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

[Jackie]

Jon wrote: "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


Oh stop trying to get the pity vote! ♥

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

i don't think i will be winning this challenge. I don't have that much HF in my TBR list. BTW, I have a book that is historical but it is nonfiction, could I still use it for this challenge? It's called Henry VIII The King and His Court

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

true, I have my personal TBR list and a I have TBR list for my library.

[Lyn (Readinghearts)]

Exactly why I do it Heather. In fact it is at least as much fun finding the books that fit the tasks, as it is to actually do the reading. Plus it helps me prioritize the books I am reading.

Jon - what sort of store do you have in real life?

[Jeane]

Becky wrote: "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"

I know, but I started immediately with an over 1000 pages book, but gonna post now.

[Jeane]

Heather wrote: "I KNOW I won't be winning...I have tons of HF on my list, but I'm not a very fast reader. I just thought this would be fun. I love matching up books for the different tasks, and thought it would he..."

I am just gonna win of all of you and taking Heather with me for second place!

[Jeane]

10.4 Read a book about magic or witch craft
The Mists of Avalon

1009 pages (1024 on GR) = 10 bonus points

10 points plus 10 bonus points= 20 points

Let me know if I did this wrong...

[Becky, Moddess]

Scoreboard:

Jon- 62
Me- 62
Toni- 45
Jayme- 43
Heather- 34
Lyn- 29
Jackie- 21
Jeane- 20

Jayme, you could use your non-fiction book as 1/2 of 25.5, but you'd have to read a fiction book about Henry VIII as well.

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

okay that would work.

[Jon]

Heather wrote: "I KNOW I won't be winning...I have tons of HF on my list, but I'm not a very fast reader. I just thought this would be fun. I love matching up books for the different tasks, and thought it would he..."

yeah i actually spend more time matching and changing books and looking at my list than reading them :)

[Jon]

Lyn M wrote: "Exactly why I do it Heather. In fact it is at least as much fun finding the books that fit the tasks, as it is to actually do the reading. Plus it helps me prioritize the books I am reading.

Jo..."

im team leading a travel agency in Sydney and its pretty bloody hard work at the moment!

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I changed my mind about the Henry VII book and decided on Elizabeth I

[[deleted user]]

So would it be considered historic fiction if it is historic to us but was not historic when it was written?

It's official - I'm the "asks dumb questions" member of our lovely group.

[Becky, Moddess]

Michelle, can you give me an example?

[[deleted user]]

Surely. I was thinking along the lines of a book like Little Women which was written in the 1860's and takes place roughly around the same time. When the book was written by Louisa May Alcott, the period of time that she was writing about was not historic to her. It is, however, historic to you and me. So, technically it is a fictional account of the lives of characters in a historic time and place, but is it historic fiction?

Versus, say, something like The Scarlet Letter which was written in the 19th century about events taking place in the 17th century - a time period that was historical to Nathaniel Hawthorne (as well as to us).

I hope that makes sense.

[Becky, Moddess]

Ahh, I see. No, sorry... If the book was contemporary when it was written, I can't accept it for the challenge (except the "freebie" task, lol). But, I'm pretty flexible with my definition of HF, so I will take something written about a period as little as say, 15 or 20 years before. :)

[ToniS]

What did you decide about The Grapes of Wrath? Historical fiction or no?

[ToniS]

Jayme, you're reading Snow Flower and the Secret Fan with me still, right? When do you want to start?

Becky, when we do a buddy read, what do we do that's buddyish? Just read at the same time or are we supposed to be discussing it somewhere every day or something?

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

Yes Toni, I am, When did you want to start?

[ToniS]

Could we start this weekend? I have it out from the library, so some time in the next couple of weeks. It's sitting on my shelf like a ticking clock. I gave up trying to finish The Far Pavilions before I read the library stuff.

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

okay, I think I can squeeze it in.

[ToniS]

ok. cool. Now I just have to find out what constitutes a buddy read.

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

i have the book out. I bought this like two years ago on a buy one get one free. My bookclub read it that summer.

[Becky, Moddess]

Toni, I myself would not consider The Grapes of Wrath to be HF as it was written in 1939 and it's about the Depression.

Regarding the buddy read, I'll leave that up to you. I'm just asking for the bare minimum - to read the book at the same time, but you are more than welcome to go above and beyond if you like. :)

[Jon]

Heather wrote: "Lyn/Jon, I am so with you guys on the matching books to task thing! I can't help myself...I even made up a simple little spreadsheet to keep track of my list. And I can't tell you how much time I'v..."

yes i sit here admiring my beautiful list and patting my self on the back for it, and sometimes going and researching alternatives because its so much fun, going through the library lists etc.. sad but true.

[Jon]

Jackie when were you thinking of 20th wife? its popped up at my library so ill have it for about 3 weeks from Saturday.. um along with another pile of library books but im sure most of them i could renew with no dramas ans i dont think they are hot on peoples lists

[[deleted user]]

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

I actually am engaged in the story or, at the very least, interested in how it turns out. My hugest issue with the series is the poor characterization and the poor writing style. I think I'm particularly critical of this series because it has become so widely popular and a huge success. When I think of that (and then think of, in my opinion, so many more deserving series or books), I think I become more critical.

[[deleted user]]

Creating my list has been the most difficult challenge so far. I have to finish the book I'm reading now because it has to go back to the library soon, but I'm still working on a buddy read. Twentieth Wife is on my list too but for the most part, I don't have many overlaps. When you read A Great and Terrible Beauty, Becky, would you like to read it with me? That is also on my list.

At work now so I'll post my full list later.

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I kinda been fitting them in as i read them.

[Becky, Moddess]

Michelle wrote: "When you read A Great and Terrible Beauty, Becky, would you like to read it with me? That is also on my list."

Sure... I'm not sure when that will be, probably mid-way through the challenge at least. I'm neurotic and will have to read the 2nd and 3rd books immediately, so I will need time to fit them all in, and at the moment I don't. :)

I will let you know though!

[[deleted user]]

Becky wrote: "Michelle wrote: "When you read A Great and Terrible Beauty, Becky, would you like to read it with me? That is also on my list."

Sure... I'm not sure when that will be, probably mid-way through t..."

No problem, I will probably be the same way. So, if you want to read it toward the end of the challenge too that is fine. Just let me know and I'll pick it up from the library.

[Jackie]

Jon wrote: "Jackie when were you thinking of 20th wife? its popped up at my library so ill have it for about 3 weeks from Saturday.. um along with another pile of library books but im sure most of them i could..."

I have to finish up Thorn Birds first...hopefully by this weekend. I can go to the library and pick up 20th wife and try for next week. Does that sound good?

[ToniS]

Heather, OK, that's fine. Takes pressure off me!

[Jon]

Jackie wrote: "Jon wrote: "Jackie when were you thinking of 20th wife? its popped up at my library so ill have it for about 3 weeks from Saturday.. um along with another pile of library books but im sure most of ..."

yeah, ill pick mine up tomorrow.. i have a book due back before that thats not renewable, about 400p worth so i might try and squeeze that in between TB and 20th W, so perhaps looking around next weekend to start

[Jackie]

Perfect!!

[Jon]

hurrah!

[ToniS]

Last night I finished The Far Pavilions for task 5.2. 1191 pages(!)

So, gimme those hard-earned 5 points + 10 bonus = 15

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I finished another task. 25.5 read a fiction and non fiction book about the same person, era, theme or event.
I chose Queen Elizabeth I. My fiction book was called: Elizabeth I Red Rose of the House of Tudor, England 1544 by Kathryn Lasky and my nonfiction book was called: Behind the Mask: The Life of Queen Elizabeth I by Jane Resh Thomas for 234pp and 197pp.

So 24+8(bonus points)=33
New Point Total 76

[Becky, Moddess]

Nice going!

New Scoreboard:

Jayme- 76
Jon- 62
Me- 62
Toni- 60
Heather- 34
Lyn- 29
Jackie- 21
Jeane- 20

[Becky, Moddess]

Did you just feel that breeze Heather? That was Jayme whizzing by! LOL

[ToniS]

Updated list:


5.1 Read a book set in Australia or written by an Australian author The Forgotten Garden
5.2 Read a book set in India or written by an Indian author The Far Pavilions (Completed 1/26/10 1191 pages)
5.3 Read a book set in Ireland or written by an Irish author Galway Bay
5.4 Read a HF book with a strong female character The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag
5.5 Read a YA HF The Book Thief (completed 1/18/10. 552 pages)

10.1 Read a HF about modern history (1900-1970) The Lost Mother
10.2 Read a book about the Celts and/or Druids The White Raven
10.3 Read a fantasy HF/alternate history book The Mists of Avalon
10.4 Read a book about magic or witch craft A Vision of Light
10.5 Re-read your favorite HF.

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 Katherine
15.3 Read a HF book about a time period you've never read about before The Red Tent
15.4 Read a HF book that relates to a HF TV show or movie and watch the show/movie. The Rose Without a Thorn: The Wives of Henry VIII(Completed 2/3/10 260 pages) and renting season 3 of The Tudors
15.4 Read a HF author you have never read and/or heard of before 2010. A Reliable Wife

20.1 Read a classic HF. Gone With The Wind
20.2 Read a book set during a revolution or civil war. The King's General
20.3 Read a book that won a major literary prize The Known World
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.

25.1 Read 3 HF books in different bonus levels.
The Crimson Petal and the White 894 pages
The Blind Assassin (540 pages)
I Capture the Castle (343 pages)
25.2 Participate in a buddy read with another challenge participant. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan with Jayme (completed 2/1/10 258 pages)
25.3 Read 2 HF books from your TBR Through a Glass Darkly (completed 1/3/10. 674 pages) and The Binding Chair: or, A Visit from the Foot Emancipation Society
25.4 For New Years, read a HF book that spans a new year, decade, millennium, etc. Secrets of the Tudor Court: The Pleasure Palace (completed 1/30/10. 358 pages)
25.5 Read a fiction and non-fiction book about the same era, person, theme or event, etc. The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher: Murder and the Undoing of a Great Victorian Detective and Silent In The Grave OR Neverland: J. M. Barrie, The Du Mauriers, and the Dark Side of Peter Pan and Daphne

30.1 Bonus: FREEBIE! Read a book of your choice, ANY GENRE! Medici Effect: What Elephants and Epidemics Can Teach Us About Innovation (completed 1/13/10. 207 pages)

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.) Buffalo Girls : A Novel (completed 2/7/10. 344 pages) and Calico Palace

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-???
O-Mistress of Mellyn
N-The Meaning of Night: A Confession

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

thank God for bonus points. I don't have too much HF on my TBR list. though so it is still anybody's game.

[Jon]

another for moi, finished Thorn Birds, used it for my cross decades one


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 496p

25.1 25.1 Read 3 HF books - n one each from 3 different bonus tier levels.
A patch of blue - 144p
The English Patient 305p
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 692 pp 8 bonus
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 75
Bonus 20
Total 95

[Laura]

I'm really enjoying following this thread. Go Jayme, that's awesome. This is lots of fun to watch. Watch out for that competitive koala tho. And our fearless Mods too, gotta watch their tushies lol.

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

Jon just knocked me out of first place.

[Laura]

He has a way of doing that lol. But he'll give you a bear hug as he does.

[ToniS]

My husband thinks I'm an idiot for doing this. I'll pick up a book and think about which category to use it for and calculate the points. He's like, "Do you get a trophy or something if you win?" Me, "Um, no." Him, "Well then what's the point?" Yet he spent all football season doing a pool for no money. Whatev.

[ToniS]

You'll be back on top when we finish our buddy read, Jayme! Even if it's only for a day.

[Laura]

Yeah, mine used to think I was nutso too. But my daughter weirdly got a kick out of it. W/E.

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

That's true.