The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
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SPRING CHALLENGE 2015
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Spring 2015 Completed Tasks - DO NOT DELETE POSTS

Task 20.3 Thinly Veiled Marvel Reference
options 5: This book has been hyped up by the media (thanks to the movie that came out last year) and by members of my bookclub.
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
*This is a new to me book*
Task 20.7 Childhood Feelings
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
*found on the Adult Fiction with Child Protagonists list. #1 on list
Task 25.2 Garden Quotes
option 2: mystery genre
That Summer by Lauren Willig
*Lauren Willig is a GR Author*
option 4: science fiction genre
Cress by Marissa Meyer
*Marissa Meyer is a GR Author*
*These are both new to me books*
*I am claiming a total of 2 GR tickets in this post (Lauren Willig & Marissa Meyer*
*I am claiming 1 Big Book Ticket for Cress. 550 pages*
Points this post: 65
Total Points: 135
Goodreads Authors this post: 2
Total Goodreads Authors: 4
Big Book Tickets this post: 0
Total Big Book Tickets: 1

Option 1, word in the title from a Disney movie title: The Secret Life of Violet Grant by Beatriz Williams
Movie: The Secret World of Arrietty (2012)
Option 2, the letters EGILTTO in the book's title/author's name: The Mockingbird Next Door: Life with Harper Lee by Marja Mills
ThE MOckInGbird NexT Door, by Marja MiLls
Points this post: 25
Total points: 210

Task 5.1 - Asgard
read a book with ? ! or ... in the title
Thud! by Terry Pratchett
======
total points = 325

The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson
The book has 630 pages.
Also claiming a BigBook ticket!
Points: 10
Big Books: (500+): 1
-----------------
Total points: 25
Total GR Authors: 1
Total Big Books: (500+): 1
Total Tasks Done: 4
Total Books Read: 4

15.3 Is It Live or is it Memorex
I chose option 2-Read one book that satisfies both A and B
Up The Down Staircase (4 words) and it was published in 1965
Up the Down Staircase
Image result for up the down staircase
Up the Down Staircase
Novel by Bel Kaufman
4.3/5·Amazon.com
3.9/5·Goodreads
Up the Down Staircase is a novel written by Bel Kaufman, published in 1965, which spent 64 weeks on The New York Times Best Seller list. In 1967 it was released as a movie starring Sandy Den… More Wikipedia
Published: 1965
Author: Bel Kaufman
Genre: Novel
CURRENT POST
Points: 15
Goodreads Authors: 0
Big Book Tickets: 0
____________________________
CUMULATIVE TOTAL
Total Points: 145
Total Goodreads Authors: 5
Total Big Book Tickets: 1
Big Books - 500+: 1
Big Books - 750+:
Big Books - 1000+:

15.7.Pi Day
In honor of Pi Day (3/14), read a book that is number 3, 1, 4, 31, or 14 in a series.
Chase Me by Tessa Bailey - Broke & Beautiful #1
Read the ebook version, but it's available in paperback.
20.4 – Author! Author! - Elizabeth P's Task: End of an Era
Option 1: Tutor Time
Read a book with exactly two people on the cover. Cover image required.
This book was an ARC from the publisher.

Fall with Me by J. Lynn
Points this post: 35
Total Points: 0

15.10. Would I Lie to You?
"Lies" in title
Fashion, Lies, and Murder
Sibel Hodge
Paperback, 270 pages 3/24
Points this post: 15
Total points: 470
Books posted: 37
Tasks complete: 32
Pages this post: 270
Total pages as of this post: 10714

Option 1: Carnival ride on cover.

Option 2: The Fixer. Handyman becomes brick factory foreman. NOT A RE-READ.
5.2 Vanaheim, the Home of the Vanir
Mr. Churchill's Secretary
9 letter word in title. sec/ret/ary.
NOT A RE-READ.
Susan MacNeal is a GR author. For 1 GR author ticket.
total points this post: 35
total cumulative points: 60

15.2. Aesir vs. Vanir Gods Showdown -
Book 1: The Rich Man's Mistress by Cathy Williams.
AESIR: The Rich Man's Mistress.
Book 2: Three River Ranch: A Three River Ranch Novel by Roxanne Snopek.
VANIR: Three River Ranch.
**Roxanne Snopek is a goodreads author.**
Current post:
Points: 15
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Book Tickets: 0
Total:
Total Points: 235
Total Goodreads Authors: 11
Total Big Book Tickets:
Big Books - 500+:
Big Books - 750+:
Big Books - 1000+:

Read a book with 100-360 pages.
The Other Side of Truth by Beverley Naidoo

This book has 228 pages and has an AR UK rating of IL: UY - BL: 5.3 - AR Pts: 9.0.
Points this post: 5
Total points: 40
Tasks Completed: 5
Goodreads authors: 2
Big Books: 0

15.8 Women in War
Code Named Verity by Elizabeth Wein
REQUIRED: Approved by task author in help thread post 2. Two protagonists serve in British Intelligence during WWII.
*Elizabeth Wein is a GRA*
CURRENT POST
Points: 15
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Book Tickets: 0
____________________________
CUMULATIVE TOTAL
Total Points: 245
Total Goodreads Authors: 14
Total Big Book Tickets: 1
Big Books - 500+: 1
Big Books - 750+:
Big Books - 1000+:

20.3 - Best Review - Cait S's Task: Thinly Veiled Marvel References
Option 3: WickedThis book is number 5 in the series and is NOT a re-read for me.
Sara Shepard is a Goodreads author.
POINTS
This Post: 20
Total Points: 255
Books Read: 18
Goodreads Authors: 14
Big Books: [500+: 1] [750+: 0] [1000+: 0]

task 5.4: midgard:
* tree(s) on cover:

**this is a GRA
Points this post: 5
Total points: 30
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Books: 500+(0) 750+(0) 1000+(0)
Tasks Completed: 3
Dlmrose
5.2 Vanaheim, the Home of the Vanir
9 letter word, com/mit/tee: Dear Committee Members by Julie Schumacher
10.5 - Cinco de Mayo
Set in Oaxaca, Mexico: Don't Look Back: A Novel by Gregg Hurwitz
from the description: on a trip she’s long dreamed of—a rafting and hiking tour through the jungles and mountains of Oaxaca, in southern Mexico...
20.2 Rookie at the Top - Maryn’s Task: Midwives Help People Out
option 1 midwife: Call the Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times by Jennifer Worth
20.9 Moderator's Pet- Kait's Task: Hel Hath Fury
option 2, most recently published Joe Pickett #15: Endangered by C.J. Box
total = 265
5.2 Vanaheim, the Home of the Vanir
9 letter word, com/mit/tee: Dear Committee Members by Julie Schumacher
10.5 - Cinco de Mayo
Set in Oaxaca, Mexico: Don't Look Back: A Novel by Gregg Hurwitz
from the description: on a trip she’s long dreamed of—a rafting and hiking tour through the jungles and mountains of Oaxaca, in southern Mexico...
20.2 Rookie at the Top - Maryn’s Task: Midwives Help People Out
option 1 midwife: Call the Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times by Jennifer Worth
20.9 Moderator's Pet- Kait's Task: Hel Hath Fury
option 2, most recently published Joe Pickett #15: Endangered by C.J. Box
total = 265

20.6 Seasoned Reader: Diane Whitney's Task: I Spy Spring with the letter B -
Option A & B:

Flowers on the cover & mmpb is 360 pages.
**Anne Gracie is a goodreads author.**
Current post:
Points: 20
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Book Tickets: 0
Total:
Total Points: 255
Total Goodreads Authors: 12
Total Big Book Tickets:
Big Books - 500+:
Big Books - 750+:
Big Books - 1000+:

Option 3 - Nowhere To Run by C.J. Box. This is book 10 in the series and is NOT a re-read for me
Post Total: 20
Grand Total: 20

Book 1 - The authors initialise are found in rAGnorak:
Mud, Muck and Dead Things by Ann Granger
Book 2 - The letters of THOR are found in order in the title, THe rOad to middlemaRch;
The Road to Middlemarch: My Life with George Eliot by Rebecca Mead
Total points 120

5.7 Nidavellir, the Home of the Dwarves
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress, Dai Sijie, 3/18/15
10.10 - The Odd Couple
The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde, 3/13/15
20.9 Moderator's Pet- Kait's Task: Hel Hath Fury
Option 3: Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him, Luis Carlos Montalvan (GRA), 3/16/15
30.7 - Delicious Dee's Task - I Love My Library!
Book 1:
Author that inspired choice: John Boyne
New to me author? Yes
Shelves: Boa - Brn
New to me author and book read for this challenge: The Hiding Place, Corrie ten Boom, 3/13/15
Book 2:
Author that inspired choice: Liane Moriarty
New to me author? Yes
Shelves: Mit - Muq
New to me author and book read for this challenge: Me Before You, Jojo Moyes (GRA), 3/24/15
Points this post: 65
Goodread Authors this post: 2
Big Book Tickets this post: 0
Total points: 100
Total Goodread Authors: 4
Total Big Book Tickets: 0

25.2 Schatzie’s Task: : Garden Quotes
Pick 2 different options and read one book from each. Rereads and books with the genre “kids” or “children” may not be used. Required: state which options you choose and that it is not reread for you.
OPTION 2: Read a book with the main page genre of “Crime”, “Mystery”, “Suspense”, or Thriller”. The genre can be stand alone or embedded.
The King's Hounds, Martin Jensen
Has Mystery and Crime as genres: approved in task help thread message #45.
Read the kindle version. MMPB reference edition:

Goodreads Author: No
Big Book: No
OPTION 4: Read a book with the main page genre of Science Fiction. Genre can be stand alone or embedded.
Red Shirts, John Scalzi
Shelved as Science Fiction by 1,828 users
Read the kindle edition. MMPB reference edition:

Goodreads Author: Yes, John Scalzi is a Goodreads Author
Big Book: No
Both these books were new to me (although I'm reassigning King's Hounds from a different task this challenge to this one)
Points this Task: 25
Books Read: 2
Tasks completed: 8
Total points: 160
Goodreads Authors: 6
Big Books: 0

15.2 - Aesir vs Vanir Gods Showdown
AESIR - Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews
VANIR - Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler
**Therese Anne Fowler is a GoodReads Author
This Task:
Points: 15
Books Read: 2
GRA: 1
BB Ticket: 0
Total:
Points: 25
Books Read: 3
GRA: 1
BB Ticket: 0
Tasks Completed: 2

15.1.Everything You Think is Right....or Wrong?
Book 1 – Read a book that a GR friend has rated 4 or 5 stars
The Templar Legacy by Steve Berry
This book was given a 4 star rating by friend Jonathan-
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Claiming Steve Berry as GR author
Book 2 – Read a book that a GR friend has rated 1 or 2 stars.
The Rocky Road to Romance by Janet Evanovich
This book was rated as one star by friend Annette
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Claiming Janet Evanovich as GR author
Total Points-135/1060
Total Tasks Completed-11/60
Number of GR authors-(6)
Big Books-500 pages ();750 ()

Option One :: Read a book with 'Supernatural' in the main page genres.
That Old Flame of Mine by J.J. Cook
Option Three :: Read a book where the author's initials can be found in VALKYRIE.
The Hollow Heart by Adrienne Vaughan *Goodreads Author*
TASK TOTALS
Points: 25
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Book Tickets:
CHALLENGE TOTALS
Points: 175
Goodreads Authors: 10
Big Books - 500+: 1
Big Books - 750+:
Big Books - 1000+:

Book One:

(Cody Hoyt #1) 2011
Paperback Back Of Beyond, 496 pages
AND
Book Two:

(Regan Reilly Mystery #11) (first published 2008)
Paperback Zapped 304 pages
Both books are new to me
25.2 - Schatzie’s Task: Garden Quotes
OPTION 1:

AND
OPTION 2:

Neither book is a re-read
Total Points = 480

20.7 - Shorter is Sweeter- BellaGBear’s Task: Relive Childhood Feelings
The Girl with All the Gifts - M.R. Carey (GR Author) - appeared in pg1 of the Child Narrator list about 3/4 of the way down
Points this Post: 20
Total Points: 255
Goodreads Authors: 17

15.4 SPRING Reads
I chose option 1: Two books.
Book 1. I read a book 1st pub’d in a year ending in 4 -- 2004, A Perfect Waiter by Alain Claude Sulzer.
Book 2. I read a book by an author with initials in SPRING, Sides by Peter Straub.
Points This Post: 15
Total Points So Far: 225

25.2 Garden Quotes
Option 2: Read a book with crime/mystery/suspense/thriller as main page genre
Fellowship of Fear by Aaron Elkins. This book has mystery as the top main page genre. This book is NOT a re-read for me.
Option 4: Science Fiction as main page genre
The Martian by Andy Weir. This book is NOT a re-read for me.
**** Andy Weir is a Goodreads Author ****
TOTAL IN POST:
Points: 25
Goodreads Author: 1
Big books: 0
CUMULATIVE TOTAL
Total Points: 75+25 = 100
Goodreads Author: 3+1 = 4
Big Books: 0 + 0 = 0

5.2 Vanaheim, the Home of the Vanir
9 letter word in title. sec/ret/ary.
Mr. Churchill's Secretary by Susan MacNeal
NOT A RE-READ.
Susan MacNeal is a GR author. For 1 GR author ticket.
30.1 Jonquil's Task: Straight on Til Morning
Option 1: Carnival ride on cover.

Option 2: CHARACTER CHANGES OCCUPATION.

Handyman becomes brick factory foreman. NOT A RE-READ.
total points this post: 35
total cumulative points: 60

Book 1: Author initials in RAGNAROK
The Reluctant Prophet by Nancy Rue
Book 2: Thor in title
The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy
Julia Quinn is a GRA for 1 ticket.
New points this post: 25
Total w/this post: 340
GRA tickets this post: 1
Total w/this post: 11
Big Books this post: 0
Total w/this post: 2
Total tasks completed: 19
Total books claimed: 26
Post: #950

15.4 Spring Reads
I chose Option 2, read a book that satisfies both A and B.
I chose to read

(A) Men Explain Things to Me was first published in March 2014.
(B) the initials R and S can be found in SPRING
Previous point total: 60
New points this post: 15
Total points: 75
New tasks completed in this post: 1
Total tasks: 4
GRA tickets this post: 0
Total GRA: 0
Big Books this post: 0
Total Big Books: 500+(0) 750+(0) 1000+(0)

5.5: JOTUNHEIM, THE HOME OF THE GIANTS
--young adult genre
Vanish
by Sophie Jordan ---> GR AUTHOR
Points this post: 5
Total Challenge Points: 420
GRA: 13
BB (500)- 0
BB (750)- 0
BB (1000)- 0

5.4 Midgard "Middle Earth", the Home of the Humans
Read a book with a tree on the cover

**Diana Gabaldon is a GRA
**1410pp – 3 big book tickets
TOTAL TO DATE
Points: 65
Tasks: 7
Goodreads Authors: 4
Big Book Tickets: 6
Books: 7

OPTION 3. Do you have any pets or kids?
Read a book with a title (subtitles excluded) or author’s name (first, middle, or last) that includes your child’s or pet’s name.
I read:

by Andrea Camilleri
Andrea is my kid's name.
------------------------------------------------------
POINTS
Points This Post: 20
Points Total: 85
GR Author:
Big Books:
500 () 750 () 1000 ()
Tasks Completed: 5
GRA Total: 1
BB Total:

20.5 - Bigger is Better - ChrisEverest’s Task: Love and Not Quite Love
Option 1 - A book by a single author whose last name ends in –ER.
Skinwalker by Faith Hunter -- Hunter; Faith Hunter is a new to me author
Faith Hunter is a GR Author.
Points This Post: 20
GR Authors This Post: 1
Big Book Tickets This Post: 0
Total Points: 70
Total GR Authors: 6
Total Big Book Tickets: 0

15.2 Aesir vs Vanir gods Showdown
Book with letters AESIR in title
The Machine Gunners IL: UG - BL: 4.8 - AR Pts: 7.0
Book with letters VANIR in title – V in love, A & R in share, N & I in knowing.
The Love We Share Without Knowing
20.1 What's in a Name
Option 3 Loki (god of mischief)
Book with 'thousand' in the title
A Thousand Rooms of Dream and Fear
30.7 I Love My Library
Last challenge Kim Lock was a new-to-me author. From shelf LEO-LOF I read A Hero of Our Time by Mikhail Lermontov who is a new-to-me author.
Last challenge Liz Evers was a new-to-me author. From shelf ERN to FID I read Solitaire by Kelley Eskridge who is a new-to-me author.
This post 65 points
Total to date 150 points

5.4 Midgard "Middle Earth", the Home of the Humans
Read a book with a tree on the cover
Rooms by Lauren Oliver

POINTS
This Post: 5
Total Points: 180
Books Read: 15
Completed Tasks: 12

10.10 - The Odd Couple
The Sandman, Vol. 7: Brief Lives by Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman is a Goodreads author.
POINTS
This Post: 10
Total Points: 265
Books Read: 19
Goodreads Authors: 15
Big Books: [500+: 1] [750+: 0] [1000+: 0]

OPTION 1: “Planting a flower’s like opening a book, because either way you are starting something,”-- Nora Roberts.
Read a book that has a flower or flowers on the cover.

Rose bloom on the cover.
OPTION 3: “Gardens are a form of autobiography,” -- Robert Dash.
Read an autobiography or memoir. This must be a non-fiction account about the author’s own life.

Neither of these books are rereads for me.
This Post: 25
Total: 140
Tasks Completed: 8
Books Read: 10
Goodreads Authors: 7
Big Books: 500+ (2), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)
Total Pages Read: 3681

Task 15.8 - Women in War
read a book where women are in service in active combat
Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett
(approved in help thread)
=====
total points = 340

20.8 - Nickels & Dimes - MegSCL's Task: Getting to Know Seasonal Reading Challengers
Option 3: Read a book with a title (subtitles excluded) or author’s name (first, middle, or last) that includes your child’s or pet’s name.
I have two cats, called Entropy and Chaos.
In honor of Chaos I read
Beautiful Chaos by Gary Russell
Points this post: 20
Total Points: 200
Books Read: 11
Goodreads Authors: 7
Big Books:500+(1)750+(0)1000+(0)

10.1 - Remarkable Women
The Penelopiad
found on page 1 (#26) of the Remarkable Historical Women in Fiction list.
10.4 - May the Fourth Be With You
genre "science fiction" Games & Players
25.2 - Schatzie’s Task: Garden Quotes
Option 2: genre of “Crime”, “Mystery”, “Suspense”, or Thriller” The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks
Option 4: genre of Science Fiction Control
Points:45
Total: 160+45=205

Option A:
Wicked and Dangerous by Shayla Black
"Anthologies" as a genre on main page
option B
Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James
532 pages
Points this Post: 30
Totals:
Total Points: 60
Total Tasks Completed: 2
Total Books Read: 4

5.5 Jotunheim, the Home of the Giants
apple on cover: in front of tombstone and on tree branch
Ghost a la Mode
Sue Ann Jaffarian
Paperback, 312 pages 3/25

Points this post: 5
Total points: 475
Books posted: 38
Tasks complete: 33
Pages this post: 312
Total pages as of this post: 11026

30.4. - Sandy's Task: Spring Renewal for your Reading Ideas
Task 1: Read a book recommended by Goodreads based on shelf or genre
Phoenix Rising by Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris. This book was recommended to me by Goodreads based on my "read" shelf. It also popped up when I scrolled through the science fiction recommendations.
**** Tee Morris is a Goodreads Author ****
Task 2: Read a book from Popular Books Among My Friends this Month list
Fuzzy Nation by John Scalzi. This book was the top book on the list on 2/20/2015. 6 of my friends have read it and rated it really highly.
**** John Scalzi is a Goodreads Author ****
CURRENT POST TOTAL
Points: 30
Goodreads Author: 2
Big Books: )
CUMULATIVE TOTAL
Total: 100 + 30 = 130
Goodreads Author: 4 + 2 = 6
Big Book Tickets: 0 + 0 = 0

20.5 - Bigger is Better – ChrisEverest’s Task – Love and Not Quite Love
Option 1: Black Sheep by Georgette Heyer
This author is new to me.
I read the above Kindle edition. Link to MMP
Points this post: 20
Total points: 125
Tasks completed: 7
Books read: 8
Goodreads Authors: 2
Big Books: 500=1, 750=0, 1000=0

20.6 Seasoned Reader: Diane Whitney's Task: I Spy Spring with the letter B

Points this post: 20
Total points: 140

Option 2: First published in 2014 and author's initials are G S
The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion
25.5 Sirena's Task--Ready for Their Closeup
1. Shorts
Three Across Kansas by Jack P. Jones 147 pp
4. Author initials in Glory and/or Selma
Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson: Initials E and L from Selma
today's total: 40
Grand total: 340

5.1 Asgard, the Home of the Aesir
Anybody Out There by Marian Keyes (audiobook)
5.5 Jotunheim, the Home of the Giants
As Red As Blood by Salla Simukka
REQUIRED: Has Young Adult as a genre on the main page
30.6 Happy’s Task: Happy Equinox!
Book 1: Consider the Lobster by David Foster Wallace
REQUIRED: Option A, has both essays and short stories as main page genres
Book 2: An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
REQUIRED: Option D, position 6 on the Feel Good Books list
*John Green is a GRA*
CURRENT POST
Points: 40
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Book Tickets: 0
____________________________
CUMULATIVE TOTAL
Total Points: 285
Total Goodreads Authors: 15
Total Big Book Tickets: 1
Big Books - 500+: 1
Big Books - 750+:
Big Books - 1000+:

(post #40 reading plans)
10 POINT TASKS
10.7 - Typhoid Mary: Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks finished 03/25/15✔
15 POINT TASKS
15.6. Tax Day:Flash Boys: A Wall Street Revolt by Michael Lewis N/F Economics finished 03/25/15✔
Points this task: 25
Cumulative Totals: 60
Books read: 7
Tasks completed: 0
Tickets for:
Good Reads Authors(this post): 0
Total Goodreads authors: 4
Big Books:

Task 10.9 Over The Rainbow
Initials in ROY GBIV (RB)
Murphy's Lawby Rhys BowenWho is a GOODREADS AUTHOR!!
Points this post:10
Total points:35
Tasks completed:4
Books read:4
Goodreads Authors:1
Big Books:500+(0)750+(1)1000+(0)
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
Books mentioned in this topic
Paper Towns (other topics)The House on Mango Street (other topics)
The Awakening (other topics)
The One (other topics)
How to Marry a Duke (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Sandra Cisneros (other topics)John Green (other topics)
Vicky Dreiling (other topics)
Kate Chopin (other topics)
Kiera Cass (other topics)
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20.1: MOST IMPROVED PLAYER - JULIA'S WHAT'S IN A NAME
opt.4
req'd: DID NOT FINISH SHELF, pg. 6
Paper Towns
by John Green --> GR AUTHOR
Points this post: 20
Total Challenge Points: 415
GRA: 12
BB (500)- 0
BB (750)- 0
BB (1000)- 0