March 19, 2024

Newtonville Books 2015 Reading Challenge – Third Quarter update @newtonvillebks

Or: Something Fun to Get You Out of Your Comfort Zone

Newtonville Books published a 2015 Reading Challenge. I read and I’m up for a challenge. So here is my current tally.

27 out of 39 so far. I’m falling behind.

I’ve been doing a lot of bike commuting which has cut dramatically into my reading time. I did most of my reading on the train or bus. It’s hard to read while riding a bike.

Item Book Read
A book that became a movie: Argo: How the CIA & Hollywood Pulled Off the Most Audacious Rescue in History
Argo: How the CIA & Hollywood Pulled Off the Most Audacious Rescue in History
by Antonio Mendez
An Oscar-Winning movie
March 27
A book with non-human characters:
Ancillary Justice
by Ann Leckie.
Set in an alien world where spaceships and soldiers are run by artificial intelligence. The protagonist is a ship’s AI.
January 2
A book with a one word title:

Wool
By Hugh Howey
One word title, six word description: Civilization trapped in an underground silo.

April 6
A book of short stories: Tenth of December: Stories
Tenth of December: Stories
Saunders, George
 August 30
A book from a small press: Dark Tide: The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919
Dark Tide: The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919
by Stephen Puleo
Published by Beacon Press
September 21
A book based on a true story:  Dead Wake  To Read
A book more than 100 years old:
A book based entirely on its cover: Deep Down Dark: The Untold Stories of 33 Men Buried in a Chilean Mine, and the Miracle That Set Them Free
Deep Down Dark: The Untold Stories of 33 Men Buried in a Chilean Mine, and the Miracle That Set Them Free
by Héctor Tobar
Saw this one on the table at Newtonville Books
March 31
A book you’ve pretended to read:
A book you can finish in a day:  Dept. of Speculation
Dept. of Speculation

by Jenny Offill
I didn’t finish it in a day, but you can.
January 23
A book set somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit:
On the Beach
by Nevi Shute
The book is set in Australia.
March 31
A book in translation: Galileo's Telescope: A European Story
Galileo’s Telescope: A European Story
by Massimo Bucciantini, Michele Camerota, Franco Giudice;
translation by Catherine Bolton
May 18
A graphic novel: The Walking Dead, Vol. 22: A New Beginning
The Walking Dead, Vol. 22: A New Beginning

It’s a TV show, but it’s a graphic novel series first
March 24
A book you own but have never read:
A book by an author with your initials: Went the Day Well?: Witnessing Waterloo
Went the Day Well?: Witnessing Waterloo
by David Crane
DC just like me
Currently reading
A play:
A banned book: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Mark Haddon
Picked this one up from the Newton Library’s Banned Book Week display
Currently Reading
A book you previously started but never finished: Lost in Shangri-La: A True Story of Survival, Adventure, and the Most Incredible Rescue Mission of World War II
Lost in Shangri-La: A True Story of Survival, Adventure, and the Most Incredible Rescue Mission of World War II
By Mitchell Zuckoff
To Finish Reading
A Pulitzer Prize-winning book: The Goldfinch
The Goldfinch

by Donna Tartt
2014 winner of the Pulitzer Prize
April 23
A book by a Nobel Prize-winner:
A book that takes place in the area where you grew up:
A book by an author you’ve never heard of: In the Kingdom of Ice: The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the USS Jeannette
In the Kingdom of Ice: The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the USS Jeannette
by Hampton Sides
May 6
A book written by an author under 30:

The Beginner's Guide to Bicycle Commuting
The Beginner’s Guide to Bicycle Commuting

by Mathias Rechtzigel

September 30
A book written by an author over 70:
A book of poetry:
A young adult book: Wonder
Wonder
by R.J. Palacio
A recommendation from my son.
March 21
A book set in the future or in a different world: Lock In
Lock In
by John Scalzi
Fifteen years from now, a new virus sweeps the globe.
February 24
A book your mom or dad loves/loved: Boston Strong: A City's Triumph Over Tragedy
Boston Strong: A City’s Triumph Over Tragedy
by David Wedge and Casey Sherman
Written by my cousin so the whole family loves it
September 4
A Newtonville Books staff pick: Ship Breaker
Ship Breaker
by Paolo Bacigalupi
One of Nicolle’s picks
September 2
A signed book: Independence Day  To Read
A bestseller:
The Girl on the Train
by Paula Hawkins
‘The Girl on the Train’ is a runaway hit in USA Today
January 20
A book with an animal on the cover: Authority (Southern Reach, #2)
Authority

by Jeff VanderMeer
See the bunny
February 18
A library book: Disclaimer: A Novel
Disclaimer: A Novel
Borrowed from the Newton Free Library
June 6
A book with a color in the title Red Notice: A True Story of High Finance, Murder, and One Man's Fight for Justice
Red Notice: A True Story of High Finance, Murder, and One Man’s Fight for Justice
June 1
A book you then discuss in a bookclub
I Am Pilgrim
by Terry Hayes
Discussed in a Goodreads group
January 29
A book that came out the year you were born: The Third Policeman
The Third Policeman
by Flann O’Brien
Published in 19…..
April 13
A book with magic: The Magicians (The Magicians, #1)
The Magicians
by Lev Grossman
A Harry Potter knock-off
March 3
A book by an author that lives in Boston: Power Down (Dewey Andreas, #1)
Power Down
by Ben Coes
Wellesley is Greater Boston
June 14
A book set in a different country: The Diver's Clothes Lie Empty
The Diver’s Clothes Lie Empty
by Vendala Vida
Morocco
August 31

Visit www.newtonvillebooks.com for a blank copy of the list.

Hand in your completed (just do your best!) copy between Dec 1st and Dec 10th, 2015 to be entered into a raffle for a $100 gift certificate.