You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
Challenges: Monthly
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March 2016 Challenge Reporting Thread - Association made!
Dear mods, could one of you make this thread sticky? Thanks! :)
Peggy wrote: "Dear mods, could one of you make this thread sticky? Thanks! :)"All done :-)
When I saw there a new message in here I thought at first that someone had already read their book.
Nope. I saw Peggy, Sarah and Rusalka commenting I though "mods chit chat". :)Peggy, I know you are not a mod, but at least during this month you are a "collaborator".
What does "making the thread sticky" mean???
It means that this thread stays at the top of the folder and makes it easier to find.
The word I was given was 'hell' and my associated word was 'Fire'. As a results, I read Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan. It's an incredible book about her experience with a rare auto-immune disease causing inflammation in her brain. Title (excluding subtitles)
c. 2 points if the title is in the bottom half of the cover
Author
c. 2 points if the author is younger than 50
d. 1 point if the author is female
Cover
a. 4 points if the title and author are printed in the same color
Pages
d. 1 point if your book has 200-299 pages
Bonus points
b. For Pi Day, 3 points if a mathematical calculation of some sort is made - she frequently calculates the percentages of people with the same disease who have been diagnosed with other illnesses. Lots of statistics and percentages!
c. For National Doctor’s day, 3 points if there’s a scene set in a hospital - at least 50% of the book is based on her experience in the hospital.
Total: 16 points
I was given the word "wine" and made the association "grapes". I read Sour Grapes by G.A. McKevett. I originally was going to read The Grapes Of Wrath, but was having a hard time getting into the book. I'm still going to try to read it and give it a chance, it just might take me a little while. LOLScoring:
Title (excluding subtitles)
c. 2 points if the title is in the bottom half of the cover
Author
d. 1 point if the author is female
Cover
a. 4 points if the title and author are printed in the same color
Pages
d. 1 point if your book has 200-299 pages
Bonus points - Didn't have any of the 3 in this book.
Total: 8 points
This was my first challenge within the group and I had a lot of fun! I read a book by an author I was unfamiliar with and it really paid off, I really enjoyed the book.
My word was "perfume" and I associated it with "memories." I read Monsoon Memories.Scoring:
Author
1 point if the author is female
Cover
2 points if there’s a bit of nature on the cover (e.g., grass, mountains, flowers, rivers) - there was grass, plants, etc.
Pages
3 points if your book has 400-499 pages - was 410 pages
Bonus points
For Easter, 3 points if there are eggs in the story - egg curry and egg bhurji
For National Doctor’s day, 3 points if there’s a scene set in a hospital - when Shirin returns to India after 11 years of estrangement and visits her mother in the hospital. Her mother had sustained life-threatening burn injuries and Shirin flies in from the U.K. to see her.
Total: 12 points
Thanks Peggy for a great challenge!
Heather - Congrats on completing your first challenge!
Heather wrote: "I was given the word "wine" and made the association "grapes". I read Sour Grapes by G.A. McKevett. I originally was going to read The Grapes Of Wrath, but was having a..."Yay! Your first challenge done!
For the nature bit on the cover I was actually only thinking of nature in the sense of scenery, so mountains, meadows, waterfalls, lakes, those kinds of things. That would make your total 8 points. Sorry if it was unclear!
Is there an English word that more accurately describes this? Natural scenery?
I understand now. :) I'm not sure if there is a better word? I think your definition is more than just nature "landscapes", but that was the first word that came to me after I read your clarification. Thank you.
Hi. My challenge word was "mind". When I think of mind, the words smart, clever, think, and some smart minds like Einstein and Ben Franklin. Mind seemed like a tough word but I found Think of a Number
and read that book.Scoring:
Title (excluding subtitles)
4 +3+1=8
Author
0
Cover
a. 4+2 (clouds)=6
Pages
3
Bonus points
3 They figured out how many letters the killer would have made in a year then divided by days to see how many a day it would have been.
Total points = 20
The word that was given to me was "Paradise". The words I associated with it were - Hawaii, heaven, tropical, island. I read Under Heaven
Scoring:
Title - 2 pts
Author - 0 pts
Cover - 4 pts
Pages - 4 pts (573 pages)
Bonus B - 3 pts: She sent a letter to meet her after the second moon. He then calculated the distance between them and how long it would take him to get there so that he would be there at the specified time.
Total - 13 points
My assigned word was green – which I associated with grass and thus read
Scoring
Title -0 points for title
Author 1 point for female author
Cover 4+2=6
a. 4 points title and author are printed in yellow
c. 2 points – grass on cover
Pages - 2 points if your book has 333 pages
Bonus points 0 points
Total: 1+6+2= 9
I enjoyed it; I recommend it; I gave it four stars
my review
Theresa gave me the word "island". When I think of islands, I instantly think of Koh Pha gnan in Thailand as I've been there a few times. So generally islands in my eyes have blue seas, lots of sand, palm trees, are hot and tropical. I chose the associated word of "sand". I read Sand Omnibus by Hugh Howey.
Title
- 4 points if the title starts with your associated word
Author
- 4 points if the author’s first and last name start with the same letter
- 2 points if the author is younger than 50
Cover
- 2 points if there’s a bit of natural scenery on the cover (desert sandscape)
Pages
- 2 points if your book has 300-399 pages
Total = 14 points
My given word was 'honeysuckle'. The first (and only) word that I thought of was 'sweet'. After going through my books, I found Sweet Fortune
Here is my scoring -
Title
4 points for starting with the word 'sweet'
2 points for being on the bottom half of the book
Author
1 point for being female
Cover
4 points for author and title being the same color
Pages
2 points for having 300-399 pages (342 pages)
Bonus Points
3 points for eggs - "...coffee, pancakes, eggs and frying bacon." p. 265
3 points for mathematical calculation - "One-fourth goes to David, one-fourth goes to Elizabeth, one-fourth goes to Jessie. I'll buy the last quarter..." p. 287
3 points for a hospital scene - the opening of the book is at a hospital "She lay motionless on the hospital bed..." p. 2
Total points - 22 points
My word was "light", I made the association to "day".I read The Day of the Triffids
2 points: Title
c. title is in the bottom half of the cover
3 points: Author
b. author was born in Europe
0 points: Cover
1 point: Pages
d. book has 200-299 pages
6 points: Bonus points
b. a mathematical calculation of some sort is made
c. scene set in a hospital
12 points Total,.
Liz, can you please add your challenge word and the associated word to your post?
My word was "town"; my words associates were green, hall, country, cottage. I read
from Rachel Hawkins and I actually liked it.Scoring:
Title (excluding subtitles)
c. 2 points if the title is in the bottom half of the cover
Author
c. 2 points if the author is younger than 50
d. 1 point if the author is female
Cover
c. 2 points if there’s a bit of natural scenery on the cover (e.g., fields of grass, mountains, lakes, rivers)
Pages
c. 2 points if your book has 300-399 pages
Total : 9 points
I already did my association and my challenge book (and posted in here). My word was "wine" and my association was "grapes". I wanted to update everyone on my abandoned challenge book The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. I finished reading it last night! I had such a hard time getting into the story and the cadence of the book just wasn't for me. BUT I can finally say I read it and I can cross a Pulitzer award winning book off of my personal reading challenge! WHEEW!
Haha, well done Heather!If this one gives you more points, you can change your post and report this one instead. You can read more than one book for the challenge, and the highest scoring one counts. You can also leave it like it is though, your call :)
Congratulations Heather. It always feels good to finish a chore, doesn't it?. I'm sorry you didn't like it..it is pretty dark and depressing.
Joan wrote: "Congratulations Heather. It always feels good to finish a chore, doesn't it?. I'm sorry you didn't like it..it is pretty dark and depressing."LOL, your so right Joan, it does feel good! I liked the actual story and the characters. My main problem was with it being overly descriptive and with the chapters in between the story of the Joad's. Those chapters were the ones that made it the hardest for me.
But in the end I'm glad I finished it and I'm glad I went outside my "normal" reading profile.
Peggy, it is the same point value as my other book, so I'll leave it :) Thank you!
My word was 'hippopotamus'. One of my associated words (which I chose to use for this challenge) was smile:because of the big mouth and be honest, who can resist hippo's smile...
So I read:
Kaugete päevade naeratus by Siim Veskimees
It's Estonian book written by Estonian author and the translation into English would be something like "Distant days smile"
naeratus = smile
Scoring:
Author
3 points - author was born in Europe (Estonia is European country)
Cover
4 points - the title and author are printed in the same color
2 points - there are sea (or ocean) and rocks on the cover
Pages
2 points - 352 pages
Bonus points (sry - it's my own translation... :)) -
3 points - "someone's chair was pulled off, on someone's head was smashed eggs and food was flying all around" p 284
3 points - "I made some calculations and wrote 11.00100100... - I was proud of myself to remember pi (π) in a binary form." p 27
3 points - "The door opened and medics in white overalls pushed in a strecher where was a body covered with white sheet. She nod to the nurses" p 93
Total: 20 points
Thanks for the fun challenge!
Lori Z gave me fire and I decided to work with ice. I ended up reading The Ice Queen. It's a modern twist on the fairy tale, about a woman struck by lightning. I enjoyed the book and really appreciated the challenge. Very creative!Title (excluding subtitles) - 0
Author - d. the author is female - 1
Cover - 0
Pages - the book has 200-299 pages - 1
Bonus points - c. For National Doctor’s day, 3 points if there’s a scene set in a hospital - MC is in the hospital after being struck by lightning - 3
Total: 5 points
in transit at San Fran but reporting that I've finished Tiger Milk for my association with the word "chocolate". will score when I get time and more WiFi
My given word is "sand" and my association is "castle." I read Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones.
Title
d. 1 pt. contains a verb (moving)
Author
b. 3 pts. born in Europe
d. 1 pt. female
Cover
c. 2 pts nature on cover
Pages
3 pts. 429 pages
Bonus:
a. 3 pts. for Easter, if there are eggs in the story
On Sophie's first morning at Howl's castle, Michael tells her there is only bread and cheese to eat. "But there's a whole basket of eggs in there!" Sophie said. "And isn't that bacon? What about a hot drink as well? Where's your kettle?"
When Michael explained that only Howl could cook, Sophie was having none of that. She "popped a handy wooden spoon into the egg basket and marched to the fireplace."
b. 3 pts. for Pi Day, if there is a mathematical calculation
Fanny explained the situation to Sophie after her father died. "You'll all have to leave that school, I'm afraid," she said. "I've been doing sums back and front and sideways, and the only way I can see to keep the business going and take care of the three of you is to see you all settled in a promising apprenticeship somewhere.
Total: 16
My word was King. I associate it with Imperio, in Spanish.I read Imperio
Title (excluding subtitles)
a. 4 points if the title starts with your associated word
c. 2 points if the title is in the bottom half of the cover
Author
a. 4 points if the author’s first and last name start with the same letter (Massimo Manfredi)
b. 3 points if the author was born in Europe
Cover
a. 4 points if the title and author are printed in the same color
Pages
c. 2 points if your book has 300-399 pages
Bonus
b. For Pi Day, 3 points if a mathematical calculation of some sort is made
c. For National Doctor’s day, 3 points if there’s a scene set in a hospital
Total 25 points
My word was bonfire which I associated (among others) with night. I read Night RoadTitle (excluding subtitles)
a. 4 points if the title starts with your associated word
Author
d. 1 point if the author is female
Cover
c. 2 points if there’s a bit of natural scenery on the cover (e.g., fields of grass, mountains, lakes, rivers)
Pages
c. 2 points if your book has 300-399 pages
Bonus points
a. For Easter, 3 points if there are eggs in the story - eggs were eaten for breakfast
b. For Pi Day, 3 points if a mathematical calculation of some sort is made - someone calculates how much it costs to go to college
c. For National Doctor’s day, 3 points if there’s a scene set in a hospital - several scenes
Total: 18 points
The first book I read was This Heart of Mine
by Susan Elizabeth PhillipsMy word was Spoon, and the association was "...cut your heart out with a spoon!"
Scoring:
Title (excluding subtitles): 5
b. 3 points if the title has exactly 4 words
c. 2 points if the title is in the bottom half of the cover
Author: 1
d. 1 point if the author is female
Cover: 3
b. 3 points if there’s no black on the cover
Pages: 3
b. 3 points if your book has 400-499 pages
Bonus points: 6
a. For Easter, 3 points if there are eggs in the story
c. For National Doctor’s day, 3 points if there’s a scene set in a hospital
TOTAL: 18
My associations for 'storm' are.... Rain, water,thunder,lightning,snow,sleet,dark,grey,cloudds,windy,whistling,electric,sparks,shock,silver lining,moon,marauders,....these come to mind .... Possibilities
This Dark Road to Mercy
Dark Lover
The Wayward Moon
Kiss of Snow
Deep Waters
Eagle in the storm
Siriusedward, you have lots of associations! But could you please keep the brainstorming in the other thread and this one only for reporting? Thanks :)
Ok.i thought discussion and reporting . sorry :(
No worries! It sort of works like that for the monthly group reads (where you report having finished your book in a separate thread and where you also say what you thought of it), but for the challenges there's one thread for discussing and brainstorming, and another one only to report your final score.
My word was Cogitate and the associated word I chose to use was Blue.
I read
Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland
Scoring: 18 points total
Title (excluding subtitles): 3 points
b. 3 points if the title has exactly 4 words
Author: 1 point
d. 1 point if the author is female
Cover: 7 points
a. 4 points if the title and author are printed in the same color
b. 3 points if there’s no black on the cover
Pages: 1 point
d. 1 point if your book has 200-299 pages
Bonus points: 6 points
a. For Easter, 3 points if there are eggs in the story
b. For Pi Day, 3 points if a mathematical calculation of some sort is made
I read
Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan VreelandScoring: 18 points total
Title (excluding subtitles): 3 points
b. 3 points if the title has exactly 4 words
Author: 1 point
d. 1 point if the author is female
Cover: 7 points
a. 4 points if the title and author are printed in the same color
b. 3 points if there’s no black on the cover
Pages: 1 point
d. 1 point if your book has 200-299 pages
Bonus points: 6 points
a. For Easter, 3 points if there are eggs in the story
b. For Pi Day, 3 points if a mathematical calculation of some sort is made
Nice score Lisa Ann :)Could you please add the challenge word and your association to your post? Thanks!
My challenge word was wood and my association word was forest. I chose to read Daughter of the Forest
Title
b. 3 points if the title has exactly 4 words
Author
d. 1 point if the author is female
Cover
c. 2 points if there’s a bit of natural scenery on the cover (e.g., fields of grass, mountains, lakes, rivers)
Pages
b. 3 points if your book has 400-499 pages
Total Points without bonus points
9
My word was sawdust which I associated with building. The book I read was The Back Building written by Julie Dewey
Scoring:
Title
2 points the title is in the bottom half of the cover
1 point if the title contains a verb building
Author
1 point if the author is female
Cover
4 points if the title and author are printed in the same colour
Pages
1 point if your book has 200-299 pages
Bonus points
3 points if there are eggs in the story, collects eggs from henhouse
3 points mathematical calculation: main character had OCD and always counted her steps
3 points if there’s a scene set in a hospital: whole story based around life in mental asylum, character sent to hospital to have her stomach pumped after attempted suicide.
total points 18
Peggy wrote: "Nice score Lisa Ann :)
Could you please add the challenge word and your association to your post? Thanks!"
Done and thanks. :)
Could you please add the challenge word and your association to your post? Thanks!"
Done and thanks. :)
The word given to me was Silence and the associated word I used was Golden
Title (excluding subtitles)
a. 4 points if the title starts with your associated word
Author
b. 3 points if the author was born in Europe
c. 2 points if the author is younger than 50
d. 1 point if the author is female
Cover
a. 4 points if the title and author are printed in the same color
Pages
b. 3 points if your book has 400-499 pages
Bonus points
b. For Pi Day, 3 points if a mathematical calculation of some sort is made
c. For National Doctor’s day, 3 points if there’s a scene set in a hospital
Total Points: 23 points
Sarah wrote: "My challenge word was wood and my association word was forest. I chose to read Daughter of the ForestTitle
b. 3 points if the title has ex..."
Sorry Sarah, my intention was actual eggs.
My word was SUN and the association I went with was SUMMER. The book I selected is The Summer Book by Tove Jansson. This book was first published when she was 58 years of age. She lived to be 87 years old, dying in 2011.
Scoring:
Title
0 pts
Author
3 points - author born in Europe (born 1914 in Helsinki, Finland)
1 point - author female
Cover
4 points - title and author same color
3 points - no black on the cover
2 points - some natural scenery on cover (island with trees)
Pages
0 pts - 176 pages
0 Bonus points
Total = 13 points
My challenge word was moonlight which brought me to the word night. I read Another Saturday Night and I Ain't Got No Body. Scoring:
Title (excluding subtitles)
0 points
Author
c. 2 points if the author is younger than 50 (Thanks to Heather, she found that the author is 48).
d. 1 point if the author is female
Points: 3
Cover
0 points
Pages
c. 2 points if your book has 300-399 pages
Points: 2
Bonus points
a. For Easter, 3 points if there are eggs in the story (a few varieties of eggs are eaten in the book for breakfast!)
Points: 3
Total Points: 8 (earlier I think I miscounted oops)
Her GR profile says 48. So you're good! :)
You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
Books mentioned in this topic
The Violet Hour (other topics)Girl Underwater (other topics)
Magic of Thieves (other topics)
Honeymoon with Death (other topics)
The Puzzle Ring (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Brynn Chapman (other topics)Amy Corwin (other topics)
Ursula Hegi (other topics)
Jennifer Niven (other topics)
Sarah Addison Allen (other topics)
More...
When reporting, mention the challenge word, your association, and explain the association if not obvious.
Scoring:
Title (excluding subtitles)
a. 4 points if the title starts with your associated word
b. 3 points if the title has exactly 4 words
c. 2 points if the title is in the bottom half of the cover
d. 1 point if the title contains a verb
Author
a. 4 points if the author’s first and last name start with the same letter
b. 3 points if the author was born in Europe
c. 2 points if the author is younger than 50
d. 1 point if the author is female
Cover
a. 4 points if the title and author are printed in the same color
b. 3 points if there’s no black on the cover
c. 2 points if there’s a bit of natural scenery on the cover (e.g., fields of grass, mountains, lakes, rivers)
d. 1 point if there’s a drink on the cover
Pages
a. 4 points if your book has 500+ pages
b. 3 points if your book has 400-499 pages
c. 2 points if your book has 300-399 pages
d. 1 point if your book has 200-299 pages
Bonus points
a. For Easter, 3 points if there are eggs in the story
b. For Pi Day, 3 points if a mathematical calculation of some sort is made
c. For National Doctor’s day, 3 points if there’s a scene set in a hospital