OFFICIAL SPRING CHALLENGE - 2009 Showing 5,401-5,450 of 6,381

[[deleted user]]

Rora wrote: 3. For ANZAC Day – Read a book by an Australian author, set in Australia, OR about Australia.

For 10 points I read...Mary Poppins by Pamela L. Travers ..."

Well, you learn something new every day!! I didn't know she was Australian!!

[Rora]

I didn't either until I was browsing around for Australian authors to read for the challenge. It's one of my childhood favorites, so it was nice to revisit. : )

[Cait]

Finished Confessions of a Shopaholic for the Mother's Day task 10.7 (my mom's name is Becky). It was pretty cute. I'll be reading the next in the series for sure.

Total Points: 445

[Jeane]

25 points

At least twelve words in title:
The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher Murder and the Undoing of a Great Victorian Detective


total 140 points

I thought in the beginning it was an interesting and fast book. But afte a while I knew it would just be the same way of tellinghow the investigation had been done, what they ad said and so on... so I just read to finish it. In general it isn't bad but when you know nothing is going to change anymore....

[Jeane]

I am looking for an autralian read..... and will start the one for the interview task.

[Cait]

Jeane wrote: "I am looking for an autralian read..... and will start the one for the interview task."

Have you read The Book Thief yet? That's what I read for the Australian task and I loved it!

[Kristen]

You can read any of John Flanagan's books as well. He has the young adult Ranger's Apprentice series.

[Jeane]

Thanks! i will see what I find around me that seems interesting. Can't go to the library till saturday...

[Lauren H.]

I've been working on a couple of small tasks for a while now. Last week I finished reading The Giver in the car, for 5 pts. I also finished the Arbor Day task in the car - I listened to Me to We by Craig and MarcKielburger in audiobook form for another 5 pts.

New total = 145 pts.

[Sara ♥]

I just started I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak, and am loving it.

Also, I loved The Year Of Secret Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty. It was WAY cute!

[Cait]

Sara TX wrote: "I just started I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak, and am loving it.

Also, I loved The Year Of Secret Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty. It was WAY cute!"

I can't wait to read I Am the Messenger. I'm picking it up from the library this afternoon!

[Cynthia]

Lauren wrote: "I've been working on a couple of small tasks for a while now. Last week I finished reading The Giver in the car, for 5 pts. I also finished the Arbor Day task in the car - I listened to Me to We by..."Which task did you read The Giver for?

[Kristina]

Just finished:

Sandy's task - The Virginity Club by Kate Brian and I Was a Non-Blonde Cheerleader by Kieran Scott. Kieran Scott is her real name and Kate Brian is a pen name.

Kate Brian's The Virginity Club follows four main characters, Eva, Kai, Mandy, and Debbie as their friendship changes during their senior year. Each girl faces personal problems at home while their stress is amplified by a scholarship opportunity for someone intelligent and pure of body. There are no major surprises or plot twists in this novel and the characters can be hard to distinguish, at first. The writing is suited for the younger young adults, however, there are a few sexual scenes/discussions that aren't, and those seem out of place because of that.

Kieran Scott's I Was a Non Blonde Chearleeder: This title of this book says it all: this is about a non-blonde cheerleader. It was an okay read, fairly predictable, and fine for the younger side of Young Adults.

50 points, making my total 405.

[Madeline]

Creeping along, but I managed to finish two more.
10.3 - Eucalyptus by Murray Bail - An interesting story, written like a fairytale but with a love story for Eucalypts at its foundation. I almost felt as if I were watching it all through a fog, with the occasional details seen clearly.

25.5 - The Mystery Guest: An Account by Gregoire Bouillier - (I've never read a memoir) I really enjoyed this. It was unexpected how strongly I felt for this guy. A surprising and gratifying ending as well. Life lived as if it were fiction. Beautifully writ.


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[Amy]

Just completed The Reivers and it was painful. Faulkner's Pulitzer Prize Winner was very difficult to move through smoothly - his use of the vernacular of the times and locale (Deep Slavery South) plus the age of his main character/narrator (11 years old) made this novel a great deal of work for me. Add it to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society read much earlier in the challenge and I've completed Task 25.1.

Cynthia - Does The Giving Tree satisfy 5.5 - sacrifice task?

[Maliades]

Just finished task 10.9. I read: I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith. I enjoyed it. My new points total is 260.

[Cynthia]

Amy wrote: "


Just completed The Reivers and it was painful. Faulkner's Pulitzer Prize Winner was very difficult to move through smoothly - his use of the vernacular of the times and locale (De..."Yes I awarded you the points for it

[Amy]

Cynthia wrote: "Amy wrote: "


Just completed The Reivers and it was painful. Faulkner's Pulitzer Prize Winner was very difficult to move through smoothly - his use of the vernacular of the times an..."

Thank you !!

[Amy]

GIRL - You're fast !!!

[Wendy]

5.2 The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
5 points
Total 540 4 to go!!!!

[Beth F]

5 POINTS
1:Stolen by Kelley Armstrong (4/06/09)
2:84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff (3/04/09)
4:From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris (3/10/09)
6:The Spymaster's Lady by Joanna Bourne (4/10/09)
7: My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult (3/12/09)
8:The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson (4/12/09)

10 POINTS
1:Angelas Ashes by Frank McCourt (4/13/09)
3:Obernewtyn by Isobelle Carmody (3/20/09)
4:A Great and Terribly Beauty by Libba Bray (3/02/09)
6:Moon Called by Patricia Briggs (3/11/09)
7:The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo (4/12/09)
8:The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane (4/25/09)
9:The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (4/28/09)
10:All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris (3/03/09)

15 POINTS
1:Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier (4/21/09)
3:The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (4/02/09)
4:Bloodsucking Fiends by Christopher Moore (3/30/09)
5:The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald (4/07/09)
6:The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (3/13/09)
8:City Dog by Alison Pace (3/01/09)
9:The Black Dagger Brotherhood an Insider's Guide by J.R. Ward (4/04/09)

25 POINTS
1:The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (3/09/09) and Rebel Angels by Libba Bray (3/16/09)
2:A Midwifes Tale by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich (4/16/09)
4:The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett (3/24/09)
5:The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield (3/27/09)
7:The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (5/04/09) Book appeared in 10 Things I Hate About You
8:Holes by Louis Sachar (3/17/09) and Life: An Autobiography as Told by Jack Gunthridge by Jack Gunthridge (3/18/09)
9:I'm a Stranger Here Myself: Notes on Returning to America After 20 Years Away by Bill Bryson (4/20/09)

50 POINTS
1: Master of Seduction by Kinley MacGregor (4/17/09) and Night Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon (4/23/09)


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Points: 440
# of Tasks Completed: 29.5/40
# of Books Read: 33
# of Pages Read: 10,244 (+1 audiobook)
-Beth MN

[Sandy]

Books I've read and current one is striked

5pts:
1. Fantasy Novel: Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs
2. Epistolary Novel: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
4. Automobile task: The Lion,the Witch and the wardrobe- C.S Lewis
5. Easter/Lent: Speak Through the Wind by Allison K. Pittman
6. Women's history month: The Lady and the Cad by Tamela Hancock Murray
8. April Fools Day: Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson
9. Spring Animal: The Butterfly Garden by Mary Campisi
10. May flowers: His Winter Rose by Lois Richer
10pts:
1. St. Patrick's Day: Maire by Linda Windsor
2. Cinco de Mayo: Like Water for Cohoclate by Laura Esquivel
3. Anzac Day: Faith in the Southland by Mary Hawkins
4. Author born in May: A family to share by Arlene James
5. Magic: The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis
6. Earth Day: Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
7. Mother's Day: Killer Cargo by Dana Mentink
8. Memorial/armed Forces Day: Military Daddy by Patricia Davids
9. TNBBC Top Book List: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
10. Date Joined: Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

15 pts:
1. Aries: The Greek's Bridal Purchase by Susan Stephens
2. Poetry Month: Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
3.TNBBC Group Read: Stardust by Neil Gaiman
4. Spring Break Location: Bayou Justice by Robin Carrol
5. Literary Prize: Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley
6. Translated Book: The Fifth Mountain by Paulo Coelho
7. Rhyming Books: Bridal Veil by Cathy Marie Hake and Long Trail to Love by Pamela Griffin
8. Get to Know Author: Operation: Married by Christmas by Debra Clopton
9. Book with a color in title: Bluegrass Peril by Virginia Smith
10. 3rd,4th, 5th book in series: The Horse and His Boy, Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader By C.S. Lewis
25 pts:
1. Karen's Task: Glory Be! by Ron and Janet Benrey and Remembered by Tamera Alexander
2. El's Task: Very Truly Yours, Chalres L. Dodgson, Alias Lewis CArroll by Lisa Bassett
3. Angela's Task: The Undomesitc Goddess and Can You Keep a Sercret by Sophie Kinsella
4. Ros' Task: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
5. Bonnie's Task: Simple Genius by David Baldacci
7. Darla's Task: The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
8. Cassie's Task: Confessions of a Serial Kisser by Wendelin Van Drannen and If We Kiss by Rachel Vail
9. Sara's Task: Mr. Lincoln's High tech war: How the North used the Telegraph, Railroads, Surveillance Balloons, Iron-Clads, High Powered weapons, and more by Thomas B. Allen and Roger Macbride Allen

Total:
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[Amy C]

This is an update to yesterday's list. I've completed
15.1 Capricorn: read a book about an artist or art.
"People of the Book".

This book connects very nicely to another book I'm reading "My Name Is Red" which is also about miniature painting and the dangerous nature of the task because figurative painting could be considered an affront to the religious establishment.

So I think that makes my current tally
4 x 5 = 20
3 x 15 = 45
Total 65

[Julie J]

Read Wrapped in Rain by Charles Martin for 5 points (task with rain in the title).
Total: 80 points

[Julie J]

Read Wrapped in Rain by Charles Martin for 5 points (task with rain in the title).
Total: 80 points

[Alisha Marie]

Five Point Tasks
1.Science Fiction Novel: Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment
2. Epistolary Novel: The True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters A Novel
3. Spring Cleaning: Off Season
4. Commute???
5. For Easter/Lent: Persuasion
6. Women's History Month: Girl, Interrupted
7. Arbor Day: Love the One You're With(swapping it on paperbackswap)
8. Humorous Novel: Revenge of the Spellmans
9. Spring Animal Title: To Kill a Mockingbird
10. Book with Rain related word: The House of Thunder
Category Totals:

10 Point Tasks
1. Irish Author:PS, I Love You
2. Mexican Author: The Hummingbird's Daughter
3. ANZAC Day: The Book Thief
4. Author B-Day in March: Goodnight Nobody
5. Book about Magic: Abarat
6. Earth Day: The Pillars of the Earth
7. Mother's Day: The Kindness of Strangers
8. Armed Forces Day: Cold Mountain
9. TNBBC Top Books List: The Secret History
10. Five Stars Member's List: Lucky
Category Totals:

15 Points
1. SCORPIO: The Road
2. National Poetry Month: Transformations by Anne Sexton
3. TNBBC Unread Group Read: House of Leaves
4. Location You've Been (CT): Swapping Lives
5. Award Winning Author:Nazareth Hill by Ramsay Campbell (British Fantasy Award in 1988)
6. Translated Book: The Thief Lord
7. Rhyming Novels: A Northern Light & The Kite Runner
8. Get to Know the Author: The Price
9. Book with Color Title: Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood
10. 3-4-5: All That Remains, Cruel and Unusual, & The Body Farm
Category Totals:

25 Points
1. Karen's Task: The Golden Compass AND Rebecca
2. El's Task: Alice's Adventures: Lewis Carroll in Popular Culture-Will Brooker
3. Angela's Task: Handle With Care AND A Great and Terrible Beauty
4. Ros's Task: The Stand
5. Bonnie's Task: I Am Legend
6. Jon's Task: The Six Wives of Henry VIII
7. Darla's Task: Emma by Jane Austen
8. Cassie's Task: Looking for Alaska AND The Sisterhood of Traveling Pants
9. Sara's Task: Little Red Riding Hood Uncloaked Sex, Morality, and the Evolution of a Fairy Tale by Catherine Orenstein

50 Points
1. Sandy's Task: Blaze A Novel AND Salem's Lot

Just finished Abarat for the magic task. So that puts me at 225 points.


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[Terri]

25 POINT TASKS
9. SARA'S TASK - Read a book that has a title of 12 or more words

American Eve: Evelyn Nesbit, Stanford White: The Birth of the "It" Girl and the Crime of the Century
by Paula Uruburu

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[Rora]

3. Spring Cleaning: Follow these directions to find your book for this task... - Go down the list and read the first book you come to that you HAVE NOT yet read.

For 5 points I read...Waters Luminous and Deep by Meredith Ann Pierce

(New total:520 points)

[Jamie]

Following Amy's example, I've read The Giving Tree for task 5.5!

5 points
2. Epistolary - Ella Minnow Pea 3/27
5. Lent/Sacrifice - The Giving Tree 5/5
6. Women's History - Stargirl 4/4
7. Arbor Day - Daisy Miller (online) 3/3
8. Humorous - Notes from a Small Island 4/30
10. Rain-Related - The Lightning Thief 4/9

10 points
1. Ireland - The Poor Mouth 3/14
5. Magic - The Sea of Monsters 4/11
9. TNBBC Top Book List - I Capture the Castle 3/22
10. TNBBC Member's 5 Star - Dead Until Dark (Ashley) 4/18

15 points
2. Poetry - A Light in the Attic 3/2
3. TNBBC Group Read - The Bell Jar 3/31
4. Spring Break - Revenge of the Spellmans (San Francisco) 3/19
5. Award Winner - The Westing Game (1979 Newbery Winner) 3/31
7. Rhyming Books - ONE False Note 4/25 and A Raisin in the Sun
10. 3, 4, and 5 Books - The Titan's Curse 4/17, The Battle of the Labyrinth 4/23, and The Last Olympian

25 points
2. EL - The World of Louisa May Alcott 4/3
3. Angela Ella Enchanted 3/3 and Pride and Prejudice (Cassie)
4. ROS - Bridget Jones's Diary 3/21
5. BONNIE - The Call of the Wild (animals) 3/8
8. CASSIE - The Demigod Files 4/17 and The Maze of Bones 4/24

Total Points: 230

[Tina]

10 POINTS

6. In honor of Earth Day --- Evil Under the Sun by Agatha Christie

10. Members of the TNBBC have great tastes --- Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Total Points: 435
Tasks Completed: 34

[Jo]

10 points
1. The Deportees

New total: 310 points

[Jessica]

15 point task
7. In honor of both Dr. Seuss’ birthday (March 2) and Mother Goose Day (May 1) find and read two books with rhyming titles. By this I mean that there is a word in the title of one book that rhymes with a word in the other book’s title.
Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen and Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella

Current Point Total: 80
Jessica (MI)

[Jen B]

10 Point Tasks
4. Read a book by an author who was born in March, April, or May.
- You can find a list that will help with this task at http://www.authdir.net/

I listened to Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen, who has a March 12 birthday.

This one is hilarious (and the narrator of the audiobook is fantastic). I definitely recommend it!

New Point Total: 175


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[Jen]

15 point task #9 Read a book with a color in the title and eat a meal that includes at least 2 foods that are that color: Blue is for Nightmares by Laurie Faria Stolarz and blue cornchips with salsa and blueberries with cream
Total Points: 155

[Bridgit]

Finished two more books:

10.8 First Wave: a Billy Boyle Mystery - James Benn. This takes place during WWII.

10.9 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath (number 9) I was born in 1981.

That gives me 530 points.

I only have five more books to go, but I am not sure if I am going to make it! I am getting married in 3 weeks and it keeps getting in the way of my reading time!

[Amy]

Jamie wrote: "Following Amy's example, I've read The Giving Tree for task 5.5!

5 points
2. Epistolary - Ella Minnow Pea 3/27
5. Lent/Sacrifice - The Giving Tree 5/5
6. Women's History..."

Jaime - Feel free to follow me anytime !! Besides - given all of the heavy stuff I've been plowing through I needed a wee bit of a break ;)

[Cynthia]

LEADERBOARD
DONNA JO - 575
***************
BJ ROSE - 550
SANDY - 545
KRISTEN IL - 540
WENDY - 540
LIZZI - 535
BRIDGIT - 530
RORA - 520
KRISTENR - 475
CAIT - 470
SHARON - 455
BEV - 445
BETH MN - 440
LEORA - 440
ALICE - 440
AMY MA - 435
TINA - 435
ASHLEY ID - 430
KRISTINA GA - 420
MEGHAN - 410
LOUISE - 395
SARA TX - 395
ANGELA IL - 385
JESSICA IL - 385
JOSIE - 385
MAGGIE - 370
RORY - 370
APRIL NY - 365
BONNIE - 365
KRITIKA - 360
LIZ BRKLYN - 360
ANGIE - 345
EL - 340
CYNTHIA (SCM) - 335
JILLIAN - 335
NICOLE NC - 335
SUSAN - 315
LORI TX - 310
PERS - 310
REBECCA J - 310
CATHEROO - 295
ELIZABETH NC - 290
LINDSEY - 285
SANDIE - 285
EVA - 280
JUDITH IA - 280
LYNLEE4 - 280
RHIANNON - 280
MARY BETH - 275
ROSEANN - 275
JOY - 270
LAURA NY - 270
SUZIER - 260
COURTNEY - 255
BECKY - 250
JOANN - 250
MALIADES - 250
FALLON - 245
KRISTINA UK - 240
JAMIE MN - 230
JENNIFER IN - 230
JON - 230
KATE - 230
STEPH - 230
ALISHA - 225
RENFREW - 225
STEPHANIE CA - 220
FIONA (TITCH)- 215
LIZ VEGAS - 210
HAYES - 205
ELIZABETH (ALASKA) - 200
SARA E - 200
WV HEATHER - 200
SERA - 195
ASHLEY AL - 190
JEN B - 190
MANDAY - 190
VICTORIA - 190
CAROL - 185
RALPH - 180
JOANNA - 165
MARIE - 165
SARAH PA - 160
JEN MD - 155
LACY - 155
POTJY - 155
TRYPHENA - 155
LILY - 150
ROS - 150
CYNDEE - 145
LAUREN - 145
MEGAN - 145
REBECCA - 145
BETH - 140
DAVID - 140
JEANE - 140
KATHRYN - 140
TRACY - 140
KAREN - 135
ASHLEY UT - 130
HEATHER KS - 130
JEGKA - 130
JOANIE - 130
JULIE (ID)'S - 130
RYAN - 130
ANN FROM SC - 125
JESSICA SC - 125
MADELINE - 125
MELODY - 125
NATALIA - 125
TERRI - 125
CASSIE - 120
SLAYERMEL - 120
KICKI - 115
SUSANNA UK - 115
ABBIE - 110
CATHERINE - 105
LINDA - 105
CYNTHIA - 100
SHANNON - 100
AMANDA - 95
MACKENZIE - 95
AMY R - 90
JENNY - 90
SAI - 90
MEL - 85
MEREDITH H - 85
JESSICA MI - 80
JULIE TN - 80
RACHEL WA - 80
SAM - 80
VICKI - 80
JULIE UK - 75
KIM - 75
RACHEL CA - 75
KELLY MA - 70
SHELLIE - 70
SLAIMI - 70
ALLISON MO - 65
JAMIE WA - 65
ALYSSA - 60
KELLY - 60
ROBIN - 55
KATIE - 50
5PEASINAPOD - 45
ELIZ - 45
JULIE KS - 40
LDB - 40
LISA CO - 40
LIZ NY - 40
TOBIE - 40
JAMIE 23 - 35
MORGAN - 35
JUDITH NY - 30
DOROTHY - 25
JAIME 26 - 25
KRISTI - 25
MELISSA - 25
LAZARUS - 20
NICOLE CA - 20
CAITLIN - 15
JENNI - 15
GREG - 10
MARY - 10
MICHELLE - 5
SHELBY - 5

[Cynthia]

Bridgit wrote: "Finished two more books:

10.8 First Wave: a Billy Boyle Mystery - James Benn. This takes place during WWII.

10.9 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath (number 9) I was born in 1981.

That gives me ..."Congrats on your upcoming nuptials.

[Sara ♥]

**Bridgit wrote: "I only have five more books to go, but I am not sure if I am going to make it! I am getting married in 3 weeks and it keeps getting in the way of my reading time!"

Congratulations!!


**Jamie wrote: "Following Amy's example, I've read The Giving Tree for task 5.5!"

**Amy wrote: "Jamie - Feel free to follow me anytime !! Besides - given all of the heavy stuff I've been plowing through I needed a wee bit of a break ;) "

Amy--You're a genius! I'm going to pick The Giving Tree up from the library today. Not only do I need a break, but, simultaneously, I need to feel like I'm making progress--even if it's just a little 5-pointer!

[Jamie]

Amy wrote: "Besides - given all of the heavy stuff I've been plowing through I needed a wee bit of a break ;)"

I can see how that could be an issue! I'm just having fun with this challenge, since I know I could never finish it! It's been nice to shorten my TBR list this way and I've read a lot of good books that I know I wouldn't have gotten to in a while otherwise. I'd planned on re-reading Persuasion for Task 5.5, but I won't be able to get to it this month, so thanks for leading the way with The Giving Tree!

[Lori]

Weekend Update

I finished reading Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague by Brandon Mull for task 10.5. These books are full of magic and magical creatures. I have really been enjoying them and can't wait to read the 4th one for the Summer Challenge.

I also finished reading Word Gets Around by Lisa Wingate for the 5.5 task. It is a Christian Fiction novel and I don't normally read Christian Fiction because I find it too "preachy". But this book was not like that until the very end.

So these two tasks bring my total to 310 points. I finally broke 300...yippee!!!!!!!!!


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[Amy]

Flattery will get you Everywhere ladies !!! Bridgit - congratulations and blessed be for a happy and colorful wedding day !!!

[Lacy]

Completed Tasks
10 pts
#5 The Magician's Nephew
#7 Mary Emma & Company

Magicians nephew was interesting and I enjoyed knowing the history of Narnia. Those 2 things set aside It wasn't my favorite read.

I did however REALLY like my mothers day book. The day to day activities recorded in this book were just inspiring. I found it peaceful and invigorating to read.

I believe my total is 155pts

[Lauren H.]

oops sorry about that Cynthia, I didn't make it very clear. I read The Giver for task 5.4 - read a book while in a plane, train or car.

[Joy Marie]

Completed #7 under the 5 point category! YIPEE!!!!
Finished "To The Nines" by Janet Evanovich...I love Stephanie Plum!

5 POINTS
#1 Coraline by Neil Gaiman Rating - B 4/15/09

#3 Angels & Demons by Dan Brown Rating - A 4/9/09

#4 I listened to this audiobook in my car during the 7 hr drive to and 7 hr drive from the Texas Valley. Andrew Jackson by Robert V. Remini Rating - C 3/21/09

#7 To the Nines by Janet Evanovich Giving the book to my friend at work. Rating - B+ 5/5/09

#8 Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich Rating - A 3/31/09

10 POINTS

#2 Like Water for Chocolate byLaura Esquivel Rating - A 3/23/09

#3 The Book Thief by Markus Zusak Rating - A+ 4/25/09

#4 Seven Up by Janet Evanovich Rating - B 3/5/09

#7 My mom's name is Kathleen. Calamity Jayne by Kathleen Bacus Rating - C+ 4/2/09

#9 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams #77 off the TNBBC Top Books List (I was born in 1977) Rating - A- 3/26/09

15 POINTS

#2 Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell Rating - C+ 4/26/09

#4 Went to the Texas Valley for spring break and also crossed the border into Mexico and visited South Padre Island. Living on the Edge of America At Home on the Texas-Mexico Border by Robert Lee Maril Rating - C 4/21/09

#6 The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho Rating - A+ 3/6/09

25 POINTS
#1 The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams Rating - A- AND
The Glass Castle A Memoir by Jeannette Walls Rating A- 4/16/09

#3 From Eva's List (THANKS EVA!) The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve AND The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom Rating on both of these is A-. 3/20/09

#4 Big Reads List #15 The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger Rating C- 5/4/09

#5 Manhunt The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson I NEVER read true crime and don't plan to again any time soon!....Rating - C+ 3/13/09

#6 Royal Affairs A Lusty Romp Through the Extramarital Adventures That Rocked the British Monarchy by Leslie Carroll Rating C+ 4/30/09

#8 Beauty Shop for Rent . . . fully equipped, inquire within by Laura Bowers and Eva Underground by Dandi Daley Mackall Give a B+ to both these books. 3/30/09


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[Kristina]

Another 25 points, I read Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen and Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini from Elizabeth (Alaska)'s list for
25.3. ANGELA’S TASK - Look for your first post in the Official Spring Challenge. Once you find it, look at the person below you and go to their profile and pick TWO books to read off of their shelves. If their profile is listed as private, go to the person below that person.

I loved both of these books and they are not books I would have picked up and read without someone suggesting them to me - this is the great thing about this reading challenge.

[Louise]

I've completed a 25 point task, number 4. Read a book that’s on the big reads list. I read I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith. I was really disappointed with this book and had to force myself to keep reading, but I'm glad I've read it as so many people have been talking about it!

My total is now 395 points.

[Leah]

QUICK point update, as I have spent waaaay too long catching up on all the posts I haven't read (I don't ever want to miss anything, but it sure makes it hard when you don't log on for a while!!)

5 point task #3 (Spring Cleaning) Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian - ok, not my favorite of his, but still entertaining, and he still remains one of my fave authors.
25 point task #4 (BBC Big Reads) On the Road by Jack Kerouac
25 point task #9 (12 or more word title) Give It Up! My Year of Learning to Live Better with Less by Mary Carlomagno. I was excited to read this, as I am on a never-ending quest to simplify my life, but it just wasn't as good as I hoped. I didn't come away inspired, just feeling like I had read a report about her experimentation with giving up a different "luxury" item a month.
25 point task #6 (Jon's task) The Six Wives of Henry VIII by Alison Weir. I loved this, although I put it down several times to pick up non-challenge books. I'll post the required review separately.

Total points these tasks = 80
Total points to date = 445

[Leah]

My review of The Six Wives of Henry VIII by Alison Weir.
As a used bookseller who has a constant waiting list for the next Phillipa Gregory novel featuring yet another of the celebrated wives of King Henry VIII, I am all too familiar with the rise in popularity this royal dynasty has enjoyed these last few years. The Six Wives of Henry VIII by Alison Weir is a wonderful overview of all of the wives, providing rich detail and an intimate glimpse into their varied personalities. How I wish I could put this smart, informative, and entertaining book in the hands of every one of my Gregory fans! Unfortunately, its sheer size is daunting to many. However, if one can get past the length and the idea that one is actually reading historical non-fiction, it proves to be quite captivating. It is a natural next step for a reader who has been introduced to this family through the popularity of Gregory’s novels or the Showtime series “The Tudors”. Weir is an accomplished historian and skilled writer. Those who tackle this tome will be rewarded with an enhanced knowledge of this fascinating family and the satisfaction that every detail has been thoroughly researched. I highly recommend this engaging history of these famous women for anyone who desires to delve a little deeper.

[Jen B]

15 Point Tasks
5. Read a book written by an author who won a major literary prize (Nobel, Pulitzer etc.) in the year you were born (it does not have to be the book they won the award for).

I listened to an audiobook of The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin, which won the Newberry Medal in 1979.

New Point Total: 190


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