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Winter 14/15 RwS Completed Tasks - Winter 14/15
From Post 832Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "20.3 Historical
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
# 157 on the list
Review
Overall I liked this book. I really liked the character of Marie Laurie becaus..."
+5 Combo 20.10
10.8 - Two for OneLe Bal Des Voleurs by Jean Anouilh - 71 pages
Swan Song by Anton Chekhov - 52 pages
+10 Task
+10 Oldies (published 1938 and 1887)
Task total = 20
Points total = 285
10.5 Author AchievementsCity of Glass by Paul Auster
Review: I’m not sure how to review this, because I don’t know exactly what I feel about it. I think I need to read the rest of the trilogy to make a fully formed opinion. What I do know is that I think I expected both more and less from this. After reading little bits beforehand about how this was postmodern and playing around with the detective novel and such, I thought there would be more to it that there was in the end. It’s kind of a story within a story within a story maybe within another story, but nothing exactly happens. There were interesting moments, and I don’t feel like I am “missing” something or “don’t get it” – I’ve read a couple of analyses since finishing and they basically echo what I understood – it’s just that I guess I wasn’t wowed.
+10 Task
+10 Review
+5 Oldies (pub 1985)
+10 Combo (10.3, 20.4)
Task Total: 35
Grand Total: 1590
Task 10.8 - Two for One - Read a combination of 2 or more books, each under 100 pages, that total at least 100 pages when combined.
Elizabeth(Alaska) approved 56 pagecount for this book.
Most popular version: 56 pages
Somebody's Luggage (1862) by Charles Dickens (Paperback, 56 pages)
Also available online at:
http://www2.hn.psu.edu/faculty/jmanis...
Review:The first part of the story describes the Waiter and how he came to have custody of an abandoned piece of luggage. The next two parts might have been written by other writers, or might have been written by Dickens: different and entertaining. Dickens and the Waiter are back for the fourth and final section, which wraps things up. Apparently this round robin style of writing in the magazines happened frequently in the 1800s. Overall, a good piece of Victorian writing. Recommended for fans of Victorian literature.
Most popular version: 64 pages
Honorine (1843) by Honoré de Balzac (Paperback, 80 pages)
Also available online at:
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1683/1...
Review:This story by Balzac is a story within a story, very well done. At heart it is a character study of a young wife who has esteem but not love for her husband, and how that all plays out over time. I particularly appreciated how Balzac was able to write a story within a story, and people not being whom they seemed to be, so that the reader can fully follow the events of the novella. (Modern writers take note!!) Recommended.
+10 Task
+15 Oldies -151 to 250 years old: (1764-1863)
+10 Review
Task Total : 10 + 15 + 10 = 35
Grand Total: 755 + 35 = 790
20.1 RwS AnniversaryThe Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Review:
I listened to this audiobook with my five-year-old son during some long car rides. He's a Tolkien fan -- He's already heard the story told, then the book read aloud, then watched the cartoon version of the movie. He dressed up as Smaug for Halloween one year. He built a complicated Lego model of Bilbo's house. So he was familiar with the story. We enjoyed listening to this production. The narrator does a fine job with changes in cadence and voice to make the story entertaining in audio format. It had been a long time since I'd read the book, so it was great to revisit the language here and hear the story told. It also made it more fun to play with the Hobbit Legos having just read the story.
+20 Task (pub. 1937)
+10 Review
+10 Oldies
+10 Combo (20.4, 20.9)
Task total: 50
Grand total: 735
Kate S wrote: "From Post 826Valerie wrote: "20.5 Mystery women
Why Shoot a Butler? by Georgette Heyer
+20 task
+5 combo
+10 island dreams (takes place wholly in the UK)
+20 rws ..."
Oh boy, was I having a "bad day" when I posted this last batch of books! Sorry, you are correct Frank is the main character. Please scratch this book.
Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Valerie wrote: "Hi Elizabeth:I don't understand your question. "
That task was to look at the Readers Also Enjoyed feature on the pages of the books listed, not the 40 books themselves. But not ..."
Oh, ok! Oh well, it was a good book nonetheless!
20.9 Respect elders Overture to Death by Ngaio Marsh
+20 task
+5 combo (20.1 p.1939)
+10 oldies
task total 35
Grand total 840
+100 RwS finish
+200 Mega finish
Final total 1140. (I hope :) )
20.8 Exiles and Emigrants :The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
+20 task (Born in Scotland, died in Samoa where he moved for health reasons)
+10 Combo (10.4-UK, 20.10)
+10 Oldies (published 1886)
Task total: 40
Grand Total: 1700
20.4 - 1001The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien
+ 20 Task
+ 5 (oldies)
Task total: 25
Grand total: 515
Task 20.9 – Respect Elders- Read a book by an author who lived at least 80 years
.
Mollie Panter-Downes
Born: August 25, 1906
Died: January 22, 1997
London War Notes, 1939-1945 (1971) by Mollie Panter-Downes (Hardcover, 378 pages)
Review: This book was first published in 1971. It contains an edited version of Englishwoman Ms. Panter-Downes’ twice-monthly columns for The New York Times Magazine, beginning with September 3, 1939 (the day Germany invaded Poland) and ending with the column of V-E Day, May 7, 1945. She writes in a clear and straightforward style. The columns focus on what she saw in London during those days, including a lot of human interest stories. 1940 columns included a heartfelt appeal to America to enter the war and defeat the great evil Nazis. Recommended for those interested in World War II and those interested in “the Home Front” of a war.
+20 Task (#20.9 lived to be 90)
+10 Combo (#10.4 set in London, England; #20.2 Persephone writer)
+05 Oldies -25 to 75 years old: (1939-1989)
+10 Review
Task Total: 20 + 10 + 05 + 10 = 45
Grand Total: 790 + 45 = 835
20.9 - Respect EldersThe Education of a British-Protected Child: Essays by Chinua Achebe
+20 task
+10 combo (10.5 Author Achievements, 20.8 Exiles and Emigrants)
+10 non-Western (African)
Task total: 40
RwS total: 1165
AtoZ total: 60
Grand Total: 1225
That's me finished for this season. Many many thanks to the mods for all your work.
20.3 - HistoricalAll the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
+20 Task
+5 Combo (20.10)
+5 Jumbo (530 pages)
Task total = 30
Points total = 315
Post 840 Valerie wrote: "10.8 Two for oneI was previously allowed Lady Susan by Jane Austen.
in combination with "The Call of the Wild" by Jack London (lexile 1010) "
I'm sorry, Valerie. The most popular edition of The Call of the Wild has 172 page, so would not qualify for 2-for-1.
Kath wrote: "20.9 Respect elders Overture to Death by Ngaio Marsh
+20 task
+5 combo (20.1 p.1939)
+10 oldies
task total 35
Grand total 840
+100 RwS finish
+200 Mega finish
Fi..."
Hi Kath: Congrats on your RwS, AND Mega Finish! Good going!
10.2 RussianTsarina by J. Nelle Patrick
+10 Task (set entirely in Russia)
YA, no Lexile – no style points
Task Total: 10
RwS Completion Bonus: 100
Mega Bonus: 200
Grand Total: 1920
Cory Day wrote: "10.2 RussianTsarina by J. Nelle Patrick
+10 Task (set entirely in Russia)
YA, no Lexile – no style points
Task Total: 10
RwS Completion Bonus: 100
Mega Bonus: 2..."
Congratulations on your Mega Finish!
20.4 1001 Summer by Edith Wharton
Publ 1917
It's baffling to me -- but due to BPL classification (or lack thereof) this book does not qualify for Style points. This was pointed in in an earlier post when someone claimed points for this book. This is not a YA book, but following the letter of law for the rules, no Style Points can be claimed. It was going to earn an TON of points. Hrmmph! :-P
+20 Task
Task Total = 20
Grand Total = 1390
20.5 Mystery WomenA Grave Denied by Dana Stabenow
Main Protagonist = Kate Shugak
Review:
I am so enjoying this series. Kate Shugak is a three dimensional character who fights her own inner demons, and helps fight the external demons too. This is the 13th book in Dana Stabenow’s evolving series that is set in Alaska. I like this series because the characters do change and grow as they face the ups-and-downs that all of us face in life. Kate Shugak isn’t spared any of those life experiences. In fact compared to her, my life has been pretty tame.
In this outing, Kate is trying to help find the killer of the Park’s handyman, Len Dreyer. He was found in a glacial cave in a glacier that had been moving forward, and then started to retreat. I’m not going to go into much of the plot because it might give away spoilers from earlier books in the series. Suffice it to say that this was another great Kate Shugak adventure with plenty of twists, turns, unexpected surprises, and an ultimately satisfying outcome. These characters in the Park have become my friends.
+20 Task
+10 Review
Task Total = 30
Grand Total = 1420
And that does it for my RwS Winter Challenge. What a great way to rejoin the challenge. It was my first Mega Finish. Wa-hoo!! (Okay, I know that may be annoying -- but I'm proud of that accomplishment.) :-)
I'm sending out my "Thanks" to all you Moderators. You work so hard to make these challenges a success. Your time and effort is appreciated!
Krista wrote: "( -- but I'm proud of that accomplishment.) :-)"And you should be proud! Well done!
Krista wrote: "20.5 Mystery WomenA Grave Denied by Dana Stabenow
Main Protagonist = Kate Shugak
Review:
I am so enjoying this series. Kate Shugak is a three dimensional character..."
Congrats back to you :)
10.4 - Island DreamsThe Cracks in the Kingdom by Jaclyn Moriarty
+10 Task: United Kingdom
Grand Total: 2000
10.8 - Two for One - Karen Michele's TaskThe Strange Library by Haruki Murakami, 96 pages and
Howl and Other Poems by Allen Ginsberg, 56 pages
+10 Task
Grand Total: 2010
10.8 - Two for One - Karen Michele's Task:The diamond as big as the Ritz, 58 pages, and The Ice Palace, 48 pages, by F. Scott Fitzgerald
+10 Task
+10 Oldies (1922)
Task Total: 20
Grand Total: 2030
20.2 - Persephone: Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day by Winifred Watson
+20 Task
+15 Combo: 20.1 - RwS Anniversary! (1938) / 20.4 - 1001 / 20.9 - Respect Elders (20 October 1906 - 5 August 2002)
+10 Oldies (1938)
Task Total: 45
Grand Total: 2075
20.10 - Goodreads Feature - Elizabeths' Task:Pascali's Island by Barry Unsworth
+20 Task
+ 5 Combo: 20.9 Respect Elders (1930-2012)
+ 5 Oldies (1980)
Task Total: 30
Grand Total: 2105
20.5 - Mystery Women:Dust by Patricia Cornwell
Review: I don't have a lot to add to the review of Patricia Cornwell's previous book that I posted about a week ago. The story was fascinating enough to keep me up until 2am for a couple of nights - she still does suspense masterfully. I am however still troubled by the lack of character development. This was especially apparent in the beginning of the novel, when the author decided to dedicate lots of pages to examining the past problems between the characters. The same thing she's done in all of her last books! I think it's time for her heroes and heroines to either get over them or to just write some of the characters out the next time, because it's getting ridiculous. I'd be sad to see anyone go, but something has to change.
+20 task
+10 review
+5 jumbo
Task total: 35
Grand total: 260
10.1 - Square PegTrigger Warning: Short Fictions and Disturbances - Neil Gaiman
This collection was honestly quite a disappointment to me. I love Neil Gaiman, and I've really enjoyed both of his previous short story collections, but none of these stories even came close to what I'd normally expect from his books. I did enjoy a few of the longer pieces, and I did like the American Gods story that closed out the collection quite a lot, but most of the rest were complete throwaways. Now that it's a couple of weeks later, I don't think there are any of them (apart from Black Dog) that I could really describe in any detail, they just didn't stick.
+10 task
+10 review
Post total: 20
Grand total: 180
10.3 - 1980sMagician: Apprentice - Raymond E. Feist
(approved HERE)
+10 task
+5 oldies
Post total: 15
Grand total: 195
10.5 - Author AchievementsThe Year of the Flood - Margaret Atwood
+10 task
Post total: 10
Grand total: 205
10.9 - EconomicalThe Love Affairs of Nathaniel P. - Adelle Waldman
+10
+5 combo (20.10)
Post total: 15
Grand total: 220
20.2 - PersephoneThe Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
+20 task
+10 oldies
+5 combo (20.8)
Post total: 35
Grand total: 285
20.4 - 1001The Talented Mr. Ripley - Patricia Highsmith
+20 task
+5 oldies
+5 combo (20.8)
Post total: 30
Grand total: 315
Valerie wrote: "Kate S wrote: "From Post 826Valerie wrote: "20.5 Mystery women
Why Shoot a Butler? by Georgette Heyer
+20 task
+5 combo
+10 island dreams (takes place wholly in t..."
I have moved this book to 20.1 with a combo for 10.4, so you still will get points for it. :)
From Post 842Katy wrote: "10.4 Island Dreams
Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman
I really liked this book – not ..."
+5 Oldies
Kath wrote: "20.9 Respect elders Overture to Death by Ngaio Marsh
+20 task
+5 combo (20.1 p.1939)
+10 oldies
task total 35
Grand total 840
+100 RwS finish
+200 Mega finish
Fi..."
Congratulations on your Mega Finish, Kath!
10.5 Author Achievments (Neustadt International Prize for Literature 1972)Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez
Garcia Marquez explores love's many permutations in this novel and at times, one wants to scream at the characters to "Snap out of it!" as Cher might say. Teenage Florentina Ariza falls in love with Fermina Daza from afar. They exchange furtive letters. Fermina's father discovers the "affair" and interferes. She eventually meets and marries (with prodding from her father) Dr. Juvenal Urbino. But Ariza's love never dies...never. The novel begins with Dr. Urbino's death... and then the questions begin as to whether there is any hope for Ariza now. I'm giving the work 4 stars but I wish I could give it a 3.5 rating. For the most part I enjoyed the novel but the fanaticism of Ariza was certainly drawn out too meticulously...so much so that his character at times seems ridiculous.
task +10
review +10
+25 combo (10.3; 10.6; 20.4; 20.8; 20.9)
+5 oldie
+10 non-westrn
+100 RwS completion
total= 160
grand total= 1125?
Task 10.8 - Two for One - Read a combination of 2 or more books, each under 100 pages, that total at least 100 pages when combined.
Most popular version: 54 pages
Downstream - Episode 1: A time travel story (2014) Nick Jones (Goodreads Author) (Kindle Edition, 54 pages)
Most popular version: 53 pages
Downstream - Episode 2: A time travel story (2015) by Nick Jones (Goodreads Author) (Kindle Edition, 53 pages)
+10 Task
Task Total : 10
Grand Total: 835 + 10 = 845
10.10 Group ReadToo Much Happinessby Alice Munro
Review
I had hopes for this book. The author is an Man Booker prize winner so I expected the stories to be really good. That isn't what I got. I read the first story and it was okay. I read some of the other stories and I got lost as to what I was reading. I tried a few more stories and it went more and more downhill. It felt the stories were disconnected from each other. There wasn't a theme. If there was, it was lost to me. Alice Munro is a good writer. I have objections to her writing style. This book wasn't the book for me.
Task +10
Style +20 Combo (10.9, 20.9 author is 81 years old), Review
Book Total: 30
Grand Total: 250
20.8 Exiles and EmigrantsThe Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
I’d heard this book compared to Gone Girl, which I liked a lot, so I picked this up. It’s a hard one to review without spoilers, which would ruin the experience, but I’ll try. It’s like Gone Girl in that there are a whole batch of unreliable narrators, so you can’t trust anyone, and you don’t really want to, given how awful, troubled, or confused they all seem to be. In Gone Girl, I did end up feeling like I just disliked all the characters, and in The Girl on the Train, I did feel sympathy for Rachel, the “girl on the train” and main character (though two other characters share the narration). She made some pretty bad choices, but she was well-drawn enough as a character that I empathized with her. The plot was strong – I read a lot of thrillers but this book did keep me guessing for a while, which was fun. Overall, this book held my interest – I read it in about 2 days – and I enjoyed every minute of the experience.
+20 task (according to her GR profile, she was born in Zimbabwe then moved to England)
+5 combo (10.4 - takes place entirely in the UK)
+10 review
Task Total: 35
Grand Total: 600
Thanks for a great season, mods! I appreciate your hard work making this happen for all of us!
10.2 - NutcrackerThe Seagull by Anton Chekhov
+10 Task
+10 Non-Western (Russia)
+10 Oldies (1895)
Task Total: 30
Grand Total: 2135
10.2 - The Nutcracker:The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
This is likely to be the best novel I read all year. Dostoyevsky is a brilliant writer, creating in depth, nuanced characters. The brothers - Dmitri, Ivan, and Alexei - having been largely abandoned by their father and brought up by others, have lately returned to their father's vicinity. Their interactions with each other and their libertine father upset the delicate balance that is civilization, with the worst of consequences.
The brothers largely represent different aspects of personhood. The impulsive, passionate Dimitri is heart, most often depicted as acting on the powerful emotions that overwhelm his common sense. Ivan, the critical observer who enjoys using philosophical arguments to influence the actions of other, is mind. And Alexei, the youngest brother, whose simple goodness, religious background, and propensity for bringing out the best in others, is soul. So, on one level, it functions as a gripping crime novel. But on another level it is a deeply philosophical novel exploring faith, free will, morality, and what it means to be Russian in a modernizing world.
+10 task
+10 non-Western
+10 review
+10 oldies (pub. 1879)
+10 jumbo (796 pages)
Task total: 50
Grand Total: 570
15.10 A to ZW-B
The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi
Task total: 30
+100 A to Z finish
Grand total: 865 (I think; I am on my phone so having trouble checking for sure)
That's it for the season. Thank you to the moderators for all the work making this do much fun.
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Reading with Style
Books mentioned in this topic
The Unbearable Lightness of Being (other topics)Dirty Cop (other topics)
Ghosts (other topics)
One Con Glory (other topics)
The Winner (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Milan Kundera (other topics)Kyle Adams (other topics)
Paul Auster (other topics)
Sarah Kuhn (other topics)
David Baldacci (other topics)
More...
Valerie wrote: "20.5 Mystery women
Why Shoot a Butler? by Georgette Heyer
+20 task
+5 combo
+10 island dreams (takes place wholly in the UK)
+20 rws anniversary (first pub. in 1933..."
GoodReads only lists Frank Amberley as a character, can you confirm a female protagonist?
For the break down of the other points in this post:
+20 Task (confirm female protagonist)
+10 Combo (10.4-set in UK, 20.1-pub 1933)
+10 Oldies
Total: 40