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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

Born in Ice Nora Roberts / option 3, surname starts with R
Task points 20
Total points 355
Total tasks 17

If You Can't Stand the Heat by ***Goodreads Author*** Robin Allen
Points this post: 5
Total Points: 90/1170
Tasks Completed: 6
Books Read: 9
GoodReads Authors: 6
Big Books: 500+ (1), 750+ (), 1000+ ()

20.10 Group Read I chose to read Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear. I posted a comment in message #18 in the Group Read thread. 294 pages
25.1 Laurie ME’s Tribute
Book 1 – I chose Option 1: Dorothy, and read two books of poems for page length,


Book 2 – I chose Option 5: Diana, and read a book marked “Science Fiction” on its GR shelf, A Scanner Darkly by Philip K. Dick. 288 pages
30.4 Cindy AL’s Jackpot I rolled a 6.
Book 1: With 6 words in the title, I read Face Down Across the Western Sea by Kathy Lynn Emerson. 240 pages
Book 2: With 1-6 words in the title, I read Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. 107 pages
Points This Post: 75
Total Points: 425
Pages read: 8,750
Big Books: 500 + (2)

25.1 - Laurie ME's Task - A Tribute to the Women in my Life
2. Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery, 367 pages
Anne is a teacher in Avonlea.
5. Y: The Last Man, Vol. 4: Safeword by Brian K. Vaughan, 144 pages.
The genre is Science Fiction.
Task Points: 25
Grand Total: 370
Tasks Completed: 16
Books Read: 24
Pages Read: 7,405
Goodreads Author Books: 6
Big Books: 500+(1), 750+(1), 1000+(0)

25.12 - mstan's Task - I Love the Goodreads on SRC
Both books were new to me.
Book A - Best of Fall 2012, Post #6

Book B - Best of Summer 2012, Post #5

Points This Post: 25
Total Points: 465
Dlmrose
5.5 Raise a Glass
bottle on cover:
Never Trust a Thin Cook and Other Lessons from Italy's Culinary Capital by Eric Dregni
10.8. Short and Sweet.
<200 pg: The Bridge Of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder 148 pg
15.1 -- One Man's Trash....
Book A- from highest rated: Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor (4.39)
Book B- from lowest rated: Fat Girl: A True Story by Judith Moore (3.12)
total = 380
5.5 Raise a Glass
bottle on cover:

10.8. Short and Sweet.
<200 pg: The Bridge Of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder 148 pg
15.1 -- One Man's Trash....
Book A- from highest rated: Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor (4.39)
Book B- from lowest rated: Fat Girl: A True Story by Judith Moore (3.12)
total = 380

My first and last names have 3 syllables combined.
The Taker by Alma Katsu, GR author
30.4 - Cindy AL's Task: Jackpot Spin
Rolled 5
Enticed by His Forgotten Lover by Maya Banks
Beauty Dates the Beast by Jessica Sims, GR author
Points this post: 45
Total points: 390
GR Authors: 22
Big books: 500+ (1)

5.3 Plain Brown Wrapper

I read a lot of horror/mystery/thriller books and am embarrassed that I had never read the original.
10.9. The Fall Finishers' Five-Star Favorites

From Butterflycager's list
15.3 -- Out with the Old, In with the New
I chose option 1 and read two books

AND

Total Points = 660

Task # 20.8 It's My Birthday- Lahni's Task: Double Trouble
Option 1. Fraternal- Read a book with a two word title, but each word must be different: Helsinki White by James Thompson
Task # 25.10 Chaitra's Challenge - Thank You Neil Gaiman!
Option 4. A guilty pleasure book:
Charlie All Night by Jennifer Crusie
This is a boy meets girl romance which doesn't improve my mind except to provide me with a few chuckles to brighten my day
Option 5. Good Omens: # 46 0n the list of funniest novels of all time:
I'm a Stranger Here Myself: Notes on Returning to America After 20 Years Away by Bill Bryson

25.11 - Vi's Task - Time to Explore!
1. Morning Glories, Vol. 1: For a Better Future by Nick Spencer, 188 pages
How I got to Book 2:
Rolled a 6:
American Vampire, Vol. 2 ---Locke and Key, Vol. 3: Crown of Shadows --- The Walking Dead, Vol. 14: No Way Out --- Fables, Vol. 15: Rose Red --- The Unwritten, Vol. 3: Dead Man's Knock ---
2. House of Mystery, Vol. 2: Love Stories for Dead People by Matthew Sturges (Goodreads Author), 128 pages
Task Points: 25
Grand Total: 395
Tasks Completed: 17
Books Read: 26
Pages Read: 7,721
Goodreads Author Books: 7
Big Books: 500+(1), 750+(1), 1000+(0)

20.3 - Best Review - Chris MD's Task: Deck the Halls
Option 1: Boughs of Holly -

20.4 - Author!Author! - Janice CA's Task: Renaissance Authors
Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz - under the pseudonym Trixie Koontz, Dean Koontz has written several books and donated the royalties to Canine Companions for Independence. CCI provides highly-trained assistance dogs for children and adults with disabilities, free of charge. His dog, Trixie, was a retired CCI service dog.
Points this post: 40
Season Total: 60


I am a female Leo
I read a book by a male Aquarius (DOB: February 3)
The Book of Illusions by Paul Auster
20.6 "“Punctuation, is? fun!”
Using a colon
Every Love Story is a Ghost Story: A Life of David Foster Wallace by D.T. Max
25.4 Local Flavor
Option A: Author is from Virginia, where I currently live
The Winner by David Baldacci
***At 528 pages, this is a big book***
Option B: Takes place in DC and Northern Virginia (mostly) near where I live
The Collectors by David Baldacci
***At 544 pages, this is a big book***
Post Total: 60
Season Total: 295

If You Lived Here, I'd Know Your Name: News from Small-Town Alaska by Heather Lende
Heather Lende is a Goodreads author.
Points this post: 10
Total points: 370
GR authors: 11

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen *GR Author*
20.4 - Author!Author! - Janice CA's Task: Renaissance Authors
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling (Founder of the Volant Charity Trust, Approved in the help thread) *Big Book @652 Pages*
25.6 - Nick KY’s Task: Fire and Ice


25.9 - JennRenee's Task - A Christmas Scavenger Hunt

25.10 - Chaitra's Task - Thank You Neil Gaiman!
The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner (Option 2 - Genre Mythology on the main page)
Aftermath by Ann Aguirre (Option 6: Author has an upcoming book Horde releasing in October)*GR Author*
25.11 - Vi's Task - Time to Explore!
Option 1: The Briar King by Greg Keyes
Option 2: I rolled a '4'
0. The Briar King by Greg Keyes -> 1. The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold -> 2. Dragon Bones by Patricia Briggs -> 3. The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin -> 4. The Cloud Roads by Martha Wells *GR Author*
30.3 - Butterflycager's Task - Cookie Exchange
Wanderlust by Ann Aguirre (Option 1: Compound word in title)*GR Author*
Killbox by Ann Aguirre (Option 6: Author initials found in LIME MELTAWAYS)*GR Author*
30.5 - Dlmrose/Cindy F's Task - Author Train!
Endgame by Ann Aguirre *GR Author* AND
Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah *GR Author*
30.9 - Peebee’s Task - Schoolhouse Rock
Doubleblind by Ann Aguirre (Option 1: Third is series) *GR Author*
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling (Option 3: Conjuction "and" in the title)
Points this Post: 230
Total points: 230
Tasks completed: 9
Books read: 15
Goodreads authors:11
Big books: 500+ (1); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0) = 1 tickets

I read Outside the Ordinary World by Dori Ostermiller, (a GoodReads Author). It is her first book.
Task Points :20
Total points : 70
GoodRead Authors: 3
Tasks completed: 3

Option 1: Boughs of Holly (someone dressed as Santa Claus)
SantaLand Diaries

20.9 - Moderators' Pet - Carly's Task: Screen Sisters
Option 1: "Bones"
Death du Jour by Kathy Reichs
(Temperance Brennan #2)
Points this post: 40
Total points to date: 340

5.1 - Find a Good Book, books with the word Good in title.
Lost in a Good Book by Jasper Fforde
10.4 - Where DO Those Letters Go, places near santas home.
Book set in Sweden
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson
Claiming 500+ Big Book ticket (paperback 743 pages)
15.5 - We got the beat, same syllables as name
My name has 4 syllables
The Enemy by Lee Child
Points this post: 30
Total Points: 70
Goodreads Authors: 2
Big Books: 1

Read Wait For Me

Song: Love ME Do
Points: 20
Total points: 155
GR authors: 8

Book A: Find an author that lists his or her influences on their GRs home page, website, blog, or in an interview and read one of their books.

Book B: Read a book by one of the Book A author's influences.

Points this post: 25
Total points: 375
Tasks completed: 14
Books Read: 27
GR Authors: 21
Big books: 500+ (0); 750+ (1); 1000+ (0)

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg
*Becca Fitzpatrick is a goodreads author
Total Points: 205
Tasks Completed: 10
Tasks in Progress: 8
Books Read: 22
Total Pages: 7746

Task 30.6 Having The Time of Their Lives
Option A: Half Broke Horses: A True-Life Novel by Jeannette Walls
Genre: Biography Memoir
Option B: The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley who is a GOODREADS AUTHOR!
Genre: Time Travel
Claiming 1 Big Book Ticket 544 pages
Points this post:30
Total points:195
Tasks completed:12
Books read:16
Goodreads Authors:8
Big Books:500+(2)750+(1)1000+(0)

20.7 DEEDEE'S TASK - ALL IN THE FAMILY
Picking the option Boy, because in my family boys edge out the girls in number.
1. Read a book that has History>World War II on the main page.
I read The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman.

Points: 20
***
Points This Post: 20
Total Points for the Season: 295
Big Books: 500 ( ), 750 (1), 1000 ( )
Goodreads Authors: 4
Tasks Completed: 17/64
Books Claimed: 22/91
Pages Read: 7,156

Option 1
A: One Day by David Nicholls
B: What Happened To Polly by Jennifer Hanning - Approved for length, 937 on the document.

What Would Jane Austen Do? by Laurie Brown Kind of fun time travel romance in which mc gets to meet and mingle with Jane Austen.
10.7 Hail to the Chief:
Chester Alan Arthur by Zachary Karabell
Slim book about a not-so-thin president.
10.9 The FAll Finishers' Five-Star Favorites:
Ichecked Peebee's list and choose
Running the Rift by Naomi Benaron
Great book, Peebee.
Today's total: 25
Grand total: 630

I read Sheltered by Charlotte Stein. Ebook approved message #1985. GR Author
10.5 Paint It Red
I read The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski. GR Author
25.5 - Clue
1. Romance Genre- I read
Not His Kiss to Take by Finn Marlowe. Ebook approved in message #1985. GR Author
2. Title in white ink- I read Miracle of the Bellskis by Astrid Amara. Ebook approved in message #1982. GR Author
Points this post- 40
Total points- 225
GR Authors- 13


10.7. Hail to the Chief.
Thomas Jefferson's Creme Brulee: How a Founding Father and His Slave James Hemings Introduced French Cuisine to America by Thomas J. Craughwell (256 p)
20.1 - Most Improved Player - Putterpal's Task: There's a 1st Time for Everything
Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman
David Eagleman is a Goodreads Author.
It was difficult to tell if this was his first book as he had 2 books come out in February 2009, but this one appears to be first, on February 10, 2009.
20.8 - It's My Birthday! - Lahni's Task: Double Trouble
4. Siblings – book with 6 or 7 in page number: The Giving Quilt: An Elm Creek Quilts Novel by Jennifer Chiaverini (336 p)
30.2 Sheila/Kathy G's Task - It's Winter...Or is It?
A.3. Rhymes with Toes: Briar Rose by Jane Yolen (239 p)
B.1. Hot off the Presses: The Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling (503 p)
This is a BIG BOOK.
30.3 - Butterflycager's Task - Cookie Exchange
4. Mystery: Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein (343 p)
(This was an amazing book)
Elizabeth Wein is a GRA.
5. Black or White: The Black Sheep and The Hidden Beauty by Donna Kauffman (378 p)
(Which made up for this one not being so awesome)
Donna Kauffman is a GRA.
Points this Post: 110
Tasks Completed this Post: 5
Books Read this Post: 7
Pages Read this Post: 2165
GoodReads Authors this Post: 3
Big Books this Post: 500+ (1), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)
Total Points: 350
Total Tasks Completed: 18
Total Books Read: 26
Total Pages Read: 8224
Total GoodReads Authors: 8
Total Big Books: 500+ (2+), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)

25.6 - Nick KY's Task - Fire and Ice
Option 1 - "Fire" in Title

Option 3 - Orange Prize Winner

Points This Post: 25
Total Points: 490

15.1 One Man's Trash...
From the lowest ten: A Christmas Blizzard by Garrison Keillor, with a rating of 2.90 as of the start of this challenge
From the highest ten:
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami, with a rating of 4.19 as of the start of this challenge.
15.9 Fly South for the Winter
Speaking with Vampires: Rumor and History in Colonial Africa by Luise White, which was approved in the help thread.
Points this post: 30
Total points: 105

I read Lucy Christopher's debut novel Stolen: A Letter to My Captor. ***Lucy is a Goodreads Author.***
Previous Points:115
Total points:135
Total tasks: 6
Total books:8

20.8 It's My Birthday!- Lahni's Task: Double Trouble
Option 3 Names first name with letter R
Just This Once byRosalind James
Points this post:20
Total points:200
Task:14
Books read: 17

For the Group Reads selection, I read “Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore”

Also, Robin Sloan is a Goodreads Author, so I’m claiming a ticket for that.
Here’s the summary:
Points Earned this Challenge: 20
Tasks Completed to Date: 8
Total Points Earned to Date: 150
Pages Read this Challenge: 288
Total Pages Read to Date: 3204
Books Read this Challenge: 1
Total Books Read: 11
Goodreads Authors: 6
Big Book Tickets: 500(), 750(), 1000()

At the moment, I live in Basel, Switzerland so I chose Switzerland as my local area and read the following books:
Option 1: local author
Heidi by Johanna Spyri
She was born in Hirzel, Switzerland
Option 2: non-fiction book about local area
Swiss Watching: Inside the Land of Milk and Money by Diccon Bewes
Approved in post #37 of Task Help thread
Diccon Bewes is a Goodreads author.
Points this post: 25
Total points to date: 365

10.9 The Fall Finishers’ Five-Star Favorites
From Cindy’s shelves Sabriel
15.1 One Man’s Trash…
From the 10 highest rating books with a rating of 4.42
A Game of Thrones
big book 780 pages
From the 10 lowest rating books with a rating of 3.04
The Last Theorem (which I liked better than A Game of Thrones)
20.3 deck the Halls
Option 5 The Old Year Passes – published in 2012
Bitterblue
big book 539 pages
25.6 Fire and Ice
Option 1 – Fire in title
Pillar of Fire
Option 6 – set in Iceland
Independent People
big book 544 pages
Total points 170

15.9 -- Fly South for the Winter
>90% of the book set in Australia
The Eye of the Storm by Patrick White – Big Book Ticket (600 pages)
+15
25.3 - Coralie's Task - Let's be Different
Option 1:
Book A: Cinder (Lunar Chronicles 1) by Marissa Meyer (GR Author)
Book B: Careful He Might Hear You by Sumner Locke Elliott
+25
Total this post: 40 points
Grand Total: 320 points
Tasks completed: 21
Books read: 28
Goodreads authors: 13
Big books: 500+ (4); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

20.1 - Most Improved Player - Putterpal's Task: There's a 1st Time for Everything
Read an author's debut book, that is the first published stand-alone book written by any author.
I read

Points this Post: 20
Total Points: 50
Tasks Completed: 3
Books Read: 3
GR Author: 3
Big Books: 500+ (0), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)

Motor City Witch by Cindy Spencer Pape (“Romance > Paranormal Romance” on the book's main page) Book approved
25.10 - Chaitra's Task - Thank You Neil Gaiman! (2 Books)
#2. Anansi Boys: Trapped by Kevin Hearne ("Mythology" genre on main page)
#5. Good Omens: I am America by Stephen Colbert
The Funniest Novels of All Time List, Pg. 1, #24
30.4 - Cindy AL's Task: Jackpot Spin (2 Books)
Rolled #2 - Read 2 books with 2 words in the title
Burning Alive by Shannon K. Butcher
Unnatural Death by Dorothy L. Sayers
*Shannon K. Butcher and Kevin Hearne are Goodread Authors*
Points for this post: 75
Total points: 355
Tasks completed: 16
Total GR Tickets: 10

A short book - 132 pages:
The Long Dry by Cynan Jones *Goodreads Author*
30.2 - It's Winter...Or is It?
Book A - Winter in the Northern Hemisphere
Option 1: Got your undies on - a book whose author's initials appear in lonG undErwear:
Ruth by Elizabeth Gaskell
Book B - Summer in the Southern Hemisphere
Option 2: Birds of a Feather - a book with something flying, birds, on the cover;

Sightlines by Kathleen Jamie
Total points 215


5.7 Birdcalls
Seven Year Switch by Claire Cook
Bird name that matches author: Cook's Petrel
Claire Cook is a Goodreads author.
Points this post: 5
Total points: 310
Total Goodreads authors: 8
Total Big books: 500+ ()

20.8 - It's My Birthday! - Lahni's Task: Double Trouble
1. Fraternal
I read Junkyard Dogs by Craig Johnson
Points for this post: 20
Total points: 150
Tasks completed: 12
Books read: 13
Goodreads authors:9
Big books: 500+ (1); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

Fever Dream by Lincoln Child (and Douglas Preston)
The Bone Collector by Jeffery Deaver(<--Goodreads author!)
The main character in The Bone Collector is Lincoln Rhyme. The double author scenario for Fever Dream was approved for this task in task help post #20.
+25 points
Total points: 110
Goodreads authors: 6
Big books: 500+(2)

The Red Book by Deborah Copaken Kogan
Deborah Copaken Kogan is a Goodreads author.
Points this post: 10
Total points: 380
GR authors: 12

15.4 -- Naming Names
Option 1:
Miss Zukas and the Stroke of Death by Jo Dereske
Evan's Gate by Rhys Bowen
Jo Dereske and Rhys Bowen are Goodreads authors.
Points this task: 15
Total Points: 110
Goodreads Authors: 5
Big Book Tickets:

ratings on my to-read list from 12/19/12
Low 5th from bottom at 3.36
Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt
High 5th from top at 4.41
The Sense of Wonder by Rachel Carson
15.2 -- Two Plus Two
Magic Tree House Fact Tracker #10: Ancient Greece and the Olympics: A Nonfiction Companion to Magic Tree House #16: Hour of the Olympics by Mary Pope Osborne Letters M & O
and Lucky Breaks by Susan Patron Letters S & P
4 letter word =MOPS
15.9 -- Fly South for the Winter
Setting in South Africa The Conservationist by Nadine Gordimer
20.2 - Rookie at the Top - Janet F's Task
Option 4. Nature genre Keeping a Nature Journal: Discover a Whole New Way of Seeing the World Around You by Clare Walker Leslie
20.7 - Shorter is Sweeter - Deedee's Task
Majority of my family is boys.
Option 1- WWII Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford GR author
25.3 - Coralie's Task - Let's be Different
Book A Virals by Kathy Reichs
Book B Step on a Crack by James Patterson GR author
30.6. Donna Jo's Task - Having the Time of Their Lives
Option A. Biography genre Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing
Option C. word 'time' The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl by Timothy Egan
Claiming 2 GR authors
Points this post: 140
GR author this post : 2
Total Points to date: 365
GR authors to date: 4

30.9 Schoolhouse Rock
#1: Three is a Magic Number
Faithful Place by Tana French
#3: Conjunction Junction
Invisible Murder by Lene Kaaberbøl and Agnete Friis
Agnete Friis is a Goodreads author
Points this post: 30
Total points: 120
Tasks completed: 5
Books read: 7
Goodreads Authors: 5
Big Books: 500=0, 750=0, 1000=0

25.3 - Coralie's Task - Let's be Different
Book A Virals by Kathy Reichs
Book B Step on a Crack by James Patterson GR author
*Additional information required for Book B: 4,2,1,5
15.8 -- Red Rover, Red Rover
Treasure Island
Points for this post: 15
Total points: 220
Tasks completed: 13
Books read: 16
Goodreads authors: 3
Big books: 500+ (2); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)
Treasure Island
Points for this post: 15
Total points: 220
Tasks completed: 13
Books read: 16
Goodreads authors: 3
Big books: 500+ (2); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

Girl Option 2: humor
Seriously...I'm Kidding by Ellen DeGeneres
Points this post: 20
Total points: 400

Task 10.9 - The Fall Finishers' Five-Star Favorites
I used Ms. Anderson and I read:
Second Helpings by Megan McCafferty
**Megan McCafferty is a Goodreads author!!**
Points this task: 10
Total points: 455
Tasks completed: 25
Books read: 124
Pages read: 10931
Goodreads authors: 7
Big books: 500+ (1); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)
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Books mentioned in this topic
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I rolled 1 so I read two books each with a one word title:
Dolly by Susan Hill
Ninepins by Rosy Thornton *Goodreads Author*
Total points 175