January 2021 New Books on Project Gutenberg

Suggest and discuss books to read (all languages welcome!)
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ColleenMc
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Post by ColleenMc »

Just some of the recently listed books that caught my eye and I thought might be interesting for anyone looking for a new project.
Reminder: these are just idiosyncratic lists of books that appealed to me -- there have been lots more books released in recent weeks and I encourage everyone to look under "Latest" on Project Gutenberg to see what might grab you that didn't grab me.

There was also lots of new science fiction posted to PG in January -- look for a separate post with those.


The Pedestrian's Guide Through North Wales - G.J. Bennett
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64203

Despite the title, on a quick skim this reads much more like a travelogue/travel narrative than a guidebook. You will need to be comfortable with Welsh pronunciation or be willing to learn!


Hans Holbein the Younger, v.1 - Arthur B. Chamberlain
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64208

Very in-depth biography of the Renaissance painter, only volume 1 on PG so far. However, a briefer biography was published by the same author (1 volume, less than 50 pages of text) a decade earlier -- the shorter volume is actually short enough to be read for short nonfiction collection or as a short solo. Short version is located: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/58400


Types of Prose Narratives - Harriott Ely Fansler
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64210

This is intended as an instructional guide for aspiring writers, laying out the various types of books and genres of the time (1911) with discussions of the history of the type and examples. There's enough information to be of interest to someone looking at the history of literature, particularly US literature, as well as older "how to write" books. Also discussion of each "type" includes example stories, so could be a source for anyone looking for material for short works collections, including mythology, childrens, short stories, ghost/horror and nonfiction!


How Paper Boxes are Made - Robert Francis Salade
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64212

I clicked on this expecting it to be a pamphlet sized books but no, it's a quite lengthy book on the production of all kinds of paper boxes in all the detail you could want. Insomnia collection material?


Tad Coon's Tricks - John Breck FINISHED AND IN CATALOG! Link: https://librivox.org/tad-coons-tricks-by-john-breck/
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64216

The Wavy Tailed Warrior
- John Breck IN PROGRESS! Link: viewtopic.php?f=28&t=86628&p=1880483
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64298

Tad Coon's Great Adventure - John Breck IN PROGRESS! Link: viewtopic.php?f=28&t=87097&p=1893015
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64397

More John Breck animal stories! If you like Thornton Wilder, Breck seems very similar. Three Breck books were posted last month (see Book Suggestions post of New Books on Project Gutenberg, December 2020).


A Journey Made in the Summer of 1794, through Holland and the Western Frontier, vol. 2 - Ann Radcliffe
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64218

Ann Radcliffe is best known as an early novelist, author of The Mysteries of Udolpho, but she also wrote travelogues. This is the second volume of her 1794 trip, the first volume is already on PG and also unrecorded as yet: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/62795


The Story of Mrs. Tubbs - Hugh Lofting
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64225

A very short book by the creator of Dr. Dolittle (appears to be unconnected to those stories) - very quick solo piece or short enough to work in a Children's Short Works collection.


American Problems
- Theodore Roosevelt
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64224

A selection of short and short-ish pieces by the former President, covering topics ranging from rural life to tariffs. Very manageable as a group or solo project, or the individual essays can stand alone for short non-fiction collections.


Jewel Sowers - Edith Allonby
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64223

An early sci-fi work, satirizing then-contemporary society, set on the imaginary planet of Lucifram.


Other Worlds - Lena Jane Fry
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64241

A socialist utopian novel set on the planet Herschel. Includes a short story about people on Venus looking at Earth through a telescope and lamenting our primitive conditions. Venus story could stand alone in a short works collection.


The Tale of the Argonauts - Apollonius of Rhodes, trans. by Arthur S. Way
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64235

A poetry translation of "The Argonautica". There is a prose version already recorded, but this poetry version has a very different feel.


Holmes' Own Story - Herman W. Mudgett IN PROGRESS! Link: viewtopic.php?f=28&t=85861
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64249

Infamous turn-of-the-20th-century serial killer (see "The Devil in White City", H.H. Holmes etc.) wrote a memoir from prison attempting to clear his name (it didn't work).


The Naturalist in Vancouver and British Columbia, v.1 - John K. Lord
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64250

Combination of travelogue and natural science descriptions of fish and wildlife on west coast of Canada. Contrary to the title, chapter titles suggest Lord also traveled in the American Pacific Northwest and as far south as northern California.


Practicable Socialism: Essays on Social Reform - Rev. and Mrs. Samuel Barnett
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64263

Collection of essays (some given as sermons or speeches) on Christian socialism and social reform in 1870s and 1880s. Individual essays can stand alone in short nonfiction collections.


Burmah and the Burmese - Kenneth H.R. MacKenzie
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64271

Two "books" within the volume, one covering the geography/culture/religion of the Burmese people, and the other covering the history of Burma with a heavy emphasis on the (then current) colonial period of conflict and eventual subjugation by the British.


Letters From an Old Time Salesman to His Son - R.L. James
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64277

Business advice book in epistolary form.


Little Masterpieces of Science: Mind - ed. by George Iles
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64286

Collection of nonfiction essays generally about the mind, ranging from evolution to how mind develops in infants and children. Good group project, shorter solo, or individual essays can be used for nonfiction collections.


After Life in Roman Paganism - Franz Cumont
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64297

A series of lectures given at Yale in 1921 on the topic of the various ideas of the afterlife in Roman culture.


Golden Fleece: The American Adventures of a Fortune Hunting Earl - David Graham Phillips
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64301

There are plenty of stories from the viewpoint of the American heiress who marries into European nobility; this novel takes the perspective of the rich-wife-hunting male.


Fairy Tales Told in the Bush - O.S.B. Sister Mary Agnes
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64310

Book of Australian fairy tales.


The Girl Scouts' Captain - Edith Lavell
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64315

Lavell was a popular author of girls' adventure novels and had several different series. We have some of her books already recorded but so far none from her Girl Scouts series. In addition to this one there are 6 others in PG's holdings so far.


Landscape in History and Other Essays - Archibald Geikie
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64325

A collection of essays mostly on various themes of landscapes and their meanings, history, etc. Individual essays could stand alone in a short non fiction collection.


From Seven to Seventy: Memories of a Painter and a Yankee - Edward Simmons
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64332

Pretty much what it says on the label! Quick skimming suggests its a readable and interesting memoir from a mostly-forgotten American artist.


Evidences of Progress Among Colored People - G.F. Richings
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64338

I couldn't find any info on the author on a quick skim, but the overall tone and theme, as well as the intro by a Black bishop, suggests he is a Black author. The book is arguing against the notion current in 1902 (date of publication) that Black people had not made "progress" or had regressed since Emancipation, by presenting evidence of educational and economic achievements in various locations and career fields. Anecdotal rather than statistical for the most part, so could be an interesting project to start in Black History Month!


Woman in Political Evolution - Joseph McCabe
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64340

Short book by a well-known historian quickly covering the roles and position of women in various eras, ultimately concluding with an argument in favor of women's suffrage. Several other books by McCabe have been recorded recently. Good short group or solo project for a first BC or soloist.


In Quest of El Dorado - Stephen Graham
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64349

Very readable 1923 travelogue covering the author's attempts to trace the various routes of the early explorers, beginning in Spain, and going to West Indies, Mexico, southwestern US etc.


The Illustrated Horse Doctor - Edward Mayhew
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64352

Lengthy (around 500 pages) tome covering treatment of common horse diseases and injuries, with lots of dramatic illustrations!


Fields, Factories and Workshops - Peter Kropotkin

19th/early 20th century political theorist best known as advocate of anarchism.


The Industrial Republic: A Study of the America of Ten Years Hence - Upton Sinclair

Nonfiction work by Sinclair positing decline of workers under capitalism and need for socialist policies.


Why Authors Go Wrong, and Other Explanations - Grant M. Overton
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64385

Light series of essays that read like something that would show up on an author's blog nowadays, with satires on writers, editors, reviewers etc.


The Private Life, The Wheel of Time, Lord Beaupre, The Visits, Collaboration by Henry James
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64396

Mostly novelette/novella length shorter works by Henry James. The longer ones such as the first story could stand alone as short solo or group projects; or several or all gathered into a longer project. I think all are probably too long for the short works collections.


The Story of a Great Schoolmaster - H.G. Wells
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64410

H.G. Wells' only biography, of a friend and teacher who he admired. Sanderson had died on stage during a lecture at which Wells had introduced him. Wells agreed to write a biography to raise money for the widow and children; he fell out with the widow and the "official" biography was published without him, and Wells went off and wrote his own. Minor work by major and popular author.


Lynch Law in Georgia - Ida B. Wells-Barnett
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64426

Very short work by an Black woman journalist who wrote extensively about the horrors of lynchings in the South. Important work but will be a very tough read.


Josie O'Gorman and the Meddlesome Major - Edith Van Dyne (pseud. Emma speed Sampson)
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64430

Last book in an entertaining teen girl detective series begun by L.Frank Baum in his Van Dyne pseudonym, and carried on by Sampson. Several of the Mary Louise books have been recorded but the ones including Josie O'Gorman (sort of a team up then spinoff character created by Sampson) have not yet been recorded.


Hope you find something inspiring!

Colleen
Colleen McMahon

No matter where you go, there you are. -- Buckaroo Banzai
Scarbo
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Post by Scarbo »

Jewel Sowers caught my eye when I was looking through new additions the other week. I have it on my to-read list, but there are a lot of other things on that list, so it might take a while to get to it. :mrgreen:
For the time being, I'll need a little more time than usual to PL sections that come in on weekdays. Thanks for your patience.

Sarah
Reden
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Post by Reden »

I'd like to claim The Story of Mrs. Tubbs
mightyfelix
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Post by mightyfelix »

Reden wrote: April 2nd, 2021, 7:33 am I'd like to claim The Story of Mrs. Tubbs
I agree with Colleen that the best place for this story would be the Children's Short Works Collection: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=85267 Please go to that thread and read the instructions there on how to record and submit. There's no need to "pre-claim" for a short works collection like this. :)
CSCO
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Location: Toyokawa, Japan

Post by CSCO »

Hi, all!

January 2021 New Books on Project Gutenberg
by ColleenMc » Wed Feb 10, 2021 1:40 am


The Tale of the Argonauts - Apollonius of Rhodes, trans. by Arthur S. Way
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64235

A poetry translation of "The Argonautica". There is a prose version already recorded, but this poetry version has a very different feel.

You like Justice League very much, maybe. (Yes? No? Yes!)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_League_%28TV_series%29

The Argonauts is Justice League in Greek myth, isn't it? (Yes? No? Yes!) This poetry has an episode of the island of all women. Doesn't it teach us a taste of real life? (Yes? No? No!) This poetry has a scene of Medea's wedding bed. Doesn't it teach us a taste of real life? (Yes? No? ....) This poetry sings a wrath of a betrayed woman. Doesn't it teach us a taste of real life? (Yes? No? Yes!) Happily, you have a chance of reading the poetry. (Yes!)

By the way, the Argonauts is very important because it supports Homer's Iliad. Please read it if you have time to kill!
!!!!!!.!!!!!!.!!!!.!!!!!!!!!..!!!.!!!!!!!!!!!...!!!!!!!!!.!!!!!!.!!!!.!!!!!!.!!!!
No way. He stole away a pretty thing, you know.
That's your heart.
!!!!.!!!!!!.!!!!.!!!!!!!!!..!!!.!!!!!!!!!!!...!!!!!.!!!!!!.!!!!!!!!.!!!!!!.!!!!!!
pschempf
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Post by pschempf »

Fritz

"A small daily task, if it be really daily, will beat the labors of a spasmodic Hercules."

Trollope
CSCO
Posts: 393
Joined: April 6th, 2010, 10:48 am
Location: Toyokawa, Japan

Post by CSCO »

Hi, pschempf-san!


Yes, we have an Argonautica in the LV catalogue already and I say thank you very much to the readers. We have a prose translation in MP3 format already.
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/830/830-0.txt

The prose translation is very good. It has been the most canonical translation because the red LOEB adopts the translation as its English translation. (A know-it-all. :wink: ) And the translation is a good example when we write a plain and clear prose.

My suggestion this time is we can also have a verse translation. It would help us when we compose a verse.
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/64235/64235-0.txt

Your eyes cannot say to your hands, "I don't need you." We need them both.
!!!!!!.!!!!!!.!!!!.!!!!!!!!!..!!!.!!!!!!!!!!!...!!!!!!!!!.!!!!!!.!!!!.!!!!!!.!!!!
No way. He stole away a pretty thing, you know.
That's your heart.
!!!!.!!!!!!.!!!!.!!!!!!!!!..!!!.!!!!!!!!!!!...!!!!!.!!!!!!.!!!!!!!!.!!!!!!.!!!!!!
Steven Seitel
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Joined: February 15th, 2010, 5:12 pm
Location: Montana USA

Post by Steven Seitel »

I'd like to do Stephen Graham's In Quest of El Dorado as a solo. Looks very interesting!
Thank you Colleen, for suggesting this one. :D

Steve
...and then I thought: "Oh, what the Heck? Why not?..." —W.O.B.
ColleenMc
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Joined: April 9th, 2017, 5:57 pm

Post by ColleenMc »

You are welcome, I’m glad people are finding projects from this! I fell off March and February as life got in the way but hoping to revive for April!

Colleen
Colleen McMahon

No matter where you go, there you are. -- Buckaroo Banzai
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