Reading with Style discussion

20.8 – Kate S's task - Informed:
Read a non-fiction book about a person or place mentioned in the World News category of these 2012 blurbs.

I am having difficulty returning from this link. Is it just me/my internet or is it the link?

Bea wrote: "I am having difficulty returning from this link. Is it just me/my internet or is it the link?"

It worked for me and what an interesting idea! This one will be fun to research.

I opened the link in another tab and that solved my issue, Karen.

So...Taliban: Militant Islam, Oil and Fundamentalism in Central Asia would work because the 3/10/12 blurb talked about Taliban and Afghanistan. Correct?

Not so sure of this one - Sleeping on a Wire: Conversations with Palestinians in Israel. I thought it might go with 11/14/12 blurb about Israel attacking Gaza as it talks about Palestinian attacks being the reason. Would it work?

FYI, Kate is mostly unavailable to answer questions today. I am sure she'll pop in as soon as she can.

I am hoping to read Footnotes in Gaza by Joe Sacco for this task. Sacco is a cartoonist, but also a journalist and his work is non-fiction and powerful. I read and highly recommend his book Palestine as well if the graphic format is approved. A caveat for those of you who might consider reading these books is that they focus on Gaza and the people there, not on Israel's point of view.

Karen GHHS wrote: "I am hoping to read Footnotes in Gaza by Joe Sacco for this task. Sacco is a cartoonist, but also a journalist and his work is non-fiction and powerful. I read and highly recommend his book Palesti..."

I really wish I were better informed about the world in general. Maybe this task will begin my education a bit. The two books I mentioned above have been on my shelves for a long time but generally I do not have non-fiction in my home, so I am not a good source of informative book choices.

Bea wrote: "I opened the link in another tab and that solved my issue, Karen.

So...Taliban: Militant Islam, Oil and Fundamentalism in Central Asia would work because the 3/10/12 blurb talked about Taliban and..."

These both work and are exactly the kind of thing I was aiming for with this task!

Karen GHHS wrote: "I am hoping to read Footnotes in Gaza by Joe Sacco for this task. Sacco is a cartoonist, but also a journalist and his work is non-fiction and powerful. I read and highly recommend his book Palesti..."

These both look very interesting. I am going to approve them, just remember with graphic novels, they do not earn style points.

Bea wrote: "I really wish I were better informed about the world in general. Maybe this task will begin my education a bit. The two books I mentioned above have been on my shelves for a long time but generally I do not have non-fiction in my home, so I am not a good source of informative book choices.
"

I feel very similar to this and it is the reason I wanted to use this task.

Karen GHHS wrote: "Bea wrote: "I am having difficulty returning from this link. Is it just me/my internet or is it the link?"

It worked for me and what an interesting idea! This one will be fun to research."

Thanks, Karen. I hope we can all find something we enjoy for this task. :)

Kate S wrote: "Karen GHHS wrote: "I am hoping to read Footnotes in Gaza by Joe Sacco for this task. Sacco is a cartoonist, but also a journalist and his work is non-fiction and powerful. I read and highly recomme..."

Yay, thanks!

Is this one OK for Sudan (mentioned in September): Emma's War

Rosemary wrote: "Is this one OK for Sudan (mentioned in September): Emma's War"

Yes, there is enough information about the tumultuous history of Sudan in this book to fit the spirit of this task. (I also really enjoyed it and hope you do too!)

How do you feel about either

Temples, Tombs & Hieroglyphs: A Popular History of Ancient Egypt by Barbara Mertz

OR

The Most Beautiful Walk in the World: A Pedestrian in Paris by John Baxter

Rachelccameron wrote: "How do you feel about either

Temples, Tombs & Hieroglyphs: A Popular History of Ancient Egypt by Barbara Mertz

OR

The Most Beautiful Walk in the World: A Pedestrian in Paris by John Baxter"

They both fit as non-fiction books about places mentioned in the blurbs. Hope you enjoy them. :)

Both United States (March, April and August) and Great Britain (August, October) are mentioned in the blurbs -- lots of history books there. Unfortunately none mentioned Rome or Italy or Timbuktu, Mali. President Obama is mentioned (March) -- Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime and/or The Price of Politics are both Obama-centered non-fiction on my shelf. I'm also going to look at Ancient Egyptian History.

No one wants to read a book on Pussy Riot?

Haha

I've been looking for a place to fit Sherman: A Soldier's Life by Lee Kennett -- Since the United States was mentioned in blurbs in the monthes of March, April and August; and, since Sherman was a major figure in United States History, would it fit here in 20.8? Thanks!

Deedee wrote: "I've been looking for a place to fit Sherman: A Soldier's Life by Lee Kennett -- Since the United States was mentioned in blurbs in the monthes of March, April and August; and, since Sherman was a ..."

Sorry, Deedee, this definitely looks like a book about Sherman, who is not mentioned in any of the blurbs, more than a book about the United States.

There are many stories about Russian leadership (Putin) and the government crackdown on its people (Punk Band Pussy Riot).

Would I be good to read a biography on Stalin? He is not directly mentioned, but much of the history today is his legacy and the leadership issues are similar.

Thanks ahead of time!

Would The River at the Center of the World: A Journey Up the Yangtze & Back in Chinese Time work? China is mentioned in some of the blurbs though I don't know that the Yangtze is specifically mentioned.

Mike wrote: "There are many stories about Russian leadership (Putin) and the government crackdown on its people (Punk Band Pussy Riot).

Would I be good to read a biography on Stalin? He is not directly menti..."

Your thought process behind this is very close to what I was thinking when designing the task. A true biography of Stalin will not work for this task. However, a book about Stalin's politics in Russia, the long-term effects of his reign, or the changing politics/policies of Russia during his time. The focus of the book should be a person or place mentioned in the blurbs, so the book needs to focus on Russia.

If you have a question about a specific book, please ask here.

Joanna wrote: "Would The River at the Center of the World: A Journey Up the Yangtze & Back in Chinese Time work? China is mentioned in some of the blurbs though I don't know that the Yangtze is specifically menti..."

Yes, this looks like it is about a place (China) mentioned in the blurbs. Enjoy!

How about this specific book A People's Tragedy: A History of the Russian Revolution by Orlando Figes. It is a history of the Russian Revolution. The World News links talk about anti-government protests in Russia. The Russian Revolution is an entire history of anti-government protests (that led to a new government).

Thanks for the help!

Mike wrote: "How about this specific book A People's Tragedy: A History of the Russian Revolution by Orlando Figes. It is a history of the Russian Revolution. The World News links talk about anti-government p..."

Yes, this book works very well as a book about Russia! Hope you enjoy it!

A London Girl of the 1880s
This is a memoir. I read it for LLL but it turned out not to fit because she travels around England and Wales too much. Would it fit this task? It is about her experiences first as a schoolgirl, then training as a teacher in Cambridge and teaching in different places, with descriptions of life in London, Cambridge, Wales, Cornwall and the north of England in the 1880s.

Would this work?

The Change Maker: Preserving the Promise of America by Al Checchi

Rosemary wrote: "A London Girl of the 1880s
This is a memoir. I read it for LLL but it turned out not to fit because she travels around England and Wales too much. Would it fit this task? It is about her experience..."

I will take it.

Camille wrote: "Would this work?

The Change Maker: Preserving the Promise of America by Al Checchi"

Yes

Don (The Book Guy) wrote: "Will this book work?

Why The Rest Hates The West"

Yes

Kate S wrote: "Rosemary wrote: "A London Girl of the 1880s
This is a memoir. I read it for LLL but it turned out not to fit because she travels around England and Wales too much. Would it fit this task? It is abo..."

Thanks Kate!

I'm a little iffy about my choice... Would The Audacity of Hope work at all?

I've a feeling it won't.

Tien wrote: "I'm a little iffy about my choice... Would The Audacity of Hope work at all?

I've a feeling it won't."

President Obama is mentioned by name in the March blurb and this book is about him, I will accept it. Hope you enjoy!

Kate S wrote: "Tien wrote: "I'm a little iffy about my choice... Would The Audacity of Hope work at all?

I've a feeling it won't."

President Obama is mentioned by name in the March blurb and this book is abou..."

Thanks! I'm listening to the audiobook and was surprised that he's reading it rather than someone else!

Will A Tale of Love and Darkness work for this task? Amos Oz is not mentioned in any news blurbs, but Israel is mentioned in quite a few.

The memoir is described as "at once a great family saga and a magical self-portrait of a writer who witnessed the birth of a nation and lived through its turbulent history.... {It is} a story of clashing cultures and lives, of suffering and perseverance, of love and darkness." Also, according to wiki, Amos "since 1967 has been a prominent advocate and major cultural voice of a two-state solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict."

Liz M wrote: "Will A Tale of Love and Darkness work for this task? Amos Oz is not mentioned in any news blurbs, but Israel is mentioned in quite a few.

The memoir is described as "at once a great family saga..."

After reading several reviews for this, it appears to deal enough with the "birth of Israel" and the conflict before and after this UN directive to count for Israel. So, yes, enjoy!

Would Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace ... One School at a Time work? It's set in Pakistan and Afghanistan and both of those countries are listed in the blurbs...

Anika wrote: "Would Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace ... One School at a Time work? It's set in Pakistan and Afghanistan and both of those countries are listed in the blurbs..."

Yes, I will accept this.

I'm not sure, but what about Drift: The Unmooring of American Military Power? Haven't read it yet but it seems to be about modern American wars, culminating with Afghanistan, and the US war in Afghanistan is in several of the blurbs.

Katy wrote: "I'm not sure, but what about Drift: The Unmooring of American Military Power? Haven't read it yet but it seems to be about modern American wars, culminating with Afghanistan, and the US war in Afg..."

That looks like a good fit. Hope you enjoy it!

Would this work sine Bethlehem is in Palestine?
Collaborator of Bethlehem by Matt Rees

Rebekah wrote: "Would this work sine Bethlehem is in Palestine?
Collaborator of Bethlehem by Matt Rees"

Sorry, Rebekah, Bethlehem does work, but this task requires a work of non fiction. Collaborator of Bethlehem appears to be a work of fiction.

Oh, sorry! My brain just gets all confused this late in a challenge! (smile)