The Next Best Book Club discussion
Cynthia's Seasonal Challenges
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OFFICIAL SPRING CHALLENGE - 2009
Sharon wrote: "I had asked if I could use a Scottish theme for the monarchy and was told yes so just checking on these as I would like to read them both - can I count them in?In The Footsteps of Robert Bruce – ..."
im not sure - Cynthia? are they related to monarchy? im a bit foggy on their history, arnt those 2 just famous national heros? it would be ok if tied in closely to the english or scots monarchy in the stories. Plus total needs to add to 400 pages so you might need another
Jon wrote: "♡ Eva ♡ wrote: "I'm not sure who recommended the Primo Levi book and I'm racing through so I don't have time to go look but I just ordered it from bookmooch! It's coming from the U.K. so it'll be a..."That's interesting- I haven't read any reviews on it yet. I know I heard the title and author before but someone told me about it here the other day when I mentioned being interested in Holocaust books like Night.
Was it just hard for you to get into?
Jon wrote: "♡ Eva ♡ wrote: "Jon wrote: "♡ Eva ♡ wrote: "Kristen wrote: "Eva, that's a great idea! I actually created a word document on my flashdrive, but if it were attached to the site.. all the better!"I'..."
I've seen a few people that have seperate lists for the challenge books to and I've almost done the same a few times but so far I've always stopped myself. I can see myself forgetting to add them to the proper lists all the time. Kind of like I forgot who recommended the Levi book. LOL
I just finished Ella Minnow Pea (it was really good, a quick read, too).5 points
1. Fantasy - Sorcery and Cecelia, or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot...
2.
3. Spring Cleaning - Hard Truth
4. Planes, Trains,... - The Invention of Hugo Cabret
5. Lent/Book about Sacrifice - Persuasion
6. Women's History - Love, Stargirl
7.
8. April Fool's Day/Humorous - The Code of the Woosters
9. Spring Animals - To Kill a Mockingbird
10. Rain-Related - The Lightning Thief
10 points
1.
2. Mexico - Esperanza Rising
3. Australia - People of the Book
4. Author Birthday - High Country by Nevada Barr (March 1)
5. Book about Magic - Enchanted Inc.
6. Earth Day - Unaccustomed Earth
7. Mother's Day - Widow of the South (gift from mother-in-law)
8. Military - The March: A Novel
9.
10. TNBBC Member's 5 Star - Dead Until Dark (Ashley)
15 points
1. Capricorn (Art) - Chasing Vermeer
2.
3. TNBBC Group Read - The Bell Jar
4.
5. Award Winner - The Westing Game (1979 Newbery Winner)
6. Translated - Inkheart
7. Rhyming Books - Big STONE Gap & Carved in BONE
8. Get to Know Author - Chocolat - Joanne Harris
9. Color Book/Food - Anne of Green Gables
10. 3, 4, and 5 Books - The Well of Lost Plots, Something Rotten, & First Among Sequels
25 points
1. KAREN’S TASK - The Goose Girl and A Raisin in the Sun
2. EL’s TASK - The World of Louisa May Alcott
3. ANGELA’S TASK - Pride and Prejudice
4.
5.
6. JON’S TASK - New Worlds, Lost Worlds: The Rule of the Tudors
7. DARLA'S TASK - Northanger Abbey from The Jane Austen Book Club
8. CASSIE'S TASK - I am the Messenger and Stargirl
9. SARA'S TASK - Old Friends and New Fancies: An Imaginary Sequel to the Novels of Jane Austen
9/45 Books Read
New Total: 110
Jamie MN
10.4 task completed: May Birthday (William Paul Young)"The Shack" for 10 points-bringing total points to 135.I am not sure what I thought about this book-it definitely has some moments that made me really think about faith, but some of it was a little over the top for me. However, some parts of the book made me cry, so I think anytime a books makes you feel something that deep, it has some value.
Susan wrote: "10.4 task completed: May Birthday (William Paul Young)"The Shack" for 10 points-bringing total points to 135.I am not sure what I thought about this book-it definitely has some moments that made..."
That's almost exactly how I felt about it too. I thought it was over the top but I'm glad I read it. I don't think it's 'life changing' like so many, many people told me.
I read my task 10.3 Australian book, Finding Grace, in its entirety today - it was laugh-out-loud funny in many parts, sweet and poignant in others.And THAT brings me to (drum-roll)... 200 points!
(Hearing drum roll in the background for Josie's 200 points)Finished The Devil in the White City Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America this evening. A very enjoyable read that I would probably not have picked up had not Sara given us the task and several of you read the book too. Thank you!
25.9
I just finished Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman for my 15.8 task which brings my total to 25. The book is fun and thought provoking at the same time. I heard the author's interview on NPR.
♡ Eva ♡ wrote: "I'm not sure who recommended the Primo Levi book ..."
Which one Eva? I've read
The Periodic Table which I loved and have both If This Is a Man / The Truce and If Not Now, When? on my TBR.
Which one Eva? I've read
The Periodic Table which I loved and have both If This Is a Man / The Truce and If Not Now, When? on my TBR.
15 Points5. Literary Prize Winner: Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card (1986 Hugo Award)
I first read this book in middle school and I love it now every bit as much as I loved it then. It remains one of the best sci fi books I've ever read. Now that I'm older, though, I am even more horrified by the psychological damage that the adults perpetrated on Ender.
Total Points: 240
5 points1. Science Fiction/Fantasty: The Amber Spyglass
2. Epistolary Novel: Sorcery and Cecelia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot
3. Spring Cleaning: Girl With A Pearl Earring
4. Planes/Trains/Automobiles:
5. Easter: No Wonder They Call Him Savior
7. Arbor Day:
8: April Fool's Day: Dear Walter
9: Spring Animal: The Patron Saint of Butterflies
10. April Showers Bring May Flowers: A Tree Grows In Brooklyn
10 points
1. St. Patricks Day: The Likeness
2. Cinco De Mayo: Pedro Paramo
3. ANZAC Day: True History of the Kelly Gang
4. Author Born in March/April/May: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
5. Harry Houdini's Birthday: The Life and Many Deaths of Harry Houdini
6. Earth Day: The Pillars of the Earth
7. Mother's Day: Three Cups of Tea
8. Memorial/Armed Forces Day: The Unforgiving Minute
9. TNBBC Top Books: Fall On Your Knees
10. TNBBC Member: Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse #1)
15 points
1. Star Sign (Gemini): Multiple Blessings
2. National Poetry Month: Selected Poems
3. TNBBC read: A Great and Terrible Beauty
4. Visited Place: Haunted Missouri
5. Literary Prize: Love
6. Translated: Tranquility
7. Rhyming Titles: Runny Babbit: A Billy Sook & A Gentle Madness...Book
9. Color in Title: The Red Tent
10. 3/4/5: Sisters Grimm Series, The Problem Child- Once Upon A Crime- Magic and Other Misdemeanors
25 points
1. Title G and R: The Secret Garden & Rereadings
2. Nonfiction diarest: The Journal of Emily Pepys
3. Spring Challenge Book: A Separate Place & The Geography of Bliss
4. Big Read: Anna Karenina
5. Outside Normal Genre: Carrie Pilby
6. English Royalty: Royal Panopoly
7. Movie: Everything Is Illuminated
9. Title of 12 Words: Among the Gently Mad: Strategies and Perspectives for the Book Hunter of the 21st Century
Finished Mockingbird for 5 points for Women's History Month challenge
Total Points 45
Need to come up with others but this will bet me started for now:5 PONT
15 POINTS
2. Looking for suggestions
4. Need to think on this
5. Of Mice and Men
6. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
7.
8. Something by Tee Morris
9. Thinking -
10.
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Hayes wrote: "♡ Eva ♡ wrote: "I'm not sure who recommended the Primo Levi book ..."Which one Eva? I've read
The Periodic Table
Have you read this? I just checked out one of the ones you mentioned, If This Is a Man / The Truce and also added that and I'm going to take a look at the others when I get home. I actually found a handful of good looking books on bookmooch all at the same time. When I get home I'll put the titles here in case anyone else is interested or can tell me about them.
I read The Cage for this challenge and liked it. It wasn't up there with Night in my opinion but to me every Holocaust book is worth reading. I liked The Cage because it's something younger people can read too without being overwhelmed with the wording.
I have finished two more books and finally hit the 100 mark...5.4~~Eldest by Christopher Paolini, I listened to this entirely in my car on my way to and from work.
5.6~~Little Women by Louisa May Alcott...a little disappointed in this book as an adult.
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Don't know "Survival in Auschwitz". Will take a look. I love primo levi's style. I've read him in English and Italian, he's great and his translator did a very good job.
♡ Eva ♡ wrote: "Hayes wrote: "♡ Eva ♡ wrote: "I'm not sure who recommended the Primo Levi book ..."Which one Eva? I've read
[b:The Periodic Table|427282|The Periodic Table|Primo Levi|http://photo.goodreads.c..."
Is there a part of the challenge for Holocaust Remembrance Day in April?
Just read Tiger Moon and loved it. Task 15.6.5 point challenge
1. Bones of Faerie
2.
3.
4. The Wright 3
5.
6. Drums, Girls, And Dangerous Pie
7. Artemis Fowl The Time Paradox
8.
9. May Bird and the Ever After Book One
10. Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder
10 point challenge
1. The Supernaturalist 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.
7. True Blood and The New Policeman
8. I'll pick later
9.
10.
25 points
1. Gregor the Overlander or Green Jasper 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.
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April wrote: "♡ Eva ♡ wrote: "Hayes wrote: "♡ Eva ♡ wrote: "I'm not sure who recommended the Primo Levi book ..."
Which one Eva? I've read
[b:The Periodic Table|427282|The Periodic Table|Primo Levi|http://p..."
No, but you might convince the 50-point question writer...
Which one Eva? I've read
[b:The Periodic Table|427282|The Periodic Table|Primo Levi|http://p..."
No, but you might convince the 50-point question writer...
Sharon wrote: "I had asked if I could use a Scottish theme for the monarchy and was told yes so just checking on these as I would like to read them both - can I count them in?In The Footsteps of Robert Bruce – ..." - Besides the point thing Robert the Bruce would count as royalty but William Wallace wasn't
I've completed a few more tasks :)10.2 - Mexican author: The Four Agreements: A Toltec Wisdom Book - Don Miguel Ruiz
10.3 - Australian author: People of the Book - Geraldine Brooks
15.4 - spring break: Fat White Vampire Blues - Andrew Fox (set in New Orleans....spent spring break there in 2000 - which was also my honeymoon)
total points - 200
5 POINTS2. Read an epistolary novel OR a non-fiction collection of letters/journal etc.
Diary of a Bad Year by J.M Coetzee
Terri wrote: "5 POINTS2. Read an epistolary novel OR a non-fiction collection of letters/journal etc.
Diary of a Bad Year by J.M Coetzee
"
how was it? i read disgrace and hated it so sort of scared off him
As of Elizabeth (Alaska's) post we've officially completed more than 1000 tasks as a group! ! ! Way to go guys! ! ! Keep up the good reading! ! !
I seem to remember that some of you have read A Great and Terrible Beauty... would you recommend it? I admit I'm having a lot of fun with YA books as an alternative from my usual heavy law reading, and I could fit that in as a task.
Jon wrote: "Terri wrote: "5 POINTS2. Read an epistolary novel OR a non-fiction collection of letters/journal etc.
Diary of a Bad Year by J.M Coetzee
"
how was it? i read disgrace and hated it so sort of sc..."
It was pretty decent. Quick to read. Mostly it feels like a blog when you read it.
Judith, I really loved A Great and Terrible Beauty and the rest of the series. It was a nice mix of historical and fantasy.
I've finished The Time Traveler's Wife and Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow for Angela's 25 point task, bringing my total to 295 points. (I disliked Time Traveler's Wife, but LOVED Sun and Moon!)
Judith - I hate to admit it, as AGATB is generally well-loved around here, but I wasn't a big fan of it. The last YA book I read and loved was Ella Enchanted, though.
Finally finished The Montesi Scandal: The Death of Wilma Montesi and the Birth of the Paparzzi in Fellini's Rom by Karen Pinkus for 10.7 (My mother's name was Wilma.)
and From A to X by John Berger for 5.2
Julie wrote: "Finished The Shack for 5 points (Planes, Trains...). Total: 10 points"
What'd you think of this Julie? I liked it but not as much as most people seem to.
April wrote: "♡ Eva ♡ wrote: "Hayes wrote: "♡ Eva ♡ wrote: "I'm not sure who recommended the Primo Levi book ..."Which one Eva? I've read
[b:The Periodic Table|427282|The Periodic Table|Primo Levi|http://p..."
I wish! I have a great number of Holocaust books- non-fiction and fiction!
Oh, someone had suggested that as a task when we were all putting the suggestions on for this challenge but it wasn't chosen. Maybe in a future challenge- I'll never have a shortage of those books. LOL
♡ Eva ♡ wrote: "I'm not sure who recommended the Primo Levi book and I'm racing through so I don't have time to go look but I just ordered it from bookmooch! It's coming from the U.K. so it'll be a few weeks possi..."That is a shame about the Bell Jar! It is my favorite book but I can see how it is not for everyone. I hope you find a good replacement.
15 points3. Read a past OR present TNBBC group read that you haven’t read before
Angela's ashes.
total points 35
Just finished task 10.1 - read a book by Eoin Colfer, an Irish author. Really great book, more sci-fi then fantasy and very intriguing and full of action.5 point challenge
1. Bones of Faerie
2.
3.
4. The Wright 3
5.
6. Drums, Girls, And Dangerous Pie
7. Artemis Fowl The Time Paradox
8.
9. May Bird and the Ever After Book One
10. Storm Glass
10 point challenge
1.
2.
3. The Siege of Macindaw by John Flanagan (ARC copy)
4.
5. Wondrous Strange
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.
7. True Blood and The New Policeman
8. I'll pick later
9.
10.
25 points
1. Gregor the Overlander or Green Jasper 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.
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COMPLETED 25 POINT TASK#5 BONNIE’S TASK – Read a book outside your normal genre: Equus by Peter Shaffer (play) 3/22/09 - 3/28/09
I don't normally read plays but this was a really interesting psychological study.
TOTAL POINTS 155
____
PARTIALLY COMPLETED ANOTHER 25 POINT TASK
#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.
I pulled two books from Kristina's virtual bookshelf Hawkes Harbor by S.E. Hinton 3/22/09 - 3/28/09 AND
Extras by Scott Westerfeld (starting tomorrow)
I have finally finished the woman in white. I have put off reading this book for months but have really enjoyed it! Definitely one of those surprisingly good books!5 POINTS
1. A Neil Gaiman book
2. Adrian Mole and the Weapons of Mass Destruction by Sue Townsend
3. Half of Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
4. ?
5. The Shack by William P. Young
6. The Girls by Lori Lansons
7. ?
8. The Difficult Second Book by Chris Moyles
9. ?
10. ?
10 POINTS
1. The Gathering by Anne Enright (Set in Ireland)
2. Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
3. His Illegal Self by Peter Carey (Aussie Author)
4. Mr Pip by Lloyd Jones (Born 23rd March)
5. Carter Beats the Devil by Glen David Gold
6. East of the Sun by Julia Gregson
8. The Welsh Girl by Peter Ho Davies
9. I Capture the Castle (no. 1 of TNBBC top 10 list)
10. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson (One of Meg's 5 star rated books).
15 POINTS
1. ?
3. Water for Elephants by Sarah Gruen
5. The Sea by John Banville (won the Guardian Prize in 1981 for Kepler
6. Shape of Water by Andrea Camillia (translated from Italian into English
7. The Girl who was going to die by Glyn Maxwell and The End of Mr Y by Scarlett Thompson
9. The White Tiger by Aravind Acliga
10. ?
25 POINTS
1. The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson and The Reader by Bernhard Schlink
2. ?
3. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisberger (from Angela's bookshelves)
5. The Face by Dean Koontz (Horror)
6. ?
7. ?
8. Eragon and Eldest by Christopher Paolini
9. ?
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Kristina wrote: "♡ Eva ♡ wrote: "I'm not sure who recommended the Primo Levi book and I'm racing through so I don't have time to go look but I just ordered it from bookmooch! It's coming from the U.K. so it'll be a..."I'm still upset about that! I wanted to like it so much and had been waiting for years to finally read it. So many friends who I have similiar reading tastes as also have it as a favorite to. I think I'm going to try again eventually. Maybe it was just a mood I was in or something!
♡ Eva ♡, that would probably be one part of the challenge which would be very easy for me to satisfy as well. I enjoy reading Holocaust memoirs, not because I enjoy the misery of others, but because I am astounded at how people can go through hell and if they are lucky, make it out alive.
April wrote: "♡ Eva ♡, that would probably be one part of the challenge which would be very easy for me to satisfy as well. I enjoy reading Holocaust memoirs, not because I enjoy the misery of others, but becaus..."I know exactly what you mean. I always try to remember to check myself when saying a book like that was 'great' or I 'love' reading them. But I do, it's something that is totally confusing to me- that it even happened I mean. Have you read Night? That's the one I 'liked' the moct so far. :)
Speaking of Sylvia Plath...unfortunately her son committed suicide this week - here's the NYTimes article:http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/24/boo...
Rory wrote: "Speaking of Sylvia Plath...unfortunately her son committed suicide this week - here's the NYTimes article:http://www..."
Wow- thanks for sharing the article! I'm on my way out but will definitely read it when I get home. Thanks!
Finished another task-being snowed in with 20 inches and drifts as high as our fence gives me lots of time to read! :) 25 point task #3:
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
The Book Thief
This brings me up to 70 points.
Heather in KS
Judith wrote: "I seem to remember that some of you have read A Great and Terrible Beauty... would you recommend it? I admit I'm having a lot of fun with YA books as an alternative from my usual heavy law reading..."I haven't read what everyone else commented about A Great and Terrible Beauty, but I really liked the series. It was fun, and pretty quick. I don't always read the fantasy/magic stuff, but I would recommend it. It's worth reading.
I'd just like to say what a surprise for Cynthia to post that I brought our task total to 1000. It feels like a big award or something. I know I have been reading more, enjoying it more (if that is possible), and widening my reading horizons. Now that's definitely a reward! And, look, we're less than 1/3 through the time period. Who will be 2000 and how soon will we get there? Yippee for us!
Bonnie wrote: "15 Points5. Literary Prize Winner: Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card ..."
Orson Scott Card is one of my favorites. I didn't discover him until I was an adult--he's my husbands favorite author. I recommend Ender's Shadow--which basically tells the same story, but from Bean's point of view. It makes an interesting companion.
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I'm glad you lik..."
yeah i popped my completed winter one in there too after your recommendation - i like to have a private gloat at my achievements occasionaly lol - oh and i have a winter and spring challenge bookshelf of course. This time im only allowed to put the book on it once ive read it - and i always use cover view - its a good motivator!