SpiraledStar's 888 Challenge

I'm working on a 75 book challenge already, so when I found this challenge, I figured, "Why not?"

Still working on books, but my categories are:
I. Classics
II. Historical Fiction
III. Pirates in Fiction and Nonfiction
IV. Novels for Young People
V. Fantasy
VI. General Fiction
VII. General Nonfiction
VIII. Science Fiction

I. Classics
1. The Great Gatsby
2. A Raisin in the Sun
3. Death of a Salesman
4. Slaughterhouse-Five
5. The Canterbury Tales
6. Persuasion
7. Jane Eyre
8. Macbeth

II. Historical Fiction
1. The Book Thief
2. Simple Prayers
3. The Meaning of Night: A Confession
4. Cyrano de Bergerac
5. The Prestige
6. The Dante Club
7. The Caine Mutiny
8. Cold Sassy Tree

III. Pirates in Fiction and Nonfiction
1. The Pirates! in an Adventure with Scientists
2. The Pirates! in an Adventure with Ahab
3. Treasure Island
4. Under the Black Flag
5. Empire of Blue Water
6. Raiders and Rebels
7. Captain Blood
8. Jefferson's War

IV. Novels for Young People: Books that I've gone to look for at the library and found in the "Juvenile" or "Young Adult" sections.
1. Brisingr
2. Dealing With Dragons
3. Song of the Wanderer
4. The Realm of the Gods
5. Doomwyte
6. Jane Eyre (why this was in the YA section, I'll never know)
7. Eulalia!
8. The Bell, the Book, and the Spellbinder

Note on 2-6: I found a one volume copy of all five books, but I am treating each as a separate book since I can find them individually elsewhere. Had to take this back to the library, as it was on hold for someone else and my time expired. I'm substituting some of my younger sister's old YA books.

V. Fantasy
1. The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse
2. The Dark Lord of Derkholm
3. Neverwhere
4. The Hobbit
5. The Graveyard Book
6. God's Demon
7. Carpe Jugulum
8. The Princess Bride

VI. General Fiction: Other novels. Some fit another category but were pushed out by other books, while others...not so much.
1. The Inimitable Jeeves
2. Atonement
3. The Code of the Woosters
4. Chocolat
5. Anansi Boys
6. The Time Traveler's Wife
7. The Light Fantastic
8. The Kite Runner

Hooray! Finished!

VII. General Nonfiction
1. Walden
2. Pagan Christmas
3. Heaven and Hell
4. Apocalypse Wow!
5. Doomsday Prophecies
6. How to Read Literature Like a Professor
7. Four Queens
8. Letters to eBay

VIII. Science Fiction
1. World War Z
2. Watchmen
3. Dune
4. Cloud Atlas
5. Gun, With Occasional Music
6. Jenna Starborn
7. Out of the Silent Planet
8. Ender's Game

This will definitely be my most challenging category because I'm picky about my science fiction. I don't really want fantasy-oriented science fiction for this category; I want to find novels that are science-based, but have fantasy thrown in every now and then.

I actually have quite a few science fiction books now, so I may end up keeping track of what I read and do a second category for those.

I have to know about The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocolypse! Did you like this book? Should I run out and get it now? It has to have the best title of all time!
--BJ

billiejean: I loved the title, too, but the book was only so-so. I'm glad I read it, but it took a while to start, and the ending was forced. I definitely suggest it, as it was a fun read. You don't need to drop everything to buy it right now; either wait for a sale, or borrow it from the library.

Thanks for the info!
--BJ

SStar, I never think of myself as a science fiction fan, but my son-in-law is... & he keeps giving/loaning me books that I have really enjoyed. Dune by Frank Herbert is my favorite, I think, though Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell is absolutely amazing -- it's sci fi, but a lot more, too.

ivyd: I'll definitely check those out, thanks! I think my dad has a copy of Dune, so I'll call him up. Cloud Atlas looks good, so I'll look for it on my next trip to the library.

weareattached: That looks really interesting! Thanks for recommending it.

I had to laugh at your pirate category. I was doing storytime at a low-income preschool last year and I asked my hubby to come read with me to my class. He said he would if I could find him a pirate book. He read Bubble Bath Pirates and the book was a total flop. The kids didn't know what a pirate was, so they weren't getting the jokes.

ShannonMDE: What, children who haven't heard of pirates?! I've never heard of that before.

I was surprised too at first, but what pirates have kids these days been exposed to. There really hasn't been a Treasure Island remake in awhile. And Johnny Depp as Captain Jack? That isn't really a movie for 4 year olds.

True, true...although there was a plethora of small children at the theater when I went to see the third movie.
Maybe this is a sign that we need more pirate movies? I certainly wouldn't complain, and if they can make them family-friendly (like Treasure Island), all the better for educating the young 'uns.

armour - John Steakly
Worthing Saga or Enders Game or Pastwatch The Redemption of Christopher Columbus - Orson Scott Card

voicebestill: Pastwatch looks really good, thanks for the recommendation!

As far as pirates & their captives go, here are fiction & non-fiction:
- Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini
- The Algerine Captive by Royall Tyler
- Jefferson's War by Joseph Wheelan

As far as science fiction goes, I second the recommendation of Orson Scott Card. I almost skipped an annual work party to stay home and read Ender's Game. I bought Pastwatch when it came out in hardcover, but haven't read it yet.

I *love* Connie Willis. Try:
- The Doomsday Book or
- To Say Nothing of the Dog or
- Lincoln's Dreams

On my list to try, but not read yet, is David Weber. I've had his Honor Harrington series recommended to me several times. First book is, I believe, On Basilisk Station. Oh, and you might want to look for Hyperion or other titles by Dan Simmons. I've also heard good things about Simmons.

Renee

I third the Orson Scott Card recommendation. Take a look at my library if you want to know how much I like him. Pastwatch is a favorite, as is The Worthing Saga, and you can't go wrong with Ender's Game.

I also love, love, love Dan Simmons. Hyperion is amazing, but be warned: it is the beginning of a 4 book cycle and you will want to read them all!

Connie Willis is great, too. I read Doomsday Book recently and enjoyed it very much. If you want something lighter, try To Say Nothing of the Dog. I see Passage gazing out at me from my bookshelf too...There are just too darn many books to read!

Wow, so many fantastic recommendations! Thanks, ReneeMarie and shinyone. I'm going to the library on Saturday to return some books, and I'll definitely be looking for some of these!

Almost halfway done! 35 books left, 92 days left in the year. I think I'll be able to finish, especially with the audiobooks I picked up. Now all I have to do is keep myself away from the library until I finish these...

Hooray! Finished with one category! I hope I can get the rest done by the end of the year.

Finished the Classics category! I doubt that I will finish the rest by the end of the year (too much to do!), but I'll keep these on hand for next year's challenge.