The Challenge Factory discussion

The challenge is simple. Each month you will be given the name of an forgotten, obscure or unknown author who has quite a few books published before 1923. You will then pick one of his or her books to read during the month. Then write a review for the book here on Goodreads.

(Isn't that the whole point of Goodreads, to leave your impressions of a book so that others can make informed decisions?)

This month's forgotten author is Louis Joseph Vance.

Sources that host public domain books are Project Gutenberg, LibriVox (audio), Amazon, Manybooks, and Open Library.

Report which book or story you've chosen to read. Feel free to discuss what you're reading and the author's writing style during the month. Don't forget to leave a review of your selected work.

I love the idea of this challenge, so I'll give this a shot. :)

I'm glad you've decided to give it a try, Denise. Have you had a chance to look at Vance's books? I've already read The Brass Bowl and thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm trying to decide between Nobody and Joan Thursday for the challenge.

I haven't read any of his works, so I think I'm just gonna start with The Lone Wolf which definitely sounds like a story I'd enjoy.

The Lone Wolf has its own Wikipedia page. I counted 24 movies made from that book and its sequels. There was also a short lived tv show, and a radio show, too.

Then I guess it's a good idea to see what all the fuss is about! ;)

My library has Red Masquerade so I'll give this whirl.

I'm glad you're joining us, Jonquil. Btw, congrats on being Employee of the Month!

I m in :)

Kme_17 wrote: "I m in :)"

Awesome! Can't wait to see which book you decide to read.

Lanelle wrote: "I'm glad you're joining us, Jonquil. Btw, congrats on being Employee of the Month!"

Thanks, Lanelle!

I started Red Masquerade this morning, and so far it's a fun read, can't wait to see what happens.

The Challenge Factory
Forgotten Authors ~ April
Duration: 4/1/2015 - 4/30/2015

Progress: 1 out of 1

The challenge is simple. Each month you will be given the name of an forgotten, obscure or unknown author who has quite a few books published before 1923. You will then pick one of his or her books to read during the month. Then write a review for the book here on Goodreads.

(Isn't that the whole point of Goodreads, to leave your impressions of a book so that others can make informed decisions?)

Sources that host public domain books are Project Gutenberg, LibriVox (audio), Amazon, Manybooks, and Open Library.

Report which book or story you've chosen to read. Feel free to discuss what you're reading and the author's writing style during the month. Don't forget to leave a review of your selected work.

This month's forgotten author is Louis Joseph Vance:

1. The Lone Wolf by Louis Joseph Vance - ***** - 4/30/2015

Welcome to the challenge, Suzanne. I hope you enjoy the book you decide to read.

I read 5 chapters of Nobody last night. I'm really enjoying it. Lots of action.

My favorite line so far: "...dare she assume that the winters of her discontent had been forever banished by one wave of Chance's wand?"

Edited to add: the next paragraph had an even better line: "...the growls of mother-wit arguing that the Board of Health ought to be advised about the State of Denmark." Awesome!

I will give this a shot,

Louis Joseph Vance

1. The Lone Wolf or The Fortune Hunter

I'm glad you're joining us, Christine.

Well, I finished reading Nobody. And while it started out strong, towards the middle it began to fizzle out. There was a lot of drama, running away, and confused thinking. Aunt Abby knew things that the reader wasn't told how she found out about those things. Frustrating. The ending was anticlimactic. I would still give the book a solid 3 stars.

I hope everyone is enjoying their story.

Finished The Brass Bowl

Rhea wrote: "Finished The Brass Bowl"

What did you think of it?

After putting down repeatedly to read other things I reluctantly returned to Red Masquerade and finally finished it. It was enjoyable when they were talking about the slick protagonist. However, the focus shifted to his long-lost adult daughter who I wasn't sure was actually or wasn't actually his daughter since things got so convoluted. I would say that I'd be willing to try another one, but Lanelle apparently had a similar experience with Nobody, so now I'm gun-shy.

Tomorrow is the last day to report on the book you read. And thank you for being brave enough to try this.

I hope you'll look into next month's author. She was a best-selling Canadian novelist. I have read one of her books. It is The Unseen Bridegroom or, Wedded For a Week. Feel free to read my review.