The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

25.5 - Sarah E's Task: The Mysterious Cities of Gold

The Mysterious Cities of Gold was a children's cartoon in the 80s and a fond childhood memory of mine, although reading the wikipedia page I don't seem to recall very much of the plot, even if the theme tune is still with me!

This is a two book task. Read two books from two different options.
Required: Identify the options.

Option 1: Read a book set in the 16th century (1500-1599).
Required: if the setting is not evident on the book's main page, provide a reference indicating the setting.

Option 2: Read a book with the MPGs of both Historical Fiction AND Science Fiction - embedded MPGs are fine.

Option 3: Read a book with the word MYSTERIOUS found in the title or subtitle. MYSTERY or MYSTERIES are also acceptable, but no other variations.

Option 4: Read a book set at least 50% in a capital city. For the purposes of this task, the city must be found on this List of national capitals.
Required: State the setting and if the setting is not present on the book's main page, provide a reference indicating the setting.

Option 5: Read a book found on the Gold list.
Required: State the page of the list your book can be found on.

Approved

Option 2:
Lord of Emperors
Hatshepsut's Collar
Another Time, Another Place
Lovecraft Country
My Real Children
Ink and Bone
Hard Time
River of Stars
Range of Ghosts

Option 3:
Black Coffee: A Mystery Play in Three Acts
The Mystery at Belle Magnolia

Not approved

This help thread is open!

Can you please ok Lord of Emperors for Sci-Fi/HF

thanks

Joanne wrote: "Can you please ok Lord of Emperors for Sci-Fi/HF

thanks"

Noted.

Is The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes okay for Option 4? Wanted to confirm since they are a bunch of short stories.

Insiyah wrote: "Is The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes okay for Option 4? Wanted to confirm since they are a bunch of short stories."

I haven't read the book, so cannot say. If more than 50% of the whole book is set in one of the cities on the list, then yes, it will work.

I believe that not all the Holmes stories are set in London though, so you would have to read the book to determine if more than 50% is set there.

I've never used a play before but I was wondering if Black Coffee: A Mystery Play in Three Acts would work for option 3 with Mystery in the subtitle?

Option 3: Based on the statement that "Mystery" is an allowed variation, I will read The Mystery at Belle Magnolia.

Cities of Gold! I remember the music and the condor, but no plot! in the same vein - that scifi adaptation of the Odysseus.

ah..... bonkers 80s cartoons :)

Please confirm Hatshepsut's Collar for MPG Historical Fiction (currently 10 users) and Science Fiction (currently 115 users).
Thanks!

Sarah, can you confirm this is historical science fiction please?
Another Time, Another Place

Shelby wrote: "I've never used a play before but I was wondering if Black Coffee: A Mystery Play in Three Acts would work for option 3 with Mystery in the subtitle?"

Yes, it has Mystery in the subtitle, so it works.

Bea wrote: "Option 3: Based on the statement that "Mystery" is an allowed variation, I will read The Mystery at Belle Magnolia."

That works. Enjoy!

Cat wrote: "Cities of Gold! I remember the music and the condor, but no plot! in the same vein - that scifi adaptation of the Odysseus.

ah..... bonkers 80s cartoons :)"

There was a condor? It seems to ring a bell, but clearly I can only remember how much I looked forward to watching it, not what I actually watched. Lol!

Lauren wrote: "Please confirm Hatshepsut's Collar for MPG Historical Fiction (currently 10 users) and Science Fiction (currently 115 users).
Thanks!"

Noted.

In general, steampunk is a good option for option 2, as it's highly likely to have both the MPGs required.

Sarah wrote: "In general, steampunk is a good option for option 2, as it's highly likely to have both the MPGs required.."

That was my exact thought when I read the option requirements! 😀
Thanks!

Cat wrote: "Sarah, can you confirm this is historical science fiction please?
Another Time, Another Place"

Confirmed!

Glad to provide a task option which is the perfect home for St Mary's. :)

Sarah wrote: "Cat wrote: "Sarah, can you confirm this is historical science fiction please?
Another Time, Another Place"

Confirmed!

Glad to provide a task option which is the perfect home for ..."

Great, I wasn't sure what could fit here but I am planning to listen to that one soon. Series is terrific on audio.

Robin P wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Cat wrote: "Sarah, can you confirm this is historical science fiction please?
Another Time, Another Place"

Confirmed!"

Great, I wasn't sure what could fit here but I am planning to listen to that one soon. Series is terrific on audio."

It really is!

Could I get Lovecraft Country confirmed for both MPG Historical Fiction and Science Fiction.

Thank you

Shawn wrote: "Could I get Lovecraft Country confirmed for both MPG Historical Fiction and Science Fiction.

Thank you"

Confirmed!

Hi, can you please confirm for hf and sf genres?
My Real Children
PS - I loved that show when I was a kid too!

Meg wrote: "Hi, can you please confirm for hf and sf genres?
My Real Children
PS - I loved that show when I was a kid too!"

Confirmed!

Glad to find another fan. :)

Please verify both MPG Historical Fiction and MPG Science Fiction for Ink and Bone.

can i pleae get Hard Time for MPG historical fiction and MPG science fiction

Aprilleigh wrote: "Please verify both MPG Historical Fiction and MPG Science Fiction for Ink and Bone."

Verified. It's a great series, must carry on with it sometime. Hope you enjoy!

Dee wrote: "can i pleae get Hard Time for MPG historical fiction and MPG science fiction"

Noted. Happy reading!

Sarah wrote: "Aprilleigh wrote: "Please verify both MPG Historical Fiction and MPG Science Fiction for Ink and Bone."

Verified. It's a great series, must carry on with it sometime. Hope you enjoy!"

I bought them for my son because they sounded like a great series, but I haven't read them yet. I really liked Stillhouse Lake by the same author.

Aprilleigh wrote: "I bought them for my son because they sounded like a great series, but I haven't read them yet. I really liked Stillhouse Lake by the same author."

i like her weather warden series - urban fantasy about ppl who can control the elements

River of Stars has MPG's of
Historical > Historical Fiction
Historical Fiction > Historical Fantasy
Science Fiction Fantasy

Would that work for Option 2? Thanks

Deedee wrote: "River of Stars has MPG's of
Historical > Historical Fiction
Historical Fiction > Historical Fantasy
Science Fiction Fantasy

Would that work for Option 2? Thanks"

Going to check with the mods on this one. The rules seem to say it would be ok...

>4. For tasks that require books within specified genres the main book page's front page genre list will be used to determine suitability. Unless explicitly limited by the task creator, reasonable variations of genres will be accepted: ex. genre- mythology: myths, myths-and-legends, mythological, etc. would be accepted genre variations. The genre must appear on the list when you access it and the player may not shelve a book as a genre in order to use the book for that task.

Edit - Mods say it's ok. MPGs noted, it works.

Sarah wrote: "Deedee wrote: "River of Stars has MPG's of
Historical > Historical Fiction
Historical Fiction > Historical Fantasy
Science Fiction Fantasy

Would that work for Option 2? Thanks"

Go..."

Thanks for the response!

Just to clarify for option 4, I assume it must be a current capital city? I'm specifically looking at Nigeria. The current capital is Abuja, but it also says Lagos was the capital from 1914-1991.

Also, The Netherlands lists both Amsterdam and The Hague, so would either work?

I've obviously got a very diverse list of books to choose from for this option. I've got a ton of mystery/thriller options set in London, which will most likely be what I choose since I am a mood reader, but I want to be prepared just in case. 😊

Brooke wrote: "Just to clarify for option 4, I assume it must be a current capital city? I'm specifically looking at Nigeria. The current capital is Abuja, but it also says Lagos was the capital from 1914-1991.
..."

Any city on the list will work, any designation in brackets can be ignored. Both Amsterdam and The Hague work.

Lagos is a bit different as it's in the Notes column, but I didn't specifically exclude that so it'll work, if you have a book set there.

There are indeed gazillions of London-set books!

Sarah wrote: "Brooke wrote: "Just to clarify for option 4, I assume it must be a current capital city? I'm specifically looking at Nigeria. The current capital is Abuja, but it also says Lagos was the capital fr..."

Thanks, Sarah! Great to have so many options.

Can I get Range of Ghosts locked in for both Historical Fiction and Science Fiction (opt. 2)?

Thanks.

Nick wrote: "Can I get Range of Ghosts locked in for both Historical Fiction and Science Fiction (opt. 2)?

Thanks."

Historical Fiction and Science Fiction Fantasy noted.

Will A Rogue In A Kilt work for option 2, historical fiction and science fiction?

Valorie wrote: "Will A Rogue In A Kilt work for option 2, historical fiction and science fiction?"

Yes, genres noted. It works.