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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

By the Shores of Silver Lake by Laura Ingalls Wilder
(SH in Shores)
Points this post: 5
Total points: 5

Task 15.9-Fly South for the Winter!...Read a book set in a country in the Southern Hemisphere:
I read

Points earned for this task: 15
Points Achieved to date: 105
Total # of Goodreads Authors: 3
Total # of Big Books: 0
500+ = (1)
700+ (0)
1000+ (0)

Task 20.8-Double Trouble!...pick an option and read one book:
I chose option #1 (fraternal...read a book with a two word title) and I read

Points earned for this task: 20
Points Achieved to date: 125
Total # of Goodreads Authors: 3
Total # of Big Books: 0
500+ = (1)
700+ (0)
1000+ (0)

Task 25.1-Tribute to the Women in my Life!...pick two different options and read a bookfor each one:
I chose option #1 (mother's mother Dorothy...choose a book set in or around a bakery) and I read

I also chose Opiont #2 (father's mother Marion...choose a book where a game is important) and I read

Points earned for this task: 25
Points Achieved to date: 150
Total # of Goodreads Authors: 4
Total # of Big Books: 0
500+ = (1)
700+ (0)
1000+ (0)

Task 25.2 - Chain of Names
For my first book, I read a book where the main character's name is Jennifer:
Jennifer Scales and the Ancient Furnace by MaryJanice Davidson
For my second book, I read a book by an author whose first name is Jennifer:
The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
**Jennifer E. Smith is a Goodreads author!!**
Points this task: 25
Total points: 155
Tasks completed: 9
Books read: 36
Pages read: 3861
Goodreads authors: 3
Big books: 500+ (1); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

Option 5: "Scandal" - Strong Female Character
Mildred Pierce by James M. Cain
Mildred is strong female character because she pulls herself out of financial straights, starts her own successful business, and deals with weak male partners and a conniving daughter.
Total Points = 25

Task 25.8 - Spreading the Love
I decided to do options 1 and 2 and to read children's books to fulfill both.
For option 1, authors whose initials can be found in VALENTINESDAY, I read:
Chimps Don't Wear Glasses by Laura Joffe Numeroff - 32 pg
Beatrice Doesn't Want To by Laura Joffe Numeroff - 32 pg
If You Give a Cat a Cupcake by Laura Joffe Numeroff - 32 pg
If You Give a Moose a Muffin by Laura Joffe Numeroff - 32 pg
If You Give a Pig a Party by Laura Joffe Numeroff - 32 pg
Dogs Don't Wear Sneakers by Laura Joffe Numeroff - 40 pg (can you tell she's a favorite?)
Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney - 40 pg
On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman - 32 pg
The Spirit of Christmas by Nancy Tillman - 32 pg
Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy by David Soman - 32 pg
Oh Say Can You Say? by Dr. Seuss - 48 pg
I Can Read With My Eyes Shut! by Dr. Seuss - 48 pg
and
Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss - 72 pg
If my addition is correct and I linked to the right edition, that should be 504 pages.
For option 2, books with a red, pink, or white cover, I read the following:








and

Again, if my addition is correct and I linked to the right edition, that should be 510 pages. Plus all those books were previously approved in the help thread.
Points this task: 25
Total points: 180
Tasks completed: 10
Books read: 58
Pages read: 4875
Goodreads authors: 3
Big books: 500+ (1); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

#3: Grammar Rock: Conjunction Junction
I read The 100 year old man who climbed out the window and disappeared
#5: America Rock: I’m Just a Bill
I read Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Points this post: 30
Total: 30

C. Read a book with the word "Time" or "Life" in title or subtitle.

D. Using YOUR life, read a book first published during the decade of your birth.
Decade 1980

Points this post: 30
Total points: 160
Tasks completed: 6
Books Read: 12
GR Authors: 9
Big books: 500+ (0); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

10.5 Paint it Red
I read Tomato Red: A Novel by Daniel Woodrell. 224 pages
15.5 We Got the Beat
My first and last name combined has 3 syllables, so I read a book with a 3-syllable title: Mad Weekend by Roddy Doyle. 104 pages
Points This Post: 25
Total Points: 200
Pages Read: 4,728
Big Books: 500+ (1)

Option 2: Two names in title:
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford by Ron Hansen
+15 Task
Grand Total: 60

5.9 – Shhh!
Shadows on the Aegean by Suzanne Frank (GR Author)
Word in title starts with “sh”: Shadows
+5
Total this post: 5 points
Grand Total: 150 points
Tasks completed: 11
Books read: 15
Goodreads authors: 8
Big books: 500+ (3); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President by Candice Millard
About President Garfield
20.3 Deck the Halls
Option 5: Published September 2012
This is How You Lose Her by Junot Díaz
25.9 A Christmas Scavenger Hunt
Options A and C: Author named Mary, "song" in title
I Heard That Song Before by Mary Higgins Clark
Post Total: 55
Season Total: 145

10.1 HappyNewYears!
I read the first book in the series Her Royal Spyness Mysteries
Her Royal Spyness byRhys Bowen
Points his post: 10
Total Points :55
Task completed :5
Books read:5

I took this book out of the library a looooong time ago, and have since renewed it many times but til today, not read it. I felt embarrassed for having it for so long and not reading it. (not to mention guilty for keeping it from other, less procrastination-prone readers)
Total points: 60
tasks completed:4
books read: 5
I Knew You'd Be LovelyI Knew You'd Be Lovely
GR authors: 1
pages read: 1525

25.5 - Keltie Lee's Task - CLUE
2.

3.

Task Points: 25
Grand Total: 215
Tasks Completed: 9
Books Read: 13
Pages Read: 4,191
Goodreads Author Books: 6
Big Books: 500+(1), 750+(1), 1000+(0)

Colon - A Mackenzie Family Christmas: The Perfect Gift by Jennifer Ashley, Goodreads Author
ebook approved @ line 19
25.7 - Stesse's Task - Read My Nightstand!
Option B - Rock Chick Renegade by Kristen Ashley, Goodreads Author
happy endings, romance genre, ebook approved @ line 578
Option C - Want by Stephanie Lawton, Goodreads Author
has been recommended to me from several people. Been meaning to read it but some other book always seem to get in the way....
Points this post: 45
Total points: 190
Tasks completed: 9
Books Read: 13
GR Authors: 10
Big books: 500+ (1); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

Read Nothing Stays In Vegas by Elena Aitken *good reads* author. Initials EA, new yEArs resolution.
Points this task 10
Total points: 75
Goidreads authors 5
Big books : 0

20.10 - Group Reads
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
Post 18 in the discussion thread is mine.
Points this post: 20
Total points: 55
Books read: 5

20.2 Rookie at the Top - Janet F's Task: Rookie It’s Snow Joke, “Winter’s Cool”!
Option 5 ‘snow’ in the title: As Simple as Snow

Points Earned This Task:20
Points Achieved to Date: 155/1170
Goodreads Authors: 7
Big Book Tickets:
500+ (0)
750+ (0)
1000+ (0)

Most Improved player--putterpal's Task--There's a 1st Time for Everything:
Nightshifted by Cassie Alexander. According to GR it's her debut novel.
20.6 Seasoned Reader--Patricia's Task--Punctuation, Is? Fun!:
38 Nooses: Lincoln, Little Crow, and the Beginning of the Frontier's End by Scott W. Berg with a semicolon and a couple commas.
20.10 The Lost Recipe for Happiness by Barbara O'Neal I commented in post 4 of thread.
today's totals: 60
grand total: 315

20.8 - Double Trouble
Option 4: Siblings
Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
This book has 326 pages.
Maria Semple is a Goodreads Author.
25.7 - Read My Nightstand!
Option A:
I'm Not the New Me by Wendy McClure
This book is based upon the author's blog, Pound.
Wendy McClure is a Goodreads Author.
Option D:
MWF Seeking BFF: My Yearlong Search for a New Best Friend by Rachel Bertsche
I expect to make more new female friends in 2013 that fit the BFF category.
Rachel Bertsche is a Goodreads Author.
30.1 - Itoushii Anime no Tame ni
Option 2:
The Last Rhinos: My Battle to Save One of the World's Greatest Creatures by Lawrence Anthony
I wish that the southern white rhino would not become extinct.
Option 4:
Kicking and Dreaming: A Story of Heart, Soul, and Rock and Roll by Ann Wilson
I would not mind being the main characters, Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart, who are famous rock stars, known for being female pioneers in the rock world and for their beautiful voices.
30.2 -- It's Winter...Or is It?
Option A2:
The Round House by Louise Erdrich
LONG UNDERWEAR
Option B3:
These Girls by Sarah Pekkanen
This book is shelved in the "romance" genre, and also published in April 2012 (option B1).
Sarah Pekkanen is a Goodreads Author.
30.6 -- Having the Time of Their Lives
Option A:
Immortal Bird: A Family Memoir by Doron Weber
This book is listed in the Memoir genre.
Option C:
Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child by Bob Spitz
The subtitle contains the word "life."
This is a big book, at 557 pages.
30.7 -- It's My Anniversary!
Option 1:
Fathermucker: A Novel by Greg Olear
This title has 12 letters.
Greg Olear is a Goodreads Author.
Option 3:
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz
This book takes place in the Dominican Republic.
*****************************************
Points this post: 165
Total points: 165/1170
Goodreads Authors: 5/5
Big Books: 500+ (1); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

Better Than Chocolate by Sheila Roberts whose initials SR are found in NEWYEARSRESOLUTION
Sheila Roberts is a Goodreads author.
Points this post: 10
Total points: 180
Goodreads authors: 6

I chose option 5, the old year passes and read a book published in 2012:
Entangled by Nikki Jefford
*** Nikki Jefford is a Goodreads Author ***
Total points: 40
Total GRA: 1
Total big book tickets: 0
10.8. Short and Sweet.
I read Murder on the Ballarat Train - 151 pages.
20.8 - It's My Birthday! - Lahni's Task: Double Trouble
I chose option 1, and read The Oath: The Obama White House and the Supreme Court - two words in the title, not counting the subtitle, and the two words are different.
25.9 - JennRenee's Task - A Christmas Scavenger Hunt
I chose the one book option, with both requirements B and C met, and read
.
B - Santa Claus,reindeer, and snow on the cover.
C - word "merry" in the title.
New total: 185 points
I read Murder on the Ballarat Train - 151 pages.
20.8 - It's My Birthday! - Lahni's Task: Double Trouble
I chose option 1, and read The Oath: The Obama White House and the Supreme Court - two words in the title, not counting the subtitle, and the two words are different.
25.9 - JennRenee's Task - A Christmas Scavenger Hunt
I chose the one book option, with both requirements B and C met, and read

B - Santa Claus,reindeer, and snow on the cover.
C - word "merry" in the title.
New total: 185 points

1. Gingerbread Cutouts (compound word in the title - Word: Midwinter)
A Kiss For Midwinter by Courtney Milan (Word approved and Ebook approved)
4. Jam Thumbprints (Mystery genre on main GR page): Peril at End House by Agatha Christie
*Courtney Milan is a Goodreads Author*
Points for this post: 30
Total points: 185
Tasks completed: 8
Books read: 11
Goodreads authors: 7
Big books: 500+ (0); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

5.2 Phil's Prediction - Read a book with two consecutive words in the title and/or subtitle that begin with the same first letter.
A Regency Christmas Carol by Christine Merrill (GRA) - (280 pgs) - C hristmas C arol

5.6 You Have Bewitched Me - Read a book by Jane Austen
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen (ebook) - Mansfield Park - page # source (389 pgs) (Part of my Jane Austen re-read)

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.
The Christmas Inn by Stella Maclean - 282 pgs - Christmas tree on the cover

20.8 It's My Birthday! - Lahni's Task: Double Trouble
1. Fraternal - Read a book with a 2 word title, but the words in the title MUST be different. All words in the title count
Christmas Confessions by Kathleen Long (GRA) - 209 pgs

25.9 JennRenee's Task - A Christmas Scavenger Hunt - Choose TWO options and read ONE book for each
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.
The Earl's Mistletoe Bride by Joanna Maitland - 283 pgs - there is a sprig of mistletoe above the woman's head (and a candle in the upper right hand corner).

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.
Snowbound Wedding Wishes: An Earl Beneath the Mistletoe\Twelfth Night Proposal\Christmas at Oakhurst Manor by Louise Allen (GRA); Lucy Ashford; Joanna Fulford - 281 pgs - Wishes

THIS POST
Points: 75
Completed Tasks: 5
Good Read Authors: 3
Big Books: 0
Total This Season
Points: 75
Completed Tasks: 5
Good Read Authors: 3
Big Books: (500) 0
******
Pages read this season: 1,724
Books read this season: 6

20.9 - Carly's Task - Screen Sisters
Option 4 - Firefly - Orange Cover

Points This Post: 20
Total Points: 255

Mr. X by Peter Straub (<--Goodreads author!)
At 544 pages, this book qualifies for a Big Book Ticket.
+20 points
Total points: 45
Goodreads authors: 4
Big books: 500+ (1)

25.1 Laurie ME's Task- ATribute to the Women in My Life
Option 4- romance Surviving Seduction byMaia Underwood
Option 5- Fantasy The Dead Girls' Dance byRachel Caine
Points this post- 25
Total points- 80 points
Task- 6
Books read-7

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson.
(148 pgs)
Total points: 75
Points for this post: 10
Tasks completed: 4
Books read: 6
Pages read: 2128
GR authors: 3
Big books: 500+ (1); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

30.2 Sheila/Kathy G's Task - It's Winter...Or is It?
Book A: Option 2: Got your undies on? - Death on the D-List by Nancy Grace
Book B: Option 1: Vermillion- The House I Loved by Tatiana de Rosnay
Total Points = 310
20.1 - Most Improved Player - Putterpal's Task: There's a 1st Time for Everything
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Points for this post: 20
Total points: 50
Tasks completed: 2
Books read: 3
Goodreads authors: 0
Big books: 500+ (2); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Points for this post: 20
Total points: 50
Tasks completed: 2
Books read: 3
Goodreads authors: 0
Big books: 500+ (2); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

Task 15.5 We Got the Beat
Name - Alice Gould
Syllables - 3
Book - Ablutions: Notes for a Novel
Ignoring the subtitle!
Task 20.8 Double Trouble
Option 1 Fraternal
Book - Silver Bay
Total Points: 130

I read ONE book that satisfies TWO options
Holidays on Ice

To satisfy Option B, there's snow and a wreath on the cover.
And to satisfy Option C, Holidays is in the title
Total points = 50

Mr. Churchill's Secretary: A Novel by Susan Elia MacNeal
This is #1 in the Maggie Hope mystery series, which is new to me.
Susan Elia MacNeal is a Goodreads author.
Points this post: 10
Total points: 190
GR authors: 7

Task - 10.1. Happy New Year!
In honor of starting a new year, read a book that is either the first book in a series that is new to you
The Great Shark Hunt: Strange Tales from a Strange Time by Hunter S. Thompson
Points this Task: 10
Total Points: 55
Books Read this Task: 1
Total Books Read: 4
GR Authors: 1
Big Books: 500+(1), 750+(0), 1000+(0)

5.4 Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust
Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston (336 p)
Lesley Livingston is a GRA.
20.3 - Best Review - Chris MD's Task: Deck the Halls
6. Fa-la-la-la-las: The Dark Glamour by Gabriella Pierce (294 p)
(LA in “Glamour” and LA in “Gabriella” – refer to Comment 42 in the Help Thread regarding having one LA in the title and the other in the author’s name)
Points this Post: 25
Tasks Completed this Post: 2
Books Read this Post: 2
Pages Read this Post: 630
GoodReads Authors this Post: 1
Big Books this Post: 500+ (1), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)
Total Points: 85
Total Tasks Completed: 6
Total Books Read: 7
Total Pages Read: 2550
Total GoodReads Authors: 2
Total Big Books: 500+ (1), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)

Option 4 (256 pages) - Oishinbo, Volume 5 - Vegetables
25.3 - Coralie's Task - Let's be Different
Option 1
Book A - The Monk
Book B - Five Children and It (4, 8, 3, 2)
25.12 - Mstan's Task - I ♥ the Goodreads on SRC
Gone Girl - mentioned in post 31 in the Best of Fall 2012 Challenge thread - I really enjoyed it
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry - mentioned in post 9 in the Best of Fall 2012 Challenge thread - I found this okay
Total books read: 8
Points in this post: 70
Total points accumulated: 105/1170

Since the beginning of the year is a good time to plan for the year, read a nonfiction book that relates to something you would like to do in 2013.
Required: explain what you’d like to do and how your book relates to that.
Well, I’m planning to read a lot of books next year! So, I read a book that is “a book about books”. [I was hoping for some new & different reading suggestions. However, it appears that Joe & I have different tastes in books. So, no new books on my TBR. Despite that, I still enjoyed the book, because we do have similiar ideas when it comes to libraries, kindles, reading on the subway, etc.]
One for the Books (2012) by Joe Queenan (Hardcover, 256 pages)
15 + 10 = 25
Tasks Completed: 02
Points for this post: 10
Points thus far: 15 + 10 = 25
Books read: 02
Pages read: 664
Read but not claimed: 05
Goodreads Authors: 0
Big Books:
(0) 500+
(0) 750+
(0) 1,000+

I read Love Amid the Ashes: A Novel by Mesu Andrews
20.8 - It's My Birthday! - Lahni's Task: Double Trouble
Opt. 3. Names - Read a book where the author's first or last name begins with an R or S.
I read Here be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman
Point total (this post): 35
Points so far: 70

Option 2: Anansi Boys
I read The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan.
The book has 'Mythology' listed on its main page.
Option 6: Ocean At the End of the Lane
I read The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan.
The writer will have the fourth book in this series out in October, 2013.
Reference: http://rickriordan.com/about-rick/faq.aspx
Task points: 25
Total points: 135

1. Boughs of Holly - a book with a Christmas tree on the cover:

A Highland Christmas by M.C. Beaton
Total points 80

5.2 Phil's Prediction
A Christmas Carol
Two consecutive words start with the same letter A Christmas Carol
Points for this post: 5
Total points: 55
Tasks completed: 3
Books read: 4
Goodreads authors: 0
Big books: 500+ (2); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)
A Christmas Carol
Two consecutive words start with the same letter A Christmas Carol
Points for this post: 5
Total points: 55
Tasks completed: 3
Books read: 4
Goodreads authors: 0
Big books: 500+ (2); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

5.10- A Claus for Celebration
Angel on Skis by Betty Cavanna
***This book is set during the winter.
Angela learns to ski and her mother runs
a small ski lodge***
Total Points- 10
Total Tasks- 2
Goodreads Authors- 1
Big Books (500+)- 0

15.6 - The Year of the Snake
This was first published in 1953.

Points This Post: 15
Total Points: 270

10.2- Let's Get Something Started
The 100 Thing Challenge: How I Got Rid of Almost Everything, Remade My Life, and Regained My Soul by Dave Bruno
***Claiming Goodreads Author***
***I am cleaning out and purging STUFF and this
book was a perfect read for my goal for the New Year***
Total Points- 20
Total Tasks- 3
Goodreads Authors- 2
Big Books (500+)- 0

10.1. Happy New Years!
Ghost at Work by Carolyn Hart
First in Bailey Ruth series
30.2 Sheila/Kathy G's Task - It's Winter...Or is It?
Book A - Option 2:
Getting Old Is the Best Revenge by Rita Lakin
Initials RL
Book B - Option 2:

Carolyn Hart and Donna Andrews are Goodreads authors.
Points this post: 40
Total Points: 40
Goodreads Authors: 2
Big Book Tickets:

20.5 - Bigger is Better - Meghanly's Task: Beatle Mania!
"Boys" from Please Please Me
Wonder Boys by Michael Chabon, 368 pages
Task Points: 20
Grand Total: 235
Tasks Completed: 10
Books Read: 14
Pages Read: 4,559
Goodreads Author Books: 6
Big Books: 500+(1), 750+(1), 1000+(0)
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
Books mentioned in this topic
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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--5. Romance listed as genre: Dream Lake by Lisa Kleypas
--6. Original Pub Date in December: Your Wicked Heart by Meredith Duran (Approved for length)
*Lisa Kleypas is a Goodreads Author*
Points for this post: 30
Total points: 155
Tasks completed: 7
Books read: 9
Goodreads authors: 6
Big books: 500+ (0); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)