It’s time for a new contest! This one has nothing to do with K-12 education. Just an idea that caught my fancy that I hope will catch yours too. As usual, the winner gets everlasting fame and a CASTLE mug…
140–character book reviews!
Using the Twitter limitation of 140 characters, write a book review. Can you sum up the essence of a good read in 140 characters? Of course you can!
Here are some pathetic examples. I know you can do better than these!
The World Is Flat. The world is flat.
To Kill a Mockingbird. Girl meets recluse. Lawyer dad fails to defend innocent Black man. Recluse saves girl from real villain. Girl learns important life lessons.
Guidelines
- An entry consists of the book title and the 140–character review. The title of the book and any accompanying explanatory text does not count against your total, but the 140 characters should be able to stand alone as a summation of (or commentary on) the book. This limit will be strictly enforced.
- Any book you want – fiction, nonfiction, textbook, graphic novel, whatever. No limits other than it has to be a book (although you might want to review a book that others have heard of). Could you do this for movies, music, blogs, restaurants, etc.? Absolutely. But not for this contest.
- Submit your entry as a comment to this blog post, please. Otherwise, as I’m discovering with the Leadership Day 2008 entries, I might not find it.
- Multiple entries are welcome.
- Extra points for creativity, humor, cleverness, etc.
- Feel free to use the image above to spread the word about the contest (click on it for a larger version).
- You’ve got 10 days. Entry deadline is July 26, 2008.
Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Update: Given the number of entries it looks like we’re going to have, I’ll pick my top 5 to 7 favorites at the end and we’ll have a group vote to determine the winner. So come back July 27 to start voting!
Update: See the winning entry!
William Zinsser, ON WRITING WELL
Make every word do a job.
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
You get what you wish for. I can’t believe people fall for this shit. Okay, I can, I just wish they wouldn’t.
SubText:
My new book will be entitled “The Secret 2.0: How Emerging Technology Will Change the Face of Schooling Forever (and none of us will have to work hard to make it happen)”. See you guys on the New York Times Best Sellers List.
The Bible
Seldom read, often quoted reference text containing fanciful tales of murder, cruelty, violence, adultery, sodomy and vengence. R-rated.
The Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Overly wordy, no plot, no character development. Best used as a prop to keep a door open.
War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells
Hostile extra-terrestrials invade Earth but perish due to polluted air…much the way humans do today.
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf by Edward Albee
A vindictive college professor’s wife brutally reviles her husband’s failed career. Basically shows that tenure isn’t what it used to be.
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
A shocking expose of early Chicago’s meatpacking industry causing many to gag on their Whopper.
A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
What more is there to say?
A walk in the woods by Bill Bryson
Story of two out of shape men and their trip on the AT. Increased trail traffic for a year.
The Brothers K, by David James Duncan
Dostoevsky set on the baseball diamond. Four brothers take on religion, war, romance and sports. Laugh, cry, touch ’em all.
Promiscuities, by Naomi Wolf:
Women want to have sex, goddammit. Why can’t they be respected for that?
Charlotte’s Web
Early morning rescue. Main character’s life dangles by a string. Words appear mysteriously. Animals speak. Friendship and faithfulness triumph.
A Season on the Brink by John Feinstein
IU basketball coach Bob Knight strips all dignity and self-esteem from his players to bring fame and glory to the university. Excellent DIY handbook for psychos.