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

[ToniS]

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'll read The Reliable Wife with you, but it might be a while because I already committed to two other buddy reads and I'm only a third of the way through The Far Pavilions.

[Jon]

Jeane wrote: "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 I..."

i thought that would make you happy!

[Jon]

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

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

hahahah

[Becky, Moddess]

No, she hasn't read it. I was really surprised. Apparently, she just threw it into my Xmas present last minute on a whim. LOL

[Jeane]

Jon wrote: "Jeane wrote: "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 writ..."

Happy? jumping of joy in my mind!!!!!

[Becky, Moddess]

Heather wrote: "I can't believe that she didn't just take a quick 5 minutes to read it before tossing it in your box. I mean, that's all it would have taken her...lol. Anyway, lucky you! And hooray for last minute..."

I know... LOL

[Lyn (Readinghearts)]

Toni wrote: "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'll read The Reliable Wife with you, ..."

Thanks everyone, I knew you all would come through -- I think I will take Toni up on her offer to read Reliable Wife, since I have the Temple Dancer and Shadow slated for some other tasks, and Reliable Wife is on my TBR.

Toni - No hurry, I have plenty of other stuff to keep me busy. Just let me know when you want to start.

[Jackie]

I read one book...yay! Revised list:

5.1 Read a book set in Australia or written by an Australian author – The First Man in Rome
5.2 Read a book set in India or written by an Indian author- The Feast of Roses: A Novel
5.3 Read a book set in Ireland or written by an Irish author – Bog Child
5.4 Read a HF book with a strong female character -

10.1 Read a HF about modern history (1900-1970) –
Broken Paradise: A Novel
10.2 Read a book about the Celts and/or Druids – Lion of Ireland
10.3 Read a fantasy HF/alternate history book- Across the Nightingale Floor
10.4 Read a book about magic or witch craft – The Mists of Avalon
10.5 Re-read your favorite HF.- Memoirs of a Geisha

15.1 Visit your local library or bookstore, choose a HF book at random and read that book.
15.2 Read a HF book about a person you know little about – The Little Balloonist
15.3 Read a HF book about a time period you've never read about before – Sacred Hearts: A Novel- pages 412
15.4 Read a HF book that relates to a HF TV show or movie and watch the show/movie. –
The Thorn Birds
15.5 Read a HF author you have never read and/or heard of before 2010. – The Help

20.1 Read a classic HF. -
20.2 Read a book set during a revolution or civil war. –
20.3 Read a book that won a major literary prize
20.4 Read a HF book that was released in 2009. - Cleopatra's Daughter
20.5 Both Paul Revere and Betsy Ross were born in January, so read a book about the American Revolution.

25.1 Read 3 HF books - one between one each from 3 different bonus tier levels. (If you choose to do the Jan/Feb/Mar task, I will accept that too.)- To Catch A Pirate, Twilight of Avalon: A Novel, and Shogun

25.2 Participate in a buddy read with another challenge participant. – Jon- The Twentieth Wife: A Novel
25.3 Read 2 HF books from your TBR – The Queen's Fool and The Heretic Queen
25.4 For New Years, read a HF book that spans a new year, decade, millennium, etc. – The Kitchen God's Wife or Falling Angels
25.5 Read a fiction and non-fiction book about the same era, person, theme or event, etc. – Katherine and Katherine Swynford

30.1 Bonus: To be determined by previous challenge 3rd place finisher. – Any book, any genre- The Angel's Game

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.) –

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. -
Journey to the River Sea, Empress Orchid, and Nefertiti

----------------------------------------------

15 pts + 6 bonus pts= 21 pts

[Becky, Moddess]

You can just read HF books that fit the tasks and then record your points here, or you can go all out and plan a list... Don't matter to me! :)

[Becky, Moddess]

Pretty simple. :D

[Jon]

Rachel wrote: "Can someone explain to me how these challenges work? I always see them, but I feel stupid because I have no idea what I am supposed to do. :\"

dumbass lol. (psst its v easy..even Jackie knows how)

[Jon]

Jackie wrote: "I read one book...yay! Revised list:

5.1 Read a book set in Australia or written by an Australian author – The First Man in Rome
5.2 Read a book set in India or written by an Ind..."

i cant beleive youve escpaed having Shogun pushed on you up till now! well worth the effort!

[Jackie]

Jon wrote: "dumbass lol. (psst its v easy..even Jackie knows how)"

You better watch that furry butt of yours.

[Becky, Moddess]

Scoreboard:
Jayme - 43
Lyn - 29
Jon - 24
Jackie - 21

Yay! :)

[ToniS]

OK. I have finished my required reading for work and I want to use Medici Effect: What Elephants and Epidemics Can Teach Us About Innovation for the freebie category. 207 pages. Every single one feels like homework.

30 + 4 bonus points = 34

[Jon]

Jackie wrote: "Jon wrote: "dumbass lol. (psst its v easy..even Jackie knows how)"

You better watch that furry butt of yours. "

hahah

[Jon]

Finished my random library pick, wasnt too bad actually

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 Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts
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, The Meeting of the Waters
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 290 pp 4 bonus
15.2 Read a HF book about a person you know little about, Empress Orchid
15.3 Read a HF book about a time period you've never read about before. 30's China, Raise the Red Lantern: Three Novellas
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 Zeke and Ned

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
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
Across the Nightingale Floor

Points 35
Bonus 8
Total 43

[Becky, Moddess]

Scoreboard-

Jayme 43
Jon 43
Toni 34
Lyn 29
Jackie 21

[Becky, Moddess]

Finished "Losing Julia" (390 pgs) and changed it to the year/decade/millennium task as it takes place over a 60 year period, roughly. :)

25 pts + 4 bonus = 29 pts.

5.1 Read a book set in Australia or written by an Australian author - The Grass Crown by Colleen McCullough
5.2 Read a book set in India or written by an Indian author - The Twentieth Wife
5.3 Read a book set in Ireland or written by an Irish author
5.4 Read a HF book with a strong female character - A Great and Terrible Beauty
5.5 Read a YA HF - The Thirteenth Child (possibly)

10.1 Read a HF about modern history (1900-1970) - Angel by Colleen McCullough
10.2 Read a book about the Celts and/or Druids
10.3 Read a fantasy HF/alternate history book - The Sweet Far Thing
10.4 Read a book about magic or witch craft - Rebel Angels
10.5 Re-read your favorite HF. - Sweet Valley Saga

15.1 Visit your local library or bookstore, choose a HF book at random and read that book.
15.2 Read a HF book about a person you know little about - The Duchess
15.3 Read a HF book about a time period you've never read about before
15.4 Read a HF book that relates to a HF TV show or movie and watch the show/movie. Rome
15.4 Read a HF author you have never read and/or heard of before 2010. - Atonement by Ian McEwan

20.1 Read a classic HF. - The Man in the Iron Mask
20.2 Read a book set during a revolution or civil war.
20.3 Read a book that won a major literary prize - Shadow of the Wind
20.4 Read a HF book that was released in 2009.
20.5 Both Paul Revere and Betsy Ross were born in January, so read a book about the American Revolution.

25.1 Read 3 HF books - one that takes place in each January, February, and March.
25.2 Participate in a buddy read with another challenge participant. - The Thorn Birds (Tentative - looking for partner!)
25.3 Read 2 HF books from your TBR - The Queen's Fool & The Dante Club
25.4 For New Years, read a HF book that spans a new year, decade, millennium, etc. - Losing Julia
25.5 Read a fiction and non-fiction book about the same era, person, theme or event, etc.

30.1 Bonus: To be determined by previous challenge 3rd place finisher.

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.)

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. - "J" TBD, The Other Boleyn Girl, and Push Not The River

[Jon]

Finished Ironweed... was a struggle, and had to watch the movie too! grim. At least had Meryl whos brilliant in everything she does.


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 Heat and Dust
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 Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts
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, The Meeting of the Waters
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 290 pp 4 bonus
15.2 Read a HF book about a person you know little about, Empress Orchid
15.3 Read a HF book about a time period you've never read about before. 30's China, Raise the Red Lantern: Three Novellas
15.4 Read a HF book that relates to a HF TV show or movie and watch the show/movie..Ironweed 225 pp 4 bonus
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 Twentieth Wife: A Novelwith 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 Thorn Birds
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 Zeke and Ned

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.
J Pope Joan A Novel
OPerfume: The Story of a Murderer
NAcross the Nightingale Floor

Points 50
Bonus 12
Total 62

[Becky, Moddess]

Scoreboard-

Jon 62
Jayme 43
Toni 34
Lyn 29
Jackie 21

[Lyn (Readinghearts)]

Getting a slow start this time, Congrats you guys.

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I noticed, and I'm not longer leading. I am going to have to fix that :)

[Becky, Moddess]

Finished "The Thorn Birds" (692 pgs). Read with Jackie for the Buddy task:)

25 pts + 8 bonus = 33 pts.
Sub-Total Pts = 50 + 12
Total Pts = 62

5.1 Read a book set in Australia or written by an Australian author - The Grass Crown by Colleen McCullough
5.2 Read a book set in India or written by an Indian author - The Twentieth Wife
5.3 Read a book set in Ireland or written by an Irish author
5.4 Read a HF book with a strong female character - A Great and Terrible Beauty
5.5 Read a YA HF - The Thirteenth Child (possibly)

10.1 Read a HF about modern history (1900-1970) - Angel by Colleen McCullough
10.2 Read a book about the Celts and/or Druids
10.3 Read a fantasy HF/alternate history book - The Sweet Far Thing
10.4 Read a book about magic or witch craft - Rebel Angels
10.5 Re-read your favorite HF. - Sweet Valley Saga

15.1 Visit your local library or bookstore, choose a HF book at random and read that book.
15.2 Read a HF book about a person you know little about - The Duchess
15.3 Read a HF book about a time period you've never read about before
15.4 Read a HF book that relates to a HF TV show or movie and watch the show/movie. Rome
15.4 Read a HF author you have never read and/or heard of before 2010. - Atonement by Ian McEwan

20.1 Read a classic HF. - The Man in the Iron Mask
20.2 Read a book set during a revolution or civil war.
20.3 Read a book that won a major literary prize - Shadow of the Wind
20.4 Read a HF book that was released in 2009.
20.5 Both Paul Revere and Betsy Ross were born in January, so read a book about the American Revolution.

25.1 Read 3 HF books - one that takes place in each January, February, and March.
25.2 Participate in a buddy read with another challenge participant. - The Thorn Birds (Read with Jackie) 25 + 8 bonus (692 pgs)
25.3 Read 2 HF books from your TBR - The Queen's Fool & The Dante Club
25.4 For New Years, read a HF book that spans a new year, decade, millennium, etc. - Losing Julia 25 + 4 bonus (390 pgs)
25.5 Read a fiction and non-fiction book about the same era, person, theme or event, etc.

30.1 Bonus: To be determined by previous challenge 3rd place finisher.

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.)

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. - "J" TBD, The Other Boleyn Girl, and Push Not The River

[Becky, Moddess]

Got it H!

[Becky, Moddess]

Scoreboard:

Jon- 62
Me- 62
Jayme- 43
Heather- 34
Toni- 34
Lyn- 29
Jackie- 21

[Becky, Moddess]

I know the feeling. I read two in a row, and may not get a chance to squeeze any more in for a little while.

We'll see. :)

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I have a question do we have the option of doing the tasks more than once and getting points for them or are we only limited to doing the task once?

[Becky, Moddess]

Each task only counts once for points. :)

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

awww, you no fun Becky :(

[Becky, Moddess]

Sorry! LOL

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

would a book about teenage kids who are the reincarnation of King Arthur, Gwenievere, Mordred, Lancelot, and Elaine count for any of these tasks?

[Becky, Moddess]

If it's a modern book set in the present, no, I don't think so. You could use it for your freebie task, but you've already used that one.

Unless you want to switch to this one for more bonus points or something. I'd allow that.

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

Okay, I will switch 30.1 freebie task from the Horse and His Boy to "Avalon High" It has 304 pages. I don't think it changes my points.

[Jon]

Becky wrote: "Finished "The Thorn Birds" (692 pgs). Read with Jackie for the Buddy task:)

25 pts + 8 bonus = 33 pts.
Sub-Total Pts = 50 + 12
Total Pts = 62

5.1 Read a book set in Australia or written by ..."

you sly horse, i didnt even realise youd started it

[Becky, Moddess]

Sorry Jon... You know how I am about spoilers, so I stayed out of the thread, and then I just... read it. :P

[Jackie]

Jon wrote: "Becky wrote: "Finished "The Thorn Birds" (692 pgs). Read with Jackie for the Buddy task:)

25 pts + 8 bonus = 33 pts.
Sub-Total Pts = 50 + 12
Total Pts = 62

5.1 Read a book set in Australia or wri..."


Hahahahaha! She's my buddy!!! Mine, all mine!


Ahem, I don't know where that came from. :P

[Becky, Moddess]

O_O

Love you too. :P

[Jackie]

I'm just a sore loser because I'm last on the score board :(

[Becky, Moddess]

You'll catch up. You watch. :)

[Jackie]

I better :P

I have question, but I will post it in the question thread. C-ya there! lol.

[Lyn (Readinghearts)]

Hey Jackie - I am almost there with you, and you guys are all reading faster than me, so I would guess last place will be mine soon!

[Becky, Moddess]

Well... technically... looking at my excel scoreboard, Jeane is in last place. O_o I've added her on in participation anticipation, but she hasn't reported anything yet. :P

[Jackie]

Well I'm in the middle of two bricks- Thorn Birds and Mists. If I ever finish Mists I can probably take out the two challange freaks Jon and Becky.

What is that saying...slow and steady wins the race? I keep muttering that to myself everytime I see the scores. lol.

[Becky, Moddess]

Looks like you scratched something out there... Oh if only I could read it! :P

[Lyn (Readinghearts)]

I agree, Jackie, slow and steady will win the race. Right?

[Jackie]

Yes, definitely. We have till end of April anyway, which leaves us plenty of time. :-)

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

Thank God for that

[ToniS]

I took a break from The Far Pavilions to read The Book Thief for task 5.5. 552 pages

So, 5 points, plus 6 bonus points = 11

[Jon]

Jackie wrote: "Well I'm in the middle of two bricks- Thorn Birds and Mists. If I ever finish Mists I can probably take out the two challange freaks Jon and Becky.

What is that saying...slow and steady wins th..."

its easy enough to read a biggie and race past at this stage :).. and one person might finish everything with low bonus point books and then someone else finish later with higher ones and take em out..its anyones game!. Besides it makes me feel good to score in here when my real life store is losing so much money with me in charge lol