You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

One

You had to know the first question would be from me, right?

Does the photograph for #6 have to be a photograph included as part of the cover graphic



or would a cover that actually is a photograph as the entire graphic work?

The first cover is what I'm looking for. I want the cover to show a photograph rather than be a photograph.

Janice wrote: "The first cover is what I'm looking for. I want the cover to show a photograph rather than be a photograph."

Thanks, Janice. That helps a bunch.

For this task: Read a book that is included in a series of 5 primary works series.: does it mean that there can't be more than 5 books? It needs to be a series of 5 books?

Exactly. Series can be tricky because if there is a planned 6th book, you can use it as a 5-book series until the 6th is published. After it's published, it would be considered a 6-book series.

Would a rancher count as a cowboy? This is the book I am thinking of
All the Pretty Horses

I wouldn't say that all ranchers are cowboys, but I think the book blurb establishes that he is, so I will give it to you.

Thanks Janice. Other blurbs of this book sound more cowboyish too. This one has been on my radar for awhile now. I'm glad to maybe get to it finally!

Thanks, Janice!

FYI for anyone looking for a book for task #3 - Read a book that is set at a university or boarding school - When the Ground Is Hard is set in a boarding school.

Does The Horse Whisperer count for cowboy? I know there's a ranch in it with cattle where the family is staying in Montana.

Here's the definition of cowboy: a man, typically one on horseback, who herds and tends cattle, especially in the western US and as represented in westerns and novels. According to that definition, it wouldn't fit.

Okay, thanks, you removed my doubts, Janice.

Hi Janice, would you accept this for 9. Read a book with a boat of any kind on the cover? They're not big but they're front and centre!

Yes Margo. They will work.

Task: Read a book that is set at a university or boarding school

Would Sophie Briggs and the Spike of Death be acceptable for this task?

From the synopsis, it seems the book is in the Fantasy genre. It refers the setting as the "famous School of Roots and Vines". It is also mentioned in the synopsis "In the center of the boarding school stands an oversized oak tree that stretches across the campus and houses the classrooms – and is still alive."

Thanks.

I don't think it matters if it's fantasy Viji. As long as the majority of the book is set at the school (and not just the first few chapters for example).

Peggy wrote: "I don't think it matters if it's fantasy Viji. As long as the majority of the book is set at the school (and not just the first few chapters for example)."

Thanks, Peggy.

Janice wrote: "Series can be tricky because if there is a planned 6th book, you can use it as a 5-book series until the 6th is published. After it's published, it would be considered a 6-book series."
Does this mean that I can use it as long as I finish the task before book #6 is released? Or is it enough to have read the relevant book by that time?

Kabrada - We can not save books for future tasks for this challenge. We need to apply the books to the challenge as we read read them. So you would need to finish the book and use it to complete the task before the sixth book publishes. If you are not planning to complete the task until after book #6 publishes, then you would need to choose another book. Hope this answers your question.

Thank you, Kristie.

The next book in the series I have in mind will be released in October, so I should be safe.

Clarifying on the cowboy thing, sorry. From the definition you have further up the thread, just putting it in to terms I understand - you are after a cow shepherd who is on a horse?

So for example, Calamity Jane wouldn't count as a cowboy as she doesn't herd cows. Even though she lives in the Wild West, rides a horse, and has a lasso, and depending on the telling, is morally dubious.

Same with other villains/outlaws of similar veins. No cows, no cowboy.

I'm not even going to go down the rancher rabbit hole thing... I have no idea what a rancher is.

Also, the boat task. Does the boat have to be a sea boat? Would an airship work if it is built like a boat/sea ship?

Eg I am wondering if this will fit for a boat as it is obviously a boat, just in the air:

For Read a book with a photograph on the cover.

Would work? It looks like the photograph of the cat on a passport!

Rusalka wrote: "Clarifying on the cowboy thing, sorry. From the definition you have further up the thread, just putting it in to terms I understand - you are after a cow shepherd who is on a horse?

So for example..."

It's a tricky one because there are so many interpretations of a cowboy. I'm trying to stay away from the "rhinestone cowboys" who put on a cowboy hat, spurs, carry a lasso, and listen to western music. Then, they go to work the next day in their business suits carrying briefcases and ride their Mercedes.

I want someone who is living the profession. Think Lonesome Dove

I don't know if that helps. Annie Oakley was a performer who's role was a cowgirl. But she wasn't one.

Rusalka wrote: "Also, the boat task. Does the boat have to be a sea boat? Would an airship work if it is built like a boat/sea ship?

Eg I am wondering if this will fit for a boat as it is obviously a boat, just i..."

No, sorry. It looks like a ship, but it has a gigantic balloon to hold it aloft. So that alone would disqualify it because it doesn't have sails.

Kira wrote: "For Read a book with a photograph on the cover.

Would work? It looks like the photograph of the cat on a passport!"

Yes, that will work.

Janice wrote: "Kira wrote: "For Read a book with a photograph on the cover.

Would work? It looks like the photograph of the cat on a passport!"

Yes, that will work."

Thank you!

Janice wrote: "Rusalka wrote: "Clarifying on the cowboy thing, sorry. From the definition you have further up the thread, just putting it in to terms I understand - you are after a cow shepherd who is on a horse?..."

All good, it's why I asked. I know what you mean, I guess I am just missing some nuances. Which is the beauty of international groups :D

The Sisters Brothers is the one I am thinking of reading. I know it's a Western but unsure if there are cows. But from the description, until this conversation, I would have called them cowboys.

Actually... I just saw you have read it. Over to you :D

Janice wrote: "No, sorry. It looks like a ship, but it has a gigantic balloon to hold it aloft. So that alone would disqualify it because it doesn't have sails."

Expected. But worth an ask. Think it's the only book I own with a vague boat like vessel on it, and as there are three boat tasks, I figured it was worth an ask.

Rusalka wrote: "Janice wrote: "Rusalka wrote: "Clarifying on the cowboy thing, sorry. From the definition you have further up the thread, just putting it in to terms I understand - you are after a cow shepherd who..."

The brothers travel around the countryside doing off jobs, and were certainly living the cowboy life, so I'll accept it.

As for the airships, I keep a running tab so as to not repeat tasks, but some are really similar, like you mentioned. There's also cowboy, Texas, westerns. It's just the nature of the beast I guess.

Cheers re: The Sisters Brothers

Heh not a criticism, and they are different tasks. I was just saying I am on the back foot for ships so was pushing my luck :D
For a sailor's daughter, I am not very nautically minded it seems.

No worries. I didn't take it as a criticism.

As a sailor's daughter, you probably shy away from all things nautical. It's not hard for me to shy away from filling stations. My dad owned several over the years, pumping gas and hauling bulk gas to the ranchers. I do have one - The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion.

Janice wrote: "No worries. I didn't take it as a criticism.

As a sailor's daughter, you probably shy away from all things nautical. It's not hard for me to shy away from filling stations. My dad owned several o..."

I think you will enjoy this one, Janice. ;o)

It may take me a while to get to it. Maybe I can fit it in to the challenge. I like Fanny Flag's writing.

Janice wrote: "It may take me a while to get to it. Maybe I can fit it in to the challenge. I like Fanny Flag's writing."

Well, there is definitely a car! And Humor in the MBP, but not first, and it is set during WWII

Would this work for task #6 photograph on the cover?

Yes, it will work.

I feel stupid, but what does "MPG" Historical Fiction mean? I understand historical fiction, but not MPG.

No worries, Mary Ann. We all had to be told at some point. MPG means main page genre. So, in this case, historical fiction would need to be listed on the book's main page. You can click on "more" to expand the list, but not "show all," which brings you to a different page.

Thanks Kristie - After a bit of searching, I kinda thought it must be something like that. Now I know!

Is the boat clear enough on this book to count?

I'll accept it.

Would The Seagull work for Puzzle #1, number 10. (Read a book with "sea" in the title?

I'm sorry, but the required words may not be imbedding unless specifically stated in the task. Plurals are allowed though.

Janice wrote: "I'm sorry, but the required words may not be imbedding unless specifically stated in the task. Plurals are allowed though."

Ok, thank you!

Janice, would the image shown on the laptop count as a photograph?

Peg and Rose Stir Up Trouble

I don't think it does. Back to the drawing board. :)

How about this one?


Cropped to Death