UK Book Club discussion

As I'm currently in deepest Louisiana, I thought I might try to explore the US of A a bit more by reading a book largely based in each of the 50 states plus one based in the capital Washington DC which apparently sits on it's own outside the other 50. No time limits for me but do what you fancy.

So the list is as follows:

1.Alabama
2.Alaska
3.Arizona
4.Arkansas
5.California
6.Colorado
7.Connecticut
8.Delaware
9.Florida
10.Georgia
11.Hawaii
12.Idaho
13.Illinois
14.Indiana
15.Iowa
16.Kansas
17.Kentucky
18.Louisiana
19.Maine
20.Maryland
21.Massachusetts
22.Michigan
23.Minnesota
24.Mississippi
25.Missouri
26.Montana
27.Nebraska
28.Nevada
29.New Hampshire
30.New Jersey
31.New Mexico
32.New York
33.North Carolina
34.North Dakota
35.Ohio
36.Oklahoma
37.Oregon
38.Pennsylvania
39.Rhode Island
40.South Carolina
41.South Dakota
42.Tennessee
43.Texas
44.Utah
45.Vermont
46.Virginia
47.Washington
48.West Virginia
49.Wisconsin
50.Wyoming

and the bonus....not to be confused with no 47 above

51. Washington DC

I'll be setting up my own list. If you fancy this, do the same.

Update 15th February 2015 - find below an interactive map of the USA showing all the states (except Hawaii). Click on a state to get that in more detail.

http://www.mapsofworld.com/usa/

I may well join you at some point Ian. Damn it, but I can't resist a challenge, I think it's to do with my avid list making - just love to tick things off and it seems I'm not the only one!

At times every other book I read is based in the USA, bet I don't read another one for months now you've posted this.

This is so wierd....an American based group I'm a member of have just started exactly the same Challenge today.....great minds think alike!

Em wrote: "I may well join you at some point Ian. Damn it, but I can't resist a challenge, I think it's to do with my avid list making - just love to tick things off and it seems I'm not the only one!

At ..."

You've got me - I like a list to put all my read books on.

Susan wrote: "This is so wierd....an American based group I'm a member of have just started exactly the same Challenge today.....great minds think alike!"

The colonial swine......nicking my idea ....I shall have to sue for intellectual copyright theft

Ian wrote: "Susan wrote: "This is so wierd....an American based group I'm a member of have just started exactly the same Challenge today.....great minds think alike!"

The colonial swine......nicking my idea ...."

They started it in 2011 and I am doing it there too!

Bonus points for Guam, Puerto Rico and American Samoa?

Lynne - The Book Squirrel wrote: "Ian wrote: "Susan wrote: "This is so wierd....an American based group I'm a member of have just started exactly the same Challenge today.....great minds think alike!"

The colonial swine......nicki..."

I think that must be a different American group Lynne.

Vicky wrote: "Bonus points for Guam, Puerto Rico and American Samoa?"

Nope - far too complicated to include US territories - eg Guantanamo Bay etc- let's just stick to the simple 50 plus 1 and then it should referee itself. Hopefully even Bob can't find new states lol

At least I know the States; I may try this challenge, even though it might take me a few years to visit each state. I had thought of trying the UK counties challenge, but I just don't know them well enough. So many interesting challenges. Good luck.

I'm relying on google and GR collective knowledge to identify counties Bill!

You are very smart, Em. :0)

Don't worry Bill - a lot of the states are mysteries to us as well. I never knew that Seattle was in the state of Washington and that's after years of loving Nirvana, watching Frasier and even recently watching the US version of the Killing which was set there. I'm struggling to even vaguely locate in my head where places like Idaho and Delaware are - lol

For some reason, when I was in school in Canada as a youngster, Ian, we had to memorize all of the States and their capitals. I guess maybe that was so if we ever had to go South and infiltrate, we'd have a basic understanding.. ;0)

We were a bit like that with world capitals....I think my geography teacher longed for the days of Empire. What a great thought though - the USA run by Canadians....I love it.

It's always amused me when Americans go abroad and insist on saying they are from say San Diego California rather than San Diego America or just simply America. Sorry to disillusion you folks but no-one else cares about what state you live in except yourselves.

It would be nice, we could give them some common sense and maybe a sense of humour (and teach them to spell English properly).

Perhaps there is a chance with a sense of humour or humor even. But common sense and US gun laws are a contradiction in terms as they'd much rather kill each other than give up the right to do it with assault rifles. Spelling idiosyncrasies I can cope with....it's the ridiculous new words like "winningest" that do my pip in.

Ian wrote: "Perhaps there is a chance with a sense of humour or humor even. But common sense and US gun laws are a contradiction in terms as they'd much rather kill each other than give up the right to do it w..."

The one that gets me is 'aks' for 'ask'...

This is a brilliant idea! As an American Studies student at Leicester, I often have to do a lot of compulsory reading for my course (starting a module on Ethnicity and Diversity in American Literature next week!!) This way I can get more enjoyment out of some of the books seeing as some of them really aren't my cup of tea!

Ha - another Leicester student. I did American Studies there ages ago (1 year only - half history/half lit) as part of my combined arts degree. Loved some of the lit - Moby Dick, The Scarlet Letter, Last of the Mohicans and Edgar Allen Poe spring to mind. Do you and Sarah(2nd year history - just joined the group) know each other?

WHAT???
Color me incredulous!

After making fun of our beer, our food, and our sports, Anti-American Ian is touring the US?

If you'll recall, this idea was proposed in the "Around the World in 80 Books" challenge:

*message 55: by Robert Aug 21, 2011 02:24am
I saw the other day on an American group they have to read a book based in all the states. Think this would be harder.Not gonna go there!

And Ian's reply?

*message 56: by Ian, Moderator Aug 21, 2011 09:17am
Sounds very dull and insular

Hmmm...better watch it, Ian.
Next thing you know, you'll be eating Fritos and swillin' Miller Lite with the rest of us unwashed Yanks!

Haha Ian, Melki has caught you out here!! I'm looking forward to your inevitable justification for the turn-a-bout...

Hi Ian, the lit side is brilliant! The Scarlet Letter is one of my favourite books which I don't think I would have ever read if it wasn't for my degree.
Yes, Sarah and I do know each other. In fact we have lived together since our first year at uni!

Ian. Oh dear caught out big time.
I remember comments well.
Seem bit strange criticising Americans for saying which state they are from. Ever asked a person from Leeds if that's in Lancishire?

Ian wrote: "Don't worry Bill - a lot of the states are mysteries to us as well. I never knew that Seattle was in the state of Washington and that's after years of loving Nirvana, watching Frasier and even rece..."

This made me smile....I don't think I'll attempt the UK counties challenge....

Ian wrote: "We were a bit like that with world capitals....I think my geography teacher longed for the days of Empire. What a great thought though - the USA run by Canadians....I love it.

It's always amused m..."

Wow...you guys are harsh....I hope I have thick enough skin to hang in this club. When Americans go abroad....I think saying the city and state we live in is completely acceptable . No one here would ever say I live in San Diego USA....that sounds ridiculous. If I asked someone from England where they lived, whatever they told me, I would assume it is how they normally answer this question....not criticize!

Hi Melks - happy to stand by all previous comments - I see no contradiction with describing an American group exploring only their own country as dull and insular - not the reading matter, just the group. I would say the same thing about our group if we only read books about the UK.

As for the self introduction stuff, what Shelli says above is indeed the way it is. I would agree that saying I live in San Diego, America rather than San Diego, California sounds ridiculous in America, to an American ear. But I am talking about when an American is abroad and talking to someone who is not American.....that's not the same thing. At that stage, nationality should becomes the key identifier......not the state.

Good debate folks - President Newt anyone??

I guess if you think about it, the United States haven't been united all that long (historically speaking) so prob is quite natural to say which state you're from! Would we identify ourselves as European should our government decide to join forces and become the United States of Europe - somehow, I think not. Well, I wouldn't that's for sure...

When people ask me where I come from I always say Gillingham in Dorset or originally from Shepshed in Leicestershire - so guess I am guilty of what the Americans do.

Mind you lots of people confused Gillingham for Gillingham (in Kent) spelt the same but pronounced differently and not many people have even heard of Shepshed!

Shelli wrote: "Ian wrote: "We were a bit like that with world capitals....I think my geography teacher longed for the days of Empire. What a great thought though - the USA run by Canadians....I love it.

It's alw..."

Shelli
dont take anything to heart
look back a bit and see what hassle the Welsh got!!
all banter and oh such fun to find that it was not Ians idea
Bob

Thanks Bob, I appreciate it!

Anyway, despite the constant insults and abuse I take from certain members of this group, I'll be happy to help if anyone has questions concerning books set in certain states.
I started my US tour last year, and have yet to run into a Delaware or Rhode Island book.

Not sure whether I want to step into this thread or not.lol
I joined this challenge on another group last year but seeing as I read so many books set in the US I'm going to start it on here as well with books read since the beginning of the year.

Melki wrote: "Anyway, despite the constant insults and abuse I take from certain members of this group, I'll be happy to help if anyone has questions concerning books set in certain states.
I started my US to..."

Rhode Island cant hear that without thinking of film miss congeniality.

Shelli wrote: "Thanks Bob, I appreciate it!"

LOOK MEL an American who appreciates what akind helpfull person I am!!
mustbe cos she comes from MI and you come from P somthing
See you are right if put full state names may have a clue where you are!!

Bob...sometimes it's not a gift to be simple.

Just seen my mugshot on the FBI's most wanted webpage.

Robert wrote: "Shelli wrote: "Thanks Bob, I appreciate it!"

LOOK MEL an American who appreciates what akind helpfull person I am!!
mustbe cos she comes from MI and you come from P somthing
See you are right..."
Where is MI then

Michigan...USA....upper midwest...surrounded by the great lakes....I could be in Canada in 45 minutes.

I have just downloaded The Turtle Boy for Ohio for free - added to my tbr Kindle list. Reviews liken it to an early Stephen King.

Shelli wrote: "Michigan...USA....upper midwest...surrounded by the great lakes....I could be in Canada in 45 minutes."

Haven't we closed that bridge to the USA down yet?.. ;0)

Sensible plan Bill - lol

Michigan sounds nice Shelli though a bit on the chilly side in winter no doubt....but is it pronounced Mishigan or Mitchigan - I've heard both

The second is just wrong!!!

I liked Northern Mich(sh)igan when I drove through it a few years back; didn't like that portion around Detroit so much. There was a neat town named Christmas, Michigan. What a neat concept. :0)

Lol Bill...Northern Michigan is beautiful....we live in a suburb of Detroit....unfortunately Detroit itself has some serious issues....some parts that have been re-built are nice....but unless I am venturing down for a sporting event....don't spend much time there.

I am going to join you on this challenge as a lot of the books I have read just lately seem to be American but I bet now they're all be from elsewhere.

Will give this a try. A lot of the books I read are set in America so it might be interesting to map them!

Best wishes and good luck to you all with the challenge, from the UK.

Jayne-Marie Barker
Author www.jaynemariebarker.com

Really enjoying this challenge. Next year think I might do a read around Canada and Australia - at least there won't be so many to read!! My geography of USA is improving - especially with the map!!

Em wrote: "I may well join you at some point Ian. Damn it, but I can't resist a challenge, I think it's to do with my avid list making - just love to tick things off and it seems I'm not the only one!"

Yes, yes, yes! Definitely. I don't know that there are many things better in life than crossing something off a nice, tidy list! :P