The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

30.7 Ms. Anderson’s Task – The Final Battle

I’ve been looking forward to this year if only because of the movies coming out in theaters—specifically, movies that feature some of my favorite superheroes and villains. Yes. I’m a nerd. We knew this.

Anyway, your job is simple. First, choose one of the Awesome Matchups below. Next, choose two of the three options related to your matchup. Finally, read two books, one that fits each option you chose. You may not use the same option twice.

As always, if the connection isn’t clear from the book’s description, be sure to explain it when you post. All page-length rules apply. Happy reading!

1.Batman vs. Joker
a. Main character was orphaned before age 18
b. Genre “Humor” on main page
c. Graphic novel featuring this matchup

2. Iron Man vs. Iron Monger
a. The author has the initials “S-T-A-R-K” in any order
b. Genre “Science Fiction” on main page- no shelf name variations
c. Graphic novel featuring this matchup

3. Thor vs. Loki
a. Lightning on the cover (REQUIRED: Post cover)
b. Norse mythology heavily featured in the plot (collections of Norse myths will count)
c. Graphic novel featuring this matchup

4. Black Widow vs. Red Guardian
a. Main character is a professional spy or spy-in-training
b. Genre “Romance” on main page
c. Graphic novel featuring this matchup

5. Wolverine vs. Deadpool (yes, I know there’s no Wolverine movie until next year, but I don’t care because he’s Wolverine and is therefore awesome enough to include on this list)
a. Book set in Canada or Japan
b. Book from this Cult Classics list: http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/25...
c. Graphic novel featuring this matchup
Required: Please state the Matchup and the options chosen when you post

Reserved

Reserved

This thread is open!

For 1a, if a book has a lot of main characters and not one, is it okay if just one or two of them were orphaned at a young age? (I don't want to name the book here, because of spoilers...)

Kate wrote: "For 1a, if a book has a lot of main characters and not one, is it okay if just one or two of them were orphaned at a young age? (I don't want to name the book here, because of spoilers...)"

Sure, that'll work. There just has to be at least one main character who was an orphan.

I was wondering if Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy would the main character be considered a spy?

★Meghan★ wrote: "I was wondering if Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy would the main character be considered a spy?"

She's a spy-in-training, and that's close enough for me!

Would this be good enough for the "spy romance"-

Lord of Fire

Thanks

Kathy G. wrote: "Would this be good enough for the "spy romance"-

Lord of Fire

Thanks"

That'd work. You don't need to have a romance novel with a spy, though--just a romance novel AND a spy novel (unless you plan on reading the graphic novel). You just need to pick two of the options and read one book for each of the ones you picked.

Oh-- I thought you had to pick two - of the a, b, c in
the one novel.

Thanks

Then, could I read Great Expectations for the orphan?

Kathy G. wrote: "Then, could I read Great Expectations for the orphan?"

Exactly! And then for the other book you'd either need to find one with the genre "Humor" on its main page OR read a graphic novel in which Batman fights Joker.

OHHH-- Stick to one choice (Batman vs. Joker) pick 2 books in THAT category-- a, b, or c. (Sorry-- I'm slow)

Got it.
Great Expectations and The Princess Bride

:-)

I can't wait to read them!

Kathy G. wrote: "Got it.
Great Expectations and The Princess Bride

:-)

I can't wait to read them!"

Sounds good! ^_^

would you consider someone working undercover as a spy? because they are spying on those people - or are you looking for the james bond kind of spy...

Dee wrote: "would you consider someone working undercover as a spy? because they are spying on those people - or are you looking for the james bond kind of spy..."

I'm looking for something in a professional (like James Bond) or training-to-be-professional (like the Ally Carter spy school series) capacity. Spies work undercover, but their main job is "spy" or "secret agent" (as opposed to "journalist" or "detective").

Wikipedia has a good (well, for Wikipedia) article on spy fiction with some author suggestions and such: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spy_fiction

For Option 2B does Science Fiction Fantasy work?
For example The Last Olympian
Thanks:)

Keltie Lee wrote: "For Option 2B does Science Fiction Fantasy work?
For example The Last Olympian
Thanks:)"

Let me ask the mods. I know I would definitely not consider that series science fiction, but since it's at least part of the name of a shelf...I'll message Dlmrose and see what she has to say. Thank you for your patience!

Thanks for checking:)

I talked to the mods, and I'm going to further clarify that for 2B, "science fiction" has to appear as the shelf name exactly as written, as that was my intent when writing the task.

However, since the book looks like it takes place in NYC it should work for 15.5 (city setting), 10.4 (he was born on June 5 and is therefore a Gemini), and maybe 5.6 (since he's riding a pegasus and flying animals count, but I don't know about mythological flying animals). I'm sorry for the wait and for the confusion!

Thanks again for checking and for the suggestions:)

this is what I was thinking for the spy one - pending length approval - The Chimera Affair

Dee wrote: "this is what I was thinking for the spy one - pending length approval - The Chimera Affair"

Sounds good! Hopefully it'll work.

thanks - it was just released, so no wordcount on fw yet - so i'm waiting on that

For 3b, I'd suggest American Gods by Neil Gaiman since a couple of the main characters are derived from Norse mythology including (view spoiler)[PLOT LINES. (hide spoiler)]

Ms. Anderson, do you think it covers enough to count?

Would Wicked As They Come work for 2b?

★Meghan★ wrote: "I was wondering if Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy would the main character be considered a spy?"

I just came over here to recommend the series! Book 5 (of 6) just came out! It was great. *grin* Starts with I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You! :)

I just discovered THIS book, that I'm planning to read for 4A: A Spy in the House. Young, female spy in Victorian England. Need I say more?

EDIT: Or maybe I'll read Perfect Cover... Who expects cheerleaders to be government operatives, after all?

Usako wrote: "For 3b, I'd suggest American Gods by Neil Gaiman since a couple of the main characters are derived from Norse mythology including [spoilers removed]

Ms. Anderson, do you think it covers enough to..."

This will work. I had to look it up because I haven't read it yet, but from what I saw, the Norse mythology is definitely important!

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Skandia wrote: "Would Wicked As They Come work for 2b?"

Yes, since "science fiction" is one of the shelves.

----

Sara ♥ wrote: "★Meghan★ wrote: "I was wondering if Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy would the main character be considered a spy?"

I just came over here to recommend the series! Book 5 (of 6) just came out! It w..."

Yeah, the first one was entertaining. Those other books sound good, too!

will work for lightning on the cover?

JennRenee wrote: "will work for lightning on the cover?"

Yes, it'll work.

Will Strindberg's Star work for 3B?

Sue T wrote: "Will Strindberg's Star work for 3B?"

I have my reservations since I couldn't find anything anywhere explaining how the Norse mythology plays into the story at all. However, if you want to read it and find out the characters accidentally start Ragnarok or unleash some frost giants on the world or something, make sure to explain the connection when you post. Alternately, if it's only a tenuous connection, you could always switch it to 10.10, since it's got snow on the cover.

Thanks, Ms. Anderson. I guess I'll see when I read it.

just want to confirm this will work for option 4A:
Code Name Verity
i believe the main character is a spy and the narration is her confession after capture. thanks!

Sarah wrote: "just want to confirm this will work for option 4A:
Code Name Verity
i believe the main character is a spy and the narration is her confession after capture. thanks!"

If she and her friend went to spy, it'll work.

I chose option 1, but wanted to check on The Bad Beginning for 1A since, although it meets the page requirements, I wasn't sure whether it would be considered "young reader," and therefore whether it could be counted or not.

Randi wrote: "I chose option 1, but wanted to check on The Bad Beginning for 1A since, although it meets the page requirements, I wasn't sure whether it would be considered "young reader," and therefore whether ..."

I will definitely accept this. Good choice!

Ms Anderson wrote: "Randi wrote: "I chose option 1, but wanted to check on The Bad Beginning for 1A since, although it meets the page requirements, I wasn't sure whether it would be considered "young reader," and ther..."

Thanks, Ms Anderson! I've been meaning to read them for awhile now. :) I'm never sure what qualifies as "young reader"!

I don't really either, but I figure if the book has more pictures than words, it's probably not okay.. haha! The Bad Beginning has GIANT margins, but it's a legit chapter book! ;)

not so much even the pictures - when it uses the larger font size, and wide margins (think like the American Girl books)

I usually consider four things in this order:

1. Whether more people genre-shelf it as YA than Children's
2. Literary elements, especially theme and plot (conflicts and situations in which characters find themselves in particular)
3. Awards won
4. Vocab

If at least two of those are there, I'll consider it pretty heavily. Even if a book has lots of "children's" shelves, if it has been nominated for or won the Newbery, I'll usually run with it. I figure with either awards or shelves I can make a pretty strong case for myself lol Obviously, the final call is up to the people in charge, but when I'm picking my own books, that's my general thought process.

Would either of these Barry Eisler books work for the "spy" category?
Rain Fall
Fault Line

They both sound like they're more about assassins than spies, so I'm going to say no. Spying is usually more about getting information than taking out targets (even though occasionally spies might need to get their hands dirty).

Ok, thanks. I think Carte Blanche will work.

For Graphic Novels does the graphic novel have to entirely focus on the match-up I choose or will it work as long as the match-up occurs somewhere?

Would you accept The Kill Artist as a spy novel?

Vicky wrote: "For Graphic Novels does the graphic novel have to entirely focus on the match-up I choose or will it work as long as the match-up occurs somewhere?"

If the battle happens in the book, it'll work.

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KSMary wrote: "Would you accept The Kill Artist as a spy novel?"

Sounds like it should work from the description and reviews.

I found Les Misérables on a Listopia orphan list. Does anyone know if Cosette (the orphan) plays a big part in this book?

Ms. Anderson, would you accept this book for option 1A?

If not, I will use one of the Harry Potter books.