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30.6 - Kate S's Task: Beginnings and Endings

The Winter Season marks the end of one year and the beginning of a new year.
In honor of this, choose one option and read one book from Book A and one book from Book B

Option 1: Best Lines
Book A: Read a book from the list of 100 best beginnings
OR

Book B: Read a book from the list of 100 best last lines
OR
Required: Identify the lists you used.

Option 2: Award Winning:
Choose one award from this list
Book A: Read the book that won your chosen award the first year it was awarded
Book B: Read the most recent book to have won your chosen award
Each book must have won the award at the same level ex. Best Novel or Best First Novel, etc.: no mixing and matching. Nominees or honor books are excluded. Standard SRC rules apply: be careful, there are children's book awards and sequential art books on the lists. Awards that have changed names over their history may be used as a single award, ex. Orange Prize and Women's Prize for Fiction. You may need to research the award off the linked list site to identify the first award winners
Required: Identify the award and the years they were awarded
example:
Agatha Award
Book 1, first awarded in 1988: Something Wicked by Carolyn G. Hart
Book 2, last awarded in 2012: The Beautiful Mystery: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel by Louise Penny

Option 3: Author’s body of work
Choose an author. Authors with pseudonyms are treated as individual authors. Contributions of short stories, novellas, or essays in multi-author anthologies do not count.
Book A: Read author’s first full-length published book.
Book B: Read author’s most recently published full-length book
example
author: J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts and J.D. Robb are considered different authors for purposes of this task)
Book 1: Naked in Death
Book 2: Thankless in Death if the task is completed before the publication of Concealed in Death in February

Reserved

Reserved

For option 2- 2014 awards- You should read the latest winner at the time you read your book. If you are doing the task now, read the winner announced in 2013. You may elect to wait until the 2014 winners are announced later in the season and then read that book. Once the 2014 prize is announced the 2013 books are no longer the latest winners.

For option 3 The task says "Read author’s first full-length published book." All published books must be considered- including genre childrens, non-fiction, and books less than 100 pages not in collections or anthologies
Only the specific pairs that have received approval by Kate S may be used. Please do not make assumptions about other authors or books based on those approvals.

Co-author writing teams may be treated as one author with both books by the same team

Some questions for option 3.

1. What is the definition of a novella? Is it a certain number of pages?

Author Lou Harper
Hanging Loose

This looks like the author's first non-short story, but is this a novella?

2. Do we need to look ahead in the author's publishing schedule to make sure that a newer book isn't scheduled to be released during the challenge?

Thanks for your help.

ETA
3. What about co-authored books? include or exclude them?

I was just double checking that for Option 1 the link for the 100 Best Last Lines from Novels is correct because it's titled "NOMINATED BEST LAST LINES FROM NOVELS".

Thanks!

ohhh cute task...where to start...lol

Let's see if I can help...:)
Susan A wrote: "Some questions for option 3.

1. What is the definition of a novella? Is it a certain number of pages?

Author Lou Harper
Hanging Loose

This looks like the aut..."

1. The novella criteria really refers to the anthology additions. Using your author,

Summer Lovin' would be an instance of a short story or novella first published in an anthology and would not qualify. Hanging Loose appears to be her first full length published work.

2.Yes, take a look and make sure there isn't a newer book expected during the challenge. If a newer book is expected try to make sure to read and post your chosen books before the expected release date.

3. I am thinking about co-authors. I think I want to treat them like pseudonyms and treat each writing team as an individual author. Book A would be the first book by the team and Book B would be the most recent book by the team. I am going to message the mods and make sure this works.

Thanks for the questions.

Rebecca wrote: "I was just double checking that for Option 1 the link for the 100 Best Last Lines from Novels is correct because it's titled "NOMINATED BEST LAST LINES FROM NOVELS".

Thanks!"

Yes, that list does say nominated, but I think it still looked like a fun list. So, you can still pick off that list. Hope you find something you enjoy!

Dee wrote: "ohhh cute task...where to start...lol"

Thanks. I would start at the beginning. . .

haha, thanks Kate! I got to figure out which option...leaning towards author, but I don't do re-reads, so I got to find someone who I have read books from, but not necessarily debut/most recent...which just makes it all the more fun

Are we sticking with the 300 page rule if a book happens to say children's on the front page?

Thanks Kate - I just didn't want to get into the list too far only to find out it wasn't right. Great task by the way.

Kathy G. wrote: "Are we sticking with the 300 page rule if a book happens to say children's on the front page?"

Yes

Rebecca wrote: "Thanks Kate - I just didn't want to get into the list too far only to find out it wasn't right. Great task by the way."

Thanks, Rebecca. Enjoy

Thanks-

This was an intersting task. Like Dee mentioned, I didn't want to re-read, so I had to find an author that I wasn't too familiar with. Also, I don't like to read series out of order, so that had to be considered as well. It seems like figuring out which book came first should be a no-brainer, but it really wasn't. With re-prublished versions of works, short stories, collaborations and such, you really had to look carefully.

I think this works. I checked the author's website; she has nothing noted as coming soon.

Kate McMurray
First: In Hot Pursuit
Last: The Stars that Tremble

I think I'll go for Jhumpa Lahiri's
The Namesake (first novel)
and The Lowland (last published novel) if it's okay.

If I wanted to use Michael Ondaatje as my author and his first book is a collection of poetry that is too short to use ( The Dainty Monsters ), do I use his first novel Coming Through Slaughter ? Is this what you mean by first full length book?

I love the task, and have some first and last awards I might use, so I'm just "window shopping" right now. Thanks for your help!

think i've figured mine out...finally

Adriana Trigiani

Big Stone Gap - debut
The Supreme Macaroni Company - newest release (just came out)

Can I just check these 2 please?

Gregg Hurwitz

The Tower- First novel
Tell No Lies- Latest book

I wanted to read Jane Austen
Are these the first and last for option 3?



Sense and Sensibility
Persuasion

Thanks-

For option 2 Awards
Barry Award for Best Paperback Original
1997 (first year award was given: Walking Rain by Susan Wade
2013 Mr. Churchill's Secretary by Susan Elia MacNeal
I think this is correct but want to check before I go looking for books. Here is the link to the Barry Awards;

Susan A wrote: "This was an intersting task. Like Dee mentioned, I didn't want to re-read, so I had to find an author that I wasn't too familiar with. Also, I don't like to read series out of order, so that had ..."

I agree, I prefer to read in order and there is so much more out there, I would like to read new material. I also enjoy seeing how an author grows from their first work to their last, hopefully others can, too.

Your choices look good, Susan. Enjoy!

Karen GHHS wrote: "If I wanted to use Michael Ondaatje as my author and his first book is a collection of poetry that is too short to use ( The Dainty Monsters ), do I use his first nove..."

Yes, Coming Through Slaughter appears to be his first full-length book for the purpose of this task.

Dee wrote: "think i've figured mine out...finally

Adriana Trigiani

Big Stone Gap - debut
The Supreme Macaroni Company - newest release (just came out)"

Looks good, Dee. Enjoy!

good way to try and fit an entire body of work into a challenge ;)

Sam wrote: "Can I just check these 2 please?

Gregg Hurwitz

The Tower- First novel
Tell No Lies- Latest book"

Those look good. Enjoy!

Kathy G. wrote: "I wanted to read Jane Austen
Are these the first and last for option 3?



Sense and Sensibility
Persuasio..."

Those are Jane Austen's first and last. It's a good season for some Austen, hope you enjoy them!

Kate- are my two books for Jane Austen the correct books? First and Last?
Just double checking. Thanks

Andy wrote: "For option 2 Awards
Barry Award for Best Paperback Original
1997 (first year award was given: Walking Rain by Susan Wade
2013 [book:Mr. Churchill's Secretary|1016121..."

That looks right, Andy! Enjoy.

Kate S wrote: "Andy wrote: "For option 2 Awards
Barry Award for Best Paperback Original
1997 (first year award was given: Walking Rain by Susan Wade
2013 [book:Mr. Churchill's Secr..."

Thanks!

Kate S wrote: "Kathy G. wrote: "I wanted to read Jane Austen
Are these the first and last for option 3?



Sense and Sens..."

Thanks so much--- our messages must have crossed!
:-)

I would like to use Option 3. The author that I would like to use is ALexander McCall Smith. However, his first published book (in fact his first 10) was a children's book which is not 300 pages and difficult to find. Would it be possible to use his first adult book which is available and 153 pages in length?

Portuguese Irregular Verbs

Kate, are the books at message 18 ok?
I just need your confirmation, thanks!

I am thinking of using Dan Brown (Option 3). It is kind of hard to tell, but it looks like Digital Fortress is his first (1998) and Inferno is last... Does this look right?

Wanda wrote: "I would like to use Option 3. The author that I would like to use is ALexander McCall Smith. However, his first published book (in fact his first 10) was a children's book which is not 300 pages a..."

I see a variety of publication dates for this title. But I think this is his first adult novel. Approved. Enjoy!

Elizabeth wrote: "Kate, are the books at message 18 ok?
I just need your confirmation, thanks!"

Sorry, I missed this. Approved.

Erin (NY) wrote: "I am thinking of using Dan Brown (Option 3). It is kind of hard to tell, but it looks like Digital Fortress is his first (1998) and Inferno is last... Does this look ri..."

Digital Fortress looks like his first book to me, too. Enjoy!

For Option 1B, I want to use Paul Auster's The Locked Room, which is on the first list. However, this book is the third in a trilogy, so I wanted to get approval for The New York Trilogy because I would like to read the 3 parts in one book. Hope this makes sense!

I'd like to read John Green for Option #3. From his goodreads profile it looks like Looking for Alaska would be his first work and The Fault in Our Stars is his most recent. Can I get approval for those two?

Question about option 2: what if we choose an award in which the newest winner is announced during the challenge dates? I'm thinking particularly of the Printz, though it may be true for other awards as well. Would either the most recent book on the website or the winner announced (for the Printz, in late January) for this year work?

Question about 3: Can I read the first and last books of an author with just 2 published books? I'm thinking of Jonathan Miles - Dear American Airlines & Want Not.

I messaged Kate, if she doesn't respond soon, I will answer.

Ann A wrote: "For Option 1B, I want to use Paul Auster's The Locked Room, which is on the first list. However, this book is the third in a trilogy, so I wanted to get approval for"

I don't see The Locked Room on the list. I do see City of Glass and that is book 1. Please let me know if I missed something

Alison wrote: "I'd like to read John Green for Option #3. From his goodreads profile it looks like Looking for Alaska would be his first work and ."

yes, Looking for Alaska is the first book and The Fault in Our Stars is the latest

Chaitra wrote: "Question about 3: Can I read the first and last books of an author with just 2 published books? I'm thinking of Jonathan Miles - Dear American Airlines & "

Dear American Airlines was his first, Want Not is the latest- November 5, 2013
There is another book according to his in between

Dlmrose wrote: "Ann A wrote: "For Option 1B, I want to use Paul Auster's The Locked Room, which is on the first list. However, this book is the third in a trilogy, so I wanted to get approval for"

I do..."

Sorry I didn't make it clear. The Locked Room is on the first list for Option 1 B, which is "The Best 100 Last Lines From Novels". My question was if I could read The New York Trilogy which includes this book as the 3rd part. I have another book in mind for Option 1A.

Sarah wrote: "Question about option 2: what if we choose an award in which the newest winner is announced during the challenge dates? I'm thinking particularly of the Printz, though it may be true for other awar..."

You should read the latest winner at the time you read your book. If you are doing the task now, read the winner announced in 2013. You may elect to wait until the 2014 winners are announced later in the season and then read that book. Once the 2014 prize is announced the 2013 books are no longer the latest winners.

Ann A wrote: "Dlmrose wrote: "Ann A wrote: "For Option 1B, I want to use Paul Auster's The Locked Room, which is on the first list. However, this book is the third in a trilogy, so I wanted to get app..."

Yes, that would work, please explain that when you post so Sandy understands the connection