The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

15.6 -- The Truth Is...
Sometimes I read a novel and wonder what's true and what the author has made up. For this task, choose a novel that contained a topic you'd like to know more about and read a non-fiction book about this topic. Example: A couple of years ago I read Water for Elephants and I've wanted to know more about circuses ever since so I could read non-fiction book about a circus or some aspect of circus life. Required: Tell us the title of novel that inspired your choice.

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just to double check - I recently read The Gargoyle where a significant portion is about him recovering from severe burns, so I can read Burn Unit: Saving Lives After The Flames

Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "just to double check - I recently read The Gargoyle where a significant portion is about him recovering from severe burns, so I can read [book:Burn Unit: Saving Lives After The Flame..."

Yes, that would work.

So is it just the non-fiction selection that has to be read this season or is this a two-book task?

Mrs.soule wrote: "So is it just the non-fiction selection that has to be read this season or is this a two-book task?"

One book, just the non-fiction, needs to be read this season. You could have read the novel at any time.

Thanks Kristi!

Mmmm...I just finished Back On Blossom Street where one of the characters owns a knit shop and the book ties together all the people in a knitting class she has. Maybe I will read a book about knitting so would Yarn: Remembering the Way Home work?

i read Pagan Babies several years ago and was intrigued by his depiction of the rwandan genocide. i've read other non-fiction books about the genocide, but would like to read another: Shake Hands with the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda. would it work, since i've already read other non-fiction books about the subject? thanks for your help! :)

kiki wrote: "i read Pagan Babies several years ago and was intrigued by his depiction of the rwandan genocide. i've read other non-fiction books about the genocide, but would like to read another..."

As long as you still want to know more about it (and it sounds like you do), then yes that will work.

I have a general question regarding the book that inspired the truth book. Can this inspiring novel be one that we read for the Spring 2011 challenge for another task?

thanks, kristi! i absolutely do! :)

Sheila wrote: "I have a general question regarding the book that inspired the truth book. Can this inspiring novel be one that we read for the Spring 2011 challenge for another task?"

If when you read the novel it sparks an interest that you'd like to explore further, sure.

Thanks Kristi

Does it need to be a non-fiction, researched, sort of textbook-y type book, or can it be a memoir of someone who survived an experience?

For example, I have a deep love for the show "Big Love" and I have read several books depicting polygamist lifestyle (such as The 19th Wife)

Could I read Stolen Innocence: My Story of Growing Up in a Polygamous Sect, Becoming a Teenage Bride, and Breaking Free of Warren Jeffs ? It's non-fiction definitely, but it's her personal experience -- she didn't go out and do heavey research on the topic.

Christine US wrote: "Does it need to be a non-fiction, researched, sort of textbook-y type book, or can it be a memoir of someone who survived an experience? For example, I have a deep love for the show "Big Love" a..."

Memoirs are fine. James Frey notwithstanding, they're generally considered nonfiction ;o).

Ive read a couple of books in the last couple of years that were set in the Himalayas, in Tibet and in the Hindu Kush. I would like to learn more about the people in this region. Could I read ?

It is in the Himalayas, but in Nepal, not Tibet

I've recently read two books where DNA testing and mapping have played a big role. I'd like to read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Would that work?

Cindy AL wrote: "Ive read a couple of books in the last couple of years that were set in the Himalayas, in Tibet and in the Hindu Kush. I would like to learn more about the people in this region. Could I read[bookc..."

Yes, that would work.

Lahni wrote: "I've recently read two books where DNA testing and mapping have played a big role. I'd like to read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Would that work?"

Yes.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is an excellent book.

Cindy AL wrote: "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is an excellent book."

I had it on hold at the library for the last challenge but it was a long hold list and I didn't get it in time. It looks very good! And I'm glad there is a spot for it here.

It is excellent. I read it about the same time I read The Help and it has similar themes (race relations). It turned out to be one of my 5 star books for the Fall 2010 challenge (along with The Help ;o)). I hope you enjoy it!

I have read several books I love about the Civil War. Could I read The South Was Right!?

Kathryn wrote: "I have read several books I love about the Civil War. Could I read The South Was Right!?"

Yes. That fits.

I'm a major Harry Potter geek. Would The Science of Harry Potter: How Magic Really Works work?

Sue T wrote: "I'm a major Harry Potter geek. Would The Science of Harry Potter: How Magic Really Works work?"

Yeah, that works.

I have a questions on this task. I read mostly books of mythical creatures... vampires, faeries, and other sorts. I know they are mythical creatures but I would like to read a non fiction about the myths themselves. Would this be ok?

Jenn Renee wrote: "I have a questions on this task. I read mostly books of mythical creatures... vampires, faeries, and other sorts. I know they are mythical creatures but I would like to read a non fiction about the..."

A nonfiction book about the myths would work.

I really tried to find a NF similar to the Help, because i'm listening to it right now and loving it (even if you've read it, the audiobook is brillent - highly recommended!) - but couldn't really find anything...I need to read Henrietta Lacks as well

Kristi (Passion for the Page) wrote: "It is excellent. I read it about the same time I read The Help and it has similar themes (race relations). It turned out to be one of my 5 star books for the Fall 2010 challenge (alo..."

Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "I need to read Henrietta Lacks as well"

Having read both books, I think if you're interested in learning more about race relations during the time period The Help is set in, reading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks could give you some insight. That pairing would work for this task if you wanted to do that.

i found a good one on burn units after reading the Gargoyle which also interested me - plus the wait at the library for Henrietta Lacks is like 4 months (still!)

Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "i found a good one on burn units after reading the Gargoyle which also interested me - plus the wait at the library for Henrietta Lacks is like 4 months (still!)"

Wow, 4 months! I'd forgotten you'd asked about the burn unit one. Hopefully that one will be good. But when you get the chance, definitely pick up the Henrietta Lacks book. It's worth the wait...

i may cave and end up buying it and then donate to the library

Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "i found a good one on burn units after reading the Gargoyle which also interested me - plus the wait at the library for Henrietta Lacks is like 4 months (still!)"

get on the hold list and plan it for the summer challenge. Then it should be about right. :)

maybe - good thinking...lol!

Possibly a weird one. I read Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal this challenge and while I enjoyed it immensely, I missed some of the jokes because I was raised secularly and know next to nothing about the bible. Could I read The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible As Literally As Possible? I think it would be an accessible way for me to learn more about the subject. Basically, what I'm asking is does the non-fiction book need to be like a history of the subject or more academic approach, or does a personal account like this count as well? Thanks in advance!

How does this sound? I have recently discovered the Marked house of night series and I really love them. In this series everytime they do anything religious they cast a sacred circle by dancing. I want to read Sweat Your Prayers: Movement as Spiritual Practice which is a book about using dance as a way to connect to god/the divine/grand biggy in the sky. Is this ok?

Riona wrote: "Possibly a weird one. I read Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal this challenge and while I enjoyed it immensely, I missed some of the jokes because I was raised..."

No it doesn't have to be an academic approach. It just has to be considered non-fiction. And, the more accessible the better ;o). This pairing will work just fine. Sounds like an interesting book. I could probably stand to read it, too... ;o)

Amanda wrote: "How does this sound? I have recently discovered the Marked house of night series and I really love them. In this series everytime they do anything religious they cast a sacred circle..."

That works.

Riona wrote: "Possibly a weird one. I read Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal this challenge and while I enjoyed it immensely, I missed some of the jokes because I was raised..."

I heard that book was fabulous!!!

Riona wrote: "Possibly a weird one. I read Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal this challenge and while I enjoyed it immensely, I missed some of the jokes because I was raised..."

I want to read both of those!

I enjoyed reading the Percy Jackson books and am curious about greek mythology so I'll read The Complete World of Greek Mythology

Juli wrote: "I enjoyed reading the Percy Jackson books and am curious about greek mythology so I'll read The Complete World of Greek Mythology"

Enjoy!

Like Sue T, I love the Harry Potter books. I have had Mapping the World of Harry Potter: An Unauthorized Exploration of the Bestselling Fantasy Series of All Time on my TBR list for a while and was *hoping* that it's NF enough to use for this task? Thanks!!!

Stesse wrote: "Like Sue T, I love the Harry Potter books. I have had Mapping the World of Harry Potter: An Unauthorized Exploration of the Bestselling Fantasy Series of All Time on my TBR list for a ..."

Looks like it's a collection of nonfiction essays analyzing the books. So, yes, it will work. Enjoy!

I really enjoy Political thrillers - like Vince Flynn's books. Some have the main character protecting the fictional president and the white house has been the scene of the main drama. Would I be able to read In the President's Secret Service: Behind the Scenes with Agents in the Line of Fire and the Presidents They Protect

Nicki wrote: "I really enjoy Political thrillers - like Vince Flynn's books. Some have the main character protecting the fictional president and the white house has been the scene of the main drama. Would I be ..."

That looks like a great match, Nicki. Hope you enjoy it!

A few months ago, I read An Abundance of Katherines, which is about a boy who is obsessed with trivia and facts and appeared on a trivia game show. I'm been curious about trivia buffs ever since, so would it be ok to read Ken Jennings' book Brainiac: Adventures in the Curious, Competitive, Compulsive World of Trivia Buffs for this task?

Thanks! :)