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

In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollan,a GRA
10.10. A New Blog for a New Year
The First Phone Call from Heaven by Mitch Albom,aGRA
https://bfgb.wordpress.com/2014/10/13...
15.7 Creature Feature
Luck of the Dragon by Susannah Scott, a GRA
20.10 - Group Reads
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein,GRA
msg-56 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Points this post-55
GRA this post- 4
Total points - 940

30.9 -- Delicious Dee's task: You Are An Ironman
REQUIRED - Option 3 and 4
Option 3 - Read a book that you have been highly anticipating.
The Line by J.D. Horn
This is book 1 in the Witching Savannah Series.
******J.D. Horn IS A GOODREADS AUTHOR******
Option 4 - Read a debut book by an author.
The Hangman's Daughter by Oliver Pötzsch
This is book 1 in The Hangman's Daughter series.
******Oliver PötzschIS A GOODREADS AUTHOR******
This Post
Points this Post: 30
Tasks Completed: 1
GRA Tickets: 2
BB Ticket: 0
Total this Season
Points: 365 / 1045
Tasks Completed: 15/60
Pages: 8714
Books: 26
Goodreads Authors: 16
Big Books: [500+: 2] [750+: 0] [1000+: 0]

task 15.7: creature feature:
*book with pegasus in title
Pegasus by Danielle Steel
Points this post: 15
Total points: 250
Goodreads Authors: 7
Big Books: 500+(1) 750+(1) 1000+(0)
Tasks Completed: 12

Option A:

Option B:

Gustave Flaubert was born on December 12, 1821.
30.3 - Dlmrose's task: Greek Key
Option 1:

Approved in message 138 in the help thread.
Option 4:

Approved in the help thread under message 2.
The Circle is a big book with 508 pages.
Current post:
Points: 55
Goodreads Authors: 0
Big Book Tickets: 1
Totals:
Total Points: 455
Total Goodreads Authors: 19
Total Big Book Tickets: 3
Total Tasks Done: 25
Total Books Read: 36

20.6 - Seasoned Reader - Alicia T's task: Deployment
Option 1: Far Abroad – Read a book set on a different continent(s) than the one you are currently residing in.
I read The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins which takes place on the continent of Europe. I live in North America.
This book is not a reread for me.

Thanks, I guess Working on a task but can't get it quite right.

10.2. A New Year and a New Number - Read a book with the number of pages consisting of digits found in 2015.
An Unexpected Father by Lisa Ruff.
Paperback version has 215 pages.
Current post:
Points: 10
Goodreads Authors: 0
Big Book Tickets: 0
Total:
Total Points: 1045
Total Goodreads Authors: 53
Total Big Book Tickets:
Big Books - 500+:
Big Books - 750+:
Big Books - 1000+:

25.6 -- Pamela3265's task: Let It Snow!
OPTION B: Night Fires
OPTION C: Unbelievable
Sara Shepard is a Goodreads author.
POINTS
This Post: 25
Total Points: 390
Books Read: 31
Goodreads Authors: 22
Big Books: [500+: 1] [750+: 0] [1000+: 0]

Travel: Midnight in Siberia: A Train Journey Into the Heart of Russia by David Greene
Points this post: 10
Total points: 745

25.3 Two Types of Tasks
Book 1: This is a book I checked out from the library.
The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black *Claiming GR Author Ticket*
Book 2: This is from Ms.Soule's 5-star book shelf.
Bossypants by Tina Fey
Points this post: 25
Total Points: 235

50.1
Option 1: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
I was planning to read this for Task 30.8, Option 4, because I joined GR January 2009 and added this book on January 2009 - but it was not 250 pages long.
Option 2: Cinder by Marissa Meyer *Claiming GR Author Ticket*
This is not a reread. I started reading this book when it was first published and was getting so much hype (2012ish), but had to return it to the library before I finished it.
Option 3: Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel *Claiming GR Author Ticket*
This is not a reread. It is from the Fiction category.
Points this post: 50
Total Points: 285

25.9 -- Pat's task: Narcissus & Echo
Narcissus
Option A
The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong Goodreads Author
First sentence: "When the door to my cell clicked open, the first thought that flitted through my doped-up brain was that Liz had changed her mind and come back."
This book is new to me.
Option C

This book is new to me.
30.8 -- Morgan Faeriesfolly's task: Make Your TBR List Say Uncle
Option 2

Option 5
The Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead Goodreads Author
Total Points:475
Total GR Authors: 25

20.5 Emurphy’s Coins Option 1. I read a book with the word “Coins” in the title, Fascinating Facts, Mysteries & Myths about U.S. Coins by Robert R. Van Ryzin.
20.8 Angie CA’s Nickels and Dimes I read Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void by Mary Roach. Mars fits 5.2 Clio with “History” as a GR genre, and 5.9 Urania with a celestial body in the title (Mars).
20.9 Jessica PDX’s Stop That Slump! I read Crackpot Palace: Stories by Jeffrey Ford, whose name has no S,L,U,M, or P in it.
25.8 Hana C’s Saturnalia
First Book -- a book of my choice. I read The Pond Mountain Chronicle: Self-Portrait of a Southern Appalachian Community by Mary L. Cooper.
Second Book – Option 1. A book with a winter scene on the cover. I read The Last Stand of Fox Company: A True Story of U.S. Marines in Combat by Bob Drury.

Points This Post: 85
Total Points So Far: 965

10.1 - A Random Trip Back in Time
random number: 6.
first published: 2009
City of Glass - Cassandra Clare
**Cassandra Clare is a Goodreads Author
** City of Glass is a Big Book (541 pages) Claiming 1 BB ticket
This post:
10 points
1 GRA Ticket
1 BB Ticket
Total:
200 points
12 GRA Tickets
1 BB Ticket

Task 25.10 - Book Group Books
Option One: Book you're reading for a book group in December/January/February
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
My book group, which is a bunch of girls I'm friends with, meets once a month and this was our book for January 2015!
Amy Tan is a *Goodreads Author*
Option Two: Book from Most Popular Book Club Books List
Still Alice by Lisa Genova
Most Popular Book Club Books of the Week, found on January 31st, position 12
Lisa Genova is a *Goodreads Author*
I'm also reading this for my book group for February, so this task is perfect!
Points this Post: 25
Total Points: 535
Total Tasks: 31
Goodreads Authors: 26
Big Books: 4
Total Books: 41

Option 1 – I HEARD YOU LIKE BOOKS - “books about books”
The Camel Bookmobile ✔ – 04Feb15 (320 pg)
Approved: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
*** Masha Hamilton is a Goodreads Author ***
Option 3 – DOUBLE RAINBOW – main character is gay
Freak Show ✔ – 17Feb15 (304 pg)
Main page description begins: Billy Bloom is gay …
GLBT is a main page genre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
This Post: 30 points
Total points to date: 415 points
Goodreads Authors: 10
Big Books Read: (1) 500 pg / (0) 750 pg / (0) 1000 pg
Total Big Book TICKETS: 1

50.1 - Teri-K's task: Let's Start the New Year Off Right
Option 1: A to Z by Marie Sexton, which doesn't quite fit task 15.3 because the author's name is Marie and not Maria
Opiobt 2: I originally abandonded this on Oct 2013 - not a re-read Anna and the French Kiss
Opt 3: Murder of Crows nominee for Fantasy category, not a reread
PointsP:50
Total:980

***Reposting***
First I need to move some books around.
East of Ecstasy from 30.5 to 50.1 and replaced with Fire & Flood.
Fire & Flood from 25.6 to 30.5 and replaced with Invisible (new).
Rumble from 5.7 to 50.1 but no replacement.
25.6 -- Pamela3265's task: Let It Snow!
Book 1: Dissonance by Erica O'Rourke
Notes: A) lEt it snOw
Book 2: Invisible by Marni Bates
Notes: C) Romance genre.
30.5 - Sandy's task: Atlantis
Book 1: Invaded by Melissa Landers
Notes: 2) Dystopia genre locked in.
Book 2: Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott
Notes: 3) Flood.
50.1. -- Teri-K's task: Let's Start the New Year Off Right
Book 1: Glory O'Brien's History of the Future by A.S. King
Notes: 1) Almost fits 20.9, if the author's name didn't have an S.
Book 2: Rumble by Ellen Hopkins
Notes: 3) Young Adult Fiction Nominee. Not a reread!
Book 3: East of Ecstasy by Laura Kaye
Notes: 4) Greek Mythology genre locked in.
This Post: 45 {+50, -5}
Points to Date: 920

Narcissus
A. Read a book that is written in first person.
Death al Dente by Leslie Budewitz *Goodreads Author*
*Sentence: “I grabbed the stack of purple boxes crammed with gooey huckleberry-filled chocolate wannabes swathed in purple foil and shoved them onto an open shelf on the side wall, next to the herbal snoose.”
*This is not a re-read
*304 pages
C. Read a book that shows exactly one person on the cover.
Hot Pursuit by Lynn Raye Harris *Goodreads Author*

*This is not a re-read
*386 pages
Page Total: 690
Totals for Challenge
Points this task: 25
Total Points: 380
Goodreads Authors: 22
Big Books - 500+: 1
Big Books - 750+: 1
Big Books - 1000+:

I rolled a 1 and a 5
Option 1: White as Snow by Tanith Lee. Approved in help thread post 2.
Option 5: The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
Total points: 35

15.1 Returns and Exchanges
I picked https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... Somebody to Love as my starting point for both books.
I read for Book 1 In Your Dreams
& for Book 2 I read Forever and a Day, which was on the Somebody to Love 'readers also enjoyed' list on 12/2/14.
20.2 - Rookie at the Top - Erika’s Task: Feminism is for Everybody!
I read

25.6 -- Pamela3265's task: Let It Snow!
For option A I read All the Birds, Singing by Evie Wyld
For option C I read He's So Fine
TALLY:
This post - 60 points
Total - 970

Chasing Windmills by Catherine Ryan Hyde (Set in North America, I live in Europe)

15.3 Launch A Thousand Ships
Book 1 - Read a book by an author whose name (in any position) is found on one of these lists. [Melissa is on the Greek list.]
Darkest Mercy (Wicked Lovely #5 ) by Melissa Marr
Melissa Marr is a **Goodreads Author**
Book 2 - Read a book set (at least 50%) in a country (or countries) that surrounds the Mediterranean Sea. [The book is set in France.]
Anna and the French Kiss (Anna and the French Kiss #1) by Stephanie Perkins
I read the Kindle edition, the pb has 372 pages.
Stephanie Perkins is a **Goodreads Author**
15.10 All I Want For Christmas is U
Read a book with a word that begins with the letter "U" in the title or subtitle.
UnWholly (The Unwind Dystology #2) by Neal Shusterman
I read the kindle version, the pb has 402 pages.
Neal Shusterman is a **Goodreads Author**
50.1 Teri-K's task: Let's Start the New Year Off Right
Book One -- Option One -- Close But Not Quite
Read a book you wanted to read for this challenge but that didn't quite fit the requirements for the task.
As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes
259 pages
[Doesn't fit 30.8 option 6 because it is about actors portraying a princess and a pirate, and not an actual story about either princesses or pirates.]
Book Two -- Option 3 -- Jump on the Bandwagon
Pick a book from GoodReads Best Book of the Year 2014 nominees and winners. [SciFi & NOT A RE-READ]
Annihilation (Southern Reach #1) by Jeff VanderMeer
I read the kindle edition, the pb has 195 pages.
Jeff VanderMeer is a **Goodreads Author**
Book Three -- Option 4 -- It's Your Last Chance
Read a book which has "mythology" AND either "Greek" or "Roman" as genres on the main page.
Half-Blood (Covenant #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
I read the kindle edition, the pb has 281 pages.
Jennifer L. Armentrout is a **Goodreads Author**
[POINTS]
This Post: 15 + 15 + 50
Total Points: 995/1045
Books Read: 77
Completed Tasks: 57/59
Pages Read: 26430
Goodreads Authors: 52
Big Books: [500+: 7] [750+: 0] [1000+: 0]

30.8 -- Morgan Faeriesfolly's task: Make Your TBR List Say Uncle
Option 1: main page genre “Books about Books”
You or Someone Like You by Chandler Burr
Option 3: main character who identifies as gay.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
30.3-Dlmrose's task: Greek Key
Option 2.Book from the list Best Twists
Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane page 1 #13 on list
Option 3: word maze in title.
A Maze of Death by Phillip K Dick
Points this post: 60
Total points: 485

25.1 NEW AND OLD
Option 2 My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick (author is new to me)

Option 4 Chosen at Nightfall (#5) by C.C. Hunter

Points this post = 25
Total points = 25

5.10 Who's Your Muse
I read Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
** Cheryl Strayed is a GRA **
15.5 California Dreamin'
Read a book set at least 50% in California
I read The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly
The book is set entirely in California, specifically Los Angeles County
** Michael Connelly is a GRA **
Points this post: 20

10.6. Better Check that Gift Horse's Mouth!
I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes
**Spy Thriller > Espionage is the 6th genre listed with 46 users**
****Claiming Big Ticket Book as the book is 624 pages****
Points this Post: 10
Total Points: 130
Big Ticket Books: 2
GR Authors: 1

Task #25.3 – Mrs. Soule’s Task
Book A = wide open task
Ghost Riders by Sharyn McCrumb
Book B = Read a book from my Goodreads five-star shelf
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Goodreads Author -no
Big Book ticket - no
This Post
Points: 25
Total Points: 130
Total Goodreads Authors: 0
Total Big Books: 2

25.9- Narcissus and Echo
For this task you are to select one of the two characters and read two of the three options for that character.
I chose Narcissus
Book #1- Option A
Read a book that is written in first person.
Innocent in Las Vegas by A.R. Winters
First sentence showing first person point of view: (page 1) I shrugged my shoulders.
This book was not a re-read for me.
Book #2- Option C
Read a book that shows exactly one person on the cover.

This book was also not a re-read for me.
Points This Post: 25
Total Points: 600
Goodreads Authors: 36
Total Tasks Completed: 35

10.10. A New Blog for a New Year Read a book that has been reviewed in this blog.
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
https://bfgb.wordpress.com/2010/04/09...
30.9 -- Delicious Dee's task: You Are An Ironman I chose options 2 and 3.
Option 2: 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.
Darkwalker by E.L. Tettensor
Nathan, FantasyReviewBarn
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Option 3: Read a book that you have been highly anticipating.
The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkein
New Points: 10
Total Points: 915

25.9 -- Pat's task: Narcissus & Echo
For this task you are to select one of the two characters – either Narcissus or Echo – and read two of the three options for that character.
❖ The total number of pages for the two books must be at least 500.
❖ Book must be new to you, no re-reads. Required: State that the books are new to you when you post.
❖ Required: Post the character and options you chose when you post your book.
I chose Narcissus
Book A: Read a book that is written in first person.
To the Nines - 2/18/15
by Janet Evanovich
REQUIRED: Include the first sentence of the book that demonstrates the first person perspective.
"My name is Stephanie Plum and I was born and raised in the Chambersburg District of Trenton where the top male activities are scarfing pastries and pork rinds and growing love handles."
Janet Evanovich is a Goodreads Author.
This book is not a re-read
I listened to the audiobook, but the paperback version is 320 pages
Book C:Read a book that shows exactly one person on the cover.
Required: Include the cover when you post.
Where She Went- 2/18/15
by Gayle Forman

Gayle Forman is a Goodreads Author
This book is not a re-read
The paperback version has 264 pages
Total pages read: 584/500 required
~~~~~~~~
Points this post: 25
Total points: 255
Tasks complete: 11
Books Read: 16
Goodreads authors this post: 2
Total Goodreads authors: 14

30.5 - Sandy's task: Atlantis
Option 2 - Read a book with the genre "utopia" or "dystopia" on its main page.
This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers.
Science Fiction > Dystopia
**** Courtney Summers is a GRA ****
Option 3 - Read a book the title or subtitle of which contains a word that matches exactly a word of 4 or more letters from the lyrics of Donovan's song Atlantis.
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
"BEAUTIFUL" is a word in the Atlantis lyrics.
Total Points: 315
Total GRA: 10

REPOST of 3602 for 'No Reread'
20.6 - Seasoned Reader - Alicia T's task: Deployment
Option 1 - Read a book set on a different continent from the one I live on.
Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami
Set in Japan. I live in the USA.
This book is NOT A REREAD.
Sorry!

For this task, I read “Good Omens: The Nice & Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch” by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. I posted on the books discussion thread in post number 40.
Also, Neil Gaiman is a Goodreads Author, so I’m claiming a ticket for that.
Here’s the summary:
Points Earned this Challenge: 20
Total Points Earned to Date: 225
Pages Read this Challenge: 384
Total Pages Read to Date: 5657
Books Read this Challenge: 1
Total Books Read: 14
Goodreads Authors: 10
Big Book Tickets: 500( 2 ), 750( 1 ), 1000()

Re-post
50.1 - Teri-K's task: Let's Start the New Year Off Right
Option 1: Lost Treasure by Kate Sherwood, which doesn't quite fit task 20.9 because the author's name contains one letter from SLUMP (S)
Option 2: I originally abandonded this on Oct 2013 - not a re-read Anna and the French Kiss
Option 3: Murder of Crows nominee for Fantasy category, not a reread
Points:50
Total:980

5.2 Clio
Book with genre 'historical fiction'
Emily Goes to Exeter
30.4 Neptune's Neighbourhood
Option A – word for a body of water in title – 'lake'
Loon Lake
Option C – body of water on cover
Ade

This post 35 points
Total to date 960 points

Book 1 - Book read earlier and rated 5 stars: The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
Chosen for this task by same author: Smoke and Mirrors
*Neil Gaiman is a GR author, claiming one GRA ticket*
Book 2 - Book read earlier and rated 4 stars: Sky Inside
Readers also enjoyed Nomansland by Lesley Hauge
I found the the book on 07 January
*Lesley Hauge is a GR author, claiming one GRA ticket*
25.1 -- Angel **Book Junkie**'s task: New and Old
Option 2: Dark Eden by Chris Beckett. The author is new to me.
Option 4: Visions by Kelley Armstrong #2 in series
*Kelley Armstrong is a GR author, claiming one GRA ticket*
Points this task: 40
Total points: 345
Total BB Tickets: 4
Total GRA Tickets: 13
Total Tasks: 22

20.9 - Moderator's Pet - Jessica PDX's Task: Stop That Slump!
A book by an author whose name does not contain any of the letters in the word 'SLUMP'.
Rapture in Death by J.D. Robb -- No S, L, U, M or P in J.D. Robb
Points This Post: 20
GR Authors This Post: 0
Big Book Tickets This Post: 0
Total Points: 515
Total GR Authors: 34
Total Big Book Tickets: 4

10.6 Better check that Gift Horse's mouth
Book with genre : Espionage/Spy Thriller

The Brotherhood of the Rose
David Morrell is a GRA

50.1 Let's start the new year off right
Persephone Kaitlin Bevis - option 1 . Accepted for lenght, no 1318 on the list
The Pearl that Broke Its Shell Nadia Hashimi - option 3, nomination in fiction category
Your Family in Pictures: The Parents' Guide to Photographing Holidays, Family Portraits, and Everyday Life Me Ra KOh, option 5, resolution : take more photos of own kids than food
Task points 50
Total points 400

Moon(s)
A Thousand Moons on a Thousand Rivers by Hsiao Li-Hung
+5 Points
15.10 All I Want For Christmas is U
The Unamericans: Stories by Molly Antopol
+15 Points
Points this Post: 20
Grand Total: 455

Read: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Place on List: #1
Points this task: 5
Total Points: 105

OPTION 1: Read a (new-to-you) book by an author that you have read before
Six Stories and An Essay by Andrea Levy
I have already read other books by Andrea Levy - Small Island, The Long Song and Fruit of the Lemon
OPTION 2: Read a book by a new-to-you author
The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole
Horace Walpole is a new author to me.
Points this post: 25
Total Points: 415
GR Authors: 5
Big Book Tickets: 0
Total books read: 26

Option 1. takes place in Ireland.
Evening Class

20.4 - Author! Author! - Gea's task: The College Years
Option 1. takes place in Ireland.
Evening Class
Task pants 20
Total points 210

15.6 My Way
Read a memoir or autobiography- a non-fiction account of one’s OWN personal life and experiences.
I chose to read

**Samantha Ellis is a Goodreads Author, I'd like to claim a GRA ticket**
Previous point total: 400
New points this post: 15
Total points: 415
New tasks completed in this post: 1
Total tasks: 25
GRA tickets this post: 1
Total GRA: 14
Big Books this post: 0
Total Big Books: 500+(1) 750+(0) 1000+(0)

Book 1, book of choice: First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen
Book 2, winter landscape: Mr. Miracle: A Christmas Novel by Debbie Macomber

Points this post: 25
Total points: 770

25.8 -- Hana C's task: Merry Saturnalia!:
Book One: Read a book of your choice.
Avengers, Vol. 5: Adapt or Die by Jonathan Hickman.
Book Two: Read a book with the genre Science Fiction on it’s main page (may be embedded), with a setting that is primarily extra-terrestrial.
Doctor Who: The Pirate Loop by Simon Guerrier.
Points this post: 25
Total Points: 440
GR Authors this post: 0
Total GR Authors: 8
Big Book Tickets this post: 0
Total Big Book Tickets:
BBooks - 500+: 2
BBooks - 750+:
BBooks - 1000+:
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
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...
Option 1: Classic main page genre
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
Option 5: Published in year with an 8
Serena; first published in 2008.
Points This Post: 30
Total Points: 200
Total Books Read: 14
Goodreads Authors: 5
Big Books: [500+: 2] [750+: 0] [1000+: 0]