The Next Best Book Club discussion
Cynthia's Seasonal Challenges
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OFFICIAL SPRING CHALLENGE - 2009
Congrats beth, c'mon april you can do it!! i Take my hat off to all you guys that finished, great job!! Although it's certainly making the next one longer!! hehe
Congrats Beth... :) I just finished another book, so I only have one more task left...
We can do it April!!!
I will be staying up late tonight because I am determined.
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. I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb-5/30 (Eva's page)
New total: 550
25 pointer left :)
Thanks Kristen! I still have to complete Jon's task. I did start the book awhile back, but found it difficult to get into. I WILL finish it though. We have so many tasks for the Summer Challenge, it is crazy.
BTW: Love your task
Hehe. Thanks! Gotta promote my love for YA books :).
I had so many to choose from! So much flexibility :)
Haha, yeah, that's one task I'm leaving open til it's filled ;). Basically the first three YA I read outside what I've prepicked for other tasks. :)
I just got back from my Graduation Grand Canyon road trip (yay!) and managed to read just one more task 15.4 This is Not Civilization by Robert Rosenberg. The book took place in Arizona on the Navajo reservation as well as in Krgystan sp? and Istanbul. It was ok, not what I'd expected but interesting the way the characters lives were weaved together. Not an uplifting story, but it did have a kind of message tied in about not running from your problems (I think). Anyways that brings me up to 150. I'm halfway through The Law of Love and will try to finish that as my final book completed for this challenge, hopefully my sinus infection will let me :)
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Kristen, that's kind of what I'm doing, too. I listed three from my list of to-reads, but I have this whole list of queer YA novels I want to read before I leave Iowa City and its fabulous library, so whichever three I end up reading first I'll count for the task.
All tasks completed5 points
2 The Diary of a Young Girl – Anne Frank READ
3 . Falling Out of Fashion – Karen Yamplosky READ
4 Little Women - EBOOK READ
5 The Red Tent – Anita Diamant READ
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
50/50 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 READ
8 The Unbearable Lightness of Scones – Alexander McCall Smith READ
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
150/150 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 575 points
Angela, I'm at work until 7 a.m., so I'm hoping to accomplish some real reading!
Sharon wrote: "All tasks completedCongratulations, Sharon!
Sharon, what were your favorite books from the challenge??
Previously completed: 25.4 - The Woman in White - 3/5/2009
15.1 - The Other Boleyn Girl - 3/7/2009
15.5 - Eros, Eros, Eros Selected and Last Poems -3/9/2009
15.8 - The Numerati - 3/14/2009
5.4 - Naked in Death - 4/4/2009
5.7 - When You Are Engulfed in Flames - 4/13/2009
5.6 - The Icarus Girl - 4/15/09
25.9 - When Genius Failed The Rise and Fall of Long-Term Capital Management - 4/16/09
10.4 - Two for the Dough - 4/20/09
5.1 - Oryx and Crake - 4/23/09
15.2 - A Far Rockaway of the Heart - 5/10/09
25.2 - The Bad Beginning - 3/29/09 & The Good Thief - 5/20/09
25.7 - Lolita - 5/6/09
5.8 - Undead and Unwed - 5/13/09
25.5 - Write it When I'm Gone - 5/25/09
15.3 - Angela's Ashes - 5/28/09
Newly completed:
50 point task - one author, two pen names:
- A Morbid Taste for Bones - Ellis Peters - 4/18/09
- Sunrise in the West - Edith Pargeter - 5/30/09
Total Tasks Completed: 17
Total Ponts Earned: 285
Completed 25.7 Darla's Task. I read Pride and Prejudice (and saw it mentioned in the movie, Jane Austen's Book Club.)That makes my tally 275.
April - I really enjoyed every book I read. I discovered young adult books which I have avoided until now so will be reading more of those (my teenage daughter is thrilled we can share reading these)I read the first book of the JD Robb series and will be continuing with this. Will be reading Inkdeath as I have read the first 2.
I would find it difficult to narrow down any favourites, I loved doing the challenge.
Have decided though to not take part in the summer challenge as I have so many books on my book shelf and in my to read pile.
WTG Sharon - another task to add to the Summer Challenge! It's soooo big already! I'm guessing the Autumn Task won't be so large - I can't see many people finishing the Summer one!
I stayed up late and finished the 25.4 Ros's Task of reading a book from the BBC big reads list. I read The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists by Robert Tressell. I'm so glad that I read this classic for the challenge because without the discipline of the challenge, I probably wouldn't have stuck with it. I'm glad I did stick with it because when I finally accepted the fact that the book does not conform to the stucture of a modern novel, I was able to thoroughly enjoy the characters and story line.Then I got up early this morning and finished Adventures in the Unknown Interior of America by Cabeza de Vaca for the 15.6 task of reading a book translated from another language. This book is is maybe the best example ever of "stranger than fiction". This tale of how four men out of an original party of 300 survive eight years in the New World until they finally find fellow Spaniards.
That's it! I finished 11 books. I had 155 points + 40 points = 195 points. I enjoyed every book. Thank you Cynthia and thank you Spring Challenge group. See you in the Summer Challenge.
I think this might be it for me - thanks for another fun 3 months guys. I didnt get through as much as i would have liked, but at least my score ended up the same as the previous challenge!Most recenlty completed in Bold
Five Point Tasks
10 Point Tasks
15 Points
9. Colour: A Patch of Blue
25 Points
3. Jamie's Shelves:
9. Saras Crazy Title : The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde & Other Stories
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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
13. CAIT - 575
14. AMY MA - 575
15. BETH MN - 575
16. SHARON - 575
17. BONNIE - 575
18. ANGELA IL - 575
19. APRIL NY - 575
***************
TINA - 525
ALICE - 515
SARA TX - 505
BEV - 500
MAGGIE - 500
ROSEANN - 490
EL - 475
KRISTINA GA - 475
SARA E - 475
LIZ BRKLYN - 465
ELIZABETH NC - 455
LOUISE - 450
JOSIE - 430
MEGHAN - 430
JAMIE MN - 415
NICOLE NC - 415
CYNTHIA (SCM) - 410
JUDITH IA - 410
JILLIAN - 400
KRITIKA - 400
SUSAN - 395
PERS - 390
RHIANNON - 385
JEN B - 380
JOY - 380
LORI TX - 375
ANGIE TX - 370
JON - 370
REBECCA J - 370
RORY - 370
SUZIER - 365
SANDIE - 360
MARY BETH - 350
RACHEL WA - 335
STEPH - 335
LINDSEY - 325
MEGAN - 325
WV HEATHER - 325
LYNLEE4 - 320
JENNIFER IN - 310
KRISTINA UK - 305
BECKY - 300
STEPHANIE CA - 300
CATHEROO - 295
SARAH PA - 295
DAVID - 290
NATALIA - 285
EVA - 280
FALLON - 280
JEANE - 280
ALISHA - 275
AMY R - 275
BETH - 270
LAURA NY - 270
HAYES - 260
KATE - 260
SERA - 260
COURTNEY - 255
JAYME - 255
JOANN - 250
MALIADES - 250
RENFREW - 250
RYAN - 250
MANDAY - 245
CAROL - 230
LACY - 220
FIONA (TITCH)- 215
LIZ VEGAS - 210
REBECCA - 210
ELIZABETH (ALASKA) - 200
KATHRYN - 200
TERRI - 200
TRACY - 200
VICTORIA - 200
JESSICA SC - 195
ASHLEY AL - 190
ASHLEY UT - 180
POTJY - 180
RALPH - 180
SHELLIE - 180
SUSANNA UK - 180
JULIE (ID)'S - 175
SAM - 175
MARIE - 170
JOANNA - 165
SLAYERMEL - 165
JOANIE - 160
MADELINE - 160
JEN MD - 155
TRYPHENA - 155
LILY - 150
MELODY - 150
ROS - 150
CYNDEE - 145
LAUREN - 145
MACKENZIE - 145
SHANNON - 145
ABBIE - 135
HEATHER KS - 135
JAMIE WA - 135
JULIE TN - 135
KAREN - 135
JEGKA - 130
KIM UK - 130
ANN FROM SC - 125
CASSIE - 120
JESSICA MI - 120
CYNTHIA - 115
KICKI - 115
ANGIE CA - 110
CATHERINE - 105
JENNY - 105
LDB - 105
LINDA - 105
ALLISON MO - 100
RACHEL CA - 100
AMANDA - 95
JAMIE 23 - 95
KELLY MA - 95
MEL - 95
KIM US - 90
SAI - 90
MEREDITH H - 85
ELIZABETH US - 80
LISA JULIANNA - 80
VICKI - 80
ALYSSA - 75
JULIE UK - 75
SLAIMI - 70
KELLY VA - 60
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
can't wait to see your task, Sharon!Thank god I am off from June 11th-July 27th or I would not stand a chance on this challenge.
Oh well, looks like I'm not going to be able to finish the 15.10 challenge of which I was in the middle. I'll just have to save The Voyage of the Dawn Treader for the Summer Challenge!Latest Update (and the last for the Spring Challenge)
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.
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
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You know I must say Cynthia, at first I doubted the wisdom of allowing an unlimited number of finishers to pick tasks, but now I love the genius of its self-selecting nature :-) I suppose, as long as you have similar participation, it'll reach a state of rotation between challenges like this one where you have a ton of finishers and challenges like the summer is likely to be where you have only a few (making the next challenge easier). Statistics are fun!
Judith wrote: "You know I must say Cynthia, at first I doubted the wisdom of allowing an unlimited number of finishers to pick tasks, but now I love the genius of its self-selecting nature :-) I suppose, as long..."That is exactly what I was thinking. And, you know, it is actually really nice having NO pressure to finish the Summer Challenge, because the only way I could was if I had the summers of my high school days with no school or work (= unlimited time) and unlimited supply of books via my lovely public library. But now I don't have the luxury of reading all day so I can't finish the challenge and thus I can do the tasks I want and read at the pace I want (and get to some of those books that never end up fitting into the challenge). And, you're right Judith, Fall should be much more manageable in the number of tasks.
That said, I am DONE after a major reading/audio marathon this weekend. I also did some last minute re-organizing (sorry Cynthia). The Audacity of Hope Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream by Barack Obama (just finished the audio, I could listen to the man talk all day, LOVED the book and especially his narration) is replacing 15.3. Love in the Time of Cholera (formerly 15.3) is now replacing 25.4. Good Omens (formerly 25.4) is now moving to 25.1 and is being joined by The Return of the King (mini review: good, but I still feel like I should love it a lot more than I do) to finish that task and the challenge.
Sorry if that's confusing. I'll post my master list next post. As I said, I look forward to being able to cherry-pick the tasks I want to do this summer and plan to not finish at all and not even shoot for the top three.
5 Points1. Sci Fi or Fantasy = Stolen
2. Epistolary novel = Daddy Long Legs
3. Goodreads bookshelf = The Great Gatsby
4. Read/listen to a book on a bus or train = Belle
5. About Sacrifice = Profiles in Courage
6. Bio of woman/female title (ladies, girls, women, etc.) = No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency
7. E-book = Dear Enemy
8. Humorous novel = Dave Barry Hits Below the Beltway
9. Lamb = The Lambs of London
10. Rain word (thunder, etc.)/type of flower or tree = Fire & Hemlock
10 Points
1. Ireland = Picture of Dorian Gray
2. Mexico = The Mexicans
3. Australia = Short History of Australia
4. Author born in Mar/Apr/May = King John (Shakespeare)
5. Magic/Magician = At the House of the Magician
6. Earth/Moon/Sun/Planet = Midnight Sun
7. Rec by Mom = Wrong About Japan
8. Serving in military = Slaughterhouse 5
9. TNBBC Top Books List (1986) = The Road (#6)
10. Fellow TNBBC Book Member = The Color Purple
15 Points
1. Astro Sign—Leo (royalty) = Queen’s Fool
2. Poetry = Great Short Poems
3. Past or present TNBBC Group Read = The Audacity of Hope
4. Spring Break Location = Year of Wonders (England)
5. Literary Prize Winner = Ender’s Game
6. Translated book = The Stranger
7. Rhyming Titles = Cybele’s Secret & Of Swords and Spells
8. Read bk then read/listen to interview with author = The Nine
9. Color in the title (then eat 2 foods of that color) = White Fang
10. 3rd/4th/5th books of a series = Phoenix & Ashes & The Wizard of London & Reserved for the Cat
25 Points
1. G & R Book = Good Omens & Return of the King
2. NF about diarist = John Adams
3. Bks from Jeane = The Jungle Book & Things Fall Apart
4. Big Read Book = Love in the Time of Cholera
5. Different Genre = The Toughest Indian in the World
6. British Monarchy = Brief Lives of the English Monarchs
7. Seen in Movie = Othello
8. Two YAs = Cindy Ella & Nobody’s Princess
9. 12+ Word Title = What Might Have Been
50 Points
1. Books by same author under two diff names: Eye of the Dragon & The Running Man
Total Points: 575
wowzers! Congrats on finishing Bonnie! I'm hoping to finish the Summer Challenge because I'm only working nights this summer and can read at that job. It's nice to have summers off even if the rest of the year is crazy hectic. Just 5 and 1/2 more days of work until I get my days free for about 8 weeks! :)
Judith wrote: "You know I must say Cynthia, at first I doubted the wisdom of allowing an unlimited number of finishers to pick tasks, but now I love the genius of its self-selecting nature :-) I suppose, as long..."well.. that theory kind of got blown out of the water with this challenge, im astounded more people finished this challenge than the last one with a stack more books! i was one of 9 to finish the last one and that was an insane reading ammount - i bow to those who finished this one! .. surely the next one will have to have fewer winners though!
Ooohhh! Now I can't wait to see Bonnie's task!I have been compulsively tweaking and updating my list all weekend! Summer is my first challenge and I am addicted...
a little nervous though since everyone is saying it is the hardest one you have had!
Congrats to all of the Spring winners!
CONGRATULATORY SHOUTOUTS TO BONNIE AND SHARON !!!!
Wow! Crazy congratulations to everyone who has finished! And, this will go for those who may still finish!! That's awesome you guys!!
This should be the end of my spring challenge. I'm done reading everything I started, so I might as well just begin something new for the summer challenge. This is my best total yet!5.4. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles Task – Read or listen to a book while you are on a plane, on a train, or in a car
Charlie Bone and the Castle of Mirrors by Jenny Nimmo
5.9. Read a book with one of the following Spring animals in the title…
- Rabbit or Bunny
B My Name is Bunny by Norma Fox Mazer
TOTAL = 270 POINTS!
I finished one more task, and this will be my last for the Spring Challenge. I was hoping to get one more in today, but it turns out I will have to socialize instead of squirreling myself away and reading. :)For 10 point task #4, I read Dragondrums by Anne McCaffrey, whose birthday is April 1. This is the 3rd book in the Harper Hall Trilogy, which was one of my favorites as a teenager. And it's just as good now! It was a joy to reread.
My final point total is 335 points, and I completed 20 tasks!
****Just a reminder all points need to be posted by midnight tonight...I know a couple of you are very close to finishing so good luck.****
I finished my last task today5 points
5. Easter/Lent/Passover - The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
Final Total: 325 Points
I actually didn't mean to read this book, but I've been wanting to re-read The Chronicles of Naria series for awhile. When I was a kid, everyone read them in order of publication and now the books are numbers differently so I thought I'd give the latter a try. The book was on my nightstand and I couldn't sleep last night so I started reading it and just couldn't put it down. A great story and some fond memories of one of my elementary school teachers reading this to the class.
I managed to finish one more. 10.2 The Law of Love by Laura Esquival. It was an interesting attempt, the way she had the music queued into the story and I loved the use of comic/graphics for the flashbacks. I would say that the length of each individual song stunted my reading pace and in ways brought me out of the story instead of immersing me further. That said I looooved the story and will probably try reading it again without the music.So that brings me to 160. At least I made it over halfway to my goal! Congratulations to everyone who finished! I'm impressed :)
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Times's about up and I have exceeded my goal. My final tally:5.1 - Deeper
5.2 - Screwtape Letters
5.4 - Love, Stargirl (on plane)
5.5 - American Savior
5.7 - Shimmer (gave away)
5.10 - Caddie Who Played with Hickory
5 pt tasks: 30 points
10.4 - Handle with Care (March birthday)
10.5 - The Light Fantastic
10.6 - Stargirl
10.8 - The Silent Man
10.9 - Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
10 pt tasks: 50 points
15.1 - Sea of Monsters (Aries)
15.4 - Paper Towns (Florida)
15.8 - Testimony (read interview)
15 pt tasks: 45 points
25.1 - Good Thief/Resistance
25.4 - Color of Magic
25.5 - Unconditional Parenting
25.8 - Gathering Blue/Messenger
25.9 - Traffic
25 pt tasks: 125 points
Total: 250 points
Thanks Cynthia! This was my first challenge and I did better than I thought I would.
I finished my last task for this challenge.5. BONNIE’S TASK - Read a book outside your normal genre(s). Example: Bonnie usually reads YA, fantasy, nonfiction and classics so she'd have to read short stories, plays, mysteries, etc.
Fool By Christopher Moore for 25 points. This is definatly outside my normal genre.
Ending points: 80
Congratulations to everyone who completed the challenge and to all of those who participated. :~)
I finished two more and I think that is it for me.The Museum of Dr. Moses, by Joyce Carol Oates. 15 points (author who won a prize the year you were born. 1970, she won the National Book Award). These stories were disturbing. I'm not sure if all of her writing has this slant, or if these stories were pulled together because of a similar theme. I don't think I will read anything else by her.
A Cry Like a Bell by Madeleine L'Engle (15 points, book of poetry). L'Engle is one of my all time favorite authors. I'm not a huge poetry fan, but I found many of these interestng.
That puts me at
465 points (not bad for an original goal of 200--all those 25 pointers helped!)
10561 pages read
5 POINTS4. Transportation: Gobbolino the Witch's Cat by Ursula Moray Williams
6. Woman title: Dead Girls Don't Wear Diamonds by Nancy Martin
7. Arbor Day: The Poet by Michael Connelly
9. Spring animals: The Silver Curlew by Eleanor Farjeon
10 POINTS
2. Mexican: Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
4. Author's birthday: The Final Solution A Story of Detection by Michael Chabon (May 24)
6. Earth day: The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein
15 POINTS
4. Spring visit: 20th Century Boys Vol. 1-22, plus the conclusion issues: 21th Century Boys Vol.1-2 by Naoki Urasawa
6. Translated book: Meiroso no Sangeki (The Maze Mansion Mystery) by Seishi Yokomizo
25 POINTS
5. BONNIE’S TASK – off-genre: Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! Adventures of a Curious Character by Richard P. Feynman
7. DARLA'S TASK - Read a book you've either seen in a movie or heard referenced in a movie. Utopia by Thomas More from Ever After: A Cinderella’s Story
8. CASSIE'S TASK – YA: Firesong by William Nicholson and Superior Saturday by Garth Nix
9. SARA'S TASK – 12-word title: The Know-It-All One Man's Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the World by A.J. Jacobs
total points: 180
Elizabeth (NC) wrote: "I finished two more and I think that is it for me.The Museum of Dr. Moses, by Joyce Carol Oates. 15 points (author who won a prize the year you were born. 1970, she won the National Book Award)..."I only have you at 455 based on the last post you had 425 + 30 in this post gives me the 455.
Hi Cynthia, would like to change a task I have points for.Want to delete task: 10 points-5. March 24 is Harry Houdini’s Birthday
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
I want to use it in the following task:
25 points
8. CASSIE'S TASK
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
total points 280 points
I had 265-10 +25= 280
I think this will probably be my last task for this challenge, if I don't manage like one more e-reading or one of my maeve binchy books, but probably not.
Finished my last book, The Gatecrasher for an additional 50 points. I didn't complete the challenge, but I got much further along than I thought I would. Now, onto the Summer Challenge!My final list/total:
5 POINT TASKS
1. The Tales of Beedle the Bard - JK Rowling (05/26/09)
4. When You Are Engulfed in Flames - David Sedaris (audiobook on my commute) (03/07/09)
6. Girls in Trucks - Katie Crouch (04/25/09)
7. Baby Proof - Emily Giffin (Read as an e-book at scribd.com) (05/15/09)
8. Naked - David Sedaris (03/17/09)
10 POINT TASKS
1. In the Woods - Tana French (03/06/09)
2. Sunstroke - Jesse Kellerman (05/18/09)
3. The Book Thief - Marcus Zusak (03/25/09)
4. Skinny Dip - Carl Hiaasen (Birthday March 12) (05/05/09)
5. Garden Spells - Sarah Addison Allen (04/08/09)
6. The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things - Carolyn Mackler (05/21/09)
7. The Sugar Queen - Sarah Addison Allen (04/21/09)
10. New Moon - Stephenie Meyer (Rated 5 stars by Darla)(05/18/09)
15 POINT TASKS
2. Nursery Rhyme Treasury - Gaby Goldsmith (04/06/09)
4. LoveHampton - Sheri Rifkin (03/18/09)
5. The Westing Game - Ellen Raskin (Newberry Medal in 1979) (05/05/09)
8. Fashionably Late - Beth Kendrick (03/11/09)
9. Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery (04/15/09)
25 POINT TASKS
1. Glamour - Louise Bagshawe (04/05/09)/ Roommates Wanted - Lisa Jewell (04/17/09)
4. Animal Farm - George Orwell (05/29/09)
5. French Milk - Lucy Knisley (graphic novel) (05/06/09)
7. The Devil Wears Prada - Lauren Weisberger (as seen in the movie "The Nanny Diaries") (05/29/09)
8. Just Listen - Sarah Dessen (04/11/09)/ The Truth About Forever - Sarah Dessen (05/02/09)
9. Everything I Needed to Know About Being A Girl I Learned from Judy Blume - Jennifer O'Connell et. al. (05/26/09)
50 POINT TASK
1. Can You Keep A Secret? - Sophie Kinsella (04/27/09)
2. The Gatecrasher - Madeleine Wickham (05/31/09)
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Total Points:380/575
Total Books: 28/47
Total tasks completed: 25
Final Spring 09 Book Challenge List25 Point
1. The Godmakers – Don Pendleton / The Rainbow – D.H. Lawrence
2. An Introduction to Kierkegaard
3. The Kite Runner – Khalid Hosseini
4. Of Mice and Men – John Steinbeck (read 4/30 - 25 points)
5. Embracing the Wide Sky – Daniel Tammet (read 2/23 – 25 points)
7. The Once and Future King – T.H. White (X-Men)
8. Uglies – Scott Westerfeld / Graceling – Kristin Cashore (read 4/9 - 25 points)
9. Changed to - Defining Moments in Books: The Greatest Books, Writers, Characters, Passages, and Events that Shook the Literary World - Lucy Daniel (read 5/29 -25 points)
15 Point
1. O Pioneers – Willa Cather (Taurus-Western)
2. 10 Poems That Set You Free – Roger Housden (read 5/31 - 15 points)
3. The Road – Cormac McCarthy
5. A Swiftly Tilting Planet - Madeleine L’Engle
6. changed to - Let the Right One In - John Ajvide Lindqvist (read 5/25 -15 points)
8. Changed to - Are You there Vodka? Its me, Chelsea - Chelsea (read 5/10 - 15 points) watched several interviews of her on youtube and read an article from the NY times.
9. Black Swan Green – David Mitchell
10 Point
1. Angela's Ashes – Frank McCourt (read 5/31 - 10 points)
2. Like Water for Chocolate – Laura Esquivel
3. Down Under – Bill Bryson
4. Good in Bed – Jennifer Weiner
5. The Crystal Cave – Mary Stewart
6. Earth Abides – George R. Stewart
7. The Confident Woman – Marjorie Hansen Shaevitz
8. One of Ours – Willa Cather
9. To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee or The Bell Jar – Sylvia Plath
10. Water For Elephants – Sara Gruen
5 Point
1. The Gargoyle – Andrew Davidson (read 3/27 - 5 points)
2. Selected Poems and Letters of Emily Dickenson – ed. Robert N. Linscott
3. Brisingr – Christopher Paolini
5. Sacrifice – S. J. Bolton (read 4/19 - 5 points)
6. My Story; Marilyn Monroe – with Ben Hecht (read 2/21 – 5 points)
7. Steering by Starlight - Martha Beck (audio book) ( listened to 5/29 - 5 points)
8. Born Standing Up – Steve Martin (read 4/3 - 5 points)
9. The Secret Life of Bees – Sue Monk Kidd
10. The Wind in the Willows – Kenneth Grahame
3/19 – Total points for Goal – 450
5/31 - Finished points - 180
Thoughts on my most recently read books:
Defining Moments in Books - This is a great tome for book people giving the reader facts about writers, books, and the history around them. I enjoyed reading the short reviews about many familiar authors and books that I had very little knowledge of, and more that I have never heard of. The book is set up in chronological order so its a progression through time. Fun stuff for book nerds. I gave it 3 stars should be 3.5.
Angela's Ashes - I enjoyed this book and its sad story of a poor boy and his family in Ireland near and during WWII. I liked the fact that he added his interest in reading and how it affected him and gave him some joy in this sad memoir. I gave it 4 stars.
Let the Right One In - I really liked this horror story. It scared me and I was horrified, which is the point. The translation from Swedish is really good taking a new twist on the old vampire theme. I do not think this book is for everyone because it may offend some. I gave it 4 stars.
Steering by Starlight - This audio book was easy to listen to. The author is a Yale business graduate turned life coach. She believes we all know what it is that we are supposed to do with our lives, and gives the reader specific things to help us achieve that. I recommend this to anyone needing a bit of gentle guidance in which direction we want or need our lives to go. I give it 3 stars.
Ten Poems to set you Free - I love good poetry but often have a tough time understanding what it means. This author does much of the work for you. He's definitely articulate and poetic himself. His choice of poems that help one look at which direction to take one's life are amazing. If you like great poetry and have a little of the "Zen" attitude this is a great book. I gave this little book 5 stars.
This was my first challenge it was great fun! Thanks to Cynthia for all the work. Cheers!
The Next Best Book Club
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I might have one more task in me, we'll see...
5 POINTS
1.
Fantasy Novel – The Princess Bride, William GoldmanRead 3/19/20092.
Epistolary Novel – 84 Charing Cross Road, Helene HanffRead 3/23/20093. Spring Cleaning – Leni: The Life and Work of Leni Riefenstahl, Steven Bach
4.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles audiobook – Ragtime, E.L. DoctorowRead 4/24/20095.
Easter/Lent -- Mary, Called Magdalene, Margaret GeorgeRead 3/3/20096.
Women’s History Month – The Lady and the Unicorn, Tracy ChevalierRead4/8/20097.
Arbor Day “recycle book” – Burnt Offerings, Laurell K. HamiltonRead 4/19/20098.
Humorous Novel – Undead and Uneasy, MaryJanice DavidsonRead 4/9/099. Spring Animals in title – Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal, Christopher Moore
10.
April Showers Bring May Flowers – Cypress Moon, Myra RoweRead 5/16/200910 POINTS
1. Set in Ireland – Three Bags Full, Leonie Swan
2.
Cinco De Mayo -- Set in Mexico, The Falling Woman, Pat MurpheyRead 5/23/20093.
Australian Author – The People of the Book, Geraldine BrooksRead 5/30/20094.
Author Birthday –To The Nines, Janet EvanovichRead 3/ 7/20095.
Magic – The Killing Dance, Laurell K. HamiltonRead 3/11/20096.
Sun in Title – Mistress of the Sun, Sandra GullandRead 3/29/20097.
Given to me by Mom –Hannah’s Dream, Dianne HammondRead 3/9/20098.
Memorial and Armed forces day – An Officer and A Millionaire, Maureen ChildRead 4/20/20099.
TNBBC Top Books list –I Capture the Castle, Dodie SmithRead 4/12/200910. 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.
National Poetry Month – Wintering: A Novel of Sylvia Plath, Kate MosesRead 5/1/20093.
TNBBC Group Read – A Great and Terrible Beauty, Libba BrayRead 4/9/094.
Set in Florida – Skinny Dip, Carl HiaasenRead 3/29/20095. 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, Kelly ArmstrongRead 5/19/2009 andTen Big Ones, Janet EvanovichRead 5/9/20098.
Author Interview – You Suck, Christopher MooreRead 3/30/20099.
Book with color/meal – Blue Moon, Laurell K. HamiltonRead 5/6/200910. 3, 4, 5 series or titles – Kim Harrison
Every Which Way But DeadRead 4/29/2009A Fistful of CharmsRead 5/26/2009For a Few Demons MoreRead 5/27/200925 POINT
1.
G/R– The Good, the Bad, and the Undead, Kim HarrisonRead 3/7/2009and The Reader, Bernhard SchlinkRead 3/23/20092.
Diarist – The World of Louisa May Alcott, William AndersonRead 5/20/20093.Jen’s List –
Dedication, Emma McLaughlin, Nicola KrausRead 4/12/2009Interpreter of Maladies, Jhumpa LahiriRead 4/14/20094.
Anne of Green Gables, L.M. MontgomeryRead 4/22/20095.
Off Genre – Horror – Come Closer, Sara Gran (Thanks, Alisha, for the suggestion!)Read 3/20/20096.
400 page English monarchy non-fiction – Nell Gwyn: Mistress to a King, Charles BeauclerkRead 4/19/20097.
Rebecca, Daphne Du Maurier Referenced in The English PatientRead 3/15/20098.
Two Young Adult Novels – Speak, Laurie Halse AndersonRead 3/25/2009and The Book Thief, Markus ZusakRead 3/25/20099.
Book with 12 or more words in the title – The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America, Erik LarsonRead 5/15/200950 Points
1.
The Right Choice, Karen Drogin (real name)Read 4/29/2009 andThe Bachelor, Carly Phillips (pen name)Read 4/29/2009Total Points: 500
Tasks Completed: 33
Books Read: 39
Total Pages Read: 14.219
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