The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
SPRING CHALLENGE 2010
>
Spring Challenge 2010 Completed Tasks
Jen B wrote: "Just had my baby on Tuesday, so things have been a little hectic to say the least. But I've managed to finish a couple of books for some points:"Congratulations, Jen B!! A baby is a wonderful accomplishment - remember to take care of you as well as of that precious baby.
20.10 - The Golden Compass by Philip PullmanThis was a reread for me, but just as enjoyable the second time around.
Books Read: 2
Pages Read: 1034
Total Points: 20
Completed Tasks: 1
Incomplete Tasks: 1
For 10 points...5.3 Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (re-read, 4 stars) Goodreads Author
5.4 Chocolat by Joanne Harris (5 stars) September 2009 Newsletter
New Total: 20 Points
A few more tasks done. May not get much done this week because I'm off to Vegas to celebrate my 2 year anniversary with Mr. E, and I will be too busy eating, lol. (I'm not much of a gambler...)
5.1 - Bird- I read Bluebird: Women and the New Psychology of Happiness by Ariel Gore.
5.4 I read Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omololu. This is a book about a teen who lives with a mother who is a hoarder and who has turned their house into squalor. Fabulous, but dark read. I recommend it highly! This book was featured in February's Newsletter.
5.5 - I read Jeannette Wall's incredible memoir The Glass Castle. I don't know how this woman or her siblings survived and how she can look back on her past and at her parents with even a modicum of compassion or love, but she does. They need to make a movie of this. I will watch it and cry like a baby. The book was published in 2005.
5.9 - I read Searching for Pemberley by Mary Lydon Simonsen. It was Meh. It had potential, though.
20.5 - From the Celebrity Book Picks List, I read Courtney Cox's suggestion, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Koningsburg, which was great. I actually never read this before, and I enjoyed it a lot, esp. because of its setting in the Met. I live in NYC and don't go to the museums often enough. I look forward to exploring the Met more often with a fresh set of eyes.
30.2 - I read Savvy by Ingrid Law and The Red Blazer Girls: The Ring of Rocamadour by Michael D. Beil, and thoroughly enjoyed both of them.
Previous Score: 60
Current Score: 130
5.1 - Bird- I read Bluebird: Women and the New Psychology of Happiness by Ariel Gore.
5.4 I read Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omololu. This is a book about a teen who lives with a mother who is a hoarder and who has turned their house into squalor. Fabulous, but dark read. I recommend it highly! This book was featured in February's Newsletter.
5.5 - I read Jeannette Wall's incredible memoir The Glass Castle. I don't know how this woman or her siblings survived and how she can look back on her past and at her parents with even a modicum of compassion or love, but she does. They need to make a movie of this. I will watch it and cry like a baby. The book was published in 2005.
5.9 - I read Searching for Pemberley by Mary Lydon Simonsen. It was Meh. It had potential, though.
20.5 - From the Celebrity Book Picks List, I read Courtney Cox's suggestion, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Koningsburg, which was great. I actually never read this before, and I enjoyed it a lot, esp. because of its setting in the Met. I live in NYC and don't go to the museums often enough. I look forward to exploring the Met more often with a fresh set of eyes.
30.2 - I read Savvy by Ingrid Law and The Red Blazer Girls: The Ring of Rocamadour by Michael D. Beil, and thoroughly enjoyed both of them.
Previous Score: 60
Current Score: 130
Katy wrote: "Ok, finally getting on the readerboard this go-round!10.1
- the entire book cover is basically made up of tree branches.10.4 - I chose "Reuse" - [book:E..."
Oops, forgot to mention that both Gabrielle Zevin (Elsewhere) and Audrey Niffenegger (Her Fearful Symmetry) are Goodreads authors!
I finished 5.7 by reading House Rules by Jodi Picoult. I really liked it and gave it 5 stars.Total Points 30
OK now I've got it.For task 25.4
Wild & Hexy by Vicki Lewis Thompson
and
The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
30.5 PJ Reads/Tanja's Task - Six Degrees of SeperationShopaholic and Baby by Sophie Kinsella
Sophie Kinsella's book Confessions of a Shopaholic was made into a movie starring Isla Fisher(1). Isla Fisher is engaged to Sacha Baron Cohen(2). He appeared in an episode of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" with Dustin Hoffman(3). Dustin Hoffman appeared in the movie 'Hook" directed by Steven Spielberg(4). Spielberg also directed the movie "Jurassic Park" based on the book Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton(5).
State of Fear by Michael Crichton
Total points: 205
Read In the Woods by Tana French for 10.1. I'm going to give it 3 stars. I liked the premise, I liked the characters but I just found the execution to be a little lacking. The ending was dissapointing- too ambigious. Not going into many details because I really don't want to spoil it for others. I also read Here's to You, Rachel Robinson by Judy Blume for task 25.9. JB was HUGELY popular in my first few years of high school. this book wasn't my favorite of the bunch, I really wanted to re-read Summer Sisters, but I couldn't find my copy of the book anywhere. A nice, light re-read that I thoroughly enjoyed and which brought back tons of memories...
This should bring me to 60 pts.
Tana French is a GR author AND Into the Woods is 591 pages, a 'Big Book'.
Sara wrote: "5.4 I read Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omololu. This is a book about a teen who lives with a mother who is a hoarder..."Oh, good. I'm glad you liked it. I just started it about fifteen minutes ago, got through the first chapter, and I'm still kind of ambivalent. I'll keep going and it will probably turn around.
5.8 “Mr. Watson, Come Here, I Want To See You.”Entr@pment: A High School Comedy in Chat
Hilarious at times, and definitely a train-wreck of a book. And I mean that in the kindest way possible.
15.2 Anzac Day
The Whale Rider and The Foreshadowing
Both were good. The Whale Rider is a modern-day fairy tale/myth, and the Foreshadowing had many interesting parallels with the Iliad (completely intentional, I'm sure). Whale Rider might benefit from a reread, so I can better see how things connect.
Total: 20 + 505 (from earlier) = 525pts
Task 10.2 - Three/Four/FiveCuentos de Mujeres Solas http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23...
(average rating 3.33)
Task Points: 10
My total points: 10
[image error]
#10.10 Read a book that has a type of clothing or accessory in the title:Spies on the Devil's Belt by Betsy Haynes Mar 14
#25.6 BJRose's Task: This Day in History
A. Read a book about an event that took place on your birthdate prior to 1950:
1773 Oliver Goldsmith' "She Stoops to Conquer", premieres in London
I read the play She Stoops To Conquer - I have seen this referenced many times when reading other books, and decided this was the time to see what it's all about - I loved it, and would love to see this in live theater!
B. Read a contemporary book (1950 to present) that takes place in same area of the world or covers the same topic as Book A
I read the play August: Osage County by Tracy Letts, which won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. This one I did not enjoy - calling it "a corrosive black comedy" is putting it mildly!
Total Pages = 2,449
Total Points = 130
5 POINT TASK5.3 - S.P.R.I.N.G
For this task read a book written by an author whose initials are found in the word Spring. (Initials must be sequential i.e. SP, PR, RI, IN, NG, GS not PG)
Crimes of Conscience, Nadine Gordimer.
15 POINT TASK
15.6 - Friends and Friends of Friends
A.For the first part of this task read a book that is popular among the lists of your Goodreads friends that you have never read.
AND
B.For the second part of this task click on this link (Friends Of Friends) and select the first person on this list and read a 5 star book from their list.
A. A Passage to India, E.M. Forster.
B. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave: Written by Himself, Frederick Douglass.
25 POINT TASK
25.8 - Helen's Task - Talk to the Animals
In honor of our animal friends, read two books (fiction or non-fiction):
A. A book narrated by or written in the voice of an animal.
AND
B. A book demonstrating the relationship between owners and pets.
A. Flush: A Biography, Virginia Woolf.
B. Last Days of the Dog-Men: Stories, Brad Watson.
30 POINT TASK
30.6 - Donna Jo's Task - As Suggested By Liz Brooklyn - Character References
A. For this task you need to read a book (fiction or non-fiction) AND A book or book written by an author that the first book references.
A. A Literature of Their Own: British Women Novelists from Bronte to Lessing, Elaine Showalter.
B. The Voyage Out, Virginia Woolf.
TOTAL POINTS: 130/980.
Mod
I read The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Presents America by Jon Stewart and Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime by John Heilemann
John Heileman appeared on the Colbert Report on January 13, 2010, to talk about Game Change. The Colbert Report was a spinoff from the Daily Show.
Points: 160
Books: 10
Pages: 2781
Tasks: 8
For task 15.3, I read Inkheart by Cornelia Funke.I hesitate to say there are books that everyone should read. But I would definitely put this on the list of books that booklovers should read. I like recommending books for certain people, but blanket recommendations for everyone just feels like required reading. My favorite book in the world is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, but I can already hear the groans from those who can't stand her, so I hate to say everyone should read her. Yup. I'm a chicken.
I'm off to a late start. This is my first book for this season.Task 5.1 All About the Birds and the Bees
I read a book with an insect in the title: The Black Moth.
That gives me 5 points.
Finished task 15.3 with Everything Is Illuminated. I supposed it is ok to be on a list of books that everyone should read at least once, but I could've lived without it. I liked the book. I do think that it is one people should read just because it is unique (a little vulgar though-be warned!). It was an interesting way to tell a story, but if you want to read a Foer novel, I suggest Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close instead.Total points: 65
Heather in KS
finished task 10.3 by reading Mr. Summer's Story by Patrick Süskind. this is my 3rd time reading it, and it never stops being a lovely, funny and sad little book.
Total Points: 35 /260
Tasks Completed: 3/13
Books Read: 4/15+
Tasks in Progress: 1
I finished task 10.3today by reading Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs.I believe that puts me at 85 points.
20.2 Clean SweepDirty Little Secrets
I wouldn't even want to attempt the cleaning job the protagonist faces in this book. I jokingly guessed the ending somewhere around chapter 3 ("Ha ha, wouldn't it be awesome if--?"), but the actual ending requires a hefty deal of suspension of disbelief, since it's virtually impossible to pull off and not get caught. I know I'm being cryptic, but I don't want to give anything too big away. It was an okay book, but I wanted to beat up practically all the characters and tell them to stop being stupid.
Total: 20 + 525 (from earlier) = 545pts
I complete 10.1 Books Really Do Grow on Trees: Wolf-Speaker by Tamora Pierce. There are trees behind the cluster of characters in the foreground. 
Total: 15 points
TOTAL POINTS: 155 + 20 = 17520.6 Roadkill by Rob Thurman, book #5 in the Cal Leandros series
I shamelessly stole most of my description from one of the Amazon reviews...it said everything much more succinctly than I ever could!
The Cal Leandros series is in the urban fantasy genre, but you won't find frills, sentimental monologues, or cheesy admissions of love. What you WILL find are loving descriptions of Desert Eagles and assault knives, hilarious quips and sarcastic one-liners, and a great ensemble cast. Rob takes myths that have been turned into parodies and clichés in the genre and flips them on their heads.
Completed Tasks
5.2 Wicked Plants by Amy Stewart
5.6 Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto
5.9 Walking Dead by C. E. Murphy
10.1 Little (Grrl) Lost by Charles de Lint
10.8 Spin State by Chris Moriarty
10.9 Moving Target by Mercedes Lackey et al
10.10 Angus Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison
15.9 Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
20.3 The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson
20.5 The Giver by Lois Lowry, Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo, From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
20.7 The Pleasure of Cooking for One by Judith Jones
25.1 Recipes from a American Herb Garden by Maggie Oster
Finished another one!10.2 - Three/Four/Five
March, April, and May are the 3rd, 4th, and 5th months of the year - Read a book whose average rating is 3.45. (The book must have that rating when you start to read it - if the rating changes after you or other Goodreads members review it...i.e. if the score is higher or lower than 3.45 when you post the task it will still count.)
on 2-21-10 3.45 (any combination of 3,4,5)
I just checked, and the book I read says:
43 ratings, 4.33 average rating, 24 reviews
Yeah! I wasn't sure where else I could fit this one. I read:
I.O.U.: Why Everyone Owes Everyone and No One Can Pay by John Lanchester (Hardcover, 272 pages)
[image error]
Good book to read if you want to understand what REALLY happened 2008-2009 in the world's financial markets.
110 + 10 = 120
Tasks Completed: 7
Points for this task: 10
Points thus far: 120/980
Books read: 8
Pages Read: 2119
Read but not claimed: 2 books
Julie McVey15.10 - Size 12 Is Not Fat ~ Meg Cabot
For quite a while I struggled to find a book that had a title that would "fit my personal philosophy." But, then I stumbled across this book and I immediately knew it was perfect!!! I have struggled with the fact I have settled into a size 12 now that I am in my late 20's instead of the size 7/8 that I was for so many years. Recently I have decided that it isn't so bad being the size of the Average American Woman! I enjoyed this book and I think it fit perfectly for this challenge! :)
Total Points = 75 points
Total Books = 5 books
Total Pages = 1285 pages
For 10.4 Reduce, Reuse and Recycle I did part A (reduce) and read We are all Made of Glue by Marina Lewycka. This is her third published book and I have already read the first two which were A short history of tractors in ukrainian and two caravans!Previous Reads
15.9 What's in a Name - A Town Like Alice by Neville Shute
30.3 Birth and Renewal - Blacklands by Belinder Bauer and Restoration by Rose Tremain
[image error]
20.8 I read It's a Kind of Magicby Carole Matthews. To make the page numbers up- I read one of my daughters books Sabrina : A Novelization. She used to love the tv programme.
25.3 Murder in the Penguin PoolStuart Palmer
I went to the Jacksonville zoo to see the new penguin exhibit.
10.10 - "Fashions fade - style is eternal."Many of the world's most famous fashion designer's have spring birthdays including...Jean-Paul Gaultier, Christian Lacroix, Valentino, Guccio Gucci, Donatella Versace, Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Oleg Cassini, Liz Claiborne, Perry Ellis, Tommy Hilfiger, Marc Jacobs, and Bob Mackie...In honor of them read a book (fiction or non-fiction) that has a type of clothing or accessory in the title (shirt, pants, shoes etc.)
Ex. Al Capone Does My Shirts or The Necklace: Thirteen Women and the Experiment That Transformed Their Lives
Girl in Pants 3 by Brasheres
10 points
20.3 - Best Review Contest - Amy MO - Mental Health
National Mental Health Month is celebrated during the spring challenge. Today, an estimated 450 million people globally suffer from mental illness. To honor those who live with a mental illness, read one of the following... A. A fiction book with a main character with a mental health disorder (depression, schizophrenia, anxiety or phobia, eating disorder, personality disorder, etc). The mental health disorder does NOT have to be a diagnosed condition in order to count for the challenge. The character just needs to have a clear mental health disorder that can easily be identified by the reader. OR
B. A non-fiction book about a mental health issue/disorder (or it can be about a variety of mental health disorders). This can be a 'self-help' type book or a memoir/biography/autobiography that specifically relates to a mental health disorder(s).
When you post, tell us what mental health disorder your book featured and what you learned about that particular mental health disorder from reading the book.
In the Kitchen by Monica Ali
PTS Syndrome and Bipolar Disorder: I didn’t learn much new, I already know that both are extremely difficult to manage; however, Monica Ali uses beautiful structure and her books are excellent.
20 points
5.6 - May is Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month
To celebrate this month read a novel that takes place in a Asian/Pacific county, that features an Asian/Pacific American character, or written by an Asian/Pacific American author Asian-Pacific Heritage Month
Once on a Moonless Night by Silje
5 points
10.1 - Books Really Do Grow On Trees
In honor of Arbor Day(called different things in different countries), which is celebrated in many countries (Belgium, China, Germany, Japan, Kenya, Lesotho, Netherlands, Portugal, South Korea, Uganda, United States, and Venezuela) in the spring and the fact that without trees we wouldn't have books...Read a book with a picture of a tree(s) on the cover or the word tree/trees (not a type of tree) in the title.
A Night Too Dark by Stabenow
10 points
245 total
Jen B wrote: "Just had my baby on Tuesday, so things have been a little hectic to say the least. But I've managed to finish a couple of books for some points:20.8 RACHEL LEE'S TASK - [book:Enchanted, Inc.|60..."
A baby how fantastic, my baby is 19. You are in for a wonderful adventure. Just remember that soccer instruction is the key to college scholarships, my boy started playing at 4!!! LOL.
EDITED POST20.7. I Like Big Books and I Cannot Lie
I have a potted plant that is beyond hope, and has been for quite some time. I really ought to throw it away. I am connecting this to Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer because pretty much all of the vegetation is killed off due to environmental circumstances in the novel.
TOTAL = 40 POINTS
[image error]
15.1 Independently SpeakingWife of the Gods: A Novel by Kwei Quartey (Ghana)
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith (Zimbabwe)
20.10 Group Read
The Golden Compassby Phillip Pullman
Total Points: 40
Books Read: 4
Pages Read: 1182
Finished 25.1: The Lake of Dead Languages by Carol GoodmanMy stepmom has a ski boat, so I grew up going to the lake about 2 hours from our house almost every weekend of the summer. I would love to have my own lake house one day and be able to spend more time there.
Carol Goodman is a goodreads author.
Total Points: 75
30.6 - Donna Jo's Task - As Suggested By Liz Brooklyn - Character ReferencesEclipse (Twilight, #3) by Stephenie Meyer and Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Edward mentions Romeo & Juliet early in the novel when talking with Bella
10.2 - Three/Four/Five- average rating
The Lost Symbol (Robert Langdon, #3) by Dan Brown- rating of 3.34 as of March 1, 2010
Tasks Completed: 4
Points Earned: 85
Books Read: 5
Reposting as requested by Cynthia:Task 20.3 (mental health): I read Risk Pool by Richard Russo. The main character's mother had a "nervous breakdown" and seemed to have depression/anxiety though it was never diagnosed. I learned how this type of disorder can really immobilize a person and keep them from enjoying life.
Adding on a newly completed task:
Finished 30.6
I read Special Topics in Calamity Physics and A Moveable Feast, which it references.
New total: 50 points
I finished task 25.10 DeJavu by reading Sense and Sensibility and Sense and Sensibility and Sea MonstersMy conclusion: Sense and Sensability is no where near as good as Pride and Prejudice, and is only improved by the ridiculousness of the sea monsters, Sense and Sensablity and Sea Monsters is much better than Pride and prejudice and Zombies... its clear they had more time to do it.
that is all :-)
Books Read: 6
Pages Read: 1970
Points: 60
I finished task 10.2 "Three/Four/Five" by reading Fugitives and Refugees: A Walk in Portland, Oregon by Chuck Palahniuk. The Goodreads rating for the book was 3.53.Books Read: 1 (!)
Points 10
5.9 "I think even lying on my bed I can still do something."- Dorothea Dix
Read in bed over several days:
Moral Disorder: and Other Stories
215 points
20.6 Seeing Redd by Frank BeddorThis book is the second in the Looking Glass Wars series. It's a twisted spin on Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. In this particular book Alyss Hart, Queen of Wonderland is trying to keep Wonderland safe from enemies.
Completed task 5.3 S.P.R.I.N.G.Neverwhere - Neil Gaiman
I have completed the following tasks:15.3 Peace Like a River by Leif Negel
And I hated this book so I don't believe that it should be on the list at all. It was unbelieveable even as fiction as hard to stay with. I would have rated this book as a negative if it was possible. Maybe I missed something in the book but that is how I felt about it.
25.7 Gods and Goddesses in Greek Mythology by Michelle M. Houle
30.4A The Hill A True Story of Tragedy, Recovery, and Redemption on North America's Highest Peak by Ed Hommer
30.4B Down the Colorado Travels on Western Waterway by jim Carrier
15.1A Let's Go Ireland on a Budget by Let's Go Book Series
15.1B Mary Lou: Creating an Olympic Champion by MAry Lou Retton AND Bela Karolyi (Romania)
some updates from teh weekend - First, can I move Three Bags Full from task 10.2 to task 25.8. This was a murder mystery told from teh POV of the sheep who were investigating their shepherd's death.
25.8B - The Art of Racing in the Rain
by Garth Stein - a Goodreads Author
25.6 - 1949 First Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner episode- Fast and Furry-ous is aired.
I read A: Coyote V. Acme by Ian Frazier and B: The Prehistory of the Far Side by Gary Larson
Total Points: 125
Tasks Complete: 9
Books Read: 15
Pages Read: 5663
Tasks In Progress: 6
GOODREADS AUTHOR x
BIG BOOK (500)
BIG BOOK (750)
BIG BOOK (1000) x
20.10: The Handmaid's Tale15.3: The Hunger Games
25.5: Fallen 452 pages, Rising Shadow 378 pages and Herland - read 60 pages of this one so does that still count as it comes to 890 pages - more than I needed to read?
Fallen and Rising Shadow - Goodreads Authors.
Total Points: 60/980
Total Pages Read: 1651
Books Read: 5
Tasks Completed: 3/57
Becca wrote: "Completed task 5.3 S.P.R.I.N.G.Neverwhere - Neil Gaiman"
I loved this book.
5.8 "Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you."Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Laurie Halse Anderson is a Goodreads Author.
Total points: 210
I read in bed (only late at night, as that is the only time I can sit down) -- A thousand white women by Jim Ferguson. Wow. What a cushy life I have, even at its most challenging!
total: 90/980
[image error]
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
The Seasonal Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Frankenstein (other topics)Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang (other topics)
Loving Frank (other topics)
Maus II: A Survivor's Tale: And Here My Troubles Began (other topics)
Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Nancy Horan (other topics)Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (other topics)
Elizabeth Gilbert (other topics)
Chelsea Handler (other topics)
Eric Puchner (other topics)
More...
House Rules by Jodi Picoult
This book is about Jacob Hunt, who has Aspergers Syndrome.
5/980 points
Tasks Completed: 1/57
Tasks In Progress: 2
Books Read: 1
Pages Read: 530