2nd Quarter Challenge: Zara's Inspired Survival Challenge

[Zara's Corner]

Katrina wrote: "I think I will start with a Double Major, but hope to get my PhD!! I have tons of books that I have had on my book shelf five or more years, I'm sure I can find something to read in there :)

ZARA..."

Katrina,

I have added you to the listing. Thanks for participating.

[Liza]

Zara wrote: "Liza wrote: "Ok I'll give this a go, as its my first challenge here I'll start with a masters and work from there.

I've a kindle chrammed with 'must reads'!

ZARA'S INSPIRED SURVIVAL CHALLENGE
Dur..."
Oops, That was a good start! Sorry.

I did mean major yes, might manage masters maybe, but don't wanna 'bite off more than I can chew' first time around.

Start slow and build up, is my motto :)

Sorry for confusing you!

[Zara's Corner]

Liza wrote: "Zara wrote: "Liza wrote: "Ok I'll give this a go, as its my first challenge here I'll start with a masters and work from there.

I've a kindle chrammed with 'must reads'!

ZARA'S INSPIRED SURVIVAL ..."

Thanks Liza for the clarification. I just wanted to make sure I had you in the right spot.

[Diane L]

I'd like to participate and start with a Master's. I hope to enroll in further graduate studies, but will start with what I believe to be manageable.
7/7

Zara's Inspired Survival Challenge
Duration: April through June
Progress - 2/1 from A, 3/3 from B, 3/3 from C
The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl, completed 8 Apr, category C (TBR)
Origami Bridges: Poems of Psychoanalysis and Fire by Diane Ackerman, 11 Apr, category A (hard to get into, trying to read more poetry and I found this one more difficult, didn't touch me as much as some others)
A Memory of Light by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson, completed 18 Apr, Category B (mammoth books), 912 pages
Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson, 29 Apr, Category A (this was my second attempt and still difficult) and Category B (657 pages)
Off Armageddon Reef by David Weber, completed 26 Apr, Category B, 605 pages
The Eagle Of The Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff, completed 3 May, Category C (been on my TBR for about 5 years)
Neuromancer by William Gibson, completed 16 May, Category C (has only been on the TBR for about 2 1/2 years)

[Kaitlin]

Liza wrote: "Ok I'll give this a go, as its my first challenge here I'll start with a masters and work from there.

I've a kindle chrammed with 'must reads'!

ZARA'S INSPIRED SURVIVAL CHALLENGE
Duration: April ..."

No problem Liza. I figured it would make keeping track easier.

[Zara's Corner]

Hi Craig. I have added you to the list. Good luck with your goal.

[Nathaly]

Such a fun challenge idea! I'm in for Major 3 books

[Zara's Corner]

Nathaly wrote: "Such a fun challenge idea! I'm in for Major 3 books"

Hi Nathaly. I have added you to the list. Good luck in achieving your goal. I'm glad you think it's a fun challenge. I hope you enjoy it.

[[deleted user]]

I'll go for a double major, 6 books. I've started and stopped all these books even though I really want to read them.

1. Dune by Frank Herbert
2. The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas
3. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
4. Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens
5. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
6. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

[Zara's Corner]

Talia wrote: "I'll go for a double major, 6 books. I've started and stopped all these books even though I really want to read them.

1. Dune by Frank Herbert
2. The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas
3. Eat, P..."

Hi Talia. I have added you to the list. Welcome aboard. I have tried reading Brave New World more than once and never completed it largely because it reminds me too much of what's going on in our modern world. Martin Chuzzlewit I have on my bookshelf here at home never having read it. The last one on your list is one that I have on my TBR-later list as the sheer size of it puts me off.

[[deleted user]]

Zara wrote: "Martin Chuzzlewit I have on my bookshelf here at home never having read it."

Hi Zara,
I saw a BBC film adaptation of Martin Chuzzlewit, and it was hilarious! So I'm hoping/expecting the book to be equally humorous. Who knew Charles Dickens had such a sense of humor!? :)

[Zara's Corner]

Talia wrote: "Zara wrote: "Martin Chuzzlewit I have on my bookshelf here at home never having read it."

Hi Zara,
I saw a BBC film adaptation of Martin Chuzzlewit, and it was hilarious! So I'm hoping/expecting t..."

You knew Charles Dickens had a sense of humour indeed. I suppose when you look at the things that he wrote about one would think you either have to develop a sense of humour or risk becoming a very unhappy and bitter person. Did you know that Nicholas Nickleby is said to be Charles Dickens autobiography?

[Rea Nicole ✰]

ZARA'S INSPIRED SURVIVAL CHALLENGE
Duration: April 1 - June 30, 2013

Level: Double Major
2/4-6 completed

1. Hard to get into books - Pages for You 04.04.13 , Salome at Sunrise 05.22.13
2. Mammoth books - Anna Karenina (DNF) 05.18.13
3. TBR books - Read books that have either been on your GR TBR shelf the longest or that you've had at home on your bookshelves the longest. Remember, these books still need to provide some form of challenge for you. Nineteen Minutes, The Host

[Zara's Corner]

Regan wrote: "ZARA'S INSPIRED SURVIVAL CHALLENGE
Duration: April 1 - June 30, 2013

Level: Double Major
0/4-6 completed

1. Hard to get into books - Pages for You
2. Mammoth books - Anna Karenina
3. TBR books - ..."

Hi Regan. I have added you to the list. Good luck.

[[deleted user]]

Zara wrote: "Did you know that Nicholas Nickleby is said to be Charles Dickens autobiography?"

I didn't know that about Nicholas Nickelby! I have added it to my TBR list!

[Zara's Corner]

Talia wrote: "Zara wrote: "Did you know that Nicholas Nickleby is said to be Charles Dickens autobiography?"

I didn't know that about Nicholas Nickelby! I have added it to my TBR list!"

I didn't until recently either. It was very interesting information.

[Liza]

No I didn't know, read last month and so sad if its true.

I won't spoil it if you havn't read it yet, cept to say its worth reading, harrowing in places.

[TheCuriousDeer]

So I haven't decided all of the books for this challenge but I'm happy to say I'm now over half way through the first! Yay!

11/22/63 by Stephen King :)

I now don't know why I was putting it off!! It's a great book so far!

[Liza]

Completed major See message #48, a lot sooner then I thought I would, so since there's still 2 months to go, I'll go for masters. If thats ok

[Zara's Corner]

Liza wrote: "Completed major See message #48, a lot sooner then I thought I would, so since there's still 2 months to go, I'll go for masters. If thats ok"

Excellent work. I'll update your listing.

[Zara's Corner]

Liza wrote: "Completed major See message #48, a lot sooner then I thought I would, so since there's still 2 months to go, I'll go for masters. If thats ok"

I've updated your listing.

[Robyn]

1 book down, 6 to go!
I finished Lover Reborn. 572 pages. I would normally not count this book but because my reading time has been so limited I have been putting this one off because of the size. Glad I picked it up!

[Zara's Corner]

Robyn wrote: "1 book down, 6 to go!
I finished Lover Reborn. 572 pages. I would normally not count this book but because my reading time has been so limited I have been putting this one off because of the size. ..."

Great to hear that picking up a book that you wouldn't have normally paid off. Well done. I've updated your score.

[Lesley]

Put me down for a major please. I'm going to shoot for 3 books that have been on the kindle TBR since before June 1, 2012.

It's going to be a challenge for me because I keep downloading new books to read and not plugging away much on the TBR list. Hopefully I'll be an overachiever but thought I'd better start with a low number!!!

[Kaitlin]

5 down! 7+ to go.

1. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See - 4/4/2013 - C
2. The Pearl by John Steinbeck - 4/11/2013 - C
3. The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver - 4/17/2013 B, C
4. Do the Windows Open? by Julie Hecht - 4/19/2013 A, C
5. When We Were Orphans by Kazuo Ishiguro - 4/20/2013 C

A. Books I started but didn't finish
B. 500+ pages
C. TBRs that I've owned for years

[Rachel]

I know I'm a little late but I REALLY love this challenge and would like to go for my Double Major with the hope of a Master's. What a perfect challenge for me!

(Reminder for me)
A. Hard to get into books
B. Books in excess of 500 pages
C. TBR books

Duration: April 2013-June 2013

Completed: 4/4-6
1. The Time Traveler's Wife - B
2. The Princess Bride - A
3. The Secret Adversary - A
4. Little Men - C

[Zara's Corner]

Lesley and Rachel I've added you to the listings. Good luck with your goals.

Kaitlin I've adjusted your tally. Congratulations on what you have already achieved.

[Jenn]

I would like to take part in the PhD Challenge.

1. Blue Bloods This falls into the 3rd category. It has been sitting on my bookshelf at home for years. Read 4/1/13
2. Cinder This falls into the 1st category. I first started trying to read it in August of 2012. I finally gave it another go and finished it April 6.
3. Undercurrent Falls into the 3rd category. Has been sitting on my shelf since its release date. Read 4/8
4. UnEnchanted Falls into the 3rd category. It has been on my kindle for over a year. Read April 10.
5. In the Woods Falls into the 3rd category as well as the first. I've had it on my shelf for years. I picked it up and started it and set it down. I finally gave it another go and read it April 18.

Oops forgot one earlier.
6. The Demon Trapper's Daughter This falls into the first category as I started reading it in June of 2012. I finally got around to reading and finishing January 24, 2013.

[Zara's Corner]

Jennifer wrote: "I would like to take part in the PhD Challenge.

1. Blue Bloods This falls into the 3rd category. It has been sitting on my bookshelf at home for years. Read 4/1/13
2. Cinder This falls into the 1..."

Hi Jennifer. Did you want to do 12+ books to fulfill the PhD level?

[Jenn]

Zara wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "I would like to take part in the PhD Challenge.

1. Blue Bloods This falls into the 3rd category. It has been sitting on my bookshelf at home for years. Read 4/1/13
2. Cinder This..."


Let's do 15. Can I change it if I make my goal?

[Zara's Corner]

Jennifer wrote: "Zara wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "I would like to take part in the PhD Challenge.

1. Blue Bloods This falls into the 3rd category. It has been sitting on my bookshelf at home for years. Read 4/1/13
2..."


You most certainly can change your goal if you meet it. I shall update your entry.

[Lesley]

1 down 2 to go for my goal

It's nice to be able to remove 1 older TBR book from the Kindle.


1. by Joanna Campbell Slan Downloaded on 4/1/2012

[Zara's Corner]

Lesley wrote: "1 down 2 to go for my goal

It's nice to be able to remove 1 older TBR book from the Kindle.


1. by Joanna Campbell Slan Downloaded on 4/1/2012"


Congratulations Lesley on finishing your first book. Good luck for the rest of your goal.

[Megan]

Finished my first selection - The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon. Good addition to the series! While the author can sometimes be too descriptive, she can also skip over some important bits. Overall, worth reading! 4 stars.

1/12

[Zara's Corner]

Megan wrote: "Finished my first selection - The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon. Good addition to the series! While the author can sometimes be too descriptive, she can also skip over some important bits. Overall..."

Congratulations Megan. I've just started one of Diana Gabaldon's books Outlander. I've never read her books before and so far, I'm a very small way in, I'm enjoying how she describes things. I've found myself laughing in spots already - always a good thing with books.

I shall update your tally Megan

[Carrie]

Updated my earlier post. (Post #42, I think, or maybe #43?). Completed 1/6

[Zara's Corner]

Carrie wrote: "Updated my earlier post. (Post #42, I think, or maybe #43?). Completed 1/6"

Hi Carrie,

Congratulations on getting one book down. Only 5 more to go.

[Erika]

Quarter II Challenge: Survival Challenge
2/7

1. The Best Man- Hard to finish; I really did not like this one.
2. Burned-535 pages

[Zara's Corner]

Erika wrote: " Quarter II Challenge: Survival Challenge
2/7

1. The Best Man- Hard to finish; I really did not like this one.
2. Burned-535 pages

"

Well done on your progress Erika. I've updated your tally. Good luck with the rest of your books.

[SibylM]

I've completed six (well, possibly five, see note below, but since I was aiming for the Double Major of 4-6 I think I'm good either way) and so have met my goal.
The three books waiting on my Kindle the longest to be read:
Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother & Other Botanical Atrocities
Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother & Other Botanical Atrocities
True History of the Kelly Gang
and three books over 500 pages:
Biological Exuberance: Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity
Savage Continent: Europe in the Aftermath of World War II*
Guests of the Ayatollah: The First Battle in America's War With Militant Islam
*I had to include things like the table of contents and the copyright page to get this over 500 pages. I did read them though! It was just too close at 497 text pages to leave it off.
eta: had a great time with this challenge. My favorites were definitely The True History of the Kelly Gang and Guests of the Ayatollah. Strongly recommend both of them!

[Katrina]

3 down 1-3 to go! (post #49)

[Kelsi]

Just completed my first one of the challenge--Final exams this week, and then I really hope to start making progress.

1.American Gods fulfills # 2, 538 pages

Goal: 1/12

[Zara's Corner]

Well done Katrina and Kelsi on your progress so far. I've updated your scores.

[Quenby]

Hi Zara,
I am going to join this challenge for a Major at 3 books. Thanks for the idea, and congratulations on your achievement!

[Zara's Corner]

Quenby wrote: "Hi Zara,
I am going to join this challenge for a Major at 3 books. Thanks for the idea, and congratulations on your achievement!"

Hi Quenby. Welcome to the challenge. I wish you all the best in fulfilling your goal.

[Erika]

3/7

1. The Best Man- Hard to finish; I really did not like this one.
2. Burned-535 pages
3. North and South- 812 pages

[Zara's Corner]

Erika wrote: "3/7

1. The Best Man- Hard to finish; I really did not like this one.
2. Burned-535 pages
3. North and South- 812 pages

[bookcover:North a..."

Hi Erika.

I've updated your tally. The first book that you listed is one on my to-read list.

[Lesley]

2nd one is finished so I'm at 2/3

by Carolyn Brown

(this one I downloaded on January 31, 2012 - absolutely time I got it read!!)

[Zara's Corner]

Lesley and Craig I've updated your tallies.

Lesley, considering that you're not far off completing your goal, would you please PM me your email address so I can send you your certificate? Thanks.

[Erika]

4/7

4.Nineteen Minutes -Hard to finish... It actually took me about four weeks to get through this one-tough subject.