Chaitra’s Comments (group member since Aug 13, 2012)

Chaitra’s comments from the Second Chance Challenges group.

I went on a weekend vacation and missed this! Stupid me. :D I have some questions as well!

Do we need to start a book only after the letters are drawn? If we've finished reading less than half of a (> 200 pages) book before the letters are drawn, could we use it to buy books? I couldn't find this in the rules, but I have selective blindness sometimes and could've missed it. :)

Do our freebie letters count for the official game? I'm greedy lol. Also, you've marked my freebie letters as available to purchase. Was there something I needed to do to purchase them?

NFL 2012

Duration: Aug 29, 2012 - Feb 3, 2013
Points: 81

Week 1: Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants

My Pick: New York Giants. Lost.

Task:
The official team colors are Dark Blue, Red, Gray and White. Read a book whose cover is primarily one of these colors or a combination of them » White.
Skios: A Novel | Michael Frayn ★★★★ (09/01)

Extra Points:
1. Pick a set of initials matching one of the players above and read a book whose title includes words that begin with those letters: Frank Gifford.
The Flight of Gemma Hardy | Margot Livesey ★ (09/05)

2. Read any book whose author's initials can be found in the word GIANTS » N. G.
Neverwhere | Neil Gaiman ★★★★ (09/07)

3. The Giants have had 18 Hall of Fame players. Read a book with a character whose name matches one of these players (first or last): Harry Carson » Harry Boddicker.
The Inquisitor: A Novel | Mark Allen Smith ★★ (09/12)

4. The Giants won Super Bowl Championships in 1986, 1990, 2007 and 2011. Read any book published in one of these years » 1986.
A Dark-Adapted Eye | Barbara Vine ★★★ (09/14)

5. The Giants were established in 1925. Read a book by any author born in that year. » Yukio Mishima.
Confessions of a Mask | Yukio Mishima ★★ (10/19)

6. The Giants are based in New York. Read a book set in New York City.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn | Betty Smith ★★ (11/01)

Points: 3 + 6 = 9.

Week 2: Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

My Pick: Houston Texans Won.

Task:
The official team colors are Red, White and Blue. Read a book whose cover is primarily one of these colors or a combination of them » White.
The Right-Hand Shore: A Novel | Christopher Tilghman ★★★★ (09/04)

Extra Points:
The Texans were established in 2002. Since they are such a new team, read any new release (any book published in the last 6 months) » Published in Jun 2012.
This Bright River | Patrick Somerville ★ (09/13)

Points: 3 + 1 = 4.

Week 3: San Francisco 49ers vs. Minnesota Vikings

My Pick: San Francisco 49ers. Lost.

Task:
The 49ers are based in San Francisco, California. Read a book set in the state of California.
Beautiful Ruins | Jess Walter ★★★★★ (09/19)

Extra Points:
1. The official colors are Red, Metallic Gold and White. Read a book whose cover is primarily one of these colors or a combination of them » White and Red.
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead ★ (09/19)

2. They won Superbowl Championships in 1981, 1984, 1988, 1989, and 1994. Read a book published in one of these years » Published in 1994.
One For The Money | Janet Evanovich ★★★ (09/20)

Points: 3 + 2 = 5.

Week 4: Oakland Raiders vs. Denver Broncos

My Pick: Denver Broncos. Won.

Task:
The logo and mascot are both a horse so read a book where a horse or horses play a major role.
Out Stealing Horses | Per Petterson ★★★ (09/25)

Extra Points:
1. The Broncos are based in Denver, Colorado. Read a book set in Colorado.
Monument 14 | Emmy Laybourne ★★ (09/18)

2. The Broncos were established in 1960. Read a book by any author born in that year.
Coraline | Neil Gaiman ★★★★ (09/17)

Points: 6 + 2 = 8.

Week 5: Green Bay Packers vs. Indianapolis Colts

My Pick: Green Bay Packers. Lost.

Task: The Packers are based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Read a book set in Wisconsin.
The Long Earth | Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter ★★★★ (09/22)

Extra Points:
1. Read any book whose author's initials can be found in the word PACKERS. The initials do not need to be found in order » K & A.
True Believers | Kurt Andersen ★★★ (09/28)

Points: 3 + 1 = 4.

Week 6: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Tennessee Titans

My Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers. Lost.

Task:
Read any book whose author's initials can be found in the word STEELERS. The initials do not have to be in order » R & L.
The Round House | Louise Erdrich ★★★★★ (10/05)

Extra Points:
1. They won the Super Bowl Championship in 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 2005, 2008. Read any book published in one of these years. » 2008
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society | Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows ★★★★ (10/07)

2. Their official colors are Black, Gold and White. Read a book whose color is primarily one of these colors or a combination of them.
The Night Circus | Erin Morgenstern ★★★★★ (10/26)

3. The Steelers logo is based on the Steelmark logo and was created by U.S. Steel Corp. The three diamonds stand for the 3 materials used to create steel: yellow for coal, orange for ore and blue for steel scrap. Read a book with all 3 colors on the cover.
Scoop to Kill | Wendy Lyn Watson ★★★ (11/16)


Points: 3 + 3 = 6.

Week 7: New Orleans Saints vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

My Pick: New Orleans Saints. Won.

Task:
The team became official on All-Saints Day and since there is a large Catholic population in New Orleans the owner thought it only fitting to name the team the "Saints." Read any book with religion as a genre on its main page.
Silence | Shusaku Endo ★★★★★ (09/26)

Extra Points:
1. The official team colors are Gold, Black and White. Read a book whose cover is primarily one of these colors » Black & White.
NW | Zadie Smith ★★ (11/02)

2. The Saints have had 3 Hall of Fame players. Read a book with a character whose name matches one of these players (first or last): Jim Finks, Rickey Jackson, Willie Roaf » Ricky.
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy | John le Carré ★★★★★ (11/12)

Points: 6 + 2 = 8.

Week 8: New England Patriots vs. St. Louis Rams

My Pick: New England Patriots. Won.

Task:
The Patriots were established in 1960. Read a book by any author born in that year. » Neil Gaiman.
Fragile Things | Neil Gaiman ★★★★ (10/17)

Extra Points:
1. Their colors are Red, White and Blue so read a book with a cover that is primarily red, primarily blue, primarily white, or any combination of the three » Red.
The Casual Vacancy | J.K. Rowling ★ (10/19)

2. The Patriots are based in New England so read a book set in any New England State: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont » Maine.
Under the Dome | Stephen King ★★ (11/09)

3. The logo of the team is a minuteman which was a select group of the colonial militia from the Revolutionary War. Read any book with history or historical fiction listed as a genre on its main page OR a book set during or about the Revolutionary War.
The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag | Alan Bradley ★★★★★ (11/11)

Points: 6 + 3 = 9.

Week 9: Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Diego Chargers

My Pick: San Diego Chargers. Won.

Task:
The Chargers were established in 1960. Read a book by any author born in that year » Neil Gaiman.
Smoke and Mirrors: Short Fictions and Illusions | Neil Gaiman ★★★★★ (10/18)

Extra Points:
1. The Chargers are based in San Diego, California. Read a book set in California.
Telegraph Avenue | Michael Chabon ★★★★ (11/17)

Points: 6 + 1 = 7.

Week 10: New York Jets vs. Seattle Seahawks

My Pick: Seattle Seahawks. Won.

Task:
The official colors are Navy, Light Green, Gray and White. Read a book whose cover is primarily one of these colors or a combination of them » Gray.
The Kill Artist | Daniel Silva ★★ (11/04)

Extra Points:
1. The Seahawks are based in Seattle, Washington. Read a book set in the state of Washington.

Points: 6.

Week 11: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Kansas City Chiefs

My Pick: Cincinnati Bengals. Won.

Task:
The team is named after the bengal tiger which can be found in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. Read a book written by an author from one of these countries » Amitav Ghosh.
River of Smoke | Amitav Ghosh ★★★★ (10/21)

Extra Points:
1. Read any book whose author's initials can be found in the word BENGALS. The initials do not have to be in order » Neil Gaiman.
American Gods | Neil Gaiman ★★★★★ (11/09)

2. The official team colors are Black, Orange and White. Read a book whose cover is primarily one of these colors or a combination of them » Black and Orange.
The Book Thief | Markus Zusak ★★ (11/11)

Points: 6 + 2 = 8.

Week 12: Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

My Pick: Atlanta Falcons. Won.

Task:
The Falcons were established in 1966. Read a book by any author born in that year » Nicola Barker.
The Yips | Nicola Barker ★★★ (11/10)

Extra Points:
1. The official team colors are Red, Black, White and Silver. Read a book whose cover is primarily one of these colors or a combination of them » Black & White.
Black Water | Joyce Carol Oates ★★ (11/21)

Points: 6 + 1 = 7

This is such an awesome challenge that I have to join even though I don't know the A from American Football lol. I've been a lifelong fan of soccer and I cannot reconcile myself to the American version.

I'll go with the player of the field as that's more fun! Luckily for me, my husband's into it. He plays fantasy leagues in various places, so I'm basically depending on him for my predictions. My official post is the next post!

@Barb, good idea! I will use it for the comic book challenge over at CCC. Garfield seems to need nothing but Os. lol.

@Sam, I would love to hear what you thought of it if you do decide to read Graveyard Book.

@Kara, thank you! I probably will - I have read a couple of his books on my list and I remember liking them at the time, but I remember nothing else. They're all due for a re-read. :)

For some reason I missed this. Barb, there you go. You just gave me the perfect reason to read Good Omens. :D I'll swap it in instead of the Graveyard Book!

I'll do this too. Backdating to 8/16.

BACK TO SCHOOL (2011)

Duration: Aug 16, 2012 - Dec 15, 2012
Completed: 11/11

✓ 1. Student - Read a book where the main character is going back to school.
The Flight of Gemma Hardy | Margot Livesey ★ (09/05)

✓ 2. Teacher - Read a book where the main character is learning something or training to do something new » The main character Lauren is learning to be a vet. She was a human doctor before.
This Bright River | Patrick Somerville ★ (09/13)

✓ 3. Drama - Read a YA book.
The City of Ember | Jeanne DuPrau ★★★ (08/28)

✓ 4. Math - Read a book with a number in the title or on the cover.
Carry the One | Carol Anshaw ★★ (08/17)

✓ 5. History - Read a Historical Fiction.
The Quality of Mercy: A Novel | Barry Unsworth ★★ (08/22)

✓ 6. PE - Read a book where that main character is in some type of game » Squash.
Saturday | Ian McEwan ★ (08/24)

✓ 7. Lunch - Read a book where the main character is in the food business » Vianne is a chocolatier.
Peaches for Father Francis | Joanne Harris ★★★ (10/11)

✓ 8. Languages - Read a book that takes place in a country that is not your own » Set in Peru, Congo & Ireland.
The Dream of the Celt: A Novel | Mario Vargas Llosa ★ (08/19)

✓ 9. Art - Read a book with a pretty cover (Whatever you think is a pretty cover)
A Visit from the Goon Squad | Jennifer Egan ★★★★★ (08/23)

✓ 10. Science - Read a Science Fiction.
The Hunger Games | Suzanne Collins ★★★★★ (09/11)

✓ 11. Reader's Pick - Read any book as long as you can relate it to school somehow » A bunch of school boys get marooned on an island.
Lord of the Flies | William Golding ★★★★★ (08/28)

*** Completed (10/11) ***

I'll do this too. I'll be a mature plant. I'll also backdate this to 8/16 for ease.

SPRING SCAVENGER HUNT

Duration: Aug 16, 2012 - Dec 16, 2012
Completed: 35/35

Color my world, using the birthstones of March, April, May and June: aquamarine (blue), diamond (clear or opaque or white), emerald (green) or alexandrite (light purple). Read a book with the cover that color or in the title.
✓ 1. Aquamarine: Summer | Edith Wharton ★★★ (08/29)
✓ 2. Diamond: Me: Stories of My Life | Katharine Hepburn ★★★★ (08/24)
✓ 3. Emerald: One For The Money | Janet Evanovich ★★★ (09/20)
✓ 4. Purple: Just Desserts | G.A. McKevett ★★★ (10/08)

Time to grow, April has Earth day, lawn and garden month so choose a book with an image of a flower or tree on it » Hope lawn counts.
✓ 5. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry | Rachel Joyce ★★★★★ (8/31)

April is known for April Fools day and is humor month, so read a book that makes you LOL.
✓ 6. Skios: A Novel | Michael Frayn ★★★★ (09/01)

May is national BBQ month, the kickoff to summer picnics and Hamburger month. Read a book with food in the title.
✓ 7. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie | Alan Bradley ★★★★★ (09/07)

June has Flag day and May has Memorial day. Read a book with the colors red, white and blue on the cover.
✓ 8. Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead ★ (09/19)

Since spring represents new beginnings and many people spring clean this time of the year, read 5 books from your TBR pile » (From 1001 Books)
✓ 9. Wide Sargasso Sea | Jean Rhys ★★★ (08/23)
✓ 10. Saturday | Ian McEwan ★ (08/24)
✓ 11. The End of the Affair | Graham Greene ★★ (08/26)
✓ 12. Lord of the Flies | William Golding ★★★★★ (08/28)
✓ 13. The Sun Also Rises | Ernest Hemingway ★★ (09/04)

In honor of spring cleaning, repeat step 6 with books that are series. Read the next book in 5 series.
✓ 14. Chocolat Book #3: Peaches for Father Francis | Joanne Harris ★★★ (10/11)
✓ 15. Ibis Trilogy Book #2: River of Smoke | Amitav Ghosh ★★★★ (10/21)
✓ 16. Discworld Book #4: Mort | Terry Pratchett ★★★★★ (11/04)
✓ 17. Flavia de Luce Book #2: The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag | Alan Bradley ★★★★★ (11/11)
✓ 18. Mystery a la Mode Book #2: Scoop to Kill | Wendy Lyn Watson ★★★ (11/16)

Daylight Saving - Read a book set in the past or set in the future » Set in 1910s.
✓ 19. The Dream of the Celt: A Novel | Mario Vargas Llosa ★ (08/19)

Birthday - Read a book by an author born in April or May » Born Apr 02, 1970.
✓ 20. The Kissing List | Stephanie Reents ★★★★ (08/20)

Zodiac - Read a book that has 1, 2 or 3 in the title.
✓ 21. Carry the One | Carol Anshaw ★★ (08/17)

Time to get moving: Read a book where movement is the main component » Lina is a runner.
✓ 22. The City of Ember | Jeanne DuPrau ★★★ (08/28)

In honor of Mother's day and Father's day, read a book about family.
✓ 23. Tomorrow | Graham Swift ★ (08/29)

Spring also means it is time for baseball. So read a book about baseball, the setting is a baseball field, or is about a baseball player or the character is a baseball player. You can also just use a book with a title that has a word associated with baseball » Flight (a ball in flight).
✓ 24. The Flight of Gemma Hardy | Margot Livesey ★ (09/05)

It is Movie time, May is the beginning of the Summer movie releases. So, read a book that was made into a movie.
✓ 25. Stardust | Neil Gaiman ★★★★★ (09/15)

As spring represents newness, read a book written by a debut author.
✓ 26. The Lifeboat | Charlotte Rogan ★★★ (08/21)

June is known for weddings. So read a book about weddings.
✓ 27. The Cold Light of Mourning | Elizabeth J. Duncan ★★★ (09/06)

May is the shortest name for a month, so read the shortest book on your shelf » ~150 pages.
✓ 28. Of Mice and Men | John Steinbeck ★★★★ (09/06)

For the ones who like to spell words with titles, find books that either spell March, April, May, or June.
✓ 29. M - The Mysterious Affair at Styles | Agatha Christie ★★★★ (08/29)
✓ 30. A - Arcadia | Lauren Groff ★★★ (09/05)
✓ 31. R - The Right-Hand Shore: A Novel | Christopher Tilghman ★★★★ (09/05)
✓ 32. C - Coraline | Neil Gaiman ★★★★ (09/17)
✓ 33. H - The Hunger Games | Suzanne Collins ★★★★★ (09/11)

Hollywood and the Music world has been awarding performers for a few months now. So read a book that has won an award » The Pulitzer Prize
✓ 34. A Visit from the Goon Squad | Jennifer Egan ★★★★★ (08/23)

And in honor of summer and the longest day of the year read the longest book on your TBR pile OR read a book that is over 450 pages » 525 pages.
✓ 35. Capital | John Lanchester ★★ (09/14)

*** Completed (11/16) ***

I'll sign up too.

COLORS "R" US

Duration: Aug 15, 2012 - Dec 14, 2012
Completed: 30/30

Red

✓ 1. The Kissing List | Stephanie Reents ★★★★ (08/20)
✓ 2. The Casual Vacancy | J.K. Rowling ★ (10/19)
✓ 3. Telegraph Avenue | Michael Chabon ★★★★ (11/17)

Green

✓ 1. You've Got Murder | Donna Andrews ★★ (08/21)
✓ 2. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry | Rachel Joyce ★★★★★ (8/31)
✓ 3. The Flight of Gemma Hardy | Margot Livesey ★ (09/05)

Blue

✓ 1. The Age of Miracles | Karen Thompson Walker ★★★★★ (08/15)
✓ 2. The Lifeboat | Charlotte Rogan ★★★ (08/21)
✓ 3. A Visit from the Goon Squad | Jennifer Egan ★★★★★ (08/23)

Black

✓ 1. Saturday | Ian McEwan ★ (08/24)
✓ 2. The Hunger Games | Suzanne Collins ★★★★★ (09/11)
✓ 3. The Night Circus | Erin Morgenstern ★★★★★ (10/26)

White/Silver

✓ 1. In One Person | John Irving ★★★ (08/22)
✓ 2. Me: Stories of My Life | Katharine Hepburn ★★★★ (08/24)
✓ 3. Skios: A Novel | Michael Frayn ★★★★ (09/01)

Yellow/Gold

✓ 1. The Quality of Mercy: A Novel | Barry Unsworth ★★ (08/22)
✓ 2. Mockingbird: A Portrait of Harper Lee | Charles J. Shields ★★★★★ (08/29)
✓ 3. Things Fall Apart | Chinua Achebe ★★★★★ (10/12)

Brown

✓ 1. The Dream of the Celt: A Novel | Mario Vargas Llosa ★ (08/19)
✓ 2. The City of Ember | Jeanne DuPrau ★★★ (08/28)
✓ 3. Neverwhere | Neil Gaiman ★★★★ (09/07)

Pink

✓ 1. The Mysterious Affair at Styles | Agatha Christie ★★★★ (08/29)
✓ 2. Tilt-a-Whirl | Chris Grabenstein ★★★★ (09/13)
✓ 3. I Scream, You Scream | Wendy Lyn Watson ★ (10/13)

Purple

✓ 1. The End of the Affair | Graham Greene ★★ (08/26)
✓ 2. A Dark-Adapted Eye | Barbara Vine ★★★ (09/14)
✓ 3. Stardust | Neil Gaiman ★★★★★ (09/15)

Orange

✓ 1. Wide Sargasso Sea | Jean Rhys ★★★ (08/23)
✓ 2. Arcadia | Lauren Groff ★★★ (09/05)
✓ 3. The Inquisitor: A Novel | Mark Allen Smith ★★ (09/11)

*** Completed (11/17) ***

Cherie, Good Omens is one of my favorite books ever. I've read and re-read it a million times... Which is why I'm putting that as an alternate, but who am I kidding - I will end up reading that over an unread Gaiman book. :D

Oops, I didn't notice that you ok'd this. :) Thank you and here's my list.

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - NEIL GAIMAN

Duration: Sep 1, 2012 - Oct 31, 2012
Completed: 9/9

✔ 1. American Gods ★★★★★ (11/09)
✔ 2. Anansi Boys ★★★★★ (11/24)
✔ 3. Coraline ★★★★ (09/17)
✔ 4. Fragile Things ★★★★ (10/17)
✔ 5. The Graveyard Book ★★★★★ (11/26)
✔ 6. Neverwhere ★★★★ (09/07)
✔ 7. Smoke and Mirrors: Short Fictions and Illusions ★★★★★ (10/18)
✔ 8. Stardust ★★★★★ (09/15)
✔ 9. Good Omens ★★★★★ (11/29)

*** Completed (11/29) ***

I'm in, though I'm not a child of 70s.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE A CHILD OF 70s WHEN...

Duration: Aug 15, 2012 - ????
Completed: 10/10

✔ 1. The phrase, "All skaters change directions!" means something to you.
In honor of the Roller-Disco, read a book which has a cover image of roller skates.
Touchy Subjects: Stories | Emma Donoghue ★★★ (02/06)

✔ 2. This rings a bell: "My name is Charlie, and they work for me."!
In honor of Charlie's Angels, read a book with a predominantly white cover.
Me: Stories of My Life | Katharine Hepburn ★★★★ (08/24)

✔ 3. You took family trips BEFORE the invention of the mini-van and remember riding in the back of the station wagon trying to get passing trucks to honk at you.
Read a book involving a road trip.
The Sun Also Rises | Ernest Hemingway ★★ (09/04)

✔ 4. You learned to swim at about the same time "Jaws" came out... and still carry the emotional scars to prove it.
Read a book with a predominantly blue cover.
The Age of Miracles | Karen Thompson Walker ★★★★★ (08/15)

✔ 5. Leg warmers were cool.
Read a book set in the fall or winter » A day in winter.
If I Stay | Gayle Forman ★ (09/21)

✔ 6. Schoolhouse Rock played a HUGE part in how you learned things like grammar, math and history. (A big hint here is if the only way you can recite the Preamble to the Constitution is by singing it.)
Read a book involving politics in some way » A main character is an activist.
Carry the One | Carol Anshaw ★★ (08/17)

✔ 7. Your first musical purchase was an 8-track tape.
Read a book whose page numbers end in 8 » 368 pages.
The Dream of the Celt: A Novel | Mario Vargas Llosa ★ (08/19)

✔ 8. You've ever owned a pair of rainbow suspenders like the ones Mork used to wear.
Read a book with a solid colored cover.
The Kissing List | Stephanie Reents ★★★★ (08/20)

✔ 9. You remember wanting to stay up to see Mr. Bill on Saturday Night Live.
Read a book that makes you laugh.
Beautiful Ruins | Jess Walter ★★★★★ (09/19)

✔ 10. It was a major accomplishment to get to the "Chase" scene in Ms. Pacman.
Read a book involving a powerful woman.
The Mysterious Affair at Styles | Agatha Christie ★★★★ (08/29)

*** Completed (02/06) ***

Hahaha on the 166 Es. I'll be on this forever..... Thank you Bree for the perspective... :D

I'll do this too. I don't think I can honestly list out a top 10, so I'll do the same as others and shuffle my Spotify playlist. There were some non-English songs in the middle, I cut them out.

TOP TEN MUSIC

Duration: Aug 14, 2012 - Dec 13, 2012
Completed: 8/10

✓ 1. Mind If I Cut In? (from the Dark Knight Rises Soundtrack)
In One Person | John Irving ★★★ (08/22)

✓ 2. You Raise Me Up (Josh Groban)
Me: Stories of My Life | Katharine Hepburn ★★★★ (08/24)

✓ 3. City of Glass (from the Tree of Life Soundtrack)
The City of Ember | Jeanne DuPrau ★★★ (08/28)

✓ 4. This is Not a Test (She & Him)
This Bright River | Patrick Somerville ★ (09/13)

✓ 5. Hope in the Air (Laura Marling)
In One Person | John Irving ★★★ (08/22)

6. Fake Empire (The National)

✓ 7. Judy and the Dream of Horses (Belle & Sebastian)
The Dream of the Celt: A Novel | Mario Vargas Llosa ★ (08/19)

8. Distance (Christina Perri & Jason Mraz)

✓ 9. The End of Innocence (from the Lust, Caution Soundtrack)
The End of the Affair | Graham Greene ★★ (08/26)

✓ 10. Rolling in the Deep (Adele)
In the Shadow of the Banyan | Vaddey Ratner ★★★★ (10/28)

*** Challenge INCOMPLETE ***

I'll be first. I will read Neil Gaiman at the difficult level. I'll start this in September though, since I have absolutely no space this month. I'll post my list if you ok this Cherie...

Split stuff up...

Split stuff up...

I'm in as well. I'll choose Versailles - I want to go there at least once before I die (preferably much sooner).

CASTLES OF THE WORLD

Duration: Aug 13, 2012 - Nov 12, 2012
Completed: 10/10

✓ V - The Dream of the Celt: A Novel | Mario Vargas Llosa ★ (08/19)
✓ E - A Visit from the Goon Squad | Jennifer Egan ★★★★★ (08/23)
✓ R - The Red House: A Novel | Mark Haddon ★★★★ (08/14)
✓ S - The Kissing List | Stephanie Reents ★★★★ (08/20)
✓ A - The Age of Miracles | Karen Thompson Walker ★★★★★ (08/15)
✓ I - In One Person | John Irving ★★★ (08/22)
✓ L - The Lifeboat | Charlotte Rogan ★★★ (08/21)
✓ L - Lord of the Flies | William Golding ★★★★★ (08/28)
✓ E - The City of Ember | Jeanne DuPrau ★★★ (08/28)
✓ S - Saturday | Ian McEwan ★ (08/24)

*** Completed (08/28) ***

First challenge here! My favorite author is Jane Austen. So, I'll spell her out. Totally pointless observation: many of us seem to love authors with J in their names. :)

GETTING TO KNOW YOU - FAVORITE AUTHOR

Duration: Aug 13, 2012 - Sep 12, 2012
Completed: 10/10

✓ J - In One Person | John Irving ★★★ (08/22)
✓ A - The Age of Miracles | Karen Thompson Walker ★★★★★ (08/15)
✓ N - Neverwhere | Neil Gaiman ★★★★ (09/07)
✓ E - A Visit from the Goon Squad | Jennifer Egan ★★★★★ (08/23)
✓ A - Carry the One | Carol Anshaw ★★ (08/17)
✓ U - The Quality of Mercy: A Novel | Barry Unsworth ★★ (08/22)
✓ S - The Kissing List | Stephanie Reents ★★★★ (08/20)
✓ T - Tomorrow | Graham Swift ★ (08/29)
✓ E - The End of the Affair | Graham Greene ★★ (08/26)
✓ N - Stardust | Neil Gaiman ★★★★★ (09/15)

*** Completed (09/15) ***

Me! I'm in too!

Hi everyone! I'm Chaitra. I'm an SAHM, but so far only to a cat. :D I live in CT and read all day while the cat snores. I was doing my daily read-through of posts on Crazy Challenge Connection and came across Cherie's post about this group - so of course I had to join. Looking forward to adding on more challenges!