The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
WINTER CHALLENGE 2016
>
Completed Tasks: PLEASE DO NOT DELETE ANY POST IN THIS THREAD

Option 1: I read Salt to the Sea with 391 pages and 4.38 rating.
Option 2: I read The Underground Railroad with 432 pages and Historical Fiction category.
Points this post: 30 points
Total points to date = 30 points

5.5 - December, January, February
One for the Money byJanet Evanovich This book has 320 pages so includes the number 2 in the page count
5.6 - Jolly Old St Nicholas
See Me by Nicholas Sparks
Nicholas Sparks' name matches the requirement for the challenge being Nicholas.
5.10- Your Own 8th Wonder
Lady Knight by Tamora Pierce
20.2. Rookie at the Top - Justme's Task: Fun & Games
Option 1:Trickster's Queen by Tamora Pierce Queen is a card type for the challenge. The book has Queen in the title.
Points this post:35
Total points: 160
Books posted: 11
Tasks complete: 10
Pages this post:1691
Total pages as of this post:4483
Big Book Tickets:2
Golden Oldies:1

I read Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh. This book was first published in 2015
Points this post: 5
Total points: 5
Tasks completed: 1
Books read: 1

30.6 Ava Catherine’s task: Travels
Option 2: Jackson Hole, Wyoming: Read a book with the main page genre western.
As The Crow Flies, Craig Johnson (308pg)
Shelved as Western by 73 users.
Option 5: London, England: Read a book with the main page genre historical fiction or history.
The Little Stranger, Sarah Waters (512pg)
Shelved as Historical Fiction by 140 users
Big Book: 512pg
Total pages: 308+512 = 820pg
Points this Task: 30
Books Read: 2
Golden Oldie: No
Big Book: Yes – The Little Stranger is 512pg
Total Points: 40
Tasks Completed: 2
Golden Oldies: 1
Big Books: 1 (500+ x 1)

20.2 Option 3 Myst a first book in a series which begins with the letter M.
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, Ransom Riggs
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: UG - BL: 5.7 - AR Pts: 13.0
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP
Points this post: 20
Total points: 35
GO:
BB:
Tasks completed: 3
Books read: 3

A minimum of 600 pages is required for this task. If you choose the 1 book option, it must have at least 600 pages, and must satisfy 2 of the listed criteria.
I chose to read 1 book.
OPTION 1 - Reader ratings
Read a book with an average GR rating above 4.24
OPTION 2 – Awards Season
Read a book that features as a winner or nominee on the GR choice awards for 2016 (winners announced end of November) Goodreads Choice Awards
REQUIRED – identify the category in which the book is nominated
A Gentleman in Moscow
The book has a rating of 4.41. It was nominated for Goodreads Choice Awards – Historical Fiction category.
** The Gentleman in Moscow is a Big Book (700 pages). Claiming 1 BB ticket.**
Points This Post: 30
Total Points: 30
Tasks Completed: 1
Books Read: 1
Big Book Tickets: 1
Golden Oldies Tickets: -

Option 4: Volleyball - Ball on the Cover
Calico Joe Baseball on the Cover

Points: 20
Total Points: 20

Task 5.10 Your Own 8th Wonder
Book of choice (my 1 5 point book with 80-99 pages)
Midnight in Death by J.D. Robb
Points this post:5
Total points:5
Tasks completed:1
Books read:1
Golden Oldies:0
Big Books:500+(0)750+(0)1000+(0)

Task 5.3 - Sole Survivor - Read a book that is number 1 in a series

Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand
*First in Winter series
Points This Post - 5
Total Points - 20

5.4 - Best Laid Plans
Fall 5.4 - Flowers author initials in C RANE S BILLGERANIUM (CS)
Holidays Can Be Murder
Connie Shelton
Paperback, 148 pages 12/6
Points this post: 5
Total points: 20
Books posted: 4
Tasks complete: 4
Pages this post: 148
Total pages as of this post: 1061

15.7 - Tales of Middle-earth
J.R.R. Tolkien was born January 3, 1892. He is best known as the author of classic high-fantasy including The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Read a book with a main page genre that contains “Fantasy”
The Final Empire
Listed as 8 on best fantasy books of the 21st century
Total points: 15

20.2 Rookie at the Top - Justme's Task: Fun & Games
Option 2. Dungeons & Dragons: Read a book with a two word title in which both words begin with the same letter.
Count Catula, Kathi Daley
Points this Task: 20
Books Read: 1
Golden Oldie/Big Book: No
Total Points: 60
Tasks Completed: 3
Golden Oldies: 1
Big Books: 1 (500+ x 1)

5.1 - The Ancients

5.2 - Location, Location, Location

(set in Greece)
5.3 - Sole Survivor

(October Daye #1)
5.4 - Best Laid Plans

(used Fall Task 5.4 - Flowers - initials must be in CRANESBILL GERANIUM)
5.5 - December, January, February

(Paperback, 421 pages)
Total Points = 25

A word in the title/subtitle ending in “ing.”
The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach
*Claiming a BB ticket, 512 pages*
Points this post: 10
Total Points: 15/1075
Tasks completed: 2/60
Books Read: 2
Golden Oldies: 1
Big Books:500+(1)750+(0)1000+(0)

20.7. Shorter is Sweeter - Elizabeth P's Task: One or Two?
Option 1: 2 “I”s and 2 “E”s
The Invisible Life of Ivan Isaenko by Scott Stambach
Points this post: 20
Total points: 60
Tasks completed: 3
Books read: 3
Big Books: 500=0, 750=0, 1000=0
Golden Oldie tickets: 0

15.5 - B-I-N-G-O!
Read a book where the FIRST word of the title begins with a letter in BINGO.
Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani
Bingo
points: 15
total: 20
BB: 0
GO: 0
tasks completed: 2

5.4 - Best Laid Plans
The Kitchen House This book fits Task 10.4 from the Fall 2016 challenge. (Title contains the word "kitchen".)
Points this post: 5
Total points: 25
Tasks completed: 3
Books read: 3
Golden Oldies: 0
Big Books: 500=0, 750=0, 1000=0 (Total BB tickets=0)

Task: 20.7. Shorter is Sweeter - Elizabeth P's Task: One or Two?
I read Option One: I or Eye?: Read a book that has 2 “I”s AND 2 “E”s in the title/subtitle - more than 2 of both/either are okay
I read Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer
The title has 4 "I"s and 5 "E"s
Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer
Points this post: 20
Points in total:35
BB:0
GO:0
Tasks completed:2
Books read:2

10.4. Fire and Ice - Read a book with all letters of FIRE and of ICE found in the book’s title/subtitle/author name.
Knitting Ephemera: A Compendium of Articles, Useful and Otherwise, for the Edification and Amusement of the Handknitter
Points this task: 10
Total points: 150
Golden Oldies ticket requests: 2
Big Book ticket requests: 0
Books read: 10
Tasks completed: 10

Read another book by an author you read for the first time in 2016 (including December).
Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake
REQUIRED: Kendare Blake was a new author for me in 2016.
Points this post: 10
Total points: 10

Café Scheherazade by Arnold Zable
232 pages
25.10 – Pamela3265's Task: Tis the Season
Option 1: For this option read a book by an author whose first and last initals can be found in CHRISTMAS CARDS.
Contest by Matthew Reilly
author's initials, MR, found in chRistMas
Option 3: 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.
Red Dust by Fleur McDonald
Genre: Romance
Total this Post: 30
Season Total: 30

10.5. Noel!
Dirty Score - Skye Jordan - no L in either title or author name; ebook only approved in msg #5928 of the approval thread
20.7. Shorter is Sweeter - Elizabeth P's Task: One or Two
Option 1 - Sweet Addiction - 2 E's in Sweet, 2 I's in Addiction
Total this post: 30
Total overall: 45

Task 15.7 - Tales of Middle-earth - J.R.R. Tolkien was born January 3, 1892. He is best known as the author of classic high-fantasy including The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Read a book with a main page genre that contains “Fantasy.”
The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman
From GoodReads main page:
Genres
Fantasy
10,515 users
Young Adult
3,668 users
Fiction
2,369 users
From ARBookFinder (due to Childrens' genre designation):
IL: UG - BL: 6.2 - AR Pts: 16.0
[POINTS]
This Post: 15
Total Points: 25
Books Read: 3
Completed Tasks: 3

I did Option 2, read one book that fulfilled both Book A(interrogative word) and book B (non-fiction) requirements.
What it is Like to Go to War
"What" is an interrogative word, and it is a non-fiction book
Points this post: 15
Total Points: 15

5.8 - Full Moon
Cold Cold Heart - Tami Hoag (cold is on the list) 12/3
******************************************
15.5 - B-I-N-G-O!
One Moonlit Night - Samantha James 12/6
Totals for Challenge
Points this Post: 20
Total Points: 20
BIG BOOKS: 500+: (0), 750+: (0); 1000+: (0)

Tender at the Bone: Growing Up at the Table by Ruth Reichl - 12/06/16 - MPG Food and Drink > Food>573 users
10.10. Got Your Lottery Ticket? - Read a book by Shirley Jackson.
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson - 12/06/16
Points This Post - 20
Total Points - 40

I chose Option One: Read a book that has 2 “I”s AND 2 “E”s in the title/subtitle
The Trial Of Sören Qvist by Janet Lewis
"I" in Trial, Qvist
"E" in The, Soren
Task=20
Season total=40

Task 15.7 - Tales of Middle Earth
Book with main page genre Fantasy
The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson
At 748 pages, good for *1 Big Book Ticket*
Link: The Hero of Ages
Points this Post: 15
Total Points: 40
Total Tasks: 4
Golden Oldies: 0
Big Books: 1
Total Books: 4

5.4 - Best Laid Plans
Read a book that fits one of the Fall 2016 Tasks.
Frog by Mary Calmes
Fits Fall 5.6 Candy task - M in Mary and M in Calmes
Ebook only - verification on Line 931 of SRC spreadsheet
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
15.5 - B-I-N-G-O!
Read a book where the FIRST word of the title begins with a letter in BINGO.
Big Jack by J.D. Robb
Title begins with B
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
25.10 – Pamela3265's Task: Tis the Season
Option 1: The Christmas Season
Read a book by an author whose first and last initals can be found in CHRISTMAS CARDS.
Brutal Game by Cara McKenna
C & M in ChristMas
Option 3: January Birthdays
Read a book with a main page genre of history, historical fiction, romance, young adult, fantasy or science fiction.
To Tame A Highland Warrior by Karen Marie Moning
MPG Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Romance & Science Fiction
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Points this post: 45
Total Points: 45

15.7 - Tales of Middle-earth:
Read a book with a main page genre that contains “Fantasy”:
Awakening by Marjorie M. Liu.
Points this post: 15
Total points: 20
Golden Oldies this post: 0
Total Golden Oldies: 0
Big Book Tickets this post: 0
Total Big Book Tickets:
BBooks - 500+: 0
BBooks - 750+: 0
BBooks - 1000+: 0

Read a book that was originally published in a language other than your native language. Required: In your post, state your native language and the original language of the book.
The Vegetarian
My native language is Romanian and the book was originally published in Korean
Points This Post: 15
Total Points: 15
Tasks Completed: 1
Books Read: 1
Big Book Tickets: 0
Golden Oldies Tickets: -

10.6. More Following Through!
A book by an author you read for the first time in 2016
Addicted for Now by Krista Ritchie
* first read this author in January, 2016
This Task: 10
Overall: 10

20.1 - Most Improved Player - Cynbaxter's Task: Christmas in the Caribbean
Option 1: Lucky Us by Amy Bloom
Points this post: 20
Total points: 55
**************************
Tasks Completed: 4
Books Read: 7

10.3.They're Old! - In honor of ancient wonders, read a book with History or Historical Fiction as a main page genre.
Messenger of Truth - genre verified here
Points this task: 10
Total points: 160
Golden Oldies ticket requests: 2
Big Book ticket requests: 0
Books read: 11
Tasks completed: 11

15.7 - Tales of Middle-Earth
Read a book with a main page genre that contains “Fantasy”
Gone With the Witch, Heather Blake
Shelved as Fantasy > Paranormal 22 users; Fantasy > Magic 17 users
Points this Task: 15
Books Read: 1
Golden Oldie/Big Book: No
Total Points: 75
Tasks Completed: 4
Golden Oldies: 1
Big Books: 1 (500+ x 1)
Dlmrose
5.3 - Sole Survivor
#1 Crucifixion Creek: A Belltree Mystery by Barry Maitland
10.5. Noel!
No L: Mothering Sunday by Graham Swift
10.9. Stories Say..............
mythology genre: Trapped by Kevin Hearne
total = 25
5.3 - Sole Survivor
#1 Crucifixion Creek: A Belltree Mystery by Barry Maitland
10.5. Noel!
No L: Mothering Sunday by Graham Swift
10.9. Stories Say..............
mythology genre: Trapped by Kevin Hearne
total = 25

5.4 - Best Laid Plans
Read a book that fits one of the Fall 2016 5, 10 or 15 point tasks.
Fall 10.3 - 3 X 3 - Read a book that has a three word TITLE that consists of a list of exactly different three words that are all the same part of speech
Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert
points: 5
total: 25
BB: 0
GO: 0
tasks completed: 3

The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain
My comment is post #3 on the discussion thread.
Golden Oldie: published 1881.
Points this post: 20
Points in total: 60
Tasks completed: 3
Golden Oldies: 2
big Book tickets: 0

Book 1: Read a book with “night” found intact in a word in the book’s title, subtitle, series title or author’s name.
The Djinn in the Nightingale's Eye by A.S. Byatt
Book 2: Read a book with “time” found intact in a word in the book’s title, subtitle, series title or author’s name.
The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
The Time Machine was first published in 1895, so I'd like to claim a Golden Oldie Ticket.
30.8 - Sandy's Task: Old and Awesome
Book 1: Read a book that has the word “ancient” or one of these synonyms for various meanings of “ancient” in its title/subtitle: old, past, early, antique, archaic, bygone.
Old Venus
Old Venus has 656 pages, so I'd like to claim 1 Big Book Ticket.
Book 2: Read a book that has the word “wonder” or one of these synonyms for various meanings of “wonder” in its title/subtitle: surprise, awe, sight, marvel, question, ponder.
The Wonder by Emma Donoghue
Points this post: 45
Total points: 80
Golden Oldies this post: 1
Total Golden Oldies: 2
Big Book Tickets this post: 1
Total Big Book Tickets: 1

Task #15.3 - Her Declaration of Independence
ONE BOOK option: Read a book from the list Popular Feminism books and by a female author whose initials are found in MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT. I read Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit, from page 1 of the list.
Points this post: 15
Total points so far: 55

Deceptions
30.7 - Jonquil’s Task: Dreams are made of this
Book 1: Johnny Doesn't Drink Champagne (London)
Book 2: Paris, Paris: Journey Into the City of Light (Paris)
I listened to the audio CD, link to PB (no MMPB available) Paris, Paris: Journey into the City of Light
Points this post: 45
Points total: 45
GO total: 0
BB total: 0
Tasks completed: 2
Books read: 3

20.10 Group Reads
The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain
I responded on Message #4.
**Claiming one GO ticket - first published in 1881 .**
Points this post: 20
GO this post: 1
Total Points: 20
GO Total: 1

10.4 - Fire and Ice
A book with FIRE and ICE in the title, subtitle & author's name.
The Almost Nearly Perfect People: Behind the Myth of the Scandinavian Utopia by Michael Booth
F - perFect
I - behInd
RE - nEaRly
IC - sCandInavian
E - pErfect
Points this post: 10
Total points: 40
Total tasks: 3
BB total: 0
GO total: 0

Task #15.5 - B-I-N-G-O
Read a book where the first word of the title begins with a letter in BINGO. I read Burn Baby Burn by Meg Medina.
Points this post: 15
Total points so far: 70

15.7 - Tales of Middle-earth
Heartless by Marissa Meyer
Points this post: 15
*****************************
Total points: 25

What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast by Laura Vanderkam
Points this post: 15
Total Points: 30/1075
Tasks completed: 3/60
Books Read: 3
Golden Oldies: 1
Big Books:500+(1)750+(0)1000+(0)

Option 2, Read ONE book that fulfills both option 1 Book A and Book B.
Required: State the page of the list where your book is found.
Pg 6 E&N
Come as You Are: The Surprising New Science that Will Transform Your Sex Life
Emily Nagoski
20.5. Bigger is Better - Loafer's Task: The Long and Short of It
This is a one book task. REQUIRED: Specify which option you are using.
Option 2: Read a book that is a collection of short stories or essays.
Approved help topic #11.
**Print book:
Wolf Town Mates 240 pgs
message 5892: by Dlmrose
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
**may be read together as the paperback Wolf Town Mates for tasks where the individual titles all have a common element like author or genre
ebooks:
Wolf Town
Push Pull
Moon Run
Cumulative Total 35
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
Books mentioned in this topic
The Road to Hell (other topics)A Plain & Fancy Christmas (other topics)
Lord of the Flies (other topics)
'Til the World Ends (other topics)
Unconditional (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Cynthia Keller (other topics)Dexter Palmer (other topics)
Thomas Siddell (other topics)
Jacob M. Appel (other topics)
Kate Williams (other topics)
More...
20.9 Moderator's pet - Heather (Gibby)'s Task: Celebrating Proofreading - Option 1: Read a book where the author's initials can be found in the word PROOFREADING.
No Man's Nightingale: An Inspector Wexford Novel by Ruth Rendell
Points this task: 20
Total points: 140
Golden Oldies ticket requests: 2
Big Book ticket requests: 0
Books read: 09
Tasks completed: 09