Suz's Haiku Challenge - Revived!

As Round Two of the Better Than Oprah Book Club gets underway, I thought I would reissue Suz's Haiku Challenge. As a refresher (and to catch up those who are just joining us) here it is:

Inspired by a book I came across while working at B&N and prompted by my own fondness for haiku, I would like to present to our little book club SUZ'S HAIKU CHALLENGE.

To refresh your memory, haiku is a Japanese form of poetry that consists of 3 lines and 17 syllables, 5-7-5. What is the challenge? Upon finishing each of your book club selections, take a few minutes (in the shower, driving to work, letting your pedicure dry, etc.) and condense that great tome down into 17 syllables. The haiku can be humorous or profound--however you feel moved. This might seem a little difficult or even a little ridiculous at first, but just think how much fun it will be to compare our haikus on each book. I've found it's also a handy way of helping yourself recall what each book was about, enabling you to sound really intelligent in social settings.

So, if you're up to the challenge (come on, it'll be fun!) please compose a haiku as you finish each selection and post it as a comment in that book's discussion forum.

Need a little inspiration? Here are some of favorites from Round One:

Life of Pi
Both boy and tiger
In the same predicament.
How will they survive?

Shadow of the Wind
Man with cigarette
Julian and sis, oh yuck
Daniel and Bea, whee!

Time Traveler's Wife
Naked man appears
in your backyard. Could this be
your future husband?

Discussion Forums Up & Running!

Okay ladies, each of the books now has its own post, which will allow members to leave comments for each book, thus getting the discussion going--though it will be slow at first, since we're all reading them one at a time. (You'll find links to each book's post over there on the right.)

Remember that each of these comes with a spoiler alert, so don't go into a book's post and accompanying comments until you're actually reading that book (unless you're okay with reading stuff that might spoil the ending for you).

Any questions? Leave a comment.

The Hero and the Crown

Written by: Robin McKinley
Contributed by: Renee

Leave a comment to discuss this book.

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

Written by: Jonathan Foer
Contributed by: Bekah

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Cause Celeb

Written by: Helen Fielding
Contributed by: Laura

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The Kite Runner

Written by: Khaled Hosseini
Contributed by: Allison

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Ella Minnow Pea

Written by: Mark Dunn
Contributed by: Suz

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The Great Gatsby

Written by: F. Scott Fitzgerald
Contributed by: Lisa

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A Long Way Gone

Written by: Ishmael Beah
Contributed by: Sonja

Animal Dreams

Written by: Barbara Kingsolver
Contributed by: Bridget

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The Scarlet Pimpernel

Written by: Baroness Orczy
Contributed by: Janelle

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Bel Canto

Written by: Ann Patchett
Contributed by: Heather

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Gonzalez & Daughter Trucking Co.

Written by: María Ampara Escandón
Contributed by: Hannah

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Girl Named Zippy

Written by: Haven Kimmel
Contributed by: Becca

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Soul Cravings

Written by: Erwin Raphael McManus
Contributed by: Lynn

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