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SP 20 Completed Tasks
20.7 Annie DillardDead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson
Review
A book that's not particularly within my comfort zone. I liked that I've learnt a piece of history and I enjoyed all the personal stories the author has included in this book which made it all the more interesting and not at all dry. What I was really uncomfortable with was knowing something bad is about to happen; the impending sense of doom (even if it already happened IRL) made me dragged my heels in having to pick the book up to read the next chapter. I guess in a way, he's written it that well if I felt the tension especially since it's non-fiction but that's the good bit of narrative non-fiction; it allows the author to engage readers in more creative & personal ways.
+20 Task
+10 Review
Post Total: 30
Season Total: 1,460
Blackjack 15.3- (2nd Round)The Parachute Drop by Norbert Zongo
C-Ace-one hit wonder
H8-set in Africa (approved in help thread-fictional African country of Watinbow....which is actually Burkina Faso)
Ace+8=18
Task =15
Task Total= 15
Grand Total=1275
Tasks Completed=31
10.1 (45); 10.2 (30); 10.3 (30); 10.4 (30);10.5 (45); 10.7 (25); 10.9 (30); 10.10 (35)
✔15.1 (25); 15.2 (30); 15.3 (30); 15.4 (20); 15.5 (30); 15.6 (30);
15.7 (30); 15.8 (40; 15.9 (45); 15.10 (205)
2nd Round- 15.1 (25); 15.2 (25); 15.3 (15)
✔20.1 (50); 20.2 (35); 20.3 (65); 20.4 (60) ; 20.5 (45); 20.6 (45); 20.7 (35); 20.8 (35); 20.9 (35); 20.10 (50)
15.5 Blackjack (Rd 2) Beyond the Great Snow Mountains by Louis L'Amour
9 Spades - 1999
4 Clubs - western
6 Clubs - L'Amour
20 task
5 not a novel
____
25
Running total: 1500
26 owned/41 read
10.7 In MemoriamMoral Disorder and Other Stories by Margaret Atwood
I don't know if it was by design or as a result of listening rather than "reading" this one, but it took me a little while to realize that the stories were all about the same people. The stories bounce back and forth in time and the spotlight shines on different characters, some of them omitting names altogether, which is why it took me a while to figure out that they were the same characters showing up again and again.
I read another review of this book that describes the experience perfectly: it's like your grandma going through a box of pictures and explaining them and the stories surrounding them in detail--the pictures are all jumbled together and in no particular chronology, but the stories don't need a timeline to make them relevant as they are perfectly contained moments in and of themselves.
As always, Atwood leaves me smiling and fulfilled with her glorious use of the written word. She is a treasure.
+10 Task (Margaret)
+10 Review
Task total: 20
Season total: 635
15.10 - BlackjackTo Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers
9 spades (published in year ending in 9 - 2019)
Queen clubs (LGBT genre)
2 spades (title contains to)
= 21
+45 task
+5 female author
+150 completed Blackjack, 26 cards used in total
Post total: 200
Season total: 685
10.10 Group ReadsBangkok Wakes to Rain by Pitchaya Sudbanthad
This was the perfect book to read after Moral Disorder and Other Stories--they reminded me so much of each other in the bouncing around of the timeline and the figuring out how people and their stories which seem so dissimilar are entirely interconnected. It was lushly written, made me homesick for a place I've never been, and eternally had me craving Pad See Ew and Tom Kha Gai from my local Thai restaurant. I loved the bits written from the points of view of the dogs and birds. I finished this one yesterday and am having a heck of a time trying to start something else...it was such an epic, sprawling story that I don't feel I'm quite ready to leave it. Thank you for the great recommendation, Kate!
+10 Task
+10 Review
Task total: 20
Season total: 655
20.3 Theodore H WhiteLife, the Universe and Everything by Douglas Adams
Okay, this series is killing me. It is hilarious and all over the place and I kinda love it. I keep waiting for them to run into Doctor Who in all of their bebopping all over the universe. It's mental fluff and silliness and has a guy in it who can't die and is angry about it and sets out on a quest to insult every being in the galaxy to vent his displeasure. About halfway through, I thought this was for sure the end of the trilogy--the set-up was such that our "heroes" were going to avert the certain destruction of life, the universe, and everything--but then right at the end, you're left hanging and the door was open for another book and I hopped on goodreads to realize that *lo and behold* this is NOT a trilogy, but a 6+ book series!? Great Scott. What else can this rag-tag team get up to!? I can't wait to find out.
+20 Task (Adams)
+10 Review
+5 Oldies (pub. 1982)
+25 Combo (10.2 = 28 letters; 10.3 = "and"; 10.4; 10.6: 4.2 avg stars, 188K ratings; 20.8: "He closed his eyes and greedily inhaled the steam from his tea as if it were--well, as far as Arthur was concerned, as if it were tea, which it was.")
Task total: 60
Season total: 715
10.1 - Thirst for MoreA Merciful Death by Kendra Elliot
+10 task
+5 Combo (20.8 -pg 116 - "Do you think about that night?" Rose asked in a small voice as she placed tea bags in two cups, her back to Mercy.
pg 147 - "I wanted to see you," Mercy said as she watched Pearl make two cups of tea.
Task total: 15
Grand total: 575
Could I please make a change? I copied the original post 323 and indicated changes. The change should not effect the points.10.5 Sherlock Holmes move to 10.6 Richard Adams
A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle pub 1887, 123 pages.
10 task
5 Combo 10.6 Richard Adams (300,000+ 4.16 ave.) - change to 10.5 Sherlock Holmes
10 Oldie
10 Review
35 task total,
135 Season total
10.5 Sherlock Holmes A Passage to India by E.M. Forster, pub. 1924, 376 pages.
Forster's writing is beautiful in its descriptive power. He builds images that weave throughout the narrative. His theme of the difficulties people have in understanding and connecting with each other is explored through many types of characters. There is a section in the center, a trial, that I found disturbing. On one level a female character showed courage and honestly, but on another level it illustrated the problems women face when trying to report sexual harassment. Whether she in this case was right or wrong in all the details - she was swept along by the legal system and became a victim of the "machinery". I found this situation the most distressing. There are many serious topics discussed that others may find distressing. Yet, in the end Forster seems optimistic about the power of personal friendships. Friendship and understanding, no matter how difficult to achieve, is a good worth striving toward. The novel is separated into three parts. If it had ended at the end of part 2, this would be a very negative review. Gladly part 3, in my opinion, redeemed the book.
10 task
5 combo 20.8 tea - 20.8 Page 30 think about his wife any more. After tea his spirits improved, an…
10 review
10 1001 book
10 Oldie
45 task total
270 season total
10.1 Thirst for moreThe Dark Angel by Elly Griffiths
This is another solid instalment in the Ruth Galloway series. It is slightly different in that Ruth (and eventually Nelson) are in Italy. Ruth is asked by an archeological colleague to consult on bones he found at a dig in a small town in Italy. She decides to go since she can make it a bit of a holiday for her (young) daughter. Another recurring character, Ruth’s friend Shona goes along with her young son. They do do some holiday type activities and Ruth does some work with the skeleton, but there is a mystery surrounding the murder of the local, well loved, priest. The main, local, players are people Ruth has met at the dig and in the town so the stories weave together well. The motive was interesting, based on long held grudges. The more I read this series, the more I like the character of Ruth. Griffiths has created a smart, capable, real woman who often had wry thoughts that made me laugh out loud. 4*
10 task
10 review
5 combo 20.8*
*I read an e book, so the page numbers aren't the same as a 'real' book. One of the tea references was here: Ch 24 'Tea please. If it's not too much trouble.' 'Ruth makes tea….'
Running total: 1525
26 owned/42 read
15.7 Blackjack Quo Vadis by Henryk Sienkiewicz
9 hearts, pub 1894
Q hearts, letter Q in title
total 19, 2 cards
+20 Task
+ 5 Pre-1995 (1894)
Post Total: 25
Season Total: 755
15.8 BlackjackKingdom of the Blind by Louise Penny
Club K 10 (kingdom)
Diam 10 (this is # 14 in the series)
20
+30 task
+ 5 female
Task total: 35
Season total: 515
Blackjack 15.4- (2nd Round)Syrian Brides by Anna Halabi
D7-Title begins with an "S"
S10-short stories
7=10=17
Task =15
NaN=5
Female=5
Task Total= 25
Grand Total=1300
Tasks Completed=32
10.1 (45); 10.2 (30); 10.3 (30); 10.4 (30);10.5 (45); 10.7 (25); 10.9 (30); 10.10 (35)
✔15.1 (25); 15.2 (30); 15.3 (30); 15.4 (20); 15.5 (30); 15.6 (30);
15.7 (30); 15.8 (40; 15.9 (45); 15.10 (205)
2nd Round- 15.1 (25); 15.2 (25); 15.3 (15); 15.4 (25)
✔20.1 (50); 20.2 (35); 20.3 (65); 20.4 (60) ; 20.5 (45); 20.6 (45); 20.7 (35); 20.8 (35); 20.9 (35); 20.10 (50)
From Post 453Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "10.1 Thirst for More
Storm Cursedby Patricia Briggs
I have read the first 5 books by this author.
Task +10
Grand total: 120"
+5 Combo 20.6
From Post 460Karen Michele wrote: "10.5 Sherlock Holmes
Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather
+10 Task
+20 Combo: 10.2 Letters (26) / 10.3 Conjunctions / 10.4 High Five Day / 20.6 Katherine A..."
+5 Combo 20.4
From Post 481Valerie wrote: "20.10 It's a Mystery
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
I think it has been quite a while since I (re)read this, but I did remember immediately who ‘did i..."
+5 Combo 10.5
From Post 507Kathleen (itpdx) wrote: "20.8 My Cup of Tea
Small Island by Andrea Levy
Review: This is just the way I like my historical fiction! It has well-written characters inhabiting times and places tha..."
+10 1001 book
20.6 Katherine Anne PorterBunner Sisters by Edith Wharton
My goodness, this was a tragic story. I probably should have expected that since it’s Wharton. Equally since it is Wharton, it is very well written and that is it’s saving grace. It isn’t maudlin or over the top. It is a story about two spinster sisters who are working poor in turn of the century (1900s) New York City. Their lives are small and lonely, until they make the acquaintance of a neighbouring shop owner, Mr. Ramy. Because the sisters still live in hope, they see Mr. Ramy as a favorable development. Unfortunately, their hope and naivety lead them astray. I was quite surprised at Wharton’s twist plot development, but not that it made a sad story, tragic. 4*
20 task
10 1001 list
10 review
10 oldie
10 combo 10.5, 20.8*
_____
60
*(from ebook): Ch 11 - '….then, as of old, poured herself out the first cup of tea.'
Running total: 1590
26 owned/43 read
I am off 40 points with the readerboard, which has me at 1075. I show 26 books claimed for 1115 points, and I can't find the problem. Old age on my part?Post - Points
4 - 20
12 - 20
24 - 25
48 - 20
62 - 30
92 - 30
138 - 30
150 - 40
180 - 40
195 - 200
239 - 30
273 - 20
286 - 35
307 - 25
325 - 30
326 - 25
363 - 30
384 - 35
439 - 30
445 - 30
461 - 30
487 - 35
494 - 40
495 - 205
528 - 30
537 - 30
10.7 In Memoriam (Coralie's Task)Dancing Girls and Other Stories by Margaret Atwood
+10 Task
+ 5 Combo: 20.8 My Cup of Tea (p108 He took sips of his tea, quickly and tenderly, . . .)
+ 5 Oldies
Task Total: 20
Season Total: 1050
10.8 Go to Jail (Joanna's Task via Anika)The House of the Dead by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
+10 Task
+10 Combo: 10.4 High Five Day / 20.8 My Cup of Tea (Page 28 could not eat it, and I made myself some tea. We sat down at the …)
+15 Oldies
Task Total: 35
Season Total: 1085
10.10 Group ReadsThe Warlow Experiment by Alix Nathan
+10 Task
+ 5 Combo: 20.8 My Cup of Tea (Page 194 the wife he had before. She mashes the tea, pours some for him. He sits.)
Task Total: 15
Season Total: 1100
20.2 August WilsonSeven Guitars by August Wilson
+20 Task
+15 Combo: 20.3 Theodore White / 20.5 Jeffrey Eugenides (Pittsburgh) / 20.8 My Cup of Tea(p18 She give me the root tea. I feel just fine.)
Task Total: 35
Season Total: 1135
20.3 Theodore H WhiteAll the Days Past, All the Days to Come by Mildred D. Taylor
+20 Task
+10 Combo: 10.2 Letters (30) / 20.2 August Wilson
Task Total: 30
Season Total: 1165
20.7 Annie DillardThe Trigger: Hunting the Assassin Who Brought the World to War by Tim Butcher
+20 Task (on one of the lists and written as a story in the present as the author traces the route followed by the assassin and past as the author tells the story of the assassination)
Task Total: 20
RwS Finish: 100
Mega Finish: 200
Season Total: 1485
20.9 Women in Translation (Kate S's Task)Singer in the Night by Olja Savicevic
+20 Task
+ 5 Combo
Task Total: 25
Adjustment: -10
Season Total: 1500
Post 582Karen Michele wrote: "RwS Finish: 100
Mega Finish: 200
"
Congratulations! Well done!
15.3 Blackjack (Round 3)How to Make Gravy by Paul Kelly
2 Spades ('to' in title)
5 Diamonds (576 pages)
10 Clubs (pub. 2010)
+15 Task
+5 NF
Post Total: 20
Season Total: 1,480
15.3 Blackjack Round 3Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Irin Carmon
9 clubs (notorious)
10 clubs (2015)
+15 Task
+ 5 Not a novel
+ 5 Female
Task total=25
Grand total=1140
20.1 Edmund MorrisPilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard
I am not a re-reader, I am not a re-reader, I am not a re-reader. And so I was astonished to find myself thinking that, if I weren't reading for a challenge, I'd go back to the beginning and read this one again - immediately, if not sooner! I honestly don't know why this struck such a chord with me. I am at best (!) a very casual observer of nature. There is a tree just off my deck that every year I marvel how beautiful it is coming into leaf. This year I decided to take a picture of it daily as it unfolds. I feed the birds and like to watch them squabble over the abundance. I know there are at least 4 different kinds of slugs in my yard.
Annie Dillard says she is not a scientist. She is definitely not a casual observer of nature. She spends hours stalking, waiting, watching. I marked only a few places, but I might have marked dozens. Her delight at seeing something she has never seen before is simply infectious.
There is real power here. It is amazing that trees can turn gravel and bitter salts into these soft-lipped lobes, as if I were to bite down on a granite slap and start to swell, bud, and flower. Trees seem to do their feats so effortlessly. Every year a given tree creates absolutely from scratch ninety-nine percent of its living parts.In one chapter she tells how she spent years knowing of the existence of muskrats but had never seen one. Suddenly one was there and she stalked it. Of course, the muskrat knew she was there and quickly and quietly disappeared. Now that she knew where they were, she learned more patience. In essence, she played hard to get. But that first time? I felt a rush of such pure energy I thought I would not need to breathe for days.
In addition to observing nature, Dillard has obviously read extensively. I wondered at her catalog of quotes she must maintain. I wondered even how she had it organized. She has managed over the years to collect some facts and they are sprinkled here and there. I didn't find them boring. She is obviously also fascinated with other cultures who live close to nature, and she often references Alaskan Eskimos.
Alaskan Eskimos believe in many souls. An individual soul has a series of afterlives, returning again and again to earth, but only rarely as a human. "Since its appearances as a human being are rare, it is thought a great privilege to be here as we are, with human companions who also, in this reincarnation, are privileged and therefore greatly to be respected." To be here as we are.I was privileged to have been able to read this. Dillard's enthusiasm for just being alive is contagious. What marvels might I see today? I can hardly wait.
+20 Task (Pulitzer for General NF 1974)
+10 Review
+ 5 Combo (20.7)
+ 5 Oldies (1974)
Task total = 40
Season total = 895
16 Owned/22 Read
10.4 High five dayThe Adventures of Baron Münchausen by Rudolf Erich Raspe
I had this on my 2020 Classic Author challenge for ‘r’, so I thought I would take advantage of this task and listen to it.
First, I’ll deal with the recording…. Unfortunately, I chose a version that has multiple narrators each taking a turn at one or two of the tales. Potentially that could work? However, in this instance it did not. Not all of the readers were equally able and oddly the recording quality was not all the same either. I don’t think I’ve let this color my rating, but it probably doesn’t help it.
This is a collection of tall tales. Generally speaking I am a fan of fairy tales, myths, tall tales, etc., however in any collection of tales there will be good ones and not good ones. There was a big gap in my listening (because my laptop got Covid…. I mean corrupted!), and I wasn’t enthused to return to this audiobook because I had just gone through a large group of tales that were boring, confused and poorly narrated. Ugh. However, it started off strongly with some funny VERY tall tales and it ended with some amusing ones – this added the .5 to the rating.
I read on Wikipedia that these tales have been added to and embellished over the years. Raspe was reluctant to claim authorship due to an angry Baron who thought he was the one being skewered in the tales. One of the (apparently) later additions to the tales was Munchausen claiming his veracity. I don’t remember if the first tales had him claiming that, but the last ones did not. However, it got REALLY tedious hearing this over and over in the middle (boring) tales. I think tall tales are better if the teller does not keep claiming he is truthful. 2.5* (not recommended)
10 task
15 oldie
5 combo 10.2
10 review
____
40
Running total: 1630
26 owned/44 read
15.8 Blackjack The Untouchable by John Banville
3 clubs, 387 pages
4 clubs, MPG thriller (locked in on questions thread)
J spades, first name John
total 17, 3 cards
+30 Task
Post Total: 30
Season Total: 785
15.9 Blackjack Are You Experienced? by William Sutcliffe
4 diamonds, "you" in title
6 hearts, letter X in title
J diamonds, set over 75% in India
total 20, 3 cards
+30 Task
Post Total: 30
Season Total: 815
10.5 Sherlock HolmesMarch 13-15 is Sherlock Holmes Weekend. Holmes first appeared in 1887 and continued in stories through 1927. Read any book published during Holmes "lifetime", 1887-1927.
I read The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle 1st pub'd 1901.
Task Points: + 10
Combo Points:
10.2 More than 20 letters in the title = + 5
10.4 Exactly 5 words in title = + 5
10.6 236.749 ratings, avg rating 4.11 = + 5
On 1001 book to read list = + 10
Oldie 1901 = + 10
Total Points for Task = + 45
Total Points So Far: 595
10.7 In Memoriam (Coralie's Task)2019 was not a good year for my family. Read a book by an author who shares one of these names with a family member who died in 2019.
Judith, Melinda, Margaret, Joan, June, Winifred, Bruce, Graham.
(Note, these are four people, not eight - it wasn't that bad!)
First name Graham.
I read The Third Man by Graham Greene.
Task Points: = 10
Combo Points: 20.8 Cup o tea. From p. 30 "A kettle hummed softly on a gas ring. She asked, "Would you like a cup of tea?..."I'd like a cup," he said, but if there was one thing he hated, it was tea."
+ 5
On 1001 list + 10
Oldie first pub'd 1934 + 10
Points This Post: 35
Total Points So Far: 630
20.7 Annie DillardThe Genius of Birds by Jennifer Ackerman
20 pts 20.7. Annie Dillard
10 pts Review
Facinating study oof bird cognition tin and brain structure and how it relates to avian behavior. Ackerman draws conclusions based on human and avian neurobiology to explore the nature of thought, instinct and learning within birds. This book concludes that birds are highly adaptable and more intelligent than they are usually given credit for. Experimental learning and scientific conclusions are carefully and clearly explained
Cards used 15.1 -15.5 = 13
Task total: 30 pts
Season total: 660 pts
10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 10.8 .... ....
15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 . .... .... .... .... ....
.... .... 20.3 .... 20.5 20.6 20.7 20.8. .... 20.10
15.4 Blackjack (Round 3)Excursion to Tindari (Commissario Montalbano #5) by Andrea Camilleri
3 Spades (3-word title)
3 Clubs (304p)
6 Hearts (x in title)
8 Spades (author born in Italy)
+15 Task
Post Total: 15
Season Total: 1,495
20.2 August WilsonThe Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
I stumbled upon this one as one of the few titles where "currently available from my library's online collection" and "author listed on the requisite Wikipedia page" intersected and as it was the only title that fit the bill of what I was in the mood to read (nothing based in reality, nothing heavy, nothing politically fraught) I settled on this gem and so glad that I did! I don't know how in the world this one flew under my radar--I love post-apocalyptic books and fantasy and this is a perfect combination of both.
This book rotates between following three women (with one of the sections written in the 2nd person) (view spoiler) and the timeline is all over the place which can make it a little confusing at times, but once you get over that and have grown accustomed to the unique terminology and are a little more settled into the world that Jemisin has created, it is one hell of a ride! I'm dying to get my hands on the next installment, only have a 3-week wait ahead of me :-/
Not only is her world-building impressive, her prose is perfectly suited to this genre and she is able to tackle serious issues (race, gender, climate change, etc) in a fantasy context which makes it understandable for a reader while removing their personal biases and making those issues understandable in a way that can't be done in realistic fiction or non-fiction. I especially appreciate fantasy written by women--I feel like it tends to be fuller and more detailed and so much less focused on how superb and perfect one (usually white male) character is (I'm looking at you, Patrick Rothfuss).
+20 Task
+10 Review
+10 Combo (10.6: 4.3 avg stars, 121,466 ratings; 10.9)
Task total: 40
Season total: 755
Blackjack 15.5- (2nd Round)The Vice-Consul by Marguerite Duras
D9-set >75% in Commonwealth country (India)
D-Jack-set >75% in Asia (India)
9+J= 19
Task =20
<1995= 5 (1965)
Female=5
Task Total= 30
Grand Total=1330
Tasks Completed=33
10.1 (45); 10.2 (30); 10.3 (30); 10.4 (30);10.5 (45); 10.7 (25); 10.9 (30); 10.10 (35)
✔15.1 (25); 15.2 (30); 15.3 (30); 15.4 (20); 15.5 (30); 15.6 (30);
15.7 (30); 15.8 (40; 15.9 (45); 15.10 (205)
2nd Round- 15.1 (25); 15.2 (25); 15.3 (15); 15.4 (25); 15.5 (30)
✔20.1 (50); 20.2 (35); 20.3 (65); 20.4 (60) ; 20.5 (45); 20.6 (45); 20.7 (35); 20.8 (35); 20.9 (35); 20.10 (50)
Task 15.4 BlackjackOlive, Again (Olive Kitteridge #2) (2019) by Elizabeth Strout (Hardcover, 289 pages)
+05 = Five of Hearts (setting (75%) in one of the US 50 states)
+07 = Seven of Hearts (author initials can be found in the word SEven)
+06 = Six of Clubs (author first, middle or last name exactly 6 letters long) STR OUT
Sum Total = 18
Task Points:
+15 Task
+05 Female author
Task Total: 15 + 05 = 20
Grand Total: 270 + 20 = 290
15.6 Blackjack (Rd 2)Song of the Silent Snow by Hubert Selby Jr.
2 Clubs - 216
7 Diamond - 'S'
8 Diamond - 1986
20 task
5 not a novel
5 oldie
_____
30
Running total: 1660
26 owned/45 read
10.1 Thirsty for MoreBurning Bright by Ron Rash
Every one of the twelve short stories in "Burning Bright" is worth reading. Author Ron Rash takes us to the Appalachian mountains in the Carolinas. His stories are about people facing poverty, addiction, desperation, and loneliness. Superstitions and traditions are passed through the generations. There are several stories about meth-addicted characters that are heartbreaking for their families.
Rash also interjects some humor into some of the stories, such as "Dead Confederates," about looting Confederate graves for memorabilia. There are moral shades of gray that make some actions forgivable. The beauty of the rural mountainous area, and strong community ties also come through in these tales. Ron Rash is a very talented writer who shines a light on the Appalachian people he knows so well.
+10 task
+10 review
Task total: 20
Season total: 535
20.2. August WilsonThe Future of the American Negro by Booker T. Washington
20 pts 20.2 August Wilson
5 pts 10.2 Letters
5 pts 10.5 Sherlock Holmes
5 pts 20.3 Theodore White
10 pts Review
10 pts Oldies
Booker T Washington wrote this book in 1899 and laid out his view on the role that improved education could have on improving the living conditions of former slaves in the South. Specifically Washington argues that education mist include “industrial education” or practical training in a profession as well as academic subjects. This will enable an individual to earn a valued position in the community and thereby become sufficiently valuable to the white community as to mitigate the potential for harm. In other words, effective education for black men and women leads to a successful, contributing member of the community that the white society cannot or will not discriminate against without hurting their own self interest.
Unfortunately the argument fails within some of the facts about persistent racism that Washington himself presents. For example he provides an example of a trained mechanic who cannot find a job because white men will not work with him. Washington also discussed voter tests to disenfranchise black voters despite their education. The flaw in the argument is that it does not seem to recognize fully that racism in and of itself is an obstacle to ex slaves gaining an equitable position in society — and that it is white attitudes that must change and that cannot be accomplished solely by focusing on how Southern blacks are educated.
Cards used 15.1 -15.5 = 13
Task total: 55 pts
Season total: 715 pts
10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 10.8 .... ....
15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 . .... .... .... .... ....
.... 20.2 20.3 .... 20.5 20.6 20.7 20.8. .... 20.10
10.5 Sherlock HolmesThe Kreutzer Sonata by Leo Tolstoy
+10 task
+10 oldies (1889)
Task Total: 20
Season Total: 20
10.6 Richard AdamsThe Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
+10 task (at time of choice: 492,147 ratings and 4.15 average rating)
Task Total: 10
Season Total: 30
20.8 My Cup of TeaThe Bookman’s Tale by Charlie Lovett
+20 task ("By seven, he had a fire in the grate, a cup of tea in his hand and the watercolour propped up on the coffee table." p.7)
Task Total: 20
Season Total: 50
20.10 It's a MysterySleep No More: Six Murderous Tales by P.D. James
Why don't I read more P.D. James?! This lady is amazing! When I first started this I thought it was the first P.D. James book I had encountered (I've resisted James for years because my mother loves her and we seldom agree on books so I assumed it wouldn't be my jam), when I realized *duh* I loved The Children of Men and quite enjoyed Death Comes to Pemberley and those are both by James. Hmph. I suppose I need to give my mom more credit...
This taut collection of stories was just was I was in the mood for: atmospheric whodunits which were craftily concocted, masterfully written, and absolutely memorable with enough humor woven in that I found myself giggling like a crazy person whilst digging in my yard...my neighbors probably think I'm a little nuts now. Ah well. It was a quick read (or listen, in my case) and absolutely enjoyable. I don't really feel there was a weak story in the bunch.
+20 Task
+10 Review
Task total: 30
Season total: 785
15.9 BlackjackGoodbye, Columbus and Five Short Stories by Philip Roth
♥5 (setting +75% in one of U.S. States = 90% New Jersey)
♠5 (orig. pub. '50s of any century = pub. 1959)
♠10 (short stories or essays = short stories) = 20
+5 pre-1995 pub.
Task total: 35, 26 cards used
Season total: 820
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Reading with Style
Books mentioned in this topic
The Wounded and the Slain (other topics)A Dreadful Murder: The Mysterious Death of Caroline Luard (other topics)
Love Medicine (other topics)
Stable Groom (other topics)
The Making of the President 1960 (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
David Goodis (other topics)Minette Walters (other topics)
Louise Erdrich (other topics)
Bonnie Bryant (other topics)
Theodore H. White (other topics)
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Out of the Silent Planet (The Space Trilogy #1)
A Spades (1st in series)
2 Clubs (224 pages)
3 Diamonds (pub. 1938)
4 Clubs (MPG: adventure)
+15 Task
+5 Pub. 1938
Post Total: 20
Season Total: 1,430