The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
WINTER CHALLENGE 2013
>
Winter Challenge 2013: Completed Tasks (Do Not Delete Posts)

1. Option 2: Book written not in your native language. My native language is Russian, so I read a book originally written in English
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
2. Prize winner. This book won Newbery prize
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
* Neil Gaiman is a goodreads author
Total Points: 165
Tasks Completed: 10
Tasks in Progress: 2
Books Read: 14
Pages Read: 4,592

I rolled 2 and 4
Option 2:

building on the cover
Option 4:
Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang
set in China
Big book: 696 pages (1 ticket)
--
Task 25.4 - Donna Jo's Task: Snow Is a Four Letter Word
Option 1:
Love in a Cold Climate by Nancy Mitford
cold
Option 4:
The First Circle by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
set in Russia
Big book: 700 pages (1 ticket)
--
Task 25.6 - Elizabeth B's Task: Sochi 2014 - Hot. Cool. Yours.
I live in the UK
Book 1:
20 Fragments of a Ravenous Youth by Xiaolu Guo
set in China/Asia
Book 2:
Faces in the Water by Janet Frame
set in New Zealand/Oceania
--
Task 25.9 - Alison's Task: All Things New
Option 1:
Familiar by J. Robert Lennon
new-to-me author
Goodreads author: J. Robert Lennon
Option 3:
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
#1 in series
Goodreads author: Libba Bray
Points this post = 100
Total points = 245
Big Book tickets = 5
Goodreads Authors = 3
Dlmrose
10.5 - Speakeasy
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald first published in 1925
20.5 - Bigger is Better - Shawn H's Task: Out With The Old And In With The New!
option D, series #1
Dead Anyway by Chris Knopf, 288 pg
25.11 - Lois's Task: Showtime for Dogs
option 1, Down in title:
Burn Down the Ground: A Memoir by Kambri Crews
option 4, dog on cover
How Dogs Love Us: A Neuroscientist and His Adopted Dog Decode the Canine Brain by Gregory Berns
total = 380
10.5 - Speakeasy
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald first published in 1925
20.5 - Bigger is Better - Shawn H's Task: Out With The Old And In With The New!
option D, series #1
Dead Anyway by Chris Knopf, 288 pg
25.11 - Lois's Task: Showtime for Dogs
option 1, Down in title:
Burn Down the Ground: A Memoir by Kambri Crews
option 4, dog on cover

total = 380

Task # 20.3 - Best Review - Band Director Terry's Task: Solo and Ensemble
Option 1.Read a collection of AT LEAST THREE (3) short stories.
Tenth of December by George Saunders. Short stories on main page for this book.
Points this post: 20
Total points: 295

Option A (On TBR > 1 year):
The Invisible Bridge
This book has been on my TBR list since March 3, 2011.
*** Julie Orringer is a Goodreads author
*** 2 Big Book Tickets claimed (758 pages)
Points this post: 20
Total challenge points: 50
Total tasks completed: 3
Total number Big Books: 500(0) 750(1) 1000(0)
Total Goodreads authors: 1

Option A (On TBR > 1 year):
The Invisible Bridge
This book has been on my TBR since March 3, 2011.
*** Julie Orringer is a Goodreads author
*** 2 Big Book Tickets claimed (758 pages)
Points this post: 20
Total challenge points: 50
Total tasks completed: 3
Total number Big Books: 500(0) 750(1) 1000(0)
Total Goodreads authors: 1

25.4 - Donna Jo's Task: Snow Is a Four Letter Word
option 3- Six words in title
Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
***Claiming Goodreads Author for Stephanie Perkins***
option 4- Set in Wyoming
Wyoming Bold by Diana Palmer
Total Points- 95
Total Tasks- 7
Goodreads Authors- 4
Big Books (500+)- 1

Don't Tell by Karen Rose - first in serie "Romantic suspense" https://www.goodreads.com/series/1067...
Task points 15
Total points 165
BB Tickets 2

Rolled 2 and 6
Option 2 - Swim

ebook approved in a googledoc SRC eBook Verification, line 1479
Option 6 - Romance
Entwined with You by Sylvia Day
Tracey Garvis-Graves and Sylvia Day are both Goodreads Authors
Points this post: 30
Total points: 190
Tasks completed: 8
Books read: 12
Goodreads Author: 12
Big Book Tickets: 500 (1); 750 (2); 1000(0)

10.10 'Tis The Season
Read a book with the genre "holiday" on the book's main page.
The Christmas Letters by Lee Smith
Points:205/1035
Tasks: 14/59
GR Authors: 6
Big Books:(1)500 pages; ()750 + pages

25.8 - Oma1229's Task: Children Make Christmas Fun!
Both books have the genre "Childrens" listed on their main page.
Option 1: book with zoo animal on cover

Option 3: read a book that has won an award
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
has won the Newbery Medal among many other awards.
Both Neil Gaiman and Katherine Applegate are Goodreads Authors.
points this post: 25
total points: 220
Big Book Tickets: 4
GRA Tickets: 5

25.11 - Lois's Task: Showtime for Dogs
2. Read a book with a predominantly (at least half) green cover.
Christopher Moore is a Goodreads author.
4. Read a book with a dog on the cover.
Points this post: 25
Total Points: 160
Tasks Completed: 10
Books Read: 13
GR Authors: 3
Big Books: 500+ (0); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)
2. Read a book with a predominantly (at least half) green cover.

Christopher Moore is a Goodreads author.
4. Read a book with a dog on the cover.

Points this post: 25
Total Points: 160
Tasks Completed: 10
Books Read: 13
GR Authors: 3
Big Books: 500+ (0); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

The Way Home by Cindy Gerard
"Holiday" as a genre on main page
Verified in post 196
Points this Post: 10
Totals:
Total Points: 85
Total Goodreads Authors: 6
Total Big Book Tickets: 500=(0), 750=(0), 1000=(0)
Total Tasks Completed: 9
Total Books Read: 9

15.9 - First or Last?
#1 in the Starvation Lake series

Points This Post: 15
Total Points: 400
15.7 - Professor Plum? Miss Scarlet?
➥ Read a book whose author’s name contains the name of a color. The color need not stand alone, but it must be found intact in the name. Examples: Holly Black. Colson Whitehead, Frederik Pohl
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
15.8 - No Time to Waste.
➥Read one of the 10 shortest books that meet general SRC guidelines (at least 100 pages, etc.) on your TBR. If you do not have a Goodreads TBR, you can use one of the 10 shortest books in any of your other “to read” lists or piles.
The End of the Affair by Graham Greene
15.9 - First or Last?
➥December is both the first month of winter and the last month of the year. Read a book that is either the first book in a series or the last (or latest) published book in a series.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum (Oz #1)
Totals for challenge:
Points this task: 45
Total points: 210
Tasks completed: 24
Books read: 24
Goodreads authors: 2
Big books: 500+ (0); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)
➥ Read a book whose author’s name contains the name of a color. The color need not stand alone, but it must be found intact in the name. Examples: Holly Black. Colson Whitehead, Frederik Pohl

15.8 - No Time to Waste.
➥Read one of the 10 shortest books that meet general SRC guidelines (at least 100 pages, etc.) on your TBR. If you do not have a Goodreads TBR, you can use one of the 10 shortest books in any of your other “to read” lists or piles.

15.9 - First or Last?
➥December is both the first month of winter and the last month of the year. Read a book that is either the first book in a series or the last (or latest) published book in a series.

Totals for challenge:
Points this task: 45
Total points: 210
Tasks completed: 24
Books read: 24
Goodreads authors: 2
Big books: 500+ (0); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

The Three Daughters of Madame Liang
by Pearl S. Buck
Letters c,l,u,e are found in author's name: pEarL bUCk
Points this task: 10
Total points: 50
Task completed: 4
Goodread authors: 1
Big Books: 500(0), 750(0), 1000(0)

20.10 - Group Reads
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman is a Goodreads Author
Big Book Tickets - 1 (656 pages)
Totals
Points this post - 20
Total Points - 20
Total Goodreads Authors - 1
Total Big Book Tickets - 1

Read a book about writing or one that features a writer (novelist, journalist, essayist, TV script writer, etc) as a main character.
Junius Browne and Albert Richardson were reporters for the New York Tribune during the American Civil War. This non-fiction book follows their “adventures” during that timeframe.
Junius and Albert's Adventures in the Confederacy: A Civil War Odyssey (2013) by Peter Carlson (Hardcover, 270 pages)
115 + 05 = 120
Tasks Completed: 7
Points for this post: 05
Points thus far: 115 + 05 = 120
Books read: 09
Pages read: 2,894
Read but not claimed: 5
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Books:
(0) 500+
(0) 750+
(0) 1,000+

10.10 - 'Tis the Season
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
winter holiday in book description: Christmas
this post: 10 points
total to date: 25 points

February 9, 1964, the Beatles appear on The Ed Sullivan Show Read a book with a word from one of the songs they performed on that show in the title or subtitle. The word must match exactly
All My Loving
Till There Was You
She Loves You
I Saw Her Standing There
I Want to Hold Your Hand
Required: State the word when you post
I read All the Summer Girls by Meg Donohue. She is a GR Author. "ALL" is the word in the book title that matches the song "All My Loving".
Task Points: 10
Total Points: 75
Good Read Authors: 4
Tasks Completed: 5

10.7 - Flip the Page
Friday Nights
Points this Post: 10
Total Points: 280
Goodreads Authors: 12

15.9 - First or Last?
December is both the first month of winter and the last month of the year. Read a book that is either the first book in a series or the last (or latest) published book in a series.
The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett 1st in the Discworld Series
Points this task: 15
Total: 15
GR Authors: 0
Big Books: 0

15.1 - The Murder happened in the _____ with a __________.

AND

15.2 - The Old and the New

(Old favorite author)
AND

(New author)
15.4 - Whodunit?
Option 2:one book option

• Eileen Brennan as Mrs. Peacock
Total Points = 365

10.1 Get a Clue
This is a replacement for previously posted task. I have changed the book, GR tickets remains the same.
Read a book with all the letters C, L, U, E found in any combination of the title, subtitle, series title or author's name
Alien 'n' Outlaw by K.C. Burn
C = author name K.C.
L = alien
U = author name Burn
E = alien
Length approved in line #93 in ebook verification list.
K.C. Burn is GR author.
Points this post: 0
Total points: 65
GR author tickets: 6

10.8 Take the Plunge!
Read a book set in a location where real polar bears plunge: Canada, Denmark, Greenland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Russia, Arctic Ocean, Alaska.
True North by Bethany Brown & Ashlyn Kane
Story takes place in Northern Alberta, Canada.
Ashlyn Kane is GR author.
20.4 Ode to Joy
Option 3: Read a book with exactly 3 E's in the title excluding the subtitle AND author combined.
Second Chances by T.A. Webb
T.A. Webb is GR author.
25.11 Showtime for Dogs
Pick 2 options, read book for both.
Option 2: Read a book with a predominantly (at least half) blue OR green cover.
X-Factor

Option 3: Read a book by an author whose first name appears on this list of most popular male and female dog names.
A Boy and His Dragon by R. Cooper
Cooper is #12 on male dog name's list.
R. Cooper is GR author.
Points this post: 55
Total points: 120
GR author tickets: 9

Option 1: This book was on the middle page (page 2) of my TBR:
A Question of Identity: A Simon Serrailler Mystery by Susan Hill
Option 2: I rolled a 3 and chose a book from the third column:
Sheer Folly by Carola Dunn
Total points 205

Roll 6: Romance
Easy by Tammara Webber
* Tammara Webber is a goodreads author
Roll 4: Book about a skill. I recently became a Suzuki parent, which involves me spending long hours helping my twin 5-year-olds practice violin. In an effort to make the practices more enjoyable and productive I read this:
Helping Parents Practice: Ideas for Making It Easier, Volume 1 by Edmund Sprunger
Total Points: 195
Tasks Completed: 11
Tasks in Progress: 1
Books Read: 15
Pages Read: 4,902

10.5 Speakeasy
Read a book set during the era- 1919, 1920’s or 1930’s for a significant portion of the book
The Forgotten Man by Ryan Loveless
Ryan Loveless is GR author.
Lengnth approved in post 3101
15.7 Professor Plum? Miss Scarlet?
Read a book whose author’s name contains the name of a color.
The Frog Prince's Hair-Raising Predicament by Scarlet Hyacinth
Scarlet Hyacinth is GR author.
Lengnth approved in post 3101
Points this post: 25
Total points: 145
GR author tickets: 11

15.9 - First or Last
Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
1st book in the Sookie Stackhouse series
points this post: 15
Total points: 90

Scent to Her Grave by India Ink - Her from I Saw Her Standing There
10.6 - SWLAT
Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn
*** Julia Quinn is a Goodreads Author ***
25.6 - Elizabeth B's Task: Sochi 2014 - Hot. Cool. Yours.
I currently live in the Netherlands.
Death of a Red Heroine by Qiu Xiaolong set in China, Asia
Star Struck Dead: A Lauren Atwill Mystery by Sheila York set in US, North America
Total points this post: 45
Total GRA this post: 1
Total points: 120
Total GRA: 5
Total big book tickets: 0

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald has "book club" as a genre on the main page.
20.9 - Moderator's Pet - Michael's Task: Love of Christmas Films
Option 3 (A): Hotel Babylon by Imogen Edwards-Jones has "humor" as a genre.
[Task verified at 27]
Points this Post: 25
Goodreads Author(s): 0
TOTAL
Total Points to Date: 485
Total Tasks Completed: 30
Total Goodreads Authors: 31

25.3 Settlers of Catan - I rolled 2 and 4
Option 2 - Timber - read a book with a picture of a road or building - I have a road

Option 4 - Wheat - book takes at least 50% in Australia -

total points 145
total pages 3479
tasks completed 8
books read 10


**Jennifer Clement is a GR Author.
My Challenge Total = 50 points
Big Book = 1 ticket
Goodreads Author = 3 tickets

10.9 - White Sale! - (read a book with white on cover)
The title is white…

Points this Post: 10
Total Challenge Points: 65
Goodreads Author Tickets: 0
Big Book Tickets: 0

Task #15.10 – Celebrate!
Read a book of your choice The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith
Points this post: 15
Total points:310

10.6 SWLAT
Never Have Your Dog Stuffed: And Other Things I've Learned
Humor on main page
Points this post: 10
Total points: 65
Tasks completed: 4
Books read: 5

Option 1: valentineS / title: S
Saints by Gene Luen Yang
Option 2: vAlentineS / author: S A
Chasing Shadows by Swati Avasthi
+15 Points
20.4 - Author! Author! - Lorna's Task: Ode to Joy
2. "Ode to Joy" contains 3 words with one syllable each. Read a book with 3 words in the title where each word must be 1 syllable.
The Tin Horse by Janice Steinberg
+20 Points
Points this post: 35
Grand Total: 190

1. Fallen Women by Sandra Dallas, an author who is an old favorite.
2. Astor Place Vintage by Stephanie Lehmann, an author who is new to me.
Stephanie Lehmann is a Goodreads author.
Points this post: 15
Total points: 210
GR authors: 12

10.5 - Speakeasy
Rainbow Valley by L.M. Montgomery was first published in 1919.
This post: 10 points
Total to date: 220 points

5.1 -- In the Kitchen
Vegetarian Epicure Book Two by Anna Thomas
10.1 - Get a Clue
thE finaL CUt = CLUE in Title
The Final Cut by *Catherine Coulter
*Catherine Coulter is a Goodreads Author*
10.10 'Tis The Season
Holiday > Christmas 30 users
**Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher
**Big Book: Winter Solstice is 504 Pages**
15.5 - Mysteries Can Be Real.
**Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders by Vincent Bugliosi
**Big Book: Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders is 689 Pages**
20.7 - Shorter is Sweeter - Laurie ME's Task: Is There a Conspiracy To Be Found Here?
Federal Reserve conspiracy
Jim Marrs, in his book Crossfire, presented the theory that Kennedy was trying to rein in the power of the Federal Reserve, and that forces opposed to such action might have played at least some part in the assassination. According to Marrs, the issuance of Executive Order 11110 was an effort by Kennedy to transfer power from the Federal Reserve to the United States Department of the Treasury by replacing Federal Reserve Notes with Silver Certificates. Actor and author Richard Belzer named the responsible parties in this theory as American "billionaires, power brokers, and bankers ... working in tandem with the CIA and other sympathetic agents of the government."
A 2010 article in Research magazine discussing various controversies surrounding the Federal Reserve stated that "the wildest accusation against the Fed is that it was involved in Kennedy's assassination." Critics of the theory note that Kennedy called for and signed legislation phasing out Silver Certificates in favor of Federal Reserve Notes, thereby enhancing the power of the Federal Reserve; and that Executive Order 11110 was a technicality that only delegated existing presidential powers to the Secretary of the Treasury for administrative convenience during a period of transition.
Hidden Order by *Brad Thor is about the murders of the people on the short list for the FED Chairman to gain control of the FED.
*Brad Thor is a Goodreads Author*
25.3 - Sandy's Task: Settlers of Catan
Selections Approved in Help Thread Post 57
I rolled a 2 and 3.
Option 2 - road/building on Cover

Option 3 - Vince Flynn was born 4/6/1966.
**Executive Power by Vince Flynn
**Big Book: Executive Power is 544 Pages**
*M.C.V. Egan is a Goodreads Author*
Points in This Task: 85
Goodreads Authors in This Post: 3
Big Book Tickets in This Post: 3
Pages Read in This Post: 3373

Totals:
Total Points: 170
Total Goodreads Authors: 8
Total Big Book Tickets: 500=(4), 750=(0), 1000=(0)
Total Tasks Completed: 12/59
Total Books Read: 14
Total Pages Read in Fall 2013 SRC: 5618

10.5 Speakeasy
Brideshead Revisited, approved on the help thread for the task
Total Task Points to Date: 100

10.6 SWLAT: Read a book that has humor on its GR main book page
Cat's Cradle, humor appears on its GR main book page
Total Task Points to Date: 110

15.6 - Happy Birthday, Jim!
The song I chose is "Back Door Man"

Points This Post: 15
Total Points: 415

20.1. Most Improved Player - Anne (Booklady)'s Task: Check...And Mate!
Option 2B. Read #1 or #2 in a series that you just started or haven't read yet.
The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbøl 12/31/13
This book is listed in Goodreads as The Boy in the Suitcase (Nina Borg #1). I have never read this series before. I listened to the audiobook, there is no English MMP listed, and the listed English paperback has no page count. The hardcover version has 313 pages.
This post: 20 points
Total to Date = 240 points.
Big Book Tickets to date: 7
Goodreads Author Tickets to date: 4

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
the genre Mystery>Crime appears on the book's main page
Gillian Flynn is a new-to-me author
Points this post: 20
Season Total: 195


Genre: Vampires
Renfield (2006) by Barbara Hambly (Goodreads Author) (Hardcover, 320 pages)
**** Goodreads Author ****Barbara Hambly
120 + 10 = 130
Tasks Completed: 8
Points for this post: 10
Points thus far: 120 + 10 = 130
Books read: 10
Pages read: 3,214
Read but not claimed: 5
Goodreads Authors: 2
Big Books:
(0) 500+
(0) 750+
(0) 1,000+

30.2 - Ty's Task: Absolute Zero
Option A. Read a book with BOTH fantasy and science fiction as genres on the main page.
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut 12/31/13
This book has both Fantasy and Science Fiction genres on the main page. They are listed separately and not nested.
Option B. Read a book with a page count with digits from the chosen scale INCLUDING the digit 0. The chosen scale is C - 0 plus allowed digits 1,2,3,5,7 with no repeated digits ex. 203, 370, 150.
Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut 12/31/13
I listened to the Audiobook, so I am using the count of 320 for the Mass Market Paperback version.
This post: 30 points
Total to Date = 270 points.
Big Book Tickets to date: 7
Goodreads Author Tickets to date: 4

Option 5: For this task, I read “

Also, Aaron Starmer is a Goodreads Author, so I’m claiming a ticket for that.
Here’s the summary:
Points Earned this Challenge: 20
Total Points Earned to Date: 75
Pages Read this Challenge: 307
Total Pages Read to Date: 1292
Books Read this Challenge: 1
Total Books Read: 5
Goodreads Authors: 3
Big Book Tickets: 500(), 750(), 1000()
10.9 - White Sale!
I read
The title is written in white letters.
20.9 - Moderator's Pet - Michael's Task: Love of Christmas Films
I chose option 3(B) and read Simple Genius, the 3d book in the Sean King and Michelle Maxwell series. Book has 421 pages, so meets the 250 page minimum.
25.7 - Janet F's Task: Don't Be Clueless
For my first book, I chose Clue 1, and read St. Dale, a book with a prefix title followed by a name in the book's title (abbreviation for Saint).
For my second book, I chose Clue 4, and read Guests on Earth: A Novel - the GR description mentions both 1936 and 1948.
Points this post: 55
Total points: 295
I read

20.9 - Moderator's Pet - Michael's Task: Love of Christmas Films
I chose option 3(B) and read Simple Genius, the 3d book in the Sean King and Michelle Maxwell series. Book has 421 pages, so meets the 250 page minimum.
25.7 - Janet F's Task: Don't Be Clueless
For my first book, I chose Clue 1, and read St. Dale, a book with a prefix title followed by a name in the book's title (abbreviation for Saint).
For my second book, I chose Clue 4, and read Guests on Earth: A Novel - the GR description mentions both 1936 and 1948.
Points this post: 55
Total points: 295
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
Books mentioned in this topic
Divergent (other topics)A Royal Pain (other topics)
Fangirl (other topics)
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making (other topics)
Claimed! (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Rainbow Rowell (other topics)Catherynne M. Valente (other topics)
Veronica Roth (other topics)
Rhys Bowen (other topics)
Eowyn Ivey (other topics)
More...
Option 1:
Favourite Sherlock Holmes Stories by Arthur Conan Doyle
--
Task 20.4 - Lorna's Task: Ode to Joy
Option 3:
An Ethiopian Romance by Heliodorus
an Ethiopian romancE hEliodorus
--
Task 20.5 - Shawn H's Task: Out With The Old And In With The New!
Option C:
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
648 pages
Big book: 648 pages (1 ticket)
--
Task 20.7 - Laurie ME's Task: Is There a Conspiracy To Be Found Here?
Option 2:
Black Juice by Margo Lanagan
Genre science fiction on main page
--
Task 20.8 - Skandia's Task: Famous December Birthdays
Option 4:
The Exiles Return by Elisabeth de Waal
griffiTh joynER
Points this post = 100
Total points = 145
Big Book tickets = 3
Goodreads Authors = 1