Reading with Style discussion

Read any book set at least 51% in one of the countries not yet logged in our Group Project. You do not have to read for this task for your mega finish. Countries Still to Go.

Please post any discussion about task 50.1 in this thread.

Is it only the first person to claim the country from the "Countries Still to Go" who will be able to claim this task? Say I'm reading a book set +50% in Armenia and not quite finished when I see someone else has posted a book in Armenia for 50.1--can I still claim my Armenian book for this task or will I have to claim it somewhere else in the RwS line-up?

Anika wrote: "Is it only the first person to claim the country from the "Countries Still to Go" who will be able to claim this task? Say I'm reading a book set +50% in Armenia and not quite finished when I see s..."

We will not be limiting this task to the first person for each country.

Awesome! Thank you :-) I'm so excited for this upcoming season, it looks like it's gonna be a lot of fun!

I'm stuck out of town without my computer... my phone won't show the countries still to go. Does someone have the time to upload the list here? Thanks in advance.

AMERICAN SAMOA
ANDORRA
ARMENIA
BAHRAIN
BOUVET ISLAND
BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY
CAPE VERDE
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
CHAD
CHRISTMAS ISLAND
COCOS (KEELING) ISLANDS
FRENCH SOUTHERN TERRITORIES
GAMBIA
GUADELOUPE
GUAM
GUINEA
GUINEA-BISSAU
HEARD ISLAND AND MCDONALD ISLANDS
KUWAIT
LIECHTENSTEIN
MACAO
MACEDONIA, THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF
MALAWI
MAYOTTE
MONACO
MONTSERRAT
NETHERLANDS ANTILLES
NEW CALEDONIA
NICARAGUA
NIUE
NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS
PALAU
PITCAIRN
SAINT HELENA
SAINT LUCIA
SAINT PIERRE AND MIQUELON
SAN MARINO
SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SLOVAKIA
SLOVENIA
SOUTH GEORGIA AND THE SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS
SVALBARD AND JAN MAYEN
TAJIKISTAN
TOGO
TOKELAU
TURKMENISTAN
TUVALU
UNITED STATES MINOR OUTLYING ISLANDS
UZBEKISTAN
WALLIS AND FUTUNA

Ed wrote: "I'm stuck out of town without my computer... my phone won't show the countries still to go. Does someone have the time to upload the list here? Thanks in advance."

I took out the ones that Elizabeth had crossed off, in case you wonder why it looks different when you get home!

Valerie wrote: "Ed wrote: "I'm stuck out of town without my computer... my phone won't show the countries still to go. Does someone have the time to upload the list here? Thanks in advance."

I took out the ones t..."

Thanks, Valerie. That will certainly be less confusing as the season progresses. Yes, the ones crossed off don't qualify for this task this season.

yes....thanks Valerie.

Ed wrote: "yes....thanks Valerie."

I'll be rooting for you Ed! Sadly, I can't seem to find any books (that are available to me via library sources) that fit those countries. Boo. I will keep looking though. In the meantime - I'm expecting great things from you - ha, ha.....

By the way, the US Outlying Minor Islands includes several islands, including Midway Atoll and Wake Island. Something for those might be more readily available, than any of the others, and you would need to read for only one of the islands to qualify for that location.

This list has not been updated. In the Winter Challenge I read these books for Backpacking Through Europe

Palace: My Life in the Royal Family of Monaco
Samko Tále's Cemetery Book (Slovakia)
Crumbs (Slovenia)

Rebekah wrote: "This list has not been updated. In the Winter Challenge I read these books for Backpacking Through Europe

Palace: My Life in the Royal Family of Monaco
[book:Samko Tále's Cemetery B..."

I will update the spreadsheet, but as the list has already been posted, we will allow those countries for the summer task.

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Rebekah wrote: "This list has not been updated. In the Winter Challenge I read these books for Backpacking Through Europe

Palace: My Life in the Royal Family of Monaco
Samko T..."</i>

I also already got Slovenia... with [book:Skinswaps by Andrej Blatnik back around 2/25/19.

Apparently I wasn't in Project Mode when looking at last season's claims! I've now updated the spreadsheet for Slovenia.

I'll not be crossing off any countries during the summer season, but I'm keeping a list to do so when the season is over.

I read Andorra last winter The Teacher of Cheops for BtE. It is awful so I don’t recommend but might be the only Andorran book in English. Set in Egypt but written by an Andorran so I don’t know if it qualifies

On the other hand THE FOOL (Khenté) - by Raffi is actually a fairly interesting read for Armenia. It is available as a free down load on line. Read that this past season.

Mary wrote: "I read Andorra last winter The Teacher of Cheops for BtE. It is awful so I don’t recommend but might be the only Andorran book in English. Set in Egypt but written by an Andorran so..."

For this challenge, it is the setting which is the criteria.

Despite my dire predictions, I was able to find an inexpensive book for the Kindle about Malawi. It was quite interesting (if you are interested in Malawi!), although it had some spelling mistakes that I found annoying.

I just purchased The Crossing Place: A Journey Among the Armenians by Philip Marsden, kindle version. It would be about Armenian history.

Lynn wrote: "I just purchased The Crossing Place: A Journey Among the Armenians by Philip Marsden, kindle version. It would be about Armenian history."

That sounds like it should be interesting.

Three Strong Women was so close for Senegal, but didn't quite make the cut. I still recommend it, though and it has over 9 named characters.

Here's the math from my Kindle percentages. Part 2 takes place in France:
50% on the nose!
Part 1 1049 0 to 28% = 28%
Part 3 78% to 100% = 22%

So can we claim style points, like the Non fiction points, and Combo points on this task?

Lynn wrote: "So can we claim style points, like the Non fiction points, and Combo points on this task?"

All the RwS styles, but the nonfiction points this season are for the sub-challenge only.

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Lynn wrote: "So can we claim style points, like the Non fiction points, and Combo points on this task?"

All the RwS styles, but the nonfiction points this season are for the sub-challenge only."

Very good, thank you.

The Dark Child by Camara Laye

Does the setting of French Guinea (colonial name) qualify as Guinea for this task? See https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frenc...

The book is an autobiographical memoir of the author growing up in Koroussa which is now in Guinea. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kouro...

Thanks for the help!

Mary wrote: "The Dark Child by Camara Laye

Does the setting of French Guinea (colonial name) qualify as Guinea for this task? See https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frenc...

The..."

Yes, you may claim that for Guinea for this task. And thank you!

I think An Antarctic Mystery qualifies...but want to make sure before I start reading.
It is set in Kerguelen and Antartica...which this Wikipedia article https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_...
places as part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands. Since we have it on our list as "French Southern Territories" I thought I would check.
Wikipedia redirects inquiries for "French Southern Territories" to French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Ed wrote: "I think An Antarctic Mystery qualifies...but want to make sure before I start reading.
It is set in Kerguelen and Antartica...which this Wikipedia article https://en.wikipedia.org/wik..."

Yes, well done!

Ed wrote: "I think An Antarctic Mystery qualifies...but want to make sure before I start reading.
It is set in Kerguelen and Antartica...which this Wikipedia article https://en.wikipedia.org/wik..."

Goodness, Ed! You're the rock star of this task this season!

I just got that for .99 for the Kindle. I can use it for next year's classic author challenge!

Yay! with Ed's latest post, we turned Slovakia green on the spreadsheet.

I feel like Ed should get a special 'prize' for his contribution to our group project. Perhaps a special, one time opportunity to design a task..... I mean, aside from our eternal gratitude! ha, ha...

Mary and others have been making some interesting posts, too! I love the way members have been ferreting out reads for these more obscure places!

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Mary has been making some interesting posts, too! I love the way members have been ferreting out reads for these more obscure places!"

I know! Let me tell you I was pretty excited to find that old Penny Jordan for Kuwait.

I keep thinking that the tropical islands we are missing are the exact places romance novels would be set, but I haven't had any luck finding any.

Valerie wrote: "Lynn wrote: "I just purchased The Crossing Place: A Journey Among the Armenians by Philip Marsden, kindle version. It would be about Armenian history."

That sounds l..."

I have not read this one yet. I just thought I would update on it. Upon purchase and further examination, too much of the book took place outside of Armenia to count. It followed Armenians into communities in new lands. It still looks like something I will read eventually though.

I really did enjoy the fun little Graham Greene book that others were reading, Loser Takes All.

LOL...thanks for all the not-really-deserved praise.... some of these books are real clunkers..... but they are short. The last one Home Is Where You Live: A diary of teaching English abroad for the first time is written by a British university graduate who takes a job teaching English in Slovakia. Besides my annoyance with the frequent stories about getting knocked-down drunk over and over again...there is precious little about his actually preparing for his classes. But what is unforgivable are the many errors in grammar and spelling...even with allowances for British youth slang. I also wasn't in love with his dislike for all Americans....or his awful taste in music. (I had to chuckle when he incorrectly predicted that the cell phone fad would fade away.) The action takes place in the early 90s.
The Armenian book....I Am There: Armenia......OMG!.... The story of a middle-class American who goes to Armenia as an evangelical missionary. I can basically sum it up by saying that everything good that happens is because of God...and everything bad is not. ugh

So, yeah...maybe I DO deserve some special award...LOL

oh and Mary too.... I added some of her 50.1 books to my possible read lists.
My library is letting me down on delivering the books I still need for the Mega-finish.

As an alternate view, I was very glad to have read Vasily Grossman's An Armenian Sketchbook. Not enough that it will be my group read pick, but good enough to say that if you need something like that in the future ...

Ed wrote: "I think An Antarctic Mystery qualifies...but want to make sure before I start reading.
It is set in Kerguelen and Antartica...which this Wikipedia article https://en.wikipedia.org/wik..."

I downloaded this one and started to read, but sadly I don't think it will hit the 51% ... they leave Kerguelen at the end of chapter 3 (of 26 chapters), then (going by the chapter headings) they go to Prince Edward Island (South Africa); Tristan da Cunha, the Falkland Islands, and the [South] Sandwich Islands (all British Overseas Territories); and a fictional Antarctic island called Tsalal. So I don't think they will stay anywhere for 51% :(

ETA: On the other hand, it may be the only book that is set even a little bit in Kerguelen, so perhaps it counts anyway? *hopeful smile*

Ed wrote: "LOL...thanks for all the not-really-deserved praise.... some of these books are real clunkers..... but they are short. The last one [book:Home Is Where You Live: A diary of teaching English abroad ..."

This has been a fun task! And a bit of a treasure hunt. I am definitely enjoying it! Most of the books I have read have been interesting, although I am not sure any have been 5 star books. I have several lined up for August but am hoping to get thru a mega finish first.

There is a surprising amount of nonfiction that will qualify for the task.

After seeing all the activity here this morning I downloaded
Diving & Snorkeling Guide to Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands 2016. I spent the morning in a vicarious vacation to Guam.

Best 50.1 books so far:

The Dark Child. By Camara Laye
A memoir of the author’s childhood and adolescence in Guinea. Very little about the country’s politics, the book is mainly about family and community traditions in Guinea.

The Beggars' Strike by Aminata Sow Fall. What would happen if the beggars went on strike and refused to take donations. Interesting take on the role of charity in Senegal

Would Return to Midway work for U.S. Minor Outlying Islands? It's about the Battle at Midway and a hunt for the ships lost in that battle 56 years later, so it sounds like much of it is set on a boat in the surrounding waters (but when we're talking about a 2.4 square mile atoll, most of it would have to be set on water?).

Anika wrote: "Would Return to Midway work for U.S. Minor Outlying Islands? It's about the Battle at Midway and a hunt for the ships lost in that battle 56 years later, so it sounds like much of it ..."

Yes. I'm glad you want to read something about that time as that is what I was thinking would work for that location.

I’ve been trying to find books for Christmas Island but I found in Wikipedia that it is not a separate country but is part of the Republic of Kiribati as one of the “Line Islands” and it’s new official name as an island is Kiritimati.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_...

Rebekah wrote: "I’ve been trying to find books for Christmas Island but I found in Wikipedia that it is not a separate country but is part of the Republic of Kiribati as one of the “Line Islands” and it’s new offi..."

There are other listings that are actually part of other countries. Were you thinking you could read for Kiribati and claim for Christmas Island? I think that won't necessarily work.

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Rebekah wrote: "I’ve been trying to find books for Christmas Island but I found in Wikipedia that it is not a separate country but is part of the Republic of Kiribati as one of the “Line Islands” a..."

No I think Kiribati has already had a book read for that country. It was just I’ve been searching since we first started this challenge and could find no books with Christmas Island as a setting except in children’s books where the Christmas Island is nothing like the the real one but a fantasy setting for elves, snow, etc....

Checking to see if A Grue Of Ice by Geoffrey Jenkins qualifies for Bouvet.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bouve...

The protagonists do spend several days on Bouvet but most of the book is set on boats sailing in the vicinity of Bouvet and looking for the fictional Thompson Island located off Bouvet.

A surprisingly good read. I would recommend it!

Mary wrote: "Checking to see if A Grue Of Ice by Geoffrey Jenkins qualifies for Bouvet.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bouve...

The protagonists do spend severa..."

Yes. Some of these places are so obscure, we're going to have books set very close. Waters surrounding the island will qualify for this. Thanks for asking, because each situation is unique.

Ahhhh...given what Rosemary had to say...I guess An Antarctic Mystery won't work then.

Ed wrote: "Ahhhh...given what Rosemary had to say...I guess An Antarctic Mystery won't work then."

I agree. If they had stayed in the area longer, I think it would have worked.

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Mary wrote: "Checking to see if A Grue Of Ice by Geoffrey Jenkins qualifies for Bouvet.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bouve...

The protagonists do..."

Thanks! The only other Bouvet possibilities I could find were Alien Vs Predator by Marc Cerasini (Novelization) a novelization of the movie that I havent found yet ( and even so may not work — never know where those pesky aliens will go); and a very dull looking Norwegian Polar Institute monograph that isn’t on goodreads. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/52073...

Potentially more interesting (and I may still read it as part of 10.7 Summer Shorts) is the original expedition to Bouvet’s report. https://archive.org/details/McGillLib...

Looking for books for this task has been a fun challenge