The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
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WINTER CHALLENGE 2016
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Completed Tasks: PLEASE DO NOT DELETE ANY POST IN THIS THREAD

20.5. Bigger is Better - Loafer's Task: The Long and Short of It
Option 2 - Read a book that is a collection of short stories or essays.
States in the description "collection of personal essays"
Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls, and Everything in Between by Lauren Graham
Points this post: 20
Total points: 80

Option 1: I or Eye? there are two Is and two Es in the title:
Princes in the Land by Joanna Cannan
****Golden Oldie**** first published 1938
Total points 100

5.3 - Sole Survivor
Read a book that is number 1 in a series.
Transmetropolitan, Vol. 1: Back on the Street by Warren Ellis
# 1 in transmetropolitan series
15.7 - Tales of Middle-earth
Read a book with a main page genre that contains “Fantasy”
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin.
MPG fantasy
Points this post: 20
Total points: 115
Tasks completed: 11

I chose Option 4 and Option 6.
OPTION 4 - Read a book from the following list of 21 Brilliant Books you never heard of.
The Box Man by Kōbō Abe
OPTION 6 – pick a book from Time Magazines 100 best non-fiction books of all time
The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee
#61 on list
Task total=30
Season total=225

5.9 - Listmaker
Read a book that was FIRST published in a year that contains the numbers 2 AND 5
Crash & Burn by Lisa Gardner
Was published February 3, 2015
Points This Post: 5
Total Points: 115/1075
BB Tickets This Post: 0
Total BB Tickets: 500+: (1), 750+: (0), 1000+: (0)
Total GO Tickets: 0
Books Read: 12
Tasks Completed: 9

10.7. Rollin on the River
I read Small Victories: Recipes, Advice + Hundreds of Ideas for Home Cooking Triumphs by Julia Turshen, "Food and Drink>Food" as a MPG (verified). There's at least 100 pages of text.
15.7 - Tales of Middle-earth
I read Jonesy by Sam Humphries and Caitlin Rose Boyle. "Fantasy" is a MPG (verified).
20.1 Most Improved Player - CynBaxter's Task: Christmas in the Caribbean
I chose Option 1. I read The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl by Issa Rae. I and R are in CARIBBEAN.
Task 20.6. Seasoned Reader – Nicola T's Task: Repos Production’s 7Wonders
I chose Option 1. I read

20.7. Shorter is Sweeter - Elizabeth P's Task: One or Two?
I chose Option 1. I read Searching for John Hughes: Or Everything I Thought I Needed to Know about Life I Learned from Watching '80s Movies by Jason Diamond. There are two "I"s (in "searching" and "everything") and two "E"s (in "searching" and "Hughes").
Previous point total: 130
New points this post: 10+15+20+20+20
Total points: 215
New tasks completed in this post: 5
Total tasks: 17
GO tickets this post: 0
Total GO: 1
Big Book tickets this post: 0
Total Big Books: 0

I read Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty. This book satisfies option two because it has a giant lollipop stick on the cover that would make a great Festivus pole!

I also read The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson. This fits option five because it is labeled book number three in the Mistborn series.
I am claiming two Big Book tickets for The Hero of Ages. It has 768 pages.
Points this post: 25
Total points: 120
Tasks complete: 6
Books read: 7
Golden Oldies: 0
Big Book Tickets: 5

Read a book with the number of pages as listed on Goodreads that includes the number 1 or 2.
Joe Pepper (1975) by Elmer Kelton (Paperback, 182 pages)
170 + 05 = 175
Tasks Completed: 12
Points for this post: 05
Points thus far: 170 + 05 = 175
Books read: 14
Pages read: 3,749
Read but not claimed: 05
Goodreads Authors: 04
Golden Oldies: 01
Big Books:
(1) 500+
(0) 750+
(0) 1,000+

Read a book that is number 1 in a series

This is book 1 in the Natalie King, Forensic Psychiatrist series
* This book was an ARC
-----------------------------------------
5.4 - Best Laid Plans
Read a book that fits one of the Fall 2016 5, 10 or 15 point tasks.
I used 5.6 - Candy
Read a book by an author who has at least 2 Ms in their GR name

by Tim Murphy
M in tiM and M in Murphy
* This book was an ARC
-------------------------------------------------
25.8 - Backwards Alphabet Code
Book 1 - Read a book whose title begins with a letter in the left-hand column.
Book 2 - Read a book whose title begins with the letter in the right-hand column that corresponds to the letter you selected from the left-hand.
My letters are D-W
Book 1 -

280 pages
Book 2 -

324 pages
Total: 604 pages
* Both books are ARC's
---------------------------------------------------
Task 30.4 - Readers Recommend
OPTION 1 - Reader ratings
Read a book with an average GR rating above 4.24

368 pages
Rating as of today, January 13 is 4.36
* This book was an ARC
OPTION 2 – Awards Season
Read a book that features as a winner or nominee on the GR choice awards for 2016

Finalist in the Fiction Category
512 pages
* Claiming a BB ticket for this book
Total: 880 pages
----------------------------------------------
POINTS
Points This Post: 65
Points Total: 65/1075
Golden Oldies:
Big Books: 1
500 (√) 750 () 1000 ()
Tasks Completed:
GO Total:
BB Total: 1

15.9 - It's Summer Somewhere - Read a book from this list: Summer Beach Reads or with the word "Summer" in the title or subtitle.
The Summer I Turned Pretty
Points this task: 15
Total points: 560
Golden Oldies ticket requests: 4
Big Book ticket requests: 1
Books read: 39
Tasks completed: 29

Task 10.2 - Read a book with a word in the title/subtitle ending in “ing.”

Playing with Fire by Tess Gerritsen
Points This Post - 10
Total Points - 130

Date: January 13, 2017
Task 15.8 - Not-So-Secret (leavening) Agent
Please Do Not Taunt the Octopus by Mira Grant - approved in e-length verification spreadsheet in line 1777
N, O - not
A - please
H - the
O, C, O - Octopus
Points this post: 15
Points to date: 280
GO Tickets: 3
BB TIckets: 1

Task 20.6. Seasoned Reader – Nicola T's Task: Repos Production’s 7Wonders
Option 1 "wood" in title (also wood house and tree trunks and cobble stone walkway on cover- 'cause I like the cover)

Murder at Redwood Cove
Janet Finsilver
Paperback, 198 pages 1/12
Points this post: 20
Total points: 420
Books posted: 38
Tasks complete: 36
Pages this post: 198
Total pages as of this post: 11283

10.1. Let's Follow Up
Venetia by Heyer Georgette
15.8 - Not-So-Secret (leavening) Agent
Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson
25.11 - Wayne's Task: A Festivus for the Rest of Us!
4:Arabella by Georgette Heyer (315 pgs - pg 9 of strong women list)
5: Along Came Love by Tracey Livesay (#2 - 351 pigs)
TALLY:
This post - 50 points
Total - 365

20.7. Shorter is Sweeter - Elizabeth P's Task: One or Two?
Option One: 2 “I”s AND 2 “E”s in title
I: Darl i ng Dahl i as
E: Tr ee
The Darling Dahlias and the Cucumber Tree
Susan Wittig Albert
Paperback, 304 pages
Points this post: 20
Total points: 440
Books posted: 39
Tasks complete: 37
Pages this post: 304
Total pages as of this post: 11587

20.8 - Nickels & Dimes - no task
20.9 Moderator's pet - Heather (Gibby)'s Task: Celebrating Proofreading
Option 2: Die
A Ticket to Die For
David J. Walker
Hardcover 272 1/12
Points this post: 20
Total points: 460
Books posted: 40
Tasks complete: 38
Pages this post: 272
Total pages as of this post: 11859

I read Lucky Dog Lessons: Train Your Dog in 7 Days by Brandon McMillan as the book of my choice.
Points this post: 5
Total points: 125
Tasks complete: 7
Books read: 8
Golden Oldies: 0
Big Book Tickets: 5

I am shifting a book (Crossroads of Twilight) from Task 25.6 (previously posted) to 25.9 (new). These two tasks will now look like this:
25.6 - Trishhartuk's Task: Celebrate the City
Book 1- Option 4: Read a book from the following list of speculative fiction set in London.
I read Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman.
Book 2- Option 5: Read a book by an author who shares a name with one of those commemorated at postman's park.
I read The Path of Daggers by Robert Jordan. (The name Robert is included on the list of those commemorated).
**At 685 pages this is a Big book **
25.9 - Brooke TX's Task: Is It Ancient, or Just a Classic?
Book 1- Option 2: Read a book that is #5 or #10 in a series.
I read Crossroads of Twilight by Robert Jordan. It is the 10th book in the Wheel of Time series.
**This has already been claimed as a Big book **
Book 2- Option 3: Read a book whose author's first and last name initials can be found in CERTAMEN.
I read The Rose & the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh. R and A are contained in CERTAMEN.
Points this post: 25
Total points: 80
Total tasks completed: 4
Big books this post: 1
Big books total: 2
Total golden oldies: 1

10.9. Stories Say..............
I read The Wrath & the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh. This book was verified for a Fantasy>Mythology MPG on the task help thread- see either post 2 or post 51 there.
Points this post: 10
Total points: 90
Total tasks completed: 5
Big Books: 2
Golden Oldies: 1

Opal Fire by Barbra Annino - 1/13/17 - MPG Fantasy>Paranormal>121 users
Points This Post - 15
Total Points - 515

Date: January 13, 2017
Task 20.3. Best Review - Lorraine's Task: It Was The Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times
Option D: If at First You Don't Succeed
Dune by Frank Herbert
Claiming 1 BB ticket (517 pages)
Total points this post: 20
Total points to date: 305
GO Tickets: 3
BB Tickets: 2

25.10 – Pamela3265's Task: Tis the Season
Option 1: The Christmas Season
For this option read a book by an author whose first and last initals can be found in CHRISTMAS CARDS.
Gimme a Call by Sarah Mlynowski
CHRISTMAS CARDS
Option 3: January Birthdays
For this option read a book with a main page genre of history, historical fiction, romance, young adult, fantasy or science fiction. Genres can be embedded.
River Marked by Patricia Briggs
Main page genre Fantasy
Total points this post: 25
Total points: 130

5.4 - Best Laid Plans
From fall task 15.4, option A
Book title begins with letter "A"
All Clear
by Connie Willis
This is a BIG BOOK (2 tickets). I listened to the audio version.
MMPB has 957 pages All Clear
5.6 - Jolly Old St Nicholas
Author name has a form of "Nicolas"
The Sun Is Also a Star
by NICOLA Yoon
5.8 - Full Moon
Title contains "night"
Night Film
by Marisha Pessl
This is a BIG BOOK (1 ticket). I listened to the audio version.
Paperback has 606 pages Night Film
10.6. More Following Through!
This was a new author for me in 2016, when I read the first book in this series. This is book #2
River of Blue Fire
by Tad Williams
This is a BIG BOOK (1 ticket), 634 pages.
-----
Points: 25
Tasks: 4
Books: 4
BB Tickets: 4

Amy O.
10.4. Fire and Ice - book where all letters of FIRE and ICE can be found in title/subtitle/author's name.
The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
**This book is a Golden Oldie - first published 1920**
F, I, E, C, E - the agE oF InnoCEnce
I, R - edIth whaRton
10.5. Noel! - book with no L in title or author's name
The Buccaneers by Edith Wharton
**This book is a Golden Oldie - first published 1938**
Points this post: 20
Total points: 65
Tasks completed: 5
Books read: 5
Golden Oldies: 2
Big Books: 0

25.9 - Brooke TX's Task: Is It Ancient, or Just a Classic?
Option 2: book which is #5 or #10 in a series
The Tangled Thread by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles (#10 in The Morland Dynasty series)
Option 4: book with main page genre Humor or Funny
Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis
Points this post: 25
Total points: 90
Tasks completed: 6
Books read: 7
Golden Oldies: 2
Big Books: 0

5.10- Your Own 8th Wonder
The Thrall's Tale - Judith Lindbergh (choice) 1/8
***************************
15.7 - Tales of Middle-earth
The Edge of the World - Kevin Anderson (fantasy) 1/13
BIG BOOK = 608 pages
Totals for Challenge
Points this Post: 20
Total Points: 295

5.3 Sole Survivor- #1 in a series
Annihilation
5.5 -December, January, February - # of pages includes a 1 or 2
Any Day Now
** Number of pages = 287
10.3 They're Old- MPG of Historical Fiction or History
Victoria
** MPG of Historical
Points this post: 20
Total Points: 145
GO Total: 2 / BB Total: 1

25.9 - Brooke TX's Task: Is It Ancient, or Just a Classic?
Option 2: #5 in series
Jagged by Kristen Ashley
#5 in the Colorado Mountain series
Option 3: Author initials in CERTAMEN
The Closers by Michael Connelly
~~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 25
Total Points: 160/1075
Total Books Read: 14
Tasks Completed: 10/60

30.6 - Ava Catherine’s Task: Travels
3) Read a book with the main page genre classic(s).
The Lottery and Other Stories -302 pages- Classics main page genre
5) Read a book with the main page genre historical fiction or history.
Never Seduce a Scot-372 pages- Historical Fiction on main page genre
302 + 372= 674 pages out of 500 page requirement
Points this post:30
Total Points:255
Books read:20
Tasks Done: 16

25.10 Tis the Season (2 books)
Option 1: Author initials in CHRISTMAS CARDS
The Whole 30: The Official 30-day Guide To Total Health And Food Freedom by Melissa Hartwig
Melissa Hartwig is a GR author
Option 4: Non-fiction, genre self-help
The Declutter Code: 10 Simple Steps to Clarity by Yvette Bowlin
Yvette Bowlin is a GR author
Task points: 25
Challenge points: 105
GR authors: 3

20.4 - Golden Oldies - Mhairi's Task: The Nightmare Before Christmas
Option 1: Skull on Cover
Eighth Grave After Dark by Darynda Jones

~~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 20
Total Points: 180/1075
Total Books Read: 15
Tasks Completed: 11/60

30.4 - Mazza1's Task - Readers Recommend
Taking the 2 book option:
Option 1 - Read a book with an average GR rating above 4.24
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Ebook, Paperback for page length (no MMPB): Between the World and Me, 152 pgs
Option 2 - Read a book that features as a winner or nominee on the GR choice awards for 2016 it's in the Best Mystery & Thriller category
The Trespasser by Tana French
Hardcover, 449 pgs
152 + 449 = 601 pgs
Points this post: 30
Total points: 110

Adjustment to post 812.
15.7 Tales of Middle-earth
Main page genre is Fantasy
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein
This book was originally published in 1937. Claiming 1 Golden Oldie ticket.
Apparently when the mods looked at this it showed "Children's" as a main page genre. When I look at it, I only see four main page genres:
Fantasy: 39,617
Classics: 12,455
Fiction: 10,557
Adventure: 2,542
See here for screen shot image. It's the whole image underneath the top row of books.) Which makes me think we don't all see the same thing when it comes to main page genres depending on screen size and advertising space.
Nevertheless, here is the AR information:
IL: UG - BL: 6.6 - AR Pts: 16.0

10.3 genre Historical Fiction Sweetwater
25.11
Option 3: Infected: Prey, 376 pgs (my friend CJ rated it 2 stars)
Option 5: 3rd in a series Ethan in Gold (350 ps)
Total page count 726 >500
Points this post: 35
Total: 480+35=515

25.1 Andy P’s Task: Bookends
Book 1. Read a book written by a single author in which the First letter of the author’s First name is the same as the Last letter of his/her Last name.
Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea, Nancy athertoN
Book 2. Read a book in which the First letter of the First word is the same as the Last letter of the Last word in the title.
Death on demanD, Carolyn G Hart
Points this Task: 25
Books Read: 2
Golden Oldie/Big Book: No
Total Points: 470
Tasks Completed: 24
Golden Oldies: 3
Big Books: 2 (500+ x2)

#20.04 – Golden Oldie: Mhairi's Task: The Nightmare Before Christmas
Task: Read a book with a skeleton, skull, or bones on the cover or one of these words in the title or subtitle.
Option 1: Speaking from Among the Bones by Alan Bradley - the word "bones" is in the title
Points this post: 20 points
Total points to date = 460 points
BB tickets this post: 0
Total BB tickets to date: 2
GOLDEN OLDIE this post: 0
Total “GOLDIE” tickets to date: 1

Task 25.8 - Beth F's Task: Backwards Alphabet Code
Book 1: I read The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen. 422 pages
Book 2: I read Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson. 436 pages.
Task 30.7 - Jonquil’s Task: Dreams are made of this
Book 1: I read The Confectioner's Tale by Laura Madeleine. It is set in Paris, as indicated on the book's main page.
Book 2: I read Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman. It is set in London, also indicated on the book's main page.
Points this post: 55
Total: 245
Books read: 18
Tasks finished: 13

25.9 - Brooke TX's Task: Is It Ancient, or Just a Classic?
Option 1: Read a book whose title/subtitle contains a word of at least 4 letters that can be made from the letters found in "QUIS EST CAESAR TIBI NUNC?"
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
quis est CAesar tiBI Nunc? word = CABIN
Option 3: Read a book whose author's first and last name initials can be found in CERTAMEN.
The Master by Colm Tóibín
CerTamen
points: 25
total: 230
BB: 5
GO: 4
tasks completed: 14

25.11 - A Festivus for the Rest of Us!
(book 1 + book 2 = at least 500 pages)
• Option 3: a book that so disappointed one of your GR friends that they only gave it a 1 or 2 star rating.
Sobrevivente by Chuck Palahniuk (★★★★)
My friend Andreas gave 2 stars to this book. It has 360 pages.
• Option 4: a book from the list Strong Male Characters.
Drácula by Bram Stoker (★★★)
This book is a Brazilian edition of "Dracula", which is on page 1 of the list. It has 406 pages.
**I'd like a GO ticket since "Dracula" was first published in 1897**
(book 1 + book 2 = 766 pages)
_____________________________________________
Current Post
Points: 25
GO: 1
BB: -
Total
Points: 175
GO: 2
BB: -

Read a book set at least 50% in a location of an ancient wonder: Egypt, Iraq, Greece, Turkey.

This book is based in the Belkan Countries, and is most of the book is in European Turkey.
Points from this post: 5
Total Points I've Completed: 10
Tasks Completed: 2
Books read: 2

25.1 - Andy P.'s task: Bookends
Book 1
Virgin River by Robyn Carr
- autor's name starts and ends with R
- 423 pgs
Book 2
Smoke & Mirrors by Charlie Cochet
- title starts and ends with S
- 230 pgs
423 + 230 = 653 pgs (>500)
25.6 - Trishhartuk's Task: Celebrate the City
Option 3
The Aeronaut's Windlass by Jim Butcher
- on the list: Worshipful Company of Butchers
Option 5
Stiletto by Daniel O'Malley
- name on the list is Daniel Pemberton
Points this post: 50
Total points: 205
Tasks Completed: 10

20.7 - One or Two?
• Option 1: a book that has 2 “I”s AND 2 “E”s in the title/subtitle (more than 2 of both/either are okay).
Nick & Norah - Uma Noite de Amor e Música by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan (★★)
"I" in Nick and Noite; "E" in Noite and de.
_____________________________________________
Current Post
Points: 20
GO: -
BB: -
Total
Points: 195
GO: 2
BB: -

Ameriikan raitilla by Antti Tuuri
5.9 - Listmaker
Takaashigani: A Deep Sea Thriller first published 2015
10.1. Let's Follow Up
Murha Mesopotamiassa by Agatha Christie
*first published 1936, claiming one Golden Oldie ticket*
30.2: SCHATZIE’S TASK: Pros & Cons
Option One: The PROs
Sieppari ruispellossa found in Best Books About Family Relationships, page 1
Option Two: CONs
Scotland: A History: 8000 B.C.-A.D. 2000
Points this post: 50
Points total: 385
GO total: 2
BB total: 0
Tasks completed: 27
Books read: 31

Please could i swop a book
I submitted A Christmas Carol for task 5.10
I would like to replace that with Maisie Dobbs in order to use a christmas carol elsewhere thanks

Task 25.8 The Backwards Alphabet
The total combined page count for both books MUST be at least 500 pages.
For this task only, ignore the articles that begin a title: a, an, the.
Book 1 - Ignoring the articles "the", "a" and "an", read a book whose title begins with a letter in the left-hand column. (A-Z)
Dialogues of a Crime 304 pages
Book 2 - Ignoring the articles "the", "a" and "an", read a b
ook whose title begins with the letter in the right-hand column that corresponds to the letter you selected from the left-hand. (Z-A)
Wife 22 380 pages
Total combined page value of 684 pages
Points claimed this post = 25
Points claimed to date = 655

10.2 - A book with an -ing word in title
Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls, and Everything in Between by Lauren Graham
15.6 A book originally published in a language that isn't your native tongue
Ladivine by Marie NDiaye (originally published in French, I'm a native English-speaker)
15.9 A book with "summer" in title or subtitle
Firefly Summer by Maeve Binchy (BB -2 - 928 pages)
Points this post: 40
Points in total: 15
BB: 2
GO: 0
Tasks completed: 3
Books read: 3

30 point tasks
30.1 - Maya's Task : Good Things Come in Pairs
Option one
A: Read a book that is 1st in a series. This must be indicated by the book's metadata on Goodreads, and must be marked as #1 in the series (no .5 prequels).
Dorothy Must Die
AND
B: Read the 2nd book in the same series as book A. This must be indicated by the book's metadata on Goodreads, and must be marked as #2 in the series.
The Wicked Will Rise
Task 30.4 - Mazza1's Task - Readers Recommend
Using the one book option
And the Band Played on: Politics, People, and the AIDS
Epidemic
book of over 600 pages which fits
OPTION 1 - reader ratings having a rating of 4.37
AND
OPTION 6 reading to broaden your mind - in times 100 best non fiction at number 26 on that list
30. 5 Dlmrose's Task: This and that, then this or that
Book 1: Read a book with a title or subtitle that contains an “and” coordinating conjunction phrase: “[word] and [word]”. Ampersands “&” are considered “and” for this task.
Deep Fried and Pickled
Book 2: Using the “and” phrase from Book 1, read a book whose title begins with one of the words joined by the “and” as described below. Words must match exactly.
Use the word immediately preceding the “and”
Fried Ants and Yorkshire Pudding
Points this post = 90
Total points to date = 745
Tasks completed to date = 49
Books read to date = 61
Golden Oldie tickets this post = 0
Total golden oldie tickets = 4
BB tickets this post = 0
BB tickets to date = 1

10.5 Noel!
NO "L" in the title/subtitle and NO "L" in the author name
Victoria by Daisy Goodwin
Points this post: 10
Total Points: 145
GO: 2
BB:1
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Task Claiming: 15.10 The Plane The Plane
All the Gallant Men: An American Sailor's Firsthand Account of Pearl Harbor