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)
30.1 Ms Anderson's Task: Riddle Me This
I rolled 2 and 6.
Option 2: Insurgent by Veronica Roth
This book has more than 50,000 ratings.
Option 6: Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
This book was my free choice.
Points this post: 30
Total points: 100
I rolled 2 and 6.
Option 2: Insurgent by Veronica Roth
This book has more than 50,000 ratings.
Option 6: Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
This book was my free choice.
Points this post: 30
Total points: 100

20.1 Most Improved Player- Anne(booklady)'s task: Check.. and Mate.
Option 2-

20.5 Bigger is Better- Shawn H's Task:Out with the Old and In With the New
Option D-

Points this post- 40
Total Points- 115
Books Read- 8
Task Completed- 6

20.3 - Band Director Terry's Task - Solo and Ensemble
I chose Option 1

Points This Post: 20
Total Points: 385

20.4 - Author! Author! - Lorna's Task: Ode to Joy
3. There are 3 E's in Beethoven. Read a book with exactly 3 E's in the title excluding the subtitle AND author combined.
One Day of Life by Manlio Argueta 12/28/13
The 3 Es are found in One, Life, and Argueta
This post: 20 points
Total to Date = 200 points.
Big Book Tickets to date: 7
Goodreads Author Tickets to date: 4

A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway
20.4 - Author! Author! - Lorna's Task: Ode to Joy
Option 2 - "Ode to Joy": Die For Me by Karen Rose
title contains 3 words of 1 syllable each
30.6 - Kate S's Task: Beginnings and Endings
Option 1: Best Lines
Book A - 100 best beginnings: The Stranger by Albert Camus
#28 on the 100 Best First Lines from Novels listBook B - 100 best last lines: A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
book #2 in row #4 on the Stylist Best 100 Closing Lines list
Points this post: 65
Season Total: 175


15.10 – Celebrate!
Before We Say Goodbye by Gabriella Ambrosio
Points this task: 15
Total: 145
GR authors: 7
Books read:12
Tasks Done: 10

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.
Memories of My Melancholy Whores by Gabriel García Márquez 12/29/13
At 115 pages, this was one of the shortest books on my TBR list that met SRC guidelines
This post: 15 points
Total to Date = 215 points.
Big Book Tickets to date: 7
Goodreads Author Tickets to date: 4

Fated by Rebecca Zanetti
*** Rebecca Zanetti is a Goodreads Author ***
10.5 - Speakeasy
An Expert in Murder by Nicola Upson
*** Nicola Upson is a Goodreads Author ***
15.9 - First or Last?
The Xibalba Murders by Lyn Hamilton
20.7 - Shorter is Sweeter - Laurie ME's Task: Is There a Conspiracy To Be Found Here?
option 2: Zazen by Vanessa Veselka
*** Vanessa Veselka is a Goodreads Author ***
20.8 - It's My Birthday!: Skandia's Task: Famous December Birthdays!
Option 1 Woody Allen, midnight in title: Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian
*** Lara Adrian is a Goodreads Author ***
Total points: 75
Total GRA: 4
Total big book tickets: 0

5.4 - In the Conservatory

- grass on the lower part of the cover
*** L.A. Witt is GR author ***
5.7 - In the Hall
Covet Thy Neighbor by L.A. Witt
- last name has 4 letters
*** L.A. Witt is GR author ***
5.9 - In the Cellar
Fatal Remedies by Donna Leon
- takes place in Venice, Italy
10.1 - Get a Clue
Dirty Laundry by Heidi Cullinan
- C-L-U-E can be found in author's name: Heidi Cullinan
*** Heidi Cullinan is GR author ***
10.2 - Sochi Sidekicks

- fire on the cover
*** Nalini Singh is GR author ***
20.4 - Author! Author! - Lorna's Task: Ode to Joy
Option 1

- piano on the cover
*** Marie Sexton is GR author ***
Points This Post: 55
Total points: 280
Tasks Completed: 16
Total Books Read: 21
Goodreads Authors: 16
Big Books: 500 (/), 750 (/), 1000 (/)

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett meets Option 3: Classics genre requirement.
Task verification at msg 21.
25.3 - Sandy's Task: Settlers of Catan
Rolled 1 and 5
Option 1. Mud: Dark Horse by Kate Sherwood has the word DARK as per line 2 of the song: "I throw some clothes on in the dark" (384 pages/paperback)
Option 5. Rock: I Am Ozzy by Ozzy Osbourne and Chris Ayres is an autobiography of an English rock vocalist. (416 pages/paperback)
*** Kate Sherwood is a Goodreads Author ***
*** Chris Ayres is a Goodreads Author ***
Points this Post: 45
Goodreads Author(s): 2
TOTAL
Total Points to Date: 460
Total Tasks Completed: 28
Total Goodreads Authors: 31

15.4 - Whodunit?
Option A:
1. read a book listed mystery:
Affinity by Sarah Waters
Mystery is listed on the main page (as of today by 56 users)
2. read a book by an author who shares a name with a character/actor of Clue
A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin
Name of actor: Martin Mull
A Storm of Swords has more than 1100 pages and what a roller coaster that was! Loved it!
I'm claiming 3 Big Book tickets for Storm of Swords.
points this task: 15
total points to date: 195
Big Book tickets: 4
GRA tickets: 3


option 1. If you have a favorite conspiracy theory, read a book related to that subject.
Top Down: A Novel of the Kennedy Assassination by Jim Lehrer
Dealing with the JFK assassination conspiracy theory, this novel examines who ordered the removal of the protective bubbletop from Kennedy's car, and why they ordered it, what might have happened if it had been left on, and other aspects of the JFK assassination.
Task total=20
Grand total=185

Option 3: Choose an author who has written both adult and Young Adult books.
Book 1 - Read a book by that author that is aimed primarily at an adult audience. The genre Young Adult may not appear on the front page genre list.
Obsession by Jennifer L. Armentrout *(GoodReads Author)*
Book 2 - Read a book by that author that is aimed primarily at the Young Adult audience. Young Adult must appear on the genre page.
Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout *(GoodReads Author)*
Points this task: 25
Total: 80
GR authors: 6
Big books: 500+ (0); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

5.2 In the Library
People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
(Genre includes "Books about Books")
20.4 Lorna's Task--Ode to Joy
Option #3: 3 E's
My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier
Points this post: 25
Total points: 25
Big books: 0
GR Authors: 0

Nurtured by Love: The Classic Approach to Talent Education by Shinichi Suzuki
Total Points: 140
Tasks Completed: 9
Tasks in Progress: 3
Books Read: 13
Pages Read: 4,254
25.10 - Stacie MI’s Task: Nutcracker Tradition
Option 2. Read a book by an author whose initials can be found in TCHAIKOVSKY.
Sad Cypress by Agatha Christie
Option 3. Read a book with the genre “Children” on its main GR page.
The Magician's Nephew
Points this post: 25
otal Points: 105
Tasks Completed: 7
Books Read: 9
GR Authors: 2
Big Books: 500+ (0); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)
Option 2. Read a book by an author whose initials can be found in TCHAIKOVSKY.
Sad Cypress by Agatha Christie
Option 3. Read a book with the genre “Children” on its main GR page.
The Magician's Nephew
Points this post: 25
otal Points: 105
Tasks Completed: 7
Books Read: 9
GR Authors: 2
Big Books: 500+ (0); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

15.8 -- No Time to Waste
Siddhartha by Herman Hesse
At 121 pages, this is one of the shortest books on my TBR shelf.
25.9 -- All Things New
OPTION #1:
Vampires in the Lemon Grove: Stories by Karen Russell
Karen Russell is a Goodreads author. I have never read anything by her before.
OPTION #3:
A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle
This is the first book in the Sherlock Holmes series, as listed on its main page.
Points this post: 40
Total points: 150
Tasks completed: 10
Books read: 12
Goodreads authors: 3
Big books: 500+ (0); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

10.3 Donors Wanted: Read a book with vampire in the GR description or having the genre vampire on the main book page.
Let the Right One In, vampire is listed as a genre on the main book page
Total Task Point to Date: 80

Task # 20.4 - Author! Author! - Lorna's Task: Ode to Joy
2. "Ode to Joy" contains 3 words with one syllable each.
Let Me Go by Chelsea Cain
Points this post: 20
Total points: 250

Task # 25.1 - Andy P's Task: Pick a Pair
Option 1
Choose an author (no co-authors or multiple contributing authors) that has written both series and stand alone non-series titles
Book 1. Small Town: A Novel of New York by Lawrence Block (stand alone)
Book 2. Hit Parade by Lawrence Block This book is # 3 in the Keller series
Points this post: 25
Total points: 275

20.1 Check...And Mate!
I chose The Pawn and Option 1A.
Out of Control by Suzanne Brockmann
Main male character is in the military (Navy SEAL).
Points this Post: 20
Total Challenge Points: 130
Goodreads Authors: 5
Big Books: 500+(0),750+(0),1000+(0)

10.4 A Real Big Show: Read a book with a word from one of the songs the Beatles performed on the Ed Sullivan show on February 9, 1964.
If You Could See Me Now, "You" is featured in the song title "Til There Was You"
Total task points to date: 90

HoUr GamE by David BaLdaCci -- clue letters capitalized
** Goodreads Author ticket **
15.9 First or Last?
Allegiant by Veronica Roth -- latest book in the Divergent series
** Big Book Ticket -- 526 pages **
** Goodreads Author Ticket **
20.1 Check and Mate
I selected option 2 -- the knight -- and read #1 in the Fjallbacka series -- The Ice Princess by Camilla Läckberg (393 pages)
20.4 Ode to Joy
I used option 3 and read Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell -- 3 Es total in title and author
** Goodreads author ticket**
20.9 Love of Christmas Films
I chose option 4A and read We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver which has been made into a movie -- http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1242460/
** Goodreads author ticket**
Total Points: 85

Option 3: Author's Body of Work: Debbie Macomber
Book A: Starlight Debbie Macomber
Debbie Macomber is a Goodreads author
Book B: Starry Night: A Christmas Novel Debbie Macomber
Debbie Macomber is a Goodreads author
Points this post: 30
Total points: 260
Tasks completed: 13
Books read: 18
Goodreads authors: 11
Big books: 500+ (1); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

15.10 – Celebrate!
Any book of my choice meeting SRC requirements.
The Price of Politics by Bob Woodward
Points this post: 15
Total points: 110
Books read: 7
Big Books: 1-0-0 (1)

5.6 -- In the Billiards Room Read a book numbered #1 through #9 in a series.
Never Love a Highlander by Maya Banks 12/29/13
This book is listed in Goodreads as Never Love a Highlander (McCabe Trilogy #3)
This post: 5 points
Total to Date = 220 points.
Big Book Tickets to date: 7
Goodreads Author Tickets to date: 4

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.
The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett
30.3 - Sassafrass's Task: Readers Also Enjoyed
Book A-For the first book, choose any book that you want to read
The Princeling by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles
Book B-Pick one the books from that list(Readers Also Enjoyed) and use it for your second book.
I found this book on the list on December 27, 2013.
The Countess and the King: A Novel of the Countess of Dorchester and King James II by Susan Holloway Scott
Points:195/1035
Tasks: 13/59
GR Authors: 6
Big Books:(1)500 pages; ()750 + pages
10.6 - SWLAT
Read a book with the genre humor on the book’s main GR page.
Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging
Points this post: 10
Total Points: 115
Tasks Completed: 8
Books Read: 10
GR Authors: 2
Big Books: 500+ (0); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)
Read a book with the genre humor on the book’s main GR page.
Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging
Points this post: 10
Total Points: 115
Tasks Completed: 8
Books Read: 10
GR Authors: 2
Big Books: 500+ (0); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

***Fallon Blake is a Goodreads Author***
15.5 Mysteries Can Be Real: Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Storm-Ravaged Hospital (has "true crime" listed as genre on main page)
***at 558 pages, this is a BIG BOOK***
25.9 All Things New:
Option #1: Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn (new-to-me author who is also a goodreads author)
***Julia Quinn is a Goodreads Author***
Option #3: 10 Ways To Steal Your Lover (ebook verification thread #1659) by Dee Tenorio (Love by the Numbers #1 on GR)
***Dee Tenorio is a Goodreads Author***
25.11 Showtime for Dogs:
Option 1: Come Away With Me by Kristen Proby (has "come" in the title)
***Kristen Proby is a Goodreads Author***
Option 3: Shared (ebook verification thread #1996) by Lily Harlem (Lily is #18 on the girl list)
***Lily Harlem is a Goodreads Author***
30.1 Riddle Me This: I rolled 2 and 4
Option 2: Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon (has 62,334 ratings)
***Diana Gabaldon is a Goodreads Author***
***at 1070 pages, this is a BIG BOOK***
Option 4: dRAwn toGetHer (has ARGH in title)
Total Points this Post: 100
Total Points in Challenge: 350
Books Read: 29
Tasks Completed: 23
GR Authors: 23
Big Book Tickets: 500+(2); 750+(0); 1000+(1)

One Summer: America, 1927 by Bill Bryson which takes place in 1927.
15.9 First or Last
Never Go Back by Lee Child
This is the most recent (last) book in the series
20.2 Mystery Sub-Genres
Alex by Pierre Lemaitre
This is listed as Mystery>Crime and Pierre LeMaitre is a new author to me.
*Lee Child is a Goodreads Author.
Post Total: 45
Grand Total: 45

•Read a book numbered #1 through #9 in a series.
Eldest by Christopher Paolini
This post: 5
Total to Date: 5

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell.
I made a comment on the Group Reads thread in message 29.
Rainbow Rowell is a Goodreads author.
Points this post: 20
Total points: 85
Tasks: 5
Books: 6
Goodreads author: 1

Task #5.6 -- In the Billiards Room
Read a book numbered #1 through #9 in series.
Enticed by His Forgotten Lover (Pregnancy & Passion #1) by Maya Banks

Task #5.7 -- In the Hall
Read a book written by an author with 4 letters in their first name.
Trace of Fever (Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor, #2) by Lori Foster

** GR Ticket Claim: Lori Foster is a Goodreads Author **
Points This Post: 10 points
Total Points: 10 points
Books Read: 2
Tasks Completed: 2
Goodreads Authors Tickets: 1
Big books (500+) Tickets: 0

Task #10.3 -- Donors Wanted
Read a book featuring vampires.
Lover Awakened (Black Dagger Brotherhood #3) by J. R. Ward

Task #10.9 -- White Sale!
Read a book with something white on the cover.
Lover Revealed (Black Dagger Brotherhood #4) by J. R. Ward
The title is white.

Task #15.10 -- Celebrate!
Read a book meeting general SRC requirements.
Deception by Naomi Chase

Task #20.1 -- Check... And Mate!
2. The knight: Read a book numbered #1 or #2 in series.
Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood #1) by J. R. Ward
Pages: 393

Task #20.4 -- Ode to Joy
Read a book with exactly 3 E's in the title and author combined.
Exposed by Naomi Chase

Task #20.5 -- Out With The Old And In With The New!
Read a book with at least 400 pages.
Lover Avenged (Black Dagger Brotherhood #7) by J. R. Ward

** Big Book (500+) Ticket Claim: 527 pages **
Points This Post: 95 points
Total Points: 105 points
Books Read: 8
Tasks Completed: 8
Goodreads Authors Tickets: 1
Big books (500+) Tickets: 1

10.1 - Get a Clue
Book with all the letters C, L, U, E in the title
Alice in Quantumland: An Allegory of Quantum Physics by Robert Gilmore
Points this post: 10
Total Points: 225
Tasks Completed: 14
Books Read: 18
GR Authors: 2
Big Book Tickets: 500(), 750(), 1000()

20.7 - Shorter is Sweeter - Laurie ME's Task: Is There a Conspiracy To Be Found Here?
Option 2

***He is a GoodReads author.
Points this Post 20
Total Points 120
Tasks Completed 6
Books Read 6
Total Pages 2378
GoodReads Author 4
Big Book Tickets 0

Interlude in Death by J.D. Robb
The author has four letters in her last name - Robb
Points this Post: 5
Totals:
Total Points: 75
Total Goodreads Authors: 6
Total Big Book Tickets: 500=(0), 750=(0), 1000=(0)
Total Tasks Completed: 8
Total Books Read: 8

5.3: In the Ballroom: Dance
Dance of the Winnebagos by Ann Charles. Ann Charles is a GRA.
5.9: In the Cellar: set in France
The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova. 1 BB.
10.4: A Really Big Show: Loves
Everyone Loves a Hero....and that's the problem by Marie Force. Marie Force is a GRA.
10.10: 'Tis the Season: Holiday>Christmas
A Wallflower Christmas by Lisa Kleypas. Lisa Kleypas is a GRA.
Points this Post: 30.
Total Points: 90.
3 GRA.
1 BB.

20.7: Shorter is Sweeter: Laurie ME's Task: Is there a Conspiracy Here? RFK - was Sirhan Sirhan a long assassin?
Who Killed Bobby?: The Unsolved Murder of Robert F. Kennedy by Shane O'Sullivan. 1 BB.
25.6: Hot. Cold. Yours. I live in USA.
1. set in England/Italy: Europe:
Goodnight Sweet Prince by David Dickinson
2. set in Mexico/North America:
Missing in Mexico by Stuart Gustafson
30.3: Sassafrass's Task: Readers Also Enjoyed: chosen on 11/18/13:
1. Dead Girls Don't Wear Diamonds by Nancy Martin. Nancy Martin is a GRA.
2. Designer Knockoff by Ellen Byerrum
Points this Post: 75.
Total Points: 165.
1 GRA.
1 BB.
Note: Missing in Mexico has a print edition on Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Missing-Mexico-...

15.5 Mysteries Can Be Real
Book with ‘true crime’ on main page
Yakuza Moon: Memoirs of a Gangster's Daughter
20.10 Group Reads
American Gods
This post 35 points
Total to date 165 points

Read a book with the genre "holiday" on the book's main page.
Grand Jeté by Diana Copland
**Diana Copland is a GR author**
Points this post: 10
Total points: 55
GR Author this post: 1
Total GR Authors: 3
Big Books this post: 0
Total Big Books: 0

10.10 'Tis The Season
Christmas at Pemberley: A Pride and Prejudice Holiday Sequel by Regina Jeffers
Points: 10
Total Points: 30
GR Authors: 2
Big Books: 1

Read a book written by an author with 4 letters in their first name.

Points this post: 5
Total points: 80
Tasks completed: 9
Books read: 9
Goodreads authors: 6
Big books: 500+ (0); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

30.5 Susan A's Task: I Love My TBR
For this task I used my exclusive tbr-2014 shelf (I already renamed it for the new year) as this is my real shelf for the books I plan to read.
Option 5: Sort by "Date Added", newest to oldest read book from 1st page (newest books)
Song of Spider-Man: The Inside Story of the Most Controversial Musical in Broadway History by Glen Berger
This book was added to my TBR-shelf on 14.12.2013 and was on the first page after the sorting.
Option 6: Sort by number of ratings highest to lowest.
Read a book from the first page of results
Relic by Douglas Preston
This book has 38968 ratings and was on the first page after sorting.
Points this post: 30
Total Points: 245
Books Read: 14
Goodreads Authors: 6
Big Books:500+(1)750+(0)1000+(0)

5.5 -- In the Dining Room
Knives and Feathers - Sage Marlowe (GR Author)
Points this Post: 5
Total Points: 270
Goodreads Authors: 12
20.3 - Best Review - Band Director Terry's Task: Solo and Ensemble
Ensemble Option 1: Read a collection of AT LEAST THREE (3) short stories. The collection can be by a solo author or by multiple authors.
Round the Christmas Fire: Festive Stories
Book approved in help thread - message 37
Points this post: 20
Total Points: 135
Tasks Completed: 9
Books Read: 11
GR Authors: 2
Big Books: 500+ (0); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)
Ensemble Option 1: Read a collection of AT LEAST THREE (3) short stories. The collection can be by a solo author or by multiple authors.
Round the Christmas Fire: Festive Stories
Book approved in help thread - message 37
Points this post: 20
Total Points: 135
Tasks Completed: 9
Books Read: 11
GR Authors: 2
Big Books: 500+ (0); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

25.6: Hot. Cold. Yours. I live in USA.
1. set in England/Italy: Europe:
Goodnight Sweet Prince by David Dickinson
2. set in Mexico/North America:
Missing in Mexico by Stuart Gustafson
Points this Post: 25.
Total Points: 165.

cook book
The Big Book of Cupcakes
15.10 – Celebrate!
free choice book
Blame It On The Mistletoe by Eli Easton ***GRA***
length approved SRC ebook verification line 199
30.1 - Ms Anderson's Task: Riddle Me This
Rolled 3 and 4
Option 3:read a book where the main character participates in an activity you enjoy
Gumption & Gumshoes by Alex Kidwell ***GRA***
Reading is an activity I enjoy. MC enjoys to read as stated in GR book description.
task approved
Option 4: A-R-G-H found in the title and/or subtitle in any order
A Change of Scenery by J.M. Cartwright ***GRA***
A CHanGe of ScenRy
length approved SRC ebook verification line 14
Points this post: 5 + 15 + 30
Total Points: 370 + 50 = 420
GRA: 20 + 3 = 23

The Golden Ass by Apuleius
Genre humor on main page
--
Task 10.7 - Flip the Page
The Man Who Was Thursday by G.K. Chesterton
--
Task 10.8 - Take the Plunge
Surfacing by Margaret Atwood
Set in Canada
Goodreads author: Margaret Atwood
--
Task 15.9 - First or Last
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
First book in series
Big book: 780 pages (2 tickets)
Points this post = 45
Total points = 45
Big Book tickets = 2
Goodreads Authors = 1
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...
Hemingway & Bailey's Bartending Guide to Great American Writers by Mark Bailey
This is a non-fiction book about food. I will use this as my one book between 80 and 100 pages (it is 100 pages).
5.6 In the Billiards Room
Blood Red Road by Moira Young
This book is #1 of the Dust Lands Trilogy.
5.7 In the Hall
Shadow of the Hegemon by Orson Scott Card
The author has four letters in his last name.
10.6 SWLAT
Bad Monkey by Carl Hiaasen
This book has the genre "humor" on its main page.
10.10 'Tis the Season
The Fat Man: A Tale of North Pole Noir by Ken Harmon
This book has the genre "holiday" on its main page.
15.9 First or Last?
Divergent by Veronica Roth
This is the first book in the Divergent series.
20.1 Most Improved Player
Outpost by Ann Aguirre
My chess piece is the knight, and I chose option B. This book is #2 in the Razorland series. This is not a reread, and this book is over 225 pages.
Points this post: 70
Total points: 70