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

5.10 - Who's Your Muse?
The Marauders: A Novel by Tom Cooper
20.4 - Author! Author! - Gea's task: The College Years
Option 1: Naughty in Nice by Rhys Bowen
The majority of the book takes place in Nice, France.
Rhys Bowen is a GoodReads Author.
Points This Post: 25
Total Points: 155
Books Read: 11
Completed Tasks: 9
Tasks in Progress: 0
Pages Read: 3311
Goodreads Authors: 6
Big Books: [500+: 0] [750+: 0] [1000+: 0]

15.1 - Returns and Exchanges
Book 1: Percy Jackson's Greek Gods by Rick Riordan
IL: MG - BL: 5.6 - AR Pts: 17.0
I chose the book The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Book 2: Let's Get Lost by Adi Alsaid
I chose the book Landline by Rainbow Rowell on 11/19/14
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Total Books: 9
Total Points: 80

Undeniably Yours by Heather Webber
*** Heather Webber is a Goodreads Author ***
25.5 -- Dakimel's task: Lucky Number Twelve
Option A: The Bride Wore Size 12 by Meg Cabot
*** Meg Cabot is a Goodreads Author ***
Option D: my Chinese zodiac sign is tiger, so I read:

*** Colleen Houck is a Goodreads Author ***
Points this post: 40
Total GRA this post:3
Total points: 210
Total GRA: 13
Total big book tickets: 2

30.8 - Morgan Faeriesfolly's task: Make Your TBR List Say Uncle
Books should be at least 250 pages each.
Option 1 "I heard you like books": Read a book with the main page genre “Books about Books”.
I read How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading by Mortimer J. Adler ★★★★★. 426 pages.
Option 2 "Red all over": Read a book that has a cover that is at least 75% red.
I read

Points this post: 30
---------
Total points: 225
Tasks completed: 13
Books read: 20
This is my last one! Twenty books in three months is a lot for my way of reading (calm and slow XD), so i'm pretty proud of myself, haha. Thanks to all the moderators who made this challenge work!! :-)

Once a Spy
15.3 - LAUNCH A THOUSAND SHIPS
The Grave Gourmet by Alexander Campion.
Alexander is on the Greek list and the book is set in France.
TOTAL POINTS - 860

20.10 - Group Reads
Christmas Chick Lit: Candy Cane Murder - Joanna Fluke 2/26
Link to discussion post: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Goodreads Author
Totals for Challenge
Points this task: 20
Total Points: 715
Goodreads Authors: 42
Big Books - 500+: (2)
Big Books - 750+: (0)
Big Books - 1000+: (0)
715/1045 POINTS

20.6 Seasoned Reader-Alicia T's Task-Deployment
Option 1. Far abroad--Read a book set on a different continent to the one on which you live.
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
Required: This book is set predominantly in the US and Africa. I live in Europe. It has been approved for this task in message 2 of the help thread.
This book is NOT a reread.
I read the kindle edition. The top listed paperback (Americanah) has 589 pages, so I am claiming ONE BIG BOOK TICKET.
Points this post: 20
Points overall: 285
Goodreads authors: 2
Big book tickets (500): 4
Big book tickets (750): 2
Big book tickets (1000): 1
Tasks completed: 15
Books read: 22

task 20.4: gea's the college years:
*opt #1: book has an EU country setting:
King's Ransom by Jan Beazely
*setting is Bulgaria
Points this post: 20
Total points: 305
Goodreads Authors: 8
Big Books: 500+(1) 750+(1) 1000+(0)
Tasks Completed: 15

10.6. Better Check that Gift Horse's Mouth!
*Read a book that has Spy-Thriller or Espionage as a genre. This has Spy Thriller > Espionage.*
The Last Patriot by Brad Thor
Points This Post: 10
Total Points: 95
Total Tasks Completed: 9
Total Books Read This Challenge: 11

Task #25.9 -- Pat's task: Narcissus & Echo
I chose Narcissus & Options B & C
Option B: It Was Me All Along by Andie Mitchell
Option C: The Perfume Collector by Kathleen Tessaro who is a GRA

Pages total 696 for the two books
Both books are new to me, not re-reads
******
Task #30.5 - Sandy's task: Atlantis
I chose Options 2 & 3
Option 2: After Midnight by Santino Hassell who is a GRA
It is shelved by 51 users as "Science Fiction>Dystopia"
Option 3: The Blood Sugar Solution: The Bestselling Programme for Preventing Diabetes, Losing Weight and Feeling Great by Mark Hyman
I matched the word GREAT from the line "Which lay before the great flood"
Points this post: 55
GRA: 2
Tasks: 2
------------------
Total Points: 590
GRA: 40
Tasks: 35
Books: 49

I thought I better complete my own challenge!
Option 3:

The winged woman is wearing high-heeled shoes.
Current post:
Points: 20
Goodreads Authors: 0
Big Book Tickets: 0
Totals:
Total Points: 515
Total Goodreads Authors: 21
Total Big Book Tickets: 3
Total Tasks Done: 28
Total Books Read: 40

5.4 - Erato
Read a book with the word "love" found intact in the title, subtitle, series title, or author's name.
Love Letters by Debbie Macomber-2/27/15
*Debbie Macomber is a Goodreads author*
~~~~~~~~
Points this post: 5
Total points: 350
Tasks complete: 15/59
Books Read: 23
Goodreads authors this post: 1
Total Goodreads authors: 18

Carter Reed by Tijan (goodreads author)
* crime genre
30.6 Twice The Fun
*rolled a 6
*both books 1st genre FICTION
book 1: The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsian
Book 2: Indiscretion by Charles Dubow (goodreads author)
Above tasks: 45 points
# tasks completed: 36
Gra: 39
New total: 730 points

Book 1 – A book-group read from Dec, Jan or Feb
This book is my Southern Lit Lovers group read for February 2015
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Backseat Saints ✔ – 26 Feb 15
*** Joshilyn Jackson is a Goodreads Author ***
Optional - Tell us something about your discussion - Lots of focus on the "split personality" of Rose Mae; many members find it hard to connect with her.
Book 2 – a book from the MOST POPULAR BOOKCLUB BOOKS list
This was book # 45 on the list when I looked it up on 04Dec2014
State of Wonder ✔ – 27 Feb 15
I listened to the audio (13 CDs); PAPERBACK: State of Wonder
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
This Post: 25 points
Total points to date: 515 points
Goodreads Authors: 12
Big Books Read: (2) 500 pg / (0) 750 pg / (0) 1000 pg
Total Big Book TICKETS: 2

20.3 Best Review - Book Concierge's task: Caroling, Caroling
Winter Wonderland word Winter
Ashen Winter by Mike Mullin (Goodreads Author) I claim big book ticket Hardcover, 576 pages
20.5 Bigger is Better - Emurphy's task: 2 Sides to Every Coin Option 2:The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead Approved by Emurphy by Max Brooks (Goodreads Author
No SLUMP
20.9 Moderator's Pet - Jessica PDX's Task: Stop That Slump The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
Points this post: 80
Total Points: 130
task completed: 6
books read this post: 4
total books read: 7
Goodreads Authors this post: 3
Total Goodreads Authors: 5
Big Book Tickets this post:1
Total Big Book Tickets: 1
Big Books - 500+: 1
Big Books - 750+: 0
Big Books - 1000+:


Amy FL
20.6 - Seasoned Reader - Alicia T's task: Deployment
Option 1: Rose Under Fire (I live in North America; book is set in Europe in a German concentration camp.)
This book is not a re-read!
Sorry to have missed that when making the original post :-(
Points this post: 20
Total points: 525

25.4 - Bluemoon's task: EGYPTIAN DEITIES
Option C - A book that is first in a series that is new to you or resurrect a series that you have been neglecting and read another book in the series.
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater -- #1 in the Wolves of Mercy Falls series which is new to me; This was not a reread
Maggie Stiefvater is a GR Author.
Option D - A book that has "Magic" or "Magical Realism" as a genre on the home page.
Summoning the Night by Jenn Bennett -- Magic on main page with 79 users
Jenn Bennett is a GR Author.
Points This Post: 25
GR Authors This Post: 2
Big Book Tickets This Post: 0
Total Points: 580
Total GR Authors: 38
Total Big Book Tickets: 4

Option 1: How to Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran (Non-fiction > Feminism)

20.7 - Shorter is Sweeter - Berls's Task: Back to High School
Option 4. For this option, read a book with a teacher or other school administrator (e.g., principal, counselor) as one of the main characters.
I read Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng. The father, one of the book's main characters, is a history professor.

I read Parasite by Mira Grant - 502 pages
Claiming a Big Book ticket for Parasite
20.1 January and Janus
I chose option 2 and read Let The Dead Lie by Malla Nunn - historical fiction on main page, set in 1953
25.3 Two Types of Tasks
For A I read Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld which I got for free from the public library
Claiming a Big Book ticket for Afterworlds at 599 pages
Claiming a GRA ticket for Scott Westerfeld
For B I read Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters, on Mrs. Soule's list here
New Total: 465

Under The Dome by ***Goodreads Author Stephen King. I listened to the audiobook, the paperback (Under the Dome is 1,074 pages so I'm claiming 3 Big Book tickets.
Points this post: 15
Total Points: 125/1045
Tasks Completed: 7
Books Read: 9
GoodReads Authors: 5
Big Books: 500+ (1), 750+ (), 1000+ (1)

30.1 - Captain America Girl's task: It’s All Greek to Me…
I rolled the numbers 2 and 6
Option 2-Read a book with love, romance, or music as a main page genre.
Blood Magick by Nora Roberts
Option 6-6: Cupid and Psyche-Read a book with a candle or candles on the cover.

Total Points- 370/1045
Number of Tasks Completed 25/59
Number of GR authors-(13)
Number of Big Books- 500 pages () 750+pages (2)

Book A:
Brighton Rock by Graham Greene
Book B: This is your limited task. Read a book from my Goodreads five-star shelf.
Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day by Winifred Watson
+25 Points
25.6 -- Pamela3265's task: Let It Snow!
Option A – “Let it snow”: Read a book whose author’s initials can be found in the song title “LET IT SNOW”
snOW:
The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde
Option D – “All the way home I’ll be warm…”: Read a book that has an individual dressed for winter on the cover.

+25 Points
30.4 - Annapoorni's task: Neptune's Neighbourhood
A) Read a book with the word "water" or a term for a body of water in its title/subtitle or series title.
The Sea by John Banville
C) Read a book that shows a body of water large enough to swim in on the cover.

+30 Points
Points this Post: 80
Grand Total: 590

25.4 - Bluemoon's task: EGYPTIAN DEITIES
C. THE GOD OSIRIS-For this option read a book that is first in a series that is new to you or resurrect a series that you have been neglecting and read another book in the series.
For this option I have read the next book in a series that I had neglected.
School's Out—Forever by James Patterson
Claiming James Patterson as GR author
D. THE GODDESS ISIS -For this option read a book that has "Magic" or "Magical Realism" as a genre on the home page.
First Frost by First Frost
Claiming Sarah Addison Allen as GR author
Total Points- 395/1045
Number of Tasks Completed 26/59
Number of GR authors-(15)
Number of Big Books- 500 pages () 750+pages (2)

10.9. Get to Know the Author
Cockroaches by Jo Nesbø
This author was listed on page 1 of the Author Interviews.
Points this task: 10
-------------------------------------------------------
Totals

Big Books - 500+: 3
Goodreads authors: 17
Books read: 38

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.
Unusual Uses for Olive Oil by Alexander McCall Smith
Claiming Alexander McCall Smith as GR author
Total Points- 410/1045
Number of Tasks Completed 27/59
Number of GR authors-(16)
Number of Big Books- 500 pages () 750+pages (2)

I rolled a six.
6.GENRE: Read 2 books that have the same top genre on the main page (top genre:the genre with the most users)
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
Fiction 799 users
Surfacing by Margaret Atwood
Fiction 498 users
Both books have Fiction as the top genre.
Task total=30
Grand total=370

Option 2: read a fiction book where the main character is a parent or guardian.

This book is not a reread for me.
25.9 -- Pat's task: Narcissus & Echo
Character chosen: Narcissus
Option A: Read a book that is written in first person.

First sentence mentioning 'I' is on page 8: "I shiver and hand her my black wool Georgio Armani overcoat and she takes it from me, carefully airkissing my right cheek, then she performs the exact movements on Price while taking his Armani overcoat"
Option C: Read a book that shows exactly one person on the cover.

Big Book Ticket: 545 pages
These books are new to me.

No E or Z in slump:
The Belly of Paris by Émile Zola
+20 Points
Grand Total: 610

15.8 Under My Thumb
The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber

15 points
Points this post: 15
Total Points: 265

Read a book that features dancers.

10.2. A New Year and a New Number
Read a book with the number of pages consisting of digits found in 2015 - no repeating digits.

*Dennis Lehane is a Goodreads Author
* Big Book Ticket: 501 pages
25.4 - Bluemoon's task: EGYPTIAN DEITIES
C. THE GOD OSIRIS - For this option read a book that is first in a series that is new to you

This book is not a re-read
D. THE GODESS ISIS - Read a book that has "Magic" or "Magical Realism" as a genre on the home page.

*Patrick Rothfuss is a Goodreads Author
*Big Book Ticket: 662 pages
----------------------------------------------
Total Points This Post: 40
Total Points: 345
Tasks completed: 24
Other totals
Goodreads Authors: 9
Big Books (500): 8
Big Books (750):
Big Books (1000):

10.8 Our Friends in Tuxedos
Read a book whose author's initials can be found in PENGUIN
I read A Morbid Taste for Bones by Ellis Peters
E and P are in PENGUIN
Points this post: 10
Giving my brain a break for the next day before the Spring Challenge starts! Thanks to the mods for another great challenge, and congrats to those creating tasks for Spring!

Task 25.10 - Book Group Books
Book 1: Sweet Like Sugar was the February 2015 read for the Jewish Book Club
Book 2: Cinder was #46 on Most Popular Bookclub Books This Week in the United States on the list generated Feb 4 2015.
Marissa Meyer is a Goodreads Author
Post total: 25 points, 1 GRA
Challenge total: 770 points
Total GRA: 19
Total BB tickets: 6

Pick 2 options and read 1 book from each.
Option 2: Read a book by a new-to-you author.
House of the Rising Sun- Kristen Painter is a new-to-me author. Kristen Painter is a Goodreads Author.
Option 4: Read a book in a series that you have already started.
Invaded - This is book 2 in the Alienated series, which I have already started. Melissa Landers is a Goodreads Author.
strong>Points this post: 25
GRA this post:2
BB this post:0
Total points:255
Total GRA:14
Total BB:0

10.5 - Older and Wiser
Minimize Me: 10 Diets to Lose 25 lbs in 50 Days - I wanted to know more about whether diets really work. Verified for length here.
New task to be claimed
30.3 - Dlmrose's task: Greek Key
Option 2 - An Instance of the Fingerpost (p. 2, #194)
Option 4 -

Points in this post: 40
Points so far: 720

For this task, you will read two books, from two different options.
Option 2: Read a book with the genre "utopia" or "dystopia" on its main page.
The Death Cure - Dystopia on main page (approved in genre verification, post #165). James Dashner is a Goodreads Author.
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.
A Witch Before Dying: A Wishcraft Mystery - The word BEFORE is in title and also in the first stanza, second line of "Atlantis"
Points this post: 30
GRA this post:1
BB this post:0
Total points:285
Total GRA:15
Total BB:0


25.1 -- Angel **Book Junkie**'s task: New and Old
Option 2:
Seasons: A Real Story of an Amish Girl by Elizabeth Byler Younts
Option 4:
The Sweetest Temptation by Rochelle Alers
30.2 -- Hina's task: Homer's Odyssey
Option 2:
The Homecoming by Robyn Carr
Option 3:
Nowhere to Run by Nancy Bush
30.6 - Elizabeth B's task: Twice the Fun
Rolled a 6 Top Genre
Book 1:
Wolf Haven by Lindsay McKenna
Book 2:
Hope Ignites by Jaci Burton
Points This Post: 100
Points Total: 150
GR Author: 0
Big Books: 500() 750() 1000()
Tasks Completed: 9

For this task you will read TWO books from DIFFERENT OPTIONS. Both books you pick must be identified on GR as being part of a series and be a number in the series that contains either a 1, 4 or 6 (i.e. 1, 6, 14, 21).
Option 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.
Grave Mercy- My friend, Lexxie, who I haven't met, gave this book 5 stars. Here's her review. Grave Mercy is 549 pages = 1 BB ticket. It's book 1 in the series.
Option 3 Sense of Anticipation: Read a book that you have been highly anticipating.
Hunted by a Jaguar- I've been following this series closely, so I was excited for this one. This is book 4 in the series. Felicity Heaton is a Goodreads author. There's no print version for this book, verified for length here.
Points this post: 30
GRA this post:1
BB this post:1
Total points:315
Total GRA:16
Total BB:1

The Cleverness of Ladies
20.3 - Caroling, Caroling
The High King
IL: MG - BL: 6.1 - AR Pts: 11.0
Song: "Angels We Have Heard on High" - matching word is "high". At 253 pages, book meets page requirements
25.1 - Angel **Book Junkie**'s task: New and Old
Option 2. The Weird Sisters
Eleanor Brown is a new-to-me author.
Option 4. Farewell, My Lovely
Book is #2 in the Philip Marlowe series
Total points: 270
That's it for me this season. Kudos to the task creators and thank you to the moderators. You guys are AWESOME!

Task 10.1-A Random Trip Back in Time
I was given #25, so that means a book published in 1990.
The Cat Who Talked to Ghosts

Points this post: 10
Total points: 340
Total tasks: 15
GRA: 8
Big Books: (500+): 2

Read a memoir or autobiography- a non-fiction account of the author's OWN personal life and experiences.
I read Meet Me at Emotional Baggage Claim by Lisa Scottoline and Francesca Scottoline. Autobiography > Memoir and Biography are listed as genres on the book's Goodreads page. Lisa Scottoline is a Goodreads Author.
Points this post: 15
Points total : 180
Goodreads Authors this post: 1
Goodreads Authors total : 3
Total tasks completed: 8
Total books claimed : 11

25.3 -- Mrs.soule's task: Two Types of Tasks
Book A: Saga, Volume 2 (and Saga, Volume 3) source: borrowed from a friend
Book B: The Soldier And The Baby by Anne Stuart
Points this post: 25
Total Points: 110

Read a book with the main page genres fitness, health, or diet/diets.
I read Confronting Chronic Pain: A Pain Doctor's Guide to Relief by Steven Richeimer. The only genre listed for this book is health.
Points this post: 10
Points total : 190
Goodreads Authors this post: 0
Goodreads Authors total : 3
Total tasks completed: 9
Total books claimed : 12

20.8 - Nickels & Dimes - Angie CA's task: 5+5, 5+10, and 10+10 equals 20! meets requirements of two 5 or 10 point tasks.
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
5.2 historical fiction genre
10.9 author interviewed by goodreads. page 1.
30.7 -- Catherine T's task: Hang the Christmas Stockings with Care
rolled 2 and 3
2. Lump of coal: non-fiction science book
This Will Make You Smarter: New Scientific Concepts to Improve Your Thinking by John Brockman
3. Chocolate: author's initials can be found in CHOCOLATE
The Door to Lost Pages by Claude Lalumière
Points this post: 50
Total points: 550

Take your favorite muse out to play by reading a book of your choice.
I read 17 & Gone by Nova Ren Suma.
Points this post: 5
Points total : 195
Goodreads Authors this post: 0
Goodreads Authors total : 3
Total tasks completed: 10
Total books claimed : 13

15.5 California Dreamin'
I read a book set in San Diego, California.
(Setting mentioned under place in metadata.)
I Cover the Waterfront by Max Miller
+15
total: 120
tasks: 7
books: 9
GR authors: 1

Task 50.1 - Let's Start the New Year Off Right
Option Two: Book you've started before but haven't finished
Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness
I bought this book and started to read it the day it was released (July 10th, 2012), finished the first 400 pages that day and then never picked it up again until three days ago!
This book is NOT a reread for me.
Deborah Harkness is a *Goodreads Author*
At 584 pages, good for one *Big Book Ticket*
Option Three: Book from Goodreads Best Book of the Year 2014
The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell
In the Fiction Category
This book is not a reread for me.
At 595 pages good for one *Big Book Ticket* - The Bone Clocks
Option Four: Mythology AND greek or roman on main page genres
Seeds: Volume One by M.M. Kin
M.M. Kin is a *Goodreads Author*
Points this Post: 50
Total Points: 725
Total Tasks: 37
Goodreads Authors: 34
Big Books: 6
Total Books: 54

10.6. Better Check that Gift Horse's Mouth! - Read a book with the main page genre "espionage" or "spy thriller." Genres may be stand alone or embedded.
From Russia With Love
Points this task: 10
Total points: 300
Books read: 20
Tasks completed: 18

20.1 Bea's task: January and Janus
Option 2
True Grit by Charles Portis
Historical fiction - the story takes place in the 1870s.
20.3 Book Concierge's task: Caroling, Caroling...
Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult*GRA
The song is Christmas Time is Here. The matching word is "Time".
Points this post: 40
Total points: 135
Tasks completed: 9
Books read: 9
Goodreads Authors: 3
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: "Classics" genre
The Unknown Ajax by Georgette Heyer - 352 pgs
Option 6: water AND a ship/boat on the cover of the book.
Devil's Cub by Georgette Heyer - 416 pgs
30.5 - Sandy's task: Atlantis
Option 2. "utopia" or "dystopia" genre
The Age of Miracles - dystopia
Karen Thompson Walker is a Goodreads author.
Option 3. Atlantis Song
Hanchart Land by Becky Barker - per word “land”
Becky Barker is a Goodreads author.
Points This Post: 60
Total Points: 785
Goodreads Authors: 29