The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
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FALL CHALLENGE 2009
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FALL CHALLENGE 2009 COMPLETED TASKS
Go Jan GO!!!!Finally finished:
25.6
Team of Rivals The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
This was really interesting to me. I visited the Lincoln museum this summer and I really reading about the questions that I had after visiting the museum (including more about Lincoln's children).
I think the biggest "scandal" was actually a byproduct of Lincoln's personality. He seemed to be "loyal to a fault" and this backfired a few times throughout his career, for example when McClellan was kept longer than he should have been.
I was most interested in the differences between how this author portrayed Lincoln from the typical school portrayal of Lincoln as a "country bumpkin." Throughout the book, I was continually amazed at Lincoln's political saviness and methods of manipulating situations to his benefit. It certainly did not coincide along side the Lincoln I thought I knew about.
I also found the portions about Mary interesting as I often find myself thinking about the drama and trouble that the family of the President deals with. Especially in such a tumultuous time during our history.
Total Points 650/690
Total Books 59/62
Total Tasks Completed 42/45
Total Pages 19457
Finished 25.2The two authors are sisters:
When in Rome: A Novel of Piazzas and Passion by Gemma Townleyand
Sleeping Arrangements by Madeleine WickhamTOTALS:
Points: 300
Books: 41
Pages: 11,436
Tasks: 23 (finally made it more than halfway!)
Completed Tasks5 Point Tasks
#2 The Poison Apples
#3 The Old Man and the Sea
#6 Down a Dark Hall
10 Point Tasks
#3 The Complete Adventures of Curious George
#6 Walk Two Moons
#7 Wonder Woman Love and Murder
25 Point Tasks
#8 Person: Madame Bovary; Place: Sundays at Tiffany's; Thing: The Lost Symbol
Total Points Earned: 70
Total Books Read: 11
Total Pages Read for Completed Tasks: 2526
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TOTAL POINTS: 65 + 5 = 70 New Tasks:
Task 5.1 Duncan And Dolores, Dolores on her Toes, and Dolores Meets Her Match by Barbara Samuels
Cosmo Zooms by Arthur Howard
My cat likes milk by Nancy Prasad
Total Pages = 138
Past Tasks:
5.2 Apple of My Eye by Helene Hanff
5.7 Hurry Down Sunshine by Michael Greenberg
10.10 Homer's Odyssey by Gwen Cooper
20.3 Julie and Julia by Julie Powell
25.7 ONE: Doubleblind by Ann Aguirre, TWO: Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs, THREE: The Shadow Queen by Anne Bishop
15.7 2005 Official Rules Of The Nfland watched I think 6 games of the Cleveland browns, ( might be 5) I know we only won 1 and have been pitiful on the field otherwise new total
550
25pts7. CINDY'S TASK - One, Two, Three - Read Three Books...
• One With A One Word Title--Frankenstein
• The Second With A Two Word Title---Club Dead
• And The Third With A Three Word Title---The Tenth Circle
Current Total:30 Pts (Jaime MA)
Finished two more tasks - 5.5 - Going Back To School - The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
I enjoyed The Great Gatsby much more this time around – back in high school (12th grade) we tore the book apart looking for symbolism, etc., and this took a lot of enjoyment out of reading the book. This time, I was more focused on the story, which I think we failed to realize/appreciate back then. I always thought it was a very good book, but even more now that I’m older.
15.7 - Let's Get Physical - The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (audiobook narrated by Michael York)
Total Books Read = 38
Tasks Completed = 25
Tasks In Progress = 5
Teresa in Ohio wrote: "15.7 2005 Official Rules Of The Nfland watched I think 6 games of the Cleveland browns, ( might be 5) I know we only won 1 and have been pitiful on the field otherwise new tota..."
As a fellow Buckeyelander, I too cringe everytime our Brownies play. I keep thinking they can't get much worse but, guess what, they do. Where is the bottom of that NFL bucket?
Sera wrote: "Helen wrote: "Completed:25.9 Diane's Self Improvement tasks:
Non-Fiction: How to Get Organized When You Don't Have the Time by Stephanie Culp - very good book giving lots of good pointers f..."
Sera - I love The Alchemist - I agree that his other books, while excellent, don't quite engage me as much as this one did.
Teresa in Ohio wrote: "15.7 2005 Official Rules Of The Nfland watched I think 6 games of the Cleveland browns, ( might be 5) I know we only won 1 and have been pitiful on the field otherwise new tota..."
A little cheerleading for you--my KC Chiefs are being too painful to watch any more. It leaves more time for reading.
Jan (the Gryphon) wrote: "25.10. SAM'S TASK - Halloween Part III: Monsterfest - Read A Book With One Of The Following In The Title: Devil, Witch, Vampire, Zombie, Or Werewolf. Variations Of The Words Are Fine (E.G., The Wit..."Happy reading. I won't call you until you're finished.
Donna Jo wrote: "Teresa in Ohio wrote: "15.7 2005 Official Rules Of The Nfland watched I think 6 games of the Cleveland browns, ( might be 5) I know we only won 1 and have been pitiful on the fiel..."I totally feel you on that. And they are going downhill off the field too! But I guess if I can still be a Royals fan, I will still root for the Chiefs.
completed task 5.9 coming of age novelOur Only May Amelia
10-7 done with 'Sniper One' by Sgt. Dan Mills. Anyone who is brave enough to be in the military and serve in a war for their respective country is my hero!325 points
I found some time to read after all. Maybe I'll still hit my goal and finish by the 31st. I'll say I'd probably been better off reading Shutter Island, as I was disappointed with Julie and Julia.20 points
20.3. GROUP READ - Read The Shadow of the Wind, Julie and Julia 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen, or Shutter Island.
Julie & Julia, 365 days, 524 recipes, 1 tiny apartment kitchen by Julie Powell Too much whining for my likes. I kept reading, hoping it would get better.
3 more tasks/books to go!
Tasks Completed: 42/45
Points Earned: 665/690
Total Books: 58
Total Pages Read: 13,018
Total Hours listened: 66 (approx.)
I finished the following tasks:10.1 I read Fahrenheit 451
15.6 I read Jazz and listened to Harry Connick Jr's Jazz album, She from 1994.
5-2 Apples and Oranges by Marie Brenner. I would have never been exposed to this book if I didn't have the task challenge. Marie is journalist/writer for Vanity Fair--she is a good writer and I found it to be a good book.
Marie, writes about her own family. She focuses on the relationship she has with her brother, and how they struggle with each other. Will uncovering the past of her family relatives help with the present??
5-4 Adoption---Fever 1793 Laurie Halse Anderson Being from the Phila area I found this a very interesting book. I had no idea that there was such an incident right here in my family's home town.
10-5 Germany/German author---The Book Thief Markus Zusak Very good story---enjoyed it
Tasks 3
Points 20
Am I doing this right? This is my first task report
5.7 Just Finished The Princess Bride I picked this because I am thankful for my family, especially reading time with my kids, so I read this to my daughter, who loved it! I am also thankful for "love" or rather "true love", and I think I have to be thankful that I have it in my own life.Total points: 215
Sue wrote: "5-2 Apples and Oranges by Marie Brenner. I would have never been exposed to this book if I didn't have the task challenge. Marie is journalist/writer for Vanity Fair--she is a good writer and..."
Good to see you on the board, Sue. Report looks good to me. I am not sure about the adoption book as to if it fits the task--that'll be up to Cynthia to decide (I just know that some tasks have real specifics you have to follow more than others). Keep reading! And if you would rather post each time you complete something, that's fine as well as banking a few and posting a few at the same time.
Finished:Task 5.6 (Halloween): Her Fearful Symmetry - Audrey Niffenegger (10/27) 5 stars!
Total Points: 405/690
Books Read: 40/62
Tasks Completed: 26/45
Pages Read: 12,594
Leora wrote: "10-7 done with 'Sniper One' by Sgt. Dan Mills. Anyone who is brave enough to be in the military and serve in a war for their respective country is my hero!325 points"
As someone whose husband and brother are both currently in Iraq (on their 2nd and 3rd deployments, respectively), I have to tell you how much I appreciated that comment! <3
Cynthia wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "50 Points1. Senses/Emotions/Memories: Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder (Senses), Of Swords and Spells by Delia Marshall Turner (Emotions) AND The ..."</i>
Sorry! I skipped over that part when I was reading the description. My keepsake is a sweatshirt I bought in Venice with Vincenza written on it, becuase even though it was really touristy I really wanted one, even though my brother mocked me for it.
<u>10 Points</u>
7. Hero/Heroine: [book:Graceling by Kristin Cashore.
The main character is definitely a hero, saving people, risking her life for others, etc.
15 Points
2. Alternative History: Haunting Of Alaizabel Cray by Chris Wooding.
Set in an alternate Victorian London that after being bombed by the Prussians has to deal with various "wychkin" (creepy as heck monsters). I definitely prefer real London, since it was never almost destroyed by the Forces of Evil and people don't get killed by supernatural creatures (or DO they....?). Plus, London wasn't the only place infected; New York, New Orleans, Boston, etc. all had wychkin as well. This book was overall really good and it's the first time I've ever wanted a book turned into a video game. It would be PERFECT: very atmospheric, lots of good monsters to kill, some puzzles to solve, etc.
Total Points: 460
I finished task 25.3 (Harvey Milk) this evening by reading Maurice A Novel by E.M. Forster. The book was written in the early 1900's and the main character is a gay man. The book wasn't published until after Forster's death in the 70's.
TASKS COMPLETED: 26
TASKS PARTIALLY COMPLETED: 4
BOOKS READ: 34 (+4 kids books)
PAGES READ: 11,036
POINTS EARNED: 330
NUMBER OF BOOKS READ FROM MY 'OWNED AND UNREAD' SHELF: 20
Cait wrote: "Leora wrote: "10-7 done with 'Sniper One' by Sgt. Dan Mills. Anyone who is brave enough to be in the military and serve in a war for their respective country is my hero!325 points"
As someone w..."I too think that anyone who serves in our armed services/is a family member of someone in the military deserves a whole lot of respect for the sacrifices they make everyday. And I want to wish the safe return for both of your guys.
Jensownzoo wrote: " TOTAL POINTS: 65 + 5 = 70
New Tasks:
Task 5.1 Duncan And Dolores, Dolores on her Toes, and Dolores Meets Her Match by Barbara Samuels
Cosmo Zooms by Arthur Howard
My cat likes milk by Na..."I think you must have meant these for task 10.3 the childrens book task so you have an extra 5 points coming your way.
AND I too feel the pain of being the fan of a losing team too - I'm a born and raised Redskins fan.
Just finished task 10.4, read the Motorcycle Diaries: Notes on a Latin American Journey by Che & Aleida Guevara. He traveled through Chile and had some interesting insight on the country. This brings me to a total of:140/690 points
Tasks Completed: 11
Tasks In Progress: 6
Books Read: 17 (+3 children’s books)
Pages Read: 4,445
50.1 - Feel the Heat by Cindy Gerard (sense), Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid The Book of Scary Urban Legends by Jan Arnold Brunvand (emotion), Make Love the Bruce Campbell Way by Bruce Campbell (memories)Sense: The heroine in the book is very stand offish (best way to put it) and the hero throughout the book tries to get her to "feel" again.
Emotion: It was definitely scary, so when the title said afraid it worked. It was a bunch of short urban legends with actual places and dates the urban legend was created.
For my memory: I wanted to go to his book signing when he was in town, but I had surgery then and couldn't go. So my brother (without me knowing) went to the signing and got this book and had the author write a personal message to me inside. I will always keep it. Great book and great memory too. :)
Total Points: 385
Tasks Completed: 25
10.3 berenstain bear task I read
berenstain bears and big blooper
berenstain bears go to camp
I won't get up today dr seuss
LLama LLama mad at momma
Marley goes to school
I think this is enough, if not just let me know, I read daily to the 7 yr old
new total 560
Helen wrote: "Teresa in Ohio wrote: "15.7 2005 Official Rules Of The Nfland watched I think 6 games of the Cleveland browns, ( might be 5) I know we only won 1 and have been pitiful on the fiel..."LOL for a while Detriot was worse than us, and we have 11 draft picks, can we get a new team like the cardiac kids?
Donna Jo wrote: "Teresa in Ohio wrote: "15.7 2005 Official Rules Of The Nfland watched I think 6 games of the Cleveland browns, ( might be 5) I know we only won 1 and have been pitiful on the fiel..."you mean they are worse than cleveland and detriot, we lost 31-3 at our last game and I don';t think our quartback has a clue on what to do
I read A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby and Imperium A Novel of Ancient Rome by Nick's brother-in-law Robert Harris for Donna Jo's 25.2 related by task.Thank you Donna Jo for this task. It helped me find two great authors. I'm looking forward to reading some of their other books in the future.
Total points 45 + 25 = 70
Cynthia wrote: "Alice wrote: "I have finished the 50 point task. Sense in the title I read The Scent of the Night by Andrea Camilleri an extract from the book regarding smells "I don't wear a watch. During the day..."Hi Cynthia, I thought that PJReads had said that a keepsake wasn't needed as such but just the memory? But I guess my divorce papers would be the item for that!
Thanks,
Alice
A couple of tasks done...5.7 The Gift of Motherhood by Cherie Carter-Scott
I am thankful for my wonderful family, my husband but mostly for my three beautiful, healthy children. I am very lucky to be able to be at home with them, to watch them grow and blossom into amazing individuals.
15.5 both books originally written in Japanese
N.P. by Banana Yoshimoto
After the Quake by Haruki Murakami
Total points: 530
I finished the last book for PJ Reads 50-point task last night...For Sense I read At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks this book concludes the story begun in True Believer. This book is about love at first sight (the main character falls in love with his child the moment he sees her for the first time) and how we don't always see what's right in front of us.
For Emotion I read Love Overboard by Janet Evanovich this book is about a former undercover cop who falls in love with the captain of a tour boat whose house she bought. It was another cute quick romance about letting go of the past and allowing love in.
For the Memory portion I read The Ballroom on Magnolia Street by Sharon Owens. The college I attend was named after George Washington (in fact it's the only one he officially lent his name to) and every year they held a Birthday Ball in honor of his birthday. My keepsake is a photograph of me and two of my best friends taken at the last ball we all went to together.
26 TASKS COMPLETE - 2 PARTIALLY DONE
42 BOOK READ
14,629 PAGES READ
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Cait-I wish your family a safe return, their bravery and the sacrifices of both them and the rest of your family is appreciated!
Alice wrote: "Cynthia wrote: "Alice wrote: "I have finished the 50 point task. Sense in the title I read The Scent of the Night by Andrea Camilleri an extract from the book regarding smells "I don't wear a watch...Hi Cynthia, I thought that PJReads had said that a keepsake wasn't needed as such but just the memory? ..."
To clarify, you can interpret *keepsake* freely, but do need to mention something that reminds you of the memory.
To those with family members overseas or on tour, my whole hearted respect is for them and yours. I wish the very best and the safest of returns. As a military brat who experienced her father on deployment (albeit it was a safer time) and a cousin in the midst of the action, I can understand the fears and worries.BTW, if you have any children and love to read to them there is a Seasame Street book (videos and tour) about deployment! I thumbed through it at the AUSA (Associaton of the United States Army) Convention and I highly recommend!
http://www.sesameworkshop.org/initiat...
http://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/...
25.2--Relations--Sisters---I read Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.
I haven't posted in a while - I am just too busy at work and with the kids in school this fall that I am not even close to hitting my goals, but oh well, here it goes. I am keeping all the books on my "to read" list, because they all look so good! I completed task 15.5 - foreign language novels - The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo, and The Girl who Played with Fire, both by Steig Larson. I REALLY enjoyed the first one, the second I thought was good but not as much as the first. Can't wait to read the last one in the series...
10.3 read several Children's Books:If you Give series:
If you give a cat a cupcake
If you take a mouse to the movies
If you throw a pig a party
All by Laura Numeroff
Points: 10
Total Points: 35
Recently completed tasks:15.3: The Lace Makers of Glenmara – Heather Barbieri 10/22 (Letters in first and last name = 15) AND A Catered Halloween (Mystery with Recipes, Book 5) – Isis Crawford 09/26 (1973/35 = 56)
20.2: The Borrowed and Blue Murders – Merry Jones 10/23 AND Confessions of a Counterfeit Farm Girl – Susan McCorkindale 09/07 AND Dune Road – Jane Green 09/08
5.4: Somebody Else's Daughter – Elizabeth Brundage 10/26 (Main character was adopted)
25.2: The Bell Jar – Sylvia Plath 10/27 AND Waxworks – Frieda Hughes 09/16 (mother/daughter)
New Points: 65
Previous Points: 155
Total Points: 220
15 Tasks Completed: (5.2, 5.4, 5.6, 5.9, 10.2, 10.3, 10.10, 15.3, 15.6, 15.7, 20.2, 25.1, 25.2, 25.10, 30.1)
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Finished:15.5 (French)
Madame Bovary
Penguin Island
Total Points 665/690
Total Books 60/62
Total Tasks Completed 43/45
Total Pages 19825
Kari ♪ wrote: "I found some time to read after all. Maybe I'll still hit my goal and finish by the 31st. I'll say I'd probably been better off reading Shutter Island, as I was disappointed with Julie and Julia...."
Go Kari, Go Kari --- you're almost done! Wa-hoo. Fantastic progress!
pjreads wrote: "Alice wrote: "Cynthia wrote: "Alice wrote: "I have finished the 50 point task. Sense in the title I read The Scent of the Night by Andrea Camilleri an extract from the book regarding smells "I don'..."Oh ok thanks pj sorry I misinterpreted that! So yes the item that reminds me of that time are my divorce papers!
4. Hispanic Heritage Month Like Water for Chocolate
10 pts
7. Let's Get Physical
The Hobbit - listened while walking/using treadmill
15 pts
1. Nicole's OH Task - Fiction/Poetry with a Rhyme
Midnight Voices and A Light in the Attic
Rhyming words midnight/light
25 pts
3. Wendy's Task - a positive gay/lesbian character
Oranges are not the Only Fruit
25 pts
PJ Reads Task
Senses - The Blind Side Evolution of a Game - I learned a great deal about football, the incredible story of Michael Oher, the the job of the left tackle to protect the "blind side" of the quarterback
Emotions - A Living Nightmare being afraid - two boys are driven by their curiosity to check out the freak show that is in town, only to find one boy near death and the other boy terrified for his life and the decision he must make to save it
Memories: The Brothers Grimm Popular Folk Tales - One of my greatest memories of my childhood was my mom taking me to the library and reading to be before bed every night. Because of her, I have become a total book addict. I chose this collection of fairy tales for two reasons - I have never read a collection of Grimm stories AND I think a collection of fairy tales perfectly captures that childhood memory, since fairy tales are often told at bedtime!
50 pts
This should bring my total to 365 pts.
Finished some more tasks that I've had on the go for a while - 5.3 - Columbus Sailed The Ocean Blue - The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis
10.1 - Buddy Holly (1936-1952) - Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis (audiobook narrated by Lynn Redgrave), originally published in 1951
15.1 - Prepositions - OF - The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove by Christopher Moore and Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laura Viera Rigler
25.9 - DIANE'S TASK - Self-Help - A Woman of Independent Means A Woman's Guide to Full Financial Security by Gail Vaz-Oxlade and The Wednesday Sisters A Novel by Meg Waite Clayton
Total Books Read = 42
Tasks Completed = 29
Tasks In Progress = 5
25.7-7. CINDY'S TASK - One, Two, Three - Read Three Books...• One With A One Word Title
Columbine by Dave Cullen
• The Second With A Two Word Title
Forever Odd by Dean Koontz
• And The Third With A Three Word Title.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
25 points
Total Points: 190
Tasks Completed: 12
Tasks in Process: 3 (15.10; 20.2; 25.9)
Total Books: 21
Total Pages: 7,126
Task 20.3 Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane20 points
New Grand Total of 140 points.
4* - really looking forward to the movie now!!
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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)
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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)
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25.9 Diane's Self Improvement tasks:
Non-Fiction: How to Get Organized When You Don't Have the Time by Stephanie Culp - very good book giving lots of good pointers for home and pe..."
Helen, The Alchemist is one of my favorite books, too. It's the first one that I had read by Coehlo, and nothing else that I've read by him has even come close since that first book.