OFFICIAL SPRING CHALLENGE - 2009 Showing 151-200 of 6,381

[Cynthia]

Charity – sorry about that I had the answers written down but missed typing them – you could either of those books for the Easter Task – and for the recycling project it should be your own book that gets passed on

Karen – for the award book task – any award really would be really be ok...I'm using MAJOR loosely in this case

Beth – Mexican American is fine

Joanna – the focus of Rilla of Ingleside is not on the soldiers so no I’m afraid not

[Cynthia]

Suggested Reading for the What's Your Sign Task

ARIES
Gods Behaving Badly A Novel
Stealing Athena A Novel
The Iliad
The Cambrige Companion to Greek Mythology

TAURUS
Lonesome Dove
The Adventures of Slim & Howdy A Novel
The God of Animals A Novel
Fried Twinkies, Buckle Bunnies, & Bull Riders A Year Inside the Professional Bull Riders Tour

GEMINI
Alva & Irva The Twins Who Saved a City
Identical Strangers A Memoir of Twins Separated and Reunited
Double Stitch
Changelings Book One of The Twins of Petaybee

CANCER
Our Cancer Year
The Leisure Seeker A Novel
Live a Little
A Time To Mend

LEO
The King's Grace A Novel
The Virgin Queen's Daughter
The Other Boleyn Girl
In Triumph's Wake Three Royal Matriarchs, Three Tragic Daughters

VIRGO
Mary of Nazareth A Novel
Speak Softly, She Can Hear A Novel
The Abstinence Teacher
Virginity Lost An Intimate Portrait of First Sexual Experiences

[Cynthia]

LIBRA
Scot On The Rocks How I Survived My Ex-Boyfriend's Wedding With My Dignity Ever-So Slightly Intact
Anonymous Lawyer A Novel
The Branch and the Scaffold
Lawyer Boy A Case Study on Growing Up

SCORPIO
The Phoenix Endangered
Desert Gothic
Wastelands Stories of the Apocalypse
Death in the Sahara The Lords of the Desert and the Timbuktu Railway Expedition Massacre

SAGITARIUS
Rough & Tumble A Novel
Basketball Jones
The End of Baseball A Novel
Playing With the Boys Why Separate is Not Equal in Sports

CAPRICORN
Girl with a Pearl Earring
The Miracles of Prato A NovelDancer
Seven Days in the Art World

AQUARIUS
Precious Cargo
The Titanic Murders
Master and Commander
In the Heart of the Sea The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex

PISCES
The Swarm A Novel
The Fisherman's Son
Gray Ghost A Stoney Calhoun Novel
The Human, the Orchid and the Octopus Exploring and Conserving Our Natural World

[Charity]

Thank you so much, Cynthia! That helps a lot!

[Eva-Marie]

I just found what looks to be a good one for the magic/magician task if anyone wants to take a look- I found it by accident because the author has one an award(s). It's The Magician of Lublin

[Eva-Marie]

I can't find it anywhere but I may have missed it- did Life of Pi get okayed for the sea task? I know someone else asked and I was wondering myself if that'd be okay to use.

[Cynthia]

Fiona - it should be a human soldier/military person.

[Cynthia]

Aquarius - yes you can read Life of Pi

[Cynthia]

My TASKS

5 POINTS
1. Science Fiction or Fantasy Novel - The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray

2. Epistolary Novel - Fair and Tender Ladies - Lee Smith

3. Spring Cleaning - Little Bitty Lies - Mary Kay Andrews

4. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles Task - The Dominant Blonde - Alisa Kwitney

5. Easter/Lent - Deep in the Heart of Trouble - Deeanne Gist

6. Women’s History Month - The Measure of a Lady - Deeanne Gist

7. Arbor Day - The Color Line - Lizette Carter (plan to recycle with paperbackswap or donate to the library when I'm done)

8. April Fools Day - Seven Up - Janet Evanovich

9. “Spring” Animals - Dating Big Bird - Laura Zigman

10. April Showers Bring May Flowers - The Ballroom on Magnolia Street - Sharon Owens

10 POINTS
1. St. Patrick’s Day - There's No Place Like Here - Cecelia Ahern

2. Cinco De Mayo - The Wild Girl - Jim Fergus

3. ANZAC Day - People of the Book - Geraldine Brooks

4. Born In March, April, or May - Hot Six - Janet Evanovich

5. Harry Houdini’s Birthday - Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell - Susanna Clarke

6. Earth Day - Sunrise - Jacquelyn Cook

7. Mother’s Day - Too Hot to Handle - Robin Kaye (my mom's name is Robin)

8. Memorial and Armed Forces Day - Dear John - Nicholas Sparks

9. TNBBC Top Books - Number 91 (I was born in 1982) - The Eyre Affair - Jasper Fforde

10. 5 STAR TNBBC MEMBER BOOK - Can You Keep A Secret? - Sophie Kinsella - JOANIE'S 5 pointer

15 POINT TASKS
1. Written In The Stars - The Constant Princess - Philippa Gregory - (I'm a Leo)

2. National Poetry Month - The Book of Irish Verse - John Montague

3. TNBBC Group Read - The Other Boleyn Girl - Philippa Gregory

4. Vacation Location Book - Courting Trouble - Deeanne Gist

5. Award Winner - The Witches Of Eastwick - John Updike

6. Translated Book - Chez moi - Agnes Desarthe

7. Rhyme Time - Shoe Addicts Anonymous, Two For The Dough - Beth Harbison, Janet Evanovich

8. Meet the Author - Queen of Babble - Meg Cabot

9. Color/Food - One Thousand White Women: The Journals Of May Dodd - Jim Fergus (not sure what I'm making yet)

10. Three, Four, Five - Three To Get Deadly, Four To Score, High Five - Janet Evanovich

25 POINT TASKS
1. KAREN'S TASK - The Gates of Trevalyan by Jacquelyn Cook, The Rosetti Letter by Christie Phillips

2. EL'S TASK - Eden's Outcasts: the story of Louisa May Alcott and her Father by John Matteson

3. ANGELA'S TASK - Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks, and Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

4. ROS' TASK - Katherine by Anya Seton

5. BONNIE'S TASK - The Incredible Origins of the Onyx Sun - Christopher Mahoney

6. JON'S TASK - Eleanor of Aquitaine: a life by Alison Weir

7. DARLA'S TASK - Persuasion by Jane Austen as mentioned in The Lake House

8. CASSIE'S TASK - A Great and Terrible Beauty & Rebel Angels by Libba Bray

9. SARA'S TASK - Old Friends and New Fancies: An Imaginary Sequel to the Novels of Jane Austen by Sybil G. Briton



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[Angela]

What I Saw And How I Lied

Would this work for the veteran task?

[Cynthia]

Angela - that works

[Angela]

Thanks Cynthia!

[Eva-Marie]

Someone asked if Life of Pi would work for Pisces- is that included or is 'sea life' meant literally- like actual fish? LOL
That might get a little difficult for me but I'll give it a shot if so.

[Lynlee4]

Still working on my books. I'll set a total goal for 150 points.

Would Flags of Our Fathers would work for military???

[Bonnie]

Does anyone have any suggestions for 10 points, #2 (Mexican book). I'm thinking of doing Mexico by James Michener, but I want to have a couple options down just in case.

[Cynthia]

Eva - yes Sea Life meant fish, whales, dolphins etc., even mermaids would be ok - I wanted to distinguish Aquarius and Pisces as two different tasks - so Life of Pi won't fit for Pisces

[Beth F]

Bonnie said: Does anyone have any suggestions for 10 points, #2 (Mexican book).

I've seen a few people add Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel to their lists and I plan on reading Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya. Anaya wrote a number of books but that is the one he is most well-known for.

[Heather]

Wow Cynthia! The tasks look great - just wanted to echo the thanks for putting this together.

I was reading in bed last night and saw it was just a little after midnight. I almost got up to see if you had posted the tasks yet, but I was too warm and cozy. I about pooped my panted when I logged on at 10am and saw almost 100 posts already!

[Cynthia]

lynlee4 - Flags is fine for the military/veteran task

Heather yeah there was 50 or so posts when I woke up this morning (I put it up before going to bed last night) and another 60+ when I got home from work - it's crazy but good - thanks for the thanks.

[Alisha Marie]

I was wondering if The Ruins was okay for the sign challenge (I'm a Scorpio)?

[Cynthia]

Alisha - not quite what I'm looking for.

[Alisha Marie]

lol, yeah, I had a feeling it would be a stretch. I'll just go to Book B.

[Eva-Marie]

Thanks Cynthia- that's exactly what I thought you'd say and the mermaid option is cool- I didn't think of that. That opens some doors.

[Eva-Marie]

Bonnie- I was thinking about maybe using The Hummingbird's Daughter. I found it just tonight and it looks good.
That's about all I found for that so far. I haven't had much luck with any of those three- Mexico, Australia or Ireland.
I was kind of hoping to find a wealth of authors to really pick from and ended up feeling lucky if I found one I thought looked good.

[Maggie]

Maria -- as for the military challenge, which is something I usually don't go for at all, my husband said I should read "Band of Brothers." I think I'm going to try it, especially since it's already in the house!

[Tien]

♡ Eva ♡ wrote: "Bonnie- I was thinking about maybe using The Hummingbird's Daughter. I found it ..."

Hey, Eva, I noticed you have PS I Love You on your tbr. Cecelia Ahern is Irish and pretty much the whole book is set in Ireland?

[Nicole]

I'm excited for the challenge, and just have one question: for the military task would "Captain Corelli's Mandolin" work, or is that too much of a stretch?
Thanks!

[Donna Jo]

Vicki wrote: "Ok I am working mine out... I think this will get me excited about reading books that have been sitting on my shelf forever.

Can anyone reccomend one for Aquarius set on the sea or about ships?..."

How about an old one about the Titanic-- A Night to Remember by Walter Lord or another oldie--The Poseidon Adventure by Paul Gallico.

[Mary Beth]

For anyone who is still looking for a "Mexico" book, here are a couple suggestions:

The Eagle's Throne by Carlos Fuentes
The Queen of the South by Arturo Perez-Reverte
The Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle
Tijuana Straits by Kem Nunn
I hope these help. They were all on my TBR list!

[Angie]

Bonnie, I would also suggest Carlos Fuentes for the Mexico task.

Cynthia, what's your opinion on fantasy and paranormal: same difference or completely different? The Sookie Stackhouse books, although certainly paranormal, are shelved in the fantasy section of my local Borders.

Also, would you say kissed and crossed are rhyming words?

Final question: can the word maiden be used for the task with the word woman, women, feminine, etc...?

[Lizzy]

I am sooo excited! Great list!

One question: For the 5 pointer "Trains, Planes and Automoblies", does the book hve to be read in one trip or can it be done in multiple rides as long as it is always read in the conveyance of choice?

[[deleted user]]

good question lizzy, I was wondering the same thing...

[Becky]

Again, just working with what I already have at home, here's my list:

5 POINTS
1. Read a Science Fiction OR Fantasy Novel.
Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood (Science fiction)

2. Read an epistolary novel...
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

4. Read or listen to a book while you are on a plane, on a train, or in a car...
Labyrinth by Kate Mosse (audiobook)

5. For Easter/Lent - Read a Christian Fiction novel...
Showdown by Ted Dekker

6. In Honor Of Women’s History Month…
- Read a novel with woman, women, lady, etc in the title.
Lady Susan, The Watsons, Sanditon by Jane Austen

7. For Arbor Day – Do your part to save some trees by reading a book and “recycling” it...
Vital Signs by Robin Cook

8. For April Fools Day read a humorous novel...
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

10. Read a book with a type of tree or flower in the title...
The Scarlet Pimpernel by Emmuska Orczy

10 POINTS
1. For St. Patrick’s Day – Read a book by an Irish author, set in Ireland, OR about Ireland.
Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt

4. Read a book by an author who was born in March, April, or May.
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides (born: March 8, 1960)

5. March 24 is Harry Houdini’s Birthday – Read a book about magic, a magician etc.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susana Clarke

6. In honor of Earth Day (April 22), read a book with the word Earth, Moon, World, etc in the title.
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks

7. In Honor of Mother’s Day, read a book recommended by/given to you by your mother.
The Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst

8. Read a book about a veteran OR someone serving in the military.
Othello by William Shakespeare

10. TNBBC member 5-Star rated book...
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen (Thanks Heather from page 39!)

15 POINTS
1. Read a book that corresponds to your astrological sign...
- LIBRA: Read a book about a lawyer, the law, a judge etc.
The Last Juror by John Grisham

2. April is National Poetry Month – Read a book of poetry OR about a famous poet.
Inferno by Dante Alighieri

3. Read a past OR present TNBBC group read that you haven’t read before.
Neverwhere: A Novel by Neil Gaiman

6. Read a book that was has been translated from its original language.
The Plague by Albert Camus

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.
Thinner 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

25 POINT TASKS PENDING

[Elizabeth (NC)]

For the Australia task, there is a book called Tracks by Robyn Davidson that is pretty interesting.

[Meghan]

Found these links to help everyone out:
Australian Authors

Mexican Authors and Books Set in Mexico

Hope this helps!

[Eva-Marie]

Thanks Joanna and Karen and everyone else! I couldn't stop myself from looking for recent posts even though I *should* be leaving now but as soon as I get home I'm checking all of those out.
I love the Ahern idea too- totally forgot I had it listed but a book I'm sure I can get through and hopefully like also!

[Terri]

Cynthia, I don't suppose you would accept 'butterfly' as a spring animal?! :)

[Terri]

this is going to be fun!

[Jon]

Cynthia - can you have '400' in the task with the numbers 3/4/5 in the title (its in there...its just got two naughts after it !) or similarly '44' as in 44 Scotland St

[Cynthia]

Nicole - Captain Corelli's Mandolin – is ok for the military task

Angie – Paranormal is ok for the fantasy task, kissed/crossed – not rhyming, maiden ok for female word task

Lizzy – multiple trips is fine – you just can’t be reading/listening to it in between trips

SuzieR – I hadn’t thought about butterfly but sure I’ll count it

Jon – no it has to be the singular number/variation it can’t be 400, or 55, etc.

[Jamie]

Cynthia - Persuasion would be acceptable as a book about sacrifice, right? Self-sacrifice is a major element of the story.

[Eva-Marie]

Meghan- those are the link I found and used too- someone else posted them before also. They were helpful!

[Jen B]

Is Pat Conroy's The Lords of Discipline acceptable for the military task?

[Cynthia]

Both The Lords of Discipline & Persuasion are fine for those tasks.

[BB]

Help! Need ideas for Easter/Lent.
Thanks.

[Cynthia]

BB here are some options...

Christian Fiction
The Red Tent
Mary, Called Magdalene

anything by Janette Oke, Deanne Gist, Karen Kingsbury, Beverly Lewis

Sacrifice
A Thousand Splendid Suns
A Tale of Two Cities
The Oath A Novel

[Liz]

Question about #4

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 (or other mode of transport like a bus/combinations of transportation)
- For this task you can’t, for example, start a book in the airport and finish it on the plane...the book must be read entirely while inside one of those modes of transportation.
- But the plane/train/car etc. does not have to be moving the entire time for it to count – exe. you can start reading the book once you board the plane before it takes off.

I take the bus to the subway. So I can read it on the bus, but not on the platform of the subway, but once I am in the subway I can start to read it again?

[Beth F]

Oooh....good question, Liz. I've meant to ask that one as well but kept forgetting.

[Cynthia]

Yes Liz that's correct.

[Lisa Julianna]

I have a couple more questions Cynthia,

In Honor of Memorial and Armed Forces Day – Read a book about a veteran OR someone serving in the military (fiction or non-fiction).
Can I read Tom Clancy's-Power Plays?

and

In honor of both Dr. Seuss’ birthday (March 2) and Mother Goose Day (May 1) find and read two books with rhyming titles. By this I mean that there is a word in the title of one book that rhymes with a word in the other book’s title.
- Example: You could read The Scent of Sake AND The Red Tent
Can I read Breaking Dawn and the book Gone?