The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
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FALL CHALLENGE 2009
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FALL CHALLENGE 2009 COMPLETED TASKS
Helen wrote: "Finally completed 50.1 PJREADS taskSenses: Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
A lovely book with a metaphysical flair and filled with senses. The senses of taste and smell from the herb an..."
Go Helen, go! You've almost finished this challenge. Wa-hoo!
Finished 5.8 book with two authors:I read Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist. I have to admit I was on the disappointed side with this book.
Finished another task - 5.9 - Coming of Age or All Grown Up (And Then Some) - The Stone Angel by Margaret Laurence
The main character, Hagar Shipley, is a 90 year-old woman looking back on her life. Very good book!
Books To Read = 13
Total Books Read = 49
Tasks Completed = 33
Tasks In Progress = 3
Finally completed a 3-book task! It only took me 2 months, but hey, it's done :)Finished Cindy's Task - 25.7 Read three books, one with a one-word title, one with a two-word title, and one with a three-word title.
I read
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Shanghai Girls A Novel by Lisa See
Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffeneger
All of these, I really liked!
Points Earned: 25
Total Points: 155
5.8 Are Two Heads Better Than One: Pearl Harbor A Novel of December 8th by Newt Gingrich & William Forstchen Oct. 30In this case, I think the two heads were better for developing the storyline and researching all the details, but it also was somewhat of a negative for continuity in style - too often, it was obvious when writers were switched (or maybe that was a result of some really bad editing in the first part of the book).
15.2 Alternative History: Days of Infamy by Newt Gingrich & William Forstchen Nov. 7
The authors 'change' history by focusing on what Yamamoto later considered a mistake in the bombing of Pearl Harbor - thinking that the two strikes would be enough to remove the U.S. from any possible action against Japan in the Pacific. So the authors have Yamamoto personally in charge of the attack (instead of Nagumo), and ordering a third strike to successfully destroy Pearl Harbor's fuel storage, maintenance, and dry dock facilities. and then go on to destroy our carriers in the Pacific. The book ends with the resolve of the U.S. to fight back, but no conclusion as to the same or different end to the war, just perhaps the length of it. So I will project my opinion - if the U.S. had conceded the fight and Japan persevered successfully in all areas of engagement, China today would be a totally different nation, which might not be bad for that whole region, but Japan's imperial domination of the Pacific nations would have taken over, to the likely detriment of all countries involved, since Japan had already demonstrated in the Rape of Nanking what would likely happen to any country they conquered.
Total Pages = 17,460
Total Points = 635
I will hopefully be posting a bunch of books this weekend! I read The Mysterious Benedict Society for one-third of task 20.2 (the ABC one). So still have one more book to read to complete that task.Total points: still 115
Books completed: 14
Tasks completed: 10
I just finished the 25.7 task. 1,2,3 word titles.One word title: Mercy, by Jodi Picoult
Two word title: Family Tree, by Barbara Delinsky
Three word titile: A Little Princes, Frances Hodgens Burnett
Which brings me to:
Total Points: 30
Pages Read for Completed Tasks: 1202
Krista wrote: "Helen wrote: "Finally completed 50.1 PJREADS taskSenses: Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
A lovely book with a metaphysical flair and filled with senses. The senses of taste and smell fr..."
Krista -- Thanks for the encouragement. This is my first time to participate in a challenge and I have been really trying to complete it. Looks like I should be able to do so. Have three books to go -- am halfway through two and have yet to start the third.
I just finished The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde for task 15.2 (alternate history).The book started off a bit slow but once it picked up I had a lot of fun reading it. I really loved the bookworms. :)
There were certain aspects of this world that I think I'd be okay with (being able to meet characters from books as real people) but the time travel aspect and knowing that history could literally be rewritten at any point in time without anyone being the wiser is not a comforting concept to me so I can't say that Fforde's world is better than the way things currently are.
TASKS COMPLETED: 32
TASKS PARTIALLY COMPLETED: 4
BOOKS READ: 42 (+4 kids books)
PAGES READ: 13,007
POINTS EARNED: 435
NUMBER OF BOOKS READ FROM MY 'OWNED AND UNREAD' SHELF: 25
Just completed 15.10 by reading The Abstinence Teacher for the teacher part (liked it WAY more than Little Children but thought the ending was LAME) and Commencement A Novel for the student part. That one started off great and then I just lost interest, but it was still enjoyable overall.[image error]
I completed the following tasks:5.5 (Back To School) by reading Animal Farm which I read at some point in my school years though can't remember what grade and did not recall the story at all, so it was a pleasant re-read. Loved this task!
and 50.1 PJREADS' task (Minding the World) by reading:
I. Senses – Garden Spells "...Sydney would walk into a room and smell roses, or she would wake up and taste honeysuckle in the air." (that line makes me miss the summertime in my garden)
II. Emotions – The Bus Driver Who Wanted To Be God & Other Stories There were a lot of emotions at play in these short stories but the one that stuck out for me was love - whether love for one you left behind, one you hope to someday find, or one you have found then lost; whether a human, kitten, or a porcelain pig. I guess what I got out of this book about this emotion is that love is worthwhile even if it may cause you sadness (through loss, separation, absence).
III. Memories – The God of Small Things - My keepsake(s) that I chose for this challenge is my collection of stones from my travels and particularly my traveling stone. When I first traveled to India in the Spring of 2000, my professor gave me a traveling stone that I carried with me on the journey. When I returned to India in the Fall of 2000, I collected stones in various areas throughout the country. I continued to add to my collection on future trips (to other countries - I have yet to make my third trip to India, but will someday!). I felt that The God of Small Things was an appropriate book for three reasons: 1) stones are "small things", 2) the book takes place in India, and 3) the book takes place in an area of India that I intend to visit on my next trip there.
Loved all three of these books, especially the latter two. Great challenge PJREADS!
Total Points: 495
For 10.1: Breakfast at Tiffany'sFor 25.9: The Go-Girl Guide Surviving Your 20s with Savvy, Soul, and Style and Traveling with Pomegranates A Mother-Daughter Story.
I adored Breakfast at Tiffany's but Traveling with Pomegranates is my least favorite book so far of the challenge.
Total: 260 points
Finally completed task 25.7. I read...1. Blindness by Jose Saramago
2. The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis
3. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
This brings my total up to 95!
Completed Tasks
5.4 Chesapeake Blue by Nora Roberts
5.9 The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
15.7 Words of Silk by Sandra Brown
20.1 The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
25.5 The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan
25.7 Blindness by Jose Saramago
The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Totals:
95/690 Points
10 Books Read
6/45 Tasks
Pages Read: 2,555
3. Discover The Equation For Good Books (Math) - Pick 2 Of The Following...• Addition - Add Up The Number Of Letters Found In Your First and Last Names Then Read A Book Written By An Author Whose Name Contains The Same Number Of Letters.
11 letters: Smash Cut by Sandra Brown-11/7 (367 pgs)
• Subtraction - Subtract The Number Of Letters Found In Your Whole Name (First, Middle, Last) From Your Age And Read A Book With That Many Letters Or Words In The Title.
11 letter:Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson-9/6 (282 pgs)
New Total 325
I've completed task 25.2 (Donna Jo's) for this I read The Final Solution A Story of Detection by Michael Chabon which was a short so-so mystery and today I finished Daughter's Keeper by his wife Ayelet Waldman which had a slow beginning, wonderful middle, and a frustrating ending. 29 TASKS COMPLETE - 1 PARTIALLY DONE
45 BOOK READ
15,719 PAGES READ
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5.1 Child of an Ancient City by Tad Williams and Nina Kiriki Hoffman (title containing the word child in title)10.5 Stones from the River by Ursula Hegi (Oktoberfest- this one is both by a German author and set in Germany)
Just finished March by Geraldine Brooks for the Civil War task for 10 points.New Total:
Jamie (23)--65 pts
25.4. CANDACE'S TASK - Read A Book That Has Been Written Within The Last 10 Years And Made Into A Movie Within The Last 5. Read The Book And Watch The Movie Both, Then Post A Little Review Of The Two And Tell Us Which One You Liked Better And Why. He's Just Not That Into You by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo-11/7 (176 pg)
Movie-10/28
I like the movie better because the movie had actual characters going through what he talks about in the book (and I liked a lot of the characters in the movie). Even though the book is more of a non-fiction without characters, it tied very nicely to the movie. I thought the book was very informative and being newly single again after 8 years, I learned what signs to look for when he is just not that into you!
New Total: 350 points
I completed 5.7 (Being Thankful) with Irene Pepperberg's Alex and Me. I chose it for this task because it was recommended to me by my mom, who both instilled a love of reading in me and is one of the people I am most thankful for in my life. She rocks!Current Total: 360 points
I just completed 15.6. (Drama Club was my choice).My husband and I watched the Lawrence Fishburne/ Kenneth Branagh version of Othello and I read the play. It was my first time, since I (surprisingly) got through my high school, BA and MA diplomas without ever being assigned to read it!
I liked it, but it is not my favorite Shakespeare play!
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15 POINT TASKS7. Let's Get Physical (P.E.)
• Listen To An Audiobook While Walking/Jogging/Running Or Exercising In Some Way.
Manhood for Amateurs CD The Pleasures and Regrets of a Husband, Father, and Son, Michael Chabon.
10. Teacher-Student Relations - Read Both...
• A Book With A Teacher As The Main Character Or With The Word Teacher(s), Teach, Teaches, or Teaching In The Title.
AND
• A Book With A Main Character Who Is A Student Or With The Word Student(s), Study, Or Studies In The Title.
Teacher - The Groves of Academe, Mary McCarthy.
Student - Stover at Yale, Owen Johnson.
FINISHED:10.5 - Nazi Games: The Olympics of 1936 - David Large Clay
TOTAL POINTS = 265
I already posted another completed task earlier today and hadn't planned on finishing a second book, but I did. I started and finished Shopaholic Takes Manhattan by Sophie Kinsella today for task 10.2.
TASKS COMPLETED: 33
TASKS PARTIALLY COMPLETED: 4
BOOKS READ: 43 (+4 kids books)
PAGES READ: 13,329
POINTS EARNED: 445
NUMBER OF BOOKS READ FROM MY 'OWNED AND UNREAD' SHELF: 25
Finished 25.4 (book + movie)Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist
by Rachel Cohn, David Levithan
It's been a long time since I've read a young adult novel. However, I had this movie in my Netflix queue and then found the book for a $1.00. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked the book and the movie. The characters were introspective and vulnerable, which are traits often ignored in cinema directed at teens. Norah's struggles took me back to the days when I'd find myself the responsible one with a group of friends.
+25
total 105
10.4 Like Water For Chocolate by Laura Esquiveltotal points: 85
Emily wrote: "I completed the following tasks:5.5 (Back To School) by reading Animal Farm which I read at some point in my school years though can't remember what grade and did not recall the story...
My keepsake(s) that I chose for this challenge is my collection of stones from my travels and particularly my traveling stone. When I first traveled to India in the Spring of 2000, my professor gave me a traveling stone that I carried with me on the journey. When I returned to India in the Fall of 2000, I collected stones in various areas throughout the country. I continued to add to my collection on future trips (to other countries ..."
I have two keepsake stones. My boss gave me a stone when I was assigned to a job in England for two years. I picked up a stone in the village where my grandparents were born (Sierra Capriola, Italy). I visited about a dozen places in Europe during those two years--I wish I'd thought of collecting more stones.
Glad you enjoyed the task.
Hi... I'm new... I was browsing the reading challenge list and realize I did just finished something that would count... so here it is25.10 Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire
I'm going to do 15.4 now since I'm already halfway through Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
current total: 25 points
I completed 20.3 by listening to Shutter Island on audio. It is not the type of book I am usually drawn to but I really enjoyed it.My total is now 300 points.
I have completed task #5.9 by reading Vanishing Point by David Markson. The main character is a senior citizen.
Task 30I read A Rabbit's Eyesabout a teacher who works with kids in the autism spectrum. I really enjoyed its commentary on how she reached her students and helped teach understanding to her students and the community. For the book about my dream job I chose Psych Mind Over Magic. I love the show and if I could change places with them and be a private dectective/ fake psychic I would in an instant.
Total points: 305
Another two-book task down!15.1 Brush up on your grammar: two books using the preposition "in"
Lost in Austen Create Your Own Jane Austen Adventure - delightful! a five-star book for me!
The Man in the Brown Suit - a light, fun read; not your typical Christie mystery, it is more action/romance.
Should bring me to 155. Had hoped that I'd get at least half-way through the challenge, but starting to look less likely. But then, the long holiday weekend is still to come also...
25 points- Cait's TaskPerson: Dibs in Search of Self
Place: The China Garden
Thing: The White Tiger
New total: 85 points
Task 5.7The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
I am most thankful for my mother - she is my best friend.
Task POints: 5
New Grand Total: 160
Task 25.3 - Tangled Webs by Anne Bishop - I was wondering what to read for this task, when it suddenly occurred to me that one of the main characters from this book is gay, and that it would be easy enough to use it for this task and find another book for the task I had been planning to use it for. So yay for things working out! Total points: 150
11 tasks complete - 9 tasks in progress
17 books read
5,070 pages read
I finished Nice to Come Home To for the third book of task 20.2. For this task I have read (LMN) The Lost Boy A Foster Child's Search for the Love of a Family, The Mysterious Benedict Society, and Nice to Come Home To.total points: 135
Books completed: 15
Tasks completed: 11
20.3 Shutter IslandTotal Points: 430
Tasks Completed: 27
10.7. Can You Read Faster Than A Speeding Bullet? - Christopher Reeve, Famous For His Role As Superman, Was Born On September 25, 1952...• In Honor Of Him Read A Novel About Heroes/Heroines/Superheroes/Super-heroines
Inside Straight by George R.R. Martin et al.
Total points 230
Tasks complete 15
25.7 Cindy's TaskWhistleblower by Tess Gerritsen
Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs
Death du Jour by Kathy Reichs
Total points: 635
Nicki wrote: "A couple more done:I just finished the first in the Wheel of Time series (a re-read) for the prophecy task. I hope this one counts as although there isn't a lot of prophecy in the first book th..."
I thought I had OKed The Wheel of Time series in the HELP thread. I read the first eight or so until Jourdan had a hiatus & then couldn't get back into them. Still, they are based on a prophecy.
Finished two more tasks!15.4
Book: Science Fiction
The Giver by Lois LowryFilm: Fact
Watched many hours of Mythbusters, How It's Made, and who knows what else was on the Science and Discovery Channels. I'm pretty sure those count. If not, I re-watched an old PBS movie about Antarctica in September.
25.9
How-To/Self-Help:
Nikon D90 for Dummies by Julie Adair KingFiction:
Speak by Laurie Halse AndersonThat adds 40 new points.
TOTALS:
Points: 430
Books: 49 (17 to go in about three weeks... will I make it???)
Tasks: 30
Pages: 13,561
I finally completed another 3-book task. 25 Points--Cait's Task (Nouns):The Great Gatsby (Person = Gatsby)
Motherless Brooklyn (Place = Brooklyn)
Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea (Thing = Vodka)
Total points: 105
Completed task 25.1Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
I Like This Poem edited by Kay Webb
10. Teacher-Student Relations - Read Both...• A Book With A Teacher As The Main Character Or With The Word Teacher(s), Teach, Teaches, or Teaching.
And
• A Book With A Main Character Who Is A Student Or With The Word Student(s), Study, Or Studies In The Title.
Teacher:Willing Spirits by Phyllis Schieber-11/8 (257 pgs)
Student:Dancing in My Nuddy-Pants: Even Further Confessions of Georgia Nicolson by Louise Rennison-9/8 (206 pgs)
New Total: 365
25.10 Halloween III: I read The Devil's Legion by William W Johnstone
I had one task from last week (11/1/09, post 2926) that didn’t seem to have made it to my total: 15.3 - Discover the Equation for Good Books
Subtraction: The Codes of Hammurabi and Moses
Division: The 4th book of John Lescroart's Dismas Hardy series, The 13th Juror
This week brings one more completed task!
10.1 – A Book Published in Buddy Holly’s Lifetime
I read Mere Christianity which was first published in 1943.
That brings me to 135 points.
Completed: Task 25.5, Janice's task; read a book with prophecy in the title or as a main theme.Read: Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch .
Total Points = 190
I forgot I hadn't added this one yet either...*SPOILER ALERT*
Completed: Task 10.7, read a book about superheroes.
Read: By the Light of the Moon , where the main characters are injected with a mysterious substance that gives them superhuman abilities they decide to use for good, as superheroes would.
Total Points = 200
For task 25.8 (nouns), I read:One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by A. Solzhenitsyn - loved it (Person - Ivan Denisovich)
The Secret of Tibet by W.D. Bell - hated it (Place - Tibet)
The Bridge Over the River Kwai A Novel by P. Boulle - didn't like it (thing - bridge)
Total Points: 390
For task 10.3 (Stanley "Stan" Berenstain), I read 186 pages of children's books:1. The Cat in the Hat (61 pages)
2. One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish (63 pages)
3. Green Eggs and Ham (62 pages)
Total points: 115
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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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I read Kiss of Midnight very early in the..."
Good for you Amy! You've made great progress given your busy schedule. I'm glad to see you stuck it out with Life of Pi and thought it was worthwhile. It is one of my favorite books of the last few years.