The Next Best Book Club discussion

Wow, this challenge looks like it would have been a blast. Shame I found it a little too late.

Hope you do a new one in September; I only just found this but I'm trying to expand my reading to non US/European books.

Any news if the challenge will be renewed in September (or January if it's extended to the end of the year)? I would LOVE to do this again and I'm hoping to do better next time!

Dionisia wrote: "Any news if the challenge will be renewed in September (or January if it's extended to the end of the year)? I would LOVE to do this again and I'm hoping to do better next time!"

We will be starting again on October 1 (see updated challenge rules). Glad you will be joining again!

Oh, awesome! So glad it'll start again in October. I would LOVE to give this a try, as I am a map nerd and all that fun stuff.

I'm excited to be able to keep adding to my existing list. Not sure if I'll actively pursue the 80 books for 2010/2011, as there are a number of sci/fi books on my list that I've been neglecting, but I may!

This looks like so much fun - I think I'm going to give it a try!

Do provinces count for this challenge: Quebec, Yukon, etc. in Canada? I'm hoping for more options in the A-Z challenge.

Liz wrote: "Do provinces count for this challenge: Quebec, Yukon, etc. in Canada? I'm hoping for more options in the A-Z challenge."

This year I will accept provinces from Canada and China, as well as Mexican states for use in the A to Z Challenge. These, however, will not count as individual countries. So, if you read a book from Quebec and a book from the Yukon Territory you would get credit for Q and Y in the A to Z Challenge, but only receive one credit for Canada in the country challenge.

Should previous challenge participants open new topics from 1st of october? I didn't get that part so well. I mean, should we open new topics and just copy our list there and then to continue adding books, or we can just use our existing topics and continue where we stoped?

Thanks Diane for this great challenge :)

Yes, I agree, I'm confused as to what continuing people should do.

ilona wrote: "Should previous challenge participants open new topics from 1st of october? I didn't get that part so well. I mean, should we open new topics and just copy our list there and then to continue addin..."

You can keep the same topic thread, but you will need to make sure that both year's lists are kept separate within the thread. You will have the new list beginning and the old list taking up from wherever you left off. It will also help me when you post if you mention whether or not a new book is going into both lists or just one.

I have a question about a book for New Mexico. It's a book on writing, so it doesn't actually take place in New Mexico, but the author is from there & throws in some of her personal experiences as a teacher at the college there & some personal moments from her life. Would this work or no?
Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within OR Old Friend from Far Away: The Practice of Writing Memoir

Liz wrote: "I have a question about a book for New Mexico. It's a book on writing, so it doesn't actually take place in New Mexico, but the author is from there & throws in some of her personal experiences as ..."

It works.

Diane wrote: "ilona wrote: "Should previous challenge participants open new topics from 1st of october? I didn't get that part so well. I mean, should we open new topics and just copy our list there and then to ..."

I was thinking only to keep the same topic thread and to go on with reading where I stopped, cause it's the only way to read books for all 80 countries till next September :D
That's ok?

Is it okay to accept just the 50 U.S. states challenge? I'm willing to do the 50 states, but I don't think I can handle the Around the World in 80 Books challenge, even with the frequent flyer rules. I will add books to the countries list as I read them, if they are set in foreign countries.

Patricia wrote: "Is it okay to accept just the 50 U.S. states challenge? I'm willing to do the 50 states, but I don't think I can handle the Around the World in 80 Books challenge, even with the frequent flyer rule..."

Absolutely.

Thank you. Then I accept the 50 states challenge.

is there a rule on how much of the book has to be set in the country...or does it have to be in its entirety...for example (i've already read it, so I won't count it), but The Mango Season about 90% of it is set in India, so could it be counted?

either way, super psyched...not even meaning to, I picked up a book today set in the Sudan, England, Ukraine as well as finding one from Ireland and Iceland on my shelves, along with various other countries

ETA whoops...it would have helped if i'd read the revised rules...but I do have another question...

what is the book is set in a historical place that has since changed names...claim it as the current country? I found one that is set on the crimean peninsular...which is now the ukraine...so I can claim as Ukraine right?

Delicious Dee the book slut wrote: "is there a rule on how much of the book has to be set in the country...or does it have to be in its entirety...for example (i've already read it, so I won't count it), but [book:The Mango Season|10..."

A book does not have to be entirely set in a given country. As long as a significant portion of the book is set in the country you wish to claim then it is acceptable. If it is set in more than one place you can claim only one of the countries in which the book took place.

Historical locations are fine and can be claimed as the modern day country name.

sweet thanks! super psyched! I just found a book for Iraq as well!

possibly another dumb question...are the counties in the United Kingdom separate - i.e. Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Britain...or only count as the UK?

Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "possibly another dumb question...are the counties in the United Kingdom separate - i.e. Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Britain...or only count as the UK?"

Since there are so many books that take place in these countries it is acceptable to count them individually instead of just as the UK.

Thanks!

Diane wrote: "Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "possibly another dumb question...are the counties in the United Kingdom separate - i.e. Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Britain...or only count as the UK?"

Since..."

ok, possibly my last newb question...since I normally read multiple books at a time...can I only count books I read consecutively...i.e. a book set in france and then spain...or if i'm reading two books set in those countries can I count them both...ditto with the US States...I figure its probably the first one but wanted to ask

Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "ok, possibly my last newb question...since I normally read multiple books at a time...can I only count books I read consecutively...i.e. a book set in france and then spain...or if i'm reading two ..."

One country or state per book, regardless of how many you read at a time. No need to read them consecutively. I am the same way. I usually have 4 or 5 going at any given time.

sounds good...thanks!

I am new to this group and would like to join this challenge as a Frequent Flyer. Thanks!

I know someone mentioned this in one of their threads, but maybe for the X in the A-Z of countries, a book that is set in 3 or more countries could be used...just a thought (of course, one of the books i'm reading right now is like that...haha)

I'd like to participate:-) Frequent Flyer for me though please:-)

Oooh, I'm so glad to finally be able to do this. I would like to participate as a Frequent Flyer

I would like to participate as a Frequent Flyer. I will also do the US bonus.

Late to the party as ever, I think I could throw my lot in with this one if I can backdate it?

At the beginning of October I was reading a UK-based book, which is home for me, so I shall frequent flyer it up from there if that's ok :)

Next nooby question. How do you make one of those ticker things you have along the top of the page?

Gemma wrote: "Late to the party as ever, I think I could throw my lot in with this one if I can backdate it?

At the beginning of October I was reading a UK-based book, which is home for me, so I shall frequen..."

Welcome aboard, Gemma!

Definitely count everything you've read since Oct. 1st.

Here is a link on how to start a ticker:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...

What a great idea! I'd like to participate as a frequent flyer.

just wanted to ask another question - I saw on the Country List of books that Puerto Rico is not counted as an independent nation because it is technically a US territory (or something along those lines)...how are we counting that? right now, I have it listed as Caribbean...but can change if needed

Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "just wanted to ask another question - I saw on the Country List of books that Puerto Rico is not counted as an independent nation because it is technically a US territory (or something along those ..."

It is a US territory, but I am accepting all separate land masses or territories not connected to the main ruling country (that are not US states or Canadian provinces) as countable. A few more examples of this are: The Virgin Islands, The Canary Islands, Bermuda, Guernsey, The Azores, Easter Island, Greenland, Curacao, French Guiana, Western Sahara, etc.

that's what I thought, but wanted to check and only a few hit Puerto Rico last time, so it was hard to tell

I just found out about this challenge and I am definitely going to join as a "frequent flyer." Since Oct. 1, I have read Peace, Love & Baby Ducks by Lauren Myracle which takes place in the U.S.,where I live); Conspiracy 365: July (as well as as August, September, and October) by Gabrielle Lord, which take place in Australia; How To Ruin Your Boyfriend's Reputation by Simone Elkeles, which takes place in Israel, The Case of the Peculier Pink Fan by Nancy Springer, which takes place in London, England; The Brain Full of Holes by Martin Chatterton, which takes place in Switzerland;and Code Name: Blondie by Christina Skye, which takes place on a South Pacific island ( I will have to check and see if it was given a name). I also read one more whose location I need to check before I can post it.
This is going to be fun!

hey nancy...you need to create your own thread in here to track...take a look at what we have all done! yay for joining though

Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "hey nancy...you need to create your own thread in here to track...take a look at what we have all done! yay for joining though"

Yes, I am just now trying to figure out how to do that by looking at all of yours. I will get there....

I have a question about a nonfiction series that I use in my library for research for countries-of-the-world projects for my young adults. The series is called "Teens in....." and the name of the country. They are very good, packed with up-to-date information about what life is like in that country for young people, and very useful research and informational tools. They are just under 100 pages each,though - I think maybe about 96 pages. I already posted two of them that I just read, because I had forgotten about the 100-page rule. I will remove them from my list, though if they are not acceptable due to the 100-page rule. What do you think?

Nancy wrote: "I have a question about a nonfiction series that I use in my library for research for countries-of-the-world projects for my young adults. The series is called "Teens in....." and the name of the c..."

Keep them in. Just try for larger books in future countries.

Diane wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I have a question about a nonfiction series that I use in my library for research for countries-of-the-world projects for my young adults. The series is called "Teens in....." and the..."

Okay, thanks.

possibly a silly question, but maybe not...just wanted to clarify - I have a couple of history books that I want to read that are set off the coast of countries because they are about naval battles - are they ok?

for example - I picked one up about the HL Hunley today which was sunk in charleston harbor - its about the people who discovered it and excavated it - could I count it for south carolina?

the other one I have is The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors which is set off the coast of the philippines

Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "possibly a silly question, but maybe not...just wanted to clarify - I have a couple of history books that I want to read that are set off the coast of countries because they are about naval battles..."

Yes, they count.

I know I'm late joining in this challenge but I just joined this group. I really like the idea of reading 80 books from all around the world. Prob wont get to 80 books before october but I have to start somewhere :)

Just starting with my first book from my own country - Girl with a Pearl Earring (not that original but I wanted to read it for some time so why not now) and I will be planning my route from there!

I have 2 questions about the rules:

1)Do the books have to be at least available in English or can I read in another language as well?

2) with the trekker option, how do I cross sea's? Can I for example go from the Netherlands to Australia (since that would be possible if I found a boat to take me) or do I have to go to for example the UK or Denmark (because that is close(r))?

LadyHeather wrote: "I have 2 questions about the rules:

1)Do the books have to be at least available in English or can I read in another language as well?

2) with the trekker option, how do I cross sea's? Can I for ..."

Welcome to the challenge, LadyHeather!

The books can be written in any language.

For the trekker option, bodies of water can be crossed as long as they are in a straight and unobstructed path across one body of water. Denmark to the UK would work. So would crossing from the east coast of Latin America to the west coast of Africa. You could not, however, zig-zag back and forth across from continent to continent. Once in a new continent, you would need to travel across land to another body of water before crossing to another continent. Denmark to Australia would not work since it would require a very indirect and winding trip across oceans.

The books can be written in any language.

For the trekker option, bodies of water can be crossed as long as they are in a straight and unobstructed path across one body of water. Denmark to the UK would work. So would crossing from the east coast of Latin America to the west coast of Africa. You could not, however, zig-zag back and forth across from continent to continent...

Thanks for your answers. I wasn't planning on going from Denmark to Australia or zig-zag from continent to continent, but just to be sure about the rules!

I started planning my route and decided for the first 7 countries (all over land), so have a lot of reading to do :) looking forward to it