The Next Best Book Club discussion
Cynthia's Seasonal Challenges
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OFFICIAL SPRING CHALLENGE - 2009
Beth, I read your review of The Book Thief after seeing you consider it one of the worst books you read for this challenge. I gave it only one star more than you did, but felt generally the same (minus the pregnancy part, and btw, congratulations on that). It's just refreshing to see that I'm not as out of my mind in regards to my opinion of the book as I am constantly told. :)
My best:Residence on Earth/Residencia en la Tierra, Pablo Neruda.
Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier.
A Garden of Earthly Delights, Joyce Carol Oates.
The Answer / La Respuesta, Including a Selection of Poems, Sor Juana.
A Canticle for Leibowitz, Walter J. Miller, Jr.
In the Beginning Was the Ghetto Notebooks from Lodz, Oskar Rosenfeld.
The only one I would consider The Worst would be
The Barrens by Rosamond Smith (pseudonym for Joyce Carol Oates). What a disappointment.
Meghan wrote: "The author, Christopher Paolini, says he had sooooooo much to write that he was turning it into a "cycle" instead of a trilogy. "ooooo fantastic!!! does a cycle mean that the books are going to keep coming and coming?!
From what I've heard there will only be one more in the Cycle.
My favourites from this challenge in no particular order are:The Guernsey Literary and Potato Pie Peel Society
Eragon and Eldest
Mr Pip
My Illegal Self
Carter Beats the Devil
The White Tiger
The Bookshop
The very very worst were:
The Suspicions of Mr Whicher
Samuel Pepys Diary
Finally got another finished! It's the 25 point G&R challenge, which puts me at 365 points. I'm doing a little switching around, so I had previously listed Running with Scissors for the humor challenge. I'm switching that with I Am America, and So Can You! for humor. For the G&R challenge, I'm using (The) God of Small Things and Running with Scissors. Let me know if that makes no sense :-)
SUMMER CHALLENGE IS UP - EVERYBODY TAKE A LOOK.
I completed 15-point task 4. I read The Yearling by Majorie Rawlings which takes place in Florida which is where I went for Spring Break this year.This brings me to 480 points.
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My favorite books from this challenge would be ...The Forgotten Garden A Novel, People of the Book, Figures in Silk A Novel, The Rossetti Letter....and books 2-7 of the Stephanie Plum series.
Goal: 390 Points / 32 books---Stats---
Earned Points: 300 of 390
Books Read: 25 of 32
Total Pages Read: 9773
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5 POINT TASKS
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (SF)
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
Labyrinth by Kate Mosse (audiobook)
5. Read a Christian Fiction novel.
Showdown by Ted Dekker
Lady Susan by Jane Austen
Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood (Sent to Kandice.)
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
9. Read a book with a spring animal in the title.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
The Scarlet Pimpernel by Emmuska Orczy
10 POINT TASKS
Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides /Born: March 8, 1960
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susana Clarke
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
7. Read a book recommended by/given to you by your mother.
The Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst
Othello by William Shakespeare
I Capture The Castle by Dodie Smith (#1 - I was born in 1982)
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen (Thanks Heather from page 39!)
15 POINT TASKS
1. LIBRA: Read a book about a lawyer, the law, a judge etc.
The Last Juror by John Grisham
Inferno by Dante Alighieri
Neverwhere: A Novel by Neil Gaiman
6. Read a book that was has been translated from its original language.
The Plague by Albert Camus
Duma Key by Stephen King
9. Read a book with a color in the title AND eat a meal that includes at least 2 foods of that color.
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
(Planned foods: Garlic and Feta cheese mashed potatoes and vanilla ice-cream)
25 POINT TASKS
The Green Mile (Complete Serial Novel) by Stephen King
4. Ros's Task: Read a book from the Big Reads List.
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
(Non-fictional memoir -- I normally read fiction: fantasy, horror, classics, etc.)
Death Be Not Proud by John Gunther
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier (Referenced in "The English Patient".)
8. Cassie's Task: Read two YA novels.
50 POINT TASK
1. Sandy's Task: Read two books by an author writing under two different names.
Lori wrote: "I finished Brisingr by Christopher Paolini for task 5.7. I listened to this book on audio and found it just as fascinating as the first two. Now I am impatiently waiting for the co..."Lori, did your audiobook of Brisingr have an interview with the author at the end? Mine did, and I think he said that the final book has become so huge that they're making two books out of it - sort of like George R.R. Martin did with A Song of Ice and Fire.
EEEEE! Summer challenge up? Cynthia, I'm reaching my arms through the computer and giving you a giant hug now. Screw my plans to work this evening :-)
OMG!!! I get sick for a week and another challenge appears! I guess my reading will have to really kick into high gear now.One thing about getting the flu and recouperating is that alot of reading gets done. I will be posting the MANY books I read later on tonight (I've got one more I'm really close to finishing).
El wrote: "Beth, I read your review of The Book Thief after seeing you consider it one of the worst books you read for this challenge. I gave it only one star more than you did, but felt generally the same (..."We are small in number but I've found a few others who weren't too keen on the book either! That's always somewhat validating.
I completed 15-point task 6, and listened to a translation of the epic poem of Beowulf.It pretty much went over my head (my brain is still fried from university ha ha)
Anyways this brings me to 495 points!
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OK, I just tried to post this and managed to hit a wrong button and deleted all of my comments--WAAAAA!I'm just going to list numbers, titles, and authors this time. There are quite a few as I was stuck in bed most of the week (I usually don't enjoy being sick, but I had all my books to keep me company!)
5.1-FIRE WATCH by CONNIE WILLIS
5.2-LETTERS OF A WOMAN HOMESTEADER by ELINORE PRUITT STEWART
5.4-BELLWETHER by CONNIE WILLIS (I LOVE her books!)
10.10-THE UNDOMESTIC GODDESS by SOPHIE KINSELLA
25.1-GREEN MANSIONS by W.H. HUDSON & REMAINS OF THE
DAY by KAZUO ISHIGURO
25.7 TROPIC OF CANCER by HENRY MILLER (Mentioned and being read in AFTER HOURS).
I believe this brings my total to 385.
Beth wrote: "El wrote: "Beth, I read your review of The Book Thief after seeing you consider it one of the worst books you read for this challenge. I gave it only one star more than you did, but felt generally..."
I was looking forward to this book... I'm still going to read it, but perhaps now my expectations will not be so high.
I was looking forward to this book... I'm still going to read it, but perhaps now my expectations will not be so high.
Hello,I've finished Alice in Wonderland for the transportation.
I also changed the 12 words books (I can't find Wicked anywhere), so here's my updated list:
5 POINTS
1. SF or Fantasy: The Diamond Age, Neal Stephenson
2. Epistolary novel: Les Liaisons dangereuses, Pierre Choderlos de Laclos
3. Spring Cleaning: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Robert M. Pirsig
4. Transportation:
5. The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible As Literally As Possible, A.J. Jacobs
6. Women’s History Month:
7. For Arbor Day:
8. For April Fools Day: The Color Of Magic (Discworld, Book 1), Terry Pratchett
9. Spring animals:
10. April Showers Bring May Flowers:
10 POINTS
1. St. Patrick’s Day: Dubliners, James Joyce
2. For Cinco De Mayo: No Sera La Tierra, Jorge Volpi
3. ANZAC Day: English Passengers, Matthew Kneale
4.
5. Harry Houdini’s Birthday: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, Susanna Clarke
6. In honor of Earth Day: Thirteen Moons, Charles Frazier
7. In Honor of Mother’s Day, lent by my mother: Mémoires d'Hadrien, Marguerite Yourcenar
8. Memorial and Armed Forces Day: Wild Fire, Nelson DeMille
9. TNBBC Top Books list: The Fountainhead- Ayn Rand (n° 28)
10. Members have great tastes: Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi (Nik D)
15 POINTS
1. It’s Written In the Stars - LEO: Les Rois maudits, Tome 1 : Le roi de fer ; La reine étranglée, Maurice
2. National Poetry Month: Letters to a Young Poet, Rainer Maria Rilke
3. TNBBC group read: The Road, Cormac McCarthy
4. Location:
5. Price winner: A Good Man in Africa, William Boyd (Somerset Maugham Award 1982)
6. Translated book:
7. Dr. Seuss’ birthday and Mother Goose Day (sorry, this one's in french): La Taverne du doge Loredan, Alberto Ongaro and Oui, mon commandant!, Amadou Hampâté Bâ
8. Get To Know The Author:
9. Color:
10. Read the third, fourth and fifth books of one series: A series of unfortunate events books 3, 4 & 5, Lemony Snicket
25 POINT TASKS
1. addicted to GR: The Godfather, Mario Puzo and Rebecca, Daphné du Maurier
2. Non-Fiction book about a diarist:
3. ANGELA’S TASK: The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan and Lord of the Flies by William Golding (from Cynthia’s bookshelf)
4. The big reads list:
5. Book outside your normal genre(s):
7. DARLA'S TASK - Read a book you've either heard referenced in a movie: Tintin au Tibet, Hergé (referenced in Malabar Princess)
8. CASSIE'S TASK - Read two young adult novels: A series of unfortunate events books 1 & 2, Lemony Snicket
9. SARA'S TASK - Read a book that has a title of 12 or more words: Why Don't Penguins' Feet Freeze?: And 114 Other Questions, More Questions and Answers from the Popular 'last Word' Column by New Scientist
Current points: 170/500
Books read: 13/44
Total as of 5/23/09 is 160 points after finishing I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith which was the oldest book on my "to read" list.
LEADERBOARD
1. DONNA JO - 575
2. SANDY - 575
3. WENDY - 575
4. BJ ROSE - 575
5. KRISTEN IL - 575
6. BRIDGIT - 575
7. KRISTENR - 575
8. LEORA - 575
9. LIZZI - 575
10. RORA - 575
11. JESSICA IL - 575
12. ASHLEY ID - 575
***************
AMY MA - 555
SHARON - 555
CAIT - 550
BETH MN - 540
TINA - 525
ALICE - 505
ANGELA IL - 505
SARA TX - 505
BEV - 500
APRIL NY - 495
BONNIE - 490
KRISTINA GA - 465
MAGGIE - 465
EL - 460
LIZ BRKLYN - 455
SARA E - 440
LOUISE - 435
JOSIE - 430
MEGHAN - 430
ELIZABETH NC - 415
CYNTHIA (SCM) - 410
ROSEANN - 410
NICOLE NC - 405
KRITIKA - 400
SUSAN - 395
PERS - 390
RHIANNON - 385
JUDITH IA - 375
ANGIE TX - 370
JILLIAN - 370
JOY - 370
RORY - 370
JAMIE MN - 355
LORI TX - 355
MARY BETH - 350
SUZIER - 340
SANDIE - 325
STEPH - 325
LINDSEY - 315
REBECCA J - 315
LYNLEE4 - 305
BECKY - 300
CATHEROO - 295
DAVID - 290
EVA - 280
JON - 280
STEPHANIE CA - 275
FALLON - 270
LAURA NY - 270
ALISHA - 265
SARAH PA - 265
JEN B - 260
KATE - 260
MEGAN - 260
SERA - 260
COURTNEY - 255
WV HEATHER - 255
HAYES - 250
JOANN - 250
MALIADES - 250
RENFREW - 250
JENNIFER IN - 240
KRISTINA UK - 240
RACHEL WA - 240
RYAN - 230
AMY R - 225
BETH - 225
MANDAY - 220
FIONA (TITCH)- 215
CAROL - 210
LIZ VEGAS - 210
REBECCA - 210
ELIZABETH (ALASKA) - 200
KATHRYN - 200
VICTORIA - 200
ASHLEY AL - 190
JEANE - 190
ASHLEY UT - 180
RALPH - 180
JULIE (ID)'S - 175
SAM - 175
TERRI - 175
TRACY - 175
LACY - 170
MARIE - 170
JOANNA - 165
NATALIA - 165
SLAYERMEL - 165
JOANIE - 160
JEN MD - 155
JESSICA SC - 155
POTJY - 155
TRYPHENA - 155
LILY - 150
ROS - 150
CYNDEE - 145
LAUREN - 145
MELODY - 145
KAREN - 135
MADELINE - 135
SHANNON - 135
HEATHER KS - 130
JEGKA - 130
KIM UK - 130
ANN FROM SC - 125
CASSIE - 120
CYNTHIA - 115
KICKI - 115
SUSANNA UK - 115
ABBIE - 110
ANGIE CA - 110
JAMIE WA - 110
MACKENZIE - 110
SHELLIE - 110
CATHERINE - 105
JENNY - 105
LINDA - 105
AMANDA - 95
JESSICA MI - 95
KELLY MA - 95
MEL - 95
ALLISON MO - 90
JAMIE 23 - 90
JULIE TN - 90
KIM US - 90
SAI - 90
MEREDITH H - 85
LDB - 80
VICKI - 80
ALYSSA - 75
JULIE UK - 75
RACHEL CA - 75
SLAIMI - 70
KELLY VA - 60
LISA JULIANNA - 55
MORGAN - 55
ROBIN - 55
KATIE - 50
5PEASINAPOD - 45
ELIZ - 45
JULIE KS - 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 just finished There's No Place Like Here - um I don't know about this one - it was just ok for me - not great but not horrible either. My TASKS
5 POINTS
10 POINTS
15 POINT TASKS
2. National Poetry Month - The Book of Irish Verse - John Montague
25 POINT TASKS
50 POINTER
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10 points1. For St. Patrick’s Day
The Copper Beech
Another Maeve Binchy book I read and again I loved it. This book is made up by seperate stories about the kids at the school with the copper beech. You read about their lives from when they were kids till they are adults. All the seperate stories make one big story. Maeve Binchy always manages to wrte in a way that I just want to continue reading.
Total 190 points
BJ Rose wrote: "Lori wrote: "I finished Brisingr by Christopher Paolini for task 5.7. I listened to this book on audio and found it just as fascinating as the first two. Now I am impatiently waiti..."I think he meant that Brisingr got so big it had to be two. But that could just be my interpretation. :)
Finished another one -- Task 2 (5 points). I'm chugging along... and you've already posted the Summer Challenge?! Yikes!5 points:
1. A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L'Engle
2.
3. The Enchanted Castle, E. Nesbit
4.
5. The Redemption, M. L. Tyndall
6. Myself When Young, Daphne DuMaurier
7.
8.
9.
10. The Bean Trees, Barbara Kingsolver
10 points:
1. Nights of Rain and Stars, Maeve Binchy
2. Under the Volcano, Malcolm Lowry
3. The Australian Stories, T. James Pierce
4. Moon Tiger, Penelope Lively
5. Inkheart, Cornelia Funke
6. The Wind on the Moon, Eric Linklater
7.
8.
9.
10. The Screwtape Letters (Susan's list, joined 1/29/09), C. S. Lewis
15 points:
1. Museum Pieces, Elizabeth Tallent (set in New Mexico -- I'm a Scorpio)
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8. The Comforts of a Muddy Saturday, Alexander McCall Smith (listening to a lecture given at our local library)
9. either The Golden Bowl, Henry James (if I'm up to Henry James) or The Golden Thread, N. McLeod (that way I don't have to come up with a new meal idea!)
10. The Third Angel, Alice Hoffman; The Fourth Angel, Suzanne Chazin; The Fifth Angel, Tim Green (I'll let you know if I find any unifying themes!)
25 points:
1.
2. My Dearest Friend: Letters of Abigail and John Adams
3.
4. Winnie-the-Pooh, A. A. Milne
5. Road from Coorain, Jill Ker Conway (I don't read many memoirs/biographies)
6.
7.
8.
9.
Tracy wrote: "Finished another one -- Task 2 (5 points). I'm chugging along... and you've already posted the Summer Challenge?! Yikes!5 points:
1. A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L'Engle
2. Captain Wentwo..."
Tracy, I am planning to read your 10.1 from Maeve binchy too! I took it from my pile this evening.
15 POINTS3. Past OR present TNBBC group read that you haven’t read before --- Dracula by Bram Stoker
50 POINTS - Read 2 books by an author who writes under two different names. --- The Man in the Brown Suit by Agatha Christie and Absent in the Spring by Mary Westmacott
Total Points: 525
Tasks Completed: 38
Tina wrote: "15 POINTS3. Past OR present TNBBC group read that you haven’t read before --- Dracula by Bram Stoker
50 POINTS - Read 2 books by an author who writes under two different names. --- The Man..."
Tina, what did you think of Absent in the spring? I finsihed it Thursday and was so glad to ahve read it. The biggest difference for me was no crime or murder!
I just finished Brave New World. It was the oldest book on my TBR, so 5 pts. I really liked this book. It was very interesting, and really makes you think about what is important in life. Life now is full of perfect happiness. There is nothing wrong, because when something is distressful or annoying (like bugs) they just get rid of them. It messes with your mind a little, especially when you start making connections to today's world. But, I really liked this book. Finishing this means that I am done!!
Yay for finishing!!
New total: 575!!
My complete read list:5 Pts:
1. Princess of the Midnight Ball
2. The Perks of Being a Wallflower
3. Brave New World
4. The White Stag
5. The Last Battle
6. Strawberry Girl
7. The Story of Dr. Dolittle
8. Calvin and Hobbes 10th Anniversary Edition
9. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
10. Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry
10 Pts:
1. The Picture of Dorian Gray
2. Esperanza Rising
3. I Am the Messenger
4. The Girl with the Silver Eyes- Willo Davis Roberts May 29
5. The Magician's Nephew
6. Enchantress from the Stars
7. Pippi Longstocking
8. Girl in Blue
9. The Bell Jar- #9 ((born 1987)
10. The Silver Chair- Michelle's shelf
15 Pts:
1. Girl with a Pearl Earring
2. Pack Up Your Troubles
3. The Book Theif
4. The Landlord- Utah
5. A Fine White Dust- Newberry Honor- 1987
6. Cyrano de Bergerac- French
7. SO Yesterday and A Countess BELOW Stairs
8. Ella Minnow Pea
9. Where the Red Fern Grows- Pepperoni pizza, red juice and licorice
10. The Horse and His Boy, Prince Caspian, and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (Narnia 3, 4 and 5)
25 Pts:
1. Great Tales of Horror and The Runaway Princess
2. Walden- Thoreau
3. Lord of the Flies and The Guernsey Literary and Potatoe Peel Pie Society (Cynthia)
4. 1984
5. Of Love and Other Demons
6. The 6 Wives of Henry VIII
7. Dr Jekyll and Mr Hydde- The Pagemaster
8. Shadow Spinner and The Swan Kingdom
9. Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson
50 Pts:
1. The House of Thunder- Leigh Nichols and Velocity- Dean Koontz
Congrats Ashley!! I have six more books and I am determined to finish this challenge. Started three and the others should be quick reads.
Finished another. This was Dear John from Linda's shelf for 10 points, putting me at 375 points total. I kind of hated it, but that was predictable, because I hated the other Sparks I read. I wanted to give the book away though so now I can do that!
25 points5. A Star Danced by Gertrude Lawrence
I hardly ever read biographies...I don't know why. This wasn't one I wanted to read but I found the 1st edition at the salvation army for 50 cents one day. It was okay...nothing amazing, but interesting.
New total: 250
Early in the A.M. I finished:1. Leo - Royalty - Affaire Royale by Nora Roberts
It was an okay book. I had read the one about the main characters daughter and preferred it.
15 points, making my total 465.
4 more to go...2 will be quick but 2 are over 500 pages apiece...yikes! I'm determined to finish, especially now that I know I'll never be able to complete the Summer Challenge!!! :)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)
5:The Gnostic Mystery by Randy Davila (5/20/09)
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)
2:Bless Me Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya (5/23/09)
3:Obernewtyn by Isobelle Carmody (3/20/09)
4:A Great and Terribly Beauty by Libba Bray (3/02/09)
5:The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling (5/13/09)
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)
2:Beowulf by Anonymous (5/18/09)
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)
7:A Rush of Wings by Adrian Phoenix (5/01/09) and Lush Life by Richard Price (5/08/09)
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)
10:Dime Store Magic (5/09/09), Industrial Magic (5/18/09) and Haunted (5/20/09) by Kelley Armstrong
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)
3:The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency (5/12/09) and Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith (5/14/09)
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)
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: 535
# of Tasks Completed: 36/40
# of Books Read: 43
# of Pages Read: 13,397 (+1 audiobook)
-Beth MN
Ashley wrote: "I just finished Brave New World. It was the oldest book on my TBR, so 5 pts. I really liked this book. It was very interesting, and really makes you think about what is important in life. Life now ..."WTG Ashley!
9. Read a book with one of the following Spring animals in the title… Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd-5/23
New Total 505
5 Books To Go!!!
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Beth wrote 4 more to go...2 will be quick but 2 are over 500 pages apiece...yikes!I know the feeling!! I am still reading the book on Princess Diana and it is about 450 pages and I started I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb, which is a whopping 895 pages. I am about half way through though. The other books I have to finish are going to be quick reads. I have a plan, so we shall see! I am officially addicted to these challenges.
Angela wrote: I am officially addicted to these challenges.Oh yeah, I'm completely addicted as well.
In between going out and doing weekend stuff and squeezing in some reading time, I've been sneaking on and off the computer all day to see how close everybody else is getting, who has finished and to switch tasks around for the summer challenge.
My husband thinks I'm nuts!
Mine too!!! I stayed home tonight to read and compile my list because we are having a BBQ tomorrow. He thinks I am crazy and I am starting to think I MAY have a problem :)
I've finishes a 10 pt task, number 7. Read a book where the author/main character shares the same first name as your mother OR read a book recommended by your mother. My mum recommended The House at Riverton by Kate Morton which I listened to on audiobook.That brings my total to 435 points.
Well done to everyone who managed to finish the challenged!
Angela wrote: "9. Read a book with one of the following Spring animals in the title… Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd-5/23
New Total 505
5 Books To Go!!!
"
I was going to use that one for the same task but changed my mind. I am reading it now...don't know yet what to think about it. Did you like it? Des the story evolve in more?
Jean, I thought it got off to a slow start, but I like the way it finished and I really enjoyed the characters of the sisters (who appear later). Lemme know what you think in the end.
Jeane- I really loved the book... the characters in it were all so different, but I think just the messages in the book overall for me was powerful.
I finished two more tasks:10 points
6. Moon Palace
25 points
7. The Mysteries of Udolpho as seen/mentioned in Northanger Abbey (the version from 2007)
New total: 390 points
5 POINT TASK7. For Arbor Day – Do your part to save some trees by…
- By reading a book and “recycling” it - giving it away to someone else like a friend or through an online book swap/trading site or by donating it to a local library or charity.
Timbuktu A Novel, Paul Auster.
TOTAL POINTS: 460.
Yesterday I finished The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society for task 5.2. I loved it, read it with a stupid grin continually on my face, and giggles frequently getting the better of me.Total: 430 points.
10 Points1. Ireland: The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.
Not as good as Wilde's plays. My favorite part was actually reading the review snippets by contemporary papers that was included in the penguin classics edition. So many critics panned it and talked about how it wasn't as good as such-and-such author who is now forgotten by modern generations while Wilde is still famous. Take that, critics!
3. Australia: a short history of australia by Manning Clark.
A bit dry and boring, to tell the truth. There are probably better Australian histories out there. But at least now I've got a starting place for Australian history (which I did not know about AT ALL before this).
Total Points: 470
The Next Best Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
Tempting Fate (other topics)Romeo and Juliet (other topics)
Romeo and Juliet (other topics)
Why Don't Penguins' Feet Freeze?: And 114 Other Questions (other topics)
Where the Sidewalk Ends (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Anita Shreve (other topics)Markus Zusak (other topics)
Neil Gaiman (other topics)
Paulo Coelho (other topics)
Douglas Adams (other topics)
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Best:
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo
Stolen by Kelley Armstrong (total fluff, but I loved it)
Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
Worst:
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (go ahead and tar and feather me now, I can take it)
A Rush of Wings by Adrian Phoenix (this book sucked a$$!!!!!)
The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett
Life: An Autobiography as Told by Jack Gunthridge by Jack Gunthridge