OFFICIAL SPRING CHALLENGE - 2009 Showing 6,351-6,381 of 6,381

[Liz M]

Finally finished one more!

15.1. It’s Written In the Stars…read a fiction or non-fiction book that corresponds to your astrological sign: Capricorns read a book about an artist or art: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall the main character is a painter. (15 pts).

Tasks Completed: 28/40
Pages Read: 9877
New Total: 480 pts.
Liz (Bklyn)

[rebecca j]

Finished 15 pt. task #6 - Read Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke - originally published in German. That makes my final score 385.

[Cynthia]

That's it - times up - books down.

Drum Roll Please....

The Most Improved Player is - RHIANNON
The Rookie Of The Season is - TINA

[Fallon]

Congratulations everybody!!

[Nicole]

congratulations and eagerly awaiting the most improved and rookie challenges.

Summer Challenge is gonna be a doozy!!!

[Angela]

Nicole- your still up??

[Beth F]

Congratulations Rhiannon & Tina!

[Lisa Julianna]

Congratulations everyone!!!!

[Nicole]

Angela wrote: "Nicole- your still up??"

i know...it's a sickness. I was lying in bed reading and I could not stop thinking about more tasks. lol

[Angela]

I know it is a sickness! Patiently waiting the other two tasks... Will have to go to bed soon and catch up tomorrow.

[Nicole]

Angela wrote: "I know it is a sickness! Patiently waiting the other two tasks... Will have to go to bed soon and catch up tomorrow.
"

i have to get up at no later than 6:30...eep!

[Jeane]

rebecca j wrote: "Finished 15 pt. task #6 - Read Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke - originally published in German. That makes my final score 385."

That was close!!!!!!

[Marie]

Hello,
I've finished yesterday Why Don't Penguins' Feet Freeze : And 114 Other Questions More Questions and Answers from the Popular 'last Word' Column for the 12 words title.
So here's my final 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: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (I'll read it to my boyfriend during our vacations trip, as he's never read it)
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: The Girl Who Played with Fire, Stieg Larsson
7. For Arbor Day: La reine dans le palais des courants d'air, Stieg Larsson (swap with my sister)
8. For April Fools Day: The Color Of Magic (Discworld, Book 1), Terry Pratchett
9. Spring animals: A Wild Sheep Chase, Haruki Murakami
10. April Showers Bring May Flowers: Purple Hibiscus, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

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. La marche de Mina, Yoko Ogawa (born March 30, 1962)
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: Guide du Routard Rome
5. Price winner: A Good Man in Africa, William Boyd (Somerset Maugham Award 1982)
6. Translated book: The Age of Innocence, Edith Wharton (read in French)
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: The Monsters of Templeton, Lauren Groff (added her blog to Goodreads, and read some interviews)
9. Color: The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins (cooked: tomatoes, mozarella & basil, and a lemon cheesecake)
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: Lewis Carroll and Alice, Stephanie Lovett Stoffel
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: Love in the Time of Cholera, Gabriel García Márquez
5. Book outside your normal genre(s): 31 songs, Nick Hornby (essay)
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: 195/500
Books read: 14/44

[Rebecca NJ]

Cynthia, I just want to make sure you saw my last post of all my completed tasks (Post #: 6417). Thanks.

[Joanie]

Finished one more book on Saturday-read People of the Book for the 10 point book by Australian author/set in Australia which brings my final total for this challenge up to:

175 points.

I had a few books I couldn't fit in anywhere this time around but I had fun anyway!

[Jamie]

Rebecca wrote: "Cynthia, I just want to make sure you saw my last post of all my completed tasks (Post #: 6417). Thanks."

I'm not sure if the last tasks I finished were counted either, but I guess it doesn't really matter at this point! : )

[Jamie]

Marie and Joanie - Just wanted to let you know that Cynthia doesn't accept anything after the deadline has passed.

[Rebecca NJ]

Jamie wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "Cynthia, I just want to make sure you saw my last post..."

I'm not sure if the last tasks I finished were counted either, but I gues..."

True, but if she was trying to keep track of the statistics, I added 10 completed tasks on my last posting.

[Jamie]

Oh, I know. I just think it's really busy for her right now with the enormous Summer Challenge just beginning. I'm interested to see if those last tasks were included in the totals too, though.

[Cynthia]

Rebecca wrote: "Jamie wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "Cynthia, I just want to make sure you saw my last post..."

I'm not sure if the last tasks I finished were counted either, but I gues..."

True, but if she was tr..."I did get your points on my statistics sheet I just missed changing the scoreboard but I adjusted it

[Jamie]

Great - thanks, Cynthia!

[Charity]

I know the challenge is officially over and I won't be added to board (which is perfectly fine because I was just doing the challenge for fun and filling things in when I could), but I thought I would share what I read these past 3 months with everyone anyway. I probably would have posted at some point yesterday, but my husband and I were celebrating our anniversary this weekend, so didn't have much opportunity.

I wanted to say congratulations to everyone who participated and/or completed the challenge. Bravo! And a very special BRAVO! to Cynthia who has worked her tookus off once again! Great job, Cynthia!

I won't be able to participate in the Summer Challenge because I'll be working on a personal reading challenge, but I might try to join in again in the fall. Happy reading everyone!

SPRING READING CHALLENGE
(March 1, 2009 through May 31st, 2009)

5 POINTS

2. Read an epistolary novel OR a non-fiction collection of letters/journal etc.
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes 4/25

5. For Easter/Lent…
- Read a Christian Fiction novel,
- A book about sacrifice, OR
- A book about something you would or are planning to give up.
Little Bee by Chris Cleave 3/31 (Sacrifice)

7. For Arbor Day – Do your part to save some trees - 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.
In Dubious Battle by John Steinbeck 3/2 (Given away)

10 POINTS

1. For St. Patrick’s Day – Read a book by an Irish author, set in Ireland, OR about Ireland.
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce 3/5

2. For Cinco De Mayo – Read a book by a Mexican author, set in Mexico, OR about Mexico.
The Pearl by John Steinbeck 3/2

4. Read a book by an author who was born in March, April, or May.
Watership Down by Richard Adams 4/24 (Richard Adams DOB: May 9, 1920)

6. In honor of Earth Day (April 22) read a book with the word Earth, Moon, Sun or one of the other planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune) in the title.
The Moon is Down by John Steinbeck 3/3

7. In Honor of Mother’s Day…
- Read a book where the author/main character shares the same first name as your mother OR…
- Read a book recommended by/given to you by your mother.
The House in Paris by Elizabeth Bowen 3/4

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).
March by Geraldine Brooks 5/31

9. Read a book from the TNBBC Top Books list…
- The book can not be your own contribution
- The number that corresponds to that book must only contain numbers that can be found in the year you were born
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee 3/16 (#19 - 1980)

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.
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut 4/26 (Melanie's Books)

15 POINTS

1. It’s Written In the Stars…read a book that corresponds to your astrological sign… (books can be fiction or non-fiction) - CAPRICORN: is a cardinal sign which is associated with creativity – read a book about an artist or art.
Diary by Chuck Palahniuk 3/7 (Capricorn)

2. April is National Poetry Month – Read a book of poetry OR about a famous poet.
The Complete Poetry of Edgar Allan Poe by Edgar Allan Poe 3/2

4. Read a novel that takes place in a location you plan to visit during this challenge OR have visited previously during spring break.
Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson 5/4

6. Read a book that was has been translated from its original language.
The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco; Translated from the Italian by William Weaver 4/16

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.
This Boy's Life: A Memoir by Tobias Wolff 4/17 (Attended "An Evening with Tobias Wolff" -- lecture/book signing -- here in Bexley on 4/27...Tobias Wolff was Bexley's Author of 2009)

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).
The Red Pony by John Steinbeck 3/2 (Linguine Bolognese, Bruschetta, & Rosemount Estates Shiraz)

25 POINTS

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.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen 3/11 and Emma by Jane Austen 3/15 (Sara's Books)

4. ROS’S TASK - Read a book that’s on the big reads list.
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens 4/8 (#17 on the list)

5. BONNIE’S TASK - Read a book outside your normal genre(s).
The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain 3/8 (Mystery)

7. DARLA'S TASK - Read a book you've either seen in a movie or heard referenced in a movie.
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller 4/20 (As seen and discussed in the documentary film, The Stone Reader)

50 POINT TASK

* SANDY'S 50-POINT MIDWAY TASK - Read 2 books by an author who writes under two different names.
The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham 4/28 and The Secret People by John Beynon (Wyndham) 4/30

TOTAL POINTS: 335 5/31

[Joanie]

Jamie wrote: "Marie and Joanie - Just wanted to let you know that Cynthia doesn't accept anything after the deadline has passed."

I'm fine with that-it's not like they put me over the edge of winning or anything! I was away for the weekend and didn't have a chance to update before this morning. It was fun anyway!

[Amanda]

I kind of forget about this but I read a few. Here they are.

5 Points

1. The Dark Hills Divide
2.
3.
4. Song of the Sparrow
5.
6.
7. Inkheart
8. Dealing with Dragons
9.
10.

10 Points

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10. The Little Prince

15 Points

1.
2. The Mouse of Amherst
3.
4.
5.
6. Inkspell
7.
8.
9.
10.

25 Points

1.
2.
3.
4.
5. The Lowell Mill Girls: Life in the Factory
6.
7.
8.
9.

Total Points - 85

[Lacy]

I wasn't able to post this before yesterday, but I finished task 15.8 on Friday.

I read Tempting Fateand read an interview with her on the internet...now I can't remember which one but I promise I did! :) So if you're still tallying I believe that's 235pts for me

[Lacy]

and you're not still tallying :) ....220 pts then

[Tracy]

It may be too late, but I thought I'd post my final list, since I finished two more tasks this weekend -- 5.1 and 20.8. And I'm started on the Summer Challenge already!

5 points:
1. A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L'Engle
2. Captain Wentworth's Diary, Amanda Grange
3. The Enchanted Castle, E. Nesbit
4.
5. The Redemption, M. L. Tyndall
6. Myself When Young, Daphne DuMaurier
7. Gone for Soldiers (book on CD), Jeff Shaara
8. Round Ireland with a Fridge, Tony Hawks
9. Lamb in Love, Carrie Brown
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. Sufficient Grace, Darnell Arnoult (a gift from my mom)
8. The List, C. D. Baker
9. The Double Bind (#14 on the TNBBC list), Chris Bohjalian
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. Nine Horses (poetry), Billy Collins
3. Water for Elephants, Sara Gruen
4. The Blessing Way, Tony Hillerman
5. Epitaph for a Spy, Eric Ambler (winner of the Edgar award in... drumroll please... 1964)
6. Eye of the Leopard, Henning Mankell (translated from the Swedish)
7. The DAY I Ate Whatever I Wanted, Elizabeth Berg; I Am the CLAY, Chaim Potok
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. G is for Gumshoe, Sue Grafton; Rest and Be Thankful, Helen MacInnes
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. Artemis Fowl, Eoin Cofer; I Capture the Castle, Dodie Smith
9.

[Ines]

My last post for the event. I just finished 25 point task no.1:

- Gone Bamboo by Anthony Bourdain
- Roma by Steven Saylor (awesome book!)

[Lacy]

I'm way behind in the times and just saw that my Redwall didn't count. Before I posted it I did alot of searching and practically every description I could find of the book described Redwall as a Utopian Society and Kluny as leading a Dystopian Society. That's why I thought it was Ok to post for that challenge. If my argument did me no good would you allow it for the opposite challenge if I read a book with green in the title since they are opposite colors on the color wheel? My first choice of course would be that it could be reconsidered for the Dystopina/Utopian challenge.

[Ashley]

Lacy, I think this post was probably meant for the Summer Challenge, not Spring...

[Lacy]

Ashley wrote: "Lacy, I think this post was probably meant for the Summer Challenge, not Spring..."
oops, totally right, thanks.