2013 has been a rough reading and blogging year for the Readventurers thus far. One terrific example of this problem is our last She Made Me Do It challenge, which took us (well, to be fair, me (Flann), Catie, and Maja from Nocturnal Library) SIX MONTHS to complete and close out. Our perfect solution is to make our challenge this time to be one easily completed. So, for this edition of She Made Me Do It we are challenging each other to read recommendations that are all under 200 pages in length. Many of our picks are far shorter than that; some even just a few pages long. We are all hoping to be hugely successful this time around. Let us know what we should each pick in the comments section.
Catie's Recommendations for Tatiana
Nothing Gold Can Stay by Ron Rash
What it's about: Characters spanning a huge time frame (Civil War era to present day) from the American South deal with the fleeting nature of life and their crumbling hopes.
Why I think she'll like it: I was introduced to Ron Rash through another installment of SMMDI, so it's only fitting that I should pay it forward in the same venue. I recently listened to the audio version of this collection and loved it even more than Rash's full-length novel, Serena. The audio version is just over four hours and has an incredible cast of narrators, but she doesn't need to listen to the whole thing. I particularly think she'd enjoy the title story, Nothing Gold Can Stay, about two childhood friends whose lives have changed since they discovered prescription drugs, Where The Map Ends because it has a great twist ending, Those Who Are Dead Are Only Now Forgiven because it broke my heart with how inevitable the conclusion felt, and Cherokee because it kept me at the very edge of my seat and gave me exactly what I was hoping for, only to make me realize just how awful and limited that hope was.
What it's about: Characters spanning a huge time frame (Civil War era to present day) from the American South deal with the fleeting nature of life and their crumbling hopes.
Why I think she'll like it: I was introduced to Ron Rash through another installment of SMMDI, so it's only fitting that I should pay it forward in the same venue. I recently listened to the audio version of this collection and loved it even more than Rash's full-length novel, Serena. The audio version is just over four hours and has an incredible cast of narrators, but she doesn't need to listen to the whole thing. I particularly think she'd enjoy the title story, Nothing Gold Can Stay, about two childhood friends whose lives have changed since they discovered prescription drugs, Where The Map Ends because it has a great twist ending, Those Who Are Dead Are Only Now Forgiven because it broke my heart with how inevitable the conclusion felt, and Cherokee because it kept me at the very edge of my seat and gave me exactly what I was hoping for, only to make me realize just how awful and limited that hope was.
The Gorgon In The Gully by Melina Marchetta
What it's about: Young Danny Griggs (Jonah's little brother!) struggles with overwhelming fear, especially for the horrible Gorgon which lives in the gully behind the play yard of his school. When he kicks a soccer ball into the Gully's lair, will he have the bravery to go after it?
Why I think she'll like it: This is the only Melina Marchetta novel that Tatiana has not read yet. Enough said. Bonus - I will mail it to her myself since I know it is hard to find.
What it's about: Young Danny Griggs (Jonah's little brother!) struggles with overwhelming fear, especially for the horrible Gorgon which lives in the gully behind the play yard of his school. When he kicks a soccer ball into the Gully's lair, will he have the bravery to go after it?
Why I think she'll like it: This is the only Melina Marchetta novel that Tatiana has not read yet. Enough said. Bonus - I will mail it to her myself since I know it is hard to find.
A Mo Willems Sampler
(To be obtained at the library as separate books...unfortunately the "Mo Willems Sampler" is not a real product...yet.)
What they're about: Thoughtful, clever, and hilarious stories for kids that grown-ups won't mind having to read over and over and over (AND OVER) again.
Why I think she'll like them: As a new mom, Tatiana might enjoy discovering some wonderful children's book authors, and Mo Willems is one of the best. I recently ordered a bunch of the Elephant and Piggie books for my five year old daughter and couldn't help reading them all myself before giving them to her. His stories are entertaining for all ages and while they sometimes have a lot of emotion and heart, they're never overly preachy or didactic. Mo Willems always writes to children and for children and never down to children. My favorites are:
Hooray For Amanda And Her Alligator - about a little girl and her favorite stuffed alligator toy.
The Elephant and Piggie Series - about an Elephant and a Pig who are best friends.
The Knuffle Bunny Series - about a little girl who chronically loses her favorite toy (the series spans her life from babyhood to adulthood and my husband can't read the end of the last book without getting all emotional).
The Pigeon Series - about a pigeon who always wants what he can't have (great for younger kids and toddlers).
(To be obtained at the library as separate books...unfortunately the "Mo Willems Sampler" is not a real product...yet.)
What they're about: Thoughtful, clever, and hilarious stories for kids that grown-ups won't mind having to read over and over and over (AND OVER) again.
Why I think she'll like them: As a new mom, Tatiana might enjoy discovering some wonderful children's book authors, and Mo Willems is one of the best. I recently ordered a bunch of the Elephant and Piggie books for my five year old daughter and couldn't help reading them all myself before giving them to her. His stories are entertaining for all ages and while they sometimes have a lot of emotion and heart, they're never overly preachy or didactic. Mo Willems always writes to children and for children and never down to children. My favorites are:
Hooray For Amanda And Her Alligator - about a little girl and her favorite stuffed alligator toy.
The Elephant and Piggie Series - about an Elephant and a Pig who are best friends.
The Knuffle Bunny Series - about a little girl who chronically loses her favorite toy (the series spans her life from babyhood to adulthood and my husband can't read the end of the last book without getting all emotional).
The Pigeon Series - about a pigeon who always wants what he can't have (great for younger kids and toddlers).
Tatiana's Verdict: Well, next time I am at the library, Mo Willems' books are definitely going into my bag. It is so true, it's been a pleasure to discover children's writers. Who knew that 20-page books with pictures in them could be so interesting? I am hoping Willems will become one of my faves too. Nothing needs to be said about Melina Marchetta's book, I've been waiting to read it for ages. Ron Rash's collection might be a challenge. There is a bunch of people waiting for it at the library, fingers crossed, it won't take me months to get it. I am confident though, at least one of Catie's recommendations I will be able to finish this year, to add to my count of, what?, six full-length books read in 2013:)
Tatiana's Recommendations for Flannery
Music for Chameleons by Truman Capote
What it's about: Short works (fiction and non-fiction) by one of the best American writers who never fully realized his potential (IMO).
Why I think she'll like it: I am cheating here a little bit. This collection is more than 200 pages long, but I wouldn't want Flannery to read it all, it is not even in quality. However, a couple of titles here are sure to catch her attention. Knowing that Flannery likes biographical non-fiction, a conversational portrait of Marylin Monroe "A Beautiful Child" should be of interest to her. "Handcarved Coffins" is a true crime story, and I think she will like it as well. As for the rest of the collection, short stories can be easily skipped, while some other conversational portraits are great too, but it's up to Flann if she wants to read more. I am only "assigning" these two:)
What it's about: Short works (fiction and non-fiction) by one of the best American writers who never fully realized his potential (IMO).
Why I think she'll like it: I am cheating here a little bit. This collection is more than 200 pages long, but I wouldn't want Flannery to read it all, it is not even in quality. However, a couple of titles here are sure to catch her attention. Knowing that Flannery likes biographical non-fiction, a conversational portrait of Marylin Monroe "A Beautiful Child" should be of interest to her. "Handcarved Coffins" is a true crime story, and I think she will like it as well. As for the rest of the collection, short stories can be easily skipped, while some other conversational portraits are great too, but it's up to Flann if she wants to read more. I am only "assigning" these two:)
The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate by Ted Chiang
What it's about: A Middle East-flavored fairy-tale/time-travel story.
Why I think she'll like it: Well, I recommend Ted Chiang as often as I can (still waiting for Catie to read him, too). He is a SF author who writes cleverly and elegantly. This story is the most accessible of his. Flannery loves SF and time travel, plus, the story has a certain fairy-tale element to it that she, who enjoyed Fables so much, will appreciate. It is also available as an audio podcast for free here and can be easily found in iTunes.
What it's about: A Middle East-flavored fairy-tale/time-travel story.
Why I think she'll like it: Well, I recommend Ted Chiang as often as I can (still waiting for Catie to read him, too). He is a SF author who writes cleverly and elegantly. This story is the most accessible of his. Flannery loves SF and time travel, plus, the story has a certain fairy-tale element to it that she, who enjoyed Fables so much, will appreciate. It is also available as an audio podcast for free here and can be easily found in iTunes.
Ethel & Ernest by Raymond Briggs
What it's about: A lovely story of life of the author's working class parents.
Why I think she'll like it: While I don't think this graphic novel is the best ever, I think Flannery will be pleased by this charming, funny life story. It'll be a nice departure from her more beloved action-packed comics.
What it's about: A lovely story of life of the author's working class parents.
Why I think she'll like it: While I don't think this graphic novel is the best ever, I think Flannery will be pleased by this charming, funny life story. It'll be a nice departure from her more beloved action-packed comics.
Flannery's verdict: I am going to read all three of these. Overall, I'm ecstatic that all three of us agreed to challenge each other with short books this time around because reading something that someone else is recommending can suck the enjoyment out of a book. This isn't because the book or the rec is bad but just because it isn't what I'm in the mood for. (I am very fickle) I had not heard of any of these picks before this moment and that excites me even more. I can almost feel Tatiana's enthusiasm for Ted Chiang in her paragraph on that book so there is no way I can skip it, but I must admit that she also hit on two of my 2013 hot spots with her other two picks -- biographical nonfiction and graphic novels. I put all three on hold and cannot wait to knock them all out. If I had access to them at this moment, I feel like I could read all three today.
Flannery's Recommendations for Catie
| The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett What it's about: The Queen discovers a love of reading, despite the disapproval of many of her family and those around her. Why I think she'll like it: This book reminded me why I love to read. All three of us have been having a frustrating reading life lately so I think Catie might enjoy the reminder as much as I did. It's quotable and the story made me chuckle a few times. She'll read it in one sitting if she chooses to go with this one and I think she will enjoy reading about a woman who discovers what it is like to get lost in the endless information and possibilities of books. Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster What it's about: A strong-willed orphan girl is sponsored to go to a ritzy school and required to write letters to her anonymous benefactor. Why I think she'll like it: Catie loves Anne of Green Gables as much as I do and it's hard going to find a heroine as unapologetic about her personality and as snarky as Anne can be, but Judy comes pretty close. Catie said she was in a romance reading type of mood and I think this one will suit her. She will like to imagine the school Judy goes to and the sense of humor in the book is surprising, given that it was written in 1912. It is available for free, though some editions have illustrations, and there are several movie adaptations if she wants to do a Book vs. Movie post. The Last Question by Isaac Asimov What it's about: A series of people, over time, ask a developing machine to explain the future of the universe. Why I think she'll like it:I read that this is Asimov's favorite short story from his own writings and I think it is one that every fan of sci-fi should read at least once. I saw people on Goodreads, or maybe Reddit, discussing what a shock the ending is and I read it just preparing to be amazed. I'm not sure Catie will be blown away but she'll be happy to tick it off on her read list. It's available many places for free and will take her about five minutes to read. |
Catie's Verdict: Wow, I want to read all three of these! I will probably at least start all three of them and see what happens. I've been so fickle and distracted lately that almost nothing is able to hold my interest, but I think Flannery has done an excellent job with her picks. I'm going to start with Daddy Long-Legs because I am indeed in a romance mood which is a rare thing for me and so I feel compelled to indulge it while it's here. Flannery also knows that I love Isaac Asimov though, so that one will probably be a must.
So what do you think? Have any short recommendations for us?
So what do you think? Have any short recommendations for us?
| 
| 
|
