The Next Best Book Club discussion
Cynthia's Seasonal Challenges
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OFFICIAL SPRING CHALLENGE - 2009
5 Point Tasks7. For Arbor Day – Do your part to save some trees by…
- Reading an e-book
I read Baby Proof by Emily Giffin on scribd.com
I originally used David Sedaris' book Naked (which I listened to as an audiobook) for this task, but I'm moving that to count for 5.8, the April Fool's Day task instead.
New Point Total: 230
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Judith wrote: "Rachel, it's interesting to hear your thoughts on that book, because I only knew of it based on a review from one of my friends..."It probably helped that I read it in little bits, here and there, and wasn't really expecting an overarching narrative. I didn't find it particularly difficult to follow, but then again, I also have outside knowledge that might have unconsciously filled in the gaps if anything was missing.
I would recommend you give it a shot, though! :) I would be interested in hearing what you think. I think the sections I found most compelling were those about the baking celebrities she was able to interview.
I just finished City of Glass by Cassandra Clare for 15pt task 8 and Wicked The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West for 25 point task 9.I waited sooo long to read City of Glass since I had the 30th hold on it in the library!I must say it was very satisfying and it tied up all loose ends. I hate it when you read the last page of the last book of a series and go, "Now what? Wait, it's over?" and have to wonder about all the hanging side plots and such. I am really glad that I didn't have to think at the end of this series: it felt very closed .
Kritika's total points
360+15+25
400
5 POINT TASKS
1. Prey by Michael Crichton
2. Carrie by Stephen King
3.
4.
5. Strawberry Shortcake Murder by Joanne Fluke
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
10 POINT TASKS
1. P.S. I Love You by Cecilia Ahern
2. The Wild Girl by Jim Fergus
3. The book Theif by Markus Zusak
4.
5. Harry Potter and The Sorcer's Stone by: J.K. Rowling
6.
7.
8. The Sum of All Fears by Tom Clancy
9. The Scarlet Letter -Nathaniel Hawthorn
10.
15 POINT TASKS
1.
2. Inferno by Dante Alighieri
3. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
4. Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery by Joanne Fluke
5. Lost Highway: Journeys and Arrivals of American Musicians by Peter Guralnick
6. 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
7.
8.
9. Devil in a Blue Dress (Easy Rawlins Mysteries) by Walter Mosley
10.
25 POINT TASKS
1.
2. John Adams by David McCullough
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
50 POINT TASK
385/575
5 POINTS1.
2. Read an epistolary novel OR a non-fiction collection of letters/journal etc.
3.
4. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles Task –
5. For Easter/Lent/Passover…
- Read a Christian Fiction novel,
- A book about sacrifice, OR
- A book about something you would or are planning to give up.
6. In Honor Of Women’s History Month…
- Read an autobiography/biography of a woman you admire OR
- A novel with one of the following in the title (woman, women, lady, ladies, female, feminine, girl, girls, maiden, madame).
7. For Arbor Day – Do your part to save some trees by…
- Reading an e-book OR
- Listening to an audiobook OR
- By reading a book and “recycling” it -
8. For April Fools Day…
- Read a humorous novel, a book of jokes, OR
- A biography/autobiography/memoir of a comedian.
9. Read a book with one of the following Spring animals in the title…
10. April Showers Bring May Flowers…
10 pts.
1. For St. Patrick’s Day – Read a book by an Irish author, set in Ireland, OR about Ireland.
2. For Cinco De Mayo – Read a book by a Mexican author, set in Mexico, OR about Mexico.
3. For ANZAC Day – Read a book by an Australian author, set in Australia, OR about Australia.
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/
5.
6. In honor of Earth Day (April 22) read a book with the word Earth, Moon, Sun, World, Star or one of the other planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune) in the title.
- Words such as earthly, sunset, lunar etc. are acceptable.
7. In Honor of Mother’s Day…
- Read a book recommended by/given to you by your mother.
8. In Honor of Memorial and Armed Forces Day – Read a book about a veteran OR someone serving in the military (fiction or non-fiction).
9.
10.
15 POINTS
1. Horescope book
2. April is National Poetry Month – Read a book of poetry OR about a famous poet.
3.
4. Read a novel that takes place in a location you plan to visit during this challenge OR have visited previously during spring break (does not have to be overly specific i.e. if you are visiting Paris this spring (LUCKY YOU) you could read a book that takes place anywhere in France).
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).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_lit...
6.
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.
- Example: You could read The Scent of Sake AND The Red Tent
8. Get To Know The Author - Read a book by an author AND then either attend a reading by that author OR read/listen to an interview with that author.
9. Read a book with a color in the title AND eat a meal that includes at least 2 foods that are that color (you don’t have to cook it yourself).
10.
25 POINT TASKS
1. KAREN’S TASK - As we are all totally completely addicted to GR (Goodreads), let's read…
- A book which title starts with the letter G AND
- A book which title starts with the letter R.
- Books like The Gargoyle or A Raisin In the Sun – that have titles beginning with A OR THE followed by a G or R word are acceptable for this task.
2. EL’s TASK - Read a Non-Fiction book ABOUT OR A DIARY written by one of the noted diarists on This List http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_dia... who lived prior to the 1900’s. NO FICTION BOOKS FOR THIS TASK!!
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.
4. ROS’ TASK - Read a book that’s on the big reads list. http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/bigread/top100...
5. BONNIE’S TASK - Read a memoir
6. JON’S TASK - H.M. Queen Elizabeth II is 83 on April 21st, read a Non-Fiction book of at least 400 pages relating in some way to the British Monarchy past or present. Write a short Goodreads review and post a copy on the Spring challenge thread.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kings_of_En...
7.
8.
9. SARA'S TASK - Read a book that has a title of 12 or more words.
SANDY'S 50 POINT MIDWAY TASK
Desperation by Richard Bachman, now I need to find a Stephen King that I haven't read
current total: 135
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.Lucky by Alice Sebold-4/12
Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer-5/15
My Person:SuzieR
470 Points
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One more for the count. I finished 5.6 - The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. I liked it, but I'm going to utter blasphemy and admit that I like the HBO series better thus far. I just think the plot is a little more cohesive and the individual cases have better resolution. Not to mention character development. I still enjoyed it though. Parts of it I loved.[image error]
Just finished Task 25.9 Abandoned Prayers The Incredible True Story of Murder, Obsession and Amish Secrets I really enjoyed the first half, and then it got a bit slowUpdate on Completed Tasks:
5 Points
#1. Wicked Lovely
#6. Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man What Men Really Think About Love, Relationships, Intimacy, and Commitment
#7. The Time Traveler's Wife
#9. The Silence of the Lambs
#10. Halloween Rain
10 Points
#6. The War of the Worlds
#10.(Kevin):The Historian
15 Points
#6. (Swedish-English) Pippi Longstocking
#8. A Child Called "It" One Child's Courage to Survive Interview at http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2004/...
25 Points
#4. Bridget Jones's Diary
#8. The Harvest & Coyote Moon
#9. Abandoned Prayers The Incredible True Story of Murder, Obsession and Amish Secrets
Points:150
# of Tasks Completed: 12/40
# of books read: 14
# of pages read: 4,522
Madeline wrote: "One more for the count. I finished 5.6 - The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. I liked it, but I'm going to utter blasphemy and admit that I like the HBO series better thus..."My favourite Alexander McCall Smith series are the 44 Scotland Street ones. I find them funny and I love the character of little bertie in them!
Finally I can add books again!10 points
3. For ANZAC Day
My Place
I wanted to read a non-fiction and less obvious one of those mostly read here. Don't know jsut couldn't get the feeling that I wanted to read any of those now.
But My place was great and very interesting.
15 points
8. Get To Know The Author
Borderlands
http://itsacrime.typepad.com/its_a_cr...
I had never heard of this author but for 1.99 euros,crime story, irish author and set in ireland it was an easy choice as I moved to Ireland last year.
It was his first book he wrote and it got published two years ago I think. It was a very very good story and great to read. Borderlands is the name they give to the borders between Northern Ireland and The republic of Ireland, where they find the dead body of a girl. At the end of the stoy you find out it also hs another meaning.
total points 165
5 POINT TASK.6. In Honor Of Women’s History Month…
- Read an autobiography/biography of a woman you admire OR
- A novel with one of the following in the title (woman, women, lady, ladies, female, feminine, girl, girls, maiden, madame).
Hypatia of Alexandria, Maria Dzielska.
TOTAL POINTS: 405.
Today I've read East of the Sun by Julia Gregson for 10 points. Completely different to what I was expecting. I enjoyed it and loved the characters. I wish that Viva, Tor and Rose were my friends!5 POINTS
1. A Neil Gaiman book
2. Adrian Mole and the Weapons of Mass Destruction by Sue Townsend
3. Half of Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
4. ?
6. The Girls by Lori Lansons
8. The Difficult Second Book by Chris Moyles
10. The Scarlet Pimpernel by Emmuska Orczy
10 POINTS
2. Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
4. Mr Pip by Lloyd Jones (Born 23rd March)
5. Carter Beats the Devil by Glen David Gold
6. East of the Sun by Julia Gregson
7. The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald (rec. by mum)
8. The Welsh Girl by Peter Ho Davies
9. I Capture the Castle (no. 1 of TNBBC top 10 list)
10. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson (One of Meg's 5 star rated books).
15 POINTS
2. Shakespeare by Bill Bryson
3. Water for Elephants by Sarah Gruen
5. The Sea by John Banville (won the Guardian Prize in 1981 for Kepler
6. Shape of Water by Andrea Camillia (translated from Italian into English
7. The Girl who was going to die by Glyn Maxwell and The End of Mr Y by Scarlett Thompson
8. The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold
9. The White Tiger by Aravind Acliga
10. Books 3,4 and 5 of the Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
25 POINTS
2. Samuel Pepys Diary by Samuel Pepys
3. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisberger (from Angela's bookshelves)
4. Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
5. The Face by Dean Koontz (Horror)
6. ?
8. Eragon by Christopher Paolini and Artemis Fowl and the Time Deception by Eoin Colfer
9. The Suspicions of Mr Whicher: or the Murder at Road Hill House by Kate Summerscale
50 POINTS
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Hurrah! Finished the 50 point task, which puts me at a total of 340 points. I read the novel Getting In by James Finney Boylan, and the memoir She's Not There by Jennifer Finney Boylan (written after the author's MTF transition). I thought the novel was a good easy read, if not my favourite book ever. I really enjoyed the memoir, though. It was smart, funny, and an honest look at the author's experiences both as a man and as a woman. Also, I really wish I went to Colby so that I could take her Literature and Imagination course.
I got confused with the 10.10 task because when I just went back to check on the list of members I realised that I had done it on the wrong Alice. So I am going to change that task to reading Eldest by Christopher Paolini. This was on Samantha Andrik's list of books read and she had given it five stars. I read the first book of the series; Eragon, for the 25 point task of reading a book for young adults and I loved it so am looking forward to it!
Finished The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America for the 12 word title for 25 pts and Cypress Moon for the Spring showers task for 5 points.Brings me to 415!
5 POINTS
1.
2.
3. Spring Cleaning – Leni: The Life and Work of Leni Riefenstahl, Steven Bach
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9. Spring Animals in title – Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal, Christopher Moore
10.
10 POINTS
1. Set in Ireland – Three Bags Full, Leonie Swan
2. Cinco De Mayo -- Set in Mexico, The Falling Woman, Pat Murphey
3. Australian Author – The People of the Book, Geraldine Brooks
4.
5.
6. Sun in Title – Mistress of the Sun, Sandra Gulland
7.
8.
9.
10. TNBBC Member 5 star book – Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
15 POINTS
1. SAGITARIUS: The archer – read a book about an athlete or sports. Shanks for Nothing, Rick Reiley
2.
3.
4.
5. Major Literary Prize, 1981 – John Updike, winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award, Witches of Eastwick
6. Translation – Suite Francaise, Irene Nemirovsky
7. Two books with rhyming titles – Bitten,….Ten Big Ones, Janet Evanovich
8.
9.
10. 3, 4, 5 series or titles – Kim Harrison
A Fistful of Charms
For a Few Demons More
25 POINT
1.
2.Diarist – The World of Louisa May Alcott, William Anderson
3.Jen’s List –
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
50 Points
1.
Total Points: 415
Tasks Completed: 26.5
Books Read: 31
Total Pages Read: 11,630
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I completed 10-point task number 2 and read The Ruins by Scott Smith which is set in Mexico.The book was pretty disappointing/lame.
I'm now at 440 points!!
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Finished two books - Shannon by Frank Delaney for the 10.1 Ireland task and Lasso the Moon by Beth Ciotta for the 10.6 Earth Day task. Total points now: 570! One more book to go!
The finish line is in sight...
4. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles Task – Read or listen to a book while you are on a plane, on a train, or in a car. (Read in car)For 5 points I read...Not All Tarts Are Apple by Pip Granger
7. For Arbor Day – Do your part to save some trees by Reading an e-book,audiobook OR By reading a book and “recycling” it. (Read online)
For 5 points I read...Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
10. April Showers Bring May Flowers…
- Read one book with a Rain related word (rain, thunder, storm, shower, lightning etc. but not water) in the title.
For 5 points I read Solar Storms by Linda Hogan
(New total: 555 points)
Tasks completed15.10. March, April, and May are the 3rd, 4th, and 5th months of the year
- Read 3 books with the numbers 3/4/5- three/four/five - 3rd/4th/5th - third/fourth/fifth in the titles
Stirling, Jessica - Sisters three READ
Caldwell, Ian – rule of Four READ
Harris, Joanna – Five quarters of the orange READ
NEW TOTAL = 490 points
5 points
2 The Diary of a Young Girl – Anne Frank READ
3 . Falling Out of Fashion – Karen Yamplosky READ
4 Little Women - EBOOK (reading)
6 Mah, Adeline Yen Title Falling leaves return to their roots : the true story of an unwanted Chinese daughter READ
7 Sepulchre / Kate Mosse READ read then give to library
8 Three bags full / Leonie Swan READ
9 The One Flew over the cukoos nest – Kesey READ
10 Nights of Rain and Stars – Maeve Binchy READ
45/50 points
10 points
2 Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel READ
3 Author Grenville, Kate Title The Secret river READ
4 SUE GRAFTON P is for Peril READ
5 inkspell READ
6 The Almost Moon – Alice Sebold READ
7 The outcast / Sadie Jones READ
8 Band of Eagles – Frank Barnard READ
9 Numer 1 on the list - I Capture the Castle – Dodie Smith READ
10 Bridget Jones Diary – Helen Fielding READ
100/100 points
15 points
2 On Hundred Favourite Humorous Poems - Classic FM READ
3 People of the Book – Geraldine Brooks (ordered)
One city / Alexander McCall Smith, Ian Rankin and Irvine Welsh READ
5 PD James - An Unsuitable Job for a Woman READ
6 Love in the time of Cholera READ
7 : Alias Grace Mary Higgins Clark & No Place Like Home A Novel Margaret Atwood (ordered)
Then read about him online. DONE
9 A CLOCKWORK ORANGE READ
CARROT AND SWEET POTATO MASH
10 Stirling, Jessica - Sisters three READ
Caldwell, Ian – Rule of Four READ
Harris, Joanna – Five quarters of the orange READ
120/150 points
25 points
2 Wordsworth, Dorothy Title Dorothy Wordsworth's illustrated Lakeland journals READ
3 The Cellist of Sarajevo – Steven Galloway READ
When Will There Be good news – Kate Atkinson READ
4 Animal Farm – George Orwell READ
5 Young Adult – Angus, Thongs and perfect snogging READ
6 In The Footsteps of Robert Bruce – Alan Young & Michael J Stead 190 pages READ
On the Trail of William Wallace – David R. Ross 146 pages READ
Mary Queen of Scots – Jayne Elizabeth Lewis READ
COMPETED BOOK REVIEWS FOR 3 BOOKS
7 Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice READ
8 The growing pains of Adrian Mole – Sue Townsend READ
Private peaceful – Michael Morpurgo READ
9 Waiting for Daisy : the true story of one couple's quest to have a baby / Peggy Orenstein READ
225/225 points
50 POINT TASK
Naked In Death – JD Robb (ordered)
0/50
Total 490 points
I just finished The Great Gatsby to complete 25.3 - this and Breakfast at Tiffany's were my picks from Rory's shelves. Both were great and filled some serious gaps in my literary education!Current Total: 495
Super-Duper Revised Goal: 575 - Yes I Can!
LEADERBOARD
1. DONNA JO - 575
2. SANDY - 575
3. WENDY - 575
4. BJ ROSE - 575
5. KRISTEN IL - 575
6. BRIDGIT - 575
***************
RORA - 565
KRISTENR - 560
SHARON - 555
LEORA - 545
LIZZI - 545
ASHLEY ID - 535
AMY MA - 530
CAIT - 520
BEV - 500
ANGELA IL - 495
JESSICA IL - 495
ALICE - 490
BETH MN - 490
TINA - 460
KRISTINA GA - 450
SARA TX - 450
APRIL NY - 440
EL - 430
JOSIE - 425
LOUISE - 415
MAGGIE - 415
SARA E - 415
MEGHAN - 410
KRITIKA - 400
LIZ BRKLYN - 395
ELIZABETH NC - 385
RHIANNON - 385
CYNTHIA (SCM) - 380
BONNIE - 375
ANGIE - 370
RORY - 370
PERS - 355
NICOLE NC - 350
JILLIAN - 355
MARY BETH - 350
JOY - 345
SUSAN - 345
JUDITH IA - 340
SUZIER - 340
LORI TX - 335
SANDIE - 325
STEPH - 320
REBECCA J - 315
ROSEANN - 310
LYNLEE4 - 305
LINDSEY - 300
CATHEROO - 295
DAVID - 290
JAMIE MN - 290
EVA - 280
BECKY - 275
LAURA NY - 270
STEPHANIE CA - 265
KATE - 260
COURTNEY - 255
FALLON - 255
WV HEATHER - 255
ALISHA - 250
JOANN - 250
MALIADES - 250
RENFREW - 250
JON - 245
SERA - 245
KRISTINA UK - 240
JEN B - 230
JENNIFER IN - 230
HAYES - 225
SARAH PA - 225
FIONA (TITCH)- 215
AMY R - 210
CAROL - 210
LIZ VEGAS - 210
REBECCA - 210
RACHEL WA - 205
ELIZABETH (ALASKA) - 200
KATHRYN - 200
VICTORIA - 200
RYAN - 195
ASHLEY AL - 190
BETH - 190
MANDAY - 190
JEANE - 180
RALPH - 180
JOANNA - 165
MARIE - 165
SLAYERMEL - 165
TERRI - 160
ASHLEY UT - 155
JEN MD - 155
JESSICA SC - 155
JOANIE - 155
JULIE (ID)'S - 155
LACY - 155
POTJY - 155
TRYPHENA - 155
LILY - 150
ROS - 150
CYNDEE - 145
LAUREN - 145
MEGAN - 145
MELODY - 145
TRACY - 140
KAREN - 135
MADELINE - 135
SAM - 135
HEATHER KS - 130
JEGKA - 130
SHANNON - 130
ANN FROM SC - 125
NATALIA - 125
CASSIE - 120
KICKI - 115
SUSANNA UK - 115
ABBIE - 110
MACKENZIE - 110
SHELLIE - 110
CATHERINE - 105
LINDA - 105
CYNTHIA - 100
AMANDA - 95
MEL - 95
ALLISON MO - 90
JENNY - 90
JESSICA MI - 90
SAI - 90
JAMIE WA - 85
MEREDITH H - 85
JULIE TN - 80
KELLY MA - 80
KIM UK - 80
KIM US - 80
VICKI - 80
JULIE UK - 75
RACHEL CA - 75
SLAIMI - 70
ALYSSA - 60
JAMIE 23 - 60
KELLY - 60
LDB - 55
ROBIN - 55
KATIE - 50
MORGAN - 50
5PEASINAPOD - 45
ELIZ - 45
JULIE KS - 40
LISA JULIANNA - 40
LIZ NY - 40
TOBIE - 40
JUDITH NY - 30
DOROTHY - 25
JAIME 26 - 25
KRISTI - 25
MARY - 25
MELISSA - 25
LAZARUS - 20
NICOLE CA - 20
CAITLIN - 15
JENNI - 15
GREG - 10
MICHELLE - 5
SHELBY - 5
I've been off for a while, been too busy to do much reading and then went off on a back-packing trip so I couldn't carry too many books on me.5 Points
9. Rabbit/Bird/Lion/Lamb/Baby Animal: The Lambs of London A Novel by Peter Ackroyd
Disappointing. I've been fascinated with Charles and Mary Lamb ever since reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. They are a real brother and sister who were authors. Mary went crazy and killed their father and wounded their mother and Charles spent the rest of his life taking care of her. But this book was...not worthy of their story. Maybe Ackroyd should stick to nonfiction.
10. Rain word (thunder, etc.)/type of flower or tree: Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones.
Good but confusing. But I'd already been warned about the confusing part.
10 Points
5. Magic/Magician: At the House of the Magician by Mary Hooper.
There's potential here that maybe the sequel will be better, but this is "meh." Although it was nice to see Queen Elizabeth and Dr. John Dee portrayed in a much more flattering light than in The Queen's Fool.
Total Points: 385
Just finished:
4. Spring Break - The Clock Winder by Anne Tyler which takes place mostly in Baltimore, a place I have spent many breaks.
It was an okay read.
15 points, making my total 435.
Bonnie wrote: "I've been off for a while, been too busy to do much reading and then went off on a back-packing trip so I couldn't carry too many books on me.5 Points
9. Rabbit/Bird/Lion/Lamb/Baby Animal: [book:..."You already claimed the points for the magic task back on 4/13 so you're actually only at 375.
Completed Tasks5 POINT TASKS (15)
1.
3.
6.
10 POINT TASKS (40)
4.
6.
7.
-->recommended and given to me by my mother as I’m trying to lose weight
9.
10.
15 POINT TASKS (90)
2.
3.
6.
5.
7.
8.
25 POINT TASKS (100)
3. Cynthia -
4.
8.
9.
TOTAL= 255 points
10 POINT TASK6. In honor of Earth Day (April 22) read a book with the word Earth, Moon, Sun, World, Star or one of the other planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune) in the title.
The Moon Is Down, John Steinbeck.
TOTAL POINTS: 415.
Bridgit wrote: "Finished two books - Shannon by Frank Delaney for the 10.1 Ireland task and Lasso the Moon by Beth Ciotta for the 10.6 Earth Day task. Total points now: 570! One more book to go!
The finish..."
Did you like Shannon. I am reading Tipperary, trying to get into this one, but I have read Ireland, which I absolutely loved.
Alice wrote: "My favourite Alexander McCall Smith series are the 44 Scotland Street ones. I find them funny and I love the character of little bertie in them!"I'll have to give those a try. I've heard so many good things about this author, I want to give him another chance.
I finished the Spring Animal task for 5 pts. I read The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. I am really enjoying this series, and am looking forward to finishing it up! I wish I had read them a while ago, but am glad that I am finally getting to them now!
New total: 535
Julie (ID) wrote: "Bridgit wrote: "Finished two books - Shannon by Frank Delaney for the 10.1 Ireland task and Lasso the Moon by Beth Ciotta for the 10.6 Earth Day task. Total points now: 570! One more book to go..."
I absolutely loved Ireland. It is one of my very favorite books. Tipperary wasnt as good, but I still quite enjoyted it.
Shannon was different. It didnt seem to have the beautiful storytelling that so encapsulated the other two books. Delaney's love of Ireland was still very obvious, and you will learn a lot about the areas of Ireland surrounding the River Shannon, but in my opinion, the author was trying to hard to write a mainstream novel. He includes intrigue and mystery into a plot that didnt need it.
The other thing is that this book will definitely turn some people off with its focus on Catholicism and the Church/life of priests. I wished it were more focused on Ireland post WW1 (and post independence from Britain) as opposed to the mystery sub plot that it had going.
I tried not to give anything away!! Overall, I would give it 2 stars, because I did enjoy the few Irish tales that were included, but I couldnt really get interested in the rest of the plot.
DONE!Finished task 5.6 The Maidenstone Lighthouse by Sally Smith O'Rourke
Complete list of tasks:
5 POINTS
1. Fantasy - White Witch, Black Cursee - KIm Harrison
2. Epistolary - Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - Mary Ann Shaffer
3. Spring Cleaning - THE ALCHEMIST - Paulo Coelho
- 4. Planes/Trains/Automobiles - Zugzwang - Ronan Bennett
5. For Easter/Lent…- Meridian - Alice Walker
6. Women's History Month - Maidenstone LIghthouse - Sally Smith O'Rourke
7. Arbor Day - I am Legend - Richard Matheson
8. April Fools - Spanking Shakespeare – Jake Wizner
9. Spring Animal - Lamb - Christopher Moore
10. April Showers - Poisonwood Bible - Barbara Kingsolver
10 POINTS
1. Ireland - Shannon - Frank Delaney
2.Mexico - Laura Esquivel - Malinche
3. Anzac Day - March - Geraldine Brooks
4. Author Born in March - Blood Red – Heather Graham
5. Magic - Garden Spells - Sarah Addison Allen
6. Earth Day - Lasso the Moon - Beth Ciotta
7. Mother's Day - Suddenly - Barbara Delinsky
8. Veterans Day - The First Wave - James Benn
9. TNBBC - The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
10. TNBBC Members - Restaurant at the End of the Universe - Doug Adams
15 POINTS
1. VIRGO: Romancing the West - Beth Ciotta
2. Poetry - Poet's Corner - John Lithgow
3. Past TNBBC Novel - Cormac McCarthy - The Road
4. Spring Break - The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
5. Birth Year Prize Winner - Dick Francis - Knockdown (1981)
6. Translation - Kennedy's Brain - Henning Mankell
7. Rhyme Time - A Peculiar Grace - Jeffrey Lent & The Lace Reader - Brunonia Barry
8. Get to Know an Author - By George - Wesley Stace
9. Color in Title - Alex Kava- White Wash (MILK AND VANILLA yogurt)
10. 3/4/5 - Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas, Sign of the Four - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Matador of the Five Towns and Other Stories - Arnold Bennett
25 POINT TASKS
1. KAREN’S TASK - Gloss - Jennifer Oko & Royal Lockdown, Rebecca York
2. EL’s TASK - Life and LEtters of Lewis Carroll - Stuart Dodgson Collingswood
3. ANGELA’S TASK - The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood & Something Borrowed - Emily Giffin
4. ROS’ TASK -. HItchiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Doug Adams
5. BONNIE’S TASK - Bob Harvey - Catalyst
6. JON’S TASK - Brief History of British Kings and Queens - Mike Ashley
7. DARLA'S TASK - Frankenstein - Mary Shelley (Pagemaster)
8. CASSIE'S TASK - Fablehaven – Brendan Mull & Glass Houses – Rachel Caine
9. SARA'S TASK - Three Cups of Tea - Greg Mortenson
Wendy's Task - Laughter of Dead Kings - Elizabeth Peters & Sons of the Wolf - Barbara Michaels
Total: 575
Congratulations Bridgit!! Feels great, doesn't it?!
Tasks completed50 POINT TASK
Read 2 books by an author who writes under two different names. For example, Nora Roberts also writes under the name J.D. Robb, so you would read a book by J.D. Robb and a book by Nora Roberts.
Naked In Death – JD Robb READ
Red Lily – Nora Roberts READ
NEW TOTAL = 540 points
5 points
2 The Diary of a Young Girl – Anne Frank READ
3 . Falling Out of Fashion – Karen Yamplosky READ
4 Little Women - EBOOK (reading)
6 Mah, Adeline Yen Title Falling leaves return to their roots : the true story of an unwanted Chinese daughter READ
7 Sepulchre / Kate Mosse READ read then give to library
8 Three bags full / Leonie Swan READ
9 The One Flew over the cukoos nest – Kesey READ
10 Nights of Rain and Stars – Maeve Binchy READ
45/50 points
10 points
2 Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel READ
3 Author Grenville, Kate Title The Secret river READ
4 SUE GRAFTON P is for Peril READ
5 inkspell READ
6 The Almost Moon – Alice Sebold READ
7 The outcast / Sadie Jones READ
8 Band of Eagles – Frank Barnard READ
9 Numer 1 on the list - I Capture the Castle – Dodie Smith READ
10 Bridget Jones Diary – Helen Fielding READ
100/100 points
15 points
2 On Hundred Favourite Humorous Poems - Classic FM READ
3 People of the Book – Geraldine Brooks (ordered)
One city / Alexander McCall Smith, Ian Rankin and Irvine Welsh READ
5 PD James - An Unsuitable Job for a Woman READ
6 Love in the time of Cholera READ
7 : Alias Grace Mary Higgins Clark & No Place Like Home A Novel Margaret Atwood (ordered)
Then read about him online. DONE
9 A CLOCKWORK ORANGE READ
CARROT AND SWEET POTATO MASH
10 Stirling, Jessica - Sisters three READ
Caldwell, Ian – Rule of Four READ
Harris, Joanna – Five quarters of the orange READ
120/150 points
25 points
2 Wordsworth, Dorothy Title Dorothy Wordsworth's illustrated Lakeland journals READ
3 The Cellist of Sarajevo – Steven Galloway READ
When Will There Be good news – Kate Atkinson READ
4 Animal Farm – George Orwell READ
5 Young Adult – Angus, Thongs and perfect snogging READ
6 In The Footsteps of Robert Bruce – Alan Young & Michael J Stead 190 pages READ
On the Trail of William Wallace – David R. Ross 146 pages READ
Mary Queen of Scots – Jayne Elizabeth Lewis READ
COMPETED BOOK REVIEWS FOR 3 BOOKS
7 Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice READ
8 The growing pains of Adrian Mole – Sue Townsend READ
Private peaceful – Michael Morpurgo READ
9 Waiting for Daisy : the true story of one couple's quest to have a baby / Peggy Orenstein READ
225/225 points
50 POINT TASK
Red Lily – Nora Roberts READ
50/50
Total 540 points
15 POINTS5. Read a book written by an author who won a major literary prize (Nobel, Pulitzer etc.) in the year you were born
Shadow of a Bull - Maia Wojciechowska 1965 newberry Medal
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BJ Rose wrote: "Congratulations Bridgit!! Feels great, doesn't it?!"Such a relief!!
10. Members of the TNBBC have great tastes in books Read a book that earned a 5-Star rating by another member who is on the same page as you. (Li) For 10 points I read... Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
(New total: 565 points)
7. In Honor of Mother’s Day… - Read a book where the author/main character shares the same first name as your mother
The Perfect Family by Pam Lewis-5/17
Mom's name Pam
480 points
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Bridgit wrote: "Julie (ID) wrote: "Bridgit wrote: "Finished two books - Shannon by Frank Delaney for the 10.1 Ireland task and Lasso the Moon by Beth Ciotta for the 10.6 Earth Day task. Total points now: 570! ..."
Thanks.
I've finished another couple of tasks. The first one was 5 pts, task 3 - Go to your GR bookshelf, click on the All Books, Date Added (earliest to most recent), read the first book you HAVE NOT yet read. I read Rebecca by Daphine Du Maurier and the second was 15 pts, 6. Read a book that was has been translated from its original language. I read My Invented Country by Isabel Allende.That brings my total to 415 points.
Latest UpdateJust finished Cocktails for Three for the 50 pt. challenge along with Confessions of a Shopaholic. Now, to try to finish the Chronicles of Narnia series.
THE TASKS
5 Points
1.
2. Almost Like Being in Love by Steve Kluger
3.
4. Eiger Dreams by Jon Krakauer
5. The Gnostic Mystery by Randy Davila
6. A Lady’s Secret by Jo Beverley
7.
8.
9. Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore
10. The Feast of Roses by Indu Sundaresan
Category Total: 20 / 50
10 Points
1. P.S. I Love You by Cecilia Ahern
2. Gringos by Charles Portis
3. In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson
4. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov (April 23)
5.
6.
7. Getting Mother’s Body by Suzan-Lori Parks
8. A Very Long Engagement by Sebastien Japrisot
9.
10.
Category Total: 40 / 100
15 Points
1.
2.
3. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
4.
5.
6.
7. The Last TOWN on Earth by Thomas Mullen /
The CROWN Conspiracy by Michael J. Sullivan
8.
9. The Red Scarf by Kate Furnivall
10. The Horse and His Boy, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis (Books 3, 4, and 5 of The Chronicles of Narnia series)
Category Total: 90 / 150
25 Points
1.
2.
3. From Eva:
4.
5.
6. Warriors of God: Richard the Lionheart and Saladin in the Third Crusade by James Reston Jr.
7.
8. The Silver Chair / The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis
9. House of Cards: A Tale of Hubris and Wretched Excess on Wall Street by William D. Cohan
Category Total: 150 / 225
50 Points
1.
Category Totals: 350 / 575
Goal: 350 / 350 YAY!!!!!!
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Just finished Task 15.3 with Bram Stokers Dracula. I really enjoyed it and was actually amazed at how close the movie stuck to the book. Update on Completed Tasks:
5 Points
#1. Wicked Lovely
#6. Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man What Men Really Think About Love, Relationships, Intimacy, and Commitment
#7. The Time Traveler's Wife
#9. The Silence of the Lambs
#10. Halloween Rain
10 Points
#6. The War of the Worlds
#10.(Kevin):The Historian
15 Points
#3. Dracula
#6. (Swedish-English) Pippi Longstocking
#8. A Child Called "It" One Child's Courage to Survive Interview at http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2004/...
25 Points
#4. Bridget Jones's Diary
#8. The Harvest & Coyote Moon
#9. Abandoned Prayers The Incredible True Story of Murder, Obsession and Amish Secrets
Points:165
# of Tasks Completed: 13/40
# of books read: 15
# of pages read: 4,899
I just have to say how impressed I am at the number of people who have finished the challenge. That's alot of books to read in 3 months! I thought I was a pretty fast reader, but you guys are amazing! I am just glad to have met my goal of 300 points, everything above is gravy, because I knew I couldn't ready that many in such a short period of time.Congrats to all the finishers and also to all those who have or will meet their personal goals by the end of the month!
Susan
Completed 10.9 Read a book from the TNBBC Top Books list by reading 1 on that list - I Capture the Castle. This was a great book and a great recommendation.New Tally
5 x 5 = 25
1 x 10 = 10
5 x 15 = 75
4 x 25 = 100
Total 210
Congratulations to all you finishers and everyone who is making progress on their goals.
It is so exciting to see people finishing up the challenge--way to go Bridgit! I've been interested to read the posts of those who set lower goals for themselves for whatever reasons and who have been achieving those goals and in some cases bettering them.Makes me want to shout Aren't we all great!! Thanks, Cynthia, for letting us all play nice together.
For 15.9, I read "Blue Screen" by Robert Parker. I had a blueberry muffin and blue M&M's. I know, not very healthy, but I had to find something blue!That makes 345 points.
15 points6. Read a book that was has been translated from its original language (i.e. it could be from Swedish to English or English to Italian etc.).
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea
The beginning was okay, the last hundred pages were interesting, but the almost 300 in between were too much, too boring, too long. I am so glad I finished it because it dragged on and on. So much explanation of hundreds of fish, which ones, ......just too much when nothing is happening.
total 180 points
I figured I would put in my total books for now, and then my last post will be on the last day of the challenge, and hopefully I will reach my goal, we shall see.
5 POINTS
1. Forest of Hands and Teeth - Carrie Ryan
2. Educating Esme: Diary of a teacher’s first year – Esme Raji Codell
5. It’s all about us – Shelly Adina
6. The Turkish Lover – Esmeralda Santiago
7. A Little Princess – Frances Hodgson Burnett
8.My Custom Van – Michael Ian Black
9. The Boys and the Bees – Joe Babcock
10. Storm catchers – Tim Bowler
Total : 40/50
10 POINTS
1. Hush: an Irish princess tale – Donna Jo Napoli
2. Sofi Mendoza’s Guide to Getting lost in Mexico – Malin Alegria
3. Does my head look big in this? – Randa Abdel-Fattah
6. Keeping the Moon – Sarah Dessen
Total : 40/100
15 POINTS
1. The Virginity Club – Kate Brian
2. Kissing Dead Girls – Daphne Gottlieb
3.The Book Thief – Marcus Zusac
4. Darkly Dreaming Dexter – Jeff Lindsay (MIAMI)
5.El Bronx Remembered – Nicholasa Mohr
6. Wetlands – Charlotte Roche
7. KING Dork & Chicks with Sticks: It’s a Purl THING
8. Abundance of Katherines – John Green
10. Thursday Next Series 3,4,&5 – Well of Lost Plots, Something Rotten & First Among Sequels –Jasper Fforde
Total : 135/150
25 POINT TASKS
1. Glass Books of the Dream Eaters & Rash
4.Princess Diaries – Meg Cabot
5. BONNIE’S TASK – Imani All Mine – Connie Porter (Urban Fiction)
7. Northanger Abbey – Jane Austen (Jane Austen Book Club)
8. CASSIE'S TASK – Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson & Graceling by Kristin Cashore
9. It Sucked and Then I Cried: how I had a baby a breakdown and a much needed Margarita by Heather B. Armstrong
Total – 150/225
50 pt task – 2 books from an author with pseudonyms
Sanctuary – Jenny Carroll
All-American Girl – Meg Cabot
Total : 50
Total : 415/575
I feel so close! Hopefully I will make it, but there is still so much left to read! Ahhh!
5 POINTS
1. Forest of Hands and Teeth - Carrie Ryan
2. Educating Esme: Diary of a teacher’s first year – Esme Raji Codell
5. It’s all about us – Shelly Adina
6. The Turkish Lover – Esmeralda Santiago
7. A Little Princess – Frances Hodgson Burnett
8.My Custom Van – Michael Ian Black
9. The Boys and the Bees – Joe Babcock
10. Storm catchers – Tim Bowler
Total : 40/50
10 POINTS
1. Hush: an Irish princess tale – Donna Jo Napoli
2. Sofi Mendoza’s Guide to Getting lost in Mexico – Malin Alegria
3. Does my head look big in this? – Randa Abdel-Fattah
6. Keeping the Moon – Sarah Dessen
Total : 40/100
15 POINTS
1. The Virginity Club – Kate Brian
2. Kissing Dead Girls – Daphne Gottlieb
3.The Book Thief – Marcus Zusac
4. Darkly Dreaming Dexter – Jeff Lindsay (MIAMI)
5.El Bronx Remembered – Nicholasa Mohr
6. Wetlands – Charlotte Roche
7. KING Dork & Chicks with Sticks: It’s a Purl THING
8. Abundance of Katherines – John Green
10. Thursday Next Series 3,4,&5 – Well of Lost Plots, Something Rotten & First Among Sequels –Jasper Fforde
Total : 135/150
25 POINT TASKS
1. Glass Books of the Dream Eaters & Rash
4.Princess Diaries – Meg Cabot
5. BONNIE’S TASK – Imani All Mine – Connie Porter (Urban Fiction)
7. Northanger Abbey – Jane Austen (Jane Austen Book Club)
8. CASSIE'S TASK – Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson & Graceling by Kristin Cashore
9. It Sucked and Then I Cried: how I had a baby a breakdown and a much needed Margarita by Heather B. Armstrong
Total – 150/225
50 pt task – 2 books from an author with pseudonyms
Sanctuary – Jenny Carroll
All-American Girl – Meg Cabot
Total : 50
Total : 415/575
I feel so close! Hopefully I will make it, but there is still so much left to read! Ahhh!
Tasks completed3. Read a past OR present TNBBC group read that you haven’t read before
People of the Book – Geraldine Brooks READ
NEW TOTAL = 555 points
5 points
2 The Diary of a Young Girl – Anne Frank READ
3 . Falling Out of Fashion – Karen Yamplosky READ
4 Little Women - EBOOK (reading)
6 Mah, Adeline Yen Title Falling leaves return to their roots : the true story of an unwanted Chinese daughter READ
7 Sepulchre / Kate Mosse READ read then give to library
8 Three bags full / Leonie Swan READ
9 The One Flew over the cukoos nest – Kesey READ
10 Nights of Rain and Stars – Maeve Binchy READ
45/50 points
10 points
2 Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel READ
3 Author Grenville, Kate Title The Secret river READ
4 SUE GRAFTON P is for Peril READ
5 inkspell READ
6 The Almost Moon – Alice Sebold READ
7 The outcast / Sadie Jones READ
8 Band of Eagles – Frank Barnard READ
9 Numer 1 on the list - I Capture the Castle – Dodie Smith READ
10 Bridget Jones Diary – Helen Fielding READ
100/100 points
15 points
2 On Hundred Favourite Humorous Poems - Classic FM READ
3 People of the Book – Geraldine Brooks READ
4 Edinburgh – Greyfriars Bobby – David Ross READ
One city / Alexander McCall Smith, Ian Rankin and Irvine Welsh READ
5 PD James - An Unsuitable Job for a Woman READ
6 Love in the time of Cholera READ
7 : Alias Grace Mary Higgins Clark & No Place Like Home A Novel Margaret Atwood (ordered)
Then read about him online. DONE
9 A CLOCKWORK ORANGE READ
CARROT AND SWEET POTATO MASH
10 Stirling, Jessica - Sisters three READ
Caldwell, Ian – Rule of Four READ
Harris, Joanna – Five quarters of the orange READ
135/150 points
25 points
2 Wordsworth, Dorothy Title Dorothy Wordsworth's illustrated Lakeland journals READ
3 The Cellist of Sarajevo – Steven Galloway READ
When Will There Be good news – Kate Atkinson READ
4 Animal Farm – George Orwell READ
5 Young Adult – Angus, Thongs and perfect snogging READ
6 In The Footsteps of Robert Bruce – Alan Young & Michael J Stead 190 pages READ
On the Trail of William Wallace – David R. Ross 146 pages READ
Mary Queen of Scots – Jayne Elizabeth Lewis READ
COMPETED BOOK REVIEWS FOR 3 BOOKS
7 Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice READ
8 The growing pains of Adrian Mole – Sue Townsend READ
Private peaceful – Michael Morpurgo READ
9 Waiting for Daisy : the true story of one couple's quest to have a baby / Peggy Orenstein READ
225/225 points
50 POINT TASK
Red Lily – Nora Roberts READ
50/50
Total 555 points
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5 Points
1 - Coraline by Neil Gaiman
2 - Anne Frank The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
3 - Morangos Mofados by Caio Fernando Abreu4 - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling audiobook5 - Memnoch the Devil by Anne Rice
6 - Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen
7 - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling audiobook8 -
9 - To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee10 - The House of Thunder by Dean Koontz
10 Points
1 - In the Woods by Tana French
2 - Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
3 - not yet
4 - The Ice Queen A Novel by Alice Hoffman5 - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling audiobook6 - Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer
7 - Pandora by Anne Rice
8 - Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier
9 - I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
10 - The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides15 Points
1 - Nightmare in Pink by John D. MacDonald
2 -
3 - Dracula by Bram Stoker4 - Blindness by José Saramago
5 - People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks6 - Another View by Rosamunde Pilcher read in Portugues7 - ---
8 - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling audiobook
9 - Blue Is For Nightmares by Laurie Faria Stolarz10 - ---
25 Points
1 - not yet
2 - not yet
3 - not yet
4 - Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë5 - Message by Fernando PessoaI REALLY don´t like poetry >.<6 - not yet
7 - Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen8 - Twilight and Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer9 - not yet
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