The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
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WINTER CHALLENGE 2012
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Winter Challenge 2012-2013: Completed Tasks - DO NOT DELETE ANY POSTS IN THIS TOPIC

The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
At 512 pages, this book qualifies for a big book ticket.
+20 points
Total points: 85
Goodreads authors: 5
Big books: 500+ (2)

Book 1 - Six Geese A-Slaying by ***Goodreads Author*** Donna Andrews
One of the main characters is Michael, so for book 2 I read The Concrete Blonde by ***Goodreads Author*** Michael Connelly
Points this post: 25
Total Points: 85/1170
Tasks Completed: 5
Books Read: 8
GoodReads Authors: 5
Big Books: 500+ (1), 750+ (), 1000+ ()
25.5 - Keltie Lee's Task - CLUE
5. Mr. Green - read a book categorized as mystery
Shakespeare's Champion
6. Mrs. Peacock - has a bird on the cover
by Beth Hoffman
Beth Hoffman is a Goodreads author
Points for this post: 25
Total points: 160
Tasks completed: 10
Books read: 12
Goodreads authors: 3
Big books: 500+ (2); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)
5. Mr. Green - read a book categorized as mystery
Shakespeare's Champion
6. Mrs. Peacock - has a bird on the cover

Beth Hoffman is a Goodreads author
Points for this post: 25
Total points: 160
Tasks completed: 10
Books read: 12
Goodreads authors: 3
Big books: 500+ (2); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

5.2 Phil's Prediction
book switch
Lesson Learned - Lillian Francis (GR Author) - ebook only approved in 1950 of the ebook only verification thread
10.9. The Fall Finishers' Five-Star Favorites
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate - Ms Anderson gave this book 5 stars HERE
30.3 - Butterflycager's Task - Cookie Exchange
Book Switch
Book A - Option 1 - Visions of Skyfire - Skyfire is the compound word
Book B - Option 2 - The Ruby Ring: A Novel - set in Italy during the Italian renaissance - moved from 5.2
30.4 - Cindy AL's Task: Jackpot Spin
rolled 1
Sizzling - Susan Mallery (GR Author) - moved from 30.3 in post 675
Tempting - Susan Mallery (GR Author)
Total Points: 430/1170
GR Authors: 17
Big Book Ticket: 500+(2)

15.4 Naming Names
I chose Option #2 One book with two people's names in the title/subtitleBryant and May and the Memory of Blood byChristopher Fowler

10.10. Lucky 13
The Lucky One
by Nicholas Sparks
*has the word Lucky in the title*
20.8 Double Trouble
Option 4:
Mrs. Jeffries Holds the Trump
by Emily Brightwell
*has 256 pages*
30.7 It's My Anniversary!
Option 4:
Legally Blonde
by Amanda Brown
*set at Stanford Law University*
Option 5:
The Guardian
by Nicholas Sparks
*romance as a genre*
Points this post: 60
Total points: 340/1170
Tasks: 21
Books: 24

5.2 Phils Prediction
Seventh Son
This is my 1st post, and 1st book
Points this post: 5
Points to date: 5

For my high rated book, with a rating of 4.55, I read:
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
For my low rated book, with a rating of 2.80, I read:
Mr. Darcy, Vampyre by Amanda Grange
Amanda Grange is a GoodReads Author
Points Earned: 15
Total Points Earned: 50/1170
Total Books Read: 5/91
Good Read Authors: 3
Big Book Tickets: 500(1), 750(), 1000()

I picked:
Read ONE book that satisfies TWO options .
Option B: Pick a book with any of these Christmas objects on the cover: Christmas tree, snow (snowflake, snowman acceptable), pine cone, wreath, angel (any type), Sleigh, Christmas ornament, presents, Santa Claus, reindeer, star, candy cane, mistletoe or candle.
Option C: Pick a book with any of the following words in the title: red, green, believe, wish, merry, shepherd, miracle, nativity, memories, love, family, song or sing, happy, holidays, peace, holy, night, or light. Plurals and possessives of these words may be used.

Unholy Night (2012) by Seth Grahame-Smith (Hardcover, 307 pages)
105 + 25 = 130
Tasks Completed: 07
Points for this post: 25
Points thus far: 105 + 25 = 130
Books read: 08
Pages read: 2,130 + 307 = 2,437
Read but not claimed: 08
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Books:
(0) 500+
(0) 750+
(0) 1,000+

Task 5.10 - A Claus for Celebration
I read:
A Virgin River Christmas by Robyn Carr
This book takes place during, you guessed it, the Christmas season.
Points this task: 5
Total points: 415
Tasks completed: 22
Books read: 121
Pages read: 10150
Goodreads authors: 6
Big books: 500+ (1); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

Option B: "Princess of the Midnight Ball",

Option C: "The Kill Order,"

Both James Dashner and Jessica Day George are Goodreads Authors, so I’m claiming two tickets, one for each of them.
Here’s the summary:
Points Earned this Challenge: 25
Tasks Completed to Date: 6
Total Points Earned to Date: 110
Pages Read this Challenge: 599
Total Pages Read to Date: 2573
Books Read this Challenge: 2
Total Books Read: 9
Goodreads Authors: 5
Big Book Tickets: 500(), 750(), 1000()

Book 1: The Opportunist by Tarryn Fisher, GR author
This one reminds me of my sister. My sis is my go-to buddy reader for nearly every book I read, including this one. The Opportunist invoked in both of us a nearly identical visceral, nearly violent antagonism towards the protagonists, which led to much animated discussion and text messages. So this one will always bring a smile to my face, and a hiss for the heroine. :D
Book 2: Blood Warrior by H.D. Gordon, GR author
My GR buddy Pat's favorites list found here.
Points this post: 30
Total points: 330
GR Authors: 18
Big books: 500+ (1)

15.10 -- A Bird in the Hand....
The Lily Pond

20.8 It's My Birthday! - Lahni's Task: Double Trouble
Option 2 Girls: 2 different girls on cover.
A Faraway Island

25.12 - Mstan's Task - I ♥ the Goodreads on SRC
Book 1:The Age of Miracles

Chaitra's Best of the Summer 2012 Challenge Post #30
Book 2: The Sky Is Everywhere

Fran's Best of Fall 2011 Post # 2
Jandy Nelson GRA
Karen Thompson Walker GRA
Points Earned This Post:60
Points Achieved to Date: 305/1170
Goodreads Authors: 13
Big Book Tickets:
500+ (0)
750+ (0)
1000+ (0)

I rolled a 4:
1st book was River, Cross My Heart by Breena Clarke with 4 words
2nd book was Long After Midnight by Ray Bradbury with 3 words
Points this task: 30
Total points to date: 120

Correction Post for Post # 710
5.8 End of Days
Apocalyptic genre on the main book page.
Reached

Points Earned This Post:5
Points Achieved to Date: 305/1170
Goodreads Authors:13
Big Book Tickets:
500+ (0)
750+ (0)
1000+ (0)

Pick two authors off the list of “similar authors” and read a book by each of them.
Favorite Author Link: Eric Edstrom
Similar Author 1:

Post# 1947
Similar Author 2:

Points this post: 25
Total points: 350
Tasks completed: 13
Books Read: 25
GR Authors: 19
Big books: 500+ (0); 750+ (1); 1000+ (0)

Charm City by Laura Lippman
Laura Lippman is a Goodreads author.
Points this post: 10
Total points: 335
GR authors: 10

5.2 - Phils Prediction, 2 consecutive words
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn a Goodreads Author
5.8 - End of Days, end of world books
The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker a Goodreads Author
10.3 - They all Look Good to me - nominated books for group book read
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
(Reading Maisie Dobbs for 20.10)
20.4 - Author Author - multi faceted authors
Riding Rockets: The Outrageous Tales of a Space Shuttle Astronaut by Mike Mullane
Astronaut, Vietnam Vet and Public Speaker
Points this post: 40
Total Points: 40
Goodreads Authors: 2
Big books: 0

read a short book, fewer than 200 pages
This book is 144 pages
The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks by Max Brooks
Max Brooks is a GoodReads Author
Points Earned: 10
Total Points Earned: 60/1170
Total Books Read: 6/91
Good Read Authors: 4
Big Book Tickets: 500(1), 750(), 1000()

15.2 TWO PLUS TWO -
A. A Local Habitation by Seanan McGuire
***GR Author***
B.The Lilac House: A Novel by Anita Nair
Author's initials spell MANS
20.3 DECK THE HALLS -

***GR Author***
Option 1-Boughs of Holly(Christmas decoration on cover)
20.5 BEATLE MANIA - Dracula, My Love: The Secret Journals of Mina Harker by Syrie James
***GR Author***
Word from song title "Love Me Do"
20.6 - PUNCTUATION IS FUN - Exploring the Pagan Path: Wisdom from the Elders by Kristin Madden
***GR Author***
Colon in title
20.7 - ALL IN THE FAMILY - Fair Game by Patricia Briggs
Girls Option 1 - Paranormal Romance
25.2 CHAIN OF NAMES -
A. Private Games by James Patterson
***GR Author***
B. The Dark Highlander by Karen Marie Moning
Main character in Private Games is Karen Pope
Points: 120
Tasks: 6
Books: 8
Pages: 2974
GR Authors: 5
:::to be continued:::

25.3 - Coralie's Task - Let's be Different
Option 2:
A Time For Us by Josephine Cox
(Every letter in title is different, and letter count 1, 4, 3, 2. This title was suggested by the task creator as fitting the task.)
Points this post: 25
Total points: 265
Total Goodreads authors: 7
Total Big books: 500+ ()

25.3 LET'S BE DIFFERENT -
A. Wild Cat by Jennifer Ashley
***GR Author***
every letter in title is different
B. Beneath a Rising Moon by Keri Arthur
***GR Author***
4 words 7,1,6,4
25.4 LOCAL FLAVOR -
A. Thirteen Moons: A Novel by Charles Frazier
Born in NC mtns
B. The Cove by Ron Rash
Book set in NC mtns
25.5 CLUE -
A. Shaded Vision by Yasmine Galenorn
***GR Author***
Option 1 Miss Scarlet - Romance
B. The Affair by Lee Child
Option 5 Mr. Green - Mystery
25.6 FIRE AND ICE -
A. Home Fires by Margaret Maron
Option 1 Fire in title
B.

***GR Author***
***Big Book 528pgs***
Option 5 snow on cover
25.8 SPREADING THE LOVE -
A. Water Bound by Christine Feehan
Option 3 Romance
B.

***GR Author***
Option 2 Red, Pink or White cover
25.9 CHRISTMAS SCAVENGER HUNT -
A.

Option A - King in name
B.

***GR Author***
Option C - Night in title
Points: 150
Tasks: 6
Books: 12
Pages: 4310
GR Authors: 6
Big Books 500+: 1
Total Points: 355
Total Tasks: 15
Total Books: 26
Total Pages: 7284
GR Authors: 13
Big Books 500+: 2

30.8 - Delicious Dee/Christine US's Task - A Reading Tribute to Those We Love
Book 1:

Lucie Montogomery is a strong female trying to hold her family together after the death of her parents and also save the family business despite the fact that she is physically handicapped. She reminds me a lot of my grandmother who found herself in much the same situation as a single parent at age 18.
Book 2:

This was a 5 star book on my friend Marilyn's shelf and I will rate it 5 stars as well. Link to Marilyn's shelf:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/...
Total Points = 600

30.8 - Delicious Dee/Christine US's Task - A Reading Tribute to Those We Love
Book 1:
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court
This book reminds me of my mother -- it was one of her favorite books and she referenced it often when certain situations come up. She always wanted me to read it, and I finally did :) Now I finally understand all those references!
Book 2:
Catching Fire
A five star book from my friend Jayme's shelf, found here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/...
****
Points this post: 30
GRA this post: 0
Big Books this post: 0 - 500+ (), 750+ (), 1000+ ()
Total Points: 90/1170
Tasks Completed: 3
Books Read: 6
Total GRA: 3
Total Big Books: 500+ (), 750+ (), 1000+ ()

5.5 RAISE A GLASS
Read a book with a beverage container on the cover.
I read Silent House by Orhan Pamuk. Teacup on the cover.

Points: 5
***
Points This Post: 5
Total Points for the Season: 205
Big Books: 500 ( ), 750 ( ), 1000 ( )
Goodreads Authors: 2
Tasks Completed: 13/64
Books Claimed: 16/88
Pages Read: 4,560

25.8 - ♥Robin♥'s Task: Spreading the Love
Book A - Option 3 - How to Woo a Reluctant Lady - Sabrina Jeffries (GR Author) - 147 have it shelved as romance
Book B - Option 6 - Destined for an Early Grave - Jeaniene Frost (GR Author)
Total Points: 455/1170
GR Authors: 19
Big Book Ticket: 500+(2)

30.6. Donna Jo's Task - Having the Time of Their Lives
Option C:
Time of the Twins by Margaret Weis
Option D:
The Chinese Shawl by Patricia Wentworth
I was born in 1947. Book was first published in 1943.
Points this task: 30
Total Points: 70
Goodreads Authors: 2
Big Book Tickets:

15.5 We got the beat: The Changeling Sea by Patricia McKillip. My first and last name have 5 syllables when combined, as does the title of this book.
20.6 Punctuation is? fun!: God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. Punctuation mark chosen: both comma (,) and period (.) work.
20.9 Screen sisters: Option 2: Castle- cozy mystery genre Pick Your Poison by Leann Sweeney. Leann Sweeney is a GR Author.
25.1 A tribute to the women in my life:
Option 5: Fantasy genre The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale. Shannon Hale is a GR Author.
Option 6: First responder Sweet so Fragile by Margaret Chatwin. The dad in the story, one of the main characters, is a police man. Margaret Chatwinis a GR Author.
This Post:
Points this post: 80
Tasks completed: 4
Books read: 5
Goodreads Authors: 3
Big books: 500+(0); 750+(0); 1000+(0)
Summary Totals:
Total points: 135
Total tasks completed: 7
Total books read: 8
Total Goodreads Authors: 4
Total Big books: 500+(0); 750+(0); 1000+(0)
20.3 - Best Review - Chris MD's Task: Deck the Halls
1. Boughs of Holly – Read a book with any form of Christmas decoration on the cover. Some examples: Christmas tree
Points for this post: 20
Total points: 180
Tasks completed: 11
Books read: 13
Goodreads authors: 3
Big books: 500+ (2); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)
1. Boughs of Holly – Read a book with any form of Christmas decoration on the cover. Some examples: Christmas tree

Points for this post: 20
Total points: 180
Tasks completed: 11
Books read: 13
Goodreads authors: 3
Big books: 500+ (2); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

10.1. Happy New Years!
I read Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
Points this task 10
Total Points 80
Task completed 8
Book Read 9
Goodreads Authors 7
Big Books 500+(1);750+(0);1000+(0)

Rookie at the Top - Janet F's Task: Rookie It’s Snow Joke, “Winter’s Cool”!
Option 6--I read

Points this task 20
Total Points 100
Task complete 9
Books read 10
Goodreads Authors 9
Big Books 500+(1);750+(0);1000+(0)

Task 30.8 - A Reading Tribute to Those We Love
For Book 1, I decide to read a book that will always remind me of my mom. Not long after I started to read, my mom and I, despite how busy she was with 7 kids (at the time, she eventually had 8), would sit with me every night during the summer on the swing on our back deck and we would take turns reading aloud from this series. Such fond memories! I read:
Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
For book 2, I read a book that my friend Heather (http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/...) rated 5 stars:
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
Points this task: 30
Total points: 445
Tasks completed: 24
Books read: 123
Pages read: 10574
Goodreads authors: 6
Big books: 500+ (1); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

25.7 - Stesse's Task - Read My Nightstand
C. Naked by David Sedaris, 291 pages
D. What Fish Don't Want You to Know: An Insider's Guide to Freshwater Fishing by Frank P. Baron, 163 pages
This year, I want to do a lot of fishing, improve my abilities, and try out fly-fishing.
Task Points: 25
Grand Total: 310
Tasks Completed: 13
Books Read: 20
Pages Read: 6,413
Goodreads Author Books: 6
Big Books: 500+(1), 750+(1), 1000+(0)

Task 10.9 The Fall Finisher's Five Star Favorites
I read The Book Thief by Markus Zusak Who is a GOODREADS AUTHOR!
552 pages claiming 1 big book ticket!
Came from SRC member Sheila's "read" list.
Points this post:10
Total points:155
Tasks completed:10
Books read:13
Goodreads Authors:7
Big Books:500+(1)750+(1)1000+(0)
Dlmrose
15.5 -- We Got the Beat
My name has 3 syllables
ignoring subtitle
Resistance: A Novel by Owen Sheers
15.8 -- Red Rover, Red Rover
Voyage of the Sea Wolf by Eve Bunting
20.7 - Shorter is Sweeter - Deedee's Task: All in the Family
“Equal Boy and Girl- Time Travel”
The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom
total = 350
15.5 -- We Got the Beat
My name has 3 syllables
ignoring subtitle
Resistance: A Novel by Owen Sheers
15.8 -- Red Rover, Red Rover
Voyage of the Sea Wolf by Eve Bunting
20.7 - Shorter is Sweeter - Deedee's Task: All in the Family
“Equal Boy and Girl- Time Travel”
The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom
total = 350

15.2 -- Two Plus Two
Brody - Emma Lang
Real Men Will - Victoria Dahl
ELVD make VELD which shows up in the scrabble dictionary and is a generic term used to define certain wide open rural spaces of Southern Africa
Total Points: 470/1170
GR Authors: 19
Big Book Ticket: 500+(2)

Option 2: pink cover
Heartburn by Nora Ephron

Option 5: flowers on cover
A Hundred Flowers by Gail Tsukiyama

Points this post: 25
Total points: 360

Task 20.0-Cary's Task-Screen Sisters
I chose Option 1-"Bones- Read a book about Temperance Brennan written by Kathy Reichs.
Monday Mourning by Kathy Reichs
Points this Post-20
Total Points to Date-260

5.7 Birdcalls
Romeo, Romeo/Robin Kaye
Points this Post: 5
Total Points: 20
Tasks Completed: 4
Books read: 4
Pages Read: 1,439
GR Authors: 3
Big Books: 500+(0), 750+(0), 1000+(0)

I Could Pee on This: And Other Poems by Cats by Francesco Marciuliano
15.7 Opposites Attract
The Horse and His Boy by C.S.
Lewis
I am a female Gemini (May 22). C. S. Lewis is a Sagittarius (Nov. 29).
20.2 It's Snow Joke, "Winter's Cool!"
Option 5
Let it SNOW by John Green, Maureen Johnson*GRA, and Lauren Myracle.
20.3 Deck the Halls
Option 5
Reached by Ally Condie 512 p.
Published 2012
One Big Book Ticket claimed.
20.9 Screen Sisters
Option 5
Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen*GRA
As one of Robin Hood's thieves, Scarlet is a fearless young woman posing as a boy.
Points this post: 85
Total points: 85
Tasks completed: 5
Books read: 5
Goodreads Authors: 2
Big Book tickets: 1


20.6 - Seasoned Reader - Patricia's Task: "“Punctuation, is? fun!”
Why Don't Students Like School?: A Cognitive Scientist Answers Questions About How the Mind Works and What It Means for the Classroom - tons of punctuation marks here - the apostrophe in 'Don't', and the question mark and colon after 'school'
25.1 - Laurie ME's Task - A Tribute to the Women in my Life
Option 5 (fantasy) - The Brides of Rollrock Island
Option 6 (mystery) - Death in the Clouds
Total books read: 18
Points in this post: 50
Total points accumulated: 220/1170
5.9 Shhh!
I read Cast A Blue Shadow.
10.3. They All Look Good to Me.
I read Maisie Dobbs(Mystery Series by Female Author category) for task 20.10, so for this task I read Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore (Books about Books category).
10.10. Lucky 13
I read The Lucky One.
total points: 350
I read Cast A Blue Shadow.
10.3. They All Look Good to Me.
I read Maisie Dobbs(Mystery Series by Female Author category) for task 20.10, so for this task I read Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore (Books about Books category).
10.10. Lucky 13
I read The Lucky One.
total points: 350

15.9 Fly South for the Winter
The Lower River by Paul Theroux
Set in Malawi, southern hemisphere
Task points: 15
Total points: 65

15.9 Fly South for the Winter
The Lower River by Paul Theroux
Set in Malawi, Africa, southern hemisphere
Task points: 15
Total points: 65

10.8 Short and Sweet
I Could Pee on This: And Other Poems by Cats by Francesco Marciuliano
112 pages
Task points: 10
Total points: 75

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green / option 5, published in 2012
Task points 20
Total points 310
Total tasks 15

20.10 Group Read
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore byRobin Sloan I made a post in group discussion- thread 25
30.4 Cindy AL's Task: Jackpot Spin
Rolled a 2
The Thread byVictoria Hislop and The Racketeer by John Grisham
Points this post:50
Total points; 180
Task: 13
Books:16

Book 1
A book that, in some way, reminds you of the person in your family who made the biggest impact on you.
Struggled to decide which of my parents to choose for this and eventually decided on my dad, since this is a reading challenge and he got me into reading as a kid! He used to read fantasy books along these lines to me until eventually I wanted to know what happened next so much I started reading ahead. He also bought me the first of the series, which set off an obsession!
A Dance with Dragons: Dreams and Dust
690 pages - 1 big book ticket.
Book 2
Support your GR friends by reading one of their favorite books (4 or 5 stars) so that you can discuss with them, if they ever need someone to talk to.
Crewel
Kathy Coe gave Crewel 4 stars
http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/...
Gennifer Albin is a Goodreads Author
Points this post: 30
Total points: 70
Tasks completed: 3
Books read: 5
GR authors: 4
Big books: 500+ (1); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
Books mentioned in this topic
The Dimensional Structure of Consciousness: A Physical Basis for Immaterialism (other topics)Temptation & Twilight (other topics)
Liar & Spy (other topics)
Fit Quickies: Five-Minute, Targeted Body-Shaping Workouts (other topics)
Childhood’s End (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Lani Muelrath (other topics)Charlotte Featherstone (other topics)
Arthur C. Clarke (other topics)
Libby Callaway (other topics)
Alethea Kontis (other topics)
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Task 10.8 - Short and Sweet
I read The Giver by Lois Lowry. It has 179 pages.
Points this Post: 10
Total Points: 10
Tasks Completed: 1
Books Read: 1