The Americana Series Monthly Challenge – March 2020: Kentucky

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The Americana Series Monthly Challenge – March 2020: Kentucky

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1bhabeck
maaliskuu 1, 2020, 12:59 pm

Each month, we will visit a different state in the United States of America for the Monthly Reading Challenge in the Mystery & Suspense Extra! Group. This month, we journey to Kentucky.

The Americana Series Monthly Challenge – March 2020: Kentucky


History

Kentucky is a state in the southern United States of America; its capital is Frankfort, but its best-known city is Louisville. Kentucky is ranked 37th in area at 40,408 square miles (104,659km square) but is the 26th most populous state with approximately 4.5 million residents as of 2019 (it is 21st in terms of density). The state's name is thought to be based on an Iroquoi word meaning "(on) the prairie" or "(on) the meadow."

Although known as the "State of Kentucky," Kentucky is actually one of four US states constituted as a commonwealth (the others are Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Virginia). In 1792, Kentucky became the 15th state admitted to the union, splitting from Virginia in the process.

Kentucky is known as the "Bluegrass State," a nickname based on the bluegrass, a species of grass found in many of its pastures. One of the major regions in Kentucky is the Bluegrass Region in central Kentucky which houses its 2 largest cities, Lexington and Louisville. This area has diverse environments and abundant resources, including the world's largest cave system, Mammoth Cave National Park, one of the greatest lengths of navigable waterways and streams in the contiguous United States and 2 of the largest man-made lakes east of the Mississippi River.

Kentucky is also known for horse racing, bourbon, moonshine, coal, "My Old Kentucky Home" historic state park, automobile manufacturing, tobacco, bluegrass music, college basketball, Kentucky Fried Chicken and the Kentucky colonel.

In the 19th Century, Central Kentucky was the area of the state with the most slave owners. Planters cultivated tobacco and hemp and were noted for their quality livestock. During the 19th century, Kentucky slaveholders began to sell unneeded slaves to the Deep South, with Louisville becoming a major salve market and departure port for slaves being transported downriver. Kentucky was one of the border states during the American Civil War. Although frequently described as never having seceded, Kentucky is represented by the central start on the Confederate battle flag. Both Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederacy, and Abraham Lincoln were born in Kentucky.

Geography


Kentucky is bordered by seven states: West Virginia to the northeast, Virginia to the east, Tennessee to the south, Missouri to the west, Illinois to the northwest and Indiana and Ohio to the north. Kentucky's northern border is formed by the Ohio River and its western border by the Mississippi River.
Kentucky can be divided into five primary regions: The Cumberland Plateau, the Bluegrass region (inner and outer regions), the Pennyroyal/Mississippi Plateau, the Western Coal Fields and the far-west Jackson Purchase. The Bluegrass region is made up of short, steep and very narrow hills. The Mississippi Plateau and Jackson Purchase are home to several large swamps.

Kentucky has a non-continuous part know as Kentucky Bend at the far west corner of the state which was formed through a surveying error. It exists as an exclave surrounded completely by Missouri and Tennessee – road access to this small part of Kentucky requires a trip though Tennessee. (to the west of the Jackson Purchase).


Fun Facts

The Kentucky Derby is the oldest continuously held horse race in the country. It is held at Churchill Downs in Louisville on the first Saturday in May. Starters in the race have had names beginning with every letter of the alphabet except "X".


The song "Happy Birthday to You" was the creation of two Louisville sisters in 1893.

Post-it Notes are manufactured exclusively in Cynthiana Kentucky. The exact number made annually is a closely held secret.

The radio was invented by Kentuckian Nathan B. Stubblefield in 1892 – 3 years before Marconi claimed the patent.

In the War of 1812, more than half of all Americans killed in action were Kentuckians.

More than $6 billion in gold is held in the underground vaults of Fort Knox. This is the largest amount of gold stored anywhere in the world.

The Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington has 82 stained-glass windows including the world's largest hand-blown one. The window measures 24 feet wide by 67 feet high and depicts the Council of Ephesus with 134 life-sized figures.

The infamous family feud between the McCoys of Pike County Kentucky and the Hatfields of Mingo County West Virginia began during the Civil War. It officially came to an end in 2003, when representatives from each side signed a truce on national television.


Cumberland Falls in the Daniel Boone National Forest is one of the few places on earth where you migh be able to see a moonbow.


Mammoth Cave is the longest cave system in the work and also the US's second-oldest tourist attraction - right behind Niagara Falls.

The Lost Mountain Coal Mine has been abandoned for over 40 years but it isn't hard to find – just look for the plumes of billowing smoke from the underground coal fires which are nearly impossible to put out.


Notable Residents


Famous Kentuckians include both Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis. Lincoln became the 16th President of the United States and served from March 1861 to April 1865, when he was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. Davis, in contrast, was named the President of the Confederacy, which seceded from the United States and then fought and lost to Lincoln's Union Army.

Authors from Kentucky include: Barbara Kingsolver (poet and essayist), Harriette Simpson Arnow (novelist), Irvin S. Cobb (humorist), Allen Tate (poet and critic), Hunter Thompson and Robert Penn Warren.

Kentucky entertainers include actors Irene Dunne, Patricia Neal, Ned Beatty, William Conrad, Johnny Depp and, that little known actor, George Clooney. Singers include Rosemary Clooney, Ricky Skaggs, John Conlee, Steven Chapman, Kevin Richardson and Don and Phil Everly.

In honor of KENTUCKY, read a Mystery/Suspense book (any sub-genre will do!) that satisfies one or more of the following:

• A Mystery/Suspense book with "Blue," "Gold," "Music," "River," or "Horse" in the title or a hilly/mountainous landscape or a horse on the cover;

• A Mystery/Suspense book in which a character is a blue-collar worker or involved in horse racing or the story takes place in the Appalachian Mountains in the United States or along the Mississippi River;

• A Mystery/Suspense book where the author's initials (BOTH the first AND last) can be found in KENTUCKY.


Happy Reading ❤

2rhinemaiden
maaliskuu 1, 2020, 1:39 pm

horse on the cover - Blood Sport by Dick Francis

setting Appalachian Mountains - Gray Mountain by John Grisham

author's initials - The Secret at Shadow Ranch - by Carolyn Keene (Nancy Drew mystery)

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I love this monthly challenge -- always something new to learn, a new state to explore... thank you so much for doing this!

3bhabeck
maaliskuu 1, 2020, 1:45 pm

>2 rhinemaiden: you're very welcome! sorry it was late this month - been in bed sick.

4bhabeck
Muokkaaja: maaliskuu 27, 2020, 7:33 pm

Brenda's Americana Challenge - March 2020 - Kentucky
3 of 3 Complete


In honor of KENTUCKY, read a Mystery/Suspense book (any sub-genre will do!) that satisfies one or more of the following:

• A Mystery/Suspense book with "Blue," "Gold," "Music," "River," or "Horse" in the title or a hilly/mountainous landscape or a horse on the cover;
True Blue by David Baldacci; 3/12/20; 3 stars

• A Mystery/Suspense book in which a character is a blue-collar worker or involved in horse racing or the story takes place in the Appalachian Mountains in the United States or along the Mississippi River;
The Collectors by David Baldacci; Reuben (a member of the Camel Club) works at a shipyard; 3/25/20; 4 stars

• A Mystery/Suspense book where the author's initials (BOTH the first AND last) can be found in KENTUCKY.
The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas; 3/17/20; 4 stars

5rhinemaiden
maaliskuu 1, 2020, 1:50 pm

>3 bhabeck: sorry you've been sick! Hope it wasn't the nasty virus.... you okay now???

6Carol420
Muokkaaja: maaliskuu 11, 2020, 1:30 pm



📌 - ★

3/3

Carol's Going To Win The Kentucky Derby

📌1. A Mystery/Suspense book with "Blue," "Gold," "Music," "River," or "Horse" in the title or a hilly/mountainous landscape or a horse on the cover.
Golden In Death - J.D. Robb - 5★

📌2. A Mystery/Suspense book in which a character is a blue-collar worker or involved in horse racing or the story takes place in the Appalachian Mountains in the United States or along the Mississippi River.
A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail - Bill Bryson - 4.5★

📌3. A Mystery/Suspense book where the author's initials (BOTH the first AND last) can be found in KENTUCKY.
Without Remorse - Tom Clancy - 3★

7Carol420
Muokkaaja: maaliskuu 1, 2020, 2:35 pm

>3 bhabeck:



Hope you feel better soon. We missed you on the group read.

8Andrew-theQM
Muokkaaja: maaliskuu 27, 2020, 7:51 pm

Andrew’s Journey into Kentucky...

3 of 3 Complete

• A Mystery/Suspense book with "Blue," "Gold," "Music," "River," or "Horse" in the title or a hilly/mountainous landscape or a horse on the cover;

✔️Under Orders by Dick Francis (horse on cover)
⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 5/3/20

• A Mystery/Suspense book in which a character is a blue-collar worker or involved in horse racing or the story takes place in the Appalachian Mountains in the United States or along the Mississippi River;

✔️Kick Back by Damien Boyd (involves horse racing) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 2/3/20

✔️ A Mystery/Suspense book where the author's initials (BOTH the first AND last) can be found in KENTUCKY.
Two for Sorrow by Nicola Upson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️11/3/20

9jguidry
maaliskuu 1, 2020, 4:17 pm

Jaret heads to Kentucky:
(0/3 completed)

• A Mystery/Suspense book with "Blue," "Gold," "Music," "River," or "Horse" in the title or a hilly/mountainous landscape or a horse on the cover;

• A Mystery/Suspense book in which a character is a blue-collar worker or involved in horse racing or the story takes place in the Appalachian Mountains in the United States or along the Mississippi River;

• A Mystery/Suspense book where the author's initials (BOTH the first AND last) can be found in KENTUCKY.

10Olivermagnus
Muokkaaja: maaliskuu 30, 2020, 6:46 pm



Lynda and Oliver are Derby-Bound

3
of 3 Complete

💋 A Mystery/Suspense book with "Blue," "Gold," "Music," "River," or "Horse" in the title or a hilly/mountainous landscape or a horse on the cover
Golden in Death - J. D. Robb : 5 Stars

💋 A Mystery/Suspense book in which a character is a blue-collar worker or involved in horse racing or the story takes place in the Appalachian Mountains in the United States or along the Mississippi River;
The Risen - Ron Rash - 4 Stars

💋 A Mystery/Suspense book where the author's initials (BOTH the first AND last) can be found in KENTUCKY.
The Sixth Extinction - Elizabeth Kolbert - 3 Stars - technically not suspense but science and biology have always been a mystery to me!

11gaylebutz
maaliskuu 2, 2020, 9:45 am

>3 bhabeck: Hope you’re feeling much better. Thanks for getting this challenge posted despite being sick!

12gaylebutz
Muokkaaja: maaliskuu 2, 2020, 10:04 am

I’m going to read Force of Nature by Jane Harper. Has a hilly/mountainous landscape on the cover.

>6 Carol420: >10 Olivermagnus: Love the pictures!!

13Carol420
Muokkaaja: maaliskuu 3, 2020, 1:40 pm

>12 gaylebutz: Thank you. I really love the hat on the dog on >10 Olivermagnus:'s. Must be a friend of Oliver:)

14Sergeirocks
Muokkaaja: huhtikuu 19, 2020, 9:34 am

1) 4 March 2020 - Nine Lessons - Nicola Upson 4.5★s (Author's initials in 'KENTUCKY')
2) 8 March 2020 - Cause for Alarm - Eric Ambler 4.5★s (Main character is an engineer)
3) 31 March 2020 - A Pale Horse - Charles Todd 4★s ('Horse' in the title)

15Andrew-theQM
Muokkaaja: maaliskuu 4, 2020, 7:41 pm

>14 Sergeirocks: Ooh that’s a good choice for Kentucky. I could read book three of the series to cover the author’s initials.

16Sergeirocks
maaliskuu 5, 2020, 5:39 pm

>15 Andrew-theQM: Funny story: I was scouring the Internet for authors with initials in 'KENTUCKY' - came up empty - looked at the cover of the book I was reading, and 'Lo...!', 'N' and 'U'. You couldn't make it up, ha!

17Andrew-theQM
maaliskuu 5, 2020, 5:59 pm

>16 Sergeirocks: 😂 Happenstance!

18gaylebutz
maaliskuu 10, 2020, 5:13 pm

A Mystery/Suspense book with a hilly/mountainous landscape
Complete - Force of Nature by Jane Harper 3 *

19Carol420
maaliskuu 11, 2020, 1:31 pm



Done! Thanks Brenda. Fun challenge.

20bhabeck
maaliskuu 11, 2020, 9:19 pm

Nice! Well done!

21bhabeck
maaliskuu 27, 2020, 7:35 pm

Holy Moly! Finally finished a challenge for the month. The last couple of months have not been good for reading with all the things going on at work, home and now with Stay-At-Home limitations.

On to the next challenge...

22Andrew-theQM
maaliskuu 27, 2020, 7:52 pm

>21 bhabeck: Well done 🍾🥂 I also finished this month’s too. >8 Andrew-theQM:

23bhabeck
maaliskuu 27, 2020, 9:30 pm

>8 Andrew-theQM: congratulations!

working on April's now, so watch this space :)

24Carol420
maaliskuu 28, 2020, 9:01 am

25Olivermagnus
maaliskuu 30, 2020, 6:47 pm

Completed two legitimately and one by cheating!

26bhabeck
maaliskuu 30, 2020, 11:25 pm

>25 Olivermagnus: LOL -- Well done!

27Carol420
maaliskuu 31, 2020, 6:53 am

>25 Olivermagnus:



Well done. Congratulations. Oliver says that he didn't have ANY part in the cheating.

28Sergeirocks
maaliskuu 31, 2020, 3:46 pm

29Andrew-theQM
maaliskuu 31, 2020, 7:17 pm

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