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

sorry, I have lost track. Work is insane lately. I updated my message 116. If you still need one in SF, I can take it. I am sure I can do 3 books.

Thanks, Esther. We can have Erin add you for SciFi.

Erin, can you update the chart to add the following?

SciFi - Esther
YA - Kirila

Those are the only changes since your last update.

Thanks, Theresa

One other update: add Casceil to Suspense/Thriller.

Casceil wrote: "One other update: add Casceil to Suspense/Thriller."

My apologies, Casceil! We discussed that here, but I missed putting it on my list.

Updated

Joe wrote: "Okay, so I'm going to be reading:

1. biography: Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux
2. nonfiction: [book:Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilie..."

Yikes, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Story of a Soul falls under memoir, not biography.

jaxnsmom wrote: "Yikes, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Story of a Soul falls under memoir, not biography."

Jaxnsmom, I have read Joe's other choice, Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption. It is a wonderfully written biography of Louis Zamperini by Laura Hillenbrand.

Since both of these books also qualify as non-fiction, could Joe simply read Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption for his biography selection and read Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux for non-fiction?

I've finalize my reading list:

Suspense: Shutter Island

Humor: Care of Wooden Floors

I'm going to have to end a bit early. I'll be on my way to Aruba on the last day, but I'm sure I can finish both books by Friday.

Roz wrote: "I'm going to have to end a bit early. I'll be on my way to Aruba on the last ..."

Gee, Roz! I read your note and was hoping it would end with, "I'll be on my way to Aruba and invite all the members of Team Gold to come with me and celebrate."

Just kidding! I hope you have a wonderful trip to Aruba.

That's a great idea! Come on down, pull up a beach chair, a cold drink, and a book. I am so done with this New York weather.

Theresa~OctoberLace wrote: "jaxnsmom wrote: "Yikes, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Story of a Soul falls under memoir, not biography."

Jaxnsmom, I have read Joe's other choice, [book:Unbroken: A World War II Story ..."

yes!

I just wanted to check for sure and see if I can count The Athena Project by Brad Thor for Action/Adventure? If it doesn't count then I am going to need some guidelines for this genre.

Annette wrote: "I just wanted to check for sure and see if I can count The Athena Project by Brad Thor for Action/Adventure? If it doesn't count then I am going to need some guidelines for this genre."

With reviews like, "Think 007 in stilettos and you’ve got the women of The Athena Project. The thriller genre just got shaken and stirred.” (• Sandra Brown, New York Times bestselling author of Tough Customer), it sure sounds like Action/Adventure to me!

My only nagging doubt is that I really don't get the distinction between Suspense/Thriller and Action/Adventure. I realize the reviewer mentions Thriller genre, but 007 is Action/Adventure in my book.

Jaxnsmom, do you want to help out?

I'm having the same problem with the genres Theresa. I found it on an amazon action/adventure list. Jaxnsmom.... please please .... :)

Just managed to check back and see that I'm down for Sci-fi which is fab, I've got a few books on my TBR that'll count for that but I'm not down for anything else.

Can I help with any of the other squares? As mentioned before I'm happy to do any genre :-)

Sam wrote: "Just managed to check back and see that I'm down for Sci-fi which is fab, I've got a few books on my TBR that'll count for that but I'm not down for anything else.

Can I help with any of the other..."

Sam, we'd love for you to help fill in! If you'll let me know how many books you can read, I'll let you know tonight which genres would do most to help the team. Unless we do all possible strings (56 books!), each player can read up to 5 books. FYI, 5 is doable if you choose some shorter books (minimum 175 pages per the rules) and use audiobooks while commuting, cooking, exercising, etc.

Theresa~OctoberLace wrote: "Sam wrote: "Just managed to check back and see that I'm down for Sci-fi which is fab, I've got a few books on my TBR that'll count for that but I'm not down for anything else.

Can I help with any ..."

I reckon I could do 5 Theresa so put me down for that and I'll get the books ready and waiting :-)

Super, Sam! I'm at work but will work it out tonight.

Sam, thanks for pitching in for 5! Here's the best mix for you to help the team:
Horror
SciFi
Historical Fiction
Myth/Fable
Mystery

Erin, can you update Sam on the chart? She's currently down for SciFi, so we need to add the other 4.

Woohoo! A big high five to our power readers. :)

Janice, I see that Jaxnsmom has not posted a response to Annette's question. She wants to know if The Athena Project qualifies for Action/Adventure. Per the conversation above, I think it does, but I'm not sure what the distinction is between Action/Adventure and Suspense/Thriller. Do you think we need to post this on the general February Toppler thread?

I'm not sure what the differentiation is myself, so I pulled up GR's definitions:

Action is The action genre is characterized by more emphasis on exciting action sequences than on character development or story-telling.

Thriller is Thrillers are characterized by fast pacing, frequent action, and resourceful heroes who must thwart the plans of more-powerful and better-equipped villains. Literary devices such as suspense, red herrings and cliffhangers are used extensively. Thrillers often overlap with mystery stories, but are distinguished by the structure of their plots. In a thriller, the hero must thwart the plans of an enemy, rather than uncover a crime that has already happened. Thrillers also occur on a much grander scale: the crimes that must be prevented are serial or mass murder, terrorism, assassination, or the overthrow of governments. Jeopardy and violent confrontations are standard plot elements. While a mystery climaxes when the mystery is solved, a thriller climaxes when the hero finally defeats the villain, saving his own life and often the lives of others.

The cover of The Athena Project says, "A Thriller" so the publisher considers it a thriller. Looking at the book blurb, it sounds like it falls under the thriller definition more than the action.

Having said all that, you could post your question in the main toppler thread. I think she'll be around to all the team threads and checking.

Updated. Also, I think The Athena Project should qualify as action. Female James Bond? How is Bond not Action?

Ok. I am going to go a totally different direction and focusing on the adventure aspect and not action. So with that in mind... How about either West With the Night or Wind Sand and Stars for Action/Adventure

Annette, I have a reference I believe Jaxnsmom should accept. The National Geographic Adventure Magazine lists both West with the Night and Wind, Sand and Stars in this list: "Extreme Classics: The 100 Greatest Adventure Books of All Time." It can be found at:

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adv...

Theresa~OctoberLace wrote: "Annette, I have a reference I believe Jaxnsmom should accept. The National Geographic Adventure Magazine lists both West with the Night and Wind, Sand and Stars in this list..."
Yes!!! Thanks Theresa! I will decide between these two books then... unless I hear otherwise. :)

Theresa~OctoberLace wrote: "Janice, I see that Jaxnsmom has not posted a response to Annette's question. She wants to know if The Athena Project qualifies for Action/Adventure. Per the conversation above, I t..."

I've tried to answer this three times, and have had a problem every time! Brad Thor is known for writing thrillers, and The Athena Project is definitely a thriller. There's continuing crime/evildoing (spies, serial killers, cover-ups), and the protagonist

A lot of genres overlap! Action/Adventure can take some of the characteristics of thriller/suspense, but the focus is more on the fast-paced actions of the hero.

Janice gave a good look at a thriller. I think they feel more suspenseful than action/adventure, and there's a heavier emphasis on the villain.

Annette wrote: "Theresa~OctoberLace wrote: "Annette, I have a reference I believe Jaxnsmom should accept. The National Geographic Adventure Magazine lists both West with the Night and [book:Wind, Sand ..."

Both sound fascinating! Oh, and they are adventure books :)

Theresa~OctoberLace wrote: "Sam, thanks for pitching in for 5! Here's the best mix for you to help the team:
Horror
SciFi
Historical Fiction
Myth/Fable
Mystery

Erin, can you update Sam on the chart? She's currently down fo..."

Awesome, thanks Theresa, I'll start planning my reads tonight :-)

Jaxnsmom, thanks for the confirmation on the Action/Adventure books! By the way, we have our Suspense/Thriller block filled, but Annette's Action/Adventure block is a necessary link in finishing a vertical string.

So does a fairytale or fairytale retelling count for myth/fable? I need help....

Erin wrote: "So does a fairytale or fairytale retelling count for myth/fable? I need help...."

jaxnsmom sez yes here!

(Sounds like the only time meany jaxnsmom sez yes! ☻☻☺ I didn't mean that.)

Lol! Thank you Almeta! This helps a ton! Now to just narrow down and pick one....

Erin wrote: "Lol! Thank you Almeta! This helps a ton! Now to just narrow down and pick one...."


In honor of Nelson Mandela, I will be reading Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales .

Theresa~OctoberLace wrote: "Annette, I have a reference I believe Jaxnsmom should accept. The National Geographic Adventure Magazine lists both West with the Night and Wind, Sand and Stars in this list..."

Theresa - I read Beryl Markham's book and thought it was wonderful! If it is not adventure, I do not know what is. I have added your 2nd book to my TBR list.

Almeta wrote: "Erin wrote: "So does a fairytale or fairytale retelling count for myth/fable? I need help...."

jaxnsmom sez yes here!

(Sounds like the only time meany jaxnsmom sez yes! ☻☻☺ I didn't mean that.)"

Hmmphhh! I will remember this. LOL

jaxnsmom wrote: "Hmmphhh! I will remember this. LOL ..."

Hiding in the corner. ☻

Theresa, I have my 3 books ready and waiting. jaxnsmom has okayed them - I'll let you know if I can do another.

Do we post here, when we've finished our books? I am assuming, yes. =)

Anne (Booklady) wrote: "Theresa, I have my 3 books ready and waiting. jaxnsmom has okayed them - I'll let you know if I can do another.

Do we post here, when we've finished our books? I am assuming, yes. =)"

Yes, it will help to post here so we can determine which strings have been finished. I know there will also be a thread for all reporting.

Hallo everybody!
I have read the discussion about what makes the differences between crime and thriller, etc.
I think many (most) books are half-breed anyway, and so they have elements from more than only one genre.
Here is a good example for crime, if somebody is still looking for one!
Felidae

Almeta wrote: "jaxnsmom wrote: "Hmmphhh! I will remember this. LOL ..."

Hiding in the corner. ☻"

More like being sent to the corner. Hehehehe

Watch out Almeta, the Lead Meany is watching you now :)

jaxnsmom wrote: "Watch out Almeta, the Lead Meany is watching you now :)"

Maybe I should consider plastic surgery.☻

Almeta wrote: "jaxnsmom wrote: "Watch out Almeta, the Lead Meany is watching you now :)"

Mauye I should consider plastic surgery.☻"

Or start sending those bribes!

jaxnsmom wrote: "Almeta wrote: "jaxnsmom wrote: "Watch out Almeta, the Lead Meany is watching you now :)"

Mauye I should consider plastic surgery.☻"

Or start sending those bribes!"

I can not believe I didn't think of that!☺


I just submitted my list of books for approval. Can you take a look?

Pretty please, with chocolate on top!☺

Yes! One of those tasty looking chocolate lava cakes for everyone in Team Gold and we'll overlook the thread hijacking. Hehehehe! Just kidding, you can come and hijack our thread any time since it's all in fun. :)

Janice wrote: "Yes! One of those tasty looking chocolate lava cakes for everyone in Team Gold and we'll overlook the thread hijacking. Hehehehe! Just kidding, you can come and hijack our thread any time since ..."

Hey, I was just trying to help.

*Slinks back to the corner again* :-P

LOL! This reminded me of the summer camp toppler where Cathie was slinking around in other teams' threads and playing tricks. Where is Cathie, anyway!?!?!

Janice wrote: "LOL! This reminded me of the summer camp toppler where Cathie was slinking around in other teams' threads and playing tricks. Where is Cathie, anyway!?!?!"

I don't know! I have thought of her a couple of times.

Nothing since the 2nd of January.

She should be here with us on this Toppler, don't you think?☺