pbadeer's US Tour

SnakFifty States Fiction (or Nonfiction) Challenge

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pbadeer's US Tour

Dette emne er markeret som "i hvile"—det seneste indlæg er mere end 90 dage gammel. Du kan vække emnet til live ved at poste et indlæg.

1pbadeer
Redigeret: sep 1, 2011, 1:13 am

Alabama - Alabama Moon by Watt Key
Alaska
Arizona - Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
Arkansas - Grave Sight by Charlaine Harris
California - Gilda Joyce, Psychic Investigator by Jennifer Allison
Colorado - Art in America by Ron McLarty
Connecticut - Something Missing by Matthew Dicks
Delaware - West of Rehoboth by Alexs D. Pate
District of Columbia - Grief by Andrew Holleran
Florida - Doesn't She Look Natural by Angela Elwell Hunt
Georgia - Quite a Year for Plums by Bailey White
Hawaii - Eyes of the Emperor by Graham Salisbury
Idaho
Illinois - Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
Indiana - Viola in Reel Life by Adriana Trigiani
Iowa - Danny Gospel by David Athey
Kansas - Rifles for Watie by Harold Keith
Kentucky - All the Living by C.E. Morgan
Louisiana - Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole
Maine - In Search of L.L. Bean by M.R. Montgomery
Maryland - Kindred by Octavia Butler
Massachusetts - Gardner Heist by Ulrich Boser
Michigan - Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides
Minnesota - Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik
Mississippi - Home to Holly Springs by Jan Karon
Missouri - Meet Me in St. Louis by Sally Benson
Montana - The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig
Nebraska - Magician's Assistant by Ann Patchett
Nevada - Prey by Michael Crichton
New Hampshire - Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult
New Jersey - Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell
New Mexico - Dissonance by Lisa Lenard-Cook
New York - Uprising by Margaret Peterson Haddix
North Carolina - On Agate Hill by Lee Smith
North Dakota - Master Butchers Singing Club by Louise Erdrich
Ohio - The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio by Terry Ryan
Oklahoma - Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
Oregon - River by Mary Jane Beaufrand
Pennsylvania - Lady of High Regard by Tracie Peterson
Rhode Island - Gods of Newport by John Jakes
South Carolina - Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
South Dakota
Tennessee - Frankland by James Whorton
Texas - Dilly of a Death by Susan Wittig Albert
Utah - Shattered Dreams by Irene Spencer
Vermont - Jungle Law by Victoria Vinton
Virginia - Red Moon at Sharpsburg by Rosemary Wells
Washington - Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
West Virginia - John Henry Days by Colson Whitehead
Wisconsin - Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Wyoming

2RidgewayGirl
jul 18, 2009, 12:27 pm

Some excellent books listed! I've made note of a few to find for myself.

3pbadeer
sep 4, 2009, 2:31 am

Arizona down, now jumping the pond to finish a book for the European Challenge

4pbadeer
sep 7, 2009, 10:16 pm

I was excited to realize that Watsons Go To Birmingham - 1963 takes place mostly in Michigan...then I realized I already had a Michigan book. Oh well, it still counted toward my "Newbery Challenge"

5cyderry
sep 10, 2009, 3:23 pm

Patrick,

I read On Agate hill, too! I thought it was kind of unknown, so it surprised me to see it on your list.

6pbadeer
sep 24, 2009, 8:56 pm

traveled to Delaware with West of Rehoboth by Alexs D. Pate

7countrylife
sep 25, 2009, 9:13 am

Love it when someone adds a review to a Work that didn't have one! It tells you so much more than just the Description. I probably wouldn't like this book because of the metaphysical aspect. But your review was great!

8pbadeer
okt 16, 2009, 1:00 am

I picked Shattered Dreams specifically for this challenge to represent Utah - so I was a little shocked when, as reading it, I discovered that they actually live in Mexico. But, the first 1/3 of the book is entirely in Utah and she pops back and forth throughout the book, so in the interest of making another checkmark on my 50 state challenge list, I am taking the easy way out and listing this for Utah.

9pbadeer
okt 24, 2009, 1:12 am

Just realized I hadn't included District of Columbia in my list. I just finished one of my least favorite books of the year Grief, and it's set in DC, so it gets to fill that spot. I'm sure I've read other books this year set in DC that I liked better, but this is the book which made me think of it, so this is the book I will list. But if you're looking to me for recommendations...go find another book in DC

10pbadeer
okt 30, 2009, 10:42 am

Thanks to another posting on this challenge I found Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet set in Seattle's Chinatown/Japantown. Excellent read.

11pbadeer
okt 31, 2009, 12:04 am

In a desperate attempt to fill in some "missing" states, I stumbled across In Search of L.L. Bean. At the time I didn't realize it was a business book about L.L. Bean written 25 years ago (there were no reviews on LT), but I'm glad I read it. Because of its age, the book served a completely different purpose - a trip down memory lane of business practices in the days before internet. Almost useless as a true business book (although there are actually some details about mail order business which probably still hold true), it's still an easy read (but you may want to skip the chapter dedicated to the construction of the Maine Hunting Boot...)

12pbadeer
nov 2, 2009, 12:15 am

Oregon is now covered - thanks to an ARC for The River by Mary Jane Beaufrand. The book has a link on LT, but I couldn't get the touchstones for the title to work (too many books with "River" in the title, and I could never find the right one). A teen read. Not a favorite, but worthy of a look. Admittedly, someone more familiar with Oregon (I've never been there) may relate more to the setting, but it's simple enough to read without that kind of knowledge as well.

13countrylife
nov 2, 2009, 8:39 am

Interesting review! (But sounds like a book that I'll pass by.)

Since I enjoyed that review, I went over to see what you posted for the L.L. Bean book. From your description of it, I was surprised to see it owned by 18 LTers!

14pbadeer
nov 18, 2009, 5:30 pm

I covered West Virginia with Colson Whitehead's John Henry Days. A disappointment. His Apex Hides the Hurt was good, so I had high hopes, but it was a long and winding tale and not worth the effort.

15countrylife
nov 19, 2009, 8:24 am

. . . still chuckling after reading your review . . .

16pbadeer
dec 15, 2009, 10:18 am

I have conquered Vermont with Jungle Law by Victoria Vinton. Consisting of a fictionalized back story of Rudyard Kipling's time in Vermont - during which he was writing the Jungle Book - the story equally involves the young, poor neighbor boy who identifies with Mowgli from Kipling's tale.

Well written with the interweaving of several different characters and their "stories", I found the development of Kipling entertaining. How much of his life in the book was fact (I assume he did live in Vermont, I assume he was married, etc.) vs. how much was fiction (did he have trouble with money, was he truly writing Jungle Book during this time, etc.) is secondary to a well rounded book.

17sweetbug
dec 16, 2009, 3:05 pm

#16, Jungle Law -- Sounds like an interesting book! I don't have a pick for Vermont yet. . . : )

18pbadeer
dec 25, 2009, 1:19 am

I just finished Looking for Alaska by John Green. And it just goes to show you that it pays to properly research your reads. The book doesn't take place in Alaska. So, my Alaska read still sits empty. This would actually count as an Alabama read, but since I have already covered that state, this serves as a bonus.

Here is the mini review I wrote for my 50 Book Challenge Post:

I had high expectations for this book. Somehow I read his books out of order and read his most recent book first, and now just finished his first book last. Paper Towns and An Abundance of Katherines were both very well written and enjoyable. Looking for Alaska didn't disappoint.

I will admit that once the countdown reached zero (you'll understand once you read it), I did start to drift a little. I didn't like what was happening to the characters, and as an adult looking at the lives of teens, I guess I couldn't embrace it. But the end ties things up nicely (and not in a generic, formulaic way) and fully redeemed the book.

19pbadeer
dec 29, 2009, 1:15 pm

CONNECTICUT - Something Missing by Matthew Dicks - 5 stars

Martin makes his living as a house thief - but not your common, run of the mill burglar. He carefully chooses his "clients" and then methodically steals from them over a period of years. Most of the time, his items of theft are items his clients wouldn't miss (extra salad dressing, several tablets of aspirin he pours out of their containers into his), but really supplements his income by bigger items (wedding presents wrapped up in a closet) that his clients won't notice are missing.

The book is an enjoyable read as this very likable criminal outlines how he does his job (very methodical, slightly OCD) and then the tale turns. He realizes that while on the "inside" of his clients' lives, he is in a position to serve as their guardian angels and help them as well. This kicks up the pace of the book a little and saves it from becoming a one trick pony.

20sjmccreary
dec 29, 2009, 10:38 pm

#19 Looks interesting - I've added it to the wishlist. Thanks for the recommendation.

21pbadeer
jan 19, 2010, 2:07 am

INDIANA - Viola in Reel Life by Adriana Trigiani - 4 stars

I can't believe it's taken this long to get an Indiana title, but this one was a nice surprise. An easy read, technically for YA, the story of Viola, a Brooklyn native uprooted and placed in an Indiana Boarding School. Tempting to use the cliche' "coming of age", but that's a slight misnomer. It's more of coming into her own, which you can do at any age. I'm thrilled that this is a YA title I can recommend to younger readers as there is no language or sexual situations to give it an edge. Just a lyrical story of how even a New Yorker can make a new home outside the city.

22pbadeer
jan 28, 2010, 11:47 pm

KANSAS - Rifles for Watie by Harold Keith - 4 stars

I chose this title as a “2-for-1” deal toward two separate challenges – Newbery and 50 States. Rifles for Watie is the 1958 Newbery Award Winner and takes place in the “Western Territories” during the Civil War (primarily Kansas and Missouri, as well as what was then known as Cherokee Territory). Although I chose the book primarily to meet the challenge, I have to say I’m glad I did.

See the rest of the review here

23pbadeer
feb 3, 2010, 12:43 am

ILLINOIS - The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade - 5 stars

although you have to work for it, there is sufficient information in the book to show it took place in Illinois (Forsyth as a suburb of Decatur, a "quick trip to Peoria", etc.). I already had an Illinois title, but I would recommend this one as the quirky alternative.

See the review here

24countrylife
feb 3, 2010, 9:24 am

That does sound quirky. I've added it to my wishlist for my daughter. ('Bout time she read a paranormal beyond the ilk of twilight...)

25pbadeer
feb 10, 2010, 6:34 pm

ALABAMA - The Well and the Mine by Gin Phillips - 4 stars

I picked this up in a used bookstore thinking it would be a perfect read to cover Alabama for this challenge – then I realized I’d already read a book for Alabama. Oh well.

I almost didn’t buy it because the dust jacket description made it sound more like a mystery where a poor Alabama family finds a dead baby in their well. But the narrative carries much more than that. Poverty, Race Relations, Depression Era industry and family pride weave throughout the story providing a backdrop to the question not specifically of who left the baby, but how one lives a life through the highs and lows of experiencing it.

26Copperskye
feb 11, 2010, 12:25 am

I had gotten The Well and the Mine as a LTER book last summer and thought it was very good. I know what you mean about the mystery aspect. It was really secondary to what the book was actually about.

27RidgewayGirl
feb 11, 2010, 10:02 am

The Well and the Mine sounds fascinating. I'll have to keep an eye out for a copy. Thanks for the description.

28pbadeer
feb 19, 2010, 11:09 pm

OREGON or ILLINOIS

I only have a few more states to read to finish this challenge, yet I seem to be drawn to "repeat visits". This one takes place about equally in both Illinois and Oregon, although if I needed to count it, I think Oregon is more appropriate.

The Crying Tree by Naseem Rakha – 4 stars

Here is my mini-review:

For a book I really enjoyed, I’m finding it difficult to say anything about it without including spoilers. On its surface, The Crying Tree is about how a family deals with the death of a child, but it’s the feeling that something else lies just beneath the surface of that storyline which keeps the book moving and keeps it from becoming simply another maudlin literary work on loss. Not always easy to read, but definitely a book which will give you pause, The Crying Tree shows a great new voice for the written word.

29pbadeer
apr 8, 2010, 11:51 pm

LOUISIANA

I really need to pay more attention to my past reads - I picked up The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman specifically because I thought I needed a title to cover Louisiana. Already had one (Confederacy of Dunces), but this was a fun addition none the less.

Written in the 1970's, somehow this title passed under my radar, and I only learned of this title when researching titles on LT. The fictional story of a former slave sharing details of her long (over 100 years old) life and the progress of slavery to the civil rights movement. Given the age of the title, I was taken by the surprisingly "contemporary" feel of the narrative and how some beliefs and commentary built into the novel seemed more current in their "political correctness". Although entirely a work of fiction, the life experiences incorporated into her biography serve a powerful insight into the challenges faced by African Americans - and the passing of an additional 30+ years hasn't made those experiences any easier to read.

30pbadeer
maj 12, 2010, 12:45 am

IOWA

Finally a new addition - Danny Gospel by David Athey. Not necessarily a recommended read, but it will make you think - but in the end, my "thoughts" gave it only 2.5 stars.

See the full review here

31countrylife
maj 12, 2010, 9:07 am

That was a very helpful review. What a shame. The book sounded like it could have been interesting.

32pbadeer
maj 21, 2010, 10:42 pm

NEW YORK

Although I already had a New York read, this one would serve an interesting addition because it is NOT about New York City. It's about southwestern New York in the 19th century.

Stonecutter by Leander Watts.

Strong writing, but could have been better. 3.5 stars

See the full review here

33pbadeer
maj 28, 2010, 1:32 am

COLORADO

I already had a book for Colorado, but based on a review by tututhefirst, I picked up Plainsong by Kent Haruf. It does serve a very good read to establish a sense of "place" for rural Colorado, but the book didn't "speak" to me the way it seems to have affected others (based on the reviews), but still a worthwhile read.

34pbadeer
jun 11, 2010, 11:59 pm

VIRGINIA

Reading an extra Virginia title: Bull Run by Paul Fleischman. I listened to it on audio which was done very well - each chapter is a first person account of activities around Bull Run, and each chapter was narrated by a different narrator. Highly Recommended

35countrylife
jun 12, 2010, 11:56 am

That was a nice review, and seems like a great way to 'read' Bull Run. I am promised an mp3 player for Christ-mas, and have started a list of audio books that have received praise here on LT. Bull Run is definitely one to add!

36pbadeer
aug 2, 2010, 11:19 pm

New York

In the historian (or time travel) parlor game of “if you could choose any era, in which one would you wish to live?” my stock answer is the Gilded Age. With no income-tax, enough early versions of current technology to seem uber-retro and the ever important knowledge of germ theory, the Gilded Age would be my perfect destination (oh, did I mention I would need to be rich?).

For that reason, When the Astors Owned New York: Blue Bloods and Grand Hotels in a Gilded Age by Justin Kaplan spoke to me. It seemed to have it all – money, architecture, scandal and the Titanic – promising the perfect package. Unfortunately, the package was a little tarnished.

See the full review here

37pbadeer
aug 5, 2010, 11:54 pm

New York

Not that I needed another one for New York, but When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead was based in New York City in 1979. It won the Newbery Award this year and was a good, kid friendly (wholesome) and quick read. 4 stars

38pbadeer
aug 14, 2010, 12:15 am

Washington

Another Washington state read, Hangman's Curse is the first book in the Veritas Project series by Frank Peretti. It's a great adventure/mystery for a YA audience with the added twist of being written from a Christian perspective. Great book (and I'm not typically a christian fiction reader) and I would highly recommend it.

See the full review here

39pbadeer
aug 15, 2010, 12:39 am

California

In the Shadow of the Cypress by Thomas Steinbeck gives a very good sense of "place" in the California of the early 1900's with a modern day portion thrown in for contrast. Not my favorite book of the year, it would fit nicely in this challenge due to Steinbeck's (son of THE Steinbeck) ability for description.

See the full review here

40pbadeer
aug 21, 2010, 1:18 pm

PENNSYLVANIA or VIRGINIA

Although I didn't need another read for either state, I feel this book serves an interesting insight into both. Original Sins: A Novel of Slavery and Freedom by Peg Kingman takes place in the 1840's, 20 years before the Civil War. While the story outlined in Virginia proves somewhat standard fare for explaining their "peculiar institution", the plot development in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was somewhat enlightening. Although a free state, their laws did not always protect the free blacks, and in a subtle way, this book picks away at some of these issues. The book is about much more than "place" in either state, but for an interesting viewpoint - particualrly of PA - it's worth a read.

See the full review here

41pbadeer
aug 23, 2010, 10:40 pm

WISCONSIN

Sister North by Jim Kokoris - 3.5 stars

Since my previous entry for Wisconsin was a classic "pioneer" story, this serves as a good counterpoint to life in a small town which revolves around the activities of its resident TV personality - Sister North.

Potential for laugh out loud hysterics, the novel blends the humor (sometimes not to the best end) with the troubles of the people who come to the town seeking help from the nun.

See the full review here

42pbadeer
sep 25, 2010, 12:18 am

SOUTH CAROLINA

Just Jane: A Daughter of England by William Lavender - 3.5 stars

Think of any book you’ve read by Ann Rinaldi written about the American Revolution. Double the number of people who are wounded, die or go insane. You’ve got Just Jane.

Just Jane is a YA novel written about the life of British native, Lady Jane Prentice, newly arrived in the colony of South Carolina on the eve of the American Revolution. Torn between the loyalist side of the family and the “rebels” (who also happen to be within the family), Jane must decide which side is right and realizes the answer to that question isn’t always very clear.

See Full Review Here

43pbadeer
okt 30, 2010, 4:15 pm

ARIZONA

Weedflower by Cynthia Kadohata - 3.5 stars

the story of a Japanese American family relocated to an Arizona internment camp during WWII. The camp resides on a Native American Indiana reservation so adds the dual conflict with how the internees interact with the local Native Americans. The book gives an interesting insight into the times, but as a children's book, nothing goes very deep.

44pbadeer
nov 9, 2010, 9:25 pm

OHIO

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio by Terry Ryan - 4 stars

I'm not sure why it's taken me so long to cover a book for Ohio, but it's great to be able to add something NEW to this challenge.

This was an interesting memoir, written by one of the 10 kids raised by an alcoholic father and a mother who supplemented the family income by entering "jingle" and poetry contests. She was very successful in her entries, but the whole thing had the feel of a "The Secret" user's guide - have money troubles, mom will win a contest just in time.

Although taking place in Ohio, it could have taken place anywhere. With only a few references to the city of Defiance, the book serves as a better example of the era - the 50's/60's when these contests were run. The book explains why I'd never really heard of these types of contests - they were replaced in the 60's by contests of "chance" - the typical sweepstakes entry. But it was a big aspect of the culture of the time, and there were even magazines dedicated to the "contester". An interesting read.

45nans
nov 15, 2010, 5:22 pm

44 I really enjoyed this book too and echo that it's more a great example of the era than the place.

46pbadeer
nov 30, 2010, 2:32 pm

TENNESSEE

Grave Surprise by Charlaine Harris - 4 stars

the second book of the Harper Connelly series, this one takes place primarily in Memphis and gives a good "sense of place". I don't normally do "paranormal" lit, but this one has a unique enough angle (the protagonist was struck by lightning and since then has had the ability to find bodies and "hear" them to determine their causes of death). Not heavy hitting literature, but a bit more intellectual than the run of the mill bestseller

47pbadeer
Redigeret: dec 18, 2010, 11:57 pm

RHODE ISLAND or MASSACHUSETTS

I'm Perfect, You're Doomed: Tales from a Jehovah's Witness Upbringing by Kyria Abrahams – 4 stars

I have developed a fascination for memoirs of unknown individuals with quirky pasts. They must contain humor, and they need to stay away from tales of childhood abuse, or anything too serious. This book fit my needs perfectly.

Admittedly, for anyone with a true interest in the development of the Jehovah’s Witness religion, this book should not be their first resource. I did learn a lot, but always through tongue in cheek comments and exaggerated descriptions of childhood antics. Unlike her parents, Kyria Abrahams was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness from birth. Like a lot of kids, what she learned in childhood has stuck with her, so even as she “re-examines” her faith, the reasons behind her faith haunt her.

This book is probably not for everyone’s tastes. it is written with a very “odd” sense of humor. My personal favorite: Smurfs are the agents of Satan. But for those who are entertained by such thoughts, I would highly recommend this book.

48pbadeer
sep 1, 2011, 1:14 am

Finally, added a new state to my list...only a few left

MONTANA

The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig - 4.5 stars

This book was a pleasant surprise - even though I added it to my wishlist based on a review by cbl_tn, when I realized it was tagged a "western", it just kind of sat on my shelf. But, this month's TIOLI Western Challenge encouraged me to dust it off, and I'm glad I did.

Although tagged "western", the book could just have easily taken place in rural Iowa or Indiana. In fact, it takes place in Montana in 1909, with the widowed head of the household answering an ad (headlined "Can't Cook, Doesn't Bite) from a housekeeper seeking a position. Upon her arrival (not alone), what transpires is a wholesome, very readable and very enjoyable narrative of how the newcomers blend into the rural outpost and the residents of the town take to them.

The writing technique was very effective, playing out like a memoir written from the perspective of one of the children of the home, written at a time some years later, when the child has grown, has a job, and has a reason to be looking back at the events during this time.

I enjoyed the book immensely and became extremely engaged in the lives of the characters. The only thing keeping my rating from 5 stars was an event at the end of the book that I felt was a little contrived and more than a little hard to believe. I don't feel the "development" was necessary to resolve the story and could have been handled differently for a richer experience. But it's still a 4.5 star read. Highly recommended

49thornton37814
sep 1, 2011, 8:19 am

I think the ending is what lowered my rating to 4 stars as well.

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