OFFICIAL SPRING CHALLENGE - 2009 Showing 351-400 of 6,381

[Sara ♥]

Umm... yes. I was just saying that I'm having fun with the Winter Challenge.... and I was implying (apparently poorly) that the Spring Challenge would be awesome, too.

HOWEVER, I think my wires ARE crossed. I keep starting books on my Spring list (careful to only read HALF...), when I've still got ONE MORE for the Winter challenge... Hmmmm...

[Fiona (Titch)]

Sara, I am also itching to start the Spring Challenge. I failed miserably on the Winter Challenge as I stopped half way lol.

[Beth F]

Like everybody else, I’m excited to start too. I moved all my “owned an unread” books that will fit this challenge from the downstairs bookshelf to my night stand so I can easily see and access them. I gaze at them lovingly whenever I’m in the bedroom. I think my husband is getting jealous. :)~

I have 265 points on the Winter Challenge right now and if I finish the three books I’m working on, will have 320 by the time it ends. I started late so I’m happy with my progress, but I’d still wanted to finish and that’s not going to happen, lol.

And so the thought of a new challenge that I actually have a shot at finishing excites me to no end! I’m looking forward to the announcement of the 25-pointers and to watch everybody make a race for the 50-pointer!

[Sara ♥]

When ARE the 25-pointers going to be announced? March 1? I've got mine ready to send to Cynthia as soon as I freaking read my last book.

I'm more than itching to start... I'm going to have to pick a new audiobook. There's no way I'm going to be able to stop What I Did for Love halfway through... As cheesy as it is, I'm REALLY enjoying it. Of course, I listen to audiobooks all the time, so it's really not a big deal to pick another one. If I had to renege on any of the tasks, I'm glad I chose one that's so easy to replace.

[Fiona (Titch)]

You have 3/4 days left til end of Winter Challenge.

[Cynthia]

Fiona - yes it won the National Book Award in 1975 the year your were born so go for it

Elizabeth - In that case yes move on to the next book on the list

Robin - actually Watership Down would not count for the animal task because though it is about bunnies it doesn't have the word Bunny in the title

I'll post the 25 pointers sometime on Saturday - if anyone completes the challenge after I post them I'll add theirs as I receive them.

[Avory]

Ok, so I've gone through the whole thread and I have just a few remaining questions. First though, I want to say Cynthia, you are amazing for doing this, and thank you. Also two suggestions. One is for those born in the 50s and 60s, if I remember correctly the Pulitzer literary prize winners are usually pretty good and go back fairly far. The other is if we aren't doing this already, it might be good for the Spring Challenge to start a separate thread on March 1 that is exclusively for posting books we've finished and updating our totals. That would make it easier for Cynthia to keep track, I think.

Now the questions...

1) Cynthia, I just want to make sure that my bread idea is ok. Since I celebrate Passover, not Lent, would it be ok to read about bread, which I am giving up?

2) Generally, for the ones that have to do with a particular day, can we still read them at any point within the spring challenge period, or are we supposed to read near the specific day?

3) My mother's name is Carver. I know it's unlikely, but it would be cool if there were an author or character with her first name (male, I would assume). Is there a site somewhere that lists authors by *first* names?

4) I know I could find a random one online, but does anyone have a book they loved that was set in LA? (Note: I don't like mystery or heterosexual romance novels, but anything else is fine.)

5) For the translation one, do we have to read the English version? For example, I'm sure Un Amour de Swann (Proust) has been translated, but I only have the French version.

[Jen B]

Sara wrote: "I'm more than itching to start... I'm going to have ..."

Haha, Sara - I'm ready to start, too! :) I actually started my audiobook selection this morning: When You Are Engulfed in Flames. It's 9 discs, and since I can only listen when I'm in the car alone (as my 2 1/2 year old might learn some new things from it that he shouldn't be repeating!) I figure there's no possible way I'll be more than halfway through it by March 1. ;)

[Kristina]

Fiona wrote: "Kristina, Cynthia did say it was ok to read it, which is why I managed to get a copy for £1 (GBP) today."

Ah, must've missed that particular post when I went back to look for an answer. :) Thanks Fiona, and thanks Cynthia.

[Cynthia]

Judith - yes that's fine (bread), you can read them at anytime during the challenge, you have to read the book in the a language other than it's original language so if it was originally written in French you can't read it in French


Carver Wendell Waters
Carver Collins
sorry slim pickings

[Nicole]

Judith - if you like Chick lit Good in Bed takes place partially in LA, there's a bit of a love story, but it's more about accepting yourself.

[Fiona (Titch)]

Cynthia, can I read Henning Mankell's detective series has been translated from Swedish as I have a few of these on my TBR pile?

Thanks xx

Also task 9 (for 10pts) I am confused on where I can get the books. I was lookin this afternoon and couldn't find it. If someone can point me in the right direction I would be grateful. I was born in 1975 if thats any help (anyone can choose a book from those numbers for me).

[Cynthia]

Fiona - These are your choices
1. I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
5. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
7. Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali
9. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
15. A Fortune-Teller Told Me: Earthbound Travels in the Far East, by Tiziano Terzani
17. The Shadow of the Wind, by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
19. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
51. Water For Elephants by Saru Gruen
57. The Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst
59. A River Runs Through It and Other Stories by Norman Maclean
71. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
75. Howards End - E.M. Forster
79. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close - Jonathan Safran Foer
91. The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
95. Away by Amy Bloom
97. Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

Unless you yourself added one of the above you could read any one of these.

If they were originally written in Swedish and you plan to read them in English or another language then yes.

[Fiona (Titch)]

Thought u would poke me hun. Will see if I can get a copy from library ok xx

[Ros]

Hello Cynthia

would Docherty by william mcilvanney be alright it won whitbead novel in 1975

[Cynthia]

If you were born in 1975 then yes.

[Melissa]

Can anyone help me with a book or two that takes place in Arizona? That's about the most exciting place I've been over spring break -- we do most of our travel during the off seasons.

And, in terms of the planes, trains and automobiles task, does the book have to be read in one sitting? I commute everyday and would have no problem setting a book aside to read just during the train rides. I just want to be clear.

[Stephanie]

Mel - If you're a Jodi Piccoult fan, Vanishing Acts A Novel takes place largely in AZ. Not her best book, but still good.

[Cynthia]

No it doesn't have to be in one sitting Mel.

[Melissa]

Stephanie, thanks. I've never read Jodi Piccoult, but figure I can give her a try.

Thanks, Cynthia! I'm set for that book, then!

[Sara ♥]

Mel - The Host: A Novel takes place in Arizona, too, in case you want options.

[Ros]

Cynthia can you come up for any books set in stafordshire this is the last place I went
thanks

[Melissa]

Ahh, thanks, Sara! I'll have to see if I can do another Stephenie Meyer in this challenge! I tend to need a bit of a break after each book of hers that I read. Options are always good!

[Cynthia]

I'm afraid I'm not having much luck with the Staffordshire fiction - it's apparently not a popular setting. Maybe you could find a good non-fiction.

[Ros]

cythia my mum is christine any ideas for me please?
I know I could do harry potter for the magician task but I have read them all so would be nice if could think of something else.
thanks

[Sara ♥]

Staffordshire is the county though, right? So what about a city within that county? Stafford ... Wolverhampton, Cannock, Stoke-on-Trent... Maybe try those?

[Becky]

Ros, you could read "Christine" by Stephen King. Granted, Christine is a car, but she's still a character of her own! ;)

[Melissa]

Ros wrote: "cythia my mum is christine any ideas for me please?
I know I could do harry potter for the magician task but I have read them all so would be nice if could think of something else.
thanks"

Ros, I read The Prestige shortly after Christmas. It is a bit slow in places, but isn't a bad read.

[Robin]

Judith wrote: "Also, if anyone knows of a book about sacrifice that would be good (but not Christian-themed), I would love suggestions. I celebrate Passover in the Spring, not Easter, so I'd rather not do the ot..."

What about the narnia book where Aslan makes a sacrifice - I think that one is Lion Witch and Wardrobe.

[[deleted user]]

Mel wrote: "Can anyone help me with a book or two that takes place in Arizona? That's about the most exciting place I've been over spring break -- we do most of our travel during the off seasons.

And, in t..."

Don't tony hillerman's books take place in arizona? Detective Chee (I think that's his name) native american detective and really good stories.

I really liked this one

[Robin]

Fiona wrote: "Robin wrote: "First - THANKS SO MUCH FOR DOING THIS - it is something I've been looking forward to for weeks and they are always fantastic - wonderful job -- again.

My goal -- to beat my first cha..."

I've talked to the Publisher and they have talked to the distributor and can find no reason for this - Hae you contacted Amazon? What have they said? I would venture to say they have somehow misplaced your order at this point - I know others in England that ordered in January and have received theirs.

[Cynthia]

Christine Blevins

Christine Fletcher

Christine Feehan

Christine Schutt

Christine Conrad

If you go to the add book/author link and type a name in the author spot it will give you a list of everyone by that first name.

Character
Does Your Mother Know?
In the Face of Jinn A Novel
The Sunflower A Novel

[Becky]

Fiona, maybe it's a sign that you shouldn't be getting new books during your book-ban. (I mean, of course if you're going to break it, it should be for Michael's book, but still!) ;)

[Becky]

Wow... that's a long time for them to hold on to your money (or token, which still is moneyish) without actually delivering anything!

[Jamie]

Robin - If you're still looking for an epistolary book, you can search here by going to the "Explore" tab, then "Books," then type in epistolary on "search by shelf name." Right now, there are 64 books on that shelf. In the same vein, you could search listopia for epistolary novels.

I've really enjoyed the Bridget Jones books, 84 Charing Cross Road, The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street, and Guernsey (which I'm sure you've already read), but I'm looking forward to reading Ella Minnow Pea: A Novel in Letters for the challenge.

[Victoria]

Does anyone know of any good books by an author named Susan or a character? Thanks

[Jamie]

Victoria - If you like YA, you could check out Susan Patron who wrote The Higher Power of Lucky.

[[deleted user]]

Susanna Clarke



oh, wait... that's susanna, not susan, sorry

[Sara ♥]

Victoria wrote: "Does anyone know of any good books by an author named Susan or a character? Thanks"

There's a Susan in the Narnia books, of course...

[Cynthia]

Susan Wittig Albert
Susan Cooper
Susan Vreeland
Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Susan Wiggs

Dark Eye A Novel of Suspense
Spin Doctor
The Glory Cloak A Novel of Louisa May Alcott and Clara Barton

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

Susan Cooper writes nice YA fantasy ("The Dark is Rising" etc.). Jane Austen wrote a novel called "Lady Susan." (I think it's the only one of hers that I have not read, so I can't say if it's any good.) Susan Krinard, who I think writes romance.

[Jamie]

Susanna - I figured Lady Susan would be a good choice, too, but I don't think it's long enough actually.

[Becky]

I didn't know that Ella Minnow Pea was that kind of book... I thought that it was a play on letters as in letters of the alphabet. I seem to recall reading something along the lines that letters go missing from the story, as well as the text making it up. I could be wrong though, it's been a while since I read that.

I'd be interested to hear what you think of it Jamie!

[Avory]

Thanks all for the suggestions and Cynthia for the clarifications!

I'll be posting my list later this evening but I thought of a great book for the three/four/five task if anyone's searching, called Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen and David Oliver Relin. It really is an amazing book, and quite literally changed my life, as it's what made me choose to embark upon a career as a human rights activist.

[Victoria]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. Now I just have to pick one of those books.

[Melissa]

Judith wrote: "Thanks all for the suggestions and Cynthia for the clarifications!

I'll be posting my list later this evening but I thought of a great book for the three/four/five task if anyone's searching, call..."

Judith, you have me intrigued. I'll see if I can get that from my library.

[[deleted user]]

Here's my list. Let me know if anything needs to be changed...

5 POINTS-

1. Twilight
2. Bridget Jones's Diary
3. Hunted A House of Night Novel
4. Three Weeks with My Brother
5. Redemption
6. J. K. Rowling The Wizard Behind Harry Potter
7. Confessions of a Shopaholic
8. One for the Money
9. The Secret Life of Bees
10. Henderson the Rain King

10 POINTS-

1. Bard The Odyssey of the Irish
2. Like Water for Chocolate
3. The Magicians' Guild
4. Good in Bed
5. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
6. New Moon
7. Mr. Darcy's Diary
8. The Lucky One
9. Water for Elephants
10. Eragon

15 POINTS-

1. SAGITARIUS: Moneyball The Art of Winning an Unfair Game
2. Where the Sidewalk Ends
3. Stardust
4. The Leisure Seeker A NovelUPDATE (Disneyland)
5. Foreign Affairs A Novel
6. If On a Winter's Night a Traveler
7. The Picture of Dorian Gray/Me Talk Pretty One Day
8. The Choice
9. White Noise
10. Black Dagger Brotherhood 3/4/5:Lover Awakened/Lover Revealed/Lover Unbound

25 POINTS-

1. Guitar Girl/Romeo and Juliet
2. Diaries, 1885-97 With Earlier and Later Diary Fragments from 1875-1917
3. Little Women/ A Wrinkle in Time 3/3/09
4. Anne of Green Gables
5. In Cold Blood
6. Diana Story of a Princess
7.
8. Eclipse/Specials
9. Wicked The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West


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[Jamie]

Becky - I thought so too, but I looked at the first pages on Amazon and the book is actually written in letter format. Can't wait to start!

[Abbie]

This list is what I'd like to read for the challenge. I'm not sure about a couple books yet. Do you have any suggestions? I'm in middle school so I can only read children's or young adult books. I'm doing this challenge with my mom.

5 points
1. Fantasy - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
2. Epistolary - Elisabeth The Princess Bride, Austria-Hungary, 1853
3. Spring Cleaning - Dragon of the Red Dawn
4. Planes, Trains,... - The Princess Diaries
5. Lent/Book about Sacrifice - Confessions of a Closet Catholic
6. Women's History - The Goose Girl
*7. Arbor Day - Not sure which audio book I’ll pick yet
8. April Fool's Day/Humorous - Zippity Zinger
9. Spring Animals - Junie B. First Grader: Dumb Bunny
10. Rain-Related - Electric Storm

10 points
1. Ireland - Maggie's Door
*2. Mexico - Any suggestions?
3. Australia - I am the Messenger
4. Author Birthday - The Tiger Rising Kate DiCamillo - March 25
5. Book about Magic - The Tales of Beedle the Bard
6. Earth Day - Walk Two Moons
7. Mother's Day - Night Flying Woman: An Ojibway Narrative
8. Military - Flags of Our Fathers: Heroes of Iwo Jima
9. TNBBC Top Book List - I Capture the Castle
10. TNBBC Member's 5 Star - Tuck Everlasting

15 points
1. Leo (Royalty) - Fairest
2. Poetry - A Light in the Attic
3. TNBBC Group Read - Stardust
*4. Spring Break - Books about Disney World?
5. Award Winner - From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs Basil E. Frankweiler
*6. Translated - Inkheart Other suggestions?
7. Rhyming Books - Blizzard of the BLUE Moon & The TWO Princesses of Bamarre
8. Get to Know Author - Princess Academy
*9. Color Book/Food - Anne of Green Gables Any other ideas?
10. 3, 4, and 5 Books - Reach for the Stars, Have Wheels Will Travel, & Look Before You Leap - Amazing Days of Abby Hayes

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

Oh, I hope you love From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler! That was a favorite of mine as a child.

I'm sorry I can't think of any children's or YA books about Mexico, Abbie.

Pippi Longstocking is translated from Swedish, I believe, if you haven't already read it.