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R.E.M. (2016) Reading Challenge
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REM Reading Challenge - The Rules and The List
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"Wolves, Lower" � read a book that centers on wolves or prominently features wild dogs
"Gardening at Night" � read a book that takes place primarily at night
"Carnival of Sorts (boxcars)" � read a book about a carnival, or that features a circus
"1,000,000" � read a ‘doorstopper� (a book that is more than 600 pages long)
"Stumble" � read a book that you just happened to 'stumble' upon
MURMUR (1983)
"Radio Free Europe" � read a book that takes place in Europe
"Pilgrimage" - read a book about a character who goes on a long journey
"Laughing" � read a book that will make you laugh
"Talk About the Passion" � read an erotica book
"Moral Kiosk" � read a book in which one of the characters is struggling with their morality
"Perfect Circle" � read a book about a tight knit group of friends or family
"Catapult" � read a book set in medieval times
"Sitting Still" � read a book in which nothing seems to happen
"9-9" � read a book with 9 in the title, or a book that has only 9 chapters
"Shaking Through" � read a scary book
"We Walk" � read a book about a protagonist, or group of characters, who’s main mode of transportation is walking
"West of the Fields" � read a book about someone who has gone away, or is gone from home too long
RECKONING (1984)
"Harborcoat" � read a book that is left open for interpretation, whose plot is ambiguous
"7 Chinese Brothers" � read a book about pain, loss, bereavement
"So. Central Rain" � read a book in which the character or characters are waiting for something
"Pretty Persuasion" � read a book that someone recommended to you
Time After Time (AnnElise)" � read a book that spans a large period of time
"Second Guessing � read a book that you’ve been hesitant to pick up
"Letter Never Sent" � read a book that is told primarily in letters or diary entries
"Camera" � read a book that centers on photography or on a particular photograph
"(Don’t Go Back to) Rockville" � read a book you promised yourself you would never revisit
"Little America" � read a book set in the western era
FABLES OF THE RECONSTRUCTION (1985)
"Feeling Gravity’s Pull" � read a space opera or a book that takes place in outer space
"Maps and Legends" � read a book that contains its own map/legend
"Driver 8" � read a book that prominently features a train as the main mode of transportation, or features a protagonist who has to travel a long distance
"Life and How to Live it" � read a self-help book
"Old Man Kensey" � read a book that features an old man as the protagonist
"Can’t Get There From Here" � read a book that seems to go nowhere
"Green Grow the Rushes" � read a book that is set in summertime
"Kohoutek" � read a book that revolves around astronomy, or prominently features stars, a sun, or a moon.
"Auctioneer (Another Engine)" � read a book about wanderlust
"Good Advices" � read a book written by an author you’d never heard of before
"Wendell Gee" � read a book about a dream or in which dreams are prominently featured
LIFE’S RICH PAGEANT (1986)
"Begin the Begin" � read a book you’ve already read
"These Days" � read a book that takes place in present day
"Fall on Me" � read a book about oppression
"Cuyahoga" � read a book that takes place on or near a river, in which a river is prominently featured
"Hyena" � read a book with an animal in the title
"Underneath the Bunker" � read a book about the end of the world
"The Flowers of Guatemala" -read a book that takes place in a foreign country
"I Believe" � read a book about fairy tales or a book that is a spin on a fairy tale
"What if We Give It Away" � read a book about giving up or giving something up
"Just a Touch" � read a book that uses multiple formats or gimmicks in which to tell its story
"Swan Swan H" � read a book with a word repeated in the title
"Superman" � read a book about a superhero
DEAD LETTER OFFICE (1987)
"Crazy" � read a book about a protagonist who goes crazy
"There She Goes Again" � read a book about a prostitute or that features prostitution
"Burning Down" � read a book that has the word burn or fire in the title
"Voice of Harold" � read a book that gives you goosebumps
"Burning Hell" � read a book that prominently features religion or a religious protagonist
"Toys in the Attic" � read a book that exudes nostalgia
"Windout" � read a book with multiple twists and turns
"Ages of You" � read a book with the word You in the title
"Pale Blue Eyes" � read a book that gives you all the feels
"Bandwagon" � read a book that everyone else is reading
"Femme Fatale" � read a book that features a woman who plays hard to get
"Walter’s Theme" � read a book with a man’s name in the title
"King of the Road" � read a book that takes place mostly on the road or prominently features a motel/hotel
DOCUMENT (1987)
"Finest Worksong" � read a book that revolves around music
"Welcome to the Occupation" � read a book about a blue collar protagonist
"Exhuming McCarthy" � read a book about politics or that features politics in some way
"Disturbance at the Heron House" � read a book about rioting or a world gone to chaos
"Strange" � read a “bizarro� or “experimental fiction� book
"It’s the End of the World as We Know It" � read a book that deals with some form of corruption
"The One I Love" � read a book that is an anti-love story
"Fireplace" � read a cozy mystery
"Lightnin� Hopkins" � read a book that prominently features freakish weather
"King of Birds" � read a book that features birds, or has the name of a bird in the title
"Oddfellows Local 151" � read a book about firemen or that features a firehouse/firemen
GREEN (1988)
"Pop Song 89" � read a book that is about another book
"Get Up" � read a book that sounds boring
"You are the Everything" � read a book in which the protagonist is pining for someone
"Stand" � read a book that deals with direction (either literally or figuratively)
"World Leader Pretend" � read a book that revolves around war
"The Wrong Child" � read a non-YA book in which the protagonist is a child
"Orange Crush" � read a book about a protagonist who is called away or forced to leave
"Turn You Inside Out" � read a book that hinges itself on dishonesty
"Hairshirt" � read a book with a weird title
"I Remember California" � read a book that takes place in California
"Untitled" � read a book that deals with protection in some way
Mod
“Radio Song� � read a book that has to do with music, or prominently features a radio station
“Losing My Religion� � read a book that is considered an author’s “biggest� hit
“Low� � read a book about the morning after, or regrets
“Near Wild Heaven� � read a book that deals with the end of a relationship
“Shiny Happy People� � read a book about a utopia, or the search for utopia
“Belong� � read a book that revolves around a child, but does not feature a child as the protagonist
“Half a World Away� � read a book about a band
“Texarkana� � read a book in which the main character is searching for something
“Country Feedback� � read a book about heartbreak, about unrequited love
“Me in Honey� � read a book with the word Sweet or Sweetness in the title
AUTOMATIC FOR THE PEOPLE (1992)
“Drive� � read a book that revolves around youth
“Try Not to Breathe� � read a book about giving up
“The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight� � read a book about a humorous love
“Everybody Hurts� � read a book about depression
“Sweetness Follows� � read a book about death, or that prominently features a funeral
“Monty Got a Raw Deal� � read a book in which one of the characters gets “a raw deal�.
“Ignoreland� � read a book that similarly features the word ‘land� in its title
“Star Me Kitten� � read a book that features the F-word, either in title or in text, or uses asterisks in the title
“Man on the Moon� � read a book that is a tribute to someone or something else
“Nightswimming� � read a book on a dare (have someone dare you to read something)
“Find the River� � read a book with River in the title
MONSTER (1994)
“What’s the Frequency, Kenneth� � read a book that encapsulates Generation-X
“Crush with Eyeliner� � read a book about discovering identity
“King of Comedy� � read a book that makes you laugh
“I Don’t Sleep, I Dream� � read a fantasy book, as a distraction from real life
“Star 69� � read a book by an author you are crazy obsessed with
“Strange Currencies� � read a book that features a strange obsession, or OCD
“Tongue� � read a book with a body part in the title
“Bang and Blame� � read a book about a one night stand
“I Took Your Name� � read a book in which something is taken away
“Let Me In� � read a book that messes with your emotions
“Circus Envy� � read a book that revolves around jealousy
“You� � read a book written in second person
NEW ADVENTURES IN HI-FI (1996)
“How the West Was Won and Where It Got Us� � read a book set in the wild west
“The Wake-Up Bomb� � read a book about drugs, or drug addiction
“New Test Leper� � read a book about a character who is struggling with a disease
“Undertow� � read a book that takes place primarily on or under the water/ocean
“E Bow the Letter� � read a book that revolves around two best friends
“Leave� � read a book with the word leave or leaving in the title
“Departure� � read a book that is unlike the rest of a particular author’s bibliography
“Bittersweet Me� � read a book that features a bitter protagonist
“Be Mine� � read a collection of love poems
“Binky the Doormat� � read a book that is known for being strange or bizarre
“So Fast, So Numb� � read a book with a comma in the title
“Low Desert� � read a road-trip book
“Electrolite" � read a book that was written in the 20th century
UP (1998)
“Airportman� � read a book that takes place primarily in an airport or features a character who spends time in or around one
“Lotus� � read a book that is highly symbolic or allegorical
“Suspicion� � read a book you have been putting off
“Hope� � read a book with just one word in the title
“At My Most Beautiful� � read a book about goofy, silly love
“The Apologist� � read a book with ‘ist� in the title
“Sad Professor� � read a book that features a teacher as the protagonist
“You’re in the Air� � read a book with the words Your or You’re in the title
“Walk Unafraid� � read a book that others have found incredibly scary
“Why Not Smile� � read a book about a protagonist who is habitually unhappy
“Day Sleeper� � read a book that features a protagonist who works the grave yard shift
“Diminished� � read a collection of flash fiction or short stories
“Parakeet� � read a book that’s told from an animal’s POV
“Falls to Climb� � read a book that features a character who is viewed as a martyr
Mod
“The Lifting� � read a prequel
“I’ve Been High� � read a book that is told in past tense
“All the Way to Reno� � read a book that features a protagonist who is trying to get their big break
“She Just Wants to Be� � read a book written by a female author
“Disappear� � read a book that involves magic or a magician
“Saturn Return� � read a book about a character who does what they want, who goes against the norm
“Beat a Drum� � read a book with an instrument in its title
“Imitation of Life� � read a book that revolves around art, or a specific piece of art
“Summer Turns to High� � read a book with Summer in the title
“Chorus and the Ring� � read a book about forgetting or denying
“I’ll Take the Rain� � read a book that takes place during a storm, or features a lot of rain
“Beachball� � read a book that is typically referred to as a ‘beach read�
AROUND THE SUN (2004)
“Leaving New York� � read a book that takes place in New York
“Electron Blue “� read a book with a color in the title
“The Outsiders� � read a book that takes place primarily outside
“Make it All Ok� � read a book that makes you feel good
“Final Straw� � read the last book in a series
“I Wanted to Be Wrong� � read a book that you wish you could have changed the ending to
“Wanderlust� � read a book about a character who is running away from something
“The Boy in the Well� � read a non-YA book that features a young boy as the protagonist
“Aftermath� � read a book about the survivors of an apocalypse
“High Speed Train� � read a book that has a mode of transportation in the title
“The Worst Joke Ever “� read a book that others found funny but you did not
“The Ascent of Man� � read a book about books
“Around the Sun� � read a book that features space travel
ACCELERATE (2008)
“Living Well is the Best Revenge� � read a book that has a great revenge scene
“Man Sized Wreath� � read a Christmas themed novel
“Supernatural Superserious� � read a book that takes place in a summer or day camp
“Hollow Man� � read a book that has failed to meet the hype that surrounded it
“Houston� � read a book that is set in a big city
“Accelerate� � read a book that is less than 125 pages long
“Until the Day is Done� � read a book in one sitting
“Mr Richards� � read a book that prominently features a president
“Sing for the Submarine� � read a classic dystopian/apocalyptic novel
“Horse to Water� � read a book that involves a fight of some sort
Do I just copy and paste into this comment box....or how do I make a thread....not savvy with this yet. Oh, and I need to know date and time of meeting the author of the book that was mailed
Mod
No, you don't copy and paste into this thread. You will need to create your own thread within this folder.
Here's how you do that:
From the group's home page, directly across from the folder titled " REM 2016 Reading Challenge", you will see the words 'Showing 5 of 5 topics'. Click on those words, and it will bring you into the folder. In the upper right hand corner of that folder now, you should see an option "new topic". Click on that, and begin to copy and paste your challenge there. Be sure to put your name in the Topic box so we know who's challenge it is!
Thanks
Mod
Omg, Lori, this looks great! I love the breadth of topics (rather than just being a list of genres). It must have taken you ages; thanks for putting it together.
Anhhhh! I can't help it. I want to read! Can I start tonight on a book specifically chosen for this challenge? I just need something to pass the next hour or so and I don't want to read anything else right now until I get a good jump on this. I promise I won't read very much tonight, less than a quarter of the book, if I can just read. lol
Mod
Suzanne. .. go for it. as long as you finish it in 2016 I say it counts ;)
Mod
LOVED the Beatles Challenge! I think the topics will be harder to meet this time than in the Beatles one, but I am on it!
I've never really listened to REM, but the challenge tasks sound interesting that I'm gonna give this a go. I actually have a few books that I'm already reading that fit into a few of the challenges.
Mod
That's quite a challenge. I have been a fan of R.E.M. since 1985 and have attended over 40 of their shows. Talk About the Passion.
I believe some of their song lyrics were influenced by literary works, such as "Laughing" on Murmur.
I don't know if I want to revisit those days when I was so obsessed with the band, but the challenge sounds interesting. I didn't know about The Beatles challenge last year, but that sounded cool, too.
I believe some of their song lyrics were influenced by literary works, such as "Laughing" on Murmur.
I don't know if I want to revisit those days when I was so obsessed with the band, but the challenge sounds interesting. I didn't know about The Beatles challenge last year, but that sounded cool, too.
Lori wrote: "REVEAL (2001)“The Lifting� � read a prequel
“I’ve Been High� � read a book that is told in past tense
“All the Way to Reno� � read a book that features a protagonist who is trying to get their big..."
It looks great and the idea is really ... well a smile on the face says everything!
Not to be a PITA, but I want to be sure I'm getting this right. This one should say "comma", right? :) “So Fast, So Numb� � read a book with a coma in the title
I'm having so much fun with this challenge.
Mod
Anyone doing "New Adventures in Hi-Fi" (my favorite R.E.M. album!) who needs a selection for "'So Fast, So Numb' - read a book with a comma in the title," I want to suggest shamelessly an awesome book my press published last year, Moon Up, Past Full: Novellas & Stories. It's got a story in it for everyone's tastes, and a comma in the title!
Mod
Hey guys, don't forget we have a thread specifically for recommending or asking for recommendations on books that could help you cross off some of those tasks : )
It got a bit buried!
/topic/show/...
Yay! I'll head over there! Sorry I didn't see it. So many threads abounding!
Well I'm late to the party, but still have half a year left and can mark off from the beginning of the year if anything fits.
Mod
I just wanted to say thanks for putting this together. I didn't create a thread but I played along on my own and really enjoyed some of the new books I found for the challenge. I hope you do another on in 2017!
Mod
Looking forward to seeing what next year brings. I made it through all but 22 of books in 2016. Some were really hard to do!
Mod
OMG! This is my all-time favorite band (plus I graduated from UGA). Since it is so late in the year, can I use books I have already read in 2016?
Mod
And manage it however you like : )
In 2015, we borrowed The Beatles Reading Challenge from a group I was a part of, which had turned their songs into reading tasks.
And for 2016, I wanted to keep with the music theme, so I threw out a couple of classic alt rock bands (REM, Depeche Mode, The Cure, The Smiths) and you guys came back with the most interest in having us turn REM's songs into reading tasks....
I have been a hard-core REM fan ever since the late 80's and it was CRAZY FUN turning each of their songs into reading tasks. It was a great opportunity for me to revisit each one, re-familiarizing myself with the lyrics and trying to come up with tasks that matched the themes and symbolism behind each song.
But remember, you don't have to be a fan of REM to participate. You just have to be a fan of READING!!
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So here's how this works:
*The goal is to cross off as many of REM songs as you can throughout the course of 2016.
You can challenge yourself to complete one entire album, focus on completing one decade of albums, or build your own challenge by hitthing your favorite song titles... it's totally up to you!
*You cross off the songs by reading a book that meets the criteria listed after each song title.
If the book meets multiple reading tasks, cool! You can apply it to multiple song titles, OR you can make the reading challenge more challenging by limiting yourself to one title per book.
*There is a built in redundancy with some of the tasks.
They are repetitive on purpose, to give you an opportunity to read more than one type of book and still get credit for completing a task. (Sneaky, I know!)
*You can copy and paste the entire list, or your customized challenge list, into your own thread here in this folder and strike through the song titles as you complete them, OR, you can simply copy and paste each song title and its criteria from the master list here as you complete it. (obviously put your name in the thread title so we know whose challenge it is)
*Do not add your list directly to this thread.
*YOU MUST LIST THE BOOK TITLE AND AUTHOR that coincides with the song as you complete it for the challenge so we know what you read!
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An example of a completed song title task in your Challenge thread would look like this:
"1,000,000" � read a ‘doorstopper� (a book that is more than 600 pages long)- The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Aaaaannnnnnnddddddd here's the list:
(it's a long one so it'll show up as multiple posts)