The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

30.2 - Jonquil’s task: Takin’ It to the Streets
This is a TWO book task; you may read books from both options or repeat one option with two different books.

REQUIRED: State which option(s) you chose when you post.

1) When I was a child growing up in New York City, a trip to Chinatown was like visiting a magical place. The phone booths had pagoda tops, food was shaped like flowers, red and gold contrasted with the bland beiges and grays I saw everyday, fortune cookies were baked in basement “factories”.

Read a book set in a place that you now consider, or once considered, magical. It can be a real-world or fictional place. The book may be fiction or nonfiction.
REQUIRED: Tell us why you consider this place to be magical when you post.

2) Summer was also a time for festivals to honor a neighborhood church’s patron saint. Celebrants feasted on funnel cakes; or sauteed peppers, sausage and onions; or cotton candy (or all three). Bands and singers performed until 1:00AM. People danced in the streets.

Read a book in which a group of people takes to the streets to celebrate. Examples include Holi in India, an annual neighborhood block party, Britain’s Guy Fawkes' Night, a parish fete, a founder’s day celebration, high-fiving neighbors sharing a six-year-old's first solo bike ride, kids making the first leap of the summer into the town swimming hole, etc. The size of the group, the impromptu or organized nature of the celebration, the trigger for the revelry isn't as important as your belief that you are reading about several (or many) people sharing a public moment of celebration. A book will qualify for this option even if that public moment of celebration is only mentioned once and is described in just a few sentences. The book may be fiction or nonfiction.

REQUIRED: Name or describe the celebration.

Approved and idea sparks option 2








Listopia search of "New Orleans"

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Dance floor

This thread is now open!

Could it be a victory at the end of the war? Like VE day or VJ day?

Trish wrote: "Could it be a victory at the end of the war? Like VE day or VJ day?"

Yes, Trish, as long as the author describes their outdoor celebration.

For option #2, how much of the book has to include the celebration? Can it be a scene in the book, like a 4th of July barbecue or a Mardi Gras parade?

Lauren wrote: "For option #2, how much of the book has to include the celebration? Can it be a scene in the book, like a 4th of July barbecue or a Mardi Gras parade?"

Just a sentence will do, Lauren, if it conveys several people, outdoors, celebrating.

Great! Thanks Jonquil :0)

Thank you:) Your task is letting me reread two of my favorite books!

At least I hope....

Still consider magical book The Pinhoe Egg (Alas Charmed Life doesn't quite hit the AR Bookfinder requirements) Loved that she had decided to bring the world back. Sad she has passed.

Murder With Peacocks at least 2 outdoor weddings, as well as rehearsals. Lots of crazy relatives.

Deborah wrote: "Thank you:) Your task is letting me reread two of my favorite books!

At least I hope....

Still consider magical book The Pinhoe Egg (Alas Charmed Life doesn't quite hit the AR Bookfi..."

Deborah-

How wonderful for you! I am also sad that several of my favorites are no longer writing. I agree that the bird-pun-book crowd is unique; I especially love Meg's "book that tells me when to breathe."
Have fun!

Can it be a fictional summer holiday? Kindred in Death starts out in the year 2060 on the first Sunday of June, chosen as the observance of "International Peace Day," celebrating the end of the fictional "Urban Wars." I believe at one point there's a parade.

Suzanne wrote: "Can it be a fictional summer holiday? Kindred in Death starts out in the year 2060 on the first Sunday of June, chosen as the observance of "International Peace Day," celebrating the..."

Yes, Suzanne, it just needs several people, outside, celebrating; so as long as the IPD festivities don't get canceled (you never know with the in-Death books) then this will work nicely.

I don't think so (read this from the library way back when it was brand-new, probly before i was on GR) IIRC she's trying to drive through the parade crazy & interviews some people at a college party.

Hey,

Lemme know if the following two books work:

The Zoya Factor - Cricket is almost a religion in India and people take to the roads to celebrate every victory the Indian Cricket team makes.

Malgudi Days - Malgudi days takes me back to my childhood summer holidays which is a magical place for because it stands for 2 months of absolute bliss without any worries...

Love this task! For book 1, I'm going to read Aberystwyth Mon Amour--my childhood holidays were always in North Wales, and so it will forever be a place of adventure and magic for me (especially when we were high enough in the hills to actually be in the clouds).

I haven't thought of anything for book 2 yet, but I love outdoor celebrations and I'm hoping to find something set during Bonfire Night.

I had trouble with this task.

First, I guess I have lost a sense of magical and, second, I found it hard to determine a book regarding people celebrating. In sitting down to think of a magical place to me (with the example of NY's Chinatown in mind), I realized that one place that is magical in my mind is New Orleans. I was enthralled by Jean Lafite when I was young. Then there are the Anne Rice books and mysteries set in New Orleans. Then there were the real life stories of Katrina. And TV shows. And somehow in my head is this very history-filled magical place called New Orleans, where all kind of possibilities and dangers lurk. And all of that lead me to Mardi Gras.

Until I read my second book, I am not sure if it will be Option 1 repeated (magical place = New Orleans) or Option 2 (Mardi Gras). The blurb states it occurs during Mardi Gras, but I am not sure how much the celebration will figure into the story.

The Axeman's Jazz - setting New Orleans

A Free Man of Color - setting New Orleans during Mardi Gras

Rijuta wrote: "Hey,

Lemme know if the following two books work:

The Zoya Factor - Cricket is almost a religion in India and people take to the roads to celebrate every victory the Indian Cricket ..."

Rijuta- They sound like fun; enjoy both.

Approved: Malgudi Days The Zoya Factor

Thanks :D

LouLouReads wrote: "Love this task! For book 1, I'm going to read Aberystwyth Mon Amour--my childhood holidays were always in North Wales, and so it will forever be a place of adventure and magic for me ..."

Thank you :) I hope it will be a mini vacation for readers. Rural North Wales sounds like a terrific escape during hot summer days.

Enjoy recapturing your childhood memories through Aberystwyth Mon Amour.

Bea wrote: "I had trouble with this task.

First, I guess I have lost a sense of magical and, second, I found it hard to determine a book regarding people celebrating. In sitting down to think of a magical p..."

I'm so sorry it was a struggle, but I'm thrilled that you eventually had a mental holiday in New Orleans. I also love the trip back in time, and through a quasi-European city, that one gets when wandering through the Garden District. Every night seems like a party on Bourbon Street.

I searched New Orleans in Listopia and found several lists that may help in your decision. Here are just six of them.

Paranormal in New Orleans
Best New Orleans Books
New Orleans
Best Historical Novels about New Orleans
Magic in New Orleans
Best Books Based in New Orleans

Enjoy The Axeman's Jazz and/or A Free Man of Color

Laissez les bons temps rouler

Thanks, Jonquil. BTW, having trouble with a task is only the sign of a challenging task. :)

Bea wrote: "Thanks, Jonquil. BTW, having trouble with a task is only the sign of a challenging task. :)"

I have no idea what book to read for either one. Apparently I've challenged myself, too!

I’ve always been fascinated with the majesty of ancient Egypt - the pyramids and the Sphinx and the Valley of the Kings are all magical to me. I'd like to read The Mummy Case, which is set in 19th century Egypt, but is about the excavation of ancient tombs and such Would this be OK?

Lauren wrote: "I’ve always been fascinated with the majesty of ancient Egypt - the pyramids and the Sphinx and the Valley of the Kings are all magical to me. I'd like to read The Mummy Case, which is..."

Lauren - Nashville's Frist Center (art museum) had a King Tut exhibit that meandered until you arrived at a life-sized burial chamber with murals on all four walls. When I reemerged from the dimly-lit chamber into the museum lobby it took a few more moments to emerge from my trance. Immerse yourself in the magic of The Mummy Case.

Great! One of the reasons of love this series is the setting :0)
Thanks.

Will you accept one of the Harry Potter books for the magical place? We just took our vacation at Harry Potter World in Orlando and I am planning on re-reading the series.

They have the genre of Childrens but exceed the general AR Bookfinder requirements for use in the SRC.

Thanks!

Teresa Jo wrote: "Will you accept one of the Harry Potter books for the magical place? We just took our vacation at Harry Potter World in Orlando and I am planning on re-reading the series.

They have the genre of ..."

Teresa Jo- I notice that you didn't state that you want to read a book that expands on why you felt that Harry Potter World in Orlando was magical. :0 My brother visited Disney World with his grandkids last month for the first time, and I borrowed 13 library books for him because he was fascinated with how they create their "guest experience."

If you feel Potter's world is magical, then enjoy reading the ARB-acceptable one that most charms you.

I was actually thinking that Hogswarts would be the magical place - just verifying that it would be ok to use. My comment included information that was not needed, and therefore confusing. Sorry.

Hello,

Does the The Long Walk qualify for option 2? Seems like there's a scene during the race where people gather along the streets cheering for the participants - does this count as a "celebration" for this task; also since this is a race (a terrifying and dark dystopian), I'm assuming there'll be a winner celebrated in the end (I have not read this book, so I have no idea what happens in the end - no spoilers please).

Lara wrote: "Hello,

Does the The Long Walk qualify for option 2? Seems like there's a scene during the race where people gather along the streets cheering for the participants - does this count as ..."

Lara- If spectators cheer from the sidewalks, then, yes, that definitely meets the challenge criteria. I haven't read the book so no happily no spoilers, but sadly, no confirmation. I'm not sure how much I've helped.

Is it okay to say I find New York magical? Particularly turn of the century New York?

If so I am reading The Chaperone for option 1.

As for option 2, am I understanding correctly that we only need one tiny event in the entire novel to be outdoors? Like a bbq would work? I am not sure how I am going to figure this one out, but I am enjoying the challenge. Congrats on making a task that is both seemingly wide open and tricky at the same time! It's super cool!

Nicole wrote: "Is it okay to say I find New York magical? Particularly turn of the century New York?

If so I am reading The Chaperone for option 1.

As for option 2, am I understanding correctly ..."

If the book has to be set at least 50% in the "magical place," I'm not sure this book will work for it. I recently read it (and enjoyed it), but I'm not sure that NY is at least half the setting - lots of it is set in Kansas. I thought, when I started it, that the book was going to be all about the summer in NY, but it really isn't.

Sandy wrote: "Nicole wrote: "Is it okay to say I find New York magical? Particularly turn of the century New York?

If so I am reading The Chaperone for option 1.

As for option 2, am I understan..."

Thanks, Sandy! The description led me to believe the same as you. There are plenty of great books about New York/set in New York. I'll find another one!

Nicole wrote: "Congrats on making a task that is both seemingly wide open and tricky at the same time! It's super cool! "

This makes it sound like I have a superpower. Thanks! I needed that!!

Nicole wrote: "Is it okay to say I find New York magical? Particularly turn of the century New York?"

Nicole-
Yes, historical or contemporary NYC will work if you feel that it's magical. The Chinatown that I mentioned in the task was 1960s' NYC.
I am deferring to Sandy on the specific book, since she read it and I didn't.

I hope you enjoy the hunt for a replacement.

Nicole wrote: "As for option 2, am I understanding correctly that we only need one tiny event in the entire novel to be outdoors? Like a bbq would work?"

Yes, just a few lines is fine if it reads like a public celebration.

A BBQ will work if you interpret it as a celebration such as start of summer, graduation, didn't quit my job though I was really tempted--anything celebratory will work. However, if they're just charring meat on the balcony hibachi so they don't have to clean the kitchen, then you'd probably interpret it differently and it wouldn't work. (Though that sounded kinda fun as I typed it.) The interpretation is in your hands.

I'm still searching for both my books also.

Jonquil wrote: "Nicole wrote: "Is it okay to say I find New York magical? Particularly turn of the century New York?"

Nicole-
Yes, historical or contemporary NYC will work if you feel that it's magical. The China..."

of course, maybe one considers Kansas a magical place.............

Sandy wrote: "of course, maybe one considers Kansas a magical place.............
..."


Hey! Kansas can be pretty magical with the right person!!! LOL

Donna Jo wrote: "Sandy wrote: "of course, maybe one considers Kansas a magical place.............
..."

Hey! Kansas can be pretty magical with the right person!!! LOL"

I'm certain of it! I've never been to Kansas, but I'd certainly consider it................. And Dorothy was happy to get back there!

Sandy wrote: "Donna Jo wrote: "Sandy wrote: "of course, maybe one considers Kansas a magical place.............
..."

Hey! Kansas can be pretty magical with the right person!!! LOL"

I'm certain of it! I've ..."

As far as I'm concerned Dorothy is the least magical part of Kansas! But then, I have never seen the movie (nor do ever intend to). Read the book, know and have played the music in bell choir, watched Wicked. But then I'm a transplant to the state.

My first "magical place" was Narnia, and looking at AR Bookfinder, some of them do fit the MY/BL of 5.0/AR 7.0 criteria. Are children's books allowed for this task?

And for Option 2, does the whole book have to involve street celebrations? Or can there just be a street celebration at some point in the book?

Trish wrote: "My first "magical place" was Narnia, and looking at AR Bookfinder, some of them do fit the MY/BL of 5.0/AR 7.0 criteria. Are children's books allowed for this task?

And for Option 2, does the who..."

Trish- As long as they qualify on AR Bookfinder, "children's" books are perfect for this task.

The public celebration can be described in just a few sentences in any book; as a matter of fact, I think I recall several in the Narnia books. Perhaps 2 Narnia books will end your search.

Jonquil wrote: "Trish- As long as they qualify on AR Bookfinder, "children's" books are perfect for this task.

The public celebration can be described in just a few sentences in any book; as a matter of fact, I think I recall several in the Narnia books. Perhaps 2 Narnia books will end your search. "

Thank you!

I am having a terrible time with option 2 because in theory so many books could work, but I wouldn't know until reading them.

Any tips? Can more people post what they are using so I can steal? LOL

Nicole wrote: "I am having a terrible time with option 2 because in theory so many books could work, but I wouldn't know until reading them.

Any tips? Can more people post what they are using so I can steal? LOL"

Nicole-

First, goodreads is all about stealing book suggestions from other people. The books I listed in message 2 are ones I just finished that coincidentally had a celebration. You're correct, the list will get longer as we go on.

Second, you can read two "magical place" books and sidestep the suspense of whether there's a celebration hidden in a book.

Third, you can take a walk on the wildside with me and use my plan. My plan for this task is to read books I've selected for the other tasks; do a happy dance when it's magical or has a celebration; and then substitute for that easier-to-identify book from the original task.

Does this help?

I'm off to search listopia for something that may work maybe someone did a list of party like it's 1999 or boy I wish I'd been there or that mustuv been some party.

Jonquil wrote: "Nicole wrote: "I am having a terrible time with option 2 because in theory so many books could work, but I wouldn't know until reading them.

Any tips? Can more people post what they are using so I..."

It's confirmed that you are super awesome! I love your ideas. And I don't think I realized I could skip Option 2. I have in fact found two NYC books I would like to read!

Nicole wrote: "Jonquil wrote: "Nicole wrote: "I am having a terrible time with option 2 because in theory so many books could work, but I wouldn't know until reading them.

Any tips? Can more people post what the..."

How wonderful, that makes my heart smile.

Totally off topic, while looking for party lists I just discovered that there's a list called "cafe tables" and another that features "paper lanterns on the cover"--goodreads is Nirvana for nerds like me, sigh.

This book has several scenes at an outdoor festival/fiesta/carnival held annually ...Barefoot Heart: Stories of a Migrant Child

It's nonfiction / memoir.
I just read it, so won't re-read it for this task, but thought I'd add it in case someone else was interested.

Jonquil wrote: "Second, you can read two "magical place" books and sidestep the suspense of whether there's a celebration hidden in a book."

I missed that! Thanks so much for this option because I'm finding it very difficult to locate a book with a celebration without reading one but I have lots of books set in Egypt (my magical place)