The Next Best Book Club discussion
Cynthia's Seasonal Challenges
>
OFFICIAL SPRING CHALLENGE - 2009
Just finished 25 pt task no. 4 - The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho.That brings me up to 65 :)
Sharon wrote: "Am I right in thinking that if we complete every task then our total will be 525 points?Thanks for making up this challenge I am loving taking part and reading books I wouldn't have looked at bef..."
Sharon- I didn't see any posts answering this so just in case no one did-
the actual total at the end of the challenge is 575. Right now it's 525 but the person with the highest amount of points on the halfway mark gets to make another task and it's worth 50 pts. That's my understanding of it at least.
[image error]
4. Read a novel that takes place in a location you plan to visit during this challenge OR have visited previously during spring break (does not have to be overly specific i.e. if you are visiting Paris this spring (LUCKY YOU) you could read a book that takes place anywhere in France).
I'm really into books about the Holocaust right now and my family is from Germany so it's pretty interesting for me. I liked this one but it's not like Night. Night was a lot more in depth in my opinion and the writing flowed better.
Sender did a good job with this though because most of the books on the subject that I've read aren't something I'd hand a yuonger teenager and this could be given to a young person while still being okay for an adult to. I read numerous reviews from pre-teens and young teens and thought it would be something geared more towards them and after reading it I don't think it at all.
It's insane that these things happened in our world and so recently.
I just finished Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde for Darla's 25 pt task. It is in the movie The Pagemaster. I liked the book, and am glad I read it, but it was not what I expected. A little slow moving at some parts. It was interesting to me, because I, like just about everyone, felt I knew the story already. But, aside from a letter at the very end, you are not following Dr. Jekyll's character, but his lawyer and friend. It was good though!That now gives me 255!
Updated list and my total points to date.25 Point
1. The Godmakers – Don Pendelton / The Rainbow – DH Lawrence
2. An Introduction to Kierkgaard – Peter Vardy/ or about Fyodor Dostoevesky
3. The Kite Runner – Khalid Husseini
4. Sophies World – Jostein Gaarder changed to Of Mice and Men – John Steinback
5. Embracing the Wide Sky – Daniel Hammet (read 2/23 – 25 points)
6.
7. The Once and Future King – T.H. White (X-Men)
8. Uglies – Scott Westerfeld / Graceling – Kristin Cashore
9. The Secret Currency of Love; the Unabashed Truth about Women, Money, and Relationships – ed. Hilary Black
15 Point
1. O Pioneers – Willa Cather (Taurus – this may not work its kinda western ish??)
2. 10 Poems That Set You Free – Roger Housden
3. The Road – Cormac McCarthy or A Great and Terrible Beauty – Libby Bray
4.
5. A Swiftly Tilting Planet - Madeleine L’engle
6. The little Prince – Antoine De Saint-Exupery changed to Sophie’s World – Jostein Gaarder
7.
8. The Hunger Games _ Suzanne Collins
9. Black Swan Green – David Mitchell
10.
10 Point
1. Angelas Ashes – Frank McCourt
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 – Majorie Hansen Shaevitz
8. One of Ours – Willa Cather
9. The Road – Cormac McCarthy changed to 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
2. Selected Poems and Letters of Emily Dickinsen – ed. Robert Linscott
3. Brisingr – Christopher Paolini
4.
5. Sacrifice – S. J. Bolton
6. My Story; Marilyn Monroe – with Ben Hecht (read 2/21 – 5 points)
7.
8. Born Standing Up – Steve Martin
9. The Secret Life of Bees – Sue Monk Kidd
10. The Wind in the Willows – Kenneth Grahme
3/19 – Total points for Goal – 445
3/24 - Total Read points - 30
♡ Eva ♡ wrote: "I'm really into books about the Holocaust right now and my family is from Germany so it's pretty interesting for me."Eva, I have Those Who Save Us on my TBR shelf. I'd like to find a way to fit it into the challenge, but I suspect it will have to wait. Anyway, I wanted to tell you about this book based on your interest in the Holocaust.
Reviews ofMy Story Illustrated Edition
Short and sweet - poor Marilyn she had a bit of a tough time.
Embracing the Wide Sky A Tour Across the Horizons of the Mind
Enjoyed this one it was a review of teaching school for me. The author has an amazing mind - this guy learned Icelandic in 1 week and spoke it with a native speaker on TV fluently.
Just watched a youtube interview with Lisa Genova and read an interview with her (pretty interesting stuff - here's the link for the written interview - the youtube was short and a repeat of much of the info that's on the back of the book, on the website, etc. http://www.alzforum.org/eFAD/profiles...)Anyway, that, coupled with reading Still Alice completes 15 pt. task #8.
Also finished 5 pt. task #7 by listening to Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris.
Am about 40 pages into The Six Wives of Henry VIII by Alison Weir and loving it, but it will be slow going, I think!
Total points these tasks: 20
Total points to date: 240
I finished another 25 point task (good reads task): I read Goodbye Lemon by Adam Davies, and Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson. Total points: 165
@ Ashley: I read Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and liked it....I wonder what it would have been like to read it when it came out, without having any idea what the story is about.
Elizabeth wrote: "♡ Eva ♡ wrote: "I'm really into books about the Holocaust right now and my family is from Germany so it's pretty interesting for me."Eva, I have [b:Those Who Save Us|49465|Those Who Save Us|Jen..."
I have that one too! LOL I totally forgot about it when I was picking a book for this task because that would have worked just as well and I've heard some good things about it and the author. I actually got that one not too long ago. Have you read Night? By Elie Wiesel? So far that's been the most eloquent that I've read. I went and bought the trilogy because of Night. I just need to read it now.
Which brings me to your next statement. :0
I just did some switching around on my books to for the tasks I haven't finished yet. When I really really looked around I found many more books that could fit into certain tasks- like the color task. I was going to use The Green Mile and I still might but I have books that have black in the title, white, red, etc. so I have some more options.
Thanks for telling me about Those Who Save Us- I'm always up for hearing about good books!
♡ Eva ♡ wrote: "Have you read Night? By Elie Wiesel? So far that's been the most eloquent that I've read."I just ordered it. It will be one that fits Angela's task for me. I did order the trilogy because it was only $2.00 more than Night, so I thought I might as well have them all. I'm looking forward to it.
Night is so, so, so worth it. I've heard the same for the other two although most of the people I've talked to said Night was "better". (I hate using a term like that but...) You're making me want to read it now! LOL
15 points: Read TNBBC group read, present: Water for Elephants.
Ashley wrote: "I just finished Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde for Darla's 25 pt task. It is in the movie The Pagemaster. I liked the book, and am glad I read it, but it was not what I expected. A little slow moving at some parts. It was interesting to me, because I, like just about everyone, felt I knew the story already. But, aside from a letter at the very end, you are not following Dr. Jekyll's character, but his lawyer and friend. It was good though! You've inspired me to read this story, too. Was it scary? I'm easily scared....
El wrote: Also, I wonder if Cynthia would allow "Wind" for a Spring weather word? I was wondering that too... Especially since I already finished a previous group read, and I was planning on something else for my translated book. Oh well, I'm sure I'll read it regardless. XD
Eva - I've only read the little snippets of Night that were included in one of the textbooks for a history class I took... But now I really want to read the entire thing. Have you read Survival in Auschwitz, by Levi? It's one of the most profound Holocaust-related books I've read.
Since I'm here I might as well update my tally... I've read A Clash of Kings for 5-point task #1, Songs of Innocence and of Experience for 15-point task #2, and The Alchemist for 25-point task #5. That's 45 more points, which makes 80 points to date.
I think Cynthia might have answered this question already but would Dawn by Elie Wiesel work for 10.8?
Victoria wrote: "I think Cynthia might have answered this question already but would Dawn by Elie Wiesel work for 10.8?"I think she said no because it does not have the word sun in it (sunset/sunrise count because of the word sun--not because of the time of day.)
Ok, I posted before I really looked at the task...so disregard my ramblings :)
I finished I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak for the 10.3 task this weekend. [image error]
This book was very strange. That makes my total 90 points.
Ashley wrote: I have read Catalyst, Speak and Twisted, and I love her writing. I loved Speak and Twisted, and really liked Catalyst...I finished Catalyst, and I didn't like it too much. Half the issues weren't even resolved, and I guess the ending wasn't very satisfactory to me. It's right on the border, so maybe if I read it again, I'll like it better. On a positive note, I really liked the how the titles of the sections were chemistry terms. My friend thought I was reading a chem book (wonder of wonders!) and then she realized it was just fiction. :)
SPOILERSPOILERSPOILERSPOILERSPOILERSPOILERSPOILERSPOILER
I felt really bad when Mikey died, and I think Teri's actions were pretty realistic. Question: Is Teri Mikey's sister or mom? There's quotes like "He's my son, my son, my baby, my boy..." Does that mean Teri was a victim of abuse by her father? confuzzled...
Bev wrote: "Am about 40 pages into The Six Wives of Henry VIII by Alison Weir and loving it, but it will be slow going, I think! "I'm going to start reading that one as soon as I'm done with my current book. I'm happy to hear that it's good, hopefully it doesn't take too long to read.
Hi all,Just finished 10.1--IN SUNSHINE OR IN SHADOW ed. by Kate Cruise O'Brien and Mary Maher. A collection of 19 stories by Irish authors. Apparently divorce was only made legal in Ireland in 1990 and these stories all have the common theme of the "new divorce". Not a very happy subject, some were good, others not so much. Don't think I can really recoomend it.
5 POINTS:
1. Chandler, Bryn--EVE’S RIB
2. Elinore Pruitt Stewart--LETTERS OF A WOMAN HOMESTEADER
3. TBD
4. Willis, Connie--BELLWETHER
5. Boesharr, Andrea: AUTUMN CRESCENDO: 4 NOVELLAS CELEBRATING THE
CHANGING SEASONS OF LIFE
6. Tedlock, Barbara--THE WOMAN IN THE SHAMAN‘S BODY 7. AUDIOBOOK (TBD)
8. Newhart, Bob--I SHOULDN’T EVEN BE DOING THIS
9. NORMAN, HOWARD--THE BIRD ARTIST--COMPLETED!!--
10. Larson, Eric--THUNDERSTRUCK
10 POINTS
1. O'BRIEN & MAHER--IN SUNSHINE OR IN SHADOW--COMPLETED!!--
2. LIMON, GRACIELA--SONG OF THE HUMMINGBIRD--COMPLETED!!--
3. Kanze, Edward--KANGAROO DREAMING
4. Alcott, Louisa May--BEHIND A MASK
5. Steinmeyer, Jim--HIDING THE ELEPHANT
6. Smith, L Neil--THE VENUS BELT
7. Hellman, Lillian--AN UNFINISHED WOMAN
8.. Silko, Leslie--CEREMONY
9. Plath, Sylvia--THE BELL JAR #9 from 1962.
10.Kinsella, Sophie--THE UNDOMESTIC GODDESS
15 POINTS
1. Fell, Derrick--VAN GOGH’S WOMEN
2. Moore, Christopher--A DIRTY JOB
3. Kirk, Connie Ann--EMILY DICKENSON:A BIOGRAPHY
4. Wilson, Eric--DISNEYLAND HOSTAGE
5. O’Conner, Edwin--EDGE OF SADNESS
6. Garcia Marquez, Gabriel--COLLECTED STORIES
7. Koontz, Dean-YOUR HEART BELONGS TO ME & Kingsolver-THE BEAN TREES
8. TBD
9. Gayford, Martin--THE YELLOW HOUSE
10. Davidson, Mary Janice--UNDEAD & UNAPPRECIATED/UNRETURNABLE (Me)
& UNPOPULAR (LIBRARY)
25 POINTS
1. Nasaw, Johathan--THE GIRLS HE ADORED & Noble, Elizabeth--THE READING GROUP
2. Chesnut, Mary--A DIARY FROM DIXIE
3. Fowler, Karen Joy--THE JANE AUSTIN BOOK CLUB & Reichs, Kathy--TBD--FIONA’S READS
4. DAHL, ROALD--CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY--COMPLETED!!--
5. BRAND,MAX--THE BLACK RIDER--COMPLETED!!--
6. Dunn, Jane--ELIZABETH & MARY-COUSINS, RIVALS, QUEENS
7. Miller, Henry--TROPIC OF CANCER
8. CABOT, MEG-PRINCESS IN THE SPOTLIGHT & COONEY CAROLINE ENTER THREE WITCHES---COMPLETED!!!--
9. ABBOTT, KAREN--SIN IN THE SECOND CITY: MADAMS, MINISTERS, PLAYBOYS, AND THE BATTLE FOR AMERICA’S SOUL--COMPLETED!!--
This brings my total to 125!
Just read Blood Bound. Had started it a year or so back and finally picked it back up again because of this challenge. I really enjoyed it!5 point challenge
1. Bones of Faerie
2.
3.
4. The Wright 3
5.
6. My Lady's Treasure
7. Gregor the Overlander
8.
9. May Bird and the Ever After Book One
10. Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder
10 point challenge
1. Artemis Fowl The Time Paradox by Eoin Colfer (Irish Author)
2.
3. The Siege of Macindaw by John Flanagan (ARC copy)
4.
5. Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston
6.
7. Wintersmith A Discworld Novel by Terry Pratchett
8. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
9. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
10. Angels & Demons by Dan Brown
15 point task
1.
2.
3. Angela's Ashes
4.
5.
6. Tiger Moon by Antonia Michaelis translated from the German
7. True Blood by Patricia Waddell and The New Policeman by Kate Thompson
8. I'll pick later
9.
10.
25 points
1. Goddess of the Rose by P.C. Cast or and Raven by Allison van Diepen
2. Wagner by Michael Tanner
3. Must Love Black by Kelly McClymer and The Patron Saint of Liars by Ann Patchett
4. Good Omens The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Terry Pratchett
5. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
6. The Decline and Fall of the House of Windsor by Donald Spoto
7. Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift (from Pagemaster)
8.
9.
[image error]
KristenR wrote: "I finished another 25 point task (good reads task): I read Goodbye Lemon by Adam Davies, and Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson. Total points: 165
@ Ashley: I read Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and ..."
SARA: Not scary, just interesting. The more I think about the book, the more I like it. But I think you are ok on the scary part, I didn't find it scary at all. But, it does really make you think. Dr. Jekyll writes a letter, and talks about the dual nature inside all of us... That's the only part that it scary, wondering what would lead to that...
That's cool, and I totally know what you mean. It would have been great to have been able to read it without any preconceived notions. I did like it though, and am glad I read it!
Two more challenges to post (been working on one of them for quite a while)In honor of Earth Day, read a book with the word Sun, etc. in the title:
10.6
enjoyed this more than I expected to, so just read it right through
Read a past or present TNBBC group read you haven't read before:
15.3
My enjoyment of this book ranks midway between those who have nothing bad to say about it, and those who can't find anything nice to say. I liked the concept of the behind-the-scenes look at a traveling circus, and I liked the dual-perspective of old-Jake telling us about young-Jake
Added to:
5.6
5.7
5.10
10.3.
10.4
15.2.
15.5
15.6.
15.8.
15.9.
15.10.
25.8
AND
new total as of 3.24.09 = 175 points
Hi - I just finished Karen's task - I read Gloss by Jennifer Oko and Royal Lockdown by Rebecca York for 25 points. So far, i have a Grand Total of 150 points, but i am thinking about switching around some of the books that i have to get in some more titles that i already own.
Kritika wrote: "Ashley wrote: I have read Catalyst, Speak and Twisted, and I love her writing. I loved Speak and Twisted, and really liked Catalyst...I finished Catalyst, and I didn't like it too much. Half the ..."
I agree with you in that Catalyst wasn't a favorite, and for most of the beginning I felt fairly ambivalent. But, more toward the end, I liked it a lot better because of the Terri/Mikey thing. I felt that was handled really well, and very realistically, and made you understand both people better.
**********SPOILER**********SPOLIER!!!!!!
Mikey was Terri's son, and yes her father abused her. They hint at it, but never say it. But, The main character talks about understanding things better, and more toward the beginning of the book, when the main character (I don't remember her name... lol) anyway, the first time you see Terri, she talks about how one year she got really fat, and then came back after summer and wasn't fat anymore... That sounds like pregnancy to me...!
Speak and Twisted though are MUCH better! MUCH better!!! I love them!!
5 POINTS2:84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff (3/04/09)
4:From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris (3/10/09)
7: My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult (3/12/09)
10 POINTS
3:Obernewtyn by Isobelle Carmody (3/20/09)
4:A Great and Terribly Beauty by Libba Bray (3/02/09)
6:Moon Called by Patricia Briggs (3/11/09)
10:All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris (3/03/09)
15 POINTS
6:The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (3/13/09)
8:City Dog by Alison Pace (3/01/09)
25 POINTS
1:The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (3/09/09) and Rebel Angels by Libba Bray (3/16/09)
4:The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett (3/24/09)
8:Holes by Louis Sachar (3/17/09) and Life: An Autobiography as Told by Jack Gunthridge by Jack Gunthridge (3/18/09)
[image error]
Points: 160
Tasks Completed: 12/40
-Beth MN
Today I finished:5. Audio Book - The Cat Who Robbed a Bank by Lilian Jackson Braun, George Guidall (Narrator)
5 points, making my total 205.
These tapes/CDs are good to listen to because George Guidall reads so well.
For Angela's 25 point task, I had Sara and I read Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants and then, ended up reading Second Summer of the Sisterhood instead of my original plan. The books are fun in a kind of guilty pleasure way - yes, I know it's completely unfeminist, but it reminds me of my pre-teenage love for the Babysitter's Club. That brings me to 140 points.
Update!I just finished Bras & Broomsticks for 5-point task #4 (planes, trains, and automobiles). I listened to this book on cd in my car during my commute to work.
This brings my point total to 125.
[image error]
Read Deadline for my book about sports (I'm a Sag - December 2).5 Points
1.
2. Ella Minnow Pea A Novel in Letters
3. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
4.
5. The Shack
6.
7.
8.
9. Down the Rabbit Hole An Echo Falls Mystery
10.
10 Points
1.
2. Rain of Gold
3.
4. Until I Find You A Novel - John Irving (March 2nd)
5.
6. The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things
7. Postmortem - Patricia Cornwell
8. Outlander - Diana Gabaldon
9. The Eyre Affair - Jasper Fforde
10. The Virgin Suicides - Jeffrey Eugenides
15 Points
1.
2.
3. Neverwhere A Novel
4.
5. The Witches of Eastwick - John Updike (National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction - 1981)
6. Ines of My Soul A Novel - Isabel Allende
7. Night - Elie Wiesel and A Northern Light - Jennifer Donnelly
8.
9.
10. Three Cups of Tea One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time; The Rule of Four; Slaughterhouse-Five
25 Points
1.
2. Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus
3.
4. Noughts & Crosses
5. Blood Brothers
6. Shadows Of A Princess An Intimate Account by Her Private Secretary
8.
9.
Total
210 points, 15 Tasks
5 points- Planes, Trains and Automobiles Sizwe's Test A Young Man's Journey Through Africa's AIDS Epidemic by Jonny Steinberg
read on ALL 3 :) train to the airport, plane, and bus
New Total: 30 points
LEADERBOARD
LIZZI - 270
ASHLEY ID - 255
SANDY - 255
BEV - 240
BONNIE - 225
LEORA - 215
SHARON - 215
FIONA (TITCH)- 210
MEGHAN - 210
KRISTINA - 205
EVA - 200
PERS - 195
BJ ROSE - 175
KRISTEN IL - 175
RORA - 175
KRISTENR - 165
BETH MN - 160
DONNA JO - 155
JOSIE - 155
SUZIER - 155
LIZ BRKLYN - 150
BRIDGIT - 150
ROS - 150
SARA - 150
EL - 145
ASHLEY AL - 140
CAIT - 140
JUDITH IA - 140
LOUISE - 140
KAREN - 135
KRITIKA - 135
REBECCA - 135
RORY - 130
ALICE - 125
ROSEANN - 125
SANDIE - 125
ANGELA - 120
ANGIE - 120
CASSIE - 120
COURTNEY - 120
SUSAN - 120
APRIL - 115
CATHEROO - 115
RENFREW - 115
LIZ VEGAS - 110
MAGGIE - 110
STEPHANIE - 110
JAMIE MN - 105
ALISHA - 100
ANN FROM SC - 100
CAROL - 100
LILY - 100
STEPH - 100
MARY BETH - 95
TINA - 95
VICTORIA - 95
BECKY - 90
CYNTHIA - 90
FALLON - 90
JOY - 90
LINDSEY - 90
LORI - 90
LYNLEE4 - 90
CYNTHIA (SCM) - 85
JON - 85
NICOLE NC - 80
JENNIFER IN - 75
JULIE UK - 75
KICKI - 75
RHIANNON - 75
RYAN - 75
JEGKA - 70
KATE - 70
MELODY - 70
NATALIA - 70
SUSANNA UK - 70
ABBIE - 65
KATHRYN - 65
SAI - 65
SERA - 65
AMANDA - 60
LAUREN - 60
TRACY - 60
CYNDEE - 55
ELIZABETH AK - 55
JENNY - 55
MEGAN - 55
AMY - 50
HAYES - 50
JEN - 50
KELLY - 50
ROBIN - 50
BETH - 45
ELIZ - 45
HEATHER KS - 45
MANDAY - 45
POTJY - 45
WV HEATHER - 45
ALLISON - 40
ELIZABETH NC - 40
JENNIFER MD - 40
JESSICA - 40
JOANNA - 40
KIM - 40
LINDA - 40
MEL - 40
LIZ NY - 35
SHANNON - 35
ALYSSA - 30
KATIE - 30
SHELLIE - 30
SLAIMI - 30
TOBIE - 30
ASHLEY UT - 25
DOROTHY - 25
JAIME 26 - 25
JOANIE - 25
KRISTI - 25
LDB - 25
MELISSA - 25
JEANE - 20
NICOLE CA - 20
TRYPHENA - 20
VICKI - 20
CAITLIN - 15
JAMIE WA - 15
JENNI - 15
JULIE (ID)'S - 15
LISA CO - 15
GREG - 10
MORGAN - 10
RACHEL - 10
JAMIE 23 - 5
JUDITH NY - 5
JULIE TN - 5
MICHELLE - 5
SHELBY - 5
#9 5 points RABBIT HILL#1 15 points THR TERROR by Dan Simmons-wrote about a monster that terrorizes the 2 ships while stranded in ice.
Big total of 20 points!
Victoria wrote: "I think Cynthia might have answered this question already but would Dawn by Elie Wiesel work for 10.8?" - Yes it would work for the military task.Courtney wrote: "Update!
I just finished Bras & Broomsticks for 5-point task #4 (planes, trains, and aut..." - You have already claimed the points for that task - you used Led Astray if you want to change things you need to let me know.
25.2 - A Midwife's Tale The Life of Martha Ballard, Based on Her Diary, 1785-1812, Laurel Thatcher Ulrich25.7 - The Devil Wears PradaLaura Weisberger - being read by the Grandmother on the beach in The Nannie Diaries
10.10 - The Secret Life of Bees, Sue Monk Kid - off Krittle's shelf
5.1 - The Time Machine, H. G. Wells
5.5 - The Silent Harp - 1935, Gilbert Morris
5.7 - Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, Robert Lous Stevenson - PDF acquired from planetpdf.com
TOTAL - 75
Just finished A Midwife's Tale, good history lesson :)
10 point task1. For St. Patrick’s Day – Read a book by an Irish author, set in Ireland, OR about Ireland.
Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt
Current Point Total: 40
Read a book outside your normal genre for 25 points.I read a bit of everything but I don’t read much mystery so I read The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith.
Read an epistolary novel for 5 points.
84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
New total = 70 pts
Tasks Completed 5 Points
#1 Read a sci-fi or fantasy novel- Dark Lover by J.R. Ward
#6 Read a book while in a car- Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward
#9 Read a book with a type of bird in the title- The Secret Life of Sparrow Delaney by Suzanne Harper
10 Points
#5 Read a book about magic- Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr
15 Points
#6 Read a book that has been translated from its original language- Perfume The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Suskind
#7 Read two books w/rhyming titles- Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs and Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning
#9 Read a book w/a color in the title- Redwall by Brian Jacques
25 Points
#4 Read a book from The Big Read's list- Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
#5 Read a book outside of your normal genres-Ghost Walk by Brian Keene
Total Points= 120
[image error]
5 Points2. Epistolary novel: Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster.
I seem to be on a childhood classics-I've-never-read kick. I never expected this book to be so GOOD. I read it all in one sitting. LOVE it! I can't believe I've never read it before!
Total Points: 225
Bonnie wrote: "5 Points2. Epistolary novel: Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster.
I seem to be on a childhood ..."
I know what you mean! I love that book! My friend tried to get me to read it in Jr High, but I kept finding excuses not to. I randomly picked it up one day, and I loved it! I wish I had read it sooner...! It was really cute. Sigh. Makes me happy.
Ashley wrote: "I know what you mean! I love that book! My friend tried to get me to read it in Jr High, but I kept finding excuses not to. I randomly picked it up one day, and I loved it! I wish I had read it sooner...! It was really cute. Sigh. Makes me happy.Oh, so glad you liked it too! Do you know there's a semi-sequel? It's called Dear Enemy and it is about Sallie McBride (Jerusha/Judy's friend). She also writes letters and has a combative love interest. I think I'm going to read that next.
And I don't want to give spoilers on this board, but I will say that I hope I will find in the semi-sequel that Judy manages to get her husband to be less imperious than he comes across in Daddy Long Legs (though I still love him and fanwank that through his interactions with Judy he becomes a better and less proud man, a la Mr. Darcy)!
Completed another 5 point task. For Women's History month I read Metro Girl by Janet Evanovich.[image error]
I know this has already been discussed but I just can't find the answer now! Can I use Close Range Brokeback Mountain and Other Stories by Annie Proulx for the star sign challenge? I'm a Taurus and don't really read Westerns so I don't know of any others! Help!Thanks.
Louise wrote: "I know this has already been discussed but I just can't find the answer now! Can I use [b:Close Range Brokeback Mountain and Other Stories|1629|Close Range Brokeback Mountain and Other Stories|A..."that was a yes if you read that collection of stories
Jon wrote: "Louise wrote: "I know this has already been discussed but I just can't find the answer now! Can I use [b:Close Range Brokeback Mountain and Other Stories|1629|Close Range Brokeback Mountain and ..."Thanks Jon. I need to pay more attention!
Finished Georgiana Duchess of Devonshire today, which I read for Jon's 25 point task.Here is my review:
At seventeen, the giddy, romantic 17 year old Georgiana Spencer, marries the taciturn, emotionally withdrawn Duke of Devonshire, nine years her senior. The marriage is not a success. Neither has any real love or understanding for the other, and both soon find diversions elsewhere; the Duke in the arms of his mistress, Georgiana in the company of the elite ton of the day. They introduce her to drinking, gaming and scandal, and she spends the next period of her life deeply involved in one frantic succession of parties after another. She quickly becomes the darling of society, the most feted, admired and copied woman in England and France, on intimate terms with Marie Antoinette, the Prince of Wales, and the leader of the Whig Party, Charles Fox. Behind this very public facade, however, was a deeply unhappy woman. Constantly in debt and desperately trying to provide the Duke with an heir, she also had to deal with her best friend becoming her husband's live-in mistress, and an ill-fated love affair that produced a daughter she had to give away.
I found this account of the Duchess' life fascinating and absorbing. She is a contrary character, possessing diverse talents and influencing many, yet consorting to lying and stealing money from her friends to try to stave off her ever-present debts. It is also a great source of information about the age in which Georgiana lived, as she witnesses first hand aspects of the French Revolution, and a great deal of English political life.
Total: 180 points
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)
More...
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)
More...
The book was just ok. Maybe my expectations were too high. Given the great premise, I thought the story itself could have been so much better. I did laugh out loud though - once.
Total Points: 140