The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
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SPRING CHALLENGE 2017
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Completed Tasks: PLEASE DO NOT DELETE ANY POST IN THIS THREAD

Challenge 5.5 March, April, May
Read a book with the number of pages as listed on Goodreads that includes the number 3, 4, or 5.
I read The Forgotten by David Baldacci. It had 422 pages.
Challenge 15.3 National Library Week is April 9-15
I chose option 1:
Book 1 – read a book featuring a library or librarian.
I read The Camel Bookmobile by Masha Hamilton.
Book 2 – read a book with its author's initials in NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK. All initials must be used.
I read The Risen by Ron Rash.
Challenge 15.6 I Get By with a Little Help From My Friends.
Read a book that a GR friend has rated 4 or 5 stars. REQUIRED: Give the name of the friend in your post.
I read Hemingway in Love: His Own Story by A.E. Hotchner. My friend Wendy gave it a 5 star rating.
Challenge 30.2 Ava Catherine’s Task-Modern and Contemporary Art
Book 1: Read a book FIRST published between 1890 and 1939 whose author’s first and last name initials can be found in ONE of theses words/phrases: "ART DECO" or "ART NOUVEAU" or "BAUHAUS".
I read the The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie. Her initials are found in ART DECO. It was first published in 1920.
Book 2: Read a book FIRST published between 1970 and the present whose author’s first and last name initials can be found in ONE of these phrases: "CONTEMPORARY ART" or "POST MODERN ART".
I read All the Stars in the Heavens by Adriana Trigiani. Her initials can be found in CONTEMPORARY ART. It was published in 2015.
Points this post: 65
Total points: 210
Tasks completed: 14
Books read: 18
Big Book tickets: 0
Golden Oldies tickets: 0

20.6 – Seasoned Reader - Bookwrm526's Task: Batter Up!!
Option 3: Read a book FIRST published in a year ending with the number 9.
The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories by Agatha Christie Audio book I listened to
The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories Top MMPB for page length - 214 pages
First published in 1939
Points this post: 20
Total Points: 95
Tasks Completed: 6
Books Read: 7

15.8. How do I Get There?

Points This Post: 15
Total Points: 125
Books Read: 7
Tasks Complete: 7

Option 2: Sun or snow on cover
12 Stories of Christmas

Points
160+20=180

Task 20.1 - Finland 100 Years!
option 3 - read a book published before 1917
Confessions of an English Opium Eater by Thomas de Quincey
published in 1821
published before 1950 = claiming a Golden Oldie!
=====
220 points
3 GO

Book with the letter 'Z' in title/subtitle - Read The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story by Diane Ackerman.
20.3 - Lauren Jodi's task: Hidden Figures
Option 3: AND THE OSCAR GOES TO … Academy Award nominee for best adapted screenplay - Read The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. In 1931/32, the movie 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', based on the above book, was nominated.
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was first published in 1886, so, I claim one Golden Oldie ticket.
Points these task: 30
Total points: 60
Golden Oldies ticket requests: 1
Big Book ticket requests: 0
Books read: 9
Tasks completed: 5

15.2. May is for Art and Music!
Book 1-Graphic Novel

Book 2-Instrument on Cover

Points this Post 15
Total Points 135
Tasks Completed 7
Books Read 8
Total Pages 2036

30.3 - MAZZA1's Task: It's Elementary
Book #1: Mercury in Title
Mercury Striking by Rebecca Zanetti
Required: Mercury is atomic number 80, symbol Hg
Book #2: 8th in Series
On a Wild Night by Stephanie Laurens
Required: 8+0 = 8 (Cynsters #8)
~~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 30
Total Points: 175/850
Total Books Read: 13
Tasks Completed: 9/52

10.3 - Aim High
Read a book that has at least 1,454 5-star ratings on Goodreads.
Bossypants by Tina Fey
189,547 5-star reviews (33%)
Points this Post: 10
Total Points: 10
Total Tasks: 1
Golden Oldies: 0
Big Books: 0
Total Books: 2

10.1 - Catch Some Z's
Read a book with the letter Z in the title.
Berzerker by J.M. Dabney.
(ebook page verification found here
Points this post: 10
Total points: 130
Tasks completed: 7
Books read: 10

15.1 - It's a Wonnder!
Two book task...
Book 1: Read a book with the main page genre architecture.
Animal Architecture by Ingo Arndt
Book 2: Read a book with 2 n’s found sequentially in the author’s name.
The Impossible Boy by Anna Martin Anna Martin
Points this post: 15
Total points: 145
Tasks completed: 8
Books read: 12

Option 2:read a book of 100-150 pages in length.
The House on Mango Street (110 pages)
Option 3: read a book written by a single author whose first and last name initials can be found in OUTBACK
Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly by Anthony Bourdain
Total new points: 25
Total challenge points: 115

25.2 - Who Am I? Where Am I?
Two Book Task...
Book 1: Read a book with the name of a person in the titlethat is the name of a character in the book.
Slaying Isidore's Dragons by C. Kennedy (Isidore is one of the MC's of the book)
Book 2: Read a book with the name of a place in the title where at least some of the plot of the book takes place in that specific named place.
Air and Earth by Rowan McAllister (The entire book takes place on Earth...specifically the US)
Both books must have combined total of at least 500 pages.
350 (Isadore) + 214 (Earth) = 464 pages
Points this post: 25
Total points: 170
Tasks completed: 9
Books read: 14

15.10
Read a book whose author's initials can be found in GARDENING.
Treasure on Moon Lake by Amy Gamet
Points this Post: 15
Total Points: 155
GO This Post/Total: 0
BB This Post/Total: 0

5.3 - The 20th Century
Read a book that contains the number 2 or 0 in the series designation.
Trouble by J.M. Dabney is book 2 in the Twirled World Ink series.
(Page length verification here)
Points this post: 5
Total points: 175
Tasks completed: 10
Books read: 15

10.2 - Initial Success
Read a book with an author who uses exactly 2 initials instead of a first name as it appears on Goodreads.
Scary by J.M. Dabney
(Page length verification here)
Points this post: 5
Total points: 185
Tasks completed: 11
Books read: 16

15.3. National Library Week is April 9-15.
OPTION 1:
Book 1 – read a book featuring a library or librarian.
The Camel Bookmobile by Masha Hamilton
Book 2 – read a book with its author's initials in NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK.
Tigers in Red Weather by Liza Klaussmann
NATIONA(L) LIBRARY WEE(K)
20.1- Most Improved Player – Camilla’s Task: Finland 100 Years!
Option 1. Read a book set in Finland or written by an author who was born or currently lives in Finland.
The Summer Book by Tove Jansson
20.2 - Rookie At The Top - McCathy's Task: Lucky Charms
Option 2
read a book with a main page genre of "Fairies", "Ireland", or "Irish Literature"
The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry
main page genre Ireland: 175 users; Irish literature-74 users
total=495

15.6. I Get By with a Little Help From My Friends.
Dragonflight
(Had great potential, but not for me)
Trish, Ana, and Kelly Aley
Points this post:15
Total Points:90
Books read:8
Tasks Done: 6

20.8 - Nickels & Dimes - Coralie's Task: Over and Under
Read a book that has either "under" or "over" intact in its title, subtitle or author's name.
I read The Lover by Marguerite Duras.
Points this post: 20
Total points: 65
Big Book Tickets this post: 0
Total Big Book Tickets: 2
Golden Oldie Tickets this post: 0
Total Golden Oldie Tickets: 0

Task 20.7 - Play Ball!
Option One: Author's initials in GRAPEFRUIT LEAGUE
Neanderthal Seeks Human by Penny Reid
gRaPefruit league
Points this Post: 20
Total Points: 100
Total Tasks: 9
Golden Oldies: 0
Big Books: 0
Total Books: 9

20.3 - Best Review - Lauren Jodi's task: Hidden Figures
Option 1: TRAILBLAZING WOMEN
read a non-fiction book about a woman or group of women who were the first to achieve something significant in their field
Marie Curie: A Life by Susan Quinn
20.6 – Seasoned Reader - Bookwrm526's Task: Batter Up!!
Option 2: Read a book where at least 50% of the action takes place in Georgia.
The Member of the Wedding by Carson McCullers all of the book is set in Georgia, USA.
20.7 Shorter is Sweeter - Amy FL's Task: Play Ball!
Read a book that takes place in Florida or France.
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
set in Paris, France
total=555

25.4 - Nick KY’s Task: Sydney Harbour
Option 1: For this option, read a book with one of the following words in the title/subtitle: “Harbor” “Harbour” “Bridge” “Opera” or “Shell.”
I selected the word "shell."
The Shell Collector: Stories by Anthony Doerr
Option 3. Outback! – For this option read a book written by a single author whose first and last name initials can be found in OUTBACK.
Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver
OUT(B)AC(K)=BK
total=580

15.6. I Get By with a Little Help From My Friends.
Read a book that a GR friend has rated 4 or 5 stars. REQUIRED: Give the name of the friend in your post.
A Confederacy of Dunces
My friend Kari Kakeh gave this 5 stars.
Points this post: 15
Total points: 40

30.4 - Dlmrose's Task: Passed to Delicious Dee: A Pride of Lions or a School of Sharks?
A collective of birds is called a wreck.
Book 1:

Book 2:After the Wreck, I Picked Myself Up, Spread My Wings, and Flew Away by Joyce Carol Oates
total=610

30.1 - Schatzie’s Task: passed to Sheila: In Honor of Earth Day - Two Halves of a Whole.
Book 1: Spring in the northern hemisphere
Read a book with one of the words: Spring, March, April or May in the title.
March=word selected
March by Geraldine Brooks
Book 2: Spring in the southern hemisphere
read a book that is designated in the GR series metadata as the 9th, 10th or 11th in a series.
A Certain Justice (Adam Dalgliesh #10) by P.D. James
total=640

25.2 - Sandy's Task: Who Am I? Where Am I?
This is a two book task.
No books with the main page genre Childrens or Kids may be used for the task. Your two books combined should have a total of at least 500 pages.
Book 1: Read a book with the name of a person in the title/subtitle that is the name of a character in the book. The name need not be complete (first and surname). An actual name must be used, not just a position or a title.
I, Claudia by Marilyn Todd
I read the Kindle edition. The paperback has 336 pages.
Book 2: Read a book with the name of a place in the title/subtitle where at least some of the plot of the book takes place in that specific named place. The place may be real or imaginary, but it must be a proper name, not just a description.
A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle
I read the paperback, which has 207 pages.
336 + 207 = 543 pages, greater than 500
Points this post: 25
Total points: 150

Task # 5.2 - Location, Location, Location
Read a book set at least 50% in a location of a modern wonder:New York, U.S.A.

Points this post: 5
Total points: 110

Task # 15.2. May is for Art and Music!
Book 1 – Read a book with the main page genre graphic novels, sequential art, comics, etc.

Sequential arts> Graphic novels 3755 users
232 p.
Book 2 – Read a book with a musical instrument on the cover

Points this post: 15
Total points: 125

20.1- Most Improved Player – Camilla’s Task: Finland 100 Years! - Option 3. read a book FIRST published prior to 1917.
Three Men in a Boat
First printed in 1889, this fulfills the task requirements, and qualifies for a Golden Oldie ticket.
Points this task: 20
Total points: 495
Golden Oldies ticket requests: 05
Big Book ticket requests: 01
Books read: 39
Tasks completed: 28

Task 20.9 Welcome to my wheelhouse
Option 4 - A book from the list The Best Fairy Tales and Retellings
The Rose Bride: A Retelling of The White Bride and the Black Bride
Page 2 of the list, book #175 as of March 20th.
Points this Post: 20
Total Points: 25
Total Tasks: 2
Total Books: 2

Author's Initials DE
The Hidden Man by David Ellis
Points this post: 5
Total Points: 35

Option 4 - Fairytales & Retellings
Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley
Appears on page 1 of The Best Fairytales and Retellings.
Points this post: 20
Total points: 80
Tasks completed: 8

20.4 – Golden Oldies – Amy O's Task: April Showers?
Option 1
Attraction by Penny Reid
20.5 - Bigger is Better - Pia's Task: It Was One of Those March Days...
Option 2
Take Me on by Cherrie Lynn
Points this post: 40
Total points: 100
++++++++++++++++++++++
Tasks completed: 10
Books read: 12

25.5 - Brooke TX's Task: Here Comes the Bride!
Option A: Old & New
Book 1: Read a book FIRST published before 1992.
Thank You All Very Much by Margaret Drabble Published September 1969.
Book 2: For something new, read a book FIRST published in 2017. Exit West by Mohsin Hamid
SPRING CHALLENGE 2017 > Spring Challenge 2017: Tasks
Current Post Points: 25
Cumulative Total Points: 70

30.1 - Schatzie’s Task: passed to Sheila: In Honor of Earth Day - Two Halves of a Whole.
Book 1: Read a book with one of the words: Spring, March, April or May in the title.
March: Book Two by John Lewis
Book 2: Read a book that is designated in the GR series metadata as the 9th, 10th or 11th in a series. Outrage by Arnaldur Indriðason (#9)
Current Post Points: 30
Cumulative Total Points: 100

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5.3 - The 20th Century
Read a book that contains the number 2 or 0 in the series designation
Book read: Praxis Novellas
Required: #2 in series
-----
5.4 - Best Laid Plans
Read a book that fits one of the Winter Challenge 5, 10 or 15 point tasks.
Book read: Dragon on a Pedestal
Required: Fits task # 15.7, read a book that has a MPG of Fantasy
-----
15.6. I Get By with a Little Help From My Friends.
Read a book that a GR friend has rated 4 or 5 stars.
Book read: The Seventh Bride
Required: GR friend Patti rated 5 stars (she's my mom... I have zero shame!)
-----
20.6 – Seasoned Reader - Bookwrm526's Task: Batter Up!!
Option 3: Read a book FIRST published in a year ending with the number 9.
Book read: Pyramids
Required: First published in 1989
-----
25.3 - Andy P.’s task: No More Wolves
Book 1.Read a book whose title does NOT contain any of the letters in the word WOLF.
Book read: Pisces
Book 2. Read a book written by a single author whose initials can be found in the word FLOWER.
Book read: Kept
Required: Author's initials are EF
A combined page total for both books must exceed 500 pages (at least 501 pages).
Pisces = 264 pages
Kept = 296 pages
296 + 264 = 560 pages total.
-----
Points this post: 70
-------------------
Tasks completed: 17
Big Book tickets: 0
Golden Oldies tickets: 1
Points Total: 230

10.5 - Noel! - Read a book with NO "L" in the title/subtitle and NO "L" in the author name.
Phantom Prey by John Sandford - 3/15/17
5.5 - March, April, May - Read a book with the number of pages as listed on Goodreads that includes the number 3, 4, or 5.
Wedding Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke - 3/18/17 - 356 pages
5.8 Under the Spring Moon - Read a book with a word in the title or subtitle from the names used by various tribes to describe the spring season’s moons: worm, sap, pink, sprouting, grass, seed, egg, fish, flower, corn, milk.
Milk and Honey by Faye Kellerman - 3/05/17 - MILK
5.9 - Whodunit? - Read a book with a main page genre that includes "Mystery".
Moon Signs by Helen Haught Fanick - 3/02/17 - MPG - Mystery > 43 users
5.10 - Your Own 8th Wonder - Read a book of your choice.
Bones of the Lost by Kathy Reichs - 3/15/17
10.2 - Initial Success - Read a book with an author who uses exactly 2 initials instead of a first name as it appears on Goodreads.
Death of a Hussy by M.C. Beaton - 3/07/17
10.9 - Star Wars Stars - Read a book by an author who shares a name with one of these actors who appeared in the film: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Peter Cushing, Alec Guinness, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew, David Prowse, James Earl Jones.
Unnatural Causes by P.D. James - 3/06/17 - JAMES
15.3. National Library Week is April 9-15
OPTION 1:
Book 1 – Read a book featuring a library or librarian.
Murder Past Due by Miranda James - 3/17/17
From GR blurb - "Everyone in Athena, Mississippi, knows librarian Charlie Harris-and his Maine coon cat named Diesel that he walks on a leash."
Book 2 – Read a book with its author's initials in NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK.
It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas - 3/11/17 - NATIONALLIBRARYWEEK
15.4. Laughing and Singing
OPTION 1:
Book 1 – Read a book with a main page genre of humor.
Death Is a Relative Thing by Holly Patrone - 3/17/17 - MPG - Humour > 7 users
Book 2 – Read a book that is #4 in a series.
Death of a Perfect Wife by M.C. Beaton - 3/02/17 - Hamish Macbeth #4
15.6. I Get By with a Little Help From My Friends - Read a book that a GR friend has rated 4 or 5 stars. REQUIRED: Give the name of the friend in your post.
Invisible Prey by John Sandford - 3/07/17
Tara - 4 stars
15.10 - Spring Gardening - Read a book whose author's initials can be found in GARDENING.
Love the One You're With by Emily Giffin - 3/19/17
GARDENING
20.1- Most Improved Player – Camilla’s Task: Finland 100 Years!
Option 2 - Read a book with either snow or the sun on the cover.
Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas - 3/12/17
Snow -

20.4 – Golden Oldies – Amy O's Task: April Showers?
Option 1: Read a book whose author’s initials can be found in the phrase "APRIL SHOWERS".
A Killer Plot by Ellery Adams - 3/08/17
APRILSHOWERS
Points This Post - 145
Total Points - 145

The Borgias: The Hidden History by G.J. Meyer
No MMPB available, PB The Borgias: The Hidden History has 512 pages
*claiming one BB ticket*
15.9. They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha Ha!
Tähtiviima
Science fiction verified in genre verification thread msg #3
20.1- Most Improved Player – Camilla’s Task: Finland 100 Years!
Option 1. Elämäni nomadina by Päivi Kannisto
30.5 - Jonquil’s task: There Is No Frigate Like A Book
Book 1:

Book 2:

(PB edition tips from the cruise addict's wife, there are apparently two author profiles with the same name, and the different editions have been added under different profiles)
Points this post: 75
Points total: 175
GO total: 0
BB total: 1
Tasks completed: 14
Books read: 15

30.5 Jonquil’s task: There Is No Frigate Like A Book
Book 1: Read a book with a cover that shows the type of place where you like to read. Book 2: Read a second book with a cover that shows a different reading spot or a variation on book 1's spot.


Combination confirmed in message #63. https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Points this Task: 30
Books Read: 2
Golden Oldie/Big Book: No
Total Points: 180
Tasks Completed: 13
Golden Oldies: 0
Big Books: 0

20.6 - Batter Up!
✿ option 3: a book first published in a year ending with the number 9.
Palo Alto by James Franco (★)
It was first published in 2009.
_____________________________________________
Current Post
Points: 20
GO: -
BB: -
Total
Points: 150
GO: 5
BB: -

Task 15.6 - I Get By with a Little Help From My Friends
read a book a friend rated 5*
Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning
Melissa & Sassafrass both rated it 5*

Task 15.9 - They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha Ha!
read a book with MPG science fiction
Sex Criminals, Vol. 2: Two Worlds, One Cop by Matt Fraction
in case the genre drops off, it has been verified: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
====
250 points

Animal Farm by George Orwell
Found on page 1.
15.5. Girls Just Wanta Have Fun!
Take Six Girls by Laura Thompson
I read the Kindle edition, but I've linked to the paperback (I think!)
May I also claim a Golden Oldie for Under the Greenwood Tree in my last post? It was first published in 1872. Also claiming a Golden Oldie for Animal Farm, first published in 1945.
Points this post: 20
Points in total: 210
Tasks completed: 12
Golden Oldies: 2
Big book tickets: 0

Task 20.5 Option: read a book where ALL of the letters in the word RAINBOW are found in any combination of the title/subtitle and/or author's name
Book: Orange Is the New Black
RANO in orange, I in is, W in new and B in black
Points this post: 20
Points this challenge: 20

30.2 - Ava Catherine’s Task-Modern and Contemporary Art
Book 1: Fagre Nye Verden by Aldous Huxley
First published 1932 and initials found in BAUHAUS
Claiming 1 GO ticket
Book 2: Glimt af håb by Ruta Sepetys
First published 2011 and initials found in POST MODERN ART
Points this post: 30
Total points: 150
Big book tickets: 1
Golden Oldies tickets: 3
Tasks completed: 8

20.10 Group Reads - I read The Riddle of the Labyrinth: The Quest to Crack an Ancient Code My review is post # 8
25.6 - Perletwo's task: A Stitch In Time Saves Nine
1. Spring Forward: Read a book from the first 5 pages of Popular Futurism Books or Popular Near-Future Books
Forty Signs of Rain Page 2 of the Popular Near Future Books
2. Fall Back: Read a book with a genre that contains "historical" or "history" intact on its main book page
The Golden Hour
Points this post: 45
Total Points: 205

30.5 - Jonquil’s task: There Is No Frigate Like A Book
Book 1:

Book 2:

Points this post: 30
Points total: 175

20.5 - Bigger is Better - Pia's Task: It Was One of Those March Days...
Option 1: The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag by Alan Bradley
"So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember THAT life's A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed)..."
The Weed THAT Strings the Hangman's Bag
Points This Post: 20
Total Points: 145
Books Read: 8
Tasks Complete: 8
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5.9 - Whodunit?
A book with Mystery as a main page genre.
A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly
Points this post: 5
Total points: 100
Total tasks: 7
BB total: 0
GO total: 0