You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
Challenges: Monthly
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September 2016 Reporting - Lost in Translation
I read A Man Called Ove and was pleasantly surprised. I had a bad first impression with the first chapter, but I think I may have to give this 5 stars. 
3 pts - Translation, I can't read Swedish
4 pts - Cover, title in white
1 pts - Cover, majority is blue
1 pts - Author, is male
2 pts - 337 pages
2 pts - Ove's wife was a teacher
Total = 13 points
I mostly listened to
and after two other attempts - made it to the end this time! Thank you, Rusalka!3pts - Translation, I can't read Spanish
4 pts - Cover, title is in white
4 pts - Author, was a Journalist
1 pts - Author, is male
3 pts - 419 pages
Total = 15 points
Cherie, Congratulations on a job well done.
Woohoo! Well done Cherie.And glad you ended up loving your book too Janice.
I read Last Rituals. I thought the book was ok. There were several discrepancies and I almost got the feeling that the author was in a bit over her head for part of it, but she pulled it together pretty well at the end. Translation
3pts - book is translated from a language you can't read
Cover (version you read)
1 pt - Majority of the cover is blue
Author
0 pts
Pages
2 pts - 300-399pp
Bonus Points
2 pts - The book has a teacher in it.
This book was not featured on a Banned Book list that I’m aware of, but due to the content I’m sure it would be if it was a best seller. It involves all sorts of witchcraft, rituals, etc.
Total: 8 points
I read Last Rituals by Yrsa Sigurðardóttir.
Translation
3pts - book is translated from a language you can't read (Icelandic)
Cover (version you read)
4 pts - Title of the book is in white
3 pts - Has a vehicle of some kind on it (practical or imagined, as long as people can travel in it) - I think that is a boat on the left hand side.
Pages
3 pts - 400-499pp
Bonus Points
2 pts - The book has a teacher in it. It's Teacher's Day in many countries in September
Total = 15pts
Clearly, Kristie and Sarah must have read different editions of the book.
Janice wrote: "Clearly, Kristie and Sarah must have read different editions of the book."When countries and editions make it interesting when people read the same books!
Yes, I listened to the audio, which has a different cover. And the first edition that pops up has less pages than Sarah's. I looked at that too thinking I had done it wrong. Lol
I read The Keeper of Lost Causes on my Kindle. The Kindle cover is different than the cover that comes up on Goodreads, and has the title in white against a dark background. It's a very engaging book, and it sort of swallowed me yesterday, keeping me up much too late.Points:
3 language I can't read
4 title in white
1 male author
2 page length (381 pages)
Total 10 points. Great challenge, Rusalka.
I also read The Keeper of Lost Causes. I fell in love with the book and the characters. The main character is indeed a flawed character, but besides him giving into his "wife", I enjoyed him. I plan on picking up more books from this series for sure!I would've had this book done in a day and a half if I didn't have to be an adult and go to work. LOL :)
Scoring
Translation
3pts - book is translated from a language you can't read
Cover (version you read)
0 pts
Author
1 pt - Is male
Pages
2 pts - 300-399pp (395)
Bonus Points
0 pos
Total 6 Points
I read Volkswagen Blues, by Jacques Poulin, translated from French. The writing style was very simple and the dialogue often seemed stilted and unnatural. Perhaps this was the translation rather than the author's writing. This is the story of a road trip in an old Volkswagen van, undertaken by a Montreal writer and a Metis woman, in search of the man's brother who he hadn't seen for 20 years. The road trip, uneventful in itself, was the backdrop for a series of stories about French explorers, the Oregon trail, and the history of North American Indians.
Translation
3pts - book is translated from a language you can't read
Cover (version you read)
4 pts - Title of the book is in white
0 pts - Has a vehicle of some kind on it (the linked book cover has a Volkswagen on the cover, but the version I read does not, and is not listed in goodreads)
1 pt - Majority of the cover is blue
Author
5 pts - Has a birthday in September - birthdate is September 23
1 pt - Is male
Pages
1 pt - 200-299pp
Bonus Points - 0
Total - 15
The Map of TimeTranslation
3pts - book is translated from a language you can't read
Author
2 pts - Is currently in their 40s
1 pt - Is male
Pages
4 pts - 500+pp
Bonus Points
2 pts - The book has a teacher in it. It's Teacher's Day in many countries in September
12 points
I read The Lafayette Sword by Eric Giacometti and Jacques Ravenne, which was translated to English from French.Scoring
Translation: 3pts - book is translated from a language you can't read
Cover (version you read): 4 pts - Title of the book is in white
Author: 4 pts - Is or was a Journalist + 1 pt - Is male
Pages: 1 pt - 200-299pp
Bonus Points: 0
Total: 13 points
- Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto EcoCover (version you read)
5 pts - Has a person in a military uniform on it
1 pt - Majority of the cover is blue
Author
1 pt - Is male
Pages
4 pts - 500+pp - 623 pages
Total: 11 pts
I read
Muis which is the Dutch translation of
Mice by Gordon Reece.Which will give me 5 points:
1 - book is translation from a language I can read (English)
1 - author is male
1 - 272 pages
2 - bonus, there are several teachers in it (first at school and later when Shelley is home schooled by 2 teachers)
I really loved this book! It turns out to be totally different than I first expected!
Elsbeth wrote: "I read Muis which is the Dutch translation of Mice by Gordon Reece.Which will give me 5 points:
1 - ..."
Not to keep you from the running for a glue stick, Elsbeth, but GR indicates that your author was born in 1963, which puts him in his 40s and gives you 2 more points.
Sam F was the book worth reading? It's been on my TBR list for awhile.
Cherie wrote: "Not to keep you from the running for a glue stick, Elsbeth, but GR indicates that your author was born in 1963, which puts him in his 40s and gives you 2 more points."Sorry, Cherie, your math is incorrect. I was born in 1963 and I'll be *cough*53*cough* on my birthday next month :)
Joan wrote: "Sam F was the book worth reading? It's been on my TBR list for awhile."I actually had a hard time getting through it. It was filled with lots of historical facts/research/ ideas but limited on plot. I found at times the translation difficult even though Goodreads said it won awards for the translation. I was happy to finish it, but I'm hesitant to read another of his. I just couldn't get into it.
Thanks, I had started it last year but found it a slog, I think I'll toss it on the DNF pile.
Lanelle wrote: "Cherie wrote: "Not to keep you from the running for a glue stick, Elsbeth, but GR indicates that your author was born in 1963, which puts him in his 40s and gives you 2 more points."Sorry, Cherie..."
Lol, yes time flies! My husband is from 1966 - he turned 50 this year.
You will not believe how embarrassed I am now. I guess I should stick to counting on my fingers. I'm sorry.
Cherie wrote: "You will not believe how embarrassed I am now. I guess I should stick to counting on my fingers. I'm sorry."
Don't be, Cherie! I have to think twice, too, before being sure how long ago something is... Happens when you get older, I guess... :-P
I read Sky Burial: An Epic Love Story of Tibet
. I enjoyed it - with some caveats. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...3 pts - book translated from language you can't read
4 pts - title in white
1 pt - majority of cover is blue
4 pts - author is or was a journalist
1 pt - book is between 200-299 pages
13 pts
I read The Story of a New Name
and loved it. It's the 2nd in a series and I'm moving on to the 3rd in a couple of weeks. It's beautifully written and I'm thinking the translation must be very well done.Translation
3pts - book is translated from a language you can't read (Italian)
Pages
3 pts - 400-499pp
Bonus Points
2 pts - The book has a teacher in it. It's Teacher's Day in many countries in September
Total Points: 8
I read Faceless Killers
3 pts. In a language I can't read (Swedish)
4 pts. Title in white
1 pt. Author is male
1 pt. 248 pgs.
Total: 9 pts.
Cherie wrote: "You will not believe how embarrassed I am now. I guess I should stick to counting on my fingers. I'm sorry."
I, too, get tangled when it comes to calculating my age ;-))
I always think: "that is impossible, I feel so young yet..."
Mariab wrote: "I, too, get tangled when it comes to calculating my age ;-)) I always think: "that is impossible, I feel so young yet..."
It is amazing how young I am in my head vs what the actual years indicate. The actual years are closer to how I feel physically, as much as I wish it were not.
Cherie wrote: "Mariab wrote: "I, too, get tangled when it comes to calculating my age ;-)) I always think: "that is impossible, I feel so young yet..."
It is amazing how young I am in my head vs what the actual..."
Your words in God's ears...
I read Suite FrançaiseTranslation
3pts - book is translated from a language you can't read
Cover (version you read)
4 pts - Title of the book is in white
Author
0 pts
Pages
3 pts - 400-499pp
Bonus points
0 pts
Total: 10 points
Lilisa wrote: "I read Sky Burial: An Epic Love Story of Tibet . I enjoyed it - with some caveats. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......"I'll allow it. Sorry for the delay.
Good work everyone. My tbr list is groaning.
Rusalka wrote: "Lilisa wrote: "I read Sky Burial: An Epic Love Story of Tibet . I enjoyed it - with some caveats. https://www.goodreads.com/r..."No worries, thanks - will edit my pts!
I read Le Gardien de phare by Camilla Läckberg ; which is the 7th book in her series.I have to say it is one of the best books of the series so far and I really liked it.
Translation
3pts - book is translated from a language you can't read
Cover (version you read)
4 pts - Title of the book is in white
Author
2 pts - Is currently in their 40s
Pages
3 pts - 400-499pp
Bonus Points
0 pts
Total: 12 points
Well, I tried reading Cyrano de Bergerac. That didn't work.Then, I tried The Thief Lord. I quit at about 20%. Boring.
I finally went to a book I had read 3 years ago, The Case of the Lamp That Went Out by Auguste Groner. It was first published in 1989 in German. I enjoyed reading it even more the second time. Joseph Müller is a fascinating detective, methodical yet emphatic. I would like to finish the series someday.
Scoring
Translation - 3 points - book is translated from a language you can't read (German)
Cover (version you read) - 0 points
Author - 4 points - Is or was a Journalist - Auguste married Richard Groner who was a journalist (chief editor of “Das Interessante Blatt” ‘The interesting Paper’). He encouraged her to write for his publications. Auguste eventually founded her own magazine.
Pages - 0 points (190 pages)
no bonus points
Total Points - 7
I read
. I found the mystery interesting as well as the family dynamics of both victim and protagonist. I discussed my thoughts in the book thread.Translation- book is translated from a language you can't read 3 pts
Cover (version you read) - Majority of the cover is blue 1 pt
Author - 0 pts
Pages - 300-399 pp 2 pts
Bonus Points - The book has a teacher in it. 2 pts
Total 8 points
I read Death of a Nightingale by Lene Kaaberbøl. I discussed my thoughts in my review posted at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....Translation - 3 pts (translated from Danish into English)
Cover - 4 pts + 1 pt- Title of the book is in white and majority of the cover is blue
Author – 2 pts - one of the two co-authors, Agnete Friis, is 45.
Pages – 2 points – 368 pages
_________
Total 12 points
I suffered through Madame Bovary. It nearly drove me catatonic with boredom. Once again I realised that classics are not for me...Points:
3pts - book is translated from a language you can't read (I know only a few random words in French, but can't read it)
4 pts - Title of the book is in white
1 pt - Author is male
2 pts - 300-399pp (329 pages)
Total 10 points
Maybe you haven't found the right classic yet, Camilla. Not one? I have not read Madam B. yet so I cannot really comment regarding your close brush with catatonic slumber. I am glad you did not succumb.
Camilla wrote: "I suffered through Madame Bovary. It nearly drove me catatonic with boredom. Once again I realised that classics are not for me...Points:
3pts - book is translated from a language..."
Maybe this one wasn't for you? Or maybe it is due to translation, because despite the fact that the story is quite slow, the writing, in my opinion, is really beautiful.
CAMILLA, Some of the books you love today will be classics tomorrow.If you are looking for a french classic try Alexander Dumas, more action, more history, more fun.
Cherie wrote: "Maybe you haven't found the right classic yet, Camilla. Not one? "Well, I guess it depends a bit on what is considered a classic...
I do like some of the old science fiction stories by e.g. Ray Bradbury like The Illustrated Man or Fahrenheit 451, or Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. These have all been four-star reads.
The Outsiders and Animal Farm were quite okay, which equals three stars. Also The Bridge Over the River Kwai was a pleasant surprise (three stars), as was To Kill a Mockingbird, which earned a whopping four stars, partly because of the very good narration by Sissy Spacek.
Generally I just find the stories in the classics uninteresting, slow and dull. I guess I just need more action in the stories than what was the norm earlier.
Ariane wrote: "Maybe this one wasn't for you? Or maybe it is due to translation, because despite the fact that the story is quite slow, the writing, in my opinion, is really beautiful. "Yes, it definitely wasn't for me, LOL (but it didn't come as a surprise, as I've seldom liked classics)!
I need much more from the story than the writing. I mean that I don't concentrate on the writing but more on what happens in the story. My fave genres are horror, fantasy, scifi and thrillers; the pace of those genres is usually much more to my taste than general fiction.
I feel the same way with the classics, Camilla. I also enjoyed Mockingbird though.
How about The Lady in White by Wilkie Collins?
The Last of the Mohicans by James F. Cooper?
The Count of Monte Cristo or The Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas?
Tarzan of the Apes or The Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Boroughs
I'm with Camille. I'm not a huge fan of the classics. I think my issue is more with the language. Ha! Perhaps I could say that it's lost in translation.
Let's keep this thread for reporting only please. I've created a thread over in the chit chat about books folder so we can discuss genres and recs which might help us like a genre.
You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
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So new challenge time! This month we are going to read a book that is a translation. Any genre, any format, from any time. It just needs to have been translated from it's original language into the one you are reading it in.
Hopefully simple enough for a few days notice, but gets you reading some interesting and different things!
General Rules:
1. The book may be in any format - paperback, ebook, audiobook.
2. The book may be in any genre.
3. The book may NOT be combined with the Year Long Geocaching Challenge.
4. The book must be read between 1-30 September 2016 (based on your own time zone).
5. The challenge is for one book. You may read more books if you chose, but only the highest scoring book will apply.
6. The book must be 175 pages or more determined by the issue you read. If reading eBook or audiobook page numbers will be determined by the issue that comes up first on a Goodreads search.
Scoring
Translation
3pts - book is translated from a language you can't read
1pt - book is translated from a language you can read
(not punishing you clever bilingual people, just encouraging you to mix it up a bit)
Cover (version you read)
5 pts - Has a person in a military uniform on it
4 pts - Title of the book is in white
3 pts - Has a vehicle of some kind on it (practical or imagined, as long as people can travel in it)
2 pts - Has a glass or bottle of wine on the cover
1 pt - Majority of the cover is blue
Author
5 pts - Has a birthday in September
4 pts - Is or was a Journalist
3 pts - Born or lived/s in Seattle
2 pts - Is currently in their 40s
1 pt - Is male
Pages
4 pts - 500+pp
3 pts - 400-499pp
2 pts - 300-399pp
1 pt - 200-299pp
Bonus Points
2 pts - The book has a teacher in it. It's Teacher's Day in many countries in September
2 pts - Your book has featured on a Banned Book list (please tell us where and why if you can find out) for Banned Book Week.
2 pts - Has a character who works in the Oil, Gas, Power, or Geological Industry, in honour of Day of the Workers in the Oil, Gas, Power, and Geological Industry (Turkmenistan).