The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

20.5. Bigger is Better - Lindsey IL's Task: The Pumpkin State

Illinois is my home state, and I didn't realize until a few days ago that we need to change our state nickname from "The Prairie State" to "The Pumpkin State." I just learned that Illinois produces more pumpkins than any other US state, twice as much as California, which is the second highest producing state. I've always loved pumpkins - the sight of them and any food made from them, and now I know one of the reasons why I felt like something was lacking in the fall when I lived in Tennessee for several years. I had taken the pumpkin abundance here for granted when I was growing up! This task is in honor of my favorite season and my favorite produce.

REQUIRED: Each book must be at least 250 pages.

NOTE: ebooks without print versions cannot be used for tasks requiring a specific number of pages. If you read an ebook or audiobook use the page count for the mass market paperback if one exists. If there is no mass market paperback edition, use the paperback edition and if no paperback is available use the hardcover edition.


Read one book from one of the following options...

1) Read a book whose title or subtitle contains the word "pumpkin." Plurals and possessives are fine. Or read a book with a pumpkin anywhere on the cover. REQUIRED: If you choose the cover option, include the cover in your post.

2) Pumpkins are awesome in that they can be used for entertainment (carving jack-o-lanterns or taking a trip to the pumpkin patch to pick one), decoration, and food. Read a nonfiction book about home/holiday decorating, entertaining, and/or cooking. REQUIRED: if the connection of the book to the task is not clear from the GR main page, please explain the connection

3) Fall is an amazing time to really start settling in with some good books. The days are getting shorter; the weather is getting colder. It's like we are in training for the season the most conducive to reading - winter. In preparation for winter, read any long (400+ page) book that you would consider to be a cozy/comfort read. OPTIONAL: Read your book at night in front of a fire or some candles with the window or door cracked, weather permitting, to let some of that wonderful fall air in. Make yourself a lovely fall-themed beverage.

Approved


Option 1


Option 2

Not Approved

This thread is now open!

Cute :D Can I use Smoke for option 3? She's pretty much my favorite author, and I've been dying for this book to come out since she first announced it last year.

Would Yes, Chef: A Memoir be o.k. for option 2 or does it need to be a cookbook?

I want to make sure this works for option 1. There is a pumpkin on the bottom of the cover. Thanks!

Ms Anderson - sure! I would think a book by your favorite author would be a comfort read.

Ann - yes, any nonfiction book about cooking is great for this task. A cookbook would work too, but it definitely doesn't have to be.

Valorie - yep!

I think you just answered my question but I want to be sure that The Sweet Life in Paris: Delicious Adventures in the World's Most Glorious - and Perplexing - City would work.

It's non-fiction and does have cooking as a genre but it's lower down the list after Food, Travel & French culture etc.

Just wanted to get the okay for option 2: I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence. I'm 99% sure it is fine, but you know how it is...

thanks!!

For Option 3: The Mammoth Book of Haunted House Stories , i know this may not be someone's idea of cozy read but it is mine. I hope this is ok.

Looks good, Janet, Michelle, and Delmy!

Does Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cookwork for option 2?

I am going to read Option 2 - The Sweet Life in Paris: Delicious Adventures in the World's Most Glorious - and Perplexing - City by David Lebovitz.

Yep! All of the above will work for Option 2.

Is this OK for option 2?

Hi Chris, yes.

Cookbooks are my comfort read -- can I read Joy of Kosher: Fast, Fresh Family Recipes

Yep, that would work for option 2.

How are we defining "comfort book" for option 3? I would like to read Americanah for this task. It deals with some weighty topics but these are the types of books I love to cuddle up with. And oddly, I find books with weighty topics comforting in a way when they make me thankful for the life I have been granted. Please let me know if this would work. Thanks!

Hi LDB, I would say a comfort book is pretty subjective. As long as you personally find it comforting, it's OK! And I see that Americanah meets the 400+ page requirement, so it would be just fine for this task.

Great! Thanks! That will be my read then.

Going to listen to the audio book version of Pumpkin Roll. The paperback version (linked here) says it has 368 pages. Should be ok, yes?

great Idea. I have to find something under than Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin Patch. I am still fascinated that they can change a states name, you know what I mean loL!!!

Yep, Pumpkin Roll is a good choice!

can I use an audiobook for option 3- cozy read-
if the mass market paperback shows 408 pages?

Thanks