Official Challenge #2 - January 1, 2010 through April 30, 2010

[ToniS]

I have updated my list so now it's set in stone. Unless it changes. :)

[Becky, Moddess]

Toni wrote: "I have updated my list so now it's set in stone. Unless it changes. :)"

LOL

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

Let me know when you want to start it. I have a few short Narnia books to read.

[Jon]

Lyn M wrote: "OK - So here is my list, with a few holes. The month ones seem particularly difficult to figure out.

5.1 The Fatal Shore: The Epic of Australia's Founding by [author:Robert Hugh..."

how did you figure out those month ones - i wasnt sure where to start

[Jon]

Becky wrote: "Ok... I'll go ahead and change it. If anyone does NOT want it changed and would rather do the Jan/Feb/Mar task still, I will count the points either way.

Is that fair?"

oh no that sounds like a great idea - change change change

[Jon]

Becky wrote: "No you can do that... but if she wanted to use that book for a different task than the buddy task she'd just have to read another book with someone for hers. You know what I mean?"

yep thats what i thought - like i do Thorn birds with other for that task, but if i read 20th wife at same time as Jackie she can use it for her buddy read

[Lu]

do we put our challenge list here and edit it here? Or is there a thread for it?

[Jon]

yeah just chuck it in here

[Laura]

Oh Jon, still a sucker for a good Challenge I see lol. Not at all surprised to see your koala face in here. Lord you've even made it into one of the tasks! How's that for leaving your furry mark on things. :)

[Lyn (Readinghearts)]

Jon - I put the month in the book search space in GRs. It was horrible, because it brings up everything that has the month in the Author's name, the title, or whatever. And when I got to March it was impossible. I like the second task so much better. For the end of the year, milennium, etc. one I got lucky. I just happened to have just started a book that spanned the year end.

I much prefer the new task. That one was easy.

[ToniS]

I think there should be bonus points for the person who completes the most tasks or reads the most pages overall or something. It would be incentive not to just swoop up all the high-point tasks.

[Becky, Moddess]

Perhaps, perhaps. I like rewards. :)

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I like rewards too :)

[Jon]

Toni wrote: "I think there should be bonus points for the person who completes the most tasks or reads the most pages overall or something. It would be incentive not to just swoop up all the high-point tasks. "

sounds good

[Jon]

Laura wrote: "Oh Jon, still a sucker for a good Challenge I see lol. Not at all surprised to see your koala face in here. Lord you've even made it into one of the tasks! How's that for leaving your furry mark..."

you know me i cant help myself!.. im sure it will be challenge rehab again after this one

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

challenge rehab, hahahahha

[Jon]

Finished 'time of the butterflies'

5.1 Read a book set in Australia or written by an Australian author The Secret River
5.2 Read a book set in India or written by an Indian author The Twentieth Wife A Novel
5.3 Read a book set in Ireland or written by an Irish author The Gathering
5.4 Read a HF book with a strong female character The Bonesetter's Daughter
5.5 Read a YA HF Wolf Brother

10.1 Read a HF about modern history (1900-1970),Snow Falling on Cedars
10.2 Read a book about the Celts and/or Druids, Bec or The White Mare: The Dalraida Trilogy
10.3 Read a fantasy HF/alternate history book, The Vampire Armand
10.4 Read a book about magic or witch craft Dreaming in Cuban (magic realism)
10.5 Re-read your favorite HF. The Hours

15.1 Visit your local library or bookstore, choose a HF book at random and read that book. The Goldsmith's Daughter interesting! picked at random with eyes closed from librarys online HF list
15.2 Read a HF book about a person you know little about, The Last Queen
15.3 Read a HF book about a time period you've never read about before The Year of Living Dangerously
15.4 Read a HF book that relates to a HF TV show or movie and watch the show/movie..Ironweed
15.4 Read a HF author you have never read and/or heard of before 2010. The Piano Tuner A Novel

20.1 Read a classic HF.Queen Margot, or, Marguerite de Valois
20.2 Read a book set during a revolution or civil war.In the Time of the Butterflies 320pp bonus 4pnts
20.3 Read a book that won a major literary prize Fugitive Pieces A Novel
20.4 Read a HF book that was released in 2009.The Help
20.5 Both Paul Revere and Betsy Ross were born in January, so read a book about the American Revolution.
Someone Knows My Name

25.1 25.1 Read 3 HF books - n one each from 3 different bonus tier levels.
A patch of blue - 144p
The White Earth 348p
Wolf Totem 527p
25.2 Participate in a buddy read with another challenge participant. The Thorn Birds with Becky and Jackie
25.3 Read 2 HF books from your TBR Dancer from the Dance, Andrew Holleran 254pp 4bonus pnts and The Great World, David Malouf
25.4 For New Years, read a HF book that spans a new year, decade, millennium, etc. The Godfather
25.5 Read a fiction and non-fiction book about the same era, person, theme or event, etc. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee An Indian History of the American West and The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse

30.1 Freebie Prodigal Summer: A Novel

40.1 Bonus: Read two HF books that take place in the American West. At least one of them has to have actual a historical figure or group as the main character (i.e. Jesse James, Buffalo Bill Cody, The Texas Rangers, Annie Oakley, etc.) Lonesome Dove and The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

50.1 Bonus: Be Jon's Cheerleader! Read 3 HF books that spell JON using the first letter of one of the words in the title.
Pope Joan A Novel
Empress Orchid
Across the Nightingale Floor

Points 20
Bonus 4
Total 24

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

Hello i finished another task. I am so slow on this challenge. I read "The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis. I am claiming this for the 30.1 freebie task plus 4 bonus points for a 224 page book.

New Total: 41

[Becky, Moddess]

Jayme, I have you at 43 points. :)

SCOREBOARD--
Jayme: 43
Lyn: 29
Jon: 24

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I miscounted, oops :)

[[deleted user]]

Ooh, I'm going to give some of these a shot. I'm salivating at all the yummy options.

[Becky, Moddess]

Fiona wrote: "Gaskell's N&S isn't a HF sorry!"

Yep, got it Fi. LOL ;)

[Becky, Moddess]

Yeah, but that's a freebie. He can read anything he wants for that one. :)

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

Michelle you make reading sound like a 9 course dinner. :) Not that i don't disagree with you.

[Jon]

Fiona wrote: "Becky wrote: "Fiona wrote: "Gaskell's N&S isn't a HF sorry!"

Yep, got it Fi. LOL ;)"

Did I answer an old post, I think I did now oops!

I don't think Prodigal Summer I see on Jon's list is a HF e..."

yeah its a freebie miss feathers so tweet off lol

[[deleted user]]

Haha, well, it does feel a bit like I'm walking up to a buffet, Jayme, and picking them out. I am still working on a list of what to read which is fine because I'm still finishing Daughter of the Flames and Eclipse.

I think I can squeeze the Marie Atoinette book I just picked up - Abundance A Novel of Marie Antoinette in there somewhere.

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

who knew books could be so overwhelming in deciding which to read.

[Becky, Moddess]

Michelle, I'm really surprised you're continuing on with the Twilight series, considering your reviews of the first two!

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I loved them all but to each their own.

[Becky, Moddess]

I enjoyed them too, but admit they are horribly written! LOL Addictive though.

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I just read what i like whether it is horribly written or not.

[Becky, Moddess]

Yeah! Nothing wrong with that. :) I'm not saying that you should be embarrassed. I'm not. I just know that they aren't great literature. That doesn't mean that you can't enjoy them.

[Laura]

Jon wrote: "Fiona wrote: "Becky wrote: "Fiona wrote: "Gaskell's N&S isn't a HF sorry!"

Yep, got it Fi. LOL ;)"

Did I answer an old post, I think I did now oops!

I don't think Prodigal Summer I see on Jon's ..."

yay! Jon's reading Prodigal Summer!!!

[Laura]

Jayme wrote: "I just read what i like whether it is horribly written or not. "

You go Jayme. Reading's a hobby, not a job. :)

[Chris]

Hey, here's an idea for a future challenge:

Any book by Stephenie Meyer -(minus)50 points.

[Becky, Moddess]

LOL You hush.

[Jeane]

Becky wrote: "Hey everyone... Jennifer has given her task now, and I think you'll be pleased:

30.1 Bonus: FREEBIE! Read a book of your choice, ANY GENRE!"

OOOOOOO, great!!!!!

[Jeane]

Heather wrote: "Wow, you guys are quick!! My first read for the challenge will be Mists of Avalon, which is a big one. I won't be on the board for a couple weeks, at least. lol

Way to start us off, Jayme and Lyn! :)"

Eh, me too Heather...okay how I am going and loving it maybe another week or so...but yep, my first book for my first HF challenge!!!!

[Jeane]

Toni wrote: "Here's my list. If I get through half of it, I'll be so proud of myself:


5.1 Read a book set in Australia or written by an Australian author The Forgotten Garden
5.2 Read a book se..."

I am wondering if Galway bay really takes place in Galway Bay! If it is, I NEED to read it. Galway is like a couple of hours driving and Galway Bay is great to drive next to it from Galway to up, like for instance Clifden like we did.

[Jeane]

Jon wrote: "yeah just chuck it in here"

Challenge master Jon!

[Jeane]

Jon wrote: "Finished 'time of the butterflies'

5.1 Read a book set in Australia or written by an Australian author The Secret River
5.2 Read a book set in India or written by an Indian author [..."

Good koalino, prodigal summer...I will leave your trees now.

[Jeane]

Jon wrote: "Fiona wrote: "Becky wrote: "Fiona wrote: "Gaskell's N&S isn't a HF sorry!"

Yep, got it Fi. LOL ;)"

Did I answer an old post, I think I did now oops!

I don't think Prodigal Summer I see on Jon's ..."

Yes Tweet off now that he finally put it on to read!

[ToniS]

Jeane wrote: "I am wondering if Galway bay really takes place in Galway Bay! If it is, I NEED to read it. Galway is like a couple of hours driving and Galway Bay is great to drive next to it from Galway to up, like for instance Clifden like we did."


Jeane, I have no idea. I swiped it off someone else's list because it sounded like the most interesting one to swipe in that category. But I haven't gone out to find it yet.

[Becky, Moddess]

Heather, I wish that you were reading Losing Julia with me. It would be so nice to discuss this with you!

[Lyn (Readinghearts)]

I need a buddy read with someone, but I have already read The Thorn Birds and Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. HELP!!

[Becky, Moddess]

Yes, definitely still 4/5. :) I think you'll fall in love with old Patrick... I have. I just want to hug him. Lewd, sarcastic, sad old man that he is. (((Patrick)))

[Becky, Moddess]

The only book I share with you Lyn is Shadow of the Wind... If you want to do that one, we can. :)

[Becky, Moddess]

Good. I really like it so far. Hull isn't pulling any punches with the war stuff, but it fits and it's not gratuitous, just honest.

[Jackie]

Lyn M wrote: "I need a buddy read with someone, but I have already read The Thorn Birds and Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. HELP!!"

I'm willing to read: The Temple Dancer (must request this one from the library through ILL though). I can count it for India and you can count it for the buddy read. I'm free end of Feb and on.

[Becky, Moddess]

Heather wrote: "Pretty raw, huh? I bet that just makes the horrors of war come to life. Guess I should gear up for an emotional ride. It doesn't take much for me anyway. I'm a sensitive old sap. lol"

You know, it is kind of, but those parts aren't the ones where I find myself getting emotional. I actually get more emotional when I read the parts with Patrick in the nursing home.

The war parts just are what they are. When they are described, theres a kind of helplessness but also a "this is where we are now, so we'll deal with it the best we can" feel.

It's really like reading three different men's stories, the stages of his life are so different.

I'm really glad that Al sent this one to me.