The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
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WINTER CHALLENGE 2009-2010
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WINTER CHALLENGE 2009-2010 COMPLETED TASKS
5.1 101 Dalmations by Dodie Smith -- by far, my favorite Disney movie and a very entertaining original book as well.385/1100
I've finished The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon for 5.4 - A winning decade : he won the Pulitzer in 2001. Books read: 3
Challenges accomplished: 3
Points : 45
5 point tasks: 4. Olive Kitteridge A Novel in Stories by Elizabeth Strout (A Winning Decade - 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction)
25 point tasks:
5. ABIGAIL'S TASK - ODD MAN OUT – Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris (Doesn’t Fit any 5/10/15 point tasks)
30 point tasks:
5. DIANE'S TASK - POSTHUMOUSLY SPEAKING - The Wish List by Eoin Colfer (Deceased narrator) and The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson (Published after author’s death)
7. JAN THE GRYPHON’S TASK - MULTI-TASKING - The Unheard A Memoir of Deafness and Africa by Josh Swiller (15.9 - longest on TBR list; 10.2 - main character is deaf)
Total Points = 90
Tasks Completed = 4
Total Books = 5
I need to move a book because the library waiting lists are still too long.
Please move Twenties Girl: A Novel from 30.10 to 5.6 Dirty Job.
The job I could never imagine doing: Head-hunter
30.10 Color - The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop
Number - The Best American Short Stories 2007
1040 points
I've been getting bogged down in a couple of books I chose so having finally made it through one, I am rewarding myself with a couple more light-hearted things. 25.9 The World of Books:
Book with a map: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis - another pleasant sojourn through Narnia.
Book with extra content: The Rose Labyrinth by Titania Hardie - this book came with a stack of 'parchments' on which are printed riddles and clues and obscure messages on one side, which are meant to illuminate the story, and drawings on the reverse which are all meant to fit together to form a design, pattern, map, whatever. This was one of the books I was bogged down in, and forced myself just to get through it. I wrote a review which you can view if you want; in short, however, I was disappointed and I don't recommend it. 1 star.
Mod
In a Sunburned Country
Bill Bryson's amusing travel memoir is set in Australia. I would love to go to Australia- the forecast says that Sydney will reach 88 degrees today-it is 28 degrees here. That alone is reason enough for me- but I find Australia fascinating and would love to go there
+30
total 1015
Finished a couple of tasks:10.6 Local readers: from Jen's shelf I read To Kill a Mockingbird, which I was curious to reread as an adult.
30.10 True Blue and Cat O' Nine Tales: And Other Stories, enjoyed both.
Total points: 455
Mackenzie wrote: " 5 point tasks: 4. Olive Kitteridge A Novel in Stories by Elizabeth Strout (A Winning Decade - 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction)
25 point tasks:
5. ABIGAIL'S TASK - ODD MAN OUT – Dead Until Dark..."</i>
I think that [book:Dead Until Dark fits Task 5.10 -- The Allure of Alliteration so it wouldn't work for Abigail's task.
Krista wrote: "Mackenzie wrote: " 5 point tasks: 4. Olive Kitteridge A Novel in Stories by Elizabeth Strout (A Winning Decade - 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction)
25 point tasks:
5. ABIGAIL'S TASK - ODD MAN ..."
It also fits Task #15.3 What Women Want since it is written by a woman and the series has a female lead character.
Just finished task 30.5 Posthumously Speaking. For part A I read The Lovely Bones and for part B I read Persuasion
Jennifer L. wrote: "Krista wrote: "Mackenzie wrote: " 5 point tasks: 4. Olive Kitteridge A Novel in Stories by Elizabeth Strout (A Winning Decade - 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction)
25 point tasks:
5. ABIGAIL'S ..."
So now it would work for Task 30.7 -- Jan's Multi-Tasking task. :-)
Dlmrose wrote: "I finished 30.6 Wendy's Winter Vacation withIn a Sunburned Country
Bill Bryson's amusing travel memoir is set in Australia. I would love to go to Australia- the forecast says that Sy..." This was my 30.6 also -- I loved it!
5.4. A WINNING DECADEI read Genesiswhich won the New Zealand Post Book Awards for Young Adult Fiction in 2007.
30.1 - Celebrate the End of the Decade - The Girl Who Stopped Swimming by Joshilyn Jackson (published 2008) and Matchstick Men: A Novel of Petty Crimes by Eric Garcia (movie in 2003)
Books Read = 11
Tasks In Progress = 5
Tasks Completed = 6
Finished another task!
35.2 Pick One Of The Following: 1)Ski Trip, 2)Warm Beach, 3)Cozy Fire, 4)Sleigh Ride, 5)Tropical Island, OR 6) Northern Lights.
I picked 2)Warm Beach
Warm
Warm Springs Traces of a Childhood at FDR's Polio Haven by Susan Richards Shreve (Hardcover, 224 pages)
Goodreads says: "A rich and moving memoir of childhood illness and its aftermath by a member of the last generation of Americans to have experienced childhood polio." I agree! I especially appreciated Ms. Shreve's observations on how having polio affected her view of her body, her family, and her life, both during her days at FDR's camp and post-cure. 5*'s
Beach
Turtle Beach by Blanche D'alpuget (Hardcover, 286 pages)
Australian journalist Blanche D'alpuget won the Melbourne's The Age newspaper's 1981 Award for Fiction (or Imaginative Writing) for Turtle Beach. The novel is set in Malaysia in 1979. The heroine (like Blanche D'alpuget in real life) is a journalist covering events in Malaysia. In the novel, the Boat People are ethnic Chinese fleeing the oppression in VietNam post-Vietnam-War. No country wants them, including Malaysia, including Australia. Interesting. I will say this, though: no character is sympathetic, every one, Asian or Australian, male or female, have unpleasant elements to their character that gets high-lighted. The men are all "male chauvenists". Still, Turtle Beach held my interest to the last page.
355+35=390
Tasks Completed: 19
Points for this task: 35
Points thus far: 390/1100
Books read: 27
Pages Read: 7999
5.6 . IT'S A DIRTY JOB BUT - The Viceroy of Ouidah by Bruce Chatwin. The book was a historical fiction account of the slave trade in 19th century Africa. The main character was a slave trader who worked for a mentally unstable king.Total Points: 335/1100
Tasks Completed: 21/58
Tasks in Progress: 7
5:2 A Bad Case of Stripes25:4 Calico Captive and The Sword of Truth
Calico captive took plac around 1727 during the French and Indian War in the American Colonies. The Sword of Truth was suring the 1500's of the reign of Henry VIII. It's hard to pick a time preference becasue the 2 locations were so different let alone the times. I however choose the 1700's. I feel their were more oportuniites available to people of different classes as time increased. The 1700's were also nice because Freedom of Religion was much more an option.
I'm not sure where I stand point wise but that's 30 more on top of it :)
I just found this group and it is the funnest thing ever! I decided to do what I can this season even though I won't be competitive.5.1 Enchanted by Orson Scott Card (Sleeping Beauty)
5.5 True Believer by Nicholas Sparks
5.8 Peril at End House, Agatha Christie
haha! 15 points for me. I am official :)
25.7 Sam - the Lost Generation
A. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
B. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
Both classics - both 5 stars. Of Mice and Men a reread after 35 years - just as good and perhaps more meaningful the 2nd time around. Narna books are just great - Lion, Witch and Wardrobe may be my favorite - also a reread after over 40 years - great on CD.
Points: 730
Tasks: 38
Books: 56
Pages: 13294
Finished:10.9 REMEMBERING PEARL HARBOR Middle Son: A Novel by Deborah Iida. I bought and read this book several years ago when I was in Hawaii. This is one of the few re-reads I'm allowing myself this challenge.
30.2 HELEN'S TASK--SCIENCE FICTION PAST AND PRESENT:
A. I, Robot by Isaac Asimov (First published 1950)
B. Valor's Trial by Tanya Huff (2009)
So much more of science fiction (to say nothing of fantasy) is written by women now and features women. In the past it was sometimes difficult to find readable, thoughtful SF books as opposed to the exploitive ones; now the choice is wider. (Back in the late 50s & early 60's my mother wouldn't let my younger sister read SF--I guess Mom missed seeing that I had been reading it since junior high.)
Finally, one more completed task:15.6. THE SEASON OF GIFTING & GIVING
A. My favorite gift is the gift of the practice of yoga. A professor introduced me to the style of yoga that I practice and I have been hooked ever since. Practicing Yoga has changed my life, mind, soul, and the movement of my body in such amazing ways. I don’t know what I would without this practice. I listened to the Bhagavad Gita (audiobook), one of the most important books on Yoga philosophy. I have read the Bhagavad Gita before and it was a very different experience to listen to it. It was a different translation than the one that I own and have read. I was still able to follow along a little and make new notes in my book.
AND
B. I donated stem cells to a cancer patient. I would urge everyone to register with the National Bone Marrow Donor Program. You could be a match to someone and save a life. For all those who are pregnant, you can also donate cord blood. I joined the bone marrow registry about three years ago and was contacted by them a few months ago about being someone’s match. I just went through the procedure to donate the stem cells this month. I will never take my good health for granted.
http://www.marrow.org/
Total Points: 110
Pages read: 1131
Books read: 6
Tasks completed: 6
I have read a few other books too but can not claim the points yet:( I am working on those tasks.
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10.4. - WINNERS CHOICE - I read The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. It is a 5 star read for pjreads and I agree completely. I loved it!10 points!
Total Points: 310
Total Books Read: 24
Total Pages Read: 7,297
Tasks in Process: 2 (30.3; 35.3)
Melissa wrote: "I've been getting bogged down in a couple of books I chose so having finally made it through one, I am rewarding myself with a couple more light-hearted things. 25.9 The World of Books:
Book..."
I read The Rose Labyrinth this summer. I thought it had great potential but the story really fell short for me also.
For task 5.9 ISN'T IT ROMANTIC, I read WILD AT HEART by Barry Gifford. Surprisingly satisfying.New points: 5
Total points: 50
Forgot to include30.7 JAN (THE GRYPHON'S) TASK: MULTITASKING:
A Great Current Running: The U.S.-Russian Lena River Expedition with Lena Reunion by Charles Gusewelle. Great story of the 1991 expedition following the Lena River from the source to the Arctic Ocean. Interesting story by a local author (and he hopes to repeat it next year). Can be used for 10.10, 25.8A, 25.9A (map)
FInished 25.10 Emily's TaskBook with a great cover: The Lightning Thief- Rick Riordan
Graphic novel: Fables: Legends in Exile-Bill Willingham
New point total: 190
35.3-It's about timeI read "The Year of Magical Thinking" by Joan Didion
15.6 Giving - My best gift is a print of Van Gogh's Starry Night that my daughter gave me. It's my favorite because it shows how well she knows me.
Giving Back - Donations to Drs. Without Borders for Haiti relief and to the local children's home. Volunteering a couple hours a day proofreading for the Gutenberg project (1,711 pp since 1 Dec.).
How to Read a Modern Painting: Lessons from the Modern Masters
1055 points
finished task 30.1 by reading Trans-Sister Radio for the book published in the last decade (2000) and Snow Angels for the book that was made into a movie in the last decade. i loved trans-sister radio, very interesting topic. snow angels was very depressing, but a good read. and bohjalian is a goodreads author! :)
Total Points: 615/1100
Books Read: 35/81
Tasks Completed: 25/58
Tasks in Progress: 1
20.5 - Odd Man OutRead the City of Bones by Cassandra Clare and it doesn't fit any of the 5/10/15 level tasks (at least not where I can figure)
Completed task 10.5 Popularity Contest. My birthday is in October so I read Soulless by Gail Carriger (a GR author). I am in LOVE with this new series, a wickedly funny, clever and intelligent Victorian paranormal romance. It's a 5* read for me.315/1100 points
Tasks Completed: 14/60
Tasks In Progress: 4
Books Read: 21/79
Pages Read: 6,056
Another one bites the dust...10.7 SMALL SCREEN STORIES - Read A Book Inspired By, OR Was The Inspiration For, OR Is In Some Way Related To Your Favorite Television Show (Past Or Present).
I read Mr. Monk Goes to the Firehouse by Lee Goldberg.
Total Points: 445/1100
Books Read: 34
Tasks Completed: 26/58
15.1 Make me LaughRead Catch-22 and watched Death at a Funeral.
I have now seen three movies for this challenge, which is more than I usually see in a decade!
Completed two more challenges, and I want to put in a word for two of the books I read: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, it will come as a surprise to no one that this is a good book, but I found this to be a real page turner, and although it is somewhat predictable to pick out the bad guy, the whole chain of cthe story was masterful and the glimpse into Sweden was intriguing. Also, Laced with Magic, I'll admit I'm something of a prude about sex scenes, and a bit of a snob about romance books and "formula" books, this was one a bit above the normal cut. Yes, it is a supernatural romance with a moderately graphic sex scene thrown in for no explicable reason (that's what I really hate, when the editorial staff says: 1.6 sex scenes per novel is require, and it is too obvious that is why the scene is included), but Bretton is a writer a bit above the average, and I came to care for the main characters during this book - recommended for supernatural romance readers AND knitters, did I mention it also has knitting???15.9 Read the book on TBR pile /shelf longest AND read a book by an author you have never read before: Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and Laced with Magic by Stieg Larsson and Barbara Bretton, 919pps, read 1/19/2010 and 1/21/2010.
20.2 Favorite task from a past challenge, 15 points or higher, tell which challenge and task: The Lost Symbol, Rhiannon's 20 point task from I believe the summer 2009, "Author with the same birth date", by Dan Brown, 509pps, read 1/20/2010.
Books read 41/77+
Tasks completed 25/58
Points 510/1100
Pages read 13278
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Finished 30.4: The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History by John M. BarryWhat a dense book!
Total Points: 200
Isn't that the guy who wrote Peter Pan?
Completed Michelle's answering machine task with The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World and Money.Geography of Bliss was an interesting concept, what is it about a culture/county/state of mind that makes people happy? It had some highs and lows, but rounded out to 3 stars.
Money, was just a disaster for me. It's heralded as a hilarious satire on the excesses of the 80s, but I could barely get through it.
Total points: 480
Jayme wrote: "Isn't that the guy who wrote Peter Pan?"Umm, I think that's J.M. Barrie.
Finished:30.10 THERESA IN OHIO'S TASK--COLOR BY NUMBERS:
A. The Chartreuse Clue by William F. Love. If you like Rex Stout's Nero Wolf books you'll like this one; not a clone, but certainly a twin.
AND B. The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas. (actually, I read the electronic version and I thought I'd NEVER get done. If I'd had a sword I would have used it repeated on this. I think I preferred the Classic Comics version I read back in the days of my youth.)
Krista wrote: "Mackenzie wrote: " 5 point tasks: 4. Olive Kitteridge A Novel in Stories by Elizabeth Strout (A Winning Decade - 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction)
25 point tasks:
5. ABIGAIL'S TASK - ODD MAN ..."
I thought "Until" would not fit under the small words that were allowed in the task rules, but I did miss the what women want task so I'll repost.
5 point tasks: 4. Olive Kitteridge A Novel in Stories by Elizabeth Strout (A Winning Decade - 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction)
30 point tasks:
5. DIANE'S TASK - POSTHUMOUSLY SPEAKING - The Wish List by Eoin Colfer (Deceased narrator) and The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson (Published after author’s death)
7. JAN THE GRYPHON’S TASK - MULTI-TASKING - The Unheard A Memoir of Deafness and Africa by Josh Swiller (15.9 - longest on TBR list; 10.2 - main character is deaf)
Total Points = 65
Tasks Completed = 3
Total Books = 4
It was pointed out that something I posted for Abigail's task would fit task 15.3 so I will wait until i finish the second part of that challenge to post. For now I'm just stuck at 65 points.
For 15.7 (Food + Family and/or friends = reading fun), I read La pâtisserie (Baking one step at a time) by Marianne Magnier-Moreno and Sonia Lucano, and I did several of those recipes, including macarons with black chocolate ganache and white chocolate ganache for New Year's eve. (we tried to put blue coloring in them as our theme was Winter/Cold, but they ended rather peppermint green)Books read: 4
Challenges accomplished: 4
Points : 60
Ebostdorff wrote: "20.5 - Odd Man OutRead the City of Bones by Cassandra Clare and it doesn't fit any of the 5/10/15 level tasks (at least not where I can figure)
" I'm pretty certain that falls under "series written by a woman with a female main character". That's the task that made 20.5 the hardest for me!
Mod
To Kill a Mockingbird
This task generated a lot of discussion at my library. For many of those present for the discussion, their favorite books were the ones that they had read last or the ones they anticipated reading next. Someone commented, "Isn't "To Kill a Mockingbird" everyone's favorite book?" When I replied that it wasn't on my short list, the consensus was that I needed to read it again. I did like it more this time around- my third time. I think it had more impact after completing Cheryl's Civil Rights task and putting together the time periods and settings that this book was written in and set in. I really appreciate the connections that this challenge has enabled me to make.
+5
total 1020
30.1 The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan published May 2009 (which was awesome) and The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger published 03, movie 06 I liked the book way better than the movie, the ending is totally different.
45 points for me, woohoo!
For Task 30.10Gone to Green by Judy Christie
and
One Night by Debbie Macomber
For Task 20.3
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland / Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll
Kate wrote: "Jayme wrote: "Isn't that the guy who wrote Peter Pan?"Umm, I think that's J.M. Barrie.
"
It's the same last name just spelled different. :)
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The Seasonal Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
The Bloodshed Of The Betrayed (other topics)Winter's Child (other topics)
The Sharper Your Knife, the Less You Cry: Love, Laughter, and Tears at the World's Most Famous Cooking School (other topics)
Don't Try This At Home: Culinary Catastrophes from the World's Greatest Chefs (other topics)
Magic Study (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Kate Mosse (other topics)Louise Rennison (other topics)
Robert Louis Stevenson (other topics)
William Golding (other topics)
Laura Childs (other topics)
More...
Animals Make Us Human: Creating the Best Life for Animals 352 pages
Catching Fire 391 pages
Hundred-Dollar Baby 292 pages by Robert B Parker who died on Monday
total 1035 pages
Animals Make Us Human was really interesting. The pet chapters were very revealing. The chapters on food source animals strayed from the book's premise. Many of the production and slaughter house details were disturbing- but I think it was important to know.
I think I enjoyed Catching Fire even more than Hunger Games- devoured it in one sitting
I read Hundred Dollar Baby in honor of Parker- this book revisited a character from an earlier book. I always enjoy catching up with Parker's familiar characters- Spenser, Jesse Stone, and Sunny Randall.
+30
total 985