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

Option 2 - Author New to You
Dollbaby by Laura Lane McNeal
This is a new author to me.
Option 4 - Book in a Series You've Already Started
Pegasus Descending by James Lee Burke
This is number 15 in the series.
***Laura Lane McNeal is a Goodreads Author
Post Total: 25
Grand Total: 180

25.3 - TWO TYPES OF TASKS
OPTION 1 - Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground to replace Mistik Lake. I got this book from the library.
OPTION 2 - Angels' Dance approved in line 183 of the spreadsheet on 11/28/14 when I chose it.
25.9 - NARCISSUS AND ECHO
NARCISSUS
OPTION 2 - ME IN TITLE - Kill Me If You Can.
OPTION 3 - ONE PERSON ON COVER -

50.1 - LET'S START THE NEW YEAR OUT RIGHT
OPTION 1 - CLOSE BUT NOT QUITE - Mistik Lake which I was going to use for task 30.8 option 3 but with only 224 pages it failed to meet the 250 page minimum.
OPTION 3 - NOMINATED IN THE MYSTERY CATEGORY - Top Secret Twenty-One.
OPTION 4 - Sweet Venom which has Mythology and Greek mythology on the home page.
TOTAL POINTS - 515

Option 1: As the Odyssey is considered a classic, read a book (fiction or nonfiction) that has "Classics" as a genre on its main page.
Selected Short Stories by Rabindranath Tagore
Option 3:Read a book written by an author whose initials can be found in the word "NOBODY."
Chronicles, Vol. 1 by Bob Dylan
Points this Post: 30
Total Points: 145
GR Authors: 5

25.4 Bluemoon's task: Egyptian Deities
For this task we will explore Egyptian Mythology. You will chose TWO different options and read a book for EACH. REQUIRED: State which options you chose when you post.
A. THE GODDESS MA’AT - For this option read a book with the name of a season in the title or subtitle.
Foxglove Summer, Ben Aaronovitch
Read the kindle edition: MMPB reference edition:

Goodreads Author: Yes, Ben Aaronovitch is a Goodreads Author
Big Book: No
D. THE GODESS ISIS - this option read a book that has “Magic” or “Magical Realism” as a genre on the home page.
Chocolat, Joanne Harris
Has the front-page genre Magical Realism
Goodreads Author: Yes, Joanne Harris is a Goodreads Author
Big Book: No
Total Points this Challenge: 25
Books Read: 2
Tasks Completed: 13
Total Points: 300
Total Goodreads Authors: 12
Total Big books: 500+ (1). 750+ (0). 1,000 + (0)

read a book selected as the group reads.
I read Good Omens
points of this post: 20
GRA:1
Big books:0

Song: Winter Wonderland
Book: The Dust of Wonderland by Lee Thomas (***Goodreads Author***)
Task: 20
Total: 595
GRA This Task: 1

I chose options 4 and 6
Joy for Beginners
Joined Goodreads July 2011 and added the book June 6, 2012
The Courtship of Princess Leia
Task Task Points: 30
Total Points: 160

15.7 Creature Feature
(view spoiler)
The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle contains the word "UNICORN" in the title.
***Goodreads Author***
IL: UG BL: 6.2 AR: 11.0
THIS POST:
Points: 15
Tasks Completed: 1
Books: 1
GRA Tickets: 1
BB Tickets: [500+:0][750+:0][1000+:0]
TOTAL THIS SEASON:
Points: 590
Tasks Completed: 38
Pages: 14685
Books: 47
GRA Tickets: 24
BB Tickets: [500+:4][750+:0][1000+:0]

2. Friendships: Read a book that either a GR friend who you have never met, or that one of our moderators has rated 4 or 5 stars.
REQUIRED: Provide a link to the friend's or the moderator's review of the book when you post.
Witches Abroad: by Terry Pratchett (Discworld #12)
Rated 5 stars by Stevie Finegan, a booktuber I'm friends with on Goodreads, but have never met. Her rating is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
4. First-time winners: Read a debut book by an author. (Note: This will necessarily need to be book #1 in a series since it's the author's first stand-alone book.) Contributions to anthologies can be ignored.
Paper Aeroplanes by Dawn O'Porter (Paper Aeroplanes #1)
Points this post: 30
Points total: 95
Tasks completed: 4
GRA tickets total: 3
Big book tickets total: 3 - 500+(1) 750+(1) 1000+()

30.7: CATHERINE T'S HANG THE STOCKINGS
req'd: I rolled a 1 and 5
#1:

#5: req'd: found on page 1
Prom and Prejudice
by Elizabeth Eulberg --- GR Author
Points this Post: 30
Total Points: 555
Total GRA: 22
BB-500: 1
BB-750: 1
BB-1000: 0

15.7 Creature Feature: Read a book with one of these words in the title or subtitle: centaur, chimera, dragon, giant, gorgon, griffin, harpy, minotaur, pegasus, satyr, sphinx, serpent, siren, unicorn. Plurals and possessives are ok, no other variations.

This Post: 15
Total Points: 135
Tasks Completed: 8
Books Read: 11
Goodreads Author: 7
Big Books: 500+(0), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)

task 30.9: ironman:2 books from different options:
*opt #1: book #1 of a series & set @ least 50% in georgia:
Defending Angels by Mary Stanton *this is a GRA
setting is savannah, georgia
*opt #5: book #1 of a series & with letters S.A.L.T. found in title:
The Sweethearts' Knitting Club by Lori Wilde *this is a GRA
Points this post: 30
Total points: 160
Goodreads Authors: 5
Big Books: 500+(1) 750+(1) 1000+(0)
Tasks Completed: 9

Read a book with the genre "Religion," "Spirituality," or "Inspirational" on its main page.
Habibi by Craig Thompson
Total points: 315
GRAs: 10
BBs: 1

5.2 - Clio
Read a book with the genre "History" or "Historical Fiction" on its main page.
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie
Total Points- 235/1045
Number of Tasks Completed 15/59
Number of GR authors-(8)
Number of Big Books- 500 pages () 750+pages (1)

Option 2: Read a book whose title or subtitle has two words that are conflicting or opposites.
Girl Meets Boy by Ali Smith
Total points: 335
GRAs: 10
BBs: 1

20.5 - Bigger is Better - Emurphy's task: 2 Sides to Every Coin
Read ONE book from one of the following options. REQUIRED: State which option you chose when you post.
Option 2: Read a book whose title or subtitle has two words that are conflicting or opposites.
Lost and Found - 1/24/15
by Lori L. Otto (Goodreads Author)
Points this post: 20
Total points: 100
Tasks complete: 5
Goodreads authors this post: 1
Total Goodreads authors: 5

Task # 5.3 - Euterpe
Read a book with an identifiable musical instrument on the cover.

Points this post: 5
Total points: 570

Task # 5.6 - Melpomene
Read a book found on the Causes of Ugly Crying list.

Points this post:5
Total points: 275

50.1 - Teri-K's task: Let's Start the New Year Off Right
Book 1 2) Try, Try Again
Started and did not finish in December 2011
Did not complete book until I started from page 1 again this week.
Within the Flames 376 pages 1/19
by Marjorie M. Liu (Goodreads Author)
Book 2 3) Jump on the Bandwagon
Nonfiction https://www.goodreads.com/choiceaward...
This is the first time I have read this book.
The Tale of the Dueling Neurosurgeons: The History of the Human Brain as Revealed by True Stories of Trauma, Madness, and Recovery 407 pages 1/24
by Sam Kean
Book 3 5) Be Resolved
Pick a resolution--I've been rehabbing a house, so I've let my (done on my time) work-related reading slide; I'm feeling self-imposed pressure to catch up.
Among other topics, I facilitate seminars on public speaking.
This is the first time I have read this book.
Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World's Top Minds 300 pages 1/22
by Carmine Gallo
Points this post: 50
Total points: 1045
Books posted: 81
Tasks complete: 58
Goodreads authors this post: 1
Total goodreads authors: 47

Option 2 (boy/girl), plural approved in help thread.
25.4 - Bluemoon's task: EGYPTIAN DEITIES
Option A - The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley, a Goodreads author.
Winter in the title.
This book is a BIG BOOK with 527 pages.
Option D - I'll Be Watching You by Charles de Lint
Magic
Points: 480

20.3 - Best Review - Book Concierge's task: Caroling, Caroling …
I read His at Night
It's 417 pages & NIGHT is in O Holy Night
30.9 -- Delicious Dee's task: You Are An Ironman
For option 3 I read Some Luck which is book 1 of her new series & as always with Smiley I was eagerly anticipating getting to read what she next wrote.
For option 5 I read Animal Magnetism, also book 1 in that series, which contains S A L & T in the title.
TALLY:
This post - 50 points
Total - 500

(view spoiler)
Last Man in Tower by Aravind Adiga
I read this book in the Kindle edition linked above, but the top mass market paperback edition has 512 pages. Approved on Post 31 of the Task Help thread.
**Big Book 500+ pages**
THIS POST:
Points: 10
Tasks Completed: 1
Books: 1
GRA Tickets: 0
BB Tickets: [500+:1][750+:0][1000+:0]
TOTAL THIS SEASON:
Points: 610
Tasks Completed: 40
Pages: 15626
Books: 49
GRA Tickets: 25
BB Tickets: [500+:5][750+:0][1000+:0]
Dlmrose
15.5 California Dreamin'
West of Sunset by Stewart O'Nan
"a novel of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s last years in Hollywood"
30.3 - Dlmrose's task: Greek Key
option 2, pg 2 #164 : Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne
option 4
A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout
30.8 -- Morgan Faeriesfolly's task: Make Your TBR List Say Uncle
option 1, approved in post 2: The Shelf: From LEQ to LES: Adventures in Extreme Reading by Phyllis Rose
option 6, pirates: Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton
total = 885
15.5 California Dreamin'
West of Sunset by Stewart O'Nan
"a novel of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s last years in Hollywood"
30.3 - Dlmrose's task: Greek Key
option 2, pg 2 #164 : Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne
option 4

30.8 -- Morgan Faeriesfolly's task: Make Your TBR List Say Uncle
option 1, approved in post 2: The Shelf: From LEQ to LES: Adventures in Extreme Reading by Phyllis Rose
option 6, pirates: Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton
total = 885

Task 20.3 - Caroling, Caroling...
Title has matching word from a Christmas Carol
Christmas Carol: Joy to the World
Word Matched: World
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
Page Number: 420
Pages Link: World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War
Max Brooks is a *Goodreads Author*
Points this Post: 20
Total Points: 260
Total Tasks: 17
Goodreads Authors: 13
Big Books: 1
Total Books: 21

Task 25.9 - Narcissus & Echo
I did the Echo option
option B: read a book with a repeated word in the title
Kiss Kiss by Roald Dahl
page count: 236; not a reread
option C: read a book with two people on the cover

page count: 544; not a reread
Coincidently, City of Lost Souls also meets option A, being on page 2 of the list & with romance genre :)
Total page count is greater than 500

10.5. Older and Wiser
The Pursuit of Perfect: How to Stop Chasing Perfection and Start Living a Richer, Happier Life by Tal Ben-Shahar
I wanted to learn to not be so hard on myself and complete tasks with less consternation, all while working toward a happier life. Good book!
THIS POST: 10
TOTAL: 110
TASKS: 6
GRA: 2
BB: 500() 750() 1000()

Task #5.7 - Polyhymnia
Why Priests? by Garry Wills
Goodreads Author -no
Big Book ticket - no
This Post
Points: 5
Total Points: 65
Total Goodreads Authors: 0
Total Big Books: 0

30.7 -- Catherine T's task: Hang the Christmas Stockings with Care
Read 2 books, 1 for each option as indicated by results of rolled dice.
Numbers rolled: 2; 3
Option 2: Read a non-fiction science book. The genre "Science" must appear on the book's main page.
What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions by Randall Munroe for 1 Goodreads Author ticket.
Science appears as a main page genre. The book is non-fiction.
Option 3: Read a book whose author initials can be found in "CHOCOLATE."
Heist Society by Ally Carter for 1 Goodreads Author ticket.
AC are the author's initials, and both letters appear in the word chocolate.
---
Points this post: 30
Big Books this post: --
Goodreads Author tickets this post: 2
---
Total Points: 55
Total Big Books: --
Total Goodreads Author Tickets: 4
Total Tasks: 2

30.6 - Elizabeth B's task: Twice the Fun
Read 2 books for 1 option chosen by the roll of 1 die.
Number rolled: 6
Option 6: Read 2 books that have the same top genre on the main page.
Book 1: Yes Please by Amy Poehler
Book 2: Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography by Neil Patrick Harris
Both of these books have nonfiction listed as the top entry on their main page for genre listings.
---
Points this post: 30
Big Books this post: --
Goodreads Author tickets this post: --
---
Total Points: 85
Total Big Books: --
Total Goodreads Author Tickets: 4
Total Tasks: 3

Word beginning with “U” in title - Under
Grace Under Pressure ✔ – 24 Jan 15
*** Julie Hyzy is a Goodreads author ***
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
This Post: 15 points
Total points to date: 215 points
Goodreads Authors: 5
Big Books Read: (1) 500 pg / (0) 750 pg / (0) 1000 pg
Total Big Book TICKETS: 1

15.8 Under My Thumb

**547pp - 1 BB ticket
TOTAL TO DATE
Points: 290
Tasks: 22
Goodreads Authors: 12
Big Book Tickets: 8
Books: 24

15.1 Returns and Exchanges
Book 1 - Choose a book that you have read and rated 4 or 5 stars: Home of the Braised by Julie Hyzy. Read a different book by the same author.: All the President's Menus -kindle - All the President's Menus - paperback 304 pgs. by Julie Hyzy
Julie Hyzy is a GRA

Book 2 - Choose a book that you read and rated 4 or 5 stars: Nice Dragons Finish Last by Rachel Aaron. "Readers Also Enjoyed": Charming - kindle - Charming - paperback- 400 pgs by Elliott James
Elliott James is a GRA
found on 19 Jan 15.

THIS POST
Points: 15
Completed Tasks: 1
Good Read Authors: 2
Big Books: 0
Total This Season
Points: 180
Completed Tasks: 10
Good Read Authors: 13
Big Books: 0
******
Pages read this season: 4,939
Books read this season: 15
******
Personal Best: 660/1180 (summer 14)

30.7 -- Catherine T's task: Hang the Christmas Stockings with Care
I rolled a 4 and a 5.
Option 4, Luxury Item:
I chose to read

Option 5, Surprise:
I chose to read

Previous point total: 195
New points this post: 30
Total points: 225
New tasks completed in this post: 1
Total tasks: 12
GRA tickets this post: 0
Total GRA: 7
Big Books this post: 0
Total Big Books: 500+(0) 750+(0) 1000+(0)

I chose Option 1: Read a book that has the word "coin", or the name of a US coin (defined as: penny, nickel, dime, quarter) in the title/subtitle.
Harry Houdini Mysteries: The Dime Museum Murders by Daniel Stashower
Dime
Task total=20
Grand total=220

15.6 - My Way
A book that is a memoir or autobiography- a non-fiction account of the author's OWN personal life and experiences.
Yes Please by Amy Poehler -- Memoir
Points This Post: 15
GR Authors This Post: 0
Big Book Tickets This Post: 0
Total Points: 270
Total GR Authors: 22
Total Big Book Tickets: 3

20.6 - Seasoned Reader - Alicia T's task: Deployment:
Option 1: Read a book set on a different continent(s) than the one you are currently residing in.
Adiós Muchachos by Daniel Chavarria.
I live in Europe and the book's setting is in North America.
This book isn't a reread for me.
Points this post: 20
Total Points: 260
GR Authors this post: 0
Total GR Authors: 3
Big Book Tickets this post: 0
Total Big Book Tickets:
BBooks - 500+: 1
BBooks - 750+:
BBooks - 1000+:

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.
Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich.
*Goodreads author*
Points this post: 20
Total Points: 280
GR Authors this post: 1
Total GR Authors: 4
Big Book Tickets this post: 0
Total Big Book Tickets:
BBooks - 500+: 1
BBooks - 750+:
BBooks - 1000+:

20.4 - Author! Author! - Gea's task: The College Years
Option 1) Read a book which is set at least 50% in a country that is part of European Union.
Using Spain
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Member_s...
Small Damages
Points this post: 20
Total: 305
Books read: 22
Tasks Done:14

Rolled 3 and 5.
Option 3. Prometheus:

Big book with 1.200 pages.
Option 5. Medusa:

Big Book with 554 pages
Points this post: 30
Total Points: 240
Goodreads Authors this post: 0
Total Goodreads Authors: 9
Big Book Tickets this post: 4
Total Big Book Tickets: 6

Option 1: Far Abroad
I live in Australia and the book is set in Europe
This book is not a reread
The Children Act by Ian McEwan
POINTS
This Post: 20
Total Points: 180
Books Read: 13
Completed Tasks: 11

Option 2. Genre
"Historical Fiction"
The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan
Set in the twentieth century
25.1 -- Angel **Book Junkie**'s task: New and Old
Option 1. New Book, Old Author:
Dark Witch by Nora Roberts
Older Book: Dance Upon the Air by Nora Roberts
Option 3. New Series, New Author:
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
This author is new to me
POINTS
This Post: 35
Total Points: 180
Books Read: 13
Completed Tasks: 11


15.8 Under My Thumb

20.2 - Rookie at the Top - Erika’s Task: Feminism is for Everybody!
Option 3

The pink object : Pink lips
Elizabeth Lowell is a goodreads author
20.3 - Best Review - Book Concierge's task: Caroling, Caroling …

The song yitle : O Holy Night
The matching word : NIGHT
Wedding night i a big book (592 pages)
20.6 - Seasoned Reader - Alicia T's task: Deployment
Option 1

The book set in Europe, I live in Asia
This book is not a re-read
TOTAL POINT : 200
BOOKS READS : 14
GRA : 6
BIG BOOKS : 1

10.10 A New Blog for a New Year
Jackaby by William Ritter
https://bfgb.wordpress.com/2014/11/25...
*William Ritter is a Goodreads author
Points this post: 10
Total Points: 180
GR Authors this post: 1
Total GR Authors: 13

30.9 -- Delicious Dee's task: You Are An Ironman
Option 4: Read a debut book by an author.
The Emperor's Blades by Brian Staveley
This is the debut book by author Brian Staveley and the first book in the Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne series.
Brian Staveley is a Goodreads Author!
Option 5: Read a book where the letters S, A, L, T can be found in the title/subtitle.
Death Comes to the Village by Catherine Lloyd
The letter S, A, L, T can be found in the title: deATh comeS to the viLllage
This is the first book in the Kurland St. Mary Mystery series.
Points this post: 30
Total Points: 265
Books Read: 15
Goodreads Authors: 6
Big Books:500+(0)750+(0)1000+(1)

30.6 - Elizabeth B's task: Twice the Fun
6.GENRE: Read 2 books that have the same top genre on the main page
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan and
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
both have mystery as the top genre
*Robin Sloan and Alan Bradley are Goodreads authors
Points this post: 30
Total Points: 210
GR Authors this post: 2
Total GR Authors: 15

25.9: PAT'S TASK - NARCISSUS & ECHO
Both books are new to me.
character: Narcissus
opt. B: Written in My Own Heart's Blood
by Diana Gabaldon --- GR Author
***BB TICKET: 825 pgs
opt C:

by Elizabeth Loupas --- GR Author
Points this Post: 25
Total Points: 580
Total GRA: 24
BB-500: 1
BB-750: 2
BB-1000: 0

5.2 - Clio
Read a book with the genre "History" or "Historical Fiction" on its main page.
Upon a Winter's Night by Pamela Clare
Goodreads Author
One book between 80 -99 pages may be used for ONE 5 point task.
15.3 Launch A Thousand Ships
Read ONE book that satisfies BOTH Book 1 and Book 2 requirements
Book 1 - Read a book by an author whose name (in any position) is found on one of these lists
Greek Mythology Names Melissa
Book 2 - Read a book set in a country that surrounds the Mediterranean Sea
Required State the country Italy
100 Strokes of the Brush Before Bed by Melissa Panarello
Goodreads Author
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.
Aching for Always by Gwyn Cready
Goodreads Author
30.2 -- Hina's task: Homer's Odyssey
Read 2 books, each from a different option.
Both books must be at least 300 pages long.
Option 3: Read a book written by an author whose initials can be found in the word "NOBODY."
Olivia Drake Seducing the Heiress 320pp
Option 5: Read a book that has the number 24 in the date.
8/24/2010 Just One Taste by Louisa Edwards 331pp
Goodreads Author
30.6 - Elizabeth B's task: Twice the Fun
REQUIRED: State which number you rolled when you post. 5
5. AWARD: Read 2 books that have won the same award.
All About Romance
The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan
Approved post #1800
Goodreads Author
Beyond Seduction by Emma Holly
Goodreads Author
Points this post: 100
Total points: 100
Tasks completed: 5
Books read: 7
Goodreads Authors: 6
Big Books: 500= ,750=0, 1000=0

Option 2. This book is number 66 0n page 1 of the Best Twists list:
The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins
Option 4. A repeating pattern on the cover:

The Library Book by Alan Bennett and others
Total points 75
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Books mentioned in this topic
The Brief History of the Dead: A Novel (other topics)The Toll-Gate (other topics)
Beneath the Lion's Gaze (other topics)
Paw and Order (other topics)
Out of the Easy (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Ruta Sepetys (other topics)Caitlin Moran (other topics)
Liane Moriarty (other topics)
Ellen Hopkins (other topics)
Jonathan Safran Foer (other topics)
More...
Read a book with the genre "History" or "Historical Fiction" on its main page.
5.10 - Who's Your Muse?
Read a book of your choice.
15.9 Public Enemy
Read a book with the genre "crime" on its main book page.
*Tana French is a Goodreads Author
25.3 -- Mrs.soule's task: Two Types of Tasks
Book A: read a book you already owned before December 1, 2014.
I have owned this book for at least 10 years but never read it.
*Paulo Coelho is a Goodreads Author
Book B: Read a book from Mrs.soule's Goodreads five-star shelf.
25.10 -- Lois's task: Book Group Books
Book 1: Read a book from my real life book group
Book 2: Read a book from the Most Popular bookclub books list
--------------------------------------------------
Total Points This Post: 75
Total Points: 140
Tasks completed: 10
Other totals
Goodreads Authors: 2
Big Books (500): 2
Big Books (750):
Big Books (1000):