The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
FALL CHALLENGE 2009
>
FALL CHALLENGE 2009 COMPLETED TASKS
I forgot to add this one! I finished 15.4 Science Fact vs. Science Fiction. I read Next by Michael Crichton, and watched Cracking the Code of Life by NOVA. The book was a little bit terrifying, the only element of fiction in the science was that it hadn't been done quite yet. A dramatic storyline to hype the insanity of the biotech world.... although companies patenting genetic sequences hardly needs much hype to make it scary when its true. I was pleased with NOVA's presentation of the public vs. private race to uncode DNA. Especially since they touched on the gene patenting issue and the trouble this causes when scientists actually want to cure disease. An awesome task![image error]
Finished: I had 3 5* books in this report. My first 5 stars of the challenge.5.6 The Secret of the Dread Forest
20.1 The Vanishing Sculptor A Novel-5 star: I really enjoyed Donita Paul's first series of young adult book and this one was also great. It was set in the same world with some of the same characters but the stories weren't really associated. That being said, one really needs to read the first series because the descriptions in Vanishing Sculptor are short and assume that you are already familiar with the world these books are set in.
25.7- Stargazer
First Light: 5 star- This was a book that I had heard nothing about and just found on the library shelf. I really liked it. It is a quick read and the author really drags you into the story.
The Lost Symbol: 5 star- I actually enjoyed this more than Dan Brown's earlier works. However, that may be becuase I haven't read any of his earlier works in a few years. Most of his books are eerily similar but since I hadn't read any lately, this one was really good and fast paced.
Total Points 260/690
Total Books 26/59
Total Tasks Completed 18/45
Total Pages 8102
For Task 15.10 I read The Abstinence Teacher by Tom Perrotta and Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery (Anne is in college).Books Read: 13
Tasks Completed: 10
Total Points: 150
Total Pages: 4038
Finished 25.10: Devil in the Details: Scenes from an Obsessive Girlhood by Jennifer TraigTotal Points: 105
I completed 15.4 by reading The Host and watching The March of the Penguins which I had been meaning to watch for years.My total is now 40 points.
Jess wrote: "I am a little behind. I have a few multi book tasks started, so I am going to move some things around so I can get a few points and at least feel like I have gotten something done. 5.2 ~ [bookc..."
Jess - Have you read the partial draft of Midnight Sun on her website? If not, you REALLY should. Its the Twilight story again, only this time it's told from Edward's P.O.V. instead of Bella's (I like it better...) :D
Jess wrote: "Candace wrote: "Jess wrote: "I am a little behind. I have a few multi book tasks started, so I am going to move some things around so I can get a few points and at least feel like I have gotten som..."My fingers are crossed for her finishing it too (and I think she will) - but until then... the partial is fantastic, so I would highly recommend giving in, LOL.
Completed:Task 10.2 (addiction): Choke - Chuck Palahniuk (9/10)
Task 5.5 (high school): Great Expectations - Charles Dickens (9/21)
I decided to reread this because I absolutely LOVED A Tale of Two Cities, which I read for the summer challenge. I'm glad I did, as I honestly didn't remember much besides Miss Havisham (how could you forget her?). I think I'm developing a bit of a literary crush on Mr. Dickens.
Total Points: 85/690
Books Read: 17/60
Tasks Completed: 8/45
Pages Read: 5,607
completed task 5.5Going Back To School - Re-read A Book That You Were Required To Read For School...See If You Feel The Same About It Now As You Did Then.
For this task, I chose the audio of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
I read this book in high school and again in college. When I read it, I enjoyed both reads, but was reading it for symbolism and characters, etc. This time, it was just to read/listen.
Started out a bit slow in the first CD. It wasn't until mostly through the second CD that I started getting into it. Tim Robbins was a great reader and I loved all the different voices he did for the characters. I think this read through without symbolism it was a little more enjoyable. Since it had been so long enough, I hadn't remembered that much about it, except for the names of the characters. I certainly felt a lot more sorry for Gatsby this time and felt a lot more disdain for Daisy and Tom. Also, I enjoyed Fitzerald's descriptions and had a better understanding for the time period this book took place in. I'm glad that I gave it a third chance for a re-read.
Total Points: 45
Tasks Completed: 5
Tasks in Progress: 4
Total Books: 6
Current pages: 1,143 (+ 2 audio CDs/7.75 hours)
I just completed Stranger At The Gate To Be Gay and Christian in America (Task 25.3) This book tells the story of Mel White, a former ghost writer for many leaders of the religous right and his intense struggle to come to terms with his homosexuality.
I finished Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods by Suzanne Collins yesterday for task number 25.5.That makes my total a whopping 40 points.
I finished my first task
20 points tasks
3) Julie and Julia by julie powell
Finished:10.5 Octoberfest
From the Diary of a Snail by Gunther GrassI won't go so far as to say this was the best book I ever read (far from it), but it sure made me slow down and pay attention to what I was reading. The intertwining of the present day (1972) and the past (World War II) was confusing at first. The best I can say is that Grass is NOT a comforable writer but he is an intelligent one.
I completed task 5.4 AdoptionI read The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman.
Tasks Completed: 12
Tasks Started: 1
Books Read: 15 (plus 3 childrens picture books)
Pages Read: 4,618
Points Earned: 220
# of books from "owned and unread" shelf: 16
20.2 Rookie of the Season - Learn Your ABCs:
(Q) The Quiet American by Graham Greene
(R) Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella
(S) The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen
Total Points: 275/690
Books Read: 36 (+ 8 Berenstain Bears books)
Tasks Completed: 22/45
Tasks in Progress: 6
[image error]
Here are some more tasks I finished5pt tasks
9. The Truth about Forever
10pt tasks
10. The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents
20pt tasks
2. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks/Eragon/ Frozen Fire
Kritika's total points
25 +5+10+20
60
I finished Wild Texas Angel by Mary Martin for task 10.9 (set during the U.S. Civil War).I absolutely detested this book. It was definitely the worst piece of rubbish I've read for this challenge and possibly this entire year. It made me angry all over again for having wasted $35 on that enormous lot of paperback books on ebay I bought 2.5 years ago.
I suppose the only good thing to come out of reading it is that there's now one less book sitting on the uncomfortably full shelf of books in my possession that I've never read. Well, that and I can claim another 10 points. :)
TASKS COMPLETED: 11
TASKS PARTIALLY COMPLETED: 3
BOOKS READ: 14 (+4 kids books)
PAGES READ: 4,291
POINTS EARNED: 75
NUMBER OF BOOKS READ FROM MY 'OWNED AND UNREAD' SHELF: 12
Task 15.5 - Foreign Languages (Portuguese)The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho 2.5 stars
Blindness by Jose Saramago 5 stars
Grand Total 50 points!
Newly Completed Task: 10.8 – You'll Find It In The Dictionary: 9th, 10th, or 11th Word from the Random Word Generator. My words were; BUNCH, EVEN, and PROPAGANDA.
Even MoneyThis is the latest book from Dick & Felix Francis. I only gave this book 2 stars. It was a pretty formulaic Dick Francis kind of mystery with a horse racing setting. There was a lot of discussion about the book making (betting/bookies) business in England. I guess that was educational. There was one twist that took me by surprise. It wasn't anything too memorable, but it was a quick read. I really enjoyed Dick Francis' earlier works much more than this book. I'm not sure if that is because my tastes have changed, or his writing (in partnership with his son Felix Francis) has devolved. My sense is that it’s probably a little bit of both reasons.
Total Points: 120
Tasks in Process: 5
Completed Tasks: 7/45
Books Read for Completed Tasks: 8/60
Pages Read for Completed Tasks: 2,446
[image error]
Just finished the Science Fiction vs. Science Fact challenge for 15 points. Read Stiff The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers which was really fascinating and then watched Star Wars...I have to say..not my cup of tea. I fell asleep several times and had to keep going back. Total Points:
Jamie(23)-- 50 points
2 More tasks completed:
10.10 Cats Meow - I read
Bad Kitty by Michelle Jaffe and also
for
25.10 Devil,Witch, Vampire, Zombie or Werewolf I read
Mr. Darcy, Vampyre by Amanda Grange.
Previous Score : 105
Current Score : 140
10.10 Cats Meow - I read
Bad Kitty by Michelle Jaffe and alsofor
25.10 Devil,Witch, Vampire, Zombie or Werewolf I read
Mr. Darcy, Vampyre by Amanda Grange.
Previous Score : 105
Current Score : 140
For 15.2 I read Fatherland by Robert HarrisAs an alternative Europe goes, I preferred the one we got in which Hitler did commit suicide in a bunker in Berlin when he realised there was no escape. I like the way Robert Harris created an alternate cold war and thought this book very subtle in that it didn't diversify from the real historical events in a traumatic way just gently changed direction. The images of a Germany in the 1960s still under National Socialism were disturbing: The quantity and variety of uniforms, the control of the me...more As an alternative Europe goes, I preferred the one we got in which Hitler did commit suicide in a bunker in Berlin when he realised there was no escape. I like the way Robert Harris created an alternate cold war and thought this book very subtle in that it didn't diversify from the real historical events in a traumatic way just gently changed direction. The images of a Germany in the 1960s still under National Socialism were disturbing: The quantity and variety of uniforms, the control of the media, the control of the people using the methods of a police state.
Points for this book: 15
Points to date: 155
Okay, I just had a little epiphany (my brain is working slower with all this reading, apparently). A week or so I was very upset with myself for having read 2 books instead of one for task 10.8 (I read Bad Blood A Novel and Happy Birthday, Bad Kitty). I just realized that there is a picture of a CAT on the second book (took me long enough, huh?) SO I am going to use that book for task 10.10 The Cat's Meow - Happy Birthday, Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel
Total Points: 285/690
Books Read: 36 (+ 8 Berenstain Bears books)
Tasks Completed: 23/45
Tasks in Progress: 6
[image error]
I've just finished5.9- Water for Elephants- Sara Gruen
Beth(MN) wrote: "I finished Wild Texas Angel by Mary Martin for task 10.9 (set during the U.S. Civil War).I absolutely detested this book. It was definitely the worst piece of rubbish I've read ..."
I can safely say this is one I WON'T add to my tbr shelf : )
Finished one more--10.9--THEY FOUGHT LIKE DEMONS by DeAnne Blanton & Lauren M. Cook
A fascinating study on women who fought in the Civil War. I was aware from some of my women studies courses that these women existed, but I had no idea how many there were and that many were known to be women and even obtained Veteran's benefits after the war.
This brings me to 345 point!!
20.2 ABC - To Crave a Blood Moon by Sharie Kohler, Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann, Vampire Haiku by Ryan MecumLetters used: TUV
Total Points: 185
Tasks Completed: 12
For task 30.1 (job/dream job), I read:The Smithsonian Institution A Novel by Gore Vidal. One of my many part-time jobs is at a museum and this book takes place at a museum.
1 star. This might be my least favorite book ever...in my life. It took me a week to get through because I wanted to do anything but read.
and
Seducing the Spirits It is about an ornithologist doing field research on eagles, and my dream job (from childhood on) is to be a wildlife researcher. Just a dream, as I would never make it through the bio classes. (I am a bit squeemish.) :)
4 stars. I got lucky with this first reads win. This book was a fun romance with beautiful descriptions of the Panamanian jungle. I flew through it and allowed it to restore my faith in books.
Total Points: 145
Mod
Making History by Stephen Fry
In this funny, touching book, Michael Young meets a Cambridge physicist. They decide to change history by preventing Hitler’s birth. They succeed but the Nazi party continued with a more charismatic, efficient leader. It is inferred that the same method that Michael and the professor use to prevent Hitler’s birth had been used by the Nazis to eliminate their enemies. Germany develops nuclear power, wins the war, and exterminates the Jews. The modern-day US is staunchly conservative, homophobic, and segregated. Michael sets out to undo his actions. He restores the historical timeline but small, lingering changes persist.
In Fry's alternate history, a world with Hitler was better than the world that developed without him.
+15
total= 290
Teresa in Ohio wrote: "I can safely say this is one I WON'T add to my tbr shelf : ) Definitely don't. Even if you like romance...JUST. SAY. NO!!!
Finished task 20.3 (group read). I read Julie and Julia 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen.
Books Read: 5
Tasks Completed: 3
3 more tasks/5 more books:5.3 Columbus Sailed the Ocean: Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis Sept. 20
I did an audiobook listen narrated by Derek Jacoby - he really made all the characters 'come alive'
20.1 Julie KS: Christian Fiction: When Calls the Heart by Janette Oke Sept. 19
Thanks, Julie, for this task - I've already requested the next book in this series from the library.
20.2 Erin: Any 3 consecutive letters in the alphabet: I chose CDE
C = Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters (292 pp) Sept 12
D = The Dream Thief by Shana Abe (335 pp) Sept. 21
E = Empire of Ivory by Naomi Novik (416 pp) Sept. 19
Erin, this was a fun scavenger hunt, looking for 3 books among my TBRs that had consecutive letters AND that weren't being used elsewhere - and I enjoyed all 3 of these reads!
Total Pages = 8335
Total Points = 310
Done with task 15.4 (Science fiction/fact). For this one, I read a science fiction book. I decided to go with The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. It was pretty good, but I think I like the movie a little better.For the science fact part of the task, I watched 3 episodes of Mythbusters (I forgot how much I love that show!).
Total points = 215
[image error]
15.1- (prepositions) I read The World Beneath by Aaron Gwyn and The Skull Beneath the Skin by PD James. Both good books, by the way :)
Just completed 20.3 by reading Shutter Island - loved it! I avoided looking at the discussion because I didn't want anything given away, so I'm going over to read now!Total Points: 65 (woohoo!)
OK here goes first post about completed tasks...5.7 Giving Thanks
by Marisa De Los Santos. Iread this book because I am thankful for the many people in my life that I consider to be my family even though we are not related by blood. 10.3 Bears The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble at SchoolThe Berenstain Bears' Bedtime BattleThe Berenstain Bears Clean House The Berenstain Bears and the spooky shadows (all 32 pages each...32x4=128
15.3 Math
Multiplication 25x22=550 I read The Lost Symbolby Dan Brown 509 pages.
&
Division 25/1984 = 79 So 7th or 9th. I re-read
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallowsby J.K. Rowling
15.7 Let's Get Physical (P.E.)
I walked the dog and listened to Everyone Worth Knowingby Lauren Weisberger.
20.3 Group Read
I read Julie and Julia 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen by Julie Powell.
25.4 I read The Time Traveler's Wifeby Audrey Niffenegger. I would have to say that this is probably my favorite book that I have read this year. I really enjoyed it. I think the movie was great too. I ALWAYS read the book before I watch the movie as I feel that the movie is just a compliment to the book. I am often disapointed by books turned movie, but I thought that this was very well done. I just enjoyed the book more as I felt it was giving the longer truer version of the story. I do like when I can read the book and picture the actors though from the previews. I do feel it helps me give the characters more life.
Partially Completed
25.7 One Two Three ....
one TBD
twoCatching Fire
three Not Buying It My Year Without Shopping
25.8 Nouns
Person TBD
Place My Life in France
Thing The Graveyard Book
Points Thus Far: 90
For Task 15.6 I read and watched Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom StoppardBooks Read: 14
Tasks Completed: 11
Total Points: 165
Total Pages: 4164
OK here goes first post about completed tasks... 5.7 Giving Thanks Belong to Me A Novel by Marisa De Los Santos. Iread this book because I am thankful for the many people in my life that I consider to be my family even though we are not related by blood.
10.3 Bears The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble at School, The Berenstain Bears' Bedtime Battle, The Berenstain Bears Clean House and The Berenstain Bears and the spooky shadows (all 32 pages each...32x4=128)
15.3 Math
Multiplication 25x22=550 I read The Lost Symbolby Dan Brown 509 pages.
&
Division 25/1984 = 79 So 7th or 9th. I re-read
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
by J.K. Rowling
15.7 Let's Get Physical (P.E.) I walked the dog and listened to Everyone Worth Knowing
by Lauren Weisberger.
20.3 Group Read
I read Julie and Julia 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen by Julie Powell.
25.4 I read The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. I would have to say that this is probably my favorite book that I have read this year. I really enjoyed it. I think the movie was great too. I ALWAYS read the book before I watch the movie as I feel that the movie is just a compliment to the book. I am often disapointed by books turned movie, but I thought that this was very well done. I just enjoyed the book more as I felt it was giving the longer truer version of the story. I do like when I can read the book and picture the actors though from the previews. I do feel it helps me give the characters more life.
Partially Completed
25.7 One Two Three ....
one TBD
two Catching Fire
three Not Buying It My Year Without Shopping
25.8 Nouns
Person TBD
Place My Life in France
Thing The Graveyard Book
Points Thus Far: 90
chrissy wrote: "OK here goes first post about completed tasks...5.7 Giving Thanks
by Marisa De Los Santos. Iread this book because I am thankful for the many people in..." For the multiplication task the book has to be +/- 25 pages in length so the book you would have had to have read needed to be at least 525 pages and so The Lost Symbol is 16 pages short so I can't credit you on that task.
25 POINT TASK10. SAM'S TASK - Halloween Part III: Monsterfest - Read A Book With One Of The Following In The Title: Devil, Witch, Vampire, Zombie, Or Werewolf.
The Bell Witch An American Haunting, Brent Monahan.
25.4 Candace's Task - Book vs. Movie - Marley & Me Love and Life with the World's Worst Dog by John Grogan. I enjoyed both the book and the movie, but I would have to say the book was better overall. On a scale of 1-10, I would give the movie a 7.5 and the book and 8.5. Although the visual and auditory effects of the movie were very appealing, I would have to say the book flowed much better.Total Points: 310/690
Books Read: 37 (+ 8 Berenstain Bears books)
Tasks Completed: 24/45
Tasks in Progress: 5
[image error]
Completed two more tasks:5.1 Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende
Epic adventure with a brilliant heroine, intriguing settings, wonderful descriptions, and a fascinating plotline. Typical Allende - historical panarama and engaging characters. Marvelous writing and great fun reading.
10.10 Cat's Meow-- Dewey: The Small-Town Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron
Satisfied both options of the challenge: picture of cat on book and story about cat. Even though there is a lot of hype about this book, in my opinion it was only mediocre. The portions about Dewey were very good but the author burdened the text with too much description about her own issues. Would still recommend reading it but don't expect to be overwhelmed with the quality of the writing.
Points: 105
Books: 9
Pages: 3119
Tasks: 9
In Prog: 5
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
The Seasonal Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Tempt Me at Twilight (other topics)Patterns in the Sand (other topics)
The Shadow of the Wind (other topics)
My Grandfather's Son (other topics)
Soul of a Dog: Reflections on the Spirits of the Animals of Bedlam Farm (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Lisa Kleypas (other topics)Sally Goldenbaum (other topics)
Clarence Thomas (other topics)
Audrey Niffenegger (other topics)
Neil Gaiman (other topics)
More...
I think I like Lehane's books better as movies. I remember Mystic River (the book) dragging out in places but the movie was thrilling. This book is the same. It's slow and dragged out. I suspect the movie will be better.
Total points: 105