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

Cards on the Table - first published in 1936
5.5 - December, January, February
I read Uniform Justice, with 294 pages.
15.2 - Celebrity Eye-roll
For book 1, I read Night at the Vulcan, with the word "night" in the title.
For book 2, I read Yonder Comes The Other End of Time, with the word "time" in the title.
15.5 - B-I-N-G-O!
I read Overture to Death - title begins with "O," last letter of BingO.
Points this post: 35
Total points: 890
I read Uniform Justice, with 294 pages.
15.2 - Celebrity Eye-roll
For book 1, I read Night at the Vulcan, with the word "night" in the title.
For book 2, I read Yonder Comes The Other End of Time, with the word "time" in the title.
15.5 - B-I-N-G-O!
I read Overture to Death - title begins with "O," last letter of BingO.
Points this post: 35
Total points: 890

20.1. Most Improved Player - CynBaxter's Task: Christmas in the Caribbean
Option 1) The A.B.C. Murders by Agatha Christie AC in CARIBBEAN
.......................................................................................
20.7. Shorter is Sweeter - Elizabeth P's Task: One or Two?
Suicide Notes
Two I's in Suicide
E in suicide and Notes (2)
Points this post:40
Total Points:520
Books read:38
Tasks Done: 29

5.10- Your Own 8th Wonder
Read a book of your choice.
The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths
Points This Post: 5
Big Book Tickets: 1
Tasks Completed: 15
Total Points: 230

Task 20.9 Moderator's pet - Heather (Gibby)'s Task: Celebrating Proofreading - Read a book where the author's initials can be found in the word PROOFREADING

Still Waters by Ash Parsons
Points This Post - 20
Total Points - 315

Task 30.9 Construction Wonders - Catherine T's Task
Read 2 books, one new and one re-read.
Book 1: Read a book with at least 7 letters from CONSTRUCTION in the title/subtitle
Archangel's Consort by Nalini Singh
aRChaNgelS CONsOrT (This book is my re-read)
Book 2: Read a non-fiction book with a main page genre History
Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War by Mary Roach (This book is new to me)
Points This Post: 30
Total Points: 80

10.6. More Following Through!
Read another book by an author you read for the first time in 2016
Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny
I read a few of Louise Penny's books for the first time last year.
Points this post: 10
Points Total: 170

5.5 December, January, February
Read a book with a 1 or 2 in the number of pages
The Hand That Feeds You
(Paperback = 288 pages)
175 total points

Option 2 - Read a book with a main page genre of erotica, vampires, or pregnancy.
Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton - 1/31/17 - MPG Paranormal>Vampires>1,753 users
Option 2 - Read a book with a main page genre of erotica, vampires, or pregnancy.
On Dublin Street by Samantha Young - 2/13/17 - MPG Adult Fiction>Erotica>310 users - red text on cover

Points This Post - 25
Total Points - 845

Read 1 book from each of 2 different options. REQUIRED: Indicate in your post which options you are using. Minimum page count for the two books combined is 600 pages.
1. read a book with one of 55 words for snow in the title or subtitle ICE
Ice Queen pb 326 pgs
5. read a book with the main page genre of Dogs, Animals, or Wolves
Far-Seer Animals > Dinosaurs 15 users pb 316 pgs
326 pgs + 316 pgs = 642 pgs
Cumulative Total 660+30 = 690

5.1 - The Ancients. Read a book written by an author whose first and last name initials can be found in ANCIENT.
Death on the Nile
Claiming 1 Golden Oldie - First published in 1937
20.3. Best Review - Lorraine's Task: It Was The Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times
Option B: Commonwealth. read a book set in one of these U.S. states, which uses the designation Commonwealth in its official state name: Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania or Virginia.
Prodigal Summer takes place in Virginia. 444 pages.
20.5. Bigger is Better - Loafer's Task: The Long and Short of It I chose Option 2. Read a book that is a collection of short stories or essays.
What is Not Yours is Not Yours
Points this post: 45
Total Points: 995

15.1 - Madly in Love With Me Day - Book 1 - Read a book with a word in the title or subtitle from this list: me, myself, I, my, mine. Words must match exactly, no variations.
My Life with Earth, Wind & Fire
Book 2 - Read an autobiography or memoir- a nonfiction account of the author's own life or experiences. If a book has a co-author the book must be about that author's own life or experiences as well.
Stumbling Along the Beat: A Policewoman's Uncensored Story from the World of Law Enforcement
Points this task: 15
Total points: 875
Golden Oldies ticket requests: 9
Big Book ticket requests: 2
Books read: 65
Tasks completed: 46

Option 3, an author born in Africa: The Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, born in Nigeria
paperback edition The Thing Around Your Neck 220 pages
Option 6, a book from Popular Social Justice Books, page 1: Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond
418 pages
Points this post: 30
Total points: 540

Task 25.7 - Podcast Recommendations
book 1: from Books & Boba Podcast shelf, p1
The Vegetarian by Han Kang
183 pages
(originally claimed for 15.6, since supplanted)
book 2: from Overdue Podcast shelf, p3
The Martian by Andy Weir
435 pages
183 + 435 = 618 pages >500

15.7 - Tales of Middle-earth
Read a book with a main page genre that contains “Fantasy”.
Dark Currents by Jacqueline Carey (399 pages)
This book has "Fantasy > Urban Fantasy", "Fantasy", and "Fantasy > Paranormal" as main page genres.
Points this post: 15
Total Points: 590
Tasks Completed: 28
Books Read: 39

Option 2: Read a book with the MPG Health.
Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig
Points this post: 20
Points in total: 460
Tasks completed: 22
Golden Oldies: 3
Big Book tickets: 2

15.7 Tales of Middle Earth: Fantasy as a main page genre
The Mad Ship by Robin Hobb
Points
This post: 15
Total: 405

5.3 Book that is number #1 in series as shown on Goodreads
Read The Rosie Project
Points: 5
Total: 205

10.10. Got Your Lottery Ticket?
Read a book about Shirley Jackson, a book by Shirley Jackson,
The Haunting of Hill House, Shirley Jackson
Read the kindle edition. PB reference link here
Points this Task: 10
Books Read: 1
Golden Oldie/Big Book: No
Total Points: 735
Tasks Completed: 41
Golden Oldies: 7
Big Books: 2 (500+ x2)

Task 20.2 - Fun & Games
option 1 - read a book with two word alliterative title
Star Sand by Roger Pulvers
both words in title start with S

15.3 - Her Declaration of Independence
Option 2 - Both A and B
A. Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman by Lindy West found on Page 1 of the list of Popular Feminism Books.
B. Lindy West - WolLstonecraft.
20.1. Christmas in the Caribbean
Option 1: Authors initials in CARIBBEAN
The Mothers by Brit Bennett
Brit Bennett.
20.7 One or Two?
Option 1: 2 "I"s and 2 "E"s in the title
All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders
All ThE BIrds In thE Sky
Total Points: 55

30.1
Option One:
A: Read a book that is 1st in a series.
Killer Cupcakes by Leighann Dobbs
*Lexy Baker #1
B: Read the 2nd book in the same series as book A.
Dying for Danish by Leighann Dobbs
*Lexy Baker #2
POINTS THIS POST: 30
TOTAL POINTS: 535
GO THIS POST/TOTAL: 0/0
BB THIS POST/TOTAL: 0/0

20.2 Fun and Games
task #2 Whiplash by Catherine Coulter
authors first and last name start with C
points 20
total points 155

Task 20.1: Christmas in the Caribbean - Option 1: An Uninvited Ghost by E. J. Copperman. The author's initials are in CARIBBEAN.
Task 20.2: Fun & Games - Option 2: Lavender Lies by Susan Wittig Albert. The two words in the title start with the letter L.
Task 20.3: Best/Worst of Times - Option C: Deep Storm by Lincoln Child. The book was published in 2007, a year ending with a 7. The book has 432 pages.
Task 20.4: Nightmare before Christmas - Option 1: Charlie's Bones by L. L. Thrasher. The title has the word BONES in it.
Task 20.6: Repos Production's 7Wonders - Option 1: A Shroud For Delilah

Task 20.7: One or Two - Option 1: The Cygnet and the Firebird by Patricia McKillip. The title has 2 "I"s and 2 "E"s: ThE cygnEt and the fIrebIrd.
Task 20.9: Celebrating Proofreading - Option 1: The Emerald Casket by Richard Newsome. The author's initials are in PROOFREADING.
Totals this posting:
Points: 140
Books Read: 7
Tasks Completed: 7
Golden Oldies: 0
Big Book Tickets: 500+: 0; 750+: 0;
Summary Totals:
Points: 140
Books Read: 7
Tasks Completed: 7
Golden Oldies: 0
Big Book Tickets: 500+: 0; 750+: 0;

25.3 - Karen Michele's Task: I Wonder…
This is a two book task. Read one book from each of two different options.
REQUIRED: Identify which options you select when you post.
When I look at the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, I can’t help but wonder:
2. What secrets lie under the water? - Read a book about anything found under the surface of the water.
In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick
I listened to the audiobook and have linked to the PB version
3. How can a sculptor envision a finished work when the scales the sculptor is working on are so different?
Read a book about a sculptor or sculpture.
The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley
I listened to the audiobook and have linked to the PB version
***Both books approved in Post #46 of the Task Help Thread***
~~~~~~~~
Points this Post: 25
Total Points: 310/1075
Total Tasks: 17/60
GO: 0
BB: 3

25.2 Leonard & Leon
Book 1 – 'moon' in title
Moon Woke Me Up Nine Times: Selected Haiku of Basho
Book 2 – book about space travel
The End of All Things
This post 25 points
Total to date 660 points

15.5 - B-I-N-G-O!: Read a book where the FIRST word of the title begins with a letter in BINGO.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
BINGO
Points this post: 15
Total points: 235
Golden Oldies this post: 0
Total Golden Oldies: 2
Big Book Tickets this post: 0
Total Big Book Tickets:
500+: 1
750+: 0
1000+: 0

20.9 Moderator's pet - Heather (Gibby)'s Task: Celebrating Proofreading
Option 2: Read a book with a heterograph in title
Written in Red by Anne Bishop
Red is #5 on list 1
points this post: 20
total points: 90

30.1 - Maya's Task : Good Things Come in Pairs
This task previously claimed, but I'm using those books elsewhere, so this is my re-do
3A:

3B:

TALLY -
This post - 30 points
Tally - 560

10.8. On the Coast
Devil's Cub - over 50% in France
15.9 - It's Summer Somewhere
Summer Vows
25.5 - Sarah BR's Task: A Return to Stars Hollow
2:

3: Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel (320 pages) Word: TELL
30.3 - Daphne's Task: Atlas Obscura
3: Born a Crime by Trevor Noah (304 pages)
6: White Trash: The 400-Year Untold History of Class in America (480 pgs - pg 3 of social justice list)
30.6 - Ava Catherine’s Task: Travels
3: I Capture the Castle (343 pgs)
5: Flight of Magpies (210 pages)
30.8 - Sandy's Task: Old and Awesome
1: These Old Shades - OLD - 352 pages
2: The Wonder - WONDER - 291 pages
30.9 - Catherine T's Task: Construction Wonders
1: new to me A Fashionable Indulgence - 1 each of C O N S U I N
2: re-read: The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer
TALLY:
This post - 170 points
Total - 730

Task 15.1 - Madly in Love With Me Day
Book 1 - Read a book with a word in the title or subtitle from this list: me, myself, I, my, mine

The Trouble in Me by Jack Gantos
Book 2 - Read an autobiography or memoir

Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek by Maya Van Wagenen
Points This Post - 15
Total Points - 330

Andy P.
Task #
25.4 - MegSCL's Task: World AIDS Day
Option 1. Read a book set (at least 50%) in one of these six countries,(India)

Option 2.
Read a book with a main page genre of vampires


Task #50.1 - Celebrating Birthdays
I used the random date generator to make a birthday for myself, which was November 28, 1976
Book 1 - Month
criterion b (title starts with first letter of your birth month) and criterion c (cover is at least 50% color of your birthstone, in this case yellow). I read Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan.

Book 2 - Day
Read a book with your birth date (day) intact in the GR book rating. I read Freedom Is a Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movement by Angela Y. Davis. I had it pre-approved for a rating of 4.28 in the task help thread. My post was #186 and the approval was post #188.
Book 3 - Year. Take the year of your birth (1976) and subtract your age (40) and read a book first published in that year (1936). I read The Talisman Ring by Georgette Heyer.
Points this post: 50
Total points so far: 620

20.3. Best Review - Lorraine's Task: It Was The Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times
This is a one book challenge. Your book must have at least 300 pages.
Option D: If at First You Don't Succeed
For this task, read a work from one of the authors on this list. It does not have to be the work featured in the piece, but the book you choose must fit the SRC requirements.
Rejected Authors Who Found Success
Number 15: George Orwell
I read:
1984 by George Orwell
Has 328 pages
Points this Post: 20
Points Total: 190

5.5 - December, January, February - Read a book with the number of pages as listed on Goodreads that includes the number 1 or 2.
Sister by Rosamund Lupton
319 pages
This post:
Points - 5
Total:
Points - 140

Read a book of your choice

Cinco Esquinas
--------------------------------------------
25.5 - Sarah BR's Task: A Return to Stars Hollow
Option 1: Rory's reading list

Emma
This book is # 74 on the list
474 pages
* Claiming a Golden Oldies ticket as it was first published in 1815
Option 3: Where you lead

The Girls Next Door: A Gripping, Edge-Of-Your-Seat Crime Thriller
The word I used is NEXT
And I'll be there on the next train
316 pages
* This book was an ARC
Total pages read: 790
---------------------------------------------------
POINTS
Points This Post: 30
Points Total: 220/1075
Golden Oldies: √
Big Books:
500 () 750 () 1000 ()
Tasks Completed: 13
GO Total: 1
BB Total: 2

10.9. Stories Say…
Read a book with a main page genre of mythology.
Fates, C Gockel
Fantasy > Mythology 10 users
Ebook confirmed for length way back in message #4636
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Listed at line #895 of the file
Points this Task: 10
Books Read: 1
Golden Oldie/Big Book: No
Total Points: 745
Tasks Completed: 42
Golden Oldies: 7
Big Books: 2 (500+ x2)

Challenge 10.1 Let's Follow Up
Read a book from The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend listopia.
I read Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen. It is #73 on the list.
50.1 - Allison Ann's Task: Celebrating Birthdays
Book 1 – Month: Read a book that meets at least two of the three criteria:
I’m using Option b and c. My birthday is in September.
I read

Book 2 – Day: Read a book with your birth date (day) intact in the GR book rating, if you were born on a single digit day you must use a leading zero in your rating.
The date of my birth is the 23rd. I read

Book 3 – Year: Take your year of birth and subtract your age. Read a book first published in that new year.
Born in 1969-47 years of age = 1922 for year of first publication. (1969-47=1922)
I read

Points this post: 60
Total points: 665
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

This is a two book task. Read one book that satisfies the requirements for Book 1 and another that works for Book 2. The combined page count for both books should be at least 500 pages.
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. examples : Michael Cunningham (M) or Alex Kava (A)
Fossil Hunter by Robert J. Sawyer (R) pb 304 pgs
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. Titles may contain any number of words including one. Examples: The Longest Night (T) or Escape (E)
Seduction and Snacks (S) pb 260 pgs
304+260 = 564 pgs
Cumulative Total 690+25 = 715

30.6 - Ava Catherine’s Task: Travels
Option 3: Read a book with the main page genre classic(s).
Lady Susan, the Watsons, Sanditon by Jane Austen
Book has Main Page Genre Classics.
I read the Kindle version, but the MMP is 314 pages: Lady Susan ; Les Watson ; Sanditon
The book was originally published in 1871, so I claim 1 Golden Oldie ticket for this.
Option 5: Read a book with the main page genre historical fiction or history.
Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire That Rescued Western Civilization by Lars Brownworth
The Book has the Main Page Genre History.
I read the Kindle version, but the paperback is 329 pages: Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire That Rescued Western Civilization
314 + 329= 643 pages
Point this post: 30
Total Points: 455
Books Read: 35
Golden Oldies: 1
Big Books:500+(1)750+(0)1000+(0)

20.1 Most Improved Player - CynBaxter’s Task: Christmas in the Caribbean
Option 1 - Read a book whose author’s* initials can be found in the word CARIBBEAN.
A Deadly Cliché, Ellery Adams
caribbEAn
Points this Task: 20
Books Read: 1
Golden Oldie/Big Book: No
Total Points: 765
Tasks Completed: 43
Golden Oldies: 7
Big Books: 2 (500+ x2)

25.8 - Beth F's Task: Backwards Alphabet Code
Read two books, one book 1 and one book 2
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.
Just Not Mine by Rosalind James - 366 pages
I listened to the audiobook and have linked to the PB version
Book 2 - Ignoring the articles "the", "a" and "an", 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.
A Quilter's Holiday by Jennifer Chiaverini - 278 pages
J = Q
366 + 278 = 644 pages
~~~~~~~~
Points this Post: 25
Total Points: 335/1075
Total Tasks: 18/60
GO: 0
BB: 3

5.5 - December, January, February
Pull Me Under: A Novel by Kelly Luce (272 pgs)
10.4. Fire and Ice
Swimming Lessons by Claire Fuller
10.6. More Following Through!
new author for me in 2016
The Twelve by Justin Cronin
*Big book ticket* The Twelve is a big book at 592 pgs
Points this post: 25
Total points: 360
Tasks completed: 19
Books read: 23
Big Books: 500=2, 750=1, 1000=0
Golden Oldie tickets: 0

30.3 - Daphne's Task: Atlas Obscura
Option 5: Main page genre of Animals
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
I read the kindle edition, the top paperback (no MMPB) has 562 pages: The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle is a Big Book (562 pages). I claim 1 BB ticket.
Option 6: Page #2 of the Popular Social Justice list (shelved 28 times as social justice)
Night
I read the kindle edition, the MMPB Night has 109 pages
562 + 109 = 671 pages
Points this post: 30
Total points: 245
BB tickets this post: 1
Total BB tickets: 1

15.6 - Multilingual
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
My native language: English
Book's original language: Swedish
Points this post: 15
**************************
Total points: 205

20.6 - Seasoned Reader – Nicola T's Task: Repos Production’s 7Wonders
Option 2 - book with glass, paper, or cloth featured on the cover
The snow globe is glass and was approved on the task thread here

Advance reader's copy, has the same cover and # of pgs as the hardcover
Points this post: 20
Total points: 270
Golden Oldies: 1
Big Book Tickets: 0

Task 30.4 - Mazza1's Task - Readers Recommend
OPTION 2 – Awards Season
Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
This was nominated in the "best historical fiction" category.
I read the Kindle edition, but the hardcover edition has 487 pages.
OPTION 3 Birthday Bests
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
I was born in the 1980s, and found this book on page 1 of Best Books of the Decade: 1980's listopia.
I read the Kindle edition, but the most popular paperback edition has 258 pages.
487 + 258 = 745, more than 600 pages.
Points this post: 30
Total points: 330

15.3 Her Declaration of Independence
Option 2: one book that fulfills both book A & book B
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
*Book A: on page 1 of the popular feminism books list
*Book B; female author initials found in Mary Wollstonecraft
Points
This post: 15
Total: 420

20.1. Most Improved Player - CynBaxter's Task: Christmas in the Caribbean
Option 1: Author's initials found in CARIBBEAN
Black Rabbit Hall by Eve Chase
Points this post: 20
Total points: 265
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...
20.3 Best Review - Lorraine's Task: It was the Best of Times, It was the Worst of Times
Option A: Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens
**Nicholas Nickelby is a Big Book x 3 with 817 pages. Claiming 3 BB Tickets**
**Nichoals Nickelby is a Golden Oldie, first published in 1839. Claiming 1 GO ticket.**
Points this post: 20
Total points: 720
BB this post: 3
Total BB: 10
GO this post: 1
Total GO: 4
========================
Tasks completed: 43/60
Books read: 60