The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

20.6 - Seasoned Reader: Val TX's Task: Eurovision Calling!

While also reading ferociously, during the Spring 2016 challenge, I will be gearing up for and watching the Eurovision Song Contest 2016. It takes place in Stockholm, Sweden on May 10th, 12th and 14th.
To celebrate the 61st edition of the world’s longest-running song competition, read ONE book from the option of your choice:
Indicate the option when you post.

Option 1: 43 countries will be participating this year, including Australia whose invitation to compete last year was met with some controversy, purely because it’s not a European country. A Eurovision tradition is that the winning country gets to host the next year. However, if Australia were ever to win, their broadcaster will have to choose a European country/city to “co-host” with them.

To make it up to the Aussies, read a book set at least 50% in Australia and/or by an author who was born in Australia. If using the author option, and your book has multiple authors, ALL authors must have been born in Australia.
REQUIRED: If your author’s GR page doesn’t include their country of birth, please include an external link with the information when you post.

Option 2: Stockholm will be the host city this year, following Sweden’s victory in 2015 with the song “Heroes” by Måns Zelmerlöw. Read a book with a title/subtitle that contains a word of at least 4 letters that can also be found in the Words must match exactly.
REQUIRED: State the word.

Option 3: The slogan for this year’s contest is “Come Together”, a simple message that Swedish broadcaster SVT hopes will bring and unite people together. Read a book found in the Best Friendship Books list. Be careful, because some of the books on the list might not fit AR Bookfinder requirements.
REQUIRED: Please post the page and number your book can be found on when you post.

Option 4: Each country that broadcasts Eurovision usually has a commentator guiding the viewers along at home. Perhaps the commentator best known throughout the world is chat show host Graham Norton, who commentates for the BBC in the UK. To acknowledge his 8th year involved with the contest, read a book by an author who shares a first, middle or last name with either Graham Norton himself or a guest from the past series of his show. You may use a member from a band that has appeared.
REQUIRED: State the name you chose. If you are using a band member include a reference link to the band.


Optional: Watch Eurovision this year. You’ll laugh, cry, and have a great time. For non-Europeans/Australians, you may learn more about the contest and watch it .

For Option 3 - Individual books that are a part of a boxed set/collection on the list WILL NOT be allowed, per SRC rules. Just to clear up any future confusion.


For Option 4 - Names must match exactly and be in the same position. First/first, middle/middle, last/last.

Ex: by Kate Atkinson. GUEST: Kate Winslet.
by D.H. Lawrence. GUEST: Jennifer Lawrence.
by Caroline Leavitt. GUEST: Caroline Corr (member of "The Corrs").

For Option 3 - Individual books that are a part of a boxed set/collection on the list WILL NOT be allowed. Just to clear up any future confusion.

This help thread is open!

Verifying The Lovely Bones for Option 3, Page 4. :)

Maya wrote: "Verifying The Lovely Bones for Option 3, Page 4. :)"

Looks good, happy reading!

love this! but have to say that the classic commentator has to be Sir Tel (RIP). Graham has taken up the baton superlatively; Terry Wogan laid the path that he's now following.

roll on the ridiculous outfits, surreal VTs and political scoring!

Catherine wrote: "love this! but have to say that the classic commentator has to be Sir Tel (RIP). Graham has taken up the baton superlatively; Terry Wogan laid the path that he's now following.

roll on the ridicul..."

I guess since I've grown up hearing Graham commentate, I wanted to honor him. But for the past few months, I've been seeing old Eurovisions with Sir Terry commentating and he was absolutely terrific! I hope Graham will do some sort of tribute to him in May.

Hi Val, great task!

Just to check, with the Graham Norton option, do the names have to match exactly in terms of being first/middle/last names? e.g. Anne Hathaway's middle name is Jacqueline, could I read something by Jacqueline Wilson? Bad example - I know she writes children's books so they don't count anyway, but hopefully you see what I'm getting at!

Thanks :)

Hi Martha, thanks for the compliment and sorry for the late response.

I'm sorry, but yes, the names have to match exactly, so Anne Hathaway's first name has to be Jacqueline for it to work, if that makes sense...... your example would not work I'm afraid

Hopefully it does and hopefully you find something :-)

That's no problem at all just wanted to check! Thanks :)

For Option 3, I would like to read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. On the list, the individual book is not listed, but #13 on the list is the Harry Potter Boxed Set #1-7. Would that count?

Cindy wrote: "For Option 3, I would like to read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. On the list, the individual book is not listed, but #13 on the list is the Harry Potter Boxed Set #1-7. Would ..."

Sorry for the late response. Yes, Cindy, that will be fine. Happy reading!

Valerie wrote: "Cindy wrote: "For Option 3, I would like to read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. On the list, the individual book is not listed, but #13 on the list is the Harry Potter Boxed Se..."

Thanks! :)

An apology: My previous answer allowing for individual books in a collection/set to be used from a list did NOT follow the SRC FAQ. Going forward, you can't substitute an individual book from a collection/set. Again, I apologize for any confusion.

For Option 4---

Am I doing this right?
Using David Attenborough #16 in Season 18

I'm reading a book by David Baldacci.

Kathy G. wrote: "For Option 4---

Am I doing this right?
Using David Attenborough #16 in Season 18

I'm reading a book by David Baldacci."

Perfect Kathy! Happy reading :-)

Thank you!