Subject: FunTrivia Book Club
Posted by: kyleisalive
Date: Nov 09 13
I've been speaking with our editors in Literature and we'd like to encourage some of you, especially those looking for recommendations, to some of our favourite books. All of us read different things and sometimes it's just nice to send out a Staff Pick and spread the joy of the written word.
Below are ten different books and the reasons why Agony, Mothergoose, Leodavinci, and Looney_Tunes (and myself, to round it out to ten) have chosen them as favourites. Here, we hope that it will convince you to pick them up, read them, and write a quiz to add to the site.
If you complete a quiz on one of the listed books, then it's your turn! You get to send in a recommendation (the title, author, and why) and then someone else has to write a quiz about it!
Without further ado, let's get reading! ;)
Exodus by Leon Uris
"I was around 14 or 15 when I first read this book. Until then I knew little or nothing of the struggle of the Jewish people to found a state in the aftermath of WW2, or Britain's part in post war Palestine. This book, very moving in parts, heroic in others, tells that story, and it sent me off on a voyage of historic discovery delving into books about The Balfour Declaration, how Israel finally achieved statehood and her fight to hang on to it. Historically accurate it is at the same time a story of people and overcoming all the odds." (Recommended by Christinap)
My Father Immortal by Mike D. Weaver
"This is the only book that I have ever had to replace because it has been read so often! Six tiny children are sent back to earth in six adult sized survival pods. During the journey they grow in so many ways and along the way learn why they are alone in space with just computers for company. The first time that I read this book, I limited myself to one page per day because I did not want it to end." (Recommended by Zippolover)
The Sisters Brothers by Patrick DeWitt
"As much as I don't sway towards the idea of the western, I found this book quite difficult to put down. With all of the appeal and style of a Coen Brothers film, this novel kind of made me care about two ruthless gunslingers and kept me wondering what weird adventures they'd get into chapter after chapter." (Recommended by Kyleisalive)
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
"This book was recommended to me by a friend years ago, and I couldn't put it down once I picked it up. I'm sure I had read historical fiction novels before this one, but this is the book that made me fall in love with the genre. It is set in 19th century China and follows the story of two Chinese girls who become 'laotong'--a lifelong bond that was like a sisterhood. Not only does the novel offer cultural and historical information from the time period, but it also provides a story that will pull at your emotions...I was weeping by the end of it!" (Recommended by Tiffanyram)
The Gone World by Tom Sweterlitsch
"Let's take the Book Club down a different path: sci-fi. I picked this book up from a mystery book box a few years ago and went into it blind only to be surprised by how much I enjoyed this fascinating book that crosses 'Inception' with a mystery novel. I hope you enjoy it too." (Recommended by Kyleisalive)
South Riding by Winifred Holtby
"'South Riding' is set in a part of Yorkshire in the 1930s, and has a large and colourful cast, each with their own story to tell. From dynamic new teacher Sarah Burton and good-hearted alderman Emma Beddows, to impoverished gentleman farmer Robert Carne and his manic daughter Midge, to Lydia Holly, a working-class teenager struggling to balance school with caring for her family, Holtby portrays country life, the ins and outs of local politics and ideological clashes vividly and draws you into her world; her characters feel like real people." (Recommended by Kankurette)
Not Wanted on the Voyage by Timothy Findley
"It is a modern and magical take on the story of Noah and the flood that portrays Noah as an obsessed and cruel tyrant. Most of the book is told through the eyes of a blind cat who belongs to Noah's wife, who is kind and compassionate where Noah is mean-spirited and brutish. The book is at times disturbing and it's provocative but it is very thought-provoking." (Recommended by Ramonesrule)
Fifteen Dogs by André Alexis
"This is a book about talking dogs! It's actually much more than that as fifteen dogs are released from a veterinary clinic and given the gift of language and human thought by Gods. Following the journey the various dogs go on as they grapple with their newfound state of consciousness is a heartbreaking ride, especially if you're a dog lover!" (Recommended by Ramonesrule)
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
"Based on the Dozer School in Florida, "The Nickel Boys" brings to light truths that were buried and need to be brought to light. When a young lad, Elwood Curtis, is brought up embodying the ideals of Martin Luther King Jr., is taken in for a crime he didn't commit, his life changes drastically. Brought to "reform" his ways at the Nickel School, he gets dragged into a life of physical abuse, sexual assaults, racism, and segregation. However, Elwood meets an unlikely friend, Turner, who shows him a different form of resistance and what friendship actually means." (Recommended by Leodavinci)
Mother Night by Kurt Vonnegut
"One of the first lines of "Mother Night" reads: "We are what we pretend to be, so we must be very careful what we pretend to be." The novel is narrated by Howard W. Campbell Jr., a man who was born in the U.S. but had been living in Germany since he was young. It is a relatively short yet thought-provoking book that is well worth the read!" (Recommended by Lpez)
Please remember to note in the Editor's Note Box that you are writing for the Book Club!
We hope you enjoy the books and we look forward to your quizzes! :)
Completed Books
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon - Christinap
House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski - Zippolover
Eight Million Ways to Die by Lawrence Block - Zippolover
The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien - Lias777
The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett - Kyleisalive
Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernières - Zippolover
The Hypnotist by Lars Kepler - Zippolover
The Scar by China Mieville - Zippolover
Wildfire at Midnight by Mary Stewart - Rossian
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - Saleo
An Old Captivity by Nevil Shute - Lottie1001
Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein - Shadowmyst2004
Jean of Storms by Elinor M. Brent-Dyer - LauraMcC
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky - Daaanieeel
To Serve Them All My Days by R. F. Delderfield - Lonely_Lady
What's Bred in the Bone by Robertson Davies - Cellardoor
The Chrysalids by John Wyndham - Kyleisalive
On a Pale Horse by Piers Anthony - Lonely-Lady
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood - AcrylicInk
The Awakening by Kate Chopin - Tiffanyram
White Teeth by Zadie Smith - Kankurette
The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin - Kyleisalive
Brat Farrar by Josephine Tey - Kyleisalive
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman - Ramonesrule
A Secret History by Donna Tartt - Kankurette
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia - Ramonesrule
The Ghost by Robert Harris - Ramonesrule
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - Leodavinci
Franny & Zooey by JD Salinger - Lpez
Posted by: kyleisalive
Date: Nov 09 13
I've been speaking with our editors in Literature and we'd like to encourage some of you, especially those looking for recommendations, to some of our favourite books. All of us read different things and sometimes it's just nice to send out a Staff Pick and spread the joy of the written word.
Below are ten different books and the reasons why Agony, Mothergoose, Leodavinci, and Looney_Tunes (and myself, to round it out to ten) have chosen them as favourites. Here, we hope that it will convince you to pick them up, read them, and write a quiz to add to the site.
If you complete a quiz on one of the listed books, then it's your turn! You get to send in a recommendation (the title, author, and why) and then someone else has to write a quiz about it!
Without further ado, let's get reading! ;)
Exodus by Leon Uris
"I was around 14 or 15 when I first read this book. Until then I knew little or nothing of the struggle of the Jewish people to found a state in the aftermath of WW2, or Britain's part in post war Palestine. This book, very moving in parts, heroic in others, tells that story, and it sent me off on a voyage of historic discovery delving into books about The Balfour Declaration, how Israel finally achieved statehood and her fight to hang on to it. Historically accurate it is at the same time a story of people and overcoming all the odds." (Recommended by Christinap)
My Father Immortal by Mike D. Weaver
"This is the only book that I have ever had to replace because it has been read so often! Six tiny children are sent back to earth in six adult sized survival pods. During the journey they grow in so many ways and along the way learn why they are alone in space with just computers for company. The first time that I read this book, I limited myself to one page per day because I did not want it to end." (Recommended by Zippolover)
The Sisters Brothers by Patrick DeWitt
"As much as I don't sway towards the idea of the western, I found this book quite difficult to put down. With all of the appeal and style of a Coen Brothers film, this novel kind of made me care about two ruthless gunslingers and kept me wondering what weird adventures they'd get into chapter after chapter." (Recommended by Kyleisalive)
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
"This book was recommended to me by a friend years ago, and I couldn't put it down once I picked it up. I'm sure I had read historical fiction novels before this one, but this is the book that made me fall in love with the genre. It is set in 19th century China and follows the story of two Chinese girls who become 'laotong'--a lifelong bond that was like a sisterhood. Not only does the novel offer cultural and historical information from the time period, but it also provides a story that will pull at your emotions...I was weeping by the end of it!" (Recommended by Tiffanyram)
The Gone World by Tom Sweterlitsch
"Let's take the Book Club down a different path: sci-fi. I picked this book up from a mystery book box a few years ago and went into it blind only to be surprised by how much I enjoyed this fascinating book that crosses 'Inception' with a mystery novel. I hope you enjoy it too." (Recommended by Kyleisalive)
South Riding by Winifred Holtby
"'South Riding' is set in a part of Yorkshire in the 1930s, and has a large and colourful cast, each with their own story to tell. From dynamic new teacher Sarah Burton and good-hearted alderman Emma Beddows, to impoverished gentleman farmer Robert Carne and his manic daughter Midge, to Lydia Holly, a working-class teenager struggling to balance school with caring for her family, Holtby portrays country life, the ins and outs of local politics and ideological clashes vividly and draws you into her world; her characters feel like real people." (Recommended by Kankurette)
Not Wanted on the Voyage by Timothy Findley
"It is a modern and magical take on the story of Noah and the flood that portrays Noah as an obsessed and cruel tyrant. Most of the book is told through the eyes of a blind cat who belongs to Noah's wife, who is kind and compassionate where Noah is mean-spirited and brutish. The book is at times disturbing and it's provocative but it is very thought-provoking." (Recommended by Ramonesrule)
Fifteen Dogs by André Alexis
"This is a book about talking dogs! It's actually much more than that as fifteen dogs are released from a veterinary clinic and given the gift of language and human thought by Gods. Following the journey the various dogs go on as they grapple with their newfound state of consciousness is a heartbreaking ride, especially if you're a dog lover!" (Recommended by Ramonesrule)
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
"Based on the Dozer School in Florida, "The Nickel Boys" brings to light truths that were buried and need to be brought to light. When a young lad, Elwood Curtis, is brought up embodying the ideals of Martin Luther King Jr., is taken in for a crime he didn't commit, his life changes drastically. Brought to "reform" his ways at the Nickel School, he gets dragged into a life of physical abuse, sexual assaults, racism, and segregation. However, Elwood meets an unlikely friend, Turner, who shows him a different form of resistance and what friendship actually means." (Recommended by Leodavinci)
Mother Night by Kurt Vonnegut
"One of the first lines of "Mother Night" reads: "We are what we pretend to be, so we must be very careful what we pretend to be." The novel is narrated by Howard W. Campbell Jr., a man who was born in the U.S. but had been living in Germany since he was young. It is a relatively short yet thought-provoking book that is well worth the read!" (Recommended by Lpez)
Please remember to note in the Editor's Note Box that you are writing for the Book Club!
We hope you enjoy the books and we look forward to your quizzes! :)
Completed Books
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon - Christinap
House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski - Zippolover
Eight Million Ways to Die by Lawrence Block - Zippolover
The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien - Lias777
The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett - Kyleisalive
Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernières - Zippolover
The Hypnotist by Lars Kepler - Zippolover
The Scar by China Mieville - Zippolover
Wildfire at Midnight by Mary Stewart - Rossian
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - Saleo
An Old Captivity by Nevil Shute - Lottie1001
Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein - Shadowmyst2004
Jean of Storms by Elinor M. Brent-Dyer - LauraMcC
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky - Daaanieeel
To Serve Them All My Days by R. F. Delderfield - Lonely_Lady
What's Bred in the Bone by Robertson Davies - Cellardoor
The Chrysalids by John Wyndham - Kyleisalive
On a Pale Horse by Piers Anthony - Lonely-Lady
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood - AcrylicInk
The Awakening by Kate Chopin - Tiffanyram
White Teeth by Zadie Smith - Kankurette
The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin - Kyleisalive
Brat Farrar by Josephine Tey - Kyleisalive
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman - Ramonesrule
A Secret History by Donna Tartt - Kankurette
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia - Ramonesrule
The Ghost by Robert Harris - Ramonesrule
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - Leodavinci
Franny & Zooey by JD Salinger - Lpez
249 replies. On page 10 of 13 pages. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
kyleisalive
|
Our newest recommendation is a contemporary read, and quite the popular one. Reply #181. Jan 09 18, 4:30 AM |
AcrylicInk 
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Can I do Handmaid's Tale or is it taken already? Reply #182. Jan 12 18, 1:38 AM |
| kyleisalive
|
It does not seem to have been taken. No one has suggested they're on it yet. :) Reply #183. Jan 12 18, 7:16 AM |
tiye
|
I would like to do A Man Called Ove, it will be a good chance to read the book since I enjoyed the movie very much. Thanks. Reply #184. Jan 14 18, 1:09 PM |
zorba_scank
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Acrylink's excellent contribution is online. http://www.funtrivia.com/trivia-quiz/Literature/The-Handmaids-Tale-and-Biblical-Allusions-391320.html Reply #185. Jan 22 18, 1:19 AM |
| zorba_scank
|
*AcrylicInk. Wish there was an edit button here. Reply #186. Jan 22 18, 1:20 AM |
| kyleisalive
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And AcrylicInk's recommendation is up for grabs! Reply #187. Jan 23 18, 8:29 PM |
| tiye
|
A Man Called Ove is in the mail from Amazon UK, I should have it by Feb 20. I read it in Greek but I guess I need it in English for my quiz! :) Reply #188. Jan 25 18, 3:35 AM |
Godwit
|
You could try submitting a quiz in Greek. "That's Greek to You"? But for my part, I want to be able to read your wonderful quizzes. Reply #189. Jan 25 18, 8:14 PM |
| Godwit
|
I just saw that movie. It was Sweet, as in awesome (what is the term these days, those of you who have teens?). Loved it. The acting was incredible, also. Reply #190. Jan 25 18, 8:15 PM |
| Godwit
|
Acrylink's excellent contribution is online. link http://www.funtrivia.com/trivia-quiz/Literature/The-Handmaids-Tale-and-Biblical-Allusions-391320.html Reply #185. Jan 22 18, 1:19 AM Is excellent. thank you Reply #191. Jan 25 18, 8:27 PM |
| kyleisalive
|
Just to note, 'Sisters Brothers' is being made into a feature film. If anyone wants to read the book beforehand, it's a good opportunity! ;) Reply #192. Jan 25 18, 10:25 PM |
angikar
|
I would like to write a quiz on 'Exodus' by Leon Uris, hopefully after one or two weeks. I am piled up with some other quizzes, after which I do intend to write a quiz on 'Exodus'. Reply #193. Feb 10 18, 12:37 PM |
| angikar
|
Free up the title 'Exodus'. There are other quizzes I am lagging on. Reply #194. Feb 11 18, 2:15 PM |
| angikar
|
I got hold of most of the current books in the to-write list. Time to write... Reply #195. Mar 31 18, 3:27 PM |
| kyleisalive
|
I think the only one I'm kind of interested in right now is 'The Fifth Season', but I'm so backlogged on reading these days that it's hard to squeeze it in. I'll have to see what I'm into. Reply #196. Mar 31 18, 3:41 PM |
| angikar
|
Umm.. I was planning on writing The Fifth Season as my first quiz. Reply #197. Mar 31 18, 9:33 PM |
looney_tunes
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Angikar, the titles in this challenge don't actually get claimed - the first person to write one and post the link will have it credited, and be the one who gets to choose the next title. That said, if someone has said they want to write on a book, it would be polite to send a personal message (not a public post) asking if they are seriously interested, or if they would be happy to have you write one on that text. If you have them all available, maybe you should start with one of the others. (And we can always use multiple quizzes on any of these!) Reply #198. Apr 01 18, 12:14 AM |
| kyleisalive
|
Like I said as well: I'm backlogged. I can't see getting to it for a while; currently it's the only book that piqued any interest, but that could change. Besides that, as LT said, none of these get claimed; if the quiz goes online it clears up. If I want, I'll just write the quiz anyways, even if the challenge is done. It's just one selection and there will always be others. Reply #199. Apr 01 18, 6:22 AM |
LGH12
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Could we suggest books for people to do a quiz on Reply #200. Apr 04 18, 11:24 AM |
249 replies. On page 10 of 13 pages. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
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