The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

30.5 -- Donna Jo/Deedee's task: To the Moon
July 21, 1969 - the day Neil Armstrong took a step on the surface of the moon.

In honor of this day:
A. Read a nonfiction book about space travel, astronomy, or biography of someone involved in the space program.
AND
B. Read a science fiction novel that features space travel as part of the book. The intent of Part B is science fiction that involves humans travelling in space--using science, not magic.

Books approved for Non-Fiction:
Space Program
Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void
Rocket Boys
The Mercury 13: The True Story of Thirteen Women and the Dream of Space Flight
Flight: My Life in Mission Control
Failure Is Not an Option
Moon Shot: The Inside Story of America's Race to the Moon
The Last Man on the Moon: Astronaut Eugene Cernan and America's Race in Space
A Man on the Moon
Apollo 13
My Dream of Stars
Something Funny Happened on the Way to the Moon
Moondust: In Search of the Men Who Fell to Earth
Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon
Out of Orbit: The Incredible True Story of Three Astronauts Who Were Hundreds of Miles Above Earth When They Lost Their Ride Home
Trailblazing Mars: NASA's Next Giant Leap

Astronomy
The Planets
Big Bang: The Origin of the Universe
How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming
The Pluto Files: The Rise and Fall of America's Favorite Planet
A Brief History of Time
Galileo's Daughter: A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith and Love

Not approved:
The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need
Sex on the Moon: The Amazing Story Behind the Most Audacious Heist in History

Approved for Part B:
From the Earth to the Moon
Gravity
Old Man's War
The Ship Who Sang
Neptune Crossing
Cities in Flight
Consider Phlebas
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: A Trilogy in Four Parts
Aftermath
many others

This thread is now open for questions.

Would Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void work for non-fiction?

How about Rocket Boys?

I hope Rocket Boys works - I love that book and Homer Hickem is an alumni of my college and I've had the opportunity to speak to him on occasion

will The Mercury 13: The True Story of Thirteen Women and the Dream of Space Flight work for non fiction?

Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void
Rocket Boys
The Mercury 13: The True Story of Thirteen Women and the Dream of Space Flight

All Work.

I'm thinking The Planets. Does this work? Its not really about space travel but its about space.

My Dream of Stars: From Daughter of Iran to Space Pioneer

My Dream of Stars works for space travel.

Astronomy books fit also, so The Planets will fit.

Thanks!

Would Big Bang: The Origin of the Universe and/or Something Funny Happened on the Way to the Moon work for A?

Would Moondust: In Search of the Men Who Fell to Earth work for A.

Thanks for all the other suggestions they have all gone on my bookmooch wishlist.

What about How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming?

For fiction, how much of the book has to take place in space?

Would From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne work? From what I've read about the book, the trip to the moon only happens at the end. If this one doesn't work, I'll go with the sequel, Round The Moon and try to fit the first into another task.

Space flight:
Something Funny Happened on the Way to the Moon
Moondust: In Search of the Men Who Fell to Earth
Astronomy:
Big Bang: The Origin of the Universe
How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming
All work for A.

Jennifer L. wrote: "For fiction, how much of the book has to take place in space?

Would From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne work? From what I've read about the book, the trip to the moon only ..."

As long as someone leaves earth's gravity during the novel, it works.

Is a memoir/autobiography okay? I was thinking of Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon by Buzz Aldrin.

Would a book on astrology work? I was thinking about The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need. It talks about the different constellations and has a pretty indepth section about calculating your star chart.

Amanda Pearl wrote: "Would a book on astrology work? I was thinking about The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need. It talks about the different constellations and has a pretty indepth section about cal..."

Sorry, no. Astronomy is related to the Manned Space Program and NASA; astrology is not related.

Joanna wrote: "Is a memoir/autobiography okay? I was thinking of Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon by Buzz Aldrin."

Memoir/autobiography is fine.

oh ok. there sure are a lot of space related challenges for this one! I'm feeling a little stuck, I'll have to do some research.

Would The Last Guardian work? The back cover description talks about a journey to another world and return to Earth but it is not clear if that journey involves space travel.

Clarification -- this task is a two-book requirement (one from each), correct?

Would A Brief History of Time work for part A? According to the description it is "historical overview of cosmology".

Also could someone suggest some books for part B? I read 2001: The Space Odyssey, and I have no interest of reading the sequels.

Some fiction suggestions for part B:

Across the Universe YA romance + space travel
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I think all of its sequels involve space travel too, but don't quote me on that ;-)
Foundation - classic scifi
Starship Troopers
Consider Phlebas
Feed - travel to moon for partying

Some of those might need approval. I have just tried to suggest some different styles.

Bea wrote: "Would The Last Guardian work? The back cover description talks about a journey to another world and return to Earth but it is not clear if that journey involves space travel."

It depends if the journey involves space travel. If it does, then yes; otherwise, no. If he travels via some sort of rapture, then no. If he gets into a machine and travels there, then yes.

travel like in Star Wars: yes;

travel like in Lewis's Narnia: no
travel via "rapture": no

I hope I've cleared it up!

Babbling AKA Christina wrote: "Clarification -- this task is a two-book requirement (one from each), correct?"

Yes, that's correct.

Erin (NY) wrote: "Would A Brief History of Time work for part A? According to the description it is "historical overview of cosmology".

Also could someone suggest some books for part B? I read 2001: The..."

I haven't read the book so I don't know how much is centered on astronomy and how much is about other concepts of physics. I'd say if 50 percent or more is about astronomy (planets, asteroids, stars, black holes, etc.) then yes; but if the majority of the focus is on other things, then no.

Rosemary wrote: "Some fiction suggestions for part B:

Across the Universe YA romance + space travel
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I think all of its sequels involve space travel to..."

All good suggestions. I didn't remember Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? going to the moon, but then, I read it several years ago. If they go to the moon in the book then it works, but only if one of the characters actually goes to the moon (and not just talk about it).

Yes I'm not sure about Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?. I have it from the library so I will read it for one task or another but will have to wait until June to read it and confirm.

Deedee wrote: "Babbling AKA Christina wrote: "Clarification -- this task is a two-book requirement (one from each), correct?"

Yes, that's correct."

Thanks!

Deedee wrote: "Erin (NY) wrote: "Would A Brief History of Time work for part A? According to the description it is "historical overview of cosmology".

Also could someone suggest some books for part..."

My husband who has read it says that a lot of it is about astronomy, things such as the big bang, how the universe formed, black holes, light etc.

Here is the amazon description:
Stephen Hawking, one of the most brilliant theoretical physicists in history, wrote the modern classic A Brief History of Time to help nonscientists understand the questions being asked by scientists today: Where did the universe come from? How and why did it begin? Will it come to an end, and if so, how? Hawking attempts to reveal these questions (and where we're looking for answers) using a minimum of technical jargon. Among the topics gracefully covered are gravity, black holes, the Big Bang, the nature of time, and physicists' search for a grand unifying theory.

I haven't read them but Linnea Sinclairs Dock Five
Universe which starts with Gabriel's Ghost always comes recommended in sci-fi romance type books

Erin (NY) wrote: "Deedee wrote: "Erin (NY) wrote: "Would A Brief History of Time work for part A? According to the description it is "historical overview of cosmology".

Also could someone suggest some b..."

To throw my two cents worth in, on the Hawking book--I've read it, and I'd say to count it--I though even a lot of the physics and stuff he relates back to the astronomy

Donna Jo wrote: "Erin (NY) wrote: "Deedee wrote: "Erin (NY) wrote: "Would A Brief History of Time work for part A? According to the description it is "historical overview of cosmology".

Also could some..."

Good enough for me. A Brief History of Time counts.

Tess Gerritsen's book Gravity involves space travel.

Rosemary wrote: "Yes I'm not sure about Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?. I have it from the library so I will read it for one task or another but will have to wait until June to read it and confirm."

Could you report back once you've read it? I may want to read it for this task if it does indeed qualify.

Deedee wrote: "Donna Jo wrote: "Erin (NY) wrote: "Deedee wrote: "Erin (NY) wrote: "Would A Brief History of Time work for part A? According to the description it is "historical overview of cosmology"...."
Thank you!

Just wanted to help out with Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep and say that while there are references to leaving the planet (migrating to Mars etc.), neither of the main characters go off-planet, and the reader never actually winesses anyone going engaging in space travel at all.

Hope that helps.

For non-fiction this one sounded good-

Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13 by Jim Lovell

Would Galileo's Daughter:A Historical Memoir of Science Faith and Love be acceptable for Part A?

*fingers crossed* seeing that Galileo was an astronomer?

Lulu wrote: "Just wanted to help out with Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep and say that while there are references to leaving the planet (migrating to Mars etc.), neither of the main characters ..."

Ah OK, I must have been thinking of something else then. I will take it off my original list.

Is there a list somewhere for part B. So far that is the only task I haven't found a book for. Thanks

Will either one of these work for Part B:
The Sky People
The Sparrow

Beth NC wrote: "Is there a list somewhere for part B. So far that is the only task I haven't found a book for. Thanks"

Anne McCaffrey has bunches of books that involve space travel - especially "The Ship Who" series, but also plenty more. I also really liked John Scalzi's Old Man's War and its next two sequels, and those include space travel.

Sandy wrote: "I also really liked John Scalzi's Old Man's War and its next two sequels, and those include space travel. ..."

Thanks Sandy, I will check them out.

Do you know if Ender's Game will work for B. I believe it happens in space but not sure if they are always in space or travel to space.