OFFICIAL SPRING CHALLENGE - 2009 Showing 851-900 of 6,381

[Alyssa]

cool thanks!

[Jeane]

Jon wrote: " Fiona great book choices from my shelf! make sure you let me know what you think

Jeane did you have a book in mind thats in Ireland related to the monarchy? it might work, I did have in mind i..."


JOn not yet but as I moved to Ireland last november I want to learn more about its history so it would be a nice way. I will let you know what I find and then you can jsut decide if it is okay or not. Otherwise I will jsut take something scottish or very maybe:-) english...

[Jeane]

Leora wrote: "My foods will need to be blue too, I was also thinking about one of those blue juices for a drink. (Along with blueberry pancakes and a blue frosted cake)! Yummmm!"

subway has wondeful cookies with m&m's in(I prefer them without)

[Sara ♥]

Blue Jello... There aren't a lot of blue foods, are there? I suppose you can add food coloring... Just take a picture in case anyone tries to contest it... ;)

[Sandie]

Just finished a book for Bonnie's task - read a book outside your normal genre(s). I read Between Extremes: A Journey Beyond Imagination by Brian Keenan & John McCarthy (Travel writing).


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[Becky]

Sorry Fi, can't help you... I know absolutely nothing about westerns or rodeos or cowboys, except what I've learned on TV.

[Alyssa]

Fiona- Brokeback Mountain?

or does it have to be non-fiction

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Cynthia, I think I've neglected to thank you for the suggestions on awards for the year I was born. While I don't currently have anything on my shelf that will qualify, perhaps I'll find something in time to include it. In any case, I'm happy to learn of those awards and the list of honorees.

[Sandie]

Are hyphenated words counted as one or two? I was just wondering if How Mumbo-Jumbo Conquered the World: A Short History of Modern Delusions by Francis Wheen would count for Sara's task.

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

The only thing I can think of is a romance novel with a "cowboy" or western theme, Fiona!

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

Well, I didn't say you'd LIKE the suggestion, Fiona!

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Fiona - I will be reading East of the Mountains by David Guterson, author of Snow Falling on Cedars for my Scorpio "desert or wastelands" - Cynthia might approve it for you. From the back cover:

"In mid-october, in the rich pear- and apple-growing region of Washington state's Columbia Basin, retired heart surgeon Ben Givens learns that he has terminal colon cancer. Determined to avoid his suffering, Ben sets out with his two hunting dogs through the sage deserts, canyons, and orchards of the American West on his last hunt. But the people he meets and the memories he evokes on his journey test his very identity."

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Well, I thought a trek through eastern Washington state might qualify for a western.

[Mary Beth]

Fiona, would All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy work?

[Kelly]

This is my first post to the group to say I'm excited to give the challenge a shot! I'll get thinking about my books...

[Jamie]

Fiona - These have been categorized as westerns and they look like they could be promising:

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee An Indian History of the American West
Trail of Tears The Rise and Fall of the Cherokee Nation
O Pioneers!
Death Comes for the Archbishop
All the Pretty Horses which has, of course, been mentioned
The Call of the Wild
I also hear that Louis L'Amour is really good, but I haven't read any of his work.

[Jamie]

Hope it works out for you Fiona...providing you find it, that is! : )

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Great - The Call of the Wild - an Alaska story. No cowboy hats, sheep, etc., but it's hard to get much further west!

[Jamie]

For Capricorns, here is a great list of art-related books, too (in case anyone is looking):

Art-themed books

I'm planning on reading Chasing Vermeer, but that may change.

[Sera]

Setting up my ticker (thank you for this - it's fabulous)


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Now to get some actual reading done.

[Jenny]

I'm glad my ticker suggestion has gone down well. They all look so cute :)

[Kayleen]

Oh, this looks like fun! I can't commit to anything new right this minute, but I'll be back in a week with my books!
Edit: back with books:

5 POINTS
1. Science Fiction: R is for Rocket :: Ray Bradbury
2. Epistolary: We Need To Talk About Kevin :: Lionel Shriver
3. Spring Cleaning: Night Witches: The Amazing Story Of Russia's Women Pilots in World War 11|Myles, Bruce
4. Automobiles– Princess Academy :: Shannon Hale
5. For Easter/Lent: Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal:: Christopher Moore…
6. Women’s History Month: Sarah: How a Small Town Mom Turned Alaska's Political Establishment on Its Ear: Kaylene Johnson
7. For Arbor Day – “recycling” it - Saddled with Trouble (Horse Lover's Mystery, Bk 1): Michele Scott

8. For April Fools Day: Bet Me: Jennifer Crusie
9. Bird A Wasp Among Eagles: A Woman Military Test Pilot in World War II :: Ann B. Carl
10. TYPE of tree: Snow Falling on Cedars: David Guterson


10 POINTS
1. For St. Patrick’s Day – Irish Girls About Town :: Cathy Kelly, Marian Keyes, Maeve Binchy
2.
3. For ANZAC Day – Wings Above the Diamantina (Inspector Bonaparte): Arthur Upfield
4. author who was born in March: Spiderweb :: Penelope Lively.
5. Magic: Charmed to Death (Ophelia and Abby, Bk 2) :: Shirley Damsgaard
6. Earth Day: Wind, Sand and Stars: Antoine de Saint-Exupery
7. In Honor of Mother’s Day: Eureka: William Diehl
8. Armed Forces Day – E-Mail to the Front: One Wife's Correspondence with Her Husband Overseas: Alesia Holliday
9. TNBBC Top Books list: 1. I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
10. Members of the TNBBC: Atonement:: McEwan, Ian rated by Martin
(or Promise Not to Tell: A Novel:: McMahon, Jennifer rated by Diane)



15 POINTS
1. AQUARIUS: Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog!) :: Jerome K. Jerome
2. National Poetry Month – A Light in the Attic: Shel Silverstein
3. TNBBC group read: Water For Elephants: Sara Gruen
4. The Golden Rule Challenge by Lobdell
5.
6. Translated: Metamorphoses – Ovid OR All Quiet on the Western Front
7. Rhyming titles: A is for Alibi (Kinsey Millhone, Bk 1) :: Sue Grafton AND My Sister's Keeper :: Jodi Picoult
8. Get To Know The Author - All the Numbers: Judy Merrill Larsen
9. Read a book with a color Angel in Scarlet :: Jennifer Wilde. + 2 foods TBD
10. 3rd, 4th, and 5th: The Trouble with Witches (Ophelia and Abby, Bk 3), Witch Hunt (Ophelia and Abby, Bk 4) :: The Witch Is Dead (Ophelia and Abby, Bk 5) :: Shirley Damsgaard,



25 POINT TASKS
1. G & R: The Giant's House :: Elizabeth McCracken AND Revenge of the Homecoming Queen :: Stephanie Hale
2. EL’s TASK - by a noted diarist: Dear Bess: The Letters from Harry to Bess Truman, 1910-1959: Harry S. Truman
3. ANGELA’S TASK - The Time Traveler's Wife:: Niffenegger, Audrey AND The Sun Also Rises:: Hemingway, Ernest
4. ROS’ TASK - Memoirs Of A Geisha, Arthur Golden
5. BONNIE’S TASK - PMP Exam Cram 2 :: David Francis, Greg Horine
6.
7.
8. CASSIE'S TASK - The Mysterious Benedict Society (Mysterious Benedict Society, Bk 1): Trenton Lee Stewart AND The Wish: Gail Carson Levine
9. SARA'S TASK - I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts About Being a Woman (Vintage) :: Nora Ephron OR The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club: True Tales from a Magnificent and Clumsy Life :: Laurie Notaro

[Ros]

25.9 I read MY NAME IS ANNE, She said, ANNE FRANK The Memoirs of Anne Frank's best friend
- Jacqueline van Maarsen

[Cynthia]

Just finished time travel's wife from the library, 5 pts for me!

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[Jamie]

I made a ticker also. They're adorable!


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[Shelby]

I'm so excited! This is great! Very creative. Alright, y'all. ARE YOU READY TO LOSE?

[Sara ♥]

I'm so jealous that everyone is reading and finishing books while I'm stuck at work.....

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Don't worry, Sara, some of us just seem to be stuck on the computer.

[Fiona (Titch)]

For El's task, does the person have to of died or been born b4 1900 or does the diary have to be in that era?

Just so I know what I am lookin for in the morning.

[Avory]

I know what you mean, Sara! I read some on the bus this morning and at lunch, but I'm far too busy to read at the speed that some are managing.

[[deleted user]]

Elizabeth (NC) wrote: "I have a question about El's task--the one with the diarist that has to live before 1900. Does their whole life have to be before 1900, or could they have been born in 1875 and died in 1920?
"

I have the same question... Did you ever get an answer? I don't see one...

[Fiona (Titch)]

I was wondering that as I found a couple of ppl and wanted to know who or which was best.

[Cynthia]

LEADERBOARD
ROS - 70
FIONA (33) - 55
LOUISE - 40
ASHLEY - 30
BETH MN - 25
DOROTHY - 25
LIZ VEGAS - 25
SANDIE - 25
ANN FROM SC - 20
EVA - 20
LINDSEY - 20
PERS - 20
SARA - 20
SUZIER - 20
JAMIE MN - 15
KATE - 15
ROBIN - 15
ANGIE - 10
JENNY - 10
MELODY - 10
SANDY - 10
BONNIE - 5
FALLON - 5
JON - 5
JUDITH - 5
KAREN - 5
KICKI - 5
KRISTINA - 5
LEORA - 5
LISA CO - 5
MEL - 5
STEPHANIE - 5
SUSAN - 5
TINA - 5
VICTORIA - 5

[Cynthia]

Cynthia - which task did you read that book for?

Please be very clear in your posts what task your completing.

For El's task - anyone who was born in the 1800's will be fine.

[Leora]

I poked through the westerns section yesterday, was thinking I would use one for my 'not my usual genre' book (which is a great task idea by the way). Someof the didn't look THAT bad. Decided to go with a graphic novel though.

Can I use a graphic novel for my 'not my usual genre' task if I read a graphic novel last year? I have only read 1 in my entire life though. Ack, for some reason this task is kinda stressing me out!

[Cynthia]

I think that would be fine Leora - like I don't usually read YA but I plan to use YA for the not my norm genre task and the 2 ya book task. So if I complete both I will have 3 ya books in 3 months.

[Eva-Marie]

I forget who I was talking to about the 12 word title task but here is one I can personally vouch for- I was interested the entire way through the book and it's quite fast.
Stolen Innocence My Story of Growing Up in a Polygamous Sect, Becoming a Teenage Bride, and Triumphing over Warren Jeffs

[Kritika]

Can't wait to get started! I'll probably add way more books to this, but atleast it's a start. I currently have 4 of them at my fingertips... which one to read first?
5 points
1. Firebirds Rising
2. PS longer letter later
5. Dandelion Wine
6. Little Women

10 points
1. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Irish author)
5. Ella Enchanted
6. A Swiftly tilting planet
9. The Book Thief
10. Animal Farm

15 points
2. Where the Sidewalk ends
3. Love in the time of cholera
6. Memoirs of a Geisha
10. Ranger's apprentice 3,4,5
25 points
1. A Great and Terrible Beauty/The Road
3. The Truth About Forever/ A Thousand Splendid Suns
5. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

Kritika's total points so far
45 whooo I'm actually getting stuff done! :)

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[Angie]

Tasks Completed

5 Points

#1 Read a sci-fi or fantasy novel- Dark Lover by J.R. Ward

#9 Read a book with the word bird or type of bird in the title- The Secret Life of Sparrow Delaney by Suzanne Harper

Total Points= 10


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[Jen B]

For the British monarchy task, would a biography of Princess Diana work? I'm going to actually have to purchase a book for this one, so I want to make sure before I buy one!

[Angie]

Fiona, have you read anything by Louis L'Amour or Zane Grey? I haven't so I can't vouch for either, but...

I read, half-read, a western last year about a criminal acting troupe in the old west. It was rather interesting but I had to return the book to the library before I was able to finish it. I can't for the life of me, however, remember the title of the book. I just called my local public library to see if someone could help with the title, but they didn't know either. In case you're interested, like I mentioned above, the book is about an acting troupe that travels across the old west putting on performances in different towns. While the actors are onstage, one member of the troupe sneaks off and robs the local bank. Then they take off in the middle of the night before any of the town's people realize what they've done. A member of the Pinkerton Detective Agency is after them, but the troupe is always a step ahead of him.

Just out of curiosity, does anyone here know the book I'm referring to?

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

How about The Adventures of Johnny Vermillion

I haven't read it, but did a search on ask.com for acting troup and pinkerton agency.

[Angie]

Bless you, Elizabeth! That's it exactly! I searched on Novelist, google, my local library and I turned up nothing. You're good.

[Angie]

Fiona, one last suggestion. How about the Holmes on the Range series by Steve Hockensmith?

[Kelly]

Here goes...

5 Points

1. Blood Bound, Patricia Briggs
2. Dracula, Bram Stoker
3. Tropic of Cancer, Henry Miller
4. Personal Demon, Kelley Armstrong
5. The Omnivore's Dilemma, Michael Pollan
6. Bitten (Women of the Underworld Book 1), Kelley Armstrong
7. No Humans Involved, Kelly Armstrong
8. You Suck: A Love Story, Christopher Moore
9. The Secret Life of Bees, Sue Monk Kidd
10. The Mists of Avalon, Marion Zimmer Bradley

10 Points

1. The Alchemyst, Michael Scott
2. Rainbow Boys, Alex Sanchez
3. Unreal!: Eight Surprising Stories, Paul Jennings
4. Certain Girls, Jennifer Weiner
5. Haunted, Kelley Armstrong
6. Moon Called, Patricia Briggs
7. One for the Money, Janet Evanovich
8. Band of Brothers, Stephen Ambrose
9. The Bell Jar, Syliva Plath
10. The Two Towers, J.R.R. Tolkien

15 Points

1. My One-Night Stand with Cancer, Tania Katan
2. Leaves of Grass, Walt Whitman
3. Love in the Time of Cholera, Gabriel Garcia Marquez
4. Devil in the White City, Erik Larson
5. Humboldts Gift, Saul Bellow
6. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, David Wroblewski
7. Stolen, Kelley Armstrong & Iron Kissed, Patricia Briggs
8. Revamped, J.F. Lewis
9. White Witch Black Curse, Kim Harrison
10. Dime Store Magic, Industrial Magic, & Broken, Kelley Armstrong

25 Points

1. Great Expectations, Charles Dickens & The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, Robert Tressell
2. SKIP
3. Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen & The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants, Ann Brashares
4. The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien
5. Design for Ecological Democracy, Randolph Hester
6. The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn, Eric Ives
7. PENDING
8. The Graveyard Book, Neil Gaiman & Boxcar Children, Gertrude Chandler Warner
9. A Field Guide to Demons, Fairies, Fallen Angels, and Other Subversive Spirits, Carol K Mack

I'm going to strive for 340!

[Ann from S.C.]

My update:
5 point task
8)For April fools day...Read a humorous novel.
THIS CHARMING MAN by Marian Keys

Total points-5

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Angie, it looks like a fun one!

Kelly, if I read everything I have planned, I'll only hit 105, so you'll be way ahead of me. But I'm headed to Nashville in a few weeks, might pick up something of local interest for a 15-pointer, and then there's that bookstore in the Seattle airport. It's possible I'll have a list with me. ;)

[Rachel Erin]

Ok, here's what I've thought of so far:

5 points:
1. The Golden Compass
2. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society
3. The Time Traveler's Wife
4. The Patagonia Express
5. The Gospel of Jesus Christ
9. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
10. The Wild Trees: A Story of Passion and Daring

10 points:
1. Angela's Ashes
2. The Power and the Glory (re-read)
4. The Wizard of Oz
5. Jonathon Strange and Mrs. Norrell
6. The World Without Us
7. Portrait of an Unknown Woman
8. The Things They Carried
9. The Bell Jar
10. The Stranger

15 points:
1. The Old Man and the Sea (Pisces)
3. The Brief and Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao
6. Suite Francais
7. Bright Shiny Morning and Friday Night Lights
9. Blue Highways

25 points:
1. Reading Lolita in Tehran and The Glass Castle
3. Handmaiden's Tale and Wicked
4. 100 Years of Solitude
12. Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, A Man Who Would Cure the World

I have no idea how far I'll get but I think this is going to be fun!

[Maggie]

Yay! I got my ticker!


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[Lisa Julianna]

5 point challenge

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 - 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.

I read Chain Letter by: Christopher Pike. I gave the book to my daughter.



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