Round 1: The 12 Tasks of Christmas

[Bea]

Way to go LynnB!

[LynnB]

Dree wrote: "Can I just ask, when round 2 is unlocked will it be posted here for everybody or will it be pm'd individually?"

Thanks, everone!

Dree, I'm the third to finish Round 1. Round 2 was unlocked several days ago and is already posted.

[Susan]

Dree wrote: "Can I just ask, when round 2 is unlocked will it be posted here for everybody or will it be pm'd individually?"

It's been unlocked. Check it out at:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Bea]

Would this book count as short stories? Girl in Hyacinth Blue. 58 users shelved it as such.

[Dree]

LynnB wrote: "Dree wrote: "Can I just ask, when round 2 is unlocked will it be posted here for everybody or will it be pm'd individually?"

Thanks, everone!

Dree, I'm the third to finish Round 1. Round 2 was un..."

Thanks Lynn - I didn't realise!

[Dree]

Susan wrote: "Dree wrote: "Can I just ask, when round 2 is unlocked will it be posted here for everybody or will it be pm'd individually?"

It's been unlocked. Check it out at:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/sh..."

Thanks for the link Susan - thats brilliant :)

[Tien]

Bea wrote: "Would this book count as short stories? Girl in Hyacinth Blue. 58 users shelved it as such."

I don't really think it as collection of short stories though I supposed it could be with 1 interlinking item, the painting. Can't remember if there is a title per story though...?

[Lisette]

Hi Dree, I was just about to post the link for you, but I see you have already found the thread for round 2 :)

[Bea]

Tien wrote: "Bea wrote: "Would this book count as short stories? Girl in Hyacinth Blue. 58 users shelved it as such."

I don't really think it as collection of short stories though I supposed it c..."

Yes, each chapter is named and the list of stories with the page numbers is found in the front of the book. There are 8. Each chapter moves one owner back from the first story and tells how the painting came to be in that owner's hand and what it meant to that person. The last story is the story of the girl in the painting.

That said, I have convinced myself that it is 8 short stories.

[Amy]

Dree wrote: "Can I just ask, when round 2 is unlocked will it be posted here for everybody or will it be pm'd individually?"

Round 2 is already unlocked, Dree. You can work on both rounds at the same time or just focus on round 2, per Tien. Click here for the round 2 thread.

[Klela]

Nice challenge!
I'll try to work on both rounds at the same time...let's see if I can make it!
This is my list, subject to change if I find more suitable books.


1. Read a book you added to your tbr list in january 2017: Wonder di R.J. Palacio September 21; 4 stars

2. Read a book set (100%) in the other hemisphere of the world to where you live. I live in Italy so Australia should do: Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay November 26; 4 stars

3. Read a book set in season different to the season you are currently experiencing. Sette piccoli sospetti by Christian Frascella (an italian book set in spring between the end of may and the beginning of june) September 2; 4 stars

4. Read a book where character works in retail. Hint: bookshops: The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George September 12; 1 star

5. Sales! Read a book you got for free (a gift):Il segreto di Ortelia by Andrea Vitali (sorry, Italian author without english edition) December 8; 3 stars

6. Read a book that "cleared the shelves": was on the USAToday Bestseller list for the first half of 2017: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood September 17; 4 stars

7. Read a book with at least 1 million ratings. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck September 9; 4 stars

8. 12 Days of Christmas... Read 12 short stories: Ghost Stories by Henry James December 15; 3 stars

9. Read a book you think would make a good gift for a loved one: for my brother Doctor Who: Dead of Winter by james Goss. December 8; 4 stars

10. Read book where author's name has a total of 12 letters: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn August 24; 4 stars

11. Read a book which cover shows something upside down (can be a person or even title printed upside down): Una cosa da nulla by Mark Haddon (Italian cover of this book: A Spot of Bother) December 23; 4 stars

12. Read the latest book you've brought home from the shops or the library or the latest bookmail delivered or the latest ebook you've downloaded on your ereader or the latest audiobook you've downloaded. Please note this Must be the LATEST at the time reading/listening starts: Band of Brothers: E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest by Stephen Ambrose November 24; 3 stars

[Tien]

Klela wrote: "2. Read a book set (100%) in the other hemisphere of the world to where you live. I live in Italy so Australia should do: Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay"

How funny! I just slotted this book in for a different challenge and am looking to reserve the book from the library now lol

[Dree]

Thanks everyone for being so patient with me! So can we start round 2 without having to finish round 1? Did I get that right??!

[Klela]

Tien wrote: How funny! I just slotted this book in for a different challenge and am looking to reserve the book from the library now lol "

So we can share our opinions!!

[Bea]

Dree wrote: "Thanks everyone for being so patient with me! So can we start round 2 without having to finish round 1? Did I get that right??!"

Yes, you got it right, Dree.

[Karin]

Marie (UK) wrote: "12 Days Tasks of Christmas... in July
Challenge complete 02/09/2017



1. Read a book you were gifted / bought in December 2016 / January 2017. Alternatively, read a book you added to your tbr lis..."

I had to laugh at myself!

For those in the US, these are BRITISH dates, day month year. I grew up in Canada where we did it the same way, but having been in the States so long at first I read these as month day year.

[Christy]

All right, 1 more down. 8/27/17, Task 3 - Gentlemen Prefer Heiresses, by Karen Ranney. Looking forward to starting round #2!

[Bea]

Nine down...3 to go.

[Tien]

Am almost finished with my 10th. Glad to see I'm not plodding along on my own lol

[Coralie]

I just have two short stories to go. They should be easy to fit in some time when I want a break from my other reading.

[Bea]

Tien wrote: "Am almost finished with my 10th. Glad to see I'm not plodding along on my own lol"

I should finish my 10th book today or tomorrow. It is non-fiction and a bit hard for me to follow in the technical language part. Then I will have Jane Austen (not a fan) and a BIG BOOK left. Think I will tackle the JA book first.

[Tien]

Bea wrote: "Then I will have Jane Austen (not a fan) and a BIG BOOK left. Think I will tackle the JA book first."

Awww :(

Which book are you tackling?

I'm just considering a re-read of Persuasion

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I read like 4 of her books back to back and I think my eyes glazed over and the plots all merged together. It was not enjoyable reading.

[Tien]

Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "I read like 4 of her books back to back and I think my eyes glazed over and the plots all merged together. It was not enjoyable reading."

oh no... did you read them back to back for a challenge? I find that reading classics need to be savoured slowly over a period to time; not something to be devoured like fluffy reads.

[Bea]

Tien wrote: "Bea wrote: "Then I will have Jane Austen (not a fan) and a BIG BOOK left. Think I will tackle the JA book first."

Awww :(

Which book are you tackling?

I'm just considering a re-read of [book:Per..."

Sense and Sensibility

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

Tien wrote: "Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "I read like 4 of her books back to back and I think my eyes glazed over and the plots all merged together. It was not enjoyable reading."

oh no... did you read them..."
I didn't read them for a challenge. I bought all her books for like $5 a piece. I had this great idea of reading them all after I saw the movie "The Jane Austen Book club". The movie and book were great.

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

Bea wrote: "Tien wrote: "Bea wrote: "Then I will have Jane Austen (not a fan) and a BIG BOOK left. Think I will tackle the JA book first."

Awww :(

Which book are you tackling?

I'm just considering a re-read..."

I read that one too.

[LynnB]

Bea wrote: "Then I will have Jane Austen (not a fan) "

Remember when reading Jane Austen that it's social satire -- maybe that would help. I find her writing amusing.

[Susan]

I've finished Round 1!

ROUND 1:

Start date 7/1/17

1. Read a book you were gifted / bought in December 2016 / January 2017. Alternatively, read a book you added to your tbr list in those 2 months.
Fire Study - finished 8/13

2. Read a book set (100%) in the other hemisphere of the world to where you live. (Northern Hemisphere vs Southern Hemisphere)
What Really Happened in Peru:17334079 - finished 7/30

3. Read a book set in season different to the season you are currently experiencing.
Cold Granite(winter) - finished 8/30/17

4. Read a book where character works in retail. Hint: bookshops
The Goldfinch - Theo works in an antique store - finished 8/10

5. Sales! Read a book you got for free (can be a gift or a review copy) OR bought at significantly reduced price.
The Spirit That Kills - bought at used bookstore - finished 7/29

6. Read a book that "cleared the shelves": was on the NYTimes Bestseller list for the first half of 2017.
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing - finished 8/20
on NYT non-fiction best-seller list 124 weeks on the list as of 5/14/2017

7. Read a book with at least 1 million ratings.
Eragon, 1,118,825 ratings - finished 8/23

8. 12 Days of Christmas... Read 12 short stories (less than 100 pages). This task may require more than 1 book.
1-"The Runaway Queen" (The Bane Chronicles, #2) - finished 8/4
2-"Vampires, Scones, and Edmund Herondale" (The Bane Chronicles, #3) - finished 8/7
3-"The Midnight Heir (TThe Bane Chronicles, #4) - finished 8/9 - finished 8/14
4-"The Rise of the Hotel Dumort" (The Bane Chronicles, #5) - finished 8/15
5-"Saving Raphael Santiago" (The Bane Chronicles, #6) - finished 8/15
6-"The Fall of the Hotel Dumort" (The Bane Chronicles, #7) - finished 8/16
7-"What to Buy the Shadowhunter Who Has Everything" (The Bane Chronicles, #8) - finished 8/18
8-Beyond the Waters of the World - finished 8/19
9"The Last Stand of the New York Institute" (The Bane Chronicles, #9) - finished 8/22
10-"The Course of True Love [and First Dates] (The Bane Chronicles, #10) - finished 8/30
11-"The Voicemail of Magnus Bane" (The Bane Chronicles, #11) - finished 9/1
12-Ada's Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay, 40 pages- finished 9/1

9. Read a book you think would make a good gift for a loved one.
The Wind Singer - the beginning of a good new series for my grandkids to read - finished 7/27

10. Read book where title (excluding subtitle/series name) OR author's name (first, middle, last) that has a total of 12 letters
The Hate U Give - finished 9/18

11. Read a book which cover shows something upside down (can be a person or even title printed upside down).
Life After Life - finished 9/6

12. Read the latest book you've brought home from the shops or the library or the latest bookmail delivered or the latest ebook you've downloaded on your ereader or the latest audiobook you've downloaded.
b:Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close|4588] - finished 7/26

COMPLETED 9/18

[Tien]

Yay, congrats, Susan!

[Bea]

Way to go, Susan!

[Dree]

Finally finished!!

1. ✔ Added in January 17 - The Commitments by Roddy Doyle ★★★★
2. ✔ Set in Nth Hemisphere - The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins ★★
3. ✔ Book set in summer - The Dry by Jane Harper ★★★1/2
4. ✔ Character in retail - The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon ★★★★
5. ✔ Sales! - Night by Elie Weasel ★★★★
6. ✔ Bestseller in 2017 - A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Bachman ★★★
7. ✔ 1 million ratings - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins ★★★★★
8. ✔ Read 12 short stories
The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell ★★★1/2
The Telltale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe ★★1/2
The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe ★★1/2
The Birds by Daphne du Maurier ★★★★
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson ★★★★
Hands - Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson ★★ 1/2
Paper pills - Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson ★★ 1/2
Mother - Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson ★★
The Bodysnatchers -Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde / The Bodysnatchers ★★★
Blackwood's Baby - The Beautiful Thing That Awaits Us All - Laird Barron ★★★
The Redfield Girls - The Beautiful Thing That Awaits Us All - Laird Barron ★★★
The Intoxicated by Shirley Jackson ★★ 1/2
9. ✔ Good gift - The Light Between Oceans by ML Stedman ★★★★1/2
10. ✔ Author's name has 12 letters - The Passage by Justin Cronin ★★★
11. ✔ Upside down cover - The Painted Veil by Somerset Maughm ★★★★
12. ✔ Latest book - The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson ★★1/2

[Tien]

Congrats, Dree

[Rosemary]

I finally completed round 1 :)
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Still working on round 2. I don't think I'll be done by the end of the year but I'm treating it as a neverending challenge :)

[Tien]

Well done, Rosemary!

I still have 1 book for this round which I'm hoping to get to this week for readathon.

[Bea]

Round 1 has nearly stopped for me. Sense and Sensibility (my Kindle book) is really hard going for me. I refuse to stop on it, and my goal of completing it this week looks nearly impossible. At least I should make more headway on it this week. Currently I am at 30%. My second outstanding book is The Thorn Birds. I have wanted to read this book since forever, but something about it really stops me. So far I haven't gotten it out of the library yet. My last book for this round will be the last library book I take out. That one should be easy if I just get the other two done.

[Elvenn]

With Where the Shadows Lie I seem to have finished Round 1..! =)

*checks multiple times*

Round 2, on the the other hand...

[Bea]

Reading my last planned book for this part of the game. Then on to #12, which I just got from the library yesterday. It will be a fast read - 128 pages of GN. I got it for another group's challenge, but it turned out to be a great one for this challenge to finish part 1 on.


Onto finishing up part 2 - 3 books left for that section.

[Ed]

Finished Round 1....see Post 52. Just 2 more books to finish for Round 2.

[Lisette]

Congrats Rosemary and Ed!

Good luck finishing the last one Bea.

[Bea]

Finished this round!!! And, yes, Tien...it turns out I really enjoyed The Thorn Birds, although I kept wondering where you live in relation to the land described in the book.

[Amy]

Finally finished round 1! Back to working on round 2 (no way I'll finish in time though)...

[Tien]

Ha! I've still got that 1 book for Round 1 and it's still sitting there on my pile while I focus on another challenge this month which is looking like I won't finish either lolz

[Tien]

Well, am playing Bookopoly Jr with my son and guess who landed in Jail?! On the positive side... I get to read that last book for this challenge ;p

[Amy]

Tien wrote: "Well, am playing Bookopoly Jr with my son and guess who landed in Jail?! On the positive side... I get to read that last book for this challenge ;p"

I'm going to keep going with round 2 past the deadline since most of my books are earmarked for other challenges anyway. Got to finish what I start; better late than never, right?

[Bea]

Amy wrote: "I'm going to keep going with round 2 past the deadline since most of my books are earmarked for other challenges anyway. Got to finish what I start; better late than never, right?"

I will be doing the same. I have 3 books to go for Round 2.

[D.G.]

I also have one left from round 1: A book with something upside down!

I'm looking through the Audible Romance package to see if I find a book that fits so I can read it before the end of the year...

[Bea]

D.G. wrote: "I also have one left from round 1: A book with something upside down!

I'm looking through the Audible Romance package to see if I find a book that fits so I can read it before the end of the year..."

D.G., reflections in water work. Maybe there is a cute guy or gal or couple standing near water?

[D.G.]

I can't tell if this one would work or if he's just lying down...

[Bea]

D.G. wrote: "I can't tell if this one would work or if he's just lying down..."

Looks like a torso of a body lying down.