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 3 of 13 pages. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
agony
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I'm enjoying it too. Reply #41. Dec 04 13, 10:24 PM |
kyleisalive
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Re: "I never have time to read anymore." At this point, I make time. I personally wouldn't want to give it up. Reply #42. Dec 04 13, 10:54 PM |
rossian
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I go to a literature class one morning a week, which makes sure I read at least that book. We're currently reading 'The Tenant of Wildfell Hall' which I'd never have chosen to read otherwise. Reading is no hardship, though. Reply #43. Dec 05 13, 1:21 AM |
zippolover
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The main reason that I went from bifocals back to two pairs of glasses was to make reading easier. I was doing it with one eye shut because my left eye wanders. Reading is a necessity and I could give up almost anything, but not that. Reply #44. Dec 05 13, 1:31 AM |
Christinap 
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Same here. Can't imagine not reading, can't remember a time when I couldn't read. Reply #45. Dec 05 13, 12:32 PM |
looney_tunes
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I remember learning to read when I was about 4. I picked up a French primer of my mother's ('Totor et Tristan' just surfaced again as we were packing books the other day, and brought back memories!). She got tired of me trailing her around the house asking her what one word after the other was, and being none the wiser after she told me, so she found an English primer, and I was off. I was so excited that a few weeks later I locked my twin brother and our younger brother in a closet and forced them to manage to pronounce their way through parts of the book which I had memorized. Funny thing, while they are both proficient readers, neither shows the same passion for it as I have. Reply #46. Dec 05 13, 1:21 PM |
nannywoo
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What a good story, Looney Tunes! One of my granddaughters taught herself to read by copying out a favorite book one word at a time - learning to read and write at the same time. I remember her copying the chapter titles of "Alice in Wonderland" too. She wanted to know ALL the words and was disappointed to find that even her Nanny didn't know all the words. I think she secretly suspected for years that I was such a fake. How could you teach if you didn't know ALL the words. What a revelation when she learned that there were other languages than English. So many words, so little time. Now she's a mom and a college student at the same time and is never without a book or a reading device, and her two year old is well on his way. And I'm still trying to learn all the words, because every word opens up a world. So many worlds, so little time. Reply #47. Dec 06 13, 11:19 AM |
| salami_swami
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I've been reading Mockingjay since it came out. I keep re-reading the first half to refresh my memory. And now I need to read Divergent by March! Reply #48. Dec 06 13, 12:04 PM |
| zippolover
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I used to have six or seven individual Thomas the Tank Engine books that I would read in turn to my children. They refused other stories. My eldest learned to read because of them. "Fast" was her first word and it occurred in several of the stories. I had a look through all of the other books we owned for the same word and explained to her that I wanted to hear a different story for a change and would she help me? I found out that she could read lots of words. She still reads a lot aged 17. Reply #49. Dec 06 13, 12:39 PM |
| zippolover
|
http://www.funtrivia.com/trivia-quiz/Literature/Eight-Million-Ways-To-Die-by-Lawrence-Block-364743.html Post #50 for my 50th quiz :) Reply #50. Dec 06 13, 3:34 PM |
1nn1
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I read the cereal box while I am eating breakfast. I taught my self to read Japanese by reading the subway map and listening to how the voice over pronounced the station. I read the fine print because it's there. I read other peoples' upside down newspapers on the train. I built an extension on my house to house my books. My family and friends just buy me books for birthdays and Christmas because they know I will read it even if it's a boring subject. I am listening to an audio book as I type this. A home without books is just a house Reply #51. Dec 07 13, 4:15 AM |
| agony
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http://www.funtrivia.com/trivia-quiz/Literature/The-Hobbit-364404.html From Lias444 Reply #52. Dec 18 13, 2:11 PM |
| zippolover
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Has everyone put their reading glasses down? Reply #53. Dec 23 13, 10:19 AM |
| kyleisalive
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It's a busy time of year and, regardless of the holidays being celebrated, there tends to be a lull between the week before Christmas and the week after. Wait until people are gifted some books this year. ;) After my current book I hope to read one of these. Reply #54. Dec 23 13, 6:29 PM |
| zippolover
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I never stop reading! Reply #55. Dec 24 13, 4:32 AM |
| zippolover
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The House of Leaves has not had sufficient ratings to remove the "new" status, BUT Eight Million Ways to Die has and is my highest rated quiz at the moment! Reply #56. Dec 31 13, 3:53 AM |
| kyleisalive
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Wonderfully done! That's the way with these Lit quizzes I find-- high or low. :p Reply #57. Dec 31 13, 4:11 AM |
skydude13579
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What a coincidence, I just started Corelli's Mandolin yesterday! Reply #58. Dec 31 13, 6:28 AM |
| kyleisalive
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Hope to see a quiz! :) Reply #59. Dec 31 13, 6:39 AM |
| zippolover
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I had to do a moonlight flit to escape an abusive relationship and was nearly caught due to agonising over my books. Captain Corelli's Mandolin was one that I left behind. Over the last nine years, I have gradually been replacing the lost books and that one is still on the list. Reply #60. Dec 31 13, 7:16 AM |
249 replies. On page 3 of 13 pages. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
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