Book Challenge by Erin 9.0 Reading Highlights
Reading Highlights
We’re nearing the end of Book Challenge by Erin 9.0, so I thought I’d provide some reading highlights with notes I made. For a complete list of books I read for this challenge, go here. Below are a few books in various categories I thought especially worth mentioning. (I’ve read all ten books for the initial challenge, and I’m now working on the bonus round.) Okay, here we go.
- 10 points: Read a book that starts with the letter “N”
The Ninth Hour by Alice McDermott
Twentieth century Irish Catholic angst. National Book Critics Circle Award Nominee.
About a third of the way in I wasn’t sure I wanted to read about nuns. (I did not know how much of a presence they would have in the book.) Later I realized that the book was really about women and the communities they form and the ways in which they cooperate to solve social problems. And, yes, there was quilt, too, of a Catholic variety, but overall the nuns in this book’s working class, early twentieth century neighborhood were a mighty force for good. I now see why this won the National Book Award.
- 10 points: Read a book that has a (mostly) orange cover
A Kim Jong-Il Production by Paul Fischer
The subtitle summarizes this nicely: “The extraordinary true story of a kidnapped filmmaker, his star actress, and a young dictator’s rise to power.” The author does a good job of illustrating the machinations of the North Korean regime. Stunning how one dynastic family believes they should indulge their every whim at the expense of an entire people. For anyone interested in this timely topic of inside North Korea, I heartily recommend the Pulitzer Winner, The Orphan Master’s Son.
- 20 points: Read a book with something related to water in the title
Christine Falls by Benjamin Black
Excellent writing and character development in this literary mystery. Definitely recommended. Now I want to read the author’s Man Booker Prize winning novel…which also has water in the title–The Sea!
- 30 points: Read a book with an emotion word in the title
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
I was at a writing conference last year when an agent read aloud part of chapter 2. I was hooked by the soulful writing about a black teen defending the memory of her slain friend. I especially like how the author portrayed a variety of viewpoints in complex ways. The climax was tense and exciting.
News flash: The Hate U Give has been made into a movie that premieres October 18!
- 35 points: Read a book featuring a character who shares your profession or a similar one
