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Read a book written by any author born during Muriel Spark's lifetime (1918-2006).

Feel free to post questions/comments about this task in this thread.

Here is a google doc of authors our members have read and that fit this task. You are not restricted to this list.

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Here is a google doc of authors our members have read and that fit this task. You are not restricted to this list.

..."

Would one of the mods please expand column B to show the full name? When I open it, I am in READ ONLY and am not able to do so.

Bea wrote: "Would one of the mods please expand column B to show the full name? When I open it, I am in READ ONLY and am not able to do so. "

Now? (it does take awhile to load, I think.)

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Bea wrote: "Would one of the mods please expand column B to show the full name? When I open it, I am in READ ONLY and am not able to do so. "

Now? (it does take awhile to load, I think.)"

No. It loads just fine but what I see is that the column width is too narrow and only shows me the first name and about 3 letters of the last name. Sometimes I can guess, but usually not.

Bea wrote: "No. It loads just fine but what I see is that the column width is too narrow and only shows me the first name and about 3 letters of the last name. Sometimes I can guess, but usually not. "

I have expanded it. I'll try uploading again.

By the way, you are welcome to send a copy to your own computer and manipulate how you wish.

Do we need a specific birth year for this, or would it be enough to show that the author is alive and has children at home (so is extremely unlikely to be either over 99 or under 11?)

Rosemary wrote: "Do we need a specific birth year for this, or would it be enough to show that the author is alive and has children at home (so is extremely unlikely to be either over 99 or under 11?)"

I'd like the birth year, but if you can demonstrate that the author cannot have been born before 1918, we'll take it. But please provide a good link to demonstrate it. We will assume you are not reading books written by pre-teens.

Also, because there will not be a date to be seen by us in the database during our scorekeeping sessions, please post here so that we can pre-load them.

I thought I remembered Ed's question on this subject in this thread, but here is my answer, just so you know.

/topic/show/...

OK thanks, that sounds good!

The best I can find for Garrett Leigh is this blog post where she says "Like most of my recipes, this one was born of late night foraging after work." So she has a job ... so I'm sure she's not 99.


Also here is a photo, she doesn't like face pics, but you can see it's her by the name badge, and the hands are not that wrinkled:


? :)

Rosemary wrote: "The best I can find for Garrett Leigh is this blog post where she says "Like most of my recipes, this one was born of late night foraging after work." So she has a job ... so I'm s..."

Added!

Am I correct to presume that Muriel Spark herself qualifies for this task as well as 20.2 through 20.6?

Ed wrote: "Am I correct to presume that Muriel Spark herself qualifies for this task as well as 20.2 through 20.6?"

Yes, except 20.5. She does have one title on the first list, I'm not sure if there are others on the second list.

I haven't found a birth date for David James Poissant, but he doesn't seem to be over 99 or under 11 ;)

Marina wrote: "I haven't found a birth date for David James Poissant, but he doesn't seem to be over 99 or under 11 ;) "

Yes, we'll take him!

James Patterson born in 1947

Jkmays wrote: "James Patterson born in 1947

"

yes

Kelly McGonigal born 1977:

Jane Bailey, author of Tommy Glover's Sketch of Heaven (the book is mentioned in the article), looks under 90 in this photo:

Rosemary wrote: "Kelly McGonigal born 1977:

Jane Bailey, author of Tommy Glover's Sketch of Heaven (the book is mentioned in the article), looks under 9..."

Yes - when a birth date is readily available, like Wikipedia, you don't need to post (not that I mind, just to make things easier for you.)

There are several Jane Bailey's who are writers, but they all appear to be born after 1918, and we'll take her. I'll put her on the list of those we're approving without birth dates.

I'm reading an anthology of Christmas stories, essays, and poems, A Family Christmas, that has been edited by Caroline Kennedy. Can I use her birth date for this task since she is the only author listed on ÀÏ»¢»úÎÈÓ®·½·¨?

Connie wrote: "I'm reading an anthology of Christmas stories, essays, and poems, A Family Christmas, that has been edited by Caroline Kennedy. Can I use her birth date for this task ..."

Yes.

Would Lisa Wingate work? She isn't on wikipedia, it doesn't say when she was born on goodreads and it doesn't list her birth date on her website.

Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "Would Lisa Wingate work? She isn't on wikipedia, it doesn't say when she was born on goodreads and it doesn't list her birth date on her website."

Yes, we'll put her on the list of OKs without dates.

cool, thank you

Julia Scheeres; her birth year isn't mentioned on wikipedia but when you put into Google's search, there's a box that noted 1967.

I've just finished reading Jesus Land: A Memoir and drawing from some references in the book, 1967 seems to be her birth year. She's still living and from her photos definitely does not look anywhere near 99 ;)

Is this enough to qualify her for this task?

Tien wrote: "Julia Scheeres; her birth year isn't mentioned on wikipedia but when you put into Google's search, there's a box that noted 1967.

I've just finished reading [book:Jesus Land: A Memo..."

Yes. We frequently rely on that google search date,

This is easy; a book I am starting (since I only read about 6 or 8 pages and then had to return it to the library so am starting again) for a reading challenge has the birthdate right on the author's main page here.

Zadie Smith.

I have a couple of "proof" links to add:
Jo Nesbø


Virginia Lowell
There is still no birthdate, but there is a picture and she is living, so is this enough?

Yes. Don't forget that in the Quick Links post on the home page is a list of authors we have read, including their vital statistics.

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Yes. Don't forget that in the Quick Links post on the home page is a list of authors we have read, including their vital statistics."

Oh, that's right - I forgot to check that first!

I can’t find a birth year for Matthew Desmond. His first book was published in 2007, which would indicate he was born before 2006 and based on general information, I would say he is less 99 years old.

itpdx wrote: "I can’t find a birth year for Matthew Desmond. His first book was published in 2007, which would indicate he was born before 2006 and based on general information, I would say he is..."

Yes, as he's currently employed, we'll take him for this task.

I can't find her birth year but she should fit: Rufi Thorpe

Tien wrote: "I can't find her birth year but she should fit: Rufi Thorpe

"

Yes. Anyone earning an MFA in 2009 surely was born 1918-2006

Thank you :)

Beatriz Williams declines to have her birthdate anywhere on the web that I can find -- however -- from her appearance, and from the fact that she is publishing new works (as of 2017) I think she was born 1918-2006 - can she be approved for this task? Thanks!

Deedee wrote: "Beatriz Williams declines to have her birthdate anywhere on the web that I can find -- however -- from her appearance, and from the fact that she is publishing new works (as of 201..."

Yes, she was born in 1972. (She also writes under the pseudonym Juliana Gray.)

These two have jobs so presumably will work for this task?

Tiffany Murray - photo & more details:

Angee Taylor

Rosemary wrote: "These two have jobs so presumably will work for this task?

Tiffany Murray - photo & more details:

Angee Taylor"

Yes to both of them.

Dorothea Benton Frank-born in 1951

Connie wrote: "Dorothea Benton Frank-born in 1951

"

Yes, she's on our author list.

Elizabeth, when I click on the author list above in message 2, I get your spreadsheet for 20.6. I remember the correct list was there before you uploaded it again for Bea.

Sorry, Connie, I didn't realize I'd inadvertently changed it to an incorrect link. See if that is better.

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Sorry, Connie, I didn't realize I'd inadvertently changed it to an incorrect link. See if that is better."

Great! Thanks, Elizabeth.

Authors I am reading who should qualify, but don't have exact dates of birth:

Giles Whittell
Julia Baird
Andrew Scott Cooper

Kate S wrote: "Authors I am reading who should qualify, but don't have exact dates of birth:

Giles Whittell
Julia Baird
Andrew Scott Cooper"

Thanks, Kate. They're now on the list!

Can I get approval for Hernan Diaz? I can't find online a straightforward mention of his birth year to link to, but the copyright page for In the Distance has his birth year as 1973, and contains this line: "I moved to Stockholm when I was two. When the 1976 coup took place in Argentina, my father was very involved politically, so we had to flee."

Jasmine Guillory

I don't have a birth date but she graduated law school in 2002 and was on the reunion committee. Also a link to her reference page at the California State Bar.