The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
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WINTER CHALLENGE 2014 CT
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Winter 2014 Completed Tasks: Do Not Delete Posts

ONE Book option

Author name HELEN in this list: Greek Mythology Names
Book set in FRANCE - a country on the Mediterranean
Approved: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Task # 20.3 – Best Review – Book Concierge – Caroling, Caroling
Song: Santa Baby / Word: Santa
The Autobiography of Santa Claus ✔ – 19Dec14
I listened to the audio / paperback: The Autobiography of Santa Claus – 289 pg
Verified as “not really kids” book - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
This Post: 35 points
Total points to date: 70 points
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Books Read: (1) 500 pg / (0) 750 pg / (0) 1000 pg
Total Big Book TICKETS: 1

10.8 Our Friends in Tuxedos
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman, whose initials N.G. are found in the word "penguin”.
Neil Gaiman is a Goodreads author.
Points this post: 10
Total Points: 15
Total Goodreads Authors: 1
Total Big Book Tickets: 0

10.8 Our Friends in Tuxedos
Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word "penguin."
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
PENGUIN
Neil Gaiman is a **Goodreads Author**
[POINTS]
This Post: 10
Total Points: 210/1045
Books Read: 19
Completed Tasks: 17/59
Pages Read: 5331
Goodreads Authors: 13
Big Books: [500+: 1] [750+: 0] [1000+: 0]

Re-post of post #716 to include book link
20.9 - Moderator's Pet - Jessica PDX's Task: Stop That Slump!
Read ONE book by an author whose name does NOT contain ANY of the letters in SLUMP.
Visions of Sugar Plums 12/9 (I listened to the audio CD version, but the paperback-Visions of Sugar Plums is 192 pages)
by Janet Evanovich (Goodreads Author)
Points this post: 20
Total points: 20
Books posted: 1
Tasks complete: 1
Goodreads authors this post: 1
Total Goodreads authors: 1

I read Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory by Caitlin Doughty.
I've always been intrigued by what happens after death. I've read stiff by Mary Roach which explains what happens to the body after donation, but I've always wondered about cremation, and its logistics.
This Post
Points: 10
Goodreads Author this post: No
Big Books: No
Winter Totals
Total Points: 105
Total Tasks: 10
Total Goodreads Authors: 5
Total Big Books: 0

5.10 - Who's Your Muse? Book of my choice
Texas Splendor by Lorraine Heath
This Post
Points: 5
Goodreads Author: No
Big Books: No
Winter Totals
Total Points: 370 / 1045 (35.40%)
Total Goodreads Authors: 19
Total Big Books: 1

30.7 Hang the Stockings with Care (I rolled 1 and 4):
Book 1 (Satsuma, bright orange cover):

*Andy Weir is a GoodReads author*
Book 2 (Luxury):

Points This Post: 30
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Book Tickets: 0
Total for Winter Challenge:
Total Points: 85
Total Goodreads Authors: 4
Total Big Book Tickets:
Big Books - 500+: 0
Big Books - 750+: 0
Big Books - 1000+: 0

5.1 Calliope
Poetry listed in Genre on main page
The Bell Jar
15.8 Under my Thumb
Thumb visible on cover

30.8 Morgan Faeriesfollys Task
Option 1 - Books about books in genre
Lost in a Good Book 399 Pages
Option 3 - Double Rainbow
Book about a hermaphridite, GLBT listed in genre and approved #150 in help thread
Middlesex (BB Ticket Claim - 529p)
Total - 50
Prev total - 70
New totals - 120
GR - 1
BB ticket - 0 + 1 = 1

#20.3 Caroling, Caroling..
Read a book containing a word in the title that's also in one of the listed Christmas carols.
The Christmas carol I chose was "I'll Be Home For Christmas", and I matched the word CHRISTMAS
I read I Heart Christmas by Lindsey Kelk
Points this post: 20
Total points: 90
Total books read: 6

20.2 - Rookie at the Top - Erika’s Task: Feminism is for Everybody!
Option 3: Read a book with a pink object

Yes Please by Amy Poehler
Points this post: 20
Total Points: 125
Tasks Completed: 8
Books Read: 9
GR Authors: 1
Big Book Tickets: 500(), 750(), 1000()

Read a book with the main page genre of either Historical Fiction or Science Fiction.
Crooked Heart by Lissa Evans
Set in 20th century- world war 2
Total points: 100
GRAs: 3
BBs: 1

Read a book found on the Causes of Ugly Crying list.

Page 1: #43
*Khaled Hosseini is a GoodReads Author
-----------------------------------------------
Total Points This Post: 5
Total Points: 35
Tasks completed: 3
Other totals
Goodreads Authors: 2
Big Books (500): 1
Big Books (750):
Big Books (1000):

option 4.Read a book from one of these shelves: Memory or Aging.
The Ocean at the End of the Lane byNeil Gaiman
from page 1 of the 'memory' list.
Points this post: 20
Total Points: 95
Tasks Completed: 5
Books Read: 6

20.6 - Seasoned Reader - Alicia T's task: Deployment
Option 3: Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder- If there’s one thing about deployments that I try to convey to my friends, it’s that you have to get creative with your relationship. In today’s world of technology, my husband and I almost have to be archaic with our affections. We write each other hand written letters, I send care packages full of his favorite snack foods, and he sends me flowers for no reason at all. We have to put a lot of thought and effort into making one another feel good emotionally when we can’t physically be next to each other. It’s forced us to think about all the little romantic gestures we can do, so for this option read a book with the genre "Romance" on the goodread’s main page. The genre may be stand alone or embedded.
Fracture by Megan Miranda
*THIS BOOK IS NOT A REREAD*
*MEGAN MIRANDA IS A GOODREADS AUTHOR*
This Post: 20
Total Points: 45
Books Read: 3
Completed Tasks: 2
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Books: [500+: 0] [750+: 0] [1000+: 1]
Dlmrose
5.2 - Clio
Historical Fiction: The German Doctor by Lucía Puenzo
5.5 - Thalia
Humor: Still Foolin' 'Em: Where I've Been, Where I'm Going, and Where the Hell Are My Keys by Billy Crystal
25.9 -- Pat's task: Narcissus & Echo
Narcissus
A, first person- Ghost Month by Ed Lin, not a reread, 336 pages
"When I found out the girl I was going to marry had been murdered, I was sitting on a foldout stool at a sidewalk noodle shop in Taipei’s Da’an District."
B, 'me' in title: Mom & Me & Mom by Maya Angelou, not a rearead, 224 pages
total pages = 560
total = 145
5.2 - Clio
Historical Fiction: The German Doctor by Lucía Puenzo
5.5 - Thalia
Humor: Still Foolin' 'Em: Where I've Been, Where I'm Going, and Where the Hell Are My Keys by Billy Crystal
25.9 -- Pat's task: Narcissus & Echo
Narcissus
A, first person- Ghost Month by Ed Lin, not a reread, 336 pages
"When I found out the girl I was going to marry had been murdered, I was sitting on a foldout stool at a sidewalk noodle shop in Taipei’s Da’an District."
B, 'me' in title: Mom & Me & Mom by Maya Angelou, not a rearead, 224 pages
total pages = 560
total = 145

25.3 - Mrs.soule's task: Two Types of Tasks
Book A: Free-for-this-challenge book -
Viking Bay
**ARC from Penguin Publishing
Book B: A book from Mrs.soule's Goodreads 5-star shelf -
The World Without Us
Points this task: 25
BB: 0
GRA: 0
Points Total: 25
BB:0
GRA:0
Books Read: 2

Option 2
Lost and Found by Nicole Williams
Read a book whose title has two words that are opposites - Lost and Found
Points this Post: 20
Totals:
Total Points: 80
Total Tasks Completed: 5
Total Books Read: 5

Read a book found on the Causes of Ugly Crying list.
Blankets by Craig Thompson
Number 250 on the list
Total points: 105
GRA: 3
BB: 1

20.1 - Most Improved Player - Bea’s task: January and Janus
Option 2. Janus faces both the past and future. Read a book with the main page genre of either Historical Fiction or Science Fiction. Genre may be embedded or stand alone. Required: State the century or year of the setting when posting. If unknown, indicate why you consider this book as one which meets the requirement.
Curtsies & Conspiracies, Gail Carriger
Listed in the Approved Option Choices for Historical Fiction in message (#2) in the task help thread. Set in the 1850s (the first in the series specified 1851).
Read the kindle edition: MMPB reference edition:

Goodreads Author: Yes - Gail Carriger is a Goodreads Author
Big Book: No
Total Points this Challenge: 20
Books Read: 1
Tasks Completed: 5
Total Points: 95
Total Goodreads Authors: 5
Total Big books: 500+ (1). 750+ (0). 1,000 + (0)

Stephen King - Page One of Author Interviews
Dolores Claiborne
Points this post: 10
Total points: 10

OPTION 3 - We Were Liars which won Best Young Adult Fiction 2014.
30.8 - MAKE YOUR TBR SAY UNCLE
OPTION 3 - Mistik Lake which has GLBT on the main page. If it fell off it was approved in post 2 of the help thread.
OPTION 6 - The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette. Marie Antoinette was Queen of France.
TOTAL POINTS - 195

5.4 - Erato
"love" in the title
What I Love About You
10.10. A New Blog for a New Year
Roseanna (https://bfgb.wordpress.com/2009/11/10...)
Points: 15
Total: 185+15=200

Read: Must Love Dukes by Elizabeth Michels
Claiming 1 Goodreads Author for Elizabeth Michels
Points this task: 5
Total Points: 5
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Books: 0


Humor genre (5.5) and John Green was interviewed by GR (10.9) (page 2)
John Green is a goodreads author
TOTAL POINT : 50
BOOKS READ : 4
GRA : 2
BIG BOOKS : -

25.9 Narcissus and Echo
I chose Narcissus for this task and both books are new to me.
Option A The Laughing Monsters is told in the first person. The first sentence is "Eleven years since my last visit and the Freetown Airport still a shambles, one of those places where they wheel a staircase to the side of the plane and you step from European climate control immediately into the steam heat of West Africa."
It is 228 pages.
Option C The Fever has one person on the cover and has 303 pages.

The total page count is 531.
Megan Abbott is a Goodreads Author.
POINTS
Points This Post: 25
Points Total: 55
Books Read: 4
GR Author: 1
Big Books: [500+: 0] [750+: 0] [1000+: 0]
Tasks Completed: 2

15.8 Under My Thumb
Read a book that has a human hand on the cover that shows a thumb.

Big Book ticket - 576 pages

20.1: January and Janus
Option 2: Main Page Genre = Historical Fiction
A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon takes place in the 1770s.
Points This Post: 20
Total Points: 45
Total Tasks Completed: 2

30.9 - You Are An Ironman
Both books must be 1, 4, or 6 of series
Option 2: Read a book rated 4 or 5 stars by moderator
The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins (Hunger Games series #1)
Moderator Kristina Simon rated it 5 stars:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Option 5: Read a book with S, A, L, T in title
Slightly Married - Wendy Markham
(Slightly series #4)
Wendy Markham is a Goodreads author
Current post:
Points: 30
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Book Tickets: 0
Total:
Total Points: 110
Total Goodreads Authors: 6
Total Big Book Tickets: 0
Big Books - 500+:
Big Books - 750+:
Big Books - 1000+

I rolled a 2 and read Phantom by Jo Nesbø and Police by Jo Nesbø -- same author name
30.9 You are an Ironman!
I chose option 2 and read The Redeemer by Jo Nesbø -- #6 in the Harry Hole series. My GR friend Jen, who I've never met, rated it 5 stars here -- Claiming a Big Book ticket - 562 pages
I also chose option 4 and read Sun Storm by Åsa Larsson - her debut book and #1 in the Rebecka Martinsson series
Total Points: 60

Task # 10.10. A New Blog for a New Year
Read a book that has been reviewed in this blog.
I read

The link for the blog is here
Points this post: 10
Total points: 125

Confessions of a Shopaholic
Shopaholic Takes Manhattan[book:Confessions of a Shopaholic|9416
MIMIMICHELE
25.1 BOOK JUNKIE
Option 3-Start a series by a new to you author: CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC BY SOHPIE KINSELLA
THIS A NEW AUTHOR FOR ME
Option 4-Read a book in a series that you have already started: SHOPAHOLIC TAKES MANHATTEN BY
SOPHIE KINSELLA
Current post:
Points: 25
Goodreads Authors: 0
Big Book Tickets: 0
Total:
Total Points: 55
Total Goodreads Authors: 1
Total Big Book Tickets:
Big Books - 500+:
Big Books - 750+:
Big Books - 1000+:

20.1 - Most Improved Player - Bea's task: January and Janus
I chose Option 1
Option 1- Read a book with a cover showing a gate, door or doorway. Required: Include the cover when you post.

Claiming Steve Berry as GR author
Total Points- 65/1045
Number of Tasks Completed /59
Number of GR authors-(3)
Number of Big Books- 500 pages () 750+pages (1)

20.3 Caroling, Caroling...
Gone, Baby, Gone by Dennis Lehane

Song: Santa Baby
Matching word: Baby
***Goodreads Author***
***Big Book (560 pages)***
30.6 Twice the Fun
Rolled a 1:two books that have same word in the title.
Killing Mr. Griffin
by Lois Duncan

***Goodreads author***
The Talented Mr. Ripley (Ripley #1)
by Patricia Highsmith

POINTS
Points This Post: 50
Points Total: 80
GR Author: 5
Big Books: 1
Tasks Completed: 5

Completed Tasks
15.3 Launch A Thousand Ships
Using Option where one book satisfies both options -- The Grave Gourmet
1) Author name appears on Greek Mythology list - Alexander -- Alexander Campion
2) Book set at least 50% in Mediterranean Country - France -- set entirely in France
25.9 -- Pat's task: Narcissus & Echo
Using Narcissus Options A and B
Book #1 -- Option A -- written in 1st person -- Book is new to me
First sentence: "On a lovely May evening, I sat on my deck, watching the sun descend upon Lake Norman. So far, it had been a perfect day. I'd risen at 5:00 A.M. as I always do, put on a pot of French roast, and prepared my usual breakfast of scrambled eggs and a bowl of fresh pineapple." -- Blake Crouch
Kindle edition I read: Desert Places
Most popular paperback: Desert Places
Book #2 - Option B - word "Me" in title -- book is new to me
Kindle edition I read: Watch Me Die
paperback edition: Watch Me Die
***Summary***
Previous Points Earned: 35
Points Earned this Post: 40
Total Points To Date: 75

15.1 Returns and Exchanges
For book 1 I started with ◆

link to my review of The Cold Dish
I read

AND
For book 2 I started with ◆

link to my review of Undercurrents
For Book 2 I read

link to Readers Also Enjoyed for Undercurrents
Both books were chosen November 16, 2014
Total Points = 275

30.1 - Captain America Girl's task: It’s All Greek to Me…
rolled 2, 5
Book A - 2 - Gimme Some Sugar - Kimberly Kincaid (GR Author) - 20ppl have it shelved as romance
Book B - 5 - Flip This Zombie - Jesse Petersen (GR Author) - 177 ppl have it shelved as horror>zombies and 44ppl as horror
Points this Post: 30
Points Total: 275
Goodreads Authors: 16
Big Book Tickets:

Read a book found on the Causes of Ugly Crying list.
3rd page, 201st book
The Host by Stephenie Meyer
Points this post: 5
Total Points: 5
Tasks Completed: 1

Confessions of a Shopaholic
Shopaholic Takes Manhattan[book:Confessions of a Shopaholic|9416
MIMIMICHELE
25.1 BOOK JUNKIE
Option 3-Start a series by a new to you author: CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC BY SOHPIE KINSELLA
THIS A NEW AUTHOR FOR ME
Option 4-Read a book in a series that you have already started: SHOPAHOLIC TAKES MANHATTEN BY
SOPHIE KINSELLA
Current post:
Points: 25
Goodreads Authors: 0
Big Book Tickets: 0
Total:
Total Points: 55
Total Goodreads Authors: 1
Total Big Book Tickets:
Big Books - 500+:
Big Books - 750+:
Big Books - 1000+:

Option 1: Read a new-to-you book by an author you're read before.
Drug of Choice - (John Langeis a pen name for Michael Crichton and I readJurassic Park.)
Option Two: Read a book by a new-to-you author.
The Hillside Stranglers- I'd not read anything by Darcy O'Brien before.
30.2 Homer's Odyssey
Option 3: NOBODY
The Invisible Front: Love and Loss in an Era of Endless War by Yochi J. Dreazen (instructions say middle initials can be ignored)
Option 5: First Published in a year containing an 8
A Case of Need - first published in 1968
30.6 Twice the Fun
Rolled a 4: Publication Year must be the same.
Both from 2014:
If Nuns Ruled the World: Ten Sisters on a Mission by Jo Piazza - Goodreads Author
and
Remember Me Like This by Bret Anthony Johnston
30.8: Make your TBR List Say Uncle
Option 1: I Heard You Like Books
My Salinger Year by Joanna Rakoff- Goodreads Author
Option 5: Guilty Pleasures - for me, it's YA that I read with my daughter.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - Goodreads Author
Points this post: 115
Total points: 200
Goodreads Authors this post: 3
Total Goodreads Authors: 6
Big Books - 500+:
Big Books - 750+:
Big Books - 1000+: (less)

Task 30.7 - Hanging the Christmas Stockings with Care
Numbers rolled - 3 and 5
Option #3 - Matched by Ally Condie - author's initials are in the word C HOCOL A TE.
Option #5 - Cinder by Marissa Meyer - This book appears on the Popular Classic Retellings Books.
Both authors are GoodReads authors.
[POINTS]
This Post: 30
Total Points: 90
Books Read: 6
Completed Tasks: 3
GoodReads Authors: 6
Big Book Tickets: 0

15.6 My Way - February 17 is My Way Day. Read a memoir or autobiography- a non-fiction account of the author's OWN personal life and experiences.
Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness
Points this task: 15
Total points: 45
Books read: 3
Tasks completed: 2

20.10 - Group Reads
Christmas Chick Lit: Candy Cane Murder by Joanne Fluke.
I have posted in the discussion thread at post #22.
I am claiming 3 Goodreads authors for this title:
Joanne Fluke
Leslie Meier
Laura Levine
[POINTS]
This Post: 20
Total Points: 60/1045
Books Read: 5
Completed Tasks: 4/60
Goodreads Authors: 6
Big Books: [500+: 0] [750+: 0] [1000+: 0]

20.3 - Best Review - Book Concierge's task: Caroling, Caroling …
White Cat by Holly Black
The song is White Christmas (matching the word white)
Holly Black is a goodreads author
Points this post: 20
Total points: 245

Option 2: From Best Feminist Fiction list.
Curse of the Blue Tattoo: Being an Account of the Misadventures of Jacky Faber, Midshipman and Fine Lady
Page 6, #570 on list.
I listened to the audio and read the Kindle version, there is no mmp so the link goes to the most popular pb.
This is a BB, at 504 pages, for 1 BB ticket.
New points this post: 20
Total w/this post: 570
GRA tickets this post:0
Total w/this post: 20
Big Books this post: 1
Total w/this post: 1
Total tasks completed:30
Total books claimed: 44
Post #: 810

Option 3: Read a book with a pink object (this includes text), high-heeled shoe(s), or a bare-chested man on the cover.
Perfect Timing by Jill Mansell

*High heeled shoe & pink flowers
Totals for Challenge
Points this task: 20
Total Points: 175
Goodreads Authors: 12
Big Books - 500+: 1
Big Books - 750+:
Big Books - 1000+:

30.4 - Annapoorni's task: Neptune's Neighbourhood -
Option A: The Water Baby by Roz Denny Fox.
Water in the Title
Option B: The Magnate's Indecent Proposal (Taken by the Millionaire) by Ally Blake.
Lake in the Author's Last Name.
**Roz Denny Fox is goodreads author.**
**Ally Blake is goodreads author.**
Current post:
Points: 30
Goodreads Authors: 2
Big Book Tickets: 0
Total:
Total Points: 355
Total Goodreads Authors: 20
Total Big Book Tickets:
Big Books - 500+:
Big Books - 750+:
Big Books - 1000+:

Task: 5.2 - Clio
Read a book with the genre "History" or "Historical Fiction" on its main page
All That I Am by Anna Funder
Task 20.4 - Author ! Author !
Option 2: Read a non-fiction book with the genre "Economics" on its main page.
Think Like a Freak by Steven D. Levitt
**Stephen Levitt is a Goodreads Author **
Current post:
Points: 25
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Book Tickets: 0
Total:
Total Points: 60
Total Goodreads Authors: 2
Total Big Book Tickets:
Big Books - 500+:
Big Books - 750+:
Big Books - 1000+:
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Books mentioned in this topic
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Beneath the Lion's Gaze (other topics)
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Out of the Easy (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Ruta Sepetys (other topics)Caitlin Moran (other topics)
Liane Moriarty (other topics)
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Jonathan Safran Foer (other topics)
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5.6 Melpomene
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, found on page 1 in position #64 on the Causes of Ugly Crying List.
I read the Kindle edition. The Mass Market paperback edition is 107 pages.
Points this post: 5
Total Points: 5
Goodreads Authors this post: 0
Total Goodreads Authors: 0
Big Book Tickets this post: 0
Total Big Book Tickets: 0
Big Books - 500+: 0
Big Books - 750+: 0
Big Books - 1000+: 0