Congratulations to the winners.
146Helenoel
So far, I've gotten all my March books into a challenge- I had to double dip in a couple of them, but it worked.
147dallenbaugh
Kudos to the awardees
148Smiler69
Thanks for the award Madeline! And the book itself was rewarding too—the first contemporary novel I've read by an author (Rose Tremain) I've grown to love to bit for her historical fiction.
When the new monthly challenges are posted, I visit the wiki pages over and over again as well, to see what has been posted that I might join in reading, and whether anyone will be sharing some of my reads. I also try to keep my "currently reading" and "completed" statuses up-to-date, figuring this might be an encouragement to others to dive in along with me. I get a kick out of shared reads for the sake of it, the points and the rest are just the icing on the cake. I've taken to adding my rating alongside those books I've particularly liked too, also in hopes of encouraging shared reads, or just encouraging others to take notice of the book, and got the idea from Joyce. That being said, if I eventually see an opportunity for a sweep, which so far has been beyond my ability to realize, I'll probably forego shared readings if need be to reach that goal at least once in my lifetime!
When the new monthly challenges are posted, I visit the wiki pages over and over again as well, to see what has been posted that I might join in reading, and whether anyone will be sharing some of my reads. I also try to keep my "currently reading" and "completed" statuses up-to-date, figuring this might be an encouragement to others to dive in along with me. I get a kick out of shared reads for the sake of it, the points and the rest are just the icing on the cake. I've taken to adding my rating alongside those books I've particularly liked too, also in hopes of encouraging shared reads, or just encouraging others to take notice of the book, and got the idea from Joyce. That being said, if I eventually see an opportunity for a sweep, which so far has been beyond my ability to realize, I'll probably forego shared readings if need be to reach that goal at least once in my lifetime!
149SqueakyChu
>148 Smiler69: at least once in my lifetime!
It would probably take me ten lifetimes to reach a sweep! :)
It would probably take me ten lifetimes to reach a sweep! :)
150fuzzi
>148 Smiler69: I also look for shared reads, but I have SO many "ROOT" books I'm trying to read (ones on the shelves that have been there a year or more, unread) that I don't wind up sharing any of the newer works listed on the Wiki.
I'm very much interested in shared reads, they just don't happen for me, most of the time.
I'm very much interested in shared reads, they just don't happen for me, most of the time.
151Smiler69
>150 fuzzi: Like you, I try to share reads only when I already own the book, because I too am trying to read from the tbr, only said tbr keeps being added to, so it's not easy keeping it all under control... ;-)
152klobrien2
I LOVE sharing reads, so I prowl the wiki throughout the month, looking for possible shares. That said, I have nothing against trying to fit books that I happen to be reading into a category; I'm going to read the books anyway, but it's like the icing on the cake to be able to put it in the wiki.
I have so much fun with TIOLI!
Karen O.
I have so much fun with TIOLI!
Karen O.
153SqueakyChu
Housekeeping Day!
You know the drill. Please remove from the wiki any book that is not COMPLETED by midnight of 3/3/16. Thanks for your help!
You know the drill. Please remove from the wiki any book that is not COMPLETED by midnight of 3/3/16. Thanks for your help!









